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 Flash China's Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang met with relevant UK Foreign Office official on Tuesday, and told the UK side not to go further down the dangerous path of jeopardizing China-UK relations. During the meeting, Zheng made further, serious representations to the UK side on its wrongful behavior, including its unwarranted accusation against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, and refuted the excuses made by the UK side. The ambassador was unequivocal that the UK must stop anti-China political maneuvering and not go further down the dangerous path of jeopardizing China-UK relations. The UK fabricated on Monday the so-called case to smear and attack the HKSAR government, Zheng said. For some time now, the UK has staged a series of accusations against China, including those on "China spies" and cyber attacks, he added. "All those accusations are groundless and slanderous. The British side has also wantonly harassed, arrested and detained Chinese citizens in the UK under the pretext of judicial and national security. This constitutes a grave provocation against China and severely contravenes the basic norms governing international relations. It is totally unacceptable," he said. Hong Kong has long returned to China and the UK has no right and is in no position to point fingers at and meddle in Hong Kong affairs, the ambassador said. The Chinese government remains firmly resolved in fighting anti-China elements seeking to disrupt Hong Kong and in upholding the stability and prosperity of the region, he said, adding that the UK's harboring of wanted criminals tramples on the rule of law and leads nowhere. The ambassador urged the UK side to immediately correct its wrongdoing, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, stop spreading lies about the so-called "China threat," stop its provocations against China and stop its arbitrary law enforcement against Chinese citizens in the UK. He also called on the UK side to ensure the safety and legitimate rights and interests of all the Chinese institutions and personnel in the UK. "We want to make it clear to the UK side: any move to interfere in China's internal affairs and undermine our interests will be met with a firm response. The UK side must not go further down the dangerous path of jeopardizing China-UK relations," he said. Patients in and around Mondovi will soon have an Emplify Health Clinic to serve their primary care needs. Emplify Health is the new brand for Bellin Gundersen Health System. Emplify acquired the clinic in Mondovi from HSHS/Prevea Health, a press release from Emplify said Wednesday. The Mondovi clinic shut down as part of HSHS/Prevea Health's closure of all its western Wisconsin locations. While other systems are scaling back services or closing locations, Emplify Health is expanding its network of care to get even closer to patient needs and community support, the release says. Heather Schimmers, Gundersen region president for Emplify Health, said Wednesday that Emplifys Mondovi Clinic made sense for the new brand. When you think about what our core mission is, it's really treating patients where they need to be treated and keeping care close to home. And when we do our due diligence and evaluate potential prospects to join our health care organization, Mondovi clinic made 100% sense to us. Its in the perfect location, she said. It fits our mission. Were really excited to open that clinic. The Mondovi clinic plans to offer a range of primary care services once it has hired staff and acquired the necessary medical equipment for the office. An opening date for the clinic has not been announced. "Emplify Health is intentionally investing in locations and services across our system that benefit patients, communities," said Bill Farrell, Emplify Health chief strategy and innovation officer. "Our mission compels us to relentlessly care, learn and innovate. This means personalized care and experience; this means persistence in how we research and validate opportunities. Farrell said the decisions Emplify makes are centered on patients and their health and wellbeing. "Patients in and around Mondovi deserve convenience from an experienced, trusted care team," said Dr. Robert Holness, Gundersen region medical vice president for community care. "We are here to help people get and stay well while understanding their unique needs and providing care with kindness and compassion." Emplify Health announced its new brand name late last month. "Bellin and Gundersen came together in 2022 to expand health care access in our region, especially for our friends in rural areas" Schimmers said. "As we become Emplify Health, we are growing, and we are positioned well to care for patients in communities like Mondovi as we have across the region for well over 100 years." On Dec. 1, 2022, Gundersen Health System and Bellin Health merged to increase access to resources, providers and services and to better serve patients in their combined four-state coverage areas. La Crosse-based Gundersen and Green Bay-based Bellin together serve Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa. A representative from Gundersen Health System said in April the organization is investigating ways to expand into the Chippewa Valley. On Wednesday, Emplify said in its release the Mondovi clinic is the next step in Emplify Health's thoughtful exploration of opportunities in and around the Chippewa Valley. Last month, Christopher Stauffer, media relations senior consultant for Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System, wrote in an email to The Chippewa Herald that the team is thoughtfully and thoroughly investigating opportunities in the Chippewa Valley. He said work the system is doing in the region includes meeting with local officials to listen and understand needs and perspectives. This will help us make the best decisions. On Wednesday, when asked if Emplify was interested in other HSHS locations, Schimmers said, We will continue to explore any opportunities to keep delivering on our mission and what makes sense for our organization. River Valley Media Group reporter Rachel Mergen contributed to this story. Flash Israeli armored vehicles are deployed near Kibbutz Reim in southern Israel, on May 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] The European Union (EU) on Wednesday urged Israel to end its military operation in Rafah "immediately," stressing that continued military operation would "inevitably put a heavy strain" on its relationship with Israel. "The European Union is calling on Israel to refrain from further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and reopen the crossing point of Rafah," Josep Borrell, EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a statement. "Should Israel continue its military operation in Rafah, it would inevitably put a heavy strain on the EU's relationship with Israel," Borrell noted. Israel's military operation is further disrupting the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and is leading to more internal displacement, exposure to famine and human suffering, he said, adding that more than a million civilians are sheltering in and around Rafah and have been told to evacuate to unsafe areas. While the EU recognizes Israel's right to defend itself, it must do so in line with the International Humanitarian Law and ensure the safety of civilians, the statement stressed, adding that under the International Humanitarian Law, Israel must allow and facilitate unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians. Meanwhile, the EU also condemned Hamas's attack on the Kerem Shalom crossing which has further obstructed the delivery of humanitarian relief supplies. It called on all parties to redouble efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas. Israeli tanks on Tuesday marched towards the center of Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, as tens of thousands of residents fled to evade an Israeli ground offensive, a local source reported. On 14 May Mexican civil society organisations Data Civica and Causa en Comun, as well as local consultancy Integralia Consultores, warned that Mexico was facing the most violent elections in its history. End of preview - This article contains approximately 408 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 14 May Colombias Presidentsaid that he will denounce the slow implementation of the 2016 peace accords before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). End of preview - This article contains approximately 406 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options The Soviets have opened a new phase in space exploration with the launch of the worlds biggest space station, Mir. The successful launch of Mir comes just over three weeks after the American space shuttle Challenger disaster, in which seven astronauts died. At next weeks Communist Party congress in Moscow the Mir project is likely to be hailed as proof that the Soviets are leading the peaceful exploration of space. Mir, which means both peace and world in Russian, is intended to provide a base for a permanently manned complex orbiting the Earth. Too costly It succeeds the Soviet Salyut models, the last of which, Salyut 7, was launched in April 1982 and is still in orbit. The Americans also had a space station, Skylab, which suffered damage on its initial launch and eventually proved too costly to maintain and fell back to Earth in 1979. Soviet officials say their new craft represents the transition from research to large-scale production activities in space. The station has six docking stations, which means other modules or laboratories can be added to it, expanding its size and capability. Remain in orbit The deputy head of the Soviet cosmonaut training centre, Alexei Leonov, said it would only be possible to determine how long Mir would remain in orbit after it had completed its first flight. He said the cosmonauts, now taking part in a special training programme, would have separate cabins with windows and even individual desks and armchairs. Mr Leonov explained that Salyut 7 was too small for the plans now being implemented by Soviet experts. It has only two docking stations and can support a crew of only three, whereas Mir can carry between six and ten people. The main work of the first cosmonauts on board Mir will be to continue with the experiments in materials processing, begun on Salyut 6 and 7. Other activities will include observation of the Earth using high-powered cameras, as well as helping locate mineral deposits on Earth and monitor the seas for trawlers. Courtesy BBC News In context The first crew arrived on board Mir on 15 March 1986 and it remained more or less continuously occupied until November 2000. Crew member Valeri Polyakov stayed up a record 439 days. The end of the Cold War marked a new era of space co-operation. In September 1993 US Vice-President Al Gore and Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin announced plans for a new space station, which would later be called the International Space Station, or ISS. In preparation for this new project, the US became more closely involved with Mir. From March 1995 seven US astronauts consecutively spent 28 months on Mir, during which time the spacecraft suffered a number of emergencies included a large fire on 23 February 1997 and a collision with an unmanned cargo ship on 25 June 1997. Mounting costs contributed to the decision to bring down Mir. Mir remained in space until 23 March 2001, during which time it orbited the Earth more than 86,000 times. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said yesterday that American military aid on its way to Ukraine will make a real difference on the battlefield, as the top diplomat made an unannounced visit to reassure an ally facing a fierce new Russian offensive. In increasingly intense attacks along the northeastern border in recent days, Moscows troops have captured around 100 to 125 square kilometers (about 40 to 50 square miles) of territory that includes at least seven villages, according to open source monitoring analysts. Though most of those villages were already depopulated, thousands of civilians in the area have fled the fighting. Analysts have called this moment one of the most dangerous for Ukraine since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022 and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked yesterday for more air defense systems to protect civilians under Russian fire in the northeast. We know this is a challenging time, Blinken said in the Ukrainian capital where he met with Zelenskyy. But he added that American military aid is going to make a real difference against the ongoing Russian aggression on the battlefield. The visit comes less than a month after Congress approved a long-delayed foreign assistance package that sets aside $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, much of which will go toward replenishing badly depleted artillery and air defense systems. Some of that is now on the way, Blinken said, and some has already arrived in Ukraine. Moscows renewed offensive in the northeastern region of Kharkiv is the most significant border incursion since the early days of the war. More than 7,500 civilians have been evacuated from the area, according to authorities. The Kremlins forces are now expanding their push to the northern border regions of Sumy and Chernihiv, Ukrainian officials say, and repeated shelling and sabotage raids there are further stretching Kyivs resources. Zelenskyy thanked Blinken for the aid but added that more is necessary, including two Patriot air defense systems that are urgently needed to protect Kharkiv. The people are under attack: civilians, warriors, everybody. Theyre under Russian missiles, he said. Artillery, air defense interceptors and long-range ballistic missiles have already been delivered, some of them already to the front lines, said a senior U.S. official traveling with the secretary on an overnight train from Poland who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity ahead of Blinkens meetings. On his fourth trip to Kyiv since Russian troops rolled over the border, Blinkens goal is to underscore the Biden administrations commitment to Ukraines defense and long-term security, U.S. officials said. They noted that since President Joe Biden signed the aid package late last month, the administration has already announced $1.4 billion in short-term military assistance and $6 billion in longer-term support. In a statement released after Blinkens arrival, the State Department said he would hold talks with Zelenskyy and other top Ukrainian officials to discuss battlefield updates, the impact of new U.S. security and economic assistance, long-term security and other commitments, and ongoing work to bolster Ukraines economic recovery. Delays in U.S. assistance, particularly since the Israel-Hamas war began and has preoccupied top administration officials, triggered deep concerns in Kyiv and Europe. Blinken, for example, has visited the Middle East seven times since the Gaza conflict began in October. His last trip to Kyiv was in September. The U.S. official added that Blinken also would give a speech today [Macau time] extolling Ukraines strategic successes in the war. It is intended to complement a Blinken address last year in Helsinki, Finland, deriding Russian President Vladimir Putin for Moscows strategic failures in launching the war. Since the Helsinki speech, however, Russia has intensified its attacks, most noticeably as the U.S. House of Representatives sat on the aid package for months without action, forcing a suspension in the provision of most U.S. assistance. Those attacks have increased in recent weeks as Russia has sought to take advantage of Ukrainian shortages in manpower and weapons while the new assistance is in transit. Top Biden administration officials and Ukrainian national security officials held a call Monday about the situation on the front, about the capabilities that they are most in need of, and a real triage effort to say, Get us this stuff this fast so that we can be in a position to effectively defend against the Russian onslaught, said national security adviser Jake Sullivan. The administration is trying to really accelerate the tempo of U.S. weapon shipments, he said. Zelenskyy said over the weekend that fierce battles are taking place near the border in eastern and northeastern Ukraine as outgunned and outnumbered Ukrainian soldiers try to push back a significant Russian ground offensive. The new Russian push in the northeastern Kharkiv region and a drive into the eastern Donetsk region come after months when the roughly 1,000-kilometer front line barely budged. In the meantime, both sides have used long-range strikes in what largely became a war of attrition. MATTHEW LEE, KYIV, MDT/AP The government of Cape Verde has announced that it is engaged in discussions with Macau Legend Development Ltd, a casino services firm listed in Hong Kong, regarding the revocation of Macau Legends concession to develop and operate a casino resort in Cape Verde. Olavo Correia, Cape Verdes vice prime minister and minister of finance and business promotion, said in an interview with local broadcaster RTC that negotiations between both parties are underway. The governments aim is to reach an amicable agreement to revoke the concession contract with Macau Legend within two months. Correia emphasized that, if an acceptable resolution cannot be reached within a reasonable timeframe, the government will resort to other legal means as Macau Legend is allegedly in breach of its contractual obligations. Macau Legend announced in 2015 that it had signed agreements with the Cape Verde government to develop a casino resort in the capital city. The company had planned to invest approximately EUR250 million in the project. Construction on the casino resort began in 2016 but has faced significant delays, with reports suggesting that construction work has been halted for an extended period. Macau Legends most recent annual report, released in April, did not provide an update on the projects status. Correia revealed that the Cape Verde government is seeking new investors for the casino resort project and has received interest from several parties. The government aims to select a partner capable of providing guarantees with respect to the financial, management, and project execution to avoid further delays. HT Jimmie Johnson will attempt his own version of The Double when he becomes the first driver to be part of the Indianapolis 500 broadcast team hours before he competes in NASCARs Coca-Cola 600. Johnson, who ran the Indy 500 in 2022, was part of NBC Sports broadcast booth in 2021 when he ran only the road and street courses on IndyCars schedule. He added ovals in his second and final season in American open-wheel racing. NBC said yesterday that Johnson will be part of the broadcast team at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the May 26 race. It will be the first of recurring analyst opportunities for Johnson with the network this year. To have the opportunity to experience The Greatest Spectacle in Racing once again is such an honor, Johnson said. I was part of the NBC broadcast team in 2021 and it just fueled the fire I needed to make my childhood dream of racing in the Indianapolis 500 one day a reality. Competing in this race as a driver was a chance of a lifetime, so to be able to experience the pageantry again is just so special. Johnson will fly to Charlotte, North Carolina, after the Indy 500 to compete in NASCARs longest race of the year. The Hall of Famer won the Coca-Cola 600 four times as a full-time NASCAR driver. Johnson now races a partial schedule as co-owner of Legacy Motor Club. For NBC, Johnson will also be an analyst later this season for NASCAR races at Daytona and Talladega, as well as races hes schedule to compete in. Any time you can add one of the greatest drivers of all time and an icon of the sport, you jump at the opportunity, said Sam Flood, lead producer for NBC Sports motorsports coverage. We are thrilled to be working with Jimmie and adding his unique perspective on every race he covers, as well as having him become the first person ever to do the Double history awaits. Kyle Larson will become the fifth driver to attempt to complete both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Tony Stewart in 2001 became the only driver to complete all 1,100-miles of racing. ENNA FRYER, INDIANAPOLIS, MDT/AP Hong Kongs leader yesterday urged foreign governments to respect the duties of its overseas-based trade offices after a staff member in its London branch was charged in Britain for allegedly helping the citys intelligence service gather information. Chief Executive John Lee said his administration has demanded the British government to provide an explanation about the prosecution of Bill Yuen, the office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London. Lee said any attempt to make unwarranted allegations against the citys government is unacceptable. British police allege that Yuen, along with Chi Leung (Peter) Wai and Matthew Trickett, agreed to engage in information gathering, surveillance and acts of deception that were likely to materially assist the Hong Kong intelligence service. The trio was charged under a new national security act that gave British police additional powers to tackle foreign espionage. In his weekly news briefing, Lee said the duties of the trade office in London are to foster ties with various sectors in Britain and promote Hong Kong. Any attempt to interfere with the work of the ETO offices in different places will be against free trade and free economy and will harm the economy of the countries that try to do bad things to the operation of the ETO offices, he said. Mondays prosecution is likely to sour relations between Britain and China. Chinese authorities in both the U.K. and Hong Kong have decried the charges, saying they were just the latest in a series of groundless and slanderous accusations that the British government has leveled against China. In April, British prosecutors also charged two men, including a former researcher working in the U.K. Parliament, with spying for China. The Chinese Embassy called the allegations completely fabricated. On Monday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned the U.K. was facing an increasingly dangerous future due to threats from an axis of authoritarian states, including Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. The three men were granted bail in a London court on Monday and their next court appearance is scheduled for May 24. Hong Kong media reported that Yuen is a former police officer in Hong Kong. The Associated Press found Yuens name printed in local police publicity materials online. In the news conference yesterday, Lee also responded to reports of a photo he had taken with Yuen for a news article years ago. This photo appears to be a graduation group photo, he said. My impression of this person is solely based on this photo. KANIS LEUNG, HONG KONG, MDT/AP Macaus daily gross gaming revenue (GGR) declined from an estimated MOP910 million during the Labor Day Golden Week to MOPD578 million in the seven days following, as reported by investment bank JP Morgan. While JP Morgan described this decrease as slightly weaker than preferred, it still falls within post-holiday expectations. According to analysts DS Kim, Mufan Shi, and Selina Li in a note on Monday, the combined GGR for the first 12 days is estimated at MOP8.6 billion, averaging MOP716 million per day. The mass GGR has remained at approximately 120% of pre-COVID levels. JP Morgans forecast for Mays GGR remains unchanged at MOP19.5 billion to MOP20 billion, potentially marking it as the best month since the reopening of borders in January 2023. Additionally, JP Morgan highlighted that Beijing added eight additional cities to the list eligible for Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) visas for travel to Macau and Hong Kong, bringing the total number of eligible cities to 59. While these cities, including Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Xining, Yinchuan, and Urumqi, are not expected to significantly impact Macau visitation, analysts noted the favorable policy support from the central government. We believe it is always the thought that counts when it comes to China policy, the analysts wrote. Howard Tong MGM China is unveiling a new exhibition to further revitalize Barra district and offer tourists a distinctive experience amid evolving trends in the citys tourism market. The current trend among tourists is to seek unique experiences, reflecting a change in the market compared to a decade ago. The question is whether such revitalization efforts and new offerings in Macau will allow tourists to have these desired experiences. For the gaming operator, MGM is focusing on creating unique experiences to attract tourists as part of its promise to local government. As a pledge to the local government following the granting of a 10-year casino concessionaire last year, all six gaming operators are required to boost their non-gaming spending, with each operator handling an area of revitalization to spur traffic and spending. Currently, MGM is partnering with local small and medium-sized food service businesses at Navy Yard No. 2 to operate food trucks offering snacks aiming to promote local delicacies, open up new opportunities for these businesses, and make the district more vibrant. The gaming operator is in charge of transforming 10 buildings at the site within the stipulated years of its gaming license. Questioned by the Times regarding its long-term goals, Catarina Lio, senior vice president of Brand Marketing of MGM China, said that the groups ambition is to extend its projects on a larger scale moving forward to create a more interesting market direction here. The revitalization extended beyond the exhibition halls. Art murals by local artists have also adorned the once-dull walls of buildings, injecting color and creativity into the urban landscape, which is a key objective of the initiative. We want this neighborhood to be considered when tourists come over. It will help Macau to attract more tourists if there are more things to do and they will be more likely to spend, said Lio. We want them to enjoy themselves in different neighborhood district, the executive added. Yesterday, MGM held a media tour to the ongoing Into the World of Wuxia Legends: Jin Yong Wuxia Drama Costumes and Weapons Exhibition at Barra, featuring costumes and a collection of lifelike props from renowned works such as Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber, and the Condor from The Condor Heroes 95. The exhibition includes screenings of TVB Jin Yong drama clips and a pop-up bookstore that sells themed souvenirs, which aims to pass down Jin Yongs literary classics. The exhibition seeks to immerse visitors in the world of wuxia and offer an experience that showcases Jin Yongs tales and the essence of chivalry and pop culture from different perspectives. The Asia-Pacific pre-selection for the Prix de Lausanne, a renowned international dance competition for aspiring classical ballet dancers, will be held in Macau this September. This marks the inaugural selection of Macau as the regions pre-selection location. The Grand Lisboa Palace Resort will host the event. Registration for the pre-selection opens tomorrow and closes June 15. Only four dancers will advance to the next stage. The Asia-Pacific pre-selection is scheduled from September 27 to 29. Related Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a two-day state visit to China this week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said yesterday, in the latest show of unity between the two allies against the U.S.-led Western liberal global order. Putin will meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping during his visit starting tomorrow, the ministry said, saying the two leaders would discuss cooperation in various fields of bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern. No details were mentioned. The Kremlin in a statement confirmed the trip and said Putin was going on Xis invitation. It said that this will be Putins first foreign trip since he was sworn in as president and began his fifth term in office. China has backed Russia politically in the conflict in Ukraine and has continued to export machine tools, electronics and other items seen as contributing to the Russian war effort, without actually exporting weaponry. China is also a major export market for energy supplies that keep the Kremlins coffers full. China has sought to project itself as a neutral party in the conflict, but has declared a no limits relationship with Russia in opposition to the West. The sides have also held a series of joint military drills and China has consistently opposed economic sanctions against Russia in response to its now two-year-old campaign of conquest against Ukraine. The two continent-sized states are increasingly in dispute with democracies and NATO while seeking to gain influence in Africa, the Middle East and South America. Putins visit comes just days ahead of Mondays inauguration of William Lai Ching-te as the next leader of Taiwan. MDT/AP * The eighth day of fourth month Buddhists to gather in honor of founders birthday in profound significance of faith in Macau and around the Asian world * HKMAO | Xia Baolong urges youth to seize opportunities * Events | MGM introduces new exhibition to revitalize Barra district * Daily gaming revenue declined from estimated MOP910 million during Labor Day Golden Week to 578 million in following week, JP Morgan says * Galaxy Q1 earnings double amid disruptions over gaming flow * Putin to make a state visit to China this week DOWNLOAD PDF Wednesday, May 15, 2024 edition no. 4483 Beijings top official for Hong Kong and Macau affairs has called on young people to strive harder, become more competitive and seize the opportunities given by the central government to Macau. The director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office at the State Council, Xia Baolong, met with members of the Central District Community Service Consultative Council and of the Northern District Community Service Consultative Council to learn more about community affairs and peoples livelihoods. According to Ou Mun Tin Toi, Xia conveyed the message that young people are the hope of the country, Macau, the Cooperation Zone, and the Greater Bay Area, all of which present numerous opportunities for the younger generation. Xia also urged various sectors to collaborate in improving community care and act as a bridge for facilitating dialogue between residents and the government. He then visited the Government Headquarters to hold discussions with Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng and other senior officials of the SAR. During the meeting, he listened to a presentation on the SARs approach to governance, and exchanged opinions regarding Macaus overall situation and its appropriate economic diversification effort. According to government statement, Xia acknowledged the pragmatic and promising nature of the government, and agreed that the governments actions are characterized by active innovation and revitalization. In the afternoon, Xia, accompanied by Ho and Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, visited the National Security Education Exhibition; and met with entrepreneurs and members of the Macao Chamber of Commerce Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong. Staff Reporter When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Hungary last week, he arrived to one of the few places in the European Union where his country is considered an indispensable ally rather than a rival. By the time he left on Friday, hed secured deals that provide fertile ground for Chinas plans of economic expansion in Europe. After meeting with nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban last wek, the leaders addressed a small group of select media in Hungarys capital, Budapest, announcing the formation of an all-weather partnership that would usher in a new era of economic cooperation. As most EU countries make efforts to de-risk their economies from perceived threats posed by China, Hungary has gone in the other direction, courting major Chinese investments in the belief that the worlds second-largest economy is essential for Europes future. While Xi and Orban didnt unveil concrete agreements following their meeting, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto later said in a video that a deal had been reached on a joint Hungarian-Chinese railway bypass around Budapest, as well as a high-speed train link between the capital and its international airport. The two countries also agreed to expand their cooperation to the whole spectrum of the nuclear industry, Orban said, and deals were reached on China helping Hungary build out its network of electric vehicle charging stations and on construction of an oil pipeline between Hungary and Serbia. Zsuzsanna Vegh, a program assistant at the German Marshall Fund and visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said those deals were a clear signal that China sees Hungary as a key and reliable ally in the EU as it seeks to reverse Europes toughening de-risking policy. Xis visit, Vegh wrote in a statement, shows that Hungarys government remains indifferent to its allies concerns and will continue to strengthen its bilateral ties with China in order to position itself favorably in what it perceives as a developing multipolar world. Pursuing a similar strategy is Serbia, Hungarys neighbor to the south, which has also provided wide opportunities for Chinese companies to exploit its natural resources and carry out large infrastructure projects. Like Orban, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has built a form of autocratic governance that eschews the pluralism valued in more traditional Western democracies making both countries attractive to China as direct deals help to eliminate red tape. During Xis visit to Serbia last week, he and Vucic signed an agreement to build a shared future, making the Balkan country the first in Europe to agree on such a document with Beijing. Vuk Vuksanovic, a senior researcher at the Belgrade Center for Security Policy, said that Xis interest in Serbia reflects his strategy of appealing to countries that are less committed to a U.S.-led economic and political community. Xis shared future agreement with Belgrade, Vuksanovic said, promotes Chinas vision of the international order, the one where China is much more powerful, the one where the Western powers, primarily the U.S., no longer have the ability to dictate the agenda to others. China has poured billions of dollars into Serbia in investment and loans, particularly in mining and infrastructure. The two countries signed an agreement on a strategic partnership in 2016 and a free trade agreement last year. While Serbia formally wants to join the 27-nation EU, it has been steadily drifting away from that path, and some of its agreements with China arent in line with rules for membership. Vucic is friendly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and has condemned Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine but refused to join international sanctions against Moscow. The red-carpet treatment by Serbia and Hungary has worried some of their Western partners, which see Chinas incursion into the region as both an economic and security risk. According to Gabriel Escobar, U.S. envoy for the Western Balkans, Xi chose to visit the neighboring countries because they are open to challenging the unity of the Euro-Atlantic community. In February, Hungary followed Serbias lead by concluding a security agreement with Beijing whereby Chinese law enforcement officers would be permitted to assist their Hungarian counterparts in police actions within Hungary. The government has said the officers will ensure public safety among Chinese tourists and members of Hungarys large Chinese diaspora. But critics say the officers could be used as an extension of Xis single-party state to exert control over the Chinese community. As Orban has deepened relations with Beijing, he has also been engaged in a protracted conflict with the EU that has seen billions in structural funds frozen to Budapest over concerns that he has captured democratic institutions and abused the blocs funds. That money shows no sign of arriving any time soon, and Hungarys pursuit of additional Chinese developments shows its government does not envision the possibility of financing such strategic infrastructure projects from EU funds, Vegh wrote. While the inflow of Chinese capital is a boon to Hungarys sputtering economy, having production sites on EU territory also helps Beijing to circumvent costly tariffs and Europes increasingly protectionist policies. In December, Hungary announced that one of the worlds largest EV manufacturers, Chinas BYD, will open its first European EV production factory in the south of the country, and has invited large direct investments in the production of EV batteries. Such investments, Orban said Thursday, are what will keep Hungary competitive in the future, from wherever they come. The concept driving the Hungarians is that we want to win the 21st century, and not lose it, he said. JUSTIN SPIKE, BUDAPEST, MDT/AP Madison police are seeking the public's help in finding a man who allegedly stole two high-end bicycles overnight Thursday. Employees at Machinery Row Bicycles, 601 Williamson St., reported the burglary at around 8:20 a.m. Friday after they arrived to work to find a back window damaged and a crowbar nearby, police said. Security video shows the man stealing three bikes, but one of them was left outside of the business. The missing bikes are a blue and black 2023 Trek FX 3 and a white 2014 Trek Cali Carbon SL. Anyone with information about the burglary can contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or p3tips.com. Support for holding parents accountable for their children's crimes is growing in the US Support for holding parents accountable for their children's crimes is growing in the US Support for holding parents accountable for their children's crimes is growing in the US The low-slung concrete building stood in the middle of nowhere, its parking lot unlit. In the back, the roof eaves sloped down to a lean-to structure which, combined with some discarded appliances left by a former tenant, made for easy access to the roof. It was, Steve Liethen remembered, the kind of place where shady things could happen. Im sure people fooled around back there all the time, Liethen said of the West Side property he owned for more than 20 years that housed his music store, Good n Loud. But that Sunday, Sept. 3, 1989, Liethen was concerned with more pressing problems: A leaking pipe in the basement. After removing the buildings aging boiler, Liethen found a skull at the base of the chimney, where the flue connected to the boiler. Police would later recover an entire skeleton, complete with a sleeveless paisley dress; a long-sleeved, button-down shirt; shaggy-pile sweater; and low-heeled, pointed shoes. It would be 35 years before authorities could finally put a name to Chimney Doe, thanks to advances in reading degraded DNA. But the announcement Monday that the body found inside the chimney at 5225 University Ave. belonged to Ronnie Joe Kirk, originally of Tulsa, Oklahoma, only answered one question. A host of others remain, including how Kirk died, how he ended up in the chimney, and why he was found with the clothing and other artifacts that accompanied his body, which included an iron cross and a butter knife. Liethen is sure of one thing: Kirk couldnt have climbed down the flue to burglarize the store and simply gotten stuck. Before Liethen purchased it in early 1989, the retail space had been a bakery and a Christian bookstore, hardly enticing targets for anybody seeking valuables. Burglarys out, Liethen said. You dont crawl down (the chimney) on your own. And while the roof was accessible, hefting a body up the makeshift ladder behind the building, even one as small as investigators believe Kirks was, wouldnt have been easy. Whoever did it went to some work, Liethen said. Maybe its just sheer malevolence. While the store closed in 2011 and the building has since been torn down, Liethen remembered the chimney rose about 4 feet above the roof. It had two flues, one for exhaust and the other for intake, which formed a closed loop, Liethen said. The intake side was notably larger than the exhaust side, he said, but the body had been discovered in the exhaust side. For years, Liethen puzzled over the find. Theories came and went, grave sniffers treated his business like some macabre museum, and media outlets hounded him, he said. When he learned of the identity of the corpse from his brother this week, he said, it brought some relief. We all knew that the decedent was part of a family of someone somewhere, Liethen said. I felt a sense of closure. Piecing together a timeline While his ID has been confirmed, little is known about Kirk or how long he had been in Madison. Efforts by the Wisconsin State Journal to reach family members have been unsuccessful. According to Dane County Circuit Court documents as part of a divorce in 1970, he was a factory worker. The records did not specify where he worked or what type of factory it was. His ex-wife, who filed for the divorce, noted that the last known address she had for Kirk was in Tulsa. Court records state that Kirk had willfully deserted his wife and child and subjected them to cruel and inhuman treatment. The couple were ordered to appear in court that April 8, but Kirk failed to show up. Efforts to serve Kirk with orders to appear werent successful, according to court records. Kirk was 26 at the time of the divorce, which is the most recent known record investigators have of him alive. Their next goal is to fill in the 19-year gap from those 1970 court proceedings to the discovery of his remains in 1989. Kirks body had been in the chimney anywhere between two months and two years before Liethen made his discovery, investigators theorize, meaning he would have been in his late 40s when he died. Not yet at rest Liethen counts himself lucky that he found the remains over a holiday weekend. With the store closed an extra day, it gave him and his employees a chance to figure out their next steps, while investigators awaited an excavator to dredge up the crime scene. A few years later, after the initial wave of prying reporters and gawkers let up, Liethen felt a need to honor the anonymous bones. He brought a minister friend to the basement of the music store to offer a blessing to help the dead man rest. He still has the big white candle he burned that day, while the minister read the last rites. I said, Good luck buddy, hope it turned out OK, Liethen recalled. Remembering 30 years of Madison-area cold cases Christine Rothschild, 1968 Charles N. Mumford, 1969 Thomas Speer, 1971 Mark Justl, 1972 Debra Bennett, 1976 Julie Ann Hall, 1978 Susan LeMahieu, 1980 Julie Speerschneider, 1981 Shirley Stewart, 1980 Barbara Nelson, 1982 Donna Mraz, 1982 Andrew Nehmer, 1986 Ronnie Joe Kirk, 1989 Mark Genna, 1992 The Rev. Alfred Kunz, 1998 The local government of Nasugbu, Batangas is seeking the collection of alleged unpaid real property taxes of Palico, Banilad and Kaylaway plantations, collectively known as the Roxas Haciendas, owned by Roxas and Company Inc. (RCI). Nasugbu Mayor Antonio Jose Barcelon, in a letter to RCI, warned the company of possible revocation of its business permit for its alleged failure to settle real property taxes based on the records of the municipal treasurer. - Advertisement - Therefore, this serves as a formal notice to your company of possible revocation of your business permit by this office should you continue to fail to settle your real property taxes which have become due and demandable to date, said Barcelon in a letter to RCI board of directors on May 13, 2024. The letter was posted on Nasugbu LGU social media account. Barcelon also sent a letter to the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to seek the banks assistance in resolving the issue. The unpaid taxes cover eight barangays with a total population of 38,523. Barcelon asked BPI to assist in whatever legal and appropriate action to resolve these issues. Please be informed that Roxas y Cia has not been paying the RPT on the properties mortgaged with your bank, Barcelon wrote. RCI has investments in real estate sector through wholly-owned subsidiary Roxaco Land Corp. (RLC), and the sugar business of Roxas Holdings Inc. (RHI) and its sugar and ethanol manufacturing subsidiaries. RCI said it secured ownership rights over huge track of land in Batangas in February, after it ended a four-decade long land dispute with agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) over its three haciendas. It is now drafting and finalizing its plans on how to maximize value of the properties. Among its options are residential, commercial, industrial and tourism developments. London, United KingdomBeijings top diplomat in London on Tuesday warned that the UK risked jeopardizing relations with China, after he was hauled in by the government for a dressing down over spying claims. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office said it summoned Zheng Zeguang a day after three people were charged with assisting Hong Kongs intelligence service. - Advertisement - It made clear to him that the recent pattern of behavior directed by China against the UK, including cyberattacks, reports of espionage links and the issuing of bounties, is not acceptable, a spokesperson said. Zheng confirmed the meeting in a statement on his embassys website and said that during it he made further, serious representations to the UK side on the UKs wrongful behavior. That included its unwarranted accusation against the Hong Kong government, and other groundless and slanderous accusations against China, he added. The UK must stop anti-China political maneuvering and not go further down the dangerous path of jeopardizing China-UK relations, he said. Hong Kong is Chinas Hong Kong. The UK has no right and is in no position to point fingers and meddle in Hong Kong affairs. The summons came after police in London on Monday charged three people with assisting Hong Kongs intelligence service in a case that Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks spokesman called deeply concerning. Chi Leung Wai, 38, Matthew Trickett, 37, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, all from southeast England, were subsequently released on bail after a court hearing. The Hong Kong government said afterwards that one of the three men charged was the manager of its trade office in London. Chinas foreign affairs commissioner in Hong Kong warned of a firm and strong retaliation against further UK claims. Strained ties London has been increasingly critical of Beijing since it handed back Hong Kong to China in 1997, accusing it of breaking its promise to rule the territory under the one country, two systems principle. It has repeatedly condemned a national security law which it says erodes rights and freedoms, and a crackdown on pro-democracy campaigners in its former colony. Zheng said the UK was harboring wanted criminals by offering residency and a route to citizenship in the UK of dissident Hong Kongers. The summons will do little to improve strained ties between the two countries, which have been made worse by UK criticism of alleged human rights abuses against the Uyghur minority in China. Last month, two men, including a former UK parliamentary researcher, were charged with spying for China, which was again denied by Beijing. The head of the UKs intelligence, security and cyber agency GCHQ, meanwhile, warned that China posed a genuine and increasing cyber risk. China has built an advanced set of cyber capabilities and is taking advantage of a growing commercial ecosystem of hacking outfits and data brokers at its disposal, GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler told a conference on Tuesday. Through their coercive and destabilizing actions, the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) poses a significant risk to international norms and values, she added. Her agency now devotes more resource to China than any other single mission, she added. In March, the UK, United States and New Zealand accused Beijing-backed cybergroups of being behind a series of attacks against lawmakers and key democratic institutions. Manila, PhilippinesChina Coast Guard vessels on Wednesday began shadowing a convoy of Philippine civilian boats on their way to a disputed South China Sea shoal, a convoy spokesman said. Three clearly marked coast guard vessels sailed within sight of the convoy at dusk and broadcast radio warnings heard aboard one of the Philippine boats as the convoy moved closer to Scarborough Shoal, convoy spokesman Emman Hizon told reporters. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the government should invest in telehealth and digital literacy programs to bridge healthcare challenges in the country. He noted, however, that the lack of electricity is a huge challenge. Herbosa added that the countrys unique geography, in which 12 percent of Filipinos lack electricity, hinders digital technology use in health care, especially in isolated areas. - Advertisement - Despite progress since the COVID-19 pandemic, Herbosa also noted that nearly 60% of households still lack internet access, while infrastructure remains inadequate outside the National Capital Region. He particularly mentioned the countrys successful implementation of digital health the advent of telemedicine that played a role in helping patients by offering remote healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under telemedicine, there is no need for a patient to visit a health facility which eventually reduces unnecessary burdens on the health system. As we navigate the intersection of technology and healthcare, we must remember that behind every data point and digital interface, theres a human being seeking care and compassion, Herbosa said. He called on the public to harness the power of innovation responsibly, ensuring that it serves humanity rather than replacing it. KYIV The United States will back Ukraine until its security is guaranteed, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed on a trip to Kyiv on Tuesday, after Russian forces claimed further advances in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Blinkens visit came just weeks after the US Congress finally approved a $61-billion financial aid package for Ukraine following months of political wrangling, unlocking much-needed arms for the countrys outgunned troops. - Advertisement - Were with you today. And we will stay by your side, until Ukraines security, sovereignty, and ability to choose its own path is guaranteed, Blinken said in a speech. The assistance is now on its way. Some of it has already arrived. More will be arriving, he had told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting earlier. Thats going to make a real difference against the ongoing Russian aggression on the battlefield, he said. Zelensky thanked Washington for the aid, which he said was crucial but stressed it was important to get it as quickly as possible. We need a noticeable acceleration of supplies. Now too much time passes between the announcement of packages and the actual appearance of weapons on the frontline, he said in an evening address. Zelensky said air defense was the biggest problem for Ukraine and requested two Patriot batteries for the Kharkiv region, where Russian forces have been advancing and pounding villages along the border since Friday. Blinken was on his fourth visit to Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. After meeting Zelensky, he met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Veterano, a pizzeria set up by a military veteran in the city center. Driving his point home at a visit to an underground Kyiv bar, the Barman Dictat, later on Tuesday, Blinken picked up a guitar and sang the Neil Young classic Rockin in the Free World, accompanied by Ukrainian musicians. Russias surprise ground offensive in the Kharkiv region has forced thousands to evacuate and pushed Kyiv to mobilize troop reinforcements. Ukraine said several civilians have been killed by Russian fire in the region, including on Tuesday two people aged 80 and 83. New York, United States Donald Trumps lawyers on Tuesday got their first stab at Michael Cohen, the former presidents confidante-turned-foe, trying to paint him as a money-hungry, untrustworthy narrator. But the first two hours of defense attorney Todd Blanches questioning packed less of a punch than expected, even as senior Republican allies increasingly politicized the proceedings by showing up to support Trump who is again running for the White House but forced to sit through his own criminal trial, the first of any former US president. - Advertisement - His most high-profile entourage to date turned out for the trial, including House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and pro-Trump politicians vying to be on the defendants vice-presidential shortlist. But the focus was squarely on Cohen, who served as Trumps fixer for years and described himself as a repentant former surrogate who was knee-deep into the cult of Donald Trump. Trump is accused of falsifying business records as he reimbursed Cohen for a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, when her account of a sexual encounter with the then-Republican nominee could have doomed his campaign. The prosecution painstakingly detailed the alleged crimes, walking Cohen and the jury through the issue of 11 checks most signed by Trump in return for invoices Cohen said were falsified to cover up the hush money reimbursement. Cohen said he had made the payments to ensure that the story would not come out, would not affect Mr Trumps chances of becoming president of the United States. He told prosecutors he arranged for the payment and reimbursements in an illegal scheme on behalf of Mr. Trump. The prosecution questioned Cohen all day Monday and all morning Tuesday before turning him over to Team Trump. The cross-examination started off combative but quickly turned tepid and convoluted. Defense lawyer Todd Blanches first question was stricken from the record, after he asked Cohen if he had called him an expletive on TikTok. Why are you making this about yourself? the judge asked Blanche, according to a transcript of the sidebar that jurors did not hear. After that, Blanche was largely deferential to Cohen, who despite having a reputation for a temper was mostly measured as he answered a laundry list of questions whose overall purpose was not particularly clear. But the defense will resume Thursday morning there is no session Wednesday and its possible theyre saving their heat for when the jury has had some rest. A number of jurors appeared increasingly weary over the course of Blanches approximately two hours of cross examination after the lunch break, with a couple letting out yawns and wiping their eyes. Even some court officers guarding the aisles couldnt quite hold their composure. Almost there, one weary officer quipped to another as the afternoon crawled to the finish line. Cohen, 57, is crucial to the Manhattan district attorneys case. Right out of the gate Trumps lawyers have sought to undermine his credibility, and its expected theyll try to drive that point home Thursday. Cohen spent 13 months in jail and another year and a half under house arrest after pleading guilty in 2018 to lying to Congress and committing financial crimes. Speaking to prosecutors he said Trump had reassured him after FBI agents, seeking evidence of the bank fraud and hush money payments at the heart of the case, raided his hotel room and office in April 2018. Dont worry, everythings going to be fine, Im the president of the United States, Cohen recalled Trump saying. I felt reassured because I had the president of the United States protecting me, Cohen testified. But in a poignant moment under direct questioning, he said his dedication to protecting Trump frayed when his family voiced exasperation, asking why are you holding on to this loyalty? We are supposed to be your first loyalty, Cohen said his family told him. It was about time to listen to them. On Monday, Cohen told jurors how he arranged the payment to Daniels to prevent her from going public about her alleged 2006 tryst with the married Trump, a revelation that could have been catastrophic to his White House bid. His testimony largely corroborated that of both Daniels and David Pecker, the former tabloid boss who says he colluded with Cohen and Trump to stifle unflattering stories of the then-presidential hopeful. Trump, 77, has denied having sex with Daniels, and his lawyers last week unsuccessfully asked Judge Juan Merchan for a mistrial. Even if he is convicted in the hush money case, Trump could still run in the November election and be sworn in as president. In a bid to cast him as disgruntled and out for blood, Blanche on Thursday asked Cohen several times whether he wanted to see his former boss convicted. Cohen at first equivocated saying accountability was the goal. Im just asking you to say yes or no, Blanche asked again. Do you want to see president Trump convicted in this case? Cohen then flashed a bit of his blunter side. Sure, he said. In an impassioned address, leaders within Africas financial technology (fintech) domain rallied behind a bold initiative aimed at expediting the continents fintech evolution and seamlessly integrating with the global fintech landscape. Ravi Menon, a Senior Mentor at Elevandi and Singapores Ambassador for Climate Action, emphasized the pressing need to leverage existing elements and establish the framework for a next-generation Foundational Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) architecture, custom-tailored to Africas unique needs. Ravi posed a critical question: With many key components for a FinTech ecosystem aligning in Africa, how can we systematically accelerate the FinTech transformation and integrate with the global fintech ecosystem? He stressed that the time is opportune for Africa to forge ahead with building a consent-based, pan-African next-generation DPI architecture. At the 3i Africa Summit in Accra, Ghana, Ravi proposed that the DPI be founded on three fundamental pillars: Trusted Identity Infrastructure, ensuring secure digital identities for individuals and businesses; Interoperable Payment Systems, facilitating seamless transactions across diverse platforms and networks; and Verified Individual and Business Data Exchanges, establishing secure mechanisms for exchanging verified data. Acknowledging the enormity of the task, Ravi underscored the necessity of high-level guidance and a robust governance structure. He suggested assembling a consortium of key pilot sponsors, chaired by participating Heads of State and featuring C-Suite representation from both public and private sector stakeholders. As Africa stands poised on the brink of a fintech revolution, the imperative is clear: its time to pave the way for a digitally empowered future, driving economic growth and fostering inclusive development across the continent. Established in 2022, the award celebrates the extraordinary achievements of female justice and corrections officers from Member States globally, who defy gender norms and surmount obstacles. Major Ahlem Douzi, in an interview with UN News, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, noting its significance for both herself and Tunisia. She sees it as a catalyst for further advancement and aspires to shoulder greater responsibilities. Receiving the award at the UN Secretariat in New York, Major Douzi conveyed in a post-ceremony video the essence of being a trailblazer, stressing the importance of dismantling systematic barriers such as stereotypes and gender discrimination hindering womens full participation in peace operations. In her dialogue with UN News, Major Douzi delineated her daily responsibilities, including offering advanced technical support for investigations and combating impunity in attacks against UN peacekeepers, notably recent incidents in North Kivu. As the lone woman in Gomas Justice Support section, she confronts unique challenges but perceives them as opportunities to challenge gender norms and exhibit womens capabilities. Major Douzi underscores the importance of womens inclusion across all sectors for sustainable peace. She takes pride in being the first female armaments and ammunition expert in the Prosecution Support Cell and the sole female expert collaborating with Congolese military authorities. As an advocate for women peacekeepers, she encourages them to pursue meaningful contributions and aims to inspire future generations of female role models. 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 Prediction models generated by machine learning are being increasingly used in medicine to identify risk factors and possible outcomes, especially for total joint replacements of knees and hipsalthough researchers warn that machine-generated predictions are currently being drawn from a limited data pool. "Machine learning has great potential for processing 'big data' and has proved its undeniable capability, although it is not free of issues," warns Dr. Reza Hashemi from Flinders University's College of Science and Engineering. "The accuracy of predictive models is dependent on the quality of the data sources, and predictions may be significantly affected by the amount of data and the number of variables included." "At present, predictive models developed for total hip reconstruction and total knee reconstruction are based mainly on patient-reported factors and imaging variables. Therefore, the output of machine learning models in this area needs to be interpreted carefully." To study the application of supervised machine learning in predictive modeling for post-operative outcomes of total hip and knee replacements, Flinders researchers together with collaborators from the Australian Orthopedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR), Royal Adelaide Hospital and UniSA assessed the most-widely used machine learning techniques, data sources, domains, limitations of predictive analytics and the quality of predictions. The research, "Supervised machine learning for the prediction of post-operative clinical outcomes of hip and knee replacements: a review," has been published in ANZ Journal of Surgery. "The most widely used machine learning approach in medical sciences is 'supervised learning,' which estimates the mapping function for new input data in order to predict categorized, real values, or time-to-event outputs," says research co-author, Flinders University's Dr. Khashayar Ghadirinejad. Conventional statistical methods of risk predictions rely on predetermined assumptions and mathematical equations to formalize relations between the variables, whereas machine learning techniques use large amounts of available data to recognize these relationships. In assessing the effectiveness of machine learning to assist with total hip replacement and total knee replacement procedures, the researchers note that care should be taken by the medical profession when dealing with limited data on specific subjects. Dr. Ghadirinejad suggests machine learning models should now be assessed and evaluated using a randomized cohort of studies and controlled trials in real-world settings, rather than just assessing data. "More improvements are needed in machine learning orthopedic applications to translate research aims into clinical practices," he says. Despite the current limitations of machine learning, the researchers recognize there is still a need for models that can predict various outcomes such as the early identification of prostheses outliers based on the available big data from the national joint registries around the world. Joint registries aim to reduce the revision rates of arthroplasty surgeries by early detection of outlier joint arthroplasty devices. They provide population-based data on the comparative outcome of prostheses within the community. Joint registries, in particular the Australian Joint Registry, put efforts to significantly control the harm and cost of using poor-performing devices in hip and knee replacement surgeries. The authors also suggest a future direction for machine learning in the domain of joint arthroplasty could be to develop decision-making support systems focused on pre-surgical predictions that enable surgeons to determine what is the best for their patients individually. More information: Khashayar Ghadirinejad et al, Supervised machine learning for the prediction of postoperative clinical outcomes of hip and knee replacements: a review, ANZ Journal of Surgery (2024). DOI: 10.1111/ans.19003 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: Hormone mediated changes in GATA3 chromatin binding in ER-positive breast cancer cells. A) FDR adjusted p-value and the log2FC of GATA3 chromatin binding events in T-47D breast cancer cells treated with E2 vs. Veh. B) Venn diagram showing the overlap of significantly enriched GATA3 binding sites with E2 or DHT. C) FDR adjusted p-value and the log 2 FC of GATA3 chromatin binding events with simultaneous hormone treatment vs. DHT alone. D) Differential ER binding at AR and GATA3 shared sites. Credit: Genome Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03161-y A study by researchers from the University of Adelaide has provided new insight into the fight against breast cancer. The laboratory-based study was the work of co-senior authors Associate Professor Theresa Hickey and Dr. Amy Dwyer together with Professor Wayne Tilley of the Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, in collaboration with researchers at Cancer Research UK (CRUK), Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge (U.K.) and the Imperial College of London. "Our study employed a relatively new technology developed by the CRUK team, which was used to identify GATA3 (a transcription factor critical for the embryonic development of various tissues) as an important interacting partner of the androgen receptor in breast cancer," said Associate Professor Hickey. The research, published in the journal Genome Biology , found that when the androgen receptor interacted with GATA3, it stimulated breast cancer cells to become more functionally mature. "This study revealed an important means by which androgen receptor activity exerts anti-cancer activity in breast cancer," said Associate Professor Hickey. "Discovering how the androgen receptor exerts anti-cancer activity in the breast is important because the opposite happens in the prostate where androgen receptor activity promotes cancer." The finding supports work by the Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratory threesome, with Professor Tilley as senior author, published in The Lancet Oncology in February. That clinical study found that the androgen receptor stimulating drug enobosarm was effective against estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, which constitutes up to 80% of all cases of this disease. "Information from the GATA3 study supports the use of androgen receptor stimulating drugs for treatment of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer (as reported in the recent Lancet Oncology paper) and provides laboratory evidence to support this therapeutic strategy for other subtypes of disease that are not driven by the estrogen receptor. This includes the triple negative subtype of breast cancer," Associate Professor Hickey said. "Drugs that stimulate the androgen receptor are not yet part of mainstream treatment for any type of breast cancer but is gaining momentum for the treatment of estrogen receptor positive disease. "The GATA3 study provides evidence that this new therapeutic strategy will work by providing an explanation for how it works." Associate Professor Hickey said she expected more developments to come from the study. "While the current study focused on interaction between the androgen receptor and GATA3, the new technology we used to identify this interaction revealed many other factors that interact with the androgen receptor in breast cancer cells," she said. "We are currently investigating the importance of those other factors in mediating androgen receptor activity in breast cancer." More information: Leila Hosseinzadeh et al, The androgen receptor interacts with GATA3 to transcriptionally regulate a luminal epithelial cell phenotype in breast cancer, Genome Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03161-y Journal information: Lancet Oncology , Genome Biology 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: With the Ark, a patients ability to receive dialysis treatment can be maintained for years without having to find another blood vessel. Credit: Dr. Alan Glowczwski A new technology studied at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) Veterinary Medical Park is making giving dialysis to patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)or complete kidney failureeasier while also prolonging their ability to continue receiving treatment. The device, called the Ark, creates a permanent port in a patient's arm allowing access to a high-flow vein that can handle repeated punctures with large dialysis needles. The Ark is being used successfully in human trials outside the United States and will undergo a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved pivotal trial in the U.S. this fall. Living with end-stage kidney disease According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects about 15% of adults in the United States. It occurs when the kidneys, which perform essential functions like removing waste from blood and producing urine, are no longer functioning correctly. Approximately 750,000 patients in the U.S. have progressed to complete kidney failure. "In end-stage renal disease, the patient's kidneys have failed, and they require dialysis in order to live," said Dr. Alan Glowczwski, the founder and chief medical officer of Voyager Biomedical and an adjunct professor in the Texas A&M Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences who invented the technology. "Dialysis is a process where a technician inserts two large needles into a blood vesselcalled cannulationto allow the dialysis machine to pull the patient's blood out of their body, clean it and put it back into the vessel downstream," Glowczwski explained. "The dialysis flow rate is 400 milliliters per minute and requires a high flow vein in the arm, which is created by attaching an artery to the vein to support blood flow through the dialysis filter. The process takes about four hours and must be done at least three days per week. This calculates to 312 needle punctures per year if each stick is on target." Patients with ESRD are dependent on dialysis for survival, but the current method of blood vessel access is only viable as long as the patient's veins can undergo repetitive successful cannulation. Dialysis uses 15-gauge needles, which are about five times larger than the needles used to draw blood. "The process requires a very high-flowing conduit and use of large needles, and patients with end-stage renal disease have very delicate veins. The veins can easily compress, making it easy to miss with the needle and damage the vein to the point that it can no longer be used for dialysis," said Dr. Jennifer Fridley, a clinical assistant professor in the VMBS's Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences who oversaw veterinary medical care for the study. "Dialysis itself also wears out veins, and the patient can lose their ability to receive dialysis." "Using the current dialysis method, it's only a matter of time before a patient runs out of veins to use in each arm," Glowczwski said. "With the Ark, a patient's ability to receive treatment can be maintained for years without having to find another vessel, which can be very difficult and would limit the patient's access to dialysis treatment." The science behind the Ark Due to economic factors and job stress in the U.S., dialysis clinics all over the world are experiencing a high rate of turnover, meaning there are fewer dialysis technicians who are experienced in manipulating the large needles used in catheterization. "The goal in creating the Ark was to make dialysis catheterization simpler so there are fewer attempts to place each needle, because each one can ruin veins for future dialysis use. The goal is one stick, no miss," Glowczwski said. "When I first started making the implant, it looked a little bit like a boat, so I decided to call it an Ark, after the life-saving biblical ark." The tube-shaped device is 3D printed using titanium alloysimilar to orthopedic implantsand is composed of two parts that fit around the vein. There is an opening on the top half to guide the dialysis needle into the vessel while the back is solid metal preventing back wall puncture and infiltration. The unique design of the Ark also allows the device to integrate into the patient's tissues like a scaffold. "The Ark implant keeps the blood vessel from collapsing and has a metal wall on the bottom so that the needle can't accidentally go through the other side. The patient can then receive all of their dialysis treatments using that one vein," Fridley said. From animal to human trials As one of the final stages in the development process, Glowczwski and Fridley collaborated on a study to see if the Ark device could be implanted around a surgically created vein-artery circuit in goats and maintained for 15 months. "The study was very successful," Fridley said. "Not only were we able to implant the devices, but we were also able to remove them to show that the entire process is reversible, which is important for getting approval from the FDA for human trials. Once we were finished with the study and the implants were removed, we were able to adopt out the goats to new homes." After the goat study, Glowczwski has been able to start human trials in Panama, where 11 patients underwent Ark implantations. At six months after surgery, all 11 patients are continuing to use their Ark devices for blood vessel access. "We expect to get approval from the FDA soon so we can start working on a U.S. trial this fall," he said. "That will probably take about two years, and then we can start making the device available for commercial use." 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: MFQ=Mood and Feelings Questionnaire. Circles and triangles indicate mean score. Credit: The Lancet Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(24)00101-9 New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London has found that providing 16- to 18-year-olds with a day-long course in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was both a clinically and cost-effective means of improving their mental health. The trial, known as Brief Educational workshops in Secondary Schools Trial (BESST) and published in The Lancet Psychiatry, was successfully adapted from the DISCOVER program, which was designed to help adults manage their feelings of stress. Around 1 in 12 young people in England currently experience anxiety or depression. Despite this, the large majority remain untreated, and almost a quarter (24%) have no contact with specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). This study recruited 900 students from 57 schools in England. Half were provided with signposting to mental health services and the standard care their school would usually provide. The other half were invited to a day-long workshop on CBT coping techniques for managing mood, anxiety, and stress, and provided with follow up phone calls to help incorporate those skills into real-life situations. Researchers found that participants who attended the workshop showed significant improvements in their depression, anxiety, well-being and resilience after a six-month follow up. Dr. June Brown said, "More than half of adult mental disorders start before the age of 15, and when we approached schools, we found that there was overwhelming number of young people actively seeking support. There is clearly an urgent need for early intervention to ensure that symptoms of poor mental health don't persist and worsen. Our study set out to establish if there was a clinically and cost-effective way to do that at scale. "One of our main challenges was to adapt an adult therapeutic intervention which would be attractive and engaging for teenagers. In addition, previous studies have either been aimed at all students, some of whom aren't necessarily in need of assistance, while others have taken a more targeted approach that potentially stigmatizes those who might need support. Giving students the opportunity to self-refer means that we work with students who recognize that they'd like help. "Our study shows that this intervention can be delivered at low cost by mental health professionals who can bridge the gap between schools and CAMHS." Professor Ben Carter said, "Since the pandemic there is an increased need to support schools and adolescents with their mental health. While we found improvements in depression; anxiety; well-being; and resilience, the largest effect was seen in those students that had higher symptoms of depression at the start of the study, meaning that we reached and improved those students most vulnerable to depression. The ultimate success of this has laid the groundwork for these workshops to be rolled out nationwide to provide an early intervention against depression and anxiety." Karen Crowe, senior tutor for the sixth form and curriculum leader for psychology at St Nicholas Catholic High School in Cheshire, said, "Our school seeks to prioritize mental well-being and promote strategies that improve students' mental health. We believe it is important to teach students how to become self-regulating individuals who can manage their own stress, which is why the school fully supported the BESST trial. We value techniques that provide students with skills to resolve problems, cope better with expectations, and build confidence, so the trial's aims perfectly complement our school's mission and ethos." Olivia Black, a student at St Nicholas Catholic High School who took part in the BESST trial said, "The study gave me new ways to manage my stress and remain productive during my studies. It was such a helpful process that allowed me to develop my personal strategies for maintaining good mental health. The skills and confidence gained from this trial motivated me to help start up our 'breathing space' initiative where sixth formers support younger students with their mental health." More information: June Brown et al, Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a brief accessible cognitive behavioural therapy programme for stress in school-aged adolescents (BESST): a cluster randomised controlled trial in the UK, The Lancet Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(24)00101-9 Journal information: The Lancet 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: Credit: MART PRODUCTION from Pexels Research shows that six months of exclusive breastfeeding, and continuing until two years old or beyond, provide multiple benefits for the baby and mother. It can prevent deaths both in infants and mothersincluding in wealthy nations like the United States. It also benefits the global economy and the enviroment. However, after maternity leave ends, mothers returning to paid work face many challenges maintaining breastfeeding. This often leads mothers to stop breastfeeding their children before six monthsthe duration of exclusive breastfeeding recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and others. According to the WHO, less than half of babies under six months old worldwide are exclusively breastfed. In Indonesia, research shows 83% of mothers initiate breastfeeding, but only 57% are still breastfeeding at around six months. In Australia, 96% of mothers start breastfeeding, but then there is a rapid fall to only 39% by around three months and only 15% by around five months. Among the key reasons for low rates of exclusive breastfeeding are the difficult work conditions women face when they return to paid work. So how can governments and workplacesespecially in countries that have yet to do enough, like Indonesia and Australiabetter support breastfeeding mothers, particularly at work? Half a billion reasons to change For more than a century, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has set global standards for maternity protection through the Maternity Protection Convention and accompanying recommendations, as well as the ILO Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, aiming to protect female workers' rights. So far, only 66 member states have ratified at least one of the Maternity Protection Conventions, while 43 have ratified the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention. Unfortunately, Indonesia has not ratified either convention. So far, Australia has only ratified the family responsibilities convention. In some countries, protections are aligned with the ILO Conventions. For example, in Denmark and Norway, the governments offer maternity leave of at least 14 weeks. During leave, mothers' earnings are protected at a rate of at least two-thirds of their pre-birth earnings. Public funds ensure this is done in a manner determined by national law and practice, so the employer is not solely responsible for the payment. A Canadian study highlights the proportion of mothers exclusively breastfeeding to six months increased by almost 40% when paid maternity leave was expanded from six to 12 months. At the same time, average breastfeeding duration increased by one month, from five to six months. Evidence shows paid maternity leave and providing an adequate lactation room at work both contribute positively to breastfeeding rates. Despite this, half a billion women globally still lack adequate maternity protections. For example, welfare reforms in the US encouraging new mothers' return to work within 12 weeks led to a 1618% reduction in breastfeeding initiation. It also saw a four to six week reduction in the time babies were breastfed. Indonesia and Australia aren't doing enough Neither Indonesia or Australia are currently doing enough to meet the ILO's maternity protection standards. In Indonesia, the 2003 Labor Law urges companies to give 12 weeks of paid maternity leave for women workers to support breastfeeding. Furthermore, the 2012 regulation on exclusive breastfeeding obligates workplace and public space management to provide a space or facility to breastfeed and express breast milk. However, the monitoring of its implementation is weak. In Australia, paid parental leave (PPL) policy supports parents who take time off from paid work to care for their young children. Eligible working mothers or primary caregivers are entitled to up to 20 weeks (or 22 weeks if the child is born or adopted from 1 July 2024) of government paid parental leave within the first two years of the birth or adoption of a child. In the Federal Budget announced on 15 May 2024, the Australian government has added payment of superannuation contributions to the parental leave package for births and adoptions on or after 1 July 2025. However, the PPL is a low amount, paid at the national minimum wage ($882.80 per week)]. Some mothers can combine the government payment with additional paid leave from their employer. However in 2022-2023, only 63% of Australian employers offered this, leaving nearly half of new mothers with only minimum financial support. Unlike Indonesia, Australia has no legal requirement for employers to offer paid breastfeeding breaks in their workplace, so mothers can express and take home their breastmilk. This can badly impact women's and children's health. While Australia's support for breastfeeding mothers is welcome, it's still inadequate to meet the ILO's international standardparticularly Australia's low payment rate of government PPL (at the minimum wage, rather than two-thirds of previous earnings) and the lack of legislation for paid breastfeeding breaks. How employers and colleagues can help Globally, the barriers to maintain breastfeeding include not only lack of maternity leave duration and pay, but also unavailability of breastfeeding and breast pumping facilities at workplaces, sometimes unsupportive colleagues and supervisors, and lack of time at work to breastfeed or expressing breastmilk. Breastfeeding a baby should not preclude women from earning a living. In 2022, female workers were 39.5% of total workers globally, while in Australia and Indonesia they made up 47.4% and 39.5% respectively. An accessible facility or space for breastfeeding or breast pumping is vital to support breastfeeding working mothers. In Indonesia, a 2013 Ministry of Health regulation outlines the procedure for an employer to provide a space and facility for mothers to breastfeed and breast pump. The minimum specifications of this facility are described as a lockable, clean and quiet room, with a sink for washing, suitable temperature, lighting and flooring. While these specifications are technically mandatory, monitoring is weak, meaning if employers fail to meet the requirements there are no specific consequences. But a breastfeeding space alone is not enough. In many jobs, mothers cannot leave their tasks during working hours, even if there is a lactation room. Supportive employers need to regulate time and flexibility to breastfeed and express breastmilk, including providing flexible working arrangements and paid breastfeeding breaks during working hours. Supportive attitudes from co-workers and managers are also important. Suitable staff training on breastfeeding and policies supporting mothers, such as providing time and facility to express breastmilk in work hours, are crucial. Training on how to support co-worker can include anything from basic information breastfeeding, to what to say (or not say) with a breastfeeding co-worker. Access to supportive childcare is another issue globally. For those families who can access childcare, childcare centers can also help by: encouraging and accommodating mothers to visit for breastfeeding having written policies supporting breastfeeding providing parents with resources on breastfeeding and referring parents to community resources for breastfeeding support. Practical ways to support more families The Australian Breastfeeding Association has an accreditation program that helps workplaces to be breastfeeding-friendly. Workplace policies, including adequate time and space for pumping, are positively associated with longer breastfeeding duration. The program assesses workplaces for three aspects: time, space and supportive culture. This means, workplaces are encouraged to provide a special space and time for breastfeeding and breast pumping in a supportive culture and flexible working hours. Mothers should consider to prepare how to align breastfeeding with work earlyduring pregnancy. Start by discussing your breastfeeding goals with health care professionals and finding a baby-friendly hospital. Discuss your breastfeeding plan with your supervisor at work during your pregnancy, including finding out your maternity leave (paid and unpaid) entitlements. Also consider childcare arrangements that will work best for you with breastfeeding. For further information and support, you can find resources from local breastfeeding support groups, such as the Indonesian Breastfeeding Mothers Association and Australian Breastfeeding Association. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Research, presented at the 10th European Stroke Organization Conference (ESOC) 2024, has revealed that high-income individuals have a 32% lower risk of post-stroke mortality. Additionally, those with a higher education have a 26% lower risk of death post-stroke, highlighting striking disparities in stroke survival based on key social determinants of health (SDoH). The register-based study analyzed data from 6,901 stroke patients in Gothenburg, Sweden between November 2014 to December 2019 to examine the impact of SDoH factors on post-stroke mortality risk. The study focused on four SDoH factors: living area, country of birth, education and income. As well as identifying a significant connection between income, education level and post-stroke mortality risk, the study uncovered a concerning trend regarding the cumulative impact of SDoH factors. Patients with one unfavorable SDoH factor faced an 18% higher risk of mortality compared to patients without any unfavorable SDoH factors. This risk escalated to 24% for patients with two to four SDoH factors. Lead author Professor Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen, University of Gothenburg, Clinical Neuroscience, Gothenburg, Sweden, comments, "Our findings underscore a stark realityan individual's socioeconomic status can be a matter of life or death in the context of stroke, especially when they are confronted with multiple unfavorable SDoH factors. While our study was conducted in Gothenburg, we believe these insights resonate across Europe, where similar health care structures and levels of social vulnerability exist, highlighting a pervasive issue throughout the continent." The study also found a link between increased mortality risk and additional risk factors like physical inactivity, diabetes, alcohol abuse and atrial fibrillation. Notably, insights emerged regarding gender disparities and the potential impact of risk factors when examining patient characteristics within the study cohort. The proportion of female patients increased with the number of unfavorable SDoH factors; 41% of the group with no unfavorable SDoH factors were female, whereas 59% of the group with two to four unfavorable SDoH factors comprised females. Additionally, smoking, whether current or within the past year, was more prevalent in the group with two to four unfavorable SDoH factors compared to those with none (19% versus 12%). Commenting on the actions required to reduce the future stroke burden, Professor Stibrant Sunnerhagen explains, "As the number of people affected by stroke in Europe is projected to rise by 27% between 2017 and 2047, the need for effective interventions is more pressing than ever. In light of our study's findings, targeted strategies are essential. "Policymakers, for instance, must tailor legislation and approaches to account for the specific circumstances and needs of diverse communities, while clinicians should consider identifying patients with unfavorable SDoH factors to prevent post-stroke mortality. "By addressing these disparities, we will not only support the principles of health equity, but also have the potential to significantly enhance public health outcomes." More information: Stibrant Sunnerhagem, K., et al. A register-based study on associations between stroke mortality and risk factors including social determinants of health. Presented at the European Stroke Organisation Conference; 15 May 2024; Basel, Switzerland. Provided by European Stroke Organisation 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: Behavioral analyses in zebrafish with disrupted dopaminergic signaling during development. Credit: The American Journal of Pathology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2024.02.014 Recent evidence suggests that dopamine plays a crucial role in neural development. In a novel study, investigators demonstrated the link between disrupted developmental dopamine signaling and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Their findings underscore the importance of studying developmental signaling pathways to understand the etiology of ASD, paving the way for potential targeted interventions. Their findings appear in The American Journal of Pathology. Lead investigators Lingyan Xing, Ph.D., and Gang Chen, Ph.D., Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, explain, "While dopamine is commonly recognized as a neurotransmitter, its significance in the developmental aspects of autism is largely unexplored. Recent studies have highlighted the crucial roles of dopamine and serotonin in development and their importance in the construction of neural circuits. "In addition, studies have indicated that the use of dopamine-related drugs during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of autism in children. Armed with these tantalizing clues, we embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between dopamine's known functions and its potential impact on neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism. Our quest was to uncover a novel therapeutic target that could revolutionize the way we approach autism treatment." Investigators studied the role of disrupted dopaminergic signaling in the etiology of ASD by integrating human brain RNA sequencing transcriptome analysis and a zebrafish model, recognized for its high degree of conservation with humans. To analyze the developmental deficits in ASD systematically, two large publicly available data sets were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus database and RNA sequencing data from Arkinglab. Transcriptome analysis of human brains revealed significant correlations between changes in dopaminergic signaling pathways and neural developmental signaling in patients with autism. This suggests a potential link between disrupted developmental dopamine signaling and autism pathology. To explore this link further researchers used the zebrafish model to study the effects of disrupted dopaminergic signaling on neural circuit development. They found that perturbations in developmental dopaminergic signaling led to neural circuit abnormalities and behavioral phenotypes reminiscent of autism in zebrafish larvae. The study also uncovered a potential mechanism by which dopamine impacts neuronal specification through the modulation of integrins. Dr. Chen comments, "We were surprised by the extent of the impact that dopaminergic signaling has on neuronal specification in zebrafish, potentially laying the groundwork for circuit disruption in autism-related phenotype. Furthermore, the unexpected involvement of integrins as downstream targets of dopaminergic signaling provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders." Dr. Xing concludes, "This research sheds light on the role of dopamine in neural circuit formation during early development, specifically in the context of autism. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to novel therapeutic interventions targeting dopaminergic signaling pathways to improve outcomes in individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders." ASD is a developmental disorder that usually manifests itself in early childhood. Although clinical outcomes vary greatly from case to case, autism is characterized by both a restricted interest in social interaction and repetitive behavior. This coincides with disruptions in brain connectivity shown by diffusion tension imaging. Studies have shown that several neurodevelopmental processes may be affected in ASD, including neurogenesis, neural migration, axon pathfinding, and synaptic formation, all of which can lead to neural circuit disruption. More information: Xiaojuan Lu et al, Developmental Dopaminergic Signaling Modulates Neural Circuit Formation and Contributes to Autism Spectrum DisorderRelated Phenotypes, The American Journal of Pathology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2024.02.014 Journal information: American Journal of Pathology 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: Aside from providing oxygen and nutrients to the tumor, blood vessels also secrete angiocrine factors. This study revealed that the factor Sfrp1, produced by vascular endothelial cells, plays an essential role in tumor growth by maintaining populations of cancer stem cells and regulating the Wnt signaling pathway. Credit: Hiroyasu Kidoya, University of Fukui Cancer is a leading cause of death globally. One of the primary reasons why cancer is such a deadly disease is the ability of cancer cells to become drug-resistant. After decades of medical research, scientists came to understand that malignant tumors often harbor a special population of cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs). Much like normal stem cells, CSCs can self-renew and differentiate into various cell types within a tumor, playing important roles not only in tumor growth and metastasis but also in the development of drug resistance. Unfortunately, developing therapies targeting CSCs directly has proven quite challenging, given their ability to adapt and repopulate. Thus, some researchers have directed their attention to the blood vessels within the tumor tissue. Over the past few years, researchers have found that certain subpopulations of endothelial cells (cells lining the blood vessels) secrete angiocrine factors, which regulate the proliferation and maturation of stem cells. Understanding which cells produce these factors and their functions in the tumor microenvironment can, in turn, lead to novel cancer therapies. Against this backdrop, a research team from Japan, including Professor Hiroyasu Kidoya and Dr. Yumiko Hayashi from the Department of Integrative Vascular Biology at the Faculty of Medical Science at the University of Fukui, conducted a study on secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (Sfrp1)an angiocrine factorto clarify its role in tumor tissues. Their findings were published online in the journal In Vitro Cellular & Developmental BiologyAnimal on April 16 2024. "While blood vessels are usually considered merely a supply route for oxygen and nutrients, our research focused on a completely different function of blood vessels, namely the production of angiocrine factors. We conducted this research with the idea that angiocrine factors might also be involved in tumor progression and aimed to elucidate whether Sfrp1 affects CSC maintenance and that of the tumor tissue as a whole," explains Prof. Kidoya. To shed light on these issues, the researchers bred Sfrp1-knockout (KO) mice using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. Then, they transplanted lung carcinoma tumors into Sfrp1-KO and wild-type mice and observed the effects of Sfrp1 (or the lack thereof) using standard techniques, such as immunostaining, flow cytometry, and quantitative genetic expression analysis. Initial experiments revealed that Sfrp1 is produced in a small subset of vascular endothelial cells in tumor tissue and that its presence is important for tumor growth. Not only was the tumor growth suppressed in Sfrp1-KO mice, but transplanted tumor cells overexpressing Sfrp1 gave rise to faster growing tumors. Interestingly, researchers found that Sfrp1-deficient tumors could not maintain substantial CSC populations during the late stages of tumor growth, even though these tumors had a higher initial percentage of CSCs. This finding is particularly important as it hints at one of the biological roles of Sfpr1 in the tumor microenvironment and its involvement in cancer pathology. "Some CSCs in tumor tissues exist in a state of arrested cell proliferation, and their presence contributes to tumor growth and resistance to anticancer drugs," explains Prof. Kidoya. "Our results indicate that Sfrp1 may regulate CSC self-renewal and transient malignant growth, and act to maintain a dormant state." Further cementing these results, the researchers noted that Sfrp1 did not affect the structure of blood vessels within the tumor, implying that the observed effects on tumor growth were unrelated to vasculature. Instead, genetic expression analyses revealed that Sfrp1 contributes to CSC maintenance by modulating the well-preserved Wnt signaling pathway (an evolutionarily conserved pathway that regulates crucial aspects of cell fate determination, cell migration, and organogenesis during embryonic development). Overall, the newfound knowledge provided by this work could pave the way for the development of new cancer therapies targeting mechanisms that help maintain CSCs. "Targeting specialized vascular endothelial cells involved in producing angiocrine factors could help destroy the CSC niche, serving as a potential approach for inhibiting tumor growth with minimal side effects," concludes Prof. Kidoya. "I believe this could lead to the development of treatments for intractable cancer patients whose tumors exhibit resistance to anticancer drugs as well as therapeutic agents to suppress cancer recurrence and metastasis." Further research building on these findings will serve as a stepping stone to effective therapies for drug-resistant cancer. More information: Yumiko Hayashi et al, Tumor endothelial cell-derived Sfrp1 supports the maintenance of cancer stem cells via Wnt signaling, In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11626-024-00899-y Provided by University of Fukui 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 nationwide assessment of how nonprofit hospitals are addressing housing-related needs in their communities appears in the latest issue of Medical Care. "Approximately 60% of hospitals in the United States are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and are legally required to address substantial health needs in their communities as a condition for tax exemption," explain Berkeley Franz, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Community-based Health at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and colleagues. Housing-related factors are a well-documented social determinant of health, found in multiple studies to affect individual health conditions such as hypertension and chronic disease, child development disorders, and mental health disorders. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act introduced additional requirements: Nonprofit hospitals must complete a triennial community health needs assessment and corresponding implementation strategy. Dr. Franz's group, which included 7 medical students, analyzed a national dataset of those records, randomly sampling 20% of all nonspecialized nonprofit community hospitals within each state. The researchers found that of 433 hospitals studied, 346 (80%) did not mention their community's housing needs within their implementation strategy. Of the other 87 hospitals, 29 (7%) documented only one strategy they are using to address housing needs. Multiple strategies are being used to address housing insecurity The hospitals that mentioned housing needs in their implementation strategies collectively listed 302 strategies for addressing housing insecurity. The most common was collaboration with community and hospital-based partners to increase access to affordable housing initiatives, housing assistance, and employment for low-income residents, mentioned in 103 strategies (34%). These strategies "may allow hospitals to work with the community organizations that have prior expertise and funding in housing, providing hospitals with a foundation upon which to build their own programs," the researchers note. The second most common strategy (21%) was to provide financial assistance for temporary and transitional housing. Directly asking patients about their housing status and other social determinants of health was one of the least common approaches (9%), even though it is perhaps one of the most actionable. Characteristics of nonprofit hospitals that address housing-related needs In general, hospitals that addressed housing in their implementation strategies were: Larger Urban Academic medical centers In communities with high income inequality More likely to be serving populations where severe housing needs are common (more than one person per room; monthly housing costs exceed 50% of income; lack of a sink, stove, or refrigerator; or lack of hot and cold water, a toilet, or a bathtub/shower) The latter finding suggests that "at least for housing, hospitals are making charitable investments in ways that are in alignment with local needs," Dr. Franz and her co-authors say. They speculate that larger hospitals and major teaching hospitals are better positioned to obtain funding or federal grants than smaller hospitals with fewer resources for research and outreach. "Understanding the way hospitals currently address housing insecurity is an important step toward developing effective interventions," the authors point out. "Future work should focus on supporting cross-sector partnerships and the integration of social determinants of health into hospitals' community health programming." More information: Annalise Celano et al, National Overview of Nonprofit Hospitals' Community Benefit Programs to Address Housing, Medical Care (2024). DOI: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000001984 Journal information: Medical Care 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: Job loss and health decline of immigrant men in Germany. Credit: Max Planck Society A recent study by Silvia Loi and colleagues examines how life events like job loss and divorce affect the health of immigrants using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel. They find that immigrants experience more rapid declines in health as they age. Moreover, they find that job loss has a stronger and more long-lasting impact on the health of immigrants, especially men. Major life events have a strong impact on a person's health. Losing jobs and divorcing are extremely stressful life events that have long-lasting consequences on health and well-being. Some groups are better able to cope with such crises because they have a solid set of social and economic resources to help them overcome life's challenges. Immigrants often have a much weaker set of these support structures, and may face more challenging consequences. "Losing a job or experiencing divorce always has a negative impact on an individual's health, however this impact is not the same across different populations. In this study we tested the hypothesis that negative events have a much more serious impact on the health of immigrants, compared to the German-born population, and that these effects last for a much longer time," explains first author Loi. The paper is published in the journal Demography. Initial health advantage for immigrants is reversed at older ages Data for the study came from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), focused on the time period from 1984 to 2017, and analyzed participants' self-assessment of their health, and self-perceived general well-being. "We show that individuals who immigrate to Germany are healthier than the German-born population at young ages. However, this advantage diminishes with age, and as they grow older, the health of immigrants significantly worsens compared to that of the German-born population. "Moreover, this stronger decline in health observed for immigrants is much worse when they experience detrimental events in life, such as divorce and job loss," explains the researcher. Male immigrants disproportionately affected by life's hardship The results of the study confirm the hypothesis that negative life events have a much greater impact on the health of migrants than non-migrants. "We found that job loss has a longer-lasting and more severe impact on health, especially for male immigrants. For women, the differences in health effects between migrant and non-migrant women are not as significant. Moreover, if immigrants were already divorced before a job loss, the consequences on health are stronger, compared to non-immigrants," says Loi. These results shed light on the reason behind immigrants' health deterioration as they age, revealing that they face a dual disadvantage throughout their lives. Immigrants are more prone than non-immigrants to experience negative life events like unemployment, and these events typically exert a more pronounced effect on their health than those born in Germany. "Our findings point to the need of considering adverse events as intertwined when doing research on immigrant health," says Loi. "In fact, considering events independently assumes that individual characteristics and circumstances occur in a vacuum and do not influence one another, which poses a set of serious limitations in explaining the complexity of the social world." More research is needed "The study provides crucial insights, but also underscores the need for a deeper exploration of the mechanisms driving the unhealthy aging of immigrants," Loi explains. In the future, research should focus on the role of other potential explanatory factors: How and why people immigrated, what type of job do they have, what is the role of familythese are all factors that influence the individual health trajectory of immigrants and that were not examined. The current study is a starting point for further research that will be carried out by the newly established Research Group on Migration and Health Inequalities, led by Loi. More information: Silvia Loi et al, At the Intersection of Adverse Life Course Pathways: The Effects on Health by Migration Status, Demography (2024). DOI: 10.1215/00703370-11314758 Journal information: Demography This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain A new paper appearing in the British Journal of Surgery finds that care in hospitals with higher surgery team sex-diversity was associated with better post-operative outcomes for patients. In various industries, including business, finance, technology, education, and law, many observers believe gender and sex-diversity is important not only for equity, but also because it enriches the output of teams because members of the team bring a variety of experiences and viewpoints to their jobs. However, there is limited evidence for the value of teams' sex-diversity in health care. Most published reports have focused on individuals' characteristics and their associations with outcomes (e.g., how female patients respond to female physicians). There is limited data regarding the role sex diversity on health care teams and their outcomes. Team sex-diversity likely contributes to patient outcomes through the many differences that male and female doctors bring to the workplace. Both sexes possess different skills, knowledge, experiences, beliefs, values, and leadership styles. Despite the benefits of sex and gender diversity on team performance, female doctors in operating rooms remain uncommon. The number of female anesthesiologists and surgeons has increased by only 5% over 10 years. The researchers of this new work conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using administrative health care data in Ontario, Canada, where 14 million residents receive health services through a government-administered single-payer system. The researchers investigated adult patients who had major elective in-patient surgeries between 2009 and 2019 to measure postoperative major morbidity. They found that of 709,899 surgeries performed at 88 hospitals during the period, 90-day major morbidity occurred in 14.4%. The median proportion of female anesthesiologists and surgeons per hospital per year was 28%. Overall, female surgeons performed 47,874 (6.7%) of surgeries. Female anesthesiologists treated patients in 192,144 (27.0%) of operations. The study found that hospitals with more than 35% female surgeons and anesthesiologists had better postoperative outcomes. Operations in such hospitals were associated with a 3% reduction in the odds of 90-day postoperative major morbidity in patients. The researchers note that the 35% threshold they observed echoed findings from research in other industries in various countries--including the United States, Italy, Australia, and Japan--that also showed better outcomes once female members represented approximately 35% of total team members. "These results are the start of an important shift in understanding the way in which diversity contributes to quality in perioperative care," said the paper's lead author, Julie Hallet. "Ensuring a critical mass of female anesthesiologists and surgeons in operative teams isn't just about equity; it seems necessary to optimize performance. We wanted to challenge the binary discourse of comparing female and male clinicians and rather highlight the importance of diversity as a team asset or bonus in enhancing quality care. "Ensuring sex-diversity in operative teams will require intentional effort to ensure systematic recruitment and retainment policies for female physicians, structural interventions such as minimum representation on teams, and monitoring and reporting of teams' composition to build accountability in existing systems." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This photo shows Tara Brach leading a meditation class at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda, Maryland on March 23, 2012. Research shows a daily meditation practice can reduce anxiety, improve overall health and increase social connections, among other benefits. Credit: Jonathan Foust/River Road Unitarian Universalist Church via AP The first time Marcelle Hutchins sat down to meditate, she put on a guided session, relaxed her shoulders and tried to close her eyes. She lasted two minutes. "I had a deadline, and I thought, 'I don't know if I can sit still this long,'" said Hutchins, who was working as a radio journalist. At the urging of her father, a longtime practitioner, she tried again and managed to finish a 10-minute video on her third attempt. "I remember feeling this sense of joy and relaxation," she said. "I used to be that person who said, 'I can't meditate.'" Hutchins has since become a certified meditation teacherand serves as an example that busy, restless people who try once should try again. Research shows a daily meditation practice can reduce anxiety, improve overall health and increase social connections, among other benefits. The trick is to get over that initial barrier. Experts say it's more achievable when you throw common misconceptions out the window. For instance, many people try meditation only once because they feel they're doing it wrong or that they can't turn off their brain. That's not the point, says Tara Brach, who holds a doctorate in psychology and has trained more than 7,000 people to be meditation teachers. "It's not about stopping thoughts. The mind generates thoughts the way body creates enzymes," she said. "It's about being able to get larger than the thoughts and witness them." START SIMPLE There is no right way to meditate, Brach stressed. The key is to relax and focus on something in the present moment. Feel your breath pass through your nostrils, listen to a guided recording, mentally scan your body from head to toe, repeat a loving phrase to yourself or try countless other techniques. You can sit on the floor, in a chair or on a cushion. If you can't get comfortable, lie down. You don't even need to close your eyes, though it's recommended to try. There is no standard amount of time to begin with, but set an achievable goal. "You can customize it to who you are," said Brach, author of several books, including "Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha." "Start with the most you can comfortably do without having to feel like you want to quit," she said. Marcelle Hutchins meditates in her studio in West Hollywood, Calif. on Jan. 13, 2024. Research shows a daily meditation practice can reduce anxiety, improve overall health and increase social connections, among other benefits. Credit: Marcelle Hutchins via AP That could mean starting with as little as a few minutes, said John Mitchell, an associate professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University who uses meditation to treat patients with ADHD. The goal should be working meditation into a routine and focusing on the quality of the practice, not the quantity. "Then the question is, what do we do to create success so we can have momentum and start off without feeling like you're failing right way?" he said. WHEN YOU CAN'T SIT STILL When you inevitably get distractedeveryone doesnotice the thought or urge to move, acknowledge it and bring your attention back to where you are. Instead of judging yourself, get curious for a minute about the nature of restlessness, Brach said. Ask yourself, "What does it really feel like if I want to jump out of my skin?" Then take a long, deep breath, and sit for one more minute. If you still want to move, then move. But Brach recommended doing so mindfully. Stand up, do a light stretch, take a deep breath and sit again. You will be surprised at how that sense of restlessness will change over time, she said. "It will evolve." If the restlessness builds to a point where you are uncomfortable, consider taking a slow, meditative walk, Mitchell said. Stay alert but calm, focusing on the sounds, sights and smells around you, or maybe on the sensation of the wind and sun on your face. "You're not restricted," he said. "You don't have to sit there in silence and be still all the time." TOMORROW, AND THE NEXT DAY, TRY AGAIN After sticking through the first session, you will almost certainly feel calmer, no matter the length. But to get the full benefits, as with exercise, research shows you need to practice consistently. For people having trouble starting, that can be daunting, but Brach suggested trying a few techniques to find the right fit. "It takes a bit of experimentation to find the style of meditation that works for your particular body, mind and personality," she said. Luckily, there's a universe of free meditation resources online. "Nobody reading this needs to go buy anything," she said. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Sharyl Allen, a GOP candidate for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction and the current superintendent of Harrison Public School District, was placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately by the Harrison school board on Tuesday night. The small K-12 school is located in the town of Harrison in southwest Montana. Tuesday's action marks the fifth time she has either resigned, been put on leave, been terminated by a school board or left a job as superintendent of a school district before her contract was up. In April of 2019, after three years as superintendent of the Conrad, Montana school district, Allen had submitted a letter of resignation to the school board after a group of concerned parents decided a personalized learning program she implemented wasn't working. She left a job as a superintendent of a school district in Cottonwood, Arizona, after one year under murky circumstances. She left a job as superintendent in Boulder, Montana, after two years, and she left a job as superintendent at Grand Canyon School in Arizona after the school board terminated her. Allen was the deputy superintendent at Montana's Office of Public Instruction from 2020 until August of 2023. She was Superintendent Elsie Arntzen's longest-lasting deputy, and she left that job to take the job in Harrison. Allen has not responded to multiple requests for comment from the Missoulian. The Missoulian learned of the Harrison school board's action from a person who was present at Tuesday night's meeting, which wasn't streamed online. A former teacher in Harrison is being investigated by the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation for alleged sexual misconduct involving students. The teacher did not have a license to teach in Montana, but was hired in January of 2024 while Allen was superintendent. The teacher was fired in April after allegedly making threats against an administrator, and the investigation into alleged crimes was started shortly thereafter. Allen was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of justice for allegedly preventing DCI agents from interviewing students about possible crimes. Allen has pleaded not guilty to the charge and has a court date in July in Madison County Justice Court. Residents have a new way to access information from the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office. Previously, when it came to questions regarding inmates or services covered by the office, residents had to call to get additional information, which was time consuming for both the community and staff. On Friday, the Muscatine County Sheriffs Office officially released its new app to the public. Through this app, the public has a more convenient way to look up inmate bookings, look up the location of sex offenders in the area, submit tips and more. About two months ago, I had seen that another agency in Iowa had created an app. I downloaded it, looked through it and approached Sheriff Quinn Riess who had seen it as well about it, and he told me to reach out to get more information about it, Sergeant Jacob McCleary said. The company behind both apps is TheSheriffApp.com, a brand of OCV, LLC., which specializes in creating mobile apps for sheriffs offices and other public safety organizations within the United States, McCleary said. After several Zoom meetings, we were able to talk with the developer and come up with a game plan to essentially create this app that could be a community resource, McCleary said. A big focus of the app, he explained, is providing the community access to the sheriffs office inmate listings and jail management records, with details such as inmates' charges and bond amount. Other big features on the app include a sex offender map, which can pinpoint where registered sex offenders' residences as well as provide links to the states website for additional information about located sex offenders. App users can also leave tips about crimes or other suspicious activities that they may have witnessed. This also includes the ability to leave anonymous tips. (When submitted through the app) the tips will then go directly to our office and be dispersed to the appropriate personnel to follow up on those tips, so Im really hoping that the public will use this app as a tool instead of only using Facebook messenger to submit tips, McCleary said. McCleary added that he also plans to connect the app with the Sheriffs Office Facebook page, allowing him to then post any news that hed typically post on the Facebook page onto the app as well. Its just another tool for people to use to find out whats going on with the Sheriffs Office. As for any information that isnt on the app, it also provides specific contact information for residents to use, allowing them to more easily find certain people at the Sheriffs Office and efficiently get their questions answered while also cutting down on the number of general inquiry phone calls the Sheriffs Office staff receives. (The app) is kind of a one-stop resource, McCleary said. Before releasing it publicly, we did a soft release of the app to our employees and from their standpoint, we got some good suggestions, and all the employees seem to think it was a pretty resourceful tool. Personally, I just really hope that everybody uses it as a resource to connect with our office. The app can be found for free on the App Store and Google Paly by searching "Muscatine County Sheriff, IA." 5 pet-safe houseplants that are hard to kill 1. Air Plants 2. Parlor Palm 3. Watermelon Peperomia 4. Bromeliad 5. Spider Plant Police are holding a 25-year-old university student in connection with the murder of 19-year-old Faith Musembi, a student at Mt Kenya University. The suspect, a Tom Mboya University student identified as David Kioko, was apprehended in Nairobi after preliminary investigations suggested his involvement in the students death, allegedly over suspicions of infidelity. Thika Police commander Lawrence Muchangi confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, stating that further investigations were underway. Faith, a first-year student at Mt. Kenya University, was eight months pregnant at the time of her demise. Her father discovered her lifeless body last week in her rented room in Pilot Estate, Thika. An autopsy conducted at Thika General Kago Funeral Home revealed that she died from excessive bleeding, attributed to bleeding in the uterus caused by a detached placenta. We have the main suspect in custody, and we are conducting thorough investigations. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations Officer (DCIO) is handling the matter, and the suspect will be brought before a court, said the Thika Police Boss. Thika Chief Magistrate Phillip Mutua presided over Kiokos arraignment on Tuesday, where Investigating Officer (IO) Oscar Limo sought a 21-day detention period to conclude ongoing investigations into the murder. During the application, Limo informed the court that police require additional time to conduct another autopsy on the deceaseds body and collect samples to determine the DNA composition of her unborn fetus. He also mentioned that the officers plan to assess the suspects mental state and record witness statements. Limo added that detectives are still working to recover the deceaseds mobile phone, which will later undergo forensic analysis. He noted that police have successfully recovered the deceaseds SIM card, which was used to demand ransom from her parents before her demise. Magistrate Mutua granted the application on the grounds of public interest but ordered the suspects detention for just 14 days at the Thika Police Station. The case is scheduled for mention on May 28, 2024. Ransom Demand Faiths father, Boniface Musembi, disclosed to journalists last Friday that they received a call from an unknown person on Wednesday demanding a ransom of Kes.27,000 for their daughters release. The caller used Faiths phone. Musembis wife promptly sent the money, fearing for their daughters safety, while Musembi traveled to Thika to address the situation. After sending the money, the caller reportedly raised the ransom to Kes.60,000, urging the family to raise the cash quickly if they valued their daughters life. Musembi said he went to his daughters residence and found it locked with a padlock. Despite repeated knocking and calling out her name, there was no response. After unsuccessful inquiries with neighbors and a vegetable vendor, Musembi returned to the police station to report the situation. However, officers initially dismissed it as a ploy commonly used by students to extort money. Undeterred, Musembi returned to his daughters home, broke in, and tragically found her lifeless body on the bed. We want the authorities to ensure that the person responsible for his heinous act is punished to the fullest extent of the law, the bereaved father said. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has issued directives for the closure of most Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps as the meteorological department forecasts decreased rainfall nationwide. Prof Kindiki has also instructed security officers across the country to prioritize the safe return of all children to schools by the end of the week as the second term begins. The closure of IDP camps aims to facilitate the reintegration of displaced individuals into their homes in line with meteorological forecasts indicating reduced rainfall. With the reduction in precipitation, we will facilitate the return of people to their homes. Out of approximately 160 IDP camps, close to 100 will be shut down, he directed. According to the weather forecast, the worst is behind us, and we dont expect to have people in IDP camps anymore, reiterated the CS. Police Equipment Modernization Program Kindiki made these remarks at the Mombasa Port, where he flagged off the second batch of 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) intended for the police service. Prof Kindiki highlighted the ongoing police equipment modernization program initiated last year as a demonstration of the governments efforts to enhance security. We are making progress with the program we initiated last year. We are allocating resources to the police force to combat terror, banditry, and organized crime, ensuring the safety of those on the frontline, he stated. The government has allocated Kes.7 billion so far to the police equipment modernization program. Today, we are receiving another 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs). We are also in the process of acquiring Personal Protective Equipment and drones for surveillance and remote attacks, Prof Kindiki added. The five-year equipment modernization program aims to spend approximately Kes.37 billion. THE CS underscored the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of frontline officers. The government is dedicated to securing our homeland, and we will spare no expense to ensure our frontline officers are equipped to protect and neutralize threats. Investors cannot establish industries if they arent assured of their safety. Therefore, we must ensure the country is safe from threats posed by criminal elements, he concluded. Kindiki stated that durable peace, security, and stability are essential for economic development driven by both local and foreign investment. On Tuesday, authorities arrested five Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officers for allegedly beating a teenager to death at Maji Mazuri in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County. The officers attacked 19-year-old Stephen Mwangi after he went to rescue his mother, who had been detained by the KFS personnel. John Ambuka, the father, told reporters that the mother had been arrested for gathering firewood in Narasha Forest forest. The officers allegedly demanded a Kes.2,000 bribe for her release, but the family only had Kes.500. Ambuka then instructed Mwangi, who was at home, to take the balance to Maji Mazuri Forest Station where she had been detained. Upon arrival, the boy reportedly found the officers mistreating his mother, resulting in a confrontation. Citizen TV reports that the five KFS officers allegedly initiated physical violence against Mwangi, while his father fled the scene after the suspects purportedly fired at him. Mwangi passed away from his injuries while receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, having been transferred from the Eldama Ravine sub-county hospital following the incident. The suspects were detained pending arraignment for murder charges. Tensions heightened in Maji Mazuri throughout the day as clashes between the community and KFS officers escalated, raising concerns of potential violence. Local residents have long accused KFS officers of persistent harassment, particularly targeting women, children, and elderly residents. Solomon Kuria, the Maji Mazuri MCA, also raised alarm about the troubling trend of violence involving KFS officers, emphasizing that such incidents often occur when individuals gather firewood in the forest. He called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident to ensure that the suspects face appropriate legal consequences for their actions. Zimbabwean travelers heading to Kenya will no longer need to pay for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) when applying to visit, according to an announcement by Michael Chiwoneso Mukura, spokesperson for Zimbabwes Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Instead, travelers will only need to apply for authorization on digital platforms for identification purposes. President William Ruto of Kenya, who visited Zimbabwe in April, highlighted the importance of encouraging trade among African countries to strengthen their economies. In December 2023, President Ruto removed all visa requirements for travelers, stating, It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya. This new directive, which took effect in January 2024, requires each traveler to pay USD 30, a significant reduction from the previous visa charges. Chiwoneso mentioned that this exemption for Zimbabweans will likely boost trade between Zimbabwe and Kenya. Zimbabwe joins Ethiopia in having its ETA requirements to travel to Kenya lifted. Additionally, Kenya has also removed the ETA requirements for travelers from Eritrea, South Africa, Mozambique, San Marino, Comoros, Botswana, and the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville). Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi revealed in March that the new travel requirements have led to a significant increase in tourism. Between January and March, Kenya received 330,000 visitors using ETA compared to 188,570 who used the previous eVisa system. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has alerted motorists and the general public to be on the lookout for falling rock debris on Machakos-Kangundo Road at Kaloleni. Recent heavy rains in the area have led to the falling debris, KeNHA reported in a statement issued on Tuesday. The authority said it was clearing the debris to ensure road safety. The Kenya National Highways Authority informs the public to be cautious of falling rock debris along Machakos Kangundo Road (B105) at Kaloleni, the statement stated. We advise the motorists to be vigilant while driving along this affected section of the road even as we remain on the lookout and clear debris, KeNHA added. KeNHA calls on all road users to adhere to and obey traffic warning signs installed along the affected area. Heavy rains have made several roads impassable, with flash floods sweeping off some sections. As per the latest update from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, 12 more deaths were reported on Tuesday, bringing the total flood-related fatalities to 289. The ministry also confirmed that 75 Kenyans were still missing, while another 188 had sustained injuries. A total of 57,120 households have been displaced, directly impacting approximately 285,600 people. Busia Woman Rep Catherine Omanyo claimed that someone attempted to bribe her to draft a favorable report in the impeachment case against embattled Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi. Omanyo stated that most of the committee members tasked with determining Linturis fate were approached with bribes to support the CS. Someone came to me with Kes.2 million, and another came saying the money had increased to Kes.3 million because the report against Linturi was hot. At some point these people asked me to state what I wanted to favour the CS, Omanyo revealed in an interview with Citizen TV. She disclosed that while some committee members accepted bribes, others refused to compromise. It was very heated during committee sittings. At some point, we almost got physical because of the bribery within the committee. We had to retreat to cool off before we resumed sittings, the lawmaker added. Omanyo asserted that the allegations against Linturi were evident, and he should not have escaped blame for the fake fertilizer scandal. Linturi survived impeachment with seven out of eleven committee members voting in his favor. Opposition MPs Echo Linturi Impeachment Bribery Claims Opposition MPs, angered by Linturis survival, accused committee members of being bribed to protect him. Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo claimed to have knowledge of corruption among the committee members. I have been informed by some members of the select committee about allegations of impropriety and misconduct. This matter should be referred to the powers and privileges committee because if proven true, it could invalidate the report. Its inappropriate to discuss the report without addressing this issue, he stated. Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi criticized the committees decision, describing it as a case of a few individuals overturning the Houses decision. Theres a greater moral obligation on the cabinet secretary and the appointing authority, given the overwhelming 149-against-36 vote in this House last Thursday. This matter should not even have gone to the select committee stage, Wandayi asserted. He urged Parliament not to acknowledge Linturi as the Minister of Agriculture until President Ruto dismisses him. Dr. Alfred Mutua, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, has announced that every tourist visiting Kenya will be charged a small fee for purchasing tree seedlings. CS Mutua made the announcement on May 9 during a reception hosted by the Australian High Commissioner to Kenya, Jenny Da Rin, to announce plans by an Australian tourism company, Intrepid, to expand in East Africa. He stated that his ministry is developing a framework where each tourist will be required to pay Kes.20 for a tree seedling. Our plan as a government is that every tourist from any part of the world who visits Kenya will plant a tree. We are currently working on a plan through our ministry the Tourism Board where every tourist who comes into the country will be given a tree seedling to plant. There will be a small fee of Kes.20 charged to the tourist for the seedling. I think thats a small fee for any tourist to part with. We want them to plant a tree and they can monitor it every time they visit Kenya. We want at least one tree per tourist, Dr. Mutua said. One Tree per Tourist Mutua emphasized that the initiative would aid in achieving the governments target of planting 15 billion trees. He highlighted that the initiative, known as One Tree per Tourist, represents a significant stride in addressing the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, he stated that One Tree per Tourist has received full endorsement from the President and the Cabinet, following discussions at a cabinet meeting where Cabinet Secretaries deliberated on strategies to foster a green economy. Mutua underscored that by planting a tree, each tourist would play a role in conserving biodiversity and ecosystems vital to the tourism industry. Tourism is heavily dependent on the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. Tree planting remains an ongoing and crucial endeavor undertaken by the ministry to safeguard the countrys ecosystem, Mutua concluded. Guwahati: A high-level delegation from Bhutan, comprising senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Royal Bhutanese Consulate General, visited Girijananda Chowdhury University (GCU), Azara, on Monday (May 13). The visit marked the beginning of academic collaboration between Girijananda Chowdhury University and the Royal Government of Bhutan. "Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!" The visiting delegation included Ambassador Tshwang Chophel Dorji, Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Bhutan, Sonam Wangdi, Deputy Chief Program Officer at the Department of Education Programme, Consul General H.E. Jigme Thinlye Namgyal and Consul Phurpa Shering. They were accompanied by Suren Pradhan, Principal of Ugyentse Primary School and 12 teachers from Bhutan. During their tour of the university campus, the delegation made a visit to the departments and research facilities. The officials also had a fruitful meeting with the Honble Chancellor, Prof. Jayanta Deka, Honble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kandarpa Das, Registrar, Prof. Dipankar Saha, Deans of various schools of the Girijananda Chowdhury University and representatives from the SSA society Sujata Chowdhury and Kunki Chowdhury. During the meeting, the potential for active collaboration between the government of Bhutan and Girijananda Chowdhury University was deliberated for academic alliance and exchange programmes. The Girijananda Chowdhury University is firmly committed to building a vigorous relationship of friendship and cooperation with the Royal Government of Bhutan. SMPL New Delhi [India], May 14: In a groundbreaking development in India's defense sector, the Indian Army has taken a monumental leap forward with the introduction of its latest innovation: a hexacopter drone armed with a machine gun. This cutting-edge technology, developed under the 'Make in India' initiative, heralds a new era in tactical operations and promises to revolutionize soldier safety and bolster the nation's security apparatus. Recently, the Sirin Hexadrones made by Ikran Aerospace and Technologies Pvt Ltd were put through their paces alongside newly inducted weapons during integrated small arms firing, witnessed by the esteemed General Officer Commanding Vajra Corps of the Western Command, Indian Army. Crafted by the visionary minds at Ikran Aerospace, a startup led by seasoned veteran Capt. Vidul Kelshikar (Retired), this hexacopter drone represents the pinnacle of indigenous UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) technology. Drawing upon the wealth of experience and expertise possessed by ex-servicemen, Sirin Drones has emerged as a trailblazer in developing solutions aimed at reducing soldier fatalities and bolstering military capabilities. On the trials, Capt. Vidul remarked "As a veteran soldier and entrepreneur, my mission has always been twofold: to give back to the organization that shaped me and to innovate in ways that could potentially save lives. It's a challenge I wholeheartedly embrace, knowing that every solution we develop has the potential to make a meaningful impact. Whether it's through advanced technology or strategic initiatives, the opportunity to contribute to something greater than myself is both a privilege and a responsibility." Equipped with a versatile modular weapon system, the hexacopter drone can adapt to various combat scenarios, accommodating an array of armaments ranging from small firearms to grenades and mortars. Its sophisticated systems, boasting advanced target detection algorithms and stringent safety protocols, ensure pinpoint accuracy while mitigating the risk of collateral damage. Additionally, integrated safety features such as fire controls and encrypted communications fortify the drone against potential threats like spoofing and jamming. Its operational flexibility enables real-time intelligence gathering, surgical strikes, cordon and search operations, and continuous surveillance, thereby augmenting military effectiveness across diverse terrains and scenarios. The Sirin Hexadrone represents the forefront of aerial Innovation, boasting impressive range and extended flight endurance that underscore its reliability and efficiency. Its lightweight design belies robust capabilities, making it an ideal choice for various demanding applications. Powered by environmentally friendly EV electric propulsion, the Hexadrone operates quietly and efficiently. It also features a substantial payload capacity, enhancing its versatility for uses ranging from aerial photography and surveillance to industrial inspections. Ikran Aerospace, a prominent entity within a larger conglomerate, is at the forefront of the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) sector, pushing the boundaries of aerospace innovation with state-of-the-art technologies. Specializing in the design, development, production, and distribution of advanced, tailor-made UAVs, Ikran caters to a variety of industries, offering bespoke solutions that meet specific client needs. The company's team comprises experts in diverse engineering disciplines, including aeronautics, mechanical, electrical, and electronics engineering, as well as mechatronics. Ikran Aerospace is also a holder of significant intellectual property rights, including numerous design patents and proprietary software that enhance its UAVs' flight and camera capabilities, setting new industry standards. As Ikran Aerospace continues to push the limits of technological advancement, the Indian Army stands firm in its commitment to safeguard the nation's sovereignty and ensure peace and security. This groundbreaking partnership between veterans, innovators, and the military showcases India's preparedness to tackle emerging challenges with creativity and resolve. For more information, please visit: https://www.ikran.in/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) India's built environment sector is booming and with this growth comes a demand for skilled professionals. In recognition of this need, RICS School of Built Environment (RICS SBE), Amity University emerged as a leader in providing top-tier education for this vital industry. For students aspiring to excel in the fields of real estate, infrastructure, and construction management, the institution stands out as a beacon of excellence, offering a comprehensive and industry-relevant academic experience. Each year, the institution attracts top global and national organisations for campus placements, providing students with a plethora of career options. The institution's strong industry connections ensure that graduates are well-positioned to secure lucrative job offers, with the highest package reaching an impressive 32 LPA. RICS SBE is India's first and only institution with RICS and PMI-GAC accreditation, setting the standard for built environment education in the country. This accreditation underscores the institution's reputation and recognition in the eyes of employers, giving students a much-needed competitive advantage. Students also benefit from a tech-integrated curriculum that equips them with the latest tools and skills demanded by the industry. From Autodesk Revit to Building Information Modelling (BIM), students are prepared to tackle real-world challenges with confidence. The learning experience at RICS SBE goes beyond the classroom, with opportunities for guest lectures, student exchange programs, boot camps, leadership series, competitions, and site visits. RICS SBE students graduate with an industry-focused skillset, practical experience, and RICS credentials. This advantage translates into a steeper career curve and a quicker path to higher positions. As a result, many of the institution's alumni are currently driving the industry and holding key roles in leading companies like Sobha Realty, CBRE, JLL, Anarock, Lodha Group, etc. The faculty at RICS SBE comprises seasoned professionals and industry experts who bring real-world insights into the classroom. Students benefit from their wealth of knowledge and experience, gaining valuable insights that will serve them well in their careers. With admissions for the current session now open, aspiring students can join a community of ambitious individuals dedicated to shaping the future of the built environment industry. Interested students can visit the official site for admissions details and fill out the application form. RICS SBE stands as an excellence in built environment education. With its global placement opportunities, unmatched accreditation, cutting-edge curriculum, hands-on learning experience, and expert faculty, RICS SBE is the ideal choice for students seeking to excel in the dynamic and rewarding fields of real estate and construction management. (ANI) The latest round of the tariff war between the US and its largest trade partner China, is set to present a significant opportunity for India. US President Joe Biden, in a move that is seen as a protectionist measure to reduce trade imbalance, imposed heavy tariffs on Chinese products including batteries, EVs, steel, solar cells, and aluminium. These tariffs encompass a 100 per cent tariff on electric vehicles, a 50 per cent tariff on semiconductors, and a 25 per cent tariff on electric vehicle batteries imported from China. The other items that will attract higher tariffs are medical gloves, syringes and needles, some critical minerals, and solar cells, among others. These proposed increases are a part of the US' broader strategy under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, aimed at combating what it deems as unfair trade practices by China. The US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, emphasized that these measures are necessary to counter the flooding of global markets with low-cost Chinese products. "Of the products affected, India has opportunities in face masks, PPE, syringes &needles, medical gloves, aluminium and iron &steel. Opportunity may come in China also with retaliation, provided we have market access in products targeted by China," Ajay Sahai, Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), told ANI. According to Sahai, the US' move will start a tariff war between the two countries with retaliation expected from China. USD 18 billion out of USD 420 billion exports of China to the US is affected, which he said is little over 4 per cent and thus marginal. "It will further increase in times to come," Sahai said, adding that this provides opportunity to India and other competitors to chip in the supply gap. Asked if China would dump tariff-imposed products in neighbouring India, Sahai said China is sitting on overcapacity and thus threat of dumping is any case not ruled out and more so when an important market is closed for their exports. "I am sure industry and the Government will be keeping a close watch on imports and if surge or dumping happens, DGTR will take appropriate action to safeguard our industry," he asserted. Ajay Srivastava, the founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), said both the US and the EU are cutting the import of electric vehicles from China. "The raising of tariff on EVs, batteries and many other new technology items by the US may push China to dump these products in other markers including India," Srivastava further noted, adding that it's a moment for India's Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) to remain vigilant. Echoing a similar view to that of FIEO's Sahai, Srivastava also asserted that higher duties on Chinese face masks, syringes and needles, medical gloves, and natural graphite present a significant opportunity for India. "By ramping up production and export of these in-demand products, India could enhance its trade footprint in the US market," he added. India may not get any export advantage on remaining products like EVs, and semiconductors as India is the net importer of these products. But in the long run, with India starting the semiconductor in scale from 2025, will be able to export some of it to the US and other countries in Europe. Work is on for four semiconductor plants in India - three in Gujarat and one in Assam. The same goes for electric vehicles. Various automobile companies are manufacturing EVs in India, both for domestic sales and for exports. The Indian electric vehicle ecosystem is currently in the initial stages of development but has been gaining traction. In 2021, EV registrations amounted to 330,000 units, a jump of 168 per cent from 2020. The sales were led by 2- and 3-wheelers -48 per cent and 47 per cent, respectively - followed by passenger vehicles at 4 per cent, as per a report by EY and IndusLaw. (ANI) Legendary actor Meryl Streep was awarded an honorary Palme d''Or during the opening ceremony of the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday night here, as per The Hollywood Reporter. "You changed the way we look at women," said Binoche, choking with emotion as Streep comforted her. "This prize is unique in the world of cinema and I''m very, very honoured to receive it," said Streep, who thanked her agent, Kevin Huvane, who she has worked with professionally for 33 years. She also thanked J Roy Helland, her hair and makeup stylist, saying "he is responsible for almost every single one of the characters that I have ever played in the last half-century." She noted that the last time she was at Cannes, she was about to turn 40 and was a mother of three. "I thought that my career was over -- and that was not an unrealistic expectation for actresses at that time," said Streep. "And the only reason that I''m here tonight and that it continued is because of the very gifted artists with whom I''ve worked, including madame la president [Gerwig]." Streep''s only prior visit to the Croisette was 35 years ago when she accompanied the film ''A Cry in the Dark'' to the fest. Her performance was recognized by the jury with the best actress prize. Known for multi-layered performances in a wide variety of films spanning nearly a half-century, including The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie''s Choice, Out of Africa, The Bridges of Madison County, The Devil Wears Prada, Mamma Mia!, Doubt, Julie & Julia, and The Iron Lady, the actress'' mantelpiece also includes three Academy Awards, eight Golden Globe Awards, and two SAG Awards; acting honours from the Berlin, Telluride, and Toronto film festivals; and career achievements prizes from the AFI, Film Society of Lincoln Center and Kennedy Center Honors. According to The Hollywood Reporter, among the 18 prior recipients of Cannes'' honorary Palme, which was first presented in 2002 and recognizes career achievement, are Catherine Deneuve, Jane Fonda, Clint Eastwood, Agnes Varda, Jodie Foster, Tom Cruise and, last year, Harrison Ford and Michael Douglas. This year, two other honorary Palmes will be presented -- one to Hayao Miyazaki''s Studio Ghibli on May 20 (it is the first non-individual to receive one) and the other to Streep''s fellow American and "New Hollywood" trailblazer George Lucas during the closing ceremony on May 25. When Streep''s honorary Palme was first announced, she said in a statement, "I am immeasurably honoured to receive the news of this prestigious award. To win a prize at Cannes, for the international community of artists, has always represented the highest achievement in the art of filmmaking. To stand in the shadow of those who have previously been honoured is humbling and thrilling in equal part. I so look forward to coming to France to thank everyone in person this May!," according to The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI) Among the luminaries gracing the event were the dynamic duo of Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, who joined forces for the much-anticipated world premiere of 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga'. Directed by George Miller, the film promises to delve into the origins of the iconic character Furiosa, portrayed by Taylor-Joy, in a prequel to the acclaimed 2015 hit 'Mad Max: Fury Road'. During the festivities, Hemsworth, known for his portrayal of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, showcased his lighter side in a video shared on Instagram. In the clip, filmed by Taylor-Joy, the affable actor delivered a witty "dad joke" tailored to the Cannes setting, quipping, "We are at Cannes and we 'canne'not wait for the premiere." https://www.instagram.com/p/C69J1PGuAQf/ Taylor-Joy's infectious laughter captured the camaraderie shared between the co-stars, as they geared up for the film's debut. Social media lit up with reactions to Hemsworth's humorous interlude, with fans praising his jovial demeanour. One enthusiast hailed it as "Dad joke 101 ft Chris Hemsworth," while another expressed willingness to hear more of his comedic repertoire. Even the official Mad Max social media account couldn't resist chiming in, declaring, "The madness of Cannes not be contained." Admirers of the duo showered them with accolades, dubbing them the "Best Duo" of the festival. As the Cannes red carpet dazzled with glamour, Taylor-Joy stole the spotlight in a stunning white gown adorned with floral embellishments, exuding elegance with a hint of allure. Hemsworth cut a dashing figure in a pin-striped blue blazer paired with matching trousers, complemented by a crisp white shirt. Their sartorial choices added to the buzz surrounding the premiere, setting the stage for an unforgettable cinematic experience. 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' marks the fifth installment in the beloved Mad Max franchise, promising audiences an immersive journey into the backstory of its enigmatic protagonist. With an ensemble cast including Charlee Fraser, Lachy Hulme, Tom Burke, and Nathan Jones, the film is poised to captivate viewers with its blend of action and adventure. The movie is set to hit theatres on May 24. (ANI) Exuding confidence in winning the Lok Sabha polls, Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee President Asish Kumar Saha asserted that the INDIA bloc will form the next government with the support of more than 350 MPs. Speaking to media persons during his visit to Kamalasagar, in the Sepahijala district of Tripura, Saha said that he sees no scope for the BJP's return. "We are confident that the BJP will fail to form the next government. The Congress-led INDIA bloc will secure a comfortable victory. The way people from different corners of the country are joining hands with the INDIA bloc, I see no scope for the BJP's return. And Narendra Modi can't become the PM for the third consecutive term," Saha said. On being asked about PM Modi's call for 400 seats, the Congress leader said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi never keeps his promise. His claims fall flat most of the time. Even the BJP could sense very well that they are nowhere close to the target they have set for themselves. So far, as per our calculations, we are forming the government with the support of more than 350 MPs in total." Saha is the INDIA bloc candidate against BJP heavyweight and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb from the West Tripura parliamentary constituency. Voting for the two seats in Tripura was concluded on April 19 and April 26, respectively, in the first and second phases of the Lok Sabha elections. In the 2019 elections, the BJP won both Tripura East and West Lok Sabha seats. (ANI) Launching a scathing attack, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami alleged that Congress is adopting a policy of appeasement and talking about Muslim personal law. Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to pass the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and now the whole country will get the benefit of the UCC under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dhami said on Tuesday while campaigning for the BJP candidate for Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, Sanjay Tandon. "Congress is adopting a policy of appeasement. Against the UCC, Congress is talking about bringing Muslim personal law. Congress has stooped so low that by imposing a tax on property, it wants to divide a particular class by snatching the earnings of the people and doing vote politics," Dhami said. "The conspiracy in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh wants to be implemented in the whole country to benefit the Muslim class. In this, the Aam Aadmi Party is also with the Congress," he added. Tandon will face Congress' Manish Tewari on June 1 in the seventh phase polls of the Lok Sabha elections CM Dhami also emphasised that the Uttarakhand government has made complete arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra. "This time, a record number of pilgrims are reaching Chardham for darshan. So far, 45 to 50 percent more pilgrims are reaching as compared to previous years. The government is welcoming every pilgrim. But people have to take care of important preparations like registration, weather, crowd assessment, hotel, car booking and extra days, so that you and others do not have to face trouble," Dhami said. He also highlighted that efforts are underway to make Dehradun and Pantnagar international airports. "Air service has started in Pithoragarh. Now air service is being started in Gauchar, Chinyalisaur as well. Apart from Char Dham, the number of pilgrims has also increased in Dhams like Manaskhand, Adikailash, Purnagiri," he added. This year, the Char Dham Yatra began with the opening of doors of Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Kedarnath Dham on May 10 while the doors of Badrinath opened on May 12. The Char Dham Yatra holds profound spiritual significance in Hinduism. This journey typically occurs from April-May to October-November. (ANI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday prayed for the safe exit of the people trapped in the Kolihan copper mine lift collapse incident late at night yesterday. The Chief Minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of the people injured in the incident, while informing that concerned officials reached the spot and are providing all possible help and health facilities to the affected people. Taking to his social media handle, Rajasthan CM posted on X, "Information was received about an accident caused by the breakage of the lift rope in the Kolihan mine of Hindustan Copper Limited in Khetri, Jhunjhunu." "The concerned officials have been instructed to immediately reach the spot to speed up the relief and rescue operations and provide all possible help and health facilities to the affected people. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of all the citizens injured in this accident and the safe exit of those trapped in the mine," said the post. Meanwhile, three people have been rescued after at least 14 people were trapped after a lift collapsed at the Kolihan mine of Hindustan Copper Limited in Jhunjhunu district. Efforts are on to evacuate the remaining ones. According to the latest information from the rescue site, the rescue teams have reached all the trapped workers. Dr Pravin Sharma who is with the rescue team confirmed the information. The incident took place at Hindustan Copper Limited's (HCL's) copper mine in the Neem Ka Thana area in the late hours of Tuesday. Doctors at the site suggest all those who were trapped are safe. However, nine ambulances are on standby outside the mine for any emergency. Dr Pravin Sharma, Jhunjhunu Government Hospital told ANI, "All the people trapped in the mine have been rescued safely. Three of them were in serious condition and have been referred to Jaipur. Some people have suffered fractures in their hands and some in their legs. Everyone is safe. " Nursing Staff of Jhunjhunu Government Hospital, Shishram also spoke to ANI and said, "Three people are seriously injured, the rest are safe. The rescue operation was done with the help of a ladder." The lift was carrying a vigilance team from Kolkata as well as mine officials. It is believed to have crashed more than 1,800 feet inside the mine. The incident took place due to the breaking of the rope supporting the lift. The trapped officials included Chief Vigilance Officer Upendra Pandey, Khetri Copper Complex (KCC) unit head GD Gupta, and Kolihan Mine's Deputy General Manager AK Sharma. A journalist, Vikas Pareek who had entered the mine as a photographer with the vigilance team was also trapped among the 14 people. Shortly after receiving information about the lift collapse incident, ambulances rushed to the spot and doctors were asked to prepare for any situation. (ANI) In a blistering attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the ruling TMC supremo came to power on the promise of a government for "Maa, Maati, Manush" but was now catering to "Mullah, Madrasa and Mafia". Addressing a rally at Bongaon in the North 24 Parganas on Tuesday, the Union Home Minister said the TMC government provided a monthly honorarium to Imams but not a penny to priests and custodians of temples. "The TMC came to power on the slogan of 'Maa, Mati, Manush'. However, their focus has now shifted to 'Mullah, Madrasa, Mafia'. The Imams here are paid an honorarium but the priests and keepers of temples get nothing. While there are no obstacles to Tazias (procession of Muslim mourners on Muharram), there are regular roadblocks to taking out immersion processions on Durga Puja and Kali Puja. Should this be allowed to continue," Shah said. Also gunning for the CM for spurning the invite to the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, the Union Home Minister said, "Despite receiving a formal invitation, she did not attend the inauguration ceremony (at the Ram temple) to appease a certain vote bank. You (people) are not her vote bank, the infiltrators are. She is scared of rubbing her vote bank the wrong way." Also accusing the chief minister of spreading falsehoods over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), he said she was 'misleading' people on the central legislation that is aimed at granting asylum and permanent residency to immigrant minority settlers from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. "Mamata Banerjee is misleading the people saying the CAA could invite trouble for the people. I want to assure you all that the legislation is not aimed at bringing any harm to anyone. All bonafide citizens can go on leading their lives here with dignity. No power in the world can stop Hindu, Sikh, and Jain refugees from becoming citizens of the country," he said. Alleging that the ruling TMC was trying to turn infiltrators into Indian citizens while coming out in Opposition to the CAA, which is aimed at granting permanent residency to oppressed minorities, including the Matuas who crossed over from Bangladesh. "I want to remind Mamata Banerjee that the central government, and not state governments, reserves the right to grant citizenship," he added. Assuring that the Matua community, which inhabits Bongaon and elsewhere in the North 24 Parganas, would be able to avail rights under the CAA if the BJP comes to power in Bengal, Shah added, "Four phases of polling have been completed. The elections to 380 seats in the Lok Sabha, including 18 in Bengal, are done and dusted. I can tell you today, that of the 380 seats for which polling has already happened, PM Modi has secured absolute majority, winning 270 seats. The battle for us now is to cross 400-plus seats.' Warning CM Mamata that those involved in 'scams' wouldn't be spared, the Union Home Minister said, "From 'cut money' culture to infiltration, from bomb blasts to Bhatija's (CM's nephew Abhishek Banerjee) goons harassing people, from 'Syndicate Raj' to utter lawlessness, Bengal is staring at a state of complete lawlessness. Only Narendra Modi-Ji can save the state from plunging further into the abyss. Those involved in the chit fund scam, teacher recruitment scam, municipal recruitment scam, ration scam, cow and coal smuggling should be ready to go to jail. No one will be spared," he said. Amit Shah was campaigning for BJP candidate Shantanu Thakur, who is pitted against the TMC's Biswajit Das in his bid to secure a fresh term in the Lok Sabha from Bangaon. Polling in Bengal is being conducted across all seven phases and the counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. (ANI) Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not yet "mustered the courage" to accept the invitation for a debate with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. "Day 4 of Rahul Gandhi's letter accepting an invitation to debate the Prime Minister. The 56-inch chest has not yet mustered the courage to accept the invite," Jairam Ramesh posted on X with the hashtag "Daro Mat". Earlier, while accepting the invitation for a public debate with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha President Tejasvi Surya nominated BJYM's Vice President Abhinav Prakash. On May 13, BJYM Vice President Abhinav Prakash, who was nominated by Tejasvi Surya to debate with Rahul Gandhi, said he looked forward to the debate and hoped that the Congress leader would not run away from it the way he ran away from Amethi. It is pertinent to note that the invitation was extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by Retired Justice Madan B Lokur, Justice Ajit P Shah, and journalist N Ram for a debate on the key election issues. Tejasvi Surya proposed the name of Abhinav Prakash, stating that he is from a Dalit caste, Pasi, which makes up a significant proportion of over 30 per cent of the scheduled caste population in Raebareli where Rahul Gandhi is contesting in the current Lok Sabha election. Elaborating on the credentials of Abhinav Prakash, he wrote in a letter, "He is not only a distinguished leader within our youth wing but also an articulate spokesperson for the policies and reforms implemented by our government. An alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University and an assistant professor of economics at Delhi University's Ramjas College, with previous teaching stints at SRCC, his profound understanding of social, economic, and political dynamics is poised to enrich the debate significantly." On May 10, Rahul Gandhi in a letter addressed to retired judges Madan B Lokur, Ajit P Shah, and journalist N Ram, Gandhi expressed readiness to participate in the debate either himself or through Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. "It would be a positive initiative for the major parties to present their vision to the country from one platform for a healthy democracy. Congress welcomes this initiative and accepts the invitation for discussion. The country also expects the Prime Minister to take part in this dialogue," Rahul Gandhi said while accepting the invitation. (ANI) In the video, he made allegations of links of government officials to drug networks. The former journalist was produced before the court and remanded to police custody for three days. The Mumbai Crime Branch officials said Tirodkar was arrested for issuing threats and defaming Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and likening him to the drug mafias. "Former journalist Ketan Tirodkar threatened and defamed Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on social media. Tirodkar posted the video in which he alleged that the deputy CM helped the drug mafias and did not take action against them," an official of the Mumbai Crime Branch said. (ANI) Party sources mentioned that a mega roadshow will be held in Amritsar on Thursday to mark the start of the Aam Aadmi Party chief's election campaign for Lok Sabha polls in Punjab. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will also be part of the roadshow that will kick off at 6 pm on Thursday, the party said. Following the roadshow, Kejriwal will be paying obeisance to Shri Harminder Saheb, they added. In his first joint election campaign with Congress, Arvind Kejriwal is set to hold two roadshows for Congress candidates at Jahangirpuri and Model Town in the national capital on Wednesday. CM Kejriwal will hold roadshows in support of Congress candidates Jai Prakash Agarwal from Chandni Chowk, Udit Raj from North West Delhi, and Kanhaiya Kumar from North East Delhi, according to the Delhi Congress. Congress and AAP are in a 3:4 seat-sharing agreement in Delhi. Notably, the AAP and Congress "mutually agreed" to go solo in Punjab, but are a part of INDIA alliance and are fighting in alliance in Delhi. According to the seat-sharing agreement for Lok Sabha polls between the INDIA bloc members in Delhi, AAP is contesting four seats while Congress has fielded candidates in three constituencies. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party workers on Wednesday staged a protest outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence over an alleged assault incident against Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal and questioned the "silence" of the Delhi CM. Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party President Virendraa Sachdeva said that there is a "big conspiracy" behind what transpired in the house. "The sisters of Delhi have come here to fight for the respect of another sister. Swati Malliwal, former Chairperson of DCW who continuously talked about the security of women, is herself not safe, and that too in the CM's residence. Then you can clearly understand the situation in Delhi. Delhi CM is silent. Why is Kejriwal not lodging a police complaint against the person who is involved in it? There is a big conspiracy behind what transpired in the house. If police conduct an investigation, big revelations will come out," he said. BJP leader Shaina NC said that an FIR should be registered if an atrocity is committed against Swati Maliwal. "If an atrocity is done on her, we would naturally want an FIR to be registered. Something seems to be amiss. AAP, which makes tall claims about women empowerment and safety--your own woman MP is not safe in your party," Shaina said. Meanwhile, BJP Lok Sabha candidate from New Delhi, Bansuri Swaraj, condemned the incident and said that the Delhi CM can't ensure the security of his own party's woman MP. "I am shocked at why Arvind Kejriwal is silent on this issue. Till now, AAP has only condemned the incident, why has no action been taken by Arvind Kejriwal? If CM Arvind Kejriwal can't ensure the security of his own party's woman MP, then how can he ensure the security of females in Delhi?" Swaraj said. BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla called the Aam Aadmi Party an "anti-women anarchist party" and questioned the silence of women leaders in the party. "If such an incident is happening in front of a Chief Minister or on his behalf, then how big a threat AAP's MLAs and workers are for the women in Delhi...The women leaders who speak openly on different subjects have become silent on their subjects. There is definitely some pressure on them. It is clear that Arvind Kejriwal himself is taking any action... Today, AAP has become the 'Anti-Women Anarchist Party'," he said. BJP Leader RP Singh reacted to AAP Leader Sanjay Singh's statement on Swati Maliwal and said that the party should immediately take action. "He should have immediately taken action. They should have registered the case from the Chief Minister's house. He (Sanjay Singh) also accepted that a PCR call was made. In the call, Swati Maliwal said, 'Mujhe Arvind Kejriwal ke kehne pr Vibhav ke peeta hai'. Here, Arvind Kejriwal is also responsible and I demand that the police take action. After 31 hours, they wake up that this kind of incident has taken place. To save Arvind Kejriwal, the press conference was held yesterday," Singh said. BJP leader Shazia Ilmi said that AAP leader Sanjay Singh confirmed that the assault incident of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at the Delhi Chief Minister's residence took place. "We all know Vibhav and his nature. Their job is to provoke people and trouble them. Can he do anything without the permission of Arvind Kejriwal? Who will believe this? Hear the press conference of Sanjay Singh, in which he says, 'Vibhav aai and unhone batameezi ki'. Why will he misbehave? The incident took place in the presence of the Delhi CM. Arvind Kejriwal ji, we need answers. You are accepting that the incident took place but you are busy campaigning. Why has Arvind Kejriwal not filed any cases? Why has he not fired Vibhav? He should have done a press conference. In 2 to 2 minutes, he does a press conference and in this matter, he is quiet," she said. On Tuesday, Sanjay Singh in a press briefing stated that the Delhi Chief Minister had taken cognizance of Maliwal's assault incident at the Chief Minister's residence and had directed strict action in the incident. "We are with Swati Maliwal," Singh said. According to the Delhi Police, Swati Maliwal has not yet contacted them to register her complaint. The police said that it would wait for some more time for the complaint and if no complaint is still received from Swati Maliwal, then Delhi Police might contact her. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) brought a censure motion at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi House over Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal's allegations of assault by Arvind Kejriwal's personal assistant at the Chief Minister's residence. This comes just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the National Capital. All seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will vote on May 25. The Aam Admi Party and Congress are jointly fighting the elections. (ANI) Uttarakhand Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar held a high-level meeting in the state secretariat on Wednesday over the unexpected rush of devotees coming for the Char Dham Yatra. "In view of the unexpected crowd at the four Dhams, we have written a letter to the Director Generals of Police of all the states of the country and requested them not to send any VIP from their respective states for the Char Dham Darshan till May 31," Abhinav Kumar told ANI. Over 26 lakh devotees from all across the country and abroad have registered for the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, said Commissioner Garhwal Division Vinay Shankar Pandey. "Char Dham Yatra is going on in the state. So far, 26.73 lakh devotees have registered for the Char Dham Yatra... More than 1.42 lakh offline registrations have been done in Haridwar and Rishikesh counters. This time double the number of devotees are coming as compared to last year," he said while addressing a press conference on Char Dham Yatra today. More than one lakh devotees reached Kedarnath since the doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham opened on May 10. So far, 2, 76,416 devotees have visited Char Dham. In four days, 1,26,306 devotees have set a new record by reaching Kedarnath. All three dhams, including Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, have been bustling. The Char Dham Yatra commenced in Uttarakhand on May 10. The Char Dham Yatra holds profound spiritual significance in Hinduism. This journey typically occurs from April-May to October-November. It is believed that one should complete the Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction. Hence, the pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, proceeds towards Gangotri, onto Kedarnath, and finally ends at Badrinath. The journey can be completed by road or by air (helicopter services are available). Some devotees even do a Do Dham Yatra or a pilgrimage to two shrines, Kedarnath and Badrinath, as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website. The Char Dham Yatra, or pilgrimage, is a tour of four holy sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. In Hindi, 'char' means four and 'dham' refers to religious destinations, as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website. (ANI) Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath asserted on Wednesday that the Congress Party would fail to secure a single seat in UP during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections while advising Mallikarjun Kharge, the National President of Congress, to prioritise honesty in his statements. While talking to ANI, Yogi accused, "Congress is perpetuating national division based on various factors, such as ideology, religion, geography, and language." Specifically, he criticised Kharge for his unsavoury remarks on revered deities like Lord Shiva and Lord Shri Ram, labelling it as indicative of their narrow-minded approach. Moreover, Yogi Adityanath directed criticism at Akhilesh Yadav, accusing him of showing disregard for Babasaheb and proponents of social justice. He also emphasised the increasing dissent within the opposition coalition regarding Prime Minister Modi's vision for India's development. The Chief Minister said, "The four phases of the Lok Sabha elections have concluded and the Modi wave has turned into a tsunami, while the opposition has lost its steam. The electorate has rejected them, thwarting the Indi alliance's attempts to damage the nation irreparably. Now, they will never be able to ascend to power in the country." CM Yogi highlighted the Congress party's significant disrespect towards Babasaheb and the SP's disregard for both Babasaheb and other champions of social justice. He cited instances such as SP President Akhilesh Yadav's remarks about demolishing memorials of Dalit leaders and the removal of Babasaheb's name from the Kannauj Medical College. Additionally, changes were made to institutions like the Kanshiram Medical College and Language University. CM Yogi condemned the INDIA bloc for disregarding the principles of the Indian Constitution and engaging in divisive caste politics. Furthermore, Yogi underscored the remarkable journey of 'New India' under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, which has transformed our nation into a beacon of respect and efficient governance. Taking a jab at the opposition, he remarked, "This vision of a developed India is unsettling for the Indi alliance, which hovers between advocating for Pakistan and pushing for a caste-based census." He criticised Congress for its extensive history of constitutional amendments and alterations. "Now, they aim to undermine the reservation system for SC, ST, and OBC communities," he added. Yogi predicted the public's rejection of them in the forthcoming election phases. He labelled the INDIA bloc as 'anti-Ram, anti-Indian values, and anti-reservation'. Referring to past attempts by the UPA government to dilute reservations through committees like Ranganath Mishra and Sachar, Yogi cautioned people and stated, "Their intentions liken them to Aurangzeb's oppressive taxes." He stressed the imperative of rejecting such propositions outright. Yogi recounted the consistent support Modi received from the people of Uttar Pradesh in 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2022. "In 2024, the public is again with Modi ji, with slogans like 'Fir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar' and 'Abki Baar 400 Paar' resonating across the country," said the UP CM. (ANI) "PM Modi will be holding a rally on May 17 evening at Shivaji Park. I have invited Raj Thackeray to come to the rally. Raj Thackeray has supported PM Modi's Viksit Bharat mission. This has been accepted by the people of Maharashtra. We will benefit from Raj Thackeray's support for the Mahayuti in Maharashtra. I met him today and invited him to the rally. In the coming days, Raj Thackeray will be supporting Mahayuti," Bawankule said, speaking to reporters on Wednesday. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray extended his party's unconditional support to the Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP in April. Speaking at the party's Gudi Padwa rally here, Thackeray declared support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that everyone should prepare for the elections. "Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is unconditionally supporting the grand alliance of 'BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP. This support is only for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA alliance. Now everyone should prepare for the elections," he said. Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. The state, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh, known for its political diversity and significant electoral influence, Maharashtra plays a crucial role in shaping national politics. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 23 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena with 18 seats. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda while highlighting the schemes of the party, accused the Trinamool Congress of trying to stop the benefits of central schemes from coming to Bengal. Nadda highlighted the challenges faced in delivering benefits under the Garib Kalyan Yojana due to alleged interference by TMC members. "We are trying to provide the benefits of Garib Kalyan Yojana but the goons of TMC won't let that happen. They are trying to stop this," Nadda said at an election rally in West Bengal's Puralia. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave 5 lakh health cover to the unprivileged but Mamata Banerjee says "Ayushman Bharat Hobe Na", 1 crore 25 lakh people could not avail Ayushman Bharat scheme because of Mamata Banerjee. Will you let such a government sustain?" Nadda said. Nadda emphasized the significance of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which provides a health cover of 5 lakh rupees to citizens above 70 years of age, irrespective of their economic status. He criticized Mamata Banerjee's opposition to the scheme, citing it as a hindrance to healthcare access for the underprivileged. Highlighting BJP's development initiatives, Nadda credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the progress in various sectors including healthcare, employment and transportation. "This marks a new development narrative. Amidst prevailing economic challenges in America, Japan, Europe, and Russia, Prime Minister Modi has steered India from the 11th to the fifth position in the global economy," he asserted. Nadda reiterated that in three years India will become the third-largest economy in the world if BJP retains power. "Under PM Modi's leadership were national highways constructed or now? Were medical colleges and AIIMS built or not? Are Railway stations being reconstucted or not?" Nadda asked the public of Bengal as he sought votes for the BJP candidates in Bengal. In Lok Sabha 2024 elections, TMC and BJP are contesting in all 42 seats in West Bengal. Though still a part of the Opposition bloc--INDIA, the TMC chose to go it alone in Bengal. The Congress and the Left Front have a seat-sharing arrangement in the state under which the Left parties contest 30 seats and the Congress contests the remaining 12 seats. In the first four phases elections have already been conducted in 18 seats, while the elections for the rest of the 24 seats will be held in the next three phases on May 20, May 25 and June 1. Constituencies which will go to polls in the fifth phase are Bangaon, Barrackpur, Howrah, Uluberia, Srerampur, Hooghly and Arambagh. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that the tasks he could not accomplish during his tenure as the Chief Minister have been achieved under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath. He highlighted that CM Yogi Adityanath's initiatives are now gaining attention not just nationally, but internationally as well. During the rally held in Aminabad, the Defence Minister delivered a brief speech owing to a leg injury sustained at a previous rally in Andhra Pradesh, mentioning his difficulty in standing for extended periods. In his remarks, Rajnath Singh praised CM Yogi's remarkable achievements in the state, noting, "Yogi ji has accomplished tasks beyond imagination during his tenure as Chief Minister." Rajnath Singh emphasized that the foremost requirement for the progress of any state is to ensure law and order. He highlighted that CM Yogi's efforts in this regard have garnered attention both nationally and internationally, making Uttar Pradesh a source of pride. Under CM Yogi's leadership, the ambitious goal of transforming the state into a one trillion-dollar economy has been set. Achieving this milestone, he added, would propel India towards becoming the world's third-largest economy. Rajnath Singh stated that throughout his political career, he has refrained from making promises during election campaigns. Instead, he simply seeks the blessings and good wishes of the people. He emphasized that there's no necessity to inform him about the developmental projects undertaken, as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has played a significant role in the progress of Lucknow. He attributed full credit for these developments to CM Yogi. Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that the target of over 400 seats would be achieved based on reports from the first four phases of voting. He emphasized the BJP's reliability, citing their track record of fulfilling promises. He highlighted the party's decisive action in abolishing Article 370 in Kashmir soon after gaining a clear majority in 2014, leading to rapid development in the region. Singh contrasted this with the security challenges faced during Congress rule, noting a significant decrease in terrorist incidents across the country, barring a few major incidents in Kashmir. He further remarked, "Today, the Ram temple stands proudly in Ayodhya, signifying a monumental shift from a humble hut to a grand temple. This marks the dawn of Ramrajya in India." Singh highlighted the enhanced global stature of India, noting a shift in perception towards the country. He credited Prime Minister Modi's leadership for elevating India to the fifth position in the global economy, up from the 11th place during the tenure of Manmohan Singh. He cited assessments from major international organizations affirming India's rapid development and predicted that by 2027, India would ascend to the status of the world's third-largest economic superpower. Addressing the minorities, he assured, "We seek your support not through fear, but through love and trust." He advised the opposition to engage in meaningful politics and speak truthfully. "Avoid engaging in politics that obscures the truth from the public," he added. Rajnath Singh emphasized that their political pursuits extend beyond mere governance but are rooted in nation-building. Reiterating the words of former US President Jimmy Carter, Rajnath Singh said, "'If you want to see the future, come to India; if you want to feel the future, come to India; and if you want to work in the future, come to India.'" He appealed to the electorate, stating that if India aims to ascend as a global superpower, voting in favour of the BJP and NDA is imperative. On this occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister in the state government Brajesh Pathak, MLC Dr Mahendra Singh, JDU national spokesperson KC Tyagi, MLC and Lok Sabha convener Mukesh Sharma, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, BJP Mahanagar President Anand Dwivedi, and Dr Gurmeet Singh among others were present. (ANI) Amid BJP's push in Odisha to improve its performance in the Lok Sabha and assembly polls being held simultaneously, Home Minister Amit Shah has said that people of the state want change and think that "someone else is running the government". In an interview with ANI, Shah said that the matter of Odisha's pride has become increasingly important. He said the Odisha Chief Minister should accept that Odisha has not developed as some other states like Gujarat and Maharashtra. "Even Naveen Patnaik should accept that Odisha is not as developed as other states with a stable government like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh... People there want change... I believe that the matter of Odisha's pride has become increasingly important. There is a perception that someone else is running the government behind Naveen Patnaik," he said. "The issue of pride in the Odia language, culture, literature, and art has become significant," he added. Shah alleged that the administration sought to prevent the large participation of people in the Ram Janmabhoomi Pran Pratishtha and they are upset. On remarks of BJD leaders that the BJP does not have a CM face in Odisha, Shah said that the party has strong leadership and experienced individuals, and does not face a leadership crisis. "We have good leadership and very experienced people. Several experienced leaders from their party have joined us. We do not have a leadership crisis," he said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is steering the Biju Janata Dal for a sixth straight term in office in the assembly polls. BJD leaders have challenged the BJP to declare its chief ministerial candidate in the state. BJD leader VK Pandian, a close aide of CM Naveen Patnaik, said last week that BJP leaders have been "daydreaming" of forming a government in the state for the past 10 years. "I ask the BJP - do the people of Odisha not deserve to know who is the BJP CM candidate? Let the people decide between Naveen Patnaik and the BJP candidate. Is it not the right of the people to know this? But the BJP is afraid to declare their CM candidate because they know that if they choose anyone of the current leaders , their party will get less than 10 per cent votes. I challenge the BJP to declare the CM candidate," he said Lok Sabha and assembly polls are being held simultaneously in Odisha. The four-phased Lok Sabha and assembly elections started on May 13 and will also be held on May 20, May 25 and June 1. Votes will be counted on June 4. (ANI) Dubai [UAE], May 14 (ANI/WAM): Celebrating a new milestone in its cultural journey of fostering meaningful intercultural connections, Sharjah will assume the role of the first Arab Guest of Honour at the 20th Thessaloniki International Book Fair (TIBF), scheduled from 16th to May 19. In its engagement at the fair, Sharjah is poised to curate a comprehensive cultural itinerary, featuring over 30 panel discussions, innovative workshops, and captivating heritage shows, and showcasing 10 books spanning poetry, prose, arts and studies, all translated into Greek, in an open dialogue with the cultural landscape in Greece. Led by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the emirate's delegation will be represented by more than 20 cultural, educational, and heritage institutions from Sharjah, who will work towards fostering deeper collaboration and partnerships between Emirati entities and their Greek counterparts. The delegates will exemplify Sharjah's cultural project, which stems from the Emirati and Arab identity, in its quest to create a global positive impact on knowledge and the creative industries. The TIBF will be celebrating Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, by hosting her in a session titled 'Unlocking Worlds: Children's Literature and World Book Capitals,' to speak about her book World Book Capital, which addresses the 'Sharjah World Book Capital 2019' experience. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi will be highlighting the transformative power of children's literature in raising awareness about World Book Capitals, alongside Anna Routsi, World Book Capital Network Expert, and will delve into the inspiration behind such literary endeavours, and her efforts in promoting Arab culture globally. The Sharjah GoH programme was announced by Ahmed Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) during a press conference on Tuesday 14th of May, which was organised by the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, in cooperation with Greek Publishers to unveil the agenda of the 20th edition of the Thessaloniki International Book Fair (TIBF). "Through the Sharjah Guest of Honour programme at TIBF, we are keen to foster constructive dialogue with all entities dedicated to culture and the creative industries, globally. The TIBF will bring new networking opportunities for authors, cultural entities, publishing and copyrights professionals as well as literary agents, and offer the Greek and global communities a gateway to the history of Emirati culture," Al Ameri said. (ANI/WAM) "Firmly opposing" the new US tariffs, China warned that the trade barriers would affect the wider relationship between the two economic superpowers and Beijing will "resolutely work" to defend its interests, CNN reported. China's Commerce Ministry also said that the move is against US President Joe Biden's earlier stand of not seeking to 'contain' or 'decouple' with Beijing. This comes hours after Biden announced that tariffs on USD 18 billion worth of imports of Chinese electric vehicles and an array of other products would soar over the next two years. The White House said the measures were designed to protect American workers and businesses in the face of China's unfair trade practices, including "flooding global markets with artificially low-priced exports." China "firmly opposes" the new tariffs, the country's Commerce Ministry said in a statement. "The increase in...tariffs by the United States contradicts President Joe Biden's commitment to 'not seek to suppress and contain China's development' and 'not to seek to decouple and break links with China,'" it said. "This action will seriously impact the atmosphere of bilateral cooperation." The Chinese Ministry further said Beijing would take "resolute measures" to defend its rights and interests and urged the Biden administration to "correct its wrongdoing." Following this move, EVs imported from China will see their tariffs more than quadrupled from 27.5 per cent to 100 per cent. According to CNN, this policy lever is meant to challenge Beijing's practice of encouraging aggressively low pricing by domestic EV manufacturers while levying a 40 per cent tariff on US car imports. In addition to EVs, increased tariffs will apply to imports of Chinese steel and aluminium, legacy semiconductors, battery components, critical minerals, solar cells, cranes, and medical products. Tariffs on solar cells and semiconductors will double to 50 per cent, while the remainder of the targeted imports will attract tariffs of 25 per cent. "China opposes the unilateral imposition of tariffs which violate (World Trade Organization) rules, and will take all necessary actions to protect its legitimate rights," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters shortly before the announcement. Notably, China's global trade surplus in goods has soared in recent years and is now approaching USD 1 trillion, stoking tensions with the US and Europe. The Biden administration and European Union officials fear Beijing is trying to tackle a subsidy-fuelled overcapacity problem in its decelerating economy by dumping excess products on global markets, as reported by CNN. Leaders from the G7 developed economies will discuss how to protect their industries regarding this issue at a summit next month. Responding to a separate question during the briefing, Wang added that the growth of China's new energy industry -- including EVs, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products -- is built on "continued technical innovation, complete industrial and supply chains, and full-on market competition." "Our leading edge is a result of comparative advantage and the rule of markets combined, not (of) subsidies," Wang said. (ANI) Newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, handed over the working copy of the Letter of Credence to Rohit Rathish, the acting Chief of Protocol, Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday. "Glad to hand over the working copy of Letter of Credence to Mr. Rohit Rathish, acting Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of External Affairs at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan," the Chinese envoy posted on X. https://x.com/China_Amb_India/status/1790374302459597134 Xu arrived in New Delhi on May 10 and assumed charge as the Chinese Ambassador to India. Xu Feihong is the 17th Chinese Ambassador to India. Notably, he became the first Chinese envoy to India in over 18 months. The last Chinese Ambassador to India was Sun Weidong, who left in October 2022, at a time when India and China were trying to manage ties via multiple channels, following the Ladakh border standoff in 2020 After assuming the charge, Xu said that India and China boast of being time-honoured civilizations and are each other's, important neighbors. In an interview with China Global Television Network, Xu Feihong shared his first reaction to being appointed as the Indian ambassador after a considerable hiatus and said that it is an honorable mission and a sacred duty. "I will do my best to deepen understanding and friendship between the two peoples, expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and improve and advance the bilateral relationship," he said. He further stressed that India and China are the biggest emerging markets and developing countries of the world. "As President Xi Jinping said If China and India speak with one voice, the whole world will listen; if the two countries join hands, the whole world will pay attention," he noted. "I will follow the important consensus between our leaders, reach out to friends from all sectors of India, earnestly enhance the understanding and trust between the two sides, work to restore exchanges and cooperation in various fields and create favourable conditions for a sound and steady China-India relationship," he added. He further assured that this is in the interest of both countries, the region and the world, and is also what the people and the international community hope to see. (ANI) A major manhunt was launched by the French authorities on Tuesday (local time) after a group of hooded armed men ambushed a prison convoy in Normandy to free an inmate, killing two guards and leaving three others injured, CNN reported. The incident, took place as the vehicle was transporting a prisoner from court to a nearby prison, French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said. Video from the scene showed a black SUV in flames that appeared to have crashed into a prison van near a motorway toll booth. Two hooded individuals could be purportedly seen carrying long rifles. Notably, such violent incidents are considered extremely rare for that part of northern France, according to CNN. Dupond-Moretti told reporters that the incident was the first time a French prison employee had died while working since 1992. He added that two of those hurt sustained life-threatening injuries. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the incident and said in a post on X that "every effort is being made to find the perpetrators of this crime so that justice can be done in the name of the French people." https://x.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1790347106110013842 "Everything, and I mean everything, will be done to find the perpetrators of this heinous crime. These are people for whom life means nothing. They will be arrested. They will be tried. And they will be punished for the crime they committed," Dupond-Moretti said. The national police informed in a statement on X that the gunmen are still at large. A manhunt is underway to find suspects and the inmate. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on X he has mobilized the national gendarmerie and "several hundred" police officers for the manhunt. Authorities on the scene are setting up roadblocks and establishing a perimeter, CNN reported citing BFMTV. The escaped inmate has been identified as Mohamed Amra. According to the Paris state prosecutor Laure Beccuau, he is "very well known to the justice system," having sustained a total of 13 convictions, most of which were related to incidences of theft with aggravated offenses. Amra had been incarcerated in various facilities since January 2022. On May 10, Amra was found guilty on the charge of burglary by a court in Evreux and was also under investigation in Marseille for a kidnap that led to a death, Beccuau said. Later on Tuesday, the French police said they had discovered two burnt-out vehicles used by the attackers. The Paris state prosecutor told a press conference that the two vehicles were found in Houtteville and in Gauville-le-Campagne, two towns in the department of Eure where the attack took place near the Incarville tollbooth shortly before 11 am (local time), as reported by CNN. She said that one of the vehicles was used to ram the police van during the attack, while the other was following the van and carrying the two gunmen. Forensic experts have been carrying out "meticulous tests" at the scene of the crime, and police had been studying video of the attack filmed by eyewitnesses and posted on social media, Beccuau said. The prosecutor said the authorities' priority now is getting to the bottom of this "outburst of violence," CNN reported. (ANI) Indian High Commissioner to Kenya, Namgya Khampa, on behalf of the Indian government, handed over the second tranche of 40 metric-tonne of humanitarian assistance to flood-affected Kenya. "On behalf of Govt. of India, High Commissioner handed over 2nd tranche of 40MT of humanitarian assistance for flood-affected Kenyans to @SectoCabinet_KEH on @WanjauMercy & CS @ASALs_KE Hon @peninah_malonza," the Indian Embassy in Kenya posted on X. https://x.com/IndiainKenya/status/1790408169685987771 The humanitarian aid sent to the country included Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief containing 40 tonnes of medicines, medical supplies and other equipment to assist flood victims. Aid was sent through an Indian Air Force aircraft from Hindon Airport of Ghaziabad to Kenya. Sharing details of the aid sent to Kenya, Jaishankar said on X, "The second tranche of HADR material containing 40 tonnes of medicines, medical supplies and other equipment to assist the flood victims leaves for Kenya. Standing up for a historical partnership, a Vishwabandhu to the world." Earlier on May 10, India handed over food, relief, and medicine supplies to Kenya as the first responder in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Torrential rains have caused devastating floods in Kenya, where more than 200 people have died, thousands have been displaced and nearly 2,000 schools have been destroyed. All remaining schools have been shut down until further notice, Al Jazeera reported on May 4. Rains have been ravaging Kenya since March during some of the most catastrophic weather events in the country for years. Now, Cyclone Hidaya is expected to hit Kenya and neighbouring Tanzania late on Friday, which could further worsen the flooding. This comes amid recent heavy rainfall across East Africa. (ANI) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined forces with a Ukrainian band on Tuesday night in Kyiv, delivering a musical message of support to the embattled nation in its conflict against Russia, The Washington Post reported. With a left-handed guitar in hand, Blinken, a former serious rock guitarist himself, teamed up with a local band at a club Barman Dictat to perform Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" at a packed basement music club. Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" is a popular rock anthem released in 1989 just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. "The United States is with you. So much of the world is with you. And they're fighting, not just for a free Ukraine, but for the free world. And the free world is with you too," Blinken said before launching into the song alongside 19.99, a punk band based in Kyiv, according to The Washington Post. The impromptu concert, held at Barman Dictat, a music bar in central Kyiv designed to double as a bunker in case of war, drew a diverse crowd, including locals and US diplomats. Applause erupted as Blinken belted out the chorus, "Keep on rockin' in the free world." Blinken's visit to the club capped off a day filled with meetings and a speech outlining his vision for Ukraine's victory, which he described as securing a firm place in the free world. Despite not having played music since the conflict between Hamas and Israel in October, Blinken's musical performance served as a poignant reminder of the Biden administration's unwavering support for Ukraine amidst escalating tensions with Russia. Senior US diplomats viewed the impromptu gig as a powerful symbol of solidarity, reinforcing America's commitment to stand by Ukraine in its struggle against Kremlin aggression, The Washington Post reported. (ANI) WELLINGTON, May 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest such as climate change, a New Zealand government statement said on Wednesday. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters was in Port Vila, Vanuatu's capital, this week to reconnect with Vanuatu's political leadership and discuss ways to deepen their engagement, the statement said. Peters, also New Zealand's deputy prime minister, announced a new flexible climate finance commitment and an extension of support to the Vanuatu Police Force during his visit to the country. "These two initiatives demonstrate the innovative ways New Zealand is looking to support Vanuatu's climate resilience, as well as the close cooperation that many New Zealand agencies, such as New Zealand Police, have in Vanuatu," Peters said. According to New Zealand's Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, Vanuatu is a key partner for New Zealand. In a groundbreaking revelation, a global collaborative investigative journalism project dubbed 'Dubai Unlocked' has uncovered the extensive property holdings of the global elite in Dubai. Among those implicated are prominent figures from Pakistan, with a combined property value estimated at a staggering USD 11 billion, Geo News reported. The project, spearheaded by the Centre for Advanced Defence Studies (C4ADS) and supported by 74 media outlets across 58 countries, has shed light on the ownership of hundreds of thousands of properties in Dubai by political figures, globally sanctioned individuals, alleged money launderers, and criminals. The data, obtained largely from 2020 and 2022, provides a detailed overview of residential properties owned by individuals, excluding those held by companies or located in commercial areas. Norwegian financial outlet E24 and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) were key partners in this comprehensive six-month investigation, as reported by Geo News. Among the notable Pakistani figures identified in the 'Property Leaks' are President Asif Ali Zardari's children, Hussain Nawaz Sharif, and several other political figures and their family members. The list also includes retired generals, business magnates, and individuals facing sanctions for various illicit activities. One striking revelation involves President Zardari, who reportedly received a foreign property as a gift in 2014, later transferring it to his daughter. This transaction was previously undisclosed until the Property Leaks data brought it to light. Furthermore, individuals associated with controversial networks, such as the Altaf Khanani network involved in money laundering, have also been identified as property owners in Dubai. Despite facing sanctions, members of these networks continue to hold significant assets in the region. The investigation also uncovered instances of non-disclosure by public officials. For instance, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's wife was found to own a villa in Dubai, which was not declared in his nomination papers for the Senate election earlier this year. This revelation raises questions about transparency and accountability among Pakistan's political elite. The data reveals a staggering disparity in property ownership, with Indian nationals leading the pack with 35,000 properties valued at USD 17 billion. Pakistani nationals rank second, with 17,000 owners holding 23,000 residential properties worth USD 11 billion. This concentration of wealth underscores the significant influence wielded by South Asian elites in Dubai's real estate market, according to Geo News. Economists and reporters analyzing the data have highlighted the average value per Pakistani property owner at USD 0.41 million, reflecting the immense wealth amassed by a select few. The total value of properties owned by Pakistanis amounts to a staggering USD 11 billion, contributing significantly to Dubai's thriving real estate sector. The 'Property Leaks' data provides crucial insights into the opaque world of foreign property ownership in Dubai. Journalists meticulously verified the identities of property owners and their ownership status, using official records and open-source research to ensure accuracy and reliability. In the pursuit of public interest, reporters have focused on individuals with ties to criminal activities, corruption allegations, or sanctions. The project aims to promote transparency and accountability, holding accountable those who have concealed their assets or engaged in illicit financial practices. Dubai's official land registry served as a critical resource in confirming property ownership, allowing journalists to track changes in ownership status over time. Despite challenges in confirming current ownership status, diligent investigative efforts have provided valuable insights into the extent of foreign ownership in Dubai's real estate market, Geo News reported. (ANI) The Ministry of National Defence in Taiwan reported a surge in activity by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China around the island nation, heightening tensions in the region. According to official statements released on Wednesday, a total of 45 PLA aircraft and 6 vessels from China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) were detected operating near Taiwan as of 6 am local time. Of particular concern was the intrusion into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) by 26 aircraft, which crossed the median line, venturing into the northern and southwestern sectors of Taiwan's airspace. In response to the increased activity, Taiwan's Republic of China Armed Forces (ROCArmedForces) closely monitored the situation and implemented necessary measures to safeguard national security. "45 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 26 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," said Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence on Wednesday. This development comes amid already heightened tensions between Taiwan and China, with Beijing asserting its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan, which it considers a renegade province. Taiwan, on the other hand, maintains its independence and democratic governance. The recent surge in PLA activity underscores the ongoing military manoeuvres conducted by China near Taiwan's borders, raising concerns about potential escalation and the risk of confrontation in the region. The MND has issued daily reports on Chinese military activities for the past few years, including identifying those Chinese aircraft, drones, and balloons that are found to have crossed the Taiwan Strait median line to the Taiwan side. The median line of the Taiwan Strait served for decades as a tacit border between China and Taiwan, but China's military has more freely sent aircraft, warships and drones across it since former United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of grey zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan. 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) Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te said that he was open to holding talks with China, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. However, he added that it should be conducted with "no preconditions." In his address at a democracy forum in Copenhagen on Tuesday, Lai in a pre-recorded video said, "I will not rule out dialogue with China on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefits, and dignity," adding that such dialogue should be conducted "with no preconditions." Incumbent Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has made calls for official engagement with China over the years. However, no such talks have happened between Taiwan and China. China has called on Taiwan to accept the "1992 consensus," under which both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, as a precondition for talks. Lai Chang-te, who is scheduled to take the oath as Taiwan's President on May 20, said his administration "will work to safeguard the status quo" in the Taiwan Strait, according to CNA report. He stated that the people of Taiwan "stand at the forefront of the fight against authoritarian expansion" as they face pressure from military threats, foreign disinformation and economic coercion. Lai said, "Despite Beijing's efforts, the people of Taiwan have rejected authoritarianism. He stated, "China's coercion has only strengthened our resolve to remain democratic and free." He said that Taiwan, amid those challenges, must continue to bolster its defence defence capabilities and enhance its economic resilience. Lai said, "The free world must win the global race in important technology sectors." He added that Taiwan, as an advanced chip manufacturing powerhouse, will be "centric to the global technological alliance of democracies," according to Central News Agency report. Tsai Ing-wen, who will step down on May 20 after serving two four-year terms as Taiwan's President, also addressed the summit on Tuesday in a separate pre-recorded video. In her remarks, Tsai said that "the people of Taiwan are more determined than ever to safeguard democracy and freedom." She said that the people of Taiwan have dealt with "much-intensified threats and intimidation" from China on a daily basis "with resilience and courage." She accused China of engaging in hacking, cyberattacks, and military intrusions against Taiwan. She noted that partnerships Taiwan maintains with like-minded nations will be "the most effective defence of all." Tsai said, "Neither threats nor coercion will shake Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world." She stated, "Taiwan and its people stand ready to strengthen cooperation with democracies around the world, in all areas where we share mutual interests," Central News Agency reported. She expressed Taiwan's readiness to share its best practices for countering authoritarian influence with its partners. She also underscored Taiwan's commitment to support and strengthen democracies around the world and contribute to regional security. The summit is being held in Copenhagen on Tuesday and Wednesday. The summit seeks to bring together political, business, media leaders and democracy activists to express their views in defence of the values of freedom and democracy. Taiwan has long been a point of contention for Beijing, which considers the island a renegade province and has repeatedly expressed intentions to reunify it with the mainland, even if by force. The median line of the Taiwan Strait served for decades as a tacit border between China and Taiwan. However, the Chinese military has more freely sent aircraft, warships, and drones across it since former United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022. On Wednesday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence reported a surge in activity by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China around the island nation. According to official statements released on Wednesday, a total of 45 PLA aircraft and 6 vessels from China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) were detected operating near Taiwan as of 6 am local time. Of particular concern was the intrusion into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) by 26 aircraft, which crossed the median line, venturing into the northern and southwestern sectors of Taiwan's airspace. In a post on X, Taiwan's MND stated, "45 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 26 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." (ANI) A young activist in Thailand, Netiporn Sanae-sangkhom who went on a 65-day hunger strike after being jailed for advocating reform of the country's monarchy system, died Tuesday in a prison hospital, CNN reported, citing officials' statement. Her death has shocked many in the country and sparked renewed calls for reforms to the judicial system that allow activists to be denied bail and held in detention for extended periods ahead of trial. Netiporn Sanae-sangkhom, 28, had been detained since January 26 and was on a hunger strike until the end of April, according to the legal advocacy group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, as per CNN. The corrections department said, she had experienced cardiac arrest on Tuesday morning and was unresponsive to treatment. According to CNN, a medical team tried to resuscitate her before transferring her to Bangkok's Thammasat University Hospital but she "did not respond to treatment. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death," the department added. Netiporn was a member of the protest group Thalu Wang, which has pushed for reform of Thailand's powerful monarchy and amendment of the country's draconian lese majeste law, in which criticising the king, queen, or heir apparent can lead to a maximum 15-year prison sentence. The group's name loosely translates to "piercing through the palace," in reference to its drive to hold the monarchy accountable; it campaigns by holding public opinion polls questioning the monarchy's power. Netiporn had been part of the nationwide 2020 youth-led protests that saw millions of young Thais take to the streets of major cities calling for constitutional, democratic and military reforms, and, for the first time, openly criticising the monarchy and publicly questioning its power and wealth. Netiporn, who participated in the 2020 youth-led protests in Thailand, joined millions demanding constitutional, democratic, and military reforms for the first time, openly criticising the monarchy and questioning its power and wealth. While detained, she staged a 65-day hunger strike until April, protesting the detention of political dissidents without bail. She was moved between prison and the hospital due to her declining health. After Netiporn was sent back to jail on April 4, the Thai Corrections Department said she was able to eat and drink normally, but she was weak and suffered from swollen limbs and anaemia. She had refused to take "minerals and anti-anaemia supplements," the department said. Additionally, Netiporn faced seven criminal cases, including two charges of draconian lese majeste law, in which criticising the king, queen, or heir apparent can lead to a maximum 15-year prison sentence. She spent 94 days in jail in 2022 and went on a hunger strike before being granted bail, which was later revoked. Netiporn's death has stunned many in the nation and reignited demands for reforms to the judicial system, which permits activists to be refused bail and detained for prolonged periods before trial. "This is a shocking reminder that Thai authorities are harshly denying pro-democracy activists their freedom in an apparent bid to silence the peaceful expression of dissent. Many are currently detained, with their right to temporary release on bail denied," said Amnesty International in a statement. "This tragic incident should serve as a wake-up call to Thai authorities to drop charges against and release all human rights defenders and other people who are unjustly detained." On Tuesday night, supporters held a candlelight vigil outside the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court. Those attending included Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul, a fellow activist who also faces lese majeste charges for her involvement in the 2020 protests. (ANI) Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison held a meeting with former US President Donald Trump. Both discussed continued Chinese assertions in the Indo-Pacific and threats against Taiwan. During the meeting, the two leaders spoke about AUKUS. Scott Morrison said that Trump, during the meeting, expressed his appreciation of the value he places on the alliance between Australia and the US. In a post on X, Morrison stated, "Was pleased to meet with former President Donald Trump on Tuesday night at his private residence in NY. It was nice to catch up again, especially given the pile on he is currently dealing with in the US. Was also a good opportunity to discuss AUKUS, which received a warm reception. We also discussed the continuing assertions of China in the Indo-Pacific and the threats against Taiwan." "These were issues we discussed regularly when we were both in office. Once again, the former President showed his true appreciation of the value he places on the Australia-US alliance and the shared role of supporting what our friend, Shinzo Abe, called a free and open Indo-Pacific. Good to see you DJT and thanks for the invitation to stay in touch. All the best," he added. The meeting between the two leaders comes at a time when Donald Trump is campaigning for a second presidential term in the 2024 US presidential election. Recently, Trump came out heavily against Joe Biden over the massive pro-Palestine protests at American universities, and claimed that his successor is surrounded by "fascists" and has 'surrendered' the college campuses to "jihadist freaks" and "anti-American extremists." Trump further claimed that "the very same people who are funding the violent campus uprisings are also funding Joe Biden's campaign", adding that Biden is running a "radicalized" Democratic Party. Notably, the college campuses in the US have become a hotspot, with pro-Palestinian protestors calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Earlier this week, the US House Select Committee introduced a bill that will authorize USD 120 million in support for Taiwan's international space and take on China's coercion, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. The legislation, the Taiwan Allies Fund Act, came on a bipartisan basis ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Lai Ching-te of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on May 20. In a statement, the committee said the bill "strengthens Taiwan's global network of friends by authorizing USD 120 million over three years for the State Department and USAID (United States Agency for International Development) to provide foreign assistance to Taiwan's official and unofficial partners subjected to coercion and pressure from the CCP." According to the bill, the funding will be part of the Countering PRC Influence Fund, in which a qualified country will receive USD 5 million a year, as reported by the Central News Agency. A country is described in the bill as a qualified fund recipient if it is able to advance Taiwan's meaningful participation in international fora and multilateral organisations, if it is able to diversify supply chains away from China, or if it is able to build the capacity and resilience of civil society, media, and other nongovernmental organizations to counter China's influence and propaganda. The bill specifies that the US encourages countries having no official ties with Taiwan to deepen their engagement and help those countries that lack the economic or political capability to effectively respond to China's coercion. Republican Committee Chairman John Moolenaar, in a statement, said, "The Chinese Communist Party has spent decades trying to isolate the free people of Taiwan from the world stage and coerce other nations into severing relations with the thriving democracy." Moolenaar proposed the bill along with Democratic Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democratic House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, and Taiwan Caucus Co-Chairs Andy Barr of the Republican Party and Ami Bera and Gerald Connolly of the Democratic Party, CNA reported. "Our legislation will help Taiwan's diplomatic allies resist CCP authoritarian pressure campaigns while meeting their development needs. The United States must stand with those who stand with Taiwan," Moolenaar said. The committee noted that since 2013, China has enticed 11 countries to cut relations with Taipei in favour of Beijing, often through bribes and economic inducements. (ANI) India's fintech company PhonePe Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has been launched in Sri Lanka. Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe and India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha attended the launch event in Sri Lanka. In a post on X, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka stated, "Unlocking new frontiers in fintech connectivity! @PhonePe UPI payments goes live in Sri Lanka with HC @santjha & @CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe gracing the launch event. Giving a boost to @UPI_NPCI services, the launch will further strengthen ease for tourists in Sri Lanka." On May 15, PhonePe announced that it has enabled UPI payment acceptance in collaboration with LankaPay. In a statement, PhonePe announced that its app users visiting Sri Lanka can now make payments using UPI across LankaPayQR merchants across the nation. According to the statement, PhonePe users can simply scan LankaQR code to make secure and quick payments without carrying cash or calculating currency conversions. Earlier in February, India's instant payment technology service, the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), was launched in Sri Lanka and Mauritius in a virtual event that was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Jugnauth and President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe. India, which has emerged as a leader in fintech innovation and Digital Public Infrastructure placed a strong emphasis on sharing its development experiences and innovation with partner countries. Addressing the occasion via video conferencing, PM Modi said it was an important event for three countries in the Indian Ocean region. "Today is a special day for three friendly countries in the Indian Ocean region. Today we are connecting our historical relations in a modern digital way. This is proof of our commitment to the development of our people," PM Modi said. He said fintech connectivity will not only strengthen cross-border transactions but also cross-border connections. "FinTech connectivity will not only boost cross-border transactions but also connections. India's UPI (Unified Payment Interface) is now playing the role of 'Uniting Partners with India'," PM Modi said.He asserted that Digital Public Infrastructure such as UPI has brought about changes in the smallest of villages in India, as the technology is convenient and fast.In 2023, a record 100 billion transactions valued at Rs 2 trillion were made via UPI, PM Modi said. "Digital Public Infrastructure has brought about a revolutionary change in India. Even the smallest businessman in our smallest village is making digital payments because it has convenience as well as speed," he said. UPI is India's mobile-based fast payment system, which facilitates customers to make round-the-clock payments instantly, using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) created by the customer. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Lawrence Wong on assuming office as the new Prime Minister of Singapore on Wednesday. After taking office, Lawrence Wong became Singapore's fourth prime minister since the country's independence and its first new premier in 20 years. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Warmest congratulations @LawrenceWongST on assuming office as Prime Minister of Singapore." "I look forward to working closely with you to further advance our Strategic Partnership," he added. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1790760738992070949 Wong took the oath of office at the National Palace on Wednesday in a ceremony that was broadcast on television, according to Al Jazeera. He is the country's first-ever leader born after Singapore's independence in 1965. As finance minister, Wong will continue in this role while leading a nation that was run for 20 years by Lee Hsien Loong, the 72-year-old son of Lee Kuan Yew, the man who founded modern-day Singapore, who remained in politics until his passing in 2015, as per Al Jazeera. Since the ruling party selected Wong as head of the "4G," or fourth generation of leaders, in April 2022 politicians from the party hope to take control of the government in the upcoming years--he has been seen as Lee's successor. Wong received praise for his handling of the island's response to the pandemic, reported Al Jazeera. Their first pick, Heng Swee Keat, a former minister of education and head of the central bank, abruptly left in 2021, upending the party's succession plans. Situated between Indonesia and Malaysia, the small island holds significant importance on global terms as a vital ally of both China and the United States. However, it is also dealing with more internal issues, mostly related to immigration and the growing cost of living, and the ruling People's Action Party has also been shaken by an uncommon corruption scandal. With bonuses included, the prime minister of Singapore receives an annual salary of 2.2 million Singapore dollars (USD1.6 million), making her the highest-paid government official in the world. (ANI) Taiwan on Tuesday called for the swift return of its military officer, rescued by Chinese authorities after drifting off Fujian Province during a fishing trip in March, Taiwan News reported. The Taiwanese army urged China to allow the return of an ROC officer stationed in Kinmen, who has been detained in mainland China since March 18. On March 18, two men from Taiwan's outlying Kinmen island were found near coast guard of China's Fujian province after the engine of their boat failed. Chinese authorities said one of the anglers, surnamed Hu, a 25-year-old man, was an active member of Taiwan's military and accused him of intentionally concealing his identity. Taiwan's defence ministry confirmed that Hu was part of the Kinmen Garrison Brigade. According to Taiwan News, the Army Command Headquarters meanwhile divulged that Hu's family applied for voluntary military discharge on his behalf, and the application was approved and became effective on May 8. The Army said it will continue collaborating with related government agencies, including the Kinmen County government, so that the Chinese side can return Hu home as soon as possible. Hu and a 40-year-old angler surnamed Wu were rescued by the coast guard of China's Fujian Province after going missing and losing contact due to foggy conditions during a fishing trip in Kinmen on March 17, as per Taiwan News. While Wu was returned to Kinmen, a Taiwan-controlled island group located around 10 kilometres east of the city of Xiamen in Fujian, on March 23, Hu is still being kept in China due to his military status. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will not rule out force to bring the island under Beijing's control, Voice of America reported This incident comes after an ongoing row between Taipei and Beijing over a fatal boat incident last month. A Chinese speedboat carrying four people capsized on February 14 near Kinmen while Taiwan's coast guard was pursuing it, leaving two dead. According to Voice of America, the coast guard had defended its actions, saying the boat was within "prohibited waters" and was zigzagging before it capsized, but Beijing has accused Taipei of "hiding the truth" about the incident. Since then, China has said it would step up patrols around Kinmen, a territory administered by Taipei but located just 5 kilometres (3 miles) from the mainland city of Xiamen. (ANI) Give Israel the bombs they need to end the war they cant afford to lose, and work with them to minimize casualties... Can I say this? Why is it OK for America to drop two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end their existential threat war? Why is it OK for us to do that? I thought it was OK. Trending on NextShark: Japanese lesbian couple granted refugee status in Canada Religious leaders, academics and civil society representatives from Argentina recently met to discuss tolerance, world peace and freedom of religion. Held at the National Senate, the meeting was endorsed by the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) evidence of the interest of international organizations in this initiative. With the title "Global dialogue to promote tolerance, peace and respect for the freedom of religion and belief" and organized by national senators Jose Mayans and Fernando Rejal, the interreligious summit sought to be a beacon of hope in the midst of growing global tensions. Pastor Jorge Gomez, Executive Director of the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic (ACIERA), gave a speech on behalf of the evangelical community. Similarly, several leaders of different faiths shared their prayers and thoughts motivated by the search for peace, including Imam Marwan Sarwar Gill of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Argentina; Rabbi Saul Bonino of the Israelite Chaplaincy of Argentina; and Priest Ruben Revello of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Following the event, Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily Internationals Spanish edition, spoke with Pastor Gomez who said that "interreligious dialogue in Argentina is a model for the world. Because it fosters a culture of encounter, consensus to promote peace, respect for the other and the common good," as he had earlier emphasized in his speech. I briefly pointed out that those of us who participate in this dialogue are doing it because of four laws: the Law of Magnetism, the Law of the Body, the Law of Sowing and Harvesting, and the Law of Agreement. This reflects the biblical teachings that we Christians pursue as followers of Jesus, Gomez commented. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up Pastor Jorge Gomez, executive director of the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of Argentina. ACIERA The first means that thinking differently should not be a reason to repel each other, but rather to unite. I based it on the passage from Ecclesiastes 4:12, which says that someone who is alone can be attacked and defeated, but if there are two of them, they stand back to back and conquer. Better still if there are three of them, for a threefold cord is not easily cut. This means that dialogue assembles us, like that triple rope. It may suffer some friction, but it will hardly be cut if we persist in the attitude of sustaining communication. And this is something real in our country, he said. Speaking about the Law of the Body, the executive director of ACIERA mentioned that the body is composed of organs that fulfill different functions. That means that we are coherent when I recognize that the other person has something that I do not have and therefore I cannot say: 'I don't need you! Regarding the Law of Sowing and Harvesting, Gomez said, If we sow respect, we will reap respect. And this is purely Biblical. In the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord Jesus Christ gave the golden rule that says: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12) We are convinced that dialogue is based on mutual respect. Although they could be regarded as voices representing different sides in the current war in the Middle East, Imam Gill and Rabbi Bonino were clear exponents of what Pastor Gomez pointed out. In his speeches, the Imam pointed out that being on the right side for me as a Muslim also means categorically condemning violence and war aggression, wherever it comes from, whether it is my adversary or my ally. He criticized the expressions of hatred from one side or the other. For his part, the Rabbi said that the greatest leaders of today's world Judaism, rabbis of recognized knowledge in the Law of Moses, exhort to discard all types of violence. Speaking to the fourth law, Gomez said that the Law of Agreement summarizes a good dialogue. Another teaching of Jesus is in the Gospel of Matthew 18:19 that says, If two of you agree here on earth about anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it. Jesus puts the emphasis on what happens when we agree, Gomez said, and added: I want to be intentional in saying this: Agreement is not resignation but acceptance. It is not giving up our convictions but seeking common ground. At the end of the event, all speakers were honored with a Senate Diploma of Honor for their commitment to the promotion of peace and interreligious dialogue. The gesture symbolized the recognition of Argentine society towards those who seek to build bridges of understanding and cooperation between diverse communities. The recorded event is available online. Originally published on Diario Cristiano, CDI's Spanish edition. The North Carolina Senate voted to repeal a health and safety exception to the states longstanding ban on wearing masks in public, and enhance penalties for wearing a mask while committing another crime. Senators approved the bill, which was introduced as a substitute to existing legislation last week and cleared two committees this week, in a 30-15 vote along party lines Wednesday afternoon. A key point of contention over the bill has been the provision that removes an exception for health and safety from the law banning mask-wearing in public that dates back to 1953. Republicans have said the pandemic-era exception is no longer necessary, but Democrats have pushed back, arguing that lawmakers should just increase penalties for people who use masks to commit crimes, and leave the health exception alone. Theres also been strong pushback from critics who say the bill is clearly an anti-protest measure that is a response to recent pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, where masks have been common. In addition to repealing the health and safety exception, and increasing criminal penalties for those who are found to have worn a mask to hide their identity while committing another crime, the bill also imposes new penalties for participating in demonstrations that are intended to block traffic. Speaking against the bill on the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon, Democratic Sen. Sydney Batch said that the bill, as it is currently written, would leave immunocompromised people at risk. Amendments offered by Batch and two other Democrats, Sen. Lisa Grafstein and Jay Chaudhuri, were rejected by the GOP-controlled chamber. Democratic Sen. Natasha Marcus, who said she, like other lawmakers, had heard from many people concerned about whether they would be able to continue wearing masks to protect themselves, said that Democrats are in favor of cracking down on people who conceal their identities to commit crimes, but also want to protect the health of the people of North Carolina. During a meeting of the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday morning, GOP senators said that discussions were ongoing about potential changes to the bill once it arrived in the House. The changes would address the concerns raised by Democrats and others that taking out the health exception would make masking for that reason illegal. Republicans pointed to the fact that for nearly 70 years, masking in public was illegal, but there were no incidents that came to mind of a person ever being arrested or prosecuted for wearing a mask for health reasons. Several people who wear masks because they are immunocompromised or have other medical problems that require them to wear one when in public, addressed committees this week with concerns about what the bill would mean for them. House Speaker Tim Moore told reporters earlier in the day that he hadnt read the bill yet, but echoed the argument that GOP senators had made: that the bill isnt meant to target or penalize people who wear masks to protect their own health or the health of others, but rather, people who are trying to willfully conceal their identity to engage in some sort of conduct thats a problem. If someone is going to come out and theyre going to protest, and theyre going to be in a public space out there, they ought to not be able to hide their identity, and I dont care what cause it is theyre advocating for, Moore said. Asked about Proud Boys who have protested in public wearing different kinds of face coverings an example that was raised earlier in the day during the Senate Rules Committee Moore said: I dont care who it is, anybody whos going to be out protesting should not be able to conceal their identity, period. I mean that just should not happen, whether its right, left, sane, insane I dont care. TOKYO, May 16 (News On Japan) - As the Japanese government begins discussions on the basic policies for its energy strategy, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has constructed a new substation and other infrastructure in Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture, to address the increasing power consumption of data centers. This area, being close to the city center and having solid ground, has seen a rise in the number of data centers. It is expected that the power demand in this region will surge to six times the current level within three years. TEPCO Power Grid has built the substation and transmission lines, which will begin operations next month. Meanwhile, the government has initiated a review of the "Basic Energy Plan," which outlines policy directions every three years. This review will consider the composition ratio of renewable energy sources and discuss the expansion of "decarbonized power sources" for data centers, including those used for generative AI. Source: ANN KAWASAKI, May 16 (News On Japan) - A 32-year-old man has been arrested for pushing two men from the platform onto the tracks. At around 7:30 a.m. on May 15th, station staff at JR Nambu Lines Noborito Station in Kawasaki City reported that a man had fallen onto the tracks. According to police, a man in his 40s and another in his 50s were pushed onto the tracks from platform 2 by the 32-year-old suspect. The victims did not know the suspect and reported that he was muttering to himself. The man has admitted to the charges. Source: ANN TOKYO, May 16 (News On Japan) - Last month, the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan exceeded 3 million for the second consecutive month. Among them, some are flocking to lesser-known spots that even many Japanese are unaware of. One of these hidden gems is a temple located in a residential area of Kansai. The temple's entrance is crowded with foreign tourists enjoying the greenery. Foreign tourists form long queues, drawn by the promise of seeing something special ahead. What are they seeking at the end of the line? It is the famous "Maneki Neko" or beckoning cats. Gotokuji Temple in Tokyos Setagaya is renowned for its collection of approximately 10,000 beckoning cat figurines, attracting many foreign visitors. Many foreign tourists consider it a must-visit spot in Japan. From early in the morning, numerous foreign tourists come to see the many beckoning cats placed there. The temple's history originates from a cat that was said to have beckoned a feudal lord to the temple, thus saving it from a lightning storm. One visitor explained, "I heard about this place from a friend who visited a few months ago. I'm staying in Tokyo for six days and came here because it looked beautiful." Another visitor mentioned, "I came to make a wish with the beckoning cat for my family's health." Although the beckoning cats are popular as souvenirs imbued with wishes, the temple faces a dilemma. Visitors often leave one cat behind after purchasing two, inscribing their pet's name on it. However, the temple prefers that visitors take the cats home without writing anything on them, as they consider the figurines sacred. The temple plans to continue reminding visitors with signs. Meanwhile, another hidden gem that has captured the attention of foreign tourists is a set of stairs located just off a main road in Tokyos Minato Ward. Tourists, mostly foreign, line up to take pictures at this spot. The stairs lead to an underground parking lot, but they offer a unique angle for photos with Tokyo Tower in the background. Two tourists from Argentina, who saw the location on Instagram, explained, "We saw it on Instagram and wanted to take a photo." Local residents might not visit this spot, but it has become a popular destination for foreign tourists, especially at night when Tokyo Tower is illuminated, creating a picturesque scene. However, even at night, be prepared for long lines. Source: ANN OSAKA, May 16 (News On Japan) - In Osaka, a public bathhouse famous for its painted Mt. Fuji mural underwent a much-anticipated restoration on May 15, the first in seven years. The bathhouse, located in Higashisumiyoshi Ward, has been in operation for over 60 years. On the morning of the 15th, loyal patrons gathered in the large bath area, fully clothed, to witness the restoration. Morio Nakashima, 79, one of only two bathhouse muralists in Japan, led the effort. "Give me the white paint," Nakashima instructed, as he began repainting the Mt. Fuji mural on the bathhouse wall. These murals require periodic repainting, and this project marked the first update in seven years. Nakashima, who has been a bathhouse muralist for 60 years since he started at the age of 19, explained his approach: "I come to the site with no preconceptions and completely change the previous painting after seeing it." One onlooker noted, "Having this vibrant mural always present brightens the entire bathhouse experience." Two hours into the work, a new Mt. Fuji emerged. "It's like Van Gogh! Truly, the Van Gogh of bathhouse murals," exclaimed one impressed spectator. Nakashima, 79, expressed his dedication: "Everyone looks forward to this, so I put my heart into the work." The new mural features Mt. Fuji towering over a serene lake, cherry blossoms evoking the gentle atmosphere of spring, and auspicious pine trees vividly painted. Amid the Showa retro ambiance, bathers can soak and relax, easing the fatigue of the day. Source: YOMIURI Noon Rotary The Council Bluffs Rotary Noon Club honored six teachers and six students at Council Bluffs schools during its May 9 meeting held at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center. The annual recognition ceremony cited the exceptional work of Kailee Cochran, pre-kindergarten-12th grade teacher, Heartland Christian School; Andrew Cole, welding instructor, Iowa Western Community College; Meghan Duggins, pre-kindergarten teacher, Iowa School for the Deaf; Belinda Jacoby, music teacher, Lewis Central Community School District; Kathy Marshall, fifth grade teacher, St Albert Catholic Schools; and Trisha Pitt, kindergarten teacher, Council Bluffs Community School District. The club also applauded outstanding high school student achievements by recognizing Brandon Bowen, Thomas Jefferson High School; Alyssa Brandt, Heartland Christian School; Mallory Kjeldgaard, Lewis Central Community School District; Austin Luther, Iowa School for the Deaf; Grace Manz, St Albert Catholic Schools; and Emily Newby, Abraham Lincoln Hight School. Promoting education has long been a focal point of the Rotary Noon Club. It held an annual poker tournament on Feb. 24 with the proceeds going to scholarships for students at Iowa Western Community College. Club members also contribute $25 each annually to Iowa Western scholarships. The mission of Rotary Clubs is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. The Council Bluffs Rotary Noon Club has been serving Council Bluffs since 1915 with the leading purpose of service above self. A multitude of service projects and fundraising to support projects are carried out throughout the year. Weekly meetings are held on Thursdays at noon at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 S 6th St, Council Bluffs. To learn more about Rotary, consider membership or make a gift to support the clubs many service projects, visit the club website at portal.clubrunner.ca/6088, contact club administrator Brandy Van Riessen at cbrotaryclub@gmail.com or send a note to the Council Bluffs Rotary Noon Club at PO Box 673, Council Bluffs, IA 51502. Jeff Fountain, a journalist by trade, is the founder and director of the The Schuman Centre for European Studies. Originally from New Zealand and now living in Holland, he led Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Europe for 20 years. He also helped create Hope for Europe, an umbrella initiative for evangelical groups on the continent. In a three-part series by Christian Daily International, Fountain shares his perspectives for evangelicals on the spiritual landscape driving Europe, both past, present and future. In this third of three articles, the former YWAM leader urges Christians to pray for Ukraine and what will come after the Russia-Ukraine war will end. The unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 showed some of the worst traits of humankind, according to Gavin Calver, CEO of the UK Evangelical Alliance. Writing in March of that year, Calver called on Christians to pray for all concerned, voice opposition, give sanctuary to refugees, and respond with hearts, hands and wallets. Similar voices were raised by evangelicals across Europe and beyond. Two years later, thousands of Ukrainians and Russians have died in what has become an intractable war so how should Christians react now, when there is still no end to the conflict in sight? Jeff Fountain, director of The Schuman Centre for European Studies, emphasizes the importance of prayer and practical help as before, but also highlights that it is critical to prepare for the future aftermath. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up Its essential that we realize that this is not just business as usual, said Fountain. We have reached a new phase. The order that was established with Christian roots after the Second World War is under strong attack from Putin right now. That's not to say the West has always kept its hands clean and that it's only good and bad. But we do need to recognize that this order that has led to 70 years of relative peace, really we are coming to a new chapter. And if we don't succeed at this phase, the future of Europe will be very different. So that's a point for prayer. Fountain also stressed the importance of seeing the big picture with the Ukraine conflict. This means understanding the role of the gospel within the shaping of the European integration process. He acknowledged that not everything that's happened in the European integration process has been wonderful. Yet there is arguably a real desire for Europe within Ukraine, compared to a more indifferent European country such as Holland where Fountain resides. Looking at the last several decades, he sees a sequence of events including the world wars, and the fall of the Berlin Wall, marking a new chapter with Ukraines fight for autonomous freedom. I said before, hardly any Dutch person knows what Europe Day is [on May 9]. But if you go to Ukraine, most of the people will be able to tell you what Europe Day is. Fountain himself has seen 50,000 Ukrainians celebrating Europe Day previously on May 9. Now, there's not even a European flag to be seen in Holland. Nobody knows what Europe Day is here. We take it for granted. We've taken all the peace and the stability that's come as a result of what took place at Europe Day for granted. But the people who don't have it know what they're missing out on and want it. And that's why this war is going on right now. It is actually a struggle for Europe that's based on these Christian values we talked about before, and we need to be praying for Russia and the Russians at the same time, for God's purposes for them to be fulfilled. Fountain referenced the Christian values of love and forgiveness, which led to former French politician Robert Schuman making the Schuman Declaration heralding the beginning of postwar modern Europe. But the same message that Schuman had about needing to love and forgive, that's not going to be an easy thing for Ukrainians. We work very closely with our YWAM colleagues there. We have regular zoom meetings, prayer meetings and so on for Ukraine. And the relationship is not easy between the Russian brothers and the Ukrainians, but eventually we will have to be confronted with the need for forgiveness. But that could only happen in Germany after Hitler was gone, and there were new people to be able to rebuild the future. And that's what we pray for Russia. "Appeasement is not going to be a settlement at all" Fountain encouraged Christians to keep persevering in prayer in spite of being tired of the whole thing. He agreed with Ukrainian President Zelensky that the frontline in Ukraine is a frontline for the whole of Europe and what we stand for. Putin is not going to stop even if he was able to dominate Ukraine, he wants the Baltics back and he wants to reestablish hegemony of Russia back into central Europe, said Fountain, who sees the present-day situation influenced by the Atlantic Charter in August 1941. This involved a secret meeting between Churchill and Roosevelt agreeing to self-determination for territories and agreeing on a number of things that shows this is what is at stake right now in Ukraine. And Roosevelt went on to say that a dictator's peace will never lead us to generosity, never lead us to democracy, to freedom of expression, freedom of religion, etc., added Fountain. And therefore, what Christians need to do is when they hear talk saying, well, Ukraine just needs to come to an agreement with Putin. We need to recognize that that's appeasement. That's not going to be a settlement at all. That's going to invite a much worse future for Europe. Fountain said the Wests response is far too little, far too late, far too slow. People need to wake up to the fact that we are all engaged in a war and not just think, well, we've come to the end of a 70-year period. We cannot just bury our heads in the sand, he said. There are many parallels with the late thirties, and we need to recognize the danger of far-right movements, and the parallels with how Hitler came into control. We face it here in Holland, you face it there in England, they face it in France and Germany and so on. And too many Christians are voting for these far-right parties without realizing how dangerous it is. It's flirting with disaster. We need to do our homework. As the Ukraine conflict continues to impact Europe, the Christian input into legal frameworks such as the European Convention on Human Rights is affected and weakened, according to Fountain. We're losing that because our memories are fading and short memories breed shortsightedness, and unfortunately, so much of our voting pattern comes out of shortsightedness. We need to recognize this bigger picture and need to discern God's fingerprints in history, not only in the distant past, but also even now in our contemporary Europe. Love and forgiveness will be needed when the war ends Fountain also looks at how Robert Schuman, the architect of modern Europe, suffered solitary confinement by the Nazis when they invaded Paris, but reacted in a Christlike way. He once spoke to a man who worked with Schuman, and this unknown individual allegedly saw a note from Schuman to the French resistance, in which he reportedly said: We French will have to learn to love and forgive the Germans to rebuild Europe after the war. These radical values of love and forgiveness will be needed when the Ukrainian war ends, asserted Fountain. That's like saying to the Ukrainians, we Ukrainians will have to learn to love and forgive the Russians to rebuild after the war. But this was Schumans motivation when he announced this plan for the European Coal and Steel Community to be launched on May 9, 1950. We need to look at the whole thing again, to pray. In the Friday, Nov. 18, 1887, first edition issue of the Daily News, the contents one will find are quite a bit different from what you'd see in a modern paper. Advertisements were of the times, with such services as blacksmithing and livery stables still relevant during the era. 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. Developments on the Palestinian scene were at the focus of a meeting in Manama Tuesday between Moroccan and Palestinian Foreign Ministers, Nasser Bourita and Mohamad Mustafa, who is also Palestines Prime Minister. During the meeting that reviewed means of promoting relations between the two brotherly countries, Bourita reiterated Moroccos constant position, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, on the justness of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to the establishment of their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the borders of June 4, 1967. In this connection, he reaffirmed Moroccos rejection and condemnation of the flagrant aggressions and all Israeli violations and provocations in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. These acts of provocation and grave violations constitute a flagrant breach of international law and Security Council resolutions, as well as a factor capable of exacerbating the escalation that only undermines appeasement efforts, Bourita told his interlocutor. The Israeli military operation in the city of Rafah, which enabled Israel to take control of the Palestinian part of the Rafah crossing, represents a serious threat to the lives of over a million Palestinians, Bourita said, stressing the importance Morocco attaches to reaching an immediate, urgent, and lasting ceasefire, and to refraining from any action likely to undermine ongoing efforts to reach an agreement enabling progress towards arrangements on the exchange of hostages and detainees. Bourita also reiterated Moroccos total rejection of all forms of forced displacement, collective punishment and reprisals against the Palestinian people, stressing the need to deliver sufficient and unimpeded humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. He also stressed the importance of ensuring the sustainability of UNRWAs services for the benefit of the Palestinian people. The two ministers agreed that the increase in systematic attacks by extremist settlers in the West Bank, instigated by Israeli government officials, was fueling the conflict and undermining efforts to bring about peace. Similarly, Israeli provocations and illegal measures aimed at changing the legal and cultural status of the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque, exacerbate the escalation and spiral of violence. In this respect, Bourita recalled that Morocco, whose Sovereign chairs the Al-Quds Committee, strongly condemns todays closure of Morocco Gate, following the incursion onto the esplanade of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by a group of Israeli extremists who unfurled the Israeli flag. Mohamad Mustafa praised Moroccos steadfast stance of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee. He also highly commended the initiatives and actions carried out by the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency, the operational arm of the Al-Quds Committee, to support the Holy City and strengthen the resistance of its inhabitants. The two ministers also asserted the two countries determination to pursue their cooperation, coordination and consultation at all levels, in line with the shared vision of King Mohammed VI and President Mahmoud Abbas. ECOWAS Countries involved in the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline are expected to sign a final investment decision in 2025, according to Moroccos oil and mines authority ONHYM. Speaking at a forum in Rabat, head of development at ONHYM recalled that the pipeline will cross 13 countries and stretch over 7000 kilometers. The cost of the pipeline was revised upwards to 25 billion dollars as pre-feasibility and engineering studies have been accomplished already in early 2024. Countries that will benefit from the project and financial institutions will sign a deal by years end, defining the legal framework. The project is in line with Moroccos Atlantic initiative which aims at creating an area of shared prosperity in West Africa and the Sahel. The future pipeline will have a capacity of 30 billion cubic meters annually, enough to meet the electricity needs of the benefiting countries and with a potential to export surplus to Europe. In 2022, Moroccos ONHYM, Nigerias National Petroleum Corporation and the ECOWAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding to speed up the project. The military coup in Niger has reversed hard-earned gains in the previous decade under democratically elected governments, as it has impacted every sector of Nigerian society, demonstrating the centrality of governance to security, economic, and social outcomes, a new study by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) has found. The derailing of Nigers constitutional order by the military coup in July 2023 has resulted in a deterioration in security, economic well being, and agency for Nigerian citizens, says the study titled Niger Coup Reversing Hard-Earned Gains. A snapshot of an array of these outcomes reveals a marked shift in West African countrys trajectory since the military coup. Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, Niger had realized discernible gains in the decade prior to the coup under two democratically elected presidents, many of which have since been upended. The study also outlines how the progress reached in the years before the military takeover has since been undermined, negatively affecting the landlocked country of 25 million people. When it comes to the security indicator, after the coup, fatalities linked to extremist groups are projected to increase by more than 60% in 2024 compared with 2023. Talking about the economic indicator, the study points out that the Nigerian junta has already missed four debt payments and has now defaulted on $519 million in debt. It also notes that World Bank-projected economic growth in 2024 is expected to decline by 45% from previous estimates. When it comes to the democratic space indicator, while the election of the now-deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, with 56% of the vote in February 2021, was widely seen as free and fair, the military junta has since coming to power replaced all regional governors with military loyalists. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Secretary of State Antony Blinken really wants to let the world know that having a world-important job has not impeded him from doing cool things like playing the guitar. In fact, he has used his station to play at Foggy Bottom and in a quick guest spot with the house band on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Just this week, he was in Kyiv playing Rockin in the Free World in an act of allyship with Ukraine and boomer defiance against Russia. Blinken really should not be doing this. As many have pointed out, these concerts are destined for future documentaries of the era; the videos of the the nations chief diplomat on his Stratocaster will be placed just before the violence of the U.S.-funded wars in Ukraine and Gaza. His most recent song choice also makes no sense. Rockin in the Free World describes Americas offer of a kinder, gentler machine-gun hand and reckons with our role in the world: Dont feel like Satan, but I am to them / So I try to forget it any way I can. (Unsurprisingly, he is not the only American political figure to use the song anyway.) Most of all, though, Blinken should not be doing this because he really sucks at guitar. I mean, he really, really sucks. He would be kicked out of a weeknight cover band for dads if not for his diplomatic pedigree. To understand, lets take a look at his three most recent performances from someone who is just slightly better at the guitar than Antony Blinken. Rockin at the Kyiv dive bar At the Barman Dictat on the main drag in Kyiv this week, Blinken played rhythm guitar on the anti-patriotic hit Neil Young wrote when his 1989 concert in the Soviet Union was canceled. This is not a difficult song. It is made up mostly of a few basic chords that guitar players learn in their first few lessons that are fun and easy to play. Still, Blinken looks extremely unsure in his playing, which is not great. Confidence and timing are just about the only things you need in a rhythm-guitar player, aside from getting the chords right. He is not digging into the riff. He is nowhere near the pocket. He is far from locked in. JUST IN: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken performing 'Rocking to the Free World' at a venue in Kyiv, Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/MkpyvHHRIA The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) May 14, 2024 The Hoochie Coochie secretary Blinkens job was a lot easier back in September 2023, when he did his Muddy Waters cosplay at a State Department event launching a global music diplomacy initiative. That night in D.C., he was singing on Im Your Hoochie Coochie Man. In theory, it is also a really easy song a blues standard riff that is not a challenge to sing to while playing. But Blinken is hanging onto these chords for dear life. Blinken counts out, one, two, three, as if he is going to play a little lick by his own on the next count. But he immediately flubs the intro, leading to panic in his guitar players eyes. Just a few seconds into the song, it looks like the secretary gives a nod to his guitar player, who then turns up his own amp so that its pretty much the only thing you can hear. At this point, Blinken basically stops playing his guitar. This all takes 13 seconds, which must be an eternity onstage. About 30 seconds later, it really looks like the guitar player turns down Blinkens amp so that its just barely audible. One has to assume that speaking at length in public and on television as the most powerful diplomat in the world would kill Blinkens stage fright. So, in my estimation, hes not geeking out because hes in front of an audience. He just really sucks at the guitar and is having fun despite sucking really hard. At the end of Hoochie Coochie Man, hes clearly having a blast sauntering over to the drums to signal for the band to end all at once. Not everyone is having this much fun. One of the horn players is covering her ears. Turning all the way down on late night In May 2022, Blinken went on Colbert to do a little PR in the early days of the war in Ukraine. As a treat, Blinken got to play with the house band as they played into a commercial. Well, kind of. In the clip, which begins at 4:46 in the video below, Blinkens guitar is clearly not plugged into an amp that is on. I do not know Blinken, but I do know his type: a man who is more into the idea of the guitar than actually sitting down and learning how to play it. The role of the secretary of State is not to play the guitar poorly on diplomatic trips abroad, but to project confidence in the world. In that light, he should stop playing the guitar without confidence. Anytime he feels the urge to play in public, he should just practice instead. Photo: Aaron Chown/Getty Images After taking three months off to receive treatment following his cancer diagnosis, King Charles has fully returned to public duties i.e., finding new ways to snub Prince Harry and getting mixed up in other weird royal controversies. The scandal du jour involves an incredibly red, six-foot-tall portrait of the monarch by U.K.-based artist Jonathan Yeo, which was unveiled at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The painting has proved divisive: Some called it refreshingly modern, while others said it looks like Charles is bathing in blood or maybe burning in hell. You probably have a lot of questions. As an American who read Prince Harrys Spare, lived in London for a few months in college, and has access to Google, I believe I am fully qualified to answer all of them. But art is subjective, so Ill let you be the judge. Did King Charles approve this portrait? Yes. The portrait was commissioned by the Drapers Company, a philanthropic institution, in 2020 to celebrate Charless 50 years as a member. According to Yeos website, he had 4 sittings with the subject between June 2021 and November 2023 at Highgrove and later at Clarence House, working on it in between in his London studio. King Charles and Queen Camilla were on hand for the unveiling on Tuesday. Do King Charles and Queen Camilla like it? Maybe! Yeo told the BBC that the Queen dropped by during the final sitting and remarked, Yes, youve got him. He said Charles got a glimpse in its half-done state He was initially mildly surprised by the strong color but otherwise he seemed to be smiling approvingly. Charles flinched during the unveiling, but it seems that was due to the cloth falling on him, not the painting itself. He told Yeo during the ceremony, Well I do congratulate you, its fantastic. Yeo joked, If this was seen as treasonous, I could literally pay for it with my head, which would be an appropriate way for a portrait painter to die to have their head removed! Of course, these days the British monarchy is less about beheading people and more about being reassuringly dull and unopinionated. So even if Charles did hate the painting, he probably wouldnt show it. Whats with all the red? It was inspired by the Welsh Guards bright-red uniform. Charles has been regimental colonel of the Welsh Guards since 1975. Yeo said on his website: The vivid colour of the glazes in the background echo the uniforms bright red tunic, not only resonating with the royal heritage found in many historical portraits but also injecting a dynamic, contemporary jolt into the genre with its uniformly powerful hue / providing a modern contrast to more traditional depictions. What else could the red symbolize? Few saw the bold red and thought, Wow, thats really resonating with the royal heritage. The New York Times summed up the most popular theories for what its actually meant to symbolize: To me it gives the message the monarchy is going up in flames or the king is burning in hell, one commentator wrote under the royal familys Instagram post when the portrait was unveiled. It looks like hes bathing in blood, another wrote. Someone else raised the idea of colonial bloodshed. There were comparisons to the devil. And so on. There was even a mention of the Tampax affair, a reference to an infamous comment by Charles revealed when his phone was hacked during the demise of his marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales. Other comparisons included the Everything is fine meme: The King's portrait channelling the 'Everything is fine' meme? Just me then. pic.twitter.com/qsEmJIxV0D Cameron Yarde Jnr (@CameronYardeJnr) May 14, 2024 Han Solo frozen in carbonite: King Charles: First official portrait since coronation is unveiled. pic.twitter.com/R9EbOehu6q Aidan Kelly (@AidanKe42592122) May 14, 2024 And the Vigo the Carpathian portrait from Ghostbusters 2: Anybody else get a Ghostbusters vibe off the new portrait of King Charles? #royalportrait pic.twitter.com/MKAcBXxabs Adrian Mark Baron (@lawbaron) May 15, 2024 Why is a butterfly landing the king? Yeo said adding a butterfly was King Charless idea. He described the exchange to the BBC: Yeo says it was Charles idea after they talked about the opportunity they had to tell a story with the portrait. I said, when schoolchildren are looking at this in 200 years and theyre looking at the whos who of the monarchs, what clues can you give them? He said what about a butterfly landing on my shoulder?. The artist explained the symbolism on his website: The butterfly approaching King Charless shoulder in the portrait adds a layer of narrative depth, symbolising both his known advocacy for environmental causes and his personal transformation. The Monarch butterfly is believed to have been named after an English King (William of Orange) due to its distinctive colour and this migratory species is already one of the most affected by climate change because of alterations in spring temperatures. Jonathan Yeo explains: Primarily a symbol of the beauty and precariousness of nature, it highlights the environmental causes the King has championed most of his life and certainly long before they became a mainstream conversation, but it also serves a compositional purpose, providing a visual contrast to the military steeliness of the uniform and sword. In the context of art history, a butterfly often the symbol of metamorphosis and rebirth, and thus also parallels the Kings transition from Prince to monarch during the period the portrait was created. Is is possible the artist is trolling King Charles? Theres no obvious animosity between Yeo and the royals. He has painted many famous figures, from Malala Yousafzai to Idris Elba. Hes previously produced more straightforward portraits of Camilla and Charless late father, Prince Philip, so he probably seemed like a safe but not stodgy choice to paint Charles. The artist spoke of the king fondly in interviews. But is it possible that Yeo included some more subversive messages in his portrait? Sure. Some of his work contains political messages. After a commission to paint George W. Bush fell through in 2007, Yeo used clippings from hardcore pornographic magazines to produce a portrait of the president of the United States. He website explains: Yeos initial disappointment led him to making this playful but explicit, collage satirizing the assumed moral superiority of the extreme right in American politics. Where can I see this painting? The portrait will be on public display at the Philip Mould Gallery in London from May 16 to June 14. Then it will be displayed at Drapers Hall, which is not open to the public. So if youre in London this summer youll have a chance to see Charless portrait. But honestly, I wouldnt recommend it; there is a non-zero chance that it will convince you to kidnap a friends baby and youll end up doused in pink mood slime. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Ajay Suresh At Brooklyn Friends School, progressive Quaker values are part of the curriculum. A required seminar for ninth-grade students encourages them to explore matters of identity and social justice, and there are land acknowledgments on the walls. But a debate over Israel between parents and the school has tested its values. Brooklyn Friends says it is trying not to pick a side, but parents who are critical of Israel say the school has silenced them. BFS is one of many liberal entities to face a split within its ranks after October 7, including the rift inside the Democratic Party. PEN America, a free-expression group, canceled its prestigious awards and World Voices Festival after writers withdrew, calling on the organization to more strongly condemn Israeli attacks on Palestinian writers and culture. College campuses across the country are convulsed not only by student protesters but by administrators who respond with violent crackdowns. Nobody has called the police on critical parents at BFS, but there is tension all the same. It stretches as far back as December, when BFS asked Esther Farmer, an activist with Jewish Voice for Peace, to speak at an event honoring Human Rights Day. Farmer says she readily agreed, figuring she had been invited to provide JVPs anti-Zionist perspective. In her view, that wouldnt be out of keeping with the schools pacifist Quaker tradition. The American Friends Service Committee has been pro-Palestinian and pro-peace for many, many years. And I had a lot of respect for them, she says. A few weeks later, BFS withdrew Farmers invitation and later canceled the event altogether. So that was a little surprising because this was the Friends school, and I couldnt understand what happened there, Farmer says. Kevin Murungi, the schools director of global civic engagement and social impact, says they vetted all the speakers, including Esther, carefully, and told them the spirit of the event that they were attending. Farmer wasnt the only person surprised by her cancellation. Some parents were taken aback when they learned of the decision through a December 8 email from Crissy Caceres, the head of the school. She wrote that other parents had raised concerns about JVP. We would never knowingly pursue a course of action that would put any of our students in harms way, Caceres said. But what harm could Farmer who is Jewish pose to students? I have to say my experience of that is thats really whats antisemitic, Farmer says. So were only allowed to hear some Jewish voices but not other Jewish voices? When Caceres is asked what she meant, she says, The voices of our students can be put into places of tension, and deconstructing of those voices through adult lenses that may or may not have been at the center of the planning and the purpose, I felt like that could be emotionally, socially, mentally harmful to the students who had such a pure purpose and goal of really amplifying a diversity of thoughts and perspectives for their peers. It feels typical, says Keith White, a parent who is dismayed by the administrators decisions. The schools response was scary. They were clearly afraid of upsetting what is the kind of status quo. Parents who support JVP responded to Caceres with an email of their own two days later. JVP represents the anti-Zionist views of hundreds of thousands of American Jews, they wrote. BFS makes lofty moral claims, they pointed out, yet there has been a notable absence of actively embodying and practicing the principles of nonviolence, indigenous rights, and community engagement. Caceres says the school heard positive and negative opinions about the event, and it became a distraction. We felt like an experience that had been created and designed with a focus on the centering of students became something that was focused very much on a myriad of many different diverse thoughts, feelings, perspectives, and emotions shared by adults, she says. A little over a week later, Caceres announced a purposeful gathering for select parents and the schools leadership team to talk through their issues. Participants were encouraged to write their feelings on Post-it notes stuck to a wall, parents told me, and a promised follow-up meeting never occurred. Caceres says the school has not taken stands on any one perspective except for upholding human life as a Quaker school and pacifist community. On October 9, two days after the Hamas attack, she issued a statement mourning the Israeli loss of life. I ask that we hold in the light all impacted by the war raging on in Israel, including many in our own BFS community who have cultural ties to the region and may, in fact, have family members who are living within Israel, she wrote. To hold others in the light, one does not have to hold a position or side. But a pair of February announcements made it seem to some parents that the school had chosen a pro-Israel side after all. In an email, a school administrator announced that BFS will be sending a group of students to participate in an upcoming conference held by the Anti-Defamation League. (Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADLs CEO, equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism and said in 2022 that Students for Justice in Palestine and JVP epitomize the Radical Left, the photo inverse of the Extreme Right that ADL long has tracked.) The same month, a different administrator emailed faculty to announce antisemitism training at the 92NY, the Jewish institution that drew fire after it canceled an event with Pulitzer Prizewinning novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen because he signed an open letter that criticized Israel. The 92NY training was hosted by Rachel Fish, founder of the Boundless think tank, which describes itself as unapologetically Zionist on its website. A group of parents emailed BFS asking the school to cease promoting the training and cancel plans to bring students to the ADL summit, saying that if members of the BFS community wished to attend either event, they should do so without the schools sponsorship. Brett Topel, the schools communications director, says the antisemitism training was advertised alongside other events, including one on challenging Islamophobia, and that educators were not urged to attend. The school did not sponsor a trip to the ADL summit, Topel says, but rather provided chaperones for students who went. As the school year wore on, some parents decided to organize their own event independent of the school about the war in Gaza, where anti-Zionist perspectives would be heard. A digital flier identified them as Brooklyn Friends parents. When Caceres discovered this, she told them to pause in advertising an event with our school name. (Topel says the school sought to avoid the impression that the event was sanctioned by BFS.) Organizers edited the fliers but didnt back down from the event. On March 1, they hosted Farmer and two other speakers, including a graduate of the Ramallah Friends School in the West Bank, a Quaker school whose origins date back to before the founding of modern Israel. At the Interference Archive in Brooklyn, Farmer and others provided their own perspectives on the war. White, whose five children have attended BFS, opened with a land acknowledgment as around 60 alumni, students, and other parents listened over plates of Greek food. A representative from the American Friends Service Committee told the attendees that its three staff members in Gaza had all been displaced and that the committee had conducted humanitarian work there since the 1940s. During her presentation, Farmer discussed her disinvitation from the school and said she considered Zionism to be antisemitic, adding that Jews like herself are not a monolithic community. The meeting came as a result of parents wanting to have a more transparent conversation about whats happening in Palestine and Israel and wanting to engage the school in that conversation, White says. He didnt expect BFS to take a position, he adds, but wanted a space to unpack and process a space the March event provided. But hes not as worried about events at the school as he is about whats going on in Gaza. I want to center the experiences of people whose land is being taken from them, or who are being killed, and who are suffering what has now gone from ethnic cleansing to a genocide, he says. Another parent, Eustacia Smith, expressed sadness that the event hadnt been organized by the school. Our speakers were amazing, she says. And Im so glad that we had a good mix of teachers, parents, other people from outside the school, and some students. In May, as the school year drew to a close and Israel bombed Rafah, parents scheduled a follow-up gathering to discuss the conflict. This event, too, will be held independently of BFS. Smith hopes that BFS, going forward, will allow teachers and students to talk about the war more openly with less of a one-sided bent. Whats going on in Palestine is devastating, Smith says. And I really dont get why more people dont take action about it. Joe Biden alongside downballot ticket mates Jacky Rosen and Ruben Gallego. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Getty Images There are competitive U.S. Senate races in five of the 2024 presidential battleground states: Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. And one of the narratives emerging from polling of these states is that Joe Biden is running behind his ticket mates pretty regularly. Heres what the New York Times said in comparing Biden to four Democratic Senate candidates in its latest round of polls: Democratic candidates for the Senate in Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin lead their Republican rivals and are running well ahead of President Biden in key states where he continues to struggle, according to polls by The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Siena College. The battleground surveys of registered voters indicate that the presidents difficulties against former President Donald J. Trump may not be enough to sink other Democrats, especially Senate incumbents who are facing less-well-known Republicans But those voters are enough to give Democrats a chance at holding the Senate, where they currently hold a one-seat majority. To maintain control, the Democrats would have to sweep every competitive Senate seat and win the White House. Thats a glass-half-full take for Democrats. The glass-half-empty interpretation was offered by my colleague Jonathan Chait: The most recent New York Times polling again finds Biden trailing in all the swing states (except in Michigan, and only if you count likely voters as opposed to all registered voters). Those states find Democrats winning every Senate race. The point here is that Democrats have a Joe Biden problem, not a partywide problem. Regular, mainstream Democratic candidates are holding up just fine in the purple states. Either way you look at it, the numbers at least superficially suggest significant ticket-splitting among voters in battleground states. The Times estimates that about 10 percent of Trump voters back the Democratic candidate for Senate in the four states, while about 5 percent of Biden supporters back the Republican. That doesnt sound like a lot, but it actually is in terms of recent trends in presidential elections. In 2016, not a single state produced a Senate winner from the party that lost the presidential race in that state. In 2020, there was just one presidential-Senate split-ticket outcome: in Maine, where veteran Republican Susan Collins won even as her not-so-close ticket mate, Donald Trump (whom she did not endorse), lost. And as Sabatos Crystal Ball observes, 2020 actually saw less ticket-splitting than 2016 overall; in just three states none of them presidential battlegrounds did a Senate candidate run more than 10 percent ahead or behind the top of the ticket. All of the overperforming Senate candidates (Collins, Rhode Island Democrat Jack Reed, and Nebraska Republican Ben Sasse) were well-established incumbents. Well-established incumbent would also describe two of the Democratic senators who appear to be running significantly ahead of Biden so far this year: Pennsylvanias Bob Casey Jr., a three-term incumbent who has yet to have a close race, and Wisconsins Tammy Baldwin, a two-term incumbent who has been an elected official since 1986. Both will face very wealthy self-funding Republicans (Dave McCormick in Pennsylvania and Eric Hovde in Wisconsin) who have never held public office and will probably rise in the polls as they become better known and the campaigns heat up. In Nevada, another Democratic incumbent, Jacky Rosen, is almost certain to be in a very close race, probably against Republican Sam Brown, who still has to navigate a tricky GOP primary. In Arizona, Democrat Ruben Gallego holds a modest lead (5 percent in the RealClearPolitics averages) over Republican Kari Lake in recent polls, but that race, too, may tighten up as Lake battles to consolidate the GOP vote, moderating some of her past MAGA edginess. And in Michigan, which features an open seat, its hard to tell whether Democratic congresswoman Elissa Slotkins small (one point in the RCP averages) lead over likely Republican opponent Mike Rogers is durable given a large early undecided vote. Overall, using the RCP polling averages and sticking to a two-way Biden-Trump race, the gaps between Bidens support and that of his likely Senate Democratic ticket mates are real but not overwhelming. In Arizona, Biden is at 43.2 percent, while Gallego is at 46 percent. In Michigan, Biden is at 45.2 percent, and Slotkin is at 39 percent. In Nevada, Biden is at 41.8 percent, and Rosen is at 42.3 percent. In Pennsylvania, Biden is at 45.6 percent, and Casey is at 46.4 percent. And in Wisconsin, Biden is at 47.3 percent, and Baldwin is at 49.8 percent. These are not big yawning gaps, so the perception of ticket-splitting is partly just the difference between small Senate leads and small presidential deficits and, again, the different nature of the Senate and presidential races. The best guess is that the gaps between Senate Democratic and Biden performance in battleground states will continue to narrow. Overall, its entirely in play for Biden to be reelected while Democrats lose the Senate or (though this is less likely) for Biden to lose the White House while Democrats hang on to the Senate. If only because Democrats have to sweep close Senate races to avoid losing that chamber, a Republican presidential-Senate combo victory is entirely plausible. And if Democrats retain control of both the White House and the Senate, giving a reelected Biden control of the confirmation of his appointees, all the midyear anxiety over Bidens poll numbers will soon be forgotten. It remains unlikely that ticket-splitting will be the big story of 2024. Over the last few decades, there has been a resurgence of interest in and support for communism among Americas younger generations. In 2019, the Independent reported that More than a third of millennials in the US now approve of communism, while the popularity of capitalism has plummeted since 2018, according to YouGov polling. The survey found just 57 percent of 23 to 38-year-olds believe the Declaration of Independence better guarantees freedom and equality than the Communist Manifesto, with only 50 percent viewing capitalism favorably. How could this happen? How could the deadliest political ideology of the 20th century, and one of the deadliest political ideologies in human history, be garnering this much support from younger Americans? Or, as Glenn Beck asked in 2010, How did communism become cool? Theres no doubt that communism has been given a facelift over the last few decades. But behind the glamorized red mask is the same hammer and sickle and mountains of skeletons. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up In this article, I want to consider how communism became cool, remind readers of the truth about communisms failures, and encourage college students to reject communism because when you know the truth, you know its not cool, its deadly. For much of the 20th century, communism was rightly recognized as the antithesis of American values. The Cold War pitted the capitalist and Christian West against the communist and atheistic East, and anti-communist sentiment was deeply ingrained in American society. However, with the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the direct opposition to communist ideology began to wane, particularly among those who did not live through the era. Also to blame are the public education system and mainstream media for not adequately educating young people about the historical and moral failings of communism. A report by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation highlights a lack of understanding among young Americans about the atrocities committed under communist regimes. This lack of history contributes to the romanticized view of communism as a fairer system than capitalism. Compounding their failure to teach the truth about communism, the American public education system and our institutions of higher education have instead brainwashed students into seeing all of life through a critical theory and cultural Marxist lens of the oppressors vs. the oppressed. This is drawn directly from Karl Marxs teaching and is the philosophical basis of communism in all of its forms, both economic and ideological. Other cultural and political influences have helped popularize this disastrous system. Icons like Che Guevara, with his revolutionary spirit and iconic image, have been romanticized and turned into fashionable symbols on T-shirts and posters. The Occupy Wall Street movement, which protested corporate greed and income inequality, also drew attention to the flaws of capitalist systems, leading some to seek alternatives like communism. Moreover, political figures like Bernie Sanders, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, have gained popularity among young voters by advocating for progressive (i.e. communist) policies such as free healthcare and education. While Sanders platform may not be strictly communist, his socialist-leaning ideas have sparked conversations about wealth redistribution and social welfare programs, which are core tenets of communist ideology. Feel the Bern? You definitely will when the famine hits. Finally, there is a direct link between communism and the growing radical climate change agenda, which has captured youth across the world. Climate alarmists have convinced the newest generations that the world is dying (it isnt) or that its overpopulated (its not), and the false perception that capitalism is responsible for these issues has driven many Millennials and Zoomers to consider communism as a viable alternative (its not). To dispel the myth of communism as some utopian, hip, climate-friendly alternative to free-market capitalism, its critically important to distinguish between the idealized version of communism presented in popular culture and the harsh reality of its implementation in real life. The Truth About Communisms Death Toll One of the most chilling aspects of communism is its staggering death toll. From the Soviet Union under Stalin to Mao Zedongs China, communist regimes have been responsible for the deaths of millions of people through forced labor camps, political purges, and mass starvation. The oppressive nature of these regimes, which sought to control every aspect of society, led to widespread suffering and loss of life on an unprecedented scale. Stalins Great Purge in the 1930s resulted in the deaths of an estimated 700,000 to 1.5 million people, including political opponents, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens deemed disloyal to the regime. The forced collectivization of agriculture in the Soviet Union under Stalins rule also led to the man-made famine known as the Holodomor, which claimed the lives of millions of Ukrainians. Similarly, Mao Zedongs Great Leap Forward in China, aimed at rapidly industrializing the country, resulted in a catastrophic famine that killed an estimated 15 to 45 million people between 1959 and 1961. The brutal tactics used by the Chinese Communist Party to maintain control and suppress dissent led to widespread human rights abuses and a climate of fear and distrust among the population. This eventually led to the Cultural Revolution, an effort by Mao to purify the ranks by manipulating indoctrinated students to inflict a red terror on the populace through struggle sessions, violence, chaos, and mass killings. As many as two million people died as a result, and society gained nothing but grave disorder, damage, and retrogression. The death toll of communism extends beyond these infamous examples to include many other countries that have experienced the devastating consequences of communist rule. From Yugoslavia under Tito to Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge to North Koreas oppressive regime, the legacy of communism is stained with bloodshed and tyranny. It is vital for college students, who are shaping their political beliefs and values, to be aware of these historical atrocities and reject any romanticized notions of communism. Why Communism Should Be Rejected by College Kids Do you like freedom? Affordable food? Good infrastructure? Do you like being alive? Then you should reject communism. Do you want to be able to raise a family in freedom and prosperity? Own a home? Run a business? Then you should reject communism. Do you want to be able to speak your mind freely, without fear of being sent to the Gulags? Then reject communism. As you embark on your academic and professional journey as a college student, you have a unique opportunity to critically engage with different ideologies and worldviews. While its good to explore diverse perspectives and challenge conventional wisdom (while never rejecting biblical truth), communism is not something to flirt with. Or seriously consider. Or celebrate with an edgy T-shirt. Communisms commitment to total state control, central planning, and atheistic philosophy are antithetical to the principles of Christianity, individual freedom, innovation, and personal responsibility all things that are essential for a thriving society. By concentrating power in the hands of a select few, communism invariably stifles freedom of religion, creativity, entrepreneurship, and independent thought, leading to stagnation, economic hardship, purges, and death. Furthermore, the utopian promises of communism, such as the elimination of social classes and the creation of a classless society, have proven to be unattainable in practice. Instead, communist regimes have perpetuated inequality, corruption, and oppression, creating a privileged ruling class that benefits at the expense of the general population. As you sit in your university lecture halls, immersed in intellectual discourse, I urge you to consider the weight of the ideas that are being presented to you. If youre at a strong, conservative, Christian university, like Liberty, Im confident that your professors wont be glorifying communism. But some of your classmates might. And the world around you TikTok, Instagram, the news media definitely will. They will try to sell you false gods and fake saviors, wrapped in the form of new ideas. And one of those ideas will be communism, a system that has been responsible for the suffering and death of millions. Communism, in theory, promises equality and prosperity for all. In practice, however, it has consistently led to the opposite: oppression, poverty, and death. The history of communist regimes is riddled with stories of people who were stripped of their freedom, denied their basic rights, and even executed for daring to think differently. Young minds, do not be seduced by the allure of communisms promises. Instead, embrace the values of Christianity, a biblical worldview, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. These ideas are what have made our society great. The Berlin Wall fell for a reason. It would be foolish to consider trying to rebuild it and all it represents today. Communism may promise equality, but it does so at the cost of faith and freedom. So do not let the siren song of utopian ideals lure you into a system that has caused so much pain and suffering no matter how cool the confused world manages to make it look. A 10-year veteran of the conservative political movement, William Wolfe served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon and a Director of Legislative Affairs at the Department of State in the Trump Administration. Prior to that, William worked for Heritage Action for America, and as a Congressional Staffer for three different Members of Congress. He has a B.A. in History from Covenant College, and a Masters of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Combining his political experience and theological education, William plans to pursue a Ph.D. with a focus on Christian ethics and public theology, enter pastoral ministry, and engage at the intersection of faith and politics, cultural commentary, and Christian worldview issues. Originally published by Standing for Freedom Center. Republished with permission. Fizz levels: Three | Fizz mechanism: Lever | Size: 16 x 6 x 10 The Aarke soda-maker is not cheap. And while there are more affordable models out there that work quite well, too (more on many below), the design of this one is particularly great and comes recommended by more people I spoke to than any other. All the experts stressed that when buying an appliance that will likely live on your countertop, its worth the investment to ensure it looks good. At the end of the day, sleekness is the real edge the Aarke offers. Its made from all stainless steel and comes in a range of sophisticated finishes and colors so you can match it to your kitchen. But the material is not all about looks; it feels solidly engineered. (Some others on this list have plastic parts to the body.) Still, its surprisingly lightweight (more so than the stainless-steel Breville option below), and the lever is smooth to operate. The only plastic part is the bottle, which has an attractive stainless-steel ring around the bottom. Recipe developer and cookbook author Jess Damuck notes the bottle is nice enough to bring straight to the dinner table. Its definitely a luxury item, and it feels like it, she says. As for function, the carbonator is simple to operate so much so that Alexandra Wight, owner of Crown Jewel in Portland, Maine, says her 5-year-old uses it with ease. You load the CO2 canister into the body of the machine from the bottom, twist the bottle into the top until its tightly secured,, and press down the lever on the side until you hear the release of C02 exhausting, almost like a buzzing (its a very audible change in sound). You can do this up to three times, depending on how much fizz you like. Prop stylist Judy Kim says the distinctions between levels are clear; she likes tighter, harder Topo Chico-style bubbles to sip on, but prefers looser, bigger bubbles for photographing. For their part, Strategist writer Erin Schwartz describes one press as mild bubbles, two as closer to seltzer (this is my personal preference), and three as even more intense, like soda water (their favorite and also good if youre adding other liquid mix-ins after that dilute the intensity a bit). 35 items in this article 35 items on sale! Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers Its that time again: Ssenses big sale is in full swing, and thousands of designer items are discounted, including a bunch of goods for the home. Some of our favorite European design brands are on sale, including Tekla, Sabre, Flos, and Alessi, just to name a few, so if youve been waiting to refresh your towels, get new flatware, or invest in a lamp, nows your chance. Theres a lot to wade through, but as Strategists resident home writer, Ive clicked through dozens of pages to bring you the best deals including on many of our best-in-class picks. Ive organized them into categories to help you navigate more easily. Bedding and towels Tekla Organic Three-Piece Towel Set $150 $150 This three-piece bundle from Tekla, one of my personal favorites for sophisticated striped towels, is already cheaper by $10 if you buy each one separately, but an additional 25 percent off brings the price down even further. It includes a bath, hand, and guest towel. $150 at SSENSE Buy Decor Muuto Off-white Ply Rug $340 $340 This New Zealand wool area rug from Muuto measures around 4.6 by 2.6 feet and would make a nice spot for a bedside, desk, or entryway. $340 at SSENSE Buy Lighting Dining and tabletop get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. I don't see why you'd take it so personally unless they are talking about your performance specifically. And yes, they are all wrong. Reply Thread Link Because it reflects badly on people whose careers are somewhat defined by those roles. Hopkins, Bale, etc. arent pigeonholed like some of the MCU actors are so being able to make comments like that without fear of career tanking come from a big place of privilege in that sense IMO. Like they were happy to take the money and then talk shit because they dont need more money/recognition from that role. I feel the same way about Pattinson and Twilight tbh, and bands who become famous in large part based on a huge song and then decide theyre too good to play that song during concerts anymore, because theyre sick of it even though so many people buy tickets because they became fans through that song. I have feelings lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Pattinson gets away with his shit way more than any actress would. Reply Parent Thread Link My comment was more aimed at the last part about Scorsese. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Do you talk positively about every job you have ever had? Why is it an actors responsibility to promote for a major franchise and a major company the rest of his life? Isnt it more fucked up that actors with less power can be blacklisted for telling their honest opinions? Personally I wont cry if Disney loses any money. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I agree. Thats how I feel about Daniel Craig always shitting on the Bond series while taking that check. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link pattinson bothers me so much with that Reply Parent Thread Link Hes 100% right and good for him for saying it Reply Thread Link People still dislike Melissa George for refusing to talk about her start in soaps. Being on a soap seems like a good gig, especially when youre getting a lot of episodes. Reply Thread Link he's not wrong Nobody starts with their dream job while being the absolute best at it Sometimes projects fail and you learn from it I remember Chris Pine saying he started his career as a commercial VA and he was "yeah I did that, I paid the bill,cool" Edited at 2024-05-15 04:01 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link I dont think bashing should happen just because a project doesnt do well, but I do understand if someone doesnt like a movie they have been in. Movies are collaborative and even if you put your all in and really liked the original concept, it may not be anything like what ends up on screen. Someone may have also just had a miserable experience on set. I dont know that I think they should have to pretend they loved it when they didnt (I know it will happen during promo, but beyond that.) Reply Thread Link I think it might have been Chris Evans who once talked about how sometimes you read a great script and are excited about it and then you get on set and you realize it is not going to go the way you thought it was, which I think is interesting to talk about. Sometimes a film seems like it has such potential and then the end product is just not up to par. Reply Parent Thread Link Yep scripts get changed, things get cut, and there are so many moving parts that sometimes even just 1 thing can completely change the final product. There is only so much control someone has over that and I could see why sometimes an actor would just want to take the money and run. Reply Parent Thread Link https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/128393393.html Wasn't this already posted? Reply Thread Link I'm glad somebody else remembered it - was starting to question my memory/sanity Reply Parent Thread Link He sounds insecure. Mate, you made a shit load of money and got a shit load of fame being a minimally talented actor who lucked into a huge franchise. Thats the best its getting for you, those others dont have to kiss up because they have other options, thanks to actually being good actors. Reply Thread Link Yea this is what gets me a bit, like I get that someone like Bale already had an established career, but some of these guys do not have the talent to be hired for better projects regardless. Like you have the money and the fame, and the accolades for talent were never in your grasp, lucky to have two of the three honestly. Reply Parent Thread Link I said some more of this above, but for me, its less about the rich actors like Chris Hemsworth and more behind-the-scenes people who make all the shit happen and make pennies compared to people like Bale and Hopkins and Scorsese who have the privilege of running their mouth without financial consequence. As far as I can see from Chriss comments, he doesnt say anything about how it personally affects him and his work and his dollars. But his point stands in the grand scheme of these projects and the people who work on them, celebs and Disney aside Reply Parent Thread Expand Link To me he sounds grateful for the work he's been given and the opportunities that got him where he is. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link We US soap fans get a little pissy when people who got their start on our stories act like it was "beneath" them, too! It's why we always appreciate people like Julianne Moore. Nice to see that Chris forever stay repping for Summer Bay! Reply Thread Link Kind of agree. Films don't have to be high art to be worthy. Of what, I'm not sure, but it's not completely cringe for him to defend something which has set him up for life. I wouldn't feel ashamed to be on Home and Away, either, especially since I unashamedly asked for Morag (Alf's sister) from Home and Away's autograph when I saw her on the bus one day. Reply Thread Link Morag was the HBIC!!! I wish they would say something about her character now that the actress has passed. Reply Parent Thread Link She was so good - both as Morag AND on The Weakest Link. Iconic. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh I loved Morag she's one of my favourites. Reply Parent Thread Link I hope Cornelia was nice! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link When I hear actors complain or make fun of these big roles they got I always think about less privileged actors who auditioned for the part or didn't even get the chance to be considered for the role, especially poc and disabled people. Reply Thread Link Hes right. Im not a big fan of celebs shitting on work that gave them a start just cause its not the important prestigious stuff. Its one thing if the work environment was toxic or rift with issues but trashing it cause it wasnt high artfoh. Thats why I like Charles Melton showing appreciation for his time on Riverdale. He couldve started looking down on it cause he was getting really good acclaim but nope he kept humble. He even mentioned how he considers it hes julillard. Plus its always good to keep it humble cause you never what happens to your career down the line. People remember words and actions when youre at the top so that could help or not if you ever fall by the wayside. Humbleness goes a long way. Reply Thread Link The difference between Jacob Elordi and Charles Melton when discussing previous works was stark. Reply Parent Thread Link Yep and people were praising Elordi but I thought it was shitty. Be grateful you had a paycheck and it gave you exposure. Reply Parent Thread Link It's true and he should say it Reply Thread Link We just had all these quotes posted previously, do we really need them again? Reply Thread Link Yawn Reply Thread Link Didn't he just say he wasn't thrilled with Love & Thunder? I mean, he shouldn't have been because it was a mess, but still. In that VF interview he said Furiosa was his favorite or most satisfying role since Rush, isn't that kind of shade @ the Thor appearances? Reply Thread Link I think there's a big difference between criticizing a single project you were in/admitting its faults and throwing shade on an entire genre because you think you're too good for it Reply Parent Thread Link love and thunder was so bad Reply Parent Thread Link #Cannes2024 Why Return To Middle-Earth For The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum? Peter Jackson, Andy Serkis, and Philippa Boyens explain, 23 years after Cannes saved the billion dollar LOTR trilogy https://t.co/AUWVuvUbRC pic.twitter.com/NHgJdkinV9 Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 15, 2024 Peter Jackson, Andy Serkis, and Philippa Boyens discussed the upcoming Gollum film.The Gollum/Smeagol character has always fascinated me because Gollum reflects the worst of human nature, whilst his Smeagol side is, arguably, quite sympathetic, Jackson told Deadline. I think he connects with readers and film audiences alike, because theres a little bit of both of them in all of us. We really want to explore his backstory and delve into those parts of his journey we didnt have time to cover in the earlier films. Its too soon to know who will cross his path, but suffice to say we will take our lead from Professor Tolkien.Gollum has always stuck with me throughout all of these years, Serkis (who is directing the film) said. Ive read audio books of the trilogy and the Silmarillion and The Hobbit, so Tolkiens world has never left me in all of that time since we did the first films. And the character particularly has remained such an enormous part of my life. So its absolutely thrilling to be able to go back and do a deep dive into his world again, and specifically into Gothams psychology. I know were all interested in investigating on a deeper level who that character is, and on top of that, to be able to direct and hopefully create a film which has its place within the canon, but also something thats fresh and new and a different approach.Gollums story is one of the most compelling to us in terms of a character that we couldnt go as deeply into as we wanted to before, which sounds strange when you say that, given how familiar he is to everybody, Boyens told Deadline. Gollums life span takes place in such an interesting period of Middle-earth. When the question was first asked, this was the first story we thought of. Because I can tell you, and people might not believe this, but we had zero expectations of going back to this. It wasnt something we were looking to do, particularly. So when the question was asked, it was, what would draw you back? And it was about working with the people we were working with. It was also about the chance to work with Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy at the studio. Alan Horn is now back at the studio. It just felt right. Behavioral Health Facility Cited Again for Safety Lapses Following Employee Injury Circles of Care Inc. faces $101,000 in proposed OSHA penalties. OSHA has cited Circles of Care Inc. for failing to protect its employees from patient violence, following an investigation into an incident at a Melbourne, Florida facility. According to a recent release, the investigation launched after a mental health technician was attacked by a patient on November 7, 2023, resulting in serious injuries. OSHA found that Circles of Care failed to provide adequate safeguards to prevent such incidents and cited the company for a repeat violation. The company was also cited for failing to report the employees hospitalization within 24 hours, as required by law. As a result, Circles of Care which operates 10 psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities across Floridanow faces $101,000 in proposed OSHA penalties for these violations. This marks the third time in five years that the company has been cited for safety lapses resulting in serious employee injuries or fatalities. Circles of Cares reluctance to protect its employees from the recognized danger of patient assault is shocking, OSHA Area Office Director Erin Sanchez in Orlando said in a statement. These attacks often occur suddenly and swiftly, causing serious and, as weve seen, fatal harm to workers and leaving their co-workers traumatized. Circles of Care Inc. now has 15 business days to comply with the citations and penalties, request an informal conference or contest the agencys findings. OSHA Cites Massachusetts Roofing Contractor for Fall Protection Violations OJR Construction Inc. was cited for leaving workers vulnerable to safety hazards. OSHA investigators have concluded that a Watertown, Massachusetts-based roofing contractor OJR Construction Inc. failed to implement necessary safety measures, resulting in the tragic death of an employee in Brighton in September 2023. According to a recent release, OJR Construction faces penalties totaling $88,721 for violations related to fall hazards. At a work site in Brighton, Massachusetts, the agency found OJR Construction Inc. willfully neglected to provide essential safeguards, such as safety nets, personal fall arrest systems, and guardrail systems. The company also lacked a comprehensive training program to educate employees on fall hazards. Other violations included in OSHAs decision include a failure to install guardrails on scaffolds or assess the tipping weight of scaffold planks, inadequate extension of ladder side rails, an absence of barricades to prevent falls and struck-by hazards, absence of a person on-site to ensure fall protection usage, failure to maintain debris-free ladder access and inadequate provision of eye protection for employees using nail guns. OJR Construction Inc. was previously cited by OSHA in both March 2017 and September 2019 for similar violations. The company has chosen to contest OSHA's findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Perhaps more than any other single factor, the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP) is critical in enabling Iraq to dramatically increase its crude oil production. It was delayed for over a decade, as ExxonMobil and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) battled it out for control over the project. Finally, the U.S. firm pulled out and the Chinese companys progress ground to a halt, leaving the way clear for the project to become part of the US$27 billion four-pronged Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) deal being worked by Frances TotalEnergies. According to local Iraqi news sources close to the project, the first phase of the CSSP is now expected to be operational in 2028. However, given the history of such projects in Iraq, many remain sceptical that it will progress as planned. On the face of it, there is no good reason why Iraq cannot become one of the worlds top three producers, even taking the number two spot ahead of Russia and then Saudi Arabia, but behind the U.S. Officially, according to the Energy Information Administration, Iraq holds a very conservatively-estimated 145 billion barrels of proved crude oil reserves (nearly 18 percent of the Middle Easts total, and the fifth biggest on the planet). Unofficially, it is extremely likely that it holds much more oil than this, as analysed in full in my new book on the new global oil market order. In October 2010, Iraqs Oil Ministry increased its own official figure for the countrys proven reserves but at the same time stated that Iraqs undiscovered resources amounted to around 215 billion barrels. This was also a figure that had been arrived at in a 1997 detailed study by respected independent oil and gas firm, Petrolog. Even this figure, though, did not include the parts of northern Iraq in the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan. As separately highlighted by the International Energy Agency (IEA), most of these had been drilled during a period before the 1970s began when technical limits and low oil prices gave a narrower definition of what constituted a commercially successful well than would be the case now. Overall, the IEA underlined that the level of ultimately recoverable resources across all of Iraq (including the Kurdistan region) at around 246 billion barrels (crude and natural gas liquids). Related: Consumers Sue U.S. Shale Alleging Collusion to Boost Oil Prices Given the true scale of Iraqs oil reserves and the fact that the average lifting cost per barrel of oil in the country is US$1-2 pb (the lowest in the world, along with Iran and Saudi Arabia) what sort of oil output could reasonably be expected? Back in 2013, the Integrated National Energy Strategy (INES) was produced, and this analysed in detail three realistic forward oil production profiles for Iraq and what each would involve. As also detailed in my new book, the INES best-case scenario was for crude oil production capacity to increase to 13 million bpd (at that point, by 2017), peaking at around that level until 2023, and finally gradually declining to around 10 million bpd for a long-sustained period thereafter. The mid-range production scenario was for Iraq to reach 9 million bpd (at that point, by 2020), and the worst-case INES scenario was for production to reach 6 million bpd (at that point, by 2020). These numbers compare to current Iraqi production of around 3.9 million barrels per day (bpd), although this reflects voluntary cuts in line with OPEC+ objectives. Average crude oil production in 2023 was 4.6 million bpd almost the same as in 2022. According to the local sources, the first phase of the CSSP will involve taking five million bpd of seawater from the Persian Gulf, which will then be transported via pipelines to oil production facilities in the provinces of Basra, Missan, and DhiQar for the purpose of maintaining pressure in their key oil reservoirs to optimise the longevity and output of their fields. The original plan was that the CSSP start with 6 million bpd and increase the capacity from there. Both the longstanding stalwart fields of Kirkuk and Rumaila the former beginning production in the 1920s and the latter in the 1950s, with both having produced around 80 percent of Iraqs cumulative oil production require major ongoing water injection. According to industry figures, the reservoir pressure at the former dropped significantly after output of only around 5 percent of the oil in place (OIP). Rumaila, in the meantime, produced more than 25 percent of its OIP before water injection was required (as it main formation connects to a large source of groundwater). Although the water requirements for most of Iraqs oilfields fall between these two cases, the needs for oilfield injection are highest in southern Iraq, in which water resources are also the least available. To reach and then sustain the higher levels of the INESs oil production profiles, Iraq will have total water injection needs equating to around 2 percent of the combined average flows of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers or 6 percent of their combined flow during the low season, according to the IEA. These amounts might not look too onerous, but they will have to be drawn out of the common supply that also needs to keep satisfying the needs of other big users. Nonetheless, ExxonMobil had the know-how, technology, and money to successfully complete all elements of the CSSP, but ran into the familiar problem of corruption in Iraqs oil sector. It seems clear from the repeated delays to the final ratification of TotalEnergies four-pronged deal including the CSSP that Iraq tried similar tactics on the French firm. At one stage, Baghdad was even in the process of trying to re-establish the omni-toxic Iraqi National Oil Company (INOC), an organisation widely regarded within the oil industry as one of the most corrupt organisations ever created. However, it quickly became clear that one does not get to become a senior figure in Frances leading oil and gas company by being as stupid as seems to be the minimum requirement to secure some positions in Iraqs Oil Ministry, with TotalEnergies refusing to partner with INOC due to the lack of clarity on the legal status of the company. In laymans terms, the French oil and gas behemoth did not trust INOC as far as it could throw it. There were further subsequent shenanigans from Iraq aimed at increasing the possibilities for personal enrichment of some key government people involved the main one being an increase in the governments stake in the projects to varying degrees but all were rebuffed by the French firm. As it is, the Iraq government (through the Basrah Oil Company) holds a 30 percent stake in the megadeal. TotalEnergies has 45 percent of it, and QatarEnergy holds the remaining 25 percent stake. So will the CSSP now progress as planned? For seasoned Iraq-watchers, extreme pessimism has usually been the right call on such projects. Even a senior official at the state-run Basra Oil Company quoted by a local news source said, If we actually start work on the ground, with an accelerated plan during 2024, I expect that the fields will begin receiving water from the seawater project in 2027. It is indeed a big if. A comparison on progress was given by the IEA back in 2012 when the CSSP project had already been under discussion for some considerable time. Specifically, Saudi Aramcos Qurayyah Seawater Plant Expansion which involved the 2 million bpd expansion of an existing facility - took nearly four years from the awarding of the front-end engineering, procurement and design contract (in May 2005) to the time that water first began to flow in early 2009. From when the CSSP was first officially proposed by Iraqs state-owned South Oil Company in 2011, 13 years have passed so far, and nothing meaningful has been achieved yet. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Economic integration efforts among CentralAsian-Caspian Basin states are gaining momentum. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are developing a green energy plan to link their power grids with an eye towards exporting electricity to the European Union. The energy ministers of the three countries announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding in early May to explore their joint electricity export potential by harnessing mainly wind and solar power. Kazakhstan is also aiming to boost its hydropower generating capacity. In outlining cooperation plans, the tripartite memo envisions the laying of a high-voltage cable on the Caspian Seas seabed. Technical specifications for such a transmission line have already been developed, according to Kazakh Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev. A proposed business model will be developed for the development of international transmission corridors (financing, revenue flow and ownership) and for the sale of green energy to the countries of the European Union, a ministry statement quoted Satkaliyev as saying. The three countries have wasted little time in pursuing the plan. Satkaliiev said May 10 that a feasibility study was underway. He told journalists that the EU had given the budding consortium an expression of interest in purchasing clean electricity. The feasibility study will work out construction and financing details and is expected to produce preliminary estimates by the end of the year. It is too early to put a price tag on the project, or the amount of power exports involved. We are talking about a fairly large amount of investment, Satkaliyev said. The effort to foster trans-Caspian connectivity inherent in the tripartite memorandum dovetails with an economic blueprint proposed by the United States, dubbed the B5+1, under which Central Asian states take the initiative in breaking down regional trade barriers and forging new networks to boost trade and investment. Since the B5+1s inception in March, Central Asian states have taken steps to simplify trade rules. The tripartite memo marks a significant step in promoting regional cooperation extending beyond Central Asia to span the Caspian Sea. The goal of exporting electricity to the EU fits in with plans unveiled by all three countries to significantly expand renewable energy generating capacity in the coming years. The chief catalyst for power exports is Uzbekistan, which aims to generate an additional 20 Gigawatts (GW) via renewable sources by 2030. Meeting that target would raise the countrys total renewable capacity to 27 GW. By April, the government had signed deals to develop wind and solar facilities projected to produce 12 GWs. In May, Uzbekistan entered into contracts for another 6 GW. Increasing the efficiency of the energy industry is relevant for our entire region, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said during a Tashkent investors forum in early May. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan seem destined to play more of a facilitating role in the power export arrangement. Given its abundance of fossil fuels, Astanas renewable goals seem more modest than Uzbekistans. Kazakhstan currently generates about 2.9 GW of power via renewable sources, and hopes to add at least another 5 GW by 2030, according to Satkaliyev. Much of that capacity may be needed at home, however, as Kazakhstan grapples with a power deficit that saw the country become a net importer of electricity in 2023. Azerbaijan has a target of generating 5 GW of solar and wind power by 2030. The MoU Baku entered into with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan potentially builds on a 2023 agreement that Azerbaijan concluded with EU states, including Hungary and Romania, to export power via an underwater cable traversing the Black Sea with a capacity of 1,000 Megawatts. The feasibility study for the Black Sea project was conducted prior to Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022, thus raising questions about its viability under wartime conditions. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Iceland is a world leader when it comes to renewable energy production, having long developed its natural resources to power a green revolution. The Nordic island nation is home to abundant geothermal and hydropower energy sources, and it has also significantly developed its wind power sector in recent years. Despite huge strides in its renewable energy development, putting it way ahead of most of the competition, the Icelandic government has big plans to develop even more clean energy by harnessing the power of its volcanoes in a first-of-a-kind project. Iceland aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and is well on its way to doing so. By April 2024, 100 percent of homes across the country were heated using renewable energy, a feat which few countries have managed to achieve. This was largely supported by the rapid development of the countrys geothermal resources. Iceland increased its output of geothermal electricity by 1,700 percent between 1990 and 2014, using the power of its natural resources to fuel a green transition. Icelands geothermal resources provide around 30 percent of the energy mix it uses to power itself. Energy companies transport geothermal water directly to houses from the source, using boreholes to send the hot water through pipelines. This is relatively easy as many of Icelands geothermal resources are located at surface level, rather than deep underground. Iceland has a geothermal power generation capacity of around 755 MW, making it one of the worlds largest geothermal energy generators. Icelands Hellisheidi geothermal power plant is one of the top ten largest geothermal plants in the world. It generates 303 MW of electricity and 400 MW of thermal energy. In 2021, the operators launched a capture and storage (CCS) project at the site, claiming it was the worlds biggest direct air CCS plant at the time. This helped to reduce the already low carbon emissions associated with geothermal energy production. The Nordic country also produces vast amounts of hydroelectricity, which contributes around 70 percent of the energy mix. Iceland uses the meltwater rivers that flow off massive glaciers to produce its hydroelectric power. The countrys extensive experience in hydropower has led Icelandic experts to develop many other hydro projects around the globe. Known as the land of ice and fire, Iceland plans to use not only its easy-to-access geothermal resources but to also develop new technology to tap into its extremely hard-to-reach energy potential. Iceland is developing the Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT) Project to try to access energy deep inside its volcanoes. The temperatures inside Krafla, one of the worlds most active volcanoes, reach up to 1,300C, which, if accessed, could provide a vast amount of clean energy. Experts now plan to bore into a volcanos magma chamber to access its fumes to produce green energy. Although the Icelandic government is actively pursuing the Krafla project, accessing the volcanos energy will be extremely difficult as the machinery needed to carry out the project does not yet exist. The temperatures inside the magma chamber as simply too hot for any existing technology to access. However, this is not the first time that scientists have drilled into magma in Iceland, with explorers accidentally hitting magma when drilling the IDD-1 project in 2009. The project ultimately failed due to the technological constraints of the time. Nevertheless, it provided great insight, as when flow tested around a year after the initial drilling, researchers found that it was around ten times more powerful than the average well in Krafla, showing the huge potential for tapping into the power of magma. The KMT team, supported by the government of Iceland, is currently drilling a KMT-1, a monitoring and volcanic research well, and KMT-2, an energy research well. These will be used to collect data to better understand the scope of the project. The team is working closely with the sensor community to develop new temperature sensors and temperature-resilient technologies to collect and assess samples from within the volcano. This will not only help the team to understand the potential for energy production, but it could also help them to better forecast volcanic events to enhance early warning systems for eruptions. Bjorn or Gumundsson, from the KMT project, explained, Reducing uncertainties about conditions in magma from KMT will decrease start-up costs. KMT aims to revolutionise the geothermal industry by improving geothermal power economics up to an order of magnitude, which was showed to be the difference between a conventional well in Krafla and the IDDP-1 well, which accidentally entered magma. This will be done by designing new innovative production wells that can withstand near-magma conditions. While we are likely still a long way off from achieving advanced geothermal energy production from magma chambers in volcanoes, the KMT project could provide the information needed to significantly advance the technology required to access this energy source. In addition, Icelands long history with geothermal energy production and its abundant natural geothermal resources make it the optimal environment to develop these ambitious volcano projects. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Brazils government has removed the chief executive of Petrobras Jean Paul Prates and replaced him with the former head of the state oil and gas regulator, Magda Chambriard. The news sent Petrobras shares down, Reuters said in a report on the reshuffle, with investors preparing for more state interference in the business of the company. The change at the top comes a day after Petrobras reported a 38% decline in net profits for the first quarter of the year on 15% lower revenues. It also adds to bad news about shareholders after late last year outgoing CEO Prates informed them dividend payments would be kept lower for a while as Petrobras tried to expand into low-carbon directions. "In our view, the exit of Prates is a deterioration of Petrobras governance and a downside risk for the investment thesis," Citi analysts said in a note quoted in the Reuters report. "The new CEO arrives with the pressure to fulfill the investment plan and accelerate the capex expansion, which may negatively impact the company's dividend payment." Expectations from the new leader are that she would prioritize the governments desire for lower fuel prices, higher capital spending and consistently lower dividends. Petrobras already planned a substantial boost to its capital spending for the next five-year planning period, with the total seen at $102 billion. This is a 31% increase on the previous five-year investment period and aims to increase oil and gas production to some 3.2 million barrels of oil equivalent daily. That would be u from 2.8 million bpd at the moment. At the same time, former CEO Prates had a plan to squeeze the share of oil and gas in the companys business to 50% of revenues, with the other 50% coming from wind, solar, and biofuels in barely a decade. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Nottingham indie band Tindersticks recently announced their highly anticipated 14th studio album, 'Soft Tissue,' along with the release of its lead single, 'New World,' accompanied by a captivating music video. Scheduled for release on September 13 via City Slang, 'Soft Tissue' is now available for pre-order, coinciding with an upcoming UK tour that promises an unforgettable evening at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall. The introspective lyrics of 'New World,' opening the album, reflect the pervasive theme of confusion and despair, with frontman Stuart Staples remarking, "Baby, I was falling, but the shit that I was falling through. Thought it was just the world rising." This sentiment is echoed throughout the album, exploring themes of destruction and self-reflection. Stuart further elaborated on the album's creative process, revealing that the inspiration for 'New World' stemmed from the miniature ceramic characters crafted by band member Sid. These figurines served as a metaphor for navigating the complexities of the modern world. Emphasizing a collaborative and exploratory approach, Stuart highlighted the band's trust and flexibility in defining the album's direction. He emphasized that 'Soft Tissue' represents a departure from previous works, driven by a shared ambition to push boundaries and explore uncharted musical territories. In addition to the album announcement, Tindersticks unveiled a series of live dates, including a headline performance at London's Royal Albert Hall on March 17, 2025, as well as upcoming shows in Brighton, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, and Sheffield later this year. Authorities in Fort McMurray, which is not far from much of Albertas oil sands production sites, issued an extreme wildfire danger for the forest area that could threaten to shut in or disrupt some Canadian crude oil or natural gas output in the coming days and weeks. Alberta Wildfire is currently responding to an out of control wildfire southwest of Fort McMurray, the lead firefighting agency in the province said in an update late on Tuesday. The MWF017 fire, classified as out of control at 20,940 hectares, grew significantly to the east and northeast today, driven by gusty winds, Alberta Wildfire said on Tuesday evening local time. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has issued an evacuation order for the communities of Prairie Creek, Beacon Hill, Abasand, and Grayling Terrace. Although the out-of-control fire is currently not directly threatening oil sands operations, its current southern perimeter is just 5 miles from the Hangingstone production site of Athabasca Oil Corporation. Hangingstone produced nearly 7,500 barrels per day (bpd) of crude in February this year, per data from the Alberta Energy Regulator cited by Bloomberg. There is other energy infrastructure in the proximity of the wildfire zone. These are two natural gas liquids pipelines operated by Inter Pipeline and a crude oil pipeline operated by Pembina Pipeline Corporation. They pass through the western end of the wildfire area, per data from the regulator and Alberta Wildfire. An evacuation alert was issued earlier this week for Fort McMurray, a key hub for the oil sands industry in Alberta amid wildfires in the area. Spring is wildfire season in Canadas oil country and the blazes sometimes interfere with oil sands production. Back in 2016, a total of 90,000 people in Fort McMurray were evacuated because of a wildfire, which also shut in about 1 million bpd in oil production in the area. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The CEO of Russian state-run gas giant Gazprom arrived in Iran on Wednesday with the delegation in what has been described as a working visit with high-level Iranian officials, including the countrys oil minister, Reuters reports. Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller is visiting Iran at the same time that Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting China for high-level talks. Last December, Moscow said it was hastening work on a major new interstate agreement, describing the project as at a high stage of readiness, according to Reuters. With regards to Putin in China, among other things, Moscow and Tehran have also been in ongoing talks for the construction of a pipeline, the Power of Siberia-2, which would be capable of transporting 50 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia to China, via Mongolia. The high-level talks come at a time when Gazprom, the biggest natural gas company in the world, is suffering from the impact of Western sanctions. For 2023, Gazprom reported a net loss of nearly $7 billion, representing its first loss in more than two decades due to severely reduced gas trades with Europe and the loss of the Nord Stream pipelines. While the Power of Siberia link to China is gradually reaching its nameplate capacity, it cannot fully offset the decline in European gas demand. Gazprom's principal shareholder, the Russian government, faces fiscal strain amidst heightened military expenditures and ongoing Western sanctions. The decline in gas revenues, underscored by a 40% drop in gas revenue to 4.88 trillion rubles, has led Gazprom to explore revenue diversification strategies. In 2022, Russia was still supplying natural gas to Europe, hitting nearly 64 billion cubic meters of gas that year. However, in 2023, those volumes dwindled to just over 28 billion cubic meters. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Resource-poor Japan is launching the most important energy policy discussions in its post-World War Two history, aiming to strike a balance between the need to boost its energy security with conventional sources and its pledge to become a net-zero economy by 2050. The industry ministry of one of the worlds most industrialized nation, which imports nearly all the commodities it consumes, launched on Wednesday formal discussions about its future energy policy. Amid the energy crisis in 2022, which led to record-high natural gas prices, Japan pivoted back to nuclear energy, aiming to boost its energy security with domestic energy production. But the country still imports all the oil and natural gas it consumes, and it is the worlds second-largest LNG importer after China, having held the top spot before 2022. The talks on the new energy policy would lead to the first revision of the countrys energy plan since Japan decided to double down on nuclear power generation, Reuters notes. At present, fossil fuels account for about 70% of Japans electricity, which would be a clash with its net-zero goal. Japan is estimated to be the country with the worlds fifth-largest carbon footprint, preceded only by China, the United States, India, and Russia. I have a strong sense of urgency that Japan is now at the most difficult post-war point in its energy policy, Reuters quoted Japanese Industry Minister Ken Saito as saying at a meeting of energy and industry experts who launched talks on the new energy plan. Currently, Japan is bringing back nuclear power as a key energy source, looking to protect its energy security in the wake of the energy crisis that led to surging fossil fuel prices. The resource-poor country which needs to import about 90% of its energy requirements, made a U-turn in its nuclear energy policy at the end of 2022, as its energy import bill soared amid the energy crisis and surging costs to import LNG at record-high prices. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, 59, remains in life-threatening condition following an assassination attempt that took place outside Bratislava on Wednesday, where local media reports claim he was shot in the stomach and hand by a lone gunman. Official sources have offered scant details about the assassination attempt and have not confirmed the exact nature of the shooting or any further details surrounding the prime ministers current condition, RFE/RL reports. Reuters cited Slovak media as saying that the shooter was a 71-year-old man, though there has been no official or independent confirmation of that information. Fico was rushed to the hospital and then flown by helicopter to another facility for urgent intervention, with Reuters citing local media reports as saying that his condition was too fragile to be transported as far away as the capital, Bratislava. Fico, who is currently serving as prime minister for the fourth time, heads the Smer-SD party and is viewed as an extreme populist who opposes his governments military support for Ukraine, contradicting the neighboring Czech Republics current bid to become a key supplier for Ukraine as it defends its territory against Russia. Fico also opposes sanctions against Russia, has halted all weapons shipments to Ukraine, and pledged to veto Kyivs NATO membership bid, according to RFE/RL. Also on Wednesday, the biggest opposition party in Slovakia was planning a protest against the government, which was canceled in light of the shooting. In March, the Czech government canceled joint meetings with their Slovak counterparts due to their opposing views on weapons for Ukraine. The Slovak prime minister has also been highly vocal in recent weeks about the war in Ukraine, undermining Kyivs sovereignty and pushing for a peace deal with Russia. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Venezuela has moved substantial quantities of [military] personnel and equipment to the border with Guyana amid its territorial dispute over the Essequibo region. The update comes from the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C., which this week released a report on the latest developments in the Venezuela-Guyana dispute. The think tank talks about an expansion of a military base on Anacoco Island in the area, with new roads and a bridge getting built in the past few months. A local airport is also being expanded, CSIS also said, citing satellite imagery and social media posts. According to the reports authors, the activity could be preparation for a manufactured crisis before or after Venezuelas next elections, set to take place in late July. The Essequibo region encompasses about two-thirds of Guyanas territory and is where most of its oil resources lie, and the site of massive discoveries and new production by Exxon and partners. The International Court of Justice previously ruled that Essequibo is part of Guyana, although this is still not recognized by Venezuela. A written agreement was penned in December between the two that denounced the use of force, instead calling for a commission to address the disputes. However, after a December referendum, in which Venezuelans overwhelmingly voted that Essequibo is part of their country, the government pushed with its annexation attempt. The buildup of troops began in February this year and prompted expectations of an imminent military conflict. At the time, Caracas said it had the right to shore up its borders in response to U.S. military exercises in Guyana toward the end of the year and the presence of a UK anti-narcotics vessel that is in Guyanese waters. The Venezuelan government has also criticized Exxon for depending on the U.S. military for its security and for its exploitation of Guyanas oil resources. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: London-listed Anglo-American has unveiled a "clear, compelling, and decisive plan to unlock significant value from its portfolio." This strategy involves selling its platinum and diamond business units while concentrating on copper, positioning itself to prosper off the 'Next AI Trade' as data centers and power grids will use an enormous amount of the base metal to 'power up' the digital economy. Also, it's a move to thwart a hostile takeover attempt from BHP Group. Anglo was forced to radically transform itself into a copper giant because of BHP's twice-rejected takeover bid, now worth 34 billion ($43 billion). The move also responds to shareholder pressure to focus on copper assets and demerge its stakes in less profitable ones, such as its steelmaking unit, coal business, Anglo American Platinum, and De Beers (diamonds). Anglo Chief Executive Officer Duncan Wanblad's major overhaul aims to replicate rival BHP CEO Mike Henry's proposed idea of transforming Anglo into one of the world's biggest copper giants. Financial Review noted that Wanblad plans to wait until after the South African elections on May 29 before announcing his complete restructuring of the company, which will need South African government approval for a demerger of its platinum and diamond mines. "The only thing the BHP bid [did] was force the timeline on work we were already doing," Wanblad said on a call at 0300 ET. He will present the overhaul plan at the Bank of America Global Metals, Mining & Steel Conference in Miami, Florida, today. He continued, "I would probably not have announced this at this particular point in time, it would have been just a little bit later I would have been much more sensitive in terms of the stakeholder management of this, but I now have no option." In markets, Anglo shares in London slipped by 3%, while BHP's shares increased by 3%, reflecting the market's perception of a reduced takeover probability. "The outcome of Anglo's strategic review will not have changed BHP's plans, but they are probably actively assessing where they are now in light of this," said Lachlan Shaw, an analyst from UBS Group AG. Joshua Mahoney, chief markets analyst at Scope Markets, wrote in a note, "The decision to spin off their diamond, platinum, and coal mining operations will see a greater focus on copper." Mahoney said, "With copper rising into a fresh two-year high this morning, there is a clear surge in demand for this key material as the world progressively moves towards increased electrification." Concentrating on copper assets is the correct move for Anglo, as Goldman's Nicholas Snowdon penned in a note last week for clients that metal market is "moving into extreme tightness." Last month, being uber-bullish on copper, Snowdon wrote, "Copper's time is now" (available to pro subscribers in the usual place)... Separately, Bank of America's commodity desk jumped on the copper trade, warning that a "supply crisis is here." In December, billionaire mining investor Robert Friedland explained to Bloomberg TV in an interview that copper prices are set to soar because the mining industry is failing to increase supply ahead of 'accelerating demand.' He warned: "We're heading for a train wreck here." As we've noted in "The Next AI Trade" & "Everyone Is Piling Into The "Next AI Trade"", as well as "The "Next AI Trade" Just Hit An All Time High," - data center demand and powering up America will need copious amounts of copper, at a time when mining supplies are dwindling. We all know what that means for price. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Via Metal Miner Ramped-up offshore exploration for rare earth metals and minerals, vital components in sought-after products like hybrid vehicles and smartphone screens, continues to cut into Chinas long-held position as the primary global supplier. Countries like Australia, the United States, Myanmar, and even nations like Malaysia, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan continue to increase their extraction efforts. This directly translates into a reduced global dependence on rare earth minerals from China. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Look to Grow Rare Earth Operations Kazakhstan recently announced it will step up investments in the production of rare earth metals. Under its new Comprehensive Plan for the Development of the Rare and Rare Earths Metals Industry for 2024-2028, the country aims to increase investment by 40%, significantly improving production value. Kazakh Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapayev announced the additional investment in rare earth production at an April 29 meeting in the Kazakh Parliaments lower house. In fact, rare earth mineral production already plays a significant role in Kazakhstans foreign and economic policies, as the country hopes to cooperate with both the U.S. and EU on this front. Kazakhstans neighbor Uzbekistan seems to have similar ideas. That country recently launched a slew of rare earth mining projects as well. These projects, worth approximately U.S. $500 million, will likely add more critical raw materials like tellurium, molybdenum, and graphite to the supply chain. Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Hope to Court EU Like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan wants to use rare earths to enhance its relationship with the EU. Recently, it inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Union aimed at guaranteeing a varied and sustainable supply of critical raw materials to support the global shift towards green energy. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan sit on large stockpiles of rare earth elements, which are crucial for industrial use and the development of digital technologies and clean energy solutions. Kazakhstan, for its part, has about 15 rare earth mineral deposits. On the other hand, some experts claim that Uzbekistan sits on the second-largest reserves of CRMs in the region. If true, that countrys decision to invest in CRM development is very wise. In fact, many analysts claim it will not only help Uzbekistans own economic growth, but also provide stiff competition to China. According to European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovsis, the new Memorandum of Understanding with Uzbekistan will help the EU get its hands on critical raw materials. The agreement, he said, was part of EUs global effort to secure partners for the supply of rare earth metals. Read the 5 best practices of sourcing metals, including rare earth metals. Where is China in All This? China has long since established highly restricted rare earth mining and supply chains, resulting in a near-complete monopolization of production. Currently, China controls over 80% of rare earth element processing, much of which continues to be conducted within its borders. Beijing likely hopes to leverage this advantage in international relations, aiming to assert dominance in the global economys evolving new energy and economic landscape. As reported by the South China Morning Post, an increase in offshore exploration for rare earths by other nations may soon begin to erode Chinas position as the worlds primary rare earth mineral supplier. The report stated that incoming data showed a slowing down of rare earths exports from China to other parts of the world starting in 2020. According to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey, Chinas share of total RE exports dropped from about 90% a decade ago to approximately 70% in 2022. Other countries, including Australia, have since filled up this supply chain gap. Australia in the Rare Earth Metals Supply Game According to a report in the Financial Times, Australian mining billionaire Gina Rinehart recently upped her total shares in Australian rare earth developer Lynas to about 6%. Within about a week, Rineharts Hancock Prospecting purchased shares in Lynas as well as a 5% in U.S.-listed MP Materials. The two companies are some of the largest non-Chinese rare earth mineral developers. Meanwhile, both Australia and the U.S. have already announced their intention to expand critical minerals supply and refining capacity in order to reduce dependence on China. By Sohrab Darabshaw More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: () It is a really popular chocolate in the UK, yet in recent years it has gained a new worldwide fame for making a small, yet impactful, change to the flavors of its products. As you might have already guessed, the brands name is KitKat! In other parts of the world is it just a milk chocolate-covered wafer, but in Japan it has been produced in over 300 flavors the most famous perhaps being green tea and wasabi, but there has even been special limited edition flavors such as sushi! This is leading to a new trend in tourists visiting Japan many people buy KitKat to take home as souvenirs and for personal consumption but now we can also talk about people who come to Japan as KitKat connoisseurs eager to try new flavors. KitKat Japans Story Begins In 2014 they opened their first KitKat Chocolatory in Japan, which was a KitKat specialty store where exclusive flavors supervised by famous chef can be sampled. From humble origins the KitKat has become a luxury item! On top of that, certain flavors of KitKat are now associated with different areas of Japan with their own special packaging, which means that a traveler can arrive in Tokyo and then start a combined tour of both Japan and regional KitKat tastes. East Japan Varieties - Tokyo So for this new breed of traveler, a Japan and KitKat connoisseur who has just eagerly arrived at Narita airport, where should they begin? Probably with a tour of Tokyo, and a taste of the Tokyo Souvenir: Rum Raisin KitKat! This KitKat is sold in blue packaging, and is easy to recognize without being able to read Japanese as there is a picture of a glass of rum and some raisins. The KitKat itself is covered in white chocolate and has a nice smell of chocolate with a faint aroma of raisin. When you bite into it there is a very subtle taste of rum raisin mixed with the satisfying crunch of wafer. KitKat - Rum Raisin Chocolate Box Price: 800 yen (+tax.12 Mini Bar) Yokohama As you are in Tokyo it is quite easy to pop down to Yokohama, and after looking around the port you can try the next regional flavor in your tour. This is a very popular one, Strawberry Cheese Cake! Its packaging is decorated with a picture of a mouthwatering cheesecake, while the KitKat itself is covered in white chocolate. It has a sweet smell, but the flavor indeed tastes like strawberry cheesecake. Any visit to Japan has to include Mt. Fuji. There are a variety of options for getting here from Tokyo/Yokohama as it isnt too far away, and the KitKat flavor for this region is a gorgeously wrapped, mountain-like, Strawberry Cheese Cake! KitKat - Strawberry Cheese Cake Chocolate Box Price: 800 yen (+tax.12 Mini Bar) Tochigi Having explored Tokyo and Yokohama, it is time to head out and begin your KitKat-Japan journey, the next stop being Tochigi prefecture! The easiest method to get here is by shinkansen. From Tokyo it is just a 50 minute journey to Utsunomiya (which is famous for gyoza), and from here you can reach other parts of Tochigi such as Nikko. The Tochigi KitKat is Tochi-Otome Strawberry, a pink KitKat with a very strong smell of strawberry. This KitKat has a milky strawberry taste, as it is quite sweet it makes a perfect kind of chocolate to eat after a meal as a dessert. KitKat - Tochiotome Strawberry Cholocate Box Price: 800 yen (+tax.12 Mini Bar) Central Japan Selections - Shizuoka Fuji is also in the prefecture of Shizuoka, so while you are here you can try another regional KitKat gem, and possibly one of the more infamous flavors, Tamaruya Honten Wasabi. Wasabi (Japanese horseradish), the famous pale green sushi condiment, can be an acquired taste for some. This chocolate has a more unusual green color, it doesnt have any noticeable spicy or wasabi smell, but once you pop it into your mouth you can taste the characteristic wasabi flavoring straight away. It is just a light taste though, so you dont have to worry about rushing for a glass of water! KitKat - Wasabi Chocolate Box Price: 800 yen (+tax.12 Mini Bar) Nagano The next stop on this KitKat journey is Nagano prefecture, which used to be known as Shinshu, located in central Honshu. You can head here by shinkansen, via Tokyo, to Karuizawa, from which you can access other cities like Nagano itself. The souvenir KitKat for this region is the Shinshu Apple flavor. Covered in normal milk chocolate, this KitKat has a faint apple aroma, but when you taste it your taste buds are greeted with a strong, and sweet, apple taste. KitKat - Shinshu Apple Chocolate Box Price: 800 yen (+tax.12 Mini Bar) Aichi The Tokai area includes Aichi, Gifu, and Mie you can reach here directly from Nagano or via Tokyo, and in cities like Nagoya you can try the souvenir, Azuki (red bean) Sandwich flavor! This is a more acquired taste, if you havent tried red beans before then this KitKat might seem more than a bit unusual. It has the normal coloring of a KitKat, but dont be fooled - when you take a bite the red bean taste overpowers the chocolate. It has a strong bitter taste. In other words, if you like red beans then you will love this flavor! KitKat - Azuki Bean (Sweet Bean Jelly) Chocolate Box Price: 800 yen (+tax.12 Mini Bar), 350 yen (+tax.9 Mini Bar) Kyoto There are certain locations in Japan that are at the top of any list of areas to visit, and Kyoto is one of them. Easily reachable via shinkansen this small city has been graced with two regional flavors, Itohkyuemon Uji Matcha (Green Tea) and Itohkyuemon Roasted Tea. With a tradition spanning over 185 years, Kyoto-based Itohkyuemons green teas have been highly acclaimed by tourists and locals alike. Indeed, Kyoto is the perfect place for experiencing the Japanese Tea Ceremony, and it is fitting that you can try the brilliant taste of green tea in a KitKat. It has a green color, but has a mainly chocolate smell to the nose, and if you break the KitKat in half then you will get the faint aroma of tea. The taste is mild and mellow, with a perfect balance between the wafer, and its chocolate and green tea flavor is decadent this is one to leave in your mouth and let it melt so that you can really enjoy the taste. The second flavor of Kyoto is Roasted Tea; this one itself has a rather odd greenish-brown color and a strong smell of tea. When you eat it there is a very strong distinctive tea taste and it is a little bit sweet. While not as famous as its green tea sibling, it has a very satisfying taste. KitKat - Itohkyuemon Uji Matcha (Green Tea) Chocolate Box Price: 800 yen (+tax.12 Mini Bar), 350 yen (+tax.5 Mini Bar) KitKat - Itohkyuemon Roasted Tea Chocolate Box Price: 800 yen (+tax.12 Mini Bar), 350 yen (+tax.5 Mini Bar) Hyogo From Kyoto it is very easy to reach Kobe, which is near Osaka, where you can try the Kobe Souvenir of Kobe Pudding! It has a sweet taste, but otherwise it really has a pudding flavor. It is great to crunch on while walking around this small city. KitKat - Kobe pudding Chocolate Box Price: 800 yen (+tax.12 Mini Bar) West Japan Specialties - Hiroshima The next KitKat is a special one the Hiroshima Momiji Manju flavor. It has its own shape! The surface has been decorated with an autumn leaf, so this is really a KitKat like no other. For those unacquainted with this sweet, manju is a kind of steamed bun filled with azuki bean jam, and the KitKat version does its namesake proud: there is bean paste powder between the wafers, and the chocolate incorporates momiji manju flavoring. KitKat - Momiji manju Chocolate Box Price: 800 yen (+tax.12 Mini Bar), 350 yen (+tax.5 Mini Bar) Fukuoka Having travelled across Japan the final stops are Kyushu and Okinawa. From Hiroshima it is very easy to get to cities like Fukuoka where you can try the Kyushu Souvenir of Amaou Strawberry. This is a pink KitKat with a faint strawberry smell, in comparison to Tochi-Otome Strawberry flavor the strawberry taste isnt as strong, but it is somehow slightly richer. KitKat - Amaou Strawberry Chocolate Box Price: 800 yen (+tax.12 Mini Bar), 350 yen (+tax.5 Mini Bar) Okinawa There is another Kyushu Souvenir flavor associated with Okinawa; Purple Sweet Potato. The sweet potato KitKat has an unusual purple color! When you bite into this one you get the taste of potato and white chocolate, it is quite mild but very enjoyable. With this last KitKat you would have travelled across the breadth of Japan and would have had the opportunity to see many amazing sights, and you can now call yourself a true Japan KitKat connoisseur! KitKat - Purple-sweetpotato Chocolate Box Price: 800 yen (+tax.12 Mini Bar), 350 yen (+tax.5 Mini Bar) Flavors for the Future Over the years KitKat has come up with over three hundred flavors, and you can try even more flavors at their chocolatory shops. One more that you probably cant leave Japan without trying is the sake flavored KitKat; this is a white chocolate KitKat with a faint sweet smell and a taste that has a light tang of sake. This is just one amongst many more flavors to try, so even as your journey in japan comes to an end your KitKat journey is only just beginning! KitKat - Japanese sake "Manjusen" Cholocate Box Price: 700 yen (+tax. 9 Mini Bar) *This information is from the time of this article's publication. *Prices and options mentioned are subject to change. *Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax. Via Live Japan A 25-year-old man was sentenced Wednesday to decades behind bars for shooting an Omaha police officer in the face at Westroads Mall in 2021. Kenya Jenkins was sentenced in Douglas County District Court to 35 to 45 years in prison for first-degree assault of an officer and 20 to 30 years for use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony in connection with the shooting of Omaha Police Officer Jeffrey Wittstruck. He will serve the sentences consecutively. Jenkins pleaded guilty to the two charges in March in exchange for prosecutors to dismiss additional charges of operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, possession of a stolen firearm and theft by receiving stolen property, The World-Herald previously reported. At a preliminary hearing after his arrest, detectives testified Jenkins was stopped by a loss prevention officer after he attempted to steal T-shirts from J.C. Penney at Westroads Mall March 12, 2021. Wittstruck and his partner, Officer Joseph Kunza, responded to arrest Jenkins, though Wittstruck went into the mall alone. As Wittstruck attempted to place Jenkins in handcuffs, a struggle ensued. Wittstruck fired his Taser at Jenkins. After another scuffle, Jenkins pulled a handgun from his pocket and fired four shots, hitting Wittstruck in the face and neck. Despite his injuries, Wittstruck was able to call for help as Jenkins fled. Jenkins led police on a high-speed chase in a stolen BMW, reaching speeds of more than 140 mph, which ended in Lincoln about two hours after the shooting. Wittstruck survived his injuries. The fact that we arent here on a homicide is nothing short of a miracle, Judge Shelly Stratman said before delivering Jenkins sentence Wednesday. Katie Jadlowski with the Douglas County Attorneys Office described the facts of the case as especially aggravating. This is as bad as it gets, she said. At sentencing, Wittstruck spoke directly to Jenkins and encouraged him to turn his life around. Jenkins attorney argued Jenkins accepted responsibility for his actions and asked the judge to consider his age and history of mental illness. In August 2022, Jenkins defense attorneys filed a motion for a competency evaluation and he was committed to the Lincoln Regional Center, where doctors said in November 2022 he was incompetent to stand trial, but it was likely he could be restored to competency in the future. In November 2023, Jenkins was considered to be competent for trial. If Tuesdays primary results are any indication, Nebraskans appear ready for another Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump race for the White House though whether the current president or former one faces an enthusiasm gap within his party remains to be seen. Biden, the Democratic incumbent who essentially has been unopposed in his bid for his partys renomination, was receiving more than 90% of Tuesdays Nebraska primary vote in the early tally. He faced nominal opposition from Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips. Trump had to vanquish a number of challengers earlier this year on his way to becoming the Republicans presumptive nominee for the third straight election. But he still had some nominal competition on the ballot in Nebraska Tuesday, particularly from former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. In incomplete returns, Trump was receiving 75% of the vote. The vast majority of the rest were going to Haley, with Michigan businessman Perry Johnson receiving a smattering of votes. The votes for both Trump and Biden suggest at least some within their party may have grown weary of them. But its unclear whether that will continue to be the case when the two again face off, as expected, in November. Trump carried Nebraska in 2016. In 2020, he again prevailed statewide, though Biden won one Nebraska electoral vote by carrying the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District a blue dot for Biden. The results in this primary are a reverse of four years ago, when Biden polled just over three-quarters of his partys vote while Trump enjoyed 90%-plus support among Republicans. Should a Biden-Trump sequel indeed come about, it would be the first presidential rematch since the 1950s. In both 1952 and 1956, Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower defeated Adlai Stevenson, the Democratic governor of Illinois. In the last rematch before that, Nebraskas William Jennings Bryan, the Democrat, lost to the GOPs William McKinley in both 1896 and 1900. Photos: Nebraska Primary Election Day 2024 Here are the results from the 2024 Nebraska primary election tallied on Tuesday: Below find all The World-Herald's posts and updates from Tuesday's voting and counting. Chambers, McKinney in tight North Omaha race Ernie Chambers, two incumbent senators have tough Nebraska legislative primary battles Nebraska's longest-serving state senator, Ernie Chambers, could have a tough battle ahead of him in his quest to return to the Nebraska Legislature and oust incumbent Sen. Terrell McKinney. 11:40 p.m.: In one of the most closely watched Nebraska Legislature races, legendary state lawmaker Ernie Chambers and incumbent State Sen. Terrell McKinney were locked in an extremely close battle in North Omahas 11th District. As the vote count stood just before midnight, Chambers was leading McKinney by just 21 votes 1,214 to 1,193. Both regardless will be advancing to the November general election, as both had big leads over Calandra Cooper, the third candidate in the race. The race is a generational one pitting the 86-year-old Chambers against the 33-year-old McKinney. Chambers has twice been term-limited out of his seat in the past two decades but is seeking to reclaim it again. He has already served longer in the Legislature than any lawmaker in history 46 years and even has a hearing room named after him. In most elections past, he has coasted to victory without a challenge. Chambers had endorsed McKinney in a field of contenders in 2020 when he was not eligible to run, but now is challenging him. If Chambers wins, he has said he would not seek another term. --Henry J. Cordes Bacon holds off MAGA challenger Rep. Don Bacon fends off Trump-aligned primary challenger Dan Frei in Nebraska primary Incumbent Rep. Don Bacon held off populist challenger Dan Frei in the Republican primary for Nebraskas 2nd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. 11:10 p.m.: Republican Congressman Don Bacon on Tuesday held off a challenge from within his own party in Nebraskas primary on Tuesday. Bacon, who has represented the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District in the House since 2017, was taking more than 60% of the vote in his race against Dan Frei, an underfunded insurgent challenger who has enjoyed the backing of many Trump Republicans. The Associated Press called the race for Bacon just before 9 p.m. Some Republicans have seen Bacon as not supportive enough of Donald Trump. But embracing the controversial former president could prove challenging for him in November in a swing district that is often closely contested between Republicans and Democrats. Bacon is now set for a rematch with State Sen. Tony Vargas, a Democrat who ran unopposed in his party's primary Tuesday. Bacon beat Vargas by a 51%-49% margin in 2022, and he won his previous races by similarly thin margins. In a presidential election year where turnout figures to be high, Democrats see an opportunity in November. Trump in 2022 called for Republicans in the Omaha area to launch a challenge against Bacon. He had criticized Bacon for supporting President Joe Bidens infrastructure bill, which Bacon said had strong support among his constituents. Bacon had also angered some Trump supporters for criticizing the presidents inaction after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol in an effort to stop the electoral vote count on Jan. 6, 2021. With Trump loyalists largely having taken over the state and local Republican party organizations, Frei had received the endorsement of the State GOP and both Douglas and Sarpy County GOP organizations, despite Bacons status as a four-term incumbent Republican. But Bacon has enjoyed the power of incumbency, including the endorsement of most prominent Republicans in the state and a big advantage in fundraising. Frei similarly in 2014 challenged Republican incumbent Lee Terry Jr. After Terry narrowling beat Frei by 3,000 votes in the primary, he went on to lose the general election in November to Democrat Brad Ashford. Both 1st District U.S. Rep. Mike Flood and 3rd District Rep. Adrian Smith also faced challengers within their party but won comfortably Tuesday. Flood faces a challenge in November from Democrat Carol Blood, a former Nebraska state senator from Bellevue. And Nebraska's incumbent Republican U.S. Senators were also comfortably won their primary races despite facing inter-party challengers. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer was taking almost 80% of the vote against Arron Kowalski. Meanwhile, Pete Ricketts was also running up close to 80% of the vote against challengers John Glen Weaver and Mac Stevens. Both Nebraska Senate seats are on the ballot this year as Ricketts appointed to the seat by Gov. Jim Pillen is running to fill the unexpired term of former senator Ben Sasse. Ricketts faces a challenge in November from Democrat Preston Love Jr., who was unopposed in his primary on Tuesday. --Henry J. Cordes State board of education features close contests Nebraska State Board of Education races become clearer after primary votes Primary voters narrowed the field Tuesday in two races for the Nebraska State Board of Education, although the final outcome hasn't entirely been determined. 11:05 p.m.: The State Board of Education in recent years has provided some hotly contested races, and Tuesday proved no exception. In Subdistrict 4, which represents eastern Douglas County, Democrat Liz Renner had nearly 50% of the vote, with nonpartisan LeDonna White Griffin and Republican Stacy Matula in a close race for second. In Subdistrict 2, made up of several counties in southeast Nebraska, including Sarpy, Republican Linda Vermooten was receiving nearly 45% of the vote in a race against two Democrats. Maggie Douglas was second with 36% and Karen Morgan third at almost 20%. The races are officially nonpartisan. The top two finishers in each race will face off in November. --Lauren Wagner All regents up for election advance to November 11:00 p.m.: The four incumbents running for the University of Nebraskas Board of Regents all were leading their races Tuesday, in most cases comfortably. In Omahas District 4, Elizabeth OConnor was taking almost two-thirds of the vote against challenger Jim Rogers. In District 8, another Omaha-area district, Barbara Weitz was likewise garnering nearly two-thirds against Zachary Mellender. In District 5, incumbent Rob Schafer of Beatrice faced two challengers but was pulling in over 50% of the vote. Regent Jim Scheer of Norfolk was running unopposed. The top two finishers in each district advance to run in November. Bellevue sales tax increase sinks 10:38 p.m.: Voters in Bellevue soundly rejected a proposed half-cent sales tax. In incomplete returns, more than 60% of voters gave a thumbs down to the tax that would be earmarked for public infrastructure projects, including possibly helping to pay for a planned regional water park. The Bellevue tax would go to two cents on each $1 purchase, in line with Papillion, Gretna and LaVista. --Henry J. Cordes Two other Legislature incumbents in close races 10:19 p.m.: State Sen. Terrell McKinney was not the only incumbent state lawmaker in a tight race on Tuesday. Robert Dover of Norfolk, appointed to the District 19 seat by then-Gov. Pete Ricketts, was narrowly behind Jeanne Reigle in District 19, though still likely to advance to the November election in a three-candidate race. In Grand Island-area District 35, incumbent Sen. Ray Aquilar was narrowly behind Dan Quick in a two-candidate race. Both would be expected to continue the close battle into November. Omaha city charter changes passing, but two are close Bellevue sales tax increase trailing, four of six Omaha charter amendments cruising The Bellevue City Council had put the half-cent sales tax increase on the ballot to raise money for public infrastructure projects. It appears all six Omaha city charter amendments were on their way to passage on Tuesday night, though a couple are close calls. Amendment 1, a technical cleanup that would remove a section of the charter that is superseded by state law, was narrowly passing in incomplete results. Amendment 6, which would raise the minimum purchase or contract amount that needs city approval from $20,000 to $50,000, was also only slightly ahead. The other four amendments were comfortably on their way to passage. --Chris Burbach Nebraska partisans appear ready for Biden vs. Trump II Primary results suggest Nebraska partisans ready for Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump rematch If Tuesdays primary results are any indication, Nebraskans appear ready for another Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump race for the White House. Nebraskans appear ready for another Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump race for the White House though whether the current president or former one faces an enthusiasm gap within his party remains to be seen. Biden, the Democratic incumbent who essentially has been unopposed in his bid for his partys renomination, was receiving more than 90% of Tuesdays Nebraska primary vote. He faced nominal opposition from Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips. Trump had to vanquish a number of challengers earlier this year on his way to becoming the Republicans presumptive nominee for the third straight election. But he still had competition on the ballot in Nebraska Tuesday, particularly from former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. In incomplete returns, Trump was receiving more than 75% of the vote. The vast majority of the rest were going to Haley, with Michigan businessman Perry Johnson receiving a smattering of votes. --Henry J. Cordes Now its time for results 8 p.m.: Polls have closed and election workers have begun the work of tallying the results of Nebraskas primary election. Stay tuned to Omaha.com for the Nebraska primary election results Tick, tick, tick . . . 7:55 p.m.: Polls set to close in five minutes. First Nebraska results expected soon after. A first-time voter in Elkhorn 5:55 p.m.: Sean Staras dad encouraged the 19-year-old Elkhorn youth to cast his first ballot in Tuesdays primary. A registered non-partisan, he studied the candidates positions and wrote notes in an app on his cell phone before he showed up to his polling place at The Relevant Center, on West Maple Road. I like knowing I can make something of a change, Stara said. Meanwhile, some populist insurgents may be toppling GOP traditionalists at the state and county level in Nebraska, but Tom Mann, 72, likes the establishment Republicans hes gotten to know often personally. Thats why he cast ballots for incumbent Sen. Pete Ricketts and Rep. Don Bacon over their opponents when he voted at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in northwest Omaha Tuesday. He said he got to know Ricketts personally a few years ago, when both their mothers were in the same Omaha nursing home. I wanted to make sure Pete Ricketts stays in, Mann said. He hasnt met Bacon, but he said hes impressed with the four-term incumbents military service. Bacon served 29 years in the Air Force, retiring as a brigadier general in 2014. I think we need someone in office who knows what it means to commit troops overseas, Mann said. He knows the cost. Its not just another Benghazi. - Steve Liewer A petition at the May primary 5:31 p.m.: At the Washington Elementary School polling place in Omahas Dundee-Memorial Park neighborhood, poll workers as of 3:30 p.m. said every voter who had come in had a proper identification card and was able to vote. Dan Gilbert, a Democrat who came to cast his ballot, said he was delighted to hear the new law had not been a deterrent. He called voter ID laws a product of a made-up problem. Theres no evidence of voter fraud in America at any scale at all, he said. And every time supporters of voter ID are challenged on that, they have no answer. Outside the polling place and the street, retired Westside school teacher and neighborhood resident Dave Richardson was collecting petition signatures in the drive to repeal the $10 million appropriation the Legislature made for private school scholarships. He had collected 18 signatures as of 4 p.m., saying few hed asked had declined to sign. He found an avid supporter in Kim Armstrong. She noted she had collected 15 signatures herself last year in the successful petition drive challenging another effort by state lawmakers to provide $25 million toward such scholarships. So Im so mad that they did that again, she said. - Henry Cordes Voting at Masonic Prince Hall Grand Lodge 5:30 p.m.: At Masonic Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 2418 Ames Avenue in Omaha, 42 had voted by the early evening. - Chris Machian One voter says voter ID is 'dumbest law ever' 5:02 p.m.: So far, there appear to few, if any, problems on Nebraskas new voter ID law. At polling places in Sons of Italy, located south of downtown Omaha at 1238 S. 10th St., and Masonic Prince Hall Grand Lodge at 24th Street and Ames Avenue in North Omaha, inspectors reported registered voters have complied with the new requirement that they show state-issued identification. That doesnt mean every voter is happy about the new requirement. Its really the dumbest thing ever, said Joe Monestero, a 74-year-old registered Democrat who considers himself an independent. Monestero, who voted at the Sons of Italy event hall, said he had no problem presenting his drivers license to poll workers. But he believes the new law is a solution to a problem that doesnt exist. Some people had a mother who was 70-80 years old, didnt drive a car, was a housewife (or) whatever. She may have never had an ID. She certainly didnt have a state ID, Monestero said. And yet, she could go to her bank without an ID and sign her name. And they took her name by what she said she was. Now you come up here and theyre like, Well, weve got to know its really you, he added. Its a stupid law. Monestero and Peter Olson, a 29-year-old Democrat, said theyve always voted. This primary season, they both were motivated by specific down-ballot races. Olson voted for Yanira Garcia, who is competing for a two-year term representing District 3 on the Regional Metropolitan Transit Board. District 3 covers a southern portion of downtown Omaha as well as South Omaha. Other candidates for that position include John Sullivan and Andrew Adams. As he walked back to his bicycle outside the Sons of Italy hall, Olson described himself an avid user of public transportation. Im hoping whoever we elect to that position is able to help build up the biking and transit infrastructure in the city, he said. Monestero said proposed changes to the citys Home Rule Charter caught his eye. He voted against a proposed change to increase the minimum monetary threshold on contracts requiring City Council action from $20,000 to $50,000. Its become too easy to spend money and just not worry about it, he said. Thats not the way most of us have to live. More than 65 people voted at the Sons of Italy polling place, which covers precinct 03-10, by 3:10 p.m. Tuesday. A precinct inspector said she was told that number was higher than other polling places have recorded, although its down from previous primary election cycles. Turnout was light at the Masonic Prince Hall Grand Lodge, which served as the polling place for precinct 02-06. A precinct inspector said just 20 people had come to the lodge to vote by 1:30 p.m. - Dan Crisler A vote for Nikki Haley 4:58 p.m.: Ally Morrill rode out the Arbor Day tornado April 26 on the bottom floor of her Ramblewood home, protecting her youngest son, a toddler. The storm vented its worst fury a few blocks away. Our windows broke. Everything in our backyard was gone, said Morrill, 36, of Elkhorn. At least we could still live in our house. Now weve got a new roof. The mother of four cares about education, and she cares about setting an example for her kids. Those were two reasons Morrill, a registered nonpartisan, turned out to vote mid-morning Tuesday at The Relevant Center, just across West Maple Road from Ramblewood. She was most enthusiastic about voting for Bill McAllister in the District 3 race for the State Board of Education. I feel like hes more leaning toward being inclusive of all students, Morrill said. Plus, Gina Bruner of Elkhorn cast a Republican ballot in Tuesdays primary. She cast her ballot for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley even though former President Donald Trump is the last remaining candidate, and the presumptive nominee. I know she dropped out, but I still voted for her, Bruner said. Im not big on Trump. I dont like some of the things hes done. - Steve Liewer Midtown electricity glitch, Skutt chalk drawing 4:48 p.m.: Voting at polling places throughout Douglas County was light through the first half of primary day, Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said. He expected it to pick up later in the day. By mid-afternoon, Kruse said the election appeared to be going smoothly, with few hiccups. Two polling places lost electricity from about 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., but Kruse said the power outages did not affect voting. They happened at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, on 60th Street north of Center Street, and Lifegate Church, 55th and Leavenworth Streets. We called our rep at OPPD immediately, and OPPD was on it right away, Kruse said. Lifegate had plenty of natural light, he said. The polling place at St. Matthew was in a basement social hall. People from the church loaned poll workers flashlights. Poll workers also used their phone flashlights. And the election commission sent four battery powered lanterns so people could see to vote until the lights came back on. Kruse said OPPD told him the outage happened because a private contractor had cut a power line. Social media was abuzz Tuesday with reports of pro-life messages drawn in chalk near a polling place at Skutt High School. The messages didnt violate rules against electioneering at polling places because abortion was not an issue on the ballot Tuesday, Kruse said. If there should happen to be ballot initiatives on that issue in the fall, that (the chalked messages) would be an issue, Kruse said. He said there had been very few calls by mid-afternoon to the election commissions call center for resolving problems. By 11:30 a.m., only person had needed to fill out a provisional ballot because they lacked proper ID. The voter had an out-of-state drivers license and will have an opportunity to show another form of ID thats acceptable under Nebraskas new voter ID law. - Christopher Burbach A tornado relief site becomes a polling place 2:56 p.m.: In the same space that not long ago was stockpiled with supplies for tornado victims, some Elkhorn voters were casting their ballots on Tuesday. Poll workers at The Relevant Center located at West Maple Road and Elkhorn Drive said the day had started off slow, but more voters were beginning to roll in by mid-afternoon. The election inspector on site said there hadnt been any issues with the new ID requirement so far. Tom Lister, 71, stopped by the center to vote shortly after 2 p.m. Lister said he votes nonpartisan and is more excited for the general election in November, but felt it was important to vote in the primary too. Its just part of the deal, he said. Lister said he felt lucky that his home in a nearby neighborhood wasnt hit in the Arbor Day tornado that devastated parts of Elkhorn. It seems like people are pulling together pretty well, he said. As well as anyone can when you lose your house. Joseph Pietrocini with Relevant Community Church said the purpose of the center is to support the community, whether thats through tornado relief or providing a place to vote. Its been crazy to say the least, Pietrocini said of the last month. But its been really encouraging to see how our community has come around. - Luna Stephens Motivated voters at Chalco 2:09 p.m.: Voters were few but highly motivated by mid-day Tuesday at the Papio Natural Resources District offices in Sarpy County. State Sen. Jen Day, who is seeking re-election and her husband and campaign manager, Jon, voted about 1 p.m. They had just left when Gary Bunjer arrived to cast his ballot in hopes of replacing Day in the Legislature with one of her two challengers. Democracy in action. Of course its important for us, Day said. Were really politically engaged. And Im on the ballot. The Days, who are Democrats, were only the 32nd and 33rd people to vote at their polling place, Precinct 54. But Jon Day said that a lot more people typically vote there in the evening, after work. Bunjer, a 73-year-old Republican, said that a lot of people say a primary doesnt make any difference. But this one is a biggie for this part of the state, Bunjer said. Ive been very annoyed with what Jen Day has done in the Legislature, and Im also hoping to get Don Bacon out of there and Dan Frei in. Bacon is the incumbent U.S. representative from Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District. Frei is challenging him for the Republican nomination to face likely Democratic challenger Tony Vargas in November. Bunjer said complying with the voter ID law was not an issue for him. It just makes sense, he said. I use ID for lots of stuff. Jen Day said voter ID seemed to be going well Tuesday. People are aware, she said, noting that in addition to all the publicity before primary day, there are signs outside some polling places detailing requirements in case some people didnt know or forgot. Its going to be an impediment for some voters which is unfortunate, she said. Because the goal is always to have more voters turn out. Day said Nebraskans decided they wanted voter ID, and that she thought the Legislature had done a good job of implementing a plan that requires ID but still makes access to a ballot available to everyone whos qualified to vote. Poll workers said there had been no problems so far with voter ID. Not only had there been no complaints, but several voters had thanked them for asking for ID. Chris Burbach Smooth, slow traffic in Elkhorn 2:25 p.m.: Poll workers said its been an extremely slow day so far at the polling site at Brookside Church near 204th Street and West Maple Road in Elkhorn. Only 20 voters had come in as of 1:30 p.m but all had remembered to bring their IDs under the new requirement, according to the election inspector on site, who declined to share his name. Everything, as far as Im concerned, has been pretty smooth, the inspector said. - Luna Stephens Voting 'dirt simple' at church in Papillion 1:46 p.m.: John Brandeau said voting was dirt simple at Wildewood Christian Church in Papillion. Well, simple once he remembered his wallet. Brandeau said he patted his pockets before heading to his polling place and thought the lump he felt was his wallet. He discovered it was headphones once he arrived at the church across the street from Papillion La Vista High School at 1255 Royal Drive. He ran home and got his wallet and ID. When he returned to the church, there was no line to vote, and he was in and out within minutes. Brandeau said thats typical for his polling place. Brandeau, 66, has never missed a primary or general election. And hes voted just about every way possible. He submitted absentee ballots while serving overseas during his military service. He requested a ballot in the mail when he was going to be out of town during an election. And he lived in Florida during the era of punched card ballots and the resulting hanging chads. In comparison, showing an ID to vote on a paper ballot seemed easy to Brandeau. He voted, handed his ballot in and was outside enjoying the sunshine in the churchs parking lot around 12:30 p.m. As he left, other voters arrived in the parking lot. Most were in and out of the church in about 10 minutes or less. Emily Nitcher School board candidate wave campaign 1:09 p.m.: Carla Kloeckner, candidate for Papillion La Vista school board, and some supporters engage in last-minute sidewalk campaigning Tuesday afternoon at the corner of First and Washington streets in Papillion. Joining her were Jaclyn Gibbons, Melanie Haakinson and Christine Schulte. "I have worked and volunteered, not only in our schools, but our community as a whole for the past 15 years," Kloeckner said. "And I saw a need to bring on some fresh faces to our school board. And I hope that everything I've done thus far will get me the votes to get there." - Joe Dejka Mother, daughter, Republican, Democrat 12:58 p.m.: It was easy to find a parking spot outside Holy Name Catholic Church. Shortly before noon Tuesday, the church, located at 2901 Fontenelle Boulevard in North Omaha, only had about 16 to 18 voters total from precincts 02-17 and 02-18 come through its doors to cast ballots, an inspector said. The inspector, who declined to share his name, attributed the very light turnout to some of the high-profile races, including the presidential primaries, having already been decided. Turnout could pick up after dinner, he said. Natalie and Carolyn Schaal were two of the voters who cast ballots. Natalie, a 35-year-old Democrat, was motivated to cast a ballot for President Joe Biden although shes not his biggest fan, particularly of his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. He could do better. But it is what it is, Natalie said. Her mother, Carolyn, was motivated to cast a vote against U.S. Rep. Don Bacon in the Republican primary. She voted for challenger Dan Frei. Carolyn also voted for former President Donald Trump at the presidential level. Unfortunately, the two we have are not necessarily the best, the 70-year-old Republican said. They both have a record so you can compare and contrast and you go with what you think is best. Despite their different political preferences, both mother and daughter believe in voting in every election they can. I feel like its our civic duty, Carolyn said. - Dan Crisler Quiet as a church in Rockbrook 12:28 p.m.: Just before noon, poll workers outnumbered voters at Rockbrook United Methodist Church, 99th Avenue and West Center Road. There were three workers and two people casting ballots. That brought the number of voters to a grand total of 59. So a little slow. Voter ID was working smoothly at Rockbrook, similar to how Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said it had gone during early in-person voting at commission headquarters. By noon Tuesday, everyone voting at Rockbrook had identification, and no one had complained, poll workers said. After casting her ballot at Rockbrook, Debbie Hinrichs said she votes in every election. Its the only way you have a choice, said Hinrichs, a 74-year-old Republican. She said voting with an ID for the first time went well. Im glad we have it, she said of Nebraskas voter ID law. I know we dont have that much of a concern in this county or state, but it addresses an issue. - Christopher Burbach The scene in South O 10:45 a.m.: Marty Foral is the fourth voter as of 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Social Hall. As of 10:45, at the nearby American Legion Post 331, they had eight ballots cast, plus one provisional ballot. - Chris Machian Voter ID law kicks into gear 10:15 a.m.: You couldnt miss the signs at Irving Recreation Center in Lincoln. VOTE HERE, said signs posted on each side of the Centers double doors. Underneath those words, in slightly smaller type, something new: PHOTO ID REQUIRED. Nebraska has a new voter ID law, and this primary election is the first application of the process. You can read more about the law here. The state also posted, on the door of Irving Recreation Center, identifications that wouldnt work including out-of-state university IDs. So if youre a Nebraska resident who goes to Iowa, that gold-and-black ID wont cut it on Primary Day. Timothy Titus, 81, of Papillion said he's glad Nebraska is checking voter IDs. "I have a military ID, and I use it all the time," said Titus, who voted at the Sarpy County Courthouse. "It doesn't bother me a bit. I think it's a great thing that they finally did that. It's always bothered me to come and vote and just sign my name. Nobody'd know who I was. " Margaret Olson of Papillion, who voted at the courthouse, said the ID check went smoothly she showed a driver's license but she said there's not enough evidence of voter fraud to justify the checks. "I think they fixed something that wasn't broken," Olson said. - Joe Dejka and Sam McKewon U.S. Rep. Don Bacon casts his vote 8 a.m.: At the Sarpy County Sheriff Administration Building in Papillion, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon cast his primary vote Tuesday morning. Bacon faces Dan Frei in the contest for the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Douglas County, Saunders County and part of Sarpy County. Here's how The World-Herald previewed the race: "Frei is the underfunded insurgent mounting a populist challenge to an incumbent congressman who is backed by the Republican establishment. And once again, the fierce intra-party fight has implications for whether Republicans will keep their hold on an important congressional seat in a swing district." 2nd Congressional District challenger Dan Frei votes in Omaha 8 a.m.: Like Bacon, Dan Frei voted as soon as the polls opened. Frei, who voted at the Harvey Oaks Elementary School polling location in Omaha, has the endorsements of populist-dominated Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders, and state GOP committees. Photos: Nebraska Primary Election Day 2024 LINCOLN A former longtime mentor of gifted students at the Lincoln Public Schools has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison in a child pornography case. Joseph Maciarz Jr., 62, pleaded guilty to receiving images of child sexual abuse as part of a plea agreement. Senior U.S. District Judge John Gerrard sentenced him Monday to the prison term, which is set to start July 31, plus 12 years of supervised release. He also ordered him to pay $24,000 restitution and a $5,000 fine as part of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. There is no parole in federal court. In February 2023, Nebraska State Patrol troopers arrested Maciarz on state charges, and he later was indicted on the allegations. Federal prosecutors say that on Nov. 5, 2022, a State Patrol investigator discovered files depicting child sexual abuse that had been shared through a peer-to-peer network online. The IP address tracked back to Maciarzs home in Lincoln. Law enforcement served a search warrant Jan. 19, 2023, finding more than 4,000 files depicting minors victims ranging from infants to 9-year-olds engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Maciarz, who was home when investigators arrived, admitted that he had been downloading and uploading child pornography off and on for 20 years. He wasnt accused of making the images. At sentencing Monday, Maciarz told the judge he was sure a lot of people end up there thinking it was just pictures and videos and it didnt mean anything. Ive had a long time to think about that and what it really was, Maciarz said. I guess I just never put myself in their situation, in their shoes. And I began to feel how I would feel if I had been in their place and if those pictures and videos were still available for everybody to look at. He said that he wouldnt feel good about it and that hes had a lot of time to think about it over the past year. I understood its against the law, he said. But its been a lot. Its destroyed my life. Maciarz said the word shame isnt strong enough. He wishes he could take it back, but he cant. Gerrard said: It affects a lot of lives. He told Maciarz this was an extremely serious charge, youve already recognized why. Most defendants before him are just like Maciarz and dont understand the damage until theyre in court. This was 20 years of uploading or downloading child pornography, Gerrard said, adding that the case involved among the largest number of images and among the most vile. You led a Jekyll-and-Hyde life nobody else knew about. Maciarz had been a contracted gifted mentor for the Lincoln Public Schools since December 1994, and most recently assigned to Sheridan Elementary School and Scott Middle School. His employment with the district ended in January 2023. A 53-year-old Juniata, Nebraska, man was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to 15 years in prison for receipt and distribution of child pornography. Coren C. Potts, who was sentenced in Lincoln, will serve a 15-year term of supervised release after finishing his prison sentence. He also will be required to continue registering as a sex offender. In March 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received several CyberTips from a cloud-based storage account, that a user had uploaded at least 50 files of visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct featuring children. The tips were relayed to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Agents found the depicted child pornography and obtained search warrants for both the wireless account and the cloud account associated with a Kansas phone number which returned to Potts, who was living in Juniata. Potts is a registered sex offender, having been convicted in 2008 in the federal district court in Kansas for possession and receipt or distribution of child pornography. At that time, the investigation was turned over to the Nebraska State Patrol. Potts was interviewed and volunteered there was pornography on his phone. His phone was examined and a review of its contents located 85 video files and 222 still images of child pornography. Juniata is a village in south-central Nebraska about seven miles west of Hastings. A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Bwari has restrained Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and eight others from considering the report of the Senates ad hoc committee set up to probe the April 18, 2018 invasion of the Senate by some unidentified hoodlums. In a ruling yesterday, Justice Othman Musa said the restraining order shall remain, pending the determination of a suit filed by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. The senator is challenging the legitimacy of the ad hoc committee constituted by the Senates leadership on April 25, last year, in the wake of the invasion when the Senates mace was also stolen. Justice Musa said: Leave is granted to the spplicant to serve the first to the 10th respondents by substituted means, by serving the originating motion and other processes in the suit on any responsible clerk or staff at the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly at the National Assembly complex, Three Arms Zone, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, or publishing same processes in any national daily with national circulation. Reliefs iii, iv, v, vi are not granted as prayed. In its place, the first to 10th respondents are ordered and admonished not to obstruct the cause of justice and abide by the authority in the Supreme Court decision in UBA Plc vs. Ajabule 2011, LPELR 8239 SC and Military Governor, Lagos State vs. Ojukwu. To this end, the respondents, their servants, agents, officers, privies, sergeants-at-arms or whosoever are restrained from taking any further action on this subject matter, and to maintain the status quo as of today, pending the hearing of the originating motion. The originating motion and all pending applications are fixed to May 13 for definite hearing. Case is adjourned till May 13 for definite hearing. Listed as first to 10th defendants are: the Senate President, the House of Representatives Speaker, the Deputy Senate President, the House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Senator Ahmed Lawan (Senate Leader), Senator Bala NaAllah (Chairman, joint ad hoc committee investigating the Invasion of the National Assembly on April 18, 2018 and the theft thereof of the mace) for himself and on behalf of all other members of the committee. Others are: Betty Apiafi (Co-Chairman Chairman, joint ad hoc committee investigating the Invasion of the National Assembly on April 18, 2018 and the theft thereof of the mace), the Clerk of the National assembly, the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Omo-Agege averred that Saraki, before setting up the ad hoc committee, told the media that he (Omo-Agege) was responsible for the invasion. He argued that by so acting, the Senate President had prejudged the outcome of the investigation by the committee. Police officers The Police Service Commission has said it could not verify the academic credentials of 80,724 applicants shortlisted for employment into the Constable cadre in the Nigeria Police Force. A report by Punch revealed that the Commission stated that the candidates were shortlisted based on their physical attributes, noting that the verification of their certificates would be done by the West African Examination Council after their admission into police colleges for training. The Commissions spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, said successful applicants who were invited to write an aptitude test on Saturday, must have five credit pass including English and Mathematics, to qualify for recruitment. He explained that the test will hold in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The 80,724 candidates were shortlisted from the 210,150 applicants who applied for the 10,000 police slots. A total of 315,032 online applications were received at the close of the Commissions recruitment portal on January 11, 2019. Responding to questions about the number of applicants who failed to meet the academic requirements for the exercise, Ani said, What we are doing is, we screen the documents and their physical attributes. At this point, we dont have all it takes to verify certificates, but we look at it and if it looks okay, we pass it. He added, When they (applicants) finally get in, there would be proper scrutiny of the certificates after they get to the (Police) colleges. I think we would write to WAEC to confirm the certificates, but at this point, we are just looking at them (certificates) and the one that is okay, we would pass. The person must have five credit pass including in English and Mathematics. The Commissions spokesman, who is in Anambra State for the exercise, further explained that only those with physical deformities were dropped during the physical screening conducted by the Nigeria Police Force. He said candidates who passed the aptitude test would also be subjected to medical screening to ascertain their health and fitness for the job. The Police handled the physical screening and if you dont have a flat foot or knock knee and if your results appear fine, then they would pass you to the next level, but the medical screening would be done for those who passed the examination, Ani noted. Commenting on the planned recruitment of 40,000 community police officers announced by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, the PSC spokesman said the Commission was not part of the initiative. He stated, There is no meeting where it has been discussed with the Commission; The Commission is not part of it. I dont have a brief that the Commission is part of it, but I feel the Commission should be part of it. The Resource Center For Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), on Sunday called for full scale investigation on the death of a pupil following the collapse of a school building in Zaria, Kaduna State. The Executive Director, CHRICED, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, made the call in Zaria during a town hall meeting on the state of UBEC/SUBEB interventions in Kauru, Kubau and Zaria LGAs. According to Zikirullahi, the deceased, Musa Umaru, an 11-year-old primary four pupil of Umar Isa LGEA Primary School, Dembo in Zaria Local Government Area, died when a pillar of a classroom collapsed on him. He said that the school building was poorly constructed in 2013. We are calling on government to investigate this incident, hold the contractor who built the school accountable and also reach out to the family of the boy in question. Represented by Armsfree Ajanuku, Media Associate, CHRICED, the director lamented that, even where no death occurred, the tragic consequences of sentencing children to learn in poor environment must be addressed. He expressed dismay over the poor infrastructure and lack of required inputs to make learning possible in primary schools. We see these realities everyday in school buildings without roofs, classrooms without furniture, absence of functional toilets and running water, thereby creating hygiene crisis which jeopardizes the health of the children. Read Also: Human rights group blames Borno govt over plight of 100,000 refugees from Cameroon Zikirullahi noted that many schools within the LGAs where projects are being monitored, lacked fences, which exposed children to security threats and vandalism of the already inadequate structures. He therefore called on communities to make enquiries about fundings, progress and quality of work on SUBEB projects and also show interest in understanding projects and other interventions relating to basic education. Communities should note that goverment devotes a certain portion of public funds to basic foundational education. They need to enquire if these resources are being utilized efficiently and if the projects match the resources allocated. If otherwise, then people should raise concern and show commitment in addressing the accountability problems. A participant at the meeting, who doubles as District Head of Kubau and a monitor of UBEC/SUBEB projects in various communities, Ayuba Abdullahi, complained of lack of teachers in schools. There are about ten existing schools in Kubau with a population of about 300 pupils in a class without teachers. The newly recruited teachers who were transferred to our communities sought transfer and left to teach in other LGAs. They complain of security challenges despite our assurances of their safety in our communities. Our children are helpless despite their zeal to learn. Another participant, who is also a tracker of school projects, Yushau Abubakar, complained of abandoned schools and uncompleted projects. The newly recruited teachers complained of not being paid for seven months while other teachers that have been in active service and promoted to higher level are yet to receive salary upgrade. While responding to issues raised at the meeting, the Assistant Director, Social Mobilization, SUBEB, Aminu Ibrahim said teachers with salary arrears had some problems, which the goverment is working to resolve. On the issue of abandoned schools and uncompleted projects, we will do a follow-up and make investigations. But we must not forget to appauld this present administrations reforms in the education sector which has made remarkable impact on the lives of the ordinary people across the state. Also speaking, the representative of Zazzau Emirate, Sarkin Kasuwan Zazzau, Alhaji Abdullahi Bamalli, urged both goverment and project trackers to draw out modalities to address the challenges affecting the sector. The issues raised in the meeting regarding the poor state of some of the schools are crucial as it affect our childrens future. There is need for goverment to urgently address them. Goverment needs to also track contractors in order to achieve efficient delivery, Bamalli stressed. (NAN) The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says many Nigerians today can neither sing the National Anthem nor recite the National Pledge. Lai Mohammed stated at the public presentation of the Mindshift Advocacy for Development Initiative in Abuja on Thursday, October 17, 2019. The minister who was represented at the programme by a director in the ministry, Samuel Soughul, said as patriotic citizens, Nigerians are expected to love everything associated with the country. He lamented that despite the federal governments effort to reposition the country for greatness, few bad eggs in the society continue to constitute a clog in the wheel of progress. I think we are making progress. I wont say all, there are few bad eggs in our society that forming the clog in the wheel of our progress. Lets start from basics. If you love your country, you must love anything that is associated with your country. You love your country and you love your countrymen, you love the paraphernalia of the state. The National Anthem, some of us cannot read, cannot recite, cannot write. Is it the currency of the country, Naira that we abuse? Is it the Constitution that we do not obey its provisions? We have a lot to say but the future is still bright. Mohammed continued: In 1976, there was a desire by Prof. Felicia Adewole to come up with a contract for citizens to sign with their country, Nigeria and she made a draft which was proved right. That is what we have today as a National Pledge. By following that Pledge, we will not have turbulence around our homes, we will not need bullet-proof vehicles, we will be our brothers keeper. Meanwhile, Lai Mohammed had also claimed that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has sent corruption under the carpet. The Minister also alleged that 55 Nigerians shared a whopping sum of N1.3 billion during the past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, which is equivalent to what the present administration had spent on infrastructure development in four years. Osinbajo Yusuf Bawa, one of the outriders attached to the office of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, ought to be on duty at the time of the accident that led to the death of one of his colleagues. TheCable had reported how one of the escort riders in the convoy of Nigerias number two citizen died in an accident on Friday. The vice-president was heading to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja when the unfortunate incident happened. He had put off a trip he was making to Lagos so as to honour Ali Gomina, the police inspector who was knocked down while trying to clear the way for the motorcade of the vice-president. TheCable gathered that Gomina had stepped in for Bawa, who was attending to his sick wife. Sadly, his wife died on Saturday morning. Osinbajo paid a condolence visit to the family of Gomina, whose youngest child is just two days old. During the visit to the residence of the deceased officer in Gui, Abuja Municipal area council, Osinbajo assured them that the federal government would support the family in anyway necessary to ensure they are comfortable. The late Gomina who lost his first wife, Ajara, on September 29, 2016, is survived by his second wife, Asiya, and 12 children. His second son, Abdullahi, and first daughter, Hafsat, described the deceased as the best father anyone could ask for. They, however, appealed to the government to offer them scholarship to enable all of them go to school. They also cried out for help to enable them complete a house he had started to enable the family move in. Speaking to the media after the visit, Laolu Akande, spokesman of the vice-president, said the federal government will do all that is necessary to ensure the family is comfortable. He said: The vice-president has come to commiserate and console with the family of late Inspector Ali Gomina that lost his life during official duty. He was killed when a vehicle rammed into him, another vehicle came and hit him and threw him against another oncoming trailer. The vice-president had immediately aborted the trip and said he was going to come today. He had asked us to come ahead of him yesterday and inform the family and the village head. He came today personally to express his condolence to late Gominas family, wife, children and the entire community. And to say himself and the federal government of Nigeria will continue to support and do everything that is necessary to comfort this family. He is greatly saddened by what has happened. We will support in all necessary ways. Asked if the government will look into the scholarship requested by the children, Akande said: That wont be a problem at all. On the completion of the house the late police escort started, the VPs media aide said: Government will do everything that is right and is worthy of diligent and hard working officer like Inspector Ali Gomina. On the occasion of 62nd birthday anniversary of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday described his relationship with his deputy as one of a special bond. The President, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja said he joined Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, her children and other Nigerians across the country as well as friends around the world to celebrate Prof. Osinbajo. I join the world in celebrating this erudite scholar, Minister of the Gospel and a very dependable deputy with whom I share a very special bond, Buhari said. Buhari, expressed gratitude to God for preserving the life of Osinbajo. He added that in the past four years, Osinbajo has diligently championed the values of setting the foundation for the peace, progress and stability of the country, by working very hard to build a resilient economy, while promoting transparency and accountability. The President also extended special appreciation to the Vice President, wishing him many more years of robust health, happiness and fulfilment in his service to God, the nation and humanity. According to the president, he looks forward to sharing many special moments of celebration with Osinbajo as they take the country to the Next Level in the years ahead. In his own birthday message to the Vice President,the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG),Pastor Enoch Adeboye prayed God to strengthen Osinbajo. Adeboye in the message posted on his verified Twitter handle @PastorEAAdeboye said: BLOOMINGTON The man behind an effort to ask City of Bloomington Township voters about U.S. support for Israel said he plans to try again after opponents defeated the measure at a public meeting Tuesday night. Dozens of people gathered at the McLean County Government Center for a public hearing on the proposal, which would have placed a nonbinding referendum on November ballots asking residents about the country's financial support of Israel in light of the war with Hamas. The specific ballot question was: "Shall the United States federal government and subordinate divisions stop giving military funding to Israel, which currently costs $3.8 billion dollars a year, given Israels global recognition as an apartheid regime with a track record of human rights violations?" After hearing from residents who spoke for and against the measure, moderator David Stanczak asked registered voters in City of Bloomington Township to stand and be counted to show either support or opposition for the measure. The proposal was defeated, 28-88. Resident Caleb Sneeden prompted the public vote by collecting signatures on a petition seeking the referendum. He needed 15 signatures and said he got 22. Speaking after the meeting, Sneeden said he planned to try again, though it was not immediately clear if he could bring forward the same question or if the language would need to be changed. Sneeden and others who spoke in support of the referendum acknowledged it would not compel the township or federal government to take action. But they said it was important for residents to have a voice and place to register their disapproval of the country's actions in the Middle East. "The presence of, truly, so many people signals to our policymakers what matters to us," Sneeden said. "Will we stand by as our government perpetuates and allows foreign abuses and mass death or will we speak against it?" Local governments are the bedrock of the nation, said referendum supporter Sheheryar Muftee. He acknowledged the advisory nature of the question but said the residents of the City of Bloomington Township should have the opportunity to confront it for themselves. "You may choose to answer however you wish at the election," Muftee said. "But let us ask the question." Some opponents of the measure took issue with language used by supporters. Several spoke passionately about their opposition not only to the U.S. dropping support for Israel, but to the question being asked of voters at all. "By adding this question to the ballot, it tells your Jewish citizens us that we don't have a right to a homeland and we are no longer supported by this government," said resident Meryl Brown, who described herself as both "pro-Israel and pro-Palestine." "Both should and can exist," she said. "The question on this ballot does nothing to bring peace to the Middle East and only perpetuates Islamic jihad plans of clearing out Israel and the United States' complicity in it." Wearing a hat with the word "Israel" emblazoned in block letters, Dave Murray cited biblical context for his position that the U.S. should provide continued support. "Israel doesn't need the U.S. help, because God's on their side," Murray said, referencing a religious text. "But we give them money, because it says if we bless Israel, God will bless us. If we don't, God will curse us." Janna Alshabah, the 18-year-old founder of Free Palestine BloNo, said people who say they stand for human rights cannot truly do so unless they also stand for the rights of Palestinian people. "I come from a strong force of people who are challenged every single day with life or death," said Alshabah, an American who said she has lived here all of her life but has Palestinian relatives. "And while I'm grateful for my life," she continued, "I can't help but think about the things that the Palestinians my age face every single day whether it's finding their dead family members or realizing that their bloodlines have been wiped from existence." Like Sneeden, she vowed that her advocacy work would continue. "Just because this vote did not go the way that I wanted it to does not mean this is the last time that we will fight for justice for my people," she said after the vote. Gaza war protests ignite on US college campuses Eugene Hoffman, a Southwest Research Institute research engineer, experiences partial gravity during a parabolic flight in April. Courtesy Steve Boxall Eugene Hoffman, a Southwest Research Institute research engineer, observes the water boiling experiment payload during a flight that mimics partial-gravity environments. Courtesy Steve Boxall Emilio Gordon, a Southwest Research Institute research engineer, with the water boiling experiment payload during a flight that mimics partial gravity environments. Courtesy Steve Boxall Emilio Gordon, of Southwest Research Institute; Bonnie Dunbar, Texas A&M University; Eugene Hoffman, SwRI; and Akbar Whizin, SwRI, stand in front of the aircraft that mimics partial-gravity environments by flying in parabolic arcs. Courtesy Steve Boxall Emilio Gordon, left, of Southwest Research Institute, Bonnie Dunbar, center, a Texas A&M University professor of aerospace, and Eugene Hoffman, SwRI, stand with the experiment materials on the aircraft. Courtesy Steve Boxall A group of Southwest Research Institute and Texas A&M University scientists recently found out that watched pots do boil even in space. That was no surprise to the team studying how liquids boil in places with less gravity than Earth, such as the moon or Mars. But theyre trying to understand more about the phenomenon thats critical to many aspects of life. Theyre doing so by flying with an experiment they built on a plane that simulates microgravity. Its a ride some refer to as a vomit comet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We understand boiling fairly well here on Earth because we have centuries of data for it, but what we dont have is a lot of data, when you reduce the gravity level, how boiling works, said Kevin Supak, the SwRI program manager leading the study. That affects the buoyancy, and more or less how that gas stays attached to a surface. Many processes to support life in space such as cooking, manufacturing, producing fuels and generating power could require boiling liquids, so understanding the phenomenon is important as humans increasingly look to future planetary destinations. Less gravity means less buoyancy and different surface tension, Supak said, both of which impact bubbles sizes and how much force they must overcome before detaching from the surface. Its a fairly complicated process, he said, but we were mostly focused in on how big the bubbles have to get before they can overcome that force that keeps them attached to the surface. Advertisement Article continues below this ad How they did it To do so, they built a shoebox-size payload with four sections, each with a small heater and container of fluid. Each quadrant had a different surface material and texture so the scientists could see how the bubbles would react, said Eugene Hoffman, a SwRI research engineer. The experiment included GoPro cameras, temperature sensors and an accelerometer to collect the data. SwRI funded the nearly two-yearlong study at a cost of about $375,000. It partnered with Texas A&M, which paid for two parabolic flights in exchange for SwRIs assistance on the experiment. Hoffman and other SwRI and Texas A&M scientists flew with the experiment on the Zero-G aircraft out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in late April. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It was pretty awesome a pretty unique experience, said Hoffman, who completed his doctorate in mechanical engineering at UTSA in June. Its probably the most unique thing Ive done. Over two days, the team flew on two hour-and-a-half flights that performed 35 to 40 parabolas simulating decreased gravity environments for about 20 seconds each. When not watching the experiment, Hoffman said he had some time to move around and experience microgravity, but not too much. The first day, after we got some data, we had chance to go around and bounce around and that almost got me into trouble, and I was like, Oof, I should stop bouncing and jumping around, he said. Its easier when you are sitting down and focused on one thing rather than playing and jumping and doing cartwheels that can make you feel really sick. The largely autonomous payload was mounted to the floor of the aircraft, and Hoffman and company monitored the fluids, heaters, cameras and measurements throughout the flights. Next steps Now, Hoffman, Supak and the team are combing through the data they gathered. As expected, theyre seeing larger bubbles in decreased gravity. Larger bubbles, Supak said, take longer to detach from the surface, and that produces higher surface temperatures. So, if you cant detach bubbles from the surface, then that surface is going to heat up more because the boiling is stalled, and thats called critical heat flux, he said. Thats why we care about it, so we dont overheat surfaces when we need to do a process like this on the Martian surface. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats why theyre testing different materials and surface textures to see what works best at different levels of gravity. They plan to publish their results and hope the study leads to more opportunities to study boiling liquids in decreased gravity. The short duration of the parabolic flights limits data collection, so theyre hoping for a longer duration mission. That could include putting a payload on a suborbital rocket, the International Space Station and eventually sending something that could operate on the moon or Mars, Supak said. Its always harder than what it seems, and thats not unique to space, Supak said. Anytime you build something or do something for the first time, theres always things that you did not anticipate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Learning about boiling liquids in space is a small piece of knowledge needed to further human space exploration. Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), in a move aimed at empowering small businesses and driving economic growth. The agreement signed on May 10, 2024, at the end of a one-day working visit to Lome, the capital of Togo unlocks a stream of US$200million in funding for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) via concessional lending by Ghana Exim Bank (GEXIM) and the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB). This partnership with EBID marks a significant step toward driving sustainable economic growth and fostering resilience within our SME sector. The commitment of US$200million underscores our dedication to empowering SMEs, creating jobs and catalysing innovation for long-term economic prosperity, Dr. Amin Adam said during the event. While it is widely accepted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the lifeblood of economies, serving as engines of innovation, economic growth and job creation, they need help securing adequate financing. By the end of 2021, there were approximately 332.99 million SMEs worldwide; constituting over 90 percent of businesses and accounting for more than 50 percent of global employment. Globally, SMEs contribute significantly to economic vitality. They represent 50 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employ 60 percent of the private sector workforce. The impact of SMEs extends to all corners of the globe, fuelling economic growth and fostering resilience. Domestically, there are approximately 850,000 SMEs representing about 90 percent of businesses and contributing to more than 80 percent of employment. The economic contribution of SMEs in the country is particularly notable, constituting around 70 percent of the countrys GDP and 80 percent of private sector employment. Women-led SMEs play a significant role in Ghanas business landscape, accounting for an estimated 43 percent of all SMEs. Despite their undeniable impact, SMEs in Ghana face a significant credit gap with an estimated US$2.4billion in unmet financing needs. The concessional loans are expected to boost growth, create jobs and inject foreign exchange into the local economy. They also align with the countrys broader agenda of fostering entrepreneurship and achieving sustainable development. President and Chairman-Board of Directors, EBID, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor stressed the importance of regional collaboration in driving economic development. EBID is proud to partner with Ghana in this transformative initiative. This injection of funds will not only bolster the SME landscape but also contribute to overall economic growth and development in the region, he explained. Present at the ceremony were Chief Executive Officer-Ghana Exim Bank, Lawrence Agyinsam and Executive Director-Wholesale and Investment Banking, GCB Bank PLC., Samuel Aidoo. They all agreed that the arrangement between Ghana and EBID sets a precedent for impactful collaboration within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as partnership signals a collective commitment to fostering private sector growth as a key driver of sustainable development and shared prosperity across the region. Source: B&FT 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 Trigger-happy security guard has been apprehended for allegedly shooting a man with a pump action gun, following a misunderstanding at Asenua near Mamponteng in the Ashanti Region. Suspect Stephen Soyelle, reportedly, became angry when a vehicle in which the victim, Akwasi Commey was traveling in, drove through his organizations premises due to traffic on the Mamponteng-Kumasi main road. The security man was said to have signaled the driver of the vehicle to stop but this resulted in a heated argument between Soyelle and the people onboard the vehicle around 9:30pm on May 4, 2024. As the argument lingered on, the security man, who was reportedly angry, fired two quick warning shots, to scare the people away but one of the bullets, unfortunately, hit the back of Akwasi Commey to injure him. A Mamponteng Police statement, which confirmed the shooting incident, said suspect Soyelle has since been apprehended and detained to assist the police in their investigations into the case. Part of the police report, sighted by the paper, disclosed that Suspect is in custody whilst two spent AAA cartridges and the pump action gun are retained for evidential purposes. Explaining further as to what led to the shooting, it said On 4/5/2024 about 2130 hours, Police Mamponteng received a distress call from Akwasi Commey of Aboaso that a security man has shot him and needed Police assistance. The Mamponteng night patrol team rushed to the scene and met suspect Stephen Soyelle, who was holding a Mossberg pump action gun surrounded by people. Suspect was disarmed, arrested and brought to the station. Victim Akwasi Commey, with blood-soaked shirt was sent to Mamponteng Government Hospital for immediate medical treatment, it said. Source: dailyguidenetwork.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 Italian government has praised Ghana for promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the country since that was a catalyst to speed up the nations transformation. Mr Marco Riccardo Rusconi, Director of the Italian Agency for Cooperation, who announced this explained that the promotion of STEM education in the country would go a long way to train the needed technicians to operationalize industries and other institutions to boost the nations economy. He announced this when he led a 13-member Italian delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Education Minister in Accra on Monday. The visit was to deepen the already existing relationship between Ghana and the people of Italy which spans several decades. Apart from deepening the ties between the two countries, the delegation also used the visit to discuss other areas that stood the chance of promoting the development of the two countries. The Director for the Italian Agency for Cooperation hinted at plans to support the development of Ghanas education by enhancing the curriculum as well as promoting entrepreneurship among the populace so they could enhance their business activities. Increase in trade The Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Daniela d'Orlandi, on her part stated that effort was being made to bring many investors into the country to invest in various sectors to boost the local economy. She recounted efforts being made to establish a skills training centre in the country to uplift the skills of the youth as well as entrepreneurship. The Ambassador promised to collaborate with various institutions and stakeholders to promote the development of their operations to improve the local economy. Transformation progressing The Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, indicated that frantic efforts were being made to innovate the nation out of poverty, reiterating the fact that education remains the priority of the government since that was the tool for the development of the nation. He recounted how the introduction of the Free Senior High School programme has boosted school enrolment in the country by creating the opportunity for many youth to get access to quality education which was critical in poverty reduction. Shifting from 19th to 21st century Dr Adutwum stated that all that he was doing was to help shift the nations education from the 19th-century to the 21st-century system so that Ghanaian students could compete with their peers across the rest of the globe. He announced that moves were underway to introduce the Italian language in one Senior High school so they could promote the speaking of the language in the country and the rest of the world. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has called on the Attorney-General to release the investigative report on the murder of investigative journalist, Ahmed Suale. The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, stated that no docket fit for prosecution or action has been submitted to his office regarding the murder of the investigative journalist. While the investigation is still in progress, the Minister noted that four suspects were initially detained to assist with the investigation. However, they were later released on police enquiry bail after eyewitnesses failed to identify them. Ahmed Suale was tragically murdered on January 16, 2019, by two unidentified individuals on a motorbike with a concealed license plate. The incident took place in Madina as Suale was returning from a family gathering. The GJA President questioned the AGs reluctance to release the investigative report, after stating that the docket is not suitable for prosecution. In an interview on The Point of View on Citi TV, hosted by Bernard Avle, the GJA President criticized the security agencies for their lack of seriousness in dealing with attacks on journalists. As we speak today, we still havent gotten anywhere with investigations. The Attorney-General will come out and tell you that he has still not received any docket fit for prosecution. If you have not received a docket fit for prosecution, why dont you make the docket you have received known to the public? It means that theres still a docket, if its not fit for prosecution, give us the state of the investigative report on the matter. So that at least we can all go to sleep and say that this is what the police have gotten to. We are in this country where police officers were shot dead and in a matter of 24/48 hours, police have arrested [suspects]. Without any lead, they have been arrested and prosecuted, and some are on remand. So, that should tell you the unseriousness the security agencies or companies attach to the attacks on the media. This very real, he pointed out. He also questioned the last time a politician was arrested for assaulting a journalist. When was the last time you heard that a politician or a preparator of an attack on the media has been placed behind bars? They dont take issues concerning the media very seriously. Source: Citinewsroom.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In an exclusive launch event at the Vlisco Shop at Accra Mall, Vlisco Ghana launched its latest collectionwith a campaign dubbed the artistic awakening,timed perfectly to coincide with the joyous celebrations of Mother's Day. The unveiling was an emotional tribute to the remarkable women who shape our lives. To mark the occasion, Vlisco hosted a special violinist recital, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the evocative power of music and storytelling . Invited guests included esteemed members of Vlisco Ghanasmarketing and retail team,loyal Vlisco customers and our first ever Vlisco Ghanaian influencer,Naa Ashorkor as well as former beauty queen now turned influencer, Dromeryda Agyapong and were presented with the opportunity to capture memorable images to celebrate the bond shared by mothers and their loved ones, against a backdrop adorned with Mother's Day mementos. Speaking to the media at the event, MaryAnn Boaten, Marketing Director, We believe that women are storytellers. From generations past, women have shaped destinies, by giving and living life in their own uniqueness. The artsistic awakening campaign is a reminder for women to continue walking as living artworks either as The Contemporary Traditionalist; The Thought Leader, The Rising Talent or the Deal Maker. We celebrate every woman living her story The new collection showcased in the Artistic Awakening campaign comes in a variety of colours in Grand Super Wax, Wax and Super Wax with floral colour combinations as a perfect gift for the artistic modernwoman or mother. Vlisco invites all customers to visit the Vlisco shop at Accra mall to purchase these new fabrics and more. Join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook to follow the Artistic Awakening Campaign dedicated to the rise of a new era of artistic expression. A celebration of tradition, the avant-garde and the unstoppable spirit of the artistic mind. 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 United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the Power Africa West Africa Energy Program (WAEP) and recently held a lessons-learned event in Accra, Ghana, reviewing the last five years of work. The event brought together energy-sector players including government officials and private sector actors to reflect on the Programs work over the past five years, and discuss achievements and lessons learned. Since 2019, WAEP has expanded supply and access to clean, affordable, and reliable grid-connected electricity in 23 countries in West Africa. In Ghana, WAEP partnered with the Ministry of Energy to develop a data-driven inventory management system (IMS). The system supports the ministry and decision makers, to access accurate, real-time data on the availability and distribution of energy equipment such as wires, poles, meters, and transformers. Through IMS, there have been more than 400,000 new electricity connections in Ghana. WAEP assisted the Bui Power Authority (BPA) through the National Renewable Energy Laboratorys assistance to conduct and review grid impact and stability studies to operationalize the first 50-megawatt (MW) phase of its 250 MW solar-hydro hybrid project. This represents West Africas first hydro-solar hybrid project and has doubled Ghanas grid-connected solar energy. The project is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 47,000 tons per year. The Program also supported the Ghana Energy Commission to train and certify wiring professionals by offering short-term certificate scholarship programs to those working in rural, low-income regions in northern Ghana. Forty-four wiring technicians, including 10 women, graduated from the program, representing an 80 percent increase in the number of certified women wiring technicians in Ghana. The increase in the number of wiring technicians has reduced the cost of wiring, discouraging residents from using illegal electricity connections and improving electricity safety. Highlighting the achievements of WAEP in Ghana during the learning event, USAID/Ghana Deputy Mission Director, Grace Lang said: I would also like to congratulate the Northern Electricity Development Company (NEDCo) and WAEP on their successful collaboration to improve revenue generation for the energy sector. This successful pilot project has enabled NEDCo to reduce collection losses by 57 percent in the Yendi district relative to their 2021 baseline. The impact of these interventions is a testament to what we can achieve through collective effort and strategic partnerships. she added. Industry experts and program partners spoke about regional and global energy trends and collaborative efforts to expand supply and access to affordable and reliable power to people and countries across West Africa. The United States is Ghanas largest bilateral development partner. In 2023 USAIDs bilateral development assistance, totaling over $140 million, was dedicated to supporting economic growth, agriculture, health, education, governance, and more. About USAID USAID is the lead U.S. government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAIDs activities and strategic partnerships support Ghana to advance an integrated approach to development, promoting accountability, sustainable systems, and inclusive development. About Power Africa A U.S. government-led partnership, Power Africa harnesses the collective resources of public and private sectors to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. Power Africa aims to add at least 30,000 megawatts (MW) of cleaner and more reliable electricity generation capacity and 60 million new home and business connections by 2030. About WAEP The USAID-funded Power Africa West Africa Energy Program (WAEP or the Program) advances its objective of expanding supply of and access to affordable and reliable electricity services in West Africa. The Program has the ultimate goal of advancing development priorities, including inclusive economic growth, increased security, and improved health and education. WAEPs four outcome goals include: increased power supply, increased access to electricity, a strengthened enabling environment, and a regionally connected power system. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Renowned Ghanaian-owned mining company, Betterland Ghana Ltd. has responded to concerns raised by Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group regarding the companys mining rights in the country. The groups impending petition to President Akufo-Addo expressed concern over the mining rights (License #ML2/236) that the Minerals Commission has granted to Betterland Ghana Ltd. It aims to address issues related to the environmental impact of mining activities in the Draw River Forest Reserve. However, Betterland Ghana Ltd. in a statement on May 15, challenged the groups claim that their mining lease falls within a globally significant biodiversity area, noting that minerals and the forestry commission are prohibited from granting leases in protected zones. It asserts that their operations are fully legitimate emphasizing that they are not involved in any illegal mining activities. The company clarified that their project will impact less than 10% of the leased area and will not disrupt existing forest activities. Betterland Ghana Ltd. further stated their contributions to the national economy, citing significant revenues from gold exports. They underscored their commitment to responsible mining, land reclamation, and environmental stewardship. The company further assured the public of its dedication to sustainable mining practices that benefit both the environment and the economy. Read the full statement below: PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Betterland Ghana Ltd. has taken note of the press statement issued by Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group, about their impending petition to the president of the republic of Ghana, to express their general concerns over the mining rights granted by the Minerals Commission, a statutory state institution to Betterland Ghana Ltd. While we admit that its the groups right under the democratic dispensation to openly express their concerns through any medium of choice which includes petitioning the president of the republic to bring to his attention matters within their livelihood interest, we Betterland Ghana, will wants to address some few issues brought to fore by the group in their statement. The foremost paragraph of your statement was an admission of the fact that Betterland Ghana Ltd is not directly or indirectly involved in any illegal mining activities but has legitimately acquired its concession legally which is evident of the license number ML2/236 from the Mineral Commission. We want to also place on record that, Ghana Environmental Advocacy group stated categorically in their release that, the forest reserve in question has been devastated already by illegal mining activities which has left collections of rivers, streams and other biodiversity destroyed within the enclave of the Draw river forest reserve which would cost government fortunes to either reclaim the degraded land or attempt to stop the illegal mining activities in the forest. The forestry commission recently bemoan that, 34 major forest reserves in the country have been significantly impacted by illegal mining activities. A total of 4, 726.2 hectares of forests had, thus, been dissipated or degraded as a results of the galamsey carried out in those reserves and those which are the worst affected are Apamprama, Subin shelterbelt and Oda River Forest in the Ashanti and the commission have difficulty dealing with the situation. The assertion by the commission is a clear indication that illegal mining activities are a monstrous challenge confronting the forest sector, and it is quite worrying and a major setback to environmental advocacy groups who have woefully and persistently failed to channel their energies of advocacy against the nefarious activities of galamseyers, to say the least. Your claimed in paragraph three of your statement that the lease area of Betterland Ghana falls within globally significant Biodiversity area cannot to be verified because the minerals and the forestry commission is bound by law to restrain themselves from granting any mining lease in forest reserves or protected areas. Although the initial lease granted to Betterland Ghana limited covers big area after detailed geological survey, the project will likely be done less than 10% of the leased area and all other activities within the forest prior to our entry, will not be affected. And for the records, Betterland Ghana limited is not and can never be the only mining company in Ghana to have been granted mining concession in a forest reserve since 1874, the first gold mining company was formed shortly after the British established the Gold Coast Colony. In fact the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, recently told parliament that two of the six mining companies issued with forest entry permit are currently involved in mining activities in forest reserves in the country so why singled out Betterland Ghana Limited which has proving track records of responsible mining and land reclamation technology. Our question to the group is, which direction of mining policy should the country embrace, the destruction of the forest reserves by galamseyers or government giving it out as concession to Betterland Ghana Limited for responsible mining which would not only reduce the activities of illegal mining but also boost the local economy through job creation and foreign exchange earnings for the country? In the year 2022 alone, government received USD 6.6 billion dollars from gold export and in the second quarter of 2023, government received USD 1.71 billion dollars as revenue from gold export alone. In inference, government would have lost these monies to illegal miners if it had succumbed to your interest and self-seeking agenda. In the ad interim, Betterland Ghana limited disagree with your paragraph four of your statement which sought to create the impression that mining in reserve area is prohibited by section 3 of the Environmental( Mining in Forest Reserves ) Regulation, 2022 legislative Instrument( L I 2462). It is not entirely the case because section 6 of the same Act makes provision for mining activities in forest reserves with a published manual for guidelines which civil society organisations are asking government to revoke it. Nevertheless, Betterland Ghana Ltd is wholly Ghanaian owned large scale mining company dully registered and incorporated under the laws of Ghana to carry out responsible mining. The company is known and specialised in land reclamation and restoration, sustainable mining, mining support services and project management with strong commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Our activities in Ghana over years have been reclamation and restoring degraded lands, injection of new life into barren or damaged lands through the deployment of innovative techniques such as soil remediation, erosion control and afforestation to rejuvenate ecosystem and promote biodiversity. In conclusion, considering the untold hardship, wanton destruction and dissipation of forest reserves and biodiversity by illegal mining activities in forest reserve which has cost government of Ghana fortune to fight on daily basis, Betterland Ghana Ltd, is the last large-scale mining company in Ghana that would want to unleash mayhem or any form of hardship on Ghanaians and the environment within which they operate. We pray Ghanaians to accept our ultimate assurance that Betterland Ghana limited, will engage in a responsible mining activities through the deployment of A1 guided technologies which will greatly impact positively not only on job creation, but also the local economy and the country as a whole. Thank You. Source: Adomonline.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 An auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, Most Rev. Dr John Kobina Louis, has called on all stakeholders of Ghanas democracy to help restore the country to its former glory. Therefore, let us all, the Executive, Judiciary, Legislature, traditional leaders, religious leaders and general citizenry arise and rebuild our nation, with the help of God, he stated. He was delivering the sermon at an ecumenical service of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference and the Christian Council of Ghana in Accra on the theme: A Tale of the River Ghana based on Prophet Ezekiel 47:1, 6-13. Constitutional democracy Most Rev. Louis said the type of constitutional governance practised in Ghana only scratches the surface of true democracy. It is like galamsey (illegal surface mining). The only difference is that our democratic galamsey is legal it is backed by a Constitution. But, the Constitution itself is riddled with deficiencies. In addition, we have the problem of unpatriotic and self-seeking players of governance, he stated. As it meandered through the harsh terrain of history, especially in the last thirty years, the waters of the River Ghana have progressively become muddy, contaminated and life-threatening, he pointed out. Traditional deficiencies He said the deficiencies of Ghanas traditional leadership could be likened to some activities of deforestation. That is, the custodians of our time-tested and cherished values have not been able to safeguard some of them because of monetary and other selfish gains, Religious deficiencies He said the unsound teachings, false prophecies and superstitious practices in some churches, especially those established by self-seeking individuals, had also polluted the waters of the River Ghana. He said the river in Ezekiels vision could be described as progressive, as from a shallow stream, its volume increased immensely as it flowed towards the ocean just as God created the River Ghana to be progressive in its development. The river in Ezekiels vision was life-giving, as it made fishes and plants flourish. By, implication, then, it provided food and medicine for humans. Similarly, Ghana was meant to sustain the existence of its water bodies and vegetation, as well as the life and health of its inhabitants, he said. Furthermore, the river in Ezekiels vision flowed into the sea, making the larger body of water wholesome. Similarly, Ghana was meant to positively influence the continent of Africa. This, our first and most visionary President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, understood so well. Thus, from the onset of our independence, he would declare: The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Two children were burnt to death and three others sustained varying degrees of injury when blazing fire gutted their three-bedroom self-contained house at Akyem Oda last Sunday night. The fire also destroyed property estimated at several thousands of Ghana cedis. The deceased have been identified as Clement Agyei, 6, and Desmond Karikari Agyei, 4. The survivors are Bernice Karikari, a 36-year-old hairdresser at Oda, Ereka Gyekyewaa and Blessing Agyeiwaa, aged 14 and nine years respectively. Ms Karikari and her two daughters who were sent to the Oda Government Hospital have been discharged after receiving treatment, while the bodies of the two children have been deposited at the morgue of the same hospital. Confirmation The Oda Municipal Police Command confirmed the incident to the Daily Graphic. The Municipal Commander, Chief Superintendent Daniel Amoako, said his outfit in collaboration with the Municipal Fire Service were conducting investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire. Eyewitness An eyewitness, Mary Brew, whose house is adjacent the victims' residence, told the Daily Graphic that at about 11 p.m. last Sunday, while having her bath, she heard Ms Karikari screaming for help. She stated that when she peeped through her window, she realised that the victims' house was in flames and, therefore, she raised the alarm that attracted many people to the scene. Ms Brew said as the victims had locked their bedroom doors, they could not have access to enter to rescue them. She said another resident in the house, who was on a short break to participate in the limited registration exercise and was occupying one of the bedrooms in the house, mustered courage and broke into the victims' bedroom, which save Ms Karikari and her two daughters, Ereka and Blessing, who escaped from the inferno but had burns on their bodies. Trapped Ms Brew stated that when Madam Karikari who was traumatised regained consciousness, she told the people at the scene that her two sons, Clement and Desmond, were trapped in the inferno. She said the good samaritans who were at the scene fruitlessly used buckets of water to quench the fire until personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service came to assist but it was too late, as everything in the house was burnt to ashes. The eye-witness said when the rescuers got access to the bedroom, the two boys had been burnt beyond recognition. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video TikTok influencer Ryane Roy scrolls through the app looking for a video at a coffee shop near Fair Oaks. The San Antonio teen says a ban of the social media platform will impact her business. Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor photo The TikTok logo is displayed on a smartphone screen. A potential ban of the app in the U.S. is a concern for business large and small, our columnist says. Kiichiro Sato/Associated Press file photo An advocate holds a sign for TikTok after a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol in March. Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg photo TikTok influencer Ryane Roy. The San Antonio teen says a U.S. ban of the social media platform will impact her business. Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor photo The clock is ticking on TikTok. The official position in Washington is that Chinese-based ByteDance, the social media platforms owner, represents a dual threat to American security because of data privacy concerns and the propagandistic potential of the platform. In response, Congress passed a law that was signed April 24 by President Biden requiring a sale of the American side of the business to a non-Chinese owner by Jan. 19. Failing that, Bytedances popular app will be blocked in the U.S. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The official position of ByteDance is that it would prefer to shut down the business rather than sell it. For now, a lawsuit it brought May 6 seeks to achieve the companys aim of blocking the new law in U.S. courts first. To an extent largely invisible to old people, (FYI, my definition of old people in this context is anyone over, say, 21) TikTok is the culturally dominant force of our times. So how this plays out will be interesting. But its creating uncertainty for businesses and content creators that rely on TikTok. Heres why. When mega pop star Ariana Grande wants to launch a new song her label hopes will become a hit, professionals in the music promotion business know its best bet is to drop marketing dollars on TikTok content creators to push music and dance trends, creating buzz for the new music. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas connections Deoz Wilson, an agent for TikTok influencers at RedXTalent, received some of those dollars from Universal Music, Grandes music label, in April. In turn, he distributed money to the influencers he represents, a group he refers to as creators. For example, Universal paid $1,000 for surburban San Antonio teen Ryane Roy to create a short dance video set to the new Grande music. Roy is a 15-year-old just finishing up ninth grade who also happens to make tens of thousands of dollars a year as an influencer on online platforms. Roy originally built her online business on TikTok with a combination of dance and relatable lifestyle and fashion short videos. Ava Lewis, another suburban San Antonio teen and real-life friend of Roys who built her own following on TikTok and joined Wilsons team of influencers last year, also received a payment for promoting Grandes new music on TikTok. Advertisement Article continues below this ad So you see how the possibility of a ban has forced businesses, whether large or small, to react. Back in February, Universal briefly pulled the rights to play its music from the platform. It had complained that TikTok paid them insufficient amounts for royalty rights, although the emerging possibility of the ban probably played a part in the decision. Universals marketing budget then shifted to other platforms such as Instagram. But a TikTok ban also threatens the businesses of young entrepreneurs like Wilson, Roy, and Lewis. Roy reacts Roy earns money from a wide variety of revenue streams including views on YouTube Shorts, shopping links on Amazon & Instagram, brand endorsements, music promotions and paid videos on the celebrity Cameo site. While she has 285,000 subscribers on YouTube and 153,000 followers on Instagram, her 1 million followers on TikTok still drive the business. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What people dont realize is social media exposure through TikTok is many small business owners only source of income, and banning TikTok would be potentially taking this away from them, she says. While Roy says she believes the TikTok ban is both wrong and potentially harmful to businesses like hers, shes also planning to adjust to any eventuality. Because of the TikTok ban threats, I have been consistently promoting my YouTube and Instagram often to ensure continuity, something she has been working toward for more than a year. Wilson, who manages Roy, Lewis, another Texas-based influencer named Leigha Rose Sanderson and a stable of other creators, has also had to adjust. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For us, our agency is adapting to the reality of a potential TikTok ban, he says. We encourage our influencers to be more active on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. We dont know if the ban will become real, but we have a Plan B. Wilsons business was also built primarily on the audience-gathering potential of the TikTok algorithm. As much as YouTube and Instagram are useful, they are currently no match for TikTok, in terms of driving audience views and driving the culture. Wilson says Of course there is also Instagram and YouTube, but the reason why TikTok became so popular and successful is because anyone can become famous on their platform, because of their algorithm. Dads so far behind The joke in my own family is that I sometimes become aware of music and dance trends on Instagram Reels, which is platform owner Metas attempt to compete with TikTok. Inevitably, however, the content on Reels that Dad is aware of is weeks or months behind the trends on TikTok, at least according to my kids. Thats fine for a laugh at the older generation, but for a company like Universal its untenable. Wilson explains that music industry giants like Universal cannot afford to miss the chance to hit the teen zeitgeist for music trends, which happens much faster on TikTok than any other platform. Bowing quickly and inevitably to the power of TikTok to set the trends, Universal decided in April to reauthorize its music catalog on the platform. Wilson reports that bigger music budgets are now back, both from Universal and another client Warner Music, for boosting performers among the slate of creators he represents. Presidential politics are also at play. As president, Trump had threatened to shut down TikTok. In the past year, though, he has reversed his position. His re-election would likely help TikTok survive the current ban. So it's possible powerful forces may save TikTok via lawsuit or political pressure. On the other hand, powerful companies like Meta (with Instagram), Snap (with Snapchat), and Alphabet (with YouTube) would be logical beneficiaries of the ban and might be happy to see it knocked out to their platforms benefit. While we watch this play out, heres an interesting experiment you can try with the teens in your life: You may consider them wildly uninformed about political or cultural things you find important, but I'll bet you find them remarkably well-informed on the issue of a potential TikTok ban. ByteDance and its supporters have made the issue impossible to ignore for the 170 million Americans on the platform. It's portraying the issue in terms of freedom of expression, First Amendment rights, artistic and creative freedom and the trampled rights of businesses that have made TikTok their home. The Electoral Commission (EC) has apologized for some errors associated with the daily registration figures it provided in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise. Initially, the EC reported that 143,014 eligible voters had been registered by the end of day four of the exercise. However, in a subsequent statement less than 24 hours after releasing these figures, the EC issued a follow-up statement acknowledging an error in the data for day three, specifically in the Upper East region. Simple addition The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr and other pundits have criticized the Commission for these errors especially ahead of a "crucial" general election. Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo'on Tuesday, Kwesi Pratt said: Is the Electoral Commission saying that they cannot do simple addition? A whole electoral body like the Electoral Commission cannot do a simple addition. How can Ghanaians repose confidence in you? This is just a registration exercise which has been characterised by abysmal happenings. What then will they do about the general elections when it is held?" "These errors in the results by the Electoral Commission, how do you explain it? Weve gone to register names. We have the tallies; simple addition, the Electoral Commission cannot do itI cant understand this; a whole Electoral Commission cannot do addition. There is no subtraction, division or multiplication and you cant do this! Apology Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission speaking to the issue on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' apologized adding "It wasn't deliberate" "The numbers out are provisional; they're not the final figures. But we apologize and assure Ghanaians that it won't happen again" he stated. He further went on to explain what actually led to the errors. Listen to him in the video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has launched a scathing attack on officials of the Electoral Commission over the rectified errors in figures the latter initially published, relative to the ongoing Limited Voter Registration Exercise. To him, it is unpardonable for the EC to have a challenge with simple collation of the total number of registered persons. The Electoral Commission, in publishing the total number of persons who have been registered on Day 2 and 3 of the exercise across the sixteen regions (16) of Ghana, made an error in the imputation and collation of figures. In a press release dated May 12, the EC acknowledged the errors in the data it released to the public with respect to the total number of registered persons The commission, however, assured that, the anomalies have been resolved. The Electoral Commission has corrected errors in the previously released daily voter registration numbers. The inaccuracies were in the cumulative totals for days two and three, though the regional numbers were correct. The Upper Easts day three's total was mistakenly repeated for day four. These have been amended, the EC's statement read. Reacting to the ECs communique on Peacefm's "Kokrokoo" morning show on Tuesday, the veteran journalist said, Is the Electoral Commission saying that they cannot do simple addition. A whole electoral body like the Electoral Commission cannot do a simple addition. How can Ghanaians repose confidence in you? This is just a registration exercise which has been characterised by abysmal happenings. What then will they do about the general elections when it is held?" "These errors in the results by the Electoral Commission, how do you explain it? Weve gone to register names. We have the tallies; simple addition, the Electoral Commission cannot do itI cant understand this; a whole Electoral Commission cannot do addition. There is no subtraction, division or multiplication and you cant do this, he charged. 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 Director General of the National Lottery Authority and NPP parliamentary candidate for Akuapem North constituency, Sammi Awuku has urged the Electoral Commission to rectify their challenges with the current limited registration exercise ensuring a transparent registration process and by extension a free and fair December 7 elections. Sammi Awuku commenting on the ongoing limited registration exercise conducted by the Electoral Commission strongly decried the technical errors that characterized the exercise and the violence in some registration centers. There are reports of violent clashes in some registration centers across the nation with some persons brandishing machetes and guns in a life-threatening manner. Tackling the issue on Peace FMs Kokrokoo show, Sammi Awuku condemned the violence, but charged the EC not to give the political parties a cause for concern as he highlighted the significance of the registration exercise to the parties. I think the Electoral Commission in this high-stake election, dont give the NPP cause to expressed concern over the conduct. Dont give NDC cause to express concern, he said. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Electoral Commission has urged the general public to disregard the alleged falsehood and misinformation being perpetuated by the President of IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe over the inability of the people of Santrokofi, Akpafu,Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) all in the Guan Constituency of the Oti Region to take part in the 2020 Parliamentary Elections. The Electoral Commission has acknowledged receipt of a video circulating on social media in which the President of IMANI Ghana is seen accusing the Electoral Commission of deliberately disenfranchising the people of SALL in the Guan constituency of the Oti region. In a press release dated 15th May, 2024, the Electoral Commission stated that the accusations leveled against the commission by the President of IMANI Ghana is false and without basis. According to the commission, there was never the case where the commission disenfranchised the people of the newly created Guan Constituency. The Electoral Commission posited that, it is not in the interest of the Commission to disenfranchise the people of SALL. The commission outlined a number of factors that contributed to the inability of SALL to participate in the December 2020 elections although it was their legitimate right to exercise their franchise. The legislative Instrument (L.I. 2416) which created the Guan district (SALL) was laid in the Parliament on the 6th of October, 2020 by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD). It matured on the 9th of November, 2020, roughly a month to the 2020 General elections, it stated. It added that, Parliament recessed on the 9th of November, 2020, the same day the L.I. creating the Guan District matured and returned on the 14th of December, 2020, a week after the elections were conducted. According to the Commissions press release, signed by the Acting Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Michael Boadu, on the 10th of November 2020, the Electoral Commission claimed to have received a letter from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural development informing it of the creation of the Guan District (SALL). The letter, according to the commission, informed the EC to create a new Constituency in the Guan District. The commission drafted a new Constitutional Instrument to bring into force the Guan Constituency and forwarded the draft (C.I) to the Attorney Generals department for its review on the 13th of November, 2020, as required by law, the Commission stated. According to the Electoral Commission, the C.I., as stated by law, requires the commission to lay the drafted C.I. in Parliament for twenty-one (sitting) days. This means, Parliament should be in session for these number of days when the C.I is laid before the House. How can any well-meaning person accuse the Commission of disenfranchising the good people of SALL when the facts are so clear?" It is unfortunate that IMANI continues to peddle falsehood and untruths about the Commission at every point and turn. His narrative that the Commission disenfranchised the people of SALL, now the Guan Constituency, is FALSE, the commission blasted. The commission urged the public to be quick to ascertain the truth in any information they hear and avoid the habit of consuming any information that is given them. Your browser does not support iframes. 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 Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has revealed that the Nursing Trainee allowances are going to be disbursed to student nurses following the approval of the sum of One hundred and seventy-seven million Ghana cedis by the Ministry of Finance. The vice President, who is the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party, assured nurses during a meeting with some student nurses in the Bono Region that their allowances will be paid to them after he had checked up with the ministry of finance. During the meeting with the students, a student nurse had asked the Vice President when the government was going to pay their allowances having not received it for long time. In his response to the question, Vice President Dr. Bawumia said, I wasnt sure of where you were with your 'allawa', but I think that I will check with the Ministry of Finance immediately after I return. And I will make sure they pay you your 'allawa' if it has not been paid," However, in a meeting with the nurses and midwives in Accra, Dr. Bawumia stated that the outstanding debt owed to the trainees by government will be paid by the close of Thursday, May 16, 2024. According to the Vice President, the controller general has been instructed to release the said amount to the Ministry of Health to be disbursed to students. He said, this Thursday, the Controller is transferring GH177 million to the Ministry of Health to pay the nurses trainee allowances adding that, "So I have also alerted Dr Okoe-Boye to be on standby. When the money hits the Ministry of Health account, they should move it quickly to the accounts of the nurses trainees so that they will have their alawa. It will drop. The Vice President urged the nurses to have strong belief and faith in his government because it is not the intention of the Bawumia-led government to abolish the payment of nursing trainee allowances. He took into cognizance, the fact that, there are delays with the payment but added that, regardless of the delay, the government is bent on making the lives of nurses and teachers very comfortable. While acknowledging the challenges, the leader of the NPP stated that, Nurses and Teachers will continue to benefit from the initiative of the Bawumia-led government. He added that stringent steps were being taken to reduce the backlog of unemployed nurses and midwives, especially batches who completed in 2020 and 2021. As the Vice President, I am dedicated to supporting the work of our nurses and midwives especially with the coming on stream of the agenda 111 state-of-the-art facilities." Dr Bawumia lauded the high-skilled ability of nurses and midwives which has made them a highly-sought after on the globe. He said, they are highly skilled professionals who provide evidence-based care to patients and families, hence their expertise, empathy, and dedication helped enhance health outcomes, lower healthcare expenses, and improve the overall well-being of individuals and communities. 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 Bishop of the Northern Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church, Right Reverend Professor Joseph Edusa-Eyison, has underscored the need for all stakeholders to endeavour to create an environment of peace before, during and after the upcoming general election. At the 30th anniversary celebration of the Saint Stephen Society of the Northern and Accra Diocese of the church, he said member states of the ECOWAS sub-region had experienced various military coups, as such, Ghana must lead the way as a beacon of hope by maintaining peace in the upcoming elections. "Let's maintain our peace; we have children and grandchildren, and we should create an environment for them to live in peace so that they can have education and contribute to national development, Rt Rev. Edusa-Eyison said. The 30th anniversary saw the dedication of a three-storey chapel for the church which is located at Gbawe Newtown in Accra. Rt Rev. Edusa-Eyison led leadership of the church to dedicate and sanctify the building as well as its communion rail, baptismal font, pulpit, lectern and the altar. It was not only a moment of celebration but a reflection of the congregations evangelism efforts for the church which started with only eight people but now boast over 480 adults and over 300 children. Rt Rev. Edusa-Eyison urged the youth to inject the word of God into the lives of others by exhibiting good virtues such as love, peace, faith, justice in their daily endeavour. He further urged them to capitalise on technology through podcasts and WhatsApp platforms to promote evangelism and church growth, adding: It must be within the confines of the faith so that you do not go overboard. Peace The Minister-in-Charge of the St Stephen Society, Very Rev. Daniel K. Ackom, also stressed the need to ensure peace during the elections. We should go about our activities with that which will bring peace. Lets do our politics with decorum and we should not do anything that will disturb the peace of the nation, he said. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Some civil society organisations (CSOs) have called on the 2024 National Democratic Congress (NDC) Manifesto Committee to include in their manifesto the formulation of a National Philanthropy policy, including tax incentives or exemptions, to facilitate charity work in the country. In a five-point policy proposal to the committee, the 35 CSOs also suggested that the committee should add leveraging of philanthropy to finance sustainable development goals (SDGs) to accelerate achievement of targets in the country. The Executive Director of Ghana Philanthropy Forum, Dr Ben Ocra, and the Project Officer of STAR-Ghana Foundation, Feruzah Wuniche Salisu, made the call when they jointly presented the policy proposals at a meeting with the foundation and other CSOs in Accra last Monday. The meeting, which was at the instance of the foundation and its partners, was to engage the manifesto committees of political parties separately on different dates to make the recommendations aimed at boosting philanthropy in Ghana for sustainable development. CSOs meeting The 35 CSOs included the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisation, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Special Attention Project, ABANTU for Development, Resource Link Foundation and Volta Institute of Development Studies (VIDS). The others included Fanthonio Foundation, Safe Child Advocacy, Girls Shall Grow, Ark Development Organisation and the Light Foundation. The meeting was facilitated by the foundation in collaboration with the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), the Centre for Social Policy Studies, University of Ghana and the Giving for Change Communities of Practice. Present at the meeting were the running mate of the 2024 NDC flag bearer, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and the Chairman of the 2024 NDC Manifesto Committee, Prof. Kwaku Danso-Boafo. Also in attendance were some of the committee members: Sam Garba, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Dr William Ahadzie, Dr Yakubu Alhassan, Mavis Ama Frimpong, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo and Michael Nii Abbey. The Executive Director of STAR-Ghana, Alhaji Amidu Ibrahim-Tanko, said such meetings were crucial in consolidating the country's democracy as it gave ordinary citizens the opportunity to critically analyse manifestos of political parties. Presentation Dr Ocra and Ms Salisu equally appealed to the NDC Manifesto Committee to revise existing policies such as the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) and what they described as crowdfunding policies that were unfavourable to philanthropic actors. They recommended for inclusion in the NDC manifesto the establishment of a desk at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for non-profit organisations to promote transparency and accountability around tax exemption processes. Expanding Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, for her part, stated that it was important to expand the country's economy, stressing let us find ways of creating bigger pies in our economy, ways in which we own and grow our economy because investments from outside have agendas. No fiscal space Prof. Danso-Boafo said the NDC had a longstanding relationship with CSOs and acknowledged their contributions to the development of the nation.He said the party believed in constitutionalism and consultation, therefore, it was organising a series of engagements with CSOs throughout the country. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, during a press conference on May 9, raised concerns about the ongoing limited registration exercise and said the following: Ladies and gentlemen, we do not expect the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana to act as the conduit through which Akufo-Addo will implement his avowed determination not to hand over power to the visionary, experienced and trustworthy John Dramani Mahama. NPP must choose peaceful transfer of power from NPP to NDC in their own interest. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman, the NDC running mate, also had the following to say about the Electoral Commission recently EC, I address you directly: it is in the national interest, and your own interest, that you make transparent what has been and is going on at your establishment. The truth will not be suppressed. You cannot be so independent as to disregard the people who validate your existence. That does not exist anywhere. These and other recent statements by known NDC voices signal clearly that the relationship between Ghanas main opposition party and the Electoral Commission has become very frosty. At the heart of this frosty relationship is trust. The NDC does not trust the EC. The ECs Trust Headaches Putting aside the NDCs issues with the EC for a moment, the institution is facing a major trust deficit as per sentiments expressed by Ghanaians. In the most recent Afrobarometer survey (Round 9, 2022), only thirty-six per cent (36%) of Ghanaians expressed having a lot/somewhat trust in the EC. Among those who described themselves as feeling close to the NDC, only six per cent (6%) expressed having a lot of trust, with another seventeen per cent (17%) having somewhat trust in the EC. Among those who described themselves as feeling close to the NPP, seventeen per cent (17%) expressed having a lot of trust, with another thirty-four per cent (34%) having somewhat trust in the EC. The table below shows how much trust (a lot/somewhat) Ghanaians have expressed in the EC across nine rounds of the Afrobarometer survey. The table also shows the level of trust by party affiliation. As per the table above, the ECs trust deficit has manifested itself in three key ways a) Overall, trust in the institution has deteriorated over time, especially between its highest level of trust (2005) and the most recent level (2022); b) trust in the institution among partisans shifts between when their preferred political party is in power (increases) and in opposition (decreases); and c) the partisan nature of trust in the EC has sharpened. Let me illustrate the third point further. When you examine the average trust in the EC during the Dr Afari Gyan era (Afrobarometer 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2014) the trust gap between NDC and NPP partisans was seven percentage points. NDC partisans had slightly more trust in the institution than NPP partisans. During the Madam Charlotte Osei era (Afrobarometer 2017), there was no significant trust gap between the two partisans. Under Madam Jean Mensa (Afrobarometer 2019, 2022), the trust gap is a significant twenty-five percentage points, with NPP partisans having greater trust in the institution than NDC partisans. The road ahead Back to the NDCs frosty relationship with the EC, which saddens and worries me as we prepare for the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections. it appears that feelings developed by NDC after the 2020 elections have persisted. I was encouraged when the party returned to the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) after a long period of absence. It was the most positive signal that the NDC was ready to engage the EC and give an improved relationship between the two a chance. Two things will have to happen. First, the EC must find a way to balance the demands of the NDC and other political parties over the next several months, with the need to also protect its independence as guaranteed by the constitution. Public administration is both a science and an art. In the current situation, a lot more art is needed to thaw the frostiness. Secondly, mediation may be necessary sooner than later. A fair and impartial arbiter is needed to facilitate dialogue between the two to resolve the key underlying issues causing the mistrust. The goal is simple the NDC must feel it is being treated fairly and the EC must feel it is not ceding its independence. The road ahead is not easy, but this is critical and must be addressed sooner than later. The writer is the Executive Director, Democracy Project, a Think Tank Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bi-Kunuto Jewu Soale has, on behalf of Gonjaland, honoured the Vice President and flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his support and contributions to the development of Gonjaland. At a meeting between the NPP Flagbearer and the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs in Damongo on Wednesday, the Yagbonwura, who is also President of the Regional House of Chiefs, expressed profound gratitude to Dr. Bawumia for his significant contributions which have caused rapid development in the Savannah Region. "You are one of the illustrious sons of the Gonja kingdom. You have paid your dues and I believe the relationship that existed between you and the Kingdom will further be enhanced...You played your part in the development of the kingdom. You are my son and consider yourself as a son of Gonjaland. May your dreams be fulfilled", the Yagbonwura told Dr. Bawumia. The Yagbonwura also commended Dr. Bawumia for his enormous support towards his first anniversary. "It is proper, once again, to appreciate you for your immense support and invaluable contribution towards my first anniversary celebration this year. To the general public, I extend my profound gratefulness to you for your contribution and support in making sure the first anniversary celebration became an outstanding success." The Yagbonwura presented a symbolic smock of appreciation, 100 tubers of yam and a bull to Dr. Bawumia in honor of things the Vice President has done. In November last year, the Yagbonwura conferred chieftaincy title "Konukolewura" meaning "Chief of Unity" on Dr. Bawumia in recognition of his efforts at promoting inclusivity. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bi-Kunuto Jewu Soale has expressed strong faith in Vice President and flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, becoming the President of Ghana. Dr. Bawumia is in the Savannah Region as part of his nationwide tour to engage with communities and key stakeholders. At a meeting with the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs in Damongo on Wednesday, May 15, the Yagbonwura, who is also the President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, drew inspiration from Bawumia's campaign slogan stressing "it is possible" for the Vice President to emerge winner in the December 7 presidential elections. In a speech read on his behalf, in his presence, by Kpembewura, the Overlord of Gonjaland emphasized; "You say it is possible, yes it is possible that you will be the President of Ghana", adding "this is from the Overlord to you". The Yagbonwura also expressed profound gratitude to Dr. Bawumia for his significant contributions to the development of Gonjaland. "You are one of the illustrious sons of the Gonja kingdom. You have paid your dues and I believe the relationship that existed between you and the kingdom will further be enhanced...You played your part in the development of the kingdom. You are my son and consider yourself as a son of Gonjaland. May your dreams be fulfilled." The Yagbonwura presented a smock to Dr Bawumia to appreciate his immense contributions to the Gonjaland. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A flowering fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii) receiving a visit from a native bee in Arizona, U.S.. This study found evidence of declining pollinator occurrence in the western US over the past several decades. Credit: Sara Souther, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Bee and butterfly populations are in decline in major regions of North America due to ongoing environmental change, and significant gaps in pollinator research limit our ability to protect these species, according to a study published May 15, 2024, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Sara Souther of Northern Arizona University, US, and colleagues. Recent research has detected declines in populations of pollinator species, sparking alarm from scientists and policymakers concerned about negative impacts on ecosystems and agriculture. These declines have been linked to various factors including climate change, habitat loss, and invasive species, but reports are often limited to well-studied species in easily accessible regions. In this study, Souther and colleagues used data compiled on four major families of bees and butterflies to construct species distribution models, enabling them to assess changes over time and space across North America. The highest species richness was found along North America's West Coast, especially California and the Rocky Mountains. However, the models revealed declining species richness in all four families over the past century in western North America. In contrast, there were disproportionate increases in eastern North America. The authors also assessed similar data for a broader sample of potential pollinator species, including both invertebrate and vertebrate species of conservation concern, and found similar trends. Maps of (a) Apidae, (b) Megachilidae, (c) Papilionidae, and (d) Pieridae species gains and losses within projected species distributions between 19802020 and 19391979. Thresholded species distribution model outputs from 19391979 were subtracted from those from 19802020 for all species, resulting in a map of a species distribution with three possible values: -1 (species projected in a given area in 19391979 but not 19802020), 0 (species projected in a given area in both time periods), and 1 (species projected in a given area in 19802020 but not 19391979). Each map is the result of the summation of these difference rasters for all species within each family. Areas displayed in gold represent locations where high numbers of species were projected to be lost from the first time period to the second. Dark gray areas represent locations where high numbers of species were projected to be gained from the first time period to the second. Credit: Souther et al., 2024, PLOS ONE, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Comparisons with climate data indicate that these population changes are at least partly related to the impacts of recent climate changesuch as prolonged drought and habitat degradationand regions experiencing apparent population declines have also been heavily impacted by anthropogenic land use. The authors note too that the apparent increases in the eastern U.S. may partly reflect increased detections in these populous areas, given an increase in citizen science and similar data collection efforts. Overall, this study detects broad trends of population changes in bees and butterflies, as well as other potential pollinators. These results help to identify regions of declining populations where researchers and policymakers can prioritize conservation efforts. This study also identifies gaps in existing knowledge of pollinators, including regions that are more poorly sampled and species that are less well studied, limitations that might be overcome by improved monitoring methods and enhanced citizen science efforts. The authors add, "Existing records of North American pollinators suggest that diversity has broadly declined in the western US and southern Mexico in recent decades. Losses are consistent with changes in climate and suggest a need for increased monitoring to inform conservation and mitigation actions." More information: Bee and butterfly records indicate diversity losses in western and southern North America, but extensive knowledge gaps remain, PLoS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289742 Journal information: PLoS ONE 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: This handout image courtesy of Kosar shows smoke and flames from the fire in Fort McMurray as residents from the Abasand Heights neighborhood evacuate. Thousands of residents of Fort McMurray, a city in Canada's major oil-producing region, fled as an out-of-control wildfire drew near and thick smoke filled the skies. Shifting winds gusting to 40 kilometers per hour (25 miles per hour) fanned the flames, scorching 9,600 hectares of surrounding forests as it advanced to within 13 kilometers of the city in the western province of Alberta that had been gutted by wildfires in 2016one of the biggest disasters in the nation's history. Four neighborhoods were ordered to evacuate and by mid-afternoon, a highway south was jammed with cars and trucks fleeing to safety against a backdrop of plumes of dark smoke glowing orange in the distance. Resident Ashley Russell was packed and ready to leave on a moment's notice, as the rest of the city was put on alert. "I'm experiencing a lot of anxiety. In 2016, my place burned down, so I'm reliving that," she told AFP. "We're seeing extreme fire behavior," Alberta Wildfire spokeswoman Josee St-Onge told a news conference. "Smoke columns are developing and the skies are covered in smoke," she said. "Firefighters have been pulled from the fire line for safety reasons." Officials said the fire had grown significantly in multiple directions since Monday. Wildfires threatening Fort Nelson in British Columbia, Canada. Regional fire chief Jody Butz, however, assured residents that crews were prepared, having cleared brush and erected fire barriers over the winter, and that water bombers were now dropping retardant to slow its advance. "We are confident that we have the resources to defend these areas, but we need people out of harm's way," he said. Fears of 2016 repeat In 2016, the entire city with a population of more than 90,000 was evacuated while production of one million barrels of oil per dayalmost one third of Canada's total output at the timestopped. Canada is the world's fourth largest producer and a leading exporter of crude to the United States. More than 2,500 homes and businesses were razed, with damage assessed at more than Can$3.7 billion. Thousands of residents never returned to the city. Authorities have been bracing for another possibly devastating wildfire season, after Canada's worst ever last year that saw flames burning from coast to coast and charring more than 15 million hectares (37 million acres) of land. This handout image released by Alberta Wildfire shows smoke columns going in multiple directions due to shifting winds in Fort McMurray Forest Area, Alberta, on May 13, 2024. Evacuations have been ordered in oil-producing Fort McMurray, Alberta on May 14. Authorities have been bracing for another possibly devastating wildfire season, after Canada's worst ever last year that saw flames burning from coast to coast and charring more than 15 million hectares (37 million acres) of land. Dozens of zombie fires sustained by layers of dried peat continued to smolder beneath the surface of the boreal forest through the winter, which was warmer than usual and left a smaller snowpack, while drought has persisted across the region. In British Columbia, thousands of residents of remote towns remained under evacuation orders, while CN railway on Tuesday suspended rail service between Fort St. John and Fort Nelson, and north of High Level in Alberta "due to wildfire activity." Rob Fraser, the mayor of Fort Nelson told AFP: "It's cool, it's overcast and the wind is just very slight. If everything continues like this, you know, we just might corral this beast." Air quality warnings, meanwhile, have been issued across Canada and the United States as smoke from the Canadian wildfires wafted as far south as the US state of Oklahoma and over to Quebec province in the east. 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: Study co-authors Latyr Sy (Senegal), Gakuto Chiba (Japan), Neddiel Elcie Munoz Millalonco (Chile), and Aleksandar Arabadjiev (Macedonia) singing and playing their traditional instruments. Credit: Latyr Sy, Gakuto Chiba, Neddiel Elcie Munoz Millalonco, Aleksandar Arabadjiev Are acoustic features of music and spoken language shared across cultures? Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen have contributed to a global study of music and speech, published in Science Advances. An international team of researchers recorded themselves performing traditional music and speaking in their native language. In all 50+ languages, the rhythms of songs and instrumental melodies were slower than those of speech, while the pitches were higher and more stable. Language and music may share evolutionary functions. Both speech and song have features such as rhythm and pitch. But are similarities and differences between speech and song shared across cultures? To investigate this question, 75 researchersspeaking 55 languageswere recruited across Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific. Among them were experts in ethnomusicology, music psychology, linguistics, and evolutionary biology. The researchers were asked to sing, perform instrumentals, recite lyrics and verbally describe songs. The resulting audio samples were analyzed for features such as pitch, timbre and rhythm. Credit: Max Planck Society The study provides "strong evidence for cross-cultural regularities," according to senior author Patrick Savage of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, a psychologist and musicologist who sang "Scarborough Fair." MPI's Limor Raviv, co-author on the study, recorded the Hebrew song "Yerushalayim Shel Zahav." Fellow author Andrea Ravignani from the MPI recorded the Italian song "Bella Ciao," playing the saxophone. The collection also featured the Dutch songs "Hoor de wind waait" and "Dikkertje Dap." Study co-authors Latyr Sy (Senegal), Gakuto Chiba (Japan), Neddiel Elcie Munoz Millalonco (Chile), and Aleksandar Arabadjiev (Macedonia) singing and playing their traditional instruments. Credit: Latyr Sy, Gakuto Chiba, Neddiel Elcie Munoz Millalonco, Aleksandar Arabadjiev Study co-authors Latyr Sy (Senegal), Gakuto Chiba (Japan), Neddiel Elcie Munoz Millalonco (Chile), and Aleksandar Arabadjiev (Macedonia) singing and playing their traditional instruments. Credit: Latyr Sy, Gakuto Chiba, Neddiel Elcie Munoz Millalonco, Aleksandar Arabadjiev Study co-authors Latyr Sy (Senegal), Gakuto Chiba (Japan), Neddiel Elcie Munoz Millalonco (Chile), and Aleksandar Arabadjiev (Macedonia) singing and playing their traditional instruments. Credit: Latyr Sy, Gakuto Chiba, Neddiel Elcie Munoz Millalonco, Aleksandar Arabadjiev Speculating on underlying reasons for the cross-cultural similarities, Savage suggests songs are more predictably regular than speech because they are used to facilitate synchronization and social bonding. "Slow, regular, predictable melodies make it easier for us to sing together in large groups," he says. "We're trying to shed light on the cultural and biological evolution of two systems that make us human: music and language." More information: Yuto Ozaki et al, Globally, songs and instrumental melodies are slower, higher, and use more stable pitches than speech: A Registered Report, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm9797. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adm9797 Journal information: Science Advances This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The city of Dallas' water system meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recently announced limits for "forever chemicals." But that doesn't mean the drinking water is free of chemicals, experts say. The EPA recently set the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals that resist grease, oil, water and heat. They are known as "forever chemicals," because they break down slowly over time. The new EPA standards set new limits for five of the more than 12,000 chemicals. The man-made chemicals perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS, have a limit of 4 parts per trillion. The PFNA and PFHxSolder versions of PFASand GenX chemicals, a newer generation of chemicals created as a replacement for PFOA, have a limit of 10 parts per trillion. The Dallas Water Utilities Department sampled PFAS in treated water from each of its three water plants, Eastside, Bachman and Elm Fork, from March to December 2023. The results indicate that PFAS levels in Dallas Water Utilities' drinking water currently meet new regulatory limits, according to the current information on PFAS released by the city. But at the Bachman plant, some levels of chemicals were detected, 3.8 for PFOA, 2.4 for PFOS, and 2.6 for PFHxS; they are all below the maximum contaminant level of 4, according to Xiujuan Chen, an assistant professor of environmental engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. Contaminant levels are measured on a scale of 1 to 4 parts per trillion. One part per trillion is equivalent to a single drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The results were obtained by sampling the water in an annual running average. This doesn't mean the levels were found in the water every day, and because the levels are lower than EPA standards, the risks associated with health problems may be lower, according to Chen. The Dallas Water Utilities Department said via email it is proactively incorporating PFAS monitoring into the source water sampling program, investigating possible PFAS sources to mitigate potential exposure, evaluating established and emerging treatment technologies and researching short and long-term strategies to reduce PFAS levels. The water utilities department did not specify what type of treatments or approaches it would take to mitigate these chemicals. There is no safe level of exposure to PFAS and they pose a risk to human health, said Chen. "The reason the EPA set these limits in the drinking water regulation is because they are the lowest of the lowest concentration levels that we can detect with our current analytical technology," said Chen. PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in a wide variety of consumer products such as non-stick metal coatings for cookware, paper food packaging, facial creams and cosmetics and industrial applications like firefighting foams, since their development in the 1940s. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly all people in the United States have measurable amounts of PFAS in their blood. Exposure to certain PFAS over a long period can cause cancer and other illnesses, according to the EPA. In addition, PFAS exposure during critical life stages such as pregnancy or early childhood can also result in adverse health impacts, according to David Andrews, deputy director of investigations and a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, a national nonprofit and environmental advocacy organization. The organization has been tracking chemicals in water and the lack of regulation for over two decades. "Part of the reason these new standards are so historical and monumental is that the EPA has actually not set any new drinking water regulations for an unregulated contaminant since the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments were passed in 1996," said Andrews. All public water systems have three years to complete their initial monitoring for these chemicals. Under the new rule, they must inform the public of the level of PFAS measured in their drinking water in their annual consumer confidence report. Where PFAS is found at levels that exceed these standards, systems must implement solutions to reduce PFAS in their drinking water within five years. "These regulations make it a very important step forward, but there's more work to be done to clean up this contamination and ensure that our regulatory system is robust enough so that this doesn't happen again," said Andrews. What can the city of Dallas do? Jennifer Guelfo, an assistant professor in the department of civil, environmental and construction engineering at Texas Tech University, said there are several ways for public water systems to combat these chemicals depending on the treatment plant. "Two of the most common large-scale treatment approaches that are used for PFAS are something people call GAC, which stands for granular activated carbon, and the other is ion exchange," said Guelfo, whose research is focused on investigating and managing the remediation of PFAS in drinking water systems. These treatments essentially run water through a tank with these materials, according to Guelfo. As the water goes through the tank, the PFAS essentially sticks to the GAC or the ion exchange, which takes the chemical out of the water. It's called sorption or adsorption. Sometimes, people call it a filtration process, but that's misleading because it's not like a particle that can't get through a strainer, said Guelfo. It's actually a dissolved molecule that leaves the water and instead attaches itself to these materials, Guelfo said. These approaches can be expensive depending on the size of the public water systems. Water rates could increase to cover this cost, said Christopher Moody, a regulatory technical manager with the American Water Works Association, an international nonprofit that focuses on water solutions and water safety. The EPA is making $21 billion available to improve the country's drinking water systems, including addressing PFAS contamination. Of that, $9 billion is specifically for tackling PFAS and emerging contaminants, according to the EPA news release. "The vast majority of systems will have to cover that cost one way or another. It'll either be through water rate increases or the system is able to absorb the new costs into their existing budget," said Moody. "For a system of the size of Dallas, those costs could exceed $50 to $100 a year per household." These approaches and compliance with new regulations could be expensive, but they are worth it to save lives, said Becky Rader, 67, a Dallas resident who has advocated for water regulations. Rader became involved when her husband, Lester, a captain in the Army Rangers, died in 1985. He was healthy, served at Fort Benning, and then died of leukemia. Rader said she began to think about the chemicals her husband was exposed to while in the military, and she learned about PFAS and the consequences of long-term exposure. She is concerned about the effects of these chemicals on people, wildlife and the environment. Rader wants the city of Dallas to be proactive and start thinking about these approaches before it is too late. "If I have to spend a little more money to make sure my grandson is healthy later in life, it's worth it. Or I won't get sick," Rader said. "It's worth spending the extra money." Where does Dallas water come from? The Dallas Water Utilities Department, which serves 2.6 million people, obtains water from Elm Fork of the Trinity River and lakes Ray Hubbard, Lewisville, Grapevine, Ray Roberts and Tawakoni. The Dallas water supply comes from surface water, not from groundwater sources, such as wells, according to Dallas Water Utilities. How is Dallas water treated? The water utilities department uses chemical treatment, settling, filtering and disinfection to produce drinking water. After the water is treated, the water is pumped into the distribution system for delivery to users. How often is the water tested, and what kind of tests are performed? Dallas water treatment plants monitor the water production process 365 days a year. Nearly 7 million samples are analyzed and transmitted by the department each month, providing them with real-time data to ensure the process is operating correctly and, if necessary, to make operational adjustments to ensure water quality and regulatory compliance requirements are continuously met. The types of testing include pH, temperature, alkalinity, turbidity and disinfectant residuals, according to a Dallas Water Utility communication spokesperson. Additionally, the Dallas Water Utility's Water Quality section continuously monitors the quality of the drinking water through its distribution system to ensure quality and compliance with National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. Samples are continuously collected and analyzed for various chemical, physical and microbiological parameters. Water filters at home Water filters are sold in stores for homes that can do the same process as the ones that water treatment plants use but on a smaller scale, said UT Arlington professor Xiujuan Chen. Residents should look for filters that offer a granular activated carbon process and are certified to remove PFAS, according to Chen. Consumer Reports recommends looking for a water filter with the code NSF/ANSI 53 (or NSF/ANSI 58 for reverse osmosis systems) and the manufacturer's claim that the product can remove PFAS. 2024 The Dallas Morning News. 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: Most dangerous areas for whale shark-shipping vessel collisions revealed. Credit: University of Southampton Researchers have found that heavily used shipping lanes pass through crucial whale shark feeding grounds, posing a threat to this endangered species. Research published 15 May in Science of the Total Environment has revealed areas where the sharks are at the highest risk of colliding with large shipping vessels by mapping the locations of whale shark aggregations and overlaying them with information on shipping traffic. The paper is titled "Identifying priority sites for whale shark ship collision management globally." "The almost ubiquitous overlap of at least some large shipping vessel traffic with whale shark aggregations underlines the magnitude of the threat the shipping industry poses," says lead author Dr. Freya Womersley, a researcher at the Marine Research and Conservation Foundation (MARECO), the University of Southampton and the Marine Biological Association (MBA). "Our findings highlight the need for targeted measures within these areas to reduce the risk of collision and improve the conservation status of endangered whale sharks." A growing concern The world's merchant fleet has doubled in size in the last 16 years. There are now more than 100,000 ships transporting goods worldwide and this number is expected to grow by as much as 1,200% over the next ~27 years. Collisions with wildlifealso known as ship strikes, are a growing concern and can be a leading cause of death for large marine animals, with more than 75 species at risk of population-level consequences. Whale sharks have a declining population and spend almost half their time in surface waters, often in coastal areas that are heavily used by shipping vessels. Dr. Gonzalo Araujo, Director at MARECO, said, "Collisions with large ships are likely to be fatal for whale sharks, but evidence is scarce. That's because whale sharks are slightly negatively buoyant, so their bodies sink. To inform conservation efforts, it's important to quantify collision-related threats even when direct evidence is lacking." Identifying high-risk areas Although they are mainly solitary creatures, whale sharks regularly come together in search of prey at special sites around the world called constellations. It is especially important to reduce threats to whale sharks inside constellations because the sharks are concentrated in high densities. Researchers from MARECO, the University of Southampton, the MBA and Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) drew on the experience of specialists who study whale sharks around the world to map and gather insights on these constellations. More than 75 experts responded to a series of survey questions and identified areas where they have encountered the most whale sharks (core habitats), as well as other places whale sharks have been spotted (buffer zones). In total 107 areas were identified in 26 countries. The experts reported observations from over 13 thousand individuals, representing over half of all identified whale sharks. The team then used information on large ship positionsprovided by Global Fishing Watch (www.globalfishingwatch.org)to understand the density of shipping in each of the constellations. Whale sharks were most in danger of coming into contact with large vessels off the coast of mainland Ecuador, Isla Mujeres and La Paz in Mexico, Ewing Bank in the northern Gulf of Mexico, Kota Kinabalu and Redang Island in Malaysia, Pintuyan in the Philippines, Musandam in Oman and around the Seychelles and Taiwan. The researchers identified 39 of these sites where peaks in shipping activity coincided with peak seasonal occurrences of whale sharks, sometimes across several months. Dr. Chris Rohner, Principal Scientist at MMF said, "Many of these sites had more than one vessel per square kilometer in core habitats. For example, the constellation in Isla Mujeres in Mexico has an average of 56 ships passing through the core habitat monthly. These sites require urgent action to reduce the threats posed by shipping." Results showed that some experts involved in the study underestimated the threat posed by large ship collisions within constellation sites due to a lack of direct evidence, such as injuries or witness accounts, which are available for other, sub-lethal threat categories like tourism interactions and small vessel collisions. Reducing the risk The research team also looked at how this threat could be mitigated. They simulated vessel movements within the whale shark constellation at Ewing Bank, in the northern Gulf of Mexico. They found that reducing the speed of vessels passing through the constellation by 75% resulted in a small cost to shipping, with an approximate increase in total transit time of 5%, on average, but a potentially high gain for whale sharks as slower ships can better see, and avoid collisions with, the sharks. Dr. Womersley said, "One of the benefits of speed reductions is that they can be temporarily introduced during whale shark peak seasons. These speed limits can also be applied to smaller vessels which are less deadly but can still damage the sharks." Rerouting the ships around core habits had even less of an impactan approximate 0.5% increase in total transit time (just 2.4 hours per vessel) and a 1.1% increase in total distance traveled, on average. Dr. Araujo added, "Rerouting is the most direct way to reduce the risk of collision and our results suggest that this will often be more cost-effective than speed reduction, mainly because whale shark core sites are small. Movements of as little as 12 nm (22.2 km) away from of a core whale shark habitat could mean fast transiting ships avoid the site entirely." Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), noted, "CMS plays a pivotal role in securing the long-term survival of the whale sharka globally endangered species. Ensuring the safety of this highly migratory species from vessel collisions within its migratory range particularly at aggregation sites, is a key goal under CMS." The researchers say support for these measures requires increased awareness and education of the issue as well as improved data but suggest effective management strategies could pave the way for coexistence between this important species and the shipping industry. More information: Freya C. Womersley et al, Identifying priority sites for whale shark ship collision management globally, Science of The Total Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172776 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment 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: Outcomes related to police behavior on hot days. Credit: Behrer et al High temperatures affect the decision-making of police officers and judges. Previous research has shown that heat can increase criminal activity, with the leading theory proposing that heat reduces emotional control and increases aggression. A. Patrick Behrer and Valentin Bolotnyy investigate the effects of heat on the behavior of those who respond to criminal activity. The work is published in the journal PNAS Nexus. The authors analyzed records of 10 million arrests across the state of Texas from 2010 through 2017, along with the legal outcomes that followed each arrest. These data were merged with daily temperature data. Police made fewer arrests per reported crime on the hottest days in the sample, and these arrests were more likely to be dismissed in court, suggesting that more of the hot-day arrests were difficult to justify legally. Judges dismissed fewer cases, issued longer prison sentences, and levied higher fines when ruling on hotter-than-average days. Heat did not exert a meaningful influence on the decisions of prosecutors. According to the authors, unless measures like air-conditioning and increased staffing and teamwork are used, climate change is likely to worsen police and judicial decision-making in places like Texas through an increased frequency of hot days. More information: A Patrick Behrer et al, Heat and law enforcement, PNAS Nexus (2024). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad425 Journal information: PNAS Nexus Provided by PNAS Nexus 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: Gunter Schweigert A team of paleontologists from Germany and Austria reports that a brittle star fossil found in Germany shows evidence of clonal fragmentation (fissiparity) 150 million years ago. Their paper is published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. In 2018, a team of excavators with State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart uncovered a brittle star fossil in a limestone deposit at a dig site in Germany. It was in excellent conditionminute details of its anatomy could be easily seen. It has since been named Ophiactis hex. For this new study, the research team examined the fossil and found that the starfish relative lived approximately 150 million years ago, during the late Jurassic. They also discovered that it was in the process of regenerating three of its arms when it died. Brittle stars are echinoderms, marine invertebrates that also include sea cucumbers, sea urchins and starfish. Prior research has shown that many species of brittle stars are capable of reproducing by splitting off parts of their body, both of which then regenerate, resulting in two distinct clonal creatures, a process known as clonal fragmentation. The researchers note that although many studies have been done on clonal fragmentation, very little has been done on its evolutionary history in brittle stars. Credit: Gunter Schweigert Credit: Gunter Schweigert The work was based mostly on luckthe ancient brittle star was found during a random dig. But finding it was important, they note, because it shows that the evolutionary history of clonal fragmentation in brittle stars goes back at least 150 million years. The research team determined that the creature had been in the middle of regenerating arms because the three new ones were much thinner and clearly less mature than the other three as evidenced by the difference in the growth of sharp spines. They also note that it is the first such fossil evidence of its kind ever found. Brittle stars are known to live in dense colonies, suggesting that more specimens may be found at the same dig site. 2024 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain According to the latest available data, around 3.7 million Ukrainians are internally displaced, while nearly 6.5 million have registered as refugees globally. With 1.13 million, Germany has taken in the largest cohort. Swift and decisive measures were taken to bring Ukrainian refugees into Germany in 2022: shortly after the Russian offensive began, Ukrainian arrivals were granted immediate employment rights and social benefits, including medical care. Unlike other asylum seekers in Germany, Ukrainians have also been permitted to travel back and forth to their country of origin without losing their entitlements. These expedited policy changes granted Ukrainian refugees privileges that were not extended to others. For example, in 2015, many Syrian refugees who had traveled on foot through the Balkans, Hungary and Austria were pushed back at the German border after Germany decided to reintroduce border controls. This unequal treatment shows how Ukrainian refugees have been positioned as uniquely deserving arrivals to Europe. Ukraine's martial law also prohibits most men aged 18-60 from leaving the country, meaning the majority of international refugees are women and children. Studies have shown that gender plays a significant role in the experiences of displaced people. It can influence policy decisions that directly affect them, and impacts how they are represented, understood and integrated into host countries. Our research, published in December 2023, set out to interrogate how Ukrainian women are portrayed in German public media, and what this can tell us about how Germany perceives its refugee population. Gendered depictions of Ukrainian refugees In our study, we analyzed 79 articles on female Ukrainian refugees from two high circulation German news outlets, Der Spiegel and Die Zeit, published during the first year of the latest Ukrainian conflict. We found that the dominant discourse presents Ukrainian women in Germany as keeping children safe, and as willing, able workers who will contribute to their host's economy. Notably, early reports also paid significant attention to Ukrainian women's aspirations, future plans, and dreams, as well as the practical compromises they make in pursuing them. Some of these attributes are emphasized in profiles that have appeared elsewhere in German media. The welcome guest: 'Mary Poppins' refugees We identified and explored five key characteristics that appear in the media depictions of displaced Ukrainian women: they are familiar, educated, hard-working, grateful and welcome. One interview with Lena, a Ukrainian woman, is recounted as follows: "'We are very grateful," says Lena. Every few minutes she says thank you for anything or everything." Lena is also quoted as saying "we want to be useful for Germany and for ourselves." The article states that she wants to "learn the language, earn money and pay taxes. She wants to be a part of this society and give something back as soon as she can." Ukrainian women are often presented as productive participants in the German labor market, or they express their aspiration to do so in the near future. Another interviewee says "I have completed my B1 German course, now B2 follows I've already been promised a job in a hospital near Frankfurt am Main, but I still need the professional permit and a few other documents. It takes a long time." Ukrainian women are also portrayed as willing to assist with maintaining their hosts' ideals and values of cooperation, diplomacy and education. For instance, one Ukrainian woman is quoted as saying "I myself am more useful to Ukraine when I'm here. I earn money with my work and send some of it home, among other things, I donate to the Ukrainian army." It is crucial to note that these interviews and stories are filtered through media outlets for a German audience. One journalist's reporting on a Ukrainian woman's desire to study at university is especially telling: "It's as if the 22-year-old wanted to give a personal response to the violence unleashed by Russia in her homeland: more education, more international understanding, more Europe." While such reporting may, admirably, aim to humanize refugees, it can lead to unrealistic expectations. Focusing on their potential for providing economic or cultural benefits can obscure the challenges they face as humans seeking shelter from conflict. Over the course of our research, we concluded that the ideal female refugee would be something akin to Mary Poppins, from the well known Disney 1964 musical fantasy film of the same name: she arrives unexpectedly, brings little baggage, is well spoken, well mannered, and able to fit into her hosts' lives, leaving only positive impacts. She is, in her own words, "practically perfect in every way." Idealized stereotypes cut both ways Portrayals such as these are ultimately harmful to all displaced people. By uplifting one group, they cast a shadow on those who do not fit the bill, but they also raise expectations of the contributions refugees can make. Those who are unable to fit into this "practically perfect" category for a variety of reasonsbe they economic, professional or culturalmay find themselves excluded or vilified. Likewise, idealized constructions of Ukrainian women displaced by conflict may also work against them, obscuring the important challenges they face, such as the slow and difficult process of getting Ukrainian qualifications recognized in Germany. Our study aims to sidestep the "common sense" ideas about displaced people that often dominate public policy and debate. These tend to focus more on what refugees can bring to the table than their intrinsic right to universal protection. 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Ghana has around 7.9 million hectares of forested land (35% of the total land area), according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. Around 7.6 million hectares are primary or naturally regenerated forest, and around 297,000 hectares are planted forest. In 2022, Ghana lost 18,000 hectares of primary forest, a nearly 70% increase from 2021. It was the biggest increase in forest loss of any country in recent years. A new study by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations notes that deforestation rates have risen despite an abundance of sustainable cocoa standards, corporate pledges and carbon-offset projects. The Conversation Africa's Godfred Akoto Boafo interviewed agroforestry researcher John Tennyson Afele about the rapidly declining forest cover in Ghana. What are the main causes of deforestation in Ghana? There are several factors at play. Agricultural expansion: Ghana's population grew from 11.87 million in 1980 to 32.18 million in 2020. This has led to a massive expansion in the number of people taking up farming. It happens even in forest reserves, which cover 16.2% of the country's total land area. In addition, people have moved into new patches of land, mostly in forests and reserves, as a result of the soil in traditional farming areas losing its fertility. This has been as a result of continuous cultivation. Ghana is the second biggest producer of cocoa in the world. Its cocoa farms are a major cause of deforestation. They often clear forests to establish new plantations, resorting to slash-and-burn methods that degrade land. This is a method of cultivation in which forests are burned before they are cleared for planting. A recent study traced back 26,000 ha of cocoa-driven deforestation in protected areas in Ghana since 2000. Wood for fuel: Most rural Ghanaians rely heavily on forests for household energy. Trees are harvested for firewood and secondary products like charcoal. Mining: Ghana is rich in mineral resources such as gold and manganese. It has overtaken South Africa as the leading gold producer in Africa. Mining is another major cause of deforestation. More than 13,000ha of forest land is under mining lease to mining companies. But small scale miners, known as galamseyers, work illegally in concessions leased by the companies and are the major culprits of destructive and uncontrolled mining activities. A high percentage of these illegal operations take place in the Ashanti, Bono East, Ahafo, Bono, Eastern, Central, Western and Western North regions. These areas contain about 70% of Ghana's rainforests. Mining activities also pollute waterways and disrupt the ecological balance, through access roads and waste disposals. Logging: Illegal logging by the timber industry is a persistent threat. Weak governance, corruption and inadequate enforcement allow loggers to exploit valuable timber resources. These direct causes are often driven by deeper issues like poverty, limited access to land and alternative livelihoods, corruption, poor governance and limited awareness of sustainable practices. Farmers might feel compelled to clear forests for immediate income, and communities might not have access to affordable clean energy sources. How bad is the situation? Ghana has experienced a drastic decline in forest cover over the past decades. The Global Forest Watch report in 2022 indicated Ghana lost 18,000 hectares of natural forest, equivalent to 78Mt of CO emissions. This represents a 60% increase from 2018, making Ghana the country with the highest relative increase in primary forest loss among all tropical countries. The potential consequences of deforestation in Ghana are far-reaching. They include: Biodiversity loss: Forests are home to a vast array of plant and animal species. Deforestation destroys habitats, leading to species extinction and a decline in overall biodiversity. Climate change: Trees are the major terrestrial carbon sink and absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. Deforestation reduces this sequestration capacity, exacerbating climate change and contributing to rising temperatures. Soil erosion : Forest cover protects the soil from the elements. Without this protection, soil erosion increases, leading to reduced fertility and agricultural productivity. Water scarcity: Forests play a role in regulating water cycles. Deforestation disrupts these patterns, leading to irregular rainfall patterns, increased risk of floods and potential water scarcity. Livelihoods at risk: Forests provide resources and income opportunities for many communities. Deforestation threatens these livelihoods, affecting everything from food security to medicinal plants and traditional practices. Why have current approaches not helped? Ghana has implemented various initiatives to combat deforestation. But the situation persists. There are a number of reasons. Firstly, there's a limited focus on underlying causes. Many approaches focus on directly addressing deforestation activities, like stricter logging regulations or promoting tree planting. But without tackling the root causes like poverty and lack of sustainable alternatives, deforestation continues. Secondly, market-based approaches are often adopted. Strategies like carbon offsetting or sustainable certification schemes as well as Nationally Determined Contributions have limitations. Leakage, where conservation efforts in one area displace deforestation to another, remains a concern. Additionally, these approaches might not adequately address the needs of local communities. Over-reliance on offsets can distract efforts to address the root causes of deforestation, such as poverty and lack of sustainable alternatives. Again, effectively monitoring and verifying the impact of market-based approaches can be difficult. Thirdly, there's weak enforcement and governance. Inadequate enforcement of existing regulations against illegal logging and mining allows these activities to thrive. Corruption and lack of transparency further hinder progress. The present government introduced flagship programs like those code-named Halt and Vanguard to end illegal small-scale mining. They have not been effective, mainly because of weak law enforcement and governance. Fourth, communities are disconnected from conservation efforts. They aren't involved, which can lead to resentment and a lack of ownership. Empowering communities and ensuring they benefit from conservation is necessary for long-term success. Lastly, monitoring and evaluating conservation initiatives can be difficult. Reliable data and transparent reporting mechanisms are essential to assess progress and adapt strategies. What is the way forward? Combating deforestation in Ghana requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses the root causes and promotes sustainable practices. Sustainable agriculture: Supporting techniques like agroforestry, where trees are integrated into farms, and shade-grown cocoa can reduce pressure on forests while maintaining agricultural productivity. Education on nature-based solutions and general sustainability can increase yield, maintain soil fertility and enhance profits of farmers. Stronger law enforcement and governance: Stricter measures against illegal activities, coupled with improved governance and reduced corruption, are essential. Community involvement: Engaging local communities in conservation efforts, ensuring they benefit from forest protection, and providing alternative livelihoods. 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: Methane plume emitting from oil and gas facility. AI to automatically detect global methane emissions in satellite imagery. Credit: KyotoU/Bertrand Rouet-Leduc As global temperatures rise to record highs, the pressure to curb greenhouse gas emissions has intensified. Methane is particularly targeted because its significant global warming potential in the short term exceeds carbon dioxide by over 80-fold. However, monitoring methane emissions and compiling their quantities have been challenging due to limiting trade-offs with existing detection methods. Now, a research team including Kyoto University and Geolabe, U.S. has developed a method to automatically detect methane emissions at a global scale. The work is published in the journal Nature Communications. "Our approach can potentially provide methane detection at high frequency and high resolution from point sources, paving the way for a systematic quantification method," says lead author Bertrand Rouet-Leduc of KyotoU's Disaster Prevention Research Institute and Geolabe. Rouet-Leduc further suggests that their method may help prioritize and automatically validate atmospheric mitigation of methane, which currently accounts for approximately one-third of global warming. Multispectral satellite data has emerged as a viable methane detection tool in recent years, enabling routine measurements of methane plumes at a global scale every few days. However, significant noise plagues these methane data, and until now, detections have been limited to very large emissions and have required human verification. In contrast, the team has trained an AI to automatically detect methane leaks over 200kg/h, accounting for over 85% of the methane emissions in well-studied, large oil and gas basins. "With satellite measurements, trade-offs must be made between spatial coverage, spatial and temporal resolution, and spectral resolution and associated detection accuracy. AI partially offsets these trade-offs," explains co-author Claudia Hulbert, also of Geolabe. Methane plumes are invisible and odorless, so they are typically detected with specialized equipment such as infrared cameras. The difficulty in finding these leaks from space goes without saying, akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Leaks are distributed around the globe, and most of the methane plumes are relatively small, making them easy to miss in satellite data. The group's collaborative work represents a key step towards the precise, systematic monitoring of methane emissions, anywhere on Earth, every few days. "Automation is paramount when analyzing large areas. We were surprised that AI can automate the process and dramatically outperform the human eye in detecting small methane plumes," reflects Rouet-Leduc. "In our next phase, we plan to integrate additional satellites in a global study of methane emissions." More information: Bertrand Rouet-Leduc et al, Automatic detection of methane emissions in multispectral satellite imagery using a vision transformer, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47754-y 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: The Cs atoms in the image appear as bright spots (circled in the image). Approximately half of the Cs atoms in the structure are radioactive. Credit: Journal of Hazardous Materials (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134104 Thirteen years after the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), a breakthrough in analysis has permitted a world first: direct imaging of radioactive cesium (Cs) atoms in environmental samples. The analysis, completed by a team of researchers in Japan, Finland, America, and France, analyzing materials emitted from the damaged FDNPP reactors, reveals important insights into the lingering environmental and radioactive waste management challenges faced in Japan. The study, titled "'Invisible' radioactive cesium atoms revealed: Pollucite inclusion in cesium-rich microparticles (CsMPs) from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant" has just been published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. In 2011, after the Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, 3 nuclear reactors at the FDNPP underwent meltdowns due to a loss of back-up power and cooling. Since then, extensive research efforts have focused on understanding the properties of fuel debris (the mixture of melted nuclear fuels and structural materials), found within the damaged reactors. That debris must be carefully removed and disposed of. However, many uncertainties remain concerning the physical and chemical state of the fuel debris and this greatly complicates retrieval efforts. Attempts to understand the chemistry of radioactive cesium results in a world first A significant amount of radioactive Cs was released from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi reactors in particulate form. The particles, termed Cs-rich microparticles (CsMPs), are poorly soluble, small ( Prof. Satoshi Utsunomiya from Kyushu University, Japan, led the current study. He explained that the CsMPs "formed in the bottom of the damaged reactors during the meltdowns, when molten nuclear fuel impacted concrete." After formation, many CsMPs were lost from the reactor containment into the surrounding environment. How the image was created? Detailed characterization of CsMPs has revealed important clues about the mechanisms and extent of the meltdowns. However, despite abundant Cs in the microparticles, direct atomic scale imaging of radioactive Cs in the particles has proven impossible. Prof. Gareth Law, a study collaborator from the University of Helsinki, explained that "this means we lack full information on the chemical form of Cs in the particles and fuel debris." Utsunomiya said, "While Cs in the particles is present at reasonably high concentrations, it is often still too low for successful atomic scale imaging using advanced electron microscopy techniques. When Cs is found at a high enough concentration, we have found that the electron beam damages the sample, rendering resulting data useless." However, in the team's previous work using a state-of-the-art high-resolution high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscope (HR-HAADF-STEM), they found inclusions of a mineral called pollucite (a zeolite) within CsMPs. Law explained that "in past analysis we showed that the iron-rich pollucite inclusions in the CsMPs contained >20 wt.% Cs. In nature, pollucite is generally aluminum-rich. The pollucite in the CsMPs was clearly different to that in nature indicating it formed in the reactors. "Because we knew that most of the Cs in CsMPs is fission derived, we thought that analysis of the pollucite could yield the first ever direct images of radioactive Cs atoms." Zeolites can become amorphous when subjected to electron beam irradiation, but that damage is related to the composition of the zeolite, and the team found that some pollucite inclusions were stable in the electron beam. Learning this and informed by modeling, the team set about painstaking analysis that saw Utsunomiya, graduate student Kanako Miyazaki, and the team finally image radioactive Cs atoms. Utsunomiya explained, "It was incredibly exciting to see the beautiful pattern of Cs atoms in the pollucite structure, where about half of the atoms in the image correspond to radioactive Cs. This is the first time humans have directly imaged radioactive Cs atoms in an environmental sample. "Finding concentrations of radioactive Cs high enough in environmental samples that would permit direct imaging is unusual and presents safety issues. While it was exciting to make a scientific world first image, at the same time it's sad that this was only possible due to a nuclear accident." More than an imaging breakthrough Utsunomiya emphasized that the study's findings are broader than mere imaging of radioactive Cs atoms. "Our work sheds light on pollucite formation and the likely heterogeneity of Cs distribution within the FDNPP reactors and the environment." Law said, "We unequivocally demonstrate a new Cs occurrence associated with the materials emitted from the FDNPP reactors. Finding Cs containing pollucite in CsMPs likely means it also remains in the damaged reactors; as such, its properties can now be considered in reactor decommissioning and waste management strategies." Collaborator Emeritus Prof. Bernd Grambow from Subatech, IMT Atlantique Nantes University, added, "We should now also begin to consider the environmental behavior or Cs-pollucite and its possible impacts. It likely behaves differently to other forms of Cs fallout documented thus far. "Also, the effect on human health might have to be considered. The chemical reactivity of pollucite in the environment and in body fluids is certainly different than that of other forms of deposited radioactive Cs." Finally, reflecting on the study's significance, Prof. Rod Ewing from Stanford University underscored the pressing need for continued research to inform debris removal strategies and environmental remediation. "Yet again, we see that the pain-staking analytical efforts of international scientists really can unlock the mysteries of nuclear accidents, aiding long-term recovery efforts." More information: Kanako Miyazaki et al, "Invisible" radioactive cesium atoms revealed: Pollucite inclusion in cesium-rich microparticles (CsMPs) from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Journal of Hazardous Materials (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134104 Journal information: Journal of Hazardous Materials 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: Map showing the local area around Mount Marapi on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where the death toll from weekend flash floods has risen, authorities said on May 14. Indonesian rescuers raced Wednesday to find dozens of people still unaccounted for after heavy rains caused flash floods and washed volcanic debris into residential areas over the weekend, sweeping away houses and leaving 67 people dead. Hours of torrential rain on Saturday caused mud and rocks to flow into districts near one of Indonesia's most active volcanos, destroying dozens of houses and damaging roads and mosques. "Some of the missing ones have been found. According to the police identification, 67 people died," national disaster agency chief Suharyanto said Wednesday in a press conference, raising the death toll from 58. He added that 20 people remained missing, with rescuers saying many of the retrieved bodies were found in or around rivers after being swept away by the deluge of volcanic material, mud and rain. The mixture of ash, sand and pebbles carried down a volcano's slopes by rain is known in Indonesia as lahar, or cold lava. Heavy equipment was deployed to clear debris from the areas worst hit by flooding and cold lava flows, which have affected transport access in six districts, said Suharyanto, who goes by one name. As the search effort continued, volunteers in rubber boats joined rescuers. "We have been scouring the areas that cannot be reached with cars. The currents in the river are extreme, so the search is quite dangerous," Ritno Kurniawan, a 38-year-old member of the local rafting community, told AFP. "We usually found the bodies along the riverbanks, buried under volcanic material or rocks." Around 20 people are still missing following the floods, which killed dozens. Village cut off More than 3,300 people have been forced to evacuate from affected areas. Provincial search and rescue official Hendri, who goes by one name, told AFP rain, stacks of logs and large volcanic rocks in rivers were hindering the search. Eka Putra, mayor of Tanah Datar, told Metro TV one village was still inaccessible by car or motorbike. To aid the rescue effort, authorities on Wednesday deployed weather modification technology, the term Indonesian officials use for cloud seeding. In this case, it is being used in a bid to make clouds rain earlier so the precipitation's intensity is weakened by the time it reaches the disaster-struck area. Indonesia is prone to landslides and floods during the rainy season. In 2022, about 24,000 people were evacuated and two children were killed in floods on Sumatra island, with environmental campaigners blaming deforestation caused by logging for worsening the disaster. A woman cleans a home that was damaged in the floods in Rambatan Village, Tanah Datar Regency on Sumatra. Trees act as a natural defense against floods, slowing the rate at which water runs down hills and into rivers. The district worst-hit by the floods is on the slopes of Mount Marapi, one of Indonesia's most active volcanos. In December, it erupted and spewed an ash tower 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) into the sky, taller than the volcano itself. At least 24 climbers, most of them university students, died in the eruption. 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: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain If the 21st century has proven anything to the United States electorate, it is that presidential elections are notoriously unpredictable affairs. The seeming randomness by which the country's electorate chooses its next president has only emboldened polling outlets, talking heads, and amateur psephologists to scrutinize every conceivable variable to give their respective electoral forecasting models a much-needed edge. However, Sherwood Clements, collegiate assistant professor of real estate in the Pamplin College of Business, had an electoral theory that, to the best of his knowledge, had never been explored with regards to a national election. Clements, the William and Mary Alice Park, Jr. Faculty Fellow in the Blackwood Department of Real Estate, hypothesized that the performance of the United States' largest asset class, residential real estate, should influence individual voter behavior and outcomes. Under this hypothesis, Clements believed that homeowners would be more supportive of policies thator politicians whoare perceived as beneficial to their property value. He called this the "homevoter" effect, a term first coined by Dartmouth College professor William Fischel in 2001. By examining 30 years of data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency Housing Price Index, Clements and his co-authors evaluated the effects of county-level housing market performance on voter behavior in national presidential elections and found that the performance of the U.S. residential real estate market has an impact on voter behavior in presidential elections. The results found in Clements's research, "Housing Performance and the Electorate," published in the Journal of Real Estate Research, show that counties with superior house price performance in the four years preceding an election are more likely to "vote-switch" to the incumbent party, while counties with inferior house price performance in the four years leading up to the election are more likely to switch its vote from the incumbent to the challenging party. "In layman's terms, a county is more likely to switch to the incumbent and not switch to a challenger if real estate is doing well," said Clements. According to the research, the relationship is strongest in the years immediately preceding an election and in counties that rank in the higher quartile of housing price performance. "Election outcomes in 'swing' counties are particularly vulnerable to the local real estate economy," he said. According to Clements, the most interesting finding in his research is what happened to residential real estate values in counties that flipped its votes to the presidential incumbent. "Counties that flipped their votes did not experience positive returns over the next election cycle," he said. "We found that it is better, strictly in terms of residential real estate values, that we switch parties every four years. Counties are better off not chasing positive returns." So what clues can election prognosticators divine from Clements's research for the 2024 presidential election? "Let's assume at the state level, over the last year, Virginia's housing performance index went up 5%," said Clements. "If, over four years, the residential housing returns in Virginia went up 20%, that means there is a 12% to 17% greater chance that people in Virginia will vote for the incumbent for president." However, if Clements's research proves correct, that may not be the best thing for "homevoters" to do. "Over the 30-year period, our research has shown that the results 'homevoters' seek don't necessarily turn out in their favor." More information: Eren Cifci et al, Housing Performance and the Electorate, Journal of Real Estate Research (2023). DOI: 10.1080/08965803.2023.2184910 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: T2T gap-free genomes assembly of B. rapa and mechanism of purple color and flavor of purpuraria. Credit: Science China Press Brassica has long been of paramount importance to agriculture and human nutrition, containing diverse popular crops such as kale, cauliflower, rapeseed, turnip, pak choi, cabbage, mustard, and choy sum, which are of high economic value worldwide. Till now, the genomes of more than 20 Brassica rapa crops have been assembled. However, fully complete genomes of B. rapa have yet to be assembled. To fill the missing piece of the research and resolve the special agronomic traits of purpuraria, researchers utilized high-depth ONT and HiFi sequencing data to complete the first T2T gap-free genomes of B. rapa ssp. chinensis cv. AiJiaoBai, a leafy vegetable; and B. rapa ssp. purpuraria cv. HongShanCaiTai, a floral shoot vegetable. The research is published in the journal Science Bulletin. Based on the gap-free genomes, the researchers resolved in detail the sequence features of the highly complex regions of B. rapa. The centromeres of B. rapa consisted of satellite sequences formed by 176-bp monomer. Unlike the typical tightly arranged structure rDNA in other plants, the 45S rDNA of B. rapa showed loose and significantly expanded characteristics, occupying large areas on the chromosomes. Insertion of a large number of specific types of TE is the main source of the expansion. It is noteworthy that the 45S rDNA regions of B. rapa overlapped completely with its pericentromeres, indicating that the 45S rDNA may be related to the formation of pericentromeres somehow. Purpuraria is purplish-red in color because of its high content of proanthocyanidins, a class of bioactive antioxidants that, prevents cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, while possessing liver protection and other physiological functions. By comparing the genomes of 21 B. rapa subspecies, the researchers found that a structural variant (SV) on chromosome 7 specific to the purpuraria ultimately led to the phenotype of its purple-red shoot stems. This SV is located in the promoter region, 245-bp upstream of the transcription factor BrMYB2 in a domestication locus of the purpuraria. Subsequent experiments showed that the SV had resulted in significant up-regulation of BrMYB2 in the shoot stems of purpuraria, ultimately resulting in its purplish-red color. The presence of this SV and its effect was validated in several purpuraria accessions. Purpuraria is favored for its unique flavor as a local seasonal specialty vegetable. Glucosinolates (GSLs) were previously reported to play a critical role in determining the special flavor of B. rapa. The researchers pointed out that several genes on aliphatic GSL biosynthesis pathway are significantly up-regulated in purpuraria leaves, suggesting that its biosynthesis in purpuraria may be significantly increased. In addition, the GTR1 gene, which promotes the transport of GSLs from leaves to shoot stems, produced extra copies in purpuraria, which led to its tens of-fold up-regulation. The high biosynthesis of aliphatic GSLs and their efficient transport to the shoot stems may be the genetic basis for the special flavor of purpuraria as a floral shoot vegetable. This study was led by Prof. Kun Wang (State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice of College of Life Sciences, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory of College of Life Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies and RNA institute of Wuhan University), Prof. Aihua Wang (Wuhan Vegetable Research Institute, Wuhan Academy of Agricultural Sciences) and Prof. Qijun Nie (Institute of Economic Crops, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences). More information: Yifan Zhou et al, The complexity of structural variations in Brassica rapa revealed by assembly of two complete T2T genomes, Science Bulletin (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2024.03.030 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 FORMOSA demonstrator (foreground) during installation in the underground cavern of the FASER experiment (background). Credit: CERN The LHC family of experiments continues to grow. Alongside the four main experiments, a new generation of smaller experiments is contributing to the search for particles predicted by theories beyond the Standard Model, our current theory of particle physics. Recently, the FORMOSA demonstrator, which hunts for millicharged particles, has been installed in the cavern containing the FASER detector, 480 meters downstream from the ATLAS interaction point. It will now collect its first data. Some theories predict the existence of millicharged elementary particles that would have a charge much smaller than the electron charge. If they exist, they would give clues to a theory beyond the Standard Model and could be considered as candidates for dark matter. The FORMOSA demonstrator aims to prove the feasibility of the full experiment, which is intended to be installed in a proposed underground hall located about 620 meters away from the ATLAS interaction point. This experimental areathe Forward Physics Facilityis under study within the Physics Beyond Colliders initiative and is expected to host several experiments that will search for long-lived particles predicted by theories beyond the Standard Model. These particles would be produced by collisions at the center of the ATLAS detector and would interact feebly with Standard Model particles. If approved, the experiments, among them the the proposed FASER 2 and FLArE experiments, could start taking data when the High-Luminosity LHC is switched on in 2029. The FORMOSA demonstrator comprises scintillators. When interacting with a charged particle, the scintillators emit photons that are subsequently converted into an electrical signal. While cosmic muons or those from ATLAS collisions may also strike the scintillators, millicharged particles typically deposit much less energy into each layer, distinguishing them from muons that traverse the detector. "Initial studies with so-called no-beam data and source tests look already promising. This marks an important step towards achieving the goal to run the demonstrator this year and a great demonstration of the collaborative spirit of the projects within the Forward Physics Facility," says project leader Matthew Citron from University of California, Davis. Millicharged particles have become a particular focus of research in recent years. The MilliQan detector, located 33 meters away from the CMS interaction point, as well as MoEDAL-MAPP close to LHCb, started data taking during LHC Run 3. In 2020, a study carried out with a smaller demonstrator, MilliQan had ruled out the existence of millicharged particles for a range of masses and charges. Thanks to a higher volume of detection and its location in the far forward region of the LHC collisions, the FORMOSA experiment hopes to extend this search. Provided by CERN 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: This artist's concept depicts one of two PREFIRE CubeSats in orbit around Earth. The NASA mission will measure the amount of far-infrared radiation the planet's polar regions shed to spaceinformation that's key to understanding Earth's energy balance. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Twin shoebox-size climate satellites will soon be studying two of the most remote regions on Earth: the Arctic and Antarctic. The NASA mission will measure the amount of heat the planet emits into space from these polar regionsinformation that's key to understanding the balance of energy coming into and out of Earth and how that affects the planet's climate. The data from the Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment (PREFIRE) mission will help improve our understanding of the greenhouse effect at the polesspecifically, the capacity of water vapor, clouds, and other elements of Earth's atmosphere to trap heat and keep it from radiating into space. Researchers will use this information to update climate and ice models, which will lead to better predictions of how sea level, weather, and snow and ice cover are likely to change in a warming world. Each of PREFIRE's cube satellites, or CubeSats, will use a thermal infrared spectrometer to measure the heat, in the form of far-infrared energy, radiated into space by Earth's surface and atmosphere. Here are five things to know about this small but mighty mission: 1. The PREFIRE CubeSats will provide new information on how Earth's atmosphere and ice influence the amount of heat being radiated out to space from the Arctic and Antarctic. The CubeSats will gather data over the poles using sensors that are sensitive to 10 times more infrared wavelengths than any similar instrument. Information gathered by the mission will advance our understanding of when and where the poles shed heat into space, as well as why the Arctic has warmed more than 2.5 times faster than the rest of the planet since the 1970s. 2. This mission will focus on the far-infrared portion of the heat Earth emits into space. Just beyond the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum sits the infrared, a spectrum of longer-wavelength light that can be sensed as heat. Essentially all of Earth's heat emissions happen at infrared wavelengths between 4 and 100 micrometers. At the planet's cold polar regions, 60% of the heat emissions occur at far-infrared wavelengths (longer than 15 micrometers). Researchers have relatively little data on which parts of the Arctic and Antarctic are shedding this heat. PREFIRE will help address this lack of knowledge, giving scientists a better idea of how efficiently far-infrared heat is emitted by things like snow and sea ice, and how clouds influence the amount of far-infrared radiation that escapes to space. 3. Data from PREFIRE will help improve polar and global climate models. By filling in gaps in our knowledge of Earth's energy budget, PREFIRE will sharpen our understanding of what drives the loss of polar ice on land and sea, and related questions of sea level rise. This will help researchers better predict how the heat exchange between Earth and space will change in the future, and how those changes will affect things like ice sheet melting, atmospheric temperatures, and global weather. PREFIRE data will be available to the public through NASA's Atmospheric Science Data Center. 4. The PREFIRE CubeSats are designed to answer critical questions using a platform that's lower-cost than a full-size satellite. The PREFIRE CubeSats use advances in spectrometry to measure processes associated with ice melt and formation, snow melt and accumulation, and changes in cloud cover. A single satellite that revisits the same region of Earth every several days can monitor seasonal changes that researchers can use to improve climate models. But following the interactions between Earth's surface and atmosphere, such as the amount of cloud cover temporarily effecting the temperature of the area beneath it, requires more frequent measurements. Two satellites in asynchronous near-polar orbitspassing over a given spot on Earth at different times, looking at the same area within hours of each othercould catch some of these shorter-time-scale phenomena. 5. The PREFIRE mission is helping to train the next generation of satellite climate scientists. NASA developed PREFIRE with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, including team members from the universities of Michigan and Colorado. The mission engages a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students, who make up a significant portion of the science team. Provided by NASA 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: Emperor E-79 shown at the end of a display sequence after calling. When the birds call, their bills are facing generally downward and only slightly opened. The sound is radiated downward from the bill and to a lesser extent outward from the breast. Credit: Linda M. Henry, SeaWorld San Diego An emperor penguin's sex determines the nature of their courtship callmale vocalizations are composed of long, slow bursts with lower frequency tones than the female version. But calls of SeaWorld San Diego male penguin E-79 caught the attention of researchers by defying this binary. Also unusual was this penguin's male companion, E-81. The pair "kept company" and sometimes exhibited ritual courtship displays. Researchers from Applied Ocean Sciences, the Marine Technology Society, Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute, and SeaWorld San Diego investigated the courtship calls of E-79 and E-81. Kerri Seger presented their as part of a joint meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Canadian Acoustical Association, held May 1317 at the Shaw Center located in downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The emperor penguin courtship display includes strutting, bowing, emitting the distinctive call, and swinging the head. This courtship display is also exhibited in other social contexts, especially around chicks and juvenile penguins. "The sound isn't melodious by comparison with songbird callsit has been likened to a malfunctioning starter motor," said bioacoustician Ann Bowles. "Our interest was in the timing of the calls, which are composed of a series of noisy bursts. A lot of individual information is encoded in the timing of these bursts." Unexpected vocalizations like E-79's could indicate a developmental or health issue or genetic anomaly. However, the team couldn't address questions about the bird's condition without taking a very basic stepthey had to quantify the range of variability in "normal" calls of other emperor penguins and compare them to E-79's calls in detail. Not only did they need to record the birds in their below-freezing enclosure, but they also had to refine the usual technique for analyzing the bursts. "We found that if we looked at the bursts overall, they were structured mainly like the male-type calls, but they contained little initial amplitude peaks in front of many bursts and a series of very short peaks in one of the long central bursts that would not have been typical of adults of either sex," Seger said. The team hypothesizes that the feminine or juvenile qualities of E-79's bursts could partially explain E-81's interest. Refining the technique to study penguin calls has important applications beyond E-79. "Seabird calls haven't received anything like the attention that songbirds get, partly because they're difficult to analyze," said Seger. "We're hoping new approaches like the one we're working on will help. These calls can be indicators of developmental differences, health, reproductive state, or genetic makeup. Emperors are now considered to be at risk because of changing ice conditions in the Antarctic. Tools for assessing their condition or reproductive state remotely could be very helpful for assessing large numbers safely." More information: Technical program: https://eppro02.ativ.me/src/EventPilot/php/express/web/planner.php?id=ASASPRING24 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: Map showing path of two-node quantum network through Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts. Credit: Can Knaut via OpenStreetMap It's one thing to dream up a quantum internet that could send hacker-proof information around the world via photons superimposed in different quantum states. It's quite another to physically show it's possible. That's exactly what Harvard physicists have done, using existing Boston-area telecommunication fiber, in a demonstration of the world's longest fiber distance between two quantum memory nodes to date. Think of it as a simple, closed internet between point A and B, carrying a signal encoded not by classical bits like the existing internet, but by perfectly secure, individual particles of light. The groundbreaking work, titled "Entanglement of nanophotonic quantum memory nodes in a telecom network" and published in Nature, was led by Mikhail Lukin, the Joshua and Beth Friedman University Professor in the Department of Physics, in collaboration with Harvard professors Marko Loncar and Hongkun Park, who are all members of the Harvard Quantum Initiative, alongside researchers at Amazon Web Services. The Harvard team established the practical makings of the first quantum internet by entangling two quantum memory nodes separated by optical fiber link deployed over a roughly 22-mile loop through Cambridge, Somerville, Watertown, and Boston. The two nodes were located a floor apart in Harvard's Laboratory for Integrated Science and Engineering. Quantum memory, analogous to classical computer memory, is an important component of an interconnected quantum computing future because it allows for complex network operations and information storage and retrieval. While other quantum networks have been created in the past, the Harvard team's is the longest fiber network between devices that can store, process and move information. Each node is a very small quantum computer, made out of a sliver of diamond that has a defect in its atomic structure called a silicon-vacancy center. Inside the diamond, carved structures smaller than a hundredth the width of a human hair enhance the interaction between the silicon-vacancy center and light. The silicon-vacancy center contains two qubits, or bits of quantum information: one in the form of an electron spin used for communication, and the other in a longer-lived nuclear spin used as a memory qubit to store entanglement (the quantum-mechanical property that allows information to be perfectly correlated across any distance). Both spins are fully controllable with microwave pulses. These diamond devicesjust a few millimeters squareare housed inside dilution refrigeration units that reach temperatures of -459F. Using silicon-vacancy centers as quantum memory devices for single photons has been a multi-year research program at Harvard. The technology solves a major problem in the theorized quantum internet: signal loss that can't be boosted in traditional ways. A quantum network cannot use standard optical-fiber signal repeaters because copying of arbitrary quantum information is impossiblemaking the information secure, but also very hard to transport over long distances. Silicon vacancy center-based network nodes can catch, store and entangle bits of quantum information while correcting for signal loss. After cooling the nodes to close to absolute zero, light is sent through the first node and, by nature of the silicon vacancy center's atomic structure, becomes entangled with it. "Since the light is already entangled with the first node, it can transfer this entanglement to the second node," explained first author Can Knaut, a Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences student in Lukin's lab. "We call this photon-mediated entanglement." Over the last several years, the researchers have leased optical fiber from a company in Boston to run their experiments, fitting their demonstration network on top of the existing fiber to indicate that creating a quantum internet with similar network lines would be possible. "Showing that quantum network nodes can be entangled in the real-world environment of a very busy urban area, is an important step towards practical networking between quantum computers," Lukin said. A two-node quantum network is only the beginning. The researchers are working diligently to extend the performance of their network by adding nodes and experimenting with more networking protocols. More information: Mikhail Lukin, Entanglement of nanophotonic quantum memory nodes in a telecom network, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07252-z. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07252-z 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: This schematic shows how trapped ions in a figure-eight, spin-transparent storage ring could work as a quantum computer. Credit: Jefferson Lab Deep in outer space, invisible hands mold the universe. One is dark matter, an unseen substance thought to bind distant galaxies. The other is dark energy, a force believed to push stellar structures apart with gravity-defying strength. Searching for signs of these strange cosmic influences, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility designed a device to measure their supposed effects on spinning electrons. Then, they realized the idea held promise in another realm: quantum computing. Quantum computers are the next frontier in information technology. Once confined to far-off theory and science fiction, these machines harness the wacky, wonderful forces of the submicroscopic world to solve problems that might be too tough for classical computersthink 1s and 0sand even the massive, extreme-scale supercomputers of today. The booming, global pursuit has made tremendous leaps in recent years, with large tech companies, startups and governments pursuing a mixed bag of platformseach with strengths and weaknesses. But owing to the delicate mechanics on which these systems operate, the decades-long quest to bring them into reliable and practical use has so far proven elusive. Now, a Jefferson Lab-led team is throwing its hat into the proverbial ring with a unique "CPU" born from particle accelerator technology and the study of the visible universe. It could rival or even outperform some of the noisy, energy-hungry prototypes being explored. "We're finding new avenues for our existing expertise in nuclear physics," said Riad Suleiman, the lead investigator on the study. "Our goal is to open a new era of quantum computing research at Jefferson Lab." Familiar ring Suleiman specializes in injectors, the devices that imbue particle accelerators with their beams. He began working at Jefferson Lab as a Kent State University student in 1995 and joined the staff full-time in 2007 after stints as a postdoctoral fellow with MIT and Virginia Tech. Suleiman has joined Vasiliy Morozov, a former Jefferson Lab accelerator physicist who works at the DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Matt Grau, a trapped-ion quantum computing expert from Old Dominion University. A full patent was filed on their quantum computing "core," which involves trapping charged atoms (ions) and injecting them into a figure-eight-shaped beamline. This stainless steel, vacuum-sealed ring is designed to maintain ions' spin as they circulate. Stored in this way, the atoms can act as quantum bitsqubits, for short. The project got its start in 2022 under Jefferson Lab's Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program, but its history goes way back. Morozov spent more than a decade at Jefferson Lab before joining Oak Ridge in 2020. He was involved in early design concepts for the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a next-generation particle accelerator being built at the DOE's Brookhaven National Laboratory in partnership with Jefferson Lab. One of the EIC designs involved beamlines shaped like a figure eight, including a ring for storing electrons before they smack against accelerated ions. "The challenge in some accelerators is having the spin of all particles pointing in the same direction," said Morozov, who is still involved with the EIC. "You have to keep them aligned because, if you're not careful, you end up with a completely chaotic orientation. The figure eight was proposed as a universal way to maintain this alignment for precision experiments." The DOE's ultimate EIC selection was a mostly circular design, but the figure-eight model wasn't scrapped. Suleiman and Morozov formed a team to explore another use for these novel rings: the search for clues about the origin and structure of the universe. The physical world owes its existence to an excess of matter over antimatter, and Suleiman said figure-eight rings are an ideal place to measure electron properties that could explain this imbalance. Spinning within these rings, the elementary particles are also expected to be hypersensitive to hypothetical forces related to dark matter and dark energy. During this research, Suleiman's team conjured another use for the rings. "That's how the idea came to life," Suleiman said. Quantum realm Quantum computers don't necessarily make for a faster or smaller CPU, so you won't find one on your deskor lapanytime soon. They just have access to a different computational space. "For some of the hardest problems that supercomputers are tackling today, there is the potential for quantum computers to solve them extremely efficiently," Grau said. Fields that could benefit include cryptography, data science, search algorithms and artificial intelligence. Another is the modeling of quantum systems, such as nanomaterials, quantum chemistry, quantum optics and quantum field theories. "It turns out that these computers are very good at solving quantum physics problems," Grau said. "This is really useful if you want to simulate the pathways for certain chemical reactions or how an interesting protein in a drug might work. Rather than trying it in a beaker, you can try it in a computer that naturally speaks the language of quantum mechanics." Qubits can be likened to the binary bits of a classical computer. But instead of representing only a 1 or 0, they can represent many different computable states simultaneously through the weird quantum property of superposition. Their processing power can be further amplified by stringing them together via another quirky quantum feature called entanglement. Entanglement is a fundamental strangeness of quantum systems in which particles' physical states, such as spin, can be directly correlatedin principle even if they are light-years apart. This can be accomplished within a trap that confines the ionsin this case, Ytterbiumusing an oscillating electric field. The trap is under ultrahigh vacuum and cooled to temperatures colder than deep space. "A millionth of a degree above absolute zero is where all the motion has basically been frozen out, and these particles are completely still," Grau said. "At these very cold temperatures, you can get an extreme amount of control. This is critical to operating quantum computers." From there, a combination of static and time-varying electric fields injects the ions into the ring. Rating eights Big tech firms such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and IBM are exploring superconducting-based quantum computing, and another Jefferson Lab team is partnering with the private sector to explore ultra-energy-efficient superconducting digital electronics. Other companies and startups are looking into neutral atoms, trapped ions and photonics, but it's unclear which technology will separate from the pack. Arguably, the most critical requirement of a quantum computer is that it be a "closed box," meaning it must be isolated from the rest of the universe. External interference or information leakage from within can disturb the foamy sea of probabilities on which the computer operates. Isolation through prevention and cancellation of external interactions allows the ions to maintain their quantum states. This quality is called coherence, and it must last long enough for the computer to perform its complex algorithms. Thanks to a beamline vacuum and naturally occurring cancellation of the spin effects in a figure-eight layout, such a ring is expected to offer coherence times of greater than three hours. Like in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's "Ant-Man" franchise, three hours is a lifetime in the quantum worldand this lifetime far surpasses the current state of the art. For comparison, IBM's superconducting Condor computer offers coherence times of about 200 microseconds, and Xanadu's 216-qubit system can go about 34 milliseconds without decohering. Quantinuum's H2 trapped-ion system performs a little better than these platforms with coherence greater than 100 seconds, and Atom Computing's neutral-atom platform has a 40-second span. The figure-eight ring is also expected to outperform these systems in the number of qubits it can store. At about 12 meters long and 6 meters wideabout the area of a small apartmentthese rings could amass as many as 3,000 qubits. They can scale up even further by stacking multiple rings, Suleiman said. The sheer number of qubits would go a long way in fault tolerance and error correction. "Being able to compute accurately with error correction usually means that you need way more qubits than you would to satisfy the needs of your algorithm," Grau said. "So, scaling is really, in the end, the big challenge that all quantum computers have to face." Meanwhile, IBM's Condor operates on 1,121 qubits and Atom Computing's neutral-atom machine has 1,180. Quantinuum's H2 currently uses 32 qubits, as does IonQ's Forte trapped-ion system. Brookhaven Lab is also examining storage rings for quantum computing, but its patented model is elliptical in design and relies on extreme beam cooling. Meanwhile, Suleiman's team is on the verge of a full patent for its figure-eight that takes advantage of rather robust quantum spin effects not involving hard-to-achieve quantum features of the particle's orbital motion. "The figure-eight storage ring was developed simply to preserve particles' spins," Suleiman said. "It's a very simple concept but turned out to be fruitful when you apply it to different areas. If we can start demonstrating its capabilities, we can one day work with a company to further develop the idea." 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: Kindel Media from Pexels Updated medical guidance on "excited delirium," the controversial term accused of covering up deaths in police custody, including that of George Floyd, is being brought forward before its scheduled date of October 2025, reports The BMJ. The move comes as attitudes towards the use of the term appear to be changing, explains journalist Chris Stokel-Walker. For instance, last month the U.S. state of Colorado joined California in banning police, medical staff and coroners from using the term, and the UK Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) removed the phrase from its incident forms. The phrase "excited delirium" was first coined by two doctors working in Miami in the 1980s, but subsequent analyses have never found a reliable medical basis for its use in the medical lexicon. Yet it and a related term more common in the UK, "acute behavioral disturbance" (ABD), have been mentioned as a cause of death or contributing factor in 44 cases of UK police restraint since 2005, according to an investigation published in March 2024 by the charity Inquest, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Observer. An earlier study published in July 2023 found that mentions of ABD in mental health records in one London NHS trust increased year-on-year between 2006 and 2021. James MacCabe, professor of epidemiology and therapeutics at King's College London, believes that the use of both terms is misguided, while Catherine Polling, NIHR clinical lecturer in general psychiatry, also at King's College London, says, "It's not traditionally a term that we use, and it's not in any of our diagnostic manuals." The guidance, produced by the Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine (FFLM), part of the Royal College of Physicians, is used to inform police forces' handling of suspects in custody. In 2019, the guidance linked excited delirium and ABD together, discussing how the two overlapped with one another. But an updated version in 2022 shied away from using excited delirium and included additional warnings about using specific forms of restraint and medicine that could result in harm or death to those it was being enacted upon. Controversy over the terms are well-warranted, argues MacCabe. "In the case of George Floyd, it's quite clear what is happening: it's being used as a way of explaining the fact that people have died when they've been in police custody or when they've been restrained, and it's a way of deflecting attention away from the restraint techniques that might have been used." There is also another reason why it's such a controversial diagnosis, says MacCabe: It seems to be predominantly applied to Black people. The same July 2023 analysis that tracked ABD mentions in the London NHS trust found that Black people were more than twice as likely to have ABD referenced in mental health assessments than white people, while a US analysis of 166 reported deaths in police custody between 2010 and 2020 attributed to excited delirium found that black people were 43.3% of the reported deaths. A separate study shows that excited delirium is mostly cited as a cause of death in people who have previously been restrained. The IOPC said in a statement, "We have decided to stop using the term 'excited delirium' as we recognize that it is language that is outdated and potentially offensive. We have removed it from IOPC forms that police forces use to make referrals to us and will not use the term as an option for categorizing our investigations." While unable to share a draft of the new FFLM guidance, Margaret Stark, one of the authors, can confirm that it updates references to include the latest knowledge, and removes references to non-clinical terms such as "disproportionate superhuman strength." Stark is happy to see the back of excited delirium but thinks losing the term "acute behavioral disturbance" would be a mistake. She points to the importance of having a label for when people feel severe anxiety in police custody, because feeling that anxiety can lead to changes in the body that become a medical emergency. Experts agree it's time to find a better term, but what should replace "excited delirium?" Andrew Stolbach, associate professor of emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins University, says that not having a way to define the issues he encounters with patients does them a disservice, though he dislikes "excited delirium." He says he'd prefer to describe the symptoms in front of him, rather than assume a diagnosis without further tests. He believes it also serves another more noble purpose. "Whenever there's a term that's historically been associated with racism, it's important to be sensitive to that," he says. "We need to recognize the weight that that carries. And that's just even more reason to move on." More information: Excited delirium: Can the world lose the controversial term accused of covering up deaths in police custody?, The BMJ (2024). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.q1047 Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ) Pullman Market is the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. It includes an Italian restaurant called Fife & Farro (top right), a fresh produce section (bottom right) and a Sonoran-Mexican restaurant called Mezquite (bottom left). Mike Sutter/Staff Pullman Market is the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff The Burgers By The Butcher counter at Pullman Market includes a wagyu burger and a side order of curry fries at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff One of five quick-service food stalls is the ceviche-and-tacos counter at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff One of five quick-service food stalls is the ceviche-and-tacos counter at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff Pullman Market is the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff The wine department includes a refrigerator case of bottles at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff Mezquite is a restaurant serving Mexican and Southwestern food from the Sonoran region at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. The menu includes fish tacos, charro beans, chiles rellenos and a Flaquita margarita. Mike Sutter/Staff Mezquite is a restaurant serving Mexican and Southwestern food from the Sonoran region at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff Mezquite is a restaurant serving Mexican and Southwestern food from the Sonoran region at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff Dinner at Mezquite includes guacamole and a tuna tostada at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff Mezcaleria is the bar outside Mezquite, a restaurant serving Mexican and Southwestern food from the Sonoran region at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff The Italian restaurant called Fife & Farro at Pullman Market serves pasta carbonara, Italian red wine and a pizza called the Spicy Boy. Pullman Market is the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff Fife & Farro is an Italian restaurant and pizzeria at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff To watch an operation as ambitious as Pullman Market, as big as Pullman as Pearl as Pullman is to watch San Antonio dive into the trenches of the culture wars. Its too invasive, its too commercial, its too out-of-town. Its too un-San Antonio. Im not here to fight that war, the one that started when Pullman Market opened at Pearl last month, all 40,000 square feet of it, with a fresh market, five quick-service food counters, two full-service restaurants and two more on the way, all from one group: Emmer & Rye Hospitality out of Austin. But Im embedded at Pullman to observe the campaign, and I have conflicting thoughts of my own. First, the good thoughts. The word ecosystem comes to mind, thinking about the way Pullman uses and reuses its bakery, meat market, seafood counter, produce section and all its adjunct operations to supply and sustain and recycle each other. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Expand that ecosystem perspective to include the citys hospitality industry, and you land on one overlooked Pullman commodity: employment. Ive seen talent from all over San Antonio at Pullman. From Bread Box, Rebelle, Carnitas Lonja, Ladino, Pulp Coffee Roasters, Bar Loretta and more. In that respect, Pullman is a lifeline for people looking to change direction. Or a merciless poacher, depending on whether your bar manager just walked out. The grocery department includes fresh produce, a butcher's case, a bakery and an extensive chilled wine selection at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff Beyond that self-contained ecosystem lies a landscape less certain. As Im drinking a caramel latte from the coffee bar at Pullman and eating a croissant from the bakery and thinking about the burger Ill have for lunch and the sorbet after that, I have to wonder if Pullman is a self-defeating proposition for Pearl. A commercial lease for a restaurant in a shopping center usually includes a clause that protects the restaurant from competition moving into the same center. So I wonder how other tenants at Pearl feel about Pullman. About how Bakery Lorraine feels, about how Local Founders Coffee feels, about how Lick Honest Ice Creams feels when they see Pullmans bakery, its coffee bar, its ice cream counter. Or how the rent-paying residents of the Bottling Department food hall, doing business literally steps away from Pullman, feel about any of it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In other words: How much Pearl is too much Pearl? Can San Antonio support that kind of restaurant density? Can Pullman Market sustain itself beyond the grand-opening rush, or will it become a museum of heirloom tomatoes and urban intention? Fife & Farro is an Italian restaurant and pizzeria at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff Pullman owner and founder Kevin Fink of Emmer & Rye thinks it can. Hes out there on the front lines, working his market from the ground up, flipping burgers on the flattop, bagging up pastries at the bakery, making ceviche while the rest of the crew shucks oysters. He can see the chaos the same as we can, the beehive traffic patterns, the tight seating during the lunch rush, the half-life of outdoor seating as the summer heat says, Hold my beer. Friends have told me theres a place like Pullman in most any big city across America, that its not something especially new or enterprising or special. True, but its sure as hell new for San Antonio. More than a mall food court, more than a food truck park, more than a dedicated food hall with a handful of booths and vendors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They say it takes a village. This is that village. And this is a restaurant critics guide to that village. WINE & DINE AT PEARL: Mike Sutter's guide to Pearl Breakfast from the sandwich and coffee counters at Pullman Market includes a cappuccino, a latte, a drip coffee, an El Doblado breakfast sandwich (eggs, bacon, cheese, blackberry jam) and a sausage-egg-and-cheese sandwich. Pullman Market is the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff Whats for breakfast? At breakfast, its apparent that while Pullman is a self-contained ecosystem, you still have to deal with the various parts of that system, which means ordering your coffee from one counter, picking up your breakfast sandwich from another counter, getting your pastries at another counter and then paying for those pastries somewhere else altogether. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its like shopping at little specialty stores in a French village. Except this isn't France, and here in the United States of San Antonio, we like to pay for everything all at the same time, if for no other reason than it saves us all that time standing in line. The breakfast sandwiches were sloppy but good, and I mean sloppy to the point that after a few bites, they were no longer a hand-held transaction but a job for the old knife and fork. I especially liked the sausage, egg and cheese sandwich, and the elaborate Del Plato, with bacon as thick as ham and a shot of blueberry jam. The croissant is shaped like a Pagliacci clown hat, rising to a cone at the top with layers as light as air spiraling all the way down to the base. An oversize pain Suisse au chocolat pastry crusted with sugar made me think of a Mexican bakery pastry, one that relies on size over style, not exactly a Danish or a roll or a doughnut, but something that borrowed the least inspirational aspects of each. Breakfast options from the bakery and coffee counters at Pullman Market includes a jalapeno-cheese scone, a pain Suisse au chocolate pastry, a latte and a croissant. Pullman Market is the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff I like that I can get coffee in a ceramic cup if I ask, because everybody knows coffee tastes better served in something heavy enough to match the weight of the day. Its good coffee, roasted by Kyle Lopez at his Good For Nothing Coffee facility on South Presa, using beans from Guatemala for espresso drinks and drip coffee. Hell make room for guest roasters in the future, some of the ones whose beans hes already featuring as Pullmans coffee manager, including San Antonios own Merit Coffee Co., Estate Coffee Co. and Whats Brewing Coffee Roasters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Quick-service food counters at Pullman Market include a hamburger counter called Burgers By The Butcher and a ceviche-and-tacos counter. Pullman Market is the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff Whats for lunch? As you watch the flames of the rotisserie spinning behind the sandwich counter, you can get a rotisserie beef sandwich with a taste and texture like sliced steak, the kind of big-shouldered steak that embraces horseradish like a pro wrestler. Its nice to get a sandwich on a hoagie roll that cares to be more than just the most baseline bakery product you can get away with. This has a golden dome to keep the flake of the bread intact underneath it, even after you unwrap it. And youll want to unwrap it as soon as possible, because the mummy wrap immediately starts liquefying the sauce and the vegetables, and thats especially true of chicken salad, which brings some well-intentioned sloppiness of its own to the table. I like the idea of using rotisserie chicken for chicken salad, but the mayo and the celery and the herbs take over from there, and the benefits of the rotisserie are cut in half as cleanly as this foot-long sub. Lunch options from the sandwich counter at Pullman Market include chips, Southside soda, a rotisserie beef sandwich called La Nancy and a rotisserie chicken salad sandwich called Paloma Blanca. Pullman Market is the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff The ceviche counter benefits the most from Pullmans ecosystem model, drawing its fish from the same supply line that stocks the seafood case. Ceviche Negro from that case was one of the best things I ate in all of April. In a world where burgers have become the dumping ground for all of our hopes and dreams, along with every stray ingredient in the refrigerator and the pantry, the best burgers are still the ones that stay true to the reasons hamburgers became cultural icons in the first place: good beef, good bread, good cooking, and good old lettuce, tomato and pickle. The Wagyu Burger from the counter prosaically called Burgers By The Butcher does that with substance rather than style. Its lean where it needs to be, juicy when it needs to be, fatty when the time is right. And with this burger, the time is always right. For $10 at a burger stand where a burger with fries and a tip can easily top $24. Its the best value at the Pullman burger counter, and one of the best burgers in San Antonio. BEST OF THE BEST: San Antonio's Top 25 Restaurants Mezquite is a restaurant serving Mexican and Southwestern food from the Sonoran region at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. The menu includes fish tacos, charro beans, chiles rellenos, a Flaquita margarita, guacamole and a tuna tostada. Mike Sutter/Staff Whats for dinner? In the chaos of Pullman Market, there are places of refuge. Mezquite is one of those places, a cavernous train station of a room stretching almost three stories high, with warehouse windows, exposed steel braces, tassel chandeliers and towering palms. Focusing on Mexican and Southwestern food inspired by the Sonoran region, Mezquite is one of two full-service restaurants at Pullman, along with the Italian trattoria Fife & Farro. Two more are on the way: a dessert bar called Nicosi in the next month or so, and a Texas-focused concept called Isidore set for late summer. Before you go off on the idea that Mezquite is an Austin export doing Mexican food in San Antonio, remember that were not talking about New Hampshire. Its Austin, just an hour and a half up the road. And long before that, Pullman founder Kevin Fink learned his trade in Tucson, in Arizona, a state with just as much claim to Mexican food as Texas. Mezquites tuna tostada isnt necessarily something Id associate with Sonora, but the region extends all the way to Baja California and the Pacific Ocean. The tuna was fresh, cut in generous pieces and mostly left alone, garnished with chile crisp, a simple and elegant companion for a molcajete of vibrant guacamole. A cocktail called Midnight in Mexico (mezcal, Fernet, ancho reyes bitters) is an after-dinner option at Mezcaleria, the bar outside Mezquite, a restaurant serving Mexican and Southwestern food from the Sonoran region at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff Nobody wants to be that guy who talks about chips and salsa. But Im going to rave, because the salsa verde, the salsa negro and the salsa amarillo are three of the best chips-and-salsa combinations Ive had in San Antonio. Im happy to talk about tortillas, and Ill say they couldve use more time on the comal. They showed their shiny side in places they shouldnt. The best use of tortillas at Mezquite was a quesadilla-style preparation called a caramelo, toasted and bubbled like a Neapolitan pizza. The charro beans that came with a chile relleno were a meal by themselves, with chorizo and peppers and onions and broth, almost like a pozole. The relleno was as delicately fried as tempura at a Japanese restaurant, with the pepper thoroughly roasted. The cheese inside not so much. Fried fish tacos were symptomatic of a recurring theme at Mezquite, and thats a desire to cook everything so precisely, so delicately and not to overdo anything that they went too far in the opposite direction. Mezquites Flaquita margarita will make you feel like youre paying River Walk prices for a margarita, but its a really good margarita, as thoroughly clean and strong as a fussy craft cocktail. Fife & Farro is an Italian restaurant at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. The menu includes pasta carbonara, Italian red wine and a pizza called the Spicy Boy. Mike Sutter/Staff Fife & Farro fills a different dinner niche, a casual, homestyle environment framed by compartment racks of oak logs, wine bottles and green plants. They make their own pasta here, the same pasta you can buy in the display case outside, and they put it to good use with fat strands of handmade bucatini in a rustic pasta carbonara properly mounted with pecorino cheese and housemade guanciale. For a salami-and-pepper pizza called the Spicy Boy, the crust started with raised sourdough, and theres no mystery how that dough became a full-fledged pizza. You can stand at the counter and watch every step, all the way until they slide your pie into a wood-fired brick oven, where it takes on a proper charcoal sunspot glow. An antipasti plate of fresh snapper crudo offered another example of how the fresh-market operations at Pullman feed the whole operation. The ice cream counter includes blackberry sorbet with Chamoy and a chicken-and-waffle cone at Pullman Market, the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff Whats for dessert? I met chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph at the ice cream counter, a towering man with one of the best restaurants in Austin, an Emmer & Rye concept called Canje. Desserts ignite his passions, none more so than a chicken-and-waffle ice cream cone called the Hey Bird. To hear him tell the story, the idea started at Emmer & Rye, when the restaurant would get high-grade chicken deliveries. The flavor of this chicken is screaming to me that it needs to be something sweet, Bristol-Joseph said. So when Pullman got going, he knew theyd be getting great local chickens at the butcher shop, with a surplus of bones for stock and chicken skin for whatever. That whatever turned into an ice cream made with caramelized bone stock and a waffle cone made by roasting and dehydrating chicken skin, blitzing it to break it down and then mixing it into waffle batter. I wonder if by calling it a chicken-skin waffle theyre scaring people away. That would be a disservice, because its an ethereal thing, with a flavor that reminds me why Im the guy fighting everybody at Thanksgiving for the skin from the dark-meat pieces, because thats where the flavor is. Chicken stock just adds to the richness of the ice cream without completely hijacking the flavor. While the counters blueberry sorbet with chamoy will make you think of San Antonio, the chicken cone will make you think of nowhere else, because you cant get this anywhere else. A grocery haul from Pullman Market includes a baguette, a specialty sourdough loaf, OroBianco butter, romaine lettuce, a Cosmic Crisp apple, French rose wine, beer from Kunstler Brewing, coffee beans from WhatOs Brewing, cheese from River Whey Creamery and blackberries from Trosi Farms. Pullman Market is the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff What groceries can I buy? Shopping for groceries at Pullman is less like walking through a a produce section or a dairy aisle and more like wandering through a gallery, with presentations and products that look as much like set pieces as actual groceries. But they are. Its easy to cherry-pick the prices for the jaw-droppers ($1.25 a pound for bananas!), but I was impressed by one stroke of grocery-store genius. As an out-of-town operator, you can still keep it local by selling local: coffee beans from Whats Brewing and beer from Kunstler Brewing, both in San Antonio, or cheese from River Whey Creamery in Schertz. Or widen the circle to include Trosi Farms blackberries from Texas, and butter that will make you question everything you thought you knew about butter, coming from OroBianco in the Hill Country. Its a great place to shop for a picnic or a charcuterie board or a bottle of French rose or a baguette that just wont quit. But they also sell milk and eggs and toilet paper. Pullman Market is the new 40,000-square-foot food hall and grocery store at Pearl in San Antonio from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Mike Sutter/Staff FAQs answered Why is it called Pullman Market? It goes back to origins for Kevin Fink, who named his Austin restaurant and restaurant group Emmer & Rye for two of the foundational grains that helped moved humans from hunting and gathering to cultivating and farming. You know, that whole civilization thing. The name Pullman goes back to the trains that moved materials in and out of the old Samuels Glass building that houses the market and the broader idea that train travel helped foster wider exposure to regional foods. Where is it? The address is 221 Newell Ave. at Pearl, 210-759-0086, pullmanmarket.com. In more practical terms, its right behind Pearls Bottling Department food hall, just steps away from the main Pearl courtyard and the splash pad with all the screaming kids. What are the hours? The grocery part of the market is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The coffee counter and bakery counter open at 8 a.m. for breakfast, along with the sandwich counter for breakfast sandwiches. The rest of the quick-service food operations spool up at 11 in the morning. The Italian restaurant Fife & Farro is open 5 to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, then 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The Sonoran-Mexican restaurant Mezquite is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Where do I park? Believe it or not, the market has its own parking lot at Newell Avenue and Camden Street. Its free for up to 30 minutes, with spots designated for 15- and 30-minute parking. The rest of the lot costs $5 for up to two hours, $10 for two to five hours, on up to $20 for 24 hours. But you can get your parking validated for free for two hours with any purchase at the market or the restaurants. When the lot fills up and it will, because there arent nearly enough spaces for a market this size you can park in the Pearl lots, where parking is free from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, then $3 Monday through Thursday and $10 Friday through Sunday. 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: Three of the TRAPPIST-1 planetsTRAPPIST-1e, f and gdwell in their star's so-called "habitable zone." Credit: NASA/JPL The TRAPPIST-1 solar system generated a swell of interest when it was observed several years ago. In 2016, astronomers using the Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope (TRAPPIST) at La Silla Observatory in Chile detected two rocky planets orbiting the red dwarf star, which took the name TRAPPIST-1. Then, in 2017, a deeper analysis found another five rocky planets. It was a remarkable discovery, especially because up to four of them could be the right distance from the star to have liquid water. The TRAPPIST-1 system still gets a lot of scientific attention. Potential Earth-like planets in a star's habitable zone are like magnets for planetary scientists. Finding seven of them in one system is a unique scientific opportunity to examine all kinds of interlinked questions about exoplanet habitability. TRAPPIST-1 is a red dwarf, and one of the most prominent questions about exoplanet habitability concerns red dwarfs (M dwarfs.) Do these stars and their powerful flares drive the atmospheres away from their planets? New research accepted for publication in the Planetary Science Journal and available on the preprint server arXiv, examines atmospheric escape on the TRAPPIST-1 planets. Its title is "The Implications of Thermal Hydrodynamic Atmospheric Escape on the TRAPPIST-1 Planets." Megan Gialluca, a graduate student in the Department of Astronomy and Astrobiology Program at the University of Washington, is the lead author. Most stars in the Milky Way are M dwarfs. As the TRAPPIST-1 makes clear, they can host many terrestrial planets. Large, Jupiter-size planets are comparatively rare around these types of stars. It's a distinct possibility that most terrestrial planets are in orbit around M dwarfs. Artist concepts of the seven planets of TRAPPIST-1 with their orbital periods, distances from their star, radii and masses as compared to those of Earth. Credit: NASA/JPL But M dwarf flaring is a known issue. Though M dwarfs are far less massive than our sun, their flares are way more energetic than anything that comes from the sun. Some M dwarf flares can double the star's brightness in only minutes. Another problem is tidal locking. Since M dwarfs emit less energy, their habitable zones are much closer than the zones around a main sequence star like our sun. That means potentially habitable planets are much more likely to be tidally locked to their stars. That creates a whole host of obstacles to habitability. One side of the planet would bear the brunt of the flaring and be warmed, while the other side would be perpetually dark and cold. If there's an atmosphere, there could be extremely powerful winds. "As M dwarfs are the most common stars in our local stellar neighborhood, whether their planetary systems can harbor life is a key question in astrobiology that may be amenable to observational tests in the near term," the authors write. "Terrestrial planetary targets of interest for atmospheric characterization with M dwarf hosts may be accessible with the JWST," they explain. They also point out that future large ground-based telescopes like the European Extremely Large Telescope and the Giant Magellan Telescope could help, too, but they're years away from being operational. Red dwarfs and their planets are easier to observe than other stars and their planets. Red dwarfs are small and dim, meaning their light doesn't drown out planets as much as other main-sequence stars do. But despite their lower luminosity and small size, they present challenges to habitability. M dwarfs have a longer pre-main-sequence phase than other stars and are at their brightest during this time. Once they're on the main sequence, they have heightened stellar activity compared to stars like our sun. These factors can both drive atmospheres away from nearby planets. Even without flaring, the closest planet to TRAPPIST-1 (T-1 hereafter) receives four times more radiation than Earth. "In addition to luminosity evolution, heightened stellar activity also increases the stellar XUV of M dwarf stars, which enhances atmospheric loss," the authors write. This can also make it difficult to understand the spectra from planetary atmospheres by creating false positives of biosignatures. Exoplanets around M dwarfs are expected to have thick atmospheres dominated by abiotic oxygen. In this research, the authors took into account the predicted present-day water content for each of the outer planets and then worked backwards to understand their initial water content. This figure shows "The likelihood of each initial water content (in TO) needed to reproduce the predicted present-day water contents for each of the outer planets," the authors write. The four outer planets would've started out with enormous amounts of water compared to Earth. Credit: Gialluca et al, 2024 Despite the challenges, the T-1 system is a great opportunity to study M dwarfs, atmospheric escape, and rocky planet habitability. "TRAPPIST-1 is a high-priority target for JWST General and Guaranteed Time Observations," the authors write. The JWST has observed parts of the T-1 system, and that data is part of this work. In this work, the researchers simulated early atmospheres for each of the TRAPPIST-1 (T-1 hereafter) planets, including different initial water amounts expressed in Terrestrial Oceans (TO.) They also modeled different amounts of stellar radiation over time. Their simulations used the most recent data for the T-1 planets and used a variety of different planetary evolution tracks. The results are not good, especially for the planets closest to the red dwarf. "We find the interior planets T1-b, c, and d are likely desiccated for all but the largest initial water contents (>60, 50, and 30 TO, respectively) and are at the greatest risk of complete atmospheric loss due to their proximity to the host star," the researchers explain. However, depending on their initial TO, they could retain significant oxygen. That oxygen could be a false positive for biosignatures. The outer planets fare a little better. They could retain some of their water unless their initial water was low at about 1 TO. "We find T1-e, f, g, and h lose, at most, approximately 8.0, 4.8, 3.4, and 0.8 TO, respectively," they write. These outer planets probably have more oxygen than the inner planets, too. Since T1-e, f, and g are in the star's habitable zone, it's an intriguing result. T-1c is of particular interest because, in their simulations, it retains the most atmospheric oxygen regardless of whether the initial TO was high or low. The potential habitability of T-1 planets is an important question in exoplanet science. The type of star, the number of rocky planets, and the ease of observation all place it at the top of the list of observational targets. We'll never really understand exoplanet habitability if we can't understand this system. The only way to understand it better is to observe it more thoroughly. "These conclusions motivate follow-up observations to search for the presence of water vapor or oxygen on T1-c and future observations of the outer planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system, which may possess substantial water," the authors write in their conclusion. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A view of Waller Creek on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin. A significant portion of water that flows through it can be traced back to municipal sources, which keeps the water flowing and the trees growing on its banks sustained. Credit: The University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences Even in dry times, Waller Creek on The University of Texas at Austin campus is never without water. That's because a significant portion of the water that flows through itanywhere from 25% to 50%can be traced to wastewater from leaky city pipes. But there's a silver lining to the less-than-perfect plumbing, according to new research. The water flowing through the creek sustains trees growing along it, allowing them to thrive during drought conditions that take a toll on trees growing along streams in more rural areas. The research highlights how urbanization can have unintended positive effects among more well-known negative effects, such as pollution and higher levels of illness-causing bacteria. "Those negative effects are not canceled out," said Jay Banner, a professor in the Jackson School of Geosciences and the director of the Environmental Science Institute. "One has to weigh the unintended positive consequences with the expected and long-shown negative consequences." The findings were published in npj Urban Sustainability. A view of Waller Creek on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin. A significant portion of water that flows through it can be traced back to municipal sources, which keeps the water flowing and the trees growing on its banks sustained. Credit: The University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences Researchers compared the growth record of bald cypress trees along Waller Creek and Onion Creek, a rural stream about 12 miles from the UT campus, to the drought record of the region. A tree's growth is recorded in tree rings in its wood, with thicker rings reflecting wetter times and strong growth and thinner rings reflecting dryer times and little growth. Banner and his students extracted this record from living trees by taking coresnarrow rods of wood pulled from tree trunksand sending them to the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research at the University of Arizona for analysis. The oldest trees from Waller Creek date to 1933 and the oldest trees from Onion Creek date to 1844. The cores revealed that from the beginning, the trees along Waller Creek were sheltered from drought, with tree growth showing only a weak connection to drought severity. "[The trees'] needs are being met. They're not being stressed by the climate," said co-author Bryan Black, an associate professor at The University of Arizona who led the core analysis. "It fits right in line with the hypothesis that they're receiving supplemental water though this urban infrastructure leakage." Even during the state's most severe drought on record, which spanned 1950-1957, the Waller Creek trees showed only a small decline in growth. In contrast, the trees of Onion Creek faced a steep decline. In addition to sustaining the trees through drought, the constant flow of wastewater also appeared to make the Waller Creek trees take on an individualized growth pattern, with different trees having different growth rates throughout the year. The researchers think that with their water needs met, other factors that affect tree growthsuch as genetics, competition from other trees, nutrients, or the presence of peststook on a bigger influence. Although this would be an unusual result in a rural setting, researchers said they were not surprised to see the Waller Creek trees doing their own thing. "That's kind of what we expect in an urban environment," Banner said. "We would expect the natural system to be, well, for lack of a better term, messed up." Researchers pull a fresh wood core from a bald cypress tree growing along Waller Creek. An analysis of growth rings in the core revealed that the Waller Creek trees have always had a dependable water supply. This finding suggests that Waller Creek has long been a conduit for water leaking from surrounding pipes. Credit: The University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences Professor Jay Banner collecting a wood core sample from a bald cypress tree along Waller Creek on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin. Graduate student Ari Brandt stands on the right with additional coring equipment. Credit: The University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences Ongoing research is investigating how the chemistry of the tree rings may reflect the timing and amount of this municipal water input, as well as distinguishing among the municipal water sources of wastewater, tap water, and irrigation. Leaky infrastructure is commonplace across cities worldwide. That means that across the world, there are probably pockets of trees being sustained by wastewater like those along Waller Creek, the researchers said. Understanding the extent of infrastructure leakage and its ecological influence can help policymakers understand the broader effects of urbanizationthe good and the badand plan accordingly. "In my mind, this can help inform city development and city planners," Banner said. "We can take into account and calculate costs and invest in a better municipal water networkbut maybe one where we could still have positive consequences." As climate extremes become more frequent, the leaky pipes feeding Waller Creek could also prove to be an important lifeline, Banner said, sustaining not only the trees but the array of streamside plants and animals that also call the creek home. More information: Jay L. Banner et al, Positive unintended consequences of urbanization for climate-resilience of stream ecosystems, npj Urban Sustainability (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42949-024-00144-1 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Location of the survey area projected on Google Maps. The red rectangle shows the area of the initial survey. The color figure shows the horizontal profile of GPR. View is to the north. Credit: Archaeological Prospection (2024). DOI: 10.1002/arp.1940 A multi-institutional team of archaeological researchers from Japan and Egypt has discovered what they describe as an underground "anomaly" near the iconic Giza pyramid complex. In their study, published in the journal Archaeological Prospection, the group used both ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) to investigate the area beneath the Western Cemetery in Giza. Research in Giza has been going on for hundreds of years and has led to a better understanding of the pyramids and the people who built them. Prior research has also led to the discovery of the Western Cemetery, which lies near the Great Pyramid of Giza. Study of the cemetery has been focused mostly on mastabas, rectangular tombs made of limestone or mud, with flat roofs. But one part of the Western Cemetery has remained mostly unexploreda flat, vacant area with no structures. For this new study, the research team investigated whether anything was buried in that area. To find out, they conducted ground surveys using GPR and ERT. Data from their surveys showed that there is something beneath the surface. The researchers describe it as an anomaly because its density is different from the surrounding ground. The data also showed that the anomaly was almost certainly man-made due to its shape. They could see what appeared to be two underground structuresone shallow, one deep. The shallow structure is L-shaped and just under 2 meters deep. It measures approximately 10 meters wide by 15 meters long. They suspect its purpose was to support the construction of the larger, deeper structure, because it appears to have been backfilled with sand. The deeper structure was measured at almost 5 meters below ground at its most shallow and 10 meters at its deepest. It was measured at 10 square meters. The team suggests careful excavation of the site be carried out to determine the nature of the structures. More information: Motoyuki Sato et al, GPR and ERT Exploration in the Western Cemetery in Giza, Egypt, Archaeological Prospection (2024). DOI: 10.1002/arp.1940 2024 Science X Network ATLANTIC CITY Two men were arrested Sunday morning for their alleged involvement in three separate violent incidents in the resort, police said. Luis Mateo, 41, of Ewing, Mercer County, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Chreshull Rucker, 34, of Atlantic City, was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, certain persons not to possess a weapon, possession of hollow-point ammunition, theft, eluding and two counts of assault by auto. Both men are being held in the Atlantic County jail. Officers responded to Georgia and Pacific avenues at 5:39 a.m. and found Mateo suffering from a gunshot wound, police said Tuesday in a news release. Investigators said Mateo was uncooperative and refused to identify himself before being transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus. Police followed a trail of blood to the first block of South Florida Avenue, where they found evidence of gunfire. Atlantic City Police Department graduates 13 from academy The Atlantic City Police Department saw 13 new officers graduate from the academy Friday. Mateo was found to be in possession of several bags of cocaine and arrested, police said. It was also determined he had active warrants in Ewing. The shooting remains under investigation. A few hours later, an officer responded to the 1500 block of Atlantic Avenue at 9:06 a.m. for a report of a stolen vehicle. The owner told the officer they left their car running while going into a store, police said. Police found the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver, Rucker, ran a red light at Pennsylvania and Atlantic avenues before crashing into another vehicle and multiple objects, police said. Rucker attempted to run away following the crash but was taken into custody, police said. Officers found a loaded handgun and a pocket knife during a search of the stolen vehicle. While this incident was being investigated, officers responded to the first block of Kentucky Avenue and found a 36-year-old city man suffering from a stab wound, police said. The victim was transported to AtlantiCare, where it was determined his injuries were sustained hours prior. Investigators concluded Rucker was responsible for the stabbing, and he was charged the next day. Liz Teitz covers environmental news and the Hill Country for the San Antonio Express-News. She writes about the San Antonio Water System, news in New Braunfels and Comal County and water issues around Central Texas. She can be reached at liz.teitz@express-news.net. Liz joined the Express-News in June 2023. She has been a reporter for eight years, covering housing, government, education and other topics for the Ouray County Plaindealer, Hearst Connecticut Media Group and the Beaumont Enterprise. Liz grew up in Rhode Island and graduated from Georgetown University. Each year, Floatzilla gets a little bit closer to its goal of breaking the record for world's largest flotilla. On Tuesday, the annual paddling event hosted by River Action, announced plans for 2024. This year, Floatzilla will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17. Participants can take off from seven different launch sites across the Quad-Cities and paddle toward the final destination of Lake Potter in Rock Island. Paddling distances range from 11 miles starting at Empire Park in East Moline to just a half mile, starting at Credit Island in Davenport. River Action director of operations Michael Corsiglia said in a press conference at the Quad-City Times office on Tuesday, that last year's Floatzilla amassed just over 1,500 boats. The record stands at 3,150 boats, set by a crew of paddlers raising money for breast cancer in New York in 2014. There is a long way to go to the Guinness World Record, but that's a big enough crew to make it the largest paddle event on the Mississippi River, Corsiglia said. The event has also grown every year since its inception in 2009. "So 15 years ago, when we first set off to break the record with Floatzilla, it was about one-third of the size that it is today," Corsiglia said. This year, he said registration is already up 30% compared to 2023. But Corsiglia said that River Action's main goal is expanding offerings for participants. This year, Floatzilla is going for more of a "festival feel" by adding a live band at Lake Potter, local act Dani Lynn Howe Band. They're also doubling the food vendor lineup, with Cousin's Maine Lobster, The Full Nelson, Bayside Bistro, Cocina Verde, El Mariachi, Flavor Train QC and Kona Ice all set to be there. "We want to make it a festival-style event, so it's not just you getting in the water and doing the paddle," Corsiglia said. He added that the expanded repertoire at Lake Potter makes the event more attractive for those coming from out of town. The event will wrap up around 4 or 5 p.m. on Saturday, Corsiglia said, leaving the evening free for participants to attend Alternating Currents, the Quad-Cities-wide arts festival held the same weekend. "It's a great thing to tell people who are coming in," he said. "You paddle and have a great time at Floatzilla, and then there's endless different things to go check out with Alternating Currents." The expansion of Floatzilla also stretches to the Rock Island Beach, a popular spot for paddlers to rest and relax in the middle of their journey to Lake Potter. Corsiglia said a sponsorship by the City of Rock Island will make restrooms, water, beach umbrellas and seating available for paddlers. On Friday, Aug. 16, alongside the packet pickup event for participants, River Action will be hosting an outdoor expo on Credit Island at 4 p.m. There will be a variety of vendors and a kayak and canoe swap for paddlers interested in making trades. River Action is also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, which spans from the Quad-Cities to Wabasha, Minnesota. "At the heart of Floatzilla is a profound love and appreciation for our natural resources," Corsiglia said. "Initiatives that aim to protect and preserve our ability to enjoy the beautiful Mississippi River are always at the top of our minds." This year's Floatzilla will also bring back the Marquette Street Boat Launch as an available starting point for participants. In the past, Corsiglia said this downtown Davenport spot, three miles from Lake Potter, was a fan favorite. Corsiglia acknowledged Floatzilla still has a long way to go for the world record, but that River Action and the returning paddlers "have fun every year trying." "It's a special type of person that's willing to get out on the Mississippi and go on that type of adventure, so we see a lot of the same faces year over year," he said. "And they're great people, they love the community, they love our Quad-Cities, and of course, they love the Mississippi River." Photos: Paddle along the Mississippi River for River Action's annual Floatzilla This story originally published on May 15. Former Davenport City Administrator Corri Spiegel alleged she was harassed and her employee rights violated by at least two former mayors and three council members in her nine years of working for the city of Davenport. The details of the allegations are in a letter, dated Sept. 15, 2023, addressed to city attorney Tom Warner, Mike Matson and members of the Davenport City Council. The letter Spiegel wrote led to the city agreeing to pay Spiegel $1.6 million for lost wages and emotional pain and suffering, a decision that has been the subject of litigation for months. Public-records advocates have argued that the letter should be made public so residents can account for $1.6 million paid to its former administrator. The city has asked a judge to rule whether the letter is confidential and whether it has the right to release it. Attorney Mike Meloy subpoenaed Spiegel for the entire file of settlement of legal claims between her and the city in an ongoing court case. In that case, Meloy is arguing on behalf of his client, Allen Diercks, that the City Council's decision to pay nearly $2 million to three former employees was done in violation of Iowa's open meetings laws. Meloy shared the subpoena, which included Spiegel's demand letter, with local news outlets. Among the allegations in the six-page letter are that former mayor Bill Gluba told her "listen here little girl" in a room with several aldermen and city staff, and that his successor, Frank Klipsch, wrote and underlined "looks" as his first comment in an evaluation of her as a candidate for a permanent city administrator. Spiegel also alleged that former alderwoman Judith Lee, since her first term in office, "has been engaged in a persistent effort to defame me," and that current 5th Ward Alderman Tim Kelly used the phrase "sick dick" preceded by another vulgarity while talking to her in September. "The persistent violation of my rights has gone unabated for the past eight years," Spiegel wrote in the letter. "Over time, some faces have changed and the types of egregious behaviors have ebbed and flowed, but they have never stopped." Spiegel, in her letter, requested an amicable transition from the city, including two years of total compensation, two years of health insurance, the right to enroll as a retiree on the city's insurance plan, $1 million compensation for damage to her physical health, $1 million for damage to her emotional well-being, $500,000 compensation for damage to her professional reputation, one year of city-covered ICMA and IEDC membership dues, and the ability to complete her doctoral program. Quentin Eathan George Jr., 43, was arrested Tuesday. He is accused of stealing mail from a community mailbox and assaulting a man who confronted him. Bexar County Sheriff's Office A man is behind bars after he was accused of stealing mail from a Northwest Side community mailbox and assaulting a man who confronted him last year. Quentin Eathan George Jr., 43, was arrested Tuesday and charged with robbery, mail theft, fraudulent use of identifying information and assault on a public servant. His bail was set at $55,000. According to an arrest affidavit, a resident reported to police Feb. 18, 2023, that he was assaulted by George, who was stealing a large amount of mail from a community mailbox in the 8800 block of Cinnamon Creek. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The resident told police that he heard loud noises outside and saw George using a crowbar to steal the mail, according to the affidavit. The resident went outside and confronted George while recording him with his cellphone, the affidavit states. According to the affidavit, George ran to the passenger side of a getaway vehicle, a dark Subaru, pushing the resident along the way. The resident said George also punched him in the face. A month later, police were called to a home for a disturbance and the same Subaru with matching license plates was located outside, according to the affidavit. Police spoke with George and investigators were later able to identify him from the officers body camera footage, the affidavit states. Police said George claimed ownership of the Subaru described in the mail theft case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mail distribution may still move out of the Quad-Cities, but not until 2025. In early April the United States Postal Service announced plans to move ahead with the decision to drop the distribution center in Milan and move it to Des Moines. The Milan center would continue to be open and used as a processing center, rather than both a distribution and processing center under the new plan. Now, the USPS says, that plan is being put on pause. In a May 9 letter to Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters (D-Michigan), Postmaster General Louis DeJoy acknowledged receiving letters from elected officials who are concerned about the mail processing facility reviews ongoing at about 60 of 427 processing plants. DeJoy said in the letter the plans were not meant to hinder communities by taking away jobs but instead improve the USPS system as a whole by upgrading equipment and facilities while saving money. "I acknowledge we have not been able to convince Congress of this even though these efforts will both improve facilities and facilitate the significant cost reductions that we absolutely must achieve to have any hope of financial stability," he said. DeJoy continued that he felt the "misconceptions" were a result of the USPS closing facilities in the past under a different strategy. Referencing a previous conversation with Peters, DeJoy wrote that he agreed to pause the movement of processing facilities until at least Jan. 1, 2025. Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) said in a statement he was one of many elected officials who sent letters to DeJoy expressing concern about moving the facility out of Milan. The pause is a success in his eyes. The Milan Processing and Distribution Center provides essential services for communities in Northwestern Illinois, and any action that would put local jobs at risk or diminish customer service is unacceptable," he said. "I will continue to work to protect jobs in Milan and ensure that our neighbors receive their mail on time. As previously reported, the plan outlined for the Quad-Cities includes diverting mail to Des Moines to be processed and have it driven into the Quad-Cities daily in the name of cost savings. In April, documents showed the changes were expected to save the facility between $970,000 and $1.3 million a year. No career layoffs in the local workforce were anticipated, though USPS was planning to transfer positions. In February, nearly two dozen postal workers attended the presentation of the proposed change and spoke out against the change during public comment at a meeting on the topic. Many felt like the USPS was downplaying the fact that employees would be moved out of the facility and were worried about the lack of preparedness the Des Moines facility might face. Postal worker Murielle Weeks was one of many who questioned if the Des Moines facility would be able to handle Quad-Cities mail on top of what it already handles daily. "The mail is already late coming out of Des Moines. They seem like they are understaffed or overworked," she said in February. "Us adding the burden of our mail to their facility is not going to make mail delivery more efficient. It's going to slow it down." 14 fun facts about your mail 1. Benjamin Franklin was the first postmaster general in U.S. history 2. The Postal Service processed and delivered 425.3 million pieces of mail per day in 2021. 3. There are more than 139,868 blue mail collection boxes in the U.S. 4. There are 31,247 Postal Service-managed retail offices. 5. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the law enforcement arm of USPS. 6. The U.S. Postal Service has no official motto. 7. USPS generally receives no tax dollars, and funds itself through the sale of postage and other services. 8. Contrary to popular belief, the Pony Express was never officially a part of the U.S. Postal Service. 9. The Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp has raised more than $93.9 million for breast cancer research since 1998. 10. The Alzheimers semipostal has raised more than $1.2 million since 2017. 11. The Save Vanishing Species semipostal has raised more than $6.6 million since 2011. 12. The United Kingdoms iconic red mail collection boxes are called pillar boxes. 13. The United Nations has an agency called the Universal Postal Union that coordinates postal policy internationally. 14. If it were a private sector company, the Postal Service would rank 43rd in the 2021 Fortune 500. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joined a pair of lawsuits this week challenging trucking emission standards from the California regulators and the Environmental Protection Agency, calling the rules "extreme" and "unrealistic" Bird announced her involvement in a Nebraska-led lawsuit over the California regulation during a press conference on Tuesday, speaking from a bay at a warehouse operated by Housby, a Polk County truck dealer. The lawsuit seeks to block the Advanced Clean Fleets rule advanced by the California Air Resources Board. The rule requires that certain trucks that transport goods in the state, including those operated by out-of-state companies, be zero-emission vehicles by a certain date. The deadline to move to zero-emission vehicles varies by vehicle type: Box trucks, vans and yard tractors must be emission-free by 2035 Work trucks and day cab tractors must be emission free by 2039 Large sleeper cab tractors and specialty vehicles must be emission free by 2042 California regulators estimate the rule, in conjunction with a separate emissions regulation, will result in 1.8 million new emission-free vehicles operating on California's roads. Bird and the other Republican attorneys general argue in the lawsuit that the requirement is an unconstitutional overreach by the state of California and is preempted by federal law. What California is doing is extreme, Bird said on Tuesday. They say that if a trucking company has 50 trucks total even an Iowa trucking company and one of those trucks happens to go to California, that all of that fleet must be electric by their deadline. A separate California regulation on pork production, which was challenged by lawsuits making similar arguments, was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022. Bird said there is precedent specifically related to trucking that prevents interstate regulations. A spokesperson for the California Air Resources Board said the agency does not comment on pending litigation. A separate Nebraska-led lawsuit that Bird joined on Monday seeks to overturn an EPA rule also setting emission standards for freight truck fleets. Under the final rule, truck companies must transition 30-40% of their fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2032. The rule does not require those vehicles be electric. An EPA spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Trucking leader says rule is unrealistic Iowa Motor Trucking Association president and CEO Brenda Neville said in an interview that the targets set by California are not realistic and the infrastructure does not exist for trucking companies to meet the requirements. She also said she opposes the California regulation because it imposes stricter standards than the EPA. The industry is always supportive of doing whatever they can to minimize their carbon footprint, but what California is proposing is unrealistic and problematic, she said. Neville said the trucking industry has made strides to lower its carbon emissions in recent decades, largely driven by federal regulations. There are other alternatives than just saying, broad strokes, Everybody has to have a battery electric vehicle, Neville said. ...Lets take a slower, more pragmatic approach. Bird explains visit to Trump hush money trial Bird's campaign confirmed that she was invited by the Republican Attorneys General Association to attend former President Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York on Monday, and the organization paid her travel expenses. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, is on trial for charges alleging he falsified business records to pay off porn star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence over a sexual encounter with him years earlier. He is also facing felony charges in Georgia and at the federal level over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Several prominent Republicans, including Bird, have made appearances at the trial in recent days and spoken in support of Trump. Bird was asked Tuesday who paid for her visit to New York. She said no taxpayer dollars were used, but did not specify who financed the trip. "I went to New York to show my support for President Trump, and to witness what was going on there in that courtroom in Manhattan," she said. A spokesperson later confirmed that the Republican Attorneys General Association paid for the trip. "RAGA invited attorneys general to go to Manhattan and show support for President Trump," said spokesperson Alyssa Brouillet. "Attorney General Bird was one of those attorneys general. RAGA covered the expenses." These are the 10 most popular electric cars in America, according to Edmunds 10 of the most popular EVs available today 1. Tesla Model 3: EPA-estimated 358 miles of maximum range 2. Chevrolet Bolt EV: EPA-estimated 259 miles of maximum range 3. Ford Mustang Mach-E: EPA-estimated 312 miles of maximum range 4. Hyundai Ioniq 5: EPA-estimated 303 miles of maximum range 5. Genesis G80 Electrified: EPA-estimated 282 miles of maximum range 6. BMW iX: EPA-estimated 324 miles of maximum range 7. Ford F-150 Lightning: EPA-estimated 320 miles of maximum range 8. Kia Niro EV: EPA-estimated 253 miles of maximum range 9. Polestar 2: EPA-estimated 270 miles of maximum range 10. Porsche Taycan: EPA-estimated 203 miles of maximum range The San Antonio Police Department will be conducting bomb detonation training at their police academy on Wednesday Josie Norris /The San Antonio Express-News South Side residents may hear loud explosions on Wednesday, but San Antonio police said they would perform a training exercise involving explosives. The San Antonio Police Department announced that its bomb unit will conduct detonation training at the SAPD Training Academy from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. ALSO READ: Several San Antonio police officers suspended for crashing patrol cars Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hampden-Sydney College has received a $20 million pledge, the second-largest gift in the colleges history. The gift came from the Endeavour Legacy Foundation, a Richmond-based philanthropic group that says it supports a wide variety of organizations preparing to take on major initiatives with transformational potential. The school will use the gift to renovate a science building, Gilmer Hall, to house the departments of Economics & Business and Government & Foreign Affairs. Hampden-Sydney, an all-male private school near Farmville, got its largest gift in 2019 when it received a $30 million donation from Stan Pauley of the Pauley Family Foundation. The money supported the construction of the Pauley Science Center, which opened in 2022. Pauley also contributed $5 million to what became the Virginia Commonwealth University Health Pauley Heart Center. Pauley ran Carpenter Co., which produces polyurethane chemical solutions, polyester fibers and insulation materials. After Pauley died in 2020, his estate contributed more than $600 million toward Endeavour, according to tax documents. Endeavour is now run by the Pauleys daughter, Katharine P. Hickok, and Eugene W. Hickok. Last year, Endeavour gave St. Catherines its largest gift in school history. St. Catherines renamed its former Arts & Innovation Center as Endeavour Hall. Today in history: May 14 1948: David Ben-Gurion 1955: Warsaw Pact 1961: Freedom Riders 1988: Kentucky Bus Crash 1998: Frank Sinatra 2001: Supreme Court 2017: Emmanuel Macron 2021: Rep. Elise Stefanik An effort to purchase body-worn cameras for the Virginia State Police died during this years prolonged budget talks, which concluded on Monday. That means the state police, Virginias largest law enforcement agency with over 1,800 officers, will remain without the devices at least until next session. The effort was initiated this session by State Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg. Aird introduced an amendment early in the session requesting $48.1 million. One of her aides said the amount would have stood-up a full body-worn camera program for the agency including staffing to intake and review video and the cameras themselves. Airds amendment was pared down by the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth. The committee reviews spending and is viewed as a key gatekeeper for approving or disapproving expensive budget amendments. It left the Senate Finance Committee as a $6.2 million request for 1,200 cameras. Then, in a conference session between the House of Delegates and the State Senate, Airds amendment was whittled down a final time. It emerged as a request for a feasibility study to be conducted by State Police, with a report due by Nov. 1, 2024, and no general fund allotted for cameras or staffing. Staffers for Airds office suggested that it was likely pared down in order for the House and Senate to achieve compromise. Airds amendment lacked a backer in the House of Delegates. Budget lines without support in both chambers can fall onto the proverbial chopping block as the two groups of legislators try to square their respect budget requests. A request for comment emailed to budget conferees from the House of Delegates went unreplied as of Tuesday afternoon. In a statement, Aird said she pushed for the bill in order to strengthen and maintain trust between the public and law enforcement. While we didnt get there this budget cycle, we made progress with language in the budget to report on the current status of the State Polices body-worn camera pilot program and to map out the cost and structure of a potential future investment, said Airds statement. Pending that report, I remain committed to fighting for funding in future general assembly sessionsm. The language for Airds budget request mimics a similar amendment drafted in 2023 by State Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax. That amendment also failed. Surovell said he introduced the effort in an attempt to bring the agency in line with other city and county police agencies. The cameras, which attach to an officers uniform, are used throughout central Virginia, including in Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Richmond. The Richmond Police Department began using body-worn cameras in 2016. They are also used by larger local police agencies, such as in Arlington and Fairfax counties. Fairfax, with nearly 1,500 sworn officers, has run the body-worn camera program since 2017. Arlington followed suit in 2020. We strive to have the state police be the best law enforcement agency in the Commonwealth. But body-worn camera systems havent been a part of the plan yet. I thought it was important that we do that, said Surovell, a practicing lawyer in Fairfax County. Airds amendment made it slightly farther than Surovells amendment in 2023, which was cut at the Senate Finance Committee stage. Previously, a spokesperson for the Virginia State Police said implementing the cameras was an issue of dollars and cents, and that the agency is working to find money for body-worn cameras. Despite there not being any legislative mandate requiring Virginia law enforcement to have body-worn cameras, the Virginia State Police continues to work to secure funding to support the resources and equipment needed for a department-wide body-worn camera program, said Corinne Geller, a spokesperson for the agency, in the summer of 2023. Geller estimated then that it would cost $17.1 million across five years to run the program. She said the department does maintain 70 older-model body-worn-cameras used by officers for special assignments. State police also use in-car cameras. Meanwhile, many police departments say they welcome body-worn camera programs. In Chesterfield, Operational Support Bureau Commander Dave Shand said the program was key to building community trust. Its like a security blanket, Shand said in an interview last year. You have documentation of all the activities, beyond the word of a police officer against the word of a defendant. Body-worn cameras also have strong support from the NAACP, which has called for all law enforcement agencies to sign onto their use. In 2015, the group issued a resolution declaring their support for the devices, stating that their use can lead to significant improvements in police accountability and trust among a community. AP Sports Week in Pictures: The Olympics, baseball and the NBA playoffs The aged red brick and boarded up windows of Richmond Community Hospital have been at the center of debate in North Side, where residents have been rallying to save the historic building. A freshly achieved historic designation could aid in the preservation of that historic building. The hospital, now closed since the 1980s and covered in Ivy, was once the first Black-owned hospital in the city. It was the only place where Black physicians could practice, and Black patients could receive medical care. The buildings future has been under threat since Virginia Union University, which owns the land and the building, unveiled a partnership with a New York-based investor on a $40 million project for up to 200 residential units, which might result in the historic hospitals demolition. The college has not said definitively that it plans to demolish the hospital. Thomasina T. Binga, 92, has lived in her family home on a corner in Frederick Douglass Court for the past 60 years. Her son was born at Richmond Community Hospital. Several of her former neighbors were doctors at that hospital and most of the neighborhoods historic residents were also born there. She said she deplores the idea that Virginia Union might want to demolish the building, condemning a piece of history. Everything Black folk build, the first thing they want to do is tear it down, Binga said. Nobody wants to talk about preservation at all. The area around Frederick Douglass Court and Overbrook Road was once a prominent Black community with the hospital at its foreground. Lawyers, bankers, and civil rights leaders all lived in the neighborhood. This is a neighborhood that doesnt need that kinds of stuff over here, Binga said. It could be a community asset. Richmond Community Hospital was named Tuesday to Virginias list of Most Endangered Historic Places for 2024. The designation could help in its protection and preservation while also providing status for future applications on the state or national historic registries. The list, created by the Preservation Virginia, recognizes sites statewide that are facing imminent or sustained threat. According to the nonprofit, only 10% of buildings named to its list have been lost to demolition or neglect. Viola Baskerville, a former Richmond City Council member, state delegate and Cabinet Secretary for Gov. Tim Kaine, said Richmond Community Hospitals preservation is important as a lesser-discussed piece of Richmonds Black history. This designation today also raises the statewide awareness of impending danger of this fight being lost, Baskerville said. Of course, that hospital served people African American African American population not only in Richmond, but throughout Central Virginia. So this is why this is important. Baskerville said that much of local Black history is preserved and interpreted around the slave trade, Shockoe Bottom, and the entrepreneurs of Jackson Ward. There was a period between the end of slavery and the beginning of entrepreneurship that went into different horizons, Baskerville said. And one of those horizons was the development of a significant African American medical community. That needs to be lifted up just as much as all other markers of African American history. Ann-Frances Lambert, council member for Richmonds 3rd District, has been a supporter of efforts to save Richmond Community Hospital. She says a meeting is forthcoming between the group trying to save the hospital and Virginia Union University. A meeting is being scheduled between union and the individuals who want to save the hospital. So they can hear the process of what union is going to take in regards to rehabbing and repurposing it, Lambert said. Were all trying to work together on keeping the building and making sure it stays rehabbed. Elliott Rouillard is a new resident of Frederick Douglass Court who lives within sight of the hospital. While only a resident for the past two years, he displays a sign in his front yard calling to save the historic building and wants to see it continue on. For me I see it and think its a beautiful building, but also I have the understand that for a lot of my neighbors who have been here a lot longer than myself, it was a place where they received medical care and a lot of them were born, Rouillard said. I think that needs to be highlighted and that history shouldnt be lost in tearing it down. Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Em Holter contributed to this story. Central island area without Net after fruit truck snags two poles Isla Mujeres, Q.R. A central island area of Isla Mujeres was left without Internet Tuesday after a delivery truck snagged a set of low-lying cables. The incident happened in the early afternoon when the small cargo truck was traveling Contoy Avenue. The trucks box became entangled in the lines as he passed, pulling down two poles. Those wooden poles landed against parked private vehicles along the residential street. Three central residential neighborhoods were left without Internet for the rest of the day. The pulled-down poles are reported to have belonged to Telmex and Wizz. The two wooden poles were downed as the driver continued on, not noticing that his box had snagged the lines. The poles snapped at the base and fell onto two cars. Splinters of wood was scattered along Contoy Avenue and Jurel Street as a result. Civil Protection and municipal police were quick to the scene where they cordoned off the area while the broken posts were removed from the road. The trucks box became caught up in the low lines which resulted in two downed poles. Photo: May 14, 2024. As a result of the accident, hundreds of residents in the El Canotal, Sac-Bajo and part of La Gloria neighborhoods were left without telephone, cable and internet service. The wooden poles and downed lines blocked traffic. Photo: May 14, 2024. According to Telmex and Wizz personnel, the repairs will take at least a day to make since they had to bring in personnel and material from Cancun. Five Ecuadorian men found abducted inside Cancun apartment Cancun, Q.R. Five men from Ecuador were rescued from an apartment where they were being held against their will. The rescue operation took place Tuesday from a building in the Sacbe residential area of the city. Police were tipped off by area residents who reported the men were likely being held against their will. Inside one of the ground floor apartments were five men who had been abducted. In an official statement, the SSC (Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana) explained, the rescue was carried out of five people, originally from Ecuador, who were deprived of their liberty inside a home in the Sacbe neighborhood of the city of Cancun. This action was carried out with coordinated work between the elements of the SSC as well as municipal police and the Attorney Generals Office of the State of Quintana Roo through a joint operation. The abducted men were located inside a ground floor apartment. Photo: SSC May 14, 2024. It is important to mention that authorities from the National Migration Institute (INM) were immediately notified, who are already following up on the case on time. Mexico participates in intelligence field work to stop 3 ton cocaine shipment from reaching Quintana Roo Costa Maya, Q.R. Authorities in Honduras have reported on the seizure of a 3 ton shipment of cocaine believed destined for Mexico. On May 9, special forces located a speed boat in the open sea transporting the drugs. According to an official report by the Ministerio Publico of Honduras on May 12, the May 9 operation took place off the coast of Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazan, where 2,787 kilos of cocaine was seized. The drug seizure was the result of an operation between the Special Prosecutors Office Against Organized Crime (FESCCO), the Technical Criminal Investigation Agency (ATIC) and the Special Forces Battalion of the Honduran Naval Force after authorities were alerted to the at-sea shipment. This new blow to the structure of organized crime is part of the strategies in the fight against drug trafficking. Since the previous weekend, information of a possible transfer of cocaine that would reach the Caribbean coasts in Honduras was monitored and analyzed. 112 bales of cocaine were unloaded from the speed boat. Photo: Ministerio Publico of Honduras May 12, 2024 The interception of the speed boat occurred in a sector known as Thunder Knoll, a reef area in national waters which after a chase, led to the seizure of the 112 bales containing more than 2.7 tons of drugs. According to the FESCCO investigation through the Anti-Drug Section and agents against organized crime of the ATIC, this shipment departed from Colombia and would reach the insular department of Islas de la Bahia and later continue its route to Mexico, the Ministerio Publico reported. The bales were found wrapped in red sacks that secured the bricks which were wrapped in additional sacks. Photo: Ministerio Publico of Honduras May 12, 2024 To achieve this new blow to drug trafficking, an exchange of information was carried out between Honduran authorities with intelligence forces from Mexico and Colombia, with whom the information finally resulted in the interception of the boat, they said. Once completely unwrapped, authorities weighed the cocaine at around 3 tons. The final destination was believed Mexico. Photo: Ministerio Publico of Honduras May 12, 2024 The operation took place between the Fiscalia Especial Contra el Crimen Organizado (FESCCO), Agencia Tecnica de Investigacion Criminal (ATIC) and the Batallon de Fuerzas Especiales de la Fuerza Naval de Honduras that resulted in the seizure of one boat, 112 bales of cocaine (3 tons) and the arrest of three people. The publication of Camilo Peraltas The Wizard of Mecosta: Russell Kirk, Gothic Fiction, and the Moral Imagination by Vernon Press is an exciting development. Peralta is part of a rising generation of scholars and completed his doctoral work at Faulkner University and spent time at Piety Hill as both a Russell Kirk seminar attendee and a research fellow in the Kirk Centers Wilbur Fellow program. Kirks position in mid-20th-century intellectual conservatism has proved a crucial part of building the modern conservative movement, and additional scholarship on Kirk contributes to the prestige of the Sage of Piety Hill. At $78 for the hardback and $100 for the ebook, The Wizard of Mecosta, however, is priced for academic libraries and will be of interest to academics with a research interest in Russell Kirk, 20th-century Gothic literature, and T.S. Eliot. Russell Kirk is a fascinating writer to evaluate. He was at his most persuasive when writing to an educated generalist audience, as he does in Enemies of the Permanent Things and Roots of American Order. His dissertation, published as The Conservative Mind, communicated the nuances of the conservative disposition to mainstream America. Its difficult to imagine a volume dedicated to describing the six (later expanded to 10) canons of conservatism, written in a style filled with allusions to hundreds of other books, becoming a runaway bestseller. But such was the case for The Conservative Mind in the 1950s. It remains in print, and for more than 80 years has inspired rising generations of conservatives to dig deep into the tradition of thought first articulated by Edmund Burke. While Kirks nonfiction has been thoroughly explored, as has his life (most recently by Dr. Brad Birzer in Russell Amos Kirk: American Conservative), Peralta is interested in Kirks fiction. Kirk published three volumes of short stories and three novels. Peralta argues that it is in his fiction that Kirk best articulates his keen sense of the moral imagination, which Kirk equates with the normative and prescriptive end of humane letters and that surely, it is in his fictional worlds, and especially in the male and female characters who populate them, that Kirk was best able to live up to the calling of the formidable John of Brienne. Kirks fiction writings, Peralta insists, have not been adequately studied, and Peraltas book is a first step in remedying that gap in Kirk scholarship. Peralta dedicates a chapter to describing Kirks literary style, chapters to Gothic literature as a genre and to Kirks theory of timeless moments, a chapter to each of Kirks novels, and a closing chapter on Manfred Arcane (whom Peralta judges to be Kirks most successful character). In poring over The Wizard of Mecosta, the reader will grasp a sense of Kirks plots, efforts toward characterization, and place in the development of Gothic literature. Peraltas best analysis lies in his description of Kirks style. Peralta writes that readers will learn, for instance, that [Kirk] is fond of repetition, often employing the same words and phrases from his favorite authors, such as Edmund Burke or T.S. Eliot, in multiple texts. He frequently begins sentences with the words Why or Aye and favors elaborate, even Latinate, sentence structures. But perhaps the most characteristic feature of Kirks style, which is so prevalent in his fiction, is the high number of allusions packed into each page. Peralta provides charts detailing Kirks allusions to the Bible and Shakespeare in his novels and argues that they serve a specific purpose: A carefully chosen allusion, in other words, will do much more than simply make the author look smart or well-read: it serves a dialogic purpose, bringing the author and his readers into conversation with the older text. Advancing this dialogue between his readers and the older texts of the Western tradition, Peralta contends, was one of Kirks primary goals. One of the ways Kirk sought to advance the moral imagination of his readers was by connecting them to other authors. His stories became places where readers encounter permanent truths: the permanent things might be described as the end or aim of the moral imagination: the latter is intended to guide the reader into the former. Kirks fiction, then, sought to convey a greater awareness of reality: the impossibility of government planning accomplishing its ends, the importance of virtue, and the spiritual domain of life as both real and higher than the material plane. For these aims, Kirk found Gothic fiction, with its haunted castles, scenes bordering the spirit realm, and ghostly appearances, a natural fit. His friendship with T.S. Eliot resulted in his final novel, Lord of Hollow Dark, featuring characters with nicknames culled from Eliots poetry. The better read in Eliot the reader is, the more significant these allusions become. The strengths of The Wizard of Mecosta lie in Peraltas love for Kirks stories. In several places, he suggests that Kirks novels merit far more study and acclaim than they initially received (or have received since publication). Although Peralta argues that Kirks moral imagination comes through most clearly in his fiction, I find the opposite to be true. In his criticism, in his essays, and in his longer nonfiction works, Kirk better communicates the truths of the Western tradition in persuasive prose. His Roots of American Order demonstrates strong scholarship and an impressive ability to synthesize and summarize while never forgetting his dominant historical argument. My students and I finished our time reading Roots with an increased appreciation for the ways in which the American experiment depended on immense intellectual resources inherited from Athens, Rome, Jerusalem, and London. I did not have that experience when reading Lord of the Hollow Dark. Peralta praises Kirks allusive ode to T.S. Eliot as a masterpiece of fiction, but the narrative is difficult to follow and the allusions impenetrable without recent advanced study of Eliots poetry. These barriers prevent the novel from communicating in clear images. Kirks fiction is certainly worth reading, but it pales in comparison to his autobiography, The Sword of the Imagination, or his edited volume of occasional writings, Enemies of the Permanent Things. In Enemies, Kirk provides a clear vision of norms and articulates the sources from which we draw those norms that lead to civilizational flourishing. Beyond his writings, Kirk was a great man in his personal life; Peralta highlights the success of Kirks marriage, work as a father, and incredible hospitality. But not all his writings are created equal. A second weakness of Wizard of Mecosta lies in Peraltas focus on connecting Kirks characters to episodes in Kirks life. Rather than judging the characters as strong or weak within the context of the story or how lifelike they become, Peralta explores them through comparison to known events or relationships in Kirks life. Manfred Arcane and Melchiora are thus directly linked to Russell and Annette Kirk: Kirks happiness with Annette is evident in the evolving relationship between Arcane and Melchiora over the years. The connections between Kirk and Arcane are superficial, howeverboth use walking sticks and dress in old-fashioned attire. The same is true for Annette and Melchiora; Peralta draws the association because Annette had long black hair in her youth and a haughty spirit when she and Kirk first met. This relationship might exist, but it may also be purely accidental. Peraltas speculation goes even further: Perhaps their generosity towards others helps to explain why Kirk always depicts Arcane as being surrounded by a crew of misfits: whether in Haggat or Scotland, he seems to attract to himself those with nowhere else to go and few viable skills to offer anyone, like the mutilated Arpad Nemo or failed architect, Sweeney. But Kirks habit of extending charity to vagrants and Manfred Arcanes gathering of otherwise purposeless figures is tenuous and adds nothing to the readers understanding of Arcanes role in the story. Peralta would have been better off drawing from Tolkiens On Fairy Stories: judge characters and plots on whether they have the ring of primary reality within the secondary reality of the narrative. Or, as Aristotle suggested, whether the story produces some cathartic moment of realization through mimetic reflection of reality. Sir Phillip Sidney argued that literature was superior to both philosophy and history because of its ability to create living images that resonate within the readers mind; such would have been a more compelling criterion for evaluating Kirks novels. Considering characters in relation to Kirks life does not advance or deepen the readers understanding of the stories themselves. With that said, The Wizard of Mecosta succeeds in extending the readers understanding of Kirks fiction in light of Kirks goals: to remind the reader of the permanent things through engagement with the moral imagination. Peraltas is a work of able Kirk scholarship, and authors seeking to better understand the fiction of the Sage of Mecosta will benefit from it. Just remember to revisit the nonfiction for a more robust picture of Kirks permanent contributions to the conservative mind. Police disciplinary records show that several San Antonio police officers were suspended in April for crashing their patrol vehicles. 21 Pro Video Several San Antonio police officers were suspended or fired last month for crashing their patrol cars into other vehicles, trees and even a Dumpster. Officer Levon B. Harrison was fired from the department after he crashed his patrol car into a Dumpster, damaging the passenger side fender flare, according to police disciplinary records. Surveillance footage from the crash showed Harrison remove the fender and place it near the garbage bin before leaving, according to the records. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harrison never reported the crash to the department. When eventually asked to complete a form regarding the damage done to the vehicle, records state that Harrison lied and said he was not aware if the damage couldve occurred prior to me utilizing it or if something may have occurred when I stepped away during my shift. The department gave Harrison an indefinite suspension, similar to being fired. Officer Brennan T. Pankratz received a one-day suspension after he negligently struck a metal pole while in his patrol car on the North Side. Officer Chalmer T. Porter received the same suspension for striking a street curb and a tree on the Northwest Side. Officer Danyelle R. Polendo was also given a one-day suspension for crashing into another vehicle at the intersection of Southeast Military Drive and South Flores Street. Officer Andrew J. Davis was suspended for three days for striking a vehicle in the 6000 block of Culebra. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Officer Briana L. Valle was given a 10-day suspension for striking a vehicle in the 40 block of Northeast Loop 410. Valle was previously suspended for one day in February after striking a pole. The records do not indicate if anyone was hurt in these crashes. BLACKSBURG About 40 pro-Palestinian protesters walked out of a town council meeting on Tuesday, to hold their first, as they referred to it, Peoples Council of Blacksburg gathering outside. Protesters have been giving public comment at town council meetings since March, asking that the town pass an official ceasefire resolution. Citing feelings that their demands have gone unheard Tuesday night, a group of protesters gave a statement in which they proclaimed a vote of no confidence in the council before the walkout. In a statement released to the media following the walkout, Mara Robbins, an activist from Floyd County, discussed the groups motivation. We must all step forward and insist that we stop the violence NOW, Robbins said in the statement. It starts at our own front doors. Local ceasefire resolutions should be implemented immediately. Everywhere. From the ground up. Several protesters also expressed concerns about the town councils perceived acceptance of what they say is Islamophobia, pointing in particular to a public comment made at the councils April 23 meeting. During a previous meeting, held on April 9, a young child attended the meeting with a prepared statement decrying the town council, and speaking against Israels actions since Oct. 7. Waverly Evans, speaking against the protesters at the April 23 meeting, referred to the child in his own comments. He stood right here and looked at you guys and said, You are liars, Evans said. A little boy. Thats the new face of home-grown terrorism, and its going to come for us. Two council members, Liam Watson and Susan Anderson, joined the protesters outside for a discussion Tuesday night after the council meeting adjourned, and were questioned on why the council hadnt moved to bar Evans following the statement. Why has there not been any action taken against that comment, Bikrum Gill, a fixture at local pro-Palestinian protests, asked Anderson. When Anderson replied that the comment was protected under free speech, a separate protester drew a contrast to the pro-Palestinian encampment that was cleared by police two weeks ago. Eighty-two people were arrested for free speech here only a few weeks ago, the protester said. In early April, the town council released a Statement on Gaza, which has been at the heart of recent protests, with protesters complaining that the statement makes no mention of the words ceasefire, or Palestine. When asked why the council opted for a statement, rather than a ceasefire resolution, Anderson said that she didnt feel the council would have passed a resolution. Had we opted for a resolution, I dont believe we could have passed it unanimously, Anderson said. We could agree on making a statement. Apart from the walkout, protesters have put out a petition calling on locals to demand the town council pass a ceasefire resolution. The petition currently has over 500 signatures. Megan Peterson, a Christiansburg resident who has made public comment at several recent Blacksburg Town Council meetings, pointed to the petition, and the number of protesters in attendance, as a sign of community involvement of which the council should take notice. When is the last time that they had this many people at a town council meeting, Peterson said. When was the last time they had this many people engaged? We have a petition with over 500 signatures. When was the last time they had a petition with 500 signatures about anything? The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors is joining a growing chorus of concerns about the Mountain Valley Pipelines request to begin operations by June 1. Construction is continuing along the slopes of Poor Mountain, according to board Chairwoman Mary Biggs, and questions remain about whether the company has completed all of the required safety testing and repairs to the pipe. The safety of all of our residents is of the utmost importance to us, Biggs wrote Monday on behalf of the board in a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Mountain Valley has asked FERC for an order that would allow the natural gas pipeline to begin operating in about 15 days. The April 22 request was made even as the company worked to complete requirements of a consent order issued by the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which has expressed concerns about the steel pipes integrity. We believe placing the project in operation is premature before all safety standards for the Mountain Valley Pipeline have been met, Biggs wrote. Similar concerns have been voiced in recent weeks by 18 members of the General Assembly, the Pipeline Safety Trust watchdog group and other organizations, and in written comments from more than 50 individuals. Mountain Valley spokesperson Natalie Cox said Tuesday that many of the comments misinterpret or misrepresent the companys April 22 request. The submission was made to begin a regulatory review and to provide transparency to landowners and other stakeholders regarding the projects construction status and ongoing and future restoration and monitoring activities, Cox wrote in an email. Mountain Valley acknowledged in its request that work remained and progress updates for this work would be provided, the email stated. Furthermore, Mountain Valley will comply with all provisions of its Consent Agreement with PHMSA that are necessary to begin operations and will provide status updates on that topic. Some of the consent orders provisions apply to post-construction monitoring and work, Cox said, and will remain in effect after the pipeline begins transporting natural gas. Last October, PHMSA took action to deal with concerns that sections of the pipe, which sat outside for years as construction was delayed by legal fights, may have been weakened by exposure to the elements. Sunlight can wear down a protective coating designed to guard against corrosion once the pipe is buried. The fear is that the pipe, which runs along steep mountain slopes susceptible to landslides, could fail and trigger a fiery explosion. Although the consent order outlined a series of tests and ordered repairs to the pipe when necessary both PHMSA and Mountain Valley have not commented in detail about what the monitoring revealed. A report obtained by The Roanoke Times under open record laws showed about 70 indications, or signs of possible flaws with the pipe, that were detected during inspections late last year. Further review found a need for about 15 cutouts, or the removal and replacement of part of the pipe. Other repairs included reapplying the coating on the pipes exterior. Most of the tests detailed in the report were conducted in West Virginia, where the pipeline begins a 303-mile route that takes it through the New River and Roanoke valleys. Details of more recent tests conducted in Virginia have not been made available. The Pipeline Safety Trust, which monitors the industry and its regulators, says more information should be shared with the public. We have serious concerns about the recent request made by Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC, given the lack of transparency about whether the operator is in full compliance with the consent agreement, the organization wrote in a May 10 letter to FERC. On May 1, a section of the pipe on Bent Mountain ruptured during hydrostatic testing, a process of running water at high pressure through the line to test for leaks or flaws before the gas is turned on. It is too early to tell if this is a sign of a larger problem on the pipeline or an isolated point of weakness, Erin Sutherland, an attorney for the group, wrote in the letter. However, Pipeline Safety Trust believes that FERC should be on notice about this failure. A CVS in Salem delegated the provision of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 to an untrained nurse who injected a youth with six doses at once, according to state records. One of a dozen violations found in connection with a routine inspection in January 2022, authorities cited the drugstore for posing a danger to the publics health. The long-pending case was resolved when the Virginia Board of Pharmacy fined the store $75,000 earlier this month for violations of state law including the state Drug Control Act. Regulators also put CVS store #3794 at 11 Chestnut St. on probation for one year. CVS did not admit or deny the official findings. CVS spokeswoman Amy Thibault said the company was pleased to have reached an agreement with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy regarding years-old allegations involving our pharmacy in Salem. We look forward to working with the Board on these matters moving forward and continuing to provide safe, high-quality pharmacy care to our patients. According to Thibault, the company planned to pay $1 billion in wage increases and $70 million in bonuses in the period from 2021 to this year. Its stores can now obtain additional help as needed. Meanwhile, recruitment, hiring and technician training were improved, the spokeswoman said. The largest drugstore chain in the country, CVS handled one in four prescriptions filled at U.S. retail pharmacies last year. It earned $8.3 billion on revenue of $357.8 billion in 2023, its securities filings said. The Salem CVS on Oct. 5, 2021, delegated COVID-19 vaccine administration to contract nurse who had no experience giving the shots and did not receive training in CVS policies or vaccine procedures, according to a board report. Unaware the vial containing the vaccine required dilution, the nurse injected a 17-year-old girl with six undiluted doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, which caused patient harm, according to the report. The youth experienced arm swelling, insomnia, headache, forgetfulness, fatigue and increased heart rate. Upon being interviewed by investigators, the nurse provided an email from a CVS district manager who said a New Colleague Training class had been canceled and added so you will not have to complete that, the report reads. Regulators also determined the store failed to safeguard its inventory of controlled substances inventories resulting in the diversion of thousands of tablets of pharmaceutical drugs. An inquiry by the store found evidence that a pharmacy technician trainee took more than 2,700 tablets without authorization between August and December 2021. The missing drugs included 800 doses of opioid pain medicine, according to the report. In addition, a CVS corporate office overrode control of the pharmacist in charge of the store by limiting scheduling of pharmacy technicians, leaving the store understaffed in January and February 2022. An investigators spot check of 200 prescriptions found 61 errors, according to the report. Investigators also found expired drugs in the stockpiles from which prescriptions were filled, a lack of required records, disorganization in the pharmacy, dirty carpet and a clogged toilet in the customer restroom, according to the report. FLORENCE, S.C. -- Florence County Sheriffs deputies Friday arrested a Columbia man and charged him with kidnapping. Tyree Isiah Wallace, 21, of 2025 Main Street, Columbia, was booked into the detention center at 9:35 a.m. The detention center lists his address as 9725 East Harvard Road, Colorado Co. According to Investigators, on or about Feb. 13 Wallace is alleged to have unlawfully taken a 14 year old Florence juvenile to Colorado without authority of law, Maj. Mike Nunn wrote in a release on the arrest. Wallace is being held at the Florence County Detention Center without bond. According to Investigators, Wallace was out on bond for a previous charge of criminal sexual conduct with a minor at the time of his arrest. State troopers stand watch at the University of Texas at Austin commencement ceremony Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A graduating senior walks out of their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Graduating seniors at their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Demonstrators cheer as multiple pro-Palestinian groups gathered on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin for a May Day protest, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Austin. Supporters gathered to demand the public university pull its investments from companies the group believes are complicit in the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza and called for an end to the Israel-Hamas war. May Day, celebrated May 1, commemorates historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement. Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle A woman holds up a hand-made sign in the shape of a Palestinian flag as multiple pro-Palestinian groups gather on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin for a May Day protest, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Austin. Supporters demanded the public university pull its investments from companies the group believes are complicit in the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza and called for an end to the Israel-Hamas war. May Day, celebrated on May 1, commemorates historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Jay Hartzell, President of the University of Texas. Courtesy of The University of Texas Jay Hartzell was just a year into his new role leading the University of Texas at Austin when he faced one of his first real political tests: an order from Gov. Greg Abbott prohibiting government entities from mandating face masks. It was May 2021, when COVID-19 vaccines were rolling out but not yet widely available. Hartzell, who had recently arrived from UTs business school, could comply and appease the Republican governor or side with students and university employees concerned about the virus spread. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He chose Abbott. There are many examples in the history of the University where the University has tried to fight the Legislature, and it does not end well with respect to funding, UT Provost Sharon Wood, Hartzells second in command, told UT faculty representatives in December 2021 about requiring masks and vaccines. Were trying to thread the needle (and) do as much as we can to encourage safe practices. After navigating the pandemic, racial justice protests, calls to replace a controversial school song and other major obstacles, Hartzell is entering his fifth year at the helm of the states flagship public university as it faces deepening scrutiny from lawmakers over diversity initiatives and calls to crack down on liberal factions. His recent actions have drawn praise from the states GOP leaders and pushback from more and more UT students and faculty. In response to the schools crackdown on student-led demonstrations against the war in Gaza, hundreds of UT faculty signed a letter of no confidence against Hartzell, who said he requested assistance from state troopers to prevent demonstrators from establishing encampments. Police arrested 136 attendees, largely for trespassing, although at least 57 had their charges dropped shortly afterward. Advertisement Article continues below this ad BACKGROUND: UT Austin students say Gaza protests and arrests cast shadow over their college years Meanwhile, alumni groups, dozens of Republican state lawmakers and the UT System Board of Regents whose members are picked by Abbott have all backed Hartzell. The university did not make Hartzell available for an interview for this story. We are blessed to be the flagship university of the great state of Texas and embrace the opportunity to serve a diverse and dynamic population, UT said in a statement. While our challenges and opportunities may change, there is one true north: Every decision we make is in the best interest of our students and our world-class research, with the end goal of positively changing the world. At a state Senate hearing on Tuesday, Republican lawmakers pressed university system leaders for details on how theyve eliminated DEI programs on campus and said they responded appropriately to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Observers say Hartzell is in a difficult position balancing the needs of university students and employees with demands by state GOP leaders who control the budget and legislative agenda. UT received about 10% of its revenue, or $432 million, from the state this year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a place like UT, where youre right in the heart of the Legislature, you have to recognize that youre probably under more scrutiny than even other institutions in the state, said Jon McNaughtan, the interim chair of the department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, & Counseling at Texas Tech University. The way that you act not only impacts your institution, it impacts other institutions in the state, he added. READ MORE: UT Austin DEI layoffs disproportionately affected women and Black staffers, records show A longtime finance professor at UT, Hartzell took over as dean of the McCombs School of Business, one of the nations top business schools, in 2016. During his tenure, he promoted some of the very DEI initiatives that state law now requires him to dismantle, such as creating a new position and committee devoted to fostering diversity and inclusion. The UT System Board of Regents selected Hartzell as interim president in April 2020, two days after UTs former president publicly announced he was leaving. The regents later named Hartzell as the sole finalist for the permanent position in August 2020 without ever conducting a national search. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We have observed Jay Hartzells outstanding leadership for years, board chairman Kevin Eltife said at the time, calling Hartzell a leader nationally in business education and real estate finance. There is no one better suited to lead the flagship campus. Growing scrutiny over DEI Hartzell has spent much of the past semester overseeing the schools response to Senate Bill 17, which took effect Jan. 1 and prohibits public colleges and universities from establishing a DEI office or hiring employees to do DEI work. If universities fail to comply, they risk losing funds in the next state budget. In response to the law, UT stopped funding certain programs, such as cultural graduation ceremonies for Latinx and Black students, and closed the Gender and Sexuality Center and Multicultural Engagement Center. The school also renamed its Division of Diversity and Community Engagement to the Division of Campus and Community Engagement. Months later, after state Senate Education Committee chair Brandon Creighton sent a letter warning public university system regents that it was unacceptable for schools to merely rename their offices or employee titles, Hartzell went a step further. Advertisement Article continues below this ad UT laid off 49 employees many of them previously reassigned from DEI positions and closed the DCCE. Hartzell told faculty representatives the university did not conduct layoffs to comply further with SB17, but to help protect the long-term outlook of the institution, citing heightened scrutiny from lawmakers like Creighton. My role is to worry about the long-run future of the university, thinking about not only what had to happen by Jan. 1, but as this plays out over the coming months and years, how am I doing the best I can to mitigate what I believe and many others believe are real and imminent risks? Hartzell said. Those are risks that could, if left unchecked, affect the very basic way we run the university. The decision angered several students and faculty, who argued the university was overreacting and jeopardizing the ability to recruit new students. Corinne Floyd, the outgoing president of UTs Senate of College Councils, said Hartzells decision not to openly defend the schools DEI programs made students feel like he prioritized lawmakers over them. I understand to a certain extent why things have gone the way that they have, because the threat of the next legislative session is huge, said Floyd, a 2024 UT graduate. Politically, hes in a really tough spot. But she added in a statement after this article first posted that Hartzell had gone beyond what the ban called for, sacrificing staff unnecessarily. I dont know what would have happened if Hartzell had stood his ground, Floyd said. I just know that our friends would still be employed and UT would have legally been in the clear. Crackdown on protesters The divide among UT community members and lawmakers over Hartzells leadership only deepened after pro-Palestinian protests late last month. Faced with student and faculty criticism over the arrests and the heavy police presence on campus, Hartzell defended his decision to call in law enforcement. In an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle, he said that protesters had threatened to disrupt teaching and openly vowed to break the universitys rules, including a prohibition against camping. We also have a responsibility to keep the campus and its people safe, and to allow our teaching and research to continue, Hartzell wrote. Our rules provide structure for this responsibility and set up conditions for the co-existence of protests, safety and education. A woman wraps herself in a Palestinian flag as she attends a gathering of several pro-Palestinian groups on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin for a "May Day" protest, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Austin. Supporters demanded the public university pull its investments from companies the group believes are complicit in the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza and called for an end to the Israel-Hamas war. May Day, celebrated on May 1, commemorates historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Still, nearly 20% of the universitys faculty signed an open letter expressing no confidence in Hartzell, where they condemned the decisions to shut down the schools Division of Campus and Community Engagement and call state troopers to campus. Pauline Strong, president of the UT chapter of the American Association of University Professors, said while she recognizes the Legislatures threats of cutting funding, she feels Hartzells response under the political pressure was too extreme. He needs to stand up to the Legislature and work to earn the trust back of the community, she said. Of course (Hartzell) has to be responsive to the Legislature and to the regents and to the governor, said Strong, a UT professor of anthropology and womens and gender studies. That is absolutely a part of his job, but it seems like there should be a middle path in which he works to inform the Legislature about why the university is doing what it does and how it serves the people of the state of Texas. A graduating senior waits for other students before walking out of their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer University of Texas at Austin graduate students, faculty and demonstrators march in support of Palestinians on Saturday, May 11, 2024, outside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium after graduating seniors walked out of their commencement ceremony. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer UTs Faculty Council, the schools official faculty organization, has not taken up a no confidence vote, but it passed a resolution this month condemning UTs lack of communication about the demonstrations. The measure also called for amnesty for student protesters who were facing university discipline and public criteria for when Texas DPS would be called to campus. UT alumni groups, GOP lawmakers and UT Systems leaders all spoke out against the no-confidence letter and backed Hartzells management of the pro-Palestinian protests at UT. I would say that the vote of no confidence, or of confidence, that matters the most is the vote of this board, Eltife said during a recent Board of Regents meeting. We will not allow our campuses to be disrupted by the few at the expense of others. Texas freshman Arwyn Heilrayne speaks as multiple pro-Palestinian groups gather on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin for a May Day protest, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Austin. Supporters demanded the public university pull its investments from companies the group believes are complicit in the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza and called for an end to the Israel-Hamas war. May Day, celebrated May 1, commemorates historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Creighton, R-Conroe, applauded Hartzell for his decisive action to preserve the right to free speech and maintain a functioning campus. In a separate statement, more than 50 members of the Texas House signed a letter recommending the resignations of the 657 faculty who had signed the AAUPs letter of no confidence and commending Hartzell for his outstanding leadership. Know that we stand with you as you work to protect the students and the University you hold dear, the letter said. While some of the University of Texas faculty have declared their lack of confidence in you, let us offer our perspective: We have no confidence in them. Update: This story was updated to include additional comment from a UT student. India says it is working to repatriate UN staffer killed in Gaza NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India said on Wednesday it was working to repatriate the body of a former Indian Army officer serving as a U.N. staffer, who was killed in Gaza when his vehicle was hit by what the U.N. said was tank fire in Rafah where only Israeli tanks are present. The staffer, Waibhav Anil Kale, was working with the U.N. Department of Safety and Security and was heading to the European Hospital in Rafah along with a colleague, who was wounded in the incident. The U.N. said he was the first international U.N. staffer killed in Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7, taking the total U.N. death toll to 191. U.N. Secretary General's deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Tuesday the U.N. had set up a fact-finding panel to determine the responsibility for Kale's death. "It's very early in the investigation, and details of the incident are still being verified with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF)," he told a press conference. Asked by reporters about the shots fired on the vehicle, he said, "we believe it came from a tank in the area" and later added, it was "safe" to assume that only the IDF tanks in that region. There are 71 international U.N. staff members in Gaza currently, he said. The IDF said in a statement on Monday that the incident was "under review" and the IDF had not been made aware of the vehicle's route. But an initial inquiry indicated that "the vehicle was hit in an area declared an active combat zone." The Hamas-run government's media office accused Israel of "deliberately targeting foreign staff in the Gaza Strip". India's foreign ministry said its diplomatic missions were "in touch with relevant authorities" on the investigation into Kale's death, and helping to bring home his body. Israel has been moving deeper into Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than a million people had sought shelter, and its forces fought militants across the enclave's north on Wednesday in some of the fiercest battles in months. Israel's international allies and aid groups have repeatedly warned against a ground incursion into Rafah, where many Palestinians fled, and Israel says four Hamas battalions are holed up. Israel says it must root out the remaining fighters. In a statement on Monday after Kale's death, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres reiterated an "urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages," saying the conflict in Gaza was continuing to take a heavy toll "not only on civilians, but also on humanitarian workers". He has demanded explanations for all their deaths. Palestinian health authorities say Israel's ground and air campaign in Gaza since Oct. 7 has killed more than 35,000 people and driven most of the enclave's 2.3 million people from their homes. Israel, which launched its Gaza operation after an attack on Oct. 7 by Hamas-led gunmen who killed some 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies, has ordered civilians to evacuate parts of Rafah. The main United Nations aid agency in Gaza, UNRWA estimates some 450,000 people have fled the city since May 6. More than a million civilians had sought refuge there. (Reporting by Krishn Kaushik in New Delhi, Michelle Nichols in New York, Maytaal Angel in Jerusalem and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Philippa Fletcher) BELLEVUE, Neb. Incumbent House Republicans had a big day Tuesday in Nebraskas primary election after hearing months of complaints from GOP partisans saying they wanted change. Republican U.S. Reps. Mike Flood and Adrian Smith both cruised to victory over lesser-funded, lesser-known GOP opponents. Flood led former gubernatorial candidate Michael Connelly 82%-18% as of 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Flood faces Democratic State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue in the 1st District general election. Blood lost a bid for governor in 2022 against Jim Pillen, then a University of Nebraska regent. Flood, of Norfolk, embraced voter concerns about immigration enforcement that Democrats and others say are a long way from his less partisan past, when he served as Speaker of the Legislature. Blood said the problem falls on Congress shoulders and is theirs to fix. Flood a Nebraska conservative Flood discounts the narrative that hes somehow more conservative now than he was in the Legislature. He has said his style might be conservatism with a smile, but its still conservative. Flood said he hasnt changed, that hes still a Nebraska conservative from Madison County. In the 2022 general election, he won 11 of the 12 counties in eastern Nebraskas 1st Congressional District, all except Lancaster County, home of Lincoln. Im confident Im in the mainstream of Nebraska Republicans and am doing a good job, Flood said. And Im hopeful the votes tonight illustrate the same. Blood said Nebraskans need someone in Congress to protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. She said she learned to see policy over party while representing a GOP-leaning Sarpy County district in the Legislature. People are sick and tired of the hyper-partisanship and sticking to party lines and using that as an excuse for why they arent getting anything done, Blood said. Smith wins again Smith defeated Hastings discount store owner John Walz, 74%-19%. Walzs bid embraced former President Donald Trumps MAGA approach and was endorsed by the Nebraska Republican Party. The State GOP endorsed none of Nebraskas five all-Republican congressional delegation. And no members of the delegation sought the partys endorsement. But Smith, running for a tenth term, did what he has done in each of his more recent races for re-election, by pointing to his record of working to lower taxes and cut regulations. I always enjoy talking to people directly on the front lines of the economy, Smith said. Thats what Ive done. Im gratified that it seems to be accepted on a night like tonight. I think weve made a positive difference. The path ahead, in terms of the direction for our country, is huge, and we can all achieve more together. Walz had said he wanted to give Republicans a choice of someone who would draw a harder line against Democrats and make the government more openly Judeo-Christian. The third Republican in the race, Robert McCuiston, a welder from Holdrege, secured 7% of the vote. He was mayor of Tamora, Neb., for five years in the mid-1990s. Ebers looks likely to win Dem nomination Smith appears poised to face Democrat Daniel Ebers this fall. Ebers, who attended middle school with Smith in Gering, led David Else, a previous 3rd District candidate, 53%-47% as of 12:30 a.m. Ebers, who moved to Lincoln recently from Cambridge, Neb., for his job in hotel management, has said he wanted to give voters a choice. He said his approach to governing would be more collaborative than Smiths, he said. Else, a rural Overton farmer known for criticizing Nebraska governors when calling in to their statewide radio shows, had argued that former President Donald Trumps trade war with China has cost farmers. Both Democrats had said they want to give voters a choice. The Democratic nominee faces a steep climb in one of the countrys most conservative districts 63% Republican and 18% Democrat. It includes central and western Nebraska and edges to the east. LOS ANGELES Characters arent the only ones who change on a television series. Actors can, too, says The Good Doctors Freddie Highmore. Im naturally quite cynical, he says. But Shaun, the character he plays, hopefully has made me a little bit of a better person and a bit more optimistic. Now as the ABC medical drama ends its seven-year run, Highmore marvels at the progress Dr. Shaun Murphy has made as an autistic surgeon at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. In addition to moving up in the ranks professionally, he has found love, marriage and fatherhood. He also has learned the value of friendship and the importance of compromise. This guy (arrived) at the hospital naive, innocent and starting his first job and, all of a sudden, hes married, and he has a kid, Highmore says. Its an incredible journey. When The Good Doctor was pitched, the former child star had just finished five years on Bates Motel. He was looking for a break and, three days after filming ended, started talks with Good Doctor producers. While its unlikely he will jump into another series as quickly, Id be open to more. To me, it feels a little bit like graduation, the 32-year-old says. Its this momentous event that fills you with nostalgia. You realize that bubble, that world you created for seven years will never exist in the same way. The flip side of that is, like graduating, youre excited for new opportunities. During the run of the series, Highmore became a producer, writer and director. Hes been involved in the process since Day One, says Executive Producer David Shore. And thats a tricky situation. Physically, were in different places (Good Doctor filmed in Vancouver while staffers were headquartered in Los Angeles). But Freddie was fantastic. Weve been incredibly lucky. Expanding the world Although everyone in the final cast wasnt there from the beginning there are bleeds between the characters and the actors, says Executive Producer Liz Friedman. Shauns world has expanded over the years and the cast has expanded. Adds Shore: Its very much a show about how Dr. Murphy responds to new challenges and new people and how those people respond to him. So, there is opportunity. While Shore was able to mine medical stories on his previous series, House, he got new perspective with The Good Doctor. Its a crucible and you see what happens to people, he says. Were not doctors telling stories, were just people telling stories. Highmore says much of the series success hinged on smaller moments, not medical breakthroughs. Big things happen to Shaun and all of these characters on the show but, ultimately, theyre often explored through something small and simple that actually speaks to something so much bigger, he says. Learn by doing The medical lessons? They were received by other actors in different ways. It seems like so much of it is guesswork, says Fiona Gubelmann, who stars as Dr. Morgan Reznick. I remember when we had to shock somebody to bring them back to life, she says. After doing it twice, they declared them dead and I got really upset and was like, Wait is that what you do? You get two shocks and youre dead? And one of the (actual) nurses said, No, no. Its 45 minutes. We give them a lot of time. So, they calmed my nerves. According to Bria Samone Henderson, who plays Dr. Jordan Allen, suturing is almost like sewing. Thats fun, sometimes to do. And those relationships? They resonated, too. When Highmores character had a falling out with Richard Schiffs Dr. Aaron Glassman, the emotion was felt. It was real life in a way, Schiff says. How these characters, who have a lot of love for each other, worked through that was a good story to tell. While seven years seems like a long time for a series to run, Highmore says its likely it lasted for a simple reason. Weve always cared deeply about the show. Everyone fought to make it as good as it possibly can be. And it does feel incredibly special and meaningful to have told seven years of stories with Shaun. VERMILLION, S.D. -- Authorities in Vermillion are investigating a late Tuesday shooting in which one person was killed. According to a Vermillion Police Department news release, officers were dispatched at 11:58 p.m. to the 600 block of Catalina Avenue for a report of a shooting. Officers arriving at the scene found one man dead from a gunshot wound. His name has not been released, pending notification of family. The police department said all parties involved have been identified and are cooperating with law enforcement. No arrests have been made. There is no threat to the public, police said. The Vermillion Police Department continues to investigate the incident with the Clay County Sheriff's Office and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. YANKTON, S.D. A Yankton man has been charged in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of a 15-year-old girl. A Yankton County grand jury on Monday indicted Evan Nelson, 18, on charges of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor resulting in death, distribution of a controlled substance to a minor and unauthorized possession of a controlled substance. If convicted as charged, Nelson could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Nelson was arrested Tuesday and is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond, the South Dakota Attorney General's Office said. The girl, from rural Clay County, was found dead in her bedroom on Dec. 23. "This arrest comes after months of extensive investigations by state and local law enforcement and prosecutors. This tragic case and the loss of a 16-year-old victim demonstrates the seriousness and dangers of fentanyl," South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said in a news release. SIOUX CITY Alissa Williams, assistant principal at West Middle School, will keep her job after approaching the school board and asking them to reject her termination. Williams has been assistant principal at West Middle for one year. Her termination was listed on the human resources report effective June 30. Williams and a group of staff from West Middle attended the regular Sioux City School Board meeting on Monday. She asked the board to vote against her termination, as she didn't know why it was happening. "I don't know why my termination is on this board report," she said. "I have had zero communication. I was blindsided." Superintendent Rod Earleywine told The Journal Tuesday because of the actions by the board, she will have a contract for next year to continue employment. The board on Monday voted 3-3 to approve the human resources report, with Jan George, Dan Greenwell and John Meyers in favor, Treyla Lee, Bob Michaelson and Earl Miller opposed. The item failed. District administration questioned the decision, stating the human resources report had new salaries for all employees listed, as well as other resignations, hirings and recruitment stipends. The board decided to vote again on the human resources report, but removed the termination section. The vote passed unanimously. Michaelson taught at West Middle for 30 years. He said he would trust many of the West Middle employees who attended the meeting "with everything that I have." He said he also trusts the district administration. "I don't personally know what to do with it," he said. George said they had received guidance from outside legal counsel before the meeting, stating they could not discuss the issue. Iowa code says that a school board can only discuss the appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge of an employee in closed session if that employee specifically requested it. Williams publicly stated she wanted the topic discussed in an open session. The board took a short recess to discuss the topic with their legal counsel. Dan Moore, the district's attorney, directed the board to follow the guidance provided to them by outside counsel and to discuss the situation with the attorney on Tuesday. Williams was hired in August 2023 and had formerly been an English-language arts teacher in the district. She said on her first day, she had a meeting with the other administrators at West Middle where they said the only way to be successful in her role was to build trust and relationships with students and staff. "I took that to heart," she said. While she said she made mistakes in her first year as an administrator, she said she hoped people would be able to make mistakes as long as they were willing to "own it and commit to progress, all of which I feel as though I have done." She said she had not received any negative feedback. Previous version of this story SIOUX CITY The Sioux City School Board decided not to vote on the termination of Alissa Williams, assistant principal at West Middle School, Monday. Williams has been assistant principal at West Middle for one year. Her termination was listed on the human resources report effective June 30. Williams and a group of staff from West Middle attended the regular school board meeting Monday. She asked the board to vote against her termination, as she didn't know why it was happening. "I don't know why my termination is on this board report," she said. "I have had zero communication. I was blindsided." The board voted 3-3 to approve the human resources report, with Jan George, Dan Greenwell and John Meyers in favor, Treyla Lee, Bob Michaelson and Earl Miller opposed. The item failed. District administration questioned the decision, stating the human resources report had new salaries for all employees listed, as well as other resignations, hirings and recruitment stipends. The board decided to vote again on the human resources report, but removed the termination section. The vote passed unanimously. No information was given on the future of Williams employment. Michaelson taught at West Middle for 30 years. He said he would trust many of the West Middle employees who attended the meeting "with everything that I have." He said he also trusts the district administration. "I don't personally know what to do with it," he said. George said they had received guidance from outside legal counsel before the meeting, stating they could not discuss the issue. Iowa code says that a school board can only discuss the appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge of an employee in closed session if that employee specifically requested it. Williams publicly stated she wanted the topic discussed in an open session. The board took a short recess to discuss the topic with their legal counsel. Dan Moore, the district's attorney, directed the board to follow the guidance provided to them by outside counsel and to discuss the situation with the attorney on Tuesday. Williams was hired in August 2023 and had formerly been an English-language arts teacher in the district. She said on her first day, she had a meeting with the other administrators at West Middle where they said the only way to be successful in her role was to build trust and relationships with students and staff. "I took that to heart," she said. While she said she made mistakes in her first year as an administrator, she said she hoped people would be able to make mistakes as long as they were willing to "own it and commit to progress, all of which I feel as though I have done." She said she had not received any negative feedback. Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net. Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023. This is part of Sly as Fox, a short series about the perils of underestimating Fox News in 2024. In September 2023, the author Michael Wolff published what amounted to a book-length obituary for Americas most popular cable news network. Titled The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty, it argued that Fox News had been in decline since the departure of its founding CEO, Roger Ailes, in 2016, and the roughly concurrent political ascent of alleged billionaire Donald J. Trump. Ever since then, Wolff contended, Fox had struggled to maintain its once-unassailable place at the head of the American conservative movement while contending with personnel turnover, shaky internal leadership, competition from newer and wing-nuttier news outlets, the precipitous decline of the cable-television industry, historically expensive lawsuitsand the ungovernable Trump, who felt no need to genuflect to the networks power. In Wolffs telling, longtime Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdochs rumored disdain for Trump was very real, as was his frustration over his inability to break Trumps grip on the Republican base. After the GOPs dismal performance in the 2022 midterms, Fox News clearly attempted to starve Trump of oxygen by instead boosting Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, whom it portrayed as the ideal Republican standard-bearer going into the 2024 presidential elections. A year and a half later, though, Trump has a stranglehold on the Republican nomination. DeSantis is sitting in Tallahassee, licking his fingers. And Fox News is now forced to confront this evidence of its apparent editorial impotence. To Fox, Trump has become rather like a houseguest who asserts squatters rights and somehow ends up as the landlordan untenable outcome for a media mogul like Murdoch, who for decades has been accustomed to being the power behind countless thrones. With characteristic savagery, Wolff portrayed Murdoch as a doddering nonagenarian unable to parse the changes in the cable business and unwilling to accept that American conservatisms center of gravity had shifted away from him. Then, a few days before The Fall was published, Murdoch abruptly announced his impending retirement from the chairmanships of both Fox Corp. and News Corp. The news seemed like a validation of Wolffs thesis. Trump had won the power struggle, Fox News had become irrelevant, and Murdoch was just an elderly rat fleeing a sinking ship. Advertisement Murdochs retirement reinforced a powerful myth that has taken hold over the past year or two. If there was any silver lining for liberals in the political reemergence of Donald Trump, it was the idea that Trumps ascent was a sign of Fox News decline. We are now beginning a general election campaign in which the fate of democracy in America arguably rests on the frail shoulders of the incumbent president, Joe Biden, an unpopular 81-year-old man who trails Trump in most polls and has lost ground in swing states to intraparty competitors such as uncommitted. For Democrats, the only joy these days is found in tainted emotions like schadenfreude, and so you will perhaps forgive them for taking comfort in the idea that Fox News has been fatally shivved by a creature of its own creation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im here to tell you not to get carried away on the winds of wishful thinking. Ive covered Fox News for years, and the belief that Fox is waning in power is a conclusion born out of imprecise premises. Sure, Fox couldnt persuade right-wing voters to abandon Trump and vote for Ron DeSantis, but this failure is not necessarily evidence of the networks sudden irrelevance. Indeed, Fox News has rarely been an instrument of direct electoral action. Its greatest power is flexed differently, and it is still capable of deploying that power toward malignant ends. On the brink of a presidential campaign unlike any that Americans have ever seen, in advance of a general election that once again promises to be the most important one of our lifetime, it would be foolishperhaps fatally soto presume that Fox News is no longer capable of tipping the scales. Advertisement Fox News debuted in October 1996, two years after the so-called Republican Revolution had won the GOP control of Congress and one month before Democratic President Bill Clinton would win a second term in office by 8.5 percent over Republican challenger Bob Dolea margin of victory that no presidential candidate has matched since. In other words, it was an era in which Americans didnt really know what they wanted, even as they suspected that things would probably be fine either way. The economy was healthy, the world was largely at peace, the Soviet Union had been dismantled, and they were still making new Lethal Weapon movies. As political scientist Francis Fukuyama had suggested not long before that, the world had reached the end of history: the final triumph of liberal democracy and its accompanying ideological virtues. Woooo! Go, Team America! Advertisement In retrospect, the notion of definitive historical apotheosis was bound to not sit well with the reactionary right, a political faction organized around the premise that the present moment stinks and that everything was better in the past. The end of history also portended the end of reactionary conservatism. Fox News emergence came at the perfect time for the political right, which needed an apparatus that was powerful enough to set the wheels of history spinning once again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a point in time when things were generally pretty good, Fox News gambled that what Americans really wanted was an endless stream of straw men to hate and resent, an endless list of reasons why things were actually terrible. With this strategy, the network was following the lead of the many right-wing demagogues who had amassed influence by weaponizing conservative nostalgia for better days while railing against cultural liberalism. At the time, the most recent model was the radio host Rush Limbaugh, who in the early 1990s had found great national success by convincing his listeners that the liberal elite wanted nothing more than to mock their biblical marriages, turn their children gay, and keep Christ out of Christmas. Advertisement Limbaugh was a partisan political actor in a commentators costume, using the veil of editorial legitimacy provided by the news part of the phrase news talk to frame his dumb bombast as informed analysis. Day after day, he mocked and vilified the Clintons, and feminazis, and environmentalists, and other easy targetsand in so doing made Republicans seem sensible and virtuous by comparison. Rather than spend much time making the affirmative case for conservative policies and politicians, Limbaugh found that it was easier and more effective to just give his listeners something to stand against. If Limbaugh gave Fox News the playbook, then Fox deployed it with unmatched vigor and relentlessness. Under the leadership of Ailesa long-standing Republican campaign consultant who had recently served as president of CNBCand Murdoch, who infused the network with the reactionary populist spirit of his tabloid newspapers, Fox News expertly exploited television viewers residual trust in the aesthetics of news to command a level of credibility that its commentary and reporting did not always merit. Fox presented as a news network along the lines of CNN, albeit one with a pronounced conservative slant, a point of view that the network justified by suggesting that its competitors were biased because they lacked a conservative slant. Its motto, Fair and Balanced, was best understood as a code phrase, speaking to right-leaning viewers who already believed that the rest of the media was anything but. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over time, Fox News refined its approach to covering current events. The network has always aired segments of straightforward news reporting and sober commentary, and some of this material can be fairly decent. From a macroscopic perspective, though, this output is useful to Fox mostly insofar as it gives it plausible deniability against charges of partisan bias. Bret Baier, Neil Cavuto, and the rest of the networks relatively normal anchors and reporters effectively serve as cover for the culture warriorship that has long consumed the bulk of each programming day. Whether it was Sean Hannity fuming about the liberal media and Hollywood perverts, Tucker Carlson mainstreaming key components of the great replacement theory, Bill OReilly bashing abortion providers and liberal media, Glenn Beck assuring his viewers that Barack Obama was the real racist, or the Fox & Friends mopes offering shots of xenophobia with their viewers morning coffee, the network has a long and documented history of using its platform to proclaim the cultural and political villainy of the leftand thus to celebrate the relative virtue of the right. Advertisement The networks conspiratorial fearmongering rarely holds up to rational scrutiny. But Fox News has never really been interested in direct logical persuasion. Instead, it feeds and cultivates what I have come to refer to as the midnight mind. The midnight mind is that state of irrational delirium in which implausible things and theories can start to strike you as true. Its what you experience when youre lying awake in the middle of the night and, in the absence of mitigating clarity, your mind begins to wander into illogical zones. In a state of midnight-minded panic, it is easy to believe that all the world is aligned against you and that the worst will always come true. Conspiracies become certainties. Enemies become entrenched. With no one else around to tell you that these fever dreams are stupid, they can start to seem very, very smart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the light of morning, of course, it is easy to see the flaws in these nighttime chimeraswhich is why Fox News seems to work so hard to create, in effect, in its viewers something of an induced trance from which it is hard to ever wake up. By bombarding its audience with endless reports on the dishonesty and unreliability of the rest of the mainstream media, Fox makes it seem like a moral imperative to never, ever change the channel. In the ensuing echo chamber, the midnight mind thence becomes the dominant mind, and things that are objectively false start to feel like the only things that are actually true. As you may have noticed, this playbook has less to do with promoting specific conservative political candidates than with setting the stage for any given conservative candidate to win. Advertisement If and when the network does boost particular politicians, it generally does so in a manner that is incidental to its main mission, which is to demonize the left by peddling an unbroken narrative of its decadence and corruption, thus fostering a tribal mentality in which outsiders start to seem like existential threats. When Donald Trump first entered the political scene, his campaign directly echoed the cultural-decline narrative that Fox had been pushing for decades. Because Trump himself was so conspicuously unvirtuous, he couldnt easily take advantage of the standard faith-flag-and-family branding that preceding Republican candidates had long used to denote their moral superiority. Instead, Trump resorted to standard midnight-minded fearmongering, demonizing his opponents and the left in order to make himself look better by comparison. The petty nativism and reactionary nostalgia that animated his 2016 presidential campaign were thematically reminiscent of much Fox News programming, with one main difference: Trump flipped the script by making this messaging all about him. Trump became the main character in a midnight-minded melodrama that was supposed to serve all Republicans, not just one guy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During and after Trumps presidency, his habit of asserting conspiracies against him came to pose problems for Fox News. For one thing, Trump is so venal and unfit for office that the only way to make him look good by comparison has been to indulge in a series of increasingly outlandish and indefensible theories about the lefttheories that many of Foxs more journalistically minded personalities were occasionally unwilling to endorse. But the main problem for Fox with changing its messaging away from Everyone is conspiring against Republicans to Everyone is conspiring against Donald Trump has always been that Trump is a world-class loser. Deploying a powerful messaging machine in deferential service to one guy becomes difficult when that guy keeps on losing elections. If Trump had faced a different Democratic opponent than Hillary Clinton in 2016, there is a very good argument that he would not have won the presidency. Under his leadership, the Republican Party lost ground in the 2018 midterms. In 2020 Trump lost the presidential election, and the Republicans lost control of the Senate. Although the 2022 midterms were supposed to be a red wave, poor performances nationwide by a suite of Trump-backed candidates rendered that wave more of an anemic puddle. Fox News has resisted Trumps cult of personality not because the network finds him distasteful but because he weighs down the broader party. And yet this resistance has been ineffective because its midnight-minded audience has been trained for decades to be incredibly receptive to the sorts of dumb theories that are the entirety of what Donald Trump has to offer. Trump is crack cocaine to his acolytes, and the addiction is such that it cannot be defeated with a half-hearted Just say no. Besides, dont kid yourself about Fox News resistance to Donald Trump. To the extent that the network defied him while he was in office, that defiance was largely confined to the Actually, lets not overthrow the government level. The networks DeSantis advocacy was a product of primary season, when there was still a chance that someone else might step up and break Trumps spell. In general elections, when the candidates have been chosen, Fox will always accede to the wishes of the primary electorate and turn its editorial energies toward creating the conditions for those candidates success. Were just about at that point right nowand already those energies are evident as Trumps New York trial progresses and the coming election nightmare creeps closer and closer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This election is the real reason you might reasonably ask yourself whether Fox News still matters. Before you try to answer that question, I would urge you to really examine what youre asking. If the question is whether the network has declined relative to its own peak performance, then, sure, the old gray mare aint what she used to be. But neither are most media properties, especially cable networks. Remember when AMC was the standard-bearer for prestige television, or when MTV used to air programs starring people other than Rob Dyrdek? Remember when your local print newspaper used to be more than just repackaged wire stories? Relative to outdated expectations, Fox News is underperforming. Relative to the present moment, the network is crushing it. Week after week, month after month, Fox News is consistently the highest-rated cable network of them all. In the much narrower cable-news category, Fox boasts Harlem Globetrotters levels of dominance; its not uncommon for the channels ratings to be better than those of CNN and MSNBC combined. What this means, among other things, is that Fox News has more leverage than any other cable network to keep commanding high carriage feesthe per-subscriber payment that cable networks get from their carriers, which is the real reason why cable subscription prices are so high. Whereas once it made sense for cable companies to oversaturate their lineups with hundreds of networks that nobody watched, changing cable-business economics have led these companies to start trimming the fat and stop paying millions in carriage fees to bad networks that nobody likes. Fox News will be the last network to succumb to these pressures. As long as cable is around, Fox News will be tooand despite cables recent declining subscribership numbers, there is enough money at stake here that its not implausible to think that cable might find a way to turn the tide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe the question is whether Fox News is still influential on the right. Again, relative to past performance, probably not as much. The network is constantly being primaried from the right, so to speak, by other outletsdown-the-lineup cable news networks and podcasts and radio shows and YouTube conspiracists and social media meme-makers and so on and so forththat have always been more than willing to carry water for Donald Trump and his interesting theories. And yet Fox News has perpetually had competitors, and the fatal flaw with these competitors has always been that they are not Fox News. YouTube prognosticators and Substack pamphleteers might be more viscerally conservative than Fox, but they dont have billions of dollars behind them. OANN and Newsmax are further to the right than Fox, but theyre getting dropped left and right by cable providers because their viewership numbers arent worth the carriage fees. No matter how compelling your favorite right-wing radio host or paleoconservative podcaster might be, theyre not broadcasting 24 hours a day. Fox News has structural advantages that every single one of its competitors lacks. The question we should be asking, I think, is whether Fox News still has the ability to affect the election. And I think its pretty clear that the answer to that question is yes. It seems evident that there are not enough rabid Donald Trump supporters to guarantee a Trump victory in November, just as there are not enough die-hard Biden supporters to ensure the incumbent president a second term. What this means is that the presidential election will once again come down to turnout and messaging and those voters in a handful of states who have somehow still not yet made up their minds. Baby boomers and older are both more likely to vote than any other age group and more likely to still subscribe to cable than any other age group. Can Fox News persuade enough undecided voters in this group to vote for Donald Trump? Of course it can. Fox and Trump are fully invested in peddling the narrative of a nation in decline, and all that either needs to do is use their dark gifts to convince, like, 250,000 people in, like, five different states that the Sleepy Joe Crime Cartel and its democratic socialist allies have pursued unfair vendettas against Trump while turning America into an expensive, protest-riven, migrant-infested, gender-deviant crime hole. Trump cannot sell this story entirely on his own. He needs Fox News and its fair-and-balanced veneer to launder this message for the benefit of those voters who could still go either way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Fox, there is less internal resistance to this mandate than ever. Over the past five years, the network has parted ways with most of the more sober journalistic personalities whose integrity might prevent them from fully signing on to Trumps stupid chaos narratives. Shepard Smith, Chris Stirewalt, Chris Wallace, Geraldo Riverathey and others have all been shown the door, leaving behind a shrinking internal bulwark of sanity thats increasingly incapable of resisting the encroaching tide of Trumpian illogic. Murdoch himself, meanwhile, was the one man at Fox sufficiently forceful to resist Trumps pull and impose his own will on the network, but hes gone now too. Today the network is led by Murdochs son Lachlanwho is not his fathera bunch of un-prepossessing executives, and an on-air roster of Trump loyalists, Fox lifers, wing nuts, and has-beens. Although the network will be careful not to court any more billion-dollar lawsuits, the people remaining there otherwise have few reasons not to give their viewers what they want. To this end, Donald Trump doesnt challenge Fox News: He completes Fox News. The old man is gone. The midnight mind is ascending. History is back in motion. Fox News is finally free. This is part of Sly as Fox, a short series about the perils of underestimating Fox News in 2024. If you are familiar with Jessica Tarlov, youre probably a regular Fox News viewer. Thats a sign that shes doing what was hired to do pretty wellnamely, be a Democrat on television who can bounce off the networks right-wing stars without stealing the show. If she approached the job differently, she could probably be more famous. But her approach also, more subtly, allows her undermine one of the networks central delusions in a way that her co-workers may not even be aware of. Tarlov is, at the moment, the Fox networks most prominent liberal commentator. She began appearing on the network in 2017, having come to bookers attention through a job working for Douglas Schoen, a Democratic pollster and longtime cable-news pontificator himself. After initially developing a rapport with Fox prime-time host Sean Hannity, she is now most frequently seen on The Five, the networks 5 p.m. chat show, which attempts to re-create the cacophonous energy of The View with a lineup that is much, much more slanted toward the conservative perspective. (Its other primary co-hosts are Greg Gutfeld, Jesse Watters, Jeanine Pirro, and Dana Perino, all of whom are right-wing.) Historically, there have been three types of liberal or Democratic Fox guests. There are active politicians who attest to believing in the importance of interacting with the networks audience of Republicans and nominally persuadable independents. (Some may truly believe thisBernie Sanders, no fan of interactions he doesnt consider essential, has gone on Fox. Others may simply enjoy hearing themselves talk. Picture us furtively gesturing toward Gavin Newsom while we say that.) There are Democrats who only ever seem to disagree with what the Democratic Party is doing; their purpose on the network seems to be to reassure Foxs audience that liberals are, in fact, radical and unreasonable. And then there was the late Alan Colmes, Hannitys original sidekick on the show that was initially called Hannity and Liberal to Be Determined. The mild-mannered Colmes seemed to exist to get steamrolled, serving the same purpose as food dropped into an animal cage in the large cats wing of the zoo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tarlov does not actually fit in any of these categoriesnor, as much as it might be suggested by her chipper social media profile, upscale Manhattan biography, and on-trend glasses, does she seem to be an aspiring influencer or cultural personality in the Meghan McCain mode. As bizarre as it may be to find such a person on Fox News or cable TV more generally, she is basically just a levelheaded liberal who, befitting her background in polling, tends to explain politics (and defend the behavior of Democratic politicians) in practical terms. Consider, for instance, her commentary from March on The Five regarding Joe Bidens star-studded Radio City Music Hall fundraiser, at which he was joined by figures ranging from Lizzo to former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Tarlovs co-workers attacked the event as an embodiment of vapid celebrity liberalism and said it showed that there is so little enthusiasm for Bidens reelection that he can only attract excitement by association. A lesser pundit performing the role of Democrat to Be Determined might have made dubious claims about Bidens vitality and appeal; there was also the possibility of being sucked into a culture-war argument about the racial overtones of Lizzo discourse. Instead, Tarlov explained that leveraging celebrity support is essentially a financial necessity for candidates on every part of the political spectrum, pointing out that the $26 million Biden netted at Radio City translates into having, for example, 10 field offices in North Carolina. The answer moved the conversation away from less defensible (or at least more hostile) ground and toward territory on which she could point out Trumps longtime association with Vanilla Ice, which made for good banter. Advertisement Advertisement Tarlov doesnt catastrophize the decisions of Democratic politicianswhich is a great way to make hay as a center- or left-of-center pundit, historically!or, on the other hand, let herself get wound up and defensive about her co-workers attacks thereon. This puts a ceiling on her Q rating, probably. She rarely shows up in viral clips because she doesnt tend to eviscerate anyone or lose it on air. Panic and gloating go viral; reality-based exposition doesnt. But it makes for viewing that is entertaining and, of all things to be saying about Fox News programming, informative. By speaking to her colleagues as if they are her social peerslike humans might actually talk to each other, instead of competitors in a contest to see who can be the most provocativeshe gets them to actually listen to what shes saying, and she gains the space to, for example, interject that crime rates have gone way downnot down a littlein New York City during Bidens term. Advertisement Advertisement Is this effort accomplishing anything? Surveys do say there are Fox viewers who identify as independent voters. Maybe Tarlov is persuading some of them, or at least lowering the temperature of political discourse by exposing them to less threatening explanations for Democratic positions than they might otherwise see. Advertisement Advertisement In the bigger picture, she takes the air out of Foxs delusion that it speaks for the average citizenthe way its stars, going back to Bill OReilly, have claimed to be representatives of the real America. Theres a temptation for TV Democrats on Fox and elsewhere to insist that they are actually the authentic ones, but Tarlov doesnt try to out-blue-collar anyoneI cant be anything else but a tall Jewish girl from Tribeca, she once said. By being so genial and non-confrontational, though, she gets her colleagues to let the mask slip a bit. They talk to each other casually and with affection, leaving one with the strong suspicion that they are all, in fact, cosmopolitan television performers who get along well because they have a lot in common. And theres nothing wrong with that! We cant all be the living embodiment of a commercial for a five-ton pickup truck. Whether or not shes helping Joe Biden win the election, getting that message across on Fox News, however implicitly, is a public service. The worm that allegedly ate part of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s brain may be dead, but the mans presidential campaign certainly isnt. Freshly empowered by ballot-access victories in key states like Michigan, financial support from his wealthy vice presidential pick, and mass indifference among the electorate to the Biden-Trump rematch, RFK Jr. continues a strong, worrisome third-party run thats scrambling American politics in the lead-up to Election Day. Hes also been able to keep himself out there with the assistance of a strange array of media celebrities and brand-name executives: woo-woo Hollywooders, conspiratorial podcasters, and weirdo Silicon Valley disrupters all brought in to prop up an especially big tent of support. You might call them RFK Jr.s Brain Worm Coalition. Of particular interest are the tech and finance members of this Brain Worm Coalition, who include the candidates VP pick, Nicole Shanahan, a well-connected venture capitalist who was formerly married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin and donated to both Joe Biden and Marianne Williamson in 2020; Bill Ackman, the short seller and onetime Democrat whose pro-Israel, anti-diversity crusades have led him to embrace RFK Jr. and Donald Trump; Jack Dorsey, the former Twitter CEO and ice-bath enthusiast who withdrew a planned $5 million Bitcoin donation to RFK Jr.s campaign after employees from his company Block began expressing their concerns; the megawealthy VCs behind the All-In podcast, whom Kennedy credits with boosting his candidacy; Elon Musk, who voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and has since completely enmeshed himself in racist right-wing paranoia related to immigrants and nonwhite Americans; cryptocurrency and blockchain pioneer Charles Hoskinson, who says hes done with voting for the lesser of two evils; Eric Weinstein, the former managing director of Peter Thiels VC fund; and LimeWire creator Mark Gorton, whose COVID-era vaccine skepticism led him to co-found and co-chair an amply funded proRFK Jr. super PAC called American Values 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That tech barons love Kennedy isnt new. Many of these same people were enthusiastic fans of his early last year, when the independent long shot first launched his bid as a Democrat and spoke at the 2023 Bitcoin Conference. Back then, the presidential race was much more open, with potentially serious challengers attempting to thwart Joe Bidens and Donald Trumps chances at securing the major-party nominations. Still, its striking that many of these folks remain staunch in their RFK Jr. endorsements, even as he went independent, persisted in the arduous process of qualifying for each states ballot, and carried a zero percent chance of earning more votes than either Biden or Trumplet alone winning the presidency. Advertisement If RFK Jr.s early support was meant to signal that Democrats and Republicans needed to rethink their front-runners, what does the lingering support mean now as this Kennedy scion threatens their respective chances at general-election victory? There are a few key ideas that united the Brain Worm Coalition behind the imperfect avatar of RFK Jr. For one, rich guys like Chamath Palihapitiya who funded Biden in 2020 are fed up with his supposed radical policies. Theres his administrations attempts at increasing the countrys historically low tax liabilities for corporations and top-income-bracket dwellers, a re-empowered Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission that have gone after tech companies like Apple and Google, and a Securities and Exchange Commission thats hounding the crypto sector. On top of all that, Biden is also (at least vocally) a pro-worker chief executive who visited a UAW picket line and recorded a message in favor of Amazon union organizers. Advertisement Advertisement Its not just class war driving the brain rot. Another factor is the way the electorate has shifted its perceptions of scientific consensus and the wider infosphere in the years since the COVID pandemics peak. Skepticism of vaccines, climate science, and general public health measures is far more mainstream than it was even a few years ago. (See also: the public backlash to alternative milks and lab-cultivated meat.) Eager conspiracy theorists took advantage of indoor audiences to start up their own fact-free yet lucrative media enterprises through podcasts and videoand RFK Jr. has appeared on many of those. Advertisement Silicon Valley elites, despite their professed devotion to reason and scientific wisdom, have often hawked quack medical cures or advocated for bizarre trends like consuming raw water. Thatalong with their anger at the government concern (which was not, as theyd characterize it, any sort of explicit interference) in widespread COVID disinformation, as showcased by reports on the Twitter Files and Facebooks COVID flip-floppinghas encouraged these oligarchs to discard the mainstream media and embrace their own media bubbles. Hence, Musks Twitter takeover on behalf of free speech, despite his actual lack of commitment to that ideal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Story About a Worm Eating RFK Jr.s Brain Is Not As Funny As It Sounds Read More RFK Jr. has done quite a lot to appeal to these folks. Hes praised the Twitter Files and the Musk era of the website, has harped on his vaccine questions and invective against Dr. Anthony Fauci, and taken bizarre middle ground positions on just about everything from abortion to Jan. 6 to the TikTok ban. He sticks to his environmentalist background, but tacks harder to the right on arming Israel, opposing aid to Ukraine, and cracking down on immigration through the southern border. Hes also lodged a high-profile lawsuit against Meta over election interference and censorship after Facebook and Instagram accidentally removed a biographical film about Kennedy that was launched by the aforementioned American Values PAC (and which was narrated in part by Woody Harrelson). With such acts, Kennedy endears himself to tech guys most fervent fixations while also presenting himself as so ideologically heterodox (read: incoherent) as to appear moderate. Advertisement United only in certain superficial commonalitieslots of money, a disaffection with liberalism, COVID-era journeys down online rabbit holesthe techie members of RFK Jr.s Brain Worm Coalition want to leverage their influence through a particular type of candidate. One who doesnt seem to know what he believes, wholl play both sides on basic issues of democratic governance, and who promises at best to throw politics as usual into disarraywhich is more than enough for these tech lords. Advertisement Advertisement America, has a 2020 rematch got you down? Have no fear. The same tech disrupters whove hoarded gobs of wealth for themselves, completely decimated any reliability in our information ecosystem, and fashioned themselves into political pundits are going to disrupt this election too. Theyll do it by boosting a chaos candidate in a time where voters want to tear the whole political system down. As for the consequences of their actions and disruptions? Theyll just wait to see how things shake out for themselves and their own bottom line, as theyve always done. And thats always gone so well for the rest of us, right? If youre wondering how Donald Trumps hush money trial is likely to turn out, its worth casting an eye back to a 1938 mob case. The decision in People v. Lucianoironically also a trial involving family businesswill help prosecutors connect Trump to all the crimes with which hes charged. That is so even if the jury discounts the few parts of the testimony from Michael Cohen that were uncorroborated, including his one-on-one conversations with Trump tying him to the crimes. Perhaps youve heard of Charles Lucky Luciano, the convicted defendant in People v. Luciano. He was once the very public head of the Five Families in the golden age of American mobsters. His conviction for running a prostitution enterprise was affirmed by New Yorks highest court in a case with powerful application to Trumps prosecution. (Lucianos prosecutor was, incidentally, the young Manhattan District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey, the future Republican governor of New York and presidential candidate against FDR in 1944 and Harry Truman in 1948.) Much of Trumps defense at trial consists of getting prosecution witnesses to admit that Trump himself didnt falsify his companys books, because others in his tightknit enterprise made the physical entries and drafted the checks that he signed with his notorious black Sharpie. His attempt to insulate himself from the final stages of the scheme enables Trump and his lawyers to assure his credulous supporters that the district attorney has nothing on him. But the jury will soon hear that New York criminal law is not so naive as to allow the ringleader of a criminal scheme to get off scot-free, simply because his minions did the deeds. Advertisement Under a long-standing rule of Criminal Law 101, acts by any co-conspirator are attributable to each member of the conspiracy, if the acts are intended to further the object of the conspiracy. In other words, each conspirator is liable for the crimes of the others committed in pursuit of the illegal objective. It doesnt matter who committed the act or who didnt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But wait, you say! Prosecutors did not charge a conspiracy in this case. Thats where People v. Luciano comes in. The New York Court of Appeals there made clear that if a conspiracy is proven by the evidence, it need not be charged for the rule of vicarious liability to apply. Accordingly, because prosecutors in Trumps case have laid a sufficient evidentiary foundation for the jury to find that there was a criminal scheme with multiple participants, Justice Juan Merchan will instruct jurors that, should they determine that Trump participated in the broader conspiracy, they may find him liable for any and all other conspirators actions. Trump is on trial on 34 counts of falsifying business records: Advertisement 11 Trump checks marked retainer though they were allegedly reimbursements to Cohen for buying Stormy Daniels silence; 11 invoices Cohen created for the checks with the words per retainer; and 12 entries in books kept and maintained by the Trump Organization that recorded the expenditures. The Manhattan DA alleges that it was all done to cover up the $130,000 payoff to Daniels to keep voters in the 2016 election from knowing about the predatory sexual encounter Trump had with her around the time his wife Melania was giving birth to their child, Barron. Advertisement Going back to the rule of co-conspirators vicarious liability for the conduct of their partners in crime, lets examine the actions of Trumps alleged co-conspirators and how imputing them to Trump connects him to the allegedly falsified invoices and business entries in the ledgers. Advertisement Cohen testified that he followed Trumps directions, which Trump often gave in code like a mob boss. Consider Cohens testimony that in a meeting, he outlined to Trump the scheme to pay off Stormy Daniels and the need for Trump to reimburse him for fronting the payoff. According to Cohen, Trump directed him, in classic mafia don style, to Just do it! Advertisement Similarly, back in October 2016, Trump instructed Cohen, according to his testimony, to meet up with Allen Weisselberg and figure this whole thing out. Cohen also explained that Trump never had an email address. According to Cohen, Trump would comment that he knows too many people who have gone down as a direct result of having emails that prosecutors can use in a case. Advertisement In addition, Cohen told jurors that, contrary to the words on his own invoices and on the checks Trump signed, he never drafted a retainer agreement with Trump, a statement corroborated by Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConneys testimony that he never saw one. (Retainers must be written under New Yorks rules of professional conduct.) McConney also testified that Cohen was paid in monthly installments per direction from Weisselberg. Advertisement Advertisement Cohen testified on Tuesday that he created the 11 falsified invoices. Those actions were clearly part of the conspiracy. That will allow the jury, under the rules of conspiracy law, to find Trump liable for the false invoices so long as he was part of the scheme, as the evidence shows he was. Advertisement The actions that jurors have been told Weisselberg took to figure this whole thing out demonstrate that the CFO, too, joined the conspiracy as Mr. Inside, directing how the records would be fabricated and recorded. That conclusion is corroborated by Weisselbergs handwritten notes, authenticated and described by McConney, about how Weisselberg directed the doubling of the $130,000 reimbursement for paying Danielsalong with another $50,000 reimbursementto compensate Cohen for taxes he would need to pay on the phony retainer. If the jury finds that Weisselberg conspired with Trump and Cohen, it can also use the CFOs actionsand his statements to which trial witnesses testifiedagainst Trump. Co-conspirator liability becomes the basis to connect Trump to Cohens invoices and Weisselbergs direction about the recording of false vouchers in ledgers kept and maintained by the Trump organization. Along with the invoices, that accounts for 23 of the 34 counts of the indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Prosecution Actually Wants the Jury to Think Michael Cohen Is a Pathetic Scumbag Read More The other 11 counts, of course, are about the various checks for $35,000 or more that Trump signed with the notation Retainer printed on the stub. Perhaps Trumps lawyers will argue that he believed it was a retainer; in other words, Trump innocently thought that the checks were for legal services. Perhaps his defense counsel will argue, in conjunction, that Cohen paid off Daniels on his own, as Hope Hicks testified that Trump later told her in 2018statements that even she, a Trump loyalist, did not believe. Indeed, Trumps lead defense counsel, Todd Blanche, said in his opening statement that the $35,000 a month to Mr. Cohen was not a payback for the money he gave to Ms. Daniels. Trumps denial that the checks he signed were reimbursements to Cohen was the crux of the defenses argument. Advertisement Unfortunately for that denial and defense, in a 2018 lawsuit against Daniels, Trump represented in a court filing via his lawyers that he had reimbursed Cohen for the $130,000 payment to Daniels. Because Trump avoided sending personal emails and texts and had others do his dirty work (in traditional mob fashion), most of the other evidence against him will be largely circumstantial or come in via the co-conspirator liability rule. Advertisement Advertisement Which brings us back to People v. Luciano. When the mobster argued on appeal that the evidence was insufficient to tie him to the crimes charged, the court answered in terms that are too deliciously applicable to paraphrase: [Lucianos] position as head of this combination did not bring him in direct contact with the victims of this scheme, and he displayed an anxiety that his name be not too openly associated with the enterprise. Thus the evidence against him is not so easily available as it was against some of those lower in the organization. While no conspiracy is charged in the indictment, there was ample proof of a conspiracy among appellants to organize prostitution on a basis most profitable for them. The acts and declarations of the conspirators in furtherance of the joint enterprise were admissible against all of those participating in the conspiracy. You may have heard the clever aphorism that history never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme. If ever there was a poetic irony that rhymes in the long history of the law, it may be the application of People v. Luciano to People v. Trump. The fight against degenerate art. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share You can read the opinion in Slovak here. Under the guidance of Alfred Rosenberg, the leading theorist of cultural Nazism, preparations for the ceremony took several months. Rosenberg came from a German-Baltic family. Under the influence of the Russian mystic Dmitry Merezhkovsky, whom he had met during his stay in Moscow, he became an ideological critic of modern art. In the spirit of Merezhkovsky's rejection of decadent symbolism, a movement associated with the decline of traditional art according to the radical right, Rosenberg emerged as editor-in-chief of the [Nazi party newspaper] Volkischer Beobachter and the occultist Thule Society to combat degenerate art on all fronts. Allow what is degenerate to burn In front of the Berlin Opera House and in other German cities, on May 10, 1933 the Nazi understanding of degenerate art took revenge on the world and German literature, and in an auto-da-fe thousands of books by "degenerate" authors were burned in a purgatory fire, the likes of which had been sporadically lit in German National Socialist circles since at least 1817. However, the Nazi desire to "purify the German spirit" from Entartete Kunst (degenerate art) has another ideological origin. In his Essay on the Inequality of Human Races, French theoretician of racism Arthur de Gobineau focused on degeneration; in his work Entartung (Degeneration), Austro-Hungarian doctor Max Nordau connected the theory of criminal degeneration with the possibility of transferring some deviant personality disorders into artwork and, conversely, the influence of degenerate art on the destruction of society. Nordau considered almost all art movements of the time to be manifestations of decline. He hated Charles Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde, and Richard Wagner who was later admired by the Nazis. Since pre-Nazi times, the theory of degenerate, non-national, impure, damaged art has been associated with the activities of Jews and Judaism. A large number of the books burned in 1933 were written by prominent German authors of Jewish origin. Their crime was that their work was insufficiently German, their expression and understanding of the extraordinary historical fate of the Germans lacking sufficient "Deutschtum" (Germanness). The effort to label certain groups of artists and artistic creations as traitors to the national culture and unworthy representatives of its ethnic understanding, finds its origins in cultural anti-Semitism and Nazi occultism; but at the same time it has undergone significant changes in the decades since the Nuremberg Trials. Saboteurs and subversive elements of Slovak culture Announcement for parents and Slovaks will help build a nuclear power plant in the UK. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Good evening. Here is the Tuesday, May 14 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes. The Culture Ministry wants children to think critically, but there is one problem Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova during a no-confidence vote in parliament on May 14, 2024. (Source: TASR) The Culture Ministry is reportedly working on a media education project. The focus will be on students enrolled in primary and secondary schools. The project should help them improve their critical thinking and improve their independence in thinking and decision-making in the face of external pressure from mass media. The issue is that Lukas Machala, chief of staff at the Culture Ministry, should be in charge of the project. Recently, he garnered attention for questioning the shape of the Earth, which he asserts to be flat. He has also co-authored a bill on the yet to be established public-service broadcaster. Petra Flach, the friend and neighbour of Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova, should also join the team, as should Petra Bacinska, the spokesperson for the Culture Ministry. Bacinska holds pro-Russian views and, as a layman, explores topics such as the harm of vaccines. It appears that the culture minister herself enjoys being part of the disinformation media scene. Although media are under the Cultural Ministry, media education is under the Education Ministry. Minister Tomas Drucker (Hlas) has stated that he is unaware of any project regarding media education being prepared at the Culture Ministry. Related: The SNS party has requested the convening of a coalition council. The party wants to talk about how the government will continue after Peter Pellegrini (Hlas) becomes president. At present, it appears to be operating smoothly. Simkovicova (SNS), just like Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova (Hlas), survived no-confidence votes in the debating chamber on Tuesday thanks to the coalition MPs. MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you. OPINION FOR TUESDAY American Dream found in Slovakia? Bratislava. (Source: Pexels-Lukas Kosc) "Slovakia's solid integration in the NATO, the European Union, Schengen and the Eurozone has created a sense of security for many Slovak descendants. Slovakia is no longer just associated with the nostalgic memory of a great-grandfather long passed; it also represents practical gains for the descendant, in addition to being a strategic gateway to the European Union," writes Global Slovakia founder Zuzana Palovic. EVENT The Night of Museums Railway Museum in Bratislava. (Source: TASR) The 20th edition of the European Night of Museums (La Nuit europeenne des musees) will take place on Saturday, May 18. On this evening, many cultural Slovak cultural institutions will open their doors to people in all regions. IN OTHER NEWS After its members elected her at the Council's session on Tuesday, Judge Marcela Kosova has become the new chair of the Judicial Council. She supported the decision to cancel the Special Prosecutor's Office. She also went to a traditional pig slaughter attended by, among others, now convicted fraudster Marian Kocner, who is believed to have masterminded the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova. She gives interviews to disinformation media as well. She supported the decision to cancel the Special Prosecutor's Office. She also went to a traditional pig slaughter attended by, among others, now convicted fraudster Marian Kocner, who is believed to have masterminded the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova. She gives interviews to disinformation media as well. The Visegrad Four nations, namely the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, expressed their opposition to the adoption of a new agreement on migration and asylum during a meeting of EU finance ministers held in Brussels on Tuesday. In the qualified majority vote, Slovakia voted against two proposals of the 10-point reform package - against the payment of 20,000 for each unaccepted migrant and against compliance with certain asylum obligations - and abstained from eight less fundamental proposals. (TASR) In the qualified majority vote, Slovakia voted against two proposals of the 10-point reform package - against the payment of 20,000 for each unaccepted migrant and against compliance with certain asylum obligations - and abstained from eight less fundamental proposals. (TASR) Michael O'Flaherty, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, expressed concern about the compatibility of two draft laws affecting civil society and the public service broadcaster with human rights standards. He is, for example, concerned that the registration and labelling of 'organisations with foreign support' will have a chilling effect on civil society in Slovakia. He is, for example, concerned that the registration and labelling of 'organisations with foreign support' will have a chilling effect on civil society in Slovakia. The two Slovak energy companies, PPA Energo and VUJE, have received authorization to work at the construction site of the new British nuclear power plant Hinkley Point C. The companies will start work in Great Britain under the leadership of the French EDF and its subsidiary Framatome. The companies will start work in Great Britain under the leadership of the French EDF and its subsidiary Framatome. ZSE Drive has opened the first public charging site for lorries. It is located in the EMPARK complex in Trnava. The site is currently the most powerful charging station in Slovakia with a maximum output of 400 kW. ZSE Drive operates almost 500 public charging points in Slovakia, and plans to build some 150 more ultra-fast charging points by the end of this year. It uses electricity generated by small hydroelectric plants in Slovakia. (SITA) The opening of the National Training Centre in Kosice on May 14, 2024. (Source: TASR) WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: The skies will remain clear, however, additional clouds are expected to appear during the afternoon. The maximum daytime temperature may rise to 25C. (SHMU) MAY 15 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Zofia, Sofia. Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us. P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook and Instagram (@slovakspectator). It is amazing how much attitudes can change in just a few decades. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Two years have passed since Slovakias Citizenship Act was amended to grant descendants of Slovak emigrants (up to the third generation) a clearer path to reclaiming their heritage. This legislative change has ignited a wave of interest among the Slovak diaspora, which numbers almost2 million in the USA alone. These are the descendants of Slovak settlers who arrived on Americas shores at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, ready to work in its coal mines and steel mines. A remarkable one third of the Slovak nation took advantage of the opportunity. Some 620,000 Slovaks were recorded to be living in America according to 1920 US census. Anchored in the EU, Slovakia attracts Fast forward to the 21st century, thanks in part to the popularity of DNA testing but also due to Slovakias solid integration in the NATO, the European Union, Schengen and the Eurozone has created a sense of security for many Slovak descendants. Slovakia is no longer just associated with the nostalgic memory of a great-grandfather long passed; it also represents practical gains for the descendant, in addition to being a strategic gateway to the European Union. This symbolic and strategic added-value has ignited Slovak-Americans to invest in their ancestral roots. At the same time, it sparked discussions about Slovakias position vis-a-vis the global community. The countrys recent general election has raised the question of whether Slovakia is looking eastward and towards the other Slavic nations, or westward towards Europe and the USA. Where will Slovakia go? And where should Slovak-Americans place their loyalties, are all viable concerns. Nicholas visiting the ancestral village of his great-grandfather. (Source: Courtesy of N. R.) Useful amendment The amendment to the Citizenship Act came into effect in April 2022, thanks to the hard work of the One Slovak Family Initiative and my personal efforts, alongside immigration attorneys and migration scholars. It greatly simplified the process of acquiring Slovak citizenship for descendants of Slovak emigrants, a radical pivot for the country and a positive step forward as Slovakia extended a hand to the legions of Slovak descendants abroad. This was a significant development for individuals like Nicholas Rando or Katrina Hande, whose great-grandparents left Slovakia in search of new opportunities in America. Nicholas, a middle school teacher in New York City, eagerly pursued his Slovak citizenship to honor his family's legacy and forge a deeper connection with the ancestral homeland. Since applying for and receiving his SLA (Slovak Living Abroad Certificate), he has relocated to Slovakia. Nicholas is now in his second year of living and working in Trnava and is awaiting the final decision of the Ministry of Interior, a process which can take up to 24 months. "Moving to Slovakia has been one of the most challenging--and rewarding-- adventures of my life. I spent 30 years hearing about Slovakia through my grandmother's stories about her father." Nicholas Rando Katrina is a retired professional, who has spent years passionately reconnecting with her Slovak heritage. Upon visiting Slovakia several times and spending time with long-lost family in eastern Slovakia, Katrina was even more confident of her decision to embark on the citizenship process and encouraged three cousins to apply alongside her. As a retired businesswoman, Katrina doesnt aspire to come to Slovakia for work, but rather for leisure and part-year living. I have spent decades researching generations of my family and learning about my Slovak cultural roots. The culmination of these interests finally came together with the opportunity to apply for Slovak citizenship by Descent. Katrina Hande Katriana and her cousins applying for their Slovak citizenship by descent at the Slovak Embassy in Washington, DC. (Source: Courtesy of K. H.) Positive impact, increased interest Since its enactment, the amended law has shown promise in reuniting families separated by distance, political development, and the passing of time. Emotionally, it is a transformative experience for many descendants who have the chance to actually come back and visit their ancestral homeland. This often ignites a deeper interest in learning about Slovakias history but also its position in the present-day world. Enrollment in the Slovak Studies Program at the University of Pittsburg has gone up since 2022, and nearly 200 descendants have officially submitted applications at the Ministry of Interior. Hundreds more are preparing the paperwork, and this is only the beginning. Reasons for Slovakia Why is Slovakia an attractive destination for Americans? The country boasts a high quality of life with affordable living costs, while the delayed industrialization has maintained picturesque natural and architectural landscapes. Visiting historic towns like Bardejov or Kosice is akin to stepping into the Medieval Ages for most Americans. The accessibility of education and healthcare systems further enhances Slovakia's appeal, particularly in reference to the high insurance costs and medical bills in the United States. Finally, the countrys strategic location in the heart of Europe offers easy access to neighboring countries and major European cities, like Vienna, Prague, and Budapest to name a few, making Slovakia an ideal destination for business and leisure travel. For descendants of Slovak migrants seeking to reconnect with their ancestry, these factors paint a compelling picture of why Slovakia may be an ideal destination for relocation. Beyond the personal journey of rediscovery facilitated by the amended Citizenship Act, Slovakia beckons with its promise of a fulfilling quality of life, economic opportunities, cultural richness, and strategic location. Europe is on course This growing interest in relocating to Europe aligns with broader trends of Americans seeking second homes or new lives overseas. A recent Forbes article highlights Portugal as a top destination for expatriates, This trend underscores a shift in lifestyle preferences among Americans, who are increasingly drawn to Europe's quality of life, as well as its healthcare systems and culture. As Slovakia continues to evolve and refine its relationship with its diaspora, the allure of this Central European gem grows stronger, inviting descendants to not only reclaim their heritage but also embrace a future filled with promise and opportunity. Zuzana Palovic is the Founder of Global Slovakia, Migration Scholar, Champion behind the Amendment to the Slovak Citizenship Act and author of The Great Return. 15. May 2024 at 15:15 I Modified at 16. May 2024 at 9:22 An alleged gunman has been arrested, Fico conscious after surgery. Policemen stand outside the F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital, where Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and injured, is treated in Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, on May 15, 2024. (Source: AP/TASR) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Populist four-time Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer), 59, was shot after Wednesday's government meeting in Handlova, a mining town in Trencin Region. The Dennik N daily broke the news shortly before 15:00 on Wednesday. A single shooter fired at the premier outside the town's cultural centre, where the government was holding a meeting. Five gunshots were heard as Fico conversed with supporters outside the building. Fico then fell to the ground. "There was a crowd of people waiting outside and one of them started shooting," Slovak journalist Juraj Bury described the scene, as quoted by the Hospodarske Noviny daily. https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1qEtUCekjqle4qG-8d6qAYDlD_6jQuVw&ehbc=2E312F&noprof=1 "Today, Robert Fico was the victim of an assassination attempt. He was wounded multiple times and is currently in a life-threatening condition," reads a Wednesday post on Fico's official Facebook page. The prime minister was airlifted from a local hospital in Handlova to the main hospital in Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, soon after the incident. His surgery lasted for five hours. There was little information on his condition in the hours following the attack, other than that it was stable, but critical. "The patient had sustained multiple gunshot wounds," F. D. Roosevelt Hospital Head Miriam Lapunikova said on Thursday morning. It is thought that four of five shots hit him, in the stomach and in the arm. "The condition is still very serious due to the complexity of the injuries," Defence Minister and one of the three deputy prime ministers Robert Kalinak of the Smer party said on Thursday. Meanwhile, the police have arrested an alleged shooter. According to TV Joj, the gunman is a 71-year-old man from Levice, a town in southern Slovakia. Based on social media posts and media reports, the shooter is said to be amateur poet Juraj C. The former miner was the victim of a physical assault several years ago. At the same time, the man established a civic organisation called Hnutie Proti Nasiliu (Movement Against Violence) in the past, writes Aktuality.sk. According to Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi, Juraj C. was also associated with a pro-Russian paramilitary group, Slovenski Branci, (Slovak Conscripts), which ceased to exist in 2022. The wanted Slovak anti-Semite and online personality Daniel Bombic (Danny Kollar), who is currently in hiding in England, has published the full name of the alleged gunman, including his identification card, on social media. Several media also used the full name of the man, who appears to have been acting alone. The police and bodyguards have been criticised for failing to protect the premier and allowing the shooter to get close to him. video //www.youtube.com/embed/qdNItSD9u-M The coalition blames journalists and opposition politicians In Bratislava, pro-Russian Smer MP and deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha suspended the session of parliament that was taking place on Wednesday afternoon, citing news of the shooting in Handlova. Blaha, who was chairing the session at a time of the Handlova shooting, blamed the opposition for the suspected assassination attempt. "This is your fault," he told opposition MPs. Subsequently, during a press conference, he blamed the media, stating "Because of you [liberal media], the four-time prime minister Robert Fico, the most significant statesman in Slovakia's modern history, is currently fighting for his life." Parliament is scheduled to reconvene next Tuesday, May 21. For now, public access to parliament has been suspended. A criticised bill on public broadcasting, which would dissolve the current broadcaster, RTVS, and establish a new, government-friendly state broadcaster, STVR, was discussed by MPs on Wednesday. Another anti-government protest had been scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening in Bratislava, but was cancelled by the opposition following the attack. In recent months, nationwide demonstrations have been held throughout the country in opposition to the government's efforts to undermine the rule of law, cancel the public broadcaster, and target NGOs. The government's moves during recent months may also have been a motive behind the alleged gunman's shooting, a short video appearing on social media shows. The video, which appears to be of the suspect after his arrest, was most likely made by a police officer. "I do not agree with the government," the man in the video says. Fico's coalition partner and Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Andrej Danko blamed the opposition and several media outlets (Aktuality, Dennik N and Sme) for the attack. "Those who have wished for something like this, are you pleased?" Danko asked, noting that he anticipated such an assault on a political figure. Fico himself expected an attack on a government politician. He talked about it in a video after this year's presidential election, when polarisation in society seemed to reach yet another peak. Danko also mentioned on Wednesday that "a political war" has begun for his party, warning that the coalition's relationship with the media and the opposition will change. He did not provide any further details. Some coalition politicians, including the premier, Blaha and Danko, have been attacking journalists repeatedly over recent months. On Wednesday, without any obvious reason, Danko suddenly told TV Markiza journalist Viktor Serebryakov to return his press card. Earlier this year, RTVS journalist Marta Janckarova received death threats after an incident in public radio involving Blaha. For months, the coalition has been boycotting media outlets they regard as critical, including TV Markiza, the Sme daily, the Dennik N daily, and the Aktuality.sk news website. Over the years, Fico himself has called journalists "pigs", "hyenas", "snakes", "toilet spiders" and "dirty anti-Slovak prostitutes". In 2018, investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova were killed in their home. Kuciak's stories about corruption prompted the police to begin investigating high-level corruption, which in turn led to key figures from previous Fico governments. Fico himself faced criminal charges in 2022. He had been forced to step down as prime minister in 2018 following mass protests in the wake of the murders. In 2022, two queer people were murdered outside a gay bar in Bratislava. The original target of the then shooter was the prime minister at that time, Eduard Heger. Because Heger turned out to be too difficult a target, the extremist decided to kill queer people instead. Several former Slovak premiers, including Heger, have already condemned the attack on Fico, urging people to stop spreading hate. "I am appalled. The hatred that is being spread in an intolerable way should be stopped. Please, let's stop," former prime minister Iveta Radicova, who is now an academic, told TV Joj. Attack on democracy, says the president President Zuzana Caputova strongly condemned the "brutal and reckless" attack on the prime minister, calling it an attack on democracy. "I am shocked," she said, sending her sincerest wishes to Fico at this crucial moment. "The hateful rhetoric we witness in society leads to hateful acts. Please let's stop it!" Caputova herself has been exposed to a number of threats, including verbal attacks coming from the ruling coalition and Fico himself. In January 2024, he called her a "rat". Caputova's term will end in mid June, when she will be replaced by Hlas party leader and Fico ally Peter Pellegrini. The country's three main political institutions parliament, the presidency, and the government would then essentially be under Fico's control. "I am appalled at where hatred of a different political opinion can lead," said Pellegrini. "If we express other political opinions with guns in the squares, and not in the polling stations, we threaten everything that we have built together during the 31 years of Slovak sovereignty." Political analyst Miroslav Radek told RTVS that similar attacks might happen again. "Tomorrow, opposition politicians might be shot at. If that happens, it won't be a surprise," he said, emphasising that politicians, including Fico, are to blame for the escalating animosity and polarisation in the country. "This [shooting] is the consequence." video //www.youtube.com/embed/87p40FPnqTM Opposition figures condemn the attack Although Ficos Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (SNS) has written on social media that the opposition has blood on its hands, the opposition has expressed uniform condemnation of the attack on the prime minister. We unequivocally condemn any violence, said Michal Simecka, the leader of the opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS). He declared that his party will cease all political activities, including demonstrations and political campaigns. The attack on Fico occurred less than a month before the European elections. PS stressed that the alleged gunman is not a PS member, as some people had claimed on social media. Attacking the prime minister, whatever our political opinion, is unacceptable, added Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party leader Branislav Grohling. He added that the battle of political opinions should take place in discussions and with words, not in the street and with weapons. His colleague Maria Kolikova asserted that the attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico is an attack on the country, on Slovakias internal security. Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) leader Milan Majersky said that Slovakia cannot tolerate such behaviour in a civilised society towards anyone. At this moment, it is necessary to do everything to calm the society, Majersky said. However, unlike the opposition, representatives of the coalition keep blaming opposition politicians for the attack. Are you satisfied with what you say at [anti-government] protests, said former MP Romana Tabak. She is running in the European elections for the SNS. Tabak disrupted a press conference held by PS on Wednesday, stating: Today, the political situation in Slovakia has changed. Former foreign minister and diplomat Ivan Korcok, who lost to Pellegrini in the April presidential election after a campaign marked by a smear campaign launched by his opponents, criticised coalition politicians for adding fuel to the fire after the attack. He also asked why a session of the Security Council had not immediately taken place. "So far, obviously, everyone is on social networks and revelling in fiction on Facebook," said Korcok, who polls suggest is one of the most trusted politicians, on social media. On Wednesday night, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Hlas) announced that he would ask a deputy prime minister to convene the Security Council session. Later, it was announced that the meeting would take place at 11:00 on Thursday. President Zuzana Caputova reacts to the Handlova shooting on May 15, 2024. (Source: TASR - Jaroslav Novak) World leaders wish Fico well World leaders have also responded to the attack. US President Joe Biden has condemned the attack. I am alarmed to hear reports of an attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Jill and I are praying for a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia, he said an official statement. He added that the US Embassy is in touch with the Slovak government. A few hours earlier, coalition MPs criticised the presence of employees from the US and UK embassies in parliament, where they were listening to and following a debate on the bill to dissolve the public broadcaster. Russian President Vladimir Putin described Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him survive this difficult situation, the president said, as quoted by Reuters. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Leaders from the neighbouring countries were also shocked by the news. For example, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called the incident a heinous attack against my friend. Even though Fico has refused to support Ukraine militarily in its onging attempts to defend itself from Russias invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his sympathy, saying that every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere. Czech President Petr Pavel, who also condemned the attack, warned against aggressiveness in society. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240514/kazan-hosts-major-economic-forum-to-strengthen-ties-between-russia-and-islamic-world-1118444233.html Kazan Hosts Major Economic Forum to Strengthen Ties Between Russia and Islamic World Kazan Hosts Major Economic Forum to Strengthen Ties Between Russia and Islamic World Sputnik International The Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum international economic forum, featuring 125 thematic sessions covering 12 different topics, has kicked off in Kazan, as announced by the events organizers. 2024-05-14T04:02+0000 2024-05-14T04:02+0000 2024-05-15T10:33+0000 russia kazanforum 2024 russia kazan world organization of islamic cooperation (oic) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/0f/1118445446_0:143:3135:1906_1920x0_80_0_0_4626135e44c81f39a8464ecc0130378c.jpg "The International Economic Forum 'Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum' will be held at the Kazan Expo MEC from May 14 to May 19. The key theme of the forum is 'Trust and Cooperation,'" the statement said.The KazanForums business program unites 12 thematic tracks: international cooperation, economy, tourism, business, science and technology, Islamic finance and investment, sports, the halal industry, and others. The program includes 125 thematic sessions with the participation of experts from Russian regions, Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states, and other countries.During the forum, an international conference of the Russia - Islamic World strategic vision group on the theme of a fair multipolar world order and safe development will be held, an expert council meeting on conducting an experiment on partnership financing will take place, and sessions will be held by the International Forum of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Islamic countries and the Russian Export Center. Intergovernmental commission meetings will also take place.Delegates will meet at sessions dedicated to the development of multimodal transport corridors, tourism, the export of Russian halal products, economic security, partnership financing, as well as industrial, technological, educational, and cultural projects.A plenary session will be held on May 17. Experts will discuss the prospects for interaction between Russia and Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries in various fields and summarize the forum's work.Also, the program includes the 10th Kazan Forum of Young Entrepreneurs of OIC countries, the forum of young diplomats of OIC countries, presentations of startups, a young chef tournament, and other events. The Russia Halal Expo international exhibition will operate within the framework of the KazanForum.Earlier, the head of the Investment Development Agency of Tatarstan, Taliya Minullina, reported that by early May, almost 11,000 participants from 79 countries had registered for the forum. The largest delegations, according to her information, are expected from Egypt, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Libya, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.The Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum international economic forum of Russia and Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries is taking place in Kazan on May 14-19. This year, it will be held for the 15th time. The KazanForum is a platform for strengthening trade, economic, scientific, technical, social, and cultural ties between Russia and Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries. By Russian presidential decree, the forum received federal status in 2023. The organizing committee is headed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/russia---islamic-world-forum-plenary-session-on-multipolarity-1118438894.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/oic-to-send-observers-to-presidential-election-in-russia-1117251962.html russia kazan world 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 kazan hosts major economic forum, ies between russia and islamic world https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/biden-sending-1-billion-arms-package-to-israel-in-latest-flip-flop--report-1118439991.html Biden Sending $1 Billion Arms Package to Israel in Latest Flip-Flop Report Biden Sending $1 Billion Arms Package to Israel in Latest Flip-Flop Report Sputnik International The news comes just days after Biden announced a hold on the provision of 2,000 pound bombs to Israel, citing concerns over the potential for mass civilian casualties. 2024-05-15T06:24+0000 2024-05-15T06:24+0000 2024-05-15T06:26+0000 world rafah palestinians genocide palestine-israel conflict israel-gaza conflict gaza strip israel biden administration msnbc https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/0f/1118440111_0:47:2603:1511_1920x0_80_0_0_f437d99ecefa8469d37a14163b5718cb.jpg Reporting on Tuesday indicated US President Joe Biden is preparing to send $1.25 billion worth of weapons and ammunition to Israel despite putting a separate arms transfer on hold just days ago.The news emerged late in the day based on reports from three congressional aides speaking on condition of anonymity.The package will reportedly include $700 million worth of tank ammunition, $500 million for tactical vehicles and $60 million for mortar rounds. It is currently unconfirmed when exactly the weapons package will be sent.The news comes just one week after the Biden administration announced a hold on the provision of 2,000 pound bombs to Israel, citing concerns over the potential for mass civilian casualties as Israel attacks Rafah. The crowded southern Gazan city is currently home to over 1.5 million Palestinians, many of them refugees from other parts of the territory.Biden has previously suggested an Israeli incursion into the city would constitute a red line, before immediately walking the comment back during a heavily criticized interview on cable news channel MSNBC.The US president was pilloried by conservative and pro-Israel lawmakers after announcing the hold on heavy weaponry last week as White House spokespeople quickly clarified the administration would continue to provide Israel with various other forms of lethal aid.The announcement of the new weapons package may be seen as a response to criticism from pro-Israel forces as the octogenarian US leader prepares to seek reelection, hoping to keep the powerful Zionist lobby on his side.The Biden administration previously contradicted itself in March after voting present during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, allowing a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israels seven-month assault on Gaza to pass. White House officials quickly insisted the resolution was non-binding, a characterization criticized by international law experts. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240513/israel-killed-more-civilians-than-hamas-fighters---blinken-1118404170.html rafah gaza strip israel 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 biden, weapons to israel, 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/20240515/conflict-at-home-and-abroad-as-clock-ticks-down-on-us-empire-1118441105.html Conflict at Home and Abroad as Clock Ticks Down on US Empire Conflict at Home and Abroad as Clock Ticks Down on US Empire Sputnik International A provocative new essay by author Patrick Lawrence suggests the collapse of US empire is on the horizon, with the repression of pro-Palestine campus protests serving as the most recent evidence of a global power in recession. 2024-05-15T07:02+0000 2024-05-15T07:02+0000 2024-05-15T07:05+0000 analysis us zionism palestine joe biden americans palestine-israel conflict israeli-palestinian conflict international criminal court (icc) ukraine https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/0f/1118441490_0:100:3076:1830_1920x0_80_0_0_00c9e4ccba61f8d66be68fe108165331.jpg A provocative new essay by author Patrick Lawrence suggests the collapse of US empire is on the horizon, with the repression of pro-Palestine campus protests serving as the most recent evidence of a global power in recession.In this late phase of decline, no one or no entity is permitted to stand beyond the fence posts in the name of independent thought or free speech, writes Lawrence for the website ScheerPost.Author and international security analyst David Oualaalou joined Sputniks The Critical Hour program Tuesday to discuss the piece, reflecting on the turmoil increasingly experienced by the United States both at home and abroad.Let's start with the internal, or domestic front, said Oualaalou, the fragmentation that exists within the system which, by the way, didn't start a year ago, or two years, or three. That was in the making for the last three or four decades. It's just now it's becoming more open, more vivid, more apparent, and the American people feel like coming to grips with this reality.The sentiment is increasingly shared by Americans across the political spectrum, with half of respondents in a recent survey agreeing US President Joe Biden is spending too much money on propping up Ukraines war effort and civil society.Polling shows Americans views about the economy more broadly are pessimistic, with 54% saying younger generations will likely enjoy a lower standard of living than their parents and 70% of people under 30 saying home ownership in the US has become more difficult. On the other side of the age divide, the country faces a major crisis as millions of older Americans approach retirement age with insufficient savings.Internationally the United States appears to be losing its clout in global institutions, with host Garland Nixon pointing to a letter drafted by 12 US senators threatening the International Criminal Court against taking action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his cabinet. Whereas previously the country enjoyed a level of influence and respect that allowed it to mold global opinion, it appears that the US [now] sees the [United Nations] only as a political tool, remarked Garland.What happened to freedom of speech? the analyst asked, commenting on recent police crackdowns on campus pro-Palestine demonstrations in the US. Freedom of expression in academia when they're on campus, or wherever? So those people, if they are demonstrating peacefully, which was the case, against injustice how can the government just send in these riot police like we are in a war zone here?Lawrence reserved his most withering criticism for the discourse surrounding an alleged crisis of antisemitism in the United States, which he compared to the McCarthyism of the 1950s.This is an assault on reason, language, law and even that highest of American values common sense, he writes. It is a sign of American weakness and further advances this weakness. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240502/scott-ritter-student-protests-among-most-important-things-to-happen-in-us-in-decades-1118216879.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240426/pro-palestine-student-protest-in-washington-continues-despite-demands-to-remove-camp-1118132384.html palestine 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 us arms for ukraine, ukrainian crisis, ukraine losses, ukraine lost, russia wins, us hegemony, us empire, us dominance, us domination, western influence, western domination, campus protests, pro-palestinian demonstrations, 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/20240515/erdogan-holds-emergency-meeting-following-warning-of-possible-coup---reports-1118437831.html Erdogan Holds Emergency Meeting Following Warning of Possible Coup - Reports Erdogan Holds Emergency Meeting Following Warning of Possible Coup - Reports Sputnik International Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has held an emergency meeting with the heads of intelligence and the ministry of justice after his fellow party member, Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli, had warned of a possible coup d'etat being prepared by law enforcement agencies, the Turkiye newspaper on Wednesday. 2024-05-15T04:31+0000 2024-05-15T04:31+0000 2024-05-15T04:31+0000 world recep tayyip erdogan turkiye ankara nationalist movement party coup https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/01/1113844013_0:0:3073:1730_1920x0_80_0_0_d6776fbd1e77037f87f3f7938d5d744f.jpg The dismissal of several police officers in Ankara's security directorate accused of links to criminal organization Ayhan Bora Kaplan has caused widespread concern. Their homes had been searched to seize digital materials. Bahceli has said the situation could be a conspiracy against the government, and the suspension of several police officers alone cannot be avoided. The official, while addressing a party meeting in parliament, has warned of a possible repeat of the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. Erdogan held the emergency overnight meeting with Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc and National Intelligence Organization Director Ibrahim Kalin at the president's residence following a warning from Bahceli, the report said. The Turkish president is expected to speak on the topic at an expanded meeting of the ruling party in the parliament on Wednesday. A Sputnik correspondent reported that Turkish citizens have since been actively posting messages in support of Erdogan on social media platform X with the hashtag #DevletimizinYanndayz, which translates as "we stand by our state," and images of the Turkish president with words of support and quotes. The Turkish government has accused Members of the organization of US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen (FETO) of being responsible for a coup attempt in 2016. Over 80,000 people have been arrested in Turkey and some 150,000 civil servants and military personnel have been dismissed or suspended from their jobs over suspected links to FETO. Gulen, who has lived in self-exile in the US since 1999, rejected the accusations and condemned the coup attempt. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240503/turkiye-expects-wests-attack-following-suspension-of-trade-with-israel---erdogan-1118245186.html turkiye ankara 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 turkish president recep tayyip erdogan, erdogan holds emergency meeting, possible coup https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/eu-blocks-uk-from-work-on-nuclear-fusion-tests-unless-london-rejoins-euratom---reports-1118443507.html EU Blocks UK From Work on Nuclear Fusion Tests Unless London Rejoins Euratom - Reports EU Blocks UK From Work on Nuclear Fusion Tests Unless London Rejoins Euratom - Reports Sputnik International The European Union has rejected Londons attempts to continue collaboration on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, as Brussels wants the United Kingdom to rejoin the bloc's Euratom research scheme, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. 2024-05-15T09:30+0000 2024-05-15T09:30+0000 2024-05-15T09:30+0000 world united kingdom (uk) london brussels euratom european union (eu) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0a/19/1102605533_0:207:2907:1842_1920x0_80_0_0_92b87806254e51d52ed84800e42cc7b8.jpg The UK left the EU atomic agency when it quit the bloc, so London has applied to rejoin the worlds largest nuclear fusion experiment as an outsider, the newspaper reported. All EU members have to be part of Euratoms research and training programs to be involved in the EU's Fusion for Energy joint contribution program for ITER, the Financial Times reported. Australia, as a non-member state, was granted cooperation permission as it has an agreement with Euratom. "International collaboration remains a key pillar of our strategy and we hope continued UKAEA [UK Atomic Energy Authority] collaboration with Iter partners can be agreed," the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero was quoted by the newspaper as saying. ITER is currently being built in the south of France near the Cadarache technological research center through the joint efforts of the European Union, Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the United States. This will be the first large-scale attempt to demonstrate the feasibility of using fusion to produce energy on an industrial scale. ITER is based on the use of a tokamak, a device that uses a strong magnetic field to confine plasma in the shape of a torus, a three-dimensional circle resembling a doughnut. If the ITER project is successful, humanity will have a virtually inexhaustible source of energy. The reactor is expected to start producing its first plasma in 2025. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240510/europe-might-see-nuclear-reactor-breakdowns-after-sanctioning-russian-fuel-1118377467.html united kingdom (uk) london brussels 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 european union, international thermonuclear experimental reactor, euratom research scheme https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/houthis-have-defeated-american-goliath---uk-media-1118452721.html Houthis Have 'Defeated' American Goliath - UK Media Houthis Have 'Defeated' American Goliath - UK Media Sputnik International The Yemeni Islamist, pan-Arab nationalist, anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist movement effectively closed down the Red Sea to the merchant fleets of Israel and its allies in late 2023 in solidarity with Gazans, with their campaign of ship seizures, missile and drone attacks causing a two-thirds drop in tonnage passing through the strategic waterway. 2024-05-15T13:14+0000 2024-05-15T13:14+0000 2024-05-15T15:47+0000 world united kingdom (uk) red sea joe biden yemen houthis houthi the telegraph us https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/1e/1118196801_0:118:2268:1394_1920x0_80_0_0_1fbf9236c23f692e034ffc240e683718.jpg Yemens Houthi militia have effectively defeated the US military, humbling America into recognizing that it cannot be an omnipotent force, fighting every battle around the globe, one of the UKs top circulation daily newspapers has suggested.In a piece for The Telegraph on Wednesday, opinion contributor Daniel Depetris pointed out that Americas immense economic and military might doesnt necessarily equate to unlimited influence, and that the architects of US foreign policy all too often assume the US is all powerful, that it can will events out of whole cloth and coerce friends and adversaries alike to adopt their policies to Washingtons likings.No amount of effort by the US and the UK to change the Houthis strategic calculus by bombing the militia has helped, the columnist admitted. Nor have US attempts to quietly bribe the Houthis to get them to halt their attacks.None of this isnt to suggest the US isnt a powerful state. Rather, the point is that the US often inflates its power, underestimates the power of other states to resist US dictates and is overly confident that whatever challenges exist along the way can be easily brushed aside. The reality is far more complex its about time US officials acknowledged it, the columnist recommended.US officials and media have occasionally acknowledged the failure of their effort to reign in the Houthis. In January, less than a month into the US-UK campaign of air and missile strikes against Yemen, President Biden casually admitted that American attacks on Yemen would continue even though they were not working.US military officials have echoed these pessimistic sentiments, acknowledging privately that the US is on the wrong side of the cost curve in the conflict with the Houthis.In the Red Sea, the Houthis are sending $20,000 drones and were shooting them down with missiles that cost $4.3 million. The math doesnt work on that gentlemen. It just doesnt work. What are we thinking? Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces chairman Angus King asked during an explosive grilling of Pentagon officials last week over the sorry state of US missile defenses.The US-led anti-Houthi operation has been going on for over seven months now, long enough that the US Navy has begun rotating warships out of the Red Sea and sending them home.Unable to defeat the Houthis, US officials have angrily accused Iran of providing the militia with weapons (a claim Tehran has denied) while simultaneously quietly urging Saudi Arabia to revive peace talks with the Yemeni fighters.The Houthis have said repeatedly that their campaign of attacks will continue until Israel halts its assault on Gaza. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240514/us-destroyer-quits-red-sea-sails-home-as-houthis-warn-of-escalation-enemy-cant-imagine-1118423160.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240503/houthis-ready-to-attack-israeli-linked-ships-in-mediterranean-sea---military-spokesman-1118244428.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240514/us-military-challenging-russia-and-china-amid-size-reduction-and-overall-decline-1118432461.html united kingdom (uk) red sea yemen 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 who are the houthis, why are houthis attacking ships in red sea, can the houthis be defeated https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/nato-defense-ministers-will-hold-meeting-in-brussels-from-june-13-14---alliance-1118441716.html NATO Says Blocs Defense Chiefs to Meet in Brussels on June 13-14 NATO Says Blocs Defense Chiefs to Meet in Brussels on June 13-14 Sputnik International NATO defense ministers will hold a meeting in Brussels from June 13-14, the alliance said on Wednesday. 2024-05-15T07:01+0000 2024-05-15T07:01+0000 2024-05-15T08:31+0000 military jens stoltenberg russia moscow nato brussels https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/10/1082090658_0:105:2000:1230_1920x0_80_0_0_d292cc6ab0c7610b3b9730de8ab7c763.jpg "Allied Defence Ministers will meet at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on 13 and 14 June 2024. The meeting will be chaired by the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg," the military bloc said in a statement.In recent years, Russia has observed a significant increase in NATO's activity near its western borders, which has raised concerns in Moscow. The Kremlin has consistently expressed alarm regarding the bloc's military buildup in Europe. Russia has emphasized that it does not pose a threat to anyone, but it also warned that it would not overlook actions that could potentially endanger its interests.Earlier, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the expansion of the bloc would not enhance security in Europe. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Moscow is open to dialogue with NATO on equal terms, and urged the West to abandon its policy of militarizing the continent. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240506/russias-not-bluffing-tactical-nuke-drills-are-deafening-warning-to-nato-to-stay-out-of-ukraine-1118294192.html russia moscow brussels 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 nato defense ministers, meeting in brussels https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/nobody-wins-us-hikes-tariffs-on-china-as-economic-tensions-continue-to-rise-1118433962.html 'Nobody Wins': US Hikes Tariffs on China as Economic Tensions Continue to Rise 'Nobody Wins': US Hikes Tariffs on China as Economic Tensions Continue to Rise Sputnik International On Tuesday US President Joe Biden imposed tariff hikes on electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors and other Chinese imported goods. 2024-05-15T06:05+0000 2024-05-15T06:05+0000 2024-05-15T06:05+0000 analysis china us-china relations donald trump vladimir putin joe biden kremlin white house us-china trade war trade war https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/0d/1114911965_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_149b03a7437d32d9572a4e7bfef3ccbd.jpg On Tuesday US President Joe Biden imposed tariff hikes on electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors and other Chinese imported goods - it is the latest move in the escalating trade war between China and the US. KJ Noh, a journalist, political analyst, writer, and a teacher specializing in the geopolitics of the Asia-Pacific region, joined Sputniks The Final Countdown on Tuesday to discuss the escalating trade war between China and the US.And so, what we're seeing right now is that the US is retreating from its Washington consensus. It's technically retreating from capitalism, as we understand it, in order to, you know, kneecap China, he continued, adding that the US cannot compete with China and so they are changing the rules.China is also making big PR moves that suggest the Chinese economy no longer needs to rely on the US, added Sputniks Angie Wong, who suggested that this concept is now becoming a reality. During his five-day tour of Europe, Chinese Chairman Xi Jinping visited France, Serbia, and Hungary in a trip which focused primarily on trade, investments, and promoting a "new multipolar vision" of global politics. Despite their ideological differences, China and France were able to agree to an enhanced cooperation in agri-food, finance, aviation, civil nuclear energy and other fields, according to a recent report.A recent poll from the New York Times shows former President Donald Trump leading President Biden in five important battleground states. The most crucial voters for the Democratic president - young voters and Black and Hispanic voters - appear poised to vote for Trump as discontent over the economy and the Gaza war continues to grow.People are saying, We don't want to be subject to the vagaries, the wins, and the dictatorial mandates of the US in the way that it manipulates its reserve currency, that it can be sanctioned, that its reserves can be taken away, that it can have lawfare waged against it, said Noh. And simply the fact that, We are tired of giving our hard-earned goods to the US for essentially receiving in return an IOU that can never be redeemed, essentially, in US paper, treasuries, or US dollars.The Kremlin press service recently reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China after having been invited by Xi. The report added that the two world leaders will discuss issues of bilateral cooperation in trade, the economy, and humanitarian issues. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240510/xis-european-tour-china-offers-eu-way-out-of-economic-decline-1118378453.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/putin-visits-beijing-as-biden-bogged-down-in-efforts-to-undermine-russia-china-1118436022.html china 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 china, us, economy, trade wars, russia, clean energy, imported goods, us-china trade war, trade war, china-us trade war, china-us trade https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/over-110-countries-confirm-their-participation-in-russias-spief-2024-forum-1118452534.html Over 110 Countries Confirm Their Participation in Russia's SPIEF 2024 Forum Over 110 Countries Confirm Their Participation in Russia's SPIEF 2024 Forum Sputnik International Over 110 countries and territories have confirmed their participation at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2024, Russia's Roscongress Foundation, which organizes the event, announced on Wednesday. 2024-05-15T12:39+0000 2024-05-15T12:39+0000 2024-06-08T13:06+0000 russia russia st. petersburg international economic forum (spief) forum participants spief 2024 https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/0e/1111135517_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_7e2ad7bb9309bcbf64c1bab43262dd53.jpg "6,000 people from more than 110 countries and territories have already confirmed their intention to participate in the Forum. The international co-operation that occurs at SPIEF plays a key role in the development of mutually beneficial relations between countries and organizations," Executive Secretary of the SPIEF Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov was quoted by the foundation as saying. He also said that that participants of the forum had the opportunity to discuss topical issues, exchange experiences, create new partnership cooperation, which contributes to building trust between countries, expanding markets, attracting investments and creating a favorable international economic environment. SPIEF is a platform where a structured and purposeful dialogue between the participants of global business and government officials contributes to the advancement of effective international cooperation, Kobyakov added. The 2024 SPIEF will take place from June 5-8 in the Russian city of St. Petersburg. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230618/from-russia-with-money-billion-dollar-deals-struck-at-spief-1111263906.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's spief 2024 forum, russia's roscongress foundation, participation in russia's spief https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/putin-visits-beijing-as-biden-bogged-down-in-efforts-to-undermine-russia-china-1118436022.html Putin Visiting Beijing as Biden Bogged Down in Efforts to Undermine Russia, China Putin Visiting Beijing as Biden Bogged Down in Efforts to Undermine Russia, China Sputnik International Moscow and Beijing have moved from strength to economic strength as US attempts to confront its adversaries militarily and economically have been undermined by the realities of a newly-multipolar world. 2024-05-15T01:28+0000 2024-05-15T01:28+0000 2024-05-15T05:32+0000 world china russia vladimir putin xi jinping joe biden us us hegemony hungary serbia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/0f/1118436210_0:0:2824:1589_1920x0_80_0_0_88d916d2df05a63d657005b3b88b550e.jpg Newly-reelected Russian president Vladimir Putin is set to visit Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this week at the invitation of Beijing, it was announced today.The diplomatic trip the first of Putins new term as president signifies the close relationship between the two leaders; Xi also made Moscow his first stop after beginning his third term as Chinese president in 2023. The United States has criticized ongoing ties between the two nations, recently sanctioning Chinese companies it claims are contributing to Russias special military operation through the trade of dual use products, but Beijing has insisted on its sovereign right to continue economic cooperation with the country.The partnership reflects a growing global trend, according to CGTN host and reporter Anna Ge, with countries around the world reaping the benefits of trade and cooperation with Beijing. Ge appeared on Sputniks Fault Lines program Tuesday to discuss how both countries are overcoming Washingtons attempts to impose isolation.Washington has been trying to sell the false narrative that China is assisting Moscow to force a connection between China and Russia, with the aim to tarnish, isolate and suppress both countries - both China and Russia, she added.China unveiled a 12-point peace plan to resolve the crisis between Russia and Ukraine last year, criticizing the eastward expansion of NATO as the origin of the conflict. The security of a country should not be pursued at the expense of others, stated the document. The security of a region should not be achieved by strengthening or expanding military blocs.While a peace conference set to be held in Switzerland in June continues the trend of Western-led negotiations that exclude Russia, China has insisted on the need for a solution that takes Moscows security concerns into consideration. The legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries must be taken seriously and addressed properly, the document concludes.US President Joe Biden has attempted to discourage other countries from deepening ties with China and Russia, especially since the escalation of the crisis in the Donbass in 2022. But shifting realities have created a world where the economic might of the two countries cannot be ignored, with the Russia and China-led BRICS economic bloc overtaking the G7 in purchasing power parity (PPP) this year.Ge said countries that have resisted Washingtons pressure campaign and pursued cooperation with Beijing have reaped rewards from economic cooperation with the country.[As] for Hungary, it's the first European country to sign up for the Belt and Road Initiative, she added. In 2023, bilateral trade volume between China and Hungary exceeded $13 billion and China's direct investment in Hungary reached 7.6 billion, accounting for nearly 60% of the total foreign direct investment in the country and creating more than 10,000 jobs in Hungary.Hungary and Serbia are among the European countries with the closest relationships with China, but Ge noted that Western allies like France and Germany are seeking to pursue cooperation in various fields, as well. Although such Western European countries have participated in US-led attempts to sanction Russia theyve been unable to cut economic ties with Moscow completely, reportedly purchasing over 1 billion worth of Russian oil through third countries such as India.Western foreign policy hawks barely disguised their delight when Russia tanks rolled into the Donbass in 2022, openly selling support for Ukraine as a way to lure Moscow into becoming bogged down in a conflict similar to the Soviet-Afghan war of the 1980s. But the realities of a newly-multipolar world suggest it is in fact the West that is becoming bogged down in a hopeless endeavor, wreaking economic damage on itself as its adversaries grow in military and economic strength. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240514/russia-china-relations-have-reached-highest-level-ever-continue-to-strengthen---putin-1118435245.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240514/russia-wants-comprehensive-sustainable-settlement-of-ukraine-conflict---putin-1118435800.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240513/de-dollarization-bombshell-the-coming-of-brics-decentralized-monetary-ecosystem-1118409748.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240510/xi-orban-talks-what-did-china-and-hungarys-leaders-agree-1118374910.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230810/russian-economy-overtakes-germany-uk-and-france-despite-western-sanctions-1112511026.html china russia hungary serbia 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 anti-russia sanctions, russian economy under sanctions, russia thrives under sanctions, russia thrives, russian economy, russia develops, russia-china cooperation, russia-china talks, russia-china trade, global south, sanctions failed, sanctions backfired, us sanctions, eu sanctions, sanctions on russia, sanctions against russia, anti-russian bias, multipolar world, us hegemony, deter russia, defeat russia DreadOut Remastered Collection to Launch on PlayStation 5, Switch Singapore-based publisher Soft Source Publishing and developers Digital Happiness and MassHive Media have announced the DreadOut Remastered Collection for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. This collection will include the original DreadOut game and a new standalone game, DreadOut: Keepers of the Dark. It is set to launch both physically and digitally in 2024 in Asia. Read Also: Red Dead Redemption, Undead Nightmare to Hit PC Soon According to Datamined Code Possible International Release Soft Source Publishing's product page also lists PQube as a publisher. This suggests that PQube may handle the publishing outside of Asia. However, it is unclear if there will be an Xbox version, as Asia-based publishers often do not distribute Xbox versions. Gaming news outlet Gematsu has reached out to PQube for more information. About DreadOut and Keepers of the Dark DreadOut is a third-person horror game where players control Linda, a high school student who must escape an abandoned town filled with ghosts. Using her smartphone and camera, Linda fights supernatural enemies and solves puzzles to survive. DreadOut: Keepers of the Dark is a standalone game set in the same universe. In this game, Linda faces new dangers in the Mirror Realm, a portal connecting eight haunted domains. Players must navigate these domains and battle over 13 different ghosts to help Linda survive. You can watch the announcement trailer below. Related Article: Bethesda's Trademark Tease Fuels Doom Hopes for Xbox's Big June Reveal https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/russia-malaysia-working-on-agreement-on-visa-free-travel-for-up-to-30-days-1118449657.html Russia, Malaysia Working on Agreement on Visa-Free Travel for Up to 30 Days Russia, Malaysia Working on Agreement on Visa-Free Travel for Up to 30 Days Sputnik International Russia and Malaysia are working on an intergovernmental agreement to introduce reciprocal visa-free entry regime for up to 30 days, Russian Foreign Ministry representative in the Russian city of Kazan, Radik Vakhitov said on Wednesday. 2024-05-15T11:39+0000 2024-05-15T11:39+0000 2024-05-15T11:39+0000 russia kazanforum 2024 russia malaysia kazan visa https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101921/39/1019213931_0:104:2000:1229_1920x0_80_0_0_10cdef8dd196131a78610e28ddb124c5.jpg "An intergovernmental agreement on the partial abolition of visa requirements for citizens of Russia and Malaysia, providing for visa-free entry for a period of up to 30 days, is currently being prepared. In our opinion, the signing of this document will contribute to the enhancement of business exchanges, development of tourism and cultural and humanitarian ties," Vakhitov said at the International Economic Forum "Russia Islamic World: KazanForum." The parties are currently aligning the text of the draft agreement and are planning to hold expert consultations at both online and in-person formats, the diplomat added. Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Vakhrukov earlier said that Russia was actively working on the abolition of tourist visas with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Malaysia and Kuwait. The International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum" is taking place from May 14-19 in the city of Kazan in Russia's central region of Tatarstan. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240514/kazan-hosts-major-economic-forum-to-strengthen-ties-between-russia-and-islamic-world-1118444233.html russia malaysia kazan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, malaysia working on agreement on visa-free, russian foreign ministry, russian city of kazan https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/russias-air-defenses-down-10-atacms-missiles-over-crimea---mod-1118438248.html Russia's Air Defenses Down 10 ATACMS Missiles Over Crimea - MoD Russia's Air Defenses Down 10 ATACMS Missiles Over Crimea - MoD Sputnik International Russian air defense systems shot down ten missiles of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) over Crimea overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. 2024-05-15T04:41+0000 2024-05-15T04:41+0000 2024-05-15T04:41+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia ukraine crimea russian defense ministry army tactical missile system (atacms) pentagon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/0f/1116796197_0:127:2841:1725_1920x0_80_0_0_0deac26aedd11c018f4ade5212dc4b2b.jpg "During the past night, several attempts by the Kiev regime to carry out terrorist attacks with the use of American ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, French Hammer precision bombs, American HARM anti-radiation missiles, large-caliber rocket munitions and airplane-type unmanned aerial vehicles on the territory of the Russian Federation were foiled. Ten ATACMS operational-tactical missiles were destroyed over the territory of the Crimean peninsula by active air defense systems," the ministry said in a statement.Earlier, a Pentagon spokesperson told Sputnik that US President Joe Biden quietly directed his national security team to provide the ATACMS to Ukraine as part of the security assistance package announced in March, and that these munitions arrived in April.Moscow has consistently warned against Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, stressing that they only prolong the conflict and cause more Ukrainian casualties.Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into Russia almost daily since it launched its counteroffensive in early June 2023. The United Nations said in August last year, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240425/us-supplied-atacms-missiles-will-not-help-ukraine-prevail-on-battlefield---expert-1118109833.html russia ukraine crimea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's air defenses, army tactical missile systems, russian defense ministry US Psyop Vet: Slovakian PM Fico's Assassination Attempt Seems to Be NATO Operation The assassination attempt of the Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico seems to be a NATO operation and might constitute the next phase of the bloc's war against Russia, attempting to target foreign leaders opposing the US-led proxy war in Ukraine, according to Scott Bennett, former United States Army psychological warfare officer. "The assassination attempt of the Slovakian Prime Minister bares a remarkable similarity to the Kennedy assassinations," Bennett told Sputnik. "Contrary to [the assessment of] amateur analysts, the 71 year-old assassin is the perfect assassin for this kind of an operation: they are ideologically prejudiced based on their history, and this is used when targeting individuals who are incapable of change or mental political, adaptation, and are easy to emotionally explode." Another suspicious factor that resembles the Kennedy assassination is the Slovakian Secret Service's tactics of space and openness against the prime minister, continued the expert, citing the fact that Kennedy was shot as his Secret Service slowed down the car he was traveling in, which left the president exposed. Some US researchers believe that Kennedy was eliminated by US "deep state" in 1963 because of his policy of detente with the Soviet Union after the successful resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The Slovakian prime minister has been known for his anti-militarist stance and reversing his predecessors' policy to arm Ukraine, which in his opinion, unnecessarily prolonged the bloodshed, Bennett believes. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/sweden-has-no-plans-to-send-troops-to-ukraine-but-may-consider-such-option-1118438555.html Sweden Has No Plans to Send Troops to Ukraine, But May Consider Such Option Sweden Has No Plans to Send Troops to Ukraine, But May Consider Such Option Sputnik International Sweden has no plans to send personnel to Ukraine, but reserves the option to consider such an option if it is offered by NATO allies, Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonson said. 2024-05-15T06:00+0000 2024-05-15T06:00+0000 2024-05-15T06:00+0000 military emmanuel macron paul johnson sweden ukraine russia nato https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104769/96/1047699626_0:0:4964:2793_1920x0_80_0_0_c416039bd3e12ce8d382a4acad619622.jpg Theres no concrete proposal for it here and now. If it comes up, a concrete proposal, we can take it into review, Breaking Defense quoted Jonson as saying.Earlier, the Aftonbladet newspaper reported in an article by Swedish Defense Minister Paul Johnson and members of the Swedish parliament that Sweden will allocate an additional $28 million for defense and receive $85 million in reallocations. The money has been allocated to "strengthen the country's defense capabilities." The newspaper Dagens Nyheter also reported that Sweden's defense industry is on the upswing amid increased orders for arms and ammunition deliveries to Ukraine as well as the rearmament process.Russia has pointed out unprecedented NATO activity near its western borders in recent years. Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern about the alliance's military buildup in Europe. The Kremlin has noted that Russia is not threatening anyone, but that it will not ignore actions that potentially threaten its interests. Sweden officially became NATO's 32nd member on March 7.Recently, NATO countries have increasingly speculated about direct intervention in the Ukraine conflict. Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the possible deployment of the French military to Ukraine. Macron's remarks were heavily criticized by a number of NATO partners, including Germany, as well as political forces in France itself. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240503/macrons-remark-on-possible-sending-of-troops-to-ukraine-dangerous---kremlin-1118239235.html sweden ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International swedish defense minister paul jonson, armed forces to ukraine, personnel to ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/turkish-interior-chief-says-plans-to-identify-those-plotting-against-countrys-authorities-1118442485.html Turkish Interior Chief Vows to Identify Plotters Against Erdogan Government Turkish Interior Chief Vows to Identify Plotters Against Erdogan Government Sputnik International Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Wednesday intentions to identify structures working against the authorities and people of the country so that they would appear in court. 2024-05-15T07:59+0000 2024-05-15T07:59+0000 2024-05-15T08:08+0000 world ali yerlikaya recep tayyip erdogan ankara turkiye https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/01/1113846240_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_169c32ed99a5c4de85138cc724c5cd36.jpg "If there is a structure in any body that is aimed against the president, the government and politicians, then we will go to the very end, we will identify this structure, and it will appear in court," Yerlikaya wrote on X, adding that inspectors' report will be ready soon and will be made public. Earlier in the day, the Turkiye newspaper reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had held an emergency meeting with the heads of intelligence and the ministry of justice after his ally, Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli, had warned of a possible coup d'etat being prepared by law enforcement agencies. The dismissal of several police officers in Ankara's security directorate accused of links to criminal organization Ayhan Bora Kaplan has caused widespread concern. Later, the Hurriyet newspaper reported that the general prosecutor's office in Ankara is investigating a possible conspiracy, adding that the article of the Turkish criminal code on which the investigation is based includes the creation of an illegal organization to commit a crime against the security and constitutional order of the state. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/erdogan-holds-emergency-meeting-following-warning-of-possible-coup---reports-1118437831.html ankara turkiye 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 turkish interior chief, turkish interior minister ali yerlikaya, identify structures working against the authorities https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/ukraine-prepares-total-mobilization-in-5-controlled-cities---russian-official-1118443641.html Ukraine Prepares Total Mobilization in 5 Controlled Cities - Russian Official Ukraine Prepares Total Mobilization in 5 Controlled Cities - Russian Official Sputnik International Kiev is preparing full-scale mobilization in five Ukrainian-controlled cities in the coming days, Vladimir Rogov, a senior official of the Russia-appointed Zaporozhye regional administration, told Sputnik on Wednesday. 2024-05-15T09:34+0000 2024-05-15T09:34+0000 2024-05-15T09:34+0000 world volodymyr zelensky zaporozhye russia ukraine ukrainian national guard sergei rogov ukrainian security service (sbu) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0b/1117864695_0:182:2995:1866_1920x0_80_0_0_1134c1eacbedcf79f7f7b49b38aeb5ac.jpg "According to the received operational information, [the cities of] Kostyantynovka, Slovyansk, Pavlograd, Zaporozhye, Kharkov should be subjected to total mobilization in the coming days. We are talking about the complete blocking of roads in the cities with checkpoints, filtration measures, apartment and house-to-house rounds. Everything is expected to start on May 17-18," Rogov said. He added that hundreds of employees of the Ukrainian military recruitment centers were coming in the cities to collect people, with reinforcements from the Ukrainian National Guard and the Ukrainian Security Service. On April 11, the Ukrainian parliament adopted a bill on mobilization aimed at replenishing Ukrainian forces depleted by two years of armed conflict with Russia. On April 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed it into law. The document will take effect on May 18. Martial law was introduced in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The next day, Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization. The martial law and mobilization have been continuously extended since then. On May 9, Zelensky signed bills to extend mobilization and martial law in the country for another 90 days. Under martial law, men aged from 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving Ukraine. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240427/ukraines-decision-to-adopt-new-mobilization-law-made-under-us-pressure---reports-1118148092.html zaporozhye russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International kiev is preparing full-scale mobilization, ukrainian-controlled cities, zaporozhye regional https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/ukraine-urges-us-to-lift-ban-on-using-us-made-weapons-to-attack-russian-territory---reports-1118442318.html Ukraine Urges US to Lift Ban on Using US-Made Weapons to Attack Russian Soil - Reports Ukraine Urges US to Lift Ban on Using US-Made Weapons to Attack Russian Soil - Reports Sputnik International Kiev is pressing US President Joe Biden's administration to lift the ban on using the US-supplied weapons to strike inside Russian territory amid the advance of the Russian armed forces in the Kharkov region, Politico reported, citing undisclosed officials. 2024-05-15T07:27+0000 2024-05-15T07:27+0000 2024-05-15T08:19+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine joe biden ukraine kiev united kingdom (uk) us congress white house russia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1d/1117647382_0:316:3077:2047_1920x0_80_0_0_4af47fead49380e99865cd4dc9754866.jpg On Tuesday, UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps admitted that London had granted Kiev permission to attack Crimea with UK-supplied weapons because it considers the peninsula part of Ukraine. The US's ban on using its arms to attack Russian territory has reportedly deterred Kiev from attacking Moscow's positions, but Ukraine is allegedly seeking to hit Russian military supply depots across the border, Politico reported. A group of Ukrainian lawmakers is reportedly meeting with US Congress officials this week in an attempt to influence Washington in removing its restrictions, the newspaper reported. Two undisclosed US officials confirmed to Politico that the position of Bidens office had not changed. Earlier in the week, media reported that UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron attempted to convince ex-US President Donald Trump in support of Ukraine and necessary assistance in case of his return to the White House, allegedly saying that a stalemate in Ukraine would be much more beneficial for Trump than a Russian victory. Last week, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Russia's northern grouping of forces had taken control over the villages of Gatyshche, Krasnoe, Morokhovets, Oleenykovoe, Borysovka, Ogurtsovo, Pletenevka, Pilna and Strilechya in the Kharkov region. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/russian-forces-down-4-ukrainian-atacms-missiles-over-crimea-at-night-1118249079.html ukraine kiev united kingdom (uk) russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International kiev is pressing us president joe biden, russian armed forces, kharkov region, us-supplied weapons to strike inside russian territory https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/us-is-hurting-itself-washington-threatens-sanctions-against-india-in-response-to-iran-deal-1118437440.html US is 'Hurting Itself': Washington Threatens Sanctions Against India in Response to Iran Deal US is 'Hurting Itself': Washington Threatens Sanctions Against India in Response to Iran Deal Sputnik International During a US State Department briefing on Monday, US spokesperson Vedant Patel threatened India with sanctions should they choose to do business with Tehran. 2024-05-15T06:41+0000 2024-05-15T06:41+0000 2024-05-15T06:41+0000 analysis india us americans washington tehran brics sanction us sanctions us hegemony https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/0f/1118440877_0:196:2928:1843_1920x0_80_0_0_20f2fb1bbc67b3cdeeff33f83d85eb93.jpg During a US State Department briefing on Monday, US spokesperson Vedant Patel threatened India with sanctions should they choose to do business with Tehran. The announcement came hours after Iran and India signed a 10-year contact to develop and operate the Chabahar port. "We are aware of these reports that Iran and India have signed a deal concerning the Chabahar Port," said Patel. "Any entity, anyone considering business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risk they are opening themselves up to, potential risk of sanctions.On Tuesday, Dr. Mohammad Marandi, a professor of English literature and Orientalism at the University of Tehran, joined Sputniks The Critical Hour to discuss the potential risks of sanctions imposed by the US.I think it's quite clear that the US has long ago passed the point where countries will tolerate its imposition of sanctions on different countries and entities. The US is trying to dictate terms to China, to Russia, to India, to Brazil, to Iran, to South Africa, said Marandi. And, the more it does this - the more animosity it creates and the greater the incentive there is to create financial institutions and means of traded business that are not controlled by the US.By effectively attacking India in this manner [the US] is creating a wider gap between itself and that country at a time when we are approaching the next Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and also the next BRICS summit. And, Russia, in particular, and China and Iran also, are very keen on using the coming months to coordinate with one another to create those institutions.Sputniks Garland Nixon suggested that the Americans who benefit from foreign policy decisions such as these are the tiny group of billionaires. Adding that, however, such policies do not benefit the working majority.I think many people recognize it when we speak about the US, we're talking about these elites, said Marandi. There's a sharp divide between what the Americans and what the regime in Washington wants. And you're absolutely correct - those who are benefiting. And they're not benefiting anymore from these sanctions, through these sanctions, by the way, that era is gone.Indias shipping ministry announced the penned $370 million deal between the Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) and the Port & Maritime Organization (PMO) of Iran on Monday. India first entered an agreement to develop the port in 2016, but the process was stalled for two years by US sanctions that were reimposed after Washington's unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.In 2018, India agreed to take over operations of the port, allowing an open transit route for Indian goods to reach Afghanistan and Central Asia while avoiding the land route of Pakistan. Thus far, a total of 2.5 million tonnes of wheat and 2,000 tonnes of pulses have been successfully transported from India to Afghanistan through the port.And I think they're also having problems at home. So, they have a lot - the regimes - have a lot on their plates. And I think that it's going to be very difficult for them to keep these young Americans and Europeans in check, said Marandi. I'm optimistic about the future, but I also recognize that the months and years ahead are going to be very challenging.The sanctions imposed by Washington on Tehran will stay in effect and be upheld with no exemption for New Delhi, the US spokesperson said. India has not responded to the US threats, but Tehran has said that Washington is addicted to imposing sanctions. washington tehran 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 tehran, india, us, sanctions, iran-india relations, iran-india trade, iran-india talks, india-iran trade, india-iran relations, india-iran talks, us sanctions, us hegemony, us dominance, us domination https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/us-republicans-blast-biden-for-west-african-foreign-policy--reports-1118454066.html US Republicans Blast Biden for West African Foreign Policy Reports US Republicans Blast Biden for West African Foreign Policy Reports Sputnik International Several US Republican politicians have criticized US President Joe Bidens foreign policy in West Africa, Fox News reported on Wednesday. 2024-05-15T13:50+0000 2024-05-15T13:50+0000 2024-05-15T13:50+0000 americas joe biden republicans niger russia republican https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/1d/1118167859_0:209:3072:1937_1920x0_80_0_0_69611153ffbb0422563c22f6a8c225ea.jpg "President Bidens foreign policy has been a disaster on every continent, and Africa is no exception," Sen. Tim Scott told Fox News Digital. Scott added that China and Russia were making strong inroads into the region, while the Biden administration was fumbling US strategic interests. Rep. Matt Gaetz also said to Fox that US troops were being used as "pawns" in Niger, and Biden "has two choices: resupply our troops or bring them home ASAP." Earlier this month, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell complained that the US had been "effectively been pushed out of Chad, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, making more room for Russia and China." Nigers military government recently ordered 1,000 US military personnel and contractors to leave the country, while allowing Russian forces to move onto the same airbase. Chad has also ordered some of the 100 US service personnel stationed there to leave. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240308/biden-tries-to-blame-republicans-for-coming-loss-of-ukraine---ex-state-dept-official-1117214416.html americas niger russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International several us republican politicians, criticized us president joe bidens foreign policy, west africa https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/us-working-on-sending-additional-patriot-battery-to-ukraine---report-1118439784.html US Working on Sending Additional Patriot Battery to Ukraine - Report US Working on Sending Additional Patriot Battery to Ukraine - Report Sputnik International The Biden administration is working to send an additional Patriot air defense missile system to Ukraine, Bloomberg reported, citing sources. 2024-05-15T07:14+0000 2024-05-15T07:14+0000 2024-05-15T07:14+0000 military us joe biden antony blinken vladimir putin ukraine kiev ukrainian armed forces patriot zircon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/0f/1118440287_0:173:3027:1876_1920x0_80_0_0_d2f60121751b1edb3cb032a7fa721f38.jpg The Biden administration is working on sending an additional Patriot air defense missile system to Ukraine, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.Funds for the single battery and accompanying radars would most likely come out of the $61 billion assistance package recently pushed through Congress. European patrons of the Kiev regime are also working on resourcing additional Patriot systems from their own stocks, the sources added.The report falls in sync with the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Kiev. The surprise arrival, in turn, comes as the Russian Armed Forces have made significant advances in the Kharkov region, forcing Ukrainian troops to retreat.Its no surprise, therefore, that that during his meeting with Blinken, Zelensky yet again angled for additional air defense support. Kiev wants two Patriots for the Kharkov region alone. Germany committed to send another Patriot system to Ukraine back in April, but other European allies have been reluctant to dip into their already depleted stocks.Blinken said that the US was working relentlessly with allies to procure more air defense systems for Kiev.However, despite the US aid package, Ukraine's Armed Forces are grappling with severe manpower shortages, plummeting morale, and continuous retreats. The latter is particularly evident in Kharkov region, where Russia has made significant gains.As for the Patriot PAC-2 air-defense systems, they do not protect Ukrainian forces from Russian Iskander and Zircon missiles, British expert Alexander Mercouris said on his YouTube channel earlier in May. "It's clear that the Patriot missile system cannot defend against Iskander-M ballistic missiles and it cannot defend against Zircon hypersonic missiles, which the Russians have now demonstrated in battle, and it's probably vulnerable to other Russian missiles like the Kinzhal as well," he said.Moscow has repeatedly noted that Patriot systems would be a legitimate target like all other NATO weaponry fueling the proxy conflict. Earlier in March, then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that five Patriot systems had already been obliterated in Russias special op zone in Ukraine. After Joe Biden unveiled a package of assistance for Ukraine in late 2022 that for the first time included a Patriot system, Russias President Vladimir Putin dismissed the complex as quite old. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240423/germany-pressures-us-to-supply-another-patriot-system-to-ukraine---report-1118069622.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240512/no-game-changer-for-ukraine-patriot-systems-fail-against-russian-ballistic-missiles-1118400251.html 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 russian special military operation in ukraine, ukrainian crisis, ukrainian conflict, war in ukraine, patriot missile system, iskander-m, zircon missile, kinzhal, antony blinken's surprise visit to kiev, antony blinken arrives in ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, ukrainian draft law, ukraine's shortage of manpower. the ukrainian military is retreating, us aid to ukraine, us seeking alternative for zelensky, The streets of Rafah are reportedly empty as nearly 450,000 people have fled ahead of an expected Israeli invasion. The United Nations agency that provides aid for Palestinian refugees says those numbers are of people who have been "forcibly displaced" from Rafah since May 6. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency says families continue to flee the city in search of safety. Israeli tanks moved deeper into Rafah on Tuesday, according to Reuters. Some fighting was reported in the city. An estimated 1.3 million people were sheltering in the city as Israeli forces took control of much of northern Gaza. "People face constant exhaustion, hunger and fear. Nowhere is safe," UNRWA said on X. Empty streets in #Rafah as families continue to flee in search of safety.@UNRWA estimates that nearly 450,000 people have been forcibly displaced from Rafah since 6 May. People face constant exhaustion, hunger and fear. Nowhere is safe. An immediate #ceasefire is the only hope pic.twitter.com/cwRWL6iF06 UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 14, 2024 It repeated calls for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel calling it "the only hope" for civilians. The U.N. says more than a million Palestinians in Gaza are on the brink of starvation. Israel says Rafah is the last Hamas stronghold and it plans to eliminate the terror group. The Israeli military invaded Gaza after Hamas gunman stormed into Isreal on Oct. 7, killing more than a thousand people and kidnapping hundreds more back into Gaza. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/yes-but-also-no-1118436910.html 'Yes', But Also 'No' 'Yes', But Also 'No' Sputnik International On Monday, the Biden administration stated that they do not believe Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. 2024-05-15T06:26+0000 2024-05-15T06:26+0000 2024-05-15T06:26+0000 political political cartoons israel-gaza conflict middle east antony blinken joe biden palestinians gaza strip egypt israel https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/0f/1118436754_0:128:2000:1253_1920x0_80_0_0_66916a1b8819fff0e8698e8dabe3ea73.jpg On Monday, the Biden administration stated that they do not believe Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, despite Palestinian authorities saying that over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict first broke out in October.But Sullivan also admitted that the Palestinian civilians caught in the middle of this war are in hell during a press briefing. He added that the conditions in Gaza and the suffering of the Palestinian people are on the presidents mind every day. He then said that the US would continue to lead international efforts to surge humanitarian assistance through the Gaza Strip.The statement was made just a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he agreed with a preliminary State Department report that declared it is reasonable to assess that Israel has violated international humanitarian law.Blinken also admitted that Israel has killed more civilians than Hamas fighters in response to a reporters question about the National Security Memorandum 20 which he submitted to Congress on Friday. In the interview, Blinken was asked if the US shares the Israeli assessment that more civilians have been killed than actual terrorists? To which Blinken responded, Yes, we do.Since October 7, Israel has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, of which most have been women and children, Palestinian authorities say. This month, the head of the United Nations World Food Program, Cindy McCain, said that Gaza had entered a "full-blown famine".On Monday, right-wing Israeli protestors blocked and aid convoys that were carrying food supplies into Gaza. The convoys were reportedly attacked and looted by an Israeli group called "Tsav 9" at the Tarqumiya checkpoint.In a preliminary hearing in January, the ICJ ruled that there was enough evidence of a plausible risk of genocide to order Israel to take actions to prevent genocide, though it did not order an immediate ceasefire.In their request to join South Africas case against Israel at the ICJ, Egypt commented on the worsening severity and scope of Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, and the continued perpetration of systematic practices against the Palestinian people, including direct targeting of civilians and the destruction of infrastructure in the Strip, and pushing Palestinians to flee.Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid added that Israel's actions in Gaza have led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, creating unlivable conditions in the Gaza strip, blatantly violating international law, international humanitarian law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.The White Houses statement comes days after President Joe Biden announced that he would withhold offensive arms to Israel as Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus government proceeds with their full-scale assault on Rafah. The offense does not include a plan to protect civilian lives, despite the roughly 1.3 million people sheltering there. And following the assault on Rafah, nearly half a million Palestinians were reportedly driven out of the city over the past week, the UNs agency for Palestinian refugees said.Heading for reelection in November, Biden is now being confronted by his disastrous poll numbers as voters turn against him on issues including the economy and the war in Gaza. The US president threatened to withhold weapons from Israel should they pursue their offensive in Rafah, but two former Western ambassadors to Arab nations and an ex-CIA station chief believe its all an election bluff, according to a recent Sputnik report. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240514/israel-killed-or-injured-31-aid-workers-in-gaza-despite-knowing-their-locations---hrw-1118418047.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240513/israel-killed-more-civilians-than-hamas-fighters---blinken-1118404170.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240513/egypt-to-join-south-africas-genocide-case-against-israel-1118403153.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/biden-sending-1-billion-arms-package-to-israel-in-latest-flip-flop--report-1118439991.html gaza strip egypt israel 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 genocide, us, gaza strip, israel, weapons, palestine, famine, ethnic cleansing, starvation, mass starvation, mass murder, civilian casualties, killings of civilians, humanitarian crisis, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/zelensky-cancels-visit-to-spain-due-to-difficult-situation-in-ukraine---reports-1118441244.html Zelensky Cancels Visit to Spain Due to Difficult Situation in Ukraine - Reports Zelensky Cancels Visit to Spain Due to Difficult Situation in Ukraine - Reports Sputnik International Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has canceled his visit to Spain on May 17 due to the difficult situation in Ukraine, Spanish news agency EFE reported on Wednesday, citing diplomatic sources. 2024-05-15T06:48+0000 2024-05-15T06:48+0000 2024-05-15T07:09+0000 world volodymyr zelensky pedro sanchez ukraine russia kiev https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/06/1116613951_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_45fdede607cf0a3ee24f5f28219cac8c.jpg On Tuesday, Spanish broadcaster TVE, citing sources in the royal family, reported that Zelensky would visit Spain this Friday to sign a security agreement between Kiev and Madrid with the country's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Apart from his visit to Spain, the Ukrainian president also canceled his official trip to Portugal which was scheduled for the end of the week, Portuguese media reported on Wednesday, adding that Zelensky had already canceled the visit twice.Zelensky was expected to sign a security agreement with Portugal, the SIC Noticias broadcaster reported.Earlier this month, El Pais newspaper reported that the security agreement should have obliged Madrid to provide long-term military assistance to Kiev, to cooperate in the exercises of the two countries' armed forces, develop the Ukrainian defense industry, and to exchange information in the field of intelligence and cybersecurity. Western countries have been providing massive military and financial aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. In April 2022, Russia sent a diplomatic note to all NATO countries on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine. Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240514/why-blinkens-surprise-visit-to-ukraine-is-bad-omen-for-zelensky-1118429166.html ukraine russia kiev 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 ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky, difficult situation in ukraine, zelensky cancels visit to spain James Magno and Joseph Fonte's Incaseyoudidntknow ($2.40) was a 1:53.1 winner for driver Jim Morand in the featured $30,821 Fillies & Mares Free-for-All Handicap Pace on Tuesday, May 14 at Harrington Raceway. The six-year-old Always B Miki mare settled in fourth off the early pace before gathering a first-over charge towards the half-mile in :56.1 in pursuit of leader Majorca N, who was looking for a third straight win. As three-quarters was reached in 1:24.4, Incaseyoudidntknow continued her forward momentum and edged clear of Majorca N at the top of the stretch, and held off Jody and Grandeur Seelster, who rounded out the trifecta. Trained by Les Givens, Incaseyoudidntknow had won an opening leg division of the Bluechip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers Raceway mid-March and now has two wins from 11 seasonal starts. Coming off a close third-place finish in last week's Mares Open are Harrington, she earned her 32nd career win to lift her bankroll to $576,905. The fastest winner on the card was Square Deal ($2.20), who blazed a 1:51.4 mile, a lifetime best, in a $19,863 conditioned event for female pacers with Montrell Teague in the sulky. Trained by Mike Hall, the four-year-old Heston Blue Chip mare has won half of her 10 seasonal starts. Stephen Messick's Misty Coast ($2.10) won the sub-featured $21,918 Mares Winners Over in 1:53.1 for driver Art Stafford Jr. and trainer Givens. Tony Morgan had four wins on the card, while Stafford Jr. had a driving triple. Live harness racing will continue on a Monday through Wednesday schedule with post time at 4:30 p.m. (With files from Harrington Raceway) The Grand Circuit returns to Plainridge Park on Thursday, May 16 featuring the $100,000 USD Bunker Hill Trot for three-year-olds. Six trotters have entered the race, but one of the key players is a hometown hero, born and raised. Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility) was foaled in Rochester, Massachusetts in April of 2021 and was destined for dual stakes eligibility, a result of Massachusetts resident mare program. And the colt took full advantage of all his opportunities during a freshman year that ended with him becoming a Massachusetts Sire Stakes champion. George Ducharme, who is also from Massachusetts (namely Walpole, just a few pylons down the road from Plainridge), trains Keep Asking and he looked back on his star trotters first year on the track. "Hes a little on the smaller side, so we kept him for just New York and Massachusetts and it worked out fine," said Ducharme. "He turned out to be a pretty good horse. He earned some money and everyone was happy." His first six lifetime starts were in the New York Sire Stakes where he earned $148,813 by winning twice, finishing second and third one time each and never missing a cheque. He made the $225,000 final but drew post eight in adverse weather, got caught third-over in traffic and eventually finished eighth, but only beaten 3-3/4 lengths. He had done everything wed asked him to do," said Ducharme. "When he got good at the end, he drew the eight-hole for the [NYSS] final and it came down pouring buckets that day at Yonkers. He really had no chance that day." At that point, Keep Askings stay in New York had ended for the year, but his season was far from over. Ducharme and Keep Asking headed back home in late September to compete in the Massachusetts Sire Stakes, which turned out to be a series he would go on to sweep. The trotter won all three preliminary legs by a combined margin of 15 lengths and entered the $150,000 final as the prohibitive 1-9 favourite. And Keep Asking didnt disappoint as he closed out his year with a 1:55.4 victory and put another $135,000 in the bank for his four-week stand in the Commonwealth. We went back to Massachusetts and he dominated there and did it easily," said Ducharme. "Hes good and strong, finishing his miles. We didnt have to stretch him out chasing and shipping him all over the country. That really made a difference and his confidence level really perked up at the end. He knew he was a good horse at the end, winning all those races. Were happy with him that way. We raced the mare [Sensibility] so its a good story that our homebred turned out to be what he is so far. I really like his attitude and he really likes his job. He was very willing every time we asked him to make the next step and did it easily. Keep Asking will be making his first start of this year in the Bunker Hill Trot and looks to be a major contender coming off an easy gate-to-wire qualifier in 1:54.2 at Vernon Downs. But this may only be the start of something big as the colt is heavily staked this season. Hes filled out and matured," said Ducharme. "Hes Hambo eligible. We paid him to the Canadian Trotting Classic, Breeders Crown, all that stuff. Hell tell us what hes ready for, but if hes good enough, were going to give him a go for sure. Well get him over the big track and stretch him out a bit. I think he's going to improve. Whether he can make the next step this year? We're going to give him a chance to find out and let him tell us where he fits best. It looks like two of them [Karl and T C I] are heads and shoulders above everyone else, off of last year anyway. "I think he'll be able to play with that group below Karl and T C I but we kept New York and Mass., so if hes not good enough, he falls back into that league." The $100,000 USD Bunker Hill Trot is carded as race five on Thursday with an estimated post time of 5:20 p.m. Post time for the first race at Plainridge Park is at 4 p.m. The complete field is listed below in post position order. $100,000 USD Battle Of Bunker Hill Trot Post - Horse - Trainer - Driver - Morning Line Odds 1. Show Me - Andy Miller - Julie Miller - 15-1 2. Spaaaanzano - Aaron Merriman - Chris Beaver - 9-5 3. French Kronos - Mattias Melander - Marcus Melander - 5-1 4. Dejerate Hanover - Bruce Rnger - Domenico Cecere - 9-2 5. Memorynimagination - Brett Beckwith - Mark Beckwith - 7-2 6. Keep Asking - Scott Zeron - George Ducharme - 3-1 (Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts & USTA) With the date of the 2024 Pepsi North America Cup eliminations less than four weeks away, Trot Insider will profile some of the race's top contenders as horses ready to compete for one of Canadian harness racing's biggest prizes. Coming in at 4-1 odds, Dan Patch Award winner Captain Albano was ranked at No. 1 in TROT Magazine's 2024 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book. The 2024 chart topper made nine starts in his award-winning freshman campaign, returning a winner on seven occasions in addition to two seconds. Banking $445,680, the son of Captaintreacherous and the American Ideal mare Angelou ramped up his career through the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS), winning the $252,000 PASS final on Sept. 2 in 1:50.2. Twenty-seven days later, Captain Albano earned his new career best of 1:49.2 at The Red Mile in an $87,000 Bluegrass Stakes division. His two-year-old year completed on Oct. 27 with a second-place finish in the Breeders Crown final. Noel Daley trains Captain Albano for owners Patricia Stable, L A Express And Sjoblom Inc. and Michael Dolan. "He knows what he has to do," trainer Daley told Trot Insider. "He's a really nice horse and does just what he has to do." In advance of Captain Albano's first sophomore pari-mutuel start this Saturday, May 18 at Pocono Downs, Trot Insider caught up with Daley the winner of the 2022 Pepsi North America Cup with Pebble Beach to discuss the 2024 N.A. Cup Spring Book favourite. Where did he winter and when did you start back with him? "We left him in Kentucky at Walnut Hall. I started back with him bright and early in the beginning of January. It's been a good while, but I just get plenty of work after him without any real speed work." Have you noticed any changes from last year to this year? "He's come back really good, he's filled out. He was just an average-sized horse, but he really filled out like a quarter horse." He's now qualified twice. What will his tentative early schedule look like leading up to the Pepsi North America Cup? "We'll get a couple of sires stakes into him, all being good, later in the month. Then, I aim to send him up there to the North America [Cup] after a couple of starts here. "I planned on missing the first sires stakes at The Meadows. We're aiming for the 18th there at the Poconos to be his first start." What does his tentative schedule look like after the North America Cup? "He's in basically everything -- the Meadowlands Pace, races at Poconos, the Adios. When you have one like him, you can pretty much afford to pay up for most things. You have to have the options." At what point last year did you think this horse was North America Cup material? "Early he [Captain Albano] was always nice in the barn, but Pebble Beach always sort of had an air about him, he had a bit of personality. I always thought I'm pretty sure this horse is pretty good. "I'll be honest, my second trainers, they all told me straight up this one's as good as [Pebble Beach]. But, I wasn't sure because he was always just there. He never made a statement about himself, training him down. He just kept putting it together and just doing what he had to do basically." As someone who has won this race before with Pebble Beach, how does it feel to have another legit shot at the North America Cup? "That was a great race we had up there with that fella. For whatever reason, he was probably better up there than he was anywhere. It would be awesome to be able to do it again, and it's a pretty flashy trophy you get out of it, too!" Previous Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book Profiles: (Standardbred Canada) Lower Columbia College is now offering its third bachelors program: a nursing program which kicks off in the fall. Applications for LLCs new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program are open through June 30. School leaders hope the new program will increase the number of registered nurses with bachelors degrees serving local rural areas. The Washington Center for Nursing reports that Cowlitz County had 1,190 registered nurses in 2021 and Wahkiakum County had 28, based on the nurses mailing addresses. Statewide, the center expects demand for registered nurses to grow by 12,000 jobs by 2031. Today, many employers desire nurses with credentials at the baccalaureate level, LCC Director of Baccalaureate Programs Michaela Jackson writes in an email. Though demand for employees with bachelors degrees is high, said Jackson, only 10.9% of people aged 25 or older in Cowlitz County have one, compared to 23.8% in Washington and 21.6% nationwide, according to 2022 U.S. Census data. Jackson added that offering the program at LCC will help current nursing students continue learning without disrupting their personal or professional lives. Graduates of LCCs associate degree nursing program may be able to complete the bachelors program in three quarters of fulltime enrollment with 15 credits per quarter. The new program is set to begin in fall 2024, and has both full- and part-time options available, according to a press release. It is designed for students who have obtained a Washington RN, or registered nurse, license by September. Classes are offered in hybrid format and will meet in person one evening per week. This is LCCs third bachelors program; a Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership and Technical Management are also available. More than 10% of Americans say that they've used Ozempic or similar drugs at some point in their life, according to a recent survey, even as officials continue to raise concerns about both the price and the availability of the popular prescription medications. Ozempic and its counterparts Wegovy and Mounjaro are part of a category of drugs called GLP-1 agonists that can be used to treat diabetes and prevent heart attacks. In the last year, however, the drugs have increasingly been prescribed off-label as weight loss medication. Thirty-two percent of adults told the Kaiser Family Foundation that they've heard "a lot" about GLP-1 drugs, compared to just 19% last July. With increasing awareness, there has also been an uptick in Americans who take the drugs, according to the same KFF poll. One in eight adults say they have taken a GLP-1 drug at some point in their lives, while six percent say they are currently taking the medications. The majority of patients taking GLP-1 drugs say they received the prescription for diabetes or heart disease but about four in ten are taking the medication for weight loss. That percentage decreases to just 1% for adults over 65 - possibly because Medicare does not cover weight loss medication. The increase in GLP-1 prescriptions comes as medical professionals sound the alarm about both a shortage in available drugs and the high cost of accessing the medication. "It's been really, really terrible - patients don't know where to turn," endocrinologist Disha Narang told the New York Times. "We've been like hamsters in a wheel trying to figure this out." Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has been particularly critical of what he describes as the "outrageous" high price of the drugs - which can cost patients $1,000 a month, according to KFF. "The scientists at Novo Nordisk deserve great credit for developing these drugs that have the potential to be a game changer for millions of Americans struggling with type 2 diabetes and obesity. As important as these drugs are, they will not do any good for the millions of patients who cannot afford them," Sanders wrote to the CEO of Ozempic's manufacturer. "Further, if the prices for these products are not substantially reduced, they also have the potential to bankrupt Medicare, Medicaid, and our entire health care system." Washington recorded another grim milestone this week, with numbers from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission showing yet another year of increasing fatalities on the states roads. Statewide, 810 people were killed in crashes involving a motor vehicle in 2023, a 33-year high. Thats up from 743 in 2022, and nearly double from 2014, when 462 people were killed in traffic. The upward trend bucks national behavior, where traffic deaths have fallen two years in row despite an increase in the number of miles driven. Last year, 40,990 people died on U.S. roads, a 3.6% decrease from 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Washington helps lead the pack in double-digit increases in road fatalities. With its more than 10% increase over the previous year, Washington joins Idaho and Rhode Island as the three top states with the most dangerous roads and both states had far fewer deaths in raw numbers, about 280 and 70, respectively. Nearly every other state recorded fewer deaths than the year before. California and Texas remain the states with the largest number of road deaths, with more than 4,000 each. In Washington, King County recorded the most dead, with 167 people killed in traffic, up from 151 in 2022 and more than double the fatalities in 2014, which had 83. Pierce, Spokane and Snohomish counties rounded out the top of the list. Every number represents a life lost. A lost family member. A lost co-worker. A lost friend. The people who mourn have had their lives changed forever, said Shelly Baldwin, director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, in a statement. I hold them in my heart as I ask drivers to take the actions we know save lives. Drive sober. Be patient. Stay focused. Buckle up. Last year, 400 fatalities involved a drug- or alcohol-impaired driver, 251 involved speeding, 171 involved someone not wearing a seat belt or other restraint, and 35 involved a distracted driver. Roger Millar, who leads the state transportation department, said the state is investing in safer roads, by installing cameras that catch speeders and incorporating Complete Streets policies into its capital programs that create more space and separation for people on bikes and pedestrians. But he called on people to end erratic driver behavior, which he said would make a difference immediately. Kirk Hovenkotter, executive director of the statewide Transportation Choices Coalition, said a solution has less to do with motorist behavior than street design. We know what works. Its designing roadways to slow down speeds and promote people walking and riding bikes, and promote transit, he said. That works, it just takes political will and investment. Hovenkotter pointed to a 2022 WSDOT report that showed 65% of serious or fatal crashes between drivers and people on bikes or pedestrians were on state highways within cities. He called on policymakers to treat these dangerous state roads as a megaproject in need of an immediate fix. And he applauded the proposed $1.45 billion Seattle transportation levy for focusing on roads like these, notably Aurora Avenue North. Make it easier to walk, ride a bike or take transit. We need better sidewalks, better transit stops, and signals. Make it easier for the 25% of Washingtonians who dont drive, Hovenkotter said. The highest recorded year of traffic fatalities remains 1979, which saw 1,015 deaths. Beginning in the 1980s, American policies on road safety, speeding and drunken driving began to drive down traffic deaths until 2009. That year, fatalities began their rise to today, fueled in part by much larger vehicles and smartphones distracting drivers. The pandemic supercharged this trend. Despite Seattles efforts to reverse the increase in road deaths, last year also had the dubious distinction of having the most pedestrians killed than any other year on record, with 157 dead, many in the Seattle area. In 2015, the city of Seattle adopted its Vision Zero plan to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets by 2030. In the years since, deaths and injuries have only risen, leading Seattle Department of Transportation Director Greg Spotts to call for a review of the program soon after being sworn-in in September 2022. The review concluded in February 2023, and said the city must lower speed limits, build safety into its capital projects, and fully fund safety projects if it was serious about ending deaths. The citys proposed $1.45 billion transportation levy, which will be on the November ballot after the City Council reviews and amends it, has $162 million earmarked for Vision Zero safety projects. With 53 pedestrians killed, King County accounted for more than a third of the states pedestrian deaths. 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 Amazon will open a new logistics center in Everett, Washington, for its broadband satellite network, Project Kuiper, expanding its ability to design, test and manufacture satellites in the Puget Sound region. At the 184,000-square-foot facility, Project Kuiper workers will receive and sort supplies that will then be used to construct thousands of satellites. Those materials from third-party vendors will be the physical and metaphorical nuts and bolts that are used to construct each satellite. They will range from electrical boxes to mechanical structures to specialty items, said Steven Metayer, vice president of product operations at Amazon. The new facility, set to open in June, will help streamline the manufacturing process as Project Kuiper prepares to launch its first production satellites later this year. Employees will collect and inspect the raw materials and then compile a production kit that will be sent to Project Kuiper's manufacturing facility in Kirkland, where the satellites are made. That hub opened its doors last year and began manufacturing satellites in April, Metayer said. The new facility in Everett is "a big step in our supply chain operation," he continued. Through Project Kuiper, Amazon hopes to bring high-speed, low-latency broadband to areas that don't have reliable internet access, using a low Earth orbit satellite network with more than 3,000 satellites. After a successful prototype launch in October, Project Kuiper aims to launch its first production satellites sometime this year, though Metayer said it's too early to pinpoint a specific date. There's a "very prescribed" ramp-up plan, Metayer said. With "something as complicated as this, you start out walking, then eventually you run." In the race to provide broadband, Project Kuiper is competing with Elon Musk's SpaceX, which flew its first Starlink satellites in 2018 and has since launched more than 5,000 satellites using its own rockets. Project Kuiper's satellites are largely built in Washington, before heading to Cape Canaveral, Fla., where they will integrate with the rockets that will carry them to space. The prototype satellites launched aboard the Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance, and the production satellites are expected to take off on another ULA rocket. In Washington, Amazon has continually increased its Project Kuiper footprint over the last few years. It opened a 219,000-square-foot research and development facility in Redmond in 2020 to design and test its satellites and announced the 172,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Kirkland in 2022. Expanding in the Puget Sound region "was always in the plan," Metayer said. "The reason why we're here is to keep it close to the engineering team, the people who designed it and know the most about it." "We're pretty confident that the footprint we're building will give us the ability to have a full constellation" of satellites, he said. Once the manufacturing facility reaches its peak capacity next year, the Kirkland factory will be able to build five satellites per day, Metayer said. The logistics center in Everett will have space to store enough materials for five satellites per day and a couple months of supplies, he added. Once fully operational later this year, the Everett center will create 200 jobs, according to Amazon. The Kirkland center will have 250 jobs once fully ramped up. Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin said Tuesday in a prepared statement that the new facility will have a positive impact on Everett's economy and that she is excited to "put our stamp on a project that will help transform the world." As part of its expansion in Washington, Amazon also announced Tuesday it has partnered with the Lake Washington Institute of Technology to create a satellite technician certificate program. The certificate will focus on safety protocols, aerospace assembly skills, electrical systems and emerging technologies, Amazon said. Brian Huseman, Amazon's vice president of public policy and community engagement, said in a prepared statement that the partnership will "create a pipeline of future satellite technicians to meet the evolving needs of this area's thriving space and satellite sectors, and give more people the opportunity to take part in Project Kuiper's important mission." 2024 The Seattle 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: CC0 Public Domain Amazon's cloud computing division will invest 7.8 billion euros ($8.5 billion) towards building a "sovereign cloud" center in Germany, the company announced Wednesday, as the EU seeks to harbor the European data on domestic servers. The company said that the first sovereign cloud complex will be set up in the German state of Brandenburg, and will be operational by the end of 2025. Some European companies and public agencies have been reluctant to resort to cloud computing, worried that the data of Europeans would transfer to other jurisdictions, notably the United States. The new cloud system is intended to address these concerns and obey Europe's strict data privacy rules. Amazon Web Services' European Sovereign Cloud project, announced last year, will allow customers to maintain data residency within the EU, with infrastructure wholly located within Europe and operated independently from other regions in the world. "This investment reinforces our commitment to offer customers the most advanced set of sovereignty controls, privacy safeguards, and security features available in the cloud," said Max Peterson, vice president of Sovereign Cloud at AWS. European leaders have been pushing for so-called "digital sovereignty," the idea the EU should be in control of its own data and technology in a sector that is dominated by US tech giants AWS, Microsoft and Google. Those three companies still account for almost 80 percent of the public cloud market on the old continent, according to European Commission data. The concern for independence has only grown with the advent of AI, with the mass processing of data becoming a crucial component of providing ChatGPT-style technology to companies worldwide. 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: A man walks by a pile of twisted debris at the crash site of an Ethiopian Airways Boeing 737 MAX in March 2019. The US Justice Department on Tuesday said Boeing can be prosecuted for two subsequent 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people approximately five years ago. Boeing breached obligations under an agreement that had shielded it against legal proceedings for the accidents, department officials said in a letter to a federal court in Texas. Boeing told AFP "we believe that we have honored the terms of that agreement" and said that it plans to defend itself. US officials said in their letter that Boeing breached its obligations under a deferred prosecution agreement (DFA) by "failing to design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the US fraud laws throughout its operations." Such a breach would mean Boeing can be prosecuted for any violation of federal law related to the crashes, according to US justice officials. The government is evaluating how to proceed in the matter and has directed Boeing to respond by June 13. US officials also plan to confer with families of people who died in the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashes. "This is a positive first step, and for the families, a long time coming," said attorney Paul Cassell, who represents crash victim families. Cassell called for further action from the Department of Justice and added he would seek details regarding a "satisfactory remedy" to Boeing's wrongdoing. In March of 2019, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed southeast of Addis Ababa, killing the 157 people on board. It was the second accident in five months for a 737 MAX aircraft, a product line meant to replace the 737 NG. The first crash, involving a MAX 8 operated by Lion Air, occurred in October of the prior year in Indonesia's Java Sea and left 189 people dead. Both aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, with investigations later pointing to trouble with the automated flight system. The aircraft were temporarily grounded or banned from airspace around the world. "We will engage with the Department with the utmost transparency, as we have throughout the entire term of the agreement," Boeing said in a statement to AFP. It said this also included "response to their questions following the Alaska Airlines 1282 accident." The dramatic mid-flight blowout on January 5 of a fuselage panel on an Alaska Airlines plane precipitated the departures of a series of top Boeing officialsincluding CEO Dave Calhoun, who is set to step down at year's end. It also resulted in reduced production of the 737 MAX. Multiple inquiries, audits The US Federal Aviation Administration was sharply criticized after the crashes of two Boeing 737 MAX planes in 2018 and 2019. But as Boeing faces multiple inquiries and audits in the United States and abroad, it has repeatedly assured critics that it is working "with full transparency and under the oversight" of FAA regulators. The DPA required Boeing to pay $2.5 billion in fines and restitution in exchange for immunity from criminal prosecution for charges it defrauded the government during the certification of the MAX. A federal judge in Texas early last year rejected a challenge by relatives of Boeing 737 MAX crash victims to the aviation giant's US criminal settlement, ruling against ordering changes to the controversial January 2021 DPA. The families have argued that Boeing's role in what they have called the "deadliest corporate crime" in US history merits criminal conviction of the company and top brass. 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: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The UK's national security agency, MI5, warned in April that British universities participating in military research are targets for cyber-attacks by foreign states. More recently, news broke of a cyber-attack against the UK's Ministry of Defense, which exposed the personal details of 270,000 armed forces personnel. China is the main suspect behind these attacks. China is often presented as a monolithic entity, entirely at the whim of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). However, the reality is more complex. Many Chinese cyber-attacks and other kinds of digital interference are conducted by Chinese nationalist groups. Some of these groups are funded by and act under the direction of the CCP. The 50 Cent Army (), for example, is a group who post pro-CCP messages on social media. Its name is derived from reports that the CCP pays recruits 0.5 yuan (US$0.69) per post. But many of these groups operate independently. There are even cases of Chinese nationalist groups engaging in online warfare against the wishes of the CCP. The fact that cyber-attacks are being launched independently of the CCP and against its directives suggests that China's nationalist movement is escaping the government's societal controls. This could become a headache for China's president, Xi Jinping, as the number of cyber-attacks grows. China's nationalist movement is very sensitive to what it considers insults to the Chinese nation. This is due to the careful construction of Chinese nationalism through stories like the "century of humiliation", a period from roughly 1839 to 1949 in which China was exploited and victimized by foreign imperialist powers. Chinese nationalists now act against what they perceive to be renewed attempts by foreign powers to again humiliate China. They take action through "online wars" against those who they believe pose a threat to China's interests. In 2016, Taiwan elected Tsai Ing-wen, an anti-Beijing candidate, as president. During and after the election, a group of predominately young, female cyber-nationalists known as the Little Pinks () waged a "meme war" against Taiwan. This involved thousands of Little Pinks posting a deluge of pro-Beijing memes on the social media profiles of President Tsai and numerous Taiwanese news outlets. The memes emphasized China's claim that Taiwan is a Chinese province and not an independent nation state. Some cyber-nationalist groups have gone a step further by engaging in hacktivism. This involves targeting institutions and organizations through cyber-attacks to pursue the nationalist agenda. In 2008, an informal group of hacktivists called the Red Hacker Alliance () attempted a denial-of-service attack against US media company CNN. The attack was in response to CNN's reporting on anti-Beijing protests in Tibet, which has been occupied by China since 1950. It caused the company's website to be briefly unavailable in some parts of Asia. In another example, a group called the Honker Union () launched cyber-attacks against the Philippines in 2014. Triggered by the attempted arrest of Chinese fishermen in a disputed area of the South China Sea, the Honker Union hacked into the website of the University of the Philippines. Hackers posted pro-Chinese slogans and a map showing China's territorial claims on the university's homepage. The CCP's societal control The CCP leans into nationalist sentiment to legitimize its regime, presenting itself as the vanguard of the Chinese nation. But this reliance on nationalism has given China's nationalist movement considerable influence. The CCP cannot be seen to contradict its nationalist credentials by constraining nationalist activity too heavily. As a result, cyber-nationalists have escaped the CCP's societal controls, such as its ability to direct China's nationalist movement through propaganda. In doing so, cyber-nationalists undermine the CCP's authority and occasionally contradict its foreign policy. In 2020, the CCP called for restraint among nationalist groups following foreign criticism of China's crackdown on Hong Kong. However, cyber-nationalists still undertook an anti-foreign smear campaign on social media. Even the Communist Youth League, a nationalist organization with formal links to the CCP, took part against the CCP's instruction. As part of this campaign, hacktivists also launched cyber-attacks such as hijacking the Twitter account of the Chinese embassy in Paris. The hacktivists posted a picture of the US as the personification of death visiting Hong Kong. The embassy quickly deleted the image and apologized to France and the US. But the incident speaks to a CCP that is struggling to control cyber-nationalists who are evading its societal controls and are willing to hijack state propaganda infrastructure to pursue their goals. There have also been hacktivist cyber-attacks directed against the Chinese state, usually coinciding with periods of discontent with the CCP. In 2014, one group briefly seized control of a television network in the eastern city of Wenzhou and broadcast nationalistic and anti-CCP messages. This cyber-attack was made in protest of the detention of Wang Bingzhang, a nationalist activist and political dissident. Another group hacked into a Shanghai police database in 2022, leaking 23 terabytes of personal information that the state had collected on the Chinese people as part of its program of mass domestic surveillance. The information was later made available for sale on online forums from an anonymous hacker referred to as "ChinaDan." In the west, we assume that Chinese cyber-attacks reflect a malicious Chinese state. The reality is more complex. As cyber-nationalists continue to take matters into their own hands, increasing numbers of cyber-attacks also reflects a major domestic problem for the CCPone that showcases the limits of its societal controls. 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: (Left) Overview of our approach. (Right) Structure of the CONSENSUS GAME, a twoplayer sequential signaling game with imperfect information. Credit: arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2310.09139 Imagine you and a friend are playing a game where your goal is to communicate secret messages to each other using only cryptic sentences. Your friend's job is to guess the secret message behind your sentences. Sometimes, you give clues directly, and other times, your friend has to guess the message by asking yes-or-no questions about the clues you've given. The challenge is that both of you want to make sure you're understanding each other correctly and agreeing on the secret message. MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) researchers have created a similar "game" to help improve how AI understands and generates text. It is known as a "consensus game" and it involves two parts of an AI systemone part tries to generate sentences (like giving clues), and the other part tries to understand and evaluate those sentences (like guessing the secret message). The researchers discovered that by treating this interaction as a game, where both parts of the AI work together under specific rules to agree on the right message, they could significantly improve the AI's ability to give correct and coherent answers to questions. They tested this new game-like approach on a variety of tasks, such as reading comprehension, solving math problems, and carrying on conversations, and found that it helped the AI perform better across the board. Their paper is published on the arXiv preprint server. Traditionally, large language models answer one of two ways: generating answers directly from the model (generative querying) or using the model to score a set of predefined answers (discriminative querying), which can lead to differing and sometimes incompatible results. With the generative approach, "Who is the president of the United States?" might yield a straightforward answer like "Joe Biden." However, a discriminative query could incorrectly dispute this fact when evaluating the same answer, such as "Barack Obama." So how do we reconcile mutually incompatible scoring procedures to achieve coherent, efficient predictions? "Imagine a new way to help language models understand and generate text, like a game. We've developed a training-free, game-theoretic method that treats the whole process as a complex game of clues and signals, where a generator tries to send the right message to a discriminator using natural language. Instead of chess pieces, they're using words and sentences," says Athul Jacob, an MIT Ph.D. student in electrical engineering and computer science and CSAIL affiliate. "Our way to navigate this game is finding the 'approximate equilibria,' leading to a new decoding algorithm called 'equilibrium ranking.' It's a pretty exciting demonstration of how bringing game-theoretic strategies into the mix can tackle some big challenges in making language models more reliable and consistent." When tested across many tasks, like reading comprehension, commonsense reasoning, math problem-solving, and dialogue, the team's algorithm consistently improved how well these models performed. Using the ER algorithm with the LLaMA-7B model even outshone the results from much larger models. "Given that they are already competitive, that people have been working on it for a while, but the level of improvements we saw being able to outperform a model that's 10 times the size was a pleasant surprise," says Jacob. Game on "Diplomacy," a strategic board game set in pre-World War I Europe, where players negotiate alliances, betray friends, and conquer territories without the use of dicerelying purely on skill, strategy, and interpersonal manipulationrecently had a second coming. In November 2022, computer scientists, including Jacob, developed "Cicero," an AI agent that achieves human-level capabilities in the mixed-motive seven-player game, which requires the same aforementioned skills, but with natural language. The math behind this partially inspired the Consensus Game. While the history of AI agents long predates when OpenAI's software entered the chat in November 2022, it's well documented that they can still cosplay as your well-meaning, yet pathological friend. The consensus game system reaches equilibrium as an agreement, ensuring accuracy and fidelity to the model's original insights. To achieve this, the method iteratively adjusts the interactions between the generative and discriminative components until they reach a consensus on an answer that accurately reflects reality and aligns with their initial beliefs. This approach effectively bridges the gap between the two querying methods. In practice, implementing the consensus game approach to language model querying, especially for question-answering tasks, does involve significant computational challenges. For example, when using datasets like MMLU, which have thousands of questions and multiple-choice answers, the model must apply the mechanism to each query. Then, it must reach a consensus between the generative and discriminative components for every question and its possible answers. The system did struggle with a grade school right of passage: math word problems. It couldn't generate wrong answers, which is a critical component of understanding the process of coming up with the right one. "The last few years have seen really impressive progress in both strategic decision-making and language generation from AI systems, but we're just starting to figure out how to put the two together. Equilibrium ranking is a first step in this direction, but I think there's a lot we'll be able to do to scale this up to more complex problems," says Jacob. An avenue of future work involves enhancing the base model by integrating the outputs of the current method. This is particularly promising since it can yield more factual and consistent answers across various tasks, including factuality and open-ended generation. The potential for such a method to significantly improve the base model's performance is high, which could result in more reliable and factual outputs from ChatGPT and similar language models that people use daily. "Even though modern language models, such as ChatGPT and Gemini, have led to solving various tasks through chat interfaces, the statistical decoding process that generates a response from such models has remained unchanged for decades," says Google Research Scientist Ahmad Beirami, who was not involved in the work. "The proposal by the MIT researchers is an innovative game-theoretic framework for decoding from language models through solving the equilibrium of a consensus game. The significant performance gains reported in the research paper are promising, opening the door to a potential paradigm shift in language model decoding that may fuel a flurry of new applications." More information: Athul Paul Jacob et al, The Consensus Game: Language Model Generation via Equilibrium Search, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2310.09139 Journal information: arXiv 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: Graphical abstract. Credit: ACS Energy Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.4c00306 Researchers from Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania, who contributed to the development of record-breaking solar cells a few years ago have expanded their invention. The self-assembled monolayers can now be applied not only in inverted but also in regular structure perovskite solar cells. Their article, "Nonfullerene Self-Assembled Monolayers As Electron-Selective Contacts for n-i-p Perovskite Solar Cells," is published in ACS Energy Letters. Self-assembling molecules arrange themselves into a single-molecule-thick layer and in this case, they act as an electron-transporting layer in solar cells. "The molecules that make up these monolayers, like a clever glue, coat the surface of the constructed devices with a thin one molecule thick layer. And this is not random, they don't stick wherever they go, but attach themselves by chemical bonds only where they are in contact with conductive metal oxide," explains Tadas Malinauskas, Professor at KTU's Faculty of Chemical Technology and one of the inventors of the new technology. According to Malinauskas, the development of such a layer is a relatively simple and material-efficient process that requires a glass substrate with an electrically conductive metal oxide layer to be immersed in or sprayed with a highly diluted solution of the compound. In this way, the self-assembling molecules are only attached to the surface of the metal oxide, and those that do not stick are washed away. This way a thin layer is created only where it is needed. A crucial step in the development of the next generation solar cells A team of KTU researchers has been synthesizing and studying charge-transporting organic materials for several years. Previous experiments have focused more on molecules used for positive charge transfer in the perovskite solar cells. "We can already say with confidence that these molecules have given a major boost to the development of the next generation solar cells. So, our next step is quite logical: to develop analogous molecules that can carry negative charges, and to apply these materials in perovskite solar cells," says Vytautas Getautis, professor at the KTU Faculty of Chemical Technology and Head of the research group in charge of invention. Although it is a very thin layer, the role it plays in solar cells is extremely important. Malinauskas says that the best analogy for its function is the subway. "This layer, like an automatic gate on the subway, allows only one type of charge to pass through and continue its journey towards the electrode," he says. In this way, self-assembled molecules increase the efficiency of solar cells. Perovskite solar cell structures differ in the sequence of layers. In the regular structure, a negative charge transporting layer is formed on a transparent substrate, followed by light-absorbing and positive charge transporting layers. In solar cells with an inverted structure, the positive and negative charge transport layers are swapped. Inventor and KTU Ph.D. student Lauryna Monika Svirskaite says that the main difference between the two structures is the areas of their application. "The regular structure is more widely used to study low-cost, easier-manufactured but less efficient solar cells. The inverted architecture allows them to be used in the construction of much more efficient combined devices, also known as tandem devices," says Svirskaite. At the moment, as both structures are being intensively researched, the KTU scientists believe that the new invention is just as significant and promising as the last one. The new invention is the result of a collaboration with scientists from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). "We, KTU chemists, were responsible for the development, improvement, and optimization of the materials and coating technology, while our colleagues from Saudi Arabia investigated the performance of it in solar cells," says Malinauskas. Greta Zekiene, Head of Intellectual Property Management at KTU's National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (NIEC), says that the demand for this invention is surprisingly high. In this case, interest in the invention's industrial use preceded the filing of the patent application. According to Zekiene, the search for partners usually starts after a patent application is filed, and most of the time an invention receives attention only after the publication of a scientific article is released. "A Japanese company, with whom we already have several licenses for inventions in this field, immediately expressed the interest to have the innovation in their product portfolio. They were waiting for us to prepare a patent application. The process of negotiating a license agreement started right away," says Zekiene. She emphasizes that it is not necessary to obtain a patent for the commercialization of an invention. While it depends on the individual case, commercialization of an invention can take place at any time if a business declares its intention to license or take over all the property rights. The Head of Intellectual Property Management at KTU says that inventions in the field of solar cells made by the Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors research group are the strongest in KTU's patent portfolio and receive a lot of interest from businesses in this field. "We feel proud and acknowledged when companies want to start using the inventions as soon as possible," adds Zekiene. More information: Drajad S. Utomo et al, Nonfullerene Self-Assembled Monolayers As Electron-Selective Contacts for n-i-p Perovskite Solar Cells, ACS Energy Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.4c00306 Journal information: ACS Energy Letters 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: Assistant professor David Choffnes says that net neutrality wasand remainscrucial to the development of the internet. Credit: Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University It was on, then off, and now "net neutrality" is back on again. In a 3-2 vote, the Federal Communications Commission last month adopted the internet accessibility policy that requires broadband providers to treat all traffic equally. Northeastern University computer scientist David Choffnes praised the vote, saying the policy is important for ensuring the internet's independence and potential. "It allows the internet to continue to be this playground of ideas where people can come up with new applications that can really change the world," says Choffnes, an associate professor at Northeastern's Khoury College of Computer Sciences and executive director and founding member of the university's Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute. "If we didn't have this it probably would have been too expensive for things like YouTube to take off or Facebook or TikTok or even things like Microsoft Teams," Choffnes continues. "It would have made the internet much less accessible to people." Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites. Choffnes says the principle wasand remainscrucial to the development of the internet "that we know and love and pretty much can't live without." But net neutrality hasn't always had a smooth road. The concept collided with the largeand often copyrightedfile-sharing capabilities of the early 2000s. In 2007, Comcast was sued for limiting traffic on the BitTorrent peer-to-peer file sharing network by reducing its allocated bandwidth. The FCC ruled against the telecom company in 2008, and began to enforce open-access principles. Court battles ensued all the way up to 2016 when the D.C. Circuit Court affirmed net neutrality rules again. Then the rules were repealed by the FCC during the Trump administration as part of a deregulatory agenda. "The telecoms, the internet providers, don't like this," Choffnes says, noting that telecom trade groups have been voicing concerns. "They don't like being regulated at all, and so they generally vehemently oppose this kind of action." But now neutrality is coming back. Choffnes says net neutrality is important in the age of 5G and streaming high-resolution movies, telemedicine, remote learning, or even watching TikTok videos. Choffnes' research finds that every major U.S. cellular provider is giving less bandwidth or artificially limiting the bandwidth that video-streaming applications can get, thereby violating net neutrality principles. Interestingly, the "throttling" of bandwidth generally wasn't happening on fixed line networks like cable or FiOS, and the limitations were only for video streaming applications that the cellular providers can detect, Choffnes' research shows. The research was cited over a dozen times in the proposed new rules that the FCC released in April. This throttling impacts social equity, Choffnes says, as people who can't afford fixed line networks get poorer video streaming service than their wealthier peers. With remote learning, telemedicine and video conferencing becoming increasingly common and popular, slower video streaming can also impact education and health. With the telecoms acting as "gatekeepers," as Choffnes calls it, they could also charge independent applications for preferential access to bandwidth, or charge users for access to video or develop their own applications and charge users for access, Choffnes says. "As the internet evolves and as applications evolve, the threats still remain very potent that when networks can pick winners and losers, there's going to be, unfortunately, people who suffer from those decisions," Choffnes says. "The easiest way to avoid that is to just not pick, not to do the gatekeeping." "We've seen that beforewhen companies have been our gatekeepers, that gatekeeping authority can be abused," Choffnes continues. But a few last potential complications exist. The ruleswhich don't go into effect until 60 days after the final order, released on Tuesday, goes into the Federal Register, Choffnes sayscould still be held up by court battles. And if Donald Trump returns to the White House, Choffnes says net neutrality "is essentially dead in the water." Choffnes says this speaks to a need for legislation codifying net neutralitysomething that surveys reveal around 80% of Americans support. "It's a bipartisan thing that gets bipartisan support from constituents," Choffnes says. "It's shocking to me that we still don't have this law." This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu. 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: China's hydrogen-fuel future in 2060, with the left-hand side panel showing the evolution of hydrogen production mix from 20202060 and the right-hand side panel showing the hydrogen consumption structure. Credit: Wang et al A study explores the role of platinum in shaping the future of green hydrogen development in China. Hydrogen fuel is one of China's key strategies to achieve national energy security and carbon neutrality. Hydrogen is expected to provide more than 10% of China's total energy supply by 2050, and the country has announced more than 50 large-scale hydrogen projects. Platinum plays a crucial role throughout the hydrogen value chain from production to final consumption, and this scarce metal could be a limiting factor in China's expansion of hydrogen fuel use. Wei-Qiang Chen and colleagues model the potential pathways of China's hydrogen-fuel industry and the corresponding platinum constraints under three emissions scenarios. The study is published in the journal PNAS Nexus. In the study's models, solar- and wind-powered electrolytic hydrogen production would rapidly expand before 2050 in all three scenarios, as would hydrogen use as freight transport fuelassuming the cost of fuel cell electric vehicles declines to reach parity with battery electric vehicles within a decade. The key infrastructure along the hydrogen supply chain over 20202060, including hydrogen production equipment, fuel cells for industry use, fuel cell vehicles, and hydrogen filling stations. Credit: Wang et al Under the scenario in which China achieves carbon neutrality by 2060, the country's demand for platinum associated with hydrogen would increase from 0.6 tons per year in 2020 to 242 tons per year in 2060, which would require a substantial expansion of the country's platinum supply. This could pose risks, as 95% of platinum is currently sourced from three countries: South Africa, Russia, and Zimbabwe. Factors such as geopolitical conflicts, labor disputes, and environmental, social, and governance risks could choke the supply of this scarce metal and price fluctuations are to be expected. Along with enhancing international cooperation in stabilizing platinum mineral supply, the authors recommend China pursue a platinum circular economy as a key strategy in its hydrogen planning. More information: Peng Wang et al, Incorporating platinum circular economy into China's hydrogen pathways toward carbon neutrality, PNAS Nexus (2024). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae172 Journal information: PNAS Nexus Provided by PNAS Nexus George Clooney is set to make his Broadway debut in "Good Night, and Good Luck," a theatrical version of the 2005 film in which he was co-writer, director and star. The 63-year-old Oscar winner co-wrote the Broadway play with Grant Heslov, his co-writer for the film. The play, however, will be directed by Tony-winner David Cromer. In another change from the film, Clooney will play legendary broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow, who died in 1965. In the 2005 movie, Clooney played Fred Friendly and David Strathairn starred as Murrow. "I am honored, after all these years, to be coming back to the stage and especially to Broadway, the art form and the venue that every actor aspires to," Clooney said in a statement. "Good Night, and Good Luck," the film version of which also starred Jeff Daniels, Alex Borstein, Patricia Clarkson, Robert Downey Jr. and others, follows the conflict between Murrow and U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin, who infamously led congressional investigations into alleged communists throughout the government and accused Murrow himself of being communist. "Edward R. Murrow operated from a kind of moral clarity that feels vanishingly rare in today's media landscape. There was an immediacy in those early live television broadcasts that today can only be effectively captured on stage, in front of a live audience," Cromer said. The upcoming Broadway show will be staged in a Shubert theater, though which one, and a potential opening date, have not yet been announced. with reporting by TMX The body of a hiker who had been missing for nearly a month has been located, officials in New Hampshire announced. William Donovan, 65, of Cambridge, Mass. went missing on April 16. His vehicle was located at the Crawford Path parking lot in Carroll. The Department of Game said Donovan appeared to be an avid hiker, but a search of his vehicle revealed several pieces of hiking gear that would have been beneficial if he was planning a hike in the White Mountains. A search team was sent to the Dry River area on Monday after hikers found gear and a jacket believed to have belonged to him. Crews found his body about 10:30 a.m. on Monday approximately 400 feet upstream from where the jacket was discovered. Donovan's body was located just over 2.5 miles in from Route 302. The search team worked for hours to free the body from beneath a large boulder, but due to its size, freezing water temperatures, and the lack of tools required to move such a boulder, additional resources were called to assist. Dozens of volunteers from Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue and Mountain Rescue Services all responded to assist. These volunteers hiked in the additional equipment and then assisted with carrying Donovan's body. The teams arrived back on Route 302 with the body at 6:40 p.m. Authorities don't know what brought Donovan into the Dry River Wilderness. It is also unknown how he entered the water, but it appears he was somehow forced from the ridge by high winds or other adverse weather conditions between Mt. Monroe and Mt. Eisenhower. The body was moved to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Concord for an autopsy. Clute, TX (77531) Today Areas of dense morning fog. Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 89F. Winds WSW at less than 5 mph, becoming SSE and increasing to 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Law enforcement agencies have officially seized control of the notorious BreachForums platform, an online bazaar known for peddling stolen data, for the second time within a year. The website ("breachforums[.]st") has been replaced by a seizure banner stating the clearnet cybercrime forum is under the control of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The operation is the result of a collaborative effort from authorities in Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, Switzerland, the U.K., the U.S., and Ukraine. The FBI has also taken control of the Telegram channel operated by Baphomet, who became the administrator of the forum following the arrest of his predecessor Conor Brian Fitzpatrick (aka pompompurin) in March last year. It's worth noting a prior iteration of BreachForums, hosted at breached.vc/.to/.co and managed by pompompurin, was seized by law enforcement in late June 2023. "This Telegram chat is under the control of the FBI," a message posted on the channel reads. "The BreachForums website has been taken down by the FBI and DOJ with assistance from international partners." "We are reviewing the site's backend data. If you have information to report about cyber criminal activity on BreachForums, please contact us: t.me/fbi_breachforums breachforums@fbi.gov breachforums.ic3.gov." It's currently not clear if Baphomet and his other fellow administrator ShinyHunters have been arrested, although the seizure banner depicts the profile pictures associated with both of them as behind bars. "From June 2023 until May 2024, BreachForums (hosted at breachforums.st/.cx/.is/.vc and run by ShinyHunters) was operating as a clearnet marketplace for cybercriminals to buy, sell, and trade contraband, including stolen access devices, means of identification, hacking tools, breached databases, and other illegal services," the agencies said. BreachForums emerged in March 2022 following the law enforcement dismantling of RaidForums and the arrest of its owner "Omnipotent." Following its shutdown in 2023, it resurfaced again after Baphomet teamed up with ShinyHunters to launch a new site under the same name. Vicky Kenney will likely become become Hall Countys next public defender. In Tuesdays primary election, Kenney captured 2,558 votes, compared to 1,417 for Ian Osborn. Both Kenney and Osborn are Republicans. The outcome eliminated Osborn from the race to succeed longtime county Public Defender Gerry Piccolo. Kenney could be derailed only by a successful write-in candidate in November. Kenney, who lives in Amherst, has been a deputy Hall County public defender since April of 2005. She will turn 50 on May 26. I think the voters have made the right decision and that this will ensure that we get good representation, in addition to saving taxpayer money, Kenney said Tuesday night. Id just like to thank everybody for supporting me in my effort to take over the office. In addition to yard signs, Kenney said she put out a lot of word of mouth, and my kids and I actually went knocking door-to-door in Cairo, Doniphan, Wood River (and) Grand Island. But Grand Islands huge. I know we only made a dent in Grand Island. A victory Tuesday is not about being in charge of the public defenders office, Kenney said. Its about maintaining representation for our clientele. I wish her luck and I think shell do a great job, Osborn said. Osborn, 34, is a deputy Hall County attorney. A Lincoln native, he has worked in the Hall County Attorneys Office since January. He served in the Hall County Public Defenders office for about six months, beginning in June of 2023. Piccolo, who has been Hall Countys public defender since 1990, will retire in January. A total of 7,268 people, or 22.1% of Hall Countys registered voters, cast ballots. Election Commissioner Tracy Overstreet said the turnout was extremely low. Seventeen more ballots remained to be counted after Tuesday, 13 of them provisional. In the District 35 legislative contest, incumbent Ray Aguilar and former legislator Dan Quick had a close finish. Quick captured 1,659 votes and Aguilar 1,575. Both men will advance to the general election in November. Even with the tight race, we know what we have to do, Quick said. Weve still got to get out there and work hard. Going door-to-door is whats worked best for my campaign, so Quick will continue doing that. As he meets voters, they get to know me, and then I get to hear their concerns and figure out how I can help them. Since early September, Quick and his wife, Alice, have knocked on more than 6,700 doors. Theyve covered the district once, and weve started over on the district a second time, he said. This is the second time Aguilar and Quick have faced each other for the District 35 seat. Aguilar defeated Quick in 2020. Aguilar said he wasnt about to concede. Four years ago, I lost the primary and came back and won the general. Were just going to work hard and try to pull this thing together. Aguilar was asked if he wanted to comment on Quicks door-knocking regimen. My answer to that is Ive been in the Legislature doing the states business, said Aguilar, who is chair of the Legislatures Executive Board. Aguilar, 76, is seeking his fourth full term in the Legislature. He was appointed to the Unicameral in June of 1999 to replace Chris Peterson, who resigned. Aguilar was elected in 2000, 2004 and 2020 Quick, 66, held the seat from 2016 to 2020. Prior to his time in the Legislature, Quick worked for 28 years at the city of Grand Islands power plant, where he started as a material handler and later served as a maintenance mechanic and welder. Quick served as president and business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1597 and was president of the Nebraska State Utility Workers Conference. Legendary 'Star Wars' director George Lucas is ringing in his 80th birthday today with a touching tribute from actor Mark Hamill, famously known as Luke Skywalker. Hamill posted a heartwarming homage to Lucas on X, formerly Twitter. For George: You changed the world. You changed modern cinema. And you changed my life..... FOREVER. -mh pic.twitter.com/niA9dTSJ8n Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) May 14, 2024 Lucas, the director of iconic film franchises Star Wars and Indiana Jones, goes down in history as one of the most significant figures in 20th-century Hollywood and one of the most financially successful filmmakers, with four Academy Awards to account for. In May 2024, Lucas will be bestowed the Honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, considered one of the highest recognitions in the film industry. UAE-based developer Bloom Holding has announced that all the units within its residnetial community Olvera have been sold out in record time. A premium development within Bloom Living, a fully integrated and all-inclusive community in Abu Dhabi, it features two and three-bed townhouses. Announcing the record turnout, Bloom said its sales centre witnessed huge numbers of customers and investors interested in the two and three-bedroom townhouse offered within the sixth phase of Bloom Living, the fully integrated and all-inclusive community in Abu Dhabi. All the villas and townhouses in Bloom Livings launched phases have been successfully sold out reflecting the strength of the projects proposition as a premium community living destination that caters to the evolving needs of residents, it stated. Bloom Holding CEO Carlos Wakim said: "Bloom Living has attracted significant interest from both local and international buyers looking for integrated community living in prime location." "The success of the sales emphasizes Abu Dhabis continued appeal as a destination to invest in and Bloom Livings position as a desirable destination to reside in. We expect that sales will continue to perform strongly as we release more phases of this all-inclusive and vibrant community," he added. Zain Group, a leading provider of innovative technologies and digital lifestyle communications operating in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa and serving 42.4 million customers, has registered solid operational performance for the first quarter across key markets with its consolidated revenue surging to hit KD466 million ($1.5 billion). Announcing its consolidated financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, Zain said its ebitda for the quarter reached KD148 million ($480 million), reflecting an ebitda margin of 32%. Net income for the quarter reached KD29.2 million ($95 million), thus reflecting an earnings per share of 7 fils. The tp telecom group said it had maintained stable revenue for the quarter due to strong top-line performance across main operations including Iraq (+14%), Kuwait (+7%), KSA (+5%) and Jordan (+3%). This is despite the ongoing crisis and associated network operational challenges in Sudan where network services and coverage areas are gradually improving, it stated. Group customer base was significantly impacted by the Sudan crisis due to damaging military attacks on business operating systems, inaccessibility to customer data centers, limited network coverage and retail distribution challenges. Moreover, it is estimated that 6.5 million people have been internally displaced with 2 million migrating to neighbouring countries. Nevertheless, the recovery plan and new data center is seeing an exponential uptake in customers in Q2 2024, it added. The decrease in Q1 2024 net income compared to the restated Q1 2023 net income, is mainly due to a one-time gain on sale and leaseback of the Zain KSA tower transaction. The restatement of the Q1 2023 consolidated statement of profit and loss was due to the accounting of KSA tower transaction which was revisited in the Q4 2023 due to the significant judgements and estimations involved in assessing transfer of control. Excluding this impact of the restated KSA tower net profit gains, the drop in Q1 2024 Y-o-Y net income would be significantly less, it stated. There is no impact on Zain Group of above restatement and reclassifications on the net profit and the consolidated financial statement reported and issued as at 31 December 2023, as all necessary adjustments required have already been accounted for in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. For the three-month period, the data revenue grew 1% to reach $595 million, representing 39% of the groups overall revenue. Also the group invested $39 million in Capex rolling out 5G and FTTH. According to Zain, the Kuwait, KSA, Bahrain, and Jordan units continue to grow their 5G customer bases. "The Board is working closely with executive management to address major socio-economic challenges in several key markets. In Sudan in particular, we acknowledge and pray for the safety of our dedicated workforce, who are making many personal sacrifices to provide meaningful connectivity to the local community. Zain Sudan is an important member of the Zain Group family and we will spare no efforts in supporting the team there to maintain the network and general operations," stated its Chairman Osamah Al Furaih. "Notwithstanding, we remain focused on mitigating the impact of the Sudan crisis through different Group-wide operational measures including cost optimization, network upgrades, driving enterprise revenues, and the development of new lucrative business verticals across our footprint. Moreover, our Environmental, Social and Governance practices continue to be at the forefront of our sustainability and business strategies," he added. Bader Al Kharafi, Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, said: "Considering the excellent operational progress and digital transformation we have undertaken across our markets, its unfortunate that exceptional circumstances and network challenges in Sudan severely impacted our financial performance and customer base." "Nevertheless, we are pleased with the overall revenue growth across other key markets, and through our mitigation efforts, we are currently seeing improvements on multiple levels in Sudan from the many network service availability and customer initiatives we are undertaking," he added.-TradeArabia News Service South Korean builder GS Engineering & Construction Company has announced that one of its key units has secured a 2.4 trillion-won ($1.7 billion) contract from Oman government to build a desalination facility in the sultanate, reported Yonhap. GS Inima Environment will be signing the big deal with Oman Power & Water Procurement Company (OPWP) for the timely completion of project by 2027, stated the report citing the environment ministry. Under this contract, GS Inima will have the rights to operate the desalination facility for 20 years following its completion. The key facility, which will come up in capital Muscat, will boast a capacity of 300,000 tonnes per day of drinking water to local residents, it added. Spanish utility major GS Inima has announced that it has signed an agreement with Oman's Nama Power and Water Procurement for the development of third phase of Ghubrah, the largest desalination plant in the sultanate. The RO125 million ($324 million) project is being developed as a consortium led by GS Inima with partners Saudi-based Aljomaih Energy and Water Company and Omani construction group Sogex under the Capital Desalination Company umbrella. On completion, Ghubrah III will boast a production capacity of 300,000 cu m per day of desalinated water. The agreement was signed by Marta Verde, CEO of GS Inima and Chairperson of the Capital Desalination Company, and Ahmed bin Salem bin Mohammed Al Abri in the presence of Dr Saud bin Hamoud Al Habsi, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources, As the EPC contractor, GS Inima will be reponsible for the design and construction of the plant. The commercial operations are likely to start in the first quarter of 2027. A world benchmark in the water sector with more than fifty years of experience, GS Inma is one of the leading companies globally in water desalination and treatment, and a pioneer in desalination by reverse osmosis. Verde expressed delight at being a partner in developing energy and water projects in the sultanate and valued Nama's trust in developing an important project like the Ghubrah III desalination plant. "We are aware of the importance of this project and how it will contribute to prevent water scarcity. This is an example of good work and cooperation between the government and the private sector, based in anticipating and addressing the population needs to cover them with the most efficient solutions," she stated. "Our commitment is fully aligned with the Sultanate of Oman to help in achieving its strategy and objectives," she added. Al Abri said this agreement confirmed Nama's commitment to meeting the growing demand for water and electricity and continuous work on implementing new projects to achieve energy security and provide fresh water through expanding the production of energy and desalinated water at the best economic cost. The plant's area exceeds 70,000 sq m and includes a potable water tank with a capacity of 45,000 cu m per day, he added. Diriyah Company, the developer of a giga project in Saudi Arabia, said it aims to forge closer partnerships with over 300 UK business leaders who are taking part in the Great Futures Forum in capital Riyadh. Over 750 participants are attending the event which kicked off yesterday (May 14) at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). The event launches a year-long campaign designed to exhibit British expertise and contributions pivotal to advancing Saudi Arabias Vision 2030. Of those, over 300 UK business delegates are seeking areas of mutual economic benefit and partnership in development diverse sectors focusing on business, tourism and culture, showcasing the best of UK excellence and innovation in those sectors. The initiative further solidifies the deep-rooted and expanding partnership between the UK and Saudi Arabia, based on a strong history of diplomatic, economic, and commercial cooperation. Diriyah Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo joined other leaders of Saudi Arabias giga projects at the event to present Diriyahs strategy, achievements, and future plans to encourage new UK partnerships for the multi-faceted business opportunities that the development has to offer. Existing relationships with UK partners include London-based architects HKS, who have designed the 20,000-seat Diriyah Arena, Foster & Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects and several other leading UK architects and design firms. Commenting on the event, Inzerillo said: "We are proud to have entered an exciting new partnership with the prestigious London Business School that will help to further enhance the skills set of our highly talented team and enable us to collaborate on highly focused and relevant business research together int the future." "We are excited to participate in this high-profile event and engage with some of the UKs finest organizations as we look to build new and rewarding partnerships with the enormous range of talent, innovation and economic experience offered by the UK. We have already partnered across multiple projects with UK firms and are delighted to have the opportunity to potentially expand our partnership portfolio with more inspiring sector and industry leaders from the UK," he stated. As all eyes are focused on Russia's aggressive push into the Khakiv region, Ukraine's military intelligence chief, currently bunkered inside the city, is warning that another Russian offensive on a different front is imminent. Russia is expected to launch an attack on the northeastern Ukrainian border region of Sumy after forcing nearly 6,000 people from their homes in the nearby Kharkiv region, as Ukraine's military struggles with shortages of troops, weapons and ammunition. "The situation is on the edge," Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, told the New York Times on Monday. "Every hour this situation moves toward critical." Budanov said Russia's Friday morning cross-border assault, which led to the capture of at least nine villages and settlements, left him hard-pressed to call in reinforcements because all available troops were either in Kharkiv or the city of Chasiv Yar in the Bakhmut region to the south. "I've used everything we have. Unfortunately, we don't have anyone else in the reserve," Budanov said during a video call from a bunker in Kharkiv. Budanov said Ukraine would likely be able to stabilize the front in Kharkiv in a few days, after which he anticipated a new Russia offensive against Sumy, about 90 miles to the northeast. On Tuesday, Budanov said in televised remarks that "a rapid trend towards a stabilization of the situation had emerged -- that is, the enemy is, in principle, already blocked at the lines that it was able to reach," Reuters reported. The situation is unfolding as Ukraine awaits $60.8 billion worth of American arms that recently started trickling in after the House of Representatives approved the military aid on April 21 following months of delays. What's happening in Kharkiv? At least 5,900 people have been evacuated from the border areas around the city of Kharkiv, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov told reporters on Monday, according to the Kyiv Independent. Only about 200 people remained in the town of Vovchansk, with urban combat continuing in its northern outskirts, Syniehubov said. Vochansk, about five miles from the Russian border, had a population of 17,000 before Russia invaded Ukraine in Feburary 2022 and occupied it, but the town was retaken by Ukraine during a September 2022 counteroffensive. Denys Yaroslavsky, a senior lieutenant in charge of a Ukrainian unit in Vovchansk, told the Times on Monday that Russian airstrikes were pounding the town. "They're dropping five to seven bombs every three minutes," Yarsoslavsky said by phone Monday morning. Hryhoriy Shcherban, a volunteer helping to evacuate the town, said he'd received more than 200 requests for assistance overnight. "We are driving around trying to find the addresses. Russia is shelling the evacuation road," he told the Times. "You can hear explosions all the time." Despite the intense combat, a top Ukrainian official told told AFP that the city of Kharkiv, Russia's second-largest after the capital of Kyiv, remained secure, according to the Kyiv Post. "We can say that we don't see any threat of assault on the city of Kharkiv," said Oleksandr Lytvynenko, the recently appointed secretary of Ukraine's Security Council. What's happening in Sumy? Ukraine began beefing up Sumy's border last month after Russian intensified its near daily shelling and raids against the region, the Kyiv Independent reported at the time. "Saboteur groups shoot at anything they see," Yevhen Tkachenko, an officer with the 129th Territorial Defense Brigade said. A military commander said the plan involved planting landmines and building fortifications to prevent Russian forces from crossing without suffering heavy casualties. In March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged $520 million to install three lines of defense along 1,240 miles of the border with Russia, with the lion's share of $38 million earmarked for Sumy. The following month, the Kyiv Independent reported seeing anti-tank concrete pyramids known as "dragon's teeth," ditches, trenches, dugouts with reinforced structures, firing positions and corrugated steel shelters along what it was told was Sumy's third line. On Tuesday, Budanov, Ukraine's military intelligence chief, warned that Russia had small groups of forces gathered around its town of Sudzha, across the border from Sumy. "As for the Sumy region, the Russians actually planned an operation in the Sumy region from the very beginning...but the situation did not allow them to take active actions and start the operation," he said. What is the U.S. doing? During an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said some of the American military aid had already arrived and more was "now on the way," the Associated Press reported. "We know this is a challenging time," Blinken said after meeting with Zelenskyy. But Blinken added that American arms were is "going to make a real difference against the ongoing Russian aggression on the battlefield." "The United States is determined, determined to help Ukraine succeed, succeed both in the battlefield victory but also succeed, as we would say, in winning the peace and building the strongest possible Ukraine," he said. President Joe Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan also said the administration was "trying to really accelerate the tempo" of weapons shipments, AP said. Blinken was scheduled to deliver a speech later Tuesday to tout Ukraine's "strategic successes" against Russia. During a speech last year in Helsinki, Finland, Blinken blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin for starting the war, calling it a "strategic failure" that left Russia "significantly worse off today than it was before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine -- militarily, economically, geopolitically." The University of Strathclyde has announced plans for a major scale-up of its activity in Bahrain to create University of Strathclyde, Bahrain. Partnering with S Eleven Educational, Strathclyde will bring its distinctive approach and extensive experience in driving local economic development to the project - capitalising on the universitys proven ability to cultivate leading-edge innovation ecosystems that activate Triple Helix collaborations between industry, public sector and academia, said a statement. The expansion will see the university building on its experience of working in Bahrain, where it has delivered MBA teaching in its international centre since 1995. The first phase of the new project based in the capital Manama - will focus on the education workstream with courses offered in a range of subjects across Engineering, Science and Business. Later phases will see developments in research and innovation. Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Strathclyde, said: We are delighted to significantly expand our operations in Bahrain. S Eleven have recognised Strathclydes distinctiveness in education, research and innovation and selected us as their preferred strategic partner to help deliver an exciting vision for Bahrains new economy. Strathclyde is already the anchor university within two thriving Innovation Districts - Glasgow City Innovation District (GCID), Scotlands first such entity, and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), and we look forward to helping to develop a similar ecosystem in Manama. We are attracted by the opportunity to broaden our horizons in Bahrain, expanding our activities and reach into the region generally, and nurturing a thriving community of learners and innovators in collaboration with S Eleven Educational. Accepting students from September 2024, teaching will take place in world-class educational and research facilities that boast cutting-edge amenities including laboratories, libraries, lecture halls, and an innovation hub. Students will primarily be drawn from the surrounding region, principally Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Khaled Al Hammadi, Managing Director of S Eleven Group, said: "This partnership with the University of Strathclyde is a significant leap forward in our mission to invest in the educational landscape and introduce global standards of learning to Bahrain and the broader region. This venture will not only provide unparalleled academic resources to our students but also attract international scholars and researchers, enriching our educational ecosystem. It mirrors the experience offered by Strathclyde in Scotland, extending its reach and impact to our shores." - TradeArabia News Service Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (Rakez) has showcased the strategic advantages of investing in Ras Al Khaimah during a recent business event in Jaipur, India. Experts from Rakez, accompanied by representatives from various entities in Ras Al Khaimah, participated in business roundtables and other discussions at the event organised by the UAE-India CEPA Council, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry. The trips key focus was on fostering bilateral trade and investment opportunities and encouraging further economic cooperation in various sectors. Dynamic hub The discussions highlighted Ras Al Khaimah as a dynamic hub for key industries such as tourism, manufacturing, startups, real estate, and technology. This platform saw over 30 Indian businesses from diverse sectors engaging with the Rakez team, demonstrating their keen interest in leveraging the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) for mutual benefit. The event not only reinforced existing ties, but also opened new avenues for future collaboration and investment. Rakez Group CEO, Ramy Jallad, said: The recent discussions with Indian entrepreneurs and industry leaders have been fruitful, enhancing our mutual understanding and uncovering exciting avenues for future collaborations under the CEPA framework. At Rakez, we are committed to our strategy of enhancing the economic landscape of Ras Al Khaimah by promoting its strategic location as a gateway to Mena region and global markets, and robust infrastructure to foster an environment that is conducive to the growth and success of businesses from India and around the world. The team also had the opportunity to engage in targeted meetings to discuss potential collaborations and share knowledge for mutual growth and development with business leaders and stakeholders from prominent sectors including chemicals, building materials, metals, IT, digital technology, and renewable energy. Collaborations Particularly in healthcare, the team explored opportunities for collaboration in telemedicine, medical tourism, and specialised healthcare facilities, which are rapidly gaining traction in global markets. In the technology sector, discussions focused on forging partnerships in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, setting the stage for innovative collaborations. Four Winds Saudi Arabia Limited, a Saudi leader in comprehensive and integrated moving and logistics services since 1979, is participating as a Principal Sponsor at the 2024 FIDI Conference at Edinburgh, Scotland, from May 12 to 15, 2024. Nizar Al Mani, CEO of Four Winds Saudi Arabia Limited, said: "Our principal sponsorship of the FIDI Conference 2024 signifies a strategic move to enhance our international presence. Participating in this prestigious event within the moving and relocation industry enables us to expand our global partnerships and reinforce our robust market relationships. This opportunity allows us to improve our operations and offer comprehensive moving and logistics services globally, including moving and relocation of antiques and artwork, live events, personal luggage, medicines and pharmaceuticals, general cargo, perishable items, and hazardous materials, and more." Latest advancements The FIDI Conference 2024 is showcasing the latest advancements in international moving and relocation industry. This premier event will unite member companies from over 100 countries, offering unparalleled opportunities to fruitful business connections. Attendees also have the chance to engage with numerous global experts. Building on last year's success, which saw participation from over 550 specialists, this year's conference promises to be an equally impactful gathering. FIDI is the largest global alliance of international moving and relocation companies, with members in over 100 countries. All FIDI affiliated companies have one thing in common: their high level of quality service - and they can prove it. The FAIM and FIDI DSP Quality labels, mandatory for all FIDI members, are the most stringent and comprehensive quality standard for the international moving and relocation industry, regularly audited by an independent third-party, EY.--TradeArabia News Service As part of its expansion investment strategy, Almarai has signed agreements with five leading global poultry companies worth over SR500 million ($136 million) to expand poultry production and increase the firm's market share. Almarais market share currently stands at over 250 million birds annually, with plans to increase production capacity to over 450 million birds annually by 2027. This was announced on the opening day of the third edition of the Middle East Poultry Exhibition, inaugurated by the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli. The show is being held from May 13 to 15, 2024 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre, under the title "Value Engineering", with the participation of more than 300 companies from 40 countries around the world. Almarai's agreements are part of the company's investment plan for the next five years, during which the company will invest SR7 billion to expand poultry production and contribute to achieving self-sufficiency. This is also part of the sector's contribution to the growth of the national economy and confirms Almarai's growing role in achieving the kingdom's Vision 2030. Diamond sponsor Following the signing, the Minister honoured Almarai for its participation as a diamond sponsor. He then visited Almarai's booth at the exhibition, where he was briefed by Abdullah bin Nasser Albader, the CEO of Almarai, on the company's future projects to expand poultry production.--TradeArabia News Service DP World has opened three major new sites in Romania, providing a significant boost to the countrys growing status as a key hub of European trade and enabling economic growth throughout the region. The Dubai-based group has invested over 250 million ($269 million) in Romania since 2004, including grants from the European Union. Constanta, the largest container port on the Black Sea, is now home to two new facilities following a 65 million investment: a 5-hectares project' cargo terminal for heavy, large and complex cargo, and a new roll-on, roll-off (RO-RO) terminal that will handle up to 80,000 vehicles per year at its peak. A further 50 million will be invested in a new multi-transport platform in Constanta that will open in 2025. DP Worlds third new facility opening today is in Aiud, in the industrial heartland of Romania, which is now home to a new 8-hectares 'intermodal logistics hub connecting rail and road, following a 21 million investment. The new facilities will improve the connectivity between DP Worlds existing sea, rail, barge and truck services across Romania and will enhance the movement of goods between mainland Europe through to the Black, North and Adriatic Seas. DP World has invested over 250 million in Romania since 2004, including grants from the European Union. The latest infrastructure projects were announced as DP World marks the 20th anniversary of its investment in Romania, the first European country in which it expanded. Rashid Abdulla, the CEO and Managing Director at DP World Europe, said: "Romania is a dynamic economy and well positioned to benefit from the rise in nearshoring and manufacturing. DP World looks forward to building on our long-standing relationship with Romania, and to deploying our latest investments to support Romania as it plays an increasingly important role in trade and economic growth in the region." Cosmin Carstea, the CEO of DP World Romania, said the latest investments in Romania will increase the cargo flows by around two million tonnes per annum through the country. "We believe that with this investment, DP World in Constanta will significantly strengthen its position as one of the most important container and RO-RO hubs in Central and Eastern Europe. To aid this, we also plan to open a centre of excellence for services in the Balkans, to facilitate trade for the countries around Romania," stated Carstea. Sorin Grindeanu, the Minister of Transportation of Romania, said: "The Romanian government welcomes DP Worlds latest investment in Romanias logistics infrastructure." "DP World has been a strong partner to Romania for twenty years. Constanta port has opened Romania to new markets and trading opportunities, provided stable and skilled jobs and catalysed the development of a whole host of adjacent businesses," he stated. Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat) has announced a strategic partnership with iMedia 24/7, a leading UAE media company. As a key development in the recently launched Project Landmark initiative, iMedia 24/7 has secured exclusive naming rights to four Emarat service stations, a milestone towards elevating customer experiences and setting new standards for fuel companies both in the UAE and globally. Following the successful launch of Emarats Project Landmark in March, this new partnership continues to push the boundaries of traditional service stations, incorporating unique branding opportunities. Rebranding stations iMedia 24/7 is the second strategic partner to leverage the benefits of rebranding Emarat stations, following the inaugural strategic partnership with Al Maryah Community Bank. The Emarat and iMedia 24/7 brand identity will be creatively applied to stations in strategic locations through a co-branding initiative. The brand transformation is underway with facade redesigns and upgrades to surrounding spaces and facilities, aligning them with the company's brand and visual identity. The "Landmark" project represents a significant advancement in the fuel station sector, both within the UAE and globally. Through this initiative, "Emarat" has redefined its strategic partnership model, aligning with its commitment to delivering value-added services and enhancing customer experiences. This underscores the company's unwavering commitment to excellence in service quality for the public. Unique advertising platform Eng Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, Director General of Emarat, said: With this partnership, we are proud to reinforce the significance and success of the landmark project. Serving as a comprehensive and integrated platform, it stands as a unique advertising platform that amplifies the visibility of diverse company brands. Furthermore, it emphasises the economic viability of our business operations and activities while delivering value-added services to our esteemed customers. This alliance represents our dedication to nurturing enduring relationships, enriching our service stations, and offering unparalleled value to both our customers and partners. "This partnership with iMedia 24/7, a leading UAE media company, exemplifies Emarat's unwavering commitment to bolster cooperation with both local and international entities, solidifying our reputation within the wider public and the business community alike," Al Shamsi added. Rafiq Abu Hijleh, founder at iMedia 24/7, said: iMedia 24/7, a leading entity in the advertising sector, led by an experienced leadership with over two decades of expertise in media, is embarking on a new initiative through its partnership with Emarat on the Landmark project. Leveraging our extensive industry experience, we are confident in our ability to steer this project towards success. Naming rights This partnership with Emarat will grants us exclusive naming rights and advertising privileges across four of its stations. It demonstrates our commitment to pioneering innovative advertising solutions and our dedication to fostering mutually beneficial relationships with esteemed partners like Emarat. The Project Landmark is pushing new boundaries and ensuring that Emarat remains at the forefront of the industry, demonstrating the economic viability and strategic importance of transformative partnerships in the region. Through these strategic partnerships, leading local and international brands can reach their customers even more effectively through the new rebranding opportunity and Emarat can continue to transform its service offering. For over four decades, Emarat has been providing its services to millions of customers across Dubai and the Northern Emirates, including supplying high-value and quality fuel, alongside various other retail activities, around the clock, seven days a week, through more than 139 service stations strategically located, which see a turnout of about 8,000 cars per day.--TradeArabia News Service Bahrain's Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) has signed an agreement with Thales, a global technology leader, to comprehensively revamp Bahrains ID card system. This comes following the directives of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT). The agreement was signed by iGA Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Ali Al Qaed and Thales Vice President and Head of Identity & Biometric Solutions Domain (Middle East and Saudi Arabia) Yousaf Ghous in the presence of iGA directors and senior officials. Al Qaed said this agreement highlights iGA's dedication to the governments vision to develop Bahrains digital infrastructure, and the authoritys keenness to partner with international tech leaders in support of the kingdoms development. The agreement, he stated, comes following an extensive study by the Authority on ID card system renewal procedures, which are aimed at providing more efficient services. The study emphasized the necessity of adopting modern and sustainable technology which will offer cost-reduction benefits, including to printing system support and maintenance expenses. These benefits will help secure medium and long-term savings, he added. According to him, the agreement will see comprehensive changes to ID card printing systems. "In addition to improving the design and quality of ID cards, premium features such as biometric and security features will be enhanced," explained Al Qaed. The upgraded ID card system will align with the latest technologies and meet global standards for digital transformation, he added. On the deal, Ghous said the iGA partnership aligns with our mission to develop advanced solutions and products for public and private entities, enhancing their service quality. "The ID card system revamp is one of many digital initiatives the iGA anticipates this year to improve customer satisfaction among citizens, residents, business owners, and organizations," he noted. "This project reflects Thaless unwavering commitment to a safer and more sustainable world with secure identities for all. We proudly support Bahrain's 2030 Economic Vision to transition towards a more digitally driven, knowledge-based economy," he added.-TradeArabia News Service A comprehensive guidebook that shines a light on the thriving Saudi tourism industry and the Kingdoms ascendancy as a global tourist destination has been launched by AstroLabs, a leading business expansion platform in the Gulf. In the following years since the launch of Saudi Arabias Vision 2030, the Kingdoms tourism industry has seen phenomenal development fueled primarily by the expansion of diverse types and categories of tourism, causing an upsurge in international visits. The marked progress is characterised by ambitious goals and significant milestones, such as reaching the initial Vision 2030 target of welcoming 100+ million visitors in 2023, with plans to accommodate 150 million visits annually by the end of the decade, it says. The guidebook, titled Inside the Kingdoms Tourism Draw, offers a nuanced understanding of the immense potential of tourism to foster economic growth and drive the Kingdoms diversification, detailing how the sector has fared over the past eight years. By leveraging its position as the leading business expansion platform in the Gulf, AstroLabs has analysed first-hand sector knowledge for high-growth international and regional businesses that are setting their sights on the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia, it said. Inside the Kingdoms Tourism Draw serves as a strategic and practical compass for international and regional businesses looking to capture the untapped opportunities that the Saudi travel and tourism industry has to offer, including in giga projects such as Roshn, Diriyah Gate, AlUla and those associated with global events such as Riyadh Expo 2030. This guidebook, one of the most detailed analysis of the Saudi tourism market, reflects our deep commitment to support the continued development of thriving Saudi tourism as envisioned in Vision 2030 and offers global and regional companies a strong, well-defined roadmap for opportunities that align with the markets needs, remarked Joe Kobrianos, Chief Strategy Officer at AstroLabs. Kobrianos added: Over the course of this sectors growth so far, Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 606 million tourists since 2016, with 2023 hitting record-breaking numbers, resulting in a 68% increase ever since the rollout of the Vision 2030 this rapid development has pushed the Kingdom to diversify its economy further, attracting an influx of tourism-focused companies entering Saudis market. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive analysis and detailed insights on key market dynamics and the unique trends driving its record growth while identifying investment opportunities that exist and are emerging within the tourism industry, as well as highlighting the increased influx of tourism-focused firms seeking to establish a robust footprint in the Kingdom, the statement said. TradeArabia News Service The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially announced the nomination of artist and calligrapher Diaa Allam as a laureate for the 20th edition of the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture. This award honours individuals, groups, or institutions that seek to expand the scope of knowledge and raise awareness of Arab art and culture through their works and achievements. The nomination highlights Diaa Allam's role, supported by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) as a cultural ambassador, and encourages him to exhibit more projects that underscore the importance and diversity of Arabic calligraphy. Diaa Allam emphasised the role of the award in showcasing both Arab art and culture and enhancing their presence on the international stage, stating: The UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture is a reflection of the evolution, aesthetics, and diversity of the artistic scene in the Arab world, and of calligraphys potential and adaptability to contemporary developments. Conveying pride in his nomination for the international award, Allam added: This marks an important stepping stone that drives me to continue to showcase innovative artistic works and undertake new projects that can inspire a global audience, and I would like to thank Dubai Culture for their ongoing support in my professional career growth. Dr Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts & Literature at Dubai Culture, expressed the Authoritys delight in Diaa Allams selection as a laureate for the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, saying, The award represents a prestigious global platform that contributes to showcasing the principles of Arab arts and their role in deepening dialogue between cultures. Diaa Allams nomination is a testament to the impact of Arabic calligraphy on the global artistic scene, aligning with Dubai Culture's commitments to support creative individuals and talent and encourage them to exhibit their work to audiences around the world. Over the past decade, Allam has successfully developed his skills in various artistic disciplines, including murals, three-dimensional calligraphy, and digital design. He has conveyed the rich heritage and vitality of Arabic calligraphy through a modern lens with his high-quality experiments and diverse digitalized artistic releases. His ventures have spanned the realms of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, the metaverse, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Allam has collaborated with a range of international institutions, including the Louvre Museum and the Smithsonian Institute, and excelled at designing memorabilia presented to several global leaders, such as Pope Francis and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain. Allams unique artistic vision is exemplified through his contributions to events such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) at Expo 2020 Dubai, not including his work with global brands such as Rolls Royce, BMW, Dior, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Google, Apple, HSBC, Harrods. The UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture was established in 1998, in which the winners are chosen by the Director-General of UNESCO based on recommendations by an international jury comprising experts in the field of Arab culture whose members have distinguished themselves through their own influential artistic works. -TradeArabia News Service Bahrain has proposed proposed a number of initiatives, including holding a UN-backed international conference to resolve the Palestinian issue, for the approval of Arab leaders who will hold a summit in the Kingdom on May 16. Arab Foreign Ministers yesterday held their preparatory meetings ahead of the Arab Summit being held under the presidency of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the Sakhir Palace, said a Bahrain News Agency report. At the meeting, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that Bahrain would be honoured to host the conference, in support of the rights of the Palestinian people and to establish fair and lasting peace in the region. The meeting started with a speech by Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia, in which he highlighted his country's efforts during its presidency of the previous session of the Council of the Arab League to bolster joint Arab action and coordination. The minister said Saudi Arabia sought to develop an effective collective action framework to address pressing regional and international challenges, particularly the Palestinian cause. He noted that this was aligned with its firm commitment to defending Arab causes, and realising the aspirations of Arab leaders and peoples for peace, stability and development. Prince Faisal also stressed that the kingdom has worked since the start of the unprecedented attacks on the Palestinian people, in cooperation with Arab and ally countries, to exert all efforts in mobilising international support to put an end to the brutal Israeli attacks and limit the repercussions of the crisis and its expansion. He recounted the kingdom's hosting of the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit and its participation with the resulting ministerial follow-up committee to convey a unified position on supporting the Palestinian people to influential capitals and international organisations. Prince Faisal added that the Israeli occupational forces' continuous aggression and violation of all international laws and norms in the absence of international accountability measures has exacerbated the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe, weakened the credibility of the rules and institutions of the international system, and exposed the total inability of international institutions to maintain international peace and security. Prince Faisal also stressed that Saudi Arabia was adamant on the need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, ensuring adequate and continuous delivery of aid and finding a credible and irreversible path to a two-state solution, ensuring that the Palestinian people obtain their inherent right to self-determination and establish their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This aligns with the Arab Peace Initiative and the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy. The Saudi Foreign Minister underscored the importance of collaboration to advance joint Arab action and its mechanisms to address mutual threats and achieve security, stability and development in the region. He congratulated the Kingdom of Bahrain on its presidency the 33rd session of the Council of the Arab League and wished it success during its term. Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, then headed the preparatory meeting. He welcomed his Arab counterparts and thanked Prince Faisal for Saudi Arabia's efforts and contributions during its presidency of the 32nd session. Dr Al Zayani thanked Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul El Gheit and the General Secretariat's members for their cooperation with the kingdom in preparing for the Bahrain Summit. The Foreign Minister thanked the Arab ministers for receiving him during his Arab tour and for their cooperation and support of Bahrain's efforts. The minister emphasised that the 33rd Arab Summit comes at a critical time amidst economic challenges, tragic humanitarian conditions and regional and international conflicts that necessitate stronger cooperation and unity to defend common interests. He hoped that the Bahrain Summit will mark the beginning of a new phase of joint Arab action that is underpinned by historical relations, unity, cooperation, mutual respect, and collective security. In this regard, he emphasised that Arab countries must believe that their strength lies in their unity and pride in their identity and values, and their ability to optimally utilise human and natural resources to fulfill the aspirations of their peoples and future generations for sustainable development and living with freedom and dignity. The Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, continues to assert its commitment to upholding international law and implementing the principles of the charters of the United Nations and the Arab League, Dr Al Zayani said. He added that the kingdom has also affirmed its support for maintaining Arab cooperation and coordination to defend the interests of the Arab world, its security, stability and economic and social development. In this context, he reiterated Bahrain's call for effective Arab action based on three main pillars. The first pillar pertains to adopting comprehensive and sustainable peaceful solutions to end wars and settle conflicts. This applies mainly to putting an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people through a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, providing humanitarian requirements, granting them their legitimate rights of establishing an independent state based on the two-state solution and obtaining full UN membership. This also encompasses the rejection of military escalation in the region; within the framework of a joint strategic vision to establish fair, comprehensive and lasting peace, prevent the occurrence or expansion of conflicts and to resolve crises and disputes through dialogue and consultation. The minister said that the second pillar focuses on consolidating collaboration to build constructive and balanced Arab relations, on a basis of mutual respect, good neighbourliness and political and security coordination to counter foreign intervention and organised crime, which includes countering terrorism, hate speech and extremism. This pillar also aims to promote peaceful coexistence; Arab and international partnership to achieve water, food and cyber security; enhance maritime security and create a region free of weapons of mass destruction. The third pillar is completing the requirements of economic integration and joint Arab projects, especially in the areas of infrastructure; digital transformation; protecting the environment; facilitating the flow of trade and investment; coordinating humanitarian and development initiatives; exchange of expertise in women empowerment, youth and human rights; and development of health and educational services in line with unified Arab plans and strategies that support sustainable development. The Arab League Secretary General then gave a speech in which he thanked the Saudi Foreign Minister for his country's efforts during its presidency of the 32nd session of the Council of the Arab League. He also thanked him for his efforts as chair of the Arab-Islamic committee to end the war on Gaza. The Secretary General congratulated Foreign Minister Dr. Al Zayani on Bahrain's presidency of the current session which comes at a critical timing for the Arab world. He wished the minister and Bahrain success during the term. He said that the world recognised that regional stability remains fragile and susceptible to explosion as long as the Palestinian problem remained without a solution. He added that ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state were the only means of achieving long-awaited regional peace. Abul El Gheit said that Arab efforts focused on immediately ending the way, delivery of aid to the people of Gaza and rejecting any attempts for their displacement. This was in parallel with working on achieving the two-state solution and creating an irreversible track to establish a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Interview: Join hands for future success of Russia-China partnership, says Putin Xinhua) 08:03, May 15, 2024 MOSCOW, May 15 (Xinhua) -- On the eve of his two-day state visit to China, which starts on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a written interview with Xinhua that Russia and China are promoting the prosperity of both nations through expanded equal and mutually beneficial cooperation in economic and cultural fields. In the interview, Putin emphasized that the coordination of foreign policies between the two countries is propelling the establishment of a fair multipolar world order, which underpins the future success of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era. Putin highlighted that contemporary Russia-China relations transcend ideology and are a strategic choice made independently by the two countries regardless of the political situation. This choice is grounded in the extensive common interests, deep mutual trust, strong public support, and the genuine friendship between the peoples of the two countries. Both nations are jointly committed to safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security. "In a broader sense, we are working to contribute to the development and prosperity of Russia and China by enhancing equal, mutually beneficial economic and humanitarian cooperation, and strengthen foreign policy coordination in the interests of building a just multipolar world order. All this is the key to a future success of our comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era," said Putin. He noted that the partnership between Russia and China is always based on equality and mutual trust, mutual respect for sovereignty, and consideration of each other's interests. President Xi Jinping, a wise and visionary leader, plays a special and prominent role in the development of bilateral relations, he added. "We first met back in March 2010, and we have been seeing and calling each other regularly ever since. President Xi maintains a respectful, friendly, open and at the same time business-like style of communication," Putin said, adding that each meeting was not only a dialogue between old friends but also a fruitful exchange of views on bilateral and international agendas. Putin recalled that in 2013, President Xi chose Russia as the first destination of his state visit as China's head of state. After being re-elected as Chinese president in March last year, his first state visit was again to Russia. They spent nearly five hours together, holding one-on-one in-depth talks, followed by a day of substantive official events. "This unprecedented level of strategic partnership between our countries determined my choice of China as the first state to be visited after the official inauguration as the president of the Russian Federation," Putin emphasized. He pointed out that the deep and longstanding friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Russia and China has established one of the most important pillars of bilateral relations. Today, relations between Russia and China have reached their highest level in history, and despite a challenging international situation, the relationship continues to develop, he added. Putin underscored that this year is special for both countries, noting that October marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which is celebrating this significant historical moment with outstanding achievements. As a long-standing and reliable friend, Russia welcomes China's accomplishments, he said, adding that for three-quarters of a century, the two countries have navigated a long and sometimes difficult path, drawing lessons from different stages of their relations. Today, they recognize that complementary advantages are injecting strong momentum into the comprehensive and rapid development of bilateral ties, he said. Referring to the practical cooperation in trade and economic fields, Putin noted that the rapid development of Russia-China trade relations has been demonstrating strong immunity to external challenges and crises. In the past five years, trade between the two countries has doubled, he noted, saying that China has been Russia's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years, and in 2023, Russia ranked the fourth among China's trading partners. More than 90 percent of transactions between the companies from the two countries are settled in their national currencies, Putin added. Putin noted the two sides are systematically and consistently developing strategic cooperation in the energy sector, working on new large-scale energy projects. Supplies of Russian agricultural produce to the Chinese market are showing positive dynamics, initiatives in investment and production are being implemented, and transportation and logistics corridors between the two countries are operating smoothly and growing, he said. "I believe that Russian-Chinese economic ties have great prospects," Putin said. "We will try to establish closer cooperation in industry and high-tech, outer space and peaceful atom, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and other innovative sectors. We will keep working to provide favourable legal and organizational conditions for that and develop transport and financial infrastructure," he said. The years 2024 and 2025 are designated as the Years of Culture between Russia and China. Putin said he believes Russia and China have been inextricably linked for centuries, both by an extensive common border and by close cultural and people-to-people ties. Today, he said, there is high interest in Chinese culture and arts within Russian society. Putin noted that approximately 90,000 Russian students at various educational levels are learning Chinese, and tours and exhibitions involving Chinese artists have been highly successful. The number of tourists between the two continues to surge, with over 730,000 Russian citizens visiting China last year, he added. "I know that people in China are also keen to get acquainted with Russian literature, art and traditions. Our eminent theatre groups and musicians regularly perform in China, museums organize their exhibitions, and Russian films are run in cinemas. We are most willing to introduce our Chinese friends to historical, artistic and cultural heritage of multi-ethnic Russia in all its diversity," Putin said. The Russian president also shared his personal appreciation for Chinese culture. "I am always eager to discover China's unique and authentic traditions, especially during my visits to China. I know quite a bit about your martial arts, including Wushu, which is very popular in our country. I also have respect for Chinese philosophy. My family members are also interested in China, and some of them are learning Chinese." Putin highly values the collaboration between Russia and China on the international stage. He noted that the two countries hold similar or identical positions on key issues in the international agenda. Both advocate for the primacy role of international law, and support equal, indivisible, comprehensive and sustainable security at both the global and regional level with the UN's central coordinating role, he said, adding Russia and China also reject Western attempts to impose an order based on lies and hypocrisy, on some mythical rules of no one knows whose making. Currently, multilateral mechanisms such as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) are uniting countries of the "Global South" in a spirit of equality, openness, transparency and inclusiveness, pushing for reforms in the global governance system. Putin noted that with active participation from Russia and China, multilateral organizations and mechanisms that are independent of the West are successfully operating, saying that in their work they build on the principles of equality, justice, transparency, respect and consideration of each other's interests. "The Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, which have well established themselves as key pillars of the emerging multipolar world order, can be cited as vivid examples of such mutually beneficial cooperation. They have come to be reputable and dynamic international platforms whose participants build constructive political, security, economic and cultural and people-to-people interaction. Hence the ever increasing interest of other states in the work of these associations and the growing number of their participants," Putin said. With the expansion as a new starting point, the BRICS cooperation mechanism has entered a new era of "greater BRICS cooperation." Russia is the rotating chair of the BRICS this year. Putin stated that Russia's BRICS Chairmanship has gained a steady momentum, saying that full-scale work is underway on all three main pillars of cooperation -- politics and security, the economy and finance, and people-to-people exchanges, with more than 200 events planned during its chairmanship. "One of the main goals of the Russian Chairmanship is undoubtedly the seamless integration of the BRICS new members. We are actively assisting them in joining the existing network of cooperation mechanisms," he said. Another priority is to seek to continue coordinated work to enhance the visibility of BRICS in global affairs and build its capacity to promote a more democratic, stable and fair architecture of international relations, he added. "Cooperation within BRICS relies on the principles of mutual respect, equality, openness and consensus. That is why countries of the Global South and East, which see BRICS as a platform for their voices to be certainly heard and taken into account, find our association so attractive," Putin said. Regarding China's efforts towards the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, Putin expressed positive views on China's position. He said that China clearly understands the roots of the Ukraine crisis and its global geopolitical impact, as reflected in the "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis," a 12-point proposition issued by China in February 2023. The concepts and suggestions indicated in the document demonstrate the sincere desire of China to stabilize the situation, he added. Putin emphasized that the four principles for the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis recently proposed by Xi seamlessly fit in the above-mentioned document. "The steps build on the idea that we need to forego the 'Cold War mentality' and ensure indivisible security and respect for international law and the UN Charter in their entirety and interrelation," he said. "We have never refused to negotiate," Putin said. "We are seeking a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of this conflict through peaceful means. We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours." Putin also outlined the goals and plans for national development during his new term. He mentioned that the tasks proposed in the annual address to the Federal Assembly on Feb. 29, such as promoting regional development, boosting economic and social development, increasing the birth rate, supporting families with children, and eradicating poverty and inequality, are of great practical significance. "We recognize the scale of these challenges and can provide solutions. To do this we will rely on the consolidated will of our people, the necessary resources and capabilities, and the rich experience of interaction between the state, businesses and the civil society," he said. Putin pointed out that, calculated based on purchasing power parity, Russia has now been among the top five economies globally. "We are aiming for the top four largest economies on the planet. We prioritize such tasks as ensuring quality and the effective development across all spheres, as well as increasing our citizens' well-being," he said. "I am confident that we will implement all the strategic plans we have set. We are willing to work together with our partners worldwide, including China, our good neighbour and trusted friend," Putin said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Authorities are warning sailors to avoid a large zone in the Atlantic Ocean near the Spanish coast due to orcas who have been ramming boats. Two people had to be rescued over the weekend after an encounter with a group of orcas caused the boat to sink in the Strait of Gibraltar. Crew members said the orcas, also known as killer whales, had slammed the hull, damaged the rudder and caused a leak. A nearby tanker rescued the pair, according to the BBC. It is an ongoing problem in the area. There have been five sinkings in the waters in the past few years that are believed to be attributed to the same pod of orcas, according to the New York Times. Scientists from Spain, Portugal and Morocco have been studying the interactions in the so-called "orca alley." Wildlife officials say the orcas are not trying to attack the boats but appear to be trying to play. Officials say that boats should not stop if the orcas start approaching them but they should sail toward shallower waters toward the coast. They are also alerting sailors to avoid the area of the Gulf of Cadiz and the Strait of Gibraltar during the months of April to August, and sail as close as possible to the coast within the security limits. People on small boats are ured to make sure they are in areas of the boat that provide the greatest possible protection against possible sudden movements that could cause injuries or falling into the sea, and against blows caused by the orcas. The good news is that the number of interactions appears to be declining. The Atlantic Orca Working Group said the number of orca interactions with boats this year had dropped about 40 percent from previous years. Shoo Fee Ma Fee, renowned in Bahrain for its modern twist on Lebanese street cuisine, has unveiled its second location in Al Liwan, a vibrant mixed-use development in Hamala. This new branch maintains the restaurant's signature welcoming atmosphere while introducing a sophisticated loft design that blends seamlessly with the local ambiance. Known for its authentic and communal dining experience, the restaurant continues to foster community connections in its expanded presence. Originally established in Adliya, the 14-year-old restaurant group was one of the first to bring the best of the backstreet dishes of Beirut including shawarma, manaeesh, fetta, Lebanese grills, and a large number of hot and cold mezza. Its philosophy of communal dining and camaraderie over shared dishes has made Shoo Fee Ma Fee popular among foodies all over Bahrain. "Al Liwan is the perfect setting for Shoo Fee Ma Fee, reflecting our ethos of community and shared experiences," explains Mohamed Alojaimi, founder of Shoo Fee Ma Fee. "Here, amidst the bustling plazas and serene green spaces, our restaurant invites families and friends to engage over meals, in true Lebanese communal dining tradition." The grand opening was held at a private event on May 15 with the attendance of Ali bin Sheikh Abdul Hussein Al-Asfour, Governor of the Northern Governorate. It also featured an array of the restaurant's staple dishes. Shoo Fee Ma Fee features an all-day dining Lebanese menu that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant has earned a loyal customer base and favourable reviews for its commitment to quality in every dish as well as for its friendly and family-oriented atmosphere. -TradeArabia News Service Autel Energy, a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging products and services, will show the 640 kW MaxiCharger DC HiPower for fleet operators and heavy-duty transport at the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit (EVIS) 2024. The event will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from May 20 to 22, 2024. In the swiftly evolving electric vehicle (EV) realm, the need for swifter, more effective charging solutions is now more urgent than ever, particularly for heavy-duty transportation. The MaxiCharger DC HiPower sets a new standard in ultra-fast charging, boasting a maximum output power of 640 kW and liquid-cooling technology. With the ability to provide up to 250 miles of range in just 10 minutes, it addresses the pressing need for rapid charging solutions, catering to fleet operators and stakeholders in heavy-duty transportation. Key features of the MaxiCharger DC HiPower include: Reliable Performance Reliable equipment: Power modules with a failure rate below 0.2% and isolated design ensure uninterrupted system operation. Reliable Communication: 3-channel distributed communication technology. Reliable Charging: Up to 99.5% vehicle compatibility and a 99% first-time charging success rate. Intelligent Solutions One-click guided commissioning ensures a step ahead in site construction. Enjoy intelligent dynamic load balancing for on-demand charging, improving the efficiency of grid electricity utilisation. Utilising advanced vehicle recognition technology to estimate charging time and enhance the charging experience. Scalable Adapt the dispenser count based on demand, enabling simultaneous charging for up to 8 vehicles. The power capacity of the cabinet can be expanded from 320 kW to 640 kW by adding modules. Fast Charging A robust 640 kW power pool ensures ample power output. Max. 480 kW single cable output power with liquid cooling system, allowing for one second of charging to drive one kilometre. Robust Design Engineered to thrive in extreme climates, our DC HiPower operates flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -35 to +55, with IP54 protection against dust and water. Kemin Zuo, Regional Director of Autel IMEA (India, Middle East, Africa and Turkey), said: MaxiCharger DC HiPower represents a new milestone of Autel's comprehensive intelligent charging ecosystem. Autel Energy is steadfast in its commitment to crafting more integrated solutions tailored to diverse customer needs and scenarios, and aims to play a pivotal role in fortifying sustainable transportation networks in UAE. Consumers visiting Autel Energy's booth at EVIS will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the innovation and performance of the MaxiCharger DC HiPower along with other product lines for both commercial and residential applications. Reservations and on-site purchases will be available.--TradeArabia News Service Chinas SOUEAST Motor aims to expand its presence to 80-plus countries, establishing 1,500 sales networks. We will invest in 10 KD factories and three manufacturing centres worldwide, aiming to achieve the strategic goal of 500,000 units in overseas sales by 2029, said Ke, Vice President of SOUEAST Motor at the "Hi, SOUEAST" Global Investment Promotion Conference in Fuzhou, China, attracting hundreds of potential partners from 23 countries. "Our strategic goal is building a world-class brand, becoming a first-tier exporter in China, he said. 13 innovative models By leveraging the top R&D team and world-class supply chain, SOUEAST Motor plans to launch 13 innovative models within five years, spanning ICE, PHEV, and BEV options across SUVs and sedans to target diverse global markets from B to D segments. At the conference, SOUEAST Motor unveiled its latest flagship, the S09, featuring 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive options, which will launch in Saudi Arabia in 2024. Focusing on technology and luxury, the S09 boasts a new style design, an intelligent space, an exceptional powertrain, and exquisite craftsmanship. Meanwhile, SOUEAST Motor's foray into the Middle East marks a pivotal chapter in global journey. The construction of a sprawling 6,500-sq m spare parts warehouse in Dubai is a testament to SOUEAST Motor's commitment to serving the Middle East market. SOUEAST's business strategy is as bold as its brand. While most car manufacturers rely on major distributors to conduct their business in KSA, SOUEAST have taken a different approach by setting up their own international offices in the capital city of Riyadh. Higher level of service This means that it can provide a higher level of service in all aspects than any other car manufacturer. Its customers will have direct access to the principal company in KSA. Unlike other auto brands, car services will not be a major issue for SOUEAST, as their maintenance centres and other services will be directly supervised by their subsidiary in KSA. This will be a game-changer in the automobile industry in KSA. For sales, a few selected dealers will be assigned to each region, which will be monitored by the subsidiary in KSA. All showrooms and other facilities will be jointly developed with them. At the conference, SOUEAST Motor unveiled its EASE YOUR LIFE proposition, centered around stylish, comfort and warm-tech automotive solutions aimed at providing modern urbanites with an ease and comfortable experience amidst their fast-paced lives. Chen, President of SOUEAST Motor International, said: We proactively develop LHD, RHD and EU markets, relying on four pillars which are new brand, new products, new channels and new marketing. We will provide various support for our global partners, including support from after-sales service, KD factory construction, finance, IT system, personnel allocation and business policy.--TradeArabia News Service Neosun Energy, a leading global developer of solar energy solutions, has announced the opening of a new regional office in Dubai, UAE, extending its global footprint to the MENA market, with plans to open new offices in Saudi Arabia and Oman soon. According to the International Energy Agency, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is projected to add 62GW of renewable energy capacity over the next five years, aligning with the commitments made at COP28. This surge in renewable energy deployment is expected to surpass previous growth rates, with solar capacity accounting for over 85 per cent of the expansion. The unique climatic conditions of the MENA region make it an ideal center for solar energy production. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have one of the highest solar exposure rates globally, with solar irradiance from around 2,285 kWh/m2 to 7,004 kWh/m2, said Ilya Likhov, CEO of Neosun Energy. Historically known for its abundant oil reserves, the MENA region is now witnessing a paradigm shift towards sustainable energy sources, with a concerted effort to harness its vast natural resources for renewables. As solar energy is the most cost-effective form of energy generation today, the MENA countries can produce the cheapest electricity. All of this is fertile ground for local entrepreneurs to utilize solar energy solutions to make their businesses more profitable, emphasized Likhov. One of the key advantages of Neosun's solar installations is their adaptability for remote and off-grid locations, addressing the challenges of limited or unreliable conventional electricity access. By harnessing solar energy, businesses in remote areas can initiate operations independently of the grid, unlocking new avenues for economic growth and development. We are already in talks with potential partners in the MENA region. We strongly believe that the new Neosun Energy office will help to be closer to local businesses and commercial enterprises to provide them with affordable solar energy solutions: be it solar plants, innovative energy storage systems, or portable Power Hubs. Using the new solar energy technologies will help local businesses to increase their cost efficiency and investment attractiveness, concluded Likhov. --OGN/TradeArabia News Service Al Hassan Ghazi Ibrahim Shaker Co has posted a first-quarter (Q1) net profit of SR32.25 million ($8.6 million), up 12.09% YoY, driven by strong revenue growth, enhanced operational performance, and lower finance costs. Saudi Arabias leading manufacturer, importer and distributor of air conditioners and home appliances saw a Q1 revenue of SR413.24 million, up 19.24% year-on-year (YoY), driven by higher sales in the HVAC solutions segment and balanced growth across the companys brand portfolio. Gross profit of SR97.77 million was up 12.24% YoY in line with higher revenues and a favourable portfolio mix. Operating income Operating income of SR31.35 million rose 9.59% YoY, primarily driven by higher revenues, and gross profit, offsetting the higher SG&A expenses in line with increased strategic marketing efforts. EPS of SR0.67 per share, improved by 12.09% YoY. Mohammed Ibrahim Abunayyan, Chief Executive Officer at Shaker, said: "Shaker's Q1-FY24 results are a strong start to the year, building on the momentum we established throughout 2023. Our focus on core business segments, brand diversification, and operational efficiency has continued to cement our market leadership. We are especially proud of achieving a strong balance across our brand portfolio, demonstrating our agility and commitment to catering to evolving customer preferences. This customer centricity is a cornerstone of our vision, and it's reflected in our ongoing efforts to expand our digital footprint and enhance the user experience on our e-commerce platform. These factors, combined with our commitment to innovation, as exemplified by the recent MoU with LG Electronics and MISA, position Shaker for a future of industry leadership. Looking ahead, we are excited to share our new growth strategy by mid-2024. This will guide our future direction while positioning Shaker at the forefront of innovation and sustainable growth." Reduction in net debt Demonstrating its commitment to achieving sustainable growth while strengthening its financial health, Shaker achieved a significant 24.08% reduction in net debt. This strategic deleveraging along with optimising the usage of short-term loans and Letter of Credits (LC) has resulted in a decrease in finance costs, positively impacting net profit. Additionally, further improvements in inventory management and working capital resulted in strong cash generation from operations, reaching SR30.98 million. In February 2024, Shaker signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LG Electronics and the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) to explore local manufacturing of AC compressors in the kingdom. This marks a significant leap towards localising the production of the most technologically complex component of AC units. Localisation In March 2024, Shaker also announced the localisation of manufacturing of LG Electronics Multi V5 unit featuring the Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology at its LG-Shaker factory in Riyadh. This cutting-edge technology is known for its energy-saving capabilities, space-efficiency, and reliability which will primarily target large residential projects as well as commercial and hospitality projects. These strategic developments mark a new era in the Saudi market, while aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and strengthening Shakers value chain in its HVAC segment. Shaker continued to expand its digital footprint, as its e-commerce platform experienced strong growth driven by ongoing efforts to improve user experience and broaden online offerings. Additionally, the upcoming transition to SAP's S/4HANA ERP system, on track for full roll-out by Q3-FY24, will further optimise operational efficiency and e-commerce capabilities. The unveiling of a new growth strategy is expected by mid-2024, and will position Shaker for long-term growth.--TradeArabia News Service Spinneys, a leading fresh food retailer in the UAE, has seen its Q1 2024 total revenue grow by 10.9% year-on-year to AED815 million ($222 million). Record sales were driven by strong like-for-like growth, up 10.0% in the period. E-commerce sales increased by 10.9% year-on-year, surpassing AED110 million, representing 14% of total revenue. Gross profit Gross profit increased by more than 15% year-on-year, with margins expanding by 150bps. Gross Profit margins were robust, reaching 41.2% in Q1 2024, a 150-basis point improvement versus the prior year. This margin expansion was mainly due to the groups efficient sourcing and supply chain capabilities, alongside its successful private label strategy. Adjusted EBITDA totalled AED151 million in the first quarter, up 8.7% year-on with an Adjusted EBITDA margin2 of 18.5%, impacted by one-off IPO related costs of AEDc.10 million and pre-store opening expenses in Saudi Arabia. Profit for the period increased by 12.8% year on year to AED75 million, with a net profit margin of 9.2%, a c.20 basis point improvement from the prior year. Profit for the period increased by 12.8% year on year to AED75 million. Spinneys expects to launch in Riyadh in H1 2024, marking its first-ever expansion into Saudi Arabia. Strong start Sunil Kumar, Chief Executive Officer at Spinneys, commented: "We are very pleased with our strong start to 2024, a year which will be Spinneys first as a listed company. Our performance in the first quarter underscores the strength of our business model and has been enabled by our relentless pursuit of growth. This provides us with a solid foundation to maintain our already strong momentum through the coming periods. With our entry into the highly-attractive Saudi market set to take place in the current quarter, we look forward to continue delivering exceptional value to our customers, achieving sustainable growth and creating long-term shareholder value." Spinneys saw strong growth in the number of transactions through the first quarter, up 9.5% year-on-year to 802k in Q1 2024. Average basket size grew by 1.0% year-on-year, supported by continued strength in customer demand. Online sales and penetration Spinneys e-commerce sales increased by 10.9% year-on- year, surpassing AED110 million for the period. Overall e-commerce sales as a percentage of revenue reached 14% in the period. Spinneys remains committed to developing its digital retail offering to meet evolving consumer preferences and growing demand, having recently completed the soft launch of its Spinneys Swift app to offer a hyperlocal delivery service to customers. Spinneys opened three new stores in the twelve-month period between Q1 2023 and Q1 2024, with the group operating a total of 75 stores as at the end of March 2024. The three new stores were partially offset by the closure/transfer of two stores. Spinneys remains committed to expanding the number of stores within its portfolio, tapping the significant whitespace opportunity in both the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. La Strada, the first Saudi store in Riyadh, is expected to open in H1 2024. Spinneys growth potential is supported by a number of important drivers, with healthy progress made in several key areas, including: New stores New stores pipeline for UAE in 2024: Significant whitespace opportunity in the UAE, with three new stores expected to open in the year. New stores pipeline for KSA in 2024: La Strada store expected to launch in Saudi Arabia in H1 2024, with three more stores targeted to open by the end of the year. The Kitchen, by Spinneys: First standalone dining concept expected to launch in H1 2024. Spinneys Swift: completed the soft launch of Spinneys Swift app to provide a hyperlocal delivery service to customers.--TradeArabia News Service The ancient city of AlUla in northwest Saudi Arabia has been honoured for its sustainable expo stand at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai. AlUla Green Initiative 2024, the stand of the luxury boutique heritage destination, won the Sustainability Stand Award, out of 2,844 other competing stand designs at the event. The stand was built with eco-friendly materials such as recycled wood and metal sourced from local suppliers, energy-efficient lighting, and advanced waste management systems an approach leveraged to significantly minimise the environmental impact while adhering to stringent sustainability standards. Additionally, the reusable stand can be packed into a single pallet for low-carbon transportation. The stand also uses digital content instead of paper collateral, and incorporates reusable elements like furniture and structural components, including steel frameworks and flooring. Environmentally-friendly measures also included the use of ecological paints and medium-density fibreboard (MDF) that contains no added formaldehyde. The response to our sustainable stand at ATM 2024 has been overwhelmingly positive, said Rami Almoallim, Vice President of Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). "Our dedication to sustainability extends beyond mere participation. With initiatives such as the Sharaan Planting Initiative and our comprehensive carbon offset program launched on-site, we aim to inspire every individual to contribute to environmental conservation. This award arrives just after the launch of our first global brand campaign, 'Forever Revitalising, which encapsulates and amplifies AlUla's core sustainability ethos. To further educate visitors about sustainability, LED screens at the stand displayed the eco-friendly features of the design and detailed the carbon offsets achieved by these measures. Additionally, as part of a broader digital engagement strategy, attendees were invited to register for complimentary tree planting at Sharaan Nature Reserve. This initiative offers each participant geolocations for their tree, along with regular updates and photos, fostering greater transparency and engagement. In a proactive measure to minimise its environmental impact, AlUla has pledged to offset all emissions associated with ATM 2024, including those from stand construction, staff air travel to Dubai, and on-site activities. These offsets, secured through collaboration with ClimeCo, were implemented before the exhibition began. Arabian Travel Market 2024, centred on the theme Empowering Innovation Transforming Travel through Entrepreneurship, concludes on 9 May. TradeArabia News Service UN Tourism has invited startups led by women and based in the Middle East to take part in a competition to support women entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of sustainable tourism and technology across the region. The second edition of its Women in Tech Startup Competition: Middle East welcomes enterprises operating within the tourism sector and related industries, and offer sustainable solutions for people, the planet, and prosperity. They must also be an entrepreneurial project at an early stage, idea stage, or Series A stage of their journey. Applications are open for the following three categories: People and Skills: this category calls for startups with environmental and sustainable approaches in education tech, social connectivity, wellness or health, with cross-cutting benefits with tourism. Green Travel Solutions: for startups that use environmentally friendly and sustainable approaches in green tech, green infrastructure, travel and logistics, urban development or rural development, with cross-cutting benefits with tourism. Market Innovators: for startups working with emergent technologies applied to tourism. UN Tourism has urged key global and regional partners and ecosystem collaborators to support the winning startups. Almosafer, Plug and Play, AIM, The Bench, Impulse4Women and Bilakatu will provide visibility, personalised mentorship, consultancy and access to potential investment to the best entrepreneurial solutions. This year's applications will be processed through Plug and Play's open innovation platform, the largest in the world, and the finalists will be invited to join the global UN Tourism Innovation Network. The launch of the competition was announced at the AIM Congress, a leading investment forum held in Abu Dhabi from May 7-9, during a special UN Tourism Investment Forum session on Investing in Innovation and Enabling Women Entrepreneurs. More than 140 startups and SMEs from 11 countries participated in the first edition of Women in Tech Startup Competition: Middle East Dubai and Abu Dhabi claimed top spots in the Top Meeting Destinations list compiled by Cvent, an industry-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, which also released its list of Top Meeting Hotels for the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region. These lists which also include regional rankings for North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe were compiled based on sourcing activity through the Cvent Supplier Network, one of the worlds largest venue-sourcing platforms. More than $16 billion of MICE business was sourced through Cvents online platforms in 2023. The annual Cvent Top Lists have become go-to resources for event organisers worldwide looking for incredible hotels and destinations to host their events. The company hosted a live press conference at IMEX Frankfurt to share more in-depth details and recognise top hotels and destinations in person. Cvent Top Meeting Destinations MEA The top two spots on the Top Meeting Destinations list were once again claimed by Dubai (#1) and Istanbul (#2). Abu Dhabi (#3) improved its 2023 ranking to round out the Top 3; Marrakech, Morocco (#4); Cape Town, South Africa (#5); Cairo, Egypt (#6); Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (#7); Doha, Qatar (#8); Johannesburg, South Africa (#9); Casablanca, Morocco (#10). Karina Lance, Associate Vice President, Dubai Business Events, said: Driven by the citys visionary leadership, Dubai continues to cement its status as a leading global business events hub, and we are delighted to once again be named the Top Meeting Destination in the Middle East and Africa. Engaging with meeting planners is at the heart of our strategy to capture business events, whether through technology platforms such as Cvent, meeting them in their home markets, or bringing them to Dubai to see and experience the citys latest offerings. Working with our stakeholders and partners across the citys business events ecosystem, we are committed to further elevating global awareness of the Dubai proposition, and attracting more meetings, conferences and incentives to our destination. Cvent Top Meeting Hotels MEA Conrad Dubai (#1); InterContinental Dubai Festival City (#2); Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel (#3); Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City (#4); Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights (#5); Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai (#6); JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai (#7); The St. Regis Downtown Dubai (#8); InterContinental Istanbul (#9); Grand Hyatt Istanbul (#10). TradeArabia News Service Airport Show, (May 14-16) being held in Dubai, heard that the city is expected to maintain the record of the largest airport for international traffic for the next 100 years. The expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) signifies a monumental leap for Dubai's aviation landscape, said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, while delivering the keynote address at the Global Leaders Forum (GALF) collocated at the 23rd edition of Airport Show. With a significant investment of AED128 billion, we're not just building another airport; we're shaping the very future of air travel and reimagining the airport of tomorrow. This project underscores Dubai's unwavering commitment to providing our diverse and rapidly growing number of guests, world-class infrastructure and experiences. As DXB continues to thrive, DWC's expansion will unlock new opportunities for travel, tourism, logistics, and trade globally. We're excited to collaborate with our partners and stakeholders on this transformative and ambitious journey, ensuring that Dubai remains at the forefront of the aviation industry for years to come. The government has made the commitment to the future of aviation, and we absolutely know we've been the world's largest airport for international traffic for the past 10 years. We expect to maintain and increase that lead for the next 100 years. So, if you think you've come to the right place to find out what innovation in the airport space is all about. Let me reassure you, you've made the right choice. And I hope that your journey through DXB on departure is as pleasurable as it's been on arrival. On sustainability, he said the productivity of sustainable aviation fuel cannot even keep pace with the growth of aviation. So, we've got to a situation where it's less than 1% of the total demand for jet fuel across the entire industry. We need some form of energy breakthrough that enables us to power our aerial vehicles in a very different way from using hydrocarbon-based fuel that's going to require technical breakthroughs. In the US, they're talking about industrialising nuclear fuel and if that's the case, that might make nuclear fuel for aircraft a reality and crucially make it safe in the future. Sustainability and convenience are going to be the driver of technical change in the future. I think that will cause us to rethink the way we design our airports, he said. About autonomous vehicles, he said: I'm just wondering in the future if we can make autonomous vehicles in the air and on the land, more of a practical reality, whether we could move away from hydrocarbon-based transportation by air in the future. I think the UAV market with electric vehicles is very, very exciting for the future. Addressing the session titled Flying forward, Navigating the Future of Aviation, Kashif Khalid, Regional Director Africa and Middle East Operations, Safety and Security, IATA, said: We can't overlook sustainability, youth empowerment, or emerging technologies like UAVs. With traffic expected to nearly double in the next two decades, the future looks promising. Panellist Sheikh Aiman bin Ahmed Al Hosni, CEO, Oman Airport Management Company, said the region is experiencing significant growth, especially in infrastructure investment. Muscat airport is opening a second runway in two days, reflecting our ongoing investment commitment. Over the past five years, we've witnessed double-digit growth, fuelled by new terminals and runways. GCC airports have made impressive strides in digital infrastructure, ensuring a seamless passenger experience. Collaboration among stakeholders is the key, enhancing efficiency and minimizing wait times. There's healthy competition to introduce seamless eGates, with Muscat airport leading the charge. We plan to replicate this investment across our other six airports. Panellist Aimen Abdulaziz AboAbah, CEO, Riyadh Airport Company, said: In Saudi Arabia, our airports are surpassing pre-pandemic figures, aligning with Vision 2030's ambitious goals. The region and the Gulf are back to normal ahead of a lot of countries. And if you look at the statistic in Saudi Arabia, most of our airports are 60% 30% 40% above of 2019 figures, which means we're just not back to normal, but we have started with the ambitious growth toward our vision. Investment opportunities abound, with multi-billion-dollar projects underway. Organised by RX, the London-based company that hosts over 400 events in 22 countries across 42 industry sectors, the Airport Show will see over 6,000 trade visitors and professionals in three days. Being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, Airport Show is being supported by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Dubai Airports, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), Emirates Airline and Group, Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans) and dnata, one of the world's largest air services providers with services across five continents. TradeArabia News Service A white man accused of shooting a mother of two Black sons reportedly yelled "dead n" before firing off several shots from his AK-47 into his unarmed neighbor, according to a family member who witnessed the shooting. John Shadbar, a 70-year-old convicted felon, is facing nine charges, including attempted first-degree murder and hate crime, in connection with the alleged racially-motivated shooting of Robertson in their Lockport Township, Illinois, neighborhood, according to authorities. On Wednesday, Shadbar was reportedly angered he was woken up from his nap by the sounds of 45-year-old Melissa Robertson's 7-year-old son and their 3-year-old neighbor jumping on a trampoline in their backyard. He allegedly confronted Robertson with his semi-automatic rifle; then things turned near-deadly. "I wasn't surprised by it. I was just really shocked that it happened the way it did. And it happened when it did," Mikeal Johnson, Robertson's 21-year-old son who was at work at the time, told HNGN on Monday. "He ventured into her yard shooting, and his normal racial slurs escalated as well... he's got a whole repertoire of slurs," Jeanne Beyer, Robertson's aunt, accused. "He started yelling dead n. Over and over." Robertson ushered the kids inside. The confrontation with Shadbar intensified and he subsequently fired off his rifle into her chest and hand. Robertson managed to crawl to the safety of her kitchen and call 911. The mom of two was transported to the hospital in critical condition, while Shadbar barricaded himself inside his home, before surrendering to authorities. "I thought he was all bark and no bite," Johnson said of the alleged harassment his neighbor subjected the family to over the years. "I thought everything he did was just an intimidation tactic. I never foresaw this happening. But I saw something similar happening. Just not as serious as it did." The family alleged Shadbar had been vocal about his prejudice against Black people since becoming neighbors 10 years ago, and the suspect's issues with the multi-racial family spiraled. "He'd take his motorcycle out of the garage and park it right by the fence and rev the engine as loud as it could go," said Beyer. "That's kind of his normal routine. He does that and then he goes and gets a gun and starts shooting the gun off into the air. Sometimes across the street into the forest. But this time it just escalated more than it ever has." Officers were called to the family's home three times for incidents involving Shadbar since March. "The first call was about Shadbar acting very agitated and yelling at the victim and her children. Deputies responded and resolved the issue," the Will County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook. "The second call regarded Shadbar shooting fireworks and possibly a gun over the victim's backyard fence. The victim stated that she had on-going issues with Shadbar." Authorities said there wasn't enough evidence to initiate an arrest, until last week's alleged shooting. "Many times she made the comment that it's gonna take somebody dying for the police to do anything," Beyer said. Robertson remains hospitalized in critical condition, but was recently taken off a ventilator. Her family has been by her side since day one. "She's fully aware of what happened. She has all her memories and she's just processing," said Johnson "She can't believe it got to this point of where he got that angry that he did what he felt he needed to do. She's hurt not just physically but emotionally, as well." During an investigation of Shadbar's home, officers allegedly recovered five illegally possessed weapons concealed behind a makeshift wall: two AK-47 rifles, a shotgun, and two handguns. Shabar was previously arrested for a felony in 1979, and his Firearm Owner's Identification Card which identifies a person as eligible to possess a gun was revoked, according to the WCSO. "This is going to be a traumatic experience that she's going to remember for a long time," Johnson said of his mom, "but she's strong." Britains national tourism agency VisitBritain and the Saudi Tourism Authority have signed a Declaration of Intent, setting out areas of co-operation between Britain and Saudi Arabia to develop and grow tourism. The declaration, announced during Great Futures (May 14-15), a major trade expo being held in Riyadh by the UK Governments Great campaign, in partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabias Government, was officially signed by VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates and the CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority Fahd Hamidaddin. VisitBritain and the Saudi Tourism Authority will collaborate on sharing knowledge and expertise on both domestic and international tourism. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said: This agreement offers enormous opportunities for Saudi Arabia and UK to boost tourism and underlines the close relationship between the two countries. We are proud to have hosted more than 165,000 friends from Britain between January and March this year and to have welcomed 100 million visitors in 2023. We are developing remarkable projects that celebrate our unique culture and heritage as part of our $800 billion (640 billion) investment in the Saudi tourism industry, aiming for them to become as iconic as UK attractions like the Tower of London and Stonehenge, and we see limitless potential ahead to welcome visitors from Britain and around the world. UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: Our tourism industry is an integral part of what makes Britain so great, from our breathtaking landscapes and coastlines, to the treasure trove of heritage and culture to be found in our towns, villages and cities all backed by a brilliant, dedicated workforce. Were committed to helping the sector keep growing from strength to strength and Im delighted that VisitBritain has signed this agreement so we can share the UKs invaluable expertise on tourism and gain key insights from our Saudi partners." VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates said: Visiting the UK is easier than ever for Saudi nationals with the roll-out of the Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme and we are delighted to sign this Declaration with the Saudi Tourism Authority, collaborating to drive growth from tourism between our countries. Working with the Saudi Tourism Authority also builds on our wider engagement in Saudi Arabia, from our ongoing work with the travel trade to sell British destinations to our Great Britain marketing campaigns to inspire more Saudis to choose Britain for their next visit. - Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council (ADBWC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support women-owned small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Etihad has teamed up with the Abu Dhabi businesswomen council to support the 25,000 women-owned SMEs operating in Abu Dhabi. Etihad will consider members of the organisation to be preferred suppliers when it comes to procurement and through its Business Connect programme will offer generous Etihad Guest Miles benefits when booking travel. Dr Nadia Bastaki, Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer, Etihad, said: "As the UAEs national airline, it is an honour for us to collaborate with Abu Dhabis Businesswomens Council to empower the thousands of female-owned businesses operating from our home, Abu Dhabi. It is crucial that we support women in our community and empower them to pursue their dreams. Our purpose is to give flight to ambition, and by being part of their journey, we can celebrate their success and inspire more women to become entrepreneurs. At Etihad, giving back to our community is critical and part of our social responsibility." Shaikha Al Nuwais, Board Member of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomens Council, said: This cooperation agreement with Etihad Airways aligns with our goal of empowering women in the business ecosystem and enhancing their presence in the rapidly developing aviation sector. We are committed to empowering and supporting the private sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and to enhancing the presence of businesswomen and female investors in the aviation sector. The aviation sector is witnessing remarkable development at local and global levels, which is in line with our aspirations towards empowering women in the business ecosystem and improving their skills and experience so that they can keep up with all economic, digital, and technological developments in various sectors she continued. We, at the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, are keen to provide more investment opportunities across a variety of economic sectors, both locally and globally. We strive to pave the way for female entrepreneurs and businesswomen to establish themselves in the thriving Emirati business landscape, through fostering their growth in new, diverse economic and investment fields, and aligning with the national aspirations and government directives to strengthen Abu Dhabis position as a distinguished destination for entrepreneurship. This partnership extends Etihads existing commitment towards local procurement, meaning Etihad looks to source from local suppliers and businesses wherever practical, said a statement. - TradeArabia News Service Limak Insaat, a key unit of leading Turkish conglomerate Limak Holding, has announced that work is nearing completion on the new Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 which will boast several sustainable features as well as key amenities. KIA T2 is expected to achieve Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for energy and environmental design and will have a capacity to handle 25 million passengers per year. The new Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 (T2) will serve as a symbol of Kuwaits progress and modernity and move the country one step closer to achieving its vision of becoming a financial and trade hub supporting the countrys aim to increase foreign investment. In December 2015, Limak Insaat Kuwait was the first construction company and the 12th overall to be established under the Foreign Direct Investment Law facilitated by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). The very next year, Limak was awarded the contract for the construction, completion, furnishing, and maintenance of Package 1 of the Kuwait International Airport (KIA) New Passenger Terminal (T2) project. In 2020, the Turkish company was awarded the second contract (this time Package 2) for the construction of the car park, service buildings, and roads leading to the terminal. And currently the ambitious Kuwait airport project is entering the final stages of construction. "We are thrilled to support the development of Kuwait and realise the ambitious vision of HH the Emir of Kuwait. For us, Kuwait is a home-away-from-home, and our commitment to its social and economic growth is deep-rooted. For the project to be sustainable and deliver economic benefits for the local economy and people, its important for it to be managed by Kuwaitis," remarked Ebru Ozdemir, the Chair of the Board of Limak Holding. "Additionally, through the T2 project, we launched the Kuwait Womens Economic Empowerment Platform (KWEEP), which aims to inspire and foster positive change in womens employment and leadership within the Kuwaiti private sector," she stated at an event held in Istanbul in the presence of HH the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, during his official state visit to Turkiye. For the first time, a Ukrainian-Greek Catholic Church is opening its doors for worship in Casper. Caspers Ukrainian Catholic Mission will hold its first service at 2 p.m., Saturday, and consist of a Byzantine Rite Divine Liturgy with a potluck afterwards and a Christian education class for children. The mission is holding services at 1474 Willer Drive. The mission comes from Cody, where it was birthed two years ago out of Ukrainians coming to Wyoming after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Before that, though, Lisa McDonald and her family lived there for eight years as the only family with any Ukrainian heritage. The McDonalds live in Casper now, and when the priest from Codys mission asked McDonald if she would like to help set up a Ukrainian-Greek Catholic Church in Casper, she immediately said yes. The fact that her family isnt the only one with Ukrainian heritage in the Oil City helped, she said. Its tripled in Casper, at least tripled from when I moved here, she said of the number of Ukrainians in Casper. At that point, I knew maybe about three, four families and now we have closer to probably 15. McDonald has been slowly migrating south from where she grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, where there was and is a sizable community of Ukrainians. She grew up in the Ukrainian-Greek Catholic faith. I grew up involved in all types of Ukrainian things. I spoke Ukrainian to my grandparents, I went to Ukrainian schools, she said. She worked on a masters degree in Ukrainian folklore and started a Ukrainian restaurant in Canada. Now, she bakes Ukrainian wedding breads to ship around the country and teaches class on Ukrainian Easter Egg making. She will be part of the founding families of Caspers mission. While the Ukrainian Catholic Church is in communion with the Roman Catholic Church, there are a few differences. Ukrainian Catholic churches, or missions, use icons. Their priests can get married and have children. They have richer and more beautiful vestments for priests, who wear them as they lead services. This is just another opportunity for Ukrainians to gather and celebrate their faith, she said. But you dont have to be Catholic or Ukrainian or either to come, she added. Anyone is welcome. Im just so thrilled that were able to do this here in Casper. Im very excited, she said. First Citizens has announced its continued sponsorship of the National Secondary Schools Entrepreneurship Competition (NSSEC). It is an initiative aimed at fostering innovation, leadership, and business acumen among young students outside the traditional school system, the bank said in a media release yesterday. A wanted man was shot and killed by Arizona state troopers, on Monday, days after he allegedly shot and killed his mother and sisters in a Mississippi home. Ida Thomas Welch, 76; Vicky Renee Welch, 56; and Crystal Lynn Welch, 42 were found dead on Mother's Day, after a relative requested a wellness check. The women's bodies were located in Ridgeland - a city north of Jackson. Ridgeland Police Chief Brian Myers alleges that Ida's son, Ivory James Welch III, went on the run, shortly after his female relatives were killed. "An arrest warrant was obtained and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force began searching for Welch," Myers said in a press release. "Arizona State Troopers attempted to apprehend Welch and he fired upon the troopers and was fatally wounded in the gunfight." Crystal Welch was a prominent attorney in Mississippi, who served as the board president for the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi. She was also an instructor at the Mississippi College School of Law and helped lead the charge to alter the Mississippi state flag, so it no longer contained Confederate symbolism. "I just cannot process today's news," Mississippi ACLU Director Jarvis Dortch said in a statement. "She was always asking what more she could do to support our team and our work. Our staff and board will forever be grateful for her commitment to equality and justice. Her passion for life, infectious spirit and enthusiasm will be missed." 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. 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. 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. A former Pennsylvania college student who is accused of sexually assaulting a classmate and later sending her a taunting Facebook message stating, "So I raped you," has been captured in France after a three-year search. Ian Thomas Cleary was detained in Metz, France, a prosecutor confirmed to the Associated Press. The Adams County District Attorney's office issued an arrest warrant for the former Gettysburg College student in June 2021. It came more than seven years after Shannon Keeler reported the crime to law enforcement. Keeler, a star lacrosse player at the time of the attack, shared her story of on-campus rape publicly as she pushed for accountability. She said she was frustrated with the failure of the Adams County District Attorney to prosecute despite physical evidence, eyewitness accounts and Facebook messages from Mr. Cleary confessing in 2020. Cleary, 31, of Saratoga, California, was taken into custody on April 24 and will be held pending extradition proceedings. He is accused of stalking Keeler at a party, sneaking into her dorm and sexually assaulting her while she texted friends for help. Years later, he sent messages to her stating: "I'll never do it to anyone ever again," "I need to hear your voice" and "I'll pray for you." Even with those messages, it took public outcry before charges were finally filed. A French judicial official says Cleary told a magistrate that he had "arrived in France two or three years ago" from Albania and had only recently come to Metz. A profile of qualifications sought in the next University of Arizona president should emphasize the universitys relationship with native nations and its scientific achievements, search advisors say. The presidential search advisory committee met Wednesday in public session to review the current presidential position profile. The document contains expected candidate qualifications, as well as job descriptions and aspects about the university that the search committee deems to be important for a candidate to know. The original profile was 22 pages long, said Alberto Pimentel of SP&A Consulting, the consulting firm working on the search. Though his team wants to keep it on the shorter side, committee members requested additions to the document including a strong emphasis on the universitys relationship with native nations and more information about the UAs standing in various scientific communities. Some of the information was intentionally left off because we want to use that information in conversation with individuals, Pimentel explained to the group, adding that the UAs $162 million financial deficit is one of the issues that requires some context. Pimentel said a survey sent out to UA alumni, students, faculty and staff asking about qualifications sought in the next president concluded with about 4,000 responses, a number he said is mind boggling. UA President Robert C. Robbins announced in March that he will leave the post by June 2026, after being widely blamed for the universitys deficit. He said he will step down earlier if the Arizona Board of Regents names a replacement sooner. The presidential search advisory committee has talked about wanting to move quickly. The bar for candidates is holding a professorship, said Joellen Russell, a professor of geosciences who also served on the UAs provost search committee. This is not a low bar at all, she said. There are sitting presidents across the country right now who do not meet the bar. Russell also told Pimentel she hoped to see the UAs relationship with native nations emphasized more in the position profile. Its such a big part of what we do, she said. We are the number one producer of PhDs of native people in the world, not just the U.S. Her point was echoed by UA Vice President of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives Marla Franco and by Stephen Roe Lewis, governor of the Gila River Indian Community. Its not just an acknowledgement, but a responsibility, said Lewis. It should be further up rather than pushed down and lost in some of the statements and groupings. Committee members said the position profile needs to emphasize the scientific advancements made by the university, as well. Additionally, Christina Rocha, manager of the Research, Innovation & Impact Business Center, said it is crucial that the next president is able to recognize years of service given to the university by faculty and staff. We want to make sure that there is something in there that talks about recognition, she said. David Hahn, dean of the College of Engineering, requested that a bigger emphasis be placed on the business, engineering, agriculture and life sciences programs. Youve left off probably thirty percent of the university, he said. Geosciences professor Russell agreed. She also wants there to be more mentions of our uniqueness including the science and space work that the UA does. Currently in the document, Russell added, were things that you could say about (the University of) Oklahoma or (the University of) Nebraska. Were emphasizing things that are important to any R1 (top research) land grant place. Cindy Rankin, a professor of physiology, said she would like to see more of the cultural parts of Tucson, including the arts scene, included. She also had a graphic design suggestion that got many on the search committee excited. Could a saguaro scene be faded in on the bottom of (each) page? she asked. So it truly comes from Southern Arizona. Its not the norm but I think it might hit home. PHOENIX Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs says she wont take sides on whether two Arizona Supreme Court justices should be retained or removed by voters in November. Thats even though she would like, of course, to have the chance to put two people of her choice on the court. No governors going to turn that down, for sure, she told Capitol Media Services. But Hobbs said she isnt going to weigh in on whether justices Clint Bolick and Kathryn King, who have to stand for election in November, should be retained for six-year terms, or removed, which would let her put her imprint on the court by replacing them. That, she said, is a decision people will have to make when they fill out their ballots. Ditto, Hobbs said, on whether they should be ousted based on their ruling last month on the states 1864 abortion law. Bolick and King provided two of the four votes on the six-member court to uphold that old law. But Hobbs also suggested she is opposed to a measure pushed by Republican Sen. David Gowan to alter the Arizona Constitution to strip voters of their authority to keep or oust sitting judges. I am glad that we have a chance at retention elections and voters can make their feelings known about it, she said. If voters do decide to oust Bolick and King, that would create two vacancies for Hobbs to fill, which could change the political balance on the court. If Bolick and King both appointees of Republican former Gov. Doug Ducey were not there, the April 9 court ruling on abortion might have been different. Thats because two of the six justices sitting on the case Republican William Montgomery recused himself sided with Planned Parenthood and its arguments that a 2022 law allowing abortions up to 15 weeks of pregnancy superseded the 1864 law. Hobbs appointees might have sided with them and the vote could have been 4-2 to nullify the territorial-era law. The question of whether Hobbs gets to make her mark on the states high court she has not named a justice is not occurring in a vacuum. Progress Arizona, a progressive political action committee, has launched a drive to convince Arizonans to vote no when they are asked in November whether Bolick and King deserve a six-year term. Voters across the board are angry about this (abortion) ruling, the organizations Abigail Jackson told Capitol Media Services. This decision is not in line with what voters want. Jackson said its irrelevant whether people believe the majority reached the right legal conclusion about the interplay between the territorial-era that outlaws abortion except to save the life of the mother and the more recent 15-week statute. If Arizona voters want to use the power that the constitution gives them to hold them accountable, and their main concern is this ruling, then I think voters are within their rights and power to do so, she said. This also comes against the backdrop of Gowans measure to change the system. Right now, all Supreme Court justices stand for election on a retain-or-reject basis two years after they are first picked. If voters approve, they get six year terms. That system, approved by voters in 1974, is what is forcing Bolick and King to face voters in November. Gowans measure, by contrast, would ask voters to alter the system so that, once chosen, Supreme Court justices could serve until they reach mandatory retirement age of 70 pretty much without having to fear they might be turned out of office. Gowan, of Sierra Vista, has ushered the measure through the Republican-controlled Senate on a party-line vote. But its future is uncertain as it is currently stalled in the House. PHOENIX Attorney General Kris Mayes filed two lawsuits Wednesday against Amazon, accusing the online retail giant of illegal practices that make consumers pay more than they should for products and of throwing roadblocks against cancelation of services. One complaint is based on how Amazon lists products. Mayes said the website is designed to convince shoppers that whats listed first is the best buy. But the lawsuit says what consumers see first are items sold either directly by Amazon or by third-party sellers who effectively pay extra fees. The result is that consumers routinely overpay for items that are available at lower prices from other sellers on Amazon, the lawsuit states. Mayes said its not because consumers dont care about prices or theyre basing their decisions on other factors, but because Amazon has chosen to display the offers for which it will earn the highest fees. The other lawsuit relates to the companys Prime membership, in which Amazon collects regular fees from subscribers in exchange for benefits including free shipping. Mayes said that until last year, Amazon used a system where it took at least six separate actions by consumers to cancel Prime membership online. The lawsuit also said the process relied on dark patterns to manipulate consumers into keeping their memberships. According to Mayes, the company eliminated the practice last year, shortly before the Federal Trade Commission filed its own litigation. But even with that, she said consumers were stuck for years paying for services they did not want. Mayes wants a court order to prevent the company from doing it again, but also civil fines as well as a requirement that it surrender any profits it obtained from what she says was unlawful conduct. We are surprised and disappointed by these cases, said Amazon spokesperson Tim Doyle. He said Mayes filed the cases without reviewing a single document from Amazon, resulting in a fundamental misunderstanding and mischaracterization of how Amazons businesses work. Doyle rejected arguments that Amazons customers and sellers are harmed. These suits would force Amazon to engage in practices that actually harm consumers and the many businesses that sell in our store, such as having to feature higher prices, he said. He also denied that Amazon makes it difficult to drop the companys Prime service. In both cases, Mayes is using state consumer fraud laws to go after the international giant. That allows her to have it handled in state court here, under state laws, versus before a federal judge. Arizona consumers deserve to be treated fairly and without deception by big corporations like Amazon, she said in a prepared statement. And small businesses deserve a level playing field. The state charges against Amazon over discriminating against other retailers on its site is similar in some ways to the FTC lawsuit filed last year. The first element involved is what happens when consumers search for a product. According to the lawsuit, Amazon has an algorithm that selects just one sellers offer to appear in the Buy Box on a page, allowing consumers to add it to their cart with a single click. The company allegedly designs its product page to obscure the fact that other offers also are available, something Mayes said results in nearly 98% of purchases being made via the Buy Box. But the problem is deeper, she said. Consumers reasonably believe that the Buy Box is the best price available in the marketplace for a given item, the lawsuit states. But they are often wrong. The Buy Box algorithm is biased in favor of Amazon first-party retail offers or offers from third-party sellers who participate in Fulfillment by Amazon. That program charges those retailers hefty fees to store their inventory, pack their products, ship orders, handle returns and communicate with customers, Mayes said. What that means, she said, is that those from whom Amazon doesnt get any extra profits dont wind up getting Buy Box treatment, even if they offer the same item for less. Also illegal, according to the lawsuit, is an Amazon policy that makes it a violation for a third-party seller to offer an item at any other website for less than it is available on Amazon. This is true even though Amazon charges the highest fees in the industry, Mayes said, saying about 27% of every dollar a consumer spends on Amazon goes to that company rather than the seller. In other words, if an Arizona business owner sells a sweater on Amazon for $50, Amazon deems it a violation of its Business Services Agreement for the business owner to sell the same sweater on her own website for $45 even though she is not paying fees to sell on her own site, the lawsuit says. Desert blooms on time despite climate change So the wet winter and spring has resulted in wildflowers blooming all over Tucson, especially now with the Brittlebush yellow flowers. I see orange and purple hedgehog flowers blooming, and paloverde trees are beginning their yellow flower blossoms. I have already seen prickly pear cacti full with flower buds. They will be blooming yellow flowers next. Then the Cholla cacti with purple, yellow and orange flowers. In May will be the iconic saguaros blooming with their clusters of white flowers. I expect a good turn out this year due to our abundant desert rains. I am always amazed by all this beauty in the desert during the spring. It has been occurring for ions and continues right on schedule despite climate change, which I was led to believe by climate alarmist activists would have destroyed all of this by now. Marsella Mavis North side More misguided criticism of Hudbay Re: the May 4 article Wake up developers and oppose Hudbay before you lose millions. Opinion writer Gerry Wolters, in his guest opinion on 4 May, states, Wake up developers and oppose Hudbay before it costs you millions. He tries to convince Star readers and scare developers of homes, businesses, etc. in the Corona de Tucson region that they may get sued for millions if water and air pollution issues arise from Hudbays Copper World project in the Santa Rita Mountains. Mr. Wolters might think that mining companies have never faced such criticism. Hudbay will likely point to the Sierrita copper mine that has operated literally on top of Green Valley and Sahuarita, population of ca 56,000 (versus 9,000 in Corona de Tucson), for 65 years with no major air and water issues save for dust from mining trucks, largely abated today by water trucks in the mine pit. Hudbay will also point out that green energy wind and solar farms are impossible without copper. Steve Sollenberger Foothills RTA Next Rex Scott asks us all to work together to make RTA Next happen. Ive got news for Rex. It aint gonna happen. I live in Tucson. The RTA has been a scam for those of us who live in Tucson. Marana and Vail get the roads and we pay for them. Theres an old saying. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I wont be fooled again. I cannot imagine how RTA Next could be configured to win my vote. I will be voting against it and encouraging my fellow Tucsonans to do the same. Steven Brown Midtown Full context really is needed in Gaza debate Re: the May 10 article Full context necessary in Israel debate. Tony Zinman raises interesting points. He criticizes another piece that praised the pro-Palestinian student encampment at the University of Arizona for never mentioning Hamas. But he doesnt comment on the 34,000 mostly women and children killed in Gaza. Mr. Zinman also states: Most Jews are terrified as to what we are seeing at these student protests. Yet it is innocent Palestinians in the United States who have actually been murdered, shot, and attacked. Several protest chants are listed by Mr. Zinman as calls for Israel to cease to exist. Not mentioned is Shimon Boker, vice-chairman of the World Likud, saying: I think we should have gone into Rafah yesterday. There are no uninvolved civilians there. You have to go in and kill and kill and kill. Mr. Zinman worries about antisemitic sentiments in the United States. If he wants full context, maybe he should also worry about the Israeli murder of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians. David Devine Midtown Omitting important context Re: the May 9 letter Biden mishandled COVID, not Trump. Fully recognize his penchant to omit important context. Yes, more COVID deaths occurred in 2021 during Bidens term, than in 2020 under Trump. However, he deliberately omits several very crucial points. Early in 2020, people in the US were not dying in nearly the catastrophic numbers we unfortunately became accustomed to by the end of the same year. According to the CDC, we had 4331 total COVID attributed deaths by the end of March 2020. Through the first 20 days of January 2021 (before Inauguration), the US was averaging over 3,000 per day. In President Bidens first full month in office, that number had dropped to 2,400 per day. A number of very important additional factors must also be included. New variants emerged, Trump downplayed the severity of the crisis from the outset, resistance to masking, false vaccination conspiracies, and an outright refusal by some to vaccinate at all. Not coincidentally, COVID deaths also increased worldwide in 2021. Glen Vann West side Lock him up! Its long overdue and Im wondering how many more warnings the trial judge gives Trump before finally sending him to jail. But the more perplexing question to me is when Trump goes to jail will his Secret Service detail go with him. Will they share his cell with him or just stand on the other side of the bars guarding him 24/7? And is that scenario even addressed in their procedural manual? Lock them up! Jeff aronson Northeast side Short memories Re: the May 12 letter Hard to believe. I read this letter with some amazement and amusement at her feigned outrage over the behavior of Donald Trump, and her lack of facts pertaining to the president. First let me say that the Access Hollywood tapes were a bad day for Trump, his wife, and the family, no one can debate that. However, the letter writer states that Trump has been convicted of rape that is a total lie, Trump has never been convicted of rape and for that matter he has never been charged with rape, nor has he ever been charged or convicted of insurrection. Please remember to mention the following American Presidents and leaders who were sexually active with others then their wives during their time in office. Franklin Roosevelt, JFK, Lyndon Johnson, MLK, RFK, Bill Clinton, all Democrats. So watch the stone throwing when you live in a glass house. Kevin Acorn East side Violent demonstrations over Palestine Resorting to violence to fight violence in a bitter war pitting Israel and Iran over the control of the eastern Mediterranean is a tragic and infantile reaction characterized by a profound ignorance of history, economics, religion, geography, politics, and cultures of that region. In light of numerous exchanges with Israeli colleagues, Egyptian friends, and Arabic scholars from various sides, there seems to be a consensus emerging these young people attacking our police and copying Hamas here in the USA are apparently not even aware of. But that consensus will only be possible if both the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Hamas regime will be removed: 1. All military operations must stop, particularly those by Hamas; 2. return of all hostages, alive or not; 3. the two-state solution; 4. the establishment of real democratic structures in Palestine; 4. new elections in Israel; 5. the end of new Israeli settlements. Remember, Iran is the key player in this entire conflict and uses Hamas and the Palestinians to confront the West. Albrecht Classen Midtown Israeli training of US police Re: the May 12 letter Rubber bullets still lethal. As an emeritus professor of Middle East history at UA and author of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, now in 10th edition, I have viewed with alarm reports of police using rubber bullets to break up student demonstrations nationwide, including here on the UA campus. A recent letter writer noted that they are lethal. Aimed at the head they can kill at short distances. At least 1,000 American police departments have sent members to be trained in Israel on Israeli methods to crush Palestinian nonviolent demonstrations. Local police use of rubber bullets suggests the Tucson PD may have received such training. Such brutal police assaults on nonviolent protests have no place in our society. That they have occurred because of guidance by the military of a foreign country using tactics imposed on Palestinians, not on fellow Israelis, is disturbing and should be strongly challenged, not least because here the methods are used against fellow citizens gathering in support of Palestinians. Is this a coincidence? Charles Smith North side SJP and student protests The organization, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), founded in 2001 at the University of Berkley but was quickly decertified by that University for anti-Semitism. SJP and its chapters on various campuses are not 503.c (3) organizations so their funding is obscured although some campus chapters do receive university funding. It is known that SJP nationally is funded by organizations and donors who also fund Hamas and/or are associated with Hamas connected organizations. On October 8, 2023 the national SJP released press notices fervently supporting actions of Hamas on October 7, 2023 and continues to support Hamas and antisemitism. It is a shame that US students do not know the actual history of Palestine in that the UN, US and Israel supported chances for the Palestinians to form a separate State multiple times but the Palestinians refused in order to pursue River to the Sea, i.e. the elimination of Israel and extermination of all the Jews. Art Kopcsak SaddleBrooke Far Right extremists I see the term far right used by the AP daily, but I never see far left. I was hoping someone there could give me their definition of far left, or a left wing extremist. Thank you. Johnathan Thurman South side A meaningful purpose This is a letter about reaching clarity. I have recently been diagnosed with cancer (for the second time). This one is aggressive. The first one started 3 years ago. Now it is back with a vengeance. As I accept this dreadful scourge, I want to thank AZ. Oncology for the wonderful care given to my precious partner, Tom Crawford. We were able to have 5 more beautiful years because of the caring, most efficient staff there. I now trust them all implicitly. Whats important now is the belief in this country so wonderful, beautiful and sacred. We must cherish our freedoms. We must put our faith in honesty, decency, unity, honor and justice. We must support and vote for leaders who do the same. May God be with us all. May God protect America. Janice Campos Foothills Not so Supreme Court There have been some corrupt courts in our history, called kangaroo courts. While harmful, they were snuffed out before they spread. Now weve skidded into an unplanned exit that may spell our demise as a republic. Our Supreme Courts head-scratching logic will hobble and may topple the worlds beacon of democratic ideals. Their rulings are cheered by bounders and zealots everywhere. This is their chance to make another January 6 stick. Then conservative politicians will feel safe harnessing minority rights, and keeping women tucked back some. The all-men majority here have uncurled any hint of a smile and opted for steely stares while facing humane and honest chances to strengthen our way of governing with wizened decisions. They pass. The lasting impression the Court leaves is not of justice and intelligence, but of a curtain of legality masking crafty schemes. Those tricks of law can be expected by the new kangaroos. Ron Lancaster North side Democrats threats to our democracy Democrats seem to forget that in the immediate aftermath of the 2016 election, Democrat activists were making death threats, sending hate emails, calling and harassing electoral college voters who had voted for Trump, into switching their votes to Hillary Clinton. An organized subverting of the election results. While this was happening, Clinton and her campaign staff, including Jake Sullivan now in the Biden administration, remained silent and did not denounce it. A newly elected vindictive hateful President Trump had the FBI hunt them all down and appointed a Special Counsel to prosecute them on a laundry list of federal crimes, including Conspiracy to Interfere in an Election. Remember that? It never happened! Some ended up being charged with state misdemeanors and paid small fines. This election cycle, we have had several Democrat states removing candidate Trump from the upcoming November voter ballot. Depriving voters of free choice and interfering in a presidential election. Thankfully, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against this. Evidence of Democrats posing threats to our Democracy. Martin Wagman Green Valley Left turn arrows and the nanny state A writer recently opined that the new hard left (red) left turn arrows at certain accident-rich intersections are too much unnecessary government interference. With that logic I guess the writer would prefer no traffic control at all no lights, no lines, just a free-for-all. I turn north (left) from eastbound Grant at Craycroft twice a week. My anxiety has gone away now that I dont have to watch the idiot in front of me turn left against three lanes of oncoming traffic that I can see from my correct position behind the crosswalk, but he cant see from his position in the middle of the intersection, because of the giant truck in the left turn lane on the opposite side. Holly Finstrom The mystery surrounding the death of an Oklahoma teen who was found next to his teeth along the side of a highway in September 2023 is finally starting to unravel, as discovered in his full autopsy report. The autopsy obtained by People Magazine provides new insight into nineteen-year-old Noah Presgrove's final hours. According to the nine-page report, Preston had attended a house party on September 3 and had begun drinking, when, at some point during the party, he left to ride in an ATV Ranger vehicle with several men, which resulted in a rollover incident. The narrative provided explains Presgrove being alive following the accident and returning to the party, where he then got into an argument, left, and was subsequently found the next morning on the Jefferson County highway by a passing truck driver. The medical examiner stated Noah had died of multiple brain lacerations, including on the cerebellum and temporal lobe, with basal skull fractures splitting the middle base of his skull into two and several rib fractures. Four cervical neck fractures and a laceration on the left surface of the tongue were also found in the autopsy. However, despite new information, the manner of Noah's death remains "undetermined," reported medical examiner Leonardo Roquero. Roquero described the state in which the teen was found. "Three pieces of a white metal chain" and "part of a tooth" were several feet from his body, along with a pair of his white printed shorts. A clump of hair was in the highway lane, and another chunk of hair was on his right butt cheek "without blood or tissue." There was also a drawing in black ink of a stick-figure person etched into the side of his right thigh. A toxicology report was administered for signs of amphetamine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, opiates, PCP, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. All came back negative, with only one testing positive for alcohol. Forensic toxicologist Angelica Harper noted that the tests are not designed to detect oxycodone, methadone, or clonazepam. Noah's brother, Dailen Presgrove, told People that "the report answers some questions but also raises many more." Dailen's family has started a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of hiring a private investigator, expressing that he doesn't know what to believe following countless rumors spread through the small Oklahoma town. Jimmie Tramel Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow Jimmie Tramel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The Ethan Hawke-directed film Wildcat will begin a two-week run Friday, May 17, at Circle Cinema. Hawke attended a sold-out Oklahoma premiere of the film at Circle Cinema as part of the Tulsa Film Collectives The Big Night series. Other feature films opening Friday include I Saw the TV Glow, a new horror film from A24, and Nowhere Special, which has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Nowhere Special is a new drama about a single father who learns he only has a few months left to live. Upcoming special screenings at Circle Cinema will include a Tulsa Hot Doks event Saturday, May 18, and Noir Nights with Josh Fadem at 7 p.m. Monday, May 20. Presented with the Hot Springs Documentary Film Fest and sponsored by Arvest Bank, Tulsa Hot Doks features two new documentaries. Sugarcane at 4 p.m. will include a video intro from filmmakers Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie. Look Into My Eyes will screen at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a live in-theater seance with Nikenya Hall, a practicing psychic featured in the film. Double feature or single film tickets available for the event. A 6 p.m. reception will take place between the features. Cost is $25 for both films for Circle Cinema members and $30 for non-members, or $17/$15 for single-film tickets. Discounted pass and ticket prices are available for those purchasing passes to the 2024 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. Also, National Theatre Live: Nye arrives 6 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at Circle Cinema. Recorded live from the London stage, Michael Sheen stars in a new production about Nye Bevan, who created Britains National Health Service. Pre-show trivia with prizes will be hosted by Tulsa actor Nick Cains. A new Sisters of Cinema series begins 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23. Julia Holeman hosts monthly $5 surprise screenings celebrating women in film. A ticket includes the screening and a post-film discussion. For tickets and information regarding Circle Cinema events, go to circlecinema.org. The Tulsa World is where your story lives Vietnam pins high hopes on the possibility of exporting durians to India, the country with the second-largest population in the world, following a success in the Chinese market. The export of durians to India will help reduce Vietnams dependence on the northern neighbor and open up new opportunities for local farm produce, Le Van Thiet, deputy head of the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday. China is currently the largest buyer of Vietnams durians. However, the great reliance on a unique market poses various risks. As a result, the expansion to the Indian market is good news for Vietnams durian sector, Thiet said. Vietnam is waiting for Indias ratification of a protocol on the official export of Vietnamese durians to the South Asian market, the official informed. Indias requirements are not as strict as those in China and transport costs by sea are lower. Therefore, India is a potential market for Vietnamese durians, according to Thiet. He emphasized the importance of the durian quality improvement and the management of durian planting area codes. Vietnam exported US$500 million worth of durians in the first four months of this year, surging 30 percent year on year, mainly to the Chinese market, said Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association. Nguyen claimed that China is a leading importer of Vietnamese fruits, especially durians, as Vietnam has advantages in the availability of durians all year round. He estimated Chinas demand for durian imports at $3 billion this year. In 2023 alone, China spent $2.1 billion importing nearly 500,000 metric tons of Vietnamese durians. The market expansion is crucial but the durian quality is a decisive factor, according to Ngo Tuong Vy, CEO of Chanh Thu Fruit Export - Import Group JSC. With good quality, Vietnamese durians will be preferred in many markets in the future, Vy added. Vietnam has shipped durians to 22 countries and territories, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The total area of durian farms in Vietnam jumped fivefold to over 150,000 hectares last year from 32,000 hectares in 2015. The durian output also soared to more than 1.2 million metric tons from 366,000 metric tons, respectively. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A multifunctional robot created by a group of students at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education to assist the elderly was introduced in the final round of a STEM program co-run by Arizona State University (ASU) and Dow Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday. The robot was one of seven typical engineering projects created by students in the eProjects program. It can help the elderly walk, turn off or on electronic devices, and contact their family members in emergency cases. Furthermore, the robot is able to predict some accidents such as a fall, faint, or stroke. Luong Vu Hai Ninh, a student from the faculty of electrical-electronic engineering at the university, explained that the robot's control system was developed using artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, compatible with Linux and Android operating systems. The robot is outfitted with a bogie suspension system to ensure flexible mobility and boasts a touchscreen for monitoring and control purposes. Users can utilize voice commands to assign tasks such as turning lights or the TV on or off to the robot. Moreover, the robot was integrated with facial recognition capabilities, enabling it to identify and approach elderly people to provide assistance. Family members can make a call with their parents or grandparents at home via robot assistant and control the robot remotely, Ninh said. The robot also plays music and shows videos to entertain users." The most difficult step during the innovation facing Ninhs group was using the AI and IoT applications for both Linux and Android. These students spent over three months creating the robot to bring it to the innovation competition. A touchscreen on a robot for elderly assistance shows some functions. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre Expert Nguyen Vu Toan from Dow Vietnam, who acted as a mentor of the group, said that he was impressed by these students ability and efforts to research and create the robot, as well as respected their humane purpose. Toan also said that the group would continue to improve the control system of the robot so that it can work well in a wide space and handle commands quickly. Apart from the robot made by the students from the Ho Chi Minh University of Technology and Education, the eProjects program saw several innovation projects such as a device created to attract carbon dioxide by a group of students at Phenikaa University in Hanoi, and a gadget aimed at separating solar cells from solar batteries by students at Lac Hong University in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam. A group of students from the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City brought an AI-based device to the program. The device was created to monitor and manage the use of electricity of some household appliances. A device created by students from the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City helps monitor and manage the use of electricity. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A bus carrying farm laborers in northern Florida collided with a pickup truck on Tuesday and overturned, killing at least eight people and critically injuring eight others, authorities said. The driver of the pickup truck, Bryan Maclean Howard, was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol troopers on eight counts of manslaughter while driving under the influence, according to a statement from Dave Kerner, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In addition to the eight people killed and the eight critically injured, another 37 bus passengers were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Marion County Fire and Rescue said in a statement. The bus crashed through a fence and overturned after side-swiping a pickup truck and careening off the roadway, Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson Steve Gaskins said in a statement. Fire rescue unit workers attend the scene after a bus carrying laborers to a melon farm overturned in a fatal crash near Dunnellon, Marion County, Florida, U.S. in this handout picture released on May 14, 2024. Photo: Reuters The workers were headed to pick melons at Cannon Farms in Dunnellon, a small farming community about an hour's drive south of Gainesville, when the bus overturned. Marion County Fire and Rescue units were dispatched to the scene just after 6:30 a.m. EDT (1030 GMT), the department said in a Facebook post. "Today, we faced a tragic incident on West Highway 40 in Ocala with a devastating bus wreck," wrote Marion Fire Chief James Banta in the post. Florida Highway Patrol officers work in a vehicle believed to be involved in the accident where a bus, carrying laborers to a melon farm, overturned in a fatal crash near Dunnellon, Florida, U.S. May 14, 2024. Photo: Reuters Cannon Farms, which operates a commercial farm, said on Facebook that it will be closed on Tuesday "out of respect to the losses and injuries endured early this morning in the accident." Cannon said the accident "took place to the Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp," but a representative could not be reached immediately to clarify. It is unclear whether Olvera owns the bus or hired the workers. "Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident," Cannon said. "We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time." A person takes a picture of the scene where a bus, carrying laborers to a melon farm, overturned in a fatal crash near Dunnellon, Florida, U.S. May 14, 2024. Photo: Reuters Emergency services attend the scene after a bus carrying laborers to a melon farm overturned in a fatal crash near Dunnellon, Florida, U.S. May 14, 2024. Photo: Reuters Marion County Fire Rescuers work on the scene where a bus, carrying laborers to a melon farm, overturned in a fatal crash near Dunnellon, Florida, U.S. May 14, 2024. Photo: Reuters Potential running mates are flocking to the historic "hush money" trial of former President Donald Trump's as his onetime lawyer Michael Cohen appears as the star witness against the presumptive Republican nominee to challenge President Joe Biden in November. Former Republican candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Gov. Doug Burgum, as well as Rep. Byron Donalds, all showed up at the New York City courthouse on Tuesday, after Sens. J.D. Vance and Tim Scott, another former GOP candidate, attended on Monday. Speaking to reporters outside, Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and conservative author, called the trial a "sham" that's "straight out of a Kafka novel," according to video broadcast by Fox News. "I am ashamed as an American citizen to sit here in a courtroom watching the former leader of the free world -- and let's be honest, likely next leader of the free world -- sitting with the indignity in this dingy, third-rate courtroom with fourth-rate prosecutors and a fifth-rate lawyer on the stand as a witness," he said. Ramaswamy's criticism of Cohen, who he also repeatedly mentioned by name, is something Trump is barred from doing under terms of a gag order that's led to $10,000 in fines for 10 violations and a warning that'll he jailed if he violates it again. Cohen has testified that Trump directed him to buy porn star Stormy Daniels' silence about an affair she claims she had with Trump in 2006, and that Trump approved having the Trump Organization repay Cohen for the $130,000 he paid Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, shortly before the 2016 election. Trump, the first ex-U.S. president to face criminal prosecution, denies having had sex with Daniels and has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records to allegedly cover up Cohen's reimbursements. Burgum, who helped warm up the crowd at Trump's massive rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, on Saturday, repeated the ex-president's frequent claim that the case against him was "election interference, and it's tying up the president from being out on the campaign trail." "And the sooner that this scam trial can be concluded, the sooner that the president can get back to getting out campaigning and talking to the American people about the issues that matter to them," he said. Donalds, of Florida, called the trial a "joke" and a "farce" and asked, "Where's the crime?" "The only crime that's happening here is this Democrat judge and the Democrat Party, prosecuting their political rival right in the middle of a presidential election," he said. "The crime here is that the issues facing our nation are not being addressed by the Democrats, but they want to go after Donald Trump." House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana also attended Tuesday's court session, becoming the highest-ranking Republican to do so, the Associated Press reported. Johnson, who's second in line for the presidency after Vice President Kamala Harris, called the court system "corrupt" and said the case against Trump was "not about justice" but instead "all about politics." Vance, of Ohio, was formerly a harsh Trump critic but plans to appear with him at a fundraiser in the Buckeye state during a scheduled Wednesday break in the trial, AP said. Other Republicans who joined Trump in court on Monday included Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York, and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida showed up last week. Former Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio returned to his country last weekend after finishing his four-year tenure in the Southeast Asian nation, bringing along multiple precious memories of Vietnam and its people and leaving a rush of emotions. Showing his feeling at a meeting with his Vietnamese friends and partners in Hanoi on April 23, he said that to him, his four-year tenure in Vietnam was an extremely special period. He learned many useful and meaningful lessons over his time in office in the country, shared Yamada, who has worked as a diplomat for 41 years. Beginning his mission in Vietnam in April 2020, the Japanese ambassador experienced two separate stages. During the first two-year period, he was occupied with the fight against COVID-19, but he harvested a great impression of the Vietnam - Japan relationship. The two nations always stood side by side to battle the pandemic. In particular, when Japan faced a shortage of face masks, the Southeast Asian nation proactively presented the former with hundreds of thousands of masks to help Japan ride out the hardship. On the other hand, Japan gave over seven million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam at the peak of the disease. The mutual support between the two countries deeply impressed the Japanese ambassador. It was the hardship that woke him up with a saying, 'A friend in need is a friend indeed, he said at the meeting. He witnessed a new chapter of the Vietnam - Japan partnership during the second half of his tenure. Specifically, the two nations celebrated 50 years of their diplomatic ties in 2023. Over 500 activities and cultural programs were rolled out in the two countries to mark the key milestone. One of the highlights of the celebration was the visit by Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko to Vietnam in September last year, followed by an official visit to Japan by the Vietnamese state president two months later. During the top Vietnamese officials Japan visit, the two nations issued a joint statement on the elevation of their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio affirmed that Japan would keep supporting Vietnams industrialization, modernization, and development of an independent and self-reliant economy, as well as Hanoi's important role in the diversification of Tokyos supply chains. It was an important year, and I was honored to witness such historic moments of the two nations relationship, while seeing huge potential for their ties in the future, said Yamada. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio, April 11, 2024. Photo: Vietnam Government Portal Before departing Vietnam to return to his homeland, the Japanese diplomat met with leaders of the Vietnamese Party Central Committee, the state, the government, and several top officials. During his meetings with top Vietnamese officials, the Japanese diplomat was lauded for his efforts in fostering the Vietnam - Japan partnership during his tenure. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asserted that the outcome from the bilateral ties was partially thanks to the contribution of the Japanese ambassador and all officials at the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam. Yamada was awarded Vietnams Friendship Medal for his great contributions. Moreover, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son presented the 'For the Cause of Vietnam's Foreign Affairs' insignia to Yamada in recognition of his contributions to Vietnam - Japan diplomatic relations. The former Japanese ambassador promised to continue contributing to strengthening the two nations ties after coming back to his country. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday offered his congratulations to Mikhail Mishustin over his reappointment as prime minister of Russia, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As dictated by law, Mishustin and all Cabinet members resigned after President Vladimir Putin's inauguration on May 7 following his re-election. On May 10, Putin nominated Mishustin to continue leading the Cabinet and submitted the latters candidacy to the Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament. The Duma approved the nomination of Mishustin to return as prime minister on the same day. He was backed by 375 deputies in the Duma, with none against and 57 abstentions. Therefore, the Russian president signed an executive order reappointing Mishustin as Russian prime minister the same day. Mishustin, 58, started holding the post as prime minister of Russia in January 2020. He had served as head of the Federal Taxation Service for a decade before becoming prime minister. The Duma on Monday approved 10 deputy prime ministers of the Russian government following the proposal made by Prime Minister Mishustin on Sunday last week. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed relevant ministries, agencies, and localities to implement measures aimed at bolstering control over electronic nicotine delivery systems (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) to mitigate their detrimental effects on users health. The directive was outlined in a recent dispatch where PM Chinh noted that efforts in tobacco harm prevention and control in recent years have yielded promising initial outcomes, such as an annual average decrease of 0.5 percent in male cigarette smokers. Nevertheless, the prevalence of e-cigarettes and HTPs, classified as new-generation tobacco products, has remained complex in the country, with their usage showing a tendency to rapidly escalate, especially among young individuals. This trend has resulted in adverse health effects on users, according to the dispatch. The Vietnam News Agency recently cited the World Health Organization (WHO) as saying that more and more evidence shows that e-cigarettes are as harmful to health as traditional cigarettes. The Ministry of Health had previously cautioned that e-cigarettes and HTPs not only inflict health hazards comparable to traditional cigarettes but also carry the risk of fostering social problems, particularly crimes associated with drugs and other addictive substances. These substances can potentially be mixed into the ingredients of e-cigarettes or HTPs. To enhance prevention and control measures against the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and HTPs, the prime minister required the health ministry to intensify public awareness campaigns regarding their detriments and to suggest strategies for better regulatory control of these products, the dispatch said. PM Chinh assigned the Ministry of Finance to direct the customs authority to strengthen inspections to detect and prevent the illegal transportation of smuggled e-cigarettes and HTPs into Vietnam through border gates, as well as busting rings that smuggle them. The Ministry of National Defense is required to ask border guard forces to beef up patrols to prevent the smuggling of these products into Vietnam via trails in border areas. The government leader directed the Ministry of Public Security to deploy forces to discover, arrest, and prosecute individuals and organizations involved in illegally trading and mixing banned substances into e-liquids. The prime minister emphasized that the Ministry of Industry and Trade must enhance domestic market oversight and rigorously address instances of trafficking, storage, and transportation of e-cigarettes and HTPs. The Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency, and the people's committees of the centrally-run provinces and cities are responsible for directing mass media agencies to run more awareness programs on the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and HTPs. PM Chinh also asked the National Steering Committee on Anti-Smuggling, Counterfeit Goods, and Trade Fraud to direct its affiliates in ministries, sectors, and localities to keep track of the implementation of this dispatch. Authorities in all provinces and cities were instructed to conduct regular inspections and take action against smuggling, transportation, storage, and trade of e-cigarettes and HTPs that have not been authorized for trading or use in Vietnam. PM Chinh assigned his deputy Tran Hong Ha to take charge of directing the implementation of the dispatch. The health ministry recently warned that at least 40,000 people die of tobacco-related diseases annually in Vietnam, including stroke, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer as the main causes. Citing data from the WHO, the ministry said at least 39 countries and territories around the world have currently imposed a ban on e-cigarettes while HTPS are being prohibited in at least 18 countries and territories. Currently, five ASEAN countries, namely Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Brunei, and Cambodia, have forbidden both e-cigarettes and HTPs. To date, e-cigarettes have been put under control in 88 countries, including 27 EU countries, while HTPs have been regulated in 71 countries, including the same 27 EU nations, the ministry said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Lam Dong Province, located in Vietnam's Central Highlands, stated on Tuesday that they had summoned a teenage boy for riding a motorbike with his feet on the handlebars, posing a danger to other commuters. Police officers in Da Rsal Commune, Dam Rong District detected a video of a boy riding a motorbike with his feet and carrying another person in the commune on Facebook on Monday. They later verified the video and identified the boy as D.N.T., a 17-year-old resident of the commune. T. gave up his studies and has no stable job. At the police station, T. confessed that he carried his friend on Sunday evening last week. On the National Highway 27 section in Lien Huong Village, Da Rsal Commune, he used his feet to control the motorbike and asked his friend, V.N.K.B., 17, to film his stunt. B. later shared the video of his friends reckless act on Facebook. The Da Rsal Police summoned T. and his parents. As T. is under 18, police officers did not levy a fine on him. T. found his act illegal and dangerous to society, according to police. Police reminded and asked him and his family to make a commitment not to repeat the act. B. also voluntarily removed the video of his friends stunt from Facebook. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Anthony Mazza, chairman of the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce in Australia, assessed Vietnam as an attractive tourist destination for Australian visitors, with food, cultural features, and Vietnamese peoples hospitality being major draws, heard a recent tourism promotion event in Sydney. Mazza told the Vietnam News Agency that though he was yet to visit Vietnam, he would place the Southeast Asian nation on a list of his future destinations to explore. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism worked with the Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney to organize a series of tourism promotion programs in Australia on Monday and Tuesday. Australian women in 'ao dai,' Vietnamese traditional costume. Photo: Vietnam News Agency A delegation led by Le Truong Hien Hoa, deputy head of the municipal department, with the participation of over 25 representatives from local airlines, travel firms, and hoteliers introduced various tourist sites, and tourism products and services to Australian travelers during these events. The tourism promotion programs were aimed at popularizing tourist destinations in Ho Chi Minh City among Australian people and attracting them to the city in particular and to Vietnam in general, reported the Vietnam News Agency. Besides, the events acted as a link between local firms and Australian partners in tourism. Hoa hoped that through the promotion activities, the southern metropolis would lure more tourists from Australia, which is one of the citys key tourist source markets. Echoing the view, Nguyen Cam Tu, director of the municipal Tourism Promotion Center under the department, said that Australia is always considered a potential tourist source market. Australian tourists are interested in Vietnams cuisine and cultural features, she added. Within two days, over 2,500 guests attended a tourism expo as part of the tourism promotion programs. The expo showcased more than 25 booths presenting a diverse array of tourism products and services, alongside a traditional cultural space. The event delighted Australian visitors with a variety of traditional folk games, including making to he (toy figurines) and nhay sap (Cheraw dance), as well as captivating art performances. A Vietnamese artisan is pictured making 'to he' (toy figurines). Photo: Vietnam News Agency Juan, an Australian, excitedly shared that he could feel the beauty of Vietnam and its culture and people. He hoped that Australian people would select Vietnam as their top tourist destination. He recounted that he traveled to Vietnam in 1999 and 2023, and was surprised at the countrys rapid growth. The Vietnamese delegation is set to hold a tourism promotion program in Melbourne on May 17. A booth showcases Vietnamese souvenirs. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this post may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons. Feature length documentary, Kindred, will premiere on NITV during National Reconciliation Week. Written and directed by Adrian Russell Wills (Redfern Now, Wentworth, RFDS) and Gillian Moody (Family Rules, Black Divaz), the 90-minute film is a journey into the emotional landscape of family, love and loss experienced by two close friends, both Aboriginal, who were adopted by white families and have connected back with their bloodline families. Twenty-five years after making their first film together, Moody and Russell Wills turned to each other to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of coming to grips with their childhood adoptions. This is the story of Kindred two best friends who tell their stories of supporting each other while reconnecting their bloodlines. The documentary consists of archival footage, dramatic recreations and candid interviews with family members and the documentary subjects themselves. Shot in numerous locations across Australia, Kindred weaves together two personal narratives while exploring themes of family, identity, culture, belonging, racism, trauma and more. Marissa McDowell, a proud Wiradyuri woman and Head of Commissions at NITV, said: Were thrilled to share this incredible documentary from Adrian and Gillian, which shares a story that many Indigenous peoples can relate to. We hope that the powerful messages shared in Kindred connect with all Australian audiences, particularly during National Reconciliation Week, a time of reflection and learning. Writers and Directors, Adrian Russell Wills and Gillian Moody, said: We invite you into our story of friendship and the bond that brought us together, being adopted. Kindred explores what it feels like living in two worlds, one black and one white. It looks at the importance of discovering your place in the world and realising that home and love can truly be found in the people and places your heart connects to. Kindred comes from our hearts and the generous hearts of many in our family. We hope you enjoy it. Angela Bates, Head of First Nations at Screen Australia said: Kindred filmmakers, Gillian Moody and Adrian Wells have crafted a moving documentary that invites audiences to embark on their deeply personal journey of discovering their place in the world. Through their lens, we witness the strength of friendship, unconditional love, the power of cultural connection, and identity. Were incredibly proud that we were able to support Gillian and Adrian to tell their story the way they wanted to, and for Australian audiences to gain a deeper understanding of First Nations experiences. Head of Screen NSW, Kyas Hepworth, said: This is such a relevant, personal, and deeply moving documentary that examines self-identity, family connection, love and loss, and is a story that many First Nations people around the country know too well. Documentaries like this are important to examine and reflect on our nations history, and Screen NSW was privileged to support this film. Kindred is a Kalori Productions production for NITV. Principal production investment from Screen Australias First Nations Department in association with Screen NSW. Financed with support from NITV. Produced by Gillian Moody and Tom Zubrycki. Sunday 2 June at 8.30pm on NITV. Mondays Australian Story profiles Shaun Christie-David, Founder and CEO of charity Plate It Forward. Shaun Christie-David runs a restaurant empire like no other. While he may be Australias most unlikely restaurateur he cant cook, fails taking food orders, swears when excited (which is often) and doesnt care about making money hes found the recipe for success with an open mind and desire to help. Im not everyones cup of tea. Trust me. You dont have to be an angel to do good work, says Shaun. In the second instalment of Australian Storys restaurateur trilogy, Shaun invites cameras into his four bustling restaurants across Sydney, where hes given jobs to more than 100 staff once deemed unemployable. Shaun jokes hes assembled the most experienced hospitality team in the world, with no actual hospitality experience. Weve got a pilot, weve got aeronautical engineers, weve got economists from the central Bank of Ukraine, and we have a doctor. Struggling with the guilt of his privilege as the Australian-born son of Sri Lankan immigrant parents, Shaun was determined to find a way to help empower others. Refugees, ex-prisoners, older women whove never experienced paid work are also behind his hospitality success. When Shaun saw a problem, he looked for solutions. And he quickly realised the answer came from his mothers kitchen. There is no racism when you sit together and eat a meal, there is just a common bond. Four AM and youre having a kebab, you dont go, oh, Im having a kebab, but I hate Lebanese people, says Shaun. When restaurants were forced to shut during Covid Shaun used his staff and kitchens to cook restaurant quality meals for people without food. When Covid was over he decided to continue cooking for the community, establishing the charity Plate it Forward. Theres no blueprint that hes following. Hes writing the script as he goes along, Shauns brother Aaron Christie-David says. 8pm Monday on ABC. Prime Video has ordered a Tomb Raider series with Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) as writer and executive producer. The series is based on the iconic Tomb Raider video game franchise, which follows the adventures of world-famous archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft. The project comes as part of a deal between Crystal Dynamics and Amazon MGM Studios, originating through dj2s first-look deal with the studio, to develop additional Tomb Raider stories into series and films. If I could tell my teenage self this was happening I think shed explode. Tomb Raider has been a huge part of my life and I feel incredibly privileged to be bringing it to television with such passionate collaborators. Lara Croft means a lot to me, as she does to many, and I cant wait to go on this adventure. Bats n all, said Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Im so happy to announce that we have ordered the epic, globetrotting series Tomb Raider from the incredibly gifted Emmy-award winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge and the team at Crystal Dynamics, said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios. Fans and newcomers can look forward to exhilarating adventures that honor the legacy of this iconic character. Amazon MGM Studios and Amazon Games are incredible collaborators with a massive reach across the globe enabling us to expand our Tomb Raider franchise with multiple new adventures and a shared passion for creating impactful, entertaining, emotional experiences for players and viewers throughout every facet of this universe, said Scot Amos, Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. These timeless stories span all media platforms to meet audiences where they want to engage with Tomb Raider; its a critical step towards our future with fans everywhere. The series is executive produced by Crystal Dynamics, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Jenny Robbins through Wells Street Productions, Dmitri M. Johnson through dj2 Entertainment, Michael Scheel, and Legendary Television. Amanda Greenblatt and Ryan Andolina are consulting producers under their Star Party banner. The series is produced by Crystal Dynamics and Amazon MGM Studios. What a week it was at Eurovision -disqualifications, booing, harassment of artists and journalists, withdrawals of spokespeople, crew complaints, flag bans. All over a song contest held together by the theme United by Music. Eurovision was once renowned for political bloc voting, but in 2024 the fractures split much wider. The European Broadcasting Union has released a statement regarding delegation behavior at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Following a week of controversy the European Broadcasting Union has released a statement: We regret that some delegations at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo didnt respect the spirit of the rules and the competition both onsite and during their broadcasts. The EBUs governing bodies will, together with the heads of delegations, review the events surrounding the ESC in Malmo to move forward in a positive way and to ensure the values of the event are respected by everyone. Individual cases will be discussed by the events governing body, the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group made up of representatives from participating broadcasters, at its next meeting. That means some repercussions could still be coming. Lucky that in 2025 the event will be held in neutral Switzerland, I guess? Source: Eurovoix Photo: Corinne Cumming / EBU The oldest living survivor of the infamous Tulsa Massacre turned 110 this week more than a century after her city was burned to the ground during an anti-Black race riot. Viola Fletcher was just seven years old when a young Black man was accused of sexually assaulting a white woman, after the pair rode in an elevator together. The white woman said that the Black man had only touched her arm and that she did not wish to press charges. The following day, the man was detained and a local newspaper published an inflammatory account of the incident that inflamed the city, already experiencing heightened racial tensions. White rioters soon descended on the city's Black neighborhoods burning 35 city blocks and killing an unknown number of Tulsa residents. "The neighborhood I fell asleep in that night was rich - not just in terms of wealth, but in culture, community, heritage, and my family had a beautiful home," Fletcher testified to Congress in 2021. "Within a few hours, all that was gone." In spite of her struggles, Fletcher remains proud of her heritage and identity. I'm Black and I'm proud," she said, according to People. "Nothing you can do about who you are, regardless of what you look like... We have the same red blood as other people." During her adult life, Fletcher lived outside of Oklahoma but she eventually settled in her home state again. During World War II, she assisted the war effort by working in a California shipyard, according to a 2014 oral history interview conducted by Oklahoma State University. After returning to Oklahoma, she worked in private homes until retiring at the age of 85. She has three children and several grandchildren. Her husband Robert Fletcher was a truck driver and worked at filling stations before he retired. During the oral history interview, Fletcher attributed her long life to doing "the things that are good for you- sleeping and eating and exercising." By Chris Kirkham, Hyunjoo Jin and Abhirup Roy (Reuters) - The day before Elon Musk fired virtually all of Teslas electric-vehicle charging division last month, they had high hopes as charging chief Rebecca Tinucci went to meet with Musk about the networks future, four former charging-network staffers told Reuters. After Tinucci had cut between 15% and 20% of staffers two weeks earlier, part of much wider layoffs, they believed Musk would affirm plans for a massive charging-network expansion. The meeting could not have gone worse. Musk, the employees said, was not pleased with Tinuccis presentation and wanted more layoffs. When she balked, saying deeper cuts would undermine charging-business fundamentals, he responded by firing her and her entire 500-member team. The departures have upended a network widely viewed as a signature Tesla achievement and a key driver of its EV sales. Tesla Superchargers account for more than 60% of U.S. high-speed charging ports, federal statistics show, and the company has been the biggest winner so far of $5 billion in federal funding for new chargers. This account, the most detailed to date on the Supercharger firings and the fallout, is based on interviews with eight former charging-division employees, one contractor and a Tesla email sent to outside vendors. Only Musk and Tinucci were in the meeting described to Reuters; the four sources with knowledge of the meeting are relaying what they heard about it from Supercharger department managers. Tesla, Musk and Tinucci did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters. Despite the mass firings, Musk has since posted on social media promising to continue expanding the network. But three former charging-team employees told Reuters they have been fielding calls from vendors, contractors and electric utilities, some of which had spent millions of dollars on equipment and infrastructure to help build out Teslas network. A letter sent earlier this month by a Tesla global-supply manager to Supercharger contractors and suppliers instructed them to please hold on breaking ground on any newly awarded construction projects and halt materials purchases, according to a copy reviewed by Reuters. I understand that this period of change may be challenging, and that patience is not easy when expecting to be paid! Tesla's energy team, which sells solar and battery-storage products for homes and businesses, was tasked with taking over Superchargers and calling some partners to close out ongoing charger-construction projects, said three of the former Tesla employees. Story continues One construction contractor said Tesla staffers contacting his company since the layoffs dont know a thing. The contractor said he had expected Supercharger projects to provide about 20% of his 2024 revenue but now plans to diversify to avoid relying on Tesla. Tinucci was one of few high-ranking female Tesla executives. She recently started reporting directly to Musk, following the departure of battery-and-energy chief Drew Baglino, according to four former Supercharger-team staffers. They said Baglino had historically overseen the charging department without much involvement from Musk. The charging-team layoffs mark the latest drama in a tumultuous year for Tesla as Musk has shut down or delayed several core efforts meant to drive the rapid EV sales growth that investors have expected. Instead, Musk now says Tesla will shift its main focus to self-driving cars, a fiercely competitive and riskier business that could take years to develop. The company posted its first decline in auto sales since 2020 in the first quarter amid fierce competition from Chinese electric-vehicle makers and sagging worldwide EV demand. Reuters reported in April that Tesla had scrapped plans for a long-awaited affordable car known as the Model 2. That has thrown into doubt Teslas plans for new factories in Mexico and India, where Musk had been expected to travel last month to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before canceling at the last minute. And a host of executives have departed amid deep companywide layoffs. SCALED-BACK CHARGING EXPANSION The energy team that was assigned to take over charging-network management has some similar design and construction roles, two of the former Tesla employees said. But charging projects are fundamentally different because they are located in public places and require extensive negotiations with utilities, local governments and landowners, they said. The energy team was already struggling to keep pace with its current workload, said two of the former charging-network staffers. Yet when the layoffs came down on April 30, Musk posted that the company still plans to grow the Supercharger network, just at a slower pace. On Friday, Musk posted that Tesla will spend well over $500M expanding our Supercharger network to create thousands of NEW chargers this year. Two former Supercharger staffers called the $500 million expansion budget a significant reduction from what the team had planned for 2024 - but nonetheless a challenge requiring hundreds of employees. In an analysis provided to Reuters, San Francisco research firm EVAdoption estimated a $500 million investment this year would translate to Tesla building 77% fewer charging ports per month in the United States compared with the automakers pace through April. HOLDING THE BAG Tesla unveiled its first Supercharger stations throughout California in 2012, with Musk calling the network a game changer for EVs that would enable long-distance travel and convenience equivalent to gasoline cars. The EV-charging business requires substantial upfront investment, and analysts have often viewed it as unprofitable. But Teslas network had been profitable before the layoffs, according to four former Tesla employees familiar with the divisions financial performance. That owed to Teslas cost-control and extensive analysis to choose locations that could draw business throughout the day rather than only during peak-demand times, when electricity costs spike. One former Supercharger staffer said Teslas costs per-charging-port were typically at least 50% lower than those of competitors. As recently as last month, Tesla said in a securities filing that it needed to expand charging to ensure adequate availability for customers, particularly after automakers including Ford, General Motors, Toyota and Hyundai announced they would start making their cars compatible with Teslas charging plugs, giving their vehicles Supercharger access. Another former employee said that rollout is completely jeopardized because there will not be enough new charging sites coming online, and the company was only starting to implement upgrades to allow more compatibility with other manufacturers vehicles. Three of the former employees called the firings a major setback to U.S. charging expansion because of the relationships Tesla employees had built with suppliers and electric utilities. Tesla had grown into one of the larger customers for many major utilities around the country, and many had hired new staff and planned new infrastructure based on Teslas charging-network expansion plans, the former employees said. Other companies may be able to fill the gap, the former employees said, but the goodwill built over time with utilities and other contractors from Teslas large-scale charging investments will be difficult to replicate. Its just unfortunate that now theyre stuck holding the bag on all these different projects, one of the former employees said. Its really sad to see all these relationships burned and people be really angry - rightfully so." (Reporting by Chris Kirkham in Los Angeles, and Hyunjoo Jin and Abhirup Roy in San Francisco; Edited by Brian Thevenot and Matthew Lewis) By Simon Lewis KYIV (Reuters) -Israel needs a clear and concrete plan for the future of Gaza where it faces the potential for a power vacuum that could become filled by chaos, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. The remarks drew an apparent Israeli riposte, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying post-war planning was impossible without first completing the demolition of Hamas. Washington and Israel agree that Hamas cannot continue to run Gaza after the Palestinian Islamist group's gunmen ignited the conflict with a cross-border killing and kidnapping spree last October. But the allies are at odds over Israel's quest for "total victory" over Hamas, including in the southern city of Rafah, where the United States has warned against any major operation that might endanger displaced Palestinians massing there. "We do not support and will not support an Israeli occupation. We also of course, do not support Hamas governance in Gaza ... Weve seen where that's led all too many times for the people of Gaza and for Israel. And we also can't have anarchy and a vacuum that's likely to be filled by chaos," Blinken said during a press conference in Kyiv. The U.S. top diplomat has held numerous rounds of talks with Israel's Arab neighbours on a post-war plan for Gaza. Israel says it intends to keep overall security control and has balked at proposals for the Palestinian Authority (PA), which wields limited rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, to take charge. "It's imperative that Israel also do this work and focus on what the future can and must be," Blinken said. "There needs to be a clear and concrete plan, and we look to Israel to come forward with its ideas." In a statement, Netanyahu appeared to push back against the criticism, though he did not refer directly to Blinken. Israel, he said, has sought out Palestinians not aligned with Hamas to take charge of local civic management in Gaza - only to see them deterred by threats of Hamas retaliation. "All the talk about 'the day after', while Hamas remains intact, will remain mere words devoid of content," Netanyahu said. "Contrary to what is being claimed, for months we have been engaged in various efforts to resolve this complex problem. Some of the efforts are covert and it is good that this is so." Citing widespread support among Palestinians for the Oct. 7 attack, Netanyahu said, in an apparent reference to the PA: "We will not allow them to establish a terrorist state from which they will be able to vigorously attack us." (Reporting by Simon Lewis and Dan Williams; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Peter Graff and Hugh Lawson) Blinken says U.S. rushing ammunition, weapons to Ukraine amid fierce new fighting KYIV (Reuters) - The United States is rushing ammunition and weapons to the front lines in Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday during a visit to the country which has lately faced setbacks in its war with Russia. Kyiv has pleaded for quicker delivery of artillery shells and air-defence systems amid Russian advances that are straining Ukraine's outmanned and outgunned military. Moscow's forces have also stepped up attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent weeks far behind the lines of its 26-month-old full-scale invasion. "We're rushing ammunition, armoured vehicles, missiles, air defences - rushing them to get to the front lines to protect soldiers, to protect civilians," Blinken said during a press conference in Kyiv. The top diplomat is the most senior U.S. official to visit Ukraine since the U.S. Congress passed a long-delayed $61 billion aid package last month. Blinken, speaking as Ukrainian troops fought off a new Russian ground incursion into the northeastern Kharkiv region, said he expected President Joe Biden to meet Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the coming weeks. He also said Washington has not "encouraged or enabled" strikes on Russia but that it was Ukraine's decision "about how it is going to conduct this war". Strategic infrastructure targets in Russia such as oil facilities have come under regular drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, although Ukraine has not publicly confirmed its involvement. "We will continue to back Ukraine with the equipment that it needs to succeed, that it needs to win," Blinken said. (Reporting by Simon Lewis; Editing by Alex Richardson and Peter Graff) By Kirsty Needham, Juliette Jabkhiro and Augustin Turpin SYDNEY/PARIS (Reuters) -France declared a state of emergency on the Pacific island of New Caledonia on Wednesday after three young indigenous Kanak and a police official were killed in riots over electoral reform. The state of emergency, which entered into force at 5 a.m. local time (1800 GMT), gives authorities additional powers to ban gatherings and forbid people from moving around the French-ruled island. Police reinforcements adding 500 officers to the 1,800 usually present on the island, have been sent after rioters torched vehicles and businesses and looted stores. Schools have been shut and there is already a curfew in the capital. Rioting broke out over a new bill, adopted by lawmakers in Paris on Tuesday, that will let French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years vote in provincial elections - a move some local leaders fear will dilute the Kanak vote. "No violence will be tolerated," said Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, adding that the state of emergency "will allow us to roll out massive means to restore order." He later signed a decree declaring a state of emergency that will last for 12 days and announced that French soldiers would be used to secure New Caledonia's main port and airport. Authorities also decided to ban video app TikTok, which the government during a bout of riots on France's mainland last summer said helped rioters organise and amplified the chaos, attracting troublemakers to the streets. TikTok could not immediately be reached for comment. Earlier in the day, a spokesperson for New Caledonia's President Louis Mapou said three young indigenous Kanak had died in the riots. The French government later said a 24-year-old police official had died from a gunshot wound. "He took off his helmet (to speak to residents) and he was shot right in the head," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. Noumea resident Yoan Fleurot told Reuters in a Zoom interview that he was staying at home out of respect for the nightly curfew and was very scared for his family. "I don't see how my country can recover after this", Fleurot said, adding he carries a gun during the day when he goes out to film the rioters he called 'terrorists'. Police were outnumbered by protesters, locals told Reuters. Electoral reform is the latest flashpoint in a decades-long tussle over France's role in the mineral-rich island, which lies in the southwest Pacific, some 1,500 km (930 miles) east of Australia. France annexed the island in 1853 and gave the colony the status of overseas territory in 1946. It has long been rocked by pro-independence movements. LOOTING New Caledonia is the world's No. 3 nickel miner and residents have been hit by a crisis in the sector, with one in five living under the poverty threshold. "Politicians have a huge share of responsibility," said 30-year-old Henri, who works in a hotel in Noumea. "Loyalist politicians, who are descendents of colonialists, say colonisation is over, but Kanak politicians don't agree. There are huge economic disparities," he said. Henri, who declined to give his full name, said there was significant looting, with the situation most dangerous at night. The French government has said the change in voting rules was needed so elections would be democratic. But it said it would not rush calling a special congress of the two houses of parliament to rubber-stamp the bill and has invited pro- and anti-independence camps for talks in Paris on the future of the island, opening the door to a potential suspension of the bill. The major pro-independence political group, Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS), which condemned the violence, said it would accept the offer of dialogue and was willing to work towards an agreement "that would allow New Caledonia to follow its path toward emancipation". Most residents were staying indoors. Witness Garrido Navarro Kherachi said she moved to New Caledonia when she was eight years old, and has never been back to France. Although eligible to vote under the new rules, she says she won't "out of respect for the Kanak people". "I don't feel I know enough about the history of Caledonia and the struggle of the Kanak people to allow me to vote," she said. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney and Dominique Vidalon, Elizabeth Pineau, Michel Rose, Augustin Turpin, Juliette Jabkhiro, Camille Raynaud and Tassilo in Paris; writing by Kirsty Needham and Ingrid Melander; Editing by Sonali Paul, Ros Russell, Christina Fincher, Alexandra Hudson and Daniel Wallis) By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh blamed Israel on Wednesday for a deadlock in Gaza ceasefire negotiations and reiterated key demands including that any agreement provide a framework for a permanent end to Israel's offensive in the enclave. Earlier this month, the Palestinian group said it agreed to a truce proposal from Qatari and Egyptian mediators that Israel previously accepted. Israel disputed this, saying the three-phase proposal approved by Hamas was unacceptable because terms had been watered down. Ceasefire talks in Cairo broke up this month with no agreement. "They also introduced amendments to the proposal that put the negotiation into a deadlock," said Haniyeh, who is based in Qatar, in a televised speech. Haniyeh said his group was determined to pursue all available ways to end the war in Gaza, leaving the door open to more mediation efforts, but he held to the group's key demands. "Any efforts or agreement must secure a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive pull-out from all of the Gaza Strip, a real prisoner swap deal, the return of the displaced, reconstruction, and lifting the blockade," said Haniyeh. Israel says it wants to reach a prisoners-for-hostages deal but has so far refused any commitment to end the military offensive in Gaza, which it said seeks to annihilate Hamas. Haniyeh, whose group has been running Gaza since 2007, rejected any post-war settlement in Gaza that excludes the group. "Hamas existed to stay," he said. "The movement (Hamas) will decide, along with all national factions, the administration of the Gaza Strip after the war," said Haniyeh. Israel says Hamas can't have any role in ruling Gaza after the war is over. Its ally, the United States, says it wants to see Gaza and the West Bank reunited under Hamas' rival, the Palestinian Authority, which currently has limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Health authorities in Gaza say the war has killed almost 35,000 people since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. Some 1,200 people were killed in Israel and 253 were taken hostage on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, additional reporting by Muhammad Al Gebaly; Editing by Chris Reese and Cynthia Osterman) (Reuters) - A Hungarian judge on Wednesday granted house arrest in Budapest to an Italian anti-fascist activist held in Hungary for allegedly assaulting far-right militants, the Italian Foreign and Justice ministers and her lawyer said. Ilaria Salis, a 39-year-old teacher, has been in a Hungarian jail for more than a year in a case that prompted the Italian Green and Left Alliance to nominate her among their candidates at the European ballot. Members of the European Parliament enjoy strong legal immunity from prosecution, even if the allegations relate to offences committed before their election. "Good, that's what we wanted, house arrest. Let's hope she can be acquitted and return to Italy as soon as possible," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said, while Justice Minister Carlo Nordio welcomed the news in Parliament. "Finally a nightmare ends for her. A detention in inhuman conditions that lasted over 15 months," Salis' lawyer, Eugenio Losco, told Reuters, adding that "obviously her battle is not over, it is an unfair trial, there is disproportionality of the punishment to what actually happened". Losco said that Salis' father has to pay bail of 41,000 euros ($44,456), adding that she will spend her arrest at the home of a woman who has made her house available. The case drew outrage in Italy in February when she was led into a court hearing with her feet and hands bound and a chain around her waist. The issue is politically sensitive due to the longstanding ties between Italy's right-wing prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and her Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orban. Italy's rightist government was put in an unusual position because although its leaders are close to the Hungarian cabinet and they may feel little sympathy for Salis' alleged actions, they have made comments supportive of the activist after the public outrage over her treatment. The family of Salis and opposition parties have accused the government of paying too little attention to the case. Meloni has subsequently raised Salis' case with Orban, calling for the activist to be granted a quick trial. Hungarian prosecutors are seeking an 11-year jail term for Salis for her alleged role in an assault on two far-right militants by a group of anti-fascist activists in Budapest in February 2023. She pleaded not guilty in January. ($1 = 0.9223 euro) (Reporting by Emilio Parodi in Milan and Angelo Amante in Rome; Editing by Matthew Lewis) ROME (Reuters) - A Rome university professor was acquitted on Wednesday of slandering Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida for comparing him to a Nazi governor. A judge kicked out the case against Donatella Di Cesare, a professor of philosophy at the Sapienza University in Rome, saying "the fact does not constitute a crime". "This is a great victory for democracy and free debate. Critical voices must be heard," Di Cesare wrote on X. Lollobrigida, who is the brother-in-law of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, made no immediate comment. He launched his legal case last year after Di Cesare appeared on a television chat show and criticised him for saying that Italy was at risk "of ethnic replacement" because of its low birthrate. Cesare said he used language similar to that of a "Gauleiter" -- a regional leader of Adolf Hitler's Nazi party. In his suit, Lollobrigida accused her of portraying him as a Nazi "who glorifies concentration camps". Cesare defended herself in the Italian press, saying she had compared his choice of words to that of a Nazi, but had not called him one. The defamation case against Cesare was one of a number of legal suits brought by government politicians against outspoken critics in recent months. Opponents say it is a concerted effort to limit freedom of speech, something ministers have denied. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Keith Weir) Olly Alexander has said that he is going to be processing his Eurovision experience for a long time, as he addressed his disappointing final scores after the contest in Malmo, Sweden. The former Years & Years frontman and Its a Sin star represented the UK at the annual song contest last weekend, but recieved the dreaded nuls points in the public vote and just 46 points from the jury, leaving him in 18th place out of 25 countries. However, the Dizzy singer seemed to put on a brave face as the scores were announced at the live final, laughing and cheering with his team, and celebrating as Switzerlands Nemo was crowned the winner with a huge 591 points. Eurovision 2024 is over! Alexander wrote in a post on Instagram on 14 May. Im so happy for [Nemo], theyre amazingly talented and the sweetest, kindest person. He continued: I honestly I dont know where to even begin with this whole experience, Im going to be processing things for a long time! For now I just want to say I am so proud of the performance and my team, everybody absolutely smashed it and gave it their all to bring the vision to life. I met so many talented wonderful people on and off the stage and Im really thankful we were able to support each other throughout. Though we may have received NIL Points from the voting public (which I shall be claiming as iconic!), Ive also seen a lot of love and im truly grateful. Thank you. The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest was overshadowed by controversy and protests over Israels participation amid its war on Gaza. There was also uproar after Netherlands contestant Joost (the stage name of musician Joost Klein) was disqualified just hours before the final, allegedly after threatening behaviour towards a female crew member. On Monday (13 May), the organisers behind the Eurovision Song Contest said they were reviewing the events of the weekend, having received complaints of a horrible atmosphere backstage. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said it regretted that some delegations didnt respect the spirit of the rules in Sweden and confirmed that a number of contestants had made complaints. We spoke to a number of delegations during the event regarding various issues that were brought to our attention, the organisation said. The EBUs governing bodies will, together with the heads of delegations, review the events surrounding the ESC in Malmo to move forward in a positive way and to ensure the values of the event are respected by everyone. Dutch contestant Joost was disqualified from the Eurovision 2024 final (TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Ima) Earlier responding to Joosts disqualification, the EBU confirmed that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member. Explaining its decision to rule his behaviour in breach of contest rules, the EBU said: We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the contest. In light of this, Joost Kleins behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of contest rules. Swedish police said on Monday that Joost would likely be charged for making illegal threats and that a decision should come within a few weeks. Klein has already left Sweden, according to reports. Next years Eurovision Song Contest will now be hosted by winning country Switzerland, with the exact city to be announced at a later date. By Mohammad Salem and James Mackenzie GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Palestinians commemorated the 1948 "Nakba" or catastrophe, on Wednesday, marking the time when hundreds of thousands were dispossessed of their homes in the war at the birth of the state of Israel, as fighting raged amid the rubble in Gaza. The Nakba has been one of the defining experiences for Palestinians for more than 75 years, helping to shape their national identity and casting its shadow on their conflicted relationship with Israel in the decades since. This year's commemoration has been dominated by the plight of around two million Palestinians in Gaza, most of whom are living in temporary shelters after being displaced from their homes by the Israeli campaign launched in the wake of the Hamas-led attack on Israel last October. "There is no catastrophe worse than this one," said 80-year-old Umm Mohammed, who survived the original Nakba as a child in the southern town of Beersheba before coming to Gaza, where she has spent most of her life and where she now lives in a tent in the southern city of Rafah. "I've been here for about 80 years and a catastrophe like this, I have not seen. Our homes have gone, our children have gone, our property has gone, our gold has gone, our incomes have gone - nothing is left. What is left for us to cry over?" The seven-month-old Israeli campaign, which has left much of the Gaza Strip a wasteland of rubble and wrecked buildings, has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians and displaced most of the population, drawing fears among many of a second Nakba in which they would be forced from Gaza altogether. For many of the descendants of the 1948 refugees, keeping the memory alive of what their parents and grandparents lost remains an important priority. But for some, the experience of the past months has superseded the old stories of families being driven from their villages. "My mother and father told me about the Nakba, the first one, but this Nakba here is worse," said 58-year-old Faridah Abu Artema, sitting in a tent encampment near Rafah. "This is destruction. They've destroyed us - what we have seen, no one else has seen. This is a tragedy." The May 15 Nakba day commemoration marks the start of the 1948 war, when neighbouring Arab states attacked Israel a day after the new state declared its independence following the withdrawal of British forces from what was then called Palestine. REFUGEE CAMPS The fighting lasted for months and cost thousands of lives, with almost 800,000 Palestinians fleeing their homes or driven away from villages in what is now Israel, most into makeshift camps like the ones now occupied by the displaced of Gaza. Over the years, dozens of refugee camps have grown into densely built up urban townships spread throughout the Middle East, where the 1948 refugees and their descendants make up almost half the total Palestinian population. More than 5.9 million Palestinians are currently registered as refugees in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, according to United Nations figures, in addition to a diaspora population across the world. Events marking the Nakba anniversary were also held in Ramallah, the main city in the occupied West Bank, where thousands bearing Palestinian flags marched, carrying signs with the names of villages of their grandparents. A 20-year-old student at Bir Zeit University, resident in the Jalazoun refugee camp north of Ramallah, was killed in a clash with Israeli forces. Demonstrations were also planned in Jordan and Lebanon where some two million Palestinians are registered as refugees by the U.N. Palestinian aid agency UNRWA. (Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; Writing by James Mackenzie, Editing by William Maclean) Slovak PM Fico no longer in life-threatening condition after being shot, minister says By Radovan Stoklasa and Boldizsar Gyori BANSKA BYSTRICA, Slovakia (Reuters) -Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is no longer in a life-threatening condition after he was shot in an assassination attempt when leaving a government meeting on Wednesday, a government minister said. The gunman shot Fico, 59, five times, initially leaving the prime minister in critical condition and undergoing surgery hours later on Wednesday evening. "I was very shocked ... fortunately as far as I know the operation went well - and I guess in the end he will survive ... he's not in a life-threatening situation at this moment," Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC's Newshour. Taraba said one bullet went through Fico's stomach and a second hit a joint. News outlet Aktuality.sk cited an unnamed source saying Fico was out of surgery and in stable condition. Defence Minister Robert Kalinak told a news briefing hours earlier that Fico had suffered "serious polytrauma" after several shot wounds. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok had said earlier that Fico was in a life-threatening condition while he remained in the operating room. "This assassination (attempt) was politically motivated and the perpetrator's decision was born closely after the presidential election," Sutaj Estok said, referring to an April election won by a Fico ally, Peter Pellegrini. The shooting in the central Slovak town of Handlova, which Slovak media said was carried out by a 71-year-old man, stunned the small central European nation and drew international condemnation. Slovakia, a member of NATO and the European Union, has little history of political violence. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden joined Slovakia's EU partners in expressing shock and condemnation of the shooting. The country of 5.4 million has seen polarised political debate in recent years, including the hard-fought presidential election last month that helped tighten Fico's grip on power. Since returning as prime minister last October, Fico has shifted policy quickly. Opposition critics call it a power grab. His government has scaled back support for Ukraine while opening dialogue with Russia, sought to weaken punishments for corruption and dismantled a special prosecutor's office, and is revamping the RTVS public broadcaster despite calls to protect media freedom. Fico has long been critical of Slovakia's mainstream media, refusing to speak to some outlets. Members of his party blasted media and opposition actions in recent months. "I ask all to stop piling attacks, expressions of hate, on social networks, in the media, which are aimed at that or another political camp, regardless if it concerns the (government) coalition or the opposition," Sutaj Estok said. After the attack, Fico was rushed to hospital in Handlova where he had been chairing a government meeting. He was then transported by helicopter to regional capital Banska Bystrica for urgent treatment, it said, adding that his condition was too serious for him to be taken to Bratislava. A Reuters witness heard shots as Fico exited a building to shake hands with a crowd of people who had been waiting to greet him. Police then wrestled a man to the ground. Slovak news media reported the shooter was a former security guard at a shopping mall, an author of three collections of poetry and a member of the Slovak Society of Writers. News outlet Aktuality.sk cited his son as saying his father was the legal holder of a gun licence. "I have absolutely no idea what my father intended, what he planned, what happened," it quoted the son as saying. Broadcaster TA3 reported the leftist prime minister had been hit in the abdomen in the attack. "I don't think I will wake up from this," 66-year-old Lubica Valkova told reporters on the scene. "This kind of thing just can't happen in Slovakia." VETERAN LEADER Fico, a dominant force in Slovakia for two decades, has drawn criticism for taking a more pro-Russian stance in the Ukraine war. Describing the shooting as a "monstrous" crime, Putin said in a telegram sent to Slovakia's President Zuzana Caputova: "I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation." Biden offered U.S. help to Slovakia, saying in a statement: "We condemn this horrific act of violence." Slovakia's biggest opposition party Progressive Slovakia called off a planned protest and called for restraint to avoid escalating tensions. Parliament suspended debate indefinitely after the attack. In his career, Fico has moved between the pro-European mainstream and nationalistic positions opposed to EU and U.S. policies. He has also shown a willingness to change course depending on public opinion or changed political realities. An admirer of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Fico has grown increasingly critical of Western support for Ukraine in its war with invading Russian forces. Fico was forced to resign as premier amid mass protests in 2018 triggered by the contract killing of Jan Kuciak, a journalist who had been investigating high-level corruption. Those protests exacerbated divisions in Slovak society that still linger. (Reporting by Radovan Stoklasa, Jason Hovet, Jan Lopatka and Alan Charlish; Writing by Michael Kahn; Editing by Timothy Heritage, Gareth Jones and Diane Craft) Ana Knezevich lit up every room she walked in. "She's a beautiful soul," Ana's brother, Felipe Henao, recalled of his older sister in an interview with HNGN on Tuesday. "Ana's a very giving, strong, successful woman a great sister." Henao last heard from Ana in late January. Even though she had been spending time overseas away from her home in Ft. Lauderdale in the midst of a rocky divorce from her husband of 13 years, David Knezevich, the siblings regularly kept in touch, and Henao wanted to update his sister with some exciting, uplifting news. "I told her I needed to tell her something because my wife is pregnant. I wanted to tell her about how the first ultrasound went, but the messages would not go through," Henao recalled. "I was freaking out. It's not like her she always answers." The investigation into Ana's whereabouts began around Feb. 4, after friends reported receiving suspicious text messages from the victim's cell phone stating she was going away with a man she had just met. Spanish firefighters conducting a welfare check at the request of loved ones were unable to locate her at her apartment. Her cell phone, laptop and chargers were also missing, according to the FBI's criminal complaint. A review of surveillance footage from the day Ana vanished showed someone resembling her 36-year-old husband entering her Madrid apartment building and spray-painting the lens of a security camera. About an hour later, the same man was seen on video leaving the building with a suitcase. Ana was never captured on camera walking out of her apartment. "She just wanted to get away from here (Florida) because this is where she got married and they were going through a divorce," pleaded Henao. "She had all these plans." Before she disappeared, Ana was looking to the future and envisioning life post-divorce. She had made arrangements to visit Barcelona and had purchased tickets to a concert in Madrid. Henao said his sister was also making plans to set up a non-profit to help women in abusive relationships, however he declined to elaborate on the motivation behind those dreams. Nevertheless, the FBI described the estranged couple's relationship as "contentious because Knezevich did not want to split the marital assets evenly with the victim," the criminal complaint stated. Three months after she went missing, authorities arrested Knezevich at the Miami International Airport and charged him with Ana's kidnapping. Authorities have not commented on whether or not they believe Ana is still alive. As time passes, Henao admits the family's dreams of finding her safe is dwindling. "You can never lose hope, but you also gotta be realistic, right?" he admitted. "With everything all the time that has passed and all that we've seen even our mom realizes the worst," said Henao. "But, we've got to find her. We're fighting for her. We have to find her and give my mom some peace and closure." Tourists going to Greece warned to make two checks eight weeks before holiday Greece holidaymakers have been urged to do the checks -Credit:Getty Holidaymakers heading to Greece need to complete two checks at least eight weeks before they fly. As written on the Foreign Office's website under their latest travel advice, they are asking people that "at least" eight weeks before your trip", you should check what vaccinations you need, if any. The UK Government office also ask people to check where they can get it from and whether they have to pay. The NHS says some vaccines need to be given in advance in order to allow your body to develop immunity. Additionally, some vaccines need a certain number of doses spread over several weeks and even months. Do I need any vaccinations before flying to Greece? You may need to get vaccinations before you fly -Credit:Getty According to TravelHealthPro: "Travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK. These vaccinations include, for example, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine." You can find the latest information on health risks and what vaccinations you need for Greece on TravelHealthPro's website here (from the UKs National Travel Health Network and Centre). Where can I get vaccinated and do I have to pay? You can check where you can get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page here. Which travel vaccines are free? The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS from your GP surgery. These are free as they protect against diseases which are believed to represent the greatest risk to public health if brought into the country. Which travel vaccines will I have to pay for? You'll have to pay for travel vaccinations against: Yellow fever vaccines are only available from designated centres. The NHS caution: "The cost of travel vaccines that are not available on the NHS will vary, depending on the vaccine and number of doses you need. It's worth considering this when budgeting for your trip." Who is more at risk? You may be more at risk of some diseases, for example, if you're: travelling in rural areas backpacking staying in hostels or camping on a long trip rather than a package holiday If you have a pre-existing health problem, this may make you more at risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness, the NHS states. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter. First Minister of Wales Vaughan Gething attends an interview with Reuters, in Cardiff First Minister of Wales Vaughan Gething attends an interview with Reuters, in Cardiff By Layli Foroudi and Ben Makori CARDIFF, Wales (Reuters) - When he took office as First Minister of Wales in March, Vaughan Gething became the first Black head of government in Europe - yet he believes UK society is more overtly racist than a decade ago. "On virtually every piece of social media that went out for my campaign, there'd be a stream of messages underneath it that were questioning my right to be here," the leader of the Welsh Labour party told Reuters in an interview last week. "And some were much more overt than that." Zambian-born Gething, 50, said there had been even more offensive and racist material directed at him since he took up the post, but he tries not to look at it. Gething's Welsh father went to Africa as a vet and married his mother, a Zambian chicken farmer. When the family relocated to Wales, his father was rejected from one job after the employer saw his wife and children were Black. Times have changed. People from ethnic minorities are reaching Britain's highest offices on a scale unseen elsewhere in Europe. Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is of Indian background. And until recently, the position of Scottish First Minister was held by Hamza Yousaf, of Pakistani heritage. "The fact that it has happened at scale and in countries with lower diversity, such as Wales, [creates] a further sense that this is a norm across our politics," said Sunder Katwala, director of think tank British Futures. Gething believes that viewing his election as a sign of Britains successful multiculturalism is too simplistic and masks a recent resurgence of racism despite undoubted progress in the decades since his father's return from Zambia. London's mayor election earlier this month, for example, was marred by racist commentary and threats to the incumbent Sadiq Khan, a Muslim, who does not leave the house without bodyguards. 'DIVISION IS MORE OVERT' "You see division that is more overt ... you see a change in tone where people are happier to say things out loud that they would not have said in 2005," Gething said from the Welsh parliament building overlooking Cardiff Bay. In the last 2019 U.K. general election, 66 members of parliament of ethnic minority background won seats - compared to 15 in 2005. The next parliament, after a vote expected later this year, will be the "most diverse ever", British Futures predicts, with 12% of lawmakers from ethnic minority background compared to 16% of the general population. Shabna Begum, CEO of the Runnymede Trust, a racial equality think tank, said parties have come a long way in selecting minority candidates previously considered "unelectable". "But there is a disconnect. What we see is a great diversity in political leadership that hasn't translated into better politics for working class ethnic minority people." Racial inequality is in fact deepening in Britain. Average incomes as a ratio of the poverty line fell by 6% over the previous decade for Black and minority ethnic people, compared to 1% for whites, according to a Runnymede study from October 2022. The disparity is highest in Wales, where minorities are 3.5 times more likely to be in poverty than white compatriots. Race-related hate crimes recorded by police in England and Wales have risen 43% in the five years to 2023. Some ethnic minority voters, who historically favour Labour, are feeling alienated due to the party's position on the Gaza conflict and backtracking on equality pledges, says Neema Begum, assistant professor in politics at Nottingham University. "It's a signal that Labour is taking Black and minority voters for granted, but there's enough disgruntlement with the (ruling) Conservative Party as well, so there isn't really an alternative," she said. Labour leader Keir Starmer acknowledged Muslim voters' disappointment that the party had not taken a stronger pro-Palestinian stance over Gaza had dented support in recent local elections where it nevertheless performed strongly. BUTETOWN In Butetown, a diverse working class neighbourhood a short walk from the Welsh parliament or Senned, community activist Steve Khaireh has noticed increased demand at the food bank and that kids turn up hungry to the youth club he runs. The main problem is lack of stable employment, he said. "You go to Cardiff Bay, to the Senned, the Council, the fire service, you don't see anyone working there: no-one from this area, no-one with this colour," he said, referring to his skin. Gething said Wales' relatively high racial inequalities on poverty reflected bigger class divides. He wants to grow the economy, particularly around the renewable energy industry, to put more money into public services, and to review the "anti-racist Wales action plan" launched in 2022. Pointing to the upcoming election, where polls project Labour to win comfortably, he said his task will be easier with "two Labour governments working for Wales and Britain together". Gething trained as a lawyer at Wales' Aberystwyth and Cardiff universities, becoming leader of the national student union of Wales and then of the Wales Trade Union Congress: the first Black person to hold either position. He was health minister during the COVID pandemic, sparking controversy when caught eating chips in a park during lockdown and again over a 200,000 pound ($250,000) donation to his campaign from a company whose owner was convicted of illegal dumping. He denies any rule-breaking. Abdi Khalidi, 35, a taxi driver from Butetown, said Gething's election is good - he has met and liked him - but "colour doesn't make a difference to us, as long as they bring the jobs and for everyone". "They (politicians) need to create jobs and stop making divisions between immigrants and natives... there is no-one bringing them back together." ($1 = 0.7988 pounds) (Reporting by Layli Foroudi and Ben Makori, Additional reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Watch: Slovak PM Robert Fico critical after assassination attempt Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico is in critical condition after he was shot multiple times outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday May 15, 2024 10:19 PM , ummid.com News Network [The alleged assailant has been detained by the police.] Bratislava: Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico is in critical condition after he was shot multiple times outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova Wednesday afternoon. After the assassination attempt, he was rushed to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The Prime Minister was shot multiple times and is currently in a life-threatening condition, a message posted on Ficos social media account said. Bullet injuries in head, abdomen According to Slovak media reports, Robert Fico was shot multiple times. He has sustained bullet injuries in the abdomen, arm, leg and also in the head. Fico was shot at while he was leaving a government meeting in the central town of Handlova. The alleged assailant has been detained by the police, local media said. Watch Video Selon les informations des medias slovaques, le premier ministre Robert Fico aurait ete touche par balles a plusieurs reprises. Un a l'abdomen, un a la tete. Il est dans un etat grave. Il est oppose a lagenda de Bruxelles et a la guerre en Ukraine. Il a ete accuse en 2022 pic.twitter.com/lllVFetQKX Alexis Poulin (@Poulin2012) May 15, 2024 The post further said that Robert Fico is being transport to Banska Bystrica for emergency medical treatment. At this moment, he is being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica, because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute intervention. The next few hours will decide, the post said. Condemnations pour in Western leaders, from Germanys Chancellor Olaf Scholz to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed shock at the shooting. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the assault too. "I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good", she wrote on X. Social media users however are linking the shooting with some recent incidents relating to WHO Global Pandemic Accord and his opposition to Ukraine war. "The Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico has just been shot in public. This comes only days after Fico formally and publicly rejected the WHO Global Pandemic Accord", multiple users wrote on X. "Only last week Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico gave this speech: I also clearly declare that we (Slovakia Democratic Party) WILL NOT support strengthening the Powers of the World Health Organisation One study after another confirms the scandalous consequences of mass vaccination with experimental untested vaccines. If someone had a different opinion on vaccination against Covid - they were dangerous to society. "Today he has been shot in public", he wrote. "PM of Slovakia Robert Fico was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound. Previously he criticized raising money for Ukraine, spoke out against Ukraines admission to NATO and said that the SMO began as a result of the rampant Ukrainian neo-Nazis & Putin had no other choice", another user wrote on X. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. This year's event was attended by AES Corporations Juan Ignacio Rubiolo, Executive Vice President and President of Energy Infrastructure at the AES Corporation, and the leadership team of AES Corporation and AES Vietnam. The Vice President began the annual event by declaring: Safety is our composition to accelerate the future of energy. During this event, various activities took place, including the Golden Bell Challenge, where participants participated in safety-related quizzes and challenges to strengthen their knowledge and commitment to safety, and an emergency response drill that offered a realistic simulation for participants to practice emergency procedures, ensuring preparedness for critical situations. Im proud we are delivering reliable energy safely and at the highest standard. It was an extraordinary effort all together by our team. I want to express my deepest gratitude to our employees and contractors for your dedicated efforts. said Joseph Uddo, President and CEO of AES Vietnam and Managing Director of AES Mong Duong. "Under this years theme Safety Day, Every Day: Putting Gen AI to Work for Safety, we are taking a step further - harnessing Gen AI (Generative Artificial Intelligence) to transform our work methods, fortify safety protocols, and empower our team with agility and productivity. With Gen AI as our ally, we stride confidently toward a safer, more productive future. "At AES Mong Duong, we consistently set the highest standards for all of our activities, including adherence to safety, environmental and health protocols. Our commitment extends beyond mere compliance; it reflects our dedication to creating benefits for our employees, the community, and the environment. By integrating cutting-edge technologies, we strive to foster a culture where safety is not just a one-day event but an integral part of our daily routines. Through continuous improvement and collaboration, we ensure that safety remains at the forefront of everything we do, safeguarding both our workforce and the communities we serve." AES Vietnam Website: aes-vietnam.com About AES in Vietnam Our vision is to be a leading sustainable power company in Vietnam that provides safe, reliable and affordable energy. AES, through its subsidiary, AES Mong Duong Power Company Limited, has successfully developed and arranged funding for the Mong Duong 2 Power Project, which has a capacity of 1,242 MW and a total investment of approximately $2.1 billion. This project represents approximately 2.3 percent of the countrys installed capacity. For more information, please visit https://aesmongduong.vn/ In November 2017, AES signed an MOU with PV Gas in the presence of the U.S. and Vietnamese presidents to develop the Son My LNG Terminal Project. In November 2019, AES also signed an MOU with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to develop a 2.2GW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant under the BOT scheme, which will be located in Binh Thuan Province. In October 2020, AES Vietnam and PV GAS inked a Term Sheet of the Joint Venture Agreement for Son My LNG terminal. Together, the CCGT and terminal are expected to play a major role in shaping Vietnams energy future by diversifying the energy mix with imported LNG and meeting the countrys increasing demand for sustainable and affordable electricity. For more information, visit: www.aes-vietnam.com About AES The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 500 global energy company accelerating the future of energy. Together with our many stakeholders, were improving lives by delivering the greener, smarter energy solutions the world needs. Our diverse workforce is committed to continuous innovation and operational excellence, while partnering with our customers on their strategic energy transitions and continuing to meet their energy needs today. For more information, visit www.aes.com. HA NOI Rooftop solar power is an important solution for manufacturers to 'greenise' production, earn competitive advantages and optimise efficiency towards meeting net zero goals, experts have said. According to Hoang Quang Phong, Vice Chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), rooftop solar power systems could help businesses maintain a stable source of power for production, as well as reduce production costs. Viet Nam has participated in 19 bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements (FTAs), providing significant opportunities for the country to participate in global supply chains. So rooftop solar power is a clear trend in the international integration progress towards green production, Phong added. However, the installment and use of rooftop solar power in industrial zones remains sluggish due to the lack of detailed regulations and incentives which could encourage investments. Nguyen Anh Thu, Vice Principal of University of Economics and Business - Vietnam National University, said that the eighth national power development plan (PDP8) currently only encourages the development of rooftop solar for households and offices, while the installation of this type of energy is not being encouraged for large electricity users like manufacturers. Rooftop solar power is a proven way of reducing production costs, Thu said, adding that the sector needs a policy rethink to promote the development of rooftop solar power. The focus should be on improving the legal framework, as well as policies to encourage investments. Truong Van Cam, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, said rooftop solar power would be a good fit for industrial parks, would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy and promote the transition towards sustainability. However, there is a lack of mechanisms for installing rooftop solar power at industrial parks is deterring investments. VNS TOKYO The Department of Forestry of Viet Nam and the Department of Forestry of Japan have signed a Memorandum of Co-operation (MoC) on bilateral co-operation in the field of forestry. The MoC include eight co-operative activities of sustainable forest management, climate change mitigation and adaption, effective forest resource management and use, forest, biodiversity conservation and forest landscape restoration, forest management for natural disaster prevention, research and development of new technology in the field of forestry, human resource development, and timber legality, responsible trade of timber and timber products. At the signing ceremony in Tokyo on Tuesday, Tran Quang Bao, Director of Viet Nams Forestry Department, said he highly appreciated the co-operation and support from the Japanese side in the field of forestry in recent years. Japan has supported Viet Nam in developing and implementing strategies, policies and important projects of the industry such as completing the legal system and supporting the development of the 2017 Forestry Law, decrees and circulars guiding the implementation of the law, Bao said. Through non-refundable technical assistance ODA programmes/projects and preferential loan projects, Japan has supported Viet Nam in strengthening sustainable forest management, improving livelihoods for forest-based communities, biodiversity conservation, and climate change in forestry, Bao said. Most of the programmes/projects that have been implemented in Viet Nam are considered effective, contributing to the success of the forestry industry in recent years, he said. In wood product trade, Japan is one of the five biggest importing countries of Viet Nam in the world with about US$1.5-2 billion each year. Despite achieving the important results, the two sides needed to continue to advance co-operation, to promote the potential and strengths of the two countries in the field of forestry, making bilateral co-operation more effective and in-depth, contributing to the development of the two countries' forestry industries," the director said. At the event, head of Japanese Forestry Department, Aoyama Toyohisa also reviewed the results of co-operation between the two sides in recent times and highly appreciated the close co-ordination of the Vietnamese side in the process and achieved important achievements. He suggested that in the coming time, the two sides needed to strengthen co-ordination in developing plans to effectively and practically implement the eight activities that the two sides have identified in the MoC. Within the framework of the business trip, the Vietnamese delegation also attended other events such as bilateral discussion with the Japan Biomass Power Association, meeting with representatives of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the 4th Biomass Innovations Asia. At these events, Viet Nam shared information about the processing and trade of wood and wood products in Viet Nam, and regulations on the legality of wood to contribute to promoting legal wood production, sustainable export and trade of wood and wood pellets between the two countries. VNS HA NOI More than two million farmer households have been trained with digital skills, with more than 50,000 farm products now on sale on e-commerce platforms, demonstrating a growing efficiency in the digital transformation of the agricultural sector, Nguyen Quoc Toan, Director of the Centre for Digital Transformation and Agricultural Statistics said. Speaking at a meeting on Tuesday in Ha Noi, Toan said that farmers are the centre of moves into a digital space. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that with digital transformation, even if there are fewer people working in agriculture, there are still ways and tools which can be used to profit from the land. Hoan stressed that technology-powered development is also a way towards sustainable and green development in Viet Nam. For cooperatives and farmers, digital transformation is a multi-channel solution, including digital platforms, e-commerce channels, using social channels to market agricultural produce, which in turn will produce data to help shape production and distribution. However, greater efforts are needed to accelerate the digital transformation in agriculture, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The focus will now be on enhancing research and development, the application of technology, as well as innovation to speed up digital transformation and development in the agricultural digital economy - the three streams being agriculture, rural development and farmers themselves. It is also necessary to develop big data for the sector to increase the application of digital technologies and help farmers increase quality and yield. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang asked the agriculture ministry to speed up administrative reforms and develop a standardised database for the sector, including planting, husbandry, aquaculture, forestry and irrigation. Investments should prioritise the development of the information and technology infrastructure and a structure system for high-tech crop and husbandry zones. It is also important to create strong bonds between agricultural enterprises and technology start-up firms to develop smart and modern agricultural value chains, he said. VNS HCM CITY Viet Nams seafood exports during the first four months of the year reached US$2.7 billion, up 6 per cent, with exports of many products seeing positive growth in April. According to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the countrys seafood exports in April reached $700 million, up 4 per cent year-on-year. Shrimp exports were in April were similar to that of the same month last year at around $285 million, the highest amount since the start of the year. According to businesses, shrimp exports are recovering as the inventory stocks are falling and need to be refilled, but actual consumer demand has not shown signs of growth. Average export prices are still lower than two years ago. The US is considering recognising Viet Nam as having a market economy status, which is expected to remove the trade barrier of anti-subsidy taxes, which would help Vietnamese shrimp exporters. Le Hang, communications director of VASEP, said that tra fish exports in April reached $168 million, up 13 per cent, which is a positive sign after tra fish exports dropped in February and March. Exports to the US market are seeing positive signs after Vietnamese tra fish businesses partook in the Seafood Expo North America in Boston in March, she said, adding that they also participated in Spains Seafood Expo Global in April. In addition to frozen tra fish fillet, they focused on promoting deep processed catfish products with high added value, garnering the attention of importers and visitors at the exhibitions. Tuna exports in April were up 28 per cent, exports of squid and octopus were down 14 per cent, and shelled mollusks were up 14 per cent. Le Hang said that Viet Nams tuna, squid, octopus and sea fish processing industries are all facing the shortage of raw materials. Domestic supply is not enough to fulfill demand, so they have to import from other countries. Regulations from the EU and Viet Nams new regulations to tackle illegal, unreported and irregular fishing are further hindering local supply. For example, Vietnamese importers are now expected to notify and declare documents 72 hours before docking for foreign ships or 48 hours for container ships, which many consider to be unreasonable. They are also unclear about a new regulation on how exporters cannot mix together raw seafood materials that are imported with raw seafood materials that are harvested domestically in the same batch of exported goods. Meanwhile, exports of crab in April surged 101 per cent, with China being the main market and live crab being the key product. Other products have strong potential in China due to its close location to Viet Nam, such as live lobster and sea cucumber. Among the top five largest export markets of Viet Nam, Japan and Korea saw slight growth in seafood imports, while the others remained the same or even fell. Exports to China have been dropping since February, as the country has many suppliers to choose from, with competitive prices. According to seafood exporters, if the challenges surrounding importing raw seafood materials are alleviated, exports during the second half of the year will be more favourable. VNS The former Marine accused of threatening to kill white people apparently sought online advice about making his airsoft rifle "look as realistic as possible" and finding a pellet pistol with the "loudest blow back," posts reviewed by HNGN show. A user of the Airsoft Society website with the name "1DayUSuffer" posted a message on one of its forums that said, "New to Airsoft, just bought my first rifle the other day, Valken ASL+ AEG, loving it so far." "The only thing is I'd love for my rifle to look as realistic as possible, I feel like it will just enhance the overall experience of playing Airsoft!" the March 11, 2023, message said. The same user also posted a message on April 29, 2023, that asked, "What are some of the loudest blow back c02 pistols?" "Looking for anything that can deliver a nice healthy pop on the first couple of shots, any good recommendations out there?" the message continued. Federal authorities in New Jersey have said Cobb, 23, of Trenton, New Jersey, used a similar online name, "1dayUsuffer," on the Soundcloud music-sharing website. The profile for the Airsoft Society user also placed that person in Trenton. The New Jersey U.S. attorney's office said Tuesday that there was "nothing in the complaint that would confirm" Cobb was behind the Airsoft Society posts. Cobb's court-appointed lawyers didn't immediately return a request for comment. Cobb was arrested Friday over allegations that he used the name "NearbyUser101" to post a lengthy social media message that said he was planning an attack on white people in which nobody would "be able to stop me from spraying them to the ground." "The reason i specifically want to target white people is because as a black male, they will NEVER understand my struggles," he allegedly wrote on Dec. 17, 2022. "Same way I will never understand their struggles, but I don't care to. I want to erase them." He's charged with one count of transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce, which is punishable by up to five years in prison. Cobb joined the Marines in 2023 and was stationed at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Center in Twentynine Palms, California. On April 3, the FBI seized his iPhone and interviewed him at the base, where he allegedly provided details of his attack plan and said he still had "homicidal ideations" and felt "contempt towards those whom he perceived as privileged white people in New Jersey." Cobb also allegedly claimed he had access to firearms, including through a relative and someone who could 3D print guns. Cobb was discharged from the Marines the same day as his arrest and is being held without bond pending a Friday court hearing. HA NOI The upcoming Viet Nam International Logistics Exhibition 2024 (VILOG 2024) is set to address one of the most critical challenges of our time: sustainability in logistics. Taking place from August 1 to August 3, 2024, at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC) in HCM City, this highly anticipated event will gather industry leaders, innovators and stakeholders from around the world under the banner 'Green Logistics - the Foundation for Sustainable Development.' With a focus on sustainability, VILOG 2024 aims to drive change by showcasing cutting-edge solutions, technologies and strategies that prioritise environmental consciousness. The exhibition will cover a wide range of topics, including renewable energy integration, efficient transportation systems, waste reduction initiatives and eco-conscious supply chain management. Attendees can expect a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in green logistics through a dynamic lineup of exhibitors, seminars and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and promote innovation. The event has already secured 480 booths, from 350 exhibitors, covering an impressive 9,000 square metres of exhibition space. One of the highlights will be the innovation showcase, where both pioneering logistics startups and established companies can present their game-changing solutions. VILOG 2024 is sponsored by SeaRates by DP World (UAE) and co-sponsored by JGL Worldwide (Singapore), ITL (Viet Nam), Long An International Port (Viet Nam), and DHL Group (DHL Supply Chain Viet and DHL Global Forwarding). These key partners bring invaluable expertise, resources and support to enhance the overall experience for all participants. The Viet Nam International Logistics Exhibition 2024 (VILOG 2024) is co-organised by the Viet Nam Logistics Business Association (VLA) and Vinexad Company, with active support from the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. VNS HA NOI The market climbed strongly on Wednesday with many stocks witnessing big gains and liquidity also soaring above VN20 trillion. On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the benchmark VN-Index increased 11.11 points, or 0.89 per cent, to 1,254.39 points, in a second day of rises. The market's breadth was positive as the number of gainers surpassed that of losers by 216 to 90. Liquidity on the southern bourse rose over VN22.1 trillion (US$870.5 million), equivalent to a trading volume of 880.1 million shares. The 30 biggest stocks tracker VN30-Index climbed 12.66 points, or 0.99 per cent, to 1,289.97 points. In the VN30 basket, 26 stocks ticked up, three inched down and one ended flat. Rallies in large-cap stocks provided support for the market's upbeat sentiment. Data compiled by a financial website vietstock.vn showed that Hoa Phat Group (HPG) was the biggest gainer on the market and led the market in terms of capitalisation. Shares of the steel producer rose over 3.3 per cent, contributing nearly 1.5 points to the VN-Index gain. Other large-cap stocks that increased were FPT Corporation (FPT), Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID), Masan Group Corporation (MSN) and the Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (VCB). All stocks climbed in a range of 0.44-2.76 per cent, respectively. Meantime, Vietnam Prosperity JSC Bank (VPB), Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ACB) and Dong Nai Port JSC (PDN) were the stocks with the most negative impact on the market's sentiment, but the declines were not significant. The HNX-Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX) rose 1.83 points, or 0.77 per cent to 238.78 points. More than 115 million shares were traded on the northern exchange, worth more than VN2.1 trillion. This is the tenth consecutive bullish trading session of the HNX-Index. Foreign investors returned to net buy more than VN147 billion on the HoSE in the Wednesday session, concentrating in Mobile World Investment Corporation (MWG), Hoa Phat Group (HPG), Novaland (NVL) and Petrovietnam Ca Mau Fertiliser JSC (DCM). VNS HA NOI In 2024, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) will roll out an action programme, in which the initial focus will be on supporting international connections and cooperation for around 30,000 business owners and enterprises, said Pham Tan Cong, the Chairman of VCCI. This aims to develop a strong and growing community of business leaders in the new era, and to implement the national, sectoral and local strategies for developing the business community by 2030 and the 2045. VCCI plans to develop standards for Vietnamese business ethics and culture. This includes forming a team of top Vietnamese business leaders with global-level capabilities and strong ethics. The goals are for around ten Vietnamese billionaires to make the global list and five to be named among Asia's most powerful business leaders. It will also support enhancing business capabilities for 200,000 entrepreneurs, with a focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), women, startups and youth. It will also facilitate international integration and cooperation for 30,000 businesses. To support business leaders, VCCI is developing training programmes for 500 senior executives and 5,000 future leaders. Additionally, VCCI will continue its annual Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) and Provincial Green Index (PGI) assessments. This helps create a favourable, safe, and equitable investment and business environment for entrepreneurs and enterprises to thrive. VCCI aims to have 5,000 enterprises adopt the Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI). Resolution 41 has reinvigorated Viet Nam's business community, helping entrepreneurs reposition themselves to seize unprecedented opportunities. Vice Chairman of VCCI Hoang Quang Phong said that beyond supporting businesses' international engagement, VCCI is building an investment promotion platform. This connects investors with provinces, provides advisory services and provides expertise to improve local economic development. Moreover, VCCI is establishing regional business councils to foster stronger regional linkages and more dynamic local business activities in the near future. VNS A NANG More than 400 major industry players from the Asian steel sector, including industry experts, associated trade associations and government representatives joined the 2024 Southeast Asia Iron and Steel Institute (SEAISI) Conference and Exhibition at the central citys Ariyana Convention Centre, featuring a series of trade promotions and special seminars that introduce the latest steel production technologies and provide forecasts on global steel demand in the coming years. The conference, themed Surviving and Thriving in the Decarbonised World, was a way for steel producers to share business strategies, their approach to advanced technologies and gain information from regional partners. Chairman of the Viet Nam Steel Association, Nghiem Xuan a, said: The conference is an excellent opportunity for us to discuss policy development, technology and the challenges and opportunities of working towards a sustainable green steel industry. Dr. Edwin Basson, Director General of the World Steel Association, said global steel production has increased tenfold since the 1950s. The steel industry has been profoundly impacted by four major trends intensified by the pandemic, which have brought significant changes: technological advances, socio-economic transformations, geopolitical shifts, and notably, climate change. Since 2015, Viet Nams steel industry has developed into one of the leading manufacturers in ASEAN for the production and consumption of finished steel products and in 2023 was ranked 12th in the world in crude steel production, with an output of 20 million tonnes. However, the industry remains a major greenhouse gas emitter and environmental impactorresponsible for 7% of national total emissions and about 46 per cent of industrial processes, according to experts. Vice chairman of a Nang Citys Peoples Committee, Tran Chi Cuong said all levels of Central and local State Management Agencies need to focus on creating conditions for the Viet Nam Steel Association and the steel manufacturing business community to have a successful green transformation, contributing to Viet Nams commitments made at the Climate Change Summit - COP26. It is recommended that experts and international organisations pay attention and help support the Viet Nam Steel industry in sharing experiences, technology, techniques, financial support, human resources and management solutions, in order to build, develop and implement a carbon neutral roadmap, Cuong said. There was also an exhibition area at the conference, with steel companies from Southeast Asia and well-known brands from countries with advanced steel industries, such as Australia, Japan, and South Korea, participating. VNS HA NOI Technical barriers, support to promote export markets and attracting green investment were the main discussion topics at a working session on May 13 organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with the participation of 12 agricultural counsellors from various countries and national groups. Nguyen Hoai Nam, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), affirmed that promoting export trade was a top priority to boost the domestic market. In recent times, VASEP has made many efforts to increase trade with businesses in other countries by improving co-operation and trade connections between the two sides. According to Nam, in recent times, Viet Nam in general and the seafood industry business community in particular have made great efforts in building quality management teams to meet market requirements. Viet Nams export products are present in more than 160 countries and territories worldwide. The fact that we maintain regular export activities into very demanding markets such as the EU or the United States proves the quality of Vietnamese seafood. We do what is necessary to obtain sustainability and environmental responsibility certifications from markets, said the VASEP representative. However, many markets are currently concerned about controlling antibiotic use in aquaculture. Therefore, Viet Nams seafood business community calls for technical support from countries in addition to the requirements set out by partners, stressed Nam. Nam cited that Viet Nam has imported a lot of tuna from New Zealand. Recently, Viet Nam has made great efforts to meet New Zealand's new requirements. However, New Zealand has a separate agreement with the EU on food safety. This causes Vietnamese seafood businesses to have problems with Health Certificates, so Viet Nam needs additional support from New Zealand to be able to discuss with the EU and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development so that these product lines no longer have problems related to regulations. Timely technical support will greatly support seafood trade issues, stressed Nam. Regarding the issue of removing the IUU "yellow card", Nam said that the Government, ministries, and business community have made great efforts in this, and look forward to the EU's recognition. Regarding the coffee industry, a representative of the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association said that the Regulation on Deforestation Free Products (EUDR) caused difficulties for Vietnamese coffee export businesses, in the context of strongly fluctuating coffee prices. The association proposed to provide guidance and support to create favourable conditions for exporting coffee to the EU market. Meanwhile, with the wood industry, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Wood and Forest Products Association Ngo Sy Hoai said that Viet Nam's wood processing and wood export industry has many advantages. Accordingly, along with highly skilled labour, Viet Nam uses legally imported wood and an abundant supply of domestically grown wood to produce traceable products. On the other hand, Vietnamese product designs are also integrated, meeting the needs of the world. Therefore, Hoai said, the wood industry community wants and is ready to cooperate with partners to expand the market for this product line. According to Director of the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen o Anh Tuan, Viet Nam's agricultural industry recorded export turnover of more than US$53 million in 2023. Viet Nam also is a large exporter of agricultural, forestry and fishery products with steady growth. With the export scale doubling over the past 10 years, in the coming time, Viet Nam will promote agricultural exports in many markets around the world. Speaking at the event, Agricultural Attache of the Brazilian Embassy Juliano Vieira said that Brazil shared common difficulties with Viet Nam in the context of a growing population, changing habits, and changing consumer needs. Therefore, Viet Nam and Brazil can share solutions to overcome challenges together. We do not copy solutions but find directions suitable to the characteristics of each country to reduce emissions, reaching the goal of net zero emissions in the near future, said Vieira. Vieira suggested that countries cannot alone find solutions for sustainable development but need to support and co-operate with each other. No matter what industry, what field, or what country, today the common denominator for all is green, sustainable growth with requirements such as food safety, traceability and geographical indications, said Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan at the event. Hoan also suggested prioritising the development of smallholder farmers, especially in countries with similar conditions to Viet Nam. Viet Nam needs technical advice and resource support from other countries to realise the potential and opportunities for agricultural co-operation in the coming time, added Hoan. VNS ONG THAP The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of ong Thap will host its second Lotus Festival from May 16-19 at Van Mieu Park in Cao Lanh City. The festival, themed The Brightness of Lotus, will include a series of cultural and culinary activities to introduce the beauty and culture of ong Thap, which is well-known as the land of pink lotuses, and enhance trade promotion to seek new markets for products made from lotus. The event will open with a music and dance gala on May 16, attracting more than 100 performers. The park will host a fair with 250 stalls introducing OCOP (one commune, one product) products made of lotus by local manufacturers. Two seminars will also be held on the value of lotus flowers and the promotion of products made from them. The organiser will also launch a street carnival, featuring a parade of ancient cars and an appearance of 5,500 women in ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dresses) decorated with images of lotus flowers. Around 50 chefs from ong Thap and other provinces will compete in a contest highlighting delicacies made from various parts of the lotus plant, such as lotus root, lotus flower stem, lotus leaf, lotus seeds and lotus seed heart. The festival will also set up a space showcasing 66,000 lotus flower pots from 57 different varieties, and a map of Viet Nam made from 5,000 lotus flower pots. An exhibition displaying paintings, photos and ceramic artefacts focusing on lotus will be held as well. In addition, the organiser will offer a trekking tour to discover Tram Chim National Park located in Tam Nong District. The park is the fourth Ramsar site in Viet Nam and the 2,000th worldwide. It has a special-use forest with distinctive wetland ecosystems spanning more than 7,300 hectares. During the flood season, visitors can watch beautiful pink lotus fields, bright green acacias, and thousands of white storks at the park. The ong Thap Lotus Festival was first held in May 2022, attracting more than 100,000 visitors and earning a revenue of VN60 billion (US$2.35 million). The festival, themed Lotus of a New Day, introduced hundreds of OCOP products and delicacies made from the lotus plant. VNS HA NOI Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan hosted receptions in Ha Noi on Wednesday for ambassadors of Armenia, New Zealand, Turkiye and Peru who came to present their credentials. Meeting Ambassador of Armenia Suren Baghdasaryan, Xuan said Viet Nam always appreciates the support from people of the former Soviet Union, including Armenia, to Viet Nam's past struggle for national independence and reunification. Noting developments in the bilateral diplomatic, economic and investment ties, the Acting President said ample room remains for Viet Nam and Armenia to step up their cooperation, and suggested them optimise existing collaboration mechanisms while reaching new ones to boost their economic, trade and investment links. The two countries also have potential for cooperation in national defence, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchange, among other fields, she continued. Xuan asked the ambassador to convey her regards to the President of Armenia, saying she wishes to welcome him in Viet Nam at an appropriate time. For his part, Baghdasaryan emphasised Armenian peoples special sentiments towards Viet Nam, and shared his view that the two countries boast potential for collaboration in economy, trade, science-technology and education. At the reception for New Zealand Ambassador Caroline Rachel Beresford, Xuan affirmed the importance Viet Nam attaches to cooperation with New Zealand and highlighted the progress in the bilateral ties in trade, tourism and education. She suggested the two countries actively implement their existing cooperation mechanisms, and foster collaboration in the areas where both have strengths and demand. Beresford told the Acting President that the New Zealand Government prioritises enhancing cooperation with Vietnam, saying the two countries have large room to strengthen their collaboration in the time ahead, especially in agriculture, education, climate change response and digital economy. Receiving Turkish Ambassador Korhan Kemik, Xuan stressed that Turkiye is Viet Nam's second largest export market in West Asia and biggest investor in the Middle East. The Acting President expressed her wish to soon welcome the President of Turkiye in Viet Nam in order to further promote the bilateral cooperation. Kemik said Viet Nam is an important partner of Turkiye in Southeast Asia, with the bilateral trade turnover increasing steadily over the years. Both shared a hope that the two countries will sign new cooperation documents to complete the legal framework for the bilateral collaboration in various spheres. At the meeting with Ambassador of Peru Patricia Yolanda Raez Porto Carrrero, the Acting President said Viet Nam always values its friendship and cooperation with Peru, and suggested the two countries forge cooperation in politics-diplomacy, economy, trade, investment, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchange. Speaking highly of Vietnamese businesses operation in Peru in telecoms and oil and gas, the ambassador noted her hope for more Vietnamese investments in the country. VNS HA NOI The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Wednesday agreed to submit the document on the United Kingdom's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to the NA for approval at the upcoming 7th session which is scheduled to start on May 20. Speaking at the meeting of the NA Standing Committee today, Vice Chairwoman of the Presidential Office Phan Thi Kim Oanh said that on February 1, 2021, the UK officially applied to join the CPTPP. During negotiations with the UK on its CPTPP accession, Viet Nam has achieved its target of requesting the UK to commit to open its market at a high level to ensure compliance with the agreement's standards. After meetings at all levels, on March 31, 2023, CPTPP member countries and the UK announced a joint statement on ending the negotiations. The UK and the CPTPP members signed the Accession protocol of the UK to the CPTPP at the 7th Commission Meeting hosted by New Zealand on July 16, 2023, making this country the 12th signing member of the deal. The Government of Viet Nam proposed the NA ratify the UKs accession protocol at the 7th session of the 15th NA so that Viet Nam will be one of the first six CPTPP countries to ratify it. The early ratification and implementation of commitments in the protocol will help realise opportunities for Vietnamese goods to access the UK market, thereby helping to consolidate and strengthen trade - investment relations between the two countries, and enhance Viet Nam's image and position in actively promoting international economic cooperation. Chairman of the NA's Committee for Foreign Affairs Vu Hai Ha emphasised that the ratification of the protocol demonstrates the high and appropriate political determination, in line with the policies and foreign policy of the Party and State and has a positive impact on the country's socio-economic development. For bilateral letters between Viet Nam and the UK confirming Viet Nam's application of market-opening commitments in the field of Government Procurement for the UK as well as for other CPTPP member countries have different contents from the Viet Nam-UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), the NA's Committee for Foreign Affairs asked the Government to urgently direct relevant ministries and agencies to review, amend or supplement current legal documents or issue new legal documents (if needed) to guide the implementation of the commitments on Government Procurement in these agreements. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday sent a letter of congratulations to Lawrence Wong as the latter took office as Prime Minister of Singapore. Wong, 51, took his oath of office on Wednesday, succeeding Lee Hsien Loong, 72, who stepped down after two decades at the helm. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam holds a significant position in Russia's foreign policy, with relations governed by a comprehensive strategic partnership framework. Russian Ambassador to Viet Nam, Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko, made the statement at the "Modern Russia" conference, organised by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations in Ha Noi on Wednesday morning. Ambassador Bezdetko said that this year marked two important anniversaries for Viet Nam and Russia - the 74th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Viet Nam, as well as the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Principles Agreement on friendly relations between the Russian Federation and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. We are pleased with the development of political dialogue between our two countries, he said. We are striving to promote cooperation in economic and trade, scientific and technical, military, and humanitarian fields under new geopolitical conditions, he said. Speaking at the conference, Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in Viet Nam Vyacheslav Nikolaevich Kharinov said that discussions were held on the effectiveness of implementing the Free Trade Agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Viet Nam as well as ways to increase bilateral trade turnover to US$10 billion by 2025 during the 24th session of the Russia-Viet Nam Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Commercial, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation last year. Achieving these agreements can be realised through long-term large-scale joint projects with the support of both governments, he said. "We observed that when considering joint projects in Viet Nam, the most vibrant response came from our Vietnamese partners." On this occasion, I would like to reiterate that the logistics hub in northern Viet Nam is the port of Hai Phong - where the Vietnamese-Russian Industrial Zone is operated - which can be considered an area for the presence of Russian enterprises and joint ventures. We believe that with mutual government support, the presence of these enterprises here will be effective, he said. A successful example of localising Russian production in Viet Nam with the participation of both governments is the automobile assembly company "GAZ THANH DAT," established in 2019. Over the past five years, the company had continuously and successfully maintained their position in the Vietnamese market and developed exports to countries in the region, he said. In addition to the automotive industry, there was great potential for industrial cooperation between Russia and Viet Nam in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, as well as in the information technology field, he added. Also at the conference, Phan Anh Son, Chairman of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations, said that the event aimed to follow up on the outcomes of the previous meeting between Ambassador Bezdetko and Son, regarding coordinating the organisation of a briefing on the current situation in Russia and the special cooperation relationship between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation. The conference focused on three main areas: ongoing cooperation between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation, and exploring potential future collaborations. VNS The star witness in ex-President Donald Trump's hush money trial admitted he lied to Special Counsel Robert Mueller during Tuesday's fiery cross-examination by the defense. Michael Cohen, 57, first described his testimony to Mueller regarding his travels to Prague and deals with the Russians in an effort to interfere in the 2016 election as "untruthful" and "inaccurate," when pressed by Trump defense attorney Todd Blanche, Politico reported. Later on, he admitted, "I'll say it's a lie." Cohen confessed he lied to authorities on several occasions, citing his loyalty to Trump. "I was being deceptive," Cohen said, according to the outlet. "I was trying to be protective... I was trying to be loyal." "I was knee-deep into the cult of Donald Trump," he claimed in earlier testimony, the Washington Post reported. Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts, including tax evasion and campaign finance violations. In a plea deal, he said that "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office" he kept information that would have been harmful to the candidate and the campaign from becoming public. Cohen has testified that Trump directed him to buy porn star Stormy Daniels' silence about an affair she claims she had with Trump in 2006, and that Trump approved having the Trump Organization repay Cohen for the $130,000 he paid Daniels, shortly before the 2016 election. Trump, the first ex-U.S. president to face criminal prosecution, denies having had sex with Daniels and has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records to allegedly cover up Cohen's reimbursements. Cohen alleged that Trump became directly involved with the reimbursement scheme at the center of the case, after he initially told Cohen to "just take care of" Daniels' allegations. Cohen remained loyal to the president during this period even as Trump made it clear that he wanted his attorney to lie and refuse to cooperate with the government. The last time the pair spoke was shortly after the FBI raided Cohen's New York hotel room in April 2018. "Don't worry. I'm the president of the United States. There's nothing here," Trump allegedly told Cohen during their final conversation. "Everything's going to be OK. Stay tough. You're going to be OK." HA NOI Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Wednesday for Andre Flahaut, member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, Minister of State, and former President of the Chamber of Representatives. Man affirmed that Viet Nam always considers Belgium an important partner in the European Union (EU), and stressed that the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, including parliamentary relations, has been growing fruitfully. The Vietnamese official expressed his hope that Flahauts visit will contribute to consolidating the good relationship between the two nations and legislatures. Man used this occasion to thank the Belgian Chamber of Representatives for its ratification of a resolution in support of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims in Viet Nam, to which Flahaut made significant contributions. He suggested the two sides continue with their close coordination and called for more practical support from the Belgian side to Viet Nam in finance, technology and personnel development in dioxin remediation. The host and guest noted with pleasure the development of the legislative ties, within both bilateral and multilateral frameworks. To enhance the multi-faceted collaboration and mutual political trust and understanding, Man suggested the two countries step up the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially the high level, and via all channels, including the parliamentary one. At the same time, they should intensify coordination and mutual support at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums, he said, stressing that Viet Nam stands ready to work as a bridge between Belgium and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as between the Belgian parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). Mentioning economic cooperation as a pillar of the bilateral ties, the Vietnamese legislator held that ample room remains for the two countries to strengthen the collaboration. Man expressed his hope that the Belgian Chamber of Representatives will soon ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) before the end of this tenure to maximise cooperation potential between the two countries in investment. He also called on Belgium to urge the European Commission (EC) to soon lift its yellow card warning against Vietnamese seafood. The NA Vice Chairman thanked the Belgian Government for its valuable support to Viet Nam over the past years in the fields of clean water, waste treatment, institutional enhancement, agriculture and rural development, health care, and education, saying he hopes for more support and cooperation in these fields. In reply, Flahaut told his host that the Belgian parliament has completed procedures related to the cooperation agreement between the two legislatures and will soon send it to the Vietnamese side. Sharing Mans views, he said the two legislatures should better perform their supervision function and strengthen their coordination in monitoring the implementation of cooperation mechanisms and agreements between the two governments as well as important collaboration projects between the two countries. VNS HCM CITY Several airlines are offering free tickets and discounts on popular routes for the end of the year in response to public outcry over the recent surge in domestic airfare prices. Some of the routes benefiting from the promotions include Ha Noi Phu Quoc, HCM City Nha Trang, and HCM City a Nang, among others. Low-cost carrier Vietjet Air is offering free tickets for flights from Ha Noi to Phu Quoc in September, with additional fees and taxes of VN640,000 (US$25.15) applied. More free tickets will also be available on this route in the last two months of 2024, along with discounted tickets for November and December priced at VN1.05 million. The budget airline is also providing free or discounted tickets for flights between HCM City and popular tourist destinations such as Nha Trang, a Nang, Quy Nhon, and Hue in the last quarter. Discounted tickets are also available for other routes such as Ha Noi HCM City during off-peak hours, as well as Ha Noi a Lat. Vietnam Airlines is also offering discounted tickets for Ha Noi Phu Quoc flights at VN1 million one-way in September, compared to the higher prices seen from June to August. The recent domestic airfare surge, particularly on popular routes such as Ha Noi HCM City, Ha Noi Phu Quoc, Ha Noi/HCM City and a Nang, has caused a public outcry and sparked concerns in the tourism sector. However, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has said the recent increase in domestic airfares complies with regulations set by authorities. The CAAV attributed the rise to various factors, including higher fuel prices, exchange rate differences, engine recalls, aircraft lease costs, and increased demand. The agency also warned continued high demand may result in further price increases during the peak summer season. Following public outcry, an inspection had been conducted, focusing on pricing, transparency and information disclosure related to airfares since the beginning of the year. The findings revealed that average economy class ticket prices on several domestic routes had increased by up to 25 per cent year-on-year in the first four months. A round-trip ticket on the HCM City Ha Noi route on Vietnam Airlines cost over VN6 million in April, compared to around VN4.5 million last year, a customer, who wanted to be unidentified, told Viet Nam News. The transport ministry earlier announced a hike in the maximum prices for domestic flight routes starting from March 1, with prices increasing by VN50,000-250,000 per one-way ticket for flights longer than 500km. The CAAV has assured the public that they will work closely with airlines to ensure transparency and clarity in presenting airfare information on their websites. According to a report by aviation authorities, local airlines transported 13 million passengers in the first quarter, a 5 per cent decrease compared to the same period in the previous year. VNS HA NOI One million people will be screened for diseases through an artificial intelligence (AI) platform during a volunteer programme for community health. The scheme is jointly organised by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Federation (VYF) and the Vietnam Young Physicians' Association (VYPA). About 100,000 others nationwide will be provided with direct medical consultations and check-ups during the programme from May to October this year, which is expected to be engaged by 20,000 young doctors. The VYPA hopes the provision of information on non-communicable diseases on online platforms will attract approximately one billion views. One million young people will receive advice on how to prevent and control non-communicable diseases, while at least 1,000 disadvantaged individuals, patients, and children will be provided with financial support or free medical assistance. Many new activities will be added to the programme, targeting ethnic minority areas. More than 100,000 people across the country will continue to receive examinations for lung diseases, including X-rays and CT scans. They can be screened for lung diseases and lung cancer by sending information and X-ray films to an AI platform operated by the VYPA. Within the framework of the journey, a programme on cardiovascular and metabolic kidney disease screening will be provided to 20,000 people at the National Hospital of Endocrinology and the Bach Mai Hospital in Ha Noi, the Thong Nhat Hospital in HCM City, and hospitals in Binh Duong Province. Other activities such as medical examinations and gift-giving programmes aimed at disadvantaged workers, donation of one million boxes of Berocca vitamin and mineral supplements to those coming for medical check-ups will also be arranged. According to VYF Deputy Chairman Nguyen Huu Tu, this is the largest voluntary medical examination programme ever conducted by the medical youth force, which demonstrates the spirit of volunteering for the community. The organisers set to provide check-ups to over 2,000 people in Ha Noi at an opening ceremony slated for May 18, covering basic blood tests, chest X-rays, ultrasound, electrocardiograms, and screening for specific diseases. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam is one of the countries with the lowest ratio of nurses per thousand people, only equal to one eighth of developed countries, said Pham uc Muc, chairman of the Viet Nam Nurses Association. By 2025, the nation wants to have 25 nurses for every 1,000 people, but just 60 per cent of that goal has been met thus far, he said. He warned that when there is a scarcity of nurses, patients will be the ones who suffer the most with a global nursing shortage affecting all nations. Having worked for more than ten years at the Central Military Hospital 108, nurse Nguyen Thi Ngan, at the Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neurology, has many times been asked why she chose nursing as a profession. "I nurtured the dream of following the path of a physician, doing my best for everyone's health, and I truly did," she said, recalling her early years of seeing pictures of physicians and nurses dressed in white shirts. Every time I've heard that question, all I can do is smile. My passion for the field and my desire to support patients and colleagues are the driving forces for this decision. "With enthusiasm and love for the profession, we learn to listen so that we can not only be caregivers but also become understanding people, helping patients overcome difficulties during treatment, she told ai oan Ket (Great National Unity) newspaper. "I can still clearly recall caring for an elderly patient who needed brain surgery. The patient said to me, Thank you for taking care of me like a daughter taking care of her elderly parent after he healed and was allowed to leave the hospital. That message struck a deep chord with me. We need to regard those who are ill like our own relatives, the suffering appears to have ended at this point and the only thing left is happiness upon seeing patients get better and resume normal life. In a report on the global nursing status of the World Health Organization (WHO), nursing is a vital part of the healthcare system. According to Muc of the Nurses Association, nurses make up the majority of medical personnel in all worldwide health systems, accouting for up to 59 per cent of the workforce. The Vietnamese Ministry of Health's 2020 Health Statistics Yearbook states that nurses make up 39 per cent of all workers in the health industry. Approximately 60 per cent of medical personnel who interact directly with patients are nurses, with, according to Muc, nurses and midwives offering the most frequent and consistent services. The WHO study also announced that for 88 per cent of the time patients are in the intensive care unit (ICU) their primary contact will be with nurses, only 12 per cent of the time spent in ICU will they have contact with doctors and other medical professionals. Muc said: "Without doctors, there are no patients - without nurses, there is no hospital. Nursing services are offered 24/24 hours and 7/7 days a week. Usually a nurse is the first person to receive a patient, sometimes the nurse is the only person to give first aid to the patient in the hospital and at medical stations. The professional capacity of nurses directly affects the health and lives of patients. Assist patients both physically and mentally He said the professional duty of nurses is to help patients both physically and mentally but they will also need to cooperate with treatments between related professions. We hope to receive support from doctors and recognise nurses as special collaborators of doctors because the work of doctors and nurses is always closely linked, complementing each other and helping each other practise safely, reducing stress in a high-pressure health care environment, he said. At work each nurse takes care of tens of thousands of patients (estimated at 80,000), stays up late on duty for thousands of nights (estimated 2,800 nights) and according to Korean research every day on shift will have to perform up to 49 different tasks. Vietnamese research shows that nurses here have an even bigger work load, more than 100 tasks a day, because they are assigned many administrative tasks. Their professional activities have a very wide scope, not limited to carrying out doctors' orders. Nurse Vu Thi Thanh Tam who has been working at the Department of Chemical Treatment, Central Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion for 12 years, has witnessed many cruel fates of leukemia. She said: A nurse must not only love her job but also be compassionate, patient and listen to and understand patients. A nurse is like a mother having a baby. Sometimes in the middle of a meal during a shift, there is an emergency and you have to put down your bowl and run away immediately. Staying up all night to monitor the progress of seriously ill patients is normal. "It's so hard, but it's so happy to regain a patient's life from death and see the patient's happy smile when they leave the hospital." According to Associate Professor Nguyen Ha Thanh, director of the Central Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, the institute has over 1,000 officers and employees, of which nursing and medical technicians account for about 60 per cent. Nurses working at the ICU have a tough job because they have to take comprehensive care of patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to carrying out doctors' orders, nurses also take personal care of patients which is everything from helping them eat to personal hygiene. Muc has proposed that nurses be more focused on patient care and have their professional capacity improved: "The Ministry of Health has issued a scope of professional nursing activities including 1,251 techniques, including 26 emergency techniques that nurses must be proficient in, 94 techniques that nurses have the right to designate, and 317 frequent techniques that nurses must be proficient in. To carry out this many professional activities following regulations of the Ministry of Health, hospitals need to improve the capacity for nurses. Over the past 30 years, Viet Nam has upgraded nursing training to four levels: college, university, master/specialty and doctoral. The functions and scope of professional activities of nurses have been expanded and a nursing management system has been delivered from the Ministry of Health to local health departments and hospitals. He suggested that in order to close the quality gap with other nations, nursing in Viet Nam has to continue receiving greater attention and funding. Dr Luong Ngoc Khue, director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health, said the present number of nurses trained in Viet Nam can match the numbers needed and every year, Viet Nam also provides a source of nursing graduates to work in some developed countries such as Japan and Germany. However following the pandemic, several provinces in Viet Nam had trouble finding enough nursing staff. It is now working conditions that have a major role in the current nursing shortage. Tough working conditions is the main reason why nurses leave the field, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many nursing graduates go on to other careers instead of practising nursing and some go to industrialised nations to work as healthcare providers, he said. To improve the quantity and quality of nursing care and meet the increasing demand, Khue said it is necessary to focus on continuous training for nurses so they are able to update with new knowledge and skills. In addition, it's critical to provide a supportive and encouraging work atmosphere that fosters nurses' professional growth and offers them appealing career promotions, he said. VNS VINH PHUC The Ministry of Health (MoH) has ordered the immediate closure of the kitchen at Shinwon Ebenezer Vietnam Limited Company in Vinh Phuc Province after 350 employees were hospitalised with suspected food poisoning. In a letter sent to the provincial Department of Health about the incident at the Khai Quang Industrial Park, Vinh Yen City, the ministry urged local health authorities to prioritise the treatment of those who had fallen ill and prevent further health complications. An investigation is underway into the suspected food poisoning cases, with samples collected for testing. MoH has asked the Vinh Phuc Department of Health to step up inspections and ramp up its guidance given to kitchens and food service establishments on upholding standards of food safety and hygiene, along with stressing the importance of public awareness around food safety. On Tuesday, the company's employees fell ill after consuming lunch which included stir-fried chicken with lemongrass and chili, cauliflower, pickled vegetables and vegetable soup. Shinwon Ebenezer Vietnam Limited Company, which is owned by Korean investors, specialises in textile exports and employs over 3,000 workers. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh at handed over the Ta Quang Buu Awards 2024 to two scientists in recognition of their studies in physics and environment at a ceremony on Wednesday. The laureates are Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh from the Institute of Physics under the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Manh Tri from the University of Science under the Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi. Thanh is the author of a research paper published on the Physical Review Letters, one of the worlds three leading physics journals. The research showed breakthrough findings important to the development of quantum computer technology. She is the fourth female scientist to be granted the Ta Quang Buu Awards so far. Meanwhile, Tri authored three works published on world leading scientific journals in the fields of environmental engineering, toxicology, health, and genetic mutation, helping resolve the globally urgent issue of environmental pollution caused by the spread of synthetic chemicals. This year, the noble awards, named after famous scientist Prof. Ta Quang Buu (1910 - 1986), were presented on the occasion of the Viet Nam Science and Technology Day (May 18) and the 65th founding anniversary of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST). First granted in 2014, the awards aim to encourage and honour scientists with remarkable achievements in natural and technical science research, helping promote the integration and development of Vietnams science and technology. In 2023, the MST Minister issued a circular expanding the awards coverage to those in social sciences and humanities. As many as 97 entries were submitted to the 2024 awards, doubling the numbers recorded in previous years. They comprised 76 in the field of natural and technical science and 21 in social sciences and humanities. There were 71 nominations to the main award and 26 to the one for young scientists. So far, the MST has presented the awards to 18 scientists who are authors of outstanding scientific research works and four young ones. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Health has urged local authorities to impost better inspections and supervision of food hygiene and safety measures at restaurants, street vendors and facilities producing bottled and packaged beverages. The ministry insists it will suspend any establishments that fail to meet food safety standards or lack the necessary certifications, and those violations will be made public. The move followed a series of recent food poisoning incidents nationwide, with notable cases occurring at various eateries and food vendors frequented by large numbers of customers on a daily basis. In March, a severe case of mass food poisoning occurred at a Tram Anh chicken rice restaurant in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa, resulting in 368 people being taken to hospital. The restaurant failed to keep records of the number of customers served, nor did it retain food samples as required. Authorities have yet to determine which dish contained the bacteria causing the poisoning. Two months later, 28 students in Nha Trang City were hospitalised with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea after eating breakfast from various vendors near the school gates. On April 30, over 500 people were taken to hospital due to food poisoning after eating bread in the southern province of ong Nai. In that case authorities found that the bakery sold around 1,000 breads per day without proper business licences or food safety certifications. Most food samples taken from the bakery had a high levels of Salmonella, E.coli and other harmful bacteria. On May 8, 19 students in four primary schools in Thu uc District in HCM City had to seek medical attention for developing food poisoning symptoms after consuming meals at the dormitory canteen. They are now in stable health conditions. An investigation is underway to find the cause of the incident. Dr Nguyen Thanh Phong, Director of the ministrys Food Hygiene and Safety Department explained that the current weather is a prime time for cases of food poisoning due to bacterial growth, especially bacteria causing gastrointestinal diseases, toxic substances in plants, fruits, aquatic products and improper processing and storage of ingredients and food. According to a report from the Central Inter-Agency Steering Committee on Food Safety, in 2023, the healthcare sector inspected over 382,000 establishments, discovering 34,500 violations, with over 12,000 establishments fined approximately VN44.4 billion. In 2023, there were 125 cases of food poisoning nationwide, affecting over 2,100 people, with 28 fatalities. Compared to 2022, the number of food poisoning incidents increased 2.3 times and the number of deaths increased 1.6 times. According to food safety expert Vu The Thanh, the amount of Salmonella bacteria in food must be sufficient to cause poisoning. When passing through the stomach, some bacteria are destroyed by gastric acid and the remaining Salmonella reaches the small intestine where it has the opportunity to damage the intestinal mucosa, causing poisoning symptoms. He also stressed that consumers exposed to contaminated food or drinks may not experience symptoms of poisoning until several hours or even days later. Dr Nguyen Duy Thinh, former lecturer at the Institute of Technology and Food under Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said that the recent surge in mass food poisoning incidents is alarming. Most food is stored in large volumes and due to bulk buying places may not be able to be selective about ingredients, and prolonged storage increases the risk of food contamination, he explained. At the end of 2023, the number of restaurants and cafes listed in Viet Nam exceeded 300,000, but this does not include smaller eateries and street food stalls, which is where many children, low-income earners and young people buy food. Managing food safety at such stalls and mobile vendors is a challenge, many businesses lack clear product origins, production dates and expiration dates. Therefore, tightening the management of food safety, especially regarding product origins, must be implemented more rigorously than ever before, he said. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has asked all ministries and local authorities, to put measures in place to prevent and address food poisoning incidents, especially in tourist areas, school canteens and industrial zones. He urged the ministry to urgently research and develop an effective food safety incident alert system to provide timely emergency response and treatment for food poisoning victims. The ministry has also issued an advisory document to health departments to emphasise that leaders must take responsibility for violations of food safety laws in their localities. Authorities should take decisive action to suspend operations for establishments that do not ensure food safety conditions or lack the necessary food safety certifications. Additionally, consumers are advised to enhance their awareness when selecting safe food products for the sake of their health. VNS VIENTIANE Viet Nam always values the position and role of early childhood care and education (ECCE), affirmed Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc at the ASEAN education ministerial conference on equitable access to ECCE held in Laos on Wednesday. Bringing together officials from the 10 member states and Timor Leste, the discussion revolved around a theme of ECCE for a sustainable future, aimed to further enhance cooperation and mutual support in the field regionally and internationally. Phuc said the country has implemented a nationwide educational programme integrating climate change adaptation and environmental protection content to provide kindergarteners with basic knowledge on these issues. He informed the conference of Viet Nam's upcoming programmes which will work to ensure that all girls and boys have access to ECCE, promote environmental education and climate change response, and establish green preschool models. Phuc also emphasised the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Trainings commitment to sharing the regions common efforts and accompanying its ASEAN peers in enhancing the implementation of bloc leaders' declaration on ECCE adopted at the ASEAN Summit in 2023 and commitments made by participants at this conference. A joint declaration was adopted at the end of the function, covering the integration of sustainable environment education in preschool teacher training programmes and the equipment of early childhood educators with knowledge and skills on climate change and natural disaster risks, among others. VNS QUANG NAM Another round of new bicycles has been delivered to disadvantaged students in the underprivileged districts of Phuoc Son and Duy Xuyen districts in the central province by the not-for-profit charity Lifestart Foundation (Australia), in partnership with the provincial Union of Friendship Organisations. Lifestart Foundation said the programme provided a total of 55 bicycles, valued at VN100 million (US$3900), to help secondary school students facing hardships in the two districts. All students in the mountainous Phuoc Son District belong to the Gie Trieng ethnic group. According to a report from the province, Phuoc Son and Duy Xuyen are still struggling with disadvantages, finding it hard to learn and to get in to classes. The mountainous district of Phuoc Son alone is one of the six impoverished districts of the province, as defined by the Multi-dimensional Poverty Index for the period from 2021 to 2025. The district has 27 schools at all levels with over 8,000 students, 75 per cent of whom are from ethnic communities. The primary goal of this initiative is to facilitate easier school commuting for these students who come from families facing significant financial burdens, including single-parent families, orphans, families with illnesses or unstable job conditions, low-income earners and parents working far from home. Living in remote villages, these students faced exhausting daily journeys to and from school, either being forced to walk long distances, or needing to beg lifts. Karen Leonard OAM, founder of Lifestart Foundation, said: "Apart from supporting disadvantaged students with Lifestart Foundation Education Scholarships, we are thrilled to provide transportation to the broader community. The provision of much-needed bicycles will enable these students to travel to school safely and conveniently, maximising their learning potential. We also hope this provision will motivate them to overcome life's difficulties." The bicycle donation for disadvantaged students in the province is one of many community projects undertaken by Lifestart Foundation every year. In 2023, the Foundation provided bicycles to students in the Phuoc Son and Nam Giang districts, donated smart televisions and facilitated clean water systems in remote schools across Quang Nam, along with presenting gift sets to Ca Dong ethnic students and milk to disadvantaged patients at the province General Hospital. Earlier this year, they donated essential items to ethnic minority students at Phan Chau Trinh Secondary School, while also awarding General Medicine and Residency Scholarships to exceptionally talented students from central Viet Nam. The charity plans to continue to support many more community projects, including installing clean water systems in remote districts of Bac Tra My and Phuoc Son. Last year, more than 2,500 children from kindergartens and primary schools in the mountainous districts of Tien Phuoc, Que Son, Nong Son and Phuoc Son were able to access clean and drinkable water thanks to new systems installed with support from the Lifestart Foundation. VNS Chinese ambassador warns UK not to further jeopardize ties Xinhua) 08:11, May 15, 2024 LONDON, May 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang met with relevant UK Foreign Office official on Tuesday, and told the UK side not to go further down the dangerous path of jeopardizing China-UK relations. During the meeting, Zheng made further, serious representations to the UK side on its wrongful behavior, including its unwarranted accusation against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, and refuted the excuses made by the UK side. The ambassador was unequivocal that the UK must stop anti-China political maneuvering and not go further down the dangerous path of jeopardizing China-UK relations. The UK fabricated on Monday the so-called case to smear and attack the HKSAR government, Zheng said. For some time now, the UK has staged a series of accusations against China, including those on "China spies" and cyber attacks, he added. "All those accusations are groundless and slanderous. The British side has also wantonly harassed, arrested and detained Chinese citizens in the UK under the pretext of judicial and national security. This constitutes a grave provocation against China and severely contravenes the basic norms governing international relations. It is totally unacceptable," he said. Hong Kong has long returned to China and the UK has no right and is in no position to point fingers at and meddle in Hong Kong affairs, the ambassador said. The Chinese government remains firmly resolved in fighting anti-China elements seeking to disrupt Hong Kong and in upholding the stability and prosperity of the region, he said, adding that the UK's harboring of wanted criminals tramples on the rule of law and leads nowhere. The ambassador urged the UK side to immediately correct its wrongdoing, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, stop spreading lies about the so-called "China threat," stop its provocations against China and stop its arbitrary law enforcement against Chinese citizens in the UK. He also called on the UK side to ensure the safety and legitimate rights and interests of all the Chinese institutions and personnel in the UK. "We want to make it clear to the UK side: any move to interfere in China's internal affairs and undermine our interests will be met with a firm response. The UK side must not go further down the dangerous path of jeopardizing China-UK relations," he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) President Joe Biden says he wants to debate Donald Trump twice leading up to the November election. The first would be in June and the second would be in September. "Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn't shown up for a debate. Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again," Biden's campaign said in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning. "Well, make my day, pal." He challenged Trump to "pick the dates." In a Facebook video he said, "Donald I hear you're free on Wednesdays," alluding to Trump's criminal trial schedule. "When I get up on stage, it'll be me and this grassroots team versus Donald Trump and his MAGA minions," Biden said. Donald Trump responded a short time later on his Truth Social social media platform that he is game to the debates. "I am Ready and Willing to Debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September. I would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds - That's only because he doesn't get them." "Just tell me when, I'll be there," Trump continued. CNN reported that Biden had accepted an invitation by CNN to debate Trump on June 27. Fox News says that Trump has also agreed to the CNN debate. Biden's campaign sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates on Wednesday that he would not be participating in their debates, CNN reported. Writing for Singapore Business Review last week, partner Chris Malone and project manager Quan Doan from Dalberg Advisors highlighted that Vietnams growth trajectory is set to continue, bolstered by the digital and green trends that offer substantial economic opportunities. Following the long-term shift in manufacturing away from China, the nascent green energy transition is in its early phase, marking a critical pivot towards sustainable development, they wrote. In addition, the advent of economic restructuring driven by AI presents a new and exciting frontier, one where Vietnam is just beginning its journey. While still in its early stages of development in areas such as AI, Vietnam is making significant strides under its National Digital Transformation Programme towards 2030. Plans are in place to establish national centres for big data, supercomputing, and AI innovation aimed at attracting startups and foreign direct investment (FDI). This strategic initiative has already yielded results, with Oxford Insights reporting that Vietnam climbed to the 39th rank in AI readiness in 2023, up from 55th in 2022, Malone and Doan noted. In recent months, the nations leaders have built on these shifts by expressing desire to entice more FDI from neighbours like China, as well as regions such as Scandinavia. FDI focus for twin transition intensifies, illustration photo/ Source: Shutterstock For example, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang in March told Scandinavian businesses visiting Hanoi that priority will be given to ventures in green finance, high-tech industries, and electronics. The same month in Beijing, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao agreed that both sides would further boost investment and connectivity in emerging fields such as green development, renewable energy, and the digital economy. The scope of this cooperation includes not only investment but also tech transfer, employee training, and the exploration of other markets, they said. Sandeep Roy, founder and CEO of innovation consultants Innovate2Grow, said that these types of cooperation are crucial for Vietnam to move forward efficiently in both digital transformation and green growth. On the broader question of attracting more FDI in digital transformation and green growth to Vietnam, the government may consider some policies and initiatives that are aimed at creating a favourable funding climate, and it is essential to strike a balance between promoting investment and ensuring sustainability for long-term benefits, Roy said. The policies he suggested included, among others, a clear regulatory framework, funding incentives, digital skills development, intellectual property protection, support for startups and smaller businesses, and extended trade facilitation. In terms of enterprises already with a foothold in the country, according to an annual report on digital transformation launched last month by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the German Development Agency, there has been a significant improvement in the scores evaluating business readiness for such a transition, which rose by 0.7-1.4 points over the standard threshold of 2.5 points. Businesses have understood the significance of digital transformation, with many proactively integrating relevant targets into their development strategy as well as mobilising necessary resources for digital transformation projects, the report revealed. Regarding the green strand of the dual transition, according to findings in a March survey from Decision Lab, almost 80 per cent of the near-700 foreign business leaders surveyed are already approaching environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters, even though a significant portion is in the early stages. As indicated in the survey, market-based mechanisms are yet to make a positive impact on foreign businesses ESG initiatives. Establishing these mechanisms, as well as improving access to green finance and current infrastructure, as well as the maturity of supply chain components, would greatly benefit foreign business implementation of environmental initiatives, the report stated. Eslam A. Hassanein, an assistant lecturer at the Faculty of Politics and Economics at Egypts Beni Suef University, explained that digitalisation offers a huge opportunity to accelerate the green transition, but fully leveraging the potential requires policymaking that acknowledges and mitigates the tensions that arise from twinning the two transitions. Writing for policy research site Alternative Policy Solutions last year, while Hassanein outlined the negative conflicts in going both green and digital, for example in e-waste, lack of internet access, and various climate hazards, she also pointed out the positive interactions. The ICT sector can go green, for example, by promoting energy efficiency in data centres and cloud infrastructure, and by meeting electricity needs with renewables. Meanwhile, digital technologies have the potential to cut global emissions by a fifth by 2030, increasing efficiency, according to the World Economic Forum, Hassanein wrote. In a similar vein, a World Bank report on the green-digital transformation published at the end of last year noted that digital technologies are critical to accelerating climate action, particularly in reducing emissions in the energy and transportation sectors. Two-thirds of developing countries have already included technology in their climate action strategies, but the digital sector needs to be greener and more resilient, the report said. As countries increase their reliance on digital infrastructure, making these foundations climate-proof is vital to preventing weather-related economic fallout. Industry must also improve energy efficiency and use more renewable energy inputs for digital operations. The next step is bringing digital and climate goals together by integrating climate considerations into digital policies, sustainably addressing the digital divide, and strategically incorporating digital tech into climate change strategies, it added. On May 16, Vietnam Investment Review will host a talk show called Enticing FDI for the Dual Transformation, the first in a series on new-gen FDI, which seeks to delve into how Vietnam can pull in more FDI for the green-digital transition. The aforementioned National Digital Transformation Programme for the decade includes the target of overhauling Vietnam with a digital government, digital economy, and digital society. Meanwhile, Vietnams National Green Growth Strategy towards 2030 is supported by a national action plan, approved in 2022. An accompanying circular broke down the strategy into four key goals: greenhouse gas emissions reduction; green economic reforms by sector; urban development and sustainable consumption; and equality, inclusion, and resilience. Tran Xuan Duong - Vice Chairman, Ha Nam Peoples Committee To implement green growth targets, Ha Nam is interested in both economic development and environmental sustainability. Therefore, in selecting investors, Ha Nam chooses those with advanced and environmentally friendly technology, mainly from South Korea, Japan, and Europe. To promote development in the province, we are shifting from brown to green. Production in this area is mainly stone production, so we are looking for solutions to minimise environmental impact. More importantly, we are building a chain of production activities for businesses to apply environmental treatment technology. We have been operating a factory which collects industrial waste and household waste to send to the incinerator, ensuring all waste in the environment is eliminated. Gabor Fluit - Former chairman, European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam Mirroring supply chain diversification and sustainability prioritisation strategies, many foreign retailers have selected Vietnam as a strategic global supply chain hub. Since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement was introduced, EU investors have committed over $26 billion into nearly 2,250 Vietnamese projects. Lego Group, for instance, received approval to invest over $1 billion in a carbon-neutral Vietnamese factory, while Adidas has over 50 local suppliers with more than 190,000 employees epitomising surging EU corporate presence as economies integrate. Our Business Confidence Index survey confirmed this uptrend, with 31 per cent of members ranking Vietnam among their top three global investment destinations and over half planning investment boosts here especially in high-tech manufacturing. However, Vietnam still faces barriers in aligning with the EUs green supply chain focus, including enforcing more stringent environmental standards and regulations. Additionally, green technology adoption necessitates immense investments, while ensuring transparent, sustainable sourcing from local suppliers can prove challenging. Bruno Jaspaert - CEO, DEEP C Industrial Zones Vietnam is at an important stage in its development process. I believe that a green future with a foundation of long-term sustainable development is the right direction. The initiative to establish an eco-industrial park is a good start, where Vietnam can evaluate investors in various standards. So, they come to Vietnam not only for economic benefits and job creation, but also to commit to protecting the environment and making a difference. If Vietnam incorporates these standards into its legal framework, it will play a key role in the new wave of sustainable development. The greening process in industrial parks in Vietnam is struggling with numerous challenges, so the government is building an appropriate legal framework. In particular, there are no incentives or recognition for businesses making a breakthrough in green transformation and sustainable development, which they are doing mainly based on the belief in future prospects. Currently, investors have some questions and when making decisions for investment in Vietnam, like what is the country doing for sustainable development? Is there any green credit system? How is the provision of carbon credits going? What will the transition to green energy look like in the next 10 years? Unless these questions are answered, it will be difficult to lure strategic investors. If Vietnam wants to turn FDI into a powerful tool for sustainable development, it needs to change its way of ranking FDI mobilisation ability among provinces. These may include not only investment performance but also evaluating and measuring waste management, carbon emission treatment, and training for workers. The six-month offering will cover the latest trends in hospital management and global healthcare technology, tailored to suit Vietnam and other Asian markets. The programme furthers Hoan Mys commitment to raise the skills of Vietnams medical workforce through training programmes with major global partners. The course will cover best practices in healthcare management from a global perspective and in Vietnam. Topics include strategy and marketing; operational efficiency and quality management; patient-centred care; financial and human resources management; innovation and technology; and more, with guidance from experts in the field. "This collaboration between Hoan My and the Frankfurt School demonstrates our strong commitment to enhancing healthcare management capabilities in Vietnam," said Le Thi Anh Thu, head of Hoan My Academy. "Hoan My Academy provides innovative and specialised training programmes to develop the latest clinical and non-clinical skills through diverse, creative, and flexible teaching methods in-person or online and technology-transfer programmes. Along with training programmes, Hoan My Academy is researching the application of new medical techniques both in Vietnam and overseas," added Thu. Rainer Sibbel, chair for International Health Management, Frankfurt School said, "I am very pleased that this course will promote the very promising progress made by the Vietnamese healthcare system through modern management principles for hospitals and by building on our international expertise in healthcare management." Hoan My Academy was established last year and provides comprehensive training to support the professional development and advancement of the healthcare workforce to deliver higher-quality healthcare to patients. Hoan My Medical Group partners with UK's Strasys To promote innovation in the healthcare industry, Vietnams largest private healthcare network, Hoan My Medical Group, signed an MoU on March 15 with Strasys, a top healthcare analytics and innovation consultancy from the United Kingdom. Le Quan, deputy general director of a state-owned steel making company, told a discussion on decarbonising the Vietnamese steel industry held last week by the German Embassy to Vietnam that it would be impossible for the industry to become decarbonised at least within a decade. I would say that we can never decarbonise steel making plants now due to so many obstructions, Quan said. The obstructions are about capital, high technologies, and especially the difficult shift to other types of energy used for heating furnaces. According to Cecile Seguineaud, an industry policy analyst at Clean Energy Finance and Investment Mobilisation under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 90 per cent of steel produced globally comes from nations that have made commitments on net-zero emissions by 2050. About 30 per cent of global steelmakers have also committed to achieve net-zero emissions. However, the volume of steel really produced by high technologies under net-zero commitments in the global market accounts for only 1 per cent, Seguineaud said. Now it may need about $1.5 trillion to decarbonise the global steel industry quite a huge volume of capital. Huge capital currently out of reach for steel transition Meanwhile in Vietnam, there is no specific strategy on steel industry development available, not to mention the total capital needed for the domestic steel industry to decarbonise itself. It is now quite difficult to manage steel projects in terms of emissions and outputs, said Chu Hoang Duc Anh, a representative from the Vietnam Industry Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). Almost all steel projects in Vietnam now dont use modern technologies, with coal used as input for heating the plants, causing environmental pollution. According to the MoIT, as the steel industry is of great importance to a wide range of other industrial sectors including construction, manufacturing, mobility, and infrastructure, steel production is projected to grow, continuing to be of great economic and developmental significance, particularly in emerging economies. Last year, the industry produced 19.2 million tonnes of raw steel and 27.76 million tonnes of fished products. As Vietnam ranks 13th among the largest crude steel producers and leads ASEAN in both production and consumption of steel products, the industry remains one of the main contributors to the countrys carbon emissions. It is estimated that the industry will emit about 122.5 million tonnes of CO2 by 2025 from an estimated 120 million last year, and 132.9 million by 2030, accounting for about 17 per cent of the countrys total emissions. The biggest impediments now for the industry is to change heating materials, meaning changing from coal to other types of environmental-friendly energy such as hydrogen, said Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Hoa, head of the School of Materials Science and Engineering under the Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Meanwhile, production of hydrogen energy remains limited in Vietnam due to high costs and high technologies used. Thus it is almost impossible for the industry to become carbon-neutral over the next decades. Jennifer Pham, regional advisor on sustainable value chains at the Danish Embassy to Vietnam, underlined that if the Vietnamese steel industry fails to become decarbonised, it would be hard to boost export steel products in the long term to the EU, which is now applying the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The CBAM will impact on goods prices and may reduce the competitiveness of products, Pham said. Thats why exporters must have full understanding about it. Figures from the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that last year, Vietnam exported more than 2.5 million tonnes of assorted steel products to the EU, doubling 2022, and accounting for 23 per cent of the countrys total export volume. However, from mid-2023, exports to the EU market faced two major barriers: safeguard measures and the CBAM. The CBAM aims to levy a carbon tax on all goods imported into EU markets, based on the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions in the host countrys production process. Currently, this mechanism is in phase 1 when exporters, including steel ones, have to declare emission levels. Nevertheless, when the mechanism embarks upon the next stage, steel firms in Vietnam will have to buy CBAM emission certificates from 2026. This will drive production costs up and reduce competitiveness if manufacturers fail to cut down emissions during production activities, said Pham Cong Thao, deputy general director of Vietnam Steel Corporation (VNSteel). VNSteel reported that in Q1, its consumption of finished steel products reached over 724,500 tonnes, up 9 per cent on-year. In March alone, the figure hit more than 243,100 tonnes, including long shaft steel standing at 143,700 tonnes, cold-rolled steel sitting at 70,700 tonnes, and coated sheets at 28,600 tonnes. According to the MoITs Vietnam Institute of Strategy and Policy for Industry and Trade, under the impact of the CBAM, the Vietnamese steel industry is anticipating a roughly 4 per cent reduction in its export value, leading to a decrease in output of around 0.8 per cent, coupled with the adverse effects of reduced competitiveness. The Vietnam Steel Association forecasted that the steel industry is likely to recover weakly in 2024 due to outstanding difficulties in the real estate market. Steel consumption is forecast to increase by 7 per cent to 21.7 million tonnes, and output could reach nearly 29 million tonnes, up 7 per cent from 2023. Steel firms drop prices for the third time this year Construction steel manufacturers are once again reducing prices, with an adjustment of around $4.17/tonne at the beginning of April. Domestic steel demand expected to rebound amid warming real estate market Domestic steel demand is anticipated to rise this year due to the civil construction recovery and the positive impacts of the global steel market. According to SCGs first quarter performance review, the LSP complex safely and successfully had its first test run from January to February 2024. However, due to technical difficulties, the complex was shut down from March-June. The complex has undergone maintenance and modification, and operating standards and practices have been strengthened. LSP is expected to restart in July, with the final test run and commercial operation date in August. On March 22, SCG also announced that LSPs downstream plants (high-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene) and utilities had passed their test run inspections in December 2023. Following this, the complex-wide test run, which includes the Olefins downstream and upstream plants, was implemented. After the unexpected technical difficulty was identified, it was estimated that LSP would resume the test run in June 2024. Furthermore, Rayong Olefins Co., Ltd.'s plant resumed operations after maintenance at the end of March 2024, which minimised the impact on clients. The total project cost of LSP is approximately $5.4 billion. As the first integrated petrochemicals project in Vietnam, the LSP project has an area of about 464 hectares and an additional 194ha of waterfront for a deep-water sea port. When put into operation, the complex is anticipated to annually produce about 1.4 million tonnes of plastic pellets, an input material used to produce a range of plastic products used in everyday life. According to LSP leaders, nearly 1,000 Vietnamese employees are expected to work at the petrochemical complex, which will generate about $1.5 billion in revenue next year. SCG and Long Son Petrochemicals promote waste segregation awareness The ASEAN conglomerates SCG and Long Son Petrochemicals Co., Ltd (LSP), a subsidiary of SCG Chemicals, continue to reinforce their commitment to sustainable development in Vietnam by implementing the Waste Rescue project to raise the young generation's awareness about waste segregation. SCG Chemicals and Long Son Petrochemicals join Vung Tau to plant trees SCG Chemicals (SCGC) and its subsidiary Long Son Petrochemicals (LSP) owner of the first integrated petrochemicals complex in Vietnam have collaborated with Vung Tau Peoples Committee to plant 400 trees in the area of Nui Lon, equivalent to 3.26 hectares of forest. Transitioning towards a climate-friendly steel production is therefore crucial to global climate action. Steel is part of the so-called hard-to-abate sectors, which also include chemicals and cement. In other words, decarbonising steel is far from trivial and requires considerable effort and innovation. Dr. Guido Hildner German Ambassador to Vietnam Global steel production today accounts for at least 7 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Germanys steel sector is one of the largest emitters of CO2 and produces more than a quarter of Germanys total industrial emissions. Developing and emerging economies in particular are reliant on steel, and about 70 per cent of global steel production takes place in Asia. In Vietnam, the steelmaking industry, which ranks number one in Southeast Asia, remains one of the main contributors to the countrys carbon emissions. Decarbonising these sectors, in Germany and elsewhere, requires the adoption of a range of tools and technologies and mobilising investment. Arriving at a decarbonised energy system can only be achieved, if public and private financial and technology capacities work hand in hand. We know this very well from experience in implementing the Energiewende in Germany. Europe and Germany are working on the transformation of steelmaking into what will ultimately be a climate-neutral and sustainable process. The biggest European and German steelmakers aim to become frontrunners in the production of low-CO2 steel. Germany and Europe are moving ahead, and will prove that a sustainable decarbonisation of steel production can succeed, technically and commercially. However, the industry will not make this transformation to low-carbon steel on its own. The German government therefore aims to facilitate decarbonisation through funding programmes and by creating an adequate policy framework. Of course, several challenges remain, of which the first is high upfront costs. Transitioning to new technologies like electric arc furnaces and green hydrogen-based steelmaking requires significant investment. Second is the availability of clean energy. Electric arc furnaces and green hydrogen rely on significant supplies of clean energy. Third is a reliable supply of green hydrogen. Large-scale hydrogen production from renewable energy is still in development. Germany is working intensively to support the market ramp-up of green hydrogen, and is funding green hydrogen projects worldwide. Our primary objective is to combine prosperity with decarbonisation. We want to show that the shift to low-carbon production processes is a commercial advantage, and it can be done. We are convinced that energy transition is not only about energy security and affordable energy prices but also about international competitiveness. For this reason, the energy transformation is also an immense opportunity to create new and green jobs, markets, and partnerships. We are therefore supporting our steelmakers by providing funding for new hydrogen-based routes to steelmaking, and also by working intensively to ensure that their future needs for hydrogen and renewable energies will be met. We are convinced that a relocation of the steel industry to countries with less ambitious climate rules cannot be an alternative, particularly with a view to global climate change mitigation. The EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is a direct response to this and, at the same time, encourages industries around the globe to decarbonise and embrace greener technologies. We all know that the green transition of heavy industries is a global challenge. Therefore, Germany launched the Climate Club during last years COP28. The club is an open and cooperative forum for member countries to support climate action. The focus lies on accelerating the decarbonisation of emission-intensive industries such as steel and cement. One of its main objectives is to offer support for developing and emerging economies in their efforts to leapfrog into climate-friendly industrial development. The Climate Club will enhance multi- and bilateral cooperation between members as well as partnerships. The aim is to support the mobilisation of public and private sector investment in this field, and it will map existing cooperation as a basis for addressing gaps and specific needs in financial and technical support. Developing countries and emerging economies may benefit from targeted capacity building and technology transfer. The Climate Club currently consists of 38 countries and stands ready to welcome additional members. When it comes to decarbonising the steel sector, there are still many challenges to overcome. But I am convinced that by making the steel sector fit for the future, it can make a significant contribution to global climate action and economic prosperity. Let us continue to work together towards this common goal. Large emitters still to get to grips with carbon market Only a few developers of emission-heavy installations have a deep understanding of the emission trading system and carbon market, a wide-ranging survey has found. WB's 51.5-million-USD payment helping Vietnam reduce emissions Vietnam has received a 51.5-million-USD payment for verified emissions reductions (carbon credits) for reducing deforestation and forest degradation (commonly known as REDD+) and for enhancing carbon stored in forests through reforestation and afforestation. The Bellmead City Council selected James Cleveland as the citys new mayor and reappointed Bryan Winget as mayor pro tem Tuesday in an executive session that took less than 10 minutes. This will be Clevelands second term as mayor. He previously served in the position from May 2020 to May 2021. The decision came after former Mayor Jasmine Neal did not seek reelection in the May 4 election. New Council Member Warren Tommy Bainbridge was sworn in at the meeting, replacing Neal as the representative for Precinct 4. After Neal stepped down from the position Tuesday, council members held a vote and unanimously approved a motion to move discussion and action regarding the selection of the new mayor and mayor pro tem into an executive session closed to the public. Council members returned from the executive session eight minutes later to announce Cleveland as the new mayor and Wingets reappointment as mayor pro tem. The decision was made with Council Member Travis Gibson absent. Cleveland said he was selected as mayor because the council decided to resume a previous practice of appointing the longest-serving council member who has not previously held the position. We were running it by tenure which would have put myself as mayor and Mr. Winget as pro tem, which he would have been stepping in to mayor this year if everything had went like it was originally discussed in our executive session the first time, Cleveland said. If you look back at it, it went (Council Member Gary) Moore as mayor and Gibson as mayor pro tem. Gibson then stepped in as mayor and I went as pro tem, and then we came to last years election. It went Ms. Neal when I should have been stepping into Mr. Gibsons seat but it didnt go that way. Cleveland, who has served as a representative for Precinct 3 since 2018 and was unopposed for his third reelection May 4, said he hopes the council continues to move forward, addressing issues relevant to Bellmead residents. Cleveland has been a resident of Bellmead for 21 years and has worked in the welding industry for the last two decades. The speed at which the council selected the new mayor Tuesday was in stark contrast to the time it took to select a mayor last year. The council was in a nearly three-month deadlock before selecting Neal as mayor in 2023. Neal became a council member in 2020 and works as a director for a child care facility in Bellmeads Precinct 4. She said at the meeting that she looks forward to working with the city in the future. I would just like to say Im very grateful to have had the opportunity to serve on the council for the City of Bellmead for the past four years, she said. Ive learned a tremendous amount of things and Ive grown as an individual. Ive grown with the council. I want to thank the city staff, Yost, my fellow council members and I look forward to still being, not in the same capacity, but working with the city in some capacity. This is not the last time youll see me, so thank you. City Manager Yost Zakhary, on behalf of the council, gifted Neal an engraved clock at the meeting and thanked her for her service. She has served us with great diligence, great respect and she has been a great partner, Zakhary said. She has allowed staff to do her job, their job, all our jobs collectively and she has been very supportive, and we appreciate that. The broad daylight attack last week on 'Boardwalk Empire' actor Steve Buscemi is the latest in a string of random assaults on celebrities in New York City. Buscemi, 66, was sucker-punched in the face as he walked down the street in Manhattan. He suffered bruising, swelling and bleeding to his left eye. The NYPD says they are looking for 50-year-old Clifton Williams in connection with the assault. Buscemi's fellow "Boardwalk Empire" actor Michael Stuhlbarg was also recently attacked. On March 31, a homeless man punched Stuhlbarg in Central Park. Stuhlbarg suffered a small bruise and said he didn't need any medical attention, according to the NYPD. An arrest was made in that case. In another incident, Broadway actor John Cardoza was robbed in a Manhattan Dunkin store on Easter Sunday. The suspect allegedly pretended to have a gun in his pocket and managed to snatch the actor's wallet, which contained $9. In October 2020, a homeless man allegedly punched actor Rick Moranis in Manhattan. Marquis Ventura was accused of a string of attacks over a six-month period. Prosecutors say the same day as the attack on 67-year-old Rick Moranis, Ventura also punched the owner of a New York liquor store and stole a bottle of champagne. Former "Real Housewives of New York" star Bethany Frankel also claims she was recently attacked on a NYC street, according to New York Post's Page Six. She claimed in March in a TikTok post she was looking at apartments when a homeless man randomly punched her with a "closed fist". Other women have come forward on TikTok claiming they were assaulted in New York, saying that the trend of women getting attacked at random is a growing one. High Court reporters The family of a man who plunged to his death and drowned in the River Shannon after the steel cage carrying him and his colleagues as they worked on a Limerick bridge suddenly dropped into the water has settled for 1.1 million a High Court action over his death. Stonemason and father of two TJ OHerlihy, from Castleisland, Co Kerry, was 36 when he and his colleague Bryan Whelan (29), from OBriensbridge, Co Clare, were trapped in the cage which fell into the river nine years ago and the two men drowned. Their co-worker, Paul Murphy, from Askeaton, Co Limerick, managed to free his harness and was rescued by emergency services after he was swept out along the Shannon estuary. The stonemasons had been harnessed into the cage and were wearing lifejackets while they carried out specialised repair works on the south side of Thomond Bridge in Limerick City when the tragedy occurred on August 29th, 2015. In the High Court on Tuesday, Mr OHerlihys partner, Therese Wigsten and children settled a High Court action over his death. Ms Wigsten attended the hearing by remote link from her home in Sweden, and Mr OHerlihys father, Tim OHerlihy, from Castleisland, Co Kerry, was present at the Four Courts for the settlement ruling. The family's counsel Maura McNally SC, instructed by Andrew OConnell solicitor, told the court that a cable holding the steel cage had snapped as the men worked on Thomond Bridge. He said it had been Mr OHerlihys first day on the job as he had recently returned to Ireland and his partner and children were due to join him in Ireland from Sweden. Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told the settlement, which was reached after mediation, was without an admission of liability. Ms Wigsten, from Sodertalje, Sweden, had sued Gaelach Droichead Ltd, trading as Irish Bridge, with registered offices at Ballyengland, Askeaton, Co Limerick; his employer, Paul Mulcair Ltd, of the same address; Nationwide Crane Hire Ltd, trading as NCG Crane with registered offices at Dock Road, Limerick City; Palfinger Ireland Ltd, with registered offices at Cloncollig Industrial Estate, Tullamore, Co Offaly; Limerick City and County Council, and Malachy Walsh and Co Ltd with registered offices at Park House, Mahon Technology Park, Bessboro Road, Blackrock, Co Cork. It was claimed that Mr OHerlihy was in the man cage being raised by a crane when suddenly and without warning it dropped into the river. It was further claimed there was a failure to provide a safe place of work and a safe system of work and Mr OHerlihy had been allegedly required to work in circumstances and conditions where it was allegedly known or ought to have been known were unsafe and dangerous. All the claims were denied by all the defendants. Mr Justice Coffey noted the settlement which he said was fair and reasonable and the division of the 35,000 statutory mental distress payment. The judge also extended his deepest sympathy to Mr OHerlihys family in Sweden and Kerry. In 2022, two companies were fined a total of 225,000 after pleading guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act in relation to the incident. Judge Tom ODonnell imposed a fine of 200,000 on Nationwide Crane Hire Ltd, Dock Road, Limerick, and a 25,000 fine on Palfinger Ireland Ltd, Tullamore, Co Offaly. The court heard a safety mechanism aimed at preventing weight overloading on the crane had failed, resulting in unbearable stress on a wire rope that was holding the men in a steel cage platform hanging over the side of the bridge. In a victim impact statement at the time, Ms Wigsten said their children, Katie and Conor, had lost one of the most important people in their lives, their father. Mr OHerlihys daughter wrote: Life would have been more beautiful and nicer if dad was alive. We would have been a family of four, he could help me with homework and pick me up from school, and if I could turn back time I would tell dad never to take the job, so he could be with us. Mr OHerlihys son added: I miss my dad. I wish he was here to help me, to carry me and play with me. I wish he could help me in school. WATERLOO Iowas four-year high school graduation rate has been reported higher than the actual rate for the last decade because of an error in the calculation code used by the Iowa Department of Education. A review of the code found an error that has been used for at least 10 years to determine the states four- and five-year graduation rates, according to a news release from the Iowa Department of Education. Correcting the error dropped many area school districts 2022 graduation rates by several percentage points. The Waterloo Community School Districts 2022 graduation rate, for example, was originally reported as 77.7%, but has been corrected to 75.6%. In the Cedar Valley, most schools saw a drop with the correction. Many of the smaller schools didnt change, likely because of the small number of students to report. Jared Smith, Waterloo Schools superintendent, said improving the graduation rate has always been a goal, especially after negative effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. Weve been saying this for the last couple years, those numbers are gonna start to drop, we knew this was coming, he said. The graduation rate for the 2018-19 school year was 82.9%. We will keep working as a team to find out how to have the trend going in the right direction, he continued. But just like many other urban districts across the states, we too have (been) dealing with what the COVID pandemic brought us. One of the districts main goals in the past decade was to raise graduation rates. The district reached an all-time high of 84.2% in the 2017-18 school year. The spring graduation rate in 2014 was 74.2%. The figures for those years are the uncorrected numbers. Data for the graduating classes of 2020 and prior have been removed from the departments website until officials can evaluate the feasibility of correcting it. The corrected Waterloo Schools graduation rate for 2023 is 71.7%, 3.9 percentage points below 2022. Transfers, drop-outs The calculation error occurred because students who transferred between school districts and later dropped out were erroneously removed from the database rather than included as non-graduates, the Department of Educations Information and Analysis Services team discovered. The error has now been corrected. The graduation rate for Iowas class of 2023 is 87.5%, which is a decline from the graduation rate reported in previous years because of the error. The department reports the graduation rate is consistent with the national standard. Corrected four-year graduation rates for the graduating classes of 2021 and 2022 dropped slightly from what were originally reported. The corrected four-year graduation rate for the class of 2022 is 87.4%, down 2.5 percentage points from what was previously announced last year. For the graduating class of 2021, the corrected rate is 87.8%, down 2.4 percentage points from what was announced in 2022. Iowa school leaders were informed of the error before the release of the corrected graduation rates on May 3. Some other area school districts 2022 corrected four-year graduation rates are: Cedar Falls Community School Districts 2022 graduation rate was 95.1%, corrected to 94.5%. The 2023 graduation rate is 92.2%. Waverly-Shell Rock Community School Districts 2022 graduation rate was 94.6%, corrected to 92.9%. The 2023 graduation rate is 94%. Hudson Community School Districts 2022 graduation rate was 100% and stayed at 100% after corrections. The 2023 graduation rate is 97.7%. Focus on student needs Andy Pattee, superintendent of Cedar Falls Community School District, said his staffs attitude is what helps students walk across the graduation stage. A mantra of every student, every day, and focusing on the needs of our students its a testament to our staff, community, parents and students, he said. Its a holistic approach to make sure students are successful. Pattee said its unfortunate the data was incorrect but he is glad the state corrected it. Smith said the graduation rate is just one variable in the equation of measuring success. Even though (the graduation rate) more impacts the high school team, it takes the whole district to get to that point, he said. It can be difficult to find indicators of success but we do feel like the graduation rate is one of those. Complex process Jay Pennington, Bureau Chief Information and Analysis Services at the Iowa Department of Education, said calculating graduation rates is a complex process that requires examining four years of student data. It includes taking into account multiple change events, such as when students move between districts or initially drop out, but choose to re-enroll at a later date, Pennington said. Upon a fresh review of the legacy code that had been used to calculate prior graduation rates, we identified that the code had not properly sequenced certain events. Specifically, students who transferred between districts and later dropped out were removed when they should have been kept in the cohort, Pennington said. Iowas corrected four-year graduation rates for the graduating classes of 2021 and 2022 dropped slightly from what was originally reported. The corrected four-year graduation rate for the class of 2022 is 87.4%, down 2.5 percentage points from the 89.9% that was announced last spring. The graduating class of 2021s corrected graduation rate is 87.8%, down 2.4 percentage points from the reported rate of 90.2%. Iowas corrected five-year graduation rate which reflects students who were part of a graduating class but took an extra year to finish high school was 89.7% for the class of 2022, and 90.1% for the class of 2021. The five-year graduation rate for the class of 2023 will be available in the spring of 2025. Iowas annual dropout rate was not impacted by the code error. The dropout rate reflects the percent of students in grades 9-12 who dropped out of school during a single year. The annual dropout rate was 3.02% for the 2022-23 school year, which represents 4,718 students. This is down slightly from the 3.04% annual dropout rate for the 2021-22 school year. The department is committed to empowering Iowans with accurate, actionable information on education outcomes, Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow said in the release. Focused on transparency, the department identified, corrected and communicated the error in the underlying code, and its impact on previously reported graduation rates. The department immediately instituted additional quality assurance measures and, moving forward, is modernizing its data verification procedures. Iowas neighboring states reported similar graduation rates, with only Missouri and Wisconsin reporting class of 2023 graduation rates meaningfully above Iowas, at 89.9% and 90.5%, respectively, according to the department. Neighboring states class of 2023 graduation rates are: Wisconsin: 90.5% Missouri: 89.9% Illinois: 87.6% Nebraska: 87.2% South Dakota: 84.1% Minnesota: 83.3 % Corrected rates for the graduating classes of 2021, 2022 and 2023 including rates by school district and student group are available online at educate.iowa.gov. Where graduation rates for students with disabilities are improving Where graduation rates for students with disabilities are improving Students with disabilities' graduation rates are largely getting closer to overall averages Progress still needs to be made Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (14 May 2024) The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. As a result of active actions, units of the Sever Group of Forces liberated Bugrovatka (Kharkov region) and advanced into the depth of the enemys defence. In addition, losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of the AFU 23rd Mechanised Brigade and 125th Territorial Defence Brigade near Veseloye, Volchansk, and Liptsy (Kharkov region). One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 120th Territorial Defence Brigade was repelled near Staritsa (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 135 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and seven motor vehicles. In the course of counter-battery warfare, one Czech-made Vampire MLRS combat vehicle, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, three 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, one Strela-10 SAM combat vehicle, and one German-made Gepard air defence system were neutralised. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 43rd Mechanised Brigade, 110th and 241th territorial defence brigades near Kislovka (Kharkov region), Rozovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), and Torskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Five counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 77th Airmobile Brigade, 21st, 63rd, 116th mechanised brigades were repelled near Makeyevka, Stelmakhovka, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic), and Sinkovka (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 120 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun. Units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, 79th, 80th air assault brigades, 81st Airmobile Brigade, 92nd Assault Brigade, 54th, 67th, 72nd mechanised brigades, 116th, 119th territorial defence brigades near Belogorovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Georgiyevka, Kleshcheyevka, Razdolovka, Novomikhailovka, Paraskoviyevka, and Krasnoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The AFU losses amounted to more than 520 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, one Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station, and one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery warfare radar station. Three AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed. Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation, as well as inflicted losses on the enemy and repelled eight counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 71st Jaeger Brigade, 23rd, 24th, 47th, 100th, 110th mechanised brigades near Novgorodskoye, Netaylovo, and Solovyovo (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 405 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces captured more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 1st Tank Brigade, 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 72nd Mechanised Brigade, 108th and 128th territorial defence brigades near Staromayorskoye, Urozhaynoye, Vodyanoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Dorozhnyanka (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 155 Ukrainian troops, two armoured personnel carriers, five motor vehicles, two Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery systems, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, and one Strela-10 SAM combat vehicle. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 35th Marines Brigade, 103rd and 121st territorial defence brigades near Tyaginka, Zolotaya Balka (Kherson region), and Kapulovka (Dnepropetrovsk region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 25 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M109 howitzer. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces destroyed one production and storage facility for AFU attack unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, strikes were delivered at ammunition depots, fuel depots, and aircraft on military airfields, as well as enemy manpower and hardware clusters were engaged in 143 areas. Air defence units shot down 26 unmanned aerial vehicles, nine French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs, two U.S.-made HARM anti-radiation missiles, three U.S.-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, 43 Czech-made Vampire and Olkha MLRS projectiles. ?? In total, 596 airplanes and 274 helicopters, 24,046 unmanned aerial vehicles, 521 air defence missile systems, 16,016 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,296 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 9,570 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 21,701 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. Tags: WtR President Joe Biden has announced to Congress that the White House intends to send more than $1 billion in new arms shipments to Israel. The new package will still need to be approved by lawmakers but would include $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds, according to The Associated Press. The new package comes a week after pausing a shipment of bombs to Israel over concerns they would be used against civilians in densely populated areas and White House opposition to a full-scale invasion by the Israeli military in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Last month, Congress approved a bill providing $95 billion in aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. Per a report by the US State Department, some American-made weapons provided to Israel may have been used in breach of international law. However, the report stopped short of conclusively stating that the Israeli Defense Forces had violated international law. Adding that the guarantees received from Israel about heeding the legal use of US weapons were "credible and reliable," as reported by the BBC. Biden previously stated following the pause in arms supply that "civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs." News of the latest package comes on the heels of the presidential primary election in Maryland, where activists have encouraged voters to register a protest ballot against Biden due to the president's favoritism towards Israel over the Gaza War. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers in Congress have launched legislation that would prohibit any further pauses in weapon shipments to the US ally. The law would require the State Department and Defense Department to secure the "prompt delivery" of military equipment. The White House has promised to veto the bill should it manage to pass the Senate. Weapons transfers to Israel have become a political liability for Biden ahead of the 2024 presidential election. As Michael Bruemmer, 65, shopped for a Christmas tree at a Kiwanis lot near his Austin, Texas, home, a voter registration volunteer approached him with an iPad, wanting to register him for the next election. The registration ploy was a scam, but unbeknownst to the scammer, Bruemmer was not an easy target: Hes a fraud expert and vice president of data breach resolution for Experian, a data analytics and consumer credit reporting company. Bruemmer quickly noticed misspellings on the supposed registration page. I said, First of all, Im already registered to vote, and second, your site is fake, recalls Bruemmer. Members only The flustered scammer stammered and gave excuses but quickly recovered then, Bruemmer says, the guy asked him for his phone so he could download a registration app, and I said, Im sorry, sir. Youre not going to download anything. That was two years ago. Scammers have only grown more sophisticated, in part due to advances in and availability of AI, and theyre likely to use this years election to target your data and cash. Here are four common scams and ways to protect yourself. 1. Voter registration scams When Bruemmers scammer offered to download a voter registration app on his phone, he likely would have downloaded a malicious app instead, allowing cybercriminals to steal personal data such as payment information and login credentials. Some apps can suck peoples information out over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, Bruemmer cautions. How to vote in your state Learn more about absentee and early voting, ID requirements and registration in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The more common problem, however, involves links to fake voter registration forms, which scammers send by phone, email or text. Those links may be phishing scams to collect personal data (such as your passwords and Social Security number) for or allow others to access your devices, according to Experian. Ways to protect yourself: Hunter Biden's attorneys pleaded with a Delaware district court judge to delay his upcoming court dates on Tuesday, as the defense struggles to find expert witnesses before Biden's criminal trial begins in June. The president's son is facing three felony counts for allegedly lying about his drug use while purchasing a gun in 2018. While Biden has admitted to using crack cocaine during this period, he denies breaking the law - arguing that the charges are politically motivated. The judge overseeing the case rejected Biden's allegations last month and allowed for the trial to go forward. Attorney Abbe Lowell told Judge Maryellen Noreika that the defense has been struggling to find expert witnesses to testify about drug addiction and forensics because of "the noise" surrounding the president's son. "We have not been delaying, we have not been tardy," Lowell told Noreika. "We have been trying." "People are reluctant to become involved in this case," he added. "I am pleading with your honor to give me the time to do this." Noreika rejected Lowell's pleas, telling the attorney that she was not his "scheduling secretary." The defense also seemed to imply that they were overwhelmed with managing Biden's legal affairs in Delaware and California. On the West Coast, Biden is facing three felonies and six misdemeanors for tax issues - though he has since repaid his back taxes. "[Prosecutors] have the resources to be ready on both coasts," Lowell said. "I wish we did. But it's not for want of trying." First Export of Monazite Rich Zircon Concentrate Sydney, May 14, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - PYX Resources Ltd ( LON:PYX ) ( NSX:PYX ), the world's third largest publicly listed zircon producer by zircon resources, is pleased to announce that its first shipment of monazite rich zircon concentrate totalling 750t has been exported to a customer in Hainan, China. Monazite is a constituent of mineral sands and holds particular significance due to the 17 Rare Earth Elements ("REEs" lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu), scandium (Sc), and yttrium (Y)) that it contains, which are pivotal in various advanced technologies including electronics, renewable energy systems, and specialised alloys. These REEs include cerium and neodymium, which are vital components in catalytic converters for cars and wind turbines, lanthanum, used in rechargeable batteries, thorium, which shows promise in advanced nuclear reactor design, and yttrium, which enhances the performance of superconductors and LED lights. Commenting on its first monazite shipment, PYX's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Oliver Hasler, said: "We are thrilled to announce the first successful shipment of monazite rich zircon concentrate to China, marking a significant step forward in our strategic endeavours. Monazite, known for its rich rare earth content, represents a pivotal resource in the global landscape of advanced technologies and is used across multiple industries from renewable energy and electronics to aerospace and healthcare. We continue to gain substantial interest for our products from global buyers and look forward to reporting further exports in the future." About Pyx Resources Limited PYX Resources Limited (NSX:PYX) (LON:PYX) is a global producer of premium zircon listed on the National Stock Exchange of Australia and the London Stock Exchange. The Company's flagship asset is the Mandiri mineral sands deposit, located in the alluvium sediment rich region of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Boasting the world's 5th largest producing deposit of zircon, PYX is a large-scale, near-surface open pit operation in production since 2015 and with exploration to date validating the presence of additional Valuable Heavy Minerals such as rutile, ilmenite among others within its mineral sands. Related Companies loading......... Malibu, CA, May 14, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Join Ellis Martin for a conversation with Francois Morin, a Director with First Hydrogen Corp. trading as ( CNSX:FHYD ) ( FHYDF:OTCMKTS ) ( FIT:FRA ). First Hydrogen is harnessing best of breed partners, staff, design, technology and green hydrogen to address one of the globe's biggest challenges: Emissions. The First Hydrogen integrated, clean energy ecosystem features zero emission vehicles, hydrogen solutions and powertrain supply. The company is removing adoption barriers for zero emission commercial fleets with its fully integrated, green hydrogen centric solution. First Hydrogen is creating scalable and replicable eco-systems for rapid expansion in attractive markets primed for high growth. We're talking about fully green mobility through practically every aspect of the production cycle. Mr. Morin brings a wealth of experience and demonstrated leadership abilities in business operations and development, corporate communications, social responsibility (ESG), media relations and government relations. Mr. Morin is a steadfast advocate for responsible and sustainable investment, which he sees as crucial for social development. He brings hands-on experience in this area from his time at BMO Financial Group, where he played a pivotal role in implementing a sustainable finance program for the Quebec business sector. Sustainability and Zero Emissions: By using hydrogen fuel cells, businesses can significantly reduce their carbon footprint, contributing to decarbonization goals. Hydrogen fuel cells emit only water and heat, offering a less carbon intensive alternative to fossil fuels. When utilized with green hydrogen, the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) will be completely greenhouse gas emission free. FCEVs produce no harmful tailpipe emissions, with the only byproduct being water. This is a stark contrast to gasoline and diesel vehicles, which emit tailpipe pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter. Energy Efficiency: Hydrogen fuel cells are more energy-efficient compared to traditional combustion engines. This efficiency can lead to reduced energy costs and a more sustainable energy use profile for parcel deliveries and warehouse operations. Today, FCEVs have higher initial costs than diesel vehicles, but these costs are expected to decrease significantly by 2030 due to technological advancements. Hydrogen has a higher energy conversion efficiency of 50-60% compared to diesel engines, which will lead to long-term savings. Extended Range and Refueling Time: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can travel longer distances before needing to refuel compared to battery electric vehicles, and refueling can be completed in a matter of minutes. This extended range and quick refueling capability are particularly beneficial for delivery vans and trucks, ensuring minimal downtime and maximizing operational efficiency. Scalability: Hydrogen fuel cells can be used in various applications, from forklift and light commercial vehicles to heavy-duty delivery trucks. This versatility allows businesses to deploy hydrogen technology across different aspects of its operations, providing a scalable solution to meet its sustainability goals. Versatility: FCEVs can handle larger payloads, offer consistent power output rates and can tolerate low temperatures, making their performance superior to battery power for intensively used commercial vehicles. Reducing Dependence on Fossil Fuels: By adopting hydrogen fuel cells, we move towards reducing the dependence on fossil fuels, aligning with global efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources. This shift not only supports environmental goals but also enhances energy security. To Listen to the Interview, please visit: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/FISEWZHO About First Hydrogen Corp. First Hydrogen Corp. (CVE:FHYD) (OTCMKTS:FHYDF) (FRA:FIT) is removing adoption barriers for zero emission fleets with its fully integrated, green hydrogen centric solution. We are creating scalable and replicable eco-systems for rapid expansion in attractive markets primed for high growth. About The Ellis Martin Report The Ellis Martin Report (TEMR) is an internet based radio program showcasing potentially undervalued companies to an audience of potential retail investors and fund managers that comprise our listening audience. TEMR is broadcasted on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel and The Opportunity Radio Network. CEO and company interviews are paid for by those represented on the program. Related Companies A silicon valley tech adviser who previously donated to a major Democrat campaign four years ago is now funneling cash into Donald Trump's 2024 campaign, according to a report. Jacob Helberg has reportedly given a $1 million donation to Donald Trump's presidential campaign, according to The Washington Post , four years after raising money within his exclusive circle for Democrat Pete Buttigieg's failed 2020 primary campaign. Helberg serves on an advisory board to Palantir and runs the Hill and Valley Forum, an informal defense technology group that proved to be crucial in pushing Congress to pass divest-or-ban legislation aimed at social media app TikTok. Helberg is one of several influential backers of tech leaders who have pledged allegiance to the former president. Following the pandemic, an artificial intelligence arms race against China, and a mission to ban TikTok in the United States, Helberg told The Post that his views and party allegiances have shifted. In Silicon Valley, "the social cost of supporting Trump isn't as great as it was," said Helberg of his decision to switch parties, adding that it was because "Trump was right on a lot of make-or-break issues for America." Earlier this month, Helberg visited Mar-a-Lago, where he says he "fell in love" with Trump while socializing with a number of GOP vice presidential hopefuls, the Post reported. The group spoke on topics such as the risks of overregulating artificial intelligence and the importance of Silicon Valley in playing a role in the development of military technologies, said the tech leader. As the November election looms, the political climate among Silicon Valley donors has been one of distaste for both choices in the 2024 election. Biden "has proved himself to be the most woke president we've ever had," despite pitching himself as a centrist, added Helberg. As a gay man, he stated that the GOP's stances on LGBTQ+ issues, which include a law in his home state of Florida limiting school curriculum addressing gender and sexual orientation, didn't bother him. He believes the party is actually becoming less socially conservative on the federal level, while Biden is seen by many as too old, and his policies are not aligned with the tech sector's interests. In April, Biden signed the law, giving the TikTok parent company ByteDance up to a year to either sell the app or face a nationwide ban. While Helberg appreciates Biden's support of the bill, he noted that Trump has been a TikTok opponent since 2020, when his administration attempted to force the Chinese parent company to sell the services to a US company. Bottomline Media, in association with Scott Eyewear recently launched Brands highly anticipated collection of eyewear for Spring-Summer 2024 featuring the duo Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur. Scott Eyewear is set to stun the fashion-verse with its versatile, stylish, glamorous, and unique range of sunglasses and optical frames. The campaign is conceptualised and executed by Bottomline Media - the global integrated marketing & Talent Management Company. Scott Eyewears Spring Summer 2024 campaign features captivating visuals and immersive storytelling, capturing the essence of summer: the imagery transports viewers into a world of effortless sophistication. The campaign highlights a stunning array of sunglasses and optical frames that effortlessly blend fashion-forward trends with timeless appeal. Bottomline Media has been associated with Scott Eyewear for over 8 years, creating and executing concepts, onboarding impactful brand ambassadors and handling all aspects of content production for the brand. Speaking on the campaign, Amit Parikh, Director, Sterling said, We truly value the longstanding partnership with Bottomline Media. It has ensured our Scott Eyewears campaign embodies fashion-forward style, and resonates with a young, vibrant audience who has the dynamic pulse of current trends. With every campaign, Bottomline Medias creative guidance have elevated the brand appeal amongst the eyewear aficionados. Tanaaz Bhatia, Bottomline Media Pvt. Ltd., said, The high level of trust and independence we have received over the years is genuinely unparalleled, and I feel it is reflected in the ideas and work we have produced. Our strategy for Spring Summer campaign was based on three key pillars: captivating, engaging, and playful- making it a celebration of contemporary fashion and sophistication that Scott Eyewear embodies. Our Ambassadors- Ananya and Aditya bring an undeniable charisma and style to the campaign, making it an absolute visual treat. We believe this campaign will not only resonate with the audience and elevate the brand's appeal to new heights." Bottomline Medias creative ideas for Scott Eyewear include everything from changing how the brand experiments with visuals, the story telling, social media and other content, as well as onboarding the biggest and best names as style ambassadors. In its entirety, this approach has generated excitement and relevance for the brand and carved a niche in an already saturated market. Celebrity endorsement began with the Autumn-Winter 2019 collection, for which father-daughter duo Anil and Sonam Kapoor were tapped as style ambassadors. The 2022 & 2023 collection was endorsed by then-styled ambassadors Ananya Panday and Sidharth Malhotra. Spring Summer 22 Campaign Link (Ananya Panday X Sidhart Malhotra): Autum 21 Campaign Link (Sonam Kapoor): Global digital agency DEPT has been named Adobes Digital Partner of the Year in India, during the Best of Adobe Summit event held this week in Mumbai. This recognition acknowledges DEPTs deep expertise and nearly two decades of successful Adobe solution implementations. The 2024 Adobe Digital Experience Partner Awards were announced during the event, recognizing alliance partners who have made substantial contributions to joint customer success, demonstrated proficiency in Adobe technology, and have continued to expand their Adobe practices in the Indian market. This recognition shows the continuous commitment our teams have to our Adobe partnership, which is nearly two decades strong. Adobe products allow us to design tailored digital experiences that elevate our clients engagement and success, helping them stay ahead, said Yash Mody, Global CTO DEPT Adobe Practice. DEPT has continuously invested in its Adobe expertise, currently boosting a team of 550+ experts, and 120+ certified experts, helping deliver hundreds of projects across the entire Adobe ecosystem from Adobe Experience Manager and Adobe Real-Time Customer Data Platform and beyond. The agency had previously been recognized as Adobes Solution Partner of the Year for APAC in 2019, 2021, and 2022. DEPTs experience engineering approachcombined with the agencys unique 50/50 split between tech and marketinghas helped clients such as HDFC Bank, Moody's, HSBC, Tata Capital, Bajaj Allianz, Samsung, smart, and Tata AIA realize faster time-to-market and deliver hyper-personalized experiences across channels. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) proudly announces the launch of Hyundai Soiree, an exclusive customer engagement initiative tailored especially for customers of the all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5. Crafted to celebrate the remarkable success of Hyundais flagship EV model - IONIQ 5, the plush event aims to foster a community of like-minded individuals that are united by a shared passion for innovation, style, and excellence. Hyundai Soiree sets to immerse customers in a meticulously fashioned engagement experience to cater to the sophisticated IONIQ 5 clientele. The premier event of Hyundai Soiree at Mumbai on 10th May 2024 entailed a gala evening featuring an exclusively curated dinner by renowned Indian chef Vicky Ratnani, captivating engagement activities, and meet and greet with celebrated fashion designers Falguni and Shane Peacock and Hyundai senior management. To further elevate the experience, HMIL will host four more Hyundai Soiree events across key cities, including Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai, throughout the year. These events aim not only to serve its premium IONIQ 5 customers better but also exemplifies companys dedication to spreading joy and happiness amongst its customers across India. Expressing his enthusiasm, Virat Khullar, AVP & Vertical Head, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, Hyundai Soiree embodies a blend of elegance and indulgence, crafting unforgettable experience to our valued IONIQ 5 customers. It reflects our dedication to fostering a community of individuals who share a vision of sophistication and aspiration, leading the charge towards a sustainable future. Through Hyundai Soiree, we endeavour to connect deeply with our customers, enriching their ownership journey. At the event, participants delved into the essence of IONIQ 5, exploring its cutting-edge features and technology. They shared insights on its remarkable range, alleviating any concerns about range anxiety. Additionally, we showcased the new IONIQ 5 at the event and it received overwhelming praise. These invaluable insights guide us in refining our offerings, ensuring an unparalleled experience for our sophisticated IONIQ 5 customers. Expressing their enthusiasm on attending the premier event, celebrated designers Falguni and Shane Peacock, said, It was a pleasure to be a part of the premier event of Hyundai Soiree. We had a great time interacting with IONIQ 5 customers and exploring the all-electric SUV, the Hyundai IONIQ 5. Our association with Hyundai is special as we share a common vision towards sustainable tomorrow and we look forward to having a long-term partnership with the brand through our fashion and integrations alike. Hyundai Soiree is deeply rooted in Hyundai's global vision of 'Progress for Humanity,' which propels HMIL to constantly push boundaries and explore new territories in pursuit of delivering exceptional driving mobility experiences. With over 27 years of operations in India, HMIL has continuously redefined mobility, enriching the lives of customers through its products, services, and solutions driven by cutting-edge technology. Since its launch in India in January 2023, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 has captivated the market with its technological marvels, redefining the electric vehicle industry. Boasting unparalleled design, technology, performance, and features, the IONIQ 5 has garnered overwhelming praise from both customers and critics alike, with over 1500 units sold in India to date. Staying true to its commitment to enhancing customer experiences, HMIL is dedicated to developing a holistic EV ecosystem in India. As the sole OEM with the largest ultra-fast EV charging network in India, HMI is committed to expanding the EV charging infrastructure to 485 stations by 2030. Additionally, the company has announced its plans to introduce five new EVs by 2030, with the launch of its first mass EV in 2025. Hyundai Soiree represents a significant milestone in its journey towards redefining customer engagement and satisfaction. As the Company continues to innovate and evolve, HMIL remains dedicated to delivering unparalleled experiences that exceed expectations and enrich the lives of its valued customers. Tata Communications has announced the appointment of Mansi Tiwari Somvanshi as the Global Head of Corporate Communications. In her new role, Mansi will lead the company's global corporate communications strategy, focusing on enhancing the brand's reputation and expanding its media presence. Previously serving as the Head of Corporate Communications at Marico Limited, Mansi brings a wealth of experience and expertise in corporate communication, PR, media relations, corporate and brand reputation building, event and activation management, internal communications, and digital strategy. Mansi's tenure at Marico Limited spanned from February 2021 to May 2024, during which she significantly contributed to the company's communication strategies and initiatives. Before her role at Marico, she held the position of General Manager, Corporate Communications at Vodafone Idea Limited, where she played a crucial role in shaping the companys corporate narrative and public relations efforts. Reflecting on her departure from Marico, Mansi shared: "Leaving Marico Limited is bittersweetIt has been a privilege to be a Mariconian and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such an empowering and forward-thinking organization. Ill miss the laughs, the challenges, the camaraderie, and the amazing team." Expressing her excitement about the new role, Mansi stated: "Im super pumped to join Tata Communications as AVP and Global Head Corporate Communications. Joining Tata Communications presents an incredible opportunity to contribute to the leading global commtech player. From the moment I engaged with the leadership team, I knew this was the perfect next step for me. Their vision for the future of the company is bold and ambitious, and Im looking forward to being a part of this exciting journey. Heres to new beginnings, exciting challenges, and endless possibilities!" Mansi Tiwari Somvanshis appointment is expected to further strengthen Tata Communications' global communications strategies, enhancing its brand reputation and stakeholder engagement worldwide. Setting new standards in the home decor industry, myTrident is excited to introduce its latest campaign starring their enigmatic brand ambassador Kareena Kapoor Khan alongside the iconic Sharmila Tagore. This extraordinary collaboration highlights the harmonious and elegant relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, marking a notable shift from the traditional narratives typically portrayed in brand campaigns. This initiative sets a new standard in creative storytelling, celebrating the evolving dynamics of modern family relationships. Crafted with cinematic finesse, the campaign unveils an enchanting television commercial produced by Dharma 2.0 under the leadership of Punit Malhotra, that showcases the exquisite chemistry between Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sharmila Tagore. Radiating grace and sophistication, the duo immerses themselves in the sanctuary of their home, luxuriating amidst the opulence and comfort offered by myTrident's premium home essentials. This unparalleled collaboration not only celebrates their innate charm but also serves as a testament to the impeccable design, beauty, and craftsmanship synonymous with myTrident's ethos. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan) "This campaign embodies a jubilant tribute to the contemporary Indian family, transcending stereotypes to embrace a tapestry of inclusivity. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sharmila Tagore, quintessential embodiments of sophistication, elegance, and timeless allure, resonate deeply with the essence of our brand. At myTrident, we firmly believe that every home deserves the transformative touch of elegance and comfort that our offerings bring. Through the harmonious union of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sharmila Tagore in our latest campaign, our mission is to ignite a spark within families, urging them to embrace the inherent beauty of their bonds and curate living spaces that authentically reflect their distinctive dynamics", says Neha Gupta Bector, Chairperson, myTrident. "Working with Sharmila Tagore , for this campaign has been a deeply fulfilling experience. Together, we're delighted to celebrate the essence of family bonds and the beauty of shared moments at home with myTrident, a brand that resonates deeply with both of us. It's a brand we genuinely love and admire for its commitment to enhancing the warmth and unity within households. We are excited to inspire families across India to embrace love, respect, and harmony in their living spaces through this campaign." said Kareena Kapoor Khan. Breaking new ground within the industry, myTrident's pioneering campaign, showcasing a harmonious mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo, underscores our unwavering dedication to championing diversity and cultivating a profound sense of belonging for all. As one of the most loved brands in luxury and premium home furnishings, myTrident takes immense pride in its commitment to catering to the ever-evolving needs of contemporary Indian households. myTrident's extensive range of meticulously crafted products is meticulously designed to elevate every nook and cranny of the home, ensuring that each member of the household finds solace and sanctuary within its offerings. This innovative campaign is set to resonate with audiences nationwide, inspiring them to embrace the beauty of familial bonds and create homes that are a true reflection of their love and harmony. Today, the campaign unfolds across a multitude of prestigious platforms, including leading news channels on television, prominent digital media outlets, and expansive social media syndications. Furthermore, strategic partnerships with esteemed premium and luxury platforms amplify our message, ensuring widespread exposure to discerning audiences. Following this expansive digital rollout, an innovative out-of-home campaign will sweep across the North and West regions, captivating audiences with its creative flair and impactful messaging. An Oklahoma sheriff working on a BTK crossword puzzle in the middle of the night may have figured out another victim of the infamous serial killer. Dennis Rader, 79, whose self-given moniker stands for "Bind, Torture, Kill" because of the method in which he murdered his victims in the Wichita, Kansas, area, has been tied to at least 10 slayings. He first struck in 1974 and terrorized the community for three decades. He was arrested in 2005. "There's hints all the way through that can't be overlooked," Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden said of a 20-year-old word puzzle Rader mailed to the media, according to KFOR-TV. The puzzle spells out the names of his 10 victims and his home address. Virden said the puzzle also contains the name of Cindy Kinney, a 16-year-old cheerleader who vanished from a laundromat in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, in 1976. If positively confirmed, the revelation would expand Rader's hunting radius beyond Kansas. "It's pretty hard to get around the fact that Cindy Kinney's name is in there, that Osage Laundromat is in there, that Pawhuska is in there," Virden told the outlet Tuesday. "It's up to us to figure out everything that he gave us and put those together, connect the dots, and then get the answers we're looking for," the sheriff explained of the decades-long cat-and-mouse game Rader would play with investigators and the media. "We're still in the process of trying to evaluate that and sending them out, trying to get some expert opinions on it to see what we can get." Rader a divorced father of two has ties to Oklahoma. He documented traveling to the state eight times for vacation, a boy scouts trip and business. "We have searched many locations. We've found items that we believe are evidence and we've found carvings, markings in barns, things that we believe are 100% proof that he's operated within our area," said Virden. In 2005, Rader pleaded guilty to 10 counts of first-degree murder. He's currently serving 10 consecutive life-terms at a Kansas maximum security prison. On Tuesday, his daughter, Kerri Rawson, wrote on X, "I am legally unable to comment at this time on the ongoing cold case investigation's into my father." Publicis Groupe has announced the appointment of Nannette LaFond-Dufour as Chief Impact Officer. In this newly created global role, Nannette will be responsible for driving immediate impact across the Groupes long-term ESG commitments. These include Publicis ambitious SBTI-approved climate goals, its concrete diversity, equity and inclusion action plans, as well as its flagship initiatives like the Working with Cancer pledge and the Womens Forum for the Economy & Society. A leading industry figure over the course of her 30-year career, Nannette joins Publicis from McCann Worldgroup, where she was Chief Client Officer and McCanns inaugural Chief Sustainability Officer, responsible for driving sustainability goals across its global environmental footprint. Nannette will head a centralized team in cultivating and partnering with the Groupes ESG community around the world. Together, they will design and deploy a consistent strategy on impact, with clear and measurable KPIs, to enhance and expand Publicis existing initiatives and implement new ones, at the service of its teams and its clients. Her appointment underscores Publicis ongoing commitment to creating positive change through environmental and societal impact. Consistently ranked first in the industry by leading ESG rating agencies, in the past year Publicis was the only holding company in the sector to appear in the S&P Yearbook, which evaluates the sustainability efforts of global businesses. Through the Working with Cancer Pledge, over the last 18 months the Groupe has also rallied more than 1,500 of the worlds most iconic companies to commit to erasing the stigma of cancer in the workplace. Nannette will join the Groupes Management Committee and report directly to Arthur Sadoun, Chairman & CEO. She will work hand in hand with Agathe Bousquet, President of Publicis France and Directoire+ sponsor for ESG. With the Directoire+ we are delighted to welcome Nannette to the Groupe, said Arthur Sadoun. Thanks to our transformation, we have been outperforming the industry on every business and financial KPI for the past four years. But we know that for our growth to be truly sustainable, on every front, it also needs to be responsible. Thats why we have also worked to lead the way through our best-in-class ESG initiatives. With Nannette on board and her proven expertise in delivering impactful change with some of the worlds biggest companies, we are confident we can take our ESG agenda even further, faster, for the good of our people, our clients, and our planet. I deeply admire the work that Publicis has done to transform itself, demonstrating both the ability to anticipate the future, and do the hard work required to prepare for it through tangible environmental and societal commitments. At this moment when evolution is the mandate on every front, I look forward to joining such a visionary, courageous and agile team, added Nannette LaFond-Dufour. Neville Shah, Ogilvys Senior Executive Creative Director, is departing after nearly a decade with the agency. Prior to his tenure at Ogilvy, Shah held leadership roles at MTV and Commonwealth, Chevrolet's Global agency, where he served as Executive Creative Director for Asia Pacific. His extensive career includes stints at McCann Worldgroup, Creativeland Asia, JWT, Mudra, TBWA, McCann-Erickson, Times of India Group, JAM, 107.1 FM Rainbow, and The Company Theatre, where he contributed to numerous Indian and global brands such as Chevrolet, Set Max, Standard Chartered Bank, Nissan, Airtel, Philips, ESPN, Star Sports, Bajaj Allianz, Parle Agro, and Dabur. Despite attempts to reach Ogilvy for comment, they were unavailable at the time of reporting. For more updates on People Movement, Internet Advertising, Marketing, Digital Media, PR, and Corporate news, stay tuned. Park+ India's pioneering auto-tech super app and HDFC Bank, the leading private sector bank in India, has collaborated for offering a simplified car loan experience to Park+ users. The collaboration unlocks alluring car loan offers and instantaneous digital disbursal to Park+ users, within 30 minutes (to appropriate borrowers). With this collaboration, more than 1.5 cr Park+ users will have a chance to purchase the cars of their dreams. The exhilaration of bringing your brand-new car home is special. Millions of Indians today are upwardly mobile, and on the move. Many are seeking to have their own car for reaching their destination on time and comfortably. Simplified car loans are a game changer for millions of people for fulfilling their dreams of owning a car, with minimum nuisance. HDFC & Park+ Advantage: Digital Loan processing and disbursement in less than 30 minutes Attractive ROI & Processing Market space for new & used cars Commenting on the partnership, Amit Lakhotia, Founder & CEO, Park+, said, At Park+ our main objective is to bring delight back to car ownership. As part of this endeavour, we have partnered with HDFC Bank to unlock a simplified car loan experience for our users. We today host the largest community of car owners (1.5 cr car owners) on our app and wanted to enhance their potential/existing car ownership experience by making car loans simpler, easier, and affordable. Our robust relationship with HDFC Bank will allow us to unlock attractive car loan offers and immediate digital disbursal, all at one place on the Park+ App. We will continue to invest our energies in enhancing the car ownership experience for car owners, throughout the life cycle of their car and look forward to partnering with other external stakeholders to support us in this endeavour. `` Akhilesh Kumar Roy, Business Head Auto Loans at HDFC Bank, said, The Bank is committed to connecting with customers at a touch point of their choice. In this case Park + customers can access HDFC Banks Xpress Car Loans. Through this money is credited to the account of the dealer in about 30 minutes. Since its launch about two years back, this mode of availing car finance has emerged as the fastest growing one in the Bank. Yasmeen Mishra has been appointed by Tribes Communication for heading their Mumbai office. As per her new role, Yasmeen will be leading the strategic inititiaves and business operations for the western region across units, further augmenting the footsteps of Tribes Communications in the market. With more than 24 years of wide ranging experience in marketing leadership across diversified industries which include Media, CPG, and Retail, Yasmeen is bringing vast expertise and knowledge. Yasmeen has a demonstrated prowess in scaling and pioneering businesses, brand development and evolution, integrated marketing communications, and steering revenue growth via strategic collaborations. From interning at Discovery Channel to heading marketing for Retail, CPG and Media brands, Yasmeen has spent most part of her professional journey understanding how brands and businesses have stories to tell their consumers. This in turn has taught her how to build brands through powerful storytelling. Expressing her excitement about joining Tribes Communication, Yasmeen stated, In an age where consumer attention is a scarce resource, Tribes has led the way, enabling a multitude of brands to establish profound connections with their consumers through its diverse media solutions that blend creativity, technology, and innovation. I'm deeply excited to be part of this journey, working alongside the dynamic Mumbai team to help Tribes scale even greater heights." Prior to joining Tribes Communications, Yasmeen held several key leadership positions at renowned agencies such as HT Media, Fever 104 FM, Louis Phillip, Tommy Hilfiger, Pernod Ricard and others where she led diverse teams and implemented impactful marketing strategies for prominent brands across various sectors. She has delivered strategic multi-media campaigns that have increased brand visibility, revenue and profitability across print, radio, digital and social media. Yasmeen has spearheaded brand marketing strategies, created brand extensions, launched new verticals & products across India and the Middle East. Welcoming Yasmeen, Gour Gupta, Chairman, Tribes Communications said, I am happy to welcome Yasmeen to Tribes. With her rich experience in strategic thinking and client delivery, she's poised to elevate our integrated business efforts across all units. Her alignment with our core values centered on people and culture only reinforces her potential to make a significant impact. Collaborating closely with our unit CEOs, Sanjay Shukla, Rahul Kakar, and Partho Ghose & the HR team, I have no doubt that Yasmeen will play a pivotal role in driving our organizational initiatives and shaping our future vision. As a fully integrated agency, Tribes offers medium centered, impactful solutions across OOH, experiential marketing, activation, digital solutions, and more. Tribes now has an extensive client roster with over 100 clients which includes industry giants such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Honda, Swiggy, Diageo, Michelin, Phillips, OnePlus, Pepsi, Jockey, Yamaha, Kotak Bank, HDFC ERGO, Marks & Spencer, H&M, Godrej, WNS, Aditya Birla, Real Me, HP, Microsoft, Schneider, Government Of India, ITC, Deloitte, PWC, Legrand, MG motors and many more. The agency is at present the largest and the fastest growing OOH and Experiential agency in India with a capitalized billing of 87 million USD. The Federal Council Bern, 15.05.2024 - On 15 May, the Federal Council appointed Liliana de Sa Kirchknopf, currently head of Private Sector Development in the Economic Cooperation and Development Division at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO, as Switzerlands Executive Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London. At the same time, the Federal Council has conferred on her the title of Ambassador. Liliana de Sa Kirchknopf will take up her post on 1 September, succeeding Rosmarie Schlup, who has been Executive Director since September 2022. The 52-year-old graduated from the University of Bern in 1996 with a degree in economics (lic.rer.pol.). In October 1996, she joined SECO as a desk officer in the Investment Promotion Section (now Private Sector Development). In 2001, she moved to the World Bank in Washington, initially as Advisor and later as Senior Advisor to the Swiss Executive Director. In February 2005, she took over the position of Private Sector Development Specialist in the SME Department of the World Bank Group and continued to work as an advisor at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2006. In November 2007, Liliana de Sa Kirchknopf took over the development and management of the Enlargement Contribution Office in Budapest after working in the Enlargement Contribution/Cohesion Division. She has been head of Private Sector Development in the Economic Cooperation and Development Division since November 2013. Switzerland has been a member of the EBRD since 1991. The EBRD supports countries in the southern and eastern Mediterranean to Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia in their democratisation and transition to a market economy. The Board of Directors, consisting of 23 directors, determines the operational, financial and administrative policy of the EBRD. On the Board of Directors, Switzerland represents its interests as well as those of its constituency, which includes the Principality of Liechtenstein, Ukraine, Serbia, Uzbekistan, Montenegro and Turkmenistan. Address for enquiries EAER Communications info@gs-wbf.admin.ch Tel. +41 58 462 20 07 Publisher The Federal Council https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research http://www.wbf.admin.ch UN condoles death of ex-Indian Army officer in Gaza, believes vehicle struck by Israeli tank 2 The United Nations condoled and expressed apologies to India over the killing of a former Indian Army officer, who died in war-torn Rafah in Gaza when the vehicle he was travelling in was attacked by shots fired from what it believes was an Israeli tank. Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale, 46, who retired prematurely from the Indian Army in 2022, joined the world body as a Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) two months ago. He was killed, and another DSS staffer from Jordan was injured when their UN-marked vehicle was struck when they were travelling to the European Hospital in war-torn Rafah in Gaza on Monday morning. Kale, who had commanded the 11 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles in Kashmir, is the first international casualty for the world body since the Israel-Hamas conflict started last year. We also express our apologies and our condolences to the Government and people of India, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said at the daily press briefing on Tuesday in response to a question by PTI. We appreciate the contribution that India has made, he said. Haq said the UN has established a fact-finding panel to look into the deadly attack. Its very early in the investigation, and details of the incident are still being verified with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), Haq said. The fact-finding mission is being set up by the Department of Safety and Security. Haq said that a weapon appears to have impacted the back of the white UN vehicle that was carrying the two UN staff members, killing Kale and injuring the other DSS female staff member who is receiving medical attention and we believe that she will make it through. The deceased staff member has been identified. He is Waibhav Anil Kale of India, and we send our condolences to his family, he said. Haq confirmed that this was the first international casualty for the UN in Gaza and added that currently, the world body has 71 international staff in Gaza. When asked if the UN is in contact with Israeli officials regarding the attack, Haq replied in the affirmative and said, I think the point is we are in discussion with Israel to determine exactly how this incident happened and the nature of what happened. I dont think at this stage we are in doubt about where the shots came from as much as what the circumstances were, he added. Haq said the UN believes the shots came from a tank in the area. When asked that only the IDF have tanks in the region, Haq said, I think thats a safe assumption to make, yes. He said the convoy was going to the European hospital as theres regular work thats going on in terms of bringing people to different sites and this was part of that. When asked if Israel apologised to the UN and if the world body sees this as a deliberate attack, Haq said the case is still under review. Well see what the review results in, he said, adding that as the review proceeds, well need to see what the precise nature of the circumstances were. The Permanent Mission of India to the UN had said in a post on X that it is deeply saddened by the loss of Col Waibhav Kale. Our deepest condolences are with the family during this difficult time, it said. UN chief Guterres expressed sadness to learn of Kales death and injury to the other DSS staffer and condemned all attacks on UN personnel, calling for a full investigation. Guterres sent his condolences to the family of the fallen staff member. With the conflict in Gaza continuing to take a heavy toll not only on civilians but also on humanitarian workers the Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages, Guterres said. He said that more than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza. Humanitarian workers must be protected. I condemn all attacks on UN personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire & the release of all hostages, he said. Three sisters, two of them Alabama residents, conspired to hire a Fairhope woman to kill one of the sisters son-in-law, who the sisters believed were abusing another sister, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court this week. According to court records, the woman they hired, a convicted felon who has served time for, among other things, selling sea salt packaged to look like methamphetamine, got cold feet and instead turned into an informant for federal investigators. Along the way, the plan changed from making the mans death look like an overdose, to shooting him in his home, to the sisters exasperatedly saying they didnt care if the would-be hit woman slit his throat as long as it got the job done. The following allegations come from the federal complaint: The sisters Mitzy Gaye Smith, 54; Sandra Kaye Grimes (aka Sandra Kaye Johnson), 57; and Judy Owen, 61, are sisters. Smith (Fairhope) and Owen (Silverhill) are Alabama residents, while Grimes lives in Niceville in the Florida Panhandle. A search of jail and court records shows Smith pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in 1996 and was given a 30-day suspended jail sentence and one year of probation. Grimes was arrested for battery in Niceville in 2019, according to the Okaloosa County (Fla.) Department of Corrections. No criminal record for Owen was found. A fourth sister, Irma Nichole Bauer, had been married to a man named Raul Eduardo Mena, according to the federal complaint against the sisters. Louisiana court records show the couple divorced at some point prior to 2020 and engaged in a bitter custody battle. Both were found through court-ordered drug testing to be alcohol and drug users. Smith, Grimes and Owen believed Mena physically abused both Bauer and their three children and, additionally, drugged Bauer to force her into having sex with others, according to the federal complaint. The sisters decided Mena had to die. Sometime before February of this year, they paid a man $10,000 to kill Mena, but the man simply took the money and ran off. So they needed someone else. The would-be assassin Rebecca Elizabeth Murphy lives in Foley. She will turn 36 next week. Since 2013, Murphy has been convicted of two counts of possession of a controlled substance; two counts of credit card fraud; two counts of burglary; domestic violence/harassment; an open container violation and the aforementioned selling of sea salts packaged to look like meth. And in 2008, she was charged with 17 counts of writing worthless checks, with all charges dismissed provided she pay restitution to each victim. In 2019, while still on probation from one of her previous felony convictions, Murphy was found guilty in federal court of being a felon in possession of a handgun. She was sentenced to two years and was released in June 2021, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. A plan comes together Smith and Murphy had met when the two were neighbors in Fairhope. In February, Murphy was approached by the sisters for the first time about killing Mena, telling Murphy he was abusive towards Grimes daughter. About that same time, Murphys dog took ill and needed veterinary treatment. The vet bill was more than Murphy could afford, so Owen stepped in and paid the remaining $500 to allow Murphy to take her dog home. But now, to Owens mind, Murphy was on the hook. Owen told Murphy that in exchange for the $500, she now had to kill Mena. Owen immediately drove Murphy to a local Walmart, where they met with Grimes. The three women drove to Louisiana in order to show Murphy where Mena lived. Murphy would later tell investigators she felt like a hostage on that trip, with no choice but to go. As long as she got the job done Grimes and Owen believed they knew the best way to kill Mena. Since he was drug user, they told Murphy, she could make his death look like an overdose by injecting him with a lethal dose of heroin. But Murphy said the two women also told her they didnt care if she had to slit Menas throat, as long as she got the job done, according to an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Jennifer Whitehurst. Murphy initially agreed to the plot, but insisted on more money. Owen gave Murphy $350 to purchase the heroin needed to kill Mena, plus another $300 Murphy said she owed her mother for a bond her mother had previously paid. Less than a week later, Owen and Murphy drove to Marerro for a second time. While there, Bauer and Mena had a custody hearing at the Jefferson Parish Courthouse. Owen wanted Murphy to kill Mina outside the courthouse, but Murphy refused because it was the middle of the day. So the women drove back to Alabama again and Mena lived to see another day. A change in plan Shortly after that second trip to Marerro, the sisters evidently gave up on the idea of injecting Mena with heroin. Instead, Smith delivered to Murphy a box appearing to be Christmas decorations, but with a 9mm handgun inside. The serial number had been erased from the weapon and three rounds were loaded in the magazine. Murphy would later say this was when she knew the sisters were serious about killing Mena. In early March, Murphy and a friend drove to Marerro, marking Murphys third trip to Louisiana since the plot was initially hatched. The two remained in Marerro for about a week and, during this time, Murphy communicated with Grimes through the use of secondary cell phones and the two women used code names such as Jack and Bob to refer to each other. Phone records obtained by the FBI show that between March 7 and April 21, Grimes paid Murphy in excess of $1,000 via CashApp. Murphy told investigators the money was in exchange for killing Mena and to reimburse her for hotel, food and other expenses while in Marerro. By March 9, Grimes also texted Murphy photos of the interior of Menas home, identifying which room was his, which was the childrens, etc. Grimes also texted Murphy that, with thunderstorms in the Marerro area, it was the perfect time to shoot Mena, as the noise from the storms would drown out the sound of gunfire. She even provided instructions on how to cut the power to Menas home. Once again, however, Murphy returned to Alabama, with Grimes continuing to pay her small amounts of money to keep her on the hook to murder Mena. Meanwhile, Murphy said she began to look for someone to help her kill Mena. Losing patience After Murphy returned to Alabama again, with Mena still alive, it appears Grimes, at least, began to lose patience. When Murphy texted Grimes they were headed back to Alabama, Grimes went on a text rant. I dont know what to tell ya, I want the gun and bullets brought back if u coming back, Grimes wrote, according to court transcripts. I dont have anymore money that guy took the last cash I had. Please dont tell me no bullshit about the MF do what ya gota do. I dont know. Hubby is home I am headed to wk in two hours, Grimes texting continued. This has turned into a real shitshow. Not passed off but this MF tendes get awY with shit again. Thats ok his funding day will come now! With or without you. Grimes again worked to convince Murphy to go through with the murder. U stab him in the heart at the door or shoot his ass in the heart or face at the what the f can he do, she wrote. Far as the MF messing with them kids. Yes I know the bastard is. I been saying this I could not get anyone to listen. I am om my verge of going postal on his ass. On March 22, Grimes texted Murphy, telling her if Murphy didnt kill Mena then I will go and do the shit my damn self! She included screenshots of confrontational text messages between Mena and Bauer, apparently in the hopes of further motivating Murphy. A day later, Owen texted Murphy, reminding her of the money they had already paid. If u not go do nothing we want our money back we got better places to put it, Owen wrote. Im the one who paid for your dog, my friend who works for the vet knows I paid. I want progress or my money u pick. Owen ended the text with an angry-faced emoji. Assassin turned informant Murphy obviously chose a third option: Reporting the murder-for-hire plot to the authorities. Federal agents became aware of the conspiracy earlier this month when they first spoke with Murphy, and the criminal complaint was filed in U.S District Court in Mobile last week. Grimes, Owen and Smith made their initial court appearances Tuesday. The three sisters are each charged with conspiracy to commit murder for hire, conspiracy to transfer a firearm to be used in a violent crime and use of interstate commerce to commit murder for hire. Each of the three charges carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a Super Tuesday election night party Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Evan Vucci/AP WASHINGTON The Democratic leader on the House Oversight Committee is asking oil and gas companies to turn over any documents and any information they have on a dinner last month hosted by former President Donald Trump for industry executives. The letter follows on from a report by the Washington Post last week that at a dinner at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida Trump told executives from companies including Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Occidental Petroleum that they should donate $1 billion to his campaign because of the savings in taxes and regulatory costs they would enjoy if he was elected president again. Media reports raise significant potential ethical, campaign finance, and legal issues that would flow from the effective sale of American energy and regulatory policy to commercial interests in return for large campaign contributions, read the letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A spokesperson for the American Petroleum Institute, the oil sectors largest trade group, called the letters premise of a quid pro quo patently false and and an attempt to distract from a needed debate about Americas future. As the leading voice for Americas energy workforce, API regularly meets with policymakers and candidates and shares our priorities, she said. The meeting last month was no different. The House Oversight Committee is asking the oil and gas companies, which also include Cheniere Energy, Chesapeake Energy, Continental Resources, EQT Corp. and Venture Global, to turn over a list of who attended the dinner, along with descriptions of any policy discussions and materials presented, including any draft executive orders or policy paperwork prepared by any officers, employees, or agents of your companies, for Trump. Since President Joe Biden came into office in 2021, he has moved to address climate change by reducing U.S. oil consumption, including policies that would shift the nation to electric vehicles and slash oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters, drawing steady criticism from the oil sector. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Asked about the dinner earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign said, Joe Biden is controlled by environmental extremists who are trying to implement the most radical energy agenda in history. President Trump is supported by people who share his vision of American energy dominance. Alabamas GOP said it is standing by a volunteer reportedly attacked following a weekend Trump event, an incident initially labeled as politically motivated, which police dispute. On Wednesday, John Wahl, the states Republican Pary Chairman, addressed a press release issued Tuesday by Athens Police Chief Anthony Pressnell that stated the case resulted from road rage, not politics. The case has been closed and no charges filed, the chief said. The Alabama Republican Party believes in the rule of law, and that everyone should be held accountable for their actions. Physical violence has no place in our society and should be condemned at every level, Wahl said. This case cannot be considered a simple act of road rage. The following facts are not normal and should not be downplayed. Republican officials said Tara Johnson was attacked Saturday afternoon while leaving the Limestone County GOP Trump Headquarters at 1117 U.S. Highway 72 East in Athens. Johnson serves as the lead volunteer, despite facing physical mobility challenges due to health issues. Johnson was in her vehicle, GOP leaders said, when the attacker grabbed her by the hair, repeatedly punched her in the face and slammed her head against the door of her truck. A press release announcing the attack said the Alabama Republican Party condemns in the strongest terms the apparent politically motivated attack and said it has left members of the Limestone County GOP shaken. The police chief, however, said there was no indication the incident was politically motivated. Our investigation suggests road rage led to the altercation between a driver in one vehicle, and a passenger in another vehicle, Pressnell said. We received numerous questions from media asking about it being a politically motivated attack, which we never reported, and there is no indication that was the case. The incident occurred around 5:50 p.m. Thursday at the entrance of the Lowes hardware store by U.S. 72 in Athens, Pressnell said. The chief did not publicly name Johnson or other parties involved in his retelling of the incident. He said the driver of one vehicle, a woman, was on a side street that parallels U.S. 72 when she allegedly ran a stop sign at the Lowes entrance. The second driver, believed to be Johnsons husband based on the Alabama Republican Partys and the chiefs recounting of the incident, honked his horn and flashed his car lights at the first driver. When the vehicles entered the parking lot they went in opposite directions, Pressnell said. The second drivers wife, believed to be Johnson, told police she and her husband just left a restaurant and stopped in the parking lot to check their vehicle because they thought they may have left items at the restaurant. Johnson was out of her vehicle when the driver of the other vehicle drove up to the couple and allegedly cursed Johnson and grabbed her shirt. Johnson told police she responded by striking the other woman. The female driver called Athens police, Pressnell said. He said the second woman called the Limestone County Sheriffs Office. Athens police said neither woman sought medical treatment at the scene, and neither at the time claimed it was politically motivated. Wahl on Wednesday said it was the passenger of the vehicle that instigated the physical aggression towards Johnson, and not the driver. He said the aggressor got out of her vehicle and reached through Johnsons truck window, grabbing Johnson by the hair and repeatedly hitting her in a senseless act of violence. Wahl said there is video evidence to back up what he says, and said the incident started at the end of the driveway coming from the Limestone County GOP headquarters, and immediately following a Trump campaign sign-waving event. First responders suspected political motivation played a role, Wahl said. It is important to remember that we cannot be sure if this attack was, or was not politically motivated, Wahl said. However, it is never appropriate to grab someone by the hair or strike them in the face. Tara Johnson is a kind and generous person who has physical mobility challenges due to health issues, Wahl said. She did not deserve to be attacked and should have justice. An east Alabama infant is in critical condition at Childrens of Alabama and the babys father is now charged with aggravated child abuse. Bobby Mason Honeycutt, 27, was arrested May 7, Cedar Bluff police announced this week. Chief Jeremy Stepps said the investigation began when the 3-month-old boy was taken to Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee not breathing. Staff was able to revive the child, and he was then airlifted to the Birmingham hospital. Doctors have told investigators that the child has severe trauma due to the extent of injuries that were observed, Stepps said in a press release. Charging documents state Honeycutt is accused of shaking the baby back and forth to the point the infant stopped breathing. The baby has bleeding on the brain, is not responding to pain, has no gag reflex and is on a ventilator at Childrens of Alabama, records state. The childs mother has sought a protection order against Honeycutt. The two are engaged. I have been blindsided by his actions and do not trust what he may try to do in the future, the babys mother wrote. Honeycutt remains held in the Cherokee County Jail. The chief said the Gadsden Police Department and the Alabama State Fire Marshals Office assisted. Birmingham mother Nakita Davidson, kidnapped and found slain inside the trunk of her own SUV, was shot eight times, according to new information released by police. Davidsons boyfriend, 37-year-old Cedric Dewayne Robertson, is charged with capital murder in her slaying. He appeared in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing before Jefferson County District Judge William Bell. Bell ruled there was clearly enough evidence against to move forward with the charges and sent the case to a grand jury for indictment consideration. Robertson was ordered to have no contact with Davidsons family. Robertson remains held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail. The case is being prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Joe Roberts and Deputy District Attorney Jessica Hebson. Roberts is represented by attorneys Dave Simpson and Maston Evans. Family members of Davidson were at the hearing Wednesday, filling up two bench rows in the courtroom. Some wore t-shirts bearing Davidsons photo. Birmingham police homicide Det. Justin Lane was the only witness to testify in the hearing. He said there was video of parts of the alleged crime, but not the actual shooting, and said there were two eyewitnesses to the killing. The citys Shot Spotter gunfire detection system registered 13 shots fired at the scene that morning the first round of five shots at 1:37 a.m., and a second round of eight shots at 1:38 a.m. Nakita Davidson, a mother of four, was slain Thursday, April 11, 2024. Her body was found the following day.Carol Robinson The deadly shooting happened in the early-morning hours of Thursday, April 11. The investigation began when officers were dispatched to a report of a wreck in the 300 block of Sixth Avenue S.W., which is near Elmwood Cemetery. When officers arrived, they found a silver Chevrolet Equinox in or near the parking lot of a floral shop. Lane said they found multiple shell casings, a pink Nike sneaker, which was later determined to belong to Davidson, and a pool of blood on the ground. Two men, he said, witnessed the incident and were still on the scene when police arrived. One of those witnesses told Lane he had just left the gas station and was walking home when he heard a crash. He looked back and saw a silver SUV and a burgundy SUV. He then heard a woman saying, You already hit my vehicle. Im going to call police, Lane said. At that time, the detective said, the witness heard gunshots, so he ran to the other side of the road and got behind a tree and continued to watch. The witness then heard more gunfire. He didnt hear the female speak anymore, Lane said. He saw the male, later identified as Robertson, pick up Davidson, put her in the back of a red SUV and drive off. Lane said surveillance video from the nearby Chevron showed the moments leading up to the incident. The footage showed Robertsons silver SUV turn in the middle of the roadway and get behind the burgundy SUV. Davidson, he said, was trying to get away from Robertson and turned into a parking lot by the floral store. The silver SUV that remained on the scene was registered to Robertons mother, Lane said. Inside they found Robertsons wallet containing an identification card, and Medicaid and Medicare cards bearing Robertsons name. Robertsons cell phone was also found at the scene. Police launched an intensive search for both Davidson and Robertson. Davidsons vehicle, a burgundy 2008 Saturn Outlook, was found the following afternoon in a wooded area in the 2300 block of 18th Place S.W. Nakita Davidson, 40, disappeared after a car wreck Thursday, April 12, 2024, in Birmingham. Her body was discovered Friday afternoon, and her boyfriend is facing charges.(Carol Robinson) Lane testified that Davidsons SUV was found across the street from the home of Robertsons uncle and cousin. The uncle told investigators that Robertson came to their home right before midnight and asked him for a ride. He said he drove his nephew but he couldnt recall where. The detective said Davidsons body was recovered from the trunk of the SUV. She had been shot multiple times on the left side of her body and there were also bullet holes in her vehicle. Davidsons niece, Lane said, told investigators that Davidson and Robertson had been arguing. She said Robertson had shown up intoxicated and wanted Davidson to leave with him, but Davidson refused. It was not clear when that incident happened. She said she spoke with Davidson on the night of the shooting and they were still arguing at that point. Robertson, a convicted felon, was taken into custody about 6 p.m. Friday, April 12, by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Birmingham Police Departments Crime Reduction Team, and Jefferson County sheriffs deputies. His arrest ended the manhunt that began roughly 36 hours earlier. Cedric Robertson, boyfriend of Nakita Davidson, was arrested by U.S. Marshals and Birmingham police on Northland Avenue in southwest Birmingham.(Photo contributed by Erica Carpenter) In Wednesdays hearing, one of Robertsons attorneys said his client is intellectually disabled and receives a disability check as a result. Were you aware or have you been made aware that he is unable to read or write? Simpson asked the detective. Lane said he has not been made aware of that. Testimony also showed Robertson refused to sign a form advising him of his Miranda rights. Family said Davidson and Robertson had been dating for less than a year and that she was trying to get away from him. Davidson left behind four young children three daughters and a son. Davidson was described a loyal, loving and always laughing. She was always there when you needed her, said sister Sandrika Davidson. She touched so many lives in so many different ways, she said. Now we have to figure out life without her. This is an opinion column. One can only imagine how Birminghams latest grand crime-fighting idea came about. Or came to seem like a good idea. Its not The Onion. I checked. Its not the cast of Saturday Night Live working on a skit. Yet. So its real. Which means . oh my god, theyre serious. So we must imagine how this plan to send old, unarmed civilians into troubled neighborhoods to keep an eye on killers and innocents alike became the answer to a tough towns eternal gun problem. I imagine it happened in a room, with all the best minds. Mayor: Hey dude, weve gotta do something about all this killing. Chief: Yessir. But you know, Birmingham was a violent town long before I got here. Mayor: Daaaaamn! Chief: Well it was. In 2022 the homicide rate was 73 for every hundred thousand people. That would have been the highest in the nation worse than New Orleans and Detroit. Mayor: Oh, no man. Im talking about how my Insta is blowing up. They love me out there. Advisor: Thats why we have to act now. Mayor: Were not really on a lot of those Most dangerous city lists anymore. Advisor: Um, sir. Thats because nobody puts us on the lists since we dropped under 250,000 people. Advisor No. 2: And now 200,000 people. Chief: And because we stopped reporting crimes to the FBI for a while there. Mayor: Finally some good news. But we really do need to get more eyeballs out there in the community. Watching, waiting, anticipating some crime. Chief: What? Like Wal-Mart greeters? Mayor: Exactly! Thats a great idea. Well put them in cars and send them out into the most dangerous part of the city! Theyll report back and itll fix everything. Advisor No. 2: Like we fixed the timing of those downtown street lights? Mayor: Youre fired! Advisor No. 2: Or those potholes on the side of the mountain. Mayor: I said youre fired! Advisor No. 2: OK. But just so you know, Forbes just put us at the bottom of a safe cities list. We ranked worst in America. They said crime cost us $11,392 a person. Mayor: Out! Chief: Youre saying you want to take people volunteers and put them in city cars and send them into some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in America? Mayor: Unarmed, of course. We cant have them carrying guns. Chief: In marked police cars? Mayor: It can say Birmingham on the side. Or Woodfinland. I like that. But put a green light on it so the criminals will know they arent real cops, with guns and stuff. Advisor No. 2: Like mall cop cars. Thatll go over well. Chief: So were going to send old, bored retirees into tough neighborhoods to watch for danger. Mayor: Yep. Chief: And were gonna put a flashing green light on top of the car so the criminals will, you know, be able to spot them as snitches? Mayor: Its like neighborhood watch on steroids. Advisor: Its like neighborhood watch on Geritol. City attorney: We could give them ball caps and tee shirts. Chief: Well I understand it worked OK in Chelsea. Advisor No. 2: You know Chelsea has like 15,000 people, in the suburbs. And more Karens than killings. Mayor: Why are you still here? How many volunteers do you think we could get? Advisor: We could get at least 200 people, I think. I mean, if they are willing to come to city council meetings they probably have all the time in the world. Mayor: This is way more interesting than city council meetings. Chief: We need a good name for it. How about Green lights for crime? City attorney: That sounds sort of like were saying its OK to commit crimes. Mayor: I guess well go with something snappy like the Citizens Observer Patrol or COP. City attorney: Ok, lets make it happen. We already tried gun buybacks and parades. What else is there? Mayor: Great. We will recruit retirees, teach them a few tricks, put them in tee shirts and send them unarmed into dangerous neighborhoods. Chief: This is a fantastic idea. Epilogue: I love Birmingham, which has been something of a lifelong psychosis. It is gritty and grand and in ways in my mind an oasis in a too-often oppressive state. Birmingham has been a tough town since its inception. Its homicide rate was through the roof in the 1910s and the 1930s, in the 80s and 90s and now. It has suffered from an Alabama Legislature that offers little financial help or freedom to make its own decisions about anything from tax policy to guns or education or what to do with the monuments in its parks. It is a million-plus metro fragmented into dozens of towns and fiefdoms by flight and fear and the modern world of suburbia. It is a town with magnificent food and music and healthcare, and a population that deserves better. It is not enough to say we have always been a violent town. Its not enough to sue places of business where people get shot. It is certainly not enough to send volunteers into dangerous neighborhoods and hope for the best. Birmingham has to believe in itself enough to develop real plans safety, child care, education, opportunity, policing, rehabilitation to solve its deadly problems. John Archibald is a two-time Pulitzer winner. A 62-year-old man confined to a wheelchair when he was killed in a Birmingham drive-by shooting was surrounded by young men he thought were his friends, yet they left him when the gunfire erupted and are not cooperating with police, Mayor Randall Woodfin said. Michael Phillip Coleman, who was suffering from ALS and just recently put on hospice, died in a hail of bullets Tuesday afternoon, doing what he loved to do which was sit under a shade tree outside his Woodlawn apartment. The folks who were with Mr. Coleman know something, and almost 24 hours later, not once but twice I have reached out to BPD leadership and we have witnesses refusing to cooperate, Woodfin said Wednesday. BPD cannot solve that case or many other cases if witnesses refuse to cooperate. The shooting happened just before 3 p.m. near 59th Street North, between 1st and 2nd Avenues North. Birminghams Shot Spotter initially registered six shots in the area but as the investigation progressed, crime scene technicians marked at least 16 shell casings. No arrests have been made. A 62-year-old man confined to a wheelchair was shot to death Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in east Birmingham.(Carol Robinson) Woodfin held a press conference Wednesday where he spoke about Colemans killing, as well as two Mothers Day shootings in Birmingham that left an 11-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl wounded. The 9-year-old girl, who police initially said was 8 years old, was shot in Gate City Sunday when she was caught in crossfire while riding with her mother and siblings ages 8 and 1. The girl was grazed and is recovering at home. Also Sunday, an 11-year-old boy and his father were shot on the citys westside in what police say was a targeted attack. The boy is expected to recover. Woodfin said he spent the day, thinking, hoping, praying, wishing that two innocent children who shouldnt have been (shot) in the first place that they would recover and be in a position to survive from being shot. An 8-year-old was shot May 12, 2024 in the 6700 block Kimberly Avenue in BirminghamCarol Robinson Then on Tuesday, while talking about gun violence with some high school seniors, Woodfin said he was notified of Colemans murder. He is a gentleman who has been in this community for some time, with his significant other for 38 plus years, Woodfin said. I actually spoke with his significant other in person, spoke with his brother, as well in person. He was very known in Woodlawn, traveling around in his electric wheelchair, the mayor said of Coleman. Family told Woodfin that Coleman, when placed on hospice care, chose to remain at home rather than in a facility. Barely able to sit up and with little use of his hands, Coleman found solace under the shade tree. Under this tree, he found what I would call a reprieve, in nature, outside, that he could just enjoy himself, Woodfin said. The majority of the time when he is under the tree he was not alone. He was surrounded by a bunch of young men hanging out. Im going to imagine while this is still under investigation that one of those young men under that tree had some issue, some beef, some drama, with someone else in another part of the community and they decided to bring that drama to that block in the form of doing an actual drive-by shooting, Woodfin said. One of those young men, he said, did shoot back and all of the young men scattered. But Mr. Coleman, wheelchair bound, did not have the luxury that everyone else under that tree had, he said. They were able to run and duck. He could not. Coleman, as well as the two children shot Sunday who the mayor identified as London, 9, and Mason, 11, are among the most vulnerable. Our children and our elders, he said. Of all people, it is without fail were supposed to, we as in the village, everybody, take care of our children and our elders. My expectation at a minimum would be if youre always hanging under a tree with Mr. Coleman and you know he couldnt run and you know whatever activity youre into that could bring such violence, at a minimum render aid, or how about this? At a minimum cooperate with police, Woodfin said. He said, as he has often said before, that witnesses need to speak up. There are no secrets like in Birmingham where people know, have facts, have evidence, have information, know who, know what, know when, know how, know the shooter, know the driver, know the type of car. They have the information, Woodfin said. BPD cannot solve these cases in isolation. This is a direct plea to the young men who were out there, who literally hang with Mr. Coleman every day. You know he couldnt run like you, he said. You know he couldnt move like you. One or more of you shot back. You saw the entire thing. We need you to come forward. Anyone with information in the shooting death of Coleman or any shootings or homicides in Birmingham is asked to call Birmingham detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. The first of what is expected to be multiple arrests has been made in connection to last Saturdays shooting in the Stockton community in south Alabama that left three people dead and 15 others injured. The Baldwin County Sheriffs Office announced Wednesday they had taken 24-year-old Robert German Brown Jr. of Mobile into custody. Jail records show Brown was booked into the Baldwin County Jail just after midnight. He has been charged with 1st-degree assault and remained jailed as of late Wednesday afternoon under $100,000 bond. Capt. Andre Reid said Brown is charged with shooting one of the 15 victims who survived the shooting, but has not been ruled out as a suspect in the three deaths. We still have work to do on this case, Reid told AL.com. I expect more arrests as we work through our information and evidence. Baldwin County deputies were alerted to gunshots about 9:30 p.m. Saturday at a May Day event in the Stockton community, which was held in an open field on Upper Bryants Landing Road and attended by an estimated 1,000 people. Witnesses told investigators the event had been peaceful until an argument began between an unknown number of people, leading to at least one person brandishing a weapon and firing multiple rounds into the large crowd. Brown is no stranger to the Baldwin County Jail. In 2018, he was charged with auto burglary and, in 2020, he was arrested by Bay Minette police and charged with illegally discharging a firearm. Court records also indicate he is awaiting trial on a charge of receiving stolen property, specifically a stolen shotgun valued at $650. Meanwhile, investigation into the Stockton shooting continues. Our job is far from complete, Reid said. We will continue to work diligently until we have identified every shooter, and they are charged and in custody. With that, we still need help from witnesses and victims who attended this event to accomplish that. We are asking for the publics assistance to provide information and details that will help move this investigation forward and secure a successful prosecution. Anyone with information or who may have captured video of the shooting is asked to contact the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office at 251-972-8589, option 7. Want to buy a restaurant or at least everything thats in a restaurant? Nows your chance. Red Lobster has abruptly closed about 50 locations across the country, including four restaurants in Alabama: Auburn, Decatur, Huntsville and Mobile. Closures have also been reported in locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. READ MORE: Red Lobster abruptly closes dozens of locations, including Alabama restaurants As part of the closures, TAGeX brands is conducting what it is advertising as the largest restaurant equipment auction ever, at different locations, including Auburn and Decatur. Currently, the top bid for items in the Decatur location is $8,000; the Auburn locations top bid is $5,300. There is roughly a day left in the auction and prices will likely go up, potentially substantially. In some cases, current high bids are as low as $700. Auctions dont include the building itself but rather whats being described as surplus restaurant equipment, including high-performance ovens, upright refrigerators and freezers, cooking and warming equipment and bar and dining setups. No perishables or alcohol are included. All items must be picked up by May 17, auction organizers said, and everything is sold as is. You can see Auburns auction here. You can see Decaturs auction here. A man suspected of fatally shooting three family members in Mississippi has been killed in a shootout with Arizona state troopers, according to authorities. Ivory James Welch III, 54, was wanted in connection with the deaths of his 76-year-old mother and two sisters, according to police in Ridgeland, Mississippi. The bodies were discovered Sunday at a home in Ridgeland, north of Jackson. Welchs vehicle was seen leaving the crime scene and we tracked it all the way through to Dallas and understood it was obvious he was on the run, Ridgeland Police Chief Brian Myers said in a statement. An arrest warrant was issued for Welch and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force began searching for him. Arizona Department of Public Safety officials said troopers located Welch around 7:30 a.m. Monday on a highway near Morenci. The small eastern Arizona town is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of the New Mexico border. The DPS said troopers tried to arrest Welch, but he fired shots at them before being fatally wounded in a shootout. Myers said police were asked to conduct a welfare check Sunday and found three women fatally shot. The victims have been identified as Ida Thomas Welch; Vicky Renee Welch, 56; and Crystal Lynn Welch, 42, according to Myers. Crystal Welch worked as an associate clinical professor at Mississippi College School of Law and had been president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippis board of directors since last year. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville explained in a TV interview Tuesday why he went to former President Donald Trumps trial, which he called weaponization of our criminal justice system and said its a Super Bowl for Democrats. President Trumps in good spirits; I spent a day with him, Tuberville said. Tuberville appeared as a guest on the Chris Salcedo Show on Newsmax, where he explained why he attended Trumps trial. This judge has pretty much got everybody hog-tied, I would call it, anyone from President Trump on down, anybody on his side, anybody thats against President Trump and the Republican Party, they get to do whatever, Tuberville said. This gag order is ridiculous. Its weaponization of the political system. Theyre trying to deter the next president of the United States from having a say-so in his own trial. Trump has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges of falsifying business records in relation to a hush-money payment made to former porn star Stormy Daniels. Judge Juan Merchan issued a gag order on Trump speaking to media and has fined Trump $9,000 for nine violations of the gag order. Hopefully, well have more and more senators and congressmen go up every day to represent him and be able to go out and overcome this gag order, Tuberville said. Thats one of the reasons we went, is to be able to speak our piece for President Trump. Tuberville described the court room where the trial is taking place: Its kind of dark, cold. The seats are very, very, very uncomfortable. I just cant imagine sitting in there for 17 straight days and watch this go on. Of course, the judge, hes supposed to be the leader of what goes on in there and make sure its a fair trial. Obviously, everything is pushed toward the prosecution. Over 20 assistant D.A.s (district attorneys) in there. Obviously, they dont have anything else to do. Theyve only prosecuted three percent of the criminals in New York this year. So, theyre all in there. Its kind of like their Super Bowl. Its amazing to me. Instead of out doing their job, theyre in there I guess listening in. A lot of media in there. It was interesting for me. Ive not been in many courtrooms in my life. Hopefully I dont have to go to too many more. Were there representing our friend and our next president of the United States thats going to get us out of this rut that the Democrats have got us into and save our country. I think its a very important trial. The United Methodist General Conference that ended May 3 approved a plan for full communion with Episcopalians, pending approval by the 2027 Episcopal Church General Convention. But what about the Global Methodist Church which started May 1, 2022 and welcomed thousands of former United Methodists who left to join the new denomination within the past two years? The president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops this week issued a statement clarifying there is no official relationship with the Global Methodist Church. Full communion means each denomination fully embraces the other as part of the universal Christian church and recognizes their sacraments as authentic; clergy from one can serve in the other church. United Methodists can take communion in an Evangelical Lutheran Church, a Moravian church, any one of five historically African American Methodist denominations, or various Methodist churches in other nations. But a statement released May 14 by the United Methodist Council of Bishops made it clear that United Methodists are not currently in communion with Global Methodist churches. Holding Scriptures call for Christian unity before us, we lament that some have chosen to leave The United Methodist Church, wrote Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the Council of Bishops. At the same time, we must clarify that the Global Methodist Church has no official relationship with The United Methodist Church and has not been endorsed by any of its official bodies. There has been no request for such a relationship and, as such, there is no communication taking place to negotiate a common understanding of our two bodies. The document noted there is a process for establishing full communion with other denominations. This commitment is a beacon of hope, signaling our optimism for future relationships, Malone wrote. However, at the heart of such relationships is a mutual recognition that each denomination is a faithful expression of ministry in the name of Jesus Christ, bearing the marks of one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Then the letter called out Global Methodist leaders for criticizing the United Methodist Church and its recent actions, which included embracing same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ clergy, which the Global Methodist Church opposes. The United Methodist General Conference repealed its previous bans on same-sex marriage and ordination of openly LGBTQ clergy at the General Conference. United Methodists also updated their Social Principles, deleting the phrase, homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, which the denomination adopted in 1972. The mission of the church to make and nurture disciples of Jesus Christ is enhanced when various bodies of Christ collaborate in a mutual ministry of grace and respect, Malone said. Likewise, the mission of the church is harmed by the denigration of one body at the expense of another. To that end, we call upon the members of the Global Methodist Church to formally recognize The United Methodist Church as an authentic and valid denomination and to cease all efforts to coerce members of The United Methodist Church to join their fellowship. Likewise, we commit ourselves to the same standard of respect and grace. The Global Methodist Church has attracted more than half the 7,700 church departures and now claims 4,280 churches, with more than 700 in the application process. One Global Methodist leader predicted this month that United Methodist churches will continue to leave after the debacle at the General Conference in Charlotte. Statewide in Alabama, more than half of United Methodist congregations disaffiliated about 555 churches. Most of those departures have taken place since 2022. We believe that the ministry of Christian discipleship requires us to be co-laborers who work together in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, Malone wrote. In order to maintain the integrity of this mandate, we cannot in good conscience enter the mission field with the members of the Global Methodist Church until there is a clear understanding of this mutual recognition. We pray that we may do so with a spirit of charity even as we expect it from others. The document left a door open for bridging the gap. We remain open and hopeful for future conversations with the Global Methodist Church that might lead to reconciliation and healing, Malones statement said. This openness is a testament to our commitment to unity and peace. This will not happen with words and actions that undermine and disparage one another. One day, the two denominations may live in peace, Malone said. Even as we call for this spirit of mutual recognition from the leadership of the Global Methodist Church, we earnestly pray that God will help us to lead The United Methodist Church in working to fulfill Christs own prayer that someday, all who believe in Him will live in unity and peace. The mass exodus of churches left the United Methodists in drastic budget-cutting mode and the denomination reduced its funding demand from local churches. Facing increased financial strain and budget cutbacks, the denomination was considering a drop from asking 3.29 percent of every churchs budget, down to 2.9 percent. Instead, the conference adopted a minority report that the denomination should only ask for 2.6 percent of local church budgets for the next two years. Thats expected to be roughly $40 million less. Architecture firm Pickard Chilton worked with Transwestern on master-planning the overall design of The RO to feel like it could easily fit into the nearby River Oaks neighborhood. This rendering shows the central lawn within The RO with The Birdsall hotel-condo tower in the background. Courtesy The Boundary Cobblestone pathways and greenery invite visitors to meander through the retail buildings within The RO, a new mixed-use project planned on Buffalo Speedway by Transwestern Development Company. In the background is the 28-story apartment tower within the development. Courtesy of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture A rendering of a central lawn within The RO, which will feature several live oak trees under a landscape architecture design by OJB Landscape Architecture and retail design by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture. Courtesy of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture A rendering of the Birdsall, a 34-story condo-hotel tower that will be operated by the Auberge Resorts Collection within The RO mixed-use development. Courtesy of The Boundary A Houston development firm plans to break ground this summer on a long-anticipated 17-acre project that will bring hundreds of apartments, retail and two high-rises to Upper Kirby. The RO, expected to be completed in 2027, would be built on the site of a former Exxon research facility at 3120 Buffalo Speedway. The condo-hotel would be operated by the Auberge Resorts Collection, the hospitality company that is part of the Friedkin Group conglomerate owned by Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin. Real estate firm Transwestern Development Co., master developer of The RO, envisions tree-lined cobblestone walkways weaving past brick-clad buildings featuring shops, restaurants, offices and residential units. The pedestrian-focused design places parking underground, Transwestern said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The site itself has been coveted for decades, said Sean Suffel, project executive at Transwestern. We felt really that the place-making piece is the part we care about the most. The RO has been more than seven years in the making. A joint venture of Transwestern and investment group Spear Street Capital bought the land from Exxon in 2017. Since then, Transwestern bought out Spear Street and sold 4.7-acres to Orca 3 LLC, which shares an address with Occidental Petroleums headquarters in Greenway Plaza, according to Harris County records. Occidental declined to comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Transwestern declined to comment on the future of that 4.7-acre site, other than to say it would be within The RO project. The letters RO stand for Houstons wealthy River Oaks neighborhood. The name of the planned condo-hotel tower, the Birdsall, Auberge Resorts Collection, pays homage to a famous architect Birdsall Briscoe, who designed many of the homes in River Oaks. The Birdsall will feature 44 condominiums atop a 105-room hotel operated by Auberge Resorts, the companys first Houston location. Transwestern declined to say whether Friedkin Group will have an ownership stake. The Friedkin Group didnt respond to a request for comment. While there will be a public-facing bar and restaurant in the Birdsall, most of the buildings amenities will be for residents and hotel guests. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Auberge has what I call this kind of casual luxury which really overlays well with Houston, Suffel said. MORE LUXURY CONDOS: $50M condo tower planned in Rice Village The remaining residential space will include a 28-story, 317-unit apartment tower. Transwestern is contemplating additional apartments elsewhere in the development. An undisclosed office tenant leased a 146,000-square-foot midrise within the RO, Transwestern said. Meanwhile, Transwestern says it is talking with potential tenants to fill 75,000 square feet of retail, including space for six to eight restaurants. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is an opinion column. Did Alabama Attorney Gen. Steve Marshall get lost or something? On Monday, the states top law enforcement officer wasnt in his office. He wasnt meeting with state officials at the capital. Nor was he appearing for the state in court. He was on TV. In New York City. In a political spectacle that has more to do with the job he wants than the job Alabamians elected him to do, Marshall spent a few hours watching the trial of former president Donald Trump before ranting about the case to media outside. We had more questions about Michael Cohens feelings than we did connecting him to any criminal offense, Marshall said. Sen. Tommy Tuberville was also there and did his share of ranting and raving too. But any time Tuberville spends away from Washington is probably a net benefit to Alabama, not to mention U.S. national security. Marshall, on the other hand, has work to do. And hes not doing it, even as others try to do his work for him. Two weeks ago, Hannah Dreier, a reporter for the New York Times, won a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting. Her work last year revealed how child labor laws are being flouted in, among other states, Alabama. In textile factories, meat processing plants and roofing companies, immigrant children are being put to work in clear violation of the law, and few folks seem that concerned, especially at the Alabama Attorney Generals office. Marshall, it seems, is more preoccupied with whats happening in the Big Apple than whos working for Fruit of the Loom. This wasnt the first time the media had pointed out this problem in Alabama, either. In 2022, Reuters reported that auto part plants in Hyundais Alabama supply chain had been using children as young as 12. In that case, at least, police in Enterprise, Ala., had tried to do something. Unfortunately, the something was reporting the problem to the Alabama Attorney Generals office. When the Reuters reporters asked the AGs office what it intended to do, Marshalls spokesman wouldnt say. If Marshall wants something to hang his political hat on, cracking down on child labor in Alabama seems like a great opportunity. Theres something here for both Republicans and Democrats to get behind. Child labor was supposed to be a thing of the past something FDR put a stop to during the New Deal, something we read about in school where 12-year-old children are supposed to do their work, writing lines on the blackboard, not working the line cleaning chickens. And if thats too touchy-feely for the political right, then theres the immigration angle of this. Overwhelmingly, if not universally, the children being exploited here are immigrants, not citizens, because who are they going to complain to when someone gets hurt? Marshall could argue this problem is another manifestation of Bidens failure to secure the border. He could say the jobs these children are doing should be done by Americans, and hed have a point. This is a real problem, not an imaginary one, but in Alabama, we run away from real problems rather than confronting them, even if that means running away to New York. Work? Thats for little people. Marshall has his sights set on higher elected office either governor or the United States Senate and he thinks Donald Trumps endorsement does more for him than him helping Alabamians. Heck, should his courtroom buddy Tuberville get a cabinet appointment, maybe he could get an appointment to the U.S. Senate, instead of having to wade through an Alabama election first. Marshall would rather talk about whats wrong with Donald Trumps former political fixer than fix something wrong in Alabama. No matter how many kids fall off rooftops in Alabama, at least theyre trying to do a job. Which is more than we can say for Steve Marshall. Kyle Whitmire is the 2023 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. Subscribe to his weekly newsletter, Alabamafication. President Julie Su? Unlikely, but the acting U.S. secretary of labor is in the official line of succession to the presidency. And Republicans are furious. Su, a former California cabinet official, has been in her current job for the past 14 months. Shes acting because she appears to lack the votes for Senate confirmation. Many senators, including some Democrats, are reluctant to back Su because of her work as Californias Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Agency under Gov. Gavin Newsom. Her agency was in charge of the chaotic, fraud-ridden unemployment claim process during the COVID pandemic. She came to Washington in 2021 as deputy labor secretary. Now acting secretary, shes 11th in line to succeed President Joe Biden, after Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and just before Secretary of Health and Human Services, and former California congressman, Xavier Becerra. No one holding an office other than vice president has ever succeeded a president during his term. Eight presidents died in office, and Richard Nixon resigned in 1974, the last president who did not serve his entire term. Still, Republicans want Su out of the queue and for that matter out of the job. It is unimaginable to think that this administration believes that someone who has neither been duly elected or confirmed by the Senate to the position of Secretary of Labor could be president of the United States, said a letter to Biden from 30 Republican senators. They sent the letter in October. The White House has not responded, and declined to comment for this story. Who can succeed Biden? An acting secretary can be part of the line of succession, though thats not always been the case. The 1886 Presidential Succession Act put cabinet members, but no congressional leaders, in line for the presidency depending on when their departments were created. That law said a cabinet member was only in the queue if they were appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate for their job. In 1947, a new law retained the requirement that officers in the line of succession be confirmed by the Senatebut allowed someone confirmed for any position, not just the job of secretary, to be in the line of succession. Read literally, this means that the current act allows for acting secretaries to be in the line of succession as long as they are confirmed by the Senate for a post, said the Continuity of Government Commission, a bipartisan group that included prominent scholars and former congressional and executive branch officials. Currently, the line of succession has the vice president first, followed by the House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tem, Secretary of State is next, followed by Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior and so on. If someone is not a natural born citizen or under 35 years old, they cannot qualify. The Senate confirmed Su as deputy secretary of labor in 2021 by a 50-47 vote. While the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved her nomination as secretary in February by an 11-10 party-line vote, there has been no Senate confirmation vote this year and none appears imminent. The continuity of government commission report noted that it is not uncommon for a second in command to become acting secretary when the secretary leaves office. Though there is some dispute over this provision, the language clearly permits acting secretaries to be placed in the line of succession. The commission urged the law be changed. In 2009, it explicitly recommended removing acting secretaries from the line of succession. Among its reasons: In the days and even weeks after a new president is sworn in, many cabinet jobs whose nominees are awaiting confirmation are headed by acting secretaries and having an acting secretary means they have not been approved by the Senate. The Senate confirmation is a check, said John Fortier, the commissions executive director. Fortier cited another potential problem. Suppose in a catastrophic situation, the secretary of state is unable to assume the presidency. Someone then becomes acting secretary of state. Would they become president ahead of a Senate-confirmed Treasury secretary? Yes, said Fortier. Current law, he said, could easily cause confusion. Katie Britt vs. Julie Su Theres no confusion among Republicans. Last week, at a Senate committee hearing, Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, grilled Su. Do you believe that if the need were to arise that you are currently eligible to assume the presidency under the Presidential Succession Act? Su responded, Senator, it is the honor of a lifetime to have been nominated by the president to serve in his cabinet. Absolutely, Britt then said, and do you believe that you are in the line of presidential succession? Su noted that prior to being nominated as secretary last year, she was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 as deputy secretary. Then when my predecessor left, I became the acting secretary through the normal she said as Britt pressed her point. Im aware and my question is, do you believe that you should be in the presidential line of succession? Its just a yes or a no? the senator asked. Su would not say yes or no. I mean, Senator, I put it this way, I serve at the pleasure of the president. I appreciate his confidence in me. Weve spent some time here today talking about the work of the department and the important ways that we are, she said. Britt tried again. Do you believe yes or no, that you should be having not been confirmed to this position by the United States Senate? So just yes, you believe you should be able to succeed in the presidential line of succession if that were ever to happen or no, you believe you are not actually in that line of succession? Su did not say, and Britt finally gave up. I thought that that would be a really easy yes or no. And to me, its no. You havent been confirmed and therefore should not be in the line of succession, the senator said. 2024 McClatchy Washington Bureau. Visit mcclatchydc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Birmingham City Council has approved a plan for a Citizens Observer Patrol, with volunteers who are not police officers helping patrol neighborhoods. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin weighed in on the program Wednesday. This is not a Barney Fife situation, Woodfin said as he called for more citizen assistance in preventing crime. He gave an example of how a Citizens Observer Patrol could work: There is a street racing event. We know it because a flyer goes out. People meet up. Well, the citizen in plain clothes can be out there, just like everybody else with their cell phone because thats what they do, they record the event. In real time, if cameras are not at that intersection, or Night Rider Operations on a different side of town, then this person can simply blend in with everybody else, in plain clothes, with their cell phone. Just text that email in real time to BPD, cause all theyre doing is observing. Theyre not doing anything else. Birmingham residents who volunteer to be part of the Citizens Observer Patrol would be trained to patrol the citys neighborhoods and report criminal activity to the police. They would go through training at police academy, but would have no arrest powers. They could possibly be provided vehicles marked with city identification and wear identifying shirts and caps. But Woodfin said he envisioned it as being more surreptitious observation of potential criminal activity such as street racing. This is a niche initiative, Woodfin said. You wont see, any time soon, 200 citizens out there being active. Thats not what this is about. It wont be implemented anytime soon, he said. One, we have to create the program, Woodfin said. Two, they have to be trained by BPD. Three, we have to find something, that we think weve already found, to place citizens in to observe and simply share information with police in real time. Council members on Tuesday expressed concern about the safety of citizen patrols. Woodfin said they would not be deployed in a way that put them at risk. We believe in the places were thinking about, its not crimes against persons, per se, and it is not a situation where they would be in harms way, Woodfin said. Woodfin described it as part of his overall call for more citizen participation in crime-fighting. And so, my encouragement is very simple, Woodfin said. I am unaware of any city in America where the police, and or the mayors office, can do everything on their own. Its not enough if the community does not step up, in co-ownership, and do their part. He expressed his sympathy for the victims of recent homicides and said the police need help solving cases. My heart and thoughts are with these victims, but especially our children and seniors, and I need the public to help us take shooters and killers off the street who harm our most vulnerable community members, which are our children and our seniors, Woodfin said. That is my direct plea to the public, that we need your assistance. If you need safe harbor or help in sharing that information, let us know so we can give it to you. Woodfins mention of Barney Fife refers to the Andy Griffith Show. In a famous episode called Citizens Arrest, gas station attendant Gomer Pyle, played by Alabama native Jim Nabors, tries to arrest Mayberrys bumbling Deputy Barney Fife, played by Don Knotts, for making an illegal U-turn. The episode aired on December 16, 1963, and continues to air in frequent classic TV re-runs. A father was arrested in north Alabama on aggravated child abuse charges after his 3-month-old child had to be helicoptered to Childrens Hospital in Birmingham after being revived, authorities said Tuesday. Bobby Mason Honeycutts 3-month-old child was not breathing when the child was taken to Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee in Centre on May 7, Cedar Hill Police Chief Jeremy Stepps said in a statement. The staff at the hospital revived the child, who was then helicoptered to Childrens, the chief said. Doctors told investigators the child has severe trauma due to the extent of the injuries that were observed. Honeycutt was arrested on aggravated child abuse of a child less than 6 years old, police said. He was taken to the Cherokee County Jail, where he remains in custody. Further information was unavailable. A threatened species of snake was released into an Alabama forest as part of a project to reintroduce the eastern indigo snake, wildlife experts and federal and state officials said Wednesday. The project that resulted in the release of 40 indigos in the Conecuh National Forest on Saturday is an effort by Auburn Universitys Alabama Natural Heritage Program. Officials with the Alabama Department of Conservation Resources (ADCNR), the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoo Atlanta and the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation at the Central Florida Zoo attended the release of the snakes in the forest, which encompasses Covington and Escambia counties in south Alabama. Alabama is one of the most biologically diverse states in the country, and were excited to be a part of restoring a previously missing piece of our natural history, said ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship. I am grateful to our partners who are a part of this important project. Jim Godwin with Auburn Universitys Alabama Natural Heritage Program said the indigo reintroduction project is an example of the importance of the state wildlife grant (SWG) program for the conservation and management of rare species, not just in Alabama but throughout the country. The SWG program provides federal grant funds to state fish and wildlife agencies for developing and implementing programs that benefit species in greatest conservation need and their habitats. ADCNRs State Wildlife Action Plan identifies 366 species that are in the category of greatest conservation need. With this release we will have completed another step toward reestablishing indigos in Alabama, Godwin said. This project also serves as the role model for the indigo reintroduction project in Florida, and for future reintroduction projects. What began as a local Alabama wildlife conservation project has demonstrated that the path to recovery is possible through successful, long-term reintroduction efforts. The Eastern indigo project started in 2006, and the program was able to start releasing captive-raised indigos in 2010 with 17 adult snakes released into the Conecuh National Forest. The goal is to release 300 snakes to improve the chances of establishing a viable population. The current reintroduction project is modeled on work started by late Auburn University professor Dr. Dan Speake in the 1970s and 1980s. Each snake that we have released in the forest is an ambassador for the partnerships that make this project possible, Godwin said. Each of our partners and collaborators has played an important role in helping us achieve success with returning the indigo snake to the wild. Traci Wood, Habitat and Species Conservation Coordinator with ADCNRs Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division, reinforced the importance of the partnerships behind Alabamas Eastern indigo reintroduction project. This is a pivotal moment in the project, said Wood. This year we released 40 snakes for a total of 284 snakes released on the Conecuh National Forest over the past 14 years. Bringing an animal back to Alabamas landscape after a more than 50 year absence would not have been possible without our partners. This is an exceptional example of the reintroduction of an imperiled species. After being released, researchers monitor the snakes movements with tracking devices called PIT (passive integrated transponder) tags. They also monitor the snakes with game cameras stationed at gopher tortoise burrows which are utilized by a number of animals, including indigos. The next indigo release in the Conecuh National Forest is planned for spring 2025. Alabama Rep. Phil Ensler, D-Montgomery, says he intends to reintroduce a gun safety bill next year after it was sidelined in the Senate last week amid fierce debates over gambling legalization. Enslers House Bill 36 would have banned the possession of handguns modified with what are known as trigger activators, devices that allow a semi-automatic weapon to fire at rates similar to fully automatic weapons. The bill would have made possession of such modified firearms a Class C felony. Filed well ahead of this years session, HB36, after securing the endorsement of several law enforcement agencies, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, successfully passed out of the House, and later a Senate committee. Chef Manabu Horiuchi slices a piece of Matsusaka wagyu at Katami Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer At Katami, fish and even 10-pound blocks of ice are flown in from Japan. Chefs shower truffles on any number of dishes. The sake selection is one of the city's most extensive. Now the Japanese restaurant in Montrose, one of the most in-demand dining rooms in Houston since opening last fall, is selling an ingredient customers wont be able to find anywhere else in Texas: Matsusaka wagyu. Only a few U.S. restaurants carry this exclusive Japanese variety of wagyu. For $70 per ounce, Houstonians can get a taste of the buttery beef not found on the menus at the citys top steakhouses or growing number of omakase counters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We treat it like diamond or gold, said Manabu Horiuchi, the chef behind Katami who built a following with his first restaurant Kata Robata in Upper Kirby. HOUSTON EATS: The Chronicles top 100 restaurants Chef Manabu Horiuchi slices a piece of Matsusaka wagyu at Katami Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Horiuchi, or Chef Hori as hes known, had been asking his wagyu purveyor Rocker Bros. Meat & Provision since last year about the prized Japanese beef. The first 15-pound order of Matsusaka wagyu arrived just weeks ago. Horiuchi took his thin Japanese knife to cut a piece of the beef and tasted it raw. He described it as sweet and tender (the low melting point gives the wagyu its textbook definition of melt in your mouth). Advertisement Article continues below this ad I wanted to show something new show Japanese culture in Houston, Horiuchi said. Katami sold out of the Matsusaka wagyu within four days. The second and third orders disappeared just as quickly. Wagyu, which translates to Japanese cow, is not unfamiliar territory for Americans. It usually refers to four main breeds of cattle: polled, shorthorn, brown and black. The black variety is often considered the best and includes Matsusaka, Ohmi and Kobe. Fans of wagyu rave about the high fat content, which gives the beef its marbling with a web of white dots and lines distributed evenly throughout. The color could be described as a creamy pink. Beef lovers familiar with wagyu have likely heard tales of how farmers massage their cattle and feed them beer or sake. Theres even a rumor that some cows listen to Mozart. (Part true, part marketing and myth.) Advertisement Article continues below this ad Katami's orders of Matsusaka wagyu comes with certificates True Japanese wagyu the market also includes American and Australian cattle hybrids sold as wagyu is very limited, and the beef is free of antibiotics, hormones and steroids. There are only about 2,500 Matsusaka cows farmed each year in the Mie prefecture of Japan. They are slaughtered at just under 3 years old, which is much later than most cattle. Only four other restaurants in the U.S. have served Matsusaka regularly, according to Brent Nakama, director of imported wagyu for Rocker Bros, who added that Katami joins restaurants in Las Vegas, New York City and California. Each order of Matsusaka wagyu arrives with certificates to confirm its authenticity, Horiuchi said. The company decided to sell the Matsusaka to Katami partly because of the high demand for beef in Texas and the restaurants commitment to sourcing quality Japanese ingredients. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He wanted rare, limited items, Nakama said. Not just good but the best. MORE FROM BAO ONG: This neighborhood is home to Houstons buzziest restaurant openings Matsusaka wagyu at Katami Horiuchi recommends customers eat a few ounces of the rich wagyu toward the end of their meal. But one customer had already ordered 12 ounces (thats just under $1,000 before tax and tip) for his table. Its served robata style (grilled) or tataki style (lightly seared and sliced thin sashimi style with a ponzu sauce). Chef Hori probably doubted at first if people would pay for it, but people are very open to it, said Ryan Snyder, Katamis managing partner. They know they want to splurge. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Katami serves other fancy cuts of wagyu, such as the Ohmi and Olive, but the team wanted to put Matsusaka on the menu because its rare, not so much for the sticker shock. Katamis profit margin is not large for the Matsusaka wagyu even at $70 per ounce, Horiuchi said. The restaurant could charge more (closer to $90 an ounce), but theres a point where the price can seem too over the top, Snyder said. I thought theyd never ask! I consider myself a fairly accommodating person, but when I heard James Grossman, Executive Director for the American Historical Association, say that if Florida were going to teach about the evils of communism then it better teach about fascism too, I couldnt agree more, and I couldnt be happier to oblige and outfit Mr. Grossman (and anyone else who needs it) with a primer of sorts, covering what fascism actually is, and where we actually see it. But first the context, from a HuffPost report: Florida Schools Must Teach Evils Of Communism, Ron DeSantis Orders A new law requires K-12 schools to teach how communist ideologies conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy. If our goal is to help students learn about threats to freedom and democracy, why are we not also requiring that they learn about fascism? AHA Executive Director James Grossman told HuffPost. (This is going to be fun.) The word fascism derives from the latin fasces (plural of fascis), which was an instrument of punishment and death of ancient Rome; it is a collection of rods bound together as the support for the ax affixed at the end. See below: Image: Public domain. Wikipedia notes this: The fasces, as a bundle of rods with an axe, was a grouping of all the equipment needed to inflict corporal or capital punishment. In ancient Rome, the bundle was a material symbol of a Roman magistrate's full civil and military power, known as imperium. Britannica iterates that the tool signified the penal power of the state; the ADL adds this: The symbol dates to ancient Rome, whose leaders used it as a symbol of authority and power. This symbolism long survived the Roman Republic and Roman Empire, becoming an element of heraldry as well as a symbol of governmental authority. According to historian Anthony J. Marshall, while the fasces was largely symbolic, it did actually serve as a portable kit for flogging and decapitation. Marshall also writes this: Since they [fasces] were so brutally functional, they not only served as ceremonial symbols of office but also carried the potential of violent repression and execution. [T]he fasces continued as both symbol and instrument of executive power [emphasis added]. As you can see, the overarching theme represented by the fasces is strong, centralized, government authority, and the capacity of that government to inflict a brutal death upon its citizensso it should come as no surprise to learn that Benito Mussolinis movement adopted the executioners tool as a political logo, and used it as a basis to create the new term fascism. From an essay at the Oxford University Presss Academic Insights for the Thinking World: In November 1914, when Benito Mussolini, then prominent as a revolutionary socialist, tried to mobilize popular opinion for Italy to intervene in World War I, he gave the name Autonomous Fasci of Revolutionary Action to his disparate supporters. The term fascio (plural fasci) was then common in Italys political lexicon, in its core meaning of bundle, to denote a loosely-organized group grounded in a common ideology. Yet it was only after the conclusion of World War I that one of the political fasci used the old Roman symbol of the fascesa bundle of wooden rods and a single-bladed axe with leather strapsto express its identity, and had its members proudly lay claim to the somewhat pejorative moniker fascisti. The take off point was Milans Piazza San Sepolcro on 23 March 1919, when Mussolini relaunched his war movement as a paramilitary group, the Italian Fasci of Combat. Use of the historical Roman emblem to a stunning degree helped valorize Mussolinis violent methods. Some months after San Sepolcro, we find Mussolini vigorously promoting the symbol of the fasces, first to brand his Fascist Bloc in the Italian general election of 16 November 1919. Now, the political movements of the 20th century identified as fascist vary greatly, but the common vein among them is the militaristic and centralized power of a big and strong national, or federal government, and violent suppression of oppositionall that was represented by a tool used to flog people and sever human heads, carried by agents of the Roman state in a display of dominancebut nothing about that can be associated with the limited government principles of American conservatism, or even find association with the far-right end of a political spectrum. Because, the further right you go, the less government you get, all the way to the point of anarchy, or no government. So, to imply that fascism somehow falls on the right would be terribly inaccurate, and if its coming from the classroom, or even a historical association, would be terribly irresponsible. Right, Mr. Grossman? Because thats how I take his jab at Floridas anti-communism legislation. And, unfortunately, the fasces is seen throughout well-known structures in the United States, so I agree with Mr. Grossman, it is a threat to freedom to avoid teaching about the dangers of fascism, and we cant let it slide, because its already here, sometimes lurking in plain sight. Heres this, also from the ADL: The United States draws a considerable amount of its own symbology from classical antiquity, including the fasces, which has been used as a symbol by military units, government agencies, and even the House of Representatives. The symbol can be found on the front of Abraham Lincolns armrests at the Lincoln Memorial, the Oval Office, and apparently almost every federal building built by Franklin Roosevelts New Deal programs. Heres this, from Rutgers professor T. Corey Brennan, via The Washington Post: Washington [D.C.] is a bonanza for fasces-spotting, Brennan said. Its hard to see any federal building from the New Deal period that doesnt have the fasces in some place. Now, it seems to me like there would be better symbols to represent American ideals than a brutal punishment tool for scourging and decapitation from pagan Rome, but Im also not the type of girl who believes in a big federal government forcing submission through violence. And not only do we see this violent anti-freedom ethos represented in our architecture, but its overtly evident in our society too. We see mobs of ironically-named anti-fascists mercilessly beating their political opponents for supporting Donald Trump, and we see the political pseudo-elites use the military to erect razor wire fencing around inaugural proceedings, to put the any would-be dissenters in their place in fact, we see it from the Democrats and the movements they support. I have a feeling that Mr. Grossman opened a can of worms he probably would have preferred to leave undisturbed? As both a proud Reagan conservative and as an American patriot, I am deeply troubled by our nation slipping from its responsibilities as the leader of the free world. Russia and Hamas both represent terrorist entities. Disengaging from the world stage and thinking its none of our business is a position that a man lionized by every conservative American like President Ronald Reagan would never embrace. Russias horrific crimes against the Ukrainian people are inexcusable and unjustified. I am both embarrassed by the Biden administrations slow and weak response, and by the so-called Republicans who embrace the same foreign policy views that radical leftist Democrats had during the Bush administration and think we should allow Putin to do as he wills. Make no mistake about it, these two conflicts are linked. If Putin can take Ukraine, or even a chunk of it, who is to say he will stop there? If this is not a green light for the Chinese Communist Party to invade Taiwan, then what is? The Russian Federation under the rule of Vladimir Putin and his cronies is a terrorist state. There is no way to sugarcoat it. They are responsible for the needless deaths and suffering of many Ukrainians. In my mind this war must end only one way, with Russia responsible for paying a large portion of the rebuilding costs, a retreat from all internationally recognized Ukrainian territory, and the surrender of all war criminals for trial. We should keep an array of options on the table for how this should be achieved. Using our strength as a deterrent would have saved many lives, something which the current leadership has failed spectacularly to accomplish. It is true that Russia is a terrorist state armed with nuclear weapons, but nonetheless, they must not be allowed to succeed. Last week we saw the beyond-appalling UN general assembly vote, where 143 nations voted to recognize a country run by a weak and permanent anti-Semitic president on one hand, and a terrorist group that murdered 1,200+ innocent people in cold blood on the other. Shame on any government that would vote yes on this resolution. For those who say Israel should not proceed with its operation in Rafah, what is their plan to dismantle Hamas? Unfortunately, war is a messy business where innocent people are caught in the crossfire and killed. They should be blaming the Islamist terrorists running Gaza for using their own people intentionally as human shields, and demand they turn over all hostages and surrender, but instead there are many around the world who continue to wrongfully place the blame on Israel. Let us not forget that groups like Hamas and Hezballah are Iranian proxies, a country which also happens to be supplying weapons to Russia that they are using to continue their relentless criminal war against Ukraine. The only acceptable outcome to the War in Gaza is to eliminate Hamas as thoroughly as possible. They can never be permitted to hold an inkling of power ever again. For those who criticize, condemn, or blame the only truly democratic and prosperous country in the Middle East, I say that they stand against everything that Americans and freedom-loving people everywhere are supposed to believe in. Whatever financial expenses we are incurring or will continue to incur aiding both Israel and Ukraine are a pittance compared to the consequences of allowing evil to triumph. We are adding $1 trillion to the federal debt every three months. $100 billion invested to continue this fight (and keeping Taiwan in mind) is money more than well spent. However, I do not feel it is enough, and we need strong and decisive leadership now more than ever. The war on terror never ended. Instead, many people have short memories and were lulled into a sense of complacency. Bidens hasty and foolhardy retreat from Afghanistan was a signal to the world that America is willing to admit defeat and to allow evil to triumph. Whether its Russia or Iran, North Korea, Hamas, or perhaps CCP China in the future, we must stand resolute. As President Reagan once said, "We maintain the peace through our strength; weakness only invites aggression." If we allow this to be a weak and isolationist nation, one that shies away from the leadership responsibilities it has had since defeating the twin evils of Nazi Germany and Japan in the Second World War, then this will be a very dark time for humanity. My resolve and convictions remain unchanged. We must take back a mantle of leadership on the world stage, and the global Axis of Evil, in whatever form it may take, must be defeated. Ajay Bruno is a media and political strategist who has worked on behalf of a range of clients, including the Indian Ambassador to the US, the Polish Consulate-General in NYC, FreedomWorks, and The Federalist Society. Image: Pexels/Serhii Bondarchuk Back in May 1980, I remember hearing something like that the voters were done with President Jimmy Carter. They didn't want to return or reelect him. There was a sense that he wasn't the right man for the job given the economic crisis, the scary international situation and that "malaise" coast to coast. To be fair, the same voters were not sold on who would replace him. The GOP did nominate Governor Ronald Reagan but he didn't close the sale until the very end -- that "there you go again" debate moment. I feel the same way in May 2024 and how the voters see President Biden. This is why I was happy to see this from Professor Victor David Hanson: Has America Finally Had It With Joe Biden? Joe Bidens personal approval rating is at historic lows; almost all his policies do not poll fifty percent. He is behind Trump in almost all the swing states. And now he lies serially even to sympathetic interviewers. In short, finally Biden has been exposed for what he always was and represented. Senator and Vice President Joe Biden was always sort of a buffoon. He is by nature a grandstander who handsomely profited from his office while posing as good ole Joe from Scranton. He is a blowhard meddler, one who proverbially has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades (Robert Gates), from dissenting on the Bin Laden raid to his trisection of Iraq scheme. Well, it sure looks like the way that they felt about Carter back then. To be fair, Carter didn't tell stories about his uncle being killed by cannibals and he could do a TV interview without creating a mess. Let me go further and say that Carter was a nice but incompetent guy. Biden is not a nice guy. Like today, it sure looks like the country wants a change as it did in 1980. The voters want a new direction because they don't feel good about Biden's policies. It's up to Trump to seize the moment and win the election. Focus on what is hurting voters and avoid the dramatics no matter how tempting it is to say this or that in front of a rally. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: Library of Congress I had to read American literature in both high school and college. I read Mark Twain, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, Jack London, Maya Angelou, Herman Melville, John Knowles, J.D. Salinger, and many other famous American writers. Some I liked; some I didnt like. What I invariably hated was how English teachers approached them, picking them apart to the point of inanity (and, in my day, always with an eye to sexual symbolism). However, none of my teachers used those books to advance Marxism. At Harvard, though, things have changed, with the American novel being used as a platform for destroying America and her values. Those of us who have been paying attention (as I have since my days at Berkeley in the early 1980s) know that academia has been home to leftism for a very long time. Mostly, though, it was subtle, and ordinary Americans viewed it as fringe, irrelevant stuff that students would abandon when they hit the real world. We normal kept saying that as we read about snowflakes and their trigger warnings. We said it as the snowflakery morphed into the racial madness of DEI and CRT. We said it when gender madness overtook racial madness. And some people have been trying to say it (Its a few bad actors. Its outside actors.) regarding the antisemitism thats now the norm on American college campuses. And mind you, this is pure antisemitism. On the UC Davis campus, which used to be among the more sensible campuses in the University of California system, an elderly Jewish (not an Israeli, but a Jewish) professor was blocked from the campus: Masked activists block Jewish Professor from entering the UC Davis campus where he works. pic.twitter.com/pdq4CdyXCc Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 15, 2024 This is not going away, and its not going away because what underlies all these ugly campus movements (hypersensitivity, racial grievances, gender insanity, antisemitism) is one unifying thing: Marxism. Moreover, the subtly of my youth in academia has given way to blatant indoctrination. You can see that in this message from a Harvard Teaching Fellow within the English Department: Do you want to understand the depth of the rot? Here is a course eval. sheet from a Harvard Teaching Fellow on American Novels. Read the yellow: pic.twitter.com/H4uy00M9v1 David Wolpe (@RabbiWolpe) May 14, 2024 Here is the meat from that cheery note about what the teaching fellow hoped students would take away from their readings (and God alone knows what they were reading) (emphasis mine): You will have noticed that we spent much of our time in lecture and discussion section connecting American novels and short stories to much broader questions: about American culture and history; about intellectual histories and philosophical movements that inform these novels; about American selfhood, sensibility, free spirits, artistry, and self-making. While our formal study this semester has ended, debates about the American self, culture, and freedoms are ongoing and unfolding in a lively way right here on Harvard's campus. Concerted efforts to divest these united states from imperial and colonial projects around the world--and thereby to engender freedom, self-determination, and liberation for more of earth's inhabitants-are being foregrounded by the Harvard students, faculty, and staff who are calling for the university to disentangle itself from weapons manufacturers and settler-colonial states that use indiscriminate violence against civilians. If you haven't yet visited the encampment in Harvard Yar which regularly hosts teach-ins and opportunities for ongoing study that directly or indirectly cut to the core of American culture and freedom, I highly recommend stopping by to continue learning and thinking about many of the questions with which we have grappled this semester. This is not English literature. Indeed, it is barely English. This is preaching the Marxist revolution using the gibberish cant of academia. Id like to say something profound, meaningful, and hopeful at this point but I cant because theres nothing to say. Our once-premier institutions are now utterly corrupt. The U.S. is facing an existential ideological war. The normal people either win or they lose. I do suggest, though, that you vote a straight Republican ticket in November, and I say that knowing that many Congressional Republicans are RINO, Uniparty members. I also know that many conservatives viscerally dislike Donald Trump. However, a Trump-led government with a Republican Congress, even a weak one, is better than a government led entirely by Democrats. At the very least, it will give us a little breathing space to try again to right the American ship of state. Image (edited) from drobotdean. On what planet does assaulting a police officer merit a mere six months in the slammer? Only Planet New York. According to the Daily Mail: Six of the migrants accused of assaulting two New York City Police Department officers in Times Square have been offered plea deals - including one who was re-arrested while out on $15,000 bail. Ulises Bohorquez, Yohenry Brito, Edgarlis Vegas, Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, Wilson Juarez, Yorman Reveron and Kelvin Servita Arocha appeared in New York Supreme Criminal Court on Tuesday in front of Judge Laura Wood. The Venezuelan migrants were charged with second-degree assault and the obstruction of a government admin following the attack on January 27 which was caught on video and all have pleaded not guilty. They were offered this: The Manhattan District Attorney's office has offered plea deals to Bohorquez, Brito and Gomez-Izquiel for them to serve a year in prison in return to pleading guilty to second-degree assault. Arocha and Juarez have been presented a deal where they serve six months in prison for pleading guilty to obstructing a government admin. Yorman Reveron was also offered a deal of two years in prison in exchange for pleading guilty to second degree assault. The rest of us would go to prison for ten years if we assaulted a police officer, but these illegals are special. Worse still, the judge must have inspired smirks among the thugs with her ridiculous scoldings, buttressed with hollow 'one more time' warnings: Judge Wood hit out at Brito during the hearing and threatened to throw him in jail if he puts another foot wrong while out on bail. 'I am furious that Mr Brito was rearrested and charged with petty larceny while he was out on this case,' she said. 'I am very tempted right now to put you in jail. I am telling you right now, if I learn you are rearrested for anything at all between now and this case being finished, I will order a warrant and I will place bail so high you will not get out. 'If you jaywalk, if you jump a turnstile, if you do anything at all and I have to issue a warrant, you will not see the light of day until this case is over. 'Do I make myself perfectly clear?' Suuuure she made herself clear. The message the thug got was that next time he did it, he'd get an even sterner warning. She might even yell at him. What he wouldn't get was any fear of jailtime. The thug, who is likely among the emptied contents of Venezuela's prison system, will carry on with his life of crime plaguing New York and beyond, with no fear of jailing, let alone deportation. It sends a terrible message to illegals that any crimes they commit will not be seriously punished, even if they are direct attacks on police officers whose job is to protect New Yorkers. The wimpy ineffectiveness is going to resound with the illegals, who've just got another green light to express their contempt for this country and prey on its citizens, as if being allowed in this country with their clearly disgusting backgrounds were not enough. It's also likely to attract more criminals to New York from among the world's illegals getting in. Not only is it 'if I cross, I can stay,' it's 'if I prey, it's no loss.' And it will be noticed by New York's cops, too, who will be even less inclined to stick their necks out and more inclined to retire at their desks, waiting for their pensions. This brand of "justice" being meted out is a middle finger to them once again, just like the earlier illegal migrant who flashed that after coming out of a courthouse (and eventually was not charged). Who could blame them? That's going to be toxic for New Yorkers, and well deserved if they keep electing District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose focus is on bookkeeping "felonies" in kangaroo courts against President Trump, while at the same time, letting real criminals walk. Image: Screen shot from Fox News Twitter video I cant tell if the woman behind this video is real or if shes going undercover as an ardent gender activist (I think/hope the latter). What I can tell you is that she was able to find several men at Georgia State University in Atlanta (Motto: Truth shall overcome) who were willing to contemplate favorably donating their testicles to a trans man (i.e., mentally ill woman). Egypt lasted 3,000 years, and Rome and Byzantium both had thousand-year runs, but we in America seem to have reached the end stage in a mere 60 years. Talk about efficiency. Georgia State University was founded in 1913 as a night school for technology and commerce and was initially affiliated with Georgia Tech. Then, in 1947, it was affiliated with the University of Georgia. With that background and over 50,000 students, its a real institution, not some fly-by-night place that hands out phony diplomas. Having said that, Im now wondering whats really going on at Georgia State University. In this video, seven men (including one so-called trans woman) dont run screaming in horror at the idea of giving up the family jewels to help mentally ill women pretend to be men. Instead, theyre open-minded to the point of agreeing to the idea. Only one man was initially taken aback, but then he, too, fell into line. INSANE: College students are so brainwashed by gender ideology that they're willing to donate their own t*sticles to a trans person to "fight toxic masculinity." @Simply_Shula pic.twitter.com/BDLRq6zhwN Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 13, 2024 I understand that seven people out of 50,000 is an infinitesimally small sampling (or, more accurately, seven men out of the approximately 22,000 men who fill about 40% of the spots on campus compared to women). But wouldnt you think that in the years before America went crazy, the number of men agreeing to this lunacy, or even contemplating it, would have been zero? And before you discount those seven men and what they mean, consider that just a few decades ago, gay relationships were viewed unfavorably across America. Then, people began to change their minds, but they viewed same-sex marriage unfavorably. By 2015, though, America was suddenly told that same-sex marriage is in the Constitution (it was hiding behind abortion). And now, were inundated with the idea that something called gender identity is infinitely fluid and that bizarre surgeries and dangerous drugs can magically create a whole new you. So, today, seven...tomorrow, a whole world that is testicle free (or at least has half as many testicles). Image: X screen grab. The true of story of the events that played out on January 6, 2021 has never been fully told. Bits and pieces of it have shaken loose, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that fell on the floor. But never before have they been stitched together into a complete and accurate picture of that days events, so that people can understand what actually happened as opposed to being told what didnt. A new film, War on Truth, directed by Chris Burgard and produced by Nick Searcy, tells the full story not just the parts of it that the political opponents of Donald Trump and the media, who are as tight as peas in a pod, want people to know about. The narrative that was created by the opponents of Donald Trump who came to control the government as well as the media after January 6 was that an insurrection had taken place, with all the implications of a violent attempt to prevent the certification of Joe Bidens putative victory over Donald Trump in the presidential election a few months prior. Trump had summoned his troops to the capital and that they had stormed the Capitol building, determined to turn our democracy into something dark and sinister, controlled by a an authoritarian cartoon caudillo cut from the same cloth as Juan Peron or Augusto Pinochet, the onetime dictators of Argentina and Chile, respectively. It is a narrative as soaked in hysteria and misdirection as that which triggered the transformation of most of America into a prison during the final year of Trumps presidency, which via unprecedented and unvetted absentee voting that went on for months prior to the election cast a shadow of legitimate doubt over the integrity of the election. That doubt led, in turn, to the decision of tens of thousands of ordinary Americans to make their way to the capital to petition their government for a redress of their grievances. To be heard. To try to find out what happened. And that is what the political opponents of Trump who took control of the government with the eager amen-cornering of a mainstream media that no longer even pretends to be interested in the truth about anything framed into a narrative about an insurrection. They are using that narrative, to this day, to frame any questioning of anything the left does as implicitly insurrectionary by dint of being a threat to our democracy by which is meant a threat to the one-party rule of the left, which must never be questioned. Or else. One of the truths you will learn about if you watch this movie is that this was an insurrection of unarmed people, which would be the only such insurrection ever attempted in history. Another is that the insurrectionists were directed into the Capitol Building by the Capitol Police, who were not attacked by the insurrectionists, who for the most part walked into the building like curious tourists. There was flag-waving and some bullhorn-talking but next to no violence perpetrated by the insurrectionists. On the other hand, unarmed veteran Ashli Babbitt was killed shot while trying to crawl through a broken door by a Capitol Police officer who was never charged with any crime. Contrast this with Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who is doing hard time because he was found guilty of killing deified thug George Floyd, who more than likely died of heart disease and complications from a drug overdose. None of the mostly peaceful protests that ensued, resulting in the torching of several American cities, was ever styled an insurrection, either probably because the left did not consider any of them a threat to our democracy. War on Truth explores a much more serious threat to the previously taken-for-granted right to peacefully assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances. The left has criminalized this when it involves grievances the left dislikes. More than 1,265 Americans have been criminally charged and more than 460 people sentenced to prison. One of them is Easton Cantwell, a former Army paratrooper who was kept in limbo for two years by federal Inspector Javert before finally being sentenced to five months imprisonment for obstructing Congress. Cantwell took a plea deal to avoid being incarcerated for years rather than only five months. The Justice Department wants validation of the narrative, Cantwell says. Because without that validation that we got convicted of something, then it didnt really happen like they said. Joseph Stalins favorite secret policeman, Lavrentiy Beria, is credited with saying, Show me the man, and Ill show you the crime. But perhaps the films most important truth is that the people who came to air their grievances were suckered into a well laid trap one set up to provide a narrative about an insurrection that could be used to sucker the American people into believing there was and is a threat to our democracy. To find out more about that, youll have to catch the film, which makes its public debut on May 17. Mark Anthony is a former Silicon Valley executive, columnist, political analyst, and host of the nationally syndicated radio show called The Patriot and The Preacher. Image: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped). The other day, I noted that illegals are getting bolder as they roll into San Diego, jetting in from organized-crime-sponsored speedboats onto San Diego's crowded beaches in broad daylight now. Running through the beach towels, sunblock, beach balls, and cold drink coolers of the beachgoers at Ocean Beach, they aren't even trying to hide it. Ocean Beach, California. Saturday, May 11, 2024 These are not Asylum seekers folks. Wake the Hell up. pic.twitter.com/6aZY9NuRo0 Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) May 13, 2024 But don't think the city doesn't have its priorities as these illegals roll in. According to Fox 5: SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Three yoga instructors in San Diego are expressing concern over the citys recent ban of their free beachside yoga classes, which have been a tradition for over a decade. According to Danielle Macgregor, one of the affected instructors, the citys enforcement of the ban involved the use of large trucks to block their yoga classes, a measure she deems excessive. In response to the ban, the yoga community is mobilizing efforts to regain access to their beachside practice. Laura Monk, another affected instructor, highlighted that the ban extends beyond yoga, affecting other group activities such as recovery support groups and family gatherings in public parks. The City of San Diego, through its Parks and Recreation Department, justifies the ban as part of updated ordinances regulating beach activities, with Rangers now enforcing the prohibition on group yoga sessions at Sunset Cliffs. The City of San Diego is cracking down on free beach yoga classes. The city says the classes need a permit, which are only available at some parks. 'Yogis' are mad they are included in a revised code, aimed at stopping illegal street vending.https://t.co/MBTDuWf5rR @10News pic.twitter.com/jsBlYRLcUC Spencer Soicher ABC 10News (@spencersoicher) May 13, 2024 Illegal foreigners are crashing into our sand every single week, but do go on about yoga on the beachhttps://t.co/08eB0fxHV3 https://t.co/HXMRC29Hj3 rooted.wings (@BrittRooted) May 14, 2024 The city of San Diego bans free beach yoga but looks the other way as hundreds enter illegally on our coast. California is a sanctuary state. Call our governor and let him know your feelings about how this effects the rest of the nation. Gavin Newsom (916) 445-2841 The County pic.twitter.com/yu7Yzx8iKb Melissa O'Connor (@Melissa_in_CA) May 15, 2024 Reality calling San Diego. These women are barred from practicing yoga on San Diego's beaches. Unmitigated flood of illegal immigrants, rampant homelessness but more than four ladies at a time on the beach is against the law. The women have filed a lawsuit. pic.twitter.com/f9LwDsfkWh Woz_nick (@Richardwoznick1) May 14, 2024 Normally when you ban something, it's some kind of public nuisance. I've lived here for years and have never -- even once -- heard about these beach yoga classes being any kind of public nuisance. It's just a bunch of old ladies doing their sun signs and downward dogs their health and enjoying the scenery while they are at it. Ostensibly, the beach yoga sessions (I doubt they are really classes with diplomas handed out) have now been classified as 'vendors' and thus, are required to hold purchased permits ... for certain areas, none of which include Sunset Cliffs, which is walking distance from Ocean Beach where the illegals are landing They just wanted to shut the whole thing down because someone (who pays a lot of taxes to the city), was enjoying herself. Or quite possibly, some kind of yoga lobby paid some pol to write a regulation against these free classes, the better to rope them into pay classes indoors instead. But all of that is neither here, nor there. The bottom line is, they've got a literal foreign invasion going on on these beaches from unvetted military-aged young men whose voyages are being financed by Mexican cartels. Indead of going after the foreign military-aged young men literally invading the U.S., they're going after old ladies doing warrior poses. They are rolling in, nobody's doing anything about it, they are not here legally, they are not asylum seekers, but they are getting in and disturbing the peace to do it. They are unvetted, they may be armed, they may have drugs, they may be involved with human slavery, and there hasn't been even a hint of a response from the City, no blasts at Joe Biden and his open borders, no press conferences with Border Patrol agents at their side, no calls to stop it, nothing. They also have a second beach problem from abroad with Mexico polluting the south County's beaches with raw untreated sewage, rendering it unswimmable. Nobody doing much about that too, except hold press conferences saying the problem is being solved but will "take time." But when it comes to beach yoga, they've got the lawmen at the ready and they're swooping down. They like to call Los Angeles 'la la land' but this is what la la land looks like. They lower the boom on beach yoga just as another boatload of illegals goes running on by. Image: Screen shot from Melissa O'Connor video on Twitter (Image source from: Twitter.com/ani_digital) Six dead in a brutal accident in Palnadu district:- Police reported that a bus carrying 42 people, who had cast their votes on May 13th, collided with a lorry in the Chilakaluripet mandal of Palnadu district today (May 15), resulting in the deaths of at least six people. Those injured were treated at Chilakaluripet town government hospital before being referred to Guntur for further medical attention. The deceased have been identified as four residents of district Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, namely Anji (35), Uppgundur Kashi (65), Uppugundur Lakshmi (55), and Mupparaju Khyati Saishri (8), while the identities of the other two are still being established. The bus was travelling from Chinnaganjam, a Mandal in Bapatla district to Hyderabad when the accident occurred, leaving both vehicles completely destroyed. (Video Source: ETV Andhra Pradesh) Apple recently claimed that it stopped over $7 billion of potential fraudulent transactions between 2020 and 2023. The figures emerged from the companys fourth annual fraud prevention analysis that it shared yesterday. In the report, Apple detailed how its App Stores rules have protected users from fraudulent apps and several other security issues between the mentioned time frame. Apple prevented fraudulent transactions worth $7 billion between 2020 and 2023 As per the report, the company managed to prevent over $1.8 billion in fraudulent transactions in 2023 alone. It is worth noting that this figure is lower than the $2 billion reported by the company for 2022. Apple further added how it managed to prevent over $7 billion in fraudulent transactions during the time frame. During 2020 and 2023, Apple blocked over 14 million stolen credit cards and over 3.3 million accounts from making any transactions. The company added that it rejected over 1.7 million app submissions in 2023 as well. Apple said all such apps failed to meet its privacy, security, and content standards. Apple also took steps towards banning several accounts to make the App Store a safe space for its users. It terminated more than 374 million developer and customer accounts and removed over 150 million ratings and reviews from the App Store. In 2023 alone, the tech giant shut down nearly 118,000 developer accounts. This number is less than the 428,000 terminations it reported for 2022. Apple says its effort to prevent the creation of fraudulent accounts has led to a big drop in account terminations. Lets not forget that Apple also rejected over 91,000 enrollment submissions from developers due to security concerns. Apples app review team blocked several illegitimate apps, too Besides talking about stopping more than $7 billion worth of fraudulent transactions, Apple said that the app review team blocked multiple apps that initially posed as harmless products but went on to become pirated movie streaming apps, illegal gambling apps, etc. Thats not all, the review team also identified and removed some financial services apps intended to defraud users. A total of 40,000 apps were taken down from the App Store allegedly involved in bait-and-switch activity. Additionally, the team rejected nearly 38,000 and 375,000 apps for undocumented or hidden features and privacy violations, respectively. Moving on, Apple also blocked at least 47,000 illegitimate apps available in unauthorized app stores. The company said its review team with over 500 staff reviewed over 6.9 million app entries in 2023. And, allowed 192,000 developers to publish their first app in the App Store. With this report, Apple could be hinting at EU lawmakers on how its strict App Store policy has stopped over $7 billion in fraudulent transactions and safeguarded users from online frauds over the year. Not to forget, with the EUs intervention, the company allowed the sideloading of apps in the region against its will. Apple has always argued against sideloading for years and said it exposes users to scams, frauds, and several other privacy issues. Thurgood Marshall High School students celebrate at end of a graduation ceremony at Smart Financial Centre in this Hearst Media 2019 file photo. Fort Bend ISD has changed valedictorians at two high schools, upending a hotly debated class ranking policy that students have lived under for four years as they are now set to graduate. Melissa Phillip/Staff photographer A policy change in Fort Bend ISD ranks students based on the high school they are zoned to according to their home address, rather than the specific campus they attend. Juhi Varma Fort Bend ISD has changed valedictorians at two high schools, upending a hotly debated class ranking policy that students have lived under for four years as they are now set to graduate. In recent days, school officials said in a statement that they changed the valedictorians at Marshall and Willowridge high schools "after a thorough assessment." "It's very sad, unfair and disappointing," said 17-year-old Naomi Groghue, the top-ranked senior at Marshall who will now graduate ranked No. 48 at Elkins High School, the school she was zoned for but never attended. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Naomi Groghue is the top-ranked senior at Marshall who will now graduate ranked No. 48 at Elkins High School, the school she was zoned for but never attended. Courtesy of Naomi Groghue The graduation shakeup is the latest controversy surrounding the 2019 policy that sprang from what was seen as unfair advantages to some students who enrolled in schools to which they were not zoned. This was usually done to meet academic needs or wishes, like technical courses or early college programs. But district leaders started to notice that some high school seniors from schools with competitive rankings would transfer to another school where they could be ranked higher even in the top 10, said Stephanie Brown, community advocate and Marshall parent teacher organization president. In Texas, students graduating in the top 10% of their high school class are guaranteed admission to any public university in the state. Under a new policy that began when the class of 2024 were freshmen, gaming the system in such a way was not possible. All high school students must be ranked at the high school where they are geographically zoned, even if they attend another school. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Fort Bend ISD board of trustees has already done away with the policy, starting with the class of 2028. However, students will continue to be ranked at their zoned campuses for the next three years, outgoing board President Judy Dae said last week. Groghue said she thought she would cap her four years at Marshall with a valedictorian's speech, only to learn that a student who never attended Marshall would be given the honor. The student who received first place at Marshall had never walked the halls of Marshall at all they were at a different high school the entire time, Brown said. Brown said the rankings going forward were updated at her insistence. Instead of being replaced as valedictorian by a student who attended another high school, Groghue will be replaced by someone who also has attended Marshall for four years. Fort Bend ISD spokesperson Sherry Williams said last week that Superintendent Marc Smith was not available for an interview. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Neither Smith nor Williams answered questions about why the Willowridge and Marshall valedictorians were changed or why Groghue's ranking remains at Elkins High School rather than Marshall. "The current policy states class rank for high school students is established based on the campus where a student is zoned," Smith said in the statement. "Beginning with high school students in the class of 2028 and beyond, the campus of accountability and class rank will be the campus where the student received instruction." History of the Fort Bend ISD ranking policy Charles Dupre, former FBISD superintendent, said in a December 2019 YouTube video that "students attending programs of choice or students on an intradistrict transfer will be ranked with their peers at the high school in which they reside instead of the campus they attend." The current system created some inequities, leading to students from some parts of the district taking a disproportionate number of spots for automatic admissions to colleges," he said in the video. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Brown said last week that she thinks the new policy hurts students more finding out that a student that has never walked the halls of your school, that the kids never seen before, can come over and take the top spots in your class. On top of that, they don't even have to graduate with you at graduation, they just take your ranking. At a Dec.16, 2019, school board meeting led by Dupre, other community members joined Dae in voicing opposition to the policy's adoption specifically to prevent situations like Naomi's. Trustee Angie Hanan, who spoke against the policy in 2019, declined to comment last week and referred to her statements accessible in the recordings of previous meetings. This idea of ranking students with a cohort of students from another campus is disrespectful to the children and teachers, Hanan said at the December 2019 school board meeting. Answer the questions parents have put in front of you about valedictorians, salutatorians, providing rankings to out of state colleges? You cannot say well iron out the kinks later because there is not an iron big enough or hot enough. Because the policy started in 2019, Naomi's graduating class is the first to be ranked at their zoned schools, Dae said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "It took four years for the first cohort to graduate under this policy," she said. "The policy from 2019 had an indefinite effective date, and the current board changed the policy last year but it will impact the students till 2028." Students in the class of 2028 are in eighth grade now and will enter high school under the updated policy in fall of this year and will be ranked at the campuses they attend. Groghue plans to study business at the University of Texas at Austin and said being valedictorian could have boosted her scholarship prospects. She said the Fort Bend ISD community has a history of rallying for various causes and urged residents to keep opposing the policy in hopes it can be changed for other students in high school now. "People have to continuously advocate so no upcoming classes have to deal with this," she said. Brown, who raised the issue at the March 24 and April 22 Fort Bend ISD board meetings, said she hopes the current administration will change the ranking system for the classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027. This policy will push a lot of our students out of their top 10 positions for the next three years, Brown said at the April 22 Fort Bend ISD school board meeting. It is going to be mentally detrimental to our students, and it is very disheartening. Samsung appears all set to launch its first product powered by a 3nm chipset in a couple of months. It wont be a Galaxy S flagship or a foldable, but a smartwatch. The Galaxy Watch 7 series will be the companys first product to feature a 3nm chip, the Exynos W1000. Next years Galaxy S25 series will also feature a 3nm processor, the Exynos 2500 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. Galaxy Watch 7 to introduce Samsungs first 3nm chip Rumors about Samsung equipping the Galaxy Watch 7 series with a 3nm chip have been around for several months now. A new report from The Korea Economic Daily has confirmed it, revealing more details about the chipset. The upcoming wearable processor will be called Exynos W1000, not Exyons W940 as suggested by earlier rumors. Perhaps that was a calculated guess considering that the Galaxy Watch 6 is powered by the Exynos W930. Samsung likely decided to start afresh to reflect the leap from 5nm to 3nm process technology. According to the new report, the Galaxy Watch 7s Exynos W1000 will be fabricated on the companys second-generation 3nm process node. It is the most advanced technology available in the semiconductor industry, with TSMC being the only other foundry currently mass-producing chips based on a second-gen 3nm process. The new wearable chip from Samsung will reportedly bring over 20% faster performance and power efficiency over the Galaxy Watch 6s Exynos W930. With these improvements, the new watches should feel smoother to operate and run longer with a single charge. The company will unveil the Galaxy Watch 7 lineup at its upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris, France. The event will take place on July 10, the Korean publication confirms. The new watches will bring many other upgrades A 3nm processor wont be the only notable upgrade the Galaxy Watch 7 brings to the table. Rumors say the new watch will boast double the storage space (32GB) as the Galaxy Watch 6. We are also expecting a bigger battery, improved software experience with AI features, and enhanced Samsung Health with new capabilities. Samsung has been working on noninvasive blood sugar monitoring technology for wearables. Despite all of these improvements, the Galaxy Watch 7 may not be the main attraction at the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked. The company will launch the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 at the same event and the foldables might grab the limelight. The Korean firm may also finally announce the long-awaited market release of the Galaxy Ring. It unveiled the groundbreaking smart ring at MWC 2024 at the end of February. Google Search will now include answers compiled by Generative AI in search results for everyone. The search giant has now officially turned on AI Overviews for all general users of Google Search. Google Search goes beyond website hunt with AI Overviews Google has been actively experimenting with Gen AI for quite some time. The company had Bard, which was succeeded by Gemini. However, Google Search largely remained a standalone product. Google started cooking AI-powered Overviews in Google Search Labs last year. The company is now shaking up its search business by including AI-generated answers in search results for everyone. By the end of the year, AI Overviews will come to over a billion people in Google Search. With Search in the Gemini era, Google does more of the work for you from answering your most complex questions to helping you get things done.#GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/ImfL6E4O46 Google (@Google) May 14, 2024 Google Search has traditionally been a way to look for websites that may have the answers internet users were looking for. However, Google is now reportedly positioning Google Search as more than a way to simply find websites. Google intends to help internet users get answers to their queries directly using its search engine instead of heading to different websites. The company published a detailed blog post explaining the inclusion of AI Overviews in Google Search, [With] generative AI, Search can do more than you ever imagined. So, you can ask whatevers on your mind or whatever you need to get done from researching to planning to brainstorming and Google will take care of the legwork. How will Google Search AI-generated answers work for everyone? Google is rolling out AI Overviews in Google Search for everyone. What this means is that the company will show AI-generated answers in search results as a response to common search queries. For now, the AI Overviews will offer AI-generated answers at the top of the results page only for US residents. Google has indicated that the feature should make its way to other regions where Google Search is available. The company hasnt confirmed any rollout schedule. AI overviews will start rolling out today in Google search. Can Google Ai save Google search? pic.twitter.com/IrtnJcWx9a Stephen Robles (@stephenrobles) May 14, 2024 AI Overviews go beyond summaries or condensed answers to queries. It can even organize search results using AI and, if needed, interact with users to refine results, added Liz Reid, vice president and head of Google Search, [When] youre looking for ideas, Search will use generate AI to brainstorm with you and create an AI-organized results page that makes it easy to explore. Google Search users can even further their experience if they opt into Search Labs. Google is keeping additional features locked behind the opt-in process. A few key points: Limited queries. "You wont see AI Overviews for all your searches. AI Overviews are reserved to answer more complex questions where Google feels it can add value beyond the search results, Budaraju told us. If AI Overview doesnt add value to what Google Search https://t.co/s9EpFAMqbk Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) May 14, 2024 After entering Search Labs, users will be able to get the AI Overviews feature to simplify the language or break down a complex topic for simpler and better understanding. Search Labs participants will also be able to get into lengthy and complex questions in a single query. It can even turn into an event planner, planning meals and vacations if users ask. Google is essentially unlocking its Gemini Gen AIs power for more people. Moving forward, Google Search users will invariably and repeatedly run into AI Overviews. However, Google is reportedly adding a web filter to Search that allows users to skip AI-generated answers. Activating these web filters will force Google Search to just show links in the search results. Googles Pixel 9 series will introduce an upgraded version of Gemini Nano, the company announced at its annual developer conference, aka Google I/O, on Tuesday. The new version will boast multimodal capabilities and can discern context from images, videos, sounds, and spoken language. It requires more powerful hardware, specifically the Neural Processing Units (NPUs), and might not be compatible with older Pixels. Pixel 9 to bring an improved Gemini Nano Gemini Nano is a mini version of Googles generative AI model Gemini (formerly Bard). It is designed to run on smartphones and is the brain behind certain on-device AI features on the Pixel 8 series, including the Pixel 8a. The tool powers the Summarize feature in the Recorder app and Smart Reply in Gboard, among other things. However, its functionality is mostly limited to processing text inputs. With the Pixel 9 series, Google plans to add new capabilities to Gemini Nano. A teaser posted by the company shows the AI tool explaining the scene in front of the device using its camera. Hey, what do you think is happening here? Gemini Nano is asked, pointing to the stage before the Google I/O kicked off. It identified the scene. It looks like people are setting up for a large event, perhaps a conference or presentation, it replied. The tool goes on to converse about the scene with the user, responding to various questions. The demo suggests the upgraded version of Gemini Nano can identify real-world images and discern context accurately. Google plans to use the tool to improve its TalkBack feature to help people with blindness or low vision. It can describe unlabeled photos better than before without requiring an active internet connection. One more day until #GoogleIO! Were feeling . See you tomorrow for the latest news about AI, Search and more. pic.twitter.com/QiS1G8GBf9 Google (@Google) May 13, 2024 The new version may not roll out to older Pixels Google didnt specify whether it plans to roll out the upgraded Gemini Nano to older models following the Pixel 9 launch this fall. However, it dropped a big hint that the new AI tool might not be compatible with older Pixels. The company said it requires new Neural Processing Units (NPUs) and more RAM, and that it will be available starting with the new Pixels later this year. This likely means the Pixel 8 and others are out of luck. That said, Google is working on compact AI models to power on-device AI features on a wider range of devices. The company will share a list of devices compatible with the improved Gemini Nano later this year. It remains to be seen whether the new capabilities trickle down to older Pixel flagships. The Pixel 9 series is still several months away. We might hear more about Googles plans in the coming months. Samsungs upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event in July may bring a new pair of TWS earbuds. The company has been working on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for a while and the pair appears to be nearing its launch. It has just picked up regulatory approval from the FCC in the US. The unannounced buds also previously received certifications from Indias BIS, South Koreas Safety Korea, and independent product testing agency TUV Rheinland. Galaxy Buds 3 Pro grabs the FCC certification ahead of launch The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro will succeed the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro as Samsungs premium TWS offering. The FCC certified the new buds with the model number SM-R630, the same as certified by other agencies. Documents shared by the American regulatory body reveal that the upcoming TWS pair is manufactured by Samsung in South Korea. The company also has manufacturing hubs in other parts of the world, though. Previous certification listings have revealed that the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro will have an identical battery capacity as its predecessor. The charging cases battery, to be precise. Bearing the model number EB-BR630ABY, this battery has a rated capacity of 500mAh battery. The typical or advertised battery capacity should be 515mAh. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pros case also has a 500mAh rated battery capacity and 515mAh typical capacity. Details about the tiny battery placed inside the buds are unknown. The previous-gen model boasts a 61mAh battery in each bud (the rated capacity is 58mAh). It is unclear if Samsung will keep the battery size unchanged. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offers around eight hours of continuous playtime without ANC (active noise cancellation) and five hours with ANC enabled. With the charging case, you get a total playtime of over 25 hours. The new buds may boast AI capabilities On-device AI capabilities are quickly becoming a norm in the mobile industry. Samsung started the trend with the Galaxy S24 series and everyone is rushing to include AI features on their devices. The Korean firm may now bring AI to its TWS earbuds starting with the Galaxy Bids 3 Pro. Rumors from December 2023 say the new buds will use AI for real-time translation of calls and face-to-face conversations. AI could also help enhance the Galaxy Buds experience in other areas such as battery management, ANC, and ambient sound. We might hear more about Samsungs AI plans for TWS earbuds in the coming weeks. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is expected to debut alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, and Galaxy Watch 7 series in July. The launch event may take place in Paris, France on July 10. Samsung is one of the leading smartphone manufacturers in the world, producing millions of units per year. Android Authority reports that the South Korean giant has regained lost ground on the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). This years ACSI Wireless Phone Service and Cell Phone Study indicate that it has caught up to its competitor, Apple. The ACSI is an annual report that measures consumer satisfaction and opinions on various products on the market. These products vary from smartphones to home appliances, to financial services and more. The index assigns scores to companies on a scale of 1 to 100, based on ratings from customers. The higher the ACSI score, the higher the consumer satisfaction. Samsung is not the only manufacturer that has improved customer satisfaction Apple has been leading the competition since 2022, with its latest score on the index being 82. This year, Samsung has matched Apples score after struggling to stay above the 80-point mark in previous years. This means that Samsung users are just as satisfied with their products as Apple customers. Other OEMs like Motorola, have made an impressive 3% jump from 75 in 2023 to 77 in 2024. Google is perhaps the most disappointing as the company saw a 1% decline in consumer satisfaction from 78 to 77. Phone manufacturers saw an improvement in customer satisfaction in areas like video quality, battery life, and ease of phone calls. The report did not only measure satisfaction in the Smartphone market The ACSI also included Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in their report. Customer satisfaction was at its highest for AT&T, with the MNO scoring 76/100. Customers were least satisfied with US Cellular and Verizon, with both scoring 74/100. AT&T beat the competition when it comes to customer satisfaction with call quality and network capability. Overall, MNOs saw an improvement in satisfaction in areas such as network coverage, mobile app quality, and call reliability. Samsung may have made some progress on the development of its next Fan Edition (FE) smartphone, the Galaxy S24 FE. The first One UI test firmware build for the unannounced device recently made it to the companys server, hinting at ongoing development. The phone may arrive in late 2024 or early 2025. Galaxy S24 FE test firmware build spotted on Samsungs server Samsungs decision to skip the Galaxy S22 FE cast doubts over the future of the Fan Edition lineup but it lives on. The company is preparing to add a new model to the lineup later this year. We exclusively revealed last month that the Galaxy S24 FE will bear the model numbers SM-S721B, SM-S721U, SM-S721W, and SM-S721N. These are identifiers for the global version, US version, Canadian version, and Korean version, respectively. A test firmware build spotted on Samsungs server by X user @tarunvats33 reveals the company has begun developing the One UI experience for the Galaxy S24 FE. The first test firmware has the build number S721BXXU0AXE3. This is the global version of the phone, though the One UI experience is unchanged everywhere. More information about the phone should surface in the coming months as Samsung continues its development. That said, previous leaks have revealed a few things about the upcoming FE phone. Unlike the Galaxy S23 FE, which features a generation-old SoC, the Galaxy S24 FE will reportedly get the latest flagship chipset from Qualcomm. Rumors say it will run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the same as the Galaxy S24 Ultra. In some markets, Samsung could ship it with the Exynos 2400, something it also did with the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+. The Galaxy S24 FE is also said to feature up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage. The 128GB storage variant might use UFS 3.1 because Samsung doesnt make 128GB storage chips with UFS 4.0 standard. The phone could pack a 4,500mAh battery with 25W charging and a 6.4/6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. Details are scarce but the new FE phone could also get a camera hardware upgrade. The next major Samsung launch event is just two months away It hasnt been long since Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S24 series and we are already starting to talk about its next Galaxy Unpacked event. Scheduled to take place in Paris, France on July 10 (date and place not official yet), the event will bring the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 foldables and the Galaxy Watch 7 series. Rumors and leaks about the Galaxy S24 FE could pick up pace following the release of these products. Right now, it seems that journalism is facing extinction due to the actions of large companies. While Googles AI overviews prepare to run a knife through journalism, Apple is also planning a change that could negatively impact journalists. The News Media Association warns Apple about the potential effects of its Web Eraser tool. The tool in question is planned to be launched with iOS 18. Basically, this is a privacy tool that will remove content such as ads from websites. Since its native to iOS 18, it will only be available in the Safari browser. The company says that it will also remove unwanted content, though we have no idea what other content its talking about. The News Media Association raised concerns about Apples web eraser tool Sure, being able to see websites without ads is more convenient for users. However, it will have a detrimental impact on journalism. The sites you read your news on depend on ad revenue. Google is already playing the villain to journalism with its AI Overviews and its war on California. So, the journalism industry is already at risk. Now, Apples web eraser tool could possibly make things even worse. The News Media Association, a UK-based association that represents over 900 Publications, wrote a letter to Apple expressing concerns over the tool. advertising is a key revenue stream for many publishers., read the letter. As of yet, Apple has not commented. While Web Eraser can be a useful tool when it comes to privacy it also discourages companies from stealing your data to target ads. However, sometimes, solutions to problems lead to more problems. Were going to have to wait to see how this whole thing plays out. Where is journalism heading? At this point, the future of journalism seems to be at risk. Years before, before the huge AI explosion and the downturn in the economy, the news industry was in a much better spot. However, writers around the world are feeling the impact of certain circumstances. Googles AI overviews allow people to forego clicking on links to new sites, generative AI can allow large companies to lay off writers and use AI to pump out content, and Apples tool can also stifle ad revenue. Who knows how much longer journalism will be able to sustain? Back at the beginning of April 2024, actress Angie Harmon shared on Instagram the shocking news of the killing of her dog Ollie. She posted pictures and videos of her beloved dog and in her caption explained that he had been shot and killed by an Instacart driver over Easter weekend at her Charlotte, North Carolina home. More than a month and a half later, Harmon finally broke her silence during an interview with Good Morning America. In the clip that was shared on Wednesday, May 15th, Angie explains more about what happened that day, and what she's doing to hopefully prevent similar situations from happening to other families. People were outraged that charges weren't filed. I thought it was interesting that her daughter said she has several deliveries made to the house daily and that the dog had never attacked any delivery driver before. It was also shocking to learn that the person Harmon thought she was texting with was an older woman named Merle, not a gun toting man. I was also surprised by how many GMA commenters blamed Harmon for the incident. @queenbeenie said and several others left similar comments, "Theres no camera footage I mean, who doesnt have cameras at their homes these days. Either way its terrible." Luckily, people stepped up to defend the actress, @E.S. shared "You sound like you're victim blaming. There are plenty of people who don't have cameras at their homes. I for one don't and I know none of my neighbors do." and @Tiffany added, "I don't have cameras. Nice victim blaming though." The actress actually did have cameras; however, she claims that the cameras were inside her home charging and didn't capture the incident. Related: Actress Angie Harmons Beloved Dog Shot and Killed by Instacart Driver Angie Harmon's Instacart Lawsuit When this incident occurred, all of us wondered if Harmon would sue. At the time, Queen City News Chief Legal Analyst Khalif Rhodes explained that while there may not be any criminal charges filed, it doesn't mean that the Instacart driver will get off scot-free. "The family could sue him and the delivery service. Because now youve had this loss of life for our dog, and youll have a number of things that theyll be able to point to, specifically the emotional trauma thats connected with that. Many people are glad to hear that Harmon is suing, like @Christine, "That poor family! How horrible! Good for you Angie Harmon, sue the heck out of them!" The wheels of justice turn slowly, and it could be years before we find out how this lawsuit ends. Instacart claims no responsibility and other than firing the driver, takes no accountability, even though it's against their policy for drivers to have weapons. I know that the lawsuit has nothing to do with money but it's just the only leverage she has to help make positive change. I hope that she wins and gets some justice, even though I'm sure she'd rather have Ollie alive than the money. 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. China's top diplomat holds talks with Brunei's second minister of foreign affairs Xinhua) 08:25, May 15, 2024 BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Brunei's second minister of foreign affairs, in Beijing on Tuesday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China-Brunei relations have maintained a momentum of steady development under the guidance of the two heads of state, adding that the two countries are committed to building an example of equality and mutual benefit among countries of different sizes. China is ready to work with Brunei to follow the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, expand areas of cooperation, set the long-term goal of building a China-Brunei community with a shared future, and push the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to a new level, Wang said. Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of Brunei's independence, Wang said that Brunei has adhered to a development path suited to its national conditions and played a unique and important role in regional affairs. China actively supports Brunei in promoting economic diversification, and stands ready to further tap the potential of cooperation in emerging areas and to create more cooperation highlights. The two sides can deepen cooperation in education, cultural tourism, sports, sister cities and other fields to further facilitate personnel exchanges. China supports ASEAN centrality and strategic independence, and supports expanding and strengthening the ASEAN-led cooperation mechanism. China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to deepen political mutual trust, and jointly promote regional development and maintain regional stability, Wang said. China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and strive for the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, Wang added. Erywan said that China is Brunei's good friend, and bilateral cooperation enjoys a solid foundation and faces new opportunities. Brunei attaches great importance to relations with China and firmly abides by the one-China policy. He added that Brunei looks forward to maintaining high-level exchanges with China and closer cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, agriculture, education, artificial intelligence and big data to push for greater development of bilateral relations. He said Brunei firmly believes that China's development is an unstoppable historical process, has full confidence in the Chinese economy, and expects that China's development will drive the common development of countries in the region. Erywan said Brunei is willing to work closely with China to safeguard regional peace and stability and promote common development and prosperity. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Katy ISD board member Morgan Calhoun during public comments about employing chaplains at the Katy ISD school board meeting at Katy ISD Educational Support Building on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Katy. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Katy ISD board member Morgan Calhouns comments last week about tracking the immigration status of students in the district drew public criticism during Mondays board meeting. Several speakers criticized Calhouns comments on whether the district had a mechanism for tracking the number of Katy ISD students living in the country illegally. She also encouraged her fellow board members to press legislators to pass laws that would enable the district to track the immigration status of children. Katy ISD teacher Marissa Pappas said she watches every board meeting and Calhouns comments caused Pappas to question whether Calhoun understands state and federal laws regarding public schools. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ms. Calhoun was allowed to speak for three minutes uninterrupted on the monetary impacts illegal immigrants are allegedly having on our funding, Pappas said. Her remarks imply that she doesnt believe that those children should be provided an education. At the May 6 meeting, Calhoun said such tracking would allow the district to calculate how much money was being spent to educate children who are in the country illegally. I think that we have to be judicious in that and at least start asking the question and start pushing on our lawmakers to allow us freedom to understand what were actually paying for and if anything, have money coming back towards us, Calhoun said last week. It is against state and federal law to ask the immigration status of a student, Superintendent Ken Gregorski noted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Calhoun did not respond to requests for comment as of Tuesday afternoon but said in a May 10 email, I asked a very simple question related to compiling data so that it could be used to advocate and pursue funding to meet a need that we may have. Calhoun further stated that she never called for students to be tracked, and she refuted gross misrepresentations that she wanted to refuse to educate children in the country illegally. Speaker Tana Weiss noted that the May 4 election saw the highest voter turnout in district history, which she believes was due partly to community outrage over issues like book banning and transgender policies and now, Calhouns comments about immigrants. You have awoken the silent majority who will be silent no longer, Weiss told Calhoun. This majority will continue to pay attention to your actions. Katy ISD student Jarred Burton said the election results signal a shift among the community. You poked a sleeping bear when you decided to go after your own students, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Incumbents Dawn Champagne and Rebecca Fox held their seats against opponents David Olson and Donovan Campbell. Fox and Champagne, along with trustee Lance Redmon, voted against the book banning and transgender policies Katy ISD instituted in in 2023. The policies passed 4-3, with trustees Victor Perez, Mary Ellen Cuzela, Amy Thieme and Calhoun carrying the majority of votes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A protest at Cambridge University against the war in Gaza has spread to a lawn outside Senate House, where members of the university have graduated since the 18th century. Graduation ceremonies are due to take place this Friday and Saturday, according to the universitys website. Protesters have vowed to continue until a set of demands are met, and on Wednesday they chanted: Let your students graduate; come and negotiate. A protest encampment was set up outside Senate House at Cambridge University (Sam Russell/PA) The university said it would be happy to talk with our students and engage with them but it was impossible to have a conversation with an anonymous group. An encampment outside Kings College appeared at the start of last week, and now activists have also pitched a ring of almost 20 tents on Senate House Lawn. Palestine flags have been draped from the Grade II-listed urn in the centre of the lawn, and a white sheet has been fixed below it with welcome to liberated zone written on it. The flags have also been taped to the columns of Senate House and to some walls, and a please keep off the grass sign modified so it reads: please keep off Palestine. Protesters have vowed to continue until a set of demands are met (Sam Russell/PA) A banner has also been taped to the doors of Senate House which read Refaats house, and a number of protesters wearing face coverings sat by the door at the top of some steps. The writer and literary scholar Refaat Alareer was killed in an air strike in Gaza City in December. On Wednesday, protesters took turns on a megaphone to address a crowd of more than 100 people who had gathered in a thoroughfare between Senate House and Great St Marys Church. One of them, wearing a face covering, said they do not want to disturb those who are graduating this week and that all we want is for the university to take this seriously. A police officer watched on from a distance, beside a marked van, as the crowd chanted from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. Among the other chants were Israel is a terrorist state, and a banner displayed on a wall by the protest encampment outside Senate House read there are no universities left in Gaza. The protesters marched around Cambridge city centre, chanting as they went, and sat down outside the Old Schools University Offices where more speeches were made using a megaphone. Professor Bhaskar Vira, pro-vice-chancellor for education at the University of Cambridge, said: The University has been in regular and ongoing contact with students who have been impacted by the tragic events in Gaza and Palestine. We support freedom of speech and protest within the law. Graduation ceremonies are due to take place this Friday and Saturday (Sam Russell/PA) From the first day of this protest last week, with my colleague Prof Kamal Munir, we have been extremely clear that we would be happy to talk with our students and engage with them. To date we have received only anonymous emails. We remain ready for constructive engagement with our students, but it is impossible to have a conversation with an anonymous group. A Cambridge student, who did not wish to be named, said last week that the protesters were demanding that the university disclose all of its research collaborations and financial ties with companies and institutions complicit in Israels genocide and then to divest from these. We will be staying here until our demands are met, she said. The premiere of George Millers Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has arrived at the Cannes Film Festival, with Anya Taylor-Joy looking every inch the leading lady on the red carpet. The latest Mad Max film, starring Taylor-Joy as a young Furiosa, premieres nine years after Mad Max: Fury Road debuted at the French festival. US actress Taylor-Joy leaned into the glamour of Cannes on Wednesday with an old Hollywood style, poles apart from the post-apocalyptic biker look she characterises in the film. It comes after she told the New York Times she had never been more alone than making that movie. On the red carpet, Taylor-Joy wore a sparkling strapless champagne gown featuring a corseted bodice from Dior, paired with a sculptural platinum necklace, earrings and rings from Tiffany & Co. Elsa Pataky, Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy attend the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga red carpet during the 77th Cannes Film Festival in France (Doug Peters/PA) Adding to the timeless beauty look, the 28-year-old swept her hair into an complicated updo paired with a dramatic red lip. Taylor-Joy was joined on the red carpet by leading man Chris Hemsworth, who plays warlord leader Dementus in the film, wearing a white suit jacket and black trousers, alongside his wife Elsa Pataky, who wore a chic black gown. Anya Taylor-Joy and George Miller attend the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere in Cannes (Doug Peters/PA) Australian filmmaker Miller, who has served on the jury in Cannes several times, also hit the Croisette promenade to launch one of the most anticipated films of the summer. Additional red carpet guests included Barbie director Greta Gerwig in a custom Armani Prive red dress paired with Chopard jewellery, British model Naomi Campbell in a Chanel 1997 couture black gown and actress Eva Green in a black and gold Balmain number. Naomi Campbell attends the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere (Doug Peters/PA) Over the past few days, Taylor-Joy has turned Cannes into her runway, impressing with a collection of over-the-top sun hats and Jacquemus bridal-wear. Her appearance at the festival marks a full circle moment, having first attended in 2017 to receive a Chopard trophy as an emerging actress in 2017 presented by the original Furiosa and star of Fury Road, Charlize Theron. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has confirmed he will provide a public report on the extent of police surveillance of lawyers and journalists, the Policing Board has said. The leadership of the board, the oversight body for the PSNI, said it had told Mr Boutcher that damage is being done to public confidence in policing by claims made during a tribunal hearing that surveillance was carried out on the phone data of journalists. However, Amnesty International said the proposed publication of the PSNI report is wholly insufficient to restore public confidence, adding the force cannot be allowed to mark its own homework. Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board Mukesh Sharma met Jon Boutcher on Wednesday (Liam McBurney/PA) Board chairman Mukesh Sharma and vice chairman Brendan Mullan met Mr Boutcher on Wednesday. A hearing of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) in London last week heard claims that 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. It came during a hearing of a case examining allegations that investigative reporters Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney were subject to unlawful covert intelligence by the police. A Policing Board statement said: The board chair and vice chair met with the Chief Constable and impressed upon him the damage that is being done to public confidence in policing as a result of the revelations from the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. The Chief Constable has confirmed that the board will be provided at its June meeting with a report on the extent of the surveillance of legal professionals and journalists, and that this will be made public. Our human rights adviser will also have full access to all the material that informs the report in order to provide assurance on legal compliance. The Chief Constable shares our concerns and has advised that he intends to develop an additional review mechanism to examine and address the issues raised. The statement added: Todays meeting was constructive, and we welcome the continued commitment of the Chief Constable to openness and transparency. Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty Internationals Northern Ireland director, said: Publication of this report will be an important next step on the road to full disclosure. But by itself, this is wholly insufficient. No police force can be allowed to mark its own homework. In Northern Ireland, that is the job of the Policing Board. Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty Internationals Northern Ireland director, called on the Policing Board to establish an inquiry (Amnesty International/PA) He added: That is why Amnesty International and the Committee on the Administration of Justice are asking it to establish an inquiry under their powers under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. Public confidence in policing and police oversight can only be restored through full accountability for these potentially unlawful surveillance activities. Mr Boutcher has said the PSNI would co-operate fully with the IPT hearing but said he wanted to wait until that process concludes before speculating about what might or might not have happened in the past. Nobody knows about the UKs post-Brexit study-abroad scheme because the Government does not promote it well enough, the Foreign Secretary has suggested. Britain turned down an offer to continue participating in the European Unions Erasmus student exchange scheme after Brexit and has instead replaced it with the Turing scheme. Lord David Cameron insisted the Turing programme is more generous than Erasmus in many ways but that fewer people are aware of it. Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron met students at Astana IT University in Astana, Kazakhstan (Stefan Rousseau/PA) He revealed that one of his own children, who is currently deciding where to go to university, had never heard of the scheme. At a Q&A with students at Astana University in Kazakhstan during his five-day diplomatic blitz in Central Asia, the Foreign Secretary said: I think (we) do not promote Turing well enough. I think everyone knew about Erasmus, nobody knows about Turing. And I think what the Foreign Office has got to do, and also the education department and the other departments, is promote it. I want every child in school Ive got an 18-year-old who is currently deciding where to go. Hed never heard of Turing. Hed heard about Erasmus and the fact it wasnt available anymore. I think weve got to advertise it more because, in fact, it is in many ways a more generous scheme because it enables you to go to universities around the world. Erasmus covers placements across the bloc and some countries outside that pay to be a part of the programme, while the Turing scheme announced by Boris Johnson provides placements across the world. But analysis of the first year of the new programme found a number of problems, including students forced to drop out because places were confirmed too late while others failed to receive funding. David Cameron resigned as Prime Minister after the nation voted to leave the European Union (Hannah McKay/PA) The report by IFF Research suggested four out of five universities (79%) had difficulties with the application process. Lord Cameron said he believed Turing was the right approach because of its wider scope as well as greater access for students from less advantaged backgrounds. If we went back to that, and of course, its an option its always an option, you could always opt back into the Erasmus scheme but being rational about it for a moment, given that many more Europeans were coming to British universities than Brits were going to European universities, actually opting back into Erasmus would cost us a lot more money without more British students benefiting, he added. Lord Cameron resigned as prime minister the morning after millions of Britons voted to leave the EU, having led the campaign to remain in the bloc. The former Tory leader made headlines earlier this week when he suggested he would love the UK to have a migrant returns deal with France but its not possible because of the situation were in. The comments were widely seen as at odds with the Government line that an agreement with an EU country is not possible because the bloc would insist Britain take a quota of migrants as part of the arrangement, though Lord Cameron later denied he meant Brexit was to blame for the lack of a cross-Channel deal. The Foreign Secretary is on a five-day tour of Central Asia (Stefan Rousseau/PA) He said that the Dublin Regulation the EU rules which allowed member states to transfer asylum seekers to other countries in the bloc no longer exists whether youre in the EU or out of the EU, and that the Government has looked at innovative solutions like its Rwanda deportation scheme instead. Lord Cameron made the remarks as he travels across Tajikistan, Kyrgistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia in a diplomatic bid to bolster trade and security relations with Central Asia. Becoming the first foreign secretary to have visited Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, the minister said he has had constructive talks with leaders from across the region. Following a bilateral meeting with his Kazakh counterpart Murat Nurtleu, he said his message to Central Asia was that Britain wants to be here so you have a choice to partner with Western countries as well as Russia and China, which have vied for influence in the region. Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron told Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh that the UK wants to be one of your best neighbours (Stefan Rousseau) The trip has seen the Foreign Secretary help prepare a dish of traditional Uzbek plov and step inside a Turkmen yurt as he seeks to forge closer cultural and business ties with Central Asia. Among the announcements he has made is a new scheme designed to promote the English language in Central Asia, as well as a doubling in the amount of its funding for Chevening scholarships, which allow people from abroad to study in Britain. He flew to Mongolia on Thursday, where he met the countrys foreign affairs minister Battsetseg Batmunkh at the ministry of foreign affairs. In a room packed with local media, Lord Cameron told her that the UK wants to be one of your best neighbours. We admire the journey youve been on as a country, he said. Were grateful to celebrate your democracy and your success. Political candidates and polling officials will be given access to heightened cybersecurity support ahead of this years general election amid fears over foreign states targeting the UKs democratic institutions. People at risk of being exposed to malicious online activity have been offered a personal internet protection service that aims to prevent them falling foul of spear-phishing, malware and other threats. The opt-in service announced by the National Cyber Security Centre an arm of GCHQ will warn users if they try to visit a domain which the intelligence services know to be a risk and by blocking outgoing traffic to such domains. The announcement comes after the UK and the US accused China of a global campaign of cyber attacks in an unprecedented joint operation to reveal Beijings espionage. Britain blamed the country for targeting the Electoral Commission watchdog in 2021 and for being behind incidents of online reconnaissance aimed at the email accounts of MPs and peers. News that the Ministry of Defence had been subject to a hack last week also prompted speculation that Beijing was responsible, but the Government is yet to attribute the attack to a specific actor. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said Britain is facing an axis of authoritarian states including China and Russia which pose a risk to our values, our interests and, indeed, our country. Last December, the UK also condemned Moscows sustained attempts at political interference in the UK and globally, citing efforts to target parliamentarians, civil servants and journalists. A general election is almost certain to take place this year (PA) Jonathon Ellison, NCSC director for National Resilience and Future Technology, said: Individuals who play important roles in our democracy are an attractive target for cyber actors seeking to disrupt or otherwise undermine our open and free society. Thats why the NCSC has ramped up our support for people at higher risk of being targeted online to ensure they can better protect their accounts and devices from attacks. In this significant year of elections around the world, I urge individuals eligible for our services to sign up and to follow our guidance now to bolster their defences. The NCSC has warned that the personal accounts of candidates and election officials, as well as their official work accounts, are almost certainly attractive targets for cyber actors looking to carry out espionage operations. The personal internet protection offering for high-risk individuals builds on the NCSCs protective DNS service, which was developed mainly for use by organisations and has prevented access to 1.5 million malicious domains since 2017. People at higher risk are also encouraged to sign up for the account registration service another opt-in which allows the security services to alert individuals if malicious activity is detected on their personal accounts. Car manufacturers will miss a key Government target for electric vehicle (EV) sales, MPs heard. The share of the new car market held by pure battery electrics is predicted to be just 19.8% this year, industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) told the Commons Transport Select Committee. At least 22% of new cars and 10% of new vans sold by each manufacturer in the UK in 2024 is required to be zero-emission which in most cases means pure electric under the Governments Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The threshold will rise annually until it reaches 100% by 2035. SMMT head of technology and innovation David Wong told the committee the industry will not meet this years requirements as were below that trajectory. He said: Our members feel that the market will be in terms of battery electric cars 19.8% and vans 8.3%. So its below the 22% for cars and 10% for vans. Martin Sander, general manager of Fords electric car business, told the Financial Times Future of the Car summit earlier this month that the company could be forced to restrict sales of petrol cars in the UK to artificially boost the proportion of EV purchases. Under the rules of the mandate, manufacturers risk being required to pay the Government 15,000 per polluting vehicle sold above the limits. But ministers do not expect any businesses to face fines this year, as they will be able to use flexibilities such as purchasing credits from rival companies. Quentin Willson, automotive journalist and founder of EV campaign group FairCharge, said: We need to give people a reason to buy these cars. He called for inexpensive incentives for owning an EV, such as free parking and being able to use bus lanes. Mr Willson warned that misinformation is really putting people off from buying an EV. He said: These cars are reliable, they dont catch fire, the batteries dont fail, they work. People are driving them happily. Speaking after the session, Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said: Whether its buying or running an electric car, cost is clearly a key issue, but the mood music from Whitehall suggests there will be no more public money to ease buyers into the market. That leaves manufacturers with the task of pitching their products at the right price to drive sales and meet their obligations under the ZEV mandate. Drivers want faff-free motoring and thats clearly still a work in progress when it comes to running and recharging EVs. Industry and Government need to tackle the negative perceptions, and quickly, if the ultimate goal of greening road transport is to be achieved at a rapid pace. The SMMT said in a statement: Manufacturers have invested billions to meet the UKs ambitious targets with ever more of the latest, greenest models coming to market, however, decarbonisation ultimately depends on buyer demand. The most effective approach to transforming the market, therefore, is for Government to introduce smarter fiscal incentives on electric vehicle purchases and public charging, to support private consumers, not just corporate customers. The largest union in local government has said its members could take strike action over a pay offer that it describes as miles away from what staff could accept. Unison officials will meet on Thursday to decide whether to ballot members for strike action over the latest pay offer from Cosla, which is involved in setting salaries for local government employees. They are unhappy with the delay in a formal offer being made, saying they had been expecting to receive this last week but have now been told it could take until the last week in May. Union officials also describe the prospective pay offer of 2% or 39p per hour, as set out in a letter from Cosla, as another real-terms pay cut which council staff are unlikely to accept. Unison local government lead David OConnor said: Unisons local government committee will meet tomorrow to decide whether we ballot our members for strike action. Local government workers are getting very frustrated with the delays. The figures quoted by the employer are miles away from anything staff are likely to accept, it is asking council workers to take another real-terms pay cut, which is unacceptable. No one wants a repeat of last years disruption but its been made abundantly clear that staff cannot wait for months to get a fair pay offer. A spokesperson for Cosla said: Learning from the last few years, we are working hard to maintain a dialogue with our Scottish Joint Council trade unions partners, whilst we explore all avenues this includes a third meeting next week. As our trade unions know, we are very close to making an offer, based on the mandate given by council leaders. We are doing all that we can to get the best possible offer on the table. It is important to reiterate that this is against the context of a flat cash settlement from Scottish Government, which leaves very little room to manoeuvre without service reductions and job losses which we want to avoid at all costs. More than 50 cross-party MPs and peers have urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to end the current approach to max out North Sea oil and gas. The members of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on climate wrote to the Prime Minister on Wednesday with a list of demands to enact ahead of the UN Cop16 biodiversity and Cop29 climate summits in October and November. In the letter on Wednesday, the parliamentarians listed five measures to accelerate action to cut emissions, protect nature and rebuild the UKs unique political consensus. This included living up to promises made at Cop28 in Dubai to transition away from fossil fuels, and ending the Governments plans to max out North Sea oil and gas. During the 2023 conference last December, all countries agreed to move away from oil and gas. However, Mr Sunak has continued to support the licensing of new oil and gas fields in the North Sea after arguing that using every last drop of oil is absolutely the right thing to do. Under this Government, the UK has lost any shred of credibility as a leader on the climate and nature emergencies. So I'm proud to lead this cross-party demand from MPs and Peers for the Prime Minister to take urgent steps to cut emissions and protect our natural world. https://t.co/LbRF7ZayVS Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) May 15, 2024 Green MP Caroline Lucas, who signed the letter, said: When the Prime Minister entered Downing Street he promised to protect the environment. But instead he has U-turned on once leading climate policies, approved the largest undeveloped oil field in the North Sea and weaponised green policies. If the Government is to secure any success at future critical international negotiations then the Prime Minister must heed the demands of cross-party parliamentarians. Another signatory, Labour MP Afzal Khan, said: Instead of chasing after the last drop of North Sea oil and retreating from responsibility, the Prime Minister must honour our domestic and global climate goals to send a clear message to world leaders this year. The group of parliamentarians, which also includes former Tory environment minister Zac Goldsmith and Conservative MPs Pauline Latham and Tracey Crouch, called on the Prime Minister to secure UK membership of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance ahead of Cop29. The alliance started by Costa Rica and Denmark aims to elevate the issue of oil and gas production phase-out in international climate dialogues. NEW: To re-establish the UK as a climate leader, the @ClimateAPPG calls for @RishiSunak to: End maxing out North Sea oil & gas Join the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance Set an ambitious climate finance goal Release an ambitious biodiversity plan Appoint a climate envoy pic.twitter.com/AYouuSUlmg The Climate APPG (@ClimateAPPG) May 15, 2024 Members include France, Spain, Denmark, Ireland, Costa Rica and Sweden with Wales as a sub-national government member. Robbie MacPherson, senior political adviser at Uplift and secretariat lead for the Climate APPG, said: The UK has a big job on its hands to restore its green credentials on the world stage. Joining the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance ahead of Cop29, alongside ending new North Sea oil and gas projects, would send a clear signal that the UK is ready to lead the transition away from fossil fuels, and work with other nations to do so too. Mr Sunak is also being urged to support the setting of an ambitious new Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) at Cop29 a new annual financial target that developed countries must meet from 2025 onward to provide climate finance to developing countries as well as meet current climate finance commitments. Finally, the MPs called for the appointment of a Secretary of State-level Climate Envoy before Cop29 and the release of the long-awaited UK National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). A Government spokesperson said: The UK leads the world in net zero, having halved emissions before any other major economy and set into law one of the most ambitious emissions targets in the world. Tackling climate change, however, is a global challenge, and with the UK accounting for less than 1% of annual worldwide emissions we need to work with other countries in tackling this vital issue head-on. At Cop28, we were pivotal in delivering an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels and are committed to continued collaboration with all international partners in tackling emissions. Penalties for breaching lockdown regulations in Northern Ireland during the pandemic were less severe than for littering in Belfast city centre, a former senior police officer has told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. Former PSNI assistant chief constable Alan Todd told the hearing how his officers had been left with no deterrent powers after they raided a house party which was in breach of guidance, and found the householder content to pay the fine to allow the event to proceed. Mr Todd, who was since retired, is the only PSNI officer who was called to give evidence during the inquirys hearings in Belfast. Counsel to the inquiry Nick Scott asked Mr Todd about deficiencies in the regulations relating to the first lockdown in Northern Ireland which was introduced at the end of March 2020. Mr Todd said: From a policing and operational perspective, the date of lockdown was announced at really short notice. Whilst the concept was announced, the regulations that would shape it werent available. He said the policing response to Covid regulations was guided by four Es engage, explain, encourage, enforce. He said: But the simple truth is that for the first four weeks of the first lockdown there was no fourth E. People walk past advertising in Belfast city centre during a six-week lockdown in 2020 (PA) The former officer said when regulations were provided, they came without guidance for police. He said: There was no powers of arrest, there seemed to be little consideration given to giving police officers powers to ask members of the public about why they were out of their home or where they were going to work. You can ask, but there is no authority if people were difficult or wanted to game the system. There was no guidance which would have shown due regard to European Convention considerations, there was no guidance to point the police in terms of Section 75 Northern Ireland Act considerations. None of that was available at the time lockdown went live, and that places police in a difficult position. Mr Todd said he believed it was the responsibility of collective government to provide the guidance to police. Mr Scott asked the former officer if the PSNI understood what it was being asked to do in the early lockdown. Mr Todd said: We understood the framework, we understood the concept of a lockdown, we understood how policing could assist. Did we understand the detail? It wasnt provided. Did we understand the guidance we should rely upon it operating it? It wasnt available. The former senior officer said the regulations changed multiple times and police became stretched as parts of the economy began to reopen later in 2020. He said: I was pushing the executive in debates around the appropriateness of 60 fines, which were 30 if you paid them soon, which I pointed out to executive policy-making colleagues is less than you would get for dropping littler in Belfast city centre, and whether that demonstrated the seriousness with which we took a breach of the coronavirus regulations. Covid-19 Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett (Victoria Jones/PA) He added: Police officers attended a house party in a rural community at around this time. It was a 21st birthday party. There were 30-plus people. A blatant breach of the regulations and the householder decided they were quite happy to pay the 1,000 fine as the householder and 30 for each of the attendees as the price of having the party. And at the point of issuing those fines, the police had no further powers, no further deterrent in relation to it. I dont think that sort of event, which obviously becomes public knowledge, helps a police service or a government manage a health pandemic. Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett said she had read lockdown regulations in England and had been unable to understand them. She asked: Were your regulations here in Northern Ireland as bad as I think they were in England? Mr Todd told Lady Hallett he would not argue with that assessment. Harland and Wolff has insisted talks with Government remain ongoing over a key support application. It comes after a report in The Times newspaper suggested Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to block the support package, amid an intense Government row. Harland and Wolff group CEO John Wood said their application has not been rejected, and continues to be a work in progress. Then defence secretary Ben Wallace (right) with CEO John Wood (left) during a visit to Harland & Wolff shipyard factory in Belfast in January 2023 (Brian Lawless/PA) He added that he expects to give a fuller update on our refinancing plans in the next few weeks. The firm received a major boon when the Team Resolute Consortium it belongs to won the bid to deliver three fleet solid support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. It has applied to the Governments Export Development Guarantee scheme for support. The scheme usually covered up to 80% of the risk to lenders on loans of up to 500m. Harland and Wolff is in its application asking for a 100% guarantee. The historic Belfast shipyard which built the Titanic has had a challenging recent past and faced down closure in 2019 when it was bought by InfraStrata. In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Wood said: We were disappointed to read this article and the reaction it has caused, given that we have grown the business to become a major player in the UK shipbuilding sector, whilst spreading our risk over multiple markets. Our EDG application has not been rejected and continues to be work in progress. I expect to be providing a fuller update on our refinancing plans in the next few weeks. The GMB Union said its members were concerned at the report. Matt Roberts, GMB National Officer, said: The employer says their application for a UKEF Export Development Guarantee has not been rejected and the process is ongoing. Instead of inter-departmental warfare in the Tory Government spilling out and scaring workers, we need unequivocal joined-up support for our shipbuilding industry. Anthony Landry is shown in the 209th District Court at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Landry is accused in the death of civil attorney Jeffrey Limmer following a clash at a McDonalds. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Attorney Kenneth Cager is shown after an appearance by his client Anthony Landry in the 209th District Court at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Landry is accused in the death of civil attorney Jeffrey Limmer following a clash at a McDonalds. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Prosecutors Tiffany Dupree and John Jordan with the Harris County District Attorneys Office are shown after an appearance by Anthony Landry in the 209th District Court at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Landry is accused in the death of civil attorney Jeffrey Limmer following a clash at a McDonalds. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Attorney Kenneth Cager is shown after an appearance by his client Anthony Landry in the 209th District Court at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Landry is accused in the death of civil attorney Jeffrey Limmer following a clash at a McDonalds. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Anthony Landry is shown in the 209th District Court at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Landry is accused in the death of civil attorney Jeffrey Limmer following a clash at a McDonalds. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Judge Brian E. Warren is shown in the 209th District Court at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Judge Brian E. Warren is shown in the 209th District Court at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Anthony Landry is shown in the 209th District Court at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Landry is accused in the death of civil attorney Jeffrey Limmer following a clash at a McDonalds. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Anthony Landry is shown in the 209th District Court at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Landry is accused in the death of civil attorney Jeffrey Limmer following a clash at a McDonalds. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A man accused of killing a Houston civil attorney during a McDonalds clash, who police say left and then armed himself, alleged Wednesday that the lawyer attacked him without provocation and he was acting in self defense. The criminal defense attorney for Anthony Landry, 57, charged with murder in Jeffrey Limmers death, said self-defense may have played a role in the May 4 shooting at the restaurant along Interstate 10 near Chimney Rock Road. Police accused Landry of shooting Limmer after he tried breaking up an argument he had with a fast food worker, authorities said. A prosecutor, Tiffany Dupree, briefly outlined the allegations against Landry, saying he left the restaurant, returned with a gun and shot Limmer. Kenneth Cager, whom Landry hired to defend him, countered with a potential self-defense claim. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It was unprovoked, Cager said. Everything was settled so we believe its going to be a self defense claim. Landry left the shooting in a truck and was arrested Friday, nearly a week later. Prosecutors filed requests to hold Landry, who was free on bond for a pending aggravated assault of a family member offense, without bail on the murder charge, a legal procedure that requires a hearing. Dupree offered few details on what happened before and after the shooting, other than to say Houston investigators used surveillance footage of the McDonalds shooting to identify Landry. Court documents in Landrys case went into further detail about the fatal encounter and states at least one witness saw Limmer shove Landry to the ground a moment also captured on surveillance footage. The video shows Landry entering the restaurant with a bag of food, with workers saying he demanded a refund prior to the shooting, according to police. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The workers described Landry, who is Black, as being irate and using racial slurs. Limmer stepped in to defend the workers, according to court records. Limmers confrontation with Landry continued outside as he left the building and headed for his vehicle. A witness saw Limmer push Landry to the ground and go back inside. A manager for the restaurant then watched Landry fetch a gun from his truck, court records continued. Landry opened the front door to the restaurant and shot at Limmer, striking him repeatedly, witnesses told police. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Employees at the restaurant then fled the building. Limmer died at the scene. Limmer, who had been licensed through the Texas Bar since 2005, most recently worked as an associate focused on general liability at the Lewis Brisbois lawfirm. Sharon Stone, Liam Neeson and Stephen Fry are among the stars campaigning for Kevin Spacey to resume his acting career after seven years of exile. The Oscar-winning actor was one of the most recognised faces in Hollywood when allegations of sexual misconduct were made in 2017, leading streaming giant Netflix to cut all ties with him. Despite being acquitted of a number of sexual offences after a trial in London, and winning a US civil lawsuit in which he was accused of making an unwanted sexual advance, Spacey said he still feels ostracised from the industry. Sharon Stone said I cant wait to see Kevin back at work (Doug Peters/PA) In statements to the Telegraph newspaper, fellow actors have come out in support of the 64-year-old in the wake of Channel 4 documentary Spacey Unmasked, which features fresh allegations from men which Spacey has denied. Basic Instinct star Stone told the newspaper: I cant wait to see Kevin back at work. He is a genius. He is so elegant and fun, generous to a fault and knows more about our craft than most of us ever will. The 66-year-old said it was clear aspiring actors had wanted and want to be around him. She added: Its terrible that they are blaming him for not being able to come to terms with themselves for using him and negotiating with themselves because they didnt get their secret agendas. Meanwhile, Northern Irish film star Neeson, 71, told the paper: Kevin is a good man and a man of character. Personally speaking, our industry needs him and misses him greatly. Stephen Fry said unless Im missing something, I think he has paid the price (Lucy North/PA) In his statement, British actor and writer Fry said Spacey had been both clumsy and inappropriate on many occasions, but to devote a whole documentary to accusations that simply do not add up to crimes how can that be considered proportionate and justified?. Fry, 66, said Spaceys reputation had already been wrecked, adding: Surely it is wrong to continue to batter a reputation on the strength of assertion and rhetoric rather than evidence and proof? Unless Im missing something, I think he has paid the price. A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: Spacey Unmasked is an important film exploring the balance of power and inappropriate behaviour in a work environment, aiming to give a voice to those who have previously been unable to speak out. The Telegraph reported Oscar-winner F Murray Abraham said of Spacey: I vouch for him unequivocally. Who are these vultures who attack a man who has publicly accepted his responsibility for certain behaviour, unlike so many others? Sir Trevor Nunn said Kevin Spacey is an actor of genius, on stage and on screen (Anthony Devlin/PA) Sir Trevor Nunn, the former artistic director of both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, also commented to say the UK believed in the rule of law and Spacey should benefit from that. Having directed Spacey in two productions at The Old Vic in London, where the House Of Cards star was also artistic director, Sir Trevor described him as an actor of genius, on stage and on screen. In light of the courts verdict, surely it is time for this man to be forgiven for whatever poor judgments he may have made in the past and allowed to resume his career, after seven years of exile? In an interview with the Telegraph, Spacey said he was the victim of a rush to judgment in the wake of the #MeToo movement against the Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. Spacey won two Academy Awards as best supporting actor for The Usual Suspects in 1996 and best actor in 2000 for American Beauty, which also secured him a Bafta for leading actor. He was also known for the US adaptation of House of Cards, one of Netflixs biggest and earliest hits, but was sacked when the allegations emerged during the shows sixth season, and effectively ostracised from Hollywood. If your dog has ever slipped out of your front door without their leash on you know what a big old party that is. Our dog will get full-speed zoomies and run around our yard until we can bribe him back inside with a cookie. A Hungarian Pointer dog named Rex had the same reaction when he escaped his dog babysitters and decided to chase after a mama duck and her ducklings. Indianapolis firefighters were called to help save Rex from the pond and thankfully they also got to test out a new boat they had acquired. WTHR reports that Rex's owners told firefighters they were concerned he would tire himself out while swimming and drown, or catch the ducks. Thankfully they were able to rescue Rex and bring him to shore in their new 'nanner boat.' This is so cute because the Carmel Fire Department posted the following on Facebook and Rex's owner replied. The grateful owners posted, "Hello! This was our dog Rex. He was under my relatives watch (visiting from out of town) and he wasnt being as careful as we usually are with Rex. We can nothing but take accountability and apologize for this incident and give you our word that we wont let this happen again. We are incredible grateful, first of all for our wonderful first responders Carmel Fire Department who addressed this emergency with such generosity, professionalism and even humor. And also for our numerous neighbors at The Village of WestClay who showed compassion and support during this stressful situation. Neither my husband or I were there at the time that this happened but we were told that everyone was very caring and sympathetic with the circumstance. We did get numerous text and phone calls from our neighbors wanting to check if Rex and we were ok. Sooooooo thankful for your kindness and compassion. We are humbly fortunate to live in this great city." Related: Duck Runs the NYC Marathon for 3rd Year in a Row and Now Everyone Feels Lazy Gotta love a happy ending! Why It Can Be Dangerous To Rescue a Drowning Dog Attempting to rescue a drowning dog can be extremely dangerous for both the dog and the person attempting the rescue. Dogs may become extremely frightened in these situations and struggle in the water, increasing the chance of both you and the dog drowning. The most important thing you can do if your dog is drowning, or you see another dog drowning, is try and remain calm. Immediately call emergency services or animal control to report the situation and seek help from the professionals who are trained to know what to do in these situations. You can attempt to find something on shore to help the dog, like a flotation device, stick or something else for them to grab onto while you try and coax the dog to swim to safety. Dog parents should teach their dog to swim so in case something like this does happen, your dog will know how to either stay afloat or swim to shore. Check with your local veterinarian office, dog obedience school or dog boarding facility to see if dog swimming classes are offered in your area. 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. Police are hunting down those responsible for the shooting of a woman on Tuesday evening. (Getty) (HieronymusUkkel via Getty Images) Police are appealing for witnesses after a shooting in north London left a woman with leg injuries. Armed police were called to Stamford Hill on Tuesday evening following reports of a shooting. A woman was treated at the scene and taken to hospital for treatment. Detectives are continuing their hunt for the shooter and are attempting to determine whether the shooting was deliberate or accidental. What we know Reports of a shooting were made to the Met Police are around 7.40pm on Tuesday evening. Specialist firearm officers descended on Reizel Close in Stamford Hill and found a 38-year-old woman who had been shot in the leg. The London Ambulance Service also attended and treated the woman at the scene. She was taken to a hospital in east London, the Met Police said. Her condition is not life-threatening. Detective Inspector Dave Hickford of the Mets Specialist Crime Command said that they do not believe the woman was the intended target. Armed police rushed to Reizel Close in Stamford Hill following reports of a shooting. (Google) A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: We were called at 7:41pm today (14 May) to reports of a shooting at Stamford Hill. We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer and members of our hazardous area response team (HART). We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance. We treated a patient at the scene before taking them to a major trauma centre as a priority. Stamford Hill is an area with a large Jewish community but the Met said they do not believe the shooting was hate related or connected to international events. Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, local policing lead for Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: This offence shows the dreadful impact of gun crime across all of our communities. The Met added that no arrests have yet been made. Click below to see the latest London headlines What we dont know While we know that a woman was shot in the leg, we do not know the exact nature of her injuries and have yet to receive any update on her condition. No details have yet been released about her identity, other than her age. Officers set up a crime scene but are still investigating the circumstances of the incident. Onlookers told MailOnline that the woman was accidentally shot as two rival gangs shot at each other in a drive-by shooting but this has not been confirmed by the police. No details of potential suspects have been released by police. Eyewitnesses Shopkeeper Said Popal, 29, told the Evening Standard that he heard two shots before seeing a woman on the ground surrounded. by people trying to help her. He said the woman looked in a bad way. Papal added: Its totally shocking, we have not had a problem like this before. Its frightening. A local mother said that her son heard the victim screaming my leg, my leg. She said she heard two deafening gunshots echo around the street. She added: At first I thought they were fireworks but it was the loudest noise I've heard in a long time. I saw everyone running into shops and cowering behind walls for safety. Another local who lives close to the crime scene told the Hackney Gazette that two gunshots were heard. Labour backbencher Rosie Duffield has complained that Sir Keir Starmer offered her no apology when the two finally spoke after she claimed to have been cold-shouldered for years over her views on trans women. The Canterbury MP said she had a conversation with the party leader after telling a whip she had not been talked to in two-and-a-half years and that he had not said sorry for her having been briefed against in the media. The Daily Express had reported that Sir Keir, who previously criticised Ms Duffields remarks on gender issues, had called her in for peace talks, with a source telling the paper: The best way to deal with Rosie is to love-bomb her. The Daily Express reported that Sir Keir Starmer had called Rosie Duffield, pictured, in for peace talks (Kirsty OConnor/PA) But the backbencher said: Not quite true. I told a whip that I had not been spoken to for two-and-a-half years, when Natalie Elphicke was welcomed with open arms. I got 17 minutes and still no apology for being briefed against by head of comms or investigated for 12 months. Ms Duffield, who believes that self-identification threatens womens rights to female-only spaces, has previously claimed she has been given the cold shoulder by Labour leadership over her views on trans issues. Sir Keir previously criticised the MPs claim that only women have a cervix, but last month told ITVs Good Morning Britain that biologically, she of course is right about that and called for an end to toxic debates on gender. The remarks drew the ire of JK Rowling, who accused him of having brass neck for calling for an end to toxic debates about transgender issues. New Labour MP Natalie Elphicke and party leader Sir Keir Starmer (Gareth Fuller/PA) Sir Keir suggested Labour would treat everybody with respect and dignity when questioned about how he would respond to transgender women who did not want to go on to male hospital wards. He added: Where we need to make accommodations, we can make accommodations As a country, were a pretty reasonable, tolerant bunch and most people know that there are a small number of individuals who do not identify with the gender that they were born into. Many of them suffer great distress and trauma. And for my part, Im perfectly happy to say I would treat them, as I would treat anybody, with respect. The Labour Party has been contacted for comment. Nathan Aspinall and Michael Smith will battle it out for Premier League play-off qualification in the final weekly night in Sheffield on Thursday. The winner of their quarter-final will join Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen at the O2 Arena next Thursday. The Asp currently leads Smith by one point in the table, but that will not matter if the 2022 world champion wins at Sheffield Arena. The final night of league action Here's the all important final fixtures to be played in Sheffield next week! pic.twitter.com/m8FV1oTaCe PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 10, 2024 Aspinall, runner-up in 2020, said: In every Premier League campaign Ive played in, it has always come down to the last night. Ive got the job done twice in three attempts. Last year was unfortunate, but I know what Ive got to do, and Im confident I am going to come out with a result on Thursday. Im playing against a close friend in Michael so its going to be a tough game. It would be a dream of mine to make my debut at the O2, so Im looking forward to hopefully finishing my season on a high. Smith, who won in Sheffield last year, added: Its a nice feeling going into the final knowing youve got a chance of qualifying, but me and Nathan will have to put our friendship aside tomorrow night. If I can make the top four it will have been a really good season, especially with the line-up this year. Littler, 17, will top the table if he beats Peter Wright and is looking for a record-breaking fifth weekly win. Van Gerwen takes on Rob Cross while Humphries plays Gerwyn Price in the other quarter-finals. I like to do clashes. It has to be attractive and, at the same time, disturbing Maurizio Cattellan. Photograph: Jonas Ekstromer/TT/Shutterstock The artist Maurizio Cattelan will be the first to tell you he does not specialize in craft. Hes not a painter or a sculptor, per se. His speciality is imaginative provocation, the art of the conceptual joke. A life-size, hyper-realistic sculpture of Pope John Paul II felled by a meteor in La Nona Ora, for example, his eyes closed in eternal sleep. A child-size model of Hitler knelt in prayer, called Him, or a privately commissioned sculpture of a woman, Betsy, huddled in a full-size refrigerator. Related: Dont make fun of the $120,000 banana its in on the joke | Jonathan Jones The 63-year-old Italian has scored mainstream headlines in recent years with pieces that take a bit very literally, ribbing wealth, power, cultural debasement and the art worlds hot air, among other targets. In 2016, he installed a functional solid-gold toilet at the Guggenheim and called it America. (The work was later stolen from Blenheim Palace, and presumably melted down.) More infamously, he duct-taped a banana to the wall at Art Basel in Miami and called it art. That piece, titled Comedian, sold for $120,000 (and has been eaten by viewers, then replaced, on multiple occasions) an easily mocked symbol of the art markets bullshit, a work of questionable genius or a triumphant, Duchampian performance of the modern artists tragicomic existence, depending on who you ask. Whos in on the joke? For years, given Cattelans status as a semi-retired prankster and disdain for the art market, not commercial galleries. But Cattelan, who splits time between New York and Milan, has returned to Chelsea with Sunday, his first solo gallery show in over two decades and his first with the Gagosian. I call Gagosian the dark side of the market, said Cattelan recently over Zoom with a laugh, before sticking the landing: I hesitated for a very, very long time, but it was a good partnership. The show, running through 15 June, has a more self-consciously serious bent than the banana bit more in line with his gold toilet America (2016), a commentary on wealth, nationalism and violence open for visitor use, and which spawned experiments with bullet-ridden depictions of national flags. Sunday (2024), one of the exhibitions two pieces, adorns a wall of the cavernous gallery with individual 24-karat plated steel panels pockmarked with gunfire from over 20,000 rounds of ammunition (and selling for $375,000 a piece, according to Artnet). The panels, which evoke gilded moon craters as much as war zones, continue the artists long-standing fascination with gold. I call it a fatal attraction, because its true, said Cattelan of the material, which immediately entrances and signifies. The gold calls you in, and there is no way [to resist] a reflection of gold is magnetic. Crass, but magnetic. And beautiful, at odds with its geography of violence from a range of automatic and semi-automatic weapons dents, craters, imprints, tears, clean shots resembling hole punches. I like to do clashes, said Cattelan. It has to be attractive and, at the same time, disturbing. He had long dreamed of a performance art piece in which an audience witnessed guns shot at them through bulletproof glass. As thats not quite gallery or liability material, the artist settled for splitting the experience with the result. The 64 panels, each a little over 4ft by 4ft and 3mm thick, were shot at decorated, one could say at a state of the art gun range outside New York by licensed professionals in a handful of shooting sessions, overseen by the Gagosians senior director and fellow artist Andy Avini. Maurizio knows what he wants. He has a vision, he sticks with it, said Avini. Once given the concept, Avini embarked on a months-long journey of overcoming logistical and legal hurdles. Adjustments had to be made, laws had to be abided by. He gave me the basics, and I had to make some phone calls, including to Hollywood armorers. Americas overall lax gun laws notwithstanding, you cannot just shoot guns at steel panels in New York. And yet the shots were fired, forging an inherently violent tool with fine art, and calling attention to gun regulation in the US. The work was produced in the states, as opposed to Europe, because its easy, said Cattelan, provoking a mix of fear and perverse awe. (And also a legal letter from British artist Anthony James accusing Cattelan of plagiarizing his Bullet Painting; both artist and Avini dismiss the accusation as without merit. Im not going to address the topic, other than to say that this claim does not matter, said Cattelan.) Sunday is counter-balanced with November (2024), a sculpture of Carrara marble of a man, modeled after his late friend and business partner Lucio Zotti, who died last September, in repose on a bench, genitals casually exposed, urinating onto the ground. Cattelan refers to the work as a fountain, invoking the long legacy of classical nude waterworks in Rome and particularly Mannekan Pis (1619), a sculpture of a young boy peeing. The work has no drainage, however; Novembers water fountain currently pools on the floor. Cattelan refers to the work as a monument of marginality: the things you dont or cant see, made visible and beautiful. The official reading is a bit more pointed; the press release notes that Sunday uses precious metal to deconstruct the countrys relationship to the accessibility of weapons (a condition against which privilege affords no defense) and quotes exhibition curator Francesco Bonami: If youre free to buy an assault rifle in a department store, whats wrong with pissing in public? Cattelan, in conversation, is more circumspect. On the press release, we talk about gun control, but its more about violence in general, and violence is something that belongs to everybody, he said. It can be violence produced with any means. It can be even psychological. Im not American, so what can I say about another culture? he added. I watch and I compare but its part of each country. Each culture has creeds, faiths, beliefs that are different, and they need to be understood and then addressed. At a recent visit to the Gagosian, viewers paced the lacquered, scarred wall and quietly observed November; the mood of curiosity seemed to prevail over provocation. But whos to say what punchline hits over time? And whether thats a joke, or a gut punch, or neither, or both. I think for [Cattelan], the work isnt finished necessarily once its on the wall, said Avini. Its always ongoing, and its the peoples reactions that are holding it up. Kevin Spacey interview by Allison Pearson How long before Kevin Spacey is allowed to be uncancelled? Seriously, Im curious. It has been almost seven years since Spacey had the lepers bell hung around his neck. Is it to be a life sentence or are the millions who relish this great actors performances to be allowed to see him back where he belongs, on stage and screen? I must admit that, until recently, I had vaguely, and without paying much attention, taken the no-smoke-without-fire view of Spacey. Hollywood bigshot exploits his position for sexual favours its the oldest story in the book. Then I watched the new Channel 4 documentary, Spacey Unmasked (Spacey Stitched Up, more like), and a long, revelatory interview in which the fallen star spoke to journalist Dan Wootton, and I completely changed my mind. Ten men, nearly all failed actors, pour out tales of woe in the two-part documentary that pretty much add up to heavy petting plus crushing disappointment. (Spacey apparently let them down by failing to become their mentor or read their terrible screenplays.) It was not nice or acceptable behaviour, as the star now readily admits, and some will find it distasteful, but the fair-minded will surely wonder how a man can be eternally damned for so little. In one particularly ludicrous testimony, a drama classmate surfaces from high school, 48 years ago, to complain that the young Kevin Fowler, as Spacey was then, put his hand on his crotch when they were driving to a party. That was almost obligatory for teenagers in steamed-up cars in the 1970s, as I recall. The whole production was staged for tragic effect, with moody lighting, a tearful walk-out and amateur hysterics about the two-time Oscar winner being a predator and cold-eyed monster. Such is the growing feeling of injustice that several major celebrities, including Sharon Stone and Liam Neeson, are beginning to speak out to demand that Spacey is given a second chance. Even Channel 4 has to admit that if the allegations are true (well get to that), nothing Spacey is accused of is actually criminal. As the theatre critic and veteran journalist Libby Purves observed after watching the programme, Even to a straight, Christian, conventional old bat like me, I tell you that none of it seems worth bringing ruin on a human being. Quite. I now feel immense compassion for Spacey, tinged with anger at the clear injustice. Even at the peak of the MeToo movement, no one fell faster from grace than Spacey, who had scaled the dramatic heights with films such as The Usual Suspects (winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor) and American Beauty (Best Actor). My life was finished in four days, Spacey tells me in an emotional interview from his Baltimore home earlier this week. He looks chipper in a plaid shirt and speaks with great eloquence, of course, showing a consideration and restraint his accusers dont deserve but battling to salvage his reputation in endless court cases has clearly taken its toll. There is a vulnerability to him, a frayed rawness around the edges that surfaces when he breaks down several times during our conversation. At one point, I am so distressed by his distress that I feel like crying too, but we are here to set the record straight, so I plough on. If this were a movie it would start here, preferably with a laconic voiceover by Spacey. In October 2017, the same month that a New York Times investigation into allegations of sexual assault by the movie mogul Harvey Weinstein set off the MeToo movement, an actor named Anthony Rapp was apparently emboldened by the outpouring of stories. He publicly accused Spacey of molesting him at a party in 1986, when Rapp was 14 and Spacey in his late 20s. Within hours, Spacey responded on social media, saying he had no recollection of the incident, adding, But if I did behave then as he describes, [I] owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior and I am sorry for the feelings he has described carrying with him all these years. He then went on to compound the damage from that notably inept statement by coming out as gay, something he had denied for years. Understandably, there was widespread outrage that Spacey appeared to have used his coming out to excuse a sex crime. But it wasnt true. In 2022 a jury took 80 minutes to clear Spacey of all allegations. Rapp was subsequently ordered to pay Spacey $40,000 (31,600) in damages. You would have thought that was pretty conclusive, wouldnt you? But Rapps attorney in the criminal trial insisted that, while they accepted the jurys verdict, Anthony told his truth in court. It is the cruel catch 22 of cancel culture that being innocent may afford no protection against being treated as guilty. After Rapp came forward, Spacey swiftly lost several roles, including that of the thrillingly villainous American Iago, President Frank Underwood, in the Netflix show House of Cards (five seasons in). The film director Ridley Scott excised him from his film All the Money in the World (Spaceys scenes were re-shot with the late Christopher Plummer). It was a business issue, Scott said briskly, protecting his project from the contagion of toxic reputation. I wonder if Spacey feels that the complaints against him were blown out of proportion on the rising tide of MeToo fury? Well, I think that there was definitely a rush to judgment, he says carefully. And I think that, to some degree, corporations then put themselves in a situation where they now had to behave in the same way toward anyone who was accused of anything. I mean, if the companies that I had an incredible partnership with had stood up and said, We hear you and we take allegations seriously and were going to investigate this. And when we discover what the truth is, were going to tell you how were going to react. But, instead, they publicly divorced themselves from me and said that they would never work with me again before a single question had been asked. Certainly, when Netflix did that, and wed had an enormous success together, people must have thought, Well, they must have the dirt on him. So then everyone else decided to react punitively toward me. And all I ever wanted was for people to ask questions and investigate. And I am well aware that that did not happen. Spacey won a Golden Globe for his leading role in House of Cards - Melinda Sue Gordon In August 2022, Spacey was ordered to pay $31 million (25.5 million) to the producers of House of Cards over losses relating to allegations of sexual misconduct by him, after losing an appeal over the sum. But its a bitter irony that Netfix now refuses either to release, or to sell, Spaceys final work for them, a biopic of the critic and celebrated wit Gore Vidal. Vidal, who also had a predilection for younger men and saying outrageous things, should consider himself lucky that hes dead; hed certainly be cancelled if he were alive today. What about the specific allegations? One young actor, who appeared in a production of Sweet Bird of Youth in 2013, when Spacey was running the Old Vic theatre, claimed he groped him in public at an after-party held at the Savoy. The accuser says, He pulled me in closer and in my ear he whispered, Dont worry about it. Is that true? Spacey shakes his head. Its not true. So what is the motive of someone like that to speak out and say that happened to him? I dont know. But I would say this, when Anthony Rapp told his story [against me], there were a number of people who came forward to tell another story because they felt so strongly that Anthony Rapp was telling the truth. The story must be true. Well, it isnt true, and it wasnt true. And there were other stories that followed that also werent true, or there were parts of them that were true, or they had been exaggerated or not happened at all. I think some people maybe think that theyre helping and doing the right thing. Spacey says a lot of incredible progress has happened because of the MeToo movement, which is decent of him since he can count himself among its biggest casualties. But he also indicates the unfairness of not giving the accused an opportunity to actually have a fair shot at being able to prove that either something didnt happen or there are circumstances that make it questionable. The Channel 4 producers did initially approach friends of Spacey for comment, but when the star was found not guilty, they never called back, he says. Spacey is suspicious. I think clearly they must have thought, back in 2022 when they announced that they were going to do this documentary, that I was going to lose the Anthony Rapp case, and by the time it came out Id be in jail and they would be really ahead of the curve. But, you know, a funny thing happened on the way to the forum, and perhaps because they had already at that point spent money, I think they just decided that they wanted to go ahead with it. This is Spacey politely saying that he believes the agenda was to make an explosive take-down that would sell around the world and bury him once and for all. In fact, in the brief time since the documentary aired, Spacey and his manager, Evan Lowenstein (who has stood by him throughout, and to whom he is devoted), have already managed to come up with evidence that at the very least calls into question some of the allegations. More of that in a minute. Surely he is not saying there was never any truth in multiple tales of unsolicited body contact and grabbing crotches? Spacey, who has called himself a big flirt, said they were clumsy passes. Youre not claiming you never behaved badly, are you? I am not saying that. I am absolutely accepting that, at times, I behaved poorly. And if anyone wonders, you know, Kevin, why would you have done that? I say, Yes, youre right, I was involved in horseplay and I was involved in interactions on set that I thought were just fun. And I made a lot of jokes and, you know, sexual innuendos. And it was more common in those circumstances than it is now. And I might have been having fun because everyone was laughing, and thats what I wanted to have people do. But to have learnt later in conversations I had with people I worked with that, actually, they felt I was belittling them, which was horrible to hear, because I never, ever wanted to do that intentionally. Those conversations have been really important because Ive then been able to have those conversations with my therapist and try to get to the root of why did I do that? And to make sure that in work environments in the future, I never, ever put myself in a situation where I ever hurt anybody or my conduct is questionable. Its upsetting that sometimes I behaved in ways that I will never behave in again. Spacey has notably softened his tone since he posted a defiant video over Christmas 2018, Let Me Be Frank, in which he reprised his role as Frank Underwood, delivering a storming soliloquy smouldering with fury and contempt for those who brought him (Underwood, Spacey, or both?) down. But you wouldnt believe the worst without evidence, would you? Underwood taunts.You wouldnt rush to judgment without fact, would you? I mean, if you and I have learnt nothing else these past few years, its that in life and art, nothing should be off the table. We werent afraid, not of what we said, not of what we did. And we are still not afraid. Because I can promise you this, if I didnt pay the price for the things we both know I did, Im certainly not going to pay the price for the things I didnt. To watch that video today is to be reminded of the astonishing visceral power of a thespian who is currently in painful exile from his calling. He makes your heart thump. We have heard of actors disappearing into character, but to watch character disappear into actor, and to not quite know where man ends and performance begins, is truly something. Both mesmerising and weird at the same time, it makes you wonder about the state of mind of the man who made it. Which is Spacey: the artistic giant who once bestrode his industry now raging at the McCarthyite mob who took him down, or the newly therapised, humble, remorseful Kevin I encounter, who talks of programmes where he has learnt to trust and become a better person? There are moments in our interview when hes talking so compellingly, so charmingly one accuser compared him to Kaa, the Trust in Me snake in The Jungle Book and I suddenly find myself thinking, Ah, yes, but of course youre convincing me, youre Kevin Spacey! Is he acting? Is a swimmer in water? Is a peregrine falcon hunting? It is who he is. You can make your own minds up when you watch the video of our interview, but, for what its worth, I believe him. Hes simply too broken, too tired to keep the mask in place, although, inevitably and quite forgivably, Spacey wants to say whatever it is that can help him find a path back. Its a wistful phrase he uses again and again. In the past couple of years, Spacey has been offered some great roles he was desperate to play but, at every turn, there is another block - Reuters Dorothy Byrne, one of the producers of Spacey Unmasked, has said she hopes it could be a MeToo moment for men. That made me laugh. Two of the accusers are former Marines so beefy they could squash Spacey like a beetle. (Any comparison with what Weinstein did to young actresses are as odious as they are absurd.) One guy even admits on camera that he was prepared to do something I didnt want to do to the star in the hope of getting something I did want. Theres a word for that. Itll come to me. Spacey says he watched an interview with Byrne. It seemed to me that this is a person who has decided that shes judge, jury, prosecutor. I mean, she actually talked about these things as if theyd actually happened. And we (Spacey and Lowenstein) know that were going to present evidence that some of those individuals pursued me for years after they claimed that I had done some terrible thing. The documentary begins with Daniel, who had a small part as a Secret Service agent in House of Cards, and accuses Spacey of touching him inappropriately on set in 2013. Three years later, after he had left the show, Daniel sent Spacey provocative pictures at Spaceys request which Lowenstein sent me with a date stamp so there can be no mistake. We were very friendly to each other, Spacey says, and at no time did he ever say that any of our horseplay had upset him in any way, shape or form. Its all too familiar to Spacey. Theres one case where someone accused me of something in 1998 and said they never spoke to me again, and I was a terrible person. And I have emails from this person in 2011 saying how great it was to have seen me when I was in LA and wondering whether I might put him up for a role in Captain Phillips, a film that I was producing. I mean, OK, does anyone see the logic in that? What intrigues me is the power dynamic. The two-time Oscar winner clearly exerted a powerful hold over those guys who considered themselves a nobody compared to him. Was there really no part of you, Kevin, that didnt exploit that power? Im a kid from South Orange, New Jersey, who was raised in Southern California in very, very more-than-modest surroundings, he says, My father was unemployed so often that by the time I was 10 wed moved about eight times. I came from nothing, and I have not spent my life looking at myself the way other people see me. I look at myself as unbelievably fortunate to have been given the opportunities that Ive had. And, you know, theres power dynamics in every relationship. But I never used my position in a quid pro quo, if you come into my trailer Im gonna give you a part or Ill give you an audition way. Doesnt mean I didnt recommend people to a director, but there was no price to pay. Absolutely not. Now, it appears what some of the accusers are saying is they thought because Id had a 15-minute conversation with them, or got stoned with them, or had a drink with them, that I was now going to be their mentor, which is not what was occurring. Spacey kept a low profile for several years, possibly in the mistaken hope it would speed his rehabilitation. Ten months ago, a court in London cleared him of nine charges including sexual assault (a reporter who sat through the case told me the evidence was flaky and occasionally farcical). Afterwards, the actor expressed the hope that this exoneration would mean he could finally work again. But this latest attack from Channel 4, almost calculated to derail a comeback, is too much. He is ready to break his silence and fight. Kevin Spacey Fowler was born in July 1959 to Thomas and Kathleen. He has an elder brother, Randall (Randy), and a sister, Julie Ann. In the documentary, Randy paints a horrifying picture of their father as a brutal Nazi sympathiser who sexually abused him. Randy, a kook according to Lowenstein, has been selling unpleasant stories about Spacey for years although the actor has a letter from his brother thanking him effusively for a large gift of cash which saved his business. Their mother adored and protected Kevin, although it was clearly not the ideal upbringing for a sensitive, imaginative boy who may already have had confused thoughts about his sexuality. I didnt know what I was, Spacey recalls, All I know is there were times when my father would say things that were very homophobic and very upsetting, and I was certainly afraid of that. And I think that there were other things in my family that taught me very early on that secrets kept me safe. So that was automatic for me. Secrets. Now I realise it didnt keep me safe. Young Kevin always wanted to be a performer and had a gift for impersonations. He could have been a stand-up comedian, but ended up winning a place at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York to study acting. He was thrilled when he landed his first part as a rock or something in Joe Papps Shakespeare in the Park for $125 a week. You know, I think one reason Spacey lied for so long about being gay strenuously denying it to Playboy magazine and even telling an interviewer he had a girlfriend is not just because any star who has come out in Hollywood has never gone on having a career as a leading man or lady. Fear of his father had made him so repressed that he probably didnt want to admit it, not even to himself. Spaceys jarring use of the antediluvian horseplay for his lunges at men sounds like someone trapped in a more disapproving era with a lot of shame about his desires. Being secretive, unknowable, was a huge part of Spaceys success as an actor, I think. In the Nineties, he enjoyed an amazing run of films: Glengarry Glen Ross (rivetingly good alongside his mentor and father figure Jack Lemmon), The Usual Suspects and Se7en (terrifying), followed in 1997 by LA Confidential. Two years later there was American Beauty, which won him the Oscar for playing Lester Burnham, an advertising executive having a midlife crisis and sexually obsessed with his 16-year-old daughters best friend. Lester ends up being murdered by his in-the-closet, homophobic neighbour. As if the ghost of Thomas Fowler had come back to punish his son. American Beauty was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning five including Best Actor for Kevin Spacey - DreamWorks SKG/Getty Images What we see in almost every Spacey performance is the importance of him remaining calm and even serene, however crazy the stuff going on around him is; the voice (no one ever seems to say how beautiful the voice is, but it is) has a lot to do with it. Spacey always puts on a great show, but hes much less of a showboat than you might expect. Audiences always seek him out and wait for him to turn up, but he makes sure not to hog the stage; he doesnt need to make that kind of effort. Note also that, however solemn the material, hes almost never not funny. Comedy is always at the edge of things, a lightning flash of wit in the darkness. (That was true of Cary Grant as well, another actor with secrets.) He is also a brilliant mimic, and acknowledged as one even in the business. Maybe thats why hes at his best when one kind of life conceals another the mad doomy dreamer inside the shell of the loser in American Beauty; the evil genius inside the limping lowlife in Usual Suspects. Its all about how much you can hide and still get away with things. Life as a nasty game, best approached by keeping your cards close to your chest; showing your hand would only spoil the fun. How much of this is dramatic skill and how much pathology, who knows? Did Spaceys track record for playing creeps and villains make people more willing to believe ill of him when the allegations started to fly? Was it being such a great actor that somehow sealed his fate? I reckon there is something in that. Was there also a double standard applied to him because he wasnt heterosexual? (Spacey wryly observes that there are quite a number of men who are well known, who throughout history and even today, are what the press likes to call legendary Lotharios. You never hear a gay man called that.) Although our interview has had moments of real distress, I sense Spacey is more hopeful than he has been for a long time. He says he and Lowenstein play what they call the red-button game. If you push the red button, it goes back in time and none of the bad stuff will have happened. Would I push the button? And the answer now is no. Because despite the challenges and the difficulties and the pain and the bad days, Ive also witnessed the most beautiful demonstrations of friendship and love and family. And had conversations and experiences and just seen things in everyday life. Small moments. Making someone laugh. I wouldnt want to miss any of those. And those far outweigh all the negative stuff that youve just listed, Allison. Far outweigh it. Its true that there are a lot of substantial figures in his industry now calling vocally for Spacey to be allowed to resume his career. They emailed me in the last couple of days. I cant wait to see Kevin back at work. He is a genius, said Sharon Stone. He is so elegant and fun, generous to a fault and knows more about our craft than most of us ever will. Of course people wanted and want to be around him; its terrible that they are blaming him for not being able to come to terms with themselves for using him and negotiating with themselves because they didnt get their secret agendas filled. Fame is an ugly monster. Liam Neeson vouched for a friend who is a good man and a man of character. Hes sensitive, articulate and non-judgmental, with a terrific sense of humour. He is also one of our finest artists in the theatre and on camera. Personally speaking, our industry needs him and misses him greatly. Another great actor, The White Lotus star F Murray Abraham, bristled at the injustice. Kevin Spacey is my friend and I vouch for him unequivocally. Who are these vultures who attack a man who has publicly accepted his responsibility for certain behavior, unlike so many others? Has the world forgotten his huge accomplishments, not only as an actor but as the leader of Britains most important theatre company? But all that aside, he is a fine man, I stand with him, and let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Sir Trevor Nunn, the veteran theatre director, who worked with Spacey at the Old Vic, says: In this country, we believe in the rule of law, and consequently, that the accused is innocent until proven guilty. Kevin Spacey faced long court proceedings in the UK and was found, by the jury, to be innocent of all charges. But now, a Channel 4 documentary is urging viewers to believe that the accused is guilty, whatever a jury may have previously decided. In my view, Kevin is an actor of genius, on stage and on screen. He was a thrilling, complex and in Shakespeares heightened language, a compulsively tragic Richard II. But then he was the moral centre of my production of Inherit the Wind, when he played the lawyer at the heart of the story, based on the famous Clarence Darrow. The roles could not have been more different, but he was equally charismatic in both. In light of the courts verdict, surely it is time for this man to be forgiven for whatever poor judgments he may have made in the past and allowed to resume his career, after seven years of exile? British broadcaster Stephen Fry submitted a balanced testimony its hard to argue with. I dont know anybody in the profession who didnt admire Kevin Spacey as an actor, director, producer and theatre administrator No one can doubt that he has been clumsy and inappropriate on many occasions he made too many people uncomfortable, embarrassed and upset. To bracket him with the likes of Harvey Weinstein, however, to continue to harass and hound him, to devote a whole documentary to accusations that simply do not add up to crimes how can that be considered proportionate and justified? He hasnt hidden away, he has given full-on interviews accepting and owning the mistaken and unacceptable behaviour of his past. I saw the recent Channel 4 documentary and while we can justifiably feel that the people interviewed certainly might have cause for complaint, there was nothing said there to bring a gleam to the prosecutors eye. Why was it made? To what purpose? His reputation is already wrecked. Surely it is wrong to continue to batter a reputation on the strength of assertion and rhetoric rather than evidence and proof? There is not the faintest chance that he will so much as tap a stranger on the shoulder in future. I am pretty sure most people have got the measure of his past behaviour, but very, very few believe he should be continually pilloried and jeered. Unless Im missing something, I think he has paid the price. In July 2023, Spacey was found not guilty of nine sexual offences by a jury at Southwark Crown Court - Tim Clarke And what a price. The beautiful home we see behind Spacey as he talks may be foreclosed, I am led to believe, taken from him as so much else has been. In the past couple of years, he has been offered some great roles he was desperate to play but, at every turn, there is another block. The writers no longer object to Kevin speaking their words, the actors (most of them) are OK appearing alongside him, the producers and directors are cool, the sales and money men have been persuaded its not a liability to have the name Spacey attached to their project (as if!). Jeez, who are these petty moralising gatekeepers who would keep perhaps the finest actor of his generation in the wilderness? Shame on them. I tell Spacey I think viewers would be very happy to see him and he says he has had only lovely, kind comments from members of the public who approach him. Spacey says he is disappointed to have lost out on roles for these reasons. But I believe that audiences believe in me. Its just unfortunate that a single person is speaking for the entire British public, or a few people in studios or networks or streaming services are speaking for the entire American public. I think that someone will roll the dice and say, I believe in you. I believe in you as an actor, and I believe in you as a human being. And I believe that youve learnt and I believe that youve changed. And I want to give you an opportunity to come back. And thats going to be an opportunity Im going to embrace and honour. In the days that I have been thinking and writing about Spacey, a line by the poet Thomas Wyatt has been flitting through my head. They flee from me that sometime did me seek. Its a mysterious poem, freighted with loss and sadness. Theres an actor who could do that injustice justice, who knows how it feels when people flee from you. As we say our goodbyes, Spacey is back on droll form, still finding the comedy amid the darkness, still coming up with good reasons to uncancel him. A hint of a sly smile: My hope is that, from a business perspective, you know, my stock is low, so Im a bargain, right? Oh, and what a bargain Kevin Spacey would be for anyone bold enough to offer that path back to redemption. Let him act. You can hear Allison Pearson discuss her Kevin Spacey interview with Liam Halligan on the Planet Normal podcast, available from 7am on Thursday morning Australian National University students say they have been warned there could be a breach of a code of conduct if a pro-Palestinian encampment is not disbanded this week. Photograph: Luca Ittimani/The Guardian The Australian National University has become the second university to request pro-Palestine students disband on-campus encampments, as the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) backed the protesters. On Wednesday morning, a small group of students attended a meeting with management at the ANU in Canberra, where they said they were advised to vacate their camps by Friday or risk breaching the universitys code of conduct. Only the students present at the meeting were directed to vacate. We were called in and told we hadnt breached a code of conduct, but if we didnt vacate on Friday we could have [breached it], a spokesperson for the ANUs encampment said. Its outrageous. Related: Deakin University requests dismantling of pro-Palestine encampment as protesters pledge to stay On Tuesday, students involved in the encampments at Victorias Deakin University were similarly requested to disband effective immediately, with management citing safety, security and amenity of all campus users. They have so far refused the request. A spokesperson for the ANU said the meeting was held to discuss how students could continue to protest in a manner that ensured the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone. The university has communicated its expectations to ANU students in this meeting, they said. As per the universitys code of conduct and student discipline rule, [the] ANU expects participants to follow these reasonable directions. The university supports students right to protest but these activities must be safe and not cause unnecessary harm or damage to our campus or community. Discussions were under way as to how the students would formally respond. A snap rally was set to be held on Thursday. Pro-Palestine camps have spread to universities in every state in Australia after beginning at the University of Sydney almost three weeks ago. Last week, Victoria police wrote to university vice-chancellors requesting greater powers to shut down the encampments, adding that if they were allowed to keep growing there was a strong likelihood of violence occurring between protest and counter-protest groups. The ANUs branch of the NTEU has backed in the students. Posting on X, branch members confirmed their attendance at tomorrows rally, adding they stood with students and in support of academic freedom, freedom of speech and peaceful protest. An open letter from Australian academics and university staff in support of student protests had garnered more than 700 signatures by Wednesday afternoon. Separately, 10 leading human rights organisations, including the Human Rights Law Centre and Amnesty International Australia, have written to vice-chancellors at universities where encampments have been established, urging them to protect the right to public assembly and refrain from inappropriate suspensions of students, penalties on protesters or police intervention. ANU student protester Nick Reich, who was present at the meeting, told Guardian Australia only the seven students arbitrarily chosen to meet with management were warned that they may be reprimanded if they did not vacate the camps. When asked why they had been targeted, Reich said management advised that the list of protesters had been put together by campus security. He said management then offered them a pen and paper to pass on further names of organisers. They indicated they will continue to call out individuals in the encampment and give them similar directions, he said. Reich told a rally outside Parliament House it was a witch-hunt. This is an attack on our basic rights and this is an attempt to get us to list accomplices, he said. A spokesperson for the ANU said students werent arbitrarily chosen but were encampment participants who have been identified as ANU students by the university. The meeting was constructive and respectful, they said. Zach Smith, the ACT branch secretary of the CFMEU, told the rally the ANU should be condemned in the strongest terms. ANU, a university which is meant to be a pillar of freedom of speech, threatened student activists engaged in peaceful protest and peaceful resistance, he said. On Friday afternoon, the ANUs deputy vice-chancellor (academic), Prof Grady Venville, wrote to every participant in the encampment who the university was able to identify to remind them of the student code of conduct. I am informally letting you know that I have received multiple reports and complaints that the encampment in which you are participating and your behaviours are potentially in breach of the student code of conduct, she wrote. The encampment is dividing our community and causing members of our community harm. Venville urged the students to reflect on your behaviours and consider how they could respectfully protest without causing harm to members of the community. Separately, the ANUs vice-chancellor, Prof Genevieve Bell, wrote to ANU staff and students reiterating the university had a long history of student protests but that could not come at the expense of respect and inclusion. ANU must be a place where we can hold hard conversations. Where debate has shifted to causing hate and hurt, we are stepping in, she wrote. Last week, it was revealed a student protester who said Hamas deserved unconditional support had been suspended from the ANU, pending disciplinary action. Speaking on ABC Radio, the student said she was in complete disagreement with their strategy but nothing can justify what has been happening to the Palestinian people for 75 years. Separately, an investigation was undertaken into a student association meeting where Nazi gestures were allegedly used during a motion put forward by the ANU Union of Jewish Students to address antisemitism. Bell said in her email she was deeply concerned by reports of the conduct of some students at that meeting. We have taken disciplinary action following this event and will continue to take action where it is necessary, she wrote. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said the ANU had taken the right move. Universities must be kept safe and accessible for all, he said. There is a right to peaceful protest but there is no right to camp on university grounds, to threaten others, or to openly support terrorism. Other universities should quickly follow ANUs example. Riot police moved to disperse protesters outside Georgia's parliament - VANO SHLAMOV/AFP VIA GETTY The European Union urged Georgia on Wednesday to withdraw its controversial foreign agents law and warned that the measure would set back the countrys ambitions to join the bloc. On Tuesday, Georgias parliament passed the third and final reading of the bill, which would require organisations receiving more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence, imposing onerous disclosure requirements and punitive fines for violations. Georgias opposition parties called for fresh protests on Wednesday, the latest in a series of near-nightly rallies that have sparked a spiralling political crisis in the South Caucasus country. The adoption of this law negatively impacts Georgias progress on the EU path, said a statement from Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, and the European Commission, the blocs executive body. The choice on the way forward is in Georgias hands. We urge the Georgian authorities to withdraw the law. Meanwhile, the British Government has been urged by MPs to strengthen its own response to the protests and summon Sophie Katsarava, the Georgian ambassador to London, for a dressing down. In a House of Commons debate on Wednesday, Alicia Kearns, the Tory chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, said the utterly shameful crackdown should be condemned as she called for the summons. The brutalisation of peaceful, ordinary Georgians and the hospitalisation of opposition leader David Katsarava is utterly shameful, she said. MPs have called for a dressing down of Sophie Katsarava, the Georgian ambassador to London - IAN DAVIDSON/ALAMY Leo Docherty, the armed forces minister, insisted the Government had expressed our concerns to the ambassador but he did not commit to summoning her. We, of course, expressed our concerns about the direction of travel with regard to protests in Georgia, and the Foreign Office I know has made those representations to the ambassador here and will continue to keep a watching brief on that issue, he said. Sir Ben Bradshaw, the Labour MP for Exeter, said: The British Government, unlike the American government, doesnt seem to be doing any recalibration at all with the current Georgian regime, which is beating up its own citizens in the streets of Tbilisi. I mean, why hasnt he summoned the Georgian ambassador in London? What action has he taken, rather than just words, to make our views completely clear to the current Georgian government that their behaviour and this legislation is unacceptable? Protesters are arrested in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi - NICOLO VINCENZO MALVESTUTO/GETTY Mr Docherty later said that the Government would ensure that Georgia changed path for their own interest. If enacted, the legislation would force the press and civil society groups that receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from overseas to register as organisations serving the interests of a foreign power. The law has prompted big protests in Tbilisi this week, with riot police repeatedly clashing with demonstrators outside parliament. Salome Zurabishvili, the Georgian president, who is at loggerheads with the government, has vowed to veto the law, although the ruling Georgian Dream party has enough MPs to override her veto. On Tuesday, Jim OBrien, the US assistant secretary of state, warned Georgia not to become an adversary of the West by falling in line with Moscow and said aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars could be withdrawn. Shell-shocked US marine, Hue, Vietnam, by Don McCullin, 1968 (detail) - Don McCullin What is the most horrific photograph you have ever seen? When I first encountered Kenneth Jareckes portrait of what remained of an Iraqi soldier after being incinerated alive, I felt ashamed that I couldnt look away. His eyeless face is set into a rictus grin, carbonised skin the texture of deep-sea coral. Taken in 1991, it was so shocking, that Associated Press pulled it. I was surprised, then, that this picture failed to disturb, when I saw it again at the beginning of The Camera Never Lies. It wasnt just the dull light of the Sainsbury Centres gallery. The exhibition draws on photographs that have come to define how we remember the past century, and its conflicts. So, heres Eddie Adamss second before a Viet Cong officer is shot in the head (1968), or the troubled gaze of Steve McCurrys Afghan Girl (1984). But the dense opening wall its juxtapositions never clear saps pictures of their power, looking more like the Pinterest board of a troubled mind. You search instead for the ways a photographer responds to the fog of war. Perhaps its with patience, as Don McCullin suggests in the broken stare of a shell-shocked US marine (1968). For others, its about giving us a glimpse of unmediated terror, like Nick Uts photograph of a Vietnamese girl, fleeing a napalm attack (1972), or the way the human eye strains in Damon Winters Medivac (2010), as a helicopter kicks up a storm of dust above a wounded soldier, the detritus flying towards us. In such pictures, the wait for the decisive moment collapses. You point, and shoot as epitomised by Robert Capas brag, If your photographs arent good enough, youre not close enough. But just as often, the show suggests that photographs are not the objects of truth we think they are. Capas own Falling Soldier (1936) the Spanish militiaman flung back by a bullets force was likely staged. Such uneasiness drifts through several other works here, like the kiss in Alfred Eisenstaedts V-J Day in Times Square (1945) with several people in the decades since it was taken claiming to be the very same sailor and nurse swept off her feet. This feels worth saying. Watching Alex Garlands Civil War recently, in which Kirsten Dunsts brooding lensman roams an America tearing itself apart, was a reminder of how much we like to believe in photojournalism as a forensic counterweight to atrocity. Beijing. Tien An Men Square. 'The Tank Man' stopping the column of T59 tanks. 4th June 1989. - Stuart Franklin Still, while there are several great moments in this show especially Matt Blacks close-up of a weathered hand grasping a fence in Allensworth, California (2014), part of a series documenting poverty in America, Richard Mosses use of military infrared film to render the Congolese rainforest in surreal purples (2012), and Edmund Clarks cool documentation of CIA black sites (2012) the curatorial conceit remains out of reach. At times, the exhibition seems to assert little more than the hazy relationship between a photograph and reality. What, for instance, might it say about the age of social media? The images that flow out of the Israel-Hamas conflict are peppered with viral deepfakes, often involving children in deep distress (as if the in-real-life carnage were not enough). What happens when everyone has become a photographer and photo-editor? Perhaps this show is less about the deceptiveness of the camera, and more about the logic of our own minds eye. Without knowing what to look for in the closing set of pictures, photographed by Trevor Paglen, you might just see night skies. But when the titles reveal the pinpricks of light for what they really are secret satellites roaming the heavens you see them everywhere. The camera never lies, indeed. From May 18-Oct 20; sainsburycentre.ac.uk Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles listens to speakers during the public comment section of the Board of Trustees monthly agenda review meeting on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 at in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Houston Independent School District Superintendent F. Mike Miles gives a presentation during a principals training Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Hattie Mae White Education center in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer HISD's appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and leaders of his former charter network, Third Future Schools, are vehemently denying reports that the network illegally used money from its Texas campuses to subsidize its schools in Colorado. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath also said Friday that he had referred the issue to the Texas Education Agency's complaint team, but that initial reports did not show evidence of wrongdoing. Miles, in a late night email to "friends, partners and board members," wrote that the story by Spectrum News in Dallas "badly misunderstands, or worse, intentionally misrepresents the financial practices of Third Future Schools." The story, by reporter Brett Shipp, who covered Miles during his tenure as Dallas ISD superintendent, accuses Third Future Schools of charging fees to its Texas network to subsidize one of its campuses in Colorado, and reported that Third Future Schools Texas had run a deficit due to debts to other TFS network schools and to TFS corporate. THE REPORT CARD: Subscribe to the Houston Chronicles weekly newsletter recapping HISD news Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Spectrum report cites recordings of TFS corporate board and investor meetings, as well as the charter networks financial records. The Houston Chronicles review of the documents confirmed that TFS Texas had sent funds to Colorado campuses, which a charter school finance expert said is generally permitted by state law. "While I have not worked at the Third Future Schools network for more than a year, I find the piece irresponsibly inaccurate, and I cannot let this kind of misinformation go uncorrected," Miles wrote. Miles wrote that Third Future Schools "was always a responsible steward of every public dollar received" and that school finances were approved by local school boards and partner districts. He acknowledged that Texas schools paid "administrative fees" to the central Third Future office, which is headquartered in Colorado, to provide network-wide supports in areas, including finance and human resources, but said that such payments are common practice for charter networks. "Spectrum News either intentionally or, through gross incompetence, mischaracterized these common place financial arrangements between charter schools and the charter management organizations that support them," Miles wrote. Neither Spectrum nor Shipp immediately responded to requests for comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Spectrum's story immediately prompted outrage among HISD community members and some elected officials, who are demanding the superintendent's resignation and a federal investigation over the charter network's alleged use of Texas taxpayer money in Colorado schools. Third Future Schools, in a statement Wednesday, said that "no Texas funds have ever been diverted to subsidize schools in Colorado," and that administrative fees applied to all of the network's 11 schools in Texas, Colorado and Louisiana are paid to a central office in Colorado, and then deposited back into a bank account in the school's home state. On Wednesday afternoon, Morath said that he had referred the complaint to the agency's complaints team, which is a preliminary step toward a potential investigation. He noted, however, that because Third Future operates as a non-profit that signs contracts with local school districts, rather than a charter that receives state funds, the review would focus on Midland, Ector County, and Austin ISDs, the districts where Third Future schools allegedly sent funds to Colorado. "School districts have autonomy to engage with vendors to provide educational services," Morath wrote. "As a vendor of the school district, Third Future Schools would have latitude afforded under its contract with each district to spend its funds in service of the contract." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Miles said Wednesday that he would welcome a TEA investigation into the matter. The National Cyber Security Centre at GCHQ as said election candidates will be 'high-risk' targets - David Goddard/Getty Images Chinese and Russian spies will try to target would-be MPs ahead of the general election, GCHQ bosses fear. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), an arm of GCHQ, has announced a new cyber defence service on offer to political candidates and polling officials in advance of the election. Candidates will be able to have an additional layer of security on personal devices, such as their mobile phones, which will warn them if they try to visit a website known to be malicious by the security services. The measures will guard against potential spear-phishing, malware and other cyber attacks, the NCSC has said, as it warned that would-be MPs and election officials were at high risk. The organisation warned that the personal accounts of candidates and election officials, as well as their official work accounts, are almost certainly attractive targets for cyber actors looking to carry out espionage operations. It said that the launch of the new opt-in service followed government announcements of attempts by Russian Intelligence Services and China state-affiliated actors to carry out malicious activity targeting UK institutions and individuals, including parliamentarians. Spies target emails It comes after it emerged earlier this year that GCHQ believed APT31, a China state-affiliated actor, was almost certainly responsible for targeting the emails of parliamentarians in 2021. Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister, told MPs that hackers affiliated to the Chinese state were also responsible for a hack on the Electoral Commission between 2021 and 2022. At the time, he said that the two attacks demonstrated a clear and persistent pattern of behaviour that signals hostile intent from China, and announced a raft of sanctions in response. News from last week that the Ministry of Defence had been subject to a hack also prompted speculation that Beijing was responsible, but the Government is yet to attribute the attack to a specific actor. Last year, the UK also condemned Moscows sustained attempts at political interference in the UK and globally, citing efforts to target parliamentarians, civil servants and journalists. The NCSC already offers support to MPs and public sector staff, and has previously encouraged those at high risk to register their online accounts so that the organisation can alert them to any malicious activity. MPs were reminded of the available support after the Westminster honeytrap scandal erupted in April, in which several men in Parliament received suspicious messages on WhatsApp from those using the aliases Charlie and Abi. It is not currently known who was behind the string of messages. Jonathan Ellison, of NCSC, said on Wednesday: Individuals who play important roles in our democracy are an attractive target for cyber actors seeking to disrupt or otherwise undermine our open and free society. Thats why the NCSC has ramped up our support for people at higher risk of being targeted online to ensure they can better protect their accounts and devices from attacks. In this significant year of elections around the world, I urge individuals eligible for our services to sign up and to follow our guidance now to bolster their defences. While masks helped to halt Covid earlier in the pandemic, they had little to no effect on infection rates after Omicron arrived - ROB PINNEY/GETTY Face masks did not stop the Omicron variant of Covid, a study has found. The highly infectious Covid variant saw the reintroduction of rules such as mask-wearing, self-isolation, working from home and vaccine passports when it swept across Britain in November 2021. New research has found that while these measures helped to halt Covid earlier in the pandemic, they had little to no effect on infection rates after Omicron arrived. The study conducted by the University of East Anglia (UEA) found that face masks in particular were not effective once the first wave of Omicron had passed, although they had previously helped to reduce infection rates. However, the public was forced to wear them again between November 2021 and January 2022 having already endured a year of face coverings with the threat of fines up to 6,400. Masks continued to be recommended and could be enforced by businesses until the April. The researchers also found that wearing face masks after the first wave of Omicron may have actually increased the risk of children catching Covid during the subsequent waves because they had less immunity. Professor Paul Hunter, lead author of the Norwich Medical School at UEA, told The Telegraph that those people who didnt wear masks got all their infections in the first couple of weeks [of the wave] and were then immune, whereas the people who had been wearing masks werent immune because theyd not had Covid up until that point. The value of masks was always delaying the pandemic until most people had the vaccine, he said. Masks contributed to that, and so therefore probably saved many lives, but once Covid was here to stay, and certainly once Omicron came with it being much more infectious masks were ultimately of no value for most people. Scientists, government advisers and politicians were split over when and for how long face coverings should be made mandatory throughout the pandemic. They were first recommended around April 2020 as a tool to help people get back to work after lockdown as the Government made a U-turn on their use. Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister at the time, said masks would be useful and give people confidence they can go back to work, before they were made mandatory in July 2020 for public transport, schools, hospitality and other public spaces under laws that lasted for a year. Members of the public were told to wear maks again between November 2021 and January 2022 after already wearing them for a year - TOLGA AKMEN/AFP They continued to be recommended throughout the summer of 2021 but were made mandatory again when Omicron caused cases to surge and continued to be recommended in guidance until April 2022. Experts at UEA said that masks were linked to a 19 per cent reduction in infections early on in the pandemic but this did not account for the much more transmissible Omicron variant. In their study, researchers found that adults who never wore masks were up to 30 per cent more likely to be infected, while for children it was 10 per cent, but these benefits were wiped out by February. The researchers suggested that the masks only served to delay catching Covid, while those who had been previously exposed to the virus had greater immunity. Prof Paul Hunter said: Early in the pandemic there were many studies published looking at risk factors for catching Covid, but far fewer studies after the first year or so. Our research shows that there were changes in some risk factors around the time that the Omicron BA.2 variant became dominant. The mutations to the Covid virus in the Omicron variant led to it being highly contagious and more capable of escaping vaccine-induced immunity. Boris Johnson, pictured receiving a Covid-19 vaccination, said masks would give people confidence to return to work in April 2020 - PAUL EDWARDS/AFP The study also found that factors such as living in a larger household of four or more people, belonging to an ethnic minority group, and working in health and social care, were all linked to a higher risk earlier in the pandemic but this was negligible after Omicron. By the end of February 2022 the reduced chance of infection seen from being retired, or living with someone over 70, had disappeared, while the risk for adults living with children also diminished. The scientists also said travelling abroad was not associated with an increased risk prior to February 2022 but then became a significant risk. Dr Julii Brainard, co-author of the same school, said: This isnt totally surprising because laboratory evidence suggests that the Omicron variant was better able to infect the cells lining the upper respiratory tract than previous variants and so be more transmissible. Management of infection risk needs to be agile, adapting to epidemic development and better-quality information when it emerges, she said. To prevent infections we need to have a good view of which factors might be most or least relevant. If those factors can change, we need to be alert to that happening. The researchers analysed data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Covid survey which ran from November 2021 to May 2022 and estimated infection rates and asked people questions to see if what factors may be linked to testing positive. Several sub-types of the Omicron variant continue to be the most dominant in the UK, according to health authorities. The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and published in PLOS ONE. Joe Biden issued his challenge in a video published on Wednesday - Chris Kleponis/CNP/MEGA Joe Biden has challenged Donald Trump to debate him on television before Novembers election but only on the condition that there is no live audience. In a confrontational video published on Wednesday, Mr Biden challenged Mr Trump to: Make my day, pal. The US president added that he had heard his predecessor and challenger in Novembers election was free on Wednesdays, a reference to the rest day for his Stormy Daniels hush money trial in New York. A screengrab from the Biden video - Joe Biden/X Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn't shown up for a debate. Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. pic.twitter.com/AkPmvs2q4u Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 15, 2024 Mr Biden has declined proposals from the Commission on Presidential Debates, the independent organisation that has managed the events since 1988, for three debates it has organised in September and October. Instead, his aides said he would take part in two televised debates with Mr Trump, under conditions including a closed studio and microphones that cut off automatically to prevent him being drowned out. Mr Trump made an immediate counter offer to debate Mr Biden at a large venue for excitement purposes before accusing Mr Biden of being afraid of crowds. Donald Trump's response to the debate offer on his own Truth Social platform - Donald Trump/Truth Social Mr Trump has challenged Mr Biden to debate him several times, and said he should name a time and a place for the events. The president agreed in April, telling reporters he was happy to debate his opponent. Television debates have been a major part of the presidential election campaign for decades, and can have a significant impact on the results. In a letter reported by the New York Times, Mr Bidens campaign said he would participate in two events in June and September. The presidents team wants the debates to take place before early voting for this years election begins in some states in September. The commissions failure, yet again, to schedule debates that will be meaningful to all voters not just those who cast their ballots late in the fall or on Election Day underscores the serious limitations of its outdated approach, wrote Jennifer OMalley Dillon, Mr Bidens campaign manager. Her stipulation that there must be no live audience reflects the Biden campaigns concerns that raucous Trump supporters could shout over the 81-year-old president. Donald Trump and Joe Biden during the final debate of the 2020 presidential election campaign - Mike Segar/Reuters During the first presidential debate of the last election campaign in 2020, Mr Trump was criticised for speaking over Mr Biden and derailing discussion of major policy issues. This time, Mr Bidens campaign said he would only participate if the two men are given time limits for their responses, with microphones that automatically cut off at the end of their allotted speaking time. As an incumbent president, Mr Biden did not face challengers in a televised Democratic primary debate earlier this year, while Mr Trump ignored requests to appear for events organised for Republican contenders. The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said he was deeply shocked by the shooting of Robert Fico. Photograph: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images EU leaders have condemned the cowardly assassination attempt on the Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, warning that violence has no place in European politics. Olaf Scholz, the chancellor of Germany, a country which has itself experienced a wave of violent attacks on politicians in the past month, said: I am deeply shocked by the news of the cowardly attack on Slovakian Prime Minister Fico. Violence must not exist in European politics. Speaking just three weeks before elections to the European parliament, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, echoed his message, condemning what she said was a vile attack on both the prime minister and democracy. Related: He is borrowing from Trump: the rise of Robert Fico, Slovakias populist leader Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico and his family, she said. The populist leader, 59, was taken to hospital for emergency surgery after being shot outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, about 100 miles north-east of the capital, Bratislava, where the leader was meeting with supporters, according to reports on TA3, a Slovakian TV station. The shooting will heighten tensions going into the elections in June, with attacks on German, Spanish and Irish politicians already casting a shadow over public life. European Commission sources said the attack risked fuelling further violence across the political landscape. In a statement, the liberal political group Renew said it was increasingly alarmed by the rising polarisation within our political sphere fuelled by extremist ideologies, both left- and right-wing. This climate of heightened division is laying the groundwork for an environment where acts of violence are more likely to occur, and also wrongly justified by those who seek to disrupt and dominate rather than engage and debate, it added. Related: Who is Robert Fico? Josep Borrell, Europes chief diplomat, said that Europe was once again witnessing unacceptable attacks against political representatives. In Germany, where assaults on politicians causing physical injury have increased steeply this year, with 22 such incidents recorded so far compared with 27 for all of 2023, Matthias Ecke, a Social Democratic MEP and candidate in Saxony, recently suffered a broken cheekbone and eye socket after being attacked while putting up campaign posters. A Green party politician was harassed and spat at while putting up posters in Dresden, while a week ago Franziska Giffey, a Berlin state senator and former mayor of the capital, was briefly treated in hospital after being attacked with a bag filled with hard contents. Violence has also marred Spanish politics. Last November, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a co-founder of Spains far-right Vox party, was shot in the face in Madrid, leading to the arrests of five people in connection with the case. In Ireland, the husband and young children of the justice minister, Helen McEntee, were forced to evacuate their home after a bomb scare, while masked people gathered last month outside the home of the integration minister, Roderic OGorman, in unprecedented scenes of aggression at the homes of politicians. Geert Wilders has said the subject of who will be the next prime minister will be discussed at a later date. Photograph: Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters The Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders has agreed the basis of his first rightwing coalition government in the Netherlands. Six months after his shock win of a quarter of parliamentary seats, his anti-Islam, anti-immigration Party for Freedom (PVV) will take the lead in an uneasy four-party coalition. In an agreement that needs to be formally voted through by the individual parliamentary parties on Wednesday evening, he will form a government with the centre-right Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the New Social Contract party (NSC) and the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB). However, the 60-year-old will not become the next Dutch prime minister, in an unconventional and experimental business government arrangement. The good news is that we have a negotiators agreement, but of course, this is only definitive when the parliamentary parties have also agreed, Wilders told the Dutch press late in the afternoon. Politicians refused to say who was in the running to be the next Dutch prime minister. Wilders said: We have spoken about the prime minister today and we will come back to that discussion at a later moment. One leading candidate was thought to be Ronald Plasterk, a former Labour minister turned businessman and Eurosceptic columnist, who led the initial coalition negotiations last year. Pieter Omtzigt, the founder of the NSC, said six or seven subjects had to be thrashed out on the formal deadline day for forming the coalition. He walked out on previous discussions due to reservations about supporting Wilders and is understood to be the major force behind the extra-parliamentary government, with a stronger role for parliamentary votes. In March, the four parties agreed to aim for a partially technocratic government, comprising 50% politicians and 50% from outside politics. Wilders, whose manifesto called for a ban on Islamic schools, mosques and the Quran and for a referendum on leaving the EU, will sit in the Dutch parliament with the other coalition party leaders, including Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, who has taken over leadership of the VVD from the current prime minister, Mark Rutte, and Caroline van der Plas, in a first government role for the BBB. During negotiations, Wilders publicly distanced himself from his anti-Islam stance, and symbolically withdrew three pieces of draft legislation. But the inflammatory politician, who has a criminal record for insulting Dutch-Moroccan people, did not win enough cross-party support to become PM. Tom van der Meer, a professor of political science at the University of Amsterdam, said the consensus-oriented country was entering uncharted territory with the coalition. How it will play out in practice is the primary question. This would indeed be a first government in which the coalition is led by the far right. How this plays out will depend on the type of agreement and the level of commitment of the four coalition parties. Moreover, what tends to be ignored here: the upper house will also have a big say, and there is no majority [for the coalition] there. What observers have already described as a fragile coalition will be faced with challenges including a housing crisis, managing asylum policy, the effects of the climate crisis and balancing budgets now that the lucrative Groningen gas tap is off. The Netherlands is one of a number of European countries experiencing a rise in support for the far right. In Belgium, the nationalist Vlaams Belang is leading the polls in the run-up to European, federal and regional elections. Polling suggests far-right and hardline conservative parties could win the European elections in nine EU states, including the Netherlands although it is unclear how much this would affect the workings of the European parliament. Labor senator Fatima Payman: I must call this out for what it is. This is a genocide and we need to stop pretending otherwise. Photograph: ParlView The Labor senator Fatima Payman has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and has questioned how many deaths would prompt the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, to declare enough. In a significant rupture with the Labor party position, Payman called for sanctions and divestment from Israel and declared from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free a politically charged phrase that Albanese has criticised. But Payman characterised the call as signifying freedom from the occupation, freedom from the violence and freedom from the inequality. Related: Australias support for UN resolution on Palestinian membership not recognition of statehood The Western Australian senator originally intended to read her statement to a rally outside Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday marking the Nakba an Arabic phrase meaning the catastrophe that refers to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians around the time of the establishment of Israel in 1948. Instead she read the statement to two media outlets, acknowledging that there is disillusionment in the community with the [political] parties. Payman said she was terrified at my own inadequacy to stand for what I believe. Today, more than ever, is the time to speak the truth the whole truth with courage and clarity, she told SBS News and Capital Brief. My conscience has been uneasy for far too long. And I must call this out for what it is. This is a genocide and we need to stop pretending otherwise. Payman said she saw leaders, instead of advocating for justice, performatively gesture defending the oppressors right to oppress while gaslighting the global community about the rights of self-defence. I ask our prime minister and our fellow parliamentarians: how many international rights laws must Israel break for us to say enough? What is the magic number? Payman also asked how many Palestinian lives are enough to call this violence against them terrorism and genocide. Palestinian authorities report that 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its military response to Hamass 7 October attacks, when about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were taken hostage. The Israeli government maintains that its military operations are a legitimate response to the Hamas attacks, and has dismissed allegations it is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza as false and outrageous. The international court of justice has yet to make a substantive ruling on genocide allegations levelled by South Africa but said in an interim ruling in January the claims were plausible and ordered Israel to take all steps to prevent genocidal acts and incitement. Payman also mentioned the pro-Palestine encampments that have been set up across universities. She said Australian MPs and senators cannot be disconnected from the people of Australia. We can be on the right side of history so that when the young read about us, they can be proud Australians, knowing that their country at a time when it was needed had the moral clarity to do what is right, that the voices calling for freedom and for justice were heard, she said. I ask you to join me to continue to call for freedom from the occupation, freedom from the violence and freedom from the inequality. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. Albanese has argued that the river to the sea phrase is counter to the two-state solution favoured by the Australian government. In his first response to Paymans comments, Albanese said the government had condemned the terrorist atrocities of October 7 while also calling out Israel for actions and saying that how it defends itself very much matters as well. We have said very clearly that all lives matter, whether they be Israeli or Palestinian, Albanese told Triple J. Albanese avoided rebuking Payman directly, but said: The idea that we here in Australia can determine what is happening in the Middle East is just not correct. What we can do is to make our voice heard for humanitarian concerns. Prominent Jewish groups have labelled the river to the sea phrase as hateful, saying it calls for full Palestinian control in the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea and excludes the possibility of a state of Israel. But advocates including the Palestinian-US writer Yousef Munayyer have argued the phrase express a desire for Palestinians to live in their homeland as free and equal citizens, neither dominated by others nor dominating them. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said in January he would not compromise on full Israeli security control west of the Jordan River. Related: Peter Dutton compares river to the sea chants at pro-Palestinian protests to Hitler The co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, said Payman should immediately apologise for stoking hatred in such a vile way. Ryvchin said the phrase was an old Arab supremacist slogan calling for the destruction of Israel and the ethnic cleansing of its Jewish population. If she cant refrain from using racist slogans at a time of extreme tension in our society, she should consider her position, Ryvchin said. But the president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, Nasser Mashni, thanked Payman for speaking truth to power in the interests of the sanctity of human life and human rights. The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, distanced himself from Paymans comment about genocide. Its not the word I would use, Marles told ABC Melbourne. Payman used her first speech to the Senate to describe how her family fled Taliban-ruled Afghanistan shortly after her birth. I stand before you tonight as a young woman, as a Western Australian, as a Muslim devout to her faith, proud of her heritage and grateful to this beautiful country, she told the Senate in 2022. NHS IT system Everyone who works in the National Health Service has their own stories of technological woe. On the morning of the day I spoke to him, Prof Sunil Bhandari, the vice president of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and a nephrology consultant, had to delay his clinic because a specialist printer used to print labels for blood tests wasnt working. Not a great start to the day, he sighs. Before chatting to me, Dr Adrian Boyle, the president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, asked a WhatsApp group of NHS lead consultants about their IT struggles. He got a flurry of replies. They all had something to say on this. Its an issue that bothers people. A lot. One of Boyles colleagues said his computer is so slow that it comes with a coffee break after every click. Another complained that it took over a quarter of an hour to order a CT scan because his computer crashed three times. Some doctors say their computer can take up to an hour just to boot up when they come on shift. Even much heralded moves to adopt really quite basic technology are inadvertently highlighting how archaic some of the NHSs processes and systems can be. Just last November, the Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust introduced new software to help reduce their waiting lists and improve surgery planning systems. It has, the trust claims, already resulted in fewer on-the-day cancellations and a number of patients receiving treatment sooner than they otherwise would have done, which is great news. However, NHS Englands press release announcing this ostensibly positive outcome contained a very telling sentence: The use of technology is also helping the trust move away from paper diaries. This is not just a question of software upgrades but, in at least some cases, the belated introduction of computer systems to replace dead trees and biros. And note the tense: this is, in 2024, still an ongoing process. Around 86 per cent of NHS organisations have some form of electronic patient record in place, according to NHS England, but, of course, that means 14 per cent do not. A remarkable 55 per cent of social care providers are similarly still working off paper records. Only 20 per cent of NHS organisations are described as digitally mature. When Ann Garner, a retired medical secretary, joined the NHS in 1991, she attended numerous seminars extolling the virtues of the new computer technology to be rolled out over the next five to 10 years across the UK. This was supposed to hold the medical records of everyone, wherever in the UK they lived. When I retired in 2006 after 16 years service, we were still relying on pen and paper to avoid outages, down time and crashes, says Garner. From what I see now as a consumer rather than an employee, nothing much has changed. The NHS is nothing if not a paradox. It is venerated by the British public but also considered to be broken. The health service is the biggest item in the Governments budget, costing 160 billion a year, and yet it seems to be perpetually underfunded. These incongruities will only worsen as the population ages and treatments become more expensive. One of the great hopes of squaring the circle is to adopt technology that makes the NHS more efficient and therefore able to do more with less. In this years Budget, Jeremy Hunt announced the Government would be spending 3.4 billion on improving NHS productivity. The NHS has been running several pilot projects that use artificial intelligence to write up clinical notes, discharge summaries and GP letters, freeing up doctors to spend more time with patients. The Chancellor claims such initiatives will help save 35 billion by 2030. Last November, NHS England awarded Palantir, the US tech company, a 480 million contract to build a Federated Data Platform (despite fierce opposition from privacy campaigners). It is envisioned as a cloud storage system that will bring together healthcare data currently stored on separate systems, allowing staff to access the information they need in one safe and secure environment by 2027. But NHS staff and managers say theres a danger that a focus on such big ticket items may result in little being done about the ageing hardware or lack of interoperability between systems, which Sir Julian Hartley, the chief executive of NHS Providers, describes as stones in peoples shoes. Everyone is getting understandably excited about artificial intelligence because of its potential benefits for patients, staff and healthcare but it would be good to have up-to-date hardware with fewer and more rapid logins, adds Hartley, who was previously the chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, one of the largest in the country. If youre running a trust with IT that doesnt work properly, layering fancy new software on top of old hardware can feel like a wasted effort. Interoperability, or lack thereof, tends to be the biggest complaint. While there are isolated exceptions, GPs across most of the country cant access hospital records and hospitals cant see GP files. The Royal College of General Practitioners conducted a recent survey of its members in which almost two thirds said the ability of their systems to exchange information with hospitals was not fit for purpose. Doctors and nurses in accident and emergency departments can often feel like they are flying blind in trusts that dont have fully linked-up databases. Patients will often be brought in unconscious. Staff may be able to ID them, but still not know what medicines they are taking or whether they have a history of mental illness. Theres a clear safety risk every time we see patients without knowing everything about them, says Boyle. Doctors also need to open multiple systems to deal with one patient. The clinical portal (which provides access to the digital medical records of patients) will often be on a different system to those used to manage referrals, patient observations, blood results, bed management and radiology (to name but a few). This means clinicians often have to juggle with multiple systems (most probably on a prehistoric computer) in order to manage a single patients care. One trust did an audit and found staff require eight different log-ins to gain access to the multiple different systems. Doctors complain of not having enough room on their screens to view all the necessary information. And those systems are often not particularly intuitive. It can, for instance, take up to 10 clicks to order a simple blood test, staff say. And, despite the fact that doctors need a smartcard to authenticate their identities when they access the system, they are constantly having to fill in the same details over and over again when ordering tests and X-rays. Many NHS computers are running on old software, meaning systems are slow and vulnerable to ransomware attacks. As recently as 2020, the NHS was migrating devices wherever possible from both Windows XP, which was last updated in 2008, and Windows 7 to Windows 10 which was released in 2015. Last June, the NHS signed a 775m contract to licence Microsofts Office 365 - the first version of which was released in 2011. As of last year, the NHS still owned 600 fax machines and used 79,000 pagers. A lack of air conditioning in server rooms often results in outages when hardware overheats during the summer. Some trusts dont have enough terminals on the wards so nurses use pen and paper to take notes and later transfer the information when terminals become available. Nurses are also frequently accessing the internet via mobile data on their phones because the Wi-Fi in hospitals is so patchy. Following a request for readers to share their run-ins with NHS IT, Harriet Barr told us how her midwife would take long and detailed notes by hand, which she would then have to spend hours transcribing into a computer. I asked if they had considered getting tablets, she told me they all had iPads, but they were useless because the connectivity was too unreliable in some regions so notes didnt upload. So most just stuck with paper. Doctors have to complete the same induction course each time they move to a new hospital because theres no record on a centralised system of them having completed it at their previous residency. Theres rarely the option to complete the course online before they start on day one meaning countless working hours are wasted. This list goes on. And on. And on. So many hurdles feel unnecessary The view is no less frustrating from the outside looking in. There are many forward-thinking people in the NHS, but there is huge momentum, and it takes a long time to turn the ship, says John Kosobucki, the chief executive of OX.DH, a healthcare technology provider of a variety of services including digital consent forms and a specialised version of Microsoft Teams for remote consultations. There are many examples of disjointed islands of systems, data and paper that result in too many people not getting the best holistic care possible. Kosobucki argues there are solutions out there in the business world that were all familiar with, and modern cloud architecture has provided the mechanisms to transform shopping, travel, banking and other industries. He points out that all large corporations have to manage staff, help them communicate, schedule work and handle sensitive data. Of course, the NHS is different. But not that different, says Kosobucki. It can be draining to continually encounter hurdles that often feel unnecessary. However, the potential and possibility of delivering really positive results across the entire health service are so huge that you just keep at it. That said, only those inside the NHS can fully understand the enormous obstacles to change and the many competing priorities. Its easy to make superficial judgments from the outside, to say that things should be better and the NHS is dragging its feet, says Hartley. But the complexity is mind-boggling. Most trusts have hundreds of databases. Adopting a new electronic patient record system [a digital platform that brings all your patient information, from medical history to results of investigations and medications prescribed, together in one place] is a major change programme and one of the most toe-curling things you can do as a trust leader because of how complex and challenging these projects can be. Inevitably trusts will end up paying more than the sticker price for this solution. Epic, Cerner and Meditech [third-party prescribing and administration software used at some trusts] all offer superb electronic health record solutions, says Boyle. But the costs are eye-watering. They have also been described to me as build-your-own-Ferrari-kits. If you buy them you also need to employ very high-quality technicians or things can go very badly wrong. Then there is the question of how much capital trusts have for investment. A lot of their money is accounted for in day-to-day spending. Some trusts have maxed out their budgets just dealing with their physical infrastructure and fixing leaking roofs. The NHS estate is showing its age. The bill just to deal with backlog maintenance has more than doubled in real terms over the last decade from 5.4bn to 12.5bn, according to Institute for Fiscal Studies. Half of the scheduled works are now in the critical and urgent categories. The situation has been exacerbated by recent industrial action because the NHS has had to use investment budgets to pay for staff overtime and cover, the IFS says. This has a knock-on effect on the amount of money left over for technology. Another of the NHSs paradoxes is that the other great hope for modernising healthcare, alongside better technology, is greater decentralisation. This was the main rationale behind the creation of 42 Integrated Care Systems (ICS) with the passing of the Health Care Act in 2022. These are designed to get NHS bodies, local authorities and charities to work together and think about healthcare services in a more holistic way. One example is the attempt by West Yorkshires ICS to reduce homelessness, which makes perfect sense when you realise that, on average, homeless people are eight times more likely than other people to end up in A&E. But critics worry that the ICSs introduction will add an extra layer of bureaucracy to an organisation that is hardly short of middle managers. New bodies may make it even harder to get new fixes adopted. At any one time, NHS trusts may be running hundreds of tech pilot schemes. However, even if these are demonstrably successful, they very rarely get adopted by other trusts. The good news is that there is just so much low hanging fruit for the NHS to pick in terms of inexpensive modern tech solutions that would save time and money, says Kosobucki. Unfortunately, as a very large organisation, its not great at identifying those solutions and, even when it does, it faces challenges in scaling them out across the whole country. You have to be an optimist in the NHS Hartley argues that tension between the local and national has been a constant problem since the founding of the NHS and just needs to be managed. We know from experience that a one-size-fits-all approach doesnt work either, he says. Managing the NHS from above by diktat can be just as bureaucratic. In his book Zero, which reflects on his time as health secretary, Hunt recalls asking one hospital how many instructions it was being sent related to patient safety. The answer: 108 documents a year. Hartley says hes hopeful the decision to fold NHS Digital back into NHS England is a good move that will help strike the right balance. It should mean that the decisions made around technology are better aligned with overall priorities and that strategy is connected back into delivery, he says. Doctors and nurses working on the front line hold on to the hope that newer hardware and better integrated systems will eventually allow them to spend more time doing what theyre trained for: looking after patients. We might get there before I retire, says Bhandari. Im 58, so maybe Im being overly optimistic. But you have to be optimistic to work in the NHS. Your input will shape how we report on this series. Please use the form below to send us your stories of Broken Britain and what other parts of our fractured institutions we should be shining a light on. Next week, we tackle the UKs low wages crisis, including how the tax system is encouraging some workers to keep their pay artificially low to avoid crossing thresholds that would result in higher bills. Share your stories below... Anya Taylor-Joy in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga - Jasin Boland, Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Alright, stop me if youve heard this one before. A train is hammering across an arid landscape when suddenly, out of the wilds, bandits descend. Scrambling along the vehicles flanks like ants on a picnic basket, the raiders daringly do battle with the crew. Bodies are yanked from windows, and sizzling bundles of dynamite lobbed back in, as the ground hurtles treacherously past. This could be a description of a sequence from a western made 100 years ago. In fact, its the centrepiece action scene from one of the most anticipated blockbusters of 2024. But then Furiosa, the new Mad Max film, which premiered at Cannes tonight, is cinema at its most soul-pricklingly primal. Its the sort of film that makes you feel like the past century of Hollywood might have been a detour, and the machine has now been hauled back on course. Mad Maxs creator, George Miller, is a known silent-film fiend it was no coincidence that his previous entry in the series, 2015s Oscar-winning Fury Road, shared both its structure and breakneck spirit with Buster Keatons The General. And with its adrenalin-jabs of fast motion and pared-down approach to dialogue (as Furiosa herself a younger version of the character played in the previous film by Charlize Theron lead actress Anya Taylor-Joy has only around 30 lines), this latest entrys debt to the olden days is every bit as plain. Its debt to the even older days, however, is something else. Furiosas posters are selling the film as a Mad Max saga and while the S-word is often just a marketing euphemism for long, here its entirely correctly applied. Miller and his co-writer Nico Lathouris have structured their screenplay like an epic told by firelight. In place of plot, we get a run of discrete yet connected tales that feel less like a speculative sci-fi forecast than an attempt from within the film to explain how things got where they are now: storytelling as both myth and map. Only after around an hour of episodes from Furiosas childhood does Taylor-Joy actually appear at which point shes immediately forced to come of age as a warrior in a high-speed skirmish that runs for around 15 minutes, but somehow feels like it lasts for both 10 seconds and a couple of weeks. (The stunt work is every bit as wondrous if less relentless than Fury Roads.) Chris Hemsworth in Furiosa - JASIN BOLAND And then theres a tribal war to survive, waged by her two male captors: Dementus, a chariot-straddling firebrand-cum-diabolical-father-figure played by a smartly cast-against-type Chris Hemsworth, and Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme), the scrofulous lord of the desert citadel from which Fury Road blasted off at pace. Despite its vast scope, Furiosa wastes no time setting the scene. It just tears off from the starting line and like Max always had to, we grab what we can on the hoof. And with Miller in flame-grilled Tolkien mode, theres much to snatch at: he knows that the sound and feel of things, like the way Hemsworths character pronounces piquant puh-quaint, can evoke more of a world than hours of narration ever could. The film may handle differently to its predecessor, but its clearly been tuned by the same engineers. After the pared-down drag racer, here comes the juggernaut. 15 cert, 140 min. In UK cinemas from May 24 The pro-Palestinian encampment at Harvard University on 25 April 2024. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters Harvards Gaza solidarity encampment has peacefully ended after university administrators agreed to meet with protesters about their demands surrounding divestment from Israel. After nearly three weeks, students protesting against Israels invasion of Gaza voluntarily dismantled their tents at the Ivy League college in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Related: Duke students walk out of Jerry Seinfeld graduation speech in Gaza protest Some other protests across the US saw colleges crack down on the encampments, resulting in suspensions, mass arrests and incidents of police brutality as law enforcement was called on to campuses. The decision came after Harvard interim president Alan Garber agreed to a meeting between university officials such as Hopi Hoekstra, dean of the faculty of arts and sciences, and representatives from the universitys endowment manager, Harvard Management Company to discuss the protesters demands. Some of the demands are disclosure of financial ties to Israel, divestment from those ties and the creation of a Center for Palestine Studies. Harvard reiterated in a statement that the endowment will not be used as a tool for political means and that the university resisted calls for divestment. Harvard has the worlds largest academic endowment, valued at roughly $50bn. Protesters also demand that the suspensions of more than 20 students and student workers be retracted and that no disciplinary action be taken against 60 others, to which the university agreed. Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine (Hoop), the group of students leading the encampment protest, said while the encampment is coming down, it is not an end to the movement. We are under no illusions: we do not believe these meetings are divestment wins. These side-deals are intended to pacify us away from full disclosure & divestment. Rest assured, they will not, the group said on Instagram. Hoop added it does not measure the success of the encampment in meetings, but rather in organizing capacity and consciousness. Harvards encampment protest was born out of the one started by students at Columbia University in New York City in April. Since then, more than 80 universities across the US, and several more around the world, started encampment protests against Israels occupation of Palestinian land and in support of the more than 35,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the current war. Israel launched its current military assault on Gaza in response to Hamas fighters attacking Israel on 7 October 2023, killing roughly 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Israels response has triggered what the UN calls full-blown famine in parts of Gaza and triggered widespread outrage around the world, though the US remains a staunch ally of the country. Sex diversity in the operating room optimises staff performance. Photograph: sturti/Getty Images Hospital surgical teams that include more female doctors improve patient outcomes, lower the risk of serious complications and could in turn reduce healthcare costs, according to the worlds largest study of its kind. Studies show diversity is important in business, finance, tech, education and the law not only for equity but for output. However, evidence supporting the value of sex diversity in healthcare teams has been limited. Now researchers who examined more than 700,000 operations spanning a decade report that hospitals with more women in their surgical teams provide better outcomes for patients. The findings were published in the British Journal of Surgery. Care in hospitals with greater anaesthesia-surgery team sex diversity was associated with better postoperative outcomes, the researchers concluded. The main takeaway for clinical practice and health policy is that increasing operating room teams sex diversity is not a question of representation or social justice, but an important part of optimising performance. Healthcare institutions should intentionally foster sex diversity in operating room teams to potentially reduce major morbidity, which, in turn, can enhance patient satisfaction and reduce costs. In the study, led by the University of Toronto, researchers analysed 709,899 elective operations that took place in 88 hospitals in Ontario, Canada, between 2009 and 2019. Of those surgeries, 90-day major morbidity serious complications within three months of the operation occurred in 14.4% of cases. The median proportion of female anaesthesiologists and surgeons a hospital a year was 28%. Overall, female surgeons performed 47,874 (6.7%) of the operations. Female anaesthesiologists treated patients in 192,144 (27%) of operations. Hospitals with teams comprising more than 35% female surgeons and anaesthesiologists had better postoperative outcomes, the study found. Operations in such hospitals were associated with a 3% reduction in the odds of 90-day postoperative major morbidity in patients. The researchers noted that the 35% threshold they observed echoed findings from research in other industries in various countries, including the US, Italy, Australia and Japan, that also showed better outcomes once teams had 35% female members. Care by a female surgeon increased the association of higher team sex diversity with outcomes, whereas this was not observed for care by a male surgeon, the researchers added. This indicates that having higher team sex diversity and care by a female surgeon had a greater association with outcomes than the sum of each. The same was observed for care by female anaesthetists. Dr Julie Hallet, the lead author of the study at the University of Toronto, said: These results are the start of an important shift in understanding the way in which diversity contributes to quality in perioperative care. Ensuring a critical mass of female anaesthesiologists and surgeons in operative teams isnt just about equity; it seems necessary to optimise performance. Related: Esther McVey planning crackdown on civil service diversity initiatives Previous studies have suggested that patients who are operated on by women are less likely to experience complications or need follow-up care than when treated by men. However, Hallet said her research team wanted to challenge the binary discourse of comparing female and male clinicians and instead highlight the importance of diversity as a team asset or bonus in enhancing quality care. Improving sex diversity in surgical teams will require intentional effort to ensure systematic recruitment and retainment policies for female doctors, she added. America is not the all-powerful nation it pretends to be - Khaled Abdullah/Reuters Americans are taught at a young age to not only love their country but to marvel at its power. Whether its on the stump, during speeches or at a press event, politicians and policymakers on both ends of the political spectrum are quick to marvel at just how impactful the United States is around the world. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albrights contention that the US is the indispensable nation is still a central part of the American vocabulary. As President Biden told the nation last October, America is a beacon to the world...We are, as my friend Madeleine Albright said, the indispensable nation. Its hard not to be sympathetic to this line of argument. The US, after all, holds a quarter of the worlds gross domestic product. The US military is second to none, with the US spending more on defense than the next nine countries combined. The US has extensive influence in international commerce; 58 per cent of global currency reserves are in US dollars, Washington holds significant influence in international economic institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and Americas system of alliances is unrivaled by any other major power. Yet what US policymakers frequently fail to grasp is that power doesnt necessarily equate to unlimited influence. The architects of US foreign policy all too often assume the US is all powerful, that it can will events out of whole cloth and coerce friends and adversaries alike to adapt their policies to Washingtons liking. This assumption is almost universal yet has been disproven time and time again, particularly in the Middle East. Take Yemen. The Houthis, the de-facto government in the country, has been treating the Red Sea as its own personal firing range since November. The Iran-backed militia has attacked civilian vessels and US Navy ships transiting the waterway more than 100 times over that time-span, ostensibly in support of the Palestinians. Houthi leaders have been abundantly clear throughout: the attacks in the Red Sea will continue as long as Israel continues fighting in Gaza. The Biden administration, in cooperation with the United Kingdom, has attempted to change the Houthis strategic calculus by taking military action against their assets on the ground. The US and UK have conducted four rounds of comprehensive airstrikes against Houthi military facilities across Yemen, the latest occurring in February. US Air Force and Navy jets have shot down Houthi drones and missiles multiple times a week, in addition to striking Houthi ground locations. Yet the mere fact that the US is taking military action every week is proof that US policy isnt impacting the Houthis decision-making whatsoever. The Houthi missiles keep on coming. Iran is yet another example, and perhaps the most prevalent. During the Trump administration, Iran was public enemy number one. Trump, prodded by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton, withdrew from the Obama-era Iran nuclear agreement and reimposed the economic sanctions previously lifted under the deal. The maximum pressure strategy was designed to bring the Iranian economy to a point where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would have no choice but to beg for forgiveness and sign a new deal on Americas terms. Irans economy plummeted, no doubt. Irans crude oil exports plunged from 1.8 million barrels a day in 2017 to about 445,000 barrels a day in 2020 a 76 per cent decrease. Yet the economic pain didnt produce any positive policy results on the nuclear file. If anything, the Iranian nuclear problem got even worse. Tehran, free from any nuclear constraints, started installing more centrifuges, using centrifuges of higher quality, brought enrichment to a higher level and downgraded the International Atomic Energy Agencys access. Iran is now as close to nuclear-bomb fuel as its ever been. None of this isnt to suggest the US isnt a powerful state. Rather, the point is that the US often inflates its power, underestimates the power of other states to resist US dictates and is overly confident that whatever challenges exist along the way can be easily brushed aside. The reality is far more complex its about time US officials acknowledged it. Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, visits army units on the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip near Rafah, on May 7 - Anadolu Israels defence minister issued a rare rebuke of Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, accusing the prime minister of dithering over the future of post-war Gaza. In a televised address, Yoav Gallant challenged Mr Netanyahu to rule out Israel taking permanent control of the Gaza Strip, as his hard-Right coalition partners have urged. He called on the prime minister to take tough decisions to usher in a Palestinian-led government to offer an alternative to rule by Hamas. Indecision will erode the military gains (of the war), he said, adding that he had got no response from various decision-making forums on what Mr Netanyahu envisioned the future of the enclave to be. The United States, Israels main ally, has long urged Mr Netanyahu to come up with a plan for the day after the war, but the prime minister has resisted offering clarity for fear it would see the defections from his precarious coalition from either the Right or the Left win. Yoav Gallant and Benjamin Netanyahu address a press conference in The Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, in October 2023 - ABIR SULTAN/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Mr Gallants remarks came amid renewed heavy fighting in the north of Gaza, where the IDF says Hamas is regrouping in response to a power vacuum. The end of the military campaign must come together with political action. The day after Hamas will only be achieved with Palestinian entities taking control of Gaza, accompanied by international actors, establishing a governing alternative to Hamass rule. This, above all, is an interest of the State of Israel, Mr Gallant said. He also went public with concerns that hard-Right voices are encouraging Mr Netanyahu to occupy Gaza, something he described as a negative and dangerous option for Israels long-term security. We have to make tough decisions: advancing the national interest over all other interests, even if this requires paying personal or political costs, he said in a clear reference to Mr Netanyahus fence-sitting. Mr Netanyahu promptly responded with a video message, saying he is unwilling to replace Hamas with Fatahistan, referring to the West Banks ruling Fatah party. He brushed off the challenge to act on the future of Gaza, saying that as long as Hamas remains, no other actor else will run Gaza certainly not the Palestinian Authority (PA). US backs Palestinian Authority role The United States has proposed that some form of the PA eventually take control of Gaza. Mr Gallants intervention essentially challenged Mr Netanyahu to choose between Israels major ally or the countrys most hardline politicians. Antony Blinken, the United States secretary of state, early on Wednesday called for a clear and concrete plan for the future of Gaza as he argued we cannot have a vacuum in Gaza thats likely to be filled by chaos. Divisions on the issue of a post-war Gaza in the government were laid bare on Wednesday evening as prominent Hard-right voices lashed out at Mr Gallant for being unpatriotic. Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, called the cabinet to hold a vote to prevent the PA from getting involved in Gaza and fire Mr Gallant if he disagrees. Defense Minister Gallant today announced his support for the establishment of a Palestinian terrorist state as a reward for terrorism and Hamas for the most terrible massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust, Mr Smotrich said in a video message on Twitter as he warned against the move that would endanger the existence of the State of Israel. Mr Smotrichs ally Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, called for the defence ministers resignation. Yoav Gallant visiting an IDF position along the border with the Gaza Strip near Rafah. Photograph: Israeli Army/AFP/Getty A long-festering split at the heart of Israels war cabinet has burst into the open with the defence minister, Yoav Gallant, challenging the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to come up with plans for the day after the war in Gaza, and saying he would not permit any solution where Israeli military or civil governance were in the territory. Gallants comments, immediately backed by his fellow minister Benny Gantz, plunged Israels leadership into a highly public row, in the midst of the Gaza conflict, raising immediate speculation over his future in the Israeli government and of Netanyahus fractious coalition. In uncompromising remarks, Gallant whose firing last year by Netanyahu triggered mass protests, a political crisis and an eventual reversal by the PM publicly demanded that Netanyahu describe plans for a day-after plan for Gaza. Gallants comments provoked an immediate political row, with Netanyahu pushing back rapidly with a videotaped statement and a call from the far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, for Gallant to be replaced. Related: UN says it has no more food or tents for nearly 2m people in Gaza Gallant was backed, however, by his fellow senior minister Benny Gantz, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, who said Gallant had spoken the truth. At a press conference on Wednesday evening in Tel Aviv, Gallant said he had asked for an alternative governing body to Hamas to be found, and did not receive a response. In his remarks, Gallant criticised the lack of any political planning for the day after. Gallants comments come after months of tension between the two men and recent reports in the Hebrew media that senior IDF officers had become concerned that the lack of an alternative to Hamas was forcing the IDF to return and fight in areas where they claimed Hamas had already been defeated, including northern Gaza, which has seen heavy fighting this week. As early as October 7, the military establishment said that it was necessary to work towards finding an alternative to Hamas, Gallant said, adding, the end of the military campaign is a political decision. The day after Hamas will only be achieved by actors who replace Hamas. This is first and foremost an Israeli interest. Gallant said that military planning was not raised for a discussion, and worse, no alternative was brought in its place. A military-civilian regime in Gaza is a bad and dangerous alternative for the state of Israel. I will not agree to the establishment of a military government in Gaza, he said, adding a civilian-military regime in Gaza will become the main effort in there and come at the expense of other arenas. We will pay for it in blood and victims and it will come at a heavy economic cost. The comments by Gallant appeared to be the culmination of growing frustration with Netanyahu among Israels military leadership. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh insisted on Wednesday that the militant group will be involved in deciding postwar rule in Gaza along with other Palestinian factions. We say that the Hamas movement is here to stay and it will be the movement and all national [Palestinian] factions who will decide the postwar rule in Gaza, he said in a televised address. Elsewhere, Gallant said he would not support a controversial plan for compulsory enlistment of ultra-Orthodox Jews, appearing to throw down a direct challenge to Netanyahu to fire him. Replying to Gallant, Netanyahu once again ruled out a Palestinian administration in Gaza while Hamas still exists, adding that Hamass destruction must be pursued without excuses. Netanyahu said: After the terrible massacre, I ordered the destruction of Hamas. IDF fighters and the security forces are fighting for this. As long as Hamas remains, no other actor will run Gaza certainly not the Palestinian Authority. Ben-Gvir and the communications minister, Shlomo Karhi, quickly called for Gallant to be fired from his position. Such a defence minister must be replaced in order to achieve the wars goals, said Ben-Gvir, adding: From [Gallants] point of view, there is no difference between whether Gaza will be controlled by Israeli soldiers or whether Hamas murderers control it. This is the essence of the defence ministers conception, which failed on October 7 and continues to fail even now. Netanyahu will be acutely aware of the huge political risks of firing Gallant for a second time after his previous forced climbdown. Keir Starmer will be pictured with his sleeves rolled up and text about my first steps for change. Photograph: Carlos Jasso/Reuters Keir Starmer will on Thursday unveil his version of New Labours pledge card for the next general election with six key commitments put up in lights as part of his partys offer to swing voters. The campaign material, which will be distributed to voters on doorsteps across England, will be revealed at an event in Essex as the Labour leader launches the partys biggest advertising blitz since the 2019 election. His commitments, which include stabilising the economy, cutting NHS waiting times, setting up Great British Energy, cracking down on antisocial behaviour and recruiting 6,500 new teachers, are the latest step in his five national missions. However, he is also pledging a sixth the launch of a new border security command after the party was criticised for not having a separate mission for migration with the topic of small boats rising up the political agenda. A Labour spokesperson said the electorate was right to be concerned about migration and, dismissing the Tories Rwanda deportation plan, added we have a plan for the whole problem. They have a plan for 1% of it. Labour insiders said that the six consumer focused issues were chosen as they were expected to go down well in battleground areas where the party is hoping to pick up swing voters at the general election. However, they denied it meant that other policy issues, such as housing and workers rights, had been de-prioritised, citing the example of the national minimum wage, one of New Labours biggest achievements, which had not been on Tony Blairs pledge card in 1997. A party spokesperson said the pledges were not the sum total of what a Labour government hopes to achieve, and that it stood by other commitments already made. He did not, however, say whether there would be new pledges in the manifesto. Instead, the spokesperson said the policies were a bridge to longer-term plans with each of the commitments to be achieved in the first term of a Labour government. The party conceded the word pledge had lost its currency as trust in politics has been eroded over recent years, but suggested they would aim to explain exactly how policies would be implemented and paid for. The campaign event, which will be attended by the whole shadow cabinet off the back of a successful set of local results, represents the partys biggest spend on advertising since the race against Boris Johnson in 2019. It will include vans and billboards, as well as regional newspaper adverts in battleground seats, with local campaign materials to hand out to voters. There will be different versions for Scotland and Wales. Starmer is pictured with his sleeves rolled up and text about my first steps for change, with party insiders admitting there was a deliberate decision to put his personal stamp on the campaign, despite mixed personal approval ratings. Amid frenzied speculation about a surprise guest at the event, senior party figures have ruled out there being another defection from the Conservatives today, after rightwinger Natalie Elphickes shock move to Labour last week. Labour has denied any significance launching its pledges in Essex, saying it was just one of many battleground areas, although party elections chief, Pat McFadden, has told the Guardian it is planning to target the south of England heavily at the general election. At a shadow cabinet meeting before the event, Starmer said the pledge card showed his first steps towards delivering his missions were a down payment on change. What is crucial about these commitments is that they are part of a long-term plan to get Britain back on its feet, he added. Each of the first steps would chime with voters aspirations, show a clear set of priorities and a powerful direction of travel. Kevin Spacey was cleared by courts in both the UK and the US of allegations of sexual assault - TIM CLARKE FOR THE TELEGRAPH Kevin Spacey must be allowed to resume his Hollywood acting career after being wrongly cancelled for seven years, leading stars including Sharon Stone and Liam Neeson have told The Telegraph. In a series of statements issued to this newspaper, the A-list celebrities have come out publicly for the first time to insist the continuing witch hunt against Spacey must now end. The two-time Oscar winner has been effectively blacklisted by the film and theatre industry since 2017 despite being cleared by courts in the UK and the US of allegations of sexual assault. The celebrities have now begun a campaign for his rehabilitation in the wake of a Channel 4 documentary which Stephen Fry, the British actor and author, lambasted for an unjustified and disproportionate attack on his character. F Murray Abraham, the Oscar-winning actor, said he vouched for Spacey unequivocally and accused his detractors of being vultures for attacking a man who has publicly accepted his responsibility for certain behaviour, unlike so many others. In an interview with The Telegraphs Allison Pearson, Spacey, 64, said he was the victim of a rush to judgment in the wake of the MeToo movement unleashed by allegations made against the Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. Spacey said all he had wanted after being accused of a series of sexual misdemeanours was for people to ask questions and investigate. And I am well aware that that did not happen. He said that even if he could go back in time prior to the allegations when none of the bad stuff will have happened, he wouldnt do so because, despite the challenges and the difficulties and the pain and the bad days, Ive also witnessed the most beautiful demonstrations of friendship and love and family. Sharon Stone told The Telegraph that perhaps Spacey had been a victim of his own fame and success - JAMIE MCCARTHY/GETTY Spacey, who won Oscars for The Usual Suspects and American Beauty, was fired from the hit Netflix series House of Cards after the actor Anthony Rapp alleged Spacey, then aged 26, had molested him when he was 14 in the 1980s in his Manhattan apartment. A jury in a civil trial in New York sided with Spacey, finding him not liable, and concluded the event had never taken place. Spacey was also cleared in a criminal trial in London after allegations of alleged sexual assault were made by four other men. But despite being cleared, Spacey has struggled to find work, and according to sources, now risks losing his home in Baltimore in the US. The Channel 4 documentary has so incensed his friends that they have now begun to go public for the first time, insisting he be reinstated and recognised as one of the greatest actors of his generation. Stone, the most bankable female star of the 90s in films such as Basic Instinct, suggested in a statement that Spacey had been a victim of his own fame and success. She told The Telegraph: I cant wait to see Kevin back at work. He is a genius. He is so elegant and fun, generous to a fault and knows more about our craft than most of us ever will. She said it was clear aspiring actors had wanted and want to be around him, adding: Its terrible that they are blaming him for not being able to come to terms with themselves for using him and negotiating with themselves because they didnt get their secret agendas. Neeson, one of Britains biggest stars since starring in Schindlers List 30 years ago, said: I was deeply saddened to learn of these accusations against him. Kevin is a good man and a man of character. Hes sensitive, articulate and non-judgemental, with a terrific sense of humour. He is also one of our finest artists in the theatre and on camera. Personally speaking, our industry needs him and misses him greatly. Liam Neeson is among the celebrities who have told The Telegraph that the witch hunt against Spacey must end - TODD OWYOUNG/NBC/GETTY F Murray Abraham, Oscar winner for his role as Salieri in Amadeus, said he counted Spacey as a friend, adding: I vouch for him unequivocally. Who are these vultures who attack a man who has publicly accepted his responsibility for certain behaviour, unlike so many others? Abraham went on: He is a fine man, I stand with him, and let he who is without sin cast the first stone. In a withering assessment of the Channel 4 documentary, Fry accepted that Spacey had been both clumsy and inappropriate on many occasions but that to bracket him with the likes of Harvey Weinstein and to continue to harass and hound him, to devote a whole documentary to accusations that simply do not add up to crimes how can that be considered proportionate and justified? Fry said Spaceys reputation had already been wrecked, adding: Surely it is wrong to continue to batter a reputation on the strength of assertion and rhetoric rather than evidence and proof? He added: Unless Im missing something I think he has paid the price. Sir Trevor Nunn, the former artistic director of both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, said the UK believed in the rule of law, adding: Kevin Spacey faced long court proceedings in the UK and was found, by the jury, to be innocent of all charges. But now, a Channel 4 documentary is urging viewers to believe that the accused is guilty, whatever a jury may have previously decided. Sir Trevor had directed Spacey in two productions at The Old Vic in London where Spacey was artistic director and described him as an actor of genius, on stage and on screen. Sir Trevor said: In light of the courts verdict, surely it is time for this man to be forgiven for whatever poor judgments he may have made in the past and allowed to resume his career, after seven years of exile? In a statement, Channel 4 said it was standing by its documentary, broadcast over two nights last week. A spokesman said: Spacey Unmasked is an important film exploring the balance of power and inappropriate behaviour in a work environment, aiming to give a voice to those who have previously been unable to speak out. Daniel Graham (C) and Adam Carruthers (R) outside Newcastle magistrates court on Wednesday. Photograph: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images A man has pleaded not guilty to felling the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland and causing damage to Hadrians Wall last September. Daniel Graham, 38, of Carlisle and Adam Carruthers, 31, of Wigton attended a hearing at Newcastle magistrates court on Wednesday after being charged with criminal damage for allegedly cutting down the tree. Graham entered pleas of not guilty, while Carruthers entered no plea. The 300-year-old sycamore was named Englands tree of the year in 2016. It featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and was a popular site for stargazing and marriage proposals. The criminal damage caused by chopping down the landmark has been valued at more than 620,000, according to court charges. The defendants are also accused of causing 1,144 worth of damage to Hadrians Wall, a Unesco world heritage site, which was hit by the falling tree. The district judge, Zoe Passfield, declined jurisdiction, saying: This case is too serious to be heard in the magistrates court. The pair will attend Newcastle crown court on 12 June for their next hearing and they were both granted unconditional bail in the meantime. Sycamore trees are native to continental Europe. Claims for exactly when they were introduced to the UK range from as early as the Roman empire to the Tudors in the 16th century. A local man, Michael Palmer, told the Guardian: Sycamore Gap is a Northumberland symbol, more than a piece of landscape, more than just a tree; its as instantly recognisable as the Palace of Westminster or the Liver Building. Northumberland national park has said the trunk of the sycamore will be put on display at the Sill. It has called on artists to come up with ideas for an exhibition to preserve the trees legacy. The Collectiecentrum Amsterdam Museum on 30 October 2023. Photograph: Courtesy of Amsterdam Museum Representatives for some of the Lenape people have called for an apology and reparations for the 17th-century Dutch settling of New Amsterdam, the place that is now New York. Precisely four centuries after the Dutch established a colony at the mouth of the Hudson River, some descendants of Indigenous Americans believe it is time for a fuller story of the wars on their people, slavery, exploitation and dispersal. Their call for recognition comes at the opening of the first exhibition in Amsterdam exploring the colonisation of North America from the perspective of the Lenape four nations that once fished, hunted beavers and lived on that land. Our overall collective eventually will want to see an apology to the Lenape people, said Brent Stonefish, 48, from the Eelunaapeewi Lahkeewiit (Delaware Nation) community in Ontario, Canada, at a press opening at the Amsterdam Museum. Related: South Dakota governor banned from seven Native American reservations in her own state We have already set precedents with an apology for the African and Caribbean slave trade. In an ideal world, an apology is to all the Lenape across Turtle Island [America] and reparation from Dutch government because weve lost a lot. Weve lost culture, weve lost language, weve lost connection to our homelands We were massacred all the way up to Ontario. He said that the Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, and King Willem-Alexanders recent apologies for slavery set a precedent, claiming there is evidence that Native Americans were also trafficked and enslaved. Stonefish is one of a number of representatives of four Lenape nations who have contributed to the exhibition at Amsterdam Museum: Manahahtaanung or New Amsterdam? The Indigenous Story Behind New York. The show, which runs from 16 May until 10 November, includes historic and contemporary art, artefacts and videos of Lenape people recounting oral histories. It also reveals extraordinary archival material from the Netherlands such as a contract justifying the public display of one apparently enslaved Lenape man, although slavery in the Netherlands was illegal. It questions the validity of a treaty by which the Dutch claimed to have taken Manhattan (Manahahtaanung, meaning place of the hickories) for 60 guilders referenced in a 1626 letter by merchant Pieter Schaghen. Initially drawn by the lucrative trade in beaver skins, merchants under the orders of the Dutch West India Company established a settlement in 1624. Two periods of war with the Lenape eventually led to the establishment of Dutch-settled New Amsterdam, which was taken over by the English in 1667 and renamed New York. According to the exhibition, that first property transfer was a myth, since the Lenape people did not see nature as something that could be owned. Cory Ridgeway, of the Nanticoke Lenape Nation, said that although her people are now dispersed in 10 communities, and a fraction of the original population, there is hope in sharing their stories, culture and language. One object on display is a wampum belt made from shell beads and symbolising a future cooperation between the Lenape people, the Amsterdam Museum and the Museum of the City of New York, where the exhibition will travel in 2025. As much dark as there is, there should be as much light, Ridgeway said. We have reversed the perspective, said Judikje Kiers, managing director of the Amsterdam Museum. They are telling the story. Martin Young in 2016 - Nick Edwards Martin Young, who has died aged 76, was a dogged investigative reporter who, with Peter Hill, co-founded Rough Justice, the award-winning BBC programme which investigated alleged miscarriages of justice, but from which both men were suspended in controversial circumstances in 1986. The programme, with Young as its frontman, was inspired by the work of Tom Sargant of the reform group Justice. Sargant had told them that he knew of at least 250 cases of wrongful imprisonment, and the idea of creating a series highlighting and investigating such cases was accepted by John Gau, head of news and current affairs at the BBC. The first programme in the series, The Case of the Handful of Hair (April 7 1982) reinvestigated the conviction of Mervyn Jock Russell, then serving a life sentence for the murder of Jane Bigwood in Deptford, in 1976. By showing that hair clutched in the dead girls hand did not match that of Russell, the programme makers helped to secure his release after six years in prison. Over the programmes first four years, Young and Hill investigated cases which led to the release of five people who had been wrongly imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. They earned record audiences for a current affairs programme and notched up three prizes, including a special award for journalism from the Royal Television Society. In 1985, however, they launched an investigation into what Young, in his memoirs Opposable Truths (2015), described as the most extraordinary case yet that of Anthony Mycock who had been convicted in 1983 in Manchester of assaulting and robbing Anne Fitzpatrick, and jailed for five years. Mycock had been convicted on the testimony of the alleged victim alone; there was no forensic evidence. Young and Hill found two of her ex-flatmates and interviewed them about the alleged crime. We emerged from the meeting and looked at each other, Young recalled, and almost in unison said, I dont think there was actually any crime. I think she made it up. They traced Anne Fitzpatrick to a family home in Los Angeles where she was working as a nanny. She subsequently gave the two men a nervous and tearful interview in which she admitted that Mycock was not the man who had attacked her, and when asked whether there had been a crime, replied: No, I made it all up. It was her public confession on television that forced the Home Office to order an appeal (which had previously been refused). The Appeal Court judges, headed by the Lord Chief Justice Lord Lane, had little option but to overturn Mycocks conviction. Martin Young and Peter Hill's book about their investigative programme However Lord Lane chose to believe Anne Fitzpatricks claim in court that the BBC journalists had blackmailed her into admitting she made the story up by threatening to out her as a lesbian. The methods used by the Rough Justice team had been outrageous and investigation by menaces, Lane declared. Young admitted that they had threatened Anne Fitzpatrick on her immigration status and false references which she had used to get her job in the US: We had told her very openly what would happen if she did not retract evidence ... that we would reveal her lies in England. However in his memoir he refuted as fantastical and ludicrous her story that she had been blackmailed over her sexuality. The result of the appeal was to turn press attention from the miscarriage of justice case itself to the BBC, with critics in the press piling in to condemn the corporation and the Rough Justice team. The furore led the BBC to conduct an internal investigation and in January 1986 Bill Cotton, the BBCs managing director of television, announced that Hill and Young were being suspended for three months without pay and barred from working on investigative programmes for two years, bringing an end to their time on Rough Justice. A BBC spokesman said that mitigating factors, including the sustained high standard of the series, had saved the two men from being fired. The blow was also softened by the fact, as Young gleefully later admitted, that no-one had told the BBC accounts department about the sanction. Martin Young's 2015 memoir Young continued to work, on and off, for the BBC. As he recalled in his memoir, when asked why by a fresh-faced young thing, he replied: because I owe the Halifax Building Society a lot of money. However he regretted accepting a suspension which entailed a vow of silence: I should have resigned, spoken out about the ludicrous treatment from the BBC and the sheer wrongness of their judgement about our behaviour. Martin Young was born in Glasgow on July 5 1947 and educated at Dulwich College and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge where he was President of the Marlowe Society and a member of Footlights. In this capacity, he met his future wife Susan at an audition jokingly, if not tactfully, remarking at a subsequent reunion that she was the best of a bad lot. They were a devoted couple, the long-suffering Susan, as she was known to their friends, a constant support throughout his occasional career scrapes. He began his career as a researcher for Border Television in 1969 and became a reporter and presenter for Tyne Tees Television in 1970 before joining BBC Look North. From 1973 he spent six years with Nationwide, the highlight of his time with the magazine series being playing the King of the Munchkins in a Nationwide Christmas panto, with the then Chancellor of the Exchequer Denis Healey starring as the Wizard of Oz. He went on to work on Newsnight and Panorama, reporting from the Iranian Revolution, from Gaza and the West Bank and telling the story of the Mafia in New York and Sicily before co-founding Rough Justice. Martin Young and Peter Hill's second book about Rough Justice, written with Tom Sargant I have been shelled in a low-tech kind of way on the battlefield, he recalled in his memoir, but I was fully napalmed in the more august surroundings of the Court of Appeal by a man in a wig. After that debacle, he co-presented the LBCs hour-long Midday News programme alongside Brian Widlake; hosted the panel game Who Goes There? on BBC Radio Four, was a guest on the first three series of Have I Got News for You, and gave training sessions for media interviews, although, as he explained to PR Week, he refused to train politicians to avoid putting himself in a position where he might hear something confidential he would be tempted to use as a journalist. In 2012 Young was one of the few old BBC hands brave enough to give an interview to Panorama for its report What the BBC Knew, about the corporations failure to investigate rumours about Jimmy Savile, posthumously revealed to have been sexually abusing underage girls for 50 years. As a young reporter on Nationwide, Young recalled, he had joined Savile on a charity run and found him lying on the bed in his campervan with a teenage girl. I thought he was a pervert, he told Panorama presenter Shelley Jofre. Did he think about reporting it? No, it never crossed my mind, and I take my share of blame for that. Later, he confessed to friends that he feared his obituary would ignore his journalism and be headlined Jimmy Savile Man Dies. A man of unstarry self-deprecation, Young had the gift of finding the absurd in everything, a treasury of anecdotal gossip and, according to his Rough Justice successor David Jessel, the loudest laugh ever heard when, at his happiest, he was surrounded at table by friends. In 1971 he married Susan Fowler. She survives him with their two children, Jonathan and Annabel. Martin Young, born July 5 1947, died May 10 2024 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pictured at a polo fundraiser event in Lagos, Nigeria A missing $200 cheque sent by the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs Archewell Foundation to Californian authorities was received but never processed, it was claimed today, The couples charitable organisation has been sent a delinquency notice warning that it could be subjected to fines or even suspended from the states charity register. The notice, sent by Californias Attorney General on May 3, suggests that Archewell did not file its annual report or related fees on time. It states: The above captioned entity is listed as delinquent with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers for failing to submit required annual report(s) and/or renewal fees. An organisation that is listed as delinquent is not in good standing and is prohibited from engaging in conduct for which registration is required, including soliciting or disbursing charitable funds. Letter from Rob Bonta, California's attorney general, prevoiusly said that the Sussexes let the registration fee for Archewell lapse The Sussexes team was not aware there was an issue until they received the notice, dated May 3. They initially assumed the cheque must have gone missing in the post but have since managed to track the mail and find acknowledgment of receipt. Sources told The Telegraph on Tuesday that they now believe the delinquency notice was issued because the cheque was not processed by the Attorney Generals office. Another cheque has since been sent and Archewell expects the matter to be rectified in a matter of days. The money will cover the cost of its annual registration renewal, which is determined by a sliding scale based on an organisations total revenue. The delinquency notice has now been removed A 2022 tax filing filed last year revealed that Archewell suffered an $11m drop in donations on the previous year, with total revenue listed at just over $2 million. The tax return shows that the foundation spent more than it received in 2022, resulting in a deficit of $674,000. However, it maintained assets of some $8.5 million. Archewell employed five people, with salaries totalling $640,441 for the year. Harry and Meghan did not take a salary. A statement released by Californias Department of Justice on Tuesday night revealed that the delinquency notice had been removed. It said the Archewell Foundation is current and in good standing. An Archewell spokesperson said on Tuesday evening: We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that The Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing. Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the IRSs processes and procedures. Furthermore, all necessary paperwork had been filed by the Foundation without error or wrongdoing. Gene Tierney under the spotlight opposite Dana Andrews in a scene from the classic film noir, Laura - Donaldson Collection/Moviepix The British Film Institute is having a Gene Tierney season. Tierney, who is largely forgotten today, has been described as the most beautiful woman in the movies. The film historian Cari Beuchamp writes of her thus; her face can convey emotions, much stronger at times than words ever would. After making her Broadway debut in 1938, Tierneys mesmerising pan, which no cosmetic surgery could have created, took her to Hollywood and gained her a contract with Twentieth Century Fox, where she made her finest films. A great film is as rare as a flawless piece of jewellery, but Tierney completed at least five. The Forties and Fifties were her decades. Through her performances in noir masterpieces such as Laura and Leave Her to Heaven, she personified elegance and grace, combined with an enigmatic fragility; always ethereally beautiful. Her scripts were witty and erudite, the very embodiment of intuition and all forms of impressionism. Due to the introduction of the 1934 Hays Code, which banned explicit sex in films, screenwriters channelled eroticism and its suggestion through words and gestures, something that contemporary films lack the intelligence to do. Some might argue that no one wants to see movies like Laura today. They would be wrong. The Gene Tierney season is a sellout and when I took the opportunity to see another of her great film noirs, Whirlpool, half of the audience consisted of millennials. There is no one like Tierney anymore, with her eyes of eau de nil and air of a puzzled madonna. The sexiest modern actress, considered in her light, is no more than a study in artificial vulgarity and has no genuine aesthetic value. Her like is to be found not in the Uffizi gallery or in the sculptures of Canova, but among the cheap prints in a bargain basement Home Depot. The same can be said of contemporary cinema. Tierneys films show it for what it really is; mindless and banal, with a revolting flashiness. Recently, I watched a 1980s American Film Institute tribute to the great British director David Lean, whose work included Lawrence of Arabia and The Bridge on the River Kwai. During his speech, Lean both predicted and decried the direction in which films were heading, referring to the lazy habit of making sequels, and the patronising attitude towards audience intelligence. He was prescient. In the Forties and Fifties, there was Citizen Kane, Casablanca, Laura, Double Indemnity, Sunset Boulevard and Hitchcocks Vertigo, voted by critics the greatest movie ever made. Today there are the Mission: Impossible and Marvel franchises, jukebox biopics of pop stars and a tawdry blockbuster called The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling as a stunt man with an empty cranial cavity. Occasionally, we get a semi-precious stone like Oppenheimer or The Holdovers, but these are the exceptions. I blame the current Hollywood plutocracy, which favours inane futility and the striving for profit over the creative process. The money men of today lack both the inclination and the courage to make true art. Two workers stand on the barge that struck the Pelican Island Bridge on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Galveston. The bridge, which spans the west end of the Galveston Ship Channel, connecting Galveston Island to Pelican Island, was significantly damaged in the collision which occurred around 10 a.m. No injuries were reported. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Officials respond after the Pelican Island Bridge was closed when a passing barge struck one of its supports, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Galveston. The bridge, which spans the west end of the Galveston Ship Channel, connecting Galveston Island to Pelican Island, was significantly damaged in the collision which occurred around 10 a.m. No injuries were reported. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Oil spills into the surrounding waters after a barge hit a bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. A bridge that leads to Pelican Island, located just north of Galveston, was hit by a barge around 9:30 a.m., said Ronnie Varela, with the Galvestons Office of Emergency Management.(KTRK via AP) Associated Press Officials respond after the Pelican Island Bridge was closed when a passing barge struck one of its supports, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Galveston. The bridge, which spans the west end of the Galveston Ship Channel, connecting Galveston Island to Pelican Island, was significantly damaged in the collision which occurred around 10 a.m. No injuries were reported. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Officials respond after the Pelican Island Bridge was closed when a passing barge struck one of its supports, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Galveston. The bridge, which spans the west end of the Galveston Ship Channel, connecting Galveston Island to Pelican Island, was significantly damaged in the collision which occurred around 10 a.m. No injuries were reported. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A Texas Parks & Wildlife Department boat monitors the Galveston Ship Channel where a barge collided with an old rail bridge on the Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston, Texas on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. The collision shut down the only road access to and from Pelican Island. (Jennifer Reynolds/The Galveston County Daily News via AP) Jennifer Reynolds/Associated Press A barge is grounded next to the Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston, Texas on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, after it collided with the old rail bridge that runs alongside it. The collision shut down the only road access to and from Pelican Island. (Jennifer Reynolds/The Galveston County Daily News via AP) Jennifer Reynolds/Associated Press Oil spills into the surrounding waters after a barge hit a bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. A bridge that leads to Pelican Island, located just north of Galveston, was hit by a barge around 9:30 a.m., said Ronnie Varela, with the Galvestons Office of Emergency Management.(KTRK via AP) Associated Press A barge damaged part of the Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Courtesy/Allison Buchtien Officials respond after the Pelican Island Bridge was closed when a passing barge struck one of its supports, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Galveston. The bridge, which spans the west end of the Galveston Ship Channel, connecting Galveston Island to Pelican Island, was significantly damaged in the collision which occurred around 10 a.m. No injuries were reported. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Officials respond after the Pelican Island Bridge was closed when a passing barge struck one of its supports, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Galveston. The bridge, which spans the west end of the Galveston Ship Channel, connecting Galveston Island to Pelican Island, was significantly damaged in the collision which occurred around 10 a.m. No injuries were reported. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Officials respond after the Pelican Island Bridge was closed when a passing barge struck one of its supports, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Galveston. The bridge, which spans the west end of the Galveston Ship Channel, connecting Galveston Island to Pelican Island, was significantly damaged in the collision which occurred around 10 a.m. No injuries were reported. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Officials respond after the Pelican Island Bridge was closed when a passing barge struck one of its supports, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Galveston. The bridge, which spans the west end of the Galveston Ship Channel, connecting Galveston Island to Pelican Island, was significantly damaged in the collision which occurred around 10 a.m. No injuries were reported. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Officials respond after the Pelican Island Bridge was closed when a passing barge struck one of its supports, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Galveston. The bridge, which spans the west end of the Galveston Ship Channel, connecting Galveston Island to Pelican Island, was significantly damaged in the collision which occurred around 10 a.m. No injuries were reported. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Officials with the Texas Department of Transportation respond after the Pelican Island Bridge was closed when a passing barge struck one of its supports, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Galveston. The bridge, which spans the west end of the Galveston Ship Channel, connecting Galveston Island to Pelican Island, was significantly damaged in the collision which occurred around 10 a.m. No injuries were reported. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Cars were being allowed to cross the Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston one at a time Wednesday evening, hours after a barge hit one of the spans supports causing a partial collapse. The incident happened around 10 a.m., city of Galveston spokeswoman Marissa Barnett said. The lift bridge, which spans the west end of the Galveston Ship Channel, connects Galveston Island with Pelican Island, the home of Texas A&M University at Galveston. The crash also resulted in an oil spill, the city said in a news release. The Coast Guard was working to determine the extent of the spill and will contain it and clean it up, the city said. JEEP WEEKEND: Everything to know about the event taking over Crystal Beach Advertisement Article continues below this ad No injuries were reported in connection to the barge strike. The damage briefly knocked power out to the island, but it was restored by 11 a.m. The bridge is the only way to drive off the dredge spoil island north of the larger Galveston Island. Traffic on the bridge was paused Wednesday evening "out of an abundance of caution," said Galveston County spokesperson Spencer Lewis. As of 7 p.m., cars were allowed to pass along the bridge one at a time, Lewis said. The citys emergency management office, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Texas Department of Transportation and other agencies were all investigating the crash, Barnett said. The bridge is not a state bridge. It is maintained by Galveston County Navigational District No. 1. David Flores, a navigation district bridge operator who was on the causeway when it was struck, said it appeared the barge struck the bridge after it was caught in the current and got away from a tugboat that was guiding it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A tugboat works to maneuver a barge away from the Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, after the barge crashed into the bridge shutting down the only road access to and from the island. (Jennifer Reynolds/The Galveston County Daily News via AP) Jennifer Reynolds/Associated Press Ive been on the waterfront for 43 years and this is the worst accident Ive seen, Flores said. This is a pretty bad one. Flores said a crane might be required to remove the barge from where it hit the bridge. A U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said the chemical spilled from the barge was vacuum gas oil, a base petroleum product. The spill caused the Coast Guard to close traffic in the Galveston Ship Channel and part of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Two crew members from the tugboat jumped or fell into the ship channel around the time of the strike, possibly to avoid the very large chunks of debris falling from the bridge, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said. The crew members were recovered safely from the water. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Photos from crash show a large chunk of concrete, bearing the remnants of a railway, sitting on top of the crashed barge. There is no active railway to Pelican Island. Transportation department engineers were examining the bridge for damage. Around 2:30 p.m., officials confirmed that vehicles were being allowed to cross the bridge back on to Galveston Island, but only one vehicle was allowed to cross at a time, Henry said A Texas A&M spokesperson said there were about 180 faculty, students and staff working on the Pelican Island campus Wednesday, but most of the student body had already left for summer break. Non-essential employees were encouraged to leave campus as soon as possible, and the campus was to be closed on Thursday. Employees and students were told to prepare to work and take classes remotely for the time being. The tugboat that was towing the barge was the LCPL Phillip C. George, an 81-foot vessel out of Beaumont owned by Martin Midstream Partners Incorporated. The barge was owned by Martin Petroleum, according to the county. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a statement, an executive from Martin Operating Partnership L.P., a subsidiary of Martin Midstreams Partners, said the barge broke loose from its tow. At the time of the incident, the vessel transporting the barge was under the control of a captain with more than 20 years of maritime experience, said Richard Freed, the vice president of the companys marine division. There were no personal injuries as a result of the incident. Freed said that there was a limited amount of product spilled from the barge, but that as of 2:30 p.m. no product actively leaking. The company has hired a salvage company to remove the barge from the bridge area, he said. The 64-year-old bridge has long been a subject of concern for Galveston leaders, who have spent a better part of a decade trying to find a solution to replace it. The bridge is at the end of its structural life, according to the state transportation department. Flores said Wednesdays barge strike was the second in less than a year and that repairs had only recently been completed over the damage wrought by that incident. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The news drew widespread attention Wednesday and drew comparisons to the March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which killed six people. The bridge in that collapse was struck by a container ship that lost power and drifted into the bridges support. The barge involved Wednesday's incident did not have the ability to move itself and instead relied on a tugboat to navigate, Henry said. It was unclear Wednesday how many people were stuck on Pelican Island because of the bridge closure. Aside from the universitys dorms, there is only one apartment building on the island. A number of industrial businesses also operate on Pelican Island. It is also home to Seawolf Park, a city park that houses a naval museum and popular fishing pier. Around 1:30 p.m., Craig Marston, the general manager of Gulf Copper, one of Pelican Islands businesses, said he anticipated some traffic would be let off the island later in the day. Still, after last years collision, Marston said he had developed a contingency plan to boat workers off the island, if necessary. Galveston police officers talk to drivers attempting to get to Pelican Island in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. The bridge, the only road access to and from the island, was closed after a barge crashed into it. (Jennifer Reynolds/The Galveston County Daily News via AP) Jennifer Reynolds/Associated Press Work at Gulf Copper includes the ongoing restoration of the Battleship Texas. Marston said the business' work could be interrupted by an extended closure and the company had long hoped for progress on a replacement bridge. It would be an impact, definitely, Marston said. I have workers, supplies being delivered. We very much would like for the bridge to be expedited. Lucy Letby was convicted last summer of murdering seven babies at the Countess of Chester hospital. Photograph: Cheshire Constabulary/PA The Conservative MP David Davis has used parliamentary privilege to ask why UK readers were barred from viewing an article in a prominent US magazine about the case of the former nurse Lucy Letby. He told fellow MPs that the block on the story published in the New Yorker seemed in defiance of open justice. Letby was convicted last summer of murdering seven babies at the Countess of Chester hospital, where she was a neonatal nurse. She has sought leave to appeal against her convictions. She is due to be retried in June on one charge of attempted murder on which the last jury could not reach a verdict. The New Yorker published a 13,000-word piece about her case on Monday but UK readers are blocked from accessing it online. Under English law, British media are restricted in their reporting owing to Letbys upcoming retrial. During justice questions in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Davis said: That article was blocked from publication on the UK internet. He said this seemed in defiance of open justice. Davis asked the justice secretary, Alex Chalk, to review the reporting restrictions. Will the lord chancellor look into this matter and report back to the house? he said. Chalk replied that court orders must be obeyed but could be displaced by someone applying for them to be removed. So that will need to take place in the normal course of events. I will just simply make a point on the Lucy Letby case that the jurys verdict must be respected. If there are grounds for an appeal, that should take place in the normal way. Letby was sentenced to 14 whole-life orders for the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of six other babies between June 2015 and June 2016. Dr Jasna Macanovic said it would have been against her 'moral principles' to stay quiet when patients were at risk of harm - John Lawrence The Telegraph has interviewed more than 50 doctors, nurses and other NHS employees who have raised patient safety concerns at work and been rebuffed. In most cases, the whistleblowers themselves were put under investigation by their NHS employers. The below examples represent the tip of the iceberg. Peter Duffy Peter Duffy accused two of his fellow surgeons of failing to intervene early enough in cases where patients were at risk Peter Duffy raised concerns for years about what he felt were avoidable deaths and harm in the urology department at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. He accused two of his fellow surgeons of failing to intervene early enough in a number of cases, including that of 76-year-old Peter Read, whose death following a stroke on Jan 2 2015 was contributed to by the delayed removal of an infected kidney stent, leading to urosepsis. Karen Beamer, Mr Reads daughter, told The Telegraph that at her fathers inquest the coroner requested an internal investigation at the hospital into two major missed opportunities to replace the stent, which played a significant part and because of this the outcome could have been very different. The coroner gave the hospital six weeks to report back, but Mr Duffy said that his fellow consultants disobeyed the order to discuss Mr Reads death at their regular mortality and morbidity meeting. In July 2015, the doctor raised his concerns with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The regulator contacted the trust in October that year. That same month, the additional payments that the hospital had agreed to pay Mr Duffy were not made. At a tribunal, a judge found that this constituted unlawful deductions from pay. By summer 2016, with the trust owing him 35,000 in unpaid wages, the surgeon felt he had no choice but to resign. After leaving Morecambe Bay, he was unable to find a new position in the North-West and had to move to the Isle of Man to take a job. This meant he had to leave behind his family to live in a rented flat on the island. In April 2018, Mr Duffy won a tribunal case against his former employer for unfair dismissal and was awarded 102,000 in compensation. The judge agreed that he had made protected disclosures but felt too much time had elapsed between his contact with the CQC and his pay cut, concluding that the detrimental treatment he suffered was not retaliation for whistleblowing. Ms Beamer said she only learnt about Mr Duffys fight to raise concerns about her fathers death after reading about his employment tribunal claim in a newspaper: I was in town and I saw the front page of the Lancaster Guardian and I thought, Oh, I know that face, but I dont know why I know that face. And when I looked I thought, Oh my goodness, hes talking about an avoidable death, and I think he is talking about my dad! She told The Telegraph that avoidable harm would continue until people at the very top at the NHS are held accountable when things go wrong. Aaron Cummins, the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust chief executive, said there were a number of ways for staff to raise concerns, including via the Freedom to Speak Up Guardians scheme. There is still a lot more work we need to do, but we are all committed to fostering an environment where raising concerns is prioritised and respected as an essential part of our core business, he said. Rosalind Ranson Dr Rosalind Ranson says hers is 'the story of many whistleblowers in the NHS' - Jamie Lorriman Dr Rosalind Ranson lost her job as the Isle of Mans medical director after she raised concerns about potential medical neglect. She took her employer the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to a tribunal and in May 2023 was awarded almost 3.2 million in compensation. The DHSC spent another 950,000 on legal fees and the cost of the investigation. The judge said she had raised startling examples of potential clinical negligence and incompetence and in return she had been subjected to treatment designed to break her. The tribunal was told that after raising concerns, Dr Ranson was subjected to months of demoralising and vindictive bullying from her boss. This abuse included spreading false allegations that she was burnt out and hungry for power. Dr Ranson said: Imagine you undergo a procedure, you suffer a catastrophic injury [during the procedure] and you subsequently find out that what happened to you was completely foreseeable. Someone had raised concerns but those concerns had been ignored. Not only had the concerns been ignored but the person who raised those concerns, to protect you, had become the target of a campaign of hate resulting in the loss of their job, their livelihood, their health. You suffered harm or someone in your family died, not because this was an unfortunate error, an accident, or a disease taking its toll, but because for powerful individuals in that organisation it became more important to remove the person that spoke up, than it did to fix and address the problems. This is the story of many whistleblowers in the NHS. The tribunal noted that: Such problems within Nobles Hospital [on the Isle of Man] were well-known to this tribunal from a number of previous lawsuits involving various serious allegations including medical neglect, bullying and harassment. Dr Ranson said: Senior managers who abuse their power and boards who wilfully ignore or silence a whistleblower should be subjected to scrutiny, investigated and held to account for the harm they cause. The DHSC said: We have boosted legal protections for whistleblowers and established Freedom to Speak Up Guardians in healthcare across England, including every NHS trust, as well as setting up a confidential Speak Up Direct helpline to help workers feel safe in coming forward. Jasna Macanovic Dr Jasna Macanovic questioned her colleagues, saying 'Are you out of your mind?' - John Lawrence Dr Jasna Macanovic, a Consultant nephrologist, was unfairly dismissed because she reported to medical regulators her colleagues experimental use of a procedure she believed could be harmful. The whistleblower won an employment tribunal case against Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust in November 2022. In August 2016, Dr Macanovic learnt that her colleagues at Portsmouth had begun using a technique known as buttonholing on dialysis patients, with plastic tube grafts implanted in their arms and legs. The procedure involves keeping a hole in the patients skin open to make dialysis easier. Although used with patients who have fistulas made of their own veins, buttonholing is not normally used with grafts, because it is against the product licence. The consultant alleged there was a high risk that it could lead to infection and haemorrhage and said she raised concerns as soon as she became aware of the practice: I said Are you out of your mind? This is completely contraindicated. For Dr Macanovic, the issue was clear: This procedure was not a novel procedure. This was a procedure that was contraindicated, strictly against the licence of this graft. And strictly against all guidelines in the world. She told The Telegraph that it would have been against her moral principles to stay quiet when she thought patients were at risk of harm. After raising her concerns internally, she reached out to the CQC and General Medical Council. The trust fired Dr Macanovic on March 5 2018. In her termination letter, the trust listed the fact that she had referred a colleague to the regulator as one of the reasons for her dismissal. Four years later, Dr Macanovic won an employment tribunal case against the trust on the grounds of automatic unfair dismissal. They ruled: It is no answer to a claim of whistleblowing to say that feelings ran so high that working relationships broke down completely, and so the whistleblower had to be dismissed. She was awarded 219,000 in compensation at an employment tribunal. The NHSs legal costs came to 460,000. Penny Emerit, the chief executive of the trust, said: We have taken action to address the findings of the employment tribunal, including improvements in our internal investigations, disciplinary and dismissal processes. She said the board had overhauled its whistleblowing policy with independent oversight of all whistleblowing allegations through the director of governance and risk. Tents set up by displaced Palestinians in al-Mawasi near the border with Egypt in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images Soaring above the rows of tents 10 deep on the dunes stretching back from the Mediterranean sea is a reminder of better times in Gaza: a ferris wheel. Now, the cafes, paths and miniature train of the Asdaa amusement park are obscured by hundreds of shelters, put up by some of the half a million newly displaced people who have made their way to this sandy strip of coastline near the city of Khan Younis to escape fighting in the north and south of the territory. Massa al-Arbeed, 10, had only just arrived from Gaza City, with her brother and mother. We have had to leave a lot behind because this is perhaps the sixth time we have moved, al-Arbeed told the Guardian. So Im just sitting here. There are no games or dolls to play with, or even a house to take shelter in, and because we move a lot, Ive lost touch with all my friends and now I dont know anything about them. Always anxious, sometimes injured or sick, frequently hungry and thirsty, most of the inhabitants of the tented city that has risen among the dunes and scrubby fields are seeking shelter from the relentless Israeli offensive that has reached Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza. Another hundred thousand have moved from northern Gaza, where a series of Israeli operations targeting Hamas fighters who have moved back into parts cleared earlier in the war began at the weekend. All are complying with instructions broadcast through leaflets, phone calls and social media to evacuate dozens of numbered neighbourhoods. Though Israeli officials have claimed international humanitarian aid will be provided as needed for the vast numbers of displaced, the reality is very different. Many have to walk long distances to get any water at all, and cannot afford sufficient food. One kg of sugar costs 12 USD (9.50), about six times more than before Israel launched its offensive on Rafah a week ago. The price of salt and coffee has increased 10 fold, though that of flour has remained stable. One problem is a lack of money. Banks are shut, and few have any reserves left. Sabreen, a 28-year-old mother of three, has been displaced four times after first leaving her home in the northern town of Beit Lahia at the beginning of the conflict, after the surprise Hamas attack in Israel that killed about 1,200, mostly civilians. She arrived on the coast with five other families who had pooled resources to hire a truck, which cost 10 times the usual price. This is not the life of any normal human being. There is nothing: no water, no food, no health care, not even a toilet. My children ask me if they could just have potatoes but we have no money now. All we have is canned food distributed [by the United Nations], she said. My children have already had flu, and fevers, and hepatitis. They are weak now, and there arent enough antibiotics, so Im very worried. A few miles south of the Asdaa amusement camp is al-Mawasi, once a small coastal town. The drive there now takes two hours on a road choked by cars, trucks, pony carts and even bicycles transporting the displaced. Aid workers at al-Mawasi, which has been a refuge for months to those fleeing the fighting, described horrific and dehumanising conditions, with limited food, filthy and scarce water, overwhelmed healthcare facilities and almost no sanitation. Dr James Smith, a British emergency medic working in southern Gaza, said: The smell of sewage in the most congested IDP camps is pungent. There is solid waste piled up by the side of the road because there is not enough staff to man the few waste disposal vehicles. People are becoming sicker and sicker. Another said the coast was totally jam packed, with block after block of tents and only narrow gaps between them. There is no infrastructure inside the camps and very limited new supplies getting in of course, he said. Many of those fleeing Rafah are leaving their homes for the first time. A UN official in the city described an orderly flight with people tidying up after themselves. Raafat Farhat, a 64-year-old retired teacher, fled to al-Mawasi three days ago, where she slept in the open until her family managed to build a shelter. We have never imagined that we will end up living like this. Now, a life with electricity, water, food and shelter seems like a dream, she said. More than 35,000 Palestinians many of them women and children have died since the Israeli offensive began in the aftermath of the October attacks, according to Palestinian officials in Gaza. Farhat had lost more than 30 relatives, of whom most are still under the rubble. The majority of those who have sought shelter on Gazas southern coastline, young and old alike, say their greatest desire now is for a life without fear. I am frightened that we will leave our country permanently, and I am also afraid of some bombing of a nearby place and having stones and shrapnel rain down on us. Here, we are exposed to danger and death at any moment, and so I am afraid of losing one of my children and my family, she said. Sabreen said she was now afraid of everything. I am afraid that my close ones will be killed, of the sound of the bombing, and that we will never return to our homes, she told the Guardian. Ten year-old Massa Al-Arbeed said she was afraid that her family would be bombed or something will happen to us and also afraid of losing my injured father or uncles who are still in Gaza City. I hope to go back to Gaza City and see my father and uncles and return to build our house to make it more beautiful than the one which was destroyed, and that we will all be there together except for those who died, she said. Also, I want to become a doctor to treat the sick and the injured, like my dad, and if I do not become a doctor, I want to be a maths teacher because I like maths very much. Danny Kirrane and Denise Gough - Marc Brenner Addiction is a parasite that will fight for its own survival, says the doctor (Sinead Cusack) to patient Emma (Denise Gough), after she first checks herself into the rehab facility where most of the action in People, Places and Things takes place. A revival of Jeremy Herrins 2015 National Theatre production (that also starred Gough), the play explores the ways in which that parasite is able to embed itself into the soul of a woman from a seemingly conventional middle-class family, and that womans desperate efforts to save herself. Nearly a decade after she won an Olivier Award for the role, Gough has lost none of her power in bringing this complicated antiheroine to life. It is truly a summit performance for an actor that should be studied at drama schools for years to come: the myriad of modes she switches between whether inebriated, rude and aggressive, borderline psychotic, darkly comical, or gut-wrenchingly tragic would be almost unimaginable were it not happening before your eyes. But no matter how hard Gough tries, there is something fundamentally dissatisfying about Duncan Macmillans script. It is certainly entertaining, but achieves this end only through playing to the basic dark allure that stories of drugs and broken people have. There are more pertinent social issues that could be further explored in the world of drug addiction, such as the difficulty accessing addiction support, the legalities, the sheer prevalence of drug abuse in the UK today. Alternatively, Emmas story could provide a bit more for the audience to sink their teeth into plot-wise, because for all the times we see her bruised or intoxicated after a binge, there is little to be seen of how her life in addiction has actually played out. An aspect of her characterisation is her proud refusal to reveal her true history to her support workers (and audience as a result), which has the undesired effect of making her character seem somewhat threadbare, and somewhat insufficient to carry two and a half hours of plot. There is a strong supporting cast of fellow addicts at rehab, whose easy dialogue gives a strong sense of being immersed in the day-to-day of the centre. Bunny Christies minimalist set design captures a sense of that sterile facility, while Tom Gibbons dynamic sound design featuring screeching white noise and intense machine gun fire helps capture the torment of Emmas detox, aided by James Farncombes flickering lighting. The traverse stage design sees members of the audience face each other across the stage, reminding us of the apparent parallels between rehab and theatrical performance (Emma herself is also an actor). Act two, unfortunately, sees the plot lose its way, descending into a mix of cheap stereotype and unrealistic climax. The conclusion feels rushed and unlikely, in contrast to the far longer and more subtle first half. In the end, it feels a shame that the story cannot sustain itself to meet the heights of Goughs performance. Until 10 August; 020 7321 5400; ATG Tickets Angela Alsobrooks campaigns in Burtonsville, Maryland on Tuesday. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Democrat Angela Alsobrooks will face off against former Republican governor Larry Hogan in the Maryland Senate race this November, setting up an unexpectedly competitive election in the reliably Democratic state. Republicans have a rare opportunity to flip a Senate seat in Maryland, and the outcome of that race could determine control of the upper chamber in November. Alsobrooks and Hogan won their parties Senate primaries on Tuesday, as Maryland voters cast ballots in the presidential race as well as congressional elections. Joe Biden and Donald Trump easily won the states primaries after already securing enough delegates to capture their parties nominations. Leaders of both parties were closely watching the results of the Senate contests, as the retirement of Senator Ben Cardin has created an opening for Republicans to potentially capture the seat, thanks to Hogans late entry into the race. A Hogan victory would mark the first time that a Republican has won a Maryland Senate election since 1980, and it could erase Democrats narrow majority in the chamber. As expected, Hogan easily won the Republican primary, with the Associated Press calling the race less than an hour after polls closed. Alsobrooks faced a more competitive primary against Congressman Dave Trone, the owner of the beverage chain Total Wine & More. Trone used his personal fortune to boost his Senate campaign; according to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission, he loaned at least $61.8m to his campaign. But that investment was not enough to secure a victory, as the AP called the race for Alsobrooks about two hours after polls closed. The Maryland Senate race has historic implications, as Alsobrooks would become the first Black person elected to represent Maryland in the Senate and just the third Black woman to ever serve in the chamber. But Alsobrooks victory is far from guaranteed, as Hogan presents a formidable threat to Democrats hopes of holding the seat. When Hogan left office last year, a poll conducted for Gonzales Research & Media Services showed that 77% of Marylanders, including an astounding 81% of Democrats, approved of the governors job performance. Hogans candidacy will force Democrats to allocate resources to a Senate race that they had previously assumed would be an easy win in the general election. In 2020, Biden beat Trump by 33 points in Maryland, but Hogan also won his 2018 re-election race by 12 points. Polls of potential general election match-ups have produced mixed results, but both parties will almost certainly have to spend heavily to compete in the state. The Cook Political Report currently rates the Maryland Senate race as likely Democrat. Electing Angela Alsobrooks will stop Republicans from taking control of the Senate, and ensure that Republican Larry Hogans party cannot pursue their dangerous agenda like passing a national ban on abortion, said senator Gary Peters, chair of the Democratic senatorial campaign committee. Marylanders know the Senate majority is on the line, and thats why they are unified behind Angela and ready to defeat Republican Larry Hogan in November. Elsewhere in the state, the former US Capitol police office Harry Dunn, who wrote a bestselling book about his experience protecting lawmakers during the January 6 insurrection, lost his primary bid to Democratic state senator Sarah Elfreth. Although Dunn had the largest national profile, Elfreth benefited from the support of the pro-Israel Super Pac United Democracy Project. Dunn, a first-time candidate, proved himself to be a prodigious fundraiser, bringing in $4.6m across the election cycle. In comparison, Elfeths campaign raised just $1.5m, but she received outside help from UDP, which is affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac). UDP spent at least $4.2m in support of Elfreths campaign, flooding the district with ads promoting her candidacy. The race to succeed Trone in representing Marylands sixth congressional district also attracted a crowded field of candidates. In the Democratic primary, the former Biden administration official April McClain Delaney defeated state delegate Joe Vogel, while former state delegate Neil Parrott prevailed over fellow former delegate Dan Cox to win the Republican nomination. Of Marylands eight congressional districts, the sixth is viewed as the most competitive for the general election, and Cook rates the seat as likely Democrat. Although Biden and Trump have both already secured their parties nominations, Marylands presidential primaries still offered clues about the general election. Bidens name appeared on his partys ballot alongside those of the Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson, but Maryland Democrats also had the option to choose uncommitted to any presidential candidate. Mirroring similar efforts in states like Michigan, pro-ceasefire advocates urged Maryland voters to cast ballots for uncommitted to protest against Bidens handling of the war in Gaza. As of 10.30pm ET, uncommitted had won 10% of the Democratic vote compared to Bidens 87%. In the Republican presidential primary, only the names of Trump and the former UN ambassador Nikki Haley appeared on the ballot. Although Haley dropped out of the race in March, she has continued to win votes in the weeks since, which has been viewed as a potential warning sign for Trump heading into the general election. As of 10.30pm ET, Haley had captured 20% of the Republican vote compared to Trumps 80%. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, pictured with children at the Dream Big Basketball Clinic in Lagos, described their three-day trip as 'fantastic' - Sunday Alamba/AP The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have vowed to carry out more overseas tours following a successful three days in Nigeria. Prince Harry, 39, said it was hugely important for the couple to meet people face-to-face and listen to their concerns in order to instigate change. Meghan, 42, said she could see herself in the young children she met in Nigeria and hoped to empower them for the future. The couple landed back in Los Angeles on Wednesday after an 18-hour flight from Abuja and were quickly whisked away to be reunited with their children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three. They hailed the quasi-royal tour, which was deemed a private visit, as fantastic and said they hoped it would be the first of many memorable trips. However, it was overshadowed by the revelation, just as they left the country, that their Archewell Foundation had been sent a delinquency notice by Californian authorities for failing to file its annual report or related fees on time. It later emerged that Archewell had sent a $200 (158) cheque which had not been processed by the Attorney Generals office. A statement released by Californias Department of Justice on Tuesday night said the delinquency notice had been removed and that the Archewell Foundation was current and in good standing. The Sussexes three-day visit to Nigeria was largely focused on promoting the Invictus Games and the countrys efforts to help rehabilitate injured military personnel. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (centre) with dignitaries and children at the Lagos Polo Club on Sunday - KOLA SULAIMON/AFP It came after Nigeria entered a team at last years event, in Dusseldorf, Germany, for the first time. The African nation is now hoping to host the sporting contest in future. The Duke told People magazine: It is hugely important for us to meet directly with people, supporting our causes and listening, in order to bring about solutions, support and positive change. Theres only so much one can do from home and over Zoom, so we look forward to travelling more because the work matters. Whether its the Archewell Foundation, Invictus or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work. Prince Harry, pictured speaking to BabaJide Sanwo-Olu (left), the state governor of Lagos, said it was 'hugely important' to meet people face-to-face - Sunday Alamba/AP The Duke has long spoken of his love of Africa, where he has enjoyed many private holidays. He has revealed that, in the early days of his relationship with the Duchess, he whisked her to Botswana and in 2019 Buckingham Palace signed off on a plan for them to move to South Africa, before it was scrapped when it was leaked to a newspaper. Im so happy with the growth of Invictus and to include Nigeria, he said. You know what Africa means to me over the years. It is a very, very special place, and to be able to include Nigeria now [in Invictus], Im very happy. The Duchess revealed on her Archetypes podcast in 2022 that she had discovered she was 43 per cent Nigerian. She said of her first visit to the country: It was incredibly memorable and special. That alone is the best souvenir to take with us all the memories weve made. Referring to the message of empowerment she shared with a group of young students on their first day in the country, the Duchess said: I saw myself in them. I see the potential in all of these young girls and, by the way, in these young boys as well. Its what we see in our own children to give them that promise and excitement for their futures. Pro-Palestine campaigners scuffle with police during a protest outside the Thales factory in Govan - Andrew Milligan A police officer was bitten on the arm and four people were arrested as pro-Palestinian activists shut down a military technology factory in Glasgow. Six officers were injured during the protests on Wednesday morning, during which Police Scotland said it was met with an unacceptable level of hostility and resistance. Violence broke out after demonstrators at the Thales factory in Govan linked arms to block the entrance to the building. A police officer attempts to remove a pro-Palestine campaigner - Andrew Milligan A campaigner lies on the road during the protest - Andrew Milligan Dozens of police officers arrived to break the line, unlinking protesters who had set up directly in front of the turnstiles at the site entrance. Protesters, many masked and wearing keffiyehs, were seen being loaded into police vehicles and removed from the site. Individuals refusing to move were restrained by officers and wrestled to the floor before being detained. Smaller groups of activists attempted to prevent police vehicles leaving the premises by linking arms and encircling them. Pro-Palestinian campaigners surround a police vehicle As officers jostled to clear a way for the vehicles, the chain of protesters chanted: Let them go and pressed to keep the circle unbroken. Protesters claim parts manufactured on the Govan site have been sold to the Israeli military. During the demonstration, they unfurled banners bearing the messages: Stop arming Israel!, This factory arms genocide and Workers for Palestine. Protesters hold banners reading 'Stop Arming Israel' outside the factory - Andrew Milligan Police Scotland confirmed that three men aged 18, 28 and 29, and a 21-year-old woman were arrested and charged during the demonstration. Chief Inspector Derrick Johnston said: We have a legal duty to protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest as well as those affected by protest activity. However, officers were met with an unacceptable level of hostility and resistance today. One of our officers was bitten. Assaults are not part of the job and will not be tolerated, and we were fortunately able to arrest the individual responsible. Thales, a French multinational company that designs and develops technology for the defence industry, insists that claims the site supplies the Israeli military are false. Company says site does not supply Israel A spokesman for Thales told The Telegraph that the factory in Glasgow produces specialist technology such as periscopes for use by the Royal Navy and British Army but is not involved in manufacturing drones. Last week, arrests were made after similar protests at the U-TacS factory in Leicester, a joint venture between Thales and Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence contractor, which does manufacture drones. However, Thales said the Watchkeeper X drones produced at the plant are used solely for reconnaissance by the British Army and that the Leicester site does not supply Israeli forces. In an earlier statement, Thales said of the protests: While those outside our site in Glasgow have the right to protest peacefully, we will work with authorities to prosecute anyone who threatens our employees, our property or our important work for the UK Armed Forces. Fabrice Moello (left) and Arnaud Garcia, who were killed in the attack on Tuesday. Photograph: X Two French prison officers who were shot dead in an ambush that freed a convict linked to gangland drug killings have been named, as police continued a massive manhunt for the missing fugitive. Fabrice Moello, 52, and Arnaud Garcia, 34, were killed, and three others seriously wounded, in the brazen attack on a prison convoy on Tuesday during which the inmate escaped. They were the first French prison officers to be killed in the line of duty since 1992. As tributes were paid to the two men, hundreds of prison officers across France held protests on Wednesday, blocking prison entrances, burning pallets and tyres, and marking a minutes silence at 11am in memory of the two officers. At one prison near Marseille, more than 100 prison officers gathered beneath a banner saying: Were not paid to die. Many officers said they would carry out only a minimum service on Wednesday. Unions called for greater security and limited transfers of prisoners between prisons and courthouses. Some officers complained of the poor conditions and violence in Frances overcrowded prisons. Erwan Saoudi, of the FO Justice union, said: When you put three people in a cell that is 9 sq m and should only hold one person, of course that creates tension and incidents. Dominique Garcia, the father of one of the victims, said his sons killers must be brought to justice. My son was murdered! This ambush was worked on, prepared, premeditated, he told French radio. This act must not go unpunished. The French justice minister will meet prison officers unions on Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of police and gendarmes are continuing to search for the escaped convict and the gunmen. The ambush of the prison van took place late on Tuesday morning at a road toll in Incarville in the Eure region of northern France. The inmate was being transported after being questioned by a judge in the regional centre of Rouen in Normandy back to his prison in the town of Evreux. The Paris prosecutor said the prison van was rammed head-on by a stolen Peugeot vehicle as it went through the toll crossing. The prison vehicle was followed by an Audi from which hooded gunmen dressed in black emerged and used automatic weapons to shoot at both vehicles in the prison convoy. The Paris prosecutor named the escaped inmate as Mohamed Amra, who was born in 1994, saying that last week he had been convicted of aggravated robbery and charged in a case of abduction leading to death. The case to find the fugitive and his accomplice and to investigate what appears to have been a well organised plot has been handed to prosecutors from Frances office for the fight against organised crime. A source close to the case told Agence France-Presse that Amra was suspected of involvement in drug trafficking and of ordering gangland killings. Amras lawyer, Hugues Vigier, said the inmate had already made an escape attempt at the weekend by sawing the bars of his cell and he said he was shocked by the inexcusable and insane violence. This does not correspond to the impression I had of him, the lawyer told BFMTV. The incident occurred on the same day the French Senate published a damning report saying that government measures had been unable to prevent the flourishing of the narcotics industry in France. The committee chair, Jerome Durain, said France was not yet a narco-state but drug trafficking nonetheless constituted a direct threat to the national interest and the governments anti-drugs measures were not up to the challenge. Law and order is a big issue in French politics in the run-up to next months European elections and the prison van ambush sparked fierce reactions from politicians, especially the far right. Politicians on the right and far right were travelling to prisons on Wednesday in support of the protesting prison officers. The interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, told French radio that savagery is touching our society. He said the incident was not just a sign of a failure by France, but a sign of a global failure, on drug trafficking. Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, the presidents of Russia and China, in October. They will meet in Beijing this week to discuss trade. Photograph: Sputnik/Reuters Having secured a mandate to extend his rule of Russia to three decades, Vladimir Putin is expected to travel to Beijing on Thursday on a state visit to meet Xi Jinping intended to shore up his most important international relationship. The two men toasted their no-limits friendship in February 2022 meant as a counterweight to the global influence of the US. That partnership has increasingly come under pressure as the Biden administration sought to isolate Russia from its Chinese lifeline after the full-scale invasion in Ukraine, which began later the same month. But as the Biden administration unveiled tariffs on $18bn of Chinese imports on Tuesday, the strength of Xi and Putins relationship, based on a mutual opposition to a Washington-led global consensus, is likely to be bolstered this week. Xi and Putin will gather with policy teams specialising in trade, energy and security cooperation. The two sides will be looking for ways to quietly circumvent US restrictions that have driven down Chinese exports to Russia following a postwar boom in both consumer products and dual-use goods that have been crucial to the Russian war machine in Ukraine. Analysts in China and Russia said that while Beijing would prefer a quick end to the fighting in Ukraine, it would nonetheless tolerate the war and continue to prioritise trade and diplomatic relations with Moscow over the west while seeking to extract favourable conditions for greater trade and economic ties. Russia, which has signalled it is unwilling to abandon the war, will become increasingly dependent on China as a trade partner and as a key diplomatic ally in its deepening conflict with the west. In an interview with Xinhua state news agency released on Wednesday, Putin praised economic ties between the two countries, saying: Today, Russia-China relations have reached the highest level ever, and despite the difficult global situation continue to get stronger. If this is an existential war, then what are their other options? said Alexander Gabuev, the director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. There is no other China than China. Only China can bring in all this technology, from washing machines and cars to military-grade chips. Only China can provide its financial system and currency. Only China has this side of the market for all of these goods. India stands close to this, but China is bigger. And then there are the logistics. So there is simply no replacement. Yet US sanctions and Chinese fears of secondary sanctions have taken a toll, with a clear dip in Chinese exports after US threats in December to impose sanctions on any bank clearing payments for goods used in Russian military production. Observers have noted that Chinese exports to Russia have dropped significantly in recent months after more than two years of booming bilateral trade since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Chinese exports to Russia fell to $8.3bn in April, according to preliminary statistics, a drop of nearly 14% compared with April 2023. In the first four months of 2024, exports fell by 2% in US dollar terms, although overall bilateral trade was still up by nearly 5% compared with 2023. Shen Dingli, an international relations scholar based in Shanghai, said that the drop in Chinese exports to Russia could be active risk aversion by Chinese companies in the face of US and western financial sanctions. Analysts in China and Russia told the Guardian that the two sides will look to resist US pressure to disengage from one another and will seek to find workarounds that could allow them to continue to expand trade away from the watchful eye of the US. When it comes to economics, the most critical question is the payment issue, said Alexey Maslov, director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences. Chinas major banks are throttling payments out of concern over US sanctions, Maslov said, and Russia has proposed to solve the issue via a decentralised payment system that the west would be unable to track. Both sides will look for sanctions-proof mechanisms going forward, said Maslov. Alexandra Prokopenko, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and former adviser to the Russian central bank, wrote that the teams would probably use the summit to brainstorm options to circumvent US restrictions before quietly implementing them, potentially developing tools that could be used by other countries seeking to evade US restrictions on trade. It is unlikely that we will hear statements as to how they plan to solve the sanctions given the sensitivity of the subject, it will just be quietly implemented, said Vasiliy Kashin, a China specialist from the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technology, a Moscow-based research group. The drop in trade is likely to be just temporary, American efforts will turn out to be somewhat pointless. It is wishful thinking that China will just accept US pressure. China officially opposes US sanctions but in reality, banks and companies often find ways to comply so as to avoid encountering blowback from the US or being blocked from US dollar payments. One way to circumvent the restrictions is to trade through third countries. Chinese exports to central Asian countries have surged since the start of the war in Ukraine. Compared with 2021, exports in 2023 to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan were up 164%, 77% and 118% respectively. Joseph Webster, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, has noted that dual-use technology in particular has seen an increase in trade through central Asia. In 2023 Kyrgyzstans imports of Chinese ball bearings, which can be used in tank production, rose by more than 1,500% compared with 2021. There is no apparent legitimate reason for this dramatic surge, Webster wrote, adding that the ball bearings are almost certainly diverted to Russia. Russia also hopes to address its declining gas exports, which have plummeted since its invasion of Ukraine, resulting in record losses for Gazprom, once the countrys most profitable company. But observers question whether Moscow and Beijing will be able to finalise an agreement on the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, a long-anticipated project that would supply China with Russian gas. To bolster the Kremlins efforts at outreach, Putin is bringing an expanded team of advisers and industry leaders to Beijing. Gabuev noted that Putins team includes a number of seasoned technocrats that he called the Russian A-Team. They include his new defence minister, Andrei Belousov, a veteran economist and former counterpart to Ding Xuexiang, a close ally of Xi and a member of the politburo standing committee, and Denis Manturov, a deputy prime minister acting as a point man for Russias military-industrial complex. Putin will meet with Chinese premier Li Qiang, to discuss economic cooperation. Gabuev said: They have invested a lot of effort to really get the teams acquainted, establish personal bonds, make them friendly. And now the Russian officials are not pulled in a thousand different directions because of Europeans and Americans because nobody talks to them. But Putin still holds some cards in the relationship with Beijing. Shen noted that Russia remains an important source of food and energy for China, as well as strategic collaboration on the international stage. In his Xinhua interview on Wednesday, Putin said the two countries were working to build equal, mutually beneficial economic and humanitarian cooperation, and strengthen foreign policy coordination in the interests of building a just multipolar world order. Webster said: Meeting with Putin in Beijing allows Xi to hint that he might respond to western actions asymmetrically, such as by extending even greater semi-overt support for the Russian defence industrial base. That signalling is particularly acute under the shadow of the new Biden tariffs, which extends the Trump-era trade war. Trump introduced levies on more than $300bn of Chinese imports; Biden added $18bn of goods to that total this week. Tariffs were extended or introduced on a range of strategic sectors, including solar panels, electric vehicles and semiconductors. On EVs, rates were hiked from 25% to 100%. All this prompted outrage from Beijing. Wang Wenbin, a foreign ministry spokesperson, said it was a naked act of bullying. The no-limits friendship between Putin and Xi Skulls belonging to victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide are placed together in Mubirizi, Rusizi district, in 2023 after more than 1,100 bodies were found in one of the largest mass graves from the atrocities of 1994. Photograph: Clement Di Roma/AFP/Getty Images The war crimes tribunal for Rwanda has accounted for the last remaining fugitives indicted for genocide, bringing to an end the courts 29-year mission to deliver justice for the 1994 slaughter that killed more than 800,000 Rwandans. The historic moment passed without drama, not with an arrest or the exhumation of a body, but in a video conference on 30 April between the tribunals prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, and the two leaders of its fugitive tracking team, dedicated to resolving the cold cases left in the wake of the genocide. At some point in that conversation, the three agreed they had finally accumulated enough evidence to satisfy the court that the last two suspects they had been tracking were long dead and were lying in unmarked graves in different corners of central Africa. Those two final names crossed off the tribunals list of 92 indictees were Charles Sikubwabo and a restaurateur known by just one name, Ryandikayo. They were influential local organisers in Rwandas Kibuye prefecture, leading mobs of the murderous Interahamwe Hutu militia responsible for the mass killing of Tutsis. Both had been charged with genocide and crimes against humanity. This is a tangible demonstration that the international community can ensure accountability is achieved, no matter how long it takes, Brammertz said. Closing their cases does not simply mark the completion of the tribunals work. It is also the culmination of a broader experiment in international justice for mass atrocities going back more than three decades to the creation in 1993 of its sister court, the international criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The international criminal tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was created two years later. Both were ad hoc courts given mandates by the UN security council, and both proved tenacious and successful beyond all expectations. The ICTY accounted for all its 161 indictees by 2011. As they approached the end of their missions, the two tribunals were folded into one, the awkwardly named international residual mechanism for criminal tribunals, first established in 2010 to handle outstanding court hearings and to pursue the last fugitives. The striking effectiveness of the twin tribunals had fuelled optimism in the late 1990s that impunity for genocide and other mass crimes could finally be challenged and pushed back, and the momentum they created led to the establishment in 2002 of a permanent institution to investigate and judge war crimes, the international criminal court (ICC). The ICC has struggled, however. Unlike the two ad hoc courts, it does not have the backing of the US, Russia or China, and it has focused until recently on African cases. The court is facing a critical test as it weighs charges and arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, in the midst of the Gaza war and under heavy political pressure from all sides. After Brammertz was made prosecutor of the residual mechanism in 2016, he brought with him key members of the tracking team that had helped hunt Bosnian war criminals like Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, to train their skills on the pursuit of the last eight Rwandan suspects still at large. They got rid of a network of paid informants who were providing a constant drip feed of false leads, and rebuilt their files on the fugitives virtually from scratch, delving deep into the minutiae of witness interviews and open source data. Starting from the minute their feet left the Rwandan border in 1994, it is about source exploitation and investigation and witness interviewing until we got to the last piece of the puzzle, said Ewan Brown, a former British army officer who is co-leader of the tracking team. Related: Twenty-year search for Rwanda genocide suspect ends in Zimbabwe grave The eight-person team had made Sikubwabo and Ryandikayo their final targets because they were relatively small cogs in the killing machine unleashed in 1994, and because their trail had gone particularly cold. The trackers had instead made a priority of looking for the warlords of the Rwandan genocide, like Protais Mpiranya, once the chief of the presidential guard, whose grave was found in Zimbabwe in May 2022. Precedence was also given to suspects thought to be still alive, such as Fulgence Kayishema, a former police chief arrested in May 2023 living under a false name and working as a security guard in the vineyards outside Cape Town in South Africa. Sikubwabo was a small town mayor while Ryandikayo was a restaurant manager minor characters in provincial life until they made themselves arbiters over life and death when the bloodletting began. Sikubwabo helped orchestrate one of the worst massacres of the genocide, the slaughter of Tutsis who had taken refuge in the compound around a Seventh Day Adventist church at a place called Mugonero. Seven Tutsi pastors appealed to him on 15 April 1994. We wish to inform you that we have heard that tomorrow we shall die with our families, they wrote, not suspecting that Sikubwabo, and the Hutu pastor at Mugonero, were the ones organising the slaughter, which took place the next day. They personally drove a convoy carrying Interahamwe killers armed with guns and machetes to Mugonero. About 12,000 children, women and men were killed on the spot, and in the months that followed, Sikubwabo led search parties to root out Tutsi survivors in his fiefdom and murder them. Ryandikayo took part alongside him in many of the massacres that followed. Tens of thousands died in the area, including a 12-year-old Tutsi girl by the name of Mukanyemera, whom Ryandikayo personally bludgeoned with a club and then cut to pieces with a machete. At the end of the 100-day genocide and the fall of the Hutu government in Kigali, the two men fled to camps in what was then Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From there, Riyandikayo went to the capital, Kinshasa, via the smaller Republic of Congo, while Sikubwabo made his way through to the Republic of Congo and Central African Republic before arriving in Chad in 1997. Neither man had been heard of or seen for years. Their friends and relatives insisted they were dead, but proving it took years. In neither case was it feasible to go looking for a body and DNA. The Ndjamena cemetery where Sikubwabo was buried in 1998 had been repeatedly flooded since then. Riyandikayo is thought to have died of unspecified disease in Kinshasa, also in the late 1990s. His place of burial was never clear. Ultimately, the proof that both fugitives were dead was built on multiple detailed interviews that were checked against other witness accounts and open source information. A final piece of corroborating evidence was pinned down in late April: an interview with an eyewitness who had attended Sikubwabos funeral in the Chadian capital. It was that interview that took the investigation over the finish line, and led to the decision to close the two cases on the 30 April video call between Brammertz and the two leaders of the tracking team, Brown and Kevin Hughes, chief of staff in the prosecutors office. A lot of people never believed something like this was possible the investigations, the prosecutions and finding the fugitives, Hughes said. I hope people walk away from this experience with the fact that all this is very possible when you get a good bright group of dedicated people together, even a small little team. Its amazing what people can do. Related: I have been waiting a long time to be arrested: Rwandan war criminal Fulgence Kayishema tracked to South Africa Brown said one of the lessons of the tribunals success was the sheer relentlessness of the trackers. It would have been easy to have forgotten about Ryandikayo, it would have been easy to have forgotten about Sikubwabo but the fact is, if you dont stick with it, if you dont find these people, there are costs, he said. The issue is predominantly for the victims and their traumas to be kept in the public mind, Brown added. But he also pointed to the importance of international justice in anchoring the history of the genocide, as a bulwark against denial. Some of these fugitives and their supporters have peddled narratives that the genocide didnt happen, he said. With the political and resource constraints facing the ICC, the era of the Yugoslav and Rwandan tribunals is beginning to look like a brief golden age, raising hopes of bringing justice and accountability for the worst crimes known to humanity hopes that are now fading. In a world where international justice is really not doing well, it is a good feeling for us to be able to say: mission accomplished, Brammertz said. At least its accomplished for our fugitives, but this story is not over. The international tribunals were set up to bring the main protagonists to justice, but there are still another thousand lower level war crimes suspects wanted by the Rwandan authorities. On their 30 April video call closing the tribunals cold cases, Brammertz Brown and Hughes said they hardly paused to mark the moment, but instead moved straight on to discussing how to help Rwandas prosecutor general track down the genocidaires still at large. We already found indications after a few weeks of research, where we could locate a number of individuals who are hiding under fake identities in third countries, and we have already started approaching these third countries, Brammertz said. There is work still to be done. 8/29/04-Rev Bill Lawson speaks from the pulpit during services at Wheeler Ave. Baptist Church, Sunday. Rev. Lawson conducted his last day of church services Sunday 8/29/04, before retiring from being the pastor of Wheeler Ave. Baptist Church. Photo by Steve Campbell Steve Campbell/Houston Chronicle The Rev. Jesse Jackson, right, along with William Hall Thomas, center, and the Rev. Bill Lawson, left, talk before opening ceremonies for new Rainbow/PUSH Coalition offices in downtown Houston, Monday April 30, 2001. Thomas, center, is the bureau chief of the new Houston office. RICHARD CARSON/AP Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza and the Rev. Bill Lawson receive the Rotary Distinguished Citizen awards from the Rotary Club of Houston. Ken Scott Communications Photo Ken Scott Communications Considered a giant throughout the religious and social justice community, Rev. William "Bill" Lawson's passing now leaves a hole in a city that adopted him as one of their own. Lawson, the founding pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, died on Tuesday. The news prompted those who shared memories of the civil rights icon who collaborated with leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., to reflect on the legacy he leaves behind. "He was an incredible father, devoted husband until the passing of his wife and legendary leader among leaders," Rep. Ron Reynolds (D-Texas) wrote on Facebook. "He will truly be missed and his legacy will endure forever. Gone, but never forgotten." Advertisement Article continues below this ad What started out as 13 members back in the 1960s has blossomed to at least 14,000 members today under the tutelage of Lawson. Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church started on the campus of Texas Southern University and now sits as a staple in Third Ward as one of the city's megachurches. "Rev. Lawson was a remarkable and beloved pastor in the local Houston community," Archbishop of Galveston-Houston Reverend Daniel DiNardo said in a statement. "Along with Rabbi Samuel Karff and Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, Rev. Lawson was a champion of civil rights and a bold preacher of Gods love in action. His great love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his dedication to the Word of God made him a credible witness to the power of Gods reconciling love for all people. "On behalf of the faithful of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, I extended my deepest sympathy and prayers to the family of Rev. Lawson. May he rest in the peace of the God he served so well." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Beyond his work in the pulpit, Lawson made a name for himself in and around Houston as a community activist and civil rights leader. He assembled the United Way's Houston Homeless Initiative and even chartered the Southern Christian Leadership Conference chapter in Houston where he led the organization for more than three decades. His work didn't stop there. Lawson also founded the Anti-Defamation League's Coalition for Mutual Respect. "Rev. Lawson was the rare leader who understood how to wield great power and influence with kindness and authentic humility," Harris County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Ed Gonzales wrote on X. "He was a builder and he unified people from all walks of life around a core set of values that guided his actions, not just his words. He loved all Houstonians and his legacy of servant leadership is the gold standard for everyone, especially those of us entrusted with protecting our community." In continuing his commitment for equality, he stood side-by-side with other other religious leaders to make Houston a safe place for all. Dubbed the "Three Amigos," Lawson, Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza and Rabbi Samuel Karff took joy in being of service to others. It was Karff who said "we... find our deepest meaning in helping those in need." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative leader, has demanded SNP support to pass his bill as soon as possible - Colin Fisher/Alamy Live News John Swinney has been urged to back Tory legislation aimed at tackling Scotlands national shame of being the drugs death capital of Europe. Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative leader, will table his Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill, written with experts on the countrys drugs crisis, at Holyrood on Wednesday. The legislation would ensure that anyone who needs treatment for addiction is able to access appropriate support, including residential rehabilitation, and has received support from several recovery groups. Mr Ross urged Mr Swinney, the new First Minister, to throw the weight of his government behind the Bill so it can become law as soon as possible. He said that drug deaths are Scotlands national shame and that those dealing with addiction do not want to see SNP ministers continuing to dither and delay over taking the action needed to save lives. Scotlands drug death rate has been 2.7 times the UK average and far higher than anywhere else in Europe, with Glasgow overtaking Dundee as the worst hotspot. Before her sudden resignation last year, Nicola Sturgeon promised to make tackling the scourge her national mission and admitted her government took its eye off the ball. After deaths hit a record high of 1,339 in 2020, they fell from early 2021 to late 2022. However, they have started to rise again and Police Scotland has estimated they increased by 10 per cent last year. Unveiling his legislation, Mr Ross said: This crisis is our national shame and our most vulnerable cannot continue to see those in charge fail to take the necessary and decisive action required to save lives. As this Bill launches, in the spirit of him saying he wants to work across the chamber, I urge John Swinney to throw his weight behind it so it can become law as soon as possible. New First Minister John Swinney's SNP "took its eye off the ball" on drug deaths, according to his predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon - Ken Jack/Getty Images Europe The Bill was developed in conjunction with Annemarie Ward, chief executive of Faces and Voices of Recovery, a UK charity which specialises in representing the voices of communities affected by addiction. She said: Scotland cannot keep failing the most vulnerable people in society. The drug death crisis has hit the poorest communities the hardest. Until the Scottish Parliament overhauls the treatment system, more families will be left broken from the pain of losing a loved one. The Right to Recovery Bill would help people at deaths door get the treatment they need and deserve. The Bill will undergo scrutiny from an allocated lead committee, with experts likely to give evidence in Holyrood. Its general principles will then be debated and voted on in the Scottish Parliament, with amendments put forward at stage two before a final vote which could see it become law. Christina McKelvie, the SNPs Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister, said: My focus is taking evidence-based action to save and improve lives. Well take time to consider the detail of the Bill, including how concerns raised at the consultation stage have been addressed, and will respond in due course. Robert Fico was forced to resign as prime minister in 2018 after protests The placard seemed to express the fury of a nation. As tens of thousands of people took to the streets calling for Robert Fico to resign as prime minister of Slovakia in 2018, one protester had scrawled the words mafia prostitute across a strip of cardboard. Mr Fico was depicted in the striped black-and-white uniform of a prisoner an indication the crowds wanted him jailed over the murder of Jan Kuciak, an investigative journalist who had been exploring links between government advisers and organised crime. Kuciak was shot dead along with his fiancee at their home outside Bratislava, provoking a wave of horror in a nation that had become almost inured to stories of corruption. The 27-year-old journalist had been investigating alleged links between government figures and the Ndrangheta, the powerful Italian mafia based in the southern region of Calabria. He alleged that the Italian mafia had acquired farmland in eastern Slovakia through intimidation and then fraudulently claimed massive EU subsidies. In exchange, it was alleged, the Fico government received generous mediation fees. The reporter also uncovered the fact that a topless model and Miss Universe contestant who was appointed as a senior aide to the prime minister had previously been the girlfriend of an alleged Ndrangheta cocaine smuggler. Mr Fico was accused of running a mafia state in collusion with corrupt businessmen, tax officials and police officers charges he denied. But just days later, he was forced to resign. Fico bounces back That was then. Despite the corruption accusations, Mr Fico eventually bounced back. In an election last September, he ran on a pro-Russia campaign of no longer giving military support to Ukraine, amid opinion polls which suggested that a third of Slovaks believe the war was provoked by the West. Aware of the waning public support for Kyivs war effort, he told supporters that if he returned to power we will not send a single round of ammunition to Ukraine. His populist party, known as Direction or SMER, won the most votes in the election and he was able to form a coalition with two other parties, embarking on his fourth term as prime minister. Once back in power, one of his first acts was to abolish a special prosecutors office that was investigating organised crime and corruption. He shut down the anti-corruption body in February despite warnings from the EU that the move would compromise the rule of law in Slovakia. His decision provoked widespread street protests which mirrored the demonstrations that were held after the murder of Mr Kuciak in 2018. Mr Fico was investigated by the office but the charges were dropped in 2022. Several people linked to his party face prosecution for alleged corruption. In vengeful mode In December the prime minister described the special prosecutors office as evil. He was in a vengeful mode and got rid of an institution that was going after his cronies, that was very critical of all the crooks and criminals, said Samuel Abraham, a political analyst in Slovakia. The shooting of the prime minister comes against a backdrop of partisan, deeply divided politics, which was evident during the parliamentary elections in the autumn and the more recent presidential election last month. The presidential contest was won by Peter Pellegrini, who was prime minister from 2018 to 2020 after his ally Mr Fico was toppled. Mr Pellegrini called his opponent, Ivan Korcok, a pro-Western diplomat a warmonger because of his support for Ukraine against Russia. Conceding defeat, an embittered Mr Korcok said: It turns out that it is possible to become the president of the Slovak Republic by spreading hatred. He said he had been unfairly characterised as a war candidate. It is in the context of this heated political atmosphere that the prime minister was shot multiple times in a town 85 miles outside Bratislava in a suspected assassination attempt. The recent political campaigns have been full of hatred and division. Sooner or later someone with a gun, perhaps some kind of weirdo, was going to pull the trigger. You reap what you sow, said Mr Abraham. Trump in New York in March. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images A powerful watchdog group that has been at the forefront of efforts to hold Donald Trump accountable for constitutional violations is investigating whether his Mar-a-Lago meeting with oil company executives last month merits legal action. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (Crew) has told the Guardian that it is investigating the dinner at Trumps club with more than 20 oil and gas company executives. Trump asked them for a $1bn presidential campaign contribution, while at the same time vowing to undo Joe Bidens restrictions on natural gas export permits, oil drilling and car pollution, the Washington Post reported. Related: House Democrats launch investigation into Trumps alleged offers to oil executives Virginia Canter, Crews chief ethics counsel, said the groups lawyers were investigating what she called a matter of considerable concern. Were taking a very serious look at whether Trumps fundraising pitch to the oil executives for $1bn would merit some further action, she said. Canter added that details of the discussion between the former president and the oil companies were troubling. This was a very focused small group directed at a particular industry, there was an amount put out there of $1bn, which he described as a deal, which all raises questions about the transactional nature of the meeting. News of Crews investigation came as House Democrats announced their own inquiry into the Mar-a-Lago dinner. Letters were sent from the House oversight committee on Monday to nine oil executives asking for details of their companies participation. Sheldon Whitehouse, the senator from Rhode Island who chairs the Senate budget committee, which has subpoena powers, is also considering an investigation. In a statement, he told the Guardian that Trumps reported pledge to tear up fossil-fuel restrictions on day one of a second Trump administration, combined with the request for campaign money, was an offer of a blatant quid pro quo. Whitehouse said it was practically an invitation to ask questions about big oils political corruption and manipulation. He added that his budget committee was looking at how to ensure the industry cannot simply buy off politicians in order to saddle taxpayers with the bill. Crew has a substantial track record of dragging Trump and his inner circle through the courts and in front of ethics bodies. The group led the recent attempt to force Trump off the presidential ballot in Colorado on grounds that he had violated the 14th amendment sanctions against those who engage in insurrection, a move which the US supreme court blocked. On Trumps first day in the White House in 2017, Crew sued him for violating the emoluments clauses of the US constitution which forbid federal officeholders from receiving gifts from foreign states. The case, which arose because Trump had refused to divest his business interests, was still open when his presidency ended. Crew ethics complaints also led to reprimands for more than a dozen officials in the Trump administration. Under the bribery statute, 18 USC 201(b), public officials are forbidden from seeking or receiving anything of value in return for carrying out an official act. Presidential candidates are allowed to solicit donations within the constraints of campaign finance laws, and they are also free to lay out their policy objectives to companies that might benefit from them. They are not, however, allowed to ask for money directly in return for carrying out beneficial acts once in office. For the bribery statute to be invoked, there would have to be evidence that Trump promised to dismantle regulations in exchange for donations, said Professor Deborah Hellman of the University of Virginia law school. For him to say Im doing it because youre giving me the money is a quid pro quo, but to say Im going to do it, so you should want me to get elected is not. While inquiries into the Mar-a-Lago meeting have so far focused on Trumps conduct, fossil fuel companies are also under scrutiny. Last week Politico reported that the US oil industry is preparing for a possible Trump second term by drafting executive orders for him to sign. The orders would unleash offshore oil drilling and boost natural gas exports. The fossil fuel industry has already donated $7.3m this election cycle to Trumps campaign and groups backing his candidacy, according to Federal Election Commission data compiled by the non-profit watchdog OpenSecrets. Kyiv - Ed Ram/Getty Ukraine is offering Hollywood bosses tax breaks to shoot films in the war-torn nation. A Ukrainian team is using the Cannes Film Festival to promote their country to the some of the most powerful executives in world cinema who have gathered on the Riviera. The government is offering a 25 per cent tax rebate to production companies willing to film in the country, despite the ongoing war with Russia. Cannes Film Festival is being used to advertise these financial incentives, and show off a range of possible filming locations such as Lviv and Kyiv, which still come under missile bombardment. The cinematic elite in Cannes are being told that there are many opportunities in Ukraine, and US representatives in the south of France are helping to promote Ukraine as a viable place to shoot films. US funding given through the Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine has also been used to support a website which contains information on key filing locations. The programme is part of the United States Agency for International Development, which is funded by the US state to deliver foreign aid. So far it has put $57.9 billion into its Ukraine programme to support the civilian population, seeking to develop a strong, diverse, and open Ukrainian economy. Kateryna Tretiakova, working for the Ukrainian State Film Agency in Cannes, said that we dont want people to forget us. She added: Of course we would like Hollywood to come. Our message is that Ukraine is open for filming, for co-productions, post-production. We have many skilled people working in the industry. Her colleague Kateryna Nahorna said: We are open for business. Ukraine is a great place to make movies. We have amazing locations and we have the skills. The Ukraine team in Cannes works from a pavilion by the beach at the Palais Des Festival where stars including Eva Green, Meryl Streep, and Jane Fonda have flocked for the annual festival. While new films air their premieres at the event, there is a vast market for buying and promoting films, and for pushing the industries of the many nations represented. Ukraine is making clear that it will offer a 20 per cent rebate for companies choosing to film there, with an additional five per cent available if they make films relevant to Ukrainian culture. A database of locations has been created with the help of USAID, setting out a range of castles, docks, cemeteries, beaches, factories and mountain retreats that could be used for filming. Many of these locations are in or around Lviv in the west of the country, far from the front lines, but still at risk of missile fire from Russia. Some locations are in the capital Kyiv, while others are found on the southern coast in the Odessa Oblast, which has also come under missile fire in recent weeks. Russian has recently opened up a new front in the war which has raged since 2022, launching a major ground offensive Ukraines northern Kharkiv region. A number of famous productions were shot in Ukraine, including the award-winning series Chernobyl and the Armando Iannucci satire The Death of Stalin. Producers of the 1970 military epic Waterloo also used Ukraine for the films lavish battle scenes. The Royal Navy and the US Navy can fairly be described as the leading maritime forces of the Western world though nobody would realistically suggest that the British fleet is in the same league as the USN. Nonetheless both services, alone among the worlds navies, can deploy fifth-generation fighters from aircraft carriers. Both can launch Tomahawk cruise missiles at targets a thousand miles away. Both have now proven that they can shoot down incoming ballistic missiles, in historic engagements against the Iran-backed Houthis of Yemen. Though the USN is far bigger, both can do the rest of the top-tier missions: nuclear submarine deterrence, attack, and covert ops; effective anti-submarine warfare (an area in which the Royal Navy is sometimes, for once, a little ahead); and amphibious assault. Or anyway the USN can do amphibious assault and the Royal Navy actually the Royal Fleet Auxiliary will be able to soon. But both services have their problems, in particular with introducing new ships. Here in Britain, the problems are obscured because planned shipbuilding numbers are good. The new Dreadnought class deterrent submarines are in train as are the last of the Astute class attack submarines. The collaboration with the US and Australia for the next generation of attack submarines remains sound, although that is a long way away and many hurdles remain. The Type 26 and 31 Frigates are (finally) progressing nicely and the news that they will both have Mark 41 vertical launchers, able to carry effective American missiles of all kinds, is welcome. The fact that, to my mind, takes a little bit of the gold leaf off the golden age of shipbuilding here in the UK is the number of ships that are being asked to run on beyond their programmed lifespan because these projects all started too late. Resource constraints make getting programs across the line so difficult that we are now seemingly incapable of starting a complex build programme in time for it to be finished as the previous class pays off. Delays in build due to politics, shipyard capacity issues and design tinkering all compound this. Capability gaps are now the norm, sometimes huge ones. The venerable Type 23 frigates typify this. They were built in the 1990s and Noughties and were designed to run reasonably low-intensity towed array patrols in the North Atlantic with a life span of 18 to 20 years. Even the very newest (and best) one, my old command HMS St Albans just coming out of an extended maintenance period is already 24 years old. They will all be in their late 30s by the time the T26s are ready to relieve them. Running ships on past their designed life like this creates two problems. First is the cost of keeping them mechanically sound and safe to operate. The refits cost more than it cost to build them. Second, you are forced to throw money at what in technological terms is now an old ship. The latest advancements in weapons, sensors, AI, communications and satellite networks all the things we are working so hard to develop to retain a technological edge become increasingly incompatible with the ageing platforms. The USN's futuristic Zumwalt class destroyer has not been a success. Only three will ever join the fleet - US Navy/Getty Older ships also use more people, the reason I am confident we wont see our two Royal Navy amphibious assault ships on operations anytime soon, despite the announcement that they will not be paid off early. Its doubly frustrating that we are in the middle of making the same mistake again with the replacement for the Type 45 destroyers. HMS Daring, first of class, was launched in 2006 and should therefore be expecting to retire in 2036 at the latest. If the Type 45 replacement is to be ready in time, designs need to be mature now and contracts awarded straight away. To give an idea, steel was first cut on the Type 26 Frigate in July 2017 but that ship wont reach initial operating capability until October 2028. But that was on the back of a further seven years of contract discussions and awards, i.e. it took 18 years from concept to operational. Meanwhile, over in the US, the Zumwalt class was a case study of what happens if you try to pack too much new and untested technology into one hull. The initial plan was to build 32 but as the costs skyrocketed, this reduced to 24, then to seven. The USN has ended up with three. A related case was the Seawolf submarines, which are powerful but horrendously costly. Again, the USN only got three, though in this case the more reasonably priced Virginia class successor project has been a great success. With surface ships the USN did not recover as well if at all. The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is perhaps the exemplar of a programme that started with a confused concept of operations, was rushed into production, and got worse from there. It took about 12 years from launch before they were universally being referred to as little crappy ships. Needless to say, the US Navy hasnt let the almost unarmed LCSs anywhere near the current littoral combat theatre in the Southern Red Sea. And now the Constellation class frigate, the US answer to our Type 26, is also in a bit of a mess. On this occasion, the USN took the excellent and proven Fregata Europea Multi-Missione (FREMM) design and rather than modifying 15 per cent of it for US purposes as initially stated, modified 85 per cent. Its basically a new ship. A combination of this meddling and workforce shortfalls in the yard where it is being built have caused delays and a price hike. So too expensive, unreliable and fiddled with too much in sequential order. Its almost as though the USN cant build new surface combatant warships at all any more. Fortunately, in the long running Arleigh Burke destroyer programme, the US not only produced one of the best warships ever at the start, it is also one of the most modifiable. The latest ones, still coming off the line, physically resemble their forebears of 33 years ago but thats about it: and the old ones still in service have been upgraded in line with the new ones. Arleigh Burke class. When you get something right, keep doing it - MC3 Lasheba James/US Navy/AFP/Getty Here in Britain our replacement air defence destroyer, the Type 83, will need to avoid all these traps. It will need to be advanced (but not too much), have what is meant to be inked in from the start and then not be tinkered with during build. Thats not going to be easy, however. The things an air defence destroyer needs to be able to do are expanding and shifting at pace. The Future Air Dominance System (FADS) is the collective term for this and whilst accelerating fast, the concept is still in its infancy. Whatever FADS ends up being, it will need to be advanced but not too expensive. It must be survivable and not have too many people onboard. It must carry lots of (reloadable at sea) missiles but not be too big and expensive. It will need to counter swarm attacks by cheap and simple drones or missiles (the forthcoming Dragonfire laser should be useful here). It will also need to shoot down ballistic missiles in space, supersonic or hypersonic missiles from the upper atmosphere to sea level, and defend against surface attack (also drones). It should be able to knock down targets below the horizon which are being tracked by something else such as an airborne radar aircraft. The Red Sea has confirmed beyond doubt that warships need to be able to strike targets ashore add this to the list, though most navies apart from the Royal Navy had already done so. The Type 83s will need to be able to conduct disaggregated operations thousands of miles from other ships but also in a task group next to the carrier (this is a key requirement). These are complex and sometimes conflicting requirements to the point where some FADS concepts dispense with the idea of a large ship at all, relying instead on a fleet of smaller arsenal and uncrewed ships. This could work in wartime, and might even save money (never far away in the conversation) but solutions like this often overlook the 99 per cent of the time when a warships job is to prevent the war in the first place. So, to my mind, peacetime operations, deterrence work, radar physics and probably a pinch of traditionalism means that FADS will still have a destroyer-looking ship at its core with the option to add remotely operated or heavily armed options down the line. It wont be a vast cruiser (see Zumwalt) or small and under-armed (see the LCS). But FADS needs to mature now because the equation is simple: no destroyers = no carriers = no conventional deterrent in far too much of the world. And if theyre not ready in time, we know from the Type 23s what it costs to run ships beyond their expected life and given the complexities (and difficulties) of the Type 45 power train, it will be worse if we have to do it again. So I would question the notion that we are in a golden age of shipbuilding here in the UK. If we have entered a golden anything it should be the age of budget holders finally recognising how tight things have become in the Royal Navy, how this could compromise the defence of the nation in the face of increasing threats and the demands this continually places on the services excellent people. In the States the problems are less ones of lacking money and vision the US has long had clear ideas on a powerful navy and has provided ample funds. Problems in America are ones of execution, with at least three major ship classes failing to reach service in any numbers over the last three decades leaving the USN, like the RN, with a lot of the same ships it had 30 years ago. The good news is that in both nations the desire is there to meet the threats of the future. The two navies now just need to be given the resources and freedom to deliver. In the specific case of the Type 83 destroyer, that time for decisive action is now. Tom Sharpe is a former Royal Navy officer and surface combatant captain Christian Bruckner, 47, is accused of assaulting five women and girls aged between 10 and 80 years old. Photograph: Reuters A woman who was raped at knifepoint by a masked man in Portugal 20 years ago has told a German court how the trauma of the ordeal had left her suffering from frequent panic attacks. Hazel Behan, 40, broke down as she recalled how a man dressed in black had entered her apartment in the resort of Praia da Rocha in the Algarve at 3am on 16 June 2004. She told how he stood over her bed and woke her by calling her name before proceeding to rape her repeatedly over several hours. Behan was giving evidence at the trial in Braunschweig, northern Germany, of Christian Bruckner, 47, the main suspect in the 2007 disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann. He stands accused of three rapes and two indecent assaults, incidents that took place in Portugal between December 2000 and June 2017. The incidents involved five women and girls aged between 10 and 80 years old. In a graphic account, told over several hours, Behan, who is an Irish national, had to pause several times. The court pored over the details of accounts she had given first to the Portuguese police, and later to the Irish police, as well as photographs from the crime scene. Physical details, such as her description of a distinctive mark on the perpetrators right upper thigh, and his accent were also deliberated over. Behan had come forward to offer the account of her ordeal to British police in 2020 after learning of a Metropolitan police appeal for witnesses after German police named Bruckner as the main suspect in the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine. The newspaper report on the appeal included a picture of Bruckner. Behan described to the court how she had first seen the picture in June 2020, recognising what she described as his very piercing blue eyes. I saw his eyes and I was sick, she said. The judge, Uta Engemann, asked: So you saw the photo and you vomited? Behan replied: Yes. The judge added: Because you thought that was the photo of the perpetrator? Behan replied: Yes. Asked if she had compared the picture to other pictures, to be sure it was the same person, Behan, crying, said: I didnt need to. The attack on Behan, who works as an administrator, from Mullingar, in county Westmeath, Ireland, took place when she worked as a holiday representative at the resort, a job she said she had absolutely loved before the attack, which she said took the fire out of me. She said the experience had turned her from a carefree 20-year-old into someone I did not much like, who for years blamed herself for the attack. Behan said it had taken her years to get help, turning to her GP and Dublins Rape Crisis Centre. She still receives counselling and suffers regular panic attacks and said the attack had brought her to the brink of wanting to end her own life, feelings she said were only averted after she knew she was going to become a mother, which saved my life. Behan said the blood rushed from my body during the ordeal. I was just trying to figure out how am I going to get out of this? She described how she was repeatedly raped, whipped and tied up in her apartment, and how the perpetrator had filmed everything on a camera he had strategically positioned on the television set. After forcing her to move to the bathroom, Behan described watching from under a sheet hours later as the attacker retreated backwards out of the apartment, through the balcony door, slipped into his shoes he had left there, and fled. She described her agonising wait, deciding only to leave the apartment to get help after she was sure he had gone. She later described her anger towards the Portuguese police who allegedly failed to take a proper statement from her and, when she had been called to the local police station, had tossed her clothes some of which the attacker had cut off with a pair of scissors across a desk at her. She described being repeatedly urged to leave the resort, and was regularly followed by plain-clothed policemen. Confronting them one day with the question: Why are you following me? She described how two of them had answered: We just want to see if youre a slut. They said it would be best if I just went home because something like this would ruin tourism in the area my friends would lose their jobs, she said. Bruckner, who denies the sexual assault charges and also denies involvement in the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann at the Praia da Luz resort, 37km (23 miles) away, sat metres away from Behan appearing to show no reaction. He appeared to listen to her account, his chin resting on the fingers of his left hand for the majority of it. He is currently in prison for the rape of an American tourist and is due for release next year. German police first began focusing on Bruckner in 2013, asking him to speak to them in relation to the disappearance of Madeleine. Despite naming him as their main suspect in her disappearance, they have not been explicit as to the reasons why. They have continued to pursue the case, going so far as to say that they do not believe Madeleine is alive, but have refused to go into any detail as to why. Behan is to continue giving evidence on Thursday. The case continues. Jurors would not have a shred of sympathy for a teacher accused of having sex with two teenage pupils if the accused was a man and not the defendant Rebecca Joynes, a court has heard. Joynes, 30, was also accused of a naked attempt to garner sympathy from the jury by having a pink babys bonnet visibly tucked into her trouser front belonging to the child fathered by one of the teenagers she is accused of having sex with and whose virginity she took, Manchester Crown Court heard. Joe Allman, prosecuting, told the court in his closing speech: Shes aware of the optics here. Shes not stupid. Is Miss Joynes, more shrewd than she lets on? Joynes was already suspended from her high school job and on bail for alleged sexual activity with boy A, 15, when she allegedly began a sexual relationship with the second youngster, boy B, who she later became pregnant by. Neither teenager must be identified. School teacher Rebecca Joynes arrives at Manchester Crown Court, where she is charged with six counts of sexual activity with two teenagers, including two counts of sexual activity while being a teacher in a position of trust (Peter Byrne/PA) Jurors heard both boys sent her flirty Snapchat messages before boy A was taken shopping, bought a 350 Gucci belt and went back to her flat on Salford Quays where they had sex, with his semen later recovered from her bedsheets by police. Boy B claims sexual activity began when he was 15 with kissing and full sex when he was 16 and while he was still a pupil. Joynes claims no sexual activity ever took place with boy A and a relationship developed with boy B while she was suspended from her job and only became sexual after she was dismissed and he had left school at 16, so no offence had taken place. Mr Allman said of the babys bonnet worn by Joynes: That was a pretty naked attempt to garner your sympathy. He suggested boy B had been accused of gaslighting her during their stormy relationship when she became pregnant. Mr Allman said: Who is being gaslit, and who is doing the gaslighting? Is what is going on here, is: she hopes you will treat her very differently because she is a woman and not a man, and you will see this case differently because shes a woman and not a man? He questioned whether the boys would have been disparaged in the same way in an attempt to discredit them if they were two girls of similar age. Had Rebecca Joynes, petite, described as pretty and softly-spoken, been Robert Joynes, a 30-year-old man, and the complainants had been girls, Mr Allman said it would not have been suggested to them they were up for it or the ones wanting sex, because that would have been quite obscene. And he suggested Joynes would like jurors to forget she is a responsible, mature adult teacher and the boys were teenage children and school pupils. Manchester Crown Court, where Rebecca Joynes is on trial (Peter Powell/PA) It has the effect of warping the picture, so she almost becomes the victim and the boys the perpetrators. He asked the jury of seven men and five women to imagine Robert a 28-year-old teacher, just out of a nine-year relationship, lonely, good-looking, who schoolgirls pay a lot of attention to, flatter and make inappropriate comments to. The prosecutor outlined a scenario where the male teacher exchanges Snapchat messages, buys one girl a 350 belt and takes her back to his flat, while a second teenager falls pregnant to Robert. Are you in any doubt about whats happened here? Mr Allman said. You would not have one shred of sympathy for Robert. This thought experiment drags Miss Joynes defence into the light. Earlier, Joynes told the jury she had ruined her dream job with stupid mistakes by meeting up with the two teenagers and having them back at her flat, but denied under-age sex. Both boys were 15 when Joynes began taking each one into her flat and both had been communicating with her on Snapchat where messages are deleted and not recoverable by police. In both cases, the activity was a secret from their parents and they both flirted with her, boy A calling her sexy and boy B sending her a message saying: Get your tits out. Joynes admitted she had split after a nine-year relationship, was lonely and flattered by the attention. In a letter, she wrote to boy B, saying: Every inch of you is perfect. You are all I ever dream about. Joynes wept as she told jurors their baby was taken away from her hours after giving birth and she now only has limited access, three times a week. She denies six counts of sexual activity with a child, including two while being a person in a position of trust. Michael OBrien, in his closing speech for the defence, said boy A had lied about what had taken place between him and Joynes while boy B had put the boot in while being interviewed by detectives. He said meeting students outside school was wrong, but not a criminal offence. Mr OBrien said boy A initially denied anything had happened, claiming it was all just banter with his friends that got out of hand. Mr OBrien said after contact between boy A and Miss Joynes on Snapchat, the teenager had bragged to his friends that he was going to shag the teacher. Would he lose face to his mates if he said, Well, actually lads, I was told to sleep on the sofa? And he said boy B had given unclear and inconsistent answers to questions. He said Joynes and Boy B, were in a perfectly legal relationship which the teenager had chosen to twist the dates and put the boot in, to say sex began earlier when he was at school and aged 15. The trial continues with the jury expected to retire on Thursday morning. Royal Mails owner has said it would be minded to agree a takeover by shareholder Daniel Kretinsky after the Czech billionaire put forward a higher proposed bid worth around 3.5 billion. International Distribution Services (IDS) said Mr Kretinskys EP Group had upped its proposal to 370p a share, from an initial 320p-a-share approach made on April 9, to buy the shares in IDS that it does not already own. IDS said Mr Kretinsky, whose EP Group owns a 27.5% stake in the firm, had agreed to offer a set of contractual undertakings to protect key public interest factors recognising Royal Mails status as a major part of national infrastructure under the proposal. This would include commitments to Royal Mails plans to keep six-day-a-week first class letter deliveries under the universal service, protect workers rights and keep the Royal Mail brand, as well as its UK headquarters and tax residence. EP Group would also continue the one-price-goes-anywhere service for letter post inside the UK, it said. IDS said it was minded to agree to a deal on the terms and price in the proposal, should a firm bid be made. Mr Kretinsky now has until 5pm on May 29 to make a firm offer after the City Takeover Panel agreed to extend the so-called put up or shut up deadline, which was originally set for5pm on Wednesday May 15. Keith Williams, chairman of IDS, said the proposed offer is fair and reflects the value of both Royal Mail and its international parcels network, General Logistics Systems (GLS), based in Amsterdam. He said: The board is minded to recommend this offer price, which it considers to be fair and reflects the value of GLS current growth plans and the progress being made on change at Royal Mail to adapt the business to a significant fall in the demand for letters and growth in parcels. It is, however, regrettable that despite four years of asking, the Government has not seen fit to engage in reform of the universal service and thus improve our financial position and ensure that Royal Mail could provide an economically sustainable service to the British public. Shares in IDS surged another 18% in Wednesday mid-afternoon trading, having already soared higher after the firm revealed last month it had rejected an initial approach from Mr Kretinsky. Mr Kretinsky, who is said to be known as the Czech Sphinx, already has a raft of investments, including stakes in London football club West Ham United and supermarket giant Sainsburys. But any deal to buy IDS would face intense political and public scrutiny, given the importance of Royal Mail and the postal service. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has reportedly voiced concerns over the proposed takeover, recently saying there were lessons to be learned from the ownership of troubled Thames Water. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) warned that the future of postal services in the UK is again under threat. CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: EP Group must immediately demonstrate an up-front and open commitment to working with the union to completely change the culture in workplaces across the UK, rule out any break-up of the company or raid of the pension surplus. Labours shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has written to Mr Kretinsky calling for safeguards to be put in place to protect Royal Mail and ensure it is not operated overseas. Mr Reynolds wrote: Royal Mail is as British as it gets, and Labour will take the necessary steps to safeguard its undeniable identity and place in public life. Mr Kretinskys investment in IDS has long been a source of controversy, coming under government scrutiny in 2022 amid national security worries after he built up his shareholding. In the end, the then business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, did not intervene following a review of the stake. The bid interest comes at a crucial time for Royal Mail, which put forward plans to Ofcom earlier this month to scrap second-class letter deliveries on Saturdays and cut the service to every other week day as part of overhaul efforts. In its submission to Ofcoms consultation on the future of the universal postal service, Royal Mail said it would keep a six-day-a-week service for first-class mail in a climbdown on previous calls for all Saturday letter deliveries to be scrapped. Russia recently discovered a giant reserve of oil and gas in Antarctica, but how alarmed should we be? (Alamy) (mauritius images, mauritius images GmbH) Recent surveys of Antarctic water carried out by Russia could be a prelude to Moscow attempting to stake a claim to a piece of the continent for itself and drilling it for oil and gas, a professor in geopolitics has warned. Professor Klaus Dodds, from Royal Holloway College, issued the warning after a Russian ship discovered huge reserves in Antarctica roughly 10 times the North Seas entire 50-year output. Moscow insists that the Akademik Alexander Karpinsky vessel was only there to carry out scientific research, but Dodds tells Yahoo News UK he believes the ship was potentially "prospecting" for resources to mine. For over 60 years, the continent has been kept a conflict-free, environmentally protected and politically neutral zone where scientific research can flourish thanks to the largely successful Antarctic Treaty. However, fearing that Russia could be using scientific research as a cover for a land grab, Dodds says that the "norms, values and rules" of the agreement "cannot be taken for granted". "They are being actively stress tested and we need to prepare for the possibility that peace and collaboration will become harder," he says. "If we conclude that Russia is 'prospecting' rather than carrying out 'scientific research' we need to call that out and risk the breakdown of consensus. Failure to act will create further precedents and will not help preserve the effective functioning of the Antarctic Treaty." Seven countries, including Britain, maintain historical claims to parts of Antarctica from when expeditions first explored the continent. However, the treaty has effectively put these to the side, with researchers from several other countries able to operate there with no issues. Dodds adds that "there is a risk that Russia might choose to walk away from the treaty and make a claim to territory in the future", which could mean a slice of the continent suddenly loses all of its long-established protections. Dodds, an expert in Arctic and Antarctic governance, recently raised concerns with the Commons Environment Audit Committee (EAC), pointing to evidence gathered by South African newspaper the Daily Maverick, which investigated Russia's Antarctic activities after the Akademik Alexander Karpinsky docked in Cape Town. A statement by the US State Department on Ukraine war sanctions identified the ship as being operated by PMGE, a subsidiary of Rosgeo, which, on its own website, says it "performs all types of geological prospecting and exploration activities from regional surveys for all types of mineral resources to estimation of the reserves commissioning of the fields into operation". The 1959 Antarctic Treaty has helped keep the continent politically neutral and demilitarised. (Getty Images) (Anadolu via Getty Images) While Dodds says that "for now", mining does not look likely "economically speaking", he does say that the international community "not doing anything" about Russia's recent excursions "does not make any of this less likely". At an EAC hearing last week, Foreign Office junior minister David Rutley said Russia had recently reaffirmed its commitments to key parts of the Atlantic Treaty and had "repeatedly given assurances that its surveying is purely for scientific purposes", but Dodds remains unconvinced. He said: "I would not be too eager to trust Russias assurances. In recent years Russia has arguably been the most disruptive actor in Antarctica and along with China resisted strongly attempts to widen out a network of marine protected areas." Dodds suggested a "fundamental flaw" in the treaty's Protocol on Environmental Protection, which does not formally define "mineral resource activities" and "scientific research" could be handing Russia a "definitional grey zone". Why the UK isn't too alarmed by Russia's discovery How soon could all of this come to a head? Not any time soon, according to Nicolas Jouan, a defence and security analyst at the RAND Corporation, an American non-profit global policy think tank. He agrees that the latest discovery of oil reserves is "reinforcing a trend transforming the region into a geopolitical and potentially economical hotspot" and says there is "no doubt that Russia wants to make the case for an Antarctica region more open to resource exploitation on the long-term". Seven nations have historical claims to land in the Antarctic, but many countries don't recognise them, and the treaty has minimised their significance. (Discovering Antarctica) (Discovering Antarctica.org.uk) However, he says that while Russia may have ambitions of fishing and oil extraction, it has "not yet fundamentally challenged the principles of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty", suggesting it does "not have the willingness or the means to do more" such as establish a military presence. Jouan adds that even if there are vast reserves of oil in Antarctica, they are still "technically very difficult to exploit", which he says could explain why the UK's response is "not very alarmist". He adds that the British Antarctic Territory is contested, with some overlapping claims from Argentina and Chile, which might encourage the Foreign Office to "avoid escalation" and rather remind Russia of its commitments to the treaty. While Jouan says China and Russia are "clearly the most vocal powers wanting a relaxing of the rules" around resource exploitation in Antarctica, he says they are not the only ones. "Other countries are biding their time until a possible review of the Protocol on Environmental Protection in 2048," he says, adding: "The expectation could be that guarantees on the protection of the environment could be secured while avoiding a permanent ban on mining." With Australia claiming almost half of Antarctica's landmass being the most committed to a region free of any mining or oil drilling, Jouan says divisions are likely to emerge over this issue when the time comes. Atlantic Treaty 'not expiring in 2048' Some reports of the treaty, or the mining ban in the region, expiring in 2048 expiring are not accurate, says Dodds. That date simply gives members a chance to call for a conference to review the treaty. Dodds describes this fear as a "red herring", adding: "What matters is how Russian activity is addressed by concerned parties". While he accepts that mining in the region, economically speaking, does not look likely any time soon, he says the international community "not doing anything does not make any of this less likely either". A FCDO spokesperson said: The UK is fully committed to the Antarctic Treaty and its prohibition of commercial mineral exploitation. Last year, all Parties to the Antarctic Treaty reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to work together under the agreed framework, which reserves Antarctica for scientific use only. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has accused Rishi Sunak of comparing Scottish independence supporters to extremist threats in puerile and pathetic comments. Mr Flynn also claimed Mr Sunak had proactively compared almost half of his Scottish population with a war criminal like Vladimir Putin during a keynote speech. But Prime Minister Mr Sunak denied the claims and went on to accuse the SNP of being a threat to the integrity of the UK. Speaking at Prime Ministers Questions, Mr Flynn said: On Monday, the Prime Minister outlined what he considers to be extremist threats to our society and in doing so, he actively compared North Korea, Iran and Russia with those people in Scotland who believe in independence. So can I ask him to rise once to the standards befitting of his office and apologise for those puerile and pathetic remarks? Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during Prime Ministers Questions (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) Mr Sunak replied: Thats not what I said, but I would say to the honourable gentleman that his party is indeed a threat to the integrity of the United Kingdom, and I hate to remind him that is literally their entire purpose. Because when the people of Scotland accepted the referendum in 2014, it was the SNP who didnt. They went on creating a Minister for Independence, focused on constitutional wrangling, ignoring the needs of the people. Education standards falling, taxes rising, so actually finally he should do the right thing and end the obsession with independence and put the needs of the Scottish people first. In a second question, Mr Flynn said: Lets be clear, what the Prime Minister did was not just equate my colleagues and I to despotic and dangerous despots across the world, he proactively compared almost half of his Scottish population with a war criminal like Vladimir Putin, and he did so as their Prime Minister as the man who represents them on the world stage, and the man who on these isles, is tasked with defending their liberties and their democracy. We know that his sorry time in office is rapidly coming to a conclusion. Is this really how he wants to be remembered? Mr Sunak replied: As ever, distracting from the actual record of what the SNP are doing in Scotland, and this obsession with independence means that Scottish schoolchildren are being let down, plummeting down international league tables. The Scottish NHS the only place in the United Kingdom where funding is actually falling in real terms, and taxes going up for ordinary hardworking families and small businesses. That is what the SNP are doing in Scotland while this UK Government is delivering for them. In his Policy Exchange speech on Monday, the Prime Minister said Scottish nationalists are trying to tear our United Kingdom apart. Rishi Sunak delivered a keynote speech at the Policy Exchange think tank on Monday May 13 (Carl Court/PA) In reference to gender activists and cancel culture, he said: Vocal and aggressive fringe groups are trying to impose their views on the rest of us. Theyre trying to make it morally unacceptable to believe something different and undermine peoples confidence and pride in our own history and identity. Mr Sunak said elsewhere in the speech: The dangers that threaten our country are real. They are increasing in number. An axis of authoritarian states like Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China is working together to undermine us and our values. President Joe Biden speaks about the economy, Tuesday March 19, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press Biden versus Trump Regarding In the 2024 presidential election, its The Godfather vs. Yoda | Opinion, (May 11): Donald Trump as Don Vito Corleone, and Joe Biden as Yoda, huh? Id go with different movie characters. Corleone actually had some admirable qualities. He was disciplined, seemingly truthful and, as played by Marlon Brando, honorable in his own way. No, Ill go Trump as Col. Nathan Jessup, as portrayed by Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men. Ruthless, power-obsessed, indifferent about truth and very willing to sacrifice others to advance himself. Biden as Yoda? Thats way too generous. Id go with Biden as Norman Thayer, as played by Henry Fonda in On Golden Pond. A good and decent fellow, who in the movie displays all the signs of advanced age and diminished abilities. Biden has no more business running the country than Norman had driving the boat. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What we really need is to go back to central casting and ask them to send in two new actors. How about a Tom Hanks type, and a Denzel Washington? David Bradley, Spring This article reminded me of a similar characterization the media made in 2000, comparing George W. Bush and Al Gore to Ralph Malph and Potsie Weber from Happy Days. Personally, being older, I could not help viewing it through the lens of Leave It to Beaver, with Lumpy Rutherford running against Eddie Haskell and Lumpy winning. George Connelly, Houston Salute to school nurses Regarding Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses celebrates nursing excellence, (May 3): The recent Salute to Nurses supplement on Sunday, May 5, was very well done, but you left out the amazing, dedicated, hardworking school nurses. My daughter-in-law is the registered nurse at a Houston ISD high school. She is the only nurse there and cares for almost 2,700 students! Advertisement Article continues below this ad HISD school nurses see all kinds of health issues, from administering daily prescribed medications to sending feverish students home, as well as drug overdoses, and sometimes injuries from a gang fight. My daughter-in-law maintains health records for all the students, and this is an ongoing task since many students move frequently. She often works very late because she is so overloaded. She does all this because she loves her work and cares for the students, often teaching them self-care skills they may not have learned at home. Perhaps the Houston Chronicle could dedicate a time to honor all our wonderful school nurses. Jo Merrily King, Houston Honoring Latino culture Regarding What my mother taught me about tortillas. And life. | Opinion, (May 10): This touching article brought back the memory of my grandmother Minnie, and how she used to make those fluffy, flour tortillas. Now, when I smell the flowing aroma of tortillas cooking, it brings me back to the nostalgic recollection of home, of being a child. I love going to Ninfas on Navigation and watching the ladies pat those fresh, handmade tortillas by hand. Many folks may not understand our culture and what this means to Latinos. These are beautiful memories of our rich culture. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Chef Adan Medrano beautifully explores the profound connection between food, culture and family. He reminisces about his mother, Dominga Mora Medrano, and how she imparts invaluable lessons through the art of making tortillas. Medrano unravels layers of wisdom passed down through generations, highlighting the importance of preserving culinary traditions as a means of honoring our heritage and identity. Medranos article not only celebrates the humble tortilla but also serves as a reminder of the resilience, love and cultural richness embedded in every meal shared with our loved ones. I pray that the new generation of young Latinos continue to honor their rich culture, and preserve it with dignity and pride. Blanca Blanco, Houston Speaking up for babies Regarding Im a Harris County commissioner and a mom. Texas' abortion law endangers our daughters. | Opinion, (May 10): Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones states that she is a mother, Latina and Catholic who is sickened to see freedoms stripped from all young women. I am a father, a proud Polish American and also Catholic and I am sickened to see innocent babies' lives violently ended. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The child lacks a voice to speak up in their own defense and may be the most marginalized demographic of all. Pro-abortion policies seem to be about telling babies they cant have a life. The actual procedure is rarely openly discussed. Why not? Too disturbing perhaps? Abortion can only be justified by dehumanizing the baby being aborted. Working to create a world where abortion is not necessary because every woman and unborn child has access to support and assistance should be the goal. Yes, women need to have stabilizing care, but hopefully that can be done without eliminating innocent lives. Michael Spiech, Sugar Land Female voters arent the only ones Regarding Stormy Daniels delivers shocking testimony about Trump, but trial hinges on business records, (May 9): I was intrigued by the suggestion that publicizing former President Donald Trumps sexual encounter with Stormy Daniels could further hurt him in the eyes of female voters. I have and cherish two sisters, four daughters and my wife of more than 60 years. I submit that one need not be a woman to abhor this crass mans mistreatment of women. That mistreatment is just one of many reasons for men, as well as women, not to vote for him. Surely the Republican Party can do better. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jim Greenwood, Houston Strictly Come Dancing professionals Kai Widdrington and Nadiya Bychkova have backed the show to last for another two decades as the series celebrated its 20th birthday. The show first aired on May 15 2004 as a new incarnation of the professional dancing show Come Dancing. It has since revived the careers of countless celebrities and made households names of professional dancers and judges. Widdrington and Bychkova, who are a couple in real life and will soon embark on a tour together, Nadiya & Kai: Behind The Magic, said they would love to see the children of the current professionals join the cast in the future. Ukrainian-born Bychkova told the PA news agency: First of all, happy birthday Strictly. Its quite an anniversary, especially in this world of TV shows and the whole world of entertainment, where everything moves and evolves so fast. Its just getting bigger and better in all the ways, the pro numbers, the line-up with the celebrities. Im not from this country so I didnt grow up watching it on TV. I was competing, and Im from a very different background, but as soon as I started the show, which was very exciting, I absolutely fell in love with it. Nowadays the world is tough and hard out there so it is something that people are looking forward to, to get away from the not-as-nice reality that we face nowadays, into that beautiful world and enjoy the lovely music and outfits and the incredible journeys of celebrities. Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington during rehearsals (Jonathan Brady/PA) Assessing its chances of lasting another 20 years, she said: I think it can, I really hope it will. Maybe my daughter will be one of the professionals or Gorka (Marquez)s little ones, or Neil (Jones)s or Janette (Manrara)s. I really hope so because its just a wonderful thing, it inspires people to go and have a dance lesson, which then brings them a bit of joy, its good for your body, its good for your mental health. So I really hope it will carry on for another 20 years or more. Widdrington said he never dreamed he would join the cast when he was a little boy learning to dance in Southampton. He said: I wasnt thinking back then I want to be on the show. It was literally when I started to learn to dance. I was seven and I didnt really understand what the dancing was, and then I saw the first cast of the professionals doing the dances that I was learning, I was like, Oh, thats how its supposed to look. But it was always there in my life. My mother, my grandmother, even my dad were always massive Strictly fans. He added: Its pretty full circle to be a professional now, it is absolutely mind boggling. I wish my grandmother was still around to see it because shed be the proudest woman in the world. Kai Widdrington and Nadiya Bychkova with their backing dancers (Jonathan Brady/PA) But my mums very proud, my dads very proud, everyones proud of proud of me because its a British thing. Were very, very traditional in this country, and Strictly is literally part of the furniture. Strictly in the run-up to Christmas is what British television on Saturday night primetime is about. And Im so blessed and lucky to get to be a part of it. And I can probably speak for both of us when I say well never, ever take it for granted. We wouldnt be able to do the tour that were on now, if we werent on the show. So we owe a lot to the show. He added: Were the luckiest dancers in the world, lets be real, apart from lets say, if you want to be a backing dancer for Beyonce. We get to come back every year and teach, in my case last year, a national treasure (Angela Rippon) how to dance. Kai Widdrington and Nadiya Bychkova rehearsing (Jonathan Brady/PA) And we do it in front of the nation, and its the most famous show on television. And then we get to go on a nationwide tour with your best friends for a month afterwards. So we really are the luckiest people in the world. So, in my opinion, Strictly will be around for another 20 years and it should be around in 20 years because its blooming brilliant. Widdrington and Bychkovas upcoming 25-date tour will begin in Gateshead on June 1 and end in Southampton on June 39, including a date at Londons Peacock Theatre on June 23. They plan to offer audiences a glimpse into how all the magic of dance comes together, with Widdrington saying: Everyone wants to know what goes on behind the scenes, and what is really behind what weve created. Everyone sees the sparkly dancers on the television, and on the stage, and it all just comes together in the blink of an eye but theres a lot of teamwork that goes into it. Were taking inspiration from those of the past, the greats that have come before us in the golden age of Hollywood, from the MGM era of Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, all the way up to Bob Fosse, Michael Jackson to the modern day and Beyonce, Bruno Mars. Were taking our little bit from them, and showing our audience how it inspires us to do what we do today as individual artists and taking people behind the scenes and showing them things that they may not see on our day job. John Swinney has urged Rishi Sunak to apologise for his foolish comments labelling Scottish nationalism as a danger to the UK. In a speech on Monday, the Prime Minister said the coming five years are set to be among the most dangerous, as he included independence supporters in a list of threats alongside Russia, Iran and North Korea. The comments were previously condemned by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn. First Minister Mr Swinney has now demanded the Prime Minister apologises and withdraws the remarks, which he said were disrespectful. He said comparisons with extremists are very poorly judged and heighten negative debate. Speaking during a visit to Alloa Academy on Wednesday, Mr Swinney told LBC: I think the Prime Ministers reference was poorly judged, very poorly judged. I dont think it helps to assist civilised, reasonable debate in our society. Theres absolutely no relationship between all of these classifications that he linked Scottish nationalists to. I want to make sure we have respectful debate. I think the Prime Ministers contribution slotted in directly to disrespectful debate. I think he should apologise, I think he should withdraw his remarks. I think theyre foolish remarks. In his speech, Mr Sunak listed a number of growing threats, including war, terror and authoritarianism promoted by countries like Russia and Iran. Rishi Sunak made the comments during a speech on Monday (Toby Melville/PA) He also said extremists are exploiting the global conflicts to divide the country. The Prime Minister said: From gender activists hijacking childrens sex education to cancel culture, vocal and aggressive fringe groups are trying to impose their views on the rest of us. Theyre trying to make it morally unacceptable to believe something different and undermine peoples confidence and pride in our own history and identity. Scottish nationalists are even trying to tear our United Kingdom apart. At Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Mr Sunak was challenged on his comments by Mr Flynn, who described them as puerile and pathetic. Mr Sunak replied: Thats not what I said, but I would say to the honourable gentleman that his party is indeed a threat to the integrity of the United Kingdom, and I hate to remind him that is literally their entire purpose. Because when the people of Scotland accepted the referendum in 2014, it was the SNP who didnt. They went on creating a minister for independence, focused on constitutional wrangling, ignoring the needs of the people. Douglas Ross said the future of the UK is under threat from the SNP (PA) Education standards falling, taxes rising, so actually finally he should do the right thing and end the obsession with independence, and put the needs of the Scottish people first. Speaking after Prime Ministers Questions, Mr Flynn said Mr Sunak had insulted half the population of Scotland and demeaned the office of Prime Minister, adding his failure to apologise will alienate Scotland even further. Speaking earlier on BBC Radio Scotlands Good Morning Scotland programme, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross defended the Prime Ministers remarks. He said: What Rishi Sunak was discussing in his speech on Monday was threats to the United Kingdom. This was a wide-ranging speech on a number of threats. I dont think anyone would believe that a party that wants to tear up the United Kingdom, end the United Kingdom by removing Scotland from it, is anything but a threat to the United Kingdom. Asked if he thought it was offensive to group independence supporters in with extremists, he said: He was going through a range of threats to the United Kingdom. The future of the UK is under threat from a party that wants to destroy it. The SNP get up every morning to tear Scotland out of the UK. The driver of a pickup truck involved in a Tuesday morning crash that killed eight farm workers and left at least 40 people injured in north-central Florida has been charged with eight counts of Driving Under the Influence - manslaughter, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The 2010 International Bus carrying approximately 53 farm workers and a 2001 Ford Ranger sideswiped each other around 6:35 a.m., about 15 miles west of Ocala, the Florida Highway Patrol said in a statement. The Ford, for unknown reasons, traveled toward the center line before the vehicles struck each other, Lt. Patrick Riordan of the Florida Highway Patrol said during a news conference at the scene. The bus then left the roadway, went through a fence and overturned. Bryan Maclean Howard, the driver of the Ford Ranger, was arrested Tuesday afternoon, Dave Kerner, the executive director of the highway safety department, said in a statement. CNN has not yet been able to determine if Howard has an attorney. Eight people are dead while 45 injured were taken to medical facilities, including eight in critical condition, James Lucas with Marion County Fire Rescue said earlier in the day. Theres a high probability this may be beyond eight fatalities, Riordan said, noting some of the injured, including the driver of the pickup truck, are in very serious condition. Identities of the deceased will be released pending next of kin notification, Kerner said in his statement. Our sympathies and prayers are with the families of the deceased. Consistent with our duties, the Florida Highway Patrol will conduct both a thorough and exhaustive traffic crash and criminal investigation. Footage captured by CNN affiliate WESH showed the bus which Riordan said was taking the workers to a farm in the area lying on its side in a field, with first responders vehicles parked nearby, their lights flashing. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods indicated authorities believe the bus passengers were migrant workers, telling reporters, Were a very big agricultural county. So this time of year, we always have migrant workers that are in our county, that are on buses just like this. In a news conference Tuesday evening, Juan Sabines, the Mexican consul in Orlando, said the victims were all from Mexico and were in the United States on temporary agricultural worker visas. Please pray for these nationals, Sabines said. We hear a lot of bad things of the immigrants all the time, in the reality, these people (are) good people. (They are) very good people, young people. They stay in this country just for work, with (a) visa, he added. These (are) very good people and now they lost the main support of their family. With regret, I confirm the death of 8 agricultural workers, said Mexicos Foreign Affairs Secretary Alicia Barcena Tuesday in a post in Spanish on X. Barcena said her countrys consul will provide all the support to our compatriots and their families. Woods noted there were challenges with language barriers, but said bilingual sheriffs office personnel and support staff were assisting in the investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board is monitoring the situation, it said, and the US Department of Transportations Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration similarly said it was aware of the crash. Our sincere thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the community as FMCSA assesses currently available information in support of state and local safety officials, an agency spokesperson said. Westbound lanes on Highway 40 will be closed for most of the day, the Marion County Sheriffs Office said on its Facebook page, asking motorists to take alternate routes. This is a developing story and will be updated. CNNs Ana Melgar Zugina, Gregory Wallace and Melissa Alonso contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks clinched the Maryland Senate Democratic primary over Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) on Tuesday, putting her a step closer to becoming the first Black woman to represent the Old Line State in the Senate. First, however, she must defeat popular former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) by no means a sure thing. The pair is battling for outgoing Sen. Ben Cardins (D) seat in a race that was supposed to be of little drama for Democrats but that became more unpredictable with Hogans entrance. Also Tuesday, prominent moderate Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) fended off a challenge against conservative candidate Dan Frei, and potential breakout star Harry Dunn, a former Capitol Police officer who defended lawmakers during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, lost his Democratic primary to a candidate backed by a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). At the top of the ticket, President Biden and former President Trump easily glided to victory. But problems lurk for both men, with Nikki Haley notably racking up swaths of votes in all three GOP primaries. Here are five takeaways from the Maryland, West Virginia and Nebraska primaries: Trones deep pockets werent enough to win Alsobrooks, who enjoyed the support of prominent Maryland Democrats, won the Democratic contest for Cardins seat despite the tens of millions of dollars Trone spent in the primary. Trone, the co-owner of Total Wine, spent at least $61 million of his own money for the chance to take on Hogan this fall. While the Maryland congressman had the clear cash advantage, Alsobrooks had the backing of party establishment figures including Gov. Wes Moore (D), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). Trone was endorsed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). Trone also stumbled repeatedly throughout the campaign, including by airing a commercial in which one of his supporters insinuated that Alsobrooks needed training wheels, and another time for mistakenly using a racial slur during a House hearing. In short, the primary underscored that no amount of money guarantees a candidate victory. Though the nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates the seat likely Democrat, Hogans entry into the race will force Democrats to spend on what was supposed to be a safe blue seat. Trumps Haley problem isnt going away Several of Tuesdays primaries also showcased a nagging problem for Trump an enduring protest vote movement backing his former rival Nikki Haley, who dropped out of the race in March. In both Maryland and Nebraska, Haley had received 20 percent of the GOP primary vote by late Tuesday night. Over in deep-red West Virginia, Haley fared worse, only receiving about 9 percent of the primary vote, with 89 percent of the vote reported at time of publication. While all of these numbers could still fluctuate, they underscore a lingering issue for the former president as he struggles to make inroads with a faction of the GOP that remains skeptical or averse to him. In Indiana last week, Haley notably notched 22 percent of the vote a surprisingly high percentage of Republican support given the former United Nations ambassador had been out of the race for two months at that point. While many of those states are unlikely to be close between Trump and Biden this fall, the Haley votes could serve as a warning to the former president in swing states, where even narrow margins could ultimately make a difference. At the same time, however, Biden has had to contend with persistent protest votes over his administrations handling of the Israel-Hamas war, which is threatening his reelection bid. AIPAC scores a win in Maryland The super PAC aligned with AIPAC scored a win in the Old Line State after it backed state Sen. Sarah Elfreth (D) in the Democratic contest for retiring Rep. John Sarbaness (D) seat. Elfreths most prominent Democratic challenger was Dunn, who became a household name for testifying in front of the House select committee investigating the Capitol riot several years ago. Both candidates had pledged support for Israel. Dunn blasted the United Democracy Project for wading into the race, writing in a post on the social platform X last month, A SuperPAC funded by MAGA extremist donors who also gave to Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Lauren Boebert just dropped $500k in our race. They want to buy this election. They will fail. Elfreth told Maryland Matters last month that she didnt know the super PAC was getting involved in the race. Still, the super PAC is showing how pro-Israel groups are flexing their muscles ahead of a pivotal November election. A moderate Republican staves off a right-wing challenge Bacon survived a primary challenge from his right Tuesday after defeating Frei in the GOP contest for Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District. Frei was endorsed by House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good (R-Va.) and the Nebraska GOP, while Bacon received the support of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). Bacons win will come as a relief to House Republicans, given the swingy nature of the states 2nd District. Bacon has held onto the seat for four terms so far, despite the fact that it went for Biden by more than 6 points in 2020. Bacon is now gearing up for a rematch against state Sen. Tony Vargas (D), whom he defeated by more than 2 points in 2022. Manchins likely successor glides to victory West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R), who won the Senate Republican primary Tuesday night, is all but guaranteed to replace Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) this fall, given the states Republican tilt. That will already leave Democrats and Republicans in a 50-50 split in the Senate; if Trump wins the presidency in November, Republicans will flip the Senate with Justices win alone. The current governor will face off in November against Wheeling (W.Va.) Mayor Glenn Elliott, who received the endorsement of Manchin and easily won the Democratic primary Tuesday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Arizona prosecutors have tried for weeks and so far failed to serve Rudy Giuliani with notice of his indictment related to an alleged scheme to overturn the 2020 election results in that state. Giuliani is among a group of former President Donald Trumps allies indicted last month in Arizona alongside the 11 individuals who acted as fake GOP electors from the state in the last presidential election. But the former New York City mayor and one-time attorney for Trump is the only defendant prosecutors have been unable to serve with a summons, according to Richie Taylor, a spokesperson for the Arizona attorney generals office. The summons is a formal notice that Giuliani has been criminally charged and must appear before a judge on May 21, and a team of prosecutors and investigators working for Arizona Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes has made multiple attempts to locate him, Taylor told CNN. CNN has reached out to a spokesman for Giuliani for comment. Giuliani, multiple associates have told CNN, is in Palm Beach, Florida, at his residence. According to two sources familiar with Giulianis movements, the former mayor has been traveling back and forth between Palm Beach and New York City where he has been alternating between working on a planned appeal of the $148 million defamation judgment against him, which a district judge denied Tuesday, and the sale of his $5.7 million New York City apartment, where prosecutors have tried for weeks to serve him. According to Taylor, two agents for the attorney generals office traveled to New York City with plans to hand-deliver the notice to Giuliani the day after the state-level grand jury handed up its indictment. The agents believed Giuliani was likely in his New York City apartment because he had recently video streamed from there which they determined by matching the setting of the feed with pictures of the interior of the residence from an old real estate listing. But upon arriving at the building, a person at the front desk told the agents they were not allowed to accept service of the documents, according to Taylor, who added that the individual did not dispute Giuliani lived there. We were not granted access, Taylor added, confirming details previously reported by the Washington Post. While Trump is not among those charged in Arizona, the details in the indictment suggest he is Unindicted Coconspirator 1. In Arizona, and the United States, the people elected Joseph Biden as President on November 3, 2020, the indictment reads. Unwilling to accept this fact, Defendants and unindicted coconspirators schemed to prevent the lawful transfer of the presidency to keep Unindicted Coconspirator 1 in office against the will of Arizonas voters. Trumps former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, his close adviser Boris Epshteyn, the Republican National Committees top lawyer for election integrity Christina Bobb and former Trump campaign aide Mike Roman are among those charged in Arizona alongside Giuliani. All of the defendants except Giuliani have been served. This story has been updated with additional reporting. CNNs John Miller contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com After nabbing the snack, the four-legged thief also enjoyed it in the family's yard Storyful Bear steals watermelon slice from California family's fridge Did somebody order U-bear Eats? On May 12, a bear in La Canada Flintridge, Calif., pulled off the heist of a lifetime, successfully raiding a family's fridge. The mammal broke into the family's garage and their refrigerator, where it stole a snack for itself: a big slice of watermelon. Related: Giant Snake Interrupts Couples Wedding, Woman Carries It Out by the Tail So Ceremony Can Resume A video recorded by the children of the fridge's owner, Chris Yee, captured the curious bear crime and the kids' adorable reactions. In the clip, the furry thief approaches the appliance before opening its freezer and fridge section. "Dad, it's in the freezer! Dad, it opened the freezer," says Yee's daughter, while another voice sings, "Bear-y, bear-y, bear-y!" While sitting in front of the now-open appliance, the four-legged intruder begins to inspect its contents, rummaging around and deciding what snack to bring on the go. Storyful Bear steals watermelon slice from California family's fridge Related: Mama Bear and Her Cubs Go for a Swim in Calif. Couple's Pool: 'Cutest Thing Ever' Then, the garage door begins closing, startling the critter, who leaves briefly but returns ("It's going back in!") immediately after the door retracts. During the wild animal's second foray into the garage, the bear burglar spends less time contemplating, opting instead for a quick scan before grabbing a juicy watermelon slice. After taking off with the summery snack, the bear plops down in the Yee family's yard just feet away from the scene of the crime to enjoy the stolen fruit. 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. Speaking with Los Angeles outlet ABC7, Yee and one of his kids recalled their run-in with the watermelon thief. "It seemed like it really just, you know, with its mouth, took that quarter piece of watermelon out without disturbing anything else, thankfully," Yee said. "And then proceeded to find a safe spot to enjoy it." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. By Nandita Bose and Nathan Layne WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden and Republican rival Donald Trump on Wednesday agreed to face off in two debates on June 27 and Sept. 10, setting up the highest stakes moments yet of the race for the White House. "As you said: anywhere, any time, any place," Biden said on social media. Trump called Biden "the worst debater" he has ever faced. "I am Ready and Willing to Debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September," he posted on social media. CNN, a division of Warner Bros Discovery, said the first debate would be held in their Atlanta studio with no audience, and would be moderated by anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. Georgia is one of November's most closely contested states. The candidates also accepted an invitation from ABC, which will host a second debate on Sept. 10. A separate vice presidential debate has been proposed for July, after the Republican National Convention. Key differences between the two sides remained on the terms of engagement. Biden said he would participate in those two debates under strict rules to reduce interruptions, while Trump called for more than two - and a very large venue "for excitement purposes." Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr claimed in a new post on X that he will meet the criteria to participate in the CNN debate before the June 20 deadline. It remained unclear if he will qualify. CNN requires its debate candidates to appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold and receive at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll showed only 13 pct of Americans would vote for Kennedy. Earlier in the day Kennedy said Biden and Trump " are trying to exclude me from their debate because they are afraid I would win." Debates, which will draw a U.S. live television audience in the tens of millions, are fraught with risks for both candidates, who face a tight race and low enthusiasm from voters. Biden aides think debates could hurt Trump by exposing his positions on issues, including abortion, that they regard as political vulnerabilities. Trump aides see Biden as prone to verbal slip-ups that could amplify voter concerns about the 81-year-old president's age. Trump will be 78 by the time the first debate is held. "Both candidates will be under greater scrutiny than they have ever been due to their age," Alan Schroeder, a professor emeritus at Northeastern University who wrote the book "Presidential Debates: Risky Business on the Campaign Trial." He called the debate "one of the only moments in which the candidates don't have complete control." The first debate would take place after the June 15 conclusion of the Group of Seven summit in Italy and Trump's criminal trial in New York. DETAILS TO BE WORKED OUT Biden's debate proposal, the first formal offer by his campaign, ditched the decades-old tradition of three fall debates and called for direct negotiations between the Trump and Biden campaigns over the rules. Asked about any preference for format or topics, Biden-Harris campaign spokesman Michael Tyler said some details remained to be worked out. The move to accept debates shows Biden is willing to take a calculated risk to boost his opinion poll numbers in a race in which he is trailing Trump in key battleground states. In addition to his age, voters remain concerned about Biden's handling of the economy. Trump, who refused to debate his rivals during the Republican nominating race, has in recent weeks been challenging Biden to a one-on-one matchup with him, arguing that debates should be held before early voting begins in some states. He told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt the debate should be two hours and that both men should be required to stand. Biden's team earlier requested that only broadcast networks that hosted Republican primary debates in 2016 and Democratic primary debates in 2020 be eligible to host this year. Only four networks hosted debates for both parties during those election cycles: CNN, Telemundo, CBS News and ABC News. The Biden team showed no signs of accepting Trump's invitation for more debates. A Biden campaign spokesperson declined comment on the issue. Biden said he would not take part in the traditional televised showdowns organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates, rejecting the nonpartisan organization that has managed them since 1988. Trump had also expressed interest in bypassing the commission, and the Republican National Committee announced in 2022 that the party would leave the commission's debate system altogether. In a letter explaining the Biden campaign's decision, campaign chair Jennifer O'Malley Dillon cited the commission's past struggles to keep candidates from violating debate rules. She notified the commission that Biden will not be participating in the three general-election debates sponsored by the group, which are scheduled for Sept. 16, Oct. 1 and Oct. 9. The commission could not be reached for a comment. "The debates should be conducted for the benefit of the American voters, watching on television and at home not as entertainment for an in-person audience with raucous or disruptive partisans and donors, who consume valuable debate time with noisy spectacles of approval or jeering," Dillon said. Biden's campaign also pressed for a debate that would occur before early voting started and without the participation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or any other independent or third-party candidates. (Reporting by Nandita Bose and Nathan Layne; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Trevor Hunnicutt, Jonathan Oatis and Aurora Ellis) Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images Bill Hader is not being shy about his love for girlfriend Ali Wong. During Wongs final night of her residency at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 12, Hader, 45, came onto the stage at the end of her comedy set. Do you know who my boyfriend is? Do you want to meet him? Wong, 42, asked the audience before Hader came out with a red rose and gave her a kiss. While on the stage, the Barry alum congratulated Wong on how effortless she made her set after working so hard on it. Before exiting the stage, Hader shouted, Ali Wong is off the market! During her set that night, per Rolling Stone, Wong opened up about the beginnings of her relationship with Hader following her divorce from Justin Hakuta. (Hakuta, 41, and Wong split in April 2022 after eight years of marriage and share two daughters. Hader, for his part, shares three children with ex-wife Maggie Carey.) Bill Hader and Ali Wongs Relationship Timeline I never thought I would have this much fun at this stage in my life. Divorce is fun. I just want to get married again, just so I could get divorced again, Wong joked before sharing that after the news broke of her split from Hakuta she had never been pursued by so many men in her life. While she was eager to enter into the dating scene again, she recalled getting a phone call from this guy who [she] met at a dinner party in the past and he got [her] number from a mutual friend. Although she did not reveal the identity of the man, many fans thought she was referring to Hader amid their current romance. He was like, Hey, I just happened to hear the news about your divorce and Ive had a crush on you forever. I actually told my best friend years ago that you were my dream girl and I know it sounds crazy but I want you to be my girlfriend, Wong explained during her set. Although Wong was flattered, she joked that she didnt pursue a relationship with him at first because she had to get [her] moneys worth on the dating apps. While Wong turned him down, the unnamed guy wasnt going to take no for an answer. Wong shared that she left for a European vacation soon after the call, and found flowers waiting for her at each stop on her trip. After telling her friends about the gesture, her girlfriends thought it was sweet but her male friends said it sounded like psychopath behavior. Ali Wong: My Ex-Husband Justin Hakuta and I Are Really Close After Split When a fellow man commits any act of kindness, any romantic gesture, it must be a symptom of an undiagnosed mental illness, she joked. Hader and Wong were first linked in 2022 and their relationship has only gotten more serious since then. They have a really strong foundation, a source told Us Weekly in January, adding that marriage is very much on the table for the couple. Another insider noted that, Friends know that theyre going to go the distance theyre both at ease and [obsessed] with each other at the same time. Operatives working for the Chinese and Iranian governments prepared fake, AI-generated content as part of a campaign to influence US voters in the closing weeks of the 2020 election campaign, current and former US officials briefed on the intelligence told CNN. The Chinese and Iranian operatives never disseminated the deepfake audio or video publicly, but the previously unreported intelligence demonstrates concerns US officials had four years ago about the willingness of foreign powers to amplify false information about the voting process. The National Security Agency collected the intelligence that gave US officials insights into China and Irans capabilities in producing deepfakes, one of the sources said. Now, with deepfake audio and video much easier to produce and the presidential election just six months away, US officials have grown more concerned over how a foreign influence campaign might exploit artificial intelligence to mislead voters. At an exercise in the White House Situation Room last December in preparation for the 2024 election, senior US officials wrestled with how to respond to a scenario where Chinese operatives create a fake AI-generated video depicting a Senate candidate destroying ballots, as CNN has previously reported. At a briefing last week, FBI officials warned that AI increases the ability of foreign states to spread election disinformation. Its unclear what was depicted in the deepfakes that the Chinese and Iranian operatives prepared in 2020, according to the sources, or why they were not ultimately deployed during that election. At the time, some US officials who reviewed the intelligence were unimpressed, believing it showed China and Iran lacked the capability to deploy deepfakes in a way that would seriously impact the 2020 presidential election, a former senior US official told CNN. The technology has to be good; I dont think it was that good, the former official said. Secondly, you have to have a risk appetite. China, no. Iran, probably yes. Sources pointed to no evidence of coordination between the two countries. Keeping an eye on adversaries The NSA has continued to collect intelligence on foreign adversaries developing deepfakes and the potential threat they pose to US elections now that the technology has advanced dramatically over the last four years, the former senior official added, pointing out that in 2020, there wasnt, for example, a large language model like ChatGPT that was easy to use. The NSA declined to comment. US officials have maintained a high level of visibility into the AI and deepfake advancements made by countries including China, Iran and Russia since the 2020 election. But putting that intelligence to use inside the US remains a challenge, the former official said. The question becomes how quickly can we spot an anomaly and then share that rapidly within the United States, the former official told CNN. Are we winning the race against a series of adversaries that might operate within the US? Thats the challenge. The threat of deepfakes and foreign influence is poised to come up in a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Wednesday, when lawmakers will get a rare opportunity to publicly interrogate the director of national intelligence and other senior officials on foreign threats to elections. Other adversarial nations know that it is relatively easy and, frankly, cheap to try to interfere in our election, Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, told CNNs John Berman Wednesday morning. I think we should expect China, Russia, Iran, potentially other nation-states to try to both either cyberattack our infrastructure or, more likely, spread misinformation to try to pit Americans against Americans. While they didnt deploy their deepfakes in 2020, Iranian government operatives did undertake a brazen attempt that year to influence voters by imitating the far-right Proud Boys group and disseminating a video purporting to show the hack of a US voter registration database, according to US prosecutors. The fact that the Iranians pulled the Proud Boys crap but didnt try deep fakes was either a lack of faith in the capabilities or a sign of no clear internal guidance, one person familiar with the intelligence told CNN. Lost in translation For foreign influence operations to be effective, they also need to resonate with the American public, something China has struggled with, the former senior US official said. I think its clearly a cultural piece, the former official said. They really have a very difficult understanding of the issues that that are divisive or necessarily how to play to those issues, where the Russians do not. Generative AI, or AI used to create video, audio, imagery or text, has made foreign influence actors more efficient in creating content, but there is no evidence that it has made them or their campaigns any more effective, said Lee Foster, an expert in tracking foreign influence operations online. Generative AI has so far not helped actors resolve the main bottleneck they face: distribution, said Foster, who is a co-founder of AI security firm Aspect Labs. Actors have rarely struggled with creating content. Getting it in front of the right eyeballs at a meaningful scale has been and continues to be the sticking point, one that AI so far has not helped them overcome. Foster and other experts have cautioned against exaggerating the impact of foreign influence operations, including those that use AI, because it benefits the propagandists themselves. Disinformation in the US But the US remains fertile ground for conspiracy theories, whether domestic or foreign in origin. Nearly 70% of Republicans and Republican-leaners said that President Joe Bidens 2020 election win was not legitimate, according to a CNN poll released in August. And positive views of many government institutions are at historic lows, with just 16% of the public saying they trust the federal government always or most of the time, according to a Pew Research Center survey released in September. Americans, for whatever reason, are a lot more willing to believe crazy conspiracy theories and a lot less willing to accept, as truth, things coming from the federal government, Warner said on CNN Wednesday. The 2024 US election will present new opportunities for foreign influence operations. US military aid to Ukraine is essentially on the line, with Democrats largely backing Bidens support for Ukraine and some leading Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, increasingly backing away from foreign aid. FBI officials are concerned that the war in Ukraine and US support for Kyiv might be an animating event for the Russians in terms of conducting interference or influence operations aimed at the US election, a senior FBI official told reporters last week. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MARION COUNTY, Florida A school principal with an alleged history of inappropriate behavior toward students has been arrested again in Ocala, Florida, after video footage showed him hitting and choking a student. Dontay Akeem Prophet, principal of Destiny Leadership Academy, was arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment of a child younger than 13. Officials said video footage from the school showed Prophet hitting and choking a student and twisting the student's ankle to prevent him from leaving a classroom. Prophet was booked into the Marion County Jail around 3 a.m. Saturday, jail records show, and he's being held without bail. Destiny Leadership Academy is a private school for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, according to the school's website. A school administrator declined to comment on Prophet's arrest, citing the ongoing investigation. The Marion County Sheriff's Office public information office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday. Prophet's arrest last week was not the first time he's been accused of inappropriate behavior toward a child. In 2019, he was arrested on a charge of lewd molestation of a child, according to the Ocala StarBanner, part of the USA TODAY Network. He was convicted in 2023 on a lesser charge of attempt to commit interfering with child custody and was sentenced to probation, the StarBanner reported. He violated the terms of his probation with several infractions, one of which was failure to report in 2023, according to court records. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail. Once he was released, probation was reinstated, records show. Destiny Leadership Academy Prophet worked for Marion County Public Schools until he resigned in May 2019, the StarBanner reported. First hired in 2009, Prophet was placed on administrative leave in February 2019 before resigning, school officials told the newspaper. What does surveillance video show? Marion County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ronald James Bailey said in a report his agency was contacted by Destiny Leadership Academy officials about a disturbance between Prophet and a student. In the report, Bailey said surveillance video showed Prophet approaching the child, who had his head down on a desk. Prophet tried to get the child's attention by poking and grabbing him, the report says. The student pulled away and fell, and the video then showed Prophet sitting on the child. In the video, Prophet holds the student in a chokehold and wraps his legs around him, preventing the child from leaving the room, according to the deputy's report. The boy is reportedly seen on the video trying to leave multiple times; however, he was stopped by Prophet, who pinned him on the ground, the deputy's report says. The video also showed Prophet grabbing the child's right ankle, twisting it, dropping his knee on the child's leg, slapping his face and hitting his head with a computer charger, according to the report. Bailey interviewed the student, who confirmed there was an altercation between himself and Prophet, and said he was physically sore. The student declined to say anything else to the deputy, the report says. According to Bailey, Prophet said he held the student down because he was afraid the student would harm himself. This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Destiny Leadership Academy principal Dontay Akeem Prophet arrested Mayor John Whitmire speaks to the media after announcing a $6.7 billion budget proposal for the City of Houston during a news conference on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer An April court ruling was supposed to nearly double the share of property taxes that Houston devotes to streets and drainage work, pouring another $100 million into Houstons roads over the next fiscal year. Mayor John Whitmires first budget, however, only devotes $135 million in tax dollars toward that purpose, an increase of 10% from last year. Based on the ruling, that figure should have been closer to $230 million. Since Whitmire and the city are appealing the 14th Court of Appeals ruling that the city has been shorting its drainage fund by about $100 million a year, they have been able to put a pause on it taking effect creating breathing room for the mayor in his first budget. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston voters in 2010, and then again in 2018, passed a pay-as-you-go system for the city to fund its street and drainage work, instead of issuing debt as it had in the past. The idea was to use more money for actual projects and less money to pay off financing. Under the new system, the city was to set aside 11.8 cents from its tax rate which now stands at 51.19 cents per $100 in assessed value for roadwork and flood projects. People want their streets and drainage fixed, said Bob Jones, one of the engineers who fought for the measures approval and has been waging a lawsuit to get it fully implemented. That was the whole premise when we started this, and thats the goal today: To have a bona fide revenue stream to fix streets and drainage. The city, under former Mayor Sylvester Turner, had interpreted the language of the charter amendment liberally, devoting between $200 and $420 million less than it should have been, the court found. The practice came as the city faced budgetary constraints and a falling tax rate under Houstons voter imposed revenue cap, which limits how much additional property tax the city can collect every year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Whitmire, when campaigning for City Hall last year, said he would end that diversion. But faced with the court ruling last month and a rough financial outlook at City Hall the mayor decided to quickly appeal the ruling. Whitmires administration announced Tuesday it plans to use about $187 million in reserves to close a budget gap this year, a deficit that would have grown significantly if City Hall implemented the ruling. If the city does ultimately have to comply with the ruling, it could be financially perilous. Finance Director Melissa Dubowski told council on Wednesday the citys reserves are $91 million above the legally required amount. If it had to come up with an extra $100 million for drainage, it would not currently have enough savings to cover that amount. The mayor said last month he did not think drainage infrastructure should compete for the same tax dollars that fund public safety and called for a grown-up discussion about the citys finances. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Whitmire said a settlement is one possible resolution to the lawsuit. Were actually meeting with those lawyers (Wednesday) theres some discussion about a settlement, the mayor said when asked Tuesday. Theres options on the table regarding that. Whitmire said he has worked with Jones for 40 years, and he credited the plaintiffs for caring about the city of Houston and his administration. Jones and fellow plaintiff Alan Watson said they have not been able to talk to the mayor or his administration while the litigation plays out. The engineers behind the lawsuit would not comment on any such negotiations. With a ruling in their favor, they do not appear likely to settle for less than the full 11.8 cents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The one thing I will say is if Mayor Whitmire chooses to fight this long term, hes taking ownership of it, said Watson. He cant blame the previous administration for something if hes going to fight to the bitter end. Jones predicted the city would have to implement the ruling at some point in the future, if not now. Meanwhile, neighborhood activists have been pushing City Hall for more drainage funding, while pressuring the administration to stop diverting drainage tax dollars. The Northeast Action Collective has been advocating for more funds for stormwater, local drainage projects and ditch maintenance. The city has a legal and moral obligation to increase drainage spending, and it is very concerning that we are not seeing that in the proposed budget, said Ben Hirsch, co-director at West Street Recovery, a nonprofit that organizes with the collective. The mayor has focused on the court, but its regular Houstonians who twice voted for the Build Houston Forward ordinance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Povolos missed their high school graduation because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but four years later, the quintuplets from New Jersey are making up for it in college. Victoria, Vico, Ashley, Michael and Marcus Povolo were born on July 4, 2002, and have shared everything from birthdays to bedrooms. "We know everything about each other," Victoria told CBS News But they were never sure they would share a college graduation. "Some of us even thought of maybe not going to college or just community (college), you know, just to save some money," Marcus said. Paul Povolo, the quintuplet's dad, said the family was struggling to figure out how to send all five kids to college at once. "We were thinking of different options. Refinance the house, ask for a loan. We were in that process when the big surprise happened," he said. That surprise came from Montclair State University, which offered all five kids full academic scholarships. "Our mom was crying instantly as soon as she found out," Marcus said. Silvia Povolo said her children's graduation was "a dream come true." "We didn't go to college. We came from another country and here they are blooming," she said. On Monday, that special moment arrived, and all five Povolos have big plans for the future. Victoria hopes to go to medical school. Vico is thinking law school sometime down the line. Ashely is looking to find a teaching job. Marcus said he will continue to work at his corporate banking job. And Michael said he wants "my own business selling my own food product." U.S. honey bee population reaches record high Crisis | 60 Minutes Archive Small Changes Make A Big Difference: How A Simple Label Connects The Physical and Digital Worlds Sen. Robert Menendez "put his power up for sale" and "betrayed the people he was supposed to serve," a prosecutor claimed Wednesday at the start of the New Jersey Democrat's federal bribery trial in New York. The defense meanwhile introduced Menendez "not as an agent of the Egyptian government" but as "an American patriot" who "took no bribes." Menendez has pleaded not guilty to 16 federal charges including bribery, fraud, acting as a foreign agent and obstruction. Federal prosecutors in New York have alleged that he accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in the form of cash, gold bars, mortgage payments and a luxury convertible in exchange for the senator's political clout. Three New Jersey businessmen who were also charged, along with the governments of Egypt and Qatar, were the alleged recipients. "He was powerful. He was also corrupt," prosecutor Lara Pomerantz said of the senator during her opening statement. "In the United States of America, leaders are expected to put their country first, to put the interests of the people they serve above their own. This case is about a public official who put greed first." MORE: Sen. Bob Menendez bribery case: What to know as trial starts Pomerantz pointed at Menendez, who was seated at the defense table with his head turned toward the jurors. "This is Robert Menendez, a United States senator from New Jersey, and he was entrusted to make big decisions, including decisions that affect this country's national security," Pomerantz said. "Robert Menendez was a United States senator on the take, motivated by greed, focused on how much money he could put in his own pocket and in his wife's pocket. That is why you're here today. That is what this trial is all about." His price, Pomerantz told the jury, was gold bars, envelopes stuffed with cash, checks to his wife for a no-show job and a Mercedes-Benz convertible. "This was not politics as usual. This was politics for profit," Pomerantz said. "The FBI found gold bars and over $400,000 in cash in Menendez's home, in a safe, in jacket pockets, in shoes, all over the house." PHOTO: Sen. Bob Menendez arrives at Manhattan Federal Court, in New York City, May 15, 2024. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) Pomerantz outlined the alleged corruption schemes that she said "filled Menendez's pockets," starting with a promise to assist the government of Egypt with military aid. "Menendez promised to use his power to help Egypt. And that deal, bribes for Menendez's promise to help Egypt, lasted for years," Pomerantz said. According to the indictment, the arrangement was brokered by New Jersey businessman Wael Hana, a friend of Menendez's wife, Nadine, who prosecutors said received the senator's help preserving a halal meat monopoly. "Robert Menendez was willing to corruptly use his power to help Hana and the government of Egypt in exchange for bribes. What the law calls quid pro quo," Pomerantz said. "Sham paychecks and gold from Hana for Menendez's promise of military aid for Egypt." Menendez is also charged with receiving a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz convertible in exchange for help disrupting a case by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office. "Why did Menendez agree to disrupt a criminal investigation? Because Nadine needed a car," Pomerantz said. "Menendez would try to make the investigation go away." In the spring of 2019, another New Jersey businessman, Jose Uribe, handed Nadine $15,000 in cash that prosecutors said she used as a down payment for the car. She texted Menendez, "Congratulations. We are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes," according to Pomerantz. Uribe, who has pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate, kept making the monthly payments, prosecutors said. Not long after Menendez allegedly agreed to use his power to intervene in a state criminal case, Pomerantz said the senator promised a third businessman, Fred Daibes, that he would interfere with Daibes' federal prosecution and help the government of Qatar by supporting a Senate resolution praising the country. "What did Menendez get in exchange? Cash and gold bars," Pomerantz said. PHOTO: This image provided by the U.S. Attorney's office, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in New York, shows two of the gold bars found during a search by federal agents of Sen. Bob Menendez's home and safe deposit box. (U.S. Attorney's Office via AP) She told the jury that Daibes' fingerprints were found on the envelopes of cash found at Menendez's home and serial numbers on the gold bars traced them to Daibes and Hana. At the time, the gold bars were worth $50,000 apiece, prosecutors said. "Did Menendez know how much they were worth? You bet," Pomerantz said. "Menendez Googled the price of a kilogram of gold." MORE: Judge declines to dismiss charges against Sen. Bob Menendez in bribery case In his opening statement, defense attorney Avi Weitzman insisted "there are innocent explanations for the gold and the cash" found in the senator's New Jersey home -- hinting at a strategy to blame Menendez's wife, who was also charged in the case. "The gold bars were found in a closet that is a locked closet. It is Nadine's closet," Weitzman said. "He did not know of the gold bars that existed in that closet." Weitzman said the couple led "separate lives" and the senator's wife had financial concerns that she kept from her husband. "The evidence will show that Nadine was hiding her financial challenges from Bob," he said. Menendez's wife has pleaded not guilty to her charges and will be tried separately in July due to a medical condition. The defense said "the government has been investigating this case for years" and came up with "not one piece" of evidence that shows the senator took a bribe. "He did not violate the law, period, and the allegations by the United States Attorney's Office are wrong, dead wrong," Weitzman said. "He did not ask for bribes. He did not get any bribes." Menendez has said all of the actions in the indictment fell within the scope of his position. "Bob was doing his job and he was doing it right," Weitzman said. PHOTO: Senator Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine Menendez arrive at a Manhattan court for an arraignment on new charges in the federal bribery case against them, New York City, March 11, 2024. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Weitzman went on to compare Menendez to the bespectacled character in the "Where's Waldo" children's books with the blue pants, red and white striped shirt and cap always lost in a crowd. Weitzman displayed on a screen the signature crowded landscape from the books with cartoonish words "Where's Bob?" and invited the jury to think of it during the trial. "Every time the government shows you something about Nadine, just ask yourself, 'Where's Bob?'" Weitzman said. Weitzman insisted the two led separate lives. "He didn't know about the dealings Nadine had," Weitzman said of Menendez. "You can't just assume that Bob knows about them." Weitzman showed the jury a photo of Menendez's closet, dress shirts neatly hanging, and said no cash was found there. He said much of the cash was found in the basement of Nadine's home and was withdrawn over 30 years. "I know that sounds odd," Weitzman said. "From a young age, the senator learned the value of having cash," which the lawyer said was the product of his upbringing by parents who fled Cuba. "These were not bills that were given as bribes." PHOTO: Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., arrives at Manhattan Federal Court, in New York City on May 15, 2024. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) The seated jury, which was selected and sworn in earlier Wednesday, includes a retired economist, an occupational therapist who likes "hanging out with my dog," an attorney originally from Michigan and someone who "had a nephew locked up for molestation." All pledged to be fair. "I'm going to ask, to the extent you feel comfortable, to minimize your news intake," Judge Sidney Stein told prospective jurors at one point. Before opening statements, the judge precluded testimony from a psychiatrist the defense hoped would bolster Menendez's claim that he stashed cash in his home as a result of a "fear of scarcity." Menendez, the son of Cuban immigrants, has said it was part of his upbringing to keep cash lying around, but Stein said the psychiatrist's testimony "just doesn't stand up." Menendez is the first sitting member of Congress to be charged with conspiracy by a public official to act as a foreign agent. The senator has maintained his innocence since his initial indictment last year. In March, he announced that will not seek another term as a Democrat but he left open the possibility of running in November as an independent. Sen. Bob Menendez 'put his power up for sale,' prosecutor claims in bribery trial originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A Texas man accused of kidnapping a 10-month-old girl at a New Mexico park after fatally shooting her mother and another woman had previously threatened to "start killing people and children," according to federal investigators. A federal criminal complaint against Alek Isaiah Collins alleged that he called the FBI twice last year and made threatening statements, leading to a mental health evaluation. As a result of the evaluation, Collins was prohibited from purchasing a firearm in Texas, the complaint said. An alert was also put in place that would notify law enforcement if Collins tried to buy a gun. Collins was arrested on May 6 in Abilene, Texas, in connection with a murder and kidnapping at Ned Houk Park near Clovis, New Mexico. Authorities found the bodies of Samantha Cisneros and Taryn Allen lying on the ground near a silver Dodge minivan at the park on May 3. Cisneros' 5-year-old daughter was found suffering from a gunshot wound to her head and taken to the hospital. Eleia Maria Torres. (Clovis Police Department) Items belonging to a baby, including a stroller and bottle, were found at the scene. Police determined that Cisneros' 10-month-old daughter, Eleia Maria Torres, was missing, sparking an Amber Alert. The baby was found safe days later with Collins in Abilene, according to authorities. A federal criminal complaint charged Collins with interstate kidnapping of a child, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico said in a news release on Tuesday. He also faces state charges of first-degree murder, child abuse and kidnapping. According to federal investigators, Collins allegedly called the FBI twice in 2023 demanding assistance in locating his missing 5-year-old daughter. It's not clear if Collins has a child. During one phone call in September, Collins allegedly made "threatening statements," prompting the FBI to contact the Brazoria County Sheriffs Office in Texas. Deputies brought Collins in for a mental health evaluation, according to the complaint. NBC News reached out to the sheriff's office for comment. The following month, he allegedly called the FBI again and "reported that if law enforcement did not assist him with locating his missing five-year-old daughter, he would 'start killing people and children,'" the complaint said. He also allegedly stated that he had kidnapped a woman and her son in an attempt to "pressure law enforcement to assist with locating his daughter," the complaint stated. The FBI again alerted law enforcement in Texas but they could not get in contact with Collins. Federal investigators said that during the second call, Collins appeared to be intoxicated and could not provide the name of his alleged daughter or the name of the child's mother. During law enforcement interviews with Collins, he allegedly said that he did not possess any weapons and said he did not intend to harm anyone. He allegedly claimed he made the statements "so that he could obtain help locating his daughter," according to the complaint. An attorney for Collins did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. The complaint also provided more details about the May 3 incident. Federal investigators said Cisneros and Allen, both 23, had been shot multiple times and it appeared that Cisneros had been struck by a vehicle. "Her body had wounds to her lower legs and abrasions on her back indicative of being struck/dragged by a vehicle," the complaint said. The cover of a side-view mirror from a maroon vehicle was also found at the scene along with the baby items, according to federal investigators. The complaint said that Collins had rented a maroon Honda in Texas before the shootings. GPS data from the car showed the vehicle traveling from Houston to Clovis, and surveillance video placed the car in the vicinity of the park less than an hour before the killings, according to the complaint. A witness told police that it appeared that the driver of the maroon car was communicating with the driver of the van, the complaint said. Following the shooting, the GPS data showed the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed from Clovis to a residence in Abilene, where it remained until May 6. The owner of the vehicle told authorities that Collins had failed to return the car on time so the owner reported it stolen and remotely disabled it. Officers were preparing to serve a search warrant at the residence when they saw Collins exit the home carrying a baby and get into an Uber, according to the complaint. Investigators said Collins then forced the Uber driver out of the vehicle at gunpoint and drove away. Officers "pursued and pinned" the vehicle and took Collins into custody. A motive for the shootings and kidnapping remains unclear. Authorities have said they do not believe Collins was related to any of the victims. DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland's decision to slash welfare payments for Ukrainian refugees in state accommodation will impact close to one third of the 86,000 people who fled Russia's invasion and remain in Ireland, Finance Minister Michael McGrath said on Wednesday. The government decided on Tuesday to reduce the payment to 38.80 euros ($41.96) from 220 euros, following an identical cut for new arrivals in March that ministers said has resulted in a slowdown in the number of Ukrainians seeking refuge in Ireland. Just under 47,000 Ukrainian refugees are living in state-funded accommodation such as hotels where they are provided with meals and other services. This includes some of the 19,000 Ukrainians who are working and not in receipt of welfare payments. "We estimate that approximately 86,000 of that 107,000 who came here from Ukraine remain in the state and this change will impact on about 27,000," McGrath told national broadcaster RTE. Ireland has one of the highest rates of Ukrainian refugees to its own population of 5.3 million and the cut to welfare payments has been criticised by groups supporting the refugees. The housing of refugees and rapidly rising numbers of asylum seekers has recently become a much bigger political issue in Ireland, which has been struggling for years to adequately boost a severe lack of housing supply. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; editing by Sarah Young) Moonbow (lunar rainbow) forms in the mist near Upper Yosemite Fall on a clear night just before a full moon in 2011. (Brian Hawkins) We met Brian Hawkins, a Redondo Beach mechanical engineer-turned-videographer, in the near-empty lobby of the Yosemite Valley Lodge. It was just after 9 on a Tuesday night in late April. Our hunt was about to begin, but the weather augured poorly. Its cloudy, clearing later, he said. I would not expect to see anything yet. This was no chance meeting. A couple of years before I had discovered Hawkins website, where he posts photos, videos and very precise predictions of the phenomenon that had lured us to this place, at exactly this time: moonbows. Read more:48 hours in Yosemite: How to see the park's many wonders on a weekend trip Naturalist John Muir called them lunar rainbows, or spraybows, revealed by a full moons light. Roaring spring and early summer waterfalls in Yosemite National Park make the central California destination one of the few spots on Earth to see them. The next viewing opportunity is May 21 to 25. Moonbows havent realized the popularity of the parks firefall each February, but visitors are gaining awareness. As we navigated the paved trail in darkness to Lower Yosemite Fall , we passed clumps of walkers going in the other direction, evidently discouraged by persistent clouds. At the base, some 25 were gathered in small groups, many behind a bend sheltering onlookers from the falls jet-loud spray. Muir described the Yosemite Falls roar as fine, savage music, and Hawkins spoke movingly of how the falls, especially in the upper stretch, maintained a voice, even a presence. Having seen spectacular photos by him and others, my wife, Mica, and I impatiently waited for the moon to reflect the suns light on the falls. As did others. Brian Hawkins, left, ran into Richard and Sally Brewer and Anne Johnston-Fera of Buffalo, N.Y., looking for moonbows in April at Yosemite's Cook's Meadow. (Alex Pulaski) One photographer showed me a quarter-moonbow image he had captured 20 minutes before during a cloud break. Another, Eric Krapil, 28, from Laurel, Md., shared a full-arc moonbow photo from the night before, captured on his cellular phone. We got lucky, he said. Some guy walking past us at the lodge said, Do you want to see a moonbow? We certainly did on this night. And a few minutes later, as the yellowish moon briefly shouldered through the haze, Hawkins pointed to a rock. There, he said, a corner of the moonbow begins. And I saw it: A quarter arc at best, ghostly white in the moons faint light. Not everything I had hoped for, but as we walked back later I thanked Hawkins for helping us see that glimmer a hint of what might come the following nights. Yeah, he said. A thoughtful pause ensued. That was, he continued, the most pathetic moonbow Ive ever seen. Before 2007, nobody was precisely sure when and where moonbows would appear at Yosemite. But a team of researchers from Texas State University harnessed computers to meld topography, geometry and astronomy to accurately predict the moonbows appearance and published their findings. Hawkins first visited the park that same year and became mesmerized by its beauty particularly after seeing a moonbow in 2011. He started doing his own modeling, and his website debuted in 2018. Its a labor of love there are no ads, and he doesnt do tours or hawk T-shirts. What he does do is help other seekers. Anna Smits, who lives and works in the Yosemite Valley, saw her first moonbow during the pandemic. The park was closed to visitors, but Hawkins still shared his calculations. Now, Smits both an avid photographer and outdoorswoman occasionally pushes the envelope to find more elusive moonbow shots. Read more:One of the best hikes in Yosemite is in this hidden valley of waterfalls What does that entail? One night, that involved setting an anchor and rappelling about 15 feet to a ledge near Upper Yosemite Fall. Another time, she set her alarm for 1:30 a.m. for a hike in bright moonlight to Vernal Fall. It was so cold that the condensed spray solidly froze her tripod. Its such a rewarding experience, she said. It really lights me up just thinking about sitting in the spray and watching this moonbow cross in front of you. That visual reward eluded us on the subsequent two nights of our visit last month. Daytime blue skies surrendered to clouds at night. Hawkins had warned me that first night that nothing was guaranteed. Prepare to be enthralled by the scene before you but also frustrated by how difficult it is to shoot, he said. A lot of things are working against you its cold, its wet, the lens has to be dried off, you cant use auto focus. You just have to be patient and work through solving all the problems. And when the moon is hidden by a curtain of clouds, you comfort yourself with the memory of the falls voice and a glimmer of the show waiting when you return. What is a moonbow? Simply put, its a rainbow seen at night, produced by the light of a full moon reflecting off droplets of water suspended in the air. But humans struggle to detect color at night, so as with the northern lights they usually appear white to the naked eye. Photographs, especially with timed exposures to allow more light, render them in full color, just like a rainbow. Is Yosemite the only place to see moonbows? No, but there are very few waterfall sites where they can consistently be seen. They include Cumberland Falls in Kentucky and Africas Victoria Falls, at the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. When are the best dates, times and locations to see Yosemite moonbows? They are best observed on the five nights around the full moon. Hawkins has calculated peak 2024 viewing dates and specific hours by location (Upper and Lower Yosemite falls and Glacier Point) for the next viewing window of May 21 to 25 at his website. Best dates for the following full moon, with his time calculations to follow later, are June 19 to 23. Is any special gear needed? Useful items include comfortable walking shoes, a rain poncho if viewing near a falls base, cloths to dry lenses and cameras, a tripod for longer camera or smartphone exposures and a headlamp or flashlight (red-light settings are preferable for not disrupting night vision). Weather apps such as Clear Outside predict hourly cloud cover. For the super-advanced, apps such as Photo Ephemeris and Planit Pro will help precisely calculate moon positions (and much more). Are Yosemite National Park reservations required? Sometimes. Until June 30, daytime (5 a.m. to 4 p.m.) park entry reservations are required on weekends and holidays. From July 1 to Aug. 16, they are required daily for the same time periods. Those with in-park camping or lodging reservations will be granted park entry. Full rules and a reservation link can be found at the National Park Service's website. Is it risky looking for Yosemite moonbows at night? We didnt find it daunting. Lower Yosemite Fall is just a 10-minute walk from Yosemite Valley Lodge, where we stayed. Cooks Meadow, with its broad view of Yosemite Falls, is also nearby, but we decided to drive, largely because dense cloud cover obscured the moonlight. Both Hawkins and Smits counseled using common sense in seeking more remote locations. Its worth noting that the intrepid Muir, who never shrank from a challenge, almost died one night while chasing moonbows behind Yosemite Falls near Fern Ledge; he escaped drenched and numb from a wild bath in moonlit spray. Sign up for The Wild newsletter to get weekly insider tips on the best of our beaches, trails, parks, deserts, forests and mountains. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The experts weigh on whether you should wash blackberries before storing and when it's time to toss them out. Simply Recipes / Getty Images I love it when blackberries are plentiful. Theyre so tasty on a salad, mixed into a smoothie, or just eaten as a sweet, vibrant snack. I buy them often when they're in season, but sometimes they get pushed to the back of the produce bin and when I find them, theyre soft and moldy. Eat them fast and keep them cool, suggests Frances Dillard, Vice President of Marketing at Driscolls, the California-based company that sells strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. For best results, Driscolls recommends refrigerating your unwashed blackberries in their original container for up to two days, Dillard says. Refrigeration will extend their freshness and overall shelf life. Dont leave them out on the counter or in a fruit bowl unless you are planning to eat them that day. Blackberries can go bad quickly, particularly when kept too warm or too wet. Though you might be tempted to wash blackberries as soon as you get them home from the grocery store or farmers market, its best to keep them as dry as possible. Moisture is a berrys enemy and can encourage mold to grow. Read More: How To Store Strawberries So They Last, According to Driscolls Simply Recipes / Getty Images The Best Container for Storing Fresh Blackberries Dillard recommends that you keep blackberries in the package they came in. All fresh berries are extremely perishable which is why Driscolls recommends keeping the berries in their original package while stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat them, she says. Before you store them, remove any moldy, discolored, or soft berries from the bunch. To keep them dry, it can help to put a paper towel underneath them inside the package to help absorb moisture. Dont put them in an airtight container; they need circulation. The ideal place to keep blackberries is in the crisper drawer, set to low humidity. Avoid the spots that are extra cold because that can cause the berries to freeze. Check your fridge thermometer: Blackberries do best between 32F and 34F, Dillard says. How Long Blackberries Last Even when stored correctly, blackberries dont stay fresh for long. Under ideal conditions, our blackberries can stay plump and juicy for up to two days, says Dillard. Blackberries should be dark blue/black, plump, and firm when you buy them. Dont buy berries if there are any moldy ones in the container. Dillard recommends that you check for mold as a sign that berries are past their prime and need to be composted. If berries are just starting to go soft, use them in pies or baked goods or freeze them for smoothies. When youre ready to use them, gently rinse them under cool, running water. To enhance their natural flavors, we recommend letting the blackberries reach room temperature before serving, she says. Read More: Blackberry Cobbler Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek Read the original article on Simply Recipes. Archewell Foundation, the charity founded by Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, is back on track as current after the California Attorney General's Office erroneously declared it delinquent, apparently due to an administration error. The state's Department of Registry of Charities and Fundraisers declared the organization "delinquent," determining that it either hasn't submitted an annual report or paid its annual registration fees. According to a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly, the organization paid its registration fees with a physical check that was never received. A new check was resent, with the matter expected to be resolved within several days. The person added that the California state tax filing, as well as renewal and required payment, were sent and delivered to the California Attorney General's Office, which received them on time via tracked mail. Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's charitable organization has been declared delinquent and temporarily cannot raise funds. According to online charity registration records viewed by USA TODAY Tuesday, the organization received a delinquency notice on May 3 for "failing to submit required annual report(s) and/or renewal fees." Records show that the organization's last renewal was May 15, 2023. The status of the charity's annual renewal data is now listed as accepted, with a filing received date on Tuesday. December tax filings revealed that the foundation's donations declined by $11 million in 2022 compared to the previous year. The charitable organization received just over $2 million in contributions in 2022, compared to $13 million in 2021. The foundation, started in 2021 by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, was created to "uplift and unite communities," according to its website. Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, were recently on their inaugural trip to Nigeria to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. The couple landed for their trip to Nigeria on Friday. The duke and duchess talked with students and watched performances, met with the country's chief of defense staff and attended a reception in honor of military families, while Harry met with injured service members at a military hospital. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's Archewell back in good standing More TikTok content creators are filing a lawsuit against the recently passed legislation forcing the social platform to divest from its parent company or get booted out of the US. According to The New York Times report, eight content creators, including a Texas Marine Corps veteran, have filed the lawsuit to a US Court of Appeals in Columbia on Tuesday amidst protests to block the legislation. The group accused the legislation posing to ban the app "threatens to deprive them, and the rest of the country, of this distinctive means of expression and communication." The group also reasoned that the proposed divestment of TikTok's US division from its parent company ByteDance would be "infeasible, as the company has stated and as the publicly available record confirms." It can be remembered that the legislation primarily targeted the Beijing-based ByteDance, rather than TikTok alone, to be banned in the US for supposed security concerns from China's intervention. To avoid the ban on TikTok too, ByteDance is being urged to sell TikTok's US division to an American-owned company. TikTok Brings Fight on the App's Ban into the Legal Stage This is the second time a group of content creators have filed a lawsuit to prevent a looming ban on TikTok with the first reported in 2020 amidst then-President Donald Trump's push to ban the app in the country. Over 170 million Americans are estimated to use the app regularly with seven million businesses operating on the social platform. TikTok and ByteDance have earlier filed their lawsuit to prevent the law from going into effect, accusing the government of an "unprecedented step of expressly singling out and banning" the app with its congressional power. In response, a US Department of Justice spokesperson told Reuters that the legislation is "consistent with the First Amendment and other constitutional limitations." Also Read : TikTok is Suing the US to Block Looming Nationwide Ban US Politicians at Odds with Younger Voters Amidst TikTok Ban Push With the passing of the proposed ban on the app close to the upcoming elections, several politicians are currently at odds with many potential voters using TikTok. US President Joe Biden, who passed the ban bill last April, has been losing potential voters from Gen Zs for his reelection campaign for a second term. A Harvard survey even indicated that only 49% of Americans aged 18 to 29 are "definitely" planning to vote in the coming elections, 8% lower than the previous presidential elections. Those who are voting are not entirely confident with Biden as well, claiming that their vote for the president is more in "opposition to Donald Trump becoming president again" than "support for President Biden and his policies. Editors Note: This CNN series is, or was, sponsored by the country it highlights. CNN retains full editorial control over subject matter, reporting and frequency of the articles and videos within the sponsorship, in compliance with our policy. Hype over autonomous vehicles has sometimes outpaced reality. For years, forecasters have predicted that driverless cars, which would allow the average commuter to snooze or watch Netflix on their way into the office, were just around the corner. Many experts have tempered their expectations. Widespread implementation of autonomous technology wont be realized within the next decade, according to an analysis released in late 2023 by S&P Global Mobility, which provides insights into the automotive industry. But Lakmal Seneviratne, the founding director of the Khalifa University Center for Autonomous Robotic Systems (KUCARS) in Abu Dhabi, believes that autonomous mobility still has a bright future. Hes been working on robotics since the 1980s, and hes surprised by how quickly autonomous technology has advanced. He sees this in his day-to-day work at KUCARS, where researchers are working on everything from autonomous cars and drones to marine, agricultural, and manufacturing robotics. Last month, the point was driven home when Khalifa University participated in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League event, or the A2RL, which pitted technologists from across the world against each other in a series of challenges. There have been other autonomous car races before, but A2RLs was the first to include a race between four driverless cars, according to organizers. If you asked me even 10 or 15 years ago if I would ever see an autonomous car race, I would have said: No, not in my lifetime, Seneviratne told CNN via video call after the event. Its fantastic to see how that technology has developed. At one point during the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League event, a driverless car took to the track at the same time as former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. - Amr Alfiky/Reuters Real world robotics is very, very hard Khalifa University, which partnered with the Beijing Institute of Technology to form team Fly Eagle, didnt end up racing in the final. Its car crashed a few days before the race, and they couldnt get things back on track. It wasnt all smooth sailing for the four teams that did compete on Abu Dhabis Yas Marina Circuit, where in November Formula Ones Max Verstappen ended a record-breaking season with an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix win. Technical University of Munich (TUM)s car stopped on the track, before restarting. Team Polimoves vehicle spun around after its tires locked up. Soon after, another car came to a halt leaving just TUM moving. Then its car stopped too. Three cars were able to get going again, but towards the end of the race, the leader came to an abrupt halt, and TUM overtook it to cruise to victory. Seneviratne wasnt exactly surprised by the difficulties. He said that some of the challenges were beyond the scope of todays technology. Real world robotics is very, very hard, he said. But it was good to push the community. Team Polimove competes during the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League. - Giuseppe Cacace AFP via Getty Images Simon Hoffman, TUMs team principal, told CNN that past autonomous events have only raced with two cars on the track at a time, and that any multiple-vehicle races have been on oval tracks. By contrast, Yas Marina Circuit has tight turns, chicanes and hairpins. The track is a permanent fixture on Yas Island, but it has elements of a street circuit built in. I think its more challenging to do it on road courses because you have sharper turns, need to brake into turns, you see higher delta speeds between cars, which makes it more difficult, Hoffman added. Pushing the technology to the edge Efforts to set driverless cars loose on public roads have faced setbacks, especially as the result of collisions with unforeseen obstacles. In 2018, for example, a self-driving Uber SUV killed a woman pushing her bicycle across a street, outside of a crosswalk, because it didnt recognize a jaywalking pedestrian. Khalifa University partnered with the Beijing Institute of Technology to form team Fly Eagle. - Khalifa University of Science and Technology The ability to master so-called edge cases situations which push technology to the limits of its ability, perhaps as the result of unexpected and improbable events will be crucial before driverless vehicles can be widely adopted. Some observers, organizers and participants say that endeavors like AR2L where the technology can be tested at its limits may provide a productive training ground for driverless cars. If you have other cars, how do you react with them? How do you overtake them at speed, in edge conditions? says Seneviratne. Hoffman agrees. If we can develop robust software that works in these conditions here, with very high speeds with other cars we can make the software for autonomous driving more robust and more reliable, and in the end safer for everyone, he says. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Former President Donald Trump is going after Silicon Valley donors. Scott Olson/Getty Images Trump is soliciting support from Silicon Valley donors to cut into Biden's cash edge. Trump is discussing a fundraiser with two high-profile venture capitalists, Bloomberg reported. The ex-president finds himself trailing the incumbent president in the fundraising race. Former President Donald Trump is turning to Silicon Valley and ex-donors of onetime rival Ron DeSantis to boost his campaign coffers and cut into President Joe Biden's hefty fundraising edge. Bloomberg recently reported that venture capitalists David Sacks and Chamath Palihapitiya were in talks with the Trump campaign to hold a June fundraiser at Sacks' residence in San Francisco. Trump would also participate in a taping of the pair's podcast, All In. Sacks, a cofounder of Craft Ventures, previously backed the Florida governor's now-defunct presidential campaign. Palmer Luckey, the founder of Oculus VR, will also host a June fundraiser for Trump in Newport Beach, a coastal city in Southern California, Bloomberg reported. Before he entered the presidential contest last May, DeSantis was the top conservative alternative to Trump, attracting support from wealthy Republican donors leery of backing the former president's campaign. But Trump never ceded his popularity among the GOP base and the former president subsequently won over key oil and gas executives, who began to open up their checkbooks. The former president's push to appeal to high-profile Silicon Valley donors follows a similar path. Biden has long had considerable support among Silicon Valley tech luminaries. Just last week, the president traveled to the area for events hosted by onetime Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer and venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, part of his fundraising swing through California. While Biden and Trump both emerged from their respective party primaries as the presumptive nominees early in the nominating process, the incumbent president is far ahead in the money race as the critical summer stretch of the campaign begins. The Biden campaign closed out March with $85.5 million cash on hand. The campaign took in $43.8 million in that one month alone, according to the Federal Election Commission. Biden's numbers have so far dwarfed the Trump campaign, which raised $15.3 million in March and had $44.6 million cash on hand at the end of that month. The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee announced earlier this month that they raised over $76 million for the former president in April. Biden's campaign, which has already beaten Trump to the punch in opening numerous campaign offices in critical battleground states, has not yet released its April figures. Read the original article on Business Insider (Reuters) -The U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday that Boeing Co had breached its obligations in a 2021 agreement that shielded the planemaker from criminal prosecution over fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people. The Justice Department said in a court filing in Texas that the U.S. planemaker had failed to "design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the U.S. fraud laws throughout its operations." Justice Department officials made the finding in the wake of a separate January in-flight blowout that exposed continuing safety and quality issues at Boeing. A panel blew off a new Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet during a Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines flight, just two days before the 2021 agreement shielding Boeing from prosecution over the previous fatal crashes expired. The determination exposes Boeing to a potential criminal prosecution over the 2018 and 2019 crashes that could carry steep financial penalties and tougher oversight, deepening a corporate crisis and reputational damage stemming from the January blowout. While Boeing is now subject to prosecution as a result of breaching the 2021 agreement, the Justice Department said in the court filing, officials will consider steps the planemaker has taken to address and remediate violation of the pact before determining how to proceed. The Justice Department directed Boeing to respond by June 13 and intends to decide whether to prosecute Boeing by July 7, the filing said. Boeing confirmed it had received word from the Justice Department of its determination that the company breached the 2021 deal, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, or DPA. "We believe that we have honored the terms of that agreement, and look forward to the opportunity to respond to the Department on this issue," Boeing said in a statement late on Tuesday. "As we do so, we will engage with the Department with the utmost transparency, as we have throughout the entire term of the agreement, including in response to their questions following the Alaska Airlines 1282 accident." The Justice Department declined to comment beyond the court filing. Boeing's ongoing crisis has already resulted in a management shakeup and government investigations. During a U.S. Senate hearing in April, a Boeing engineer testified the company took dangerous manufacturing shortcuts with certain planes and sidelined him when he raised safety concerns, claims the company disputes. Relatives of people killed in the crashes and their lawyers, meanwhile, had argued that Boeing violated the 2021 deal with prosecutors, which required the company to overhaul its compliance program. Federal prosecutors had previously agreed to ask a judge to dismiss a criminal charge against the planemaker so long as it complied with the deal's terms over a three-year period. But the Jan. 5 in-flight blowout occurred just two days before the agreement expired. Justice Department officials weighed that incident as part of a broader probe into whether Boeing violated the deal, people familiar with the matter previously told Reuters. Justice Department officials are set to meet with family members of the victims of the previous fatal crashes and their lawyers on May 31 to discuss their decision, according to correspondence Reuters reviewed. "This is an important first step towards holding Boeing accountable for the deaths of 346 passengers and crew on the two flights," Paul Cassell, a lawyer representing victims' family members, told Reuters. "But now the Justice Department needs to move this prosecution forward, vigorously and effectively towards a conviction." Erin Applebaum, another lawyer for victims' family members, told Reuters that she and her clients were "pleased that DOJ has chosen to do the right thing" and hoped a prosecution would follow. NEXT STEPS In January 2021, Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion to resolve a criminal investigation into the company's conduct surrounding the previous fatal crashes. The company agreed to compensate victims' relatives and overhaul its compliance practices as part of the deal with prosecutors. The agreement gives U.S. officials six months from the deal's Jan. 7 expiration to decide whether to prosecute Boeing on a charge that the company conspired to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration or pursue other alternatives to dismissing the case. Prosecutors can extend the 2021 settlement for another year or push for oversight by a court-appointed monitor, a costly change from the 2021 agreement where Boeing was allowed to oversee its own changes to its practices. The Justice Department could also attempt to hit the planemaker with additional fines or push the company to plead guilty, an outcome that could affect Boeing's ability to secure government contracts, according to a Reuters review of prosecutors' actions following findings that companies violated other similar agreements. Breaches of such agreements deferring prosecution are rare. But the Justice Department under President Joe Biden has ratcheted up scrutiny on repeat corporate wrongdoers and has penalized companies that violate these deals. Just over a year ago, Sweden's Ericsson agreed to pay a hefty fine and plead guilty after violating its own 2019 deal with prosecutors. (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Mike Spector in New York; Additional reporting by Chris Prentice in New York. Editing by Leslie Adler, David Gregorio and Sonali Paul) WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Department has moved a $1 billion package of weapons aid for Israel into the congressional review process, two U.S. officials said on Tuesday. The latest weapons package includes tank rounds, mortars and armored tactical vehicles, one of the officials told Reuters. President Joe Biden said last week he had delayed a shipment of 2,000-pound (907-kg) bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs to Israel over concerns they might be used for a major invasion of Rafah, a town in southern Gaza. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Monday that the U.S. would continue to provide the military assistance provided in a $26 billion supplemental funding bill passed last month, but the White House paused the bombs because "we do not believe they should be dropped in densely populated cities." The chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Foreign Relations and the House Foreign Affairs committees review major foreign weapons deals. Biden has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to invade Rafah without safeguards for civilians, seven months into a war that has devastated Gaza. Biden's support for Israel in its war against Hamas has emerged as a political liability for the president, particularly among young Democrats, as he runs for re-election this year. (Reporting by Mike Stone and Steve Holland; Writing by Eric Beech; Editing by Costas and Sandra Maler) 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. The viral "portal" from New York City to Dublin, Ireland, was temporarily closed just days after it first opened to the public due to "inappropriate behavior." In a statement on Tuesday via BBC, Dublin's city council said it has to temporarily take the portal offline while it is "implementing technical solutions" to address rude and inappropriate behaviors from bystanders participating in the exhibit. The "portal," which is made out of two circular screens connected via interactive webcams 24/7, became a viral sensation among New Yorkers as people's unfiltered responses were broadcasted to their European counterparts. New Yorkers, Dublin Residents Try to One-Up Each Other at the 'Portal' Exhibit Reports of pedestrians throwing rude gestures to the screen or flashing explicit and provocative images became common as the installment trended on social media. One person, reportedly an OnlyFans model, even became viral after "flashing" towards the Dublin crowd. On the other side of the screen, Dublin residents were noted to display images and memes about the 9/11 attack to New Yorkers. The installments' organizer, Flatiron Nomad Partnership, said it plans to install small software updates in the installation soon "to limit such behavior appearing on the live stream". Also Read : NYC Subway's AI Metal Detectors Result in False Positives What Does the New York-Dublin 'Portal' Means? According to the organizers' website, Portal.org, the "portal" is meant as a "24/7 window to different cultures," bridging towards a "united planet." It is worth noting that while rude and inappropriate gestures from many residents went viral the most, most visitors just took pictures or waved toward the screen. The partnership even said that the majority of the visitors who behave appropriately "experienced the sense of joy and connectedness that this work of public art is intended to evoke." The "portal" is currently also available in Vilnius, Lithuania, and Lublin in Poland where it received a much kinder reception from locals and tourists. The eight-foot-tall installment was designed by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys. YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS. The White House said Tuesday that U.S. President Joe Biden would veto a House GOP bill intended to pressure him to send weapons to Israel, calling it a misguided reaction to a deliberate distortion of the Administrations approach to Israel, the Hill reports. The pushback comes ahead of an expected vote this week on the Israel Security Assistance Support Act. GOP lawmakers introduced the bill after Biden warned he would withhold certain offensive weapons for Israel if its forces invaded Rafah in Gaza, the report adds. The House bill urges the expeditious delivery of defense articles and services to Israel, condemns the Biden administrations decision to pause shipments to Israel and reaffirms Israels right to self-defense. But the White House cautioned that the legislation would undermine the Presidents ability to execute an effective foreign policy. The President has been clear: we will always ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself. Our commitment to Israel is ironclad, the Hill reports citing a White House statement on administration policy. The U.S. already paused a shipment of bombs to Israel earlier this month over concerns of a looming full-scale invasion of Rafah. Officials said the large bombs were withheld because of the damage they could cause in high-density areas. Biden warned in a CNN interview last week that he would stopsupplying Israel with offensive weapons such as bombs and artillery shells if Israeli forces launched an invasion of Rafah, where about a million refugees have settled after fleeing the fighting in northern Gaza.He said the U.S. would continue to supply defensive materials, such as missiles for the Iron Dome, regardless of Israels actions. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday that the administration strongly opposed the bill, and that the White House planned to spend every last cent appropriated consistent with legal obligations, including in the recent national security supplemental that was just passed. The national security package that Biden signed in April, includes $15 billion in military aid for Israel. YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Finance of the Republic of Armenia, Vahe Hovhannisyan, and the Executive Director of the Sustainable Infrastructure Group of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Nandita Parshad, signed a loan agreement worth 236 million for the construction of the 24.2 km southern section of the Sisian-Kajaran North-South Road. After the official signing ceremony, Nandita Parshad delivered a speech, expressing the bank's great honor to be present in Armenia and to sign the significant agreement for financing the construction of the southern section of the Sisian-Kajaran road. She highlighted that this project will not only facilitate further investments but also enhance trade and contribute to the prosperity of the Armenian people. "This project is a strategic priority for Armenia, ensuring its connectivity and access to Europe and beyond. It's a key component of the North-South Corridor and the expanded Trans-European Transport Network. Therefore, it's also one of the European Union's flagship global transport projects," stated Parshad. She thanked the Government of Armenia, the European Investment Bank and the Asian Development Bank. We express special gratitude to the donors who provided comprehensive support in the preparation of this project, the European Union and the EBRD Equity Special Fund. Finally, I would like to thank and congratulate the teams of the Government of Armenia and the various departments of the EBRD who worked very hard to achieve this signing, and who I know will work even harder to bring this project to successful implementation, she concluded. YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory message to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Milos Vucevic, on the occasion of his election to the post. According to the readout issued by the PM's office, the message reads as follows, "I congratulate you on your election to the post of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, wishing you new achievements in this responsible position. Armenia values friendly relations with Serbia based on mutual respect and trust. I sincerely hope that with joint efforts we will be able to enrich the bilateral agenda with new initiatives and programs for the benefit of our countries and peoples." YEREVAN, 15 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 15 May, USD exchange rate down by 0.17 drams to 387.52 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.90 drams to 419.49 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.01 drams to 4.25 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.65 drams to 488.39 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price up by 124.86 drams to 29339.21 drams. Silver price up by 3.65 drams to 354.21 drams. YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been shot and wounded, BBC reports citing local media. PM Fico was shot in front of a cultural community center in the town of Handlova, where a government meeting had been held, reports say. The Slovak leader has been taken to hospital. A Reuters witness said he heard several shots and that he saw a man being detained by police. He added that he saw security officials pushing someone into a car and driving off. Handlova is around 180km (112 miles) north-east of the capital Bratislava. In her initial reaction to the shooting, Slovakia's outgoing president Zuzana Caputova said she was shocked by the "brutal and ruthless" attack on the prime minister and wished him strength to recover. YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS. Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico is fighting for his life after he was shot multiple times following a government meeting on Wednesday, reports Politico. According to his official Facebookaccount, Ficos condition is life-threatening and hes being flown by helicopter to hospital for emergency treatment. At the moment he is being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica, because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of acute intervention. The next few hours will decide, said the post. The attempted assassination on Wednesday followed a government meeting in the town of Handlova, central Slovakia. Local media reported the premier was shot several times and then rushed away by his security detail into a car. China's tech firm Huawei hosts roundtable on cybersecurity in Dubai Xinhua) 08:29, May 15, 2024 DUBAI, May 14 (Xinhua) -- China's tech company Huawei hosted a roundtable meeting on cybersecurity during the annual telecom industry leadership gathering, SAMENA Leaders' Summit 2024, held in Dubai on Monday. The roundtable, themed "Building Telecom Cyber Resilience to Protect Business in the Digital Era," was held in collaboration with the SAMENA Telecommunications Council and Saudi Telecom (STC), gathering leading telecom operators and regulatory bodies' cybersecurity experts and decision-makers. While addressing the meeting, Mohammed Alosaimi, chief security officer at Huawei Saudi Arabia, reaffirmed Huawei's commitment to reinforcing cybersecurity infrastructure. He said that Huawei remains steadfast, in collaboration with carriers and partners, to strengthen the construction of digital infrastructure around the world, build a thriving ecosystem, and unleash the potential of the digital world securely. During the discussion, speakers focused on the importance of cyber resilience for innovative telecom operators, current challenges in light of accelerated technologies, including 5G and 5G-Advanced (5G-A) telecom networks integrated with cloud and AI capabilities, and the remedial actions required for each. SAMENA Leaders' Summit is an annual gathering of leaders from service providers, regulatory authorities, and policymakers, among other stakeholders from South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and beyond, to address new challenges and contribute to the development of the sector. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) (Photo : Unsplash/Antenna) According to an assistant commissioner from the Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota's new paid family and medical leave program will require a 25% higher payroll tax when it starts in 2026 than initially expected if a proposed bill becomes law. DEED Seeking 0.88% Payroll Tax Compared to Initially Proposed 0.7% During a House Ways and Means Committee hearing, Evan Rowe from the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) stated that the agency will seek a payroll tax of 0.88% for the state's new paid leave program, to be shared between workers and employers. This rate is higher than the originally discussed 0.7%, based on an updated actuarial analysis by Milliman, which guarantees Minnesota workers up to 12 weeks of paid family leave and 12 weeks of paid medical leave per year, with a maximum of 20 weeks per year. Milliman, who conducted last year's actuarial analysis of the paid leave program, recommended a 0.88% payroll tax for the first year in a February letter, citing more significant uncertainty at the program's start and the prudence of an additional margin when benefits become effective. READ ALSO: It's a Leap Year: How Does It Affect Employee Pay and Benefits? House fiscal staff estimated on Monday that the 0.88% payroll tax will generate over $300 million more in revenue for the paid leave fund than the 0.7% rate, projecting the distribution of over $1.6 billion in benefits through the program in its first year. While employees will pay up to half of the payroll tax, amounting to 0.44% of their taxable wages in the first year instead of the previously proposed 0.35%, employers can cover part of their employees' costs. The paid leave law from last year directs DEED to adjust tax rates based on the previous year's costs, with a maximum cap of 1.2%. Amendments to The Paid Leave Bill On Monday, Democratic-Farmer-Labor House members in committee approved changes to the paid leave bill. The bill introduced a seven-day waiting period for all medical claims, with payments distributed retroactively. For instance, someone who broke their hip would have the first week unpaid, but the program would later pay them for that initial week. New parents who want to bond with their children would receive payment for the first week immediately, not retroactively. DEED stated that a 0.88% payroll tax would be necessary if the retroactive payment proposal became law. DFL lawmakers have been exploring options to reduce the program's costs, such as making the first week of leave unpaid unless a worker can demonstrate they have less than 80 hours of saved paid time off, sparking controversy among the program's supporters. However, Senator Alice Mann, DFL-Edina, plans to adopt the House's retroactive benefits language and eliminate the PTO requirement. Mann also opposed the PTO proposal, noting that DEED and Governor Tim Walz's administration advocated for an unpaid week to reduce costs, wanting to ensure they keep the payroll tax premium as low as possible. Regarding the 0.88% payroll tax, Mann noted that the 0.7% figure discussed last year was derived from a Department of Labor study, emphasizing that the premium fluctuates based on factors such as the economy, the number of people taking leave, and the state's average wage. This variability is expected, so the bill includes a payroll tax cap. The Senate and House will discuss the paid leave changes this week. RELATED ARTICLE: Most Common Workplace Issues and How Employers Can Fix Them 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the 2024-25 Budget on 14 May revealing many key investments for agencies in cyber security and technology improvements. The introduction of the Future Made in Australia Act and further funding to drive the adoption of a Digital ID system were some of the key highlights. The Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund will attract $1.7 billion in funding over 10 years for investment in innovation, science and digital capabilities, set to impact various industries. Services Australia attracted $2.8 billion over five years to improve its service delivery with $580.3 million going towards its myGov platform. While $288.1 million over four years will be injected to help deliver a Digital ID system. A majority of this will go towards the ATO to help improve MyGov ID credentials. Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) received $206.4 million towards improving data and cyber security. A further $160.7 million was also slated for NDIS cyber upgrades. To help block and identify suspicious activity in real time, the ATO will receive $78.7 million for upgrades to its information and communications systems. The Department of Parliamentary Services will also receive $12.8 million over four years to enhance information technology to support productivity and cyber security. $196.8 million over three years will be put towards supporting the safe collection and storage of Census data. The long-term commitments made in this budget reflect the reality that securing our nations information assets is an ongoing program and not a one-off project, Auscert general manager Dr Ivano Bongiovanni said. With online fraud and identity theft a major issue for every citizen, the commitment to a Digital ID will boost protection for consumers and make it harder for criminals to commit identity-based crimes. $39 million will go towards the safer use of artificial intelligence (AI) and responsible adoption with $2.6 million over three years aimed at national security risks related to AI. $21.6 million over four years will be placed into a reshaped National AI centre along with $15.7 million slated for developing AI policies and reviewing existing regulations in copyright law, consumer and health care. $448.7 million over 11 years will go towards the next generation of the Landsat Satellite program in partnership with the US called Landsat Next. $466.4 million was also marked for equity grants and loans for PsiQuantum to build a fault tolerant quantum computer. $68 million has also been put towards supporting First Nations digital inclusion, building remote community WiFi and improving digital literacy. Diversity in STEM was also brought to light, which attracted $38.2 million for a myriad of programs. The small business $20,000 instant asset write off has been extended by 12 months to 30 June 2025. The Australian Information Industry Association acknowledged some of the budget outcomes, but at the same time, expressed disappointment with the inadequate allocation of funds towards critical technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. The AIIA drew comparisons to countries like Canada and Singapore which committed $2.7 billion and $5 billion in their budgets towards advancing AI, noting Australias allocation of $39.9 million over five years was negligible in comparison and not one dollar is allocated to industry for growing Australian capability. The persistent pattern of insufficient investments and slow adoption of transformative technologies threatens to keep Australia trailing behind its international counterparts. As other nations forge ahead in the AI race, Australia risks becoming increasingly uncompetitive and unproductive, AIIA CEO Simon Bush said. by Melani Manel Perera After leading the National Seminary he had been auxiliary of Colombo and secretary of the Episcopal Conference. He is credited with founding the magazine Living Faith for the country's clergy and religious. Sr. Deepa Fernando: "He encouraged us sisters to deepen our studies in economics and political science. Colombo (AsiaNews) - The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is mourning the death of Mgr Vincent Marius Joseph Peiris, former auxiliary bishop of Colombo, known for his simplicity and for his central role in the formation of priests and the development of the laity, who died at the age of 83. Born on 11 October 1941 and ordained a priest in 1972, he had long exercised his ministry at the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka in Kandy, of which he was appointed rector in 1998. Appointed by Pope John Paul II as auxiliary bishop of Colombo in 2001, he was also secretary of the Bishops' Conference. He had retired in 2018. He is credited with the opening of a new philosophy centre in the seminary and the creation of the six-monthly theological periodical, 'Living Faith', for the country's clergy and religious. "Bishop Marius tried to give an academic light to the Christian vision," Shelton Hettiarchchi tells AsiaNews, "even though many Catholics did not even know his name. In addition to his understanding of the Sinhala language and literature, he had the conviction that we should and could recover from the wars that destroyed our country'. A prolific scholar of social issues, Peiris had also studied at the London School of Economics, earning a master's degree and a doctorate in political sociology. Sister Deepa Fernando, co-convener of the Movement of Christian Women's Voice, also remembers him to AsiaNews as an extraordinary person: 'He was an exceptional teacher with the ability to communicate with passion and creativity about his subjects, particularly economics and political science. He inspired me to go deeper into political science, a subject that was unfamiliar to us nuns at the time. He was a brilliant scholar and at the same time a compassionate priest, very human". Today's news: Pyongyang laundered 7.5 million in stolen cryptocurrencies in March alone; Rosewood trade from Mozambique to China finances Islamic State militants; YouTube blocks "Glory to Hong Kong" videos as requested by local government; Israel and Egypt blame each other for closing the Rafah crossing and blocking aid. INDONESIA Thirty-five people are still missing after flash floods hit the province of West Sumatra in recent days. Meanwhile, the death toll has risen to 58. At least 249 houses, 225 hectares of land, including several rice fields, 19 bridges and most of the main roads were damaged in three districts and one city in the country. NORTH KOREA In March, North Korea laundered USD 147.5 million through the Tornado Cash platform, according to analysis by UN sanctions monitors. The experts investigated 97 suspected North Korean cyber attacks against cryptocurrency companies between 2017 and 2024, with a total value of around .6 billion. In 2024 alone, observers claimed to have examined '11 cryptocurrency thefts worth .7 million'. CHINA - MOZAMBIQUE The smuggling of timber from Mozambique's forests to China is helping to finance the Islamic State insurgency in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. It is an illicit trade worth million a year, according to a four-year investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency. Despite being protected by international treaties, rosewood from Mozambique is shipped to China for the construction of luxury furniture. HONG KONG Yesterday, YouTube said it will abide by a Hong Kong Court of Appeal ruling that will block access within the city to a number of videos banned by the government to suppress dissent. The ruling particularly concerns the ban on the use of the 'Glory to Hong Kong' anthem, written during the 2019 protests as an alternative to the Chinese anthem. Some investors have expressed concern, but this is not the first time that large IT companies have removed online content to please the local government. GAZA - ISRAEL Israeli tanks pushed deeper into the city of Rafah yesterday, reaching some residential areas where more than a million people had sought refuge. Meanwhile Israel and Egypt blamed each other for the continued closure of the crossing as the humanitarian crisis worsens. Israeli air strikes also continue unabated. Yesterday, fierce clashes broke out in Jabalia, a vast refugee camp. RUSSIA More flooding has occurred in the past few days in the north-eastern region of Jacuzia in Siberia, with temperature swings and ice breakage causing the Lena river to overflow in several places, invading some villages, with the evacuation of more than 120 homes and rescuing the inhabitants by helicopter, while many are trying to move by boat. KAZAKHSTAN Kazakhstan's State Commission for the Rehabilitation of Victims of the Political Repressions of the 1920s-1950s has released the conclusions of its work, with the rehabilitation of 311,000 people, publishing 72 volumes of documentation, including over 6 million desegregated materials, and now historians intend to 'rewrite the country's history'. While the anniversary of the massacre of the students in Beijing will not take place on 4 June in Victoria Park, a group of individual Christians is calling on people to sign a prayer that will be published as an ad in the Christian Times. The text refers to the repression of that time, but also to the one currently underway in Hong Kong. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) This year will mark the 35th anniversary the Tiananmen Square massacre, and the date, 4 June, is approaching. Traditionally that day was marked in Hong Kong with a vigil in Victoria Park, until Beijing began to clamp down in 2020 imposing a veil of silence on the event while sending the promoters of the last commemoration in June 2019 to jail, where they still languish. Citing national security considerations, China has muzzled Hong Kong on Tiananmen Square. For some years, the Catholic diocese too has refrained from holding memorial services for the victims of the massacre as it did previously. To fill the void left by the crackdown, pro-Beijing groups are taking over Victoria Park; instead of thousands gathering with lit candles on the eve of 4 June as they did for years, people will be able to visit fairground stalls. In this context, an initiative launched by a group of evangelical Christians in Hong Kong becomes very significant, as they try a different way to break the silence imposed by the authorities. A few days ago, a prayer (in Chinese) was posted online dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the massacre of students in Beijing, China Aid reports, with a call to those who recognise themselves in its words to sign it. The goal is to turn it into a paid ad to be published on 2 June in the Christian Times, Hong Kongs evangelical weekly. "No individual or organisation started this petition, it has been signed jointly by individuals," the promoters said in a statement. Currently, 225 people have put their name to it, and it remains open until 19 May. The title chosen for the prayer is By the rivers of Babylon there we sat weeping from the first verse of Psalm 137, which evokes the experience of exile of the people of Israel. Remembering the "ruins and rubble" of Jerusalem is a reference to the brutality of the repression in Tiananmen Square, and "the hot blood and passion of so many young lives." "Even though no stars or candles will be lit tonight, let us light a candle in the depths of our soul in the light of God's miraculous grace, reads the message. Let us carry on their unfinished work in light and prayer. Lord, let them not be forgotten. The prayer also alludes to the situation in Hong Kong, where power "extends its rough hands in different corners, instilling fear and intimidation. Citing Apostle Paul in the Letter to the Romans, the prayer asks God to teach us to preserve even in this time "the power of kindness, tolerance and love" and mend the cracks in society, safeguarding righteousness, and not allowing the truth to disappear. Finally, the prayer remembers those who have been scattered, jailed, or exiled. "With your mighty arm, help and sustain us, so that they may understand Your will, discern it, believe in it, and practice it in the midst of the tumult of the world, awaiting Your return. Francis pleads for peace again during this Wednesday general audience. Calling for a definitive peace, he slammed war, which is always a defeat. Always. He also mentioned "tormented Ukraine", Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, and all peoples who suffer war". Charity is the focus of his weekly catechesis, for those who are not lovable, [. . .] even for ones enemy. Vatican City (AsiaNews) Pope Francis tirelessly appealed again for peace in this mornings general audience in St Peter's Square. In a world torn by many conflicts, "All together, with a big heart, let us pray for definitive peace, he said in his greetings to Italian-speaking pilgrims. Let us pray for peace. Let us not forget battered Ukraine, let us not forget Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, and a second time, "Let us pray for all peoples who suffer war". The popes words sparked a loud round of applause from the faithful gathered for the occasion. "No wars, none, because war is always a defeat. Always," he added, reiterating what he has said repeatedly on other occasions. The pontiff also spoke about the people of Afghanistan, affected by tragic floods recently, especially in the countrys central and eastern areas, amid havoc and destroyed homes. According to the latest reports, at least 300 people have died so far, including 51 children. "I pray for the victims, especially the children, and their families, and I appeal to the international community to immediately provide the necessary aid and support to protect the most vulnerable," Francis said. Continuing the series of catechesis on vices and virtues in his Wednesday audiences, the Holy Father turned his thoughts to the theological virtue of charity, after talking about faith and hope. Francis noted that Saint Paul's hymn to charity in the First Letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 13:4-7) was addressed to a community that is anything but perfect in fraternal love: the Christians of Corinth were rather litigious, torn by internal divisions. Saint Paul had harsh words for them, criticising the way they conducted the "Eucharistic celebration. Francis lamented that even there, there are divisions, and there are those who take advantage of this to eat and drink, excluding those who have nothing. This ought to be food for thought of the meaning of love, often extolled, but almost never fulfilled in actions, even in our times. In our days too, love is on the lips of many influencers and in the refrains of many songs. We speak a lot about love, but what is love? the pope asked. The love Saint Paul mentioned is not the one that rises, but the one that descends; not the one that takes, but the one that gives; not the one that appears, but the one that is hidden. It is the love that comes from God, the hardest to know and put into practice. It is what early Christians called agape. Like other people, Christians are capable of all the forms of love in the world, but the one coming from God is the greatest. It drives us where humanly we would not go: it is the love for the poor, for those who are not lovable, for those who do not care for us and are not grateful. It is love for what no-one would love, even for ones enemy. Even for the enemy, Pope Francis stressed. It is precisely in the "Sermon on the Mount" (Mt 5:1-7:29) that such love "assumes the name of charity", a form of love that goes beyond the criteria of human nature. It is a love so ardent that it seems almost impossible, and yet it is the only thing that will remain of us, the Pontiff noted. It is "theological" love for it comes from God, stands as the "narrow gate" to enter the Heavenly Kingdom, Because at the twilight of life, we will not be judged on generic love but precisely on charity. (Photo : Unsplash/ Laurel and Michael Evans) According to a notice sent to the state government, Tesla intends to lay off 601 more employees in California as part of a global series of job cuts initiated a month ago due to declining sales and intensifying price competition. Tesla Aiming to Reduce Workforce by 10% Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced on April 15 that the company would lay off over 10% of its global workforce, which numbered over 140,000 in late 2023. Since then, the electric vehicle maker has implemented multiple rounds of job cuts as Musk aimed to reduce headcount by 20%, as reported by sources familiar with the matter. READ ALSO: Tesla's EV Supercharger Team Getting Disbanded, Leaving Officials, Suppliers Uncertain on Musk's Future Plans Revealing Additional Layoff in California Despite criticism, Tesla is proceeding with its significant workforce reduction plan. On Monday, it submitted paperwork to the State of California revealing that 223 individuals at its Palo Alto site and 378 at its Fremont factory would be permanently laid off, scheduled to commence within 14 days starting on June 20, 2024. Both the Palo Alto, which serves as one of Tesla's primary development and manufacturing centers responsible for designing and constructing powertrain equipment and serves as the engineering headquarters for the entire brand and the Fremont factory, which is a full-scale production facility featuring five assembly lines, are essential to the brand's success, as almost all Tesla models currently available for sale, with the exception of the Cybertruck, are manufactured there. Tesla's Series of Layoffs to Be Hardcore About Headcount and Cost Reduction Last month, the electric carmaker announced plans to lay off 6,020 employees in California and Texas as part of its overall headcount reduction efforts. The global job cuts also affected 285 employees at its facilities in Buffalo, New York, where the labeling team for its Autopilot driver assistance software is located, as well as where fast-charging equipment is manufactured. SFChronicle reports that 600 workers will leave the automaker over two weeks in mid-June. When combined with the 2,700+ job cuts announced in the Bay Area earlier this year and the 2,688 positions eliminated in Texas, Tesla has eliminated at least 5,989 jobs this year, aligning with the 6,020 employees it projected it would cut earlier this year. However, Tesla is reportedly rehiring individuals previously laid off from its disbanded Supercharger team, so the final number of job cuts may differ. These cuts are all part of Tesla's effort to reduce its workforce by 10% to decrease overhead costs and enhance efficiency across its operations as Tesla seeks ways to rebound amid significant drops in revenue and profit during the first quarter of 2024. The first set of layoffs affecting Bay Area employees will commence on June 14, followed by the second set on June 20, with each set taking about two weeks to be fully implemented. While it remains uncertain when workers will be informed about their employment status, some may already be aware of their situation. RELATED ARTICLE: Tesla Implements Further Reduction, Sends Another Wave of Layoff Notices Targeting Job Duplications 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Unsplash/Fikri Rasyid ) Walmart is laying off hundreds of corporate employees and requesting remote workers return to central offices nationwide, according to a Tuesday memo seen by Footwear News. In-Office Mandates to Home Office Associates In the memo, Walmart's chief people officer, Donna Morris, informed employees that Home office associates in smaller offices in Dallas, Atlanta, and Toronto would be required to relocate closer to its more significant hubs in Bentonville, Arkansas; Hoboken, New Jersey; and Northern California. However, they will still be able to work on a hybrid basis. Certain parts of the business have also changed, leading to the reduction of several hundred campus roles. While the overall percentage of affected employees is small, the company is dedicated to supporting each associate impacted by these changes. Walmart did not disclose the number of individuals impacted by the closures, which comes ahead of Walmart's highly anticipated earnings report scheduled for Thursday. READ ALSO: Walmart-Owned One Gears to Become A Financial Superapp, Pushes Buy Now, Pay Later Scheme In recent months, the practice of companies altering employees' working requirements, such as office mandates, has been termed quiet firing. In numerous instances, organizations encourage employees to resign rather than resort to layoffs. Walmart Being The Latest to Push In-Office Requirement Walmart is the latest company to enforce an in-office requirement, marking a shift from the pandemic's remote and flexible working arrangements for employees. Nike became the first major shoe company to publicly announce a return to the office four days a week in January, departing from the typical three-days-in-office hybrid model adopted by most shoe companies in the post-pandemic era. Meanwhile, companies like Adidas and Crocs have retained their flexible hybrid models since the pandemic, with some experiencing success while allowing employees to work fully remotely. Walmart's Layoff Trend Due to Cost-Cutting Measures Walmart also revealed plans to shut down two more stores last week, bringing the total number of store closures to eight for 2024. The layoffs represent the most recent cost-cutting measure for the retailer when the company disclosed its plans to close 51 health clinics across Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Texas in April. These clinics, which provided services such as doctor, dentist, and therapy appointments, were part of Walmart Health, an initiative to reduce prices in the healthcare industry. Walmart stated on its website that the venture was not financially sustainable despite being initially positioned adjacent to its big-box stores. Walmart holds the title of the nation's largest private employer, with approximately 1.6 million employees, the majority of whom work at its stores throughout the country. Walmart is also currently building a nearly 350-acre campus, another reason to relocate more employees to Bentonville. This significant development, already in progress, comprises 12 office buildings, parking lots, a hotel, and various amenities. Several buildings on the campus, including a fitness center and a daycare facility, are already operational. The Wall Street Journal initially reported the layoffs and relocations. RELATED ARTICLE: Walmart Removing College Degree Requirements, Offers Short-Form Certificates to Fill 100,000 Internal Job Opportunities 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 15 May 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more India intends to sign an agreement with Iran on the management of the Chabahar port within the next ten years and connect it with the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), where Azerbaijan is a significant transport hub. The Economic Times reports about this. According to the publication, Indian Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will visit Iran on Monday to sign the agreement. This is the first time that India has taken over the management of a foreign port. The new contract will be valid for 10 years and will be automatically renewed. In the future, it is planned to connect India to the INSTC through Chabahar port. This trade route is intended for the transportation of goods from India and the Persian Gulf countries through the territories of Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia, as well as connecting the railways of these three countries to Western and Northern Europe. The main advantage of the corridor is the reduction of cargo delivery time by two to three times. Chabahar port is located in the southeast of Iran. In 2003, India and Iran agreed to jointly develop the port, but the project was later shelved due to international sanctions against Iran. During his visit to Tehran in 2016, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his intention to invest $500 million into the construction of the port infrastructure of New Delhi. In May 2016, India signed a tripartite agreement with Iran and Afghanistan for the construction of the Shahid Beheshti terminal at the port. Several questions arise: What is the significance of India's intention to sign an agreement with Iran regarding the management of the Chabahar port? How does connecting the Chabahar port with the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) benefit India and other countries involved? What will be the profit of Azerbaijan in this matter? Against the background of the position of India and Iran against Azerbaijan, in what direction can the situation change economically and politically? While answering questions for Azernews, British expert Neil Watson thought that this move was extremely significant. "It is the first move by a westward-facing country - India - to actually work with Iran, which is usually considered a pariah state. Furthermore, it signals Iranian trust in a country that has excellent relations with the US and is a significant constituent part of the BRIC nations, which are shaping the new world economy. It also indicates that Iran no longer considers Russia to be its saviour and default partner, particularly in light of its ongoing distraction with Ukraine and the ramifications of that." According to him, the benefits to India and other countries - both regarding imports and exports - are absolutely huge. "The INSTC has already minimised the transportation time for Chinese products and India and the other countries involved will benefit from reduced transportation time and logistical economies of scale. However, conversely, it benefits India, Persian Gulf countries, and Azerbaijan, as their products can be easily be distributed far beyond their traditional territory, even into Europe. This comes at a time when demand for hydrocarbons is changing and ultimately reducing and the need for all oil-rich countries to diversify their economies is pressing." Watson noted that the benefit to Azerbaijan is the ability to import goods from China, India, and other countries more effectively, thereby increasing the range available in the country and ultimately reducing prices. Also, Azerbaijani goods can be exported far and wide very easily with optimised logistical costs, thereby making them competitive on the world stage. "In my view, this signals a thaw in the challenging Azerbaijani- Iranian-Indian relationship. India and Iran have been under Soviet/Russian/Armenian influence for decades, but given Armenias defeat and Russian withdrawal from the South Caucasus, it is time for these countries to work together and cohesively on a business footing. This can only serve to ultimately enhance diplomatic relations," the British expert concluded. But Dr. Frank Musmar, Executive Advisory Board President for the University of Maryland Global Campus, an advisory member at the Abrahamic Accord Business Circle, and a Board Member at Paris Metropolitan University, highlighted India's adoption of a strategy akin to China's earlier "string of pearls" by investing in strategic ports overseas. "This strategy will enhance India's global strategic presence and maritime access. India has secured investments in ports in Iran, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Oman and is planning to invest in the Philippines. The Indian Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, and the Iranian Transport and Urban Development Minister, Mehrdad Bazrpash, signed the 10-year contract. The plan is to connect India to the INSTC through Chabahar port, where Azerbaijan is a significant transport hub, to reduce the cargo shipping cost and delivery time by two to three times. The instability caused by the ongoing war in Gaza and Houthi attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea has put the projected India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) on hold until further notice. India seems to be reassessing its position within international transport routes in this context. Attention is now turned towards an 'old acquaintance': the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Among the ports that were projected to connect on the west coast of India are Mundra (Gujarat), Kandla (Gujarat), and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (Navi Mumbai). In the Middle East, at least five ports have been shortlisted to be connected to the Indian ports, including Fujairah, Jebel Ali, and Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Dammam and Ras Al Khair ports in Saudi Arabia. "Multiple routes are being considered to reduce the freight load on one route prospectively. Accordingly, and if the situation calms down in the Middle East, India could utilise the Chabahar port to pursue the immature plan of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) without needing other ports." Dr. Frank Musmar recalled that the port of Chabahar is located on the Makran coast of Sistan and Baluchistan Province, next to the Gulf of Oman and at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz. "It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the Indian Ocean. Being close to Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and others, it has been termed the "Golden Gate" to these landlocked countries. To India, it is the perfect plan to access markets in Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Eurasia while bypassing its rival, Pakistan. As for the other countries in the region, the INSTC will bridge different regions and pursue the intra-regional development of energy-rich countries. Its significance has grown immensely, particularly after the Ukraine war. Moscow and Iran could use the INSTC as a potentially vital economic escape route into the larger Asian region to circumvent Western sanctions prohibiting specific goods." Dr. Musmar asserted that the modern India-Azerbaijan relationship is built on cultural and economic ties that materialised via the ancient Silk Route. "Azerbaijan became part of INSTC in 2005, and its well-developed railways and a strategic seaport in Baku paved the way for the Western Route of INSTC that runs west of the Caspian Sea. The Western Route links the Iranian ports of Chabahar and Bandar Abbas in the Arabian Sea to the vast railway networks in Eurasia, especially with the Baku-Tbilisi-Batumi or the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars transnational rail connections constructed under the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which makes the Western Corridor of INSTC via Azerbaijan the most critical strategic part of the entire project for India." "India recognised Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, and India's bilateral trade with Azerbaijan has been growing steadily in recent years. As for Iran, Iran and Azerbaijan will defuse the tensions and change rhetoric. The construction of a cargo terminal in Astara, on the Caspian Sea next to the Azeri border, by the end of 2024 and the latest development in the INSTC will help bridge the disagreements. The prize is clear: an opportunity to put aside their differences and tone down tensions to reap geo-economic dividends," Dr. Musmar added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 12:47 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more The monthly minimum wage may be replaced by an hourly minimum wage in Azerbaijan. This is reflected in the 2024 roadmap for implementing improvements and communications in the relevant area, based on the World Bank Group's Business Ready report. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has been instructed to prepare and submit appropriate proposals to replace the monthly minimum wage with an hourly wage by July 1 of this year. Head of the Innovative Economic Research Center of Azerbaijan Technical University, professor, and economist Elshad Mammadov stated to Azernews that the implementation of the hourly minimum wage can give impetus in two directions, depending on the formation of the wage fund in the country. On the one hand, this can contribute to the overall increase in wages. Because the implementation of the minimum hourly wage undoubtedly will impose new obligations on employers and this can gradually impact the increase in the wage fund. On the other hand, it is known that today in our country, as well as in this global experience, such tendencies and trends have formed that short-term employment experiences are becoming widespread. In such cases, specific labor contracts can be concluded for the completion of daily or weekly tasks, and it is now obvious that the application of an hourly minimum wage, rather than monthly, is more effective and rational, he said. Being further optimistic, the expert also said that there is great confidence that this new application in the labour contract will be more effective. Therefore, I believe that the implementation of these approaches can yield positive results. Let's not forget that in recent years, as a result of the direct efforts of the country's leadership, positive results have been achieved in ensuring transparency in the field of social protection. This indicates that we have already achieved results in legalizing labor relations in the employment process, and at the same time, positive steps such as increasing the wage fund and raising the minimum wage have been taken, yielding positive indicators. In this regard, I believe that the implementation of an hourly minimum wage can also provide an additional impetus to these positive changes, and overall, I would evaluate this step positively, the expert concluded. Sahib Mammadov, head of the Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, initially noted that people misunderstand certain positions. A misconception has arisen that when the hourly minimum wage is implemented, individuals in the country will receive wages corresponding to the number of hours worked. This is a completely erroneous approach. Here, the discussion revolves around the minimum wage intended for unskilled workers as specified in the Labor Code. That is, whatever the minimum monthly wage can be for an unskilled worker, it is not possible to set this figure lower. Now they want to convert that amount into hourly instead of monthly. This system exists in many countries around the world. He mentioned that, however, when implementing this on an hourly basis, certain issues arise that need to be addressed. For example, suppose the current amount is 345 manat, and when divided into hours and days, a very small amount is obtained for eight hours a day over 22 days. Therefore, if a transition to hourly wages is considered, the amount should be increased slightly. For instance, if the amount were three manats, the monthly salary would exceed 500 manats, meaning setting a payment of three manats per hour would result in a small amount, especially when converted into dollars. However, if the hourly wage system were adopted, the salary would exceed 500 manat. This significantly increases the minimum wage. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy should provide their opinion on this matter, based on which the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection should prepare proposals and submit them to the government. According to him, this process will happen sooner or later. However, this is still at the proposal stage. It has both negative and positive aspects. This is a modern, implemented standard. For example, there are European countries where the hourly wage is 11 euros, and there are even countries where it is higher, exceeding 30 or 40 euros. This discussion pertains to unskilled workers. The expert said that however, the implementation of this has not yet occurred within the CIS. It seems that it also depends on the fact that when the amount is divided into hours, it appears to be a very small figure, which is why they cannot transition to this system. However, in many initiatives and endeavors, we have played a pioneering role among the CIS countries. It is possible that this system could be realized in our country. In any case, certain proposals are being prepared regarding this matter now. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection will present relevant proposals to the government, he concluded. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 15:36 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more The European Union considers Georgia's "Transparency of Foreign Influence" draft law a threat. Note that in the project criticised by the opponents as a "Russian-style law" in Georgia, institutions receiving more than 20 percent of their funds from abroad are supposed to be registered as "agents of foreign influence". The Georgian government maintains that this law is necessary to bring transparency to the financing of NGOs and protect the country from foreign influences. The Kremlin, in turn, claimed that foreign countries are trying to interfere in Georgia's internal affairs. It seems that Moscow's views on this matter reflect the truth. Because before the decision was made, Europe and the United States were sending warning signals to Georgia. Peter Stano, lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, stressed that the law on "foreign agents" will harm Georgia's relations with the West in a briefing held in Brussels. After the ruling party approved the bill, the White House sent threatening messages to Tbilisi. James O'Brien, the US State Department sanctions coordinator, said at a press conference in Tbilisi that if the "Transparency of Foreign Influence" bill passed by the Georgian parliament does not change, and the US may impose sanctions on Georgian officials. It is interesting that such threatening speeches have become customary for James O'Brien. Because he always managed to get attention with baseless and biased statements against Azerbaijan too. Remember that last year, the Washington Congress decided to increase support for Armenia under the pretext that "Azerbaijan poses a threat to Armenia". The goal here was to fray the ties between Armenia and Russia and achieve Armenia's exit from the CSTO. Thus, supposedly, Armenia would be the eyes of the USA and France in the South Caucasus under the direct protection of the West. But the result was not as expected. Official Baku refused Washington's mediation after these biased steps, and the meeting proposed to be held at the level of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on November 20 of the same year was postponed. Currently, peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia are ongoing. Despite all the efforts of the West and the United States, Azerbaijan regained the sovereignty of its own lands. After the local anti-terror measures in 2023, the separatist forces in Garabagh were neutralised successfully. After the meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Almaty on May 10, it was confirmed that the signing of the peace treaty between the two countries is in the near future. This is proof that the West cannot implement its plans in the South Caucasus with the help of Armenia. Undoubtedly, the United States and the European Union may try to threaten Georgia and even overshadow its candidacy status for the Union in order to suppress Russia in the region. It is worth noting that Georgia first applied to become a candidate for the EU in 2022. The Union granted candidate status to Georgia in December 2023. However, the institution's ultimatums to Georgia regarding the new law reflect that the membership process may be put at risk. The population opposing the new law in Georgia has been continuing the domestic unrest for a month. Yesterday, it was reported that protesters gathered in front of the parliament building and clashed with the police. However, the ruling party in Georgia does not pay attention to the threats of sanctions by the West, calling them frivolous talks; they speak decisively in the press. The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, stressed that foreign forces cannot prevent Georgia from defending its national interests. The minister also called on protesters opposing the Transparency of Foreign Influence Bill to refrain from breaking the law, while calling on law enforcement agencies to respond with maximum restraint to any violent action by protesters. Let us not forget that the West tried to take root in the South Caucasus region for centuries, and although it succeeded to some extent, it could not break the determination of the people here. The current riots and threats are the resetting rotation of the West, which cannot take its share of the Garabagh issue. The sanctions that are claimed to be implemented are, without a doubt, the West's revenge policy against countries that it has not been able to influence enough. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 19:15 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijan, having achieved economic independence, has seamlessly integrated into the global community through effective policy measures. Notably, there has been a significant uptick in official visits between Azerbaijan and China, a pivotal player in the global economy, indicating a strengthening bond between the two nations. Despite the considerable difference in economic scale, Azerbaijan shares a development philosophy akin to that of China. Both nations exhibit resilience to global risks and prioritise leveraging internal resources for sustainable growth. As a member of the Global South, Azerbaijan staunchly advocates for the interests of these nations within the Non-Aligned Movement and pledges further support within the COP29 framework. Notably, Azerbaijan wants to collaborate with China within COP29, as exemplified by recent discussions between the Azerbaijani delegation and Chinese counterparts. Chinese firms are keenly interested in collaborating with Azerbaijan, particularly in renewable energy. Discussions are underway regarding the establishment of electric vehicle production and renewable energy infrastructure, showcasing mutual investment interests. Highlighting the burgeoning partnership, a recent meeting between Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and representatives from "China Energy Engineering Group Co. Ltd" and "China Energy International Group Co." underscored progress on renewable energy projects. The meeting addressed the implementation of the 2 GW renewable energy projects outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the "China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment" company. The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss the development of multifaceted cooperation in renewable energy and collaboration opportunities with Chinese companies in preparation for COP29. During the meeting, the Chinese representatives provided an overview of projects undertaken by China Energy Engineering Group Co. Ltd, emphasising their comprehensive development plans and services for the energy and infrastructure sectors both in China and globally. They also expressed a keen interest in participating in large-scale activities to leverage Azerbaijans significant renewable energy potential. Discussions centred around potential cooperation in establishing green energy corridors and interconnectors, facilitating green energy export, and advancing the production and transportation of green hydrogen and green ammonia, as well as exploring energy storage systems. The meeting also addressed issues related to the Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of 2 GW of renewable energy projects signed between Azerbaijans Ministry of Energy and China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment. The participants assessed progress and next steps for the construction of 60 MW and 100 MW solar power plants. In conclusion, it was agreed to enhance mutual interaction by establishing a Working Group tasked with evaluating proposals for potential cooperation areas and collaborating on relevant projects. The strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China extends beyond bilateral agreements. Azerbaijan's early endorsement of China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative positions it as a pivotal logistics hub bridging Eurasian nations. Key infrastructure projects like the Alat port and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway facilitate smoother trade routes between Europe and Asia, benefiting multiple Eurasian countries. Additionally, it's noteworthy that a Memorandum of Understanding was inked between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and the National Energy Administration of China on October 17, 2023, during the "One Belt, One Road" International Cooperation Forum. This significant document outlines the expansion of bilateral relations in the energy sector, fostering cooperation on new technologies, energy infrastructure renewal, mutual investment promotion, and the exchange of expertise in renewable energy sources. Furthermore, it emphasises joint conferences, forums, and training initiatives. Recalling China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative launched in 2013, aimed at fostering infrastructure and mutual relations among Eurasian countries, it's essential to recognise Azerbaijan's early endorsement. As the first country in the Caucasus region to support this initiative, Azerbaijan serves as a pivotal logistics centre, hub, and bridge, facilitating the realisation of the "One Belt, One Road" strategy. During the official visit of President Ilham Aliyev to China in December 2015, the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the joint promotion of the establishment of the Silk Road Economic Belt" was signed, further solidifying bilateral ties. Notably, Azerbaijan's strategic geographical position as the sole country intersecting the "East-West" and "North-South" transport corridors creates opportunities for nations to the north and south to participate in this transformative project. The inauguration of the port in Alat settlement in May 2018, as part of Azerbaijan's "One Belt, One Road" mega project, equipped with cutting-edge technological infrastructure, signifies a significant leap forward. The operational systems enable cargo owners to monitor the location and status of their shipments online, with plans to digitise all routes within the framework of the "One Belt, One Road" project, thus enhancing the efficiency of trade cycles. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, serving as the shortest rail link between Europe and Asia, not only benefits Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye but also opens up new economic avenues for countries across the Eurasian region. In conclusion, the dynamic collaboration between Azerbaijan and China spans political, economic, and infrastructural domains, propelling their relations to new heights of cooperation and mutual benefit. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 14:38 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more A meeting of the Trilateral Committee on Customs Issues between the governments of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye took place in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, Azernews reports. The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Shahin Baghirov, Chairman of the State Customs Committee. During the meeting, discussions were held between the parties regarding the implementation of the agreement on initial information exchange for facilitating transit customs procedures within the framework of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project. The participants emphasised the political, economic, and strategic significance of the project, highlighting its potential to bolster regional and international trade volume, enhance transit opportunities for all three countries, and simplify customs procedures. Following the tripartite meeting, a final protocol was signed, marking progress in customs cooperation among Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 14:16 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The Energy Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Parviz Shahbazov, is currently visiting Georgia, Azernews reports, citing the ministry. Minister Shahbazov and his delegation are set to participate in the 7th meeting of ministers from four countries aimed at implementing the strategic partnership agreement in green energy development and transmission. This agreement involves the governments of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, and the meeting is scheduled for May 15 in Tbilisi. The agenda for the meeting includes discussions on upcoming tasks to expedite the implementation of the aforementioned agreement. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 15:00 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more In Nakhchivan, 80 out of the 146 business entities created and registered jointly with Turkish businessmen are active, constituting 55 percent of the total, Azernews reports. At the 'Azerbaijan-Turkiye Trade Relations: Export Opportunities of Nakhchivan' event held at the Nakhchivan Business Centre, Abbas Ismayilov, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, acting minister, revealed that Turkish companies constitute 78 percent of foreign capital firms operating in Nakhchivan. Ismayilov provided guests with a comprehensive overview of ongoing reforms and the favourable business and investment climate in Nakhchivan. He highlighted potential avenues for further expansion of economic and trade cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. Statistics from the first four months of 2024 showcased Turkiye's prominence in Nakhchivan's foreign trade turnover, with a notable 28 percent increase in exports to Turkiye compared to the same period last year. Overall, Nakhchivan's total trade turnover with foreign countries amounted to $32.2 million, with Turkiye accounting for 52.7 percent of this figure. Notable exports from Nakhchivan to Turkiye include mineral waters, waffle products, tobacco products, electricity, furniture, building materials, and travertine stone products. Conversely, Turkiye primarily exports food products, household electrical appliances, furniture, textiles, pharmaceutical products, and various machinery to Nakhchivan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 16:11 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The Fintex Summit 2024 (Finance and Technologies Expo) kicked off in Baku, with a focus on "New Trends in Banking and Finance Ecosystem: Innovative Solutions, FinTech, and Security," Azernews reports. Ruslan Talibov, Chairman of the Management Board of the Azerbaijan Fintech Association, reported a nearly tenfold increase in non-cash payments in Azerbaijan over the last five years during the summit. Talibov highlighted the evolving customer behaviour and related requirements in the sector, emphasising the growing importance of fintech in meeting these demands. According to Talibov, in the last 4 years, payments for one POS terminal have increased 4 times and reached about 10,000 manats ($5,882): "This brings new targets to fintech due to the increasingly changing customer behaviour and related requirements in the sector." Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of the Centre for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, revealed ongoing efforts to prepare a 'fintech strategy for 2024-2028' in Azerbaijan, aiming to define goals and directions for sector development. Gasimli noted the successful expansion of Azerbaijani fintech companies into foreign markets, including Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, underscoring the sector's potential for further growth. "In the last 5 years, the country's banks have spent 300 million manats (about $176.5 million) on the implementation of financial technologies. Since May of this year, the Central Bank has introduced a special regulatory sandbox that will allow testing new fintech products and services in real-world conditions. Also, the Instant Payments System, which includes modern payment solutions, and the blockchain-based A Digital Identification System have been created," Gasimli added. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) announced that over 20 payment and electronic money organisations have applied for licences, with plans to issue licences to compliant organisations by the end of the month. Rashad Orujov, the First Deputy Chairman of the CBA, said that the CBA considers relevant applications and provides necessary legal support within the framework of active communication with organisations. Orujov noted that it is planned to start issuing licences to organisations that meet all legislative requirements by the end of this month. Zakir Nuriyev, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Banks Association, emphasised the importance of deepening integration of payment ecosystems with neighboring countries and implementing legislative reforms to support digital banking and payment services. He said that legislative reforms on the formation of digital banks, the provision of payment services based on open banking technologies, and the and the expansion of the scope of electronic money applications are among the tasks to be implemented in the upcoming period. "Strengthening the integration of payment systems between Turki states, developing these relations can be a start. One of the important steps in this direction is the optimisation of cost items in the payment services market, as well as the tariff policy applied by international payment systems for market participants," added the ABA chairman. It should be noted that the Fintex Summit 2024 provided a platform for discussing financial technologies, digitization, and the payment ecosystem, attracting participation from bank CEOs across Azerbaijan. Looking ahead, the Fintex Summit Istanbul is scheduled for October 2024 in Turkiye, while the International Banking Forum will convene in Baku on December 3-4. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 15:16 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijani Agriculture Minister Majnun Mammadov highlighted the impact of agrarian reforms on strengthening agricultural development during the opening ceremony of the Azerbaijan International Agricultural Exhibition Caspian Agro and the 29th Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition InterFood Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. Mammadov emphasised the state's significant support measures, including providing farmers with access to agricultural tools and expanding the scope of agricultural insurance. He also noted that President Ilham Aliyev declared 2024 as the Green World Solidarity Year, aligning with Azerbaijan's hosting of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). 2024 was declared by President Ilham Aliyev as Green World Solidarity Year so this year special attention at the exhibition is paid to the demonstration of modern agricultural production tools based on the principles of environmental protection, green energy, efficient use of resources, and organic production, he emphasised. In line with this initiative, the exhibition focuses on showcasing modern agricultural production tools that prioritise environmental protection, green energy, efficient resource utilisation, and organic production. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz (Photo : Unsplash/Cesar Cid) Many people are experiencing burnout, making it challenging to sustain even once-promising careers. Traditional avenues for success, such as college educations and professional certificates, no longer offer the same stability, particularly for younger generations. This disillusionment has led many Gen Zers to reject the traditional workplace environment, which has proven ineffective, resulting in food insecurity, financial stress, and overwhelming dread about the future. Descending The Corporate Ladder One Gen Z worker, known as Aaron Yin on TikTok, shared his distaste for hustle culture, expressing a desire not to climb the corporate ladder but rather to "descend" it. In his recent video, In his recent video, Yin mentioned that some people aspire to be managers, which is perfectly fine. However, as for himself, his goal for the next thirty days is to avoid having dreams about his job. Yin preferred to maintain his job at the bottom of the corporate ladder rather than wasting time, sacrificing his mental well-being, and seeking relief from burnout. Yin added that he is not seeking professional validation. Still, he has enough money to enjoy life comfortably, remarking that the only wheel he wants to reinvent is to work hard and play hard. READ ALSO: 3 Crucial Skills to Succeed in the Workplace According to a Harvard-trained Psychiatrist Corporate America's Downside Similar to other Gen Zers joining the workforce, trends like quiet quitting and coffee badging are gaining traction as people increasingly recognize that corporate America is letting them down. Job satisfaction and happiness are at an all-time low, as revealed by a recent Gallup poll, backed by countless reasons. Employers demand more from their employees while offering less in return, including low wages, meager raises and bonuses, and limited benefits. This exchange often entails sacrificing not only financial security and freedom but also personal time, physical health, and overall well-being. Even for individuals who have access to time off, the effects of burnout resurface rapidly, typically on the day they return to the office, as indicated by a recent nationwide survey of employees. This perpetuates a harmful cycle of work, wherein an employee's identity and livelihood are linked to how much they can push themselves for their employer. Under the video, one individual noted that their co-worker often experiences stress and work-related nightmares, contrasting it with their dedication of 30 minutes daily to Wordle and Connections. Others in the comments expressed empathy for Yin, recounting their own experiences of leaving corporate America to adopt healthier routines and escape the grip of consumerist culture. Many acknowledge that Gen Zers face an increasingly challenging transition into postgraduate life, even for those who have not attended college. The realities of corporate America and the wider world are now more demanding than they were a decade ago, compounded by the ongoing effects of the pandemic on society. Another individual remarked that capitalism would instead push you off the ladder than let you descend it, sharing from personal experience that their mental health has significantly deteriorated after each promotion they received. RELATED ARTICLE: CEO's Advice for Climbing the Corporate Ladder: Seize Opportunities and Take Initiative 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 15 May 2024 16:51 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more Azerbaijan disclosed total electricity production in January-April this year, Azernews reports, in a release by the Energy Ministry Access to paid information is limited Find the plan that suits you best. 15 May 2024 19:42 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more Azerbaijan and Georgia expressed their solidarity in strengthening the activity and speeding up the process on the Caspian-Black Sea-European Green Energy Corridor, Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov said on X, Azernews reports. Within the visit to Georgia, we had a fruitful meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili, on bilateral and regionally important issues on the agenda of our energy cooperation. We evaluated the development of our large-scale new energy security project based on the Azerbaijan-Georgia friendship and strategic partnership. We expressed our solidarity in strengthening the activity and speeding up the process on the Caspian-Black Sea-European Green Energy Corridor, the minister stated. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The Azerbaijan State Film Fund has enriched its collection with rare photographic documents of the creative team behind the film "Mother-in-Law" (Qaynana). Azernews reports that a well-known photographer and veteran of the Azerbaijan Film Studio, Mammad Babayev, donated these photos from his personal archive. The presented photo documents depict the creative team of the film "Mother-in-Law" at the All-Union Film Festival in Ashgabat in 1979. In valuable archival footage, you can see director Huseyn Seyidzade, actress Nasiba Zeynalova and Tanilya Akhmarova. Note that "Mother-in-Law" is a musical comedy filmed in 1978 at the AzerbaijanFilm Studio by Huseyn Seyidzade. The comedy is based on a family conflict on an everyday topic. The Azerbaijan State Film Fund is a public fund for support of the film industry and the preservation of film history. Established in 1993 by the order of the Azerbaijan Cabinet of Ministers, it has been operating since 1994. In 1999, the ASFF was elected a member of the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF). The Azerbaijan State Film Fund carries out its activities in accordance with the recommendations and standards of the International Federation of Film Archives. In 2023-2024, the State Film Fund organised many events dedicated to Azerbaijan's outstanding cinema and theatre figures like Shamil Mahmudbayov, Tofig Tagizade, Teyyub Akhundov, etc. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 10:15 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more In accordance with the bilateral cooperation plan signed between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2024, a working meeting between military specialists of both countries was held at the Azerbaijan Armys Training and Educational Center, Azernews reports. The Uzbek guests were informed about the work done by the officers of the Department for Ideological Work and Moral-Psychological Support of the Main Department for Personnel of the Ministry of Defense on the organization of ideological work and the training of military psychologists in the Azerbaijan Army. A briefing on the main activities of the department was also presented. It was emphasized that the high moral-psychological training of Azerbaijan Armys personnel is one of the factors contributing to the glorious victory gained in the 44-day Patriotic War under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev. A detailed exchange of views on issues of mutual interest was held and the importance of such meetings was emphasized during the meeting aimed at studying the organization of educational, ideological, and moral-psychological work of personnel and exchanging experience in the field of combating information and psychological operations. Literature and various educational materials on the organization of ideological work and moral-psychological training in the Azerbaijan Army were also presented at the meeting. In the end, the sides exchanged gifts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 11:19 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more The Reserve Officer Training Course, organised for youth with higher education wishing to serve as officers of relevant specialties in various types of troops of the Defence Ministry, has ended, Azernews reports. The successful graduates of the course held at the Training and Educational Centre of the Azerbaijan Army were awarded the military rank of Leutenant under the relevant order of the Defence Minister. New officers were distributed to military units by drawing. In the upcoming days, specialised young officers will depart for their places of service in the army corps and formations of the Azerbaijan Army. It is to be noted that, starting on May 1 of the current year, the National Defence University announced the admission of candidates for the Reserve Officer Training Course for the positions of psychologist in the Azerbaijan Army. Graduates of a higher educational institution with at least a bachelor's degree in one of the majors of psychology, sociology, social work, or social-psychological service in education who have completed active military service in the Azerbaijan Army for at least 9 (nine) months, soldiers, sailors, and sergeants with higher education under the age of 30, as well as male reservists under the age of 30 with a higher education who have completed their regular military service, as well as women, can apply to the admission commission operating under the Training and Educational Centre of the Azerbaijan Army with relevant documents until May 20. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 11:23 (UTC+04:00) Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Igor Petrishenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, Azernews reports. The sides stressed the significance of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenkos upcoming state visit to Azerbaijan, expressing confidence that it would give a new impetus to the friendly relations between the two nations. They also emphasised the importance of the forthcoming 14th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on trade and economic cooperation, scheduled to take place in Minsk this June. The two also hailed the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus across various domains and explored prospects for further cooperation in areas of mutual interest. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 13:16 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more The Speaker of Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis (Parliament), Sahiba Gafarova discussed the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Climate Change Convention (COP29), which will be held in Baku in November this year, in her meeting with President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Azernews reports that this was informed by the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis. It was also emphasised that economic relations are one of the main components of bilateral relations between the countries, and it was said that the current level of commercial and economic relations creates a good basis for wider cooperation. Also, within the framework of inter-parliamentary relations, issues of cooperation in international parliamentary organisations were considered. Both the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which was created on the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly were emphasised as good platforms for cooperation. Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova also gave information about the current situation in the region and the peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In particular, the President of Singapore said that his country will be strongly represented at COP29. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Twenty-five years have passed since the establishment of the World Young Turkish Writers Union (WTUW), Azernews reports. Founded in 1998 with the mission of promoting Turkish literature and enhancing creativity among young writers, the WTUW has played a vital role in nurturing literary talent and providing a platform for aspiring writers to showcase their work. The significant date has been celebrated at the TURKSOY headquarters, marking a significant milestone in the organisation's history. The anniversary celebration brought together members of the union, literary enthusiasts, and distinguished guests to commemorate the WTUW achievements of the past 25 years. The General Secretary of the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), Sultan Raev, highly appreciated the fact that over 50 works have been published since the day of the union's establishment, active participation in literary and cultural projects, and important events. Founder-chairman of the World Young Turkish Writers Union (WTUW), an expert of the Culture Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Akbar Goshal, thanked TURKSOY and Sultan Rayev for hospitality and expressed his confidence that the union, which has served the Turkish world for 25 years, will continue its extensive activities. Rasmiyya Sabir's book "Between Earth and Sky", Akbar Goshali's book "Horses from the Altai", Shamseddin Kuzechi's book "My Poems", and Intigam Yasar's book "I Call My Name" were also presented as part of the event. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the World Young Turkish Writers Union, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, TURKSOY Deputy Secretary General Sait Yusuf, Eurasian Writers Union Chairman Yagub Omaroglu and Hayrettin Ivgin were presented with a 25th anniversary medal. TURKSOY's Secretary General Sultan Raev also presented Shamseddin Kuzachi, professor Rasmiyya Sabir, and poets Akbar Goshaly, Intigam Yashar and Murad Toylu with 30th anniversary medals of TURKSOY. Note that TURKSOY has its roots in meetings held in 1992 in Baku and Istanbul, where the ministers of culture from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkiye, and Turkmenistan declared their commitment to cooperate in a joint cultural framework. The International Organisation of Turkic Culture TURKSOY is the UNESCO of the Turkic World and was established in 1993 upon the signature of its founding agreement by the Ministers of Culture of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkiye. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 15:41 (UTC+04:00) Samir Nuriyev, the Head of the Presidential Administration and the head of the Coordination Headquarters for addressing issues in Azerbaijans liberated territories in a centralised manner, met Wednesday with Igor Petrishenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, Azernews reports. During the meeting, the sides hailed the current state of relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus. The parties underlined that the relations of sincere friendship between the two countries presidents played an important role in the establishment and development of strategic partnership relations between the two countries. The pair also underscored that in recent years, the relations between the two countries have been successfully developing in a variety of areas, including political, economic, and humanitarian spheres, and the two countries have been maintaining fruitful cooperation within international and regional organisations. Samir Nuriyev said that, under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, large-scale reconstruction works had been carried out in the territories liberated from occupation in a short period of time. The Head of the Presidential Administration emphasised that, as a result of the work carried out in accordance with the "First State Program on the Great Return to the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan liberated from the occupation", former internally displaced persons had already started to return to their native lands, adding that this process would be further intensified in the coming period. The parties pointed out the great opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the liberated territories, and exchanged views in this regard. Samir Nuriyev also presented the "Karabakh before and after the occupation" book to Igor Petrishenko. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 19:22 (UTC+04:00) President Ilham Aliyev has condemned the assassination attempt on Prime Minister of Slovakia, Azernews reports. "I am shocked and appalled by the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico. I strongly condemn this attack. My thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico, his family, and Slovak people. I wish him the soonest recovery," President Ilham Aliyev wrote on his page on X. I am shocked and appalled by the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico. I strongly condemn this attack. My thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico, his family, and Slovak people. I wish him the soonest recovery.@ZuzanaCaputova @SlovakiaMFA Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) May 15, 2024 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Service architect reflects on past 7 years behind internet-only bank's success By Lee Yeon-woo When KakaoBank first entered the market in 2016, there was skepticism about whether it could successfully stir up the monopolistic industry that was dominated by traditional banks. However, it achieved groundbreaking success by offering services that met customers' needs, such as simplifying the cumbersome verification process and introducing innovative financial products. It has also developed an intuitive mobile app environment, which has greatly contributed to transforming the standards of the finance industry. As of January, nearly half of Koreans, approximately 23 million, are using the bank. Seven years after its launch, the market environment surrounding the internet-only bank has once again become hostile. Feeling threatened, many traditional financial institutions have responded with significant financial investments to improve mobile standards. Last year, financial authorities reopened the possibility of establishing a fourth internet-only bank to encourage further market competition. However, Ko Jung-hee, chief strategy officer (CSO) at KakaoBank, believes that the emergence of the fourth internet-only bank will not be solely negative for the bank. "If the general market expands, trust in internet-only banks can further increase, and we can offer more services to customers. Regardless of these developments, KakaoBank will focus on what we should do and what we can do best," Ko told The Korea Times in a recent email interview. Ko is the mastermind behind the bank's innovative services. With her leading the bank, unique deposit services were created, such as group accounts, where any of the designated group members can manage and view details of the account's deposit and withdrawal status. The exemption of ATM fees and transfer fees, which have now become the norm in the industry, was also initiated by the bank. Now leading the bank's expansion into the global market, Ko believes that the bank can leverage its expertise in creating mobile-friendly finance in Southeast Asia. "People nowadays easily come across and use global mobile applications, such as YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp. As the user experience becomes standardized, unlike the past PC environment, people intuitively understand mobile apps even if they are in different languages," Ko said. "From that perspective, I believe the environment has become more favorable for providing global services through mobile platforms." In 2023, KakaoBank acquired a 10 percent stake in PT Super Bank Indonesia, a digital-focused bank in the populous southeast Asian nation, with shareholders including Grab and Singtel. Its official launch is slated for the first half of this year. That same year, it also formed a consortium with SCBX of Thailand, aiming to secure a virtual bank license in that country. Both markets have high potential, according to Ko. Approximately half of the 270 million Indonesians do not have bank accounts. This is largely attributed to the country being composed of around 18,000 islands, which makes it challenging to develop land-based transportation infrastructure. Ironically, this environment also creates significant potential for success in non-face-to-face digital banking. Thailand, with a population of 70 million, is the second largest economy among the ASEAN member countries. "Compared to the 'overbanked' Korean market with numerous banks competing for users, Southeast Asia presents a different scenario where many people don't use banking services. This poses unique challenges, such as 'How can we encourage people to use banks?' It's truly fascinating because it feels like starting from square one in a context that is different from Korea," Ko said. In addition to its global stride, the bank is setting its sights on becoming an essential app for Korean customers in both daily living and financing. It is exploring the launch of exclusive products for minors, including infants and children, expanding investment products and wealth management services for those in their 40s and 50s, and introducing products designed for foreigners. Collaborations with various partners to enhance the range of in-app services are also underway. From IT to financial industry Unlike other executives in the financial industry, Ko did not build her career in this field. She spent a decade at Daum, a web portal, where she navigated its service and strategy sectors. Following the merger of Daum and Kakao in 2015, she led the latter's strategic support team. In 2016, she became the head of the service division at KakaoBank, and in 2020, she was appointed as the CSO. Ko recalls that her experience in the IT industry, which has instilled in her a work philosophy of "providing service, not selling the product," was also beneficial in the banking industry. "The IT industry focuses on user-centric services, involving continuous monitoring of user feedback to update and improve services ... This approach identifying and addressing users' pain points has proven beneficial for KakaoBank," Ko said. Her experience with mobile-based work has also been a significant advantage. "Unlike traditional banks, we did not transition from the internet; we never considered mobile banking as just another channel. Instead, we developed a complete banking service based on mobile, crafted by experts familiar with the medium," Ko said. When asked about her future strategies, Ko stated that she believes it's her duty as a service provider to launch good new services. "Since KakaoBank's launch, people's experiences with mobile banking have changed," Ko said. "I believe that a good service changes our lives, and these changed lives can change our future as well." 15 May 2024 20:36 (UTC+04:00) As part of his visit to Azerbaijan, Javier Nart, member of the European Parliament (MEP) visited the city of Shusha. Azernews reports, citing Azertag that the MEP was informed about the ancient history of the city, the situation during the occupation, as well as the construction works, restoration of historical monuments, and future plans in Shusha under the direct supervision of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, and the beginning of the process of returning residents to their homelands. During the trip, Nart visited the administrative building of the representative office in Shusha, the City Square, Vagif mausoleum, the Jidir Duzu plain, and viewed the Walls of the Shusha Fortress. The MEP was told that courageous Azerbaijani soldiers climbed the steep cliffs and destroyed the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. Today, the Jidir Duzu plain has become a place where grand events are held, just like in the pre-occupation times. Member of European Parliament was accompanied by Tural Ganjaliyev, head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, and other officials. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 20:38 (UTC+04:00) The 17th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition Caspian Agro and 29th Azerbaijan International Food Industry InterFood Azerbaijan have kicked off in Baku, at the Baku Expo Center. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Azerbaijani Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov highlighted the ongoing agrarian reforms in the country, as well as the governments's significant support measures, including providing farmers with access to agricultural tools and enhancing the scope of agricultural insurance. Touching upon the country`s hosting of COP29 and declaring 2024 as the "Green World Solidarity Year" in the country by President Ilham Aliyev, the minster noted that this year`s exhibition is mainly focused on showcasing modern agricultural production tools based on the principles of environmental protection, green energy, efficient use of resources, and organic production. Highlighting fruitfully developing relations with Azerbaijan in the agrarian realm, Igor Petrishenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, emphasized that his country attaches special importance to cooperation in Azerbaijan in the field of agriculture. Alisher Shukurov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture in the Republic of Uzbekistan described the exhibition as a unique platform for promoting agricultural technologies and sharing advanced practices. The other distinguished speakers of the exhibition, including Chairman of the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency Goshgar Tahmazli, KOBIA Chairman Orkhan Mammadov and AZPROMO Executive Director Yusif Abdullayev highlighted the reforms and progress achieved in the field of food safety in recent years across the country, as well as the country`s contribution to enhancing the access of these products to international markets. Muhammad Nasar Hayat, the representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Azerbaijan, expressed FAO's satisfaction in contributing to the government of Azerbaijan's efforts towards diversifying the country's economy. He also hailed the importance of the exhibition in terms of the development of the agricultural sector. Mentioning the increase in number of participants, ITE Group Plc Regional Director Edward Stroon said that these exhibitions will be organized regularly. The Baku-hosted exhibitions welcomed about 500 companies from 38 countries. The scale of the exhibitions has increased by 10% compared to last year. The three-day "Caspian Agro" exhibition displays up-to-date technologies, and modern irrigation systems applied in agriculture. The International Forum on Innovation in Agriculture is slated to be held as part of the Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition, which will feature panel discussions on various areas of agriculture. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00) A van carrying a prisoner was attacked in the Land department in northern France. The French publication "Le Figaro" wrote that the prisoner was brought from the city of Rouen. The attackers were in Audi and BMW cars. They shot dead two prison employees who took part in taking the prisoner, three others were seriously injured. After the attack, the prisoner escaped. According to BFM TV, the escaped prisoner is 30 years old. Last week, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a series of robberies. He was also convicted of attempted murder in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvre and manslaughter in Marseille in June 2022. accused of murder. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 09:55 (UTC+04:00) A "Joint Action Plan" was signed between the Organization of Turkish States (OTS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Hungary. The document aims to support the development of OTS-European Union (EU) relations, Azernews reports, citing the organisation. According to information, the document was approved during the meeting of the General Secretary of TDT, Kubanichbek Omuraliyev, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Hungary, Peter Siyarto. During the meeting, the "Joint Action Plan", as well as the steps to be taken in the direction of the development of OTS-EU relations during Hungary's presidency of the European Union, which will begin in July, and the events planned to be held in Hungary were discussed. The minister emphasized once again that Hungary is determined to further strengthen multifaceted cooperation with OTS and member countries of the organization. It should be noted that Hungary has been an observer member of the Organization of Turkic States since 2018. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 22:45 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva China has introduced a visa-free entry regime for foreign citizens arriving on board cruise ships as part of organized tourist groups, Azernews reports. According to the decision, from May 15, foreigners can cross the border at ports and stay in China without a visa for 15 days. At the same time, in order to pass border control without a visa, they must be part of a tourist group hosted by a travel company from China. The group must consist of at least two people. The ministry clarified that we are talking about border crossings in ports of cities such as Tianjin, Dalian, Shanghai, Lianyungang, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Beihai, Haikou and Sanya. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 20:43 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Ashraf Mohi El-Din, director general of the administration of the Giza plateau, where the ancient Egyptian pyramids are located, told reporters that claims that great discoveries were made in the area adjacent to the Great Pyramid of Khufu are not true, Azernews reports. Mohi El-Din noted that during the radar survey conducted in April 2023, an underground cavity of unknown nature and content, as well as artifacts, was discovered. Thus, a joint Egyptian-Japanese archaeological mission was launched to excavate the site of this sinkhole. An Egyptian official said that the mission is actively engaged in excavations these days, but there have been no new archaeological discoveries in the area. He noted that after the completion of the mission, regardless of the results of the excavations, a detailed report will be submitted to the government. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 20:18 (UTC+04:00) Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot after a government meeting and is being treated in hospital, Azernews reports, citing foreign media sources Several shots were fired at Fico. The prime ministers condition was not immediately known, and Slovakias emergency medical service said it sent a helicopter ambulance to the scene. The town of Handlova, where the shooting happened, is about two hours drive from the capital Bratislava. The government was in the town for an off-site meeting. Slovak President Zuzana Caputova condemned what she called a brutal and reckless attack on the 59-year-old politician. Im shocked. I wish Roberto Fico all the strength in this critical moment to recover from the attack, Caputova wrote on Facebook. Fico won a third term as Slovakian prime minister last October after running a campaign that criticized western support for Ukraine. Ahead of the election, Fico made no secret of his sympathies towards the Kremlin and blamed Ukrainian Nazis and fascists for provoking Vladimir Putin into launching the invasion, repeating the false narrative Russias president has used to justify his invasion. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 May 2024 20:41 (UTC+04:00) The Slovak parliament has called an extraordinary emergency meeting in connection with the assassination attempt against Prime Minister Robert Fitso. The next steps related to the emergency situation in the country will be discussed at the meeting. Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets that all political forces of the country have issued statements condemning the incident. Also, the opposition parties have postponed the demonstration organized against the reform prepared by the government regarding public television and radio. In her statement, the Slovak President, Zuzana Chaputova, wished the PM Fico strength and speedy recovery in these critical moments. It should be noted that after the assassination, a 71-year-old man was detained as a suspect. It is believed that he shot at the Prime Minister. There is no explanation yet about the motives of the assassination. First aid was provided to the Prime Minister, who was brought to the hospital by helicopter, and the functioning of his vital organs was stabilized. According to the preliminary information the Prime Minister has received several short from his abdomen, arms and legs. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Yi Whan-woo Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been sidelined in Korea's recent rebound in exports as outbound shipments have mainly been fueled by large companies that make semiconductors, cars and ships, according to data and industry officials Wednesday. Fueled by a recovery in global demand, exports of chips and cars led the overall export growth, which broke a year-long losing streak in October 2023 and continued to rise for seven consecutive months through April, according to the Korea Customs Service (KCS). "Such an export revival is very encouraging for Korea's export-dependent economy, but unfortunately, it overshadows the difficulty SMEs face in selling their products overseas," Noh Mean-sun, a researcher at Korea Small Business Institute, said. "Under the circumstances, SMEs receive little attention and are often overlooked in the country's recovery trajectory." The researcher noted SMEs "showed hardly any presence" in the latest growth of exports and gross domestic product (GDP). Citing KCS data, he noted that SMEs' exports from January to March rose 2.2 percent from the previous year, far lower than the 11.5 percent year-on-year gain displayed by conglomerates over the same period. During the first quarter, Korea posted a 1.3 percent quarter-on-quarter GDP growth, which beat all estimates and marked the sharpest expansion in more than two years. Net exports, defined as the value of a country's total exports minus the value of its total imports, contributed 0.6 percentage point to the GDP components in the first quarter. The contribution of net exports exceeded that of private spending and construction investment, each contributing 0.4 percentage point to GDP components in the first quarter. Exports, which rose 9.7 percent year-on-year to $220.1 billion from January to April, were primarily driven by large companies, as indicated by additional KCS data. Among the key items, semiconductors accounted for 18.6 percent of overall outbound shipments in the first four months of this year. The rate was up from 15.6 percent a year earlier and also neared an all-time high of 20.9 percent set in 2018. Automobile exports rose 10.3 percent year-on-year to $6.79 billion in April, surpassing the previous record of $6.53 billion posted in November 2023. "Given the fact that semiconductors are made by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix and that cars are made by Hyundai Motor, the government should note that positive data on the economy does not necessarily mean SMEs are benefitting from growth," Noh said. The researcher stressed that SMEs made up as much as 40 percent of the country's exports during their heyday, and helping them tackle slow growth in overseas sales is crucial. As a possible solution, he suggested diversifying export destinations beyond China, considering that SMEs, compared to conglomerates, are not successfully coping with the recent economic slump impacting the world's second-largest economy. 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 Now that Kamala Harris has been coronated the Democratic Socialist designee for nomination as their candidate for President of these United States, after that political party's contrived primary process "democratically" elected Joseph R. Biden: What are your feelings about this party's progressive posture within their self-styled exercise of "Saving Democracy for America," and how truly critical the outcome of this presidential election will be? 8.7% I am ecstatic that this "Democracy's" First partially Black, First partially Indian, First female Co-Parent, and this nation's primary necessity is to her elect our First woman president.26.09% I really do not care about all these "Firsts." I will continue to pray, and work for this Representative Republic to elect someone competent, and brilliantly patriotic to be our next president.65.22% I will never vote for any politician that "first" does not have the core values to understand how dire this Constitutional Republic's situation has become. Koreans in 20, 30s take lead as top buyers in housing market By Lee Yeon-woo Recent data shows that the number of people purchasing a house for the first time reached 92,100 in the first quarter of 2024, a 35 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, those in their 20s and 30s accounted for 55 percent, the highest proportion in three years since the first quarter of 2021. People in their 30s have overtaken those in their 40s, who were previously the top age group for buying a property, to become the leading age group. The news left Lee Ki-beom, a 31-year-old office worker who moved to Seoul when he started college, with bitter feelings. "I am currently in my 30s, but buying a house is a distant dream. House prices are on another level," Lee said. "I have looked into bank loans, but there are limits to how much debt one can take on," he said. "How are they managing to finance their homes?" Including Lee, many believe that a significant number of young people have incurred excessive debt to profit from generally increasing housing prices. However, recent analysis presents different perspectives. It indicates that more buyers in their 20s and 30s have either used sufficient personal funds or received financial support from their families that exceed tax-free limits. In the analysis titled "Analyzing the Reality of Young Soul-Scraping Homebuyers," Hong Jeong-hoon and Lim Jae-man from Sejong University explained that from 2020 to 2022 the period of rising house prices only 1,098 buyers in their 30s used excessive financing, while 4,497 purchased homes without any debt. Additionally, more than 7,000 buyers received over 150 million won ($109,561) from their families to purchase homes. A similar trend is observed among buyers in their 20s. While only 660 resorted to excessive financing, 4,713 buyers were among the top 20 percent of net asset holders, and 1,644 received over 150 million won in support from their families. The researchers utilized the current debt service ratio (DSR) regulation to gauge excessive financing. Following the regulation, they evaluated that if the principal and interest payments on loans exceed 40 percent of a borrower's annual income, considering total debts over 100 million won, posed excessive debt demands. "Since 2020, significant disparities have emerged within the same generation in the housing market, and asset transfers exceeding tax-free limits have been occurring between parents and young people," the authors wrote. A real estate broker based near Ahyeon Station in Seoul observed that most home buyers in their 20s and 30s are often accompanied by their parents when purchasing houses. "Most of the time, it's the parents who call me to make inquiries, not the home buyers themselves," she noted. Kim In-man, the head of Kim In-man Real Estate and Economics Institute, explained that preparing housing for their children has become a crucial task for the older generation, those in their 50s and 60s. "They consider a small apartment in Seoul as a basic safety net for their children's uncertain future," Kim stated. The proportion of gift transactions, another form of wealth transfer in the real estate market, is on the rise as well. In 2011, gift transactions made up 2.94 percent of all apartment transactions. This figure rose to 3.68 percent in 2017 and 5.37 percent in 2023. This trend has continued into 2024, with gift transactions accounting for 5.85 percent of the total from January to March. If unreported gift transactions were included, this ratio could be even higher. The trend is fueled by the government's policies aimed at enhancing the younger generation's purchasing abilities. For instance, parents can gift up to 150 million won for marriage or childbirth (300 million won per couple) without incurring gift tax. "We should focus more on the transfer of assets facilitated by parental support and its impact on the housing market," Shim Hyung-seok, director of the Woodaebbang Real Estate Corporation Group, said. Lauren Pinter-Brown, MD, a former oncologist at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center was awarded $14 million in a gender discrimination lawsuit verdict, the Daily Bruin reported May 12. Dr. Pinter-Brown sued the UC Board of Regents in 2016 for alleged discrimination by male colleagues for receiving an average of $200,000 less annually. She alleged she faced gender discrimination, gender harassment and retaliation for complaints of discrimination, among other allegations, from 2006 to 2015 when she left her position. Dr. Pinter-Brown was awarded $13 million in 2018 for the suit, but the decision was overturned in 2020 as the original judge was deemed by the California Court of Appeals to be prejudiced against UCLA. The court originally sided with Dr. Pinter-Brown, but the appeals court overturned the case. The retrial resulted in her being awarded $14 million. "We appreciate the jurys hard work and service, but we are disappointed with the jurys verdict in this matter," a UCLA spokersperson shared with Becker's. "We are carefully reviewing the decision and considering all available options. UCLA Health and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA are deeply committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination, intimidation, retaliation or harassment of any kind. Ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment is a core value essential to our mission of excellence in research, medical education and patient care." Rod Hochman, MD, is preparing to retire as president and CEO of Providence at the end of 2024, capping off a 45-year career in healthcare, including nearly two decades with the Providence family of organizations. Dr. Hochman will transition into a CEO emeritus position, effective Jan. 1, 2025, and a search is underway for the next CEO, according to a May 15 news release from the health system. He told Becker's in an exclusive interview May 14 that he is "looking forward to the next chapter" while reflecting fondly on his time at the organization. "It's the right time. It's really the right time," he said. "My generation of CEOs, there's a whole bunch of us all at once [transitioning out of the health system C-suite]. We held up through COVID, but I think we're all coming to the conclusion that it's the right time." For Dr. Hochman, the transition out of the CEO role is a process he's worked on with the Providence board for the last three years. He said discussions have focused on how such a transition would be handled, as well as what's in the best interest of the organization. "We're in the middle of that process. It's not complete, but I would say it was really dialed in for the organization, which is good, so [the transition is] not traumatic. And hopefully, as we've seen with some of these [other] transitions, it's great when you can find someone inside your organization to do it, if that's possible," he said. These are among the considerations as the transition process continues. "We've been talking about it for a long time and thinking about what would work and how it would work. You always want to make sure your legacy stays intact, and that, for us, we continue down a strong pathway as we're going forward," said Dr. Hochman. Dr. Hochman's legacy has included expansion and growth. Today, Providence, which has system offices in Renton, Wash., and Irvine, Calif., is a health system with 120,000 employees, serving 51 hospitals, more than 1,000 clinics and hundreds of programs and services spanning seven states. This includes joining with Irvine-based St. Joseph Health in 2016, as well as Swedish Health Services, Pacific Medical Centers, the Institute for Systems Biology all based in Seattle and Richland, Wash.-based Kadlec Medical Center, according to the release. "Rod's leadership in the healthcare sector has been nothing short of visionary," Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association, said in the release. "He consistently stays ahead of the curve, always looking towards the future, a step ahead of everyone else. His passionate advocacy for expanding coverage and applying innovation to enhance care and the patient experience has not only improved the lives of millions of Americans but has also set a new standard for hospitals and health systems. Rod's integrity and commitment to principled leadership have made him a mentor and role model to many, including myself." Dr. Hochman told Becker's he is especially proud of the healthcare that Providence delivers to millions of people in the U.S. each year, and the communities the health system is part of. "What I always say about Providence is we like to be deep in our communities," he said. "It's more than, 'We're just the hospital or clinic in your community.' We do a lot of social programs. We really dig deep. So we have a strong commitment in every community from Kodiak, Alaska, to Lubbock, Texas. We're deeply involved in the things that are happening in those communities. So that's a strong legacy." He also pointed to the work Providence has done in innovation. "I've always said Providence exists at the intersection of innovation and compassion. That's a good intersection to be at. You want to be innovative, but you never want to forget who you are as a compassionate health organization," said Dr. Hochman. Regarding technology, Dr. Hochman led the formation of Truveta, a consortium of U.S. healthcare systems, to securely aggregate deidentified data for deeper insight into preventing, treating and curing disease, according to the release. Additionally, Providence India, a specialized global healthcare engineering, operations and innovation center, was established four years ago. "Dr. Hochman has led the way in a changing world while always keeping the focus on the mission," Sister Mary Haddad, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, said in the release. "In particular, he has been a tireless voice for those who are most vulnerable and one of the most vocal advocates nationally for Medicaid expansion. His advocacy has played an important role in expanding access to care for millions of people across the U.S. We will forever be grateful for the impact he has made on behalf of those in need." Other accomplishments during Dr. Hochman's tenure, as noted in the release, include growth of Providence's commitment to charity care, unsubsidized Medicaid and other community benefit activities, with more than $2.1 billion invested annually; the establishment of the health system's Well Being Trust in 2016 for community-based behavioral health and substance misuse programs; a commitment of $50 million in 2020 to reduce health disparities over five years; and environmental stewardship milestones which include becoming the first health system in the U.S. to make a carbon negative pledge and join the White House Health Care Sector Climate Pledge. "What we've done on the environment in setting a pace of what our environmental footprint should be in healthcare. Our work on health equity. The work we've done on mental health Those are the things particularly for me as a clinician and physician that are nearest and dearest to my heart in terms of what we've done," Dr. Hochman said. "Then our research programs, all the work we're doing there to advance healthcare." The immunologist and rheumatologist, who served as chair of the American Hospital Association board of trustees in 2021 during the pandemic, added: "I've always said for healthcare, particularly for provider healthcare, in a lot of ways, COVID was our finest hour where we all came together. Particularly at Providence, our 120,000 people came together and rolled up their sleeves, and figured out what we needed to do to take care of our communities during COVID." Dr. Hochman has also held other leadership roles throughout his career, including the chair of the Catholic Health Association's board of trustees from 2017 to 2018, president and CEO of Swedish Health Services from 2007 to 2012, and senior executive roles for Hampton Roads, Va.-based Sentara Healthcare, Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati and Sayre, Pa.-based Guthrie. As he prepares to retire, he offers advice to other healthcare executives who may be preparing for or considering a transition out of the C-suite: "When you're looking at transitions, it's not about yourself. It's about your organization. It's about your people. That's what I would recommend to any CEO making a transition. Don't be thinking about yourself. Think about the organization and the people there and how to ease their way and make the next part of it easy for them. That'd be my biggest advice and what it should be if you're a servant leader." Kevin Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia, has made it his mission to address and find solutions for the ongoing workplace violence concerns in healthcare. The focus comes after a recent report revealed that 25% of clinicians have seen an increase in workplace violence over the last year and 48% said safety protocols to protect employees have not been implemented by their employer. "Health systems and hospitals have a duty to provide the safest and most secure working environments possible to those who have answered this call. It's the right thing to do and necessary for the profession's sustainability," Mr. Mahoney said in a Penn Medicine May 9 news blog. UPHS began taking major steps to improve employee safety in 2019 through a multimillion-dollar, institution wide approach that addresses threats, foresees and ends situations deemed to be dangerous before they can happen. Some of the steps include standardizing approaches to security threats, classifying what should be considered a security event, gathering and analyzing data related to security incidents, and coordinating procedures across areas like outpatient facilities, home care and multispecialty care centers. "In traditional security models, officers respond to an event," Mr. Mahoney said in the blog. "By gathering and analyzing data around these incidents, security personnel can identify patterns and better prepare for or prevent safety risks." The health system also invested $28 million into security systems for its hospital and multispecialty outpatient facility entrances, which can detect weapons, like knives or guns. The screening project, which is nearly complete with its first phase, has already detected and kept hundreds of weapons from entering Penn Medicine on a monthly basis. De-escalation training programs and providing clinical employees who work in patient homes or high-risk healthcare units with duress badges are two other initiatives that the health system has invested in to improve healthcare worker safety. Mr. Mahoney pointed to the bipartisan SAVE Act as a useful tool that could help protect healthcare workers from intimidation and assault by providing $25 million in grants to hospital violence reduction programs over a 10-year period. The American Hospital Association also shared eight components that can help hospitals create a safer culture in its recent "Building a Safe Workplace and Community: Violence Mitigation in a Culture of Safety" guide. The eight components are leadership, effective communication, education and training, reporting and data collection, trust and respect, collaboration with law enforcement, partnering with community-based organizations, and health equity. "Enhancements to physical safety can positively influence psychological safety, contributing to heightened comfort among patients and the workforce," the AHA guide said. "A comprehensive approach to promote physical safety cultivates a secure environment enabling individuals to engage, work and seek care without fear of harm." Physicians at ChristianaCare in Delaware have petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to vote on joining the Doctors Council, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union. Two-thirds of the more than 400 staff physicians at the organization's Christiana Hospital in Newark, Wilmington (Del.) Hospital, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and the Middletown (Del.) stand-alone emergency care center signed union authorization cards seeking an election, which were submitted to the NLRB on May 14, union organizers said, according to WHYY News. The NLRB provides various paths to forming a union. According to the labor board's website, the NLRB will conduct an election if at least 30% of workers sign cards or a petition indicating their support for unionization. Workers would then vote on whether to unionize. If physicians vote to unionize, the union would be the first in ChristianaCare's 136-year history, according to WHYY News. Ragu Sanjeev, MD, a ChristianaCare internist and leader in the unionization effort, told the media outlet that he and his colleagues seek to address concerns about staffing in a post-pandemic environment. "We have still not been able to staff up enough to where us physicians can get back to just focusing on taking care of patients," Dr. Sanjeev said, according to WHYY News. "We all went to med school to primarily take good care of patients and keeping them healthy and getting them better once they get into the hospital, especially when they are at their sickest. And because of the hospital's mismanagement of its employees, especially physicians, a lot of good doctors [who are] well-respected in the community have been leaving. "There has not been a concerted effort, and even if they tried, they have not been able to recruit enough. However, the bleeding continues, which means people that are still here end up getting overworked even more. So basically we're trying to fix all that." A ChristianaCare spokesperson shared the following statement with Becker's: "At ChristianaCare, we are proud of our physicians, who deliver world-class care while serving our patients and our community with love and excellence. We believe that continuing to have a direct relationship with physicians is an essential component of our continued shared success. We have received the petition from Doctors Council SEIU Local 10 MD and recognize the right of all employees to vote on whether or not they want a union to represent them." Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, N.Y., unveiled its two-bed, $2 million epilepsy monitoring unit May 15, according to a news release shared with Becker's. The hospital, part of New York City-based Mount Sinai Health System, has equipped the new service with advanced video-electroencephalogram diagnostic technology and digital video monitors. Emergency department physicians correctly notice first-time nonmotor seizures only about 33% of the time, according to recent findings. These misses can cause delays in diagnosis and treatments since nonmotor seizures are commonly confused with anxiety or panic attacks, the researchers said. To improve patient outcomes, South Nassau's new unit will be staffed by epileptologists, neuroradiologists, nurses, social workers and EEG technologists who will work to diagnose the cause, characteristics and location of patients' epileptic seizures. Jim and David Mangan are two years apart in age, work about two hours from each other, and lead pharmacy operations at two different health systems in Massachusetts. The brothers grew up in Troy, N.Y., and were raised by parents who worked in healthcare as certified registered nurse anesthetists, according to an article from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Jim Mangan, the elder of the pair, is the director of hospital pharmacy at Cape Cod (Mass.) Healthcare, and David Mangan, PharmD, is the chief pharmacy officer at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Health in Worcester. Growing up, Jim and David excelled in math and science but did not always know they wanted to be pharmacists, according to the ASHP article. Jim was thinking about going into law until a neighbor, who was a district attorney, recommended he explore pharmacy. David was undecided before eventually joining Jim at the University of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. Now, as two health system pharmacy executives, they call each other at least twice a week to trade updates on home improvement projects and work. "It's more of a sounding board than guidance," David said. "He knows what he's doing, I know what I'm doing. You usually don't get new things you've never ever seen before that you can't work through." GOBankingRates released a study May 15 that determined the total cost of raising a child in America's 50 largest cities, based on both childcare costs and cost of living for each city. For the study, the personal finance publication used U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the cost if a parent paid for daycare starting at 2 years old through 12 years old in each city. The publication also examined U.S. Census Bureau data to find the cost of living for "a married couple with kids" in each city for that same 10-year period. The cost of childcare and the cost of living in each city for that same 10-year period were combined to determine the total cost of raising a child. Read more about the methodology here. Here are the major cities with the highest and lowest total cost of raising a child, per the analysis: Most expensive cities for raising a child 1. San Francisco Total cost for raising a child: $308,343.83 2. San Jose, Calif. Total cost for raising a child: $307,554.56 3. Oakland, Calif. Total cost for raising a child: $256,931.08 4. San Diego Total cost for raising a child: $251,005.51 5. New York City Total cost for raising a child: $249,754.85 Most affordable cities for raising a child 1. Wichita, Kan. Total cost for raising a child: $88,660.74 2. Memphis, Tenn. Total cost for raising a child: $94,596.18 3. El Paso, Texas Total cost for raising a child: $111,670.55 4. Nashville, Tenn. Total cost for raising a child: $117,990.25 5. Louisville, Ky. Total cost for raising a child: $120,061.13 By Lee Gyu-lee Korea's traditional rice-based alcohol, "makgeolli," was perceived for a long time as an old-fashioned drink and stereotyped as a low-quality, mass-produced beverage known for causing bad hangovers. However, the cloudy white drink has recently gained popularity among younger generations thanks to a series of young entrepreneurs who are giving it a modern makeover with exciting flavors and trendy branding. For Amy Kim, a makgeolli enthusiast in her early 30s, these new flavored makgeolli products are gems to explore. When new flavored makgeolli is released, I tend to try it out of curiosity, although ultimately, my enjoyment depends on how well it pairs with the food, she said, noting that social media hype around the products also helps promote them to the younger generation. These days, the trend of trying new flavors and sharing information about their taste on social media is prevalent. Many people are willing to wait in long queues at popular places just to try these drinks and share their experiences online, Kim added. According to the Food Information Statistics System, the makegolli market grew from about 459.1 billion won ($336.3 million) in 2018 to over 519 billion won in 2022. Capitalizing on this trend, more breweries are jumping on board with their ready-to-drink makgeolli, offering innovative flavors to appeal to the tastes of Millennials and Gen Z consumers. Earlier this year, GS25, a major Korean convenience store franchise owned by GS Retail, launched a new project called Hipgeolli (a blend of "hip" and "makgeolli"), in collaboration with local breweries run by entrepreneurs in their 20s and 30s. The project debuted with the basil-flavored drink "Nerdy Hope Dry," made with locally grown basil from Sangju in North Gyeongsang Province. This beverage is the flagship makgeolli of Sangju Jujo, a brewery run by 32-year-old CEO Lee Seung-chul. According to the convenience store chain, the brewery saw sales soar over 250 percent within a month of the product's launch in stores on Feb. 5. Initially slated for pre-sale from Jan. 23 to 29, the makgeolli product sold out on the first day. After the launch, nearly 90% of the inventory was depleted through offline sales. Building on the success of the basil-flavored makgeolli, the convenience store also partnered with Seoul-based Together Brewery to introduce three fruit-flavored makgeolli varieties strawberry, peach, and lychee targeting the taste preferences of younger demographics. To select the products, a group of younger staff at GS25, called Merchandiser (MD) Supporters took part, in order to reflect the preference of the MZ Generation (Millennials and Gen Zers) consumers in product planning, GS25 said in a press release. About 30 supporters sampled around 10 types of makgeolli to evaluate taste and aroma and propose design ideas, leading to the release of three fruit-flavored makgeolli products for our Hipgeolli project. Since launching the project in January, the convenience store has experienced a growth rate of approximately 32.7% in makgeolli sales from January to April compared to the same period last year. Recently, among the MZ Generation, traditional alcoholic drinks such as makgeolli and other Korean liquors have become popular as 'hip' drinks, creating a new buzzword 'makgeketing' (a portmanteau of makgeolli and ticketing), Lee Ha-rim, a managing director of the liquor team at GS Retail said, noting the challenges in acquiring these new, highly sought-after flavored makgeolli varieties. GS25 plans to establish itself as a leading player in the makgeolli market this year through the 'Hipgeolli' project, showcasing various unique and unconventional makgeolli produced by skilled breweries nationwide. Another convenience store franchise, CU, run by BGF Retail, has also been introducing unique flavored makgeolli products targeting younger consumers. The convenience store collaborated with the local confectionery company, Crown, to launch a makgeolli flavored with Korea's beloved soft candy, Peanut Caramel. This makgeolli infuses a touch of nostalgia with the candy brand, offering the aroma and sweet taste of dalgona and peanuts. CU has also introduced a Kaymak-inspired makgeolli named "Kaymakgeolli," drawing inspiration from Turkey's creamy dairy food made from milk. Kaymakgeolli, packaged in pouches, features a thick yogurt-like makgeolli called Ihwaju, offering consumers various ways to enjoy the drink whether by eating it with a spoon or mixing it with water to drink. BGF Retail reported that sales of flavored makgeolli increased by about 14.2 percent this year compared to the same period of 2023, with young consumers in their 20s and 30s accounting for approximately 69.4 percent of the sales. With the increasing interest in makgeolli among the MZ Generation, a lot of unique products that go beyond traditional boundaries are consistently coming out. Moving forward, CU plans to continue presenting new traditional alcohol products, collaborating with various items and brands to create new trends in the scene, Cho Hee-tae, the managing director of the liquor unit at BGF Retail, said. One of Korea's largest makgeolli companies, Seoul Jangsoo, has been making efforts to expand its consumer base to include the younger generation. The company's citrus-flavored Moonlight Yuzu Makgeolli, launched in 2020, quickly became a hit, selling about 100,000 bottles within the first 100 days after release and exceeding 1.7 million bottles earlier this year. Riding on this success, Seoul Jangsoo collaborated with local nut brand HBAF to create a honey butter almond-flavored makgeolli, a snack that has become a popular souvenir among tourists visiting Korea. This new variant quickly gained traction after its release and has been exported to countries such as Japan, China, Taiwan, and the United States. The company recently introduced a new product called Earl Grey Drink, brewed with high-end Earl Grey black tea to provide an aromatic complement to makgeolli's mild sweetness. We intend to deliver a more modern and sophisticated image by adding various flavors to the smoothness of makgeolli, the company said. We aim to provide new choices to the MZ Generation consumers who seek diverse forms of enjoyment. A union has said internal warfare in the Tory government is spilling out and scaring workers after reports Harland & Wolff shipyard could close despite winning a 1.6bn Royal Navy contract. The Times reported that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to block a 200m taxpayer-backed financial support package designed to keep the shipyard afloat. Government insiders voiced fears the 162-year-old firm famous for building the ill-fated Titanic could collapse if the package is not delivered. However, Harland & Wolff said: Our application for a UKEF export development guarantee has not been rejected and the process is ongoing. We will not comment further on inaccurate speculation. DUP interim leader Gavin Robinson, the East Belfast MP, also said: Today's headlines are wide of the mark", adding there is strong support for the yard in London. Newspaper reports suggested H&Ws demise could see the 1.6bn Royal Navy contract for three support vessels go to Cadiz in Spain instead. H&W has a current market value of 20m, and it has suffered well-publicised financial problems in the past. The 200m loan guarantee was conditional on the company passing state aid checks. But a defence source told The Times Mr Hunt had instructed officials to reject the companys application. This has been disputed by the government and the company, both of which say discussions were continuing on the export development guarantee. It has led to a dispute between Mr Hunt and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps amid discussions over the future of the firm, the newspaper reported. Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who handed the contract to H&W, told The Times the Treasury had been hostile to a national shipbuilding strategy, continuing to hamper efforts to put UK shipbuilding back on track. If we are to retain and develop a historic UK yard with lots of potential then I ask the Chancellor to ensure the export credit goes ahead, Wallace said. According to H&Ws latest annual report, an audit opinion said that should the company not be successful in raising funds, a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the groups ability to continue as a going concern. Lord West, a former First Sea Lord, said the new support ships were crucial to future navy operations. The government confirmed they would be built in UK yards, but there are very real concerns that Harland & Wolff cannot deliver, he added. There is a very real risk of this becoming another procurement nightmare. A Whitehall source insisted the Chancellor had not blocked [the package] yet, and the final decision was still to be made, saying the vessels could still be built in Belfast without the package. A government spokesman said: We continue to engage with Harland & Wolff on the export development guarantee. Due to commercial sensitivities, it would not be appropriate to comment further until the outcome of the process is confirmed. Matt Roberts of the GMB union said members were concerned by the reports. He added: The employer says their application for a UKEF export development guarantee has not been rejected and the process is ongoing. Instead of inter-departmental warfare in the Tory government spilling out and scaring workers, we need unequivocal, joined-up support for our shipbuilding industry. All the promise of UK workshare on the order must be maintained in full, and ideally increased. We will not stand by and accept any move to send further work out of the UK on this order." News Catch Up: Tuesday 14th May 2024 Trussell Trust provides emergency food and essentials such as nappies to people in crisis More than 90,000 emergency food parcels were provided by food banks in the Trussell Trust network to people facing hardship across Northern Ireland in the past 12 months, new figures have revealed. Alarmingly, the anti-poverty charity said 60,831 (74%) of these parcels were for families with children. This is the greatest number of parcels the network has ever distributed in a single year and an increase of 143% compared to five years ago a significantly higher increase than other UK nations. More than three million food bank parcels given out across UK in record-high year The annual statistics also indicate that an increasing number of people are struggling to afford the essentials, with more than 23,700 people in NI using a Trussell Trust food bank for the first time this is around as many people as the population of Antrim town. The Trussell Trust said these figures demonstrate why the NI Executive must prioritise support for people facing hardship. The organisation is urging the Executive to deliver a budgeted anti-poverty strategy with clear interventions that will end the rising need for emergency food in NI. Edel Diamond, Project Manager at South-West Belfast Foodbank, said: We have seen an increase in food bank use across the board. However, we are increasingly concerned that the current benefit system is falling short in terms of peoples essential needs being met. People are coming under insurmountable pressure. And those unable to cope mentally or otherwise are suffering at the hands of punitive measures being imposed upon them by the very system that should be supporting them. We continue to be supported by the community around us, overwhelming so, and we just cannot thank them enough. But we would dearly love to see a time when our services are no longer needed. Speaking about the rising need for emergency food, Jonny Currie, Northern Ireland network lead at the Trussell Trust, said: Northern Ireland has seen the highest increase in people accessing food banks across any part of the UK. People are unable to afford the essentials, and this is forcing more people to the doors of food banks than ever before. Everyone in Northern Ireland should be able to afford the essentials to buy their own food and heat their homes. In this election year, this is the issue that we cant afford to ignore. All political parties must set out how they will build a future where no one needs a food bank to survive. We know what needs to change to help people who cant afford the essentials and we need all parties to act. The next UK Government needs to introduce an Essentials Guarantee as a matter of urgency. We live in one of the wealthiest collective of nations in the world but, despite this, our society leaves so many people behind. In addition to action from the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive must deliver a budgeted anti-poverty strategy with clear interventions that will end the rising need for emergency food in Northern Ireland. If they dont, we will be faced with another generation of children who are growing up believing that food banks are a normal part of life, [rather than] an extraordinary measure to mitigate the failings of our social security system. The line will serve the city of Mersin (Alamy/PA) British Steel has won a multimillion-pound contract to supply rail for a new high-speed electric railway in Turkey. The manufacturer will deliver tens of thousands of tonnes of track for the project connecting Mersin with the cities of Adana, Osmaniye and Gaziantep in southern Turkey. Scrapping a scheme which reduces rates for thousands of manufacturers here will cost jobs, its been claimed. And soaring costs, such as international shipping more than doubling along with rising wage bills, is putting major pressure on the sector. Manufacturers also say that the removal and industrial derating a scheme which is under consideration be scrapped which allows a 70% discount in rates for firms will see jobs lost. It will cost jobs, plain and simple, Stephen Kelly, chief executive of Manufacturing NI, told Ulster Business. Some manufacturers, because of the physical nature of their premises, need large spaces. They pay more than other sectors because of their scale. If the relief was removed, manufacturers would pay three to four times more than any other part of the economy. Other challenges include shipping container costs, according to Alan Lowry, chairman of the FSB and head of Environmental Street Furniture. Shipping a container from here to one of our customers in the Far East cost about $3,000 not so long ago but at one stage it went to about $18,000, he said. Some factors behind the high costs of business in NI are unavoidable. Manufacturing and engineering companies that trade globally will be impacted by wars in Europe, the Middle East and concerts over China. That's stopping international buyers from being confident to make big investments, Stephen Kelly of Manufacturing NI says. We're seeing a significant downturn in engineering sectors that are globally focused, particularly since the start of 2024, which has resulted in labour demand drifting away. Manufacturers also attribute high costs to government policy: what Stephen Kelly describes as a never-ending barrage of policy costs across everything from climate change to waste. Read the full feature in the June edition of Ulster Business Sian Brooke has teased Blue Lights fans by revealing that the third season of the Belfast-based cop drama is due to be a corker. The primetime actress plays Grace Ellis, one of the main characters in Declan Lawn and Adam Pattersons popular PSNI-based series. The hit BBC show was renewed for a third and fourth outing before the second season had even gone to air, and speaking to RadioTimes.com on the red carpet at the Baftas, Brooke said that she knows the next series is going to be very exciting. She added: "I do know that and it's going to be a corker! Sian Brooke attending the BAFTA TV Awards 2024 at the Royal Festival Hall in London (Ian West/PA Wire) She also told Virgin Radio that for the BBC to commission two [more] series, it just doesnt happen very often. So its a wonderful sort of... it gives you a sense of confidence in what youve done. To be able to have that longevity, that arc of the character that youre playing [is great] as long as they dont kill me off! While no specific plot points could be divulged, viewers are already guessing what lies in store for the NI police officers, with many fans having already binged all episodes of the first two series, as they are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. The second series is still currently airing weekly on BBC One also, with the sixth and final episode set to broadcast this coming Monday at 9pm. Brooke, who has also appeared in the psychological thriller Doctor Foster and the award-winning detective show Sherlock, further noted that the writers and creators behind Blue Lights deserve a lot of praise for how well it has been received by all audiences and critics. "I think it's a show with heart, and I think it's really brilliantly written, and I think that it highlights a place and shines a light on a city that I think people are intrigued about," she explained. "They might not understand it as much, and I think through this there are people who go, 'Ah, OK,' and sort of understand that it's not black and white, it's sort of all the nuances. "And yeah, I think it's that, and I think it's very much just genuine human beings going to do their best. Speaking about the whole crew, she continued: Its such an amazing team. Its quite special in that I dont want to say the cliche thing of it being like a family but it genuinely is! Its in the script, that friendship when youre doing a job that has loads of grave responsibilities, there is a level of humour in that to sort of keep your sanity. The big winners of Sundays Bafta TV Awards included Top Boy, Happy Valley and The Sixth Commandment. Blue Lights was overlooked in this years nominations, but last month Richard Dormer won best Supporting Actor in a Drama at the Irish Film & Television Awards for his performance in the critically acclaimed first series of the show. Happy Valley, Top Boy and The Sixth Commandment celebrate wins at Bafta TV awards Liam Neeson is one of multiple superstar names to issue statements to The Telegraph newspaper, campaigning for Kevin Spacey to be allowed to pick up where he left off in his A-list acting career, after being cleared of sexual assault last year. Neeson has described Spacey as a good man and a man of character. Last July, Oscar-winning actor Spacey was found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men. The Hollywood star had been on trial at Southwark Crown Court accused of the assaults of four men in the period between 2001 and 2013. The jury acquitted Spacey of seven counts of sexual assault, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. Despite being found not guilty by the courts, Spacey has been effectively blacklisted from the film and television industry and was fired in 2017 from hit Netflix show House Of Cards after the actor Anthony Rapp alleged Spacey, then aged 26, had molested him when he was 14 in the 1980s in his Manhattan apartment. A jury in a civil trial in New York sided with Spacey, finding him not liable, and concluded the event had never taken place. Multiple celebrities have come out publicly for the first time to support their industry colleague, following a Channel 4 documentary about the double Oscar winner, which British actor and author Stephen Fry, has lambasted for an unjustified and disproportionate attack on his character. Ballymena-born star Neeson said I was deeply saddened to learn of these accusations against him. Kevin is a good man and a man of character. Hes sensitive, articulate and non-judgmental, with a terrific sense of humour. He is also one of our finest artists in the theatre and on camera. Personally speaking, our industry needs him and misses him greatly. In an interview with The Telegraphs Allison Pearson, Spacey, 64, said he was the victim of a rush to judgment in the wake of the MeToo movement unleashed by allegations made against the Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. Spacey said all he had wanted after being accused of a series of sexual misdemeanours was for people to ask questions and investigate. And I am well aware that that did not happen. He said that even if he could go back in time prior to the allegations when none of the bad stuff will have happened, he wouldnt do so because, despite the challenges and the difficulties and the pain and the bad days, Ive also witnessed the most beautiful demonstrations of friendship and love and family. Oscar-winning actors Sharon Stone and F Murray Abraham have also defended Spacey, with the former telling The Telegraph: I cant wait to see Kevin back at work. He is a genius. He is so elegant and fun, generous to a fault and knows more about our craft than most of us ever will. She said it was clear aspiring actors had wanted and want to be around him, adding: Its terrible that they are blaming him for not being able to come to terms with themselves for using him and negotiating with themselves because they didnt get their secret agendas. A Co Down stroke victim whose life was saved by a game-changing procedure that is only available during working hours in Northern Ireland is backing calls for it to be made available around the clock. Department of Healths bungling over forced vaccinations is dangerous but not for the reasons conspiracy theorists are claiming Cultural Heritage Administration transforms into Korea Heritage Service May 17 By Park Han-sol Since its founding in 1999, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) has been the state-run gatekeeper and guardian of Koreas cultural treasures. However, in the eyes of CHA chief Choi Eung-chon, who celebrated the second anniversary of his post this week, the agency has, over the years, come to be perceived as inflexibly bureaucratic and regulatory in its approach to historical heritage in the name of conservation. Thats all about to change on May 17 as the organization faces the biggest turning point in its two-decade history, marked by the sweeping overhaul of its policies to measure up to its new name the Korea Heritage Service (KHS). The launch of the KHS signals a reorientation of our policy focus from mere preservation of the past to embracing heritage as a living, sustainable asset with which people of today can actually engage, Choi, a veteran player in the field with prior roles at the National Museum of Korea and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, said in an interview with The Korea Times, May 7. Our aim is to streamline regulations previously tangled in red tape so that the assets can coexist with development efforts without being put at risk of damage. The state agencys unprecedented overhaul follows the enactment of the new Framework Act on National Heritage last year. The legislation aims to restructure the existing Cultural Heritage Protection Act, which has remained a largely unchanged cornerstone of Koreas cultural preservation efforts since its establishment in 1962. The most prominent change involves abandoning the decades-old classification system of cultural heritage which, in Korean, was referred to as cultural property and thus disproportionately emphasized its value as material goods, according to Choi. The term national heritage will replace cultural property and will be categorized into three expanded types cultural, natural and intangible in line with the UNESCO heritage classification. Its remarkable that the new legislation was able to be ratified by the National Assembly in just over a year, the administrator noted. The near-unanimous agreement across ruling and opposition parties signals widespread consensus on the need to restructure our dated heritage regulations. It is a rare case worldwide to adopt a new classification system aligned with UNESCO heritage standards and integrate it all under one institutions governance within such a short span of time, he added. The revamped classification, along with updated regulations tailored to each heritage category, is expected to enable the service to strike a more nuanced balance between safeguarding and easing protective measures to align with contemporary cultural norms. One notable example is the revised regulation concerning the export of 20th-century artifacts, particularly works of art. Under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act, items designated as ordinary movable cultural heritage, which included modern artworks of historical significance aged 50 years or more, were prohibited from leaving the country without the CHAs authorization. This meant that paintings by Korean modern art pioneers like Kim Whanki (1913-74) and Lee Jung-seop (1916-56) were largely inaccessible on the international art market, limiting their global recognition. With the establishment of the new agency, travel restrictions have been completely lifted for artworks created after 1946 a significant year chosen due to the rise of full-time domestic artists following the end of the Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. The existing ordinance was historically implemented to curb the widespread plundering of artifacts, particularly prevalent during the colonial era, Choi remarked. As times change, we have recognized the increasing international demand for modern Korean art at fairs, auctions and exhibitions. The reforms directly address this shift by facilitating the global exchange of such works. He concluded his thoughts with an aphorism: When youre standing still, its just ground beneath you, but once you start walking, it becomes a path. The advent of the Korea Heritage Service era heralds a significant change. We anticipate administrative confusion, resistance and budgetary concerns at the outset, but if the state doesnt take the lead, how can we expect progress? Changes wont happen overnight, but May 17 marks the first stride toward that. More than 1,000 high-level DUP messages show party top brass mocking the Catholic Church, laughing at rivals and deputy First Ministers care for the vulnerable Remarkable insight into DUP Executive team during the pandemic after Edwin Poots handed over massive WhatsApp group unlike Michelle ONeill who deliberately wiped her messages after being given legal advice not to do so The text messages involved multiple senior DUP figures Sam McBride Wed 15 May 2024 at 21:33 More than 1,000 internal text messages between the DUP's most senior figures have been published by the Covid Inquiry, providing an unprecedented insight into what the party really thought and how it operated during the pandemic. Entrants excited as poultry section returns with bird flu restrictions lifted this year Birds and poultry return for the first full show in four years at Balmoral Show. Pic: Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph Birds and poultry return for the first full show in four years at Balmoral Show. Pic: Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph The chickens are coming home to roost, as poultry makes a full return to the Balmoral Show after four years in lockdown. High levels of bird flu across the UK meant that the poultry section at Northern Irelands biggest agricultural show was not able to operate fully over the past few years but now it is back in full force. Poultry farmers like Mark Cairns are excited as they look forward to watching their chickens in competition throughout the week. He said: Because of bird flu in the past, we have only been allowed one person, just for disease and contamination. But because bird flu [levels] are all right this year then everyone is allowed to take their own birds and poultry with them. Birds and poultry return for the first full show in four years at Balmoral Show. Pic: Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph Mark is attending the show with his fiancee and their Silver Laced Wyandotte chickens, and hopes the birds will perform well in their category. He said: Ive had chickens for three years now with my fiancee, Judith. Ive always wanted to get into showing and I really enjoy having birds. The judge will be looking for points where the black is around the edge of their feathers, how clean they are and the colour of their legs. Mark said poultry farmers from across the island of Ireland have come to the show this year. He added: There are a lot of new people that have come, theres people that have even come from Letterkenny, so it is great for everyone to get back to it this year. The Balmoral Show is open to the public from today until Saturday, May 18. Watch: Balmoral show returns for 2024 This year marks the 155th annual show, and organiser Rhonda Geary said she is excited to welcome the crowds to the four-day-long event. Everything is getting set up and we will be ready for an early morning start tomorrow, she said. Rhonda said the farming community across Northern Ireland is excited for the show: It is a very important agricultural event it is the largest agri-food event in the Northern Ireland calendar. It is very important for the producers, the exhibitors and the businesses that are here we also have more than 600 food stands hoping to do business here this week. Rhonda Geary, group operations director at the Balmoral Show. Pic: Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph Rhonda is expecting to see plenty of visitors in the Eikon Centre this year and promises the show has something for everyone to enjoy. She said: We have a bigger show than ever this year with more than 4,000 entries in the livestock sections and trade stands, a lot of new attractions, our sustainability village, the new childrens section with the Glenarm off-road driver and a climbing wall. Rhonda said that due to the high volume of livestock entered in competitions this year they have even created new categories: We have new classes in the equine section and the cattle and the sheep. Rhonda said there is also more food and drink for visitors to enjoy at this years food pavilion. There are more than 100 trade stands in there, where you can sample the food and drink and watch the cookery demonstrations so there is really just something for everyone at the Balmoral Show. How to get to Balmoral Show 2024 Visitors are requested to leave plenty of time for their journey and as with any major event be prepared for potential delays. Those wishing to attend, should consider using public transport if possible. Also try to avoid arriving or leaving the show during the morning or evening rush hour when traffic generally is at its peak elsewhere. Routes to The Show Visitors travelling from the west should take the M1 motorway and leave at junction 8 (Blaris) where they will be directed to travel via the A101 and A1 Hillsborough Road, Sprucefield Roundabout, and Blaris Road Traffic from the north west should travel down the A26, Moira Roundabout, then along the A3 Moira Road towards Lisburn, accessing the show via Halftown Road Lisburn Traffic should take the Moira Road out of Lisburn and access the show via the Halftown Road Those travelling from Belfast and the North East should travel south on the M1 motorway, leaving the motorway at junction 7 (Sprucefield), and follow the direction signage for A1 Lisburn, accessing the show via Blaris Road. Traffic from the south should use the A1 dual carriageway and access the show via Harrys Road which is the first left turn after the Hillsborough Roundabout Extensive signing will be in place close to the show entrances. Please follow these and the directions of the PSNI. Public transport options Free shuttle bus: A free shuttle bus service will operate from Lisburn Train Station to the Eikon Exhibition Centre and the estimated journey time is approximately 20 - 30 minutes. Rail: Great Victoria Street Station is closed so visitors leaving from Belfast should use alternative stations such as Lanyon Place, Botanic, City Hospital or York Street. Selected Enterprise services will also make an additional stop at Lisburn Train Station. Weather forecast The weather surrounding the show is expected to be largely dry with some sunny spells and high temperatures of 18C. There could be the odd scattered shower on Thursday and Friday but, on the whole, the outlook is promising. An apartment building in south Belfast had to be evacuated by police and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service on Tuesday evening. It was later confirmed that a carbon monoxide-related incident at Fane Street, off Tates Avenue, had required the attendance of emergency services. A NIFRS spokesperson said they were alerted at about 6.45pm. "Four pumping appliances from Cadogan, Whitla Street and Central fire stations with fire officers were mobilised to the incident, they added. Firefighters used their breathing apparatus equipment, gas monitor devices and ventilation units to ensure that the incident was resolved safely for the local residents. NIFRS resources left the incident at 10.50pm and the scene was left with the PSNI. A PSNI spokesperson confirmed that the area had reopened to traffic. "All residents have safely returned to their properties, they added. Baroness Arlene Foster leaving the Clayton Hotel in Belfast after giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry hearing (Pic: Niall Carson/PA) Arlene Foster didnt attend a high-level, UK-wide meeting about preparing for the Covid pandemic in February 2020 partly because she had to go to an away day to discuss a programme for government. This was one of several revelations during the former First Ministers appearance today at the Covid-19 Inquiry. Ms Foster also said she accepts responsibility for how Northern Ireland dealt with the first wave of the virus. The former DUP leader described the pandemic as the most challenging time of her political career. During the hearing, Ms Foster was asked about an invitation she received to attend, along with then Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill, a COBR (Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms, where national crises are discussed) meeting in London on February 12, 2020, to discuss the UKs pandemic response. The aim of the meeting was listed as to rehearse ministerial-level decision-making for the UKs pandemic preparedness and response with the current novel coronavirus outbreak. One of its objectives was to identify the likely type and range of decisions that would need to be made by ministers at key points during a pandemic. Ms Foster said she chose not to attend the meeting for several reasons, one of which being she had to attend an away day with other Stormont ministers to discuss a programme for government. Instead, Health Minister Robin Swann was sent to the COBR meeting. It was put to Ms Foster that this was an important, cross-governmental summit and she should have been there. I think its fair to say, looking at this now, that both myself and the Deputy First Minister should have been at this meeting, along with the Department of Health, she said. Ms Foster added that, at the time, we had other issues that were pressing us for our attention. During her evidence, Ms Foster said Northern Irelands chief medical officer, Dr Michael McBride, advised in the middle of March 2020 that the first wave of Covid was 14 weeks away. Baroness Foster said the Executive absolutely wrongly felt we had time, and we didnt have time, to impose measures to combat the spread of the virus and prevent deaths. And thats a source of great regret, she added. The former First Minister was shown text messages sent by Dr Michael McBride following Executive meetings in November 2020, in which he said the politicians should hang their heads in shame. He also described events as politics at its worst. Ms Foster said she was saddened by the messages, but recognised that Dr McBride, like everyone else, was exhausted by that stage. During an Executive meeting in November 2020, the DUP triggered a controversial cross-community vote mechanism to block the extension of some Covid restrictions. Ms Foster said today: I regret that the vote was put. I think it would have been much better [had] we worked through it and tried to find consensus on the way forward, which is what we eventually did. But, in order to get to that place, we had to use the cross-community mechanism, which is a blunt tool. I accept that. Ms Foster accepted she was the instigator or leader of the cross-community vote issue, that using it damaged public confidence and that it represented a low point in the pandemic in terms of relationships. At another point during the hearing, counsel for the inquiry, Clair Dobbin, noted that the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. She put it to Ms Foster that this doesnt seem to have prompted any consideration, on your part, as to whether or not the time had come to set up civil contingency arrangements in Northern Ireland. Ms Foster said they were taking advice from SAGE [Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies] in London to deploy interventions at the right time. We took that at face value, she said. Ms Dobbin put it to Ms Foster that it looked like the Executive was sleepwalking into the pandemic. I totally reject that. I absolutely reject that, Ms Foster replied. The idea we would sleepwalk into a pandemic, when we had such a determination to work for people of Northern Ireland, to represent our constituents and our devolved administration, that we would expose them to this in a wilful way, is, quite frankly, offensive. Ms Dobbin asked Ms Foster about Michelle ONeills attendance at the funeral of Bobby Storey in June 2020, which led to the former DUP leader to stop doing joint press conferences with the Sinn Fein MLA. Ms Foster explained that she had given an interview alongside Ms ONeill at the beginning of June and talked about how they wanted to work together despite previous difficulties. [Ms ONeill attending the funeral] was a huge disappointment and it indeed caused massive damage to the Executive, to the credibility of the Executive, the public messaging, she said. Baroness Foster said the incident was very hurtful to those who had followed the rules, particularly to those who lost loved ones. Personally, I felt very upset by it all, and I didnt feel there was any credibility in going back to the joint press conferences, she said. Ms Foster said she later resumed the joint press conferences in September, by which time Ms ONeill had acknowledged the hurt that had been caused. At another point in the hearing, the former First Minister said neither she nor other DUP ministers agreed with Edwin Poots assertation that Covid was more prevalent in nationalist areas. Former first minister Arlene Foster (left) and deputy first minister Michelle ONeill walk together as they arrive at Stormont prior to announcing the Executives approach to coronavirus decision-making (Liam McBurney/PA) Northern Irelands former first minister has said she was urged to use the nuclear button after then deputy first minister Michelle ONeill attended a large-scale funeral during the coronavirus lockdown. Ms ONeill and other Sinn Fein ministers attended a funeral for senior republican Bobby Storey in west Belfast in June 2020 when there were restrictions on social gatherings. Footage of large crowds gathered on the streets for the send-off sparked controversy at the time, and the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has heard evidence that it chilled relations within the Stormont Executive. Speaking at the Covid-19 Inquiry on Tuesday, Ms ONeill apologised for having attended the funeral. She told the inquiry that she was sorry from the bottom of her heart for the hurt her attendance at the funeral had caused to families of those who lost family members to the virus. Ms ONeill also acknowledged that relations in the Executive were damaged as well as public health messaging, adding she had had work to do to regain that. Appearing at the inquiry on Wednesday, Baroness Foster welcomed that apology. She told the inquiry she had felt personally upset by the incident, and that it caused difficulty in their working relationship, leaving her feeling unable to stand on a joint platform with Ms ONeill for press conferences. Former deputy first minister Michelle ONeill during the funeral of senior republican figure Bobby Storey (Liam McBurney/PA) Baroness Foster also revealed that behind the scenes, she was being pressed to hit the nuclear button. It was a huge disappointment and indeed caused massive damage to the Executive, to the credibility of the Executive, to public messaging and was very hurtful to so many people around Northern Ireland who had stuck by what were very stringent rules around funerals and wakes, she said. All of that had been prohibited and yet here was one of the people making the rules actually doing just that. It was a huge disappointment, personally I felt very upset about it all and I didnt feel there was any credibility in going back to press conferences at that time. Baroness Foster said the joint press conferences restarted in September, when she said Ms ONeill had acknowledged the hurt that had been caused and in particular the damage to messaging. Given where we were then going I felt it was important that we started to give those public messages again, she said. Later in her evidence Baroness Foster revealed: Some people were pressing me to use the nuclear button at that point, in terms of the Executive. Baroness Foster leaving the Clayton Hotel in Belfast after giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry hearing on Wednesday (Niall Carson/PA) I felt that that was absolutely not the thing to do in the middle of a pandemic and that I had to stay and try and work through the difficulties that had arisen. I know there are some in my community who were wondering why I hadnt called for the deputy first minister to resign, and I didnt at that time. The former DUP leader went on: I asked her to reflect and apologise, and Im very glad that she has used the inquiry as a place to apologise. I think that that is the right thing to do and Im pleased that that has happened. But be under no illusion that that was a moment of maximum risk and I had to try and manage internally my own colleagues, and externally as well. Former PSNI chief constable Alan Todd gave evidence to the inquiry after Baroness Foster (Niall Carson/PA) Former PSNI assistant chief constable Alan Todd, who led the police response to the pandemic, said the scenes at the Storey funeral made life very difficult for his officers. He told the inquiry: What happened on the day of Bobby Storeys funeral was wrong. I said so at the time, I said so through the various investigations into it and I have said it every day since. I think the people who were involved in that have now come to that position. Mr Todd said he did not believe there was a policing solution to what had had happened at the funeral, pointing out that police had limited powers due to regulations in place at the time. He said: The notion that you would start to deploy large numbers of police with the potential for disorder and the requirement to exercise the use of force, it just becomes untenable. He added: The police service took a lot of criticism. It made life very difficult for my officers. An emerging number of people who were seeking not to comply with the regulations had their case strengthened. Police attended the two-vehicle road traffic collision on the Tattygare Road, Lisbellaw. A teenager has been seriously injured after an accident involving a car and a scrambler motorcycle in Co Fermanagh. The victim suffered head and arm injuries in the collision on the Tattygare Road, Lisbellaw on Tuesday evening. Inspector Ross said: A report was received shortly before 6.15pm on Tuesday, May 14 of a collision involving a scrambler type motorcycle and white Hyundai Tucson. Officers attended, alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service who provided treatment to the rider of the scrambler vehicle at the scene, a 19-year-old man. He was transported a short time later to hospital for treatment to head and arm injuries, which are believed to be serious at this time. The driver of the Hyundai Tucson did not require medical treatment. The Tattygare Road which was closed for a time to allow for emergency service access, has now fully reopened to road users. Our investigation is underway, with enquiries ongoing. Anyone with information about what happened, or who has dash-cam or mobile phone footage of the collision can contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1439 14/05/24. Moment man is stabbed in the face during incident in Downpatrick This is the shocking moment a video appears to show a man being stabbed in the face during an overnight incident in Downpatrick. The footage shared with the Belfast Telegraph appears to show a male waving a large knife before striking a man in the face. The male then appears to punch a woman to the ground. Footage cuts out before the male returns holding a lighter at the property. In a statement, police said they received reports that a man and woman had petrol thrown over them before an attempt was made to set them alight. The man was also stabbed in the face in the attack in Downpatrick on Wednesday, which police are treating as attempted murder. One local councillor said it was an incredibly sinister incident which could have had tragic consequences A PSNI spokesperson said: Shortly after 1.40am, officers attended a report that a man aged in his 40s had been stabbed inside a property in the St Johns Mews area. It was reported that a male had thrown a petrol bomb in the direction of the property before entering it, and stabbing the male occupant in the face. It was also reported that he threw petrol over him and a female occupant, before attempting to set them alight. A second female who was inside the property at the time managed to grab a lighter from the suspect, who fled the scene on foot. The two victims were taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries, which are not believed to be life threatening. The spokesperson added: Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also attended the scene as a precaution. A number of residents were evacuated whilst officers made the building safe. An investigation to establish the circumstances of this incident, which we are treating as attempted murder, is ongoing. SDLP Downpatrick councillor Conor Galbraith said he was absolutely shocked and it is the last thing parents and young families want to be hearing about on their doorstep. He said this type of incident is not what Downpatrick needs. Mr Galbraith added: "Weve been going through hard enough times in the last few months, the last thing we want to see or hear is attempted murders in the town. In that particular area I think the residents are pretty much pulling their hair out with regards to anti-social behaviour in general. To my knowledge this isnt the first sort of major incident in that particular area and were going to have to get something done about it with regards to local representatives and the police to bring things to a calm. Mr Galbraith said people have been left shocked by the incident. Its extremely lucky that nobody has been left with life threatening injuries or worse as a result of this senseless attack, he added. The use of a knife and petrol in this incident are incredibly sinister and could have had tragic consequences. This will have been an incredibly traumatic experience for those attacked and everyone caught up in this incident. My thoughts are with them and I hope that those hurt make a full and quick recovery. I would appeal for anyone with any information about what happened here to come forward to police and help them with their investigation. Nobody wants to see incidents like this in our community and those responsible must be held accountable for their actions. Alliance councillor Cadogan Enright said it is very close to his own house and he is very shocked. He added that an attack of this nature would be unheard of in the area. News Catch Up: Tuesday 14th May 2024 Tanaiste Micheal Martin said Ireland would recognise Palestinian statehood at the end of the month (Niall Carson/PA) Ireland will recognise Palestinian statehood by the end of the month, the Irish deputy premier has said. Ireland and Spain have been in discussions with other European countries about making a joint recognition of the state of Palestine. While May 21 had been floated as a potential date, Micheal Martin said the specific day remains fluid. Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Martin said: We will be recognising the state of Palestine before the end of the month. The specific date is still fluid because were still in discussions with some countries in respect of a joint recognition of a Palestinian state. It will become clear in the next few days as to the specific date but it certainly will be will be before the end of this month and I will look forward to consultations today with some foreign ministers in respect of the final specific detail of this. Speaking on Newstalk radio, he added: Were doing it in the context of the Arab Peace Initiative to track towards a two-state solution and to extend the signal to the Palestinian population at large that we support their right to self-determination and the idea of a two-state solution as the ultimate, only way that Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side in peace. Asked if he supported a call to fly the Palestinian flag over the Irish parliament, Mr Martin said: What is important here is we focus on the substantive issues of an immediate ceasefire. It is quite shocking that Israel is moving into Rafah and there is now a military operation underway in Rafah. The suffering is immense. The death and destruction is immense, and people want it to stop and the international community want it to stop. A call to fly the flag over the parliament building in Dublin for Nakba Day was rejected by the speaker of the house. The Nakba refers to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the war surrounding the creation of Israel in 1948. 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 Meanwhile, Taoiseach Simon Harris also updated King Abdullah of Jordan about Irelands plan to recognise the State of Palestine on Wednesday. The pair also exchanged views on what was described as a desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Fine Gael leader outlined Ireland and Spains ongoing efforts on Palestinian recognition and ongoing discussions with other like-minded countries. In a statement, a spokesman for Mr Harris said: The King and the Taoiseach agreed that both Ireland and Jordan should stay in touch in the coming days. King Abdullah briefed the Taoiseach on efforts to secure an end to the conflict and to create a context for peace in the region, including his contacts with other regional leaders and his discussions with President Biden in Washington last week. This work will be a focus at the Arab Summit due to convene in Bahrain this week. They also discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and in particular the situation in Rafah. The King underscored the need for the international community to step up efforts to increase humanitarian assistance and the Taoiseach promised Irelands full support in advancing this work. The Taoiseach also congratulated the King on his silver jubilee. The 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne will be formally marked on 9 June. Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces is Lieutenant General Sean Clancy (Brian Lawless/PA) The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces has been appointed as the first Irish chairman of the EU Military Committee. Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, who has almost 40 years of service in the Irish military, will take up the role in May 2025. Lt Gen Clancy will remain as Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces until then, at which point he will have completed almost four years at the top of Irelands military. Minister for Defence Micheal Martin, left, warmly welcomed the election of Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, right, as chairman-elect of the EU Military Committee (Niall Carson/PA) The EUMC is the highest military body within the European Council, and is composed of the Chiefs of Defence of the 27 member states, who are regularly represented by their permanent military representatives. It is the forum for military consultation and cooperation between the EU member states in the field of conflict prevention and crisis management. It directs all military activities within the EU framework, in particular the planning and execution of military missions and operations under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and the development of military capabilities. Lt Gen Clancy will also be regularly tasked with giving military advice and making recommendations to the Political and Security Committee of the Council, which is made up of ambassadors from member states. The chairman acts as the military adviser to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. This extends to attending council meetings with defence and security implications. The chair also acts as the primary point of contact for the Operation Commanders of the EUs military operations. The appointment of the chair of the EUMC occurs every three years with each member state having the opportunity to nominate a representative. The other nominees for this election were from Poland and Slovenia. Voting was conducted by secret ballot with each member state casting a first and second preference. The three-year role in Europe will require Lt Gen Clancy to be promoted to the rank of General (4-star). He is currently leading the Defence Forces during a period of reform following a report into allegations of sexual misconduct, bullying and harassment within the service. The Government has announced that a judge-led Tribunal of Inquiry will be established in the coming weeks to investigate the effectiveness of complaints processes within the Defence Forces. Tanaiste and Defence Minister Micheal Martin said: I warmly welcome Lieutenant General Sean Clancys election as chairman-elect of the European Union Military Committee. Lieutenant General Clancys appointment comes at a crucial time for Europe, with increased regional and global instability and insecurity. He brings with him almost 40 years of distinguished military service with the Irish Defence Forces and with his extensive range of defence experience and his skills in partnership building. He is ideally suited to apply his abilities to the role of chair of the EUMC at such a crucial time for the military pillar of the EUs Common Security and Defence Policy. By Park Han-sol As the chief of the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA), soon to be rebranded as the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) on May 17, Choi Eung-chon likens his role to a cultural equivalent of the Army, Navy and Air Force, all combined together. From conserving the soft coral habitats of Jeju Island to monitoring artifacts scattered across mountains and urban zones, the scope of my job naturally spans every nook and cranny of the country, he told The Korea Times in an interview, May 7. And with the comprehensive overhaul of his agencys administrative structure and policies, now rooted in three expanded types of heritage cultural, natural and intangible his role is expected to become even more encompassing. The new heritage classification system, coupled with revised regulations tailored to each category, aligns with the KHS goal of striking a more finely tuned balance between conservation and development. In addition to outlining the revamped agencys vision, the administrator shared updates on the vandalism case of Gyeongbok Palace from last December and discussed his initiative to renovate the tourist-targeted hanbok (traditional Korean attire) available near the royal palaces in Seoul. Below is an excerpt of The Korea Times interview with Choi. It has been edited for clarity and readability. Q. How does the KHS intend to achieve the delicate balance between safeguarding heritage and easing regulations, as stated in its vision? A. Our primary objective is to refine the scope of excessive regulations in conservation areas to reduce public inconvenience without compromising heritage integrity, in line with the newly enacted act concerning the national heritage impact assessment. Previously, historical and cultural preservation zones were designated uniformly within a 500-meter radius. As part of our regulatory reform two years ago, however, areas that have already been developed or densely populated have seen a reduction in radius. Of course, stringent measures are still enforced in places requiring rigorous conservation management. In essence, the designation now varies based on the zone's actual conditions and population density, rather than being applied indiscriminately. The same goes for historic sites. In the past, these sites were designated based on somewhat haphazard and imprecise criteria, particularly during and after the 1910-45 Japanese colonial era. Moving forward, the agency plans to conduct extensive field surveys and excavations to distinguish areas with historical significance accurately from those without, so that regulations can be relaxed for the latter. Additionally, to promote sustainable coexistence between national heritage sites and their local residents such as Hahoe Village in Andong and Oeam Village in Asan we are revising protective measures to allow for more flexible renovation of aging facilities. Q. How will the KHS enhance the utilization and promotion of heritage items located overseas? A. Its important to recognize that not all Korean cultural assets overseas were looted or smuggled out of the country; some were gifted or legally exported. Some, like the Old Korean Legation building in Washington D.C., are meant to stay there. Therefore, rather than simply aiming for repatriation, its essential to explore strategies for collaborating with local institutions to utilize these artifacts practically in their adopted hometown. These strategies could involve staging joint exhibitions, such as a recent digital show featuring a 19th-century folding screen, Into the Seven Jeweled Mountain, which unfolded simultaneously in Seoul and the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio. Alternatively, we could support restoration efforts or improve inadequate exhibition environments for items that are stuck in foreign museums vaults without seeing the light of day. To advance such collaborative initiatives, the agency launched the K-Shared Heritage pilot project earlier this year. It is currently underway, focusing on artifacts in the collections of the National Library of France. And to facilitate more effective on-site partnership, a European branch office will open in Paris later this year. This will complement our already-existing outposts in Japan and the U.S. Its worth noting that around 49,000 artifacts, or nearly 20 percent of Koreas total cultural heritage items overseas, are scattered throughout the continent. Q. Coinciding with its structural overhaul, the agency has been striving to strengthen its international development cooperation in restoring the cultural heritage of developing nations. It has substantially increased the scale of its official development assistance (ODA) projects from 4.8 billion won to 13.1 billion won in just a year, for instance. A. The leading donor countries of ODA in the field of cultural heritage restoration have long been the U.S., U.K., Japan and France. Drawing upon Koreas expertise in heritage conservation technology, weve been involved in such projects since the early 2010s. This year, we are aiding Cambodias preservation of its famed Angkor Wat temple, as well as Egypts Ramesseum. Future plans include providing support to Perus Machu Picchu and Ghanas Greater Accra Region. These endeavors offer a prime opportunity to raise global awareness of the KHS capabilities. Moreover, following Koreas election as a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee last year, we are currently considering the possibility of hosting the committees session in the country for the first time in 2026. Q. Last December, Gyeongbok Palace suffered vandalism twice, with spray paint defacing its outer walls across nearly 40 meters. The agency subsequently announced its intention to seek compensation from the perpetrators to cover the estimated 100 million won ($73,000) restoration costs. Whats the latest on this matter? A. Taking adamant and prompt action was crucial for us to show the public our zero-tolerance policy toward such acts of vandalism. This marks the agencys first attempt to directly pursue compensation from the vandalism suspects, in accordance with the reinforced Cultural Heritage Protection Act. There may be difficulties in claiming damages for the first incident, given that the primary instigator, who remotely instructed two accomplices, remains at large. Therefore, our focus will be on the perpetrator involved in the second incident, pending the prosecutors demand for sentencing. [Shortly after the interview, on May 13, a three-year prison term was sought.] Q. You mentioned that one initiative the revamped agency will push ahead with this year is improvement of the hanbok costume rentals available around Seouls major royal palaces. A. These days, if you observe the hanbok rented and worn by tourists around the palaces, youll notice how haphazardly styled some of them are. Some wear a scholars gat hat with a gonryongpo robe reserved for kings and royal family members, while others put on completely mismatched tops and bottoms. Whats more, the garments are all made in China. Photos of visitors wearing these outfits are being shared worldwide. I believe situations like this are what give power to Chinas claim to hanbok, which represents the identity and values of Korea. It has been over a decade since the agency waived admission fees for hanbok-wearing tourists to the palaces. Until now, there hasnt been a mechanism to regulate the clothing rental shops that have sprung up randomly near these historical sites. Now is the time for the KHS to support the production and promotion of traditional hanbok styles that better meet our standards. We are thus preparing to collaborate with related government agencies, local authorities and private entities that share our mission. Of course, these costumes should be reasonably priced, with practical modular options. Q. There have been recent meaningful intersections between Koreas globally sought-after popular culture and its traditions from BTS member RMs involvement in the restoration of a rare century-old bridal costume known as hwarot, to actor Ryu Jun-yeols voice-over narration for the Into the Seven Jeweled Mountain exhibition. How do you perceive this evolving relationship between traditional and popular culture? A. I believe that the global spread of K-everything is fundamentally rooted in the power of Korean heritage. And as more people around the world are drawn to the countrys popular culture, they are increasingly interested in its traditional charms as well. For instance, four of Seouls royal palaces, which served as backdrops for BTS 2020 performance and Guccis 2023 fashion show, have already attracted 4.9 million visitors as of April an 18.7 percent increase from the previous year. The KHS will continue to explore ways for K-culture and K-heritage to complement each other in the future. Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said the changes would affect some 27,000 Ukrainians in Ireland (Damien Storan/PA) It is anomalous to treat Ukrainians differently based on when they arrived in Ireland, the Finance Minister has said. Michael McGrath said the changes introduced in 12 weeks time would affect 27,000 Ukrainians living in state-provided accommodation. Ukrainian refugees who fled to Ireland between 2022 and early 2024 are to have their allowances cut from the job seekers rate of 232 euros to a lower rate in the next three months. Michael McGrath said the latest changes applied to Ukrainians who arrived in Ireland before March and are living in State-provided accommodation (Brian Lawless/PA) A reduced payment of 38.80 euros per week already was applied to Ukrainians who arrived after mid-March, following a Cabinet decision that was expected to reduce the number of arrivals in Ireland, while those who entered the country before that deadline remained on the higher amount. On Tuesday, ministers agreed to cut the rate being offered again, this time for Ukrainians who arrived in Ireland before March and are living in State-provided accommodation. The changes will not affect Ukrainians who arrived in Ireland before March and are living in pledged accommodation and the private rental sector. Mr McGrath told RTEs Morning Ireland programme on Wednesday that it was an inconsistency which we have to address. He said the policy would be implemented in a reasonable and a fair manner, and said that in exceptional circumstances where peoples basic needs cannot be met by the level of support, that will be taken into account. The Fianna Fail minister said they would continue to be provided with the most important and basic need of all which is shelter, adding that child benefit would still be available. Its important, whatever level of supports we have in place, are sustainable in every respect and it is anomalous to have a situation where people who came after a certain date are treated very differently to people who came prior to that date, he said. I think if you look at what the state has done since February 2022, the state the country, our people, our communities have been welcoming, have been generous. I believe that that will continue over the period ahead. But we also have to ensure that our system is sustainable and that we are fair to everyone and that we dont have an arbitrary cut-off point and depending on which side of that cut-off point a Ukrainian falls, the level of support is different in multiples. I think that would be unfair and we are addressing that. He added that the Government has an extensive data bank of information about state support for people from Ukraine. Almost 107,000 people have fled the war in Ukraine and have been granted temporary protection in Ireland, he said. Theyre not all still here. We estimate that approximately 86,000 of the 107,000 who came here from Ukraine remain in the state and over 66,000 are in state-supported accommodation. This change will impact on about 27,000 (people). He said there are an estimated 19,000 Ukrainians working in Ireland. The Irish response to the war in Ukraine has been described as exemplary (Brian Lawless/PA) Since the last cut to supports being offered to Ukrainians was implemented in March, Mr McGrath said there had been a significant reduction in the number of arrivals. The daily inflow now is between 20 and 30 at this point. It was many multiples of that earlier in the war. We will see what the impact is in terms of people deciding to leave, many will want to leave I think in time anyway, others wont. He described the Irish state and the Irish peoples response to the war in Ukraine as exemplary. Ireland has been to the fore at an international level in supporting Ukrainians, and we have taken a significant proportion of those who have fled Ukraine relative to our geography and relative to our population. So any objective analysis of Irelands response to the war in Ukraine I think will show generosity. Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of a true hero aid worker killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza. James Kirby, 47, from Bristol, was one of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers fatally injured in the attack, including two other Britons. The group was travelling in a WCK convoy leaving one of its warehouses when Israeli armed drones fired munitions at their marked vehicles on April 1 this year. Mr Kirby, who previously served with the Rifles, was remembered during a packed service at St Mary Redcliffe Church in his home city of Bristol on Wednesday. James Kirby had previously served with the Rifles (World Central Kitchen/PA) More than 500 people attended his funeral, with mourners from across the world filling the pews and standing at the back of the church for the service, which lasted just over an hour. His coffin, draped in a Union flag, was brought past flag bearers before entering the historic church where family, friends and colleagues had gathered. At the conclusion of the service, mourners wept as the Last Post sounded, then each lit a candle which they held up as Mr Kirbys coffin was carried outside ahead of a private burial. Canon Dan Tyndall, vicar of the church, described Mr Kirby as a remarkable man, a true friend, a son. He said: We remember all seven men and women who were killed while undertaking humanitarian activities on that road in Gaza by lighting seven candles at the altar as we sing our first hymn. Those candles will be taken from here to the funerals of Jim Henderson and John Chapman and will then be distributed to each of the families of those killed. The first hymn sung at the funeral was How Great Thou Art, which was followed by a family tribute read by Mr Kirbys cousin Adam McGuire. Emily Roberts, of security service Solace Global, and John McClellan, of World Central Kitchen, both gave readings during the service. Mr McGuire thanked those in attendance on behalf of Mr Kirbys family, and said they had received cards and messages from many, including the King and Queen. He described how Mr Kirby had aspired to join the Army from a young age and worked hard to achieve that, with a passion for adventure and a willingness to help everyone he met. Jamess diverse experiences ultimately led him to a career in security, where he encountered unforgettable moments from his work on Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here to guarding luxury yachts and forging lifelong friendships, he said. Jamess decision to go to Gaza, driven by his innate desire to help others, exemplified his selflessness and courage. He, along with six fellow aid workers, made the ultimate sacrifice in their mission to bring aid to those less fortunate, cementing their legacy as true heroes. Mr Kirbys coffin was carried out of the church (Ben Birchall/PA) Nicky Wallace described dropping Mr Kirby, whom she described as her best friend, at Heathrow Airport ahead of his trip to Gaza, giving him a hug and kiss in the hope you would turn around and come back. Reverend Laura Verrall-Kelly led prayers for Mr Kirby and the other aid workers killed in the attack. She said: We remember their courage in walking towards dangerous situations for the sake of humanity. We honour their lives and sacrifice by pledging to show love and dignity to those in our world with the greatest need. We continue to pray for the work of World Central Kitchen. Major General Tom Bewick read the Rifles Collect before the Lords Prayer was said. Mr Kirbys mother, and close members of his family, then placed their hands on his coffin as Canon Dan Tyndall gave the prayers of commendation. Many of those in attendance at the funeral, which was also live streamed, wept as the Last Post sounded. Five hundred white candles were handed to mourners, with these lit and held high in tribute to Mr Kirby as his coffin was carried from the church as Nimrod by Edward Elgar played. Mr Kirbys family asked for donations made in his memory to be sent to the Help Bristols Homeless charity. Mr Kirbys order of service asked for donations to be made to a local homelessness charity (Ben Birchall/PA) Brendan Forbes, 46, from Edinburgh, described how he had been friends with Mr Kirby since they were aged 13 and became Army cadets, later joining the Light Infantry in 1994. He said it was wonderful to have known Mr Kirby, known as Kirbs, who would make people feel comfortable and had a great sense of humour. Selfishly, I thought he was my best friend but he was everyones best friend, Mr Forbes said. We spoke before he left, he said Ill see you when Im back. Veiner Gaston, 36, also living in Edinburgh, served on a tour of Afghanistan with Mr Kirby in 2011. He was my cover man, he said. He was the one physically protecting me. We would say you keep me from blowing up, you keep me from being shot. He had this energy and aura around him. People gravitated towards him. He would always treat everyone the same. He would make them laugh, make them smile. He was an absolutely amazing person. When we were in Afghanistan, we would see little kids walking along. He would have two chocolate bars at all times, he would be like here you go, mate, or he would hand them his rations. In a tribute issued through Avon and Somerset Police before the funeral, Mr Kirbys mother Jacqui Kirby said he was a true friend to so many, as well as being her son. I will miss him beyond measure and cannot comprehend a future without his presence, she said. But I take great comfort from knowing he died doing something that really mattered to him, and the knowledge that he was loved by so many people from all walks of life. Britons John Chapman, 57, and James Jim Henderson, 33, were also killed in the attack. The relief teams leader, Australian national Lalzawmi Zomi Frankcom, 43, also died alongside dual American-Canadian citizen Jacob Flickinger, 33; Polish national Damian Sobol, 35; and their driver, Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others over the incident, calling it a serious mistake. Two Metropolitan Police officers did not check even briefly on a woman and child killed by a car during a police pursuit, a misconduct panel has heard. Pc Edward Welch and former Pc Jack Keher were chasing a stolen Ford Focus when the driver lost control and mounted the pavement, striking a group of pedestrians and killing child actor Makayah McDermott, 10, and his aunt Rozanne Cooper, 34. Another child sustained major injuries in the collision in Penge, south-east London, on August 31 2016. Pc Welch reached speeds of more than 60mph driving the marked BMW after Joshua Dobby, then-19, in the six-minute pursuit, the hearing on Wednesday was told. It is alleged both officers committed gross misconduct by leaving the injured pedestrians to chase Dobby on foot and failing in their duty to protect life and limb. They are also accused of not accurately assessing and communicating the risks to Met Command and Control (MetCC), the forces control room. Mr Keher, who was in the passenger seat, is further accused of not challenging Pc Welchs driving. And Pc Welch is accused of failing to assess if continuing the chase was proportional, and not ensuring Mr Keher provided MetCC with accurate information. Floral tributes on Lennard Road in Penge, south-east London, where a car being chased by police ploughed into a family, leaving two people dead (Dominic Lipinski/PA) At the end of the car chase Dobby exited the vehicle and Pc Welch radioed I need ambulance, its a decamp. Hes decamped, said Gerry Boyle KC, representing the Met. Mr Boyle said Mr Keher then said: Control hes decamped, hes hit members of the public. But the officers did not administer first aid to the victims or help the bystanders who stepped in, Mr Boyle said. He told the panel: It was either he (Pc Welch) knew that there had been an impact with members of the public but set off in pursuit of the driver, or he had reason to suspect that the Ford had collided with members of the public at the end of the pursuit. Why would he then say I need an ambulance? Even if he didnt hear his colleague say hes hit members of the public. There is a failure of him to check, even briefly, if somebody had been hurt. Pc Welch was the first to accelerate at the start of the pursuit after he spotted the stolen Ford Focus, Mr Boyle said. It had triggered an ANPR camera but was driving normally, he added. The officers told MetCC the vehicle had been taken using keys days earlier and that they suspected Dobby had also stolen petrol. But Mr Boyle alleged the chase was obviously disproportionate to the nature of the underlying offence. Police dashcam footage shown to the panel featured the police car hurtling through sunny residential streets and through a busy high street. People lay flowers in Lennard Road in Penge, south-east London (Dominic Lipinski/PA) The footage included a speedometer that showed the cars travelling at more than double the speed limit at times. The officers did not tell MetCC that the Ford Focus drove through a no entry sign, left past a no left turn sign, the wrong way down a one-way street at considerable speed, and over multiple roundabouts at high speed, Mr Boyle said. At one point they told MetCC that the pursuit was at 40 to 50mph despite the speedometer shown to the hearing reading 60mph. MetCC responded can you just confirm your actions are proportionate with the offences? To which Mr Keher said: Yes, yes, at this time, due to low risk. Mr Boyle said: He (Pc Welch) obviously failed to accurately report the level of risk to MetCC and, or, failed to ensure that Mr Keher accurately reported the level of risk. He said a vehicle taking off from police could be involved in armed robbery, terrorism, drugs, human trafficking but there was no intelligence linking this vehicle with anything. Mr Boyle added: All the officers had at that time was that this is a stolen car. Given that there was a number of occasions along this particular pursuit where the risk should have been considered to have been high, it is the view of (the Met) that this risk ought to have been terminated by Pc Welch as a result of those failings it is (the Mets) submission that Constable Welch has breached the professional standards of behaviour. Mr Keher has chosen to not be involved in the proceedings at Palestra House, Southwark, and has made no written submissions. Both Pc Welch and Mr Keher deny the allegations. At the Old Bailey in December 2022 Pc Welch was cleared of two charges of causing death by dangerous driving, one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and an alternative charge of dangerous driving over the incident. Dobby has been convicted of two counts of manslaughter by gross negligence and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The hearing continues at Palestra House on Monday. Police investigating claims of missing ashes at a former funeral parlour have finished a search of the premises. Detectives launched a probe into the now-closed A Milne Funeral Directors amid allegations of ashes going missing, families being given the wrong remains, and financial misconduct. The family-run firm had branches in Springburn, Glasgow, and Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, and its website has been taken down. The National Association of Funeral Directors said it had received a number of complaints but the business appeared to have stopped corresponding with us. Police Scotland said on Wednesday a search of the premises in Balornock Road, Springburn, had concluded and any ashes found would be treated with the utmost respect. The search was carried out between May 3 and 14, with a detailed examination into the storage and return of cremated remains and finances. Police have finished a search of the premises on Balornock Road, Glasgow (Andrew Milligan/PA) Forensics officers were seen going into the property on Monday. Police said inquiries are ongoing to establish whether there has been an any criminality. Detective Inspector Gerry Shovlin, Clydebank CID, said: This is a very sensitive and emotive case and we recognise the upset and distress that families have experienced. Our investigation has been going on for several weeks now and will continue for some time, due to the level of inquiry that will need to be followed up. It is a complex inquiry that involves a number of agencies, but families can be reassured that the ashes of their loved ones are a priority and will be treated with the utmost respect. An email address has been set up for the public to contact police directly, and the force said the investigation will continue for some time. Anyone wishing to contact police about the investigation can call officers on 101 quoting incident number 1289 of May 2, or use the dedicated email address operationkoine@scotland.police.uk. At least two people were killed and three seriously injured overnight in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, French officials there said, as President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting of top ministers to discuss the spiralling violence. It was the third day of violent unrest over a constitutional reform pushed by Paris that has angered the archipelago, which has long sought independence. Mr Macrons office said the president also cancelled a trip he had been planning to north-west France on Wednesday while he focused on the crisis. The special defence and security council meeting called by Mr Macron typically brings together a limited group of officials, including Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and the ministers for defence, interior, economy and foreign affairs. On Tuesday, the French Interior Ministry sent police reinforcements to New Caledonia, which long served as a prison colony and now hosts a French military base. Four mobile gendarmerie squadrons are being deployed as reinforcements, including 15 gendarmes from an elite intervention unit. French authorities in the territory said more than 130 people have been arrested since Monday in the violence that has raged across the archipelago, where there have been decades of tensions between indigenous Kanaks seeking independence and descendants of colonisers who want to remain part of France. Two people were killed and three gravely injured in the unrest overnight, the territorys top French official, High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, said in an interview with France Info broadcaster. Earlier on Wednesday, he warned that if calm is not restored, there will be many deaths in the area of the capital, Noumea, where protests over the voting rights turned violent on Tuesday. Clashes between police and protesters have continued in and around Noumea despite a curfew and ban on gatherings. Schools have been closed until further notice and the main airport, La Tontoura, remains closed to commercial flights. The situation is not serious, it is very serious, Mr Le Franc said. We have entered a dangerous spiral, a deadly spiral. The unrest started on Monday with a protest over Frances efforts to expand voter lists that would benefit pro-France politicians on New Caledonia and further marginalise the Kanak people, who once suffered from strict segregation policies and widespread discrimination. Early on Wednesday, Frances National Assembly adopted a constitutional revision reforming the electoral body in the territory, with 351 lawmakers voting for and 153 against the bill. Pro-independence representatives appealed to supporters for calm and condemned the vote in the National Assembly, Frances most influential house of parliament. Mr Macron also appealed for calm after the vote and condemned unworthy violence in a letter to Caledonian representatives and political parties. The bill would allow residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to cast ballots in provincial elections. People of European descent in New Caledonia distinguish between descendants of colonisers and descendants of the many prisoners sent to the territory by force. The vast archipelago of about 270,000 people east of Australia is 10 time zones ahead of Paris. New Caledonia became French in 1853 under Emperor Napoleon III, Napoleons nephew and heir. It became an overseas territory after the Second World War, with French citizenship granted to all Kanaks in 1957. A peace deal between rival factions was reached in 1988. A decade later, France promised to grant New Caledonia political power and broad autonomy and hold up to three successive referendums. The three referendums were organised between 2018 to 2021 and a majority of voters chose to remain part of France instead of backing independence. The pro-independence Kanak people rejected the results of the last referendum in 2021, which they boycotted because it was held at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Widower desperate to rescue his brothers and father from Gaza hell A Belfast-born Palestinian widower is trying to get his brothers and father out of Gaza months after the latest violence in the region made life unbearable. Khalid El-Astal told the Belfast Telegraph about the grief of losing his wife Ashwak on November 1, and of the heartache he experiences when his two children, Ali and Sara, call out for their mother. Ali is four. I have tried many times to tell him his mum is dead but he doesnt understand. He asks me when she will be back. He has nightmares and asks me so many questions I cannot answer, he said. Sara is nearly two and when she sees any woman she starts saying mama. It kills me. Khalid El-Astal. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph The 31-year-old Dublin-based man, who had been working in Saudi Arabia when the October 7 Hamas attacks happened, says he is living without hope at present because the death of his wife, mother, brother, uncle, cousins, and other family and friends has been so devastating. Dealing with that is not easy, he said. Six or seven months on I still cant believe what has happened. You feel the pain that these people will never come back, and the problem is it is still going. I lost one of my cousins last week who I had been chatting to all the time. Getting my family out is my priority. Khalid says his brothers Abdullan Rahman (25) and Abdullah (21) are Irish citizens, and desperately want to be travel from Gaza to Ireland with their father Ali (60) a former QUB lecturer. Khalid El-Astal with lawyer Fred Rooney. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph Their situation is miserable and he sometimes avoids speaking to his father because he feels helpless as there is no good news yet. That is the most painful part. He has lost his wife, his son, my wife, his brother. He is dying to come here. We are losing hope. The Irish government are promising to do their best. We didnt imagine it would take so long but we hear the Israeli government are blocking them. We are trying now to raise money to help. We will do anything if we can get support. We know it will help because it has worked for other people. If there is any organisation who can give us a loan, we will work and pay it back, we will do it. I love this country the same as my country. I am 100% Irish. I am 100% Palestinian. I will say this forever. Khalid reflects on how much he loved his wife, and how he cannot bring himself to be hopeful that the ongoing violence in Gaza will end. She was so strong, beautiful and amazing with the kids. She was the kind of woman to talk to and depend on. I was so confident with her. I didnt have to worry about anything. The idea the children will never see their mother again is crazy. I had hope when my wife was injured that she would survive but then she died. We keep hearing about a ceasefire but nothing changes. I dont want to hope anything. The US should do something. Someone should do something. Khalid El-Asta's daughter Sara. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph Khalids return to Belfast, where he lived until he left for Gaza aged eight, is for The Bluebells Festival (Feile na gCloigini Gorma) to explore the importance of mental health and your environment, and to campaign for his family members trapped by war. During his trip to Belfast he has been reunited with lawyer Fred Rooney (71) from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, who along with the Irish government last year helped Khalid secure safe passage for the kids from Gaza to Ireland. Fred is part of a US delegation here for the festival to learn peace process lessons about mental health and trauma, and to build bridges between Pennsylvania and Ireland. Processing trauma is so challenging, Fred said. Khalid is surviving. His brothers and father are still in Gaza so they are obviously on edge all the time. Khalid's son Ali. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph Khalid said: I am just living, nothing more than that. I am taking care of the kids and thinking about my family and friends. When my father is here we can start thinking about the next steps but for now we cant even think about anything without the end of the war. I wanted to die, to kill myself. It wasnt the easiest decision for me to come here. I then discovered it was the best decision. I have people for me and my kids who give me love and support, everything, without the people here in Ireland I wouldnt survive. It is the best place in the world I think. The people here I cant thank them enough. Being in Belfast is special. My mum loved the place. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: The Department of Foreign Affairs has assisted over 100 Irish citizens and dependents to leave Gaza since the beginning of the crisis. A small number of Irish citizens or immediate dependants of Irish citizens remain in Gaza. Our Embassies in the region are in regular contact with those Irish citizens remaining in Gaza. The Department is aware of this case and providing assistance. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the detail of individual cases. To support Khalids campaign visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-rest-of-my-family-escape-death, and for more about the festival visit https://www.glornamona.com. Russias President Vladimir Putin landed in Beijing on Thursday for a two-day state visit to China in a show of unity between the authoritarian allies. Mr Putins visit comes as Russia has become more economically dependent on China following Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago. On the eve of the visit, Mr Putin said in an interview with Chinese media that the Kremlin is prepared to negotiate over the conflict in Ukraine. We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours, Mr Putin was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua News Agency. A security guard keeps watch on a pedestrian bridge near the Russian embassy in Beijing (AP Photo/Andy Wong) The Russian leaders two-day trip comes as his countrys forces have pressed an offensive in north-eastern Ukraines Kharkiv region that began last week in the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began, forcing almost 8,000 people to flee their homes. Along with Moscows efforts to build on its gains in the nearby Donetsk region, the two-year-old war has entered a critical stage for Ukraines depleted military that is awaiting new supplies of anti-aircraft missiles and artillery shells from the United States. We have never refused to negotiate, Mr Putin was quoted as saying by Xinhua. We are seeking a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of this conflict through peaceful means. We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours. Chinese President Xi Jinping (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP, File) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said any negotiations must include a restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops, the release of all prisoners, a tribunal for those responsible for the aggression, and security guarantees for Ukraine. China claims to take a neutral position in the conflict, but has backed Moscows contentions that Russia was provoked into attacking Ukraine by the West, despite Mr Putins public avowals of his desire to restore Russias century-old borders as the reason for his assault. Mr Putin has blamed the West for the failure of negotiations in the opening weeks of the war and praised Chinas peace plan for Ukraine that would allow Moscow to cement its territorial gains. Beijing proposes practicable and constructive steps to achieve peace by refraining from pursuing vested interests and constant escalation of tensions, minimizing the negative impact of the conflict on the global economy, he had said. The visit furthers the effort by China and Russia to topple the US-led Western democratic order in favour of a more authoritarian model that crushes political opposition, human rights and freedom of speech. Mr Putin began a fifth term in office this month. Robert Fico arrives for a cabinet away-from-home session in the town of Handlova (Radovan Stoklasa/TASR via AP) Slovakias populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is in a life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting on Wednesday afternoon, it has been reported. In a message posted to his Facebook account, it was said that Fico has been shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition. At this moment he is transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica, because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute procedure. The next few hours will decide. Reports on TA3, a Slovakian TV station, said that Fico, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, about 93 miles north east of the capital, where the leader was meeting with supporters. Medical workers take Robert Fico to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica (Jan Kroslak/TASR via AP) A suspect has been detained, it said. The shooting in Slovakia comes three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections, in which populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc appear poised to make gains. Deputy speaker of parliament, Lubos Blaha, confirmed the incident during a session of Slovakias parliament and adjourned it until further notice, the Slovak TASR news agency said. Slovakias major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, cancelled a planned protest against a controversial government plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give the government full control of public radio and television. We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and todays shooting of premier Robert Fico, said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka. At the same time, we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension. President Zuzana Caputova condemned a brutal and ruthless attack on the premier. Im shocked, Caputova said. I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack. Fico, a third-time premier, and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party, won Slovakias September 30 parliamentary elections, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message. Critics worried Slovakia under Fico would abandon the countrys pro-Western course and follow the direction of Hungary under populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from some areas of the countrys east and battled Russian troops in others on Wednesday, as President Volodymyr Zelensky postponed all his upcoming foreign trips. Against the grim backdrop, US secretary of state Antony Blinken sought to reassure the ally of continuing American support, announcing a two billion dollars arms deal most of the money coming from a package approved last month. The top diplomat is in Ukraine as Russian troops press a fresh offensive in northeast Ukraines Kharkiv region. It began last week, marking the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began and forcing almost 8,000 local people to flee their homes. Together with Moscows weeks-long effort to build on its recent gains in the eastern Donetsk region, the more than two-year war has entered a critical stage for Ukraines depleted army. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) Ukraines general staff reported late on Tuesday that troops fell back from areas in Lukyantsi and Vovchansk in order to save the lives of our servicemen and avoid losses. Vovchansk just three miles from the Russian border and 30 miles from the city of Kharkiv has been the focus of much of the recent fighting, and Ukrainian and Russian troops battled in its streets on Wednesday. Oleksii Kharkivskyi, head of the citys patrol police, said Russian troops were taking up positions in the city, while the Ukrainian general staff said its forces were trying to flush them out. Russia is opening new fronts in order to stretch Ukraines army, which is short of ammunition and manpower, along the 620-mile front line, hoping defences will crumble. Russian artillery and sabotage raids have also been menacing Ukraines northern Chernihiv and Sumy regions. Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address on Tuesday that the army has sent reinforcements to the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. It is too early to draw conclusions, but the situation is under control, he said. The pace of Russias advance in the Kharkiv border region, where it launched an offensive late last week and has made significant progress, has slowed, the Institute for the Study of War said late on Tuesday. The Washington-based think tank said Moscows main aim there is to create a buffer zone that will prevent Ukrainian cross-border strikes on Russias Belgorod region. Police officers inspect part of a Russian missile that fell close to an apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine (AP Photo/Andrii Marienko) Even so, Mr Zelenskys office announced on Wednesday he cancelled all his upcoming foreign visits and would try to reschedule them. Mr Zelensky had been expected to visit Spain, and perhaps Portugal, later this week. No reason was given for his decision but the difficulties on the front line hung over it. With thousands of Ukrainian troops locked in fierce battles in towns and villages, Mr Blinken on Tuesday pledged unceasing US support for the country, during and beyond the war. He also tried to lift spirits in Kyiv, performing on guitar with a band at a city bar and eating pizza at a veteran-run restaurant. At his final event Wednesday of the two-day visit, Mr Blinken said the Biden administration had approved a two billion dollars, medium and long-term foreign military financing package for Ukraine. The packages generally send US taxpayer money to American defence firms to manufacture and ship weaponry and other military supplies to the recipient country. Most of the money, about 1.6 billion dollars, comes from the 60 billion dollars allotted to Ukraine in the supplemental foreign assistance legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden, officials said. The remainder will be reprogrammed from different accounts. US secretary of state Antony Blinken holds a 3D-printed eagle during his visit to the Brave1 facility in Kyiv (Courtney McBride, Pool Photo via AP) Mr Blinken also viewed the production of drones, which have become a key feature of the two-year war, and toured a grain shipment facility and a bionics factory, praising Ukrainian innovation and ingenuity in the face of wartime difficulties. Ukraine has had to adapt and adjust to this and its done so remarkably, Mr Blinken said of grain exports now being taken by rail after traditional shipping routes were interrupted by Russias full-scale invasion, which began on February 24, 2022. Meanwhile, Russian air defences shot down several Ukrainian missiles over the Black Sea and near the Belbek air base, Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said. Sevastopol is where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is headquartered. The fragments of downed missiles fell into residential areas but caused no casualties, Mr Razvozhayev said. Russian air defences also shot down nine Ukrainian drones, two Vilha rockets, two anti-radar Harm missiles and two Hammer guided bombs over the Belgorod region early on Wednesday, the Defence Ministry said. Two people were injured in the village of Dubovoye when a Ukranian rocket set their house ablaze, according to Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. The military said five other Ukrainian drones were downed over the Kursk region and three drones were shot down over the Bryansk region. The Defence Ministry also said that another Ukrainian drone was downed over the Tatarstan region. Tatarstan is located more than 600 miles east of the border with Ukraine. Vasily Golubev, the governor of the Rostov region, said two drones attacked a fuel depot. He said there were no casualties or fire. Ukraine has launched a steady series of drone attacks on oil refineries and fuel depots across Russia over the past months, causing significant damage. Arlene Foster accused of deflecting questions in tetchy day at Covid Inquiry Sam McBride reports as the former DUP leader gets a roasting Baroness Arlene Foster pictured as she arrives to give evidence to the Covid Inquiry. Credit: Stephen Hamilton/Presseye Wed 15 May 2024 at 18:48 Arlene Foster has been accused of deflecting questions at the Covid Inquiry. Sino-U.S. cooperation in green shift benefits both and beyond Xinhua) 09:30, May 15, 2024 BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Partnership in green transition between China and the United States needs to be consolidated as it creates shared benefits for both countries and serves the global bid for green and low-carbon development, according to a high-level forum held on Monday. Addressing climate change is a shared responsibility for everyone, Zhang Shaogang, deputy director with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), said at a forum of the Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit 2024 held on Monday afternoon. With the theme of "Mutual Trust and Cooperation: Navigating through Profound Changes," the summit was organized by the CCPIT, featuring the participation of over 750 representatives from international organizations, economic institutions, trade and investment promotion agencies and business communities. "China and the United States, as the world's largest developing country and developed country respectively, have the obligation to work together to prevent further warming of the climate and promote the development of a green and low-carbon economy," Zhang added. Noah Fraser, senior vice president of China operations with the US-China Business Council, echoed Zhang's proposal, saying that the two countries share a lot of cooperation opportunities in sustainable and inclusive development, which will not only be beneficial for both countries, but also contributes to the well-being of the entire planet. China has been a leading driver of the global economy's green transition, whose advanced technologies and low-cost products in fields like new energy have facilitated industrial upgrading. U.S. new energy vehicle (NEV) giant Tesla is a beneficiary and an example of enhanced Sino-U.S. cooperation. It has put its first gigafactory outside the United States in east China's Shanghai, which contributed to over half of the company's global output last year. Over the past decade, Tesla has witnessed a remarkable transformation from solely selling imported vehicles in China to gradually recognizing the immense potential of this market, which has led the company to invest significant resources in the Chinese market, according to Tesla vice president Tao Lin. Tao noted the growing number of Tesla cars on Chinese roads as well as NEVs of other brands, an uplifting trend that she said the U.S. company has played a part. This also exemplifies how successful cooperation between China and the United States can truly improve the lives of both nations' people, Tao said. Yang Aiqing, executive president with JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd., a photovoltaic power generation solution provider, said the company has an interconnected relationship with its U.S. partners in the supply chain, and looks for more interaction and cooperation with the U.S. side in fields like technology research and development and investment in production bases. The company, whose products are sold in 165 countries and regions, said its cumulative shipment of solar modules has exceeded 200GW. These products are utilized in power stations, contributing to an estimated annual reduction of roughly 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. "We are witnessing extreme weather conditions in many parts of the world, highlighting the urgent need for the solar industry to make a greater contribution. Despite the uncertainties ahead, we believe that the future prospects for cooperation between China and the United States in addressing global challenges as part of the community with a shared future for mankind are very promising," Yang said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected a new tactical missile weapons system and called for an "epochal change" in war preparations by attaining arms production plans, state media said Wednesday. Kim oversaw the "tactical missile weapons system to be newly equipped by the combined missile units of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in charge of an important firing assignment" on Tuesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It did not provide further details on the new system or where the inspection took place. Kim expressed "great satisfaction" about the production performance of the manufacturing sites in the first half, the KCNA said. The North's arms factories, which have fulfilled their production plans for the first half of this year, will carry out plans to manufacture the tactical missile weapon system by the end of the year, the KCNA said. The missile launchers produced in the first half of the year will be deployed to combined units of the KPA's western operation group, it added. The KCNA said Kim called for the timely completion of ongoing weapons production plans. The North's leader "particularly stressed the need to bring about an epochal change in the preparations of the KPA for war by carrying out the munitions production plans for 2024 without fail," according to the report. The weapons unveiled Wednesday are presumed to be the "Hwasong-11 Ra" close-range ballistic missiles, which the North has referred to as "new tactical guided weapons." The Hwasong-11 has a range of 100 kilometers and is designed to fly at an altitude of 25 km. It is similar to South Korea's Korea Tactical Surface to Surface Missile-1 capable of striking underground enemy targets. The inspection came just two days after Kim made a weekend visit to major munitions factories that produce sniper rifles and rocket launcher vehicles and urged efforts to improve the military's artillery capabilities. On Friday, he oversaw the test-firing of controllable shells for "the technically updated version" of the 240 mm multiple rocket launcher system, which the North said it plans to deploy in 2024-2026. Observers said North Korea appears to be ramping up the development of rocket launcher shells in a bid to supply them to Russia for use in Moscow's war with Ukraine and double down on weapons tests targeting South Korea. North Korea is believed to have supplied Moscow with 122-milimeter, 152-milimeter, and 240-milimeter shells, and short-range ballistic missiles, such as the KN-23 and KN-24. Wednesday's disclosure of the weapons is seen as the North's effort to diversify its "weapons portfolio" for exports, experts said. "North Korea appears to be revealing its production sites for tactical nuclear weapons, as well as conventional weapons, ahead of a (potential) visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin," said Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification. "It is intentionally showing Russia and the Middle East its capabilities for mass weapons production and weapons supply," Hong said. (Yonhap) The strike lasted 2 weeks and brought the Sunningdale power-sharing executive to a close Farmers from north Down form a cavalcade of tractors and trailers in support of the Ulster Workers' Council strike in 1974 In an event that Northern Ireland had never seen the like of before a rebellion against the state by loyalists - NI suffered a breakdown in almost all of the services that were essential to a developed society. The strike, which was conceived by the Ulster Workers Council, called for an end to the Sunningdale power-sharing executive and everything that came with it. The Sunningdale Agreement, which established power-sharing as the preferred solution to Northern Irelands problems, enraged loyalists. They felt that by working alongside the SDLP in government, the UUP was giving in to Nationalist demands. The Ulster Workers Council went ahead with the mass strike with support later secured from the UUUC (The United Ulster Unionist Council) of which the DUPs Ian Paisley and the UUP leader Harry West were members. Starting on the 15th May 1974, by the end of the week Northern Ireland was, more or less, shut down. Petrol stations were eventually controlled by the British army, multiple power stations were shut down completely and following paramilitary coersion, factories lay bare of workers. The strike had a slow start, with many workers choosing to go to work on the first day. After a number of lunchtime meetings, workers began leaving their workplaces in the middle of the day. However, by the end of day one, the port of Larne was sealed off, with a significant paramilitary presence ensuring that no ships were to leave or enter the harbour. Roadblocks were set up and manned by the Ulster Army council. Although the overall strike was mostly peaceful, the third day of the strike was punctuated by one of the bloodiest days of the Troubles. The Dublin-Monaghan bombings on the 17th May 1974, which were carried out by the UVF, killed 34 people. Paramilitary coercion of workers became a crucial element of manufacturing support for the strike. Attempts by workers to continue working in Belfast factories such as Mackies on the Springfield Road and Gallahers on York Road were thwarted as loyalist paramilitaries ordered workers out before using petrol bombs. As the days went on, Northern Ireland started to feel the effects of the strike. Services deemed essential were allowed to continue operating, whilst bars were ordered to close. By the 19th May, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Merlyn Rees declared a state of emergency, with army personnel now taking responsibility for electricity supplies. An extra 500 troops were now being deployed to Northern Ireland. Prime Minister Harold Wilson ignited the strikes further when he referred to the strikers and their leaders as Spongers on a Television broadcast. This was interpreted by Loyalists as an attack from the state they were fighting to be governed directly by. The following morning, small sponges were seen being worn on the lapels of strikers. By the 28th May 1974, Loyalism appeared triumphant. The UUPs Brian Faulkner had tendered his resignation as chief executive in the assembly, bringing the Sunningdale agreement to its conclusion. In his final speech in the Executive meeting room, Faulkner declared "after five months of being able to work together, Catholic and Protestant, I hope that one thing can remain that we do not attack each other on a sectarian basis ever again". In a final show of support for the strike, the Upper Newtownards Road in East Belfast was lined by tractors, with the convoy continuing to the front doors of Stormont. Faulkners resignation speech was a forlorn hope. Power sharing had been shelved for another generation, only to return in 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement. Although the strike appeared a victory for the Ulster Workers Council, the collapse of Sunningdale meant a return to direct rule from Westminster as the troubles continued to rage on for another 24 years. A new series of The BelTel Podcast uncovers the Workers strike and the Sunningdale agreement which preceded it. The 3-part series, hosted by Ciaran Dunbar, features retelling and new analysis of the events of May 1974, with guests including ex-BBC Journalist and author of Fourteen May Days - The inside story of the Loyalist Strike of 1974 Don Anderson, Political commentator Alex Kane, Previous principal secretary to Brian Faulkner Dr Robert Ramsay and Dr. Michael Kerr, a historian and a political scientist and author of The Destructors, the story of Northern Ireland's lost peace process. The BelTel Podcast is available on all streaming platforms. Sunningdale and the Ulster Workers Strike (Part One): The Power-sharing experiment Sunningdale and the Ulster Workers Strike (Part Two): The loyalist 'revolt' The Constitutional Court is an important institution that provides checks and balances in fledgling Southeast Asian democracy. With a banner displaying pictures of eight out of nine Constitutional Court judges in the background, people protest the recent presidential election results as the same court deliberates on petitions from former presidential candidates in Jakarta on April 22, 2024. Indonesia is poised to make revisions to the Constitutional Court, including requiring its judges to be evaluated and approved by the president and parliament for continuation, which legal experts say could expose it to political influence. If the proposed revisions to the law on the Constitutional Courts governance go through, they coincidentally will also affect three of the current justices who gave dissenting opinions in cases that challenged the results of the Feb. 14 presidential and legislative elections. These changes to the powerful court were proposed in February 2023, after it declared a number of proposed laws invalid, including President Joko Jokowi Widodos cherished one, the Jobs Creation Law, ruling party members openly told Indonesian media. Jokowi will step aside in October but if the law is ratified, the path to implementing policies will be smoothed for President-elect Prabowo Subianto and his deputy, Jokowis eldest son, when they take office. For critics who had accused the outgoing president of whittling away at democratic norms, this development seems to provide them more fodder. A constitutional law lecturer, Khairul Fahmi, said that making the extension of judges terms contingent on evaluations would make them more compliant. It will definitely reduce the independence of judges because the confirmation process can be used as a tool to pressure judges to follow the wishes of the nominating institution, the lecturer from Andalas University in West Sumatra told BenarNews. Thats because after their evaluation, the judges who have been on the bench for five years have to also be approved by the institutions that nominated them, which include the president and the parliament. Another revision, reducing judges tenure to 10 years from 15, makes the five-year evaluation even more important to pass. It is all but certain the changes will go through, two lawmakers indicated. Members of Parliament Taufik Basar and Adies Kadir said the bill on the courts governance would be ratified by the president and the legislature at the parliaments next plenary session that begins May 20. The controversial revisions were approved by the two in a closed-door meeting on Monday. Judges read their decision at a Constitutional Court session in Jakarta, April 22, 2024. [Bay Ismoyo/AFP] Lawmakers defend the changes, saying they aim to improve the courts performance and accountability. Mohammad Mahfud MD, who was the coordinating minister for political, legal, and security affairs when the changes to the law governing the Constitutional Court were proposed, claimed that he always rejected them. Thats why I refused revisions [when I was legal affairs minister]. This endangers independence, Mahfud MD, a former chief justice of the Constitutional Court, said in an Instagram post on Tuesday. Why? The judges will be intimidated in subtle ways, so their independence will be held hostage, said the former minister, who was a losing vice-presidential candidate in the February 2024 election. He resigned as a minister in the Jokowi administration in January, claiming the president, who should be neutral, was showing support for the ticket that had his son and Prabowo on it. Meanwhile, one law lecturer firmly believed the changes were meant to discredit the three judges who gave dissenting opinions in the cases that disputed the election results. This is clearly unfair. Authority has been used arbitrarily, Abdul Fickar Hadjar, a professor at Trisakti University, told BenarNews. Of the nine constitutional judges, the two justices who have both dissented and served more than five years but under 10 are Deputy Chief Justice Saldi Isra and Enny Nurbaningsih. The third judge who dissented was Arief Hidayat. According to The Jakarta Post, he would have finished 10 years on the bench last year, which means his term is over under the proposed new rules. Competition with China in the Pacific is shaping how Australia allocates development assistance. An Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter delivers aid to Futuna Island in Vanuatu on Mar. 21, 2023 following destructive cyclones. Pacific island countries are getting an increased share of Australian foreign aid, budget documents show, as it shifts into funding infrastructure such as undersea cables and ports in response to Chinas inroads in the region. Overall, Australias foreign aid budget is flat and it remains one of the least generous donors in the OECD club of wealthy nations, ranking 26th out of 31 countries. The increased focus on infrastructure also means that proportionately less of the aid budget will be spent on health. In the Pacific, the largest aid increases in Australias 2024-2025 government budget are directed at Fiji, where Australia will help fund a port upgrade, and Tuvalu. The atoll nation of 12,000 people last year ceded a partial veto of its foreign policy and security relationships to Australia under the Falepili Union agreement. If we look at this reduction in health - is this because our partners have told us theyre not that interested in health - I dont think so, said Stephen Howes, director of the Australian National Universitys Development Policy Center. If were going to go into Fiji and tell them we are using our aid to help them expand their port, thats because we dont want China to do it, and thats going to mean less funding for health, he said at a panel Wednesday on the budgets aid component. Chinas government has courted Pacific island nations for several decades as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, gain allies in international institutions and erode U.S. military dominance. Its inroads with Pacific island nations, including a security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022, have galvanized renewed U.S. attention to the region. The budget released Tuesday shows the government has allocated A$4.96 billion [US$3.29 billion] to aid, an increase of 4.0% from the previous year. Australia is delivering a record $2 billion in development assistance to the Pacific, maintaining Australia's position as the region's largest and most comprehensive development partner, the budget papers said. In real terms, the spending is flat at 0.19% of Australias national income, according to the Australian Council for International Development, and less than half of its level in the 1980s. This budget provided the government with an opportunity to show real humanitarian leadership in responding to human suffering across the world, the council said in a statement. Australians see what is happening on their screens in all corners of the globe and expect their government to do more. This budget barely touches the surface, it said. Howes said the budget documents project aid spending to be unchanged for the next decade and beyond. Pacific island countries now account for more than 40% of the aid budget, almost doubling from a decade earlier, at least partly reflecting government concerns about Chinas role in a region that Australia has regarded as its sphere of influence. Australia remains the single largest donor to Pacific island countries despite Chinas enlarged presence in the region. At least a fifth of the Australian aid budget is spent on what Australia calls governance programs that aim to bolster democracy, anti-corruption efforts and transparency of public institutions. For Tuvalu, Australia will provide additional funds for its land reclamation projects that aim to protect against king tides and projected sea-level rise and also contribute the lions share of the countrys first undersea telecommunications cable. Tuvalu, one of the dwindling number of nations that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, last year signed a treaty with Australia that requires it to have Australias agreement for any partnership, arrangement or engagement with any other state or entity on security and defence-related matters. In Fiji, Australia is providing budget support to the government as the tourism-dependent economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. It also is supporting an upgrade to Fijis largest bulk cargo port and its shipbuilding industry. Papua New Guinea, with its estimated 12 million people, remains the single largest recipient of Australian aid in the Pacific at A$637.4 million. The Solomon Islands, where Australia has a security force stationed after riots in 2021, is the second largest with A$171.2 million. The budget documents also revealed that Australias government agreed in December to provide an A$600 million loan to Papua New Guinea, a day after the two countries signed a defense cooperation agreement. Filipino fishermen aboard small wooden boats join the first part of the civilian convoy from Masinloc port in Zambales province, Philippines, May 15, 2024. UPDATED at 2:33 p.m. ET on 2024-05-16 A convoy of Filipino civilian boats set sail on Wednesday in a show of defiance to assert Manilas claim over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, amid reports that Beijing had deployed dozens of ships to the area. More than 100 small wooden boats accompanied the convoy of several slightly larger boats, which were loaded with fuel and food as they departed for Scarborough Shoal, a rock within the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that China has effectively controlled since 2012. The voyage is being led by Atin Ito! (This Is Ours!), a broad coalition of nationalist and civilian organizations. The Philippines is ours, China leave, some volunteers chanted as they carried posters with the same message. Catholic volunteers brought figurines of the Virgin Mary aboard the boats. The flotilla set sail after 7 a.m. from a port in Masinloc, a town on the west coast of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines. Later in the day, the small boats returned to shore while four of the main boats continued with their voyage to Scarborough Shoal, known as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines. A few hours after their morning departure, the flotilla conducted what organizers called a peace and solidarity regatta about 20 nautical miles off Masinloc. At around 11 a.m., participants placed 12 symbolic buoys to assert Manilas sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, Manilas name for South China Sea waters within its EEZ. They also distributed food and fuel supplies to some fishers in the area before the small boats returned to shore and the larger ones continued with their journey. At least, we are now showing the world that Filipinos are fighting back, Agustin Bustillo, 55, captain of one of the bigger fishing boats, told BenarNews. But I hope the problem will be settled through peaceful means. One of the five main fishing boats used in the Filipino civilian convoy prepares to depart for Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, May 15, 2024. [Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews] A BenarNews reporter was among a group of journalists aboard one of the civilian boats heading to the shoal. At around 6 p.m., two China Coast Guard (CCG) ships were seen shadowing and trying to block the civilian boats, which were still far away from their destination. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which had sent three ships to protect the civilians, said one of the CCG ships was about 1,800 yards (1,650 meters) from the convoy, while the other was a mile away as of early evening. The two coast guards exchanged radio challenges, both insisting their countries jurisdiction over the area even as the civilian convoy decided to continue its course to the shoal. They are trying to divide the contingent. Our boats are exercising evasive maneuvers while the PCG continues to maintain its close distance to the convoy to thwart any further attempt from CCG vessels, Emman Hizon, one of the convoys organizers, told reporters. Volunteer Aira Villamil, 21, said she felt mixed emotions while witnessing Chinas actions at sea. While defiant, she said she feared what might happen. Its scary because they are deliberately trying to block us while we are passing. It is super scary because we dont know what theyll do to us, she told BenarNews in an interview aboard one of the fishing boats. Asked about the civilian convoy on Wednesday, China asserted its sovereignty over the shoal, which it calls Huangyan Dao. It also warned the Philippines against violating Beijings jurisdiction. If the Philippines abuses Chinas goodwill and infringes upon Chinas territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction, we will defend our rights and take countermeasures in accordance with the law. Relevant responsibilities and consequences shall be borne solely by the Philippines, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing. Expected standoff The resource-rich Scarborough Shoal lies within Manilas 200-nautical mile EEZ, as mandated under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). But it has been under Beijings de facto control since 2012, when China wrested control from the Philippines after a weeks-long standoff. China claims almost the entire South China Sea. In 2016, after Manila sued Beijing, an international court invalidated Chinas expansive claims and ruled that the shoal is a traditional fishing ground for the Philippines, Vietnam, and China. Beijing has refused to acknowledge the ruling, asserting what it calls historical claims over the waters. Wednesdays voyage is Atin Ito!s second supply mission to the West Philippine Sea. In December 2023, it set out to deliver supplies and Christmas gifts to Filipino troops stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal, but the convoy was forced to turn back after consistent shadowing by Chinese ships. Filipino fishermen place symbolic buoys carrying the message WPS, Atin Ito! (West Philippine Sea, this is ours!) in waters within the nations 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, May 15, 2024. [Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews] The convoy is expected to arrive near the shoal early Thursday to distribute supplies to Filipino fishermen operating in waters around the shoal. Because of the expected presence of Chinese ships, organizers do not know if they will be able to reach their destination. Days before the convoy set sail, Beijing sent ships to the area, with Chinese state media reporting on Monday that the CCG was conducting training in Huangyan Dao. This was on top of the constant presence of two or three Chinese ships. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Ray Powell, who heads Stanford Universitys Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and monitors activities in the South China Sea, said a Chinese force of 43 ships was stationed near the shoal, seemingly ready to face the civilian flotilla. Two weeks ago, on April 30, CCG ships fired water cannon at Manilas government ships near the shoal, causing damage. The Philippine government summoned Zhou Zhiyong, the deputy chief of mission at the Chinese embassy in Manila, and demanded that Chinese vessels leave Bajo de Masinloc and its vicinity immediately. China claimed those operations were professional, standardized and legal, saying the Philippines actions infringed on Beijings sovereignty over the area and violated international law and basic norms of international relations. The Philippine civilians remained unfazed despite the risks. Rafaela David, one of the Atin Ito! organizers, said the convoy was seeking to normalize access to the West Philippine Sea. If China is militarizing our own EEZ, were there to civilianize our own seas because at the end of the day, we stand by the belief that the West Philippine Sea should be accessible to ordinary citizens, David told reporters in Botolan, a town in Zambales province, on the even of the trip. Days before the mission, Global Times, the Chinese Communist Partys official mouthpiece, accused the group of being funded by the United States and planning to provoke China. The group denied it. We have our own minds, Edicio dela Torre, 80, a former priest turned activist and one of the coalitions leaders, said during the same briefing on Tuesday. China does not believe in civilian actions because they think all these are part of the government. David said Chinas reaction shows it was rattled by the civilian movement. Ordinary Filipinos are coming hand-in-hand in peaceful means, showing they are not intimidated by someone as big as China, he said. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report incorrectly stated that the Philippine civilian boats were hundreds of miles from their destination when China Coast Guard ships were seen shadowing them on Wednesday night. A migrant laborer from Myanmar works in a garment factory in the northwestern town of Mae Sot, Thailand, May 24, 2007. Myanmars ban on men going abroad to work could cause a labor crunch in Thailand, where workers from its neighbor have for years helped sustain growth, industry groups said. The ban by Myanmars junta, to augment its depleted military amid battles with insurgent groups fighting to end military rule, has meant no fresh permits have been issued for conscription-age men hoping to find jobs abroad. Now about half of the 250,000 Burmese workers in Thailand find themselves in legal limbo as their Myanmar government-issued work permits expire, with no indication Myanmar will renew them, said Roisai Wongsuban, an adviser for the Thailand-based Migrant Working Group. There are some 150,000 Myanmar workers ending their tenures, as per the MOUs, who have to renew necessary documents with the home government, Roisai told Radio Free Asia (RFA), an affiliate of BenarNews, referring to memorandums of understanding on migrant workers between the neighboring nations. It is unclear whether they are subject to the ban. Some are afraid to go back home to renew their paperwork. They fear they wont be allowed to come back. The founder of a charity helping Myanmar migrants in Thailand said he had no doubt any young men going back to renew their overseas work permits would be pressed to join the military. Theyre afraid to go back to Myanmar because the government wont allow them to go abroad, Htoo Chit of the Foundation for Education and Development told RFA. As soon as theyre back in Myanmar, they have to work for the military. The quarter of a million Myanmar citizens working legally in Thailand comprise the largest contingent of Thailands 3.3 million foreign workers. Most of the Burmese workers are employed in factories, the service sector, agriculture and some 25,000 of them in the fishing industry. Issue work permits regardless of illegal entry Southeast Asias second-largest economy, Thailand, needs an additional half a million foreign workers and it has been looking to Myanmar as the source for most of them, said a senior official at Thailands Department of Employment. Were running short of a work force and those youngsters need jobs, Somchai Morakotsriwan, the departments director general, told RFA. The Thai government had yet to draft a plan for how to deal with the new circumstances but Somchai said he expected there would be an impact, though the extent was not clear. Much could depend on whether young Myanmar men could get across their border, he said. [We] have to look at any border checkpoints, whether or not they can come back. At the moment, we dont have information, he said. The president of the National Fisheries Association of Thailand, Mongkol Sukcharoenkana , said Thailand should accept Myanmar workers no matter what their official status was. One way Thailand could help them is to issue work permits regardless of illegal entry or the lack of passport, Mongkol told BenarNews. Theyve fled war, dodged conscription, we give them jobs, they help our business. As a result of Myanmars enforcement of its conscription law, which requires men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 to serve in the armed forces for two years, more than 100,000 people have fled abroad to avoid war, the Burmese Affairs and Conflict Study found last month. Htoo Chit, of the Foundation for Education and Development, said many young Burmese men had been slipping into Thailand to join an unknown number already working illegally. They hope Thailand will issue them pink cards, he said, referring to a temporary identification card allowing foreigners to stay. Thailand and Myanmars other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) neighbors have been trying to promote dialogue in Myanmar with a five-point peace plan but the Burmese generals, who overthrew an elected government in a 2021 coup, have largely ignored the effort. Roisai said it is imperative for Thailand to revise its cooperation with a Myanmar regime whose grip on power appears to be increasingly tenuous. This is the big question for the government to tackle, she said. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his "beloved daughter" Ju-ae attended a ceremony marking a newly built street at the north gateway of Pyongyang, the North's state media reported Wednesday. It was the first time in about two months that Ju-ae made a public appearance since she visited a military unit on March 15. Kim and his daughter attended the ceremony on Tuesday, according to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The KCNA described the street as "clear proof of validity and vitality of the WPK's ideology of valuing the youth and a striking demonstration of invincibility of the revolutionary cause of Juche." The WPK is an acronym of the North's ruling Workers' Party of Korea and the Juche ideology is the North's main guiding principle created by Kim Il-sung, the current ruler's grandfather. "When the respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un and his beloved daughter arrived at the venue of the ceremony amid the playing of welcome music, all the participants broke into stormy cheers of 'Hurrah!,' the KCNA reported. South Korean officials handling inter-Korean affairs have said there is a possibility that Ju-ae could become Kim's successor. Ju-ae, believed to be born in 2013, has gained the spotlight since Nov. 18, 2022, when her father brought her to the launch site of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile in her first public appearance. (Yonhap) If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. BENNINGTON A Bennington man was arrested May 9 after neighbors on Benmont Avenue allegedly witnessed a missing eight-year-old child being held against their will inside a parked car by two middle-aged individuals. Peter Lawrence, 56, of Bennington, was charged with one count of unlawful restraint with a victim under 18, a felony, with a maximum sentence of five years if found guilty. Lawrence pleaded not guilty Tuesday afternoon before Bennington County Judge Kerry McDonald-Cady and was released without bail and given standard conditions, including he not have contact with the victim. The incident started May 9 when a Bennington Police officer was flagged down on Benmont Avenue by the father of the victim after 11 p.m., informing the officer that when he had gotten home from shopping, his wife and baby were asleep, and his 8-year-old daughter was missing. While the dad was talking to police in front of his house, a neighbor informed the two men that the child was on the next street (River Street) in some mans car. The neighbor said that the man had at first refused to let the girl go until she told him the father was right there with the police. He then allegedly pushed her out of the car. When the father and police got over to River Street, his daughter, now out of the car, came running over. As the father was asking if the man did anything to her, the man, allegedly Lawrence, approached, handing the father the childs toy and saying, You have a really nice kid. He also told the father he had given the child a lollipop. According to a police affidavit, Lawrence told police during an interview that he was parked and singing with another male on the street when an 8-year-old female walked up to his car and started handing him dandelions. Lawrence told police he spoke with the girl for about 15 minutes. He did not tell police she was inside the vehicle. Police later spoke with the child. She told them that she left from the back door to explore the world. She also told police that Lawrence was playing Kids Bop music in the car and had given her an orange lollipop. Lawrence does not have a criminal history in Vermont. His father, Peter Lawrence, is a prominent attorney in Bennington. Police do not know the identity of the other individual inside the car but are still investigating the incident. Lawrence was released after his arraignment. No further hearings have yet been set in the case. Diplomat-turned-lawmaker warns of Yoon's tilted diplomacy Editors note This article is the last in a series by The Korea Times featuring interviews with lawmakers-elect who are well-versed in diplomacy and national security. ED. By Lee Hyo-jin South Korea could find itself marginalized on North Korean issues if the next U.S. administration opts for negotiations with Pyongyang, a scenario that seems increasingly probable if former U.S. President Donald Trump returns to office, as suggested by Wi Sung-lac, a lawmaker-elect of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). "In the event of Donald Trump's return although I wouldn't place very high odds on his reelection he might not prioritize the alliance with South Korea. This would challenge the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's strong reliance on the South Korea-U.S. alliance, which is the main pillar of the government's current diplomacy," Wi said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. The former diplomat foresaw the possibility of Washington engaging in negotiations with Pyongyang following the launch of a new U.S. administration after the Nov. 5 presidential election, regardless of whether it's under Trump or incumbent President Joe Biden. "Considering the Yoon administration's hawkish stance on North Korea, Trump may opt to engage directly with Pyongyang, excluding Seoul from the negotiations. This suggests that the U.S. president will exert considerable influence over critical security decisions on the Korean Peninsula, such as extended deterrence and combined military exercises, potentially sidelining South Korea," he said. While South Korean officials are cautiously engaging with figures from the Trump camp to mitigate the potential impact on U.S. security commitments, Wi regarded this as merely a short-term approach. "A more sustainable approach should involve reforming the foundational principles of the current foreign policy direction to protect the nation's core interests in the rapidly evolving international landscape, rather than solely preparing for the potential return of Trump," he said. Wi, who had a distinguished 36-year career as a diplomat before retiring in 2015, is renowned for his expertise in United States and North Korean nuclear issues. In the 1980s, he conducted working-level negotiations with the Soviet Union, which culminated in the establishment of Seoul's diplomatic relations with Moscow in 1990. Wi subsequently served as the ambassador to Russia from 2011 to 2015. When asked to assess the Yoon government's foreign policy, the former envoy said: "We are witnessing the shortcomings of an one-size-fits-all diplomatic approach. The government is attempting to manage relations with other nations in the same manner as it does with the U.S., but such an approach is ineffective. A tailored diplomacy is imperative in dealing with each nation, particularly in the cases of China and Russia." While Wi acknowledged the importance of strengthening ties with the U.S. and Japan to counter North Korean threats, he highlighted the deteriorating relations with China and Russia, attributing them to the absence of a coordinated foreign policy strategy. He compared South Korea's diplomatic positioning between the U.S. and China with a clock. "Imagine the U.S. at 3 o'clock and China at 9 o'clock. Ideally, South Korea should be positioned around 1:30 p.m.," he explained, emphasizing the necessity of a strong alliance with the U.S. to address North Korean threats. "But deterrence isn't the panacea. Efforts for dialogue and negotiation with the North should be carried out at the same time, and that is why the country should still leave room for cooperation with China and Russia." Wi observed that the prospects of reunification on the Korean Peninsula currently hang in the balance, especially after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared South Korea as its No. 1 enemy state earlier this year, thereby deviating from the goal of reunification pursued by his predecessors. "South Korea's diplomatic maneuvers hold the key to whether the two Koreas will ultimately achieve reunification or remain perpetually divided," Wi explained. "Our government should not discard the concept of the inter-Korean basic agreement, which defines the relationship between South Korea and North Korea as a special one pursuing the ultimate goal of reunification. It is also crucial to persuade our partners, such as the U.S., Japan and European countries, to agree to such a notion." "Unfortunately, we are not seeing such efforts by the Yoon administration." The former envoy to Russia also discussed South Korea's strained relations with Moscow, describing them as the most troubled in over 30 years of bilateral ties. He emphasized the necessity of adopting a comprehensive policy approach toward Russia, highlighting that high-level exchanges alone are insufficient without a coherent and strategic framework in place. He pointed out that a rare visit by Russian Vice Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko to Seoul in February turned out to be a one-off event without producing concrete results. "Meetings between high-level officials are merely hardware. We also need effective software in the form of clear policy direction to ensure that such exchanges are fruitful," Wi said. The former diplomat first joined the liberal DPK during the 2022 presidential elections, when he served as the foreign policy adviser to then-DPK candidate Lee Jae-myung. He secured the party's proportional representation seat in the April 10 parliamentary elections. "I decided to enter politics because during my career as a diplomat, I recognized the urgent need for a substantial upgrade in our nation's diplomacy. While I have written books, columns, and delivered lectures on this subject, I ultimately concluded that engaging in politics would be the most effective way to bring about the necessary changes," he explained. With about two weeks left before assuming his role as an Assemblyman on May 30, Wi aims to leverage his experience to contribute to legislations that can upgrade the nation's diplomatic infrastructure. "When I mention infrastructure, I'm not just talking about increasing budgets and expanding the workforce. It's about strategy and policy. Only then can we discuss how to optimize resources allocated to the administrative tasks in diplomacy," he said. This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle. Morris Elementary in Lenox has dedicated its new playground as school leadership calls it an important part of the kids day and of growing up. STOCKBRIDGE When voters go to the polls next Tuesday, the spotlight contests include the Select Board seat held for nine years by Chuck Cardillo and a high-profile race for town moderator. Gary Johnston, who has held the post since 1977, is challenged by newsletter publisher, columnist and author Carole Owens. Cardillo, the current board chair, is facing a challenge from former Planning Board member Lisa Sauer. Endorsed by the towns Democratic Committee, he is seeking his fourth three-year term. Cardillo, who was fire chief at the time, was first elected in May 2015 in an upset victory over five-term incumbent Deborah McMenamy. Four months later, he won a special election after stepping aside following a town counsel and State Ethics Commission ruling that he could not serve both as fire chief and selectman. Reappointed by two other Select Board members, he served in both posts until a purchasing-supply snafu caused Cardillo to be terminated as fire chief in February 2019. Now the senior member of the Select Board, Cardillo told The Eagle that the future of fire and ambulance coverage in town is among his top concerns. Theres been some exploration of a tie-in with West Stockbridge, he said, although that town has a shared services arrangement with the Richmond Fire Department and Ambulance. Cardillo is pushing for Stockbridge to acquire its own ambulance for 24/7 EMT coverage, eventually by phasing in more full-time professionals as volunteers fade away. Well end up with one, one way or another, he suggested, despite the high cost. We need more ambulances in the county anyway, so we have to do our part, he acknowledged. Thats our game plan. Bridge renovations and replacements are also a high priority, with financing needed for the most important projects. Cardillo views the towns financial condition as very well-set, very stable and the future looks good. He cited the projected average tax hike of 4.2 percent for fiscal 2025 as quite favorable, compared to higher increases in many other area communities. Citing a tight working relationship with Town Administrator Michael Canales and "a very effective" Finance Committee, Cardillo said he is pleased by the setup as the members are appointed by the town moderator. He conceded that with the scarcity of well-paying jobs, it will remain hard to attract young families to Stockbridge. Nightlife isnt here, and our 2- and 4-acre zoning set the town as a retirement, second-homeowner, tourist town, he said. Thats the writing on the wall, and I cant see it changing. Sauer did not return calls from The Eagle seeking her views on the Select Board contest. As for the town moderator race, Owens, who is endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee, favors electing Finance Committee members, more voter participation in annual and special town meetings, and careful navigation of necessary changes in a town where some residents favor clinging to tradition. If elected, she plans to continue publishing the twice-monthly Stockbridge Updates electronic newsletter. Johnston advocates a by the book approach, following parliamentary law outlined in the Town Meeting Time handbook published for Massachusetts moderators. He emphasizes an avoidance of taking positions on town issues, playing a neutral role and allowing citizens to voice their views during the town meetings. There are no other contested races, but two ballot questions ask voters to decide whether the elected town clerk and tree warden should become appointed positions. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall. The town has 1,679 registered voters. The Botsford house in Williamstown is the former site of the town's David & Joyce Milne Public Library. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Korea's top envoy to the United States expressed confidence Tuesday that the alliance between Seoul and Washington will strengthen "incessantly" through the allies' "institutionalized" cooperation irrespective of who wins the White House in November. Ambassador Cho Hyun-dong made the remarks as U.S. President Joe Biden is set to face former President Donald Trump in the Nov. 5 election amid speculation that Trump's return to the top office could potentially bring a foreign policy shift. "Regardless of the election outcome. the Korea-U.S. alliance will continue to strengthen incessantly along the line of institutionalized cooperation," Cho said during a meeting with South Korean correspondents. He was apparently referring to cooperation frameworks between Seoul and Washington that have been deeply entrenched to ensure close-knit coordination on security and other issues. Cho underscored that the Korea government and his embassy are making sufficient preparations for "any situation," while noting the broadening scope of the bilateral alliance. "The Korea-U.S. alliance has already evolved into one that contributes to the global community beyond the confines of the Korean Peninsula," he said. "All staff of the embassy will make efforts to contribute to the alliance and its future-oriented development." Meanwhile, the Korean Embassy in Washington is said to be making efforts to communicate with those close to Trump amid speculation that the former president could consider a drawdown of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) or demand a hefty increase in Seoul's USFK contributions. Last month, Time magazine reported in an interview article that Trump had suggested the U.S. could withdraw USFK if the Asian ally does not make more financial contributions to support the troops. (Yonhap) Extending innovative healthcare solutions to Malawi Mumbai-based startup Sanskritech Smart Solutions has announced its expansion into Africa with a significant stride into the Republic of Malawi. In a landmark move, Sanskritech has formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Malawi, aimed at introducing cutting-edge healthcare solutions to the country's healthcare sector. The formal signing ceremony of the MoU took place in the presence of Pritam Kumawat, CEO of Sanskritech Smart Solutions, and Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi. The cornerstone of this collaboration is the introduction of Swandook, the world's first ultra-portable, ultra-smart Anytime Health Monitoring Bag. This novel product is poised to transform healthcare accessibility and efficiency in Malawi, addressing critical needs in remote healthcare management. Speaking on this occasion, Pritam Kumawat, CEO of Sanskritech Smart Solutions, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "Our expansion into Africa marks a pivotal moment for Sanskritech Smart Solutions. We are honored to partner with the Republic of Malawi in introducing Swandook, a revolutionary healthcare solution that embodies our commitment to innovation and accessibility in healthcare. We are confident that our collaboration will usher in a new era of healthcare excellence in Malawi, empowering healthcare professionals and improving outcomes for patients across the nation." Sanskritech plans to expand its footprint to other countries worldwide. NATO has no plan to defeat Russia 15. 5. 2024 / Ivan Vetvicka cas cteni 3 minuty The North Atlantic Treaty Organization wants Russias defeat in Ukraine, but has no plan to achieve victory. On 13th. May 2024, this resulted from a statement by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to NATO, Jakub Landovsky, and the 2nd Secretary of the Permanent Delegation of the Czech Republic to NATO, Matti Tetrev. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in a speech on the same day, listed Russian aggression in Ukraine as the third most dangerous threat that the North Atlantic Alliance must now face. He mentioned Chinas ambitions as the first threat, the war in the Middle East as the second threat and global climate change in the fourth place. For NATO, the war in Ukraine is only one item on the agenda, and aid to the attacked country is provided in a bureaucratic, not a military way. The alliance member states are (or have been) competing to provide aid, and a large number of weapons and other material is indeed flowing into Ukraine, but there is no coordination. And so, the Ukrainians sometimes get tanks, sometimes ammunition, and maybe one day they will get Western fighter planes, but they have never had all the necessary weapons in sufficient quantities for a successful offensive. Exactly this lack of coordination and unwillingness to attack targets in the deep interior of Russia is the result of the absence of a plan for a victorious counteroffensive and the unwillingness to clearly express our determination to win. But without the will to win and great coordinated efforts, we will not win. Russia can defeat us, not because of its own capabilities, but mainly because of our tardiness. The situation will not work out in our favour on its own. No one has ever won by letting the front rot. Ukraine must realise that it cannot rely entirely on us. Aid from the West is large, but it flows uncoordinated, irregularly, and if Donald Trump wins in the US, it may weaken significantly. Selected following passages from the dialogue with Czech representatives to NATO (IV. author of the article): IV.: Does the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have a plan to defeat Russia? Jakub Landovsky, Czech Ambassador to NATO: Russia says it is at war with NATO. We must be careful. We say that Ukraine must regain control of all its territory, including Crimea, but no one says that the goal is to defeat Russia. When Russia lost a war in the past, it was good, for example the Crimean War. When Russia wins, it means oppression. The Russians should lose in Ukraine. But no one says NATO wants to defeat them. Let us be careful with such words. IV.: So we really do not have a plan to win, and no one is working on one? Matti Tetrev, 2nd Secretary of the Permanent Delegation of the Czech Republic to NATO: Ukraine must continue defending itself until Russia starts negotiating about an armistice. We need to exhaust the Russian economy by an arms race, like United States did so during the Cold War. IV.: But were not arming! Well, O.K., we are arming, but not enough. Matti Tetrev: The Russians have switched over to a war economy. The party that proposes the same in our country will lose the elections. (End of dialogue transcription) And what should the Ukrainians do in such circumstances? First of all, they must admit the true state of the situation and abandon their false hopes. The West is helping them and will continue to help to some extent, but it will not win the war for them. They must learn from their hated enemy and dig in thoroughly. It is necessary to build solid mutil-zonal fortifications and lay extensive minefields not only near the front where fighting is now taking place, but in all directions from which a Russian attack is possible, even if it does not seem likely now. It will be very expensive, labour intensive, and not as elegant as the spectacular use of high-tech weapons, but it is an effective solution that Ukraine can take on its own. 0 Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul held talks with his Slovak counterpart Wednesday and discussed expanding cooperation on the economy and other fronts between their countries. In the meeting with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, Cho appreciated the active high-level exchanges being conducted on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of their countries' diplomatic relationship last year. The South Korean minister also asked for Slovakia's support for some 140 South Korean companies operating in the Central European country and voiced hopes that the two countries' close economic cooperation would expand to the nuclear power plant and defense industries. Blanar also hoped that their economic collaboration could diversify into research and development and new technology sectors, such as industrial robots, while tightening cooperation in security sectors as well. Cho expressed concerns that North Korea's illegal military cooperation with Russia is threatening the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula and the world, pledging stern responses in collaboration with the international community. Blanar, in return, voiced Slovakia's support for peace in and reunification of the Korean Peninsula, saying his country will do its part by proactively joining in the implementation of sanctions against North Korea. Blanar's visit marks the first time a Slovak foreign minister has come to South Korea on an official visit in 11 years. (Yonhap) By Dale Quarrington Around this time of year, celebrations for Buddhas Birthday are in full swing across Korea. And for most, this includes visiting a temple, enjoying a lantern festival or perhaps even enjoying some temple food. But for me, its a time to enjoy sites that are typically off-limits to the general public except on Buddhas Birthday. Last year, it was entering Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju and this year, it was enjoying the temple grounds at Bongam Temple. Its always pretty exciting to explore what is usually off-limits the rest of the year. Bongam Temple is located to the south of Mount Huiyang (996.4 meters) in northwestern Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang Province. The temple was first founded in 879 by the monk Jijeung (824-882). Bongam Temple was the main temple of the Huiyangsan School, which was one of the nine original branches of Korean Seon Buddhism. These radical Seon sects were established at the end of the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.935 A.D.) and the start of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Its believed that the temple got its name in 881 from King Heongang of Silla (r. 875-886). "Bongam" originally came from a story about how at the time of the temples construction, there was a cliff named Gyeam, which means Roosters Cliff in English. This cliff is located in the Baegundae Valley, which is part of Mount Huiyang. According to the story, a rooster crowed every dawn helping to inform people of the time of day. This rooster was considered to be a phoenix, so the temple was named Bongam Temple, which means Phoenix Cliff/Rock Temple in English. According to an 18th-century survey of the names and locations of Buddhist temples in Korea, King Gyeongsun (r. 927-935), who was the last ruler of Silla, took refuge at the temple inside the Geungnak-jeon Hall while escaping the enemys advancing army. Shortly thereafter, all of the buildings at Bongam Temple were destroyed by fire except for the Geungnak-jeon Hall. The temple was later rebuilt in 935 by the monk Jeongjin-guksa. In 1431, Bongam Temple underwent renovations. The temple was partially destroyed during the 1592-98 Imjin War and rebuilt once more in 1674. The shrine halls at Bongam Temple underwent a rebuild in 1915 after a fire in 1907. And by 1955, the temple was restored to its present condition. Beginning in the early 1970s, more monks started coming to the temple, and in June 1982, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, which is the largest Buddhist sect in Korea, designated Bongam Temple as a special temple. Currently, and as of 1986, visitors can only visit Bongam Temple on Buddhas Birthday. In addition to its generally off-limits status, Bongam Temple is also home to one National Treasure and seven additional Korean Treasures. With all of these treasures, and as you approach the temple grounds up a kilometer-long road that neighbors a meandering stream, there are quite a few things to see at Bongam Temple. To the right of the stream, and past the Iljumun Gate on the opposite banks, youll come to a cluster of structures that include the administrative offices, as well as a large collection of monks dorms. Its past these, and to your right in its own courtyard, that youll find the historic Geungnak-jeon Hall. While the rest of the temple grounds were destroyed by fire in 1907, the Geungnak-jeon Hall was the only shrine hall to survive. Its believed that this two-tiered wooden structure was first constructed in the mid-to-late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It resembles a pagoda with its square layout and double-tiered roof. Housed inside this structure is an image of Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise). The Geungnak-jeon Hall at Bongam Temple is Korean Treasure No. 1574. To the left of the Geungnak-jeon Hall is a collection of the majority of shrine halls at Bongam Temple that includes the Daeungbo-jeon Hall, the Josa-jeon Hall and the Daejeokgwang-jeon Hall. But its to the left of the main hall that youll find a wooden pavilion that houses the Stele of Buddhist Monk Jijeung at Bongamsa Temple, which is National Treasure No. 315, as well as the Stupa of Buddhist Monk Jijeung at Bongamsa Temple, Korean Treasure No. 137. Both are splendid examples of stone Buddhist artistry. The stele was first erected in 924 to honor the founder of Bongam Temple, the Buddhist monk Jijeung. The stele summarizes the history of Silla Buddhism, dividing it into three parts. The body stone, which is where the history is written, was composed by the great scholar Choe Chi-won (857-10th century). In total, the stele consists of a tortoise-shaped base, dragon designed capstone and a body stone with writing. Next to this historic stele is the Stupa of Buddhist Monk Jijeung at Bongamsa Temple. Housed inside this stupa are the sari (crystalized remains) of Jijeung. The stupa is wonderfully ornate with reliefs of lions, clouds, Gareungbinga (Kalavinka), Bicheon (Flying Heavenly Deities), the Four Heavenly Kings as well as Bodhisattvas and locked doors adorning it. The roof stone is octagonal with the thick edges of the capstone adorned with floral designs. The roof stone is partially broken, but it doesnt take away from the overall splendor of the stone structure. Its presumed that the stupa was first built in 883 based upon the inscriptions on it. To the west of the main temple courtyard, and up a wooded trail, youll come to arguably the main highlight to this historic temple in the form of the Rock-carved Seated Maitreya Buddha of Bongamsa Temple. This relief of Mireuk-bul (Future Buddha) is located in Baegundae Valley, and it dates back to 1663, when it was created by the monk Uicheon (1603-1690) during a visit to Bongam Temple. The relief stands 4.5 meters in height, and its situated in an oasis-like cluster of giant boulders, cascading rapids and pools of emerald-colored mountain water. The entire area has a tranquil feeling to it. And if you have a moment to yourself while there, you should enjoy the area's serene sounds and sublime beauty. Buddhas Birthday is always special in Korea with all its colors, sights and sounds. But its even more special when you can visit a place like Bongam Temple that is typically off-limits to the general public. While these sites are way busier during Buddhas Birthday, the effort is always worth this once-in-a-year opportunity. Dale Quarrington has visited over 500 temples throughout the Korean Peninsula and published four books on Korean Buddhism. He runs the website, Dale's Korean Temple Adventures. Primeline Distribution in Co Meath has announced the addition of 400 new jobs for the county. The roles are part of a 50 million investment in a new hub in Ashbourne. Advertisement The jobs will be across a range of areas and will bring Primeline's total workforce to over 1,500. Primeline Groups fleet of vehicles makes over 25,000 deliveries to more than 7,500 outlets around Ireland each week. Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Peter Burke welcomed the news, stating: The story of Primeline Group is one of ambition and entrepreneurship, and the group has built a truly impressive presence across Ireland and the UK. Bringing this new addition online will no doubt be a major asset to its growth in Ashbourne and the wider region. Primeline Group chief executive Tim Cummins said the development of this hub, along with an investment in new technologies, is a product of careful planning and strategy and is also a symbol of the vision we have for Primeline Group. The premiere of George Millers Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has arrived at the Cannes Film Festival, with Anya Taylor-Joy looking every inch the leading lady on the red carpet. The latest Mad Max film, starring Taylor-Joy as a young Furiosa, premieres nine years after Mad Max: Fury Road debuted at the French festival. Advertisement US actress Taylor-Joy leaned into the glamour of Cannes on Wednesday with an old Hollywood style, poles apart from the post-apocalyptic biker look she characterises in the film. Elsa Pataky, Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy attend the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga red carpet during the 77th Cannes Film Festival in France (Doug Peters/PA) It comes after she told The New York Times she had never been more alone than making that movie. Advertisement On the red carpet, Taylor-Joy wore a sparkling strapless champagne gown featuring a corseted bodice from Dior, paired with a sculptural platinum necklace, earrings and rings from Tiffany & Co. Adding to the timeless beauty look, the 28-year-old swept her hair into an complicated updo paired with a dramatic red lip. Anya Taylor-Joy and George Miller attend the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere in Cannes (Doug Peters/PA) Advertisement Taylor-Joy was joined on the red carpet by leading man Chris Hemsworth, who plays warlord leader Dementus in the film, wearing a white suit jacket and black trousers, alongside his wife Elsa Pataky, who wore a chic black gown. Australian filmmaker Miller, who has served on the jury in Cannes several times, also hit the Croisette promenade to launch one of the most anticipated films of the summer. Additional red carpet guests included Barbie director Greta Gerwig in a custom Armani Prive red dress paired with Chopard jewellery, British model Naomi Campbell in a Chanel 1997 couture black gown and actress Eva Green in a black and gold Balmain number. Advertisement Naomi Campbell attends the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere (Doug Peters/PA) Over the past few days, Taylor-Joy has turned Cannes into her runway, impressing with a collection of over-the-top sun hats and Jacquemus bridal-wear. Her appearance at the festival marks a full circle moment, having first attended in 2017 to receive a Chopard trophy as an emerging actress in 2017 presented by the original Furiosa and star of Fury Road, Charlize Theron. The Norths former first minister, Arlene Foster, has expressed great regret that Stormont did not anticipate the speed with which the Covid-19 pandemic spread. The ex-DUP leader told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry that by mid-March 2020, ministers had been advised the peak of the first wave was still 14 weeks away. Advertisement In the event, the powersharing administration found itself triggering the first lockdown before the end of that month. Ms Foster said as first minister and joint head of government she accepted her responsibility for the outcomes in Northern Ireland during the first wave, including for the outbreaks within care home settings. However, she defended her leadership of the coalition in Belfast during the pandemic. Advertisement Baroness Arlene Foster @ArleneFosterUK (Former First Minister, Northern Ireland) is giving evidence to the Inquiry today. You can view it on the live stream (and via playback) through our YouTube channel nowhttps://t.co/okjTPwDYPc pic.twitter.com/vTRiJfcwr8 UK Covid-19 Inquiry (@covidinquiryuk) May 15, 2024 Advertisement While conceding others may make a different assessment of her performance, she insisted she tried to do the best for the people of Northern Ireland. Ms Foster was asked about one of the most controversial episodes of pandemic, in November 2020, when the DUP deployed a contentious cross-community veto mechanism to block the extension of some Covid-19 restrictions in the region. Other parties heavily criticised the use of the peace process veto tool, which was designed to protect minority interests, in the context of a health emergency. Baroness Foster said she accepted her responsibility as first minister for what unfolded during the series of meetings when the cross community vote was triggered. Advertisement During evidence to the inquiry hearing in Belfast, the former first minister referred to advice given by the Norths chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride in mid-March 2020 that the peak of the first wave was 14 weeks away. So, wrongly, and I say absolutely wrongly, we felt that we had time and we didnt have time, she told inquiry chair Baroness Hallett. And thats a source of great regret. The former DUP leader was asked by lead counsel to the inquiry, Clair Dobbin KC, whether she felt she gave the leadership people deserved during the pandemic. Advertisement It was probably the most difficult period of my political career, she replied. Arlene Foster and Michelle ONeill during the Covid pandemic (Liam McBurney/PA) I think it has been set out that Ive had a quite long political career. But I can say without any hesitation that dealing with the Covid pandemic was the most challenging, the most difficult time, and Ive had some difficult times. But we certainly tried, as all of the Executive I think, tried to put their best foot forward to deal with the issues that were presented to them. We had had three years without a government [during the 2017-2020 powersharing impasse]. We had come back on January 11th [2020]. We had a lot of things to do, because there hadnt been a government for three years, and we were then confronted with this global pandemic coming towards us. So it was hugely challenging. And I think all I can say in regards my own leadership, is that I certainly tried to do the best for the people of Northern Ireland recognising that I was first minister at the time. Ms Dobbin repeated the question on whether she gave the leadership that the people deserved. Well, I think thats a subjective question, responded Ms Foster. Other people will have particular views on whether they got the leadership they deserve. I can only answer it from my own perspective, and I certainly gave as much as I could. She added: From my perspective, I gave the leadership that I felt was needed at that time. In relation to the November 2020 Executive meetings, Ms Foster was shown text messages Dr McBride had sent afterwards in one he suggested the politicians should hang their heads in shame and in another he described the events as politics at its worst. Ms Foster said she was saddened by Dr McBrides assessment. But the chief medical officer, like all of us, was exhausted by that stage, she added. I think its fair to say he worked so diligently for the Executive and for the people of Northern Ireland right throughout this pandemic. We had a very good relationship. It saddens me greatly to see those text messages. She then set out her views on the backdrop and context to the meetings, as she attempted to offer an explanation. I think we all have a responsibility to where we had got to on November 9th, 10th, 11th, because relationships were very poor at that time, she said. Commenting on her explanation, Ms Dobbin asked: Is that a very long, long way of saying that you dont bear any responsibility for what happened at that meeting? In response, Ms Foster said: Not at all. I absolutely accept my position as first minister. Im just trying to explain what the context was, why relationships were so bad at that time, and why we got ourselves into a position where the cross-community vote was triggered. During the morning evidence session, Ms Dobbin also asked whether the former first minister accepted that she bore any responsibility for the outcomes in the North during the first wave of the pandemic. Yes, of course I accept responsibility. I was first minister at the time, she said. The barrister further pressed her on whether she accepted that she had joint responsibility with other ministers for the general oversight of what happened in regard to the spread of the virus in care homes. Yes, indeed, Ms Foster replied. Ms Dobbin put it to the former politician that a feature of her written statement to the inquiry was her seeking to blame other people or other departments for what happened during the pandemic, particularly the Department of Health. Ms Foster rejected that characterisation of her statement. However, she pointed out that the Department of Health was the lead department in the Covid-19 response. Thats why Michelle [then-deputy first minister Michelle ONeill] and I looked to the health department for information in relation to the coronavirus, she added. So thats not a passing of the buck, its just the reality that we didnt have the information in relation to what was happening. The former partner of convicted drug dealer and DJ Adam Keatinge has been given three months to leave the family home, which was deemed to be the proceeds of crime two years ago. Mr Justice Alexander Owens said Veronika Saly, a Hungarian national, and her children were not residing at the Co Kildare property when he declared it, gold bars and seized cash were crime proceeds. Advertisement The assets were seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) in 2018 as part of its investigation which commenced after a van with Keatinge and others was stopped in Co Antrim in June 2016 by the Police Service of Northern Ireland. A search of the van revealed 60,000 in cash, including 20 500 notes hidden in Keatinges underwear. The bureaus proceeds of crime case was against Keatinge, Ms Saly and the pair found with Keatinge in the van: Jordanian national Yazan Abu Jabar and Dario Simoes, a Portuguese man who previously lived in Dublin. The judge has described Keatinge as someone who was heavily involved in criminal operations including in the planned importation and supply of cocaine. He had also spent time in prison in 2012 after pleading guilty for possession of drugs with intent to supply. Mr Justice Owenss orders were upheld in May 2023 when the Court of Appeal rejected Keatinges appeal. Advertisement The High Court heard on Wednesday that Ms Saly, a former dancer, and her children moved back into the property at Ellistown, Rathangan, after the judge declared it was derived from crime proceeds. Mr Justice Owens rejected arguments from lawyers from Ms Saly that she needed time to arrange repairs through an insurance firm to damage caused to the house by a storm in 2023. He said the house has been held to be proceeds of crime and she needs to leave at some point. The bureaus barrister, David Dodd, submitted that insurance for the home was repudiated for good reasons. The property has been extensively damaged, is now uninsured and is at risk, which is the worst case scenario for the bureau, he said. The judge appointed a receiver with power to take possession and sell the home from next August 20th. The CEO of the Irish Immigrant Council, Brian Killoran, has spoken of the panic being experienced by Ukrainian representatives in Ireland over Cabinet plans to reduce payments to people in protected accommodation. There's been a lot of confusion, a lot of disappointment, and the most striking word I've seen from one of the Ukrainian representatives that we work with is panic. The panic that it's spreading throughout the Ukrainian community in Ireland today, he told RTE radios Morning Ireland. Advertisement Why are we as a country in a position where we are destabilising that community here where they are making every effort over the last number of months, in the last two years to integrate themselves, to get working in Ireland. The war in Ukraine continues. The Russian aggression in Ukraine continues. "The Ukrainian community feel that there is no safe place in Ukraine for them to return to. And they are making every effort in this country to integrate themselves and become self-sufficient. Responding to a suggestion that the proposal would make the system equal for all protection applicants, Mr Killoran said that making the system equally bad for everybody in such circumstances was not the answer. "It had been well documented that prior to the invasion of Ukraine the payments made to people in direct provision were essentially poverty level payments, that a family or somebody with a child, nobody can survive in any kind of a dignified manner on those levels of support. Advertisement So rather than try and bring equality to the system by raising all ships, we are going beyond even a medium level. We're going to go into the lowest supports that we can provide. So I don't think bringing it down to that level is effectively the answer. "It disproportionately risks impacting women, children, the elderly. It disproportionately risks raising poverty levels among the (Ukrainian) community." Mr Killoran said that rather than deal with the bigger, overarching problem of housing, the Government was instead taking aim at the softer target of refugees. We're kind of piling problems here, problems and that are coming into the next weeks and months, rather than building solutions that actually allow for a normalisation of this, the normalisation of the situation and a soft landing, essentially, for people who've come from a very traumatic situation. "So I think we're going to see a lot of problems and complexities in the next weeks and months as these policies play out. And we really have to question that this is the right direction for us to go as a country. By Kim Hyun-bin The Republic of Korea Air Force is reviewing the feasibility of deploying the country's homegrown supersonic fighter jet, the KF-21, at an air base in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, to better respond to North Korean aerial threats, according to military officials Wednesday. The KF-21, also known by its Korean name Boramae, is set to be deployed beginning in 2026. The Gangneung air base is currently utilized as the home of the Air Force's F-5 fighters. Officials said Gangneung is strategically significant due to its proximity to North Korea and its role in ensuring swift response capabilities. The F-5, despite being in service for over 40 years, boasts a key advantage over other modern aircraft for its quick turnaround time for flight preparation, rapid takeoff and aerial response. The KF-21, the 4.5-generation supersonic fighter jet, has been undergoing rigorous testing to verify its performance and combat readiness. The strategic deployment of the fighter, armed with advanced air-to-air weaponry such as the Meteor and AIM-2000 missiles, is viewed as a pivotal measure in strengthening South Korea's defense capabilities amid changing regional dynamics. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration finalized plans to introduce 20 units of the KF-21 this year and another 20 by next year in a meeting in March. As one combat squadron comprises 20 aircraft in general, it is anticipated that two squadrons of the KF-21 will be stationed gradually at Gangneung. Existing F-5 forces stationed there are expected to be relocated to an air base in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, ensuring continuity of operations until retirement. The KF-21 is a multirole fighter developed by the Korea Aerospace Industries in collaboration with the South Korean government. It is designed to replace the country's aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 fighter jets. Around 94 per cent of politicians who responded to a survey about abuse said they have experienced some form of threat, harassment or violence. The survey also found that some 72 per cent of political staff have also had similar experiences. Advertisement Recommendations from the survey, which was carried out by UCD and commissioned by the Oireachtas, will be published later on Wednesday. Advertisement Less than 30 per cent of the 220 TDs and Senators took part in the survey. Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said he has been threatened on a small number of occasions and that the intensity of the threats has increased in recent times. Speaking in Dublin on Wednesday, the Fine Gael minister said that while the majority of people are perfectly civil, there are a small number of people who are feel they have a licence to say and do things. I was standing outside Westland Row [Garda] station this morning at 8am and I would have met and engaged with hundreds of commuters and the overwhelming majority of them are perfectly civil, engaging, respectful and understanding of the work that politicians do, he said. Advertisement I dont think we should lose sight of that in the discussion that we are having around politics. It is the case that there is a small number of people that are angrier than they used to be, that feel they have license to say and do things that hasnt been the case before. Advertisement But the overwhelming majority of people dont engage in that behaviour and dont condone it. We need to protect politicians and our political system from the risks of that small number of people, but continue to have an openness and ability to engage with voters across the country that I believe is a huge strength of Irish politics. He said that those who abuse and threaten politicians and political staff are a serious problem. He added: I, like any other politician, have had to deal with some abuse during my time as a member of government and as a member of the Dail that was heightened by the pandemic. Advertisement Those two years have left an imprint in our society that I believe have amplified an anger and a feeling about the Dail from a very small number of people. Ive had to contend with that, but as I said, it comes from a small number of people, and the overwhelming majority of people engage very civilly, really appropriate with politicians. If we dont keep on acknowledging that, were going to further diminish the number of people who are willing to come into politics. The Taoiseach spoke today with King Abdullah of Jordan about the "desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza". King Abdullah is understood to have underscored the need for the international community to step up efforts to increase humanitarian assistance, while Simon Harris promised Irelands full support. Advertisement The Taoiseach also outlined Ireland and Spains efforts on Palestinian recognition, and ongoing discussions with other like-minded countries. The war in Gaza is expected to dominate the Arab Summit, which is due to convene in Bahrain tomorrow. Meanwhile, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said Ireland will "certainly" recognise Palestinian statehood this month. While May 21st had been floated as a potential date, Mr Martin said the specific day remains fluid. Advertisement Speaking on Wednesday, he said: We will be recognising the state of Palestine before the end of the month. The specific date is still fluid because were still in discussions with some countries in respect of a joint recognition of a Palestinian state. It will become clear in the next few days as to the specific date, but it certainly will be before the end of this month and I will look forward to consultations today with some foreign ministers in respect of the final specific detail of this." Speaking on Newstalk radio, he added: Were doing it in the context of the Arab Peace Initiative to track towards a two-state solution and to extend the signal to the Palestinian population at large that we support their right to self-determination and the idea of a two-state solution as the ultimate, only way that Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side in peace. A teenager who repeatedly raped his defenceless younger cousin in their mutual grandparents' house has received 18 months detention. The Central Criminal Court heard how a happy extended family structure has now been shattered as a result of the teenage boy repeatedly sexually abusing his younger cousin a previously fun child who idolised him and was carefree until his cousin preyed on him. Advertisement The now 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to two counts of raping his cousin on dates between June 2021 and November 2022, when he was aged between 13 and 14 and his victim was aged between seven and eight. The pleas were entered on a full facts basis, with the court hearing the teenager sexually assaulted the boy on around 10 to 13 occasions during that period. Neither child can be named to protect their anonymity. In emotional victim impact statements previously read out in court, the boy's parents outlined their devastation at discovering their nephew had been abusing their little boy, and described the difficulties the child continues to face as a result of the abuse. The court also heard that the teenager himself is alleged to have been the victim of sexual offending while living with his mother. He is now living with his father and other family members who are supporting him in a more secure upbringing, defence counsel said. Advertisement Sentencing the teenager on Wednesday, Ms Justice Caroline Biggs described the evidence in the case and victim impact statements as heart-breaking. I am acutely aware that there are two parts of the same family destroyed by this, Ms Biggs continued, before noting that the victim is struggling to deal with the abuse. He is so truly loved and supported in every conceivable way, she said, adding that because of this, the young boy has the best possible chance of recovery. Breach of trust Ms Justice Biggs said the aggravating features of the case were the very significant breach of trust in that the victim looked up to and idolised his older cousin. Advertisement She said the abuse occurred over a prolonged period of time and escalated in seriousness. She noted that the teenager had used cartoons and video games as some sort of ploy and told the victim to act normal. Ms Justice Biggs said that this indicated that the teenager knew well that what he was doing was very wrong. She accepted he pleaded guilty, made full admissions and expressed remorse. She also acknowledged his difficult family background and the fact that he claims he was a victim of sexual abuse himself for a long period of time. Ms Justice Biggs further noted that the teenager has no previous convictions and various reports conclude that he is at a low risk of reoffending, but she added that reports state he requires a high level of therapeutic intervention. Advertisement Sometimes the suffering is not only profound and long-lasting, but lasts for a lifetime, Ms Justice Biggs said, having considered the severe impact of the abuse on the young boy. She said she must consider case law which recognises that children who commit offences must have their culpability viewed differently and that detention should be a last resort for juvenile offenders. Ms Justice Biggs said if the accused had been an adult at the time of the offending, a headline sentence of 10 years would be warranted. She set a headline sentence of five years before imposing a three-year term, having taken into account the mitigation in the case. Advertisement Ms Justice Biggs said she would enact Section 151 of the Children Act, which allows for the imposition of a sentence that involves half of the term in detention and the remaining half under supervision. She then imposed 18 months detention and ordered that the teenager be placed under 18 months supervision upon his ultimate release. The judge said the teenager must never have any further contact with the victim, either directly or indirectly, and he was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. Suspicions A local garda detective told Maurice Coffey SC, prosecuting, that the abuse came to light in November 2022 when the boy and his younger siblings were staying in their grandparents' house, where the teenager, their first cousin, was also staying. The parents were celebrating a friend's birthday and had not been due to collect their children until the next morning, but they returned unexpectedly to stay the night when the grandparents called to report their baby was unable to settle. When the boy walked downstairs for a glass of water early the next morning, he unexpectedly came across his mother and told her that the teenager had been in his bed. The mother was disturbed to hear this and went upstairs where she found the teenager in the bathroom. He came out and told her he had just gone in to check on the boy and his younger siblings. The little boy later changed his story and told his mother his older cousin had in fact not been in his bed, which immediately aroused her suspicions further. She encouraged her son to tell her the truth, and he then confided in her that his cousin had been sexually abusing him for some time. The little boy told his mother that the abuse started when he was aged seven and his cousin touched him while he was in his grandparents' sitting room. He estimated his cousin then sexually assaulted or raped him on 10 to 15 occasions when they were both in their grandparents' house. He described it happening while family members were in the kitchen, or downstairs. He described bleeding as a result of the anal rapes, that he did not like it and wanted it to stop. He also said his cousin told him not to tell anyone. When arrested by appointment, the teenager had a pre-prepared statement in which he made full admissions. He stated the abuse started in June 2021 with inappropriate touching and progressed to him carrying out oral sex on his younger cousin and then anal rape. He said he believed he raped his cousin on three occasions. He also said that he had himself been the victim of sexual abuse from a young age before he came to live with his father. He has no previous convictions and has been receiving counselling since the abuse came to light, the court heard. Now I feel like a failure. In her victim impact statement, which was read out by counsel, the mother described how her world came crumbling down around her the day she discovered her little boy was being abused by his older cousin someone he idolised. She recalled becoming a mother on the day she gave birth to her son and how she swore to protect him in this big world. Now I feel like a failure. She said her son had been a carefree, fun little boy before the abuse, but now he has had to go through things no little child should go through. She recalled how her nephew had blatantly lied to her about being in her child's bed and that he had been abusing her son for the previous year, while family members were in the next room like a predator looking for prey. She said the only good thing she could take from this was that she went with her gut that day. She said she has spent endless days comforting her son in the wake of his disclosure, and that he is now just existing, he is not living. He is going through extensive therapy to help deal with the abuse, she said, adding: Our family is now broken. She said her relationship with her parents and brother has also been irreparably damaged as they cannot be in the same room as the teenager. In his victim impact statement which he read out in court, the boy's father said that before November 2022, he used to consider himself better off than many families. We had a supportive, loving family, we could pay our bills, go on holidays, he said. He added the boy's grandparents could not have done enough for their grandchildren, but this is all gone now. He noted the grandfather was present in court to support the teenager. They are both his grandsons, but he has chosen to support the perpetrator, he said. He said the teenager groomed his son from the age of six, and forced himself on my defenceless eight-year-old son. He added the teenager now presenting as a victim was immoral. My son is the actual victim, and we are the ones who distance ourselves from family. He said he worries for his son's future and the impact the abuse will have on him, as well as the impact on his younger children. Ronan Munro SC, defending, said the family structure is now shattered as a result of the teenager's actions. He handed in a number of reports to the court which stated that the teenager is engaging fully with the appropriate services and is receiving counselling in relation to his harmful sexual behaviour as well as his own childhood abuse. Mr Munro said the child and his father are anxious about the prospect of detention, and that he has demonstrated he can continue his rehabilitation in the community. However, he accepted the offending may be too serious for anything but a period of detention. Defence counsel submitted the teenager was on the edge of criminal responsibility, given he started the offending at the age of 13. He cited a United Nations report that recommended Ireland raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14. He noted the boy made full admissions to gardai, said he was sorry and that he knew it was wrong. He said he will carry the stigma of having a sexual offence conviction for the remainder of his life, which is a punishment in and of itself. This is an appallingly difficult case for everyone involved, Mr Munro said, adding: As far as he and his family can, they have done their best to turn back the clock, impossible as that is. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. A man in his late teens who was arrested in connection with the Dublin riots has been charged. He was detained on Tuesday morning as part of the investigation into the violence in the city on November 23rd last year. Advertisement The teenager is expected to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Wednesday morning. Gardai say investigations are ongoing into the Dublin riots. 34 people were arrested on November 23rd during the riots. This is the fifth supplementary arrest linked to this investigation. How the Kinahan cartel managed property in Dubai and reaction to cuts to Ukrainians are among the headlines in Wednesday's papers. The Irish Times leads with a report that shows the Kinahans sold their propert in Dubai following US sanctions in 2022. Advertisement The Irish Examiner leads with criticism to Simon Harris as he is accused of pandering to the far-right with cuts to welfare payments of Ukrainian refugees. The Echo leads with the waiting lists for child psychology serves in Cork, which are now 60 per cent higher than CAMS waiting lists. Advertisement The Irish Independent reveals developers are cashing in on the Government's waiver of development levies. TRhe Irish Daily Mail reveals the weight loss drug Ozempic is being sold on the black market in Ireland. Advertisement The Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Daily Star leads with Rory McIlroy's divorce to his wife Erica. Advertisement British papers A wide range of stories feature on the front of Wednesdays newspapers with little agreement on the main story of the day. The Times opts for guidance to schools which rules out teaching about changing gender identity as well as ruling out explicit conversations about sex until the age of 13. THE TIMES: Dont teach pupils about gender ID, schools told #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/kXXxhcc981 Advertisement Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) May 14, 2024 No more gender dogma is the take of the Daily Mail, which says Education Secretary Gillian Keegan is set to unveil proposals to ban sex education completely to pupils under nine. DAILY MAIL: Sex education to be banned for under 9s #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/h8PaHzAWJr Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) May 14, 2024 The Daily Telegraph features the same story, but leads on an article by policing minister Chris Philp calling for an increase in stop and search to tackle knife crime. The front page of today's Daily Telegraph: 'Tories tell police: Bring back stop and search' Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4OoUh6 pic.twitter.com/FY7LKtj4vx The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 14, 2024 Knife crime also occupies the front page of The Independent with a senior officer saying police need help to tackle the issue. INDEPENDENT: Police admit: We cant tackle knife crime on our own #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/guNKaAO8nS Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) May 14, 2024 The Metro concentrates on emergency food parcels after The Trussell Trust said the number has doubled in the last five years. Migration occupies the front page of the Daily Express which says reforms provide a fighting chance of cutting numbers to 150,000 people a year. The i turns its attention to weight loss jabs, saying the race is on in a gold rush to provide treatments. The Guardian looks overseas as it reports on the US warning Georgia not to side with Russia amid protests in the former Soviet state. Ant McPartlin declares he is a mess in the Daily Mirror and says his wife Anne-Marie is a legend after the birth of their first child. Mining firm Anglo Americans plans to break itself up to thwart a takeover bid is the central story in the Financial Times. Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Wednesday 15 May https://t.co/bz7jwg2TgT pic.twitter.com/R5iTWGZC7R Financial Times (@FT) May 14, 2024 And the Daily Star warns we have been off the mark with our toilet etiquette. After the October 7th attack, Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan says he could not cook. This was when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, sparking a new and brutal chapter in the Israel-Hamas war, which has reportedly killed around 1,200 people in Israel and 34,000 Palestinians. Advertisement I will speak for myself: in the first few months after the seventh of October, I could not cook anymore, Kattan, 46, says from his home in Bethlehem. I just could not. I would be in front of the stove and cry, because I have friends, I have family in Gaza. Fadi Kattan (L) eating breakfast with his father, Fuad (Elias Halabi & Ashley Lima/PA) Advertisement Kattan, a Franco-Palestinian chef who opened the restaurant Akub in London in 2023, continues: But then food is healing of course it is. Food brings a sense of community, and I slowly managed to break that paralysis. I was like, I have a responsibility to go on sharing that cuisine with people. So what defines Palestinian cuisine? When youre looking at the country, theres three main terroirs: theres a coast, a typical Mediterranean coast; theres inland, thats the inland of olives, almonds and fig trees; and then theres the desert, Kattan explains. Palestinian cuisine is a meeting point of those three terroirs, but also three culinary traditions. Advertisement Certain elements run throughout. Its a very vegetable and herb-based cuisine, he says, with a big emphasis on foraged seasonal greens. Of course, the sea brings the fish. Also, we have to remember that we are at a crossroads of cultures, we are at a crossroad of historic trade routes, and all of those have given shape to our cuisine. Kattan (R) making musakhan with restaurant owner Abu Mohammad (Elias Halabi & Ashley Lima/PA) It has commonalities with the rest of the region, with Lebanon, with Syria, with Jordan, in things like hummus and it has very different particularities, in things like musakhan, which is made to celebrate the new olive oil. Its bread, onions, sumac, chicken and a lot of olive oil. Advertisement Kattan has written his first cookbook, which is a celebration of Palestinian cuisine particularly putting the spotlight on the produce and dishes from his hometown of Bethlehem. One of the recipes eggs fried in ghee with sumac is what Kattan calls his first food memory in my grandmothers kitchen. He learned to cook from his grandmother and mother, although remembers being told off a lot laughing at the memory of stirring a massive cauldron which felt a bit like witchcraft it was on a wood fire, I think the cauldron was taller than I was I burned the bottom and I was told off. Now, his mother is his go-to for all things food. In the book there is the lentil soup she makes the reason its there is because it always felt like home, but also because she never had one recipe for it, Kattan notes which made for a bit of a nightmare when he was pulling it together, because his mother kept on adding and changing things. Its never a constant, which I think is beautiful with cuisine, because I dont like dogma. Dogma is something that scares me, and whats great with my mothers cooking is theres no dogma. Advertisement He wants people to keep that in mind when cooking his recipes, inviting them to make them their own, explaining: If I say three garlic cloves, put none, put zero, put five recipes are meant to be alive. I think thats what my mother really taught me. Kattan knew from early on he wanted to be a chef and work in hospitality, but it wasnt necessarily a straight line to get there. I come from a family thats very business-oriented, with a long tradition of being in international trade. And when I told my parents, Im going to become a cook, it didnt go down well. So we negotiated as trade families know how to do well and we finally agreed on a balance, which was I would do my first degree in business, and then I would do my masters in whatever I wanted which ended up being at hospitality school in Paris. He ran the restaurant Fawda in Bethlehem for almost a decade, before shutting its doors during the pandemic, and his love of hospitality continues. Kattan remembers cooking in community restaurant Refettorio Geneva, where he made a paid-for meal for lunch, then a free-of-charge dinner for people who couldnt afford to pay. Serving people who hadnt the possibility to sit down in a restaurant and be served at their tables was extremely humbling. It was a life lesson, because thats what my grandmother used to do in her association here, the Arab Womens Union in Bethlehem. The ethos I try living with is, of course we serve people who pay for their food, but we also serve people who dont we use our craft when we can, to have a human responsibility. With this in mind, Kattan says he doesnt want to return to kitchens with a very tough, rough atmosphere, explaining: Its something I did a long time ago. I dont want to see this again, I dont want to be building teams like that. What I want is teams and people in kitchens that are really healthy, growing spaces. With his cookbook, Kattan hopes it allows people, despite the images of horror or beyond the images of horror to see what we are. We are a people that are diverse, we are people that come from this land, that are attached to this land. He continues: At the end of the day, this is a cookbook. Its not a political book, its not a militant book its a celebratory book. I think its important that we celebrate who we are. Bethlehem: A Celebration Of Palestinian Food by Fadi Kattan is published by Hardie Grant, priced 28. Photography by Elias Halabi & Ashley Lima. Available on May 16th. Few things are as joyful as sitting down to brunch. Its normally when youve got a bit more time on your hands to enjoy the day stretching in front of you you can take things at your own pace, and cook up a big meal to have with family or friends. Advertisement Now, brunch is getting the cookbook treatment. Some of the biggest chefs working today, including Yotam Ottolenghi, Jamie Oliver, and Angela Hartnett, have contributed their favourite recipes to the new cookbook Brunch In London. Its brought together by Australian charity OnePlate, hot on the heels of the Brunch In Melbourne cookbook. The new edition is a celebration of Londons vibrant food culture, with 100% of the profits going towards OnePlates sustainable food projects. If youre keen to get in on the brunch action, why not try Jamie Olivers perfect recipe Advertisement Avocado and jalapeno hash brown with poached eggs Ingredients: (Serves 4) 250 ripe cherry tomatoes on the vine 2tbsp olive oil 800g Maris Piper potatoes 4 spring onions 2 fresh jalapenos 1 ripe avocado 20g Parmesan 4 large eggs 4 coriander sprigs 1 lime Sea salt and ground black pepper Jamie Olivers avocado and jalapeno hash brown with poached eggs recipe (Paul Stuart for Jamie Oliver Enterprises 2024/PA) Advertisement Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 190C (170C fan/375F/gas mark 5). 2. Place the tomatoes on a baking tray, drizzle with one tablespoon of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then roast for 30 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, scrub and coarsely grate the potatoes, then squeeze dry in a clean tea towel. Roughly slice the spring onions and jalapenos (deseeded, if you like), then finely slice the avocado. Advertisement 4. Place a large non-stick ovenproof frying pan over a medium heat. Add the potatoes, spring onions, jalapenos, avocado and remaining tablespoon of oil, mix together and cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Finely grate in half the Parmesan and season with salt and pepper, then pat and flatten everything down into an even layer. Cook for 10 minutes, or until golden and crisp on the bottom, then transfer to the oven for a final 10 minutes. 5. Meanwhile, poach the eggs to your liking. Turn the hash brown out onto a board (it should be the perfect combo of soft and crispy), then grate over the remaining Parmesan. Slice and divide the hash brown between plates, top with the tomatoes and poached eggs, then tear over the coriander leaves. Slice the lime into wedges and serve alongside for squeezing over. TIP: Cooked avocado is utterly delicious; however, it does divide people. If youre not a fan, simply leave it out of the hash brown and serve it fresh on top. (OnePlate/PA) Brunch In London Cookbook is published by OnePlate. Available May 13th. Russias Defence Ministry said it has shot down 10 US-supplied Ukrainian missiles targeting Crimea just as US secretary of state Antony Blinken was visiting Kyiv. The ministry said 10 US-supplied Ukrainian ATACMS missiles were destroyed over the Black Sea over Crimea. Advertisement Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said air defences shot down several Ukrainian missiles over the Black Sea and near the Belbek air base. The fragments of downed missiles fell into residential areas but caused no casualties, Mr Razvozhayev said. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky greets US secretary of state Antony Blinken (Brendan Smialowski/AP) Advertisement The Defence Ministry said that in other Ukrainian attacks, Russian air defences also shot down nine Ukrainian drones, two Vilha rockets, two anti-radar Harm missiles and two Hammer guided bombs over the Belgorod region early on Wednesday. Belgorod Governor Vuacheslav Gladkov said two people were injured in the village of Dubovoye when a Ukranian rocket set their house ablaze. The military said five other Ukrainian drones were downed over the Kursk region and three drones were shot down over the Bryansk region. The Defence Ministry also said that another Ukrainian drone was downed over the Tatarstan region. Tatarstan is located more than 600 miles east of the border with Ukraine. Advertisement Vasily Golubev, the governor of the Rostov region, said two drones attacked a fuel depot. He said there were no casualties or fire. Ukraine has launched a steady series of drone attacks on oil refineries and fuel depots across Russia over the past months, causing significant damage. The Ukrainian attacks came as Russian troops pressed their offensive in northeast Ukraine that began last week, which marked the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began. In just two days, Moscow has captured nearly 50 square miles that include at least seven villages, most of them already depopulated, according to two analysts who monitor the fighting using public sources of information. Advertisement Mr Blinken, who arrived on Tuesday on a two-day visit, sought to rally Ukrainians spirits during the new Russian offensive, assuring them that they are not alone and that billions of dollars in American military aid that is on the way after months of political delays will make a real difference on the battlefield. Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from some areas of the countrys east and battled Russian troops in others on Wednesday, as president Volodymyr Zelenskiy postponed all his upcoming foreign trips. Against the grim backdrop, US secretary of state Antony Blinken sought to reassure the ally of continuing American support, announcing a two billion dollars arms deal most of the money coming from a package approved last month. Advertisement The top diplomat is in Ukraine as Russian troops press a fresh offensive in northeast Ukraines Kharkiv region. It began last week, marking the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began and forcing almost 8,000 local people to flee their homes. Together with Moscows weeks-long effort to build on its recent gains in the eastern Donetsk region, the more than two-year war has entered a critical stage for Ukraines depleted army. Advertisement Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelenskiy (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) Ukraines general staff reported late on Tuesday that troops fell back from areas in Lukyantsi and Vovchansk in order to save the lives of our servicemen and avoid losses. Vovchansk just three miles from the Russian border and 30 miles from the city of Kharkiv has been the focus of much of the recent fighting, and Ukrainian and Russian troops battled in its streets on Wednesday. Oleksii Kharkivskyi, head of the citys patrol police, said Russian troops were taking up positions in the city, while the Ukrainian general staff said its forces were trying to flush them out. Advertisement Russia is opening new fronts in order to stretch Ukraines army, which is short of ammunition and manpower, along the 620-mile front line, hoping defences will crumble. Russian artillery and sabotage raids have also been menacing Ukraines northern Chernihiv and Sumy regions. Mr Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address on Tuesday that the army has sent reinforcements to the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. It is too early to draw conclusions, but the situation is under control, he said. The pace of Russias advance in the Kharkiv border region, where it launched an offensive late last week and has made significant progress, has slowed, the Institute for the Study of War said late on Tuesday. Advertisement The Washington-based think tank said Moscows main aim there is to create a buffer zone that will prevent Ukrainian cross-border strikes on Russias Belgorod region. Police officers inspect part of a Russian missile that fell close to an apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine (AP Photo/Andrii Marienko) Even so, Mr Zelenskiys office announced on Wednesday he cancelled all his upcoming foreign visits and would try to reschedule them. Advertisement Mr Zelenskiy had been expected to visit Spain, and perhaps Portugal, later this week. No reason was given for his decision but the difficulties on the front line hung over it. With thousands of Ukrainian troops locked in fierce battles in towns and villages, Mr Blinken on Tuesday pledged unceasing US support for the country, during and beyond the war. He also tried to lift spirits in Kyiv, performing on guitar with a band at a city bar and eating pizza at a veteran-run restaurant. At his final event Wednesday of the two-day visit, Mr Blinken said the Biden administration had approved a two billion dollars, medium and long-term foreign military financing package for Ukraine. The packages generally send US taxpayer money to American defence firms to manufacture and ship weaponry and other military supplies to the recipient country. Most of the money, about 1.6 billion dollars, comes from the 60 billion dollars allotted to Ukraine in the supplemental foreign assistance legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden, officials said. The remainder will be reprogrammed from different accounts. US secretary of state Antony Blinken holds a 3D-printed eagle during his visit to the Brave1 facility in Kyiv (Courtney McBride, Pool Photo via AP) Mr Blinken also viewed the production of drones, which have become a key feature of the two-year war, and toured a grain shipment facility and a bionics factory, praising Ukrainian innovation and ingenuity in the face of wartime difficulties. Ukraine has had to adapt and adjust to this and its done so remarkably, Mr Blinken said of grain exports now being taken by rail after traditional shipping routes were interrupted by Russias full-scale invasion, which began on February 24, 2022. Meanwhile, Russian air defences shot down several Ukrainian missiles over the Black Sea and near the Belbek air base, Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said. Sevastopol is where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is headquartered. The fragments of downed missiles fell into residential areas but caused no casualties, Mr Razvozhayev said. Russian air defences also shot down nine Ukrainian drones, two Vilha rockets, two anti-radar Harm missiles and two Hammer guided bombs over the Belgorod region early on Wednesday, the Defence Ministry said. Two people were injured in the village of Dubovoye when a Ukranian rocket set their house ablaze, according to Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. The military said five other Ukrainian drones were downed over the Kursk region and three drones were shot down over the Bryansk region. The Defence Ministry also said that another Ukrainian drone was downed over the Tatarstan region. Tatarstan is located more than 600 miles east of the border with Ukraine. Vasily Golubev, the governor of the Rostov region, said two drones attacked a fuel depot. He said there were no casualties or fire. Ukraine has launched a steady series of drone attacks on oil refineries and fuel depots across Russia over the past months, causing significant damage. Tobias Ellwood, the MP for Bournemouth East, posted a photograph to social media site X, formerly Twitter, which appeared to show new Russian defence minister Andrei Belousov in a military uniform covered with medals. Mr Ellwood wrote on the evening of Monday May 13th: Hes an economist by trade and now Russias new defence minister. Hes either borrowed the uniform or had a very good first day at the office. Advertisement Mr Ellwood, a former captain in the British Army, later appeared to have deleted the post. Evaluation: False The image has been edited with Mr Belousovs head added to a photograph of English actor Jason Isaacs playing Field Marshal Zhukov in the 2017 movie The Death Of Stalin. The facts The photo manipulation has obvious signs of where it has been edited. The lighting on Mr Belousovs face is different to the rest of the photo, his neck obscures part of his collar, and he appears to have two overlapping ears on the right-hand side of the image. One X user claimed they had created the original edit. Advertisement The user wrote: It took me 30 seconds to put his head on Zhukovs body from the movie in Photoshop. Some appear to think its real. Looks like I did too good of a job despite trying to make it obvious. The oldest online example of the original picture of Mr Isaacs the PA news agency could find was a Pinterest post with metadata indicating it was published on April 10 2018. According to media reports, Mr Belousov has no military background. Gregory Zhukov was a highly decorated military leader during the Second World War and represented the Soviet Union at Germanys formal surrender in 1945. Mr Ellwood said: As you say the photo was of course a manipulated photograph underscoring the point about a civilian and economist being promoted to defence minister reflecting how (President Vladimir) Putin is moving the Russian economy to a war footing. Links Tobias Ellwood post on X (archived) Post on X from potential photo editor (archived) Pinterest post (archived) Profile of Andrei Belousov (archived) Thailand plans to request Korea hand over a suspect in the murder of a Korean tourist and disposal of the body in Pattaya, a local media report said Wednesday. Thai authorities are seeking the extradition of one of the three suspects, who was arrested in a provincial county in Korea on Monday, the Khaosod daily reported quoting a local police official. Thai police are investigating the brutal murder case, in which the body of the 34-year-old victim was found in a plastic container filled with cement in a reservoir in Pattaya. A Bangkok court has also issued arrest warrants for the three suspects on charges of abduction and murder, the news outlet said. An official from the Korean Embassy in Thailand said it has received no formal request on the extradition. "Thai police officials have mentioned the possibility of seeking an extradition but we have received no such request yet," the embassy official said. "We are in the process of confirming the arrest warrants," the official said. Korean police arrested the suspect in his 20s in Jeongeup, some 217 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Sunday, and transferred him to Changwon in accordance with jurisdiction rules. The second suspect, also in his 20s, was caught and arrested in Cambodia on Tuesday, with the police tracking down the last suspect, who is believed to have fled to a neighboring country from Thailand. (Yonhap) US president Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he will not participate in the campaign debates sponsored by a non-partisan commission, instead challenging Republican Donald Trump to a pair of debates. Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020, Mr Biden posted on X, the site formerly known as Twitter. Advertisement Since then, he hasnt shown up for a debate. Now hes acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasnt shown up for a debate. Now hes acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. pic.twitter.com/AkPmvs2q4u Advertisement Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 15, 2024 The Democrat suggested that the two candidates could pick some dates, taking a dig at Mr Trumps ongoing hush money trial by noting that the Republican is free on Wednesdays, the usual day off in the trial. Advertisement In addition to the post, Mr Bidens campaign chairwoman Jen OMalley Dillon sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates to say that Mr Biden would not participate in its announced debates, choosing instead to participate in debates hosted by news organisations. Mr Trump has repeatedly dared Mr Biden to debate him, keeping a second podium open at rallies and claiming that his rival would not be up for the task. Mr Trump has also taken issue with the debate commission, but he and his team have maintained that they do not care who hosts the debates as long as they happen. The Trump campaign issued a statement on May 1 that objected to the scheduled debates by the Commission on Presidential Debates, saying that the schedule begins AFTER early voting and that this is unacceptable because voters deserve to hear from the candidates before ballots are cast. Russian President Vladimir Putin says his regime is prepared to negotiate over the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian leader made the statement in an interview with Chinese media on the eve of his visit to partner Beijing, which has backed Moscow in its full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Advertisement We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours, Mr Putin was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that Russia would be open to negotiations with Ukraine (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) The Russian leaders two-day trip starting Thursday comes as his countrys forces have pressed an offensive in Ukraines Kharkiv region that began last week in the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began, forcing almost 8,000 people to flee their homes. Advertisement Along with Moscows efforts to build on its gains in the nearby Donetsk region, the two-year-old war has entered a critical stage for Ukraines depleted military, which is awaiting new supplies of anti-aircraft missiles and artillery shells from the United States. We have never refused to negotiate, Mr Putin was quoted as saying by Xinhua. We are seeking a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of this conflict through peaceful means. We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said any negotiations must include a restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops, the release of all prisoners, a tribunal for those responsible for the aggression and security guarantees for Ukraine. Advertisement Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a two-day state visit to China this week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, in the latest show of unity between the two authoritarian allies (AP Photo/Andy Wong) China claims to take a neutral position in the conflict but has backed Moscows contentions that Russia was provoked into attacking Ukraine by the West, despite Mr Putins public avowals of his desire to restore Russias century-old borders as the reason for his assault. The Kremlin said in a statement that during their talks, Mr Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will have a detailed discussion on the entire range of issues related to the comprehensive partnership and strategic co-operation and determine the new directions for further development of co-operation between Russia and China and also have a detailed exchange of opinions on the most acute international and regional issues. Advertisement The visit furthers the effort by China and Russia to topple the US-led Western democratic order in favour of a more authoritarian model that crushes political opposition, human rights and freedom of speech. Speaking on Tuesday in the upper house of the Russian parliament, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow and Beijing are objectively interested in maintaining our lead in efforts to establish a more fair and democratic world order. Russia and China arent alone in their efforts to reform an international system and help establish a multipolar global order, he said. Mr Lavrov noted that the duet of Moscow and Beijing plays a major balancing role in global affairs, adding that the Russian presidents forthcoming visit to (China) will strengthen our joint work. Advertisement Russias military ties with China have strengthened (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Moscow has forged increasingly close ties with Beijing as the war has dragged into a third year, diverting the bulk of its energy exports to China and relying on Chinese companies to import high-tech components for Russian military industries to circumvent Western sanctions. The Russia-China military ties have also strengthened. They have held a series of joint war games in recent years, including naval drills and patrols by long-range bombers over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. Russian and Chinese ground forces also have deployed to the other countrys territory for joint drills. China remains a major market for the Russian military, while also massively expanding its domestic defensive industries, including building aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines. Mr Putin has previously said that Russia has been sharing highly sensitive military technologies with China that helped significantly bolster its defence capability. In October 2019, he mentioned that Russia was helping China to develop an early warning system to spot ballistic missile launches a system involving ground-based radar and satellites that only Russia and the US possessed. Slovakias populist prime minister Robert Fico is in a life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting on Wednesday afternoon, it has been reported. In a message posted to his Facebook account, it was said that Fico has been shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition. Advertisement At this moment he is transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica, because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute procedure. The next few hours will decide. Reports on TA3, a Slovakian TV station, said that Fico, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, about 93 miles north east of the capital, where the leader was meeting with supporters. Medical workers take Robert Fico to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica (Jan Kroslak/TASR via AP) Advertisement A suspect has been detained, it said. The shooting in Slovakia comes three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections, in which populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc appear poised to make gains. Deputy speaker of parliament, Lubos Blaha, confirmed the incident during a session of Slovakias parliament and adjourned it until further notice, the Slovak TASR news agency said. Slovakias major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, cancelled a planned protest against a controversial government plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give the government full control of public radio and television. Advertisement We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and todays shooting of premier Robert Fico, said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka. At the same time, we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension. The country's president Zuzana Caputova condemned a brutal and ruthless attack on the premier. Im shocked, Caputova said. I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack. Advertisement Fico, a third-time premier, and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party, won Slovakias September 30 parliamentary elections, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message. Critics worried Slovakia under Fico would abandon the countrys pro-Western course and follow the direction of Hungary under populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Redemption Praise - "Jesus" | INOV8 Public Relations NASHVILLE, TN (May 13, 2024) - Leanette Lopez, celebrated Christian artist performing under the banner of Redemption Praise, shares the moving story behind her latest single Jesus, a profound expression of faith born from personal trials and miraculous triumphs. This song emerges not just as music, but as a testament to the power of faith and prayer in the most challenging times. Leanettes journey with Jesus began during a period of immense personal struggle, as she faced the daunting prognosis of her daughters birth. Born at just 1 pound and 12 ounces on Resurrection Day, her daughters survival is nothing short of a miracle, defying medical expectations and strengthening Leanettes faith. During the most critical times, the simple yet powerful act of whispering "Jesus" brought immense comfort and hope to Leanette, inspiring her to pen this heartfelt anthem. Today, accompanied by her husband and their miracle daughter, Leanette travels extensively to share their story and the countless miracles they have witnessed. The song Jesus is an invitation to listeners to experience the depth of Leanettes faith and the strength she derives from her relationship with Jesus Christ. Produced by Joseph (Fono) Garcia and influenced by a rich array of musical styles, from Gospel to Latin, Jesus resonates with a diverse audience, offering a message of hope and strength. It is a soul-stirring reminder of the transformative power of trusting in Jesus through lifes most challenging moments. Redemption Praise invites everyone to listen to Jesus, available on Gospel and Praise & Worship radio stations globally. Experience the comfort and inspiration of Leanettes music and join her in celebrating the faith that has brought her family through unimaginable challenges. The song is also available on all streaming outlets. About Redemption Praise Redemption Praise is the musical expression of Leanette Lopezs life-long journey in faith and music. With her eclectic style and powerful lyrics, Leanette continues to inspire and uplift her listeners, inviting them into a world where music meets worship, offering solace and hope to all who believe. Connect with Redemption Praise: https://redemptionpraise.com https://facebook.com/redemptionpraisemusic Australias richest person, Gina Rinehart, has demanded the National Gallery of Australia remove a portrait of her from an exhibition by Archibald Prize-winning Indigenous artist Vincent Namatjira. The billionaire mining mogul directly approached NGA director Nick Mitzevich and NGA chair Ryan Stokes in April to press for the portraits removal. There have since been more than a dozen complaints to the gallery from associates of her company, Hancock Prospecting, which have accused the NGA of doing the bidding of the Chinese Communist Party by displaying her image in an unflattering way. Vincent Namatjira in front of his collection of portraits including Gina Rinehart. Credit: Rohan Thomson Rinehart recently praised the Chinese government for doing a better job than our government, and it is unclear what the bidding referred to. The hell that is Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga broke loose on the second night of Cannes Film Festival, a prime slot for one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year. Billed as a world premiere, it was the first of the festivals event films after the opening nights much shorter and more frivolous French film A Second Act. Anticipation grew over the day, with fans coming with chairs to nab a good spot to watch the red carpet marche. A sprinkling of stars arrived in advance: Faye Dunaway, now 83 and in Cannes for the screening of a documentary about her life; Baz Luhrmann, whose Elvis screened in Cannes two years ago; and model Naomi Campbell. George Miller, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky depart the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival overnight. Credit: Getty What really ignited the excitement of the fans behind the barriers, however, was the arrival of the Furiosa film team. Cheers raised the roof over the red carpet as Chris Hemsworth, in a gleaming white dinner jacket with black trousers but without the regulation black tie worked his way down the railings, signing autographs and shaking hands. Anya Taylor-Joy, in a retro lurex strapless gown with a sweeping tulle skirt, slid gracefully under shoulders for selfie shots. With her hair dyed platinum blonde and set in an elaborate French twist, she looked like Grace Kelly returned to the Riviera. A 60-year-old man claims he was assaulted by a moped rider who clipped the side mirror of his Holden Commodore in Brisbanes inner-south. The Commodore driver, from Nundah, has told police he was stopped at traffic lights travelling north on Leopard Street in Kangaroo Point when the white moped struck his mirror about 4.45pm on Tuesday. A generic image of a moped. The Commodore driver claims he was assaulted by a moped rider in Kangaroo Point. A verbal exchange has then occurred between the two parties, before both turned right onto Llewellyn Street where they came to a stop, police said in a statement. There has then been a physical altercation between the driver of the sedan and the moped driver, resulting in the victim sustaining multiple injuries, including to his head, face and hand. The moped rider was described as tall, with a slim build, and was wearing a hi-vis shirt and a black open-faced helmet at the time. Police are urging nearby residents to review any CCTV footage, and are asking motorists to check their dashcam footage. Anyone with information is asked to contact Policelink on 131 444. Suburbs along one of Brisbanes southern train lines will become home to another 5000 residents within a decade as a busy strip of car yards is transformed into higher-density housing. It will be the first urban renewal project where Brisbane City Council leverages the Queensland governments $6.3 billion Cross River Rails improvements to develop new neighbourhoods. After five years of debate and consultation, the council on Tuesday revealed its plan to reshape Moorookas famous Magic Mile of Motors into a housing and retail hub. It followed the councils identification of 70 hectares of tired old industrial sites including sites at Moorooka for suburban renewal, and would take advantage of Cross River Rails upgrades to train stations, including Yeerongpilly, Moorooka, Rocklea and Salisbury. The ABCs Southbank offices have been targeted by protesters who sprayed the building with fake blood and accused the media outlet of enabling genocide. Police arrested two people on Wednesday morning over the graffiti attack after two other buildings were vandalised, including Sevens offices in Docklands. The electoral office of Deputy Premier Ben Carroll on Keilor Road in Niddrie was also targeted, which police said was linked to the other incidents. Vandals covered the front window and steps of the ABCs offices in red paint. They also put up a poster that said: The ABC enables genocide. The growing number of students with a disability will force the federal government to fork out an extra $1.1 billion in public school funding, raising the stakes in tense negotiations with the states over spending on schools and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Tuesdays budget revealed federal funding for public schools would blow out over the five years to 2027-28, largely because more children than expected were becoming eligible for special student with a disability loadings that the Commonwealth pays to the states. Education Minister Jason Clare. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen But the budget also indicated that growth in the NDIS which has spiralled after becoming the main support system for 232,000 children under 14 with autism and developmental delay was starting to stabilise. Total NDIS plan payments and participant numbers are still rising above projections. The federal governments second-most-expensive program cost $44.3 billion this financial year: $2.4 billion more than forecast in last years budget, and 21 per cent more than the year before. By Jung Da-hyun While some parts of the nation are currently awash with unlimited transit pass schemes, rural areas still remain overlooked. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport introduced K-Pass, a nationwide transportation fare discount card offering discounts of up to 53 percent, earlier this month. It offers a 20 percent refund on transportation costs for up to 60 trips to individuals who use public transportation more than 15 times a month. Additionally, individuals aged 19 to 34 can receive a 30 percent refund. The service is gaining traction as transportation costs become increasingly burdensome amid rising prices. From April 24 to May 7, approximately 1.2 million people applied for the K-Pass card, according to the ministry. However, not all residents across the country can use this service. K-Pass is a joint project between the government and local governments, and only 189 out of 229 cities, counties and districts nationwide have opted to participate. Those residing in areas where local governments have not joined the project cannot utilize the service. The 40 local governments that are not participating are mostly rural areas with populations of fewer than 100,000 such as in Gangwon Province, North Jeolla Province, South Jeolla Province and North Gyeongsang Province. Rural residents, facing inconveniences due to inadequate public transportation infrastructure, are left out of the state-funded public transportation fare discount scheme. Furthermore, some non-participating local governments employ a section rate system, where bus fares are proportional to the distance traveled, thus imposing additional transportation costs on residents. The land ministry clarified that local governments with small populations and low public transportation utilization rates chose not to participate amid doubts about the project's effectiveness relative to its budget. Meanwhile, metropolitan areas like Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province boast numerous transportation fee support systems. In addition to the benefits of the K-Pass scheme, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and Incheon Metropolitan City have introduced region-specific transportation vouchers such as the Gyeonggi Pass and I-pass respectively. The Seoul Metropolitan Government introduced in January the Climate Card, an unlimited transit pass that can be used in the city. Critics argue that the K-Pass project should be implemented nationwide to bridge the gap in transportation access between regions. A recent report from the National Assembly Research Service has recommended a review of alternative support measures for non-participating local governments that are excluded from the K-Pass scheme. The land ministry stated that the government is actively engaging in discussions with the 40 local governments regarding transportation welfare. The lack of clarity, the moral confusion, the indecisiveness is eating at the heart of this nation. Payman called for Australia to end trade with Israel, implement sanctions and immediately recognise a Palestinian state. Loading Addressing Albanese directly, Payman said: I ask our prime minister and our fellow parliamentarians, how many international rights laws must Israel break for us to say enough? What is the magic number? How many mass graves need to be uncovered before we say enough? How many images of bloody limbs of murdered children must we see? Payman originally planned to deliver her comments at a pro-Palestine rally outside Parliament House commemorating the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, the displacement of Palestinians during the founding of Israel, but instead only watched from the sidelines. At the protest, activists chanted shame, shame Penny Wong and from the river to the sea. At the end of her remarks in Parliament House, Payman said: From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. Jewish groups regard the from the river to the sea slogan as a coded call for the elimination of Israel while others have insisted it is simply a call for freedom and equal rights for Palestinians. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said: From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free is an old Arab supremacist slogan calling for the destruction of Israel and the ethnic cleansing of its Jewish population. This is why it has been denounced as antisemitic by both the White House and our prime minister. The senator should immediately apologise for stoking hatred in such a vile way. If she cant refrain from using racist slogans at a time of extreme tension in our society, she should consider her position. Australia Palestine Advocacy Network President Nasser Mashni applauded Payman for her comments, saying: Senator Paymans comments should be held up as an example of speaking truth to power, in the interests of the sanctity of human life and human rights. We urge Senator Paymans colleagues, across the political spectrum, to hear her voice and the voices of hundreds of thousands of conscientious people right across this continent, and to stand up for a free Palestine. The Prime Ministers Office was approached for comment. Albanese this week said that university students chanting from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free were engaging in a provocative act. Loading One of the really disappointing things is that I reckon if you asked those people chanting it, heaps of them wouldnt have a clue, wouldnt be able to find the Jordan [River] on a map, he told radio 3AW. Its beyond me why people would think that it advances their cause to engage in this sort of behaviour. Albanese has previously said he does not endorse the slogan because it calls for opposition to a two-state solution, which both major parties say they support. Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said Albanese must denounce what Senator Payman has said and have her apologise. This slogan is inconsistent with Israels right to exist and is frequently used by those who seek to intimidate Jewish Australians via acts of antisemitism, he said. Such statements should have no place among members of the government. Burns on Saturday publicly criticised the government for voting in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution that declared the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations under its charter rules, saying Australia should have abstained alongside the United Kingdom. An abstention would have signalled were open to further recognition, but that we acknowledge the short-term hurdles that need to be overcome in order to achieve lasting peace, Burns said. But Singapore has its problems. A complete picture of the economy that Wong inherits is less giddy, the Bloomberg news agency wrote this month. The pace of growth is not what it once was; the island has become the most expensive location on earth to live, and a rapidly greying society will test fiscal policy for generations. Singapores geostrategic importance as a major South-East Asian trade and export hub places it precariously between the competing regional interests of the United States and China, a concern voiced in Wongs inaugural address as prime minister. The great powers are competing to shape a new yet undefined global order, he said from the podium on the lawns of the Istana, a Malay word for palace. This transition will be marked by geopolitical tensions as well as protectionism and rampant nationalism everywhere. It will likely stretch for years, if not decades. We must brace ourselves for these new realities and adapt to a messier, riskier and more violent world. At home, Wong faces challenges of social integration, migration, rising sea levels and housing. Unusually, Singapore has recently been a hotbed of scandal and gossip. Loading The islands mainstream media avoids forensic examination of controversial issues, preferring positive coverage of the ruling Peoples Action Party (PAP) and its leaders. Freedom of expression is limited under the PAP auspices of preserving community harmony. In September, the Ministry of Communications and Information issued a warning to The Economists Singapore bureau chief Dominic Ziegler for endorsing an independent news magazine. The statement was instructive, if not contradictory: He compared Singapore to an illiberal state and encouraged Singaporeans to embrace an alternative vision, instead of what was being offered by the state and an allegedly captive media, it read in part. Singapore is nevertheless more free than it used to be. In 2022, Lee was lauded for announcing that consensual sex between men would become legal. And while public displays of dissent are restricted, it is not impossible with the right approvals. One of Lees many Australian contemporaries, Malcolm Turnbull, described him as one of the wisest and most civilised of people, as is his brilliant wife, Ho Ching. Loading But activist and independent journalist Kirsten Han says many younger Singaporeans want more freedom to protest and speak freely, a more liberal society than that cultivated under the Lees and the sole other non-Lee prime minister, Goh Chok Tong. Lawrence Wong is entering into a Singapore where the younger population is less and less easily deterred, and is not wanting to talk about issues the way the government talks about issues, she says. They dont want to talk about racial harmony. They want to talk about racial injustice because why are ethnic minorities disproportionately represented in prison? Why is it okay to list a property rental and have the listing say, no Indians? Addressing vague questions from journalists this week about differences of opinions and fresh approaches, Wong said his government was prepared to re-examine all our assumptions and consider different societal expectations. Lee Kuan Yew and Australias Andrew Peacock, then minister for industrial relations in Melbourne in 1981. Credit: David James Bartho He also acknowledged that the parliamentary opposition, which gained marginal ground on the PAP in the 2020 elections, was here to stay. There is an appetite for greater political contestation, he said. But the government also emphasises that Singapores success is built on the success of the PAP and that once this is lost, it is not something that can go back. So how do you balance between these two things? Like Lee, Wong is a creature of the party, which has maintained an iron grip on politics since the British departed. But he is not from the elite class. Before entering politics as a representative in 2011, he built a reputation as a public servant and spent three years as Lees principal private secretary, where he evidently made a good impression on his master. Drawing on this history, Flinders University academic Michael Barr wrote cheekily in the publication East Asia Forum that it was no wonder Wong greeted the news of his promotion with the words, I am ready for my next assignment. But Barr told this masthead suggestions of Wong being a Lee by another name didnt quite fit. Were waiting to see, he said. All we can do is judge by his record. He is a technocrat. And theres nothing in his record that suggests that hes a great radical thinker or risk-taker, just a really just a good bureaucrat, who is a good communicator. Lee, like his prime ministerial predecessor Goh and his father before that, remains in cabinet, an untenable proposition in Australias bloodthirsty political scene. Barr expected continuity while Lee remained a key member of the government. Loading But the very fact there is no third round of Lees on the horizon, or so it appears, the Lee dynasty is not going to continue as normal, he said. His authority is going to have to diminish as time goes on. With only 6 million people, Singapore was still Australias fifth-largest two-way trading partner last financial year, just ahead of India with its population of 1.4 billion. Though it is officially nonaligned, the government regularly works with and accommodates Australian and US militaries. Barr said the rise of China was increasingly testing these relationships, and also those within Singapore, whose majority of citizens trace their ancestry to the mainland and share its language. Later he added: At that time, I was knee-deep into the cult of Donald Trump. Cohen told the court how the FBI raided his home in April 2018, along with his law office and the hotel suite he was staying in at the time. One of the items they took was a mobile phone he had used to record Trump talking to him about the deal to silence Daniels. Michael Cohen leaves his apartment building on his way to Manhattan criminal court. Credit: AP He later received a call from Trump who told him: Dont worry, Im president of the United States. Theres nothing here. Everything is gonna be OK. Stay tough. Youre gonna be OK. The pair have not spoken since, he said. After the raid, a lawyer closely tied to Trumps legal team, Robert Costello, offered to represent Cohen and serve as a conduit to Trump via his now disgraced lawyer Rudy Giuliani. An email shown to the jury from Costello read: You are loved: Sleep well tonight, you have friends in high places. Asked how he interpreted that message, Cohen said: It let me know that I was still important to the team, and stay the course; the president had my back. Loading Cohen continued to be loyal to Trump until August 2018 when he pleaded guilty to a number of federal crimes, including campaign finance violations for his role in the deal with Daniels. He also pleaded guilty to personal financial crimes unrelated to Trump, including tax evasion, and for lying to Congress about plans to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. In his highly anticipated cross-examination, defence lawyer Todd Blanche sought to use Cohens history as a convicted felon and liar to discredit him in front of the jury, who will ultimately determine whether Trump becomes the first US president in history to be convicted. Setting the tone for the grilling ahead, Blanche opened by telling the witness: Mr Cohen, my name is Todd Blanche and you and I have never met You went on TikTok and called me a crying little shit. Cohen, who is known for his temper, replied: That sounds like something I would say. Blanche went on to portray Cohen as someone who was both driven by revenge against Trump noting he had a book of that name while being obsessed with him and seeking to make money off the experience through podcasts and cable news appearances. Stormy Daniels recounted having sex with Donald Trump in a hotel room. Credit: Getty Cohen kept his calm as Blanche recounted times he had likened Trump to a boorish cartoon misogynist and a Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain. Do you want president Trump to get convicted in this case? Blanche asked. I would like to see accountability, Cohen replied. Trump currently faces 34 counts of falsifying business records relating to a $US130,000 payment to cover up an alleged affair with Daniels, which she alleges took place in 2006 when he was newly married to his current wife Melania. While Cohen made the payment himself, the jury was shown cheques that Trump signed, which the prosecution said showed his attempt to disguise it as a legal retainer, in violation of campaign finance laws. Trump, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, has been limited from attacking witnesses in the case due to a gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan. However, Republicans are now attending court to lob attacks on his behalf. The system is using all the tools at its disposal right now to punish one president and provide for another, said Johnson, who branded the trial as a sham and a disgrace. Loading Ramaswamy, who sat behind Trump alongside his son Eric and daughter-in-law Lara Trump in court, described the courtroom as Kafka-esque and depressing. It seems like the prosecutions strategy is theyre trying to bore the jury into conviction, he posted on X. Earlier, Vance described the prosecution team as a group of Democrat political operatives, while Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville lamented Trump being referred to as Mr Trump in court instead of former president. France has declared a state of emergency on the Pacific island of New Caledonia after three young indigenous Kanak and a police official were killed in riots over electoral reform. The state of emergency, which entered into force at 5am (6am AEST) on Thursday, gives authorities additional powers to ban gatherings and forbid people from moving around the semi-autonomous French territory. Police reinforcements, adding 500 officers to the 1800 usually present on the island, have been sent after rioters torched vehicles and businesses and looted stores. Schools have been shut and there was already a curfew in the capital. Rioting broke out over a new bill, adopted by MPs in Paris on Tuesday, that will let French people who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years vote in the provinces elections a move some local leaders fear will dilute the Kanak vote. The public sector wage increase was the smallest since March quarter 2022 when it was also 0.5%, Marquardt said. Last years March quarter result for the public sector reflected the implementation of new enterprise agreements and changes to wage caps. The firm also failed to provide services efficiently, honestly, and fairly. Furthermore, it is deemed not fit and proper under section 913BA(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 and is likely to contravene its ongoing obligations. K-culture's originality rooted in nations independence movement legacy: mayor By Lee Hae-rin CHEONAN, South Chungcheong Province The ongoing global phenomenon of Korean culture and its unique essence is attributed to the nation's historical background of fighting for freedom during the Japanese colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945, according to Cheonan Mayor Park Sang-don. Calling this the Korean spirit, the mayor said the southern city aims to spread it across the globe by hosting the K-culture Expo next week. The city's annual event made its debut last year. The genesis of K-culture began with King Sejong's creation of Hangeul. Without Hangeul, K-culture as we know it today would not have existed, Park said during an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, May 10. King Sejong the Great, the fourth monarch of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, invented the Korean writing system to revolutionize education in his kingdom. Based on this invention, Park said, The country could truly develop its own cultural, financial and national defense power after achieving independence (from the Japanese colonial occupation)." Cheonan is the home and battleground of several independence fighters, including student independence activist Yu Gwan-sun, who led the popular March 1 uprising in 1919. Notably, the citys Independence Hall of Korea, a 3.97 square-kilometer facility that exhibits the countrys history of fighting for freedom and achieving national sovereignty, is the largest of its kind among some 150 nations that achieved independence after World War II, Park explained. Thus, he said, the city and its Independence Hall of Korea are the appropriate venues to stage the K-culture Expo and celebrate its ongoing global popularity. The citys inaugural edition of the expo held there last year was an immediate success. In August last year, we held the first K-culture Expo and showed potential as a new leading city for the global wave of Korean culture, he said. The five-day event allured over 130,000 domestic and overseas visitors and featured a wide spectrum of live performances and Korean content ranging from the history and future of the countrys culture and cultural industry. It was the first event that comprehensively included several genres of K-culture, which other municipalities or organizations have never tried, despite K-cultures soaring popularity, the mayor noted. For this years event, which runs from May 22 to 26, Cheonan aims to further expand its scope to attract 300,000 visitors and offer more diverse programs harmonizing the countrys past and future. Park foresees developing the expo into a global event, based on his experiences of launching the renowned Boryeong Mud Festival nearly 30 years ago, and making exchanges with international cities. As a former mayor of Daecheon City now Boryeong City Park came up with the idea for the mud festival in 1994, which has become the countrys one of the most celebrated summer events. The annual mud extravaganza now attracts large crowds to the countrys west coast every year. Plus, as the host city of the annual Cheonan World Dance Festival, Cheonan chairs the Federation of International Dance Festivals (FIDAF). Established in 2012, FIDAF consists of 89 members from 83 countries who are stakeholders and specialists in dance festivals around the world. The city has an international exchange as well with 12 cities from nine countries worldwide, including Beaverton in the United States, Shijiazhuang in China and Campinas in Brazil, among others. In Parks view, K-culture is, in the long run, a tool for introducing the nations history and philosophy abroad and the path to becoming a true global cultural power, as asserted by Kim Gu, a politician and educator who led the Korean independence movement against the Japanese empire. Park cited Kim Gus famous passage from My Wish, in which the activist wrote, The only thing that I desire in infinite quantity is the power of a noble culture. This is because the power of culture both makes us happy and gives happiness to others. The passage highlights the intangible yet immense power of culture that breaks down all boundaries and transcends time. Park said, By globalizing the Cheonan K-Culture Expo, we will present the true K-spirit to the world. Mary Kay Inc., a corporate leader in global sustainability, is strengthening its roots in Lewisville. On May 10, the company partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation and Keep Lewisville Beautiful to host a tree planting event at Railroad Park to celebrate Mother Nature and Mothers Day. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514127551/en/ Trees planted at Railroad Park directly impact Lewisville communities by providing important ecosystem benefits in the Trinity River watershed. (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.) Through partnerships with organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation, Mary Kay is making positive environmental impact in ecosystems where we operate around the world, said Ryan Rogers, CEO of Mary Kay, Inc., and grandson of Mary Kay Ash. But change starts in your own backyard. We enjoyed sprucing up the community by planting trees that will benefit local families for generations to come. Mary Kay volunteers planted 60 native trees along the trails and waterways in Railroad Park, symbolizing the companys 60th anniversary of enriching the lives of women and their families worldwide and protecting the planet. The park is four miles from Mary Kays state-of-the-art Richard R. Rogers (R3) Manufacturing/R&D Center. Trees planted at this location directly impact Lewisville communities by providing much-needed shade in community spaces, enhancing the beautification of recreational areas, and providing important ecosystem benefits in the Trinity River watershed. "We are thrilled to see Mary Kay contribute to the tree canopy of Lewisville, said TJ Gilmore, Mayor of Lewisville. This initiative is not only a breath of fresh air for our city but a testament to the flourishing partnership between our community and a corporation that continuously gives back. Together, were making Lewisville a better place to live and work." Mary Kays partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation stretches back more than 16 yearsand in that time, the company has helped plant 1.4 million trees around the world. Arbor Day Foundation is the worlds largest membership nonprofit dedicated to planting trees. The Arbor Day Foundation is dedicated to helping our local planting partners unlock the transformative power of trees in their community, said Dan Lambe, Chief Executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. Trees clean our air, cool our cities, and improve the lives of the people around them. Were happy to partner again with Mary Kay and Keep Lewisville Beautiful to maximize the impact of the urban canopy and inspire more people to engage with nature in a meaningful way. Keep Lewisville Beautiful is a local environmental nonprofit that partners with organizations to plant trees and provide residents opportunities to care for Lewisvilles tree canopy on public lands. Tree planting is an investment in our communitys future, said Amy Wells, Executive Director of Keep Lewisville Beautiful. These trees will help create shade for families visiting Railroad Park, provide habitat to local wildlife, and will provide a multitude of ecological benefits for our local environment. Keep Lewisville Beautiful is excited to partner with Mary Kay and the Arbor Day Foundation to increase Lewisvilles tree canopy and make a visible difference in our community with Mary Kay volunteers. Their donation to our community and KLB will go a long way towards keeping Lewisville beautiful. Following the planting, the Lewisville Parks Department is committed to long-term maintenance and upkeep of the trees with supplemental watering, pruning, and care. Did you know: R3 Manufacturing/R&D Center in Lewisville is named in honor of Mary Kay Inc.s cofounder and Mary Kay Ashs son, Richard R. Rogers. Built on 26 acres of land, R3 features state-of-the-art R&D laboratories and cutting-edge manufacturing technology. 57% of products manufactured at R3 are exported to Mary Kays international markets. R3 production capacity is up to 1.1 million products per day. The facility boasts 20 product-packaging lines and 21 processing vessels and mixing tanks. R3 is LEED Building Design and Construction Silver-Certified facility. About Mary Kay Then. Now. Always. One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich womens lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 35 countries. For 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter. About the Arbor Day Foundation Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. Together with our partners, we have helped plant more than 500 million trees in neighborhoods, communities, cities, and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival. Through our members, partners and programs, the Arbor Day Foundation inspires people across the globe to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org. About Keep Lewisville Beautiful Keep Lewisville Beautiful (KLB) is a non-profit and award-winning affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful. KLBs mission is to engage the citizens of Lewisville through service and education to enhance their community environment. Our vision is to partner with the community to promote environmental quality, making Lewisville the best place to live, work, and play. Annually, KLB volunteers contribute over 10,000 volunteer hours towards litter abatement, environmental education, and beautification programs, and remove 25+ TONS of trash from community green spaces and waterways. Learn more at keeplewisvillebeautiful.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514127551/en/ Commentary: Protectionism will only "make America lose again" 09:58, May 15, 2024 By Tai Beiping ( Xinhua BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The White House announced on Tuesday new protectionist measures against Chinese clean tech, with the centerpiece being a quadrupling of levies on electric vehicles (EV) to 100 percent. The latest protectionist measures appear to be more of a political show, particularly during an election cycle, rather than a well-considered economic strategy. In fact, the existing 25 percent tariffs have already effectively excluded Chinese EVs from the U.S. market, rendering additional tariffs largely symbolic and politically motivated. However, this botched attempt to suppress China's clean energy sector will not help the United States cultivate its own industry. Instead, such actions are likely to backfire, hindering America's efforts to cut carbon emissions and damaging its own green energy industry. These protectionist policies will also have a direct impact on U.S. consumers looking for affordable, clean, and innovative vehicles, limiting their options and potentially increasing expenses. Though politicians in the United States are accustomed to using protectionist policies to woo specific segments of voters, they should have known that trade protectionism has been proven detrimental and futile. Over the past decade, U.S. protectionist measures in the steel industry have failed to halt the decline in job opportunities. Instead, these measures increased costs in downstream industries, reduced the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, and ultimately hurt the broader economy. A recent opinion piece in Bloomberg criticizes tariffs and corporate timidity for causing an "astonishing loss of nerve" among U.S. carmakers. These companies, insulated from global competition, are likened to "birds on isolated islands" that grow large and complacent, eventually losing the ability to innovate and compete, said the article. Rather than raising taxes and imposing trade barriers, U.S. politicians should reject the zero-sum mindset and welcome competition. Encouraging innovation and competition, rather than stifling it, would lead to a more robust and dynamic market. In stark contrast to Washington's relentless pursuit of protectionism, China's EV industry has thrived due to continuous technological innovation, a well-developed supply chain, and healthy market competition. This environment has spurred significant advancements, positioning China as a global leader in the EV sector. Even foreign carmakers, including U.S. EV maker Tesla, have benefited from participating in China's competitive but healthy market, achieving rapid growth and establishing a strong presence in China. The progress in China's EV sector has also brought significant economic and environmental benefits, supporting global efforts toward green, low-carbon, and sustainable development. Resorting to protectionist measures may serve short-term political interests, but is detrimental to long-term economic and environmental goals. Washington should learn from past experiences in other industries and recognize the benefits of a more open, competitive market. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) President Yoon Suk Yeol promised Wednesday to run state affairs "rightly" in a way that will help improve the people's livelihoods and make the country overcome challenges. Yoon made the remarks in a congratulatory speech in observance of Buddha's birthday, a public holiday in Korea, saying he will do all he can do to make a "warm and happy" society. "I will do my best to carry out the state affairs rightly as I always keep the Buddha's teachings in mind," Yoon said during a celebration event held at the Jogye Temple in central Seoul. "I will more warmly hold the hands of those in need, and meticulously attend to even the smallest aspects of the livelihood matters to bring happiness to our citizens," he said. "We can only be at peace when we understand the differences in others. Buddha's merciful teachings will illuminate the country to help us move forward into a new, peaceful and happy world," Yoon said. Yoon noted that Buddhism has been the foundation of Korea's spiritual culture and continues to play a vital role in keeping society healthy. "I will make every effort to help the Republic of Korea overcome crises and take a big leap forward," Yoon said, referring to Korea by its official name. Also present at the event were Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the ruling People Power Party; Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea; Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon; Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming; and many others from the Buddhist community. (Yonhap) President Yoon Suk Yeol exchanged Wednesday somewhat awkward greetings with Cho Kuk, leader of a minor opposition party, in their first public encounter in years after the two became at odds with each other over the investigation into Cho's family. The brief meeting took place when Yoon was leaving an event held in celebration of Buddha's birthday in central Seoul, where many other key political figures were also present. Yoon greeted Cho, the leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, by shaking his hand and there was no conversation between the two, according to people with knowledge of the matter. "President Yoon said 'nice to see you' to Chairman Cho," a person close to Cho said. It marked the first time they had met since July 2019, when Yoon met Cho, the then presidential secretary for civil affairs under the preceding Moon Jae-in government, at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, after Yoon was appointed as the prosecutor-general. The relationship between the two became uncomfortable after Yoon headed an investigation into corruption allegations centering on Cho's wife and his children. Cho was the justice minister at the time. Cho resigned from his minister post only about a month after taking office. Cho's wife was later convicted and served a prison term. After Yoon became president, Cho turned to politics and launched his party just before last month's parliamentary elections. Cho used most of his election campaign to criticize the Yoon government, promising his supporters to push for an impeachment of Yoon. (Yonhap) 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 By Jun Ji-hye Speculation is mounting over the potential early comeback of Han Dong-hoon, the former interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), who has maintained a low profile since the party's bitter defeat in the April 10 parliamentary elections. If Han resumes political activities at this juncture, it will inevitably be seen as a bid to seize the chance to become the governing partys new chairperson, given that the PPP is gearing up to hold a convention to elect its new leadership around July. This move is anticipated to position him as one of the most formidable contenders for the forthcoming presidential elections in 2027. Han, a former prosecutor and President Yoon Suk Yeols first justice minister, became the conservative partys leader last December and led the tough election campaign to help the party regain the trust of voters. Despite such efforts, the party won only 108 seats out of a 300-member National Assembly, and Han stepped down shouldering responsibility for the defeat and chose to disappear from the publics eye. But the political novice has been spotted recently on several occasions, including a dinner on Sunday with former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong, who lost to Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Jae-myung in the elections. It remains unknown what the two may have discussed, but many speculate they may have talked about various pending issues including the partys upcoming convention. On Saturday, Han was also spotted reading a book in a library in Seoul and signing autographs and being photographed with his supporters. The recent public sightings are fanning expectations that Han will run for the chairmanship of the ruling party. His relatively high approval ratings in surveys support this speculation. In an Ace Research poll of 1,000 adults that surveyed the popularity of potential candidates for the PPP's new chairperson, Han received 26 percent support, slightly trailing behind former PPP lawmaker Yoo Seong-min, who secured 28 percent. When the pollster limited the respondents to PPP supporters, Han ranked first with 48 percent support. The poll was carried out from May 8 to 9. However, his potential early return to the political arena is expected to spark controversy over its justifiability. Party members have already been engaged in a heated debate over how much longer Han should maintain a low-key position to take responsibility for the party's election defeat. The PPPs current interim leader, Hwang Woo-yea, said during a party meeting on Tuesday, We should not leave the responsibility to a certain individual. The issue of accountability was settled when Han stepped down. Hwangs comments were construed as indirectly supporting Hans early return. Five-term lawmaker Cho Kyoung-tae also said during a radio interview, Every member of the party should take responsibility. The election defeat and running for the chairmanship are separate issues. On the other hand, Kim Joon-ho, another party member, said, I dont agree with Hwangs comments that the issue of accountability was settled when Han stepped down. Gunmen abduct Dangote workers at Okpella Suzanne Starbuck By 15 May 2024 Gunmen stormed Dangote Cements Okpella plant in Edo State, Nigeria, on 14 May, abducting dozens of plant workers, according to Business Day. Eye witnesses say the gunmen opened fire on a convoy of plant workers. The number of workers injured is currently unknown. The attack has been confirmed by Michael Odofin, a spokesperson for Okpella Cement Plc. I cannot give any details right now but our workers were attacked. The attack is still fresh. We have no one killed, said Mr Odofin. Published under Pakistan's State Bank notes export growth in 1HFY23-24 ICR Newsroom By 15 May 2024 The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has reported that the countrys cement sector shows significant export growth during the 1HFY23-24. Cement production saw a modest rise of 1.9 per cent during 1HFY23-24, largely attributed to the increased export volume. This was further bolstered by a surge in domestic sales in the last few months. Cement demand in the countrys export destinations, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Germany and Ghana, nearly doubled to 3.7Mt during 1HFY23-24. Also, domestic dispatches slightly increased by 1.7 per cent in the current period. However, subdued domestic demand and increased coal prices somewhat dented cement production. Pakistans macroeconomic conditions improved during 1HFY23-24, according to the SBP's Economy Report for 1HFY23-24. The report contains the analysis prepared on data for the July-December 2023. According to the report, the real economic activities moderately recovered against the contraction last year, while a stand-by arrangement with the IMF helped reduce stress on external accounts. Published under CEMEX signs solar agreement for Clinchfield plant Suzanne Starbuck By 15 May 2024 CEMEX USA has entered into an off-site renewable energy agreement with Georgia Power for its Clinchfield cement plant as part of its ongoing decarbonisation drive. Through this long-term agreement the Clinchfield plant will secure approximately 25 per cent of its power requirements from solar facilities throughout the state beginning in 2025, reports PR Newswire. Embracing solar power not only accelerates our own aggressive sustainability goals but also sets a powerful example for the entire industry, said Ernesto Felix, CEMEX US senior vice president, Cement Operations and Technical. By integrating renewable energy solutions through Georgia Power, CEMEX paves the way for a greener, more resilient future for generations to come. CEMEX expects the use of solar generated power at the Clinchfield works to offset about 10,000tpa of indirect CO 2 emissions, accelerating the companys 2030 Scope 2 goal of reducing indirect electricity GHG emissions in cement operations by 58 per cent from a 2020 baseline. 2023 saw CEMEX achieved a 12 per cent reduction in its Scope 2 specific emissions compared to a 2020 baseline. Published under By Trudy Rubin While TV news was glued last week to Stormy Daniels' tell-all testimony and pro-Palestinian demonstrations, scant attention was paid to Vladimir Putin's tsar-like coronation for a fifth term. Nor to his bellicose parade of Russia's nuclear-capable missiles through Red Square on Thursday, the annual Victory Day commemoration of World War II. I would argue that Putin's stage-managed glorification was more significant than Donald Trump's hush money trial or the student upheavals. For one thing, the ceremonies reflected Putin's optimism about victory in Ukraine. Despite congressional passage of a long-delayed military aid package for Kyiv, the weapons may arrive too slowly to prevent Russia from making dangerous new gains unless they are dispatched with a greater sense of urgency. Putin's preening is clearly fed by the belief that the new aid is too little, too late, and that a Trump victory in November will mean an end to further U.S. support for Kyiv. Moreover, the diversion of White House attention to Gaza distracts from a desperately needed administration focus on helping Ukraine make progress against Moscow this year, not in the unpredictable future. Yet, the deeper reason Putin's pomp should have drawn greater attention is that it demonstrated something most Americans still don't grasp: the threat this Russian leader presents to Europe and the U.S. That threat is all the greater because the unchecked power Putin displayed last week aroused such admiration from close associates of Trump, and from the GOP candidate himself. The longest-serving Kremlin leader since Joseph Stalin, Putin took his oath beneath the glittering arches of the Andreyevsky Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace where Russian tsars were once crowned. A 30-gun salute followed. Putin had had the Russian Constitution changed to enable him to rule for life. Recall that Putin was inaugurated after a sham election in March in which no genuine alternative candidate was allowed to run. The most serious opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, had survived poisoning by Russian intelligence agents only to be imprisoned in an Arctic penal colony; he died conveniently and mysteriously in prison one month before the election. Navalny was only the latest in a long string of Putin opponents to be poisoned or otherwise murdered, not just inside Russia but across Europe. On Monday, at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, I will interview former Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko, who barely survived a poisoning attempt in Kyiv in 2004 by a Russian agent; Putin opposed his efforts to draw his country closer to the European Union. If you want a theatrical glimpse of how this cold-blooded Kremlin killer operates, rush to New York before the British play Patriots ends its run. You will see a splendid cast depict Putin's brutal destruction of the Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky who lifted him out of political obscurity to the presidency, but then had the audacity to challenge the Frankenstein he helped create. This is the nature of the leader whom Trump so admires. The Kremlin boss is cracking down on any and all dissent inside Russia at a level unseen since the breakup of the Soviet Union. He is having statues of Stalin rebuilt all across Russia. And, as his grandiose inaugural confirmed, he is obsessed with Russia's past imperial glories. "We are answering to our thousand-year history and our ancestors," he proclaimed. It is Putin's distorted view of Russian history that underlies his invasion of Ukraine. The Russian dictator believes his country has a "sacred duty" to swallow, or dominate, other European and Central Asian states that were once part of its empire. He considers himself the incarnation of past conquerors such as Catherine the Great, whose statue he keeps in his office. At last week's ceremonies, he bragged of the "correctness of the country's course," and made clear his willingness to confront the West. Having basically recolonized independent Belarus, Putin insists Ukraine has no right to exist as an independent country. On Victory Day, he repeated his grotesque comparison of Moscow's fight against Ukraine to Russia's World War II battle against the Nazis. Never mind that in 2024, it is Putin who is playing the role of Hitler, as state-controlled Russian TV acts the part of Joseph Goebbels' propaganda network. In the weeks leading up to the inauguration, Russian talk show hosts fulminated on how Ukrainians are "animals," and advocated killing the parents, wives, and children of Ukrainian soldiers. A Russian plot to assassinate Ukraine's Jewish president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, just prior to the Victory Day celebration, was fortunately broken up by Ukraine. Putin's nuclear threats are meant to deter the West from helping Ukraine win. You might well ask why the West should take Putin seriously, given his failure to conquer Ukraine in three weeks as he had intended, and the cost of the ongoing war. Only one Russian tank, a World War II T34 relic, rolled through Red Square in the Victory Day parade, both this year and last, a sign of how much military resources Moscow has had to commit to Ukraine. Here we come to the reason it gives me heartburn that America's attention has turned away from Kyiv. Putin thinks the West is fractured and fractious, and will eventually permit him to gnaw at the weak points in its society and its defenses. That is what made his bravado at this year's Victory Day parade so flagrant after the more dismal outlook last year. After annexing chunks of Ukraine, he intends to destroy its infrastructure and cities (unless the West rushes more air defenses to the country). He is striving to undermine NATO by backing far-right parties in Europe with propaganda and financing. The coup de grace would be a victory by Trump, who openly disdains the Atlantic alliance. Putin hopes his nuclear saber-rattling including the parade of missiles through Red Square will dissuade the West from saving Ukraine, and will enable further planned Russian aggression on land, sea, and in space. As he reviewed the troops on Red Square, he bragged, "We will not allow anyone to threaten us." Needless to say, China, Iran, and North Korea are closely watching to see if his bluster works. Most insidious is Putin's pretentious pose as the global standard-bearer for "centuries-old family values and traditions," as he put it in his inaugural address. He is skillfully playing on the cultural divides that have poisoned politics in the West. We know Trump envies Putin's vainglorious pomp, the glitz and military parades and salutes. Less obvious is the Russian leader's success in wooing U.S. conservatives who see him as a global advocate for the conservative, Christian, anti-immigrant values they embrace. Never mind that this self-proclaimed defender of Orthodox Christian values is responsible for civilian slaughter, torture, rape, kidnapping of children in Ukraine, and murders of opponents. This includes persecution of LGBTQ people, and encouraging women to stay home and have eight children to increase Russia's population. It also includes forcing artists, filmmakers, and cultural institutions to hew to a "patriotic" line or go to jail. Yet, the GOP's far-right has swallowed, or simply admires, Putin's constant harping on "family values." Tucker Carlson, who still has a huge following, treats Putin like a hero. Trump compliments him and invites his staunchest European backer, Viktor Orban, to Mar-a-Lago. The Conservative Political Action Committee, or CPAC, rushes to Budapest, Hungary, to see Orban. Moreover, according to the latest Pew poll, 49 percent of Republicans buy Putin's argument that America gives too much aid to Ukraine, oblivious to the security consequences of a Putin victory. While 83 percent of liberal Democrats have no confidence in Putin, only 61 percent of all Republicans say the same. This past week, as Americans ignored his Kremlin theatrics, Putin laid bare the risks he poses to our country. I wish U.S. Putin-huggers had been compelled to watch his dictatorial display over and over. Yet, that might just make those who despise liberal democracy admire him more. Trudy Rubin is a columnist and editorial-board member for the The Philadelphia Inquirer. Readers may write to her at: Philadelphia Inquirer, P.O. Box 8263, Philadelphia, Pa. 19101, or by email at trubin@phillynews.com. This article was distributed by Tribune Content Agency. Time to act on climate crisis By Jang Daul In the heart of Seoul, amidst the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers, a different kind of battle is being waged one that resonates far beyond the borders of Korea. This battle is not waged with weapons or political rhetoric, but with the weight of legal arguments and the fervent determination of climate-concerned citizens, passionate activists and lawyers. At the center of this struggle is Korea's Constitutional Court, which held the first public hearing of Asia's first climate lawsuit against the governments climate target on April 23, with the next hearing scheduled for May 21, a watershed moment in the global fight against the climate crisis. The genesis of this legal saga dates back to 2020, when the first climate lawsuit was filed in Korea. Now, four consolidated lawsuits stand before the court, each representing a diverse array of plaintiffs united by a common cause: To hold the government accountable for its inadequate climate policies. From infants to children, teens, citizens and civil society activists, the plaintiffs represent a unified voice demanding climate justice and liability. The crux of the plaintiffs argument rests on a fundamental premise: That climate change is not just an environmental issue, but a matter of constitutional rights. They contend that the governments failure to address the climate crisis effectively in a timely manner infringes upon their right to life and a clean environment an assertion bolstered by the Korean National Human Rights Commissions declaration that climate change constitutes a human rights issue of paramount importance. Central to the plaintiffs case is the disparity between Koreas national greenhouse gas emission reduction goal and those of other industrialized nations. They argue that the governments current policies fall woefully short of what is required to mitigate the catastrophic effects of climate change, citing scientific evidence and international legal precedents to support their claims. From inadequate emissions reduction targets to a reliance on fossil fuels, the governments approach to climate action is deemed insufficient and incompatible with its constitutional obligations. However, the government remains steadfast in its defense, citing the complexities of policymaking. While acknowledging the urgency of climate change, government officials argue that the judiciary should not encroach upon matters of policy and governance a stance that sets the stage for a clash of legal doctrines and raises fundamental questions about the separation of powers. As the courtroom drama unfolds, the eyes of the world are fixed upon Korea, recognizing the profound implications of this historic legal battle. The outcome of these lawsuits will reverberate across continents, shaping the future of climate action and holding governments accountable for their climate commitments. Indeed, Koreas climate litigation is not just a domestic affair; it is a global rallying cry for climate justice and a testament to the power of grassroots activism in effecting change. In recent years, climate litigation has emerged as a powerful tool for holding governments and corporations accountable for their contributions to climate change. From landmark rulings in Europe to groundbreaking lawsuits in the United States, courts around the world have increasingly recognized the urgent need for climate action and the legal obligations of governments to protect the environment and uphold human rights. Koreas climate litigation represents a significant milestone in this global movement for environmental justice. By challenging the governments climate policies in court, plaintiffs are not only seeking redress for past injustices but also demanding systemic change to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for all. Their courage and determination serve as an inspiration to activists and advocates worldwide, galvanizing support for climate action and sparking meaningful conversations about the intersection of law, justice and the environment. Beyond the legal arguments and constitutional debates lies a deeper truth a truth that speaks to the moral imperative of safeguarding our planet for future generations. It is a truth embodied by the faces of the youth activists who stand as plaintiffs in this historic case a generation that refuses to inherit a world ravaged by the climate crisis. Their voices echo a universal call to action, reminding us of our collective responsibility to protect humanity and our planet. In the end, Koreas climate litigation is not just about winning a legal battle; it is about winning the fight for humanitys future. It is about affirming our commitment to climate justice and ensuring that the voices of the marginalized and the disenfranchised are heard and heeded. As the judges of the Constitutional Court deliberate and the plaintiffs await their verdict, one thing remains abundantly clear: The world is watching, and the time for action is now. Jang Daul (daul.jang@greenpeace.org) is a government relations and advocacy specialist at Greenpeace East Asia Seoul Office. He is a guest editorial writer for The Korea Times. For the first time, researchers at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga have received the Research Initiation Award from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.Associate Professor Azad Hossain, an environmental geoscientist in the UTC Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, was the principal investigator on award funding of $299,998 from NASA for the project titled Remote Sensing of Water Quality in the Tennessee River.Professor Hong Qin, head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and University of Mississippi Senior Research Scientist Xiaobo Chao were co-investigators.Mr.Hossains expertise lies in geospatial technology, and the general focus of his research interests are in the geological and environmental applications of GIS, remote sensing and spatial analysis coupled with numerical modeling.The name of the grant program is Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science, and we typically call it ROSES. Its a very prestigious, nationally competitive grant, said Mr. Hossain, who joined the UTC faculty in fall 2016. Ive been working with geospatial technology and remote sensing for more than 25 years, and this award is a dream for any scientist who works with satellite and remote sensing.I know the significance of this program. I know its an elite research program andwith NASA putting UTCs name on itit gives me great pride and satisfaction to say, We got it.ROSES, Mr. Hossain said, is NASAs nationally competitive research grant opportunity. The specific two-year RIA provides the foundation to develop research that is competitive, sustainable and productive.This research is about estimating water quality in the Tennessee River and using NASAs satellites, he said, and one of NASAs signature observation satellite programs called Landsat. The way this research works is that you have satellite images taken every 16 days; to estimate water quality, you have to be in the water right at the same time that the image is being taken. There is no other option.So we have those measurements and NASA has their measurements. Then we couple them to develop the model.Over Mr. Hossains time as a researcher, satellite technology has provided a birds eye view of water quality, but understanding inland water bodies like those in the Tennessee River has been tricky. Until recently, there wasnt a way to use satellite images to study water quality in this region.To change that, Mr. Hossain initiated research to explore the potential of remote sensing technology to study surface water quality in the watersheds of Southeast Tennessee using satellite observations coupled with field measurements.As a matter of fact, there have been studies of other major rivers in the U.S. using NASA satellites, but nothing had been done on the Tennessee River, he said. So that gave me an opportunity. The Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network announced Tuesday 13 new schools have received the Tennessee STEM/STEAM Designation for 2024. This honor recognizes schools across the state for preparing students for postsecondary and future career success by committing to promote STEM/STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics)learning for all students.Since the designation process launched in 2018, 127 schools have earned the Tennessee STEM/STEAM Designation, which provides a roadmap for schools to successfully implement a STEM/STEAM education plan at the local level.These designations are testaments to the states commitment to educational excellence and preparing students for their futures, said Lizzette Reynolds, commissioner of education.We commend these schools for prioritizing math and science education, ensuring that Tennessee students are prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow.Each school that received the Tennessee STEM/STEAM School Designation underwent a rigorous application process, including completion of a self-evaluation, participation in interviews and hosting site visits. Schools could either apply for a STEM or STEAM Designation through the designation rubric, which includes five focus areas: infrastructure, curriculum and instruction, professional development, achievement and community and postsecondary partnerships."Schools that earn STEM Designation incorporate strong STEM teaching and learning experiences that rest on inquiry, technology integration, work-based learning and project/problem-based learning strategies tied to the world around us, said Brandi Stroecker, Tennessee STEM Innovation Network director. Each school has a unique STEM program yet incorporates a similar approach by providing cross-curricular teaching practices where students apply the concepts they are learning. The network appreciates these schools as they are providing students with learning experiences that shape their aspirations for the future.For the 2023-24 school year, a total 13 new schools received the TennesseeSTEM/STEAM Designation:STEM Designation Arnold Memorial Elementary School, Cleveland City Schools; Candys Creek Cherokee Elementary School, Cleveland City Schools; Harrison Bay Future Ready Center STEM Academy, Hamilton County Schools; Oliver Springs Middle School, Roane County Schools; Rose Hill School, Jackson-Madison County Schools; Sea Isle Elementary School, Memphis-Shelby County Schools; Valley View Elementary School, Bradley County Schools; and West View Elementary School, Washington County Schools;STEAM Designation Crosstown High School, Memphis-Shelby County Schools; Elmore Park Middle School, Memphis-Shelby County Schools; Lake Forest Middle School, Bradley County Schools; and Liberty Creek Elementary School, Sumner County Schools.School leaders said they are thrilled to receive this honor, which underscores the importance ofSTEM/ STEAM education.In the initial planning process, creating a culture of STEAM was at the forefront of our vision for Liberty Creek Elementary. Through collaboration with our community, we are exposing our students to the world of inquiry, curiosity, and creativity as we focus on creating future leaders, said Mary Day Reynolds, principal of Liberty Creek Elementary School, Sumner County Schools. Our students are being equipped with tools to not only be successful within the classroom but beyond the walls of our building. We are excited to see the impact STEAM can have on our students in the future.We are thrilled to receive the STE(A)M designation, a recognition that celebrates our six-year commitment to transforming high school education at Crosstown High. This designation is not just an accolade; it is a testament to our innovative approach that nurtures holders of foundational knowledge, masters of fundamental literacies, and original thinkers equipped to navigate an uncertain world, said Nikki Wallace, CoScience department chair at Crosstown High School, Memphis-Shelby County Schools. By fostering generous collaboration and lifelong learning, we are preparing our students to excel in complex environments and solve the tough problems of tomorrow. This milestone reaffirms our dedication to rethinking and enriching the educational experience for every student.Once schools have reached five years of implementing and sustaining STEM/STEAM education through the designation process, schools can complete a redesignation cycle.The following schools have successfully achieved the designation for a second time:Two-time STEM Designation Schools Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Hamilton County Schools; D-B Excel, Kingsport City Schools; L&N STEM Academy, Knox County Schools; Oakmont Elementary School, Sumner County Schools; Prescott South Elementary, Putnam County Schools; STEM School Chattanooga, Hamilton County Schools; and Whitehaven Elementary School, Memphis-Shelby County Schools.Two-time STEAM Designation Schools Jack Anderson Elementary School, Sumner County Schools; Jackson Christian Elementary School, Private School; Maxine Smith STEAM Academy, Memphis-Shelby County Schools; Midway Elementary School, Roane County Schools; Moore Magnet Elementary School, Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools; Overall Creek Elementary School, Murfreesboro City Schools; Union Elementary School, Sumner County Schools; and Dr. William Burrus Elementary School, Sumner County Schools.STEM/STEAM education is an interdisciplinary curriculum in which activities in one class complement those in other classes. Additionally, it offers teaching and learning opportunities focused on inquiry, technology, and project-based learning activities and lessons connected to the real world. All K-12 schools serving students in Tennessee are eligible to receive the designation.To read about the impact of the Tennessee STEM and STEAM Designation process,click here To learn more about the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN), click here A 40-year-old Chattanooga man who was caught on camera playing with the underwear of a woman who had rejected his romantic advances has been sentenced to 20 years in state prison. Ruben Santos was ordered to serve active time on the first 15 years. Santos earlier was convicted by a Catoosa County jury of burglary in the first degree. Prosecutors said evidence presented over the course of a two-day trial showed that Santos was a long-time family friend of the victim, a 25-year-old woman. Santos befriended the victim when they were co-workers and also became a friend of the victims father. Santos repeatedly expressed interest in engaging in a romantic relationship with the victim over the course of several years but was rejected. Prosecutors said Santos became more brash in his attempts to kindle a relationship with the victim, to the point where the victim avoided being at the home she shared with her parents when Santos would visit. In July 2023, Santos, unbeknownst to the family of the victim, stole a housekey from the victims mother. After the housekey went missing, the victim and her family noticed items missing from the residence. After returning home from work in the evenings, the victim noticed that items of clothing in her bedroom were out of place. The victim became suspicious that someone was entering the family home while she and her parents were at work during the day, and she installed a surveillance camera in her bedroom. The day following the installation of the camera, as soon as the victim arrived at work, the camera system alerted her that motion was detected in her bedroom. The victim accessed the camera feed and observed Santos entering her bedroom and rummaging through her laundry hamper and selecting multiple pairs of underwear. Before leaving the bedroom, Santos placed two pairs of the victims underwear in his pocket. At the trial, presided over by Superior Court Judge Chris Arnt, the victim provided emotional testimony as to how Santos had destroyed her sense of security in her own home. The jury was able to view the videos depicting Santos conduct in the victims bedroom. Santos will be banished from the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit on release and will be required to comply with sex offender conditions of probation. The state of Georgia was represented by Assistant District Attorney Deanna Reisman. Victim Advocate Shelby Bradshaw assisted the victim through difficult and highly emotional testimony throughout the course of the prosecution. The case was investigated by Catoosa County Sheriffs Office Detective Josh Moore. The home should be a sanctuary from the outside world, said District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller. This creeper violated that sanctity in the most vile of ways, and ADA Reisman and her team have found him a new home to spend time in - prison. Five University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students will get the opportunity to study overseas after being selected as recipients of the nationally competitive Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.The U.S. Department of States Gilman Scholarship Program was created to enable students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship.The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001.The five UTC students receiving Gilman Scholarships: Rising junior Ashlyn Roberson, majoring in both Spanish and integrated studies (art history and philosophy), will spend the fall 2024 semester at the University of Salamanca in Spain after landing the John S. McCain International Scholarship for Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship)which awards $5,000 for dependents of U.S. military personnel. She is a 2022 graduate of Ringgold (Georgia) High School. Rising junior Bailee Fiste will be heading to Japan. Ms. Fiste, majoring in humanities: international studies with a minor in communication, came to UTC from Sparta, Tennessee. She attended White County High School, where she was salutatorian in 2022. Rising senior Bryce Sanders will be traveling to Europe to visit the United Kingdom, Germany and Austria. Mr. Sanders, who attended Lawrence County High School in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, is majoring in psychology with minors in criminal justice and sociology. Rising junior Kamila Vargas will be studying at the University of Alcala in Spain. Ms. Vargas, a Brock Scholar in the UTC Honors College, is majoring in nursing with a minor in Spanish. She is a graduate of Cocke County High School in Newport, Tennessee. Rising senior Kylie Knott will spend six weeks in Florence, Italy. Ms. Knott, who is majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology, plans to pursue a career in art therapy. She is a graduate of Independence High School in Thompsons Station, Tennessee."The significance of the Gilman Scholarship, named after former Congressman Benjamin A. Gilmana staunch advocate for international educationlies in its ability to make global experiences accessible to a broader range of students. By covering travel, tuition and living expenses, the scholarship removes financial obstacles and allows recipients to immerse themselves in new cultures, languages and academic pursuits," officials said.Studying abroad can be a transformative experience, said Dr. Trey Straussberger, director of the UTC Office of National Scholarships. Many students who havent left the region are able to go overseas and experience a different culture, live in a different country and study at a different university. It can have lasting impacts.Dr. Straussberger said this is only the second time that five UTC students were selected for Gilman Scholarships in the same cycle. State Rep. Greg Vital today commemorated National Police Week and urged Hamilton County residents to honor and remember law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.The names of 282 officers killed in the line of duty will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. on May 15.Tennessee depends on the brave members of our law enforcement community to keep us safe, Rep.Vital said. It is important that we always honor their service and sacrifice to our state.Seven fallen officers are from Tennessee and include Sgt. James Russ, Chattanooga Police Dept; Deputy Tucker Blakely, Knox County Sheriffs Office; Sgt. William Cherry, Macon County Sheriffs Office; Deputy Shannon Lang Sr., Marion County Police Dept.; Officer Geoffrey Redd, Memphis Police Dept., and Chief Christopher Cummings, Samburg Police Dept. Town Marshal Thomas Neely, Middleton Police Dept. was killed in the line of duty in 1899.Officials said, "Rep. Vital and his Republican colleagues took steps this year to strengthen laws to protect police officers against assault with the Back the Blue Act ."The new law, which goes into effect July 1, offers additional protections that will enhance the penalty for assault against a law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony punishable by a mandatory minimum 60-day sentence and a $10,000 fine.I was proud to help pass this new law, which represents the Volunteer States commitment to protecting those who keep our communities safe, Rep. Vital said. We must always back the blue and support all of our dedicated first responders statewide.In Tennessee, assaulting a first responder, including nurses, firefighters and emergency services personnel, is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by 30 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. Assault includes knowingly causing bodily injury or knowingly causing offensive physical contact, including spitting, throwing or transferring bodily fluids, human pathogens or waste onto a first responder.There were 1,603 simple assaults on law enforcement officers last year in Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.Sixty police officers across Tennessee have died in the line of duty since 2019, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page , a non-profit dedicated to honoring fallen officers across the United States. By Baek Byung-yeul Samsung Electronics will launch a family care service in June, an AI solution for older adults who are not familiar with digital devices and services and who need close family support, the company said Wednesday. The service will use Samsung's Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart home platform SmartThings to let clients check whether their family members are using home appliances or whether there have been any changes in movement patterns. The service connects users' older family members' TVs, refrigerators, water purifiers, induction cooktops, smartphones and other appliances with the SmartThings app to manage their daily routines based on AI technology, Samsung said. For example, when an older parent takes medication, the water purifier will optimize the amount and temperature of water for the medication. The service also allows users to check inside the refrigerator through a camera to see what groceries need to be purchased. They can also turn induction cooktops off via their smartphones if a family member accidentally leaves one on. "We will continue to introduce various AI products and solutions to further solidify Samsung's AI leadership in the market here," Lim Seong-taek executive vice president of Samsung, said. Samsung said the Family Care service doesn't just manage one's parents' home appliances but can be customized for a variety of households. According to Samsung, newlyweds use AI-related products the most, at 51 percent, followed by 46 percent of households with infants and toddlers and 34 percent of single-person households. With AI features, a robot vacuum cleaner can clean the home when users are away from home, and the all-in-one washer-dryer cleans laundry that is placed in the machine before leaving for work and dries the load by the time the user returns home. Parents can also receive a notification via SmartThings when their children return home from school, and single households can use the technology for security purposes while away from home via sensors installed in the home. Since the beginning of this year, Samsung has introduced a variety of AI-powered home appliances, including the Bespoke AI Combo, an all-in-one washer-dryer with AI features, the Bespoke AI Steam robot vacuum cleaner and the Bespoke AI Family Hub refrigerator, which intelligently manages food stored inside it. Middle Valley Church of God, 1703 Thrasher Pike in Hixson, announces that Pastor Mitch McClure will be preaching this Sunday in the 10:30 a.m. service on "I Don't Have To, I Want To, I Will."Each Sunday at 5:30 p.m. the church conducts a Prayer Meeting. The Prayer Meeting is open to all who wishAlex and Beth Baker will be leading an interactive, informative and interesting Bible study each Wednesday at 7 p.m.All services will be held in the church auditorium and all are welcome to attendFor more information, contact the church office at 423-843-1539. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close In 1922, the very last wild Barbary lion was killed by a French hunter in Morocco. Barbary lions were a population of the lion subspecies Panthera leo leo. They once inhabited the mountains and deserts of northern Africa, from Morocco to Egypt. They became extinct after the spread of firearms and bounties for shooting lions. Barbary lions were widely revered for their impressive size and dark-haired manes. They were kept by royal families in northern Africa, but the Romans also loved them just as much. They had the lions fight in the Coliseum with gladiators, displayed them in zoos and parks, and even housed them at the Tower of London for a brief period. However, that all led to the complete eradication of the species. The Romans slaughtered thousands of lions during their gladiator battles. After the Romans, the Arab empire forced the animals into a smaller habitat range. In the 19th century, the arrival of European hunters finally killed off the remaining lions. Between 1901 and 1910, not a single Barbary lion was spotted. By the 1920s, scientists believed they were extinct. But, according to a new study published in PLOS One, Barbary lions may have stayed alive and hidden from humans in the wilderness of Algeria and Morocco for several decades, possibly even as late as 1965. Researchers from the Durrell Institute for Conservation and Ecology in England and the National Agency for Nature Conservation in Algiers examined accounts of lion sightings in the years after they were said to be extinct. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Maori Christians in New Zealand bristle at newly translated portions of the Bible that use the names of local deities. Jade Stephens / Unsplash Last year, Bible Society New Zealand (BSNZ) released a 109-page booklet with 10 Bible passages published in a contemporary Maori translation for the first time. The version used the names of atua Maori, or Maori gods and deities, in place of words like heaven, earth, land, and sea. Genesis 1:1, for example, says that in the beginning, God made Rangi-nui (Sky Father) and Papatuanuku (Earth Mother) instead of rangi and whenua respectively. The changes, meant to appeal to younger Maori, stirred debate. While some readers praised the changes (The terms are more relatable, wrote one respondent in a BSNZ survey), many, including Maori theologians and church leaders, decried the use of atua Maori in the Scriptures as twisted and blasphemous. The aim of publishing He Timatanga (A Beginning) was not to present a final translation but to offer a draft for feedback, said Clare Knowles, translation coordinator at BSNZ. Publishing these passages was part of an effort that began in 2008 to retranslate the entire Bible into Maori [in] todays language. Sign up for Moore to the Point Join Russell Moore in thinking through the important questions of the day, along with book and music recommendations he has found formative. 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. While Maori speakers in New Zealand have a Bible translation in their language, it was last revised in 1952. The most recent edition in 2012 mainly focused on reformatting the text with updated paragraphs, spelling, and punctuation, but the content has largely remained the same since missionaries first translated the Bible into Maori in the 19th century. Imagine if the only English translation we had was the King James Version. This is a bit like the situation with Te Paipera Tapu, the Maori Bible, Knowles wrote in an article promoting He Timatanga. In New Zealand, about 8 percent of the population speak Maori, which has made a resurgence as more students attend full-immersion Maori language schools. At the same time, the percentage of Christians among the Maori between 2006 and 2018 dropped from 46 percent to 30 percent, which some attribute to the legacy of colonialism (see sidebar). As Maori language and culture have become more infused with daily life, more young people have started using atua Maori to describe the natural world. These changes reveal the need for a fresh translation of Gods Word, said Matua Hakiaha, who served on the translation committee of the 2012 reformatted edition of the Maori Bible. But, he added, weve got to get it right. Concerns of syncretism Christianity was formally introduced to the Maori people in New Zealand in 1814 by Samuel Marsden, an Anglican minister who traveled from Sydney at the invitation of the Maori leader Ruatara. Before the establishment of a mission in Ruataras home village of Rangihoua, Maori beliefs centered around a pantheon of gods and spiritual forces. As Maori embraced Christianity in large numbers, they moved away from a complex spiritual and social world mediated by tohunga (priests) and tikanga (customs). Jay Matenga, executive director of the World Evangelical Alliances Mission Commission, noted that the earliest Maori Christians saw atua Maori not as mere symbolism but as gods who had real power. So reviving knowledge of spiritual deities flippantly, without the means to navigate the relationship as the tohunga did, is spiritually ignorant and risky, he said. For several months after He Timatangas release, BSNZ encouraged Christians to read the bookletwhich includes Genesis 111, Ruth, 1 Samuel, Amos, Jonah, Acts 111, Philippians, and 13 Johnand to complete an online survey to share their feedback. The questions asked readers whether they preferred individual translators using their regional dialects, how best to render the divine name YHWH, and if readers preferred a word for word (formal equivalent) or thought for thought (dynamic equivalent) translation. The vast majority of feedback centered around the appropriateness of using atua Maori in place of natural features in several passages in Genesis. Hakiaha was mortified when he read Genesis 12 in He Timatanga. Here was the Word of God based on Hebrew culture, and here we are dragging Maori words into the Hebrew and Greek worlds, he said. No, no, no! Youre tampering, interfering with their worldviews! Author and historian Keith Newman, who moderated several online debates on his Facebook page regarding He Timatanga, shared similar concerns. He said that although Maori creation legends and atua Maori can stand on their own for individual comparison and metaphorical unpacking, [they] should never be included as if they are the same thing. Otherwise, it would leave readers with a recipe for confusion. Debates about He Timatanga also took place in formal gatherings. In June 2023, Maori Christians took part in a hui (a meeting conducted with Maori customs) in Rangiotu to discuss the translation. Six months later, the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Biblical Studies devoted a full day of its annual conference to discussing the contents and issues raised by He Timatanga, with proceedings to be published in a special issue of Religions journal. (Note: The author was present as a contributor.) Te Waaka Melbourne, the translator responsible for Genesis 111 in He Timatanga, explained to CT his choice of words: All Im saying [in the translation] is how I think Maori see it. Rangi[-nui] is the name given to the sky. The earth is Papatuanuku. I cannot see why we shouldnt use this terminology. Its very common with the kids and the kohanga reo generation, or children raised in full-immersion Maori schools. In a BSNZ written statement, Knowles emphasized that the translations in He Timatanga were offered in a spirit of generosity, recognising the need for a new Maori translation that speaks to younger generations. At the same time, she noted that translators were not employees of BSNZ and did not necessarily represent their views. On whether or not a future translation would include atua Maori in Genesis, Knowles told CT that BSNZ wouldnt want to dilute the interpretation of [the] Scriptures. She acknowledged that, as with projects into other languages, final decisions regarding translations are best left to Maori Christians. Revitalizing the Maori language The spirited discussions around He Timatanga have occurred amid wider societal shifts in attitudes regarding Indigenous language and culture in New Zealand. Like cultures, every language is dynamic, said Matenga. From the 1970s, te reo [the Maori language] has undergone what is perhaps one of the most successful language revitalization processes in the world. While in previous generations the use of Maori was banned in schools, a growing number of children are now being raised and educated in full-immersion Maori language environments. National survey results in 2021 found that the number of New Zealanders improving at using Maori in day-to-day conversations continues to grow. In 2024, Christians established Te Wananga Ihorangi , a language school to equip the church to better express its beliefs in the Maori language. The school is also working with BSNZ to create the first Maori audio Bible. This revitalization has led to significant shifts in the Maori language, with thousands of new words officially documented since the 1980s. It has also caused an increased emphasis on Maori spirituality. While this has historically included the use of Christian prayers, in recent years, Maori have been increasingly drawn toward the use of pre-Christian Maori folklore. For instance, in 2022, when the New Zealand government made Matariki a public holiday to celebrate the Maori New Year, official resources outlined ceremonies that involved honoring the deceased and presenting food offerings to the stars in the Pleiades star cluster. It is in this changing culture that Christians in New Zealand are searching for ways to engage Maori speakers with the Bible. Wayne te Kaawa, a Maori theologian from the University of Otago and part of the wider reference group for BSNZ, noted that many younger Maori in his theology classes favored bringing atua Maori into the Bible as it validated their identity and worldview. Essentially, [Genesis 12] is a Middle Eastern creation story, he said. We didn't want to try and match the two stories. We just wanted them to come into conversation with each other. Hakiaha, who grew up in a community fully immersed in Maori language and culture, noted that as his children and grandchildren learn Maori in school, he is concerned that their teachers are teaching Maori gods to them. Unlike the older generation, our young Maori are saying theres no place for Christianity. Thus, the need for a new Bible translation. Strategies to gather translation feedback To produce the translations in He Timatanga, members of the translation committee were assigned different texts to translate, followed by a peer review process. For example, for Genesis 111, Melbourne worked primarily from English translations, with other committee members with linguistic and biblical language skills giving feedback. Some committee members objected to including atua Maori, but they all agreed to present the issue to the public for discussion. Knowles expressed confidence in how the translation was handled, yet in hindsight wonders if laying out He Timatanga more like a draft could have better communicated that this was a work in progress. When you publish something [in print], it looks final, [but] if it was just published online, people wouldnt make that assumption. As an outside observer, Matenga was less convinced that releasing He Timatanga was the most effective way to gather helpful feedback. The mechanism used has not generated much two-way dialogue, he said. The conversations have been quite reactionary. Instead, a more time-intensive yet culturally appropriate strategy would have been to host in-person forums with respected Maori language and cultural experts to discuss the proposals. Knowles noted that in future efforts, BSNZ would aim to consult and engage with Maori in face-to-face meetings. There is a boundary where contextualization becomes syncretism, Matenga said. Translators must walk that line very carefully, honoring the original text. Finding the right translators Hakiaha noted that most Maori Christians agree the project still needed to happen. Theres definitely a need for an updated version [but] the group who steers this needs to be broader and bigger. He suggested future translation committees include not only academics and theologians but also Christians and non-Christians who are fluent in Maori language and culture. Courtesy of Clare Knowles Clare Knowles, translations coordinator at Bible Society of New Zealand Knowles acknowledged some of the challenges ahead for the Maori Bible translation project. The pool of Christians who are fluent in both Maori and biblical languages is extremely small. In addition, those with time to join the committee are often retired and outside the target audience of young adults. In contrast, Knowles observed that younger Maori proficient in their native language often disqualify themselves out of reverence for their elders. Currently, BSNZ is in ongoing discussions with Don Tamihere, archbishop of the Maori Anglican church who previously chaired the translation committee, in hopes of establishing an interdenominational translation group that can move forward with translating the whole Bible. Knowles is hopeful there will be a committee by the end of the year so that BSNZ can fall into the support role. We want Maori to take the lead, she said. For future generations of Maori, Hakiaha hopes the Bible will be made accessible and acceptable from the cradle to the grave. This will require more than just a new Bible translation but concordances and dictionaries, as well as Bible literacy and engagement efforts. He sees Maori as having a positive role in leading the way for other Indigenous peoples around the world to revive their language and culture. Yet when translating Gods Word, Hakiaha calls for Christians to remember: Waiho te ao Maori ki te ao Maori; waiho te ao Karaitiana ki te ao Karaitiana. Leave the Maori world to the Maori world; leave the Christian world to the Christian world. Is the Maori Bible complicit with colonialism? The Bible is not always perceived positively among contemporary Maori. Academic Ranginui Walker described Christianity as total colonisation and a cultural invasion, with the Maori Bible used to pave the way. Hatred over government land seizures even contributed to the rejection of the Bible Societys 1887 revised edition of the Maori Bible, as Maori Christians declared: Take your bibles away. They do not contain Gods word, for the Ministers and pakehas [European settlers] and the Government have altered that Bible and added words of their own to it; but the old Book contains only Gods words and we want that. For Jay Matenga, however, this anti-Christian narrative is only partially right. Before the large-scale colonial settlement that arrived after the establishment of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealands founding document, pre-settlement missionary work among Maori was largely positive. Earlier missionaries were respectful of the Maori language and sought to learn it to spread the message of the Bible. Rather, it was the influence of later settler Christianity that dominated the New Zealand church. Matenga argues that this latter form of Christianity suffocated Indigenous theology and practice judging it as errant. Hirini Kaa, a Maori Anglican minister and historian, agrees that the first Maori who engaged with the 1868 publication of the Maori Bible experienced freedom rather than oppression. Maori saw stories of oppression and liberation, of an intensely spiritual world, he wrote in an article. To get this story across, the missionaries were forced to cross into our world, choosing language that would resonate with us and speak to our hearts as much as to our heads. For all his greatness, we should most seek to imitate the late pastors humility and indifference to fame. Photography by Arianne Ramaker / Courtesy of Redeemer City to City In spring of last year, many of us saw a photo of the late Timothy Keller sitting on a park bench. The photo was used on the cover of Collin Hansens biography of Keller, and it circulated around the internet in May when he passed awayon social media, blogs, and even Kellers personal website. What most of us didnt see, however, was the banana peel lying on the bench only a couple feet from Keller. The peel has been cropped from most versions of the photo, and understandably so. Who wants to see an ugly brown bit of organic waste in an authors photograph? I confess that if I were a world-famous pastor and best-selling author having my picture taken by a professional photographer, I would most certainly have moved the banana peel before someone took my picture. Who wouldnt? But Keller didnt seem to care. Sign up for Moore to the Point Join Russell Moore in thinking through the important questions of the day, along with book and music recommendations he has found formative. 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. I believe this points to a deeper character trait of Kellers, which many observed during his lifetime of ministry: an indifference to fame and to curating an imagesomething many of us struggle with in the social media era. This is also part of why, I believe, he finished his race so well. Finishing well in life and ministry has been historically difficult for believers, especially for those in positions of leadership. Think of Gideon or Solomon in the Old Testament, Demas in the New Testament, or, of course, the many church leaders today who have infamously failed to persevere. The esteem that leaders receive from the Christian community can allow for hidden flaws to grow like rust on the hull of a ship, unnoticed and unaddressed at first. But as these leaders reach greater influence, greater weight is placed on these flawswhich can reach dangerous levels of corrosionand can often be enough to sink the whole ship of their character and legacy. Yet Kellers neither corroded nor sank. As Keller wrote in his best-selling booklet on self-forgetfulness, Friends, wouldnt you want to be a person who does not need honornor is afraid of it? Someone who does not lust for recognitionnor, on the other hand, is frightened to death of it? As someone who seemed neither to lust for recognition nor to be frightened by it, this description seemed to fit Keller well. Arianne Ramaker, who took the original image in Paris while photographing Keller for an article, wrote in our email correspondence, Because the theme of the article was being a Christian in the city and because I like documentary photography, I didnt change anything about the environment. To me, such a banana peel makes it real and unpolished, as life is. She added, I am totally surprised that my photo has been used so much. I think Keller probably felt the same surprise about the success of his own ministry. In our day of fracturing alliances and shifting loyaltiesparticularly with respect to how Christians should best engage cultureits no surprise that a Christian leader like Keller, who often spoke about cultural engagement, had critics who wished he was stronger on one issue or another. Yet people rarely condemn his character, which remains generally acknowledged as inimitable. You wont find leaders close to Keller who idolize him, Collin Hansen writes in his biography. But they do admire him for his character. When Jesus noticed how religious and political leaders in his own time often chose the places of honor, he told a parable. When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, he said, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place. He added, For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:711, ESV). Francis Schaeffer comments on this parable in his famous sermon No Little People, No Little Places. He writes, Jesus commands Christians to seek consciously the lowest room. All of uspastors, teachers, professional religious workers and non-professional includedare tempted to say, I will take the larger place, because it will give me more influence for Jesus Christ. Both individual Christians and Christian organizations fall prey to the temptation of rationalizing this way as we build bigger and bigger empires. The rationale that bigger is always better, Schaeffer argued, was taking Jesus words backward. We should consciously take the lowest place, he said, unless the Lord himself extrudes us into a greater one. This idea of extruding comes from manufacturing: Picture a huge press jamming soft metal at high pressure through a die so that the metal comes out in a certain shape, Schaeffer said. This is the way of the Christian: He should choose the lesser place until God extrudes him into a position of more responsibility and authority. This was Kellers way. Although he stood well over two feet taller than Frodo Baggins, the beloved character in J. R. R. Tolkiens Lord of the Rings trilogybooks he never stopped readingKeller remained just as unlikely and unassuming of a character on an important quest. No one who starts his first pastorate with a rural church of just 90 people in Hopewell, Virginia, could be expected to become a household name among confessing evangelicals only a few decades later. Even when Keller moved to Manhattan in 1989 to start Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Collin Hansen notes, he deliberately avoided publicizing the church, especially to other Christians. Why? Because he wanted to meet skeptics of religion in the Upper East Side more than he wanted to sell books in Nashville. Ive never been to Nashville, but in the same way I would have moved the banana peel, I confess my heart too often feels more excited to sell books in Nashville than to love the people God has placed around me. These temptations with ministry ego go back some time. Unchecked, Im more of a Boromir than a Baggins. Photography by Arianne Ramaker / Courtesy of Redeemer City to City Tim Keller sitting next to a banana peel. When I interviewed for my current ministry role, I remember standing in the basement, chatting with the pastoral search team. It would be an understatement to say the kitchen looked more dated than I would have preferred. Ditto for the whole building. And the neighborhood hadnt aged well either. For context, I was leaving a large church with a brand-new building in a growing part of the city. That church kitchen had a giant stainless-steel commercial dishwasher. I didnt know how to use it, but it sure looked cool. To use Schaeffers word, when I came to our church, I felt the Lord extruding mebut downward, not upward. Over ten years have passed since then, and Im still here. Im not famous, and I doubt Ive sold many books in Nashville because I havent sold many books anywhere. But I can testify in a hundred ways to the kindness of God. In the words of Jesus, our church has experienced good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, in our lap (Luke 6:38). The temptation to seek great things still lingers, but I continue to learn that the way of life is found in dying to our sin. In Kellers last video message to his church before passing away, he spoke to this, reflecting on Jeremiah 45, a lesser-known passage about a scribe named Baruch who, evidently, began to think too highly of himself. Do you seek great things for yourself? God asks rhetorically. Seek them not (v. 5). Keller used quoted his passage as he told his church, Ministers very often come to New York to make a name for themselves. After living 34 years in the city, Im sure this was not a hypothetical scenario for him. He continued, Ministers, dont make your ministry success your identity. Hallowed be Thy name. Forget yourself, forget your reputation. This advice came from someone who had a stellar reputationas a pastor, theologian, evangelist, and author. And Im thankful that God extruded Keller to a place of prominence. Im thankful for the church-planting empire that the Lord built through him and for the many resources hes published that continue to help people like me and churches like mine today. But had Keller not finished well the race marked out for him (Heb. 12:1), none of that would have mattered. Which is why Im most thankful for the reminder left by Kellers legacyone that so many church leaders need todaythat humility and self-forgetfulness are godly virtues that ensure the impact of our ministry far outlasts our lives. Benjamin Vrbicek is the lead pastor at Community Evangelical Free Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the managing editor for Gospel-Centered Discipleship, and the author of several books. Home News Beth Moore draws flak and praise after warning Christians against dangerous Trumpism Popular evangelical Bible teacher Beth Moore is drawing both flak and praise after delivering a stern warning to Christians against Trumpism, which she called astonishingly seductive & dangerous. I do not believe these are days for mincing words. Im 63 1/2 years old & I have never seen anything in these United States of America I found more astonishingly seductive & dangerous to the saints of God than Trumpism. This Christian nationalism is not of God. Move back from it, the author and founder of Living Proof Ministries began Sunday in a tweet which has since gone viral with more than 144,000 likes as of Tuesday morning. Fellow leaders, we will be held responsible for remaining passive in this day of seduction to save our own skin while the saints weve been entrusted to serve are being seduced, manipulated, USED and stirred up into a lather of zeal devoid of the Holy Spirit for political gain, she continued. 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 Moore also warned that in the highly charged and divided political climate, the response among Christians rejecting Trumpism should also not be Bidenism but true faith in Jesus. And, God help us, we dont turn from Trumpism to Bidenism, she said. We do not worship flesh and blood. We do not place our faith in mortals. We are the church of the living God. We cant sanctify idolatry by labeling a leader our Cyrus. We need no Cyrus. We have a king. His name is Jesus. Moores comments attracted praise from many Christians like outspoken activist Bishop Talbert Swan, who serves in the predominantly black Church of God in Christ. He said her comments are a glimmer of hope for white evangelicals who have been heavily criticized for their unwavering support of President Donald Trump. There is hope for the white evangelical community, Swan wrote in a tweet quoting her comments. Pastor Greg Locke, popular internet personality and leader of the Global Vision Bible Church in Tennessee, rebuked Moore in his response on Twitter for what he called her trashy rhetoric. Maam, youve honest to God lost your mind. This trashy rhetoric is why America is in the place that she is. You say move away. I rebuke you in the name of Christ. You are NO friend to babies, Israel, religious Liberty or the nuclear family. SIT DOWN, wrote Locke, who is an avid supporter of Trump and also a part of the Christian activist movement that insists he will be declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election despite the Electoral College formalizing President-elect Joe Biden's victory on Monday. Dana Loesch, nationally syndicated conservative talk radio host, television personality, and bestselling author, suggested Moore was being a hypocrite in her concerns about Christian behavior. I wish you spoke out against abortion as loudly as you do over your petty political nonsense, Loesch replied. Moore, however, isnt the only prominent conservative who has spoken out against Trumpism in recent days. David French, a prominent Tennessee attorney, Iraq veteran and senior editor of The Dispatch, raised concern about the movement in an op-ed on Sunday. A significant segment of the Christian public has fallen for conspiracy theories, has mixed nationalism with the Christian gospel, has substituted a bizarre mysticism for reason and evidence, and rages in fear and anger against their political opponentsall in the name of preserving Donald Trumps power, he wrote. Im not writing to engage in a serious theological debate with those whove committed themselves to dreams and visions of dark conspiracies. Im writing as a warning and as a call for action. Heres the warning: While I hope and pray that protests remain peaceful and that seditious statements are confined to social media, wed be fools to presume that peace will reign. By Ko Dong-hwan The CEO of Kolmar Holdings has announced hefty incentives for its employees to encourage them to have children as the country is suffering from a record-low birthrate and a somewhat gloomy economic outlook as the nation's workforce is downsized, according to the holding company of cosmetic developer Kolmar Group, Tuesday. CEO Yoon Sang-hyun said he will start provisioning upgraded financial support to employees with newborns. He said those with up to two children will be granted 10 million won ($7,300) for each child and those with a third child will be entitled to 20 million won. He said the company, an original development and design manufacturer (ODM) of cosmetics products, has increased the amount of benefits being offered. The latest incentives also included the guarantee that both male and female employees can take parental leave. Yoon made the announcements to the company's employees during a town hall meeting at the Sejong Skincare Cosmetics Factory on May 10. The announcements came after Yoon earlier this year launched a new department dedicated to promoting the value of having children to its employees. "Following the launch of our new campaign-driven department, I wanted to bring some fresh winds to our organization," Yoon said during the town hall meeting. "Last year, all of our subsidiaries saw 121 newborns in total. As the birthrate keeps decreasing in Korea, I thought it was important to introduce new welfare policies to support our employees with family plans." Some 1,500 employees of Kolmar Group subsidiaries, including Kolmar Korea and Kolmar BNH, as well as HNG Research Institute, which formed a technology partnership with Korea Kolmar Technology Research Institute, joined the meeting. Yoon's new incentives are for the company's manufacturing and research facilities in Sejong which he referred to during the town hall meeting as the "heart of Kolmar." He added the meeting was planned to encourage company employees and remind them of the company's identity as a global cosmetic ODM. "Products of Kolmar and their qualities that are born in Sejong are now considered global standards," Yoon reminded the employees during the meeting. Kolmar Holdings previously held a town hall meeting with its employees in Sejong last July. Yoon, who previously served as vice chairman of Kolmar Holdings, was appointed as the company's CEO earlier this month. He is the oldest son of Yoon Dong-han, who established Kolmar Korea in 1990 in collaboration with Nihon Kolmar, which is based in Japan. Home News Cannon Farms calls for prayers after 8 migrant workers killed in DUI crash The family-owned Cannon Farms in Dunnellon, Florida, called for prayers and pledged to remain closed Wednesday after eight migrant workers traveling to work on their land were killed in a grisly crash in Marion County Tuesday. "We will be closed today out of respect to the losses and injuries endured early this morning in the accident that took place to the Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp.," Cannon Farms announced on Tuesday. "Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident. We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time." The farm's owners confirmed in a follow-up statement that they would remain closed on Wednesday. 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 "We [will] let everyone know our plan as far as when we will be back at the barn tomorrow afternoon. Thank you so much for understanding," they added. A statement issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles didn't disclose the identity of the deceased workers as their families have not yet been informed of their deaths. Mexico's Foreign Affairs Secretary Alicia Barcena stated on social media that some workers are Mexican nationals. Florida authorities said the deceased workers were among 53 others traveling in a 2010 International bus before it collided with a 2001 Ford Ranger private truck at approximately 6:35 a.m. on State Road 40. "Initial investigation reveals that the two vehicles made contact in a sideswipe type collision. Post collision, the bus traveled off the roadway, through a fence, and then overturned," the statement said. At least 40 people were transported to local medical facilities with various injuries. About 10 people had serious injuries, while at least 25 had minor injuries, according to USA Today. Authorities also indicated that the number of fatalities could increase. Bryan Maclean Howard, 40, the driver of the pickup, has been arrested and charged with eight counts of driving under the influence manslaughter. Howard was previously cited for a number of traffic-related offenses from 2004 to 2019, according to Marion County records. These include failure to wear a seatbelt, driving on a suspended or expired driver's license, failure to stop at a red light, careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. He was also convicted of possessing drug paraphernalia and grand theft. "My heart goes out to them," Sheriff Billy Woods said in a statement to USA Today, describing the workers as hard-working individuals. A GoFundMe campaign seeking to raise $50,000 for the crash victims has raised more than $41,000 as of Wednesday afternoon. "Your consideration in helping these people is greatly appreciated," campaign organizer Karen Patricio said. "All proceeds will go to support the victims and their families affected by this terrible accident. Farmworkers tend to be forgotten, but it's important not to forget farmworkers, especially during such difficult times." Home News Dan Busby, longtime ECFA leader, dies at 81 Dan Busby, the longest-serving president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability who helped to grow the organizations membership, has died at age 81. ECFA posted a statement on its website explaining that Busby, a certified public accountant who had been with the organization in different capacities since 1989, died of cancer last Wednesday. Michael Martin, the current president and CEO of ECFA who succeeded Busby in 2020, said in the statement that the organization was remarkably blessed by Dan Busbys humble and dedicated service to the ministry for over 30 years, adding that the continued impact of Dans legacy will be felt within the ECFA team and membership far beyond the next three decades. 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 Dan Busby was a genius at connecting, communicating, leading and innovating as he served the members of ECFA and the Kingdom of God, said ECFA Board Chair Wayne Pederson, also quoted in the statement. Dan was not only an esteemed ministry colleague, but a dear friend who cared deeply about the family of God and the people he served. Troy A. Miller, president and CEO of the Christian media group National Religious Broadcasters, released a statement last Thursday giving his condolences. I was saddened to hear of the passing of my friend Dan Busby from this life, but what a joy to know that he was greeted by his Lord and Savior with those welcoming words, Well done, thou good and faithful servant, Miller said. Dan was a servant leader and a Godly man who leaves behind a long-lasting legacy. His leadership at ECFA provided stability and accountability to so many Christian organizations and NRB members in particular. Our prayers go out to Dans loved ones. Born in Kansas in 1941 and the son of a preacher, Busby earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Emporia State University and became a CPA in 1964. He joined the ECFA in 1989, initially serving as a volunteer member of the organizations Standards Committee and then spent several years in various leadership positions. In 2008, Busby became the sixth president of the ECFA, serving in that role until he retired in 2020. He is credited with overseeing a large increase in ECFA membership. Busby also wrote a few pieces for The Christian Post, focused on issues like how to navigate donation requests and the need for increased accountability of nonprofits. Busby is survived by his wife of 58 years, Claudette, two children, Julie and Alan, and four grandchildren. Home News ECFA's new standard seeks to combat burnout, integrity failures among ministry leaders As pastors and ministry heads face rising exhaustion and as each day seems to bring another leader facing allegations of misconduct, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability is developing a new "leadership standard" for member ministries in the hopes of combating burnout and "integrity failures" in churches and charities. ECFA launched the draft Leadership Standard in March after years of prayer, research and deliberations. The prominent Evangelical nonprofit watchdog organization is seeking feedback for the project until the end of this month. The new standard is expected to be released later this year. ECFA President and CEO Michael Martin told The Christian Post via email that the new standard is being created to "strengthen" rather than "eliminate" the current standards. 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 new Leadership Standard will seamlessly join our existing standards of integrity in matters of governance, financial accountability, and stewardship," Martin said. "Specifically, the Leadership Standard will require ECFA-accredited organizations to take proactive steps to care for and support the health and integrity of their senior leaders." The "standard gives member organizations significant latitude to implement a process that's best suited for their contexts," Martin said. It will require the boards of ECFA-accredited churches and ministries "to engage their leaders at least annually to discuss holistic care and the leader's commitment to upholding mutually agreed-on biblical principles." "ECFA members would be expected to demonstrate compliance with the standard no later than the 2027 annual accreditation renewal cycle," he added. "The new Leadership Standard already has strong support from a diverse group of ECFA leaders and ministries, including local churches, international ministries, pregnancy centers, rescue missions, media ministries, and educational institutions." Martin believes the "need for more intentional leader care is clear." He cited the December 2021 ECFA survey of over 800 board chairs, finding that 94% of surveyed respondents "indicated that integrity failures are having a negative impact on trust." The survey found that just over half (57%) of nonprofit CEOs said their ministry's board implemented written plans regarding character expectations for the leaders, while only 15% said their organizations had a written plan to support the care of the senior leader. "We acknowledge that in a fallen world, it's impossible to prevent all failures in leadership," Martin told CP. "As with other ECFA accreditation standards, the goal of the new Leadership Standard is not perfection." "The standard is designed to support the integrity and wellbeing of leaders, to assist accredited organizations in implementing appropriate safeguards, and to assure donors that prudent steps are being taken in critical areas to reinforce trust." The new leadership standard has the backing of multiple prominent Evangelical leaders; among them is Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of Life.Church. "ECFA's new Leadership Standard will spur organizations to bring clarity to a leader's responsibility for staying anchored in Christ," said Groeschel in a statement released in March. "This is about more than organizational integrity. It's about intentionally building a Christ-centered culture where leaders are held both in love and accountability by the people they serve." Home News Atheist, nonbinary pro-life activist sentenced to federal prison for FACE Act violation The first pro-life atheist indicted under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for participating in the 2020 blockade of a Washington, D.C., abortion facility. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly announced the sentence for nonbinary pro-life activist Herb (Rosemary) Geraghty on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the federal judge sentenced three of Geraghtys fellow activists Lauren Handy, John Hinshaw and William Goodman who also participated in the October 2020 blockade of the Washington Surgi-Clinic. Handy is a member of Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising, another pro-life group of which Geraghty is also a part. 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 Prior to the nine-month incarceration, Geraghty served as the executive director of the nonpartisan pro-life organization Rehumanize International. Geraghty was immediately taken into custody after a jury issued a guilty ruling last year on charges of violating the FACE Act. Geraghty was one of several defendants who participated in an effort to stop the Washington Surgi-Clinic from performing abortions on Oct. 22, 2020. According to prosecutors, Geraghty assisted Handy in planning the blockade. A jury concluded last year that the activist "did, in fact, use force and/or violence against clinic employees in his entry, or at least aided and abetted fellow Defendants in doing so." During the trial, Geraghty denied using force to enter the facility, citing pacifist beliefs. In a Wednesday statement to The Christian Post, Terrisa Bukovinac, founder of PAAU, expressed her commitment to standing with Geraghty and "nonviolent political prisoners everywhere." "I am appalled by Biden's weaponization of the Justice Department against Herb, the first atheist to be indicted and now sentenced under FACE," Bukovinac stated. "The assessment by Judge Kollar-Kotelly that Herb used force or violence is a blatant lie born of her clear confirmation bias against anti-abortion people." The pro-life leader was present in the courtroom Wednesday during Geraghty's sentencing. The PAAU founder said that Kollar-Kotelly, an appointee for former Democrat President Bill Clinton, claimed Geraghty and the other defendants did not exhibit compassion on Oct. 22, 2020. Bukovinac said the defendants who testified in their defense received longer sentences than the activists who opted not to testify. Bukovinac said the judge claimed Geraghty lied about entering the facility to check on Paulette Harlow, another defendant in the case who is in her 70s, pointing to footage showing Geraghty stepping over Harlow and entering the facility. The PAAU leader argued that it was just Kollar-Kotelly's "opinion" that Geraghty lied. Thomas More Society Senior Counsel Martin Cannon told CP that Geraghty's sentencing reflects "an enhancement under the sentencing guidelines," contending that the judge's reasoning would "discourage any person who will probably be convicted from testifying." "It's a total inversion of justice!" Cannon wrote in an email. Thomas More Society Senior Counsel Steve Crampton told CP that the judge's allegation that Geraghty lied is "one of the great travesties, in our view." "The government claimed that each defendant who took the stand provided false testimony, for which they each received additional points under the sentencing guidelines, resulting in harsher sentences," Crampton said. "We argued unsuccessfully that just because the government didn't like what the defendants said and the jury found against them doesn't mean they testified falsely. Obviously, the judge disagreed." The Washington Surgi-Clinic made headlines in March 2022 after Handy and Bukovinac recovered 115 human remains from the facility, five of which were full-term babies. PAAU has repeatedly called for an autopsy of the five full-term remains to determine if the facility is conducting abortions in a manner that violates federal law. The recovery, in addition to an undercover video the pro-life group Live Action published in 2013, led Handy to believe that the Washington Surgi-Clinic performs illegal abortions. The undercover video purportedly shows Cesare Santangelo, the abortionist at the facility, telling a Live Action investigator that he would not try to help an infant who survives an abortion. During Handy's sentencing, Kollar-Kotelly said she would have allowed the full video to be shown at trial but contended that she did not think it offered any proof that Santangelo was leaving born-alive infants to die. Kollar-Kotelly sentenced Handy to 57 months in federal prison for participating in and planning the blockade at the Washington Surgi-Clinic. Hinshaw received a sentence of 21 months incarceration, while Goodman was sentenced to 27 months. "These defendants conspired to use force to prevent fellow citizens from exercising rights protected by law," U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves said in a Tuesday statement. "People cannot resort to using force and intimidation to prevent others from engaging in lawful activity simply because they disagree with the law. The Department was founded to protect the civil rights of our citizens and remains steadfast in this mission." Home News Hotel cancels pro-Israel Christian event over safety concerns, accused of discrimination A Christian organization has accused a Tennessee hotel of unlawfully canceling its pro-Israel conference because the venue received threats over the event. The local police department says the cancelation was purely a "corporate" decision. On Monday, the First Liberty Institute, a conservative religious freedom legal organization, sent a complaint letter to Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel about the venue's decision to cancel a conference organized by HaYovel, Inc. for May 20-22. In the letter, FLI argues that the cancelation "violates the terms of the contract between the Sonesta and HaYovel executed January 31, 2024 ... and is unlawful religious discrimination in a place of public accommodation in violation of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964." 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 "HaYovel respectfully requests you fulfill your contractual obligations as agreed and provide HaYovel express written affirmation that you will do so," reads the letter. "Failure to provide the written affirmation and fulfill the Contract may result in legal action against the Sonesta and all other responsible parties." FLI Executive General Counsel Hiram Sasser told The Christian Post that his organization's client discovered the cancellation last Friday, reportedly "in response to antisemitic rhetoric from agitators." "The Sonesta chain is in violation of federal and state law and they should correct this violation and stop their discrimination against people of faith," Sasser continued. "Federal law and state law do not allow anyone to cancel an event based on the religious beliefs of the people holding the event and the law certainly prohibits the hotel from adopting the position of the antisemitic agitators heckling anyone who supports Israel." The Christian Post reached out to Sonesta for this story. The company did not return comment by press time. In a statement Tuesday, FLI stated that HaYovel received an email on May 10 saying that the hotel received "credible threats regarding the safety of your group, our guests and employees, our hotel and sister property, and to businesses in our neighborhood." The email added that the "threats were confirmed by law enforcement officials in the last 24 hours." In phone calls, hotel representatives told HaYovel officials that police advised them they should cancel the event due to security concerns. FLI reports that a Monday email from Chief John Drake of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department states that the department "did not advocate, in any shape or form, for the cancellation of the conference at the Sonesta Hotel." "Any inference to the contrary is false," Drake stated in the email, a copy of which was shared by FLI. "Equally false is the assertion in an on-line article that this police department voiced concerns about persons being in physical danger. In fact, members of the police department did, indeed, meet with hotel management at its request to talk about the conference. We let it be known that we were absolutely prepared to help the hotel create a safety and security plan, as we would with any of our city's hotels, and offer additional support if needed." Drake stated that he is aware of a "number of external messages urging that it not host the event." "In the end, the Sonesta Hotel made a corporate decision to cancel," Drake stated. "This police department was in no way a party to that decision." Founded in 2004, HaYovel is a self-described "Christian Zionist" volunteer organization that sends Christians to Israel to help plant trees, help at local vineyards and tour the nation. "We bring Christians to Israel to serve the land and people, enabling them to connect to the land of their faith, restore Christian Jewish relations, and confirm Israel's right to their ancestral homeland," the group states on its website. "After serving in Israel, volunteers return to their homes with a renewed sense of purpose, a strengthened faith, and a zeal for God's worldwide plan of restoration that began with Abraham." Last month, the group promoted "The Israel Summit," which featured multiple speakers, including former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Israeli Knesset Member Ohad Tal, National Religious Broadcasters President Troy Miller, and Israeli musician Yair Levi, among others. The event comes amid nationwide pro-Palestinian campus protests in response to the ongoing war in Gaza. Israel launched an offensive in Gaza following the Oct. 7 large-scale terror attack carried out by Hamas, a terror group that has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. Over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the attack while around 240 others were taken hostage. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claims that over 34,000 people have been killed since the war began. Those figures do not differentiate between combatants and civilians. "Amidst the backdrop of ongoing anti-Israel protests across America, it's time to show our unwavering support for Israel," HaYovel stated. "This pro-Israel event offers a meaningful opportunity to stand against the wave of hostility." Home News Oregon priest urges prayer for vandal who defaced church with pro-abortion graffiti The priest of the oldest Roman Catholic church in Portland, Oregon, recently urged his congregation to pray for the vandal who recently defaced the church with vulgar pro-abortion graffiti. Father Timothy Furlow, who pastors St. Patrick's Church in Portland, exhorted his church on Sunday to remember that forgiving the vandal exhibits the "core message" of the Gospel, according to Catholic News Agency. A vandal defaced the church by spray-painting "[expletive] you, my body my choice," on it in an apparent attempt to promulgate a pro-abortion message. 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 Furlow said he declined to cover up the graffiti, which his congregation needed to see. "I wanted you to see it," Furlow said during his homily. "Somebody said, 'Oh, we got to cover this up.' And then I'm like, 'Nope. I want them to see that.'" "And the reason is because it fits kind of perfectly with what the core message of the Gospel is," he also said. "The core message here is pretty simple: We can't do anything good apart from God. Not a thing. We can't pull a good thing off. It's just absolutely impossible." Acknowledging that he hopes he can see the vandal "get his comeuppance," the priest expressed a desire that the Lord would use the incident to work in both his own heart and the heart of the perpetrator. "But the other part of me, the part of my heart that the Holy Spirit is working in that I let him work in thinks what I really want is for him to be an usher," he said. "I want him to come to my door and say, 'I have no idea what's going on. I have never experienced anything like this in my life. But somehow in the core of my being, I know that God is real and Jesus is God,'" he added. "Christianity and Catholicism [is] utterly unlike anything else on the earth because it runs directly contrary to the logic of the world, the flesh, and the devil," he also said. Furlow requested his church to "sincerely pray for that guy and every single person like him in Portland, Oregon, that's hurting with a broken heart and is turning to the darkness to try to fix it rather than the Lord who is healing himself." "Pray that he'd actually be able to receive that grace and that one day he would be welcoming you at the door to mass," he said. "That's being a Christian. That's truly living our supernatural Catholic faith." Andy Ngo, a senior editor at The Post Millennial, shared a post on X earlier this month with pictures of the vandalism at St. Patrick's Church. "Those attending mass this morning at St. Patrick's Church in northwest Portland, Ore. arrived to find it had been vandalized again with a pro-abortion message," Ngo wrote. Ngo shared images documenting graffiti on the doors of the church reading, "F U" and "My body my choice." A nearly identical message was spray-painted on the ground at the exterior of the church, although the word "you" was expunged. Noting that "the door is still stain-bleached of a removed hateful message," Ngo added, "Multiple Christian houses of worship have been attacked in Portland since 2020 by far-left extremists but the left-wing leadership [district attorney] and law enforcement do not treat them as bias crimes." Attacks against pro-life ministries and organizations in Portland have become commonplace in recent years, and vandalism against them has accelerated nationwide following the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. A spreadsheet compiled by the advocacy group CatholicVote that tracks acts of vandalism against Catholic churches in the U.S. lists multiple attacks on Portland churches since 2020. St. Marys Cathedral was attacked in February 2021, as was All Saints Catholic Church in June 2022, the Archdiocese of Portland Office in July 2022, Holy Family Catholic Church in November 2023 and the Grotto Monastery in February 2024, according to the report. Home News Despite discontent about their job, overall health, wellness of pastors better than general public: study While record levels of pastors have seriously considered quitting and expressed discontent with their jobs in recent years, in general, they are faring better than the general public in health and wellness a new report from the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations study has found. The data for the report, Challenges Are Great Opportunities: Exploring Clergy Health and Wellness in the Midst of Post-Pandemic Malaise, includes survey responses collected from 1,677 Christian clergy leaders from more than 40 denominations in the fall of 2023. The survey shows that a majority of clergy seem quite healthy, the researchers from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, who conducted the study funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., explained. The overall level of health and wellness exhibited by clergy is impressive even given the level of the pastoral discontent uncovered in our earlier report. 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 For the study, researchers used a slightly modified version of the Harvard Flourishing Study battery of 11 questions with six additional items to explore a variety of health and wellness measures on a scale of 0 to 10. The items covered areas such as financial health, mental health, and general job satisfaction. In all but one measure relationship satisfaction clergy reported faring better than the general public. Pastors, in general, compared to the general public, have a keener sense of their purpose in life. Compared to these averages of a national sample of Americans from summer 2022, clergy seem to be doing better than the general public on most of the items we compared, researchers said. Clergy have a higher mean on all but one item, and clergy are healthier by half a point or more on most items. The largest gap between clergy and the public is on the item I understand my purpose in life where clergy have a mean of 8.6 out of 10 and the public have a mean of 6.8 (a difference of 1.8 points), they added. The only statement where clergy leaders are below the general public is my relationships are as satisfying as I would want them to be where clergy are only 0.1 point lower than the general population. The overall composite wellness score for the 11 Flourishing items is 0.7 greater for clergy than the general public respondents. Based on these comparisons, the clergy within our study appear to be quite mentally and emotionally healthy. The data showed, for example, an increase in the share of pastors taking a day off each week between 2020 and 2023, which researchers say indirectly helped to boost the health and wellness of pastors. When we asked clergy about their practices around taking a day off each week, we found an increase since 2020: from 68% to 74% of clergy taking a day off in 2023. However, statistically there was no difference between the health and wellness scores of those who took a day off and those who did not, researchers said. This could be because most clergy do take time off. Without a doubt, this practice indirectly contributes to a better work environment and relationship with the congregation, and therefore boosts well-being as the following quotes attest, but it doesnt significantly improve wellness in the survey data. Researchers said pastors in America are more likely to be white (80%), male (80%), employed full-time (75%), and function as a single leader (60%) instead of part of a leadership team which is the case for about 31% of pastors. In key measures of well-being such as physical, mental, emotional, and overall health, pastors have suffered significant declines over the last seven years, especially when it comes to having true friends, a new report from Barna Research shows. Citing data collected for their Resilient Pastor research from 2015 to 2022, Evangelical polling organization Barna Research, showed pastors suffered significant declines in all areas of well-being when asked to rank how they felt as excellent, good, average, below average, poor or dont know. The 2015 data was collected between April and December that year and was based on 901 interviews with Protestant senior pastors in the U.S. The 2022 data was collected from Sept. 6-16, 2022, and was based on 585 online interviews with Protestant senior pastors in the U.S. When it came to having true friends, the data show that 20% of pastors in 2022 ranked themselves as below average in that area compared to 10% who did so in 2015. Another 7% ranked themselves as poor when it comes to having friends in 2022 compared to just 2% in 2015. While 34% of pastors ranked themselves as excellent when it comes to having true friends in 2015. That share dropped to 17% in 2022. Pastors also indicated that their physical health suffered significantly between 2015 and 2022. In 2015, only 7% of pastors ranked their physical well-being as either below average or poor. Seven years later in 2022, that number has more than tripled to 22%, with some 18% reporting their condition as below average. Only 9% of pastors reported their physical health as excellent in 2022 compared to 24% who did so in 2015. The share of pastors who reported their mental and emotional health as below average increased from 3% in 2015 to 10% in 2022. The share that reported their mental and emotional health was excellent also fell from 39% in 2015 to just 11% in 2022. Home News PCA cancels General Assembly panel featuring David French after opposition The Presbyterian Church in America has canceled a panel discussion scheduled for its churchwide gathering next month that would have included Evangelical writer and New York Times columnist David French in response to much opposition. ByFaith, the official magazine of the PCA, reported on Tuesday that the panel scheduled for the theologically conservative denomination's June General Assembly in Richmond, Virginia, had been canceled. "The concerns that have been raised about the seminar and its topic have been so significant that it seems wisest for the peace and unity of the church not to proceed in this way," stated the PCA Administrative Committee in the report. 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 "Instead, the seminar time will be allocated to a prayer convocation that humbly petitions our God for the good of his church in a polarized political year, utilizing the means of grace provided by our Lord for his people." PCA Stated Clerk Bryan Chapell apologized to the committee for the controversy that caused "some brothers to be concerned for the witness of our church and other brothers to be concerned for how our church processes differing views while protecting reputations." "The purpose of the seminar was to help our churches deal with political tensions and, instead, controversy has ensued. This is contrary to the intended purposes of the seminar and the purposes that AC members and staff have so conscientiously pursued with me over the last four years," stated Chapell in his statement. "Had I known some of the ways that the panelist has expressed himself or been understood in past writings, I would have made a different choice for the purposes of this seminar." The Christian Post reached out to a representative of French for a response and was informed that the columnist was not making any statements on the matter at present. Earlier this month, PCA announced that French, a prominent Evangelical critic of former president Donald Trump, would participate in a panel at the General Assembly titled "How to Be Supportive of Your Pastor and Church Leaders in a Polarized Political Year." The decision to include French on the panel invited criticism from many members of the PCA and conservative Christians. PCA Teaching Elder Ben C. Dunson wrote a column denouncing French's involvement, citing French's support for legalizing same-sex marriage, anti-Trump statements, defense of drag queen story hours and how he allegedly "besmirches the character of Christians who disagree with him on these issues." "The General Assembly seminar announcement is worded so as to indicate that it will help us avoid political polarization. David French is the poster-child for political polarization," wrote Dunson, a visiting professor of New Testament at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Greenville, South Carolina. "Maybe he's right and we all have no choice but to vote for Joe Biden for President, but that is hardly a non-polarizing position to take. French's place on this panel will not fulfill the seminar's own stated purpose." The Daily Wire reporter and author Megan Basham cited French's "divisive reputation" and argued that PCA leadership "knew full well the effect French's inclusion on a panel on polarizing politics would have." "They deliberately took actions they knew would draw attention away from the business of the PCA and toward worldly political concerns and debates," she tweeted. "In other words, they chose to deliberately disturb the peace of this gathering. This is an important thing to remember as discussions about what to do now go forward." Home News Catholic priest apologizes after blessing same-sex couple as 'holy spouses' A Catholic priest has apologized after using the term "holy spouses" when providing a blessing to a same-sex couple and saying the rings they exchanged were a "sign of their fidelity." The Rev. Joseph Williams, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois, issued a statement last week after a video of him blessing a same-sex couple at the church two weeks earlier gained national attention. The video, posted to Instagram by self-described queer Methodist pastor Kelli Knight on April 22, documents Williams asking Knight and her same-sex partner Myah, "Do you freely recommit yourselves to love each other as holy spouses and to live in peace and harmony together forever?" Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe After the women answered in the affirmative, Williams issued a prayer calling on God "to increase and consecrate the love which Kelli and Myah have for one another." He added, "The rings that they have exchanged are a sign of their fidelity and commitment," expressing hope that "they continue to prosper in your grace and blessing." In his statement, Williams recalled how "the shape that the blessing took as portrayed in the video came about due to my attempt to provide for them a meaningful moment of God's grace." "I wanted to do it well," he said. "A week or so after the fact, I viewed the video. I immediately realized that I had made a very poor decision in the words and visuals captured on the video," he explained. "I am deeply sorry for any confusion and/or anger that this has caused, particularly for the People of God." In addition to serving as pastor of St. Vincent De Paul, Williams is part of the Vincentians of the Congregation of the Mission's Western Province, which leads "dozens of parish missions each year, [operates] a range of assistance programs for the materially poor, [consoles] patients and their families as hospital chaplains, and [assists] with the formation of future priests in seminaries across the country." The Congregation of the Mission published Williams' apology and elaborated on the context behind it. The statement indicated that Williams "regrets the language of the blessing and the use of vestments and the church itself, which he now recognizes were a violation of the norms approved by the Church." "While Pope Francis in December formally approved the blessing of couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples, he specified that such blessings do not equate to a wedding and should not employ the clothing and gestures that accompany a wedding," the statement reads. "Fr. Williams stated that he performed the blessing after being approached by the couple and explained to them at the time it would merely be a blessing and not a wedding itself." Knight's Instagram post suggests that she might not have understood this. "Myah always wanted to get married at the chapel of her Alma mater, so I surprised her with a blessing of our marriage," Knight wrote. "Thanks, Fr. Joe for your open heart and willing spirit!" The post featured emojis of the rainbow flag, which has come to symbolize the LGBT movement, and hashtags reading #samesexmarriage and #samesexweddings. The blessing ceremony came four months after the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a declaration titled "Fiducia Supplicans." "Fiducia Supplicans" declares that priests may offer same-sex couples "a blessing that descends from God upon those who recognizing themselves to be destitute and in need of his help do not claim a legitimation of their own status, but who beg that all that is true, good, and humanly valid in their lives and their relationships be enriched, healed, and elevated by the presence of the Holy Spirit." The document warned that "One should neither provide for nor promote a ritual for the blessings of couples in an irregular situation," stressing, "At the same time, one should not prevent or prohibit the Church's closeness to people in every situation in which they might seek God's help through a simple blessing." "In a brief prayer preceding this spontaneous blessing, the ordained minister could ask that the individuals have peace, health, a spirit of patience, dialogue, and mutual assistance but also God's light and strength to be able to fulfill his will completely," "Fiducia Supplicans" stated. Amid backlash over the declaration, the Vatican issued guidance maintaining that "the document is clear and definitive about marriage and sexuality" and that the "non-ritualized form of blessing" it authorizes "does not intend to justify anything that is not morally acceptable." Home News 'Pandemic of narcissism': Seminaries respond to the Evangelical church leadership crisis This is part 3 of The Christian Post's article series on the crisis of leadership in American Evangelicalism. Read part 1 here, read part 2 here and part 4 here. The last few years have seen multiple instances of well-known Evangelical leaders entrenched in scandals and misconduct. Some have questioned if seminaries are doing enough to train future pastors to lead churches and disciple their congregations virtuously. Darvin Wallis, a pastor and founder of Mission U Online, an online biblical education resource group, penned a provocative op-ed published by The Christian Post earlier this year about the problems facing American Evangelical pastoral leadership. 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 "For about three decades now, the Evangelical church has embraced corporate leadership paradigms. This has worked wonders for the bottom lines of attendance, giving and the number of reported conversions. Yet, it has also created a crisis in leadership," asserted Wallis, the pastor of Mission Lakewood Church in Colorado. "Church scandals like Bill Hybels, Mark Driscoll and James [MacDonald] are not random anomalies. Scandals are a natural part of the risky corporate leadership structure. We have accepted the corporate, bottom-line goals for the church. We have accepted the corporate personality traits for our church leaders." As part of his critique, Wallis suggested that seminaries which aim to prepare students to become pastors, missionaries and religious leaders are not providing adequate leadership training. "While seminary prepares pastors for scholarship, we graduate with nearly no knowledge on how to practically lead a church," continued Wallis, who received a master of divinity from Denver Seminary. In its place, he argues, things like books and conferences are "helping to create" a "church leadership industry" that is "forming the ethos of the American church." As part of this series on the church leadership crisis, The Christian Post interviewed seminary leaders about how their institutions prepare pastors to lead churches and their take on Wallis' criticism. 'Evangelicalism is in a very problematic place' Mark Labberton, president of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and had about 30 years of pastoral experience before becoming head of the academic institution founded in 1947 by radio evangelist Charles E. Fuller. Fuller is based in Pasadena and has satellite campuses in Arizona and Colorado. Labberton, who has led the seminary since 2013, believes that the "cultures of many churches and denominations or networks" will often deprioritize a "transformative life" and focus more on "cleverness and shiny objects." "The caverns that exist between the mind, the heart and the hands of many Christians reflect the Church's failure to disciple people deeply and holistically," he said. Labberton said he finds the arguments of Wallis' piece merited. "Evangelicalism is in a very problematic place, and the issues Pastor Wallis names are among the reasons," he said. Labberton said Fuller seeks to provide "formational education for diverse Christian leaders." That means "measuring and retuning ourselves to be aware of the personal formation of our students" and to provide "the knowledge and formation needed on the ground to best minister to those God is calling our alums to serve." "The whole of the scriptures need to inform a pastor's life and vision," the former senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, continued. "In this particular season of the Church's internal and external crises, I feel like we should never be more than five minutes away from reading the Gospels." "Our central identity comes from the life and ministry of Jesus, not the forms, structures, strategies, budgets and technology of our ecclesiastical industrial complex to which we have yielded," he added. 'Pandemic of narcissism' and 'cardinal vices' Missiology professor Scott W. Sunquist, who serves as president of multi-site Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary based in Massachusetts, had extensive pastoral experience overseas, serving in the Republic of Singapore. Sunquist said that in Singapore, "we had to negotiate government regulations and restrictions, languages and cultures" and wanted to make sure that the Church there "did not simply parrot American Evangelical words, music and even liturgy." "The big lessons I learned about church leadership had to do with being attentive to diverse cultures and leadership training," he said. "In some ways, the Singaporean experience encourages me to challenge U.S. seminary students to take their devotions more seriously, to be more committed to cross-cultural mission work and to freely witness to their friends and neighbors." Sunquist, who became the seminary's president in 2019, brings expertise on Christianity in the non-Western world. He believes that being a missionary can be "excellent preparation for seminary leadership." He observed that through such work, people learn "some resilience and courage, both of which are important characteristics of a pastor or even a seminary president." When it comes to the problems in the American Evangelical church, Sunquist believes that the lead issue is not "learning from non-Christians," but rather "our unwillingness to confront what the Church Fathers called the cardinal vices." The "three core vices" that the early Church was concerned about, according to Sunquist, were greed, passions such as "food and sex," and pride. He said leadership failures are the result of "succumbing to these three vices." "We have a pandemic of narcissism today. Social media feeds our small self-esteem appetite until it becomes a narcissistic monster. Most leaders fall into this trap," he said. "We see leaders fail because they did not name the demons, and they did not have strong people around them to guide them toward holiness." Sunquist also told CP that he believes it is "troubling when we reduce seminary presidential leadership to a secular model of business leadership." "A pastor can learn a lot from secular leaders I know I have but they also need to have actually been a pastor to lead pastors," said Sunquist. The president of Gordon-Conwell noted that his seminary focuses more attention on "discipleship and virtue formation in theological education," including "communal formation." He said the seminary is "trying to be attentive to the culture while providing the best in classical theological education." "This is intentional, personal and communal formation that is not detached from academic formation," he said. "Thus, we are working hard at biblical contexts as we always have but we are now working harder than we previously had to understand contemporary contexts: social, political, economic, etc." "Thus, we are adding virtue formation, in the form of discipleship, to the lives of all of our students while they are students at Gordon-Conwell," Sunquist added. 'Unnecessary dichotomy' Angie Ward is the assistant director of the doctor of ministry program at Denver Seminary in Colorado, where Wallis attended. She has about three decades of experience in church and education ministries. She is also the author of I Am a Leader: When Women Discover the Joy of their Calling. "Whether at the master's or the doctoral level, our pastoral leadership courses are taught by instructors with a wealth of field experience," she told CP. "We believe that leadership flows out of the person of the leader; it's not just a skill. Therefore, we strive for holistic formation: not just education in the classroom, but experience in the field and formation through an integrated training and mentoring component." Ward said she is concerned that there is a "growing but unnecessary dichotomy between 'pastoring' and 'leadership.'" "But to view the pastor as a shepherd a theme that is repeated in Scripture in the words of Jesus and the writings of the Apostles Paul and Peter means that pastoral leadership involves both caring for individuals, and tending to and moving the overall 'flock' toward maturity and mission," she explained. "The Church is or should be more than merely an educational institution or even a mission center. It should be a center for formation again, moving people toward individual maturity as disciples of Christ, and the gathered community toward public witness of God's love." Ward said she "would agree wholeheartedly that the American church, broadly speaking, has over-focused on leadership, and on drawing from corporate models." "I believe the issue is that we again, the Church, broadly speaking do not have a clear or robust ecclesiology. We don't understand the nature and purpose of the Church and how it is unlike any other organization in the world," she said. "Therefore, we default to what we know, which is a 'corporate' model. We need to look not only for different answers; we need to start by asking different questions about Church." The Japanese head of the operator of the popular Line messenger app attended a meeting with Naver's employees and was said to pledge job security, an industry source said Wednesday, as the Korean internet giant is under pressure from Tokyo to sell stake in Line. Takeshi Idezawa, president of LY, the operator of Line controlled by a joint venture between Naver and SoftBank of Japan, attended the meeting with employees of Line Plus on Tuesday, according to the source. The meeting was held as Naver has been under pressure from the Japanese government to "review its capital relationship" in LY over a massive data leak of user information last year. Both Naver and SoftBank confirmed that they have been in talks over a potential sale of its stake in LY Last week, Naver said it was open to "all possibilities" with regard to the Japanese government's administrative guidance. During the meeting, Idezawa told employees of Line Plus, which supports the messenger app's global business, that he would "guarantee the employment" of workers at Line Plus, according to the source. On Tuesday, Korea's presidential office said the Japanese government should not take "unfavorable action" against Naver over concerns about data security. (Yonhap) High School Blocks Pro-Life Club, Target Unveils Its Pride Plans, Matt Chandler On Mark Of The Beast link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:40 06:40 Top headlines for Wednesday, May 15, 2024 In this episode, we start with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism's ambitious plan to invest over $6 million in Papua New Guinea, focusing on renovating a Baptist college and medical clinic. Next, we explore the persistent efforts of an Indiana high schooler fighting for official recognition of a pro-life student club, despite the school's objections. We also hear from Pastor Matt Chandler of The Village Church, who shares his perspective on the mark of the beast in our current era. Lastly, we discuss a major retailer's plans for LGBT pride month and the resulting backlash from American consumers. Home Opinion Conservative cowardice creates chaos College campuses are wracked by protests, another Mainline Protestant denomination is abandoning traditional norms for progressive ones, and the Boy Scouts are unmanning themselves (again!). If theres one thing thats clear from the events of the last month, its that conservatives are still losing the culture war. And while we may rail against the degradation of our social institutions, we are accomplices to their destruction. Too often, instead of fighting for these institutions, conservatives flee and retreat into their safe spaces. The result is a total progressive conquest. Just look at elite universities like Northwestern and Columbia among others who have fallen prey to the excesses of progressivism. While theres nothing wrong with students exercising their rights to free expression, the current protests taking place around these campuses have been beset by allegations of antisemitism, violent confrontations, and illegal activity leading to scores of arrests. Some universities have wielded a strong hand against the excesses of these protests. Others have wilted, acquiescing to the protestors demands. But even when university presidents withstand the pressure and take measures to protect students and their campuses, they have often been met with pushback from faculty. This should come as no surprise since these institutions have very little conservative presence. 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, universities arent the only social institutions plagued by a progressive spirit in recent weeks. Earlier this month, the United Methodist Church embraced heterodoxy by voting to lift its ban on LGBT clergy and same-sex weddings, becoming the most recent Mainline Protestant denomination to sacrifice biblical truth at the altar of progressive ideology. The result of this vote should have surprised absolutely no one after thousands of predominantly orthodox congregations left the UMC despite the orthodox position on the issue of same-sex relations being upheld at the churchs General Conference in 2019. Yet, the losses for traditionalism in our social institutions dont end there. The Boy Scouts of America announced last week that they are rebranding the organization Scouting America. This rebranding is just the most recent move to emasculate the organization in the name of inclusivity as the announcement coincides with the fifth anniversary of their decision to welcome girls into the Scouts. The domination of these social institutions, and others, by progressives, demonstrate the ruinous effects of decades of conservative cowardice. At least since the fundamentalist-modernist controversy of the 1920s, conservatives have frequently embraced a defeatist mentality of retreatism whenever progressives and liberals infiltrate the institutions they are a part of. They may fight for a time, but, in the end, when things get tough, conservatives get to running. While retreat may often seem to be a tool of last resort to preserve the traditions of whatever once great institution has fallen under the spell of malignant ideologies, it empowers the enemies of tradition by ceding to them institutional power and all the resources, community connections, and cultural cachet that comes with it. Whats more, a policy of perpetual retreat moves conservatism to the fringe unnecessarily. When conservatives abandon mainstream institutions, they dont create new ones so much as conservative safe spaces. Schools like Hillsdale College and denominations like the Anglican Church in North America are among the few bulwarks holding steady against the radical progressive ideology that has conquered their mainstream counterparts. But these organizations arent enough to withstand the progressive onslaught facing conservatives. Mainstream institutions like Harvard, Yale, and the historic Mainline denominations have resources and prestige that are not easily replicated, especially by organizations that appeal primarily to those already right-of-center. And the reality is that mainstream institutions remain the principal pathways to power. The historic denominations control renowned seminaries and hospitals, and the Ivies continue to dominate Wall Street, the courtroom, and the halls of Congress. What happens in the mainstream institutions doesnt stay there, it trickles down infecting everything below it from culture to K-12. Moreover, by choosing to occupy a place on the margins of society and surrendering mainstream institutions to progressives, conservatives also allow for more radical beliefs on the fringes of progressivism to be gradually normalized. Many of the problems facing institutions today have their roots decades in the past. William F. Buckley in 1951 in God and Man at Yale bemoaned the ongoing liberalization of higher education and B.B. Warfield was already resisting the biblical skepticism of critical scholarship in the 19th century. But instead of practicing patience in the face of these challenges, conservatives flee, assured of the righteousness of their wrath. This has to stop. Its time to take the fight back to these key institutions. And its time we started fighting for something not just against something. Conservatism can no longer be content with merely conserving the cold cliches of tradition. It must revive the institutions that help give them life. Conservatives must seek out leadership opportunities, recruit like-minded people, and form bonds of fellowship within mainstream institutions. If we desire to strive for what is good, we must root out falsehood in a spirit of love refusing to surrender ourselves to panic and despair. And that means reforming social institutions like universities, churches, and community organizations not abandoning them. Home Opinion When will progressives stop oppressing the poor? The esteemed economist Thomas Sowell famously stated that the real minimum wage is effectively zero. He argued that regardless of how high the government sets a price floor, if an employer refuses to comply whether by dismissing employees, slashing their hours, or raising prices to a point where consumer demand collapses then the employees actual wage could drop to nothing. In other words, liberalism often backfires spectacularly, hurting the very people it purports to help. Meanwhile, progressive Christians, who tirelessly preach the biblical mandate to help the poor, are conspicuously silent when confronted with legislative edicts that exacerbate the plight of those in need. This silence exposes their true agenda: Not to aid the poor through charitable giving and sound fiscal policy, but to cloak their push for more statism under the guise of compassion. 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 Thus, those who cling to a left-wing ideology regularly ignore the harm that minimum wage laws inflict on low-skilled workers because it undermines their narrative of Big Government benevolence. Yet, the detrimental effects of these policies are undeniable. Take the Seattle City Council, which hastily passed a minimum wage ordinance for app-based drivers, such as those working for DoorDash or Uber Eats. The Council argued that these workers, most of whom dont have college degrees, needed wage protections because they are independent contractors and not traditional W2 employees. Of course, the flexibility of being an independent contractor like setting your own hours didnt seem to matter to them. Instead, they implemented the PayUp law, mandating a minimum wage of at least $26 per hour for takeout service, excluding tips. However, since taking effect earlier this year, this law has not protected lower-income individuals as promised but has, on the flip side, made them more vulnerable to market adjustments. People cannot pay the rent, exclaimed Gary Lardizaba, a frustrated driver, in an interview with Seattle radio station KIRO 97.3FM. This is not a living wage. This is a dying wage. He revealed that after the regulation was put in motion, he and his fellow drivers experienced a 30-40% reduction in pay, ironically due to a measure intended to boost their bank account. Remember, corporations dont bear the burden of taxes and costs as you and I do; they transfer these expenses to consumers by raising prices. This means that despite being well-intended, most bureaucratic impositions ultimately increase the cost of the final product in this case, labor. In response to financial pressures levied by the Seattle City Council, DoorDash and Uber Eats now tack on a $5 surcharge to every order to stay profitable. This added fee, consequently, has caused demand to nosedive. According to The Washington Examiner, 300,000 fewer orders have been placed since PayUp took effect, triggering a $7 million revenue loss for regional businesses and a significant dip in drivers earning potential. One local bakery owner reported a drastic 50 percent drop in third-party delivery app sales, while another restaurant observed a 30% year-over-year decline in app orders. A 30-year-old driver shared a grim outlook, lamenting that demand was dead after he spent an unbelievable six hours waiting for a single Uber Eats delivery request. Who could have guessed that more regulation would lead to higher prices and less work being available? Amidst this economic fiasco, at least one Seattle City Council member seems to grasp the situation. Sara Nelson candidly admitted, We created a problem and its our responsibility to fix it. Whether she can rally her colleagues to face reality a reality economists have recognized for decades remains to be seen. This type of central planning habitually brings more financial hurt than relief. Sure, a few workers might see their paychecks swell, but as Professor David Neumark from the University of California-Irvine has highlighted, each 10% increase in the minimum wage reduces employment by about 2%, a figure that tends to climb over time, especially in low-skill sectors. Moreover, a study from Cornell University confirms that almost every minimum wage hike a company faces is passed through to consumers, which is blatantly obvious in Seattle currently. As we step back to view the broader economic devastation wrought by these failed government policies, its crucial to recognize that this chaos originates from a fundamental disregard to follow Gods design for an economy based on free enterprise and voluntary work arrangements. Consider the message of a famous passage thats frequently overlooked by the lefty Christian crowd: In Matthew 20:1-15, we read about the parable of the vineyard owner who employs workers at various intervals during the day. He offers the first group a specific wage a denarius for their days labor. For subsequent groups, though, he simply promises a fair wage. As evening comes and wages are distributed, every worker receives the same pay one denarius, irrespective of their start time. This equal pay sparks discontent among those who started early, who feel they deserve more for their longer hours. The landowner rebuffs their complaints, reminding them of the terms they agreed to, and underscores his autonomy in financial matters: Dont I have the right to do what I want with my own money? For those taught in the Loran Livingston school of extreme piety as previously discussed this parable might only illustrate Gods grace and generosity, and not much else. But if you acknowledge that Gods sovereignty encompasses economics as well, then, as the late historian Gary North asserted, this passage is the most powerful affirmation of property rights in the New Testament. As North put it, the employer affirmed the right of contract and also the right of ownership, whereas the workers, as owners of their labor had the right to decline the offer. This is how a free market operates, and its a moral framework woven into every prosperous economy. The evidence is undeniable: political interference in the market leads to economic despair, regardless of the benevolent spin or altruistic rhetoric employed. When will progressives stop oppressing the poor? Originally published at the Standing for Freedom Center. Home Opinion Why Christian employers should oppose the HOPE with Fertility Act Legislation is being considered in Congress that would significantly increase employers health care costs. The HOPE with Fertility Services Act, drafted by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), would require all health plans regulated by the federal law governing most employer-sponsored insurance (ERISA) to provide coverage for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The majority of American workers are covered by ERISA plans. IVF most often includes killing fertilized human eggs that would otherwise grow to adulthood. This bill requires insurance coverage not only for infertile male-female couples, but it could even be interpreted to apply to same-sex couples or transgender-identifying employees who are incapable of reproduction to live birth based on medical or reproductive history, age, physical findings, or diagnostic testing. Further, the bills ambiguity would easily allow an interpretation that coverage is even required for medical/IVF costs associated with surrogacy, including commercial surrogacy. All employers, but especially Christian employers, should be very, very afraid. 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 Lets start with the cost. Employers cannot afford another costly mandate on insurance. Each cycle of IVF costs tens of thousands of dollars, and most women require multiple cycles. Health care costs are already eating our economy. As reported by the Kaiser Family Foundation, one in four employers report that they plan to raise employees premium contributions in the next year due to mounting health care costs. Premiums for family coverage in the employer-sponsored market have more than quadrupled in the past 24 years, from just under $6,000 in 1999 to $24,000 in 2023. ERISA regulates the plan for 65% of workers with employer coverage. Half of all Americans are covered by employer-sponsored plans. The percentage of small employers (under 200 employees) that have moved into the ERISA market in the past five years has more than doubled, now almost half of all such companies (45%). Along with the price tag, the bill also comes with an authoritarian reporting regime, which more often than not indicates the government is getting too big for its britches. Every ERISA-regulated health plan, no matter how small, would have to submit a detailed annual report to the government documenting how it is fully compliant. The Secretary is required to name names to Congress of every employer compliant or non-compliant and justify why each employers report is deemed compliant or non-compliant. The intimidating power of the Secretary to name and shame employers deemed insufficiently compliant will lead to discrimination against the sickest. As some employers will fear being deemed noncompliant, they will no doubt overcompensate by providing far greater coverage of IVF than they do for more medically necessary treatments for sicker patients with life-threatening conditions, such as cancer, rare pediatric genetic disorders, and other conditions. The crushing costs of this overcompensation for expensive IVF procedures will be shifted to employees who are the sickest increasing their deductibles and coinsurance for life-saving treatments. ERISA has long been a refuge for employers from the burdensome ACA and state-based mandates on insurance that drive up costs. ERISA-regulated plans offer attractive coupling of the potential for lower costs and flexible plan designs with fewer regulatory burdens. In the past, ERISA plans were offered only by the largest employers. Now, thanks to changes in the reinsurance market, smaller groups even as small as 40 or 50 employees have been able to offer an ERISA-regulated plan. Many employers are using ERISAs flexibility to implement cost-containing measures and innovative plan designs like waiving deductibles for high-quality health care and incorporating Direct Primary Care into the plan. Costly mandates on the ERISA market would shut the door on this refuge. Further, the bill threatens to increase the costs of IVF for everyone. When the government makes your employer buy you a service, the cost of that service skyrockets, as we saw so painfully in the decade following the enactment of the ACA employer mandate. IVF operates largely in the competitive cash economy in health care since most people are paying out of pocket for most or all of their IVF services. As soon as the procedure is mandated by the government, IVF clinics will jack up their rates, thanks to the market distortions caused by the third-party payer system that shields consumers of health care from their true costs. The bill naturally raises conscience objections for employers and employees who have religious or moral objections to the controversial aspects of the IVF industry, such as discarded or indefinitely frozen embryos and commercial surrogacy. If enacted, the bill would induce litigation similar to the Hobby Lobby case, where the U.S. Supreme Court found that the ACA preventive services mandate impermissibly violated the religious liberty of faith-based employers. The Booker bill, if introduced and enacted, could very well meet the same fate. Christian employers recognize that financial stewardship is a critical obligation of their faith. They may elect, as other religious businesses have, to support their employees in their choice to join a Health Care Sharing Ministry instead of paying into an insurance pool that funds IVF, transgender surgeries and abortion. While compassion for infertile couples longing for a child is understandable, this costly, burdensome, and potentially unconstitutional government-imposed insurance mandate would hurt far more people than it helps. Home Opinion Why US Evangelicals who support Israel should also back Ukraine For decades, American Evangelicals have been some of Israels staunchest supporters. Regardless of what else demands Americas attention, if Israel finds itself in a crisis, American Evangelicals know that supporting the Holy Land is non-negotiable; they rightly see it as a spiritual and moral imperative. But when it comes to U.S. aid for Ukraine, the same cannot be said. The narrative floating around in some American Evangelical circles today regarding Russias attack on Ukraine goes something like this: Putin is a defender of conservative Christian values, Ukraine is a leftist, progressive society, and Russia has every right to fight that influence on their culture. Calling Vladimir Putin a defender of conservative Christian values is like calling Hamas a noble group of freedom fighters defending themselves against oppression. Its measurably and blatantly false, but its the Kremlins narrative of the war in Ukraine, and Vladimir Putin would like every American Evangelical to believe it. 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 Today, Russia is striking Ukraine with the same Iranian drones that Hamas is using to strike Israel. Russia has weaponized the Christian religion to create its own Kremlin-controlled, corrupted version of Orthodox Christianity just like Hamas has weaponized a corrupted version of Islam to legitimize the indiscriminate murder of Jewish people. The situations in Ukraine and Israel are far from identical, but the fact of the matter is, in both places, people are being persecuted for their faith by violent maniacs who want to exterminate them. Even House Speaker Johnson has acknowledged that were witnessing the formation of a new axis of evil. Seven years ago, Putins Russia enacted a law criminalizing Christian evangelism. The Russian constitution still guarantees citizens the right to profess their faith, but the 2016 law outlaws missionary activities outside of churches. Jesus instructed his disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, but in Russia, Christians who spread the Gospel are routinely fined and imprisoned. Protestants who share the story of salvation are often blacklisted by state security services, and subsequently unable to find employment or gain admission to school. Ukraine, in stark contrast, has been called the Bible Belt of Eastern Europe. As soon as the country restored its independence in 1991, Ukrainian Evangelicals began establishing thousands of churches, seminaries, summer camps, and Bible schools, training missionaries to spread the gospel all over the world. In Ukraine, Christians of all denominations are free to host prayer groups, study the Bible, and spread the Gospel without fear, all while fighting the same cultural battles as American Evangelicals they are speaking Gods truth, for example, about abortion, divorce, and the pernicious impact of gender ideology. Ukrainian Evangelicals, in essence, live in a country that looks much more like America than many American Evangelicals realize. Vladimir Putins forces, meanwhile, are destroying Christian churches, threatening the faithful, and arresting Evangelical pastors. The mounting evidence of these modern martyrs getting bound and gagged, dragged off in the middle of the night, tortured, and killed for their faith is impossible to ignore. The only churches that are spared are the few Ukrainian Orthodox churches that have chosen to remain closely allied with the Kremlin-controlled Russian Orthodox Church. Priests in those churches are refusing to bury dead Ukrainian soldiers. UOC priests are also following Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, who has declared Russias attack on Ukraine to be a Holy War, and promised Russian soldiers absolution for their sins if they perish in Ukraine. In response, Orthodox Congregations are now voting to leave the Moscow Patriarchate in droves, to become truly Ukrainian Orthodox. Tyrants always persecute the followers of any religions they cannot control, and Vladimir Putin is persecuting Evangelicals for the same reason he perceives religious pluralism to be a threat to his totalitarian power. Today, the dividing line between good and evil in our world is very clear: on the one side, Hamas, the Taliban, Russia, North Korea, China, and Iran; on the other side, the U.S., Israel, Japan, Taiwan, Ukraine, and the countries of Western Europe. As American Evangelicals, we cannot allow ourselves to be tricked into indifference or distracted by politics when moral imperatives arise. The people of Israel need our prayers and support just as much as Ukrainian Evangelicals do. Please join us in praying for miracles and peace in both Israel and Ukraine. MPs propose law change that would make sex-selective abortion legal in England and Wales The campaign group against sex-selective abortion, Stop Gendercide, has raised concerns that pro-abortion amendments to a Government Bill would make sex-selective abortions legal in England and Wales. Ahead of a vote on amendments introduced by Stella Creasy MP and Diana Johnson MP to the Criminal Justice Bill that would make extreme changes to abortion laws, Stop Gendercide have said that this proposed amendment "would likely lead to a significant increase in sex-selective abortions taking place here in the UK". At present, the Government maintains that, under our current legislation, abortion on the grounds of the sex of the baby is illegal because it is "not one of the lawful grounds for termination of pregnancy" set out in the Abortion Act (which stipulates that abortion can only be performed under specific grounds). Extreme abortion amendments would make sex-selective abortion legal in the UK However, Diana Johnson's amendment (NC1) would remove offences that make it illegal for a woman to perform her own abortion at any point right through to birth. The explanatory note to Johnson's amendment confirms that it applies at any gestation, which would mean a woman could perform her own abortion on sex-selective grounds throughout all nine months of pregnancy. The amendment does not outline circumstances in which it would continue to be an offence for a woman to perform her own abortion the changes to the law would apply throughout all nine months of pregnancy and would not exclude sex-selective abortions. By amending the abortion law in this way, self-abortions will, de facto, become possible up to birth for any reason including abortions for sex-selective purposes, as women could mislead abortion providers about their gestational age (as in the case of Carla Foster, who pretended to be 7 weeks pregnant but took pills at 32-34 weeks gestation). Under Stella Creasy's amendment (NC40), the Abortion Act and the grounds under which abortion is permitted would be made redundant up to 24 weeks, allowing abortion on demand, for any reason, including sex-selective abortion. Sex-selective abortion would be available on-demand through to 24 weeks. Evidence of sex-selective abortion in the UK Stop Gendercide has drawn attention to evidence showing that some women are coming under pressure to have abortions on the basis of the sex of their unborn baby and that sex-selective abortions are already happening in the UK in some cases. A 2018 BBC investigation found non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPT) were being widely used to determine a baby's sex early in pregnancy, leading to some women experiencing pressure to undergo sex-selective abortions. Prompted by this, the Labour Party urged a ban on NIPT being used to determine the sex of unborn babies. A 2017 report by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (a Government advisory body) concluded that there was a "real possibility that permitting NIPT for sex determination in the UK may be encouraging sex selection". In their view, the risk was high enough to justify calling for a restriction on NIPT. The report also found several websites offering baby gender tests for about 170, and The Nuffield Council on Bioethics warned that the increasingly widespread private NIPT testing in the UK could lead to the country becoming a haven for "sex-selective" abortions. Furthermore, an undercover Telegraph investigation revealed that doctors were agreeing to provide sex-selective abortions, "no questions asked" and uncovered that sex-selective abortions were being offered in the UK, including by a doctor who worked both privately and for the NHS. A report published by the Department of Health concerning sex-selective abortion outlined personal testimonies from women coerced into a sex-selective abortion by a third party. There is also evidence that sex-selective abortion has been a significant issue in Canada following the decriminalisation of abortion there. An article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal explains that "easy access to abortion and advances in prenatal sex determination have combined to make Canada a haven for parents who would terminate female fetuses in favour of having sons". Sex-selective abortions risk leading to profound social and demographic problems. Estimates suggest there are more than 140 million "missing" women and girls across the globe, with 63 million "missing" in India alone, in most part resulting from sex-selective abortion and postnatal sex-selection infanticide. According to a scholarly article from the Canadian Medical Association Journal, "[i]n China, son preference and sex-selective abortion have led to 32 million excess males under the age of 20 years". Devi Shah, spokesperson for the Stop Gendercide campaign, said "It's a heartbreaking reality that many women here in the UK come under pressure to have a termination from their partners and family members simply because they are expecting a girl". "If sex-selective abortion is made legal, it will make it much more difficult for women to refuse pressure from their families to seek a sex-selective abortion". "The legalisation of sex-selective abortion, combined with the private availability of early NIPT tests for gender, would likely lead to a significant increase in sex-selective abortions taking place here in the UK". Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said, "There is extremely widespread opposition to sex-selective abortion, the primary victims of which are unborn baby girls. Polling shows that 91% of women and 89% of the general population agree that gender-selective abortion should be explicitly banned by the law. "It is deeply sad that ideologues like Stella Creasy and Diana Johnson, in the zeal to expand access to abortion at all costs, are indifferent to the plight of women and their unborn baby girls who will likely be increasingly targeted if their extreme amendments, which permit abortion on the grounds of sex, are successful. "It's really important that as many people as possible email their MPs alerting them to these extreme amendments that allow sex-selective abortion and urge their MPs to vote against them." Right to Life UK Pro-life rally outside Parliament urges MPs to reject abortion up to birth Hundreds of people are expected to join a pro-life rally outside Parliament as MPs debate the Criminal Justice Bill and radical amendments that propose decriminalising abortion, even up to birth. The rally in Parliament Square has been coordinated by pro-life groups who warn that if passed, the amendments will also legalise sex-selective abortions and "leave women and unborn babies vulnerable to dangerous procedures or medicines". The groups include ADF UK, Christian Concern, Right to Life UK, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), and Voice for Justice UK. Lois McLatchie Miller, of ADF UK said, "Late stage abortions carry far greater risk to the mental and physical health of a woman; let alone, end the lives of viable, fully-developed babies who could survive outside the womb if given the chance to live. "A humane society prevents this horrendous trauma. Rather than late-stage abortion, women and their babies deserve better care and support to survive and thrive." Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said all children, including the unborn, "deserve our protection." She said that the changes would "open the door to abortion for sex-selection and eugenics, putting mothers under even more pressure to abort from partners and family". "This is wildly out of step with public opinion and MPs must finally send the message to the abortion lobby that it has gone too far," she said. Alithea Williams, of SPUC, said the amendments represented "the biggest threat to unborn babies since 1967". "These decriminalisation amendments strip any remaining protections from the unborn, and either in fact, or de facto, allow abortion up to birth," she said. "This extreme agenda is completely out of step with public opinion, and we are rallying to make this clear to MPs. "Over ten million unborn lives have already been lost under the UK's abortion laws. We work towards a day when all human life is cherished and protected, but today, our message is one that all reasonable people should agree with no to abortion up to birth." Lynda Rose, head of Voice for Justice UK, said: "A nation that indiscriminately and without cause seeks to kill its unborn up to birth is destroying itself. In 2021, 214,869 abortions were reported in England and Wales the highest number since records began. What will that number become if abortion is allowed up to birth? "With our callous disregard of the right to life, the United Kingdom is rapidly becoming a kingdom of death. For the future wellbeing of all, these evil amendments must be defeated." We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy postponed all his upcoming foreign trips as Ukraines army battled to contain a front-line push by the Kremlins forces , as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday visited a drone manufacturing facility in Kyiv on the second day of a visit meant to reassure Ukrainians of continuing American support. Zelenskyy canceled all foreign visits that were planned for the coming days, his office said Wednesday on Telegram. The head of state instructed his team to reschedule the visits. We are grateful to our partners for understanding, the announcement said. Zelenskyy had been expected to visit Spain, and perhaps Portugal, later this week. No reason was given for his decision, but Ukraine is having a hard time fending off the latest Russian assault. Blinken also toured a grain transshipment facility and a bionics factory, praising Ukrainian innovation and ingenuity in the face of wartime difficulties. Ukraine has had to adapt and adjust to this and its done so remarkably, Blinken said of grain exports now being taken by rail after traditional shipping routes were interrupted by Russias full-scale invasion, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Russian troops are pressing a fresh offensive in northeast Ukraines Kharkiv region. It began last week, marking the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began and forcing almost 8,000 local people to flee their homes. Together with Moscows weekslong effort to build on its recent gains in the eastern Donetsk region, the more than two-year war has entered a critical stage for Ukraines depleted army. Against that grim backdrop, with thousands of Ukrainian troops locked in fierce battles in towns and villages, Blinken on Tuesday pledged unceasing U.S. support for the country, during and beyond the war. He also tried to lift spirits in Kyiv, performing on guitar with a band at a city bar and eating pizza at a veteran-run restaurant. Russia is opening new fronts in order to stretch Ukraine's army, which is short of ammunition and manpower, along the about 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, hoping defenses will crumble. Russian artillery and sabotage raids have also been menacing Ukraine's northern Chernihiv and Sumy regions, Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Tuesday that the army has sent reinforcements to the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. It is too early to draw conclusions, but the situation is under control, he said. The pace of Russia's advance in the Kharkiv border region, where it launched an offensive late last week and has made significant progress, has slowed, the Institute for the Study of War said late Tuesday. The Washington-based think tank said Moscow's main aim there is to create a buffer zone that will prevent Ukrainian cross-border strikes on Russia's Belgorod region. Blinken on Wednesday visited a drone manufacturer on the outskirts of Kyiv and toured a grain transshipment facility where Ukrainian grain is loaded into containers for export by rail. Blinken praised the ingenuity of the process, which local companies adopted after traditional shipping routes were interrupted by Russias full-scale invasion, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Ukraine has had to adapt and adjust to this and its done so remarkably, Blinken said. Meanwhile, Russian air defenses shot down several Ukrainian missiles over the Black Sea and near the Belbek air base, Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev said. Sevastopol is where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is headquartered. The fragments of downed missiles fell into residential areas but caused no casualties, Razvozhayev said. Russian air defenses also shot down nine Ukrainian drones, two Vilha rockets, two anti-radar HARM missiles and two Hammer guided bombs over the Belgorod region early Wednesday, the Defense Ministry said. Two people were injured in the village of Dubovoye when a Ukranian rocket set their house ablaze, according to Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov. The military said five other Ukrainian drones were downed over the Kursk region and three drones were shot down over the Bryansk region. The Defense Ministry also said that another Ukrainian drone was downed over the Tatarstan region. Tatarstan is located more than 1,000 kilometers east of the border with Ukraine. Vasily Golubev, the governor of the Rostov region, said two drones attacked a fuel depot. He said there were no casualties or fire. Ukraine has launched a steady series of drone attacks on oil refineries and fuel depots across Russia over the past months, causing significant damage. (AP) The container ship that rammed into Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge in March lost power multiple times on both the day of the fatal accident and the day before, according to a preliminary report. The Dali, which sails under the flag of Singapore, lost power twice on March 26 before hitting the bridge and causing it to collapse, killing six construction workers who were on the structure at the time. The first blackout was caused when electrical breakers powering most of the vessels equipment and lighting unexpectedly tripped, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a report Tuesday. The crew eventually was able to restore electrical power, but then a second blackout occurred only 0.2 miles from the bridge. They regained power, but the ship lacked the propulsion needed to avoid striking the bridge, safety inspectors found. It wasnt the first time the ship experienced blackouts. Two also occurred while the vessel was in the Port of Baltimore. The first, occurring about 10 hours before the vessel left port, was caused when a member of the ships crew mistakenly closed an inline engine exhaust damper, causing the engine to stall, the NTSB said. A second blackout occurred shortly afterwards due to insufficient fuel pressure for an online generator. The Baltimore bridge collapse shut a major shipping and transportation artery and caused billions of dollars worth of damage. President Joe Biden has pressed Congress to quickly approve funds to rebuild the structure. Maryland announced last week it plans to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in just over four years at an estimated cost between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion, a state transportation official said Thursday. Top photo: The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Sunday, May 12, 2024. The Key Bridge Unified Command is getting ready to remove the piece of the Francis Scott Key Bridge that fell on top of the Dali after the carrier ship crashed into the bridge in March, according to an emailed statement. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Judge Judy Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents. The story was first published on InTouch Weeklys website on April 10 under the headline Inside Judge Judys Quest to Save the Menendez Brothers Nearly 35 Years After Their Parents Murder, according to the lawsuit, filed in circuit court in Collier County, Florida. A version of the story later appeared in the National Enquirer, a sister publication to InTouch Weekly also owned by Accelerate360 Media. The 1989 Menendez murders in Beverly Hills, California, was a case of some tabloid renown. Sheindlin said shes had nothing to say about the case. Her lawsuit speculated that the news outlets used statements in a Fox Nation docuseries made by Judi Ramos, a woman identified as an alternate juror in the first Menendez trial, and misattributed them to the television judge. There was no immediate comment from Accelerate360, whose attempt to sell the National Enquirer last year fell through. Sheindlin does not ask for a specific amount of damages, but made clear it wouldnt be cheap. When you fabricate stories about me in order to make money for yourselves with no regard for the truth or the reputation Ive spent a lifetime cultivating, its going to cost you, she said in a statement. When youve done it multiple times, its unconscionable and will be expensive. It has to be expensive so that you will stop. Sheindlin, who hosted the syndicated Judge Judy through 2021 and now hosts Judy Justice, has had run-ins with the Enquirer in the past. In 2017, the newspaper retracted and apologized for stories that falsely claimed she suffered from Alzheimers disease and depression and had cheated on her husband. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it has opened an investigation into Amazon.coms self-driving Zoox vehicles due to unexpected braking leading to two rear-end collisions that injured motorcyclists. The NHTSA said it had opened its preliminary evaluation after two crashes involving the self-driving technology units vehicles equipped with the Zoox Automated Driving System that resulted in minor injuries to motorcyclists and started a probe into 500 Zoox vehicles with automated driving systems. Each incident involved a Toyota Highlander equipped with the Zoox automated driving system. A Zoox spokesperson said the company was reviewing the request for information but did not offer in a statement additional details on the incidents. Transparency and collaboration with regulators is of the utmost importance, and we remain committed to working closely with NHTSA to answer their questions, the statement said. Earlier this week, NHTSA opened an investigation into Waymo, the autonomous-vehicle subsidiary of subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., after 22 incidents in which the companys cars were involved in collisions or may have violated traffic laws. In March, Zoox said it was expanding its vehicle testing in California and Nevada to include a wider area, higher speeds and nighttime driving, as it competes with Waymo robotaxis. Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020 for $1.3 billion. NHTSA said both crashes occurred during daytime lighting conditions and within the operational design limits of the Zoox system. NHTSA said its initial investigation confirmed each of the Zoox vehicles was operating with the ADS engaged in the moments leading up to each collision. The investigation will evaluate the Zoox Automated Driving System performance particularly relating to the collisions as well as the behavior in crosswalks around vulnerable road users, and in other similar rear-end collision scenarios. NHTSA in March 2023 opened a probe into the self-certification by Zoox in 2022 of a robotaxi without traditional driving controls. The investigation, which is pending, is to determine whether the Zoox certification basis depended upon unilaterally developed test procedures or determinations that certain standards were inapplicable due to the unique configuration of the vehicle. (Reporting by Nair and Sriram in Bengaluru and Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Sonia Cheema, Devika Syamnath and Emelia Sithole-Matarise) General Motors Co.s autonomous-car unit reached an $8 million to $12 million settlement with a pedestrian who was dragged by one of its vehicles in San Francisco, according to a person familiar with the situation. The settlement was struck earlier this year and the woman is out of the hospital, said the person, who declined to be identified discussing a private matter. In the October incident, the pedestrian crossing the road was struck by another vehicle before landing in front of one of GMs Cruise vehicles. The robotaxi braked hard but ran over the person. It then pulled over for safety, driving 20 feet at a speed of up to seven miles per hour with the pedestrian still under the car. Cruise grounded its entire US fleet after California suspended its license in the wake of the incident. Former Chief Executive Officer Kyle Vogt resigned, nine executives were fired and about a quarter of the workforce was let go. Last month, Cruise said it was preparing to resume testing of its robotaxis with safety drivers in Phoenix, an important step in its attempt to restart services. Fortune reported on the settlement earlier Tuesday. Top photo: A Cruise autonomous taxi in San Francisco, California, US, on Thursday Aug. 10, 2023. California regulators are poised to decide whether two rival robotaxi services can provide around-the-clock rides throughout San Francisco, despite escalating fears about recurring incidents that have caused the driverless vehicles to block traffic or imperil public safety, reported the AP. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Preventing Muslim migrants from gaining citizenship . Revoking the semi-autonomy of the countrys only Muslim-majority region. Building a Hindu temple where a violent mob razed a mosque. These were political triumphs for Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past decade, burnishing his reputation as a leader who prioritizes the interests of India's Hindu majority. For India's 200 million Muslims, they highlight their waning political power in the world's largest democracy. Tensions between Hindus and Muslims in India are not new, but they have gotten worse under Modi, whose ruling Bharatiya Janata Party touts a Hindu-nationalist ideology. And with Modi seemingly on the cusp of a third five-year term, the outlook for Muslim politicians and citizens is bleak. This year's vote will be decided in June. It's not just that Modi has ramped up anti-Muslim rhetoric in campaign speeches. Ever since the BJP began its rise as a political force in the mid-1980s, the proportion of Muslim lawmakers in parliament and state legislatures has shrunk. Muslim representation has fallen in the ruling BJP, and in opposition parties, too. When Modi assumed power in 2014, the outgoing parliament had 30 Muslim lawmakers and just one was a member of the BJP. Muslims now hold 25 out of 543 seats, and none belong to the BJP. India has gone from being a country where Muslims were largely marginalized to one where they are actively excluded, said Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a political scientist and historian at New Delhis Ashoka University. Without representation, you are unable to ask the state for resources and articulate the kind of needs the community has in order to progress, whether its education, jobs, health or basic infrastructure, Mahmudabad said. In the mid-1980s, Muslims accounted for 11 percent of India's population, and had 9 percent of seats in parliament; today they are 14 percent of the population and have less than 5 percent of seats in parliament. Nine out of 10 members in parliament are Hindus, who make up 80 percent of Indias population of 1.4 billion. The political representation of Muslims at the state level is only slightly better. India has more than 4,000 lawmakers in state legislatures across 28 states and Muslim lawmakers hold roughly 6 percent of these seats. A government report in 2006 found Muslims lagged Hindus, Christians and people from India's lower castes in literacy, income and access to education. They have made some gains since then but are still at a significant disadvantage, according to multiple independent studies. Under Modi's decade in power, the BJP has enacted or proposed various laws that Muslim leaders consider discriminatory. Some states ruled by the BJP passed laws restricting interfaith marriage as a way to address what they claim is the threat posed by Hindu women marrying Muslim men and then converting. One state formerly ruled by the BJP banned girls from wearing hijabs in school. (The law was reversed after the BJP lost political control.) The BJP is advocating a common legal code that would affect some religious practices, by changing some laws in India's constitution that deal with matters ranging from marriage to divorce and inheritance. Violence against Muslims is commonplace, and Modi has said little to deter it. Muslims have been lynched by Hindu mobs over allegations of eating beef or smuggling cows, an animal considered holy to Hindus. Their homes and businesses have been bulldozed , and their places of worship set on fire . At recent campaign rallies, Modi has said Muslims are infiltrators and that they have too many children. Without evidence, he has accused the BJP's main rival, the Congress party, of planning to redistribute the wealth of Hindus to Muslims. Many Muslims believe Modi is stoking divisions as a campaign strategy. They're keeping the Hindu-Muslim issue hot... so they remain enemies, said Mehmood Bhai Khatri, a 64-year-old Muslim voter from Modi's home state of Gujarat, a BJP stronghold. But who will speak up? If they do, they may be picked up (by police) or a bulldozer will be sent to their homes," said Khatri. "So out of fear, nobody speaks up. Not one of India's 28 states has a Muslim as chief minister; the BJP and its allies have chief ministers in 19 states. In Uttar Pradesh, the country's most populous state and where roughly 16 percent of residents are Muslim, just 7 percent of state lawmakers are Muslim. As the BJP becomes ever more powerful, India's opposition parties have become increasingly reluctant to nominate Muslim candidates for fear of alienating Hindu voters, experts say. While Hindus overwhelmingly rally around the BJP, Muslims have struggled to form a cohesive political agenda, in part because of how diverse their community is across sects, ethnicity, language, customs, and culture. There is no way to unite this very heterogeneous group of people, without making Islam the common denominator, said Mahmudabad, the political scientist. But when political parties don't field enough Muslims, issues important to them from minority rights to hate speech hardly ever get debated in the parliament, said Muhammad Saad, a cab driver in New Delhi who is Muslim. If there are no Muslims in the parliament, who will raise the voice for us? Saad questioned. Analysts say the BJP has made some outreach efforts to Muslims, such as seeking their help as volunteers and at the polls. But the party fielded just 13 Muslim candidates combined in the 2014 and 2019 elections, and none were elected. The BJP denies discriminating against Muslim people. The party "permits accommodation of all kinds of people, not just the Hindus, said M Abdul Salam, the only Muslim out of some 430 BJP candidates running for parliament this year. If he wins, he will become the first Muslim member of the BJP since 2014 in Indias lower house of the parliament. Salam, who is from the Muslim-majority southern city of Malappuram, said Muslim politicians from other parties could gain power by joining the BJPs alliance in parliament. But Muslims from other parties are struggling simply to stay in office. S T Hasan, a Muslim member of parliament from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, was not chosen by the Samajwadi Party to seek reelection. He was replaced by a Hindu politician, a decision he believes was made to appeal to Hindu voters, who are the majority in the region he represents. Hasan said political parties, especially those that consider themselves secular, need to make more room for minority candidates. Fair representation of every community is good for a democracy," he said. But what we are seeing is that one community is being gradually pushed to the corner. (AP) BOSTON If the Cavs are going to avoid playoff elimination, they will need to do it without star guard Donovan Mitchell. Sources tell cleveland.com that Mitchell, the teams leading scorer who was listed as questionable going into the game, is not expected to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Wednesday night because of a strained left calf. BetMGM Ohio BET $5, GET $158 BONUS BETS CLAIM OFFER Promo code: CLE158 21+ and present in Ohio. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler. PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- Orange Board of Education members have expressed some concerns about an International Homestay Experience in Peru that has been proposed for Orange High School Spanish students. The trip was presented to the board for review Monday (May 13). The board is expected to vote on the proposal at its next meeting, at 6 p.m. May 28 in the Orange High School auditorium. The trip is slated for Nov. 21-29, 2025. According to the proposal from OHS Spanish teachers Gary DiBianca and Emily Macias, who are in charge of the trip, students would not miss any days of school because it would occur during their Thanksgiving break. The students would stay with host families in Cuzco, Peru. The itinerary also includes stops in Machu Picchu, Puno, Uros Islands and Lima. There would be no cost to the district, as students and/or their parents would pay for the trip. Estimated cost is between $3,760 and $3,960 per student, depending on how many sign up. In February 2023, the board approved a trip to Spain for OHS students, replacing a previously scheduled one to Peru. That trip was canceled for the safety of students based on the political climate there at the time. But Perus climate is much more stable now, DiBianca and Macias stated in their proposal. Twenty-three Spanish students participated in the trip to Spain this past November. Fourteen to 30 students are expected to make this trip, if it is approved. On Monday, board Vice President Beth Wilson-Fish and President Jeffrey Leikin both said they had questions for DiBianca and Macias, but the teachers did not attend the meeting. Is this the right time to be taking this trip? Wilson-Fish asked. Superintendent Lynn Campbell asked, Per the travel alerts? Wilson-Fish replied, Yes. The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory for Peru in November. U.S. travelers were advised to exercise increased caution due to crime, civil unrest and the possibility of kidnapping, according to the departments website. I did quite a bit of research on that, and Id really like to know more about the itinerary, Leikin said. When I looked at the itinerary and I see kids are on their own for dinner or for lunch, it raises a red flag to me, especially reading the number of travel alerts about different countries. Leikin said Peru does not currently have any different travel alerts than Denmark, France or a lot of other countries. Mostly, the tourist areas are good, he said, adding that his main concern was about students walking around alone. One of the cities that theyre going to in particular, Cuzco, the water is not drinkable, he said. There are things about Peru that may be different than Spain or Costa Rica, where (OHS students) have been before, he said. I want to be very cautionary about that. Leikin said he would like to see the full itinerary for the trip made available to parents of the students involved. Im not saying this wont be a great opportunity for the kids and for the class, he said. I just want to make sure the parents know everything that well be doing ahead of time. Orange High School Principal Jamie Hogue said he hoped that DiBianca would be able to attend the May 28 board meeting to answer questions. Well provide more information between now and the next meeting, Campbell said. Board member Scott Bilsky asked if there is a time sensitivity to approve the trip, since its not scheduled until November 2025. I dont feel like theres that big of a time crunch, Campbell said. This is very early. We like at least a year, traditionally. We definitely have time. Hogue said he believes DiBianca was hoping to have it approved prior to the next school year, so they can start finding some interested students and fundraising. But theres not a hurry, he said. The travel company (Prometour Educational Tours of Montreal) does a great job of monitoring whats going on in the country, he added. Mr. DiBianca does, as well. Trip to Denmark proposed Also on Monday, the board reviewed a proposal for an Educational International Immersion trip to Denmark for Orange High School students. The dates for this trip would be April 2-11. According to the proposal from OHS teachers Joanna McNally and Bill Brochak, who are in charge of the trip, this is the 11th year that OHS students would make the trip to Denmark in collaboration with Herning Gymnasium, a school in Herning, Denmark. Students would be housed with Danish families. There would be no cost to the district, as students and/or their parents would pay for the trip. There was no discussion among board members about this trip. Contract with TDA approved In other action, the board approved a contract with ThenDesign Architects of Willoughby to provide design services and renovations for the Pepper Pike Learning Center in the amount of $80,122. Bilsky asked what the timetable was for the project. I believe they want to get started with construction late in the fall, said Jill Korsok, director of Orange Community Education and Recreation (OCER). Korsok added that OCER is covering the architectural cost of the project. The Pepper Pike Learning Center houses OCERs administrative offices and its Early Childhood Preschool, youth, Stagecrafters and adult education programs and offices. ThenDesign Architects has designed other projects for the district, including a refresh of classrooms at Orange High School. Phase 2 of that project is slated to begin in June. Five-year forecast approved In addition, the board approved the districts five-year forecast, as presented by Treasurer Todd Puster, as well as a transfer of $500,000 from the general fund to the permanent improvement fund. Puster explained that the request to move the $500,000 was made to move important capital projects ahead. As we look at the (financial) overview, weve got healthy cash balances, but its a trend that declines over time, Puster told the board. Thats pretty common among school districts for a variety of issues. Puster said he included a proposal for an operating levy in the forecast, adding that the funding a levy would provide would be sufficient to meet our needs if we go in that direction. Last November, voters in the district passed a 1.5-mill permanent improvement levy to allow it to maintain facilities and equipment. It was the first time district voters were asked to support a levy of any kind since 2011. Weve talked about when is the right time to approach voters (with an operating levy), Puster said. Thats to be determined. One day, the rabbit isnt going to be able to be pulled out of the hat anymore. Deficits are going to become a reality. But weve got time to address those options. Shanghai International Film Festival to feature French film week Xinhua) 10:01, May 15, 2024 BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- A French film week will be held as a part of the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival, scheduled from June 14 to 23, organizers told a press conference on Tuesday. As this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations, the event is curated to showcase the charm of contemporary French movies, said the organizers. According to the press conference, this year's festival will feature a sci-fi film week centering around artificial intelligence. The event is expected to provide audiences with a diverse cinematic experience of AI-themed classics and recent releases. In addition, the sci-fi film week will host special forums to explore how the development of artificial intelligence can propel the film industry forward. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) French President Emmanuel Macron is considering imposing state of emergency in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia to curb spiraling violence, the presidency said Wednesday. Speaking at parliament, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who attended a two-hour meeting with top defense officials at the Elysee, said the aim of the state of emergency would be to restore order in the shortest time possible. A decree on the methods to impose the state of emergency is to be presented to the French Cabinet on Wednesday afternoon. French authorities in the territory said that more than 130 people have been arrested and more than 300 have been injured since Monday in the violence. (AP) The plane of former US president Donald Trump takes off from Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on April 3, 2023. The wing of the Boeing jet owned by former President Donald Trump struck a parked plane at a Florida airport after landing safely and taxiing early Sunday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration said on Tuesday. It is not known if Trump, who had held a campaign rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, on Saturday, was on his Boeing 757 when its winglet struck the rear elevator of a parked VistaJet in West Palm Beach. No injuries were reported in the collision. The FAA notice about the incident, which occurred at 1:19 a.m. ET on Sunday, gives the tail number of Trump's aircraft, N757AF. In a statement, the FAA said, "A privately owned Boeing 757 landed safely at West Palm Beach International Airport around 1:20 a.m. local time on Sunday, May 12." "While taxiing, its winglet contacted a parked and unoccupied corporate jet," the FAA said. "The incident occurred in an area of the airport where the FAA does not direct aircraft. The FAA is investigating." A winglet is a short fin that projects upward from the wing of an aircraft. They are used to reduce aerodynamic drag. CNBC has requested comment from a spokesman from Trump's presidential campaign about the incident. Trump maintains a residence at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach. Trump, who is the presumptive Republican nominee, is on trial in New York state court on criminal hush money charges. He has pleaded not guilty in the case, where he is charged with falsifying business records. It's an age-old question for parents: Should you push your children into specific activities and educational pursuits or fully let them follow their own passions? Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, 73, says his parents took the latter approach and he's happier and more successful because of it. He used the same strategy when raising his own children, he added. "My parents let me follow my heart," he told graduating students at the University of Colorado Boulder last week. "When you really want something, love something and it's your passion, you should have your parents supporting you going in your direction. Not telling you, 'No. You should study this. You should go to this school.'" The California native matriculated to the University of Colorado Boulder in 1968 and majored in computer science. His parents had enough money saved up for only one year of out-of-state tuition, he said but they still encouraged him to attend the school of his choice and pursue his love for technology, a field they had no idea would become so lucrative. Wozniak was expelled in 1969 after hacking into the university's computer systems and sending prank messages. He re-enrolled in college first at De Anza College, and then at the University of California, Berkeley and was introduced to Steve Jobs by a mutual friend before dropping out of Berkeley in 1971. Five years later, Jobs and Wozniak co-founded Apple. Both men became millionaires when the company went public in 1980. Today, Apple has a $2.8 trillion market capitalization and is the second-largest company in the world. Now, Wozniak provides his kids the same kind of support his parents gave him, he said. "I've treated that the same way with my own kids," he said. "My parents didn't force their values on me ... They let me choose for myself so I was careful to be that way with my own children." The tactic is effective, according to parenting expert Margot Machol Bisnow, who interviewed the parents of 70 highly successful adults for her 2022 book, "Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams." When you don't encourage your kids' passions especially if you fear they won't make enough money as adults you show that you don't trust them, Bisnow told CNBC Make It last year. High levels of trust and support children build the confidence they need to eventually excel at whatever they do, she added. Want to make extra money outside of your day job? Sign up for CNBC's new online course How to Earn Passive Income Online to learn about common passive income streams, tips to get started and real-life success stories. CNBC Make It readers can use special discount code CNBC40 to get 40% off through 8/15/24. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life. U.S. President Joe Biden during the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies gala at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington on May 14, 2024. The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than $1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, three congressional aides said Tuesday. It's the first arms shipment to Israel to be announced by the administration since it put another arms transfer consisting of 3,500 bombs on hold this month. The administration has said it paused that earlier transfer to keep Israel from using the bombs in its growing offensive in the crowded southern Gaza city of Rafah. The White House has come under criticism from both sides of the political spectrum in the U.S. over its military support for Israel's now seven-month war against Hamas in Gaza. Some of President Joe Biden's fellow Democrats have pushed him to limit transfers of offensive weapons to Israel to pressure the U.S. ally to do more to protect Palestinian civilians. Many Republicans condemn any lessening of military backing to Israel. The package being sent includes about $700 million for tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds, the congressional aides said. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an arms transfer that has not yet been made public. There was no immediate indication when the arms would be sent. It's not clear if this shipment is part of the long-delayed foreign aid package that Congress passed and Biden signed last month, a tranche from existing arms sale or a new sale. The Wall Street Journal first reported the plans to move the package. House Republicans were planning this week to advance a bill to mandate the delivery of offensive weaponry for Israel. Following Biden's move to put a pause on bomb shipments last week, Republicans have been swift in their condemnation, arguing it represents the abandonment of the closest U.S. ally in the Middle East. US Senator Bob Menendez (2nd L), Democrat of New Jersey, with his wife Nadine Arslanian (R), leaves US District Court, Southern District of New York, in New York City on September 27, 2023, after their arraignment. Sen. Robert Menendez's wife and co-defendant, Nadine Menendez, was hiding her financial troubles from her husband, a defense attorney for the New Jersey Democrat told jurors Wednesday in his federal corruption trial. Nadine Menendez "kept Bob sidelined" from her discussions about her money problems, attorney Avi Weitzman said in an opening statement that at times seemed to defend the senator by casting blame on his spouse. Weitzman told the jury that gold bars which were seized in an FBI search of Menendez's home and held up by prosecutors as evidence that he took years of bribes were found in "Nadine's closet." The senator, said Weitzman, had no key to that closet and no knowledge that his wife had received any gold bars from Fred Daibes, one of two businessmen standing trial alongside Menendez in Manhattan federal court. Rather, Menendez thought it was "family gold," Weitzman said, as he insisted that the once-powerful senator "took no bribes." The defense attorney addressed the 12-person jury after a federal prosecutor told them that Menendez "put his power up for sale" and "used his wife as a go-between." Menendez, 70, was "on the take" and "motivated by greed," U.S. Attorney Laura Pomerantz said in an opening statement for the prosecution. "This was not politics as usual," Pomerantz said. "This was politics for profit." Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Daibes and Wael Hana, a second New Jersey businessman, are charged in the sprawling case alleging that the senator illegally took hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of gold, cash and other gifts in exchange for official acts. Menendez, who until the indictment served as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and his wife are accused of using his political power to try to enrich the businessmen and benefit the governments of Egypt and Qatar. The trial for Menendez, Daibes and Hana began Monday. Nadine Menendez's trial was severed from her co-defendants' due to medical issues, and will be held at a later date. The senator's wife has not appeared with him in court. A third New Jersey businessman charged in the case, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty in March and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors. He will testify as a witness for the prosecution, Pomerantz told the jury. The opening statements began Wednesday afternoon, shortly after prosecutors and defense attorneys selected a full jury of six men and six women, plus six alternate jurors. Judge Sidney Stein dismissed the the jury after Weitzman's lengthy introduction, which lasted over an hour. Attorneys for Hana and Daibes are set to deliver their opening statements Thursday. The trial could last seven weeks or more. Warren Buffett surprised many by selling a significant portion of his gigantic Apple stake, and his reason for the sale was even more surprising. Buffett, who trimmed Berkshire Hathaway's Apple holding by 13% in the first quarter after reaping enormous gains, suggested that the sale was for tax reasons. He implied the sale could be a means of avoiding an even higher tax bill down the road if tax rates rise to help plug a ballooning U.S. fiscal deficit. "It doesn't bother me in the least to write that check, and I would really hope with all that America's done for all of you, it shouldn't bother you that we do it. And if I'm doing it at 21% this year, and we're doing it a little higher percentage later on, I don't think you'll actually mind the fact that we sold a little Apple this year," Buffett said at Berkshire's annual meeting on May 4. As a corporation, any income generated by Berkshire, whether it's from a wholly owned business, such as Dairy Queen, or an equity investment, such as Apple, has been taxed at a flat 21% federal corporate rate since 2018. There's no special tax rate for capital gains in a corporation as they become part of the entity's income. The Oracle of Omaha, who paid over $5 billion in corporate taxes in 2023, believes the corporate tax rate could move higher to fund a burgeoning fiscal deficit. The federal government has so far spent $855 billion more than it has collected in the 2024 fiscal year that ends Sept. 30, according to the Treasury Department . In the 2023 fiscal year, the deficit totaled some $1.7 trillion. "They can change that percentage any year. ... I would say with the president's fiscal policies, I think that something has to give. And I think that higher taxes are quite likely. And the government wants to take a greater share of your income, or mine, or Berkshire's, they can do it," Buffett said. Corporate income tax rate The corporate tax rate in the U.S. averaged 32.1% from 1909 to 2024, with a peak of 52.8% in the late 1960s, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The rate was 35% from 1993 to 2017. "He's taking this position essentially, based on his opinions of the political and economic climate," Kelly Gillette, partner at Armanino LLP in Texas, said in an interview. "He believes that something has to give and that he believes the corporate rates are going to go up." AAPL mountain 2016-01-01 Apple Berkshire began buying Apple stock in 2016, and by mid-2018 the conglomerate accumulated 5% ownership of the iPhone maker, a stake that cost $36 billion. The bet, which now takes up 40% of Berkshire's entire equity portfolio, has earned Berkshire well over $100 billion. Many are already speculating that Buffett could continue to reduce the Apple stake. The 93-year-old investing guru told shareholders that Berkshire's total cash pile could even reach $200 billion by June, up from a record $189 billion in the first quarter. Warren Buffett trimmed Berkshire Hathaway 's Apple stake, capturing gains ahead of an expected tax boost but what worked for the legendary investor may not be the best move for individuals. The sale reduced the conglomerate's Apple holding by 13% in the first quarter. Speaking at Berkshire's annual meeting on May 4, Buffett noted that he expected tax rates to rise , but he didn't mind paying the 21% rate currently applicable to corporate income. "And if I'm doing it at 21% this year, and we're doing it a little higher percentage later on, I don't think you'll actually mind the fact that we sold a little Apple this year," he said at the event. The prospect of higher taxes is also on individual investors' minds. The White House's latest budget proposal called for a 25% minimum income tax on those whose wealth exceeds $100 million. Further, a bevy of provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 enacted under former President Donald Trump is set to expire after 2025, which would result in the top individual income tax rate reverting to 39.6% from 37%, as well as a sharp cut to the standard deduction (currently at $14,600 for individuals and $29,200 for married couples filing jointly). "I hear this all the time, 'I should recognize income now. Taxes are going up,'" said Tim Steffen, certified public accountant and director of advanced planning at Baird. "The taxes shouldn't be the only factor in determining your investment strategy," he said. "If you have an investment you really like, continue to hold it. If it pays a good dividend, don't let a tax increase be the sole reason to sell something." Impulsive attempts to head off taxes Trying to beat a tax increase can backfire. For instance, individuals who convert large sums of money from their traditional individual retirement account to a Roth which would give them tax-free appreciation and withdrawals that are free of tax, subject to certain conditions wind up eating a hefty bill from the IRS in the present, Steffen said. That's because the amount of money that's converted is subject to ordinary income tax, which can be as high as 37%. Even for those who are taxed at a lower rate, a sufficiently large conversion might bump them into a higher tax bracket. Instead, a measured approach with incremental conversions might be a better way, as this would spread out the tax liability over the years. Similarly, an impulsive move to sell a heavily appreciated holding can also harm, rather than help, an investor. Be sure to work closely with your financial advisor and your accountant to get a sense of how any prospective tax code changes might affect your set of circumstances. "Run the numbers and make sure it makes sense to do it and do it thoughtfully that goes for any tax strategy," Steffen said. Sensible steps for any climate You don't have to wait for cues from Washington to take a few steps that can improve your portfolio's tax efficiency and trim your tax bill. Here are a few moves worth considering. Manage your tax brackets . Long-term capital gains taxes have three tiers, depending on an investor's income: 0%, 15% and 20%. Understand where you are within these brackets and keep that in mind if you need to sell. "Say you're a corporate executive and you own a bunch of company stock that's highly appreciated. Maybe stagger the sales over time to manage that 15% bracket," Steffen said. Keep an eye out for tax-loss harvesting opportunities. When assets in your portfolio fall, consider trimming some of those positions and using those losses to offset taxable capital gains elsewhere. Use the proceeds as an opportunity to rebalance your portfolio and get your asset allocation back to where it needs to be. In a higher tax environment, "tax loss harvesting will become more important, and doing it in a performance-neutral way," said Jerrod Pearce, a certified financial planner and partner at Creative Planning in Overland Park, Kansas. Strive for tax efficiency within your portfolio. Mutual funds that distribute capital gains every year can be inefficient, as they leave shareholders with a tax bill even if those investors are staying put. That's because managers have to sell their holdings to generate the money needed to cash out departing investors, and the capital gains are passed on to the remaining shareholders. Consider gradually winding down those positions if you have these mutual funds. If you like the fund's strategy, look for a cheaper tax-efficient ETF that you can use instead. Give wisely. Don't sell highly appreciated assets to generate cash if you're donating to charity. This move will generate a tax bill on the stocks' gain. Instead, make a direct gift of appreciated stock directly to your favorite charitable organization or donor-advised fund. Think about "bunching" these contributions that is, cramming several years' worth of charitable donations into one year. This way, you maximize the charitable deduction. Just note that your itemized deductions must be greater than the standard deduction to claim this tax break. "Rather than doing small gifts every year, does it make sense to do larger gifts every other year to get the power of the deduction?" said Steffen. "Be more thoughtful about the timing." U.S. President Joe Biden announces increased tariffs on Chinese products to promote American investments and jobs in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. Win Mcnamee | Getty Images DETROIT President Joe Biden's plan to quadruple tariffs on China-made electric vehicles is unlikely to stave off the threat of more Chinese cars on the auto sales market in the U.S. The 100% tariff announced Tuesday, up from a current import tax of about 25%, covers EVs imported from China but could still leave room for the often-cheap Chinese models to undercut domestic prices and leaves loopholes for imports made by Chinese automakers in other countries, like neighboring Mexico. It also does nothing to address current or future gas-powered vehicles imported from the Communist country to the U.S. Automotive and trade experts say the increased tariffs are a near-term protectionism act that may delay but won't stop Chinese automakers from coming to the U.S. with EVs. "They're going to be here. It's inevitable. It's just a matter of time," said Dan Hearsch, Americas co-leader of automotive and industrial practice at consulting firm AlixPartners. "Western automakers, Western suppliers really ought to be upping their game and preparing to take this on or play with them. It's one or the other." The EV tariffs, including other increases regarding battery materials, were among new tariff rates on $18 billion worth of Chinese imports. Chinese competition For decades, Chinese auto companies have said they will begin selling vehicles in the U.S. under their own brands, but none have succeeded. The quality of Chinese automakers' vehicles has gotten significantly better in recent years, as Beijing has helped by subsidizing their operations to grow domestic production. The increase in domestic automakers has led to a rapid deterioration of market share in the country for global automakers such as General Motors. Global players have made more inroads in the U.S. market in recent years. The so-called Big Three U.S. automakers GM, Ford Motor and Chrysler, now owned by Stellantis have watched their market share in the country deteriorate from 75% in 1984 to about 40% in 2023, according to industry data. GM and others have found it hard to compete against budget and mainstream Chinese vehicles, including EVs. For example, a small EV from Warren Buffett-backed BYD called the Seagull starts at around $10,000 and reportedly banks a profit for the increasingly influential Chinese automaker. Though the Seagull isn't yet sold on U.S. soil, BYD is expanding its vehicles globally, and some believe it's only a matter of time before more China-made vehicles arrive in the U.S. Even with the new 100% tariff, its pricing would likely be in line with or better than many EVs currently on sale in the U.S. "Ultimately, we think protectionism from the West could remain a near-term overhang for Chinese EV/parts makers aiming for rapid global expansion, but we think it is unlikely to halt China's EV push in the long run," Morgan Stanley analyst Tim Hsiao said in an investor note this week. Though some automakers currently import gas-powered vehicles from China into the U.S., the numbers are small. Wall Street analysts, citing the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, report fewer than 75,000 vehicles were imported into the U.S. last year. Vehicles made in China and currently sold in the U.S. include GM's gas-powered Buick Envision, Ford's Lincoln Nautilus and two all-electric vehicles from Geely-owned Volvo and its spinoff EV startup Polestar. Polestar, with a small lineup of vehicles, is notably reliant on its Chinese imports. The company, in a statement, said it is "currently evaluating the announcement of tariff increases from the Biden Administration," saying it believes "free trade is essential to speed up the transition to more sustainable mobility through increased EV adoption." Green goals Shailendra Singh. Lionel Ng | Bloomberg | Getty Images China will remain an important market for investors in the long term, even if other countries are now benefiting from investments flowing out of China amid escalating tensions with the U.S., according to Peak XV Partners, formerly Sequoia Capital India and Southeast Asia. "The China Plus One strategy, in terms of sourcing and so on, is definitely benefiting places like India, Southeast Asia," said Shailendra Singh, managing director of Peak XV Partners, one of Asia's biggest venture capital firms with $9 billion of assets under management. "In the very long term, if you take a 10, 20, 30-year view, if you assume that geopolitics will find some new normal, China is going to be a huge economy, and good businesses will be built in China," Singh told CNBC's Tanvir Gill. watch now Last year, Sequoia split into three independent geographic units Sequoia Capital in the U.S. and Europe, Peak XV Partners in India and Southeast Asia and HongShan in China. The move came amid increasingly strained relations between Washington and Beijing. Peak XV has invested in over 400 companies in the technology, software, financial services and consumer space. They include fintech firm Pine Labs, Singapore-based online retailer Carousell, Indonesian ride-hailing giant Gojek as well as Indian edtechs Byju's and Unacademy. For years, China has been Asia's technology and innovation powerhouse, being home to tech juggernauts including Alibaba Group and Tencent . It has also gained the title of being the world's factory, producing low-cost consumer goods as well as most of the world's iPhones and electric vehicles. However, firms such as Apple and BMW have been diversifying their supply chains away from China amid geopolitical concerns. Apple now reportedly makes around 1 in 7, or 14%, of its iPhones in India, after stringent Covid controls in China disrupted its operations there. While India and Southeast Asian countries have been benefiting from such diversification efforts as companies set up operations elsewhere, China will still be an important market, said Singh. watch now "All of us around the world, while India or Southeast Asia might benefit in the short term, should really be thinking about how would we work well with China in the long term," said Singh. David Roche, president and global strategist at Independent Strategy, said in March that India won't replace China in global trade as the Chinese model was "based on achieving global market share" while the Indian model is "about domestic market development." "India will continue to make progress but it will a slow and steady progress, and not at all similar to the Chinese model," said Roche. As a growing number of overseas Chinese students run into financial difficulties due to the declining wealth of their families, many go online to express their grief and seek advice on how to cope with the situation. When Xiao Zhang went to the U.S. to study in 2019, she never expected that she would one day have to look for odd jobs to help fund her college fees. The 24-year-old Chinese student is currently studying design in an undergraduate program at a university in Alabama. Her parents have so far spent 1.5 million Chinese yuan, or about $211,500, to fund her overseas studies and living expenses. But in October last year, her parents told her they were facing cash flow problems and could no longer offer her financial support. At that point, Zhang had enough money just to cover three months of rent. She still needed to pay the tuition fees for one more semester, she said, without specifying the amount. Zhang is hardly alone. Her experience has become increasingly common. Since last year, there have been over 4.58 million views with the hashtag "funding for overseas studies cut off" on social media platform "Xiaohongshu," often seen as China's Instagram. As a growing number of overseas Chinese students run into financial difficulties due to the declining wealth of their families, many have gone online to express their struggles and seek advice on how to cope with the situation. A 2023 survey conducted by New Oriental Education and Kantar shows that among the students and parents intending to pursue postgraduate degrees abroad, 27% of them said their funding plans have been impacted by the pandemic. That's far higher than the 19% who said the same in 2021 and 2022. "I didn't have time to feel sad because I needed to make money to pay for my tuition fees and rent as soon as possible," Zhang told CNBC in Mandarin. Zhang's father invested in the pharmaceutical industry during the Covid-19 pandemic but has since incurred huge losses. He saw his wealth and investments shrink and eventually told his daughter he could no longer support her education in the U.S., and offered to pay for her air ticket home instead. Zhang started looking for part-time jobs such as babysitting or on-campus work, but it wasn't easy. She only managed to secure a temporary job in another state one month later. "Between November and January, I had to work from 7 am every single day," said Zhang. "I was exhausted and had no time to study during that time. But at least I earned enough money to cover my next semester." An employee scans barcodes on copper rods as they sit stacked outside at the Aurubis AG headquarters in Hamburg, Germany. Copper futures hit a record high on Wednesday as demand for the base metal stays strong amid a rush to build data centers and the continued electrification of the global economy. Copper prices on the NYMEX hit $5.02 per pound, according to data from FactSet. The metal has gained more than 25% so far this year. Demand for copper is widely considered a proxy for economic health, with metal being key to the energy transition ecosystem. It is integral to manufacturing electric vehicles, power grids and wind turbines, especially as the global economy electrifies. Copper demand from electric vehicles and the transportation sector overall is set to increase by around 5% this year, according to forecasts by the Bank of America. Copper is also a critical material for cables used in data centers, whose growth has fueled demand for the red metal especially as an artificial intelligence boom generates more need for data centers. "With demand from EVs still growing, albeit a slower pace, the focus has shifted towards the copper needed in the data center build-out," the BofA note added. Data centers rely on copper for various electrical applications electrical connectors, busbars, power cables. The International Energy Agency is expecting power demand from data centers to more than double to over 1000 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2026 from 460 TWh in 2022. The International Copper Study Group (ICSG) has slashed its supply surplus forecasts for the metal this year due to lower than expected mine production. Copper production growth forecast for 2024 has been cut to 0.5% compared with a 3.7% growth estimated by ICSG last October 2023. This is mainly owed to a slower-than-expected ramp up of production, delays in project commissioning, and revised output guidance from major producers. Last November, First Quantum Minerals halted production at the Cobre Panama, one of the world's largest copper mines, following a Supreme Court ruling and nationwide protests over environmental concerns. Anglo American, a major producer, said it would cut copper output in 2024 and 2025 as it seeks to cut costs. "We see copper climbing to $10,500/t in the near-term as signs of expected physical tightening perpetuate the momentum rally of recent months," Citi wrote in a report. The 3-month copper contract is trading at $10,185.5 per ton on the London Metals Exchange. Billionaire investor David Tepper's hedge fund increased its bets on Chinese tech stocks during the first three months of 2024, while dialing back exposure to some key domestic names. Appaloosa Management's quarterly report on Wednesday showed that Alibaba is now its top holding after buying several hundred million dollars worth of shares. Similarly, the fund significantly increased its stakes in PDD Holdings and Baidu , pushing both into its top ten holdings list, according to securities filings and VerityData. New additions to the fund also have Chinese tilt. Stocks that Appaloosa added in Q1 but not enough to make its top holdings include Adobe , the iShares FTSE China Large-Cap ETF (FXI) , JD.com and the Kraneshares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) . Appaloosa still has sizable positions in American tech names, but trimmed many of them during the quarter, including Alphabet and Meta Platforms . The fund also revealed that it holds put options against Microsoft , which could indicate more selling in the second quarter. Outside of technology, Appaloosa exited a small position in hospital stock HCA Holdings and added a small position in Boeing . Quarterly hedge fund filings do not say when or at what price a trade was made, or if the positions have changed since the end of March. Chinese tech stocks have been trending higher, however, with the KWEB up 19% in the second quarter. Tepper founded Appaloosa more than 30 years ago, and indicated in 2019 that he planned to convert the fund into a family office. He also owns the NFL's Carolina Panthers. Jim Cramer's daily rapid fire looks at stocks in the news outside the CNBC Investing Club portfolio. Nextracker : Shares of the solar company rose 9% on Wednesday after a better-than-expected quarter and an upbeat 2024 outlook. Nextracker's backlog grew to $4 billion. "If you can point the solar panels toward the sun all the time, then you can get an appreciably more amount of energy than if they're static," Jim Cramer said Wednesday. This is what Nextracker does. It's a stock in the CNBC Investing Club's Bullpen watch list . Boeing : The Justice Department said Boeing violated a 2021 settlement deal related to its 737 Max jets. The stock dropped more than 2%. "They can't do any more to Boeing," Cramer said. "This is the old debate at the Justice Department: Do you go after a person or do you go after a company? Weak case when you go after a company. Strong case when you go after a person. When you go after a person, that's jail time, and that's how you fix things, unfortunately. That's what teaches people a lesson," he added. Toll Brothers : Shares jumped more than 4.5% on Wednesday as homebuilder stocks surged after a cooler consumer price index led to a dip in bond yields. Wells Fargo raised its price target on Toll Brothers to $150 per share from $142 ahead of next week's earnings. The analyst went out ahead of the CPI. "I mean, if the CPI would've been bad, he would've had egg on his face," Cramer said. "This is a homebuilder for heaven's sake. This is better than a lot of the tech stocks. These guys sell a limited number of homes between $900,000 and $1 million. They're sold out of every home before they even build it, which is really rather amazing." Dell Technologies : Dell is seeing momentum in enterprise infrastructure and gets a price target raise to $152 from $128 at Morgan Stanley. "It is the key to the market," Cramer said, before pointing to a Dell stock chart and circling the day of Nvidia 's GTC conference. "Everyone always claims they're partners with Jensen. This is where Michael Dell was distinguished as the person that Jensen pointed out as his right hand man if you want to be able to take Nvidia product and integrate it into your enterprise." Cramer added, "You've got to go to Dell, and that's been off to the races ever since then." General Mills , Campbell Soup : Bernstein upgraded the food stocks to hold-equivalents from sell. "I don't like this call," Cramer said. "The reason I don't like this call is because Kellogg indicated that it has too much product." He added, "I think that food is the next to roll over." McDonald's is set to offer a $5 value meal in the U.S., but only for a limited time. The promotion will include four items for $5 a McChicken or McDouble, four-piece chicken nuggets, fries and a drink and will run for roughly a month, beginning on June 25, according to a person familiar with the offering who was not authorized to speak about it publicly. "We know how much it means to our customers when McDonald's offers meaningful value and communicates it through national advertising. That's been true since our very beginning and never more important than it is today," McDonald's said in a statement to CNBC. CNBC last week reported the fast-food giant was working to bring a value offering to menus, with details being discussed and voted on by franchisees. An initial proposal for the meal did not clear necessary hurdles. Coca-Cola added marketing funds to the equation to make the deal more appealing, CNBC reported Friday. In a statement on Wednesday, Coca-Cola said: "We routinely partner with our customers on marketing programs to meet consumer needs. This helps us grow our businesses together." Financial terms of that partnership were not disclosed. The monthlong promotion comes at a time when restaurants are finally beginning to feel a long-anticipated consumer pullback. McDonald's recently reported a mixed first quarter, with U.S. same-store sales slightly missing expectations. Higher prices helped grow average checks, but some consumers pulled back as a result of the steeper costs. "Consumers continue to be even more discriminating with every dollar that they spend as they faced elevated prices in their day-to-day spending, which is putting pressure on the [quick-service restaurant] industry," CEO Chris Kempczinski said on the company's earnings call on April 30. He added McDonald's has to be "laser-focused" on affordability to attract diners. "Great value and affordability have always been a hallmark of McDonald's brand, and all three legs of the stool are coming together to deliver that at a time when our customers really need it. This is the power and promise of the Golden Arches," John Palmaccio, McDonald's owner and operator and chair of the Operators National Advertising Fund, said in a statement to CNBC on the $5 promotion. CNBC's Amelia Lucas contributed to this report. Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in China this week is the latest sign of deepening strategic ties between both sides. Putin will make a two-day state visit to China from Thursday at the invitation of Xi, it was announced on Tuesday. This will be the Russian leader's first overseas trip since Putin kicked off his fifth term in office last week. It comes amid the Kremlin's growing reliance on China for trade and political backing as it seeks to strengthen its "no limits" partnership with Beijing on various fronts. "It's pretty clear that for these last two years, Putin has wanted three things from China," Max Hess, fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Wednesday. He wants a "deal" for the Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline and seeks further Chinese support for the war in Ukraine, especially in terms of hardware, he added. Putin also wants access to Chinese financial markets and to use the "Chinese currency to further Russia's trade," Hess said. "We've really seen remarkably little progress on all of those things," he added. "So, it's really Putin going to China seeing what he can get." Singapore's new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (2nd R) shakes hands with now senior minister Lee Hsien Loong (2nd L) during the swearing-in ceremony at the Istana in Singapore on May 15, 2024. Lawrence Wong was sworn in on May 15 as Singapore's new prime minister, after Lee Hsien Loong stepped down following two decades in office. SINGAPORE Singapore's Lawrence Wong was inaugurated as the city-state's fourth prime minister on Wednesday, taking over from former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who has led Singapore for 20 years. At the ceremony, the newly minted prime minister said he was "deeply honored" and told Singaporeans that he and his new Cabinet will "do our utmost to serve you and our country." Wong acknowledged that he, as well as most of his current Cabinet, are the beneficiaries of the Singapore leaders that have come before him, and that they "will continue to think boldly and think far." Speaking on Singapore's position in the world, Wong said the country's position is strong, "but the world around us is in flux." He pointed out that the Asia-Pacific region had seen unprecedented peace and stability for 30 years after the Cold War, but said that "unfortunately, that era is over, it will not return." Wong noted that great world powers are competing to shape a new, yet undefined global order, which will be characterized by geopolitical tensions, protectionism and nationalism. "We must brace ourselves to these new realities and adapt to a messier, riskier and more violent world," he said. On the domestic front, Wong highlighted that Singapore is at a high economic level compared with most other countries. The country has developed excellent systems of education, housing, health care and transport, he said. Singapore, however, cannot cruise along, he warned. "This is my promise to all Singaporeans. I will serve you for all my heart. I will never settle for the status quo. I will always seek better ways to make tomorrow better than today." Wong concluded his speech by saying, "My mission is clear, to continue defying the odds and to sustain this miracle called Singapore, so that we can reach even greater heights, so that we can be a beacon of hope and unity for ourselves and our children." Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico attends a press conference during a Special European Council Meeting on April 18, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. Slovakia's populist prime minister, Robert Fico, on Wednesday was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt that has sent shock waves across the Continent. The 59-year-old has been transported by helicopter to a hospital in the central Slovak city of Banska Bystrica to receive treatment. A post on Fico's official Facebook page said the prime minister was "shot multiple times and is in a life-threatening state" after an "attempted assassination." "In this moment he is being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica, because to Bratislava it would take too long considering the urgency of the matter. Coming hours will decide," the post said, according to an NBC translation. Slovakia's foreign minister, Juraj Blanar, confirmed to CNBC that Fico was shot several times at close range shortly after a government meeting in the central Slovak city of Handlova. "I strongly condemn this insidious attack on the Prime Minister as an attack on democracy," Blanar said in a statement. "We all believe that the Prime Minister will overcome this difficult fight," he added. Separately, Slovak President Zuzana Caputova "strongly" condemned the "brutal and ruthless attack" in a Google-translated Facebook post. Fico returned to power in September last year after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform. The U.S. Department of Education is giving borrowers more time to meet a key student loan forgiveness deadline. Those who request a so-called loan consolidation by June 30 which will combine their federal student loans into one new federal loan could get their debt canceled sooner than they would have otherwise. Some could even see their debt forgiven immediately. Previously, the deadline to qualify for the Biden administration's account adjustment was April 30. "The Department is working swiftly to ensure borrowers get credit for every month they've rightfully earned toward forgiveness," U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal said in a statement Wednesday. More from Personal Finance: Americans can't stop 'spaving' how to avoid this financial trap Americans are splurging on travel and entertainment Shoppers embrace 'girl math' to justify luxury purchases Until June 30, borrowers enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan who consolidate will get a one-time adjustment on their payment count. They'll earn credit toward all their loans based on the one they have been making payments on the longest, as well as for certain periods that previously didn't count, including certain months spent in deferments or forbearances. Borrowers pursuing the popular Public Service Loan Forgiveness program can also receive additional credit from the payment count adjustment, as long as they certify their qualifying employment for those months. The payment count adjustment is an attempt to rectify longstanding issues for student loan borrowers. The Biden administration said in 2022 it would review the accounts of those in income-driven repayment plans, which are supposed to lead to debt cancellation after a set period. Its announcement followed evidence, including a 2022 U.S. Government Accountability Office report, showing borrowers weren't always getting a proper accounting of their payments. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also found that borrowers were needlessly steered into expensive forbearances, during which interest accrues and credit toward forgiveness is paused. Gecko Robotics, which ranked No. 42 on the 2024 CNBC Disruptor 50 list, is taking on the nationwide challenge with AI and robots, specifically, its wall-climbing bots that perform inspections on infrastructure and not only identify existing issues but also to try to predict what can be done to avoid future problems. Significant sums of money are being spent to fix the issues, some coming from President Biden's Infrastructure Act and other legislation , but the way infrastructure is maintained has largely not changed, mostly done slowly by humans or after a significant issue arises like a leak or collapse. The collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this year and an I-95 overpass in Philadelphia last June weren't triggered by structural flaws a runaway, powerless ocean ship and tanker fire were the culprits. But the disasters were the latest examples of an issue seen across the U.S.: trillions of dollars worth of critical and vulnerable bridges, roads, dams, factories, plants and machinery that are rapidly aging and in need of repair. "When you think about the built world, a lot of concrete, a lot of metal that is, especially in the U.S., 60 to 70 years old; we as a country have a D rating for infrastructure and getting that up to a B is a $4 trillion to $6 trillion problem," Gecko Robotics CEO Jake Loosararian told CNBC's Julia Boorstin. "A lot of that is understanding what to fix and then targeting those repairs, and then also ensuring that they don't continue to make the same mistakes." Gecko Robotics' technology is already being used to monitor "500,000 of the world's most critical assets," Loosararian said, which range from oil and gas facilities and pipelines to boilers and tanks at manufacturing facilities. A focus on military hardware, from subs to aircraft carriers Gecko robots are increasingly being utilized by the U.S. military. In 2022, the U.S. Air Force awarded Gecko Robotics a contract to help it with the conversion of missile silos. Last year, the U.S. Navy tapped the company to help modernize the manufacturing process of its Columbia-class nuclear submarine program, using Gecko's robots to conduct inspections of welds. Gecko Robotics is also working with the Navy to inspect aircraft carriers, which Loosararian demonstrated on CNBC via a demo on the USS Intrepid, a decommissioned aircraft carrier that now serves as a museum in New York City. He compared the analysis that Gecko Robotics is doing on infrastructure to a CAT scan of a human body, while also creating a digital twin of the scanned object. Those inspections historically are done by workers, collecting thousands of readings across an aircraft carrier. Gecko Robotics technology can collect upwards of 20 million data points in a tenth of the time, Loosararian said. "There's human error, and if you're hanging off the side of a ship, it's pretty dangerous too," he said. There are also issues related to the timeliness of military hardware construction and readiness of defense assets in an unpredictable world of global threats. For example, Loosararian said China is building ships 232 times faster than the U.S. is, a function of the sheer amount of shipbuilding capacity that China now has in comparison. "A third of our naval vessels are in drydock right now, and you want them out of drydock or not even in a maintenance cycle," Loosararian said. "What we're doing with Lidar and ultrasonic sensors is a health scan, seeing what the damages are and how to fix them, because what we're trying to do is get these ships from drydock out to the seas patrolling as fast as possible." The digital twins being created by Gecko robots also help with the building of future projects, saving not only time but resources and capital. "It's not just about how things work day-to-day but also how do you build smarter things," Loosararian said. "If we can understand what fails in the real world, then we can figure out how to build smarter things in the future." Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili delivers a speech during an gathering celebrating Europe Day outside her residence in Tbilisi on May 9, 2024. (Photo by Vano SHLAMOV / AFP) (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV/AFP via Getty Images) Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Wednesday held talks with European ministers to urgently discuss "how to save" the country, shortly after lawmakers adopted a deeply divisive Russia-style foreign influence bill. The U.S., European Union, NATO and the United Nations have all issued statements expressing concern about Georgia's new legislation, which opposition lawmakers have denounced as the "Russian law." The "foreign agents" bill calls for media outlets, nonprofits and other nongovernmental organizations in the country to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. Russia, which occupies about 20% of Georgia's internationally recognized territory, has used similar legislation to crack down on independent news media and activists critical of the Kremlin. Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of the capital Tbilisi in recent weeks to voice their opposition to the law, which critics say could jeopardize Georgia's chances of joining the EU and push the country back into Russia's orbit. Georgian lawmakers on Tuesday approved the legislation, with 84 members of the country's 150-member law-making body voting in favor. Flanked by visiting foreign ministers from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Iceland, Zourabichvili said from Tbilisi on Wednesday that the country had always fought for independence, and that it would "never go back into Russian hands." "On the agenda today is the following issue: how to save Georgia," Zourabichvili said, according to a translation. A person rides past a Walgreens truck, owned by the Walgreens Boots Alliance, in Manhattan, New York City, on Nov. 26, 2021. Walgreens on Wednesday said it will offer its own cheaper version of the over-the-counter opioid overdose reversal spray naloxone. The drug is available online and will be in all stores at the end of the month. The drugstore retailer aims to boost the availability of the lifesaving medication in the U.S. as the nation grapples with the toll of the opioid epidemic and attempts to bring down alarmingly high drug fatality rates. More than 645,000 people died from overdoses involving any opioid, including prescription and illicit opioids, from 1999 to 2021, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Naloxone can temporarily reverse the effects of an overdose from opioids, including heroin and fentanyl, when administered in time. The drug blocks the effects of opioids on the brain, restoring normal breathing and preventing death. Despite naloxone's efficacy, access to the treatment "remains limited in many communities," according to a Walgreens release. The company said it will sell a two-dose pack of "Walgreens Brand Naloxone" for $34.99. That's around $10 cheaper than the over-the-counter branded drug Narcan, which became the first prescription-free version of naloxone to win Food and Drug Administration approval last year. Previously, patients needed a prescription to access naloxone. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged tensions with historical ally the U.S. over the military offensive in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, but stood firm that the operation is required to protect Israeli security. "Yes, we do have a disagreement on Gaza. Rather, on Rafah. But we have to do what we have to do," Netanyahu said Wednesday, in an interview with CNBC's Sara Eisen. "And, you know, sometimes you have to ... you just have to do what is required to ensure your survival and your future. We cannot continue into the future by having Hamas retake Gaza." The U.S. and other nations have expressed concerns over Israel deepening its offensive into Rafah, citing fears over the safety of Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire of Israel's war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel has repeatedly said that its conflict is against Hamas and that it does not target noncombatants, but human rights and aid organizations have stressed the impact of the military campaign and of the dearth of resources on the civilian population stranded in the Gaza enclave. Over 1,200 people have been killed in Israel since October, according to Israel's prime minister's office. Meanwhile, more than 35,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry's latest official count. "I hope we can see eye to eye with the United States, we're talking to them, but ultimately we do what we have to do to protect the life of our nation," Netanyahu said. Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed that Washington could not endorse a Rafah military incursion in the absence of a "credible" plan to safeguard civilians. "Absent a credible plan to get them out of harm's way and to support them, the President's been clear for some time that we couldn't and would not support a major military operation in Rafah," he said in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," according to a readout from the U.S. State Department. The European Union's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, said Wednesday on social media that the EU "urges Israel to end immediately its military operation in Rafah, that is leading to more internal displacement, exposure to famine & human suffering. We condemn Hamas' attack in Kerem Shalom." Last week saw the official foundation of the Revolutionary Communist Party in Britain, amidst one of the most turbulent periods in history. Explosive events show the need for bold Marxist leadership. Join the RCP and help us build such a force. [Originally published at communist.red] The Communist, the fortnightly newspaper of the RCP, was launched in January of this year, to great success. The last seven issues have really been laying the groundwork for an even more important milestone, however: the foundation of the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP). Following the partys founding congress on 3-6 May, The Communist is now the official organ of the RCP. Our mission statement is clear: to answer the lies and hypocrisy of the establishment and their media mouthpieces; to provide a voice for the exploited and the oppressed; and to offer a razor-sharp weapon for a new generation of communist class fighters. Storm and stress In January we launched The Communist and laid the foundation for the Revolutionary Communist Party / Image: The Communist The need for such a revolutionary instrument has never been so clear. As is evident from all our recent articles, the world has never been wracked by so much instability and uncertainty; by such storm and stress; by as much chaos and catastrophe. At the time of writing, Netanyahu is preparing a bloody invasion of Rafah. University students across Britain, the USA, and more are mobilising to shutdown campuses, in protest against the western establishments complicitly in the Gazan genocide. And the ruling parties in both Westminster and Scotland are being torn asunder as a consequence of their attempts to manage the crisis of British capitalism over the last decade-and-a-half. It is the working class, at home and abroad, who are being forced to pay the price. While the imperialist warmongers promise increased military spending to bomb homes, hospitals, and schools in the Middle East, ordinary people in Britain face the prospect of dilapidated homes, hospitals, and schools back here crumbling to pieces. Social murder British industry is similarly going to the wall a reflection of the senile decay and decline of British capitalism. The imperialist warmongers have promised increased spending on war abroad and cuts at home / Image: The Communist Workers at the Port Talbot steelworks in Wales and the Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland face the threat of a jobs massacre. Across the country, town after town, community after community, is at risk of being murdered by these industrial closures, as fat-cat bosses put their profits ahead of workers livelihoods. Confronted by this disaster for their members, however, the trade union leaders have been found wanting. There has been little fight by steel unions in Port Talbot. Similarly, the unions have done next-to-nothing to resist the cuts that are laying bankrupt councils to waste. Instead, these leaders are naively placing all their hopes in an imminent Labour government. But they will be sorely disappointed. As shown by his recent backtracking on workers rights, Sir Keir Starmer is far more concerned with appeasing big business than defending the interests of the working class. The fact that Starmer and co. have welcomed rabid Tory MP Natalie Elphicke into the party tells you everything you need about what Labour has become: a home for reactionaries and class enemies. Reference point There is a reawakening of the working class. Alongside the movements on the industrial front are social explosions / Image: Lancaster Communists As we explain in our perspectives, therefore, a mighty explosion of the class struggle is being prepared, in Britain and beyond. In the coming period, layer after layer of workers will begin to move into action. In fact, this process has already begun, as reflected in the 2022-23 strike wave. What we are witnessing is a reawakening of the working class. Alongside the movements on the industrial front are social explosions over one question after another: from the youth climate protests, to Black Lives Matter, to the current demonstrations in solidarity with Palestine. All of these have acted as a lightning rod a catalyst for the accumulated anger in society, which is searching for a reference point around which to express itself. Join the communists! Within this process, ever-larger numbers are already beginning to draw explicitly revolutionary conclusions. Thousands, if not millions, of young people in Britain are now open to the ideas of communism. That is why we have decided to launch the RCP at this moment: because history demands it. Whether you are a student occupying your university campus to demand divestment and disclosure; a militant worker wanting to mobilise against the bosses attacks; or a young person fed-up at having no future under this decrepit system, looking for an answer, a revolutionary alternative, and a clear understanding: this is your party a fighting party. Join the RCP today. News and Info from our Community Partners Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?) Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label. Fred Weston, a leading member of the International Marxist Tendency (soon to be the Revolutionary Communist International) recently appeared as a guest on the popular Alexei Sayle Podcast. In a far-ranging discussion, Fred and Alexei cover the Russian Revolution, the history of SYRIZA in Greece, the reasons for launching the RCI and what sort of living quarters comedy/political podcasters can expect after the revolution. Listen below! Alexei Sayle is an influential figure in alternative British comedy, and also has a background in communist and left-wing politics. He was highly outspoken about the establishment attacks on Jeremy Corbyn during the latters time as Labour Party leader, and is a strong supporter of the Palestinian people. We were very glad for the opportunity to have a member of our international leadership appear on his show, which he describes as a large hadron collider of left-wing ideas. You can find Freds episode, C is for Communism embedded below, and listen to all other episodes of the Alexei Sayle Podcast here. (Posted May 15, 2024) By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor At long last, the family of U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. James H. Marrah has closure. Nearly 81 years ago, Marrahs plane went down over Romania during a bombing mission in World War II. It wasnt until this past August that the London mans remains were identified and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) marked him as accounted for. His remains will be laid to rest in London on Saturday, May 25. For James P. Swyers, one of Marrahs nephews, the closure brings with it a feeling of release. My grandmother (Elizabeth, Marrahs mother) tried for 20 years after his plane went down to find out if he was alive or not and, if not, to return his remains, Swyers said. She kept the door unlocked in her house, hoping he would come home. She kept that going forever, and it was drilled into us grandkids to do the same. Swyers was born in 1949, six years after his uncle was declared missing in action. While he never got to meet the man for whom he is named, Swyers got to know him through the stories his mother, grandmother, and other relatives would tell. He joined the military because he wanted to learn to fly, he said. He really wanted to be a fighter pilot, but he was too tall. He was 6-1, 182 pounds. Fighter pilots had to be 5-10 or under. The family has letters Marrah sent to his mother in which he describes his adventures in the military, including the acrobatic moves they had him and his fellow pilots doing in the heavy bombers. Marrah received his wings and commission at Lubbock Field, Texas, on March 20, 1943. He married Kathleen Tope of Springfield on May 26 during a short leave. That summer, he was serving with the 415th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Marrah was a co-pilot crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. Marrah was 22 years old. They were flying to bomb at 200 feet, got hit by some flak in the bomb bay which set a gas tank on fire, setting the whole middle of the plane on fire. Why they were flying that low, I dont know, Swyers said. Of the 177 bombers involved in the raid, Marrahs plane was one of 51 that failed to return. The mission succeeded in damaging the oil refineries but at the cost of hundreds of U.S. airmens lives. Only three of the 10 airmen aboard Marrahs plane survived. In 1999, two of Marrahs brothers talked to one of the survivors and got his recollections on tape. Marrahs remains were not identified following the war. Remains that could not be identified were buried as unknowns in the hero section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania. Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were then interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium. In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory for examination and identification. To identify Marrahs remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used DNA analysis. Swyers, Marrahs sister Florence (Swyerss mother), and one of Marrahs brothers, Richard, had contributed DNA samples for testing. Florences DNA was a strong match, helping to make the positive identification. Marrah was deemed accounted for on Aug. 3, 2023, almost 80 years to the day his plane went down. Earlier this year, DPAA representatives arranged for a Zoom call with many of Marrahs relatives during which they shared their findings, explained their process, and asked the family their wishes for burial of the remains. He could have been buried at Arlington Cemetery (in Arlington, Virginia) where his brother, John, is buried, but we decided to keep him local He will be buried next to his mother and sister, Swyers said. Arrangements have been made to fly Marrahs remains to the Columbus, Ohio, airport on May 17. The estimated arrival time is 5:05 p.m. Lynch Family Funeral Home will transport the casket from the airport to the funeral home in London. Calling hours are set for 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 25 at the London Community Center, 60 S. Walnut St., London., with the service immediately following. Todd Marrah, one of Marrahs nephews, will officiate. The service is open to the public. Burial will follow in Kirkwood Cemetery, London. (Click here for the full obituary.) Swyers, who lives in London, said nearly 60 relatives from around the country plan to be present. Among them are his brother, Tom, who lives in Newport, and his sister, Melissa, who lives just outside of London, both in Madison County. Barb Lynch said she has received many calls at the funeral home from veterans organizations and other groups that plan to send representatives to the services. Im glad I was still alive when this happened. He was my namesake, Swyers said, adding that he wishes it had been possible when Marrahs older relatives were still alive, especially his mother. Hopefully, when she passed on, if religion is right, she got to see her son again, Swyers said. The Department of the Army bestowed awards and decorations to Marrah posthumously, including the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also earned the American Defense Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and U.S. Army Air Force Pilot Wings. Marrahs name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Undergraduate engineering student Linh Nguyen has received an honourable mention from the Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada Students of the Year Awards. An international student who is graduating from Concordia this spring, Nguyen was recognized by CEWIL for her outstanding contributions as a co-op student and her commitment to empowering women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). CEWIL is a Canadian association with more than 1,600 members from 130 post-secondary institutions that represents 100,000+ co-op and work-integrated learning students. Receiving an honourable mention from CEWIL is genuinely humbling and motivating, Nguyen says. It is a reminder of the importance of staying dedicated to causes we believe in. Originally from Vietnam, Nguyen has been inspired throughout her time in the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science at Concordia, specifically by Codys contributions to a field in which women are dramatically underrepresented. Growing up in Vietnam, I faced my fair share of societal norms and expectations, including initial discouragement from people around me about pursuing engineering as a woman because it is not suitable for a wife and mother in the future, or because it would make me more manly, Nguyen shares. Figures like Gina Cody inspired me to challenge these stereotypes and push forward with my aspirations. I wanted to prove that your interests and career choices should not be limited by gender stereotypes, and that they have nothing to do with what gender you are, what colour your skin is or even simple things like the clothes you wear. With the widespread information on antioxidants it contains, green tea has become one of the crowd-favorites, more so now that studies have shown it has positive effects on mental health. Green Tea Green tea, derived from the unoxidized leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush, is celebrated for its potential health benefits. Among the various types of tea, green tea stands out for its abundance of antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols. Effects on Mental Health May Enhance Cognitive Function Research suggests that green tea consumption may positively impact cognitive function and mood. A study conducted in 2017 indicated that compounds present in green tea, such as caffeine and L-theanine, might contribute to improved cognition and brain function. Additionally, a more recent study from 2020 proposed a potential link between green tea consumption and a reduced risk of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults. Although promising, further human studies are needed to fully understand this effect. May Protect Against Brain Aging Studies have indicated a potential association between green tea consumption and a lower risk of certain markers associated with Alzheimer's disease. Compounds like EGCG and L-theanine found in green tea may play a role in protecting the brain from aging-related deterioration. Working Memory Enhancement Recent research suggests a correlation between regular green tea consumption and improved cognitive function, particularly concerning working memory. Studies conducted in China and Japan highlighted the potential benefits of green tea supplementation on executive function and memory, especially in older adults. Furthermore, a review from 2021 emphasized the anti-stress properties of certain amino acids in green tea, which may contribute to slowing down brain aging processes. Alzheimer's Disease Risk Reduction Current evidence supports the notion that green tea may offer protective effects against Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The presence of catechins in green tea, known for their neuroprotective properties, could potentially mitigate inflammation and oxidative stress associated with these neurodegenerative conditions. Despite promising findings, additional research is necessary to strengthen the evidence supporting the use of green tea for reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Side Effects and Risks While green tea is generally safe for adults, certain considerations must be taken into account. People with severe caffeine sensitivities may experience adverse effects such as insomnia or nausea. Additionally, high concentrations of green tea extract could potentially harm liver health in rare cases. Moreover, the FDA does not regulate green tea supplements, increasing the risk of consuming unsafe substances or those with unproven health benefits. Therefore, consulting a healthcare professional before starting any green tea regimen is advisable. Scientists have uncovered potential breakthroughs in the treatment of depression and anxiety using a compound derived from the secretions of Colorado river toads, known for their hallucinogenic properties. Colorado river toads, scientifically named Incilius alvarius, release a hallucinogenic compound similar to DMT (dimethyltryptamine) when threatened, which has drawn interest for its potential medicinal benefits. DMT, short for dimethyltryptamine, shares structural and experiential similarities with psilocybin, the psychoactive component found in "magic mushrooms." Inhabiting the areas surrounding the Sonoran desert across Arizona, California and Mexico, Colorado River toads attract people drawn to the euphoric effects of the substance, who may opt to either directly ingest the toads or extract their venom, subsequently drying and smoking it. Mount Sinai Hospital researchers in New York embarked on a study to explore the potential therapeutic advantages of toad secretions. While acknowledging the efficacy of psychedelics such as psilocybin in alleviating depression in certain individuals, the precise mechanism underlying this compound's therapeutic effects remains elusive. Nonetheless, evidence suggests its interaction with serotonin receptors and subsequent modulation of neural circuit activity within the brain. After making chemical adjustments to the toad-derived compound to exclusively target the 5-HT1A receptors, effectively nullifying its hallucinogenic properties, researchers administered it to mice exhibiting symptoms of stress and depression, NewScientist reported. Their observations revealed that mice treated with the compound displayed increased consumption of palatable sugar water and heightened social interaction with peers-both indicative of reduced levels of anxiety and depression. These findings parallel outcomes observed in individuals undergoing LSD or psilocybin therapies. "Frankly, that's what we hope to see," remarked Audrey Warren of Mount Sinai Hospital. Given the analogous receptors present in human brains, there exists potential for the compound to hold therapeutic value for individuals. "It's our hope that down the line, someone could use the findings of our study to help design novel antidepressants for humans, but that's certainly a long way out," Warren emphasized. Until then, she cautions against licking Colorado river toads or smoking the poison. Along with intense hallucinations, it can lead to anxiety, vomiting, seizures and death. Recent research challenges the prevailing notion that sleep aids in detoxifying the brain. Conducted by scientists at the U.K. Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Imperial College London, the new study sheds light on the unexpected role of sleep in brain toxin clearance. Using mice as subjects, researchers examined toxin clearance and fluid movement within the brain. Contrary to the established theory, findings revealed a notable reduction in toxin clearance during sleep and under anesthesia. By tracking the movement of a fluorescent dye, researchers observed a 30% decrease in toxin clearance during sleep and a 50% decrease under anesthesia compared to wakefulness. The glymphatic system, previously believed to facilitate toxin removal during sleep, came under scrutiny. Prior studies, reliant on indirect methods, suggested sleep as a period of enhanced toxin clearance. However, direct measurements challenge this assumption. Published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, the study's unexpected results require further investigation. Professor Nick Franks, co-lead of the study, expressed surprise at the findings and emphasized the need for deeper understanding. Uncertainty looms over the mechanisms behind reduced toxin clearance during sleep and anesthesia. "The field has been so focused on the clearance idea as one of the key reasons why we sleep, that we were very surprised to observe the opposite in our results," Frank said, according to Neuroscience News. "We found that the rate of clearance of dye from the brain was significantly reduced in animals that were asleep, or under anesthetic. As yet, we do not know what it is about these states that slows down the removal of molecules from the brain. The next step in our research will be to try to understand why this occurs." The implications extend beyond mice, urging caution in generalizing the findings to humans. Despite the setback to the clearance theory, sleep's importance remains undeniable. Disrupted sleep, often observed in dementia patients, warrants attention, though its role in disease progression remains uncertain. "Although we have shown that clearing toxins may not be a key reason why we sleep, it cannot be disputed that sleep is important," Wisden noted," Professor Bill Wisden, another study co-lead, explained. "Disrupted sleep is a common symptom experienced by people living with dementia, however we still do not know if this is a consequence or a driving factor in the disease progression. It may well be that having good sleep does help to reduce dementia risk for reasons other than clearing toxins." Wisden hinted at the potential benefits of wakefulness saying, "The other side to our study is that we have shown that brain clearance is highly efficient during the waking state. In general, being awake, active and exercising may more efficiently clean the brain of toxins." Moving forward, researchers aim to unravel the underlying mechanisms of reduced toxin clearance during sleep in mice and explore its relevance to humans. As the debate continues, the intricate relationship between sleep and brain health invites further scrutiny. A recent study suggests that pregnancy can induce changes in both the structure and function of a woman's brain, possibly priming her for motherhood. Pregnancy represents a profound physiological event characterized by significant hormonal fluctuations in a woman's body. Yet, the effects of pregnancy on the human brain have remained relatively unexplored. Published in the journal Nature Communications, the study unveiled how hormonal shifts during pregnancy can reshape a woman's brain structure. Notably, the surge of oestradiol, a female sex hormone, during the third trimester seems to trigger alterations that facilitate maternal behaviors like bonding with the baby and preparing for childbirth. Conducted on a cohort of 40 women, the study employed advanced imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance and scans to track brain changes before, during and after childbirth, ClinicBarcelona.org reported. Results revealed heightened activity in the brain's default mode network (DMN) alongside a decrease in gray matter, with no notable alterations in white matter-a consequence attributed to hormonal fluctuations. Gray matter, integral for functions like muscle control, sensory processing, and decision-making, exhibited reductions in volume, while white matter, responsible for information transmission, remained unaffected. The findings echo previous research by Dr. Elseline Hoekzema of Leiden University, demonstrating grey matter reduction post-pregnancy, suggesting neural reorganization rather than loss of function. "It is a process that removes certain connections between brain cells to encourage new connections, and this could help people focus on specific behaviours or activities, such as caring for a baby," Hoekzema explained. Further bolstering these insights, a 2021 study published in the journal Brain Sciences revealed that the decrease in gray matter volume observed during pregnancy persists for as long as six years postpartum, with brain alterations linked to the mother-child relationship and post-delivery contact with the baby, suggesting potential permanence of these changes in women's brains and advocating for the integration of pregnancy-related data into neuroimaging studies as a significant variable of interest. The human brain, renowned for its complexity, remains a focal point of research as scientists strive to develop treatments for various neurological conditions. Furthermore, the brain undergoes significant plasticity during pregnancy, characterized by increased neuronal growth and connectivity, prompting studies aimed at unraveling the brain changes in women and potentially offering insights into addressing issues like postnatal depression in the future. Climate change is not just about rising temperatures and extreme weather events; it's also about the profound toll it's taking on mental health globally. From farmers plagued by anxiety over dwindling resources to Indigenous communities mourning the loss of their ancestral lands, the psychological effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident. At a recent summit organized by the Connecting Climate Minds network, experts from around the world gathered to discuss the detrimental impact of climate change on mental health. Among the key issues highlighted were the escalating rates of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness experienced by individuals and communities worldwide. Extreme weather events, such as wildfires and droughts, are triggering anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among survivors, while air pollution is exacerbating feelings of isolation and despair, particularly among vulnerable populations. Moreover, the compounding effects of multiple disasters are leaving communities psychologically overwhelmed and struggling to recover. Jhonatan Yuditya Pratama, the youth ambassador from Borneo for Connecting Climate Minds, expressed how deeply his Indigenous community reveres nature as an integral part of their existence. Witnessing the profound impact of climate change on their ancestral lands has engendered a poignant sense of sorrow and bereavement among his community members. "For us, mental health isn't just about individuals," Pratama said, as per Yale Climate Connections. "It's about the collective well-being of our communities and the land itself. When nature suffers, so do we." He emphasized the interconnectedness between human beings and the environment, asserting that when nature undergoes distress, it reverberates throughout their community's collective psyche. Indigenous communities, already grappling with intergenerational trauma, are particularly vulnerable to the psychological impacts of climate change, which further intensify feelings of grief and disillusionment about the future. Similarly, farmers face increasing stress and uncertainty as changing weather patterns threaten their livelihoods. Sacha Wright, the head of research at Force of Nature, a youth-focused organization, and a member of the "lived experience" working group within Connecting Climate Minds, shed light on the plight of small-scale farmers in Kenya. She highlighted their struggle with diminishing harvests, which has led many to resort to tree cutting for charcoal production out of sheer desperation. Despite feeling compelled by circumstances, some farmers admitted that this exacerbates their already dire situation, fueling feelings of depression, hopelessness, and trauma. The pervasive sentiment among them is one of profound uncertainty, with many feeling at a loss about how to navigate their predicament. Furthermore, Wright underscored how climate change compounds feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness, particularly among young people. In the Yucatan region, a young individual interviewed by Wright expressed a stark reality where options are limited to either migration or military service in response to environmental challenges like drought. Similarly, Mercy Njeru, a member of the sub-Saharan Africa working group at Connecting Climate Minds, emphasized how extreme heat frequently leads to school closures in the region, leaving youth feeling ill-prepared and demoralized. The oppressive heat not only impedes their ability to study but also worsens feelings of anxiety and sadness, rendering them unable to function effectively. "When it's so hot and you're so anxious you can't work, you can't do anything because you're feeling anxious or you're feeling so sad from all the heat around you," she explained. Addressing these mental health challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including greater awareness, access to mental health services, and community support. From expanding green spaces to reducing inequities and fostering open dialogue about mental health, it's crucial to tailor solutions to meet the diverse needs of affected communities. Long before Horton heard a Who or a Grinch pilfered Christmas, Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, found himself with a literary hit on his hands. After making a few bucks illustrating bug-spray ads and submitting cartoons to magazines, the man who already went by Dr. Seuss made the big time by providing the silly pictures for a publication called The Pocket Book of Boners. The book wasnt quite as lascivious as its title might suggest to 21st-century readers. While there were indeed boners in Seuss proverbial pocket, the word referred to its earlier meaning of blunders. Specifically, the book was a collection of dumb mistakes turned in by school-age students the 1931 version of a moderately amusing BuzzFeed list. The books Wikipedia entry includes a few examples of the boners in question: King James I wrote the Bible. A man who marries twice commits bigotry. A virgin forest is a forest in which the hand of man has never set foot. Don't Miss Hilarious! While the book was chaste, it did contain what is likely one of Seuss only published nudes. Granted, its only Benjamin Franklin, but thanks to one eBay seller for sharing this cartoon in their offer to sell. Speaking of eBay sellers, its still possible to get your hands on the nearly century-old Pocket Book of Boners. Prices range from $42.50 (this tattered version is held together with duct tape) to $399 with free shipping! It would have cost you a lot less back in the day, and plenty of people paid for their own Boners. The paperback was one of the biggest sellers of the World War II era, with 1.34 million copies in print. Dr. Seuss was a big part of its commercial appeal, with a New York Times review singling out his illustrated boners as hilarious. Advertisement The books success led to more compilations into the 1950s, although only the first two were illustrated by Dr. Seuss. By the time 1952 saw the publication of Bigger and Better Boners, weary readers decided theyd had enough and banished it to the spare bedroom. When Greg Daniels returns to the Office universe with a sequel series for Peacock, hell be doing it without the Worlds Best Boss. In 2011, Steve Carell made the difficult decision to leave his most celebrated role playing Michael Scott on the American version of The Office in the shows seventh season after bringing innumerable classic quotes to the future Hinge profiles of Millennials across the country. Immediately following Carells departure, the beloved NBC sitcom embarked on a steep nosedive as the remaining writers and cast members struggled and, ultimately, failed to find the shows identity at a post-Michael Dunder Mifflin. During the original run, making The Office watchable after losing Steve Carell was an impossible task, but, as Daniels, his co-creator Michael Koman get ready to expand the Office franchise with a new mockumentary series set at a struggling Midwestern newspaper, theyll be starting from scratch sans Carell. Don't Miss During an interview at the premiere of his old co-star John Krasinskis childrens film IF, in which Carell plays the role of Blue, the former regional manager of Dunder Mifflin Scranton set the record straight on fan speculation that Daniels would rope him into one last ride behind the desk, telling The Hollywood Reporter of the sequel, I will be watching, but I will not be showing up. Thats what she said. That is off the cards, Carell said of a possible reprisal in the new Office series, saying of Daniels sequel project, I think its just a new thing, and theres really no reason for my character to show up in something like that. He added, But Im excited about it! It sounds like a great conceit, I love the idea. I worked with Domhnall Gleeson, who is one of the leads; I did The Patient with him. Hes an excellent actor and a super nice guy, so I think itll be great. Advertisement Advertisement Honestly, its refreshing to hear that, as opposed to most decade-plus after-the-fact sitcom sequels, Daniels and his new Office crew arent clinging to nostalgia and name recognition to get the new show off the ground. Michael Scotts send-off was too happy of an ending to ever spoil it with a hackneyed plot line about him and his family uprooting their lives in Colorado to come host whatever the Midwestern newspapers equivalent of the Dundies will be, and, with his cameo in the original Office (U.S.) finale, Carell already delivered the contractually obligated amount of fan service for the Office-heads who were still watching. It is hilarious, however, that the only diegetic link between the original Office (U.S.) and the new Office (U.S.) will be the documentary crew. Its not clear if the in-universe camera operators of new series will be the same off-screen characters who spent a decade filming paper salesmen as they hold funerals for birds, but Gleesons character would be wise to keep his obligatory will-they-or-wont-they partner far away from the boom mic. Still have Rapture Fever from the eclipse, the earthquake, the cicadas and the northern lights? Buddy, have I got a dangerous rabbit hole for you: Wikipedias List of Dates Predicted for Apocalyptic Events. Here are a few phrases that popped out to me as I was grazing this buffet of paranoia 5 Fly and Walk Through Walls By far, the best apocalypse on this list. You get to watch capitalism implode in one big, catastrophic collapse, and you get ghost powers? Sign me up! Don't Miss Cult leader Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda rose through the ranks of Miamis Baptist church scene: from volunteer, to minister, all the way up to Jesus. At certain points, Paul the Apostle and the Antichrist also kind of John Malkovichd themselves into Mirandas head. The man contained multitudes. He predicted that on or around June 30, 2012, the worlds economies and major governments would collapse, and the followers of his cult, Growing in Grace, would gain the ability to fly, walk through walls and walk through fire. All without having to defeat a single Mega Man boss. That never came to pass, and he died the next year, of cirrhosis of the liver. Except no he didnt! He reappeared one month later, in perfect health! But then a month later, he died for real. Except no he didnt! His church claims hes immortal. 4 Failed Sure, every apocalypse prediction to date has been a failed one, but the word fail on this list often implies the plucky young cult leader dusted off their Nike Decades and tried again. Declaring that the world is going to end during your lifetime is a rookie mistake, but its not insurmountable. Take Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God, who had to revise his due date for Armageddon four separate times between 1936 and 1975. Or apocalypse visionary Joachim of Fiore, who predicted the world would end in 1260. He died in 1202, but his followers, the Joachimites, got an extension to 1290, then again to 1335. Advertisement You dont even have to go too far down the rabbit hole of obscure cults lots of early Christians thought the world would end in the year 1,000. You cant really blame them; its a nice round number, and frankly, a pretty long reign for one guy. But when that prediction fell flat, they figured: Wait, its gotta be 1,000 years after his death. False alarm, everyone, see you again in 1033. On the other hand, there were a few guys who were logistically unable to reschedule the end of the world. In 1534, Jan Matthys led an attack on the Holy Roman Empire on the day the world was to end, but only succeeded in getting himself decapitated. Edgar C. Whisenant painted himself into a corner when he published the book 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Could Be in 1988. When that didnt pan out, he published a hilarious rebuttal to his haters, On Borrowed Time. When Harold Campings 2011 rapture didnt go as planned, he said there had been an invisible Spiritual Judgment. But the apocalypse isnt just for religious freaks anymore. In recent centuries, weve got Advertisement 3 Aliens If youre reading this, congratulations: Youve survived the 13th baktun! Thats a big part of the whole gumbo of conspiracy theories that congealed around the 2012 finale to the Mayan calendar. The Mayans almost definitely did not think the world was going to end, but one scholar published some word salad in 1966 our present universe (would) be annihilated ... when the Great Cycle of the Long Count reaches completion giving the bored and the paranoid several decades to slow cook those theories. George Van Tassel was one such bored, paranoid weirdo. His resume includes gas station attendant, Lockheed aircraft mechanic, ufologist and alien medium. He claims to have been contacted by an alien named Ashtar, who taught him to build the Integratron, a small building that made him capable of time travel and antigravity. Ashtar also told Van Tassel that on August 20, 1967, the Soviets would nuke the southeastern United States. Advertisement Advertisement Another contactee, Nancy Lieder, followed suit a few decades later. She claimed that a race of aliens in the Zeta Reticuli star system warned her that, on May 27, 2003, a rogue planet would swing through our solar system and reverse Earths poles, causing untold destruction. You can still read her website, if youre curious. If God and aliens arent your thing, perhaps I can interest you in some math? 2 Calculations Advertisement When you think of apocalyptic predictions, you tend to imagine an angel visiting someone tripping on a toad they didnt know was psychedelic, or maybe a smattering of tea leaves or pig entrails. Even just a strong hunch. But the truth is, even the religious stuff often takes the form of mathematical calculations. A cabal of London astrologers predicted a huge flood would occur on February 1, 1524, based on some random Bible math. Their little open letter caused 20,000 people to flee the city. And when absolutely nothing happened that day, they said: We crunched the numbers, and its actually supposed to happen 100 years from today. Quantifiably the worst prediction on this entire list: John Wroe, founder of the Christian Israelite Church, predicted that the new Millennium would begin in 1863. Like, maybe God would open a different save file or something? Its unclear why he thought a new Millennium would start kinda right in the middle of the one that was already happening. Advertisement Advertisement But even Wroes weird blunder doesnt beat the gigantic boner committed by apocalypse forecaster and alleged witch, Mary Bateman. She cooked up a diabolical plan, in which she Senior CPC official meets judicial delegation from Jordan Xinhua) 10:16, May 15, 2024 Chen Wenqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, meets with a delegation led by Mohammad Ghazo, chief of the Supreme Judicial Council of Jordan, and Jordanian Attorney General Youssef Dhiabat in Beijing, capital of China, May 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Bin) BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Chen Wenqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, met with a delegation led by Mohammad Ghazo, chief of the Supreme Judicial Council of Jordan, and Jordanian Attorney General Youssef Dhiabat here on Tuesday. Noting that cooperation in the field of judiciary is an important part of the strategic partnership between China and Jordan, Chen said China is willing to work with Jordan to continuously enhance cooperation in areas such as fair justice, crime prevention and punishment, personnel training, information exchange, and international multilateral mechanisms to better safeguard international order and the development interests of both countries. The Jordanian delegation expressed their willingness to promote new achievements in judicial cooperation between Jordan and China. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Backlogs at the US National Vulnerability Database (NVD), a critical source of information about security flaws in software, have reached crisis proportions, prompting federal agencies to seek help from the private sector. The NVD has been steadily falling behind on its mission to act as a centralized and reliable source of standardized vulnerability information but in February it became apparent that backlogs were crippling the repository. There is a growing backlog of vulnerabilities submitted to the NVD and requiring analysis. This is based on a variety of factors, including an increase in software and, therefore, vulnerabilities, as well as a change in interagency support, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) warned on the NVDs website. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Above, from left, Joseph Minuta presenting the Beer World dispensary proposed plan to to the village Planning Board on Monday night. Board member Benjamin McCarthy is on the right. Right, Beer World in Catskill hopes to expand its entrance and build a dispensary inside. Now, people on the web are branding it a 'scam' and 'waste of money' The infidelity empire once boasted over 37 million users before it was hacked Ashley Madison users are dishing out scathing reviews about the dating site that is at the center of a soon-to-be released Netflix documentary. It was launched in 2001 as a dating site for spouses looking to be unfaithful and told those who had tied the knot to embrace infidelity, becoming known for its tagline, 'Life is short. Have an affair.' More than 37 million unfaithful spouses took the bait and created a profile on the site in hopes of getting tangled up under the bedsheets with another married stranger. The site's success came crashing down in 2015 after it was hacked. It has since rebuilt itself, but it seems that it couldn't go back to the infidelity empire that it once was, with users now claiming it's a 'scam' and is filled with 'fake profiles.' Ashley Madison users are dishing out scathing reviews about the dating site, which is devoted to helping married people cheat on their spouses The site came crashing down in 2015 after it was hacked. One of the people whose details were made public by the scandal was YouTube star Sam Rader, who is pictured here with his wife Nia Plenty of users have flooded the review site Trustpilot to share their real thoughts on the site as an explosive docuseries recounting how the service ruined marriages prior to being hacked is set to be released on Netflix on May 15. One person wrote: 'There are a lot fewer real women here. I met one woman about 3 years ago and we dated for a while. I've come back to see lots of scammers, sugar babies or dormant accounts. [It's a] shame.' Someone else added: 'I've given Ashley Madison one star because I can't give it zero stars. Profiles are all either bots, scammers or phishers. Just after harvesting your money. The scammers are easy to spot as they want to get you off there as quickly as they can. 'Phishers just want your pictures, passwords, and then disappear. Bots can be spotted by the personal details. I mean, weight 35kg, and yet carrying a few extra pounds? 'They want to know all about you, see your private pics etc., but never view your profile. Just avoid this site. Spend your money on a good night out instead.' One user even referred to Ashley Madison as a 'cautionary tale' and warned people about the cost. They wrote: 'The app works well but not in the way you'd think. It is designed for one purpose, separate men from their money, and it does that exceptionally well. 'For personal reasons I downloaded the app, set it up and quickly discovered it was not free. It's not possible to use it for free except to look, looking is free but the illusion of touching is expensive. I won't say "there are no human females on the site." It would be nearly impossible to confirm one way or another. Many users have taken to the site to detail their opinions on Ashley Madison as they branded it a 'scam,' and claimed there weren't real women available 'However, if the pictures and lies are to be believed I've talked and flirted with some of the top porn stars in the business over the last nearly month of time. Also, for the bare minimum membership that I purchased, $150 doesn't get you nearly as much as you might think. 'You could blow through that much in a single evening trying to find someone real to talk to. The site it geared to fleece you and that's as nice a term as I can use. 99 per cent of the contacts I made on the site were fake users likely whose job it is to "death by 1000 cuts" your credits bye bye with winks and likes and other nonsense. 'From what I learned, women accounts are free, men pay for everything. The impossibility that you find an actual match before you run out of money and credits, well to quote the hunger games, "may the odds be ever in your favor." You're better off playing the lotto. This site might have been legit once upon a time but not anymore. 'I will give Ashley Madison credit for doing at least two things right, they will refund credits spent on accounts that turn out to be bogus, the other thing they do right is once you spend credits to talk to someone you can chat with them cost free from that point forward. 'Just as long as you understand the person is likely just trying to scam you or lure you to another site. Ashley Madison is no longer relevant, there aren't real people there looking for what theyre selling which is real contact with real people. ' Another veteran user of the site told people on the web to stay far away from Ashley Madison. The trailer for the three-part docuseries titled, Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies, And Scandal, was released on YouTube. It's set to stream on Netflix from May 15 'I have use this site a few times over the years and have always met someone after the first week or so. I decide to try this site again after not using it for about five years. And it has really go down. Nothing but bots and scammers. I do not think there is one real women on here. I'm glad I only get the credit deal they offer when you first sign up cause it's definitely not worth the time or money,' the user wrote. Someone else added: 'The app sucks and is not real. Nobody on the site is real. The first AI fake. Don't waste your time.' Another person commented: 'Stay away, it's a big scam. Ladies message you asking for contact then suddenly disappear. What a scam, it should be investigated and taken down.' As Netflix prepares to release the docuseries, YouTube star Sam has admitted that he's been unable to sleep and 'super nervous' ahead of the release of Netflix 's show about Ashley Madison that he and his wife will appear in - seven years after the website devoted to cheating was hacked and his name was among the list of users. On their combined YouTube channel, Sam And Nia, the couple uploaded a recent video titled, 'Our Lives Will Never be the Same.... We're coming to Netflix', on Saturday following the release of the trailer for Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies, and Scandal. YouTube star Sam has admitted that he's 'super nervous' ahead of the release of Netflix's docuseries about Ashley Madison that he and his wife, Nia, will appear in. Both pictured The docuseries features the couple and appears to also have testimonies from other members of Ashley Madison and employees The lovebirds admitted to being a part of the docuseries as Sam confessed that he hadn't been able to sleep because he had been up thinking about their story. 'I haven't been able to sleep for the past couple of days, it's been rough,' he revealed The couple explained that they first got an email about the Netflix docuseries in February 2022 before telling viewers that they had opened up even more about their journey in their upcoming book, which is set to be released on May 16. The trailer for the three-part docuseries titled, Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies, And Scandal, was released on YouTube on Thursday - and it's set to stream from May 15. 'I love being a dad, I love my wife, it was a beautiful marriage but it was also monotonous,' Sam said. 'I remember seeing an advertisement. "Life is short. Have an affair." That sounds intriguing.' The trailer than cut to snippets of other couples who used the site and employees of Ashley Madison. 'Ashley Madison was ahead of its time,' one woman - who was unnamed - said. In 2015, hackers who called themselves the 'impact team', stole 32 million records of data from the extramarital affair site Another man - who seemed to work for the company and be on the site - said: 'The vision was to be the largest and only website for married people who wanted to have an affair. When I'd go to trade shows, they'd say, "Who's your biggest competitor?" And I'd say, "The Bible."' A second woman declared: 'I thought it was a great idea, go on a site, and you're able to tell this stranger your deepest, darkest desires.' 'I signed up with all my real information, which obviously was a stupid decision,' Sam said. Meanwhile, employees of the company noted that 'security' became a heightened issue - adding that they were 'worried' about it. 'Ashley Madison was a cash cow and then all of a sudden, we got hacked,' one employee said. In 2015, hackers who called themselves the 'impact team,' stole 32 million records of data from the extramarital affair site. The hackers demanded that the site be taken down, which didn't happen, and as a result the names of everyone who had been involved in an affair went up for the public to see. Marriages were destroyed due to the leak as well as lives; the state attorney in Florida was forced to resign and a pastor in New Orleans committed suicide. V. V. good! Big pant-wearing, Chardonnay-swilling Bridget Jones is back next year in a fourth film, Mad About The Boy, based on author Helen Fielding's 2013 book of the same name. Nowadays, we're told, she is something of a reformed character. Millennial and Gen-Z objections mean she will no longer be hung up about her weight, for example. Nor will single = tragic in the diary she still keeps. Yes, we know the very raison d'etre of the original Bridget Jones was finding Mr Right while simultaneously dropping a dress size, but times have clearly changed. In one very significant respect, however, the Bridget of Mad About the Boy is already a thoroughly modern woman. A 51-year-old widower this time around (spoiler: the saintly Mark Darcy died while rescuing aid workers in Sudan) she re-enters the dating scene and ends up attracting not one but three suitors, whose ages range from 30 to 60-something. The truth is I was deluged, and I mean deluged, by guys not just in their 30s, but in their 20s, on dating apps, confesses Rosie Green Newly divorced in 2019, Rosie Green was 45 when she downloaded dating apps Not long ago, it would have seemed unlikely, verging on shocking, that a middle-aged woman could juggle multiple relationships with men in such widely differing age brackets. But today, thanks to changed attitudes not least among the midlife women who have embraced HRT with a fervour once reserved for glass after glass of chardonnay it seems totally plausible. The actors playing alongside Renee Zellweger, 55, are undeniably easy-on-the-eye. Leo Woodhall, of White Lotus and One Day fame, is 30-year-old Roxter, Bridget's toyboy, whom she connects with online. The second contender is Chiwetel Ejiofor, who plays the 40-something Mr Walker, Bridget's children's P.E. teacher and coincidentally also very nice to look at. If the film is true to the book, he will be morally upstanding and her most sensible option. And lastly, with the news Hugh Grant has signed up to the film, we can assume Mad About The Boy will see the return of Daniel Cleaver, Bridget's caddish, womanising former boss. The rakish Cleaver's exact age is unknown, but Grant is 63 so we can assume his character is at least a decade older than Ejiofor's Walker. READ MORE: The reality of dating a younger man: Sex is more fun than ever - I do hope I'm not making people jealous Advertisement The original Bridget at this point of life would have been desperate to bag another man and join the 'smug marrieds' again. She'd want someone to join her in a bottle of vino once the kids were in bed, lie that her bum does not look big in that and always put the bins out on the right day. Equally, the original 1990s Cleaver would be chasing younger women and Roxter wouldn't look twice at a woman his mother's age. And yet, today, all that has changed not only for Bridget but in the real world too. How do I know? Because, like her, I am a midlife woman who has dated across the decades. Newly divorced in 2019, I was 45 when I dipped my toe into the dating apps. Conservatively, I set my age brackets the metric that allows you to pick how old you want your dates to be between 40 and 50. I was open to meeting different kinds of men, but I reasoned those my sort of age would share similar life experiences. They'd know the words to Vanilla Ice raps, would probably have kids, and might even be able to compare notes with me on their own messy split. And yet the app seemed to have other ideas, and threw me profiles from men outside these ages, too. I confess I found these men more interesting than I expected. In fact, I started to realise, I was actually quite flexible on age. On other social media platforms where anyone of any age can 'slide into' your direct messages, I was also surprisingly popular once news of my impending divorce got out. 'I confess I found these younger men more interesting than I expected. In fact, I started to realise, I was actually quite flexible on age,' says Rosie Indeed, hold your scepticism, but the truth is I was deluged, and I mean deluged, by guys not just in their 30s, but in their 20s. All asking me for dates. Some were still at university! I was flattered, and if they were good-looking, I sometimes sent a few flirty messages back. But generally, I ignored them. What could we possibly offer each other beyond the obvious? There was one, though, a 28-year-old American living in London with a poolside profile shot that made him look like a model all abs and cheeky grin that very nearly captured my heart. He was very keen and very flattering. His conversation was surprisingly mature, and I was sorely tempted. The fact is, I met my ex-husband at 18 and was with him for 26 years. I missed that lovely dating in your 20s phase, and had no experience of young men except my ex. And yet does Bridget worry she could theoretically be her toyboy's mum? In the book on which the film is based, her children are just five and seven - but my young American pursuer was nearer my son's age, then 15, than mine. Leo Woodhall, of White Lotus and One Day fame, is 30-year-old Roxter, Bridget's toyboy, whom she connects with online With the news Hugh Grant has signed up to the film, we can assume Mad About The Boy will see the return of Daniel Cleaver, Bridget's caddish, womanising former boss Chiwetel Ejiofor, who plays the 40-something Mr Walker, Bridget's children's P.E. teacher and coincidentally also very nice to look at. If the film is true to the book, he will be morally upstanding and her most sensible option I couldn't get past the difference in years a whole generation and in any case did not want to be financially or emotionally responsible for someone else. Eventually I stopped responding to his messages. I don't suppose I broke his heart. He was almost certainly talking to lots of 40-somethings, not just me. As 51-year-old Bridget will have found, communicating with and dating many people at the same time is very much the done thing. I did it too, but not nearly as much as the 20-somethings. (Note: This is different to sleeping with them all. I wasn't as flexible on that.) The 30-somethings were slightly different. Their motivation for dating older women seemed to me less Oedipal, as it were, and more to do with the fact women their own age are looking to settle down and have children. Deeply aware of their biological clock ticking, they are Bridget mark ones if you will. The men chasing me were not ready for this level of domesticity. They'd worked out that 40-something divorcees with children generally don't want any more kids, and that took the pressure off. My version of Roxter, let's call him Tom, was also in his very early 30s and messaged me on Instagram, having seen my picture in the paper. Tom seemed interesting and interested. Like Roxter, he was cute. I was petrified but intrigued when I met him for a date on a hot summer's day in London. He was flattering, fun, and though I worried we'd have nothing to talk about, the conversation was easy. We shared a bottle of rose and an after dinner a kiss in The Groucho Club. The old me would never have PDA-ed in public. It felt exciting. And freeing. On our next date Tom picked me up on a motorbike and drove me through the streets of London to a park near his flat. He clearly had an ulterior motive for the location choice. Roxter, too, spirits Bridget away from leafy outer London (aka, the midlife woman's comfort zone) and into the beating heart of the city, forcefully reminding her what it feels like to be young again. Yes, they take a night bus home rather than a Harley, but the youthful excitement is the same. This, more than anything physical, is the joy of the (much) younger man that glimpse back in time to our responsibility-free youth. Tom and I went on a few more dates before it naturally fizzled out, but it was an energising, empowering experience. I liked his lust for life and his lust for me. Afterwards he wrote me a sweet message about how, ironically, I was the innocent one, unsullied as I was by modern day dating. Then there are the Mr Walkers the ones you should be dating. There were lots of men on the apps my age, of course. Thousands on whom I could swipe or press 'like' or pass on. Bridget Jones' main love interest for the first three books and films was the dashing and moral Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth The rakish Daniel Cleaver starred as the bad boy, repeatedly tempting Bridget back into his arms The first difference here was that these guys were more subtle in their sexual approach compared to the younger men, whose messages were often eyebrow-raisingly explicit. I dated two men in this age group for about six months each (consecutively not simultaneously) and both were a year older than me. They were at pains to say it was a deliberate move to date someone their own age they could have gone younger - but they wanted someone with similar life experience. I think there might have been an expectation of gratitude. These guys, like me, had been through hard relationship breakdowns and were rebuilding afterwards. Their lives were undeniably grown-up, complete with work stress, juggling kids at weekends and ageing parents. Like me, they were torn between wanting to recreate the safety and security of a committed relationship and wanting to explore newfound freedom. This sometimes made for emotional angst, and as a result, my time with them felt more 'real' and more complicated than the 'relationships' I had with the younger men. Sexually, they were no less desirous of me and me of them. When it came to men in their 50s and 60s, we were back to the conventional 'younger woman, older man' stereotype and I'm afraid to say the quality of dates deteriorated to match. I don't have anything against an older man, but the lack of trouble taken with many of their profiles (stained t-shirts, ill-advised bathroom selfies, comments about women's bodies occasionally veering into outright misogyny) rang alarm bells from the start. A few were very Daniel Cleaver-esque. One in his late 50s, a London property developer, stared at my chest for an entire date, then grabbed my bum as we left the bar. Others could be utterly charming. They knew how to choose a good restaurant, held doors open and didn't order the cheapest wine on the menu. One, also in his late 50s, was a Scandi businessman based 'between Spain and the US', which makes him sound like a romance scammer. Thankfully he was very real good looking, incredibly fit and successful. I'm not motivated by money, but there was something attractive about a man whose kids were grown up and no longer dependent, and who could offer up a lifestyle of boats, ocean view houses and fancy restaurants. We met a few times in London, but, alas, it was hard to sustain any real connection at that point in my life. I had two children to look after, a career to manage and a divorce to navigate. Alas again, this means I can't tell you if he was good in bed but given his fitness levels and his interest in tantric sex, I imagine he might well have been. Nowadays, Bridget is something of a reformed character. Millennial and Gen-Z objections mean she will no longer be hung up about her weight, for example. Nor will single equal tragic in the diary she still keeps When it comes to finding a partner, it's about the individual and your connection, not how many candles they have on their cake, writes Rosie Green In her winning way, Bridget shows us all that it's no longer taboo to date outside of your age range, and that different men in different decades bring different things to your life. The cliche that young men make you feel young and older men do the reverse wasn't entirely true for me, my Harley-riding 30-something notwithstanding. The truth is a 31-year-old can be unfit and set-in-their-ways, while sixty-something men can be dynamic and open minded. If Bridget came round for a glass of Chardonnay looking for advice from me now, which one of her three suitors would I tell her to pounce on? Well, all of them and none. Instead, I'd advise her to stop focusing on age brackets and instead work on building up her own self esteem. The age of a lover whether toyboy, equal-in-years or silver fox has little bearing on happiness or relationship success. What matters is knowing your own worth and being able to project it. Nowadays, I'm out of Bridget's dating game, and very happily in a relationship with a man who is seven years my junior he was 40; I was 47. We met not on an app, but in real life and didn't know about the age difference at first and it has proved (mostly) irrelevant. It's only when we talk about our education he would have been starting secondary school when I was doing my A Levels that I'm conscious of the gap. This year I turn 50 and I'll admit I'm nervous at the idea of crossing over into another decade. But then I remember the valuable life lesson I was taught by the men I saw during my dating years: when it comes to finding a partner, it's about the individual and your connection, not how many candles they have on their cake. Once again, Bridget Jones is capturing the mood of the modern woman. This is the adorable moment a new father met his baby son for the first time two months after he was born because of issues with his via. Ellie Gorley, from Maryport, Cumbria, travelled to Manchester Airport so that her husband Oguzcan Aktas could meet Ruben. The 24-year-old mother waited in the terminal one arrivals section holding their baby boy while he went through security. Oguzcan, 25, then walked in with a huge grin on his face and let go of his suitcase as he rushed to give his wife and their child a heartfelt hug. The father gave his son two adorable kisses on the forehead as he met him for the very first time. Ellie Gorley, from Maryport, Cumbria, travelled to Manchester Airport so that her husband Oguzcan Aktas could meet Ruben The family were reunited at Manchester Airport two months after little Ruben was born (pictured above) Oguzcan said 'nothing' was going to stop him from going to be with his newborn and his wife Ellie met Oguzcan when they were working together at a hotel in Turkey in 2022 but complications meant he couldn't join her back in the UK for the birth of this son. But his visa was finally granted two months after Ruben was born and the family was reunited together in the UK. Ellie, a caterer, said: 'It was the best feeling in the world. Me and Oguzcan haven't seen each other since January either.' Oguzcan said: 'After I received the visa, I was filled with excitement because there was nothing stopping me from going to my newborn son and my wife. 'When I first saw them at the airport I felt like I had returned to my home, which I had been away from for years, and it was a great feeling.' Upon meeting Oguzcan, Ellie said it was love at first sight as he took her out on plenty of dates, including enjoying an ice cream by the beach. Ellie said: 'I liked that he wasn't the same as the other boys that worked in the hotel, he was the quiet and shy one.' After they officially became boyfriend and girlfriend in May 2022, Ellie found out she was pregnant in August 2023. Ellie said: 'It was amazing - I cried for days.' Oguzcan rushed to give his wife and their newborn baby boy a massive hug at Manchester Airport The loved-up couple married in January 2024 in Marmaris, Turkey, surrounded by their friends and family Oguzcan had to miss the birth of his baby boy because he had issues with his visa. Above: Ellie with her parents, Ruben and a nurse at the hospital The father gave his son two adorable kisses on the forehead as he met him for the very first time at Manchester Airport The loved-up couple married in January 2024 in Marmaris, Turkey, surrounded by their friends and family. Ellie said: 'It wasn't a big wedding, we just wanted close family there. We wanted no fuss.' The first-time mother had to leave her new husband and fly back to the UK for the rest of her pregnancy. Little Ruben was born on March 19 at West Cumberland Hospital, Cumbria weighing 6lbs 7oz. Oguzcan was not able to be at the birth because his visa application had not been accepted and the first time he saw his son was over Facetime. He said: 'Not being able to be there when Ellie gave birth and not being able to do anything was one of the moments I felt most helpless in my life. 'Even though the surgery only lasted half an hour, it felt like it had lasted hours, but after the surgery, her sister Amy video called me, which reassured me a bit.' Oguzcan's visa was finally approved on April 17 and he arrived in the UK two days later. Ellie said the introduction at the airport was the 'best feeling in the world'. She added: 'I couldn't believe it was happening to be honest, It was a bit surreal. Oguzcan added: 'Now, life has become better with the happiness and morale of living with my wife and child. It's my 2nd week in England and everything continues to get better.' New portrait of King by Jonathan Yeo was unveiled at Buckingham Palace yesterday The artist behind a new portrait of the King says Charles' body language changed after he was crowned monarch - and he admits not everyone may love his 'fiery' painting. The first official portrait of the King was commissioned back in 2020 to celebrate the then-Prince of Wales's 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company. Renowned artist Jonathan Yeo had four sittings over several years, beginning when His Majesty was Prince of Wales in June 2021 at Highgrove, and later at Clarence House. Charles was still sitting for the portrait, unveiled yesterday at Buckingham Palace, when Queen Elizabeth died on September 8th 2022 and he became Monarch. The painting depicts His Majesty wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. Artist Jonathan Yeo poses next to his painting of the King at Buckingham Palace yesterday. In a new interview about the four sittings he had with Charles, Yeo said he witnessed a transformation in his body language after he was crowned Monarch Speaking about painting Charles before and after his ascension to the throne, Yeo said: 'When he became King half way through [sitting], that in a way made it more interesting. 'I was able to see the shift in the body language. Sometimes you talk about these things metaphorically but to be visibly able to see someone gain stature and to become more comfortable in themselves is a really interesting thing.' Yeo also said he was unaware of the King's cancer diagnosis during the final sitting for the painting. The last sitting took place in November 2023 at Clarence House. He said: 'I didn't sense anything wrong in particular. And also I think when you've got cancer...it's often towards the end of the treatment that it takes a more physical toll.' Speaking about how the portrait will be received, he said: 'There's always people who will disagree with you on how to paint these things. 'People may not agree with how I've done it but it's a bit different from the other royal portraits I've seen. The 53-year-old renowned artist said it was fascinating to watch Charles 'gain stature' after he became King following the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022 King Charles unveiled the first completed official portrait of himself since the Coronation at Buckingham Palace yesterday Yeo also said in the footage that he was unaware of the King's cancer diagnosis during the final sittings for the painting Some of the images that inspired the bright red colours of the painting, which the artist admits he thinks not everyone will appreciate Some of the photographs of the King that Yeo used to help him paint the official portrait Yeo said the bright red colours were part of that, explaining: 'I was playing with this idea of mysticism. We still buy into the idea of the royal family being a bit different from us in some way.' He also touched on the King as a sitter, saying in the short clip: 'He'll pretend to laugh at your jokes and be funny and curious and interested. He's good at putting people at their ease. 'All of us have our biography etched into our faces. It was more the weight of the world on his shoulders once he'd become King - but he hadn't lost his sense of humour or his curiosity about lots of different things. He was always asking questions and interested in everything. He also worked from drawings and photography he took of His Majesty, allowing him to work on the portrait in his London studio between sittings. Yeo used photographs of the King in military regalia alongside 'a bit of the recollection of being with him' to create the painting, saying he wanted to 'recreate the sense of being with someone' and 'try and show a few different elements of their personality, sometimes contradictory ones.' The King sat with the artist four times over a period of several years, beginning in 2021 Yesterday at the unveiling, the artist also spoke about the butterfly on the portrait echoing Charles's 'metamorphosis' from Prince to King during the process - and the monarch joked that it was nice to know he was a chrysalis. Yeo added: 'People often say is there a secret to doing a good portrait? And I say I don't know really. Actually I think there is one, and that's having an interesting subject to start with. And you couldn't ask for a better one than this, other than Her Majesty.' The artist gestured towards Camilla, also in attendance - whom he also painted a portrait of in 2014 - and the comment was greeted with much laughter by those gathered in the palace. Today, The King unveiled a new portrait by @RealJonathanYeo at Buckingham Palace. The painting - commissioned by The Drapers Company - is the first official portrait to be completed since His Majestys Coronation. It will hang in Drapers Hall in London. pic.twitter.com/yVAK2PQslz The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 14, 2024 Yeo said: 'It was a privilege and pleasure to have been commissioned by The Drapers' Company to paint this portrait of His Majesty The King, the first to be unveiled since his Coronation. 'When I started this project, His Majesty The King was still His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and much like the butterfly I've painted hovering over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the subject's role in our public life has transformed. 'I do my best to capture the life experiences etched into any individual sitter's face. In this case, my aim was also to make reference to the traditions of royal portraiture but in a way that reflects a 21st Century monarchy and, above all else, to communicate the subject's deep humanity. Here goes: King Charles seen preparing to unveil the painting at Buckingham Palace The painting was revealed for the first time by King Charles at Buckingham Palace King Charles seen standing at Buckingham Palace next to Yeo earlier this week 'I'm unimaginably grateful for the opportunity to capture such an extraordinary and unique person, especially at the historic moment of becoming King.' At Buckingham Palace, Charles and Queen Camilla were met by The Master of The Drapers' Company, Tom Harris and Past Master, William Charnley. Together they joined Yeo who said a few words after His Majesty unveiled the portrait. Guests included other members of the Drapers' Company, students and staff from the Drapers' Academy, Welsh Guards and Yeo's family. The portrait will go on public display for a month at the Philip Mould Gallery in London, from this Thursday until June 14. Entry is free. The artwork is expected to be displayed at Drapers' Hall from the end of August. Yeo is one of the world's leading portrait artists whose subjects have included the industrial designer Sir Jony Ive, broadcaster Sir David Attenborough and activists Malala Yousafzai and Doreen Lawrence. A portrait by Jonathan Yeo of Queen Camilla in 2014 when she was Duchess of Cornwall A portrait released by Jonathan Yeo in 2008 of Prince Philip, who died in April 2021 He has also produced portraits of actors Nicole Kidman, Giancarlo Esposito, Dennis Hopper, Idris Elba and Sienna Miller, artists Damien Hirst and Grayson Perry, model Cara Delevingne and former world leaders Tony Blair, David Cameron, Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Juan Manuel Santos. In addition, Yeo has previously produced commissions of Prince Philip and Camilla. Known for both traditional and experimental portraiture, his work has been exhibited widely in museums and galleries worldwide. He is currently artist trustee of the National Portrait Gallery. The Drapers' Company can trace its allegiance to the monarch back to 1364 when it received its first charter from King Edward III. This formally recognised the fraternity of Drapers in the City of London and granted them the monopoly rights over the cloth trade within the City. The Company was frequently called upon to supply money, men and arms as required by the Crown. From the 18th century, such support changed to the financial support of servicemen and the relief of need of the dependants of those injured or killed on duty. Prince Albert, later George VI, became a Draper in 1919. Queen Elizabeth II became a Draper in 1947, joining the Court in 2017. Charles became a Freeman of the Drapers' Company in 1971, when the Company also provided offices for the newly formed Prince's Trust at Drapers' Hall. The Drapers' Company also boasts a substantial philanthropic arm, which dates back to Tudor times and now is administered through many charitable trusts that have been left in its care. She was famously dubbed the 'party rottweiler' in the 1990s for her star-studded bashes and exclusive guest lists. But now PR guru Fran Cutler - who was the woman behind the Primrose Hill set's social calendar - seems to have handed over the baton to her daughters Mercy and Etta. Earlier this month, Imperial College London graduate Mercy celebrated her 23rd birthday at the private members' club Apollo's Muse at Bacchanalia in Mayfair, London. For the occasion, the socialite - who has a Masters in Physics and works as a data analyst - opted for a black see-through cheetah-print dress with vibrant orange underwear. In images shared by Fran on Instagram, Mercy's younger sister Etta is seen posing for a selfie with model Stevie Sims - who is the daughter of legendary fashion photographer David Sims. For her birthday at Mayfair's Bacchanalia, Mercy opted for a black see-through cheetah-print dress with vibrant orange underwear Meanwhile, birthday girl Mercy was later pictured embracing 19-year-old model Maya Wingram, whose mother is former Celine creative director Phoebe Philo. Here FEMAIL introduces the Gen Z version of the 'Primrose Hill' set - from jewellery and costume designers to up-and-coming models. Mercy and Etta Cutler Her lavish birthday bash at Bacchanalia wasn't the first high-profile party Mercy Cutler has hosted in recent years. For her 18th, the Imperial student was thrown a star-studded party by her mother, which was attended by Nick Grimshaw, Jamie Winstone and the rapper Giggs. During the event, former Radio 1 host Nick completed a DJ set behind a glistening gold wall which read 'Mercy Magic'. Mercy later wrote on Instagram: 'One of the most amazing nights of my life thank you to everyone who came!' At only 23, Mercy is used to rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest stars in the fashion world and acted as one of Kate Moss' flower girls for her 2011 wedding. Pictured: Mercy Magic - daughter of PR guru Fran Cutler - seen enjoying a night out with friends Pictured: Fran's youngest daughter Etta poses for a selfie with David Sims' model daughter Stevie at the party Fran Cutler was famously dubbed the 'party rottweiler' in the 1990s for her star-studded bashes and exclusive guest lists In January 2020, Mercy posted a backstage photo with Dior Men's Artistic Director Kim Jones, who has since moved to Fendi. The PR guru's daughter is clearly a fan of the French brand as she posted a photo of a dog happily sitting in her personalised 2,500 Dior bag around this time. She wrote: 'Transported in style!' In July 2019, Mercy also attended a House of Holland event where she happily posed for a photo with pals Henry Holland and Pixie Geldof. The socialite is also a seasoned traveller and has shared snippets of the family's lavish travels with her 3,000 Instagram followers. The family have gone on three different trips to the Maldives in recent years and Mercy also embarked on a solo trip around Vietnam and Thailand in 2023. Fran has never publicly identified Mercy's father - but did disclose in a 2012 interview with the Evening Standard that he did not play an active role in her life. In July 2019, Mercy also attended a House of Holland event where she happily posed for a photo with pals Henry Holland and Pixie Geldof The family have gone on three different trips to the Maldives in recent years and Mercy (pictured) also embarked on a solo trip around Vietnam and Thailand in 2023 PR guru Fran Cutler - who was the woman behind the Primrose Hill set's social calendar - seems to have handed over the baton to her daughters Mercy (pictured) and Etta Pictured: Fran Cutler's daughters Mercy Magic and Etta. While Mercy works as a data analyst, Etta is pursuing costume design After studying at the London Screen Academy, Etta (pictured) is currently working as an Assistant Costume Designer at Altitude Films Pictured: Mercy Magic (far right) and Etta Culter (behind the groom) served as flower girls at Kate Moss' 2011 wedding to Jamie Hince She said at the time: 'I have talked to him about having some contact, but he's not interested and he provides no financial support.' Meanwhile, Fran's youngest daughter Etta has also inherited her mother and sister's love of partying. Last summer, the 20-year-old attended Notting Hill Carnival before later heading to Glastonbury festival. After studying at the London Screen Academy, Etta is currently working as an Assistant Costume Designer at Altitude Films. Most recently, she worked on the upcoming series Marching Powder - which stars EastEnders' Danny Dyer. Sharing snippets from set, Etta wrote on Instagram: 'Been a great start to the year.' Maya Wigram Among the high-profile guests at Mercy's birthday bash this year was Maya Wigram - the daughter of fashion industry heavyweight Phoebe Philo. Mercy was later pictured embracing 19-year-old model Maya Wingram, whose mother is former Celine creative director Phoebe Philo Maya's mother Phoebe Philo (pictured) attends the screening of 'The Beguiled' at Picturehouse Centra In February, Maya made her London Fashion Week debut when she modelled for Burberry. The 19-year-old model is the eldest of Phoebe and her art dealer husband Max Wigram's three children. Despite her mother's high-profile job, Maya has tried to keep a low profile on social media - opting to share snippets from family holidays and selfies. In 2005, Phoebe - who was working for Chloe at the time - made history when she became one of the first creative directors to take maternity leave. In an interview with The Gentlewoman in 2010, Phoebe said: 'The days of me staying until eleven oclock are no longer. Ive come back to work with the strong belief that it is possible to be a mother and to do this job.' Elsewhere in the interview, Phoebe revealed that her daughter was named after the poet Maya Angelou and her and Max's mothers. In February, Maya (pictured) made her London Fashion Week debut when she modelled for Burberry Stevie Sims Stevie Sims is another model and artist who has secured a place in the Gen Z Primrose Hill set. The 19-year-old, who is the daughter of photographer David Sims and artist Luella Bartley, was pictured posing for a selfie with Fran's daughter Etta during Mercy's birthday bash at Bacchanalia. Furthering her connection to the Cutler sisters, the teen is currently signed with the Kate Moss Agency. In recent years, the star has modelled for Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Bella Freud, Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry. On Monday, the model - who studied painting at Central Saint Martins - attended the Gucci Cruise 2025 Fashion Show at Tate Modern with her father David Furthering her connection to the Cutler sisters, Stevie (pictured) is currently signed with the Kate Moss Agency On Monday, the model - who studied painting at Central Saint Martins - attended the Gucci Cruise 2025 Fashion Show at Tate Modern with her father David. Speaking to The Guardian in July 2023, Luella Bartley expressed her admiration for Stevie. The mother-of-three said: 'When I hear Stevie talk with her friends, she is so open and intelligent about femaleness. It makes me realise how naive I was. 'They feel so much more grounded. They take their space. I dont think I ever felt like that.' The family was struck by tragedy in August 2021 when Stevie's older brother Kip, who was an artist, died of leukaemia. Posting a tribute on her Instagram, Stevie wrote: 'He was the most brilliant artist and the most creative person I know. He was special, a bright light in so many people's lives. 'He was the kind of man that anything you could do he could do better. Without even trying and without ever trying to flex, he never wanted anyone to feel bad. EVER. 'He was an angel on this world and had to go home. He fought his battle with cancer like a true champ for just under 3 years and never once complained.' Ollie Besse Jewellery designer Ollie Besse (pictured) also bagged an invite to Mercy's birthday party earlier this month. The former Central Saint Martins student (pictured centre) is the founder of the brand Ferrat, which uses recycled and ethically sourced materials Jewellery designer Ollie Besse also bagged an invite to Mercy's birthday party earlier this month. The former Central Saint Martins student is the founder of the brand Ferrat, which uses recycled and ethically sourced materials. The designer regularly appears on Mercy's Instagram feed - from gushing comments to candid party snaps. Last summer, the pair joked over a 'lols' blurry picture of them during a night out - where Ollie modelled a pair of statement sunglasses. The close friends also travelled to Paris together last January. On Mercy's Instagram post from the trip, Ollie commented: 'BIG JADORE!!' Mercy's mother Fran was known as the 'party Rottweiler' for the Primrose Hill set in the 1990s because she refused to admit people she deemed not important enough to join the hedonistic gatherings she organised for Kate Moss and Sadie Frost. But in May 2022, The Daily Mail's Richard Eden reported that the PR guru had been banned from one of London's most exclusive clubs. Cutler was said to have been made persona non grata at Notting Hill club and restaurant Laylow after allegedly making an 'outrageously offensive' comment about a fellow patron. Fran Cutler fell out with Moss in 2018, after accidentally sending an unflattering message about the supermodel's appearance to Moss herself 'I can't imagine there's a way back for her at the club,' a source said at the time. It wouldn't be the first time that Cutler has caused discord among her fashionable circle. She fell out with Moss in 2018, after accidentally sending an unflattering message about the supermodel's appearance to Moss herself. She meant to send her observations to a friend, a source told the Mail's Sebastian Shakespeare in November 2018. But she was mortified when she discovered she had sent it to Kate by mistake. Moss was far from amused and resulted in Cutler reportedly being cut out of the model's friendship circle. However, their mutual friend, Kara Rose Marshall, revealed that the pair were Cutler 'friends again by the end of 2018. Perhaps their offspring unwittingly played peacemakers when Frans daughter Mercy attended Kates daughter Lilas 16th birthday at the Dorchester Hotel. During the Nineties and Noughties, Fran was tasked with organising the notorious hedonistic parties in which actor Jude Law and his then wife Sadie Frost partied alongside Moss, when the group earned the infamous moniker the Primrose Hill Set. She started her own party-planning business with Meg Mathews and was dubbed the Queen of Parties. When Four Weddings And A Funeral was first released in May 1994, the Daily Mail's rave review compared Richard Curtis' screenplay to the work of Chekhov and declared the film was 'one of the great romantic comedies of all time, cleverer even than When Harry Met Sally or Annie Hall'. Some may scoff at this sentiment, but I stand in firm agreement. The only thing the review failed to note was the sumptuous on-screen style of the characters as they dash, usually late, to the various nuptials. Remarkably, 30 years later, the costumes are still as immeasurably chic as they were then, not even near approaching that much-feared fashion label 'dated'. So, as wedding season approaches, here are five lessons for event dressing taken straight from the film that will see you through the summer. Time to party like it's 1994... Four Weddings And A Funeral, starring Andie MacDowell, James Fleet, Kristin Scott Thomas, Simon Callow, Charlotte Coleman, John Hannah and Hugh Grant, was released 30 years ago A 50s silhouette is timeless Ms Coleman's character Scarlett wears a particularly striking orange iteration in the film's iconic opening scene We've chosen a campari-orange creation from London brand Amy Lynn, rendered particularly full skirted by a stiff cotton fabric There's a reason why Norman Hartnell-esque 1950s-inspired dresses of the full skirt, tight bodice, nipped-in waist variety were worn in 1994, and it's the same reason they should be worn in 2024: they're supremely flattering. Charlotte Coleman's character Scarlett wears a particularly striking orange iteration in the film's iconic opening scene as she and Charlie rush to make it to wedding number one. Ours is a similar campari-orange creation from London brand Amy Lynn (119, asos.com), rendered particularly full skirted by a stiff cotton fabric. An insider's tip? Buy a cheap tulle underskirt from Amazon for as little as 2.99 and wear it under your dress to really amp up the 1950s swirl factor. Retro cat eye shades like Scarlett's are optional but advised. Opt for separates for a modern take Carrie, played by Ms MacDowell, chooses to wear a jacket and skirt combination to several weddings in the film Pair the taffeta Monsoon skirt with a white Zara jacket Dresses aren't the only option for occasionwear; in the right fabric, separates are more than smart enough (and sometimes smarter than a dress) for even the poshest function. Carrie chooses to wear jacket and skirt combinations to several weddings in the film, to elegant effect. Less elegant, of course, is her decision to wear white to said weddings, but you could happily copy her colour palette for other occasions. Separates look modern especially a trouser suit and offer the advantage of giving you more bang for your buck. The taffeta Monsoon skirt worn by our model (85, monsoon.co.uk) could be paired by day with trainers and a t-shirt, while the jacket (59.99, zara.com) paired with tailored trousers makes for perfect office attire. The same hat can see you through all summer events Fi, played by Ms Scott Thomas, has for her signature accessory a wide-brimmed raffia hat that she wears to several of the film's weddings VV Rouleaux's also offer ribbons in a myriad of colours so you can add a personal touch Much of the film's plot centres around Hugh Grant's character Charlie's infatuation with the insufferable Carrie, played by Andie MacDowell. Inexplicably, Charlie chooses to be with Carrie instead of the cooler-than-cool Fiona, played by Kristin Scott Thomas. Fi's signature accessory is a wide-brimmed raffia hat that she wears to several of the film's weddings, each time with a different outfit. Our 2024 takeaway from this? Hats needn't be a four figure, fear-inducing feature of event dressing. Choose one good piece of headgear wisely and it can see you through all your summer events. Raffia in a natural tone a la Fi is a wise choice as it will match any number of outfits. The one worn by our model is by VV Rouleaux (95, vvrouleaux.com), which also offer ribbons in a myriad of colours so you can add a personal touch. There's an unexpected elegance to black in the summer The Mandarin-collared gown worn by Fiona at Carrie's wedding is exactly the sort of thing one wants to be wearing when declaring one's (unrequited) love to Hugh Grant, who plays Charlie This Zara homage to Fi's gown features a similar high neck this is key to its elegance We all know wearing white to a wedding is forbidden, but why should the same rule apply to black? Traditionalists may disapprove, but black injects an Audrey Hepburn-esque dose of chic when worn as a summer wedding guest. The Mandarin-collared black gown worn by Fiona at Carrie's wedding is exactly the sort of thing one wants to be wearing when declaring one's (unrequited) love to Hugh Grant. Our Zara homage to Fi's gown (59.99, zara.com) features a similar high neck this is key to its elegance. Lashings of gold jewellery add a lightness that ensures Fi's look doesn't veer into Queen Victoria in mourning territory. ...but don't be afraid of colour, either Fiona decidedly sticks to black among a sea of rainbow-clad guests... until the final wedding, that is Add the Lisou silk jacket to a black ensemble for a splash of colour As discussed, throughout the film, Fiona decidedly sticks to primarily black among a sea of rainbow-clad guests. Until the final wedding, that is: that of the object of her unrequited love, Charlie. There, in a riotously colourful silk coat, she declares: 'From now on, I'll be all the colours of the rainbow and fall in love with someone who fancies me for a change.' While her style has changed, it's certainly not for Charlie it's for herself. She would surely approve of the Lisou silk jacket worn by our model (385, lisou.co.uk). Or head to Zara for a fuchsia and turquoise geometric-print jacket for 59.99 (zara.com). Wear with a pared-back dress like Fiona does to avoid looking like Joseph in his technicolour coat. Bloomsbury apologised to the food critic for 'any distressed caused' Bloomsbury has apologised to Jay Rayner after a new book they published by journalist Johann Hari wrongly claimed he had taken Ozempic. Writing in his new book, The Magic Pill, Glasgow-born Hari, who started Ozempic in January 2023, claimed that the British food critic, 57, had also injected himself with the weight loss drug. He wrote of the Master Chef UK judge: 'He said Ozempic robbed him of pleasure in food so severely that even in great restaurants in Paris, he couldn't find any joy.' Rayner dismissed the comments on X, formerly Twitter, stating the claims are utter b****** and questioned why Bloomsbury failed 'to go through the text with a fine tooth comb.' The British publishing house later apologised to the food critic, writing: 'We sincerely apologise for any distress caused. Jay Rayner (pictured) has slammed journalist Johann Hari and his publisher Bloomsbury for sharing the 'utter b******' that he took Ozempic 'This is an unfortunate mistake and we will correct it across all formats. We confirm there was a fact checking process in place for the book. The error occurred when an article was wrongly attributed to you.' In June 2011, Hari issued an apology for a string of misconducts - including editing interview scripts and Wikipedia pages. Hari's book, The Magic Pill, sets out to explore weight loss drugs, his personal experience in taking Ozempic, and society's often dysfunctional relationship with food and weight. His laterThe Magic Pill, sets out to explore weight loss drugs, his personal experience in taking Ozempic, and society's often dysfunctional relationship with food and weight. After claiming that Rayner was prescribed Ozempic for weight loss, the food critic clapped back on X. He wrote: 'Regard this as a 'FOR THE RECORD' Post. In his new book, Magic Pill, about so-called fat drugs like Ozempic, @johannhari101 says I was prescribed the drug but gave it up because it robbed me of pleasure in food. This is complete and utter b******.' 'I wrote one column on the subject in which I explained why I would never take it. The piece is clear. 'I explained why I would not be using it. I didn't say anything about Paris restaurants. This was completely checkable. 'He's now repeating this cobblers in interviews. We know @johannhari101 is a terrible journalist (I use the term loosely) But Christ, checking something like this isn't hard. 'I am mystified as to why did not go through the text with a fine-tooth comb. The issue is that stuff like this ends up on the record. So, for the record, and contrary to what has written and said, I have never used Ozempic or anything similar.' Writing in his new book, The Magic Pill, Johann (pictured) claimed that the food critic no longer finds pleasure in food British publisher Bloomsbury took to X, formerly Twitter, to apologise to Rayner for 'any distress caused' Jay Rayner took to X to address Johann Hari's accusation and clarified that he had never taken Ozempic Rayner's clarification on X also led to an apology from Johann. He wrote: 'I confused an article by Jay Rayner in the Guardian with an article by Layla Latif in the same paper talking about losing pleasure in food. 'I apologise to Jay for getting this wrong and [I] am gutted I and my fact-checkers missed it.' It's not the first time the journalist, who previously won the Orwell Prize in 2008, which advertises itself as 'Britain's most prestigious prize for political writing', has found himself in hot water over his journalistic integrity. The Glasgow-born author later apologised to Rayner on X, stating that he is 'gutted' to have got his facts wrong Rayner is a familiar face on Master Chef UK, and in 2023, he starred in Master Chef Battle of the Critics alongside, from L to R, William Sitwell, Grace Dent (Jay Rayner) Leyla Kazim, and Jimi Famurewa In June 2011, Hari issued an apology for a string of misconducts - including editing interview scripts and Wikipedia pages. Following the public apology, the journalist took a leave of absence from his role at the Independent. He admitted to removing negative remarks on his Wikipedia page using a pseudonym, as well as 'nasty' comments left on the pages of people he admires. The journalist apologised, saying he was 'mortified to have done this because it breaches the most basic ethical rule.' Hari concluded the apology, posted on the Independent, saying: 'I know that some of you have lost faith in my work. I will do everything I can now to regain it. I hope, after a period of retraining, you will give me the chance. A Canadian doctor who has personally euthanised more than 400 people has left viewers feeling 'uneasy' as she 'giggled' while discussing the solemn topic with a disability rights campaigner in a new BBC documentary. Speaking to Liz Carr's programme, Better Off Dead?, Dr Ellen Wiebe, who works with Dying With Dignity, had audiences feeling uncomfortable as she laughed and smiled while discussing assisted death. 'I love my job,' she said in the show, which aired on Tuesday night. 'I've always loved being a doctor and I delivered over a 1000 babies and I took care of families but this is the very best work I've ever done in the last seven years. 'And people ask me why and I think well doctors like grateful patients and nobody is more grateful than my patients now and their families.'Many found the comments 'disturbing', and took to social media to voice their concerns. A Canadian doctor who has personally euthanised more than 400 people has left viewers feeling 'uneasy' as she giggled while discussing the solemn topic with a disability rights campaigner in a new BBC documentary 'Enjoying her job a little too much I felt,' one wrote. 'She was extremely scary and oddly cheerful,' another added. 'But it might have been defensiveness which made her so very strange indeed.' 'Her eagerness and her excitement over grateful patients was unsettling,' one poster penned. 'Really eerie,' one comment read. 'Her job should bring feelings of solemnity, profoundness, sadness... anything but the weird euphoric state she seems to be in.' Not everyone found the situation as unsettling, as many expressed it's possible the doctor was simply 'nervous'. 'How often do you get interviewed on the telly?' one person defended. 'It's an emotive subject she seemed very nervous but she understands she is helping people, of their own free will, escape agony, And a screenshot doesn't make her creepy a society that allows people to suffer is creepy and sadistic.' Ellen, who also runs a contraception and abortion clinic, told Liz she would 'of course' say no and 'has' done so to some people seeking Canada's controversial euthanasia programme - called MAiD. Speaking to Liz Carr's programme, Better Off Dead?, Dr Ellen Wiebe, who works with Dying With Dignity, had audiences uncomfortable as she laughed and smiled while discussing assisted death Not everyone found the situation as unsettling, as many expressed it's possible the doctor was simply 'nervous' Many found the comments 'disturbing', and took to social media to voice their concerns about the programme 'We have a law and I obey this law and there are people who are not eligible under the law,' she explained. 'There are situations were I might find somebody not eligible or eligible when another person wont because of the way our law is written.' Ellen explained that the 'number one reason' people look into assisted death is autonomy. 'Everybody's different in what they think of as autonomy and control,' she added. 'They desperately want control. Like, they want to say "it's now". 'At the end we say "OK well I can get back here at seven o'clock is that ok?" and they'll say yes and they'll be so grateful that they can skip the last two days of their life. 'And I look at it and think all you really needed was some more drugs - but you want my drugs? I'll give them to you.' She also claimed that everyone will have a different interpretation of what it means to suffer. 'I've certainly met people who are no more disabled than I am saying that life is not acceptable in this state,' she explained. 'And I would say "hm, you and I are different". But not different in the sense of wanting to have some control.' Liz travelled to Canada for the insightful documentary, as well as speaking to other activists and medical professionals on the topic 'So Liz right now you love life and you want to live but there's lots of nasty illnesses you might get,' the doctor continued. 'And if you got terminal cancer and you were having to deal with chemotherapy and radiation wouldn't you be thrilled if you had the choice to say "I'll go this far and no further?"' 'For me,' Liz replied. 'I'm concerned that giving the option and the right to a group of people puts another group of people at risk. But I don't feel you see that as a worry.' 'What you're saying is to protect what you consider vulnerable people you are condemning others to unbearable suffering,' Ellen said. 'And I am so glad, so glad that I'm a Canadian and that we have this law so that people can choose that or not choose that 'But to say that somebody has to suffer like that is simply cruel.' Last year, it was reported that Ellen said she helped euthanise a man who was previously deemed unsuitable for assisted suicide. Speaking in a seminar for physicians working in assisted suicide, she told attendees about the time she treated a patient who did not qualify for the end of life service. A MAiD assessor had rejected the unnamed man because he did not have a serious illness or 'the capacity to make informed decisions about his own personal health.' The actress and disability rights campaigner is fronting a new BBC documentary titled Better off Dead? But the man eventually made his way to Ellen, who cleared him, flew him out to Vancouver, and euthanised him, The New Atlantic said. 'It's the most rewarding work we've ever done,' Wiebe said of MAiD during a 2020 event in a video that's since been shared online. Obstetrician Stefanie Green, a colleague of Wiebe, also revealed that she's helped 300 people die in Canada's controversial MAID program, which eclipses similar programs in the US. Under Canadian law, any adult with a serious illness, disease, or disability can seek help in dying. Those with mental health issues are not eligible, but there are moves to expand access to this group. MAiD was first legalised in Canada in 2016 with the intention of providing an option for people for whom death was unavoidable and foreseeable. In spring of 2022 it was expanded to include people who were living with debilitating disabilities or pain, even if their lives were not immediately at risk. Liz travelled to Canada for the insightful documentary, as well as speaking to other activists and medical professionals on the topic. The Silent Witness actress has also claimed that 'as long as there's inequality, it is not safe to legalise' assisted suicide in the UK - after revealing how disabled people are told 'surely it's better to be dead than be you?'. Laws in the UK currently prevent people from asking for medical help to die and Liz has been a vocal opponent of assisted dying for more than a decade. Liz suffers from rare genetic condition arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a condition that affects the joints and muscles, and has been a wheelchair user after falling ill aged seven. The 52-year-old actress is known for playing forensic examiner Clarissa Mullery in BBC crime drama Silent Witness (pictured) What is arthrogryposis multiplex congenita? AMC is caused by permanent contractures affecting one or more parts of the body, which means joints become fixed in a bent position. Symptoms are present at birth and contractures usually affect the legs or arms. Symptoms include contractures, abnormally slender or fragile long bones, cleft palate, abnormalities of the nervous system. There is no known reasons why AMC occurs. AMC affects 1 in 3,000 people and an equal number of males and females have the condition. Source: Rarediseases.org Advertisement Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Womans Hour on Thursday, she claimed 'as long as there's inequality, it is not safe to legalise' assisted suicide, adding: 'No amount of safeguards will prevent us from mistakes and abuse and coercion, that's my belief.' She told the programme: 'On an everyday basis, disabled people are dealing with a lower expectation and people actually saying to their faces: "Gosh, surely it's better to be dead than be you?" 'That happens. It's shocking. So I wanted that to be the starting point and then let's unravel why that is and how that leads to my fear of legalising assisted suicide.' The British actress added that 'of course we don't want [a person at the end of their life] to suffer'. She continued: 'The problem is, actually, a lot of disabled people do suffer. But what they suffer from are the barriers and the obstacles, the fact they have to fight for support, the fact their isn't social care, the fact of attitudes, the fact of lack of access to so many things. 'You know, we do suffer. So don't then make it legal to end that suffering through assisted suicide, that's the fear.' The actress revealed how she's treated more positively by people who know her as a famous face, compared to those who don't recognise her. She explained: 'From my gaze, from somebody who lives in a world where, you know, if I'm recognised in the street, then people are giddy and excited and it's wonderful. 'If I'm not recognised in the street, then I'm ignored or sometimes I'm glanced at as I'm just trouble and I'm a problem and: "Oh god, have we got to get the ramp out? Ugh." I'm just a pain. 'So that difference shows me that oftentimes I think disabled people are just tolerated and I think that's the same with ill people and older people, and I think all those groups would be affected by these laws. 'As long as there's that inequality, it is not safe to legalise... no amount of safeguards will prevent us from mistakes and abuse and coercion, that's my belief.' The 52-year-old actress is known for playing forensic examiner Clarissa Mullery in BBC crime drama Silent Witness. She also joined season two of dark fantasy Netflix series The Witcher starring Superman actor Henry Cavill, as well as BBC NHS comedy drama This Is Going To Hurt and Amazon supernatural series Good Omens alongside David Tennant and Michael Sheen. Liz won a gong at the 2022 Olivier awards for her supporting role as polio survivor and physician Dr Emma Brookner in The Normal Heart, a play about the HIV/Aids epidemic in the 1980s. BBC's documentary titled Better off Dead? is available on BBC iPlayer The 'real-life Martha' from Baby Reindeer is set to do a second interview following her bombshell appearance on Piers Morgan's Uncensored. Last week, Fiona Harvey, 58, originally from Aberdeenshire, confirmed Richard Gadd based the character of Martha in the hit Netflix show on her during her first televised interview. However, she denied ever stalking the comedian, sexually assaulting him or attacking his girlfriend. Podcaster James English - who hosts 'Anything Goes' - has now claimed to have recorded an interview with Ms Harvey and teased its upcoming release. Sharing the news with his 421,000 Instagram followers, James wrote: 'Podcast with Baby Reindeer Fiona Harvey coming soon.' Appearing on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Fiona Harvey, 58, originally from Aberdeenshire, confirmed Richard Gadd based the character of Martha in the hit Netflix show on her The post has amassed over 10,000 'likes' in the past 24 hours and sparked fierce debate among followers - with some claiming Ms Harvey is being 'exploited'. One wrote: 'We are living in mad times when stalkers are getting the limelight.' Another added: 'I reckon you should interview Richard Gadd after too... he's a complex character.' Meanwhile, a third asked: 'Would you get a male stalker on?' The show alleges that the comedian's female stalker conducted a relentless stalking campaign which started after he served her in a London pub while working as a bartender. The Netflix hit sees Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd) offer Martha a cup of tea on the house during their first encounter, which Ms Harvey last night claimed never happened. 'Nobody gets anything for free in the Hawley Arms', she said, referencing the pub where they allegedly met. Ms Harvey then claimed Mr Gadd 'commandeered the conversation' she was having with someone else at the bar, adding: 'He seemed to be obsessed with me from that moment onwards.' Pictured: Actor and comedian Richard Gadd, who has achieved worldwide success as a result of his Netflix show Baby Reindeer Podcaster James English - who hosts 'Anything Goes' - has now claimed to have recorded an interview with Ms Harvey and teased its upcoming release Pictured: Podcast host James English. The star hosts Anything Goes and boasts over 420,000 Instagram followers The alleged stalker said she has been 'forced' into telling her side of the story after receiving death threats from 'internet sleuths' following the release of the show. Ms Harvey repeatedly denied stalking Gadd in real life, describing the show as 'a work of fiction, a work of hyperbole'. And when Morgan asked her whether Gadd had offered her a free cup of tea after she walked into the pub where he was working, she replied: 'No, that's not correct. 'He didn't offer me a cup of tea I was in for a meal with, a drink of lemonade, and I was very, very hungry. I'm diabetic, so, very hungry. So that's true.' Morgan then asked: 'And did you talk to him?' And Ms Harvey replied: 'And he interrupted a conversation he said, ''Oh, you're Scottish'', and basically commandeered the conversation. 'You know, I was talking to somebody. It's pretty rich. [...] So he seemed to be obsessed with me from that moment onwards.' The 58-year-old has claimed that she was prepared to go to a court of law to defend herself against allegations made in the series. When Morgan asked if she will 'categorically be taking legal action', she replied: 'Absolutely, against both him (Gadd) and Netflix.' The chilling real-life drama was inspired by the ordeal suffered by Scottish creator and leading man Richard Gadd at the hands of 'Martha' (played by Jessica Gunning, right) Baby Reindeer, the extraordinary hit Netflix drama, has been viewed more than 60 million times in the past month Ms Harvey said she had instructed lawyers in part, but 'we want to explore all the options out there, there are a number of people to sue'. During the interview, Ms Harvey referenced a scene in the show where character Martha admits to intimidating Gadd's character and receives a nine-month prison sentence. 'That is completely untrue, very, very defamatory to me, very career damaging,' she said. 'I wanted to rebut that completely on this show - I am not a stalker, I have not been to jail, I've not got injunctions - it is complete nonsense.' Shocked viewers said they were 'disturbed' by the programme on Piers Morgan Uncensored, which they branded a 'painful watch'. One viewer, called Sarah Lucy, wrote on X: 'I'm disturbed watching the Piers Morgan interview with Fiona Harvey. 'It's deeply troubling to see her obvious mental health struggles exploited for sensationalism and poor taste.' Another social media user, called Lucy, said: 'Fiona Harvey's fixed beliefs and delusions are clear signs of severe mental health issues to anybody that works within this field. 'It's clear she's being exploited for financial gain.' A third Twitter/X user added: 'It was highly irresponsible to put Fiona Harvey on TV!' After the show was released, viewers began to speculate over the real people who inspired the events behind the series, which saw Gadd post a message to his Instagram story. He said: 'Hi everyone, people I love, have worked with, and admire... are unfairly getting caught up in speculation. 'Please don't speculate on who any of the real life people could be. That's not the point of our show.' A couple left their family shocked after tying the knot during their engagement party - as the bride didn't want the attention of a traditional wedding. Julia Polley 29, and her partner, Kevin, 32, invited 120 of their nearest and dearest to 12twelve events in Whitby, Ontario, Canada, for a party to celebrate their engagement on April 27. During a speech to thank their guests for coming, Julia joked that it would be easier to tie the knot there and then. Before dashing off to change, she told guests: 'If you give me 20 minutes to change my dress, we could make it work.' When the couple exchanged vows, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Julia Polley, 29, and her partner, Kevin, 32, shocked family and friends by getting married at their engagement party Although the pair hit it off when they met at work in 2010, they didn't start dating until 2014 Julia, a digital marketer, from Toronto, Canada, said: 'We have always been different in the way we do things in general. 'When we got engaged we knew we didn't want to do something that was traditional. 'I love going to my friends' weddings but I knew I wouldn't be the bride to enjoy that environment. 'We wanted to do something special but we always wanted to prioritise what was important to us - using that money for a fun experience and to put towards the rest of our lives.' Julia met Kevin, a sprinkler fitter, when they were both working at McDonald's in 2010. Whilst they hit it off, the pair didn't start dating until 2014. The couple got engaged in May 2023 while they were holidaying in Rome, Italy. Julia added: 'When I first met Kevin, I thought he was so funny. We both love travelling and we both love music. 'We have been travelling together and we enjoy doing fun things - we are up for anything. The Canadian couple, who first met in 2010 while working at McDonald's, got engaged at the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy Julia made a speech to thank everyone for attending her engagement party before joking that it would be easier to tie the knot there and then The couple exchanged their vows in front of 120 of their family and friends at a venue in Whitby, Ontario, Canada 'Kevin popped the question in Rome - we woke up early as we heard the Trevi Fountain was stacked with tourists. It was about 6am and there was nobody there. 'We were standing there and enjoying it - I was setting up my phone to take pics of us and that is when he asked the question. 'When we got home everyone was asking us when the big day would be.' Julia and Kevin knew they wanted to have an engagement party and joked about surprising their family with the wedding. Julie explained: 'I thought it would be amazing and I quietly pitched the idea to Kevin and he said it sounded fun. 'The only thing we made sure was that we told our parents beforehand to make sure they were not offended with the decision. 'They were so excited for us - they thought it was insane and were incredibly supportive. Overall they were excited for us. 'I am the youngest child so my wedding was huge news for them and them not being able to tell anyone was hard.' Kevin got down on one knee at the Trevi Fountain in Rome to propose to Julia in May 2023, nine years after they started dating The newlyweds, who had always thought they would do something a little different for their wedding, are pictured embracing at the end of the ceremony Fun-loving Julia and Kevin, who share a passion for travel and music, admit that they're 'up for anything' Julia said their big day was 'incredible' and one to remember. She added: 'We told everyone to arrive at 6pm and we put a note in the invitation to say be on time. 'We said there was an open bar and everyone needed to take advantage of it. 'We mingled and gave a welcome speech where we made the announcement. 'It was hysterical, everyone was screaming and cheering - I felt like a celebrity giving a speech.' After they made the announcement, Julia went to change into her dress and the venue was transformed for the ceremony. Julie enthused: 'It was an incredible day - I hoped it would be so much fun and it was way more fun than I could have imaged. 'All of our loved ones had so much fun. 'We have such a supportive circle of family and friends - we are blessed.' Meghan Markle has said she sees herself in the young girls she met in Nigeria and she hopes to 'empower them' for the future. Speaking to People Magazine, the Duchess of Sussex, 42, said her quasi-royal tour was 'incredibly memorable and special' and that the 'best souvenir' to take with her was the memories she made. Speaking of the young children she met on the trip, which included visits to two schools, Meghan said: 'I saw myself in them. I see the potential in all of these young girls and, by the way, in these young boys as well,' She also compared it to her children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, two. 'It's what we see in our own children to give them that promise and excitement for their futures.' Meghan Markle has said she sees herself in the young girls she met in Nigeria and she hopes to 'empower them' for the future Speaking to People Magazine , the Duchess of Sussex , 42, said her quasi-royal tour was 'incredibly memorable and special' and that the 'best souvenir' to take with her was the memories she made She explained that she 'always reflected back on herself as a young girl' and the 'type of inspiration' she wanted to see in other women. The former actress added that it was 'really meaningful' to travel and 'connect to people'. Meanwhile, Harry said that these 'trips are about us being able to go out and go and focus on the things that mean so much to us' adding that 'being on the ground is what it's all about'. Harry, 39, added that there's 'only so much one can do over Zoom'. He added that he looks forward to travelling with Archewell and other causes. 'You know what Africa means to me over the years. It is a very, very special place, and to be able to include Nigeria now [in Invictus], I'm very happy.' It comes as Meghan and Harry's Archewell Foundation has now been placed 'in good standing' with state officials in California following days of confusion that saw the non-profit banned from raising or spending any cash. A row erupted after the charity was declared 'delinquent' and 'not in good standing' by the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers in the US state, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex live in a 12million mansion. The registry said Archewell had failed to submit its annual report or renewal fees, while sources close to the Sussexes insisted it was because the Attorney General's office did not process a $200 cheque they previously thought lost in the post. Since then, the charity says it has been in touch with California's Department of Justice (DoJ), which operates the registry, to clear up the confusion. The DoJ says it considers the matter closed and that, as of now, the Archewell Foundation is 'current and in good standing' with Californian authorities. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Lagos State Governor's House in Nigeria on May 12 A delinquency notice letter was sent to the Archewell Foundation on May 3 saying the charity is 'listed as delinquent' for 'failing to submit required annual report(s) and/or renewal fees' But the organisation's registry status is now 'current' after the row over an unpaid renewal fee was resolved A spokesperson for the Archewell Foundation said: 'We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that The Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing. 'Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the IRS's processes and procedures. Furthermore, all necessary paperwork had been filed by the Foundation without error or wrongdoing.' Sources within the Sussexes' charitable endeavour say the situation has now been 'diligently investigated' and maintain that it remains 'fully compliant'. It is understood that conflicting claims regarding what had happened coming from Archewell this week over the Department of Justices issuing of a notice of delinquency was in part down to many of the Sussexes team travelling in Nigeria. The sources say payments were made promptly and 'in accordance with' the IRS's processes and procedures and paperwork filed correctly, 'without error or wrongdoing'. They added that records proved the required payment of $200 was delivered last November via tracked post. A search of the registry confirms the organisation's status with the DoJ is 'current'. Its most recent renewal documents were marked as being received today. In a written statement issued to MailOnline, the California DoJ said: 'After being in touch with our Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, the organization is current and in good standing.' The registry previously said Archewell failed to properly submit its annual report or renewal fees and has banned it from either fundraising or doling out grants. A letter, sent on behalf of Attorney General Rob Bonta, noted: 'An organisation that is listed as delinquent is not in good standing and is prohibited from engaging in... soliciting or disbursing charitable funds.' In March, Harry and Meghan congratulated computer scientist and digital activist Dr Joy Buolamwini for winning the NAACP Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award Harry and Meghan also visited the Archewell Foundation's San Antonio Welcome Project in March, which supports women who have recently moved to the US from Afghanistan Sussex sources had claimed the 'delinquency notice' was actually issued because Bonta's office did not process the $200 renewal cheque. This was a different explanation to the one offered by the same Sussex sources last night, who claimed that the paperwork was filed on time but the discrepancy was down to a cheque which accompanied the documents going missing in the post. Sussex sources had told MailOnline the Archewell Foundation's tax filings for 2022 were submitted in full in accordance with all regulations in the US, which was widely reported in the media last December - including by this website. They said the California state filing, renewal and required payment were sent and delivered to the Attorney General's office via tracked mail, and received on time. However, the delinquency notice was then issued on May 3 because the cheque had not been processed by the Attorney General's Office, according to the sources. Until Archewell Foundation officials could confirm the tracked mail and receive acknowledgment of receipt, they assumed that the cheque had been lost in the mail - hence the initial explanation, which has now turned out to be false. The $200 cheque was for an annual registration renewal fee, which is determined by a sliding scale based on an organisation's total revenue. In Archewell's case, its most recent revenue was about $2million - putting it within the 'between $1,000,001 and $5 million' section of the sliding scale. The $200 figure has been confirmed to MailOnline by a source close to the Sussexes. The foundation is separate from the couple's Archewell media and business divisions Harry and Meghan attend a polo fundraising event in Lagos during their Nigeria tour on May 12 A physical cheque was part of the filing sent to the California Attorney General's Office and it is understood that a new one has been sent to resolve the issue. In the initial explanation on behalf of the Sussexes yesterday, which has since been superseded by today's clarification, an Archewell source said: 'For the foundation, everything was filed on time. 'Part of that filing was a physical cheque. That cheque appears to have never been received, which we were only made aware of when this delinquency notice was published. 'A new cheque has been mailed and we anticipate that this will be quickly resolved and reflected in records within seven business days.' It comes as the couple were yesterday flying back from a high profile three-day visit to Abuja and Lagos in Nigeria that was dubbed a royal tour in all but name. During the trip the Sussexes announced a partnership between the Archewell Foundation and the Geanco Foundation, a charity in Nigeria which leads surgical missions, promotes maternal health and provides scholarships to young female victims of terrorism. The Archewell Foundation is a non-profit organisation created by Harry and Meghan when they moved to the US after stepping down as senior royals in 2020. On its website, it says its mission is to 'show up, do good', adding: 'We meet the moment by showing up, taking action and using our unparalleled spotlight to uplift and unite communities - local and global - through acts of service and compassion.' The foundation is separate from the couple's Archewell media and business divisions which have been involved in the Netflix and Spotify productions. The couple were invited to the West African nation by its military, and attended events related to Harry's Invictus Games, which Nigeria is seeking to host in future. The couple were also welcomed at the Lagos State Government House and met military officials at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. According to tax filings disclosed by Archewell last December, the organisation had suffered an $11million (9million) decline in donations in 2022 compared to the previous year. The records showed that the charity received just over $2million (1.6million) in charitable donations in 2022 compared to $13million (10million) in 2021. And while in 2021 Archewell had reported a revenue of more than $9million (7million), the December 2023 filings showed that by 2022 it had recorded a loss of more than $674,000 (537,000) due to costs of $2.67million (2.13million). King Charles's new portrait, unveiled on Tuesday, is nothing if not striking thanks to its scarlet hue. But whilst some people have praised the painting as 'magnificent', the modern approach has left others, well, perhaps seeing red. Commissioned back in 2020 to celebrate the then-Prince of Wales's 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company, the painting is the work of renowned artist Jonathan Yeo. It depicts His Majesty wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. At almost two-and-a-half metres tall, the portrait will be on display at the Philip Mould Gallery in London from Thursday 16 May, but will people be queuing up to see it? The portrait of King Charles III by Jonathan Yeo, which was unveiled yesterday, has proved divisive for its scarlet hue The painting proved divisive even amongst committed royal fans. While the man on the left called the portrait 'magnificent', the man on the right admitted that he didn't like it at all In a bid to answer that question, MailOnline's Liberty Smith took to the streets of London to find out the public's reaction to the new painting of the King - the first official portrait since he acceded to the throne on 6 May 2023. Of the people we spoke to, the most enthusiastic about the portrait was, unsurprisingly, a man decked out in King Charles memorabilia. Wearing a T-shirt printed with the King's face and a hat accessorised with a number of badges featuring Charles and Camilla, the man in question, who was perhaps in his early 60s, called the portrait 'magnificent'. Its excellent. Its very modern', he said before praising the artist's 'unusual red, a mixture of light red and dark red'. Confident that the 'royal red' was befitting for a portrait of the King, he called the painting 'stunning' and said he expected it to be even better in real life. The King stands out magnificently in that portrait. Its like hes on his own, in his thoughts.' He added: 'I wish I could take it home with me'. Yet, despite being a big fan of the new portrait himself, he understood that 'a lot of people may not like it'. While older people appeared to be less keen on the painting than younger people, the woman on the right explained that it had already grown on her Another person we spoke to, who was also slightly older, was much less complimentary. 'I don't like it at all', he said, explaining that, in his view, the use of red obscured the King. 'If they'd done a different colour background, he'd stand out more,' he added. People of a similar age seemed equally sceptical of the portrait, with one man sharing that he thought it was simply 'a bit too modern'. A woman of around the same age told us that she didn't like it when she first saw it but has since been swayed. She explained: When I first saw it, I thought Oh, Im not sure but when you see it again, it grows on you a bit.' Younger people, however, seemed more open to the artist's modern approach. A woman who appeared to be in her twenties said: I thought it was very unusual but it looked like something new so I think it worked for the public. Its not the classical way that you usually see in the portraits but I think its nice'. This woman appreciated the novelty of the painting, believing that the public would also like it While two younger women agreed that the painting was 'unique', a man of around the same age wondered if the artist had made a mistake in using so much red She acknowledged, though, that 'it probably will cause some discussion'. The redness of the painting seemed to cause some confusion amongst the public, with one person asking, 'Is it supposed to be red?' Another young women admitted: 'I wasn't expecting it to be red'. Her friend added: Its definitely unique, not in a bad way, but it is unique'. Young Aussies have nostalgic memories of watching him on 'sick days' Much to his surprise, it was an overnight success Iain 'Huey' Hewitson joined TikTok with the help of his daughter Iain 'Huey' Hewitson was a fixture on Australian TV for decades thanks to his popular afternoon cooking shows - and now he has made a surprise comeback. But you won't find him on daytime television - he's instead reaching an audience of hundreds of thousands on the youth-focused app TikTok. Many younger Aussies have spoken of their joy at stumbling across Huey's cooking videos online, saying they have 'unlocked' fond memories of watching him as kids. Hewitson began hosting the series Healthy, Wealthy and Wise in 1992, and went on to front the programs Huey's Cooking Adventures (1997) and Huey's Kitchen (2010). His last new cooking episode was broadcast on free-to-air in 2014. Since getting the proverbial tap on the shoulder from commercial TV bosses, the Melbourne-based Kiwi chef has kept a low profile. So low, in fact, that many Aussies mistakenly assumed he was dead. But that all changed earlier this year when Hewitson's 22-year-old daughter Charlotte encouraged him to start a TikTok - and within days he was racking up hundreds of thousands of views with videos that have struck a nostalgic chord with fans. The 75-year-old told FEMAIL he felt 'humbled' by the instant success, adding that his philosophy on TikTok is no different to when he was on TV: to inspire and teach others how to cook. Iain 'Huey' Hewitson was a fixture on Australian TV for decades thanks to his popular afternoon cooking shows - and now he has made a surprise comeback on TikTok Huey fronted four TV series from 1982 to 2014. While he hasn't been on television for a decade, many young Aussies instantly remembered him when he popped up on their social media 'The support has been overwhelming. It's humbling, to be honest. I can't believe it,' Hewitson said. 'It was my daughter's idea to start a TikTok [account] and she wasn't sure if anyone would remember me because it's a young platform.' But people did. Within 24 hours of posting his first video, Huey's clip was viewed more than 400,000 times. 'It's so lovely to hear people say, "You were the reason I got into the kitchen". Anything that gets people interested in food is a good thing,' he added. TikTokers welcomed Huey back into their lives like an old friend they haven't seen in years. 'HUEY!!! My childhood sick days memory unlocked!' one wrote. Another said: 'Omg Huey, you and Ready Steady Cook taught me all I knew before leaving home.' 'You haven't changed a bit, what's your secret?' one asked. 'Absolute king of my childhood,' someone else declared. 'Huey! I faked "sickies" when I was younger so I could watch your show!' commented one millennial. Some fans regretfully admitted they thought Hewitson had died - and one even said they remembered him having a state funeral. 'I swear we had a state funeral for you. So good to see you alive and well,' wrote one Adelaide resident. Hewitson laughed off the rumours of his death, saying: 'I haven't been around for a while and I'll forgive the people who thought I was dead! As you can see, I'm not.' 'The support [on TikTok] has been overwhelming. It's humbling, to be honest. I can't believe it,' Hewitson said Huey has partnered with Nestle to launch the new Maggi 2-Minute Noodles with Vegemite How to make Huey's Maggi 2-Minute Noodles and Vegemite lettuce cup: Ingredients: Maggi 2-Minute Noodles with Vegemite Lettuce Chinese sausage Red and yellow capsicum Red onion Spring onion Corn Carrot Coriander Method: 1. Place the Maggi 2-Minute Noodles with Vegemite into a bowl and pour over boiling water, or boil on the stove for two minutes 2. Slice the sausage, onion, capsicum, spring onion and carrots. Cut the corn off the cob 3. In a pan on medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil followed by all the vegetables except the lettuce 4. Drain the noodles and add in the Vegemite seasoning 5. Toss everything in a bowl 6. Clean and cut off outer leaves of lettuce 7. Place the noodles inside the lettuce cups and serve with coriander Advertisement Hewitson also revealed his cooking secrets with FEMAIL - from where he shops to what he prepares when hosting. In his everyday life, he prefers grocery shopping at his local market and admits he's 'not very good' at budgeting but knows it's important to do. To keep costs down, he recommends always writing a shopping list before stepping out the door, only buying food that's in season, and opting for cheaper cuts of meat. 'In the middle of winter you shouldn't go buy things out of season because it'll cost ten times as much,' he said. 'Take advantage of the local markets for custom discounts on various items.' He keeps things simple in the kitchen, and if he's hosting family or friends he tries to spend as little amount of time in the kitchen as possible by making simple meals. 'People forget to socialise when they host and get too boggled down in the kitchen. You want to be with your loved ones enjoying your time with them, not slaving away in the kitchen all night,' Huey said. 'It's all about taste and simplicity. If I'm hosting, I might cook a roast chicken in the oven with gravy and vegetables.' Hewitson's 22-year-old daughter Charlotte (right) encouraged him to start the TikTok account When he's cooking for himself, Huey's two favourite go-to ingredients are chilli and coriander. 'I know these aren't universally liked, but if I could I'd put coriander and chilli on everything - though I don't think my wife would approve,' he said. Hewitson has partnered with Nestle to launch the new Maggi 2-Minute Noodles with Vegemite. 'I have been a huge fan of both Maggi 2-Minute Noodles and Vegemite for decades and this new flavour combo is an Aussie twist on two household classics. What a fantastic base for tasty and easy family meals!' he said. The rich umami punch of Vegemite with the warm slurp of Maggi 2-Minute Noodles is a winning combination no one expected. It's the festival of Vesak, when Buddhists celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. The timing is perfect; as Mercury (intellect) enters Taurus (ruled by the planet of love), the skies reflect the compassion at the heart of the cosmos. By focusing on our connections with the world around us, we can find inspiring ways to transcend problems. And find joy in the present moment. Need to know your more? These spookily accurate birth charts, based on your unique birth placements will tell you everything you need to know. Simply enter your birth details and receive a completely personal Personal Birth Chart made just for you. Read more horoscopes from MailOnline. ARIES (March 21 - April 20) If you've ever seen a building being demolished, you'll know how dramatic it is. After the noise of the dynamite there's a pause when the building seems to hang, suspended, before it collapses. I mention this because you're attempting to create a change in your world. And rather frustratingly, it doesn't seem to be having the desired effect. So far, nothing much has happened. Today brings signs and signals that the process has begun. It's not going to be earth-shatteringly. No one but you will notice. But it's going to be good. Transform your life! To move forwards in a positive direction, there's good news when you visit cainer.com Oscar Cainer (pictured) tells us that it's the festival of Vesak, when Buddhists celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Venus, your ruler, has been in your sign for a while. Now, as Mercury (communication) joins it in Taurus, it re-boosts the celestial message. You're being blessed by a kindly cosmos. It wants to help you move forwards into territory where you'll be able to flourish. If you feel like you're not yet making progress, don't be disheartened. If you take today's opportunity to clear up an old difficulty, you'll be able to overcome it. Then, you'll find you've got the enthusiasm to seize the chance to improve your life which is on its way. For advice to guide you through the twists and turns ahead, see your in-depth forecasts at cainer.com GEMINI (May 22 - June 22) If you're trying to keep things as they are, or to make them like they used to be, stop! As your ruler, Mercury, leaves its shadow and moves into Taurus, if you allow the waves of change to wash over your life, you'll feel reinvigorated. Don't worry about what might disappear into the surf. Or the speed of the current. You're being encouraged to make moves that will take you towards a more enriching future. Remember that you're an adaptable Gemini. If you're willing to go with the flow and explore, you'll see opportunities you want to embrace. How can you stay focused and happy? Your in-depth forecasts hold the advice you need. cainer.com CANCER (June 23 - July 23) You don't know what's on my mind right now. And I can't tell what you're thinking. Unless, that is, we focus and try to telepathically communicate. We'd need to try to project our thoughts, and open our minds to receive each other's signals. But even if we tried our hardest, there'd still be room for misunderstanding. Actually, we could be sitting in the same room and we might still talk at cross purposes! With Mercury moving into a new sign today, your insight is super-charged. Use it! Don't jump to hasty conclusions. For excellent advice to guide you through the twists and turns ahead. cainer.com LEO (July 24 - August 23) Suppose you were given a priceless artwork and, being short on time and space, you stuck it up in the only place available, where it's not going to be seen? You won't ever be able to appreciate its beauty. Sometimes, we need to let something go before accepting something new. When we hang onto everything in our life, we can't benefit from the arrival of positive change. Today brings a chance to revisit a tricky situation from your past, set it straight, and let it be. The timing is perfect. You're making space for something delightful. There's no need to worry. All you need is some guidance. Your in-depth forecasts can help at cainer.com VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Your life feels a bit 'grey'. Things seem to be moving along in 'cruise mode' - which is comfortable; but the lack of excitement is causing a sense of restlessness. Trying to create your own definition of what's important and worth your attention is getting a bit tiresome. So what needs to happen to encourage more colourful experiences? An unexpected drama? Not necessarily! You'll be glad to know that your ruler's move into earthy Taurus brings a change of energy. Social engagements will soon add warmth to your world. What does your heart desire and how can you achieve what you really want? See your in-depth forecasts at cainer.com LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Imagine the satisfaction of having a conversation and knowing you've been completely understood. Or the delight of being involved in a debate and reaching a conclusion that suits everyone? If only we lived in a world where these kinds of events were commonplace. But we're not great at listening; we can't help projecting our own views onto other people's words. Today, Mercury's change of sign increases your chance of having satisfying discussions. If you listen well, you'll learn something priceless. Curious to know more? There's always valuable news in your in-depth forecasts at cainer.com SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) When we talk about making an investment, our minds immediately turn to businesses and companies. Or to products like gold. Rather than backing individuals who might achieve something great, we prefer to take risks with impersonal things. You however, know who you need to support right now. Whether (or not) it involves money, your encouragement will enable them to make progress. And you'll both profit from that. This is worth your time and energy. There's happiness at stake. And that's worth its weight in gold. Success is about attitude and timing. Your in-depth forecasts show the way to positive change. Visit cainer.com The timing is perfect; as Mercury (intellect) enters Taurus (ruled by the planet of love), the skies reflect the compassion at the heart of the cosmos SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Who's calling all the shots? And who's jumping to attention and running around doing their best to fulfil the demands being made? If you've instantly pictured a relationship that fits this description, it's likely that you're seeing yourself as the person with no control. But things are changing. The power dynamic is shifting into a much healthier place. As Mercury (the planet of intellect) changes signs, if you think about how you'd like things to be (rather than how they are) this relationship will start working in a much more balanced way. You've got lots to look forward to. The inspiration you need is in your in-depth forecasts at cainer.com CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Should you be focusing on the journey or the destination? You probably know the answer you're 'supposed' to give; it's something along the lines of 'the journey is the destination'. Which is fine... unless you happen to be on a pleasant amble that doesn't go anywhere. In which case, it might be better to be on a difficult route that leads somewhere delightful! There's more than one way to get to where you want to go. And you've got a choice to make about which road to take. Trust your intuition. It knows the best path to follow. Knowledge is power. Find out how to take full advantage of your astrological assets at cainer.com AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) You know what you want to do. And it's frustrating that you're not in a situation where you're able to do it. So... what should you do? Try doing what you least dislike doing! And be prepared for unexpected developments. Even if you focus on something disconnected from your ideal, if you set forward with an enthusiastic open heart, you'll get closer to your goal. A small amount of success, in whatever you do, will lead to a larger amount of success later down the line. Just keep your standards high, and stay hopeful. You'll see. What's in the sky for you? Helpful planetary alignments! For good news, see your in-depth forecasts at cainer.com PISCES (February 20 - March 20) Humans are such an arrogant species! We think we've got everything sussed out. If we're forced to admit we don't know something, we assume it's only a matter of time until we do. We imagine that our knowledge is best, our philosophies are faultless, and our beliefs are unquestionable. And when we think we've got all the answers there's no room for anything new. Luckily for us, life has a way of forcing us to ask questions. Your current situation might not be perfect. But if you stay open-minded, you'll find a way to make it 'just right'. Make the most of your opportunities. Your in-depth forecast have inspiring news at cainer.com She attended with her husband King Frederik on their 20th wedding anniversary Queen Mary looks ethereal in blue gown at a gala dinner in Norway on Tuesday Queen Mary of Denmark looked stunningly regal as she attended a gala dinner with fellow royals in Norway on the day of her 20th wedding anniversary to King Frederik. The 52-year-old dazzled in a jaw-dropping periwinkle blue gown on Wednesday evening at a dinner hosted by King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway to honour the Danish monarch's state visit in Oslo. The Danish King and Queen smiled and chatted as they sat side-by-side at dinner, appearing unperturbed by the affair rumours that rocked the palace in November. The pair seem determined to carry-on as a united front, with body language experts saying this shared goal will allow them to overcome any relationship tension behind closed doors. As a nod to Mary and Frederik's wedding anniversary, the queen opted for a gown by Birgit Hallstein, the same Danish designer behind her iconic 2004 wedding gown. Queen Mary of Denmark looked ethereal in a fairytale-like gown as she attended a gala dinner with fellow royals in Norway on the day of her 20th wedding anniversary to King Frederik The Danish King and Queen smiled and chatted as they sat side-by-side at dinner appearing completely unperturbed by the affair rumours that rocked the palace in November last year As a nod to Mary and Frederik's wedding anniversary, the queen opted for a gown by Birgit Hallstein the same Danish designer behind her iconic 2004 wedding gown The Australian-born royal is no stranger to outfit-repeating and has worn the tailored dress with chiffon sleeves and neckline once before, back in 2015. She paired the fairytale-like gown with a pair of satin blue pumps and pieces from one of the Danish royal family's most valuable jewellery sets. Mary wore her brunette tresses in a sophisticated updo to showcase the priceless Pearl Poire Tiara which dates back 200 years and is only ever worn by the queen. The sparkling crown is made of a diamond set with 18 teardrop-shaped pearl pendants. Mary's mother-in-law Queen Margarethe often donned the tiara during the course of her 50-year reign, with the last time as recently as New Year's Day, just after she announced her abdication from the throne. She paired the fairytale-like gown with a pair of satin blue pumps as well as the priceless Pearl Poire Tiara which dates back 200 years and is only ever worn by the queen The Pearl Poire Tiara is usually worn with the Khedive of Egypt Parure, which consists of a necklace, a pair of earrings and a small round brooch. Mary only opted to wear the stunning earrings and brooch for the event as the high neckline on her dress would have hidden the necklace. Below her left clavicle she wore a traditional pin with a portrait of Frederik made especially for her. The miniature portrait of her husband is set in a bow of Order of Dannebrog ribbon created by British artist Tom Mulliner just for her. The Pearl Poire Tiara is usually worn with the Khedive of Egypt Parure; a necklace, a pair of earrings and a small brooch. Mary only opted to wear the earrings and brooch for the event She wore a portrait of Frederik made especially for her and had two brooches, one of which symbolised The Order of the Elephant, the Danish Royal family's most distinguished order Traditionally, women in the Danish royal family wear the portrait of the sovereign. Queen Mary used to display a similar portrait of Queen Margrethe before she ascended in January. The portrait is set inside a family heirloom, a gold frame with diamonds, which Margarethe wore with a picture of her father Frederik IX, from 1972 until her succession. On her waist, she had two brooches, one of which symbolised The Order of the Elephant, the Danish Royal family's most distinguished order. The Order of the Elephant has a complex and varied history dating back to the 1400s during the reign of King Christian I. Between 1580 and now, 890 royals have been awarded the honour with Margrethe giving 68 people the order during her 52-year reign. WA's Hamelin Bay Beach like a slice of Greece in Australia Australian travellers are adding a little-known beach in the country's south-west to their holiday bucket list, likening it to one on a Greek island. Hamelin Bay Beach sits on Western Australia's stunning South West coast, three and a half hours from Perth in the incredible Margaret River region. It offers visitors a slice of Greece without having to leave home thanks to its bright white sandy shores and strikingly aquamarine waters. The magical shoreline is peppered with otherworldly angled rock formations to explore and sit under to shade yourself from the WA sunshine. Hamelin Bay Beach is sheltered from the harsh surf, making the water calm and refreshing to take a swim, snorkel, paddle or boat cruise. Aussie travellers have described a magical beach in the country's spectacular south west as a slice of Greece in their own backyard Hamelin Bay Beach offers visitors a slice of Greece without having to leave home with its bright white sandy shores and strikingly aquamarine waters Hamelin Bay Beach sits on Western Australia's stunning South West coast, three and a half hours from Perth in the incredible Margaret River region The dreamy paradise is famous for its population of sociable stingrays often seen gliding gracefully along the water's edge. Even on a busy day, punters won't feel crowded as they can stretch out on the lengthy strips of white sand. WA beaches also have the added bonus of being able to watch the sun set spectacularly over the ocean - and Hamelin Bay is no exception. British travel blogger Samantha raved about her recent visit to Hamelin Bay calling it 'The Greece of Australia'. Even on a busy day, punters won't feel crowded as they can stretch out on the kilometres of white sands The magical shoreline is peppered with otherworldly angled rock formations to explore and sit under to shade yourself from the WA sunshine British travel blogger Samantha, who is 'obsessed with beautiful blue beaches', raved about her recent visit to Hamelin Bay, calling it 'the Greece of Australia' 'If you're like me and always wanted to go to Greece, look no further, there's a lookalike down the road,' she wrote in an Instagram post. 'We went for sunset and sunrise and saw countless stingrays and dolphins, we got so lucky! Hamelin Bay to me is just the most beautiful, magical place.' Many have been wowed by the natural beauty of the hidden gem with one saying it's a 'WA highlight'. 'What a stunning resemblance to Greece! Those crystal blue waters and rocky cliffs are truly mesmerising,' one visitor gushed. 'One of our favourite spots here in Australia! Gorgeous beach, lots of stingrays and amazing sunsets. We even saw dolphins in the bay!' another wrote. A mother is warning others about the risks of Ozempic after she suffered a potentially deadly complication that left her in pain 'worse than childbirth'. Michelle Stesiak, who is in her fifties and from South Carolina, was initially thrilled to get a prescription for the shot and said she was easily losing weight. But just six weeks in, the mother was jolted awake at 3am in the morning with piercing pain running from under her breasts, around her left side, to her back. It was so bad she said she couldn't speak, move or let even a blanket touch her sides. Doctors initially thought she might have a 'twisted bowel', a condition where part of the intestine twists around itself causing a blockage. Michelle Stesiak, in her fifties and from South Carolina, says she was woken up by the pain at 3am which was so excruciating she could not touch her sides (stock) She was diagnosed with pancreatitis, a potentially deadly condition where the pancreas an organ in the upper abdomen that manufactures insulin to help regulate blood sugar becomes inflamed. The condition can prove fatal if the inflammation cuts off the blood supply to part of the pancreas, leading this area to die and become infected causing sepsis. It can also trigger severe internal bleeding if toxins and enzymes leak from the organ and damage nearby blood vessels. Describing the pain, the mother said: 'I thought I was dying. It was the most excruciating pain I've ever experienced. 'I was immediately in the fetal position. I couldn't speak. I was vomiting profusely and I had full-blown diarrhea. 'You couldn't touch my stomach even a blanket touching it was excruciating.' Her case was revealed by Johann Hari in Magic Pill, The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight Loss Drug, a new book that delves into the benefits and risks of the new weight loss drug. She is one of several woman who came forward to tell the author about their experience and warn others over the potential risks. Pancreatitis is considered to be a possible serious complication of Ozempic, with those who have a family history of the disease told to avoid the drug. It comes amid a surge in the popularity of Ozempic, with millions more Americans taking the drug. Some surveys suggest as many as one in eight Americans have now tried the drug Studies suggest Ozempic users have an up to nine times higher risk of developing the complication compared to those not on the drug. But it is still considered uncommon among users, affecting about one in a hundred to one in a thousand people on Ozempic. Four out of five patients who suffer from pancreatitis while on Ozempic make a full recovery. But for others it can lead to serious complications and, in rare cases, death. In rare fatal cases, the inflammation causes an area of the pancreas to lose its blood supply. This causes the tissue to die, or necrosis, which can then become infected with bacteria. The bacteria can then spread to the blood and cause sepsis, which triggers widespread organ failure and death. Ms Stesiak said she had been visiting her daughter in Pittsburgh from her home in Myrtle Beach at the time her pancreatitis occurred. She was rushed to hospital by her son-in-law, where once tests showed her pancreas was in trouble physicians first asked whether she was a heavy drinker or had gallstones before suspicion landed on Ozempic. Since the scare, Ms Stesiak has quit the drug and recovered a month later. She is now warning others over the risks, saying: 'It can cause pancreatitis, and very quickly. It's something you don't want to mess around with.' Doctors are not certain how Ozempic may cause the condition, but leading theories suggest it may be linked to the drug binding to receptors for the satiety hormone glucago-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the pancreas. One hypothesis suggests that the drug causes the organ to start manufacturing more insulin than normal, which can lead to it becoming inflamed. But others have said the inflammation may be linked to changes in the metabolism caused by the drug, shifting how the pancreas functions. Pancreatitis was just one of the several risks that Ozempic poses to people's health, with others including an up to 75 percent higher risk of thyroid cancer and a bigger risk of cosmetic complications such as 'Ozempic butt' and 'Ozempic face'. But experts are still warning about the 'unknown, unknowns', or the negative effects the drug could be having that won't emerge for decades. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, has been tested for decades but primarily in people who are obese or have type 2 diabetes. Many are taking the drug off-label, however, who do not fit into this category. Mandates requiring health workers in NSW to receive two doses of a Covid vaccine in order to work will be scrapped this week. In March, NSW Health said it was reviewing the rule and it has now been revealed that it will be removed for existing personnel and for new recruits from Thursday. The rule was put in place in August 2021 and about six months later NSW Health said that 995 staff members had either resigned or been sacked for not following the policy. Former paramedic and campaigner against the mandate John Larter received a letter from lawyers for NSW Health informing him of the change. 'This symbolises NSW Health have acknowledged they can no longer continue to maintain their position due to overwhelming evidence that mandatory vaccination was a misuse of power,' Mr Larter told 2GB's Ben Fordham Live. Mandates requiring health workers in NSW to receive two doses of a Covid vaccine will be scrapped this week (stock image) Former paramedic John Larter (pictured) who previously challenged the NSW Health vaccine mandate in court revealed this week the department is scrapping the mandate 'It was completely disproportionate and unreasonable to sack frontline workers which negatively impacted health workers, patient care and outcomes,' he said. 'Lets hope all of those sacked workers are reinstated and compensated.' Queensland and Western Australia removed their Covid vaccine requirements for health workers in 2023. NSW and some other states require staff in health or aged care to already get flu vaccines each year. Mr Larter had previously launched legal action against the mandates and taken NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard to the Supreme Court in 2021. The devout Catholic argued the laws were invalid and that they stopped residents from conscientously objecting to the vaccine on religious grounds. Mr Larter said he did not receive the AstraZeneca vaccine because he believed it was sourced from the cells of aborted fetuses. He lost his court battle after Justice Christine Adamson dismissed his case. NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said NSW Health will continue to strongly recommend all its workers stay up to date with their vaccinations, in line with advice for the broader community. 'While the latest evidence shows most people have now developed protection from serious disease due to vaccination and/or previous infection, Covid remains a serious public health issue,' Dr Chant said. NSW Health brought in the rule in August 2021 requiring all workers two get two doses of the Covid vaccine (pictured) A recent study had found vaccines prevented thousands of death in NSW as the Omicron wave struck 'Covid vaccination continues to provide strong protection against severe illness, particularly for people at higher risk of serious illness and death from Covid, including older adults and those with underlying health conditions.' The latest advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends a Covid vaccination every six months for all adults aged 75 years and over. A Covid vaccination every 12 months for adults aged 65 74 years is also reccommended, and adults aged 18 64 with severe immunocompromise should consider a vaccination every six months. A yearly Covid vaccination should be considered for all other adults aged 18 64 years, and those aged 5 -18 years with severe immunocompromise. Covid vaccines prevented almost 18,000 deaths among people over 50 in NSW as the Omicron strain hit, a study has estimated. A Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Monash University joint research team looked at Australia's vaccination campaign to get an insight into what would have happened had NSW's rollout been different. The team used computer simulations to find how vaccinations and boosters impacted the Omicron wave between August 2021 and July 2022. A heartbroken mum has told of her agony after her 'cheeky' and 'adventurous' toddler died from leukemia just seven months after developing an unexpected symptom: snoring. Ellie Keating, from Bridport in Dorset, noticed her son Mason struggling to breathe at night in December 2019 while battling a chesty cough and high temperature he picked up at nursery. In leukaemia patients, cancerous cells can 'clump' around the thymus, a gland in the neck, which can cause difficulty breathing. Cells can also accumulate in lymph nodes in the chest that push against the windpipe, causing coughing and wheezing in children. Ellie Keating, from Bridport in Dorset, noticed her son Mason (pictured) pick up the habit in December 2019 while battling a chesty cough and high temperature he picked up at nursery. She made four appointments with the GP between January and March 2020 after the two-year-old's symptoms failed to subside and he developed night sweats But, Ms Keating was told it was a viral infection and advised to give him Calpol, she claimed. Later that month, however, when he started vomiting and suddenly struggled to stand up, the 29-year-old phoned 111 who called for ambulance and he was rushed to hospital Scans later revealed he was suffering with t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare aggressive form of blood cancer . Despite an intensive four-week course of chemotherapy and steroid treatment, Mason passed away in July Ms Keating made four appointments with the GP between January and March 2020 after the two-year-old's symptoms failed to subside and he developed night sweats, another leukaemia red flag. But, she was told it was a viral infection and advised to give him Calpol, she claimed. Later that month, however, when Mason started vomiting and suddenly struggled to stand up, the 29-year-old phoned 111 who called for ambulance and he was rushed to hospital. Scans later revealed he was suffering with t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare aggressive form of blood cancer. Despite an intensive four-week course of chemotherapy and steroid treatment, Mason passed away in July. Ms Keating is now urging parents not to ignore any worrying symptoms. She said: 'One of the main worries for me was this cough, it was very very chesty. 'It started to make him snore at night and he'd never snored before. 'A cancer diagnosis hadn't even entered my head as a possibility, I didn't know the symptoms. 'When they told me Mason had cancer, the noise I made didn't even sound human. 'I was bawling my eyes out and screaming. [Then] as I was starting to get my head around the fact he'd got cancer I was hit with "he's going to die". I had no chance to research alternative therapies, I had no time. '[On the day he died] there was no warning. We were doing handprints and footprints with the two nurses and I was showing them videos of him, then all of a sudden it was just four big breaths and he was gone. 'The nurse just grabbed me because I was going for the floor. She grabbed me and she held me and we were all sobbing in that room.' When Mason's symptoms worsened it 'didn't sit right' it was just a viral infection, Ms Keating said. After calling 111, who dispatched an ambulance, he was initially taken to Dorchester Hospital. But he was discharged home. Just days later, after he struggled to look at light, she returned and he was transferred to Southampton Hospital where a chest x-ray and blood tests revealed he had the rare cancer Ms Keating, who is also mother to Blake Ollis (pictured), now three, said: 'Other than the odd sickness bug or childhood illness, he was always fine' Around 650 children and young adults are diagnosed with leukaemia every year in Britain, according to Blood Cancer UK. Leukaemia, of all types, is the most common cancer in kids under 15. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia occurs when white blood cells start to grow out of control inside the bone marrow before spreading into blood vessels and vital organs. The cancer progresses rapidly, with doctors saying patients can die within two weeks of symptoms appearing because the disease is so rapid. As the white blood cells multiply, they can start to clog blood vessels and vital organs which gradually stops the body from functioning. According to Cancer Research UK, it is likely to affect young adults and is more common in men. Approximately 790 Brits and 6,550 Americans are diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia every year. Of these, around a quarter have T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. When Mason's symptoms worsened it 'didn't sit right' it was just a viral infection, Ms Keating said. After calling 111, who dispatched an ambulance, he was initially taken to Dorchester Hospital. But he was discharged home. Just days later, after he struggled to look at light, she returned and he was transferred to Southampton Hospital where a chest x-ray and blood tests revealed he had the rare cancer. Ms Keating, who is also mother to Blake Ollis, now three, said: 'Other than the odd sickness bug or childhood illness, he was always fine. 'As more symptoms were coming into the mix it just didn't sit right that it was a typical viral infection. 'He was then vomiting and his poo looked like he'd swallowed tobacco, it was really bitty. 'He wasn't eating, he was a very good eater, and he wasn't drinking which meant no wet nappies. 'I know that's a number one alarm when a child doesn't have wet nappies.' She added: 'At Southampton Hospital I met his consultant and that's when I was told how bad [it was] and to expect that he might not make it through the night.' Ms Keating, who discovered she was expecting Blake the night before Mason's funeral, is now urging parents to know what symptoms not to ignore, in light of how suddenly Mason's health deteriorated Mason was started on dialysis to help clear waste products from his blood and put into an induced coma to preserve his strength. 'When I came back in that room and saw him all hooked up to the machines and tubes in his mouth he just looked so small,' Ms Keating said. 'As a mum your first instinct is to help and protect your kids. I just felt there was nothing I could do.' After he was brought out of his coma in June, he began a four-week course of intensive chemotherapy and steroid treatment. Tragically, however, his symptoms returned and Ms Keating was advised to consider palliative care. They both moved into a self-contained flat in the hospital's children's ward. Just a week later he passed away. Ms Keating said: 'He loved life. Every day was an adventure, he was very cheeky and everyone doted on him. 'He was so clever and as cliche as it sounds he did light up a room. 'He was obsessed with Mr Bean. When he was in that little flat at the end that's all he had on repeat on the TV. He ended up quoting it word for word.' Ms Keating, who discovered she was expecting Blake the night before Mason's funeral, is now urging parents to know what symptoms not to ignore, in light of how suddenly Mason's health deteriorated. She said: '[By sharing Mason's story] I hope it will raise awareness of symptoms and encourage people to get them checked out. 'When I've seen things like that or read magazines and read people's stories I've always thought "that won't happen to me". 'I think that's how a lot of people think, especially with childhood cancer.' 'Until it happens to you it won't ever cross your mind and I think that needs to change. She added: 'My message to parents would be to 100 per cent stand your ground and trust your gut because early diagnosis could save lives. 'I couldn't save Mason, but if I can save one child's life I've done my bit.' A mother claims vaping triggered a deadly respiratory infection that caused her lungs to become 'fried' and resemble the organs of an 80 year-old. Hannah Roth, from Newport, Tennessee, said the first sign something was wrong was a 'popping' sound when she breathed in, which developed after four years of daily vaping. Ms Roth had never smoked before but picked up vaping as a 'bad habit' due to the stress of the pandemic lockdown and was soon puffing on her device 'every hour of the day'. The 30-year-old developed a fever of 104F (40C) last month which, coupled with the 'popping' sound, made her seek medical help. The mom-of-two was horrified when doctors eventually discovered she had pneumonia, which they said was specifically caused by vaping. Hannah Roth, from Newport, Tennessee , had never smoked before but picked up vaping as a 'bad habit' due to the stress of the pandemic lockdown and was soon vaping 'every hour of the day' Pneumonia can arise as a result of inhaling oily substances found in the e-liquid in vapes, which sets off an inflammatory response in the lungs. Scans revealed her lungs resembled the organs of someone in their 80s or a patient who had smoked for a decade. The receptionist said the doctor threw her menthol vape in the trash and warned she would 'die' if she continued the habit. Ms Roth said: 'The doctor told me if I kept using the vapes I wouldn't be able to breathe. 'It was quite scary as a mother. I knew I couldn't vape again as I've got two kids to take care of.' The 30-year-old began to hear a 'popping' sound in her lungs last month when breathing and developed a fever of 104F (40C) The doctor informed Ms Roth that her lungs looked like those of 'someone much older', or a person who has smoked for a decade. 'I was really mad at myself because I had no idea that vaping could do that. 'The doctor told me "every time that you're hitting that vape, that vapor is going into your lungs and it's like frying hot chicken in there." The intensity of it was frying my lungs. 'That's why it was making a popping sound when I was breathing.' At first, Ms Roth was misdiagnosed with the flu. But a week later, she went to the hospital's emergency department in Scott County, and doctors there discovered she had pneumonia - an infection that inflames air sacs in the lungs. Ms Roth said: 'I started vaping during the Covid pandemic. The stress of being stuck in the house led me to pick up on a bad habit one night. I just got addicted to it. The mom-of-two was horrified when doctors revealed she had pneumonia specifically caused by vaping as she had no idea this was a potential side effect Doctors told her: 'It looks like a tree with branches, it's called 'tree budding' and it's basically the deterioration of your lung' 'Last month, I got sick. I was at work and started getting cold chills and I really wasn't feeling good. 'I thought I may have bronchitis because my chest hurt really bad. That went on for a few days and then I went to the doctors and they said I had the flu and gave me medicine.' GOT A HEALTH-RELATED STORY? EMAIL: Health@dailymail.com Advertisement But Ms Roth's symptoms did not improve and she returned to the hospital with her mother. '[That's when] they came back and said I had an obstruction in my right lung. They said it was pneumonia. 'It looks like a tree with branches, it's called 'tree budding' and it's basically the deterioration of your lung. 'It's not supposed to happen unless you're a really heavy smoker.' Now Ms Roth has vowed to stay away from vaping in order to look after her seven and ten-year old sons and hopes to warn others to ditch the vapes. Ms Roth said: 'I've been vape free ever since I went to hospital and my lungs aren't making the popping sound anymore. 'The doctor said if I stop vaping, my lungs will be able to heal as long as I don't vape anymore.' She still gets cravings to vape but tries to chew gum instead. 'My advice would be just don't vape, don't pick it up and hit it. Even if you think you have control over it, sometimes you just don't.' A 55-year-old man who has the same sleep disorder as Joe Biden crashed his motorbike four times in nine months. The construction worker, whose case has been revealed in a US medical journal, kept falling asleep while behind the wheel due to his excessive daytime sleepiness. It was so bad that, on the day of his admission, the man closed his eyes and collapsed bruising his right eye after slamming against the edge of a table. Physicians diagnosed him with obstructive sleep apnea which the President, 81, has also been treated for and prescribed him a breathing machine to open his airways at night. Biden is the oldest US president at 80, and last June was pictured with marks on his face (circled) consistent with using a CPAP machine Streets in Vietnam are notoriously chaotic, such as this roundabout pictured above in the country. Experts say excessive sleepiness raises the risk of accidents The patient, who was from Vietnam, complained of constantly snoring at night and often waking up suddenly gasping for air. The 55-year-old said that mornings, too, were punctuated with headaches and feelings of drowsiness and that they had gained 22lbs in two years. The case was revealed in the American Journal of Case Reports, amid warnings from doctors that excessive sleepiness can raise the risk of traffic accidents. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by the upper airways becoming blocked during sleep and affects about 39million people in the US every year. In many cases, it is linked to obesity which can cause fatty deposits to build up in the airways making them heavier and more likely to collapse when lying down. But it can also be caused by old age, with muscles in the airways weakening over time making them more likely to collapse when someone sleeps. It puts people at a much higher risk of dementia, which is believed to be linked to prolonged interrupted sleep. The patient in Vietnam was a 55-year-old construction worker who was found to be suffering from the same sleep disorder as Joe Biden Doctors also measured the patient's neck to diagnose the condition, which is caused by the airways becoming blocked while someone is asleep leaving them struggling to breathe President Biden has been suffering from symptoms consistent with OSA since at least last June. The White House revealed the condition after the President emerged with marks on his face consistent with using a CPAP machine. He also had symptoms of OSA in 2008 and 2019, physician-to-the-president Dr Kevin O'Connor said, but this was reported to have been resolved following sinus and nasal passage surgeries. Dr O'Connor says Biden remains a 'healthy, active, robust' male who 'remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the President'. In the case in Vietnam, the patient was also diagnosed with obesity hypoventilation disorder (OHD) a breathing disorder that causes someone who is obese to have too much carbon dioxide and too little oxygen in their blood. Doctors treated the patient by asking him to use a CPAP machine for six hours every night. After three months, the patient reported improved sleep and now being alert enough to be able to drive. They also say they had lost nearly 5lbs, and their blood pressure which had previously been high had dropped to a normal level. Their accidents were linked to daytime sleepiness, with the patient confirming they had not consumed alcohol before the crashes. Doctors revealed the case in part to warn of the dangers of driving while tired, with about 328,000 crashes on US roads linked to drowsiness every year. The physicians, from a Military Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, wrote in the report: 'In summary, OSA... manifests symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness, substantially increasing the risk of traffic accidents. 'Regrettably, this issue has not received the required attention in Vietnam.' The CDC says everyone should sleep for seven to nine hours every night on average. But surveys suggest more than a third of Americans fail to reach this threshold, amid brightly illuminated lights in city centers and a growing plethora of distractions from televisions to mobile phones and computer games. American women can now do their own Pap smear in the privacy of a bathroom and without the supervision of a gynecologist, making the tests far more comfortable. The FDA has approved DIY swabs, which allow the patient to take their own test in a pharmacy or 'pop-up' clinic and hand it back to the healthcare professional for testing. The tests - which take less than 30 seconds to do - look for human papilloma virus (HPV), an infection that is usually passed via sex, and is responsible for 95 percent of cervical cancers. Previously, women would have to visit their gynecologist for a short procedure to have a swab taken, which many find uncomfortable and inconvenient. The NIH aims to get 84 percent of American women screened for cervical cancer yearly in order to meet their 2030 healthy people goal. In 2021, only 72 percent of women were up to date with their Pap smears. Human Papilloma Virus is an STD which can cause the cells in your vagina to mutate. In some cases, this leads to developing cervical cancer. Doctors say it's crucial to get tested, via pap smear, regularly. It is hoped that the innovation will make life-saving screening more accessible and less painful for women. 'It is to reach women who traditionally haven't been reached,' Dr Jeff Andrews, gynecologist and President of Medical Affairs at BD, one of the companies behind one of the approved tests told USA Today. For now, these tests are only approved for use in a doctor's office, pharmacy or mobile clinic. But the pharma companies behind the two approved tests plan to make an at home version in the future. At home tests have previously been approved in Australia, the UK, Netherlands and other European countries. Previously, a Pap smear was only performed by a gynecologist and looked for abnormal changes in cells that indicated cancer. Some doctors would also test for HPV, as it has been proven to be an extremely accurate indication of cervical cancer risk. The test is done by placing a long brush and flat spatula into a woman's vagina, near her cervix, and brushing the implement around to gather cells. This is uncomfortable for most women, but can also be painful for others with tilted cervixes, according to Jo's cervical cancer trust. If cells are abnormal or their HPV test comes back positive, they are invited back for further testing. But a third of American women were overdue for a pap smears in 2021, the most recent data shows. The NIH blames this mostly on a lack of education about how often the tests are needed - with nearly half of women reporting they didn't know they needed screening. Each year, about 11,500 US women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 4,000 die from the disease. According to the CDC, regular pap smears could prevent about 93 percent of these cancers from developing. But the DIY tests look only for HPV. Multiple international studies have found that HPV testing is as effective for preventing cervical cancer as regular Pap smears. A 2021 UK study of at-home HPV tests found that 99 percent of 19,000 women were able to perform a self-swab effectively. This makes DIY tests a 'game-changer for cervical screening,' Dr Anita Lim, an epidemiologist at King's College London, said. After a doctor or technician gives the patient a DIY test, they go into a bathroom, insert the long, Q-tip like implement into their vagina, and swirl it around three times. Then, you bring the test back to your doctor or pharmacist, who sends it off for analysis. 'This literally just opens up another option for a different demographic of people that might not feel comfortable, that might not have access [and] may not have time,' to get tested Irene O. Aninye, chief science officer for the Society for Womens Health Research, told the Washington Post. Traditionally, a Pap smear is performed by a doctor using a long brush or cotton swab and a flat, dull spatula. These new tests are designed for personal use. If your doctor finds HPV, you're then called in for another test to look for abnormal, or mutated cells that could develop into cancer if left untreated. If abnormal cells are detected, patients are sent for mild procedures to kill them, either cutting or burning the cells away. Or, if the changes are deemed low risk, doctors may opt to monitor instead. 'The goal with other cancers is early detection and treatment. The goal with cervical cancer is to find pre-cancerous cells, treat them and never have cancer,' Dr Andrews said. HPV is incredibly common - about eight in 10 women catch the virus at some point in their life, Dr Konstantin Zakashansky, gynecologic oncologist at Mount Sinai Hospital said. But only two of the 40 strains of genital HPV are likely to turn into cancer - representing about 10 percent of women who get HPV, according to the CDC. Crucially, Dr Anne-Marie Amies Oelschlager, an OB/GYN professor at the University of Washington and chair of the American College of Gynecologists and Obstetrics, told USA Today, the new tests won't replace the role of your gynecologist. Instead, 'these tests are a way of figuring out who needs additional testing and who can safely wait before repeat testing.' South West Water has advised residents in a Devon town to boil their tap water after 22 cases of a waterborne disease were confirmed there. The supplier said 'small traces' of the parasite cryptosporidium, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, were found in the water in Brixham. Hundreds of people have been struck down with symptoms, meaning the infection rate could be much higher. The UK Health Security Agency is leading an investigation into the outbreak. People living in two different areas have now been told to boil their tap water before drinking it, and bottled water stations will be set up. Boiling is the only reliable way to kill off the disease-causing parasite, which is well adapted to surviving outside the human body. Traces of a disease-causing parasite have been found in the water in Brixham, Devon, with locals advised to boil their tap water before drinking South West Water posted a warning to customers in Brixham on its website South West Water apologised to customers and gave them detailed advice on how to eliminate illness-causing organisms from their water South West Water said it was 'urgently investigating' the outbreak in Devon, adding: 'Customers in Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham are advised to boil their drinking water before consuming following new test results for cryptosporidium. 'We are issuing this notice following small traces of the organism identified overnight and this morning.' Sarah Bird, health protection consultant at UKHSA South West, said: 'We advise people in the affected areas to follow the advice from South West Water and boil their drinking water and allow to cool before use. 'Anyone with a diarrhoeal illness should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and if they have severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea, they should contact NHS 111 or their GP surgery.' A staggering percentage of motorists have admitted to breaking one of the biggest car park rules there is in a shocking new poll. Over a quarter (28 per cent) of drivers surveyed say they use 'parent and child' bays when they don't have a kid in the car with them. This then explains why nearly two fifths of parents struggle to find one of the spaces vacant when visiting busy car parks, such as those at supermarkets and shopping centres. Parent and child parking spaces are generally allocated only to drivers with children under the age of 12 and intend to take their kids into shops with them A new study carried out by insurer Churchill questioned 2,000 drivers and an additional 500 parents of children under 14 and 542 with children aged from zero to six about their parking habits and experiences. Some 37 per cent of those with young children say they've been forced to park in standard sized parking bays due to all the designated spaces being taken up - and faced difficulty because standard parking spaces are too narrow to get infants in and out with ease. How much bigger is a parent and child bay? Traditional parking space in a car park: 2.4 metres wide (4.8m long) Parent and child parking space: 3.4 metres wide (4.8m long) A standard-size parking bay (4.8 metres long and 2.4 metres wide) only leaves around 30cm to exit a car, which for those using car seats for newborn babies, which can be removed from the vehicle, is on average 17cm too small. 'Parent and child' parking bays not only have the benefit of being located closer to building entrances, they offer an average of 120cm extra space between bays, which gives drivers a total of 150cm of room to park and get in and out of their vehicle safely. Rules dictate that the designated bays are only for use by parents or guardians who are taking a child under 12 into the shop with them. However, it seems a shocking number of motorists are willing to abuse the measures in place by parking in one without having a child with them at all. The report comes in the wake of news that five local councils are now enforcing length restrictions on motors that can use their public car parks. Wokingham, South Hams, Broadland and South Norfolk, and West Devon all have in place a restriction of 5 metres, Autocar found in a recent investigation. Cars including the Audi A8 and Kia's electric EV9 SUV exceed this restriction and are therefore deemed 'unparkable', as is the latest Range Rover and both the Tesla Model S and Model X EVs. Thurrock council imposes a slightly more lenient length restriction of 5.35 metres, which means owners of BMW's 7 Series (5,319mm) and Land Rover's Defender 130 (5,358mm) will be fined if they use these authority-ran car parks. Height and weight restrictions are also in place in these and other council-operated car parks. A parent and child bay is usually the same width as a conventional parking space (2.4 metres) but with an average of an extra 1.2 metres in additional space to allow for drivers to open doors for easy access to child car seats and booster seats This follows various reports of Britain's parking bay dimensions being out of date, with the 1970s regulations no longer suitable for the bigger vehicles sold in showrooms today. Of the 287 local authorities that responded to the car magazine's freedom of information request this year, 91.8 per cent said they have no intention of increasing the size of their council-run car parking spaces to accommodate today's much larger motors. For parents of toddlers, using rear facing and/or rotating car seats, the space available in a standard car parking space is simply not sufficient to open the door to fully to assist lifting children safely in and out. Seven in ten (71 per cent) parents who drive say they have struggled to get their child into their car seat because there wasn't enough space, with 44 per cent saying they were faced with the challenge on at least a monthly basis. Alarmingly, one in four (23 per cent) parents with children aged 14 and under often have to let their kids get out of the car before they can park in a space due to a lack of room. One in five (18 per cent) parents of children aged under six have had to leave the car seat in the vehicle as they were unable to get it out, whilst a further 17 per cent said they have hurt themselves in the past whilst trying to remove a car seat in a car park. How cars have got wider and longer Your browser does not support iframes. 10 MAINSTREAM CARS THAT HAVE INCREASED IN LENGTH SINCE 2018 Make/Model Length in 2018 Length today Increase Peugeot 208 3,475mm 4,055mm 580mm Toyota Yaris 3,495mm 3,940mm 445mm Mazda 3 4,060mm 4,460mm 400mm BMW 7 Series 5,098mm 5,391mm 293mm Mercedes A-Class 4,299mm 4,419mm 120mm BMW 2 Series 4,432mm 4,537mm 105mm Peugeot 3008 4,447mm 4,542mm 95mm Mercedes C-Class 4,686mm 4,751mm 65mm Toyota Prius 4,540mm 4,599mm 59mm Range Rover 4,999mm 5,052mm 53mm Volkswagen Tiguan 4,486mm 4,539mm 53mm Source: Autocar Scratches and dents from car park dings are costly Motorists with kids being unable to use parent and child bays isn't just inconvenient, it can be costly. Being forced to park in tighter standard-size bays can often result in dings and scratches to both the driver's and neighbouring vehicles. This damage is costing UK motorists an average of 223.50 to repair, the insurer calculated. Nearly one in ten (nine per cent) parents surveyed reported having damaged their own vehicle attempting to remove a car seat, with a further ten per cent admitting to damaging the vehicle next to them. With cases rising as a result of the latest motors being bigger than ever, damage claims are yet another strain on the average cost of premiums for all drivers. Nicholas Mantel, Head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said: 'Parents will be all-too familiar with having to drive countless loops of a car park to find an available parent and child bay, only to see that the already limited spaces have been taken by those without kids. 'The squeeze faced by parents as a result of widening cars and parking bays that haven't been redesigned to accommodate today's models particularly impacts those with newborn baby seats who need additional space to get babies out of their cars. 'Misusing parent and child bays not only inconveniences parents who genuinely need them, it can also result in a hefty Parking Charge Notice.' Car manufacturers will miss a key Government target for electric vehicle sales for this year, MPs heard. The share of the new car market held by pure battery electrics is predicted to be just 19.8 per cent this year, industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) told the Commons' Transport Select Committee. At least 22 per cent of new cars and 10 per cent of new vans sold by major vehicle manufacturers in the UK in 2024 is required to be zero-emission which in most cases means pure electric under the Government's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate introduced to law in January. Car manufacturers will miss a key Government target for electric vehicle (EV) sales for 2024, the UK's automotive industry body has told MPs this week The threshold will rise annually to 28 per cent in 2025, 80 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent in time for the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel models in 2035. SMMT head of technology and innovation David Wong told the committee the industry will not meet this year's requirements as 'we're below that trajectory'. He said: 'Our members feel that the market will be in terms of battery electric cars 19.8 per cent and vans 8.3 per cent. 'So it's below the 22 per cent for cars and 10 per cent for vans.' Sales of electric cars have accelerated at a slower pace than predicted in recent months as a result of falling demand from private buyers. The SMMT says that just one in six EV registrations in April were by general members of the public, with premium vehicle prices, range anxiety and a lack of public charging infrastructure hampering appetite. Higher energy costs have also played a part in making EVs less appealing in the last 18 months. Instead of private buyers, it is fleets and businesses that are driving an increase in EV sales, which is thanks to favourable taxation benefits. Battery electric vehicles currently make up just 15.7% share of all new car registrations in 2024 by the end of April. The slower than expected acceleration in EV uptake has forced the industry body to revise down its full-year forecast to less than 20% Under the ZEV mandate rules, major car makers need to sell a 22% share of EVs in 2024 - and an increasing share annually thereafter. Failure to meet these targets will result in hefty fines per vehicle below the threshold Martin Sander, general manager of Ford's electric car business, said earlier this month that the company could be forced to restrict sales of petrol cars in the UK to artificially boost the proportion of EV purchases. Under the rules of the mandate, manufacturers that fail to comply with the targets face fines of 15,000 for every non-ZEV car and 18,000 per non-ZEV van. Any excess non-ZEV sales can be covered by purchasing allowances from other manufacturers, using allowances from past or future trading periods during the initial years of the policy, or offsetting with credits. But ministers do not expect any businesses to face fines this year, as they will be able to use flexibilities such as purchasing credits from rival companies. Quentin Willson, former Top Gear host and founder of EV campaign group FairCharge, said: 'We need to give people a reason to buy these cars.' He called for 'inexpensive incentives' for owning an EV, such as free parking and being able to use bus lanes. Mr Willson warned that 'misinformation' is 'really putting people off' from buying an EV. He said: 'These cars are reliable, they don't catch fire, the batteries don't fail, they work. 'People are driving them happily.' Almost 315,000 EVs entered UK roads last year Last year, more than 314,000 new cars were registered with zero tailpipe emissions, an increase of 18 per cent according to the Vehicle Licensing Statistics released by the Department for Transport this week. As a share of all newly registered cars in 2023, those emitting nothing at the tailpipe came in at 16 per cent. While this is well below the ZEV mandate's challenging threshold, the AA believes the outlook for EV sales 'looks positive' and is on course to set a new record in 2024. More than 314,000 new cars were registered with zero tailpipe emissions in 2023 - that's an increase of 18% year-on-year. However, sales are accelerating at a slower pace than the industry predicted As part of its Motoring Manifesto, the motoring group has called on the Government to introduce fresh incentives to help people swap out of 'gross polluting cars'. This would include options such as an interest free loans or scrapping of VAT on new EV sales to support lower income households take part in the transition to electric cars. If strong incentives on EVs can be made, then the ZEV mandate will be smashed Jack Cousens, head of road policy at the AA The data released today also shows that the number of privately-owned diesel cars in London tumbled by 20.3% last year, with those in outer London down by 23.7 per cent. Across the UK, the number of privately-owned diesel cars was down by 3.2 per cent. However, the impact on the total car population in the capital was much less dramatic. While the total number of privately-owned cars increased across the UK, those in London fell by 1.6 per cent. The worst hit was inner London with a 1.8 per cent reduction. The SMMT and various motoring organisations and EV groups have called on ministers to launch fresh incentives to boost uptake of electric cars to make them more appealing to the public Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: 'These latest figures show that the appetite for electric and zero emission vehicles is there, but it is predominantly being led by those who are in company car schemes, or their employer offers a salary sacrifice scheme. 'If strong incentives on EVs can be made, then the ZEV mandate will be smashed. Manufacturers producing good offers as well as Government support, such as scrapping VAT on new EV sales, will help those with lower incomes play their part in the switch to zero emission driving. 'The demonisation of diesel vehicles in London, through measures like the Ultra Low Emission Zone and ramped-up parking charges, have slashed their numbers by more than a fifth. However, although there has been a decline in diesel vehicles across the UK, its superior fuel-efficiency ensures it is far from dead. 'Numbers of private cars in London are also falling, with those in the capital falling fastest in inner London. That in large part will be down to councils pushing up ownership costs through higher parking permit charges and other restrictions. Those car owners hardest hit will be in lower-income groups whose access to personal transport is now being squeezed.' Commenting on the decline in diesel sales, RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: 'Its good news from an air quality perspective that the number of diesel vehicles is at the lowest level since 2015.' Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky has delivered a sweetened takeover offer for Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services. The 370p-per-share offer, which values IDS at 3.5billion, follows a rejected bid of 320p per share last month. IDS chair Keith Williams told investors the board is 'minded to recommend' the offer, which he described as 'fair' and accurately reflecting 'the progress being made at Royal Mail to adapt the business to a significant fall in the demand for letters and growth in parcels'. Kretinsky, known as the Czech Sphinx, has privately made assurances that there would be no compulsory redundancies as part of his plans The offer values IDS shares at an eye-watering 72.7 per cent premium to their closing price on 16 April, before Kretinsky's EP Partners made the initial offer. IDS shares rose another 19.6 per cent to 324.6p in late afternoon trading on Wednesday. Royal Mail, which was privatised in 2013, is struggling with heavy losses and missed delivery targets. IDS has been begging Ofcom to 'accelerate' a review that would let it slash services and save cash. Williams continued: 'It is however regrettable that despite four years of asking, the Government has not seen fit to engage in reform of the Universal Service and thus improve our financial position and ensure that Royal Mail could provide an economically sustainable service to the British public. 'The board believes that the proposed contractual undertakings to be offered by EP Group should ensure that IDS continues to deliver the key elements of the Universal Service in the UK and protect the interests of the workforce at both Royal Mail and [North American and European parcel delivery service] GLS.' Kretinsky, known as the Czech Sphinx, has privately made assurances that there would be no compulsory redundancies as part of his plans following concerns raised by unions. He has also promised not to split up parent company International Distributions Services. Kretinsky, 48, already owns 27.5 per cent of IDS and co-owns West Ham United and holds a stake in Sainsbury's. A deal with EP Group would see Royal Mail taken into foreign ownership for the first time since it was established by Henry VIII in 1516. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt last month voiced concerns over the offer, saying there were lessons to be learned from the crisis at Thames Water. IDS told shareholders on Wednesday: 'The board has sought, and EP Group has agreed to offer as part of the proposal, a set of contractual undertakings to protect key public interest factors and recognise Royal Mail's status as a key part of national infrastructure. 'It is anticipated that the commitment to offer these contractual undertakings to the UK Government would be reflected in the cooperation agreement between the parties if a firm offer is made. 'Universal Service in the future, namely a one-price-goes-anywhere service for the entire United Kingdom and the continuance of six-day delivery for First Class letters, would be maintained. 'EP Group has agreed to offer contractual commitments to protect employees' current rights and continue to recognise the existing unions of both Royal Mail and GLS. The parties agree that Royal Mail's name and brand should be protected, and Royal Mail should remain headquartered and tax resident in the United Kingdom. 'While these and other aspects of Royal Mail's status as a key part of national infrastructure are ultimately the Government's responsibility to protect, the board feels a duty to raise these issues and seek to protect the public interest as well as the interests of employees before recommending a bid that would take IDS into private ownership.' British tech firm Raspberry Pi has said it will list on the London stock exchange in a much-needed boost for the City. The Cambridge business best known for selling computers to amateur coders and hobbyists has filed an intention to float and is expected to be valued at 500million. The announcement will fuel hopes the tide is starting to turn amid an exodus from the London stock market as companies are taken over by foreign buyers or list their shares elsewhere. Gambling giant Flutter, which owns Paddy Power and Betfair, will leave the FTSE 100 this month for New York. But the pipeline of potential floats in London includes fast-fashion chain Shein, high street stalwart Boots and diamond giant De Beers as well as Raspberry Pi. A piece of Pi? Raspberry Pi - best known for selling computers to amateur coders and hobbyists - aid it will list on the London stock exchange However, hopes of other high-profile listings have been dashed in recent years. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said Raspberry Pis plans were excellent and show the UK is open for business. Raspberry Pi, founded in 2008, makes products used by enthusiasts to make computer servers or retro games consoles. Profits rose from 16million to 30million in 2023. Co-founder and chief executive Eben Upton said it considered a New York listing but ultimately picked the UK. And despite concerns about the health of the London Stock Exchange (LSE), there is a sense that the tide might be turning. LSE chief Julia Hoggett last week said companies are waiting for new listing rules to kick. We are going through the biggest rewrites of our primary market rules in 40 years and some of the reason why we have seen companies defer is that they are waiting for that rule change, she said. Fast fashion firm Shein and Greek energy firm Mytilineos are considering a London listing. And there has been speculation about a Boots initial public offering (IPO), and Unilever floating its spun-off ice cream business in the UK. Anglo American is also said to be considering a London listing for its diamond business De Beers. Susannah Streeter, analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: There is now an end in sight to the IPO drought. Optimism breeds more confidence, and the recent record rally of the FTSE 100 has enveloped London in a fresh sheen of positivity. Royal Mail is just the latest British company to be targeted by foreign buyers this year with the value of bids from overseas topping 60billion. In one of the most dramatic days in the 508-year history of the postal service, parent company International Distribution Services (IDS) backed a takeover offer from Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky of 370p per share, or 3.5billion. The offer marked an increase of almost 16 per cent on the previous rejected bid of 320p put forward by the tycoons EP Group. And it takes the total value of bids on London-listed firms from overseas to more than 60billion this year, according to City broker Peel Hunt. Kretinsky known as the Czech Sphinx already owns 27.5 per cent of IDS and co-owns West Ham United FC and holds a stake in Sainsburys. Takeover target: Royal Mail parent company International Distribution Services backed an offer from Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky of 3.5bn IDS chairman Keith Williams said it was a fair price and reflected current growth plans and the progress being made. A deal with Kretinsky would see loss-making Royal Mail taken into foreign ownership for the first time since it was established by Henry VIII in 1516. However, while IDS shares soared 16 per cent, or 43.4p, to 314.8p, the price is still well below the 370p offer price, suggesting investors believe the deal may not go through. The swoop follows a string of takeovers in 2024 with packaging group DS Smith, telecoms testing company Spirent Communications and haulage firm Wincanton among those falling to overseas bidders. Last month cyber-security group Darktrace backed a 4.2billion takeover by US private equity firm Thoma Bravo. But some companies, although targeted by foreigners, have been putting up a fight. Anglo American has rebuffed two offers from Australian miner BHP, while Currys and Direct Line have defended themselves from bids. In a further act of defiance, FTSE 250 Wood Group was the latest to snub a takeover push from Dubai rival Sidara. The industrial engineering group yesterday turned down a 1.5billion offer, worth 212p per share, just a week after rejecting Sidaras first 1.2billion offer. But the assault on UK plc has fuelled concerns that British companies are undervalued and face a feeding frenzy of merger and acquisition activity. A further concern is the lack of companies joining the stock market through initial public offerings (IPOs). One analyst even warned that the London stock market was facing a death by a thousand cuts as listed firms bow to foreign takeovers. But City analysts have suggested that IDS, which also owns Netherlands-based parcels business GLS, which is profitable, has managed to secure a decent sweetened deal considering its complex past. Danni Hewson, analyst at AJ Bell, said: Once you factor in all the baggage that comes with IDS, that feels like a fair price and it is hard to see anyone else rushing to trump that offer. But she added: The fact the shares are trading nowhere near the 370p offer price implies the market has little faith it will get over the line. Royal Mail has been on a mission to reform the Universal Service Obligation, which means it must deliver letters nationwide for the same price every day except Sunday. Williams blasted ministers for failing to allow reform of the Royal Mail to take place, leaving it vulnerable to a takeover. It is regrettable that despite four years of asking, the Government has not seen fit to engage in reform of the Universal Service and thus improve our financial position and ensure that Royal Mail could provide an economically sustainable service to the British public, he said. They were well known for their philanthropy, a fascination with science, architecture and modern technology and patronage of the arts. In the early years of their marriage, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were also keen artists, etching their children, pets and literary scenes, at Windsor Castle and Claremont, where they had a retreat from the bustle of court. Now it has emerged that they were strong feminists, patronising a number of emerging female artists throughout their reign. Sculptors Mary Thornycroft, Susan Durant and Henrietta Montalaba and painters Helen Cordelia Angell and Elizabeth Butler all benefited from their support. Their work is being displayed in forthcoming exhibition Now You See Us: Women Artists in Britain 1520 1920, which examines work by female artists from the Tudor Court until the First World War. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were well known for their philanthropy, a fascination with science, architecture and modern technology and patronage of the arts Now it has emerged that they were strong feminists, patronising a number of emerging female artists throughout their reign. Above: A work by female sculptor Susan Durant, who was supported by Victoria and Albert Curator Tabitha Barber said: 'What has become apparent during the research for Tate Britain's new exhibition Now You See Us, is the extent to which the British royals have been supportive patrons to women artists through history. 'Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were particularly avid collectors of art by women, buying and commissioning works from contemporary artists of the period. 'Their patronage demonstrates that many women were working as professional artists in Britain in the nineteenth century, something that might surprise people today. 'Victoria and Albert's royal support was crucial in helping build the professional profiles of these women artists, helping to establish their names, exhibit their works and command higher prices, making some of them quite famous! 'Yet many still faced challenges in their working lives, and so it's by looking closely at their careers that we start to get a fuller picture of what it was like to be a woman artist in this period.' When Elizabeth Butler's painting of the British cavalry at Crimea, 'Calling the Roll after an Engagement, Crimea', better known as the Roll Call, was exhibited at the Royal Academy, it caused such a sensation that it needed a police guard The charge of the Scots Greys at Waterloo, 18 June 1815. The attack by the Royal Scots Greys cavalry regiment on the French 45th infantry was immortalised in this famous painting of 1881 by Lady Elizabeth Butler Butler was one of the few female painters to achieve fame for history paintings. She died in 1933 Sculptor Mary Thornycroft was a special favourite of Victoria and Albert, creating a series of works of their nine children and grandchildren for the couple's birthday and Christmas presents. Trained by her father John Francis, who was Prince Albert's sculptor, she came to Royal attention when her father took her sculpture Orphan Flower Girl to Windsor for inspection. Married to one of her father's students Thomas Thornycroft, she created busts, life-size sculptures of the children's hands, arms and feet as well as full-length depictions of the children in allegorical roles. She was captured for posterity, alongside her sculpture of Princess Helena as 'Peace', which was displayed at Osborne House, by renowned photographer Roger Fenton. She also portrayed Princess Louise as 'Plenty', Prince Leopold as a 'Fisher Boy' and Prince Arthur as a 'Hunter'. The Arts Journal claimed that if there were an official position of sculptor to the Queen existed, Mrs Thornycroft would be the holder. 'Victoria herself was a keen artist, albeit not a practicing professional,' added the curator, 'whilst her daughter, Princess Louise trained as a sculptor under Mary Thornycroft and attended art school.' Another favourite of the Royal couple was Princess Louise's tutor Susan Durant, who exhibited her portrait busts and subject reliefs at the Royal Academy and the Society of Female Artists. Equally popular with the Royal couple was the watercolourist Helen Cordelia Angell, who was appointed Flower Painter in Ordinary to Queen Victoria Princess Helena as Peace, 1856, by Mary Thornycroft. Thornycroft was a special favourite of Victoria and Albert, creating a series of works of their nine children and grandchildren for the couple's birthday and Christmas presents She studied in Paris and England with the French sculptor Baron Henri de Triqueti, who became her lover: she had a son Paul born out of wedlock, in 1869. One of her most well-known works was a marble bust of American author and abolitionist, Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, and was a keen supporter of female suffrage. The third sculptor to benefit from Royal patronage was Henrietta Montalaba, who came from a family of prominent artists: her three sisters Clara, Ellen and Hilda, were all painters. She trained at the National Art Training School in London's South Kensington now the Royal College of Art alongside Princess Louise, later Duchess of Argyll, and they became lifelong friends. She was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy. One critic described her portrait busts as 'memorable' and 'rare triumphs' that stood out among the work of her contemporaries. Equally popular with the Royal couple was the watercolourist Helen Cordelia Angell, who was appointed Flower Painter in Ordinary to Queen Victoria. A supreme painter of flowers, birds and fruit, she exhibited at the Royal Academy and was a rare female member of both the Royal Watercolour Society and the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colour. Known for her skill and accuracy, her work was constantly compared to that of William Henry Hunt - or 'Bird's Nest' Hunt - considered the leading artist of the genre and he himself regarded Angell as his 'only successor'. Venetian Boy Catching a Crab, by Henrietta Skerrett, 1892-3. The work is on display in the new exhibition Susan Durant's 1853 depiction of Harriet Beecher Stowe. Durant was Princess Louise's tutor However, there was one painting which set the Queen on a collision course with her son, the Prince of Wales and future King Edward VII. When Elizabeth Butler's painting of the British cavalry at Crimea, 'Calling the Roll after an Engagement, Crimea', better known as the Roll Call, was exhibited at the Royal Academy, it caused such a sensation that it needed a police guard. The artist had submitted her painting to the hanging committee with trepidation and was astonished to hear they had commended it with a round of 'huzzahs' and hung it 'on the line'. Academicians offered their congratulations, and the Prince of Wales wanted to buy it from its commissioner, the Manchester industrialist Charles Galloway. But both men reluctantly ceded it to Queen Victoria. Now You See Us: Women Artists in Britain 1520 - 1920 runs at Tate Britain from May 16 to October 13. Have you been impacted by casinos on cruise ships? Olivia.Day@mailonline.com The shocking death of a father-of-three who fell from a cruise liner after racking up debts in the ship's casino has sparked calls for government intervention into gambling practices in international waters. Shane Dixon, 50, plunged to his death from the P&O cruise ship Pacific Adventure just after 4am on May 6 as it approached Sydney Harbour. His family believes he panicked after the consequences of an outstanding $4,000 debt from the ship's casino began to sink in. He had also run up $5000 losses at the gambling tables the night before, which his mother, who was travelling with him, had stepped in to cover. 'His brain was probably going 100 miles an hour. He probably thought, "s***, I've done it again, I can't afford it and I can't ask mum for more money",' Shane's brother Scott Dixon told Daily Mail Australia. The CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform Carol Bennett said the reports on Shane's case raised important issues that must be addressed. She said ships must have a duty of care to their customers. Shane Dixon, 50, is pictured with his mother Sue Dixon - who saved up to take them on the ship Shane died after falling from P&O's Pacific Adventure cruise ship on May 6 'It's really concerning that when a ship sails 12 nautical miles off the coast it can then allow anything and everything to happen,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'The rules that might apply on land no longer seem to apply and yet you would expect this cruise line would have some kind of duty of care to ensure that people are not plied with inducements, promotions and advertisements that are pushing them to gamble to extremely harmful levels. 'It is just beyond belief that there is not an expectation that when a cruise ship leaves a dock that the rules of that jurisdiction apply. CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform Carol Bennett is pictured 'But clearly that's not the case and we leave it all in the hands of the cruise line operator who may or may not apply the responsible service of gambling.' She said if Shane had been offered inducements the operator needed to bear the responsibility of the 'appalling breach of duty of care'. Scott said his mother and brother had been having a good time on the Elvis-themed cruise before Shane entered the casino. Ahead of the holiday, Scott said his brother was struggling both financially and with the breakdown of his marriage and deaths of their brother and father. 'Mum said they were having fun, everything was good. But the casino - they use all of these incentives to tell people, "Come back, come back",' he said. In Australia, strict laws govern how gaming providers can advertise gambling. Promotions such as giving patrons free booze, gambling vouchers and prizes to encourage them to spend are all banned. However, cruise ships that operate casinos in international waters can bypass these regulations - offering a lucrative loophole to the rules. Punters also don't need to pay upfront and can charge what they gamble straight on to their room bill - making it easier to spend and harder to track. Ms Bennett said it was 'fundamental' that gamblers were able to set spend limits, self-exclude themselves and be in an environment free of inducements. A promotional voucher offered by P&O to casino players, urging them to 'come back and play' 'This is just basic harm reduction that any provider or organisation that is providing gambling services should be complying with,' she said. 'And if they're not, we need to really seriously think about what governments need to do to address this problem because you do wonder how widespread this is. 'This could be just the tip of the iceberg.' Ms Bennett said Australia loses an estimated $25billion on legal forms of gambling each year and that the consequences are far-reaching. 'It leads to everything from domestic and family violence to health and mental health issues, anxiety, depression, financial distress, right through to suicide,' she said. 'It is a huge and to some degree hidden problem in Australia, which is why we need stronger enforcement of safeguards and guardrails around gambling that don't see people led into a situation where they see no other way out but suicide.' She said because the government accepts large amounts of revenue from the gambling industry the devastating impacts could be 'swept under the carpet'. 'I think most people would be pretty appalled to know that there are no rules here, that we allow this situation to happen and it's not taken seriously enough, not only by our governments, but by these companies who have a duty of care and just don't consider that it's something they should be taking seriously,' she said. 'These are peoples lives. For every person who gambles, there are six people around them who are going to be directly impacted.' Shane Dixon, 50, plunged to his death from the P&O cruise ship Pacific Adventure just after 4am on May 6 as the vessel approached Sydney Harbour Labor backbencher Graham Perrett said the British cruise line most likely operated under the UK's gambling laws. 'My understanding is that the UK gambling laws are not dissimilar to ours in terms of marketing and advertising,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'It's not just a gambling free-for-all, even if they are outside our territorial seas they still have to follow the laws of the UK.' Labor backbencher Graham Perrett Mr Perrett said operators needed to communicate to their customers that once they were in international waters 'they're not in Kansas anymore'. 'If a company is engaging with Australian customers they should make people aware of the fact that things change when you move from 12 nautical miles to even 24 nautical miles away from land,' he said. 'I would respectfully suggest people be aware of what laws would apply in terms of investigating the death of Mr Dixon or others if they get into trouble. 'When it comes to the Australian government talking to the UK government there isn't a problem as we've got good connections between these two legal systems. 'But it can become more complicated in what they call a multiplicity of jurisdictions.' A high-roller who is a member of P&O Cruises' casinos VIP program, the Players Club, said the strategies used to promote gambling are 'predatory'. While he always plans what he spends and only takes cash, he said the methods used would be hard to resist for people who struggle with gambling addiction. 'They are essentially offshore casinos that come and pick people up from shore and take them out to international waters to gamble,' the man, who wished to remain anonymous, told Daily Mail Australia. Pictured: Photos of the ill-fated trip that Shane posted online before he boarded the cruise 'They provide players with very generous incentives to return which wouldn't be legal in Australia, including unlimited drinks where RSA does not apply. 'If you don't have the means to pay and you have an issue, there is no one to stop you so you can rack up a large amount of debt. 'Then they close them down as the ship returns to shore, because they can't legally operate them in Australia.' A P&O spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia it would be inappropriate to comment on the tragic death of a guest while a coroner's investigation is carried out. 'We have Responsible Conduct of Gaming Policies in place on all P&O ships and take those policies seriously,' she said. 'We are cooperating fully with the coroner's investigation.' For confidential support 24/7 call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 For gambling support 24/7 call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 The disturbing messages, posted online, show Miller, 44, was undeterred by his sister-in-law's objections, challenging her to 'call the cops' Mica Miller's pastor husband sent a series of disturbing text messages intimidating and threatening his wife and her family during a bitter argument, nearly two years before their marriage broke down, DailyMail.com can reveal. John-Paul Miller, 44, even warned that he was on his way to her sister's home 'armed' and 'ready' in November 2022 bombarding them with bizarre texts in the early hours. The messages, posted online by Mica's sister Sierra Francis, come after Mica, 30, was found dead in Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on April 27 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. She was revealed to have taken her own life days after serving Miller with divorce papers, and officials have ruled her death a suicide. But Mica's friends and family have since urged authorities to investigate her death further while publicly calling for 'justice for Mica' and local cops have brought in the FBI to help. Now, unearthed messages seen by DailyMail.com reveal new details of the breakdown of the couple's marriage in the 18 months before their split, as well as Miller's threats to get Mica's sister-in-law Victoria fired from her teaching job in February of this year. Mica Miller's sister Sierra (left) shared a series of disturbing texts from her estranged husband during an altercation between the couple in 2022 The unearthed texts show Mica had gone to visit her sister while she and her pastor husband John-Paul Miller were having 'issues' in late 2022 Messages show Miller sent a text to Sierra saying he was on her way to her house, where Mica was staying in November 2022 In one tense exchange from November 17, 2022, Miller a pastor at Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach told his sister-in-law that he was on his way to her house, where Mica was visiting, and would be arriving at 1am. The texts show him challenging Sierra, saying, 'you can call the cops' after she warned that he wouldn't be allowed in their home. He responded by saying: 'I'm armed. I'm ready. Mica can fix all of this', to which Sierra replied: 'THIS doesn't help anything. Threats and intimidation only make matters worse'. The disgraced pastor said: 'I don't care (idc) Driving. Can't text. Thanks'. He was then told if he stayed home then the cops wouldn't be called, but Miller responded 'Hahaha'. It is unclear what triggered the altercation, but messages show Miller alluding to 'one' particular incident that had occurred a month earlier. 'All of this started because of one bad decision a month ago in Columbia', he whined. 'If I could turn back time I would. We had the greatest marriage in the world up until that one wrong choice. 'It can continue down that path or we can have an amazing marriage once again. The choice is yours'. A 911 call obtained by NewsNation also revealed that Sierra did contact authorities after receiving the messages and can be heard telling officers that Mica came to visit because the couple were having 'issues'. She added that Miller has 'six guns that he purchased recently', and that he said he would 'keep them up all night' in order to get her back. In the text messages, Miller went on to bargain with Mica through her sister, begging her to come home and promising to take off the rest of the year, go to counseling and travel to Iceland. In one chilling message, Miller warned Sierra that he was 'armed' and 'ready' and insisting that Mica 'can fix all of this' It is unclear what triggered the altercation, but messages show Miller alluding to 'one' particular 'bad' incident that occurred a month earlier Screenshots also show the bombardment of messages Miller sent to Mica directly, with one claiming that his 'blood' was on her He added: 'I also desperately want a child with you. I'm just scared of this. This is the only reason I wouldn't. I'm scared of divorce or putting the child through things like this where you leave and aren't willing to do whatever it takes.' Screenshots also show the bombardment of messages he sent to Mica directly, who had him saved as 'Honey Baby' in her phone. One chilling message said: 'My blood is on you, and my kids will know. All you had to do was come home to me. But you don't even care that much about me.' Miller continued to bombard Sierra, calling Mica a 'f***ing b***h' after she 'tried to get him arrested'. He claimed everything Mica owned was in the back of his truck, giving her the options of it being dumped at Sierra's home or in the trash. 'There is nothing left inside of the house that has any attachment to her. She can choose where she wants it if she calls me', he said. Less than seven hours later he sent another message begging for forgiveness saying: 'If she comes home today, tell her I'm sorry. So Sorry. I'll do whatever it takes.' Sierra hit back at Miller, telling him his 'brain is playing tricks' on him, and that Mica 'didn't leave him', adding: 'If you unblock her you can tell her yourself'. Miller then sent another stream of messages, saying: 'Biblically when your spouse needs you nothing else should come before that'. Text exchanges between John Paul Miller and Sierra in November 2022 He promised to take her on a $3,000 vacation to Asheville, North Carolina, if she returned home, along with a 'list' of how to make their marriage better. It ended with: 'If she actually cares she will do exactly what God wants. And do whatever it takes to make it work. 'You win! I'll allow you to completely destroy me, continue to hurt me, and will (sic) I'm hurt you leave. But I'll still beg for you back and do whatever if takes if you will come home. 'You'll never find another man who loves you enough to do whatever it takes after you treat him the way you treated me,' he added. As well as the stream of threatening and bizarre messages, the trove of information posted on social media by Sierra also accused Miller of getting Mica's sister-in-law fired from her teaching job at Faith First Academy. The school, which was set up by Miller's Solid Rock Ministries, accused Mica's brother Nathaniel Francis, 32, of posting 'ungodly and strife-filled' messages online. Nathaniel's wife Victoria, 31, was also accused of writing on Miller's social media that his and Mica's page was 'hacked, knowing that they are in the process of healing'. The unearthed texts also unveiled Miller's threats to get Mica's sister-in-law Victoria Francis (right with Mica) fired from her teaching job in February of this year The school, which was set up by Miller's Solid Rock Ministries', accused Mica's brother Nathaniel Francis, 32, of posting 'ungodly and strife-filled' messages online and his wife Victoria, 31, of writing messages on a employee's Facebook page An email sent out by Kristen Fazio, principal of the school, stated that Victoria 'declined' to rise to the 'Biblical standards' set by the school so she was let go It went on to say: 'This type of behavior is not tolerated and could jeopardize your employment.' A text message from John Paul to Nathaniel around the same time asked him to remove his comments 'or it could affect your wife's job'. He sent another to Mica calling her 'First Lady' on February 21 of this year warning that Victoria 'may lose her job', because of the social media posts her family had posted 'about him. 'And she's a great teacher. The best! So let's believe God's Word for all of us', Miller added. An email written on February 22 this year, a day after Miller's messages to Mica, shows that Victoria was fired for failing to remove the 'sinful' posts. 'It saddens us that you don't love your students and job enough to simply remove a social media post', the email read. 'For those reasons above, you are fired as a teacher from Faith First Academy.' Miller is accused in court documents of grooming Mica (pictured during her first marriage) for years before they wed, committing her to hospital to steal her car, and cheating on his first wife with underage churchgoers Miller was seen breaking cover during a visit to his attorney's office last week, in the wake of his wife's suicide which came just 48 hours after he was served 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 A second email sent out by Kristen Fazio, principal of the school, stated that Victoria 'declined' to rise to the 'Biblical standards' set by the school so she was let go. Faith First Academy did not respond to requests for comment on the termination by DailyMail.com. It comes after Robeson County Sheriff's department confirmed that in the early stages of the investigation they had reached out to the FBI and US Attorney's office for help in probing Mica's death. In a statement the department said: 'Based on the information gathered during the investigation and jurisdiction reasons, the Sheriff's Office has requested the assistance of both agencies. When contacted by DailyMail.com, the FBI office in Columbia, South Carolina, confirmed that they had been in contact with Robeson County Sheriffs office but could not give any further information. The investigation continues to surround Miller's husband John-Paul after it was revealed earlier Monday that he penned a poisonous email to his estranged wife before her death saying he wanted to 'attack and cause pain'. Weeks prior, she shared a video speaking about abuse within marriage and her family claimed her husband had harassed her and she was 'afraid for her life' In an emotional Facebook video shared on March 22 (pictured) Mica offered her support to victims of abuse, reminding them that they 'don't have to stay' She urged her friends and followers to share her message with anyone struggling to reconcile their faith with their abusive relationships John-Paul Miller is accused in court documents of grooming Mica for years before they wed, committing her to hospital to steal her car, and cheating on his first wife with underage churchgoers. In affidavits filed by Mica's family, they express their concern over her relationship with Miller who has been described as a 'wolf in sheep's clothing' and a 'false prophet' by those who know him. The pastor gave an emotional 20-minute speech at a memorial service at Solid Rock Church on May 5. Weeks before her death, Mica had shared a video speaking about abuse within marriage as claims emerged that she was being harassed and was 'afraid for her life'. 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.' If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) The Chinese Communist Party paid for multiple trips to China for small-town Iowa high schoolers who exchanged letters with President Xi Jinping and praised the country and its leader. Shocking correspondence exclusively reviewed by DailyMail.com reveals lengthy emails between public school officials in Muscatine, Iowa, and Chinese government officials to coordinate several field trips to the Asian country. One Chinese language teacher who helped organize a previously reported January 2024 trip to China informed the Muscatine Community School District officials that the journey for 24 students would be fully paid for by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). 'The trip is fully funded by the Chinese government, and our students are there as guests of Chinas Minister of Education, Huai Jinpeng,' the school disclosed. But that was not the only trip, according to documents obtained by the nonprofit Parents Defending Education. Another batch of Muscatine High School students, this time 32 in total in addition to eight teachers, again visited China just last month. On January 10, the China Daily reported that Xi extended a personal invitation the the students and staff from Muscatine High School to come visit China Further, email correspondence between Muscatine administrators reviewed by DailyMail.com indicates that a third trip to China is tentatively scheduled for Muscatine students in October. 'In the past few days, the Chinese consulate has been in contact with me regarding the upcoming China trip,' the Chinese language teacher wrote to fellow administrators. 'We have been invited by the Ministry of Education of China to visit at the end of January.' 'You're all invited and China will cover all of the costs,' the note continued. Days later, two dozen Muscatine High School students were flown to China for a eight day trip flush with visits to the Great Wall of China and the Chinese Ministry of Education. It is unclear whether the Chinese government paid for the April trip or if it will pay for Muscatine students to visit the country during an upcoming October trip. Administrators with Muscatine High School and Muscatine Community School District did not immediately return DailyMail.com's requests for comment. In February, Chinese state-run TV outlet CCTV visited Muscatine High School to interview students about their trip. Students heaped praise on the country, with a group of them telling the outlet 'I love you, China.' The students also sang a song celebrating Chinese President Xi Jinping for helping them visit the country. 'Thank you Grandpa Xi,' one student said in mandarin, before adding 'China is vast and beautiful.' The official invitation came three days later on January 13, and by January 22, 24 students and four staff members were on a plane to China Photos posted by the Muscatine Community School District show the group did activities such as visiting Fudan University and learned about ancient Chinese paper and writing Muscatine High School in Muscatine, Iowa, boasts 1500 students, at least 50 of which have traveled to China this year 'The Chinese Communist Party wants the next generation of American leaders to be amenable to its political aims and willing to dismiss the plethora of atrocities it's committed, including genocide,' investigative fellow at Parents Defending Education Alex Nester told DailyMail.com. 'American schools are playing right into the CCP's hands,' she continued. ''All expenses paid' does not mean 'free' when we're talking about the communist regime in China.' 'The CCP has openly stated that infiltrating the American education system is a top priority,' Nester told DailyMail.com. 'Adults need to wake up and realize what's really happening under their watch.' Democrat Rep. Raja Krisnamoorthi of Illinois also expressed skepticism over the CCP-funded field trip. 'I would just caution them about being used as props by Xi Jinping or anyone else,' he told DailyMail.com, adding Xi wants to use Americans as 'props.' Though, he added, the U.S. is a 'free country' and citizens can decide on their own whether or not to visit the country. The quickly-planned January trip to China came after Sarah Lande, 85, of Muscatine, sent a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping taking him up on an offer he made to host American students in remarks during the November Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. The Chinese president said at the time he aims to bring 50,000 American students to Asian country in the next five years. Lande, who Xi refers to as an 'old friend,' wrote the president a letter asking him to include students from Muscatine in the 50,000 foreign exchange students he said he would like to host in the next five years. The elderly Iowan has a longstanding relationship with the Chinese leader dating back to 1985 when she hosted him and other Chinese officials visiting the midwest. The unlikely pair met again in Muscatine in 2012 - when Jinping was vice president - to celebrate their friendship and his journey to the state decades before. Xi fell in love with Iowa during his 1985 visit as a 32-year-old leading the Hebei Shikiazhuang Prefecture Corn Processing delegation on a 12-day visit to rural Iowa. They toured farms and manufacturing facilities during their research into American food production systems. Chinese President Xi Jinping responded to Lande's January letter informing her that he would be happy to host students from Muscatine - and later that month the school made their first visit to the country. In this handout provided by the Iowa Governor's office, Vice President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China sits with Sarah and Roger Lande (R) February 15, 2012 in Muscatine, Iowa In 1985, Lande helped coordinate a visit to Muscatine for a delegation headed by Xi, then an up-and-coming official in a hog-farming region of Hebei province Xi fell in love with Iowa during his 1985 visit as a 32-year-old leading the Hebei Shikiazhuang Prefecture Corn Processing delegation on a 12 -day visit to rural Iowa At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco in November Xi expressed a desire to host American students in his country While visiting in January, Muscatine students wrote a letter to Jinping, according to emails reviewed by DailyMail.com. Surprisingly, the Chinese president responded and thanked the students for their note. Previously, Parents Defending Education published a report indicating that the Chinese government was investing millions in public schools across the country. The report said that the close coordination between the CCP and U.S. schools to establish Confucius Classrooms has historically included 143 school districts in 34 states and Washington, D.C. In addition, at least seven contracts are still active in Texas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington. The report called 'Little Red Classrooms' reveals that $17 million has been funneled from CCP-connected financial institutions into U.S. K-12 schools, through Confucius Institutes and other cultural and language programs. It also states that the CCP has 'ties to school districts near 20 U.S. military bases' and three of the nation's top science and technology high schools have been infiltrated. Others say the extra housing will benefit families and benefit Some residents are concerned the development would be too big for the area Residents are divided over plans to turn a supermarket on a 10-acre plot of land into a new 'town', with 1,500 homes. Asda is working with developer Barratt London to convert its existing Park Royal site in north-west London into a new superstore, with a 400-space customer car park, hundreds of affordable homes, and scope for new restaurants, shops and health facilities. A 'large number' of the apartments will be built above the store. But some locals told MailOnline the development would be too big for the area. Others cited concerns that none of the homes will have its own parking space - with Asda encouraging residents to use public transport instead. An artist's impression of the proposed new Asda store, complete with accommodation and 'town centre' space, in Park Royal, north-west London Plans for the development have not yet been submitted to the council, but Asda said they hope to provide 1,500 homes - though none of them will come with a parking space The current 10-acre site in Park Royal, north-west London. Asda plans to build a new superstore, as well as 400-space customer car park and 1,500 homes The proposal to expand on the existing 10-acre site is subject to planning approval, although bosses expect the proposal to land on council desks by the end of the year It is understood Barratt London will acquire the freehold to Asda's Park Royal site, although the price has not been confirmed Local resident Bella O'Connor, 58, said: 'For me, I think 1,500 (homes) is too many. 'I'm already always running late around here because of the traffic. I can't imagine what it will be like with that many more people.' Caroline O'Malley, who works in the area, said: 'I'm unsure how I feel about it as there are already a lot of high-rises around here. 'We need housing for people of course - but the traffic here is already terrible. I'm sure it will only get worse.' Sarah Raja, however, who also lives nearby, thought the plans were a good idea. The 43-year-old said: 'We desperately need more homes in London so I think this is a positive thing. 'Especially if some of them are going to be affordable, I think that's really important. 'We all talk about needing more housing so why not here?' Zavar Remezan, manager at Aroza Cafe, saw the new homes as 'a win for everyone'. 'I think it's a good thing,' he said. 'There will be more people with a roof over their heads, and more people around to liven up the area. Bella O'Connor said she thought 1,500 homes was 'too many'. She said: 'I'm already always running late around here because of the traffic. I can't imagine what it will be like with that many more people' Zavar Remezan, manager at neabry Aroza Cafe, said the new homes would be 'a win for everyone', who would 'liven up the area' 'There's also the exciting prospect of new customers for us. 'So I'd call it a win for everyone.' Local business owners see the benefits to the new plans too. Bratik Patel, 42, who runs family-owned restaurant Spice Shack, said: 'I'd say having more people in the area will be good for business. 'Currently, this is a really industrial rather than residential area, so most of our customers at the moment come from Deliveroo and UberEats. 'We used to be really busy at lunch and get lots of business from office workers, but that's all changed since Covid. 'So, having more residents will definitely be a positive thing for our business.' Mr Patel said that traffic could be an issue - but added that it depends on how many new residents have cars. He explained: 'Traffic is a nightmare around here so adding to that wouldn't be good, but I know a lot of these new-builds are car free so if that's the case, it won't be an issue.' Demetrios Demetriou, who has owned nearby Cafe Royal since 1990, also thought the proposals could help business - but said he thought most customers would come during the building process. He explained: 'Currently, people who live in flats around here aren't really our customers - most prefer to cook at home. 'But as it's an industrial area, we get business from workers at nearby offices and sites. Father and son Iacovos Demetriou (left) and Demetrios Demetriou from Cafe Royal said they thought the construction process would be good for business Bratik Patel, owner of nearby Spice Shack, said he hoped having more residents will lead to a greater number of lunchtime customers 'So I'd say the best part for us will be the construction process, as builders are always good customers.' The 57-year-old also thought Asda's Park Royal site was a good spot for the new homes. 'There are already a lot of tower blocks around here so I don't see how one more can hurt,' he said. His son Iacovos Demetriou, 29, had a similar viewpoint. 'It'll be good for us business-wise, and it will be good for people who need housing - as that's obviously a real problem in London at the moment,' he said. 'The area makes sense too. It's been really industrial for a while, but they're slowly trying to make it more residential. 'But parking could be an issue, as there's already not a lot of space around here.' The proposal is subject to planning approval, although bosses expect the proposal to land on council desks by the end of the year. The scheme includes 'creating a new town centre for the local community', Asda said. Ian Lawrence, Head of Mixed-Use Developments at Asda, said: 'Asda's venture into mixed-use property redevelopment marks a significant milestone for the business. 'By working with leading developers like Barratt London, we are able to maximise the full potential of our property portfolio for the first time. 'This allows us the opportunity to better serve local communities like Park Royal, with a new flagship store fit for the future, whilst creating windfall sites for Housing delivery. 'We are also unlocking further opportunities to release value from our extensive property portfolio, which can be reinvested back into the business to fund other initiatives and support our long-term growth ambition to become the UK's second largest supermarket chain.' It is the latest example of supermarkets selling their property to developers, and comes as Asda battles to cut costs while facing a 4.2billion debt pile. It is understood Barratt London will acquire the freehold to Asda's Park Royal site, although the price has not been confirmed. As a condition of this deal, they will build a new 60,000 sq ft store on the existing site which will then be leased back to Asda on a 999-year leasehold, charged at a peppercorn rent. Locals have slammed John Lewis' plans to build a 24-storey block of flats dubbed 'Waitrose Tower' above a store in south London Last year retail giant John Lewis' plans for a 24-storey block of flats on top of a Waitrose store in Bromley, south London, prompted a series of objections from residents amid concerns about its size. One resident said: 'The proposed development is obscene. Grossly out of keeping with the town and setting a dreadful precedent for future schemes. 'Other smaller developments further up Masons Hill are perfectly acceptable but the Waitrose Tower is not.' But John Lewis said there was 'an opportunity to make better use of a town centre, brownfield site to deliver more for the community, which we have been part of for 27 years'. Asda is owned by billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa, who were born in Blackburn, Lancashire, after their parents moved to the UK from India. But rumours of a rift emerged between the two after Mohsin left Shamim, his wife of 30 years, after striking up a romantic relationship with Victoria Price, a successful accountant. Mohsin (left) and Zuber (right) Issa purchased Asda in 2021. A year later, they agreed to buy the Co-op group's petrol stations for 600million A retired Fettes College teacher was lured to his death after being catfished on a gay dating app by a man who stole thousands of pounds from him and spent it on a trip to Blackpool, a court heard. Peter Coshan, 75, a retired biology teacher, was reported missing by friends in August 2022 and his younger lover, Paul McNaughton, 29, pleaded guilty last year to murder and perverting the course of justice. Paul Black, 65, is on trial at the High Court in Edinburgh where he denies murder and 17 other charges including stealing a total of 50,000 from Mr Coshan between September 2021 and June 2022, and disposing of his body in Northumberland. Giving evidence, McNaughton told the court how he and Black planned to murder Mr Coshan. McNaughton said: 'Both of us decided something was going to happen when he came through the front door, he was going to be suffocated with a plastic bag put over his head.' Paul Black, 65, is accused of murdering Peter Coshan (pictured), a former Fettes College biology teacher, at his flat in Leith on August 11 or 12 2022, before allegedly dumping his body near a layby in Northumberland McNaughton told Edinburgh High Court (above) how he would kill Coshan: 'Both of us decided something was going to happen when he came through the front door, he was going to be suffocated with a plastic bag put over his head.' Paul Black, 65, is on trial at the High Court in Edinburgh where he denies murder and 17 other charges including stealing a total of 50,000 from Mr Coshan between September 2021 and June 2022, and disposing of his body in Northumberland. Pictured: Police searching for Peter Coshan's body in August 2022 McNaughton told the court he was 'fed up' with messages from Mr Coshan and set up a profile on Gaydar on July 26 2022, using a picture of 'random off the internet' and claimed it was planned 'a couple of days before Peter was murdered'. He added: 'We had decided to get Peter to come to Paul's house then we were going to do it. 'I was fed up with having to keep doing sexual favours and not getting anything from it. 'There were text messages on my phone which the police have got, saying I had to do sexual favours for a year or he was going to go to police and say I'd stolen the money.' McNaughton told the court he was living with Black - whom sometimes he referred to as Joe - for five or six months in 2022, before being arrested on suspicion of murder on August 16. Appearing from custody in HMP Edinburgh, McNaughton said he moved in with Black as he struggled to find a landlord who would accept a dog and a cat, and that he slept in the living room on the sofa-bed of the one-bed, ground floor flat in Seafield Road, Leith. McNaughton told the court he met Mr Coshan through Gaydar, which he described as a 'hook-up app' around a year before, and said: 'He offered me money for sexual favours.' He said he gained access to Mr Coshan's savings accounts without his knowledge, after finding handwritten bank details beside a computer and admitted knowing that 102,000 was in the accounts. Police activity in the village of Kirkwhelpington off the A696 in Northumberland, as forensic officers examine the area where a body has been found in the search for retired teacher Peter Coshan Black is charged with having made contact with the retired biology teacher on Gaydar and WhatsApp and is said to have lured him to the property on Seafield Road, where he allegedly subjected him to a murderous assault. Pictured: Police searching for Peter Coshan's body in August 2022 On September 2021, 8,000 was transferred from Mr Coshan's bank account without his knowledge, and McNaughton told the court that Black spoke to the bank 'because Joe sounds a lot older, so obviously he could speak to these people on the phone'. Two days later, McNaughton transferred a total of 30,000 from Mr Coshan's account, and said he went on a trip to Blackpool with Black, after the initial theft. Advocate depute John Keenan KC said: 'What happened to the 8,000?' McNaughton said: 'It got spent, by me and Paul Black. We went to Blackpool. Joe knew it came from Mr Coshan's bank, because I had said to him.' He added: 'I think we were just talking about it then called up the bank to see if it would work and it did work, then Mr Black went into the bank to collect the money. 'We just spoke about it, we were sitting one morning having a coffee.' McNaughton told the court when Mr Coshan realised the money was missing, he sent him a message, then blocked him and unblocked him. The court heard that in June 2022, a further 15,000 and 17,000 were taken from Mr Coshan's account without his knowledge. McNaughton told the court when Mr Coshan realised, he demanded sexual favours for a year, in return. Giving evidence, he said: 'I received a text message from Peter. It said basically he knew I had took the money so he wasn't giving me any more money for up to a year. He said he had to do sexual favours for a year to clear the money that was due to him.' Mr Keenan said: 'In any event, what you came to learn at that point was that Peter wasn't going to give you any more money.' McNaughton said: 'No, he was still giving me money. He said he wasn't giving me any more money, but he still did give me money.' McNaughton admitted sending an associate an image of a balaclava and making a reference to 102,000 - which the court heard was the amount in Mr Coshan's bank account. The trial, before Judge Lord Scott, continues. A magistrate who was caught speeding while dashing to court has denied seeking to 'curry favour' when he brought up his JP status while appearing in court for the offence. Robert Gonouya, 52, told fellow magistrates that he inadvertently broke the speed limit while rushing to sit on the bench. The school governor has now been issued with formal advice for misconduct after a panel found he had breached a 'declaration and undertaking' magistrates sign upon appointment 'to inform their bench chair of any involvement they have in impending court proceedings'. The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) added in a statement: 'Magistrates are also advised to avoid personal reference to their position as a magistrate in circumstances where it could be perceived as an attempt to influence or gain advantage.' The slap on the wrist means Mr Gonouya, of Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, can carry on dishing out fines, penalty points and disqualifications to drivers who appear before him. Robert Gonouya, 52, (pictured) told fellow magistrates that he inadvertently broke the speed limit while rushing to sit on the bench The 52-year-old said it 'clearly wasn't an attempt to curry favour' with the bench at Nottingham Magistrates Court last July. He told the Mail his comment to the court was simply 'naive', adding: 'we all make mistakes'. Mr Gonouya continued: 'I know what the expectations (of a magistrate) are and it is unfortunate that this happened.' Mr Gonouya was caught driving at 35mph in a 30mph zone on Rosemary Street in Mansfield, just yards from the town's magistrates court where he has sat on the Nottinghamshire bench since 2021. 'I didn't know the camera was there', he said. 'It's not like I was doing 100mph it could happen to anyone. 'It's something that was clearly unintentional.' He said of the December 2022 incident: 'It happened at ten minutes to 2pm and I was on my way into court for the (2pm) afternoon session. 'It's water under the bridge.' The JCIO statement said Mr Gonouya had apologised for not informing his bench chair and explained that he intended to do so after the case had concluded. The 52-year-old said it 'clearly wasn't an attempt to curry favour' with the bench at Nottingham Magistrates Court (pictured) last July 'He mentioned his status as a magistrate in order to explain the circumstances behind the offence and not to gain any favour', it added. 'Following an investigation, carried out under the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2014, a conduct panel of the Midlands Region Advisory Committee found that Mr Gonouya had breached the declaration and undertaking and that his actions amounted to misconduct. 'In recommending formal advice, the panel considered that Mr Gonouya had acted naively but had learnt from his mistakes and was unlikely to repeat them.' Nottinghamshire magistrates hit Mr Gonouya, who is the General Secretary of the UK-based Zimbabwe Diaspora Nation Building Initiative, with a 207 fine, 82 victim surcharge, 90 costs and endorsed his licence with three penalty points. Mr Gonouya is also a former director at Arena Community, a charity focused on supporting people with challenging lives. This is the shocking moment medics rescued a man 'nailed' to a fence by his hands in a 'sinister' attack believed to have been carried out by a paramilitary group. Police say a man in his 20s was discovered with a nail through each hand in Bushmills, County Antrim, in the early hours of Sunday, May 5. Video footage shows a group of firefighters working to free the man, who is stood with his back to the fence, arms splayed. Other videos show flames ripping through two parked vans as fire services attempt to put out the blaze. Witnesses said the firefighters tried to release the man for 45 minutes before cutting the fence instead, as he drifted in and out of consciousness. The man is currently being treated in hospital where his injuries have been described as life-changing, but not life-threatening. Fire and rescue services assist a man who was discovered nailed to a fence in an attack in Bushmills, Northern Ireland, just after midnight on Sunday morning, May 5 An anonymous witness said nearby graffiti, which police believe is linked to the assault and arson, appeared to read 'thief last warning'. The witness said: 'We were there for the weekend. Someone knocked on the door and we opened the door and saw black smoke. 'We thought maybe another motorhome was on fire. 'It wasn't until afterwards that we saw police coming in and going round the back of the motorhomes. Nearby graffiti which police believe to be linked to the assault and arson, appeared to read 'thief last warning' (pictured) Smoke billows as a fire blazes through two vans in an arson attack in Bushmills, Northern Ireland, just after midnight on Sunday morning 'We didn't realise why immediately but there was a guy nailed to the fence. 'They were trying to hold the man up - he was falling in and out of consciousness. 'It took 45 minutes before they decided to cut the fence. 'The guy was put in the fire engine and the fire engine took him to hospital.' A man, 37, has been arrested by detectives. He was detained under the Terrorism Act in Bushmills on Friday and released on Saturday following questioning. Investigations are ongoing and police have appealed for witnesses. Police and social services missed 'three crucial opportunities' to 'save the life' of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, a report has found. Six-year-old Arthur was murdered by his stepmother Emma Tustin at their home in Solihull in June 2020, after being poisoned, starved and beaten. The local practice report found that pictures of the boy's injuries sent to the authorities 'could and should have changed the course of this case'. Tustin was given a life sentence with a minimum of 29 years after she killed Arthur by repeatedly slamming his head on a hard surface. His father Thomas Hughes was jailed for life with a minimum of 24 years after being found guilty of manslaughter but cleared of murder for encouraging the killing. The report, published on the Solihull Safeguarding Children Partnership's website, examined events from April 15 until April 27 2020, when Arthur's case was closed by children's social care nearly two months before his murder. Its author said a photograph of Arthur's injuries sent to police on April 18, two days after a home visit welfare check and a day after a so-called threshold visit by social workers, evidenced 'the fact that Arthur had been subjected to a brutal assault'. Six-year-old Arthur was beaten, tortured and then murdered by Tustin at her home in Solihull Thomas Hughes (left) was jailed for life with a minimum of 24 years after being found guilty of manslaughter while Emma Tustin (right) was given a life sentence with a minimum of 29 years The report considered why an earlier intervention was not made by statutory agencies, why the home visit failed to discover the injuries, and why, after the receipt of a photograph of Arthur with evidence of substantial physical injuries, the case was closed. The report stated: 'Given the nature of the injuries depicted in the photograph, which include a range of fresh and older bruises and abrasions, some of which mirror finger markings, it is difficult to understand why the police did not take further action. 'In my opinion, the injuries provide (at the very least) reasonable grounds to suspect that a child was a victim of actual bodily harm. 'Had the police, as is their duty, investigated to discover whether an offence had been committed and by whom, it is reasonable to suggest that Arthur could have been removed from those who represented a critical risk to him. 'I have seen no evidence to indicate that the police sought to trigger a multi-agency child protection response in line with statutory guidance and local procedure.' The report continued: 'In fact, I have seen no evidence that they pursued any lines of enquiry at all regarding the photograph. Reasonable and proportionate practice would have involved immediate information sharing with appropriate partners.' Arthur Labinjo-Hughes waking up hours before he collapsed from fatal injuries on CCTV The photograph taken by Arthur's paternal grandmother prompted a referral to social services, however the bruises were put down to 'play-fighting' with another youngster Noting that photographs of injuries were sent to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub by Arthur's grandmother on April 24, the report continued: 'This should have triggered professional reflection and an immediate response. 'Practitioners ultimately failed to reconsider their position after receiving this critical new evidence. This should have prompted an immediate strategy discussion... and a rapid re-assessment of Arthur's safety. 'It was not a reasonable conclusion to infer that the substantial bruising seen in the photographs could have been caused by play fighting.' Addressing the failure of two social care staff, who had not seen the photograph, to identify the nature and extent of Arthur's injuries during the home visit on April 17, the report said that the 'limits of a lifted shirt' meant the extent of his injuries would neither have been visible nor obvious. 'They are experienced practitioners and I have found no reason why either would have intentionally chosen to minimise what they had seen or would have failed to recognise the gravity of harm had they seen it,' the report noted. The report highlighted three critical opportunities where 'had practice been sharper, outcomes could have been different' the police response to the emergency duty team's request for a welfare check on April 16, the failure by police to address the evidence in the photograph sent to them on April 18 and the review of images shared with children's social care on April 24. It concluded: 'In the opinion of the review, had the police chosen to investigate what was a credible allegation of a serious assault against a child, it is possible that Arthur may have been removed from the pathway to harm that he was ultimately on. 'It is hard not to draw conclusions about the levels of basic competence in decision making on what was a relatively straightforward allegation of physical abuse, supported by photographic evidence and insight from the extended family. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes (pictured) was killed by Emma Tustin and Thomas Hughes 'They (the photographs) evidenced the fact that Arthur had been subjected to a brutal assault. Their possession by statutory agencies could and should have changed the course of this case. 'It is therefore not possible to rule out the likelihood that an appropriate intervention may have prevented Arthur's murder.' Paul Johnson, chief executive of Solihull Council, said in a statement responding to the findings: 'As Acting Chief Executive at the time, I commissioned an independent review to be carried out by Ineqe Safeguarding Group in May 2023. 'The Council has been under scrutiny for its children's services and following an inadequate rating by Ofsted in January 2023, we have been addressing its recommendations and delivering an improvement plan. 'Positive progress is being made and this has been recognised by Ofsted through their regular monitoring visits. We will now use the findings from the Ineqe review to make sure we are making all of the necessary changes to continue to improve safeguarding arrangements for children in Solihull.' West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Claire Bell said: 'The loss of someone so young in such terrible circumstances was incomprehensible and our thoughts continue to be with Arthur's family. 'We accept the finding of this report and we will work with partners to embrace the learning.' As Donald Trump sits in a Manhattan courtroom, Melania Trump has locked herself in a 'tight bubble' behind the ornate gates of Mar-a-Lago, according to those close to the couple. Her top priority is her 18-year-old son Barron, who graduates from Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach on Friday. And even though the 6ft7in teenager physically favors his father, inside he is his mother's child. 'He's so regal. He's a little Melania,' a source close to the couple told DailyMail.com of Trump's youngest son. At the Trumps' private club, which is Melania's refuge, she can enjoy long walks on the beach and time in the luxurious spa getting her favorite treatments. It's a world away from the New York courtroom where Donald Trump must keep on his poker face as he listens to witnesses like Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen discuss a $130,000 hush payment to the porn star to keep her quiet about an alleged affair with the former president. But Melania's bubble is starting to burst as she fights to keep Donald Trump's alleged personal indiscretions from spilling over into their private family life. Melania Trump has always been protective of Barron - the mother and son are seen above in August 2020 at the White House Melania has always been protective of Barron and has always advocated for him. When she renegotiated her prenup shortly after the 2016 election, she made sure Barron would get the same treatment as Trump's children from his first marriages. But one area she kept Barron separate in stark contrast to what his half-siblings were doing - is politics. And that is a stance that continues. After the Florida Republican party announced Barron was one of the at-large delegates to the Republican National Convention, along with most of the other Trump children, Melania put her foot down. 'While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments,' her office said on Friday. No other details were given. The move shows not only the influence she wields over her adult son but also on her husband, who often calls Melania 'my bride,' a former Trump staffer told DailyMail.com. Melania has always fiercely guarded her privacy. She has kept the family's quarters at Mar-a-Lago reserved for just her, her husband and their son. She has done few public events since she left the White House and relishes being invisible. But Donald Trump's trial in New York has thrust her back into the spotlight. In the four weeks it has been taking place multiple witnesses have discussed Donald and Melania's relationship, some describing an affection couple who chat many times a day and others talking about a husband dismissive of his wife, claiming he could quickly replace her. The revelations about the Trump marriage like most things with the Trumps brought more questions than answers, showing a contradiction between what is seen in public and what happens behind closed doors. What is the truth? Is Melania really the power behind the throne, knowing her husband needs her more than she needs him, particularly if he wants another term in the White House? How much did she know? And how much will she tolerate? By steeling herself in silence and an air of mystery, Melania has allowed the public to see her as they wish: either a beautiful woman trapped in a lonely marriage or a savvy operator who married for money and security. Both points of view were presented in the New York courtroom. Melania Trump at her last public appearance with Donald Trump on April 6th Donald Trump (seen above in court) and Melania's relationship has been discussed by multiple witnesses in the hush-money trial Melania Trump, with husband Donald, at Mar-a-Lago, her refuge, in November Many of the witnesses described an affectionate relationship between the couple in private, something that did not appear often in public. 'If he was in the Oval Office I'd look in and there were times I could figure out he was on the phone with Mrs. Trump. He would say honey come over to the window [in the residence] and you could see into the Oval Office. He would say come to the window and (they would) wave to each other,' Trump's former assistant Madeleine Westerhout said in her testimony. 'I believe they have a relationship of mutual respect. I just found their relationship really special. He cares a lot about her opinion,' she added. 'There was no one else who could put him in his place.' 'He was my boss but she was definitely the one in charge.' Donald Trump, some of the witnesses said, cared deeply about his wife's opinion of him. 'President Trump really values Mrs. Trump's opinion and she doesn't weigh in all the time, but when she does, it's really meaningful to him,' Hope Hicks, Trump's former communications chief, said during cross-examination. 'He really respects what she has to say.' And, they say, Melania was more involved in strategy that she let on. Michael Cohen, in his bombshell testimony, revealed it was Melania Trump who came up with the spin after the infamous Access Hollywood tape became public. 'He wanted me to reach out to all my contacts in the media. We needed to put a spin on this,' Cohen said of his conversation with Donald Trump. 'The spin he wanted put on it was that this is locker room talk, something that Melania had recommended - or at least he told me that's what Melania had thought it was - and use that in order to get control over the story and to minimize its impact on him and his campaign,' Cohen testified. He also said he was worried about how the Trumps' marriage would survive the revelation of Stormy Daniels. 'I said to him, how's things going to go upstairs,' Cohen said, looking upward while describing a conversation he said happened inside Trump Tower, where Trump has a penthouse apartment. '"Don't worry," he goes..."how long do you think I'll be on the market for? Not long". He wasn't thinking about Melania. This was all about the campaign,' Cohen said. Melania Trump with Barron Trump at Mar-a-Lago a few months ago Barron Trump has always been Melania's priority - the mother and son in January 2007 Donald Trump and son Barron in January Donald Trump embraces Barron, with Melania by his side, when he became the Republican presidential nominee in July 2016 Melania was reported to be blindsided by the Stormy Daniels affair allegations. When they first appeared in 2017, she decamped from the comfort of the White House to her bubble at Mar-a-Lago, dropping out of a trip to Davos, Switzerland with her husband to attend the World Economic Forum. Donald Trump has denied an affair. But he faces 34 felony charges of falsifying business records in order to hide a payoff to Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Those close to her say Melania considers the trial Donald's problem and that he needs to deal with it. But she is carefully reading the press coverage of it. And one story that would have irked her was having her son wielded as a political weapon. Donald Trump, in one of his many rants about the judge's requirement that he be in the courtroom during the trial, complained he would miss his son's graduation from high school. The judge ultimately agreed to halt testimony so the former president could attend. But Stephanie Grisham, a former top aide to Melania who spent four years with a front row seat of the couple's interactions, told DailyMail.com last month that the former first lady 'wasn't happy' that Donald Trump talked about Barron in the context of the case. 'He talked about missing Barron's graduation to the cameras and then again on Truth Social because it caused a lot of coverage about that and it's just not something she would have liked,' Grisham said. Melania has signaled her feelings on the matter by using the same tactic with her son that she uses herself: withholding her presence. She has rarely appeared with her husband since he announced he was making another presidential bid. She was there that day in November 2022 at Mar-a-Lago when he announced his re-election campaign but she was notably absent on the night of Super Tuesday, when Trump effectively locked up the Republican presidential nomination. Barron wasn't present at either of those political events. She hasn't attended any of Trump's events tied to his multiple legal issues. Neither has Barron. Barron Trump at a rare appearance at the White House during the first year of Donald Trump's presidency; Melania didn't let him attend many events Melania, in a rare public appearance, when Donald Trump announced his re-election bid Melania at the White House with Barron, her hand on his back Barron Trump, Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House in August 2020 Even as first lady, she rarely let Barron attend official White House events. He was only 10 when his father became president Additionally, she would have Barron travel in a separate car - instead of the Beast - when he rode in the presidential motorcade. The dedicated mom made sure he was buckled up in his SUV. She also had Barron board Air Force One on the back stairs of the plane so there would not be photographs of him climbing the front stairs with his parents. 'Not showing up in court with her husband and putting her foot down about Barron Trump being a delegate to the Republican convention indicate that she is drawing some clear public boundaries between her husband's political career and her personal family life,' said Katherine Jellison, a historian at Ohio State who studies first ladies. There have been more absences. On Mother's Day, Donald Trump had brunch at Mar-a-Lago where he was surrounded by supporters. But there was no sign of Melania nor Barron in the many videos and photos posted to social media on that day from the private club in Palm Beach. Melania issued a cryptic message to mark the holiday, stressing the importance of taking care of oneself. 'As mothers, we are inclined to honor our mothers and mother figures on Mother's Day, but we must also be mindful of ourselves. It may be difficult to imagine but when moms prioritize self-care, our families and children enjoy greater stability,' she wrote. It was the former first lady's first Mother's Day without her own mother Amalija Knavs, who died in January. She is still in mourning. Donald Trump stands with Melania Trump, their son Barron Trump and father-in-law Viktor Knavs, at the start of a funeral for Amalija Knavs, Melania's mother Donald, Melania, and Barron (center) with other members of the Trump family when Donald announced in June 2015 that he is running for president 'Stay tuned,' Melania Trump saidn in March when asked about her future Additionally, Melania has chosen her appearances carefully since the trial began on April 22. She was last seen when she hosted a fundraiser for Log Cabin Republicans, an LGBT conservative group, at Mar-a-Lago on April 20th. The event was closed to press coverage but former Trump administration official Richard Grenell, who is openly gay, posted photos on social media of him and the former first lady hosting the gathering. Her last public appearance with Trump was at a fundraiser for his presidential campaign on April 6th. It's unclear when they will appear in public again. Melania herself is keeping that a mystery. Last month, when she joined Donald Trump to vote in Florida's primary, reporters asked about her future plans. Her reply: 'Stay tuned.' An Alabama middle school principal has been arrested and charged in the cold-case deaths of three people that occurred more than a decade ago. Keante Harris, an assistant principal at McAdory Middle School, surrendered to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Wednesday, on a fugitive of justice warrant. His arrest stemmed from the January 2013 murders of Cheryl Colquitt-Thompson, Quinones King, and Rodney Cottrell, a trio of Alabama residents found dead in Clayton County, Georgia. The three were lured to a home, forced inside by gunpoint, and tortured by Harris and three other accomplices, the Clayton County Sheriff's Office said in a news release - adding that the three other suspects have been arrested as well. Identified as Kenneth Thompson, Kevin Harris and Darrell Harris. They were all arrested across three states, the sheriff's office said. Keante Harris, an assistant principal at McAdory Middle School, surrendered to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Wednesday, on a fugitive of justice warrant 'On January 13, 2013, Union City Police Department was on general patrol in the area of Interstate I-85 (Fulton County) when they observed a 2010 Dodge Charger that appeared to be abandoned,' officers wrote of how they handled the 11-year-old case. 'Upon further inspection, Union City Officers located (3) deceased bodies in the vehicle. 'It was determined through the investigation that all three victims were tortured and murdered in Clayton County and dumped in Fulton County. 'The victims were lured to a residence on Magnolia Drive in Jonesboro where they were forced into the residence at gunpoint,' the update, issued Friday, continued. 'Later, they were loaded into the back seat of a Dodge Charger and taken to Fulton County.' The bulletin goes on to state how Chief Kevin Robert, the head of Clayton County Police Department, and his team were able to crack the case, before providing the Clayton County DA with the information necessary for the four murder indictments. The county prosecutors proceeded to provide the Sheriff's Office with 12 murder warrants - three for Harris, and a three a piece for the other suspects. Despite the update, it remains unclear if the suspects - several of whom have the same surname - are related. Cheryl Colquitt-Thompson was found dead along with two men in 2013 The victims were lured to a residence on Magnolia Drive in Jonesboro where they were forced into the residence at gunpoint. The second victim was Quinones King (pictured) Later, they were loaded into the back seat of a Dodge Charger and taken to Fulton County. The third victim was Rodney Cottrell (pictured) 'Upon receipt of this information, Sheriff Levon Allen immediately activated his 'Elite Fugitive Unit' to locate and apprehend all four of the outstanding suspects,' cops wrote - culminating in the quartet's arrest. Allen added: 'I'm pleased to announce today that through hard work and diligent investigations, within 48 hours all four Murder Suspects were taken into custody across three states, without incident. The top cop went on to thank the department's 'Law Enforcement partners locally and abroad,' who he credited with '[coming] together to bring these suspects to justice.' Each is charged with three counts of Malice Murder for the triple homicide case in Union City, Georgia, that happened on January 13, 2013. Harris is one of two assistant principals at the middle school in McCalla, which has about 929 students It began when the three victims - all residents of Montgomery - were found in a silver Dodge Charger off I-85 in Fulton County. Two of the victims died of asphyxiation, while the third was found strangled in the trunk of the car, the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed this week to Fox 5. The victims were believed to have been killed at a residence in Clayton County, before being left abandoned in the vehicle. In a verbal statement to WSFA 12, Tony Garrett with Central Alabama CrimeStoppers described he still remembers the pain of the victims' families felt that day. 'This case actually helped me grow as a CrimeStoppers director because I was able to start off feeling what the family felt, not really, but being able to go through their emotions,' he said. 'We're still offering the reward for this case, so we are waiting for them to get back with us to see if they had a tipster or if they had information come in to solve the case,' he added. Cops said they are in contact with the victims families, who said they will speak out when they are ready The case was approached with the same urgency as other, more current cases, he said, citing advances in DNA and other technology for the not-so-quick arrests. 'We are seeing DNA investigations, agencies combining more resources. We are seeing that is a better solution or a better way to investigate so we are seeing technology catch up and we are seeing better communication,' he said. Cops added that they were in contact with the victims families, who said they will speak out when they are ready. They were seen attending a Central Alabama crime stoppers event Monday celebrating the arrests, but did not speak to the media. Harris, meanwhile, is one of to assistant principals at the middle school in McCalla, which has about 929 students. The three victims - all residents of Montgomery - were found in a silver Dodge Charger off I-85 in Fulton County (crime scene pictured) A Jefferson County Schools spokesperson referred all questions about the case to the sheriff's office, revealing that Harris - seen posing in a police mug shot - has been placed on administrative leave. 'We have been made aware that Mr. Keante Harris was arrested Wednesday afternoon,' Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin said in a statement Monday. 'At this time we still are gathering facts about the specifics of this situation. However, early indications are that the charges are not related to this individual's employment with Jefferson County Schools. 'Per standard procedure, Mr. Harris has been placed on paid administrative leave. As more facts become available, we will act according to our district's policy.' DailyMail.com has reached out to the Clayton County Sheriff's Office for comment. Six of the migrants accused of assaulting two New York City Police Department officers in Times Square have been offered plea deals - including one who was re-arrested while out on $15,000 bail. Ulises Bohorquez, Yohenry Brito, Edgarlis Vegas, Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, Wilson Juarez, Yorman Reveron and Kelvin Servita Arocha appeared in New York Supreme Criminal Court on Tuesday in front of Judge Laura Wood. The Venezuelan migrants were charged with second-degree assault and the obstruction of a government admin following the attack on January 27 which was caught on video and all have pleaded not guilty. The incident erupted when two officers attempted to disperse a group in front of 220 West 42nd Street. Lieutenant Ben Kurian and Officer Zunxu Tian are said to have suffered lacerations, bruising and substantial shoulder pain. Edgarlis Vegas, from Brooklyn, was seen on surveillance footage wearing a burgundy jacket and kicking out at Kurian, prosecutors say Judge Wood laid into Brito, who was previously described as the 'most culpable' of the defendants, for being rearrested on petty larceny charges while on bail and warned he would 'not see the light of day' if he so much as jaywalks. Still, judge Wood did not order him arrested and he remains free. The Manhattan District Attorney's office has offered plea deals to Bohorquez, Brito and Gomez-Izquiel for them to serve a year in prison in return to pleading guilty to second-degree assault. Arocha and Juarez have been presented a deal where they serve six months in prison for pleading guilty to obstructing a government admin. Yorman Reveron was also offered a deal of two years in prison in exchange for pleading guilty to second degree assault. The defense attorneys have not agreed to the offers and Judge Wood ordered them to return to court on June 18 where a trial date will be set if no agreement is reached. Juarez (pictured) was offered a deal to serve six months in prison for pleading guilty to obstructing a government admin Judge Wood laid into Brito (pictured) who was previously described as the 'most culpable' of the defendants, for being rearrested on petty larceny charges while on bail The incident erupted when two officers attempted to disperse a group in front of 220 West 42nd Street Judge Wood hit out at Brito during the hearing and threatened to throw him in jail if he puts another foot wrong while out on bail. 'I am furious that Mr Brito was rearrested and charged with petty larceny while he was out on this case,' she said. 'I am very tempted right now to put you in jail. I am telling you right now, if I learn you are rearrested for anything at all between now and this case being finished, I will order a warrant and I will place bail so high you will not get out. 'If you jaywalk, if you jump a turnstile, if you do anything at all and I have to issue a warrant, you will not see the light of day until this case is over. 'Do I make myself perfectly clear?' Brito replied 'Yes' after the judge's harsh words were translated to him through a Spanish interpreter. Prosecutor Kotin previously said Brito was seen on video refusing a police officer's order to leave the sidewalk which sparked the brawl. He was initially sent to Rikers Island but he was released after a church in Brooklyn managed to pay his $15,000 bond. Lieutenant Ben Kurian and Officer Zunxu Tian are said to have suffered lacerations, bruising and substantial shoulder pain Kelvin Arocha (pictured) is charged with two counts of second-degree assault and one count of second-degree obstructing governmental administration Yorman Reveron has two open cases for assault and robbery in Manhattan, having stolen from and assaulted a Nordstrom Rack employee in November Kotin told the court Vegas was seen on surveillance footage wearing a burgundy jacket and kicking out at Kurian. The prosecutor claimed she changed her story about the events multiple times and said, 'she said she was trying to move other members of the group and fell backward. 'However she changed her story again. She was kicking a different member of the group and may have accidently kicked the officer.' He added Vegas told authorities she moved to the US from Venezuela around three months ago and had only been staying in her permanent residence for a short period. Authorities were called to disperse a 'disorderly group' in front of 220 West 42 Street when suspect Brito, 24, 'got confrontational with the officers' and they attempted to arrest him, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. 'As Kurian is holding Brito against the wall, groups of people are heard shouting in Spanish at the officer,' he added. 'That is when Brito attempted to escape from Kurian and with the assistance of Officer Zunxu Tian, the cops grabbed the migrant's clothing as they tried to restrain him.' Videos show the two officers and Brito falling to the ground and during the struggle, other suspects interfered by pulling, grabbing and kicking the cops. As Brito attempts to wriggle away, the officers are holding on to his shirt that he eventually takes off. 'Go arrest those guys,' Kurian said as the crowd fled. Ulises Bohorquez was one of three presented with a deal to serve a year in prison in return to pleading guilty to second-degree assault Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel is seen in court The three other shoplifting suspects, two men and a woman, remain on the run The case quickly drew international attention. It took days for police to indict the suspects in the case. Several were freed shortly after the attack on bail and some fled the area. Brito, Gomez, Reveron and Arocha are all charged with two counts of second-degree assault and one count of second-degree obstructing governmental administration. Gomez is also accused of attempting to shoplift at Macy's. Police say neither Juarez nor Arocha ever hit the officers, but that Arocha kicked a police radio as Juarez watched from a distance before giving his jacket to Brito. Gomez is accused of grabbing one officer and kicking the other one while Reveron allegedly grabbed, pulled and threw the two cops on the ground. Juarez, is believed to have watched the brawl from a distance without participating. He has been charged with tampering with physical evidence because he allegedly traded his jacket with a man who fled police following the confrontation, prosecutors said. Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki revealed many different struggles she had throughout her career in her book 'Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World.' Psaki admits it is difficult to be an objective news anchor on MSNBC, even after serving as President Joe Biden's press secretary. Specifically referring to questions about Biden's age, she said that it was hard in her new media job not to regurgitate old talking points from her past job. Psaki wrote she ultimately found ways to avoid talking about her personal thoughts about the president, and trying to give insight on what him and his team might be thinking in her absence. 'It was about accepting the reality that I will never not have been Joe Bidens White House press secretarybut also realizing thats not all I would ever be,' she wrote. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during her final daily press briefing at the White House on May 13, 2022 Psaki revealed her relief at finally accepting the job of White House press secretary for President Joe Biden, after twice interviewing and losing the job to press secretaries Jay Carney and Josh Earnest during former President Barack Obama's administration. In the book, she details some of her more regrettable moments as a press secretary with Biden, including when she mocked the Space Force and sarcastically asked if reporters wanted her to send coronavirus tests to every American. Correcting misinformation about John Kerry's yacht Psaki also revealed embarrassing moments with reporters when she worked as press secretary for Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department. She revealed one moment when she falsely told reporters that Kerry was not on his family yacht in Nantucket, as a military coup in Egypt was underway in 2013. I believed this was true at the time, but as it turned out, I had spoken too soon. CBS was right: my boss had been on his yacht on the day in question, she wrote. After learning that Kerry was, in fact, on his yacht, she said she felt it important to admit her mistake to reporters. I called CBS to confess that I had made a mistake, and to say he had been on his boat that day. Then I called every single reporter I had spoken to about the story and fell on my sword for unintentionally providing inaccurate information, she said. Psaki's 'formidable foe' Peter Doocy Psaki detailed some her struggles with Fox News White House reporter Peter Doocy, whom she described as a formidable foe and a regular adversary in the press briefing room. Psaki noted that Doocy always started with the most contentious issue but that he often had a faulty premise to his questions, which she could use to her advantage. Fox News reporter Peter Doocy frequently challenges the Biden administration's narrative in the White House briefing room Jen Psaki described Doocy as 'completely professional' when he visited her office But while our back-and-forths could be exasperating at times (a nice word for really annoying), the fact is my answer to the question How much do you hate Peter Doocy? is, in fact, not at all, Psaki admitted. She said Doocy would often visit her in her office when they were not in the briefing room where he was completely professional, courteous, and reasonable. These exchanges helped me see him as less of an enemy in the briefing roomeven on days when he asked me the most outrageous questionsand more like a fellow human being I had to work with, not against, she wrote. Psaki also felt that facts could help her combat Fox News narratives. Did these facts convince Peter Doocy and the Fox viewers to change their position? No, they certainly did not. But even if you cant win with Fox- preparing straightforward, factual rebuttals to expected challenges may help equip others to make the same counterarguments, she wrote. Dealing with the Russians Psaki struggled more with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian government media officials who pointed out her gaffes and struggles on camera when trying to answer questions about foreign policy at the State Department. She described Russian President Vladimir Putin as her work bully. The Russians, she explained coined the term Psakiing which Russian TV presenter Dmitry Kiselyov described as making a dogmatic statement about something they dont understand, mixes the facts up, and then doesnt apologize. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One "Say More. Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World" by Jen Psaki released on May 7, 2024 by Simon and Schuster She described the Russians as relentless and constantly questioning whether I was up to the job. Whether they knew it or not, I felt vulnerable to that question, she said, She complained her remarks were frequently taken out of context which she said was upsettingfrustrating, maddening, distracting. Psaki said that while some reporters thought the Russian attention to her was funny, she did not feel the same way. Being attacked and having disinformation spread about you can feel isolating, no matter the source, she said. (Psaki did not address the embarrassing moment when the Russians gifted her a pink hat with a communist hammer and sickle logo on it) Psaki said she finally felt necessary to publicly push back against the Russians during one briefing, criticizing them for focusing on attacking women in government and their criticism of her outfits that she chose for briefings. I think its a pretty clear sign that they dont have the truth on their side. So, if I get dinged a bit for that, Im not going to sweat it. I will take it as a badge of honor, she said in a 2014 briefing. White House press secretary Jen Psaki arrives for her last press briefing at the White House U.S. President Joe Biden greets White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Misinformation on Biden checking his watch during transfer ceremony Psaki mistakenly described the story of Biden checking his watch during a transfer ceremony of 13 soldiers killed during the botched Afghanistan evacuation as 'misinformation.' Independent fact-checkers have conceded that the president was caught on camera twice looking at his watch during the ceremony. That angered military families of the slain service members, many of whom personally witnessed the president checking his watch during the ceremony. Psaki admitted Monday that future printings of the book - and the e-book - would be updated to correct the story, but she did not apologize for the mistake. As of Tuesday morning, the newly downloaded e-book was not corrected. Psaki revealed she told Biden that military families were angry with the president for trying to compare the death of his own son Beau Biden to the loss of their loved one in combat. 'I thought I was helping them,' Biden replied, according to Psaki's account. 'Hearing about how other people went through loss always helped me.' The family of the teenager found dead on the side of an Oakland highway are raising money to hire a private investigator as they mourn his death on his birthday. Noah Presgrove, 19, was wearing only two mismatched shoes when his body was discovered on a desolate stretch of US-81 near Terral, Oklahoma, on September 4. He was last seen alive about a mile away at a four-day 22nd birthday party with friends over the Labor Day weekend that was heavily documented on social media. On Tuesday, his loved ones acknowledged his 20th birthday at his grave site. Images showed a cutout of Presgrove placed in the ground next to balloons while a 'Happy Birthday' sign was fixed into the ground. A 'Happy Birthday' sign was fixed into the ground while a cutout of Presgrove was placed in the ground next to balloons Presgrove's family acknowledged the much-loved teenagers birthday by spending the day at his grave site His brother Dailen Presgrove has now launched a GoFundMe page to hire a private investigator to solve his young brother's mysterious death. The crowdfunding page is meant to help the family hire a detective with law enforcement background and experience in order to get a 'new set of eyes' on the case. 'This fundraiser is for raising funds to hire a Private Investigator who will be able to solve the case involving the death of Noah Presgrove. Private Investigators are very expensive,' he explained. 'Between the many of us who have been eagerly working the case over the last eight months we have tremendous hours put into the case already. 'We are seeking new eyes on the case and preferably someone with law enforcement background and experience in this genre.' The GoFundMe has exceeded its goal by raising $10,322 after receiving an anonymous donation of $5000. Dailen has also launched another GoFundMe of an astonishing $10,000 to encourage anyone 'withholding information of the case to come forth'. The 19-year-old was found dead on a desolate highway on September 4 'Noah Presgrove passed away eight months ago. Yet, the case goes unsolved. 'To prevent this case from going cold, this fundraiser is meant to encourage those withholding information of the case to come forth. 'If anyone has information regarding the case that will lead to an arrest of anyone held accountable, please contact the family to redeem this reward and ultimately end this ongoing investigation. 'Your identity with remain hidden from the public. We will get you in contact with the right people who want justice.' The fundraiser has brought in $2,395 at time of publishing. Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Leonardo Roquero has confirmed Presgrove died of 'multiple blunt force injuries', but how he got them was 'undetermined' Yesterday, the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Leonardo Roquero finally released the full autopsy report, more than eight months later. Roquero confirmed Presgrove died of 'multiple blunt force injuries', but how he got them was 'undetermined'. The report gave more details on the grisly injuries the teen sustained in the hours before he died. Roquero detailed extensive injuries to the teen's upper body, including 10 broken ribs, serious skull and neck fractures, internal bleeding, and abrasions all over his body. There was one extensive skull fracture running across his head, 'splitting the middle base of skull into two', and multiple smaller ones, with police investigators describing his head as being 'caved in', among further varying lacerations. Presgrove had about 20ml of blood pooled inside his head from a brain bleed, and damage to the brain itself. Presgrove's family (pictured with his sister Madison Rawling) were confused by aspects of the report but said they had confidence in the investigation A video from the Saturday night of the party, on September 2, showed Presgrove's friends drawing their names and other doodles on his body. He went home and washed some of it off, but is believed to not have been able to get all of the marker off before he went back to the party the next evening. An Adidas shoe Presgrove was wearing was his, and the other, a 'Hey Dude' slip-on, was from another party guest who was asleep at the time. Oklahoma Highway Patrol detectives, who are leading the investigation, are still unsure how he died, and were told conflicting stories about that night. Theories include him being 'forcibly pushed from the bed of a moving truck' where the blood spot was, and staggering along the road before collapsing. Presgrove could also have been killed in an accident or murdered elsewhere and his body dumped on the highway. A young woman has sworn she'll never use Uber again after catching a driver allegedly performing a lewd act behind the wheel. Tayla Pimlott, 26, was taking a short trip from Adelaide's CBD to the north-eastern suburb of Campbelltown one afternoon in October when she claims to have noticed the driver pleasuring himself in the front seat. She had just finished a long day at work and wanted a 'quick and quiet' trip home instead of using public transport - but soon found herself 'holding back tears'. Ms Pimlott was in the back seat scrolling through her phone when she noticed a 'subtle hand gesture' that made her look up, and was instantly 'petrified'. 'I could see clearly that [the Uber driver] had his penis out and he was masturbating,' she told Yahoo. Tayla Pimlott, 26, (pictured) was taking a short trip in Adelaide one afternoon in October when she claims to have noticed the Uber driver performing a lewd act behind the wheel Ms Pimlott said a hundred thoughts crossed her mind in that moment, and she even considered getting out of the moving vehicle. 'There was a part of me that thought, "Oh, God, I could die, I could be raped, this man could touch me,"' she said. While she admitted she heard a 'little voice' in her head telling her she could be overreacting, Ms Pimlott knew she had to do something. Realising she had to put her safety first, she texted her mother and boyfriend. She was also able to capture footage of the man, which she hoped to use as evidence when she reported the incident to police. Ms Pimlott said she messaged her mother because she was petrified Ms Pimlott recalled how her heart was pounding, but she pretended she did not notice anything out of fear the driver would lash out if she confronted him. When she arrived home, where her worried mother was waiting for her, she had to ask the driver to unlock the car doors. 'He fully turned around and looked at me and in the most creepiest voice I've ever heard he goes, "Thank you so much,"' she said. A mortified Ms Pimlott replied, 'You're welcome,' and jumped out of the car, afraid that being anything but polite would put her in more danger. She reported the incident to Uber and urged them to ban the driver. The company would not tell her whether this was actioned because of its 'strict privacy notice'. She also reported the incident to police, who she claims arrested the man later that day. Ms Pimlott said the driver was now 'banned' from visiting her home or work, but the scars of the ordeal remain. She said her mental health had been significantly impacted, adding that she would never use Uber again. Uber condemned the driver's alleged actions in a statement to Daily Mail Australia. 'What's been reported has no place in the Uber community or anywhere else,' a spokesperson said. Uber condemned the driver's alleged actions in a statement, saying 'what has been reported has no place in the Uber community or anywhere else' 'As soon as we were notified of this report, we removed the driver partner's access to the app immediately and permanently. 'We have raised the bar for safety across the industry, including investing in cutting-edge technology and features to help improve safety for riders and drivers on every trip. 'Using our Safety Toolkit, riders can contact emergency services, share their trip live with a loved one and every trip is GPS tracked in real time. 'We are continually looking for ways to improve safety for every ride, and leverage this safety technology to support law enforcement cases.' A Silicon Valley billionaire who has been fighting for more than a decade to keep a secluded beach to himself next to his 89-acre, $32.5 million property lost his bid to stop a lawsuit to try to allow the public to return. The lawsuit filed in 2020 on behalf of the California State Lands Commission and Coastal Commission seeks a court order demanding that Vinod Khosla remove all gates and signs on or near the only road to the beach that runs through his private property. A California state judge tentatively denied Khosla's request to have the suit thrown out in a ruling Friday. That means a pretrial conference for Khosla - a venture capitalist who co-founded the Silicon Valley technology company Sun Microsystems - would be set to move ahead for March 2025, and the bench trial will begin on April 22, 2025. Khosla - who has a net worth of $7.5 billion, per Forbes - reportedly hosted a fundraiser with President Joe Biden last week where tickets were between $6,600 and $100,000, according to SFGate. A Silicon Valley billionaire who has been fighting for more than a decade to keep a secluded beach to himself next to his 89-acre, $32.5 million property lost his bid to stop a lawsuit to try to allow the public to return The lawsuit filed in 2020 on behalf of the California State Lands Commission and Coastal Commission seeks a court order demanding that Vinod Khosla remove all gates and signs on or near the only road to the beach that runs through his private property State Supreme Court Judge Raymond Swope determined the state had effectively backed up their claim that Khosla was preventing public access to go forward. The lawsuit contends that without court orders, Khosla will keep imposing improper restrictions to public access to Martins Beach near Half Moon Bay, about 35 miles south of San Francisco. Khosla can appeal Swope's judgement at a Monday hearing in Redwood City, Bloomberg reported. Attorney Dori Yob Kilmer has vowed to fight the latest lawsuit in the past. 'Since the property was purchased by our client, the state, and small activist groups, have endeavored to seize our clients private property without compensation,' she said in a 2020 statement. 'While such tactics are commonplace in communist systems, they have never been tolerated in the American system where the U.S. Constitution precludes the government from simply taking private property and giving it to the public.' The dispute is one of several in California over who is allowed to use the coastline, which is often accessed through neighborhoods and private property. The state Constitution guarantees public access to all beaches below the high tide line. State Supreme Court Judge Raymond Swope determined the state had effectively backed up their claim that Khosla was preventing public access to go forward The previous owners of Martin's Beach had allowed public access to the beach, charging a parking fee and operating other conveniences to generate money from the popular destination. Khosla's attorneys said the cost to maintain the beach and other facilities far exceeded the money the fees brought in. The nonprofit Surfrider Foundation sued, and a state appeals court ruled that Khosla needed to apply for a coastal development permit before closing off the main road. After the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal in 2018, Khosla continued to sue over what he considers to be interference with his property rights. In the meantime, his lawyer said he kept the road open during daylight hours to paying visitors. State officials say the gate to the road has not been consistently open. The lawsuit by the state agencies contends that because the beach has been used by the public for more than a century, it has acquired access rights under a common law doctrine known as 'implied dedication.' 'For as far back as can be historically documented, the public has used and treated the beach as a public beach, and the previous owners knew of that public use and did not interfere with such use,' the lawsuit said. Khosla bought the luxury property and adjoining road that leads to Martin's Beach in San Mateo County, California, in 2008. The lawsuit contends that without court orders, Khosla will keep imposing improper restrictions to public access to Martins Beach near Half Moon Bay, about 35 miles south of San Francisco Khosla can appeal Swope's judgement at a Monday hearing in Redwood City, Bloomberg reported The billionaire, who owns the road but not the beach itself, claimed he simply wanted to establish that he cannot be forced to allow people on his property. In California, unlike in many other states, all beaches are open to the public under the constitution. The Biden administration told Congress Tuesday that it was moving forward with giving Israel more than $1 billion in new weapons despite President Joe Biden's warning he would withhold more bombs if there was a ground invasion of Rafah. The Wall Street Journal reported the move citing officials who said that the weapons tranfer would include $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds. It comes after Biden stalled one shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to send a message to Israel about attacking tightly packed urban areas as more than 1 million Palestinians have sought refuge in the southern Gaza city. 'We are continuing to send military assistance,' national security adviser Jake Sullivan said from the White House podium Monday. 'We have paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs because we don't believe they should be dropped in densely populated cities.' It could take years for the fresh $1 billion in weapons to make their way to Israel, but in moving forward with the transfer it indicated Biden didn't want to further sully the relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Joe Biden has warned he'll stop more shipments of weapons to Israel if the country mounted a ground offensive in Rafah, a city where more than a million Palestinians have sought shelter Boys watch smoke billowing during Israeli strikes east of Rafah on Monday. The Biden administration is moving forward with a $1 billion weapons package to Israel despite the president's warnings not to attack the dense urban area Sullivan is expected to visit Israel and Saudi Arabia this weekend but White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wouldn't confirm an Axios report that said Israel had agreed not to expand its military operation into Rafah ahead of the national security adviser's travels. Part of Sullivan's diplomatic mission will also be to push Saudi Arabia on a 'mega-deal' to normalize relations with Israel. The White House has warned Netanyahu that a deadly Rafah offensive could kill the long-sought deal with the Saudis. But Israeli tanks continued to push deeper into Rafah on Tuesday. Biden has been paying a political price from the political left for backing Israel while Palestinian civilians are slaughtered. More than 35,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began in the aftermath of Hamas' October 7 terror attack, which left around 1,200 Israelis dead. The number is courtesy of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian health authority, which does not distinguish between Hamas fighters and Palestinian civilians. Democratic members of Congress have condemned Israel for pushing the Palestinian population into a humanitarian crisis, while college campuses have seen widespread pro-Palestinian protests, resulting in mass arrests. In the meantime, Republicans have hit the Biden administration for stalling the bomb shipment. On Sunday, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham went on a tirade about the pause after Meet the Press host Kristen Welker pointed out that GOP President Ronald Reagan had made a similar move in 1982 over fears Israel was using U.S.-made weapons on the Palestinian civilian population. Welker said to Graham, 'Well, historians would say, "Why is it OK for Reagan to do it and not President Biden?'" - a question that set the Republican senator off. 'Well, why's it OK - well, can I say this?' Graham said, when Welker interrupted. 'Why is it OK for America to drop two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end their existential threat war? Why was it OK for us to do that? I thought it was OK.' 'To Israel, do whatever you have to do to survive as a Jewish state,' he stated. Welker, again, pointed out that senior military officials have said that the technology has changed. 'Yeah, these military officials that you're talking about are full of crap,' Graham snapped. Elbow frontman Guy Garvey appeared to quip about Co-Op Live's previous woes last night as he took to the stage for the crisis-ridden music venue's first gig. The beleaguered arena in Manchester was the subject of ridicule after being forced to call off three concerts at the last minute but its belated grand opening appeared to go off without a hitch on Tuesday. Structural issues with the building were among a host of issues previously raised, with reports suggesting its ventilation system was falling from the ceiling. One worker said 'there were loads of wires hanging down' with exposed lighting on the floor which looked 'very messy'. In an apparent nod to those woes, Garvey welcomed the audience by quipping: 'There was already electricity in the air before you lot got in here... and now it's fully amped up. I hope you can feel it.' The rocker added that those who had been working on the building had been 'so excited today, so nervous and so excited'. Garvey was also seen telling the crowd before the end of Elbow's set: 'You've house-warmed this beautiful new venue, shall we sing one last song together?' The 365m venue finally opened after an inspection gave the arena the all-clear, with boss Tim Leiweke adding he is confident it is now 'the safest building in the world.' Elbow frontman Guy Garvey has hailed the 'beautiful' Co-op Live arena, as the crisis-ridden venue finally hosted its first gig. Pictured at the Manchester arena last night The Co-op Live arena is pictured last night as Elbow performed at the troubled venue The band boosted fans confidence that the night will go ahead as planned Pictured is the beleaguered arena in Manchester last night as it finally opened for its first gig The beleaguered arena in Manchester opened with the rock band after it was forced to call off three concerts at the last minute. Pictured is the gig last night Before concluding their set, Garvey told the crowd: 'You've house-warmed this beautiful new venue, shall we sing one last song together?' in a video on X The troubled arena said it has completed an inspection and will open after a string of delays The problem-plagued Co-op Live arena finally launches with Elbow gig after being forced to call off three concerts at the last minute. Pictured: Queues from outside the arena last night This comes after the arena, which boasts being the largest in the UK, was forced to postpone opening shows three times because of concerning structural issues with the building, including parts from the ventilation falling from the ceiling. Pictured: Fans queuing for Elbow Students Paul Chester and Clara Curtis were 'confident' that all the issues will have been sorted out by now, otherwise the concert would have already been called off Fan queuing up outside the mammoth stadium that can hold 23,500 people told MailOnline last night they were sympathetic to the issues the arena has faced. And despite the long wait, the gig seemed to go ahead without a hitch. Elbow were celebrating the release of their 10th studio album, Audio Vertigo, with their first tour since 2018, as they made history as headliners of the opening night at the arena. John Couling, 60, said from the queue last night: 'For a four year build, being four weeks out is not that bad. They have gone through Covid and through flooding. We are sure it's all going to be fine tonight.' His wife Fiona Thomson, also 60, added: 'I have been a massive fan of Elbow for 25 years. I feel confident that we will see them here tonight. 'Elbow were pretty sure that it was all going to be ok. If anything went wrong I would be disappointed and upset but I wouldn't be cross and especially not with the staff.' Queues snaked back about 300 yards, as the first lucky fans started to go into the venue. Students Paul Chester and Clara Curtis added that they were 'confident' that all the issues will have been sorted out by now, otherwise the concert would have already been called off. Clara, 20, said: 'I was a bit nervous with all the news but they have been giving us some good updates so we are hoping for no bumps in the road. 'We would have preferred them not to go ahead unless they are ready anyway for safety. It's nice they haven't sugar coated what happened and have kept us informed. Paul agreed, saying: 'I have been following it since the first concerts were postponed but hopefully they have done some thorough checks. We would be disappointed if anything went wrong as we are excited to see Elbow.' However, some fans were growing frustrated at the lengthy queues meaning they might miss out on some of the performance. Daniel Morgan, 64, from Liverpool, and a self-professed lifelong Elbow fan, is angry about the length of the queues. He said: 'I don't want to swear but this is ridiculous. My last train is 11.30pm. If we eventually get in, we are only going to see a quarter of the show. I have a van so I left it in St Helens and got the train. 'In my opinion they should have used the other arena.' Elbow fans posted on X about the 'fantastic night' they had at the gig last night Fan queuing up outside have been quite sympathetic to the issues the Coop live arena had John Couling (left) sympathised with the arena, he said: 'For a four year build, being four weeks out is not that bad. They have gone through Covid and through flooding' Inside the Coop Live arena last night where rock band Elbow are performing The problem-plagued Co-op Live arena finally launches with Elbow gig after being forced to call off three concerts at the last minute We are here for @Elbow at the @TheCoopLive Fantastic staff who are friendly and welcoming. Here we go for an awesome night of beautiful music pic.twitter.com/cNcSP3WaTM Adam Harding-Jones (@adamsuperjuiced) May 14, 2024 The 365m Manchester venue is headlining last night's show with rock band Elbow (above), after an inspection gave the arena the all-clear Meanwhile, Steve Jones, 58, from Rhyl in Wales said he was a 'bit apprehensive' about everything going to plan. 'Hopefully everything goes OK,' he said. 'It's been a long time in the coming, seeing all the other ones that have been cancelled, because we live 60-odd miles away and then you're thinking 'hope everything goes OK'. 'Looking forward to it now.' Nigel Thomas, who is 56 and from Chester, had come with family members to see Elbow perform, with one relative travelling from Hong Kong to see the band. 'I'm so excited and I can't believe it's actually going to go ahead tonight, after all the worries - great to be here,' he said. Mr Thomas said recent cancellations of events at the Co-op Live arena had left him feeling 'scared' and 'worried'. 'We (were) worried if it would go to another venue, possibly have just be postponed and we wouldn't all be able to meet and make it happen, so tonight feels a little bit weird, still a bit apprehensive that it hasn't actually started yet, so we've still got a few hours to go.' Peter Kay was supposed to be the Co-op Live's opener on April 23 but problems had already shown themselves in earlier test events, leading to that being postponed. The venue then planned for US rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie to open the arena on May 1, however it was called off just over an hour before his performance with fans queuing outside, due to the ventilation system becoming detached during a soundcheck. The issue also meant scheduled performances from US pop star Olivia Rodrigo and British band Keane were postponed, while a slew of shows by Take That were moved to the AO Arena across town. Fans were sent away 10 minutes after doors were due to open for the gig after a piece of aircon equipment came loose There were chaotic scenes outside the new arena last night as fans of A Boogie Wit da Hoodie were told at the last minute the show had been canned Stranded A Boogie Wit da Hoodie fans speak to police in Manchester after his Co-op Live show was cancelled at the last minute Kay, who was meant to be the 'first artist in the world to perform at Manchester Co-op Live' according to promotional posters, then had a second show postponed as the venue was still not ready to open six days later. The problems also led to the venue rescheduling a Black Keys gig. The venue then planned for US rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie to open the arena on May 1, however it was called off just over an hour before his performance with fans queuing outside, due to the ventilation system becoming detached during a soundcheck. Co-op Live said an inspection would need to take place to ensure it was a one-time default. At a Rick Astley test event on April 20, attendance was slashed from 11,000 to just 4,000 less than two hours before the start due to problems with the arena's power - believed to have affected the fire safety and emergency services communication systems. Insiders claimed 'everything was run down to the wire' ahead of that show and general manager Gary Roden quit that week. East Sussex rock band Keane announced last week that their postponed gig is rescheduled for October 19, while new dates are yet to be announced for Rodrigo. Bolton comedian Kay is due to make his pair of appearances next week on May 23 and 24, while The Black Keys' rescheduled gig is tomorrow. Last week, the venue confirmed Elbow would be opening the arena on Tuesday and added a headline performance from US rapper Travis Scott - who will be bringing his Circus Maximus Tour on July 13. A Co-op Live spokesperson said: 'Following the incident in the bowl on May 1 2024, an inspection and verification report was undertaken by SES subcontractors. 'In consultation with Manchester City Council, responsible authorities and wider stakeholders, we are satisfied with the process and outcome of the investigation identifying the HVAC nozzle as an isolated manufacturing default. 'This is a standard process of review in any venue when such an incident occurs. 'We now look forward to welcoming fans to Elbow's opening performance on May 14 2024.' Jim Chalmers has been slammed as 'tone deaf' after his wife Laura turned heads in a $1,900 designer outfit that would cost most Australians a week's worth of pay. The former political advisor-turned magazine editor, 40, wore an $899 yellow Carla Zampatti dress and a matching $999 jacket as she supported her husband while he handed down the 2024-25 Budget on Tuesday night. The power couple shared a sweet kiss at the commencement of his speech with two of their three young children also attending the special night. However, it wasn't long before Aussies took offence to Ms Chalmer's $1,900 outfit with some calling her decision to wear the designer gown as 'top tier tone deaf'. The matter was made worse after it re-emerged Dr Chalmers earns more than $420,000 a year as Treasurer. Jim Chalmers has been slammed as 'tone deaf' after his wife Laura turned heads in an $1,900 designer outfit that would cost most Australians a weeks wage (the couple are pictured) It wasn't long before Aussies took offence to Mrs Chalmer's $1,900 outfit with some calling her decision to wear the designer gown as 'top-tier tone deaf' One Facebook user slammed the move as 'gold tier tone deaf' 'These people are so out of touch with reality and the average Aussie,' one wrote. 'While so many people live in cars and tents. They should be forced to live on minimum wage for a month to experience it,' a second wrote. A third shared: 'This is Gold Tier Tone Deaf, you have to hand it to her'. 'Out of touch and budget was appalling - so many struggling and they don't seem to care,' a fourth commented. Australian workers earn an average wage of just under $2,000 per week, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian men take home an average pay of $1,982.80 each week while women make less with a weekly salary of $1,744.80. Men have an average salary of $103,105 while women make $90,729. Average weekly earnings were highest in Western Australia ($2,108) and the Australian Capital Territory ($2,080) and were the lowest in Tasmania ($1,670). Dr Chalmers is estimated to earn an eye-watering $423,000 per year as Treasurer while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is paid an estimated $586,000. The base salary for an Australian politician currently sits at just over $200,000. On Tuesday night, Labor announced major cost-of-living support for struggling residents in a pre-election pitch to Aussies as it tries to win over voters. In his Budget speech, Dr Chalmers boasted of a $9.3billion surplus driven by a strong labour market and increased commodity prices. Dr Chalmers is estimated to earn an eye-watering $423,000 per year as Treasurer while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is paid an estimated $586,000 The cost-of-living relief includes a $300 energy bill credit for every household, increased rent assistance and waiving $3billion in student debt indexation. Ms Chalmers, formerly known as Laura Anderson, worked as a press secretary for former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong before moving back to her first love, journalism. Her successful career led to her becoming the national editor-in-chief for News Corp's Saturday Weekend Magazines in November 2021, just after returning from maternity leave. She showed her ambition when she took the job, saying: 'We know there is an audience for premium, long-form journalism and that is what these magazines will do.' A star-studded lineup of politicians could be called in Sen. Bob Menendez's ongoing corruption trial. Menendez arrived at a Manhattan federal court Tuesday for a second day of jury selection, but as of the evening, a jury has yet to be finalized. Judge Sidney H. Stein told potential jurors that renowned lawmakers, former white house officials and even one man considered to be in the running for a Trump vice presidential slot could all be called in to testify in the high-profile corruption case. Menendez, his wife Nadine and two New Jersey businessmen - Wael Hana and Fred Daibes - have pleaded not guilty to alegedly taking part in a bribery scheme featuring gold bars, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash payments and a luxury Mercedes-Benz convertible. On Tuesday, Stein quizzed potential jurors on their familiarity with the politicos, saying, 'You may see them or hear their names, and I want to know if you have a connection with any of these people.' Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., arrives at Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in New York for his corruption trial The list of potential witnesses given out by Stein included: Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Tim Scott, R-S.C., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Chris Coons, D-Del., Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Kristen Sinema, I-Ariz., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. It also includes former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin, former senior advisor to President Obama David Axelrod and Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y. The list of potential witnesses notably mentions Scott, who has been rumored to be a top pick for Donald Trump's 2024 running mate. It also lists two of the former president's closest advisors: Mnuchin and Pompeo. When pressed on whether he had a message for his colleague Menendez on Tuesday evening, Coons told DailyMail.com 'of course not.' Coons chairs the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, which has been involved in investigating Mendendez's conduct. The top Republican on the ethics panel, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., also refused to comment on the Menendez trial, citing his role on the committee as the reason he had to be tight-lipped on the matter. 'If I had any messages for him I would not be discussing them publicly with you,' New Jersey's junior senator, Cory Booker, told DailyMail.com. Still, Booker has already called on Menendez to resign. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., was named as a potential witness in Menendez's corruption case. he is also widely speculated to be a top candidate for former President Donald Trump's VP pick Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also among those mentioned as potential witnesses This image provided by the U.S. Attorney's office shows two of the gold bars found during a search by federal agents of Sen. Bob Menendez's home and safe deposit box A handout photo made available by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan shows jackets found by federal agents inside the home of US Democratic Senator from New Jersey Bob Menendez, along with cash found inside the jackets. Judge Stein also noted that former Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin could be called to testify Other lawmakers, however, were more candid in talking about Menendez's corruption trial. 'Well, that's right, that's why he's not here voting,' Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., joked about the New Jersey Democrat's absence as he attends his court hearings in New York. 'He's probably the only guy that really, really enjoys the Trump trial right now.' 'But he went big. He went national, really national, you know, he got roasted on The Daily Show last night,' Fetterman quipped about Menendez getting ridiculed on Jon Stewart's late night comedy show. The Pennsylvania Democrat said he and Menendez have 'developed a very special relationship' since Fetterman called for his resignation shortly after federal prosecutors announced charges against the New Jersey lawmaker in September 2023. 'He knows what he did, if he did anything wrong, and he just needs to trust his instincts,' Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., told DailyMail.com. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said 'I've already called for him to resign.' Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and his wife Nadine are both being prosecuted in the case. Nadine, however, will be tried separately from Menendez, Hana and Daibes Former senior advisor to President Barack Obama, David Axelrod, was included in the list of potential witnesses Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., told DailyMail.com he would not share a message for Menendez amid his court trial publicly, despite being named as a potential witness in the case Multiple other lawmakers weighed in generally wishing him the best in his trial before admitting that the court will have to decide whether Menendez is innocent or guilty. The next phase in the trial after a jury is selected will be opening arguments from both the prosecution and defense. Although how long it will take to seat a full jury is yet to be seen. In September, the New Jersey Democrat was accused by the Department of Justice of being involved in a bribery scheme with several American businessmen and the governments of Egypt and Qatar. A raid of the senator's Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, home uncovered around $500,000 in cash stowed in clothes, closets and a safe, 13 gold bars and a luxury Mercedes-Benz convertible, all of which prosecutors claim were payments for favors given out by Menendez. The 66-page indictment prompting Menendez's court appearance charges him with acting as a foreign agent, extortion, bribery, fraud and obstruction of justice. Court artists draws Sen. Bob Menendez, center, sitting with his defense team during jury selection on Tuesday But this is not the first time Menendez has been criminally charged. In 2017, the Democrat was prosecuted for a separate slate of bribery and corruption charges. However, the New Jersey senator escaped prosecution without being charged as the jury could not come to a consensus and the case ended in a mistrial. Michael Brudenell-Bruce, the eighth Marquess Of Ailesbury, has fallen to his death in a 'freak accident', apparently while he was letting the cat out. The Marquess, a distant relative of Prince Harry's model ex Florence Brudenell-Bruce, opened his bedroom window to let his pet out, according to his partner, but sadly plunged to his death in London. The 98-year-old died instantly, it was reported by The Sun, after hitting his head on the concrete patio. He was tragically discovered by his long term partner, Teresa Marshall de Paoli, 88, who had been cooking their dinner on Sunday. The Sun reported her as believing he had lain there for at least an hour. His partner of 36 years said she called police and emergency services, and she was later permitted to say goodbye and spray his favourite aftershave on him. Michael Brudenell-Bruce is pictured in an undated photograph. He died on Sunday A relative of Prince Harry's model ex Florence Brudenell-Bruce (pictured) has fallen to his death in a 'freak accident' while he was letting the cat out Prince Harry at The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul's Cathedral Teresa Marshall De Paol with Mr Brudenell-Bruce Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018, almost eight years after his relationship with Florence Brudenell-Bruce, a model who is the daughter of Andrew Brudenell-Bruce Florence Brudenell Bruce pictured at the Royal Ascot in 2012, after her relationship with Harry and a year before she married multi-millionaire Henry St George In 2011, Prince Harry dated Florence Brudenell-Bruce, a model who is the daughter of Andrew Brudenell-Bruce, and a distant relation of the third Marquess Of Ailesbury. They dated for two months and reportedly remained friends. Ms Brudenell-Bruce went on to marry multi-millionaire Henry St George in 2013, with Prince Harry marrying Meghan Markle in 2018. Teresa Marshall De Paol told The Sun police 'thought I might have killed him' before they realised he had fallen at the house which they had lived at for 14 years since they left his home in Savernake Forest. 'It was an absolutely freak accident, she said, 'there had not been a row, I hadn't hit him. 'I think the cat called Honeybun got her head stuck and he pushed it [the window] up and lost his balance, and he fell onto to the patio,' she told the newspaper. Florence Brudenell-Bruce pictured at the launch of the Savannah Miller x Next collection at SohoWorks on June 10, 2021 in London Prince Harry went on to marry Meghan Markle and they share two children, Archie and Lilibet Prince Harry dated Ms Brudenell-Bruce for two months in 2011. He is pictured smiling with his brother Prince William that year at the heir's wedding to Princess Kate She said he 'fell 5ft, breaking the roses on the wall' as he fell. The 88-year-old told The Sun her partner was 'cold and very pale' and she had fetched a cushion to place under his head. 'I said to him "Oh my darling what has happened" but he was dead,' she told the newspaper. She contacted his daughter Lady Kathryn Brudenell-Bruce to tell her what had happened. They comforted one another and spent 'all night in an armchair' together. The Met Police confirmed they attended the address at just after 8pm on Sunday and the London Ambulance Service attended. 'The death is as unexpected but not being treated suspicious,' a spokesperson said. QUESTION What was the first sci-fi novel to tackle the concept of artificial intelligence? AI first appeared in Samuel Butler's novel Erewhon (1872); however, E.M. Forster's short story The Machine Stops (1909) fully explored the idea. Erewhon (an anagram of the word 'nowhere') referred to a forgotten society hidden in the mountains. In a section entitled The Book Of The Machines, the narrator discovers that, 500 years before his arrival, the Erewhonians had fought a civil war over the role of machines in society. The 'anti-machinists' feared AI was evolving at such a pace that it would supersede mankind. They banned all but the most primitive technologies. Butler had explored the idea of evolving AI earlier in a non-fiction article entitled Darwin Among The Machines (1863). E.M. Forster's (pictured) short story The Machine Stops (1909) fully explored the idea of artificial intelligence In The Machine Stops, an environmental catastrophe has left Earth's surface inhospitable to human life Forster, the British author known for his novels such as A Room With A View, Howards End and A Passage To India, wrote a short but brilliant story called The Machine Stops, a fictional exploration of AI that was both prescient and bleak. Tomorrow's questions Q: Has an ancestor of a Nobel prize winner ever won a Nobel prize? Simon Arkinson, Bodmin, Cornwall. Q: Did a burglar return James Montgomerys belongings because his poetry was so beautiful? Miriam Little, Manchester. Q: Were any famous figures expelled from school? Debra Lubbock, Alfreton, Derbys. Advertisement In The Machine Stops, an environmental catastrophe has left Earth's surface inhospitable to human life. Humans live isolated lives underground. Their every physical need is provided by the omniscient and omnipotent AI: 'the Machine'. Human contact is mediated through video screens; the Machine chooses the content they watch and they binge on media pre-selected by artificial intelligence. The story formed an excellent episode of the mid-1960s sci-fi anthology series Out Of The Unknown, starring Yvonne Mitchell as Vashti, who is fully trusting of the Machine while her son rebels against it. Ian Wilkinson, Hitchin, Herts. QUESTION Why was Oklahoma's Greenwood District once known as Black Wall Street? Black Wall Street refers to the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was one of the most prosperous African American communities in the early 20th century. The area became prosperous in the early 1900s, following the oil boom in Oklahoma. Many African Americans found success in entrepreneurship, establishing businesses ranging from banks to hotels. One famous resident of Black Wall Street was real estate developer Ottawa W. Gurley, who was instrumental in establishing the Greenwood District. Another was the lawyer J.B. Stradford, who owned the Stradford Hotel, the largest black-owned, black-operated and black-guest-only hotel in America. It was famed for its gambling hall, dining room, saloon, pool hall and jazz. The aftermath of the Tulsa Race Massacre, during which mobs of white residents attacked black residents and businesses of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921 The prosperity of Black Wall Street was cut short in 1921 during the Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the deadliest acts of racial violence in American history. A white mob attacked the Greenwood District, destroying homes and businesses and killing hundreds of African American residents. Eventually the entire black commercial district was destroyed, including the Stradford Hotel. Shamefully, Stradford and 20 other black people were indicted for inciting a riot. The massacre resulted in the decimation of Black Wall Street and had a lasting impact on the community. Jean Scott, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham. QUESTION What was the significance of Mrs Partington's Mop in 19th-century Britain? The phrase Mrs Partington's Mop was a Victorian metaphor for a futile or hopeless effort to resist change. The phrase is attributed to Sydney Smith (1771-1845), a reformer, wit and Anglican cleric. Smith first deployed the fictional Mrs Partington in a Reform Bill speech at Taunton in 1831, in which he recalled the violent Sidmouth floods of November 22, 1824. He said: 'I do not mean to be disrespectful but the attempt of the Lords to stop the progress of reform reminds me very forcibly of the great storm of Sidmouth and of the conduct of the excellent Mrs Partington on that occasion. 'In the winter of 1824, there set in a great flood upon that town... in the midst of this sublime and terrible storm, Dame Partington, who lived upon the beach, was seen at the door of her house with mop and pattens [protective overshoes], trundling her mop, squeezing out the seawater and vigorously punching away the Atlantic Ocean... 'The Atlantic Ocean beat Mrs Partington. She was excellent with a slop or a puddle, but she should not have meddled with a tempest.' Smith was much more than an author and wit. He co-founded the Edinburgh Review, campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the poor, highlighted the plight of child workers and proposed allotments for the poor to grow vegetables, using his own glebe land for the purpose. Gerry Thomas, Honiton, Devon. A political activist who went on a month long hunger strike after being jailed for advocating reform of the Thai monarchy has died in prison, authorities have announced. Netiporn Sanae-sangkhom had been in jail since January, charged under Thailand's tough royal insult laws over a royal motorcade protest in 2020 during the peak of the kingdom's youth-led pro-democracy movement. The 28-year-old went on hunger strike shortly after detention to protest against the Thai justice system and was immediately transferred to the medical correctional hospital over health concerns. The authorities said she went into cardiac arrest on Tuesday morning, after having refused 'vitamins and minerals' from the hospital. Netiporn Sanae-sangkhom had been in jail since January, charged under Thailand 's tough royal insult laws over a royal motorcade protest in 2020 The 28-year-old went on hunger strike shortly after detention to protest against the Thai justice system. Pictured: Pro-democracy activists hold a banner expressing their opinion during mourning ceremony for Netiporn Sanesangkhom Some of the world's strictest lese-majeste laws protect King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family, with each offence carrying a potential 15-year sentence. Netiporn Sanesangkhom, (centre), poses for photographs with members of the 'Bad Student' group during a protest against Thailand's government and calling for monarchy reform, in Bangkok The authorities said she went into cardiac arrest on Tuesday morning, after having refused 'vitamins and minerals' from the hospital. Pictured: A portrait of Netiporn Sanesangkhom, seen during mourning ceremony outside The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court Some of the world's strictest lese-majeste laws protect King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family, with each offence carrying a potential 15-year sentence. According to the statement released by the department of corrections, Netiporn - also known by her nickname 'Boong' - suffered from weak legs and arms as well as anaemia. She refused 'minerals and vitamins' given by the hospital, the statement said. 'She had a cardiac arrest on Tuesday morning and wasn't responsive to the treatment, which led her to die peacefully at 11:22 am (0422 GMT),' the statement said. It added that the hospital will conduct an autopsy to identify the cause of death. The Southeast Asian regional branch of the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said it was 'deeply disturbed' by Netiporn's death. 'We call for transparent & impartial investigation into her death & care. Freedom of expression & peaceful assembly are fundamental rights,' the office wrote on X, formerly Twitter. According to the Human Rights Lawyer Association, there are at least two political prisoners in Thailand who went on hunger strike. In 2023, two Thai hunger strikers held under royal insult law were given temporary release over health concerns. Another high school is being investigated after a student created a list ranking their female classmates by their appearance. The student at McClelland College in Frankston in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs, created the list on May 10. The list is understood to have rated female students who attend the high school by their looks and was created on a computer that belongs to the student. The list is understood to have deeply upset members of the school community, according to a report in the Herald Sun. McClelland College (pictured) at Frankston in Melbourne's south-east suburbs is investigating a list that rated female students by their appearance after it was created and circulated by a group of boys in Year 9 Victoria Police has been made aware of the list and officers are understood to be working with the school to investigate the information. 'Police have engaged with the school to assess the information, but at this stage no criminal offending has been detected,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia 'There have been no formal complaints to police.' Laura Spence, acting principal of McClelland College, said in a statement that the students affected have been provided with support. 'The safety and wellbeing of our students is an absolute top priority for us, and we are supporting the students impacted by this behaviour,' she said. 'I am very grateful to the students who immediately brought the matter to my attention.' Ms Spence said disciplinary action has been taken and she said further action will be considered, as the school continues to obtain further information. A spokesperson from Victoria's Department of Education told Daily Mail Australia it is committed to ensuring students engage in respectful relationships, and has measures in place to facilitate this engagement. 'Misogynistic and disrespectful behaviour is entirely unacceptable in any Victorian school - and the school has rightly taken swift action,' the spokesperson said. 'More than 1,950 Victorian government, Catholic and independent schools are signed up to the Respectful Relationships initiative - supporting them to embed respect and gender equality across their entire school community and stamp out these vile attitudes to women. 'We all have a responsibility to teach students respect - and we'll continue to invest in programs that promote gender equality to embed those attitudes.' Police have been made aware of the list and the school is conducting further inquiries as it offers support to those students affected (stock image) While initial reports suggested a number of students were involved, the school subsequently clarified the list was created by one student, The spokesperson from the department confirmed that multiple students were not involved in creating the list. The list has not been circulated beyond the computer that belongs to the student and the spokesperson said the department would not provide details about the year level involved, to protect the privacy of victims and students. According to its website, McClelland College is committed to 'providing a child-safe and child-friendly environment where students are safe and feel safe'. The latest incident comes after four boys at Yarra Valley Grammar School in Ringwood, in Melbourne's east, were suspended after they created a spreadsheet which ranked female classmates according to their appearance. The misogynistic list discovered by the school on May 1 featured photos of female students and ranked them from best to worst. A petition was signed by 118 former students, demanding that the boys who created the spreadsheet be expelled from the school. Two of the students involved were subsequently expelled. Yarra Valley Grammar principal Dr Mark Merry said the behaviour was shocking and students were disgusted by the disrespectful act. 'As a father, I find it absolutely outrageous, disgraceful, offensive. As a principal, I need to make some decisions [about] what we do about all of this,' Dr Merry said. The matter was reported to police. President Joe Biden again went after 'that loser,' former President Donald Trump, for comments suggesting Americans should inject themselves with bleach during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The president headlined the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies' black-tie gala Tuesday night at the Washington Convention Center, as he continued to mark Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Biden brought up the pandemic - including the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes due to COVID's origin being Chinese - and Trump's handling of the crisis. 'Look, I'll never forget him lying about the pandemic, telling Americans to inject bleach into their skin,' Biden said, pausing. 'I wonder if he did it?' the president asked with a laugh. 'Might explain some things,' he said. President Joe Biden again went after 'that loser,' former President Donald Trump, for comments suggesting Americans should inject themselves with bleach during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic The president headlined the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies' 30th annual gala, bringing up the rise in hate crimes against Asians amid the COVID-19 pandemic due to the outbreak starting in China The president knocked Trump around on immigration reform as well. Biden recalled how Congress had come close to getting a comprehensive immigration bill passed, though Republican support dwindled after Trump - the 2024 presumptive GOP nominee - interfered. 'This bill had majority, the bipartisan bill, had majority support in the House and Senate but I was told that other guy, that loser,' he said, with the crowd giving him cheers. 'I think he's having trouble,' Biden then said. The president recalled how Trump called Republicans to block the bill, tanking its chances. 'But he's wrong. Republicans in Congress must act because it's the right thing to do and Americans need it done,' the president added. The president mentioned Trump by name - instead of calling him his predecessor - over the Republicans' 2017 tax legislation. Biden attacked his 2024 rival, former President Donald Trump - photographed Tuesday in court - for suggesting Americans could inject bleach to stop COVID-19 Biden also called out Trump for being insensitive about one of the country's many mass shootings - but messed up the details. 'And I remember in Atlanta, Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park. This guy said when the last shooting occurred, he said, they asked him about it, he said just get over it, get over it,' Biden said. 'Ughhh,' the president uttered. 'I'll be good,' he told the crowd. The mass shootings in Atlanta, Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park impacted the Asian-American community. In the days leading up to the January 15 Iowa caucuses, there was a school shooting in Perry, Iowa, which Trump brought up at a campaign rally. 'I want to send our support and our deepest sympathies to the victims and families touched by the terrible school shooting yesterday in Perry, Iowa,' Trump said. 'It's just horrible, so surprising to see it here,' he told the Mason City crowd. 'But have to get over it, we have to move forward.' A dramatic new video shows a Delta plane bursting into flames after it landed at Seattle-Tacoma airport on Monday, May 6. Footage shows the nose of the Airbus A321neo is seen glowing red and emitting smoke after flying in from Cancun, Mexico. All 189 passengers were rushed out through the emergency exit on the wing and told to use emergency slides to the tarmac. Ashwin Menon, a passenger on troubled plane, told KOMO News he remembers hearing flight attendants saying over the intercom: 'Drop your belongings, unbuckle, and head to the exits.' 'I think people responded to that with panic, there was a little bit of jostling in the aisles to get to the exit,' Menon told KOMO News, which obtained the terrifying video. 'But overall it was a pretty smooth evacuation process.' Surveillance video obtained by KOMO News shows a Delta plane's nose area erupting into flames shortly after landing at Seattle-Tacoma Airport on a Monday night last week An airport spokesperson revealed that the fire started when a electrical cord plugged into the plane shorted out. The Federal Aviation Administration said the fire could have been caused by a 'ground power unit.' There were no major injuries as a result of the incident, though Menon said he saw a few people getting hurt while going down the emergency slide, including a woman who twisted her ankle. 'Once I got out of the flight you could see the fire burning right below the cockpit,' Menon said. 'I was glad everyone was able to make it out.' The Port of Seattle Fire Department arrived after the fire burned out, officials said, though firefighters sprayed water on the charred area anyway. Delta issued a statement to address concerns related to the fire, which is shown burning for several minutes on the surveillance video. 'During deplaning Monday evening, the crew of Flight 604 from Cancun to Seattle witnessed smoke in the aircraft nose area after plugging into ground electrical power. 'Out of an abundance of caution, slides were deployed and passengers still on board deplaned via the rear of the aircraft,' the company wrote. Delta also revealed that the Airbus plane was less than two years old. Passengers on the Airbus A321neo are seen evacuating. They step onto the plane's right wing, before sliding down the emergency slide just behind Passengers returned to the terminal via a ramp to a loading bridge, according to officials. Menon said after waiting in the terminal they were sent to U.S. Customs and were able to leave about an hour after that. An apology was issued via email from Delta the next morning, which sent him some airline miles for his trouble. Menon thanked all the first responders and the flight crew for guiding the passengers through the unexpected situation, adding that he was glad this didn't happen in the air. 'It lingers in the mind a little bit, I'm glad it happened over land and at the boarding gate, it's the best place to hope for an evacuation,' he said. A woman shot on a main road in north London was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of a drive-by gun battle between two cars, witnesses said last night. Armed police descended on the Stamford Hill neighbourhood just after 7.30pm to hunt for the gunman after the woman in her 30s was shot in the leg. Emergency crews including the air ambulance scrambled to join officers at the scene and she was taken to hospital. Her current condition is not known. A source at the scene told MailOnline two cars were aiming guns at each other at the time of the shooting, and the woman was an 'innocent bystander' caught in the crossfire. It is not known how many shots were fired or whether they came from two cars or just one. The witness added that one of the cars sped off in the direction of Clapton Common, a park half a mile away from the scene, where two more shots were reportedly heard. No one else is believed to have been injured. Armed officers swarmed on a north London neighbourhood this evening after a woman in her 30s was shot in the leg Emergency crews including the air ambulance descended on Stamford Hill just after 7.30pm when the woman was gunned down near a busy main road The Met Police said it has made no arrests in connection with the incident as detectives continue to hunt for the shooter Armed police descended on the Stamford Hill neighbourhood just after 7.30pm to hunt for the gunman after the woman in her 30s was shot in the leg Social media video showed dozens of onlookers watching as the authorities descended onto the scene to figure out what had happened. The woman who was shot was taken to a major trauma centre in east London where she is believed to remain overnight. The Met Police said it has made no arrests in connection with the incident as detectives continue to hunt for the shooter. Officers closed off Stamford Hill in both directions between Clapton Common and Manor Road following the incident. A Met police spokesperson said: 'Police were called at about 19:40hrs on Tuesday, 14 May to reports of a shooting near Reizel Close, Stamford Hill. 'Officers, including specialist firearms officers, and London Ambulance Service attended. 'A woman in her 30s was found with a gunshot injury to her leg. She was taken to an east London hospital we await to hear updates on her condition. People gather round a police cordon at Stamford Hill in north London following a shooting The woman was treated at the scene before being taken to a major trauma centre in east London. Her current condition is not known Officers have closed off Stamford Hill in both directions between Clapton Common and Manor Road 'Offices are working to establish the circumstance of this incident. 'No arrests have been made at this time. A crime scene is in place.' A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 7:41pm today (May 14) to reports of a shooting at Stamford Hill. 'We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer and members of our hazardous area response team (HART). We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance. 'We treated a patient at the scene before taking them to a major trauma centre as a priority.' Boeing could face criminal prosecution over two fatal 737 Max crashes after they were accused of violating a settlement which allowed them to avoid earlier charges. The Justice Department will decide whether to pursue charges, amid increasing scrutiny over the safety of the company's planes, by July 7. Boeing reached a $2.5 billion settlement with the Justice Department in January 2021 after two 737 Max jets crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people. The settlement allowed Boeing to avoid prosecution on a single charge of fraud - misleading regulators who approved the 737 Max - but set out certain terms that Boeing had to comply with for the next three years. The Justice Department alleges Boeing has since breached the 2021 settlement, opening themselves up to criminal prosecution. 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, which took the lives of 157 people Glenn Leon, head of the Justice Department criminal division's fraud section, said in a letter filed in Texas federal court that Boeing failed to make changes to prevent it from violating federal anti-fraud laws - a condition of the the 2021 settlement. The department claims that Boeing failed to 'design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the U.S. fraud laws', according to NBC. Boeing could now be prosecuted 'for any federal criminal violation of which the United States has knowledge,' including the charge of fraud that the company hoped to avoid with the $2.5 billion settlement, the Justice Department said. However, it is not clear whether the government will prosecute the manufacturing giant. 'The Government is determining how it will proceed in this matter,' the Justice Department said in the court filing. 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 which killed 189 Boeing said: 'We can confirm that we received a communication today from the Justice Department, stating that the Department has made a determination that we have not met our obligations under our 2021 deferred prosecution agreement, and requesting the company's response. 'We believe that we have honored the terms of that agreement, and look forward to the opportunity to respond to the Department on this issue. 'As we do so, we will engage with the Department with the utmost transparency, as we have throughout the entire term of the agreement, including in response to their questions following the Alaska Airlines 1282 accident.' Prosecutors said they will meet with families of the crash victims on May 31. Paul Cassell, a lawyer who represents families of passengers who died in the Max crash in Ethiopia, called it a 'positive first step, and for the families, a long time coming.' 'But we need to see further action from DOJ to hold Boeing accountable, and plan to use our meeting on May 31 to explain in more details what we believe would be a satisfactory remedy to Boeings ongoing criminal conduct,' Cassell said. Investigations into the 2018 and 2019 crashes pointed to a flight-control system that Boeing added to the Max without telling pilots or airlines. 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 Boeing downplayed the significance of the system, then didnt overhaul it until after the second crash. The Justice Department investigated Boeing and settled the case in January 2021. After secret negotiations, the government agreed not to prosecute Boeing on a charge of defrauding the United States by deceiving regulators who approved the plane. In exchange, the company paid $2.5 billion - a $243.6 million fine, a $500 million fund for victim compensation, and nearly $1.8 billion to airlines whose Max jets were grounded. Boeing has faced civil lawsuits, congressional investigations and massive damage to its business since the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. 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. 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 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. 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 A Swastika scrawled by a pupil in a classroom has raised parents' fears that children are being brainwashed into anti-Semitism by pro-Palestinian activists. The crude graffiti at a Brighton comprehensive was last night being investigated by police. The image, in marker pen on the back of a plastic chair, has been visible at Patcham High School for several weeks. Alarmed parents alerted the headteacher over the weekend to the 'frightening' development. A family with children at the school, said: 'Pupils have been targeted by pro-Palestinian activists in our area. They are making massive efforts to radicalise British children into anti-Semitic hatred since the October 7 invasion of Israel by Hamas.' A Swastika scrawled by a pupil in a classroom has raised parents' fears that children are being brainwashed into anti-Semitism by pro-Palestinian activists The image, in marker pen on the back of a plastic chair, has been visible at Patcham High School (pictured) for several weeks One father said: 'We are scared of the future.' He added that the swastika should not be blamed on Palestinian or Muslim pupils, saying: 'It is local English children caught up in this radicalisation by Palestinian activists.' The Mail was handed a photo of the graffiti, which bizarrely includes the words 'Bring back 1945' the year the Nazis were defeated after researching anti-Semitism among school-age youngsters in Brighton and south coast towns including Hove and Hastings. Parents claim their children are called 'stinky Jews' by pupils. Some walk home as schoolmates chant 'River to the Sea', a pro-Palestine trope demanding the extinction of Israel. In one case, say parents, a Jewish child was kicked in the face by pupils in a row over the Israel-Palestine conflict. Members of a local Jewish family said: 'Pro-Palestinian activists have taken over Brighton's social life from young people's theatre groups to multi-cultural events. 'They use them to peddle very extreme views to children about one view of the Gaza conflict. 'This anti-Semitic propaganda has seeped through to pupils. Not enough is being done to stop the radicalisation.' The Mail has been sent other photographs of an event on March 9 at arts venue the Brighton Dome, organised by a local women's centre and attended by children. It shows participants being invited to colour in drawings of Palestinian activists One of the activists they were colouring in was Ahed Tamimi, among 30 prisoners released by Israel last November in an attempted truce deal with terror group Hamas The Mail has been sent other photographs of an event on March 9 at arts venue the Brighton Dome, organised by a local women's centre and attended by children. It shows participants being invited to colour in drawings of Palestinian activists, including Ahed Tamimi, among 30 prisoners released by Israel last November in an attempted truce deal with terror group Hamas. The headteacher of Patcham declined to comment last night. A Sussex police spokesman said: 'Officers from Brighton's Neighbourhood Policing Team visited the school to conduct further enquiries. 'Sussex Police takes hate crime extremely seriously.' Russia has amassed more than half a million troops on the front line in a dramatic bid to overpower Ukrainian forces, analysts say. Vladimir Putin's army significantly outnumbers the Western-backed troops, forcing them to use up ammunition supplies. Dr Jack Watling, from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said: 'The Russian forces have now expanded to 510,000 troops. 'The outlook for Ukraine is bleak. Its allies must replenish stockpiles.' The warning came as Russia continued its advances in northern Ukraine, which threaten the country's second city, Kharkiv. Your browser does not support iframes. Vladimir Putin 's army significantly outnumbers the Western-backed troops as it has amassed half a million troops on the border. A still image froma video shows tanks and military vehicles in Maslovka, Voronezh Region, Russia Defence Secretary Grant Shapps suggested the advances had 'caught the West napping'. Pictured: Smoke rises in the aftermath of a Russian strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv Defence Secretary Grant Shapps suggested the advances had 'caught the West napping'. It may also have prompted a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Kyiv yesterday to reassure president Volodymyr Zelensky that US military aid was 'on its way'. Mr Blinken said: 'We know this is a challenging time. 'But US aid is going to make a real difference against the ongoing Russian aggression on the battlefield.' A $60billion package was recently approved by Congress after months of disputes involving Republican lawmakers. The Home Secretary's visa system reforms are likely to have a 'very large' impact on the number of foreign students staying to work in Britain, an official report says. The Home Office's Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) said James Cleverly's changes could see the pool of foreign students going into work fall from 70,000 to 26,000. Recent reforms have included preventing most postgraduate students bringing family members with them to the UK, and raising the salary threshold for skilled worker visas for which some students later apply. The MAC, a panel of independent experts which advises ministers, concluded there is no need to shake up the 'graduate visa' route which allows students to work here for up to two years after finishing their course. The Home Secretary's visa system reforms are likely to have a 'very large' impact on the number of foreign students staying to work in Britain, an official report says It said there was 'no evidence of widespread abuse' of the graduate visa. But it warned that foreign students may be being 'exploited' and 'misled' by agencies which recruit for courses at British universities, and called for tougher regulation. Further restrictions on foreign students would lead to universities which rely on higher tuition fees paid by international students facing a budget meltdown, the report said. The higher education sector would suffer 'substantial financial difficulty' which could lead to job losses and even force some institutions to close down. 'The recent immigration policy changes will directly impact the demand for the graduate route, and thereafter progression onto longer term work routes,' the study said. 'The impacts of these policy changes alone could be very large. 'For the cohort of international students who finished in 2023, we might have expected around 70,000 to have ultimately progressed onto work routes. 'Under the policy changes already introduced, this could reduce to around 26,000.' The Home Office's Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) said James Cleverly's changes could see the pool of foreign students going into work fall from 70,000 to 26,000 It said there was 'concern about potential exploitation of both student and graduate visa holders due to poor practices by certain agents who recruit students onto courses and may be mis-selling UK higher education'. The report added that one 'student representative' told the MAC that there were 'outright lies' being told by 'third-party educational agents' who are 'mis-selling the UK as an immigration destination as opposed to an education destination'. The MAC's report, which was commissioned by Mr Cleverly in March, said there should be a 'mandatory registration system for international recruitment agents and sub-agents'. Universities should be required to publish their spend on recruitment agents and the number of international students recruited in that way, it added. It also recommended a new requirement for universities to tell the Home Office what class of degree applicants have achieved in their undergraduate course. Last year 114,000 graduate route visas were granted for main applicants with a further 30,000 for dependants. Just four nationalities - Indian, Nigerian, Chinese and Pakistani - account for 70 per cent of the total. Most of the route's growth is in non-Russell Group universities. MAC chairman Professor Brian Bell said: 'Our review recommends the graduate route should remain as it is, and is not undermining the quality and integrity of the UK's higher education system. 'The graduate route is a key part of the offer that we make to international students to come and study in the UK. 'The fees that these students pay helps universities to cover the losses they make in teaching British students and doing research. 'Without those students, many universities would need to shrink and less research would be done.' A Government spokesman said: 'We are considering the review's findings very closely and we will respond fully in due course.' Google will favour answers created by artificial intelligence over traditional website links in a major shake-up of the search engine. The tech giant said the move one of the most significant since the company was founded in the 1990s will speed up the process of finding information online. The new feature will see AI-generated, summarised answers displayed at the top of the search engine's results page, rather than first directing users to the traditional links to websites. But it fuels fears for the future of traditional media outlets, which will be deprived of advertising revenue as users will be able to get information without ever having to visit their websites. AI responses will only show up when they are the quickest and most effective solution (stock image) Over the last 18 months, the increasing use of AI technology in chatbots such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini have already raised legal questions (stock image) And the move also comes amid mounting concerns over the rise of AI and its impact on privacy, copyright and jobs. The new feature trialled last year will be rolled out to hundreds of millions of users in the US this week, before being introduced in other parts of the world. The company hopes that more than a billion users will be using the technology by end of the year. Announcing the update at Google's annual developers' conference in California, chief executive Sundar Pichai said: 'This bold and responsible approach is fundamental to delivering on our mission and making AI more helpful for everyone.' AI responses will only show up when they are the quickest and most effective solution such as giving explanations on complex subjects the company said. Users will still see traditional website links for simple searches such as weather forecasts. But experts have warned that around 25 per cent of internet traffic could be affected by the changes. It means online publishers could lose money if the AI overviews which cull information from other websites result in fewer clicks. Research by Raptive which helps around 5,000 website publishers make money from their content found it could amount to billions of dollars of lost advertising revenue. However, the tech giant claimed its research showed that the AI overviews led to users searching more and then looking at other websites. And the move also comes amid mounting concerns over the rise of AI and its impact on privacy, copyright and jobs (stock image) Users will still see traditional website links for simple searches such as weather forecasts (stock image) Liz Reid, who oversees the company's search operations, said the increase was because people 'can suddenly ask questions that were too hard before'. 'In reality, people do want to click to the web, even when they have an AI overview,' she said. 'They start with the AI overview and then they want to dig in deeper. We will continue to innovate on the AI overview and also on how we send the most useful traffic to the web.' Over the last 18 months, the increasing use of AI technology in chatbots such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini have already raised legal questions. Critics say the tech giants behind the AI services are illegally pulling from copyrighted material in other websites that the services cull information from to advance their own products. It's an allegation at the heart of a high-profile lawsuit that The New York Times filed late last year against OpenAI and its biggest backer, Microsoft. Raptive chief innovation officer, Marc McCollum, said: 'The relationship between Google and publishers has been pretty symbiotic. But enter AI and what has essentially happened is the Big Tech companies have taken this creative content and used it to train their AI models. 'We are now seeing that being used for their own commercial purposes in what is effectively a transfer of wealth from small, independent businesses to Big Tech.' A paedophile who gave a boy Pot Noodles laced with drugs before sexually abusing him as part of a sickening campaign of assault and rape has been jailed for almost three decades. Raymond Hawthorne subjected the boy and another male youngster to horrifying abuse over the course of a decade in the 1980s and 1990s, lavishing one of the children with trainers and a bike as he exploited him for his twisted desires. Liverpool Crown Court heard the now 60-year-old 'preyed upon, groomed and sexual assaulted' his victims in the Birkenhead area; one recalled being aged as young as five when the abuse started before descending into rape. His other victim described being given Pot Noodles during visits to Hawthorne's house, then 'remembering nothing' before waking up naked and realising he had been assaulted. Robert Dudley, prosecuting, described how the pervert would put his hands down one victim's trousers and perform sex acts upon him. The behaviour continued for years and ultimately 'escalated' to him raping the boy on two occasions. Raymond Hawthorne has been jailed for almost three decades after abusing children for around a decade Liverpool Crown Court, where Hawthorne was found guilty of two counts of rape, 10 charges of indecent assault and two offences of gross indecency In a statement which was read out to the court on his behalf, the first victim said: 'It is only in the last four to five years that I have found a little peace and tried to put the past behind me.' Hawthorne was said to have taken the second child on trips away to Blackpool and theme parks and 'bought him extravagant gifts' such as clothing, training shoes and even a bicycle, as well as plying him with alcohol and drugs. The now three-time convicted sex offender then 'smacked his bottom' and forced his hands into the child's underwear, sexually assaulting him. Hawthorne, who was later said to have attempted to 'bribe' him with cash, denied his crimes when finally confronted decades later and claimed the allegations had been 'fabricated for compensation'. The second complainant said that Hawthorne's actions had resulted in an 'indescribable impact' upon him. He added in his statement: 'I'm still finding it all difficult to process, the fact that justice has finally been done. I desperately want to start living. I want my life back, I want me back. 'He cannot harm any more children. This gives me hope for the future. I realise the past cannot be change. But my future can.' Hawthorne, formerly of Crescent Road in Bolton, has a total of 23 previous convictions for 77 offences ranging from assault to prostitution offences involving boys as young as 12 as well as indecent assault. The defendant represented himself in court on Monday, having last week sacked the counsel that represented him at trial. From the witness box, he stated that there had been 'no evidence whatsoever of any drug' being found in the Pot Noodles and reported that the complainant merely said the snack had 'tasted funny'. Hawthorne also told the court that it's 'rubbish' that he had committed any sexual offences. He said: 'Being convicted of historical offences requires no evidence, just someone saying "he did that to me" and they are going to be believed. 'I say I've not committed any sexual crime apart from selling sex. I just ask your honour to give me hope of a crime free lifestyle.' Hawthorne was previously found guilty of running a prostitution ring that groomed young boys (pictured in 2004) Hawthorne was found guilty of two counts of rape, 10 charges of indecent assault and two offences of gross indecency with a child by a jury. He was jailed for 27 years, a term of which he must serve at least two thirds before becoming eligible for release, and handed an additional eight years on licence. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, Hawthorne showed no reaction as he was locked up and instead sat making notes with a pen and paper. He was also told to sign the sex offenders' register for life. Sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall said: 'Your abuse of these two young children was the beginning of a lifelong obsession involving the abuse and exploitation of young boys. 'I am perfectly satisfied that you are sexually interested in young boys and will use them sexually. 'You have continued to maintain your innocence. You maintain a complete lack of sexual motivation for any of your offending. 'All of this shows that you continue to have a complete lack of any insight into your own offending and deviant motivations. There is a complete lack of remorse... you continue to minimise your behaviour. 'You present as utterly unable to understand the harm you have caused to children by your actions. You have sought to blame everyone other than yourself.' Following sentencing, Detective Constable Lauren Blackmore from Merseyside Police's rape and serious sexual offences team said: 'This result was only possible thanks to the sheer determination and bravery of his victims. 'Despite Hawthorne denying the offences, a jury saw through his lies and he will now spend a considerable amount of time in prison.' Federal investigators revealed the Dali cargo ship experienced electrical blackouts 10 hours before leaving the Port of Baltimore and again just before it slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge. On March 26, the ship suffered a power outage and crashed into one of the Key Bridge's support columns, causing the entire bridge to come down and killing six construction workers. The ship has been grounded ever since, and the explosions set off by crews were a big step in freeing the 984 foot ship. The first power outage occurred after a crew member mistakenly closed an exhaust damper while conducting maintenance, causing one of the ship's diesel engines to stall, investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board said in their preliminary report. Shortly after leaving Baltimore early on March 26, the ship crashed into one of the bridge's supporting columns because another power outage caused it to lose steering and propulsion at the exact worst moment. The report provides new details about how the ship's crew addressed the power issues it experienced while still docked in Baltimore. A full investigation could take a year or more, according to the safety board. Federal investigators revealed the Dali cargo ship experienced electrical blackouts 10 hours before leaving the Port of Baltimore and again just before it slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, killing six construction workers Testing of the ship's fuel did not reveal any concerns related to its quality, according to the report. The Dali was headed from Baltimore to Sri Lanka, laden with shipping containers and enough supplies for a monthlong voyage. The Indian and Sri Lankan men on board haven't been permitted to leave since the disaster happened as an FBI investigation into the cause of the Dali's power outage and subsequent destruction of the bridge continues. After the initial blackout caused by the closed exhaust damper, investigators say a backup generator automatically came on. It continued to run for a short period - until insufficient fuel pressure caused it to kick off again, resulting in a second blackout. That's when crew members made changes to the ships electrical configuration, switching from one transformer and breaker system that had been in use for several months to another that was active upon its departure, according to the report. Investigators stopped short of drawing a direct line between those earlier power issues and the blackout that ultimately caused the bridge collapse. 'The NTSB is still investigating the electrical configuration following the first in-port blackout and potential impacts on the events during the accident voyage,' investigators wrote. On March 26, the ship suffered a power outage and crashed into one of the Key Bridge's support columns , causing the entire bridge to come down and killing six construction workers . The ship has been grounded ever since, and the explosions set off by crews were a big step in freeing the 984 foot ship The first power outage occurred after a crew member mistakenly closed an exhaust damper while conducting maintenance, causing one of the ships diesel engines to stall, investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board said in their preliminary report The safety board launched its investigation almost immediately after the collapse, which sent six members of a roadwork crew plunging to their deaths. Investigators boarded the ship to document the scene and collect evidence, including the vessels data recorder and information from its engine room, according to board chair Jennifer Homendy. They also interviewed the captain and crew members. 'Our mission is to determine why something happened, how it happened and to prevent it from recurring,' Homendy said at a news conference days after the disaster. The preliminary report details the chaotic moments prior to the bridge collapse while crew members scrambled to address a series of electrical failures that came in quick succession as disaster loomed. At 1:25am on March 26, when the Dali was a little over half a mile away from the bridge, electrical breakers that fed most of the ships equipment and lighting unexpectedly tripped, causing a power loss. The main propulsion diesel engine automatically shut down after its cooling pumps lost power, and the ship lost steering. Crew members were able to momentarily restore electricity by manually closing the tripped breakers, the report says. Around that time, the ship's pilots called for tugboats to come help guide the wayward vessel. Shortly after leaving Baltimore early on March 26, the ship crashed into one of the bridges supporting columns because another power outage caused it to lose steering and propulsion at the exact worst moment The report provides new details about how the ships crew addressed the power issues it experienced while still docked in Baltimore. A full investigation could take a year or more, according to the safety board The tugboats that guided it out of the port had peeled off earlier per normal practice, according to the report. Crew members also started the process of dropping anchor, and the pilots' dispatcher called the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and relayed that the ship had lost power. The Coast Guard was also notified. The ship was less than a quarter of a mile from the bridge when it experienced a second power blackout because of more tripped breakers, according to the report. The crew again restored power, but it was too late to avoid striking the bridge. One of the pilots ordered the rudder turned at the last minute, but since the main engine remained shut down, there was no propulsion to assist with steering, the report says. They also made a mayday call that allowed police to stop traffic to the bridge. At 1:29am, the 1.6-mile steel span came crashing down into the Patapsco River. The construction workers were sitting in their vehicles during a break when disaster struck. The last of the victims' bodies was recovered last week. The Dali was headed from Baltimore to Sri Lanka, laden with shipping containers and enough supplies for a monthlong voyage One member of the seven-person roadwork crew survived the collapse by somehow freeing himself from his work truck. He was rescued from the water later that morning. A road maintenance inspector also survived by running to safety in the moments before the bridge fell. On Monday, crews conducted a controlled demolition to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed bridge, which landed draped across the Dalis bow, pinning the grounded ship amid the wreckage. The ship is expected to be refloated and guided back to the Port of Baltimore in the coming days. It arrived in the U.S. from Singapore on March 19, a week before the crash, according to the report. It made stops in Newark, New Jersey, and Norfolk, Virginia, before coming to Baltimore. Investigators said they were not aware of any other power outages occurring in those ports. They said theyre working with Hyundai, the manufacturer of the ships electrical system, to 'identify the cause(s) of the breakers unexpectedly opening while approaching the Key Bridge and the subsequent blackouts.' The boards preliminary report released Tuesday likely includes a fraction of the findings that will be presented in its final report, which is expected to take more than a year. The FBI has also launched a criminal investigation into the circumstances leading up to the collapse. The Federal Budget has been slammed after it was revealed the country's wealthiest will be eligible for the $300 energy rebate along with everyday Australians. As announced in Tuesday's budget, every Australian household will receive $300 off their energy bill as a measure to ease cost-of-living pressures. Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have been grilled over why rich listers should be getting the same amount as struggling Aussies. And in another blow, those with several investment properties are able to claim multiple energy rebates as long as the bills are in their name. If a tenant lives in the house and the bills are under their name, the rebate will go to the tenant and not the owner. The logistics of the rebate means that Aussie celebrities with expansive property portfolios could be getting hundreds more off their bills. Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have been grilled over why rich listers should be getting the same energy rebates as struggling Aussies Opposition leader Peter Dutton slammed the move and said he couldn't understand why people on high incomes needed assistance. 'Frankly, I think the money would better provided by way of support to those more in need, but the government as was the case for Labor in Queensland facing an election they're splashing out cash because they know that they've got a huge problem on their hands for the average household in Australia,' Dutton said on ABC TV. 'They're $35,000 worse off under this government, and people are paying thousands more each month for their mortgage in many cases. 'I think this is a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. The government's made a really bad situation for Australian families over two budgets, and last night, they made it worse.' Australian billionaire and Atlassian co-founder Scott Farquhar is one Aussie rich lister that could potentially benefit from the power bill rebate. Australian billionaire and Atlassian co-founder Scott Farquhar is one Aussie rich lister that could potentially benefit from the power bill rebate Pictured is Mr Farquhar's $71million home in Sydney's Point Piper He and his investment banker wife Kim Jackson snapped up Australia's most expensive house - a $130million mansion in Sydney's Point Piper in December, 2022. The house adds to Mr Farquhar's portfolio that includes one of the country's most expensive properties, 'Elaine', which he purchased in the same suburb for $71million in 2017. The couple also own a $10.85million five-bedroom home in North Avoca, on the NSW Central Coast. His co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes also has an impressive property portfolio worth almost $300million. He and his wife Annie, who have recently split, bought a 1.1-hectare Fairwater home in Point Piper for $100million in 2018, making it the then most expensive house in the country. In June last year, Mr Cannon-Brookes and his wife forked out $14.25million to buy a home in Newport, on Sydney's northern beaches, neighbouring the $24.5million estate they purchased in 2020. The five-bedroom home is set on a 3,000 square-metre block of land and features a 1,000 square metre netted bathing area. Aussie rich lister Mike Cannon-Brookes has a vast property portfolio Pictured is Mr Cannon-Brookes' $100million home in Sydney's Point Piper The home was also located three doors down from another of their dwellings, acquired for $2.35million in 2020. The pair also own an $8.7million home in Snapperman Beach in Sydney's northern beaches, along with a $17million property in Double Bay. They also have two other properties in Double Bay with Seadragon which they paid $7.05million for and a beachside home that went for $9.1million. They have also ventured out of the city by buying six properties worth up to an estimated $50million along with vast acreage in the NSW Southern Highlands. Aussie superstar Chris Hemsworth also has a list of stunning properties to his name, reportedly worth a combined $90million. After buying his Byron Bay family home for $7million back in 2014, the Hollywood hunk transformed the sprawling property into a compound that has been valued at between $30million and $60million. The Thor star and wife Elsa Pataky, 47, also own a Broken Head horse ranch and retreat, purchased in 2019 for $4.25million, with an estimated value of $10million now. Aussie superstar Chris Hemsworth also has a list of stunning properties to his name, reportedly worth a combined $90million Along with his brothers Liam and Luke, Chris also made a purchase in 2021, in Newrybar, in NSW's northern rivers, snapping up 37.5 hectares in the area for $6.8million. The brothers made yet another Newrybar purchase in 2022, snapping up 44.5 hectares in the region for $10.5 million. Sunrise host Nat Barr grilled Dr Chalmers on Wednesday morning about why the nation's richest would need the $300 rebates. 'So if you're earning $1million why do you need a $300 power rebate?' she asked Dr Chalmers. The Treasurer said the focus of the Budget was to ease cost-of-living pressures and provide some relief to Australians doing it tough. 'Yeah but you're also getting it if you're earning $1million. Why are they getting it?' Barr hit back. 'That's not the focus of the energy bill relief,' Dr Chalmers replied. Hemsworth and Pataky own a Byron Bay mega-mansion that's valued between $30million and $60million (pictured above) 'It might not be the focus but they're getting it. Why are you getting a $300 energy rebate if you're earning $1million in Australia,' Barr repeated. Dr Chalmers said cost-of-living pressures are being 'felt right around our country', before he was cut off by the Sunrise host again. 'The million dollar people are under pressure?' she said. The Treasurer explained that energy bill providers didn't have information about people's incomes. 'So the easiest, most efficient way is to provide this energy bill relief for every household. We're pleased and proud we're able to do that. It's part of a cost-of-living package which is substantial, but responsible,' he said. Mr Albanese was also questioned over the rebate, with Today Show host Karl Stefanovic asking why Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart needed the extra cash. 'Gina doesn't need support,' he said. 'PM the reality is that there are a bunch of Australians who just don't need the $300.' Mr Albanese said there were pressures for people on all incomes. 'There's a range of measures in this Budget that are targeted, but there are some measures which are broad because that is the simplest, most efficient way to deliver it,' he replied. The statue of a former colonial premier has been sawn off at the ankles and dumped next to the plinth the day before a tribunal upheld a council's decision to remove the monument. The bronze statue of former Tasmanian Premier William Crowther, located in Franklin Square in Hobart's CBD, was cut down by vandals on Tuesday night and found lying next to the large marble plinth the following morning. The vandals had unsuccessfully attempted to cut through the statue only a day earlier but nothing was done to prevent them returning a second time and toppling the monument. The words 'what goes around' and 'decolonize' had been spray painted in red on the front of the plinth. The statue of former Tasmanian Premier William Crowther located in the Hobart CBD was toppled by vandals after they cut it off at the ankles Barricades were put up around the fallen statue and the plinth on Wednesday morning before the statue was put on the back of a truck to be taken away. The shocking act comes after the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal upheld an earlier decision by Hobart City Council to remove the statue. The council voted to have the monument taken down in 2022 in a decision later approved by Heritage Council. But the removal was delayed after supporters of the monument launched an appeal against the decision at the tribunal late last year. Council workers were seen removing the monument from the area on Wednesday morning by loading it onto a truck and taking it away (pictured) The plinth was also spray painted in red with the words 'what goes around' (pictured) and 'decolonize' Indigenous groups campaigned for several years to remove the statue of Mr Crowther - who was a surgeon - because he cut the head off the remains of an Aboriginal man William Lanne and wanted to send it to the Royal College of Surgeons in London as an anthropological artefact. Crowther served as premier of the then colony of Tasmania between 1878 to 1879 - a decade after the skull controversy. Crowther had wanted the remains of Mr Lanne - an object of scientific curiosity as he was regarded as one of the last 'full-blooded' Tasmanian Aborigines - to be the property of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. However the Royal Society of Tasmania wanted the skull to remain in the colony and opposed plans to send his remains to the UK. Crowther and another doctor, who had access to the corpse, secretly removed the head and replaced it with the skull of a deceased white man wrapped in Lanne's skin, but their act was discovered. Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the verdict of the independent tribunal to remove the statue was the 'right decision' but condemned those who took the action into their own hands. 'We're incredibly disappointed that happened before the decision was announced,' she said. 'We condemn vandalism... it is unlawful.' Louise Elliot, now councillor at Hobart City Council, said she was disgusted by the behaviour of the vandals who destroyed the monument. 'I'm really disappointed that the council, in my opinion, didn't take enough protective and preventative action to protect [the statue],' she told the ABC. Councillor Elliot said she was worried that the statue would be vandalised when she visited the monument last night and said there weren't enough security measures in place to protect the structure. Hobart City councillor Louise Elliot said she was disgusted by the behaviour of the vandals who destroyed the monument Ms Reynolds dismissed those claims and said council staff did put in measures such as fences and increased the number staff patrolling the area to protect the statue, which has been vandalised on three separate occasions. 'Our staff increased the security patrols but it's very difficult to try and prevent these kind of things from happening,' she said. Michael Stretton, the council's chief executive, said an investigation into the incident is underway and CCTV footage is being reviewed. 'It's disappointing when you see an act like this where [vandals have] taken the future of the statue into their own hands,' he said. A spokeswoman from Tasmania Police told Daily Mail Australia police are investigating the damage caused to the statue. A judge has described a man's actions as predatory, appalling and disgusting as she jailed him for the brutal rapes of at-risk homeless teenage girls. Jason Andrew Green, 45, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his horrific crimes In the WA District Court on Tuesday. Judge Linda Black said 'torture' was not an inappropriate description of his unspeakable sexual assaults of the girls. Green was one of more than 20 men, including 11 alleged paedophiles, arrested in 2020 during Operation Timing Belt which targeted online predators in Perth. The operation unearthed a paedophile ring accused of using Facebook and Instagram to groom 140 teenagers. The teenagers were aged as young as 13, with 23 girls allegedly abused. Earlier this year, Green stood trial in the District Court over allegations he targeted and preyed on young girls in 2019. Green was charged with one count of aggravated sexual penetration without consent, two counts of encouraging a child to engage in sexual behaviour, four counts of sexual penetration without consent and one count of unlawful and indecent assault. Green was one of more than 20 men, including 11 alleged paedophiles, arrested in 2020 Operation Timing Belt unearthed a paedophile ring accused of grooming 140 teenagers He denied all charges but following a long trial, was found guilty on seven of the eight offences. Green was acquitted of one of the charges of encouraging a child to engage in sexual behaviour. It was revealed during Tuesday's sentencing how Green sexually and indecently assaulted two 16-year-old girls. Green groomed both girls and gave them methylamphetamine before raping them in his home in separate incidents. In one vicious ordeal, the court heard how one of the girls screamed in pain and was unable to breathe as she was being choked. The court heard one of the victims had an intellectual disability and both were either homeless or from troubled backgrounds. Green's actions were targeted and persistent, State Prosecutor Kade Rosenthal told the court. 'The offender didn't care if the girls were consenting or not. 'He felt entitled to take what he wanted from these vulnerable girls.' The court was told a third girl aged 15 at the time rebuffed Green after he attempted to entice her into sex in exchange for drugs or a phone. In sentencing Green, Judge Black said she was satisfied Green had not expressed any remorse for his crimes. 'There is no evidence before me that you appreciate the incredible harm you have caused to these girls,' she said. 'You had no right to do what you did. I hope you are ashamed of yourself. 'It is hard to imagine more serious examples of this kind of offending.' Judge Black said there may have been even more victims if it weren't for the bravery of a girl who reported Green's actions. Green has previous convictions for dishonesty, drugs and aggravated armed robbery and was made eligible for parole. His sentence was backdated to January 10, 2024. A father who went missing a week ago has been found safe and well after relentless efforts by his family and police. Geoff Rayner, 53, disappeared from his home in Tugun, Queensland, on his way to the NSW border at 10:30am on May 8, concerningly leaving his wallet and phone behind. Mr Rayner's partner Carmel May and family members had been searching non-stop since that time, providing updates via Facebook, but hopes of finding him were diminishing as each day passed. Then on Tuesday night, Mr Rayner's family posted an unlikely update. 'We have Geoff Rayner home safe,' Ms May wrote. 'Please know we are eternally grateful for everyone's help,' she said. Geoff Rayner, 53, was missing for more than a week and his partner, Carmel May, has been desperately asking for help to find him (pictured together) Mr Rayner disappeared without a trace from Tugun, Queensland, and was assumed to be on his way towards the New South Wales Hinterland Mr Rayner was found a day after the search had been expanded into NSW's northern rivers. 'We are just taking the time to love and cherish this moment of having him back with us,' Ms May said. 'I will never have the words to express our gratitude.' The family did not immediately reveal where he had been for the past week. On Friday, she said that Mr Rayner had never acted like this before. 'As you can imagine I am not in the best state right now and am struggling to respond to everyone but please know I see and appreciate you all,' she wrote. 'Geoff has never left me for this long without telling me his whereabouts , especially without a phone and wallet. 'Hold your loved ones a little closer tonight and never ever forget to tell them you love them.' Ms May believes Mr Rayner was initially heading to the NSW Hinterland, but after days of no contact she conceded that he 'could be anywhere by now'. Ms May launched an online campaign in order to track her partner down which she said has yielded multiple sightings of the white Prado Rego Mr Rayner was last seen in Ms May said that she was worried because Mr Rayner left his phone and wallet at home he went missing - something that he has never done before NSW and Queensland Police were actively involved in the search and pieced together CCTV and traffic camera footage to trace his path. Ms May spent Mother's Day with her daughter and family from interstate responding to the waves of notifications her search is turning up online. She said that she has been in contact with people who claimed to have seen Mr Rayner on the roads and that she is feeling optimistic about finding him. 'We have met a ton of people that have seen these posts, they are being shared absolutely everywhere,' Ms May wrote. 'I personally want to thank my aunt and brother who have flown interstate to help with the search and my two amazing daughters, daughter in law and son in law who have taken time off from work, lived on no sleep, handed out flyers and drove thousands of kilometres. 'My daughters have given up their Mothers Day to be in an interstate motel only to wake and return back to our search. I am so blessed to have you and love you all more than you know.' Nashville residents say they are increasingly struggling to afford a home as an influx of out-of-state buyers drive real estate prices up, leaving many with no where to go. Rates of chronic homelessness in the Tennessee capital have soared 77 percent this year, according to the city's official stats. There were 1,525 people experiencing chronic homelessness - where someone has been homeless for over a year and has a mental health condition or disability - in the city last month, compared to 863 in the same period a year prior. Local nonprofit founder, Heather Young, told WKRN that the increase is driven by a sharp rise in the cost of living. Rates of chronic homelessness in Nashville, Tennessee, have soared 77 percent this year There were 1,525 people experiencing chronic homelessness in the city last month, compared to 863 in the same period a year prior Local nonprofit founder, Heather Young, told WKRN that the increase is driven by a sharp rise in the cost of living 'There is not a way for these people to get up and running. They cant get affordable housing,' she said. Nashville has seen a population boom over the last few years with wealthy out-of-towners flocking to take advantage of cheaper real estate and lower taxes - pricing out locals. In just 23 years, the metro Nashville region has gone from 1.3 million residents to 2.1million, per the US Census Bureau, increasing the value of property and the cost of living. Between 2021 and 2022 alone, more than 22,500 former Californians moved to Tennessee, according to US Census migration data. Young told WKRN that the homelessness problem is driven by a sharp increase in the cost of living. She added: 'Ive seen an increase in women and children. Ive seen an increase in mental health that needs to be addressed.' Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Nashville area soared $200 in the past year to $1,442 a month, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Young said without more affordable housing, the issue will worsen: 'I guarantee you its going to double from where we are now.' Discarded waste in Nashville following the influx of Californians to Tennessee Broadway, a major thoroughfare in Nashville, includes Lower Broadway, a renowned entertainment district for country music Remacia Smith, who grew up in Nashville, told The Wall Street Journal she recently was forced to move to the suburbs with her five children Prices have been driven up by an influx of people and companies moving to the state. In the last few years, major corporations like Oracle have chosen to move their headquarters to Tennessee, bringing their workers with them. Attracted by lower property costs and taxes, Amazon also announced it would set up major operations in downtown Nashville, and New York money manager AllianceBernstein said it would be moving its headquarters to the city, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. The median home sale price in Nashville at the end of February was $414,012, compared to $290,983 five years prior. Remacia Smith, who grew up in Nashville, told The Wall Street Journal she recently was forced to move to the suburbs with her five children. 'It almost doesnt look like Nashville anymore,' she said. 'Whew Lord, I wish people would stop moving here.' Meanwhile lifelong resident John Michael Morgan, for his part, told the outlet he is concerned about Nashville keeping its essence. 'Nashvilles always been a big town that felt like a small town,' said Morgan. 'Now were a big town that feels like a big town.' The Metro Council pledged $50 million in American Rescue Plan funding to fight homelessness in 2022, but the problem has not gone away. Open Table Nashville advocacy and outreach specialist India Pungarcher told WKRN: 'If a one-time $50 million investment was going to end homelessness in Nashville, you know, homelessness wouldnt exist anymore, right? 'We need hundreds of millions of dollars in order to, you know, even just make a dent in homelessness here in Nashville.' Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest was a major winner in the Federal Budget, following the introduction of generous tax incentives for both his private and public business interests. Treasurer Jim Chalmers was keen to bill his third Budget on Tuesday night as a 'cost-of-living' intervention designed to help Australians who are 'doing it tough'. But it was widely criticised as a 'Budget for billionaires' after it emerged that every Australian household will receive a $300 rebate on their energy bills, no matter what they earn. It means that Dr Forrest, who is Australia's richest man, will receive $300 from the government for each of his multiple properties - a taxpayer-funded bill that could amount to thousands of dollars. But he also stands to benefit from a range of other measures in the Budget which were almost custom-made for his green hydrogen side hustle Mr Forrest is among Australia's richest men with an estimated fortune of $13.5 billion since he split with his wife Nicola, according to the 2023 AFR Rich List. Andrew ' Twiggy ' Forrest (pictured) was a major winner in the Federal Budget, following the introduction of generous tax incentives for both his private and public business interests Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Tuesday that his Budget 'invests in our renewable energy superpower ambitions' (pictured with his wife Laura with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the background) The West Australian mining tycoon was a bigger winner in other ways. Under the Treasury's 'Future Made in Australia' plans, Dr Forrest's publicly-listed Fortescue Mining Group will benefit from a generous Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive. It is estimated to cost the government coffers $6.7 billion over 10 years at $2 per kilogram of hydrogen - or 'green iron' - produced. Speaking in his capacity as Fortescues Executive Chairman on Wednesday, Dr Forrest hailed the intervention as a 'one-shot-in-the-barrel opportunity to ensure Australia fulfilled its potential to become the Saudi Arabia of energy production'. 'Through the $2 per kilo tax credit for green hydrogen production, the Government has seized this opportunity for the Australian people,' Dr Forrest said. He claimed it would 'trigger full employment and decades of income growth for Australian workers' - and warned that oil giants would try to kibosh the legislation because it will promote an alternative source of fuel. 'The Government has sent a clear message business-as-usual for the fossil fuel monopoly driving up the cost of living and trashing our environment is over,' he added. 'Of course, the fossil fuel sector which, relative to the rest of us in heavy industry, is not a big employer yet are expert at shifting income around so they dont pay fair taxes in Australia, will use their profits to try to complicate this legislation to make it unworkable. Speaking in his capacity as Fortescues Executive Chairman on Wednesday, Dr Forrest (pictured) hailed the hydrogen intervention as a 'one-shot-in-the-barrel opportunity to ensure Australia fulfilled its potential to become the Saudi Arabia of energy production' It comes just a few days after it was revealed the former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) has partnered with Dr Forrest sell 'green' iron to China 'The Government should be fully prepared for this lobbying effort, one which will attempt to stop a cheaper competitor for fossil fuels being made right here in Australia, taxed right here in Australia, and enjoyed by Australian mums and dads and job seekers. 'This is a historic moment that, if introduced quickly, will spur the establishment of new green industries such as green hydrogen, green ammonia and green iron, creating tens of thousands of new jobs for Australians directly, hundreds of thousands of new jobs indirectly right across Australia, whilst cutting our emissions.' It comes just a few days after it was revealed the former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has partnered with Dr Forrest to sell 'green' iron to China. Dr Andrew's consultancy Forty Eight and Partners is partnering with Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest's company Fortescue. The two firms have pledged to deliver 100million tonnes of 'green' iron to China after having recently met at the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan Province in March. Mr Andrews, who gave a speech at the event, has not shared any specific details regarding the partnership with Mr Forrest, who was also present as a major sponsor. The billionaire mining magnate has in recent years been touting the importance of hydrogen in fighting climate change. Dr Forrest's private business interests will also see a boon from Tuesday's Budget 'Fortescue will use green hydrogen to decarbonise our companys mining and shipping fleet,' says its official website. It adds that green hydrogen has the power to 'revolutionise the way we power our planet'. The government clearly agrees because in addition to the tax break for hydrogen production, it is pouring a further $1.8 billion into the an additional round of the Hydrogen Headstart program and several million into a National Hydrogen Strategy. Herald Sun columnist Andrew Bolt criticised the government's pursuit of hydrogen over nuclear power as an alternative source of energy to coal and gas. He also labelled Dr Forrest as 'the iron ore tycoon, whos pushed green hydrogen like a green Jesus, selling it as our great green salvation'. 'Forrest is the zealot who warns global warming will cause a "lethal humidity" which could kill "many millions", and we must back green hydrogen to save us,' Bolt wrote. Dr Forrest's private business interests will also see a boon from Tuesday's Budget. Wyloo, his nickel mining group, will benefit from a $7 billion tax incentive over the next ten years 'to support downstream refining and processing of Australias 31 critical minerals'. These critical minerals include rare earths elements, such as lithium, cobalt, silicon and nickel - all essential for clean energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries. Mr Forrest told guests at a lavish bash in Western Australia's Pilbara desert to celebrate his mining company's 20th anniversary last year that mining giants like himself had a duty to lead the charge against the 'lethal humidity' caused by climate change (pictured: Dr Forrest at the event ) Wyloo and other nickel mining companies lobbied hard for the tax breaks after they were forced to sack staff in the wake of a slump in the price of nickel after foreign producers flooded the market with supply. The $7 billion incentive, which will refund around 10 per cent of the processing and refining costs of critical minerals, was designed 'to improve supply chain resilience', according to Budget documents. This is an attempt to level the playing field with Chinese-owned producers who now dominate the market. Treasurer Dr Chalmers said on Tuesday that his Budget 'invests in our renewable energy superpower ambitions'. 'We know the global energy transformation represents a golden opportunity for Australia,' he said. 'The world is changing, the pace of that change is accelerating, and our approach to growth and investment needs to change as well. 'If we hang back, the chance for a new generation of jobs and prosperity will pass us by and well be poorer and more vulnerable as a consequence.' Anthony Albanese has skirted around an embarrassing question referring to his multi-millionaire backbencher's luxury property portfolio. First-term Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton faced intense scrutiny after snapping up a $12million oceanside mansion named 'La Palma' back in March, just four years after purchasing a $16.1million mansion at Bellevue Hill in Sydney's east with his barrister wife. On Wednesday, during the first House of Representatives Question Time after the Budget, the government's new suite of cost-of-living measures were put under the microscope. Manager of Opposition Business Paul Fletcher posed a zinger to Prime Minister Albanese, questioning the $300 energy bill rebate offered to all Australian households. First-term Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton faced intense scrutiny after snapping up a $12million oceanside mansion named 'La Palma' back in March The four-bedroom house more than 50km outside his electorate of Parramatta in Sydney's west He said: 'If we take a typical Australian, lets call them Andrew, who recently had to relocate to Parramatta, and happens to own five houses, and a newly acquired $12 million beach house, will he be eligible to receive the rebate on all five houses?' The question provoked jeers and cheers across the chamber, as heads swivelled to seek out Mr Charlton. Mr Albanese did not take the bait, and broadly noted: 'I'm asked about our energy policies.' The PM then set his sights on Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who had been calling on him to answer the question. The purchase price of $12million in Palm Beach is 14.5 times Australia's median house price of $825,923 and is 8.6 times Sydney's already very dear mid-point house price of $1.396million It marked Dr Andrew Charlton's second mansion purchase since he bought a $16.1million home at Bellevue Hill in November 2020 'Hes full of hubris and anger today [Dutton]. A very bad combination, Mr Speaker. 'When we had the previous energy price relief plan, they opposed it. They voted against it. 'When it went just to people who were on payments, when it went to low income earners. Now that we have an energy price relief plan, that goes to all Australians, theyre going to vote against that as well.' Mr Albanese managed to answer the question without referencing or directly mentioning Dr Charlton. In addition to his two mansions, Dr Charlton also owns a terrace in plush Woollahra, also in the city's east, and lives in a $2million penthouse apartment in Parramatta, in his new parliamentary seat in Sydney's west. The A-list lifestyle of the Oxford University graduate and former United Nations operative is in contrast to almost all his Parramatta constituents. He acknowledges their struggles in his Labor Party profile page, lamenting that '...it's getting harder for people to get ahead no matter how hard they work.' An innocent woman caught in the crossfire of a north London 'drive-by shooting between two cars' has suffered 'non life threatening' injuries. Armed police descended on the Stamford Hill neighbourhood of north London just after 7.30pm last night to hunt for the gunman after the woman in her 30s was shot in the leg. Emergency crews including the air ambulance scrambled to join officers at the scene last night as she was rushed to hospital. The woman's condition has this morning been described as 'non-life threatening' as the attackers that carried out the shooting remain at large. A source at the scene told MailOnline two cars were aiming guns at each other at the time of the shooting, and the woman was an 'innocent bystander' caught in the crossfire. It is not known how many shots were fired or whether they came from two cars or just one and the Met have said they are trying to 'establish the circumstance of this incident'. The witness added that one of the cars sped off in the direction of Clapton Common, a park half a mile away from the scene, where two more shots were reportedly heard. Police last night ordered people who live nearby to 'go back inside' amid fears the shooters could return. Locals are said to be in a state of shock with one saying they heard the shooting was a result of a fight as there was 'some bad blood going on'. No one else is believed to have been injured and no arrests have been made. Armed officers swarmed on a north London neighbourhood last night after a woman in her 30s was shot in the leg Emergency crews including the air ambulance descended on Stamford Hill just after 7.30pm last night when the woman was gunned down near a busy main road The Met Police said it has made no arrests in connection with the incident as detectives continue to hunt for the shooter Armed police descended on the Stamford Hill neighbourhood just after 7.30pm to hunt for the gunman after the woman in her 30s was shot in the leg Picture shows the police cordon in place this morning as the woman was described as being 'non-life threatening' Social media videos showed dozens of onlookers watching as the authorities descended onto the scene last night. One woman on the scene, whose flat overlooks the police cordon, says she was told 'go back inside' last night - amid fears the shooters could return. The local, who did not want to be named, said: 'I heard a lot of noise last night so I came out into my front garden. 'But the police told me to go back inside in case the shooter or shooters were still around. 'I usually feel safe around here so I'm quite shocked. 'But I guess you just don't know what will happen anymore.' Another local resident said he'd heard the shooting had happened as a result of a 'fight'. 'I heard it was a fight - that there was some bad blood going on,' he said. And a third said she'd been worried about that her sister had been the victim when she first saw the news alert. She said: 'The notification popped up on my phone and for a moment, I panicked - thinking it was my sister as she was out at the time. 'But she got home a bit later and turns out she had gone another way.' Medical bags used to help the victim are still scattered on the ground at the scene. The woman who was shot was taken to a major trauma centre in east London where she is believed to remain overnight. People gather round a police cordon at Stamford Hill in north London following a shooting The woman was treated at the scene before being taken to a major trauma centre in east London. Her current condition is described as 'non-life threatening' Officers had closed off Stamford Hill in both directions between Clapton Common and Manor Road The Met Police said no arrests have been in connection with the incident as detectives continue to hunt for the shooter. Officers closed off Stamford Hill in both directions between Clapton Common and Manor Road following the incident. A Met police spokesperson said: 'Police were called at about 19:40hrs on Tuesday May 14 to reports of a shooting near Reizel Close, Stamford Hill. 'Officers, including specialist firearms officers, and London Ambulance Service attended. 'A woman in her 30s was found with a gunshot injury to her leg. She was taken to an east London hospital. Her condition was later assessed as not life-threatening. 'Offices are working to establish the circumstance of this incident. No arrests have been made at this time.' Anyone with information that can help police should call 101 or post @MetCC ref CAD 7076/14 May. A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 7:41pm today (May 14) to reports of a shooting at Stamford Hill. 'We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer and members of our hazardous area response team (HART). We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance. 'We treated a patient at the scene before taking them to a major trauma centre as a priority.' A Metropolitan Police officer who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after working on the frontline of the Grenfell Tower fire took her own life after being 'targeted' by her boss, an inquest has heard. Nicola Forster, 45, was found dead at her home in September 2022 a month after an 'upsetting meeting' with her manager Inspector Hayley Webb to discuss her return to work after she had taken some time off. Forster's mental health had declined following a negative performance review, which Insp Webb brought up during the meeting, Bedfordshire coroner's court was told. Police Federation representative Sergeant Timothy Clarke told the hearing it was 'inappropriate' for Insp Webb to do so during what he described 'as the most upsetting meeting that I've been in' in his 20 years in his role. Sgt Clarke told the inquest he was upset with himself for not asking for the meeting to be stopped as 'I don't want to ever see anyone distressed', reported The Times. Metropolitan Police officer Nicola Forster, 45, was found dead at her home in September 2022 a month after an 'upsetting meeting' with her manager Inspector Hayley Webb (stock image) Forster, who was a safety training officer at Hendon Police College in north London, had told Insp Webb about her mental health struggles but was instead told her work performance had declined, the hearing heard. Amy Popple, Forster's partner, wrote in a statement that she had become very emotional about how she was perceived by her team when she was told they 'had no faith in her'. Forster had confided in her 'close friend' and colleague Liz Hockley that she had asked Insp Webb for an occupational health referral in February 2022 but she had not completed one. In an emotional email to Hockley, Forster said she felt like a 'target' because Insp Webb 'saw a weakness at that time' and that she had 'not been supported by the organisation when I needed help'. 'I massively feel that this is discrimination I could understand if I hadn't asked for support - but I did,' she wrote. 'Hayley Webb forced my staff into talking about me I've had almost 23 years in this job and never have I been treated like this by a line manager.' Coroner Emma Whitting said: 'The evidence suggests there was a link between workplace difficulties and the decline in her health prior to her death.' Forster had suffered suffered post-traumatic stress after working on the frontline of the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 Forster spoke with Popple the night before she was found dead in which she said she had taken a sleeping pill as she was struggling to sleep, but it had not worked. She was found dead at her home on September 28, 2022, when Popple went to her house in the morning after growing concerned when she could not get in contact with her. The front and back doors were locked and keys were in the doors from the inside. The inquest continues. Iran condemns U.S. senator's remarks of letting Israel "nuke" Gaza Xinhua) 10:22, May 15, 2024 TEHRAN, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Tuesday condemned the recent remarks by a U.S. senator who said Israel should be allowed to "use nuclear bombs" to end the conflict in Gaza. He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, after U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, during an interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press" on Sunday, argued that "Israel should be given the bombs it needed to end the conflict in Gaza." Kanaani said the American senator's "horrifying" remarks in justifying and encouraging the use of nuclear bombs were proof of the extent of "this warmongering spectrum's brutality, complete disregard for humans' right to life and disrespect for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." He added the remarks were made by a U.S. senator whose country had always claimed to be the "flagbearer" of human rights and considered itself eligible to value and judge other countries' extent of observing human rights. Kanaani called on the international community to condemn the U.S. support for Israel and stand against such "devilish" statements to prevent as soon as possible the scope of the "human catastrophe" in the Gaza Strip from expanding on a daily basis. During the interview, Graham criticized a decision by U.S. President Joe Biden to stop the delivery of 3,000 heavy bombs to Israel, calling on the Biden administration to give Israel the bombs it needed to end the Gaza conflict. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, after the group carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. Israel has so far killed 35,091 Palestinians and injured 78,827 others, according to the figures released by the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Monday. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Peru has officially classified trans people as 'mentally ill'. Under the decree signed by President Dina Boluarte, 'transsexualism, dual-role transvestism, gender identity disorder in childhood, other gender identity disorders and fetishistic transvestism' are now all recorded as mental illnesses. The move, which comes just days before the 34-year anniversary of the World Health Organisation's removal of homosexuality from the list of International Classification of Diseases (ICD), has prompted fury from rights groups. The WHO also removed transsexuality from its disease manual in 2019 when a new version of the ICD was proposed and came into effect in 2022. Peru's government argues the decree will make 'psychological treatment' freely available to those affected and said it 'categorically reaffirms respect for the dignity of the person and their free actions within the framework of human rights, providing health services for their benefit'. But rights groups warned the inclusion of trans and intersex people as mentally ill could open the door to conversion therapy, which is currently banned in Peru. Peru has officially classified trans and intersex people as 'mentally ill' Under the decree signed by President Dina Boluarte, 'transsexualism, dual-role transvestism, gender identity disorder in childhood, other gender identity disorders and fetishistic transvestism' are now all recorded as mental illnesses Where its neighbours have grown more accepting, the South American nation has garnered a reputation for intolerance of transgenderism and LGBTQ. In 2008, transgender woman Azul Rojas Marin was arrested, brutally raped and tortured by a trio of police officers, but her criminal complaint was ultimately closed by the authorities. Infuriated by the Peru judiciary's refusal to act on the complaint, rights groups presented Azul's case to the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR), which in 2018 decided that her treatment constituted torture and discriminatory violence. When Peruvian authorities continued to ignore the findings and calls for compensation, the IACHR submitted the case to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which in 2020 found Peru responsible for the torture and sexual violence committed by Peruvian police officers against Azul. Peruvian authorities did not recognise their culpability until November 2022, when the then Minister for Justice formally apologised to the victim - but the implementation of compensation still has not been decided. Speaking on the latest decree, Percy Mayta-Tristan, a medical researcher at Lima's Scientific University of the South, said it revealed a lack of awareness of complex LGBT issues. 'You can't ignore the context that this is happening in a super-conservative society, where the LGBT community has no rights and where labelling them as mentally ill opens the door to conversion therapy,' he told Yahoo News. Meanwhile in Argentina, three women were killed in an arson attack last week after a man lobbed a Molotov cocktail at the home of two lesbian couples in Buenos Aires. The May 6 attack, widely seen as a hate crime, shocked many in a nation that considers itself to be a pioneer of gay rights in Latin America. Where its neighbours have grown more accepting, the Peru has garnered a reputation for intolerance of transgenderism and LGBTQ A 62-year-old man threw a Molotov cocktail into a boarding house where the lesbian couples lived, setting it ablaze, officials said. The perpetrator was arrested. One woman died last Tuesday and another on Wednesday, both suffering from burn injuries. 'The third victim of the attack died this Sunday at 10 in the morning,' Maria Rachid of the LGBT+ Federation said this past weekend. The fourth woman was the only one to escape with mild injuries. Dozens of people gathered last week in front of the boarding house, lighting candles for a vigil. On Friday, another event was held near the nation's Congress to demand justice for the attack. Argentina has been a Latin American leader in gay marriage and identity legislation, with a 2021 law allowing nonbinary people to mark their gender with an 'X.' However, many fear a backsliding in their freedoms under libertarian President Javier Milei. 'This hate crime is not an isolated event,' the Buenos Aires women's ministry wrote on X, saying it was a consequence of the government's 'irresponsible' discourse. Since taking office in December, Milei has scrapped the national women's affairs ministry and the anti-discrimination agency, and banned the use of gender-inclusive language in the military. A prestigious independent school will admit girls for the first time in 700 years in a bid to 'be reflective of today's society'. Abingdon School in Oxfordshire charges 49,800-a-year for its full borders and has only enrolled male pupils since it was founded in 1256. But it will soon become a co-educational along with Abingdon Preparatory School in a change that was 'driven by the belief that the best preparation for young people is to educate them alongside one another'. The school - whose former pupils include the members of Radiohead, the comedian David Mitchell and actor Tom Hollander - said it was 'delighted to announce that both its schools are to become co-educational'. It becomes the latest school to move towards the co-educational model, a shift which has garnered popularity in Britain's private school sector amid rising costs. Abingdon School (pictured) in Oxfordshire charges 49,800-a-year for full borders and has only enrolled male pupils since it was founded in 1256 Tom Hollander (left) and David Mitchell (right) are two of the school's former pupils The members of Radiohead also met at Abingdon School, which will soon become a co-educational along with Abingdon Preparatory School In a statement, the school, which also charges 24,000-a-year for its day pupils, said: 'We want education to be reflective of today's society - one where equal opportunity for the sexes is promoted and in which both girls and boys should be able to be as ambitious as each other and be in control of their own future success. Abingdon School: Elite institution dates back to 1256 with Radiohead's Thom Yorke among its alumni Abingdon School, in Oxfordshire, is the twentieth oldest independent school in Britain. It dates back to 1256, when the earliest surviving reference to the school was found, but some believe it may have been established prior to the 12th century by the Benedictine monks of Abingdon Abbey. The school previously claimed it was founded by English mercer John Roysse in 1563. This led to an unusual circumstance in which the school celebrated its 400th anniversary in 1963, then its 750th in 2006. Abingdon currently has around 1,040 pupils aged 1118, of whom 135 are boarders. Notable alumni, or Old Abingdonians, include writer and art critic Anthony Fawcett, actor Tom Hollander and musicians Andy and Thom Yorke. Comedian David Mitchell and Harry Potter voice actor Toby Jones also attended Abingdon. Advertisement 'We believe that the life skills of teamwork, emotional intelligence, mutual understanding and the ability to relate to others are better fostered in a co-educational environment and one which more closely mirrors the conditions of real life. 'Our values of intellectual curiosity; a balanced education; and outstanding pastoral support will remain the core of all that we do and we believe a stronger and better Abingdon will emerge as a result of this move.' Abingdon Prep School will admits girls to its pre-prep from September, and to Years 3 to 6 from September 2025. The Senior School will admit girls to Year 7 and Sixth Form from September 2026. Mike Windsor, the head of Abingdon School, said the school had been considering the decision for around a decade as 'we recognise the traditions of the school'. He told the Telegraph: 'The school has always been prepared to change as society has changed and I think we need to recognise that society today is one where women and men study and work side by side and ultimately we feel that our key task is to prepare students for that,' he said. 'We talk a lot about making our school available to as many people from different backgrounds as possible and we thought, well, at the moment we're only able to offer our education to 50 per cent of the population.' A number of independent schools have recently moved towards a co-educational model to help tackle the growing number of wealthy parents who are set to quit paying for private schools, due to being unable to stomach the already-increasing cost of fees. According to a report by the ISC published last week, the number of children enrolling at private schools has also fallen by the largest proportion in more than a decade. Many of these independent schools are also potentially facing a further financial headache if Labour win the next election, as Sir Keir Starmer's party plans to add 20 per cent VAT onto fees. The school (pictured) becomes the latest school to move towards the co-educational model, a shift which has garnered popularity in Britain's private school sector amid rising costs The move has led many head teachers to fear that smaller private schools will shut as families become unable to afford the higher fees, sparking an influx to state schools. Earlier this year, the 18,000-a-year Bickley Park prep school in Bromley announced it was shifting from an all boys school to a co-educational 'in line with current market demands', while the Westminster School revealed that it planned to become fully co-educational by 2030 - having been a boys' school for centuries apart from its sixth form. Furthermore, fewer than 100 fee-charging boys' schools are now registered with the Independent Schools Council (ISC) in Britain, half that of 30 years ago. However, leading private schools such as Eton, Harrow, the City of London School, the City of London School for Girls, Wycombe Abbey, King's College School and King Edward VI High School for Girls. have held firm on their single-sex status. Prof Mike Stevens, Abingdon School's chair of governors, said: 'I am very excited by what this development will mean for the Abingdonians of the future. 'The Abingdon I have known has always been open to the opportunities that change can bring and our decision has been driven by what we think is best for education today.' Queen Camilla has pledged not to buy any more fur products in the latest move by Buckingham Palace to not use animal products. The Palace sent a letter with 'the Queen's warmest wishes' to the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) which vowed Camilla 'will not procure any new fur garments'. The animal-rights group toasted the news with a glass of the finest claret and its managing director Ingrid Newkirk said: 'It's right and proper for the British monarchy to reflect British values by recognising that fur has no place in our society.' The letter did not state whether she would no longer wear any existing real-fur outfits, the BBC reported. She has followed in the footsteps of the late Queen Elizabeth II who made headlines in 2019 when Her Late Majesty's senior dresser Angela Kelly revealed she was no longer using real fur in her outfits. Camilla secretly switched to fake fur hats back in 2017 after receiving a barrage of criticism for wearing a Russian-style real fur hat to the Royal Family's Sandringham Christmas Day church seven years earlier. The latest row back by the royals continues the Palace's move towards becoming environmentally friendly with King Charles long championing green causes. Queen Camilla has pledged not to buy any more fur products in the latest move by Buckingham Palace to not use animal products The latest row back by the royals continues the Palace's move towards becoming environmentally friendly. The Coronation Roll (pictured) - the official recording of the proceedings - was for the first time in history made from paper His Majesty broke Coronation Day tradition, dating back to at least as far back as Charles I, when he changed the recipe of the sacred oil (pictured) - which he was anointed with by the Archbishop of Canterbury - so it was 'cruelty free' The 75-year-old monarch has made a raft of eco-friendly changes since he ascended to the throne in September 2022. His Majesty broke Coronation Day tradition, dating back to at least as far back as Charles I, when he changed the recipe of the sacred oil - which he was anointed with by the Archbishop of Canterbury - so it was 'cruelty free'. It was not the traditional mix of unguents, spices and pungent animal parts, as was the case up to and including the last Coronation. This time, it was blended from olives which have been freshly picked alongside the grave of Prince Philip's mother in Jerusalem. It is there that she is buried on the Mount of Olives. Essential herbs and flowers, including jasmine and orange blossom, were also added. The Palace called the new oil 'chrism', though the world know it better as one of the gifts of the Three Wise Men myyrh. Its origins as an anointing oil go back to the Book of Exodus in the Bible. By doing so, The King swerved a confrontation with animal rights groups. The anointing oil used at previous coronations contained the glands of a civet cat, ambergris (the stomach lining of a sperm whale) and the secretions of a musk deer, in addition to more palatable ingredients such as rose, cinnamon and sesame. The new oil included nothing from another living creature. Meanwhile, the Coronation Roll - the official recording of the proceedings - was for the first time in history made from paper due to Charles's interest in animal welfare. It had previously been written on parchment - which is made from calf, goat or sheepskin. The King was central to a ban on foie gras at royal palaces in 2008 when he held the title of Prince of Wales. Camilla secretly switched to fake fur hats back in 2017 after receiving a barrage of criticism for wearing a Russian-style real fur hat (pictured) to the Royal Family's Sandringham Christmas Day church seven years earlier She has followed in the footsteps of the late Queen Elizabeth II who made headlines in 2019 when Her Late Majesty's senior dresser Angela Kelly revealed she was no longer using real fur in her outfits The King was central to a ban on foie gras at royal palaces in 2008 when he held the title of Prince of Wales Charles has made a raft of eco-friendly changes since he ascended to the throne in September 2022 with him long championing green causes Illuminated: The first page of the Coronation roll presented to King Charles and Queen Camilla Clerk of the Crown in Chancery Antonia Romeo's signature on the Coronation Roll The Coronation Rolls of previous monarchs on display at Buckingham Palace that were written on parchment - which is made from calf, goat or sheepskin He instructed chefs at all of his royal residences to stop serving the dish - which is described by opponents as 'torture in a tin' because it is produced by force-feeding ducks or geese until their livers are swollen. At the time, Andrew Farquharson, deputy master of the household at Clarence House, revealed that his chefs had been ordered not to buy or serve the food. He said: 'The Prince of Wales has a policy that his chefs should not buy foie gras. 'His Royal Highness was not aware that the House of Cheese sells foie gras and this will be addressed when their warrant is reviewed.' Charles last year banned three of the finest foie gras chefs in France from using the fattened duck delicacy when they cooked for him and Queen Camilla at a lavish banquet. He was said to have provided a strict list of culinary demands for the meal at the Palace of Versailles. A source said: 'The King has banned foie gras from his residences in Britain, so there was no possibility of him eating it in France. 'He doesn't want asparagus that is out of season either, because shipping it in is environmentally damaging, but there will be a mushroom gratin, which was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth. 'We understand that Charles was out foraging for mushrooms just before his mother's death in Scotland'. The father of Nottingham stab victim Grace O'Malley Kumar today said bereaved families need 'black and white' reassurance that triple killer Valdo Calocane will never be released. Dr Sanjoy Kumar blasted the criminal justice system as unjust and unfair after a judge ruled yesterday that the killer's sentence of an indefinite hospital order was not unduly lenient. The paranoid schizophrenic was given the order for manslaughter after he 'brutally' stabbed to death Grace and fellow student Barney Webber, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, in the early hours of June 13 last year. The Court of Appeal in London yesterday refused to change the sentence, and Grace's father today said they have not been given any reassurance that 'this man is not coming out'. 'There are so many people that are released from public orders and what we want is something in black and white or there has to be a change in the law... that this man can never be released because he is too much of a risk to the public, but we need that in black and white we need that reassurance,' he told Good Morning Britain. Valdo Calocane 'brutally' stabbed to death students Barney Webber (centre) and Grace O'Malley-Kumar (right), both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates (left), 65, in the early hours of June 13 last year Dr Sanjoy Kumar (centre), on Good Morning Britain with Barney Webber's mother, Emma, and Ian Coate's son James, says bereaved families need 'black and white' reassurance that triple killer Calocane will never be released Calocane, 32, admitted three charges of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility at Nottingham Crown Court 'Not just for us we need it for our children. When we are gone do you think it is fair that our children should be worried about this man being released or members of the public?' He accused the justice system of not being 'victim-centred' that is 'so unfair and so unjust that this can not happen to any other family'. Dr Kumar added: 'They should be victim-centred because we are left behind with broken families and all of the absolute heartbreak we are going through and having to fight for this now.' In a statement released yesterday after the judge's ruling, Barney's mother, Emma, called for urgent reforms in the UK homicide law and said '90 per cent of people serving hospital orders are out within 10 years and 98 per cent within 20 years'. She told Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid today they had to make Calocane that two per cent of people who are not released. 'We have to make him Ian Brady, Fred West,' she said. 'This is a legacy for our children, your [Dr Kumar] children, and Ian's grandchildren. It's wrong.' Son of Ian Coates, James, who stopped a thief in his shop in the middle of an interview, told BBC Radio 4 this morning: 'It was looking likely like this [hospital order] was going to happen and, to be fair, the judges and the appeal can only deal with the evidence they have been given. 'Our problem the whole time has been that the investigation has been so poor and there has been so many failing by the police and the NHS that led to Valdo being out on the streets and doing what he did. 'This is just the first step. It has been the case from the beginning that we needed this to be a public inquiry.' In an interview broadcast this morning on BBC Breakfast, Mrs Webber revealed the families are no longer able to get any more therapy sessions through Victim Support. 'So we are trying to navigate this all on our own and it's taking its toll emotionally, financially and physically,' she said. 'I don't want to be that campaigner or that woman on the tv again who can't shut up because this happened to us and it can happen to anybody, anywhere. They were doing absolutely nothing wrong.' The families wanted Calocane put on trial for murder but in January this year Nottingham Crown Court accepted his guilty plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. In a statement following the appeal court's decision, Barney's mother Emma Webber today said the families 'now face their own life sentence' of ensuring Calocane is not released - while Grace's father called the ruling 'disappointing' and criticised police and mental health services for failures ahead of the killings. Dr Kumar Mrs Webber after the gave statements outside Nottingham Crown Court in January following Calocane's sentencing One of his victims was 19-year-old first year student Grace O'Malley-Kumar, who was stabbed to death while walking home in the early hours of June 13 last year Prosecutors told how Grace showed 'incredible bravery' to try to protect her friend Barnaby Webber, 19, but the pair were both stabbed to death Calocane went on to kill school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, later that same morning Grace O'Malley-Kumar's parents Dr Sinead O'Malley and Dr Sanjoy Kumar are pictured emerging from the Royal Courts of Justice in London this morning after the ruling The Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr (pictured) today ruled at London's Court of Appeal that Calocane's original sentence was 'not arguably unduly lenient' The Attorney General referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal in February. Lawyers argued last week that Calocane should be given a 'hybrid' order where he would be treated before serving the remainder of the sentence in custody. But three senior judges dismissed the bid today, stating that while Calocane's offences caused 'unimaginable grief', his sentence was not unduly lenient as his paranoid schizophrenia was 'the sole identified cause of these crimes'. In a statement following the Court of Appeal's decision not to change the sentence of Valdo Calocane, Barnaby's mother Emma Webber said: 'Today's ruling comes as no surprise to the families of the Nottingham attack victims. 'It was inevitable and was not a review of anything other than the letter of the law as it stands. 'Despite the fact that the Attorney General herself feels that Valdo Calocane did not receive the appropriate sentence, today's outcome proves how utterly flawed and under-resourced the criminal justice system in the UK is. It also illustrates the need for urgent reforms in the UK homicide law. 'The fact remains, despite the words of the judge, that almost 90 per cent of people serving hospital orders are out within 10 years and 98 per cent within 20 years. 'In effect, the families now face their own life sentence of ensuring the monster that is Valdo Calocane becomes the next Ian Brady or Fred West and is never released. 'Given the failed investigation carried out by Nottingham Police, the weak prosecution put forward by East Midlands CPS and the over-reliance on doctors' reports, there was probably no other conclusion that could be made. 'The families have raised their concerns already with the Government with regard to obvious errors and omissions that have resulted in this tragedy.' Giving the court's judgment, the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr earlier said: 'There was no error in the approach adopted by the judge. The sentences imposed were not arguably unduly lenient.' Calocane, who attended via a video link from Ashworth high-security hospital near Liverpool, did not react as the judges gave their decision. Grace O'Malley-Kumar's parents Dr Sanjoy Kumar (left) and Dr Sinead O'Malley (right) arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice this morning to hear the decision on Calocane's sentence Dr Sinead O'Malley and Dr Sanjoy Kumar, parents of Grace O'Malley-Kumar, Ian Coates's son James Coates and Emma and David Webber, parents of Barnaby Webber, are pictured speaking to the media outside the Royal Courts of Justice last Wednesday Grace O'Malley Kumar was praised in court for her 'incredible bravery' trying to protect her friend Barnaby Webber from Valdo Calocane's dagger blows In her summary, Baroness Carr said: 'It is impossible to read of the circumstances of this offending without the greatest possible sympathy for the victims of these terrible attacks, and their family and friends. 'The victim impact statements paint a graphic picture of the appalling effects of the offender's conduct. 'Had the offender not suffered the mental condition that he did, the sentencing judge would doubtless have been considering a whole life term. 'But neither the judge nor this court can ignore the medical evidence as to the offender's condition which led to these dreadful events or the threat to public safety which the offender continues to pose.' Dr Sanjoy Kumar and Dr Sinead O'Malley, the parents of Ms O'Malley-Kumar, attended the Royal Courts of Justice today while the relatives of Mr Webber and Mr Coates did not appear. Speaking outside court afterwards, Dr Kumar called the ruling 'disappointing, but not unexpected'. He told reporters: 'The Nottingham attacks were entirely preventable. Nottinghamshire Police failed to produce a warrant for many months, a flawed investigation, no toxicology, over-reliance on psychiatric reports. 'Leicestershire Police failed to arrest Valdo Calocane. This is a failure of two police forces, a failure of the mental health trust, along with Nottinghamshire Council as well. 'Missed multiple opportunities to prevent the Nottingham attacks and the murder of our children and Ian Coates is what has led us here today. 'We have continued to pursue agencies that failed us and hold them responsible for the Nottingham attacks, so that no other family is made to suffer like ours. 'We thank everyone for the outpouring of support for our brave and beautiful daughter, Grace.' The family of Barnaby Webber, second left, with his father David Webber, left, mother Emma and brother Charlie Victim Grace O'Malley-Kumar, left, pictured with father Dr Sanjoy Kumar, who has criticised 'gaps' in Valdo Calocane's treatment, alongside Grace's mother Sinead and brother James Flowers were laid at the Ilkeston Road scene in Nottingham where Grace and Barnaby were killed, including by Barnaby's father David Webber Calocane fatally stabbed students Mr Webber and Ms O'Malley-Kumar as they walked home from a night out in the early hours of June 13 last year, before killing Mr Coates and stealing his van. He then used the vehicle to knock down three pedestrians, Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski and Sharon Miller, in Nottingham city centre before being arrested. It was later revealed that Nottinghamshire Police failed to catch him for nine months ahead of the killings despite having a warrant for his arrest issued in September 2020 for failure to attend court over an assault on a PC a year earlier. Mr Justice Turner, sentencing judge at the Nottingham Crown Court trial, told Calocane that his 'sickening crimes' meant he would be detained indefinitely in a high-security hospital 'very probably for the rest of your life'. He also ruled that Calocane should be subject to further restrictions if ever discharged from hospital, which would need to be approved by the Justice Secretary. The families of the victims criticised the sentence, with Mr Webber's mother Emma telling reporters outside court: 'True justice has not been served today.' While a later review found that prosecutors were right to accept Calocane's pleas, Attorney General Victoria Prentis referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal, describing the killings as 'horrific'. At the hearing in London last Wednesday, Deanna Heer, representing the Attorney General's Office, said Calocane's 'extreme' crimes warranted 'the imposition of a sentence with a penal element, an element of punishment'. But Peter Joyce, for Calocane, said none of the offences would have been committed 'but for the psychosis' and that imposing a hybrid order would mean he would be 'punished for being mentally ill'. Mrs Webber's statement in response to today's Appeal Court judgment criticise dhow there was no mention of previous police failures to execute warrants for Calocane's arrest nor earlier violent attacks he committed. She also said there were 'no questions about why he received no mental health assessment in custody, no treatment until mid September and remained in prison until November. She added: 'Also, no questioning of why the defence doctor assessed him in July but did not release his report until October and why the CPS doctor did not see him until mid November. Dr Sanjoy Kumar, speaking outside court today, ended by saying: 'We thank everyone for the outpouring of support for our brave and beautiful daughter, Grace' Barney Webber's mother Emma (pictured) said today's decision was 'no surprise' but showed 'how utterly flawed and under-resourced the criminal justice system in the UK is' Emma Webber, pictured alongside husband David as they appeared on ITV's This Morning in January this year, today reiterated the family's calls for a public inquiry into the case 'There are many, many more serious questions that the families will now continue to fight to get answered. 'We do not and never will agree that the vicious, calculated and planned attacks carried out were that of an individual who was at zero level of capability. 'We have never disputed that he is mentally unwell - however, he knew what he was doing, he knew that it was wrong; but he did it anyway. There should be an element of punishment for such a heinous act alongside appropriate treatment. 'This is just one part of the fight for justice and appropriate accountability for failures that the families have been forced to endure. So far, there have been no less than eight individual reports, reviews and investigations. 'We do not believe that there is any chance these can be cohesive enough to ensure a full and detailed outcome, and therefore call for a public inquiry.' California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom went out of his way Tuesday to defend Prince Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation amid a scandal over the late payment of a $200 filing fee, something that officials say is resolved. Newsom, considered by many to be a shining light in American liberal politics, was speaking at an event in the crime ridden Bay Area promoting a $3.3 billion investment in mental health treatment. But the governor made the unusual decision to go off-script to stand up for the pair after the recent row over the Archewell Foundation calling the charitys work 'extraordinary.' 'I just want folks to know that not only are they in compliance, it was a technical paperwork issue that was wildly overhyped,' he said. MailOnline earlier reported that the foundation fell into delinquency in the state of California, where it was registered in 2021, over the failure to pay a filing fee. It was later alleged that the check was lost in the mail. However, new records show that the payment was delivered on schedule but was not processed. The reason for this is unclear. California Governor Gavin Newsom took time away from his event promoting a massive new investment in mental health treatment to defend the Archewell Foundation 'I just want folks to know that not only are they in compliance, it was a technical paperwork issue that was wildly overhyped,' he said Prince Harry and Meghan pictured during their recent visit to Nigeria to promote the Invictus Games As of Tuesday, the foundation is in 'good standing' by the state of California, the attorney general's office said Tuesday. 'We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that The Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing,' a statement from the charity read. 'Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the IRS's processes and procedures. Furthermore, all necessary paperwork had been filed by the Foundation without error or wrongdoing.' The governor was supposed to be promoting his new initiative to tackle the mental health crisis in California. Those comments were followed up with a swipe at the media who covered the scandal. 'With respect, I hope people that ran those headlines, run this headline.' Many California-residents were outraged with Newsom taking the time the defend the Beverly Hills-charity. 'Disappointing that as governor, he is wasting his time being a spokesperson for them and highlighting that they have done great work. What great work is that? On the other hand, he didn't use her title,' wrote one X user. 'Someone offered a donation,' joked another person. 'He pushes his own administration under the bus while he could just have said "no comment,"' noted another person. 'See how the Democrats protect the "elites," another pondered adding that Harry and Meghan 'were clearly upset enough to go to the governor to ask him to defend them.' 'I hope the people of California call him out for favoring two ex-Royals who do nothing. Are all his citizens given press conferences like these two?,' asked another X user. The X account, Royal News Network, also took aim at Newsom saying that his excuse for the apparent error was that 'the State of California is wildly inefficient at processing forms and payments, as this kind of thing happens "all the time.'" 'He also talked about Archewell as a "celebrated" organization, which it is not, and how much great work it does around women, girls and especially mental health, for which scant evidence exists,' the comments continued. 'His attempts to shame the news media is pretty pathetic as well since the damage has already been done and no one really cares at this point about the resolution.' Even Newsom fans were not impressed. 'I like Newsom and have no idea why he's going to bat for the Harkles,' said one person. A delinquency notice letter was sent to the Archewell Foundation on May 3 saying the charity is 'listed as delinquent' for 'failing to submit required annual report(s) and/or renewal fees' The foundation is separate from the couple's Archewell media and business divisions Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (pictured in a conference call from their home in October 2020) are said to have held a secret 'introductory meeting' with Gavin Newsom The Sussexes took part in a virtual hour-long meeting with the Democratic governor on October 19, 2020, according to a memo obtained by The Sun (above) The former royal couple recently returned from a visit to Nigeria which the Duchess of Sussex described as 'humbling.' 'Never in a million years would I understand it as much as I do now. And what has been echoed so much in the past day is, 'Oh, we are not so surprised when we found out you are Nigerian,'' she said at the event on women in leadership 'It is a compliment to you because what they define as a Nigerian woman is brave, resilient, courageous, beautiful.' When the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved to the Golden State, they were treated to a secret 'introductory meeting' with the governor. The virtual hour-long meeting with the Democratic governor back on October 19, according to a memo obtained by The Sun. It is not clear what was discussed in the meeting with Newsom's office telling the outlet it does not comment on 'the content of meetings between the Governor and private parties or his staff.' At the time, the presidential election was just two weeks away and Newsom was facing mounting calls to line up a woman of color to replace then-California Senator Kamala Harris if she was elected vice president. Meghan and Harry stood down as senior Royals effective March 2020 but part of their agreement with Buckingham Palace was that 'everything they do will uphold the values of Her Majesty.' Hammered by mounting pressure, Newsom announced Tuesday his administration will make $3.3 billion available ahead of schedule for counties and private developers to start building more behavioral health treatment centers as part of his efforts to fund housing and drug use programs. It's the first pot of money from a ballot measure designed to help cities, counties, tribes and developers build or renovate treatment centers and clinics, among other things. Voters passed it by a razor-thin margin in March after Newsom threw all of his political weight behind it, touting it as linchpin of the state's efforts to reduce homelessness. It authorizes the state to borrow nearly $6.4 billion to build 4,350 housing units and require counties to spend two-thirds of the money from a tax on millionaires on housing and programs for homeless people with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse problems. Applications for the money will open in July. From Queen Elizabeth II as a seemingly toothless pensioner, to an apparently semi-naked Prince Philip, royal portraits have not always gone to plan. Whilst many of the worst have been unofficial, there have been some that were done with the royals' blessing - such as Lucian Freud's controversial 2001 depiction of the Queen. Yesterday, experts hailed Jonathan Yeo's depiction of King Charles - the first since he became the monarch -as 'the most progressive royal portrait in a very long time'. The fiery red painting shows His Majesty in the uniform of the Welsh Guards as a butterfly hovers over his shoulder. The work has received a much better reaction than Stuart Pearson Wright's official 2003 painting of Prince Philip, which showed the royal bare-chested and with cress growing out of his finger. Going further back, there has been a chubby Henry VIII and a tiny King James I with his mother Mary, Queen of Scots. Yesterday, experts hailed Jonathan Yeo's depiction of King Charles - the first since he became the monarch -as 'the most progressive royal portrait in a very long time' This slightly abstract depiction of Queen Elizabeth II, from 2006, is called Dreams and Nightmares of the Queen by George Condo. While you can tell who the subject is, it's perhaps not the most flattering portrayal This highly unusual painting of the late Duke of Edinburgh, by Stuart Pearson Wright, shows him bare-chested with strands of cress growing from his finger. The portrait was commissioned by the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. Prince Philip declined to go to the artist's studio and instead gave him four one-hour sessions at Buckingham Palace, rather than the suggested minimum of 20 This painting by Canadian artist Andre Durand represented Princess Diana as Pulchinella, the Neopolitan character in the commedia dell'arte. It was commissioned to hang in Da Mario's restaurant in Kensington, one of the late royal's favourite spots, and shows the owner presenting her with a pizza This painting of Prince Harry by American artist Elizabeth Peyton is one of many she has produced of the Duke of Sussex and his older brother William The depiction of Kate Middleton in a portrait by Jamie Coreth has been slammed for making her look 'frumpy' and 'petulant' Artist Stella Vine found fame when Charles Saatchi bought her 2013 portrait of Princess Diana, although the late royal's slightly wonky face may have raised eyebrows among fans Off with his head! A bizarre painting by artist Stephen Lewis Gilmore depicted King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, as Henry the VIII and showed a beheaded Diana, Princess of Wales. On a locket was a depiction of Camilla This portrait of Prince William was released by artist John Wonnacott ahead of the Queen Mother's 100th birthday This painting, by modern artist Peter Sigasby, attracted criticism when it was unveiled in 1991 for being disrespectful to Her Majesty Not such a masterpiece! Artist Terry Duffy recreated Botticelli's 'The Birth Of Venus' replacing the heads with Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Princess Diana, The Queen and Dodi Al Fayed Who on earth is that? This representation of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh by Tai-Shan Schierenberg in 1997 is barely recognisable This painting, by Kenyan artist Joackim Onyangeo Nedalo, was not particularly well regarded - but had been created from magazine photos and took three months to complete. After the artist, a royal superfan, had finished his masterpiece, he travelled all the way to the Ugandan capital of Kampala, where the Queen was on a state visit, to present the painting Lucian Freud created this portrait of Queen Elizabeth II as part of the exhibition The Queen: Portraits of a Monarch at Windsor Castle in 2001. The depiction divided both the press and art critics. She is seen with a severe expression on her face, with her features rendered heavily in typical Freud style A portrait of the late Princess Diana was painted by an unlikely source - Manchester City player Jim Whitley. The portrait was auctioned off in 1998 to raise money for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund at the Queen of Hearts Charity Ball in Manchester. Above: Diana's former butler Paul Burrell poses with the portrait Artist John Ward painted Princess Diana in her wedding dress in 1984, in a portrait that was displayed at the 'Princes as Patrons' exhibition in Cardiff 14 years later As King Henry VIII neared the end of his life in the 1540s, Flemish renaissance painter Cornelis Massys produced what looks to modern eyes to be a much less flattering depiction of the monarch. It is the earliest contemporary print of an English monarch in the Royal Collection. It was later adapted (above) by another engraver, Peter Isselburg This bizarre depiction of Emperor Leopold I of the Holy Roman Empire dressed in theatrical costume was produced by Flemish Baroque painter Jan Thomas in 1667 British tourists triggered a health alert in Turkey after wading into the sea to scatter the ashes of a deceased relative and causing 'panic' among beachgoers. Health authorities in Marmaris, on the southern Aegean Coast, began a hasty investigation and took water samples following backlash from concerned locals about Monday's ceremony. Swimmers warned that the spreading of ashes in popular waters near the beach could endanger health, prompting an urgent response from the regional District Health Directorate. The group of tourists had reportedly travelled with the intent of sprinkling the ashes at the Uzunyal beach, a favoured spot of a late family member, in touching tribute. Cremation is not legal in Turkey and restrictions are in place to limit bringing ashes into the country. The family of a man who died scatter the ashes of their late relative at Uzunyal beach The touching tribute was organised by family of the late Briton, per Turkish media The water tests arranged by local authorities were not directly related, and there is no immediate health risk posed by ashes in the sea. However, restrictions on scattering ashes in Turkey have caused significant upset for travellers in the past. While some airlines do allow passengers to take ashes to Turkey in carry-on luggage, there remain restrictions in place for what people can do with them after landing. Cremation is not legal in Turkey and there are no cremation facilities. When a British person dies in Turkey, the British government advises, finding a local funeral director to arrange a burial, who 'will be able to explain the local process'. Turkey is a Muslim country, and while it is permissible for non-Muslims to be buried in line with their own burial practices within the country, cremation is not allowed under Islamic law. The bereaved may also arrange the repatriation of the body home. In 2022, cultural sensitivities on the matter were felt when a Turkish man was accidentally cremated in a hospital in Hannover. The Uzunyal beach in southwestern Turkey was a favourite place of the deceased Illustrative image shows Turunc Bay in Marmaris, one of many beautiful parts of the coastline The family of Abdulkadir Sargn, a Turkish citizen, were shocked when - during funeral preparations - they discovered the person in the coffin was a complete stranger. 71-year-old Sargn had died from a brain hemorrhage at the MHH hospital in Hannover. His body was to be transported to a funeral company for an Islamic burial, upon the family's request. After the horror discovery, an intern at the hospital's morgue admitted to having made a mistake and mixing up the bodies, per the Turkish Daily Sabah newspaper. The family raised concerns about why the body had been cremated so soon after Sargn's death, and local police launched an investigation. Million of litres of raw sewage were 'illegally pumped' into a Lake District beauty spot after a fault, according to new documents. As one of England's largest and most popular natural attractions, Lake Windermere, based in Cumbria, is part of a Unesco World Heritage site. However, according to files obtained by the BBC, it has been revealed that United Utilities failed to stop the illegal pollution of Windermere for 10 hours despite the firm saying it took 'urgent' steps to resolve the incident. The firm also failed to report the incident to the Environment Agency until 13 hours after it started. It is said that a nearly identical incident took place in the same location in 2022. A telecoms fault on the night of February 28 caused the main pumping station at Bowness-on-Windermere, which normally sends sewage to Windermere Wastewater Treatment Works, to stop. Million of litres of raw sewage were 'illegally pumped' into Lake Windermere (pictured), according to new documents A telecoms fault caused raw untreated sewage to flow into the Lake District beauty spot A separate set of emergency pumps then discharged untreated sewage into one of England's most famous lakes from 23.34 GMT until 09.49 GMT the following day, the publication reports. In April, Steve Coogan joined protestors in demanding that United Utilities stop dumping sewage in the iconic Lake Windermere. READ MORE: Steve Coogan demands United Utilities clear up Lake Windermere as he joins protest calling for water firm to stop dumping untreated sewage into beauty spot Advertisement Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Coogan called the situation a 'timebomb' and said: 'United Utilities have a big fancy PR machine and they put nice fancy offices up like this to say 'we're working together with the people of Windermere'. 'But it's all a smokescreen to distract attention from what they've been doing over the last 30 years, which is putting treated and untreated sewage into Lake Windermere. 'It's to such an extent that there are toxic levels of algae, there are algae blooms that show the nitrate levels are like through the roof. 'They've been doing this year on year. They're doing it legally and we have evidence they're legally putting sewage into the lake. They've been paying record dividends to shareholders, there's no excuse for this. 'We're telling them to stop putting sewage in the lake and take out what they've put in. It is possible. They've said they'll pass the bill for that operation onto the bill payers. 'They shouldn't be able to do that, they should take it from the huge profits they've made and just deny their shareholders a dividend for a few years and put that money into infrastructure to clean up the lake.' Alan Partridge star Steve Coogan has previously demanded that United Utilities stop a 'timebomb' by dumping sewage and called on them to clear up iconic Lake Windermere United Utilities was revealed to be the worst water firm for sewage spills last year, partly due to it's large number of storm overflow outlets. Protests centred on the revelation of data showing that the company dumped more than 27,000 hours worth of untreated sewage since 2020 - which is the equivalent of just over three years. Comedians have previously rallied in support of the Save Windermere campaign, including Lee Mack and Paul Whitehouse. A United Utilities spokesperson said: 'This incident was caused by an unexpected fault on the third party telecoms cable network in the area, which United Utilities was not notified about and which affected both the primary system and United Utilities' backup. 'As soon as we discovered this fault was affecting the Glebe Road pumping station, our engineers took urgent steps to resolve the situation and we informed the Environment Agency within an hour of the pollution being confirmed.' British Airways has blamed a businessman who is suing them for 5million, saying he was racing to his flight while carrying a tray of Starbucks coffees when he slipped in a puddle of Baileys at Heathrow. Andreas Wuchner has told a court he suffered career-ending brain damage when sliding on the liqueur dropped by a passenger at a BA boarding gate in November 2017. Mr Wuchner - who ran an office supplies company - is now taking legal action against the airline, claiming his head injuries caused his business to fold. But lawyers for BA say Mr Wuchner - who had already missed one flight - was to blame for the accident having insisted on stopping for 'proper coffee'. They say he had to race for his plane, laden down with four Starbucks espressos and latte macchiatos, having decided to go for last-minute coffees before boarding. Andreas Wuchner says he suffered career-ending brain damage when slipping in a puddle of Baileys liqueur dropped by a passenger at a BA boarding gate in November 2017 Mr Wuchner, pictured outside Central London County Court, has been questioned by a lawyer for British Airways over the circumstances of his fall at Heathrow When told he was the last passenger to board, the company boss began 'running with two bags, a tray of coffee and a mobile phone' before slipping in the Baileys, it is claimed. Mr Wuchner denies he was at fault - insisting he was walking, not running, for his plane and that he had plenty of time to make it anyway. Sitting at Central London County Court, Judge David Saunders was told that Swiss national Mr Wuchner, then 35, was in London on a business trip when he was injured. He had spent a day with contacts and an evening in a lounge at Wembley Stadium, before heading back to Zurich via Heathrow. He had already missed one flight due to traffic and rebooked but long security queues meant he and his business partner were the last to the boarding gate, Mr Wuchner told the judge. But BA barrister Tom Bird said that, despite being the last to arrive with all the other passengers already on the flight, Mr Wuchner had gone to buy extra coffees for the flight from a Starbucks counter. It was in rushing to the boarding gate, with only 15 minutes to go before scheduled take-off, that he slipped in the Baileys while carrying a tray of four coffees. When asked why he decided to get coffee so close to departure, Mr Wuchner told the court: 'I really enjoy a proper coffee out of a coffee machine, rather than the normal airport coffee, which is why I went to Starbucks. 'As soon as I ordered the coffee, the BA employee started to shout loudly that I was the last passenger so I should hurry up. 'I went as quickly as possible to the boarding gate, bearing in mind I had four coffees in my hand. 'I wasn't running, but I went as quickly as I could. I was walking swiftly, bearing in mind the safety of my coffee cups.' Andreas Wuchner (centre), pictured at Central London County Court, ran an office supplies company The Swiss businessman had been at Heathrow airport (pictured above in a file photo) to catch a British Airways jet to Zurich when the accident happened on November 11, 2017 Mr Wuchner was checking in for his flight when he went head over heels in a puddle of spilt Baileys liqueur - this file photo shows bottles of the beverage He said that, having been 'put under pressure' to hurry, he headed towards the BA desk and slipped in the Baileys - flipping 2m in the air, sending the coffee cups flying and hitting his head on the floor. Mr Wuchner said: 'I was told I went two metres in the air, that's what was said to me. I was told that I did a backwards jump and did two metres in the air.' The barrister put to him that he had caused a potentially dangerous situation for himself by choosing caffeine over punctuality. Mr Bird told him: 'You put yourself under pressure by turning up late for the flight and, instead of turning up to the gate, going to get more coffee.' Mr Wuchner insisted: 'I walked normally to the gate.' Mr Bird asked: 'Why four coffees? Were you tired from the night before?' Mr Wuchner responded by saying: 'No. Just for the flight, one latte macchiato and one espresso for both of us.' It was put to him by Mr Bird that, had he been looking where he was going, he would have seen the huge puddle of Baileys and missed it. He replied: 'As far as I am aware, a passenger dropped the bottle and a little bit was spilled, but it was when I fell on it that the bottle broke and the real puddle came to be. 'I first saw what was on the floor when I was helped to stand up. That's when I saw there was some Baileys and some broken glass. 'If the lady had not continued to shout at me and distract me, I might have seen the puddle. British Airways has denied its staff were negligent when Mr Wuchner suffered his injuries - the firm's logo is seen here on plane tail fins at Heathrow airport in west London (file photo) Mr Wuchner's case against BA is being heard at Central London County Court (pictured) 'I was put under pressure from the coffee counter to hurry up or I would miss the flight.' Mr Bird said: 'I suggest that none of the boarding staff told you to hurry up.' The barrister claimed that one of the BA staff called out to warn Mr Wuchner about the spillage. 'You ignored her warning because you were running towards the gate without looking where you were going,' he added. Mr Wuchner replied: 'She did nothing.' 'If you weren't running with two bags, a tray of coffee and a mobile phone, this accident would not have happened,' Mr Bird told him. Mr Wuchner replied: 'I wasn't running and if British Airways had obtained CCTV footage we would not be having this conversation.' Although BA is automatically liable up to 120,000 to Mr Wuchner under the Montreal Convention, which governs accidents in international airports, it claims it can exonerate itself from liability by blaming Mr Wuchner. Mr Bird told Judge Saunders: 'BA will invite the court to find that the slip was caused or contributed to by the claimant's own negligence. 'He failed to look where he was going or to notice the spillage when moving towards the boarding gate, he moved too quickly towards the boarding gate because he was rushing to avoid missing the flight, and/or he failed to pay attention to or respond to the warning to him of the spillage.' He said BA staff had seen the puddled alcohol and called for a cleaner, but it was only after the fall that the airport's maintenance crew turned up. Mr Bird added: 'BA will contend that the court should find that it should be wholly or partially exonerated from liability pursuant to Article 20 of the Convention.' But for Mr Wuchner, barrister Sarah Prager said he continues to claim that he was not warned of the spillage at the boarding gate. She said: 'The claimant submits that the defendant cannot prove that the accident was not due to negligence or fault on its part or on the part of its staff. 'They had identified the spillage, but they did not do anything sufficiently active about it for a period of some 15 minutes. 'The burden of proof is on the defendant to show why it should not be liable to compensate Mr Wuchner fully in respect of the losses he has sustained due to the accident.' Mr Wuchner's claim was until recently limited to about 150,000, but has now been increased so that he is claiming more than 5million in compensation. He had been running his own office supplies company but that was 'liquidated' in September 2018, ten months after the accident. His lawyers say he sustained a 'traumatic brain injury' which led to agonising headaches, forgetfulness and concentration problems, causing the failure of his firm and the loss of his business career. The court heard that BA disagreed about the value of his case, with the airline disputing his claim that the injury led to his company's downfall. Mr Bird said: 'BA does not accept that the accident resulted in the loss of the claimant's business or that he is, or will be, unable to find alternative employment. 'The neurological evidence indicates that with proper treatment he is likely to make a complete recovery. 'Quite apart from the limit of liability and considerations of contributory negligence, BA says that the true value of the claim is a fraction of that alleged.' The hearing continues. Parents say their children are being treated like 'prisoners' at school thanks to strict 'new rules' - including a ban on speaking in the corridors. Brakenhale School in Berkshire has faced repeated complaints from mothers and fathers since 2022, with some comparing it to a 'military camp'. But now parents claim things have got even worse in the months since new headteacher Camilla Douglas joined in February, Now children are reportedly being told they have just three seconds to look at a teacher who is talking to them. And if they are in the corridor going to lessons they are supposed not to talk. Concerned parents say 30 children were suspended in the new head's first week alone and say pupils are being told off for having a 'fake cough', short hair, or false eyelashes. Others claim 40 children have moved to a nearby secondary school in just a single week after requesting transfers from Brakenhale. The parents pictured with their children, two of whom attend the school - Frankie, 14, and Teddy, 15 Parents have said children at Brakenhale School (seen), Berkshire, are treated like 'prisoners' with complaints ramping up since new headteacher Camilla Douglas joined in February The claims come after a former English teacher Paul Wells criticised the school's managers for their 'authoritarian' approach, this week. And in September last year he said it was like an 'army barracks or a military school'. Poll Do you think children should be banned from speaking at school? Yes No Not sure Do you think children should be banned from speaking at school? Yes 347 votes No 304 votes Not sure 41 votes Now share your opinion Parents Keith Ellis, 41, and Kelly Ellis, 46, have two children at the school - Frankie, 14, and Teddy, 15. The couple said they would move them to a different school in a heartbeat if they were not currently preparing for exams. Kelly, a hairdresser, said rules she deems are unfair include: If a teacher says one, two, three' all the children in the class have to put everything down and look at the teacher otherwise they will get a warning and that students are not allowed to speak in the corridor. She said: 'They have literally been silenced the whole day and they're even escorted out of the premises.' Keith, a martial arts teacher, added: 'Our youngest son got punched in the face by a student, then our son was also put into isolation because he pushed the boy back.' Kelly added Frankie was sent to isolation - where students are sent to a separate room for reflection - because his haircut was too short. Keith, 41, and Kelly Ellis, 46, (pictured) would move their children out of Brakenhale if they did not have exams coming up Kelly said Frankie (seen with Keith) was sent to isolation - where students are sent to a separate room for reflection, because his haircut was too short She said the same happened when he coughed, because the teacher thought it was 'fake'. They say the school's safeguarding team have been 'terrific' but are not happy with other staff or the rules. Another parent, 40-year-old Nicole Alder, has a 15 year old at the school. She said children can go without talking for up to three hours because they are not allowed to speak in the corridor between lessons. Nicole described this policy as: 'Very military and very like children should be seen not heard.' She added another pupil was sent away from school due to wearing fake eye lashes - by a teacher who was also wearing fake eye lashes. A Facebook page set up by parents of children at the school also contains complaints including: 'When I brought up my concern about discrimination it was effectively ignored... 'Brakenhale does not provide an education environment. It is like a prison and is so unhealthy... 'I have never seen so many parents waiting in reception for 'back to school' meetings today after school... 'My yr11 today has been told they have to change for PE in silence. Leave the changing rooms in silence. Walk between lessons in silence. When in lessons be silent.' Keith, a martial arts teacher, added: 'Our youngest son got punched in the face by a student, then our son was also put into isolation because he pushed the boy back.' Kelly said rules she deems are unfair include: If a teacher says one, two, three' all the children in the class have to put everything down and look at the teacher otherwise they will get a warning and that students are not allowed to speak in the corridor The headteacher said they do not comment on student and staff matters and people should contact the school directly. Grainne Siggins, executive director for people at Bracknell Forest Council, said: 'Brakenhale School is an academy in the Greenshaw Learning Trust and therefore any complaints should be made directly to the school so their complaints process can be followed. 'The council is not responsible for the day-to-day handling of parental complaints at any school in the borough, and would only respond to allegations relating to safeguarding concerns.' The headteacher said: 'We do not comment through the press on matters regarding students and encourage any parents or previous employees with concerns to contact the school directly.' An inquest into the death of a little boy found dead in a wastewater treatment pond has heard from his parents, who both gave very different accounts of their son's tragic death. New Zealand toddler Lachie Jones disappeared from his mother's home in Gore, on the southern end of the South Island, on the evening of January 29, 2019. A subsequent two-hour search was brought to a tragic end when a police dog handler pulled the toddler's body from a council oxidation pond. Two separate police investigations found Lachie drowned in the pond after he walked 1.2km down a gravel road from his mother's home, climbed a wooden fence and waded through grassy scrub to reach the pond. Despite the findings, Lachie's father, Paul Jones, remains adamant his son did not walk to the pond by himself. Lachie Jones (pictured) was found dead in a wastewater treatment pond on January 29, 2019 Lachie's mother, Michelle Officer (left), claims Lachie wandered from her house while his father, Paul Jones (right) accused her of being neglectful Two years ago, police admitted it had missed crucial steps in its investigation into the case, prompting the beginning of an inquest into Lachie's death held by Auckland-based Coroner Alexander Ho on April 29. The Invercargill Court, 64km southwest of Gore, has since heard from both of Lachie's parents, his step-brothers and grandfather as well as several witnesses, police and a pathologist. Mr Jones used his time at the witness stand to accuse Lachie's mother, Michelle Officer, of covering up the toddler's abuse, allegedly at the hands of his step-brothers. However, Ms Officer and her sons painted a very different picture of Mr Jones, accusing him of drunkenly abusing them and exacerbating their grief by pinning Lachie's death on them. While evidence from police and the pathologist appeared to fall in Ms Officer's favour, Mr Jones' believes his son 'didn't walk out there' to the pond. The 15-day inquest concluded on Wednesday with the next phase of investigation set to hear from three forensic pathologists, an expert investigator and a child behaviour expert in August. The first person to give evidence at the inquest was Lachie's mother, who recalled Lachie's love for the outdoors and feeding ducks. It's understood between 500 and 1,000 moulting and flightless paradise ducks inhabited the pond where Lachie was found. However, Ms Officer noted he had a very fearless nature which, at one point, led her to buy a child harness for his safety. Her description was supported by accounts from friends, neighbours and family members who remembered Lachie as clever, happy and kind. Up to 1,000 ducks inhabited the pond where Lachie (pictured) was found. Lachie was known to love chasing after ducks Paul Jones (pictured with Lachie) has accused Ms Officer's two older sons of abusing Lachie Other family members also recalled Lachie's love for chasing ducks - a claim Mr Jones denies. However, debate over their son's love for ducks is far from the only thing the former couple disagree on. Ms Officer told the inquest her relationship with Mr Jones abruptly ended after a common assault charge was laid against him. Her sons, Cameron and Jonathan Scott, claimed Mr Jones would come home from the pub and 'abuse [us] for no reason, after we gave him a ride home', the New Zealand Herald reported. Ms Officer said she picked up Lachie from kindergarten about 2.30pm on the day of his death. She then ran errands and briefly saw Mr Jones at the courier depot where they both worked. Lachie spent 45 minutes at home with Mr Jones and his brother Jonathan before he disappeared. During a intense grilling, Mr Jones' lawyer Max Simpkins asked Ms Officer: 'That's where your son met his death wasn't it? 'You left Jonathan there, and then you went to the [courier] depot at 4pm and told Paul [Mr Jones] that Lachie was sick. 'After telling Paul that he was sick and not to come around to the house, you left and then organised the disposal of [the] body didn't you?' Ms Officer cried: 'How dare you ask a grieving mother that?' Mr Simpkins went on to accuse Ms Officer of allegedly neglecting Lachie and accused her of welcoming the death of her toddler 'because you don't have to deal with your irate boy'. Friends, neighbours and family members remembered little (pictured) as clever, happy and kind Ms Officer wept as she was accused of helping in the 'disposal' of Lachie's (pictured) body by Mr Jones' lawyer Ms Officer continued to weep as she responded, again, to the grim accusations. 'It's just awful that you'd accuse me of that when you don't even know what happened. How dare you say that to a grieving mother?' she said. Mr Jones later faced questioning from Ms Jones' lawyer, Beatrix Woodhouse. The father told the inquest he was living at his parents' home in Invercargill in the weeks before Lachie's death. He was at their home when Ms Officer called and told him Lachie was missing. Mr Jones told her, 'Nothing better have happened to my son' before driving to Gore. While driving to his former partner's home, Mr Jones called a friend, Dave Aitken, and shared his belief Lachie was already dead. He did acknowledge he had a drinking issue and would act volatile with Ms Officer and her two sons. However, Mr Jones alleged his confrontations with the two boys - aged 16 and 18 at the time of Lachie's death - were out of concern for the wellbeing of his son. He recalled one incident in which Lachie fell from Jonathan's shoulder, resulting in a trip to the hospital. Mr Jones claimed Cameron had blamed Lachie for the incident and punished him with a slap on the hand, resulting in an argument with Mr Jones. The claims were in stark contrast to Cameron and Jonathan's own descriptions of their relationship with their half-sibling. Jonathan, who was 16 at the time of Lachie's death, told the inquest he was very close with Lachie and would often look after him for their mother. But his relationship with Mr Jones was much less warm, with Jonathan telling the inquest: 'You don't like someone who yells at you.' Cameron, who was 18 when Lachie died, said 'it was awesome having two younger brothers', and recalled looking after the toddler and teaching him new activities. Jonathan was interrogated by Mr Simpkins over inconsistencies in his statement to police and his apparent lack of action during the search for Lachie. He responded by telling the inquest Lachie liked to play hide and seek so he didn't panic when the toddler disappeared. It's understood Jonathan helped his mother search for Lachie but was picked up by a friend before police arrived at the scene. He and the friend drove to an ATM where he withdrew $50, which he initially told police was for his brother but admitted at the inquest it was to purchase cannabis that evening. Jonathan purchased the drug shortly after making the withdrawal. Mr Simpkins accused both Jonathan and Cameron of tampering with Lachie's body at the request of Mr Jones. Mr Jones (left) was accused by Mr Officer's sons of being an abusive drunk but Mr Jones claims he only confronted the pair over concern for Lachie (right) Senior Sergeant Cynthia Fairley said Ms Officer appeared distraught after Lachie (pictured) disappeared, telling the inquest: 'Her recollection and her demeanour was genuine and authentic ... I believed her' Mr Jones claimed Lachie never ran or walked very far and was not known to be much of a climber, let along of wooden fences. 'I'm not saying who's done it but I'm saying my son didn't walk out there [to the pond],' he said. While questioning Jonathan, Mr Simpkins said: 'We have a number of statements on the coroner's file that say Lachie's body was frozen, stone cold. Mr Scott, what did you do with his body to make it stone cold and frozen cold?' He then asked if there was a freezer at Ms Officer's home: 'Is that where you stored [Lachie] before you worked out what to do with his body?' Jonathan responded: 'That's ridiculous.' Cameron called accusations made against his family 'disgusting' while giving his own evidence at the inquest. He was living with his birth father for several months before Lachie's death and was there on the night of the toddler's disappearance, playing online video games with his friends. Despite being away from Ms Officer's home, Mr Simpkins accused Cameron of putting Lachie's body in the pond. 'There is no way we would have hid my brother's body,' Cameron responded. He did admit to smoking cannabis in the hours after Lachie was found dead, claiming he 'would have done anything to cope with the devastation of losing his little brother'. Both Jonathan and Cameron told the inquest they dismissed police support services after their brother's death because they didn't want to talk about it with a stranger. The inquest also heard several allegations police mishandled Lachie's case. It found the police chain of command on the night of his disappearance was unclear to the officers involved. Detective Sergeant David Kennelly, who attended the scene as senior Criminal Investigation Branch officer, believed Senior Sergeant Cynthia Fairley was in charge as the ranking officer for eastern Southland. However, Fairly believed Sergeant Hua Tamariki was in charge while Tamariki also thought Fairly was leading the investigation. Kennelly acknowledged police 'should have locked the scene down' but said officers didn't gather forensic evidence due to the large number of people potentially contributing to scene contamination. He noted a lack of injuries on Lachie's body aside from an incision on the side of his neck - which Kennelly surmised was from the resuscitation process. Lachie (pictured) would have had to walk 1.2km, climb a wooden fence and fight through grassy scrub to reach the pond from his mother's home Ms Officer's home was in Gore (pictured), 64km from where Mr Jones was staying with his parents in Invercargill Fairley claimed officers made the right decision on the night from the information presented to them. She told the inquest she believed Ms Officer's immediate account of Lachie's disappearance, saying: 'Her recollection and her demeanour was genuine and authentic ... I believed her.' The pathologist who conducted Lachie's autopsy told the inquest he believed Lachie drowned by excluding other causes. His findings did not include head examination or X-ray imaging. However, he stated the autopsy should have been complete by a forensic pathologist. Forensic experts Dr Alexander Kolar and Dr Martin Sage both questioned the drowning conclusion as Lachie's lungs were lighter than usual for a drowning case. The pathologist dismissed concerns Lachie's body had been frozen and thawed. Queen Camilla praised King Charles' new portrait and its creator when she saw it for the first time before it's presentation at Buckingham Palace yesterday. The painting, by renowned artist Jonathan Yeo, is the first official portrait of the King completed since his Coronation last May. However, it was actually commissioned three years earlier than that to celebrate the then-Prince of Wales' 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company. It depicts His Majesty wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975, while holding a sword as a butterfly lands on his shoulder. The Queen is said to have looked at the painting and told Yeo: 'Yes, you've got him.' Queen Camilla praised King Charles' new portrait and its creator Jonathan Yeo (seen talking to the Queen yesterday) when she saw it for the first time, commenting: 'Yes, you've got him' The painting, which is the first official portrait of the King completed since his Coronation last May, was unveiled at Buckingham Palace yesterday Yeo had four sittings with The King, beginning when His Majesty was Prince of Wales in June 2021, and ending in November 2023 at Clarence House when The Queen was in attendance to see the painting in its 'half-done state' The work depicts His Majesty wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975, while holding a sword as a butterfly lands on his shoulder Yeo had four sittings with The King, beginning when His Majesty was Prince of Wales in June 2021 at Highgrove, and later at Clarence House. The Queen appeared during the final sitting in November 2023, with the painting in its 'half-done state' and said the artist had captured the King well. Yeo also painted a portrait of Camilla in 2014, and one of Prince Philip in 2008. He said: 'People often say is there a secret to doing a good portrait? And I say I don't know really. 'Actually I think there is one, and that's having an interesting subject to start with. And you couldn't ask for a better one than this, other than Her Majesty.' As he gestured towards Camilla, comment was greeted with much laughter by those gathered in the palace. The artist also spoke of the inclusion of the butterfly landing on the monarch's right shoulder, which is to echo Charles' 'metamorphosis' from Prince to King during the process - and the monarch joked that it was nice to know he was a chrysalis. Yeo said: 'It was a privilege and pleasure to have been commissioned by The Drapers' Company to paint this portrait of His Majesty The King, the first to be unveiled since his Coronation. 'When I started this project, His Majesty The King was still His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and much like the butterfly I've painted hovering over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the subject's role in our public life has transformed. 'I do my best to capture the life experiences etched into any individual sitter's face. In this case, my aim was also to make reference to the traditions of royal portraiture but in a way that reflects a 21st Century monarchy and, above all else, to communicate the subject's deep humanity. 'I'm unimaginably grateful for the opportunity to capture such an extraordinary and unique person, especially at the historic moment of becoming King.' The canvas size - approximately 8.5ft by 6.5ft framed - was carefully considered to fit within the architecture of Drapers' Hall and the context of the paintings it will eventually hang alongside. At Buckingham Palace, Charles and Queen Camilla were met by The Master of The Drapers' Company, Tom Harris and Past Master, William Charnley. Guests included other members of the Drapers' Company, students and staff from the Drapers' Academy, Welsh Guards and Yeo's family. Charles stood at Buckingham Palace yesterday next to Yeo at the unveiling where the latter explained some of the creative decisions behind the painting Yeo also painted a portrait of Camilla in 2014 (left), and one of Prince Philip in 2008 (right) The portrait will go on public display for a month at the Philip Mould Gallery in London, from this Thursday until June 14. Entry is free. The artwork is expected to be displayed at Drapers' Hall from the end of August. Yeo is one of the world's leading portrait artists whose subjects have included the industrial designer Sir Jony Ive, broadcaster Sir David Attenborough and activists Malala Yousafzai and Doreen Lawrence. He has also produced portraits of actors Nicole Kidman, Giancarlo Esposito, Dennis Hopper, Idris Elba and Sienna Miller, artists Damien Hirst and Grayson Perry, model Cara Delevingne and former world leaders Tony Blair, David Cameron, Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Juan Manuel Santos. A 'hypersensitive' Japanese academic who tried to sue a British university for racism after her university boss told her she liked sushi has had her case thrown out by a tribunal judge. Professor Nana Sato-Rossberg accused Provost Claire Ozanne of being prejudiced, claiming she would not have said to a German 'I like sausage'. But an employment tribunal found senior academic Prof Ozanne was just making 'small talk' and trying to be 'friendly' to find 'common ground' and no reasonable person would have taken offence at her question. Instead Prof Sato-Rossberg was found by a judge to have been 'predisposed' to finding fault with Prof Ozanne, who she had previously accused of being 'unconsciously biased' against her. It meant the culture and linguistics expert's claims of racial discrimination and harassment against the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London were thrown out. Professor Nana Sato-Rossberg was branded 'hypersensitive' by a tribunal judge for accusing her university boss of racism after she tried to make small talk about liking sushi The hearing was told Prof Sato-Rossberg started teaching at the university in 2014 and five years later was appointed as Head of Department for the School of Languages, Culture and Linguistics. In 2020 Prof Ozanne - an insect specialist who has appeared on BBC Radio 4 and calls herself the 'muddy boots biologist' - was appointed Deputy Director and Provost and became her manager. Following their first meeting, the hearing was told Prof Sato-Rossberg told a colleague she thought Prof Ozanne would be biased because she 'was not British and was a woman and BAME'. 'People like me, a non-white female, must constantly consider the possibility that they are treated unfairly because of gender or ethnicity,' she said later. The central London tribunal heard that in September 2021 Prof Ozanne told her about a Japanese sushi restaurant near her home which her family enjoyed. '[Prof Sato-Rossberg] took exception to this,' the hearing was told. 'She told the tribunal, "she would not have said to a German person, I like sausage". 'If Prof Claire Ozanne wished to make conversation, we had many commonalities through our work and professional academic endeavour,' she added. 'But [she] chose to speak only about topics directly relevant to my race: the liking of Japanese food and that her family like it and eat sushi.' Over the next six months Prof Sato-Rossberg continued to complain about Prof Ozanne and in January 2022, she emailed a senior member of the university's administration accusing her of bullying and harassment. An employment tribunal found that Provost Claire Ozanne (pictured) had just been making 'small talk' and had been trying to strike up a conversation with her colleague Asking for her to be replaced as her manager, the tribunal heard she said: '[She] tries to suppress my voice, the voice of a woman of color' before later claiming she had exhibited 'racist microaggression' towards her. The hearing was told that later that year the university launched an investigation into her claims, during which time Prof Sato-Rossberg was promoted to Professor in Translation Studies. After the investigation - completed in February 2023 - rejected her claims, she took SOAS to the employment tribunal claiming race discrimination, race harassment, victimisation and unfair treatment for whistleblowing. Rejecting her case, Employment Judge Jillian Brown said Prof Sato-Rossberg had concluded Prof Ozanne was prejudiced against her - without evidence - from the start. 'The Tribunal concluded that [Prof Sato-Rossberg] had decided, from the outset, that [Prof] Ozanne would be biased because [she] was not British and was a woman and BAME. 'In other words, [she] had decided...that [Prof] Ozanne would be racist in her dealings with [her]. 'The Tribunal considered that, as a result of this preconception, [she] was predisposed to find fault with [Prof] Ozanne and to see race discrimination in [her] interactions with her, when there was none.' Of the sushi remark, the judge added: 'On one occasion in 18 months, [Prof] Ozanne spoke to [Prof Sato-Rossberg] warmly about her local Japanese restaurant and her family's love of sushi. An employment tribunal judge concluded that Provost Claire Ozanne's comments about sushi (file image, pictured) were not racist or detrimental about Japan and that the university leader had been trying to 'be friendly and find common ground' by making the comment 'She did so, knowing that [Prof Sato-Rossberg] was Japanese and believing that [she] would receive this positively. She was making small talk and trying to establish a point of shared interest. Ms Ozanne said nothing detrimental about Japan. 'This was one conversation of many, about many different subjects, which [Prof] Ozanne had with [her] over the course of 18 months. 'The Tribunal concluded that, even if [Prof] Ozanne's comments in this regard were partly because of [Prof Sato-Rossberg's] race...they were not a detriment, nor harassment. 'The Tribunal decided that [Prof] Ozanne mentioning a sushi restaurant and her family's love of sushi was not a detriment because a reasonable person would not consider themselves at a disadvantage when a manager, trying to be friendly and find common ground, was enthusiastic about food from the person's country of origin. 'A reasonable person would not take offence at such complimentary and friendly words. 'In this case, [Prof] Ozanne's words were not even 'unfortunate'. They were not reasonably seen as hurtful or misjudged. On the contrary, [Prof Sato-Rossberg's] objection reflected [her] own hypersensitivity and predisposition to find fault with Ms Ozanne.' China is set to roll out the red carpet for tyrant leader Vladimir Putin despite his raging war in Ukraine as President Xi looks to build his relationship with Russia and claim 'geopolitical supremacy over America'. The Russian president is set to visit Beijing on Thursday, marking the start of his new presidential term in a show of support from his most powerful political partner, Xi Jinping. Putin's two-day mission is expected to highlight the pairs 'no limit' partnership - which the men toasted to in February 2022 as a stark counterweight to the global influence of the United States. Xi and Putin's partnership has increasingly come under pressure as the Biden administration sought to isolate Russia from its vital Chinese lifeline after Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, which began later in the same month. The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed Putin's trip on Tuesday, saying Xi and Putin would exchange views on ties and 'international and regional issues of common concern'. Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 18, 2023. Putin is set to visit Beijing on Thursday, marking the start of his new presidential term Despite the pair's 'no limits' partnership, China has so far avoided providing weapons and ammunitions for Russia's war effort While diplomats and analysts expect Putin to push Xi for further support for Russia's war economy, from machines and chemicals to help its military industries to more discounted oil and gas purchases, Putin's trip is likely to be heavily symbolic of a shared world view centered on countering a US-led order. 'China is Russia's strategic partner this is the path chosen by the president of Russia and the leader of China and nothing is going to change that no matter what the West tries to say or do,' a Russian official said. Other analysts have said that the Xi and Putin meeting carries weight in itself as: 'The very act of receiving Putin by Beijing - on its own - is already a form of support to Russia since China is the sole major country left that has not isolated Moscow,' said James Char, a security scholar at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. 'China needs to have Russia on its side to subvert the US-led world order and in its long-term struggle with the US for geopolitical supremacy.' Pressure is continuing to mount on Beijing from Washington over its alleged support for Russia's defence industry, but Xi has ramped up his calls for Europe and other countries to help the world avoid a 'Cold War,' suggesting they resist what Beijing sees as US efforts to contain China. Putin's arrival follows a mission to Beijing late last month from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in part to warn China's top diplomat Wang Yi against deepening military support for Russia. During his meeting with the Chinese leader, Blinken emphasised the importance of 'responsibly managing' the differences between the United States and China. Blinken said he raised concerns with Xi about China's support for Russia and its invasion of Ukraine , as well as other issues including Taiwan and the South China Sea, human rights and the production and export of synthetic opioid precursors . US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People late last month Xi and Putin's partnership has increasingly come under pressure as the Biden administration sought to isolate Russia from its vital Chinese lifeline after Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine But despite the 'no limits' friendship between Xi and the Russian leader, China has so far avoided providing weapons and ammunitions for Russia's war effort. 'I'm sure Putin would like to have China's help in getting Russia over the line in Ukraine,' said Alexander Neill, a Singapore-based defence analyst. 'What more China can do without incurring action from Washington will be a very closely scrutinised element of this mission,' said Neill. Analysts in China and Russia said that while Beijing would prefer a quick end to the conflict in Ukraine, it would tolerate the war, regardless, and continue to prioritise trade and diplomatic relations with Moscow over the west. Russia, which has showed no signs of abandoning the war, will become increasingly dependent on China as a trade partner and as a key diplomatic ally in its deepening conflict with the west. It comes just a day after Putin praised economic ties between the two countries in an interview with Xinhua news agency. He said: 'Today, Russia-China relations have reached the highest level ever, and despite the difficult global situation continue to get stronger.' Putin hailed the 'great prospects' of the countries' partnership and their joint efforts to 'strengthen the sovereignty, protect the territorial integrity and security of our countries.' The leaders aimed to deepen cooperation in 'industry and high-tech, outer space and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and other innovative sectors,' Putin added. French President Emmanuel Macron (C-L) and his wife Brigitte Macron (L), Chinese President's wife Peng Liyuan (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (C-R) have a drink in a restaurant at the Tourmalet Pass in the Pyrenees mountains, France, May 7, 2024 The meeting comes just two weeks after the Chinese leader landed in France for a controversial state visit in which French leader Emmanuel Macron attempted to convince his counterpart to use his influence on Putin to move towards the end of the war in Ukraine. Macron, initially joined initially by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urged Xi not to allow the export of any technology that could be used by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine and asked Beijing to do all it could to end the war. Xi, for his part, warned the West not to 'smear' China over the conflict and also hit back at accusations that Chinese overcapacity was causing global trade imbalances. After a bilateral meeting with Xi, Macron welcomed China's 'commitments' not to supply arms to Russia, while also expressing concern over possible deliveries of dual-use technology. He thanked Xi for backing his idea of a truce in all conflicts including Ukraine during the Paris Olympics this summer and pointedly added that France was not seeking 'regime change' in Russia. The newest power couple of Sydney's underworld, who were arrested and forced apart after a dramatic drug raid, have won the right to see each other again. The NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday backflipped on a prior decision and allowed Lone Wolf bikie widow Jade Heffer, 28, and Trent Jeske, 26, to reunite. The couple have been apart for six days after they were awoken to Raptor Squad officers launching a raid on Jeske's rental home in Merrylands in Sydney's west last Thursday. The raid was carried out as a part of investigations into criminal network drug distribution using 'dial-a-dealer' phones. While the exact date of their marriage is unknown, Heffer and Jeske are believed to have tied the knot sometime in April. The Supreme Court has revised bail conditions for Jade Heffer (pictured) which allow the newlywed to see her husband Jade Heffer was arrested alongside her new husband Trent Jeske (pictured) last week Heffer was found to be in breach of prior bail conditions which required her to live with her mother in Barham on the NSW/Victoria border. Her previous charges relate to allegations she hindered a police investigation into former partner, Ahmad 'Alan' Alameddine last August while he was wanted by police on drug charges. Heffer spent seven weeks in custody before she was released on strict bail conditions. She is yet to enter a plea to the previous charges. A Parramatta Local Court judge added more strict conditions to her bail last Thursday following the alleged bail breach, which banned Heffer from any contact with Jeske or to be within 200m of his home. Supreme Court Justice Natalie Adams removed that condition on Wednesday, noting that police hadn't unearthed anything untoward at the home, the Daily Telegraph reported. The judge added that Jeske was not a co-accused in any of the charges that resulted in Heffer's bail. The former wife of a Lone Wolf bikie, Jade Heffer (pictured during last Thursday's arrest) was found to be in breach of bail for prior charges and was originally ordered not to be in contact with Jeske 'It is quite unusual to have a non-association with someone that is not a co-offender,' Justice Adams said. 'I have to say I have never seen it before.' Heffer's revised bail conditions still require her to live at her mother's home but allow her to stay at Jeske's home when in Sydney for prearranged legal and medical appointments. Justice Adams noted Jeske was somewhat of a positive and stabilising influence for his new wife. Jeske was charged with the unrelated offence of driving while licence application refused and granted conditional bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on May 30. Jeske walked free in February after a 20-month stint behind bars for being a leader of the Ready 4 War street group which distributed drugs for the Alameddine crime gang. Heffer is the former wife of well-known underworld figure and Lone Wolf bikie Yusuf Nazlioglu, who was shot dead at the couple's Rhodes apartment block in 2022. The small-town girl who once worked as a Coles butcher, started dating another high-profile underworld figure in 2023 - Ahmad 'Alan' Alameddine'. The pair made headlines in August that year when Heffer allegedly hindered police who turned up at Alameddine's Greenacre home, in Sydney's west, to check if he was complying with a firearms ban. Alameddine allegedly escaped and went on the run for a month while Heffer remained in jail - until he was arrested on September 6 after being busted engaging in a sex act with another woman inside a ramshackle unit in South Coogee. Bikie widow Jade Heffer (pictured with her late husband Yusuf Nazlioglu) recently married a second time A western Sydney council has backflipped on its controversial ban on a book about same-sex parenting following a marathon debate inside its offices - and fiery scenes outside. The book, which is called Same-Sex Parents, was taken out just once in the five years it was on the shelf in Cumberland Council libraries before it was sensationally banned on May 1. The motion to reverse the ban, which was put forward by Labor councillor Kun Huang, was passed by 13 votes to 2 just before 10.45pm on Wednesday night. The book will be moved to the junior non-fiction section. Earlier in the night, hundreds of protesters clashed in a tense standoff over the council's decision to ban the book, which made headlines around the world. There was a tense standoff between opposing groups of protesters (pictured) outside the Cumberland Council chambers in western Sydney on Wednesday night The protesters (pictured) are being kept apart by a heavy police presence due to the emotive issue that has raised tensions in the area and across the city Police are pictured outside Cumberland City Council during a protest on Wednesday night There were fiery scenes outside the council's office and inside the chamber, where councillors debated long into the night on whether to overturn the ban. Dozens of police officers based at the station across the road from the council were forced to intervene and keep the large crowd apart. The issue has divided the community, with one group angry about the ban on the book featuring same sex families, while the other side was outraged at subsequent efforts to have the ban reversed. Local grandmother Caroline Staples led a campaign urging the council to overturn the ban, with almost 41,000 people signing a petition backing her plan, which was presented to councillors on Wednesday night. 'We're diverse, we're different, we can sit down and come together around shared values. And not surprisingly, given what we've got behind us, they're terrified. They're terrified in their own community,' she earlier told 7News. A woman who opposes book banning is pictured at a protest in western Sydney on Wednesday night Local religious leaders were also in attendance to address councillors. Cumberland Council has faced a huge amount of criticism locally, across Australia and from around the world since the ban was adopted a fortnight ago Ms Staples said that if the council did not overturn the ban she would take the fight to the NSW government. She said she was also looking into whether the community's human rights had been breached. Supported by national LGBT+ group Equality Australia (EA), she presented two petitions to the council. The first was an EA petition that has 40,861 signatures, including 2,194 Cumberland residents. Another 10,065 people have signed a change.org petition. Ms Staples, who lives in the area, is a mother-of-four and a grandmother in what she called 'a rainbow family'. She said the book that triggered the ban, which features two men and a child on the cover, is a 'carefully crafted, entirely age-appropriate children's book'. 'We need to rescind this ban,' she said, to shouts of both support and opposition from the public gallery. Councillor Steve Christou, who put forward the amendment 'that council take immediate action to rid same sex parents books/materials in council's library service', questioned Ms Staples. 'How many people didn't sign the petition? That is all,' he asked. He later asked Ms Staples about her history of left wing politics and she admitted she worked part-time for NSW Labor MP Lynda Voltz, but said: 'I'm here because I've lived here 40 years.' Deputy mayor Ola Hamed accused Mr Christou, who is a former mayor, of 'cheap political point-scoring' for his support of the ban on same-sex parenting books. 'Here we are again entertaining another time-wasting distraction from Councillor Christou, one that is hateful and divisive All in the name of cheap political point-scoring,' she said. Mr Christou said his life has been threatened over the issue. 'People approached me and voiced their opinions. I have received death threats, I have received abuse, my family has been abused they don't deserve that.' Former mayor and current councillor Steve Christou (pictured) put forward the amendment 'that council take immediate action to rid same sex parents books/materials in council's library service' Supporters of the council same-sex book ban are pictured at the protest outside Cumberland Council's offices Protesters are pictured at a rally of rival factions in western Sydney on Wednesday night Wei Thai-Haynes, from the Pride in Protest organisation, said the group was 'deeply disgusted' by the council's actions in banning same-sex books from its libraries. 'Children will f***ing kill themselves because of your actions,' she said. 'Shame on you.' Mayor Lisa Lake warned those in the public gallery to calm down and let people speak without interruption. 'Gallery, I will make you leave,' she said. 'Sorry, but I cannot run a meeting with people yelling to me in the gallery.' An Equality Australia petition with 40,861 signatures was presented to the council. Protesters are pictured Local religious leaders (pictured) were also in attendance to address councillors Mohamad Hussein, the only Labor councillor who voted to support the ban, which was passed by six votes to five, told the meeting 'It's no secret that my decision has sparked criticism and backlash'. 'As a devout Muslim, I hold strong religious beliefs that guard my actions and decisions. I respect the choices of individuals to live their lives as they see it. 'I want to highlight the vast majority of residents in our LGA's strong religious beliefs. Mine isn't an isolated view, but one shared by a significant portion of our local community. 'It goes against the values of teaching of Islam. As a councillor, it's my duty to present the values of my community and I cannot in good consciences support something that goes against my religious beliefs.' He added that 'This is not a war on you guys,' referring to the LGBT community. Independent councillor Eddy Sarkis, said he read the book and had no problem with it, but it still made him uncomfortable as a Catholic. 'I would find it somewhat difficult to sit there and say to my child, "This is normal,"' he said. 'I couldn't and I wouldn't put any other parent in that position.' He said the same-sex book's place 'is not in the children's section, but perhaps in the teenage or adult section'. A child is pictured speaking into a megaphone alongside counter-protesters outside the Cumberland City Council during a rally opposing the bans on gay parenting books and bans on drag story time in Sydney, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 A mother and son duo caused drunken chaos on a flight home from Turkey, brawling with cabin crew, police officers and almost falling on top of a baby. Benjamin Lynch, 29, and his mother Patricia Lynch, 59, were found guilty of being drunk on board a aircraft after becoming aggressively intoxicated on a return flight home to Manchester in May last year. Manchester Crown Court heard on Tuesday how Mr Lynch was warned by cabin crew for speaking loudly and swearing two and half hours into the four-and half-hour flight. An hour before landing, a passenger complained about Mr Lynch's increasingly unruly behavior, asking to be moved. But the court heard that the 29-year-old had 'tried to provoke a reaction', pushing the male passenger and 'entering his space'. Benjamin Lynch, 29, pleaded guilty to being drunk on a flight as a judge called his actions 'disgraceful' Mr Lynch threatened to 'chin' a member of airline staff after drinks were taken from the pair Patricia Lynch, 59, argued with officers who tried to remove her son from the flight Patricia Lynch, the court heard, ordered a vodka and lemonade and accused the passenger of 'taking the p***' before cabin crew removed drinks from the pair. Prosecuting, James Hudson said that this prompted a 'strong reaction' from Benjamin Lynch, who threatened to 'chin' the member of cabin crew then stood up and squared up to him, knocking over drinks as he did. Mr Lynch, after four trips to the toilet, began 'stumbling' down the aisle as the plane began to approach Manchester, falling onto a passenger with a baby nearby at one stage When police boarded, he walked down the aisle with his hands outstretched to be handcuffed. He then began to lie on the floor. Arguing with the officers, Ms Lynch told them her son had done nothing wrong. Mr Hudson said: 'she tried to push past officers and also told officers to f*** off.' He added: 'The officers described her as slurring her words and smelling of alcohol.' Judge Seely, however, said: 'People have to be responsible for their own actions, and alcohol is no excuse. It is about other people. Children were affected' The flight included 179 other holidaymakers on the returning jet, including babies and young children There were 179 other holidaymakers on the returning jet, including babies and young children. Benjamin Lynch - who the court heard has 14 previous convictions for 23 offences - was jailed for four months. His mother, who has no previous convictions, was jailed for two months, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. The court heard she was in a 'different position' to her son and there was a 'distinction' between their offending on the flight. Judge Jonathan Seely said Benjamin Lynch displayed 'gross selfishness and a complete lack of respect'. Judge Seely said the behaviour of Patricia Lynch was 'disgraceful', but less serious than that of her son. The court heard Benjamin Lynch showed 'heartfelt and genuine remorse' and wanted to issue an apology. It was said to have been a 'particularly fraught vacation' and he suffered from anxiety and claustrophobia. His mum was said to have been 'trying to placate' her son and her role was described by her counsel as 'secondary' to his and 'extremely out of character'. Judge Seely, however, said: 'People have to be responsible for their own actions, and alcohol is no excuse. It is about other people. Children were affected.' Police must increase their use of stop-and-search to tackle knife crime and stop trying to 'appease' critics who say it is racist, a senior minister said today. Chris Philp said street stops were a 'vital' tool for officers and said the decrease in its use was one of the reasons crimes with blades were increasing. Official figures show that knife crime rose by 7 per cent in the year to December 2023. In the year to March 2023, 82 per cent of teenage homicide victims were killed with a knife, compared to 73 per cent in the previous year. Police powers to stop and search people were curbed a decade ago by then home secretary Theresa May after a review found black and other ethnic minority people were being disproportionately targeted. But writing in the Telegraph today, Policing minister Mr Philp said officers had to act 'without fear or favour', adding: 'In today's climate police stop and search is the best foot forward, we know this. What we can't do is tiptoe around using these powers in an aim to appease.' Asked about black people being targeted later on LBC he added: 'The sad truth is that young black men are disproportionately victims of knife crime and we're doing this as much to protect them as anything else.' Chris Philp said street stops were a 'vital' tool for officers and said the decrease in its use was one of the reasons crimes with blades were increasing. Police powers to stop and search people were curbed a decade ago by then home secretary Theresa May because black and ethnic minority people were being disproportionately targeted. Picture shows officers taking part in a stop-and-search role play, not a real stop. He said the success rate of stop and searches are typically 25 per cent to 30 per cent. 'That percentage is pretty much the same across something to within 1% across all ethnicities so that gives me quite a high degree of confidence that police are not unreasonably picking on particular parts of the community,' he said. Mr Philp also spoke about knife crime rates in London compared to the rest of the country. 'One of the reasons why London is doing worse than the rest of the country I think is the fact that the stop and search has gone down in London, and we need to reverse that.' In December, an investigation into the use of so-called suspicion-less section 60 stop and search powers by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the College of Policing (CoP) found forces may 'recognise the effects of disproportionality on people and communities' but 'don't take this matter seriously enough'. The Home Office announced on Tuesday that it would give 3.5 million additional funding for research and development of new technologies which would allow knives to be detected from a distance when a suspect passes through two points. An additional 547,863 will also be given to the Metropolitan Police to fund four more live facial recognition camera vans. Laws around zombie knives, machetes and swords are to be tightened up from September, giving police greater powers to seize weapons found in private properties. It will be illegal to possess, sell, manufacture or transport zombie-style knives and machetes, and the maximum penalty for the possession of these and other banned weapons will also increase from six months to two years. A surrender and compensation scheme is due to launch in the summer. The national lead for policing knife crime, Commander Stephen Clayman, said forces in England and Wales are keen to cut off the supply of weapons as part of efforts to stop injuries and deaths. Knives are being sold illegally to under 18s via social media channels including TikTok, Snapchat and those run by Meta, he said. Speaking ahead of a week of police action to tackle knife crime, he told journalists: 'It's still a really concerning picture in terms of the accessibility of knives online.' All police forces in England and Wales will ramp up action for a week this month as part of Operation Sceptre, and again in November. Bournemouth has become the first seaside resort in the UK to introduce a 'tourist tax' as business owners voted to approve measures which will see a family of four charged an extra 34 for a week's stay. The popular holiday destination famed for its sandy beaches expects the new levy to generate an extra 2.6 million per year, which can then be spent on future events and keeping the town clean. Hotel owners this week narrowly voted to charge visitors an extra 2.40 room, per night to stay in the Dorset seaside towns of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch. For an average family of four staying in two rooms, this would mean a total extra charge of 33.60 per week. It is in response to the cash-strapped local council scrapping funding for some events including the annual Bournemouth Air Festival. The idea is similar to the tax tourists have to pay in some holiday destinations in Europe and the US, and follows the cities of Manchester and Liverpool, which already have similar levies. Visitors to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will pay an extra 2.40 per person, per night from July This marks the first time a British seaside resort has brought in a 'tourist tax' on overnight stayers Large hotels across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will all charge holidaymakers Taxes considered by local authorities across the UK could set back a family of four up to 280 for a week's holiday The Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID), a board made up of hoteliers and other tourism chiefs, is behind the scheme. Poll Would you pay extra to go on holiday to Bournemouth? Yes No Would you pay extra to go on holiday to Bournemouth? Yes 51 votes No 605 votes Now share your opinion From July 1, 73 of the bigger hotels across the three towns will charge customers an extra 2.40 per night per room - 2 tourism tax and 40p VAT. The money will then be collected quarterly by BCP Council who will then pass it to the ABID for reinvestment in the town. The extra charge will only be applied at larger hotels, as the administration involved is not worth it for smaller hotels and B&Bs. It should generate 2.6m a year, based on a 65 percent annual occupancy rate. Of the 73 hotels, only 31 voted on the proposal with 16 of those in favour. Supporters say the tourist tax will benefit the whole area as it will be reinvested in the resort but others fear it could put visitors off and make them go elsewhere. It is thought the extra revenue will help sustain events including the Air Festival, Arts by the Sea, Poole Christmas Maritime and Christmas Tree Wonderland. Rosie Radwell, managing director of Marsham Court Hotel and chair of ABID, said: 'This is good news for the destination and we are thrilled that the accommodation providers have voted in favour. Bournemouth beaches are some of the most visited in the south of England The tourist tax has split locals, with some highlighting the need for more investment while others fear it could drive tourists away 'The additional funds raised will have a huge impact on the future of tourism in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. 'All our public funding is gone, it has been reduced over the last 10-15 years. The council hasn't had a director of tourism since the last one retired in 2016 and we needed to do something about this. 'This year the council is helping with funding some events like Poole fireworks and the Bournemouth Air Festival, but next year there are no events planned whatsoever. 'We have all sorts of plans for the money - making a clean, green and safe environment and helping companies put on events that will bring in overnight visitors all year round. 'For me, making the area a great tourist destination to come is important. If we don't have any events what have we got to offer? 'There are about 20 other UK destinations looking at doing this and I think this will become common place across the whole of England. 'Some have said why don't we wait and see what others do but I think let's lead the way and be the first. 'We need to create this to help our area become the beautiful resort we should be.' Andy Lennox, the destination management board chair, said the approval was a 'historic moment for the towns'. He said: 'As a destination, and making sure that that destination is the best it can possibly be with the most eventful things that can happen, it's just wicked. 'So, to have that money coming in through the visitor levy is incredibly important. 'I don't think we have been in a situation for the last 15 years where we have had this amount of money to be able to spend on the area.' But some local and visitors have voiced concerns the tax will drive tourists away. Local councillors are discussing the possibility of bringing in a 'Tourism Tax' for visitors to towns in Cornwall such as St Ives (pictured) In Tenby, holidaymakers may soon have to pay an additional levy as Wales looks to introduce legislation to charge overnight tourists Councillors in Margate have touted the idea of bringing in a tourist tax, although it is unknown how much it would be set at Holidaymaker Gill Thomson, from Croydon, south London, said: 'It may not sound a lot of money to pay but when you are already spending a couple of hundred pounds on your holiday and then all the spending money it makes it feel like we are being rinsed for even more.' Local resident Ciara Cameron said: 'Bournemouth has really taken a downturn.. I wouldn't pay a tax to come visit this town, I'd go somewhere else instead.' Kerry Williams added: 'I just think this will hammer the final nail in Bournemouth's hospitality trade and make Airbnbs even more popular, therefore making housing more unaffordable for local people.' Other seaside resorts across the UK are also considering bringing in tourist taxes, which would bring them in line with popular European resorts such as Barcelona, Lisbon and Venice. Thanet District Council in Kent, which covers the seaside town of Margate, last month raised the prospect of a tourist tax at a council meeting. A report from the meeting said the council needs to 'actively investigate opportunities to maximise income to the Council from the visitor economy to help balance its costs to the Council.' It added: 'We want a booming visitor economy but we are acutely aware of the additional costs visitors bring, so we need to make every effort to secure income for the Council to set against those costs. 'For example, levying additional council tax on second homes, levying a modest tourism tax on overnight stays, ensuring holiday lets contribute to funding the costs they impose and taking a robust approach with Southern Water over beach pollution and exploring opportunities to provide paid-for facilities like beach huts with facilities for overnight stays.' Currently, there is no provision allowing an official 'tourist tax' in any part of the UK, but both the Welsh and Scottish governments are already tabling legislation to allow local authorities to introduce them. In England, several such taxes in all but name already exist, introduced by councils in Manchester and Liverpool using a legal loophole. This enables them to levy tax on accommodation by creating a tourism-based Business Improvement District (BID). Overnight visitors to Manchester already have to pay a 1 fee per person, per night, while tourists to Liverpool are charged an extra 1.6 percent of their total accommodation cost - set to rise to 5.5 percent over five years. Earlier this year councillors at Cornwall Council also discussed bringing in a near identical levy to Manchester, setting a family of four back 28 for a week's stay. This is the 35-year-old terror suspect arrested over a failure to disclose an alleged Isis-inspired plot to murder Jewish people in a machine gun attack. Bilel Saadaoui has appeared in court alongside two other men after a series of raids in north-west England. Saadaoui, from Hindley in Wigan, is charged with failure to disclose information about an act of terrorism after allegedly taking receipt of his brother's will and the key to a safe containing 75,000. His older brother, Tunisian-born Walid Saadaoui, 36, from Abram in Wigan, was also arrested along with Amar Hussein, 50, and those two have been charged with preparation of terrorist acts. Walid Saadaoui and Hussein had 'intended causing multiple fatalities using automatic weapons' while also targeting 'law enforcement and military', it was alleged. Bilel Saadaoui is charged with failure to disclose information about an act of terrorism after allegedly taking receipt of his brother's will and the key to a safe containing 75,000. Police are seen outside a house in Hindley, Greater Manchester, following a series of raids Greater Manchester Police acknowledged that the 'concerning and distressing details' of the 'suspected terrorist plot' would cause 'significant' concern. They took the unprecedented step of issuing reassurances it was 'committed to making sure all communities are safe'. In what was seen as a highly unusual intervention given that court proceedings are at such an early stage Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said the wider public would 'understandably be alarmed' at the allegations. He said officers had 'worked closely' with community groups and would continue to 'update and support' them. Mr Potts added that police 'do not currently believe there is any wider risk directly connected to this case'. Greater Manchester has Britain's largest Jewish population outside London at around 28,000 people. Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday, Walid Saadaoui was accused of agreeing to pay for four machine guns and a handgun, together with 1,200 rounds of ammunition, and arranging a safehouse for their storage. He allegedly travelled to Dover in Kent in March with Hussein 'with the aim of conducting reconnaissance of the port security' where the weapons were to be imported, the court heard. Walid Saadaoui was arrested last Wednesday as he allegedly prepared to take receipt of the weapons while Hussein was held at a separate location. The Saadaoui brothers both have leave to remain in the UK, the court was told. Prosecutor Rebecca Waller said: 'Walid Saadaoui and Hussein planned to conduct an ISIL [Isis] or Daesh-inspired terrorist attack in the UK during which they intended causing multiple fatalities using automatic weapons. Walid Saadaoui, Amar Hussein, and Bilel Saadaoui appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court (pictured) yesterday A total of four addresses were raided across Wigan and Bolton in what police said had been a 'long running and carefully managed investigation' 'The main targets of their attack plans were the Jewish community in the north-west of England and members of both law enforcement and military.' She said both men took 'significant steps' to make preparations and 'believed they were in a position to launch their attack'. Between last December and his arrest, Walid Saadaoui shared 'detailed plans to purchase firearms to use in his planned attack' with 'another individual', Ms Waller said. 'He also stated that he was in communication with, and a member of, ISIS.' The prosecutor added Walid Saadaoui was arrested 'as he travelled to a pre-arranged meeting to take receipt of the weapons'. Walid Saadaoui spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address, and was remanded in custody. Hussein, of no fixed address, was unrepresented and was asked if he wanted to apply for bail. He answered: 'Do whatever you want to.' Bilel Saadaoui, who has lived with his wife and her two sons since 2010, had a bail application denied. He sobbed as he was led from the dock. The men were arrested after four search warrants were executed in the Bolton, Abram, Hindley and Great Lever areas at around 7.30pm last Wednesday. After the hearing, Mr Potts, who holds responsibility for counter-terrorism policing in North-West England, said his force had 'outlined some concerning and distressing details about a suspected terrorist plot that we allege was being planned by suspects from Greater Manchester'. He added: 'We know how significant the impact of this will be, particularly for our Jewish community in Greater Manchester and across the country. A police officer is seen standing guard outside a house in Wigan after the anti-terror raids 'We have worked closely with the Community Security Trust, community groups and key stakeholders prior to today's hearing and we will continue to update them and support them. 'We are committed to making sure all communities are safe.' Amanda Bomsztyk, CST's northern director, thanked police for their 'reassurance and protection for the Jewish community'. The UK has seen the fourth highest increase in anti-Semitic incidents in Europe since the October 7 Hamas attacks. The SNP is set to admit that Scotland is in the grip of a 'housing emergency' today to avoid an humiliating Holyrood defeat. New First Minister John Swinney has been forced into making the declaration after Scottish Labour tabled a motion condemning the situation. The chaotic breakdown of the coalition with the Greens means the separatists no longer have a reliable majority in the Scottish Parliament. As a result Mr Swinney could have lost the first vote of his tenure. New First Minister John Swinney (pictured with his deputy Kate Forbes) has been forced into making the declaration after Scottish Labour tabled a motion condemning the situation Labour's Anas Sarwar had moved to turn the screw on the struggling SNP Five local authorities including the two biggest in Scotland, Glasgow and Edinburgh declared housing emergencies in recent months. The Scottish Greens are planning to table a motion calling for a nationwide system of rent controls to be committed to in the new Housing Bill which was devised during the party's time in Government. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland this morning, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'I think the Scottish Government has recognised for some time that there are major challenges with housing in Scotland and there is a serious problem that we all need to get behind. 'I think the reason why I've taken the decision that I have today is I want to get away from defining the problem and on to what we can all do to sort this, to find solutions.' She said solutions are not just for the Scottish Government to come up with. 'It's also about the different levels of government, the UK Government, the Scottish Government, local authorities, working together to not just define and discuss what the problem is but to see what we can do to solve it.' Ms Somerville claimed Mr Swinney's desire to 'define' the problem was behind the declaration, rather than the fear of losing the vote. But Scottish Conservatives housing spokesman Miles Briggs MSP said: 'The SNP have had to be dragged kicking and screaming into this long overdue acceptance of reality. 'The Scottish Conservatives have repeatedly called for a national housing emergency to be declared, but these calls fell on deaf ears until now. 'SNP ministers have also ignored the calls from charities, as well as five local councils declaring emergencies in their own areas.' An Iceland delivery van ended up sitting on top of a car bonnet after a three-vehicle crash in Birmingham. The delivery driver's back wheels were seen on the crumpled dark-blue Vauxhall Zafira in the middle of a busy road in. The three-way smash occurred on Priory Road in Edgbaston in the evening on May 14. Luckily no one was injured or trapped and West Midlands Fire Service attended the scene at just before 6pm. Pictures show the car with a crumpled bonnet and smashed metalwork and glass around its front while the back wheels of a delivery van partially rest on the broken vehicle. The Iceland delivery van's back wheels on the crushed bonnet of a dark blue car in the middle of a busy road The van's back wheels resting on the bonnet of the car. Luckily no one was injured or trapped following a three-way collision A three-way collision occurred in Birmingham and left one dark-blue Vauxhall Zafira with a crumpled front while the Iceland van landed on top of it A passenger door has been left open as the travellers inside the car escaped to safety. Police arrested a 55-year-old man on suspicion of drink driving and he remains in custody. A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said: 'Our time of call was 5.54pm. 'Our logs say three vehicles were involved, one that came to rest under a delivery van. There were no persons trapped or injured. 'Everybody had got out of the cars prior to us getting there. We made the scene safe and placed cordons around it. 'We left the scene with police awaiting for recovery.' Iceland have been approached for comment. Parents in a sleepy Oxfordshire village have been left 'horrified' after nails were left glued to toddler swings and a slide at a children's playground. Police are investigating after a vandal left the nails glued onto equipment at the parish council play area in Marcham over the weekend. A local official said the nails appeared overnight and have now been removed, with no children injured. But parents are being urged to remain vigilant. They were found on a swing for toddlers, a rotating platform and towards the end of a slide - raising the horrific prospect of a child jumping down from the top of the slide without realising the nail was at the bottom. Marcham, around five miles south-west of Oxford, is a pretty and historic village with a Georgian manor house, a pub, a shop, a Post Office and a 13th-century church. Police are investigating after a vandal left the nails glued onto equipment, including this slide, at the parish council play area in Marcham over the weekend A local official said the nails appeared overnight and have now been removed, with no children injured One of the nails on a rotating platform. The parish clerk said a swing for toddlers was also targeted The play area is less than 200 yards from a Church of England primary school and a nursery. The local parish council clerk in Marcham said the nails had been found over the weekend. Images of the nails have been circulating on social media and parents' groups with captions wrongly claiming they are from playgrounds in London. The clerk told MailOnline: 'We are shocked and horrified by the incident. 'It is beyond comprehension that anyone would sabotage a play space like that but thankfully no children were injured. 'The nails were found on toddlers' swings too as well as a slide and a rotating platform. 'They were glued onto the equipment with hard glue - a bit like superglue - but have now been removed.' The clerk said police had been informed and 'were now investigating'. The play area is less than 200 yards from a Church of England primary school and a nursery Marcham is a pretty and historic village with a Georgian manor house, a pub, a shop, a Post Office and a 13th-century church 'There's been no damage to the equipment and the area is safe,' she said. 'Notices have been put on the play area gates to advise parents to be vigilant just in case it reoccurs but the play area is still open. 'Should this reoccur then it might have to be closed but we are keeping a close eye on things and the area is being checked several times a day.' Thames Valley Police said: 'We received reports of criminal damage at The Paddocks, Marcham between 1am on Sunday (12/5) and 10am on Monday (13/5). 'Officers are investigating the reports. 'Anyone with any information, please call 101 quoting 43240224827.' A former tour guide has told a court how she was raped at knife point by the man suspected of snatching Madeleine McCann. Hazel Behan, 40, who waived her anonymity and has publicly spoken about the alleged attack in TV interviews, broke down in tears as she relived the horrific moment. Convicted rapist and paedophile Christian Brueckner, 47, is currently on trial accused of raping three women and carrying out indecent assaults on children not far from where Madeleine vanished in May 2007. Speaking through an interpreter, Ms Behan said she had returned to her flat in Praia da Roche, in Portugal, in June 2004, after a row with her then-boyfriend when she was just 20. Hazel told the court in Braunschweig, Germany, she had been to an Irish bar in the resort of Praia da Roche but then returned home alone following the argument. Hazel Behan (pictured) has publicly spoken about the alleged attack in TV interviews Christian Brueckner arrives at court She described how she got into bed fully clothed and then fell asleep, only to wake moments later when she heard her name being called. Ms Behan said: 'I thought it was my boyfriend who had come to apologise. After a short space of time I said to myself in my head, "he doesnt have a key so how did he get in?" I had such a fear which I have never experience and it felt as if all the blood in my body went to my feet. I turned and saw a man fully dressed in black from head to toe, with a knife and the first thing he did was put his knee into my back and a hand over my mouth. He pulled my head and said in English "Dont f***ing scream or I will kill you", so that why I didnt. It was all very quick. He pulled my hair, and then positioned my body so that he was behind me, he removed my trousers and underwear and I tried to turn round. Ms Behan was raped in apartment in Praia da Rocha, Portugal, in 2004 (building exterior pictured) Ms Behan detailed how the assailant then threatened to kill her before fleeing over the balcony after the attack (exterior view of apartment windows from the road pictured) But he pulled my head back and said in English "Dont look at me" and then I smelt a fruity smell. I knew it was condoms, so I knew it was going to happen. Using a tissue to dry her tears, she went on: 'I had a picture of my sister on the wall next to the bed and I said "Please dont hurt me, shes my baby". I then said I was pregnant; I dont know why I said I was pregnant I suppose I thought maybe he wont go near a pregnant woman. But I was absolutely not pregnant. It didnt work and then he held my hair and with the force of train, he entered my body. Ms Behan, from Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland, added: 'I have had three children, but I have never felt a pain like that and I felt it would last forever. And I knew that this person didnt like me, and that this person was aroused by this power and this control. She added at the trial that she was terrified she was going to be 'beheaded' after she was made to kneel on the floor with her head on a bench as Brueckner put a sheet over her. Ms Behan had been working as a holiday rep, aged 20, when the attack at the apartment block happened (signposted entrance to the block pictured) The assailant entered Ms Behan's room as she slept and held a knife to her throat before carrying out the attack (interior view of the apartment block pictured) Ms Behan, who waived her right to anonymity last month, revealed details of the attack which saw a masked man climb over the balcony to her apartment in the early hours of the morning (exterior view of apartment balconies pictured) 'At this moment I thought he was going to cut my head off.' 'Even though the sheet covered me, there was still a short gap between the end of the sheet and the floor, and I could see under. 'When you are in a situation like that, then every sense you have is heightened, you listen you try to smell what is happening. 'I heard him fumbling around and saw he was with his ruck sack and them I could see his two feet, he had no shoes on and I could see the balcony door was open. 'He stepped out on to the balcony put his shoes on, but I was still too scared to move, so I waited and waited. When I realised he was gone, I got out from under the sheet.' Brueckner was sensationally named by German police as the prime suspect in the abduction of Madeleine from Praia da Luz in 17 years ago in June 2020. But he has not been charged and the crimes he is currently being tried for are unconnected. The trial continues. A serial conman dubbed Britain's 'worst-ever employee' who once blew 170,000 of stolen money on a cocaine-fuelled weekend of sex with prostitutes is back behind bars for stealing 90,000 from his new employers. Accountant Darren Carvill, 43, from Tovil, was previously jailed for two-and-a-half-years in 2019 for stealing more than 260,000 from a car servicing company, Mr Clutch. Most of the sum was spent in a single weekend of partying, during which he was seen taking cocaine in a London club with up to ten female escorts. After his release from prison Carvill changed his surname to Medhurst by deed poll, before stealing another 90,000 after he landed jobs as a finance assistant at a travel agency in Sevenoaks and a Holiday Inn. He has now been jailed for three years by a judge, having been arrested by police who found him intoxicated and lying face down on the side of a road in Kent. Accountant Darren Carvill, 43, from Tovil, defrauded new bosses at a Holiday Inn and a travel agents 'to make himself feel better' after changing his name by deed poll He was previously jailed for two-and-a-half-years in 2019 for stealing more than 260,000 from a car servicing company, Mr Clutch Carvill, 43, has now been sentenced to a further three years in prison A court heard he stole 76,754 from 360 Travel Ltd between July and August 2022, paying it directly into his bank accounts - one of which was based in Hong Kong After the firm grew suspicious and Carvill was placed under investigation by the police, he took up a new job at a branch of Holiday Inn in Rochester. In April 2023, he stole a further 13,000 from the hotel chain on the very day he was due to meet with managers who had discovered his criminal history. None of the money, which the sentencing judge heard Carvill stole to 'make himself feel better', has been recovered. Prosecutor Stacey-Lee Holland said while working for the travel agency, Carvill would transfer thousands of pounds into his bank accounts and mark them as 'expenses' using the reference 'director' to avoid detection. But as the fraudster grew more confident, the prosecution said he began acting strangely and stopped turning up for work, which ultimately led to the discovery of the fraud. Ms Holland told the court: 'He didn't come into work, he stated his mum had dementia and that he was struggling. That became more frequent and it was only at that stage that the payments were noticed. 'When confronted he stated he "had no choice", and when interviewed voluntarily at the police station he admitted to taking the funds, that he had spent the money and there was none left. 'He said he had been down at the time and this was a way to make himself feel better.' Shortly after moving on to the Holiday Inn, bosses discovered Carvill's criminal history and placed him on suspension, pending a scheduled meeting on April 28 last year to allow him to prove his identity. The court heard how Carvill brazenly turned up in his work uniform 'in the early hours' with what the judge described as 'a lot of front'. None of the money, which the sentencing judge heard Carvill stole to 'make himself feel better', has been recovered Carvill was arrested after police found him lying face-down in an intoxicated state at the side of a road in Maidstone The prosecutor said: 'He entered the office, completed a refund of 9,784 and paid it onto his bank card. He did that almost immediately on having entered work that day. 'He then went into the cash office, opened the safes and removed 3,261 in cash, hiding it in his jacket. 'He was blatant in his actions because, as he left, he lifted his jacket, showing the cash, and said to a colleague "See you in the morning" and left the hotel.' A month later Carvill was arrested after police found him lying face-down in an intoxicated state at the side of a road in Maidstone. In court, he continued to claim he did not receive the 9,784 refund, adding: 'I'm a fraudster and I don't expect you to believe me.' His defence lawyer Katie Bacon said her client had 'deep remorse' and had not 'sought out' financial roles since his release from prison. She said the latest offending occurred as he was grieving for his father, caring for his mother and then, following her death, living in hotels after being evicted from the family home. 'He is not someone who continually seeks to offend but someone who has taken the wrong path at a time of difficulty,' said Ms Bacon. She added he took money from Holiday Inn in a moment of 'panic' when he faced losing his job, and is now a 'valued and supported' member of staff at Toby Carvery. Judge Julian Smith jailed Carvill for three years as he slammed his 'breath-taking dishonesty'. He said: 'You are not a victim. Others are the victims. Your name carries that stain of dishonesty by what you did. By not declaring it is misrepresenting your background. You may want to wipe the slate clean. You can't do that by not declaring.' In total Carvill has 57 previous convictions, 52 of which are for fraud or fraud-related offences. In 2019 Maidstone Crown Court heard Carvill filed bogus payments to himself after claiming he was bullied at work. He admitted 18 counts of fraud and said he suffered from low self-esteem and became addicted to a night-life of high-class escort parties being surrounded by 'glamorous' people and drugs. At the time, a source who witnessed Carvill splurging tens of thousands of poundssaid he attended a club in London called Platinum Lace. The source said Carvill also went into a room at another club, 'with three escorts, [where] they drank champagne and used cocaine,' adding: 'By the end of the night he had nine or ten escorts in with him.' While working for Mr Clutch, initially Carvill stole 40,000 but then repaid 36,500. By October 2018 he took another 60,000. Then in August 2019, the accounts worker took 72,000, followed by 40,000, 10,000, another 10,000 and 12,000. The court heard the defendant, who paid wages and bills for the company, had previous convictions for ripping off a previous employer. In 2008 he was given a suspended year jail sentence at Maidstone Crown Court for embezzling a travel company out of money. A Florida principal and self-proclaimed 'beacon of integrity and faith,' is in police custody after he was recorded choking, slapping and whipping a student with a charging cable at the private school where he worked. Dontay Prophet, 33, was imprisoned as recently as the summer of 2023 when he violated probation in relation to a separate charge of sexual abuse of a child. Prophet is the principal of the Destiny Leadership Academy in Ocala, just north west of Orlando. The horrifying footage was recorded on May 10. He was arrested just a day later. Video captured by security cameras and released by the sheriff's office begins with him talking with the child, eventually the two apparently struggle. Prophet grabs the young boy, holding him on the ground with his legs, choking and then hitting him in the face with a cable, causing an injury and twisting the child's ankle, authorities alleged in a criminal complaint. Video captured by security cameras and released by the sheriff's office begins with him talking with the child, eventually the two apparently struggle Prophet grabs the young boy, holding him on the ground with his legs, choking and then hitting him in the face with a cable, causing an injury and twisting the child's ankle, authorities alleged in a criminal complaint Police say that the child was held in the room for around 40 minutes A teacher who heard the screaming reported the incident which led to the footage being uncovered Destiny Leadership Academy's executive principal Dr. Elvira Higgins has refused to comment publicly as to how Prophet wound up in such a high profile role at the school Police say that the child was held in the room for around 40 minutes. A teacher who heard the screaming reported the incident which led to the footage being uncovered. According to the Ocala Star Banner, investigators described the boy in the video as being 'shy' and 'scared' when he was interviewed. He complained having a sore hips and said he was hit in the face with a computer charging cable. His mother told police that her son had not reported the incident to her. In addition to the abuse video, a clip of his arrest was also released by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. 'I dont know if you know this or not, but theres a security camera in that room,' the arresting officer says. 'There is?,' Prophet asks. 'Yeah... and it caught everything on camera. Everything,' the officer continues. He told investigators that he got physical with the child to get his attention and said the child was trying to hurt himself. When first contacted by detectives over the phone, Prophet made the same claim. Despite his claims, he was swiftly charged with aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment of a child under 13. Previous reports show that Prophet was also arrested in May 2019 after he was accused of sexually abusing a minor he met in 2017 when he worked as a camp counsellor . As a result of those allegations, he was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a child and attempting to commit interfering with child custody. In addition to the abuse video, a clip of his arrest was also released by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. 'I dont know if you know this or not, but theres a security camera in that room,' the arresting officer says Previous reports show that Prophet was also arrested in May 2019 after he was accused of sexually abusing a minor he met in 2017 when he worked as a camp counsellor A private meeting between administrators and the parents of students was held on Monday In 2022, he planned to plead no contest to the charges but later subsequently changed his mind. As a result of that, his case was considered a felony sexual offense which could have carried with it a 15-year prison sentence. At that time, it was reported that Prophet worked at a school and that he was suspended without pay. In June 2023, Prophet was found to have violated his probation by failing to check in. A month later, the case was closed with one charge dropped and the court determining that he could not be convicted on the other charge. As a result of his probation violation, he was sentenced to 90 days in prison. Destiny Leadership Academy's executive principal Dr. Elvira Higgins has refused to comment publicly as to how Prophet wound up in such a high profile role at the school. A private meeting between administrators and the parents of students was held on Monday, reports Fox35. The Ocala Star Banner reports that Prophet began working in the education in the community in 2009 as a behavior technician and paraprofessional. He resigned in 2019 shortly after being put on administrative leave. On his personal website, Prophet referenced his 2019 arrest. 'Donnie's unwavering dedication to his community was put to the test in 2019 when baseless accusations of sexual misconduct surfaced, tarnishing his reputation.' He describes himself as having emerged from the incident 'victorious' but without specifics and adds that he maintained his innocence throughout. In a biography section of the site, Prophet attributes a fawning tribute to a 'prominent politician.' 'Donnie Prophet's leadership is a beacon of hope in our community. His passion for excellence and his tireless advocacy for those he serves make him a true champion of change,' it reads without citation. In closure, Prophet says that he plans to 'pursue' a law degree 'very soon.' Prophet studied at Western Governors University, Santa Fe College and Southeastern University, according to the site. In 2017, he ran for school board in Marion County where he won 15,000 votes. At the time of writing, Prophet is being held at the Marion County jail without bond. He's due in court next on June 11. South West Water has urged people to boil their tap water after hundreds were struck down with diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pains in a seaside town in Devon. Residents across Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and north-east Paignton are all being told to boil water as a precaution, including when drinking it or using it to cook with and brush teeth. An outbreak of cryptosporidium, which is believed to be affecting many people in Brixham, is currently being investigated. Twenty-two cases of the bug, which is caused by a parasite, have been confirmed in the town with a further 70 under investigation. Other symptoms include low-grade fever and a loss of appetite. All symptoms usually last one to two weeks. Cryptosporidium can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals and can be caused by swimming in or drinking contaminated water as well as other sources such as contaminated food. Have you fallen ill with cryptosporidium? Email jon.brady@mailonline.co.uk A suspected outbreak of cryptosporidium is believed to be affecting hundreds of people in Brixham (pictured) Cryptosporidium can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals South West Water (SWW) previously insisted the tests it has carried out on the quality of drinking water in Brixham have currently all come back clear. But it later admitted that 'small traces of the organism' cryptosporidium had been found in its water supply. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which is leading the investigation, is yet to confirm any details about the alleged outbreak. A South West Water spokesperson said 'protective action' should be taken for all water use. A statement from the supplier said: 'Customers in Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham are advised to boil their drinking water before consuming following new test results for cryptosporidium. 'We are issuing this as a precaution following small traces of the organism identified overnight and this morning. We are working with public health partners to urgently investigate the source. 'We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will continue to keep customers and businesses updated. Bottled water stations will be set up in the affected areas as soon as possible. 'For those customers registered for Priority Services we will be delivering bottled water to your address. For all customers who have been issued with the Boil Water Notice you will receive an automatic payment of 15, as part of our Customer Promise when services are interrupted.' Community Facebook page Brixham Fish Town has been inundated with posts and comments from residents saying they have come down with symptoms. What is cryptosporidium? Cryptosporidium, which can cause vomiting, stomach pains and a fever, can survive in swimming pools for up to a week. The chlorine-resistant parasite is spread by contaminated faecal matter entering the mouth, such as while swimming. Traces of dried poo can wash off an infected person's anus. Infected people can shed up to 100million cryptosporidium germs in a single bowel movement, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Swallowing just ten is enough to get ill. Advertisement Reports of people becoming poorly in Paignton have also started to emerge on Facebook. Many Brixham residents told DevonLive how they have been poorly for days and spoke of the detrimental impact it is having on their lives. It is believed that many of the cases are affecting people who live in Higher Brixham. Tanya Matthews, who lives within that area in Ocean View, claimed every home on her street has come down with the same symptoms. SWW carried out a water quality test at her home yesterday morning and she has been told the results will be available tomorrow. Tanya, who is awaiting a cryptosporidium test, said: 'I started having stomach cramps and explosive diarrhoea nine days ago and it has been the same every day since. 'I started to feel a little bit better yesterday then today it hit me again. 'I rang SWW yesterday and I was told there had been 15 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium and that UKHSA are looking into it as they don't believe it's to do with the water. 'They wouldn't expect this many cases over a whole year for all of Devon and Cornwall so something is amiss. SWW asked if I had been in the sea or a river but I have not. I also think the water tastes funny and it has been leaving a horrid taste in my mouth.' Tanya put a post on Brixham Fish Town Facebook to see how many other people had also been affected. It is had more than 1,000 comments with many reporting they are also unwell. Tanya said: 'I posted about it to see how many other people may have/ had these symptoms without realising and thinking it's just a tummy bug. I know some people have been to GPs and been told they have food poisoning which most likely is not the case so have not been asked for a sample to have it tested. 'When SWW came out today they told me they don't think it's the water. I don't know how that's possible when every house in our street has someone who is ill. So many people are sick in the area. 'My husband has it too. My son is doing his GCSEs and I'm worried about what happens if he gets poorly too.' Ms Henderson, of Brixham, told MailOnlne she has been suffering from 'clear diarrhoea' for the past week. 'Last week I had such bad diarrhoea it was crazy,' she said. 'My diarrhoea was completely clear - it was just clear water. 'When you have diarrhoea you get dehydration. So I was drinking more water to stay hydrated, so I was obviously feeding the illness more.' She added: 'I never thought it would be in the water. 'We have the most foul smell when you drive into Brixham. Community Facebook page Brixham Fish Town has been inundated with posts and comments from residents saying they have come down with symptoms (Pictured: Brixham) 'As tourists are driving in the first thing they're greeted with is the most foul, disgusting smell.' Kayley Lewis, who also lives in Ocean Drive, has told how all their family is suffering from symptoms associated with cryptosporidium. She said: 'My eldest son Jacob was the first one of us to be poorly. He ended up in hospital overnight with severe dehydration on May 5. I then started to feel unwell on May 6 and had awful stomach pains and watery diarrhoea lasting six days. 'My other son Oscar is doing his SATS exams this week but I am having to drop him off just to sit his exam and then pick him up due to him still having diarrhoea and cramps. Both my boys have missed a lot of school due to it too. 'My youngest daughter Daisy has only had stomach cramps. I took in my sample this morning to the doctors and they have said every sample is now going to a team that is investigating.' A resident who lives in Hillhead, Brixham, told how she has been bed-bound for over a week and has tested positive for cryptosporidium by her doctor. She said: 'I've been bed-bound for eight days with sickness and diarrhoea and have been signed off work for two weeks and lost over a stone in weight. It's the worst illness I've ever experienced. 'I originally thought it was noravirus but as it went on for so long, I had to contact the doctors. I sent off a stool sample which came back as cryptosporidium which I had never heard off until I saw the post on Brixham Fish Town. 'I phoned SWW who said it was the first they had heard of it even though everyone has been phoning. Public health have told me I'll be getting a phone call from environmental health but we are still waiting. 'It seems the majority of people affected are from Hillhead and Higher Brixham.' Dean James, who lives Northfields Lane in in Furzeham, says his family have been ill since last Saturday, May 11, and it is now impacting on their livelihoods. He said: 'It has not been a nice experience. We have had diarrhoea and vomiting, severe stomach cramps, high temperature and gunning a fever. My partner and I are both off work and have no sick pay; my partner has no sick pay for the first three days and I'm self-employed. All this when we are experiencing a high cost of living. 'Some of my neighbours have become suddenly unwell. We have been told to ring public health and report cases and also to boil all water for drinking. Looking at Facebook, cases are now appearing all over Brixham and starting to appear in Paignton too.' A Brixham resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: 'My whole family - myself, my partner and my two children - have been affected. We have had diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting for more than 10 days, as have many people on our street including several diagnosed cases of cryptosporidium. 'It seems to be mainly affecting people in households in Higher Brixham. Whenever you phone SWW, they make out they've only had a 'couple' of reports about it which I know is false. I spoke to our GP at Mayfield Surgery who confirms they have had many cases and have reported it to the relevant authorities as it is so prevalent.' Sarah Bird, consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West said: 'We advise people in the affected areas to follow the advice from South West Water and boil their drinking water and allow to cool before use. 'Anyone with a diarrhoeal illness should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and if they have severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea, they should contact NHS 111 or their GP surgery. 'Symptoms include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever, which can last for two to three weeks.' South West Water previously took to social media to insist its water supply was not behind the outbreak of the bug. A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of posts on social media regarding the quality of drinking water in the Brixham area and we would like to reassure customers that the water supply is fine to continue to use as normal. 'We have carried out sampling and tests for cryptosporidium and all results have come back clear. 'We always carefully monitor our drinking water supplies and we are supporting the UK Health Security Agency with their investigations.' Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall, whose constituency also includes Brixham, has told DevonLive that he has been made aware that a number of Brixham residents have fallen ill in recent weeks and is making enquiries. On his official Facebook page today he posted: 'I have been made aware of current concerns regarding the quality of drinking water in Brixham and have been making enquiries. South West Water have reassured me that they are supporting the UK Health Security Agency with their investigations, and have stated that constituents can continue to use their water supply as normal. 'SWW carefully monitors drinking water supplies, and cryptosporidium is monitored continuously in the final drinking water from the supplying treatment facility. To confirm, all recent test results for cryptosporidium have come back clear. I will provide further updates when possible.' The UK Health Security Agency has been approached for a comment. One of two young female prison guards charged with having inappropriate, intimate relationships with inmates at a NSW correctional centre is now reportedly pregnant. Amber Clavell, 25, who allegedly had a relationship with armed robber Mark Kennedy, 27, at the Geoffery Pearce Correctional Centre, near Windsor in Sydney's north-west, between January and April, is now said to be carrying his child. The investigation into Clavell led to fellow prison officer Jessica Jade Elguindy being charged over an alleged relationship with another inmate at the same prison. The pair were reportedly best friends and have matching tattoos. Elguindy, a married mother-of-two, was charged with engaging in a relationship with an inmate, causing a safety risk, accessing/modifying restricted computer data and misconduct as the holder of a public office. Clavell has also been charged with two counts of access or modifying restricted data, bringing prohibited drugs into place of attention and drug supply. Prison guard Amber Clavell (pictured), who allegedly had a relationship with armed robber Mark Kennedy at the Geoffery Pearce Correctional Centre, near Windsor, between January and April, is reportedly pregnant with his child Clavell's alleged lover is not eligible for parole until 2027. Court documents allege that on April 23, she snuck in 33g of methamphetamine to give to Kennedy, which she hid in balloons 'on her body', along with a pouch of tobacco, the Daily Telegraph reported. It's also alleged that Clavell abused her access to the internal corrective services systems to check on her inmate's lovers contact with his wife over the jail telephone. Clavell appeared in Penrith Local Court on Wednesday, hiding her face and refusing to answer questions from the media as she arrived. Police allege Clavell 'seriously jeopardised the good order and safety' of the prison, through her knowledge of 'multiple criminal offences being committed by inmates and other staff'. Sources told the publication that it would be alleged that Clavell and Elguindy confided in each other about their illicit affairs. The investigation into Clavell led to fellow prison officer and friend Jessica Elguindy (pictured), being charged over an alleged relationship with another inmate at the same prison Elguindy's father, Walid 'Wally' Elguindy, is a decorated officer who has worked in the prison system for 30 years and is general manager of strategic population management. When recently contacted by Daily Mail Australia about his daughter, who is a married mother-of-two, Mr Elguindy said he was not in a position to comment about her circumstances. 'I haven't got anything at this stage to say in relation to that,' Mr Elguindy said. 'It's a difficult time and there's nothing I can say at the moment.' Under Elguindy's bail conditions, she must not communicate with Clavell or approach any NSW prison without approval of the director of custodial services. Clavell is not to have any contact with prosecution witnesses or alleged co-offenders and faces the same restrictions about attending jails. Amber Clavell (pictured) is now reportedly pregnant after an alleged romance with inmate Mark Kennedy A spokesman for Corrective Services NSW said the department was aware two staff members had been charged with various offences. 'As the matters are before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further,' the spokesman said. Both women have been suspended without pay and neither has yet entered a plea. Elguindy remains on bail and is due to face Penrith Local Court on May 29. Clavell will return to court on June 4. The Geoffrey Pearce Correctional Centre where the two women worked is a minimum-security facility for men and part of the Francis Greenway Correctional Complex. Keir Starmer jibed that the Tories believe LGBT+ lanyards are one of the 'dangers that threaten the country' during bruising PMQs clashes today. The Labour leader traded blows with Rishi Sunak as he mocked the crackdown announced by 'Common Sense' minister Esther McVey earlier this week. He accused ministers of behaving like 'jumped up milk monitors' rather than dealing with serious issues. But Mr Sunak responded that civil service impartiality is an 'important principle' - and swiped that Sir Keir should ask Sue Gray, who controversially quit Whitehall to become his chief of staff. The premier also dismissed criticism of the government's plan to ease pressure on prisons by releasing lower-risk offenders earlier. Opening hostilities in the Commons, Sir Keir highlighted Mr Sunak's speech earlier this week about the threats to the UK. Keir Starmer traded blows with Rishi Sunak as he mocked the crackdown announced by 'Common Sense' minister Esther McVey earlier this week Mr Sunak responded that civil service impartiality is an 'important principle' - and swiped that Sir Keir should ask Sue Gray, who controversially quit Whitehall to become his chief of staff 'On Monday the Prime Minister treated us to his seventh relaunch in 18 months, he vowed to take on the dangers that threaten the country. 'So it was good to see the minister for common sense immediately take up that mantle by announcing a vital crackdown on the gravest of threats, colourful lanyards. 'Meanwhile, in the real world, after 14 years of Tory Government, the prison system is in chaos. Does the Prime Minister think that his decision to let prisoners out 70 days early, makes our country more secure?' Mr Sunak shot back: 'Civil service impartiality is an important principle that we're right to support, perhaps he could ask his chief of staff (Sue Gray) about that?' He added: 'Actually on Monday, what I did do is outline the serious security threats that our country faces from an axis of authoritarian states Russia poisoning people on our streets, China targeting our democracy, Iranian proxies firing on British ships. 'And yet, he won't back our plan to increase defence spending. 'Now, we all know why, especially with the deputy leader (Angela Rayner) and indeed the shadow foreign secretary (David Lammy) who voted to scrap our nuclear deterrent, it's clear that you simply can't trust Labour with our country's security.' The intervention by Ms McVey earlier this week caused a stir in government ranks as Defence Secretary Grant Shapps contradicted his colleague, saying he did not mind if people wanted to wear rainbow lanyards. A ten-year-old boy took his own life after suffering horrific bullying at school, with his family saying he had warned officials 20 times about the ongoing abuse. Sammy Teusch, from Greenfield, Indiana, died by suicide on May 5 and according to his family, was being bullied up until the night he passed away. His parents Sam and Nichole say he was both physically and emotionally bullied at school, with Sammy being recently beaten up on a school bus. The bullying started last year when he was in elementary school, and followed him to Greenfield Intermediate School. According to the family, Sammy told teachers and other staff about the bullying 20 times. Sammy Teusch, from Greenfield, Indiana , died by suicide on May 5 and according to his family was being bullied up until the night he passed away The bullying had started last year when he was in elementary school, and had followed him to Greenfield Intermediate School His father Sam told WTHR: 'They were making fun of him for his glasses in the beginning, then on to make fun of his teeth. It went on for a long time.' 'I held him in my arms. I did the thing no father should ever have to do, and anytime I close my eyes, it's all I can see. The abuse then got physical, Sam added: 'He was beat up on the school bus, and the kids broke his glasses and everything. 'I called the school, and I'm like, 'What are you doing about this? It keeps getting worse, and worse, and worse. And it's not getting any better. In fact, it's getting worse.' Speaking to 21alive, his grandmother Cynthia said: 'They cant just say they have zero tolerance because that doesnt mean there is zero tolerance about bullies. 'Their zero tolerance means that they dont have responsibility for it. People trust their kids to the school, but now that trust is breaking down.' Dr. Harold Olin was approached by the outlet for an interview and said he was unavailable, but claimed no bullying report had ever been submitted by the family. Olin added that administrators at the school had conversations with the family throughout the year but wouldn't share the content of these conversations. His parents Nichole and Sam said their son had been bullied for his glasses, then his teeth The bullying is said to have started at school and then followed him home, with it continuing on social media platform snapchat According to the family, they contacted their son's school 20 times about the bullying His grandmother Cynthia say that the trust people put in the schools in breaking down Dr. Harold Olin, left, the superintendent of Greenfield Community Schools, claimed the family never submitted a bullying report. Bronson Curtis, right, is the Principal at Greenfield-Central Intermediate His parents Sam and Nichole say he was both physically and emotionally bullied at school, with Sammy being recently beaten up on a school bus. Sam added: '[The school] knew this was going on', with the bullying going from the school and the bus to social media platforms like Snapchat. His mom Nichole said: 'He was my little boy. He was my baby. He was the youngest one.' Greenfield-Central Community School said in a statement: 'The death of Samuel Teusch is tragic, and it has left our school corporation and larger community in tremendous grief. Our hearts pour out to the family at this time. 'Sammy was a student in Greenfield-Central for the last year and a half. He finished his 3rd grade year at Weston Elementary School in May of 2023, and he was a 4th grade student at Greenfield Intermediate School during the current 2023-24 school year. 'We were made aware of his death on Sunday afternoon, and we dispatched our crisis response team to both Greenfield Intermediate School and Greenfield Central Junior High School (where he has two siblings) to start the week. 'Our staff in Greenfield-Central has worked with the Teusch family quite a bit over the last 18 months. Contact between school personnel and the parents was frequent. 'The parents did report the manner of death as a suicide, and we are investigating their claims related to bullying. 'While the investigation continues, we are primarily focusing our resources on meeting the immediate needs of the students we serve in Greenfield-Central Schools.' The son of a wealthy art collector accused of trying to murder the live-in maid at his family's luxury 20million home is receiving treatment in a psychiatric unit, a court heard. Maximillian Bourne, 25, is said to have repeatedly stabbed Joselia Pereira Do Nascimento at the five-bedroom property in Chelsea on February 25. Ms Pereira Do Nacimento suffered wounds to her face and back but her injuries were not life-threatening. Bourne faces one charge of attempted murder and was due to enter his plea today but the hearing was adjourned until 15 August. He is currently held in the Three Bridges medium secure psychiatic unit in Ealing, west London and Judge Justin Cole said simply: 'The attendance of Mr Bourne will be excused.' A picture of the house where Pereira Do Nascimento was allegedly attacked Ms Pereira Do Nacimento was allegedly attacked while working as a maid at the property. Bourne is the son of art dealer and philanthropist Sylvia Bourne and property developer Graham Bourne. He is the great great grandson of Epitacio Pessoa who was the President of Brazil from 1919 to 1922. Mrs Bourne's father, Carlos Alberto Pessoa Pardellas, was a prominent diplomat who served as an ambassador to the UK. Bourne's current trial date is 7 October. Activist students at the University of Cambridge are now targeting graduation ceremonies to protest the war in Gaza. The group, known as 'Cambridge for Palestine', shared footage of activists breaking into the University's Senate house lawn in the center of the city- where members of the university have graduated since the 18th century. Graduation ceremonies are due to take place this Friday and Saturday, according to the university's website. The protestors described halting or disrupting graduations as a 'last resort' because the University had not met their demands. In the footage, the masked protestors use a ladder to access the gated lawn before setting up the new camp. Activists have pitched a ring of tents on the Senate House Lawn as the encampment grows Graduation ceremonies are due to take place this Friday and Saturday at Senate House The masked protestors use a ladder to access the gated lawn before setting up the new camp Activist students at the University of Cambridge are now targeting graduation ceremonies to protest the war in Gaza after camping out on King's Parade An encampment outside King's College appeared at the start of last week, and now activists have also pitched a ring of almost 20 tents on the Senate House Lawn. Palestine flags have been draped from the Grade II-listed urn in the centre of the lawn, and a white sheet has been fixed below it with 'welcome to liberated zone' written on it. A banner has also been taped to the doors of Senate House which read 'Refaat's House', named after Palestinian activist and writer who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in December 2023. The flags have also been taped to the columns of Senate House and to some walls, and a 'please keep off the grass' sign modified so it reads: 'please keep off Palestine'. Protesters have vowed to continue until a set of demands are met. In a statement shared on social media the protestors said that: 'Disrupting graduation is a last resort which we absolutely do not wish to take, but as the University of Cambridge has refused thus far to engage in negotiations, we have been left with no other choice. The university said it would be 'happy to talk with our students and engage with them' but it was 'impossible to have a conversation with an anonymous group' The student group said: 'We have taken this action two days before Friday's graduation ceremony in order to give the University of Cambridge ample time to respond' A banner has also been taped to the doors of Senate House which read 'Refaat's house', after Palestinian activist and writer who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in December 2023 Students at the university have graduated at Senate House since the 18th century The original encampment was located a few minutes walk away outside of King's College The university said it would be 'happy to talk with our students and engage with them' but it was 'impossible to have a conversation with an anonymous group' 'We have taken this action two days before Friday's graduation ceremony in order to give the University of Cambridge ample time to respond, and we will leave senate house as soon as the University of Cambridge meets our pre-conditions and holds a meeting with our negotiation team.' The university said it would be 'happy to talk with our students and engage with them' but it was 'impossible to have a conversation with an anonymous group'. Professor Bhaskar Vira, pro-vice-chancellor for education at the University of Cambridge, said: 'The University has been in regular and ongoing contact with students who have been impacted by the tragic events in Gaza and Palestine. 'We support freedom of speech and protest within the law. 'From the first day of this protest last week, with my colleague Prof Kamal Munir, we have been extremely clear that we would be happy to talk with our students and engage with them. 'To date we have received only anonymous emails. 'We remain ready for constructive engagement with our students, but it is impossible to have a conversation with an anonymous group.' A Cambridge student, who did not wish to be named, said last week that the protesters were demanding that the university 'disclose all of its research collaborations and financial ties with companies and institutions complicit in Israel's genocide and then to divest from these'. 'We will be staying here until our demands are met,' she said. It comes after a wave of student protests in the US including encampments at Colombia University in New York and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Police disbanded several pro-Palestinian encampments, using forceful tactics including teargas to move protestors out. Rishi Sunak mocked the SNP's leaders today after they hit the roof over a speech in which he said the party set up to fight for Scottish independence wanted independence for Scotland. New First Minister John Swinney and SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn both took umbrage at a speech by the Prime Minister on Monday in which he said their separatist drive was a threat to the UK's future. They hit the roof because in the same speech he also name checked Russia, China and Iran, and suggested he was lumping the independence movement into the same basket. Mr Flynn used his appearance at Prime Minister's Questions to demand an apology for the 'puerile and pathetic' remarks. But Mr Sunak refused, replying: 'His party is indeed a threat to the integrity of the UK, I hate to remind him but it is literally their entire purpose.' New First Minister John Swinney and SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn (pictured) both took umbrage at a speech by the Prime Minister on Monday in which he said their separatist drive was a threat to the UK's future. They hit the roof because in the same speech he also name checked Russia , China and Iran , and suggested he was lumping the independence movement into the same basket. Mr Flynn added: 'Let's be clear, what the Prime Minister did was not just equate my colleagues and I to despotic and dangerous despots across the world, he proactively compared almost half of his Scottish population with a war criminal like Vladimir Putin, and he did so as their Prime Minister - as the man who represents them on the world stage, and the man who on these isles, is tasked with defending their liberties and their democracy. 'We know that his sorry time in office is rapidly coming to a conclusion. Is this really how he wants to be remembered?' Mr Sunak replied: 'As ever, distracting from the actual record of what the SNP are doing in Scotland, and this obsession with independence means that Scottish schoolchildren are being let down, plummeting down international league tables. The Scottish NHS - the only place in the United Kingdom where funding is actually falling in real terms, and taxes going up for ordinary hardworking families and small businesses. 'That is what the SNP are doing in Scotland while this UK Government is delivering for them.' In the speech on Monday, the Prime Minister said the coming five years are set to be among the 'most dangerous'. He warned: These are not faraway problems. Iranian proxies are firing on British ships in the Red Sea, disrupting goods destined for our high streets. Here at home, China has conducted cyber targeting of our democratically elected MPs. Russia has poisoned people with chemical weapons.' Mr Swinney this morning demanded the Prime Minister apologises and withdraws the remarks, which he said were 'disrespectful'. Later in the speech he turned to homegrown threats, saying: 'From gender activists hijacking children's sex education to cancel culture, vocal and aggressive fringe groups are trying to impose their views on the rest of us. 'They're trying to make it morally unacceptable to believe something different and undermine people's confidence and pride in our own history and identity. Scottish nationalists are even trying to tear our United Kingdom apart.' Speaking after Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Flynn said Mr Sunak had 'insulted half the population of Scotland and demeaned the office of Prime Minister', adding his failure to apologise will 'alienate Scotland even further'. Mr Swinney this morning demanded the Prime Minister apologises and withdraws the remarks, which he said were 'disrespectful'. Speaking during a visit to Alloa Academy on Wednesday, Mr Swinney told LBC: 'I think the Prime Minister's reference was poorly judged, very poorly judged. 'I don't think it helps to assist civilised, reasonable debate in our society. There's absolutely no relationship between all of these classifications that he linked Scottish nationalists to. 'I want to make sure we have respectful debate. I think the Prime Minister's contribution slotted in directly to disrespectful debate. 'I think he should apologise, I think he should withdraw his remarks. I think they're foolish remarks.' The historic Belfast shipyard where the Titanic was built is facing closure after 160 years as Jeremy Hunt is 'set to block a 200million aid package for Harland & Wolff'. Government insiders have reportedly voiced 'serious fears' that the firm based on the docks in north Belfast could collapse as a result of the funding cut, which would end centuries of shipbuilding in the city. Harland & Wolff currently builds Royal Navy ships as part of a 1.6bn contract but it is believed the vessels could be constructed in the Spanish port of Cadiz if the businesses shuts down. It would be the first time in British naval history that a warship was built by a foreign yard. The historic ship building firm, which has had financial issues for decades and has a market value of 20million, was given the green light for a 200million support package at Christmas. Picture shows the Titanic being launched from a shipyard in Belfast in May 1911 The construction of the world's biggest sea vessel in 1911 was a huge achievement for Harland and Wolff. Picture shows the Titanic sliding down the slipway of the Belfast docks The historic shipyard, which has built 174 vessels for the Royal Navy between 1868 and 1969, is facing closure amid a government 'row' However, a defence source said Hunt had told officials to reject the application for the loan, which was conditional on the company passing state-aid checks, The Times reported. A government spokesman and Harland & Wolff both disputed the reports and said discussions on the export development guarantee were ongoing. In recent days, Hunt and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and been in discussions about the company's future with reports of a 'row' breaking out between government departments. Harland & Wolff is contracted to build three Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ships - which are crucial for delivering munitions - with spanish shipbuilder Navantia, which has a yard in Cadiz. Picture shows Chancellor Jeremy Hunt leaving Downing Street in March earlier this year Defence Secretary Grant Shapps is pictured arriving into Downing Street today amid a 'row' over funding for Harland and Wolff If the Belfast firm collapses, it is believed the ships will be built in Spain. Former defence secretary Ben Wallace, who handed the contract to build the three ships to Harland & Wolff, said the Treasury had been 'hostile' to the national shipbuilding strategy. 'If we are to retain and develop a historic UK yard with lots of potential then I ask the chancellor to ensure the export credit goes ahead,' Wallace said. A government spokesman told The Times: 'We on the export development guarantee. Due to commercial sensitivities, it would not be appropriate to comment further until the outcome of the process is confirmed.' Britain took 50 migrants from Belfast months before Rishi Sunak said he was 'not interested' in accepting returned asylum seekers who had crossed over into Ireland. The Prime Minister put his foot down in April by refusing to take back any migrants after Irish leaders blamed the UK's Rwanda deportation scheme for a big rise in asylum seekers crossing into the Republic from Northern Ireland. But official figures released on Wednesday showed two separate groups of 25 migrants were detained by Irish police while travelling from Northern Ireland's capital to Dublin before being sent back to the UK. The migrant groups, which contained three children, were stopped in October and February during two, four-day operations. They were returned by ferry to Holyhead or by train to Belfast. The details of the operation were contained in monthly reports submitted by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to the Policing Authority and reported by the Irish Times. Britain took 50 migrants from Belfast months before Rishi Sunak said he was 'not interested' in accepting returned asylum seekers who had crossed over into Ireland official figures released on Wednesday showed two separate groups of 25 migrants were detained by Irish police while travelling from Northern Ireland's capital to Dublin (file image) It comes amid claims more asylum seekers were crossing into the Republic from Northern Ireland to avoid being deported by Britain to Rwanda (file image of migrants in Dublin) It comes as Rishi Sunak faces fresh pressure from within his own party after The High Court in Belfast this week decided that parts of his flagship Illegal Migration Act cannot apply to Northern Ireland because of post-Brexit agreements with the EU. The intervention raised the prospect of it being impossible for the Home Office to deport migrants to Rwanda if they travel to Northern Ireland. The political bombshell led to a scathing backlash against the PM, spearheaded by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman. Ms Braverman, who was sacked twice from the role - once by Mr Sunak for her public criticism of the police, and another by Liz Truss for breaching ministerial code by sending official documents from her phone - criticised the PM's 'failed' Brexit deal. The Government, which has pledged to appeal the ruling, has insisted this is not the case and a Home Office minister today warned migrants they are still 'within scope of relocation to Rwanda' if they cross the Irish Sea. But Mrs Braverman tore into the PM's Windsor Framework agreement with Brussels in the wake of the High Court's judgment in Belfast, this week. Speaking in the House of Commons, she claimed Mr Sunak's deal meant Northern Ireland 'is effectively to be treated as part of the EU'. Suella Braverman led a Tory backlash against Rishi Sunak 's 'failed' Brexit deal following a bombshell court ruling in Northern Ireland This graphic shows the seven immigration removal centres where migrants will be held before they're put on a plane bound for Rwanda, with the first flights earmarked to take place in July Migrants board a small boat in an attempt to cross the English Channel, on the beach of Gravelines, near Dunkirk, northern France on April 26 She was among a series of Tory Brexiteers to criticise Mr Sunak's Windsor Framework, which he signed in February last year to end a long-running row with the EU over post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland. During an urgent question on the Belfast court ruling, Mrs Braverman told MPs: 'In the decision the judge found that section 7a of the Withdrawal Agreement Act - as amended by the Windsor Framework - must be read to mean that Northern Ireland is effectively to be treated as part of the EU. 'I believed the assurances made to me at the time, but isn't it now patently clear the Windsor Framework has operated in way to undermine our sovereignty, to undermine Northern Ireland's place in the UK. 'And, I'm afraid, has fundamentally failed upon its first contact with reality.' Fellow former Cabinet minister Sir John Redwood urged Mr Sunak to bring forward new laws to assert UK control over border policies. He told the Commons: 'We voted in a referendum to end the rule of EU law throughout the UK, including Northern Ireland. 'Isn't the only way out of this. given the muddle the courts are creating, to have an urgent short piece of legislation that asserts beyond doubt we control our own borders?' Mark Francois, the chairman of the European Research Group of Tory Brexiteers, called for the Government to consider quitting the European Convention on Human Rights. Immigration Enforcement agents were seen this month carrying out raids to detain the first Rwanda deportees (pictured) The first illegal migrants, set to be deported to Rwanda, were rounded up by Immigration Enforcement agents, with some being seen led away in handcuffs 'On the Windsor Framework: we told you so,' he said. 'On the judgment itself, legally all roads lead not to Rome but in this case to Strasbourg and the ECHR.' Tensions over immigration are high in Ireland. The country, with a population of about 5.1million, has struggled to house more than 104,000 Ukrainian refugees after Russia invaded their country. More than 6,000 people applied for asylum in Ireland by April 12 this year. If figures continue to climb at the current rate, Ireland would hit a record number of more than 20,000 asylum claims by the end of 2024. The previous high was 13,000 in 2004. Dublin has claimed up to 90 per cent of the asylum seekers have sneaked across the border with the UK, but that has been disputed. Last month, Rishi Sunak claimed the Rwanda deportation deal was 'deterring' migrants from coming to the UK. The first migrants are due to be flown out of the UK in July, having been detaining by Home Office enforcement agents at the start of the month. The family of a boy who drowned after being swept away by rough floodwaters in Texas last week have shared his final moments. Lucas Warren, 4, drowned on May 5 when the car he was riding in with his parents was washed away by floodwater. The boy's mother and father survived, but the current surged and ripped the three apart. Now, their relatives have revealed how the three became separated while on their way home from a family party. Scroll down for video: Lucas Warren, 4, drowned May 5 when the car he was riding in with his parents, Chelsey and Aaron Warren, was washed away by floodwater The current completely submerged the family's car in Burleson on May 5 - a search was enacted into the next morning. The three had been driving Lucas home from a relative's house, when they were met with the rising water. They took the risk of moving forward - a decision they regret They had watched other cars drive through the water and thought they could do the same, but became stuck. 'I can't even fathom what they're having to deal with,' she told Fox 4 on Tuesday. 'They're family. We're just hoping this raises enough money to help with their medical bills and funeral.' 'Pretty quickly, Aaron got swept away. He dropped Lucas,' Warren Marshall recalled. 'Chelsey picked him up. And then from that moment on, they were separated.' Marshall added that her sister-in-law desperately held onto Lucas for a couple hours while treading water, but he was soon swept away. 'If you get into a situation like that, just turn around,' she warned, recalling the fatal incident along County Road 528 in Burleson. 'The best thing you can do from our tragedy is just learn something and learn that no matter how it looks or what you think the situation is, that you just don't know. 'You can't know what's gonna happen.' The statement from Chelsey and Aaron Warren, offered to Fox 4 News, comes as the boy's father just got out of the hospital. Tuesday's benefit was held to raise money for hospital bills and funeral services, for a boy remembered as his family's joy. A restaurant where Aaron served as the venue, and organizers were able to raise more than $13,000. She also raised thousands of dollars through a raffle, in hopes it will make a difference 'If you get into a situation like that, just turn around,' they warned in the wake of the incident. 'The best thing you can do from our tragedy is just learn something and learn that no matter how it looks or what you think... that you just don't know. You can't know what's gonna happen' Lucas's parents attended the fundraiser, but asked not to be interviewed. Dozens of others were there to show support 'I can't even fathom what they're having to deal with,' she told Fox 4 Tuesday. 'They're family. We're just hoping this raises enough money to help with their medical bills and funeral' Johnson County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy James Saulter's force is still investigating the incident, some of which was caught on camera 'They'd seen cars go through,' the boy's aunt said of the family, days after Lucas's mother said she and her husband were familiar with County Road 528, which is prone to flooding She said officials normally close it off when water levels become too high, but, in this case, the family's vehicle did not make it through, swept into the stream seen here She said it began when her brother and sister-in-law were driving the boy home from an unnamed relative's house, and were met with rising water along the road in the Forth Worth suburb 'Pretty quickly, Aaron got swept away. He dropped Lucas,' Warren Marshall recalled. 'Chelsey picked him up. And then from that moment on, they were separated' Marshall added that her sister-in-law desperately held onto Lucas for a couple hours while treading water, but he was soon swept away Footage from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office from the day in question substantiated the harrowing account, which was extrapolated on by the boy's mother in an emotional interview with NBC 5 She tearfully told the station of the moment she lost her son: 'The current came up real high and he just let go' Footage from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office from the day of the flooding substantiated the harrowing account by the boy's mother in an emotional interview with NBC 5. She tearfully told the station of the moment she lost her son, 'The current came up real high and he just let go, 'I didn't hear anything from him, I think he just went under.' She added how she and her husband - still hospitalized at this point - had been familiar with the well-traveled road, seen flooded in the disturbing footage that shows cops frantically searching for the youngster. 'Usually, there's a block in the road that says don't pass through there or has a sign that says flooding water, please turn around, and there was nothing,' she said of how officials normally close it off when water levels become too high. 'I had saw somebody else had gone through.' As they tried to get their vehicle through the water, the car cut out, she said - leaving them trapped. She added that they tried to escape on foot, but were soon swept off the road, after which her husband became separated from them. She proceeded to tread water while desperately holding on to Lucas for more than an hour, until the current took over. Chelsey said Johnson County rescuers arrived in a boat minutes later, the point where the footage begins. Chelsey said Johnson County rescuers arrived in a boat minutes later, the point where the bodycam footage begins 'This is something that you don't ever think is going to happen to your family,' her sister-in-law said on Sunday, as Johnson County Sheriffs continues to probe how the incident unfolded 'This is something that you don't ever think is going to happen to your family,' her sister-in-law said on Sunday, as the Johnson County Sheriffs Office continues to probe exactly how the incident unfolded. 'He was one of the happiest, funniest kids I've ever met in my life,' she said of Lucas. 'I know that they wished more than anything that they had turned around, and they just didn't know. 'Truly, I cant tell you how much he was loved.' She was surprised to find the scammer was elderly and wheelchair-bound As a Boston journalist tirelessly pursued the woman who stole her identity, she discovered that the wheelchair-bound, elderly culprit was nothing like she'd imagined. Linda Matchan, a correspondent for the Boston Globe, noticed a mysterious $5,000 withdrawal from her checking account in June 2022. It was nestled between other transactions in her bank statement and might have been easy to miss, but Matchan immediately grew suspicious. The money had been taken out of a Bank of America branch in Saratoga Springs, New York, hundreds of miles away from her home in Greater Boston. 'In experts lingo, Id entered the identity crime ecosystem, a mix of theft and fraud,' Matchan wrote in a May 15 recounting of the events in a Boston Globe Magazine cover story. Linda Matchan, a Boston Globe correspondent, lost $5,000 after a New York woman assumed her identity The journalist traced the theft to a bank in Saratoga Springs, New York (pictured), where she learned the woman had used a fake driver's license with her name on it She noticed that her debit card had moved to a different place in her wallet and began to worry that it had been tampered with. Matchan attempted to stop things from spiraling further out of her hands. She closed her bank account and opened a new one, changed her passwords and froze her credit. Upon filing a police report, the journalist learned that her information could have been compromised in other ways. One possibility was that she'd passed her debit card through a skimmer, a device frequently installed by fraudsters at ATMs, gas pumps and elsewhere to accumulate card numbers. Regardless of the mechanism, Matchan had more pressing issues to worry about, as she would soon learn that a stranger had a driver's license with her name on it. The reporter grew frustrated with Bank of America's 'lack of urgency' as she fought to get reimbursed. She was repeatedly told that the bank was still investigating, a process that could take 60 to 90 days. On August 20, 2022, the journalist decided she'd reached her wits' end and drove over three hours to Saratoga Springs. She filed a report at the local police station before heading to the Bank of America branch. The manager called the banks fraud department herself, but had no luck, as she was also told that the pending investigation could take months. After contacting a vice president in Albany, the stolen money was returned to Matchan's account, over two months after the theft. The reporter discovered she was one of the millions of Americans who fall victim to identity theft each year - and the thief, identified as a Bronx woman named Deborah, had a checkered criminal past (file image) Sarasota Springs Police issued a judicial subpoena and obtained a surveillance video from the bank weeks later. While Matchan herself was barred from viewing it, an investigator said it showed an older woman leaning on a cane as she presented a photo ID and another card to a teller, who procured $5,000 in cash. 'In my 18 years as a customer with the bank, Id never withdrawn that much cash,' Matchan professed. 'Also, Im over 65 technically an elder and I knew from my previous reporting on elder exploitation that this shouldve sent up red flags.' Police identified a Bronx woman named Deborah as a suspect, though Matchan declined to share her surname out of 'potential retaliation.' Deborah was arrested on July 7, 2022. However, this wasn't her first offense - she was a career criminal with a record stretching back three decades. This included assorted drug and prostitution charges and a forgery charge in 2019, followed by a string of bank fraud offenses. In April 2023, the woman ventured into a Citizens Bank branch in New Rochelle, New York, where she brandished an ID bearing another woman's name and walked out with $3,500. However, a bank employee grew suspicious and called the account owner to confirm that she'd made the withdrawal herself. Lo and behold, she hadn't. Two days later, Deborah returned and tried to withdraw $4,000; she was recognized and arrested, but failed to appear in court that May to be arraigned. A bench warrant was issued for her arrest On July 5, the woman was sentenced to five years probation in Orange County for a 2019 offense. The development came just two days before her arrest in connection to Matchan's case. On July 8, Matchan faced the fraudster in Saratoga Springs City Court. Deborah was hustled into the courtroom in a wheelchair, having been transported several hours upstate from a jail in Westchester County. The journalist described her as 'looking frail and haggard,' with tangled hair and hands 'clenched' in her lap. 'She looked much older than a woman born in 1956, her birth year,' Matchan wrote. Deborah was charged with grand larceny in the third degree and identity theft for assuming the reporter's identity and withdrawing $5,000 from her account. As she was wheeled away, Matchan recalled, she spoke without making eye contact. 'I'm so sorry,' the woman whispered. 'Im so sorry. Im so sorry.' Matchan headed back to the courthouse the following month for the next hearing. However, Deborah was nowhere to be found, and she didn't show up for a November court date, either. Matchan learned that she had been released from custody following a guilty plea in Orange County Court, under New York State's bail reform statutes. Last year, people reported losing $10.2 billion to fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission (file image) Deborah still has an outstanding arrest warrant stemming from offenses in August 2022. The woman was accused of fraudulently withdrawing over $3,000 from a bank in East Fishkill before attempting to cash a bank check one town over with a fake Pennsylvania drivers license. The elderly woman was arraigned on the East Fishkill charges, which are still pending. However, she never appeared in court for an attempted grand larceny charge because she was in the hospital for injuries resulting from an attempt to flee police. Matchan explained how the ordeal has impacted the way she moves through the world. 'Ive gone from being a trusting person to a very suspicious one, always on high alert,' she wrote. In her pursuit of justice, which consumed two years of her life, 'Ive probably spent more than $1,000 to chase the $5,000 I lost. Its the only way I could combat the helplessness Ive felt by being violated so flagrantly.' The reporter is just one of millions of Americans impacted by identity theft each year. In 2021, roughly 23.9 million people had been victims of identity theft during the prior 12 months, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. And last year, people reported losing $10.2 billion to fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The agency received 5.7 million fraud and identity theft reports, 1.4 million of which were identity theft cases. And of these, 395,948 reports concerned government documents or benefits fraud. While individuals may carry out identity fraud, thieves often link up to form a fraud ring. Matchan said police suspect Deborah was a member of such a syndicate. Investigators are clued in when identifiers like first and last name, date of birth and social security number are paired with varying phone numbers, addresses and emails. The fraudsters who obtain this information may use it themselves or sell it to others. This may be done on forums, by word-of-mouth, or through encrypted messaging apps like Telegram. Some thieves use information that is not associated with a real person, in what is known as synthetic identity theft. As Matchan wrote, there are still plenty of unknowns in her own case. 'Ive learned that an arrest in an identity fraud case does not necessarily bring closure or a sense of relief,' she explained. 'Ive experienced more frustration and more fear a measure of the complexity of this ecosystem, and the speed with which it mutates, along with this countrys inadequate and uncoordinated approach to tackling it.' Shocking footage has emerged of two machete wielding yobs fighting with each other outside a Greggs bakery in Feltham in broad daylight. The video, which was shared online, took place on Monday and shows two masked men fighting each other with large machetes. Both men are seen hacking at one another in front of stunned pedestrians before tumbling into a Greggs trolley from which they continued to stab at each other from behind. Following the terrifying scrap, one of the men eventually flees the scene causing the other thug to scarper. The manager of the Greggs refused to comment to MailOnline, but the owner of a nearby hardware store, who preferred to stay anonymous, said the event was as random as it was violent. He said: 'I was scared and I came inside but they were slashing at each other and then they ran off. It was awful.' Shocking footage has emerged of two machete wielding yobs fighting with each other outside a Greggs bakery in Feltham in broad daylight The video, which was shared online, took place on Monday and shows two masked men fighting each other with large machetes Both men are seen hacking at one another in front of stunned pedestrians before tumbling into a Greggs trolley Happened in Feltham outside greggs a youth fighting with another youth with a large machete. pic.twitter.com/4mFNxqVdh4 London & UK Street News (@CrimeLdn) May 15, 2024 MailOnline has approached the Metropolitan Police for further clarification. It is just the latest example of shocking street violence involving knives, machetes and guns that have blighted life for Londoners in 2024. Last weekend, two people, including a woman, were violently mugged near Euston station in London in a daylight attack which left the victims sprawled on the floor. The incident, which took place just yards away from bustling Camden High Street, saw two men attack a man and a woman at around 7am this morning before driving off in a white Audi. Another woman, who appeared to be a friend of the mugging victims, watched on as crime rocks the capital. Grim footage emerged of the two thugs brazenly hitting and kicking the pair on Eversholt Street in north London before seemingly running off with some of their belongings. Each man attacks one victim during the mugging as shocked bystanders watch on and cars drive along the busy street in the capital. This is the shocking moment two people were mugged near Euston station in London in a lawless daylight attack. The violent incident, just yards away from bustling Camden High Street, saw two men attack a man and a woman this morning before driving off in a white Audi Grim footage has emerged of the two thugs brazenly hitting and kicking the pair on Eversholt Street in north London before seemingly running off with some of their belongings. Each man attacks one victim during the mugging as shocked bystanders watch on and cars drive along the busy street in the capital One thug, wearing a black hoodie, violently attacks the male victim, who is wearing a light green hoodie and jeans, pressing him down on the pavement. As a car drives calmly past the scene, the attacker grabs the man and throws him onto the road before kicking him aggressively in the face. He then rips something away from his victim's grasp before running away with it in his hand. Meanwhile the other attacker, wearing a purple hoodie, appears to drag the woman, who is dressed in all black, back on to the pavement by her hair as she tries to crawl into the road. He then presses her head against the side of the road before she manages to push herself up out of his grasp and start pursuing the other thug. But as she is running, the man who had been holding her down then pushes her strongly to the floor. Despite the heavy fall, the woman manages to get up before being shoved down once more by the same man. She is left lying in a car parking spot on the side of the bustling road as a motorbike and a bus pass by. The attackers then get into their white Audi 4x4 and drive off, narrowly avoiding crashing into the male victim who has wandered into the middle of the street. Indistinct shouting is heard throughout but towards the end a man can be heard saying 'let's go'. The shocking attack comes just days after an alleged phone thief was knocked off his bike in the capital and confronted - before being quickly backed up by his machete-wielding accomplice A masked man appears to defend the thief, armed with a machete to threaten the driver The incident took place just yards away from London Euston station, one of the busiest transport hubs in the country, and Mornington Crescent Underground station. Nearby Camden High Street is one of the capital's most popular tourist spots and is expecting to welcome thousands today on the hottest day of the year. A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Police were called at 06:55hrs on Sunday, 12 May, to reports of a fight in Eversholt Street, NW1. 'Officers attended the location. All parties had left when police arrived. Enquiries are ongoing to identify those involved. 'Officers are aware of footage being shared on social media. 'Anyone who was a victim is asked to contact police. Officers all wish to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information that may assist their investigation. 'Please call 101, ref 1757/12may.' A helicopter airlifted her to a hospital in Vancouver to be treated for her injuries A 63-year-old hiker revealed her terrible injuries from falling 300 feet off a Washington mountain during a hiking trip to admire wildflowers. Rebecca Halley of Hillsboro, Oregon, was visiting Washington state's Dog Mountain Trail to enjoy the warm weather and iconic wildflowers. She enjoyed the same trip five years ago with her daughter and was eager to go back. However, disaster struck when he 63-year-old returned to the trail last Friday. Halley said she found the trail much harder this time around, despite being an avid hiker. She recalls getting to the top of the mountain - where she said the group 'had lunch, rehydrated, and headed down,' adding that 'things kind of went sideways after that.' 'I remember stumbling a little bit, not hugely, and then just kind of going over the side,' Halley said Despite falling 300 feet from the top of the mountain, Halley miraculously only suffered minor injuries The path back down from the trail's peak is notoriously steep and narrow - but Halley was still caught off guard when she began to lose control and fall. 'I remember stumbling a little bit, not hugely, and then just kind of going over the side,' Halley said. Despite falling 300 feet from the top of the mountain, Halley miraculously only suffered minor injuries. She described the moments after her fall - during which she was fighting to stay awake while she called her friends for help. 'I'm just laying there thinking, 'I don't want to move,' cause I don't want to go any further,' Halley said. Rescue efforts began around 1:30 pm on Friday, according to the Skamania County Sheriff's Office. Rescuers found Halley unconscious and unresponsive and a U.S. Army medical helicopter was brought in to navigate the steep terrain. The helicopter hoisted Halley up and she was flown to PeaceHealth Southwest in Vancouver for treatment, according to KOIN. Halley was visiting Washington state 's Dog Mountain Trail to enjoy the warm weather and iconic wildflowers The trail is best known for the dramatic yellow balsamroot and other native wildflowers that blanket Dog Mountain's high meadow from April to June Rescuers found Halley unconscious and unresponsive and a U.S. Army medical helicopter was brought in to navigate the steep terrain Local hikers are warning other visitors to stay safe during their expeditions on the challenging trails. Liam Kean, a volunteer with Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue who said it's important to 'stay put' and 'don't go anywhere' if you get lost on the trail. Other safety tips from experts for hiking include going slow, letting people pass you, and packing essentials, such as flashlights, food and water. A Florida sheriff is laying down the law for those thinking about moving from blue states to the Sunshine State. Carmine Marceno of Lee County - on the southwest side of Florida - has been stirring up a media frenzy of late for his no-nonsense approach to crime and incarceration. Marceno, a New Yorker by birth, said he is pulling no punches when it comes to dealing with criminals who believe they can 'play' in his county. He told Fox News: 'My message is clear. If you think you can deal poison and commit crime, stay clear of Lee County and all the great state of Florida. 'We're ready, and we will absolutely find you, hunt you down, and charge you to the fullest extent of the law.' Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno has made a name for himself as a no-nonsense enforcer of the law, who hopes the balance of his state doesn't shift due to incoming liberals from now-dangerous and unpleasant blue states He went on to observe, as many have, that a flood of liberals from New York and California have been streaming into Florida for several years now for a number of reasons that include safety, sunshine, and favorable tax breaks. Marceno worries those same people who are choosing to flee their home states because the Democrat-led environments have devolved into chaotic, crime-ridden cities with sky-high taxes and nothing to show for them, are moving to Florida only to vote for the same type of leadership that led to the ruin of their once functional cities. 'They want to leave California. They want to leave New York. Okay. And then they come down to a state like Florida, where we are law and order, and they don't change their views,' he said. 'You left a place where there's havoc, where people can rob, steal, loot, do drugs in safe havens. And then you're upset that it's so bad there, and you come here and still do the same thing. Same action, same result.' The sheriff has a tough but fair message to those thinking about importing their blue state mindsets to Florida: 'Leave. Go back to where you came from because we don't want you here.' The sheriff has a tough but fair message to those thinking about importing their blue state mindsets to Florida: 'Leave. Go back to where you came from because we don't want you here' 'We welcome everyone to our great state of Florida. But if you think lawlessness leads the way, if you believe that criminals should roam the streets and steal and rob and, God forbid, deal poison to the streets and kill innocent people, you're not the person we want here. You can go back and live with lawlessness.' He noted some of the relentless crime that's been plaguing the streets of New York, including a budding epidemic of people getting punched in the face. 'The world has gone crazy,' he said. He hopes that voters who do not prioritize law and order do not cast their votes for him. 'I'Il tell people routinely, if you don't like that I stand for law and order, and you don't like that we incarcerate bad people, I'm not the person to vote for. I prefer you don't vote for me.' Four of the top 10 fastest-growing cities in America are in Florida, according to LinkedIn data. Sarasota, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Orlando all rank among places the highest number of Americans have moved in recent years. On a per capita basis, the top 10fastest-growing cities in American were all in the South, including four in Florida, three in Texas, and two in North Carolina Marceno does not, however, have a spotless record. Following his 2017 divorce, Deanna Williams (pictured) entered into a consensual relationship with him that led to a lawsuit Marceno was the plaintiff in a paternity lawsuit filed around the time he became sheriff by Deanna Williams (right). Williams miscarried and the result of any paternity test that was possibly taken, was never made public Marceno has established himself as something of a social media superstar. According to Fox, the sheriff and his team often go viral for videos of their larges-scale drug busts and videos of him and his SWAT team grooving outside busted drug dens. Some fans call him the 'best sheriff in America.' Marceno was elected to his post in 2018 and has since executed nearly 2,000 physical arrests, 800 search warrants, and worked some 3,300 drug cases - the local jail has been nicknamed the Marceno Motel. Marceno, however, does not have a flawless public record. Just after he was appointed Lee County Sheriff in 2018, he was sued by a woman who claimed she was pregnant with his child. Deanna Williams claimed to have entered into a consensual relationship with Marceno - which he's confirmed - before being dumped after telling him she was pregnant. In November of 2018, Williams filed a paternity lawsuit against Marceno demanding sole custody of the child due in Spring 2019. She said Marceno did not want the child to be born and had offered to pay for an abortion. Williams eventually delivered a stillborn child and the lawsuit was subsequently dismissed. Grieving family and friends have paid tribute to British hero James Kirby at the funeral of the military veteran-turned-aid worker killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza. Large crowds turned out today in Bristol to pay their respects to Mr Kirby, 47, who was one of seven World Central Kitchen workers who died in the April 1 attack. Mr Kirby, who had fought in Bosnia and Afghanistan, had his life commemorated at St Mary Redcliffe Church in his native city. He was part of WCK's security team travelling with a convoy that had just unloaded more than 100 tonnes of much-needed food aid brought from overseas when hit by the air strike, dying along with two other Britons. Mourners lined the streets this afternoon to remember him, a poignant flower arrangement spelled out the word 'SON' and immediate family and friends carried his coffin draped in the Union Jack. Mourners have been attending the funeral in Bristol of British hero Paul Kirby, who was killed in by an Israeli air strike in Gaza on April 1 James Kirby, 47, was helping provide security for World Central Kitchen delivering food in Gaza Army representatives were among those honouring military veteran Mr Kirby The procession was followed by uniformed representatives of the armed forces. Among those paying tribute was Brendan Forbes, 46, a friend of James from the British Army. He said: 'I knew James from the age of 13 and we joined the army cadets together. 'He had a passion for being outdoors and we were best friends from there. 'I joined the line infantry in 1994 and served in Bosnia and Afghanistan in separate companies to James. 'It was wonderful being friends with him for so many years - absolutely perfect at working a crowded room and making you think you were the only person in that room. 'James had a wicked sense of humour. We had a mischievous friendship was about making other people laugh. 'I was selfish - I thought he was my best friend, but he's everyone's best friend. There are a lot of people who have come to see him.' Mr Forbes, who now runs a construction company in Edinburgh, told how his friend had moved to Gaza to work with WCK - saying he was 'off on a job'. James Kirby, 47, (pictured) was among those who tragically died after multiple drone strikes hit their convoy of vehicles in the warzone on April 1 A floral tribute spelling out 'SON' was placed at St Mary Redcliffe Church in Bristol James Kirby's coffin was carried out of the church draped in the Union Jack Brendan Forbes, who served in the Army with Mr Kirby, called him 'everyone's best friend' Mr Kirby, whose coffin is seen being carried from the church, was described as someone with a 'passion for being outdoors' and a 'wicked sense of humour' Mr Forbes added: 'He would not go working for people if they had a bad reputation. I spoke to him before he left. "I'll see you when I'm back", he said.' Veiner Gaston, 36, another friend of James now living in Edinburgh, said: 'We went to Afghanistan together serving with the Rifles. He was my cover. He was the one physically protecting me. '"I keep you from blowing up, and you keep me from getting shot", I'd tell him. 'We kept in touch after that. He would walk past someone and he would bring everyone in. He would always treat everyone the same - always would make them laugh, make them smile.' Speaking through the tears, he remembered: 'James said, "I'm off to Gaza". He was hoping to come back after the rotation. 'He looked at it as a challenge to help someone - he would drop everything else to help them. 'In Afghanistan he would call a kid over and give them a chocolate bar. 'It's hard being here. I'm not going to see him again after this. I thought this guy was bullet proof. I thought he was invincible. Nothing could hurt him.' Mr Kirby's mother Jacqui Kirby released a statement ahead of the service through Avon and Somerset Police, saying they would 'celebrate the life' of her son. The funeral procession was led by the vicar of St Mary's, Canon Dan Tyndall Mr Kirby's friend Veiner Gaston said of him: 'He would always treat everyone the same - always would make them laugh, make them smile' Military colleagues were among those present for the funeral of Mr Kirby, who had served with the British Army in Bosnia and Afghanistan Floral tributes this one bearing simply the initial of James Kirby's first name She said: 'I cannot express more deeply my gratitude for the outpouring of love I have seen over the weeks since his tragic death in Gaza. 'James was a remarkable man, a true friend to so many people and above all, he was my son. 'I will miss him beyond measure and cannot comprehend a future without his presence. 'But, I take great comfort from knowing he died doing something that really mattered to him, and the knowledge that he was loved by so many people from all walks of life.' The vicar of St Mary's, Canon Dan Tyndall, told the service he had 600 copies of the Order of Service printed. He told mourners: 'What do we want when there's darkness? A glimmer of light. Just a little light. 'His legacy gleams with a radiant light. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness 'Serving his country, being in the security services in Gaza, James shone bright with that light. 'What is James' legacy? Look around you. We are James' legacy. We need to carry the light into the darker places in our world.' Canon Dan Tyndall said of Mr Kirby: 'His legacy gleams with a radiant light' Floral tributes are seen outside St Mary Redcliffe Church for James Kirby's funeral Canon Dan Tyndall told mourners: 'We are James' legacy. We need to carry the light into the darker places in our world' Reverend Laura Verrall-Kelly added: 'We remember those who died alongside him. We remember their bravery in walking into dangerous situations for the sake of humanity. 'We continue to pray for the work of the WCK to continue to spread." Andre, James' cousin, recalled during the service how James briefly took up DJing under the name 'DJ Kirbs'. He said: 'James was a constant calming presence - you knew he was there but he was just out the way. 'That big nose, cheeky smile, broad Bristolian accent - he was a one off. Let's soldier on and be more like Kirbs. Another friend, Mark Blackmore, also gave a speech in which he said: 'We would take the mick out of each other's regiments. 'I bet there is not a person in here that he has not helped, whether it was a bit of DIY or just a chat.' Hymns played during the service were Abide with Me and I Vow To Thee My Country, while the Roy Orbison song In Dreams was also played. The other Britons who died in the April 1 attack were James Henderson, 33, from Falmouth in Cornwall, and 57-year-old John Chapman, from Poole in Dorset. James Henderson, 33, (pictured) - a former special forces operator and a member of the Royal Marines for six years - was also killed in the bombing Fellow victim John Chapman, 57, (pictured) is thought to have served in the Special Boat Squadron, part of the UK's Special Forces Seven volunteers were killed in a series of strikes in Deir al-Balah, in Gaza, on Monday The victims were part of a convoy in Deir al-Balah, south of Gaza City, moving food from a warehouse to distribute to Gaza's starving population - after communicating to Israel that they were working in the area. Also killed were Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25, Lalzawmi 'Zomi' Frankom, 43, from Australia, American Jacob Flickinger, 33, and Polish national Damian Sobol, 35. WCK, which was founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, said in the wake of the strike its staff had been traveling in two armoured cars emblazoned with the charity's logo and another third vehicle when they were hit by Israeli strikes. The first vehicle was hit by a precision R9X Hellfire missile shortly before midnight. Passengers were seen scrambling from the wreckage and jumping into the other two cars - and telling the IDF they had been hit. The remaining vehicles were hit after travelling just 1,000 yards up the road, on a street 'designated for the passage of humanitarian aid, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Photos of the aftermath showed the cars scorched and badly damaged inside and out. The third car tried to take the injured to safety but was hit by a drone after travelling a mile along the coastal road, killing all seven of the volunteers. Wreckage of a World Central Kitchen vehicle in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip after seven aid workers - including three British ex-servicemen - were killed in an Israeli drone strike Photos of the attack's aftermath showed a gaping hole in the roof of the World Central Kitchen vehicle hit by Israel in what the country's government called a 'tragic mistake' The deaths drew global condemnation, including from US President Joe Biden. The Israeli military accepted responsibility and fired two officers over what it called a a 'tragic mistake'. But WCK chief executive said: 'Their apologies for the outrageous killing of our colleagues represent cold comfort - it's cold comfort for the victims' families and WCK's global family.' WCK suspended its operations in the war-torn Gaza Strip, where half the population are believed to be at risk of 'imminent' famine. US immigration officials knew that an illegal Colombian migrant was a convicted murderer two days before they released him onto the streets due to a 'national bed shortage'. Efrain Vidales Vargas, 49, disappeared in December last year after being let loose by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), just days after he arrived at the Yuma sector of the southern border in Arizona. He had been sentenced to 17 years in prison for aggravated homicide, aggravated theft and possession of a weapon in the Colombian city of Bucaramanga in 2016. But news that ICE had released and lost track of a known convicted murderer only emerged after deportation officers found him hiding in Massachusetts on May 6. 'If there is not a greater betrayal to the American people, I don't know what is,' said Chris Clem, a retired Border Patrol chief for the Yuma Sector. Efrain Vidales Vargas, 49, disappeared in December last year after being let loose by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), just days after crossing the Yuma sector of the southern border in Arizona He was tracked down and recaptured in Massachusetts on May 6 after a Colombian diplomat alerted ICE to an Interpol warrant out for his arrest Chris Clem, a retired Border Patrol chief for the Yuma Sector, said he was staggered that a convicted murderer was released onto the streets Vargas was among 191,000 illegal migrants known to have crossed the southern border in November 2023. He was apprehended by the US Customs and Border Patrol and eventually turned over to ICE, according to internal documents reviewed by Vargas Reports of NewsNation. On December 11 an ICE officer noted that their new detainee was a convicted murder and had confessed to a lifetime of criminal activity. But a surge of migrants in the Tucson sector had led to officials bussing new arrivals to the neighboring Yuma sector which became overwhelmed in turn. Vargas was among migrants given notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge and released on an order of recognizance due to a 'national bed space shortage caused by Southwest border surge', officials told the channel. 'US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations employs a staff of around 4,000 deportation officers who manage a national non-detained docket of more than 7 million noncitizens a number that increases every day,' an ICE spokesperson said in a statement. 'Efrain Vidales Vargas, an unlawfully present Colombian national who is wanted by Colombian authorities for a homicide conviction, unlawfully entered the US in November 2023 was erroneously released from ICE custody.' Vargas's stab wounds were among the identifying features recorded by arresting officers His collection of grisly tattoos also assisted in the search 'I cannot fathom for a million years why ICE would release somebody that had a warrant, or was a suspect, or anything in a heinous crime like a murder,' Clem said. 'The fact that our US government would release somebody into our country, into our community that was suspected, if not known, but even suspected, of homicide is beyond me.' It was only when a Colombian diplomat flagged up an Interpol warrant out for his arrest that ICE began hunting for him, and he was traced to a home in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he was arrested by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston. Unlawful migrants who are known to have an existing criminal record are allowed to remain in US detention while their cases are considered if they can demonstrate 'credible fear' of persecution. Last week the White House announced proposals which will allow immigration officials to reject migrants 'who pose a national security or public safety risk' more quickly. 'Specifically those who have been convicted of a particularly serious crime, participated in the persecution of others, are inadmissible on national security or terrorism-related grounds,' a DHS official said. 'Or for whom there are reasonable grounds to deem them a danger to the security of the United States. 'The number of migrants who are subject to these bars is small.' Earlier this month a group of Republican lawmakers demanded the administration reveal how many illegal immigrants are now living in the US amid claims the true figure could exceed 20 million. Vargas was arrested in Colombia on the murder charge in 2014 and it is not clear why he was released from prison so soon into his sentence. 191,000 illegal migrants are known to have crossed the southern border in November 2023 and the Yuma sector pictured above was inundated when officials bussed more in from Tucson 'This Colombian national is wanted in his home country for some very serious crimes,' said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd M Lyons. 'He attempted to hide out in Massachusetts, and now he will have to answer for his actions. 'ERO Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by aggressively apprehending and removing the most egregious noncitizen offenders from our New England neighborhoods.' The agency said Vargas will remain in ERO custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings. A devastated farmer was caught on dramatic police bodycam shooting two savage XL Bully dogs who killed 22 pregnant sheep. The XL Bully dogs ran rampant around his farm shortly before lambing season - and went into his barn to kill the sheep 'for fun'. Police were called as the farmer brought out his shotgun as he could hear his sheep being killed by the dogs. Their bodycam video captured the moment four shots rang out to kill the XL Bullys - and then the heartbreaking scenes of their attack on the sheep. The horrific attack saw 22 pregnant sheep killed as they were savaged by the dogs and another 48 injured during the mass mauling. WARNING - DISTRESSING CONTENT The XL Bully dogs ran rampant around his farm shortly before lambing season - and went into his barn to kill the sheep 'for fun' Police were called as the farmer brought out his shotgun as he could hear his sheep being killed by the dogs It is now illegal to keep an XL bully without an exemption certificate and they must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public places (stock photo) A farmer was forced to shoot the two dogs dead before they could harm any more of the animals in the farmyard massacre. Footage of the horror was captured by two police officers called to the scene which showed the moment four shots rang out. The officers ran for cover in fear the dogs might attack them before the farmer - a licensed shotgun holder - fired at the XL bullies. One veteran officer with the police's countryside crime unit said it was one of the worst dog attacks he had seen during his long career. Iwan Owen, a member of North Wales Police's Rural Crime Team, said the farmer had lost more than 14,000 worth of animals. Iwan and a fellow officer were being followed by cameras as part of S4C series Y Llinell Las - which translates into English as The Blue Line - when they encountered the horror. The footage shows how the farmer felt distressed as the XL bully dogs went on the rampage Police called to the scene were being filmed as part of S4C series Y Llinell Las - which translates into English as The Blue Line Some 22 pregnant sheep were killed by the XL Bully dogs and another 48 injured Officers ran for cover in fear the dogs might attack them before the farmer - a licensed shotgun holder - fired at the XL Bullies Footage of the horror was captured by two police officers called to the scene with four shots ringing out as the farmer acted to help protect the sheep who had survived Iwan Owen, a member of North Wales Police's Rural Crime Team, said the farmer had lost more than 14,000 worth of animals Iwan said he had been dealing with sheep attacks for 40 years through his work with the police. He said: 'I'm sure the traffic gang are fed up with people who drink and drive. Well, for us, it's the sheep attacks that happen over and over.' He said the farmer had no chance of stopping the dogs during the attack at the farm near Wrexham, North Wales. He said: 'Why the hell would someone want an XL Bully? I don't understand why would you want a dog of like that in a home. Think how strong they are, how much damage they can do - it's life-threatening.' 'Farmers are tough guys - they're used to dogs and getting hold of them, but you wouldn't get hold of an XL Bully. There's not much of a chance for you to walk away without being terribly injured.' Despite the horrific attack the owner of the dogs was handed a just 500 fine, as well as costs and surcharge or 230 and 180 and banned from keeping animals. The six episode series has had access to the challenging work of the Rural Crime Team, Dog Unit, Traffic Unit, the Collision Investigation Unit and the Control Room in St Asaph. Restrictions on XL Bully dogs came into force at the end of last year requiring the animals to be kept on a lead and muzzled in public. From February 1, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully in England and Wales without a certificate. The Government has insisted a ban is necessary because XL Bullys are 'disproportionately involved' in serious and fatal dog attacks. Multiple people have been killed by members of the breed, including Ian Price who was attacked by two suspected American bullies last year, 10-year-old Jack Lis who was mauled to death in 2021 and toddler Bella-Rae Birch who was savagely assaulted by her family's pet XL Bully in March the same year. A previous version of this article incorrectly conflated the farmer who was forced to shoot the dogs with the farmer who owned them. The report has since been amended to clarify this point; that the dogs were owned by someone other than the person forced to shoot them. Y Llinell Las is broadcast on S4C at 21:00 on Tuesdays and will also be available on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer. A blind woman has claimed she was dropped off more than a mile from where she needed to go by an Uber driver 'on purpose'. Dr Kamille Richardson of Raleigh, North Carolina, was born blind leaving her unable to drive and relying on others for transport. She booked an Uber from home to take her to the Verizon store in town last Sunday, noting in her profile that she could not see. Dr. Richardson said the Uber driver walked her to the door but she quickly realized she was at an apartment complex instead of the store. Kamille Richardson (pictured) of Raleigh, North Carolina was born blind, leaving her unable to drive and relying on others to transport her She said the driver dropped her off at an apartment complex instead of the Verizon store, which was more than a mile north of her intended destination. She told local Fox affiliate WRAL: 'I say this is not the right place and he says well I have somebody I have to pick up at the airport and he takes off and runs away.' She said she was terrified because she didn't know the area or how to get home. 'I couldn't even tell you what I was near. I didn't know the vicinity. 'He just dropped me and ran away,' she said. 'It's jarring. It's terrifying to the mind.' Dr. Richardson is taking legal action. Her attorney, Aviance Brown, said they want Uber to change the way they handle customers with disabilities so they aren't put in danger by the drivers. 'This is not the first time where folks with disabilities have been placed in a vulnerable situation. It happens every day,' Brown said. Dr. Richardson says she is still reeling from the situation. 'How could you just abandon somebody like that? Knowing good and well that I was not in the right spot,' Dr. Richardson said. Dr. Richardson is the Chief Executive Officer of iSee Technologies, which provides solutions in DEI training for businesses. It comes after Uber's recent earnings report dipped below investors' expectations amid an uptick in legal expenses and decreased ride demand in certain regions. Legal challenges from taxi drivers in Australia and London, along with regulatory scrutiny over worker classification, have added pressure. Pictured: A map of where Richardson was dropped off versus how far her intended destination was Soft demand and losses from devalued investments further impacted its performance. While Uber improved its operating profit of $172 million compared to the previous year, which was up from a $262 million operating loss in the same period last year . However these numbers were still less than half of what analysts had expected for that measure. Uber recorded a net loss of $654 million this quarter, whereas last year they lost $157 million. DailyMail.com has reached out to Uber for comment. Nearly half of voters say the American republic forged by 18th Century revolutionaries has come to an end, an alarming new survey reveals. Fully 47 percent of respondents said the 'republic the Founders created has already fallen,' when asked by pollsters. Another 39 percent said Americans were doing a 'good job' of keeping the 248-year-old government structure intact. Meanwhile, 14 percent said they were not sure. More US adults say the American republic is finished than say it is alive and well, a survey shows Benjamin Franklin (left) and others among the Founding Fathers chose their words carefully when drafting America's Declaration of Independence from colonial Britain Rasmussen's survey of some 1,000 voters comes in a divisive election year, pitting Democratic President Joe Biden against his Republican predecessor Donald Trump. Both campaigns present the race as a make-or-break moment for America, warning that a bad outcome heralds catastrophe. Trump, 77, says the multiple criminal cases against him are politically motivated, and that his loss in the November 5 election would mark the end of democracy. 'If we don't win this election, I don't think you're going to have another election in this country,' Trump said at a recent rally in Ohio. Biden, 81, conversely, says that a Trump victory would spell the end of one-man-one-vote rule. Biden points to Trump's failed bid to overturn his 2020 electoral defeat and the violent MAGA assault on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. 'I'm running because democracy is at stake,' Biden has said. 'Let there be no question, Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy.' The Rasmussen survey suggests that millions of Americans take these messages seriously. Americans by a wide margin say the republic the constitutional order of elected representatives has already unraveled. Donald Trump, pictured here at his ongoing trial in New York, says the 248-year-old experiment with democracy is under threat this election year Tourists visit the memorial of founder Thomas Jefferson in Washington DC, even as many people question whether his revolutionary ideals have survived The 1776 Declaration of Independence says leaders get their 'authority from the consent of the governed' Women, graduates, and black and Hispanic people, were more likely to say the republic was over than other groups. There is also a partisan divide. More than half of Republican voters said the republic had fallen, compared to just over a third of Democrats. The survey results make dismal reading for historians who cherish the disrupting ideals of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and other members of America's 'Founding Fathers.' Those late 18th Century revolutionaries were the driving force behind the successful war for colonial independence from Great Britain. They are also celebrated for the liberal ideas in the Declaration of Independence, and the republican form of government laid out in the US Constitution. Survey respondents were also asked whether America's current leaders have the 'authority from the consent of the governed' using a key phrase from the Declaration of Independence. Fully 57 percent of voters said the federal government no longer operates with public consent. Another 26 percent said the 'consent of the governed' was intact; and 17 percent said they were not sure. The nationwide survey of 1,087 voters was carried out earlier this month and has a +/- 3 percentage point margin of error. The results were similar to a previous survey in July 2023. A 46-year-old man who was arrested over a horror house fire which killed two sisters remains under arrest in hospital, police have said. West Midlands Police detained the man on suspicion of murder at the weekend, along with two other men aged 19 and 22 who have since been released on bail pending further inquiries. Police have yet to formally identify the women who died in the house fire in Dunstall Hill, Wolverhampton, but they are reported to be sisters aged in their 20s who lived at the end-of-terrace property. All those arrested are understood to have been known to the victims. Four other people - three men and one woman - were transported to hospital following the incident. Forensic officers at the scene of the devastating house fire on Saturday in Dunstall Hill, Wolverhampton A 46-year-old man who was arrested over the incident on suspicion of murder remains under arrest in hospital, police have said. Two other men aged 22 and 19 have been released on bail. It is suspected the three men were known to the women The three men have not been seriously injured, however the woman continues to be in a serious condition, West Midlands Police reports. A statement issued by West Midlands Police said: 'Two people are still in hospital in a serious condition. 'Officers are remaining at the scene to further investigate the cause of the fire. 'The 46-year-old remains under arrest, but is in hospital until he is fit to be spoken to by officers.' Chief Superintendent Richard Fisher, from Wolverhampton police, said: 'Two women have tragically lost their lives and our thoughts are with their loved ones at this deeply distressing time. 'We know how upsetting this is for everyone within the community, and we're working as sensitively as we can to find out the cause of this terrible fire. 'This is a very active investigation and it's important we do everything we can to get answers to what happened.' The fire was extinguished shortly before 3am after 20 firefighters from Wolverhampton, Fallings Park, Tipton and Bilston fire stations attended the scene. The remnants of the house which was badly damaged following a blaze that killed two sisters in their 20s A police tent outside the family home in Wolverhampton that was gutted by far at the weekend. Police are continuing their investigations 'Several firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property. Very sadly, the bodies of two people were found inside. 'The fire was confirmed to have been extinguished shortly before 3am. 'Our investigators will be working with West Midlands Police to establish exactly how the fire started.' They also offered their 'thoughts and sympathies' to everyone impacted by the incident. West Midlands Fire Service said another person was 'discharged at the scene by the ambulance service'. The fire service said via a statement: 'Three fire engines and two 4x4 brigade response vehicles attended, crewed by 20 firefighters from Wolverhampton, Fallings Park, Tipton and Bilston fire stations. 'The first was at the scene three minutes after being mobilised. 'They arrived to find a severe fire in an end-terrace property, from which four people had managed to escape. Anyone with information is urged to contact the force via Live Chat on its website or call 101, quoting incident 360 of May 11. They were all accused of assaults before Lord was killed last October Three of the young men accused of beating 16-year-old Preston Lord to death will not face the death penalty if convicted of his murder, officials said. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office has decided to not seek the death penalty against the three adult suspects in the case - Treston Billey, 18, Dominic Turner, 20, and Taylor Sherman, 19. While all seven suspects are charged in the murder as adults, only Billey, Turner and Sherman are eligible for capital punishment, as reported by ABC15. Lord was assaulted at a Halloween party last October and found on a nearby sidewalk in Queen Creek, a suburb of Phoenix. Turner allegedly snatched a $10 gold chain from one of Lord's friends, beginning a fatal sequence of events. Soelberg has said the videos of teen attacks and claims made by alleged victims about their reign of terror were not shared with police until after the fatal beating of Preston Lord 16 Treston Billey, an alleged Goon previously accused in various assaults in the area, was allegedly the last to attack, jumping on Lord's head as he yelled: 'F*** you, pu***!' Repeat offender Dominic Turner allegedly snatched a $10 gold chain from one of Lord's friends, beginning a fatal sequence of events Taylor Sherman is accused of opening Snapchat on his phone to record rescuers dragging Lord's body out of the street The Goons then began playing hot potato with the gold chain as they mocked Lord and his friends, inciting them to 'do something' about the stolen chain, according to police. Lord and his friends began running away but the Goons gave chase, pushing a 14-year-old to the ground before allegedly punching him in the head and leaving him with a broken wrist. High school jock Talan Renner, 17, is accused of being the bully who delivered the devastating 'hammer punches' that ended the Lord's life. Billey, an alleged Goon previously accused in various assaults in the area, was allegedly the last to attack, jumping on Lord's head as he yelled: 'F*** you, pu***!' The beating took seconds, and the Goons reportedly headed to their cars after 'twerking' and 'air humping' Lord's body. Sherman is accused of opening Snapchat on his phone to record rescuers dragging Lord's body out of the street. He reportedly said: 'Slumped the f*** out. Haha.' Lord died from his brain injuries at the hospital two days later, but police did not make any arrests for months, until March, sparking frustration in a community that has been rocked by teen violence over the last years. Court documents say none of the suspects knew Preston before they attacked him over a gold chain. The suspects appeared in court last week, and a target trial date was set for July, 21, 2025. The Goons, officially designated a street gang by the Gilbert police department last week, have terrorized Phoenix suburbs since as far back as 2022. The Goons' reign of terror: DailyMail.com can reveal how the gang of youngsters ran amok in the Arizona town before Preston Lord's death in October Police were investigating Lord's murder for months before they finally made arrests in March. One Gilbert father, Rick Kuehner, claims he had been trying to get Gilbert police and school officials to protect his son from the Goons since last summer, when his child was first threatened and then brutally beaten up at an In-N-Out parking lot which was a go-to spot for the teen delinquents. After Lord's brutal beating and subsequent alleged attempted cover ups were detailed by The Arizona Republic, authorities reopened multiple cases believed to have been conducted by a larger group of assailants. The seven suspects of Preston Lord's death, from top left to bottom right: Jacob Meisner, Talan Renner, Taylor Sherman, Treston Billey, Talyn Vigil, Dominic Turner, William Owen Renner allegedly couldn't help but brag after Lord was killed, texting fellow suspect Sherman to say: 'I might have hospitalized that kid. I hit him pretty hard.' He is also said to have shown a video of the fatal beating he'd recorded on his phone to friends while declaring: 'Oh, I put this kid on life support.' His father, millionaire business owner Travis Renner, has been accused of trying to cover up his son's involvement in the killing by taking him out of town while his hands healed from the beating he allegedly handed out. Rishi Sunak is facing a backlash on prisons today after the government triggered an emergency overcrowding plan. Contingency measures to keep defendants in police custody or release them on bail rather than remanding them in prisons have been activated. Downing Street insisted Operation Early Dawn was deployed 'from time to time to manage immediate localised pressures on the estate'. However, Mr Sunak came under fire over the 'chaos' in the system at PMQs, with Keir Starmer demanding assurances that domestic abusers and other serious offenders will not be freed early. He was seizing on a separate policy to allow 'low-level offenders' out of prison up to 18 days early under strict supervision. Ministers have been preparing to extend the scheme for a second time so some criminals could be freed from jail up to 70 days before their release date. But concerns have been raised that serious offenders have been let out early, despite ministers stressing that should not be happening. Contingency measures to keep defendants in police custody or release them on bail rather than remanding them in prisons have been activated (file picture) Mr Sunak came under fire over the 'chaos' in the system at PMQs, with Keir Starmer demanding assurances that domestic abusers and other serious offenders will not be freed early Sir Keir said: 'Does the early release of stalkers, domestic abusers and those considered a risk to children sound like the work of someone who is making the country more secure?' Mr Sunak replied: 'No-one should be put on this scheme if they are a threat to the public. 'And let me be crystal clear, it does not apply to anyone serving a life sentence, anyone convicted of a serious violent offence, anyone convicted of terrorism, anyone convicted of a sex offence and, crucially, in contrast to the system Labour put in place, governors in the prison service have an absolute lock so that no-one is put on the scheme who shouldn't be.' Mr Sunak went on to criticise the efforts of previous Labour governments, with Sir Keir countering: 'I'm glad to hear those on life sentences aren't being released early. 'He may not think that releasing domestic abusers is a problem but Labour has repeatedly called for domestic abusers to be exempt from his scheme to release prisoners early. 'His Government has shamefully ignored those calls.' Mr Sunak repeated there is an 'absolute governor lock' on who is put on the scheme before defending the Government's approach and claiming a Labour frontbencher believes 'prison doesn't prevent crime'. He added: 'It's always the same with the Labour Party, soft on crime and soft on criminals.' Sir Keir said: 'He's literally letting criminals out early and the only answer to the question I asked whether domestic abusers should be exempt from his early release scheme, from anyone serious about security is yes.' Sir Keir went on the attack over prisons at the weekly PMQs session today A report into HMP Lewes released earlier this week warned that the overcrowding scheme in England and Wales is causing 'high-risk' offenders to be let out, some of whom are a 'risk to children'. The chief inspector of prisons found that 'safe risk management' is being undermined. Downing Street dismissed the idea that Mr Sunak needed to correct the record based on the findings of the report. No10 also denied there was a contradiction between letting some offenders out of jail early while introducing longer prison sentences for those convicted of the most serious crimes. The PM's spokesman said: 'These are two sides of the same coin We are taking action to lock up the worst offenders for longer and in order to ensure that we can put the worst offenders away for longer we must make sure that there are sufficient spaces to lock up the most dangerous criminals.' The public affairs director of the Law Society said the Government activating emergency measures meant hearings in magistrates courts are being cancelled and postponed at the last minute. David McNeill told the BBC World At One programme he was hearing 'quite disturbing accounts' from members in courts describing the situation as 'administrative carnage.' He said he is seeking further information from the Ministry of Justice, adding he understands there is one scheme related to releasing prisoners early 'at the back end' and another measure to control 'the front end' of the prison system the flow of cases through the courts. 'We're particularly worried today because there's a new measure, which is at the front end of the prison system, which is a step that had been taken to reduce the flow of people going into custody. 'And again, we had some very scant details given to us yesterday afternoon, and subsequently very little more, but effectively, the impact of that means that cases which would have normally gone to the magistrate's court today are being cancelled. 'So we're having victims, witnesses, lawyers and defendants turning up at magistrates courts today only to find that the case has been cancelled and delayed to some point in the future.' Three women were killed and one is fighting for her life after they were set on fire in a suspected homophobic attack in a Buenos Aires boarding house last week. Local press reported that the four women made up a pair of lesbian couples, and that their attacker threw a Molotov cocktail into their room. The three deceased victims have been named as Pamela Cobas and Mercedes Roxana Figueroa, both 52, and 42-year-old Andrea Amarante. Ms Cobas died in the hours after the attack on May 6, while Ms Figueroa passed away on Wednesday after suffering burns across 90 percent of her body. The death of Ms Amarante was confirmed on Sunday. As of Monday, it was reported that the fourth victim, 49-year-old Sofia Castro Riglos, remained in hospital. Three women were killed and one is fighting for her life after they were set on fire in a suspected homophobic attack in a Buenos Aires boarding house last week. The three deceased victims have been named as Pamela Cobas (right) and Mercedes Roxana Figueroa (left), both 52, and 42-year-old Andrea Amarante It has been reported that the fourth victim, 49-year-old Sofia Castro Riglos, remained in hospital. Police sources told local media that she was responding well to treatment Police have not yet announced a suspected motive behind the attack, which has sparked shock and anger in Argentina. However, local reports said the women made up two couples, and suggested that the attack could have been motivated by homophobia, while locals said the attacker has a history of homophobic abuse. Ms Cobbas and Ms Figueroa were in a relationship, according to reports, while Ms Amarante was in a relationship with Ms Riglos. A statement by the Argentine LGBT Federation described the attack as 'potentially one of the most abhorrent hate crimes in recent years.' The attacker has also been identified as Justo Fernando Barrientos, 62, according to local media. He is understood to have lived in the room next to the women at the boarding house where the attack took place, which is situated on the city's Olavarria Street. Residents at the boarding house who witnessed the aftermath said as the women tried to flee their burning room, Barrientos beat and pushed them. 'When they left the room, as they were on fire, he hit them and pushed them back into the fire,' 36-year-old Sergio Araujo - who lives on the second floor of the building - told Argentina's LGBTQ+ news site Presentes. Diego Britez, 51, who also lives on the second floor, added: 'Five of us were trying to separate him from her so he'd stop hitting her.' The bystanders managed to take the women to the showers and put them under the water. 'There were several of us who tried to help them. But there were people who did not come forward to help. That makes me angry,' Mr Araujo told the publication. 'I carried the biggest one on my back to go down the stairs,' he said. 'There she told me several times that it had been him. I feel bad because we couldn't save them.' According to Mr Britez, a street vendor, Barrientos had threatened them before. 'He had already threatened them once,' he said. 'It was last Christmas. He told them that he was going to kill (Ms Cobbas and Ms Figueroa) and look what happened now. 'They argued a lot. They called the police once and I understand that they had reported it. He called them 'monsters' because of their sexual [orientation].' The attacker is understood to have lived in the room next to the women at the boarding house (pictured) where the attack took place, which is situated on the city's Olavarria Street Pictured: Women light candles during a vigil in front of the house where two lesbian women were died in a suspected arson attack in the early hours of May 6 Residents at the boarding house who witnessed the aftermath said as the women tried to flee their burning room, the suspect beat and pushed them Ms Figueroa and Ms Cobas had been receiving care at a specialist burn victims hospital in the Argentinian capital, while Ms Amarante had been taken to Penna Hospital with burns over half of her body. Police sources have said that Ms Riglos is responding well to treatment - also at Penna Hospital, according to the Buenos Aires Herald. Barrientos has been detained by police. Reports say he was found in one of the boarding house's bathrooms holding a saw, having injured himself in the neck. He is accused of homicide and causing serious injuries, and is under investigation. The Herald reported that firefighters found several burned rags that had been soaked in flammable liquid. Local reports say the boarding house has 20 rooms, and around 30 residents. Among them are street vendors, pensioners and cardboard recyclers who share a bathroom and a kitchen. 'Hate crimes are the result of a culture of violence and discrimination, sustained by hate speech currently endorsed by several government officials,' the Argentine LGBT Federation said in a press release following the attack. 'The only spaces to which those of us who are victims of these attacks can resort are being emptied or eliminated by the current government, like the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism. 'We will support them and help them and their families in whatever they need, and will follow the case in court so justice is served.' Reacting to the news, Human Rights Watch said: 'They have not yet announced a motive for the deadly crime, but hatred against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people has been rising in Argentina lately. Prominent politicians, including some who hold high office, have been promoting such hatred.' The rights group pointed to a 2023 report that it said 'highlighted anti-LGBT speech by members of President Javier Milei's political party, as well as on social media and in the streets, during last year's presidential election campaign. As a candidate, Milei himself railed against gender and sexuality education in apocalyptic terms. The current foreign minister, Diana Mondino, compared marriage equality to head lice. It added: 'The report found that rising hate speech in Argentina, "built a climate of segregation, rejection and discrimination; the most fertile ground for violence toward historically vulnerable groups."' Ms Figueroa (left) and Ms Cobas (right) had been receiving care at a specialist burn victims hospital in the Argentinian capital, but sadly passed away. They were one of the two couples The Herald reported that Ms Amarante was a survivor of the Cromanon tragedy. In 2004, a fire broke out during a rock concert in Buenos Aires, killing 194 people and injuring 1,432 - one of the deadliest tragedies in music history. The victims' association Coordinadora Cromanon in a statement: 'Andrea was on the streets and slept where she could. 'Twenty years later, Andrea's worst fears and nightmares became a reality.' Voters in Maryland, West Virginia and Nebraska headed to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in a series of primaries which could have an impact on the balance of power on Congress come November. Maryland could elect its first Black woman to the Senate, Republican governors could have a role in flipping the chamber, challengers from the right did not do well and major self-funding failed on Tuesday. At the same time, the latest series of contests in the three states also shed light on challenges both President Joe Biden and Donald Trump could face this fall. Here are the takeaways from Tuesday's primary contests: Trump's Haley problem continues in closed primaries Donald Trump's campaign has dismissed thousands of voters choosing Nikki Haley in the Republican presidential primaries as Democrats tampering in the race. But even in closed primaries, some Republicans are not onboard with the presumptive GOP presidential nominee and going with the former Republican candidate who dropped out of the race more than two months ago. Nikki Haley received tens-of-thousands of votes in Tuesday's closed Republican presidential primaries in Maryland, Nebraska and West Virginia In Maryland, Trump won 80 percent in the GOP primary, or 190,000 votes. But Haley raked in 20 percent, more than 47,000, despite ending her bid. To vote in the state's presidential primary, voters are required to be registered with either the Republican or Democratic parties, meaning those voting for Haley were registered Republicans. It comes as Trump has been struggling to consolidate support within his party as he looks ahead to taking on Biden in November despite running away with the Republican nomination earlier this year. In deep-red West Virginia, Trump is expected to carry the state without competition come November, but Haley still received more than 21,000 votes in the state's presidential primary, keeping Trump from reaching 90 percent of the Republican vote in the state. Trump won Nebraska's popular vote in 2020, but Biden was able to pick up one delegate from its 2nd Congressional district. On Tuesday, Trump received 80 percent of the vote in the state's Republican presidential primary, but Haley took nearly 18 percent or 36,000 votes. Only registered Republicans can vote in the closed primary. Haley's support came largely from that congressional district around Omaha that voted for Biden in the last election, signaling if Trump does not do more to shore up GOP support, it could split for the president again come November. Maryland gets its Senate matchup The Maryland race to replace retiring Senator Ben Cardin has its matchup. Prince George's County executive Angela Alsobrooks won the Democratic nomination by double-digits. She received 54 percent or 243,600 votes against Congressman David Trone who received 41 percent or 188,000 votes. Angela Alsobrooks celebrating at her election night party after winning the Democratic Senate primary in Maryland Democratic Maryland Governor Wes Moore speaking at Alsobrooks' victory celebration after backing her in the Senate primary Alsobrooks would be the first Black person elected to the Senate from Maryland and the only Black woman in the Senate if she wins in November. She had the backing of many of the state's Democratic leaders including Governor Wes Moore, Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Jamie Raskin. Alsobrooks' landslide victory raises questions about polling in the race. While she was ahead in the final Emerson College poll, several other polls showed Trone ahead leading up to the primary including by double-digits. Former Republican Maryland Governor Larry Hogan celebrating his Senate primary win Alsobrooks will face former Maryland Republican Governor Larry Hogan who's entrance into the race has made the blue state much more competitive as Republicans look to flip the Senate. Hogan is a Trump critic who ran the state from 2015 to 2023 but left office popular among Republicans and Democrats alike. Self-funders were unsuccessful Despite sinking around $60 million of his own money into his campaign, Congressman David Trone was unsuccessful in clinching the Maryland Democratic Senate nomination and actually lost by double-digits. It's a warning sign that self-funding, which has been a trend among some Senate hopefuls does not assure victory. Trone's campaign was the second most self-funded Senate campaign in U.S. history right behind Senator Rick Scott's 2018 campaign which he won. Rep. David Trone speaking to supporters after losing the Maryland Democratic Senate primary he spent $60 million on Trone's failed bid is also a reminder that there's only so much ad spending can buy. He had $48 million in ad support according to tracking by Ad Impact. Alsobrooks had less than $7 million. Trone took his epic lose gracefully and called for Maryland voters to back the Democratic nominee. Another self-funder on Tuesday who lost was Republican businessman Chris Miller. He loaned his campaign more than $5 million in his race for West Virginia Governor. He also spent the most on advertising. But he came in third place in the primary with just 20 percent. West Virginia is one step closer to a Republican Senate seat Republican Governor Jim Justice won the West Virginia Republican Senate primary with more than 61 percent or 137,000 votes. His closest challenger Congressman Alex Mooney received 26.6 percent of the vote. Republican West Virginia Governor Jim Justice with his wife Kathy and dog named 'Babydog' at his election night watch party after winning the GOP Senate primary Justice is one step closer to filling the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, the last Democrat to hold statewide office in West Virginia. Republicans hopes to flip the Senate run directly through the state. Democrats currently hold a 51 seat majority, but Republicans picking up West Virginia is all but assured. Wheeling mayor Glenn Elliott won the Democratic Senate primary with 45 percent or just under 46,000 votes. Incumbents fend of right challengers Several congressional Republicans were able to fend off primary challenges from the right in Tuesday's contests. Those running against them were seen as long-shots but the results showed just how wide their victories were. Congressman Don Bacon, who represents Nebraska's second congressional district, was facing a challenge by conservative business executive Dan Frei in a district Biden won in 2020. Frei had the support of the state Republican party, but Bacon was able to win the primary with 62 percent of the vote. He is viewed as a stronger candidate to hold the seat against Democrat Tony Vargas in November. In West Virginia, Congresswoman Carol Miller was able to easily fend of a challenge from convicted felon Derrick Evans who participated in the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Evans was sentenced to three months in prison for his role in the riot. Miller won her primary in the state's first congressional district with 63 percent of the vote, but Evans received 37 percent in the primary. Biden protest vote isn't playing as big a role President Biden has been facing warning signs in a series of Democratic primaries as some voters choose 'uncommitted' over backing the incumbent president over his support for Israel as war rages in Gaza. In Maryland, more than 47,000 voters cast ballots for 'uncommitted' over the president in the Democratic primary. President Biden speaking Tuesday, May 14 in Washington, DC But despite the 'uncommitted' campaign, Biden ran further ahead in the Democratic president primaries in Maryland and Nebraska on Tuesday than Trump did in the Republican primaries. Biden received more than 90 percent of support in the Nebraska primary among Democrats while Trump received 80 percent support among Republicans. In Maryland, Biden received 86 percent in the Democratic primary while Trump received 80 percent in the GOP presidential contest. It comes after Biden also ran ahead of Trump in several battleground state primaries earlier this year. But Biden is still facing serious challenges from the left-wing of his party as recent polling has shown him losing support among some of the base including among young people who typically vote for Democrats in presidential elections. South West Water has confirmed cryptosporidium, a waterborne parasite which causes diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pains, has been found in the water in two areas of south Devon. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed 22 cases of cryptosporidiosis with another 70 reported cases of the bug in Brixham and scores more people in the area claiming they are suffering from similar symptoms in the last two weeks. Residents are being urged to boil their drinking water and bottled water stations have been set up to hand out to concerned local people - with the water company offering compensation of 115, up from an initial 15. The water company added it is investigating the cause and a spokesman apologised for the inconvenience caused. With many households trying to keep a leash on energy expenses, can you get compensation from South West Water? South West Water confirmed cryptosporidium, a waterborne parasite which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, has been found in south Devon Pictured: Brixham, where 22 cases of cryptosporidiosis have been confirmed by the UK Health Security Agency What standards do water companies have to follow? All water companies in England and Wales must follow the guaranteed standards scheme set out by regulatory body Ofwat. If a company fails to meet these standards, you may be able to claim compensation. The guaranteed standards scheme includes standards about how a water company must: Make and keep appointments with customers Reply to complaints Give customers notice of an interruption to supply Maintain a minimum pressure Preventing or compensating for floods The standards do not apply in certain situations - for example, if the problem is caused by severe weather conditions, industrial action or someone else's actions. Some companies have standards higher than the minimum required by OFWAT. South West Water's drinking water standards are set and monitored by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). These revolve around 'wholesomeness', which is defined in law to rule out the possibility of drinking water containing harmful substances. South West Water have advised residents to boil their tap water Can I get compensation from South West Water for cryptosporidium? As part of their boiling water notice, South West Water announced they were giving customers 15 in compensation as per their Customer Promise. By May 16, this was increased to 115 'to say sorry for the stress and worry the situation has caused'. The company added that this will be 'paid to customers and the company will continue to keep the level of compensation under review'. They are also setting up a direct helpline to talk to local businesses and water retailers about the impact this may have had on them and to fast-track any compensation due. According to the Citizens Advice Bureau, automatic payments are often paid as money credited to your water account, but can be given as a lump sum. In other cases, you might have to make a claim to the water company, in writing, within three months of the incident. However, Slater and Gordon Lawyers advise that anyone seeking to make a contaminated water complaint seeks specialist legal assistance, since it can be hard to prove a specific glass of water or meal caused your illness. They add: 'Contaminated water claims are quite a specialised area of the law, so it makes sense to deal with solicitors who have extensive experience and a track record of successful contaminated water compensation claims. A group of United Utilities - who supply water in the north west of England - customers sued their provider in 2017 over a drinking water fiasco two years prior. The firm admitted a charge of supplying water unfit for human consumption after cryptosporidium was found at the Franklaw water treatment site near Preston. Carley Valente - then 33 - told the Lancashire Post that even though her son was diagnosed with cryptosporidium, she continued to give him tap water without knowing it was causing the problem. Residents were eventually told to boil tap water before drinking it and billpayers later received compensation for the inconvenience and costs of boiling or buying water - around 50-60 per household. Cryptosporidiosis is the disease caused by microscopic cryptosporidium parasites - which can be found in water, food, soil or on surfaces Your browser does not support iframes. What is cryptosporidiosis? Cryptosporidiosis is the disease caused by microscopic cryptosporidium parasites - which can be found in water, food, soil or on surfaces. As well as via unclean water, both recreationally and in drinking water, it is spread through uncooked food and touching your mouth with dirty hands. Symptoms other than diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pains include dehydration, nausea, fever and weight loss and symptoms usually last a week or two. It is especially bad for young children to catch cryptosporidiosis. If you think you have the disease, you should be careful to keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. An alleged arsonist accused of torching a storage unit containing aid due to be sent to Ukraine was today granted bail. Paul English, 60, is charged with aggravated arson by starting a 'significant fire causing serious damage' at the Cromwell Industrial Estate in Leyton, east London, on March 20. Also facing the same charge is alleged Russian spy Dylan Earl, 20, who is accused of orchestrating the plot on behalf of the Moscow-backed Wagner Group. Earl, of Elmesthorpe in Leicester, is also charged with 'preparatory conduct' under section 18 of the National Security Act 2023. He is 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. Paul English, 60, is charged with aggravated arson by starting a 'significant fire causing serious damage' at the Cromwell Industrial Estate in Leyton, east London , on March 20 A blaze broke out on March 20 at a warehouse containing aid earmarked for Ukraine, at the Cromwell Industrial Estate in Leyton, east London He is further charged with assisting a Foreign Intelligence Service between December 20 2021 and April 18 2024. Earl is said to have he 'engaged in conduct, namely agreeing to undertake fraudulent activity, research and reconnaissance of targets, and attempting to recruit individuals to assist with such activity, intending that conduct to materially assist a foreign intelligence service carrying out UK-related activities'. The blaze required 60 firefighters to bring it under control. English, of Roehampton, did not appear at the Old Bailey for a hearing today where he was granted bail having previously been remanded in custody. Judge Mark Lucraft, the Recorder of London, granted English conditional bail - saying he must live and sleep each night at a housing association address in Croydon. English will have an electronic curfew between 9pm and 7am and must not contact his co-defendants, leave the country, return to his original home address or go to the E10 area of the capital. According to the prosecution, Earl joined a broadcast channel on Telegram 'for the Wagner Group, and from there, he became connected to an individual aligned to the Wagner Group'. The Russian mercenary group has been a proscribed organisation since September 2023. The fire in Leyton on March 20 required 60 firefighters to bring it under control It is said to have been acting as a 'malign proxy military force on behalf of the Russian state' in countries including including Ukraine, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Mozambique, and Mali. Earl and English are charged with aggravated arson alongside Nii Kojo Menash, 21, of Thornton Heath, south London, and 22-year-old Jake Reeves, from Croydon. Dmitrijus Paulauskas, 22, from Croydon, is charged with failing to disclose information to police about terrorist acts, contrary to section 38B of the Terrorism Act, 2000. They all face an eight-week trial scheduled to begin at the Old Bailey on June 2 next year, with a pre-trial hearing set for October 4 in the meantime. Britain's most dangerous prisoner Charles Bronson is 'living on his nerves' after being attacked in jail by a convicted murderer, his ex-wife has revealed. The 71-year-old prisoner hit Robert Donaldson with two hooks and two uppercuts when the sick killer tried to attack him on a wing of Category A HMP Woodhill last week. Donaldson, 48, was jailed in 2005 for murdering Paul Bourke, 38, weeks before gagging a deaf 100-year-old woman and beating up her 76-year-old son while they slept. He also slashed the throat of another inmate in a different prison in 2014. A source exclusively told the MailOnline last week that Donaldson had angrily charged at Bronson with his fists raised after banging into him as he walked down a landing last week. Bronson's former wife, Irene Dunroe, who shares a son with the infamous prisoner, said she was 'gutted' to hear about the 'violent' incident. She said: 'I'm gutted as I'd love to see him out. As far as we're concerned, we're still living in that time he went away. Irene Dunroe visited Charles Bronson, 70, in person at HMP Woodhill last week for the first time in five decades where the former lovebirds discussed their relationship Bronson lost his latest bid for freedom when a Parole Board ruled he might not be able to control violent outbursts if he is released. Pictured: Bronson in jail back in 2004 Robert Donaldson, now 48, is understood to have been in a bust-up with Bronson last week 'I just want peace and mind for our son - his mum will be gutted about this too. I think it was in self-defence,' she told the Mirror. 'He suffers with PTSD and he's never known over the years who's going to come and jump on him. 'When I went to visit him I reached out to touch him and you would have thought I'd burnt him the way he reacted - it was very upsetting. He's always kept well away from this man. 'Because he's so much like he is, when this bloke bumped into him he's had to protect himself. He's living on his nerves anyway, just waiting for the next thing that's going to happen to him.' A source exclusively told the MailOnline last week that Donaldson had angrily charged at Bronson with his fists raised after banging into him as he walked down a landing last week. They added: 'Charlie knows this man's history. Donaldson has attacked older people in the same age bracket as Charlie and has also slashed the throat of another inmate using a concealed weapon. 'Charlie obviously feared the worst and could not know if this nasty piece of work was holding a weapon so, to defend himself, he hit Donaldson. 'It was two hooks and two uppercuts. Charlie has been in this position many times before; he knows how to handle himself of course, but it is such a shame because he has been on his best behaviour for six years so now worries this will undo all his work.' Bronson, who was first convicted in 1974 for armed robbery and now spends 23 hours a day in a cell, lost a parole board bid for freedom last March. His next opportunity to make a case for his release will come early next year. Bronson was first locked up for armed robbery in 1974, and during his time inside he has taken 11 hostages in nine prison sieges and has attacked at least 20 prison officers Ms Dunroe appeared on This Morning to defend Bronson and revealed how the man dubbed Britain's most violent prisoner is 'protective, kind and compassionate'. The fight is under internal investigation but it is understood Bronson has been deprived of his enhanced prisoner status and various privileges including television use while the probe is ongoing. The source said Donaldson had not been punished. They said: 'Donaldson is now going around with a load of bandages on his head acting like the victim. 'The prison authorities will be going through the CCTV and statements from the officers.' They said officers will 'understand' Bronson was 'not the antagonist', but added: 'He is so worried that he could be found guilty of assaulting Donaldson that all his hard work will be undone and his bid for freedom will be scuppered.' The Ministry of Justice confirmed it was investigating an incident in the prison. A spokesman said: 'We do not tolerate violence in prisons and anyone who breaks the rules will be punished. It would be inappropriate to comment further while investigations are ongoing.' Bronson, who changed his named to Charles Salvador in 2014, was convicted of wounding while inside prison in 1975, 1978 and 1985. He was released in 1987 but was back inside 69 days later after robbing a jewellers. He was released again in 1992 but jailed again weeks later for intent to rob. In 1994 he took prison deputy governor Aidan Wallace hostage, then three years later took two staff members and three inmates hostage in the same way. Bronson, who changed his last name to Salvador in 2014, is 'living on nerves', according to his ex-wife. Picture shows Bronson in 2001 Ms Dunroe (right) appears on Loose Women in 2018 alongside Bronson's third wife and ex-Coronation Street actress Paula Williamson (left) where the pair discussed their friendship In 1999 he took art teacher Phil Danielson hostage for two days then in 2014 assaulted a prison governor for allegedly withholding his letters. But he told his Parole Board hearing last year that in the past decade he has become a peace-loving artist and described himself as a 'retired prison activist.' Donaldson was described as 'sub-human' after he shook deaf centenarian Annie Steinberg awake then gagged her and tried to rip her rings from her fingers. He then went into her 76-year-old son Woolf's room and hit him over the head several times with a whisky bottle before taking a watch, a camera and 25 from the home in Stoke Newington, north London, almost 20 years ago. Mrs Steinberg, who had been deaf since the age of 12 and came to Britain from Russia with her family when she was eight to escape anti-semitic pogroms, had received a birthday telegram from the Queen shortly before the attack. While on remand for the robbery, Donaldson admitted stabbing Mr Bourke to death in Dalston, East London. He was later convicted of attempted murder and threats to kill relating to the 2014 prison attacks. The measure also adds five additional long-haul flights from Washington, D.C. A new bill will keep U.S. airports operational while also adding safety measures as the industry has been rocked with near-misses and faulty planes. The bill reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) control over U.S. airports for another five years and will costs a total of $105 billion taxpayer dollars. It contains expansion of facial recognition technologies, new flight routes and safety measures as the industry grapples with doors flying off mid-flight and malfunctioning landing gears. It is viewed as one of the last must-pass bills of the current congressional term - and as a result, lawmakers made last-ditch attempts to add numerous non-aviation related measures to it. The FAA reauthorization bill increased the retirement age of airline pilots from 65 to 67 and increased hiring targets for air traffic controllers. The U.S. has faced a shortage of pilots and controllers in recent years It teetered on disaster in the Senate last week after they started trying to add their 'pet projects' to the bill - ranging from compensating radiation victims to reintroducing whole milk onto public school lunch menus. But the Senate was able to work through their differences and tossed the bill to the House for final clearance before heading to President Biden's desk. The bill contains many changes to the FAA that are sure to impact travelers in the near term. DailyMail.com breaks down all the interesting provisions included in the sprawling bill: Increasing the retirement age for pilots One of the most debated provisions in the bill was language that increased the retirement age of airline pilots from 65 to 67. Advocates for increasing the retirement age argued that it will help alleviate pressure on the industry which has an aging workforce. A previous House version of the FAA reauthorization fought to raise the retirement age while the Senate edition of the bill kept the age at 65. Ultimately, the House's push to raise the retirement prevailed and the new retirement age for pilots is 67. The last time the retirement age for pilots was amended was in 2007 when the retirement age was lifted from 60 to 65. Safety measures to protect flyers New airplanes will need to have voice recorders to document communications between pilots and controllers. Currently voice recorders in some plane models only have capability to record two hours of audio. The bill will now require new planes have at least 25 hours of voice recording storage. It will also require the FAA to deploy new airport situational awareness technologies to track runway activity to reduce collisions. Additionally the FAA bill will set new safety requirements for foreign carriers seeking to operate in the U.S. It also will help protect aircraft electronics against cyber security threats by cementing new FAA requirements governing airline technology. Airlines and the FAA have implemented facial recognition technology at airports to decrease check-in wait times. The bill passed Wednesday expands those programs Expands use of biometric data use for flyers The measure will expand the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) use of biometric facial recognition to hundreds of additional airports nationwide. Currently, only around 25 airports use biometric data to speed up the check-in and security process. The expansion will mean that biometric devices will be implemented across over 430 airports across the U.S., in line with proposed TSA's rules. The Senate attempted to attach an amendment to the bill restricting the TSA plan to add facial recognition, but that effort failed. Increases air traffic controller hiring targets FAA certified air traffic controllers are in high demand across the U.S. The niche yet critical job has been perpetually under filled in recent years and current numbers indicate that there is a shortage of controllers. According to a recent report on the industry's workforce, there is a shortage of 3,000 air traffic controllers nationwide. Currently, there are roughly 11,500 air traffic controllers who are able to perform their duties without supervision but unions representing the industry and the FAA have called for a workforce in excess of 14,500. Further complicating the industry, last week the FAA delayed a requirement for rest between controller shifts that was supposed to go into effect in July. It would have required at least 10-12 hours rest for employees between shifts. The delay is due in part to ongoing negotiations between the FAA and a union representing controllers. The FAA reauthorization passed Wednesday will increase the number of hires targeted by the FAA. Advocates say adding additional controllers will help cut down on near-miss situations at congested airports that have recently resulted in planes coming in close contact to each other. The bill will increase the number of air traffic controllers hired by the FAA Provides free family seating for travelers journeying together Families will now be able to sit together at no additional cost to travelers. It also establishes a family seating dashboard to provide travelers information on 'which large air carriers guarantee that each child shall be seated adjacent to an adult accompanying the child without charging any additional fees.' The bill will now head to President Joe Biden who is expected to sign it into law this week. Eliminates COVID-19 flying requirements The FAA reauthorization includes multiple stipulations restricting COVID-19 requirements for aviation workers and travelers. It prohibits the FAA from requiring COVID-19 vaccines for passengers, airline employees and FAA workers. The measure also restricts mandatory mask wearing for the same groups. Enshrines automatic refunds for travelers The legislation passed Wednesday will also provide travelers automatic refunds on flights that are canceled or significantly delayed. The refunds would occur when a domestic flight within the U.S. is delayed by three hours or more or international flights are delayed by six hours or more. They would only only apply to travelers that decide not to take the impacted flight or accept a voucher or other compensation. Refunded airline credits must last at least five years. The bill essentially codifies into law a Department of Transportation rule mandating automatic refunds. The bill also removes restrictions imposed on travelers regarding facial coverings and COVID-19 vaccines Adds flights from Washington D.C.'s Reagan National Airport One of the most contentious policies in the FAA reauthorization is the addition of five long-haul flights from Washington Reagan National Airport, also known as DCA. Flights in and out of DCA - which sits just a 15 minute drive from the Capitol - have long been regulated by lawmakers. Senators from Virginia and Maryland voted against the upper chamber's version of the FAA plan last week over concerns that DCA is already over crowded and therefore poses a threat to travelers. Essentially all other lawmakers, however, have been advocates of adding additional routes to the closes airport to D.C., saying it provides constituents better access to their representatives in the capital. The airport was established with a roughly 1,200 mile radius for flights it would operate, leaving much of the western half of the country unserviced by direct flights. The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, is fighting for his life after being shot in the stomach and arm by a '71-year-old assassin' who was bundled to the ground by cops as he attempted to flee. Fico, 59, was shot in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava, following a Slovak government meeting while he greeted adoring crowds. The gunfire took place in front of the House of Culture, before a man, who according to Pluska news site is 71-years-old and named Juraj C, was quickly pounced upon and detained by security officials. A witness told Slovakian news site Dennik, that Fico had left the building to greet people who had gathered to catch a glimpse of him before 'several shots were fired'. Harrowing footage of the near-fatal scenes shows the prime minister stumbling to the ground as his security team dashed to pick up his slumped body before bundling him into a nearby car. Robert Fico (pictured centre) being carried away by security officials into a car after he was shot in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava, following a Slovak government meeting The Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico has been 'shot and wounded' The alleged assailant was detained by cops at the scene The gunman is allegedly 71-year-old Juraj C The attacker was pushed to the ground and handcuffed Robert Fico is in 'life threatening condition' according to a message posted to his Facebook following the attack According to The Herald, an eye witness who had been waiting to greet the PM said: 'I was just going to shake his hand, when the shots rang out it almost deafened me'. It was also reported that someone from within the crowd yelled 'Robo, come here' before the shooting began. The alleged assailant was nabbed by cops on site, who then cordoned off the area and the House of Culture was evacuated. The alleged 71-year-old was seen on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back, his face bloody after seemingly hitting the floor. The injured prime minister was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital after suffering three gunshot wounds - two to the arm and one to the stomach, reports Aktuality.sk. Who is Robert Fico? Robert Fico, 59, is the current Prime Minister of Slovakia, having served since September 2023. He previously served from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018. Fico was forced to step down as prime minister following the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak in 2018. He founded the Direction - Social Democracy (Smer) party in 1999 and has led the party since its foundation. He holds a record as the longest-serving prime minister in the country's history, having served for a total of over 10 years. Advertisement In a message posted later on Fico's Facebook page, his staff said he was shot a number of times and was 'currently in a life-threatening condition'. They said he was being transported to Banksa Bystrica as he needed urgent surgery. The next few hours would be critical, the post said. Images from outside Banksa Bystrica show the PM being wheeled into the hospital surrounded by at least seven rescue workers, while covered in a white sheet. According to a local report from Digi24, a Romanian news TV channel, Fico was hit by at least two bullets, before the Slovak Ministry of the Interior confirmed it was an assassination attempt. A 66-year-old resident who had been lining up to see the PM spoke to a local news outlet about the tragic and terrifying incident. 'We went to shake hand to mister Fico, I was taking pictures of him when he walked out of the building, we were waiting for long time, we were excited, we wanted to shake his hand, even one man next to me, and at this moment we heard something like a petard, we thought someone made a joke and threw a firecracker on the ground, that was my first reaction,' she said. 'I heard three shots, it was quick one by one like if you throw a firecracker on the ground,' she added. When asked by a journalist if she had seen his injuries, she responded: 'Yes I saw a scratch on a head and then he fell next to the barrier. 'I think it is a nightmare, I'll tell you I think I will not wake up from this. That this is not possible to happen in Slovakia.' Following the shock attack, Peter Pellegrini, Slovakia's president-elect and an ally of Robert Fico, has said that 'an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister is a threat to everything that has adorned Slovak democracy so far.' 'I am horrified by where the hatred towards another political opinion can lead. 'We don't have to agree on everything, but there are plenty of ways to express our disagreement democratically and legally,' he added. The head of the liberal political party Progressive Slovakia, Michala Simecek, said:' We unequivocally and strongly condemn any violence. We trust that Prime Minister Fico will be fine and that this terrible act will be brought to light as soon as possible.' Fico has been serving as the PM of Slovakia since September 2023, having returned to power after serving previously from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018. During his run in 2016, the leader commented on Brexit saying it was unclear what the United Kingdom wanted, adding that it 'must suffer' more than the 27 countries who will remain in the bloc. The PM was shot in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava The prime minister was airlifted to a nearby hospital after suffering gunshot wounds to the arm and stomach Rescue workers take Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and injured, to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia. He is pictured covered in a white sheet Robert Fico pictured speaking with people before the cabinet's away-from-home session in the town of Handlova, Slovakia It is not currently known what the shooter's motives were behind the attack Czech PM, Petr Fiala said: 'We must not tolerate violence, it must have no place in society' Law enforcement arrives at the scene of the gun attack which saw the prime minister shot Following Wednesday's shooting, Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova condemned 'a brutal and ruthless' attack on the premier. 'I'm shocked,' Ms Caputova said. 'I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack.' Law enforcement has arrived at the scene of the gun attack as they carry out investigations into the disaster. Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during a session of Parliament and adjourned it until further notice, the Slovak TASR news agency said. Czech PM, Petr Fiala, has responded to the attack on X, formerly Twitter, posting: 'The news about the shooting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is shocking. 'I wish the prime minister to get well as soon as possible. We must not tolerate violence, it must have no place in society.' UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also shared a message to X, relaying his shock following the gun attack. 'Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family,' he wrote. Ukraine's PM, Volodymyr Zelensky said: 'The attack on Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico is appalling. 'We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighboring partner state's head of government. Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere. 'We sincerely hope Robert Fico recovers soon and express our solidarity with the people of Slovakia'. There is allegedly no information about the shooter's motives at this time. Fico's renewed leadership as prime minister got off to a rocky start after he halted military aid to Ukraine in January, and just last month he pushed through plans to crap public broadcaster RTVS. Parliament was sitting at the time of the attack and local Slovak media reported that a party colleague of Fico's shouted at opposition MPs, accusing them of inciting the attack. A tenant has begged Anthony Albanese to not make him homeless after the Prime Minister issued him with an eviction notice. Jim Flanagan, 45, has lived in one of Mr Albanese's investment properties in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Dulwich Hill for four years, but has been given 90 days to pack up and leave. The Prime Minister's property portfolio has previously been estimated to be worth about $5million, although he sold a two-bedroom unit in Canberra in 2022. Mr Albanese famously grew up in public housing in Sydney, but now owns a mortgage-free bungalow in Marrickville and the three-bedroom Dulwich Hill townhouse. The Prime Minister splits his time between The Lodge in Canberra and Kirribilli House in Sydney, rent and mortgage-free. Jim Flanagan (pictured) has begged his landlord Anthony Albanese to not kick him out onto the street after he received an eviction notice Mr Flanagan has been given 90 days to vacate the Dulwich Hill property (pictured) Mr Flanagan was reluctant to go public about his situation but felt he had no other choice. 'This will kill me, it's a crippling blow right now,' he told the Daily Telegraph. A shocked Mr Flanagan received the eviction notice from his real estate on May 8, which informed him that Mr Albanese 'could be selling the house at some stage'. 'Please be advised that the landlord requires vacant possession of the property 90 days after the service of this letter,' the notice stated. Mr Flanagan then asked for clarification on whether it was the landlords desire he vacate the property, which the agent confirmed. The small business owner is on a month-to-month lease and knows the Prime Minister has the right to sell the house. But Mr Flanagan has been spurred into trying to stay on after reading about the government's $1.9billion package to slash rental costs for vulnerable people announced in Tuesday's Federal Budget. 'It just doesn't sit well when (Mr Albanese) is trying to be sympathetic with the majority of Australians who are, like me, finding the current climate extremely challenging,' Mr Flanagan said. He said he voted for Labor in the 2022 election and mostly supports the party's policies, but he is doing it tough as the bar he owns is struggling. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon are pictured at Parliament House in Canberra Mr Albanese reduced the rent for Mr Flanagan and his then partner to $680 a week during the pandemic, and has not raised it since. Mr Flanagan added that the Prime Minister 'has been a great landlord' and 'very generous'. But if he is evicted, his rent for a similar property in the same area, which is a short walk away from his bar, is likely to be around $800 a week. Mr Flanagan's former partner has previously opened up about what it was like having the PM as a landlord. In a video on TikTok in 2022, she praised Mr Albanese for 'living the values he preaches' by slashing her rent by 25 per cent at the start of the Covid pandemic - and maintaining that reduced rate two years later. Mr Albanese, who is estimated to be earning around $115,000 a year from his investment properties, said on Wednesday night that he was going to sell due to 'changes in my personal life'. Anthony Albanese also owns this Marrickville home (pictured), which is also being currently rented out Those changes are understood to be his impending marriage to Ms Haydon after the couple got engaged in February. He bought the Dulwich Hill property for $1.175million in 2015, and it's now estimated to be worth between $1.9million and $2.2million. Mr Albanese also rents out his former home in Marrickville, which is also in Sydney's inner-west, for $1,350 a week. Royal Mail's owner has said it would be 'minded' to agree a takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky after he put forward a higher proposed bid worth around 3.5 billion. International Distribution Services (IDS) said Mr Kretinsky's EP Group had upped its proposal to 370p a share, from an initial 320p-a-share approach made on April 9, to buy the shares in IDS that it does not already own. IDS said the mogul, whose EP Group owns a 27.5% stake in the firm, had agreed to offer a set of 'contractual undertakings' to protect key public interest factors recognising Royal Mail's status as a major part of national infrastructure under the proposal. This would include commitments to Royal Mail's plans to keep six-day-a-week first class letter deliveries under the universal service, protect workers' rights and keep the Royal Mail brand, as well as its UK headquarters and tax residence. EP Group would also continue the one-price-goes-anywhere service for letter post inside the UK, it said. The deal would see Royal Mail taken into foreign ownership for the first time since it was established by Henry VIII in 1516. Daniel Kretinsky speaking at a conference in Prague on October 17, 2023 IDS said it was minded to agree to a deal on the terms and price in the proposal, should a firm bid be made. Mr Kretinsky, who is known as 'the Czech Sphinx', now has until 5pm on May 29 to make a firm offer after the City Takeover Panel agreed to extend the so-called 'put up or shut up' deadline, which was originally set for5pm on Wednesday May 15. Keith Williams, chairman of IDS, said the proposed offer is 'fair' and reflects the value of both Royal Mail and its international parcels network, General Logistics Systems (GLS), based in Amsterdam. He said: 'The board is minded to recommend this offer price, which it considers to be fair and reflects the value of GLS' current growth plans and the progress being made on change at Royal Mail to adapt the business to a significant fall in the demand for letters and growth in parcels. 'It is, however, regrettable that despite four years of asking, the Government has not seen fit to engage in reform of the universal service and thus improve our financial position and ensure that Royal Mail could provide an economically sustainable service to the British public.' Shares in IDS surged another 18% in Wednesday mid-afternoon trading, having already soared higher after the firm revealed last month it had rejected an initial approach from Mr Kretinsky. Mr Kretinsky already has a raft of investments, including stakes in London football club West Ham United and supermarket giant Sainsbury's. But any deal to buy IDS would face intense political and public scrutiny, given the importance of Royal Mail and the postal service. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) warned that the 'future of postal services in the UK is again under threat'. CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: 'EP Group must immediately demonstrate an up-front and open commitment to working with the union to completely change the culture in workplaces across the UK, rule out any break-up of the company or raid of the pension surplus.' Labour's shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has written to Mr Kretinsky calling for safeguards to be put in place to protect Royal Mail and ensure it is not operated overseas. Mr Reynolds wrote: 'Royal Mail is as British as it gets, and Labour will take the necessary steps to safeguard its undeniable identity and place in public life.' Mr Kretinsky's investment in IDS has long been a source of controversy, coming under government scrutiny in 2022 amid national security worries after he built up his shareholding. In the end, the then business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, did not intervene following a review of the stake. The bid interest comes at a crucial time for Royal Mail, which put forward plans to Ofcom earlier this month to scrap second-class letter deliveries on Saturdays and cut the service to every other week day as part of overhaul efforts. Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services has said it is 'minded' to back Kretinsky's offer In its submission to Ofcom's consultation on the future of the universal postal service, Royal Mail said it would keep a six-day-a-week service for first-class mail in a climbdown on previous calls for all Saturday letter deliveries to be scrapped. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt last month voiced concerns over the offer, saying there were lessons to be learned from the crisis at Thames Water. Asked about a foreign take-over of IDS, he said: 'Do I look at what's happened to some of the water companies and say that we shouldn't learn any lessons? Absolutely not. 'We need to make sure that companies are regulated in a way that makes sure that what happens to the balance sheet doesn't do damage to public services on which we all depend.' Speaking on the fringes of International Monetary Fund meetings in Washington, Mr Hunt added: 'At the same time we must also make sure that we continue to attract international investment. 'That needs to be done in a transparent and open way so that investors know exactly what they are looking for and can depend on consistency in the approach taken by the state.' The Treasury is currently grappling with efforts to rescue Thames Water, which has 16m customers in southern England and is struggling under the weight of an 18bn debt pile. Thames Water was sold to German utility RWE in 2001 and subsequently auctioned off to Australian giant Macquarie dubbed the 'vampire kangaroo' in 2006. It is now owned by a consortium of shareholders, including sovereign wealth funds in China and Abu Dhabi, and pension funds in Canada and the UK. Although Mr Hunt did not say ministers would block foreign ownership of Royal Mail, his reference to Thames Water highlights the sensitivity in Government around such a deal. Another demeaning list ranking the supposed promiscuity of teenage girls has been found at a school in Melbourne. The list, which was was found scrawled on the back of a bathroom door in the girl's bathroom at Brentwood Secondary College, a co-ed school in Glen Waverley, listed girls while describing them as 'sl*ts'. It's the latest degrading list drawn up by Melbourne students after male pupils at two other schools ranked female students by their attractiveness. The principal of Brentwood Secondary College was completely unaware of the list when he was alerted by Seven News on Wednesday. Yet another Melbourne school has been roped into the demeaning list scandal after seven students were found ranked by who are the 'biggest s***s' (pictured) 'Anyone found to have engaged in such behaviour will face immediate disciplinary action,' principal John Ballagh said. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Brentwood Secondary College for further comment. It comes after students at McClelland College and Yarra Valley Grammar School were suspended over their involvement in ranking female students by looks. Laura Spence, acting principal of McClelland College, said in a statement that affected students have been provided with support. 'The safety and wellbeing of our students is an absolute top priority for us, and we are supporting the students impacted by this behaviour,' she said. 'I am very grateful to the students who immediately brought the matter to my attention.' The list was found scrawled on the back of a bathroom door in the girl's bathroom at Brentwood Secondary College, a co-ed school in Glen Waverley, Melbourne 's east It comes as the fallout at McClelland Secondary College continues. One parent told Seven News that her daughter 'doesn't feel safe' following the disturbing incident. 'It's unbelievable, the child was only suspended for a week. If he is to return, half of the girls in Year 10 won't,' she said. Other parents called for students to be expelled. 'I'd expect they'd be expelled from the school, but then how does that fix it?' she said. Another added: 'I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable if that was me. 'Hopefully (the school can) discipline them in the right way so they don't do it again.' McClelland College (pictured) at Frankston in Melbourne's south-east suburbs is investigating a list that rated female students by their appearance after it was created and circulated by a group of boys in Year 9 Another list complied by Year 11 students at Yarra Valley Grammar School featured photos of female students and ranked them from best to worst as 'wifeys', 'cuties', 'mid', 'object', 'get out' and 'unrapeable'. Yarra Valley Grammar principal Dr Mark Merry described the post as 'disgraceful'. 'Respect for each other is in the DNA of this school, and so this was a shock not only to us but it was a shock to the year level and the boys in the year level that see this as way, way out of line,' he said. A spokesperson from Victoria's Department of Education told Daily Mail Australia it is committed to ensuring students engage in respectful relationships, and has measures in place to facilitate this engagement. 'Misogynistic and disrespectful behaviour is entirely unacceptable in any Victorian school - and the school has rightly taken swift action,' the spokesperson said. 'More than 1,950 Victorian government, Catholic and independent schools are signed up to the Respectful Relationships initiative - supporting them to embed respect and gender equality across their entire school community and stamp out these vile attitudes to women. 'We all have a responsibility to teach students respect - and we'll continue to invest in programs that promote gender equality to embed those attitudes.' An Amazon security guard tried to execute his supervisor at close range before his gun jammed and he fired again, allowing him to dodge the second attempt by inches. Ali Hamsa Yusuf, 22, was caught on surveillance footage creeping up behind his boss before attempting to shoot him on May 12. The trainee security guard then fled the warehouse in West Jefferson, Ohio, before engaging in a shootout with cops in which he was killed. Heart-stopping footage from before his escape shows Yusuf saunter up behind his supervisor while he sits at his desk. He scans around before positioning himself behind his boss who has his back to him and is engrossed with his computer screen. An Amazon security guard tried to execute his supervisor at close range before his gun jammed Ali Hamsa Yusuf, 22, was caught on surveillance footage creeping up behind his boss before attempting to shoot him on May 11 The trainee security guard then fled the warehouse in West Jefferson, Ohio , before engaging in a shootout with cops in which he was killed The supervisor was miraculously unharmed and managed to call the cops to warn them about Yusuf He then reaches into his waistband and pulls out his weapon, holding it behind the target's head with two hands. He squeezes the trigger but the gun jams and Yusuf is seen lowering the firearm to fix it. He then resets the weapon and fires again, this time sending a bullet towards the supervisor. It narrowly misses him but causes him to get up and whirl around in alarm. Yusuf is then see sprinting away as his boss gets up and runs for cover. A camera from inside the warehouse captures the supervisor sprinting away. Yusuf appears to thinking about pursuing him before changing direction. He is then seen nonchalantly strolling out of the building with the gun in hand. He uses his lanyard to swipe out and exits through the parking lot. The supervisor, who was not injured, warned the police in a 911 call. Yusuf, an Amazon security guard trainee tried to kill his supervisor at close range before shooting a police officer in a dramatic shoutout that was caught on bodycam footage Ali Hamsa Yusuf, 22, was fatally shot by police after he opened fire on an officer who was saved by his bulletproof vest 'He was my trainee,' the caller said on a 911 call. 'He shot at me twice, but he missed. He almost executed me. He is leaving the parking lot as we speak in a car.' The same caller used a radio device to warn the rest of the staff to evacuate the building. 'Get out of the building now. There's an active shooting in the building,' he said. 'This is not a drill. There is an active shooting in the building.' There were more than 100 workers inside the building when the shooting occurred, officials said. Smith said police responded and arrived within two minutes of receiving reports of an active shooter. Yusuf soon fled the building but was spotted later on Sunday in Columbus by Madison County authorities. Yusuf chased his supervisor for about 15 yards. An hour and a half later, officers found Yusuf in the area of Georgesville and Clime roads. Franklin Township and Columbus police tried to stop his vehicle a short time later, and Yusuf then left the vehicle and began firing at a Columbus officer, who police said was hit by a bullet but was not seriously injured due to his bulletproof vest. The Columbus officer, identified only as a four-year veteran of the force, was treated at the hospital for minor injuries and released later Sunday The shooter was injured during the crossfire and taken to the hospital where he later died. The Columbus officer, identified only as a four-year veteran of the force, was treated at the hospital for minor injuries and released later Sunday. Yusuf was not supposed to have a gun while on duty, police said. He was a contracted security guard at the Amazon fulfillment center on State Route 29 who had been training for approximately two weeks It's also not yet known why he tried to shoot his supervisor. Yusuf also had no known criminal history, authorities added. Thai police have seized 14.8 kilograms of heroin hidden in slurpee machines, intercepted on the way to Taiwan as authorities across the region desperately work to crack down on rampant drug smuggling. Police, working with the Taiwan Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) and Thailand's Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), found the drugs worth 2.2mn stashed inside the machines in a warehouse near Bangkok on Tuesday. They understand the machines were imported from Laos and were on the way to Taiwan, and pledged to continue tracking down the criminal network behind the operations. The ONCB confirmed a Thai national had already been arrested in connection to the investigation. Authorities also believe the group behind the scheme are the same outfit that last month tried to smuggle 320kg of ketamine to Taiwan inside toy Transformers models, according to Taiwan News. At a press conference on Tuesday explaining the haul, the case was also linked to the discovery of heroin bricks worth hundreds of million dollars found hidden in a coffee machine in Kaohsiung, Taiwan last year. Confiscated packs of heroin in a slurpee machine are shown at a press conference today Authorities are starting to reap the rewards of a cross-border intelligence-sharing project At a press conference, authorities from the joint operation announce the haul on May 15 Authorities today displayed the careful concealment of the bricks of heroin, packaged into the outer frame of one of the slush machines. Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurath Lakboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), said the drugs were hidden in two machines with medium sized iron boxes inside. Pulling back the outer shell revealed brown parcels with a red stamp on the packaging. Police had several of the packages on display for media as armed guards stood on behind. They revealed the machines were intercepted from a shipping company in Bangkok on May 14, already prepared to be shipping to Taiwan. But police are still trying to determine which smuggling group is behind the operation, and whether it connect to similar cases, as suspected. Thai police estimate the batch found on Tuesday could be worth as much as 100 million baht (around 2.2mn) on the Taiwanese market. This is eight to ten times the value it could fetch in Thailand, according to local media. They are continuing to work with authorities in Taiwan to trace possible leads, and will now gather evidence to prosecute those involved. The bust followed a joint operation in April that concluded with the seizure of 320kg of ketamine similarly hidden in a steel Transformers toy and also destined for Taiwan. Following an arrest, the ONCB worked with the MJIB until May 14, when they received information about another possible shipment, per local media. Since October last year authorities have made as many as 80 cases of arrests and seizes of drugs including heroin, cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy as the region battles rife international drug trafficking. As many as 74 individuals have so far been arrested during the hunt, The Thaiger reported. The most popular destinations for export were Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Malaysia and South Korea. Only on Friday, Thai police seized 2mn worth of methamphetamine in a bust in Nakhon Nayok province after a tip off about the movement of large quantities of drugs. Kittharath Punpetch, national police chief, said 40 bags of 'ice' were seized from a pick-up truck during the raid, as reported by The Independent. Punpetch said both his forces and the army were on alert and monitoring gangs nationwide. Officials handle blocks of heroin hidden inside two machines during Tuesday's conference Officials revealed the machines were intercepted from a shipping company in Bangkok Thailand's position in the so-called 'Golden Triangle' makes it a strategic passage for groups looking to move shipments on to more lucrative markets. The region has been one of the largest global opium producers since the 1950s and continues to traffic huge quantities of hard drugs. The Thai government continues to trial cross-border policies to share intelligence and clamp down on rampant smuggling. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime, itself promoting a regional intelligence gathering network, said Thai and Lao authorities are now 'experiencing some success'. At the conference today, the ONCB expressed its gratitude for the help of the MJIB and other foreign partners in helping tackle the scourge. A serial conman who once blew 170,000 of stolen money on a cocaine-fuelled weekend of sex with prostitutes had 14 years earlier abducted a 14-year-old schoolgirl, MailOnline can exclusively reveal. Darren Carvill, 43, from Kent, has been convicted of various offences while working as a teacher, an accountant, and a finance assistant. Carvill - dubbed the UK's worst employee - was today jailed for three years for stealing 90,000 from a travel agency and a Holiday Inn, where he worked as a finance assistant. He was caught by police who found him intoxicated and lying face down on the side of a road - after walking out of the Rochester Holiday Inn with thousands of pounds. He changed his name by deed poll after his release from prison, following a two-and-a-half-year sentence handed down in 2019 for stealing more than 260,000 from a car servicing company where he worked as an accountant. He spent most of it in a single weekend of hedonistic partying in August 2018, during which he was seen taking cocaine and drinking champagne in a London club with up to ten female escorts. He later claimed he had been bullied at work and wanted to 'go out with a bang'. Now, MailOnline can reveal that in 2006, Carvill was convicted of child abduction after developing a 'friendship' with a 14-year-old girl while working as a teacher in Essex two years earlier. Accountant Darren Carvill, 43, from Tovil, defrauded new bosses at a Holiday Inn and a travel agents 'to make himself feel better' after changing his name by deed poll Carvill, 43, has now been sentenced to a further three years in prison His crime came to light after the girl went to police and accused him of grooming and sexual offences, news reports from the time reveal. In addition to abduction, the schoolgirl had claimed Carvill attempted to kiss and touch her. At court, he was acquitted of two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, but convicted of one count of child abduction. Speaking to KentOnline, Carvill claimed at the time that he 'didn't realise' he had abducted the schoolgirl after failing to 'get permission' to take her out outside school. He said: 'I didn't realise if you didn't get permission it was classed as abduction. We were friends and there was nothing sexual. I admit I made a huge mistake, but she did agree to come with me. 'What I did is wrong but it's not like I dragged someone under false will into my car and kept them locked up which is what abduction sounds like.' He added: 'The possibility of going to jail is a hard thing to contemplate, especially if you might be going to jail for a sexual crime against a child you'd be treated as scum.' Carvill also told the paper that the pressure of the trial had caused him to begin drinking regularly. He taught at the school until the summer of 2004, when he was given an official reprimand for the relationship and left to take another teaching job at Bennett Memorial School in Tunbridge Wells. Two months later, police contacted Bennett Memorial School to inform staff of its investigation into Carvill. He was suspended and ultimately ceased any employment there. Then-headteacher Ian Bauckham said: 'After an enhanced CRB check, which came back clear, Mr Carvill began work at the school in September 2004. 'Two months later I was contacted by Essex police with regards to an allegation made that day and I immediately suspended Mr Carvill. He is no longer employed by the school.' On Friday, a court heard he stole 76,754 from 360 Travel Ltd between July and August 2022, paying it directly into his bank accounts - one of which was based in Hong Kong None of the money, which the sentencing judge heard Carvill stole to 'make himself feel better', has been recovered He was previously jailed for two-and-a-half-years in 2019 for stealing more than 260,000 from a car servicing company, Mr Clutch After the firm grew suspicious and Carvill was placed under investigation by the police, he took up a new job at a branch of Holiday Inn in Rochester. In April 2023, he stole a further 13,000 from the hotel chain on the very day he was due to meet with managers who had discovered his criminal history. None of the money, which the sentencing judge heard Carvill stole to 'make himself feel better', has been recovered. Prosecutor Stacey-Lee Holland said while working for the travel agency, Carvill would transfer thousands of pounds into his bank accounts and mark them as 'expenses' using the reference 'director' to avoid detection. But as the fraudster grew more confident, the prosecution said he began acting strangely and stopped turning up for work, which ultimately led to the discovery of the fraud. Ms Holland told the court: 'He didn't come into work, he stated his mum had dementia and that he was struggling. That became more frequent and it was only at that stage that the payments were noticed. 'When confronted he stated he 'had no choice', and when interviewed voluntarily at the police station he admitted to taking the funds, that he had spent the money and there was none left. 'He said he had been down at the time and this was a way to make himself feel better.' Shortly after moving on to the Holiday Inn, bosses discovered Carvill's criminal history and placed him on suspension, pending a scheduled meeting on April 28 last year to allow him to prove his identity. The court heard how Carvill brazenly turned up in his work uniform 'in the early hours' with what the judge described as 'a lot of front'. Carvill was arrested after police found him lying face-down in an intoxicated state at the side of a road in Maidstone The prosecutor said: 'He entered the office, completed a refund of 9,784 and paid it onto his bank card. He did that almost immediately on having entered work that day. 'He then went into the cash office, opened the safes and removed 3,261 in cash, hiding it in his jacket. 'He was blatant in his actions because, as he left, he lifted his jacket, showing the cash, and said to a colleague 'See you in the morning' and left the hotel.' A month later Carvill was arrested after police found him lying face-down in an intoxicated state at the side of a road in Maidstone. In court, he continued to claim he did not receive the 9,784 refund, adding: 'I'm a fraudster and I don't expect you to believe me.' His defence lawyer Katie Bacon said her client had 'deep remorse' and had not 'sought out' financial roles since his release from prison. She said the latest offending occurred as he was grieving for his father, caring for his mother and then, following her death, living in hotels after being evicted from the family home. 'He is not someone who continually seeks to offend but someone who has taken the wrong path at a time of difficulty,' said Ms Bacon. She added he took money from Holiday Inn in a moment of 'panic' when he faced losing his job, and is now a 'valued and supported' member of staff at Toby Carvery. The court also heard Carvill was previously handed a suspended sentence in 2008 for embezzlement. Judge Julian Smith jailed Carvill for three years as he slammed his 'breath-taking dishonesty'. He said: 'You are not a victim. Others are the victims. Your name carries that stain of dishonesty by what you did. By not declaring it is misrepresenting your background. You may want to wipe the slate clean. You can't do that by not declaring.' In total Carvill has 57 previous convictions, 52 of which are for fraud or fraud-related offences. In 2019 Maidstone Crown Court heard Carvill filed bogus payments to himself after claiming he was bullied at work. He admitted 18 counts of fraud and said he suffered from low self-esteem and became addicted to a night-life of high-class escort parties being surrounded by 'glamorous' people and drugs. At the time, a source who witnessed Carvill splurging tens of thousands of poundssaid he attended a club in London called Platinum Lace. The source said Carvill also went into a room at another club, 'with three escorts, [where] they drank champagne and used cocaine,' adding: 'By the end of the night he had nine or ten escorts in with him.' While working for Mr Clutch, initially Carvill stole 40,000 but then repaid 36,500. By October 2018 he took another 60,000. Then in August 2019, the accounts worker took 72,000, followed by 40,000, 10,000, another 10,000 and 12,000. The court heard the defendant, who paid wages and bills for the company, had previous convictions for ripping off a previous employer. In 2008 he was given a suspended year jail sentence at Maidstone Crown Court for embezzling a travel company out of money. A 'pretty' maths teacher who is accused of having a sexual relationship with two pupils has been accused of seeking 'sympathy' and painting herself as the 'victim' because she is a woman, a court heard. Rebecca Joynes, 30, is said to have 'groomed' one 15-year-old boy by taking him on a shopping trip and buying him a 345 Gucci belt before they had sex at her apartment. She then became pregnant after allegedly starting a relationship with a second 15-year-old boy while she was on bail over those allegations. Joynes denies her relationship with the first boy - known as Boy A - ever became sexual and claims she only had sex with the second boy, Boy B, after he had turned 16 and she had been sacked from her job - meaning she was no longer in a position of trust. She's on trial at Manchester Crown Court where today the jury heard final speeches from prosecution and defence counsel. TODAY: Rebecca Joynes, 30, lowered her head as she arrived at Manchester crown court and clutched onto the knitted item behind a purple notepad as her father wrapped his arm around his daughter's waist She revealed to the court her baby was taken from her within 24 hours of her birth (Pictured here arriving at court on Wednesday) The former teacher who has arrived at court each day of her trial with a pink knitted baby bonnet tucked into her trousers - broke down in tears as she gave evidence Joe Allman, prosecuting, said Joynes' tears in court and her display of a pink baby bonnet, which she has worn tucked into the front of her trousers for every day of her, trial was an attempt to win 'sympathy' from the jury. And he accused her of 'gaslighting' - a claim she had made about the two schoolboys. 'One of the very first things her honour said to you was sympathy has no place in these proceedings,' he said. 'You are here to clinically analyse the evidence.' He added: 'It was a pretty naked attempt to garner your sympathy.' The court previously heard how court proceedings led to Joynes having her baby 'taken off' her 24 hours after she was born. 'Who is being gaslighted, and who is doing the gaslighting?' he asked. He said: 'Is it possible her approach to these proceedings is that she hopes you will treat her differently because she is a woman and not a man in the same situation.' Police launched an investigation after rumours spread around her school and she was subsequently arrested and suspended from her job in October 2021 and sacked in July 2022 She has denied using to 'win' sympathy from the jury as she stands trial accused of having sex with two pupils Jurors heard both boys sent her flirty Snapchat messages before Boy A was taken shopping, bought a 350 Gucci belt and went back to her flat on Salford Quays where they had sex. Boy B claims sexual activity began when he was 15 with kissing and full sex when he was 16 and while he was still a pupil. Joynes claims no sexual activity ever took place with Boy A and a relationship developed with Boy B while she was suspended from her job and only became sexual after she was dismissed and he had left school at 16, so no offence had taken place. Mr Allman said Joynes hoped she would be 'treated very differently' and they would see the evidence 'differently' because she is a woman and not a man in the same situation. 'We have to ask in the cold light of day would Miss Joynes and those acting on her behalf appealed to your sympathy in that way if she'd been a 30-year-old man called Robert Joynes?' he asked. He also asked whether the two boys would have 'been disparaged in the same way in attempt to discredit them' if they had been two girls of a similar age. 'Would the defence on Miss Joynes' behalf - in our theoretical scenario on Mr Joynes' behalf - have suggested to you that the girls the were the ones that wanted it to happen?' he asked. 'It could just not have taken the same lines in questions because it would have been quite obscene.' He said it was easy to forget that Joynes was a mature, adult teacher, he said, and they were two teenage children and 'that's how she would like you to see this case.' 'So, she almost becomes the victim and the boys become the perpetrators,' he said. Earlier, Joynes told the jury she had ruined her 'dream job' with stupid 'mistakes' by meeting up with the two teenagers and having them back at her flat, but denied under-age sex. Rebecca Joynes pictured with father (R), leaving Manchester Crown court Joynes claims no sexual activity ever took place with Boy A and a relationship developed with Boy B while she was suspended from her job Joynes told the jury she had ruined her 'dream job' with stupid 'mistakes' by meeting up with the two teenagers and having them back at her flat, but denied under-age sex Both boys were 15 when Joynes began taking each one into her flat and both had been communicating with her on Snapchat where messages are deleted and not recoverable by police. In both cases, the activity was a secret from their parents and they both flirted with her, Boy A calling her 'sexy' and Boy B sending her a message saying: 'Get your tits out.' Joynes admitted she was lonely and flattered by the attention after her nine-year relationship ended. In a letter, she wrote to Boy B, saying: 'Every inch of you is perfect. You are all I ever dream about.' Joynes wept as she told jurors their baby was taken away from her hours after giving birth and she now only has limited access, three times a week. She denies six counts of sexual activity with a child, including two while being a person in a position of trust. Michael O'Brien, defending, said he wasn't seeking to 'blame' Boy A for what allegedly happened but for the 'lies' he'd told. He said Joynes had got things 'spectacularly wrong' but had not had sex with Boy A and only had sex with Boy B after he had turned 16 and had left school. Joynes denies six counts of sexual activity with a child, including two while being a person in a position of trust Mr O'Brien said Joynes 'feels guilty' for what happened but that didn't make her guilty of the alleged offences. He urged the jury not to treat the case as one of 'no smoke without fire', therefore Joynes 'must be guilty'. 'She's not proud of herself,' he said. 'She's let herself and her family down - she feels guilty. 'But does that mean you find her guilty without any consideration of the evidence in this case? 'Does that mean you find her guilty just because she met two students outside of school? 'Of course, it doesn't. Because meeting two students outside school isn't by itself a criminal offence. 'It was wrong - yes it was. But by itself it does not make her guilty of the offences on the indictment.' He urged the jury to 'put emotions to one side' and reach a true verdict according to the evidence. Mr O'Brien claimed Boy A had lied about having sex with Joynes because he had told his mates that 'he had s****** her' and was 'stuck' with his story. Rebecca Joynes with her father (R), arriving at Manchester Crown court He had then 'developed the lies' about what happened in police interviews and while Boy A had stayed over at Joynes' apartment he had slept on the couch. Mr O'Brien claimed 'self-confessed liar' Boy B had 'twisted dates' and 'changed the timeline' and he wanted to make 'the position worse' for her. He said the jury should use their 'common sense' to make 'safe and sure conclusions'. Mr O'Brien said Joynes had accepted breaching her safeguarding responsibilities and did not blame the two boys for that. 'She accepted she got things wrong as a teacher - spectacular wrong, you may think,' he said. 'But she did not have sexual activity as alleged by the prosecution.' Police launched an investigation after rumours spread around her school and she was subsequently arrested and suspended from her job in October 2021 and sacked in July 2022. Joynes denies two counts of sexual activity with Boy A, two counts of sexual activity with Boy B, and two counts of sexual activity with Boy B while being a person in a position of trust. The trial continues. A mother who went into cardiac arrest and lost four pints of bloody during a nightmare labour has been awarded 27,500 from a hospital following her ordeal. Carla Richter, 39, was left with PTSD after the birth of her daughter when she was given 'excess medication' which triggered 'constant contractions', she says. And she lost 2.7 litres of blood while medics tried to manually remove her retained placenta six times, it is claimed. She 'begged' to be taken to surgery - where she had a cardiac arrest and was without a heartbeat for five minutes. Carla sued Kingston Hospital, in Surrey and Kingston Hospital NHS Trust has accepted partial blame - agreeing to pay a 27,500 settlement. Carla, from Carshalton, London, said: 'I just remember screaming - blood curdling screaming. Carla Richter, 39, was left with PTSD after the birth of her daughter when she was given 'excess medication' which triggered 'constant contractions' 'They gave my daughter to me to hold but with the pain I was in, I couldn't bear to even hold her. 'The amount of visible blood loss was horrifying. It was a really horrific experience and I was so confused because it seemed like no one was reacting. 'It wasn't right that our daughter had to hear that, and it all left my husband traumatised.' The nanny said she was 'ecstatic' when she found out she was pregnant with her second child after seven years of trying. She went into Kingston Hospital, Surrey, on 7 January, 2020, after her waters broke prematurely while picking up her seven-year-old son from school. She claims the beginning of the hospital visit went smoothly - but things started to take a turn after she went into labour. Carla says she struggled to get the attention of midwives administering contraction-inducing medication after the needle was put in the wrong place on her hand. Ms Richter lost 2.7 litres of blood while medics tried to manually remove her retained placenta six times, it is claimed And when staff tried the other hand, the excess medication triggered almost constant contractions with little time to recover, it is claimed. Despite giving birth to a healthy baby girl, she was in so much pain due to a post-partum haemorrhage caused by a retained placenta that she couldn't even hold her newborn baby. She lost four pints of blood as doctors attempted to manually remove the placenta six times. After begging to be be taken to theatre, she was given spinal anaesthesia without time to regain fluids via IV - resulting in a cardiac arrest. After the birth, Carla was moved to ICU and didn't see her baby daughter until two days later. As a result of the traumatic birth, Carla was diagnosed with PTSD and underwent cognitive behavioural therapy to help her recover. Husband Dean, who had gone into cardiac arrest the year before, was also affected, fearing that he would lose his wife. Carla contacted Veritas Solicitors and sued the hospital - being paid 27,500 in February this year. Carla sued Kingston Hospital, in Surrey and Kingston Hospital NHS Trust has accepted partial blame - agreeing to pay a 27,500 settlement 'I was crying and couldn't stop,' she said. 'I was honestly an emotional wreck. 'While I was in the ICU, I had been so scared I couldn't sleep at night. I was terrified that something else would be wrong and they wouldn't catch it. 'My husband is a very strong person, but even he broke down at the hospital.. It's literally the first time I've ever seen him so emotional. 'For me, them accepting liability is so much more important than the money - knowing that it wasn't my fault, and it was to do with them means everything.' Veritas Solicitors LLP say a consultant obstetrician and consultant anaesthetist have said there were a number of failings which led to Carla becoming unresponsive. These include the excessive number of attempts to manually deliver the placenta, not calling a senior obstetrician to assist after three failed attempts at removal, and the failure to transfer to theatre or aggressively administer fluids in a timely manner, they say. Kingston Hospital NHS Trust has been approached for comment. A pregnant woman due to give birth Friday and her unborn child were both killed after severe weather caused a tree to fall through her mobile home. Nine months-pregnant Kristin Browning, 31, and her fetus were killed during the weather on Monday. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, Browning was killed after a tree fell on her mobile home in Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish. Her husband Justin Browning and their five-year-old daughter were inside the home at the time and rushed to hospital. WAFB reported that a wind gust of 63 miles per hour was recorded at a nearby community center at the time. Kristin Browning, 31, and the unborn child she was due to give birth to on Friday were killed during the weather on Monday. Kristin is seen here with her husband and daughter WAFB reported that a wind gust of 63 miles per hour was recorded at a nearby community center at the time. Drone footage captured by WAFB shows the devastation in the local area following the storm. Neighbor Hank Moses told the outlet: 'We all grew up here, we know everybody just like family. It was tough to see.' Moses said that downed trees blocked first responders from getting to the family, with him and his dad helping them to the home. He continued: 'It's sad, these trees can be moved, they can be replaced. It is just sad that a life was lost. It's tough.' Authorities also said that a female died in Cecilia, also Louisiana, after a camper rolled over because of high winds on Monday night. Storms slammed several Southern states hitting areas previously hit during one of the most active periods for twisters on record. At least 267 tornadoes were confirmed by the National Weather Service from April 25 through May 10. On Monday, more than 15 million people from Texas to Florida were under threat of severe storms and tornadoes. Neighbors said that downed trees blocked first responders from getting to the family, seen here Drone footage captured by WAFB shows the devastation in the local area following the storm Storms slammed several Southern states hitting areas previously hit during one of the most active periods for twisters on record At highest risk for severe storms and tornadoes was a zone stretching from southeast Texas through much of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast regions of Mississippi and Alabama, and to the Florida Panhandle. A GoFundMe has since been created for the Browning family following the death of Kristin. It reads: 'During the severe storms that rolled through our area last night a tree fell on the trailer of the Browning (Kent) family taking the life of Kristen. 'If any of you know this family they are always willing to help any one in need. They now need our help. Anything you can donate would be greatly appreciated.' As of Wednesday, the GoFundMe has surpassed the original goal of $3,000 and had raised over $19,000. Parents who tortured their defenceless three-year-old before leaving her to choke to death on her own vomit while tied up in a cellar have been given life in prison. Sascha and Maja Wensing, both 40, were sentenced to life after the body of their daughter Lea was found in Germany's Rhine-Herne canal close to their apartment in Dinslaken. Her horrific ordeal took place last October when the parents decided to lock Lea in the basement of their apartment building. They then embarked upon a regimen of torture that lasted for six days. Shocking messages between the pair revealed during court proceedings showed how the Wensings hated their daughter and conspired to kill her. Sascha Wensing is pictured. The father threw the body of his daughter Lea, three, in the Rhine-Herne Canal after she died in the basement of their apartment in Dinslaken, Germany in October 2023 Maja Wensing is pictured. Messages between the pair revealed during court proceedings showed how the Wensings hated their daughter and conspired to kill her 'The stupid b**** is taking up our time. She makes me angry, she ruined everything. I can't stand her anymore,' a message from Maja read. The father responded: 'I've taped her again, the dummy has bands on her legs and can't move. She's a huge a***hole.' They went on to describe in detail how they had taped their daughter's mouth shut, knowing that she would likely suffer an agonisingly slow and painful death as she had begun to choke on her own vomit. 'Glue her mouth and go out,' the mother implored. Sascha then replied: 'We have symptoms of suffocation... I'm looking forward to tomorrow.' Having read out a series of deplorable messages between the evil parents, prosecutor Jill McCuller told the court: 'The defendants hated their daughter and treated her inhumanely. 'The victim suffered irrepressible fear of death several times (during her ordeal). Her death was highly traumatic - she was found with vomit in every alveoli of her lungs.' Lea suffered an agonisingly slow and painful death, choking on her own vomit with her mouth taped shut Sascha and Maja Wensing hide their faces during a court hearing Once little Lea had finally choked to death, her father dumped her body in the canal. He then went to the police himself, but reported the death as an accident according to German press. The Oberhausen emergency services were forced to dispatch a dive team to recover Lea's body, after which a post-mortem examination revealed clear signs of torture and abuse - as well as the puke clogging her lungs. Delivering the verdict in Duisburg regional court, the judge did not hold back in their condemnation of the evil parents. 'This act was particularly terrible, which is why only the maximum sentence was considered.' The perpetrators will now spend at least 25 years each behind bars. A mother has slammed her daughter's teacher for combing her locs out of her hair without permission and replacing them with braids. Micaela Varlack, from Columbus, Georgia, claimed four-year-old Londyn was left with painful inflammation following the bizarre incident. She said she and her daughter got their hair braided professionally at a salon for $150 three weeks earlier. But she told how when she picked Londyn up from pre-k at Childare Network on May 6 she was shocked by what the teacher had allegedly done. Micaela Varlack of Columbus, Georgia is outraged after a teacher combed her daughter's locs out without consulting her first, injuring her daughter in the process (Pictured: Varlack's daughter Londyn after she originally got her hair braided) The mother said she and her daughter got their hair braided professionally at a salon for $150 three weeks prior (Pictured: Londyn's hair after her teacher tampered with it) 'Monday, on May the 6th, I go to pick her up from the daycare,' she said. 'There's a little child who looks like my child with her hair braided.' 'Why would you comb out 32 locs out of a child's hair, to sit down and braid them, part them...' When Varlack asked the teacher why she didn't call her first, she said her response was simply, 'I just didn't.' Victoria Sunmola, a hairstylist specializing in locs, said Londyn's teacher 'went overboard' and didn't consider the effect of tampering with a hairstyle like hers. 'It's very disrespectful because she did not have the parent's permission to do it,' Sunmola said. 'The mother spent money on this service, and she crossed the line...more than anything it wasn't her place.' Londyn had to be rushed to urgent care to manage her daughter's scalp irritation, which Sunmola said could have been a direct result of the improper removal. 'So here we are and now there is inflammation in the baby's head,' Sunmola said. 'All of this could have been avoided if she had consulted the parent.' Varlack's mother demanded a refund from the school for the money she spent on her daughter's locs, but she said her request was refused. Londyn had to be rushed to Urgent Care to manage her daughter's scalp irritation, which experts said could have been a direct result of the improper removal of the locs Varlack's mother demanded a refund from the school for the money she spent on her daughter's locs, but she said her request was refused In a statement to WTVM, Childcare Network's corporate office wrote: 'On Monday, May 6, a currently enrolled child asked a teacher to braid her hair. 'After speaking with her mother at pick-up, our staff immediately offered to reimburse the family. 'Please know that the physical and mental well-being of the children and families we care for is of utmost importance to us, and we are sorry that this was upsetting to the family as it was not our intent.' It comes one month after a New Jersey mother said her daughter came home from school several weeks ago having had her hair pulled out by a teacher's aide. Aaquilah Perez took her story to the local news because she says she doesn't want what happened to her daughter to happen to anyone else. ABC7 reported that, according to official documents, Perez's daughter, Zuwena, returned home from school in March with a bald spot on her head after a teacher's aide allegedly tore a braid off of the child's head. Perez took a picture of her five-year-old daughter's head as soon as she got home from her school, PS 26 in Jersey City, also called Patricia M. Noonan Elementary. The empty spot where the braid used to be on her daughter's head was so alarming to the mother that she called medics to her residence when Zuwena arrived home 'It's a terrible feeling to send your child to a place where they're supposed to be safe and for them to come home with their hair pulled down and sad seeing that their teacher hurt them, it's really heartbreaking,' Aaquilah Perez (right) said The mother said she's put her daughter's hair in cornrows all the way to the nape of her neck, but when she returned home from school on March 15, one of the braids had clearly been ripped out, leaving a noticeable bald spot on her child's scalp. Zuwena is a Pre-K student who has ADHD and other special needs, according to her mother. The empty spot where the braid used to be was so alarming to the mother that she called medics to her residence when Zuwena arrived home. Perez said the teachers at the school attempted to convince her that Zuwena's braid had disappeared when the child went down for a nap and slept messily. A story Perez said she didn't buy for one second. The concerned mother told police the alleged hair-ripping incident occurred after her daughter refused to go into a time out. Zuwena has not returned to school following the incident, which occurred nearly three weeks ago. Her mother says she quit her job to take care of her full time. She also said she's outraged by the apparent lack of urgency the school has taken in examining the alleged assault on her child. 'I think they really have to take this matter seriously because I don't want anybody else's kids to get hurt or I don't want any other parents have to experience what I just experienced like three weeks ago,' she said. 'It's a terrible feeling to send your child to a place where they're supposed to be safe and for them to come home with their hair pulled down and sad seeing that their teacher hurt them, it's really heartbreaking.' Shocking footage shows the moment a mother was catapulted from a funfair ride leaving her with 'life-hanging' injuries. Khadra Ali, now 51, was not suitably restrained on the Xcelerator ride at the Funderpark in Hillingdon, west London, health and safety authorities said. She spent weeks in a coma and months recovering in hospital. A Health and Safety Executive found that the ride's restraints were faulty and there were serious failings with the mechanisms. Three men have been given suspended prison sentences and the ride inspector was also fined in connection with the incident in April 2018. This is the terrifying moment when mother-of-eight Khadra Ali, 51, is flung from a fairground ride in a funfair in Hillingdon, west London Mrs Ali clung onto the fairground ride, called the Xcelerator, before she was violently flung off it before crashing into a nearby ride and landing on the ground The mother-of eight's seat and safety bars were not checked before the ride began. Health and Safety officers found technical issues had bee missed when the ride was checked the previous year Mother-of-eight Mrs Ali, who was 45 at the time, was on the ride with her daughter and 'screamed for help' as she desperately clung on before being ejected. After being flung off the ride, she hit the barrier of an adjacent ride and landed on the ground. Mrs Ali spent the next few weeks in a coma and four months in hospital as a result of her injuries - which included multiple fractures, internal bleeding and a significant head injury - and can now no longer do chores or activities with her children. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the ride's seat restraint system was designed with electrical and mechanical failings by the manufacturer, Perrin Stevens Limited. The ride control system was set up in such a way that it would not have detected all failures, the HSE said. The public body added that Derek Hackett, the ride owner trading as Hackett Fairs, failed to properly maintain the ride. It said this was in part due to Perrin Stevens' operator manual lacking in information on inspection and maintenance of the seat restraint system. The investigation also found on the day of the incident Mr Hackett's ride operator had no attendant assisting them despite the operations manual requiring a minimum of two people to operate and monitor the ride. The rides at the Funderpark in west London. Health and Safety officers found that the rides were faulty and that Mrs Ali's restraint was not checked The mother spent weeks in a coma and four months recovering in hospital after suffering multiple fractures, internal bleeding and a significant head injury Crucially, the operator did not check each rider's restraint bar as they should have before starting the ride, and did not notice that Mrs Ali required assistance and stopped the ride. DMG Technical Ltd was the appointed inspection body and had overall control of the in-service annual inspection of the ride and responsibility for issuing the declaration of the operation compliance. David Geary, director at DMG Technical Ltd, completed the annual inspection in 2017 and did not identify any failed switches or maintenance concerns, the HSE said. Hackett, Stevens and Geary all admitted breaching health and safety regulations and were handed suspended prison sentences on May 7. DMG Technical Ltd, which also admitted an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act, was fined 51,000. HSE inspector Helen Donnelly said: 'Mrs Ali was simply enjoying a day out with her children in what she expected to be a safe environment. 'As a result, she continues to suffer pain and significant impacts to her everyday life. 'Good health and safety management often requires multiple precautions being put in place, and often by different parties. 'This incident shows that there are serious consequences when we do not fulfil our health and safety duties and become reliant on the actions of others to ensure the safety of workers and the public. 'Good health and safety is a collective effort and we must all take responsibility for the role we have in keeping people safe. 'While this investigation has been long and complex, we hope Mrs Ali and her family will find some comfort with the sentence and see that justice has now been served.' A statement from Mrs Ali's representative said: 'The family of Khadra Ali is deeply relieved that the criminal prosecution has concluded following the tragic incident at the Funderpark Fun Fair. 'They are grateful to everyone who has supported them throughout this challenging process. 'While no outcome can undo the impact of the life-changing injuries on Khadra's health and well-being, they hope this marks the beginning of their journey to rebuild their lives and provide her with the support she needs moving forward. 'The family remain committed to providing Khadra with the best quality of life possible. 'They respectfully request privacy as they continue to focus on caring for Khadra and facing the challenges ahead.' AT the court hearing, Stevens, of Berkshire, was handed a custodial sentence of 32 weeks, suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay 11,444 in costs. Hackett, of Manchester, was given a custodial sentence of 18 weeks, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay 4,800 in costs. Geary from Hackney, was also given a custodial sentence of 44 weeks, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to pay 24,000 in costs. Yet another retailer is leaving Downtown San Francisco amid the city's spiraling crime and homeless crises - at the especially embattled San Francisco Centre mall. American Eagle announced it is closing its doors at the former Westfield San Francisco Centre over the summer, citing more 100 significant security incidents that allegedly occurred between May 2020 and May 2023. The offenses consisted of patrons brandishing firearms and verbally assaulting store employees, amid a mass exodus of other outlets predated by the pandemic. One of the last-standing bastions of the mall, American Eagle had occupied a large space at the building's main entrance for years, employing 52 employees. A suit against the mall's former owners filed by the clothing chain's parent company accuses them of allowing it to fall into a sad state. The store is slated to close July 12 as a result - four years before its lease was set to expire. American Eagle announced it is closing its doors at the former Westfield San Francisco Centre over the summer, citing more 100 significant security incidents that allegedly occurred between May 2020 and May 2023. The Westfield American Eagle outlet is seen here A map reveals the major businesses which have left, or have announced they are leaving, San Francisco in recent months. Retailers like Whole Foods, Anthropologie, Old Navy, AmazonGo, Saks Off Fifth and now American Eagle are among those taking part in the mass exodus 'Westfield cannot walk away from the harm that it has caused without consequence,' an excerpt of the lawsuit filed in San Francisco Superior Court reads, claiming the New Jersey-based firm let the historic mall 'deteriorate into disarray'. 'It must be held accountable for the damages caused by its failures and broken promises', Schottenstein Stores Corp added in the filing. The suit, filed in September, is making its way through the city's court system. It contends mall operators are just as much at fault as the city for the recent state of the mall, after Westfield and co-owner Brookfield Properties in June announced a decision to default on a $558 million loan for the property. That maneuver, they said, stemmed from inaction from the San Francisco government in addressing 'rampant criminal activity,' which reduced sales and foot traffic. That account is consistent with those of other store owners at the mall who continue to announce closures even with facility already half-empty, with Zara and The North Face leaving in March and Macy's the month before. Unlike American Eagle, officials at those stores did not provide a reason - but joined roughly three dozen others to close abruptly over the past three years. Workers at the Macy's, however, told The San Francisco Standard they believe the decision was made because of daily rampant shoplifting, with thieves taking at least four blazers, 10 wallets and 20 packs of underwear a day on a regular basis, they said. The retailer is the latest to leave Downtown San Francisco and its especially embattled San Francisco Centre mall Formerly the Westfield San Francisco Centre, the mall has been rocked by more than a dozen closures over the past three years, leaving it half empty This included fashion retailer Nordstrom and the Cinemark multi-screen movie complex, capped by an October exit from Express as well In October 2023, San Francisco Superior Court judge appointed Gregg Williams to 'take possession, custody and control' of the troubled San Francisco Centre, granting it a new name and a new strategy A suit against the mall's former owners filed by the clothing chain's parent company accuses them of allowing it to fall into a sad state. The store is slated to close July 12 as a result 'I think there just needs to be leadership,' Employee Steve Dalisay told The Standard, after working at the firm's flagship in mall for some 20 years. 'The mayor just needs to say we won't tolerate this in the city.' Another employee, who works in the fourth-floor women's department, also blamed 'theft and that people aren't coming in' for the closure, while a third worker added thieves often go after men's Ralph Lauren Polo, North Face and Levi's clothing. H&M, Crate & Barrel, The Gap, Uniqlo and Barney's, meanwhile, all remain vacant years after they shut down during the early days of the pandemic, when a wave of crime hit the Union Square area. The mall at 865 Market St, a stalwart in the city since 1986, was not spared, as the street it was on became a haven for open drug use and homeless encampments. It has seen a steady departure of stores since, losing some its most prominent tenants in the past year, This included fashion retailer Nordstrom and the Cinemark multi-screen movie complex, capped by an October 2023 exit from Express as well. That month, San Francisco Superior Court judge appointed Gregg Williams to 'take possession, custody and control' of the troubled San Francisco Centre, granting it a new name and a new strategy. A new logo, signs and website are reportedly in the works, but crime and high rates of homelessness in the famously progressive metropolis persists. Meanwhile, crime and high rates of homelessness in the famously progressive metropolis persists, especially in the surrounding Downtown area and nearby Mission District. A man is seen sleeping outside the mall this year Back in April, Mayor London N. Breed announced new measures approved by the voters to improve public safety - particularly in the city's hard hit districts A person is sleeping in the mall this year, after it was forced to darken about four floors due to the closures It comes even after many were torn down before a November visit from Chinese Prime Minister Xi Jinping, putting more pressure on the local government for a more permanent cleanup The lawsuit from those who run American Eagle - which has a market cap of roughly $4.8 billion - serves as one of the most recent examples of this stark public outcry, and points out how Westfield even closed its management office in the mall during this period, as stores suffered The suit further alleges Westfield neglected security measures and basic mall management required by American Eagle's lease, which was penned after the pandemic began in 2020 Back in April, Mayor London N. Breed announced new measures approved by the voters to improve public safety - particularly in the city's hard hit Downtown and Mission districts, where few blocks away, on 7th and Mission across the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building, photos show encampments continuing to surface in certain areas. That comes even after many were torn down before a November visit from Chinese Prime Minister Xi Jinping, putting more pressure on the local government for a more permanent cleanup. The lawsuit from American Eagle - which has a market cap of roughly $4.8 billion - serves as one of the most recent examples of this stark public outcry, and points out how Westfield even closed its management office in the mall during this period, all as still-operating stores suffered. The suit further alleges Westfield neglected security measures and basic mall management required by American Eagle's lease, which was penned after the pandemic began in 2020. This, the Ohio-based Schottenstein Stores Corp wrote, left employees 'to suffer' and 'respond to gun violence, physical assaults, burglaries, and robberies' on their own. The firm is seeking actual and compensatory monetary damages due to the alleged breach of contract by way of the lease, which was set to run through 2028. Despite the announcement, American Eagle Outfitters reported a respectable fourth-quarter revenue jump of about $1.7 billion, a 12 percent increase from the year before Jay Schottenstein, the company's CEO, said in a statement at the time, 'We are entering 2024 with momentum and from a position of strength with an exciting line-up of innovation and customer engagement initiatives.' He and other staffers said the store's locations in San Mateo, Concord, Livermore and Pleasanton will stay open. An eco-zealot who threw orange paint over Scotland Yard's revolving sign is cleared of criminal damage after her barrister likened her to Rosa Parks. Lora Johnson, 39, used a fire extinguisher to spray paint the sign amid a series of coordinated actions by Just Stop Oil on October, 14, 2022. Demonstrators also blocked the road in front of the Metropolitan Police headquarters along Victoria Embankment. Johnson claimed she did not think the sign would be seriously damaged as the paint was water soluble. The iconic revolving sign is in the open air and designed to withstand all kinds of weather. Johnson, of Southwold, Suffolk, was cleared of criminal damage by a jury at Southwark Crown Court after she said: 'If we don't act, life on earth will go extinct.' In a statement released by JSO, the activist said: 'The action I took was painting the New Scotland Yard sign orange, in resistance to the government's...approval of new oil and gas licences. 'I would like to ask the Met police: who are they there to serve and protect? The good people of this country? A Met Police officer detains Lora Johnson, 39 (pictured) for spraying the Scotland Yard rotating sign with orange paint Ms Johnson being arrested by a Met Police officer for spray painting the sign Johnson, of Southwold, Suffolk, was cleared of criminal damage by a jury at Southwark Crown Court after she said: 'If we don't act, life on earth will go extinct.' 'Or the oil-corrupted government? I would like to ask them how they are planning to police the mass hysteria, the panic, the fear, the looting, the theft, the hoarding and the inevitable violence that will result when our shelves are empty and we can't feed our children?' In his closing speech, Owen Greenhall, defending, had told jurors how the Suffragettes and black civil rights activist Rosa Parks all took direct action. How Rosa Parks' civil disobedience sparked the US Civil Rights Movement After Rosa Parks had refused to give up her seat to a white person and was arrested for it, just like Claudette Colvin, the citys civil rights leaders boycotted the transit system and chose Martin Luther King as their leader. In his first speech to the group as its president, he said: We have no alternative but to protest. For many years we have shown an amazing patience. We have sometimes given our white brothers the feeling that we liked the way we were being treated. But we come here tonight to be saved from that patience that makes us patient with anything less than freedom and justice. One year and a few weeks later, the citys buses were desegregated. Advertisement 'It is important that you don't think of direct action as something that is outside of democracy. 'Direct action and civil disobedience is a part of democracy. 'The Suffragettes are a clear example. It is well known that they used direct action. They broke all the windows on Oxford Street. They burned down buildings. 'Consider what this room would look like without the Suffragettes. There would be no female barristers, no female officers, no female jurors. Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, they all used civil disobedience. 'That change didn't happen without direct action. 'While you might not like direct action, it is not something that you can simply dismiss.' Referring to Johnson, Mr Greenhall said: 'Her childhood interest in the environment was rekindled by the Extinction Rebellion movement in 2019.' The court heard the orange paint that she used to spray the sign was water soluble. Mr Greenhall told the jury that the sign was cleaned with 'a simple jet wash.' 'It is clear that it was cleaned off with simple soap and water. My main point to you is that mess is not damage.' 'If your children spilled water soluble paint on the floor you would say that they had made a mess.' The court was told that some paint had got inside the sign, but that this may have been caused by the jet washing, not by Johnson. 'It is not enough for the prosecution to say that the paint she sprayed might have got inside the sign. They have to make you sure that the paint getting inside the sign was not due to jet washing,' Mr Greenhall added. 'She says that it didn't cross her mind that the sign would be damaged. The sign is out in the open, and designed to withstand rain, hail and snow.' 'It was reasonable to assume that it was not going to take any extensive cleaning. 'You heard her say that if we don't act, life on earth will go extinct.' Johnson denied and was acquitted of criminal damage. A benefits cheat who was secretly filmed completing three mile runs when she claimed she could barely walk has been jailed for two years. Annette Bond was paid almost 70,000 in benefits over ten years after claiming she could barely stand up due to multiple sclerosis. However, the 50-year-old was filmed by fraud investigators running three mile circuits from her home in Stanley, Perthshire up to three times per week. Yesterday the jeweller was sentenced to two years in prison following a hearing at Perth Sheriff Court. Sheriff William Wood told her: You must have known you did not meet the criteria for the benefits of which you were in receipt. A sheriff told Bond her conduct could be characterised as a prolonged and egregious course of dishonesty Your conduct can only be characterised as a prolonged and egregious course of dishonesty, for which there is no excuse. You have obtained, through fraud, a significant sum of money to which you had no entitlement and you have deprived the taxpayer of funds that might have been usefully spent elsewhere. You have defrauded the state of a large sum of money over a protracted period. I am satisfied only a custodial sentence is appropriate. Bond was also ordered to pay back the cash she conned from taxpayers under proceeds of crime legislation. She was found guilty at an earlier hearing after jurors watched videos of her on three mile training runs while she was claiming she could barely get out of bed or walk without support. The court heard how she spent a decade claiming enhanced benefit payments due to a serious of conditions she claimed made it difficult for her to stand up or even get out of bed. But a fraud investigation team set up secret surveillance to capture Bond running around lengthy circuits from her home up to four times a week. Annette Bond was secretly filmed completing three mile runs when she claimed she could barely walk The 50-year-old from Stanley, Perthshire, was filmed by fraud investigators The total amount claimed over the ten years was 67,062.50. Department of Work and Pensions fraud investigator Scott Hodge, 54, said the team eventually quit the surveillance operation early because they had gathered so much damning evidence against Bond. He told the court that the team parked in view of Bonds home and filmed her running the same route three times in a ten-day period in 2017. He told her trial: She is walking briskly and then she turns at the junction and begins to run. That road was taking her away from Stanley and into a wooded area. I have gone ahead of the subject and then captured footage of her running along the road back into Stanley. It would have been hills, ascents and descents, at various different parts of the journey. We used an internet website to ascertain the distance. The estimated distance run was 4,800 metres - just short of three miles. He said Bond completed the run in 27 minutes. He said the team had been granted a warrant to carry out the surveillance operation between 30 May and 29 August 2017, but brought it to a premature conclusion after less than two weeks. She was caught on camera running up to four times per week Bond was sentenced to two years in prison following a hearing at Perth Sheriff Court Mr Hodge added: It was felt that we would probably just see more of the same over the following days, so the decision was taken to end surveillance. On her claim form, Bond stated: I prefer someone with me at all times when I am outdoors because I have poor balance. There is a risk of falling and dizzy spells. Her mother, Elizabeth Bond, 68, told the jury her daughter was diagnosed with MS in 2004, but exercised regularly to fight the condition. Mrs Bond said: I occasionally saw her when I was on the way to work. She was out running. I was very pleased to see she was fit enough to run. It was most mornings on my way to work. For months. She seemed to walk quite well. She was exercising to try and strengthen her legs. In her own evidence, Bond admitted running around four times per week, but claimed the investigators happened to catch her out during a period when she was fitter. In an agreed joint minute, the jury was told that Bond had not reported any change in her circumstances to the Department of Work and Pensions between June 2004 and November 2018. The joint minute also confirmed she had been running an online business between 2013 and 2018. She gave no comment answers during an interview at Perth Job Centre in 2019. Bond was found guilty of fraudulently obtaining 67,062.50 in benefits from on or around April 2009 until November 2018. The jury found her guilty of failing to tell the DWP about a change in her condition which meant her support needs and physical ability had improved. The claims were for Disability Living Allowance enhanced care and enhanced mobility payments. Sheriff Wood added: On the basis of your application, you were awarded the highest rate of the care component and the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA. These are normally for those who cannot or are virtually unable to walk unaided. Former work colleagues clearly indicated you did not require either the level of care or impaired mobility required for the benefits you claimed. The search for an elderly rescue dog who vanished along with her owner's car when thieves took the SUV from outside a Tennessee grocery store has met a sad end. Lynn Bugg said her beloved 15-year-old pet called Yoshi was in the backseat of her 2013 Infiniti when criminals took it from outside Fresh Market in Memphis on May 2. The devastated owner launched a search party for the missing canine and offered a $2,000 reward for her safe return. But on Tuesday Bugg received the tragic news that a city worker had discovered Yoshi dead around four miles away from the grocery store. 'At least I know where she is. I was able to retrieve her. I have some closure and can tell people because it's become such a story that has touched people's lives,' Bugg told CBS' WREG Memphis. Lynn Bugg said her beloved 15-year-old pet called Yoshi was stolen along with her 2013 Infiniti outside The Fresh Market in Memphis on May 2 The devastated owner launched a search party for the missing canine and offered a $2,000 reward for her safe return On Tuesday Bugg received the sad news that a city worker had discovered Yoshi dead around four miles away from the grocery store Bugg said Yoshi, who she rescued from the streets of Memphis as a puppy 14 years ago, did not have any visible injuries and it's a mystery as to how she died. The animal lover announced the news in a Facebook post on Tuesday and thanked everyone who helped search for her pet. 'I received a call this morning that Yoshi has been located, she was in the median on Jackson at Macon, and had died. I was able to get her and take her to Dixie Memorial,' she wrote. Pictured: Yoshi the stolen Tennessee dog 'They tell me that she probably expired last night or early this morning. So all efforts and support since May 2 were not at all in vain, we all just had few clues on where to look and just didn't get to her in time. 'Yoshi was noble, beautiful, she had all the traits of great dogs; loyalty, intelligence, devotion, courage, protective, sometimes judgmental but unconditionally loving. 'She selected her people very carefully and never forgot a friend, was a foundling that I didn't intend to keep who became the best dog I will ever have. 'I can't find words to express my gratitude for all the support and help, it has been beyond overwhelming. Thank you.' Bugg said a thief smashed the window of her 2013 Infiniti moments after she entered the Fresh Market on May 2, and drove off with Yoshi still in the backseat. The next day, felons used a stolen Infiniti for an attempted bank robbery in West Memphis, and cops intercepted the driver after he crashed the car in downtown. Freddy Najil, 35, was charged with theft of property, evading arrest, and carrying a weapon while being a convicted felon over a robbery which involved Bugg's stolen car Bugg announced the sad news about Yoshi in a Facebook post on Tuesday and thanked everyone who helped search for her pet Freddy Najil, 35, was charged with theft of property, evading arrest, and carrying a weapon while being a convicted felon over the incident. Bugg told WREG that Najil claimed he was not the original thief of the Infiniti but found it in Whitehaven. He said Yoshi was not inside and he didn't know anything about the dog. 'Who knows whether he is telling the truth or not but they do have forensics from the car,' Bugg told WREG. 'They'll be able to determine if there were other fingerprints in the car and if he was telling the truth or not.' Democratic Maryland Rep. David Trone wasted $62 million of his own fortune on a failed bid for his party's U.S. Senate nomination. Trone was on Maryland's Democratic primary ballot Tuesday against Angela Alsobrooks, a county executive of Prince George's County, which cradles Washington, D.C. Alsobrooks spent around $6 million on the race - a 10th of what Trone did - and was beating the three-term congressman by about 12 points with 66 percent of the vote counted. Trone founded and co-owns Total Wine & More and in October 2023 was estimated to be worth $2.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Trone's $62 million run that Trone spend more of his own money on the Democratic Senate primary - to replace the retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin - than any candidate in the 21st century. Rep. David Trone speaks to supporters and concedes his Senate primary race in Baltimore, Maryland Tuesday night after turning through $62 million of his own fortune Nort Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who - with other GOP politicians - appeared Tuesday at former President Donald Trump's hush money trial, holds the distinction of paying the most per vote of any modern candidate: $28,000 per voter Trone spent slightly less than the $66 million former President Donald Trump put in to his longshot 2016 presidential campaign. The real estate developer and reality TV star poured his own millions into the race against Democrat Hillary Clinton - while taking donations from donors and supporters as well - and pulled off a shock victory an election night. Since then, Trump has used donor dollars instead of his own case to run unsuccessfully for reelection in 2020 and to take back the White House in 2024. One of the candidates vying to be Trump's VP, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, holds the honor of the candidate who has spent the most cash per vote. Burgum spent about $14 milion of his software and technology fortume on his 2024 presidential campaign. Since he dropped out before the Iowa caucuses, it means that his 500 or so votes cost $28,000 per voter, The Post said. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent an eye-popping $1 billion on his short-lived 2020 presidential campaign - where he dropped out and endorsed and then put his financial support behind Biden. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent $1 million to run for president in 2020, only to drop out and endorse President Joe Biden. Bloomberg won the American Samoa caucus and was on th ballot in many states, paying about $427 per vote Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer (left) poured $340 million into his longshot 2020 presidential campaign, likely best known for his performance of Back that Azz Up alongside rapper Juvenile (right) on the eve of the South Carolina primary Since Bloomberg's name was on a number of primary ballots he spent about $427 per vote, The Post reported. He won just one race - the American Samoa Democratic caucus. Another Democratic on a quixotic run for the White House four years ago was Tom Steyer. He spent more than $340 million on a run where he received about 260,000 votes, getting each vote for about $1,315, according to The Post. Steyer campaigned heavily in South Carolina and is likely best known for performing Back that Azz Up alongside rapper Juvenile on the eve of the state's important first-in-the-south Democratic primary. But all that money only got him third place in the Palmetto State. A former secondary school headteacher faces years in prison after being found guilty of sexual offences against four girls, including one who he referred to as his 'little sex toy'. Neil Foden, 66, who worked at a school in North Wales, was convicted on Tuesday at Mold Crown Court of 19 offences. The trial heard Foden abused the four complainants over a four-year period. The jury returned guilty verdicts on the charges and cleared Foden of one count of sexual activity with a child after a day of deliberations. Judge Rhys Rowlands warned the defendant, who did not appear to react in the dock, he would face a lengthy custodial sentence. Neil Foden, 66, who worked at a school in North Wales, was convicted on Tuesday at Mold Crown Court of 19 offences He said: 'Some of the explanations for your behaviour towards the victims proffered by you during the course of the trial at times frankly beggared belief.' He said the fact Foden put forward the explanations was borne out of his 'arrogant controlling personality as an individual who is used to getting your own way'. He added: 'You were a powerful figure, you thought you could just do as you liked.' The court was shown a video of the defendant holding the hand of one of the girls, child A, as she sat in the back of his car, while he was in the driver's seat. Foden, who was previously an executive member for the National Education Union, was arrested after child A showed an adult a photo of them together and screenshots of messages about oral sex. She told police: 'He would say he loved me. After a while it got a bit more sexual. 'After we kissed a few days later he put his hands down my pants, so the text messages would be like, what he wanted to do to me.' The court heard he would pick her up in his car and drive them to secluded areas. Another complainant, child E, told police she referred to Foden as Mr P, for perfect, while he called her 'his little sex toy'. She also described meeting the defendant in his BMW car, which had personalised number plates, and driving to remote laybys and country lanes 'for him to have a play with me'. After Foden was arrested, police later found a pair of purple and black lace handcuffs in the boot of his car which had DNA present matching Foden and the youngster. Foden was accused of pinching the thigh of child B and putting his hand under her clothing. Child C alleged he had placed his hand at the top of her inner thighs. Foden denied all of the offences and said he was not an 'abusive adult'. He told the jury he was not able to have sex because of erectile dysfunction caused by a medical condition. The court heard that Foden referred to one of his victims as his 'little sex toy' as he was convicted of 19 offences Asked about a message he sent to child A in which he said he felt 'slightly horny', he said: 'The sad reality is Mr Foden couldn't feel slightly horny if he wanted to.' He said the message was meant to be 'complimentary' and make the girl 'feel attractive'. The court heard concerns about Foden were raised with Gwynedd Council at an earlier stage. Judge Rowlands said: 'When real concerns were first raised about the defendant with the county council they were simply dismissed, pretty much out of hand.' He said no investigation was carried out and no notes were taken. He added: 'We now know he continued to offend. That's very concerning indeed.' Foden, of Old Colwyn, North Wales, was convicted of 12 counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of sexual activity with a child in a position of trust, and one count each of causing or inciting child sexual activity, attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence, sexual communication with a child, possession of indecent photographs of a child and sexual assault of a child. He was cleared of one count of sexual activity with a child, where he was alleged to have touched the bottom of child D. He was remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing on July 1. Team GB have released their Olympic Games 'ceremonial kit' to be worn during the opening and closing ceremonies in Paris this summer. Fashion brand Ben Sherman has created a range of items including a bomber jacket with a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock embroidered onto the back and a polo shirt with a Union Jack design. That comes in the months after Nike was hammered for a 'playful' update to St George's Cross on England's Euros kit, where the horizonal line on the traditional red cross was replaced with a navy blue, light blue and pink one. Ben Sherman's polo is decorated by red and blue 'geometric union flags' but is yet to meet the ire of the nation in the way Nike's new drop did. 'It's not just about creating a uniform; it's about capturing the essence of British heritage and contemporary style, and embodying the pride and unity of Team GB,' Mark Williams, Ben Sherman's creative director, told the Evening Standard. Team GB have released their Olympic Games 'ceremonial kit' to be worn during the opening and closing ceremonies in Paris this summer Fashion brand Ben Sherman has created a range of items including a bomber jacket with a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock embroidered onto the back and a polo shirt Pictured are socks in the Ben Sherman Paris Olympic Collection The release comes in the months after Nike was hammered for a 'playful' update to St George's Cross on England's Euros kit The bomber and polo will be worn with sky blue chinos navy, suede loafers and a new collaboration with Happy Socks, which also feature the updated union flag for the opening ceremony on July 26. August 11's closing ceremony will see athletes donning a Hawaiian-style shirt which, like the bomber jacket, will be decorated by the United Kingdom's four national plants. The floral designs are a far cry from Adidas' Team GB Olympic kit which was blasted for being 'basic' after it was unveiled. That design - with a white, red or blue base and traditional Union Jack flag on the arm - was described as being 'grounded in simplicity'. 'Team GB's 2024 Olympics kits are a let down compared to past few ranges, particularly Tokyo which was outstanding. The Paris kits are the definition of unadventurous,' someone wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Ben Sherman's polo is decorated by red and blue 'geometric union flags' but is yet to meet the ire of the nation in the way Nike's new drop did The floral designs are a far cry from Adidas' Team GB Olympic kit The floral designs are a far cry from Adidas' Team GB Olympic kit which was blasted for being 'basic' after it was unveiled Nike held firm and have not changed their design, adding that it had 'flown off shelves' in the days following its release Though the design process will have begun well in advance, Adidas' timing a month after Nike was slammed for changing the colour of the St George's Cross led some to wonder if that had an impact. 'Definitely a rushed alternative after the backlash of everything else,' said another X user. Backlash against Nike was so frenzied that Team GB insisted a similarly altered flag would feature on their kit. Nike held firm and have not changed their design, saying it is a nod to England's 1966 training gear, adding that it had 'flown off shelves' in the days following its release. The FA also rubber-stamped the jersey. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been left in a life-threatening condition after being shot by an assailant on Wednesday. The 59-year-old took power for the fourth time last October. In that time, he has turned the country's foreign policy towards more pro-Russian views and pledged to stop military support for Ukraine. He has also initiated reforms of criminal law and the media, which have raised concerns over weakening the rule of law. During a three-decade career, Fico has skilfully weaved between pro-European mainstream and nationalistic anti-Brussels and anti-American positions. He has done this while showing a willingness to change course depending on public opinion or changed political realities - but not without controversy. In 2022, he was charged with organised crime offences and faced questions after an investigative journalist - who was working on a story about the activities of the Italian mafia in his country and their links to people close to Fico - was shot dead in 2018. The murders of Jan Kuciak, 28, and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova brought down Fico's government at the time. However, the 2022 organised crime charges were later dropped and he went on to be re-elected in 2023. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been left in a life-threatening condition after being shot by an unidentified assailant on Wednesday As well as his current stint as premier, Fico also headed the government in 2006-10 and 2012-18, but he has embraced more extreme positions over the past four years. These include strident criticisms of western allies, pledges to stop military support for Kyiv, opposition to sanctions on Russia and threats to veto any future NATO membership invite for Ukraine. Ruffling feathers in the UK, he also once said Britain must 'suffer' for Brexit. His coalition halted Slovak official shipments of weapons for Ukraine and he has spoken about what he called western influence in the war which only led to Slavic nations killing each other. Fico has remained steady throughout his career, however, on promises to protect living standards of those left behind in a country where conditions for many are only slowly catching up to western Europe. Many of his supporters hold relatively fond memories of a communist-era past. 'Fico is a technician of power, by far the best in Slovakia. He does not have a counterpart at the moment,' said sociologist Michal Vasecka, from the Bratislava Policy Institute. 'Fico is always following opinion polls, understands what is happening' in society. His campaign call of 'Not a single round' for Ukraine appealed to voters in the nation of 5.5 million where only a minority in the NATO member country believe Russia is at fault for the Ukraine war, which was started by Vladimir Putin in 2022. Fico, who analysts see inspired by Hungary's Viktor Orban, has said he has Slovak interests at heart and wants the war to end. Robert Fico (pictured centre) being carried away by security officials into a car after he was shot in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava, following a Slovak government meeting Security officers move Slovak PM Robert Fico in a car after a shooting incident, after a Slovak government meeting in Handlova, Slovakia, May 15, 2024 Police arrest a man after Fico was shot and injured following the cabinet's away-from-home session in the town of Handlova, Slovakia, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is seen being transported from a helicopter by medics to the hospital in Banska Bystrica, where he is to be treated after he had been shot 'multiple times' Western allies and Ukraine say halting military aid to Kyiv would only help Russia. 'We see Viktor Orban as one of those European politicians who do not fear to openly defend the interests of Hungary and Hungarian people,' Fico told Reuters in emailed responses last year. 'He puts them in the first place. And that should be the role of an elected politician, to look after the interests of his voters and his country.' Born to a working-class family, Fico graduated with a law degree in 1986 and joined the then-ruling Communist party. After the 1989 fall of Communist rule, he worked as a government lawyer, won a seat in parliament under the renamed Communist party, and represented Slovakia at the European Court for Human Rights. Fico has run SMER-Social Democracy party since 1999 after establishing it to oppose the reformist centre-right cabinet. He parlayed dissatisfaction with liberal economic reforms into his first election victory in 2006. But he also kept the nation on course to adopt the euro in 2009 despite forming a government with nationalists. His second cabinet won after another centre-right coalition broke up two years later, and a tough stance against migrants helped him win re-election in 2016. After that win, he declared he wanted Slovakia as part of the EU's core with France and Germany. Fico's political fortunes faded in 2018 when journalist Jan Kuciak, who was investigating high-level graft, and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova were killed by a contract killer. This fuelled mass protests against graft and Fico was forced to resign. SMER lost power in a 2020 election to parties pledging to weed out corruption, and his party split. Fico arrives for a cabinet's away-from-home session in the town of Handlova, Slovakia, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - hours before he was shot Polling under 10%, Fico once sought to address voter fears during the coronavirus pandemic when he slammed government health measures. 'He became the most prominent political representative of a movement against face masks or vaccination,' said political analyst Grigorij Meseznikov. At the same time he a tapped into dissatisfaction with bickering in the ruling government and raised doubts with its pro-western course, chiming with pro-Russian narratives on social networks that had spread across Slovakia. Fico also swatted away accusations of graft that have dogged his party during his political career. He was charged with criminal conspiracy in 2022 to use police and tax information on political foes - charges he denied and which were later dropped. The Prime Minister is now fighting for his life after being shot in the stomach and arm by a '71-year-old assassin', according to reports. The attacker was bundled to the ground by cops as he attempted to flee. Fico was shot in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava, following a Slovak government meeting while he greeted adoring crowds. The gunfire took place in front of the House of Culture, before a man, who according to Pluska news site is Juraj C, was quickly pounced upon and detained by security officials. Fico, meanwhile, was whisked away for medical attention by his detail. A witness told Slovakian news site Dennik , that Fico had left the building to greet people who had gathered to catch a glimpse of him before 'several shots were fired'. Harrowing footage of the near-fatal scenes shows the prime minister stumbling to the ground as his security team dashed to pick up his body. He was then bundled into the back of a car, which sped away from the scene. Slovak television showed footage of a middle-aged man in jeans being handcuffed on the ground. Separate images from public television RTVS showed a person on a stretcher being taken out of a helicopter and wheeled into a hospital. Outgoing Slovak President Zuzana Caputova told reporters that 'police have detained the attacker'. 'I am shocked, we are all shocked by the terrible and heinous attack,' she added. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico arrives prior to the start of a EU leaders Summit at The European Council Building in Brussels on October 26, 2023 (file photo) 'Today, after the government meeting in Handlova, there was an assassination attempt' on Fico, the government said in a post on social media. 'He is currently being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica in a life-threatening condition, because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute intervention,' the government's statement added. Handlova local hospital director Marta Eckhardtova said "Fico was brought into our hospital and he was treated at our vascular surgery clinic". She was unable to describe his injuries. A long Covid sufferer who crowdfunded for an business class seat on a Delta flight for medical reasons has hit out at the airline after she arrived at the airport to be quoted double the price. Actress Laura Baranik attempted to book the lie-flat using donations from well-wishers in a bid to help manage her debilitating symptoms during her ten hour flight from Europe to the US. The Canadian-Slovak writer explained she has to fly back to the states from her family's home in Prague to 'save' her green card. But she claimed a miscommunication around booking the luxury seat wound up with her being asked to fork out double the cost to secure an on-the-day upgrade - which she cannot afford. 'They have the space, they just dont have the heart,' Laura wrote, stating the Delta app showed '20 seats' in the luxury section of the cabin. 'F*** capitalism. F*** ableism. Im so done.' A long Covid sufferer who crowdfunded for an upgraded seat on a Delta flight for medical reasons has hit out at the airline after she arrived at the airport to be quoted double the price Delta passenger Laura attempted to book the premium spot in the Delta One cabin (pictured) in a bid to help manage her debilitating symptoms during her ten hour flight to the US Laura explained she had tried to book a Delta One seat to allow her to lie down during the journey. Delta's website describes the upgrade as offering, 'spacious lie-flat seats' which recline back to 180 degrees and come complete with 'cozy bedding and a lumbar pillow that doubles as a mattress pad' 'The exertion of fighting for the upgrade alone will be enough to crash me, let alone the 9.5-hour flight sitting up,' she explained in posts on X. 'I currently have to spend 80-90% of my day horizontal to manage symptoms.' Laura claims she was told by Delta reps to request an upgrade in person at the check-in desk, but that when she got there she was informed it should have been done over the phone. 'After calling three different lines I was quoted an upgrade price that was DOUBLE what they told me yesterday,' she added. 'I didnt crowdfund enough to cover that, so Im stuck in economy. 'The exertion of fighting for the upgrade alone will be enough to crash me.' To make matters worse, she claimed the wheelchair assistance team was 'unmasked' and coughing all over her. 'One of them is coughing up a lung. Im stuck sitting here with their spittle for an hour now bc flight is delayed due to last-minute maintenance,' Laura fumed. The Canadian-Slovak writer explained she has to fly back to the states from her family's home in Prague to 'save' her green card. Pictured: Laura before her illness Laura claims she was told by Delta reps to request an upgrade in person at the check-in desk, but that when she got there she was informed it should have been done over the phone The CDC states that long Covid is a 'real' disease which can cause extreme fatigue, joint paint, respiratory problems, digestive issues and brain fog among other symptoms. 'For some people, Long COVID can last weeks, months, or years after COVID-19 illness and can sometimes result in disability,' the CDC says. Around seven percent of US adults, equivalent to around 17 million people, had long Covid as of April, independent health publication KFF reports. While several people empathized with Laura's plight, some accused her of trying to 'grift' a free first class seat. 'Grifters gotta grift,' one snarky user commented under her thread. 'End capitalism ..well, yeah, then first class wouldnt be an option,' another pointed out. 'Sounds like you are way too sick to be on an airplane hopefully Delta does the safe thing and denies you boarding for your own safety and health,' one user said. Others highlighted that Delta has an obligation to assist disabled customers. Her long Covid is so debilitating she tries to remain horizontal for 90% of the time to manage her symptoms Many social media users expressed sympathy with her position However, she was accused of being a 'grifter' by several snarky X users 'Delta please do better,' one X user wrote. 'You are breaching the ADA! People have a legal right to safe travel that accommodates their disabilities without having to pay extra.' 'Delta this is an absolute travesty! Im a loyal medallion customer and Ive been singing your praises for the last few years. You need to fix this and not shunt disabled people around,' another added. 'How pathetic is it that you couldnt accommodate,' one person wrote. 'Where is your compassion? Empty seats to boot! Then the cost differences quoted. Just sadly inhumane. Im so sorry Laura you were treated this way. There needs to be some drastic compensation.' An Oklahoma sheriff says he has finally linked a decades-old cold case to the infamous BTK serial killer. Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden, who launched a task force last summer aimed at tying notorious killer Dennis Rader to cold cases, revealed that a taunting crossword sent by BTK may prove he killed Cynthia Dawn Kinney in 1976. Kinney was one of two women Rader had become a prime suspect over since the task force was launched, along with Shawna Beth Garber, whose remains were found in Missouri in 1990. BTK was known to mock the media and police by sending letters and cyphers, and Virden said that when he re-investigated a crossword Rader sent to a local newspaper, he told KFOR-TV that he found evidence that was 'hard to get around.' Notorious serial killer Dennis Rader, also known as BTK, was convicted over the murders of 10 people - with investigators now tying him to at least two more cold cases Cynthia Dawn Kinney, who disappeared in 1976 from a laundromat, is now believed to have been murdered by BTK during his reign of terror Investigators poured over BTK's twisted letters and cyphers as part of a task force launched last year, and now say a crossword (pictured) he sent included Kinney's name and the laundromat she vanished from Dennis Rader - who gave himself the moniker BTK for his M.O., 'bind, torture, kill' - was convicted in 2005 over the murders of 10 people, with investigators fearing his true number of victims was far higher. His reign of terror stretched from 1974 to 1991, and went quiet for decades before re-appearing with more letters and cyphers that led to his arrest over a decade later. In one of those latter communications, Rader mailed a crossword puzzle that spelled out the names of his 10 known victims, which Virden now says may also contain Kinney's name. 'Its more than just a simple crossword-type puzzle,' he said. 'Its more in-depth.' The sheriff first named Rader as the prime suspect over the slaying in August 2023, as evidence at the time also included journal writings from the serial killer. Kinney vanished from a laundromat in 1976, at the same time Rader was working as a security alarm installer for ADT, and may have been installing alarms in a bank across the street from the laundromat. Virden said that Rader's journal from that same time included an entry about a 'bad laundry day', and the investigation into him 'spiraled out from there.' Speaking of the new crossword clue, he said it's 'pretty hard to get around the fact that Cindy Kinney's name is in there, that Osage Laundromat is in there, that Pawhuska is in there.' He continued: 'In the past, he has played games, cat and mouse with law enforcement and has toyed with them, but he did not come clean with any admission until there was solid proof on what had happened.' Rader (seen in his mugshot) was known to taunt the media and police with sickening letters and cyphers, which ultimately led to his arrest in 2005, decades after his last known kill Rader is also the prime suspect in the murders of Shawna Garber (left, and seen in a computer generated picture of what she would have looked like grown up), whose remains were found near Pineville, MO, in December 1990 Sickening drawings from BTK also emerged during the investigation, which investigators said are possible proof that he killed women in barns in the Osage area decades ago BTK's ten victims: (L-R) January 15, 1974: #1 Julie Otero (aged 33) Strangled with a rope; #2 Joseph Otero (aged 38) Suffocated with a plastic bag; #3 Josephine Otero (aged 11) Hanged with a rope; #4 Joseph Otero, Jr. (aged 9) Suffocated with a plastic bag; April 4, 1974: #5 Kathryn Bright (aged 21) Stabbed 3 times in abdomen with a knife (L-R) March 17, 1977: #6 Shirley Vian (aged 24) Strangled with a rope; December 8, 1977: #7 Nancy Fox (aged 25) Strangled with a belt; April 27, 1985: #8 Marine Hedge (aged 53) Strangled with hands; September 16, 1986: #9 Vicki Wegerle (aged 28) Strangled with Nylon stocking; January 19, 1991: #10 Dolores E. Davis (aged 62) Strangled with pantyhose Twisted, never-before-seen drawings made by BTK also emerged last summer amid the investigation, showing unidentified women tied up in barns. Virden said this week that this may also indicate that he was active in Osage at the time of Kinney's murder, as investigators 'found carvings marking in barns, things we believe are 100% proof he has operated within our area.' Kerri Rawson, the daughter of Dennis Rader, told DailyMail.com she has assisted in the investigations into her father Rader is also the prime suspect over the murder of Garber, whose remains were found in 1990. While Rader has denied the killings, he did reportedly admit he 'enjoyed' his interrogation over Garber's disappearance. Rader's daughter Kerri Rawson, who was previously volunteering to help the task force, told DailyMail.com after it was launched that she stepped in after learning of Garber's case. She told of her father's shock after she showed up at his prison for the first time since his arrest, as she tried to interrogate him over the unsolved crimes. While he is known to relish in his infamy, Rader has a reputation for frustrating police, and it was hoped his daughter could help break him down and reveal further details of his gruesome crimes. 'I hadn't had contact with him for 18 years, besides letters,' she said. 'To sit across from him was quite staggering.' At the same time, investigators searched her childhood home and found 'possible trophies' from victims, including 'binding type items' from the killings. Rader is pictured with his daughter, Kerri Rawson, who volunteered to help crack a series of cold cases linked to her notorious father Last year, investigators searched Rader's former home, and said they found 'possible trophies' from victims as they attempt to tie him to unsolved cold cases Rader, also known as BTK, is pictured in August 2005 after his arrest Kerri said investigators zeroed in on the site of a metal shed in the backyard of her childhood home in Park City, Kansas, where it is believed Rader may have hidden tokens stolen from his victims such as driver's licenses. 'He was known to hide things in our house,' she revealed. 'He built a false bottom in our hallway where he hid evidence like driver's licenses before... We also had two dogs die, and he buried one of them in the backyard in the 90s. I've always theorized that he might have buried stuff in there too.' Rader is currently serving ten consecutive life sentences at the El Dorado Correctional Facility in Kansas. A woman accused of illegally aborting her baby and disposing of the body in a bin 'panicked' after giving birth naturally, a court heard. Sophie Harvey, 25, and her partner Elliot Benham, also 25, are on trial at Gloucester Crown Court. When she was 19, Harvey said her baby was stillborn when she unexpectedly gave birth in the bathroom of her Gloucestershire home in September 2018. But prosecutors allege Harvey took a drug the couple purchased to end her pregnancy after learning she was at 28 weeks and five days gestation - meaning she could not get a legal abortion in England. Jurors were told Harvey was first arrested in November 2018 and interviewed by detectives in the presence of an appropriate adult. Sophie Harvey, 25, and her partner Elliot Benham, also 25, are on trial at Gloucester Crown Court Prosecutors allege that after learning Harvey could not have a legal abortion, the defendants ordered a kit of five pills to end the pregnancy A transcript of the interview was read to the jury in which Harvey said she gave birth in the toilet in 'early September' and the baby was blue. She told police: 'I was scared and I just panicked. I didn't expect it to happen.' Harvey then explained she wrapped the baby in a towel and placed it into a carrier, which she got from her bedroom, before putting the bag in an outside bin. She said Benham asked her if she was okay, adding: 'He was upset as well but he was more worried about how I was.' The defendants attended the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) on August 30 where they were informed the pregnancy was at 28 weeks and five days gestation. Harvey has denied procuring a poison, procuring own miscarriage by poison and attempting to pervert the course of public justice, while Benham also denies attempting to pervert the course of public justice Elliot Benham, (second left under umbrella) and Sophie Harvey, (second right under umbrella) previously appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court over the abortion The court has heard abortions in England are legal up to 24 weeks gestation if carried out by a registered medical practitioner and can be carried out beyond 24 weeks in very limited circumstances, which did not apply in this case. Harvey told police she was shocked to be told how far along the pregnancy was as she had believed she was around four months pregnant having had her last period in mid-April. She told officers: 'I left the clinic a bit overwhelmed. I didn't tell anyone because I was a bit scared.' Harvey told police she then thought about keeping the baby and said Benham would support her. Prosecutors allege that after learning Harvey could not have a legal abortion, the defendants ordered a kit of five pills to end the pregnancy. Police search a potential crime scene in Kingsdown, Swindon, related to the alleged illegal termination When police searched her home, they found the packet with the first pill allegedly missing, which they say Harvey had taken. Harvey, of St Mary's Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire denies charges of procuring a poison, procuring own miscarriage by poison and attempting to pervert the course of public justice. Benham, of Wingfield, Swindon, Wiltshire denies a single charge of attempting to pervert the course of public justice and has 'acknowledged' his part in procuring the tablets. Both defendants have pleaded guilty to concealing the birth of a child. The trial continues. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available The Slovakian prime minister is in an 'extraordinarily serious' condition 'fighting for his life' after a 'politically motivated' assassination attempt, government officials have confirmed. Robert Fico, 59, was shot five times by a gunman while he greeted supporters in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava, following a Slovak government meeting. In footage published by RTV Prievidza the gunman, who is reportedly 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, from Levice, was waiting at a barrier for the PM to approach before pulling out the weapon. Despite being flanked by five security guards, Cintula manages to fire off five shots at point blank range before being taken down by the PMs detail. In the latest development the country's interior minister Matus Sutaj Estok suggested during a press conference outside the hospital treating Fico that preliminary information 'clearly' points to a 'political motivation'. While the country's defence minister, Robert Kalinak added there is 'no good news at the moment'. And we now need to put our trust 'in the hands of the medical specialists', as he appealed to the public to 'pray' for Fico's recovery. Slovak Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok speaks during a press conference at F.D. Roosevelt University Hospital, where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is being treated Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinak said we must put our trust 'in the hands of the medical specialists', as he appealed to the public to 'pray' for Fico's recovery Mr Kalinak continued that 'no one wants a Slovakia like this' and he can't 'find the words' for the 'madness' that is being witnessed Mr Kalinak continued that 'no one wants a Slovakia like this' and he can't 'find the words' for the 'madness' that is being witnessed. In videos published online Fico can be seen stumbling backwards after the first shot, before tripping over a bench behind him and falling to the ground, as armed security piles in from all sides. Onlookers can be seen jumping back in horror at what they have just witnessed. Before a black car speeds around a corner and the prime minister's slumped body is bundled into the back of the vehicle, Fico was eventually airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital. World leaders have begun to send in their messages of condemnation for the attack and well-wishes to the PM. US President Joe Biden condemned the shooting as a 'horrific act of violence,' adding that he and First Lady Jill Biden 'are praying for a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia.' Russian President Putin called the attach a 'heinous crime', adding 'I know Robert Fico to be a courageous and strong-spirited man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to withstand this difficult situation'. While French President Macron offered 'solidarity' with Slovakia and German Chancellor Scholz called for the 'end to violence in politics. Fico was re-elected for the fourth time last October and has since supported a more pro-Russia position, including most recently by pledging to stop military support for Ukraine. He also ruffled feathers in the UK, when he said Britain must 'suffer' for Brexit. A witness told Slovakian news site Dennik, that Fico had left the building to greet people who had gathered to catch a glimpse of him before 'several shots were fired'. The alleged assassin 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, from Levice Juraj Cintula, 71, is a writer and founder member of a literary club. His son was quoted as telling local media: 'I have no idea what father intended, what he planned, why it happened. Maybe there was some short circuit' Harrowing footage captured the moment Robert Fico's security officials lunged over a barrier to take down the shooter An individual from within the crowd can be seen lunging forward, with a gun in hand as he begins shooting in the direction of the PM who is out of the camera frame The security scrambled to tackle the man, who is reportedly 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, from Levice, to the ground while shoving into the metal barriers and knocking him to the floor A general view of the F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital where Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is undergoing operation A black car was seen speeding around to the scene of the attack before the PM was bundled in The man accused of shooting PM Robert Fico is a writer and founder member of a literary club, it has emerged. Juraj Cintula, 71, has also published several poems and shocked neighbours have described him and his wife as 'fantastic'. His son was quoted as telling local media:' I have no idea what father intended, what he planned, why it happened. Maybe there was some short circuit.' It has also emerged that in 2016, while working as a security guard in a supermarket in Levice where he lives, he was attacked by a man and left badly bruised. A TV interview with Cintula from the time shows him with a black eye in the clip he said of his attacker:' He was drugged. He started throwing chickens from the shelves onto the ground, then he started juggling them.' The man then began punching and kicking Cintula before police arrived and his attacker was taken away. Cintula, who was chairman of the Duha Literary Club until he left in 2016 wrote three poems which were posted onto the club's Facebook page. They were called Dream of a Rebel, Diptych and Wasps and he is also a member of the Association of Slovak Writers. Police work at the scene after a shooting incident in which Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was wounded by five gun shots, police confirmed Forensics teams set up outside the House of Culture in Handlova An emergency services helicopter takes off from the F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital Police and security officers stand guard outside F.D. Roosevelt University Hospital, where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was taken after he was wounded in a shooting incident in Handlova Robert Fico (pictured centre) being carried away by security officials into a car after he was shot in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava, following a Slovak government meeting The Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico has been 'shot and wounded' Cintula has also posted several political videos on YouTube and Facebook. In one from eight years ago he said:' The world is full of violence and weapons. People seem to be going crazy. 'A number of migrants are flowing into Europe, there is hatred and extremism everywhere. But worst of all, the governments of European states have no alternative to this chaos. But that's what a person is after all.' In the video, he also said that, together with other people, was founding an anti violence movement in Levice. He said:'Every normal person rejects violence. Our goal is to unite people, preserve peace and restore democracy. It is very difficult because no one trusts anyone anymore. The world is full of chaos and hatred.' On its Facebook page, which includes Cintula's email, The Movement Against Violence describes itself as a 'emerging political party whose goal is to prevent the spread of violence in society. To prevent war in Europe and the spread of hatred.' The last post is from April 2022, a few weeks after the start of the war in Ukraine and says:' What Slavic brotherhood? He is only the aggressor and the attacked.' In a message posted later on Fico's Facebook page, his staff said he was shot a number of times and was 'currently in a life-threatening condition'. They said he was being transported to Banksa Bystrica as he needed urgent surgery. The next few hours would be critical, the post said. The alleged assailant was detained by cops at the scene The gunman is allegedly 71-year-old Juraj C The attacker was pushed to the ground and handcuffed Robert Fico is in 'life threatening condition' according to a message posted to his Facebook following the attack According to The Herald, an eye witness who had been waiting to greet the PM said: 'I was just going to shake his hand, when the shots rang out it almost deafened me'. It was also reported that someone from within the crowd yelled 'Robo, come here' before the shooting began. The alleged assailant was nabbed by cops on site, who then cordoned off the area and the House of Culture was evacuated. The alleged 71-year-old was seen on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back, his face bloody after seemingly hitting the floor. Who is Robert Fico? Robert Fico, 59, is the current Prime Minister of Slovakia, having served since September 2023. He previously served from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018. Fico was forced to step down as prime minister following the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak in 2018. He founded the Direction - Social Democracy (Smer) party in 1999 and has led the party since its foundation. He holds a record as the longest-serving prime minister in the country's history, having served for a total of over 10 years. Advertisement Images from outside Banksa Bystrica show the PM being wheeled into the hospital surrounded by at least seven rescue workers, while covered in a white sheet. According to a local report from Digi24 , a Romanian news TV channel, Fico was hit by at least two bullets, before the Slovak Ministry of the Interior confirmed it was an assassination attempt.A 66-year-old resident who had been lining up to see the PM spoke to a local news outlet about the tragic and terrifying incident. 'We went to shake hand to mister Fico, I was taking pictures of him when he walked out of the building, we were waiting for long time, we were excited, we wanted to shake his hand, even one man next to me, and at this moment we heard something like a petard, we thought someone made a joke and threw a firecracker on the ground, that was my first reaction,' she said. 'I heard three shots, it was quick one by one like if you throw a firecracker on the ground,' she added. When asked by a journalist if she had seen his injuries, she responded: 'Yes I saw a scratch on a head and then he fell next to the barrier. 'I think it is a nightmare, I'll tell you I think I will not wake up from this. That this is not possible to happen in Slovakia.' Following the shock attack, Peter Pellegrini, Slovakia's president-elect and an ally of Robert Fico, has said that 'an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister is a threat to everything that has adorned Slovak democracy so far.' 'I am horrified by where the hatred towards another political opinion can lead. 'We don't have to agree on everything, but there are plenty of ways to express our disagreement democratically and legally,' he added. The head of the liberal political party Progressive Slovakia, Michala Simecek, said:' We unequivocally and strongly condemn any violence. We trust that Prime Minister Fico will be fine and that this terrible act will be brought to light as soon as possible.' Fico has been serving as the PM of Slovakia since September 2023, having returned to power after serving previously from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018. During his run in 2016, the leader commented on Brexit saying it was unclear what the United Kingdom wanted, adding that it 'must suffer' more than the 27 countries who will remain in the bloc. The PM was shot in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava The prime minister was airlifted to a nearby hospital after suffering gunshot wounds to the arm and stomach Rescue workers take Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and injured, to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia. He is pictured covered in a white sheet Robert Fico pictured speaking with people before the cabinet's away-from-home session in the town of Handlova, Slovakia It is not currently known what the shooter's motives were behind the attack Czech PM, Petr Fiala said: 'We must not tolerate violence, it must have no place in society' Law enforcement arrives at the scene of the gun attack which saw the prime minister shot Following Wednesday's shooting, Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova condemned 'a brutal and ruthless' attack on the premier. 'I'm shocked,' Ms Caputova said. 'I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack.' Law enforcement has arrived at the scene of the gun attack as they carry out investigations into the disaster. Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during a session of Parliament and adjourned it until further notice, the Slovak TASR news agency said. Czech PM, Petr Fiala, has responded to the attack on X, formerly Twitter, posting: 'The news about the shooting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is shocking. 'I wish the prime minister to get well as soon as possible. We must not tolerate violence, it must have no place in society.' UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also shared a message to X, relaying his shock following the gun attack. 'Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family,' he wrote. Ukraine's PM, Volodymyr Zelensky said: 'The attack on Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is appalling. 'We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighboring partner state's head of government. Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere. 'We sincerely hope Robert Fico recovers soon and express our solidarity with the people of Slovakia'. There is allegedly no information about the shooter's motives at this time. Fico's renewed leadership as prime minister got off to a rocky start after he halted military aid to Ukraine in January, and just last month he pushed through plans to crap public broadcaster RTVS. Parliament was sitting at the time of the attack and local Slovak media reported that a party colleague of Fico's shouted at opposition MPs, accusing them of inciting the attack. A cardiologist who was on humanitarian mission to provide care to victims of the ravaging flood in the Brazilian southern state of Rio Grande do Sul died of a massive heart attack, his mother confirmed on social media. Dr. Leandro Medice, 41, joined a group of doctors Sunday before dawn and flew from the southeastern state of Espirito Santo to the Rio Grande do Sul city of Sao Leopoldo to help residents at a shelter. Dr. Carlos Cardoso, a dermatologist, told Brazilian news outlet G1 that he asked Medice if he was interested in joining the volunteer mission, especially because of the shortage of doctors who were available because of Mother's Day. Cardoso said that Medice spent the entire day tending to patients at the crowded shelter. Dr. Leandro Medice died after suffering a heart attack at shelter where he was volunteering in the Brazilian city of Sao Leopoldo on Monday morning. The 41-year-old joined three doctors Sunday and traveled from the southeastern Brazil state of Espirito Santo to the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, where they provided general care to residents who were displaced from their flooded neighborhoods Amanda Medice (pictured) shared a heartbreaking post on Instagram for her late uncle, Dr. Leandro Medice, who she said died of a heart attack at a shelter in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazi. 'Dying is crazy,' she wrote. 'Forced you to leave the party at the best time, without saying goodbye to anyone, without having a last hug or a last "I love you" He recalled that Medice was feeling tired but talkative before they went to sleep on Sunday night. They had scheduled to spend the majority of Monday treating residents before flying back to Vitoria at night. Cardoso noticed that Medice was still asleep on Monday morning and nudged him three times in an attempt to get him to wake up before he noticed that the doctor had died. 'In the morning, I went to wake him up early, but I had difficulty at first, but I just thought he was tired,' Cardoso said. 'Around 6:30 am, I came back and touched his hand. he was a little warm, but as there was a cold wind coming in, I thought it was because of that. 'Fifteen minutes later, I came back and I really thought it was very strange that he hadn't woken up by the time I went to touch him, he was already cold. He had already passed away and I didn't have much time, because at 4am I heard him snoring.' Dr. Medice joined a team of doctors who traveled from the southeastern Brazil state of Espirito Santo to the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul to provide treatment to flood victims Dr. Cardoso said he and Dr. Medice treated flood victims at a shelter Sunday and that he tried to wake up him before discovering that he had died Medice's husband, Joao Martins, told the outlet that he had did not have any prior medical issues and was in good health. 'He was very healthy, he always took care of his health,' Martins said. 'He never had any history of problems. I still can't believe what happened. When they told me, I thought it was a joke. He went to help people and this tragedy happened.' The death of Medice, who spent nine years in the cardiology unit at Evangelico de Vila Velha Hospital, shocked his niece, Amanda Medice. 'Dying is ridiculous. You agreed on what we would have for lunch the following week, you have plans to renovate your house, you are worried about bills, with various ideas for the institute... and out of nowhere, in the morning, you die. Like this???' Amanda Medice wrote on Instagram alongside two photos of herself and her uncle. Dr. Leandro Medice spent nine years working as a cardiologist at local hospital in the southeastern Brazil state of Espirito Santo before he opened his own hair transplant practice with his husband Amanda was Leandro's goddaughter and was treated by him as if she was his own daughter. She was left looking for answers as to who was going to look after the hair transplant clinic he ran with his husband or who would look after the family. 'What about the emails you didn't read? Your wet towel on the clothesline? Your clothes to wash? The clinic to clean? The patients? Our family?' she said. 'You spent more than 10 years studying, becoming a professional you did physiotherapy, medicine, specialized in cardiology, intensive care, hair transplant From one moment to the next, everything ended in a heart attack in the middle of the tragedy that you went to help in Rio Grande do Sul. 'Dying is crazy. Forced you to leave the party at the best time, without saying goodbye to anyone, without having a last hug or a last "I love you." Dindo, my love, we were so alike and I never imagined myself writing this to you I will forever be your daughter.' Emails introduced into evidence in the Donald Trump trial reveal a move to set up a 'back channel' to President Trump that would run through Rudy Giuliani at a time Michael Cohen was lawyering up after an FBI raid on his apartment and office. It was designed 'sort of to be covert. Its all back-channel. Sort of I Spyish,' is how Cohen put it during his second day of testimony in the Trump hush money trial Tuesday. The relationship began after FBI I agents appeared at Cohen's door in 2018 to seize his two cell phones and remove documents in a search that included his office and flooded residence. He said he was 'despondent' and 'angry.' He was also vulnerable, with potentially incriminating documents in his possession, including one that acted as a 'side' agreement stating that Trump and Stormy Daniels were the figures in a contract to bury her claims of an affair, which Trump denies occurred. It happened at a time when Cohen was 'scared' and 'wanted some reassurance that Mr. Trump had my back.' Costello, an attorney who previously worked previously as a prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, appeared to dangle such a lifeline, Cohen testified: a way to connect Cohen with Trump as he fought what was shaping up to be a potential legal battle. Michael Cohen spoke about a 'back channel' to Trump that would allow him to maintain a line to President Trump through his lawyer, Robert Costello, who was close to Rudy Giuliani. It was meant to be 'covert' while Cohen was deciding what to do following an FBI raid on his home and office 'He also stated to me that this would be a great way to have a back channel communication to the president in order to ensure that youre still good and that youre still secure,' Cohen testified. But he wasn't persuaded, having been introduced to the lawyer by an associated. 'There was something really sketchy and wrong about him,' Cohen said of Costello, who is close to the former New York mayor (although Costello sued Giuliani for $1.4 million in unpaid legal fees). Costello did not immediately return a call to DailyMail.com about the supposed 'back channel.' He told CBS he as contacted by Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche, and believes he might be called as defense witness. Although he testified he had no idea what the feds were investigating, Cohen was certainly aware that he was in possession of material that would establish a trail for the Stormy Daniels payoff including an audio recording he secretly made of Trump about one hush payment and documents about his $130,000 payment to the porn star, for which he got reimbursed. Emails introduced as evidence reveal Costello's repeated efforts to demonstrate his access to Giuliani, who according to Costello was communicating with then-President Trump about it. Lawyer Robert Costello touted his access to Rudy Giuliani when cultivating Michael Cohen as a potential client 'Sleep well tonight, you have friends in high places,' he wrote in April 2018, around the time Trump was tweeting his belief that Cohen wouldn't 'flip' Giuliani was close to Trump and would join the president's legal team Costello is a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. He has represented Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani, suing both claiming unpaid legal fees Prosecutors brought into evidence Trump's tweets about whether Cohen would 'flip.' He would later call Cohen a 'rat' 'I am sure you saw the news that Rudy is joining the Trump legal team. I told you my relationship with Rudy which could be very very useful for you,' Costello wrote Cohen April 19th, trying to leverage the connection.' Although Cohen said he hadn't made an agreement to retain Costello, an email a few days later by Costello states that the back channel is already open. 'Michael, I just spoke to Rudy Giuliani and told him I was on your team. Rudy was thrilled and said this could not be a better situation for the President or you. He asked me if it was okay to call the President and Jay Sekulow and I said, fine,' he wrote, mentioning another Trump lawyer. 'He asked me to tell you that he knows how tough this is on you and your family and he will make sue [sure] to tell the President. He said thank you for opening this back channel of communication and asked me to keep in touch,' Costello wrote. Cohen said in court Tuesday he was concerned that the channel might funnel information to Trump, 'I was also concerned, again, when he started talking about his incredibly close relationship to Rudy, that anything I said to him was going to be spoken and told to Rudy Giuliani. And, of course, because Rudy Giuliani at the time was so proximate to Mr. Trump, President Trump, that anything that I said would get back to him,' Cohen said. Another email from Costello, dated April 21, gave more reassurance that 'they are in our corner.' The two men met, traded phone calls and emails as Cohen decided what to do following an FBI raid on his home and office 'I spoke with Rudy. Very, very positive. You are loved. If you want to call me, I will give you the details,' Costello wrote. 'I told him everything you asked me to and he said they knew that. There was never a doubt, and they are in our corner. Rudy said this communication channel must be maintained. He called it crucial and noted how reassured they were that they had someone like me who Rudy has known for so many years in this role. Sleep well tonight. You have friends in high places,' Costello concluded. A post script drove home the point. 'P.S.: Some very positive comments about you from the White House. Rudy noted how that followed my chat with him last night,' Costello wrote. Prosecutors had Cohen note that the messages nearly intersected with Trump's public tweets about whether or not Cohen would 'flip' - or turn against him. 'Michael is a businessman for his own account/lawyer who I have always liked & respected. Most people will flip if the Government lets them out of trouble, even if it means lying or making up stories,' Trump wrote. 'Sorry, I don't see Michael doing that despite the horrible Witch Hunt and the dishonest media!' The post 'let me know that I was still important to the team and stay the course that the president had my back,' Cohen said, asked for his response at the time. But things would sour with Costello, and by June the lawyer was having to prove to Cohen that he wasn't manipulating him. 'Michael, to prove to you that Rudy Giuliani called me and I did not call him, I photographed the pages from my iPhone, which I am attaching,' Costello wrote. There are indications of angry phone calls. ' Michael, since you jumped off the phone rather abruptly, I did not get a chance to tell you that my friend has communicated to me that he is meeting with his client this evening,' Costello wrote. Cohen said that was referencing Giuliani and Trump. 'I must tell you, quite frankly, that I'm not used to listening to abuse like today's conversation,' Costello wrote, using some of Cohen's own tactics. (Cohen has said he would sometimes 'bully' people for Trump). Costello worried that Cohen had met with another lawyer and that he had been 'played here.' One June 14, Costello sent Cohen a clip of Giuliani discussing the possibility of Cohen cooperating in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. Cohen asked why he was sending it, prompting another angry exchange. 'It seems clear to me that you are under the impression that Trump and Giuliani are trying to discredit you and throw you under the bus,' Costello wrote, saying that was not the case. 'I think you are wrong, because you are believing the narrative promoted by the left wing media,' he advised. But he said they were wrong. 'Many of them are already writing that you are cooperating,' he wrote, but said it was a tactic to 'put pressure on you into believing that you are alone. That everyone you knew before is distancing themselves from you and you are being "thrown under the bus.'' Cohen never revealed to the lawyer what he knew about the Stormy Daniels arrangement. 'I didn't trust him,' he said in court. Instead, by August Cohen would plead guilty to lying to Congress and a campaign finance. Although he didn't reach a cooperation agreement, he met with the special counsel, as well as prosecutors while in prison and during home confinement about the Stormy Daniels case and other matters. He testified this year for prosecutors in the Trump fraud trial. And he says he made the pivot after speaking to his wife daughter and son. That 'all said to me, why are you holding onto this loyalty?' Cohen testified. 'What are you doing? We're supposed to be your first loyalty? Asked what decision he made at that point, he responded: 'That it was about time to listen to them.' If Costello were to get called by the defense, he has a lot to say about Cohen. He told a House committee on 'weaponization' of government Wednesday that Cohen 'took a foolish step by lying that he had evidence that Rudy Giuliani and I had conspired to obstruct justice by dangling a pardon for him to keep his mouth shut about Donald Trump,. That was totally false and utter nonsense,' he said. 'Now, after going to jail, Michael Cohen is on a revenge tour because he blames Donald Trump for the loss of his law license and the fact that he did go to jail,' Costello wrote in a statement to the committee. DailyMail.com also sought comment from Giuliani. Victims of a microscopic parasite plaguing water supplies in south-west England say they are suffering the 'worst illness' they have ever had. South West Water (SWW) has urged people to boil their tap water after hundreds were struck down with diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pains linked to cryptosporidium, a parasitic bug that causes severe stomach issues. Residents across Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and north-east Paignton in Devon are all being told to boil water as a precaution, including when drinking it or using it to cook with and brush teeth. The water board initially claimed that its treatment works were not to blame but has since backtracked - prompting fury from local Tory MP Anthony Mangnall, who said its initial failure to act had been 'enormously frustrating'. Locals who believe they have been struck down by the parasite, which can be eradicated by boiling water, have told of severe stomach cramps, dehydration, high fevers and 'explosive diarrhoea' that have crippled them and their families. Have you fallen ill with cryptosporidium? Email jon.brady@mailonline.co.uk South West Water has set up bottled water stops for residents to pick up water if they are unable to boil it at home South West Water unloading crates of bottled water to distribute to locals in south Devon A suspected outbreak of cryptosporidium is believed to be affecting hundreds of people in Brixham (pictured) Cryptosporidium can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals Cryptosporidium can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals. The parasite can be ingested by swimming in or drinking contaminated water as well as other sources such as contaminated food. It can lead to the disease cryptosporidiosis, which is believed to be affecting many people in Brixham, and causes fever, a loss of appetite, diarrhoea and vomiting. The NHS says most people recover within a month, if not less. Twenty-two cases of the bug, which is caused by a parasite, have been confirmed in Brixham with a further 70 under investigation. Locals told MailOnline symptoms began among some around two weeks ago. Conservative MP for Totnes and South Devon Anthony Mangnall has slammed the 'enormously frustrating' pace at which South West Water has sought to address the outbreak Retiree Kathy Hudson, 67, said: 'I have been ill since last week with cramps, diarrhoea, sickness and dizziness. My daughter-in-law has also got ill. 'I dont want to know what is in the water I have been drinking but now they are saying not to wash your hands, can you shower? Whats it going to do to you? 'I have been coming out with terrible eczema in the last couple of weeks which I havent in ages.' To make matters worse Kathy says she hasnt been able to buy any bottled water as panic buyers have stripped shelves in the towns supermarkets. She added: 'There is no water left in any of the shops in town. 'I think South West Water made a mess for themselves by saying yesterday there was nothing wrong with the water and to keep drinking it. They shouldve been testing the water before it happened.' Karen Chapman, 65, said: 'I only found out yesterday and I drink squash with tap water all day. 'I pay a lot of money for water and its going up but you cant even drink it, plus electricity is sky high so it costs to boil the water every time you want to drink it. 'I have had no water all day because everywhere is sold out of bottles. It reminds me of the panic buying toilet rolls during Covid.' Brixham resident Meg Dew said: 'My 62-year-old mum called me about half an hour ago, she has a bad stomach and diarrhoea. 'My friends have been ill since the Pirate Festival (4th to 6th May), I didnt even know until this morning that there was anything wrong with the water. 'South West Water needs to sort it out, bills are high but for nothing.' Ian Ross, 40, from Torquay, said: 'If this was caused by sewage in the water, South West Water needs to be ashamed.' Tanya Matthews, who lives in Higher Brixham, claimed every home on her street has come down with symptoms. She is awaiting the results of a cryptosporidium test. Ms Matthews said: 'I started having stomach cramps and explosive diarrhoea nine days ago and it has been the same every day since. I started to feel a little bit better yesterday then today it hit me again. 'I rang SWW yesterday and I was told there had been 15 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium and that UKHSA are looking into it.' Locals in areas of south Devon have been advised to boil their tap water before drinking it in order to kill off cryptosporidium parasites Locals queueing in a car park in South Devon to pick up bottled water during the outbreak of cryptosporidium Tanya put a post on Brixham Fish Town, a community group on Facebook, to see how many other people had also been affected. It is had more than 1,000 comments with many reporting they are also unwell. Tanya said: 'I posted about it to see how many other people may have had these symptoms without realising and thinking it's just a tummy bug.' A Ms Henderson, of Brixham, told MailOnline she has been suffering from 'clear diarrhoea' for the past week. She said: 'Last week I had such bad diarrhoea it was crazy. My diarrhoea was completely clear - it was just clear water. 'When you have diarrhoea you get dehydration. So I was drinking more water to stay hydrated, so I was obviously feeding the illness more.' Brixham local Kayley Lewis's family is suffering from symptoms of cryptosporidiosis. She said: 'My eldest son Jacob was the first one of us to be poorly. He ended up in hospital overnight with severe dehydration on May 5. I then started to feel unwell on May 6 and had awful stomach pains and watery diarrhoea lasting six days. 'Both my boys have missed a lot of school due to it too. My youngest daughter Daisy has only had stomach cramps. I took in my sample this morning to the doctors and they have said every sample is now going to a team that is investigating.' A resident who lives in Hillhead, Brixham, told how she has been bed-bound for over a week and has tested positive for cryptosporidium by her doctor. She said: 'I've been bed-bound for eight days with sickness and diarrhoea and have been signed off work for two weeks and lost over a stone in weight. It's the worst illness I've ever experienced.' Dean James, who lives Northfields Lane in in Furzeham, says his family have been ill since last Saturday, May 11, and it is now impacting on their livelihoods. He said: 'It has not been a nice experience. We have had diarrhoea and vomiting, severe stomach cramps, high temperature and running a fever. 'My partner and I are both off work and have no sick pay; my partner has no sick pay for the first three days and I'm self-employed. All this when we are experiencing a high cost of living.' A Brixham resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: 'My whole family - myself, my partner and my two children - have been affected. 'We have had diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting for more than 10 days, as have many people on our street including several diagnosed cases of cryptosporidium. 'Whenever you phone SWW, they make out they've only had a 'couple' of reports about it which I know is false. 'I spoke to our GP at Mayfield Surgery who confirms they have had many cases and have reported it to the relevant authorities as it is so prevalent.' South West Water shared this map of the areas affected in South Devon on its website Community Facebook page Brixham Fish Town has been inundated with posts and comments from residents saying they have come down with symptoms (Pictured: Brixham) South West Water (SWW) previously insisted the tests it has carried out on the quality of drinking water in Brixham have currently all come back clear. A social media post issued earlier read: 'We are aware of posts on social media regarding the quality of drinking water in the Brixham area and we would like to reassure customers that the water supply is fine to continue to use as normal. 'We have carried out sampling and tests for cryptosporidium and all results have come back clear. 'We always carefully monitor our drinking water supplies and we are supporting the UK Health Security Agency with their investigations.' But it later admitted that 'small traces of the organism' cryptosporidium had been found in its water supply. It has now set up bottled water stops and will be delivering bottled water to vulnerable residents registered for priority attention. Conservative MP for Totnes and South Devon Anthony Mangnall has criticised the pace at which SWW responded to the outbreak. He told BBC News: 'It is enormously frustrating that South West Water weren't quicker to respond at the first point at when this was reported. 'It started with an initial denial that it was anything to do with their network and of course they have now found the cryptosporidium is in their network and they are responding. 'Residents were quick to actually point out there was something wrong with the water, they could taste it, and now they are suffering.' Mr Mangnall added: 'What I want to see is for them to address the problem, fix it as quickly as possible and make sure the support for residents is there both now and into the future so they can have confidence in their drinking water.' What is cryptosporidium? Cryptosporidium, which can cause vomiting, stomach pains and a fever, can survive in swimming pools for up to a week. The chlorine-resistant parasite is spread by contaminated faecal matter entering the mouth, such as while swimming. Traces of dried poo can wash off an infected person's anus. Infected people can shed up to 100million cryptosporidium germs in a single bowel movement, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Swallowing just ten is enough to get ill. Advertisement A South West Water spokesperson said 'protective action' should be taken for all water use. A statement from the supplier said: 'Customers in Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham are advised to boil their drinking water before consuming following new test results for cryptosporidium. 'We are issuing this as a precaution following small traces of the organism identified overnight and this morning. We are working with public health partners to urgently investigate the source. 'We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will continue to keep customers and businesses updated. Bottled water stations will be set up in the affected areas as soon as possible. 'For those customers registered for Priority Services we will be delivering bottled water to your address. For all customers who have been issued with the Boil Water Notice you will receive an automatic payment of 15, as part of our Customer Promise when services are interrupted.' The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which is leading the investigation, is yet to confirm any details about the alleged outbreak. Sarah Bird, consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West said: 'We advise people in the affected areas to follow the advice from South West Water and boil their drinking water and allow to cool before use. 'Anyone with a diarrhoeal illness should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and if they have severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea, they should contact NHS 111 or their GP surgery. 'Symptoms include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever, which can last for two to three weeks.' Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki, in her new memoir, reveals how she carried a special gift from Meghan Markle into the White House and gave it to first lady Jill Biden. Dailymail.com revealed exclusively in July that the Duchess of Sussex sent the American first lady a box of lemons to thank her for what was seen as a supportive gesture towards Meghan following her and Harry's controversial TV interview with Oprah Winfrey. Psaki revealed she was the one who smuggled the lemons into the White House on Meghan's behalf. She writes that after DailyMail.com revealed that Meghan sent a box of lemons to Biden, there was a round of conspiracies theories on the internet about how the gift got delivered to the first lady. 'How did the lemons get there? Who delivered them? This I can clear up once and for all. It was me! I delivered the lemons,' she confesses. Psaki said a 'mutual friend' arranged for the lemons to be sent to her home in Northern Virginia so she could carry them into the White House complex, by-passing the long, intensive screening process that mail sent directly to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue goes through. Jen Psaki revealed she brought a gift from Meghan Markle into White House to give to Jill Biden 'Meghan asked a mutual friend for help sending lemons to the White House. They were sent to my house instead (because it would have taken weeks for the lemons to make it through security, which would have resulted in a box of rotting lemons being delivered from the duchess to the First Lady),' she writes. Psaki's memoir, 'Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World,' is currently available. "Say More. Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World" by Jen Psaki released on May 7, 2024 by Simon and Schuster Typically, any mail sent to the White House, including gifts, goes to a center in suburban Maryland where it under goes a screening process that includes heat and radiation testing to counteract any potential toxic substances, such as anthrax. The procedure which also applies to mail going to members of Congress was put in place after the September 11 attacks and after anthrax was sent to offices on Capitol Hill. The high temperatures used to screen for toxins can literally burn pieces of mail black and would destroy any perishable substance. For friends and families of the President and First Lady, items are usually sent to a point of contact, typically a staff member, who then brings it directly to the White House. It would still be screened but the process is more direct, less cumbersome and the gift is just x-rayed, not fried. The lemon gift basket came about after Prince Harry and Meghan's bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview, when their fans saw something that made them believe that Jill Biden was sympathetic to the Duke and Duchess. The day after the explosive interview aired in 2021, Jill wore an Oscar de la Renta dress with a lemon pattern to the State Department's International Women of Courage Awards. She even topped it off with a matching face mask which she removed before speaking at the event. The frock was similar to a $2,890 dress from the same designer that Meghan had worn a month before. The day after Harry and Meghan's explosive Oprah interview aired, Jill Biden wore an Oscar de la Renta dress with a lemon pattern to the State Department's International Women of Courage Awards in 2021 Meghan and Harry's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey was in May 2021, and the next day the First Lady appeared to show her support of the couple Meghan wore the same print and designer for her first appearance after quitting the royal family. Pictured: Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry at Spotify event Jill is pictured delivering remarks at the International Women of Courage Awards Twitter saw Jill's outfit as a subtle nod of support to Team Sussex even though the First Lady had worn the dress on several occasions before that and since then. That's when Meghan sent her box of lemons in thanks. It's unclear what happened to the lemons after their arrival at the White House and the First Lady's office didn't respond to inquiries on the matter. It's also believed Jill, who is known for being thoughtful, would almost certainly have sent Meghan a thank you note for the gift. World leaders have today condemned the shooting of Slovakian PM Robert Fico, who was shot point blank in the stomach while greeting a crowd in the town of Handlova. There was an immediate outpouring of support and well-wishes from Heads of State including Austria, Poland, Italy and Romania, who were quick to condemn the attack. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the shooting as a 'heinous crime' and said he hoped the 'courageous' Fico would recover quickly. 'I know Robert Fico to be a courageous and strong-spirited man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to withstand this difficult situation,' Putin said in a statement released by the Kremlin. President Joe Biden condemned the attempted assassination as a 'horrific act of violence' and said the U.S. Embassy was ready to assist the government there, according to a statement released by the White House. 'I am alarmed to hear reports of an attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico,' Biden said. 'We condemn this horrific act of violence. Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist.' Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: 'Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family.' Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) described the shooting as a 'heinous crime ' and said he hoped the 'courageous' Fico would recover quickly US President Joe Biden said the U.S. Embassy was ready to assist the government there, according to a statement released by the White House Personnel carrying Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico (C) towards a vehicle after he was shot in Handlova on May 15 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: 'Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family.' Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks during a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. He is fighting for his life in hospital following today's shooting President Fico was reportedly shot by 71-year-old, Juraj Cintula from Levice, who attempted to flee before he was tackled to the ground by security. According to social media, President Fico's injuries are 'life-threatening' and he was flown to hospital for emergency treatment. The attempted assassination followed a government meeting in the town of Handlova, north-east of Bratislava. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the 'shocking attack carried out today against the prime minister of Slovakia,' his office said. Guterres's 'thoughts are with the prime minister and his loved ones at this difficult moment,' spokesman Farhan Haq added. Robert Fico (pictured centre) being carried away by security officials into a car after he was shot in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava, following a Slovak government meeting The PM was shot in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava The Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico has been 'shot and wounded' The alleged assassin 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, from Levice The gunman is allegedly 71-year-old Juraj C European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen said: 'Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family.' Czech President Petr Pavel said: 'The attack on Robert Fico is clearly reprehensible, whatever its motivation was. 'It should be a warning to us about where deepening spite and aggressiveness in society can lead. I wish for Robert Fico to emerge from this incident without lasting effects.' The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz added: 'News of the cowardly assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Fico shocks me deeply. Violence must have no place in European politics.' The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky added: 'Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere.' Shocking video footage shows the moment Fico was gunned down across a barrier, as he greeted members of the public. Rescue workers take Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and injured, to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia. He is pictured covered in a white sheet The attacker was pushed to the ground and handcuffed The PM can be seen shaking hands and waving to cheering citizens, before chaos was unleashed. An individual from within the crowd can be seen lunging forward, with a gun in hand as he begins shooting in the direction of the PM who is out of the camera frame. The crowds descend in to chaos and panic as several of the security team pounce on the shooter and scramble to get around the gate to reach injured Fico. Hungarian PM Viktor Orban said: 'I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country!' Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk added: 'Shocking news from Slovakia. Robert, my thoughts are with you in this very difficult moment.' Ireland's PM Simon Harris said: 'I am deeply shocked by today's attack on Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico. 'The attack on Prime Minister Fico is an attack on democracy, a fundamental value of the European Union and one we all share.' Podcaster and internet personality DJ Akademiks has been accused of sexual assault and defamation in a lawsuit filed earlier this week. Fauziya Abashe alleges in her suit that Akademiks, real name Livingston Allen, raped her at his home in New Jersey in July 2022. In the complaint, filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Abashe claims she met Allen in 2021 through social media and the two casually dated. Abashe claims she periodically visited his home and didn't 'suspect any ill intentions', when she was invited to his address in July 2022. She alleges that Allen 'brutally' raped her after two unnamed accomplices allegedly drugged and gang-raped her at his home earlier that day. Fauziya Abashe alleges in her suit that Akademiks, real name Livingston Allen, seen here, raped her at his home in New Jersey in July 2022 Abashe claims she periodically visited his home and didn't 'suspect any ill intentions', when she was invited to his address in July 2022 Abashe is suing Allen and the two unnamed individuals for sexual assault, negligent infliction of emotional distress and defamation and requested a jury trial. In a statement to USA Today, her lawyer Tyrone Blackburn said: 'Litigation is always the last resort. After several unsuccessful attempts to resolve this case privately. 'Ms Abashe was left with no choice but to file. Mr. Allens hubris will be his downfall.' In a livestream on Tuesday, Allen appeared to address the lawsuit, saying: 'I'm going to go against my very high-priced attorney's advice today, but I'm still not going to say much.' 'My only comment should really be, whatever this is will be handled in court. 'Just know, according to the law and according to the police and according to all sanctioning governing authorities. 'Akademiks is an innocent man who has not ever been charged with anything of the sort that has to do with any deviancy or anything like that, has never been charged, will never be charged. That's a fact.' Allen, who is also the co-host of the Complex show Everyday Struggles, added that the lawsuit was a 'shakedown' saying it was a 'money tree situation'. Akademiks responds to the Rape and Defamation lawsuit pic.twitter.com/NRyEpjMiP5 Keondre Harris (@1SlumBabii) May 14, 2024 Abashe is suing Allen and the two unnamed individuals for sexual assault, negligent infliction of emotional distress and defamation and requested a jury trial The morning after the alleged incident, Abashe said she didn't know what happened until Allen showed her footage of the incident which happened on his pool deck. Abashe allegedly went to the police to report the assaults and had a sexual assault forensic exam performed. Allen has over 1.5 million followers on X and a further 2.8 million subscribers on YouTube, as well as 500,000 on Twitch. He regularly shares his thoughts on the music industry and seemed to address the events referenced in the suit in a video last December. In the video, he said he came from a party forgetting he had invited an unnamed girl into his home. The next morning, he accused the woman of having sex with his two friends willingly. In his livestream earlier this week, Allen seemed to confirm that a police investigation had been conducted into the claims. He said: 'I told the truth: Hey, the police came, they looked, we gave them everything, pretty much everything is documented, caught on video tape. 'They got to see it with their own two eyes. Not only did they say Ak, you good and that's not just word of mouth you're officially cleared. 'We could not bring any criminal charges. You are not criminally liable. Also, anybody else in the situation was also cleared.' This video is no longer available This video is no longer available A British grandfather whose ashes were sprinkled at his beloved holiday spot in Turkey has been pictured and named. Nathan Jon 'Vodkaman' Leonard, 43, sadly passed away on April 3 last year with pneumonia, COVID and a heart attack. On Monday, his family scattered his ashes on at the Uzunyal beach in Marmaris, Turkey as a touching tribute. However, the ceremony also shocked locals as cremation is not legal in the country, sparking a health alert. Nathan Leonard's ashes were poured into the sea at his favourite spot in Turkey in a touching ceremony by his family and friends Mr Leonard's family and friends spreading his ashes in the sea, which sparked a health warning in Turkey Nathan Jon 'Vodkaman' Leonard, 43, (pictured) sadly passed away on April 3 last year Mr Leonard was born in Hull on February 19, 1980 to Peter and Mandy Leonard, who he also lived with Mr Leonard was born in Hull on February 19, 1980 to Peter and Mandy Leonard, who he also lived with. He had two daughters, Talia and Dakota, with Fiona Fielding and he also had a granddaughter, Dolce. The grandfather also sometimes worked at Bar X in Marmaris, Turkey. Following his passing, Ms Fielding wrote in April last year: 'My heart is absolutely broken for my two girls Talia Leonard, Dakota Leonard and my granddaughter Dolce on the sad loss of their dad and grandad Nathan Leonard. 'My heart is with your mam and dad Mandy Leonard and Peter and the rest of your family sleep peacefully Nathan and thank you our beautiful girls.' The grandfather also sometimes worked at Bar X in Marmaris, Turkey. The country was described as his 'happy place' On Monday, his family scattered his ashes on at the Uzunyal beach in Marmaris, Turkey as a touching tribute Mr Leonard's family triggered a health alert in Turkey after wading into the sea to scatter the ashes His mother, Mandy, said: 'Well, I know my son Nathan (vodka man) was love of my life. Now he is on the Marmaris news because he is in his happy place. 'Our hearts are broken, Nathan Leonard fought till the end with pneumonia, covid and heart attack 19.02.1980 - 03.04.2023 love you always son.' Mr Leonard's family triggered a health alert in Turkey after wading into the sea to scatter the ashes. Health authorities in Marmaris, on the southern Aegean Coast, began a hasty investigation and took water samples following backlash from concerned locals about Monday's ceremony. Swimmers warned that the spreading of ashes in popular waters near the beach could endanger health, prompting an urgent response from the regional District Health Directorate. Cremation is not legal in Turkey and restrictions are in place to limit bringing ashes into the country. The family of Mr Leonard scatter the ashes of their late relative at Uzunyal beach The touching tribute organised by family and friends of the late Briton, per Turkish media The water tests arranged by local authorities were not directly related, and there is no immediate health risk posed by ashes in the sea. However, restrictions on scattering ashes in Turkey have caused significant upset for travellers in the past. While some airlines do allow passengers to take ashes to Turkey in carry-on luggage, there remain restrictions in place for what people can do with them after landing. Cremation is not legal in Turkey and there are no cremation facilities. When a British person dies in Turkey, the British government advises, finding a local funeral director to arrange a burial, who 'will be able to explain the local process'. Turkey is a Muslim country, and while it is permissible for non-Muslims to be buried in line with their own burial practices within the country, cremation is not allowed under Islamic law. The bereaved may also arrange the repatriation of the body home. In 2022, cultural sensitivities on the matter were felt when a Turkish man was accidentally cremated in a hospital in Hannover. The Uzunyal beach in southwestern Turkey was a favourite place of the deceased Illustrative image shows Turunc Bay in Marmaris, one of many beautiful parts of the coastline Health authorities in Marmaris, on the southern Aegean Coast, began a hasty investigation and took water samples The family of Abdulkadir Sargn, a Turkish citizen, were shocked when - during funeral preparations - they discovered the person in the coffin was a complete stranger. 71-year-old Sargn had died from a brain hemorrhage at the MHH hospital in Hannover. His body was to be transported to a funeral company for an Islamic burial, upon the family's request. After the horror discovery, an intern at the hospital's morgue admitted to having made a mistake and mixing up the bodies, per the Turkish Daily Sabah newspaper. The family raised concerns about why the body had been cremated so soon after Sargn's death, and local police launched an investigation. Frightening security video captured the moment a wild cougar ran into a Washington state family's yard, coming within feet of residents. The incident happened on Saturday, when members of the Havener family were outside in their yard soaking in the spring weather. Sitting on their back patio, April and her husband, Greg, were joined by their nine-year-old daughter and two other family members - before coming face-to face with the carnivorous cat. The family's regular cat, Tuxie, was also in the area - and was the first to encounter the uninvited guest. He can be seen darting away from the cougar in the heart-pounding clip, before eventually leading it to the family. Frightening security video captured the moment a wild cougar ran into a Washington state family's yard, coming within feet of the residents. The incident happened on Saturday when members of the Havener family were outside in their yard, enjoying the spring weather Footage from a camera over the family's backyard caught the massive cougar running out of nearby woods before suddenly chasing the family's two cats. One bore the brunt of the bigger cat's interest, leading it on a chase to the patio around the corner 'I think it was just as shocked by seeing us as we were shocked by seeing it,' April, seen clenching her pet puppy during the ordeal, told KOMO-TV on Tuesday. 'As I came around the car, it was way bigger than I expected,' her husband added, after coming within inches of the mountain lion as he washed his car. 'It was not a bobcat. It took me a few seconds to realize,' he said, citing the animal's impressive stature, weighing 220 pounds when fully grown. 'This is very large. It's a cougar,' he remembered telling himself - shortly after his wife fled. 'We all went our separate ways and left it at that,' he joked of how all five ended up inside the Monroe residence unscathed, with their pets as well. The footage, recorded from two different vantage points from the family's security cameras, tells the rest of the tale, and how the family was stationed at the back of the house when the animal arrived. Footage from a camera over the family's backyard captured the massive cougar running out of the nearby woods before suddenly chasing the family's two cats. Tuxie bore the brunt of the bigger cat's interest, leading it on a chase to the patio around the corner. There, April Havener (obscured by the umbrella) was seated with her daughter (seen in pink) and two other relatives They quickly came face to face with the more than 200-pound apex predator, which is a rare sight in the region Everyone fled, leaving Greg behind with the beast, which he missed due to his car obscuring his line of sight April, meanwhile, frantically fled with the family's new puppy in her arms. Her daughter and other relatives rushed inside seconds before 'As I came around the car, it was way bigger than I expected,' Greg, a farmer, said after coming within inches of the mountain lion while washing his car 'I think it was just as shocked by seeing us as we were shocked by seeing it,' April, seen clenching her pet puppy during the ordeal, added in an interview with KOMO-TV Tuesday, after all escaped unscathed Like his sibling, the cat got away - at the expense of April and others seated in the outdoor area. Greg added to KING-TV, 'All of a sudden this whirlwind shows up in the middle of us.' This caught his family by surprise - with April seen taking several seconds to recognize the gravity of the situation. Her daughter, meanwhile, is quick to dart away. 'My cat is walking along minding his own business,' Greg said of the now-viral footage. 'The cougar comes running out covers the whole yard and here we all are hanging out and they show up right in the middle of all of us.' Greg was on the other side of the family's car, he explained, with the video showing him express surprise by his family's sudden reaction. Not realizing right away the animal was a mountain lion, he mistook it for a bobcat, he said, citing how cougars, while not unheard of, are extremely rare in the region. 'My cat is walking along minding his own business,' Greg said of the footage. 'The cougar comes running out covers the whole yard and here we all are hanging out and they show up right in the middle of all of us.' The cats that attracted the cougar's attention is seen here He added the incident took them all by surprise, telling the station, 'We couldn't even process what happened until afterwards' As his wife and daughter ran inside with their new puppy, he stayed put - but not after the North American panther locked eyes with his beloved and offspring, 'That was probably the scariest moment in the video,' he said Tuesday. '[B]ecause you see it turn and it locks eyes with them and we don't know what it was thinking.' He said the incident took them all by surprise, telling the station, 'We couldn't even process what happened until afterwards. 'We went and looked at the video, and the different angles and saw what everybody was doing, and then I started worrying about the kids in the yard playing in the future, and if it would show up again.' As of Tuesday, the uninvited guest has not made a reappearance, reports indicate - as cougar attacks on humans are considered extremely rare in western Washington, but not out of the ordinary. Back in February, a cougar attacked a group of five cyclist on a trail near Fall City, a 30-minute drive away. That attack saw a 60-year-old woman taken to a hospital with serious injuries to her face, neck and jaw, which she somehow survived. In July 2023, an eight-year-old was attacked by a mountain lion in Olympic National Park in Los Angeles while camping. In that particular case, the National Park Service said the cougar halted its attack after the childs mother screamed and yelled in a successful attempt to scare it away. Officials said the child only suffered minor injuries as a result of that incident, which occurred about five years prior to the region's last fatal cougar attack. That saw two mountain bikers mauled by the apex predator near North Bend in May 2018, and 32-year-old S.J. Brooks. His friend, 31-year-old Isaac Sederbaum, survived with serious injuries. Georgia May Brooke indulged in cocaine and alcohol with partner Luke Cannon A professional dancer was strangled to death by her boyfriend, who then hanged himself, an inquest heard. Georgia May Brooke, 26, and Luke Cannon, 31, had cocaine and alcohol fuelled rough sex after taking the illegal party drug GHB. Friends said the couple enjoyed role play and would make homemade porn. But on February 3 2022 disaster struck after the personal trainer and gym teacher choked her unconscious as he maintained the grip on her neck until she went into cardiac arrest. When paramedics arrived at his home, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, following his 999 call they found Ms Brooke naked and without a pulse on his bed. Despite CPR and adrenaline injections Georgina was pronounced dead at 12.34am at Bradford Royal Infirmary. Georgia May Brooke, 26 was strangled to death by her boyfriend, personal trainer and gym owner Luke Cannon, 31 Concerned medical staff alerted the police but Cannon fled the hospital before officers arrived. Cannon had told a senior registrar 'her mum is going to kill me. I should have died instead.' He phoned a friend, saying 'tell her mum I'm going to be with her.' Bradford Coroner's Court heard that Cannon then climbed over a wall into wooded area near the hospital and hanged himself. His body was discovered a few hours later. Det Sgt Phil Hardwick, of West Yorkshire Police, investigated both deaths. He told the hearing that Cannon had been wanted on the suspicion of murdering Ms Brooke following the concerns of medical staff, but that all sex between the couple has always been consensual. He has looked at Ms Brooke's phone records and told Coroner Martin Fleming:'It's fair to say there are text messages consistent with Georgia having an interest in chocking in a sexual point of view.' Detective Sargent Hardwick also said recent internet searches by Ms Brooke included 'why do I like being choked psychology?' Pathologist Dr Christopher Johnson found Ms Brooke's cause of death was manual strangulation, but there was also 'potentially fatal' levels of GHB in her system, alongside cocaine and alcohol. Dr Johnson said Georgia would have lost consciousness after about 15 to 30 seconds of being choked, but Luke must have continued to apply pressure to her neck a lot longer after she passed out to caused her to go into cardiac arrest. He explained that choking is used during sex to make the body go into hypoxia (starvation of oxygen) which can cause euphoria and heighten sexual pleasure. He agreed that it is an 'extremely dangerous practice.' Ms Brooke's mother, Samantha Beaumont, told the inquest that her daughter was the youngest of four children and she was known in the family as 'Princess Georgia'. She studied dance at Millennium Performing Arts in London and was talented in ballet, modern and tap. After graduating she found work as a dancer at a hotel in Greece and taught dance in her home town of Ossett on her return. She said Ms Brooke was only 5ft tall and weighed seven and a half stone. Mrs Beaumont said her daughter loved watching Love Island and her favourite film was 'Beauty and the Beast'. Weeping, she told the court:'She assumed everyone was nice , just like in the Disney films. 'Dancing was her life. We are devastated beyond belief at her death.' Statements from friends of Cannon and Ms Brooke said they were always partying and Cannon was always on drugs. One of Ms Brooke's friends told the inquest they had a 'sex- and drug-fuelled relationship' and she liked to be treated rough and choked. Ms Brooke was found with no pulse on a bed in Cannon's home in Bradford. Friends said the pair had a 'sex and drug-fuelled relationship' She said Cannon was also 'really into it' and she would receive porn from Georgia, one video showing them acting out a fantasy of her being in a gym and Luke being her gym instructor . Another friend described Ms Brooke as 'a little bit kinky'. Recording a verdict of 'unlawful killing' on Ms Brooke, the coroner Mr Fleming said: 'She was consensual to the sexual practices she adopted with Luke. 'There is no evidence he suggested to kill Georgia, he was primarily motivated by sexual gratification.' He said it was a 'sex game gone wrong.' He said: 'This type of sexual activity is dangerous and is reckless and it all too often results in fatal consequences. 'This should send a strong deterrent message to those who engage in such sexual practices. There is no margin for error , particularly when using drugs . 'The great tragedy here is that it has resulted in the death of a young woman who had a very bright future ahead of her .' For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support A former gym teacher has reached a settlement with a California public school district, after claiming she was wrongfully fired when she refused to lie to parents about their child's pronoun preference and hide her religious beliefs. Jessica Tapia will receive $360,000 from the Jurupa Unified School District after she was fired in 2022 and accused of proselytizing during class. The teacher said the district accused her of not calling a student by their preferred pronouns, but denies ever being asked by a student to do so in the first place. She claimed the district directed her to refer to students by their preferred gender pronouns, refrain from publicly posting her faith and opinions on social media, and refrain from discussing her religious beliefs or the Bible with students, which she refused to do. 'What happened to me can happen to anybody, and I want the next teacher to know that it is worth it to take a stand for what is right,' Tapia said. Jessica Tapia (pictured) will receive $360,000 from the Jurupa Unified School District after she was fired in 2022 and accused of 'proselytizing' during class The teacher said the district accused her of not calling a student by their preferred pronouns, but denies ever being asked by a student to do so in the first place The Jurupa Unified School District (pictured) told DailyMail.com that the settlement does not state or prove any illegal action or discrimination on their part 'In 2022 I took a stand for truth, I was a PE teacher who was directed to refer to students by whatever gender they felt they were, withhold that information from their parents and allow boys into the girls locker room.' 'Because I refused to lie to kids about their identify, because I refused to lie to their parents, and because I refused to kids in harm's way, they fired me,' Tapia said. The Jurupa Unified School District told DailyMail.com that the settlement does not state or prove any illegal action or discrimination on their part. 'This settlement is not a win for Ms. Tapia but is in compromise of a disputed claim,' Jurupa Unified School District Director of Communications Jacquie Paul said. 'The District continues to deny any illegal action or discrimination against Ms. Tapia. As is clear from the settlement agreement, the District has not admitted any fault or wrongdoing against Ms. Tapia.' After announcing the settlement, Tapia shared she and Advocates for Faith and Freedom launched a program called Teachers Don't Lie to provide support and legal help to teachers facing similar challenges. 'I want teachers to be confident in the fact that the best thing we can do for students is educate in truth, not deception,' Tapia said. 'This is why I'm joining forces with Advocates for Faith and Freedom to launch Teachers Dont Lie, a resource that will be committed to giving a voice of truth to teachers. I am confident that we are making progress to ensure that no teacher has their faith violated within schoolhouse gates again.' According to the lawsuit, which was filed by Advocates for Faith and Freedom on Tapia's behalf, the Riverside woman was originally praised for her work after she became a full-time employee at the school district in 2016. It stated that when Tapia was working at the Mira Loma Middle School, the principal once praised her work, writing: 'Her positive attitude and high expectations make her students believe in themselves, and therefore strive to achieve their potential.' But two days after the end of the 2021 - 22 school year, Tapia's career came crashing down when she received disturbing messages and comments on her personal Instagram page from alleged Jurupa Valley High School students. When she went to work the next day, the suit contended, Tapia was told she had to meet with Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Daniel Brooks, who told her that the district was aware of her social media posts and she would be put on administrative leave. A review of Tapia's social media shows she has spoken out against transgenderism 'The District claimed, as allegedly supported by students, that Ms. Tapia's social media posts were racist, offensive, disrespectful and mocking towards individuals based upon their sexual orientation,' the lawsuit explained. Lawyers for Tapia, however, argue that is a 'mischaracterization' of who Tapia is, noting that her faith requires her to love 'all people, regardless of sexual orientation, race or gender. 'But her faith precludes her from endorsing policies that cause her to reject her faith, such as facilitating a student's gender transition or withholding information about it from the student's parents,' it says. The suit explained as a devout Christian, Tapia believes God defines human sexuality, and that men and women are created in God's image. She also believes lying in any form is inconsistent with the Bible's teachings, and has expressed that belief on social media. A review of Tapia's Facebook account by DailyMail.com shows that in June of that year, she posted that she 'just felt like speakin' some truth. 'Don't twist the beautiful things God has created, and don't twist truthful words into hate,' she wrote. And in a Twitter post she wrote: 'Truth over transitions. 'If you think you're going to break someone's heart by telling them the truth of who they really are, then break their heart.' She then shared that tweet on her Facebook in February, writing: 'We can be as gentle and loving as possible in this, and we should be, but the fact of the matter is that truth still cuts to the core. 'But that's no reason to lie. Why? To avoid temporary hurt feelings?' Still, the lawsuit contended, the posts were made on her personal profiles and did not list her as an employee of the school district. It also noted that she never proselytized in school, and only spoke about her faith when students asked her directly. In the aftermath of her suspension, the lawsuit says, the district allegedly sent Tapia a Notice of Unprofessional Conduct and presented her with 'A Plan of Assistance and Directives' for the following school year. Tapia and Advocates for Faith and Freedom launched a program called Teachers Don't Lie to provide support and legal help to teachers facing similar challenges Tapia said she never proselytized in school, and only spoke about her faith when students asked her directly It included a list of written and verbal directives requiring her to 'lie to parents about their children's gender identity, to refrain from posting content that would 'adversely affect' her relationship with students and banned her from expressing her religious beliefs with students.' She decided to take a medical leave of absence through December 2022, then sent the district a letter saying she would like to return to work but could not comply with the conditions. 'Staying true to my faith and beliefs, I can and will only refer to students by the name and gender/pronouns provided by their parents/legal guardians on school paperwork during enrollment,' she wrote. 'The lies and confusion that children are fed in terms of "You aren't who you were created to be" is based in evil and I will not take part in that,' she continued. 'Therefore, the best thing I can do to support students and equip them for a bright future is to love and encourage them in who they were created to be, and that is what they were born as, either male or female.' A vandal who glued nails to children's play equipment in a sleepy Oxfordshire village also scrawled a terrifying note calling for 'no more f***ing music' following the night it held its annual fete. Police are investigating after the twisted thug glued nails onto swings, slides and climbing frames at a parish council play area in Marcham, near Oxford at the weekend and left a message on a metal platform in marker pen. The note, which has horrified locals, read: 'Dear Marcham, no more f***ing music! I waited 8 hours on Saturday! Final warning or else!' Parents told MailOnline the vandalism occurred following the Marcham Big Weekend - a local village get-together with live music in the park on Saturday May 11. They believe the vandal struck overnight into Sunday - but are at a loss to explain why the vandal has chosen to target young children with their gripe. Images of the nails have been circulating on social media and parents' groups with captions wrongly claiming they are from playgrounds in London. The threatening note left on a metal platform in a children's play park in Marcham, Oxfordshire, warning the village: 'No more f***ing music' Police are investigating after a vandal left the nails glued onto equipment, including this slide, at the parish council play area in Marcham over the weekend A local official said the nails appeared overnight and have now been removed, with no children injured One of the nails on a rotating platform. The parish clerk said a swing for toddlers was also targeted Lara Law, manager of the Little Angels nursery that sits on the edge of the village park, said: 'There is a huge community of parents here, a lot of my friends live here with babies and children - and the kids love the playground, it's always busy. 'My own child is at an age where he wants to run around and normally in a quiet village park, I wouldn't think twice about it. Now, everyone is a bit worried. 'When we are out, one of us adults always checks the park because you never know what might be going to happen. 'Whoever did this with the nails, this person is punishing the children of the village when it has nothing to do with the children. It's just quite sad. 'It is a massive shame because we had the Big Weekend which was so lovely and went on until quite late in the evening - this was a bit of a harsh wake up to the fete the next morning.' The nails were spotted by another local mother who removed them before reporting the vandalism to the police. Ms Law, 31, added: 'For so many of us who use the park, it would be nice to know the outcome of the police investigation. Then, we can relax.' Childminder Sally Skellington, 50, looks after six youngsters whom she regularly takes to the park. She said: 'It's very worrying. Before we go in, we always check the playground anyway - but parents do not always risk assess like we do. 'There was a nail even in the baby swing chair. I have lived here 27 years and we never had any problem with the playground before. 'It's quite sad because not only do we go there, it's all new equipment as well.' Locals have said the playground had recently been revamped and reopened to the public around October last year. One resident of a street backing onto the park added: 'It's disgraceful. Mindless. It was a community effort on the part of the neighbourhood to revamp the area - and it was refurbished especially for young children. It's very sad.' The play area is less than 200 yards from a Church of England primary school and a nursery The parish council has put up a note warning parents to be vigilant despite the nails being removed from the play equipment Grandmother Jennifer Pam, 74, said the incident had shaken the whole village and she had warned her grandchildren off going to the park without an adult. She said: 'Everybody in the village is quite shocked by this. It's the safeguarding of the children which is at issue here. 'Now my grandchildren are not to go there unless an adult is with them. 'I think the person responsible is somebody who is an adult, because nobody walks around with glue and nails in their pocket unless they intend to do something like this. Hopefully police will take this seriously.' A local official said the nails appeared overnight and have now been removed, with no children injured. But parents are being urged to remain vigilant. They were found on a swing for toddlers, a rotating platform and towards the end of a slide - raising the horrific prospect of a child jumping down from the top of the slide without realising the nail was at the bottom. Marcham, around five miles south-west of Oxford, is a pretty and historic village with a Georgian manor house, a pub, a shop, a Post Office and a 13th-century church. The play area is less than 200 yards from a Church of England primary school and a nursery. The local parish council clerk in Marcham said the nails had been found over the weekend. The clerk told MailOnline: 'We are shocked and horrified by the incident. It is beyond comprehension that anyone would sabotage a play space like that but thankfully no children were injured. 'The nails were found on toddlers' swings too as well as a slide and a rotating platform. They were glued onto the equipment with hard glue - a bit like superglue - but have now been removed.' Marcham is a pretty and historic village with a Georgian manor house, a pub, a shop, a Post Office and a 13th-century church Another general view of the village, which is around five miles south-west of Oxford The clerk said police had been informed and 'were now investigating'. She added: 'There's been no damage to the equipment and the area is safe. Notices have been put on the play area gates to advise parents to be vigilant just in case it reoccurs but the play area is still open. 'Should this reoccur then it might have to be closed but we are keeping a close eye on things and the area is being checked several times a day.' Thames Valley Police said: 'We received reports of criminal damage at The Paddocks, Marcham between 1am on Sunday (12/5) and 10am on Monday (13/5). 'Officers are investigating the reports. 'Anyone with any information, please call 101 quoting 43240224827.' A horse had to be winched out of a third-floor window after getting stuck in apartment block when it escaped rising flood waters in Brazil. The rescue operation yesterday lasted for seven hours and involved around 15 people to lift the animal. According to the apartment block manager, the poor frightened horse had been stuck there for 10 days. The animal was rescued from the residential building in Sao Leopoldo, Vale do Sinos, in Rio Grande do Sul, according to local media. The fire department carried out the operation and the mare was fed and given water after being freed. A horse had to be winched out of a third-floor window after getting stuck in apartment block when it escaped rising flood waters in Brazil The rescue operation yesterday lasted for seven hours and involved around 15 people to lift the animal who was stuck in the third-floor flat Captain Gularte, from the fire services, told Rio Grande do Sul: 'Probably, in a way to reach a safe place, the animal must have climbed the building's staircase, as the water was advancing, and became trapped in this apartment.' Brazil has been plagued by heavy rain and flooding over the last few days. According to figures released by the Rio Grande do Sul Civi Defense on Wednesday, 149 people have died and 108 are missing since rain began to fall on April 29. The heavy rains have displaced at least 540,000 residents from their homes in 446 cities. A motorcycle courier was hailed as a hero after he rescued nine cats from a flooded home in Rio Grande do Sul. Dramatic video showed Geovane de Oliveira, 31, carrying a kennel containing cats and walking out of the residence of his friend Vinicius Machado as waves from the Guiba Lake pounded a neighbourhood in the south side of Porto Alegre, the state capital. De Oliveira could be seen holding the kennel over his right shoulder and slowly making his way through the waist-high flooded street as Machado trailed him. 'I thought I wasn't going to make it. I couldn't stand up,' de Oliveira told Brazilian news outlet G1. The animal was rescued from the residential building in Sao Leopoldo, Vale do Sinos, in Rio Grande do Sul, according to local media The fire department carried out the operation and the mare was fed and given water The rescue, which took place Monday morning, was completed with three trips. A Rottweiler that had been left behind with the cats in the home was also plucked out alive from the flood waters. 'We had to catch him from below, in the belly, and save him as best as we could,' de Oliveira said. 'We're fine. At least no animal died.' The pets along with Machado and his family are currently staying in de Oliveira's home. Santo Antonio da Patrulha Deputy Mayor Marcelo Santos was filmed holding on to the back of a jet ski with one hand while grabbing onto the lasso with the other in order to prevent another horse from being swept away in the municipality of Canoas. Santos at one point clenched on the rope with his teeth and then reached out and grabbed the horse's halter to bring the animal close to him. The rescue took place Monday while he and volunteers were helping residents evacuate from their homes. 'We were rescuing people, but when we saw the horse, we would never let him die,' Santos told Brazilian news outlet G1. The small town that's known as where Superman comes from is tearing itself apart amid a vicious battle over its beloved library. Metropolis in Illinois has been engaged in civil warfare over claims the library is forcing religion on children as well as censoring what they can read. Rhonda James, the president of the library board got letters from distraught parents who complained their kids were being 'indoctrinated'. 'I did not bring my children to the library for religious indoctrination,' read one letter, which claimed the local library director had prayed with children. The director was accused of 'pushing Christianity' on kids, as well as removing computers and books about other religions, sexualities and even Halloween. The Metropolis, Illinois Public Library, control over which has ignited a feud between its board and the local government The small town of Metropolis, Illinois, identified lovingly as 'Superman's Hometown,' is locked in a battle of Church vs. Library When asked by the board, the director said she did not censor library material. But, when they asked her to sign a form promising to stop praying at the library, she refused, which led to her termination. In the town of fewer than 6,000, which lies on the Ohio river just across from Kentucky, citizens are split on the ongoing battle of church vs. library. Brian Anderson, a city councilman and local pastor, preached recently to his congregation that Satan had been in that library. 'The libraries have things that come straight out of Sodom and Gomorrah,' he said. 'These children that you see here, the enemy hates them, and the enemy wants to kill them,' he continued. Rhonda James, the president of the Metropolis library board, who is fighting to keep Christianity out of the institution Mayor Don Canada, who is in Anderson's congregation and fired several library board members after they ousted the Christian library director The former library director, who would not sign a form pledging to stop praying with children in the library In 1972, the Illinois State Legislature passed a resolution declaring Metropolis the 'Hometown of Superman' Anderson preaches to a sizable congregation, including the town's mayor. But not all religious leaders are aligned on the issue. Baptist pastor Glenn Coram recently told local station WPSD-TV that he generally agrees with other conservative church leaders on moral issues, but in this case, he feels differently. He said Anderson and the library director are pushing to 'enforce religious agreement on a public institution.' When asked by NBC's Antonia Hylton if the library should reflect the 'views of the majority,' Coram said he did not think so. 'The library opens up the world to entirely different ways of thought,' he said. Councilman and pastor Brian Anderson, who said Satan had been in the town library and supports the former director's behavior Baptist Pastor Glenn Coram, who identifies with conservative ministers generally, but says the will of the Church should not be imposed on public institutions But the town's mayor, Don Canada, sided with Anderson and proceeded to remove several members of the library board from their positions. The Illinois Secretary of State called the plan 'unacceptable,' and so it was paused. Canada, who now has until June to make a final decision about the board members, says he does not think there should be an issue with praying in a public place if 'it was approved by everybody involved.' Rhonda James says she will continue to fight for religious freedom in the library because of how much she values the institution. 'We want to have freedom to practice whatever religion we want, or to not practice religion,' she said. Maritime unions are calling for the 21 seaman still stranded on board the Dali ship seven weeks on from the fatal Baltimore bridge collapse to be freed. The 950ft container ship slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, leaving six construction workers dead and everyone on board the vessel marooned. Comprising 20 Indians and one Sri Lankan, the crew has not been able to access their phones or leave due to an ongoing joint probe by the FBI and NTSB. Two Singaporean maritime unions said they are 'deeply concerned' about the criminalization of the Dali seamen and the 'emotional distress' this is causing. Singapore Maritime Officers' Union (SMOU) and the Singapore Organization of Seamen (SOS) representatives visited the Dali April 24 to check on the crew's welfare. Maritime unions are calling for the 21 seaman still stranded on board the Dali ship seven weeks on from the fatal Baltimore bridge collapse to be freed The remaining section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was blown up on Tuesday in a controlled demolition in a key step toward freeing the Dali They said in a May 11 statement that 'morale has understandably dipped' due to 'unfounded fear of criminal liability' which is causing 'emotional distress'. This is compounded by 'loss of communication' with family members due to their mobile devices being confiscated as part of the investigations, the unions added. SMOU and SOS are calling for the seamen's phones to be returned and extensions for Maryland shore leave visas which are also proving an obstacle to their escape. The unions are urging investigators to allow the expedited repatriation of members who are not required to stay for further questioning. 'While we cooperate fully with the investigation, recent actions have caused undue hardship for the crew,' said SMOU General Secretary Mary Liew. 'The criminalization of seafarers based solely on their position on board a vessel during an incident is a growing concern. 'We urge all parties involved to prioritize a fair and balanced approach that protects the rights of seafarers and ensures their swift repatriation if they are not required for further investigation.' SOS President, Kam Soon Huat, added that he is 'deeply concerned about the mental health and overall well-being of seafarers currently onboard the MV Dali'. The aftermath of the controlled explosion is seen. Officials say the demolition went as planned and they don't anticipate any more explosives being needed to free the Dali But US Coast Guard Admiral Shannon Gilreath said the crew is 'part of the ship' and their presence is 'necessary to keep the ship staffed and operational'. Federal investigators found the Dali cargo ship experienced electrical blackouts 10 hours before leaving the Port of Baltimore, and again just before the bridge crash. The remaining section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was blown up on Tuesday in a controlled demolition in a key step toward freeing the Dali. The Dali is likely to be floated this week, but it's unclear when it will be able to make the two nautical mile journey to port. Investigations into what exactly caused the crash are ongoing. A social media user has shared a video that he claims shows South Carolina pastor JP Miller having a 'medication-induced breakdown' before his wife Mica's suicide. A seven-minute video posted on Friday by Ty Longerbeam apparently shows Miller lying face down on the ground as he moans about medication and complains about being bitten by ants. In the undated footage Miller claims medication 'makes him go crazy' and that he 'thought he was going to see Jesus.' 'I just wanna see Jesus,' Miller said. 'I was going to see Jesus.' When the person behind the camera asked if they should call 911, Miller replied: 'I just need to get to Jesus. I just want to get to heaven quickly. I dont want any ants to stop me. Tell all my kids I love em please.' Longerbeam, from Myrtle Beach, wrote a lengthy message attacking the pastor, who has been accused of abusing and 'brainwashing' Mica before she took her life in North Carolina. A friend of JP Miller has shared a video that he claims shows the South Carolina pastor having a 'medication-induced breakdown' before his wife' Mica's suicide Mica Miller, 30, was found dead at Lumbee River State Park in North Carolina on April 27 from a self inflicted gunshot wound Longerbeam, from Myrtle Beach, wrote a lengthy message attacking the pastor, who has been accused of abusing and 'brainwashing' Mica before she took her life (the Millers are pictured) JP Miller is accused in court documents of grooming Mica for years before they wed, committing her to hospital to steal her car, and cheating on his first wife with underage churchgoers. Longerbeam wrote on Facebook: 'You have USED and ABUSED for wayyy too long, only to get up on that pulpit and consistently discredit your victims by airing out intentional degrading, inappropriate personal information. Doing that allows you to control the narrative. 'Now we have the death of your wife that you claim only took her life because of mental illness. Fact is NOBODY was ever mental until they met you.' Longerbeam added: 'This video is only proof that YOU yourself have issues and YOU know what medication can do to someone. 'Imagine being in a vulnerable state like this and being met with control, manipulation and shame Now add abuse on top of that Who can handle that??? Longerbeam, from Myrtle Beach, wrote a lengthy message attacking the pastor 'Solid Rock let me introduce you to your pastor, you dont see this version on Sundays. This is the guy you allow to give you and your family council. This is the guy you give permission to speak into your life, the guy you share personal vulnerable information with that he will USE against YOU when and if you question him. 'JP you are a complete s*** stain to all of the other pastors that truly desire to lead people to the lord. You are a liability to the Christian faith and to anyone that you set your eyes on.' It's not clear how Longerbeam knows the pastor. DailyMail.com has reached out to him for comment on this story. Reverend Charles Randall disputed reports he fired Miller as Solid Rock's pastor, insisting he just benched him so he could heal. 'I have released him from ministerial functions for a minute to get some healing, and some counselling and some guidance. You can't go through these things like this and just step right back to same day,' he said during a sermon on Sunday. Mica's sister, Sierra, has filed a claim against both the church and Miller following her sister's death. Court documents filed in Horry County Family Court accuse Solid Rock Church of 'colluding and conspiring' with the pastor to 'defraud and deprive' his wife. The FBI has opened an investigation into Mica Miller's suicide after her daily journals emerged. Mica, 30, was found dead in Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on April 27 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. She took her own life days after serving her husband, 44, with divorce papers. Mica called police at least eight times in the weeks leading up to her death, making all manner of accusations against him. The investigation continues to surround Miller's husband John-Paul after it was revealed earlier Monday that he penned a poisonous email to his estranged wife before her death saying he wanted to 'attack and cause pain' JP Miller is accused in court documents of grooming Mica for years before they wed, committing her to hospital to steal her car, and cheating on his first wife with underage churchgoers. JP Miller is accused in court documents of grooming Mica (pictured during her first marriage) for years before they wed, committing her to hospital to steal her car, and cheating on his first wife with underage churchgoers The pastor's wife was seen on CCTV purchasing a firearm at a pawn shop, she later used the weapon to end her life In affidavits filed by Mica's family, they express their concern over her relationship with Miller who has been described as a 'wolf in sheep's clothing' and a 'false prophet' by those who know him. 'When someone hurts me, I try to hurt them back rather than forgive', Miller, the pastor of the Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina told his wife in a November 2022 email, according to an affidavit filed by Mica's brother Nathaniel Francis, 32, on May 2. 'Instead of me forgiving you.. I just attack and try to cause pain', he added. Divorce documents obtained by DailyMail.com reveal that Mica filed for divorce in October last year 'on the grounds of adultery'. Mica's filing says she was a 'faithful and dutiful wife' who was 'devoted to their church and marriage' during their 7 years together. The pastor gave an emotional 20-minute speech at a memorial service at Solid Rock Ministries in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on May 5. Solid Rock posted the video of the eulogy almost a week later on Saturday and hundreds of viewers were unnerved by Miller's 'fake and sad act of damage control'. Footage of the eulogy sparked backlash on Saturday with many shocked at Miller's involvement. Plans are being drawn up for a nuclear reactor in Scotland once the SNP government is ousted. The UK Government wants to build one of its eight small reactors north of the Border. Scotland previously looked set to be excluded from the scheme which will see one reactor being approved each year until 2030 with the aim of having them up and running by 2050 because of the SNPs opposition. But Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said ministers are now including Scotland in their plans because of the expectation the Nationalists will lose power at the next Holyrood election in 2026. At a meeting of the House of Lords constitution committee yesterday, Mr Jack said: On the small nuclear reactors, Ive asked the energy minister to plan for one in Scotland because I believe in 2026 we will see a Unionist regime again in Holyrood and we will move forward on that matter. Thats my view. With the timescale of what is in front of us I dont see any point having a great fight over it. Mr Jack has held talks on the issue with West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie, the nuclear and renewables minister. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is now developing plans for the network of reactors on the basis that one will be built in Scotland. Energy policy is largely set at Westminster, but the Scottish Government can block projects through devolved planning rules Scottish Secretary Alister Jack told a House of Lords committee he had asked the UK energy minister to plan for a new reactor in Scotland Nuclear energy is reserved to Westminster but the Scottish Government and local councils can use planning powers to block any bid to develop it in Scotland. However, ministers hope this will not happen if there is a change of power at Holyrood. They believe the reactors will be vital for topping up the national grid when renewables generation is insufficient. Polling by Survation in January showed that 38 per cent of Scots oppose the SNP government policy against building nuclear power stations north of the Border, while only 32 per cent said they supported it. Mr Jacks comments came after Labour peer George Foulkes raised the issue at yesterdays constitution committee. Lord Foulkes said: The Scottish Government have said we dont want any nuclear power stations in Scotland, yet they are prepared to take energy, electricity, generated by nuclear power stations in England. Why cant the United Kingdom Government say we want a nuclear power station in Scotland? I know for a fact that everyone around Torness, including local people, are keen to see a new Torness, so why cant you step in? Its a reserved area. In the meeting, Mr Jack also said devolution is working broadly as intended despite very testing circumstances over the 17 years the SNP has been in power. He said the SNP government opposes devolution and claimed its interests are not served by it succeeding. But friction is not evidence of devolution failing, Mr Jack added. In fact, the evidence shows the devolution settlement has proved sufficiently flexible to accommodate fundamental political differences. Nationalist MP Tommy Sheppard said: Scotland doesnt need expensive nuclear power. We already have abundant natural energy resources. We just need full powers over energy so Scotland can take full advantage of the green energy gold rush. A man who vanished almost 30 years ago at the age of 17 following an alleged kidnapping has been found alive in his neighbour's house in a hole in the ground in a sheep pen underneath stacks of hay. Named as Omar Bin Omran (or Imran) and said to be one of nine children, he is believed to have disappeared in the city of Djelfa in Algeria 27 years ago. His family assumed he had been killed during the civil war between the North African nation's government and various Islamist rebel groups that raged for 10 years in the 1990s and early 2000s. The truth was much closer to home: the missing man was found in his neighbour's house less than 200 metres away from that of his own family. A 61-year-old is now in police custody after Omar, now 45, was rescued on May 12. Footage was shared on social media and broadcast on Algerian television networks of the moment that he was found in what appeared to be a hole in the ground, described by authorities as a sheep pen, within the home of his alleged captor. Omar Bin Omran as a teenager before he was kidnapped, pictured with two younger relatives (left) and after being found (right) Footage of Omar being discovered has gone viral on social media. The Arabic caption reads: 'The moment they found him in their neighbour's house' His family is thought to have believed him dead, killed in the Algerian civil war that raged more than 20 years ago. Relatives claim the dog was poisoned after it began smelling Omar's scent close by The blurry video shows torchlights shining into a pit surrounded by hay as Omar furtively looks up, seemingly in shock at the search party surrounding him, stray pieces of straw in his hair. Other images have since been circulated of the bearded man emerging from the hole, thought to be a sheep pen, and of him as a teenager, sitting with a dog and with young children before he disappeared. Reporting from Algerian newspaper El Khabar suggests the dog pined for him close to the spot where he was being held, having recognised his smell. It was alleged in its report that the captor poisoned the dog to ward the family off. A search was launched for Omar in 1998 after he went missing while on his way to a vocational school. Now aged 45, he was found amid haystacks after the captor's brother aired grievances on social media, reportedly due to an inheritance dispute. According to the newspaper, this prompted the family to storm the house in a search for Omar. When they found him, his alleged captor attempted to flee before being restrained and then arrested. Tragically, Omar's mother died in 2013 without ever knowing the truth of what happened to her son. Reports suggest Omar was made aware of his mother's death whilst in captivity. A relative said on Facebook: 'Thank god my cousin was found. Bin Imran Omar is in good health after 26 years of disappearance. Awaiting details of the case and investigations.' Public prosecutors in Djelfa, a mountain city of around 500,000 people around 140 miles south of coastal capital Algiers, say Omar will receive psychological care after being rescued as they vowed to get him justice. 'The Djelfa Attorney General's Office informs the public that on May 12 at 8pm local time it found victim Omar B, aged 45, in the case of his neighbour, B.A., aged 61,' they said in a statement. A court official in Djelfa was quoted as saying: 'Two days ago, on 12 May 2024, the Public Prosecutor's Office received, through the regional department of the National Gendarmerie in El Jadid, a complaint against an anonymous person claiming that the complainant's brother, Omar bin Omran, who has been missing for about 30 years, is in the house of one of his neighbours, inside a sheepfold. 'Following this report the General Prosecutor of the Court of Idrisiya in the province of Djelfa ordered the National Gendarmerie to open an in-depth investigation and officers went to the house in question. 'The missing person was found and the suspect, the 61-year-old owner of the house was arrested.' The case of Omar's discovery, almost three decades on from his alleged kidnapping, could mean he is one of the world's longest-held captives A statement issued by the Algerian Ministry of Justice (pictured) promised that Omar would receive psychological care, and vowed the perpetrator would be tried with 'severity' Footage shows what locals said was the scene of Omar's discovery in Djelfa, Algeria, lit up by emergency vehicle lights He added: 'The Public Prosecutor's Office ordered that the victim receive medical and psychological treatment, and the suspect will be presented to the Public Prosecutor's Office immediately after the completion of the investigation.' Officials have promised the 'perpetrator of this heinous crime' will be tried with 'severity.' The man held is understood to work as a civil servant and lived alone - but Algerian media suggested he was regularly seen buying enough food for two people. A neighbour of the man abducted told Algerian TV station Bilad: 'His poor mum died while he was in captivity, without knowing what had happened to him, without knowing that all this time he was really right beside her.' A statement from the Algerian Ministry of Justice suggested the victim's family had been tipped off about Omar's whereabouts after the alleged captor's brother aired grievances on social media during an inheritance dispute. Questions were asked as to why Omar did not call for help in the almost three decades he was held captive. Algerian media have reported Omar said he had been unable to call out for help because of a spell his alleged abductor had cast on him - though it has been suggested his diminished psychological state may have been to blame. The case may be among the world's longest-running kidnapping cases. Eleven-year-old Jaycee Dugard was kidnapped in Meyers, California in 1991 and remained missing for over 18 years after she was captured by Phillip and Nancy Garrido. Dugard was kept in depraved conditions and was subjected to extreme sexual abuse, having two children by Phillip Garrido, and later said she adapted to sympathising with her captors in order to survive. Donald Trump still thinks it's possible that Democrats will ditch Joe Biden before November. While the current and former presidents are on track for a rematch in the 2024 general election, Trump thinks that he might not end up facing Biden. Instead, Trump told conservative political commentator and Reagan-era OPM deputy director Hugh Hewitt on Wednesday, Biden might be replaced with another, younger Democrat like Vice President Kamala Harris or California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Despite this, Trump also accepted on Wednesday proposals to debate Biden at least two times the first hosted by CNN on June 27 in Atlanta, Georgia and a second on September 19 hosted by ABC. Trump claims that the Democratic Party will see before the election that they 'don't have a choice' other than to not have Biden run on their ticket. Donald Trump still thinks that Democrats might replace Joe Biden on the 2024 ticket at the convention this summer Newsom has repeatedly said he has no intention of running against Biden in a primary and insists he doesn't have presidential aspirations this election cycle. Many Republicans say they don't believe the California governor. Meanwhile, Harris is currently running to serve a second term as Biden's vice president. 'Do you think if his infirmity increases, they will dump him, Mr. President, at the convention, replace him with Kamala or Gavin or someone like that?' Hewitt asked, referencing the official nomination process at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois in August. 'I do. I do,' Trump replied. 'I don't think they'll have a choice.' 'Will it be Gavin? Will it be Kamala or somebody else?' the radio host asked. Trump decided to hone in on Newsom, claiming that the governor has destroyed California. 'I don't know. I mean, Gavin's a terrible governor, Gavin Newscum, he's a terrible governor. I think he does a terrible job,' the former president said. 'I have things out in California, and you know, it's so beautiful, everything,' he continued. 'The weather is the best. Everything is so good, but he just does a terrible job.' Trump, 77, says Democrats will see that Biden, 81, is too physically and mentally weak to continue as the candidate in November Instead, Trump said he could be replace by someone like Vice President Kamala Harris (right) or California Gov. Gavin Newsom (left) In typical Trump fashion, the former president then went on a tangent about Newosm's mismanagement of water in California. 'You know, water, I had a deal for water to come down from the north,' Trump detailed. 'They have so much water, and they don't do it, because they're trying to protect a tiny, tiny little fish that hasn't made it.' 'And millions and millions of gallons of water is sent into the Pacific Ocean, routed right into the Pacific instead of coming down throughout California,' Trump concluded. Footage shows the moment a not-so-dynamic duo were caught stealing a cash register from a Seattle pharmacy - seconds after walking through its doors. The unnamed male and female suspect were promptly arrested, cops said on Wednesday - releasing the almost unbelievable clip in the process. The video shows a team from the Seattle Police Department approaching the Walgreens the pair had just looted - before coming face-to-face with the 20-year-old female, cash register in tow. 'Woah! Woah! Hey!' one of the officers says, as the woman stops in her tracks. Her 40-year-old accomplice, meanwhile, stands still, similarly dumbfounded. 'Put that down,' the officer, recording via his body-worn camera, orders her. The footage, filmed April 29 outside a local Walgreen's, begins with an officer walking right into the 20-year-old female suspect, still clutching a cash register Her arrest ensues, while her accomplice, a 40-year-old man (not pictured), makes a break for it The unnamed woman follows suit, but her masked partner in crime apparently had other ideas. He fled from the scene to a parking lot nearby, cops said in their statement, while another segment of the video shows his arrest. It begins with the bumbling suspect hiding literally in plain sight of a police officer - this one also recording the action with his bodycam. 'He's hiding,' the officer is heard telling his colleagues over the radio after calmly walking away from the alleged crook's conspicuous hiding spot, as if he had not seen him. Eventually, the suspect makes an exit, raising his hands slightly in a haphazard surrender. 'Show me your hands,' the officers orders, to which the man barely complies, while walking forward. 'It's not me! Sir, it's not me,' the masked man shouts at this point, still walking straight. 'On the ground, now!' the officer goes on to demand - spurring the suspect to attempt an escape on foot. The woman was ultimately booked into the King County Jail for theft and unlawful carry of a pistol, cops said, while the man was charged with obstructing a law enforcement officer After fleeing on foot, he attempted to hide in a nearby parking area - but was easily spotted by one of the officers Eventually, the suspect makes an exit, raising his hands slightly in a haphazard surrender 'Show me your hands,' the officers orders, to which the man barely complies, while walking forward. 'It's not me! Sir, it's not me,' the masked man shouts at this point, still walking straight 'On the ground, now!' the officer goes on to demand - spurring the suspect to attempt an escape on foot A chase follows, during which cops easily catch up with the suspect, making an arrest in a matter of minutes Just before his arrest, officers found a handgun on the female's person, which they said she attempted to hide Cops further revealed the male suspect is also being charged with a previous incident of domestic violence, but detailed that no further This, too, fails miserably, after the cops manages to catch up to the alleged shoplifter within a couple of minutes. His arrest ensues, after which officers revealed they had found a handgun on the female's person moments before. Despite being cuffed, she attempted to conceal it, officers said - adding that the pistol was not used in the crime. It was, however, located by officers and seized as evidence - with cops sharing a photo of the gun, and several confiscated bullets, with the serial number still on. The woman was ultimately booked into the King County Jail for theft and unlawful carry of a pistol, cops said, while the man was charged with obstructing a law enforcement officer. Cops said he was booked into South Correctional Entity Jail, but have yet to provide an update. They further revealed he is also being charged with a previous incident of domestic violence, but detailed that no further. The gun the woman was carrying located by officers and seized as evidence. Cops later said it was not used during the incident Cops went on to share photo of the gun and several confiscated bullets. The firearm still had a serial number Pictured, the Seattle Walgreens where the would-be incident of shoplifting occurred. It is still under investigation DailyMail.com has reached out for comment. For now, Seattle police said detectives in the General Investigations Unit will lead the investigation, as the city continues to grapple with rampant crime. This comes years after politicians and citizens banded together to demand the local government defund the police, amid unrest fueled by the death of Minneapolis's George Floyd. In their statement, cops revealed the incident actually occurred on April 29, and is under active investigation. OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, one of the original creators of the artificial intelligence technology behind ChatGPT, announced he is leaving the company after a nearly decade. Sutskever was one of four board members last fall who voted to push out CEO Sam Altman from the company - only to quickly reinstate him. It was Sutskever, OpenAI's chief scientist, who told Altman last November that he was being fired. Sutskever announced his decision on the social media site X on Tuesday. He said he is working on a new project that is 'very personally meaningful' to him, but he offered no other details. 'After almost a decade, I have made the decision to leave OpenAI,' Sutskever said. OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever announced he is leaving the company after a nearly decade on Tuesday After almost a decade, I have made the decision to leave OpenAI. The companys trajectory has been nothing short of miraculous, and Im confident that OpenAI will build AGI that is both safe and beneficial under the leadership of @sama, @gdb, @miramurati and now, under the Ilya Sutskever (@ilyasut) May 14, 2024 'It was an honor and a privilege to have worked together, and I will miss everyone dearly. So long, and thanks for everything. I am excited for what comes next a project that is very personally meaningful to me about which I will share details in due time.' Meanwhile, Altman wrote that parting ways is 'very sad' and called Sutskever 'one of the greatest minds of our generation, a guiding light of our field, and a dear friend.' Altman had been fired from his role as CEO of OpenAI in November, leading the tech tycoon to comment on X that it was 'sorta like reading your own eulogy while you're still alive.' Jakob Pachocki and fellow cofounder Greg Brockman, were seemingly taken aback by the firing and both quit in protest of the alleged ambush. Brockman said in a series of posts on X that Altman was asked to attend a meeting on Friday at noon by fellow co-founder Ilya Sutskever. Brockman was the only board member who was not present. At that meeting, Altman was told that he was being let go. The New York Times later reported that Sutskever and Altman had been at odds for at least a year. Sutskever was one of four board members last fall who voted to push out CEO Sam Altman from the company Altman had been fired from his role as CEO of OpenAI in November Sutskever was allegedly concerned about Altman's focus on growth over AI safety. The pair had been working together for eight years at the time of the firing. Sutskever will be replaced by Jakub Pachocki as chief scientist at San Francisco-based OpenAI. Altman called Pachocki 'also easily one of the greatest minds of our generation' and said he is 'very confident he will lead us to make rapid and safe progress towards our mission of ensuring that AGI benefits everyone.' Short for artificial general intelligence, AGI is a futuristic vision of machines that are as broadly smart as humans or at least can do many things as well as people can. On Monday, OpenAI introduced an update to its AI model it says can reason across text, audio and video in real time. A survivor of Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution said she has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder since watching 'Marxist hordes' overrun US college campuses. Lily Tang Williams, a Republican candidate for Congress in New Hampshire, told Fox News that she sees ominous similarities between Mao's Communist purge and students chanting 'Death to America.' 'I sometimes I get nervous, and I feel like I'm having a little bit of PTSD and like I can't sleep well whenever I see the way they're chanting,' she said. 'I just feel like, oh my goodness the Red Guards are in action again.' Lily Tang Williams, a Republican candidate for Congress in New Hampshire, said she is suffering 'PTSD' as 'Marxist hordes' overrun US college campuses Tang Williams said that she sees ominous similarities between Mao's Communist purge and students chanting 'Death to America' across US campuses while protesting for Palestine Tang Williams fled China in 1988 to study in America, a decade after Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution - a violent crackdown on elements of capitalism in Chinese society, which persecuted millions and destroyed culturally significant monuments in an anti-revolution purge Tang Williams warned that students taking part in pro-Palestine protests are running the risk of losing the point of their message, and may be splintering into anti-American sentiment instead. 'These students, they're sometimes confused,' she said, feeling that some are misunderstanding why they are even protesting in the first place. The congressional candidate said this may be the result of young people's minds being manipulated, which was a tactic notably used by Mao as he carried out his Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976. Mao's Cultural Revolution was a violent crackdown on elements of capitalism in Chinese society, which persecuted millions and destroyed culturally significant monuments in an anti-revolution purge. 'Mao said, the young people's mind is a blank piece of paper, and you can draw the most beautiful pictures,' Tang Williams warned. She also appeared to argue that students shy away from counter-arguments on their beliefs, comparing them to Mao's violent movement centering around eradicating the 'Four Olds' - Old Ideas, Old Culture, Old Customs and Old Habits. Tang Williams, who fled China in 1988, said she sees parallels between communist-ravaged communities and the chaos it brought to the ideologies of some young protestors on college campuses. Tang Williams (pictured as a young girl in communist China) warned she sees parallels between communist-ravaged communities and the chaos it brought to the ideologies of some young protestors on college campuses 'Mao said, the young people's mind is a blank piece of paper, and you can draw the most beautiful pictures,' Tang Willaims warned The pro-Palestine protests sparked chaos for months across America, but have begun to dissipate in recent weeks And although the Cultural Revolution was based upon class, Tang Williams told Fox News that it is comparable with what she saw as a neo-Marxist Cultural Revolution centered around 'oppressed' identity groups. 'It's traditional Marxism. It's oppressor versus oppressed. Doesn't matter how many subcategories you put under each category,' she said. 'And it's this movement's agenda. It's well-funded. And students on college campuses are leading the way. 'They're using this international conflict, chanting from the river to the sea before Israel even had the chance to launch the defense and go after Hamas.' It comes as months of hostile pro-Palestine protests and clashes with aggressive police forces have eased off in recent weeks. Students and faculty refused to budge from illegal encampments at the height of the turmoil, but were seen being cleared out without incident from universities including Harvard and NYU last week. China's central bank to issue commemorative coins on auspicious culture on May 20 People's Daily Online) 10:23, May 15, 2024 The People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, will issue a set of gold and silver commemorative coins featuring Chinese auspicious culture, including two heart-shaped coins that exude a romantic aura, on May 20, the bank announced on its website. May 20 is a date widely considered romantic for its phonetic resemblance to "I love you" in the Chinese language. The set will consist of eight coins, and will include three gold coins, four silver coins, and one gold and silver bimetallic coinall legal tender in China. The coins will come in three shapes: round, Ruyi, an auspicious ornamental object in the Chinese culture, and heart-shaped. Photo shows the front side of the 5-gram round gold coin. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the front side of the 100-gram round silver coin. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the front side of the 5-gram Ruyi-shaped gold coin. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the front side of the 30-gram Ruyi-shaped silver coin. (Photo/PBOC) The Chinese characters "Jixiang," meaning auspiciousness, will be displayed on the front side of the coins, which will be decorated with traditional patterns symbolizing auspiciousness, along with the country name and the year of issuance. The reverse side of the 5-gram round gold coin will feature the pattern of a windmill and will display the Chinese characters "Yi Sui Yi Li," as well as the face value of the coin. The reverse side of the 100-gram round silver coin will feature patterns of a bowknot, clouds, stars and lines, and will display the Chinese characters "Yi Sui Yi Li," as well as the face value of the coin. The reverse side of the heart-shaped bimetallic coin that will contain 5 grams of gold and 3 grams of silver will feature a decorative heart-shaped combination design and will display the Chinese characters "Xin Xin Xiang Yin," as well as the face value of the coin. Photo shows the front side of the heart-shaped bimetallic coin that contains 5 grams of gold and 3 grams of silver. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the front side of the 30-gram heart-shaped silver coin. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the front side of the 3-gram round gold coin. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the front side of the 15-gram round silver coin. (Photo/PBOC) The reverse side of the 30-gram heart-shaped silver coin will feature pattern of swans, a heart and flowers, and will display the Chinese characters "Xin Xin Xiang Yin," as well as the face value of the coin. The 5-gram round gold coin, with a diameter of 20 millimeters, will be 80 yuan ($11.05) in denomination and a maximum of 5,000 pieces will be issued. The 100-gram round silver coin, with a diameter of 60 millimeters, will be 30 yuan in denomination and up to 10,000 pieces will be issued. The heart-shaped bimetallic coin that will contain 5 grams of gold and 3 grams of silver will be 80 yuan in denomination, and up to 30, 000 will be issued. The 30-gram heart-shaped silver coin will be 10 yuan in denomination, with 50,000 to be issued. Photo shows the reverse side of the 5-gram round gold coin. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the reverse side of the 100-gram round silver coin. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the reverse side of the 5-gram Ruyi-shaped gold coin. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the reverse side of the 30-gram Ruyi-shaped silver coin. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the reverse side of the heart-shaped bimetallic coin that contains 5 grams of gold and 3 grams of silver. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the reverse side of the 30-gram heart-shaped silver coin. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the reverse side of the 3-gram round gold coin. (Photo/PBOC) Photo shows the reverse side of the 15-gram round silver coin. (Photo/PBOC) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) An entire town has been listed on the market for just $6.6 million - but comes with a raft of costs for the new owner. Located just an hour outside of San Diego, California, the small town of Campo is being sold by Nick Hernandez and Joseph Barela with realtors Top Gun CRE. Made up of 28 buildings, including a mix of residential and commercial buildings, the town is in desperate need of renovations. By buying the property, interested parties can also determine the direction they want the downtown area to go in. Many of the residential units have been renovated for aesthetics and comfort, including new roofing and plank flooring. Other vacant buildings hold the opportunities for new businesses, such as gyms, laundromats, daycares, or community centers. Located just an hour outside of San Diego, California , the small town of Campo is being listed by Nick Hernandez and Joseph Barela with the real estate company Top Gun CRE Made up of 28 buildings, including a mix of residential and commercial buildings, the town is in desperate need of renovations Investors can focus on building more housing units on the available land without changing the existing buildings. This could involve building apartments, townhouses, or other types of multi-unit dwellings. An investor can also demolish and rebuild a significant part of the town for the sake of modernization, such as adding new housing options, commercial spaces, and improved infrastructure. In an interview with local Fox affiliate KUSI, Barela said he has had a number of interested parties, such as famous movie producer (whose identity he didn't disclose) and professional skateboarder Tony Hawk. The town was originally built during World War II to house soldiers in the event of an invasion. Campo currently houses 100 residents, all of which are renting from one owner, who is ready to sell the property. An investor can also demolish and rebuild a significant part of the town for the sake of modernization, such as adding new housing options, commercial spaces, and improved infrastructure Campo locals are not opposed to the potential new ownership of the town, as long as its charm is preserved in the process of redevelopment The town was originally built during World War II to house soldiers in the event of an invasion. Campo currently houses 100 residents, all of which are renting from one owner, who is ready to sell the property 'Border Patrol rents a commercial building there. I have got 6 other commercial tenants as well. There are 28 residential units spread out across 21 residential buildings,' said Barela. Campo locals are not opposed to the potential new ownership of the town, as long as its charm is preserved in the process of redevelopment. 'It's pretty nice it's a lot quieter than in town,' said Campo local Michael Hoffner. 'You don't get the hustle and bustle, you get to sleep peacefully and you get to see the stars out here.' 'Love it down here, the surroundings and the wildlife,' said local Tony Martinez. A Sinaloa Cartel member was busted in the state of Washington following a two-month investigation in which authorities seized a pair of blinged out handguns. The suspect, whose name has not been released, was apprejened last week in the city of Burien, the King County Sheriff's Office revealed on Tuesday. The drug trafficker had been under surveillance f100 hours in the Puget Sound area. The King County Sheriff's Office said the individual was in charge of transporting drugs and money for the transnational drug trafficking organization, which was founded by the jailed notorious kingpin, Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman. Cops in Burien, Washington, last week arrested a Sinaloa Cartel member and confiscated a trio of blinged out handguns following two months of investigation, the King County Sheriff's Office revealed on Tuesday The Sinaloa Cartel member, whose name has not been released to the press, also was in possession of three handguns, one AR-15 and $182,249 in cash. Cops also confiscated 5,000 fentanyl/M-30 pills, 10 grams of cocaine and 2.8 pounds of fentanyl powder Agents seized three handguns, one AR-15 style short barrel rifle along with a 60-round drum magazine and $182,249 in cash. The cops also confiscated 5,000 fentanyl/M-30 pills, 10 grams of cocaine and 2.8 pounds of fentanyl powder. Three vehicles were also seized in the investigation that involved several search warrants. 'Narcotics and firearms wreak havoc on our King County community, stealing futures and leaving behind an ever-lasting impact on families,' the King County Sheriff's Office said. 'We are committed to removing these destructive forces from our streets and enhancing safety within our neighborhoods.' Authorities also seized $182,249 in cash The arrest came just days before the Drug Enforcement Adminisration (DEA) released the 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment and signaled out the Sinaloa Cartel and its rival, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, for being at the 'heart of the synthetic drug crisis' in the United States. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that 107,941 American lives were lost to drug-related deaths in 2022. At least 70 percent were attributed to overdoses from fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. 'The shift from plant-based drugs, like heroin and cocaine, to synthetic, chemical-based drugs, like fentanyl and methamphetamine, has resulted in the most dangerous and deadly drug crisis the United States has ever faced,' DEA administrator Anne Milgram said. Lawyer Bob Costello turned into Michael Cohen during a House hearing Wednesday hours after the former Trump fixer called him 'shifty' and accused him of trying to set up a 'back channel' to then-President Donald Trump. 'I read Michael Cohens testimony from yesterdays trial in New York on the way down on the train, and virtually every statement he made about me is another lie,' Costello told a House committee on 'weaponization' of government. The comments came along with a blistering statement Costello released, where he blasted 'lawfare' he said was being deployed against Trump, and wrote about meetings with prosecutors along with Cohen. Cohen 'took a foolish step by lying that he had evidence that Rudy Giuliani and I had conspired to obstruct justice by dangling a pardon for him to keep his mouth shut about Donald Trump. That was totally false and utter nonsense,' Costello said. And he went after Cohen's motive in a possible teaser to what Trump's legal team has in store for him in a second day of cross-examination set for Thursday in Manhattan criminal court. Costell0 is a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. He has represented Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani, suing both claiming unpaid legal fees 'Now, after going to jail, Michael Cohen is on a revenge tour because he blames Donald Trump for the loss of his law license and the fact that he did go to jail,' Costello said. He said a desperate Cohen said he would 'do whatever the F I have to do. I will never spend one day in jail.' House Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman accused the longtime lawyer of witness tampering by going public with his explosive accusations even while Cohen was on the stand (he is due back in court Thursday as a star witness for the prosecution in the case). 'You know that coming down here, outside of that courtroom while that witness is on the stand, to try to impeach his credibility and his testimony is jury tampering,' Goldman fumed. 'You know it is unethical. You know that you are trying to discredit a current witness at a current trial.' Other Democrats on the committee accused Republicans of organizing the hearing under pressure from Steve Bannon and other pro-MAGA figures publicly demanding more action. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz said the rare Wednesday hearing was intended for Trump's viewing. She said it 'coincidentally happens to be the day that the court is not in session and make it more likely that the defendant is watching.' Lawyer Todd Blanche got Cohen to admit on the stand he wanted to shorten his sentence. He says Cohen denied having information on Trump during their first two-hour meeting, after Cohen had his apartment and office raided by the FBI. 'Each time Cohen said to me: I swear to God, Bob, I dont have anything on Donald Trump. Cohen must have said this at least ten times because I kept coming back to it from different approaches. Cohen kept on saying: Guys I want you to remember, I will do whatever the F I have to do, I will never spend one day in jail. Cohen testified Costello wanted a 'back channel' through him to Trump that ran through Rudy Giuliani, a longtime friend of Costello Costello said Cohen told him Trump had no knowledge of the Stormy Daniels payoff. The porn star said she had an affair with Trump and got a $130,000 payoff facilitated by Cohen weeks before the 2016 election Costello also told Congress Cohen told him he made the Stormy Daniels payoff deal without Trump's knowledge. Prosecutors have tried to establish otherwise through testimony from Cohen and others in the Trump Organization. 'When asked if Trump had any knowledge of this, Cohen told me no. When asked whether Cohen got the $130,000 from Trump or any 8 01002529 v 1 Trump entity or friend, Cohen again said no. When asked if this was from Cohens own money, Cohen said no,' Costello wrote. Cohen testified that he didn't trust Costello and considered him 'shifty.' Costello has said there is a possibility he will be called as a witness in the Trump case. But his testimony before the Republican-run committee gets it out into the open without the need for cross-examination. Emails introduced as evidence reveal Costello's repeated efforts to demonstrate his access to Giuliani, who according to Costello was communicating with then-President Trump about it. 'I am sure you saw the news that Rudy is joining the Trump legal team. I told you my relationship with Rudy which could be very very useful for you,' Costello wrote Cohen April 19th, trying to leverage the connection.' Although Cohen said he hadn't made an agreement to retain Costello, an email a few days later by Costello states that the back channel is already open. 'Michael, I just spoke to Rudy Giuliani and told him I was on your team. Rudy was thrilled and said this could not be a better situation for the President or you. He asked me if it was okay to call the President and Jay Sekulow and I said, fine,' he wrote, mentioning another Trump lawyer. During Wednesday's hearing, Costello carried out a Cohen rebuttal that went beyond what Trump's team has made yet (Cohen's cross-examination got paused). 'He focused on Melania Trump. He said I didnt want to embarrass Melania Trump. He said thats why I decided to take care of this on my own,' Costello said after saying Trump knew nothing about it. 'He said I didnt want anyone to know where I got this money. I didnt want Melania to know. I didnt want my wife to know,' according to Costello. Under questioning by sympathetic Republican Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), pushed back on suggestion he was trying to get Cohen to bury information that could hurt Trump. 'When they claim that I was trying to shut up Michael Cohen, it's exactly the opposite. I was on that first day telling him, here's your escape route. If you have truthful information, but he didn't,' said Costello. The guy slow played us. Theres no question about it. A plot to sell off a celebrated Napa Valley winery amid a bitter family feud over its future has been stopped in its tracks - for now. Monticello Vineyards was built from scratch on a former prune ranch in 1970 by Jay Corley, who left the winery to his seven children when he died in 2016. The family appears to be lining up in two camps, one wanting to keep Monticello in family hands and the other plotting to sell it to the highest bidder. Years of scheming came to a head at a furious shareholder meeting on Wednesday where voices were raised and accusations of fraud were thrown around the room. The feud pits youngest child Carolyn and her bothers Kevin and Chris against the other four siblings Kent, Michael, Stephen, and Mark, who want to cash out. Seven siblings are warring for control of celebrated Napa winery Monticello Vineyards. Carolyn, Kevin, and Chris want to keep it in family hands but Mark, Kent, Stephen, and Michael want to sell out to the highest bidder Monticello Vineyards was built from scratch on a former prune ranch in 1970 by Jay Corley, whose death in 2016 triggered the feud (Jay with an early batch of Monticello wines in a photo used to announce his death in 2016) Jay (left) worked on the vineyard with Kevin (right) his successor as president and chairman, Chris (third from left) as winemaker, and Stephen (second from left) Worried by agenda items urging a vote on selling the winery, Carolyn's faction assembled a strong opposition and won the first round. 'I feel like we have a fighting chance now,' she told DailyMail.com. 'I'm really pleased with the show of support and I'm more confident that those who don't want to sell, won't have to. 'I think they realize they're not going to be able to proceed how they thought.' Mark, who was elected chairman in 2021 in a coup against eldest brother Kevin, spent the meeting under fire and didn't even attempt a vote. 'It was a chaotic meeting with a lot of high tensions,' Carolyn said. 'The were a huge blame game and a lot of yelling with accusations of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty by the board. 'It was the biggest shareholder meeting the company has ever had... everyone wants to see more transparency. 'There were a lot of questions they couldn't answer and they didn't give any indication of anyone they were talking to about a sale.' Chris with his family outside the winery's house, a smaller version of Thomas Jefferson's Virginia mansion, that he and his siblings grew up in The winery is hours away from a showdown on its future as a bitter family feud threatens to tear it apart Since its founding, hundreds of other flashy wineries have sprouted around the property and been snapped up by big conglomerates Carolyn said Mark didn't even have the financials ready to show investors or know when taxes were due when grilled by one of them. 'Mark was in the hot seat the whole meeting and was very uncomfortable,' she said. Her faction hopes to follow up its first victory by 'removing some people from the board' at the next meeting in the next few months. Chris was also unanimously retuned to the board after stepping down in November, when the effort to sell accelerated. Carolyn, like her six older brothers, grew up in the winery's house, modelled on Thomas Jefferson's Virginia mansion, and is deeply invested in the business as a link to her beloved father. 'It's where we grew up and where I took my first steps, I don't want to sell,' she said, feeling the four brothers are 'trampling on her father's legacy'. Since its founding, hundreds of other flashy wineries have sprouted around the property and been snapped up by big conglomerates. Carolyn (pictured with Jay) is deeply invested in the business as a link to her beloved father, and feels four of her brothers are 'trampling on his legacy' Jay is pictured with a glass of Monticello rose and wearing a US Open ball cap Carolyn fears this is the 'pivotal moment' her pro-sale brothers have been working towards, and a sale is coming unless enough shareholders back her Chris is Monticello's principal winemaker, first joining in 2000 aged 16, and often attends events on its behalf and shows visitors around the vineyard. 'Over the last four decades, I have enthusiastically worked for and served Monticello in every department, and plan to do so going forward as long as I'm able,' he told the San Francisco Chronicle. 'I remain an absolute and enthusiastic supporter of the legacy that our father started with the founding of Monticello back in 1970.' Carolyn and Chris are the two youngest of the siblings, and are the children of Jay's second wife. Kevin, the eldest child, has worked for Monticello since 1986 and was 'passed the baton' by his father to lead the company. He also has the most shares, with more than 15 per cent compared to the four to six per cent each most of his siblings have. However, he was effectively pushed out in a power struggle in the years since Jay's death and is no longer involved in the day-to-day business. The winery's house, a smaller version of Thomas Jefferson's Virginia mansion A photo of all the extended Corley family, taken on Father's Day last year as a tribute to Jay Carolyn as a young girl with her father Jay among the grape vines Moves began in March 2021 when the four other brothers convinced the board to split the roles of chairman and president - which Kevin held until then. Mark was elected chairman by the board despite having moved to Tennessee and having no direct involvement in the business. The chairman has more power than the president, so Kevin was already at a disadvantage. But this was only step one. The next year the board sent Kevin on a six-month sabbatical from his role as president, and elected Mark in his place - despite voting to split the roles just months earlier. Why Kevin went on sabbatical, whose idea it was, and whether it was voluntary is not clear, but Kevin never returned to the post or working in the company other than sitting on its board. Then about six months ago, Mark and others proposed lending the winery cash at 10 per cent interest, which could be converted into shares. The share option would have diluted the stakes of everyone not involved in the loans, but the plan was not approved. Carolyn grew up playing in the vines, as did her children, and she hopes her grandchildren too Jay poses among the vines he planted on the property he began in 1970 Chris is Monticello's principal winemaker, first joining in 2000 aged 16, and often attends events on its behalf and shows visitors around the vineyard Instead, Kent bought thousands of shares from another shareholder for $8 each, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Carolyn said this was 'absurdly below market value' as Mark told shareholders this year that Monticello's real estate was appraised at $30.8 million and therefore shares were worth $51.81 each. Kent earlier bought 22,887 shares on June 27, 2021, and distributed them to Mark, Michael, and three other board members. Chris resigned from the board for unspecified reasons in November, removing another hurdle for the brothers in favor of selling. Since then, plans to sell the company accelerated and became more overt. Mark advised shareholders in the same month Chris left that the board would 'evaluate strategic options,' including 'the potential sale of the entire business', 'The opportunities for Monticello and its shareholders could be significant,' he wrote, noting consolidation trends among Napa wineries. Then on March 1 he advised the board had 'started discussions with several parties who have expressed interest in acquiring the entire company'. Jugal Taneja, a shareholder who runs smaller Napa vineyard Maroon Wines, decided he'd had enough of the family 'soap opera' and sent his own letter in response. Kent last bought thousands of shares from another shareholder for $8 each, which Carolyn said was 'absurdly below market value' Mark (left) was elected chairman by the board in 2021 a coup against Kevin, and is spearheading efforts to sell the company, supported by Michael (right) Jugal Taneja (pictured with his wife), a shareholder who runs smaller Napa vineyard Maroon Wines, offered to buy 40 per cent of the company for $12.50 a share so he could end the feud and get the warring family members off the board He expressed support for Chris, whom also designs wine for Maroon, and slammed the board's infighting and share valuations. Carolyn penned her own letter afterwards: 'Monticello is not just a business to me. it is my childhood, my history, and the memory of my dad.' Taneja also offered to buy 40 per cent of the company for $12.50 a share so he could end the feud and get the warring family members off the board. 'I had no desire to be a shareholder of a private company with a family feud, but I thought it would help Chris if I could take a big portion,' he told the Chronicle. 'The way they are fighting, it's like a soap opera. The best outcome is they should sell the company.' However, he claimed the board refused to speak to him about his white knight offer. The Florida trucker who crashed into a bus and left 45 migrants workers injured and eight dead said that he mixed pot oil and medication before getting behind the wheel. Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, was arrested on Tuesday on eight charges of driving under the influence-manslaughter after he crashed into a bus in Dunnellon, Marion County, around 6.30am. The bus was carrying 53 workers to a watermelon farm, which officials confirmed was Cannon Farms, when it collided with the Ford Ranger truck. The incident sent the bus flying off the road and through a fence where it rolled over, killing eight passengers and wounding 45 others. Howard has pleaded not guilty to DUI manslaughter and remained jailed without bond as of Wednesday. Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, was arrested on Tuesday after he crashed into a bus, injuring and killing migrant workers. He told cops on Wednesday that he mixed pot oil and medication before driving The incident sent the bus flying off the road and through a fence where it rolled over, killing eight passengers and wounding 45 others According to Howard's arrest report, troopers say he had bloodshot and watery eyes and slurred speech after the crash, which he said he didn't remember. He told an Florida Highway Patrol investigator that he had crashed his mother's car into a tree while avoiding an animal a few days earlier. Howard also said that on Monday night he had taken two anti-seizure drugs and medication for high blood pressure, in addition to smoking marijuana oil. He said he woke up about five hours later and was driving to a methadone clinic where he receives daily medication for a chipped vertebrae, according to the affidavit. It is unclear exactly what medication he took, but Howard failed multiple sobriety tests before he was arrested. Responding to a judge by teleconference from jail on Wednesday, he said he's a self-employed painter and drywall installer with $700 in the bank. Howard's head was bandaged and he wore a protective gown typically given to inmates on suicide watch. On Wednesday morning, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that the 44 Mexican farmworkers on the bus were hired by a Mexican-American farmer to work on the watermelon farm under H-2A visas. Florida farms use about 50,000 H-2A workers each year, more than any other state, according to the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. According to Howard's arrest report, troopers say he had bloodshot and watery eyes and slurred speech after the crash, which he said he didnt remember. (pictured: the truck Howard was driving) Howard also said that on Monday night he had taken two anti-seizure drugs and medication for high blood pressure, in addition to smoking marijuana oil. (pictured: the bus is seen flipped over on the grass after the crash) Crews from Marion County Fire Rescue and the Marion County Sheriff's Office assist victims from the horror crash on Tuesday morning Evarado Ventura Hernandez, 30, Cristian Salazar Villeda, 24, Alfredo Tovar Sanchez, 20, Isaias Miranda Pascal, 21, Jose Heriberto Fraga Acosta, 27, and Manuel Perez Rios, 46, are six of the eight workers that died. Andres Sequera, a director of mission and ministry for AdventHealth hospitals, said chaplains were visiting the injured workers, and they 'were in good spirits for what they have been through.' 'We were able to provide support, presence, and prayer when it was asked of us,' Sequera said. FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner said: 'Initial investigation reveals that the two vehicles made contact in a sideswipe type collision. 'Post collision, the bus traveled off the roadway, through a fence, and then overturned. Currently, eight people have been confirmed deceased and approximately 40 people have been transported to local medical facilities. 'Identities of the deceased will be released pending next of kin notification. Our sympathies and prayers are with the families of the deceased. 'Consistent with our duties, the Florida Highway Patrol will conduct both a thorough and exhaustive traffic crash and criminal investigation.' Cannon Farms, a family-owned operation that sends the melons to grocery stores across the U.S. and Canada, said it would remain closed through Wednesday. 'Thank you to all who have reached out and offered condolences, help and prayers for the people hurt in the crash,' Cannon Farms said in a Facebook post. Evarado Ventura Hernandez, 30, Cristian Salazar Villeda, 24, Alfredo Tovar Sanchez, 20, Isaias Miranda Pascal, 21, Jose Heriberto Fraga Acosta, 27, and Manuel Perez Rios, 46, are six of the eight workers that died in the crash Officials said the bus was traveling to Cannon Farms, around 15 miles from the crash site Florida officials closed sections of State Road 40 West as they deal with the fatal wreck The company said that the bus was operated by Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp. A Labor Department document shows Olvera also applied for 43 H-2A workers to harvest watermelons at Cannon Farms this month, again at a base rate of $14.77 an hour, with promises of housing and transportation to and from the fields. It was not immediately known if Olveras vehicle, which the highway patrol described as a 'retired' school bus, had seat belts. Marion County court records revealed that Howard has had at least three crashes and numerous traffic tickets dating back to 2006, including one citation for crossing the center line. His license has been suspended at least three times, the latest in 2021 for getting too many citations within a year. In 2013, he was convicted of grand theft and a year later, his probation was revoked after he tested positive for cocaine. The judge denied bond, appointed a public defender and set his next court appearance for next month. Jewish professors and students have revealed the shocking extent of anti-Semitism at Oxford University, with more than 70 incidents in eight months. A dossier presented to the Vice Chancellor details numerous bullying allegations, including one student being insulted over their 'Jewish nose'. Meanwhile, attendees at a vigil for hostages of Hamas were branded 'kid murderers' and one academic supervisor is said to have told his student: 'Israel is a terrorist state.' Complaints have been ignored, with some advised to simply 'leave Oxford' if they felt uncomfortable. It comes after Pro-Palestine protesters set up encampments at Oxford, demanding the university cut any financial ties with Israel. Pro-Palestinian students from the University of Oxford take part in an encampment with dozens of tents outside the Pitt Rivers Museum to call for a full divestment from Israel A passerby take pictures of pro-Palestinian's banner displayed at Oxford University, in Oxford A letter accompanying the dossier says: 'We have felt isolated, unsafe, targeted, stressed, disappointed, angry and hopeless. Many of us have faced all manners of anti-Semitic slurs.' One Jewish professor, who spoke to the Mail anonymously, said: 'What was a hate-on-Israel movement has become a hate-on-Jew movement. A lot of students and lecturers feel very hurt they have left or suspended their studies.' The letter, which has not been signed because its authors are worried about their security, was the result of 'a series of meetings and conversations we have held with dozens of Jewish and Israeli people at Oxford'. It was sent last week after an encampment was set up outside Oxford's Pitt Rivers Museum in which protesters agreed to a contract on 'the right of colonised people to resist occupation'. The letter describes a 'hostile environment' for anyone who believes in the right of Israel to exist with the university 'overflowing' with messages about plans to 'globalise the intifada and eliminate Israel's existence'. 'Oxford's administration would be unlikely to turn a blind eye to faculty members who spoke about other minorities in such terms,' it added. The other 72 incidents of anti-Semitism included a professor telling students the October 7 massacre was 'justified' while another claimed it was planned by Israel. Flags and banners hang from one tents and infrastructure belonging to pro-Palestinian protesters camping outside Manchester University on May 8, 2024 When a student who had lost family in the massacre complained about intimidation on campus, they were told by a college official: 'Oxford is often not a nice place for Israelis and Jews and there is nothing we can do about it.' A week after the university received the letter, Oxford bosses agreed to meet with some of the students tomorrow. A spokesman said: 'There is no place for anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or unlawful discrimination of any kind directed towards any faith, race, nationality or ethnic group at the University of Oxford. Oxford has dropped plans to vet candidates for chancellor after being accused of trying to fix the process against white male politicians by stipulating that vetting have 'due regard to the principles of equality and diversity'. It comes after senior government ministers branded the proposals 'wokeism gone mad'. The post has so far only ever been held by male former politicians. The current Chancellor is former Tory cabinet minister Lord Patten of Barnes. An Aussie father charged with drug offences in Bali is sleeping on a concrete floor in a cell with 12 other inmates as he faces the possibility of life behind bars. Troy Smith, 49, has been accused of drug possession and drug trafficking after police raided his hotel room on the Indonesian island on April 30. Officers allegedly found more than 3g of methamphetamine in a tube of toothpaste, a bong and 0.04 of methamphetamine in a sunglasses case. Indonesian authorities allege the father-of-two from Port Lincoln in South Australia smuggled the drugs from Australia to Bali. Smith is currently being held in a crowded concrete cell at police headquarters in Denpasar with no guest privileges and only a bucket to use as a toilet. Troy Smith, 49, has been accused of drug possession and drug trafficking after police raided his hotel room on the Indonesian island last month (Smith is pictured with wife Tracy Ijusa) Pictured are inmates at the notorious Kerobokan Penitentiary in Bali, Indonesia On Monday, Smith was accompanied by police to Denpasar Hospital after he complained of back pain, which is understood not to be serious. In a major escalation in the case, Smith hired high-profile 'fixer' John McCleod from consultancy firm Tora Solutions to launch his own investigation. Mr McCleod helped free Schapelle Corby from Kerobokan Prison in 2014 after she was charged with drug trafficking. Meanwhile, Smith's lawyers say the 49-year-old had purchased the methamphetamine in Bali and struggled with addiction. They argued their client would be better placed in a rehabilitation facility than in a cell, which would see Smith avoid prison altogether. Smith had been holidaying with his wife of four months Tracy Ijusa when police raided their room at the Champlung Mas Hotel in Legian on April 30. On Monday, Smith was taken to Denpasar Hospital after he complained of back pain Smith had been holidaying with his wife of four months Tracy Ijusa (pictured) when police raided their room at the Champlung Mas Hotel in Legian on April 30 They allegedly found 3.14g of methamphetamine concealed in a Colgate toothpaste tube that had been sent to Smith from Cairns, in a package that was labelled as containing private paperwork, photos and lubricant. Police allegedly found a further 0.4g of the drug that had been bought in Bali, along with a bong and a lighter. Smith was initially charged with drug possession, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years, but was later charged with drug trafficking, which can see offenders put away for life in Indonesia. Outside a police press conference on Monday, one of Smith's lawyer, Sienny Karmana, said his client had tried to evade arrest 'because he was scared', with police firing two warning shots into the air before he was detained. 'Police said that he tried to run away, but police got him back. They fired shots into the air, he was surprised and then he fell down and then police got him,' she said. Smith's lawyers say the drug package was sent him from a friend as thanks for helping with the purchase of a car, and Smith did not know what it contained. Ms Ijusa tried to visit her husband in custody on Monday but was turned away. Police said officers allegedly found more than 3g of methamphetamine in a tube of toothpaste, a bong and 0.04 of methamphetamine (pictured, a police press conference on Monday) Another of Smith's lawyers, Ida Bagus Gumilang Galih Sakti, said his client was 'very depressed and sorry' about the situation. 'I heard from Troy... that this was a present, because the sender knew that he was a user,' Mr Sakti told reporters outside the conference. Smith was originally from Port Lincoln in South Australia but appears to have moved to Cairns within the past two years. He proposed to Ms Ijusa in October last year and they tied the knot in January with photos from the holiday showing the couple enjoying the pool and nights out. She was also arrested after the hotel room raid but was released without charge, and has remained in Bali to support her husband. It is understood Smith's relatives flew to Bali last week. The pilot of the boat which hit and killed 15-year-old Miami ballerina Ella Riley Adler has been identified. Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 78, was the only person on his boat at the time of the tragic crash, according to an incident report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The boat was taken by FWC agents Tuesday after it was discovered outside Alonso's $4 million home in Coral Gables, Miami Herald reported. Alonso is understood to be cooperating with law enforcement. The report revealed that Adler, 15, had been on a 42-foot long boat. She was on it with 13 other people, including her teenage friends celebrating a friend's birthday, NBC Miami reported. Pictured: Carlos Guillermo Alonso, the man police suspect hit Ella Riley Adler with his light blue boat on May 11 while she was wakeboarding Adler, 15, was with 13 other people on a boat. She was reportedly celebrating Before the terrifying collision, Adler and another girl were being towed with one riding a wakeboard and the other on a wake surfboard. The girls then fell off the boards at different times and locations, though both were in the water simultaneously. That's when Alonso, heading west, 'struck the female wake boarder who was in the water,' with his Boston Whaler boat, per the report. Adler later died from her injuries. The FWC added that Alonso's boat is a center console boat with a light blue hull, which matches the initial eyewitness reports gathered by authorities. Witnesses also said that after the light blue vessel sped off, there was 'a lot of blood in the water.' The Coral Gables home where the speed boat was found The boat that authorities say was involved in the death of 15-year-old Ella Adler on Saturday According to a maritime attorney who spoke to NBC6 Miami, there's no chance that the person who hit Adler was unaware of the impact. 'I find that extremely hard to believe because hitting a person is a large object, you would definitely feel that especially if you are going at any type of a rate of speed,' Michael Winkleman said. The report doesn't say whether Alonso, the suspect in Adler's death, will face charges, according to NBC Miami. It's also unclear if alcohol was a factor in the crash because the report marks it down as 'unknown.' Adler, described as having a dazzling presence by loved ones, was laid to rest Monday morning at at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach. She was a high achieving student, a member of the her school's Jewish Student Association and had a 'big posse of friends,' according to her obituary. Matthew Adler, Adler's father, shared his heartbreaking message to his daughter at her funeral. 'You were taken from us way to soon, and the world has been robbed of all the things you could have achieved. But you will always be here with us and your friends and family will carry your energy and spirit forever,' he wrote in a letter read by Rabbi Jonathan Berkun Mourners support one another as they exit Temple Beth Sholom after Adler's funeral service in Miami on Monday At the service, Ella was referred to as a 'star' She was also a talented ballerina, appearing in over 100 performances of the Nutcracker with the Miami City Ballet. After the boat that struck Adler was found by police, her family released a new statement Tuesday thanking authorities for their hard work on the case. 'The world lost a star this weekend. Ella was beautiful and shined brightly. In her 15 years, she gave us more light than we could have ever dreamed,' the family said. 'While we cope with this unspeakable tragedy, we ask the public to give us our privacy as we mourn.' Ella is survived by her parents, Amanda and Matthew along with her siblings Jaden and Adalynn. She was also the great-granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, and the granddaughter of Michael Adler, the US Ambassador to Belgium. The family confirmed that First Lady Jill Biden visited with the Adler family following the funeral in the Jewish tradition of mourning known as Shiva, which lasts over a period of seven days. 'We are honored that the First Lady paid a Shiva call to our family during this time of immense pain. We are touched by their support and love and we are proud to call the President and First Lady our friends for over 40 years,' statement from the family said. The pro-Putin prime minister of Slovakia is recovering in hospital after being shot in an assassination bid that triggered alarm bells across Europe. Robert Fico was beckoned over to meet a crowd of supporters before a gunman leaned across and fired five times at point-blank range, sending the divisive politician sprawling to the ground. Bodyguards pounced on the would-be assassin as Mr Fico was carried into a government limousine which sped away before he was airlifted to hospital. Overnight there was confusion over the premier's condition, with deputy prime minister Tomas Taraba telling the BBC on Wednesday evening he was confident Mr Fico 'will survive', with local news outlets reporting that he was out of surgery and stable. Other ministers, however, insisted throughout the night that Mr Fico remained in a critical condition. Police detained 71-year-old poet Juraj Cintula on suspicion of the shooting in Handlova, central Slovakia. Graphic depicting the days events following the shooting of Slovakian PM Robert Fico Robert Fico was beckoned over to meet a crowd of supporters before a gunman leaned across and fired five times at point-blank range, sending the divisive politician sprawling to the ground Bodyguards pounced on the would-be assassin as Mr Fico was carried into a government limousine which sped away before he was airlifted to hospital The suspect is arrested at the scene by police. Deputy prime minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC on Wednesday evening he was confident Mr Fico 'will survive' Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Slovakia Robert Kalinak speaks during a joint press conference with Slovakia's Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok, right, at the F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital Vladimir Putin last night described the attack as a 'monstrous crime' and there are fears he will now seize on the attempted killing of his populist friend who has staunchly argued against support for Ukraine. It comes as: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cancelled trips abroad as Russia advances on the country's second city of Kharkiv; Tens of thousands took to the streets of Georgia once more after the 'pro-Russian' government forced through 'Kremlin inspired' legislation; The alleged gunman made a 'confession' in custody where he blamed Mr Fico's crackdown on free media for the attack; World leaders including Joe Biden were quick to condemn the shooting. Russian president Mr Putin who arrived in Beijing for a state visit last night said: 'I know Robert Fico to be a courageous and strong-spirited man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to withstand this difficult situation.' 71-year-old poet Juraj Cintula is believed to be the shooter His condition was critical following surgery last night as police said they had detained 71-year-old poet Juraj Cintula on suspicion of the shooting in Handlova, central Slovakia Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, centre, speaks with people before the cabinet's away-from-home session in the town of Handlova, Slovakia moments before the shooting Last night Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former commanding officer of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment, the UK's chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defence unit, told The Mail: 'There are high stakes in Europe and the threat of a wider war only benefits Putin. Populist anti-vaxxer who backs Putin Robert Fico was serving his third stint as prime minister of Slovakia. He won his first election in 2006 in a landslide victory just two years after the country joined the EU. Born into a working-class familiy, Mr Fico trained as a lawyer and was Slovakias representative to the European Court of Human Rights. He won the elections again in 2012 and 2016 but was forced to resign two years later due to mass protests after an investigative journalist was murdered along with his fiancee. Mr Fico began his third term as prime minister last October, serving at the head of a populist-nationalist coalition. Critics argue that he has abandoned Slovakias pro-Western course. Thousands of people have protested across the country, speaking out against his policies. He has also faced accusations of corruption. He is fiercely opposed to immigration and has criticised same-sex marriages. He became the countrys most prominent voice against masks, lockdowns and vaccinations during the Covid pandemic. He is also an admirer of Vladimir Putin and has vowed not to support Ukraine. Advertisement 'This is yet another wake-up call to the West. If we ignore this latest threat to Western security the chances of getting drawn into a wider war in Europe are manifestly greater.' Witnesses said Mr Fico responded to a supporter shouting 'Robo, come over' and went to shake their hand after leaving an away-day meeting of the Slovak government meeting shortly after 3pm. Harrowing footage then shows the alleged gunman look either side before lunging forward with a pistol in his right arm and shooting the 59-year-old prime minister. A shaken bystander said: 'I was just going to shake his hand, when the shots rang out it almost deafened me'. Local journalists interviewed the suspect's son who witnessed the attack and was in shock. 'I have no idea what father was up to, what he was planning and why it happened,' he said. The son said Cintula was not suffering from any mental health problems and had never mentioned assassinating a politician. However, the background of the alleged gunman provoked further questions last night. Photographs appeared to show he was affiliated to a pro-Russian militia Slovenski Branci. Mr Fico was shot in the arm and stomach and his injuries were so severe there was no time to transfer him to the capital, Bratislava. Slovak interior minister Matus Sutaj Estok confirmed he was conscious after major surgery last night but had suffered 'serious body trauma'. Mr Estok warned police would 'act' on anyone backing the assassination online as he also pledged a huge clampdown on security. Mr Fico rails against immigration and LGBT issues and has been unsparing in his support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. He has reversed the previous Slovakian government's stance on the Ukraine conflict and called for military aid to Kyiv to cease. The prime minister was airlifted to a nearby hospital after suffering gunshot wounds to the arm and stomach Fico is transferred at the F.D. Roosevelt University Hospital to undergo surgery to treat his wounds Fico's security detail jumps to support him after he was shot. He stumbled over a bench behind him and slumped to the floor (right) He has also become a close ally of Hungary's premier Viktor Orban, another refusenik inside Nato and the European Union. Struck down in office, Europes murdered PMs The last European leader to be assassinated was Zoran Dindic, the prime minister of Serbia. He was shot in Belgrade in March 2003 while entering the Serbian governments headquarters and died almost instantly. In February 1986, the prime minister of Sweden, Olof Palme, was shot on an evening walk home from the cinema with his wife, Lisabeth Palme. Luis Carrero Blanco, the prime minister of Spain, was killed in in a bomb blast in Madrid just five days before Christmas in 1973. He had only been prime minister for six months. Spencer Perceval is the only serving British Prime Minister to have been assassinated in the lobby of the House of Commons on 11 May 1812. Advertisement Last night, given his opposition to the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine, there was speculation online suggesting the shooting could have been ordered by Kyiv. The leader of Slovakia's pro-European and pro-Nato opposition party was forced to issue a public denial that he had anything to do with the assassination attempt. Mr Fico has also provoked fury with his leftist Direction party's plans to give government full control of public radio and TV. The alleged gunman made a 'confession' in custody where he blamed this crackdown for the supposed assassination attempt. Russia is expected to seek to politicise the shooting by suggesting politicians in EU and in Nato states who dare to challenge the orthodoxy surrounding support for Ukraine are no longer safe. Former chairman of the Commons defence committee, Tobias Ellwood, said: 'As Slovakia increasingly comes under threat from Russia's influence this tragic incident could easily be used as justification to introduce similar draconian restrictions as we now see in Hungary and Belarus.' Western nations condemned the attack on Mr Fico. US President Joe Biden said it was a 'horrific act of violence'. President Zelensky added: 'We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighbouring partner state's head of government.' Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: 'Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy.' Anthony Albanese has hit back at his Sydney tenant who begged the Prime Minister not to make him homeless after serving him with an eviction notice. Jim Flanagan, 45, has lived in one of Mr Albanese's investment properties in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Dulwich Hill for four years. But the struggling bar owner has now been given 90 days to pack up and leave because the Prime Minister wants to sell the three-bedroom townhouse. Mr Flanagan went public with his eviction notice on Wednesday, describing it as a 'crippling blow'. This is despite Mr Albanese reducing the rent for Mr Flanagan and his then partner to $680 a week during the pandemic and not raising it since. The market rate for a three-bedroom property in the area is currently around $800 a week. Now the Prime Minister has slapped down Mr Flanagan's plea, claiming that he has been a 'more than fair owner'. Jim Flanagan (pictured), 45, has lived in one of Mr Albanese's investment properties in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Dulwich Hill for four years, but has now been given 90 days to pack up and leave because the Prime Minister wants to sell the house Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon are pictured at Parliament House in Canberra 'The person whos in the property, in his own words, says I have been a more than fair owner of that property,' Mr Albanese told ABC Radio National host Patricia Karvelas. The Prime Minister said he was 'entitled' to sell the property ahead of his upcoming wedding to partner Jodie Haydon. Mr Albanese was asked if he would consider allowing Mr Flanagan to stay in the property a little longer. But he claimed the bar owner has refused to engage with his rental agent. 'Well, hes refused to have discussions with the real estate agent,' Mr Albanese claimed. 'Thats a matter for him. I wish him well. He has been well looked after for a long period of time. 'I am entitled to make decisions in my personal life including selling a property that I own because I wish to move on in my personal life in a different direction. 'The property was bought when my personal circumstances were different.' The Prime Minister's property portfolio has previously been estimated to be worth about $5million, although he has since sold a two-bedroom unit in Canberra, in 2022. Mr Albanese famously grew up in public housing in Sydney, but now owns a mortgage-free bungalow in Marrickville and the three-bedroom Dulwich Hill townhouse he now plans to sell. The Prime Minister splits his time between The Lodge in Canberra and Kirribilli House in Sydney, living rent and mortgage-free. Mr Flanagan said he was reluctant to go public about his situation but felt he had no other choice. 'This will kill me, it's a crippling blow right now,' he told the the Daily Telegraph. A shocked Mr Flanagan received the eviction notice from his real estate on May 8, which informed him that Mr Albanese 'could be selling the house at some stage'. Mr Flanagan has been given 90 days to vacate the Dulwich Hill property (pictured) 'Please be advised that the landlord requires vacant possession of the property 90 days after the service of this letter,' the notice stated. Mr Flanagan then asked for clarification on whether it was the landlords desire he vacate the property, which the agent confirmed. The small business owner is on a month-to-month lease and knows the Prime Minister has the right to sell the house. But Mr Flanagan has been spurred into trying to stay on after reading about the government's $1.9billion package to slash rental costs for vulnerable people announced in Tuesday's Federal Budget. 'It just doesn't sit well when (Mr Albanese) is trying to be sympathetic with the majority of Australians who are, like me, finding the current climate extremely challenging,' he said. Anthony Albanese also owns this Marrickville home (pictured), which is also being currently rented out The Prime Minister said that was 'entitled' to sell the property because of his upcoming wedding to partner Jodie Haydon (pictured) Mr Flanagan said he voted for Labor in the 2022 election and mostly supports the party's policies, but is doing it tough as the bar he owns is struggling. He used to run the trendy Sausage Factory restaurant and craft beer brewery in Dulwich Hill with his then partner, Chrissy Flanagan. Ms Flanagan, who once lived in the Dulwich Hill house with Mr Flanagan, previously told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Albanese was a good landlord who cut their rent by 25 per cent during the pandemic. 'Not every politician is the same in private as they are in public,' Ms Flanagan said at the time. 'I just think if you get these little glimpses of what someone's actually like, when no one's looking, that tells you something. 'It's just a small reflection of what a person is like in private as to what they might be like when they have the opportunity to live their values more broadly.' Dozens of small boats and engines used to try and bring migrants across the Channel are being stored at a Dover warehouse. Pictures show rows of small boats, deflated dinghies and engines stored on pallets inside the warehouse in Kent. There are at least 21 of the larger boats, around 105 dinghies which have been deflated and wrapped up, and 13 rows of engines on wooden pallets. The new images come as the government extended the Rwanda deportation plan to include failed asylum seekers. Previously, only migrants who had arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel on or after 1 January 2022, and who were handed notices telling them their asylum claim may be inadmissible before 29 June last year, were eligible for removal. Pictures show rows of small boats, deflated dinghies and engines stored on pallets inside a warehouse in Dover, Kent, thought to have been used by failed asylum seekers There are at least 21 of the larger boats, around 105 dinghies which have been deflated and wrapped up, and 13 rows of engines on wooden pallets The new images come as the government extended the Rwanda deportation plan to include failed asylum seekers. Pictured are a group of people thought to be migrants in Dover, May 13 A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, May 13, 2024 But now the Home Office said migrants who have 'no right to be in the UK', who have had claims refused or withdrawn and are unable to appeal their decision could also be given a one-way ticket to the east African nation under the multi-million pound deal struck in a bid to curb Channel crossings. It comes amid asylum seekers already being held in detention ahead of being sent to Rwanda fear more suicide attempts and hunger strikes could take place ahead of flights taking off because migrants feel there is 'no hope'. Failed asylum seekers can already volunteer to be flown home or sent to Rwanda. Those who do not leave the UK by choice will 'be in line for detention and enforced removal to a safe third country under the new agreement', officials said. Home Secretary James Cleverly said failed asylum seekers had been detained this week to be removed to Rwanda, adding: 'These people have been through the asylum system and have no right to remain in the UK.' His department would not provide any details of the immigration raids. Meanwhile Britain handed Albania 1.6 million worth of cameras and drones in a bid to catch Channel people smuggling gangs. James Cleverly said failed asylum seekers were detained this week to be removed to Rwanda Graph showing the number of migrants that have arrived in the UK by crossing the Channel A Syrian man, who said he sought sanctuary in the UK after fleeing conflict and persecution in his home country, described a desperate atmosphere in Colnbrook immigration removal centre where he claimed he was among up to 60 migrants all facing removal to Rwanda who had taken part in a hunger strike in the last week. Speaking through a translator, and on condition of anonymity, he said he was 'surrounded' and taken into custody when he turned up for his regular sign on meeting with the Home Office. 'When I came to the UK I thought I would be finally safe and free, but I am detained again,' he said, telling how many of the people being held in the detention centre near Heathrow Airport in west London are 'very scared' about going to Rwanda and do not believe they will be safe there. He claimed one of the detainees due to be sent to Rwanda tried to kill themselves on Saturday but was stopped by others and security guards stepped in. While the latest hunger strike ended when the detainees 'became very weak', he fears they will have no choice but to carry out another as they try to highlight their concerns. 'This kind of thing is going to happen again as people are frustrated and they feel there is no hope. People mentally are very weak at the moment, everyone is uncertain about the future,' he said. Migrants pictured on a boat attempting to cross the English Channel near Dunkirk, France According to charity Life Seekers Aid, which is providing support to detainees, the man is among many who are experiencing delays in receiving documents from the Home Office which has made it difficult for them to access legal advice swiftly. A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'We take the welfare of individuals in our care extremely seriously, and there are robust safeguarding measures in place to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and has access to the support they need, including access to legal representation.' It follows fears being raised that Northern Ireland could become a 'magnet' for illegal immigration after a bombshell court ruling. The High Court in Belfast decided that parts of the Illegal Migration Act cannot apply in the province because of post-Brexit agreements with the EU. The intervention could mean it is impossible for the Home Office to deport migrants to Rwanda if they travel to Northern Ireland - although the government has insisted it will appeal. The DUP insisted the move underlines the problems with Rishi Sunak's Windsor Framework deal, suggesting illegal immigrants will head there to dodge being sent to the African state. But in a round of interviews, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps insisted Northern Ireland would not be an 'exception to the rule' in the wider UK. Junior doctors in England have entered new talks with the Government with a view to ending a long-running dispute over pay. The British Medical Association said its junior doctors' committee had agreed to an 'intensive phase of talks' facilitated by an external mediator. The medics have staged a series of crippling walkouts over the past year, hampering efforts to cut NHS waiting lists. The Department of Health and Social Care described the move as a 'significant step forward which could ultimately end strike action by doctors in training'. Junior doctors in England have entered new talks with the Government with a view to ending a long-running dispute over pay. Pictured is a picket line at St Thomas' Hospital in February The British Medical Association said its junior doctors' committee had agreed to an 'intensive phase of talks' facilitated by an external mediator In a statement, Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chairs of the committee, said: 'We have been in dispute for more than a year with the Government over declining junior doctor pay, exploring various avenues to try and resolve it. 'We have been looking at ways of restoring trust between parties and believe that an independent mediator can help break the logjam. 'We hope to reach a credible solution as soon as possible.' The union said on X that it hoped that the talks would 'break the logjam and gain a credible pay offer for 23/24'. They have been pushing for real-terms pay restoration to 2008 levels. The Department of Health and Social Care said the doctors have already been given a pay rise of up to 10.3 per cent last financial year through the pay review body process and made clear that further investment was available to resolve the dispute. The medics have staged a series of crippling walkouts over the past year, hampering efforts to cut NHS waiting lists They have been pushing for real-terms pay restoration to 2008 levels Health secretary Victoria Atkins said she is 'pleased the BMA agreed to explore mediation' Junior doctors have staged 10 rounds of strike action since the dispute began. The latest ballot of medics suggested that they had no plans to end the walk outs after 98 per cent voted to continue strike action. Doctors also approved the use of action short of strikes. The BMA and Department of Health and Social Care have agreed a preferred mediator. The health service has been beset by strikes for more than a year, with walkouts from a number of different staff including doctors, nurses, paramedics and physiotherapists. NHS England said in March that since strikes began in December 2022, some 1,424,269 inpatient and outpatient appointments had been rescheduled. The last strike by junior doctors from February 24 to 28 this year led to 91,048 appointments, operations and procedures being postponed. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents healthcare organisations, said: 'This agreement from the BMA and the government to enter mediation is a hugely positive step following what feels like a period of relative calm in terms of the serious dispute. 'NHS leaders and patients will be hopeful of a resolution. 'At the same time NHS leaders also accept that there are a series of actions that they must take to improve the working lives of doctors. 'The clear focus being given to this issue by Amanda Pritchard reinforces the importance of this, alongside whatever resolution the Prime Minister and Secretary of State can reach with the BMA and its members.' Health secretary Victoria Atkins said: 'As Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, my duty is to patients and I want to pursue all avenues to resolve the dispute with the BMA junior doctors committee. 'This will ensure they can focus on delivering the highest quality care and help consolidate our recent progress on waiting lists. 'I am pleased the BMA have agreed to explore mediation and I am hopeful that it will provide a way forward.' Sharon Stone and Liam Neeson are the latest celebrities calling for Kevin Spacey to be allowed to resume his Hollywood acting career after being cleared of sexual assault charges. Stephen Fry, F. Murray Abraham and Sir Trevor Nunn have also come out in defence of the two-time Oscar winner since the airing of Channel 4's documentary Spacey Unmasked last week. The two-part film featured previously unheard testimonies about the actor's alleged inappropriate behaviour. Mr Spacey, 64, was fired from Netflix series House of Cards in 2017, after being accused of molesting actor Anthony Rapp when he was 14 and Spacey was 26. Kevin Spacey addresses the media gathered outside Southwark Crown Court after being found not guilty of sexual offences between 2001 and 2013 Mr Spacey, 64, was fired from Netflix series House of Cards (pictured) in 2017, after being accused of molesting actor Anthony Rapp when he was 14 and Spacey was 26 Liam Neeson (pictured in 2014 movie Non-Stop) is calling for Kevin Spacey to be allowed to resume his Hollywood acting career after being cleared of sexual assault charges Defending Mr Spacey, Sharon Stone said she 'can't wait to see Kevin back at work' He was found not liable during a civil trial in New York in 2022, with the jury concluding that the event had not taken place. Spacey was also cleared of sexual assault allegations by four other men in a criminal trial in London last year. Spacey won two Academy Awards as best supporting actor for The Usual Suspects in 1996 and best actor in 2000 for American Beauty, which also secured him a Bafta for leading actor. Defending Mr Spacey, Sharon Stone said she 'can't wait to see Kevin back at work'. 'He is a genius. He is so elegant and fun, generous to a fault and knows more about our craft than most of us ever will,' she told the Daily Telegraph. The Basic Instinct star, 66, said it was clear aspiring actors had 'wanted and want to be around him'. Liam Neeson also gave a glowing testimony of Spacey's character. 'I was deeply saddened to learn of these accusations against him. Kevin is a good man and a man of character,' he said. Spacey was also cleared of sexual assault allegations by four other men in a criminal trial Oscar-winning actor F. Murray Abraham said he vouched for Spacey 'unequivocally' and accused 'vultures' of attacking the fallen star Meanwhile, Stephen Fry accepted Spacey had been 'clumsy' and 'inappropriate' but should not be lumped in 'with the likes of Harvey Weinstein' 'He's sensitive, articulate and non-judgemental, with a terrific sense of humour. He is also one of our finest artists in the theatre and on camera. Personally speaking, our industry needs him and misses him greatly.' Oscar-winning actor F. Murray Abraham told The Telegraph he vouched for Spacey 'unequivocally' and accused 'vultures' of attacking the fallen star, saying he has 'publicly accepted his responsibility for certain behaviour, unlike so many others'. Meanwhile, Stephen Fry accepted Spacey had been 'clumsy' and 'inappropriate' but should not be lumped in 'with the likes of Harvey Weinstein'. He added: 'I think he has paid the price.' Sir Trevor Nunn, who directed Spacey at The Old Vic on two occasions, said 'it is time for this man to be forgiven for whatever poor judgments he may have made in the past' and resume acting after 'seven years of exile'. Channel 4 said it stood by its documentary as an 'important film', giving a voice to those who feel unable to speak up. Government spokesperson says it is 'monitoring developments very closely' Royal Mail is set to fall into foreign hands for the first time in its 508-year history. In a move that sent shockwaves through the City and Westminster, the board of its parent company backed a 3.5billion takeover offer from a billionaire dubbed the 'Czech Sphinx'. Yet with the Government unlikely to block any deal, it paves the way for the company set up by Henry VIII in 1516 to be taken into overseas ownership. The bid from Czech energy and media magnate Daniel Kretinsky who earned his nicknamed due to his enigmatic approach to business comes at a turbulent time for Royal Mail, which last month begged ministers and regulators to allow it to cut second-class post to save money. He is already Royal Mail's biggest single shareholder, with a 27.5 per cent stake. Ministers will 'monitor develpments very closely' relating to a potential takeover of Royal Mail by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky (Stock image) The deal could be blocked if ministers call it in under the National Security and Investment Act and a Government spokesman said last night it was 'monitoring developments very closely' but a senior Whitehall source told the Mail that ministers are not planning to intervene. Keith Williams, chairman of Royal Mail owner International Distributions Services (IDS), blasted ministers for failing to allow reform of the postal service, claiming it left it vulnerable to foreign predators. He said: 'Despite four years of asking, the Government has not seen fit to engage in reform... and improve our financial position.' However, his board's swift approval of the offer last night received an immediate backlash from politicians and unions. Labour insisted Royal Mail must remain a British company but did not commit to blocking the takeover. Business spokesman Jonathan Reynolds set out a list of demands for Mr Kretinsky, including keeping the Royal Mail's HQ in the UK and paying taxes. He added: 'Royal Mail is as British as it gets and Labour will take the necessary steps to safeguard its identity and place in public life.' If the deal goes through it would see Royal Mail leave London's stock market. It had been sold off by the coalition government in 2013 for 330p per share, valuing it at 3.3billion. Last month a 3.1billion takeover offer from Mr Kretinsky (pictured) was rejected, but yesterday he upped it by 400million Last month a 3.1billion offer from Mr Kretinsky was rejected, but yesterday he upped it by 400million. Mr Williams said the IDS board is 'minded to recommend this offer'. Mr Kretinsky now has until May 29 to make a firm bid which would then be put to a shareholder vote. Veteran Tory MP Sir Bill Cash told the Mail: 'We have to remain resolute in having a national security review.' Meanwhile, Dave Ward, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, accused Royal Mail's top brass of 'gross mismanagement'. He said: 'It cannot be right that a key part of national infrastructure is allowed to be owned by individuals who have no clear plan to put the workforce at the heart of turning Royal Mail around.' Capitol Police are investigating after a one-inch ziplock bag of cocaine was found in a 'heavily trafficked' area a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol building. The illicit drug was found on the second floor of the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) headquarters on Wednesday just before 1:00 p.m. ET. It was discovered only months after Joe Biden's administration was plagued in scandal after a bag of white powder - that tested positive for cocaine - was found in a cubby hole at the White House. The Capitol police said they are investigating a 'roughly one-inch by one-inch zip lock bag with a small amount of a white powdery substance, which field tested positive for cocaine.' 'The hallway is on the second floor in an area that has been a staging spot for furniture and supplies,' said the USCP in a statement. 'The area is heavily trafficked by various contractors and employees. It is also near offices such as Prisoner Processing, Crime Scene, Intel and Reports Processing.' United States Capitol Police: USCP is investigating a roughly one-inch by one-inch zip lock bag with a small amount of a white powdery substance, which field tested positive for cocaine After it was found and reported, the residue was field tested and came back positive for cocaine, said the release. 'The USCP Investigations Division has opened an investigation, which will include further testing, including DNA testing of the baggie. We will provide more information when it becomes available.' Over the summer, cocaine was found in a phone locker in President Joe Biden's White House. DailyMail.com obtained photos taken by the Secret Service which included images of the bag of white powder that was found in a cubby hole used to store personal belongings near the White House's West Executive entrance in response to a Freedom of Information Act request. Cocaine was found in locker No. 50 on Sunday, July 2 while the Biden family - including son Hunter - was spending the weekend away at Camp David ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. The discovery prompted an evacuation of the West Wing and street closures surrounding the White House and then triggered an 11-day investigation once the substance was identified as the illicit drug. Documents obtained by DailyMail.com also show the Deputy Director of the FBI Paul Abbate was involved in the investigation, which clouded the Biden administration in scandal this summer. Capitol Police are investigating after a bag of cocaine was found in a 'heavily trafficked' area The Secret Service closed the investigation in less than two weeks due to a 'lack of evidence.' The list of suspects had been narrowed down to 500, but security footage wasn't able to determine the owner as cameras do not face the locker area. It is unclear if any suspects were interviewed during the short investigation. Lockers aren't assigned to specific personnel, a source familiar with the setup told DailyMail.com, but instead guests can choose a locker to use and then take a key. They are used by people who are outside visitors to the West Wing, not White House or Executive Office of the President staff. The same source also said that someone taking a tour was the likeliest culprit because anyone with any familiarity of the White House would know that there's a bathroom steps away where the contraband could have been flushed. Documents obtained by DailyMail.com include updates in real time, like the description that a '1'' by 1'' bag of white powdery substance was found near where pass holders put their phones when going into the [redacted].' Another document said that the individual who found the cocaine 'was confident it was drug related.' Secret Service officials noted that the president was at Camp David and Vice President Kamala Harris was in Los Angeles at the time of the discovery. 'There is no reported media coverage of this incident at the time,' an initial Secret Service document says. Once news reports came out about the incident, the documents show Secret Service officials having back and forths with reporters over whether the powder was cocaine. Secret Service also had to set the record straight on where it was found, as early reports about the incident said the cocaine was discovered in the White House library, then the West Wing lobby and then finally the cubbies by the West Executive entrance. Cocaine was found in locker No. 50 on Sunday, July 2 while the Biden family - including son Hunter - was spending the weekend away at Camp David ahead of the Fourth of July holiday Documents obtained by DailyMail.com also show the Deputy Director of the FBI Paul Abbate was involved in the investigation, which clouded the Biden administration in scandal this summer An initial test conducted by D.C. fire's Hazmat team came back positive for opioids and amphetamines, while the Secret Service's first tests were inconclusive. 'They are likely going with what they got from DC fire. I can only speak to what the Secret Service is doing and we've sent it in for formalized testing. Not to say that D.C. fire is incorrect, but we have a different process,' the Secret Service's communications chief says in an email amid the barrage of media requests. The FBI then became involved - at the request of the Secret Service's executive leadership, a document said - and sent the sample to a lab at Quantico. One of Australia's leading infectious diseases expert has questioned the worth of the $1.6billion allocated to fighting Covid-19 in Tuesday night's Federal Budget, both for its medical use and value for money. Dr Nick Coatsworth said Molnupiravir - which is sold under the brand name Lagevrio and is one of the two Covid drugs covered by the Budget - 'has a very dubious evidence base'. He was Australia's deputy chief medical officer during the height of the pandemic. 'There's not a lot of evidence that it works, even in elderly at-risk Australians,' Dr Coatsworth told Daily Mail Australia. He said he did not mind Molnupiravir being funded, 'but the government needs to fund a proper study to work out whether they're effective or not'. An infectious diseases expert has questioned the worth of the $1.6billion allocated to fighting Covid-19 in Tuesday night's Federal Budget. A woman is pictured getting a Covid vaccination 'All the studies were done in unvaccinated people in 2020 and 2021, so that's why we don't have the evidence base,' he added. 'The cost of a research study would be about $10million to $15million. So you pay $10million to $15million to work out whether the $1.3billion was the right amount of money to spend.' Dr Coatsworth said the only major study into Molnupiravir was a UK one called Panoramic, which 'showed that this drug didn't actually work to prevent hospitalisations'. He said one of the reasons the government is still putting a huge amount of money into Molnupiravir was that a study showed that it may have had some effect on elderly nursing home residents. 'The second reason is that the more effective drug, Paxlovid, is a harder drug to use because it's got more interactions with common medications that the elderly will be on,' Dr Coatsworth explained. 'So GPs, even though it's likely that this Molnupiravir drug does very little, GPs are much more comfortable using it because it's an easier drug to prescribe to people.' Dr Nick Coatsworth (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia that Molnupiravir 'has a very dubious evidence base' Dr Coatsworth also questioned why the Government is paying so much money for the Covid treatments. 'But both Molnupiravir and Paxlovid still cost (the Government) $1,100 for a five-day course. That is pretty expensive for an antibiotic,' he said. 'You might understand that a drug company could justify that if they've put that out in the middle of a pandemic, but we're not in the middle of the pandemic anymore.' 'Why is the government not bargaining down to a reasonable price for these drugs?' He said if a patient had a bacterial infection and had a five-day course of a common antibiotic, it would cost the government about $5, but because it's Covid, it costs $1,100. 'So basically what the government is saying is we're going to continue to spend exactly the same amount of money as we have in the past on these drugs, we're not gonna find out if they work, and we're not going to drive the drug companies down on their pricing,' Dr Coatsworth said. A study in Melbourne found 'that there might be some effect in elderly nursing home residents'. Pictured is an elderly woman getting the Covid vaccine In response, a the federal Department of Health spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that 'Paxlovid and Lagevrio are antivirals not antibiotics'. 'Paxlovid and Molnupiravir are the only medicines available through the PBS indicated for the treatment of Covid-19 that work to reduce hospitalisations among the most vulnerable Australians. 'The $1.3billion announced as part of the 2024-25 Budget refers to the gross costs of the two medicines, this does not include any revenue through confidential rebate arrangements that may apply.' They added that 'Negotiations with sponsors on the price and supply of medicines on the PBS is commercial-in-confidence.' Advertisement Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has been shot and wounded in an assassination attempt this afternoon moments after he left a meeting of MPs. Mr Fico was taken to hospital after he was struck by bullets to his abdomen shortly after he attended a government meeting in Handlova, some 150 kilometres north-east of the capital Bratislava. Our live coverage has now ended First witnesses in trial in process of giving evidence Former pilot Greg Lynn is charged with two murders Slain camper Russell Hill confided to a fellow camper that retirement had 'f***ed' him up before he allegedly died in a struggle trying to kill ex-Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn. Lynn, 57, of Caroline Springs is charged with the murder of Mr Hill, 74, and his lover Carol Clay, 73, in the remote Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria's Alpine region more than four years ago. In the Supreme Court of Victoria trial on Tuesday, the jury heard Lynn claimed Mr Hill died during a fight with him when he fell on his own knife after accidentally shooting Ms Clay dead. Greg Lynn outside the Supreme Court of Victoria at the start of his murder trial in Melbourne Russell Hill and Carol Clay's burnt out campsite On Wednesday, the first of the trial's witnesses described Mr Hill as a kind-natured man who had been struggling with retirement after a life of forestry working in the very region where he died. Deer hunter Chris Benton told the jury he met Mr Hill in a camping area known as King Billy about a week before he and Ms Clay made the trip into nearby Wonnangatta Valley. Mr Benton said he chatted with Mr Hill about his love of amateur radio and his life working the forest before he confided with him the struggles of his life as a retiree. 'Now I'm retired and it really f***ed me up,' Mr Hill told the stranger. While Mr Benton claimed Mr Hill told him he was married, he made no mention of Ms Clay. 'If I go home, my wife will only nag me anyway. I may as well stay here,' Mr Hill allegedly told the camper. The court heard Mr Hill had been spotted using a large chainsaw to cut down snow gum, despite it being prohibited to do so in the forest. Mr Benton said when he mentioned that to Mr Hill, and the fact he could be fined if caught by a park ranger, the elderly camper appeared non-fussed. 'I don't give a f***,' Mr Hill allegedly remarked. On Wednesday, the court heard Lynn claimed Mr Hill and Ms Clay were killed in a 'tragic accident'. Russell Hill told a camper he had been struggling with retirement Mr Hill made no mention of who Carol Clay was to him. Lynn's barrister Dermot Dann, KC told the jury Mr Hill stole Lynn's shotgun after he became enraged about Lynn playing loud music on the night he was killed. 'He went towards Mr Hill to try and get the gun back - to take control of the gun. Mr Hill fired the gun into the air and Mr Lynn initially took cover towards the rear of his car,' Mr Dann said. Lynn would later tell police he was 'scared s***less' by Mr Hill's actions. 'He decided the only way to make things safe was to get his gun back,' Mr Dann said. The jury heard that as Lynn tried to wrestle the firearm away from Mr Hill, the gun discharged and Ms Clay was hit in the head. 'The next thing is Mr Hill's advancing towards him with a knife screaming at him "she's dead",' Mr Dann said. 'A struggle developed over the knife. Mr Lynn trying to defend himself - they're locked in this struggle - and as part of that struggle the two men fall to the ground and the knife goes through the chest of Mr Hill.' The court heard Mr Hill and Lynn had argued earlier in the day about Lynn hunting for deer so close to other campers. The remote Wonnangatta Valley where Mr Hill and Ms Clay met their fate Mr Benton said Mr Hill had told him retirement 'had an effect on him'. 'Russell worked in the forestry production industry for all of his life and he went onto explain from working in production to retirement had an effect on Russell,' he said. 'Obviously he's a worker. He's a working class man so that did have an effect on his mental outlook.' Mr Benton's mate, Rowan Stewart, told the court Mr Hill had expressed some concerns about how they stored their firearms while not camping. Mr Stewart told the jury Mr Hill asked if they unloaded their weapons and mentioned a family member had previously been killed during a tragic hunting accident. Like Mr Benton, Mr Stewart said Mr Hill made no mention of who Ms Clay was, telling the jury he was surprised when news broke that Mr Hill had gone missing with someone who was not his wife. In opening the case on Tuesday, Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu dismissed Lynn's version of events. 'It is likely there was a dispute regarding Mr Hill's drone or vision captured on his drone,' Mr Porceddu said. 'There might have been an argument or confrontation between the men. It is not known how Mr Hill was killed.' The trial continues. Former pilot Greg Lynn is charged with two murders The daughter of slain camper Carol Clay expressed concern about revealing her mother had been in a long-term relationship with her married lover Russell Hill. Ms Clay, 73, and Mr Hill, 74, were both allegedly murdered by former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn in the remote Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria's Alpine region in March 2020. On Wednesday, Ms Clay's daughter Emma Davies told a Supreme Court of Victoria jury she was worried when police asked for her permission to put out a media release asking the public for help to find her then missing mum. 'I indicated to (the officer) that Russell was married and so I was concerned about the media release going out and showing them together,' she said. Despite her concerns, Ms Davies signed off on the media release. Emma Davies, the daughter of camper Carol Clay, outside the Victorian Supreme Court Russell Hill made no mention of who Carol Clay was to him Greg Lynn outside the Supreme Court of Victoria at the start of his murder trial in Melbourne She told the court she had been aware of her mother's relationship with Mr Hill for years. 'At the time of her death, it was about 14 years,' she said. The court heard Ms Clay had known Mr Hill for almost her entire life. 'They'd known each other from childhood. Russell was mum's first boyfriend,' she said. 'They lived in the same area.' Ms Davies said she would speak to her mother about Mr Hill 'every now and then'. 'She said it was a very caring and very loving relationship,' she said. Ms Davies said although her mother was not a keen camper, she enjoyed heading out into the wilderness with Mr Hill. 'They would often go camping in and around Licola and Dargo areas up in the high country,' Ms Davies said. 'She wouldn't describe herself as a camper... no, she's not a camper but she appreciated it, she appreciated the outdoors and it's a beautiful spot.' Ms Davies told the jury of the moment police contacted her to ask if she knew where her mother might be. 'I said that I didn't know,' she recalled. Russell Hill told a camper he had been struggling with retirement Russell Hill and Carol Clay's burnt out campsite The court heard Ms Davies had been trying to contact her mother but had been unable to reach her. 'I wasn't sure at that time that I was aware that she was away with Russell, but she had been previously,' she said. Ms Davies told the court her mother had been the president of Pakenham branch of the Country Women's Association at the time of her death. 'She had been a state president of Victoria in years previous and she held a variety of leadership positions within the association,' she said. Ms Davies said a police officer told her that her mother's campsite had been found abandoned in the wilderness and their tent had been burnt. The jury has heard from numerous witnesses that Mr Hill's relationship with Ms Clay was not disclosed by him in the days and weeks before his alleged murder. Mr Hill's friend of 30 years, Michael Allan, told the jury on Wednesday he had no idea his mate had been in an extramarital relationship leading up to his death. Mr Allan told the court he had spoken to Mr Hill almost every day over amateur radio for the past 15 years. 'Prior to 2019, did you know that he was in a relationship with Ms Clay,' Lynn's barrister Dermot Dann, KC asked. 'No, I did not,' Mr Allan replied. The court heard Mr Allan only learned of the relationship from another of Mr Hill's friends. The remote Wonnangatta Valley where Mr Hill and Ms Clay met their fate Mr Allan said he was under the impression Mr Hill had been camping alone in the weeks before he died. 'He didn't actually say that, but he didn't say otherwise. He did not say that he was there with anybody else,' he said. The evidence came after another witness told the court Mr Hill had expressed concern about life as a retiree. Deer hunter Chris Benton told the jury he met Mr Hill in a camping area known as King Billy about a week before he and Ms Clay made the trip into nearby Wonnangatta Valley. Mr Benton said he chatted with Mr Hill about his love of amateur radio and his life working the forest before he confided with him the struggles of his life as a retiree. 'Now I'm retired and it really f***ed me up,' Mr Hill told the stranger. While Mr Benton claimed Mr Hill told him he was married, he made no mention of Ms Clay. 'If I go home, my wife will only nag me anyway. I may as well stay here,' Mr Hill allegedly told the camper. The court heard Mr Hill had been spotted using a large chainsaw to cut down snow gum, despite it being prohibited to do so in the forest. Greg Lynn has pleaded not guilty to murdering the campers Mr Benton said when he mentioned that to Mr Hill, and the fact he could be fined if caught by a park ranger, the elderly camper appeared non-fussed. 'I don't give a f***,' Mr Hill allegedly remarked. On Wednesday, the court heard Lynn claimed Mr Hill and Ms Clay were killed in a 'tragic accident'. Mr Dann told the jury Mr Hill stole Lynn's shotgun after he became enraged about Lynn playing loud music on the night he was killed. 'He went towards Mr Hill to try and get the gun back - to take control of the gun. Mr Hill fired the gun into the air and Mr Lynn initially took cover towards the rear of his car,' Mr Dann said. Lynn would later tell police he was 'scared s***less' by Mr Hill's actions. 'He decided the only way to make things safe was to get his gun back,' Mr Dann said. The jury heard that as Lynn tried to wrestle the firearm away from Mr Hill, the gun discharged and Ms Clay was hit in the head. 'The next thing is Mr Hill's advancing towards him with a knife screaming at him "she's dead",' Mr Dann said. 'A struggle developed over the knife. Mr Lynn trying to defend himself - they're locked in this struggle - and as part of that struggle the two men fall to the ground and the knife goes through the chest of Mr Hill.' The court heard Mr Hill and Lynn had argued earlier in the day about Lynn hunting for deer so close to other campers. In opening the case on Tuesday, Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu dismissed Lynn's version of events. 'It is likely there was a dispute regarding Mr Hill's drone or vision captured on his drone,' Mr Porceddu said. 'There might have been an argument or confrontation between the men. It is not known how Mr Hill was killed.' The trial continues. South Australian oil and gas giant Santos is cutting 200 jobs, blaming a delay in 'growth activities' for the cull. The ASX-listed $25billion producer announced the retrenchment on Wednesday, with most impacted roles centred in the company's Perth office. 'A detailed review of the WA, Northern Territory and East Timor business unit was undertaken over recent months to ensure our workforce is aligned to the company's strategy and disciplined, low-cost operating model,' the company said. 'With some late-life assets nearing closure, there is an increasing near-term focus on capital-intensive decommissioning activities. 'New project approvals are taking longer meaning work programs are more sequenced than in the past and some growth activities have been delayed. 'As a result, approximately 200 roles in the business unit are surplus to our business activity plans including contractors. 'The surplus roles are mainly Perth-based with a small number based in other locations.' Santos' oil and gas site at Port Bonython in South Australia. Picture: Supplied / Santos The company's vast portfolio includes oil and gas fields in South Australia's Cooper Basin, WA, the Northern Territory and Papua New Guinea. The company is also pursuing a number of growth projects, including the $5.7billion Barossa gas project off Darwin in the Timor Sea, the $3billion Dorado offshore oil development in WA and the Pikka oil project in Alaska's North Slope. But the company has confronted complex regulatory hurdles and legal challenges to its proposed developments, including a long-running court battle over Barossa. Tiwi Islands Elders took Santos to court over concerns underwater pipelines for Barossa would impact cultural heritage. The Federal Court ruled in Santos' favour in January and the project is now more than 70 per cent complete. Santos said it had not taken the decision to cut jobs 'lightly'. 'Santos acknowledges that changes like these are never easy for the people affected, including their families, and we do not make these decisions lightly,' the company said. 'Santos will support impacted employees, including through our Employee Assistance Program and an outplacement service providing career transition support. 'The company will continue to optimise its workforce to ensure it has the right capabilities and is the right size to deliver our business plans safely, efficiently and effectively.' In its first quarter results for 2024, Santos reported $2.1bn in sales revenue and 21.8 million barrels of oil equivalent. Chief executive Kevin Gallagher said the Barossa and Pikka developments would set up the company for the next 10 to 15 years. 'Barossa and Pikka are world-class projects that will be transformative for Santos and set the company up with long-term, stable cash flows for the next 10-15 years at least,' he said. First gas at Barossa is expected in the third quarter of 2025 while first production at Pikka is scheduled for 2026. Playgrounds are usually a place for fun and games. But children are gossips and can be swayed easily by negative rumours, according to new research. The study involved a group of 108 seven-year-old children who were shown videos of puppets who shared positive, neutral or negative gossip. Negative gossip included being told that a person had broken or stolen a peer's toy, hit someone or excluded someone. Meanwhile positive gossip included that the person had shared toys, they had helped a peer in trouble and helped a peer clean a room. Playgrounds are usually a place for fun and games. But children are gossips and can be swayed easily by negative rumours, according to new research (stock image) The children were then asked to give sticker 'rewards' to a separate group that the puppets in the video had been talking about. Analysis revealed that hearing positive gossip from just one source wasn't enough to sway who they gave the stickers to, but positive gossip from multiple informants did. However, a single piece of negative gossip was enough to make them decide not to give a sticker to that person. Writing in the journal Royal Society Open Science the team, from the NTT Communication Science Laboratories in Kyoto, Japan, said: 'Thanks to gossip, individuals can effectively acquire information about who is good or bad in their social group. 'Gossip is influential information even for children however, individuals must exercise caution when trusting the information imparted by gossip because it can be manipulated or biased. 'Some are eager to share false or exaggerated gossip. For instance, people tend to share positive gossip about a friend to improve their status, whereas they spread negative gossip about an enemy to damage their reputation. The study involved a group of 108 seven-year-old children who were shown videos of puppets who shared positive, neutral or negative gossip (stock image) '[In our study] the seven-year-olds allocated rewards based on positive gossip from multiple informants and did not rely on gossip from a single informant. 'By contrast, they relied on negative gossip regardless of the number of informants. 'Our results contribute to a better understanding of how children expand their social world by showing they selectively interact with others through gossip.' A previous study has shown that women who gossip about others are driven by jealousy and low self-esteem. Researchers from Beijing Normal University found that young women gossip to win opportunities for themselves when facing physically attractive romantic competitors. They also discovered that women with higher levels of romantic jealousy were more likely to spread negative information that could harm competitors' sexual reputations. A three year hunt for patterns hidden in the roars, sighs, and other noises made by Indonesia's orangutans has discovered 'a full spectrum' of complex vocalizations. The breakthrough comes hot on the heels of other recent discoveries further revealing the depth of the great ape's intelligence including one orangutan's practice of healing its own injuries with a self-prepared medicinal herb. The research team reinforced their analysis by testing artificial intelligence (AI) detection methods against the painstaking work of biologists and bioacoustics scientists, employing only their trained ears, intellects and measurement tools. The Cornell University-led team pooled together a dataset of 117 recorded 'long calls' made by 13 males of one particular species, the Bornean orangutan, employing 46 acoustic measurements on 1,033 distinct pulses detected within those calls. 'These features would seem to greatly boost the potential complexity of this signal,' they wrote, suggesting humanity might soon know what the great apes are saying. A Cornell-led team pooled together a dataset of 117 recorded 'long calls' made by 13 male orangutans - deploying 46 acoustic measurements on 1,033 pulses detected within the calls. The results appear to show higher 'potential complexity' in ape calls than previously realized As reported in the new study, published Tuesday in the journal PeerJ Life & Environment, the researchers found 'a continuous gradation of sounds across phases and pulses,' suggesting orangutans can modulate their voices very precisely. All these distinct phases and pulses, the team wrote, can be 'combined into variable sequences within a single long call vocalization,' meaning that the male apes' 'long calls' very likely communicate complex messages to their distant ape peers. 'Our research aimed to unravel the complexities of orangutan long calls, which play a crucial role in their communication across vast distances in the dense rainforests of Indonesia,' the study's lead author Dr. Wendy Erb said in a statement. 'We are fairly confident there is much complexity still to unpack in this great ape's vocal system,' Dr. Erb opined. A primatologist at Cornell's K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Dr. Erb told Salon that the bioacoustics experts who study the meaning behind animal sounds still lack 'a unifying framework for quantifying complexity.' As part of their effort to detect and classify the orangutans' noises with AI, the team took parallel 'supervised' and 'unsupervised' machine learning approaches. As part of their effort to detect and classify the orangutans' noises with AI, the team took parallel 'supervised' and 'unsupervised' machine learning approaches. Above, wave forms of the ape's various, distinct vocal pulses as published by the team in PeerJ Life & Environment Above, an endangered Bornean orangutan stares knowingly into the camera while scaling a tree in Tanjung Puting National Park, Borneo in a 2021 photograph The team used a state-of-the-art unsupervised machine learning algorithm, Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP), that had shown success decoding 'animal vocal repertoires' for the University of California, San Diego back in 2020. The UMAP algorithm was further assisted by additional statistical algorithms developed in the coding language R. For their supervised machine learning, R-based code was also used but in all cases the apes' 1,033 unique vocal phases and pulses were divided at random into a 60/40 split, where 60 percent was used to train the AI, while the remaining 40 percent was used for testing the accuracy of its freshly trained sorting ability. 'Through a combination of supervised and unsupervised analytical methods,' as Dr. Erb summed it up, 'we identified three distinct pulse types that were well differentiated by both humans and machines.' The names of those three pulse types, as given by the researchers to help steer future study, were: 'Roar' to define high-frequency pulses, 'Sigh' meaning low-frequency pulses, and 'Intermediate' to catch any and all pulses that fell between those two previous categories. Dr. Erb and her colleagues took pains to emphasize that these were only the limits of their current research, not the limits of what we may one day learn about apes' vocal communication skills. 'Although many pulse types were not well differentiated by humans or machines in this study,' they noted, 'we do not intend to suggest that other workers were unable to make those distinctions or that orangutans cannot perceive them.' This ability to distinguish and differentiate between the apparently myriad unique sounds that these large primates make, ultimately, will be the next project for those hoping to one day understand and perhaps speak with humanity's primate cousins. 'While our study represents a significant step forward in understanding orangutan communication, there is still much to uncover,' Dr. Erb admited. 'Orangutans may possess a far greater repertoire of sound types than we have described, highlighting the complexity of their vocal system.' From YouTube's Susan Wojcicki to Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg, through the years many bosses of the biggest companies have been women. Now, a study has shed light on the secret of their success - and it may come down to their ego. Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark examined the personality traits of chief executives and found that a higher level of narcissism in women CEOs was associated with improved company performance. The same effect, however, was not found for narcissism in male bosses. 'We find that narcissistic, female CEOs beat their male peers in terms of corporate performance,' the researchers said. Through the years, many CEOs of the biggest companies have been women. Pictured: former YouTube CEO, Susan Wojcicki A study may have shed light on the secret of their success - and it comes down to their ego. Pictured: former Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg The researchers suggested that narcissism may be performance-enhancing for female CEOs because they may be better able to 'exploit the bright sides' of the trait, 'while moderating its dark side'. That is, they may be able to use their narcissism to appear as an impressive leader while curbing the narcissistic tendency to exploit others. The study's co-author, Dr Tom Aabo, explained that narcissism has three facets: grandiose exhibitionism - which comprises vanity, self-absorption and superiority; leadership/authority - the 'bright side' encompassing a desire to lead, an aspiration for power, and a belief in one's power to influence; and exploitative/entitlement (E/E), the really dark side. 'The E/E facet is the most disturbing facet as it is linked to aggression, counterproductive work behaviour, and a reluctance to forgive,' said Dr Aabo. 'The E/E facet is generally related to the 'dark triad' personality, including impulsive antisociality and Machiavellianism. 'What is interesting in our case is that other studies have shown the E/E facet displays the largest gender difference. 'Women tend to be more agreeable than men, and higher agreeableness is also the case when comparing female and male executives.' Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark examined the personality traits of chief executives and found that a higher level of narcissism in women CEOs was associated with improved company performance. Pictured: former CEO of Bumble, Whitney Wolfe Herd The study design was not able to separate the three sides of narcissism in the individual participants but it's likely that the 'higher agreeableness of female CEOs' created a 'superior balance between the three facets of the traits, especially a less dominant E/E facet for a given degree of narcissism', said Dr Aabo. Social role expectations may also constrain the behaviour of female CEOs, he said, in that women are supposed to be more nurturing and warm. 'Thus, while CEO narcissism has been linked to unethical and questionable behaviours, this is likely to be less severe in the case of narcissistic, female CEOs,' he said. And thirdly, women 'exhibit higher rates than men of empathy-related evolutionary traits, which could further restrain the dark sides of narcissism,' he said. 'Evolutionary, when we were hunters and gatherers, women were looking after the family - especially children - and gathered fruits, etc., while men were hunters and warriors,' he said. 'Some recent evidence paints this picture as not so black and white, but women needed more empathy in their roles than men. 'Psychology literature says that we are still born with a brain calibrated to our time as hunters and gatherers.' For the study, the researchers studied the CEOs running 859 non-financial and non-utility companies in Standard & Poor's (S&P) 1,500 stock market index between 2007 and 2020. They analysed the CEOs' language during four separate Q&A sessions of quarterly earnings conference calls spread across their tenure. They focused on the leaders' use of first-person singular pronouns, i.e. 'I, me, my,' versus first-person plural pronouns - we, us, our - as research has shown that people who are more narcissistic tend to use more first-person singular pronouns and fewer first-person plural pronouns. They studied Q&A sessions rather than presentations as the former are 'unscripted and more likely to reveal the true personality of the CEO', they added. And they found that companies run by female CEOs who are 25 per cent more narcissistic than the average, female, CEO, were significantly more successful. Dr Aabo said: 'If a woman is in the middle of the upper half of narcissism among female CEOs, she is associated with - and likely causes - a 13.9 per cent increase in profitability and a 13.5 per cent increase in valuation than an average woman chief executive.' When comparing men and women, the researchers found that narcissistic, female CEOs are associated with a 10-20 per cent better corporate performance - 10 per cent better profitability and 20 per cent better valuation - than equally narcissistic, male CEOs. The study is published in the journal Finance Research Letters. When a mum asked users of an online parenting forum if anyone pees in the pool on holiday, the replies were generally awash with revulsion. But some users admitted they do, with one commenting that she does because she 'cant be a***d to get out'. The debate erupted on Mumsnet after user Blondiebeachbabe posed the question: 'Am I being unreasonable to think that most people pee in the pool on holiday? Do you?' Dozens of parents responded in disgust at the question and insisted that they would never urinate in a public swimming pool - with some expressing 'shock' at the notion. One mum, 'sandrapinchedmysandwich', reacted in horror, stating: 'No. That is disgusting. Stop being dirty and lazy. Urgh.' Mumsnet user 'Blondiebeachbabe' posed the question: 'Am I being unreasonable to think that most people pee in the pool on holiday? Do you?' It led to a heated debate While 'Floralnomad' added: 'Normal, toilet-trained adults do not pee in swimming pools.' Plus, 'Tamigotxh' wrote: 'No, I dont pee in swimming pools at home or on holiday. Things like this put me off swimming. 'I wish people wouldnt be so disgusting and selfish. Hoping only a small minority do this. Well I wish no one would do it at all, never mind a small minority, but sadly thats unrealistic.' Another Mumsnet user, 'CulturalNomad', added: 'As disgusting as it is, I'm sure it's quite common and there's not enough chlorine in the world to make it OK to swim in other people's pee. 'I've overheard mums in the pool tell their kids to "just go" when the child says they need to get out and pee.' A number of women said that while they would never urinate in a swimming pool they often did when wading in the sea - though this also sparked some distaste, the thread launched into a furious debate when one woman came out as the first to admit she did often pee in the pool. Some studies have reportedly shown that urea - which is found in urine and sweat - reacts with chlorine to form disinfection byproducts, which can cause eye irritation Controversial poster 'IWillAdmit' commented: 'I do. [I'm an] adult female for what it's worth.' This sparked an angry reaction from other mums, with 'Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain' asking 'Why? Why would you do this?' The anonymous pool pee-er replied: 'Loads of other people do so why not (maybe its just kids but even so if Im swimming in kids wee I may as well swim in my own). Everyone saying no is lying, surely. Yes, I pee in the pool Mumsnet user 'Katbum' 'I cant be a***d to get out, no one knows and I can.' Later in the thread, they added: 'I cant believe Im the only one that admitted it. I'm genuinely shocked. 'To be completely truthful I will most likely think about this thread and giggle as I pee. I know, I know - Im a horrid person.' Poster 'ToxicChristmas' replied to the woman and said: 'I suppose at least you're honest about being an absolute minger.' Soon after this, a number of other parents weighed in on the conversation to admit that they too urinated in swimming pools. Honest commenter 'Katbum' said: 'Everyone saying no is lying, surely. Yes, I pee in the pool. 'Thats what the chemicals are for - pee [is] not worse than sweat, spit, snot.' While 'shearwater2' noted: 'I do go to the loo when I need a wee but sometimes swimming/the effect of water still makes me wee, as does getting in the shower. So, yes, in small amounts.' Mumsnet user 'IWillAdmit' confessed to peeing in hotel swimming pools, reasoning 'loads of other people do so why not' Pragmatic poster 'OneBadKitty' added to the debate and said: 'Pools are disgustingly filthy anyway so it probably wouldn't make much difference. Everyone's vaginal secretions, sweat, spit, snot and faeces from their bodies are already floating around in the water.' But, to what extent is this true - are our pools full of wee and does this pose a health risk to those swimming in them? According to a study from the University of Alberta, in Canada, the average public swimming pool contains an enormous 75 litres of urine. The study, released in 2017, ascertained how much urine is in pools and hot tubs by testing for an artificial sweetener - acesulfame potassium (ACE) - which is often used in processed foods like sodas and baked goods. The sweetener is chemically stable and so stays intact after digestion. Measuring the amount present in swimming pools and hot tubs indicated to the scientists how much human wee was in each body of water. The team judged that swimmers released more than 32 litres of urine in one 500,000-litre pool, while they urinated nearly 90 litres in a one-million-litre pool, which is about one third of the size of an Olympic pool. According to a study from the University of Alberta, in Canada, the average public swimming pool contains an enormous 75 litres of urine 'Our study provides additional evidence that people are indeed urinating in public pools and hot tubs,' said Lindsay K Jmaiff Blackstock, a graduate student at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, and lead author of the study. So, we know that a lot more people are peeing in pools than admitted it on Mumsnet - but are some authors correct that it doesn't pose any actual risk to swimmers? Some studies have reportedly shown that urea - which is found in urine and sweat - reacts with chlorine to form disinfection byproducts (DBPs). These can cause both eye irritation and respiratory problems, the studies claim. This means it is always best to remove yourself from the pool when you're on holiday and need to urinate - and not pay heed to Mumsnet users or, indeed, American Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps, who admitted at the 2012 Olympics that he urinates in the pool. 'I think everybody pees in the pool,' he said. But passengers were left up in arms after finding the check-in desks were closed The original post explained how AA had asked customers to arrive hours early American Airlines has sparked uproar after making an early morning demand of plane passengers at Barcelona airport. The conversation was started by an anonymous user on Reddit's popular American Airlines thread. The original post explained how the operator had asked customers to arrive four hours ahead of schedule despite the check-in desks still being closed. It left a crowd of 'tired and cranky' people - as dozens of other travelers rushed to share their own dire experiences. The conversation was started by an anonymous user on Reddit's popular American Airlines thread The original post explained how the operator had asked customers to arrive four hours ahead of schedule despite the check-in desks still being closed (stock image) The post, which was shared earlier this week, was simply titled: 'American Airlines Early Arrival Request.' It read: 'We got an email yesterday telling us to show up at the Barcelona Airport four hours early for our 10.40am flight. 'Of course the check-in desks don't open until 7.15 am... 'Now there's a huge line of tired, cranky people standing in front of empty desks.' DailyMail.com has contacted American Airlines for comment. It was quickly flooded with comments from travelers who had received similar demands from airlines. One person shared: 'Same email two weeks ago from Barcelona arrived. Three [hours] is plenty of time.' A second person commented: 'This is far from limited to A.A. Qantas did the same thing to me - sending me to an airport before sunrise that didn't even have any staff in it for another hour and a half.' It was quickly flooded with comments from travelers who had received similar demands from airlines Another added: 'Every time I get those emails, I ignore it for that exact reason,' and the Reddit user responded: 'Lesson learned.' One person commented: 'Well, getting there at 6.40am and not having check-in open for another 35 minutes isn't the worst thing that could happen. I had a similar experience when I flew out of Porto. 'Delta told me to get there four hours early cause it's an international flight and blah blah blah. Check-in counter didn't open until two and a half hours before the flight. '[I] basically just hung out in a cafe for a bit. Between being early or being late, I'll go with being early all the time for those big trips. Like what happens if you miss your flight? 'Do they let you move to another flight the next day for a small $100 or so fee? Do they tell you to pound sand, and you have to drop another $2,000 buying two new last-minute tickets? 'Then for work you have to let them know you'll be back late, and have to take some unpaid days off.' According to Kayak: 'The standard airline recommendation for international travel is to arrive at the airport three hours before your scheduled departure. 'In most cases, this should cover every step of the airport process, from checking a bag, to clearing passport control and security, ensuring you board on time. 'One important consideration to keep in mind when considering how early to get to the airport for international flights, is that the boarding process is longer - usually between 45 minutes up to an hour, to account for larger aircraft. 'So be sure to account for that extra time when you're planning what to do during your time at the airport.' Nestled against his left arm is Ant McPartlin's dream come true. After so many years of longing to be a father, the Geordie television presenter yesterday announced the birth of his baby boy, Wilder Patrick McPartlin, at the age of 48. The star posted a picture of himself snuggling the newborn on the joint Instagram account he shares with sidekick Declan Donnelly, writing alongside it: 'Welcome to the family.' Mr McPartlin went on: 'Baby is beautiful, Mummy's a legend, sisters are over the moon. Dad's a mess!' He added that the youngster was born at 8.54am on Tuesday. Ant McPartlin cradles his new son in a photo introducing him to his Instagram followers. His tattoo shows dedications to wife Anne-Marie Corbett with a shortened version of her name, Amzie, along with the names of his step-daughters, Poppy and Daisy, as well as their pet dogs Milo and Bumble Just before Ant's post, his ex-wife Lisa (Pictured in February) used Instagram to share a quote about going through 'silent battles' Little Wilder is described by friends as the 'perfect last piece of the jigsaw' after he married his former personal assistant Anne-Marie Corbett, 46, three years ago. Already a doting step-father to Ms Corbett's daughters Poppy and Daisy, they had wanted to add to the family for some years. But friends of Mr McPartlin said it was 'something he feared would never happen' after years of trying to conceive with his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong. One told the Mail: 'Ant is over the moon. He has fame and a huge fortune but what was missing was being a daddy. 'He loves kids and has for many years wanted his own. Now his life feels very much complete. 'Ant is that cheeky chappy on the television but it has felt like there was something missing. Wilder is his dream come true. He has been smiling from ear to ear for months, looking forward to meeting the baby. He is just beyond happy and very, very excited.' The Mail can reveal that Mr McPartlin has been gleefully telling his friends for some months that he is to become a father. Pregnant Anne-Marie Corbett and McPartlin on a date night in central London last month And yesterday the great and the good of the television industry welcomed Wilder to the world. Mr McPartlin's BGT co-star Alesha Dixon posted on social media to congratulate the couple, as did Jamie Redknapp and Davina McCall. Mr Donnelly is also said to be 'thrilled' for his best friend, who he has watched yearn to be a father. The star himself is the proud parent, with wife Ali Astall, of Isla, five, and Jack, one. 'So many people couldn't be happier for them,' said another showbusiness insider. After all, it has been quite a journey to parenthood for the Britain's Got Talent presenter. Mr McPartlin was always open about his desire to be a father. Speaking in 2013 he revealed his and Lisa's struggles, saying: 'There's a rumour that we do everything together and I'm holding off having kids till Dec finds himself Mrs Right. 'I love that idea, but I'm afraid it's not true. Lisa and I would love to have kids. We're trying. It's tougher than you think when you get a bit older. We're on a break now, the first proper one for 15 years, so Lisa and I are trying for a baby well, we've been trying for a little while so fingers crossed.' Those who know Ms Armstrong, who earlier this week was revealed to have put the home she shared with Mr McPartlin up for sale for 4million, say she will be 'deeply sad' to have to see her ex-husband share his happy news with the world. She is said to have refused to believe it when she first saw pictures of Ms Corbett showing a bump in the Daily Mail, back in December. It was the baby she had longed to have with Mr McPartlin and friends say she feels 'very wronged' by him after she battled to save him from his demons for some years. Ms Armstrong a hugely successful make-up artist on Strictly Come Dancing is likely to be further distraught by the tattoo on Mr McPartlin's left shoulder which he showed on his social media post to announce Wilder's birth. Within an intricate tree inking are dedications to Ms Corbett with a shortened version of her name, Amzie, written at the top. Then there are the names of his step-daughters, Poppy and Daisy, as well as their pet dogs Milo and Bumble. Hurley, the chocolate Labrador he shares with his ex-wife, is not mentioned. One of Ms Armstrong's colleagues told the Mail: 'Can you imagine having to see that if you're Lisa? The BGT star and wife Anne-Marie share an affectionate look at Wimbledon in 2021 Ant and Lisa were childless when they filed for divorce in 2018 after 11 years of marriage Lisa Armstrong shared a cryptic post on the same day that her ex-husband Ant McPartlin revealed the happy news that he had become a father 'It must literally have left her heartbroken. She tried so hard for their marriage, she tried so hard to save him and when they split she was left without a baby. 'It is so very sad. It broke poor Lisa, she gave him 23 years of her life, practically all of her adult life. Then when Ant is to be a dad he didn't even have the decency to tell her. She had to read about it in the Mail. 'What makes it all the more traumatic is that she and Anne-Marie were friends.' It isn't yet known whether Wilder will be added to the tattoo but it is most likely he will. After all, he is the final part of the love story for the pair, who first met when she was working for Mr McPartlin and Ms Armstrong as their personal assistant. They began dating in late 2018, shortly after Ms Corbett split from husband Scott Corbett. Mr McPartlin had himself split from Ms Armstrong in September 2018, after checking into rehab for addiction issues. The ITV star credits Ms Corbett for getting him through his alcohol and prescription drug addictions following his drink-driving arrest. In his groom's speech at his wedding at Heckfield Place, Hampshire, he revealed that his new wife's two daughters, Poppy and Daisy, refer to him as Dad. Speaking in 2019, Mr McPartlin described Ms Corbett as a 'lifesaver,' saying: 'She's been my rock. She's a beautiful soul. We're very happy. 'I'm in the best place I've been in my life, to be honest with you. It's great.' Lisa Rinna recently stepped into the role of a cyber-bullying parent in Lifetime's Mommy Meanest. And the 60-year-old certainly has experience dealing with middle-aged women trolling her thanks to her time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills so much so that the show's viewers may have inspired her new character in the film. In January, Rinna opened up about receiving 'intense hatred' and even death threats during her final season on the Bravo series in 2022. During an appearance on The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet, Rinna reasoned that the backlash she received was due to the show's audience not understanding how she was dealing with grief caused by the loss of her mother Lois. 'They got really mad about it, "they" being the fanbase, and they didn't know why. I don't think they understood why,' she said. Lisa Rinna has opened up about the vile death threats and abuse she received from fans during her time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills; seen in a still from her Lifetime movie Mommy Meanest Rinna reasoned that the backlash she got was due to the show's audience not understanding how she was dealing with grief caused by the loss of her mother Lois; seen in 2018 in Beverly Hills 'They got really mad about it, "they" being the fanbase, and they didn't know why. I don't think they understood why,' she said; still from RHOBH 'They all of a sudden hated me, couldn't stand me, wanted me off the show. Listen, I've been a very controversial character on that show for eight years. I can honestly tell you I don't think I did anything different this past year or the year I ended the show than I'd done any time before.' She continued, 'It manifested in a great deal of social media hatred, like bullying, like death threats. Like, really intense, [more] than I'd ever seen.' The Melrose Place vixen admitted that she'd 'pushed boundaries' on the show and done her job 'really well' for years, but was perplexed by the intensity of the hatred she received during her final season, which even saw her get booed by fans at Bravocon. 'I could not figure out why they turned so greatly during that time, and I can only come up with it was too painful for them to see it and feel it, and they were like, "You need to go. That's too much,"'she said. 'And so I got this barrage of hate and vitriol that I'd never seen before. And I've seen a great deal of it, but this was another level. And I also think it's, you know, where we are in society and what's going on in the world. It was like this perfect storm of hatred.' Rinna executive produced and stars as cyber-bullying mother Madelyn alongside daughter Delilah Belle Hamlin in Greg Beeman's thriller Mommy Meanest. The film is inspired by Kendra Gail Licari, who was sentenced to between 19 months and five years behind bars for assuming a false identity and cyberbullying her teenage daughter and her boyfriend. Mommy Meanest premiered on Lifetime on May 11 and the true story behind the film left viewers stunned at the extreme lengths the 42-year-old Michigan-based mom took to inflict fear on her child without any known motive. A year after Licari pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking a minor, Lifetime decided to showcase the disturbing case in the film inspired by the mom renamed Madelyn in Mommy Meanest who relentlessly targeted her own child and even accompanied her daughter to the police station to report the crime. In the film, Lisa plays a divorced high school chorus teacher named Madelyn. Madelyn's daughter is played by Briana Skye, who is known as Mia in the film. Lisa's real-life daughter Delilah Belle Hamlin costars in the film as Mia's friend Summer. The movie follows Mia and her high school boyfriend as they are viciously bullied by an online stalker who sends messages to the teen girl instructing her to 'kill herself.' 'It manifested in a great deal of social media hatred, like bullying, like death threats,' she explained Lisa recently stepped into the role of a cyber bullying parent in Lifetime's Mommy Meanest. she executive produces and stars as cyber-bullying mother Madelyn alongside daughter Delilah Belle Hamlin in the film The 60-year-old certainly has experience dealing with middle-aged women trolling her thanks to her time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills However, the cruel bully wasn't a stranger at all. In a shocking twist, the person sending texts to Mia telling her she was poor and ugly, among other vile statements, was her own mother. The film's real-life inspiration, Kendra Gail Licari, captured the nation's attention last year when she pleaded guilty to the crime. In April 2023, Licari was sentenced to a minimum of 19 months in prison after admitting to two counts of stalking a minor, according to The Morning Sun. At her sentencing, Judge Mark Duthie admitted that the 'truly horrible' case had shown him the 'worst in human nature.' Kyle Sandilands received some massive family news on Wednesday morning when he learned he is now a great uncle. The radio shock jock, 52, who shares son Otto, one, with wife Tegan (nee Kynaston), was blown away to learn his step-sister's daughter had just given birth to 'little Aria'. He received the news in the form of a text while in the middle of his KIIS FM Kyle and Jackie O Show with co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson. Opening the message live on-air, Kyle read out, 'Miss Aria was born to Sammie and Nick at 3:58 this morning.' 'Oh you're an uncle,' Jackie, 49, said as Kyle added: 'Oh, little Aria, how sweet.' Kyle Sandilands, 52, (pictured) received some massive family news on Wednesday morning when he learned he is now a great uncle 'Is that the first time you've been an uncle?' Jackie asked. 'I didn't even know her kid was pregnant so that's quite the surprise... My sister is 60,' the radio host explained, revealing it was his niece who gave birth. 'I'm the great uncle of my step sister's adopted children's child [sic]. That's family, in any way shape or form.' The radio shock jock who shares son Otto, one, (right) with wife Tegan (nee Kynaston), 37, (left) was blown away to learn his step-sister had just given birth to 'little Aria' Jackie asked, 'Are you going to respond to that text?' to which Kyle responded: 'Probably not.' It's not the only exciting family news Kyle has received, as he recently revealed wife Tegan, 37, has changed her surname to Sandilands on all government issued documents. She had until recently gone by her maiden name, Kynaston. He received the news in the form of a text while in the middle of his KIIS FM Kyle and Jackie O Show with co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson, 49, (right) 'Over the holiday I had to go to Service NSW with Tegan to officially change her name on her driver's licence and all that,' he explained. 'It's done, everything is changed. At the end of the day we walked out and Tegan said "It's official." I reminded her it was official the moment we got married,' he said. The shock jock said 'I do' with the communications executive at the heritage-listed Swifts mansion in Sydney's Darling Point in front of 130 guests in April, 2023. Tegan and Kyle welcomed a baby boy, Otto, in August 2022. Sofia Vergara took to Instagram to show off a trendy red outfit while posing up a storm on Tuesday. The 51-year-old America's Got Talent star who recently said she is 'maybe' dating Dr. Justin Saliman as she needs a beau to have 'health and money' sported an off-the-shoulder red top and matching long skirt. The stunning ensemble was decorated with printed white detailing and sported purple palm trees at its base while clinging to the actress' body. She paired the summery look with woven heels that complimented her hair and fresh tan. 'The perfect day to night look. I love these sets because they look just as good separately as they do together,' the Colombian beauty penned in the caption. Sofia Vergara took to Instagram to show off a trendy red outfit while posing up a storm on Tuesday The America's Got Talent star, 51, sported an off-the-shoulder red top and matching long skirt. The ensemble had printed white detailing and purple palm trees at the base as it clung to the her body Her lightly curled honey-brown locks cascaded over her shoulders while framing her face. Vergara wore a stunning full-glam look, with her makeup showing off her rosy plump lips and full eyebrows. She accessorized with a pair of dainty silver earrings and flashed her French manicure and gold ring. The post was a hit, and fans went wild in the comments. One complimented the multi-hyphenate, saying, 'Love this outfit, casual yet glamorous. Can wear it as a set, can also easily mix match with a variety of other pieces in style.' When she's not modeling new looks, the Modern Family alumna is taking care of her skin and focusing on herself. Sofia has no intention of letting her looks slide, the siren told the new digital issue of People magazine. She admitted that she will push back on nature for as long as she possibly can. 'I'm going to fight it every step of the way!' said the Griselda actress. For now, she feels amazing: 'I feel great. I know I dont look the same. But I dont think I am going to ever be the woman that has the courage to be, like, all-white hair.' She has also tried every silly beauty treatment that is out there: 'Ive done it all. I mean, you tell me to put cement under your eye, youre going to look younger, Ill do it immediately. I do it all.' 'Its like I put coconut oil on my head. I put it on my feet. Ive wrapped myself in plastic with Aquaphor up to the neck. Ill do it. I dont care. Its not stupid,' she noted. And the Griselda actress revealed her real beauty secret that anyone can do: sleep. 'I take sleeping seriously now. Before, I could survive on six hours, now I know that I dont look good if I dont sleep more,' added the designer. Vergara wore a stunning full-glam look as her makeup showed off her rosy plump lips and full eyebrows She admitted that she will push back on nature for as long as she possibly can. 'I'm going to fight it every step of the way' The Griselda actress revealed her real beauty secret that anyone can do: sleep; pictured March 26 in Pasadena Sofia loves to keep herself looking her very best probably because of where she grew up, Colombia 'I think because I'm Latin, we always grow up thinking about looking good, doing your hair, your makeup. It's something that makes you feel good,' she said; seen March 11 in Beverly Hills If she has a photo shoot, she tries to wake up earlier because she needs time to get rid of the 'puffiness': 'Our job as actors, its not like, put your glasses on, and go pick up your kid at school or go and sit in a desk. You have to be camera-ready and do your job. But it takes longer now that Im older,' the star noted. Sofia loves to keep herself looking her very best probably because of where she grew up: in Colombia. 'I think because I'm Latin, we always grow up thinking about looking good, doing your hair, your makeup. It's something that makes you feel good,' she said. 'I love beauty products. I love makeup, I love clothes. And I think now that I'm older, it's great, because you know exactly what you like, what looks good on you, what doesn't look good on you. I don't do what is in fashion. I just do what feels good, makes me feel confident and beautiful.' Rebel Wilson appeared to be in good spirits as she stepped out for lunch with her fiancee Ramona Agruma at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Tuesday. The actress, 44, cut a stylish figure in a white T-shirt and leather-look trousers, which she styled with a pastel blue blazer. She completed her look with a pair of blue loafers and toted her essentials in a large teal handbag for the lunch date. Rebel shielded her eyes with aviator shades and appeared to be in jovial form as she flashed a smile while walking alongside Ramona, 40. The designer looked effortlessly chic in a striped T-shirt and washed out jeans, teamed with a pink tweed jacket and colour coordinated pumps. Rebel Wilson appeared to be in good spirits as she stepped out for lunch with her fiancee Ramona Agruma at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Tuesday She slung a black quilted handbag over one shoulder and completed her ensemble with a pair of square shades. The couple first met back in 2021 and announced their engagement in February 2023. They also share a daughter, Royce Lillian, 18 months. Rebel recently opened up about how she didn't feel 'worthy' of being loved before she met Ramona. The Pitch Perfect star shared her struggles with self-love in a candid chat on Australian show The Project earlier this month. 'I get a bit emotional about that because why does a girl feel like that? Just feel like not good enough and not lovable?' she shared. The actress, 44, cut a stylish figure in a white T-shirt and leather-look trousers, which she styled with a pastel blue blazer, as she strolled alongside Ramona 'And then, yes, there have been things that have happened in my life, not massive traumas, but little things that have led to me feeling that way and I didn't feel lovable or worthy. 'And that's why I was eating all that crap and junk food late at night because I felt like I was trash and treating my body like trash.' Rebel spoke about how processing her negative emotions after her father's death and overhauling her health helped her to find self-love and romance with Ramona. 'I was being able to have true intimacy with somebody and really let somebody in and that happened to be my partner,' she said. Rebel also discussed the censored version of her book Rebel Rising, which has been published in Australia with an entire chapter blacked out due to a legal battle. Rebel and Ramona first met back in 2021 and announced their engagement in February 2023. They also share a daughter, Royce Lillian, 18 months Rebel recently opened up about how she didn't feel 'worthy' of being loved before she met Ramona as she discussed finding 'true love' 'Yeah, I mean so obviously behind the scenes that was something I was not happy about,' she told The Project. 'I mean Australia is my home country, if anything I want my full story told and I will say the book is not about that guy. I know there's been a lot of media about it. But it's not about that guy and it's just my full life story.' Rebel added that she was glad the memoir had finally been released so she can focus on her baby daughter. 'So, at least it's come out now. Being a new mum I didn't want to have some lengthy legal battle for it to come out,' she said. Although the book has already been published in the US, publisher HarperCollins Australia confirmed that Aussie readers will not be able to read the chapter. Rebel also discussed the censored version of her book Rebel Rising, which has been published in Australia with a chapter blacked out due to a legal battle, admitting she was 'not happy' 'For legal reasons we have redacted one chapter in the Australian/New Zealand edition and included an explanatory note accordingly,' they said in a statement. Earlier this month, Rebel cancelled her Australian book tour which had been scheduled to promote her tell-all memoir. Rebel was set to host an event in Brisbane on May 12 and Melbourne on May 14, but said she 'won't be able to host any book events due to a changing work schedule'. Better Off Dead? (BBC1) Rating: Please, not another documentary about assisted dying. How many times can we watch a nuanced debate tackling both sides of the issue, weighing the pros and cons, etc etc? These programmes always end by joining a terminally ill patient on a poignant one-way trip to Switzerland, an intrusion into some poor family's grief for the sake of our morbid curiosity. Better Off Dead? was not that sort of documentary. It had no pretensions to being nuanced, balanced or open-minded. Silent Witness actress Liz Carr was steaming with anger from the start at proposals for what she described as 'medically assisted suicide'. Silent Witness actress Liz Carr (pictured) was steaming with anger from the start of the programme She knew exactly what she thought, she said, and had zero intention of changing her mind She met people with opposing views but, because her opinions were immutable, there was little tension in the encounters She knew exactly what she thought, she said, and had zero intention of changing her mind. Such a forthright absence of hypocrisy is refreshing. Her approach did mean, though, that after stating her case in an opening rant with fellow actress Lisa Hammond, her argument didn't develop or take any unexpected turns. But what a rant it was. Everywhere she looked on telly, she said, in drama, sport or reality shows, disabled people were depicted either as 'charity cases' or 'inspiration porn superhuman narratives like the Paralympics, or where you're in terrible pain and now you want to kill yourself'. If you tuned in any time in the hour, Liz was making similar points. She met people with opposing views but, because her opinions were immutable, there was little tension in the encounters even when she flew to Canada to interview a doctor who routinely performs euthanasia. The doc was an oddball, trying to convince us that assisted dying was marvellous, by twinkling and laughing as she talked about terminal illnesses. For the only time in the programme, Liz couldn't say everything she was thinking out loud. But it was written all over her face: 'This woman has escaped from a Hitchcock movie.' Better Off Dead? had no pretensions to being nuanced, balanced or open-minded This documentary was not aimed at those who agree. It was a counterblast, as Baroness Jane Campbell put it, to all those who 'think they're doing us a great favour by giving us this choice' Everywhere Liz Carr looked on telly, she said, in drama, sport or reality shows, disabled people were depicted either as 'charity cases' or 'inspiration porn Everyone she talked to, whether in favour of a change in the law or against it, only confirmed her own certainties. If she could have met somebody with an eloquence and passion to equal her own, arguing the opposite viewpoint Dame Esther Rantzen, for instance the result would have been a richer debate. Like Liz, though, I believe the taboo on assisted dying exists for good reason. Shatter it, and many disabled, mentally ill or elderly people will be in danger of being coerced into suicide. Not every vulnerable person has a loving, supportive partner or child who wants only the best for them. This documentary was not aimed at those who agree. It was a counterblast, as Baroness Jane Campbell put it, to all those who 'think they're doing us a great favour by giving us this choice'. The danger is that those people, too, have already made up their minds. Roxy Jacenko has hit back at critics who slammed her for allegedly risking her health despite her previous battle with breast cancer. The PR maven, 44, was called out on Instagram recently for sharing an image of herself baking in the sun as she spruiked a phone accessory product. Fans left scathing remarks beneath the snap, noting the entrepreneur's apparent lack of care for the risk of skin cancer she faced. But Roxy has stated to Daily Mail Australia they've got it all wrong. 'I wear Factor 50+ whenever I spend ANY time in the sun, the image was taken on vacation in Malaysia and it was no different,' she said. In the photo, the public relations guru flaunted her frame in a black bikini as she worked on her tan while protecting her mobile from the sun with a miniature umbrella. 'Working hard - and I have the answer to seeing my iPhone screen whilst working on a golden bronze tan now,' she captioned the image. Roxy Jacenko, 44, (pictured) has been slammed by her followers for risking her health despite her previous battle with breast cancer One person wrote beneath the post: 'Don't worry about protecting yourself from sun cancer. At least your phone is safe.' 'Thank God for your little umbrella to keep your phone safe from skin cancer,' another said. A third scathing remark read: 'I see premature aging and melanomas.' Despite the criticism, Roxy was faced with a slew of support from fans who had nice and encouraging things to say about the saucy snap. Many left fire emojis while others said she looked 'great' and 'beautiful'. 'Great view,' one person wrote, while another said: 'Super cool and [fire].' The PR maven was called out on Instagram recently for sharing an image of herself baking in the direct sun as she spruiked a phone accessory product Fans left scathing remarks beneath the snap which noted the entrepreneur's apparent lack of care for the risk of skin cancer she faced Despite the criticism, Roxy was faced with a slew of support from fans who had nice and encouraging things to say about the saucy snap Roxy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 at the age of 36 and endured a six-week radiation program before receiving partial removal surgery. She later shared images of that harrowing time in her life, which saw her young daughter Pixie holding her hand while Roxy recovered in bed. A number of the confronting photos, which she posted to Instagram in October last year for breast cancer awareness, showed incision marks on Roxy's bare breasts. Roxy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 at the age of 36 and endured a six-week radiation program before receiving partial removal surgery 'Seems surreal and it's a year I don't really remember at all - it's strange but it's like a chapter I closed and don't want to remember,' she wrote in the caption. Roxy went on to encourage her followers to be 'vigilant' and 'dig deep' in order to continue the much needed research. Following her cancer treatment in 2016, Roxy told The Daily Telegraph she had to take preventative cancer pills because her chances of relapsing were high. She reveal she 'did a test in the US' with an oncologist and discovered there was a 'to 10 15 per cent chance' of the cancer returning in her body. Matt 'Shirvo' Shirvington has celebrated his acting debut on Home and Away with a bizarre ritual. The Sunrise host, 45, along with Natalie Barr, shared a segment on the breakfast program showing a behind-the-scenes look at their guest starring role on the beloved Australian soap. Shirvington was shown filming his scenes on a beach with a few familiar faces from Summer Bay, including veteran actor Ray Meagher (who plays Alf Stewart). 'I really enjoyed working with you, I think it went all right,' Shirvo told Meagher. 'Mate, it was fantastic, the pleasure is all mine really. The only thing I'd like to say is on Home and Away, when you've just completed your first go at it, we've got this tradition where people have got to run into the water fully clothed straight after,' the soap actor said. Matt Shirvington has celebrated his acting debut on Home and Away with a bizarre ritual. Pictured with Ray Meagher Matt ran into the sea fully clothed in his white shirt and brown pants 'Okay,' said Matt, who ran into the sea in his white shirt and brown pants. As he returned from his impromptu dip in the ocean, Meagher turned to the camera and asked 'He's a runner. He can swim, can't he?' The breakfast TV star will be starring as himself in a storyline featuring Catherine Van-Davies, who plays the character Stevie Marlow in the long-running soap. Matt's Sunrise co-star Natalie Barr, 56, will also appear in the episode which is set to air on Wednesday at 7pm. As he returned from his impromptu dip in the ocean, Meagher turned to the camera and asked 'He's a runner. He can swim, can't he?' In the storyline, Matt is interviewing the 'A-list' actress Stevie (Van-Davies) in a 'live cross' with Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr. The father-of-three filmed his scenes for the iconic show on location at Palm Beach, north of Sydney, at the end of last year. Fans can also look forward to Home and Away stalwart Ray Meagher, who plays iconic Alf Stewart, sharing some screen time with Matt. The breakfast TV star will be starring as 'himself' in a storyline featuring Catherine Van-Davies, who plays the character Stevie Marlow in the long-running soap. Both pictured filming 'As a kid who grew up watching Home and Away, it was all a bit surreal to be in Summer Bay with Alf Stewart,' Matt told Seven soon after he completed filming his bit last November. 'What a fun experience. The entire cast and crew were so welcoming and generous with acting tips and advice for this novice. 'I think this will be one of those things my kids are never going to let me live down!' Matt was crowned David Koch's successor at Sunrise last year after a three-year plan to prepare him for the top job. The official announcement was made during the breakfast show, four days before Koch filmed his final show. He shares daughters Sienna, 16, Winnie, 14, and son Lincoln with his wife Jessica, who he married after meeting when they were just 17 years old. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emma Corrin seemed in good spirits as they attended the opening night of People, Places And Things at Trafalgar Theatre, London on Tuesday. Normal People actress Daisy, 25, looked incredible in a stylish black wide legged jumpsuit which she teamed with an oversized brown blazer. She kept comfortable in a pair of coordinated black flat shoes and carried her belongings in a large handbag. Leaving her long brunette tresses loose, the Cold Feet star flashed her gorgeous smile as she posed for photos on the red carpet. Following the performance, Daisy tucked a pair of sunglasses into her jumpsuit and was seen carrying a programme. Daisy Edgar-Jones (L) and Emma Corrin (R) seemed in good spirits as they attended the opening night of People, Places And Things at Trafalgar Theatre, London on Tuesday Normal People actress Daisy, 25, looked incredible in a stylish black wide legged jumpsuit which she teamed with an oversized brown blazer Meanwhile The Crown star Emma, 28, looked incredible in a white ribbed jumper and black trousers. She seemed in good spirits as she posed on the red carpet wearing a pair of tan leather shoes. As she departed for the night, Emma added a brown jacket over the ensemble. Duncan Macmillans intoxicating hit play People, Places & Things, has returned to the West End for a limited 14-week season beginning from May 3. Denise Gough has reprised her Olivier Award-winning role as Emma, a struggling actress whose life is spinning recklessly out of control. The synopsis reads: 'Emma was having the time of her life. Now shes in rehab. Her first step is to admit that she has a problem. But the problem isnt with Emma, its with everything else. She needs to tell the truth. But shes smart enough to know that theres no such thing. When intoxication feels like the only way to survive the modern world, how can she ever sober up?' It comes after Daisy reunited with Normal People co-star Paul Mescal, 28, at the Gucci Cruise 2025 Fashion Show at Tate Modern on Monday. Daisy cinched her waist with a thin belt of the same colour with a dazzling Gucci symbol, accessorising a matching strip with a structured brown choker. She kept comfortable in a pair of coordinated black flat shoes and carried her belongings in a large handbag Leaving her long brunette tresses loose, the Cold Feet star flashed her gorgeous smile as she posed for photos on the red carpet Following the performance, Daisy tucked a pair of sunglasses into her jumpsuit and was seen carrying a programme Meanwhile The Crown star Emma, 28, looked incredible in a white ribbed jumper and black trousers She seemed in good spirits as she posed on the red carpet wearing a pair of tan leather shoes As she departed for the night, Emma added a brown jacket over the ensemble Emma beamed as she headed into a waiting car Duncan Macmillans intoxicating hit play People, Places & Things, has returned to the West End for a limited 14-week season beginning from May 3 The British stunner sported a red wine-colour handbag teamed with a pair of towering chunky platform loafers of the same shade, adding quite some inches to her slender frame. While the Irish heartthrob showcased his sense of style as he sported a black blouse and smart trousers, teamed with a matching belt. Gucci took to Tate Modern for its latest show called Londra, following a stunning show in Seoul for Cruise 2024. It marks the very first cruise show since Sabato De Serno was appointed as creative director. Karlie Kloss looked every inch the classic beauty at the 2024 Breast Cancer Research Foundation Hot Pink Party on Tuesday. The 31-year-old supermodel who stunned in a bejeweled floral Swarovski gown at the Met Gala commanded attention in a fabulous outfit as she arrived at the New York City red carpet of the annual gala. Clad in a pink satin blazer and coordinating skirt, the brunette beauty exuded confidence at the glamorous event, flashing her radiant smile. She showcased a hint of her bare decolletage with the plunging neckline, complementing the ensemble with a pair of sleek black high heels. Karlie led a cavalcade of stars at the event, including Elizabeth Hurley, Vera Wang and Carolyn Murphy. Karlie Kloss looked every inch the classic beauty at the 2024 Breast Cancer Research Foundation Hot Pink Party on Tuesday The 31-year-old supermodel who stunned in a bejeweled floral Swarovski gown at the Met Gala commanded attention in a fabulous outfit as she arrived at the New York City red carpet of the annual gala Karlie was flying solo at the event, as her husband Joshua Kushner did not appear to attend. In July, the former Victoria's Secret model gave birth to their second son Elijah. They also share two-year-old son Levi. The STEM advocate has previously shared how much she loves being a mom, revealing just months after Levi was born that 'everything in my life has changed.' 'My whole world really revolves around my son now, and it's so cliche, but it's so true,' she told Paper. 'I never knew I could feel such a deep love and adoration for anything. It's so inspiring, but also humbling. I have so much respect for every woman on this planet.' Meanwhile, Karlie's BFF Taylor Swift recently shot down rumors she was in a relationship with actress. The speculation is nothing new for Taylor or Karlie as they also were rumored to be in the throes of an alleged romance in 2014. Fan speculation went into overdrive after a grainy picture emerged on social media that appeared to show them kissing at a concert by The 1975 in 2014. Clad in a pink satin blazer and coordinating skirt, the brunette beauty exuded confidence at the glamorous event She flashed her radiant smile on the pavement outside the gala She showcased a hint of her bare decolletage with the plunging neckline, complementing the ensemble with a pair of sleek black high heels Karlie led a cavalcade of stars at the event, including Elizabeth Hurley, Vera Wang Carolyn Murphy The pink ensemble featured a small tie string Imaan Hammam, Justin Boxford, Carolyn Murphy and Karlie attend the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Hot Pink Party at The Glasshouse Karlie was flying solo at the event, as her husband Joshua Kushner did not appear to attend; seen in 2023 At the time, a spokesperson for the performer was quick to nix the rumor to Gossip Cop, branding it 'hilarious.' In 2019, Taylor explicitly told Vogue she was not a part of the LGTBQ+ community, but was passionate about speaking up for it, adding: 'I didnt realize until recently that I could advocate for a community that Im not a part of. Taylor was also rumored to be romancing her friend Karlie Kloss after a grainy picture emerged on social media that appeared to show them kissing at a concert by The 1975 in 2014. At the time, a spokesperson for the performer was quick to nix the rumor to Gossip Cop, branding it 'hilarious.' Jenna Dewan showed she was a master of the casual ensemble even while pregnant as she enjoyed a day out in Los Angeles' Studio City neighborhood with her family on Tuesday. The 43-year-old actress and dancer was spotted heading out from her vehicle with her four-year-old son Callum Kazee in her arms, while her fiance Steve Kazee carried some of their bags at her side. Jenna who recently accused her ex Channing Tatum of 'bullying' her in their ongoing divorce covered her burgeoning baby bump with a stylish black bodycon dress, but she hit an effortlessly casual note by covering up with a pale blue denim jacket. The Rookie actress stuck to the casual theme with a set of black-and-white Adidas trainers, and she wore a set of slim black sunglasses. She added some sparkle to her ensemble with gold hoop earrings, and she wore a beige handbag slung around her torso. Jenna Dewan showed she was a master of the casual ensemble even while pregnant as she enjoyed a day out in Los Angeles' Studio City neighborhood with her family on Tuesday The 43-year-old actress and dancer was spotted heading out from her vehicle with her four-year-old son Callum Kazee in her arms, while her fiance Steve Kazee carried some of their bags at her side Steve looked more relaxed in a black Prince T-shirt with pale blue jeans and white sneakers. The broadway star sported a distinguished salt-and-pepper beard and wore black sunglasses. He appeared to be on bag duty, and he had one large duffel bag over his shoulder while also bringing along a leather backpack. Callum looked cute in a white-and-red graphic Air Jordan T-shirt with blue jeans and and complementary red, white and black Nikes. Jenna carried the little boy in her arms for part of the walk, before he held hands with her while walking at her side. Her older daughter, 10-year-old Everly whom she shares with her ex-husband Channing Tatum didn't appear to have joined them for the trip. Earlier on Tuesday, Jenna gave her 9.5 million Instagram followers an update. She shared a carousel opening with a lovely photo of her softly beaming face while she wore a white ribbed top and a cream-colored cardigan. She rocked a black bodycon dress over her bump and paired it with a denim jacket. Steve looked cool in a Prince T-shirt and jeans, while Callum wore a white Nike T-shirt and jeans Earlier on Tuesday, Jenna gave her 9.5 million Instagram followers an update. She shared a carousel opening with a lovely photo of her softly beaming face while she wore a white ribbed top and a cream-colored cardigan A follow-up mirror selfie revealed her pregnant tummy and her grayblue relaxed fit jeans, as well as a pair of beige slide sandals She appeared to be hard at work getting made up in a dressing room in another photo that showed her multitasking with a video chat Callum looked adorable in a short video in which he opened a present while sitting on his mom's lap A follow-up mirror selfie revealed her pregnant tummy and her grayblue relaxed fit jeans, as well as a pair of beige slide sandals. She appeared to be hard at work getting made up in a dressing room in another photo that showed her multitasking with a video chat. Callum looked adorable in a short video in which he opened a present while sitting on his mom's lap. It was a pink papier-mache heart with his photo in the middle, which Jenna said was a present he made for her, though he was so delighted that it seemed as if it was a gift for himself. Another comical photo featured Jenna in the car while wearing a bulky light therapy mask over her face. Everly made a brief appearance in a bedazzled denim jacket with a flower-shaped hair clip in her long locks. One of the kids posed for a more artistic photo. They held a little ladybug on their finger. Jenna concluded her post with more photos of herself, including another beaming photo of herself in her cozy cardigan. Her eyes were comically squinty as she snapped a final selfie while the sun beamed on her. Another comical photo featured Jenna in the car while wearing a bulky light therapy mask over her face Everly made a brief appearance in a bedazzled denim jacket with a flower-shaped hair clip in her long locks One of the kids posed for a more artistic photo. They held a little ladybug on their finger Jenna concluded her post with more photos of herself, including another beaming photo of herself in her cozy cardigan Her eyes were comically squinty as she snapped a final selfie while the sun beamed on her. Jenna referenced the photo when she captioned her post: 'Last slide mood' Jenna referenced the photo when she captioned her post: 'Last slide mood.' The dance star revealed in January that she was expecting her third child and her second with her fiance Steve. The happy news came amid her ongoing divorce battle with her ex Channing Tatum. She is seeking to claw back millions that she believes the actor owes her for creating his popular Magic Mike series which spawned three films and a stage show during their marriage. Advertisement Elizabeth Hurley put on a radiant display as she turned heads at the star-studded, 2024 Breast Cancer Research Foundation Hot Pink Party in New York City on Tuesday. The Gossip Girl alum, 58 - who admitted her son Damian 'persuaded' her to star in his thriller Strictly Confidential - joined other celebrities on the pink carpet, such as Karlie Kloss, at the event which took place at The Glasshouse. During the festivities, William P. Lauder - who is the executive chairman of Estee Lauder - was honored with the Evelyn H. Lauder Spirit of Philanthropy Award. Hurley stunned in a figure-hugging, pink dress that clung to her frame and also contained ruched details on the material. Sparkling, silver rhinestone details were seen on the front of the ensemble, as well as the arm cuffs for a dazzling flare. Elizabeth Hurley, 58, put on a radiant display as she turned heads at the star-studded, 2024 Breast Cancer Research Foundation Hot Pink Party in New York City on Tuesday Hurley stunned in a figure-hugging, pink dress that clung to her frame and also contained ruched details on the material The beauty - who hosted the party - slipped into a pair of open-toed, pink heels to coincide with the color scheme of her outfit. Her locks were parted in the middle, and cascaded down past her shoulders in elegant waves. Elizabeth - who is a campaign ambassador for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation - accessorized her look for the evening by wearing a pair of large, glittering silver earrings. The star's makeup was glammed up, and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a smoky shadow around her eyes. A pink blush was added to better accentuate her cheekbones, while a nude-colored, glossy tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch. Hurley could be seen striking a variety of poses upon arriving to the venue shortly before the festivities officially commenced. At one point, she crossed paths with honoree William P. Lauder and the pair paused for a memorable picture together on the pink carpet. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation was founded by Evelyn Lauder - William's mother - in 1993, and 'is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world,' per the official website. Sparkling, silver rhinestone details were seen on the front of the ensemble, as well as the arm cuffs for a dazzling flare Elizabeth accessorized her look for the evening by wearing a pair of large, glittering silver earrings The star's makeup was glammed up, and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a smoky shadow around her eyes At one point, she crossed paths with honoree William P. Lauder and the pair paused for a memorable picture together on the pink carpet The Breast Cancer Research Foundation was founded by Evelyn Lauder - William's mother - in 1993, and 'is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world,' per the official website Karlie Kloss was also spotted at the event, and was chic wearing a rosy pink, satin dress that fell down past her knees The foundation also helps, 'invest in the best minds in scienceand foster cross-disciplinary collaborationto examine every aspect of the disease from prevention to metastasis.' Karlie Kloss was also spotted at the event, and was chic wearing a rosy pink, satin dress that fell down past her knees. The model layered the look with a stylish blazer that was secured at the front with thin pieces of string that were tied into a loose bow at the front. For a bit of color contrast, the star donned a pair of closed-toed, black pumps and allowed her light brown hair to flow down in waves past her shoulders. She opted for minimal accessories to allow her ensemble to be the main focal point, and added a pair of small, silver earrings as well as a dainty necklace. A thin strip of black eyeliner was worn on top of her eyelids to glam up the outfit, as well as a dewy highlighter and satin pink tint to her lips. Carolyn Murphy was classy in a strapless, cream-colored midi dress that had a corset-styled bodice and full skirt that stopped directly above her ankles. The Project Runway All Stars alum slipped into a pair of open-toed, black heels that were secured with thin straps. The model layered the look with a stylish blazer that was secured at the front with thin pieces of string that were tied into a loose bow at the front A thin strip of black eyeliner was worn on top of her eyelids to glam up the outfit, as well as a dewy highlighter and satin pink tint to her lips She opted for minimal accessories to allow her ensemble to be the main focal point, and added a pair of small, silver earrings as well as a dainty necklace Carolyn Murphy was classy in a strapless, cream-colored midi dress that had a corset-styled bodice and full skirt that stopped directly above her ankles Her blonde locks were parted to the side, and effortlessly cascaded down past her shoulders in light waves. The model added a pair of sparking, silver earrings as well as a rhinestone necklace that offered a flashy flare. A warm blush was added to her cheekbones for a radiant glow, while a satin rosy pink tint was worn on her lips. Eliana Lauder wowed in a strapless, black dress that clung to her figure and also paired the ensemble with opera-length, black gloves. She donned a pair of open-toed, black pumps and accessorized the look with a pair of dangly earrings as well as a chunky necklace and glittering, silver bracelet on her left wrist. Her dark locks were parted in the middle, and fell down in elegant waves to nearly brush the tips of her shoulders. William's cousin, Aerin, as well as Jane Lauder, were also in attendance during the special bash on Tuesday. Aerin wore a pink and orange-colored ensemble and carried a matching clutch bag in her hand that contained a floral embellishment. Eliana Lauder wowed in a strapless, black dress that clung to her figure and also paired the ensemble with opera-length, black gloves William's cousin, Aerin, as well as Jane Lauder, were also in attendance during the special bash on Tuesday Vera Wang made a statement in a light purple gown that had ruched details and was held up with thin straps that wrapped around her shoulders and neck She added a pair of large, dangly silver earrings and allowed her hair to fall down past her shoulders in light waves. Jane was stylish in a sleeveless, off-white and black-floral patterned dress which was paired with gold earrings as well as a cream clutch bag. Vera Wang made a statement in a light purple gown that had ruched details and was held up with thin straps that wrapped around her shoulders and neck. Floral details could be seen around the left shoulder and the fashion designer additionally wore matching gloves for a fashionable touch. Wang was joined by her daughter, Josephine, who donned a pastel pink dress that contained a small cutout around the bodice area. A sparkling, snake-styled necklace was wrapped around her neck and fell down onto her chest for a unique flare. The mother daughter duo paused for a memorable photo together on the pink carpet. Another relative of William, Jane Lauder, was seen in a pink-checkered vest as well as a pair of matching, loose-fitting trousers. She added a semi-sheer blouse underneath and easily carried a floral-print purse in her right hand. Another relative of William, Jane Lauder, was seen in a pink-checkered vest as well as a pair of matching, loose-fitting trousers Imaan Hammam stunned in an off-white, satin shirt dress that contained a thigh-high slit on the left side that offered a sultry flare She added a pair of dangly earrings while her brunette locks were parted in the middle, and flowed down in light curls. Imaan Hammam stunned in an off-white, satin shirt dress that contained a thigh-high slit on the left side that offered a sultry flare. The Dutch fashion model donned a pair of open-toed, black heels and wore a pair of silver earrings as well as chained necklaces and a chunky ring on her right hand. Paul Shaffer was dressed for the occasion in a classic black suit, as well as a white dress shirt and black and silver-patterned tie. During a recent interview with WWD earlier this week, William discussed the Breast Cancer Research Foundation - which was founded by his own late mother, Evelyn. 'My mother's vision 30 years ago with Dr. Larry Norton was to create an effort and foundation to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for breast cancer,' the businessman stated. 'The work that has been done over the last 30 years has resulted in tremendous success in terms of treatment and care and survivability.' Paul Shaffer was dressed for the occasion in a classic black suit, as well as a white dress shirt and black and silver-patterned tie During a recent interview with WWD earlier this week, William discussed the Breast Cancer Research Foundation - which was founded by his own late mother, Evelyn; seen in May 2022 in NYC Lauder continued, 'Many people wouldn't be here if it weren't for that vision, and I'm honored to carry on the passion that my mother had for this mission.' The foundation has raised around $1 billion since its launch, and while the mortality rates of those with a breast cancer diagnosis have gone down, he discussed how women are still being diagnosed with the illness. 'Unfortunately there are still people being diagnosed with breast cancer and who are being impacted by it, and therefore there's still a great reason and rationale for us to keep focusing on it.' 'The combination of more people being diagnosed, as well as making progress toward finding a cure and reducing the impact of the treatments for people who are diagnosed, gives us all hope, as well as motivation,' William added. Jackie 'O' Henderson has admitted she feels more guilt about smoking cigarettes than she does vaping. The radio host, 49, candidly discussed her smoking habit with her co-host Kylie Sandilands on their self-titled KIIS FM radio show on Wednesday. She confessed she tries to avoid smoking cigarettes in public because she feels people are more judgmental about it than they are vaping. Jackie said she feels like a 'dirty outcast' for still smoking cigarettes as she discussed her guilt over the habit. 'I try not to smoke in public, but I do. I try to go around corners and hide in alleyways. I feel like you get judged these days,' she shared. Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured in 2016) has admitted she feels more guilt about smoking cigarettes than she does vaping 'It's all good and well to vape, that's all fine, but smoking, oh no we are the dirty outcasts, totally.' However, radio shock jock Kyle, 52, urged her: 'Don't worry about people, just do you!' Jackie has had a busy few days attending Australian Fashion Week, and had to leave her radio show early on Tuesday to attend her friend Pip Edward's runway show. She was forced to duck out of work early as she headed off to Pip's P.E Nation show with her daughter Kitty, 13, who she shares with her ex Lee Henderson. She confessed that she tries to avoid smoking cigarettes in public because she feels people are more judgmental about it than they are vaping (she is pictured with a vape while driving) The mother-daughter duo had already attended the first day of AFW at Sydney's Carriageworks on Monday for Carla Zampatti's opening night runway show. However, as Jackie left the radio studio early on Tuesday for the second event, Kyle called her out for taking Kitty out of school to attend the fashion show. He pointed out they frequently promote a government scheme urging parents not to take their children out of school as he commented on Kitty's absence. He said: 'Why isn't she at school? Aren't we reading ads saying don't take your kids out of school? There's an ad here saying keep your kids at school, we're both reading it!' Kitty then briefly appeared on the radio to say hello to listeners, while Jackie insisted that attending AFW was great experience for Kitty, who wants to work in fashion. Jackie has had a busy few days attending Australian Fashion Week with her daughter Kitty, 13 (both pictured alongside Julie Bishop at Pip Edwards' P.E Nation runway show on Tuesday) However, Jackie was called out by her co-host Kyle on Tuesday for taking Kitty out of school to attend the fashion event 'Listen, it's great experience for her because she loves fashion and wants to get into that field, don't you?' Jackie shared. Jackie and Kitty were later seen posing at Pip Edwards' P.E Nation runway show, the first at AFW since the exit of co-founder Claire Greaves. They bagged front row seating at the glitzy event as they sat alongside Julie Bishop while cheering Pip on during the show. Advertisement Katie Holmes put on a glamorous display while attending the American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala, held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, on Tuesday. The Dawson's Creek alum, 45, dazzled in an elegant black gown with a multicolored sequined collar that shimmered with green, white, and brown hues. The beauty whose daughter with actor Tom Cruise, Suri, recently celebrated her 18th birthday completed the fashionable look with black heels and a matching clutch. She was joined by her parents Martin and Kathleen Holmes at the event, with the trio happily posing on the red carpet. The Batman star was among a number of A-listers attending the one-night-only event, which features a selection of dancers who will be part of ABT's upcoming 2024 Spring season. Katie Holmes, 45, put on a glamorous display while attending the American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala, held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, on Tuesday Katie's accessories included dangling earrings and a gold ring, while her brunette hair was swept back in a sleek low ponytail. The star opted for delicate makeup, with just a touch of bronzer and black liner accentuating her features. Her mom looked lovely in a deep blue dress with a floral pattern. She accessorized with a floral clutch. Kathleen added height to her outfit with pointed-toe yellow heels. Meanwhile Martin looked sharp in a black tuxedo with a bowtie. The trio enjoyed dinner together inside the event. Later Katie mingled with Malcolm Carfrae at the bash. She also caught up with John Wattiker and French-American artist and actress Anh Duong. Also at the event was Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Crystal Kung Minkoff, 41, who was a vision in a rich emerald cape gown. The Dawson's Creek alum dazzled in an elegant black gown with a multicolored sequined collar that shimmered with green, white, and brown hues The Batman star was among a number of A-listers attending the one-night-only event, which features a selection of dancers who will be part of ABT's upcoming 2024 Spring season Her accessories included dangling earrings and a gold ring, while her brunette hair was swept back in a sleek low ponytail She was joined by her parents Martin and Kathleen Holmes at the event The trio happily posed on the red carpet Her mom looked lovely in a deep blue dress with a floral pattern. She accessorized with a floral clutch Kathleen added height to her outfit with pointed-toe yellow heels Meanwhile Martin looked sharp in a black tuxedo with a bowtie Katie was pictured arriving to the event The reality TV beauty added another sprinkle of glam to her look with a gold clutch. She completed the look with strappy gold heels. Crystal was joined by husband Rob Minkoff, 61, who looked sharp in a black suit and bowtie. The Real Housewives of New York City star Sai De Silva, 43, made a dramatic entrance in a sweeping pink floral gown with a theatrical cape that she showed off by twirling for the cameras. Her raven tresses were slicked into a chic bun. Sai enjoyed a bite to eat with her husband David Craig inside. David looked dapper in a navy tuxedo. Aoki Lee Simmons, 21, who recently split from her much-older boyfriend, 65-year-old restaurateur Vittorio Assaf, showed off her toned abs in a sizzling look. She wore an edgy black beaded vest with a matching ribbon, and low-cut black pants. The daughter of Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons styled up the look with Manolo Blahnik's satin blue jewel buckle pumps. Aoki Lee Simmons, 21, who recently split from her much-older boyfriend, 65-year-old restaurateur Vittorio Assaf, showed off her toned abs in a sizzling look She wore an edgy black beaded vest with a matching ribbon, and low-cut black pants. In her hand she carried a pastel yellow purse She also posed with Lilah Ramzi, an editor at Vogue, who turned heads in a stunning one-shoulder dress with feather details The ladies also posed with Casey Kohlberg, Lizzie Asher, and Sipora Anavim Sabi The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Crystal Kung Minkoff, 41, was a vision in a rich emerald cape gown She was joined by husband Rob Minkoff, 61, who looked sharp in a black suit and bowtie The Real Housewives of New York City star Sai De Silva, 43, made a dramatic entrance in a sweeping pink floral gown with a theatrical cape that she showed off by twirling for the cameras Her raven tresses were slicked into a chic bun Ballerina Gillian Murphy had all eyes on her in a tight sleeveless silver sequin gown Courtney Shealy stunned in a gold top and matching form-fitting skirt with a floral pattern. Indre Rockefeller, 43, showed off her exquisite style in a metallic peach cropped jacket worn over a pink floral dress Fashion designer Carly Cushnie opted for an elegant button-up black dress, which she accessorized with statement diamond earrings Chloe Flower, 38, put on a unique display in an unusual pleated grey dress. Adding more drama to the look was the large crystal clutch and matching see-through chunky bracelets on her arms Charlotte Groeneveld brought a touch of rock and roll to the event, layering a black biker jacket over a flowing white slip dress In her hand she carried a pastel yellow purse. She also posed with Lilah Ramzi, an editor at Vogue, who turned heads in a stunning one-shoulder dress with feather details. The ladies also posed with Casey Kohlberg, Lizzie Asher, and Sipora Anavim Sabi. Ballerina Gillian Murphy had all eyes on her in a tight sleeveless silver sequin gown. Courtney Shealy stunned in a gold top and matching form-fitting skirt with a floral pattern. Indre Rockefeller, 43, showed off her exquisite style in a metallic peach cropped jacket worn over a pink floral dress. Fashion designer Carly Cushnie opted for an elegant button-up black dress, which she accessorized with statement diamond earrings. Chloe Flower, 38, put on a unique display in an unusual pleated grey dress. Adding more drama to the look was the large crystal clutch and matching see-through chunky bracelets on her arms. Katie mingled with Malcolm Carfrae at the bash She also caught up with John Wattiker and French-American artist and actress Anh Duong Katie was seen enjoying the event inside with her parents Crystal and Rob posed for the cameras before enjoying dinner Sai enjoyed a bite to eat with her husband David Craig inside. David looked dapper in a navy tuxedo Her dad was ever the gentleman as he helped her out of the car Charlotte Groeneveld brought a touch of rock and roll to the event, layering a black biker jacket over a flowing white slip dress. This year's gala also honored Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chai Vasarhelyi for her artistic excellence and innovation as a filmmaker, as well as her advocacy of classical ballet. The show will include a preview of Wayne McGregors Woolf Works ahead of the New York Premiere. Among the dancers scheduled to perform are Joo Won Ahn, Aran Bell, Isabella Boylston, Skylar Brandt, Herman Cornejo, Thomas Forster, Catherine Hurlin, Gillian Murphy, Calvin Royal III, Christine Shevchenko, and more. Love Island Australia star Kirra Schofield has revealed what host Sophie Monk is really like behind the scenes of the Channel Nine show. The reality TV star-turned-OnlyFans creator - who is the sister of Married At First Sight Australia bride Bronte Schofield - said Sophie, 44, is a 'really positive' person. Speaking with Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, Kirra, 26, said the TV veteran was one of the reasons she was so excited to go on the matchmaking show. 'I absolutely loved Soph. She's so funny. She's an Australian icon. She's just the best. She'd always walk in looking like a freaking Victoria's Secret supermodel,' she said. 'I'd come out thinking, "I look good today," and then Soph would walk in and I'd be like, "I've been humbled."' Love Island Australia star Kirra Schofield, 26, (left) has revealed what host Sophie Monk, 44, (right) is really like behind the scenes of the Channel Nine show She continued: 'She's the best. She's so funny and so nice. Really positive. When I got dumped she was the sweetest.' Kirra was 'dumped' on day nine of Love Island after she was partnered with Reid Polak, who revealed he had previously had sex with her sister Bronte, 30. Reid went on to find a connection with Abby Miller, who had her own rocky link to Bronte's former MAFS groom Harrison Boon, with Kirra being evicted from the villa. The reality TV star-turned-OnlyFans creator who is the sister of Married At First Sight Australia bride Bronte Schofield , said Sophie was a 'really positive' person The influencer has since followed in her sister's footsteps and started an OnlyFans page, where she told Daily Mail Australia she makes an average of $5,000 a week. Meanwhile, Sophie made headlines earlier this week when it was reported she may replace Hamish Blake as the host of LEGO Masters Australia. With the radio star, 42, said to be considering an exciting new opportunity, the actress could be the next in line to take over his hosting duties. Speaking with Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, Kirra said the TV veteran was 'one of the reasons I was so excited' to go on the matchmaking show Hamish has helmed the LEGO building competition since its launch in 2018, but it has been claimed Channel Nine are now considering him for a new quiz show. Love Island star Sophie could step in to replace the comedian as the new host of the hit show LEGO Masters if he secures the new gig, reported Woman's Day. 'Sophie Monk is in prime position to front Lego,' an insider told the publication. 'They used her a lot more this year and many believe it was a ploy to see how she would go without Hamish driving it.' Nine have denied the reports. Jamie-Lynn Sigler said Tuesday that she's put off seeing people in good shape abuse the medication Ozempic. The Sopranos alum, 42, said she was 'a little triggered' by the topic, on the latest edition of her MeSsy podcast Tuesday, titled 'Body Talk' with co-host Christina Applegate, 52. 'I'm annoyed at myself that I'm admitting this - it's upsetting me. I wish I didn't care,' said Sigler, who played the role of Meadow Soprano on the groundbreaking HBO hit. Sigler said she feels the popular medication has been effective, as she's witnessed people who struggled 'with their weight for a very, very, very long time' shed pounds. 'I've seen it give them a lot and I am so happy for them,' Sigler said, noting that other people who she's seen benefit from the medication were not people who she felt needed it in the first place. Jamie-Lynn Sigler, 42, said Tuesday that she's put off seeing people in good shape abuse the medication Ozempic. Pictured at a 2020 event in LA 'I have also seen friends of mine, who were beautiful and healthy and perfect, abusing it, and it's upsetting me,' Sigler said. Sigler has past been open about her own battles with body image and eating disorders, and has past served as a National Eating Disorders Association spokesperson. In 2015, Sigler revealed that HBO execs 'asked [her] to put on weight' as she was in the throes of an eating disorder. 'They were concerned for my health, and they didn't feel like I was the picture of a girl that lived in an Italian household and ate pasta all the time,' she said. 'So they were big catalysts in me taking a step back and realizing the issue.' Sigler on Tuesday said that the popularity of the medication, and its resultant effects, have been a hinderance to society moving forward with a body positive mindset. 'It felt like we were on this road to solidifying body positivity, and every shape and size and color, and everyone's looking the same now,' Sigler said. Applegate said she felt that the popularity of the medication has resulted in people looking like they are 'fading away.' She added, 'For women out there listening, the thinner your face is, the older you look, okay? Not that looking old is bad - aging gracefully is beautiful.' Sigler said she was 'a little triggered' by the topic, on the latest edition of her MeSsy podcast Tuesday, titled 'Body Talk' with co-host Christina Applegate, 52 Sigler played the role of Meadow Soprano on the groundbreaking HBO hit The Sopranos Sigler and Christina Applegate speak about their respective MS battles on the MeSsy podcast Applegate said on Tuesday's podcast that she doesn't 'look in mirrors' amid body changes that she's dealt with three years after she was diagnosed with MS. 'I have writing all over my mirrors in my bathroom so that I don't look in them,' Applegate said. 'Because I will like fall on the ground and cry. That's how I feel now.' She said that she dealt with anorexia decades back when she starred on the Fox series Married... with Children: 'I would eat five almonds in a day, and if I had six I would cry and I wouldn't wanna leave the house, and that stuck with me for years and years and years.' Applegate said feels she doesn't 'need to be thin' as she currently focuses on her health, and is fine saving on apparel costs. 'I'm not working,' Applegate said. 'I have a closet full of clothes that I can't wear, and I have no money coming in. I don't want to spend money on new clothes. I would just like to wear the ones that I already own.' Ada Nicodemou has returned to work on the set of Home and Away after she was spotted kissing her co-star James Stewart in a Sydney street on Anzac Day. The actress, 47, looked tense as she filmed scenes for the Channel Seven soap on Tuesday with Matt Evans, who plays the role of Theo Poulos. Ada looked a little stressed as she chatted on the phone in a park at North Palm Beach, NSW. She looked stylish in jeans, a burnt orange jumper and held a black side bag for the scene. The actress was seen walking alongside Evans before taking a break from filming and chatting to the film crew. Ada Nicodemou returned to work on the set of Home and Away after she was spotted kissing her co-star James Stewart in a Sydney street on Anzac Day The actress, 47, looked tense as she filmed scenes for the Channel Seven soap on Tuesday with Matt Evans, who plays the role of Theo Poulos The sighting comes after bombshell photos emerged of Ada and James, 48, packing on the PDA last month on Anzac Day. In the photos, Ada shared a very public embrace with James. The pair - who play lovers on Home and Away - enjoyed a beverage together at The Royal Hotel. They were later seen getting cosy outside the establishment after leaving the venue. Ada looked a little stressed as she chatted on the phone in a park at North Palm Beach, NSW She looked stylish in jeans, a burnt orange jumper and held a black side bag for the scene The sighting came after James was pictured leaving his apartment in Coogee with a suitcase and catching an Uber to the Swissotel Hotel in Sydney's CBD on April 24. There was also a recent sighting of the couple at a cinema, where onlookers said they were 'not shy' about displaying their affection publicly. Meanwhile, there have been reports that the couple failed to get the tick of approval on their new romance from their Home and Away co-stars. Their affections have not been taken kindly by everyone in the cast, reported Woman's Day on Monday. A source close to the actress allegedly told the publication stars Lynne McGranger, Ray Meagher and Emily Symone are all 'keeping an eye' on Ada. 'Most people are just worried about Ada. Ray and Lynne aren't the kind of people to get involved in someone else's business and will be keeping their heads down, but they will have raised their concerns with her,' the insider said. They went on to add that the TV actress has 'done a complete 180' on her opinion of James following his failed relationships with former co-stars Isabella Giovinazzo and Sarah Roberts - his now ex-wife. The father-of-one appears to have a habit of getting romantically involved with his on-screen partners, with the hunk striking up a romance with Isabella in 2016, after the couple began playing an on-screen couple, but things fizzled in 2017. The actress was seen walking alongside Evans before taking a break from filming and chatting to the film crew Just over a month after their split, James was rumoured to have already moved on with his now ex-wife Sarah, who was a newcomer to the series at the time, with the couple also becoming on-screen partners not long after. '[Ada is] insisting to everyone he's not the guy she thought he once was and that he's really changed,' the insider said. They went on to say that Ada and James' ex-wife Sarah, who officially announced their divorce last month, 'were really good friends' and even 'shared a dressing room' when they starred in Home and Away together - adding to their surprise over the veteran actress' about-face. Ada was married to Chrys Xipolitas for nine years. They reportedly split briefly in 2010 before reconciling and welcoming a son, Johnas, in August 2012. The actress, who also starred in '90s soap Heartbreak High, went on to split from Xipolitas for good and dated businessman Rigby for about eight years. They called it quits sometime in late 2023. The sighting comes after bombshell photos emerged of Nicodemou and Stewart, 48, packing on the PDA last month on Anzac Day. Both pictured on the show The pair - who play lovers on Home and Away - enjoyed a beverage together at The Royal Hotel The news of James and Ada growing close comes after his ex Sarah - a Home and Away alum - confirmed to Stellar magazine the pair had divorced. 'I just want to say that I am divorced,' she told the publication. '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.' Sarah and James wed in 2019 after getting engaged in November 2018. He had proposed at the restaurant where they'd had their first date a year earlier. The pair tied the knot at Luttrellstown Castle, on the outskirts of Dublin, Ireland, in July 2019. Nicodemou was married to Chrys Xipolitas for nine years. They reportedly split briefly in 2010 before reconciling and welcoming a son, Johnas, in August 2012 The actress, who also starred in '90s soap Heartbreak High, went on to split from Xipolitas for good and dated businessman Rigby for about eight years before calling it quits last year Roberts' divorce confirmation came after years of speculation the couple had split. The rumours first bubbled to the surface after Stewart was absent at the premiere of her film Wog Boys Forever in Melbourne in October 2022. He was 'nowhere to be seen on the red carpet' and was apparently no longer following his wife's Instagram account, reports suggested. At the time, Sarah's agent denied they had broken up. The pair later put rumours to rest when Sarah proudly flashed her wedding ring at the AACTA Awards in December that year. Speaking with Now To Love at the time, she also shot down the break-up rumours. 'We're happy,' she told the website. There was also a recent sighting of Stewart and Nicodemou at a cinema, where onlookers said they were 'not shy' about displaying their affection publicly The sighting came after Stewart was pictured leaving his apartment in Coogee with a suitcase and catching an Uber to the Swissotel Hotel in Sydney 's CBD on April 24 Sarah added that her husband was as romantic as ever, even picking her up from the airport with a bouquet of flowers after a recent trip to Italy. She starred on Home and Away from 2017 to 2021, before walking away to focus on her film career. James is still starring on the Australian soap, in which he plays Justin Morgan. The actor shares daughter Scout, 11, with his ex-fiancee Jessica Marais, whom he met on the set of Packed to the Rafters in 2009. They had announced their engagement in October 2010, and welcomed Scout in May 2012. In 2015, the pair called it quits, with James later saying: 'Our relationship didn't work out because I think hearts go in different directions eventually.' Nadia Bartel has finally revealed exactly why her Henne brand won't be included in Australian Fashion Week this year. Questions were asked when the Melbourne influencer's popular womenswear label was omitted from this year's lineup, despite it being the most popular event on the schedule in 2023. Nadia finally addressed the confusion on Tuesday while arriving at Machine Hall in Sydney to watch the Michael Le Sordo show. Speaking to photographers outside, the former footy WAG revealed she's simply been too busy setting up Henne's new boutique in Paddington, Sydney, to organise a fashion show. 'We're trying to focus our energy on the store,' said Nadia, adding: 'We're such a small team so we can't do it all.' Nadia Bartel, 39, (pictured) has finally revealed exactly why her Henne brand won't be included in Australian Fashion Week this year She went on to assure fans that Henne would appear at Australian Fashion Week next year. Nadia, who was once married to AFL's Jimmy Bartel, meanwhile dressed to impress as she attended the VIP fashion show alongside Melbourne WAG Rebecca Judd. Showcasing her incredible physique and dark spray tan, Nadia sported a figure-hugging white satin mini dress that featured a racy cut-out above the crotch. Speaking to photographers outside the Michael Lo Sordo show on Tuesday, the former footy WAG revealed she's simply been too busy setting up Henne's new boutique in Paddington, Sydney, to organise a fashion show Both Nadia and fellow Melbourne socialite Rebecca Judd, 41, (right) put on leggy displays in cut-out mini dresses as they attended the fashion show at Machine Hall in Sydney She paired this with white pointy-toed pumps and styled her brunette tresses in loose waves. Rebecca, 41, put on a similarly leggy display in a tight black mini dress that also featured flesh-baring cut-outs. Henne first showed at Fashion Week debut in 2022 before returning the following year. Earlier this month, Nadia took to Instagram to announce that she is opening a new Henne boutique in Sydney The brand is popular among influencers and celebrities, having been worn by the likes of American model Emily Ratajkowski. Earlier this month, Nadia took to Instagram to announce that she is opening a new Henne boutique in Sydney. Giving a tour of the premises, which is located in trendy fashion district Paddington, Nadia showed renovations underway at the storefront. 'If you haven't heard, we are coming to Sydney @henne_ this is the first look inside,' she wrote in her caption. 'Can't wait to take you along with the process, let me know what you are interested to see with the build.' It will be the second physical boutique for Nadia's fashion label, with another store located in Melbourne's Prahran. In November, Nadia also shared a huge career update, teasing plans for the brand's global expansion. 'A few exciting things are coming,' she told Daily Mail Australia inside The Birdcage at the Melbourne Cup. 'We're really busy at the moment... Yeah [we have plans to go global] ... We've had a few big people wear the brand, which has been so exciting.' Jax Taylor told Michelle Lally he heard a rumor that she had been texting other men and Michelle confirmed it on Tuesday's episode of The Valley on Bravo. The 44-year-old reality star spoke privately with Michelle, 36, and revealed that Kristen Doute, 41, had told him about the texting with other men. 'I did tell her that I met this celebrity and I was texting him and I had coffee with him one morning,' Michelle confirmed. 'She told me that you are texting this man,' Jax said. 'I hate doing this, Michelle. Like sexy pictures of yourself.' 'She is right,' Michelle said. 'I have texted multiple people.' Jax Taylor told Michelle Lally he heard a rumor that she had been texting other men and Michelle confirmed it on Tuesday's episode of The Valley on Bravo The episode titled The Big Bear Bombshell opened with Jax telling Kristen and her boyfriend Luke Broderick, 33, and Zach Wickham that they were not invited to Janet Caperna's baby moon weekend in Big Bear. Zach cried when he found out. Jesse Lally, 39, returned from his weekend plant based medicine and meditation retreat and hugged his wife Michelle saying he felt like a different person. 'It was the most unbelievable experience,' Jesse, 39, said. 'I literally died.' Michelle yawned as he talked about his experience. 'I was blind and now I could see,' Jesse said. 'Thank you for doing that. I think that's a big step,' Michelle said. Janet's friend Simon told her that Zach and Kristen cried when they learned they weren't invited to her baby moon. 'She's definitely playing the victim here,' Janet said about Kristen in a confessional. 'I did tell her that I met this celebrity and I was texting him and I had coffee with him one morning,' Michelle confirmed 'She told me that you are texting this man,' Jax said. 'I hate doing this, Michelle. Like sexy pictures of yourself' 'She is right,' Michelle said. 'I have texted multiple people' The episode titled The Big Bear Bombshell opened with Jax telling Kristen and her boyfriend Luke Broderick, 33, and Zach Wickham that they were not invited to Janet Caperna's baby moon weekend in Big Bear Zach cried when he found out he was not invited Janet called Zach and told him it was not a friend trip but that it was a babymoon. 'It kind of feels like you're entitled to come to my baby moon instead of like I would love to come and be there and celebrate with you and Jason,' Janet said. 'But you're like, I don't get to go, I should get to go. And it's unfair that you're doing this to me.' Janet, co-host of the Scheananigans podcast with Vanderpump Rules star Scheana Shay, told him her phone was dying and hung up. The group who was invited drove to Big Bear. Nia Booko , 34, a former Miss USA, and her husband Danny Booko, 40, brought their twin girls on the trip because she was still breastfeeding. 'I absolutely love Big Bear,' Jax said. 'I'm excited for me and Jax to get away together for a little bit without the baby,' Brittany Cartwright, 35, said in a confessional. 'I just want to let loose and take away from all the stresses of opening a bar and everything else that's on our mind.' Jesse brought a suitcase that was filled with alcohol. 'Don't ever believe somebody that says oh don't worry the house will be full of alcohol and groceries,' Jesse said in a confessional. 'Your idea of alcohol and my idea of Bordeaux are a little different.' 'I'm excited for me and Jax to get away together for a little bit without the baby,' Brittany Cartwright, 35, said in a confessional. 'I just want to let loose and take away from all the stresses of opening a bar and everything else that's on our mind' Jesse Lally, 39, returned from his weekend plant based medicine and meditation retreat and hugged his wife Michelle saying he felt like a different person 'Thank you for doing that. I think that's a big step,' Michelle said Janet gave Jax a t-shirt that had a photo of when he called for the lifeguard to come help him when he went out too far swimming. 'It's a reminder that I will not be swimming to a buoy and back,' Jax said. Jesse told Michelle it was going to be a love trip for them and they would be having tons of sex. 'No it's not,' Michelle said. Janet said she wanted a weekend without drama so if anyone said Kristen's name they would put $20 into a jar and whoever avoids talking 's***' gets the jar of cash. Janet and the other girls went to a pontoon boat she had rented while the guys set up on the beach and started drinking. Janet asked Jasmine about what happened at Kristen's event when Zach started crying. 'To be perfectly honest I don't think Zach should necessarily expect to be invited,' Janet said. Jax told Danny and Jason Caperna, 40, that Jesse still didn't know what Kristen said about Michelle texting another man on the side. 'Why are we sneaking around like little b****es?' Jason said. 'If we have some information that our friend should know we should f***ing tell him straight to his face.' Kristen and Luke met with a premarital counselor at their apartment in Los Angeles. Kristen and Luke met with a premarital counselor at their apartment in Los Angeles 'I want to bring a couples counselor in because Kristen and I don't always speak the same language,' Luke said in a confessional. 'Getting on the same page is difficult.' Kristen said in a confessional that she had been in therapy since her and Tom Sandoval broke up. She thought couples counseling was a good idea. Allen the marriage therapist asked them about their relationship. He asked them if they talked about finances and Luke said that was something he wanted to get more information on. Allen asked how their families felt and whether they were in Los Angeles. Luke and Kristen both said their families lived in other states. Allen said support systems are very important when you have a baby. 'I'm very much lacking in the ability to see value in these people,' Luke said of Kristen's friend group. Kristen said in a confessional that she had been in therapy since her and Tom Sandoval broke up 'Who we surround ourselves with defines us,' Allen said. 'If you're excited and somebody's not mirroring back to you then you question yourself.' 'I definitely don't want to live here long term,' Luke said. 'I don't think I can be happy in this environment.' 'We haven't figured that out yet,' Kristen said. Jesse and Michelle started play-fighting on the beach. Jesse hit Michelle's nose by accident. 'You hurt my nose,' Michelle said. 'I'm almost ten years post nose job,' Janet said. 'Yours is one year out?' 'A year ago, yeah,' Michelle said. Brittany started watching videos of their son Cruz at swimming class screaming and got sad. Jax tried to grab the phone out of her hands and told her to turn the volume off. 'I don't want to hear the baby cry a hundred times,' Jax said. 'It's my child.' 'Jax's does not care how he talks to me in front of people,' Brittany said in a confessional. 'He's talked to me like this in front of my friends, in front of my family, in front of my dad and my mom.' Jesse and Michelle started play-fighting on the beach and Jesse hit Michelle's nose by accident Brittany made the driver pull over the car on the ride back to the house to throw up. 'Let's not tell Jax I had to throw up because he will not let me live it down,' Brittany said. 'He'll be mean to me about it.' Jesse and Danny had a blow up in the car when Jesse refused to apologize for being a little out of control. When they got back to the house, Jesse just ran inside and got into his bed. The Valley will return next Tuesday on Bravo. It's the American restaurant franchise with a very Aussie name. And now a TikTok star from Down Under has taken to social media with a surprisingly positive review of the world famous Outback Steakhouse chain. Jesse Willesee, the son of respected TV journalist Terry Willesee, said he had first set out to make a video about how the eatery was not at all Australian - but he came away impressed instead. The restaurant chain, first established in the US in 1988, boasts 'Australian' fare on its menu including 'Kookaburra Wings' (chicken wings in bleu cheese dressing) 'Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp' (deep fried prawns in beer batter) and the infamous 'Bloomin' Onion'. Posting his review in a video to his Instagram page, Jesse explained he visited an Outback Australia franchise in Laughlin, Nevada, while staying at the Aquarius Casino Resort. 'I went there to make a video abut how [the Outback Steakhouse] it is not Australian,' he said. 'What I did not anticipate was that it [would be] absolutely delicious.' Jesse said he dined on a rib eye steak, but added he was really impressed with the 'Bloomin' Onion', a signature dish of the eatery. TikTok star Jesse Sunset shared a surprisingly positive review of the American restaurant chain Outback Steakhouse. Jesse said he was really impressed with the 'Bloomin' Onion', a signature dish of the eatery Described in the menu as a 'True Outback original', the appetiser consists of 'hand-carved' deep fried onions paired with a spicy sauce created especially by the restaurant. 'The Bloomin' Onion was one of the best things I ever tasted,' the social media star gushed in his review. He also raved about the staff and gave the Nevada restaurant a rating of '8 out of 10'. Jesse said he had first set out to make a video about how the eatery was not at all Australian - but he came away impressed instead. Pictured with girlfriend Amanda during his stay at the Aquarius Casino Resort in Laughlin, Nevada Jesse also showed off a Koala and Kangaroo Outback Steakhouse pin he was gifted by the staff. According to data company ScrapeHero, the franchise has 694 restaurants in the US across 46 states and territories in 580 cities. Jesse is known to post content comparing life in the US and Australia. The restaurant chain, first established in the US in 1988, boasts 'Australian' fare on its menu including 'Kookaburra Wings' (chicken wings in bleu cheese dressing) ' Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp' (deep fried prawns in beer batter) and the infamous 'Bloomin' Onion' Last year, he discussed how the two countries have vastly different tastes and dating cultures. Jesse revealed he's spent half of his life in each country as his father Terry is Australian while his mother Melissa is American. 'On the topic of dating, I feel like in America the guys really have to win the girls,' he said. 'They're really out there trying to get these girls, they really are competing. They want to snatch one up. 'In Australia, it's like the women are trying to snatch up the dudes and the dudes just get to act like whatever they want. 'I don't know what it is. It's a sweet deal though Australia, keep it coming'. Jesse, who uses the stage name Jesse Sunset, also revealed going the beach is very different in both countries. 'In Australia, you take a towel, maybe. And that's it' he said. 'In America, you've got towels, umbrellas, you've got a cooler full of drinks. You might have some food. You might have a tent that you put up.' He offering on a 'unique perspective' on life in the two countries was viewed over 64,000 times. Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd cut a dejected figure as he emerged with a female friend in north London as the controversy surrounding his shocking Netflix series continues to rumble on. The actor, 35, was spotted heading down his local high street days after the 'real' Martha Fiona Harvey branded him a 'psychopath' in a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, having been portrayed as Richard's stalker in the show. The explosive interview has sparked a huge row as viewers branded the TV chat 'highly irresponsible' and suggested Fiona Harvey 'was 'exploited for sensationalism and poor taste'. Richard cut a pensive figure as he headed into the capital with a friend, after gracing the BAFTAs red carpet with his co-star Jessica Gunning on Sunday. One month after Baby Reindeer aired, Fiona confirmed during her interview with Piers that the hit series is based on her but denied ever stalking Richard, sexually assaulting him or attacking his girlfriend. Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd cut a dejected figure as he emerged with a female friend in north London as the controversy surrounding his shocking Netflix series rumbles on It comes after the 'real' Martha Fiona Harvey branded him a 'psychopath' in a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan , having been portrayed as Richard's stalker in the show The actor was spotted heading down his local high street with a friend, a month after his controversial series hit Netflix Fiona Harvey had previously not been identified in reports surrounding the Netflix series before her interview with Piers. During the interview she confirmed she is the woman Baby Reindeer's character Martha is based upon, but denied ever stalking Richard, sexually assaulting him or attacking his girlfriend. She also denies ever being arrested by police or going to prison. The show alleges that the comedian's female stalker conducted a relentless campaign which started after he served her in a London pub while working as a bartender. The Netflix hit sees Donny Dunn (Richard) offer Martha a cup of tea on the house during their first encounter, which Fiona has claimed never happened. The show alleges Gadd was bombarded with 41,000 emails, 350 hours of voice messages, 744 tweets, 48 Facebook messages, and 106 letters during the stalking campaign. Fiona told Morgan this was 'simply not true', adding she sent 'less than ten' emails to Gadd and 'one letter'. During the interview, Ms Harvey referenced a scene in the show where character Martha admits to intimidating Gadd's character and receives a nine-month prison sentence. The explosive interview has sparked a huge row as viewers branded the TV chat 'highly irresponsible' Fiona Harvey had previously not been identified in reports surrounding the Netflix series before her interview with Piers One month after Baby Reindeer aired, Fiona confirmed during her interview with Piers that the hit series is based on her but denied ever stalking Richard The show alleges that the comedian's female stalker conducted a relentless campaign which started after he served her in a London pub while working as a bartender 'That is completely untrue, very, very defamatory to me, very career damaging,' she said. 'I wanted to rebut that completely on this show - I am not a stalker, I have not been to jail, I've not got injunctions - it is complete nonsense.' Many viewers said they were left 'disturbed' by the interview, branding it a 'painful' watch. But Piers has said he believed his show had performed its 'duty of care' by staying in touch with her since the interview as he revealed Fiona 'wants an agent'. He told Lorraine he did not see 'any sign of anyone who I thought was mentally unwell' but added he does believe she has 'an obsessive streak' and that she 'lied a lot in the interview'. He also criticised the show's attempts to anonymise Fiona, saying it was 'disingenuous' of Gadd to ask fans not to look up the real person behind the character. 'I think that is pretty disingenuous as they have used segments of the exact messages she sent so any internet sleuth can put that in and find it on her phone. 'I think they failed in a duty of care to Fiona Harvey, especially Netflix,' he said. Responding to criticism over the interview, he said: 'I felt it was important that she was allowed to have her say as she had already been revealed by the media as the real life Martha but she had no ability to tell her story.' Viewers previously took to social media to blast Morgan for allegedly 'exploiting' Ms Harvey. But Piers has said he believed his show had performed its 'duty of care' by staying in touch with her since the interview as he revealed Fiona 'wants an agent' Many viewers said they were left 'disturbed' by the interview, branding it a 'painful' watch Since the release of Baby Reindeer, Fiona has been posting regularly on social media protesting her innocence One user said: 'Fiona Harvey's fixed beliefs and delusions are clear signs of severe mental health issues to anybody that works within this field. 'It's clear she's being exploited for financial gain.' Another wrote: 'It was highly irresponsible to put Fiona Harvey on TV!' Since the release of Baby Reindeer, Fiona has been posting regularly on social media protesting her innocence. Other alleged stalking victims have since come forward to share their own experiences with Fiona. Richard himself previously asked people to stop speculating on the real-life identities of the characters from his show. 'I can't confirm or deny anything relating to the real life people who the characters are based on in the show,' he said when asked about people claiming to be the stalker. Benny Blanco has already bought his famous girlfriend Selena Gomez 'some really good stuff' to celebrate their first anniversary of dating, which is right around her July 22nd birthday, and things are getting increasingly serious. When Howard Stern said he predicted marriage for the 36-year-old music producer and the 31-year-old 'Texican' pop star, Benny (born Benjamin Levin) replied: 'You and me both...I gotta get my act together!' As for children, Blanco announced: That's like my next goal on the box. I have a lot of God kids, I've got a ton of nephews. It's my thing, I love being around kids!' The 11-time Grammy nominee co-wrote and produced Selena's 2023 song Single Soon, which peaked at No. 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100. But Gomez - who previously dated Drew Taggart, The Weeknd, and Justin Bieber - has technically been collaborating with Benny as far back as 2015 on her second studio album Revival. Benny Blanco (pictured April 30) has already bought his famous girlfriend Selena Gomez 'some really good stuff' to celebrate their first anniversary of dating, which is right around her July 22nd birthday, and things are getting increasingly serious When Howard Stern (L) said he predicted marriage for the 36-year-old music producer (R) and the 31-year-old 'Texican' pop star, Benny replied: 'You and me both...I gotta get my act together!' 'It was so crazy. When we went out on our first date, I didn't even know it was a date,' Blanco admitted. 'I remember sitting there and she's like, "Well, I would have worn something different for this date," and I was like, "What?! We're on a date?!"' The Virginia native said he frequently stares at the two-time Grammy nominee and tells her, 'I don't know a world where it could be better than this.' 'She's the coolest, the nicest, the sweetest, like, everything,' Benny gushed. 'She's truly just like my best friend. We laugh all f***ing day. She inspires me.' For Valentine's Day, Blanco rented a movie theater to screen Selena's favorite film Almost Famous and he provided her with all of her favorite foods including fried pickles, Taco Bell, Flamin' Hot Cheetos, and nachos. The Lace It rapper even enjoys the company of Gomez's Only Murders in the Building co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short. 'They're the last of a f***ing generation those guys are genius-level brilliant,' Benny declared. As for children, Blanco announced: That's like my next goal on the box. I have a lot of God kids, I've got a ton of nephews. It's my thing, I love being around kids!' The 11-time Grammy nominee co-wrote and produced Selena's 2023 song Single Soon, which peaked at No. 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (pictured last Friday) But Gomez - who previously dated Drew Taggart, The Weeknd, and Justin Bieber - has technically been collaborating with Benny as far back as 2015 on her second studio album Revival (pictured April 22) Blanco admitted: 'It was so crazy. When we went out on our first date, I didn't even know it was a date. I remember sitting there and she's like, "Well, I would have worn something different for this date," and I was like, "What?! We're on a date?!"' The Virginia native said he frequently stares at the two-time Grammy nominee and tells her, 'I don't know a world where it could be better than this' Benny gushed: 'She's the coolest, the nicest, the sweetest, like, everything...She's truly just like my best friend. We laugh all f***ing day. She inspires me' For Valentine's Day, Blanco rented a movie theater to screen Selena's favorite film Almost Famous and he provided her with all of her favorite foods including fried pickles, Taco Bell, Flamin' Hot Cheetos, and nachos (pictured March 7) The Lace It rapper even enjoys the company of Gomez's Only Murders in the Building co-stars Steve Martin (M, pictured March 1) and Martin Short (R) Benny declared: 'They're the last of a f***ing generation those guys are genius-level brilliant. Steve is so funny. You know he loves art too he's big collector, so like I'm always in awe. Marty is dropping gems every day and you can't help but have a stomach ache from laughing every time you hang out with those guys' The Golden Globe-nominated actress is said to earn well over $600K/episode to produce and portray artist Mabel Mora in Steve Martin and John Hoffman's critically-acclaimed who-done-it series and season four premieres August 27 on Hulu Blanco has been hard at work promoting his cookbook Open Wide, which is currently ranked No. 6 on the New York Times' list of bestselling advice, how-to, and miscellaneous books 'Steve is so funny. You know he loves art too he's big collector, so like I'm always in awe. Marty is dropping gems every day and you can't help but have a stomach ache from laughing every time you hang out with those guys.' The Golden Globe-nominated actress is said to earn well over $600K/episode to produce and portray artist Mabel Mora in Steve Martin and John Hoffman's critically-acclaimed who-done-it series and season four premieres August 27 on Hulu. Selena currently executive produces and hosts Shauna Minoprio's six-episode spin-off Selena + Restaurant - airing Thursdays on the Food Network - in which she works in a string of LA's hottest restaurants. Blanco has been hard at work promoting his cookbook Open Wide, which is currently ranked No. 6 on the New York Times' list of bestselling advice, how-to, and miscellaneous books. Kate Beckinsale showed off her incredibly voluminous locks in a glamorous Instagram video as she posed in her bra in her makeup trailer on Tuesday. The Underworld actress, 50, flaunted her luscious brunette hair as she gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at how she gets the upmost volume. Kate was seen in her makeup trailer in between filming scenes for her new kidnapping movie Stolen Girl, starring alongside Scott Eastwood. The beauty, who was forced to hit back at critics after she was accused of having plastic surgery, displayed her flawless skin in the gorgeous snap. Kate showcased her ample cleavage in a tight strappy top whilst she sipped on a cup of tea in her make-up studio. Kate Beckinsale, 50, showed off her incredibly voluminous locks in a glamorous Instagram video as she posed in her bra in her makeup trailer on Tuesday The Underworld actress flaunted her luscious brunette hair as she gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at how she gets the upmost volume The new film Stolen Girl, directed by James Kent and is currently in pre-production in Italy, is based on the real story of Maureen Dabbagh who spent years tracking down her abducted daughter by her child's father. Last week she hit back at trolls for 'bullying' and accusing her of plastic surgery and looking 'unrecognisable.' She shared two videos - one from 20 years ago when she looked younger and one from last week at The King's Trust Gala in NYC - as she commented on her ageing. Kate also told how it was 'deeply ironic' that people thought she was unaccepting of getting older as due to past family traumas when she was younger she thought she'd 'never see the end of her 20s'. Her father Richard, known for his role as Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge sadly, passed away in 1979 aged just 31, when Kate was six-years-old. She penned: 'I hate talking about this because I hate adding to this conversation but I'm doing it because insidious bullying of any kind over time takes a toll. These videos might be 20 years apart - maybe more. 'Every time I post anything and by the way, this has been the case since I was about 30 - I am accused of having had unrecognizable surgery/using Botox using fillers /being obsessed with looking younger, and it's really such a tiresome and subtly vicious way to bully a person.' 'I don't actually do any of those things - I've even gone to the trouble of having a plastic surgeon categorically state that I don't and haven't, and still, every time there's a chorus of my God, you're unrecognizable.' The beauty, who was forced to hit back at critics after she was accused of having plastic surgery, displayed her flawless skin in the gorgeous snap Opting for a subtle make-up look, Kate wore a swipe of rosy pink lipstick with black eyeliner to make her eyes pop Kate showcased her ample cleavage in a tight strappy top whilst she sipped on a cup of tea in her make-up studio Last week she hit back at trolls for 'bullying' and accusing her of plastic surgery and looking 'unrecognisable' She penned: 'I hate talking about this because I hate adding to this conversation but I'm doing it because insidious bullying of any kind over time takes a toll' 'Life happens - obviously I have aged, everybody ages; I'm not too concerned about aging-because I found my father dead at the age of 5,' she continued (Kate pictured in 2001) 'Oh my God PLASTIC, oh my God, you don't even look like yourself anymore, it happens constantly and it's usually women that are doing it.' 'Life happens - obviously I have aged, everybody ages; I'm not too concerned about aging-because I found my father dead at the age of 5...,' she continued. 'I spent most of my teenage years and a good deal of my 20s absolutely crippled with severe anxiety and panic attacks that I was going to die of a heart attack too, and went to emergency rooms often, and was almost, at that time of my life, completely immobilized by that anxiety.' 'The fact that one of the major things I am bullied about is an assumption that I can't handle the idea of getting older is so deeply ironic when my all consuming terror was that I never thought I'd even see the end of my 20s.' 'As you can see from these two videos, what is different is that I lived in the UK, and was paler, I used to pluck the s**t out of my eyebrows, I loved that brown lipstick that everybody wore. I had a fuller face, as most of us do in our late teens and 20s.' 'Makeup techniques were matte, not nearly so glossy. I thought contours were something I found difficult in geography lessons. I'm posting this knowing full well that it will have absolutely no effect.' 'It isn't going to stop. But I'm also posting it because whatever someone looks like, accusing them constantly of things they haven't done, or being obsessed with youth when actually, currently I'm obsessed with surviving loss, is bullying. Please stop now.' The meaning behind Ant McPartlin's new baby's name has been revealed. The Britain's Got Talent star announced the arrival of his first child with wife Anne-Marie on Tuesday, revealing in an Instagram post that the couple had welcomed a son. Ant revealed the name in his social media post, writing: 'Welcome to the family Wilder Patrick Mcpartlin'. Wilder comes from Old English surname Wilde, which means 'wild, untamed, uncontrolled', but it's Ant's son's middle name that has a heartfelt family meaning. Patrick is thought to be a tribute to Anne-Marie's late dad Paddy. The meaning behind Ant McPartlin 's new baby's name has been revealed. The Britain's Got Talent star announced the arrival of his first child with wife Anne-Marie on Tuesday Ant revealed the name in his social media post, writing: 'Welcome to the family Wilder Patrick Mcpartlin' Patrick is thought to be a tribute to Anne-Marie's late dad Paddy. Anne-Marie also made sure her beloved dad was part of her wedding day in 2021 A childhood photo of Anne-Marie and her late father was attached to her flower bouquet Anne-Marie also made sure her beloved dad was part of her and Ant's wedding day back in 2021, with a childhood photo of herself and her late father attached to her flower bouquet. Ant will no doubt be adding Wilder's name to his new family tree tattoo, which is showed off in his Instagram post on Tuesday. In the image, Ant displayed the intricate family tree tattoo tribute on his shoulder with sweet dedications to his stepchildren Poppy and Daisy from Anne-Marie's previous marriage, and their pet dogs, Milo and Bumble. Meanwhile it has been revealed that Ant has made his best friend and co-presenter Declan Donnelly as Wilder's godfather. Ant will now not return to work until May 27 when the BGT live semis begin as he takes some paternity leave. Wilder's due date was reportedly causing a headache for Ant's ITV bosses as they worried it would clash with the live BGT shows. Last month source said that the 'timing is causing something of a headache for bosses,' and they were considering having a back up presenter on stand by in case Ant couldn't be there. Names in the frame include new This Morning host Cat Deeley or Dancing On Ice's Stephen Mulhern. Ant has made Declan Donnelly the godfather to his newborn son and told his friends that he is 'beyond thrilled' to be a dad, according to a new report MailOnline contacted ITV for comment at the time. Last month, Ant broke his silence on becoming a father for the first time in a candid interview as he spoke about taking a break from hosting Saturday Night Takeaway. Ant opened up about the real reasons for the show's pause in an interview with Fault Magazine as he publicly addressed his wife's pregnancy for the first time. He said: 'We [he and Declan Donnelly] have both got children that we need to spend time with for a little bit. 'We need time to think and, and time to step back and look at the bigger picture and just see where we are now.' Dec shares two children - Isla, age five, and Jack, one, with his wife Ali Astall. It was previously rumoured in December that Anne-Marie could be expecting their first child, after she appeared to be pregnant while returning from a trip to Dubai. Ant will now not return to work until May 27 when the BGT live semis begin as he takes some paternity leave alongside Anne-Marie (pictured on April 17) When the news of Anne-Marie's pregnancy was revealed, it was claimed that Ant was over the moon because he didn't think fatherhood was on the cards for him (pictured in 2021) Ant has been candid in the past about his desire to have children and he publicly spoke about how he had been trying for a baby with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong. The couple were childless when they filed for divorce in 2018 after 11 years of marriage. Ant and Anne-Marie tied the knot in 2021. When the news of Anne-Marie's pregnancy was revealed, it was claimed that Ant was over the moon because he didn't think fatherhood was on the cards for him. A source told The Sun at time: 'This is the news everyone wanted. Ant and Anne- Marie are beyond delighted. It's no secret that Ant has always wanted children, but that it may never happen for him was something he had, sadly, come to terms with. 'When they found out last year, they were absolutely delighted, but obviously kept the news quiet for as long as possible. 'To be having a child two years short of his 50th birthday, with the love of his life, is the stuff of dreams for Ant. 'He's already a wonderful, doting father to Anne-Marie's kids, and together they're going to be brilliant parents to this latest addition to the family.' Pregnant Australian influencer Sarah's Day took to social media on Wednesday to share a major family announcement. The 31-year-old YouTuber, who is is expecting her third child with husband Kurt Tilse, posted a video admitting she and her partner knew their baby's gender. 'Yes, we were able to find out the gender of our baby as we did a test. I just have to get around to posting a video to announce it,' she began. The stunner, who already shares two sons with Kurt, then revealed she and her husband did not have a gender preference as long as the baby was healthy. 'Before we conceived this baby I felt an overwhelming sense of peace that whatever we get is meant for this family. Pregnant Australian influencer Sarah's Day took to social media on Wednesday to share a major family announcement The 31-year-old YouTuber, who is is expecting her third child with husband Kurt Tilse, posted a video admitting she and her partner knew their baby's gender. 'I just hope for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Whatever we are meant to have we will have, and we will love our baby whether it is a girl or boy,' she added. Day, whose real name is Sarah Stevenson, added while her husband didn't want any more children after this one, they could 'never know' what the future held. Earlier this month, Sarah took to social media and told her 1.2million followers that she was pregnant with her third child. 'Yes, we were able to find out the gender of our baby as we did a test. I just have to get around to posting a video to announce it,' she began 'We can't wait to meet you gorgeous baby,' she wrote in her Instagram caption, before adding that the moment she found out she was pregnant had been uploaded to her YouTube account. Sharing another Instagram post, the blonde Sydney-based vlogger revealed the baby will be due in October. In the nine-minute YouTube clip, Sarah went through several negative pregnancy tests until she received a positive reading on a digital stick. 'My heart is beating so fast,' she said after the good news. 'We've always prayed for, dreamed of having three kids.' Sarah currently shares two kids with her husband Kurt - sons Fox Ocean, five, and Malakai Koa, two - and has spoken openly in the past about her hormonal problems and how difficult it's been for her to conceive. In May 2021, Sarah and Kurt tied the knot in an intimate ceremony and their son walked down the aisle as a page boy. The lifestyle and fitness vlogger has gained a loyal following due to her handy tips and tricks on fitness, health and wellbeing. Tom Holland received a warm welcome on Tuesday night, as he left the Duke of York's Theatre to a huge crowd of adoring fans after the second preview performance of Romeo & Juliet. The actor, 27, who stars as Romeo in the Jamie Lloyd production, looked delighted as he made his exit, clutching a cup of tea as he left. The movie star cheerfully greeted the assembled crowd, waving enthusiastically and blowing kisses in thanks. Tom cut an understated but stylish figure, layering a knitted sweater vest over a plain white T-shirt. The Spider-Man star slung a grey messenger bag across his chest and also sported casual blue jeans and white trainers. Tom Holland received a warm welcome on Tuesday night, as he left the Duke of York's Theatre to a huge crowd of adoring fans after the second preview performance of Romeo & Juliet The actor, 27, who stars as Romeo in the Jamie Lloyd production, looked delighted as he made his exit, clutching a cup of tea as he left The movie star cheerfully greeted the assembled crowd, waving enthusiastically and blowing kisses in thanks Grinning proudly, he was assured to his waiting car, but rolled down the window to continue waving at his fans. And he has plenty to smile about, as the initial reactions to the modern adaptation of the Shakespeare tragedy have been very positive. After being delayed due to technical issues, Romeo & Juliet finally opened in the West End on Monday, with the first attendees taking to social media giving their initial reviews. The first night of previews was originally scheduled for Saturday, but the show was cancelled due to 'technical aspects of the production needing further preparation.' Audience members singled out lead stars Tom and Juliet actress, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, as 'amazing' and a 'superb casting'. Spilling the beans about what audiences can expect, many teased that the production was 'violent' and 'creative' with 'unexpected humour' and 'lots of kissing'. One woman who watched the production told MailOnline: 'I've never seen anything like it. It was an amazing production and a brilliant performance by Tom. 'It was absolutely brilliant - there were so many jaw-dropping moments. The use of technology was incredible. There were cameramen who were part of the cast filming parts of it. Tom cut an understated but stylish figure, layering a knitted sweater vest over a plain white T-shirt The Spider-Man star slung a grey messenger bag across his chest and also sported casual blue jeans and white trainers Grinning proudly, he was assured to his waiting car, but rolled down the window to continue waving at his fans And he has plenty to smile about, as the initial reactions to the modern adaptation of the Shakespeare tragedy have been very positive 'They weren't just using the stage. They started in the dressing room, at one point they were in the bar then some of it took place out on the roof of the theatre - well I suppose that is where you would expect to find Spider-Man. 'The only thing that was missing was the balcony scene - but then Tom came out at the end and did one after the show. 'The whole thing was a real triumph. At the end there was a standing ovation from everyone in the audience. As Tom left the stage he did a little fist pump - you could see how much it meant to him.' Other fans took to social media to laud the 'palpable chemistry' between the star-crossed lovers and declared that Tom's big return to the stage 'proves his acting chops'. However, attendees were divided over award-winning director Jamie's signature stripped-back staging, with several branding it 'underwhelming'. Photos shared online of the set show a modern and industrial style, with a large iron fence and block letters spelling out Verona, where the play is set, while the cast sported casual outfits, like black hoodies and T-shirts. Snaps and videos taken at the curtain call showed an emotional Tom and Francesca hugging before being joined by the rest of the cast for a bow. The play also stars Freema Agyeman (Nurse), Michael Balogun (Friar), Tomiwa Edun (Capulet), Mia Jerome (Montague), Daniel Quinn-Toye (Paris), Ray Sesay (Tybalt), Nima Taleghani (Benvolio), Joshua-Alexander Williams (Mercutio), and Callum Heinrich and Kody Mortimer (Camera Operators). After being delayed due to technical issues, Romeo & Juliet finally opened in the West End on Monday, with the first attendees taking to social media giving their initial reviews Audience members singled out lead stars Tom and Juliet actress, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, as 'amazing' and a 'superb casting' They then made their way to the balcony of the Duke of Yorks Theatre to wave at the huge crowds outside, who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the stars. The play marks Tom's first return to the stage after his West End debut in 2008, when he played the lead role in Billy Elliot the Musical at 12 years old. Speaking about his casting, Jamie, 43, said: 'Tom Holland is one of the greatest, most exciting young actors in the world. It is an honour to welcome him back to the West End. After the show, Tom took to his Instagram to pay tribute to his co-stars and confess that it was 'a highlight of my career'. Sharing a photo with the cast, he wrote: 'Tonight was the start of something so special. I'm beyond proud of our cast and crew who have gone above and beyond in every way. 'I can't wait for the rest of the run. Tonight was truly a highlight of my career and Im so glad I get to share it with these incredible people. Love you all and see you tomorrow!' While Tom's mother, Nikki, took to her Instagram Stories to post a sweet tribute to her son, sharing a photo of him as Romeo next to a throwback shot of him on stage as Billy Elliot. The production is set to run for 12 weeks until August 3, before it will reportedly transfer to Broadway later this year. The play also stars Freema Agyeman (Nurse), Michael Balogun (Friar), Tomiwa Edun (Capulet), Mia Jerome (Montague), Daniel Quinn-Toye (Paris), Ray Sesay (Tybalt), Nima Taleghani (Benvolio), Joshua-Alexander Williams (Mercutio), and Callum Heinrich and Kody Mortimer (Camera Operators) After the show, Tom took to his Instagram to pay tribute to his co-stars and confess that it was 'a highlight of my career' While Tom's mother, Nikki, took to her Instagram Stories to post a sweet tribute to her son, sharing a photo of him as Romeo next to a throwback shot of him on stage as Billy Elliot And it has already garnered a great deal of excitement, with tickets selling out just two hours after going on sale in February, with fans comparing the stress as on par with trying to get their hands on tickets for Taylor Swift's Eras tour. However, the lead up to the play has been marred by the 'barrage of deplorable racial abuse' it received, following the diverse casting being announced. Francesca, in particular, found herself targeted by vile racists, causing the theatre company to issue a strongly worded statement, vowing to 'continue to support and protect everyone in our company.' The Jamie Lloyd Company shared: 'Following the announcement of our Romeo & Juliet cast, there has been a barrage of deplorable racial abuse online directed towards a member of our company. This must stop. 'We are working with a remarkable group of artists. We insist that they are free to create work without facing online harassment. 'We will continue to support and protect everyone in our company at all costs. Any abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported.' It continued: 'Bullying and harassment have no place online, in our industry or in our wider communities. Our rehearsal room is full of joy, compassion and kindness. We celebrate the extraordinary talent of our incredible collaborators. 'The Romeo & Juliet community will continue to rehearse with generosity and love, and focus on the creation of our production.' However, the lead up to the play has been marred by the 'barrage of deplorable racial abuse' it received, following the diverse casting being announced, with Francesca, in particular, being targeted (pictured) Tom Cruise covered his modesty in a casual grey polo shirt as he arrived at London Battersea Heliport on Tuesday. The Hollywood actor, 61, was seen boarding his helicopter once again to head to an unknown destination. After stripping off in Majorca over the weekend, Tom decided to conceal his jaw-dropping body. The heartthrob appeared in great spirts on his morning outing and could be seen going to fist bump someone in the distance. Tom teamed his casual attire with dark-washed denim jeans and wore trendy white Nike trainers. Tom Cruise, 61, covered his modesty in a casual grey polo shirt as he arrived at London Battersea Heliport on Tuesday Shirtless Tom showed off his ripped physique as he enjoyed a dip in the sea in Majorca over the weekend Tom looked in great spirits as he ditched his usual tight T-shirt to take a dip while filming in Majorca over the weekend. The Hollywood heartthrob sported a some 'dad-style' socks and trainers before showcasing his shirtless physique as he slipped into some navy swimming trunks for a swim in the sea. The Mission Impossible star, who is known for executing his own stunts and staying in fantastic shape, showed off his muscular body as he spent the day at Formentor beach in Pollensa. Taking a stroll along the pier, Tom opted for a stylish display as he paired his trunks with a simple grey T-shirt and chic sunhat. Instead of sandals, he completed the outfit with some sporty trainers and black ankle socks. Almost 40 years since he first stripped off for those jaw-dropping scenes in Top Gun, MailOnline revealed just how Tom Cruise maintains his insane physique. There isn't one secret to Tom's ultra fit lifestyle, after the star revealed he enjoys a wide-ranging list of physical activities to keep in shape. He told Men's Health: 'Sea-kayaking, caving fencing, treadmill, weights rock climbing, hiking I jog I do so many different activities.' The Hollywood actor was seen boarding his helicopter once again to head to an unknown destination The Mission Impossible star is known for executing his own stunts and staying in fantastic shape Almost 40 years since he first stripped off for those jaw-dropping scenes in Top Gun, MailOnline revealed just how Tom Cruise maintains his insane physique Constantly challenging his body, the star follows a five day workout plan which included three days of weight training sessions and cardio as well as two days of more 'out-there' activities like fencing or hiking. Incorporating a range of exercises into his routine, a few of Tom's favourite include one-armed barbell presses, weighted lunges and deadlifts. A typical workout split from the star would begin with day one focusing on triceps, shoulders and chest before he enjoys one of his 'fun' activities on day two. Day three would then focus on biceps, back and traps with a range of deadlifts and hammer curls, before another 'fun' day on day four. Tom was recently seen filming in London for the next installment of the Mission Impossible franchise. The Hollywood actor has been causing chaos across London in recent weeks as he causes various closures for the next instalment of the action movie. Earlier this month the team even built their own tube station for the scene as they created Trafalgar Square tube stop, which doesn't exist in real life. The star has never been afraid of undergoing extreme physical training throughout his career, sometimes committing to years of training for a stunt. Last July Tom set pulses racing after he rode a motorbike off a cliff and fell from the sky in his latest Mission Impossible film The star undertook years of training, including 500 skydives and 13,000 motocross jumps, for the scene which was by far his most dangerous stunt Last July Tom set pulses racing after he rode a motorbike off a cliff and fell from the sky in his latest Mission Impossible film. The star undertook years of training, including 500 skydives and 13,000 motocross jumps, for the scene which was dubbed the most dangerous and biggest stunt in cinema history. To be ready for the scene, Tom had to make sure he was well-trained, both on the bike and in terms of BASE jumping. A motocross track was built, on which the star jumped 80ft tabletops, a whopping 13,000 times across his training. He said of the experience: 'I have to get so good at this that there's just no way that I miss my marks. 'You train and drill every little aspect over and over and over and over again.' During a press conference at Cannes last year when he was asked why he still does his own stunts, he retorted: 'Would you ask Gene Kelly why he does all his own dancing?' Noel Edmonds was spotted wearing completely odd shoes during a trip to the Isle of Man, in a picture shared on social media on Tuesday. The Deal Or No Deal star, 75, seemed completely unfazed by his choice of footwear as he proudly showed off his two different types of shoes. Noel choose to wear light brown lace-up boots on his right foot and slip-on dark brown boots on his left foot. Eagle-eyed fans couldn't help but notice his peculiar fashion choice as he posed for a photo with the owners of Laxey Beach Stop Cafe. Stunned fans flooded the shop's Facebook with hilarious comments, writing: 'Looks like he dressed in the dark'. Noel Edmonds, 75, was spotted wearing completely odd shoes during a trip to the Isle of Man, in a picture shared on social media on Tuesday The Deal Or No Deal star seemed completely unfazed by his choice of footwear as he proudly showed off his two different types of shoes Others added: 'Why is he wearing odd shoes!!!', 'The shoes on the other foot now'. Last month, it was revealed Noel embarked on a new career and now owns a vineyard, shop, restaurant and pub after emigrating to a small village in New Zealand. He has subsequently announced the 'first ever vintage' from his winery in South Island, where he lives with his wife, Liz. As well as the winery, the TV star also has a shop, restaurant, pub, and cafe on a 15m estate - and in 2023, sparked a furious row with residents who accused him of 'colonising' their idyllic village. The Deal Or No Deal star has added winemaking to his repertoire at River Haven - his Ngatimoti village, New Zealand estate. He and Liz emigrated permanently to New Zealand in 2019 - and now their vineyard's first wine is ready for consumption. Noel took to New Haven's Instagram account to give the community and visitors the exciting update. He wrote: 'HUGE NEWS - from this Friday, River Haven will be serving the first ever vintage of our very own Pinot Gris. 'This wine is a labour of love from our hardworking team, we're beyond stoked to finally have it ready for you! Eagle-eyed fans couldn't help but notice his peculiar fashion choice as he posed for a photo with the owners of Laxey Beach Stop Cafe Noel and Liz settled in the Ngatimoti area in New Zealand several years ago, snapping up 12 properties worth almost 15m on 270 hectares of land In 2023, Noel sparked a furious row with residents who accused him of 'colonising' their idyllic village (pictured: his shop) One said: 'I feel like he's a coloniser. He's come in like he's the lord of the manor' (pictured: Noel with a 'His Lordship' mug) 'A special thanks to our incredible volunteers who helped make this wine a reality. 'From tomorrow we'll be reaching out to all of you to share in our wine (please bear with us, there's a lot of you!). Thank you all so much for your patience so far. He finished: 'Again, available from THIS FRIDAY onwards by the glass, bottle or to take home and share...' Noel and Liz also held a special wine and cheese night at his River Haven clubhouse to celebrate the wine, with dozens of locals joining in. Noel settled in the Ngatimoti area several years ago, snapping up 12 properties worth almost 15m on 270 hectares of land. The town is already well-known in New Zealand for its annual festival, which generally takes place in October and is attended by thousands of people. In 2023, he sparked a furious row with residents who accused him of 'colonising' their idyllic village. One said: 'I feel like he's a coloniser. He's come in like he's the lord of the manor.' Regardless, his efforts have been fruitful, which is a far cry from his last major business venture - a motivational phone service for pets The television star has not helped matters by posing for photos on the estate holding a mug with the slogan 'His Lordship'. The resident added: "He's got this attitude... about how he's improved the place and made it amazing - it was already amazing." Regardless, his efforts have been fruitful, which is a far cry from his last major business venture. In 2016, following the axing of Deal Or No Deal, Noel shocked the country when he launched a motivational phone service for pets. Phillip Schofield has shared his first Instagram post in over a year, after reports he is planning his TV comeback. The former This Morning star, who has 2.8million followers, shared a photo of his dog watching Formula One as Phillip relaxed on the bed with him. He captioned the post: 'Thankfully, Alfie is a big @f1 fan [heart emojis].' Phil's daughters Ruby, 27, and Molly, 30, as well as his former This Morning co-host Josie Gibson all liked the post within minutes, in a clear sign of support. Phillip Schofield has shared his first Instagram post in over a year, after reports he is planning his TV comeback Phil, who has 2.8million followers on Instagram, gained likes from his daughters Ruby, 27, and Molly, 30, as well as his former This Morning co-host Josie Gibson Phil's last post before Tuesday's upload was a video posted on May 7 2023. Just two weeks after that post Philip left This Morning, stepping down from the daytime show on May 20 Phil's last post before Tuesday's upload was a video posted on May 7 2023 of the star's trip to Paris. Just two weeks after that post Phillip left This Morning, stepping down from the daytime show on May 20 after admitting he had lied about his relationship with a much younger colleague. Friends of the presenter told The Sun last week that although they have been pushing for him to return to the spotlight, he himself has reservations. The source explained that Phillip is being supported by his friends at ITV including Alison Hammond and Ant and Dec. Phil and Declan Donnelly were snapped together in London last week after a four-hour dinner at a restaurant close to their homes. An insider has told The Sun of Phil's support network: 'They have all been rallying around him and their support, especially from Dec who is such a good friend, has really helped Phil.' 'Some TV executives have been in touch with Phil about a possible return and his friends have told him he should consider it. 'Phil is still shell shocked by everything that happened last year and is happy at the moment to focus on rebuilding his life with the support of his friends and family. Phil's This Morning co-host Josie Gibson liked the post within minutes, in a clear sign of support (Josie and Phil pictured in March 2022 on the show ) 'Whether he will make a comeback whether it's on TV or radio is still undecided but the offers are there if he wants to pursue them. His friends have told him they will support him all the way.' Phillip and Dec's dinner is the first time the pair have been seen publicly together since the This Morning scandal. Dec was joined by his wife Ali Astall, while Phil was accompanied by his puppy. Onlookers reported that the pair looked in good spirits and were seen laughing and joking together like it was an ordinary night out. After Phillip left the show in May, his co-host Holly Willoughby later left in October due to an alleged kidnap plot. The pair were officially replaced by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley in March as the two took on the show full time after a series of guest presenters had been rotating the daytime slot. Back in March friends of the star have said that Phillip is quite certain he will never work again following his admission that he had an affair with a much younger colleague and then lied about it. Phil and ITV star Declan Donnelly were snapped together in London last week after a four-hour dinner at a restaurant close to their homes One said: Phillip has been very, very down recently. He doesnt know how he is going to work again. Its devastating for him to realise but he also knows that there is not a lot he can do about it. He doesnt know who will take him. He knows there is no way back to ITV or the BBC. Sources close to the star say that his friends are trying to encourage him to think he can have a fulfilling life away from showbusiness. One said: Just because he may not be on telly again doesnt mean he cant enjoy his life. Phil isnt so sure though. The star has though been tipped for a job on national radio his 'first love' with Britain's largest commercial stations said to be jostling to bring him in to woo new listeners from rivals, including BBC Radio 2. An ITV report in December cleared bosses of a cover-up and did not mention any further damaging claims about Phil's relationship with a young runner on the show. Friends of the presenter told The Sun last week that although they have been pushing for him to return to the spotlight, he himself has reservations (Phil and Holly Willoughby hosting this morning in May 2023 shortly before Phil resigned) Despite claims of a 'whitewash', industry insiders told MailOnline that it opens the door to the star getting a new big-money deal to return to work in 2024. But a senior British broadcasting source said at the time that a return to TV for Phillip is 'unlikely for now'. He said: 'Now that a line has been drawn in the sand by ITV over the Schofield saga, attention will move on. 'Within a period of time there is now a place for Phillip to return, possibly not on TV yet, but there are now a myriad of opportunities for him on commercial radio where he will be offered big money to return to his first love. 'The KC's report gives him a fresh chance but nobody will be surprised at all to see that ITV has found itself in the clear as it tries to save This Morning'. Phil and Holly were officially replaced by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley in March as the two took on the show full time after a series of guest presenters had been rotating the daytime slot He quit This Morning after he admitted to a past relationship with a younger male former colleague but neither men spoke to Jane Mulcahy KC, whose report came out in December. Ms Mulcahy found that the unnamed runner's promotion from This Morning to Loose Women 'had nothing to do' with Phillip and claimed that also 'only one person' interviewed had knowledge of the affair but 'did not report their knowledge at time'. Phillip started out in local radio in New Zealand as a teenager before joining the BBC, hosting a popular show on Radio 1 while presenting Going Live. It now remains to be seen whether Britain's most popular stations, such as Classic FM, Magic, Virgin, Heart or other giants now swoop. Greatest Hits Radio has also been on a hiring spree, grabbing big names such as Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo to take listeners from Radio 2. Furious ITV staff blasted the external report into Phillip's affair with a younger colleague as a 'whitewash'. Alison Hammond has also reportedly been supporting the former This Morning presenter One employee told the Mail of their 'sheer bewilderment' that only one junior worker was aware of the relationship. The report found that ITV did not cover up the relationship and that station bosses had made 'considerable efforts' to discover the truth in 2019 four years before the affair broke. The external review found that the channel was 'unable to uncover the relevant evidence' until Phillip's own admission in May when he told the Mail that he had been having the relationship and that he had later lied about it. ITV bosses have said both Phillip and his former lover, who has never been named publicly, 'repeatedly denied' allegations of a relationship until the star dramatically quit ITV and formally apologised. Phillip also stepped down from Dancing On Ice as Stephen Mulhern took his place for January's series (pictured 2023) It added that only one person out of 48 interviewed a junior employee said they knew about the presenter's relationship with the younger male former colleague before he revealed it. Ms Mulcahy revealed that Phillip refused to take part in the review into the circumstances surrounding the his departure because of 'the risk to his health'. She added that she was informed that the host's mental health had since deteriorated. Phillip's former colleague and lover also declined to participate in the report. US comedian Ari Shaffir left The Project hosts stunned on Wednesday night as he recalled a humiliating incident where he got explosive diarrhoea while visiting a Sydney landmark. The stand-up comic, 50, who is currently performing his latest show across the country, told the hosts the incident occurred while he was doing the city's famed bridge climb. 'I crapped my pants on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I was like 20 minutes in when I got my first diarrhoea pain,' Ari began. 'They strap you in, you can't turn around. I had to cross my legs a few times for a strain, we've all been there!' A horrified Waleed Aly, 45, jumped in to clarify that it had never happened to him and Shaffir then bluntly asked him if he had ever had diarrhoea in public. US comedian Ari Shaffir left The Project hosts stunned on Wednesday night as he recalled a humiliating incident where he got explosive diarrhoea while visiting a Sydney landmark. Pictured The stand-up comic, 50, who is currently performing his latest show across the country, told the hosts the incident occurred while he was doing the city's famed bridge climb. Pictured: hosts Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris 'Not on a landmark!' Aly shot back. 'It was so painful but I was going okay until there was a ladder and I had to bend my knees. There was a horrible sound and the face of a foreigner in shame. 'My pants filled, it was terrible,' Ari added. 'I crapped my pants on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I was like 20 minutes in when I got my first diarrhoea pain,' Ari began. 'They strap you in, you can't turn around. I had to cross my legs a few times for a strain, we've all been there!' Co-host Sarah Harris, 42, looked absolutely stunned by Shaffir's gross admission and screamed out: 'No, you did not!'. Meanwhile Nick Cody and Georgie Tunny, 32, were seen covering their mouths in disgust. Shaffir is currently performing his Wrong Side of History stand-up comedy show across Australia. He will next perform in Adelaide on Friday, May 24, and then head to Sydney to perform on Saturday, June 1. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketek. Pip Edwards made a style statement at the Romance Was Born show at Australian Fashion Week on Wednesday. The P.E Nation designer, 43, set pulses racing in a beige crop top that flaunted her tanned, toned abs. The eastern suburbs It girl paired the risque top with pants and a skunk faux fur coat. The activewear visionary wore her blonde locks out and opted for a natural makeup palette consisting of eyeliner and light blush. Elsewhere, AFL star Tom Derickx, 36, looked casual cool in a grey T-shirt and a pair of stylish black pants. Pip Edwards made a style statement at the Romance Was Born show at Australian Fashion Week on Wednesday. Pictured The P.E Nation designer, 43, set pulses racing in a beige crop top that flaunted her tanned, toned abs. The eastern suburbs It girl paired the risque top with pants and a skunk faux fur coat He finished his look with a vibrant long sleeve over-shirt and black and white sneakers. The 36-year-old looked relaxed at the event as he posed with his hands in his pocket. Derickx was joined on the red carpet by musician and actor Ben Lee. Lee, 45, looked cool in a black tee emblazoned with the slogan, 'feel free to feel free'. Elsewhere, AFL star Tom Derickx, 36, looked casual cool in a grey T-shirt and a pair of stylish black pants. He finished his look with a vibrant long sleeve over-shirt and black and white sneakers. Pictured Derickx was joined on the red carpet by musician and actor Ben Lee. Lee, 45, looked cool in a black tee emblazoned with the slogan, 'feel free to feel free'. Pictured Meanwhile, actor Lyndon Watts (pictured) bared his chest in a sleek white blazer and plain black pants The artist completed the look with a pair of baggy black pants and a bright pair of orange sneakers. Meanwhile, actor Lyndon Watts caught the eye in a typically stylish ensemble. He flashed his sculpted chest in a sleek white blazer and plain black pants. Watts added an edgy touch to his look as he carried a chic black handbag, opting to accessorise with gold earrings. X Factor star Cher Lloyd has revealed a terrifying incident when the brakes on her car failed. The mother of two, 30, shared a warning with her 2.8million Instagram followers on Tuesday night as she revealed she was in her 40,000 Ford Ranger with her two daughters Delilah-Rae, five, and Eliza Violet, eight months. Explaining what happened, she shared a photo of her car and wrote: 'This is my Ford Ranger. My brakes totally failed with no warning while driving with my baby and my 5-year-old. 'Total engine failure due to the wet belt. To anyone who owns one or is thinking of buying one, BEWARE! I'm counting my lucky stars that my family is safe.' 'This beautiful vehicle, however, has retired well before her time @forduk.' X Factor star Cher Lloyd has revealed a terrifying incident when the brakes on her car failed Explaining what happened, she shared a photo of her car and wrote: ''Total engine failure due to the wet belt. To anyone who owns one or is thinking of buying one, BEWARE!' She later shared a smiling selfie of herself with her baby Eliza Violet to reassure her fans that the family were uninjured. The former X Factor star welcomed her second daughter with her husband Craig Monk in September, five years after the birth of her first child. Cher and her husband Craig surprised fans when they tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in November 2013. She now looks worlds away from her time on The X Factor, where she was known for her voluminous hairstyles and dramatic eye make-up. Despite a glittering start in the competition, things went downhill for Cher when her alleged behind-the-scenes tantrums caused her to be labelled as Britain's most 'hated teen', with judge Louis Walsh even branding her 'too big for her boots'. Cher ended coming in fourth place on the show, and following her stint on X Factor, she released her first single Swagger Jagger, followed by her debut album Sticks and Stones. After becoming one of the most promising stars in the industry, it was announced in 2013 that Cher had parted ways with Syco Records due to creative differences with boss Simon Cowell. In the same year, she secretly married Craig after less than a year of dating and they soon headed to the USA to start a new life. They made their way back to the UK a few years later and in May 2018 they welcomed a daughter. She later shared a smiling selfie of herself with her baby Eliza Violet to reassure her fans that the family were uninjured The former X Factor star welcomed her second daughter with her husband Craig Monk in September, five years after the birth of her first child She now looks worlds away from her time on The X Factor, where she was known for her voluminous hairstyles and dramatic eye make-up (pictured in 2010 on The X Factor) Looking back on her 'diva' persona during her time on the show, Cher told Fabulous magazine back in 2012: 'I was a beast! Everyone hated me. 'I was young and foolish. Part of me was trying to show I was strong enough to do it, and then I think it all got too much for me. 'I was angry with the way I was being edited and because of that I turned into this horrible person, with a terrible attitude.' Lisa Armstrong fled to Portugal on Wednesday, after hearing ex-husband Ant McPartlin has become a dad for the first time. The makeup artist, 47, jetted off just 24 hours after Ant, 48, joyfully announced his wife Anne-Marie, 46, had given birth to their first child Wilder Patrick, news that friends said would leave Lisa 'deeply sad'. A source told MailOnline: 'Lisa has jetted off to Portugal to getaway, no doubt to escape the buzz around Ant's news.' While Ant is enjoying his baby bubble, the happy news appears to be quite a lot for Lisa to take in. Ant and Lisa, who went through a bitter divorce in 2018 after 11 years of marriage, previously revealed their 'tough' battle to conceive in a candid 2013 interview. Lisa Armstrong, 47, jetted off to Portugal on Wednesday, after hearing ex-husband Ant McPartlin, 48, has become a dad for the first time (pictured last year) The makeup artist quickly fled the country just 24 hours after Ant joyfully announced his wife Anne-Marie, 46, (pictured) had given birth to their first child Wilder Patrick (pictured 2021) A source told MailOnline: 'Lisa has jetted off to Portugal to getaway, no doubt to escape the buzz around Ant's news' (Ant pictured with his newborn baby) Lisa revealed on Tuesday, hours before the arrival of Ant's baby, that she is going through 'silent battles' which she detailed in a cryptic Instagram post. Just before Ant announced the birth of his child, Lisa took to Instagram to share a cryptic post. 'Be proud of how you've been handling these last few months,' the post read. 'The silent battles you've fought, the moments you had to humble yourself, the times you've wiped your own tears. Celebrate your strength.' Ant was always open about his desire to be a father. Speaking in 2013 he revealed his and Lisa's struggles, saying: 'There's a rumour that we do everything together and I'm holding off having kids till Dec finds himself Mrs Right. 'I love that idea, but I'm afraid it's not true. Lisa and I would love to have kids. We're trying. It's tougher than you think when you get a bit older. 'We're on a break now, the first proper one for 15 years, so Lisa and I are trying for a baby well, we've been trying for a little while so fingers crossed.' Those who know Lisa, who earlier this week was revealed to have put the home she shared with Ant up for sale for 4million, said she will be 'deeply sad' to have to see her ex-husband share his happy news with the world. She is said to have refused to believe it when she first saw pictures of Anne-Marie showing a bump in the Daily Mail, back in December. It was the baby she had longed to have with Ant and friends said she feels 'very wronged' by him after she battled to save him from his demons for some years. Lisa was likely to be further distraught by the tattoo on Ant's left shoulder which he showed on his social media post to announce Wilder's birth. Ant also appeared to snub his beloved pet dog Hurley in the inking which paid homage to his family. The Britain's Got Talent star shared a glimpse of the tattoo, on his shoulder, which features tributes to his wife Anne-Marie and his two stepchildren, along with their dogs Milo and Bumble. However, one name that couldn't be seen on Ant's tattoo was his chocolate Labrador Hurley, who he shares with Lisa. During their divorce battle, Ant is said to have told lawyers: 'She can have anything she wants except the dog.' The former couple reportedly agreed to take it in turns to look after Hurley. Ant and Lisa, who went through a bitter divorce in 2018 after 11 years of marriage, previously revealed their 'tough' battle to conceive in a candid 2013 interview While Ant is enjoying his baby bubble, the happy news appears to be quite a lot for Lisa to take in (Lisa pictured in 2023) Lisa revealed on Tuesday, hours before the arrival of Ant's baby, that she is going through 'silent battles' which she detailed in a cryptic Instagram post Ant also appeared to snub his beloved pet dog Hurley, whom he shares with Lisa, in his new tattoo paying homage to his family, after revealing the ink for the first time on Tuesday Ant and Lisa were involved in a bitter custody battle over their pet dog Hurley, with the presenter said to have told lawyers: 'She can have anything she wants except the dog' The arrangement led to the TV presenter's chauffeur ferrying the dog between the two of them so they did not have to see each other. It was reported in February this year that Lisa wanted her pet to live with her full time. She is said to have argued that it was only fair as Ant also had two maltipoo dogs - Maltese and poodle crossbreeds - called Milo and Bumble. Ant has been candid in the past about his desire to have children and he publicly spoke about how he had been trying for a baby with ex-wife Lisa. The couple were childless when they filed for divorce in 2018 after 11 years of marriage. Ant and Anne-Marie tied the knot in 2021. Hours after his wife gave birth, the presenter shared his joy that they were parents,. Ant shared a Instagram snap sweetly cradling his baby boy, revealing he'd been born earlier that day on Tuesday, writing: 'Born, 14/05/24 at 8.54am. Baby is beautiful, Mummy's a legend, Sisters are over the moon. Dad's a mess!' he captioned the snap. Ant was soon flooded with messages from pals including Jamie Redknapp, Davina McCall and Alesha Dixon, who were delighted to see the star finally become a dad, after he publicly discussed his desire to be a parent. Ant and Lisa were childless when they filed for divorce in 2018 after 11 years of marriage (Pictured in 2015) Ant and Anne-Marie wed at a star-studded service in Hampshire in August 2021 Ant and his ex-wife Lisa pictured at their wedding in Buckinghamshire in 2006 The baby is Ant's first while Anne-Marie has two children, Poppy, and Daisy, from her previous marriage. When the news of Anne-Marie's pregnancy was revealed, it was claimed that Ant was over the moon because he didn't think fatherhood was on the cards for him. A source told The Sun at time: 'This is the news everyone wanted. Ant and Anne- Marie are beyond delighted. It's no secret that Ant has always wanted children, but that it may never happen for him was something he had, sadly, come to terms with. 'When they found out last year, they were absolutely delighted, but obviously kept the news quiet for as long as possible. 'To be having a child two years short of his 50th birthday, with the love of his life, is the stuff of dreams for Ant. 'He's already a wonderful, doting father to Anne-Marie's kids, and together they're going to be brilliant parents to this latest addition to the family.' Ant has made Declan Donnelly the godfather to his newborn son Wilder Patrick and told his friends that he is 'beyond thrilled' to be a dad, according to a new report. The Geordie duo have worked together and been friends for 30 years - starring as presenters on shows such as Saturday Night Takeaway and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. Ant has made Declan Donnelly the godfather to his newborn son Wilder Patrick and told his friends that he is 'beyond thrilled' to be a dad, according to a new report The Geordie duo have worked together and been friends for 30 years - starring as presenters on shows such as Saturday Night Takeaway (seen) and I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! And now Ant has made Dec his newborn's godfather in a sweet nod to his friend, The Sun reports. The publication also reports that Ant will now not return to work until May 27 when the BGT live semis begin as he takes some paternity leave. And a source said of his happiness at becoming a dad: 'Ant and Anne-Marie are beyond thrilled their little family is complete. 'They've been overwhelmed with lovely messages from friends, family and fans and are still wading through them. They are incredibly grateful to everyone. 'They chose the name, Wilder, a while ago but have deliberately kept it a closely guarded secret. They are going to be absolutely wonderful, doting parents and Ant cannot wait to be a hands-on dad, changing the nappies and just spending time with little Wilder.' Amanda Holden and Ashley Roberts were dressed to impress on Wednesday as they stepped out at Heart Breakfast studios in London. Amanda, 53, looked nothing short of sensational as she put on a leggy display in a vibrant green mini-dress. The stunning ensemble boasted a V-neckline, puffed sleeves, and a flared hem and proceeded to show off the radio host's tanned legs. She added inches to her frame with a pair of white court stiletto heels and toted her essentials around in a matching clutch bag. Amanda further accessorised the look with a gold Van Cleef necklace and wore a cluster of gold-toned bracelets. Amanda Holden, (left) was dressed to impress in a gree mini dress as she stepped out at Heart Breakfast studios alongside Ashley Roberts (right) in London on Wednesday Amanda looked nothing short of sensational as she put on a leggy display in a vibrant green mini-dress To finish off the look, she styled her honey-blonde tresses in loose voluminous waves and wore a pair of gold ombre shades. Meanwhile, her co-star Ashley, 42, looked effortlessly chic in a white shirt dress. The stylish ensemble boasted an off-the-shoulder design, puffed sleeves, and a lace embroidered skirt. Ashley showed off her tanned legs and opted for adding inches to her frame with a pair of beige knee-high boots. She toted her essentials around in a mini Miu Miu white handbag and further accessorised the look with a pair of oval shades. She styled her luscious blonde locks in a voluminous blowout and adorned a flawless palette of makeup. It comes after Amanda was notably missing from the BAFTAs on Sunday, despite attending in previous years. However clearing up any questions about her no-show, Amanda told her Instagram followers she had been filming a project in Glasgow over the weekend. The stunning ensemble boasted a V-neckline, puffed sleeves, and a flared hem and proceeded to show off the radio host's tanned legs Meanwhile, Ashley looked effortlessly chic in a white shirt dress Ashley showed off her tanned legs and opted for adding inches to her frame with a pair of beige knee-high boots This year's BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises was hosted by comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan for the second year in a row. The TV stars who appear in the reality travel series Rob And Romesh Vs together hosted the annual awards ceremony for the first time last year. Rob, 38, said: 'Romesh and I are absolutely buzzing to be back hosting the Baftas. We've not seen or spoken to each other since last year when we hosted so it will be good to catch up. 'It's a real privilege to continually get work together even though our friendship is fake and completely fabricated for commercial gain. My teeth aren't even that big I wear false ones so I can joke about them. 'On top of that Romesh isn't even Asian he just pretends to be so he can do his mum's accent'. Romesh, 45, joked that he thought he had 'done enough' last year to be asked to host it solo this year, adding: 'Hosting it with Rob again is also an honour I suppose'. Lea Seydoux looked effortlessly chic as she arrived at The Second Act photocall during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday. The actress, 38, who takes a starring role in the new release, dressed to impress in a cropped black jumpsuit, teamed with a navy blazer. She elevated her height in matching heels and her golden locks were styled in loose waves. The Second Act is a French comedy film written, edited and directed by Quentin Dupieux. Alongside Lea, it stars Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel, Raphael Quenard and Manuel Guillot. Lea Seydoux looked effortlessly chic as she arrived at The Second Act photocall during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday The actress, 38, and Raphael Quenard put on an animated display for playful snaps at the photocall The film had its world premiere as the opening film at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival on May 14, and was released theatrically in France on the same day by Diaphana Distribution. Lea was supported by a host of stars as the worlds of film, music and fashion descended on the resort town for two weeks of red carpet celebrations. The actress stunned in a sweeping silver sequinned gown after joining the new film's cast and crew on the red carpet. She completed the look with a pair of matching silver heels, while a tasteful choker necklace served as her only notable accessory. Elsewhere on Wednesday, Anya Taylor-Joy commanded attention as she ditched her bra for an outing, just hours before her film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premieres at Cannes Film Festival. The actress, 28, put on a racy display in a silver cardigan encrusted in sparkly diamonds, beads and sequins. Raphael Quenard cut a dapper figure in a grey suit as he posed with Lea The actress, who takes a starring role in the new release, dressed to impress in a cropped black jumpsuit, teamed with a navy blazer Lea oozed confidence as she posed for snaps She elevated her height in matching heels and her golden locks were styled in loose waves The Second Act is a French comedy film written, edited and directed by Quentin Dupieux Alongside Lea, it stars Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel, Raphael Quenard and Manuel Guillot Tuesday evening was all about Lea as her latest film was given the honour of opening the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival on the French Riviera The actress was on hand to promote the new film with its cast and crew after being given the honour of opening Cannes The bedazzled jacket was only held shut at her neck, leaving her cleavage entirely exposed and flashing a glimpse of sideboob. Anya also showcased her long legs in a pair of tiny black hotpants, while boosting her height with strappy high heels. The Queen's Gambit star graciously stopped to take selfies with waiting fans, while keeping her eyes hidden under black sunglasses. She touched down in Nice on Monday morning, the day before the 77th film festival kicked off. Anya and her co-star Chris Hemsworth have arrived in France for the world premiere of their new Mad Max film, which will take place on Wednesday evening. The flick - which is not being released to theatres until May 23 - is a prequel to lauded 2015 blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road. Elsewhere on Wednesday, Anya commanded attention on Wednesday, as she ditched her bra for an outing, just hours before her film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premieres at Cannes Film Festival The actress, 28, put on a racy display in a silver cardigan encrusted in sparkly diamonds, beads and sequins Director George Miller has returned to helm the movie, which is an origin story for the title character, played by Charlize Theron in the previous film. Anya takes over as the younger Furiosa, which is set between 15 and 20 years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road, while Chris is playing warlord leader, Dementus. The ceremony opened with the presentation of an honorary Palme d'Or for Meryl and the unveiling of Greta Gerwig's jury, as the French Riviera spectacular kicked off a potentially volatile 77th edition. A 10-day stream of stars began flowing down the Cannes red carpet with the opening night film, The Second Act, a French comedy starring Lea, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel and Raphael Quenard Paris Hilton has responded to fans' concerns for her two children after they shared fears over the safety of her new car. The socialite had taken to TikTok on Monday to post a clip of her infant daughter London, six months old, and son Phoenix, 16 months, buckled into their car seats, but fans were quick to question the installation of her children's car seats. Comments under Paris' post noted that her children were sat in forward-facing seats, despite the website for the seat's brand stating they were 'intended for rear-ward facing only.' 'Please hire someone to install car seats,' one fan wrote while another added, 'Crazy unsafe. This is wild.' Paris went onto respond to fans fears in a new TikTok post, saying she 'appreciates' their advice and she's 'still learning as a new mom.' Paris Hilton has responded to fans' concerns for her two children after they shared fears over the safety of her new car seats She posted a new video showing that her children were now sat in car seats facing in the opposite direction, and captioned her post: 'Thanks for the mom advice, I'm new to this' Fans had previously shared concerns that her daughter London, six months, and son Phoenix, 16 months, were sat in front-facing car seats She posted a new video showing that her children were now sat in car seats facing in the opposite direction, and captioned her post: 'Thanks for the mom advice, I'm new to this.' One commentor praised Paris for 'not taking offence,' by fans' concerns, and she responded: 'No, I'm not taking offense. I am a new mom and just learning as I go. So I appreciate advice when it is kind as I'm just trying to be the best mom I can be.' Another user added: 'I love that you showed you were vulnerable and not perfect and took the advice,' and Paris replied: 'No one is perfect, love you.' Paris' original clip showed her two kids, who sat in the front-facing car seats, as she told them: 'Happy Mother's Day.' California Highway Patrol stipulates that Children under two years of age shall ride in a rear-facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds OR is 40 or more inches tall. The comments under the video continued, with posts including, 'It's safest to have your babies rear facing until they are 4 or over 40lbs.' 'I'd definitely recommend having a car seat specialist take a peek, there are a few things wrong here, just want to look out for babies safety!' 'THE CAR SEATS OMG NOOOOOO; They should be rear facing;' But Paris' new video showed she'd taken her fans' advice on board and had now placed his children in rear-facing car seats She captioned her post by noting she's still 'new' to motherhood Several fans also praised Paris for her mature response, and taking their concerns on board One wrote, 'Crazy unsafe. This is wild' The comments continued, with another person writing, 'It's safest to have your babies rear facing until they are 4 or over 40lbs' 'Please hire someone to install car seats,' another person chimed in 'Babe Momma to momma let me come help you with those straps. I took a course and everything. Lets keep these babies safe as can be.' Other people tried to sprinkle in some positivity while still giving advice: 'I think their car seats need to be reverse facing. You're doing amazing though!' It comes after Paris revealed she wore a prosthetic baby bump while her surrogate was pregnant in order to know what it 'felt like to be pregnant.' She shared about her motherhood journey through the two pregnancies in an extra chapter of her memoir, Paris: The Memoir, which was shared with Today. 'I wanted to know what it felt like to be pregnant, so I bought a prosthetic stomach and wore it around the house for the day. I know that sounds crazy, but I wanted it to feel real even in just this small way,' she wrote. 'Feeling that weight on the front of me, running my hands over it, envisioning a whole life in front of us,' the star added. 'It didn't matter that no one else could see that I was expecting. My emotional baby bump was real, it was precious, and I was so completely happy to know it was exactly where it needed to be, growing warmer and bigger every day.' The entrepreneur began businessman dating Reum in 2019. They became engaged in February of 2021, and they tied the knot that November. It comes after Paris revealed she wore a prosthetic baby bump while her surrogate was pregnant in order to know what it 'felt like to be pregnant' It's been 23 years since they shocked This Morning fans by stepping down from presenting duties. But, viewers had to do a double take when they tuned into the ITV daytime show on Wednesday, as Richard Madeley was back on the sofa. In a role reversal, the broadcaster, 68, was a guest rather than a presenter, promoting his forthcoming novel and being interviewed by Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard. But, opening his segment, Madeley who presented the magazine show with wife Judy Finnigan from 1988-2001 was seen sitting next to Deeley, 47, while the old theme tune and credits played, giving viewers a blast from the past. Hi, welcome back to your Wednesdays This Morning with me Richard Madeley and Cat Deeley here, he said. A lot more coming up for you on the programme today hows your morning been so far? This Morning viewers had to do a double take when they tuned into the ITV daytime show on Wednesday, as Richard Madeley was back on the sofa alongside new host Cat Deeley In a role reversal, the broadcaster was a guest rather than a presenter, promoting his forthcoming novel and being interviewed by Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard After opening the show with Cat, he was interrupted by current host Ben Shephard, who said: Excuse me. Madeley, go on other side of the sofa' He was then interrupted by current host Shephard, who said: Excuse me. Madeley, go on other side of the sofa. 'Dont spend so long in the loo then, Madeley joked before moving across to the guest sofa and letting Shephard, 49, take his seat. Reflecting on his years on the show, Madeley admitted that some segments including a live Viagra trial and a live grizzly bear wouldnt be allowed today. He went for me. It was a grizzly bear. We mustve been mad. So much of what we used to do on This Morning - like the live Viagra test for example - you just wouldn't do today, he said. You'd have Ofcom down your neck. But a live grizzly bear in the studio? Insane. He said of the shows longevity: When we launched it in October 88, there was a lot of jealousy [from others] who had pitched for the show and hadn't got it, and Granada had got it. And so there was a kind of consensus that it would be off air by Christmas, but ITV gave it one year. In 1988 there wasn't television like it. We went to America and we looked at American daytime shows which have been running for about 20 years. We took a lot of inspiration from them. Reflecting on his years on the show, Madeley admitted that some segments including a live Viagra trial and a live grizzly bear wouldnt be allowed today 'It was a grizzly bear. We mustve been mad. So much of what we used to do on This Morning - like the live Viagra test for example - you just wouldn't do today, he said Madeley was there to discuss his dark new novel Fathers Day, about a man who seeks revenge on his daughters online abuser' We piloted it and then we went on air and we were confident that we had a format that would last and look, it's still going. Madeley, who now frequently appears as a relief presenter on Good Morning Britain, was there to discuss his dark new novel Fathers Day, about a man who seeks revenge on his daughters online abuser. [Its about] the power of revenge. What would a father do? he said.What would you do if it was your daughter who had been cajoled into killing herself? Taking her own life. What would you do to the man responsible? Shephard joked: See, you come across as such a lovely, affable, easy-going guy but theres a dark, sinister side to Madeley. Madeley and his wife were the golden couple of daytime television in the 1990s and left This Morning at the height of their popularity to host Richard and Judy on Channel 4. They admitted part of their reason for leaving ITV was due to creative differences with the channels incoming head of daytime Maureen Duffy. Madeley now co-hosts breakfast show Good Morning Britain alongside Susanna Reid Madeley was back in familiar territory while visiting the This Morning studio on Wednesday He became a household name on the show alongside wife and former co-host Judy Finnigan They said they found it very difficult to cope with internal politics at the channel and werent happy with Duffys desire to make the show more lightweight. There were never any personal bust-ups between Maureen Duffy and us, said Madeley, shortly after they left. 'But there were significant professional disagreements between our programme team and the new boss, and we backed the team.' Finnigan, 75, said that the new team has wanted her to take on the more caring items directed at women, with her husband given the more macho human interest stories. After they stepped down from the show, Fern Britton, 66, became the main host of the show, alongside Philip Schofield, 62. Britton was replaced by Holly Willoughby, 43, when she left in 2009.Schofield presented the show until he was forced to step down last year when it was revealed hed an affair with a much younger co-worker. Willoughby quit the show after 14 years last October after a murder and kidnap plot against her was uncovered by the police. Madeley and Finnigan who has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years- made a brief return to the This Morning sofa in 2019 to present a special episode. I was going to say its lovely to be back but its actually weird, he said at the time. Ant McPartlin's adorable nickname for his wife Anne-Marie has been revealed, as the couple welcome their first child together. Their baby boy, a son named Wilder Patrick McPartlin, is Ant's first while Anne-Marie, 46, has two children, Poppy, and Daisy, from her previous marriage. Ant, 48, shared a Instagram snap sweetly cradling his baby boy, revealing he'd been born earlier that day on Tuesday, writing: 'Born, 14/05/24 at 8.54am. Baby is beautiful, Mummy's a legend, Sisters are over the moon. Dad's a mess!' But there's one thing in the image that caught the attention of fans - a never-before-seen tattoo that confirmed the sweet nickname the Britain's Got Talent presenter has for his wife. The intricate tattoo on Ant's shoulder depicts a family tree with four names inked onto it. Ant McPartlin 's adorable nickname for his wife Anne-Marie has been revealed, as the couple welcome their first child together The intricate tattoo on Ant's shoulder depicts a family tree with four names inked onto it - with the name Amzie inked at the top, which is Ant's nickname for Anne-Marie 'Daisy' and 'Poppy' are both tattooed onto the tree, in a sweet tribute to his two stepchildren from Anne-Marie's previous marriage. The TV star also has 'Milio' and 'Bumble' inked, to include the couple's two dogs. When it comes to the dedication to his wife Anne-Marie, Ant sweetly has 'Amzie' tattooed at the top of the inking, revealing his nickname for her. Fans were quick to pick up on the endearing detail in the comments as they congratulated the couple of the birth of their baby boy. After revealing he has become a dad Ant was soon flooded with messages from pals including Jamie Redknapp, Davina McCall and Alesha Dixon , who were delighted to see the star finally become a father, after he publicly discussed his desire to be a parent. Ant was previously in a relationship with makeup artist Lisa Armstrong who he divorced from in 2018 after 11 years of marriage. Ant and Anne-Marie tied the knot in 2021. One name that couldn't be seen on Ant's tattoo was his chocolate labrador Hurley, who he shares with his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong. During their divorce battle, Ant is said to have told lawyers: 'She can have anything she wants except the dog.' Ant married former PA Anne-Marie Corbett at St Michael's Church in Hampshire on August 7, 2021 The baby is Ant's first while Anne-Marie has two children, Poppy, and Daisy, from her previous marriage (Ant and Anne-Marie seen in 2021) One name on the tattoo that couldn't be seen on Ant's tattoo was his chocolate labrador Hurley, who he shares with his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong (pictured above) The former couple reportedly agreed to take it in turns to look after Hurley. The arrangement led to the TV presenter's chauffeur ferrying the dog between the two of them so they did not have to see each other. It was reported in February this year that Lisa wanted her pet to live with her full time. She is said to have argued that it was only fair as Ant also had two maltipoo dogs - Maltese and poodle crossbreeds, Milo and Bumble. When the news of Anne-Marie's pregnancy was revealed, it was claimed that Ant was over the moon because he didn't think fatherhood was on the cards for him. A source told The Sun at time: 'This is the news everyone wanted. Ant and Anne- Marie are beyond delighted. It's no secret that Ant has always wanted children, but that it may never happen for him was something he had, sadly, come to terms with. 'When they found out last year, they were absolutely delighted, but obviously kept the news quiet for as long as possible. 'To be having a child two years short of his 50th birthday, with the love of his life, is the stuff of dreams for Ant. 'He's already a wonderful, doting father to Anne-Marie's kids, and together they're going to be brilliant parents to this latest addition to the family.' Meanwhile it has also been revealed that Ant has made his best friend and co-presenter Declan Donnelly Wilder's godfather, Ant will now not return to work until May 27 when the BGT live semis begin as he takes some paternity leave. Sir Michael Caine has claimed that his favourite artist Lincoln Townley could be the 'next Andy Warhol' after he sold out the world-renowned La Biennale in Venice. The legendary actor, 91, has collected several pieces of art painted by some of the world's most sought-after artists including David Hockney, 86, who famously designed menus for the restaurant he once owned. However, the Italian Job star has supported and become a firm favourite of Lincoln Townley - who is married to Denise Welch - over the last 10 years as he has been regularly painted by him. When talking about Lincoln's exhibition at the world-renowned La Biennale in Venice, Michael exclusively revealed to MailOnline: 'Lincoln Townley calls me his muse and thats a title Im happy to have, every piece he paints seems to become more powerful, 'I have followed Lincolns career for over ten years and I have watched him grow and develop as a world-class artist. I was so pleased to hear that he sold out his show, Sir Michael Caine (left) revealed that his favourite artist Lincoln Townley (right) could be the 'next Andy Warhol' after he sold out the world-renowned La Biennale in Venice The Italian Job star has supported and become a firm favourite of Lincoln (pictured) over the last 10 years as he has been regularly painted by him Lincoln pictured with his wife Denise Welch back in 2018 Denise planting a giant kiss on good pal Sir Michael Caine's shoulder as they enjoyed a night out at The Ivy Chelsea Garden in London back in April 2022 'I like to think of it that he arrived at the palazzo in Italy for the Venice Biennale and blew the bloody doors off!' Lincoln first painted Michael and his wife Shakira Caine in 2016, and after he presented them with the painting, Lincoln revealed Michael proudly said: 'There's no doubt in my opinion that Lincoln is the next Andy Warhol.' He added: 'I have always looked at greed as a very positive energy. In the case of my sell-out show at the Venice Biennale, its all about power consuming power, the savage god that my buyers worship, 'Its the god we see only when we have the courage and the honesty to look beyond good and evil, to suspend our judgment and see our ravenous species for what it is. 'My collectors see themselves in my work, they hang these oil works with pride and celebrate the fact that they push boundaries to secure 100 per cent of the deals they are working on within their financial world. There is glory in greed and glory can only be acquired through risk.' The self-taught painter is set to host another art exhibition later this year, and MailOnline can exclusively reveal the exhibition will feature paintings of Michael to pay homage to the Hollywood actor's incredible career. It comes after the London-born artists' biggest show to date was unveiled last month at the Palazzo Bembo Hotel in Venice. The exhibition features a collection of 24 abstract figurative oil paintings which explore the controversial obsession with money, power and greed and focus on the world of bankers. Lincoln first painted Michael and his wife Shakira Caine in 2016, and after he presented them with the painting, Lincoln revealed Michael proudly said: 'There's no doubt in my opinion that Lincoln is the next Andy Warhol.' When talking about Lincoln's exhibition at the world-renowned La Biennale in Venice, Michael revealed: 'I like to think of it that he arrived at the palazzo in Italy for the Venice Biennale and blew the bloody doors off!' (Pictured L-R Michael, Lincoln, and Tom Cruise) The unique show will run for eight months and the works will be refreshed every two and half months. Meaning that collectors who have already bought the paintings will get the opportunity to see the works exhibited. Lincoln is one of the UK's most successful modern artists and his work currently sells for in excess of 1million. Aside from Michael, he has also been commissioned to paint several other icons including Charlie Sheen, Al Pacino, Kate Moss, Princess Diana, David Bowie, and Leonardo DiCaprio. She's one of Britains most outspoken broadcasters who has been an industry stalwart for decades. But now Vanessa Feltz has revealed she didnt have a voice or any input into her own talk show when it launched on ITV in the 1990s, due to sexist attitudes. The presenter, 62, has claimed the only decision the broadcaster allowed her to make when Vanessa launched in 1994 was what colour she could paint her dressing room. Feltz, who was the face and name of the programme, said that men in suits chortled heartily and ignored me when she asked if she could be part of the decision-making processes. She said she had no control over her own show and was called pet and sweetie by producers as well as being literally patted on the head.' Vanessa Feltz has revealed she didnt have a voice or any input into her own talk show when it launched on ITV in the 1990s, due to sexist attitudes The presenter has claimed the only decision the broadcaster allowed her to make when Vanessa launched in 1994 was what colour she could paint her dressing room 'When I became the "British Oprah Winfrey" with the UKs first US-style talk show, Vanessa, in 1994, I was given no say in my shows content or in who joined the production team, she told Yours magazine. I was, however, asked what colour Id like my dressing room painted, called pet and sweetie, and literally patted on the head. She added: When I said I wanted some input in the programmes being made in my name, the men in suits chortled heartily and ignored me. Feltz became a household name thanks to the show, which ran on the channel for four years, before she moved to the BBC to present the similar The Vanessa Show in a reported 2.7 million deal. The show was only broadcast for a matter of months after being cancelled due to a scandal around the use of paid actors as guests. She said that the #MeToo movement has meant women in the workplace are gradually beginning to receive the professional respect we deserve and the chance to compete on an equal playing field with our male colleagues. But, she said, there is still a hell of a long way to go in terms of gender equality in all industries, with the workplace still rife with side-lined women. She said: In the 42 years Ive been clocking on and off, notable improvements have been made.Female bosses abound and no one is surprised to see women pilots, surgeons, hod-carriers or fire-fighters doing a bang-up job. Feltz, who was the face and name of the programme, said that men in suits chortled heartily and ignored me when she asked if she could be part of the decision-making processes Feltz became a household name thanks to the show, which ran on the channel for four years, before she moved to the BBC to present the similar The Vanessa Show That said, even in 2024 we struggle to be paid as much as men and the workplace is still rife with sidelined women whose potential has been thwarted by male bosses appointing senior staff in their own image. She added: 'Id love to end on a high, but I wouldnt be accurate or honest if I didnt conclude that we still have a hell of a long way to go.' Feltz, who split from long-term partner Ben Ofoedu last year amid claims of infidelity, currently works for LBC after stepping down from both her BBC Radio shows in 2022. ITV has declined to comment. Selena Gomez revealed that she no longer fears being labeled by her past medical diagnoses of bipolar disorder and lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. While appearing on Hoda Kotbs podcast Making Space, alongside Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, to speak about their mission to destigmatize mental illness, the pop star, 31, talked about feeling 'freedom' in sharing her story. When asked how she defines herself, the Rare Beauty founder said she thinks of herself as someone who is a 'loving' and 'caring' person that 'just genuinely wants to do something to help out someone.' 'I think, life can get distracting, and there's so much noise,' she told Kotb. 'Titles don't scare me anymore because I claimed my own story. I told my own story. And, I felt freedom from it.' Selena Gomez revealed that she no longer fears being labeled by her past medical diagnoses of bipolar disorder and lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease The chat appeared to be taken on the same day that Gomez hosted her third annual Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit as she was wearing the same ensemble. During the special event for her Rare Impact fund, the Lose You to Love Me hitmaker revealed her company had raised $7 million for mental health causes. Gomez said the summit left her feeling 'inspired by the next generation' and 'filled with so much hope.' 'Mental health means so much to me and I'm honored we get to share this mission with the world together,' she told fans. 'Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to use their voice for good!' U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy was also present at the event to discuss 'the power of social connection and how communities, like the one Selena has created.' In October, the Only Murders in the Building star opened up about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder 2020. 'I struggled with the world inside my head for a long time and I felt lost and I felt hopeless at times,' Gomez said at her first annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit. 'And in 2020, I received my diagnosis of bipolar disorder.' She continued: 'And to be honest, everything quickly changed. I actually got the knowledge and the answers that I had been desperate for for so long. And understanding that obviously makes me become more aware of it and I'm less afraid than I used to be.' While appearing on Hoda Kotbs podcast Making Space, alongside Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, to speak about their mission to destigmatize mental illness, the pop star, 31, talked about feeling 'freedom' in sharing her story The Disney Channel alum previously admitted that she didn't know how she would 'cope' with the diagnosis in her Apple TV+ documentary My Mind & Me. To prevent herself from becoming overwhelmed, Gomez explains that she 'needed to keep learning' about her diagnosis and 'to take it day by day.' Gomez first revealed that she suffers from bipolar disorder in 2020, while appearing on Miley Cyrus' Instagram Live series Bright Minded. During her chat with Cyrus, 31, said she was left 'equal parts terrified and relieved' after the 'veil was lifted.' 'I finally had the knowledge of why I had suffered with various depressions and anxieties for so many years,' she explained. 'I never had full awareness or answers about this condition.' Gomez added that it helps her to have 'more information' because 'it doesn't scare' her once she knows what's going on. When asked how she defines herself, the Rare Beauty founder said she thinks of herself as someone who is a 'loving' and 'caring' person that 'just genuinely wants to do something to help out someone' (seen on May 1 at Rare Beauty's third Annual Mental Health Summit) 'I think, life can get distracting, and there's so much noise,' she told Kotb. 'Titles don't scare me anymore because I claimed my own story. I told my own story. And, I felt freedom from it' (pictured with Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy) Selena said that during her upbringing in Texas she felt like it wasn't encouraged to talk about emotions. 'I'm from Texas, it's just not known to talk about mental health. You got to seem cool. And then I see anger built up in children and teenagers or whatever young adults because they are wanting that so badly. I just feel like when I finally said what I was going to say, I wanted to know everything about it. And it took the fear away.' She told ELLE that the diagnosis was a 'huge weight lifted off' her shoulders after years of seeking help for depression and anxiety. The actress has long been candid about her mental health issues - as well as her battle with the autoimmune disease lupus. She was diagnosed with lupus - a disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs - in 2014, and in 2017, it got so bad that she had to get a kidney transplant. Gomez later revealed that as a result of the condition, she developed anxiety and started getting severe panic attacks. She also struggled with depression and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020. She first sought treatment in 2016, forcing her to cancel her Revival tour. She also sought treatment in 2018 and 2019 for her ongoing depression and anxiety. She told Vogue in 2017 that checking herself into rehab was 'one of the hardest things she has done' but also 'one of the best. Eve Gale has declared her love for Demi Sims and admitted a lot of girls have slid into her DMS ever since she opened up about dating a woman. During a joint interview with new magazine, the Love Island star, 25, admitted 'I love her so much' when discussing their relationship. They didn't confirm the status of their relationship but revealed they are enjoying spending time with each other amid their blossoming romance. Eve recently opened up about her fluid sexuality for the first time and admitted that the response she's received since has been 'crazy'. During the interview former TOWIE star Demi, 27, asked Eve:'You've been spammed with a lot of stuff, haven't you?' Eve Gale has declared her love for Demi Sims and admitted a lot of girls have slid into her DMS ever since she opened up about dating a woman During a joint interview with new magazine, the Love Island star, 25, admitted 'I love her so much' when discussing their relationship (Pictured L-R Demi and Eve) To which she responded with: 'Yeah, a lot of DM's - a lot of girls.' Their interview comes after Eve and Demi put on a very cosy display at SOLSKIN's launch party at Roka Canary Wharf in London last week. The Love Island star co-hosted the dinner with her twin sister Jess, 25, to celebrate their collaboration with the fake tan brand. Eve and Demi, who are seeing where their relationship takes them, seemed more than loved-up at the event. In one sweet snap, Demi can be seen holding Eve by the waist as the pair struck a pose for the camera. Eve opened up on her new romance with Demi after enjoying a string of dates with the reality TV star. The reality star said she and Demi 'are not in a serious relationship' yet, but are just 'seeing what happens'. In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, the Love Island star spoke about their blossoming relationship. Their interview comes after Eve and Demi put on a very cosy display at SOLSKIN's launch party at Roka Canary Wharf in London last week (pictured L-R Eve, Demi, Jess) She said: 'I really like Demi, shes a lovely girl. Obviously, we had our date and I think people took that like she was my serious girlfriend. 'I really like her, I enjoy her company and we literally done a few dates but nothing serious. I still speak to her, shes really nice. 'Ive known Demi for about three years through messaging and at events and weve always been really good friends. We will see what happens but either way, she is just a lovely girl.' After failing to find love in the villa earlier this year, Eve revealed earlier this month that she and Demi went on a first date. Speaking about the huge response she received from fans about their relationship, Eve said: 'Everyone has been so positive about it and I got a really positive response. She added: 'I didnt expect it to blow up as much as it did but everyone was so lovely and nice about it.' During the exclusive interview former TOWIE star Demi, 27, (pictured) asked Eve 'You've been spammed with a lot of stuff, haven't you?' To which Eve (pictured) responded with 'Yeah, a lot of DM's - a lot of girls.' Eve first divulged details on her love life while appearing on Demi's Squared podcast, alongside her sister Frankie. Demi said: 'Me and Eve went on a date last week for anyone watching and it was our first date, wasn't it?' Eve added: 'We kind of had other dates, but it's not been a date date. That was like our first date. I had the best time.' Eve shared that she and Demi had previously been pals for three years, after meeting at a Boohoo event in London after the lockdown. Describing their first date, Demi told listeners: 'I was nervous [the date] was going to get awkward, you know because usually we've always got people around? 'I was thinking, ''Is there going to be any awkward silences?'', then when I picked you up, you were chewing my ear off. I actually didn't get a word in. 'And then we got there, had a drink, had so much food... and yeah, it was quite a short date to be fair. 'It was quite a private date, though, because we were in Amazonico and we were in this booth and everyone was behind us. People assume we're besties, don't they?' But Eve admitted that she only had eyes for Demi, adding: 'I said this to Demi, I never would actually go on a date with another girl.' HBO has shared a first look at the highly anticipated second season of their post-apocalyptic hit, The Last of Us. The show's leads Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel, and Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, are shown in two different scenes from the upcoming season. While most fans are excited for another installment of the video game adaptation, many fans complained that Ramsey, 20, still looks 'too young' to play Ellie. Season two of The Last of Us is based on the second game in the series, in which Ellie is supposed to be 19 years old. 'Ellie's age didn't change should've re-casted an older actress,' commented one. HBO has shared a first look at the highly anticipated second season of their post-apocalyptic hit, The Last of Us. (Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel, is pictured) While most fans are excited for another instalment of the video game adaptation, many fans complained that Ramsey, 20, still looks 'too young' to play Ellie 'Ellie looks like a f***ing 14 year old still,' said another, while one wrote, 'I just feel like this isn't the right cast for Joel and Ellie.' It comes after Ramsey has revealed she was the victim of 'painful' trolling about her looks after first being cast in the smash hit show. The non-binary actor admitted to GQ last year that she was taunted by 'everyone' online for her 'square head'. 'You're looking for a comment that's more painful than the last one, I'd kid myself that I was doing it in jest,' she explained. 'I wish I could say that I was confident enough [already] that it hasn't affected me in any way, but it has.' The actor said that despite the trolling, she's proud of the work she's done on the post apocalyptic series. 'I'm just glad I could do that for them and for the show and for Ellie. I want to do her justice.' The show was a huge hit for HBO last year, earning rave reviews from fans and critics alike. 'Ellie looks like a f***ing 14 year old still,' said another, while one wrote, 'I just feel like this isn't the right cast for Joel and Ellie' It comes after Ramsey has revealed she was the victim of 'painful' trolling about her looks after first being cast in the smash hit show Beloved comedy actress Catherine O'Hara is set to join the series for season two. HBO confirmed that the Best In Show legend would be playing an as yet 'undisclosed role' in the series based on the popular PlayStation game. O'Hara is best known for her roles in Christopher Guest's films, the Home Alone franchise, Beetlejuice and as Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek. Advertisement Cannes Film Festival got into full swing on Wednesday night with the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere which brought out a host of stars posing on the iconic red carpet. Anya-Taylor Joy looked every inch the leading lady as she made her arrival, wearing a stunning strapless Dior gown with a corset-style top and diamond jewellery from Tiffany. The actress, 28, - who takes over as the younger Furiosa in the upcoming film which is set between 15 and 20 years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road - showed off her fashion credentials in the light gold number which was adorned with crystals and teamed with a statement silver necklace. She wore her blonde tresses in a sleek bob and wore simple stud earrings while opting for a slick of red lip for a pop of colour. Her leading man Chris Hemsworth, 40, - who plays warlord leader Dementus - soon made his arrival in a smart white suit and was joined by his glamorous wife Elsa Pataky, 47, who wore a chic black gown. Cannes Film Festival got into full swing on Wednesday night with the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere which brought out a host of stars posing on the iconic red carpet (L-R: Leading lady Anya-Taylor Joy, Greta Gerwig, Naomi Campbell and Eva Green) The actress, 28, showed off her fashion credentials in the gold number which was adorned with crystals and teamed with a statement silver necklace She wore her blonde tresses in a sleek bob and wore simple stud earrings while opting for a slick of red lip for a pop of colour Leading man Chris Hemsworth, his wife Elsa, Anya Taylor-Joy and the film's director George Miller posed together For Anya, Furiosa in Cannes is a full circle moment. The first time she came to the festival was to receive a Chopard trophy as an emerging actor in 2017. It was presented by the original Furiosa, Charlize Theron, the star of Fury Road. Elsewhere Greta Gerwig, 40, made sure to command attention in a plunging red dress with thin silver straps as she made her arrival. The dress clung to the actress and jury member's toned physique and she accessorised with beautiful silver jewellery. Naomi Campbell turned heads in a stunning black gown with sheer sections on the skirt and pearl straps. The supermodel, 53, boosted her height with pointy heels and wore her hair in gorgeous curls. Sabrina Elba, 34, also made an appearance and looked sensational in a white and black ombre gown with crystals adorning it. The gown had a stylish halterneck design and she wore her dark tresses pinned up while opting for natural makeup. Actress Eva Green, 43, wore a silver and black dress that had mesh paneling as she worked her best angles for the camera. Elsewhere Swedish actress Victoria Silvstedt wore a very daring purple gown with a thigh-split that flashed plenty of flesh. It was teamed with a pair of white strappy heels and she wore a silver necklace to add to the glamour. She wowed in the sequin-adorned dress and showed off her flawless makeup Anya recently admitted that filming had been a very difficult experience for her and hinted at several behind-the-scenes challenges The strapless number cinched her in at the waist due to the corset design and then flowed out into a puffy skirt She looked back over her shoulder and gave a closer look at her studded diamond earrings Her platinum blonde tresses were styled into a stunning bob On the red carpet she shared a sweet hug with her younger co-star Alyla Browne wore wore a pretty pink dress Elsewhere jury member Greta Gerwig wore a plunging red dress with thin silver straps Eva and Greta posed together for a sweet snap Greta gave a friendly wave as she posed on the red carpet in her stunning gown Her leading man Chris Hemsworth, 40, made his arrival in a smart white suit and was joined by his glamorous wife Elsa Pataky who wore a chic black gown Elsa looked beautiful in the plunging silk dress which had a long train and sequin straps They looked as loved-up as ever together as they posed for the cameras Anya and director George later shared a sweet moment on the red carpet She dazzled as the many cameras snapped away Elsa, Chris and Anya posed together at the very star-studded affair on the French Riviera Elsa was being every inch the supportive wife as she joined Chris at the huge event Tom Hardy, who plays a main role in the film after staring the first Mad Max, was not to be seen on the red carpet. Anya and Chris arrived in France earlier in the week for the world premiere of their new Mad Max film. She is staying in the famous Hotel Martinez whilst in Cannes. And earlier on Wednesday Anya went braless in cardigan and hot pants as she was seen leaving her hotel ahead of the premiere. The Queen's Gambit star graciously stopped to take selfies with waiting fans, while keeping her eyes hidden under black sunglasses. The flick - which is not being released to theatres until May 23 - is a prequel to lauded 2015 blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road. Creator George Miller has returned to helm the movie, which is an origin story for the title character, played by Charlize Theron in the previous film. Anya takes over as the younger Furiosa in the upcoming film, which is set between 15 and 20 years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road, while Chris is playing warlord leader, Dementus. The Thor star, 40, described the villainous character as 'a very violent, insane, brutal person that is born from the Wasteland'. He added: '[Dementus] has been birthed into a space where it's kill or be killed. He's learned to rule with an iron fist. There's a charisma to him and it's very manipulative.' While the full reviews won't be in until closer to the release date, early reactions to Furiosa from a wide range of film critics have been promising. They lauded George's direction and were full of universal praise for the performances of Anya and Chris, with many commenting the film was a worthy addition to the franchise. George described the prequel as 'a saga' that will be told over a 15-year period, which is much different from Fury Road, which spanned three days in its timeframe. Filming for Furiosa took place in New South Wales, Australia, beginning in June 2022 and wrapping up by October. Anya recently admitted that filming had been a very difficult experience for her and hinted at several behind-the-scenes challenges. In an interview with New York Times this week, she said: 'I've never been more alone than making that movie. 'I don't want to go too deep into it, but everything that I thought was going to be easy was hard. Like I knew I was going to need the two years that it took for the movie to come out to deal with it.' When pressed to elaborate, Anya cryptically replied: 'Talk to me in 20 years.' She confessed she wasn't sure if she would be able to watch the film again, revealing she started 'sobbing' within 'two minutes' of viewing an early cut. Anya added: 'I wanted to be changed. I wanted to be put in a situation in extremis where I would have no choice but to grow. And I got it. 'I will never regret this experience, on so many different levels, but it's a very particular story to have. Naomi Campbell turned heads in a stunning black gown with sheer sections on the skirt and pearl straps The supermodel, 53, boosted her height with pointy heels and wore her hair in gorgeous curls She posed with stylish Law Roach at the star-studded premiere Eva Green wore a silver and black dress that had mesh paneling as she worked her best angles for the camera She wore a variety of silver and yellow diamonds and stunned in the high-neck design The sexy sheer panels on the dress showed off her toned physique Sabrina Elba also made an appearance and looked sensational in a white and black ombre gown with crystals adorning it She accessorised with silver-studded earrings and fixed the cameras with a sultry stare The gown had a stylish halterneck design and she wore her dark tresses pinned up while opting for natural makeup Actress and reality star Hofit Golan wore a stunning silver dress with a puffy fishtail skirt She looked stunning in the dazzling number which was adorned with crystals She commanded attention in the stunning dress as she posed up a storm for the cameras French model Cindy Bruna wore a smart dark grey suit American actress Faye Dunaway wore a smart black suit and white top The star, 83, beamed as she posed on the red carpet and looked in great spirits Swedish actress Victoria Silvstedt wore a very daring purple gown with a thigh-split that flashed plenty of flesh It was teamed with a pair of white strappy heels and she wore a silver necklace to add to the glamour Director Baz Luhrmann wore a dapper black suit He completed the look with a crisp white shirt and black bow tie Blanca Blanco wore a cherry red tiered dress by French designer Christophe Guillarme and held on to a white clutch purse And earlier on Wednesday Anya went braless in cardigan and hot pants as she was seen leaving her hotel ahead of the premiere The flick is a prequel to 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road, once again helmed by creator George Miller, and is an origin story for Furiosa, played by Charlize Theron in the previous film Anya takes over as the younger Furiosa in the film, which is set between 15 and 20 years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road and is described as 'a saga' that will be told over a 15-year period (pictured in film) While Chris Hemsworth is playing warlord leader, Dementus, who he described as 'a very violent, insane, brutal person that is born from the Wasteland' (pictured) 'There's not everyone in the world that has made a Mad Max movie, and I swear to God, everyone that I've met that has, there's a look in our eyes: We know. There's an immediate kinship of like, 'OK, hey, I see you'.' She also expressed her love for George, but revealed the director had 'a very, very strict idea of what Furiosa's war face looked like and that only allowed me my eyes for a large portion of the movie.' George also revealed last week that Anya only has 30 lines of dialogue in the 2 hour and 28 minute runtime of the film. Speaking to The Telegraph, he explained: The problem with dialogue is that it tends to slow things down and film is a medium that's often best enjoyed at high speed.' Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's daughter Shiloh showed off her surprise dancing skills again in a fun new video this week. Shiloh, who will turn 18 on May 27, wowed as she pulled off slick freestyle dance moves in a video shared by choreographer Lil Kelaan Carter. In the clip the teen danced to the song Tanzania by Uncle Waffles and Tony Duardo featuring Sino Msolo and Boibizza. Shiloh wore sweats and an oversized tee as she showed off her impressive moves with Carter writing: 'Her movement is crazy. Thank you for your energy.' Shiloh's moves have previously left her Oscar-winning dad Brad, 60 in tears after she was filmed back in 2022 dancing to Doja Cat's Vegas in a video posted on YouTube by Los Angeles-based choreographer Hamilton Evans. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's daughter Shiloh showed off her surprise dancing skills again in a fun new video this week. Shiloh, who will turn 18 on May 27, wowed as she pulled off slick freestyle dance moves in a video shared by choreographer Lil Kelaan Carter Brad and Angelina married in August 2014 after 10 years together but Angelina filed for divorce in September 2016; seen in 2006 Shiloh took center stage at Millennium Dance Complex in Studio City to perform an energetic one-minute routine while flanked by two other girls. Brad later told ET: 'It brings a tear to the eye, yeah' adding his daughter is 'very beautiful." 'I don't know where she got it from. I'm Mr. Two-Left-Feet here.' Another video saw the celebrity offspring don a black tracksuit while busting her best moves to Lizzo's About Damn Time, while the rest of her dance troupe watched on from behind. 'Shiloh loves dancing. She's seriously talented and has been going to these classes for a few years now,' an insider told Us Weekly that yera. 'She's made some good friends through the dancing community too, and they're all in chat groups and share their favorite playlists and that type of stuff. 'The teachers are all very impressed with her and say the sky's the limit if she wants to take it to the next level, and Shiloh may just do that.' The source added: 'Brad and Angie are both very proud. They'd have no issue if she wants to turn pro, but they're not pushing it on her by any means.' The video comes amid Brad and Ange's latest battle over their winery. Pitt is being countersued for misappropriating funds from Chateau Miraval by the company his ex-wife Jolie is trying to sell her shares to. In the clip the teen danced to the song Tanzania by Uncle Waffles and Tony Duardo featuring Sino Msolo and Boibizza Shiloh wore sweats and an oversized tee as she showed off her impressive moves with Carter writing: 'Her movement is crazy. Thank you for your energy' Shiloh is pictured in 2021 with mom Angelina, 48 and siblings Maddox, Vivienne, Knox and Zahara - she also has older brother Pax The Troy actor and the Maleficent star, 48, have been embroiled in a bitter legal dispute centered around their co-ownership of the $500 million French winery, which they originally purchased in 2008. And now Pitt has been hit with a countersuit by Tenute del Mondo, after he previously sued the company claiming they did not have the right to receive Jolie's shares in the winery. In new court documents, obtained by DailyMail.com, Tenute filed a claim against Pitt and his company, Mondo Bongo, alleging they have been using Chateau Miraval like a 'personal piggy bank' to fund their projects for years. One such project is a swimming pool only used by Pitt, which Tenute claims the actor spent more than $1 million in renovations on. Other ventures include a recording studio, a cosmetics line and a gin brand. Last month Jolie turned up the heat on Pitt as their war over Chateau Miraval got even uglier as her lawyers have called his request for NDAs 'abusive' just days after she had accused him of trying to 'bleed her dry' in their ongoing bitter legal battle. Pitt had recently filed a motion asking to see Jolie's NDAs with any third parties and now her lawyers have called the move 'expensive,' 'wasteful,' 'unreasonable,' and 'abusive' according to court documents obtained by Page Six on Friday. The publication reports that Jolie had argued in court documents that her ex had asked her to sign an expansive NDA in their 'scuttled' deal for the winery because he was trying to silence her from talking about allegations that he was abusive to she and her children including on a flight from France to California in 2016. Earlier last month Jolie's claims via her lawyers had been reported: 'While Pitts history of physical abuse of Jolie started well before the familys September 2016 plane trip from France to Los Angeles, this flight marked the first time he turned his physical abuse on the children as well.' DailyMail.com exclusively reported that the ongoing legal battle - dubbed 'the war of the roses' - saw Jolie accusing 'controlling' ex Pitt of 'financially draining her,' through the protracted legal battle over the winery that's dogged the couple since their split in 2016. But while she seeks to claim her ex is 'bleeding her dry,' DailyMail.com can reveal that since their ten-year relationship ended in divorce after a two-year marriage, her fortunes have soared. Pitt was blindsided when Jolie sold her share of Chateau Miraval, a 35-room estate and celebrated vineyard in the south of France that Pitt and Jolie bought in 2008. The 1,000-acre estate now valued at $164million is where the couple tied the knot in 2014 Far from causing her funds to dwindle, a DailyMail.com investigation reveals that Jolies relationship with Pitt has helped enrich her by close to $100million. That money has come through loans, child support, gifts and the millions she garnered from the sale of her 50 percent share in the property at the heart of the dispute - Chateau Miraval ten percent of which was a gift from Pitt. The couples former French home, a stunning 1,200 acre estate and vineyard was worth $60million when they bought it in 2008. Now, thanks to Pitts effort and investment in the business, its worth a staggering $164million. And, while Jolie appears to be crying poverty in her latest court filings, sources close to Pitt point out that the Tomb raider star had sufficient funds to sign a recent deal to take over 57 Great Jones Street, a unique Manhattan space once owned by Andy Warhol and previously rented for $60,000 a month. Jolie has signed an eight-year lease for the 6,600 square-foot property to use as a store to promote her fashion label, Atelier Jolie. Pitt had originally sought to buy Jolie out himself, to keep the winery 'in the family' should she want to opt out. But the deal collapsed amid acrimony. Pitt accused Jolie of breaching their purchase agreement when she sold her 50 percent stake in Chateau Miraval to Russian oligarch, Yuri Shefler, in 2021, without her ex-husband's consent. According to Jolie the earlier offer to sell it to Pitt for $54million imploded due to his demands. When the then couple bought Miraval in 2008, Pitt took a 60 percent stake in the winemaking enterprise and estate while Jolie took 40 percent. Earlier last month DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Jolie had accused ex Pitt of trying to 'control and financially drain her' throughout their ongoing legal battle since their 2016 split, filings had revealed Pitt poured millions into the estate, riding the rose wave, and expanding the business in an effort that saw sales grow 300 percent. Soon the estate that they purchased for an estimated $60million was worth closer to $164million. By the time of their wedding Jolie had 'stopped investing' according to previously filed court records something that she has denied. Still, Pitt transferred 10 percent of his share to her by way of a wedding gift in December 2013 'for the sum of 1Euro [never paid]' so that by the time of their marriage in August 2014, they were 50/50 equal partners. Meanwhile, as the war over the sale of the winery plods on, Pitt has landed several legal victories in recent months including a key judgement in Luxembourg which handed him back control of Chateau Miraval's award-winning vineyard pending further hearings. Just last month he scored another win when LA Superior Court rejected Jolie's allegations that his suit was, 'frivolous, malicious, and part of a problematic pattern.' While the Cannes Film Festival puts the spotlight on the biggest movies of the year, it also attracts the most glamorous supermodels in the business. And Naomi Campbell, 53, certainly commanded attention as she took to the red carpet on Wednesday at the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere. The supermodel put on an age-defying display as she attend the star-studded event wearing a sparkly black dress. She showcased her sensational physique in the garment as the skirt featured bands of mesh fabric, revealing her towering toned legs and black underwear. Her glamorous dress was finished with a pair of elegant pearl straps and a square neckline. Naomi Campbell, 53, commanded attention as she embraced the 77th Cannes Film Festival red carpet on Wednesday to celebrate the creation of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere The supermodel put on an age-defying display as she attend the star-studded event wearing a sparkly black dress Naomi accessorised with a pair of silver dangly earrings and some sensible black satin heels. She pulled out all the stops for the evening as she opted for a full glam makeup look. Elsewhere, movie leads Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth arrived in France earlier in the week for the world premiere of their new Mad Max film. And earlier on Wednesday Anya went braless in cardigan and hot pants as she was seen leaving her hotel ahead of the premiere. The Queen's Gambit star graciously stopped to take selfies with waiting fans, while keeping her eyes hidden under black sunglasses. The flick - which is not being released to theatres until May 23 - is a prequel to lauded 2015 blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road. Creator George Miller has returned to helm the movie, which is an origin story for the title character, played by Charlize Theron in the previous film. Anya takes over as the younger Furiosa in the upcoming film, which is set between 15 and 20 years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road, while Chris is playing warlord leader, Dementus. The supermodel put on an age-defying display as she attend the star-studded event wearing a sparkly black dress She showcased her sensational physique in the garment as the skirt featured bands of mesh fabric, revealing her towering toned legs and black underwear Her glamourous dress was finished with a pair of elegant pearl straps and a square neckline Naomi accessorised with a pair of silver dangly earrings and some sensible black satin heels She pulled out all the stops for the evening as she opted for a full glam makeup look The modelling veteran appeared in high spirits for the event as she dazzled the carpet with a smile She put her decades of modeling experience on show as she posed confidently on the carpet Naomi was the epitome of chic in her black ensemble and graced the carpet with elegance Naomi looked fabulous as she posed next to American stylist Law Roach Naomi showed off her incredible figure in the gown as she attended the BMW XM Mystique Allure At The House Of BMW in cannes The star stunned as she posed next to a blue velour car Naomi posed next to the eye catching car The supermodel later changed into an edgy khaki leather belted outfit which boasted a semi-sheer wrap skirt as she attended the Furiosa after-party on the Croisette in Cannes Naomi turned heads as she went braless under the number and put on a very leggy display in a pair of black lace up boots The Thor star, 40, described the villainous character as 'a very violent, insane, brutal person that is born from the Wasteland'. He added: '[Dementus] has been birthed into a space where it's kill or be killed. He's learned to rule with an iron fist. There's a charisma to him and it's very manipulative.' While the full reviews won't be in until closer to the release date, early reactions to Furiosa from a wide range of film critics have been promising. They lauded George's direction and were full of universal praise for the performances of Anya and Chris, with many commenting the film was a worthy addition to the franchise. George described the prequel as 'a saga' that will be told over a 15-year period, which is much different from Fury Road, which spanned three days in its timeframe. Filming for Furiosa took place in New South Wales, Australia, beginning in June 2022 and wrapping up by October. Anya recently admitted that filming had been a very difficult experience for her and hinted at several behind-the-scenes challenges. In an interview with New York Times this week, she said: 'I've never been more alone than making that movie. 'I don't want to go too deep into it, but everything that I thought was going to be easy was hard. Like I knew I was going to need the two years that it took for the movie to come out to deal with it.' The flick - which is not being released to theatres until May 23 - is a prequel to lauded 2015 blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road When pressed to elaborate, Anya cryptically replied: 'Talk to me in 20 years.' She confessed she wasn't sure if she would be able to watch the film again, revealing she started 'sobbing' within 'two minutes' of viewing an early cut. Anya added: 'I wanted to be changed. I wanted to be put in a situation in extremis where I would have no choice but to grow. And I got it. 'I will never regret this experience, on so many different levels, but it's a very particular story to have. Hailey Bieber has now given fans a glimpse into her incredible maternity style. The style icon, 27, is expecting her first child with husband Justin Bieber, 30, and on Wednesday shared snaps of the looks she has been rocking during her pregnancy. The trendy outfits included a gorgeous pink butterfly crop top that displayed her bump along with baggy jeans. Hailey - who is said to be six months along - tenderly rested one hand beneath her bump as she posed by a grassy field. In another snap, she opted for a more laid-back look as she relaxed outside. Hailey Bieber has now given fans a glimpse into her incredible maternity style She wore a white tee that was raised to display her midsection, along with a snazzy cap and her engagement ring. The carousel also included a snap of Hailey clad in denim overalls and a red hat, however her bump was not visible. 'the past few weeks have been,' she captioned the post along with a slew of emojis, including a chick hatching from an egg and a sleepy emoji. Fans were also given a glimpse into what else Hailey had been up to as of late. She shared snaps of her beautiful accessories, video of her dog relaxing in bed, along with a gorgeous ocean view. Last week Hailey revealed she is expecting her first child with Justin - with the pair unveiling Hailey's baby bump during a surprise vow renewal in Hawaii. She announced her pregnancy joy with a beautiful video debuting her bump in a custom Saint Laurent lace wedding dress by Anthony Vaccarello, paired with a flowing veil. The star and the Canadian crooner shared a sweet kiss as they celebrated their news during their outdoor ceremony - with Hailey sporting a new diamond ring. The trendy outfits included a gorgeous pink butterfly crop top that displayed her bump along with baggy jeans She puckered up her lips as she displayed her bump Her looks also consisted of a baggy T-shirt and trendy hat The carousel also included a snap of Hailey clad in denim overalls and a red hat, however her bump was not visible The pair also both wore Tiffany Forever bands made of platinum with a full circle of diamonds to celebrate their vow renewal, as per People. Justin - who was casually clad in a backwards cap, bomber jacket and jeans - was seen filming his bride cradling her bump - with the video set to a new track by the Grammy winner. The couple have been married since September 2018. TMZ reports that Hailey is more than six months pregnant. Fans were also given a glimpse into what else Hailey had been up to as of late She shared snaps of her trendy accessories The style icon is expecting her first child with husband Justin Bieber Kendall Jenner quickly took to the comment section of Hailey's post to declare: 'ahhhh here come the tears again.' Kim Kardashian wrote: 'I love you guys sooooo much!!!!' while Chrissy Teigen penned: 'EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! You are going to be an amazing amazing mommy oh boy get ready!!! So exciting so happy for you both!!' Kylie Jenner wrote: 'i love you guys!!!! ahhhhhhhh' while mom Kris Jenner wrote: 'We are so so excited cant wait cant wait what a blessing!!!!!' Justin and Hailey were first introduced in 2009 by Hailey's father Stephen Baldwin at the premiere of Justin's documentary Never Say Never. The pair then had a brief fling in 2016 amid a break in his on/off decade-long romance with Selena Gomez. When he and the Disney Channel alum, 31, finally called it quits for good in May 2018, Justin fell into Hailey's arms and they've been attached at the hip since. Victoria Silvstedt almost revealed a little too much as she attended the Cannes Film Festival's red carpet in a very racy ensemble on Wednesday. The Swedish actress, 49, set pulses racing displaying her jaw-dropping physique in a dress with a risky thigh-high split, flashing her endless legs. The blonde bombshell put on a very racy display in the dazzling sequin gown, which featured an off-shoulder neckline with ruffle embellishment and matching gloves. The dress showcased her enviable figure and she added sparkling silver open-toe heels to her look for the glitzy event in Cote D'Azur. Victoria added a diamond choker and wore her blonde platinum locks in a flawless blow-dry, which cascaded down her back. Victoria Silvstedt almost revealed a little too much as she attended the Cannes Film Festival 's red carpet in a very racy ensemble on Wednesday The Swedish actress, 49, set pulses racing displaying her jaw-dropping physique in a dress with a risky thigh-high split, flashing her endless legs Joining the world's most famous A-listers, the former beauty pageant star gave a sultry look in the lense as she commanded the red carpet. Striking a slew of poses she completed the look with glamorous make-up. Elsewhere, Anya Taylor-Joy lived up to expectations as she debuted her starring role, which had its world premiere on the glamorous Cote d'Azur. Wearing her platinum hair in a scraped back bun, Anya wore a Dior silver gown which she paired with silver diamond jewellery from Tiffany and dark red lipstick. Anya, who is staying in the famous Hotel Martinez whilst in France, arrived in Cannes on Monday. She has been spotted out and about in recent days speaking to fans, including posing with them for selfies outside her hotel on Wednesday, wearing cropped silver cardigan and small black shorts. The Queen's Gambit star takes over as the younger Furiosa in the upcoming film, which is set between 15 and 20 years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road, while Australian heartthrob Chris Hemsworth is playing warlord leader, Dementus. She flashed her tights and endless legs The blonde bombshell put on a very racy display in the dazzling sequinned purple gown The number featured an off-shoulder neckline with ruffled embellishment and attached matching gloves The number enhanced her enviable figure and flat tummy She added glamorous sparkling silver open-toe heels to her look for the glitzy event in Cote D'Azur She added a gleaming diamond choker and her blonde platinum locks cascaded behind her back in a flawless blow-dry Starring alongside Chris, 40, he described the villainous character as 'a very violent, insane, brutal person that is born from the Wasteland'. Last night he walked the red-carpet hand in hand with his wife of 14 years, Elsa Pataky, 47, wearing a white jacket and shirt. Tom Hardy, who plays a main role in the film after staring the first Mad Max, was not to be seen on the red carpet. Speaking to the Telegraph earlier this week director George Miller said Mr Hardy, 46, had to be 'coaxed' out of his trailer when filming for the first of the two films. 'Tom has a damage to him but also a brilliance that comes with it, and whatever was going on with him at the time, he had to be coaxed out of his trailer,' he said. Joining the world's most famous A-listers, the former beauty pageant gave a sultry look in the lense as she owned the red carpet with confidence The model dazzled under the limelight, striking a slew of poses as she beamed Victoria rocked a glamorous make-up with her trademark pink lipstick The Swedish star posed with Mexican-Italian actress Patricia Contreras On the red carpet she rubbed shoulders with celebrity stylist Samuel Schoaib Sohebi Back To The Future fans got a welcome surprise on Wednesday when the film's stars Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd reunited for a special surprise. The 62-year-old actor-turned-activist and the 85-year-old Taxi actor joined forces on Instagram to launch a giveaway that was likely to tempt fans. Michael and Christopher both shared photos of themselves signing a still from the 1985 classic, which launched two blockbuster sequels. 'Great Scott! You can win a Back to the Future signed poster by your favorite duo!' they captioned their identical Instagram posts. 'Shop any of our products now until June 1st for your chance to win.' Fox, who put on a united front with his longtime wife Tracy Pollan last month at the Time 100 Gala, showed off a determined grin for the camera while relaxing on a black leather sofa to sign the small poster. Michael J. Fox, 62, reunited with his Back To The Future costar Christopher Lloyd, 85, to give fans a chance to win a poster signed by the two on Wednesday The actors starred in the 1985 hit, directed by Robert Zemeckis, which went on to have two successful sequels and cemented Fox's stardom; pictured in Back To The Future (1985) He was fitting dressed in a black Back To The Future Part II T-shirt with his and Christopher's characters recolored in vibrant, comic booklike hues. He also rocked a set of distressed jeans and sported a distinguished salt-and-pepper goatee. Christopher also advertised their Back To The Future merchandise with a black long-sleeve shirt and jeans. He was hunched over the poster to add his signature after Fox had already signed it. The business-themed meet-up was the latest reunion for the Back To The Future stars after they caught up with original costars Lea Thompson and Tom Wilson in February of last year at Oregon's Fan Expo Portland. Fox starred in the films as the rebellious high school Marty McFly, while Lloyd played his odd scientist friend Emmett 'Doc' Brown, who invents a time travel device that he installs in a rare customized DeLorean car. Thompson appeared in a dual role as Marty's alcoholic mother in the 1980s present, as well as a fresh-faced version of the character from the 1950s who unwittingly falls in love with her son after he travels back in time. Wilson provided much of the suspense and comic relief as the dim-witted bully Biff Tannen, who became the boss of Marty's meek father. The film, which was directed and co-written by Robert Zemeckis and executive produced by Steven Spielberg, proved to be a smash success. It was a hit with critics and grossed an astounding $388 million against a budget of just $19 million, and it cemented Michael's status as a Hollywood A-lister following his early success on Family Ties. Lloyd wore a matching Back To The Future shirt as he signed the film poster after his old pal The two have reunited for Back To The Future nostalgia events several times in the past few years, though Fox has retired from acting to focus on advocating for a cure to Parkinson's disease; seen in 2022 in NYC Fox hasn't let the disease stop him, and he looked vivacious while supported by his longtime wife Tracy Pollan at the Time 100 Gala last month; pictured on April 25 Fox and Lloyd have continued to collaborate on projects in recent years. Fox would go on to be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the early 1990s, though he wouldn't share the diagnosis until 1998. Since then, he has devoted his efforts to activism on behalf of people afflicted with the disease, and he has consistently advocated for finding a cure for Parkinson's. Fox, who has said he is retired from acting, has shut down talk of a Back To The Future reboot while still staying in the public eye. Rating: This was the story John Le Carre never told, how the West averted war with the Soviet Union thanks to two secret weapons Nancy Reagan's astrologer and Mrs Thatcher's trusty hot water bottle. What a pity the grandmaster of espionage novels didn't get a chance to write it. He could have called it The Psychic Who Stayed Out Of The Cold. The intriguing and lively Secrets & Spies: A Nuclear Game revealed that a radioactive holocaust was averted in the 1980s when President Ronald Reagan began signalling to the Kremlin that Washington wanted a lasting peace. A British intelligence source at the heart of the KGB had delivered a warning: the USSR's paranoid, superannuated political leaders feared America was preparing for war. They were poised to over-react to any provocation. Reagan's security services didn't know how the UK was getting its intel, but the President and his wife decided to trust it, and launched a charm offensive... guided by the star charts of celebrity astrologer Joan Quigley, whom they regularly consulted during their time in the White House. Secrets & Spies: A Nuclear Game revealed that a radioactive holocaust was averted in the 1980s when President Ronald Reagan began signalling to the Kremlin that Washington wanted a lasting peace. Pictured: Marina Litvinenko The planets must have been in perfect alignment, because Reagan's folksy speech about an American couple, Jim and Sally, who befriend Russian lovebirds Ivan and Anya at the bus stop struck the right note in Moscow. Shortly after that, Maggie was invited to attend the funeral in 1985 of Politburo chief Konstantin Chernenko. But the ceremonial procession through Red Square threatened to inflict frostbite on visiting dignitaries. 'What we were mainly concerned with,' revealed Lord Butler, the PM's Private Secretary, 'was how Margaret Thatcher was going to keep warm. We concealed a hot water bottle under her clothes.' BBC archive footage of Mrs T is usually chosen to depict her in messianic mode at party conference, the picture tilted to imply an unbalanced mind. But here we glimpsed her behind the scenes in Downing Street, overseeing flower arrangements for a state banquet in honour of Mikhail Gorbachev, Chernenko's successor and a man, according to our secret source, who was ready to strike a deal to end the arms race. Journalist Miranda Ingram. Every one of the former spooks, codebreakers and analysts interviewed seemed thrilled at their own role in a real-life spy thriller That double agent was Oleg Gordievsky, the KGB's head of station in London. Now 85, he did not appear on camera, no doubt because he doesn't fancy a pot of Vladimir Putin's radioactive tea, but his voice was heard on tape sounding so much like a stereotypical Russian spy that the next Bond director would probably reject him as too close to parody. Every one of the former spooks, codebreakers and analysts interviewed seemed thrilled at their own role in a real-life spy thriller. Former Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind studied the photo of Maggie, Mikhail and assorted ministers outside No. 10 and said, 'That's me in the background. It was an incredible experience.' He turned his gaze to Mrs Thatcher: 'Three quarters of the time, I could have followed her to the ends of the earth. The other quarter, I could have . . . been less complimentary.' Nicole Richie was spotted leaving the set of Good Morning after promoting her new show Summer Camp and reunion project with Paris Hilton on Wednesday. The actress, 42 who famously starred on The Simple Life from 2003 to 2007 rocked a black and yellow printed calf-length dress that clung to her body. She added an edgy touch by throwing a black leather trench coat and matching stiletto heels to her look. Her blonde locks were lightly waved and sat on to of her shoulders as they contrasted with her black heart earrings. The mother-of-two accessorized with a pair of dark sunglasses and silver sings while flashing her fresh manicure. Nicole Richie was spotted leaving the set of Good Morning after promoting her new show Summer Camp and reunion project with Paris Hilton on Wednesday The actress, 42, rocked a black and yellow printed calf-length dress that clung to her body Paris Hilton, 43, took to Instagram to confirm the reboot with a post of a static TV screen in a living room, tagging her best friend The first born of icon Lionel Richie opted for a soft-glam look that made her skin glow under the sun. The stylish starlet gushed over her latest project with Paris Hilton while on Good Morning America. Although the project will not be a Simple Life reboot, it will be the first time the best friends team up again in 20 years. 'We have worked together to create something very special and exciting,' the blonde beauty said. 'I can't say much but I can't wait for it to come out.' Paris Hilton, 43, took to Instagram to confirm the reboot with a post of a static TV screen in a living room, tagging her best friend. 'New Era. Same Besties Coming soon to Peacock,' she captioned it. She also chatted about working on Summer Camp alongside Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates and Josh Peck. 'I lost my mind of course,' she said of working with a star studded cast. 'I couldn't believe it, It's incredible.' The film hits theatres on May 31. But those are not the only tricks she has up her sleeve. The actress is also featured in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead which starts streaming Thursday on BET+. She added an edgy touch by throwing a black leather trench coat and matching stiletto heels to her look; she wore Ray-Ban sunglasses Her blonde locks were lightly waved and sat on to of her shoulders as they contrasted with her black heart earrings The first born of icon Lionel Richie opted for a soft-glam look The mother-of-two accessorized with a pair of dark sunglasses and silver sings while flashing her fresh manicure The announcement for Paris and Nicole's new show was made just a little over a week ago by TMZ. In the original show, the Hilton heiress and the fashion designer famously traded in Hollywood glitz for small-town America. The 5 season series aired in the early 2000s between FOX and E!. The show's premise revolved around taking the two rich socialites out of their comfort zones and putting them in everyday working-class situations, creating culture clash comedy. The socialites were seen taking on laborious jobs like cleaning, doing farm work, and food service. The premise of the new series has not yet been revealed, though production sources shared that it's not going to be an exact copy of their former show, nor will it have the same name. They have already sold their pitch to a streamer, after reportedly talking about the project for months and trying to figure out ideas on how they could work together again. However, the project is still in early development and nothing has been shot as of yet. The pitch reportedly incited an 'all-out bidding war', with James Corden's production company, Fulwell 73, eventually buying the rights to shoot it. Paris who featured on a heartbreaking new Sia song called Fame Won't Love You last month and Nicole seemed to be hinting at something on Wednesday as they both shared a nostalgic throwback collage of snaps showing them together. They both captioned the post, 'From Day 1: Sill and Bill,' referring to their nicknames for each other. The show remains a beloved reality TV series among fans, and produced Paris' iconic line 'That's hot!' Another famous moment took place at supermarket Walmart, where Paris questioned, 'What is Walmart? Do they sell wall stuff?' In the original show, the Hilton heiress and the fashion designer famously traded in Hollywood glitz for small-town America Paris and Nicole became household names over 20 years ago in the early 2000s after starring on the show for a total of 5 seasons The show's premise revolved around taking the two rich socialites out of their comfort zones and putting them in everyday working-class situations, creating culture clash comedy The socialites were seen taking on laborious jobs like cleaning, doing farm work, and food service. Hilton celebrated the show's 20th anniversary by sharing a collage of throwback photos of herself and Richie on Instagram The Simple Life celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. For the occasion Hilton posted a number of throwback photos of herself and Richie on Instagram. 'Happy 20th anniversary to [the] show that started it all, The Simple Life! Filming this series with @NicoleRichie was one of the most special, hilarious, and iconic times in my life. Im so lucky to have these amazing memories!' she wrote in the caption. Richie also marked the occasion, sharing a reel of some of her and Hiltons Simple Life highlights. '20 years ago, not only did we become television stars... we became songwriters,' she humorously wrote in the caption. 'Happy Anniversary Sill @parishilton.' No surprise that Emma Barnett's debut on the Today programme (BBC Radio 4) was confident, assured and polished, but did we have to suffer quite so many moments of cheery self-reverence? From opening sentence to last, Emma took every opportunity to spotlight her maiden voyage on the good ship Today. 'Here on my first shift on the Today programme it is lovely to be here,' she declared, just after the 6am pips. 'I won't make you blush on our first exchange,' she said to one reporter. When she asked Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, if he felt his opinions are being heard, she added: 'Beyond coming on this esteemed programme that I am getting to grips with this morning.' At the end of the three-hour show, we were even treated to clips of her early morning wake-up playlist, featuring Britney Spears and Led Zeppelin. Emma Barnett took every opportunity to spotlight her maiden voyage on BBC Radio 4's flagship Today programme, writes JAN MOIR Former Women's Hour presenter Emma is a terrific broadcaster but how can I put this politely who cares what she listens to when she's brushing her teeth? At the end of the broadcast there was even a glutinous exchange of thank-you-no-thank-yous with her co-host Amol Rajan, the pair of them behaving as if they'd just delivered a seminal performance of Tristan and Isolde at the Sydney Opera House, instead of presenting a news show. Their colleague Nick Robinson recently blamed Today's falling ratings on 'news avoiders' who no longer want to face the world's problems. That's right, Nick, blame the listeners. Or to be more precise, blame the listeners who are no longer listening. I would suggest that the problem is not their pesky reluctance to tune in, but the creeping cult of personality that has silkily taken hold of this once great programme; a cholesterol of celebrity that now clogs up its airways. Early morning, people just want news with their bacon not fried egos. Instead, they get Amol Rajan garnishing everything with the benefit of his grittily delivered smart-alec opinions, and now Emma Barnett blithering on about how much she likes Britney. 'Yeah, exactly,' Amol will drawl after some expert has delivered his or her distilled wisdom after 50 years of dutiful research on a complicated subject. 'They should listen to their parents more and their friends less,' he chirped yesterday, after an item on playground behaviour. Apart from these trite pensees being intensely irritating, is personally editorialising in this manner really the role of Today presenters? Brian Redhead (RIP) helmed Today for more than 18 years, and we barely heard a cheep of what he thought or felt about anything. John Humphrys might have permitted himself a small moan of pain if Wales lost at rugby, but that was all. Still, there is no doubt that Emma brings a new energy to the show. It was quite startling to hear her loud, mad bark of laughter during an overlong and actually not very funny at all item about US Secretary of State Antony Blinken playing with a rock band during his trip to Kyiv. Still, it gave Amol another chance to insert himself into the narrative. 'What a story and what a dude,' he said, before moving on to a report about pumping sewage. There is no doubt Emma brings energy to the show, as well a little of Women's Hour's cosy, inclusive magazine vibe Before joining Today, Emma said she believed it to be a very different programme from Woman's Hour, which was a relief. However, it was interesting that she wasted no time in bringing a little of WH's cosy, inclusive, magazine show vibe to proceedings. During an item about sex education in schools, she said this: 'Some might remember it boiling down to a very awkward teacher putting a condom on a banana, or was that just my experience?' Then horror of horrors she encouraged listeners to send in their own sex ed experiences. 'I'd love to read out some of your messages if I can,' she said. Perhaps the most significant section of the show was her interview with James Coates, the son of Nottingham stab victim Ian Coates. Following the Court of Appeal's refusal to change the sentence of triple killer Valdo Calocane, an emotional Mr Coates said he felt he had been denied justice. 'I am so incredibly sorry,' said Emma at one point, clearly close to tears. Today later posted clips of the moment on its social media feeds, showing Emma looking sad and glassy-eyed. There is certainly a place for this kind of empathetic, lump in the throat, I feel your pain kind of interview, but is it on the Today programme? Emma is a skilled interviewer one of the best in the business and I don't doubt the genuine depth of her emotion. Yet Today was in danger of not only edging into Oprah territory here, but of making the interview about Emma Barnett and not about Mr Coates and his terrible grief. The insidious cult of personality strikes again. 'What an extraordinary interview,' said Amol Rajan, getting the last word, as ever. Netflix dropped new images of Back In Action starring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz on Wednesday. The highly-anticipated spy comedy marks a reunion for the two Hollywood icons a decade after their collaboration in Annie, which notably served as Diaz's final film before her hiatus from acting. Serving as a comeback for the 51-year-old Charlie's Angels alum, the film also secured an official release date: it is set to premiere on the streaming platform on November 15. According to the official logline, Back in Action follows Matt and Emily, who, after retiring from their CIA spy careers to start a family, are unexpectedly pulled back into the world of international espionage when their cover is blown. In the newly released photos, Foxx, 56, and Diaz look every inch the sexy secret agents as they undertake their undercover mission in stunning attire. Netflix dropped new images of Back In Action starring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz on Wednesday The highly-anticipated spy comedy marks a reunion for the two Hollywood icons a decade after their collaboration in Annie , which notably served as Diaz's final film before her hiatus from acting In one image, Foxx exudes timeless charm in a sleek black tuxedo, while Diaz radiates allure in a camisole top paired with a tuxedo jacket. The dynamic duo is captured sprinting in matching ensembles in another shot. Yet another still showcases the crime-fighting partners against a snowy backdrop, engaged in unraveling the contents of a mysterious package. The final frame captures Foxx and Diaz taking charge of a scene alongside Glenn Close, as the trio immerse themselves in espionage within a study setting. Production for the movie commenced in December 2022, with both actors often sighted in London, where part of the film was shot. However, filming came to a halt due to a mysterious medical emergency involving Foxx in April 2023. Subsequently, filming for Back in Action relocated to Georgia, where Jamie was unexpectedly hospitalizeda revelation disclosed by his daughter, Corinne, at the time. While most specifics surrounding the actor's health concern have been kept private, Corinne took to her Instagram Stories in May 2023 to provide an update on Foxx's condition. Serving as a comeback for the 51-year-old Charlie's Angels alum, the film also secured an official release date: it is set to premiere on the streaming platform on November 15 The final frame captures Foxx and Diaz taking charge of a scene alongside Glenn Close, as the trio immerse themselves in espionage within a study setting 'My Dad has been out of the hospital for weeks, recuperating. In fact, he was playing pickleball yesterday! Thanks for everyone's prayers and support!' The Any Given Sunday co-stars resumed filming of this movie on January 21. In April, Foxx said he plans on revealing the details about his health scare in an upcoming comedy special. In December, Foxx opened up about his near-death experience for his first public appearance since his shock health scare at the Critics Choice Association's event. Foxx admitted that he could not 'walk' six months earlier, via Deadline, though he refrained from revealing too many details about the medical crisis that put him in the hospital. 'You know, its crazy, I couldnt do that six months ago,' he said after strutting across the stage to the microphone. 'I couldnt actually walk.' 'I want to thanks everybody. Ive been through something, Ive been through some things,' he said to thunderous applause. The actor was visibly moved as he accepted the Vanguard Award at the association's Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements in Los Angeles. In his 12-minute speech, he also made light of some of the baseless conspiracy theories that spread while he was hospitalized and then out of the public eye for several months. Diaz also spoke out about all the rumors swirling around Foxx's medical emergency on Molly Sims' Lipstick on the Rim podcast. According to the official logline , Back in Action follows Matt and Emily, who, after retiring from their CIA spy careers to start a family, are unexpectedly pulled back into the world of international espionage when their cover is blown Filming came to a halt due to a mysterious medical emergency involving Foxx in April 2023. The stars are pictured here at the London premiere of Annie in 2014 She said she 'really hate[s] all of the things that were being said about our set at the time. 'You just want to scream at the top of your lungs, like, "What are you talking about?" Jamie is, like, the cheerleader for the entire crew. Everybody loves him. We have so much fun on the set with him, and he's just a professional on every level,' she said. Back in Action also stars Kyle Chandler, Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, McKenna Roberts and Rylan Jackson. Diaz retired from acting in 2014 after revealing the long hours of shooting made it too hard for her to balance family life. And while she's made a return for Back in Action, she also plans to retire again after this film. Gwyneth Paltrow underwent a body scan to detect health issues before symptoms appear in another effort toward the Goop owner's 'longevity routine.' The 51-year-old wellness enthusiast - who recently celebrated her daughter's 20th birthday - took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday to document her whole body MRI scan. She went to Prenuvo New York City Cancer & Disease Screening which specializes in preventative medicine. Gwyneth began the series of posts to her 8.5million million followers with a selfie video with her saying: 'I'm going into Prenuvo for my full body scan for preventative medicine. 'I might be on Valium because I am claustrophobic. So let's see what happens.' Gwyneth Paltrow underwent a body scan to detect health issues before symptoms appear in another effort toward the Goop owner's 'longevity routine' The Oscar-winner also shared a snap of herself sitting up on the MRI bed before the scan. She captioned the photo: 'It's so fascinating to see preventative medicine becoming important to the consumer. 'I, for one, am really curious about @prenuvo's ability to detect many conditions BEFORE symptoms appear.' There was also a video of Gwyneth being put into the machine. Lastly she posed in front of the sign at the medical business with the caption: 'Thank you thank you @prenuvo.' The mission statement on Prenuvo's website reads: 'At Prenuvo, we are on a mission to flip the paradigm from reactive "sick-care" to proactive health care. Our award-winning whole body scan is fast (under 1 hour), safe (MRI has no ionizing radiation), and non-invasive (no contrast).' Though the health benefits seem like they could be immense, the service is a bit pricey as a whole body scan - which is what Gwyneth had - costs $2,499 for an hour. Meanwhile, on Monday, the A-lister celebrated her daughter Apple Martin's birthday, whose father is Coldplay rocker Chris Martin, as she recently had some nice things to say. The 51-year-old wellness enthusiast - who recently celebrated her daughter's 20th birthday - took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday to document her whole body MRI scan She went to Prenuvo New York City Cancer & Disease Screening which specializes in preventative medicine Gwyneth began the series of posts to her 8.5million million followers with a selfie video with her saying: 'I'm going into Prenuvo for my full body scan for preventative medicine. 'I might be on Valium because I am claustrophobic. So let's see what happens' There was also a video of Gwyneth being put into the machine Lastly she posed in front of the sign at the medical business with the caption: 'Thank you thank you @prenuvo' The Shakespeare In Love actress told E! News that the teen influences her. 'Apple is an adult woman now, so we relate to each other like that,' said the actress. 'Of course, I'm always her mama, and she comes to me for those things too. But it's very interesting to really watch her step into herself as a grown woman.' And Apple helps with GOOP. 'She influences everything I do,' Gwyneth shared. 'I run everything by her. I value her opinion so much, and she's also such a product personespecially with makeup, much more so than I am. 'I'm very minimal. So as we go more into color, she's the person I rely on the most.' The teen has inherited her mom's passion for wellness. Meanwhile, on Monday, the A-lister celebrated her daughter Apple Martin 's birthday, whose father is Coldplay rocker Chris Martin , as she recently had some nice things to say The 51-year-old Oscar-winning actress told E! News that the teen influences her 'Apple is an adult woman now, so we relate to each other like that,' said the actress 'Of course, I'm always her mama, and she comes to me for those things too,' the Emma star added 'In this case, the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree,' the Shakespeare in Love star noted. 'My daughter has gotten so into clean, non-toxic beauty, vegan. She doesn't want to touch anything that's cruel to animals. 'So, she has really strong values running. It's so nice that it aligns with the products that we already make.' And it looks like Moses has, too. 'He really cares,' she added. 'It's amazing. He knows all about ingredients. Like if I ever hand him something, he looks at the ingredients panel and he's like, "Oh wow, this has niacinamide in it." 'I'm like, "Wow, how do you know all this stuff?" He's very learned in the in the realm of skin care.' She also talked her kids' future. 'Whatever they want to do in life, I want to support,' she noted. 'I think there are challenges in any careercertainly there are challenges in being an artist, for sure. 'But should they choose that path, I will of course support them.' 'But it's very interesting to really watch her step into herself as a grown woman,' said Paltrow; seen here visiting Apple in Nashville near her college And Apple helps with GOOP. 'She influences everything I do,' Gwyneth shared Last year Gwyneth told People that Apple is a lot of fun to hang out with and she is grateful the college student is in her life. 'I mean, she's just so much fun to be with,' the cover girl shared. 'It's so wonderful having a daughter because you have this amazing best friend and we like to do the same stuff, and she's so funny and she's so smart. It's amazing.' And she also looks up to her mini-me, who has already worked as a sales girl in a Los Angeles shop. 'I'm kind of in awe of this woman that she's become and with all of her points of view that are really differentiated. She's really strong and it's amazing,' shared the wife of TV producer Brad Falchuk, 52. 'I run everything by her. I value her opinion so much, and she's also such a product personespecially with makeup, much more so than I am,' she said The icon added: 'I'm very minimal. So as we go more into color, she's the person I rely on the most' 'My children are similar in the ways that they're both incredibly sensitive and empathetic. They really can feel people's stuff very permeable in that way,' said the Emma actress. 'They're both tall and they both have very interesting ways of seeing the world, and they're different in the ways that they are. 'My daughter's very much of an extrovert. My son is an introvert. They like to do very different things, but then I don't know, then they both love to snowboard and they both love music, and they love their friends.' But Apple is more like her father. 'I think Moses and I are more, we're happy kind of being home and being more internal. 'But I think they've both gotten, hopefully, the best of both of us, and hopefully we've been able to minimize our s***** traits having passed those down,' she continued. And both Apple and Moses are interested in fashion. 'I mean, she's just so much fun to be with,' the star said to People. 'It's so wonderful having a daughter because you have this amazing best friend and we like to do the same stuff, and she's so funny and she's so smart. It's amazing' 'I'm kind of in awe of this woman that she's become and with all of her points of view that are really differentiated. She's really strong and it's amazing,' shared the wife of TV producer Brad Falchuk, 52 Her little ones: She also has son Moses 'They're actually both very intrigued by fashion and into fashion,' Paltrow said. 'They are both very intrigued. They both really like fashion as an art form and as a form of expression. It's really interesting to see them both choose that. My son, really it's kind of how he tells the world who he is through his cool style.' And she has stolen from Apple's closet: 'More random stuff, like a tank top or something like that. She's more going through my closet for special event stuff.' And she also said in the same People interview that Martin is a great father. 'He has this sweet child-like spirit, and I love that he will be like, 'Let's go jump in the ocean,' when it's 58 degrees, or, 'Let's go to this weird guitar store.' He always wants to do these fun adventures with them and activities.' The blonde told the magazine that dealing with her blended family with second husband of five years, TV producer Brad Falchuk, is not a walk in the park. While the Iron Man actress has Apple and Moses, Brad has two with his ex-wife, Suzanne Bukinik whom he was wed to from 1994 to 2013: Isabella, 19, and Brody, 17. 'It's hard, and it's not intuitive, and nobody tells you how to do it. You just stick with it,' she shared. 'Now it's one of the things that brings me the most happiness in my life.' All four: Brad has two with his ex-wife, Suzanne Bukinik whom he was wed to from 1994 to 2013: Isabella, 19, and Brody, 17. 'It's hard, and it's not intuitive, and nobody tells you how to do it. You just stick with it,' she shared. 'Now it's one of the things that brings me the most happiness in my life' A bird: Paltrow dislikes the term empty nester and prefers to call her teen kids 'free birds,' she told People. Seen with his son Paltrow dislikes the term empty nester and prefers to call her teen kids 'free birds,' she told People. 'I'm trying to reframe it so that I can at least try to convince myself there's some kind of a silver lining,' she says. 'Empty nest sounds so sad and lonely.' She talked to the magazine to promote her new skincare line called good.clean.goop which is being sold at Target and on Amazon. Unlike its higher-priced sibling, which features $58 eye cream, $100 cleanser and $350 serums the new line is all priced under $40. The chain has already completed more than 20,000 deliveries using the tech Walmart has confirmed it is rolling out delivery by drones for even more customers. The grocery giant said air deliveries are now available for 75 percent of the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. More customers are able to take advantage of the superfast delivery service thanks to the service being rolled out to four more Walmart Supercenters in north Texas. It is an expansion of a deal with drone delivery company Wing, owned by Google, that began last year with delivery from two stores in the Dallas metro. The two covered 60,000 homes. The four news Supercenters are two in North Richland Hills, one in Frisco, and one in Lewisville - which all began drone delivery on April 29. Walmart has not said how many new homes these cover but it is thought to be around 50,000 to 100,000 homes. The grocery giant confirmed air deliveries would now be available for 75 percent of the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas Millions of Texas customers will now be able to order essentials via drone Homes within an approximate six mile radius of the those stores can use the service, according to Chain Store Age. The key advantage of teaming up with Wing is that they are allowed to use drones that can fly beyond the visual line of sight of the depot. Most companies must maintain sight of their drones. Not having this restriction allows deliveries to around six miles from stores. Drones have already delivered more than 20,000 customer orders by January, the retailer said in a statement at the time. The company now plans to build 'on our momentum with the largest drone delivery footprint of any US retailer,' the company said. 'This expansion will bring the ultimate convenience of drone delivery to communities across the DFW area,' Prathibha Rajashekhar, Walmart innovation and automation senior vice president, said. Walmart shoppers opting for the futuristic delivery option can expect their order to arrive within half an hour while some items may take as little as ten minutes. Drone deliveries will tend to be used for smaller purchases, with the weight limit set at ten pounds, the company explained. The fee is set at $3.99 for deliveries that meet the weight requirements. The most common use of the delivery service is to purchase snacks and medicine, but fragile items such as eggs can also be included, the store added. Some 85 percent of products in a Neighborhood Market store meet the weight and volume requirements for drone delivery according to store representatives. 'Customers will have access to a broad assortment of items from Walmart available for delivery to their home in just minutes,' Rajashekhar said. 'Drone delivery is not just a concept of the future - it's happening now and will soon be a reality for millions of additional Texans. 'The response has been incredible from customers ordering drone delivery from Walmart every day.' 'If this milestone is any indication, we believe 2024 is the year of drone delivery,' he added. The service is powered by on-demand drone providers, Wing and Zipline. Both firms are approved by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to fly without a dedicated observer. To order groceries using a Wing drone, customers must download the Wing app and enter their address to ensure they're in a serviceable area. The company initially launched drone deliveries from three stores in Northwest Arkansas back in 2021. Walmart's drone delivery hubs are managed by three companies: DroneUp - in which Walmart has invested - Zipline, plus Wing. The chain has already completed more than 20,000 deliveries using the tech Drone deliveries will tend to be used for smaller purchases, with the weight limit set at ten pounds After launching its initial DroneUp drone delivery partnership in 2021, Walmart is now offering the service through DroneUp in Florida and Texas, as well as the original state of Arizona. The retailer also introduced a drone-based instant delivery service at a Neighborhood Market store in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, in partnership with Zipline in the fall of 2021. Walmart's 4,700 stores being located within 10 miles of 90 percent of the country's population makes it 'uniquely positioned' to scale, a company spokesperson said. Walmart - the biggest retailer in the US - is in a race with rivals such as Amazon to be at the center of the futuristic delivery option. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos first expressed interest in drone deliveries in 2013. Lawyers for the Bongo family announced to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday, May 14, that they had filed a new complaint in Paris to denounce the arbitrary arrest and sequestration in Gabon of several of its members. They also assured that former president Ali Bongo Ondimba had started a hunger strike to protest. While General Brice Oligui Nguema, at the head of Gabon since the putsch of August 30, 2023, is due to go to France in the coming days, Messrs. Francois Zimeray and Catalina de la Sota sent AFP a press release announcing their filing of a complaint with constitution of civil party in Paris. This procedure aims to obtain the appointment of an investigating judge in France to investigate these accusations. A first simple complaint filed on September 1 by Ali Bongos wife, Sylvia Bongo, to denounce this arbitrary detention, was already filed in October, according to the lawyers. The new complaint denounces an illegal arrest, kidnapping aggravated by acts of torture and barbaric acts committed against Ali Bongo Ondimba, Sylvia Bongo and their sons Noureddin, Jalil and Bilal, the first four being presented as French nationals. According to the lawyers, Noureddin Bongo was tortured several times, beaten with a hammer and a crowbar, strangled, whipped, or even electrocuted with a Taser. Sylvia Bongo, forced to witness the torture (), was also beaten and strangled, as part of an unlimited dispossession of family property. Ali Bongo and his sons Jalil and Bilal, for their part, were placed under house arrest, deprived of means of communication with the outside world and also subjected to acts of torture. Faced with these treatments () former president Ali Bongo Ondimba and his sons Jalil and Bilal are going on hunger strike, say the lawyers. For Francois Zimeray, those responsible for these actions will be held accountable before French justice. These are among the most serious offenses against the human person in our penal code, the perpetrators of which incur a sentence of criminal imprisonment which can be extended to life. In mid-March, lawyers had already asked a UN working group to recognize the arbitrary detention of the Bongo family after the army coup. Popular among the vast majority of Gabonese people for having put an end to fifty-five years of the Bongo dynasty, General Brice Oligui Nguema, leader of the putsch, was proclaimed transitional president by the army two days after the coup. State. The government of Burkina Faso, a country led by a military regime since 2022, announced on Tuesday May 14 the holding of national meetings to decide on the continuation of the transition, which ends on July 1. National meetings are convened on May 25 and 26 in Ouagadougou from 8 a.m. in the Ouaga 2000 conference room, according to a press release read on national television (RTB) and signed by the Minister of Territorial Administration , Emile Zerbo: The said meetings will allow the representatives of the active forces of the nation to deliberate on the follow-up to be given to the transition, the duration of which set by the charter of October 14, 2022 runs until July 1, 2024. In October 2022, just after the coup detat by Captain Ibrahim Traore, a charter was adopted during the first national meetings. It established a president, a government and a legislative assembly and set the duration of the transition at twenty-one months. At the end of April, the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) adopted a law relating to the convening of national meetings. The meetings of May 25 and 26 will bring together representatives of civil society, political parties, the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), who will come together, take stock of the past months () decide whether it is necessary follow up on the transition and what will this follow-up be, added the minister in an interview broadcast by RTB. Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been caught in a spiral of violence attributed to jihadist movements affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group, which has left more than 20,000 dead and some 2 million displaced. This deterioration of the security situation was invoked to justify two coups in 2022. The first, at the end of January, brought to power Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who overthrew elected President Roch Marc Christian Kabore. After overthrowing Lieutenant-Colonel Damiba, Captain Traore wanted to respect the commitment of his predecessor, wanting to hand over power to civilians by organizing elections in the summer of 2024. The regime then announced that security in the country took precedence over the organization of elections. The story that the newspapers in Morocco have been buzzing about for almost two weeks is as astonishing as it is worrying. Nearly 200 Moroccans, men and women, are believed to have been detained, some for several months, by criminal gangs in Burma. According to a committee formed by families of victims, the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received reports of 158 cases of kidnapped citizens to date. How did Moroccans, aged 20 to 30, find themselves, on the other side of the world, in the hands of mafia networks? Le Monde was able to speak with two former detainees returning to Morocco as well as with three families whose members are still in captivity. Their testimonies, delivered anonymously, were stripped of all information likely to reveal the identity of the victims. A Moroccan man was tortured by his guards after he posted a video on the Internet to raise awareness about his situation, confides a parent, frightened at the idea that the same treatment would be reserved for his child. The stories and information to which Le Monde had access all point to the same modus operandi. The victims, students or employees, are contacted by strangers, also Moroccan, most often online although a case of direct approach, through a neighbor, was reported by a person who was then residing in Europe . Quickly, the accomplice questions his interlocutor about his sales or IT skills, before offering him a job in e-commerce. A position would be available, he explains, in a company in Thailand for a comfortable salary, with a bonus. In order to gain the trust of victims, false preliminary interviews are organized remotely with alleged officials on site. Chinese triads Once the offer is accepted, the person is invited to take a plane to Malaysia, a country that does not require a visa for Moroccan nationals. The ticket and hotel accommodation are the responsibility of the fraudsters. Everything is done to make the victim feel in the best conditions. She stayed two or three days in Kuala Lumpur, without paying anything out of her pocket, while her visa for Thailand was established. The day he arrives in Bangkok, a car with a driver awaits him at the airport exit. The man driving told me he was taking me to the city where I was going to work. I was exhausted, I fell asleep. When I woke up, I understood that I was not where I was supposed to be, relates Karim (all first names have been changed). In reality, the 22-year-old man, previously employed in the United Arab Emirates, is no longer in Thailand but in Burma, in Karen State. The region, one of the epicenters of the armed struggle between rebel movements and the ruling junta, is home to countless work camps specializing in online scams. Spreading along the Moei River, which marks the border with Thailand, these cyberfraud complexes are mostly under the control of Chinese mafia organizations. Before his phone was recovered by his jailers, Karim had time to transmit his geolocation to his parents. The coordinates lead to barracks less than an hours drive south of Myawaddy, the nerve center of digital crime in Burma. The association between the Chinese triads and the Burmese rebels is known. Close to Myawaddy, the Shwe Kokko area, partly financed by Chinese capital, is the emblem. But since the Covid-19 pandemic and the war between the junta and the rebels, revenues from its casinos and clandestine games have dried up. In November 2023, the Digital Forensic Research Lab reported the emergence, from Burma, of a massive kidnapping and fraud operation on a global scale. These criminal syndicates responded to the instability of their environment and successive shocks by using labor trafficking to defraud people around the world and make millions of dollars per year, added the laboratory of American think tank Atlantic Council. Many Sub-Saharans According to the testimonies collected, the Moroccan victims would have reached Thailand between November 2023 and February 2024. During their detention, they say they rubbed shoulders with individuals from Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Russia, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan, but also Tunisia and Lebanon. Many Sub-Saharans too. The worst treated, says Karim, who attests to having met people who have been captive for a year. As told by those who have been there, daily life in these compounds turns out to be hellish. Days without rest, from Monday to Sunday, follow one another with the same objective: to scam as many Internet users as possible. Exclusively Americans, says Mohamed, who lived for more than three months in a camp. This former convict, who claims to have worked seventeen hours a day, details the instructions his jailers gave him. Equipped with a computer and a telephone, he had to approach targets on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tinder with the help of online translators. Others were subsequently responsible for lending their voice, sometimes their face, modified by artificial intelligence, to discuss further with them. To target a man, we created a false profile of a beautiful and rich woman, and vice versa, explains Mohamed, who indicates that he extorted several hundred thousand dollars from American citizens looking for a romantic relationship or a relationship. business opportunity. At first I refused, but the guards tied me to a gate and beat me, he says, sobs in his voice. Met near Casablanca, the parent of a victim scrolls through photographs on his phone of a kidnapped boy, his face injured by an electric baton, a leg bruised by stick blows. Two Chinese women were killed by the guards when I was there, accuses Karim, who says he was beaten and deprived of water and food for several days. A recent phenomenon The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), which supports the families of the victims, assures that this is the first time that it has been confronted with this phenomenon. Until now, we were talking about young people without qualifications and without work who take to the sea to reach Europe. But here, most of them are employees, many of whom have gone to university, warns its general secretary, Taib Madmad. To leave the camp where he was held, Mohamed says he had to pay 6,000 dollars (around 5,550 euros) in cryptocurrency. Families would have done the same to get their loved ones back, but others report that they cannot afford such amounts, which represent more than twenty times the minimum wage in Morocco. Karim paid nothing. His release was facilitated by the assistance of local NGOs. According to the committee created by families, seven Moroccan citizens have left Burmese camps in recent days. Under the protection of humanitarian workers, they are on their way to Morocco. Widely commented on in the Moroccan press, the situation of these detainees broke into Parliament, where written questions were addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita. Contacted by Le Monde, neither Moroccan diplomacy nor the Chinese embassy in Rabat reacted. That of Thailand limits itself to declaring that the Moroccan embassy in Bangkok is already in contact with the Thai authorities. On May 3, she acknowledged in a statement the relatively recent phenomenon of citizens of various African countries, not just Morocco, victims of international criminal networks in remote regions of Southeast Asia. Back with his parents, Karim is now undergoing psychiatric treatment. He still has difficulty testifying, searches for words, cries intermittently. Criticizing the lack of reaction from the Moroccan authorities, families of victims announced that they will demonstrate in Rabat on Thursday, May 16, in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy, ??before giving a press conference. The Oppositions revival from near-disarray presents a formidable challenge but may fall short of the impact needed to dislodge the BJP-led NDA With phase four of the polling over, we are more than halfway through the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. There is no denying that the opposition INDIA bloc, led by the Congress, has been able to create a perspective that it isnt a one-sided battle and the fight was on all the seats. The usual gimmicks of stock market predictions and illegal satta gambling forecasts have started to emerge on social media and private WhatsApp groups. However the underlying message is that come what may, the BJP shall be able to form the Government. This probably emerges from the faith the BJP supporters have in the abilities of Prime Minister Narendra Modi being a leader with gargantuan mass appeal. However, there is also no denying the fact that the opposition was in tatters when the poll campaign started but by the passing of time have been able to create an image of a close fight, which in the end could prove to be just a mirage. Nevertheless, the Congress campaign in the 2024 polls, whatever the results, would remain an area of discussion among the political scientists in the times to come. Congresss poll preparation could be said to have begun from the conclave it had at Udaipur in 2022. The declarations at the Udaipur Shivir talked talked of building a vibrant organisation. This came in the backdrop of desertions plaguing the party especially from their most prominent leader Rahul Gandhis coterie. In 2022, when the Congress met in Rajasthan, one right decision it took was to hold the polls for the post of the president of the All India Congress Committee. It did activate the party and in Mallik arjun Kharge, the party has found a good campaigner, who not only campaigns hard but makes a lot of sense with what he says. Strategically, unlike the Vidhan Sabha polls held some months back in the four States, the leadership has consolidated on the alliance despite the initial hiccup caused by its very convener, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar walking out of the formation. Though some point out that Kharge and not Nitish was foisted as the chair of the alliance, as given his track record, Nitishs opposition to the BJP was always suspect. The second move by Congress has been to channel the strength of the alliance partners to keep itself afloat. To this end, the Congress is contesting just 328 seats this time, much lower than what it had contested in the 2019 polls. Last time it had contested 421 seats. The party would have contested 330 seats this time but for the rejection of the papers of its candidate in Surat and its candidate withdrawing in Indore. This means that the Congress in INDIA has created an alliance base that is much wider than that of the United Peoples Alliance (UPA). This also means that the party has shrunk from the position of a dominant partner to a senior partner with some other members of the bloc like the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab not even entertaining an alliance. Those in charge of the alliance forging for the party claim that the grouping this time is much more pragmatic than in 2019. The case in point is Uttar Pradesh. The party went into the 2019 polls all by itself. With no major allies and up against the BJP and the SP-BSP alliance, Congress contested 67 of the States 80 seats. It could win only one: Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli. This time in alliance with the Samajwadi Party its contesting just 17 seats, down by 50 seats. People close to poll planning, point out that it has been done to conserve the party resources for more realistic contests. Similarly West Bengal, after contesting 40 seats in 2019 is contesting just 14 seats this time giving the remaining seats to the alliance partner - the Left parties. Similar arrangements have been made in other States. Now how would that affect the final results? The BJP in 2024 wants to equal the performance of the Congress in 1984 when it got more than 400 seats. Whats not to be forgotten is that those 400 seats came as a harvest of the sympathy wave in the favour of the party following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. What makes BJP in 2024 different from Congress in 1984 is that it has delivered on its ideological agenda thus the cadre commitment would be there. Based on that the saffron party has expanded its poll machinery. This could work both ways, if there is an undercurrent, it would bring bonus points and if there is voter indifference, the performance should not fall below, as they say in commerce, the reserve price. (The writer is the author and president, the Centre for Reforms, Development & Justice; views expressed are personal) Top & Best astrologer in India - Jyotish Acharya Devraj JI - Based on your beginning chart, we make one hundred% accurate marriage predictions after the in-intensity look at of technical & clinical elements of astrology. 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Astrology And Numerology Difference Explained By Jyotish Acharya Devraj JI Astrology is the find out approximately of the moves and positions of the celestial objects and their impact on our life, Numerology gives with the occult significance of numbers and names. Both can also appear to don't have any connection with each other, however are, in lots of ways, carefully associated. They have been round for centuries and whilst we apprehend them each collectively, we recognise that one reinforces the alternative. Both Numerology and Astrology are metaphysical sciences that can be used as system to educate you about your self and provide you with alternatives and insights approximately your life.Consult the amazing numerologists and astrologers on astrologyexperts.In. Astrology makes use of the start chart of the local to information him via existence. Expert astrologers make the beginning chart using the time of the natives starting and with complicated calculations derived from the planetary positions of the Sun, Moon and one-of-a-kind Stars, at that point. The calculation of angles, stages, signs and symptoms, homes and so on, even as making the start chart the usage of the divisions of a 360-degree circle; all require numbers and have been assigned meanings based on them. Numerologists find out approximately the quite a variety of numbers in a natives lifestyles, the relationship among them and its effect on the local. They calculate the natives numerological variety, based on his date of starting and call. They trust that each range vibrates in another way, attracting each terrific and terrible energies and is responsible for the natives personality, success/failure in existence. Here are some FAQs about Jyotish Acharya Devraj Ji: Q: Who is Jyotish Acharya Devraj Ji? A: Jyotish Acharya Devraj Ji is famous astrologer in the world who specializes in analyzing the seventh house in a person's birth chart to reveal insights about their prospects for marriage. He is known for his ability to accurately predict the timing and likelihood of marriage based on celestial alignments. Q: What makes Acharya Devraj Ji's approach unique? A: Acharya Devraj Ji's approach is rooted in his deep analysis of the seventh house and the positions of Venus and Mars in a person's birth chart. He is known for his ability to discern subtle astrological patterns that indicate potential for marriage. His insights are highly sought after for their clarity and precision in predicting marriage timings. Q: How does Acharya Devraj Ji help clients find auspicious periods for marriage? A: Acharya Devraj Ji examines transit planets and their aspects to a person's natal chart to identify favorable periods for marriage. He focuses on the planets and houses that signify relationships in astrology. By analyzing these celestial movements, he provides a temporal window where the stars align for a harmonious union. Q: What benefits do clients gain from consulting with Acharya Devraj Ji? A: Clients who consult with Acharya Devraj Ji gain a deeper understanding of their marriage prospects and the ideal timing for a conjugal union. His guidance empowers them with cosmic timing to navigate love's journey with foresight and grace. Many have found his insights to be remarkably accurate, leading to harmonious and blessed unions. Q: How can I consult with Jyotish Acharya Devraj Ji? A: To consult with Jyotish Acharya Devraj Ji, you would need to visit his website or contact him directly. Please note that I do not have specific details on his availability, fees, or consultation process. It's best to visit his official website or reach out to him directly for the most accurate information. Q: How does Acharya Devraj Ji analyze my birth chart for career guidance? A: Acharya Devraj Ji carefully studies the positions of planets at your time of birth to create your birth chart. He then analyzes this chart to identify your inherent strengths, weaknesses, and potential career paths. This analysis forms the basis of his personalized career guidance. Q: What kind of career insights can I expect from my career horoscope? A: Your career horoscope can provide valuable insights into your professional trajectory, including potential job opportunities, growth prospects, and challenges. It can help you understand your suitability for different career paths and guide you towards a fulfilling career aligned with your talents. Q: Can astrology predict specific job opportunities or timing for career changes? A: Yes, astrology can offer predictions about job opportunities and ideal timeframes for career changes. By analyzing planetary transits and aspects, Acharya Devraj Ji can provide a roadmap for your professional journey, highlighting when to pursue new opportunities or make significant career shifts. Q: Can I consult with Acharya Devraj Ji online? A: Yes, you can consult with Acharya Devraj Ji Indian best astrologer online. He offers expert career astrology services remotely, providing personalized guidance based on your date of birth and time. This makes his insights accessible regardless of your location. Archana Jyoti New Delhi India's literary masterpieces 'Ramcharitmanas', 'Panchatantra', and 'Sahrdayaloka-Locana' have earned a prestigious place in UNESCO's Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register, a significant acknowledgment of their cultural and historical importance. Authored by Kashmiri poet Acharya Anandvardhan, Pandit Vishnu Sharma, and Hindu saint and poet Goswami Tulsidas respectively, these trio of iconic Indian literary works have left an enduring impact on readers and artists in India as well as worldwide. In what is a proud moment for India, their inclusion in prestigious UNESCI register also adds a feather to the cap of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) which had played a crucial role in securing their inclusion at the 10th meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP) in Ulaanbatar in Mangolia. It was hosted by the Ministry of Culture of Mongolia, the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, and the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok. Significantly, this is the IGNCAs first achievement at the Regional Register since its inception in 2008. Their inclusion in the register highlights their transcendent influence, which extends beyond borders and generations, shaping the moral fabric and artistic expressions of diverse cultures. This achievement highlights the timeless value and influence of these literary works, which have deeply impacted Indian literature and culture, Professor Ramesh Chandra Gaur, Dean (Administration) and Head of the Department, Kala Nidhi Division at IGNCA told The Pioneer. He had presented these three entries from India, effectively defending the nominations at the UllanBatar convention. At the gathering in Ulaanbaatar 38 representatives from member states convened alongside 40 observers and nominees, said an official from the IGNCA. After undergoing rigorous deliberations and receiving recommendations from the Register Subcommittee, all three nominations secured inclusion, highlighting their significance in India's literary legacy. Gaur added that their inclusion in UNESCO's register reaffirms India's rich literary heritage and underscores the importance of preserving and promoting such cultural treasures for future generations. Authored by Goswami Tulsidas, 'Ramcharitmanas' is an epic poem that narrates the life of Lord Rama, a revered figure in Hindu mythology. It is written in the Awadhi dialect of Hindi, and is one of the most renowned works of devotional literature in India. 'Ramcharitmanas' is not only a religious text but also a cultural symbol, influencing art, music, and literature across India. These were so far just within a reach of a few. But this is for the first time that the great works are being showcased to the world. Likewise, 'Panchatantra', 15th centuary manuscript which is traditionally attributed to writer Vishnu Sharma is a collection of ancient Indian fables and moral stories. It is renowned for its wisdom and practical teachings, imparted through animal characters and their adventures. The 'Panchatantra' has been translated into numerous languages and has had a profound impact on storytelling traditions worldwide. Authored by Kashmiri poet Acharya Anandvardhan, 'Sahrdayaloka-Locana' is a significant literary work in the field of aesthetics and literary criticism. It provides insights into the principles of Sanskrit poetics and analyzes various aspects of literary composition. It has contributed to the understanding and appreciation of Sanskrit literature and aesthetics. By honouring these literary masterpieces, the world not only paying homage to the creative genius of their creators from India but also ensures that their profound wisdom and timeless teachings continue to inspire and enlighten future generations, added Gaur. According to the UNESCO website, genealogical records were especially notable among 2024 inscriptions, with Mongolias Family Chart of Hereditary Lords of the Khalkha Mongols, the House of Genghis Khan; as well as the communities of Huizhou in China, and Kedah State in Malaysia, as testaments to the importance of collating regional family histories. Often proudly claiming to be the true architect of the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously decided to contest elections in Bengal without the Congress and the Left. However, on Wednesday, she announced that she would support INDIA Bloc from the outside if it came to power. Addressing an election rally at Chinsurah in Hooghly district, Mamata said, After the Modi Government goes we will provide the leadership to the INDIA Bloc and support it from outside and ensure that the people of Bengal including those who have not been paid the wages for hundred days work get back their rights. Mamatas claim came a day after she told another rally that the first four phases of polling have clearly indicated that the weather for the BJP is changing and that INDIA Bloc would win 315 seats against 195 that would fall in the saffron partys bag. Modi is going and there will be no Modi in Delhi and Didi will ensure that the INDIA Bloc comes to power at the Centre, she said. Notwithstanding her outside support pledge for INDIA Bloc, Mamata said by INDIA she did not mean the Left and the Congress of Bengal. I dont mean the Left and the Congress of Bengal, who are the agents of the BJP and are fighting the elections separately. I am talking about the Congress that is in Delhi, she said, leading to a lot of criticism from both the Left and the State Congress ranks. Didi is also afraid because she is thinking that if the INDIA Bloc comes to power, then she might have to turn to them to save her leaders, her nephew, and herself. So, she is trying to separate the national leadership and the State leadership of the INDIA parties. However, they are not fools. She has managed to save herself by striking a deal with Modi, but after there is no BJP in Delhi, she will have to answer for her misdeeds, said CPI(M)s Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya. Back to the rallies both Mamata and Union Home Minister Amit Shah traded relentless fire. Shah referred to the Sandeshkhali incident saying the Chief Minister had developed her own modus operandi where she lets her men first commit crimes and to hide it she gets more crimes committed... Sandeshkhali is a classic example of this. On the other hand, Mamata attacked the Prime Minister calling him a publicity man. Here is a Prachar Babu who wants to get photographed everywhere asking him to appear in new dresses and get photographed and he has no problem because he wants publicity only publicity and lies are his two weapons, Mamata said questioning the Prime Ministers earlier claims that he was giving cooking gas, ration and other facilities to the people for free. He promised `15 lakh in every account did you get it he promised 2 crore jobs per year did you get that job he is telling you that he is giving gas and ration for free but that is also not true he is only a prachar babu who thrives on publicity, she said. Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, a veteran in the politics of the national Capital, is vying for the South Delhi Lok Sabha 2024 seat as a BJP candidate. He claimed that the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya will have a significant impact on the voters of his constituency, who will vote for him to give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a third term in a row. The sitting MLA from Badarpur and Leader of the Opposition said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is not an alternative to Modi. Having an experience in the political domain for 53 long years, Bidhuri told The Pioneer in the midst of his campaign that people have made up their minds. They are going to vote for Modi above caste, religion and community. In front of people, there is no alternative to Modi. Rahul tries to be his alternative but people are not taking him seriously. I believe that last time, the BJP candidates had 57 per cent to 60 per cent votes. This time, BJP is going to get more than 70 per cent votes. BJP is winning all seven seats in Delhi because people have a lot of faith in Modi, he said. Born and brought up in a family of farmers in South Delhis Tughlakabad village, he said he will get votes in the elections to make Modi secure a third term again, who he claims will get the same respect from the countrymen as Lord Ram and Krishna got. He works hard and is down to earth and I even once told him directly that he is not an ordinary man. He is an ansh of the Supreme, he said, adding that the country has made historic progress during the 10 year tenure of BJP and Modi. Today, the borders of the country are safe. The country is completely safe in his hands. He is the most popular leader in the world. So people of India feel proud. People in India and abroad come and tell us how they have been treated since he became the PM. Now, the way Europeans are treated abroad, the same way Indians get respect, said Bidhuri, who has experience in several political parties, including Congress, AAP, and BSP. Attacking Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP, Bidhuri said Delhiites are tired of seeing AAP leaders crying foul for everything they cant do and asked why no one in the previous Governments had any problem even when the ruling party in Delhi wasnt the same as the Central Government. Responding to a question that the AAP Government accused the Centre and Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena of not letting them work, the leader said, There was no tussle when Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana-led the BJP Government was here and there was Congress Government in the Centre. We have seen Sheila Dikshits Government being run in Delhi without any problem with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led BJP Government in the Centre. They never had a confrontation with LG. These people deliberately create drama when they cant get any work done. He said there are transferable subjects that come under the elected Government of Delhi and hence crying foul all the time about it makes the people think of voting for BJP. AAP makes a lot of commitments which are not possible for them to fulfill. And when these commitments are not fulfilled, AAP leaders say the BJP Government is not allowing us to work. The LG is not allowing us to work. I am an MLA from Badarpur. If I say I am not able to work, that Kejriwal is not allowing me to work, then people will regret electing me. People understand this and if this is the case with AAP, why will people not elect BJP to bring a double engine Government in Delhi? he said. Talking about the development projects, he highlighted the biggest eco-park in the world being built on 885 acres in his constituency, which had NTPCs ashes there. He said it will have a jogging track, a cycle track, a yoga center, a safari, a zoo and a boating lake. He talked about expanding the metro network and working on developing a master plan to solve the issue of traffic, which is a pertinent issue in the area. I will expand the Metro network, develop master-plan roads and regularise 69 unauthorised colonies. Traffic is a big problem in our region and we will develop a peripheral road connecting Sangam Vihar to Deoli. The Mehrauli-Badarpur road needs to be turned into an elevated road, up to the Gurugram border. Mandi Road will be widened to 100 feet from 25 feet to provide another passageway connecting Haryana, he stated. He said, We are constructing a six-lane road to decongest traffic on Mathura Road. So, in the next six months, 70 to 80 per cent of that work will be completed. From DND Kalindi it will connect the Baroda-Mumbai highway. This will solve the issue of traffic allotment. In India, nursing remains predominantly female-dominated, but perceptions are changing, breaking stereotypes along the way. Meet Kanishk Yadav, a Nursing Officer at AIIMS, Delhi, whose journey into the profession was sparked by his mother's treatment in a hospital, where he witnessed the profound respect given to healthcare staff. In a discussion with ARCHANA JYOTI, he offers a glimpse into his role, challenges, and aspirations within this evolving landscape What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing? My mother's gallstone treatment in a hospital during my 10th grade ignited my interest in healthcare, seeing the respect for the staff there motivated me to become a healthcare worker. Could you describe your typical workday as a male nurse? Working in a high-dependency unit, I care for critically ill patients and assist over 50 patients daily with various blood-related treatments across hospitals and departments. Have you faced any specific challenges or prejudices as a male nurse in a predominantly female-dominated profession in India? Despite nursing being female-dominated, I've experienced acceptance and support from colleagues. The increasing presence of male nurses globally has positively influenced acceptance by patients over time. Do you feel your gender influences your career advancement opportunities in nursing? Once one becomes a professional nurse, opportunities are equal for all, irrespective of gender. How do cultural norms and societal expectations influence your role as a male nurse in India? Nursing has its code of ethics based on cultural norms and societal expectations, emphasizing patient comfort, safety, and privacy. These guidelines are easier to follow now with increased male nurse representation. How do you navigate gender-specific cultural sensitivities while providing care to patients of different genders? We explain procedures to patients and relatives, offering assistance from female colleagues if needed, ensuring compliance with ethical standards during all medical procedures. Do you believe there's been a shift in societal perceptions regarding male nurses in India in recent years? There are few states left where we find only female nurses. Now, we can see representation of male nurses from every corner of the country. This shows the society has accepted male nurses. During Covid-Pandemic we all must have seen many motivational stories of male nurses working tirelessly along with their female colleagues. Many male nurses have received Florence Nightingale for their exemplary work, I think these all have helped us. What support systems or resources do you feel are necessary to enhance the representation and inclusion of male nurses in Indian healthcare settings? Patients feedback is most important to make our presentation stronger. They all work as ambassadors for us. If they are satisfied with our work then policymakers will start thinking of us as far as our participation is concerned. Second, our work is teamwork, if my team members from bottom to top feel the same, also helps us a lot. All Policymakers (Health) empower a particular group after getting positive feedback from these two. My concern is to give an equal chance to all team members to represent themselves. How does your workplace promote diversity and inclusion among nursing staff? Our workplace reflects "unity in diversity," with staff from various states collaborating effectively, fostering an environment conducive to learning and growth. Have you observed any gender-specific differences in roles or responsibilities among male and female nurses in your workplace? Roles in the medical field are gender-neutral, but as a male nurse, I may have certain responsibilities towards female patients, such as during CPR procedures. During CPR, I am supposed to take charge of giving compressions and a female colleague can be given the responsibility of medication, calling other team members, activating the alarm, etc. What strategies do you employ to foster collaboration and teamwork among colleagues, irrespective of gender differences? We attend training sessions, workshops, and seminars, participate in clinical case discussions, and engage in regular communication to foster a collaborative environment. What are your career aspirations within the nursing profession? I aim to inspire change through exemplary work and community service, believing in the principle of leading by example. I learned this during the COVID-19 pandemic when I requested to depute in the COVID-19 ICU and the story went viral after one of the faculty members saw this. I received hundreds of messages and calls from every corner of India and my story inspired them a lot to work for the nation in crisis. Similarly, in the case of blood donation, organizing medical camps, etc. What advancements and best practices do you find in nursing, particularly in the Indian healthcare context vis-a-vis worldwide? India's healthcare system is evolving rapidly, with initiatives like the establishment of nursing simulation labs and new nursing colleges, indicating a commitment to producing skilled nurses. What advice would you give to aspiring male nurses in India, considering the unique challenges and opportunities they might face? I encourage aspiring male nurses to master their craft, and work with dedication, compassion, and passion, embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. How do you envision the role of male nurses evolving in Indian healthcare in the coming years? It's not limited to any gender. I would say that the role of Nurses in Indian Healthcare is increasing and becoming demanding day by day. As the healthcare system in India strengthens, it would require more skilled and empowered nurses to fulfill the requirements and upliftment of the healthcare system. What changes or initiatives do you believe are necessary to further promote gender diversity and inclusivity in nursing in India? Recruitment initiatives like the inclusion of male nurses in the Military Nursing Services would promote gender diversity. Exclusionary practices should be addressed to ensure equal opportunities for all nurses. Do you foresee any specific trends or challenges that might impact the nursing profession, particularly for male nurses, in India? Gender-specific reservations in nursing vacancies and the need for specialization present challenges. However, initiatives to address these issues and meet the growing healthcare demand are imperative for the profession's advancement. BREAKING THE SHIELD Dr T Dilip Kumar, serving as the President of the Indian Nursing Council, and Dr. Ramling B. Mali, holding the position of President at the Maharashtra Nursing Council, stand as notable examples of male leaders in the nursing profession. Stanly Jones is the Chief Nursing Superintendent at the Southern Railways Hospital in Chennai. Demand for Male Nurses in the Nursing Profession in India, at least 20.5% of nurses in 2018 were male, according to a WHO report. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday asserted that the opposition INDIA bloc is in a strong position after four phases of Lok Sabha polls and that the people of the country are prepared to bid farewell to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also said that the election is to save the Constitution and asked why PM Modi has not taken action against those talking of changing the Constitution. "Four rounds of polling have been completed in the country. The INDIA bloc is in a very strong position. I can say with full confidence that the people of the country have prepared to bid farewell to Narendra Modi. INDIA bloc is going to form the new government on June 4," he said at a joint press conference with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav here. He claimed that the BJP will change the Constitution if it comes to power again. "These people are trying to change the Constitution. RSS leader Mohan Bhagawat said it first. It was said in Karnataka that two third majority is needed to change the Constitution. In Uttar Pradesh, so many from the BJP have talked of changing the Constitution," Kharge said. He asked why PM Modi has not taken any action against those who talk of changing the Constitution. "I am surprised that Modi remains quiet on this. You talk of strength and 56 inch chest, why don't you scare them, expel them from the party. One should not say such things against the Constitution," he added. Kharge said the Congress made a law to ensure food is provided to the poor. "If INDIA bloc govt is formed, we will provide 10 kg of free ration per month to the poor," he added. Speaking at the rally, Yadav claimed the alliance will win 79 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. Ethiopian official hails Chinese investment in textile sector Xinhua) 10:29, May 15, 2024 ADDIS ABABA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese investment is an essential driver of Ethiopia's textile and apparel industry, an official said Tuesday. Chinese investors are "the backbone of Ethiopia's textile industry development," said Aklilu Tadesse, CEO of the Ethiopian Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC) during discussions between officials from IPDC and the Ethiopian Investment Commission with potential Chinese investors interested in investing in Ethiopia's textile and garment industry. Highlighting the sector's significant contribution to the Ethiopian economy, Tadesse said that investments in textiles are a major catalyst for the country's development and overall economic growth. He noted that the sector has created permanent and temporary job opportunities for hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians. Tadesse urged Chinese investors to consider investing in Ethiopia's textile industry, pledging the Ethiopian government's full commitment and support to their success in Africa's second-most populous nation. He said that the Ethiopian government has prepared "significant incentives related to export and tax relief" and that the IPDC is prepared to strengthen its investment ties with China in the textile and other sectors. Encouraging Chinese investors to explore investment opportunities within industrial parks across Ethiopia, Tadesse said China plays a vital role in constructing and operating industrial parks in the East African country, supporting the country's economic restructuring toward industrialization. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre is organising workshops about suicide prevention and emotional health. The British Red Cross will conduct these workshops at InVOLve House in Magherafelt. The general public and organisations can attend these free. The organisation has five training sessions planned from May 30 to June 24. The five workshops are aimed at people who want to improve their social skills and help around them. On May 30, the workshop called Supporting Connections will aim to develop skills to support mental health and learn how to help others manage loneliness and build connections. Additionally, there will be a 'Basic First Aid Workshop' held on the same day. It will aim to improve first-aid knowledge and build confidence. People attending the workshop will have the opportunity to practise hands-on techniques such as CPR, treating wounds and stabilising injuries. At the beginning of June, a Combined Adults & Children Safeguarding will take place. It will allow the participant to gain knowledge on how to safeguard children and adults. On June 5, the training called Good Governance Training will be aimed at people wanting to manage their teams more effectively. Later on in June, an Emotional Health and Suicide Prevention workshop will take place designed for people in a caregiving role or for people with a responsibility to reduce emotional distress and prevent suicide. It aims to help anyone feeling distressed or having suicidal thoughts in various settings get the support they need to stay safe. The Combined Adults & Children Safeguarding is 25 pounds and the other four trainings are free to attend. For booking and more information email Barbara Kennedy at barbara@midulstervolunteercentre.org or call her at 07587293458 Northern Irelands former first minister has said she was urged to use the nuclear button after then deputy first minister Michelle ONeill attended a large-scale funeral during the coronavirus lockdown. Ms ONeill and other Sinn Fein ministers attended a funeral for senior republican Bobby Storey in west Belfast in June 2020 when there were restrictions on social gatherings. Footage of large crowds gathered on the streets for the send-off sparked controversy at the time, and the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has heard evidence that it chilled relations within the Stormont Executive. Speaking at the Covid-19 Inquiry on Tuesday, Ms ONeill apologised for having attended the funeral. She told the inquiry that she was sorry from the bottom of her heart for the hurt her attendance at the funeral had caused to families of those who lost family members to the virus. Ms ONeill also acknowledged that relations in the Executive were damaged as well as public health messaging, adding she had had work to do to regain that. Appearing at the inquiry on Wednesday, Baroness Foster welcomed that apology. She told the inquiry she had felt personally upset by the incident, and that it caused difficulty in their working relationship, leaving her feeling unable to stand on a joint platform with Ms ONeill for press conferences. Baroness Foster also revealed that behind the scenes, she was being pressed to hit the nuclear button. It was a huge disappointment and indeed caused massive damage to the Executive, to the credibility of the Executive, to public messaging and was very hurtful to so many people around Northern Ireland who had stuck by what were very stringent rules around funerals and wakes, she said. All of that had been prohibited and yet here was one of the people making the rules actually doing just that. It was a huge disappointment, personally I felt very upset about it all and I didnt feel there was any credibility in going back to press conferences at that time. Baroness Foster said the joint press conferences restarted in September, when she said Ms ONeill had acknowledged the hurt that had been caused and in particular the damage to messaging. Given where we were then going I felt it was important that we started to give those public messages again, she said. Later in her evidence Baroness Foster revealed: Some people were pressing me to use the nuclear button at that point, in terms of the Executive. I felt that that was absolutely not the thing to do in the middle of a pandemic and that I had to stay and try and work through the difficulties that had arisen. I know there are some in my community who were wondering why I hadnt called for the deputy first minister to resign, and I didnt at that time. The former DUP leader went on: I asked her to reflect and apologise, and Im very glad that she has used the inquiry as a place to apologise. I think that that is the right thing to do and Im pleased that that has happened. But be under no illusion that that was a moment of maximum risk and I had to try and manage internally my own colleagues, and externally as well. Former PSNI assistant chief constable Alan Todd, who led the police response to the pandemic, said the scenes at the Storey funeral made life very difficult for his officers. He told the inquiry: What happened on the day of Bobby Storeys funeral was wrong. I said so at the time, I said so through the various investigations into it and I have said it every day since. I think the people who were involved in that have now come to that position. Mr Todd said he did not believe there was a policing solution to what had had happened at the funeral, pointing out that police had limited powers due to regulations in place at the time. He said: The notion that you would start to deploy large numbers of police with the potential for disorder and the requirement to exercise the use of force, it just becomes untenable. He added: The police service took a lot of criticism. It made life very difficult for my officers. An emerging number of people who were seeking not to comply with the regulations had their case strengthened. No other DUP ministers agreed with a claim made by former Stormont minister Edwin Poots that Covid-19 was more prevalent in nationalist areas in Northern Ireland, Baroness Foster has said. The former first minister was asked about her party colleagues controversial remarks in October 2020 as she appeared before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on Wednesday. Mr Poots sparked a furore when he claimed transmission rates of the virus were higher in nationalist areas than in unionist areas by a ratio of around six to one. Senior counsel to the inquiry Clair Dobbin KC asked Baroness Foster if she sought to sanction Mr Poots or stop him from making such statements. Mr Poots, who is now Assembly speaker, was a central figure in the internal DUP revolt that effectively ousted Baroness Foster as party leader in 2021. He was subsequently elected DUP leader but his tenure proved short-lived, resigning after just 21 days in the job following another internal revolt. I think, given what happened later on, you will see that Edwin is very much his own person in terms of his opinions, Baroness Foster told Ms Dobbin. However, its not a view I shared and he knew it was not a view I shared, and, indeed, it wasnt a view shared by the other DUP ministers either. The baroness was later asked about Mr Poots comments by Brenda Campbell KC, counsel to a group representing families bereaved in the pandemic. The former MLA said she agreed it was an entirely baseless view. Asked why she did not challenge the claim in public, the erstwhile first minister replied: I didnt want to give it any more traction than it already had, and if I had of entered into the sphere to slap Edwin down for what was clearly not accurate it would have become a huge media story, intra DUP story, and frankly I thought it was better to let it pass. If I had of been asked about it, I would have said absolutely. I dont agree with it. But the reality is, hed made the statement and I was trying to minimise any impact that it had on public confidence. Baroness Foster was asked whether she had considered a joint statement with the deputy first minister Michelle ONeill disapproving of Mr Poots remarks. She responded: I spent many hours trying to keep everybody in this together including when the deputy first minister went off and attacked other ministers. I tried to get everybody to keep in the tent and work together. It was torturous at times to try and keep everybody on the same page because were all very strong personalities. I think the inquiry has seen that from evidence that has been given, and I thought, perhaps wrongly, that that was the best way to deal with it to try and not give it oxygen and to move on. Baroness Foster also rejected comparisons with the controversy around Mr Poots and Ms ONeill attending the Bobby Storey funeral month earlier. She said the funeral controversy was in a completely different league. Former Northern Ireland first minister Baroness Arlene Foster has denied sectarianising Stormonts response to the Covid-19 pandemic by deploying a controversial veto mechanism to prevent the extension of restrictions. Giving evidence to the Covid-19 Inquiry in Belfast, the former DUP leader conceded the row in November 2020 marked a low point in the Executives handling of the pandemic and she acknowledged the use of the cross-community vote damaged public confidence. The controversy unfolded during a series of back-to-back Executive meetings across four days, which saw all the other parties in the devolved coalition administration push for a two-week circuit breaker extension to restrictions, as recommended by health officials. However, the DUP, which was concerned about the economic effect of continued closures of close-contact services and coffee shops, deployed the veto mechanism to stop the majority opinion from holding sway. The other parties heavily criticised the use of the cross-community vote, which was designed during the peace process to protect minority interests, in the context of a health emergency. On Wednesday, Lady Foster defended using the mechanism, insisting Sinn Fein had also triggered it in the past on issues that were not constitutional in nature. During her evidence to the inquiry, the former first minister also: Described how she felt personally upset by the attendance of then deputy first minister Michelle ONeill at the large-scale funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey despite lockdown restrictions. Said no other DUP ministers agreed with a claim made by former Stormont minister and party colleague Edwin Poots that Covid-19 was more prevalent in nationalist areas in Northern Ireland. Expressed great regret that Stormont did not anticipate the speed with which the Covid-19 pandemic spread. Acknowledged a political row over the closure of schools in Northern Ireland at the outset of the pandemic reflected very badly on the Executive. Branded offensive the suggestion that Northern Ireland had sleepwalked into the pandemic. In regard to the cross-community veto episode, Lady Foster accused Ms ONeill, who was chairing the relevant Executive meetings, of forcing the issue of extending restrictions to a vote among ministers, rather than trying to seek consensus through negotiations. Lead counsel to the inquiry, Clair Dobbin KC, asked the baroness if she accepted that the DUPs use of the mechanism sectarianised effectively the most pressing and critical of issues, going to the health and the life of people in Northern Ireland. I dont accept that it sectarianises it because its a mechanism thats been there since 1998 (Good Friday Agreement) for key decisions, the former DUP leader replied. I think it was a key decision for a lot of people in Northern Ireland that we were going to take their livelihoods away again. The former first minister admitted the cross-community veto was a blunt tool and told inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett that it may well be replaced by a system that uses weighted majorities in the future. It was pushed to a vote and we ended up in a position where relationships almost broke down, frankly, she said. And then we had to take some time out to try to come back together again trying to find a way forward. And it was very difficult to watch from the outside, Im sure. It was torturous inside. And I hope that we never get to a place where we have a four-day meeting of the Executive again. Lady Foster added: I really regret that we couldnt find consensus and we were forced into that position. It certainly wasnt a good look for the Executive and I regret that it had to be used. At one point during the hearing, the former first minister was shown text messages chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride had sent after the November 2020 meetings in one he suggested the politicians should hang their heads in shame and in another, he described the events as politics at its worst. Lady Foster said she was saddened by Dr McBrides assessment. The former DUP leader was also asked about the furore surrounding the funeral of Mr Storey. On Tuesday, while appearing at the inquiry, Ms ONeill apologised for having attended the funeral in June 2020. A day later, Lady Foster told the inquiry the incident caused difficulty in their working relationship, and left her feeling unable to stand on a joint platform with the deputy First Minister for press conferences. It was a huge disappointment and indeed caused massive damage to the Executive, to the credibility of the Executive to public messaging and was very hurtful to so many people around Northern Ireland who had stuck by what were very stringent rules around funerals and wakes, she said. All of that had been prohibited and yet here was one of the people making the rules actually doing just that. It was a huge disappointment, personally, I felt very upset about it all and I didnt feel there was any credibility in going back to a press conference at that time. At the outset of her evidence, the baroness expressed great regret that Stormont did not anticipate the speed with which the Covid-19 pandemic spread. She said by mid-March 2020, ministers had been advised the peak of the first wave was still 14 weeks away. In the event, the powersharing administration found itself triggering the first lockdown before the end of that month. Lady Foster said as first minister and joint head of government she accepted her responsibility for the outcomes in Northern Ireland during the first wave, including for the outbreaks within care home settings. However, she defended her leadership of the coalition in Belfast during the pandemic. While conceding others may make a different assessment of her performance, she insisted she tried to do the best for the people of Northern Ireland. The former first minister referred to advice given by chief medical officer Dr McBride in mid-March 2020 that the peak of the first wave was 14 weeks away. So, wrongly, and I say absolutely wrongly, we felt that we had time and we didnt have time, she said. And thats a source of great regret. The former Assembly member was asked by Ms Dobbin whether she felt she gave the leadership the people of Northern Ireland deserved during the pandemic. It was probably the most difficult period of my political career, she replied. I think it has been set out that Ive had a quite long political career. But I can say without any hesitation that dealing with the Covid pandemic was the most challenging, the most difficult time, and Ive had some difficult times. But we certainly tried, as all of the Executive, I think tried to put their best foot forward to deal with the issues that were presented to them. We had had three years without a government (during the 2017-2020 powersharing impasse). We had come back on January 11 (2020). We had a lot of things to do, because there hadnt been a government for three years, and we were then confronted with this global pandemic coming towards us. So it was hugely challenging. And I think all I can say in regards to my own leadership, is that I certainly tried to do the best for the people of Northern Ireland recognising that I was first minister at the time. Ms Dobbin repeated the question on whether she gave the leadership that the people deserved. Well, I think thats a subjective question, responded Lady Foster. Other people will have particular views on whether they got the leadership they deserve. I can only answer it from my own perspective, and I certainly gave as much as I could. She added: From my perspective, I gave the leadership that I felt was needed at that time. Ms Dobbin put it to the former politician that a feature of her written statement to the inquiry was her seeking to blame other people or other departments for what happened during the pandemic, particularly the Department of Health. Lady Foster rejected that characterisation of her statement. However, she pointed out that the Department of Health was the lead department in the Covid-19 response. Thats why Michelle (ONeill) and I looked to the health department for information in relation to the coronavirus, she added. So thats not a passing of the buck, its just the reality that we didnt have the information in relation to what was happening. HIGHLIGHTS The Realme GT 6T smartphone will be launched in India on May 22nd. According to Realme, the GT 6T will feature Indias largest cooling system to provide the coolest gaming experience. The handset is confirmed to be powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset. Realme recently announced that the GT-series is set to make its comeback in India with the Realme GT 6T smartphone. The GT 6T handset is scheduled to launch in the country on May 22nd. Ahead of the launch, the company has teased that the upcoming Realme GT 6T will feature Indias largest cooling system. Lets take a look at the details. Also read: Realme GT 6T to launch in India on May 22: Expected Price & Specs Had to leave your game in the middle because of an overheated phone? Leave the lags behind. Bringing the industrys largest dual VC cooling with #realmeGT6T. Get ready to meet the #TopPerformer Launching on 22nd May, 12 Noon on @amazonIN Know more: https://t.co/fSguDLEeWz pic.twitter.com/5izP8jeokE realme (@realmeIndia) May 15, 2024 Realme has revealed that the upcoming Realme GT 6T smartphone will feature Indias largest cooling system to provide the coolest gaming experience. If you are wondering what more to expect from the Realme GT 6T, read along. Realme GT 6T: Confirmed Details The Realme GT 6T handset is confirmed to be powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, and will feature a premium nano mirror design. It is confirmed to come in Gray colour. This smartphone will pack a 5500mAh battery with 120W charging support. The phone is said to charge 50% in just 10 minutes. The upcoming Realme GT 6T device is said to redefine the user experience by offering superior performance, faster speed, and better power efficiency. Also read: Realme GT 6T battery & charging details confirmed ahead of India launch: Check details Realme GT 6T: Expected Specs & Price The Realme GT 6T is expected to sport a 6.78-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate. For photography, the upcoming GT-series smartphone could feature a 50MP + 8MP dual-rear camera setup. On the front, there could be a 32MP selfie shooter. As far as the price is concerned, the Realme GT 6T handset is expected to be priced at 31,999. Given that these expected specs and price details of the upcoming Realme GT 6T are based on leaks, we suggest you to take them with a pinch of salt. LG India introduced its new range of OLED Evo AI and QNED TVs in the country on May 15, 2024, available in sizes ranging from 43 to 97 inches. LGs new Alpha 11 processor in G4 promises 4x the AI performance, 1.7x the graphic performance, and 1.3x the processing power. The processor enables AI features like AI Picture Pro with AI Super Upscaling, AI Sound Pro for virtual surround sound experience, HDR dynamic tone-mapping, and more. LG also introduced its new WebOS Re:New program, which guarantees operating system upgrades for the next five years. LG assures that each update will overhaul the UI, providing customers with the feel of a new TV each year for the next five years. Other important highlights include support for 4k@144Hz gaming with Nvidia G-sync-certified VRR, HDMI 2.1 connectivity, and Dolby Vision Gaming. Also Read: Best 55-inch AI TVs to Buy In India LG OLED evo AI TVs (2024) The flagship LG OLED Evo G4 is expected to employ the second generation Meta 2.0 OLED panel with the new Meta brightness booster technology. These panels are rated to achieve a peak brightness of 3000 Nits and 250 nits on full screen. LG OLED AI TVs are available in multiple sizes across the G4, B4, and C4 series. Also Read: 8 Types of OLED Displays You Should Know About LG OLED evo G4 AI Series: Available Sizes: 246cm (97), 196cm (77), 165cm (65), 149cm (55) Prices: Starting at INR 239990, up to INR 2049990 for OLED97G4 LG OLED evo C4 AI Series: Available Sizes: 211cm (83), 196cm (77), 165cm (65), 149cm (55), 122cm (48), 107cm (42) Prices: Starting at INR 119990 LG OLED B4 AI Series: Available Sizes: 196cm (77), 165cm (65), 149cm (55) Prices: Starting at INR 169990 LG QNED AI TVs (2024) LGs QNED AI TVs that combine Quantum Dots Enhancement Film with Nanocell film for richer colours include QNED90T, QNED88T, and QNED82T. The flagship QNED models include a mini LED backlight for precision dimming. LG didnt officially talk about panel technology but going by the global launch, it is no longer sticking to just IPS LCD panels in the new QNED TVs and you will find a mix of VA LCD and other technologies. QNED90T (QNED MiniLED AI TV): Available Size: 165cm (65) Price: INR 189990 QNED88T (QNED AI TV): Available Sizes: 191cm (75), 165cm (65), 149cm (55) Prices: Starting at INR 103990 QNED82T (QNED AI TV): Available Sizes: 191cm (75), 165cm (65), 149cm (55), 127cm (50), 109cm (43) Prices: Starting at INR 62990 Commenting on the same, Mr. Hong Ju Jeon- MD LG Electronics India, said, We are proud to introduce the Next Generation of AI TVs, showcasing the forefront of innovation in both OLED and premium LED technologies. The LG 2024 LG OLED evo AI and LG QNED AI TVs lineup takes the viewing experience to a new level with an advanced processor that enables outstanding audio-visual experiences across various screen sizes, while also providing a personalized user experience tailored to each individuals unique lifestyle and preferences. There is a growing demand for large-screen TVs in India and we are constantly enhancing our portfolio with products like Worlds largest 97-inches(246.38 CM) TV with vibrant picture quality, advanced AI-powered processing technologies, Apart from this WEBOS renew program With this new line up we aim to further enhance our market leadership in Flat Panel TV in India. AI rush sparks workplace woes: Amazon and Google under fire for workforce crunch As tech giants race to maintain their edge in the AI competition, reports have emerged from current and former employees alleging widespread mismanagement issues within these companies. These include complaints of manpower shortages, a tendency to prioritize speed over quality, and a disregard for technical risks. According to CNBC, one Amazon engineer highlighted the company's emphasis on speed in product development to catch up on Microsoft and OpenAI. Human sacrifice for AI The anonymous engineer described the pressure to write extensive lines of code for new AI features without adequate testing protocols in place. Additionally, instances were reported where team members had to rouse each other in the middle of the night to address urgent issues with the AI software. Moreover, many employees without relevant experience have suddenly been thrown into the midst of AI work. As reported by The Register, AI researcher Viviane Ghaderi, who claims to have worked on Amazon's Alexa and Large Language Model (LLM) teams, recently filed an improper dismissal lawsuit. The complaint mentioned that Amazon to strengthen its competitive edge in Generative AI (GenAI) has gone to the extent of violating its copyright protection policies. Additionally, some Google employees described the company's cramped product development process as akin to "building the plane while flying it". Competition pressure, shortened schedules, and insufficient budget and manpower resources are among the factors cited that lead to internal exhaustion. Google employees also pointed out that given the intense competitive pressure in the GenAI field, it is understandable that development schedules need to be accelerated. Many tech companies claim to invest hefty resources in AI, but the industry is also currently going through spending and staff reduction, with Google being one of the many. Staying ahead at what cost? Microsoft employees described the company as being in a "survival of the fittest AI rat race" and, in pursuit of speed, cutting corners in ethics and security. It is said that there are situations where the focus on AI overshadows everything else. For example, in a scenario where an engineer developed a problem-solving algorithm without GenAI. The likelihood of it being shelved, even if this algorithm is more efficient and cost-effective is high, meaning solutions involving large language models are more prioritized. Microsoft has recently been accused multiple times of inadequate information security protection. The company has announced a series of changes, including appointing a network chief to the product department and using the achievement of cybersecurity goals as a criterion for senior executive compensation. In addition, employees are required to prioritize security when designing products or services. The subsequent effectiveness of this implementation remains to be seen. US-China trade relationship exacerbates as Biden raises tariffs on Chinese EVs, solar cells, semiconductors The US government announced the long-waited tariff revision on an array of China-made products on May 14. Tariffs on Chinese EVs were hiked from 25% to 100%, while those on solar cells were raised from 25% to 50%. China's Ministry of Commerce immediately said the move substantially impacted the collaboration between the two countries, vowing to take resolute measures to defend China's interests. Lists of revised US tariffs on Chinese imports Item Tariff increased to (%) Effective year Battery parts (non-lithium-ion batteries) 25 2024 EVs 100 Lithium-ion EV batteries 25 Other critical minerals 25 Ship-to-shore cranes 25 Solar cells (whether or not assembled into modules) 50 Steel and aluminum products 25 Facemasks 25 Syringes and needles 50 Semiconductors 50 2025 Lithium-ion non-EV batteries 25 2026 Natural graphite 25 Permanent magnets 25 Medical gloves 25 Source: The White House, compiled by DIGITIMES Asia, May 2024 US President Joe Biden's new tariffs on China-made products are based on former President Donald Trump's policy. The most significant tariff increase was 100% on Chinese EV. Biden said at a press conference on Tuesday that the US will not let China flood its market and make it impossible for American automotive manufacturers to compete fairly. According to Reuters, tariffs on EV batteries and other battery parts were increased from 7.5% to 25%. Solar cells were targeted with a 25% tariff. Biden said Chinese solar manufacturers are driving competitors in Europe out of business. "We won't let that happen here in America," he added. A 50% tariff on China-made semiconductors will take effect in 2025. A 25% tariff on natural graphite, permanent magnets, and medical gloves will follow in 2026. The White House said the new measures will affect US$18 billion of goods imported from China to the US. However, they are less likely to affect Chinese EVs on a large scale. China-based Gasgoo reported that the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data showed that Geely was the only Chinese carmaker that exported vehicles to the US in the first quarter of 2024. The company shipped over 2,200 cars to America. Other vehicles exported to the US were sold mostly under US brands, including General Motors' Buick. China's commerce ministry said on Tuesday that the US is politicizing trade issues, and the Chinese government is strongly dissatisfied with this. The ministry also said the US new tariffs violated Biden's vow not to decouple from China. The US government should cancel the additional tariffs on Chinese goods instantly. China will take measures to protect its interests, the ministry added. In his speech on May 14, Biden said these tariffs are strategic and targeted. He also said the Chinese government has poured state money into Chinese companies focusing on steel and aluminum, semiconductors, EVs, and solar panels for years. Biden accused China of "cheating" by stealing through cyber espionage and other means. He said he wants fair competition with China, not conflict. Friends of the man stabbed to death at a house in Sallins, Co Kildare last Sunday have established a fundraiser to repatriate his body back home to Moldova. Ion Daghi (39) died after sutaining stab wounds in a confrontation at a house in Sallins in the early hours of Sunday morning, May 12. A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Sallins. Valeriu Melnic, 23, whose address was given as Calliaghstown Lower, Rathcoole, County Dublin, faces an allegation of murdering Ion Daghi, on May 12 at The Close, Sallins Park. He appeared in court on Monday. Meanwhile, friends of Ion have launched the fundraiser. A GoFundMe page post states: "Hi my name is Olga and Im fundraising for the repatriation of Ion who was fatally stabbed on the night of 12.05.24. "I am their family friend. Im fundraising for Anghelina Spinu, his wife, mother of three children, for help with cost of repatriation. Money go straight to her account because I indicated all her bank details," it continued. Olga's tribute read: "He left behind three children, his wife and parents who don't know how to live on. It is a huge pain for the family. Now the family needs our help to be able to repatriation [sic], please help as much as you can." Almost 6,000 of a 7,000 target has been raised to far. The accused man, Valeriu Melnic, appeared before a special sitting of Naas District Court shortly before midnight on May 13. Detective Garda Enda Coleman told of charging the defendant, who made no reply. He said it will be alleged the incident arose at a small family gathering attended by five adults and three children. Some went to bed and a dispute arose between the defendant and the deceased, who drank a lot of whiskey. This turned physical, but calmed down before reigniting at about 3am. He said it will be alleged that the defendant went to the kitchen and took a knife. The deceased went to the kitchen where an altercation took place and it will be claimed the deceased was stabbed once in the chest with the knife, which is 30 centimetres in length. The defendant is the brother-in-law of the deceased Det Gda Coleman told Judge Desmond Zaidan that the argument was about nothing of substance and it escalated. The deceaseds 12-year-old daughter called the emergency services. The defendant was granted free legal aid and this was extended to cover the services of a Russian translator. The defendant was remanded in custody to appear again on May 16 by videolink. At the request of defending solicitor Cairbre Finan, the judge also ordered a psychological report. Gardai have rubbished accusations of officers escorting school children past asylum seekers' tents in Dublin. It comes following the circulation of a video on social media of Gardai walking with students past the Grand Canal in Dublin. In the video, the students can be seen walking by a fenced off area where unaccommodated asylum seekers previously stayed in tents. Over 100 tents were removed last week in a multi-agency operation, however dozens of tents have since appeared back in the area since then. Several social media users have shared the video and accused An Garda Siochana of escorting children due to an alleged danger posed by the occupants of the tents. No instances on asylum seekers attacking locals in the area appear to have been reported, however, Gardai are reportedly investigating claims that a number of tents were damaged on the night of Saturday May 11. It comes as the State faces a worsening accommodation crisis for people arriving in Ireland. According to An Garda Siochana, officers walked with young pupils on a school trip due to a number of major junctions and crossings on the route, as well as quick change lights. A Garda statement released on X (formerly Twitter) today (May 15) reads: "An Garda Siochana categorically rejects any assertion that Gardai are actively escorting, or have in recent days escorted, school children past a tented encampment along the Grand Canal, Dublin. "An Garda Siochana is acutely aware of the continued proliferation of disinformation but also broader society as well as media. "Our Community Policing Unit in Pearse Street regularly engage with local schools and will continue to assist with their activities - in this instance, we walked with almost 100 young pupils on a school trip across the city as there were a lot of major junctions and crossings on the route. "Gardai assisted by making sure that the young children did not get separated and that they were safe given the quick change in lights at some of the crossings. "This is commonly undertaken by those working in this Community Policing Unit to provide assistance to a number of the schools in the area in a similar way, and they will continue to do so." A family reunion policy that means essential workers must earn a minimum amount before their spouse or children can come to Ireland has been called heartbreaking. Parents and workers gathered outside the Department of Justice on Wednesday to call for an update on the review into the family reunion policy. Under the current family reunion policy, essential workers must wait 12 months before they can apply to bring their family to Ireland. This application process can take up to 12 months, under which workers need to earn a minimum amount of 30,000 euros to reunite with their spouse and above that again for each child. Shiji Joseph, who is originally from India and works as a nursing home carer, said it was deeply painful for her not to have her husband and children with her in Ireland. We are appealing with all of our hearts to Minister (for Justice Helen) McEntee, as a mother herself, to remove the barriers separating us from our families, she said on the steps outside the Department of Justice. I am a carer myself, I take care of elderly ladies. I want to take care of my family here too. It is so hard to return to an empty home at the end of a duty shift. I would love nothing more than to see my kids every day. I should not have to choose between providing for my family and being with them. It is heartbreaking not having my family here. Minister McEntee, if you can hear us today, please have a heart and let us bring our families here. Joice Thomas, whose wife and children Johan, six, and Hannah, three, are still in Kerala, India, said it has been two years since he has seen his family. Mr Thomas, who is a nursing home worker, said he has tried to bring his family over but it has proved very difficult. Nurudeen Oyewole, a 40-year-old father of three and a spokesperson for the Families Belong Together campaign group, said he will not reach the salary requirements any time soon. Mr Oyewole, who is a social worker living in the Dublin area, has been in Ireland for five years. His 10-year-old son, nine-year-old daughter and four-year-old son and their mother are still in Nigeria. Asked what he would need to earn to be reunited with his family, he said: I need to definitely earn more than 40,000 euro in a year before I could stand a chance to bring my family with me. Many of us also work in very essential areas of Irish society, there are people who work as healthcare workers, that work with older adults and looking after their wellbeing, looking after people living with one challenge or another. You have people working in the food industry, you have people working in the hospitality industry, we have those who are working in the construction industry, Mr Oyewole said, calling these industries critical for the Irish economy. He called for the 12-month wait before people can apply for reunification and the 12-month processing time to be scrapped. Asked if he thought the process to be reunited with his family would be easier, Mr Oyewole said absolutely. He said: I came in as a student, (I thought if I) demonstrated to government that I am paying taxes, that I have a full-time job, that I am a law-abiding citizen, that I would be allowed to bring in my family. It was only later that I was told there is a general work permit and a critical work permit. Mr Oyewole added: I know that Irish society is one that really (values) family bonding and relationships, so its really difficult. Sometimes you walk around, your mind races back to your family. You see other people with their kids and you think I wish that was me with my family. I dont think we should be put in a situation where we have to choose between our work and our family. Neil Bruton, campaign manager with the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI), said it was unclear why the policy had been under review for 12 months when people are desperate to have their families with them. Minister McEntee has the power to reunite families by scrapping these deeply unjust rules. People cant wait, she must act now. Scrap the salary check. Scrap the waiting period. Enable all workers to have their family with them from the start. The Department of Justice said it recognises the immense contribution migrants are making to Irish society. It added: The policy governing family reunification applications for non-EEA family members, which was last amended in 2016, is currently under review. The minister announced the first changes to be introduced under this review today. Under these changes, all spouses and partners of General Employment Permit holders who are already living in Ireland having been granted family reunification and Intra-Corporate Transferee Permit Holders will be now able to engage in employment without needing a separate employment permit. The review had prioritised this issue due to its importance for several thousand people currently in the State with their families but unable to work and make a contribution to the economy in the key sectors that we need, such as healthcare or construction. The review is also examining a much wider range of complex matters relating to applications for family reunification. It is intended to conclude the review as soon as possible. In addition to the review of the Non-EEA Family Reunification policy, the department has today announced work that is under way to unify the current system whereby employment permits and immigration permissions are currently dealt with separately. The Government has agreed that a single permit to both live and work in Ireland should be rolled out. The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces has been appointed as the first Irish chairman of the EU Military Committee. Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, who has almost 40 years of service in the Irish military, will take up the role in May 2025. Lt Gen Clancy will remain as Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces until then, at which point he will have completed almost four years at the top of Irelands military. The EUMC is the highest military body within the European Council, and is composed of the Chiefs of Defence of the 27 member states, who are regularly represented by their permanent military representatives. It is the forum for military consultation and cooperation between the EU member states in the field of conflict prevention and crisis management. It directs all military activities within the EU framework, in particular the planning and execution of military missions and operations under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and the development of military capabilities. Lt Gen Clancy will also be regularly tasked with giving military advice and making recommendations to the Political and Security Committee of the Council, which is made up of ambassadors from member states. The chairman acts as the military adviser to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. This extends to attending council meetings with defence and security implications. The chair also acts as the primary point of contact for the Operation Commanders of the EUs military operations. The appointment of the chair of the EUMC occurs every three years with each member state having the opportunity to nominate a representative. The other nominees for this election were from Poland and Slovenia. Voting was conducted by secret ballot with each member state casting a first and second preference. The three-year role in Europe will require Lt Gen Clancy to be promoted to the rank of General (4-star). He is currently leading the Defence Forces during a period of reform following a report into allegations of sexual misconduct, bullying and harassment within the service. The Government has announced that a judge-led Tribunal of Inquiry will be established in the coming weeks to investigate the effectiveness of complaints processes within the Defence Forces. Tanaiste and Defence Minister Micheal Martin said: I warmly welcome Lieutenant General Sean Clancys election as chairman-elect of the European Union Military Committee. Lieutenant General Clancys appointment comes at a crucial time for Europe, with increased regional and global instability and insecurity. He brings with him almost 40 years of distinguished military service with the Irish Defence Forces and with his extensive range of defence experience and his skills in partnership building. He is ideally suited to apply his abilities to the role of chair of the EUMC at such a crucial time for the military pillar of the EUs Common Security and Defence Policy. 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. Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Louth marks its tenth anniversary this month, celebrating a decade of supporting local businesses across the county. Part of Louth County Council and supported by Enterprise Ireland, LEO Louth works to foster entrepreneurship and provide supports to underpin the growth and sustainability of businesses in Louth. Pamela Kerr, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, reflects on the milestone, explaining: "Over the past ten years, the team at LEO Louth have had the pleasure of supporting a diverse range of businesses that are the backbone of our local economy. From start-ups to scale-ups, our role is to nurture enterprise in Louth, and provide the right support as businesses grow. LEO client companies receive support tailored to their business needs. Some are helped through expert training, mentoring and business advice, while others access grants to help with investment in machinery or to expand into international markets. Local businesses describe LEO Louth as welcoming, supportive and empowering. Donal Geraghty of Data Analytics IT Consultancy Seapark Consultancy explains that: Business Expansion and TAME grants from LEO Louth allowed our company to grow from one to eight employees to meet market demand. David Kieran of award winning marketing agency ZOMA agrees: The LEO Louth team have helped our company to reach our true potential, both through expert mentoring and expansion supports. Dundalk based ceramicist Sarah McKenna talked about the consistency of support: Right from the very start of my business, their support made a difference. The craft sector is a balance between art and business and the team in LEO Louth have given me the confidence to keep moving my business forward, expanding into new markets and taking the business online. "They have also been instrumental in helping me design the environmental sustainability strategy for Sarah McKenna Ceramics, which is very important for our future. In the fields outside Drogheda, Marita Collier grows her renowned Drummond House Garlic, which is acclaimed by top chefs all over Ireland and Europe: LEO Louth have worked with me and my business over the last 8 years through numerous support programmes. Their support, advice and passion to assist new businesses has had a very positive impact on the growth and development of our business. "The choice of programmes, funding, and workshops they offer shows that they understand whats happening now and are always looking ahead to understand what business will need next. Its an invaluable resource for any business owner. Founder and CEO of My Forever Tooth Fairy Emma Duffy explains: starting a business can be a lonely journey, but the team from LEO Louth are always there. When I approached them first, my business was simply an idea. But they had the right supports to help me to develop that concept and build a strong foundation. "Ive taken part in top class training and had advice from their expert mentors. Access to feasibility support and New Frontiers means that both I and my business are now ready for the future. My advice to anyone with a business idea is to contact LEO Louth straight away - theyll set you on the right path. Pamela Kerr of LEO Louth concludes: "The last 10 years have been full of challenges for small businesses. Weve helped them navigate through Brexit, COVID-19, the sustained cost of living challenges and increased focus on digitalisation and sustainability. We have always been dedicated to supporting the enterprise community in Louth." Pamela continued: "Our training, workshops, mentoring, networking events, and financial supports will continue to empower entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey. "As we look to the future our team, in partnership with LEOs across the country, will continue to introduce new programmes that will provide local businesses with the essential skills and knowledge they need to succeed. "Visit www.localenterprise.ie/louth/readyto to find out more and talk to our team about how our supports can help your business to thrive. Louth County Council have announced a pioneering housing project underway in Dundalk, signalling the beginning of 3D Construction Printed (3DCP) social housing in Ireland. The Grange Close pilot project involves a unique collaboration between Louth County Council, Louth & Meath Education & Training Board (LMETB), Irish-owned company Harcourt Technologies Ltd (HTL.tech), and Roadstone Ltd, a CRH company, using 3DCP technology with the aim of providing a pathway towards an increased output of more sustainable, affordable, and efficient housing. The project aims to utilise 3D construction printing technology to provide three three-bedroom terraced units that will have a floor area of c. 110 m over two floors at Grange Close, Dundalk. 3DCP is a method of construction that involves using large-scale 3D printers on-site to create three-dimensional structures layer by layer. In this process, layers of Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) are sequentially deposited through a gantry-based 3DCP machine according to a digital model. The result is the creation of the housing superstructure at a rate which is up to three times faster than is possible through traditional methods. This approach significantly streamlines construction processes and holds immense potential to revolutionise the construction industry in Ireland by providing faster, more cost-effective, and sustainable ways to build. In preparation for the Grange Close scheme, HTL.tech successfully completed two 2-bedroom units at their R&D facility in Drogheda, Co. Louth, to demonstrate this fully compliant Integrated Modern Method of Construction (MMC) Housing Solution. This accomplishment underscores the project's feasibility and scalability. The contract for the construction of the project was awarded to B&C Building Contractors Ltd, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. Joan Martin, Chief Executive at Louth County Council said: Louth County Council is proud to collaborate with LMETB, Harcourt Technologies Ltd (HTL.tech), and Roadstone Ltd to deliver what is a very significant pilot project at Grange Close, Dundalk. The provision of high quality and sustainable social housing is a core objective of Louth County Council, and this project is a significant example of the use of innovative technologies and organisational collaboration in the delivery of new homes. Justin Kinsella, MD and co-founder of HTL.tech, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating: "Co. Louth is at the forefront of innovative technology aimed at offering a solution to Ireland's housing shortage, and having grown up in the region, I am immensely proud. This endeavour highlights Louth County Council's progressive stance towards meeting housing needs and its dedication to promoting sustainable solutions. The transformative potential of this technology is very exciting, offering a viable solution to help address our housing challenges. We're excited to start the Grange Close project and work with our development partners to create real change." The housing units will use 3D printing technology and prefabricated construction components, including windows, doors, flooring, and roofing. Combining MMC component providers within the digital construction workflow of 3DCP will ensure the precise integration of prefabricated elements, expediting assembly while guaranteeing consistency. This collaboration will streamline construction processes, enhance efficiency, and boost housing production capacity. It is intended that the Grange Close scheme showcases the use of the regulatory-compliant 3DCP technology. Compared to traditional methods, the aim is to achieve three times faster superstructure program delivery and a 25% reduction in overall project timelines. This is the first social housing project in the world to integrate 3D construction printing and Ready-Mix Concrete while using the lowest embodied carbon mix to save 278 kg CO2e/m in conjunction with their building materials partner, Roadstone. Patrick Diviney, Roadstone, Commercial Manager said: "Roadstone is a solutions-focused business committed to driving innovation and sustainability. We are delighted to partner with Harcourt Technologies Ltd to offer this future-based approach to construction. Integrating new technology and traditional building materials offers a new era of efficiency and carbon reduction - working towards a sustainable future. Collaboration between Roadstone technical staff and the team at HTL, combined with access to our industry-leading R&D laboratory, has facilitated the development of bespoke RMC designs coupled with an efficient and high-tech modern method of construction." A spokesperson for the council said: The 3D construction housing project is built upon HTL.tech's use of COBOD International A/S 3D construction printing technology in collaboration with Roadstone. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability within the construction industry and signals the beginning of the technology's scalability for housing delivery in Ireland. Louth County Council, LMETB, HTL.tech and Roadstone are committed to advancing this pioneering initiative. This project lays a path for future innovation and collaboration within the construction industry in relation to the production of high-quality, sustainable, and efficient housing in response to the ongoing housing demand. People in Louth are being invited to walk for peace and Palestine this coming Saturday 18 May, at the annual Famine Walk, organised by the human rights group Afri. Retracing the steps of several hundred people who made this journey in search of food during An Gorta Mor, participants will walk 18 kilometres through the spectacular Doolough Valley near Louisburgh, County Mayo. This year's focus is on Palestine and the walk leaders are Faten Sourani, a Dublin-based Palestinian lawyer human rights advocate from Gaza, and Donal OKelly, a renowned Leitrim-based writer, performer, and activist, known for his long-term involvement with Afri dating back to the Dunnes Stores anti-apartheid strike in 1984. There will also be a performance by Roisin El Cherif, an Irish-Palestinian musician from Galway, who will be accompanied by Katie O'Connor. Since 1988, the annual Famine Walk has highlighted the interconnectedness of the tragedy of An Gorta Mor in Ireland with modern-day injustices worldwide. For nearly four decades, it has focused on human rights violations all around the world, from Belize, East Timor, El Salvador, Guatemala, South Africa, to the Niger Delta. Previous walk leaders have included Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Christy Moore, journalist John Pilger, Mahatma Gandhis grandson Arun Gandhi, actor Gabriel Byrne, Michael Davitts granddaughter Grainne, and Kim Phuc, the Vietnamese woman who was famously photographed as a child in a now iconic photo in which she is running from a napalm attack. Speaking in advance of the walk, Afri coordinator Joe Murray says its a chance to honour our ancestors and to stand in solidarity with those facing injustice and oppression today. He says there is a particularly strong level of interest from people wishing to express their support for the people of Palestine. During An Gorta Mor, more than 26 million bushels of grain were exported from Ireland to England. We must never forget the million people who died from starvation or hunger-related diseases and more than a million forcibly displaced at the hands of colonial rule. Now, in the Congo, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and in Gaza, millions of people face hunger and starvation at the hands of those who have the power to prevent it. These crises are not isolated. War anywhere threatens peace and security everywhere. This is evident with the war in Ukraine, with the conflict not only devastating the people of Ukraine but also having a detrimental effect on food availability across the world. In what was once heralded as the breadbasket of Europe and one of the largest grain producers in the world, the war has seriously impacted Ukraines capacity for food production. More than this, the threat of a strike on a nuclear power plant poses an existential threat on a global scale. This year we dedicate the Famine Walk to highlighting and standing against genocide and starvation in Palestine. We shed light on the ongoing apartheid and colonialism to which Palestinians are being subjected. Israels brutal bombardment and occupation, the use of imposed starvation and the countless other forms of violence being committed are unconscionable. The Famine Walk offers a poignant day of remembrance, unity, and commitment to a more peaceful future. It provides a unique opportunity for us to join together, honour humanity, and stand for justice. Registration for the 18km walk takes place between 11am-12pm at the Parish Hall in Louisburgh followed by the opening ceremony. Buses will start taking people to the starting people at 12.40pm. Registration is required and is by donation. Register via www.Eventbrite.ie, www.Afri.ie or by contacting Afri on 01-8384204 or by email admin@afri.ie. Link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/afri-famine-walk-2024-tickets-884879387067 Riverdance star Michael Flatley has launched Flatley Whiskey 'The Dreamer', his first signature Irish whiskey from a series of special blends, and distilled in the Great Northern Distillery in Dundalk. Crafted in partnership with Ireland's esteemed Master Blender Noel Sweeney, this premium 5-year-old whiskey is said to embody "the spirit of dreams, passion, and mastery". The Lord of the Dance is said to have been meticulously involved with the whole process, ensuring that every aspect from the blend to the bottle design reflects a standard of excellence synonymous with his name. Michael Flatley is a long-time collector of Irish Whiskey. The idea for Flatley Irish Whiskey was brought to life when he began the multimillion pound restoration of his beloved Castlehyde in Cork. He created a sumptuous wood panelled whiskey room that has housed barrels of his earlier private blend for more than 25 years. With private visits by royalty and celebrities alike, the whiskey room at Castlehyde has been host to many tastings including the first tasting of Flatley's Irish Whiskey. The Flatley family crest adorning each bottle is a nod to his father, who he says was, and still is, his hero. Like so many Irish, Michael Snr left for the US in 1947 but his love for the home country never left him. His deep influence is clear from Michael's passion for Irish music and dance. Celebrated for his contributions to Irish dance and culture internationally, Flatley says it has always been his dream to have his own Irish Whiskey and to leave a legacy for the Flatley name. With Michael's US roots and global success and recognition, a highly anticipated launch stateside is planned for later this summer, with a worldwide launch in 2025. Michael is renowned for his perfectionism in his dance shows and has afforded the same attention to detail across every aspect of creating his whiskey. "For me, Irish whiskey, much like Irish dance, embodies the essence of Irelandits history, its spirit, and its ability to bring people together in celebration", he commented. "Irish Whiskey was a favourite of my father's. It was through his passion that I came to appreciate its complex flavours. So, it's a very proud moment to launch Flatley Irish Whiskey, as I know he will be smiling down on me." Commenting on the reason behind the name The Dreamer, Michael said, "With 'The Dreamer', we're distilling the essence of Irish tradition, the dreams that fuel us and the people that inspire us. "I brought in the very best team for Flatley Irish Whiskey, led by CEO Jim Clerkin, renowned in the international drinks industry, Master Blender, Noel Sweeney and Pierrick Bouquet who was the genius behind some of the most successful wine and spirits brands internationally. They all understood my vision, my desire to craft a whiskey that would be remembered from the first sip and could be enjoyed by all. The result is an exquisite blend that is rare and bold and I'm very proud of it." "It's a tribute to the undaunted dreamers who shape the world." The label reads: Savour the spirit of ambition and the warmth of achieving the extraordinary. Dream boldly, savour deeply. Noel Sweeney, one of the most talented Irish Master Blenders and an inductee into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame, formerly of Cooley Distillery and Powerscourt Distillery, created this impeccable blend with Flatley. Noel said, "I was truly honoured to work with Michael on this collaboration. He is one of Ireland's most prominent and significant ambassadors, enriching our culture through his promotion of Irish dance and music on a truly global scale, and now through whiskey." Commenting on 'The Dreamer', Noel continued, "This five-year-old triple-cask blend combines grain whiskey and double-distilled malt matured in former bourbon, port, and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. The whiskey embodies a quintessential Irish Whiskey style with smooth complexity." Flatley Whiskey has signed a distribution deal in Ireland with the country's leading premium spirits distributor Dalcassian Wines and Spirits who are stocking bars, hotels, and independent stores throughout Ireland North and South. Grocery retailer SuperValu is also already stocking the whiskey in over 175 stores across the country. It will be launched internationally over the next few years, with an initial release in the United States planned for later this summer. Priced at a RRP of 45, Flatley Irish Whiskey is now available in stores, bars and hotels throughout the island of Ireland, and online at flatleywhiskey.com. Follow the journey on Instagram and Facebook @FlatleyWhiskey. A 48-year-old grandfather who has spent 27 years in prison has been jailed for a further six years for a post office robbery and the attempted robbery of a B&B in Dublin City. Jason Fogarty, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of robbery at Merrion Row, Dublin on November 5, 2019 and one count of attempted robbery at Gardiner Place, Dublin on May 12, 2023. He was on bail for the first offence when he committed the other. Additional counts of assault causing harm were taken into consideration. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Fogarty to four years for the 2019 post office robbery, during which he threatened the cashier that a grenade would be thrown into her home if anything went wrong. She sentenced him to a consecutive three years, with one suspended, for the attempted B&B raid in 2023. Detective Garda Robert Mahoney said that on the day in question in November 2019, Fogarty entered a post office wearing a jacket, hat and gloves but his face was visible. Fogarty approached the counter of the post office where one staff member was working. There was a protective screen separating the two. He passed her a note which told her it was a robbery and also produced what appeared to be a firearm wrapped in a white plastic bag. The letter said that if anything went wrong: There's another man at the door who will send a text and your home will have a grenade put in the window. She opened the door and Fogarty came in. He took 7730 and 6000 from the tills and a safe before fleeing the post office. The staff member then pressed a panic alarm and gardai were called. Gardai identified Fogarty using CCTV from the post office and found 5730 wrapped in tin foil at his home the following day. The rest of the money was not recovered. Fogarty initially denied that he was the person shown in the footage and said he had received the money as inheritance. However, the note handed in to the post office had his fingerprint on it. Fogarty was charged in November 2019 and stayed in custody until March 2020 when he was released on compassionate grounds due to family difficulties. While on bail, he attempted another robbery of a B&B. Garda Darragh O'Connor told the court that at around 9pm on May 12, 2023, Fogarty entered the B&B wearing a medical mask around his chin and blue medical gloves. He approached a staff member who was working there and told him it was a robbery. Fogarty said an air freshener he brought with him was filled with acid and that he would throw it in the man's face if he didn't open a safe. There was pushing and shoving between the two men which ultimately ended up with both of them grappling on the floor. Fogarty punched the man two or three times but was overpowered. The staff member pushed Fogarty out of the building and locked the door behind him. Fogarty picked up a stool and smashed the glass door and came back in. At that stage, the staff member told Fogarty the safe was locked with a code and that only the manager could open it. Fogarty then left. Gardai were called and they identified Fogarty again through the CCTV. They arrested him and he admitted the attempted robbery. During interview, he apologized and wished the staff member, the very best for the future. The staff member told gardai he had a chest injury and cuts to his hand. When he attended hospital days later, he found out his rib had been fractured. Fogarty has 66 previous convictions, including for burglary, theft, robbery, public order, criminal damage and misuse of drugs. Emer Ni Chuagain BL, defending, told the court that Fogarty had significant difficulties from a young age and left school very early. By 13, he was addicted to heroin, she explained. Mr Fogarty commits offences when in active addiction, she said. Judge Codd imposed four years for the post office robbery and three years for the B&B offence, both to run consecutively, but suspended the final year. NCT testers have given an update on a question often asked by Irish parents before attending their local NCT centre. Many parents are unaware of the rules around car seats with most assuming they have to be removed from the back seat before a car is presented for a test. This practice can be a time drain for parents who often have to bring their kids with them to the test centre. However, now testers have reiterated to people that car seats don't have to be taken out for a test but they warned that if left in the back seat, they will be tested. Responding to the question on social media, NCTS said: "No, but if the baby seat is left in the car for the NCT, it will be checked that it is secure." The RSA regularly hosts free Check It Fits events where parents can go along and check that their baby seats are securely fitted. Elsewhere, NCT Ireland recently revealed a number of other little known visual reasons your car could fail the NCT. The NCT says: "Taking a few minutes to check some of the visual items below and ensuring they are all working in advance of your NCT could potentially save you valuable time and money." One of the more obscure items that you could easily forget to check is the little bulbs on your registration plates. It is a legal requirement that your registration is visible at all times and if these bulbs aren't working, it cannot be seen at night. Your car could fail its NCT if its registration plate lamps are "not working, faulty or not fitted; not white in colour; or if the lens is missing or broken." You can check these bulbs by turning your car on and checking the bulbs are on front and rear before the test. You can see the full NCT visual checklist below: Windscreen Wipers and Washers Reasons for failure: Missing Not cleaning windscreen effectively Wiped areas less than sufficient to give the driver an adequate view Washer, not working, no water or incorrectly aimed Seat Belts Reasons for failure: Belts cut, badly frayed or repaired Belts not operating properly Tyre Condition Reasons for failure: tread worn, distorted or damaged tread depth of less than 1.6mm Incorrectly seated on wheel rim Valve Damaged Registration Plate Lamps Reasons for failure: Not working, faulty or not fitted Not white in colour. Lens missing or broken. Stop Lamps Reasons for failure: Missing or not clearly visible. Not working or faulty. Not brighter than tail lights. Not red in colour Insecurely mounted Contains water/moisture Lens missing or broken Switch does not operate correctly Indicator/Tell Tales Reasons for failure: Missing, not working or faulty Insecurely mounted Lens broken or missing Contains water/moisture Not amber in colour Horn Reasons for failure: Control insecure Horn insecurely mounted Not working correctly Not working or not fitted Registration Plates Front and Rear Reasons for failure: One or both plates missing, insecure or not clearly visible. Numbers or letters missing or illegible or incorrect size Numbers, letter or background of incorrect colour Side Lamps Reasons for failure: Missing or not clearly visible. Not working or faulty. Not white in colour Insecurely mounted Contains water/moisture Lens missing or broken An IT worker who has been jailed for three separate offences of possessing child sexual abuse material told gardai that he didn't know how the material ended up on his digital devices. Gardai first searched the family home of Oisin Cannon (33) at Orlagh Meadows, Knocklyon, Dublin in 2017, where they found a mobile phone, tablet and laptop containing over 1,000 images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Cannon refused to accept responsibility for any CSAM and took a trial date but gardai again searched his home in May 2019 and September 2020, when further offending files were found on some of his devices. At a sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court this Wednesday, the court heard that Cannon told gardai he had no interest in child pornography. Cannon said he had been browsing online one day when 20 or so pop-up windows containing CSAM were displayed to him, but that he had closed them and hadn't saved any. He also suggested variously that other members of his household may have had access to the material, or that it could have been caused by viruses, or that some apps used to download illicit material may have been installed remotely by third parties. I'm sick to my stomach but what else do you want me to do. I'll look into it and see if I can figure it out, Cannon told gardai. He denied having at any stage accessed or stored explicit material or having used search terms such as underage erotic to trawl the dark web and said if he had been aware of any such material, he would have reported it to gardai. Cannon was due to face trial in 2025 but he pleaded guilty earlier this year to possession of child pornography on all three bills. Judge Martin Nolan handed him a global sentence of three years and nine months, expressing the hope that Cannon might learn from his experience. Judge Nolan said it was an open question as to whether Cannon might reoffend, adding that it was concerning that he had reoffended a number of times. I consider his behaviour to be very serious. He repeated it and that demonstrates something. It's hard to know why he did it, said the judge, adding that obviously accessing CSAM was not a victimless crime. Judge Nolan said Cannon had a strong work record and came from a very good and decent family. Detective Sergeant Kevin Drennan told John Berry BL, prosecuting, that the first search of Cannon's home took place on August 5, 2017, on foot of confidential information given to gardai. Cannon's HP laptop was seized and upon analysis, found to contain 1,011 unique images of CSAM, of which 860 were listed as being Category 1, the more serious sexually explicit material. The laptop also contained 102 videos with a total running time of over 31 hours. 65 of the videos were listed as Category 1. The majority of the videos featured children clearly younger than 12 years old, while some of them featured children as young as two or three. Cannon's mobile phone was found to contain 22 images, with a mix of Category 1 and 2, while his tablet contained eight images, again of mixed category. Gardai also discovered that Cannon had used software known as a TOR browser, which allows for internet searching without a record being kept of IP addresses. A number of bookmarks were found on Cannon's laptop with certain extensions indicating dark web and child abuse material, and one of the bookmarks had the name underage erotic, the court heard. Garda technical experts also reviewed Cannon's search history and found he had conducted 66 highly technical searches, directed at finding specific files. Cannon accepted ownership of the devices and gave gardai his passcodes, but denied having deliberately viewed or stored CSAM. He told gardai he worked in IT support and described himself as computer literate. On foot of further information, gardai again searched Cannon's home on May 17, 2019, seizing several of his devices including an iPad. On inspection, this iPad was found to contain 349 images, 34 videos and 118 screenshots of child sexual abuse, a mix of categories 1 and 2. Cannon was arrested by appointment and told gardai he had won the iPad in a raffle and only used it intermittently to look at YouTube videos. He said he couldn't remember having installed a number of apps which showed he had used the iPad far more frequently than he claimed, and said again that other people could have accessed the device. The court heard that Cannon was on bail for some of these offences when his phone was seized again on September 16, 2020. The phone was forensically analysed which uncovered 61 more serious Category 1 images of child pornography and 49 Category 2 images. Detective Garda Anthony O'Kane told the court that 23 videos of mixed category were also found. The court heard that the offending material was found in Cannon's phone's gallery, a user accessible location. A dedicated cyber crime branch of the gardai then performed a more detailed search and found an encrypted and obscured location, which contained 619 unique images listed as Category 1 and 4,933 of Category 2. 23 Category 1 videos were also revealed and some Category 2, with a total running time of 1hr 23 minutes. Again Cannon refused to accept responsibility for the material and suggested it may have been a virus or that it could have been sent to him accidentally. Cannon has no previous convictions. Gardai agreed with James Dwyer SC, defending, that Cannon had cooperated with gardai at all times, answering all questions put to him and attending interview and arrest by arrangement. Mr Dwyer said his client had a difficult childhood, particularly during his primary school years when he had been lonely, had experienced bullying and had undiagnosed dyslexia. He was close to his grandparents in Kilkenny and had a keen interest in hurling, the court heard. Cannon came from a close, loving family and his father and wife were present in court. His best friend died from leukaemia in his teens which affected him greatly, the court heard. A psychological report handed into court said Cannon had had a normal sexual development although with a significant interest in conventional pornography. The report said Cannon suffered from a depressive disorder and was plagued by a lack of self-esteem. He expressed remorse and said that at the time of the offences he had been under financial pressure and embarked on a deep dive into the dark web which gave him a sense of thrill and excitement which became normalised. Cannon was described as a vulnerable man who was nonetheless at low risk of reoffending due to his stable, supportive family and the therapeutic steps he has taken to address his offending. Letters were submitted from his parents and brothers, describing Cannon as the glue that holds the family together. By HENRY LINDNER Eagle Times Correspondent CLAREMONT, N.H. Wearing vintage clothing and thrift shopping may seem trendy, but for some local youth, its a necessity. Enter Courtney Porter, school social worker for SAU 6, who provides access for clothing and basic needs to students in the district via Courtneys Closet. The closet, an encompassing term for several spaces buried in a quiet space in the heart of Stevens High School, provides everything it can from clothes to counseling to comfort for any member of the community needing it. And it is all the brainchild of one person. Courtneys role began after a previous job working for Head Start, stating she had increased her passion for helping the underserved. We can really work to provide wraparound services for our most vulnerable population, she said. This gave birth to a closet that, similar to Narnia, holds much more than just clothes. These arent just your granddads clothes. Courtneys Closet clothing selection spans three rooms and includes a variety of clothing for any occasion. Many items still have tags on them, and with the warmer weather approaching students have an entire assortment to choose from. Speaking of accessories, Porter is a woman of many (real and figurative) hats. She has given back personally and professionally to the community by working for the school district for 11 years, and has spent 24 years in education after beginning her career in special education for Vermonts Head Start program. Her office lies in the basement of SHS and allows for both privacy and peace for those needing her help. As you enter it, youre greeted with bean bag chairs, coloring, and relaxing music. Unlike your more traditional guidance counseling, Courtney provides therapeutic ways for students to relax. Whether it be yoga, guided meditation or breathing exercises, students always have a space to feel safe in from stress inside or outside of the school day. In determining needs for resources, Courtney is on a first-name basis with many local communities and organizations, and her priority is to help children succeed and overcome the hardships they may face outside of the classroom. If you can imagine, if youre couch surfing or living in a motel, the likelihood that youve got your birth certificates or immunization records handy is slim, she explained. We just want to get the kids into school, well figure out the paperwork stuff later. Courtney regularly triages needs. It might be some financial support or maybe they need a ride to city hall or whatever, so Im working with the families. I put people right in my car and Im like, lets go, if I have to, she said. Students have frequently come back after graduation to thank Courtney, and she said parents run into her and express their gratitude. And her commitment to the community doesnt just stop at the final bell. She also is a member of the Claremont Kiwanis Club, the Elks Lodge, and the Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce, community organizations that provide a great amount of assistance annually to ensure local educational success. The community hosts an annual back to school event for clothing, donations, and access to resources traditionally hard to navigate when faced with the difficulties of daily life. For anyone interested in helping contribute to Courtneys Closet, donations may be coordinated by reaching out at [email protected] or contacting the school at 603-543-4220. By BOB MARTIN Eagle Times Staff CLAREMONT, N.H. Newly appointed Claremont City Councilor Brian Zutter truly cares about Ward 2 and his constituents, and in the early stages of his time in office he has set goals to be a voice for the people. Being the Ward 2 councilor, I am very interested in what the people of the ward are concerned about, Zutter said. What is their main focus? I want to hear from them. Zutter was appointed by the Claremont City Council after they interviewed two other candidates at their May 8 meeting to fill a vacant seat. With the departure of Spencer Batchelder from the Claremont City Council last month, he saw the opportunity and decided to give it a shot. He said a main focus is on housing in the community, noting that workplace housing and affordable housing for those living in the area is a major concern. He is also focused on the citys taxes, while being both fiscally and socially responsible so the residents can benefit. He admits that he has an uphill battle in learning the ropes of the city council, as well as rules associated with the city. Zutter has been reading through material to get prepared for the next meeting. One main challenge, he said, will be to change the mindset and negative connotation that Claremont can sometimes receive. This is a great city, he said. It offers a lot, but there always seems to be a negative connotation. I am really aimed and focused on getting that changed. It is a great city to serve in and to want to be a part of. I am all about the positive side, and the city has a ton of positive aspects I think we need to focus on and make even better. Zutter grew up in North Charlestown and graduated from Fall Mountain High School. He attended college in the Granite State, but then moved away for several years to Maine where he was involved in various boards and public service roles. For the last seven years he has lived in Claremont, and is a resident of Snowshoe Hill Road. Zutter is a project manager for Spin Systems, Inc., but also has served on boards locally. This includes being the vice president of the Arrowhead Recreation Club Board of Directors since 2023. He also served as the secretary of the Thomas Pond Cottages Condo Association from 2005 to 2018 and on the Windemere Homeowners Association Board of Directors from 2008 to 2018. I have been a project manager and in leadership roles for more than 30 years now, and with those skills I thought it was time to give back to the city that I live in, Zutter said. Zutter has had a career in the information technology industry for the past three decades, and also has a background in community engagement. He feels that this makes him prepared to positively contribute to the council, and the community of Claremont as a whole. I am motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the growth and prosperity of Claremont as City Councilor for Ward 2, Zutter wrote in a letter to the council that was included in his application. My unique blend of professional and community experience will enable me to serve effectively on the city council, promoting thoughtful decision-making and fostering a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable community for all residents. During the interviewing process, Mayor Dale Girard asked Zutter why he felt he was the best candidate for the job, to which he replied that it was his experience in community service and serving on boards for extended periods. He also said that the variety of types of people he has worked with on the boards along the way gives him the necessary skills to be able to negotiate, talk and listen. I feel that my skills to be able to negotiate and talk to everybody is a key point of why I should be filling that seat over there, he told the council. I think its important that the council do that. I see it representative in all of you here. Youre out there talking to people in the community. I think I can fulfill that as well. Zutter ran for assistant mayor in the November election and lost by 36 votes in what was his first try at obtaining a position in public office. While he has not served on any other government boards or committees, he said that working with large budgets and successfully fulfilling projects will be beneficial. Zutter joined the city council just in time for budget season, and he feels that his expertise will help with the process over the next four meetings. I am still I the learning stages, but in the first city council meeting I feel like I was able to add some value, he said. Thats kind of been my career. When you get thrown into the deep end, on fire, with hands tied, you survive. Thats where I am right now. The other city councilors have been very supportive. New York, US (PANA) - The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced at the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the investigative stage of the legal proceedings into alleged war crimes in Libya is expected to conclude by the end of 2025, transitioning into the judicial stage New York, US (PANA) - The President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, said on Tuesday that tangible progress is being made towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Uisce Eireann and Clean Coasts have urged Cork city students to think before you flush. Clean Coasts development officer Elaine Doyle recently met with fifth year students from Colaiste an Spioraid Naoimh in Bishopstown for a Think Before You Flush campaign workshop on Myrtleville Beach. The workshop highlighted issues associated with flushing items such as wipes, cotton bud sticks, and dental floss down the toilet and how their presence can impact wastewater networks and water quality. The event offered an opportunity to learn more about the campaign outside the classroom in the natural environment. A selection of students within the group hold positions as ambassadors of the Green Schools Water programme, and the workshop offered an opportunity to discuss subjects related to their positions. Now in its eighth year, the campaign a public awareness initiative run by Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Eireann focuses on the issue of flushing unsuitable items down the toilet, and highlights the consequences of doing so. Workshop The outdoor workshop also included information on the Think Before You Pour campaign which highlights the issue of pouring fats, oils, and greases from cooking down the kitchen sink. Following the workshop, Ms Doyle explained: Its always great to meet students outside of the classroom for an alternative learning experience, and no better place than on the beach. You are never too young or old to make a difference, and the students were eager to return to school with new knowledge of the campaign and the simple message of only flushing the three Ps [pee, poo, and paper]. The wastewater regional operational manager at Uisce Eireann, Mary Hussey, said: Every day, thousands of unsuitable items are flushed down the toilet instead of being put in the bin. At wastewater treatment plants right across Ireland, we are removing an increasing volume of items including wipes from the inlets. The flushing of wipes is one of the most common items causing blockages in our wastewater network, leading to sewer overflows and pollution in our rivers, on our beaches and in the ocean. We are encouraging people to think before you flush, and to consider the impacts on the local environment and community, Ms Hussey added. For more information on the campaign visit https://thinkbeforeyouflush.org/. A GROUP of Mayfield residents staged a protest outside Cork City Hall on Monday, ahead of a meeting of Cork City Council. The Mayfield Community Action Tenants Union group (CATU), protesting the councils systematic neglect of Mayfield, were joined by a number of local politicians and local election candidates. Theres issues like black mould, which causes nervous-system issues, chest problems, asthma, emphysema. Ive met multiple families where their kids have been perfectly healthy, now they have chronic asthma, said organiser Jack Casey. The council have also neglected to fix heating systems, issues with raw sewage in peoples gardens, leaks, disintegrating plaster, rodents. Mayfield resident Liz said: Mayfield people are all paying their rent, Cork City Council are supposed to be our landlord, and landlords are supposed to fix issues like this, but theyve been failing to do so, for as long as Ive been there which is 30 years. She added that residents try to get in touch with the council, but she claimed: Youre told your call will be logged, youre ignored, you send emails, you get no reply. I know a lady living in Mayfield who sent an email seven years ago and is still waiting for a reply. "I had a leak 11 years ago, they went to get scaffolding, and Im still waiting for them to come back, even though I continually pay my rent. Meanwhile, Mr Casey said: Its the same thing over and over again, weve been door-knocking since January and [at] every single council house people are saying the same thing: I emailed them, I called them, they dont get back to me. Theres one couple who have been calling for eight years, and only after calling once a week for eight years did they [the council] come up and fix the issue. Also in attendance was People Before Profit-Solidarity local election candidate for Cork City North East, Edith Busteed, who told The Echo: Mayfield and other tenants are being forced to live in unsuitable unjust housing conditions for years, many with issues of mould and no heating. The collective action today demonstrated the importance of people power to increasingly put pressure on Cork City Council to respond rapidly to the housing needs and rights of tenants in Mayfield. Cork City Council was contacted for comment. Chinese classics contain 'profound human rights concepts,' says expert People's Daily Online) 10:36, May 15, 2024 The International Conference on the Ideas of Human Rights in Ancient Chinese Classics recently issued a call for papers from both domestic and international participants, aiming to enhance the exploration of human rights concepts found in ancient Chinese texts. The conference will explore the ideas, strategies, systems, and history related to human rights in ancient Chinese classics. It will also encourage exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese civilization and other civilizations worldwide. Photo shows Yuelu Academy at Hunan University in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, the venue for the conference. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online) Zheng Renzhao, an academic at the Institute of History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told People's Daily Online that exploring human rights concepts in classics helps establish a contemporary Chinese perspective on human rights. He also said it can help China contribute its own wisdom and solutions to the global human rights cause. "In Chinese classics, we discover profound human rights concepts that reflect respect and concern for individuals, the importance placed on human life, and the pursuit of fairness, justice, harmony, and peaceful development," said Zheng. "We also find various rights, including equality, justice, survival, development, happiness, environment, peace, security, and natural resources. Many of these human rights concepts were ahead of their time." The conference organizers have chosen the book series "The Hundred Classics on Traditional Chinese Culture" as a reference to help participants study and discuss human rights issues. Zheng emphasized the importance of having an objective and unbiased understanding of Chinese history to build a modern civilization for the Chinese nation. He added that by studying human rights concepts in Chinese classics, researchers can help promote the creative transformation and innovative development of China's traditional culture. Related: Int'l conference seeks papers on human rights in ancient Chinese classics (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) RSF News, May 15, 2024 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is alarmed by a worrying increase in the restrictions imposed on journalists, with authoritarian directives on women journalists' dress, restrictions on women's access to the audiovisual media and a ban on filming or photographing Taliban officials. The Afghan repression continues to intensify and specifically targets women's access to the media, whether as journalists or as listeners and spectators. A series of directives issued since February illustrate this. The governor of Kandahar, in the south of the country, has banned video footage of local Taliban leaders. The chief of police in the eastern province of Khost has banned calls from women during radio or television broadcasts. More broadly, at national level, the Taliban Minister for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has tightened the dress restrictions for women journalists by ordering them to wear black covering revealing only their eyes, on pain of being banned from working. "At a time when journalists are already under the yoke of severe repression, censorship and self-censorship, new regional restrictions, which could extend to the rest of the country, and national restrictions are further destroying the Afghan media landscape. The silencing of the voices of female listeners and viewers in Khost, the ban on images of officials in Kandahar and the drastic dress restrictions on women journalists in the country are all worrying signs of the Taliban's ideological hardening, aimed particularly at women journalists. RSF calls on Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada to put an end to these repressive measures. South Asia Desk Reporters Without Borders On 18 February, the Taliban governor of Kandahar, Mullah Shirin Akhund, gave a written order to officials and soldiers in Kandahar not to allow photographs and films to be taken during their meetings. Only written material and audio recordings are now permitted. For the moment, the order seems to be applied selectively," says an Afghan journalist in exile who wishes to remain anonymous. The decision is affecting the channel Radio Television Afghanistan RTA Kandahar in particular, with far fewer faces on the screen, and instead images of landscapes and buildings.... but that's how it's starting. It could become a trend. . As a result, RTA in Kandahar is only broadcasting now the voices of certain officials speaking on topical issues. Educational and social programs for girls targeted In Khost province, in an official letter dated 24 February, the police chief, Abdul Rashid Omari, banned women from appearing on radio and television programs in the province. This decision specifically targets media broadcasting educational and social programs for young girls, where they are invited to talk and participate. Media managers have been warned that they will be prosecuted if they contravene the order. Only the eyes visible On 27 February in Kabul, the Taliban Minister for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice warned media representatives of the possibility of a total ban on women journalists if they did not comply with a strict dress code. In other words, a black outfit covering the whole body, including the face, with only the eyes visible. Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, numerous restrictions on journalists have severely curtailed press freedom. Afghanistan is ranked 152nd out of 180 countries in RSF's 2023 World Press Freedom Index. Published on 13.03.2024 NEW figures have shown that the amount of children and adolescents in Cork waiting for primary care psychology services are five times higher than those waiting for Camhs appointments. More than 4,000 people under the age of 18 are on the waiting list to be seen by the primary care psychology team, with almost 60% of them waiting more than a year. Primary care psychology services are for children and adolescents with mild-moderate mental health difficulties, while Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) teams are for children and adolescents with moderate-severe difficulties. Figures released by the HSE to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, in response to a parliamentary question, show that there are currently 4,160 young people waiting to be seen by the Cork primary care psychology services. There are 1,632 young people awaiting appointments in the South Lee Area, 1,531 in North Lee, 633 in North Cork, and 364 in West Cork, with the total figure 752 more than in August 2023. According to a separate parliamentary question response to Ms Cairns, the number of young people waiting for psychology with Camhs teams in Cork is 854, meaning that there are almost five times more young people waiting for primary care psychology. Of the 4,160 awaiting an appointment, 347 have been waiting less than three months, 426 between three to six months, 420 waiting six to nine months, 432 waiting nine to 12 months, and 2,532 are waiting over a year. Priscilla Lynch, primary cares head of service for the Cork Kerry region, acknowledged in the PQ response that the timeframe for such a service is less than desirable. This is as a consequence to a number of factors, including a growth in demand for services and also the implications of resource deficit due to the present recruitment embargo, she stated. Speaking to The Echo, Ms Cairns said: There has rightly been a very strong focus on the need to reform Camhs services and reduce their waiting lists across the country, however the crisis facing primary care psychology services has largely slipped under the radar. 'STAGGERING' Calling the waiting list figures staggering, she said: The earlier we intervene and provide mental health support, the less likely it is that the young persons mental health difficulties will become entrenched or get worse. I am also concerned that we have been provided a figure for young people who have been waiting in excess of 12 months for services, but we have no idea whether they have been waiting for 13 months, two years, three years, or more. It is undeniable that the HSEs recruitment embargo will have had an impact on these waiting lists, as was suggested by the HSE in their response to this PQ. This is in contrast to the Government line that HSE staffing numbers are at their highest, and that services are not being impacted by the embargo, she said, calling for the HSE and the minister of State for mental health to produce a plan to address waiting lists. A spokesperson for the HSE told The Echo: We sincerely regret the waiting times for both primary care psychology and for Camhs, and we are working to reduce both. We accept the impact on children waiting for appointments at both services, and we are very aware of the importance to young people and their families to timely access to services. In relation to the Primary Care Psychology service, the spokesperson said: We are facing challenges in providing timely access due to both a very significant increase in the number of referrals, as well as staffing challenges. More than half of the funded posts in the service are vacant, and recruitment of psychologists is currently very difficult. We would like to reassure parents and families that referrals to primary care psychology service are triaged as they are received, so that children are directed to the most appropriate service. If a childs needs increase while they are waiting for an appointment, then their family or caregiver should speak to their GP in case a referral to another service is needed. SEVERAL dozen students at University College Cork (UCC) have set up an encampment of a dozen tents on the quad calling for the university to take further action in relation to any ties with Israel, in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Taking heed of student actions at Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, the organised protest, hosted by the UCC Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) group, began yesterday at 5pm. The UCC BDS group is seeking a standalone statement from the university condemning the actions of Israel, demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire and meaningful material reparations for the Palestinian people. UCC must open the books of the Tyndall Institute to show what financial links and research project partnerships exist with Israeli academic institutions, Israeli state institutions, and Israeli and non-Israeli companies that are profiting from the occupation of Palestine, said UCC BDS spokesperson Edith Busteed, who is a Solidarity-People Before Profit local election candidate in Cork City North East. A UCC spokesperson said the university was in ongoing discussion with UCC Students Union regarding UCCs position on the conflict. The university is establishing a Palestine emergency response working group, involving SU representation, and we will continue to work with the Students Union on this and the other aspects of our response, they stated. They added that UCC is committed to developing an ethical, human rights-based framework, developed in partnership with the academic community, including students, which would inform a review of all of UCCs relationships, including research and industry partnerships. In an official media statement, the UCC BDS group said: The time for action is now and no later. CORK City Council has granted planning permission for the proposed surgical hub on the campus of Cork University Hospital (CUH). The new hub is to be developed on the western side of the CUH campus and is expected to be operational from 2025. The planning application was submitted by the Health Service Executive Estates (South West). A planning report submitted with the application said the provision of surgical hubs is an important and urgent healthcare infrastructure that is required to address both the national and local healthcare surgery provision and capacity needs for scheduled day surgeries across the southwestern region. The surgical hub will comprise four operating theatres, plus two minor procedure rooms. It is envisaged, the report said, that there will be approximately 143 patients accessing the facility per day by appointment, with a maximum of 100 staff members working per day. Cork City Council had requested some further information on the plans before making a decision on the application, the responses to which were furnished to the council in March. There are 24 conditions attached to the local authoritys approval of the development. One stipulates that, in the interests of clarifying and planning for the future development of the CUH health campus, a draft outline plan incorporating a landscape masterplan for the entire CUH campus must be submitted to the council in the next six months detailing future development proposals/site opportunities within the campus, investigating the need for further staff facilities such as a creche, outlining existing and proposed staff numbers and developing an open space policy for the campus incorporating future staff/patient/visitor accessible open space areas. MASTERPLAN The final campus masterplan must then be submitted to the planning authority within a year. Speaking last week, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the delivery of facilities such as the surgical hub at CUH will be transformative. We are making significant progress in reducing waiting lists and the development of surgical hubs and elective hospitals will really help to drive a further reduction in the number of patients waiting for treatment in 2024 and beyond. These new facilities will deliver a step change in the way we deliver elective care in this country, benefitting patients and their families. Better delivery of elective care will also free up capacity for our emergency departments and critical care facilities, he said. The four elective hospitals are set to be delivered at two sites in Dublin, in Galway and on the grounds of St Stephens Hospital, Sarsfield Court, Glanmire. In advance of the hospitals, six surgical hubs are proposed to be delivered, including the one at CUH. A large section of the historic Parliament Bridge in Cork city centre has been knocked down after a vehicle drove into it in the early hours of this morning. Two people were brought to hospital following the collision and barricades have since been erected around the part of the wall that has been knocked down, to keep the area safe for pedestrians. Independent Councillor for Cork South Central, Mick Finn, told The Echo that a vehicle drove into the wall in the early hours of this morning. The council have it sealed off to make it safe, and I believe the plan is now to analyse what needs to be done for a short term fix, but long term I hope there can be a plan to bring it back to what it once was. Obviously this incident is unwelcome and there will be a huge cost, but I would call on the council to seize this opportunity to invest in its restoration, he said. More than 200 years old The single-arched bridge linking Georges Quay to Fr. Matthew Quay was built in 1806, mainly from limestone. A whole corner section of the wall was knocked down after a vehicle collided with it just before 1am, with a man and a woman hospitalized after the collision, though their injuries are not life threatening. A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana told The Echo, Gardai and emergency services attended a single vehicle road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 12:55am today, Wednesday 15th of May 2024 on Parliament Bridge in Cork City. Two people, a man and a woman, were conveyed to Cork University Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries sustained as a result of this collision. A POPULAR Kebab shop on the northside of Cork city has been ordered to close by the FSAI, after rodent droppings and rotten food were found in the premises. Madina Kebab (Lets Eat) (Take away), 329 Blarney Street, Cork was one of 21 businesses in Ireland which was served a closure order by The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in April. The inspectors report noted that the food premises was not kept clean, and outlined four separate areas where rodent droppings were found; behind the freezer in the service area, behind a number of chest freezers in the storage area and on ledges near two food preparation areas. The report further stated, Cleaning was poor throughout the premises as evidenced by accumulations of dirt, grease and rotting foodstuffs under food equipment, the wash up area, food preparation areas and the cooking area. Due to the evidence outlined, the inspector found there is or is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health, saying that the conditions lead to a serious risk of food being contaminated with pathogenic bacteria likely to render the food unfit for human consumption, injurious to health. Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said, Food businesses must ensure that their food business is properly pest proofed, and that they take effective action if there is a pest infestation. Each month, we issue the list of Enforcement Orders as a deterrent, but it seems that last month, food safety fell off the list of priorities for quite a number of food businesses. Consumers have a right to safe food and food safety must always be a top priority for food businesses. There are no excuses. The kebab shop remains closed, with a FSAI spokesperson explaining, When a food business is issued a Closure Order, they must rectify all the issues that were identified and listed in the Closure Order. When they have done this, they then contact their Environmental Health Officer in the HSE to ask them to come back and reinspect their business. If the Environmental Health Officer is satisfied that everything has been rectified, then they will lift the Closure Order. A GARDA sitting in a patrol car at Coburg Street in Cork was approached by a man who asked him for money, verbally abused him, and then spat at the vehicle. Anderson Fernandes of no fixed address in the Cork area pleaded guilty to being threatening and abusive on the occasion. He appeared at Cork District Court where he was represented by solicitor Frank Buttimer. Outlining the background to the offence which occurred on March 11, Sergeant Dave Delea said Garda Ben Donovan was on duty and was present in the area in a parked patrol car when he was approached by Anderson Fernandes who was highly intoxicated. He asked him to give him money and was repeatedly telling him to f*** off. He spat at the patrol car. He was arrested for his own safety, Sgt. Delea said. Later on the same date the same defendant was arrested again when he was found in a highly intoxicated condition at Shandon Street. Around this time the same man was arrested for a number of offences of a public order nature. On March 3 at the bus station on Parnell Place he refused to move for a Bus Eireann inspector and gardai were called. He was visibly intoxicated, falling asleep and verbally abusive to gardai who arrived. Mr Fernandes, who is originally from Portugal, had 51 previous convictions including 12 for being drunk and a danger and six for threatening behaviour. Frank Buttimer solicitor said the accused was availing of homeless services with Cork Simon Community to address his alcohol problem. Mr Buttimer said even though the defendant was only off alcohol for one week at the moment he was all the better for it. Judge Dorgan agreed that the defendant was looking better than he had done on previous court appearances. When he doesnt get a bed at Simon he is on the street and he drinks. And he falls back into homelessness on his release from prison, and all of the consequences that flow from that, Mr Buttimer said. Judge Dorgan adjourned sentencing until June 5 to allow time for a probation report: It would be easy to send him to prison today but if he is going to change his life around I will give him a chance to do that. Paedophile is one of the most terrible insults one could shout at someone in todays society, a District Judge said in the case against a man who claimed that his abusive behaviour was entirely verbal. Judge John King said that while the abuse of gardai by 35-year-old Conor Greaney was verbal it was of the worst kind. Defence solicitor Michael Quinlan said at Cork District Court said that on the night in question the defendant was frustrated more than anything as his car was being seized by gardai. Mr Greaney of 30 Fairfield Meadows, Upper Fairhill, Cork, apologised soon afterwards. It was verbal only. There were no threats of violence in any shape or form, Mr Quinlan said on the defendants behalf. Judge King said, When you call someone a paedophile it is one of the worst insults in todays society it is a terrible thing to call someone. The judge convicted Conor Greaney on the charge of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and imposed a 600 fine or ten days in prison in default of payment. Inspector Brendan McKenna said at Cork District Court today (May 14) that the incident occurred after midnight on January 10 when gardai stopped his car which was being driven erratically at Upper Fairhill. The driver and a number of passengers got out of the car when gardai were dealing with the situation. When Mr Greaney was told that for reasons including the absence of up to date tax on the vehicle, it was being seized, he became aggressive and shouted, paedophiles, at gardai. There was a strong smell of intoxicants from him and he continued to act aggressively until he was arrested, Insp. McKenna said. Calls have been made for the refurbishment of the historic Parliament Bridge in Cork City centre after a large section of its wall was damaged when a car struck it early this morning. A whole corner section of the wall was knocked down after the car collided with it just before 1am, with a man and a woman hospitalised following the collision. An Garda Siochana have confirmed that their injuries are not life-threatening. Road maintenance crews were called to attend the scene. An approximately 8m length of stone parapet was damaged and had to be removed, with a large amount of the stone recovered by the crews and taken into storage. Safety barriers were erected around the scene of the incident, and the western footpath of Parliament Bridge has been closed at the junction with Sullivans Quay. Hospital A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana told The Echo: Gardai and emergency services attended a single-vehicle road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 12.55am today, Wednesday, May 15, on Parliament Bridge in Cork city. Two people, a man and a woman, were conveyed to Cork University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries sustained. A spokesperson for Cork City Council said: Cork City Fire Brigade attended a call to a road traffic collision at Parliament Bridge at 12.51am. Casualties were handed over to the National Ambulance Service. The area was made safe and left in the care of An Garda Siochana. Roads maintenance crews were called out to attend to the scene. An assessment of the remedial work required to the parapet will take place over the coming days. Traffic at the location is not affected. Independent councillor for Cork South Central, Mick Finn, told The Echo: The council have it sealed off to make it safe, and I believe the plan is now to analyse what needs to be done for a short-term fix. Long-term, I hope there can be a plan to bring it back to what it once was. Obviously this incident is unwelcome, and there will be a huge cost. I would call on the council to seize this opportunity to invest in its restoration, he said. Motion He put a motion into the council yesterday, asking: Given the need to repair Parliament Bridge, can Cork City Council source funding to do a complete refurbishment, conscious of its near 220-year-old history? The single-arched bridge linking Georges Quay to Fr Matthew Quay was built in 1806. Cork Masons Historical Society member Jim Fahy told The Echo: The main thing is that, when repairing this, they use Cork limestone and dont use limestone from outside the country. He said that the council have been very bad over the years when it comes to retaining and taking care of old heritage limestone, and welcomed that the majority of displaced stone had been saved and taken into storage. Councillor Kieran McCarthy, Lord Mayor of Cork, said Parliament Bridge was designed by William Hargrave, adding: It would have been a key bridge for an expanding city, connecting the old part to the new part. Any history enthusiasts like myself will be keen to see it fixed. Mr McCarthy said that it has been 30 years, when Micheal Martin was Mayor of Cork, since the bridge was last restored, so he would welcome a total refurbishment. AS a post-primary teacher, with more than 40 years experience, I have observed the impact of the enforcement of school uniform policies on students, and indeed on school culture. I have always been concerned that they can contribute to an unnecessarily oppressive atmosphere in schools, can have a detrimental impact on students, and can potentially constitute a form of institutional bullying. I believe we need a national campaign to stimulate reflection and discussion on the matter. Do schools bully students? Minister for Education Norma Foley has recently decided to establish a system to gather data on bullying in Irish schools. Her intention is to examine bullying by students of other students. The initiative is based on a definition of bullying as targeted behaviour that causes harm, whether it is physical, emotional or psychological in nature Bullying behaviour is repeated over time and involves an imbalance of power in relationships between two people or groups of people in society. The minister should go one step further and gather data on the main inter-group relationship in schools - between teachers and students. That relationship certainly does involve an imbalance in power. How is that power used? While there is no doubt that the actions of individual teachers can harm students, is there evidence that harm is being done by the systemic culture within schools, which is largely dictated by school leaders? The collective impact of school rules and their enforcement - what students are reported and punished for, and their frequency and severity - should be examined to discern whether it constitutes institutional bullying, be it physical, emotional, or psychological. Many of us who went to school in the decades before the 1980s believe that a culture of teachers bullying students was endemic in the Irish education system. It found its most obvious expression in the regular use of corporal punishment as a coercive means of control and discipline. I recently came across an RTE archive news interview from 1974 with a 19-year-old student leader, Tony Kinsella. In it, he made the case for the abolition of corporal punishment. One of the questions put to him was particularly revealing. He was asked why he was organising such a campaign when there was no obvious demand for change from the Irish public. His campaign to stop teachers beating students was successful because, despite the interviewers perception, there was a latent desire for change in Ireland and a rejection of the culture of intimidation and punishment in schools. Has that culture been fully eradicated from the modern school system? Andre Spicer, Professor of Organisational Behaviour in the University of London, writing in the Guardian, thinks that it has morphed. He observed that school uniforms took over as the main instrument of control after the abolition of corporal punishment because there was a panic in schools about how they were going to control students. He claims that because of this panic many schools introduced uniforms or became stricter on them, generating fear of sanctions and punishments, albeit of a more psychological and emotional nature than physical punishments. Although some students will tell you that being forced to wear uniforms also causes physical discomfort. Evidence from a major study of bullying in schools across Europe also supports the assertion of a link between uniforms and bullying. In 2018, Statista reported on bullying in European schools in 41 countries. In only eight were uniforms the norm (which includes Ireland). Significantly, all these were in the top half of levels of reported bullying. Three - Russia, Latvia and Malta - were in the top five. Not only does this give the lie to the myth that uniforms protect children from bullying, but it also suggests a direct link between school systems that place high value on uniformity, and higher levels of bullying. Many Irish schools, particularly second level, continue to operate some level of coercion of students towards uniformity, through enforcement of arbitrary school rules on what they can wear. Anecdotal evidence suggests almost half of punishments are related to uniform and piercings infringements, blotting the school records of students, intimidating, and beating them, metaphorically, into submission. Sean O Diomsaigh, reflecting on a career of 46 years as teacher, principal, and department inspector, concluded recently that the time he spent chasing down aberrant students [about their uniforms] was a complete waste of time. This widespread Irish educational culture has a depressing discriminatory and oppressive impact on students. Many are still coming to school afraid of being reprimanded, suspended, penalised, or detained for wearing something they feel comfortable in but which is in breach of an arbitrary rule. It could be the colour of their hair, the design of their shoes, or what they are wearing to stay warm, etc. It is such a pity as there is another way. Cork post-primary principal Colm OConnor recently wrote: Allowing students to be themselves brings light and levity to the classroom and corridors. We could all do with that. Gearoid O Riain is a teacher in Westport. Email saynotoschooluniforms@gmail com or Instagram be_you_at_school Despite the blazing sunshine, last week was dark, dark, dark. A week of ill omens if there ever was one. A week of asking ourselves, how did we ever get to this? The army of homeless tents springing up on the banks of the Grand Canal, the unspeakable mess that has resulted, the terrifying spate of vigilante attacks on foreign nationals and the filming and posting online of those attacks. On the other hand, people saying theyre afraid to enter Skibbereen after 6pm or go for a walk in Killarney National Park. Seriously, nobody could claim Ireland was a paradise not even in the glory days of Fionn ma Cumhaill and the Fenians, who its now believed (in some quarters anyway), were little more than an entitled gang of misogynistic thugs - but at the same time, how did we get to this? On Saturday night, our Eurovision non-binary Doomsday Blue black magic-themed Eurovision spectacular, complete with horns and pentagram, did little to reassure. Bambie Thugs fearsome performance propelled Ireland into the finals for the first time in years, through a routine which seemed to mostly constitute shrieking and shouting, and which relied heavily on extremely good lighting, eye-watering choreography and triple gold star-standard make-up. I thought the Dustin the Turkey year was our Eurovision bedrock year, but for sheer unassailable weirdness, this outing beat the socks off Dustin. Though nearly everyone else seemed to like it - even Simon Harris gave Bambie Thug the thumbs up. Bambie Thug, though, was not for me. I disliked the act from the very start. I was unsettled by the lyrics Avada Kedavra is a killing curse based on an Aramaic phrase meaning I destroy as I speak or Let the thing be destroyed. Havent we enough of that going on around the world already, I thought. I found the song weird and a bit creepy; I found the Black Magic overtones - the pentagram, the horns, the long nails, the twisted tongues, the talk about hexes and the references to Ouija repellent. Yes, I KNOW Avada Kedavra was used in Harry Potter where, I admit, I hardly noticed it, and where, when I did, I didnt mind at all. Hands up. It should be stated here that, in its totality, Bambie Thug staged a highly creative, powerful and immensely spectacular performance. I just didnt like it. Any of it. I reacted to it the same way as I did to the book and the film of What We Need To Know About Kevin and the docu-series Baby Reindeer and Kin in other words, I loathed the Bambie Thug performance but at the same time found it hugely compelling. Nope, I wasnt a fan. Not of the lyrics, not of the melody, if you could call it that yes, yes, I know Bambie Thug explained that the Doomsday song was a mix of spoken words, pop lyrics, screaming, crooning and electro-metal screeching but nonetheless, it just sounded like a burst of chaotic shrieking to me. I didnt like the get-up or the emaciation. I was weirded out by the dance partner with the teeth; ah, look, I found the entire thing repugnant. But then I read about how Bambie Thug was going around with pro-Palestinian, pro-peace messages in ancient Ogham on their face and legs. I stopped worrying about the pentagrams and the horns and the weird get-up and I started laughing. For a while, I forgot about the homeless tents and the filth scattered around our lovely old Grand Canal, I forgot about the crazed viciousness of the vigilantes and their mad filming of attacks; instead, I started imaging all the research that organisers in the European Broadcasting Union had to do - presumably once someone had tipped them off to it - to be able to interpret those incendiary messages scrawled in Ogham on Bambie Thugs face and legs. I laughed and laughed and laughed. Fair dues to Bambie Ray Robinson, I thought. I dont know which was more incredibly impressive Bambie Thug for having the knowledge and the nous to try it on, or the EBU for copping it. A pity the Thug conceded to the bureaucrats and allowed those pro- justice and pro-peace messages in ancient Ogham to be scrubbed off and replaced by Crown the Witch. In the end, the jarring performance and yes, I hold the line here, I found it extremely jarring scored the best Eurovision result for Ireland in 25 years. They didnt win, but it was Bambie Thugs night, no doubt about it. And well deserved. It was a Eurovision to remember, and one of the best nights out that Macroom has enjoyed in years. It was a performance and a controversy that will be remembered in the annals of the Eurovision Song Contest for decades to come. For a contest that studiously claims to avoid political statements, this one jumped straight into the political frying pan and from there into the fire, and ran screaming around the big expensive stage, set beating at its designer clothes - and all thanks to Bambie Thug. Which, ironically, gave us all a much-needed laugh over here and helped me, for one, to forget what a Godawful mess this country is in. ON May 29, Cork woman Lenore Good will take on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa for charity. It will be her fourth time doing so over the past four years. But, she admits, her first time in a wedding dress! Seriously? A wedding dress? Whats more, she is going to be accompanied by 14 other women from Cork who will all be similarly bedecked! A few minutes in the company of this super-woman and there isnt one scintilla of doubt about her commitment and determination to the cause: to build a safe house for the children in the area who are subjected to abuse, both physical and sexual, on a daily basis. Her first climb happened by accident, Lenore explains. My cousin passed away in 2018 and her death shocked me into changing my life. One of my long-term ambitions had been to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. "It was sparked by a feature Id seen of Gary Barlow and some of his contemporaries doing something similar for Comic Relief. So, I embarked on a climb and raised 92,000 for six Irish charities. Her trip to Tanzania was an epiphany moment for Lenore. The people there are so happy with so little. Even the smallest thing can have such a huge impact. She stayed in a lodge, run by a tour-de-force called Teddy. Funds raised from accommodating those climbers en route to Mount Kilimanjaro are used to finance a primary school for 336 children. Lenore with some of the children she is helping to support through The Teretta Foundation. Located next door to the lodge, the school is under the auspices of the church and its like a diocese in itself. Income from the lodge goes towards the teachers salaries. Before I first went there, I asked if there was anything I could bring over with me. All they asked for were some used black shoes, pencils, and maybe some skipping ropes. That was it. Lenore put a call out on social media and ended up with 600 pairs of shoes. We had 22 boxes of stuff in total to bring to the children! Then Covid hit, she continues, and we couldnt ship them out. My house was covered with the boxes and, in the end, I paid 1,800 to ship them out. She didnt anticipate them getting stopped in customs, or, more significantly having to pay customs off to get the shipment released. It was a baptism of fire for her. With corruption so widespread, trust is essential. Balancing cultural differences too has been a steep learning curve for Lenore. Irish people are so great to support, but our natural inclination is to rescue people, adopt them, to bring them here, thinking that will solve their problems. I had to learn how important it is for us to support them in their own communities. In the last four years, we have sent 26 locals to college and they, in turn, are helping their families. When I first went to Tanzania, I worked with a crew and formed relationships with the guides and porters. Children in Tanzania. Lenore still works with the same crew to this day. It has taken her eight visits more than four years to build up that trust with the kids. Abuse is so prevalent there and accepted as the norm. The odds are stacked against children; 68% of those under 12 years of age think it is okay to be asked for sex in exchange for a gift. Kids as young as seven or eight are being sexually assaulted. I have a seven-year-old, says Lenore. The daily reality for the Tanzanian kids shocks you into action. Many feel safe only at school. Some will get up at 4am and walk two hours to school in order to feel safe. They are constantly worried about food and being abused. Much of the abuse happens in the home, and on the way to and from school. The culture over there is very male-dominated so, having a woman like Teddy in charge of a lodge means she must be a force to be reckoned with. And she is. Just like Lenore! The mother of six children ranging in age from 22 down to five, Lenore has spent many years fighting for the rights of her own children, some of whom are autistic. With a heart that big, fighting for the rights of the children in Tanzania is second nature to her. Lenore admits that Teddy has become more than a friend to her. Shes like my sister, she says. Children in Tanzania opening their gifts. When Teddy and photographer Abdi visited Ireland last year, Lenore says it was like a movie for her and a real culture shock. It was her first ever long-haul flight and she even experienced a McDonalds drive-through. The idea of having a choice of what to eat, or being able to go to the fridge whenever you want it, was all very special, says Lenore. Teddy and I have set up an NGO, called The Teretta Foundation (named after our two grandmothers, mine being the late Etta OShea of Blackpool). We have bought land and are building a self-sustainable project, including a safe house and kindergarten for the children in the area. It will be a self-fulfilling project. Money doesnt always go where its intended. So, thats why we are doing it ourselves. We need to educate the moms regarding abuse and give them the tools to look after themselves. Some have never been educated. Lenore is heading back to Tanzania this month to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in a wedding dress with the second of four groups this year. Their aim is to help raise awareness and monies to fund the safe house for the children of the area. The second group Im bringing out are 14 women, some of whom are moms of children with additional needs. I will make sure its a very special trip for them, as I know most have never done anything this life-changing for themselves as they always make everyone else a priority. Some will climb the mountain with me, in wedding dresses/veils/tutus, etc. Some are there for the experience, but all will row in to help. Last February, Lenore bought a group of 15 transition year students from Kinsale Community School to Tanzania. The school arranged the flights, and Lenore arranged everything Tanzania-side once they arrived. They got to see both the beauties and the harsh realities, explains Lenore. The feedback has been phenomenal. They were not expecting to be so blown away. It was totally life-changing. When we were there in February, we decided to bring a little bit of Christmas to the 336 kids in the school. We brought 20 23kg bags full of presents, wrapping paper, fairy lights, a Santa suit. We made them Rice Krispie cakes and jelly. They had never seen anything like it and were screaming with delight. Much loved by the locals in Tanzania, she is known as Mama Lenore or Mama Xmas. With calm focus and buckets full of love, Lenore juggles her beloved home life with her devotion to helping the kids of Tanzania. Her husband Ian keeps the wheels turning when she is away. As do her two older girls who have had first hand experience and connection to the purpose having travelled out there with their mum. The fundraising is almost a full-time job in itself, Lenore insists, but is never a deterrent. Im looking to bring two to three secondary schools back there in 2025 to help with the building of the dorms and get them involved in community work. It is an incredible experience, education is way more than four walls of a classroom. For now, Lenore is focusing on getting fit for the climb of a lifetime! To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/teretta-foundation or visit outinthestickswithsix social media pages SHAHD Mahnavi was born in Jerusalem, the daughter of activist parents, including a father who worked as a politician, journalist, and poet. Because my father worked for Yasser Arafat, I was shielded and protected. It felt suffocating. But at the same time, as a Palestinian living in Jerusalem, you are constantly disguising who you are. Shahd believes she was fortunate to go to an International School from the age of ten. This international setting meant that she was learning along with students of all different faiths and persuasions. I realised how much we have in common. I went to church with Christians and in turn, they came to the Mosque. I became so openminded, but there was no equality outside the school gates. I felt harassed. Because my father was a public figure, because of his position, it was quite sensitive. A trip to London when she was only 16 offered Shahd an exciting opportunity for her to live differently. I fell in love with the UK. It doesnt matter who you are in the UK. New Beginning Shahd spent the next two years trying to convince her dad to let her return to the UK. Eventually, he accepted her desire for a new life, and a life alone. It wasnt easy. Its not usual for a young Muslim girl to leave her family at the age of 19. I had a hard time, a lot of painful experiences after I arrived. I got robbed; I struggled with money. I was homesick, but home was also oppression. It broke and built me, she said. I kept going and going and going. I felt I was born for something. That something turned out to be poetry, but it took the vivacious writer some time to get there. Her desire to write came during the pandemic when she found herself managing two businesses and two children in England. I felt a huge black fog descend. It was like I was about to shut down, so I spent a lot of time healing, reading, and writing. I realised I had to stop carrying so many problems on my shoulders. I realised I was carrying so much pain and trauma. I also realised I wasnt fighting the fight I was meant to be fighting, as my father had. After a lot of reading and crying, I started to build myself back up. She has a great deal of material from that period of healing, and was delighted when Mich Maroney of Swerve Gallery and Project Space in West Cork invited her to Ireland for the writers residency. Finding Her Purpose Now I know my passion. Ive found it. I have written so much poetry from that healing. I am so happy to give something to the world for no gain. Anything I earn goes towards Palestine, she said. The poets recent residency in West Cork also made a beautiful kind of sense. Swerve is so named as a homage to Verve magazine. Mich Maroney possesses a copy of Verve devoted to celebrating art and literature in the face of the barbarism of the Second World War. Mich Maroney sees a savage irony that her own literary magazine has launched at a time when the world is once again threatened by totalitarianism and war. The Palestinian poet shares Swerves devotion to art and literature. She also believes in the power of education to create change. We must educate ourselves. Were all the same. Like anyone else, the Palestinian people just want freedom and understanding, she said. It saddens her that she may never see her parents again as the authorities are unlikely to let her back. Because Im speaking out, I have a fear that they would put me in prison. I only speak about humanity, but still, I fear that. I last visited two years ago. But I also have happiness because I feel like I am giving something to the world, and to my people. I hope I can make a small change and I couldnt do that from home. Shahd has also come home in another sense. She recalls writing from a young age, and how her English teacher recognised her potential. She also recalls watching her father performing his work. My father used his poetry to push back. I remember how he would stand on stage and perform. My father is still a very humble man, and he will always keep me grounded. I remember he said to me to carry heavy stones with you, so you never lose yourself. The more you educate yourself, the more you realise how little you know. Shahds recent poetry book White Shoes, My Story Without Boundaries, is available to order on www.lulu.com. All profits from the sale of this book will be donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians. For more see https://shahdmahnavi.co.uk/ 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. A slice from an Antarctic ice core. Researchers study the chemicals trapped in old ice to learn about past climate. Katie Stelling, Oregon State University Carbon dioxide is increasing in the atmosphere 10 times faster than it has in the last 50,000 years, according to a new study led by researchers from University of St. Andrews and Oregon State University. The findings shed light on periods of abrupt climate change in the planets history while offering new understanding of the impacts of todays climate crisis. Studying the past teaches us how today is different. The rate of CO2 change today really is unprecedented, said Kathleen Wendt, lead author of the study and an Oregon State University assistant professor in the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS), in a press release from University of St. Andrews. Our research identified the fastest rates of past natural CO2 rise ever observed, and the rate occurring today, largely driven by human emissions, is 10 times higher. The international research team conducted a detailed analysis of the chemicals in ancient Antarctic ice, which showed the impact of human carbon emissions. Over hundreds of millenia, ice containing gases from the atmosphere trapped in air bubbles built up in Antarctica. Scientists drill cores as deep as two miles in order to take samples of the ice, analyze trace chemicals and put together records of the climate of the past. Prior research revealed that the last ice age which came to an end roughly 10,000 years ago contained several periods during which carbon levels appeared to spike. However, Wendt said the measurements didnt contain enough detail to show the complete picture of the changes, hampering scientists ability to comprehend what was going on. You probably wouldnt expect to see that in the dead of the last ice age, Wendt said in the press release. But our interest was piqued, and we wanted to go back to those periods and conduct measurements at greater detail to find out what was happening. Using samples from the ice core of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide, the team found a pattern showing that the sharp increases in carbon dioxide occurred alongside cold intervals in the North Atlantic known as Heinrich Events associated with abrupt global climate shifts. These Heinrich Events are truly remarkable, said Christo Buizert, co-author of the study and an associate professor with CEOAS, in the press release. We think they are caused by a dramatic collapse of the North American ice sheet. This sets into motion a chain reaction that involves changes to the tropical monsoons, the Southern hemisphere westerly winds and these large burps of CO2 coming out of the oceans. Carbon increased by approximately 14 parts per million during the 55 year period of the most prominent of the natural rises, and the spikes happened roughly once every 7,000 years. Today that magnitude of increase only takes from five to six years. The evidence suggested that during the periods of natural increase, westerly winds integral to deep ocean circulation were also getting stronger, bringing about a quick release of carbon from the Southern Ocean. These Heinrich Events kick off an astonishing sequence of rapid shifts in climate around the world, said co-author of the study Dr. James Rae of the University of St. Andrews School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. They start with a weakening of the North Atlantics circulation system, which causes rapid cooling in NW Europe, sea ice expansion from Scotland to New York, and disruption to tropical monsoons. Our paper shows they also change winds and circulation in the ocean round Antarctica, which belches out CO2. The study, Southern Ocean drives multidecadal atmospheric CO2 rise during Heinrich Stadials, was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Previous studies have suggested that climate change will cause westerly winds to get stronger over the course of the next century. The researchers noted that, if that happens, their findings suggest the Southern Oceans ability to absorb human-generated carbon will be reduced. We rely on the Southern Ocean to take up part of the carbon dioxide we emit, but rapidly increasing southerly winds weaken its ability to do so, Wendt said. 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. Chimpanzees can learn intricate skills through social learning, an ability previously believed to be unique to humans. Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage / Instagram Humans and other animals have the ability to teach important skills to their contemporaries that allow for knowledge building across generations. According to two new studies, bumblebees and chimpanzees are two animals who have the capability of learning skills so complex they would never have been able to master them alone an ability scientists previously believed was unique to humans. Culture refers to behaviours that are socially learned and persist within a population over time. Increasing evidence suggests that animal culture can, like human culture, be cumulative: characterized by sequential innovations that build on previous ones, the bumblebee study said. Cumulative culture is the human capacity to build knowledge, skills and technology over time while improving upon them as they are taught to successive generations, reported AFP. It is a technique that is viewed as an essential part of humans dominance over their environment. Imagine that you dropped some children on a deserted island, said Lars Chittka, co-author of the study on bees and a behavioral ecologist at Londons Queen Mary University, in a video accompaniment to the study, as AFP reported. They might with a bit of luck survive, but they would never know how to read or to write because this requires learning from previous generations. Earlier experiments had shown that some animals demonstrate social learning, where they figure out a skill through observation of individuals of their own species. But while some of the behaviors appeared to have been honed over time such as the ability of chimpanzees to crack open nuts or the navigational skills of homing pigeons it is hard for scientists to eliminate the possibility that these animals did not figure out how to accomplish the specific tasks on their own. A research team from the United Kingdom looked at bumblebees to determine whether they had some of the characteristics of cumulative culture. First they trained a group of demonstrators to perform a complicated skill that could be passed on to others. They gave some of the bees a two-step puzzle box that involved pushing a blue tab followed by a red tab that released a sugary reward. This task is really difficult for bees because [during the first step] we are essentially asking them to learn to do something in exchange for nothing, Alice Bridges, co-author of the study and a Ph.D. student at Queen Mary University, told AFP. The bees initially attempted to only push the red tab without moving the blue tab first, then gave up. In order to motivate them, the team placed the sugary prize at the end of the blue tab, then took the reward away gradually as they mastered the task. The researchers then paired the demonstrator bees with naive bees unfamiliar with the process who watched their peers solve the puzzle. Of the 15 new bees, five quickly solved the puzzle with no prize during the first step. Naive bees who were not taught how to obtain the treat were still not able to open the box after extended exposure for as long as 24 days. Bridges said the team was surprised and thrilled when they saw the swift learning behavior. They said the study was the first to observe an invertebrate species demonstrating cumulative culture. This finding challenges a common opinion in the field: that the capacity to socially learn behaviours that cannot be innovated through individual trial and error is unique to humans, the study said. The study, Bumblebees socially learn behaviour too complex to innovate alone, was published in the journal Nature. The second study showed that humans closest living relatives chimpanzees also have the ability to learn from their contemporaries. The Dutch-led research team set up a puzzle box to be solved by a semi-wild chimpanzee troupe at Zambias Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage. The task involved first retrieving a wooden ball, then holding a drawer open, putting the ball in and closing it to get a peanut at the end. During the course of three months, 66 chimpanzees attempted but were not able to solve the puzzle. The team then trained two demonstrator chimpanzees who showed their peers how to do it. Within two months, 14 of the naive chimpanzees had mastered the puzzle. Whats more, the researchers discovered that the more often they observed the demonstrators, the faster they were able to solve it. The study, Chimpanzees use social information to acquire a skill they fail to innovate, was published in the journal Nature Human Behavior. Bridges said both studies cant help but fundamentally challenge the idea that cumulative culture is this extremely complex, rare ability that only the very smartest species e.g. humans are capable of. (Photo: Sean Hawkey/WCC)Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, addressed the World Council of Churches central committee meeting in Geneva in June 2018. Faith and health are close companions globally and in Geneva, an international city where the World Council of Churches and the World Health Organization live cheek-by-jowl in the same sector of the city. The two organizations are this year celebrating 50 years of collaboration. According to the WCC, their work together includes strategizing, publications, seminars, webinars, and responding to crises such as HIV, the Ebola outbreak, and COVID-19 pandemic. On April 7, World Health Day, the WHO celebrated its 76th anniversaryand for 50 of those years, WHO has worked closely with the WCC. Both have their headquarters placed nearby in Geneva, the European base of the United Nations.. "Our shared work in the areas of public health, promoting health, keeping the world safe, and serving the vulnerable so that more people benefit from universal health coverage has led to many achievements as well as the discovery of more challenges ahead," said WCC general secretary Rev. Jerry Pillay. The WCC cited specific issues of collaboration having included primary healthcare, promotion of breastfeeding, access to essential drugs, addressing HIV, and addressing pandemics and outbreaks such as EBOLA and COVID-19. The WCC said it is planning an online conference in June to celebrate the relationship. That meeting will explore how the contributions of faith communities can be further strengthened, particularly through the new WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing. The WCC created the Christian Medical Commission in 1968 to help its 352 member churches encourage church-related health programs to develop ecumenical cooperation. The WCC bring together more than 500 million Christians and its member churches can be found in all regions of the world. The memberships includes most of the world's Orthodox churches (Eastern and Oriental), as well as African Instituted, Anglican, Assyrian, Baptist, Evangelical, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Moravian, Old-Catholic, Pentecostal, Reformed, United/Uniting and Free/Independent churches, Disciples of Christ and Friends (Quakers). CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COMMISSION In its early years, the WCC's Christian Medical Commission emphasized the promotion of primary health care to redress the imbalance between sophisticated and expensive institutional medical care for a fewand hardly any for the rest. The relationship between the WCC and WHO officially began when the newly formed WCC Christian Medical Commission held two conferences to examine the role of the church in providing healthcare through medical missions. "What followed was a theologically informed shift from hospital-based tertiary care in cities, many in post-colonial settings, to primary care delivery in rural as well as urban communities," said the WCC. "A close relationship between the leaders of the Christian Medical Commission and the WHO facilitated a parallel and equally radical shift in the WHO's strategy, from a vertical or top-down focus on single diseases to the 1978 Declaration of Alma Ata (now called Almaty). These focused on primary care. (Photo: Mike DuBose/UM News) Volunteers from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, USA, prepare to help patients at a drive-thru testing site for COVID-19 at St. Luke Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Nashville. Teams from the United Methodist-related school offered testing at area churches in July 2020. Photo: Mike DuBose/UM News Both the WHO and the Christian Medical Mission saw primary care as a more just and egalitarian way to distribute resources and bring health to all. At that time, primary health care was considered a radical approach to health services. The Christian Medical Commission, working through WCC churches, greatly enhanced the case for primary health care within WHO and its subsequent support by nongovernmental organizations concerned with community health. ALMA ATA DECLARATION Key in the history of the WCC and WHO collaboration was the Alma Ata Declaration, which stated: "Governments have a responsibility for the health of their people which can be fulfilled only by the provision of adequate health and social measures." The declaration was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care, Almaty, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, in what was then the Soviet Union. Another strongly collaborative area is the response to HIV and AIDS, which the ecumenical movement has highlighted since the 1980s. In June 1986, a WCC group recommended three main areas where the churches could respond: pastoral care, social ministry, and education focused on prevention. Educational material was produced that aimed to equip health workers, pastors, and teachers to assist communities in facing the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Further efforts have focused on theological and ethical reflection on aspects of the church's responsibility in responding adequately to the crisis. In 1994, the WCC study on AIDS was commissioned by its main governing body between assemblies and its central committee, and in 1996, the statement: "The Impact of HIV/AIDS and the Churches' Response" was adopted. Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of Communication, expressed her gratitude for being able to meet with WHO colleagues to prepare to celebrate achievements in June and look into the future. "We have learned from the past years, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of strengthening the collegial networks and the communication across the globe," she said. Ejdersten said that from a professional communication perspective, such as during the COVID pandemic it's not very different from other crises to handle the communication setup. "It represents an extraordinary situation where people's lives, health, and livelihoods are at stake and you have to reach out with relevant and timely information immediately, and at the same time tackle misleading information and even misleading theology," she noted. Long-time beloved jazz musician David Sanborn died on Sunday. He was 78. The saxophonist, prominent throughout the 80's, was credited on songs for icons including Stevie Wonder, the late David Bowie, and more. He also accompanied Bowie on the 'Young Americans' Tour.' Sanborn won six Grammy Awards in total for 'Voyeur' (1981), 'Double Vision' (1986), and the instrumental 'Close Up' (1986). He also had eight gold albums and one platinum album. In 2004, the musician was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame. RELATED: Gary Owen Accuses Shannon Sharpe Of Not Protecting Black Women: 'Aint Tryna' Mess Up That Check' The death of Sanborn was confirmed on his social media page, revealing that he'd been battling prostate cancer since 2018 but managed to maintain his normal schedule of concerts until recently. "Indeed he already had concerts scheduled into 2025," the post states. It is with sad and heavy hearts that we convey to you the loss of internationally renowned, 6 time Grammy Award-winning, saxophonist, David Sanborn. Mr. Sanborn passed Sunday afternoon, May 12th, after an extended battle with prostate cancer with complications. pic.twitter.com/VyW56OCkfc DavidSanborn (@DavidSanborn) May 13, 2024 "It is with sad and heavy hearts that we convey to you the loss of internationally renowned, 6 time Grammy Award-winning, saxophonist, David Sanborn," the post stated. "Mr. Sanborn passed Sunday afternoon, May 12th, after an extended battle with prostate cancer with complications." "David Sanborn was a seminal figure in contemporary pop and jazz music. It has been said that he 'put the saxophone back into Rock 'n Roll," his team wrote on Twitter, now known as X. RELATED: Katt Williams 'Left When Kevin Hart Pulled Up' At Netflix Brunch With Comedians He Dragged During 'Club Shay Shay' Interview According to Billboard, he also recorded with greats such as B.B. King, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Mick Jagger, and more. 17 albums of Sanborn's posted on the Billboard 200 list and five other albums which went on to log more than six months on the chart. He reached the top 10 on Top Jazz Albums with a dozen albums, four of which climbed as high as No. 2. Sanborn hosted the radio program 'The Jazz Show' and hosted a podcast called 'As We Speak.' Per the music media outlet, he also worked on a YouTube series called 'Sanborn Sessions' with his nephew and brother-in-law. The Florida native is survived by his wife, Alice Soyer Sanborn, his son, Jonathan, two granddaughters, and his sisters, Sallie and Barb Sanborn. An Alabama motorist is gaining attention for his refusal to pen an apology letter to an officer he instructed to move aside during a traffic stop. On Dec. 13, 2023, Reginald Burks, a Black man, was driving his children to school when he was pulled over by a police officer for speeding. The officer claimed his radar gun was malfunctioning but estimated Burks' speed using cruise control, a statement Burks doubted. "I told him he was full of crap because there's no way that he clocked my speed by cruise control," Burks stated. The situation escalated when the officer issued Burks, 39, a speeding ticket and then positioned himself in front of Burks' vehicle, compelling him to reverse and drive around. "I said, 'Get your a*s out of the way so I can take my kids to school,'" Burks stated. "My daughter's like, 'Daddy you cursed.' And I said, 'I'm sorry boo.' " Jenny Carroll, a criminal law professor, called the threat of serving jail time inappropriate as it relates to freedom of speech. "I think it is one of those judicial orders that is sufficiently questionable that we ought to say, is it really proportional to give a 30-day sentence if he won't say he's sorry?" Carroll asked. "That's a long time for what he allegedly said," she continued. "And my guess is, we could stop most adults on the street, and they would admit that in a moment of frustration, he said something that may be regrettable but doesn't deserve a 30-day sentence." Despite being issued a speeding ticket, Burks did not face any additional charges stemming from his encounter with the officer. He mentioned having relatives and acquaintances in law enforcement and decided against challenging the ticket based on their advice. Burks had planned to admit guilt and settle the fines in court, but he was surprised when the judge demanded that he apologize for swearing at the officer. "I was like, I'll just pay the ticket, but I'm not going to apologize," Burks stated. Carroll pointed out that while Alabama law does prohibit public cursing, Burks should have been formally charged with the offense and given the chance for due process if the judge intended to penalize him for his speech. Instead, it appears that the judge is leveraging his authority to set a precedent with Burks. "He's not able to make a choice about whether or not he wants to apologize," Carroll stated. "And he's not a child, he's an adult man. He's not being allowed to exercise his own decision-making process about whether or not his behavior warrants issuing an apology to the officer." New York Mayor Eric Adams has a solution for the lifeguard shortage: illegal aliens. On Tuesday, Adams suggested hiring migrants to be lifeguards, because, according to him, they're "excellent swimmers," the New York Post reported. "How do we have a large body of people that are in our city and country that are excellent swimmers, and at the same time we need lifeguards and the only obstacle is that we won't give them the right to work to become a lifeguard?" Adams, 63, said in his press conference. He continued: "That just doesn't make sense." Some social media users interpreted Adams' comments as him implying that U.S. migrants are strong swimmers because they've swum across the Rio Grande to reach the country's shores. RELATED : NYC Mayor Eric Adams Accused Of Sexual Assault By Former NYPD Aide In Shocking Lawsuit The topic of lifeguards was brought up as New York City's beaches are set to open for Memorial Day weekend. Officials want to avoid a shortage like last summer's that boasted 500 lifeguard open vacancies, per the Daily Mail. Applicants could earn $22/hour plus a $1,000 bonus if they work through the peak season. Hundreds of thousands of aliens seeking help in America have been bused from Texas to New York, Denver, and Chicago since 2022, the HuffPost reports. Adams said handling the increase of migrants could be more ideal if there were fewer barriers for skilled migrants seeking work permits. "If we had a plan that said, 'You have a shortage of food service workers, and those who fit the criteria, we're going to expedite you. If you have the experience that you are a nurse, which we have a nursing shortage, and we would expedite you,' " Adams said. "And that's the same with lifeguards." Hundreds swim across the Rio Grande every day to reach the U.S. border. For the past 30 years, Texas Monthly reported nearly 2,700 people have died while making the swim. Even that number is approximate as no U.S. agency currently tracks the deaths of migrants in the river South of the U.S. border. Robert Fico, a prominent populist figure, was taken to the hospital following an assassination attempt on Wednesday. Video footage captured at the scene depicts an individual from the public approaching the politician and discharging four rounds in his direction. The prime minister sustained "threatening injuries" in a daylight shooting following a political gathering. The incident occurred in Handlova, located approximately 112 miles north of Bratislava, where shots rang out outside the House of Culture. Fico, 59, who was attending a government meeting and engaging with supporters in the town, was reportedly targeted during the shooting. An updated statement on Fico's official Facebook page reveals that he sustained multiple gunshot wounds and is presently in critical condition. He was airlifted by helicopter to the nearby town of Banska Bystrica for urgent medical care. Following the shooting, Slovak police apprehended a suspect linked to the incident. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said the assassination attempt was politically motivated, according to CNN. Witnesses, including journalists present at the scene, reported hearing multiple gunshots before witnessing the prime minister collapsing. RELATED: Netizens Mock Barron, Melania Trump Over News Donald May Attend Son's Graduation Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Lubos Blaha, spoke about the shooting during a parliamentary session, as reported by the Slovak TASR news agency. The area surrounding the scene of the shooting remained cordoned off throughout Wednesday afternoon. According to reports from TA3, a prominent Slovakian television station, Fico sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach following the discharge of four rounds. CNN reports he was shot five times. Fico won a third term as Slovakian prime minister last October after running a campaign that criticized Western support for Ukraine. TYRONE, Pa. Cash Sprankle grew up processing venison in a small, red warehouse in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. It wasnt until he graduated from Penn State Universitys Butcher Apprenticeship Program that this red warehouse would become his butcher shop, Sprankles Butcher Shop LLC. PSUs Butcher Apprenticeship program started in 2020 with six students. Since then, the program has grown significantly. This year, Penn State will be expanding it to take roughly 20 to 30 students starting in July. How it started The program was birthed out of a great need in the meat processing industry, according to Dana Ollendyke, program coordinator for the Butcher Apprenticeship Program. (We were) getting many, many calls from people in the industry saying that they did not have the next generation or any current workers. There really was a need for people who wanted to be in the industry and there was no training available, Ollendyke said. The average age of a butcher in Pennsylvania is 59 years old. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, many large-scale meatpacking and processing facilities were forced to close, leaving producers searching for local butchers and exacerbating an issue already on Penn States radar. During the heat of the pandemic, Jonathan Campbell, a meat extension specialist at Penn State University, received numerous calls from butchers and meat processing professionals who said they didnt have workers. In order to meet this demand, Campbell developed the PSU Butcher Apprenticeship Program. The first string of classes for the program took place in January 2021. The program The program consists of classes about the basics of butchering and 2,000 hours of on-the-job experience. The duration of classes changes from year to year, but this year students will spend five weeks at Penn State from July 22 to Aug. 23. Some of the information students learn includes muscle structure, meat composition, anatomy of the animal, knife safety, Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, sanitation and U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Food and Drug Administration classes. They also hold a Business Week, where students take a crash course on how to open their own butcher shop. Afterward, students move on to put these skills to practical use by working at one of the 15 different meat processors that Penn State partners with for the program, including Marks Custom Meats, Holland Brothers Meats, Blue Ridge Meats and Nicholas Meats. Many students who complete this program are offered full-time jobs at the end of their apprenticeships or start their own businesses. The journey of the graduates Sprankles grandfather was a butcher and often they would process their own venison in a warehouse in Tyrone. Thinking back to his upbringing and the need for more workers in the industry, he decided to enroll in the program after graduating from Penn State with a degree in heavy equipment operation in December 2020. Sprankle finished his apprenticeship at Marks Custom Meats in Howard, Pennsylvania, in late 2021. He was in the first group to graduate from the program. Following graduation, Sprankle moved back to Tyrone, in Blair County, to open his own butcher shop in the same red warehouse where he learned to process venison years before. He expanded the warehouse by adding a holding pen and cooler, among other improvements, and officially opened his business, Sprankles Butcher Shop, in early 2022. Now, he works alongside his father and a full-time employee to process meats for roughly 12 local farms. Others like Parker Bell, also part of the first graduating class, took a different route. Bell runs a beef operation with his father-in-law called the BB Land and Cattle Company. He enrolled in the program to learn more about the butchering side of the business. A lot of guys in the beef business dont really know jack about this side of the business and complain about it, Bell said. So I figured I might as well learn. Bell apprenticed at Holland Brothers Meats and now works there part-time while also running BB Land and Cattle Company. Bell said the butcher program is beneficial for those wanting to work or run a business in the meat industry. It gives you a good foundation to build off of, Bell said. It would be hard for somebody that didnt have any knowledge, theyd have to put a lot of years in before they would get the experience to be able to manage a shop. 1 of 6 A boost to local butcher shops An even bigger benefit of the PSU butcher program is the boost it gives local butcher shops. Mike Holland, owner of Holland Brothers Meats, was approached to take part in the program a few months before it started. The first year he took in two students, Bell being one of them. The program helped Holland Brothers Meats immensely, particularly in finding individuals who are passionate about working in the industry. Its not like an applicant walks in your door and gives you an application to work, Holland said. Nine out of 10 employees that come through here before you hire them, they dont even know what we really do, they are just looking for a job. With these students, they knew the job they were getting into prior and they knew a lot of basics about the job. The program was a big time saver for the butcher shop. When Holland hires a new employee, he expects they will need training. But with these students that came in, it was like, show me what you know already, Holland said. Additionally, the program helps address the labor shortage in the industry. Before the pandemic, Holland said he could put a Help Wanted sign out and get 20 to 30 applicants in two to three weeks. In early 2021, hed put out a Help Wanted sign and only got three applicants in six months. None of the three applicants made it more than a week because the work was too physically demanding and it wasnt for them, he said. Communities also experienced how precarious the meat industry is during the pandemic, and, particularly, how important local butcher shops are. Grocery stores quickly ran out of meat but Holland Brothers Meats didnt. We saw during the pandemic how fragile our food system is, and if we dont have people who are properly trained, we wont be able to feed the needs of our local communities, our state and our country, Ollendyke said. Ultimately, Holland views the PSU Butcher Apprenticeship Program as a way to build secure, local food systems. I think the butchers program is here to help grow businesses like ours that are smaller businesses for the local community, Holland said. Now everybody wants to know what theyre eating, where it came from, whats in it. When you buy local, you support local farmers. To register for this years PSU Butcher Apprenticeship Program or to learn more, visit https://extension.psu.edu/butcher-apprenticeship-program. The deadline to apply is May 31. (Liz Partsch can be reached at epartsch@farmanddairy.com or 330-337-3419.) The pace of planting corn and soybeans has slowed in the U.S. although not in Ohio. Ohio farmers have now planted, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 36% of the intended corn crop as of May 15 well ahead of the 24% five-year average. The Ohio pace is an exception, and is the reverse of last year when Ohio lagged. Last year, wet weather stalled planting in the Eastern Corn Belt. This year, the rain has stalled the planting west of Indiana. The U.S. as a whole is only 47% planted, against the average of 54% for this week. The slowed planting is reflected in grain prices, which are now seeing some futures contracts at notable highs. May corn futures put in a high May 13 at $4.61 1/2 the highest price since $4.63 on Jan. 25. So, the horrible drop to $4.08 3/4 that we saw Feb. 26 is now in the rear view mirror. It was only two or three weeks ago that we were talking about the possibility of corn dropping below $4. That is starting to seem unlikely unless we have 10 days of fabulous planting weather followed by perfect summer crop progress. Improvement in the currently-downgraded Argentine corn crop could be another factor. Exports of corn have slowed dramatically, maybe hurt by our rally in corn prices. For the last week reported, ending May 9, we shipped less than 1 MMT of corn for the first time in 13 weeks. That is 27% less than the previous week, and more than 20% less than the same week last year. One measure of market direction is the position changing, but the managed money and spec funds also contribute to overall sentiment. We are told that the soybean short has gone from 149,236 contracts to only 41,453 net short contracts in one week. Meanwhile the corn short has decreased from 218,040 contracts to 102,513 contracts. A contract is 5,000 bushels, so this is a huge change, but still not net long. They have been long soybean meal, but have added more length there, going from 43,596 contract long to 87,991 contract long. Sadly, the enthusiasm currently for the rallies hides the fact that we have a huge cost of production, and we likely are still not at profitable levels for most producers. Price factors A recent article by Kevin Braun for Reuters, published online, outlines current price factors. The first is the pest problem in Argentine corn. According to another Reuters article, the leafhopper is becoming a plague, cutting millions of tons of production. Secondly, heavy rains continue to devastate the soybeans in southern Brazil. Then, third, Reuters mentions the rains that have slowed the planting in most of the Midwest, as noted above. The most exciting market move on the Board recently was the 23 1/2 cent bounce in Chicago wheat futures May 13, to $6.87 on one contract. Wheat has been a market mover the last couple of weeks, after a months-long general slide. Now, there are fundamentals that are adding to a technical rally. The biggest is the news that Russia is reporting a large cut in wheat prospects. They are now expecting a crop of 86 MMT, down 5 MMT from the last published estimate, and 2 MMT lower than the current USDA projection of Russian production. Another interesting note in the Crop Progress Report is that the U.S. wheat crop (all classes) is 57% headed, and we are not to the middle of May. That is 15% ahead of normal. I would expect that the earlier the crop, the better the yield, since it is often late drought that hurts the crop. More rain is better, except that we can have quality problems if there is too much rain during the flowering that will come soon. Finally, for wheat, we have good exports this last week. We shipped 13.5 mbu for the week ending May 9. That is more than 39% better than this week last year, and 8% better than the shipments the previous week. Interestingly, China was the biggest receiver. They are trying to get corn and soybeans from South America, but they still need American wheat. In other Crop Progress data from Uncle Sugar, we have U.S. soybean planting just ahead of the five-year average. The Monday report shows 35% planted against an average 34%. Ohio, again, is actually way ahead of the normal pace. Ohio producers have 27% of the crop planted, although the average is only 18%. It should be noted that at this time last year the nations farmers had planted 44% of the crop. The soybean exports, in opposition to the corn exports, were actually at a three-week high of 15 mbu for the week ending May 9. That is also twice the level for this week last year, but it is 17% less than this time last year. We have now shipped 1.45 bbu this marketing year. Unfortunately, that is almost 18% less than at this time last year. Current price, at midnight as we go into the morning of May 14 are as follows: July corn, $4.73 1/4, up three quarters; December corn $4.93 1/2, up three quarters; July soybeans, $12.13 1/2, down 6 cents; November soybeans $12.06 1/2 and July Chicago wheat at $5.89, up 2 cents. A ban on live animal exports has passed its final stage in parliament and will soon be enshrined in law. The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill will mean that livestock can no longer be exported from Great Britain for slaughter or fattening. On Tuesday (14 May), members of the House of Lords voted in favour of the bill, thus passing the final stage of its parliamentary journey. Government data shows up to 40 million farm animals, including sheep, calves and pigs, have been exported from Britain for further rearing or slaughter since the 1960s. At its height, one million animals were being exported annually - and animals have travelled from ports such as Dover, Ramsgate and Brightlingsea. However, live exports in other specific circumstances, for example, for breeding and competitions, will still be allowed. This is provided animals are transported in line with legal requirements aimed at protecting their welfare. Some farming groups have frequently warned that any significant regulatory changes to live exports could potentially have a major impact on the UK food The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has said that a live export ban could 'cut off an essential lifeline' for sheep producers. And the Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) group whose members represent the breadth of the supply chain said Defra must take responsibility for the impact of the ban on businesses. But Emma Slawinski, the RSPCAs director for advocacy, has campaigned against live exports for years and has welcomed the bill's passing, saying the practice will be 'consigned to the history books'. She added: This is a momentous moment for animals - with this vote marking one of the biggest days for animal welfare in modern history. Elsewhere in the world, Australia has committed to end the export of sheep by 1 May 2028. Last year, a Brazilian court banned the export of live cattle from the countrys ports. Calls have been made for the government to introduce an independent, statutory committee to provide 'comprehensive oversight' on UK food security. The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), which speaks for the agri-supply industry, made the suggestion at Number 10's Farm to Fork Summit. Despite Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiling a new UK Food Security Index at the summit on Tuesday (14 May), AIC believes this does not go far enough. Instead, its proposal for a committee would include advocates from all parts of the food supply chain to plan for long term food security. Unlike some other countries, the UK currently lacks a joined-up, cross-government strategy on land use or food security. However, AIC warned that 'short-term, reactive, unpredictable decision-making' was not only bad for business, but also for the UK's food security. It comes after a recent NFU survey revealed a crisis of confidence among farmers, which showed confidence levels at a record low following the wettest winter on record. AIC added that the unprecedented supply chain shocks of recent years had added to this, exposing the fragility of the UKs food and farming supply and its 'deeply concerning' lack of security. Chaired independently, its proposed statutory body would advise the UK and devolved governments on the drivers of food security. It would report to parliament on progress made in enhancing the productivity and resilience of the UKs entire agri-food supply chain. Much like the Independent Committee on Climate Change, it would take a cross-UK view of the legislative direction, aiding policy development and collaboration in support of our nations food security. AIC chief executive Robert Sheasby joined the second annual Farm to Fork Summit held by the prime minister at 10 Downing Street. "What we do with our land resource, and the food we produce with it matters for our economy, our productivity, our environment, and our people," he said. "The lack of confidence to plan, build and invest affects our food security at a time when we need it more than ever, a point proven beyond doubt by the events of the past few years alone with prices rising for British families. "This is why we desperately need a cross-government, cross-industry, cross-UK view to plan for the future of our national food supply." The summit saw leading farming industry leaders get around the table with policymakers to discuss opportunities to promote UK food security, sector growth, innovation, and sustainability efforts. NFU President Tom Bradshaw, who also attended the event at Downing Street, explained that 'food security is national security'. He said: The NFUs recent confidence survey revealed just how tough it is out there currently the reality is that some farmers and growers believe they may not survive long enough to benefit from [the] announcements. Thats why, while we are pleased to see the prime minister saying UK food security is vital to our national security, we need actions in the short-term that underpin that statement, in order to rebuild confidence and resilience." Sheep farmers are 'dismayed and frustrated' after Morrisons announced this week that it will no longer sell solely British lamb in its stores. The retailer said it would be dropping its commitment to source only British lamb, a pledge made in 2017, as part of a new trial. The supermarket chain has traditionally been seen as a strong supporter of the British livestock industry. The National Sheep Association (NSA) said the news was 'hugely disappointing', particularly following difficult weather and the threat of both Bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses. NSA chief executive, Phil Stocker said: "We learnt of this disappointing news whilst returning from the Field to Fork Summit held with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street. "An event that was designed to show support for UK agriculture and where the supermarket itself had a presence promoting its commitment to British farmers. So the timing of this announcement is really quite unbelievable. He added: This is a very poor decision, and something NSA warned could happen during the negotiations around the new trade deals agreed with Australia and New Zealand last year. Morrisons announced that it would cease its commitment to stock only British lamb because customers were seeking cheaper product, and that this could be sourced more easily from New Zealand. But Mr Stocker said the last thing UK sheep producers needed was for their prices to be undermined by cheaper imports. He said: If we want high standards in the UK then these are realistic prices that are needed for farmers to produce lamb sustainably and at a price that can allow much needed reinvestment into their farms. "And not forgetting the UK sheep sector has endured a very difficult winter and early spring with seriously challenging weather conditions, Schmallenberg virus causing losses on many farms, plus the threat of Bluetongue virus arriving from Europe this summer. "All these things are causing a level of uncertainty amongst many farmers," Mr Stocker said. The NFU's Livestock Board said the news was 'hugely disappointing' and came at a 'challenging time' for livestock farmers. Board chair David Barton said: British sheep farmers and shoppers will be incredibly disappointed that Morrisons has dropped its commitment. "The retailer has built its reputation on British-only sourcing and supported British farmers through its fully integrated supply chain. This comes at a time when the livestock sector is already under pressure from the impacts of the unprecedented wet weather." China's e-commerce logistics sector experienced significant growth in April, with the logistics index climbing to 113.2 points, a 0.7-point increase from March, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing. The sub-index for total business volume rose by 1.3 points to 127.7 points month-on-month. Notably, the business volume in rural areas also saw an uptick, increasing by 0.2 points to 127.9 points. Overall, China's logistics sector demonstrated robust growth in April, driven by a nationwide rebound in demand. The performance index for the logistics market reached 52.4 per cent, up 0.9 percentage points from the previous month. China's e-commerce logistics sector saw significant growth in April 2024, with the logistics index rising to 113.2 points, a 0.7-point increase from March. Total business volume rose by 1.3 points to 127.7, and rural business volume increased by 0.2 points to 127.9. The logistics market performance index reached 52.4 per cent, up 0.9 points. The sub-indices for business expectations have remained in the expansion zone for three consecutive months, according to Chinese media reports. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP) The national capital is a popular shoot location for Bollywood and the prominent landmarks of the city tend to feature in hundreds of films every year. Lately, it is being said that the city is coming out to be too expensive for films to continue shooting there. Productions have shifted their locations from Delhi to places like Lucknow, locations in Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh as they come out to be much cheaper. Set designers have even started recreating the national capital in these places. Surprisingly, even that costs less than shooting at actual locations in Delhi. A production head recently said, If you want to shoot at Rajiv Chowk for 4 hours, it means eight lakh rupees for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. GST ki baat agar nahi bhi karte, aA2,36,000 will be taken by New Delhi Municipal Council, a lakh rupees will be taken by the parking guys. Around two lakh rupees by the Delhi Police for security. You can do the maths. Films like Aamir Khans Sitaare Zameen Par, Janhvi Kapoors Ulajh and Ajay Devgns Raid 2 had to alter their schedules because locations in Delhi were surpassing their budgets and they had to resort to recreating the capital city in other locations. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2024 / Golden Lake Exploration Inc. (CSE:GLM)(OTCQB:GOLXF) ("GLM" or "Golden Lake") announces it has set 2,850,000 options to directors, officers and consultants of the Company at an exercise price of $0.06 for a period of 3 years in accordance with the Company's stock option plan. About Golden Lake Exploration Inc: Golden Lake Exploration is a junior public mining exploration company engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets. Its objective is to acquire, explore and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit and to aggressively advance its exploration program on the Jewel Ridge property. The Jewel Ridge property is located on the south end of Nevada's prolific Battle Mountain-Eureka trend, along strike and contiguous to Barrick Gold's Archimedes/Ruby Hill gold mine to the north and Timberline Resources' advanced-stage Lookout Mountain project to the south. The Company also owns a large early-stage property in south-central British Columbia, contiguous to Kodiak Copper Corp., and Gold Mountain Mining Inc., that is highly prospective for copper-gold porphyry and mesothermal gold-bearing quartz-vein mineralization. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Mike England" Mike England, CEO & DIRECTOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Telephone: 1-604-683-3995 Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770 Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains 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. Investors 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. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at WWW.SEDAR.COM). SOURCE: Golden Lake Exploration Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2024) - Blacksteel Energy Inc. ("Blacksteel" or "Corporation "or the "Farmee") announces a farmout and royalty agreement ("Agreement") between four private companies (collectively, the "Farmor") and the Corporation. The Agreement is a strategic alliance for Blacksteel as it combines Blacksteel's existing acreage in the productive Montney play in the Girouxville East area of Alberta with the Farmor's lands. The Agreement creates a contiguous 8,000-acre block of prospective land for future development and exploration drilling. An adjacent Area of Mutual Interest (AMI) is included in the Agreement to expand the potential area by an additional 4,160 acres to 12,160 acres. Blacksteel will acquire a 100% working interest in the 8,000-acre block by drilling three (3) wells at various times before August 31, 2025. As a consideration for the Farmor entering into this agreement, overriding royalties will apply to the earned lands. The existing overriding royalties payable to the Farmor on Blacksteel's existing production and acreage are subject to certain terms and conditions. President and Chief Executive Officer Arthur Madden stated, "I am convinced this Agreement is a strategic move for Blacksteel, providing an opportunity to expand our existing production base in the East Girouxville area. Increasing production and streamlining our organization should enable Blacksteel to increase shareholder value." Blacksteel Energy Inc. Blacksteel is a junior oil and gas company that explores, develops, and produces petroleum and natural gas resources. Arthur Madden President and CEO (403) 473-8547 arthur@blacksteelenergy.ca www.blacksteelenergy.ca Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement: This document contains forward-looking statements regarding the business and operations of Blacksteel. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained herein are forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. In particular, statements as to the Corporation's anticipated transactions are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon various assumptions. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. The Corporation's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward- looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the plans, intentions or expectations anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefit the Corporation will derive there from. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with oil and gas exploration; risks related to the listing and maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drilling results; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; the possibility that future exploration and development results will not be consistent with the Corporation's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Corporation's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Corporation's disclosure record. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to the Corporation or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Corporation does not undertake any 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, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or dissemination in the United States of America. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities Laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209221 SOURCE: Blacksteel Energy Inc. DUBAI, UAE, May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TerraPay, a prominent global money movement company, has partnered with Al Ansari Exchange, the largest remittance and foreign exchange company in the UAE and a subsidiary of Al Ansari Financial Services PJSC [DFM: ALANSARI]. TerraPay's global payment solutions for local payout needs integrated with Al Ansari Exchange's extensive network expands both organisations scope of operations and improves their capabilities to serve a broader customer base with efficient, secure, and seamless transactions. With its strong portfolio of financial services and customer-centric approach, Al Ansari Exchange provides its clientele with flexible and reliable remittance options. The latest partnership will allow TerraPay to capitalise on this expertise and expand its presence in the UAE, in line with the company's strategic objectives of expanding its global footprint and enhancing its offerings. Ani Sane, Co-founder & Chief Business Officer at TerraPay, commented, "We are thrilled to partner with Al Ansari Exchange, a respected name with a rich heritage in the UAE. This partnership allows us to leverage combined strengths and capabilities. Together, we are prepared to extend our services and better serve customers, making cross-border transactions more seamless and accessible." Ali Al Najjar, Chief Operating Officer at Al Ansari Exchange, said, "We are delighted to enter into this strategic partnership with TerraPay, a leading force in global money transfer. This collaboration signifies our commitment to providing our customers with flexible and reliable remittance options. TerraPay's global network and innovative technology complements our expertise, allowing us to offer a wider range of services." The strategic collaboration was unveiled at Seamless Middle East 2024, highlighting how both entities are committed to leveraging technology to enhance the remittance ecosystem. Together, the companies promise to empower clients by enhancing global connectivity, promoting financial inclusion, and driving economic growth in the regions they serve. About TerraPay: TerraPay simplifies the movement of money everywhere - providing a single connection to the most expansive cross-border payments network regulated in 31 global markets and enabling payments to 141 receive countries, 210+ send countries, 7.5Bn+ bank accounts and 2.1Bn+ mobile wallets. TerraPay is on a mission to connect a borderless financial world, making moving money everywhere instant, reliable, transparent and fully compliant. TerraPay pushes the boundaries for global businesses - ranging from banks, fintechs and money-transfer operators to travel businesses, creator economy platforms and e-commerce marketplaces - while driving financial inclusion in even the most inaccessible markets. Founded in 2014, TerraPay is headquartered in London, with global offices in Bangalore, Dubai, Miami, Bogota, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Hague, Dakar, Joburg, Nairobi, Milan, Singapore and is expanding rapidly, having received funding from leading investors, including the IFC (the World Bank), Prime Ventures, Partech Africa and Visa. About Al Ansari Exchange: Al Ansari Exchange, the subsidiary of Al Ansari Financial Services P.J.S.C. and the largest outward personal remittance and foreign exchange company in the UAE. Al Ansari Exchange, established in 1966 and licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, is the UAE's first exchange company that grown to be the largest outward personal remittance and foreign exchange company in the country with over 256 branches across the Emirates (as of December 2023). With over 4500 multilingual employees, the Company conducts 134 thousand transactions per day (as of December 2023). Al Ansari Exchange has contributed about 40% of the core operating income of exchange houses in the country and constituted 74% of the consolidated net profit for the exchange houses. In terms of contribution to the foreign exchange business, Al Ansari Exchange made up 32% of the income generated by exchange houses as well as 46% of income in the remittance business. Since its founding, the Company has significantly scaled its digital presence through its award-winning app, website and in-branch smart counters, enabling it to capture a 41% share of the digital outward personal remittances market among exchange houses in 2021, according to a report by Edgar, Dunn and Company. For more information visit: www.alansari.ae For media inquiries, please contact: Juveria Samrin juveria.n@terrapay.com Dana Khalaf Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Al Ansari Financial Services Tel: (971 4) 5010644 dana.khalaf@alansari.ae Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1222771/TerraPay_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/terrapay-and-al-ansari-exchange-partner-to-simplify-money-transfer-302143476.html Bregal Milestone, a leading European technology and software private equity firm, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Aktieinvest Incentives by its portfolio company, Allshares, a pioneering compensation and long-term incentive software and services provider. Following Allshares' recent acquisition of Novare Pay, the strategic addition of Aktieinvest Incentives further establishes the company at the forefront of providing comprehensive compensation and incentive solutions in Sweden. Aktieinvest Incentives is a leading provider of share plan and equity incentive administration to business customers in Sweden. Following the acquisition, Aktieinvest Incentives will fully integrate with Allshares' state-of-the-art equity plan administration platform. Current Aktieinvest Incentives customers can expect uninterrupted service and will benefit from Allshares' exceptional client support and end-to-end solutions, including expanded offerings like tax services and IFRS reporting. In a statement from Louise Hagsten, CEO of Aktieinvest Incentives, the decision to integrate with Allshares was underscored by its unmatched holistic software and services offering. "Our partnership with Allshares heralds a new era of innovation and client-centricity for Aktieinvest Incentives customers. We were drawn to Allshares' commitment to excellence and their robust equity plan administration product suite which includes tax and IFRS reporting capabilities. We are confident that joining forces with Allshares will translate to an enhanced digital participant experience for Aktieinvest Incentives' customers." Erika Andersson, former CEO of Novare Pay and recently appointed CEO of Allshares Sweden, stated, "The reception of Allshares by Novare Pay customers and the broader Swedish market has been overwhelmingly positive. I am confident that Aktieinvest Incentives' customers will have a similar experience, thanks to Allshares' customer-centric and innovative approach to compensation solutions. The Allshares proposition stands out in the market, and I am eager to maintain our longstanding relationship with Aktieinvest Incentives' customers. With Allshares, we can offer an enhanced equity plan administration proposition, further improving our ability to serve customers effectively." Pertti Helaniemi, CEO of Allshares Finland, highlighted the continuity and seamless experience that customers can expect from the addition of Aktieinvest Incentives to the Allshares ecosystem. "At Allshares, we are dedicated to maintaining high standards of service and innovation. In addition to Allshares' comprehensive equity plan administration platform, our Pay Incentives, Pay Governance and Pay Analytics service offerings mean clients can expect a seamless one-stop experience for all their compensation needs." John Hales, Managing Director at Bregal Milestone, reiterated the company's vision and the integral role that Aktieinvest Incentives plays in achieving it. "At Allshares, the vision is to deliver leading compensation solutions that drive high performance for both private and publicly listed customers throughout Europe. The acquisition of Aktieinvest Incentives is a testament to our commitment to this vision, as it strengthens our position as a leader in the Nordic region and reinforces our ability to deliver exceptional value to leading companies. We are thrilled to welcome Aktieinvest Incentives to the Allshares family and look forward to leveraging our combined strengths to deliver distinctive compensation solutions." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed and are subject to customary closing conditions. About Bregal Milestone Bregal Milestone is a leading European software and technology private equity firm with c.1.3 billion of capital raised since inception. The firm provides growth capital and operational support to build market-leading technology companies. Bregal Milestone is part of Bregal Investments, a leading global investment platform with assets under management of over 18 billion. Bregal Milestone was recognised by GrowthCap as one of the Top Growth Equity Firms of 2023. For more information, visit www.bregalmilestone.com or follow us on LinkedIn. About Allshares Allshares is a pioneering provider of compensation and incentive solutions in Europe. Trusted by leading multinational enterprises, Allshares will now serve approximately 900 clients in more than 60 countries with an end-to-end digital turnkey solution for equity plan management. Companies and participants can use its proprietary software and services to administer share plans in full compliance with relevant regulations, legal, and tax frameworks, as well as deliver seamless and automated IFRS reporting of share plans to companies. For more information, visit www.allshares.com. About Aktieinvest Aktieinvest Incentives is a part of Aktieinvest. Aktieinvest, among Sweden's oldest online brokers, boasts a 50-year legacy and 60,000 customers. Aktieinvest offers monthly share savings, dividend reinvestment, and handles corporate events, essentially simplifying stock investment. With a workforce of around 40, and a customer-centric approach, Aktieinvest has consistently sought to modernize and enhance its offerings, ensuring that clients can seamlessly save and invest in both Swedish and foreign stocks, funds, and ETFs. Since June 2023, Aktieinvest has been under the ownership of Soderberg Partners, a prominent financial advisor and intermediary in the Nordic region. For more information, visit www.allshares.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514298200/en/ Contacts: Jillian Hazelton Head of Marketing Communications Jillian.hazelton@bregal.com VANCOUVER, BC, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Silver One Resources Inc. (TSXV: SVE) (OTCQX: SLVRF) (FSE: BRK1) ("Silver One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the discovery of additional large silver vein fragments along the major east-west 417 vein structure, immediately to the west of the large angular and unabraded 417 pound (189 kg) silver vein fragment that was estimated to contain over 70% silver (see February 5, 2020, January 11, 2021 company's news releases and Figure 1). The distribution of these newly discovered vein fragments, one weighing up to 6+ pounds (2.7 kg), extends the area of potential mineralization 600+ metres to the west of the 417 pound silver vein fragment (see Figure 2 below), significantly expanding the area of potential high-grade silver prospectivity. Geological reconnaissance on the new claims staked in October and December, 2023 (see company's news releases of October 23 and December 19, 2023) has also uncovered several new copper and silver prospects with up to 1,785 g/t Ag and 2.74 % Cu in selected samples (Table 1, Figure 3, and Figure 5 below). The southern portion of the Phoenix Silver property has numerous copper and silver showings and hosts potential for the discovery of porphyry related copper mineralization. The southern part of the project is immediately northeast of the Freeport McMoRan Miami copper mine and the recently discovered Ocelot porphyry project being actively explored by BHP (see Figure 4 below). Highlights: New silver fragments discoveries extend the area of potential silver vein mineralization for 600+ metres to the west of the previously discovered 417 lb (189 kg) angular and unabraded vein fragment that was estimated to contain over 70% silver and an 18.7 lb (8.5 kg) specimen assaying 459,000 g/t (14,688 oz/t) silver (see news release dated February 5, 2020). The project is permitted for drilling on the potentially high-grade silver targets (See Figure 2). New copper showings on recently acquired claims highlight the potential for porphyry copper mineralization immediately along strike from the Freeport McMoRan Miami copper mine and the recently discovered Ocelot porphyry project being actively explored by BHP Copper values in selected samples range between 0.1% to 2.7% and silver between 10.9 g/t and 1,785 g/t containing locally abundant lead and zinc in veins, breccias and bed planes. Greg Crowe, President and CEO of Silver One commented: "The Phoenix Silver project continues to evolve, not only in the size and distribution of mineralized areas, but also in the very nature of the mineralized systems. What started as a rare opportunity in potentially identifying areas of extremely rich silver vein mineralization, has now expanded to include large areas of copper-silver porphyry potential. Large angular and unabraded silver vein fragments were detected by metal detectors and uncovered in overburden within a metre of the surface. These have been interpreted as being near their original source, as silver is very soft and large fragments break apart easily upon transport over even small distances. One vein fragment weighed 417 lb (189 kg) and was estimated by specific gravity methods to contain 70% silver. Assays of smaller fragments returned up to 459,000 g/t (14,688 oz/T) silver (see Company News Release of February 5, 2020). The recently discovered silver vein fragments have extended the known area of mineralization along the 417 vein structure for an additional 600+ metres to the west of the 417 pound vein fragment. This illustrates the significant potential for outlining additional high-grade silver targets. A drill permit has been secured to test structures believed to be the host to these very high-grade vein fragments (see Company News Release of March 2, 2023). Emphasis will be placed on the 417 vein structure. The southern portion of the project also hosts regional northeast-trending veins, alteration and breccia zones, with several selected samples returning over 1% copper. Recent sampling has uncovered more copper mineralization on the claims acquired in October and December of 2023. The property lies to the northeast of Freeport McMoRan's copper producing Miami Complex and BHP's Ocelot porphyry copper exploration project. Phoenix Silver lies at the northeast margin of a 30+ km long porphyry copper and silver belt and has excellent potential to host high-grade silver mineralization as well as porphyry related copper-silver mineralization. The Phoenix Silver project is truly a unique and exceptional exploration opportunity." Table 1: Selected assays in new claims staked in the Phoenix Silver Project (October 23, and December 19, 2023 news releases). All samples are rock chip samples. Selected copper assays are shown in Fig. 3. Sample Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) Cu (%) MnO (%) Fe2O3 (%) Mo (ppm) Description 91812 33.9 0.07 0.06 0.01 0.09 1.72 12.50 Silicified breccia 91813 195.0 0.19 0.34 0.05 3.83 2.85 5.00 Silicified breccia with MnFeOx in matrix 91814 588.0 2.54 7.44 1.17 12.90 18.70 44.20 5m quartz-manganese vein w/CuOx in vn&bed planes 91815 36.9 0.21 0.17 0.01 2.59 1.65 4.34 3m silicified breccia with MnFeOx 98009 1,695.0 0.36 0.08 1.46 0.47 3.76 3.04 Abdt FeMnOx & malachite in veinlets and fractures in quartzite 98010 548.0 1.42 0.59 0.55 5.70 6.82 11.65 Fractured quartzite with MnFeOx veins 98011 10.9 0.01 0.09 2.74 0.05 4.00 2.05 Bedded quartzite w/malachite & CuOx in bed planes 98012 1,785.0 1.50 0.26 0.61 3.40 4.49 11.30 Silicified breccia with MnFeOx and local CuOx 98019 116.0 0.43 0.09 0.13 1.94 2.03 8.75 Quartz vein with FeMnOx Elevated copper and silver values with abundant manganese, iron oxides and local base metals (lead and zinc) shown in Table 1 above, are representative of the mineralization in veins, hydrothermal breccias, and fracture systems that are widespread throughout the southern part of the property. These values along with elevated molybdenum (to 44 ppm) and local chlorite hydrothermal alteration suggest the presence of intrusive centered hydrothermal systems and are distal manifestations potentially related to the margins of porphyry copper deposits. Examples of these manifestations can be seen at the Silver Queen and Silver King mines and the Old Dominion vein, which are the surface expression of the Magma copper deposits and Ocelot porphyry copper discovery, respectively. Silver One plans to continue the geologic reconnaissance and sampling of the new claims staked in October and December 2023. Assays of 30 samples currently at Skyline laboratories in Tucson AZ are expected within 30 days. Analytical and QA/QC Chip samples were collected by geologists during a recent property visit and varied in size from approximately 1 kg to 5 kg. Samples were submitted to ALS USA Inc. ("ALS") in Reno, NV, USA for sample preparation and analyzed at ALS in North Vancouver, BC, Canada (ISO accredited Laboratory, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015). Samples were analyzed for fifty-one elements by four acid digestion on a 0.25 g sample and ICP-MS finish (ME-MS61L). Over limit silver, copper, manganese, lead and zinc were analyzed by ore-grade four acid digestion (0.4 g sample) and ICP-AES (OG62). Gold was analyzed by 30 g FA/ICP-AES (Au-ICP21). Chromium, niobium, silica, tantalum, titanium, yttrium, zircon, and niobium were also semi-quantitatively analyzed at ALS by portable XRF (pXRF) on sample pulps. ALS inserts blanks, standards and includes duplicate analyses to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Robert M. Cann, P. Geo, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and an independent consultant to the Company. About Silver One Silver One is focused on the exploration and development of quality silver projects. The Company owns a 100%-interest in its flagship project, the past-producing Candelaria Mine located in Nevada. Potential reprocessing of silver from the historic leach pads at Candelaria provides an opportunity for possible near-term production. Additional opportunities lie in unmined historic resources as well as in previously identified high-grade silver intercepts down-dip, which can potentially increase the substantive silver mineralization along-strike from the two past-producing open pits. The Company owns 636 lode claims and five patented claims on its Cherokee project located in Lincoln County, Nevada, host to multiple silver-copper-gold vein systems, traced to date for over 11 km along-strike. Silver One also owns a 100% interest in the Silver Phoenix Project. The Silver Phoenix Project is a very high-grade native silver prospect, recently permitted for drilling, which lies within the "Arizona Silver Belt," immediately adjacent to the prolific copper producing area of Globe, Arizona. For more information, please contact: Silver One Resources Inc. Gary Lindsey - VP, Investor Relations Phone: 604-974-5274 Mobile: (720) 273-6224 Email : gary@strata-star.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Silver One cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Silver One's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Silver One's limited operating history, ability to obtain sufficient financing to carry out its exploration and development objectives on the Candelaria Project, obtaining the necessary permits to carry out its activities and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Silver One undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. 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. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1574720/4707106/Silver_One_Logo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413069/Figure_1_Silver_One.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413070/Figure_2_Silver_One.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413071/Figure_3_Silver_One.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413072/Figure_4_Silver_One.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413073/Figure_5_Silver_One.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/silver-one-discovers-new-silver-vein-fragments-and-outlines-new-copper-showings-on-its-phoenix-silver-project-in-arizona-302145700.html 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! Regulatory News: VITURA (Paris:VTR): Rental income of 10.9 million Leases signed on 10,000 sq.m during the quarter Continuation of repositioning programs Unaudited figures. Rental activity driven by repositioned, sustainable campuses In first-quarter 2024, operating momentum continued with the completion of three major transactions, representing a total surface area of 10,000 sq.m or 7% of the total surface area of assets in operation1. The transactions were mainly lease renewals and extensions at Europlaza and Arcs de Seine, as well as the arrival of a first-time tenant at Rives de Bercy, less than three months after completion of the Charenton-le-Pont campus. A lease for a fixed six-year term on 5,600 sq.m of space at Rives de Bercy almost 20% of the property has been signed with a major French industry player. The new tenant began preparing the property for their move in March, aiming to welcome its teams in the third quarter of 2024. The occupancy rate of buildings in operation was 82% at March 31, 2024, and 69% including the 31,000 sq.m Rives de Bercy campus, delivered at the end of 2023. _________________________________ 1 The property portfolio is divided into buildings in use and assets undergoing repositioning. The delivery of Rives de Bercy at the end of 2023 brings the total number of buildings in use to four. As from January 1, 2024, only Office Kennedy and Passy Kennedy are vacant and undergoing redevelopment work. Key figures Vitura's IFRS rental income was 10.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared with 12.7 million for the same period in 2023. The positive impact from recently signed leases and index-linked rent increases was offset by the impact of tenants leaving in 2023, particularly at Passy Kennedy and Office Kennedy, which were vacated in view of the project to combine the two buildings within a single 34,000 sq.m complex. The complex, located in Paris' extended CBD with wide views over the Seine, will offer a broad range of upscale amenities food services, a gym, wellness and social areas, and facilities encouraging low-carbon mobility and meet the highest environmental standards. Vitura has already obtained a building permit for this ambitious project. The new financing (debt and capital) will cover the works program, the refinancing of the two outstanding loans, and financing costs. The maturity of the 140 million debt for the Passy Kennedy building has been extended to June 30, 2024 so that an agreement can be reached on this new financing. The Universal Registration Document comprising the 2023 annual financial report was filed with the French financial markets authority (Autorite des marches financiers AMF) on April 29, 2024 and is available on Vitura's website. Investor Calendar June 19, 2024: General Shareholders' Meeting About Vitura Created in 2006, Vitura is a listed real estate company ("SIIC") that invests in prime office properties in Paris and Greater Paris. The total value of the portfolio was estimated at 1,307 million at December 31, 2023 (excluding transfer duties). Thanks to its strong commitment to sustainable development, the Company's leadership position is recognized by ESG rating agencies. Vitura has held a GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) 5-star rating since 2014 and has been ranked world number 1 (Global Sector Leader) in the listed office property companies category four times. It has also received two Gold Awards from the European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) for the quality and transparency of its financial and non-financial reporting. Vitura is ISO 14001-certified. Vitura is a REIT listed on Euronext Paris since 2006, in compartment B (ISIN: FR0010309096). Visit our website to find out more: www.vitura.fr/en Find us: LinkedIn Twitter View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514501116/en/ Contacts: For more information, please contact: Investor Relations Charlotte de Laroche info@vitura.fr +33 1 42 25 76 38 Media relations Alienor Miens alienor.miens@margie.fr +33 6 64 32 81 75 Regulatory News: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR CONTAIN ANY INVITATION, SOLICITATION, RECOMMENDATION, OFFER OR ADVICE TO ANY PERSON TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES IN MAAT PHARMA OR ANY OTHER ENTITY IN ANY JURISDICTION. MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and a leader in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem TherapiesTM (MET) dedicated to enhancing survival for patients with cancer, today announces the successful completion of its offering of 18.2 million euros, comprising a reserved offering of 2,161,250 new ordinary shares to institutional investors and a public offering of 112,454 new ordinary shares to retail investors via the PrimaryBid platform (the "Primary Offering"), at a price of 8 per share (the "Offering Price The net proceeds from the Primary Offering, which are estimated to be approximately 17.3 million, will be used to fund the company's R&D activities, covering completion of the Phase 3 trial for MaaT013 in Europe, including top-line results/primary endpoint in mid Q4 2024, continuing the pipeline development, including the initiation of Phase 3 trial activities for MaaT013 in the US and the broadening of the Phase 2b trial with MaaT033 across Europe and for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including repayment of current debts. The Company estimates that, the total cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2024 of 18.2 million (unaudited), and the funds raised, will be able to finance its operations into early Q1 2025. Concurrently with the Primary Offering, certain funds managed by Seventure Partners (together, the "Selling Shareholder"), have sold 125,000 existing shares, at the Offering Price, i.e. an amount of 1 million (the "Secondary Offering" and together with the Primary Offering, the "Global Offering"). These funds are currently in a divestment period and are progressively selling the shares they hold in the Company, but Seventure Partners will continue to support the development and growth of the Company and has committed to participate to the Reserved Offering through other funds. Herve Affagard, CEO and co-founder of MaaT Pharma, commented: "I extend my gratitude to both our institutional and retail investors, as well as the financial commitment from the management team. 70% of new retail investors were previously non-shareholders, showcasing a strong influx of new support, with a total investment of 0.9 million. Since our IPO in late 2021, MaaT Pharma, leader in Microbiome/Oncology, has consistently met its objectives across various fronts. Today's investment propels us further toward in harnessing the full potential of microbiome innovations. This raise will secure our upcoming completion of Phase 3, including primary endpoint results, for MaaT013 in treating refractory acute graft-versus-host disease and contribute to positioning us to further advance our therapeutic pipeline. Main characteristics of the Global Offering The Global Offering, for a total amount of 19.2million euros, was carried out by the issue of 2,273,704 new ordinary shares, in the context of the Primary Offering through (i) a reserved offering, without pre-emptive subscription rights, for the benefit of specific categories of investors of 2,161,250 new ordinary shares were subscribed for by investors in the Reserved Offering for a total amount of approximately 17.3 million euros, in accordance with the 25th resolution of the annual general meeting of June 19, 2023 (the "AGM") and pursuant to article L. 225-138 of the French Commercial Code (the "Reserved Offering"), (ii) a public offering aimed at retail investors, via the PrimaryBid platform, of 112,454 new ordinary shares were subscribed for by investors in the Reserved Offering for a total amount of approximately 0.9 million euros, in accordance with the 23rd resolution of the AGM and pursuant to article L. 225-136 of the French Commercial Code and article L. 411-2-1 1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code (the "PrimaryBid Offering") and (iii) the sale of 125,000 existing ordinary shares representing 1 Million euros held by the Selling Shareholder to the same specific categories of investors defined in the Reserved Offering. Upon completion of the Global Offering, the share capital of the Company will be composed of 13,897,143 ordinary shares with a par value of 0.10 each. The 2,273,704 newly issued ordinary shares, represent approximately 19.6% of the Company's share capital, on a non-diluted basis, before completion of the Global Offering and 16.3% of the Company's share capital, on a non-diluted basis, after completion of the Global Offering. By way of illustration, a shareholder holding 1% of the share capital prior to the Global Offering and which did not participate in the Global Offering will hold 0.84% after completion of the Global Offering. The issue price of the new ordinary shares has been set at 8 per share, representing a discount of 14.3% to the closing price of the Company's shares on the Euronext Paris regulated market at the time of the last trading session preceding its setting (i.e. May 14, 2024) in accordance with the decisions of the Company's Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the sub-delegations of authority granted by the Company's Board of Directors on May 14, 2024, in accordance with the 25th, 23rd and 27th resolutions of the AGM. To the best of the Company's knowledge, the breakdown of shareholders before and after completion of the Global Offering is as follows: Shareholder Pre-offer (non-diluted basis) Post-Offer (non-diluted basis) Number of Ordinary Shares held Percentage of Existing Share Capital Number of Ordinary Shares held Percentage of Enlarged Share Capital Karim Dabbagh 1 960 0,02% 1 960 0,01% Herve Affagard 230 776 1,99% 235 151 1,69% Total of individual corporate officers 232 736 2,00% 237 111 1,71% Seventure Funds 2 593 068 22,31% 2 630 568 18,93% Credit Mutuel Innovation SAS 1 412 364 12,15% 1 412 364 10,16% Biocodex SAS 1 234 185 10,62% 1 859 185 13,38% Symbiosis LLC 2 027 702 17,44% 2 027 702 14,59% FPCI Fonds PSIM 1 802 439 15,51% 2 802 439 20,17% Other Shareholders 1 004 141 8,64% 1 306 641 9,40% Total Historical shareholders 10 073 899 86,67% 12 038 899 86,63% Employees and consultants 166 471 1,43% 174 596 1,26% Public Float 1 150 333 9,90% 1 446 537 10,41% Total 11 623 439 100,0% 13 897 143 100,0% Current shareholders Bpifrance Investissement, Biocodex and Seventure Partners which respectively held 15,51%, 10,62% and 22,31% of the Company's share capital on a non-diluted basis, prior to the Global Offering, had pledged to subscribe 8 million, 5 million, and 1.3 million respectively in the Reserved Offering, subject to the Reserved Offering representing at least 17 million. The management of the Company has pledged to subscribe 100,000 in the Reserved Offering. Members of the Company's Board of Directors Mr. Herve Affagard, Mr. Jean-Marie Lefevre for Biocodex and Mrs Isabelle de Cremoux for Seventure Partners subscribed to the Global Offering for a total amount of 6.3 million. It should be noted that none of the members of the Board of Directors having subscribed to the Global Offering took part in the vote on the decision setting its terms. These investors represent approximately 32% of the Global Offering. Admission of new ordinary shares Settlement-delivery of the new ordinary shares and their admission to trading on the regulated market of Euronext Paris are expected to occur on May 17, 2024. The new shares will be of the same class and fungible with the existing shares, will carry all rights attached to the shares, and will be admitted to trading on the Euronext Paris market under the same ISIN code FR0012634822 MAAT. Undertakings to retain shares and refrain from issuing shares In connection with the Reserved Offering, participating Directors and certain existing shareholders namely, Bpifrance Investissement, Biocodex and Seventure Partners have respectively entered into a lock-up agreement with the Placement Agents for a period of 90 days from the settlement-delivery date of the Global Offering, subject to customary exceptions. In connection with the Reserved Offering, the Company has undertaken to refrain from issuing shares for a period of 90 days from the settlement-delivery date of the Global Offering, subject to customary exceptions. Financial Intermediaries Stifel Europe AG ("Stifel") is acting as Global Coordinator and Joint Bookrunner in connection with the Reserved Offering. Gilbert Dupont SNC, Groupe Societe Generale, is acting as Joint Bookrunner in connection with the Reserved Offering. (together, the "Placement Agents"). The Reserved Offering is subject to a placement agreement entered into between the Company and the Placement Agents dated May 14, 2024. Within the framework of the PrimaryBid Offering, investors subscribed via the PrimaryBid partners mentioned on the PrimaryBid website (www.PrimaryBid.fr). The PrimaryBid Offering is subject to an engagement letter entered into between the Company and PrimaryBid and is not subject to a placement agreement. Prospectus Since the new ordinary shares issued over a period of 12 months, including in the context of the Reserved Offering represent less than 20 of the number of securities already admitted to trading on the same regulated market, no listing prospectus would be subject to the approval of the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorite des Marches Financiers or the "AMF") pursuant to the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 (as amended, the "Prospectus Regulation This press release does not constitute a prospectus under Prospectus Regulation, or a public offering. Risk factors The public's attention is drawn to the risk factors relating to the Company and its business, presented in chapter 3 of the universal registration document 2024 approved by the Autorite des marches financiers on April 02, 2024, which is available free of charge on the Company's website (www.maatpharma.com) and the website of the Autorite des marches financiers (www.amf-france.org). The occurrence of any or all of these risks could have an adverse effect on the Company's business, financial situation, results, development or prospects. In addition, investors are invited to consider the following risks specific to the issue: (i) the market price of the Company's shares could fluctuate and fall below the subscription price of the shares issued under the Global Offering, (ii) the volatility and liquidity of the Company's shares could fluctuate significantly, (iii) sales of the Company's shares could occur on the market and have an unfavorable impact on the Company's share price, and (iv) the Company's shareholders could suffer potentially significant dilution as a result of any future capital increases made necessary by the Company's search for financing. About MaaT Pharma MaaT Pharma, a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company, has established a complete approach to restoring patient-microbiome symbiosis in oncology. Committed to treating cancer and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a serious complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, MaaT Pharma initiated an open-label, single-arm Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with acute GvHD, building on the positive results of its Phase 2 proof-of-concept study. Its powerful discovery and analysis platform, gutPrint, enables the identification of novel disease targets, evaluation of drug candidates, and identification of biomarkers for microbiome-related conditions. The company's Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies are produced through a standardized cGMP manufacturing and quality control process to safely deliver the full diversity of the microbiome in liquid and oral formulations. MaaT Pharma benefits from the commitment of world-leading scientists and established relationships with regulators to support the integration of the use of microbiome therapies in clinical practice. MaaT Pharma is listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: MAAT). Forward-looking Statements This press release includes forward looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "aim," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that could cause the Company's actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Disclaimer This press release does not constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of shares in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The distribution of this document may, in certain jurisdictions, be restricted by local legislations. Persons into whose possession this document comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such potential local restrictions. This press release is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of the "Prospectus Regulation". Any decision to purchase shares must be made solely on the basis of publicly available information on the Company. In France, the offer of MaaT Pharma shares described below will be made in the context of (i) a capital increase reserved to specified categories of beneficiaries, pursuant to article L. 225-138 of the French Commercial Code and applicable regulatory provisions and (ii) a public offering primarily intended to retail investors through the PrimaryBid platform, pursuant to article L. 225-136 of the French Commercial Code and article L.411-2-1, 1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code. Pursuant to article 211-3 of the General regulations of the AMF and articles 1(4) and 3 of the Prospectus Regulation, the offer of MaaT Pharma shares will not require the publication of a prospectus approved by the AMF. With respect to Member States of the European Economic Area, no action has been taken or will be taken to permit a public offering of the securities referred to in this press release requiring the publication of a prospectus in any Member State. Therefore, such securities may not be and shall not be offered in any Member State other than in accordance with the exemptions of Article 1(4) of Prospectus Regulation or, otherwise, in cases not requiring the publication of a prospectus under Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation and/or the applicable regulations in such Member State. This press release and the information it contains are being distributed to and are only intended for persons who are (x) outside the United Kingdom or (y) in the United Kingdom and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities and other such persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order ("high net worth companies", "unincorporated associations", etc.) or (iii) other persons to whom an invitation or inducement to participate in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Market Act 2000) may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons in (y)(i), (y)(ii) and (y)(iii) together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire securities to which this press release relates will only be engaged with Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this press release or any of its contents. This press release may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. This press release and the information contained therein does not, and will not, constitute an offer of securities for sale, nor the solicitation of an offer to purchase, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction where restrictions may apply. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The securities of MaaT Pharma have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and MaaT Pharma does not intend to conduct a public offering in the United States. The distribution of this press release may be subject to legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Any person who comes into possession of this press release must inform him or herself of and comply with any such restrictions. Any decision to subscribe for or purchase the shares or other securities of MaaT Pharma must be made solely based on information publicly available about MaaT Pharma. Such information is not the responsibility of Stifel and Gilbert Dupont and has not been independently verified by Stifel and Gilbert Dupont. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514968171/en/ Contacts: MaaT Pharma Investor Relations Guilhaume DEBROAS, Ph.D. Head of Investor Relations +33 6 16 48 92 50 invest@maat-pharma.com MaaT Pharma Media Relations Pauline RICHAUD Senior PR Corporate Communications Manager +33 6 14 06 45 92 media@maat-pharma.com Trophic Communications Corporate Communications Jacob VERGHESE or Priscillia PERRIN +49 151 7441 6179 maat@trophic.eu LAGOS, Nigeria, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SPay Business Solutions Limited, a leading financial technology firm in Nigeria, proudly announces a significant milestone, processing over N2 billion in transactions within its first year of operations. This achievement underscores SPay's commitment to simplifying and securing online payments across various sectors of the Nigerian economy. A Year of Exceptional Growth Since commencing operations in January 2023, following approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate under the Payment Service Solutions Provider (PSSP) license, SPay has swiftly risen as a cornerstone in the financial technology landscape. Offering a suite of services that includes a payment gateway, application development, and merchant services aggregation, SPay caters to a broad spectrum of clients ranging from SMEs to large businesses and governmental entities. SPay's Innovative Platform At the core of SPay's rapid growth is its cutting-edge platform, designed for simplicity, security, and seamless functionality across all devices. This user-centric approach has not only facilitated over N2 billion in transactions but also established SPay as the go-to provider for efficient and reliable digital payment solutions. Leadership and Vision Under the leadership of Founder and CEO, Akinwale Ojo, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the Nigerian payment ecosystem, SPay is driven by a vision to become the most preferred payment solution provider globally. Mr. Ojo's vast experience spans several top financial institutions, contributing to his profound expertise in driving growth and innovation in e-business. Mission to Revolutionize Payments SPay is on a mission to deliver simple, secure, and seamless payment solutions, fulfilling the needs of the digital economy in Africa and beyond. The company leverages cutting-edge technology and the vast experience of its team to power transactions across diverse sectors including e-commerce, digital banking, agriculture, and more. About SPay Business Solutions Limited SPay Business Solutions Limited is a fintech startup operating within the regulatory regime of the Central Bank of Nigeria. With a team of experts boasting over 25 years of combined experience in application development, information security, and electronic payments, SPay is committed to revolutionizing payment processes for businesses, governments, and individuals through innovative digital solutions. For more information about SPay and its services, please visit: https://spaybusiness.com/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413303/Akinwale_Ojo_FounderCEO_SPay.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/spay-achieves-milestone---processes-over-n2-billion-in-transactions-in-just-one-year-302145840.html Successful completion of TISAX assessment brings industry-leading secure enterprise browser solution to the European automotive industry Menlo Security, the pioneer of browser security, announced today the company has achieved the Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange (TISAX) label, a fundamental requirement for meeting the rigorous standards placed on information security within the automotive industry. TISAX certification goes beyond traditional security certifications by incorporating a comprehensive risk-based approach that evaluates and verifies the entire vehicle system, including hardware, software and communication protocols. It also requires organizations to adhere to the standards established jointly by the German Association of the Automotive Industry and the European Network Exchange, as well as compliance with industry-wide standards and regulations to ensure a high benchmark for security considerations. TISAX certification is a requirement for any company looking to do business in the German automotive industry and signals to automotive customers in other regions as well a commitment to security. "This achievement allows Menlo Security to extend our Secure Enterprise Browser solution to automotive companies in Germany," said Zach Pugh, Principal Product Manager, Menlo Security. "Menlo is committed to upholding the standards that are important to our customers, and we are proud to add TISAX certification to our robust industry and vertical compliance achievements. Browsers are the primary way companies connect to the internet and conduct day-to-day operations. Unfortunately, attackers know this, and are targeting browsers as a main point of entry to steal corporate data and compromise systems. That's where the Menlo Secure Enterprise Browser solution comes in. It transforms any browser into a secure enterprise browser, so users can work with confidence, knowing they are protected from browser-based phishing, malware, ransomware and other browser-borne attacks." Menlo Security has presence in the UK and Europe, working with leading channel partners and distributors including Westcon in the UK and Germany, as well as Boll in Austria and Switzerland, to meet the needs of automotive customers in the region. To learn more about Menlo Security's industry-leading browser security solutions, visit the team at the Cloud Cyber Security Expo Frankfurt, May 22-23, 2024 at Stand K070, or visit www.menlosecurity.com. About Menlo Security Menlo Security protects organizations from cyber threats that attack enterprise browsers. Menlo Security's patented Cloud-Browser Security Platform scales to provide comprehensive protection across enterprises of any size, without requiring endpoint software or impacting the end user-experience. Menlo Security is trusted by major global businesses, including Fortune 500 companies, eight of the ten largest global financial services institutions, and large governmental institutions. The company is backed by Vista Equity Partners, Neuberger Berman, General Catalyst, American Express Ventures, Ericsson Ventures, HSBC, and JPMorgan Chase. Menlo Security is headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more information, please visit www.menlosecurity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514765206/en/ Contacts: Emily Ashley ICR-Lumina Menlo@luminapr.com Novo Holdings A/S ("Novo Holdings") today announced that it has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Single Use Support, a fast-growing life science tools company providing advanced technology solutions for the pharmaceutical production process. COPENHAGEN, Denmark, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Holdings will acquire an approximately 60% controlling stake, alongside the two company founders who will each retain 10% and Danaher which will retain 20% of the share capital. Founded in 2017 in Kufstein, Austria by Johannes Kirchmair and Thomas Wurm, Single Use Support is at the forefront of transforming the production process for advanced pharmaceutical modalities with its equipment and consumables used in the bioprocessing value chain. With a focus on solutions for biological drug substances, cell and gene therapies, and mRNA vaccines, the company's customers include leading pharma companies, biotech companies and CDMOs. Single Use Support's products have rapidly gained widespread adoption by enhancing operational efficiency, minimising leakage, and effectively mitigating contamination risks in the pharmaceutical production process. Johan Hueffer, Senior Partner, Principal Investments, Novo Holdings, said: "We are pleased to announce the acquisition of a majority stake in Single Use Support, a leading provider of advanced fluid management solutions. This transaction marks an important and complimentary addition to our fast-growing life science tools & diagnostics portfolio and represents our first control investment in the DACH region, a vital hub for life sciences. This investment also underscores our commitment to advancing leading healthcare therapies and technologies." Tuomas Toiviainen, Partner, Principal Investments, Novo Holdings, added: "We are excited to partner with existing shareholders and management to support the next phase of growth and drive further innovation in the rapidly expanding bioprocessing market. This acquisition demonstrates our expertise and investment focus in backing high-quality life science tools companies. We look forward to working with the Single Use Support management team and employees who share our passion for innovation in the life science space." Johannes Kirchmair and Thomas Wurm, founders of Single Use Support and board members, said: "Welcoming Novo Holdings as a partner marks a significant milestone in our growth journey at Single Use Support. We take pride in having nurtured and developed our company into a key player in the life sciences sector. As we embark on this new chapter, we are enthusiastic about the prospects of partnering with Novo Holdings, a global leader in life science investments. The collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission and complements our existing partnership with Danaher, which will continue as a valued partner. Together, we look forward to advancing our impact and innovation in the life sciences industry." Chris Riley, Executive Vice President, Biotechnology Group, Danaher, said: "We are pleased to continue our involvement in Single Use Support and to partner with Novo Holdings as we take the company to the next level. At Danaher, we are focused on leveraging the power of science and technology to meaningfully improve human health, which makes Novo Holdings a very good long-term partner for us in the collaboration at Single Use Support and beyond." Christian Praxmarer, CEO, Single Use Support, said: "Novo Holdings is joining us at a crucial moment as we prepare to further strengthen our global footprint, focusing on markets outside of Europe such as the US and Asia, and to engage with new customers. With significant insights into the life science tools sector and a comprehensive industry network, I am excited to work alongside Novo Holdings and make new strides in our shared mission of bringing better treatments to patients." The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. Kromann Reumert, DORDA, Linklaters and Wilson Sonsini served as legal advisors and William Blair served as financial advisor to Novo Holdings. E+H served as legal advisor while Jefferies LLC served as financial advisor to Single Use Support. About Novo Holdings A/S Novo Holdings is a holding and investment company that is responsible for managing the assets and the wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The purpose of Novo Holdings is to improve people's health and the sustainability of society and the planet by generating attractive long-term returns on the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Novo Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk A/S and Novonesis A/S (formerly Novozymes A/S) and manages an investment portfolio with a long-term return perspective. In addition to managing a broad portfolio of equities, bonds, real estate, infrastructure and private equity assets, Novo Holdings is a world-leading life sciences investor. Through its Seeds, Venture, Growth, Asia, Bioindustrial and Principal Investments teams, Novo Holdings invests in life science companies at all stages of development. As of year-end 2023, Novo Holdings had total assets of EUR 149 billion. www.novoholdings.dk About the Novo Nordisk Foundation Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people's health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation's mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society. www.novonordiskfonden.dk/en About Single Use Support Single Use Support is a pioneering process solution provider specializing in fluid and cold chain management of drug substances. The company focuses on the development of solutions to provide manufacturers with 100% safe and efficient handling, liquid transfer, freezing and cold chain shipping of advanced therapies and biologics in pharmaceutical production. Founded in 2017, the company made its way to a highly respected innovation leader in a fast-growing market and serves customers globally. Single Use Support is headquartered in Kufstein/Austria and also operates from a US subsidiary in Lexington MA. Approximately 200 associates globally ensure that innovation continuous and products and services simplify the life of global biopharma and advanced therapies clients. Explore more at www.susupport.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/novo-holdings-to-acquire-majority-stake-in-single-use-support-302145186.html VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 15, 2024in Athabasca, Saskatchewan, Canada. Grander Exploration brings extensive experience in uranium exploration in the Athabasca region, making them an ideal partner for Bedfords' ambitious plans for the project. Their proven track record and in-depth knowledge of the local geological conditions will be invaluable in optimizing the exploration program. The program will be strategically designed to explore the geological understanding that the trends found on Uranium Energy Corp'saims to maximize the project's potential and unlock its full value. Peter Born, President of Bedford , commented, "We are grateful for the expertise and support provided by the Grander Exploration team in designing our exploration program for the Ubiquity Lake Project . Their extensive experience in uranium exploration in Athabasca will be instrumental in guiding our efforts as we seek to uncover the project's true potential." Bedford reaffirms its commitment to conducting all exploration activities in accordance with environmental best practices and in collaboration with local communities and indigenous nations. Environmental stewardship is a top priority for Bedford , and the Company is dedicated to minimizing its environmental footprint while maximizing the benefits to local stakeholders. About Bedford Metals Corp. Bedford Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company. We create value for our shareholders by identifying and developing highly prospective mineral exploration opportunities. Our strategy is to advance our projects from discovery to production. Ubiquity Lake Uranium Project, covering 1382 hectares, lies just south of the bottom lip of the Athabasca Basin, adjacent to ALX Uranium's Carpenter Lake Project to the east. Situated near the Cable Bay Shear Zone, parallel to the Virgin River Shear Zone, which hosts Cameco's Centennial uranium deposit, the project holds immense potential. Furthermore, it is located 100 km west of Cameco's past-producing Key Lake uranium mine, underscoring the strategic significance of its location. Dr. Peter Born, PGeo, is the designated qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for, and has approved, the technical information contained in this release. For further information, please contact the Company at info@bedfordmetals.com or 604-622-1199 or visit the Company's website at www.bedfordmetals.com . On behalf of the Board, Bedford Metals Corp. "Peter Born" President 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. This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws. CONTACT: MRKT360 INC https://mrkt360.com Alex Zertuche alexz@mrkt360.com For E.S.T Office Hours, Call 1 416-477-0587 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! EQS-News: Dolkam Suja a.s. / Key word(s): AGM/EGM CONVOCATION OF ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING 15.05.2024 / 08:30 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. CONVOCATION OF ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING The board of directors of the company D O L K A M Suja a.s. with seat at Suja, 015 01 Rajec, Slovakia, company ID No.: 31 561 870, registered with the commercial registry of the District Court Zilina, Section Sa, Insert No. 73/L (the "Company") in accordance with Sec. 184 et seq. of the Slovak Act No. 513/1991 Coll. Commercial Code as amended ("CC") and Art. XI. Para. 11.1 of valid Articles of Association of the Company convenes ordinary general meeting of the Company to be held on 19.06.2024 at 11:00 am ("OGM") at the seat of the company Schonherr Rechtsanwalte GmbH, o.z. at the address Prievozska 4/A, 821 09 Bratislava, Slovakia (in the premises of Apollo Business Center II, block B, on the 6th floor) in the conference room with following agenda: Opening Election of a chairman of the ordinary general meeting, minutes clerk, two minutes verifiers and scrutinizers Debate on: ordinary individual financial statement for year 2023 annual report for year 2023 independent auditor's report on audit of the financial statement for year 2023 supplement to independent auditor's report on the annual report for year 2023 proposal for distribution of profit for year 2023 and for payment of dividend statement of the supervisory board on the financial statement for year 2023 and proposal for distribution of profit for year 2023 and for payment of dividend report of the supervisory board on results of its supervisory activities for year 2023 Approval of: ordinary individual financial statement for year 2023 annual report for year 2023 proposal for distribution of profit for year 2023 and for payment of dividend Debate on Business plan for 2024 Election of auditor's company for performance of statutory audit for the Company for year 2024 Approval of rules of remuneration Closing The record date under Sec. 156a CC and Sec. 180(2) CC for exercising the shareholder's right to participate in OGM, vote, request information and explanations and to submit proposals, or to exercise other shareholder's rights, is 16.06.2024. Registration of shareholders and entry into attendance list will be held between 10:00 am and 10:45 am on the day and at the place of OGM. During the registration, it is necessary to submit: Natural person being shareholder: valid identity document (ID card or passport); Natural person being proxy holder: written proxy with officially verified signature of the principal - shareholder (or person(s) acting on behalf of the principal - shareholder), valid identity document (ID card or passport) of the proxy holder; Legal entity being shareholder: commercial registry excerpt (original or officially verified copy) not older than 3 months, or if not registered in commercial registry, excerpt from similar registry or document proving legal capacity including document attesting the person authorized to act on behalf of the shareholder (original or officially verified copy) and valid identity document (ID card or passport) of statutory body or member of statutory body of the shareholder; Legal entity being proxy holder: written power of attorney with officially verified signature of the principal - shareholder (or person(s) acting on behalf of the principal - shareholder), up-to-date commercial registry excerpt (original or officially verified copy) of the proxy holder not older than 3 months, or if not registered in commercial registry, excerpt from similar registry or document proving legal capacity including document attesting the person authorized to act on behalf of the proxy holder (original or officially verified copy) and valid identity document (ID card or passport) of statutory body or member of statutory body of proxy holder. Shareholder whose shares of the Company are held via trustee holding the shares for shareholder on holder's account established at central depositary of securities under Sec. 105a of the Act No. 566/2001 Coll. on Securities as amended or his/her proxy holder shall submit, in addition to documents stated above, also written confirmation of the trustee that the shareholder is owner of the specified number of shares of the Company held by the trustee on holder's account of the trustee as at the above record date. During registration, documents mentioned in sections i) to v) above, except for identity documents, must be given to the person in charge of entries into the attendance list for record-keeping purposes. Apart from identity documents, all submitted or delivered documents in foreign language (except for Czech language) must contain also official translation into Slovak language. Each shareholder participates in OGM at own expenses. Advice pursuant to Sec. 184a CC: Shareholder has the right to participate in and vote at general meeting. Shareholder has the right to request at OGM information and explanations regarding matters of the Company or matters of persons controlled by the Company relating to the subject-matter of OGM and submit proposals as stated under Sec. 180(1) CC. The board of directors of the Company ("BoD") is obliged to provide each shareholder, upon request, with complete and true information and explanations relating to the subject-matter of OGM. If the BoD is unable to provide a shareholder with complete information at OGM, or if at OGM a shareholder so requests, the BoD is obliged to provide the shareholder with the information in writing within 15 days from the day of OGM. The BoD shall send the written information to the shareholder to the address he/she stated; otherwise, it shall provide the information at the seat of the Company. If the BoD refuses to provide the information, upon shareholder's request, the supervisory board of the Company ("SB") shall decide about duty of the BoD to provide the requested information during the OGM. If the shareholder is not provided with the requested information, or if the provided information is incomplete, shareholder is entitled to file a petition with the court which shall decide about duty of the Company to provide the requested information. This shareholder's right expires unless exercised within one month from the day of OGM at which he/she requested BoD or SB to provide such information. A shareholder or shareholders holding shares with nominal value of at least 5% of the registered capital has/have the right to request the BoD in writing to put items on the agenda of OGM and OGM is obliged to discuss these. The request for supplementation of the agenda must be accompanied by a justification or a draft resolution to be adopted; otherwise, OGM is not obliged to attend to such request. If the request for supplementation of the agenda is delivered after the convocation of OGM was published, the BoD shall publish a supplement to the agenda of OGM in a manner stipulated by law and determined by the Articles of Association of the Company ("AoA") for convening the general meeting at least ten days before OGM. If such a notice on supplementation of the agenda of OGM is not possible, the item in question can be put on the agenda of OGM only if all shareholders of the Company participate in OGM and consent thereto. If the request for supplementation of the agenda is delivered 20 days before OGM at the latest, the BoD is obliged to publish the notice on supplementation of the agenda not later than 10 days before OGM. A shareholder attends the general meeting personally or represented by proxy holder based on a written proxy pursuant to Sec. 184(1) CC and Sec. 190e CC. The signature of the principal - shareholder, or in case of shareholder - legal entity, of the person authorized to act on behalf of the principal - shareholder, shall be officially verified. If the shareholder grants the proxy to exercise voting rights attached to the same shares at one general meeting to more proxy holders, the Company shall allow voting to the proxy holder who was registered in the attendance list at the general meeting at first. If more shareholders granted a written proxy for representation to the same proxy holder, such proxy holder may vote at the general meeting on behalf of each of the represented shareholders independently. A SB member may act as shareholder's proxy holder as well; however, he/she shall notify the shareholder of all facts that might influence shareholder's decision on granting the proxy for representation at the general meeting to a SB member. The proxy shall contain specific instructions for voting on each decision or item of the agenda of the general meeting on which the SB member shall vote as the proxy holder on behalf of the shareholder. If a shareholder has shares on more than one securities accounts under a special act, the Company shall allow the shareholder to be represented by one proxy holder in relation to each securities account, whereas the proxy shall specify the amount of the Company's shares and the respective securities account of the shareholder covered by the proxy. Template of the written proxy which can be used for proxy voting is attached to this convocation. This template is also available on website of the Company at www.dolkam.sk in section "VALNE ZHROMAZDENIE" and subsection "RVZ 19.06.2024". Electronic means by which the Company receives notices of appointment of proxy holder, change of granted proxy and of revocation thereof is e-mail sent by shareholder to electronic (e-mail) address of the Company dolkam@dolkam.sk . E-mail sent by shareholder shall contain an attachment - a scanned copy of a sufficiently certain expression of will of shareholder (if in other than Slovak or Czech language, official translation into Slovak language required) regarding appointment of proxy holder, change of granted proxy or revocation thereof, in format "pdf" or "tiff". This does not affect duty of the proxy holder to submit and hand over the written proxy with officially verified signature of principal - shareholder (or person(s) acting on behalf of the principal - shareholder) during registration. A shareholder exercises delivery of the notice of appointment of proxy holder, change of granted proxy or revocation thereof at own risk and notices are considered to be delivered to the Company when delivered at the above electronic (e-mail) address of the Company. Since the AoA regulate neither the possibility of absentee voting by mail pursuant to Sec. 190a CC nor the shareholders' participation in and voting at the general meeting by electronic means pursuant to Sec. 190d CC, a shareholder does not have the right to vote at OGM by mail or the possibility to participate and vote by electronic means. Consolidated versions of materials, documents and draft resolutions of OGM to be discussed as a part of the agenda of OGM can be obtained or inspected personally at the seat of the Company at the address Suja, 015 01 Rajec, Slovakia, in the room Economist's Office (Kancelaria ekonomky) on working days during the period from the day of publishing of this convocation of OGM until 19.06.2024 between 8 am and 12 noon. Data and documents pursuant to Sec. 184a (2) let. c) to e) CC, including consolidated versions of all documents to be discussed as a part of the agenda of the general meeting, draft resolutions of OGM pursuant to individual items of agenda of OGM and statement of the BoD to each item of agenda of OGM to which no draft resolution is submitted and template proxy will be published on the website of the Company at www.dolkam.sk in section "VALNE ZHROMAZDENIE" and subsection "RVZ 19.06.2024". Electronic means by which the Company publishes the information under special regulation is internet, i.e. website of the Company at www.dolkam.sk . Any electronic communication with the Company shall be performed by sending an e-mail to electronic (e-mail) address of the Company dolkam@dolkam.sk . Notice for the shareholders pursuant to Sec. 192 (1) CC: The ordinary individual financial statement for year 2023 is available to shareholders for inspection at the seat of the Company at the address Suja, 015 01 Rajec, Slovakia, in the room Economist's Office (Kancelaria ekonomky) on working days during the period from the day of publishing of this convocation of OGM until 19.06.2024 between 8 am and 12 noon and will be published at least thirty days prior to OGM on website of the Company at www.dolkam.sk in section "VALNE ZHROMAZDENIE" and subsection "RVZ 19.06.2024". A shareholder being holder of bearer shares and who has established a pledge over at least one share of the Company as a security for recovery of costs related thereto in favour of the Company has the right to ask for sending copy of the ordinary individual financial statement for year 2023 to the address stated by the shareholder at his/her expense and risk. This right can be exercised by shareholder by written request sent to the address of the seat of the Company or personally at the seat of the Company at the address Suja, 015 01 Rajec, Slovakia in the room Economist's Office (Kancelaria ekonomky) on working days during the period from the day of publishing of this convocation of OGM until 19.06.2024 between 8 am and 12 noon. Since the Company has issued bearer shares, the main data of the ordinary individual financial statement for the year 2023 are part of this convocation of OGM: Main data of the ordinary individual financial statement of the company D O L K A M Suja a.s. for the year 2023 Balance sheet as at 31.12.2023 Profit and loss statement as at 31.12.2023 in EUR in EUR Total assets 12 528 469 Production 4 051 477 Receivables from subscribed own equity - Purchased consumables and services 2 010 097 Fixed assets 4 926 114 Added value 2 041 380 Current assets 7 580 388 Staff costs 973 813 Other assets 21 967 Taxes and charges 52 060 Depreciation and impairment of intangible and tangible fixed assets 414 436 Total liabilities and equity 12 528 469 Sales of fixed assets and material 91 871 Carrying value of fixed assets and material sold 89 689 Impairment of receivables 43 071 Share capital 937 828 Other operating income 28 585 Other operating expenses 19 216 Statutory funds 10 446 Operating profit or loss 569 551 Funds from profit 10 287 512 Financial income 85 029 Profit or loss for the current period after tax 494 925 Financial expenses 20 580 Profit or loss of prior periods - Financial profit or loss 64 449 Liabilities 781 267 Profit or loss from ordinary activities prior tax 634 000 Other liabilities 16 491 Income tax on ordinary activities 139 075 Profit or loss for the current period after tax 494 925 In Suja on 19.04.2024 Board of Directors of the company D O L K A M Suja a.s. Template proxy (please complete legibly in block letters) PROXY for participation in the ordinary general meeting of the company D O L K A M Suja a.s. Undersigned principal: title, forename, surname / business name: ..............................................................., permanent residence / registered seat: ...................................................................., birth certificate No. / company ID No.: ..................................................................., date of birth (only natural person): ........................................................................., personal ID No. / passport No. (only natural person): ................................................, registered in the commercial registry or other similar registry (only legal entity): ..........................................................................................................................., forename, surname and position of the person authorized to act on behalf of the shareholder (only legal entity): ................................................................................................................, (the "Principal") as a shareholder of the company D O L K A M Suja a.s., with seat at Suja, 015 01 Rajec, Slovakia, company ID No.: 31 561 870, registered in the commercial registry of the District Court Zilina, Section Sa, Insert No. 73/L (the "Company") hereby grants proxy to the proxy holder: title, forename, surname / business name: ..............................................................., permanent residence / registered seat: ...................................................................., birth certificate No. / company ID No.: ..................................................................., date of birth (only natural person): ........................................................................., personal ID No. / passport No. (only natural person): ................................................, registered in the commercial registry or other similar registry (only legal entity): ..........................................................................................................................., (the "Proxy holder"), to act as a proper and authorized proxy holder of the Principal performing the following: to represent the Principal in relation to: all shares of the Company belonging to the Principal** shares of the Company which the Principal has on securities account(s):** Securities account No. Where the securities account is maintained (name of the member of central depositary of securities is sufficient) Number of shares of the Company on the securities account **Delete as appropriate. In case that no option is deleted as appropriate or otherwise unambiguously chosen, option 1.a) is valid and the proxy is held for all shares of the Company belonging to the Principal as the Company's shareholder. If option 1.b) is chosen and the securities account(s) was/were sufficiently specified, it is held, that the proxy relates to all shares that the Principal has on this/these securities account(s). In case option 1.b) is chosen, it is necessary to specify the securities account(s) on which the Principal has shares of the Company and to which this proxy relates; otherwise this proxy can be invalid due to uncertainty. The Principal and the Proxy holder confirm by signing this proxy that they agree with these rules. and that to full extent and without any limitation as a shareholder of the Company at the ordinary general meeting of the Company to be held on 19.06.2024 at 11 am ("OGM") at the seat of the company Schonherr Rechtsanwalte GmbH, o.z. at the address Prievozska 4/A, 821 09 Bratislava, Slovakia (in the premises of Apollo Business Center II, block B, on the 6th floor) in the conference room, in particular but not limited to, to exercise voting rights at OGM to full extent and without any limitation, to request information and explanations, to submit and apply proposals and to execute any and all other acts which the Principal as a shareholder of the Company is entitled to exercise at OGM, in particular but not limited to, pursuant to the Articles of Association of the Company, the Slovak Act No. 513/1991 Coll. the Commercial Code as amended and/or pursuant to other applicable laws of the Slovak Republic; 2. to act, sign and/or execute for and on behalf of the Principal any and all legal and/or other actions relating to and/or connected with actions stipulated in section 1. above, and all that also in cases in which pursuant to generally binding legal rules of Slovakia a special proxy is required; 3. to comply with the following specific voting instructions, if the Proxy holder is also supervisory board member of the Company: Item of Agenda of OGM: Instruction: 2. 4. 6. 7. In the case the Proxy holder is also supervisory board member of the Company, the Principal and the Proxy holder confirm by signing this proxy that the Proxy holder has informed the Principal about all facts that might affect the decision of the Principal as a shareholder to grant proxy for representation at OGM to a supervisory board member of the Company. The Proxy holder is entitled neither to grant power of substitution to a third party nor to grant to him/her any authorization, whether individual or in the entirety of the proxy granted to him/her. The Principal hereby confirms everything and anything that the Proxy holder lawfully executes and/or arranges pursuant to and in accordance with this proxy during the validity of this proxy. This proxy supersedes any and all prior, oral and written, proxies granted by the Principal to the Proxy holder in the matters falling under the scope of the Proxy holder's authorization according to this proxy, and these previous proxies are considered hereby revoked and invalid. This proxy is governed by applicable laws of the Slovak Republic. In ................................., on ................................. The Principal: Forename, surname / business name: ...................................................................... Signature: ..................................................................... (please do not forget to have your signature verified) I agree with my appointment as a Proxy holder and I accept this proxy in the above scope. The Proxy holder: Forename, surname / business name: ...................................................................... Date of acceptance of the proxy: ............................. Signature: ..................................................................... 15.05.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. 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OSLO, Norway, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Photocure ASA (OSE:PHO) today reported Hexvix/Cysview revenues of NOK 116.8 million in the first quarter of 2024 (Q1 2023: NOK 105.9 million), and EBITDA of NOK 7.9 million (NOK -1.2 million) following positive operational developments and cost control. The Company reiterates its business and financial guidance for 2024 with 40 to 70 new and upgraded Saphira blue light tower installations during the year, product revenue growth of 6% to 9% in constant currency, and positive EBITDA excluding business development expenses. "Photocure delivered positive results in the first quarter of 2024 with Hexvix/Cysview revenue growth of 10% year-over-year and EBITDA of NOK 7.9 million. Both our North American and European business segments had positive contributions in the quarter as we continue to grow revenues and contain expenses," says Dan Schneider, President & Chief Executive Officer of Photocure. Photocure reported total group revenues of NOK 118.0 million in the first quarter of 2024 (NOK 106.2 million) and EBITDA* of NOK 7.9 million (NOK -1.2 million), driven by a combination of unit volume and price increases and a benefit from foreign exchange. Hexvix/Cysview revenues ended at NOK 116.8 million in the quarter (Q1 2023: NOK 105.9 million). EBIT was NOK 0.7 million (NOK -7.7 million) and the cash balance at the end of the period was NOK 258.3 million. At the end of Q1 2024, the installed base of rigid BLC systems in the U.S. was 364, up 14% since Q1 2023. This includes 6 mobile towers owned by ForTec Medical. In the U.S., 27 flexible BLC towers remain active. "ForTec has decided to pursue a mobile BLC strategy, expanding on a pilot program that began in 2021. In addition to the 6 Saphira towers that it currently owns, ForTec intends to expand its portfolio of equipment and launch a mobile BLC program throughout the U.S. later this year. A national roll-out by ForTec's sales force would significantly increase the number of field-based account managers selling BLC with Cysview, and would also open the market to hospitals that currently do not have access to BLC equipment, particularly those in ForTec's vast customer network,"Schneider adds. Photocure reiterates its business and financial guidance for 2024: The company anticipates new and upgraded Saphira blue light tower installations in the U.S. in the range of 40 to 70, consolidated product revenue growth of 6% to 9% in constant currency, and positive EBITDA excluding business development expenses. "Our first quarter results underscore that 2024 is off to a strong start as we remain focused on maximizing the growth and profitability of our Hexvix/Cysview franchise. We expect momentum to continue with the strong Saphira placements in the U.S., increasing penetration in Europe leveraging the recent image quality upgrades, the anticipated commercial expansion of Fortec's mobile tower strategy, and building upon the growing awareness of the benefits of blue light cystoscopy in light of the many new bladder cancer treatments coming to the market," Schneider says, and concludes: "Additionally, there are several initiatives and events that have potential to create a step change in the future growth of our business including potential reclassification of BLC equipment in the U.S., which is anticipated to open the market to multiple tower manufacturers, our plan to reintroduce a new flexible BLC solution globally through a partnership, and the anticipated market approvals of Asieris's candidates; Cevira and Hexvix in China. Given the many initiatives and activities in progress, we believe that 2024 is setting up to be an exciting year for the Company." Please find the full financial report and presentation enclosed. EBITDA* and other alternative performance measures (APMs) are defined and reconciled to the IFRS financial statements as a part of the APM section of the first quarter 2024 financial report on page 23. The quarterly report and presentation will be published at 08:00 CEST and will be publicly available at www.photocure.com. Dan Schneider, CEO and Erik Dahl, CFO, will host a live webcast at 14:00 CEST. The presentation will be held in English and questions can be submitted throughout the event. The streaming event is available through https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20240515_13/ The presentation is scheduled to conclude at 14:45 CEST. For further information, please contact: Dan Schneider President and CEO Photocure ASA Tel: + 1-609 759-6515 Email: ds@photocure.com Erik Dahl Chief Financial Officer Tel: +47 450 55 000 Email: ed@photocure.no David Moskowitz Vice President of Investor Relations Tel: +1 202 280 0888 Email: david.moskowitz@photocure.com Media and IR enquiries: Geir Bjrlo Corporate Communications (Norway) Tel: +47 91540000 Email: geir.bjorlo@corpcom.no About Photocure ASA Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at www.photocure.com, www.hexvix.com, www.cysview.com All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA. This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange announcement was published by Tolv Hillestad, Group Controller, Photocure ASA, on 15 May 2024 at 08:00 CEST. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/photocure/r/photocure-asa--results-for-the-first-quarter-of-2024,c3981581 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/17498/3981581/2797384.pdf Release https://mb.cision.com/Public/17498/3981581/91fe060b63df91ce.pdf PHO Q1 2024 PRESENTATION https://mb.cision.com/Public/17498/3981581/ac3cc3ceae8ae9f4.pdf PHO Q1 2024 ER View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/photocure-asa-results-for-the-first-quarter-of-2024-302145933.html Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - NU E POWER CORP. (the "Company") announces that, effective on or about May 15, 2024, the Company will complete a consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") on the basis of one (1) new Common Share for every existing two (2) Common Shares (the "Consolidation"). The Consolidation was approved by the Company's Board of Directors on May 8, 2024. Immediately prior to the Consolidation there are expected to be 60,418,280 Common Shares issued and outstanding, and it is expected that there will be 30,209,140 Common Shares following the Consolidation. Each shareholder's percentage ownership in the Company and proportional voting power will remain unchanged after the Consolidation, except for minor changes and adjustments resulting from the treatment of any resulting fractional Common Shares. Where the exchange results in a fractional Common Share, the number of Common Shares will be rounded up to the next greater whole number of Common Shares if the fractional entitlement is equal to or greater than 0.5 and will be, without any additional compensation, rounded down to the next lesser whole number of Common Shares if the fractional entitlement is less than 0.5. The record date for the Consolidation will be May 15, 2024. A new CUSIP number of 669988206 will replace the old CUSIP number of 669988107 to distinguish between the pre- and post- consolidated Common Shares. The Company's name will remain unchanged. A letter of transmittal will be mailed to registered shareholders providing instructions on how to exchange share certificates representing the pre-Consolidation Common Shares for new share certificates or Direct Registration Advice (DRS) representing post-Consolidation Common Shares to which they are entitled as a result of the Consolidation. No action is required by non-registered shareholders (shareholders who hold their Common Shares through an intermediary) to effect the Consolidation. The exercise or conversion price and the number of Common Shares issuable under any of the Company's outstanding warrants, stock options and other securities exercisable for or convertible into Common Shares will be proportionately adjusted in connection with the Consolidation. About the Company NU E Power Corp. is a utility-scale solar developer focused on the design and development of large-scale solar energy projects. The Company's goal is to profitably accelerate the transition to clean energy by delivering reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable solar solutions to power grids. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "target", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, including without limitation statements relating to the Consolidation and the Company's evaluation and review of opportunities for the development of large-scale solar energy projects. 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 and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. They are made as of the date hereof and are subject to change and the Company assumes no obligation to revise or update them to reflect new circumstances, except as required by law. For further information contact: John Newman Chief Financial Officer P: (403) 660-3468 E: john@nu-ecorp.com or Brock Stewart Chief Executive Officer P: (587) 578-9422 E: brock@nu-ecorp.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209074 SOURCE: Nu-E Corp. World's leading financial publication confirms Moniepoint's rapid revenue growth Moniepoint Inc. ("the Company" or "Moniepoint"), announces it has been ranked by the Financial Times as Africa's fastest-growing fintech. The world's leading financial publication confirmed Moniepoint's accolade in its annual "Africa's Fastest Growing Companies" survey, released yesterday. It is the second consecutive year Moniepoint has achieved both the fastest-growing fintech milestone, and, ranked in Africa's top four fastest-growing companies overall. The survey was compiled by Statista, a leading research company renowned for its insight into African companies' actual performance, in a rigorous screening process. In this survey, companies are ranked based on 2019-2022 data by (i) their absolute growth rate of revenues and (ii) their compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Moniepoint's growth rates of 7,979% (absolute) and 332% (CAGR) ranked it ahead of hundreds of leading companies from diverse industries such as technology, telecoms, financial services, and healthcare. Moniepoint has long been one of Africa's largest business payments platforms, processing over $182 billion for customers in 2023. Last year, the Company entered the personal banking market via its subsidiary Moniepoint Microfinance Bank offering reliable banking services to millions of individuals across Nigeria. It also doubled its global headcount, growing to over 1,800 employees by the end of 2023. This recognition highlights Moniepoint's success as Africa's leading fintech, driving financial inclusion by empowering underserved businesses and individuals to access the formal financial system, contributing to a key goal of the Nigerian government. Tosin Eniolorunda, Group CEO of Moniepoint Inc., said: "We are thrilled to be recognised by the Financial Times as Africa's fastest growing fintech for the second consecutive year. Achieving rapid growth and scale is a fantastic achievement; maintaining that year-on-year is even better. The ranking is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire Moniepoint team, and the trust of millions of customers across Africa in the Company. "2023 was a pivotal year for Moniepoint. We entered the personal banking market for the first time and made progress in our goal to enter new African markets. 2024 is set to be even more exciting with continued growth and innovation, as we maintain our leading role within the African fintech sector, driving financial inclusion across Africa." Notes to Editors About Moniepoint Moniepoint Inc is a global technology company with a focus on financial services in Africa and other emerging markets. Since 2019, Moniepoint Inc.'s technology has powered over five million businesses and their customers, offering all the payment, banking, credit and business management tools they need to succeed. It aims to power the dreams of businesses, their employees and customers by providing them with the financial technology tools they need to grow, no matter their digital literacy level. Moniepoint Inc. currently processes the majority of the Point of Sales (POS) transactions in Nigeria through its subsidiaries, processing over $182 billion in annualised TPV. It is Africa's largest fintech by transaction volume. It is profitable and, in 2022, became QED Investors' first investment into Africa. For more information, please visit: https://moniepoint.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240513420829/en/ Contacts: Ben Rothschild moniepoint@thoburns.com +44 7564 584 439 Cloud Security Leader Hires New VP for EMEA and Introduces Partner-Led Go-to-Market Strategy, Driving 270% Spike in Deal Registrations Orca Security, the pioneer of agentless cloud security, today announced new investments in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) to support demand for enhanced cloud security as it grows in existing markets and spreads across the region. New resources for the company's partner ecosystem, including a new partner portal and tech enablement boot camps, have already contributed to more than 270% growth in deal registrations this year. This increased focus on channel-driven growth is led by the company's new VP for EMEA, Scott Walker, a former sales, business and technical leader at companies including Illumio, BeyondTrust and Bomgar Corporation. Organizations worldwide continue to increase the pace of cloud-driven transformations to maximize business efficiency and take advantage of new technologies like generative AI. In Europe, more than 90% of companies rank cloud programs as a priority, according to recent McKinsey research that urges European companies to "accelerate their cloud ambitions and activities." However, with growing cloud adoption, the awareness and need for cloud-specific security skills, strategies and technology is also increasing. In fact, organizations in Europe placed cloud security skills at the top of their list of challenges in a March 2024 Tech Buyer Spotlight Survey from IDC. In this environment, Orca has already seen strong growth and traction in central and southern European countries including the U.K., France and Germany. It has started to see increasing demand in the Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg), Italy, and Nordic countries including Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. This has led to a 50% increase in the number of partners closing business with Orca in the region. "As cloud adoption accelerates across different geographies, organizations are quickly recognizing that it creates gaps in their existing security strategies. They're turning to trusted resellers and service providers for the best solutions to close those gaps," said Scott Walker, VP of EMEA at Orca Security. "As a pioneer in cloud security that continues to be on the forefront of innovation, we're helping partners field those conversations so they can show their customers what proper cloud security looks like. This environment is driving our strategy to put significant investment behind education and enablement for existing and new partners across the region." Orca recently launched a new partner portal that adds features to streamline deal registration and price protection for partners worldwide. In EMEA specifically, the company is supplementing this new resource with tech enablement boot camps to help educate partners about the intricacies of cloud security, the challenges organizations face, and how they can work with Orca Security to solve them. This includes awareness and education about cloud security challenges organizations are facing in the race to adopt A.I., and how Orca supports them with new AI Security Posture Management (AI-SPM) features. With its increased support and Tech Enablement Boot Camps, Orca has already completed dozens of new technical certifications among its partners in the region this year. For more information about Orca Security and its partner program, visit https://orca.security/partners. About Orca Security Orca Security is the pioneer of agentless cloud security trusted by hundreds of enterprises globally. Orca makes cloud security possible for enterprises moving to and scaling in the cloud with its patented SideScanning technology and Unified Data Model. The Orca Cloud Security Platform delivers the world's most comprehensive coverage and visibility of all risks across the cloud. With continuous first-to-market innovations and expertise, the Orca Platform ensures security teams quickly identify and remediate risks to keep their businesses secure. Connect your first account in minutes: https://orca.security or book a personalized demo. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515428904/en/ Contacts: Media Mike Reilly fama PR for Orca Security E: orca@famapr.com DUBLIN, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Uniken, a leading provider of security, authentication, and identity verification, announces at the Temenos Community Forum 2024 the release of Palm Vein Authentication for in-branch, rural and inclusive banking on its REL-ID platform. Financial institutions have the need for certainty not only in internet and mobile banking, but also in the physical channel. Now, the same certainty provided by REL-ID on electronic channels, is available in person, without the burden of the consumer needing a device with them. In emerging markets smartphone adoption can be a hurdle and in rural and inclusive banking there is a much larger challenge to deliver banking services with safety, security, and convenience. With the release of palm vein authentication on the REL-ID platform, consumers only need to place their hand above a sensor to authenticate themselves in a full contactless solution. Uniken's mission is to provide certainty in every interaction, and we are once again raising the bar by providing a solution that has the highest level of efficacy and takes fraud to zero with lightning speed and convenience. Uniken has partnered over the last few years with Fulcrum Biometrics, Inc., a Fujitsu company, to deliver REL-ID Palm Vein Authentication based on Fujitsu's market proven PalmSecure technology. The accuracy levels that Uniken customers will achieve in authenticating individuals' identities far exceed what's available with other biometrics like fingerprints, face, and even the newcomers to the palm-scanning field. With a False Acceptance Rate (FAR) of 0.000001% - that's 1 in 100 million - the solution offers unmatched levels of trust in authentication use cases. Privacy characteristics are amazing and are highly resistant to spoofing methods like impersonation or deepfakes. Fraudsters won't be able to take a photo of the internal vein structure and replicate it with liveness to execute a fraudulent transaction like they may be able to in other palm deployments. Ken Nosker, CEO of Fulcrum Biometrics, Inc. comments "PalmVein authentication, unlike most other biometrics, is extremely protective of user privacy as it relies on internal biological structures that can only be captured by using specially designed imaging systems. The highly accurate and contactless nature of PalmVein authentication makes it especially attractive in high traffic environments such as financial services, healthcare, and e-government initiatives. We are very excited to partner with Uniken in offering PalmSecure to the global banking community." Palm vein authentication will be included as part of any full REL-ID license and Uniken is making it available to our global partners, including Temenos, Finacle and NTT Data Solutions for deployment. Customers that have modularized licenses may upgrade to a full license to gain the capability immediately. Bimal Gandhi, CEO, Uniken, shares "I believe biometrics is clearly the key to authentication in the future - palm vein is another modality we feel is critical to have on the platform. Your clients' identities are in their hands - with or without their devices. Our mission is zero fraud and certainty in identity - I am delighted to deliver that in electronic and physical channels with zero friction. Look for more news about Palm Vein Authentication in the next few months as some of our partners, in stealth mode, are working with us on amazing use cases in other verticals." About Uniken Uniken accelerates possibilities for client-centric organizations by creating certainty in identity and security while delivering amazing customer experiences. Uniken serves customers of all sizes, worldwide, across a variety of industries. To date, Uniken has secured over $39 trillion in transaction value across over 45 billion client interactions with zero financial or identity loss. With Uniken, organizations grow their businesses and deliver amazing client experiences in a world where identity is a certainty, not a vulnerability. About Fulcrum Biometrics, Inc. Fulcrum Biometrics, Inc. is a leading provider of biometric identification technologies and custom software applications for enhancing identity authentication and management. Fulcrum provides hardware and software solutions for non-profits, commercial organizations, local and national governments and military customers in more than 100 countries worldwide. Fulcrum is headquartered with operations and product development at 16108 University Oak, San Antonio, TX 78249. Fulcrum Biometrics, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc. PR Contact: Nancy Jones, Uniken nancy.jones@uniken.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107571/UNKLogo_LtBlue_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/uniken-introduces-certainty-in-your-hand-through-palm-vein-authentication-302145689.html Rise in prevalence of structural heart valve diseases, increase in demand for minimally invasive procedures, surge in number of product approvals, and upsurge in geriatric population are the factors that drive the growth of the global prosthetic heart valve market. PORTLAND, Ore., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Prosthetic Heart Valve Market by Product (Mechanical Heart Valve, Tissue Heart Valve, and Transcatheter Heart Valve): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2035". According to the report, the "prosthetic heart valve market" was valued at $8.6 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $30.3 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 11.1% from 2024 to 2035. Request Sample of the Report on Prosthetic Heart Valve Market Forecast 2035 - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2176 Prime determinants of growth Surge in prevalence of structural heart valve diseases, increase in demand for minimally invasive procedures, rise in number of product approvals, and upsurge in geriatric population are the major factors that drive the growth of the global prosthetic heart valve market. However, the high cost and risks associated with treatment procedures for prosthetic heart valves restricts market growth. Moreover, growth opportunities in emerging markets and technological advancements in heart valve replacement devices are expected to present new opportunities in the coming years. Report coverage & details Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2035 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $8.6 billion Market Size in 2035 $30.3 billion CAGR 11.1 % No. of Pages in Report 218 Segments Covered Product and Region Drivers Rise in prevalence of structural heart valve diseases Surge in demand for minimally invasive procedures Rise in geriatric population Upsurge in product approvals for heart valve diseases treatment Opportunities Growth opportunities in emerging markets Technological advancements in heart valve replacement devices Restraint High costs and risks associated with treatment procedures Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/2176 The transcatheter heart valve segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period By product, the transcatheter heart valve segment held the largest market share in 2023, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the global prosthetic heart valve market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period. This is attributed to rise in demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures and availability of advanced transcatheter heart valves. North America to maintain its dominance by 2035 By region, North America held the largest market share in terms of revenue in 2023, accounting for more than two-fifths the global prosthetic heart valve market revenue and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period. This is attributed to the increase in the geriatric population in North America, which has led to a higher prevalence of heart diseases, leading to increased demand for prosthetic heart valves. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 11.9% from 2024 to 2035. This is attributed to the rise in prevalence of heart valve disease, surge in healthcare expenditure, and upsurge in awareness about the importance of early detection & treatment of heart valve diseases. For Purchase Enquiry - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2176 Leading Market Players MERIL LIFE SCIENCES PVT. LTD. Boston Scientific Corporation Shockwave Medical Edwards Lifesciences Corporation JenaValve Technology, Inc. Abbott Laboratories Medtronic Plc Livanova Plc Labcor Laboratorios Ltda Artivion, Inc. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global prosthetic heart valve market. These players have adopted strategies such as an acquisition, agreement, product launch, product approval, and rebranding 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. AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) Offered by Allied Market Research: AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports. Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access About Allied Market Research: 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 domains. AMR offers its services across 11 industry verticals including Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Materials & Chemicals, Construction & Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, ICT & Media, Aerospace & Defense, and BFSI. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on: LinkedIn Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/prosthetic-heart-valve-market-to-reach-30-3-billion-globally-by-2035-at-11-1-cagr-allied-market-research-302146040.html GUADALAJARA, Spain, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- XCMG Machinery ("XCMG", SHE:000425), consistently refining its product range to satisfy the diverse lifting requirements across the globe, delivered one of its latest 120-tonne all-terrain cranes, the XCA120_E, to Gruas Fraile in Spain. The delivery was facilitated by XCMG's Spanish dealer, DYM Impleparts, in Guadalajara. Demonstrating XCMG's commitment to the local market, with further expanded the reach of the XCA120_E, adding Spain to the list of countries where it performs efficient lifting operations. The delivery ceremony was attended by Hu Yuan, Deputy General Manager of XCMG Crane Overseas Marketing, Ren Yinmei, Director of Technical Support of XCMG Crane Overseas Marketing, Rafael Romao, Sales Manager of XCMG Crane for Europe, Daniel Mendez, Sales Manager of XCMG Crane for Spain, and Gunjan Keshwani, Director of DYM Impleparts. Gruas Fraile relies on XCMG cranes to facilitate the timely and efficient completion of their work projects, while adhering strictly to the utmost safety standards. Mario Fraile, Chief Operating Officer of Gruas Fraile, expressed his satisfaction with the XCMG crane, highlighting its superior quality and ease of use. He remarked that the crane was delivered on time with seamless communication, making the whole process an exceptional experience. "We are dedicated to maintaining a robust business relationship with our customers by consistently delivering services that meet the highest standards and providing them with the optimal crane equipment to ensure unparalleled safety and productivity," said Mr. Romao. The XCA120_E, launched by XCMG in 2023 specifically for the European market, is a high-end intelligent all-terrain crane that excels in mobility, safety, and reliability. The over 100-tonne-level, four-axle crane is equipped with a seven-section, 66-meter main boom, that can reach a maximum tip height of 94 meters. Standard features include a variable folding independent jib head, flexible maneuverability at small angles and variable support, making it highly adaptable to diverse working conditions and aligned with the lifting preferences of European crane users. Additionally, its applicability extends to the Australian and South Korean markets, having already been successfully delivered to local customers. "For both XCMG and DYM Impleparts, technical support stands as a cornerstone of our operations. Ever since we became the dealer of the XCMG brand last year, we have stationed two resident mechanics in Spain. In addition, we have a team of five mechanics, two of whom are dedicated to the crane section," commented Gunjan Keshwani, Director of DYM Impleparts. XCMG and DYM Impleparts are poised to offer not just premium-quality cranes but also top-notch service and training for every subsequent delivery, as Gruas Fraile, DYM Impleparts, and XCMG collaborate towards the smooth completion of infrastructure and other construction projects across Spain. For more information, please visit: https://www.xcmgglobal.com/solution/hoisting-machinery.htm Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413396/1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xcmg-crane-expands-reach-in-spain-with-delivery-of-the-xca120e-all-terrain-crane-302146055.html Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - LinkDaddy, a specialty SEO and backlink generation service for small businesses, has announced Trustpilot adoption. Trustpilot is a platform hosting verified customer reviews that differentiates itself from other platforms by accepting and displaying only high-quality, helpful review content. Thanks to their long-standing reputation as a trusted provider of SEO backlinking services for small businesses, LinkDaddy has found a home on the Trustpilot platform, as per a recent announcement. For more information, visit https://www.trustpilot.com/review/linkdaddy.com. Backlink Building & SEO Agency LinkDaddy Announces Trustpilot Adoption To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/209227_1d333d92b4873a17_002full.jpg LinkDaddy has displayed a record of quality customer service and successful growth campaigns, leading to their adoption by the Trustpilot platform. Not only will this allow the company to easily display verified reviews from real customers, it also allows their team to open a dialog with customers to easily take feedback and improve the service further. Over 700,000 companies rely on Trustpilot to host their reviews, making it one of the most reliable sources for reputation management. In business for nearly a decade and serving over 2,800 satisfied customers, LinkDaddy specializes in the natural creation of backlinks to help small businesses that operate primarily online boost their web traffic organically, affordably, and sustainably. To achieve this growth, LinkDaddy offers a number of services each relying on SEO as a primary driver of user traffic. Their methods range from the direct creation of high-quality syndicated content, to back-end improvement of a given site's domain authority, which may help make future SEO campaigns more effective. To date, the company has successfully executed over 9,000 backlink campaigns. LinkDaddy is currently accepting new small business clients. Interested parties can contact the LinkDaddy team to schedule an initial SEO audit and consultation. For more information, visit https://linkdaddy.com. Contact Info: Name: Tony Peacock Email: tony@linkdaddy.com Organization: LinkDaddy Address: 1065 SW 8th St PMB 622, Miami, Florida 33130, United States Website: https://linkdaddy.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209227 SOURCE: Plentisoft EQS Newswire / 13/05/2024 / 10:45 CET/CEST BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 13 May 2024 - The Head of Transparency Thailand Foundation (TTF) points out Thailand must reform the justice system and improve outdated or obstructive laws, while also reducing the use of discretion by the government sector to counter corruption. She also suggests that "NACC and Thai people" stop paying much concern to the results of the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), unveiling that an organizer has some limitations in scoring. In an exclusive interview with the Integrity Way, a team of the Office of Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in recent days, Mrs. Juree Vichit-Vadakan, Chairperson of Transparency Thailand Foundation highlights that corruption problems have affected the development of each country in particularly on the economic sector. Obviously, it has been seen in the investment sector as investors will consider how easy or difficult it is to do business in that country based on a chance for corruption. Investors will consider whether they need to pay a bribe or not. If it is found that a country has complicated regulations and each agency can ask for bribes, it will become a hidden cost. Those are considered crucial reasons for whether or not they should invest in each country. Chairperson of the Transparency Thailand Foundation elaborates that when focusing on the corruption situation in Thailand on prevention and suppression, there are more efforts to help lessen the problem. For example, during the past several years the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) demonstrated good performance in counter-corruption efforts. However, the general public may not be aware of the in-depth information. Yet, people who had followed the movements could acknowledge those attempts. In the case of the Comptroller General's Department conducting the Integrity Pact (IP) project and the Public Construction Transparency Project (CoST), both of these tools can prevent corruption and save the national budget by more than 100 billion baht. But we must admit that there are still some people who look for loopholes in the system to commit corruption. However, the right solution is efficient law enforcement. Mrs. Juree added that if considering Thailand's anti-corruption mechanism, whether it is an organization or a law, Thailand has more than other countries. Therefore, the point is not to create more laws or regulations. Yet, the problems are the functioning of the bureaucracy, the efficiency of law enforcement, trial, and judgment of punishment, which need to be done at an appropriate time. Each corruption case should not be delayed in ruling; otherwise, people will totally ignore and forget. Moreover, there must be a law reformation of the Regulatory Guillotine in order to repeal or improve laws or regulations that are no longer necessary or inconsistent with the circumstances or that are an obstacle in contacting government agencies, while also Thailand should diminish the use of discretion by civil servants. All of these mentions require a reformation. Nevertheless, those problems have also been seen in many countries, not only in Thailand. "If looking from the past until the present, people in this generation are more aware of corruption problems. People in the past may not understand clearly 'Conflict of Interest'. Nowadays, they are better understood about Conflict of Interest. People also talk about the transparency of projects in the area. For instance, the "Growing Good" project has made people more aware of anti-corruption. People are currently focusing more on creating awareness among children and youth," the chairperson of the Transparency Thailand Foundation explains. She also says about Thailand's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) that for many years, the CPI index has been released and has embarrassed Thailand compared with other nations. Since the Transparency Thailand Foundation has worked with Transparency International (TI), the foundation has learned that there are many steps in conducting a Corruption Perception Index. One important step is the answer from a person that TI has assigned to be responsible for that country. Therefore, the answer may be inaccurate from reality for various reasons. Those reasons are such limitations on inaccessibility of information, and failure to understand the context of Thai society and Thai politics. Westerners may think that rights and freedoms can only occur in an elected government. The military government must be corrupted. However, the surveyors were not aware that the Thai military government had initiated the Integrity Pact and Transparency Project in public sector construction, which helped save a high amount of the national budget. This performance may not be aware among foreigners, but most Thai people also do not acknowledge this effort. In addition, the Thai media does not pay much attention to positive stories or they may report about that news but people do not pay much attention, unlike bad or criminal news. The more scandalous the news is, the news reports will be presented for several days as people like that kind of news. Unfortunately, people do not like much about good news. Good news will appear only once time and then totally disappear. "If I were a NACC officer, I would not pay too much attention to the CPI index. Thailand should not be concerned much about the score. However, Thai people seem to attach great importance to it, even though it has many limitations. The NACC, Thailand, and those involved in the government should focus on doing their work effectively and have the courage to announce on the global stage about their successful projects and implementation in counter corruption to create greater awareness among foreigners," she ends the interview with support to NACC, Thailand in fighting against corruption. ************************* *This exclusive interview translation is funded by the National Anti-Corruption Fund (NACF). Hashtag: IntegrityWay AntiCorruption ZeroCorruption NACC NACF The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Thailand The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is a constitutional independent organization and supervised by nine commissioners selected from various professions. It is authorised to undertake work on the prevention and suppression of malfeasance, particularly in government agencies, on assets investigations, as well as on the monitoring of ethics and virtues of political position holders. It has the authority to file charges in court as well as support and build up awareness of the penalties for committing corruption. The NACC is supervised by the NACC Board and has the Office of the NACC as its administrative agency. Since 1997, Thai Courts have ruled against and punished politicians, former ministers, high-ranking government officials as well as executives of the private sector in the thousands of cases submitted by the NACC. News Source: NACC Thailand 13/05/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com Just over a month after the Digital World Premiere, TUC.tiny is ready to make its debut at VivaTech 2024, the most important technology fair in Europe. In Hall 1, Pavilion 41, TUC S.r.l. will present to the public for the first time its latest technological innovation: TUC.tiny, the Modular Dashboard concept, and the TUC.technology offering, developed to revolutionize the world of mobility. TUC.tiny is the compact version of the industrialized technology launched last year, based on the TUC.technology patent and released in over 140 countries. It is currently the subject of collaborations with industry leaders such as ZER01NE, the Hyundai Motor Group's Open Innovation Platform, for the development of "Human-centric" vehicles. This technological gem is based on the three pillars of TUC: mechanical structure, electronic management, and data exchange. Thanks to the integration of USB Type-C technology, TUC.tiny aims to reinvent the interaction between users and vehicles, converging mobility and everyday life. The result of advanced research by TUC S.r.l. in technological miniaturization and simplification, TUC.tiny represents the core of the company's patented technology, designed to innovate the value chain in the mobility sector with a "human-centric" approach. It is an ideal solution for both the main players in the sector and users, representing a perfect synthesis of their needs. The Modular Dashboard, developed to showcase the potential of TUC.tiny, is a true blank canvas, customizable infinite times thanks to TUC.tiny and TUC.technology. An environment to inhabit and configure without limits, adapting functionally and flexibly to the needs of users. With TUC.tiny and its advanced interface including physical fastening, electrical connectivity, and data transfer any device can be integrated into the modular dashboard design, making it immediately operational. TUC.tiny supports all everyday devices with USB Type-C connection, distinguishing itself by seamlessly blending into any part of the vehicle. Its robustness is ensured by a mechanical or electro-actuated locking mechanism, introducing the novelty of NFC technology for added security. The introduction of TUC.tiny completes the TUC.technology offering, marking a step forward towards the democratization of technology. The gateway to an advanced mobility experience becomes wider, easily accommodating the smart objects that animate our daily lives. TUC.tiny and TUC.technology embody the vision of the mobility ecosystem of the future: interconnected, multimodal, circular, and dynamic. This technology not only connects but synthesizes different spheres of our lives, making mobility more accessible, customizable, and environmentally conscious. TUC invites everyone to imagine and build together a world where technology unites us, improving every aspect of our daily journey. The project, which started in the automotive sector, now aims to scale the technology to new verticals such as aerospace and marine sectors. "The World Premiere of TUC.tiny at VivaTech 2024 is an important recognition for TUC.technology as an enabler of the Mobility of the Future," said Ludovico Campana, Inventor and CEO of TUC. TUC.tiny represents our promise for the future: the vision of a world where technology and mobility create personalized experiences designed around the needs of each individual. This is the future that TUC S.r.l. is building: a mobility ecosystem driven by the values of democratization, personalization, and sustainability. TUC.tiny and the Modular Dashboard are ready to be showcased live to the public at VivaTech 2024, demonstrating that this vision is already a reality. For more information, visit the "NEWSROOM" section of the website: https://www.tuc.technology/newsroom. ABOUT TUC.technology TUC S.r.l. is a leading Deep-Tech company in mobility innovation, specializing in the development of modular solutions for vehicles that aim to simplify and revolutionize the concept of a vehicle. Distinguished by technological excellence on an international level, TUC has received significant recognitions, including exhibitions at CES in Las Vegas and the National Automobile Museum. With the launch of TUC 3.0, the company sets new standards in the sector, collaborating with major global OEMs. Learn more at http://www.tuc.technology. Facebook @TUCtechnology Instagram @tuc.technology Twitter @TUCtechnology Linkedin @TUC.technology View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515972855/en/ Contacts: Press Contacts Italy: Elisa Bonora els.bonora@gmail.com +39 339 2538019 Foreign Press Contacts: PressMediaLab pressoffice@pressmedialab.com +39 345 3398669 press@tuc.technology +39 392 1513580 The Center is the first GHA accredited facility in New Jersey. MIAMI, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, located in Neptune, New Jersey, celebrates a significant milestone: the attainment of Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA) for Medical Travel Services for its Center for Treatment of Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Surgery. This prestigious accreditation underscores its unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care to both local and international patients. The Center is the first GHA accredited facility in New Jersey. The Center for Treatment of Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Surgery (CPRNS), in partnership with The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction, and under the expert leadership of renowned surgeons Matthew Kaufman, M.D., FACS, and Andrew Elkwood, M.D., FACS, stands at the forefront of global medical innovation. At this world class center specializing in reconstructive surgery for a variety of peripheral nerve disorders, the surgeons have pioneered surgical treatments for debilitating conditions causing nerve injury, pain, and paralysis. The flagship program at the center is phrenic nerve reconstruction to treat diaphragm paralysis - a problematic condition that results in loss of breathing muscle function. The center empowers individuals suffering from diaphragm paralysis to recover breathing function through complex nerve repair, and in some severe cases this could mean restoring independent breathing activity in patients previously on a ventilator. In addition to the phrenic nerve reconstruction program, the center's dedicated physicians have successfully treated thousands of patients worldwide addressing a wide spectrum of conditions, including: brachial plexus injury, hand and arm paralysis, facial paralysis, chronic headache, pelvic pain, foot drop, and post-amputation "phantom" pain. According to Dr. Kaufman, "Depending on the cause of their paralysis, we have successfully enabled an overwhelming majority of our patients to breathe again on their own or resolve their paralysis to improve their breathing, so they can continue being active. Commonly, people with phrenic nerve injury have difficulty breathing with basic daily activities, such as when climbing stairs, while sleeping, or even just tying their shoes. This surgery can help them return to their regular activities, sleep better, return to a more active lifestyle, and improve their quality of life." Dr. Kaufman is the world's leading expert in this surgery, completing nearly 800 patient cases, a feat unmatched by any other surgeon or medical facility in the world. Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA) is dedicated to enhancing healthcare quality and safety in the medical tourism industry. Through services such as accreditation, certification, strategy, medical travel program development and optimization, and other business solutions to help scale growth, GHA helps to position healthcare providers to attract and serve medical travel patients, ultimately enhancing clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and the organization's business performance. To raise awareness of the significance of GHA accreditation in enhancing safety and the patient experience, Global Healthcare Accreditation has initiated a comprehensive multilingual consumer and buyer marketing campaign, available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and other languages. The campaign aims to educate the market about the substantial benefits of selecting hospitals that have achieved GHA accreditation for their medical travel programs. "Global Health Accreditation is an important recognition for Jersey Shore University Medical Center," said Vito Buccellato, MPA, LNHA, president, and chief hospital executive, Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC). "Patients from around the U.S. and across the globe, such as Japan, South Africa, Bolivia, Israel, and Australia, have come to the academic medical center to receive phrenic nerve reconstruction and other advanced peripheral nerve procedures." Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, regional president, Southern Market, Hackensack Meridian Health, added, "we are proud that Dr. Kaufman and all the specialists at the Center for Treatment of Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Surgery have been able to help so many people from across the globe." According to Ms. Renee-Marie Stephano, GHA's chief executive officer, "GHA accreditation is not just a recognition; it's a testament to Jersey Shore University Medical Center's commitment to quality and compassionate care. By achieving this esteemed accreditation for its Center for Treatment of Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Surgery, JSUMC has demonstrated its dedication to meeting the highest standards in healthcare delivery. This accomplishment underscores their pivotal role in prioritizing the patient experience in medical travel and enhancing the hospital's global visibility in the healthcare landscape." Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) is expanding its presence both domestically and internationally, with JSUMC playing a pivotal role in its global healthcare initiatives. During a visit to India in March 2024, HMH executive leadership signed Memorandums of Understanding with prominent healthcare institutions, including Mumbai Oncocare, Aster Hospitals, Inc., and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, Ltd. HMH's focus initially centers on oncology care, leveraging its next-generation sequencing capabilities to enhance precision medicine, facilitating intellectual exchange, offering medical second opinions, and conducting tumor board analyses. Plans also include partnerships with leading neurology centers in Europe and the expansion of innovative programs like pediatric epilepsy surgery and specialized phrenic nerve surgery at CPRNS. For more information about the Center, call 732-776-3893 or visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/services/neurosciences/paralysis-and-reconstructive-nerve-surgery ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. The network has 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers, physician practice locations, and a fitness and wellness center. The network's notable distinctions include having the only #1 ranked adult and children's hospitals in New Jersey, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2023-24. Hackensack University Medical Center is nationally-ranked by U.S. News & World Report in six specialties. To learn more, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org. At JSUMC's Center for Treatment of Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Surgery we've created a world-class team using the advanced surgical treatment options for diaphragmatic paralysis and phrenic nerve reconstruction. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for patients with nerve damage and paralysis due to a traumatic injury or surgery. For more information, visit: Center for the Treatment of Paralysis & Reconstructive Nerve Surgery | Hackensack Meridian Health ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED RECONSTRUCTION The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of medical care through innovative research and discovery. In addition to its strong commitment to care in New Jersey, The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction includes practices across multiple states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Louisiana, Florida, Texas and California, and attracts patients on a global scale. About Global Healthcare Accreditation: At GHA, we're more than an accreditation body-we're strategic partners committed to enhancing patient experiences and global healthcare practices. Our expertise, drawn from leading accreditation agencies, healthcare pioneers, and top-tier medical travel industry executives ensures tailored solutions for governments, healthcare providers and other industry stakeholders worldwide. Our impact is seen in increased patient volumes, higher satisfaction scores, and overall enhancement of your business strategy. Organizations interested in contacting Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA) can make a request at info@ghaccreditation.com |Tel US 001.561.228.4014 |www.GlobalHealthcareAccreditation.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1705658/Global_Healthcare_Accreditation.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/center-for-treatment-of-paralysis-and-reconstructive-nerve-surgery-at-hackensack-meridian-jersey-shore-university-medical-center-awarded-global-healthcare-accreditation-302145716.html CHICAGO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Insulation Products Market by Insulation Type (Thermal, Acoustic), Material Type (Mineral Wool, Polyurethane Foam, Flexible Elastomeric Foam), End-use (Building & Construction, Industrial, Transportation, Consumer) - Global Forecast to 2029", size is projected to grow from USD 65.9 billion in 2024 and reach USD 84.2 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2024 to 2029. Renovation and retrofitting projects in older buildings contribute to the demand for insulation products as owners seek to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels. Browse in-depth TOC on "Insulation Products Market" 233 - Tables 55 - Figures 277 - Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=76188343 Thermal Insulation is estimated to hold the most significant share of the global insulation products market by type of insulation. By type of insulation, thermal insulation is estimated to dominate the insulation products market globally. Escalating utility costs, particularly for heating and cooling, are driving the adoption of thermal insulation in both residential and commercial buildings. By improving the thermal efficiency of structures, insulation products help lower energy bills and operating expenses over the long term. As consumers seek ways to mitigate rising energy costs, the demand for thermal insulation solutions that offer tangible economic benefits is on the rise. By end-use industry, the building & construction segment will lead the insulation products market during the forecast period. In terms of end-use industry, the building & construction segment is anticipated to hold the leading position in the insulation products industry. Insulation products are increasingly integrated with other building systems to enhance overall performance and efficiency. For example, insulation materials with vapor barriers are essential for moisture control in building envelopes, ensuring durability and preventing issues such as mold growth. This factor is creating demand in this industry. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=76188343 By material type, the mineral wool segment will lead the insulation products market during the forecast period. Regarding material type, the mineral wool segment is anticipated to lead in the insulation products industry. Mineral wool insulation is considered environmentally friendly compared to some synthetic alternatives, as it is made from natural and recycled materials. Additionally, mineral wool products are typically recyclable and contribute to reducing overall environmental impact. With increasing emphasis on sustainable construction practices and green building certifications, the demand for eco-friendly insulation solutions like mineral wool is expected to grow further. During the forecast period, Asia Pacific will lead the global insulation products market. In 2023, the Asia Pacific region held the dominant share in the global insulation products industry. Forecasts suggest this region will experience a significant Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) between 2023 and 2028. One crucial factor is the rapid economic growth and urbanization in countries like China, India, and Southeast Asian nations, resulting in a surging demand for construction products. Key Players Some of the leading manufacturers of insulation products profiled in this report are Covestro AG (Germany), Owens Corning Corp. (US), Rockwool International A/S (Denmark), Saint-Gobain ISOVER (France), Knauf Insulation (US), Huntsman Corporation (US), Armacell International S.A. (Luxembourg), Johns Manville Corporation (US), Kingspan Group (Ireland), Soprema Group (France), Cellofoam International GmbH (Germany), Recticel NV/SA (Belgium), China Jushi Co. Ltd. (China), and Rogers Corporation (US). Browse Adjacent Market: Foam and Insulation Market Research & Consulting Related Reports: Acoustic Insulation Market - Global Forecast to 2026 Polyurethane Foam Market - Global Forecast to 2028 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. 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Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insights: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/insulation-product-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source : https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/insulation-product.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/insulation-products-market-worth-84-2-billion-by-2029--exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302145921.html VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bitget Wallet, a leading non-custodial wallet and decentralized ecosystem platform, has announced the launch of its latest product blueprint, the Bitget Onchain Layer, to revolutionize the overall Web3 experience for its users. The Bitget Onchain Layer will not only integrate a host of native DApps within Bitget Wallet through joint collaboration with builders, but also position Bitget Wallet as the primary on-chain extension and future of the Bitget ecosystem. Concurrently, a $10 million BWB Ecosystem Fund has also been established, dedicated to accelerating the development of the Bitget Onchain Layer and supporting aligned projects and initiatives. Powering the Bitget Onchain Layer are native Modular Feature-DApps (MFDs), specialized applications to streamline user interactions, enhance liquidity aggregation, and fortify security measures. Initially, the ecosystem fund will be dedicated towards the investment and incubation of various Web3 trading services, of which three are already in the pipeline: Pre-Market, on-chain derivatives market, and Trading Bot. These services, in the form of MFDs, will further complement Bitget Wallet's existing Swap trading service. Since its inception as a multi-chain wallet in 2018, Bitget Wallet has evolved into a comprehensive platform featuring native functions such as multi-chain wallet, Swap, intelligent market data, Launchpad, inscriptions tool, and earning center, reflecting its transformation from an asset management tool to a full-stack DeFi ecosystem and platform. In this journey, Bitget Wallet has attracted over 20 million users globally and has gained widespread recognition. Just last month, the platform achieved a record high in Swap data, with trading and order volumes surpassing MetaMask. As Bitget Wallet continues to build, several enduring yet unresolved challenges in the Web3 space demand attention, including navigating across multiple blockchain networks, selecting the right DEXs, choosing from a myriad of liquidity pools, and much more, oftentimes resulting in a poor user experience. To produce innovative solutions to these problems, Bitget Wallet first began by introducing a native swap aggregator, Bitget Swap, to cater towards user demands for seamless on-chain trading and earning experiences. Deploying Bitget Swap as a native platform feature also opened up avenues for more value-added features including gas-free transactions and multiple trading modes to enhance the overall trading experience for users, forming the first step in Bitget Wallet's journey to developing a native on-chain ecosystem layer. On a macro level, the Bitget Onchain Layer serves as an intermediate layer that abstracts away complexities for users to interact with the Web3 world with the help of Modular-Feature DApps (MFDs). These function both as standalone DApps as well as native features integrated directly into Bitget Wallet. By working with industry developers to create effective and purposeful MFDs, Bitget Wallet aims to meet users' needs in a more efficient manner, while also supporting developers and DApp projects in Web3. Aside from trading, the Bitget Onchain Layer also aims to provide native accessibility for new narratives, assets, and opportunities across Web3 from Bitget Wallet by introducing an open and collaborative ecosystem strategy to offer comprehensive coverage over a spectrum of financial services. In tandem with the development of the Bitget Onchain Layer, the wallet has also prioritized the burgeoning Meme ecosystem as a central focus of its product roadmap. Following the launch of Bitget Wallet's experimental Meme token, $MOEW, the platform plans to explore further integrations and community engagements within this space, including Meme Grants and events to bolster Meme culture and Web3 engagement. Bitget Wallet has also engineered a dedicated Meme token leaderboard within its wallet interface, providing users with up-to-date information on the latest trending Meme coins and price movements, providing the competitive edge needed to stay ahead of the Meme market. Bitget Wallet and the Bitget Onchain Layer are fundamentally anchored by the BWB token, which has multiple roles within the ecosystem, including governance voting, eligibility for participation in Launchpad events, staking rewards, and payment of multichain gas fees, among other utilities. Following the conclusion of the BWB Points Airdrop Campaign and BWB Ecosystem Partner Program, the wallet has now announced its allocation plans for the BWB token. The total supply of BWB tokens is set at 1 billion, distributed across community rewards, team, and partnership initiatives. Nearly 47% of this total supply will be allocated to the community treasury and 10% will go to investors, while 5% will be reserved for the pre-TGE (token generation event) airdrop. Moving ahead, Bitget Wallet will continue to refine its platform by integrating high-frequency and core features that enhance user experience and interaction within the Web3 ecosystem. The focus will remain on product growth and strategic infrastructure development to sustain advancement and ensure a robust foundation for the future. Bitget Wallet's evolution reflects its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what a Web3 wallet can offer. It has transitioned from asset management to a broader scope of DeFi functionalities, reinforcing its market position and setting a new standard in the cryptocurrency and DeFi space. About Bitget Wallet Bitget Wallet is Asia's largest and leading global Web3 trading wallet, with over 20 million users worldwide. It offers a comprehensive range of features, including asset management, intelligent market data, swap trading, launchpad, inscribing, and DApp browsing. Currently, it supports more than 100 major blockchains, hundreds of EVM-compatible chains, and over 250,000 cryptocurrencies. Bitget Wallet enhances liquidity by aggregating it across hundreds of top DEXs and cross-chain bridges, facilitating seamless trading on nearly 50 blockchains. For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | Discord View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bitget-wallet-unveils-bitget-onchain-layer-rolls-out-10m-bwb-ecosystem-fund-302146140.html FinalSpark, a pioneering Swiss biocomputing startup, has launched the first-ever online platform enabling global researchers to conduct experiments remotely on biological neurons in vitro. The platform provides around-the-clock access to 16 human brain organoids aimed at developing the world's first living processor. These bioprocessors, composed of living neurons capable of learning and processing information, consume a million times less power than traditional digital processors, potentially reducing the environmental impact associated with the rising use of computers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515701469/en/ Brain organoids on electrodes (Photo: Business Wire) Already, three dozen universities have expressed interest in using the platform. In a testament to our commitment to collaboration, FinalSpark has granted free access to nine institutions for Research Use Only. As the demand for our neuroplatform grows, we are prepared to scale up to meet it, all with the shared goal of building the world's first living processor. "We firmly believe that such an ambitious goal can only be achieved through international collaboration," asserts Dr. Fred Jordan, co-founder of FinalSpark. Additional details about the Neuroplatform and the application process for research institutions are available on FinalSpark's website at https://finalspark.com/neuroplatform. A scientific publication detailing FinalSpark's Neuroplatform, titled "Open and remotely accessible Neuroplatform for research in wetware computing," is also available in the journal Frontiers. The convergence of AI, recent advancements in biology, and stem cell technologies have opened up new horizons in the field of synthetic biology and wetware computing. With the launch of our neuroplatform, we are at the forefront of this exciting journey. "It is an inspiring time to be a researcher," says Dr. Martin Kutter, co-founder of FinalSpark. About FinalSpark Founded in 2014 and based in Switzerland, FinalSpark is at the forefront of technological innovation, pioneering the development of bioprocessors the next generation of digital processors. These groundbreaking bioprocessors utilize human neurons instead of traditional digital processors, marking a significant leap in processing technology. FinalSpark offers a Neuroplatform that enables companies to conduct remote research on neuronal tissues placed on MEAs, fully supporting electrophysiological experiments. The three-dimensional neuronal structures have a long lifespan, making them suitable for experiments that run for several months. Keywords: biocomputing, organoid intelligence, wetware computing, neuron, biology, processor, cell culture, artificial intelligence, energy, CO2 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515701469/en/ Contacts: Fred Jordan +41 21 948 64 64 info24@finalspark.com Accelerating efficient mass production and carbon footprint management schemes PARIS, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ProLogium, a global leader in lithium ceramic battery technology, and Schneider Electric, the worldwide leader in automated mass production solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) enabling ProLogium to leverage Schneider Electric's extensive automation expertise to establish its smart gigafactory in Dunkirk, France. Vincent Yang, the Founder and Chairman of ProLogium and Laurent Bataille, Executive Vice President of Schneider Electric France, signed the MOU between these two industry leaders in the presence of French Minister of Transport Patrice Vergriete. The partnership will be a critical driver in the expansion of next-generation battery solutions across Europe, in line with ProLogium's commitment to innovation and sustainable development. Schneider Electric, one of the largest energy management companies with a presence in over 100 countries, is a pioneer in industrial digitization, transformation and automation technology. It has assisted numerous renowned energy companies worldwide in establishing smart factories, reaching their sustainability and mass production goals. ProLogium opened the world's first giga-level lithium ceramic battery demonstration line in Taoyuan, Taiwan in January 2024, providing evidence of the feasibility of ProLogium's mass production capabilities and a prototype for the future Dunkirk gigafactory. The collaboration with Schneider Electric aims to achieve ProLogium's mass production goals while establishing an efficient and eco-friendly production line. This marks another significant milestone in the commercialization of lithium ceramic batteries. The partnership outlines the implementation of seven major workflow processes including power distributed systems, smart manufacturing, and carbon footprint management to establish a cutting-edge, sustainable, and intelligent gigafactory. Concept verification is scheduled to begin in the latter half of 2024, with plans to shape the automated manufacturing system for the Dunkirk plant before groundbreaking. Patrice Vergriete, Minister of Transports stated, "One year ago, the President of the French Republic honored us with his visit to Dunkirk to announce the establishment of ProLogium in our battery valley, which has become a symbol of French reindustrialization. Since then, the Dunkirk area has worked enthusiastically alongside ProLogium's teams, and we thank them once again for their confidence. Today, we are delighted to see ProLogium announce new partnerships that confirm our country's positive trajectory towards the decarbonized industry of the 21st century "Last May, we unveiled plans to establish a local production base in Dunkirk. These plans encompass not only plant construction but also industrial value chains. Over the past year, preparatory tasks for the Dunkirk gigafactory have proceeded smoothly, and the inauguration of our giga-level demonstration line in Taiwan marks our transition from the laboratory to mass production, demonstrating our scalability. Moving forward, we will leverage the technical strengths of Taiwan and France to jointly complete the last mile from production line to market," said Vincent Yang, the Founder and Chairman of ProLogium. "This will inject new energy into the "Battery Valley", accelerating the production of the world's most advanced lithium ceramic batteries and realizing our vision for transforming transportation energy." "This agreement represents our shared vision for a more sustainable, energy efficient and resilient future built on innovation and electrification. While demonstrating the pivotal role that both ProLogium and Schneider Electric play in the French government's green re-industrialization strategy." said Laurent Bataille, Executive Vice President, Schneider Electric France Operations. The phased construction preparation for the Dunkirk gigafactory is progressing. Public consultations and architectural concept designs were finalized in 2023, while environmental assessments and procedures to obtain the construction permit are currently underway concurrently, and the gigafactory's site is undergoing backfilling. This progress is paving the way for subsequent groundbreaking and completion anticipated by the end of 2026 or early 2027. By 2030, the factory is planned to provide approximately 3,000 direct job opportunities in the Dunkirk region. "With sincere gratitude to the local government and our esteemed partners for their unwavering support, we are pleased to announce the smooth progress of the initial preparations for the ProLogium Dunkirk gigafactory construction project. Moving forward, we are poised to collaborate with Schneider Electric to optimize the factory's electricity, energy usage and production lines. Leveraging their extensive expertise in energy management, particularly in power distribution design and equipment automation, we aim to establish a sustainable smart factory that is not only more automated but also environmentally friendly." said Calvin Hsieh, ProLogium Group Vice President of EU Manufacturing Center. On May 13th, ProLogium was invited for the third time to participate in Choose France, underpinning ProLogium's alignment with the French government's strategy in key areas such as "Green Industry" and "Reindustrialization" in industrial growth. About ProLogium: Established in 2006, ProLogium is an energy innovation company specializing in the research and manufacturing of lithium ceramic battery solutions for electric vehicles, consumer markets, and industrial applications. The company's exclusive technologies encompass over 750 global patents (including pending and granted). ProLogium has delivered nearly 8,000 samples of next-generation batteries produced by fully automated pilot production lines for global automakers to test and develop modules. ProLogium's first gigafactory production line, located in Taoyuan, Taiwan, will begin supplying automakers in 2024, contributing to accelerate capacity expansion in key markets around the world. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/prologium-leads-the-realization-of-a-smart-gigafactory-for-lithium-ceramic-batteries-with-schneider-electric-in-france-302146146.html Redde Northgate Plc - Result of Meeting PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, May 15 REDDE NORTHGATE PLC(the "Company") 15 May 2024 Voting result for the General Meeting held on 15 May 2024 At a General Meeting of the Company held at 09.00am on 15 May 2024 the resolution to change the name of the Company was duly passed as a special resolution. The total number of votes received on the poll for the below resolution was as follows: Resolution Votes For % of Votes Votes Against % of Votes Total Votes Votes cast as % of Issued Share Capital Votes Withheld That the Company's registered name be changed from Redde Northgate plc to ZIGUP plc 181,448,524 99.58% 764,831 0.42% 182,213,355 80.32% 67,526 A further announcement will be made when the name change is formally effective following which the Company's TIDM will change from "REDD" to "ZIG". The ISIN and SEDOL numbers will remain unchanged. Notes: 1. Any proxy appointments which gave discretion to the Chairman have been included in the "for" total. 2. The Company's issued capital (excluding treasury shares) on 13 May 2024 (being the record date for voting at the meeting) was 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50 pence each which do not carry voting rights on the above resolution. Each ordinary share carries the right to one vote and, as the Company held 19,389,362 ordinary shares in treasury on 13 May 2024 (being the record date for voting at the meeting) there were 226,702,061 voting rights in the Company. 3. A "vote withheld" is not a vote in law and is not counted in the calculation of the proportion of the votes "for" and "against" a resolution. 4. In accordance with Listing Rules 9.6.2R and 9.6.3R, a copy of the resolution passed will shortly be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism for inspection at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism . For further information, please contact: Redde Northgate plc Emma Parr, Company Secretary 44 (0)1325 467 558 JACKSONVILLE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / LFTD Partners Inc. ("LFTD Partners" or the "Company") (OTCQB:LIFD), the corporate parent of leading hemp and psychoactive products maker Lifted Made, today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. Financial results are reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and all currency is in U.S. dollars. Income Statement - Q1 2024 Compared to Q1 2023: Revenue decreased 14% to $10,666,649, down from $12,461,793 Operating loss was $122,334, compared to a loss of $104,884 Net loss was $1,141,004, compared to a loss of $141,742 Basic loss per share was $0.08, compared to a basic loss per share of $0.01 Diluted loss per share was $0.08, compared to a diluted loss per share of $0.01 Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were both 14,805,678 Balance Sheet - March 31, 2024 Compared to December 31, 2023: Cash on hand increased 0% to $4,376,185, up from $4,357,539 Inventory decreased 25% to $7,659,443, down from $10,174,667 Current assets decreased 15% to $18,465,296, down from $21,668,980 Current ratio increased to 2.62 from 2.49 Working capital decreased 12% to $11,410,369, down from $12,982,236 Notes payable to Surety Bank decreased 3% to $3,732,472, down from $3,854,851 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast Information: LFTD Partners will host an earnings conference call and webcast today, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 8:30 AM ET to discuss the foregoing financial results, and also to provide updates on certain Company developments, including product and geographical expansions, stock buybacks, as well as challenges currently faced by the Company, including regulatory challenges and inventory write offs. Participant phone numbers: Toll Free: 877-545-0320 International: 973-528-0002 Participant Access Code: 362392 Webcast event link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2916/50629 The participant phone numbers and webcast event link are shown on the Investor Relations section of LFTD Partners' website at https://www.lftdpartners.com/investors. The webcast replay will also be available on the Investor Relations section of LFTD Partners' website. Although attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions during the earnings conference call, attendees are encouraged to submit questions prior to the call by emailing them to: jakejacobs@lftdpartners.com. About LFTD Partners Inc. Publicly traded LFTD Partners Inc., Jacksonville, FL (OTCQB:LIFD) is the parent corporation of Lifted Made, Kenosha, WI (www.urb.shop), which manufactures and sells hemp-derived and other psychoactive products under its award-winning Urb Finest Flowers brand. Lifted Made is the worldwide, exclusive manufacturer and seller of Diamond Supply Co. (www.DiamondSupplyCo.com), and Cali Sweets hemp-derived products, and is the exclusive manufacturer and seller in the USA of hemp-derived products for a subsidiary of a large, publicly traded US marijuana company. LFTD Partners Inc. also owns 4.99% of CBD-infused beverage and products maker Ablis (www.Ablis.shop), and of craft distillers Bendistillery Inc. d/b/a Crater Lake Spirits (www.CraterLakeSpirits.com) and Bend Spirits, Inc. all located in Bend, OR. Please read LIFD's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission which fully describe our business and the Risk Factors associated therewith. Stay updated with our company news and product launches by subscribing to our newsletters at www.LFTDPartners.com and at www.urb.shop. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this document are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such information includes the operations, financing, growth, performance, products, plans and expectations of LFTD Partners Inc. and Lifted Made. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause or contribute to these companies' actual operations, financing, growth, performance, products, plans or results of these companies differing materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain other factors, including the risk factors set forth in LFTD Partners Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell common stock or any other securities of LFTD Partners Inc. CONTACTS: Gerard M. Jacobs, Chairman and CEO of LFTD Partners Inc. (847) 915-2446 GerardMJacobs@LFTDPartners.com www.LFTDPartners.com Nicholas S. Warrender, Vice Chairman and COO of LFTD Partners Inc. (224) 577-8148 CEO@urb.shop www.LFTDPartners.com William C. "Jake" Jacobs, President and CFO of LFTD Partners Inc. (847) 400-7660 JakeJacobs@LFTDPartners.com www.LFTDPartners.com SOURCE: LFTD Partners Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com U.S. tariff hikes on China's clean energy goods impede decarbonization: expert Xinhua) 10:36, May 15, 2024 RIYADH, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The Biden administration's significant tariff hikes on China's clean energy goods could severely hinder the United States' decarbonization efforts, a leading expert on energy strategy has warned. Robin Mills, chief executive officer of Qamar Energy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said in an article published Monday that the act is "purely politics," as Biden aims to protect manufacturing jobs in swing states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania in the current election year. According to media reports, the United States announced on Tuesday that it would impose increased tariffs on a variety of clean energy products from China, including electric vehicles (EVs), with EV tariffs jumping from 25 percent to 100 percent. Tariffs on solar panels, semiconductors, and other key green technologies are also expected to rise. In the article published on The National, a UAE state-owned daily newspaper, Mills, also author of The Myth of the Oil Crisis, said such a punitive tariff policy aims to suppress a rising China, out of "fears." "We needn't suppose such a punitive tariff policy applies only to imports from China," he said. "If India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, or anyone else becomes a serious competitor in new energy tech to American incumbents, they, too, will face trade barriers." In addition, the tariffs will slow down decarbonization in the United States, as making solar panels, batteries, EVs, and other green technologies more expensive and harder to qualify for subsidies contradicts the climate objectives, Mills said. "Emissions reductions will be slower. That is at odds with official climate objectives in the EU and from the U.S. Democratic Party," he said. Moreover, the tariff hikes would further chill the cold peace between the United States and China, damaging international cooperation on climate and on other key issues, the expert noted. Instead of trying to isolate economies, "we should work together in as broad and open networks as possible," including other constructive partners like Japan, South Korea, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, India, and Indonesia, Mills added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) BACKGROUND: ATHA Energy Corp. commenced its 2024 Exploration Program - the Company's most significant exploration program to date and one of the largest uranium focused exploration programs globally - in January of this year. The program targets Canada's most prospective regions for high-grade uranium discovery. 2024 EXPLORATION PROGRAM UPDATE: Gemini Project 2024 Exploration Program Phase I Geophysics (Complete) Ground Gravity Survey ("GGS") - (Completed February 2024): 92 Energy completed a comprehensive GGS focused on the Gemini Mineralized Zone ("GMZ") and surrounding area encompassing prospective parallel conductors. The results of the GGS were received in late March and highlight: The continuation of alteration associated with the GMZ Discovery to the southwest within the Gemini Project area. The identification of five large-scale gravity anomalies on parallel conductors, which are also coincident with EM anomalies and MAG lows. These anomalies are high-priority targets. Fleet Space's Exosphere Ambient Noise Tomography ("ANT") - (Completed April 2024): The ANT system is a non-intrusive, ground-based geophysical survey system designed to measure naturally-occurring seismic vibrations in the earth's crust caused by wave action, weather, and other anthropogenic activities. Results are pending, however, other ANT surveys completed in the Athabasca Basin have been successfully correlated with uranium mineralization and associated alteration of the surrounding rock mass. Phase II Target Development, Optimization, and Machine Learning (Currently Ongoing): Results from Phase I Geophysics, in addition to all data collected during previous exploration programs and an ongoing structural study conducted by SRK Consulting on the controls of uranium mineralization at GMZ, will be compiled and utilized to produce a detailed 3D geological model of the GMZ. The 3D geological model will be coupled with ATHA's proprietary machine learning process to further derisk and advance exploration targets at the GMZ and surrounding area prior to commencement of Phase III - Diamond Drilling. Athabasca Basin 2024 Exploration Program Phase I Geophysics (Complete): East Rim Exploration District: Completed Xcite TDEM and Stringer Mag surveys on East Vertex, additionally the Company completed a VTEM+ survey on East Zenith. West Rim Exploration District: Completed a MMT survey across the entire district. Phase II Geophysics (Ongoing): North Rim Exploration District: Completed a Gravity Hi-Res Mag survey over North Valour, North Beacon, and North Crest. Additionally, the Company will commence a MMT survey on North Pinnacle and a QMAGt survey on North Summit mid-May. Cable Bay Exploration District: Completed a Gravity Hi-Res Mag survey and is currently conducting an ANT survey on the Cable Bay Ridge Project. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ATHA Energy Corp. (TSX.V: SASK) (FRA: X5U) (OTCQB: SASKF) ("ATHA" or the "Company"), holder of the largest uranium exploration portfolio in two of the highest-grade uranium districts in the world, is pleased to provide an update on completed, ongoing, and pending geophysical surveys conducted as part of the Company's 2024 Exploration Program. At the 100%-owned Gemini Project located in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, the Company completed Phase I Geophysics of its 2024 Gemini Exploration Program, which consisted of a Ground Gravity Survey ("GGS") and Fleet Space's Exosphere Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT). Both surveys focused on the GMZ, and surrounding area encompassing prospective parallel conductors and aim to identify alterations that may indicate the presence of uranium mineralization. Results from Phase I are being utilized in the currently ongoing Phase II of the 2024 Gemini Exploration Program, which focuses on data compilation, target development, and optimization. The objective of Phase II is the development of a detailed 3D geological model of the GMZ that will be coupled with ATHA's proprietary machine learning. These processes will further derisk targets, optimize planning and execution during the Company's pending Phase III - Diamond Drill program, commencing in August of 2024. Additionally, the Company commenced its Athabasca Basin 2024 Exploration Program in January. The program is comprised of two Phases; Phase I is a continuation of the Company's maiden 2023 Exploration Program, which covers all of ATHA's Athabasca Basin projects with aerial EM and MAG. The objective of Phase I is to identify high-priority targets that will then undergo additional testing and derisking during Phase II. Phase I was completed during the first half of 2024. Phase II builds on the results from the maiden 2023 Exploration Program in addition to the results from Phase I. Projects where high-priority targets were identified are undergoing additional testing with geophysical systems such as QMAGt, MMT, Gravity, and ANT survey types. These additional surveys will further characterize and derisk previously identified high-priority targets and help to identify additional areas of interest. As part of Phase II the Company has completed four surveys across four projects on two of its Exploration Districts. One survey is ongoing with two additional surveys commencing mid-May. The Company is in the process of analyzing results that will then be evaluated and prioritized for testing during future drill programs. EXPLORATION OUTLOOK: The Company's core objective is discovery and development of its portfolio of uranium-focused projects. With the acquisition of Latitude Uranium and 92 Energy, ATHA's portfolio now totals 8.1 million acres across Canada's three most prospective jurisdictions for uranium discovery and development. The Company's portfolio is highly diversified across the exploration risk curve. With projects ranging from advanced exploration stage, like Angilak, which hosts the Lac 50 Deposit - one of the largest, highest-grade uranium deposits outside of the Athabasca Basin; to post-discovery projects like Gemini - which contains GMZ, a recent shallow, basement-style, high-grade uranium discovery on the eastern margin of the Athabasca Basin; through to highly prospective greenfields projects with numerous uranium occurrences and high-priority derisked geophysical targets. ATHA's exploration approach is designed to provide maximum exploration exposure by investing at scale in a large number of early-stage projects, derisking those targets, and seeking to deliver advanced exploration upside through the expansion of known uranium deposits and additional discoveries. ATHA's growth strategy is fully funded based on the Company's robust cash position. Figure 1: ATHA Energy - 2024 Exploration Program's Geophysical Surveys in the Athabasca Basin Troy Boisjoli, CEO added: "This year is set to be a significant step forward for ATHA, as we continue to make progress on a number of exploration programs across multiple basins within our exploration portfolio. The benefits of our exploration-at-scale approach are on full display with our current and planned exploration activity, as the combination of our dominant exploration portfolio and exceptional technical capacity have allowed us to deploy our most significant program to date and maximize discovery potential for the Company." Cliff Revering, VP Exploration added: "With the successful acquisition of Latitude Uranium and 92 Energy in the first quarter of 2024, Atha continues to execute on its strategy to invest at scale in its portfolio of diversified exploration assets. The 2024 exploration program is focused on advancing and developing our known deposits, discoveries, and Tier 1 generative projects, and to date we are on track to deliver on our plan." Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Cliff Revering, P.Eng., the Vice President, Exploration of ATHA, who is a "qualified person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About ATHA ATHA is a Canadian mineral company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of uranium assets in the pursuit of a clean energy future. The Company hosts a strategically balanced portfolio, including three 100%-owned post-discovery uranium projects. 1,2,3 For more information, please contact: Troy Boisjoli Chief Executive Officer Email: info@athaenergy.com www.athaenergy.com Historical Mineral Resource Estimates All mineral resources estimates presented in this news release are considered to be "historical estimates" as defined under NI 43-101, and have been derived from the following (See notes below). In each instance, the historical estimate is reported using the categories of mineral resources and mineral reserves as defined by the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Reserves, and mineral reserves at that time, and these "historical estimates" are not considered by ATHA to be current. In each instance, the reliability of the historical estimate is considered reasonable, but a Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource, and ATHA is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. The historical information provides an indication of the exploration potential of the properties but may not be representative of expected results. Notes on the Historical Mineral Resource Estimate for the Angilak Deposit: This estimate is considered to be a "historical estimate" under NI 43-101 and is not considered by any of to be current. See below for further details regarding the historical mineral resource estimate for the Angilak Property. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by geology, environment, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing or other relevant issues. The quality and grade of the reported inferred resource in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these inferred resources as an indicated or measured mineral resource, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an indicated or measured resource category. Contained value metals may not add due to rounding. A 0.2% U3O8 cut-off was used. The mineral resource estimate contained in this press release is considered to be "historical estimates" as defined under NI 43-101 and is not considered to be current. The "historical estimate" is derived from a Technical Report entitled "Technical Report and Resource Update For The Angilak Property, Kivalliq Region, Nunavut, Canada", prepared by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol. of APEX Geosciences, Robert Sim, B.Sc., P.Geo. of SIM Geological Inc. and Bruce Davis, Ph.D., FAusIMM of BD Resource Consulting Inc., dated March 1, 2013 for ValOre Metals Corp. As disclosed in the above noted technical report, the historical estimate was prepared under the direction of Robert Sim, P.Geo, with the assistance of Dr. Bruce Davis, FAusIMM, and consists of three-dimensional block models based on geostatistical applications using commercial mine planning software. The project limits area based in the UTM coordinate system (NAD83 Zone14) using nominal block sizes measuring 5x5x5m at Lac Cinquante and 5x3x3 m (LxWxH) at J4. Grade (assay) and geological information is derived from work conducted by Kivalliq during the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 field seasons. A thorough review of all the 2013 resource information and drill data by a Qualified Person, along with the incorporation of subsequent exploration work and results, which includes some drilling around the edges of the historical resource subsequent to the publication of the 2013 technical report, would be required in order to verify the Angilak Property historical estimate as a current mineral resource. The historical mineral resource estimate was calculated in accordance with NI 43-101 and CIM standards at the time of publication and predates the current CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May, 2014) and CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines (November, 2019). A thorough review of all historical data performed by a Qualified Person, along with additional exploration work to confirm results would be required to produce a current mineral resource estimate prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. Notes on the Historical Mineral Resource Estimate for the Moran Lake Deposit: Jeffrey A. Morgan, P.Geo. and Gary H. Giroux, P.Eng. completed a NI 43-101 technical report titled "Form 43-101F1 Technical Report on the Central Mineral Belt (CMB) Uranium Project, Labrador, Canada, Prepared for Crosshair Exploration & Mining Corp." and dated July 31, 2008, with an updated mineral resource estimate for the Moran Lake C-Zone along with initial mineral resources for the Armstrong and Area 1 deposits. They modelled three packages in the Moran Lake Upper C-Zone (the Upper C Main, Upper C Mylonite, and Upper C West), Moran Lake Lower C-Zone, two packages in Armstrong (Armstrong Z1 and Armstrong Z3), and Trout Pond. These mineral resources are based on 3D block models with ordinary kriging used to interpolate grades into 10 m x 10 m x 4 m blocks. A cut-off grade of 0.015% U3O8 was used for all zones other than the Lower C Zone which employed a cut-off grade of 0.035%. A thorough review of all historical data performed by a Qualified Person, along with additional exploration work to confirm results, would be required to produce a current mineral resource estimate prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 standards. Notes on the Historical Mineral Resource Estimate for the Anna Lake Deposit: The mineral resource estimate contained in this table is considered to be a "historical estimate" as defined under NI 43-101, and is not considered to be current and is not being treated as such. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources. A qualified person would need to review and verify the scientific information and conduct an analysis and reconciliation of historical drill and geological data in order to verify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. Reported by Bayswater Uranium Corporation in a Technical Report entitled "Form 43-101 Technical Report on the Anna Lake Uranium Project, Central Mineral Belt, Labrador, Canada", prepared by R. Dean Fraser, P.Geo. and Gary H. Giroux, P.Eng., dated September 30, 2009. A 3-dimensional geologic model of the deposit was created for the purpose of the resource estimate using the Gemcom/Surpac modeling software. A solid model was created using a minimum grade x thickness cutoff of 3 meters grading 0.03% U3O8. Intersections not meeting this cutoff were generally not incorporated into the model. The shell of this modeled zone was then used to constrain the mineralization for the purpose of the block model. Assay composites 2.5 meters in length that honoured the mineralized domains were used to interpolate grades into blocks using ordinary kriging. An average specific gravity of 2.93 was used to convert volumes to tonnes. The specific gravity data was acquired in-house and consisted of an average of seventeen samples collected from the mineralised section of the core. The resource was classified into Measured, Indicated or Inferred using semi-variogram ranges applied to search ellipses. All resources estimated at Anna Lake fall under the "Inferred" category due to the wide spaced drill density. An exploration program would need to be conducted, including twinning of historical drill holes in order to verify the Anna Lake Project estimate as a current mineral resource. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". These forward-looking statements or information may relate to ATHA's proposed exploration program, including statements with respect to the expected benefits of ATHA's proposed exploration program, any results that may be derived from ATHA's proposed exploration program, the timing, scope, nature, breadth and other information related to ATHA's proposed exploration program, any results that may be derived from the diversification of ATHA's portfolio, the prospects of ATHA's projects, including mineral resources estimates and mineralization of each project, the prospects of ATHA's business plans and any expectations with respect to defining mineral resources or mineral reserves on any of ATHA's projects, and any expectation with respect to any permitting, development or other work that may be required to bring any of the projects into development or production. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at the time, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such assumptions include, but are not limited to, assumptions that the anticipated benefits of ATHA's proposed exploration program will be realized, that no additional permit or licenses will be required in connection with ATHA's exploration programs, the ability of ATHA to complete its exploration activities as currently expected and on the current anticipated timelines, including ATHA's proposed exploration program, that that ATHA will be able to execute on its current plans, that ATHA's proposed explorations will yield results as expected, the synergies between ATHA, 92 Energy and Latitude Uranium's assets, and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner. Although ATHA 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 information 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 information. Such statements represent the current view of ATHA with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by ATHA, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: inability of ATHA to realize the benefits anticipated from the exploration and drilling targets described herein or elsewhere; in ability of ATHA to complete current exploration plans as presently anticipated or at all; inability for ATHA to economically realize on the benefits, if any, derived from the exploration program; failure to complete business plans as it currently anticipated; overdiversification of ATHA's portfolio; failure to realize on benefits, if any, of a diversified portfolio; unanticipated changes in market price for ATHA shares; changes to ATHA's current and future business and exploration plans and the strategic alternatives available thereto; growth prospects and outlook of the business of ATHA; any impacts of COVID-19 on the business of ATHA and the ability to advance the Company projects and its proposed exploration program; risks inherent in mineral exploration including risks related to worker safety, weather and other natural occurrences, accidents, availability of personnel and equipment, and other factors; aboriginal title; failure to obtain regulatory and permitting approvals; no known mineral resources/reserves; reliance on key management and other personnel; competition; changes in laws and regulations; uninsurable risks; delays in governmental and other approvals, community relations; stock market conditions generally; demand, supply and pricing for uranium; and general economic and political conditions in Canada and other jurisdictions where ATHA conducts business. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the filings of ATHA with the Canadian securities regulators which are available on ATHA's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. ATHA does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/58ef9c19-0b79-4a57-a9be-03b9a8f85bcb https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/503afa2d-63b8-489b-af68-9bc3986c997a 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. 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THOMPSON FALLS, MT / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / United States Antimony Corporation ("USAC" or the "Company" or "U.S. Antimony Corporation"), (NYSE American:UAMY) reports today its first quarter 2024 financial and operational results. Revenues for the first quarter of 2024 increased 28%, or $621k, to $2.83 million, compared to the first quarter of 2023, while cost of sales only increased 11%, or $192k, during the same period. This in-turn allowed gross profit to increase 108%, or $428k, quarter over quarter. Operating expenses increased $577k, or 183%, quarter over quarter to $892k, of which $205k of the increase was non-cash stock compensation. Additionally, the company reported federal grant income in the first quarter of last year of $85k, however, no federal grant income was reported in the first quarter of 2024. The Company reported net income of $86k for the three months ended March 31, 2024. As the Company announced on March 11, 2024, all operational activities in Mexico have ceased and this subsidiary is now reported as a "Discontinued Operation". Overhead was substantially reduced, and business brokers are currently being interviewed to handle future disposition of these assets and/or entities. The historical drain of these operations on USAC have ceased with this decision. The cash position of the Company at March 31, 2024 was $11.94 million, up $42k from December 31, 2023. Commenting on the First Quarter 2024 operational and financial results, Mr. Gary C. Evans, Chairman and Co-CEO of U.S. Antimony Corporation stated, "We believe this first quarter of 2024 was truly a turning point for the Company. We discontinued the historical money losing operations in Mexico and continued to improve the operational performance of the U.S. based assets. The financial results reported today exemplify that occurrence. Most importantly, we have also protected our strong cash position and continue to maintain an extremely liquid balance sheet." While we are active in making necessary management and supervisor changes at Bear River Zeolite (three new hires since January 29, 2024) and continue to enhance operations with both mechanical and equipment changes having been made, we still experienced over 30 days of downtime during the first quarter of 2024. This is unacceptable. However, we are seeing a dramatic improvement in the overall operating environment at Bear River Zeolite which is leading to higher throughput, improved customer order delivery times, and safety. These necessary improvements will be further observed in future financial reports to our shareholders. The demand for this universally accepted hard mineral continues to expand with a wide diversity of customers. It is also noteworthy that the worldwide antimony metal market price has increased over 34% from $5.31 per pound on December 31, 2023 to $7.14 per pound as of May 10, 2024. Our Thompson Falls antimony processing facility continues to run seamlessly under the direction of Gus Gustavsen, the Divisional President. As mentioned in our most recent conference call held on April 17, 2024, management is actively pursuing potential acquisition(s) in addition to new mineral leasing activities for both antimony and zeolite within the United States. Due to confidentiality and competitive reasons surrounding these ongoing activities, the Company is not yet in a position to further disclose these various transactions. About USAC: United States Antimony Corporation and its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Mexico ("USAC", the "Company", "Our", "Us", or "We") sell processed antimony, zeolite, and precious metals products in the U.S. and Canada. The Company processes antimony ore primarily into antimony oxide, antimony metal, and antimony trisulfide. Our antimony oxide is used to form a flame-retardant system for plastics, rubber, fiberglass, textile goods, paints, coatings and paper, as a color fastener in paint, and as a phosphorescent agent in fluorescent light bulbs. Our antimony metal is used in bearings, storage batteries, and ordnance. Our antimony trisulfide is used as a primer in ammunition. In its operations in Idaho, the Company mines and processes zeolite, a group of industrial minerals used in soil amendment and fertilizer, water filtration, sewage treatment, nuclear waste and other environmental cleanup, odor control, gas separation, animal nutrition, and other miscellaneous applications. We recover certain amounts of precious metals, primarily gold and silver, at our plant in Montana from antimony concentrates.? United States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) For the three months ended March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023 REVENUES $ 2,831,390 $ 2,210,844 COST OF REVENUES 2,008,486 1,816,001 GROSS PROFIT 822,904 394,843 OPERATING EXPENSES: General and administrative 455,394 141,271 Salaries and benefits 241,605 127,692 Professional fees 177,157 46,004 Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 17,494 - TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 891,650 314,967 INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS (68,746 ) 79,876 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Interest and investment income 150,851 122,372 Trademark and licensing income 6,368 7,525 Other miscellaneous income (expense) (2,372 ) 83,608 TOTAL OTHER INCOME 154,847 213,505 INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES 86,101 293,381 Income tax expense - - INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 86,101 293,381 Discontinued operations: Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (408,869 ) (1,100,365 ) Income tax expense - - Loss from discontinued operations (408,869 ) (1,100,365 ) Net loss (322,768 ) (806,984 ) Preferred dividends (1,875 ) (1,875 ) Net loss available to common stockholders $ (324,643 ) $ (808,859 ) Basic and diluted earnings per common share: Income from continuing operations $ nil $ nil Loss from discontinued operations $ nil $ (0.01 ) Net loss $ nil $ (0.01 ) Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 107,908,306 107,260,472 Diluted 107,908,306 107,260,472 United States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,941,298 $ 11,899,574 Certificates of deposit 22,216 72,898 Accounts receivable, net 1,057,742 625,256 Inventories, net 653,010 1,019,154 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 117,167 92,369 Current assets held for sale 215,110 366,955 Total current assets 14,006,543 14,076,206 Properties, plants and equipment, net 7,709,812 7,765,045 Restricted cash for reclamation bonds 55,060 55,061 Other assets 18,098 18,098 Non-current assets held for sale 6,215,574 6,180,585 Total assets $ 28,005,087 $ 28,094,995 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 403,441 $ 330,147 Accrued liabilities 117,822 109,341 Accrued liabilities - directors 167,059 124,810 Royalties payable 52,527 153,429 Long-term debt, current portion 7,170 28,443 Current liabilities held for sale 158,103 151,288 Total current liabilities 906,122 897,458 Stock payable to directors 38,542 38,542 Asset retirement obligations 1,119,832 1,101,561 Non-current liabilities held for sale 536,466 536,466 Total liabilities 2,600,962 2,574,027 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Preferred stock $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized: Series A: 0 shares issued and outstanding - - Series B: 750,000 shares issued and outstanding (liquidation preference $969,375 and $967,500, respectively) 7,500 7,500 Series C: 177,904 shares issued and outstanding (liquidation preference $97,847 both years) 1,779 1,779 Series D: 0 shares issued and outstanding - - Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 108,438,984 and 107,647,317 shares issued and outstanding, respectively 1,084,389 1,076,472 Additional paid-in capital 64,051,844 63,853,836 Accumulated deficit (39,741,387 ) (39,418,619 ) Total stockholders' equity 25,404,125 25,520,968 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 28,005,087 $ 28,094,995 United States Antimony Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS: Net income from continuing operations $ 86,101 $ 293,381 Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided (used) by operating activities of continuing operations: Depreciation and amortization 106,147 69,332 Accretion of asset retirement obligation 18,271 375 Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment 17,494 - Write down of inventory to net realizable value 80,143 - Share-based compensation 205,925 - Other non-cash items (15,695 ) 2,041 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable, net (432,486 ) (919,819 ) Inventories, net 286,001 (76,504 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (24,798 ) (141,852 ) Accounts payable 73,294 158,942 Accrued liabilities 8,481 (55,425 ) Accrued liabilities - directors 42,249 19,746 Royalties payable (100,902 ) (419,191 ) Net cash provided (used) by operating activities of continuing operations 350,225 (1,068,974 ) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS: Proceeds from redemption of certificates of deposit 50,682 - Purchases of properties, plant, and equipment (52,713 ) (501,202 ) Net cash used by investing activities of continuing operations (2,031 ) (501,202 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS: Payments on dividends payable - (787,730 ) Principal payments on long-term debt (21,273 ) (23,022 ) Net cash used by financing activities of continuing operations (21,273 ) (810,752 ) Net cash flows provided (used) by continuing operations 326,921 (2,380,928 ) CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS: Net cash used by operating activities (285,198 ) (1,204,818 ) Net cash used by investing activities - (113,568 ) Net cash flows used by discontinued operations (285,198 ) (1,318,386 ) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH 41,723 (3,699,314 ) | CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 11,954,635 19,117,666 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD $ 11,996,358 $ 15,418,352 NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Common stock buyback and retirement - $ 202,980 Conversion of Preferred Series D to Common Stock - $ 16,926 Forward-Looking Statements: Readers should note that, in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and intended to be covered by, the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based upon?current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company including matters related to the Company's operations, pending contracts and future revenues, financial performance, and profitability, ability to execute on its increased production and installation schedules for planned capital expenditures, and the size of forecasted deposits. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties. In addition, other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed in the Company's most recent filings, including Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.? Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "pro forma" and other similar words and expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and future?results could differ materially from historical performance. Contact: United States Antimony Corporation PO Box 643 47 Cox Gulch Rd. Thompson Falls, Montana 59873-0643 406-606-4117 E-Mail: info@usantimony.com SOURCE: United States Antimony Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - Atomic Minerals Corporation (TSXV: ATOM) ("ATOMIC MINERALS" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the identification of the Pistol Lake Target Zone ("PLTZ") following a comprehensive analysis of historical datasets at its Pistol Lake Project ("Pistol Lake"), in the Athabasca Basin of Northern Saskatchewan. As part of the comprehensive review of each of the properties acquired in the recent Saskatchewan acquisition, Grander Exploration Ltd. ("Grander") has identified a NE 3.5km coincidental mag and gravity low anomaly trending across the entire length of Pistol Lake property and extending onto Cameco claims to the SW and NE: the Pistol Lake Target Zone. (see April 16, 2023, April 23, 2023 news releases). Clive Massey, President, and CEO of Atomic Minerals expressed his optimism about the analysis: "The long-time exploration experience of the Grander Exploration team in northern Saskatchewan has led to the identification of an exploration target with considerable potential. While the Pistol Lake Target Zone was overlooked by Cameco, the Company feels it represents a significant opportunity with historic drilling in adjacent areas, like the Thorburn Lake Grid to the SW, encountering highly altered sandstones, a key indicator of potential deeper basement uranium. Until recently, Cameco amongst others, commonly drilled one run ( + 3m) into the basement and stopped; however, the recent Cameco success at Millenium, as well as Fission at PLS and NexGen at Arrow demonstrated following alteration well into the basement can lead to considerable success," he continued. Pistol Lake is completely surrounded by Cameco Corp. ("Cameco") and lies 600 metres north of their Sand Lake deposit and just west of Cigar Lake Uranium Mine (with reserves of over 200M pounds U3O8).1 Interestingly, the PLTZ was highlighted as a key area of interest from an extensive 2007 Falcon Airborne Gravity Gradiometer ("AGG Survey"), flown by Fugro Airborne Surveys Pty Ltd. ("Fugro") for Areva S.A. ("AREVA"), the French multinational group specializing in nuclear power headquartered in Courbevoie, France. The survey, which covered over 3,720 square kilometres, identified the PLTZ as one of the most significant findings, especially notable for its coincidental magnetic and gravity lows that align with high percentiles in radiometric readings indicating surface thorium and uranium.2 Further, historical data from the 2007 AGG Survey provided by Cameco under their Dawn Lake Project included a moving-loop Time Domain Electromagnetic ("TDEM") ground survey that extended through the region. Although this TDEM survey did not cover the Pistol Lake claim directly, the presence of conductors identified to both the NE and SW of the claim complements the intriguing features of the PLTZ. Previous drilling in adjacent areas, like the Thorburn Lake Grid, uncovered highly altered sandstones, heightening the prospective value of the surrounding sites.3 This discovery at Pistol Lake opens a promising chapter for Atomic Minerals as it seeks to explore and potentially develop this high-potential area. The Company plans to initiate detailed fieldwork in 2024 aimed at probing the uranium potential of Pistol Lake TZ. Atomic Minerals cautions the presence of uranium mineralization at Sand Lake, PLS, Millenium and Arrow are not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization at Pistol Lake. Sources: 1. Cameco Corp.: https://www.cameco.com/businesses/uranium-operations/canada/cigar-lake 2. Fugro Airborne Surveys (2007). Airborne Gravity Gradiometer Survey, Magnetic and Radiometric Geophysical Survey for BHP Billiton. Acquisition and Processing Report. Saskatchewan Energy and Resources Assessment Report 74I02-0079. 3. Hirsekorn, D., Bzdel, L., Hamel, C. and Yackulic, A. (2008). Dawn Lake Project 2007 Annual Exploration Report. Mineral Claim Groups (GC's) 45511, 45807, 45807, 45808, 45514, 45515, 45643 and ungrouped claims. NTS 64L/04, 05 and 74I01, 08. Saskatchewan Energy and Resources Assessment Report 74I01-0114. Qualified Person Mr. R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. (BC), an advisor to the Company, is the "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the technical contents of this news release and has approved the disclosure of the technical information contained herein. About the Company Atomic Minerals Corp. is a publicly listed exploration company on the TSX Venture Exchange, trading under the symbol ATOM, led by a highly skilled management and technical team with a proven track record in the junior mining sector. Atomic Minerals' objective is to identify exploration opportunities in regions that have been previously overlooked but are geologically similar to those with previous uranium discoveries. These underexplored areas hold immense potential and are in stable geopolitical and economic environments. Atomic Minerals' property portfolio contains uranium projects in three locations within North America, all of which have significant technical merit and or are known for hosting uranium production in the past. Three of the properties are located on the Colorado Plateau, an area which has previously produced 597 million pounds of U3O8; Three others are in the prolific Athabasca Basin region and nine uranium projects are located Northern Saskatchewan, encompassing a total exploration area of 6,495 hectares. For additional information about the Company and its projects, please visit our website at www.atomicminerals.ca ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Clive Massey" Clive H. Massey President & CEO For further information, please contact: info@atomicminerals.ca Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor their 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 news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Atomic Minerals Corporation believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Atomic Minerals Corporation management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Atomic Minerals Corporation undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. ### To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209196 SOURCE: Atomic Minerals Corp. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE: API) (OTCQX: APAAF) (FSE: A0I0) (MUN: A0I0) (BER: A0I0) (the "Company" or "Appia") announced today that it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding ("MOU") with 15997356 Canada Inc. (the "Purchaser") to option up to a 100% working interest in the Company's Elliot Lake Uranium Project ("Elliot Lake") located in Elliot Lake Ontario (the "Transaction"). The Transaction is subject to the parties entering into a Definitive Agreement setting out the terms and conditions for the Transaction. The Purchaser can earn a 51% interest in Elliot Lake by paying $25 million (the "Initial Cash Consideration") to Appia by October 31, 2024 (the "Closing Date of Stage One"). The Transaction is conditional upon the Purchaser providing a financing commitment to Appia on or before July 9, 2024, failing which Appia can terminate the Transaction. The Purchaser has the right to assign the MOU to another private or public company. If the Purchaser pays the Initial Cash Consideration to Appia by October 31, 2024, the Purchaser will hold a 51% interest in Elliot Lake and the parties will form a joint venture with the purchaser holding a 51% interest and Appia holding a 49% interest in Elliot Lake. The Purchaser will then have 36 months to obtain a bankable feasibility study with respect to the development of Elliot Lake. If the bankable feasibility study is not delivered within 36 months of the Closing Date of Stage One, the Purchaser will have the right to take an additional 12 months to complete the bankable feasibility study by paying Appia $5 million (the "Joint Venture Commencement Date"). The Purchaser will be responsible to make all expenditures relating to the bankable feasibility study. Upon the delivery of a bankable feasibility study, the Purchaser can earn the remaining 49% interest in Elliot Lake by paying $50 million to Appia. Appia will retain up to a 2% Uranium Production Payment Royalty and up to a 2% Net Smelter Returns Royalty in Elliot Lake, subject to the existing royalties on the Elliot Lake property. If the Purchaser has not delivered the bankable feasibility study by the Joint Venture Commencement Date, the Purchaser and Appia will proceed with the joint venture with the Purchaser having the obligation to make the first $15 million in expenditures at Elliot Lake to maintain its 51% interest. Thereafter, the parties will contribute pro rata to the further exploration and development of Elliot Lake subject to the standard terms of a joint venture pursuant to which the parties will be diluted pro rata for failure to make the required contributions to the joint venture. If the Purchaser fails to make the first $15 million in expenditures within 24 months following the Joint Venture Commencement Date, it will immediately be reduced to a 33 1/3% interest in Elliot Lake with Appia's interest being increased to a 66 2/3% interest. Appia will then become the operator under the joint venture agreement for the further exploration and development of Elliot Lake. The Transaction is subject to satisfactory completion of due diligence, the execution of a definitive agreement and the fulfilment of certain conditions precedent as are customary for a transaction of this nature including regulatory approval. About Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. Appia is a publicly traded Canadian company in the rare earth element and uranium sectors. The Company holds the right to acquire up to a 70% interest in the PCH Ionic Adsorption Clay Project (See June 9th, 2023 Press Release - Click HERE) which is 40,963.18 ha. in size and located within the Goias State of Brazil. (See January 11th, 2024 Press Release - Click HERE) The Company is also focusing on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on the Alces Lake property, and exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its Otherside, Loranger, North Wollaston, and Eastside properties. The Company holds the surface rights to exploration for 94,982.39 hectares (234,706.59 acres) in Saskatchewan. The Company also has a 100% interest in 13,008 hectares (32,143 acres), with rare earth elements and uranium deposits over five mineralized zones in the Elliot Lake Camp, Ontario. Appia has 136.3 million common shares outstanding, 145 million shares fully diluted. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information, visit www.appiareu.com. As part of our ongoing effort to keep investors, interested parties and stakeholders updated, we have several communication portals. If you have any questions online (X, Facebook, LinkedIn) please feel free to send direct messages. To book a one-on-one 30-minute Zoom video call, please click here. Contact: Tom Drivas, CEO and Director (c) (416) 876-3957 (f) (416) 218-9772 (e) tdrivas@appiareu.com Stephen Burega, President (c) (647) 515-3734 (e) sburega@appiareu.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209216 SOURCE: Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - OBSIDIAN ENERGY LTD. (TSX: OBE) (NYSE American: OBE) ("Obsidian Energy", the "Company", "we", "us" or "our") today disclosed details regarding a commercial dispute with the Woodland Cree First Nation (the "WCFN"). The Company provided this disclosure in response to misleading statements made by the WCFN's senior leadership, the establishment of WCFN blockades at two of our sites, and the breach of a court order by the WCFN. "The WCFN is attempting to coerce us into providing payments to them that are similar to production royalties, even though we already pay royalties to the Alberta government for production on these Crown lands," said Stephen Loukas, Obsidian Energy's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The WCFN also wants to act as an exclusive agent for services used by the Company and charge excessive amounts for service contracts. These are not reasonable terms for a resolution to the blockade." Obsidian Energy met all consultation obligations with the WCFN in both our current and past operations. Moreover, from the onset of our negotiations with the WCFN, we have consistently explained that all of our current producing wells and future drilling locations are situated on Crown land at a significant distance from the WCFN reservation. Contrary to recent WCFN news releases, the WCFN does not have an approval right over any aspect of Obsidian Energy's future development plans. We have long-standing respectful relationships with many Indigenous groups in Alberta and provide support through commercial service contracts and philanthropic donations. In that spirit, we offered the WCFN a generous package that includes the opportunity to garner a significant percentage of an estimated $24 million in forecasted pad site construction work between 2024 - 20261, subject to the receipt of competitive rates and other customary conditions. At the same time, we continued to provide the opportunity for other Indigenous groups in Alberta to participate in the Company's construction work. The offer also includes community funding payments and compensation for appropriate resourcing by the WCFN to assess and consult in respect of our potential development. The offer has been open since February, but the WCFN has not accepted it. In a further attempt to reach a resolution, Obsidian Energy executives travelled to Peace River on Monday, May 13, 2024, for meetings mediated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ("RCMP"). The WCFN leaders left those meetings on two occasions within minutes without making any attempt to enter into any reasonable level of dialogue to find a path forward to resolving this dispute. WCFN BLOCKADES AND LOST SERVICE CONTRACTS In April, Obsidian Energy provided companies affiliated with the WCFN the opportunity to compete for two commercial contracts, one for pad site construction within our Walrus operating area and one for the supply of gravel for field maintenance and construction. Regrettably, the submissions by the WCFN companies were materially higher (in excess of 30 percent for the pad construction work) than those of the successful bidders, both of whom are partnered with other Indigenous groups in Alberta. On May 5, 2024, approximately 48 hours after learning of its second contract loss, the WCFN established a blockade near the Company's Walrus field in the Peace River area, interfering with the ability of Obsidian Energy employees and third-party contractors to access the site. The timing clearly indicates that the blockade was directly related to the lost service contracts. At the time the blockade was established, the Walrus field was producing approximately 1,275 net barrels of oil per day ("bbl/d") consisting of approximately 600 bbl/d of base production and 675 bbl/d of new production from the 15-19-082-16W5 pad, which was recently brought online and was early in the process of recovering fluid. The WCFN stated that it would not allow operations to continue in the Walrus field and as a result, Obsidian Energy was forced to shut in the production on May 5, 2024. On May 11, 2024, the WCFN relocated its blockade approximately 11 kilometres west to the entrance of the Company's Harmon Valley South ("HVS") field, interfering with the ability of Obsidian Energy employees and third-party contractors to access the sites. Obsidian Energy took immediate action to ensure the safe evacuation of our employees and contractors while notifying all appropriate regulatory authorities including the RCMP, the Alberta Energy Regulator ("AER") and the County of Northern Sunrise. At the time the blockade was established, the HVS field was producing approximately 4,500 net barrels of oil equivalent per day ("boe/d"). The Walrus field production was promptly restarted, and attempts were made to negotiate with the WCFN, through the RCMP, to allow for safe access to the HVS field to continue operations. The HVS field contains critical infrastructure (as defined in the Alberta Critical Infrastructure Defense Act) including oil and gas production sites, pipelines and related infrastructure. Similar to the Walrus blockade, the WCFN stated that they would not allow operations to continue in the HVS field. On Sunday, May 12, 2024, after several unsuccessful attempts to contact and negotiate with the WCFN, Obsidian Energy was escorted into the field by the RCMP to shut in production. WCFN'S BREACH OF A COURT ORDER AND A RESOLUTION AGREEMENT The WCFN's blockades constitute a breach of a court order and breach of a resolution agreement (the "Resolution Agreement") dated February 23, 2024, between the Company and the WCFN. The Resolution Agreement was a response to the establishment of certain monitoring camps by the WCFN in the vicinity of a number of Obsidian Energy work sites, and in return for the resumption of certain pad site construction work and additional maintenance work awarded to the WCFN. As part of the Resolution Agreement, the WCFN agreed to not counsel, encourage or facilitate any of its members to physically prevent, impede, restrict or in any way physically interfere with any person or vehicle travelling to or accessing the specified work areas, including but not limited to sites in the Walrus field and the HVS field. Obsidian Energy secured the Resolution Agreement with a consent injunction order (the "Consent Injunction Order") in the event of a breach by the WCFN. In response to the WCFN's breach of the Resolution Agreement, Obsidian Energy obtained the Consent Injunction Order from the Court of King's Bench of Alberta (the "Court") on May 6, 2024. The Court ordered the WCFN to remove its blockade. Despite the Consent Injunction Order having been obtained legally and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Resolution Agreement, WCFN Chief Isaac Laboucan-Avirom burned the Consent Injunction Order on May 7, 2024, in the presence of the RCMP after being served by a bailiff. It is clear from both our direct dialogue with the WCFN, as well as its public news releases that the WCFN believes it has negotiating leverage over Obsidian Energy because of our publicly announced three-year Peace River growth plan. In reality, we have the ability to redeploy capital within our Peace River asset and within other parts of our portfolio to achieve our future growth objectives. The Company and our leadership team has the support of our shareholders, who do not want Obsidian Energy burdened with uncompetitive contracts and additional payments demanded by the WCFN. Stephen Loukas continued, "We have a duty to our shareholders to make prudent use of our assets (including financial) and to our suppliers to be fair when awarding contracts. We will continue to use our strict procurement process to award contracts, based on qualifications, Indigenous content, experience, and health, safety and environmental practices that result in a selection that is the best value proposition for the Company and the local community. The WCFN-affiliated companies can certainly win future contracts with us, as they have in the past, if their bids are competitive." "However, notwithstanding that our offer to the WCFN remains open, it is currently difficult to see a clear path to a negotiated resolution of our commercial dispute with the WCFN. We reserve the right to pursue all legal means to restore the lawful operation of our HVS field, and may, without further notice, commence civil litigation against the WCFN and related parties for damages, including but not limited to all foregone revenue on shut-in production." ADDITIONAL READER ADVISORIES OIL AND GAS INFORMATION ADVISORY Barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of crude oil is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency conversion ratio of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis is misleading as an indication of value. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements or information (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the safe harbour provisions of applicable securities legislation. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. In addition, statements relating to "reserves" or "resources" are deemed to be forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves and resources described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and can be profitably produced in the future. In particular, this document contains forward-looking statements pertaining to, without limitation, the following: our ability to redeploy capital within our Peace River asset and other parts of our portfolio to achieve our growth objectives; how we plan to conduct or procurement process; our expectations in connection with the negotiations with the WFCN commercial dispute; and our expectations regarding legal actions in the future. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Obsidian Energy. Although Obsidian Energy believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because Obsidian Energy can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. By its nature, such forward-looking statements and information are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results and expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: whether the Company is in compliance with all regulatory requirements; the possibility that we change our 2024 capital plans in response to internal and external factors, including those described herein; risks and uncertainties related to oil and gas interests and operations on Indigenous lands; the possibility that the Company will not be able to continue to successfully execute our business plans (including the three-year growth plan) and strategies in part or in full, and the possibility that some or all of the benefits that the Company anticipates will accrue to our Company and our stakeholders as a result of the successful execution of such plans and strategies do not materialize; unanticipated operating events or environmental events that can reduce production or cause production to be shut-in or delayed (including extreme cold during winter months, wild fires, flooding, drought and warm weather in the spring and summer months), including inability to access our properties due to blockades or other activism and delays in obtaining regulatory approvals and third party consents. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such forward-looking statements and information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements and information. Obsidian Energy gives no assurance that any of the events anticipated will transpire or occur, or, if any of them do, what benefits Obsidian Energy will derive from them. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information contained herein. Readers should also carefully consider the matters discussed that could affect Obsidian Energy, or its operations or financial results in Obsidian Energy's Annual Information Form (see "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" therein) for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is available on the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca), EDGAR website (www.sec.gov) or Obsidian Energy's website. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Unless otherwise specified, the forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document. Except as expressly required by applicable securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Obsidian Energy shares are listed on both the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada and the NYSE American in the United States under the symbol "OBE". All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. CONTACT OBSIDIAN ENERGY Suite 200, 207 - 9th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 1K3 Phone: 403-777-2500 Toll Free: 1-866-693-2707 Website: www.obsidianenergy.com; Investor Relations: Toll Free: 1-888-770-2633 E-mail: investor.relations@obsidianenergy.com 1 Information regarding our growth plan, including but not limited to pad construction, beyond 2024 is based on various factors and assumptions that are subject to change including regarding production levels, commodity prices, operating and other costs and capital expenditure levels. This information is provided for illustration purposes only and is based on budgets and plans that have not been finalized and are subject to a variety of contingencies including prior years' results. See "Forward-Looking Statements" for further details. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209236 SOURCE: Obsidian Energy Ltd. LAVAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) today announced the results of its 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. Annual Meeting Results The 10 directors nominated at the Company's 2024 annual meeting of shareholders held on May 14, 2024, were elected by a vote of the shareholders. The detailed results of the vote for the election of directors are set out below: Name For Withheld Broker Non-Votes Thomas J. Appio 181,373,219 10,918,741 70,931,303 Christian A. Garcia 181,143,285 11,148,675 70,931,303 Brett M. Icahn 170,144,670 22,147,290 70,931,303 Sarah B. Kavanagh 180,316,464 11,975,496 70,931,303 Frank D. Lee 173,147,642 19,144,318 70,931,303 Steven D. Miller 177,700,669 14,591,291 70,931,303 Richard C. Mulligan, Ph.D. 175,256,854 17,035,106 70,931,303 John A. Paulson 179,422,691 12,869,269 70,931,303 Robert N. Power 173,228,670 19,063,290 70,931,303 Amy B. Wechsler, M.D. 181,626,477 10,665,483 70,931,303 At the annual meeting of shareholders, shareholders also approved, in a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers, an amendment to the Company's 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number of common shares authorized for issuance thereunder, and appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm until the close of the Company's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. For the purposes of Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) approval with respect to the Plan, the Company relied on the exemption set forth in Section 602.1 of the TSX Company Manual, which provides that the TSX will not apply its standards to certain transactions involving eligible inter-listed issuers on a recognized exchange, such as the NYSE. The final vote tabulation on all matters voted on at the meeting will be reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on a current report on Form 8-K, and such report will be made available on the Company's SEDAR profile and on the Company's website at www.bauschhealth.com. About Bausch Health Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) is a global diversified pharmaceutical company enriching lives through our relentless drive to deliver better health care outcomes. We develop, manufacture and market a range of products primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, dermatology, international pharmaceuticals and eye health, through our controlling ownership of Bausch + Lomb Corporation. Our ambition is to be a globally integrated healthcare company, trusted and valued by patients, HCPs, employees and investors. For more information, visit www.bauschhealth.com and connect with us on LinkedIn. ### Investor Contact: Garen Sarafian ir@bauschhealth.com (877) 281-6642 (toll free) Media Contact: Kevin Wiggins corporate.communications@bauschhealth.com (908) 541-3785 SOURCE: Bausch Health Companies Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Partnership recognizes EverWind as a leading green hydrogen project globally ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EverWind Fuels ("EverWind"), a leading North American developer of a green fuels hub centered in Atlantic Canada, was joined today by officials from the Province of Nova Scotia in announcing a partnership with the Port of Rotterdam to advance the green hydrogen supply chain. Port of Rotterdam is Europe's largest seaport, and is the manager, operator and developer of the Rotterdam port and industrial areas. The Port of Rotterdam is an important energy port for Northwest Europe and a key distribution channel to Germany's industrial heartland, the Ruhr area. With this partnership, EverWind's green hydrogen production from its projects in Atlantic Canada will support Port of Rotterdam's establishment of an international hub for hydrogen production, import, application, and transport to other countries in Northwest Europe. Three times as much energy is now transported via Rotterdam than is consumed in the whole of the Netherlands, with expectations to import eighteen million tonnes of hydrogen via Rotterdam in 2050. There are several advanced developments in the Port of Rotterdam to receive green ammonia as early as 2026, with ammonia and hydrogen users within the Port of Rotterdam complex and connected to its various green fuels corridors. EverWind recently completed front-end engineering design (FEED), which included over 110,000 hours of engineering, marking a major milestone in the development of its project and represents the first announced completion of FEED for a large-scale green hydrogen and green ammonia production facility in North America. Quotes: "We are excited for EverWind to support the establishment of Port of Rotterdam as the leading port for sustainable energy. Rotterdam has been a trusted hub for decades - it is now ready and able to make the switch to hydrogen, and we are excited for EverWind's green hydrogen and green ammonia production to be among the first volumes from North America to land in Europe." Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority "Nova Scotia is poised to be a world leader in the production of green hydrogen. Our Government is excited to host EverWind's Point Tupper project which will bring green jobs and a clean, sustainable future for Nova Scotians. Green hydrogen leadership will help us and our global partners develop our green economies and fight climate change." The Honourable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia "Establishing successful green hydrogen projects requires establishing a global supply chain, and we are excited to work with Port of Rotterdam, Europe's largest seaport to support this endeavour. We're confident that our projects in Atlantic Canada will produce the greenest, most cost-competitive green hydrogen in North America to decarbonize carbon-intensive processes domestically and abroad." Trent Vichie Founder and CEO, EverWind Fuels About EverWind Fuels EverWind is North America's leading independent green hydrogen developer. EverWind received the first Environmental Approval in North America for a large-scale green hydrogen project, and is well progressed in design, engineering, and development for the first phase of both its green energy generation projects and the production facility which will convert this energy into green hydrogen and green ammonia. EverWind owns and operates the deepest ice-free berth on the East Coast of North America, with world class access to rail, roads, and pipelines. Our safety-first culture, evidenced through 18 years without a lost time injury, reflects a highly skilled and extensively certified workforce. EverWind has three First Nations equity partners and is a champion for meaningful engagement with Rightsholders and the advancement of social and economic reconciliation. At a local level, the company works closely with municipalities and stakeholder organizations. EverWind is also concurrently developing a world scale green fuels project on the Burin Peninsula in Newfoundland & Labrador. This project will be critical in delivering the scale and competitive wind resource required to support the green energy transition ambitions of some of the largest industrial companies in the world. EverWind is currently preparing its environmental approval application and to date has collected 17 months of environmental data and is executing the largest wind measurement campaign in the province. EverWind continues to engage with communities and stakeholders on the Burin Peninsula and work closely with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure the economic, social, and environmental prosperity of the region for generations to come. EverWind is led by Trent Vichie, a co-founder of Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, and a former Blackstone Partner. EverWind's development team consists of over 20 members who have previously held senior positions at various infrastructure, private equity, renewable power, engineering, and utility companies. EverWind is also supported by a world-class advisory team including Black & Veatch, ILF, RES, Strum Consulting, McInnes Cooper, King & Spalding, McKinsey, CIBC, and Citi. Contact Adam Langer Director, Public Affairs info@everwindfuels.com (902) 201-0643 Woburn, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - SinglePoint Inc (CBOE: SING) ("SinglePoint" or "the Company") subsidiary Boston Solar, a proud partner of the Boston Red Sox and a leading provider of solar energy solutions, is proud to announce its latest commercial solar venture with the approval of a significant solar project for a civil construction company in Waltham, MA. This project marks a significant milestone for Boston Solar as it continues to expand its footprint in the Massachusetts solar market. Boston Solar To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6548/209246_9eacbd7fc4568bb8_001full.jpg The comprehensive engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services provided by Boston Solar will encompass the installation of two solar energy systems. The primary system will be a 113.98kW DC solar array featuring a total of 235 Hanwha 485 solar panels. Accompanying this will be a secondary 22.31kW DC system, collectively aiming to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the client's operations. With a combined estimated year 1 production of 169,958kWh, Boston Solar's innovative approach to renewable energy solutions will not only help the civil construction company reduce its reliance on traditional energy sources but also contribute to environmental sustainability efforts in the Waltham community. "We are excited to embark on this journey with our partners in Waltham," said Michael Morlino, President of Boston Solar. "By leveraging our expertise in solar energy solutions, we aim to not only meet but exceed the energy needs of our clients while driving positive change towards a more sustainable future." The project, currently progressing through the permitting phase, underscores Boston Solar's commitment to delivering tailored solar solutions that meet the unique requirements of commercial clients. As the permitting process moves forward, Boston Solar remains dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition from engineering to implementation, prioritizing efficiency and quality throughout every stage of the project. For more information about Boston Solar and its services, please visit www.bostonsolar.us. About Boston Solar Boston Solar is a subsidiary of SinglePoint Inc. (CBOE: SING) Since its founding in 2011, Boston Solar has installed more than 5,000 residential and commercial solar arrays, powering thousands of homes and businesses in New England, primarily in Massachusetts. The mission of Boston Solar is to provide superior clean energy products, exceptional customer service, and the highest-quality artistry in residential and commercial installations. Boston Solar has accumulated several distinctions of recognition of the company's outstanding triumphs: Honored with the 2020 Guildmaster Award from GuildQuality, the award acknowledged how Boston Solar demonstrated exceptional customer service within the residential construction industry. Named a Top Solar Contractor by Solar Power World magazine for five consecutive years. Applauded by the Boston Business Journal's "Largest Clean Energy Companies in Massachusetts" list. Boston Solar is a Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE) member. About SinglePoint Inc. SinglePoint Inc. is a renewable energy and sustainable lifestyle company focused on providing environmentally friendly energy efficiencies and healthy living solutions. SinglePoint is initially focused on building the largest network of renewable energy solutions and modernizing the traditional solar and energy storage model. The Company is also actively exploring future growth opportunities in air purification, electric vehicle charging, solar as a subscription service, and additional energy efficiencies that enhance sustainability and a healthier life. For more information, visit the Company's website (www.singlepoint.com). Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential plans and objectives of the Company, the use of proceeds, anticipated growth and future expansion, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. Investor Relations Contact: SinglePoint Inc investor@singlepoint.com 888-682-7464 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209246 SOURCE: Hawk Point Media Group. PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / RAADR, Inc. (OTC PINK:RDAR) a technology and development company that provides cutting edge software solutions to detect and combat cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment throughout the internet on social media platforms is pleased to announce that it has been officially approved for Trademark rights on its name and logo on May 7th , 2024 by the United States Patent and Trademark office. RAADR's Trademark registration number is 7378628. The Trademark consists of a shape of concentric circles with an arrow pointing to the third circle. The stylized wording "RAADR" in bold capital letters is on the right side of the concentric circles and can be found at the link below: https://tsdr.uspto.gov/caseNumber=97881088&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch CEO Jacob DiMartino stated, "This is one of many small steps the company is taking to protect its corporate brand and proprietary products as we expand our influence in the tech industry." Contact Information Twitter: @raadr_ Youtube: @raadr2987 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Raadr2021/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raadr_/ Email: ir@raadr.com Website: https://www.raadr.com Forward Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. The words 'believe,' 'may,' 'estimate,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'should,' 'plan,' 'could,' 'target,' 'potential,' 'is likely,' 'will,' 'expect' and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Some or all of the results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not be achieved. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. SOURCE: Raadr, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com By SA Commercial Prop News A panel of experts at the South African Property Owners' Association (Sapoa)'s annual conference told attendees that there were numerous long-term investment opportunities in the country many of which were in real estate. South Africa still offers a viable commercial property sector regardless of the country's current economic malaise SA Commercial Prop News has learned. SAs commercial real estate sector leads the African continent, with a maturity and sophistication that compares favourably with any developed market. A panel of experts at the South African Property Owners' Association (Sapoa)'s annual conference which took place last week in Cape Town, told attendees that there were numerous long-term investment opportunities in the country many of which were in real estate. "Property is a long-term investment in any country. The economy may be weak now, but things will improve, and growth will return," Evan Robins, listed property manager for Old Mutual Investment Groups MacroSolutions boutique said. Barnaby Fletcher, a senior analyst at Control Risks for southern Africa said the major risk to investing in South African property was policy uncertainty. We are hopeful that Cyril Ramaphosa and his new government can quickly publicize and then implement clear policies, he said. The panel also included David Cohen, the managing director of Signatura Property Developments and Preston Mendenhall, executive vice president at Rendeavour UK. Rendeavour currently focusses its capital on developing African markets such as Nairobi, Kenya and Lusaka, Zambia. Mendenhall said the potential returns were higher in these countries than in SA, partly because the major cities here were grow from low bases. There was strong employment growth and infrastructure was being created at a healthy pace. This created investment opportunities. SA just didnt offer projects of similar size. Also, these investment companies would struggle to compete with established players in SA such as Growthpoint Properties and Redefine Properties. While some investors want to benefit from capital growth in Africa, some want to enjoy income growth. When asked why only SA and Kenya have real estate investment trusts which are property funds that are forced to pay out much of their income as dividends, Robins said there was not yet enough investment grade stock which could be pooled into these trusts. It would take years but high-grade property would be developed and eventually many African countries would have real estate investment trusts listed on their exchanges. Right now, South Africans could invest in Grit Real Estate, a JSE listed company which owned assets in some seven African countries. Grit paid dividends in US dollars. Meanwhile, Cohen said his company was continuing to invest in niche markets in SA. Signatura was launched by John Rabie, the founder of the Rabie housing group, in July 2012. Signatura develops very high-end apartments. We go wherever the returns are and we are finding that in SA in residential. If you understand who you are developing for you can succeed. We understand who our customer is and are managing to maintain growth through an economic recession, Cohen said. Cohen said Cape Towns luxury apartment market still offered opportunities if developers were clever and adapted their projects according to space constraints. An example of a successful project was The Onyx. This development on Cape Towns Foreshore includes studio apartments sized from 35m2 to 200m2. Sales at the development have been very healthy with some 219 units already sold. The property is owned by Nedbank and was designed by architecture firm, Robert Silke. It was built from a conversion which Cohen said made it easier to make the development sustainable. It includes a hotel component which is administered by Newmark Hotels. Cohen says African and European billionaires have acquired units in the development. Strategic partnership enables companies to combine technology offerings and streamline NGS workflows Genomics solutions provider Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) and Bio-IT company Molecular Health have entered into a global multi-year agreement, starting in the U.S., to integrate their next generation sequencing (NGS) capabilities. The partnership pairs IDT's Archer NGS research assay platform with Molecular Health's variant annotation and reporting software to equip molecular researchers with tertiary analysis for their NGS data, maximizing lab efficiency and streamlining genomics data workflows to accelerate cancer discoveries. The collaboration also extends access to research customers in the genomic profiling space through IDT's nationwide footprint. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515774721/en/ IDT and Molecular Health's strategic partnership enables the companies to combine technology offerings and streamline NGS workflows to accelerate cancer discoveries. (Graphic: Business Wire) "NGS remains a critical research tool used to understand the biology and pathology of cancer," said Steve Wowk, Vice President/General Manager, Gene Reading Business Unit at IDT. "As the pace of innovation drives the cancer research community's understanding of how biomarkers are associated with the onset, progression and treatment of disease, their research now requires more complete tools inclusive of high-performance chemistries along with the ability to manage and annotate an ever-expanding biomarker knowledgebase. Our partnership with Molecular Health reflects another step toward our goal of delivering on our customers' needs and solving their problems by equipping them with a more efficient path to advance genomic discoveries through NGS in support of the fight against cancer." The rapid discovery of variants that impacted the scientific field over the past five years has generated increased market demand for large targeted NGS panels, and scientists are now focused on harnessing the volume of information that these assays provide. Since the acquisition of Archer NGS research assays in 2022, IDT has been innovating on the Archer NGS platform, as reflected by this strategic partnership and three new cancer-focused product releases in 2023, including the launch of new automation-friendly liquid reagents, and RNA- and DNA-based research assays aimed at comprehensive profiling inclusive of complex genomic signatures. This continued expansion of IDT's NGS tools portfolio has been critical for researchers looking to advance cancer discoveries. "Cancer and other diseases can be caused by inherited or acquired genetic conditions. Understanding the consequences of mutations requires precise data generation and analysis," said Friedrich von Bohlen, PhD, CEO of Molecular Health. "The combination of IDT's and Molecular Health's NGS products and expertise enables high-quality, end-to-end integration plus a deep understanding of sequencing data. Our proprietary Dataome knowledge base allows clients to go beyond the generation of genomic data. It provides contextualization of variants to unlock the value of the data for researchers in the growing field of molecular profiling and discovery." To learn more about the partnership, or request a quote, visit https://www.idtdna.com/pages/landing/archer-request-a-consultation. About IDT For more than 35 years, Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (IDT) has empowered genomics laboratories with an oligonucleotide manufacturing process unlike anyone else in the industry, with the most advanced synthesis, modification, purification, and quality control capabilities available. Since its founding in 1987, IDT has progressed from a leading oligo manufacturer to a genomics solutions provider supporting key application areas such as next generation sequencing, CRISPR genome editing, synthetic biology, digital PCR, and RNA interference. IDT manufactures products used by scientists researching many forms of cancer and most inherited and infectious diseases. Seeking to fulfill its mission of accelerating the pace of genomics, IDT acquired Archer NGS Research Assays in December 2022. When combined with its existing solutions, the expanded portfolio helps realize the shared vision of enabling researchers to rapidly move from the lab to life-changing advances. IDT's infrastructure supports customers around the globe with manufacturing headquarters situated in Coralville, Iowa, USA, and additional manufacturing sites in San Diego, California, USA; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Leuven, Belgium; and Singapore. IDT is proud to be part of Danaher. Danaher's science and technology leadership puts IDT's solutions at the forefront of the industry, so they can reach more people. Being part of Danaher means we can offer unparalleled breadth and depth of expertise and solutions to our customers. Together with Danaher's other businesses across biotechnology, diagnostics, and life sciences, we unlock the transformative potential of cutting-edge science and technology to improve billions of lives every day. For more information about IDT, visit www.idtdna.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Disclaimer: RUO For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, IDT does not intend these products to be used in clinical applications and does not warrant their fitness or suitability for any clinical diagnostic use. About Molecular Health Molecular Health is a leading provider of data-driven software technology and solutions. For more than 10 years, Molecular Health has been dedicated to building software solutions that leverage a unique symbiosis of human expertise, state-of-the-art data curation, and deep analytics. The company's mission is to transform the world's biomedical knowledge into actionable insights. In the partnership with IDT, Molecular Health offers leading-edge software for analyzing genetic and molecular data. Outside of this partnership, Molecular Health offers Pharma AI solutions for indication and biomarker finding, target identification, trial design and endpoint optimization, and safety prediction based on the Dataome technology. Molecular Health's proprietary Dataome technology integrates and contextualizes biomedical, molecular and drug-related data to provide a profound understanding of the etiology of health and disease conditions. For more information about Molecular Health, please visit www.molecularhealth.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515774721/en/ Contacts: Kristina Sarenas Director of PR 800-328-2661 (USA Canada) +1 319-626-8400 (outside USA) idtpr@idtdna.com Asahi Kasei announced today that it will construct its previously announced integrated lithium-ion battery (LIB) separator plant in Port Colborne, which is in the Niagara region of Ontario, Canada. The new manufacturing facility will operate as Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada and is expected to create highly skilled, good paying jobs in manufacturing and construction. The start of commercial production is currently slated for 2027. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515368800/en/ Conceptual rendering of Asahi Kasei's Port Colborne facility (Graphic: Business Wire) Koshiro Kudo, President Representative Director of Asahi Kasei Corporation, who attended for the location announcement event, stated, "As demand for electric vehicles and the lithium-ion batteries that power them continues to rise, we are eager to bring the first Hipore wet-process lithium-ion separator manufacturing facility to Canada. Backed by the abundant renewable resources, skilled talent and strong local community support here in Port Colborne, we will be able to better serve our partners in the region as well as the broader North American automotive market from this facility." The Hipore wet-process separators to be produced at the Port Colborne facility are among the most highly engineered and critical components of LIBs used in EVs and other energy storage applications. On April 25, 2024, Asahi Kasei announced an initial investment of approximately 180 billion JPY (CAD$ 1.56 billion) to install approximately 700 million square meters of annual Hipore separator capacity at this new Canadian facility. Asahi Kasei will receive support for the project from the provincial government of Ontario, through its investment attraction agency, Invest Ontario, and will benefit from the federal government's new Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit (ITC). About Asahi Kasei Corporation The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world as a diversified group of companies that operates in the Material, Homes and Health Care business sectors. Founded in Japan in 1922, Asahi Kasei has over 100 years of manufacturing experience and is a pioneer in battery-related technology. The core of its Energy Storage business is the lithium-ion battery separator a microporous membrane that provides a barrier between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery, preventing short circuits while allowing lithium ions to pass from one side of the battery to the other. To learn more about Asahi Kasei, visit: www.asahi-kasei.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515368800/en/ Contacts: North America Contact: Asahi Kasei America Inc. Christian OKeefe christian.okeefe@ak-america.com Europe Contact: Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH Sebastian Schmidt sebastian.schmidt@asahi-kasei.eu GOTHENBURG, Sweden, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Swedish hybrid-electric airplane maker, Heart Aerospace, announces a significant milestone with the opening of a new Research and Development hub in the United States. This strategic move comes as the company prepares to enter a new phase of hardware testing in the development of its first regional hybrid-electric airplane, the ES-30. The Los Angeles-based R&D hub will focus on the advancement of Heart's hybrid-electric propulsion system and other key technologies. The company will relocate its full-scale aircraft demonstrator to the US, where it aims to demonstrate proof of concept of a new and innovative hybrid propulsion system. To lead the US R&D hub, Heart Aerospace has appointed Benjamin Stabler as Chief Technology Officer. Stabler, who has led hardware and software teams on the Crew Dragon program at SpaceX, and served as co-founder of Parallel Systems, a developer of automated, battery-electric freight rail vehicles brings a wealth of experience to Heart Aerospace. He will recruit a team for the US R&D hub, which will work closely with the organization based at the company's headquarters in Gothenburg. Anders Forslund, Co-founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace, said Los Angeles was the obvious choice for the company's R&D hub considering its rich history of innovation, "The establishment of our US R&D hub signifies our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in aviation. We are working on a solution we call independent hybrid propulsion, and we aim to demonstrate electric flight during next year." "We have an exciting time ahead of us as we enter a new phase of hardware testing, and I'm thrilled that Ben is joining our team. His experience and passion for innovation is just what Heart needs to advance on our mission to decarbonize and democratize air travel", Forslund adds. Heart Aerospace, originating in the Nordics, has garnered investments worldwide, with North America emerging as its primary market. While the US R&D hub represents a significant milestone, Heart Aerospace remains headquartered in Europe, where it will pursue type certification in 2028. The ES-30, a regional hybrid-electric airplane with a standard seating capacity of 30 passengers, promises to deliver unparalleled sustainability and efficiency on short-haul routes. With a fully electric zero-emission range of 200 kilometers and an extended hybrid range of 400 kilometers, the ES-30 offers lower emissions and operating costs. Heart Aerospace has already secured 250 orders for the ES-30, with options and purchase rights for another 120 airplanes. The company also has letters of intent for a further 191 airplanes. About Heart Aerospace At Heart Aerospace we work at the cutting edge of technology while contributing towards a sustainable future. Heart's mission is to decarbonize and democratize air travel. This mission is grounded in the outlook that electric air travel will become the new normal for regional flights and can be transformational in addressing the industry's key sustainability challenges. https://www.heartaerospace.com/ For media inquiries, please contact: Christina Zander press@heartaerospace.com 46 728 889 610 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2410765/Heart_Aerospace_ES_30.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/heart-aerospace-opens-us-rd-hub-enters-new-development-phase-for-hybrid-electric-airplane-302143520.html The Goehring Rozencwajg Resources Fund, launched last year, reaches milestone organically and without seeding Goehring Rozencwajg, a natural resource investment firm, today announced that their UCITS fund, the Goehring Rozencwajg Resources Fund ("the Fund"), has exceeded $100 million in assets under management in the year since its launch in May 2023. The Fund has been available for qualified investors in the UK, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Application has been made to launch a UK feeder fund for the UK retail market and the Fund is undergoing registration for distribution in Germany. Utilizing the same investment philosophy as the U.S.-based Goehring Rozencwajg Mutual Fund, the Fund invests predominantly in natural resource equities, including small- and mid-cap companies that they believe will be the biggest beneficiaries of any increase in the underlying commodity prices. Notably, no seeding was used to reach this goal. The rapid organic growth of the fund may be attributed to the large global following that Goehring Rozencwajg has accumulated over the years in the commodities markets due to their research and thought leadership. "We are proud to achieve the $100 million milestone with the UCITS fund in such a short time," said Adam Rozencwajg, Managing Partner of Goehring Rozencwajg. "The Fund is seeing outstanding growth on the backs of our large international audience, who finally had the opportunity to invest with us last year. We are excited to continue to drive returns for our investors at home and abroad." Rozencwajg continued, "Following years of underinvestment, the extractive industries have been starved of capital and new sources of supply to fuel global development have not come online. We believe we are at the beginning of the bull market across the spectrum but choosing the right sectors to commit capital in the short to medium term is critical for investors who wish to capture the attractive returns available." About Goehring Rozencwajg: Goehring Rozencwajg is a natural resource investment firm that utilizes proprietary research to uncover value in commodities with a contrarian investment philosophy. With over 45 years of combined experience in natural resource investment, Goehring Rozencwajg strives to deliver top-quartile performance in their peer group over a 3-5 year time horizon. They currently manage $650 million on behalf of their clients. Their research can be viewed at www.gorozen.com/blog. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515709212/en/ Contacts: Media: Rich Myers Profile Advisors GoehringRozencwajg@profileadvisors.com Grant will help Say Yes continue to address educational disparities, granting equal opportunities to students of all economic backgrounds, instilling hope in parents, and empowering the Cleveland community to strengthen its educational foundation NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / A $1 million investment by the KeyBank Foundation will help Say Yes Cleveland further its mission of providing tuition scholarships to all eligible students for the next quarter-century. This grant is part of KeyBank's commitment to invest $40 billion in the communities it serves and also part of Key's $11 million aggregate commitment to support Say Yes. Say Yes Cleveland launched in January 2019. Its mission is to partner with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to improve Cleveland's economy, neighborhoods, and workforce over the coming generations by addressing postsecondary affordability. Say Yes Cleveland makes a tuition scholarship available to every eligible CMSD or partnering charter high school graduate to attend a public four-year or two-year institution or accredited training program. "We are big believers in the transformative and life-changing opportunities Say Yes provides to every CMSD or partnering charter high school graduate in Cleveland," said KeyBank Cleveland Market President Kelly Lamirand. "As Cleveland's hometown bank, we are thrilled that this investment will empower and support students here for many, many years by eliminating the burden of paying for college or trade school tuition, helping students and families build generational wealth." "We're so grateful to the KeyBank Foundation for their generous, continued support," said Say Yes Cleveland Executive Director Diane Downing. "The KeyBank Foundation made one of the very first major donations to the Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship Fund before we launched in 2019. Their early leadership and commitment inspired other substantial contributions and helped us provide a guarantee to students and families that our scholarships will still be available many years from now." The Say Yes Cleveland scholarship fund is dedicated to removing financial obstacles to college education for eligible students in the CMSD and partner charter high schools residing in Cleveland and attending a CMSD or partner charter high school from 9th grade to graduation. It provides tuition scholarships, covering tuition and fees at participating colleges and universities, ensuring access for CMSD students. The program pledges to support students until at least 2044, relying on contributions from local foundations, businesses, and individuals. It addresses educational disparities, granting equal opportunities to students of all economic backgrounds, instilling hope in parents, and empowering the Cleveland community to strengthen its educational foundation. The Say Yes Cleveland scholarship fund strategically invests in students and the community's future. These scholarships foster equal opportunities, enabling students to excel and enrich our community. Enhanced College Accessibility: The fund ensures that every CMSD student can afford higher education, regardless of their family's finances. Increased College Enrollment: Significantly boosts CMSD students' college enrollment, broadening their future prospects. Closing Socioeconomic Disparities: The fund narrows the achievement gap among students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, fostering a fairer educational environment. Fostering a Highly Skilled Workforce: By facilitating higher education access, it contributes to a skilled and educated workforce in Cleveland, enhancing the city's economic potential. Economic Attraction and Retention: The scholarship fund's presence attracts and retains businesses in Cleveland, demonstrating the city's commitment to cultivating a well-educated, skilled workforce, benefiting both students and the community. Since 2019, more than 3,000 Cleveland Metropolitan School District graduates have enrolled in college or career training through a Say Yes Cleveland, and as of December 2023, 298 Say Yes Cleveland scholars have earned their postsecondary degree. Nearly $9 million has been paid out in tuition by the Say Yes Cleveland scholarship fund, which has raised more than $100 million for has been raised locally from the private sector for 25-years of college and career training scholarships for every eligible graduate. Since 2017, KeyBank has followed through on community commitments totaling nearly $2 billion in Northeast Ohio supporting affordable housing and community development projects; small business and home lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities; and transformative philanthropy. Photo (L-R): KeyBank Cleveland Market President Kelly Lamirand, Say Yes Cleveland Executive Director Diane Downing, KeyBank Cleveland Corporate Responsibility Officer Mattie Jones-Hollowell & KeyBank Northeast Ohio Community Bank Sales Leader Jessica Best. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: KeyBank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: KeyBank View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - Clean Air Metals Inc. (TSXV: AIR) is pleased to announce that the company is presenting a live virtual corporate update hosted by Red Cloud Financial Services on May 21st, 2024 at 2:00 PM ET. We invite our shareholders, and all interested parties to register for the webinar and participate in the live Q&A session at the end of the presentation moderated by Red Cloud. The replay will be emailed out to all webinar registrants proceeding the event and will also be available on the Red Cloud website. For more information and to register: https://redcloudfs.com/events/https-redcloudfs-com-rcwebinar-air/. Commodities to be covered: PGM About Clean Air Metals Inc. Clean Air Metals is a development and exploration company advancing its flagship, 100% owned Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals ("TBN") project, 40 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The TBN project, accessible by road and next to established infrastructure, hosts two (2) deposits - the Current and Escape deposits, only 2.5 km apart. Together, the deposits host a 13.8 Mt indicated mineral resource containing 2.4M Pt eq. oz (Technical Report on the Thunder Bay North Project, Ontario Canada, NI43-101, SLR Consulting Canada Ltd, June 19, 2023) with significant potential for expansion down-plunge. One of the rare primary platinum resources outside of South Africa, the TBN project is in a stable and mining-friendly jurisdiction and benefits from longstanding relationships with local First Nations. With its proven technical team, Clean Air Metals is committed to growing the resources at the TBN project and creating long-term value for shareholders. Clean Air Metals Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Panoramic PGMs (Canada) Ltd. acknowledge that the Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals Project is located within the area encompassed by the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850, and includes the territories of the Fort William First Nation, Red Rock Indian Band, Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek and Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek. Clean Air Metals also acknowledges the contributions of the Metis Nation of Ontario, Region 2 and the Red Sky Metis Independent Nation to the rich history of our area. The Company appreciates the opportunity to work in these territories and remains committed to the recognition and respect of those who have lived, traveled, and gathered on the lands since time immemorial. Clean Air Metals is committed to stewarding Indigenous heritage and remains committed to building, fostering and encouraging a respectful relationship with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples based upon principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity and collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation. About Red Cloud Securities Inc. Red Cloud Securities Inc. is an IIROC-regulated investment dealer focused on providing a full range of brokerage services to all investor types focused in the junior resource sector. Our services include Investment Banking, Research, Institutional and Retail Trading, Institutional Sales, and Retail Investment Advisory services. About Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. is a globally focused capital markets advisory firm that provides a full range of executive strategy, media, marketing, and corporate access services. Our breadth of services combines with our significant knowledge of the junior mining industry combine for unique product offering. The company was founded by capital markets professionals with extensive experience in the junior mining industry. For further information: Clean Air Metals Inc. Mia Boiridy, Director of Communications and Investor Relations 250-575-3305 mboiridy@cleanairmetals.ca For additional information contact marketing@redcloudfs.com or visit: www.redcloudfs.com www.facebook.com/RedCloudFinancialServices www.twitter.com/RedCloudFS www.linkedin.com/company/red-cloud-financial-services-inc www.youtube.com/c/RedCloudFinancialServicesInc www.instagram.com/redcloudfs SOURCE: Red Cloud Financial Services Laserfiche the leading SaaS provider of intelligent content management and business process automation announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Noel Loughrin, Katherine Hou, and Kristen Petruzzellito the Women of the Channel list for 2024. These channel leaders are an instrumental part of Laserfiche's success, which includes growing the Laserfiche channel's footprint and expertise in various industries. Loughrin, Hou, and Petruzzelli are committed to providing the resources and support that enable solution providers to drive digital transformation at organizations around the world. As senior strategic solutions manager for the public sector, Loughrin is a passionate technologist and Laserfiche advocate. Loughrin works with organizations in local, state, and federal governments, as well as education, to bring about transformative change for constituents, students, and staff. She puts her public sector expertise at the service of Laserfiche channel partners by fostering strategic technology partnerships and championing integrations that build awareness, generate opportunities, and encourage customer retention. Hou is a territory manager and trusted resource and advocate for Laserfiche channel partners. She focuses on strategic campaigns that empower partners and amplify the Laserfiche brand. Hou is committed to building awareness at industry events, cultivating trust between Laserfiche and its channel partners, and serving as a reliable resource during rapidly changing socio-economic conditions. As senior customer success manager, Petruzzelli is dedicated to elevating the level of Laserfiche customer service and streamlining operational processes. She recently optimized service standards by spearheading new policies and procedures to save time for customers and solution providers, as well as increase customer satisfaction. Every year, CRN highlights women from vendor, distributor, and solution provider organizations whose vision and leadership have a beneficial influence on the technology industry. The CRN 2024 Women of the Channel honorees are creative, strategic leaders who show ongoing commitment to using their skills to innovate and drive success for their partners and customers. With this recognition, CRN honors these women leaders for their unwavering dedication and commitment to furthering channel excellence. "It is a great privilege to honor the remarkable achievements of these women leaders in the IT channel," said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S. Content and Executive Editor, CRN at The Channel Company. "Each woman on the list has demonstrated a deep commitment to innovation and leadership that advances their organizations and drives transformation and success across the IT channel." "In the past year these leaders have worked purposefully in not only growing our channel presence but also in empowering resellers, creating a customer-centric partner ecosystem that encourages and enables our solution providers to grow with Laserfiche," said Vicki VanValin, vice president of sales at Laserfiche. "This recognition from CRN underscores our dedication to the Laserfiche Solution Provider Program, which is essential to Laserfiche's growth and delivering on our vision." The 2024 Women of the Channel list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine, with online coverage starting May 13 at www.CRN.com/WOTC. About Laserfiche Laserfiche is the leading SaaS provider of intelligent content management and business process automation. Through powerful workflows, electronic forms, document management, and analytics, the Laserfiche platform accelerates how business gets done, enabling leaders to focus on growth across the enterprise. Laserfiche pioneered the paperless office with enterprise content management. Today, Laserfiche's cloud-first development approach incorporates innovations in machine learning and AI to enable organizations in more than 80 countries to transform into digital businesses. Customers in every industry including government, education, financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing use Laserfiche to boost productivity, scale their business, and deliver digital-first customer experiences. Laserfiche employees in offices around the world are committed to the company's vision of empowering customers and inspiring people to reimagine how technology can transform lives. Connect with Laserfiche: Laserfiche Blog Twitter LinkedIn Facebook About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end-users. Backed by over 40 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com Follow The Channel Company: X and LinkedIn 2024. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, Inc. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515678202/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Linda Domingo Director, Communications Laserfiche Linda.domingo@laserfiche.com 562-988-1688, ext. 234 The Channel Company Contact: Kristin DaSilva The Channel Company kdasilva@thechannelcompany.com CHICAGO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Distribution Automation Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $19.3 billion in 2024 and is poised to reach $36.5 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 13.6% from 2024 to 2029 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Distribution automation (DA) refers to a collection of technologies, strategies, and practices used by electric utilities to improve the efficiency, reliability, and safety of their power distribution networks. It essentially involves automating various tasks and processes within the distribution system. The Distribution Automation Market has promising growth potential due to the factors such as increase in need to optimize power distribution, reduce energy waste and improve system performance & increase in need for the integration of renewable energy sources. Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=65029172 Browse in-depth TOC on "Distribution Automation Market" 352 - Tables 64 - Figures 316 - Pages Distribution Automation Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $36.5 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $19.3 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 13.6% Market Size Available for 2019-2029 Forecast Period 2024-2029 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Offering, By Communication Technology, and By Utility Geographies Covered North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, South America, and Middle East & Africa. Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Technological advancements such as AI & IoT Key Market Drivers Boost in Smart Grid Infrastructure Field Devices segment expected to dominate Distribution Automation Market, by offering, during the forecast period The Distribution Automation Market, by offerings, are divided into field devices, software & services. With respect to the Distribution Automation Market, the field devices sector is the largest. The benefits it provides is the ability to remotely monitor distribution power grids to shorten the length of power outages, are responsible for its significant market dominance. Equipped with digital controls, switches, and sensors, they automate various electricity delivery functions. Wireless to witness fastest growth rate in Distribution Automation Market, by communication technology, during forecast period The Distribution Automation Market, by communication technology, is divided into wired and wireless. Wireless is the fastest-growing segment in Electricity Distribution Automation by communication technology, owing to rising need for real-time data interchange and data-driven decisions. Wireless communication technology also allows information to be transferred over long distances without the use of electrical lines or conductors, providing secure transmission while being cost-effective. Private utilities to witness fastest growth rate in Distribution Automation Market, by utility, during forecast period The Distribution Automation Market, by utility, is divided into private utilities and public utilities, wherein public segment accounts for the largest share. Private is fastest growing segment during the forecast period, the growth is attributed to private companies investing in advanced metering infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and smart grid infrastructure to improve reliability, faster complaint resolution, and real-time energy consumption. With increasing demand and technical developments, the government is looking to private partners to help with power distribution. Private players are viewed as valuable contributions to the sector due to their increased efficiency and experience. Private businesses may greatly contribute to the country's energy infrastructure by collaborating with the government on the Public-Private Partnership model, making distribution more cost-effective and accessible to all. Middle East & Africa to be fastest-growing Distribution Automation Market during forecast period In this report, the Distribution Automation Market has been analyzed for five regions, namely, Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, South America and Middle East & Africa. The Middle East and Africa emerge as the most rapidly advancing region in the market, projected to achieve a CAGR of 20.9% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2029. This growth is attributed to several factors, including the expansion of the industrial sector, initiatives to electrify smart cities like NEOM, government efforts to develop smart grid infrastructure, and projects focusing on electrifying rural and remote areas. Moreover, key players such as ABB, Schneider Electric, and Siemens are actively investing in the region to bolster their market presence and capitalize on the rising demand for distribution automation technologies. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=65029172 Key Market Players of Distribution Automation Industry: Some of the major players in the Distribution Automation Market are ABB (Switzerland), Schneider Electric (France), Siemens (Germany), Eaton (Ireland), and General Electric Company (US). Other major players include S&C Electric Company (US), Toshiba (Japan), Landis+Gyr (Switzerland), Itron Inc (US), Hubbell (US), Xylem (US), Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (US) and G&W Electric (US). The major strategies adopted by these players include new product launches, contracts, agreements, partnerships, and expansions Recent Developments of Distribution Automation Industry: In March 2024, Itron Inc. has completed the acquisition of Elpis Squared for USD 35 million. This acquisition equips Itron with the capability to integrate real-time, high-resolution "grid edge" data into the power grid planning, operations, and engineering processes, marking a pioneering advancement for the industry. The grid edge represents the intersection where smart or connected infrastructure intersects with the electric power grid, as defined by the energy-efficiency advocacy group Alliance to Save Energy. In March 2024, Hitachi, Ltd. announced an investment exceeding USD 32 million in the expansion and modernization of its power transformer manufacturing plant in Bad Honnef, Germany. Scheduled for completion by 2026, the project is anticipated to create up to 100 new positions in the area and cater to the increasing need for transformers to facilitate Europe's transition to clean energy. This investment entails expanding the facility to more than 15,000 square meters. Alongside process improvements, the upgraded plant aims to enhance operational efficiency and elevate overall manufacturing capacity to meet escalating demands. The expansion of this facility mirrors Hitachi Energy's broader initiative to scale up its presence in Europe. In March 2023, S&C Electric Company has revealed its plans to enlarge its manufacturing presence in the United States with a new 275,000-square-foot facility situated in Palatine, Illinois. Located approximately 25 miles away from S&C's existing 47-acre manufacturing campus in Rogers Park, Chicago, this expansion underscores our dedication to U.S. manufacturing and the Chicagoland region. It enables us to enhance our support for customers by providing solutions that drive forward a robust and smart electrical grid. In March 2023, TOSHIBA CORPORATION has invested in Open Utility Ltd., a startup headquartered in the UK that specializes in offering a platform for the flexible trading of distributed energy resources (DER). This strategic investment, along with efforts to bolster ties with Piclo, aims to enhance Toshiba ESS's insight into the present landscape of related industries and the institutional frameworks in Europe and the United States, leveraging Piclo's business operations and ecosystem. Additionally, the company intends to craft services tailored for DER flexibility markets anticipated to emerge in the future. In March, 2022 ABB has opened a R&D and engineering facility, ABB Innovation Center (AIC) in Bengaluru, India. The AIC facility focusses on the development of ABB digital solutions and on the electrification and motion business segments of the company. Additionally, the facility provides engineering and support services for process automation business globally. The primary interviews conducted for this report can be categorized as follows: By Company Type: Tier 1- 65%, Tier 2- 24%, and Tier 3- 11% Tier 1- 65%, Tier 2- 24%, and Tier 3- 11% By Designation: C-Level- 30%, Director Level- 25%, and Others- 45% C-Level- 30%, Director Level- 25%, and Others- 45% By Region:North America - 20%, Europe - 25%, Asia Pacific - 30%, South America - 10%, and Middle East & Africa - 15% Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=65029172 Distribution Automation Market - Key Benefits of Buying the Report: The report defines, describes, and forecasts the Distribution Automation Market, by offering, communication technology, utility, and region. It also offers a detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market. The report provides a comprehensive review of the major market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges. It also covers various important aspects of the market, which include the analysis of the competitive landscape, market dynamics, market estimates in terms of value, and future trends in the Distribution Automation Market. The report provides insights on the following pointers: Governmental initiatives to provide last mile connectivity of electricity, and boost in Smart Grid Infrastructure are few of the key factors driving the Distribution Automation Market. Factors such as high installation costs of distribution automation systems restrain the growth of the market. The need for greater flexibility and control in electricity supply is expected to present lucrative opportunities for the players operating in the Distribution Automation Market. The threats posed by the lack of skilled personnel and the increasing threat of automated cyber-attacks pose a major challenge for the players, especially for emerging players operating in the Distribution Automation Market. Product Development/ Innovation: The Distribution Automation Market is witnessing significant product development and innovation, driven by the growing demand for smart grid infrastructure. The Distribution Automation Market is witnessing significant product development and innovation, driven by the growing demand for smart grid infrastructure. Market Development: Siemens and Areti have announced their collaboration on the RomeFlex project, aimed at addressing congestion and voltage fluctuations within the strained power grids of Italy's capital city. Areti, playing a pivotal role in Italy's energy transition, has devised an innovative local flexibility market architecture, which will be further enhanced by Siemens' expertise in the energy domain and specialized technology. Over the next decade, it's anticipated that peak electricity demand on Rome's DSO power grid will rise from 2,200 MW to 3,300 MW. To effectively manage this surge in energy demand and mitigate potential grid challenges such as blackouts or voltage issues, Areti is rapidly increasing its grid capacity, accelerating its digital transformation to usher in the next era of grid management. Siemens and Areti have announced their collaboration on the RomeFlex project, aimed at addressing congestion and voltage fluctuations within the strained power grids of Italy's capital city. Areti, playing a pivotal role in Italy's energy transition, has devised an innovative local flexibility market architecture, which will be further enhanced by Siemens' expertise in the energy domain and specialized technology. Over the next decade, it's anticipated that peak electricity demand on Rome's DSO power grid will rise from 2,200 MW to 3,300 MW. To effectively manage this surge in energy demand and mitigate potential grid challenges such as blackouts or voltage issues, Areti is rapidly increasing its grid capacity, accelerating its digital transformation to usher in the next era of grid management. Market Diversification : Siemens has unveiled its latest Gridscale X software. This product empowers Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Transmission System Operators (TSOs) to centrally oversee their network data using a Digital Twin of the power grid, enhancing efficiency in planning, development, and operations. The Gridscale X Network Model Manager adeptly manages various grid scenarios, including the integration of new or changing assets, streamlines project management, and encourages collaboration among utilities. Designed with cloud readiness and full accessibility via APIs, the software features a modular architecture and state-of-the-art user interface. Positioned as the next evolution in Siemens' network model management offerings, the Gridscale X Network Model Manager is a component of Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform facilitating customers' digital transformation journey. : Siemens has unveiled its latest Gridscale X software. This product empowers Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Transmission System Operators (TSOs) to centrally oversee their network data using a Digital Twin of the power grid, enhancing efficiency in planning, development, and operations. The Gridscale X Network Model Manager adeptly manages various grid scenarios, including the integration of new or changing assets, streamlines project management, and encourages collaboration among utilities. Designed with cloud readiness and full accessibility via APIs, the software features a modular architecture and state-of-the-art user interface. Positioned as the next evolution in Siemens' network model management offerings, the Gridscale X Network Model Manager is a component of Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform facilitating customers' digital transformation journey. Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies, and service offerings of leading players, like include ABB (Switzerland), Schneider Electric (France), Siemens (Germany), Eaton (Ireland) and General Electric Company (US), among others in the Distribution Automation Market. Related Reports: Switchgear Market - Global Forecasts to 2028 Power Grid Market - Global Forecasts to 2028 Get access to the latest updates on Distribution Automation Companies and Distribution Automation Industry Growth About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. 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Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/distribution-automation-market-worth-36-5-billion--marketsandmarkets-302145833.html SOLJETS Celebrates the rapid rise of Gustav Wollenzien to Regional Sales Director, highlighting his exceptional career growth and strategic impact in the aviation industry since 2020. PARK CITY, UT / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / SOLJETS, a leading aircraft brokerage based in Park City, Utah, celebrates the exceptional career progression of Gustav Wollenzien, who has quickly ascended to the role of Regional Sales Director. Since joining the company as a Sales and Marketing Coordinator in September 2020, Gustav's drive and initiative have propelled him through a series of promotions, culminating in his recent achievement within just over three years. Starting in market research and valuation, Gustav significantly enhanced SOLJETS' strategic capabilities. Recognizing his potential early on, SOLJETS enrolled him in a pioneering professional development program designed to accelerate the growth of high-potential employees. Under the guidance of senior sales executive Greg Oswald, Gustav honed his skills as a Sales Associate, focusing on crucial markets, including the Phenom 100/300, Legacy/Praetor, and Pilatus PC-24/PC-12 aircraft. During his transition from analyst to sales, Gustav obtained his private pilot license, deepening his understanding of aircraft and their systems. This achievement not only enriched his technical knowledge but also enabled him to forge stronger connections with owner-operators, a key factor in his rapid success and recent promotions. "Gustav's journey at SOLJETS is a testament to our commitment to nurturing our team's growth and harnessing their full potential. His ability to combine technical expertise with strategic sales acumen has been instrumental in his fast track to leadership," said Ryan Crawford, SOLJETS CTO. Now as Regional Sales Director, Gustav has closed three significant deals within his first three months, demonstrating his adeptness in navigating complex negotiations and building client trust. His profound understanding of the aviation market and his personal experience as a pilot provide him with unique insights, making him a valuable leader in our dynamic industry. For more information about SOLJETS and our dedication to professional development and employee growth, please visit SOLJETS.com. About SOLJETS SOLJETS is a premier aircraft brokerage firm specializing in the buying, selling, and trading of private aircraft globally. Based in Park City, Utah, the company prides itself on combining industry expertise with a personalized approach to ensure each client's unique needs are met with unparalleled precision and care. Contact Information Hannah Bowron CXO hannah@soljets.com (409) 771-9116 SOURCE: SOLJETS View the original press release on newswire.com. Elected in 2022, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price will face a recall election in November. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price is set to face a recall vote in November. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday agreed to consolidate the recall vote with the general election on Nov. 5, setting the stage for six months of campaigning for and against Price and her progressive policies. The vote was unanimous, with Supervisors Lena Tam and David Haubert absent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Board President Nate Miley said he supported a consolidated election to minimize costs. Supervisor Elisa Marquez said that because Price was elected in a general election, she favored a recall vote during the general election in November. Supervisor Keith Carson said he agreed with Miley and Marquez. He expressed sympathy for victims experiences with crime but also expressed comments that seemingly opposed the recall effort. To hold one individual completely responsible for all aspects of the (criminal justice) system thats not the way our system operates, he said. He added that district attorneys, regardless of who is in office, deserve a reasonable amount of time to carry out their work. Registrar Tim Dupris had recommended a consolidated election partly to reduce costs. The consolidated election will cost about $4 million, while a special election was estimated to cost $15 million to $20 million. Price, a former civil rights attorney, won her seat with 53% of the vote in 2022. She promised to reduce mass incarceration and pursue lighter sentences, especially for defendants under age 25. When she took office, she enacted policies against special-circumstance allegations and sentencing enhancements that typically lead to additional time in prison, except in limited situations with supervisors approval. She also directed prosecutors to offer defendants probation whenever possible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Prices reform-minded direction raised concerns among some community members at a time when crime was on the rise, especially in Oakland. The concerns led to the recall effort, which began in July, less than seven months into her term. The recall campaign collected 74,757 valid signatures to force the recall vote, 1,562 more than the required minimum, according to the county Registrar of Voters office. Tuesdays vote came after supporters of the recall demanded the county hold a special election before November. They said public safety is at stake with Price in office. Carl Chan, an organizer with Save Alameda for Everyone, a group behind the recall effort, described Prices progressive policies as the driving force behind crime. Brenda Grisham, another organizer with the group, spoke of businesses and families suffering because of crime. We want all of that to come to an end, Grisham said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Recall supporter Elizabeth Kenney said theres no price for justice. Whats the cost of life? Is there really a price? Kenney asked. How many more people will pay with their lives? Opponents of the recall said the Registrar of Voters failed to comply with county rules when the office counted the signatures the recall campaign collected to force the recall vote, namely rules that require the office to review signatures within 10 days and disqualify signatures collected by non-county residents. They voiced their opposition to the recall vote but said since the board was set to move forward, it should be held in November. Yoana Tchoukleva, a member of Protect the Win, the group that seeks to keep Price in office, said special elections are more costly and usually result in low voter turnout. It shouldnt be the case that a small number of people can undo the democratic vote of the majority of people, Tchoukleva said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Recall opponent Chaney Turner said Price was elected fairly and deserves to serve her entire term. Another recall opponent, Ginny Madsen, said the recall wont increase safety because it is basically scapegoating DA Price. Critics of the recall pointed to a drop in crime in Oakland and said they believe crime will continue to drop. Overall crime in Oakland was down 33% this year through Sunday compared to the same period last year, according to police data. We want her to move forward and give her a shot, Kenneth Neal said. The results of Prices progressive policies are unclear. According to a report she released last week, her office filed criminal charges in nearly 12,000 cases in her first year in office comparable to her predecessor in recent years. But the report, the first annual for her office, didnt provide a breakdown of the charges or data on the outcome of cases. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We invest in transformational and sustainable community outcomes that improve lives. Originally published in Northwestern Mutual 2023 Sustainability and Social Impact Report NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Through the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, we invest in the future-allocating $23.5 million in 2023 to drive transformational and sustainable community outcomes. Our support includes not only financial contributions but also community partnerships, advocacy and volunteerism in the areas where our employees, financial advisors and representatives, and policyowners live and work. As a company, we're committed to accelerating the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer. We work nationally to fund clinical research and support families during and after treatment, helping advance better quality-of-life outcomes. In our hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we're helping to expand access to quality education, revitalize underserved neighborhoods, increase opportunities for homeownership and support premier cultural attractions-investing in a healthy, economically vibrant city, for today and tomorrow. CHILDHOOD CANCER: ADVANCING RESEARCH, SUPPORTING FAMILIES Every day, more than 1,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with childhood cancer. It's the number one cause of death by disease for children under the age of 15 in the U.S., yet it receives only 4% of the federal government's annual cancer research budget1. What's more, studies show that 60% of families lose significant household income and are hit with financial hardship following a cancer diagnosis2. Since 2012, Northwestern Mutual has been committed to accelerating the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer, while supporting families undergoing treatment and survivors living with long-term effects. Accelerating the search for better treatments, cures and quality of life Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and clinical researchers, we seek to accelerate the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer while supporting families and survivors. Since 2012, we've partnered with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, whose mission is to change the lives of children by empowering everyone to help find a cure for childhood cancer. Our funding includes: Young Investigators grants , up to $50,000 a year for three years, providing vital startup funds for the best and brightest early-career researchers , up to $50,000 a year for three years, providing vital startup funds for the best and brightest early-career researchers Innovation grants , providing seed funding for researchers with a novel approach to pediatric oncology scientific investigation , providing seed funding for researchers with a novel approach to pediatric oncology scientific investigation The Crazy 8 initiative , detailing roadmaps toward cures for specific hard-to-treat childhood cancers , detailing roadmaps toward cures for specific hard-to-treat childhood cancers The Childhood Cancer Data Lab , empowering researchers and scientists worldwide to collaborate, share and develop resources to accelerate new treatment and cure discovery , empowering researchers and scientists worldwide to collaborate, share and develop resources to accelerate new treatment and cure discovery The Pediatric Oncology Student Training (POST) program, for undergraduate, graduate and medical students from underrepresented populations, encouraging careers in pediatric oncology research Scholarships to fulfill dreams We understand the unexpected costs and financial burden cancer treatment can place on a family. Our annual Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program gives survivors and siblings affected by childhood cancer the opportunity to pursue their dreams of higher education. In 2023, we awarded $500,000 in combined scholarships to 50 students. Since 2017, we've awarded nearly $2 million in scholarships to more than 260 scholars. BUILDING EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITY PATHWAYS FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD TO EMPLOYMENT Supporting education for Milwaukee's youth has been a Northwestern Mutual priority for more than 25 years. As one of the Milwaukee area's largest employers, we believe in creating access to quality education for all students, from all backgrounds. By investing in students, we're creating the foundation for Milwaukee's future leaders and professionals. When everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential, we all succeed. Strengthening the K-12 pipeline Research shows that quality preschool education has a long-term positive effect, especially when combined with support for families3. We support early childhood organizations to ensure students arrive at school ready to learn and succeed. And we invest in initiatives for systemic change as well as targeted, smaller-scale projects to meet evolving needs of students and educators. Our 22 Milwaukee-area K-12 partner schools demonstrate high performance-and we want to help build on what's working. Most of these schools serve more than 80% economically disadvantaged students, and many serve more than 90%. This year we committed an additional $5.8 million to support 40 Milwaukee-based nonprofits and schools, which includes a bridge loan to Notre Dame School of Milwaukee and two capital grants to St. Marcus School and St. Augustine Prep. This will help these schools expand and add about 1,500 quality seats to classrooms over the next few years. Cultivating talent through college completion Since 2018, we've partnered with All-In Milwaukee, a college completion and career placement program that supports students through financial aid and advising. Northwestern Mutual has been proud to fund 81 scholars to date. This year we announced a $2 million, four-year grant that will enable another 100 students-many of them first-generation college attendees-to receive comprehensive support toward graduation. In 2023, 16 All-In Milwaukee scholars interned with us. We also hosted development days for more than 300 students at our corporate headquarters. In 2023, Northwestern Mutual also expanded our commitment to providing students from underserved neighborhoods access to quality education. Over the next five years, we'll issue more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships to a total of 136 students from local pipeline schools to pursue higher education through our new HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Connection Scholarship program and continuing partnership with All-In Milwaukee. Our inaugural cohort of nine recipients will receive $7,500 in both their freshman and sophomore years and have the opportunity to participate in paid summer internships after their junior and senior years. Fostering tech talent and innovation Technology enables Northwestern Mutual's client, field and service experiences and accelerates our business outcomes. Developing regional technology talent is essential to pushing the boundaries of what's possible, and we partner with local organizations to amplify our impact. The Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute (NMDSI) was created in 2018 by Northwestern Mutual, Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to establish Wisconsin as a technology hub. In 2023, the three institutions committed $35 million to NMDSI over the next five years, building on the nearly $40 million invested to date. was created in 2018 by Northwestern Mutual, Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to establish Wisconsin as a technology hub. In 2023, the three institutions committed $35 million to NMDSI over the next five years, building on the nearly $40 million invested to date. Our technology outreach program, hi, Tech, introduces K-12 students to the possibilities of achievement through tech. introduces K-12 students to the possibilities of achievement through tech. Our high school Tech Minicamp & Internship immerses students from our partner schools in a tech skills development program. More than 50 employees volunteer as instructors and mentors. immerses students from our partner schools in a tech skills development program. More than 50 employees volunteer as instructors and mentors. We hosted 60 middle school girls from Golda Meir and Hmong American Peace Academy at our downtown campus for hands-on tech activities and career guidance from our women leaders. at our downtown campus for hands-on tech activities and career guidance from our women leaders. In 2023, we kicked off a mentoring program with Ronald Reagan High School in Milwaukee that brings together 40 high school girls with 20 Northwestern Mutual women every month to develop tech and professional skills. that brings together 40 high school girls with 20 Northwestern Mutual women every month to develop tech and professional skills. As a founder of the nonprofit MKE Tech Hub Coalition, which seeks to build a vibrant, inclusive tech ecosystem, we hosted 2023's 4-year anniversary event for 300 community members. Revitalizing underserved neighborhoods Financial inequities in housing and income add to the racial wealth gap across the United States. We believe a long-term, resident-engaged approach is critical to reversing the root causes of these challenges. Working alongside residents and community partners in three Milwaukee neighborhoods, we're supporting development of the tools and skills to achieve community goals. In 2023, we also focused on expanding opportunities for affordable homeownership, which can be an important path to building financial security and generational wealth. Expanding opportunities for homeownership According to the Wisconsin Policy Forum, Milwaukee has the lowest homeownership rate among its peer cities for African American/Black residents-just over 25%4. To address this gap, Northwestern Mutual dedicated $3.5 million in 2023 to help residents in Milwaukee's underserved communities achieve homeowner status. The initiative includes: A $500,000 grant from the Northwestern Mutual Foundation to the Acts Housing's Homeownership Acquisition Fund, which will purchase, remodel and sell homes to first-time buyers A $2.5 million investment from the Northwestern Mutual Impact Investment fund in the Milwaukee Community Land Trust to help drive affordable housing and ensure homeownership affordability over time Additional funds up to $500,000 for services such as homebuyer training, which prepares people for the financial and other obligations of homeownership Partnering with neighborhoods We believe neighborhood revitalization starts with the development of strong community leaders who become champions for the residents and their shared goals. For more than a decade, we've partnered with Milwaukee's Amani, Metcalfe Park, and Muskego Way neighborhoods to create long-term impact, investing more than $15 million toward sustainable transformation and economic empowerment. Those investments support resident-led revitalization plans, thriving neighborhood associations, deeper collaboration among nonprofit partners, and the development of a citywide shared housing strategy. MAKING OUR HOMETOWN EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE AND INCLUSIVE Milwaukee is home to iconic cultural destinations and leading organizations that give our citizens opportunities to engage and connect with each other. This year, Northwestern Mutual gave nearly $3 million to community partners, along with funding community giving campaigns, to increase access and help make Milwaukee a great place to live and visit. Learn more about Northwestern Mutual's commitment to investing in our communities in the 2023 Sustainability and Social Impact Report. 1National Cancer Institute, Types of Cancer in Children, September 29, 2023, and NCI Budget and Appropriations, January 24, 2024 2Family Reach, "Survival at All Costs," 2015 3Sarah Sparks, "Early Education Pays Off. A New Study Shows How," Education Week, March 29, 2022 4"On Racial Equity in Homeownership, Milwaukee Ranks Last Among Peers," Wisconsin Policy Forum, July 22, 2022 View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Northwestern Mutual on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Northwestern Mutual Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/northwestern-mutual Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Northwestern Mutual View the original press release on accesswire.com Authored by Water Mission NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / It's been just over two years since the Russian military invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Although fighting continues at an alarming rate, the world's attention has been drawn to additional emergent humanitarian crises. Much less is reported about this ongoing war, yet the struggle to find water, food, shelter, and safety remains a daily challenge for more than 14 million people. As aid funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is diminishing and many organizations are leaving Ukraine, Water Mission remains committed to strengthening efforts to provide safe water to people in need. Thanks to the ongoing cash and in-kind transportation support from FedEx, nearly 100,000 people in more than 200 communities in southeastern Ukraine have access to lifesaving safe water. Water Mission has more than 70 safe water systems established, including a mix of fixed and mobile safe water systems. As the war continues, the demand for safe water will increase. Water Mission Project Manager and Global Emergency Coordinator Craig Williams has been living in Ukraine and working to bring safe water to those in need throughout this conflict. He shares an insider's perspective on the realities of life in a war zone and how Water Mission and its supporters like FedEx are saving lives through the provision of safe water. Reflections by Craig Williams Life in a War Zone People are tired and living with more uncertainty than they ever imagined was possible. Families have been split up. Many of the men who have managed to find jobs are in constant fear of being sent to training camp. Sadly, everybody seems to know somebody who has died in this war. Conversely, you also see life in Kyiv and Lviv trying to blossom. Young people hang out in shopping malls, and parents push children in strollers or walk their dogs. Then the air alarm goes off, reminding you that life isn't normal. But the parents pushing the strollers or playing with their kids don't even change the pace at which they walk. The sirens are their new normal. People look at apps to self-assess the risk and then move on like nothing is happening. Impacting Lives with Safe Water People without water can spend their days searching for it. When Water Mission provides water, however, it gives many people the time to work and provide for their family. Their appreciation is amazing. Water Mission has been blessed with good donors, strong partners, and an incredible local team. We have now produced more than 26 million gallons (100 million liters) of safe drinking water across more than 70 water systems installed. This is a frontline program reaching people whose water supply was impacted by the war, people in areas that were previously occupied, and those who are still under attack. With critical infrastructure lost in these areas, people are left with few options for meeting their basic needs. Sometimes, there is distrust about our motives. People wonder why we would do something for them without expecting something in return. But over time, as people see our technicians working with love, excellence, and integrity and spending time in the community, trust is earned. Our mobile van program, which has served more than 200 communities, has been a very powerful force for us in many villages. More than 500 gallons (2,000 liters) of safe water is produced every hour and shared with people who gather at the van stop in each community. They recognize the brand and we have built relationships. A common sentiment we hear is, "You came at our greatest time of need, and you are still here." Safe Water for the Future Most disaster responses have a very clear timeline for moving from immediate response into recovery. Ukraine is a unique case as response and recovery are fluid concepts. The frontline remains in response while cities like Mykolaiv are now in recovery. But it only takes one night of attacks and Mykolaiv can be right back in response. So, we are looking at longer-term sustainability of water supply, not just for our systems but also in new locations, like schools and hospitals. Our emphasis is on collaboration. We work closely with the local government, from the national ministry down to village administrations. Additionally, we are engaged with the United Nations (UN)-primarily with UNICEF and cluster coordinators- and share information and ideas with other NGOs helping involved in the area as well. Ukrainians Helping Ukrainians We have made a deliberate choice to have Ukrainians helping Ukrainians in this response. The team includes only two international people, and the rest of the staff are 21 Ukrainians. At every strategic juncture of the program, the management team in Kyiv has decided the next direction. We emphasize Ukrainians helping Ukrainians because the foreigners will leave at some point, and in the villages, the strength will come from depending on local people who were there for each other when it counted most. This strategy builds strength in communities. Within this strength lies long-term resilience. Water Mission has installed safe water systems in hospitals, schools, churches, temporary shelters, and other locations to provide easy access in communities. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from FedEx Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: FedEx Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fedex-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: FedEx Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Newtopia Now, presented by New Hope Network, is proud to announce a sneak peek of its programming for the highly anticipated launch event, August 25-28, 2024, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Newtopia Now will revolutionize the landscape of conscious consumer packaged goods (CPG), offering attendees a curated experience focused on product discovery, insightful programming and intentional connections. On-site programming will offer a wide range of sessions covering topics such as sustainability, diversity, retail practices and holistic wellness. Newtopia Now's content aims to educate and empower CPG professionals to navigate the evolving marketplace, drive positive change and source the connections and resources needed to accelerate business needs. This unique event introduces a "neighborhood" concept and distinctive marketplace, redefining the traditional trade show format and providing brands with innovative formats in which to showcase the latest initiatives and product offerings. Education will be organized across dedicated stages in each respective neighborhood. Thrive, the ultimate destination for conscious health and vitality, will welcome keynote speaker Dan Buettner, American National Geographic Fellow and New York Times-bestselling author, to discuss Blue Zones insights and what it means for the CPG industry. Additional panels include nutrition and retail predictions with The Vitamin Shoppe CEO Lee Wright, a Buyerside Chat featuring leaders from across Whole Foods Market divisions and CPG Unwrapped with 10 innovative brands. Represent, celebrating diversity and multiculturalism in CPG, will host Insights for Retailers Why Supporting Diverse-Owned brands is Critical to Retail Success. Plus, during Your Roadmap to Success with Target, emerging and diverse-owned brands will learn what it takes to make it in the retail giant, which is increasingly focused on bringing direct-to-consumer brands into retail. From Legacy to Leadership: Black Culinary History and the Future of CPG will engage Adrian Miller, the James Beard winning cookbook author known as the "Soul Food Scholar," about how the CPG industry can preserve and advance the plant-based traditions rooted in Black food culture. Regenerate, which will champion sustainability and environmental impact, hosts Cultivating Change: Retail Practices for Supporting Sustainable Brands and Agriculture, engaging the industry to learn best practices for partnering with environmentally friendly brands all the way down to the agriculture component, and How to Get Noticed by the Sprouts Forager Team, a conversation with one of the most innovation-forward accelerator groups in retail. Plus, the neighborhood will celebrate the culinary visionaries leveraging regenerative agriculture as a source of flavor and nutrition. Glow, embracing the future of conscious beauty and holistic wellness, will invite chef and television personality Carla Hall to the stage to discuss the intersection of healthy aging, wellness and culinary excellence. One of the neighborhood's Buyerside Chats, Achieving Retail Success as a Conscious Beauty Brand: A Conversation with Ulta Beauty brings Rick Burian, senior manager of supplier diversity from Ulta Beauty, to retailers. Additional sessions include Conscious Beauty's Glow Up: Merchandising for Values & Results-Driven Shoppers and the Glow Conscious Beauty Pitch Event, highlighting the top beauty and wellness innovators who will pitch their products and initiatives to a panel of CPG experts for a chance to win a brand-building prize package. Additional leading retail establishments that will be featured in Newtopia Now programming include Fresh Thyme, Bristol Farms, PCC Community Markets, Thrive Market, Pop Up Grocer and more. Registration for Newtopia Now, August 25-28, is now open, but space is limited. To secure your spot and learn more about the event, please visit www.newtopianow.com. About New Hope Network New Hope Network is a leading authority in the healthy lifestyle products industry, offering solutions for the complete supply chain from manufacturers, retailers/distributors, service providers and ingredient suppliers. Through its comprehensive portfolio of content, events, data, research and consultative services, New Hope Network is dedicated to fostering a prosperous, high-integrity CPG and retail ecosystem that promotes health, joy and justice for all people while regenerating the planet. For more information, visit www.newhope.com. About Informa Markets Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. With a global reach and diverse portfolio of verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure, Informa Markets connects buyers and sellers worldwide through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. For more information, visit www.informamarkets.com. SOURCE: New Hope Network View the original press release on accesswire.com DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Cognitus today announced its official certification as a minority-owned business by the Dallas Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council (DFW MSDC). This esteemed certification recognizes Cognitus as a prominent player in promoting diversity and inclusion within the business community. Cognitus Achieves Minority-Owned Business Certification This recognition signifies Cognitus' commitment to fostering diversity and excellence in business operations. With more than 51% minority ownership, Cognitus actively supports the rich talent and leadership within minority communities. The DFW MSDC provides formal and informal platforms for MBEs to connect with corporate buyers, explore state and local opportunities, and expand professional networks. By meeting the stringent standards set by DFW, Cognitus further enhances its market presence to engage with global customers who actively seek partnerships with qualified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). "We are proud to be a minority-owned business led by top-tier SAP talent from around the world," stated Pat Sathi, CEO of Cognitus. "This certification underscores our commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Leveraging our extensive global capabilities, we are poised to actively empower businesses on their growth trajectories through innovative solutions and robust collaboration." The certification process conducted by the DFW MSDC involves a comprehensive business review to ensure compliance with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) member standards for certified minority business status. The certification is nationally recognized and honored across the United States, opening doors to new opportunities in a competitive global marketplace. Cognitus extends its gratitude to the Dallas Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council for their support and guidance throughout the certification process. This milestone marks a significant step forward as the company continues to strive for excellence in diversity and business leadership. About Cognitus Cognitus combines deep expertise with a passion for innovation to help businesses thrive in today's dynamic market with cutting-edge cloud capabilities. The company's AI-powered solutions for regulatory compliance, data migration, contract lifecycle management, and real-time billing continue to empower its clients across diverse industries to adapt to market changes and maximize value. As an SAP Gold Partner and Co-Innovation Partner, Cognitus rapidly implements SAP S/4HANA, RISE with SAP, and GROW with SAP leveraging the latest SAP technologies, tools, and resources, helping clients gain a competitive edge. Contact Information Meghan Demo Director of Corporate Marketing mdemo@cognitus.com +15172429625 SOURCE: COGNITUS View the original press release on newswire.com. LONDON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI) is pleased to announce that The Rt Hon Sir Brandon Lewis CBE MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Sovereign Wealth Funds, will host a closed-door, invitation-only welcome lunch and opening session at the Palace of Westminster (UK Parliament) for the Global Wealth Conference 2024 on May 28th. The event will bring together leaders from sovereign wealth funds, policymakers, and academics to discuss the geopolitical landscape and global wealth allocation strategies. The lunch, held in the Members' Dining Room, will be followed by an insightful round table discussion titled "Asset Owners in the New Global Economic Landscape," moderated by Anjalika Bardalai, Chief Economist and Head of Research at TheCityUK. The round table discussion will feature esteemed panellists, including H. E. Jamal Saif Al Jarwan, Secretary General of the UAE International Investors Council; Dr Wei Pang Bennett, Chief Risk Officer of China Construction Bank; Sir Mark Lyall Grant GCMG, former President of the United Nations Security Council; Kashif Khalid, Managing Director of Middle East & Africa at SimCorp; Bill Martin, Former Chief Risk Officer of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority; and Prof. Shirley Yu, Director of the China-Africa Initiative at the London School of Economics and Political Science. The panellists will delve into topics such as geopolitical risks, global trade dynamics, fostering a stable investment environment, and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth. "We are privileged to have the support of Sir Brandon Lewis and the APPG in organising this exclusive event at the historic Palace of Westminster," said Lakshmi Narayanan, Chairman, SWFI. "Hosting the welcome lunch and opening session at this iconic venue underscores the significance of the Global Wealth Conference 2024 and the critical role that sovereign wealth funds and other asset owners play in shaping the global economic landscape." The welcome lunch and opening session mark the beginning of the highly anticipated Global Wealth Conference 2024, which will take place from May 28-30 in London. The conference will focus on the themes of sustainability, allocation, and innovation, bringing together industry leaders and decision-makers from around the world. For more information about the Global Wealth Conference 2024, please visit https://gwc.events/london2024/ About the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute: The Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute is a global organisation dedicated to the study and promotion of best practices in sovereign wealth fund and public asset management. SWFI facilitates sovereign fund, pension, endowment, superannuation fund, and central bank events around the world. Website: https://fort.global/dubai/ https://www.swfsummit.com/ https://gwc.events/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413855/Chairman_Sovereign_Wealth_Fund_Institute_SWFI.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/swfis-global-wealth-conference-2024-commences-with-exclusive-lunch-hosted-by-sir-brandon-lewis-cbe-mp-at-uk-parliament-302146589.html Avolta AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Results of the Ordinary General Meeting of Avolta AG held on May 15, 2024 15.05.2024 / 18:30 CET/CEST The Ordinary General Meeting of Avolta AG was held today in Basel, Switzerland. A total number of 104'270'267 shares were represented at the meeting, corresponding to 68.32% of the total share capital of Avolta AG. The shareholders resolved as follows:1 The Board of Directors' proposal pursuant to agenda item 1.1 that the consolidated financial statements and the annual financial statements for 2023 be approved has been accepted by a majority of 99.84% of the votes. The Board of Directors' proposal pursuant to agenda item 1.2 that the non-financial reporting as shown in the annual report 2023 be approved on a non-binding consultative basis has been accepted by a majority of 97.64% of the votes. The Board of Directors' proposal pursuant to agenda item 1.3 that the remuneration report as shown in the annual report 2023 be approved on a non-binding consultative basis has been accepted by a majority of 75.03% of the votes. The Board of Directors' proposal pursuant to agenda item 2 that the retained loss be carried forward and a dividend from the reserve from capital contribution in the amount of CHF 0.70 per registered share be distributed has been accepted by a majority of 97.78% of the votes. The Board of Directors' proposal pursuant to agenda item 3 that the members of the Board of Directors and the persons entrusted with management be granted discharge for their activities in the financial year 2023 has been accepted by a majority of 99.63% of the votes. The Board of Directors' proposals pursuant to agenda item 4 to amend the Articles of Incorporation (Amendment of Capital Range) has been accepted by a majority of 96.71% of the votes. The Board of Directors' proposals pursuant to agenda item 5 to amend the Articles of Incorporation (Cancellation of Conditional Capital and Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation) has been accepted by a majority of 99.87% of the votes. The Board of Directors' proposals pursuant to agenda item 6 concerning Elections have been accepted with the following majorities: Agenda item 6.1 - Re-election of the Chairman: Mr. Juan Carlos Torres Carretero has been re-elected with 94.49% of the votes; Agenda item 6.2 - Re-election of Directors: - Mr. Xavier Bouton has been re-elected with 99.88% of the votes; - Mr. Alessandro Benetton has been re-elected with 99.76% of the votes; - Ms. Heekyung Jo Min has been re-elected with 98.64% of the votes; - Mr. Sami Kahale has been re-elected with 96.24% of the votes; - Mr. Enrico Laghi has been re-elected with 96.89% of the votes; - Mr. Luis Maroto Camino has been re-elected with 99.46% of the votes; - Mr. Joaquin Moya-Angeler Cabrera has been re-elected with 96.66% of the votes; - Mr. Ranjan Sen has been re-elected with 97.80% of the votes; - Ms. Mary J. Steele Guilfoile has been re-elected with 99.37% of the votes; and - Ms. Eugenia M. Ulasewicz has been re-elected with 99.44% of the votes. Agenda item 6.3 - Election of New Director: Ms. Katia Walsh has been elected with 99.84% of the votes. The Board of Directors' proposals pursuant to agenda item 7 concerning Re-elections to the Remuneration Committee have been accepted with the following majorities: - Mr. Enrico Laghi has been re-elected with 89.70% of the votes; - Mr. Luis Maroto Camino has been re-elected with 90.21% of the votes; - Mr. Joaquin Moya-Angeler Cabrera has been re-elected with 90.32% of the votes; and - Ms. Eugenia M. Ulasewicz has been re-elected with 90.74% of the votes. The Board of Directors' proposal pursuant to agenda item 8 concerning Re-election of Deloitte AG as the Auditors has been accepted with 99.25% of the votes. The Board of Directors' proposal pursuant to agenda item 9 concerning Re-election of Altenburger Ltd legal + tax as the Independent Voting Rights Representative has been accepted with 99.94% of the votes. The Board of Directors' proposals pursuant to agenda item 10 concerning Compensation of the Board of Directors and the Global Executive Committee have been accepted with the following majorities: Agenda item 10.1 - Approval of the Maximum Aggregate Amount of Compensation of the Board of Directors: Accepted with 93.89% of the votes; Agenda item 10.2 - Approval of the Maximum Aggregate Amount of Compensation of the Global Executive Committee for Financial Year 2025: Accepted with 92.28% of the votes. 1 The voting results expressed in this news release are in percent of the votes represented at the Ordinary General Meeting for the respective agenda item. Detailed voting results in absolute numbers can be found in the minutes of the Ordinary General Meeting, which will be made available on Avolta's website at https://www.avoltaworld.com/en/AGM2024 For further information: CONTACT Rebecca McClellan Cathy Jongens Global Head Investor Relations Director Corporate Communications Phone: +44 7543 800405 Phone: +41 79 288093 rebecca.mcclellan@ avolta.net cathy.jongens@avolta.net End of Media Release Port of Rotterdam-EverWind co-operation recognizes EverWind as a leading green hydrogen project globally ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EverWind Fuels ("EverWind"), a leading North American developer of a green fuels hub centered in Atlantic Canada, was joined today by officials from Province of Nova Scotia in announcing co-operation with the Port of Rotterdam to advance the green hydrogen supply chain. Port of Rotterdam is Europe's largest seaport, and is the manager, operator and developer of the Rotterdam port and industrial areas. The Port of Rotterdam is an important energy port for Northwest Europe and a key distribution channel to Germany's industrial heartland, the Ruhr area. With this co-operation, EverWind's green hydrogen production from its projects in Atlantic Canada will support Port of Rotterdam's establishment of an international hub for hydrogen production, import, application and transport to other countries in Northwest Europe. Three times as much energy is now transported via Rotterdam than is consumed in the whole of the Netherlands, with expectations to import eighteen million tonnes of hydrogen via Rotterdam in 2050. There are several advanced developments in the Port of Rotterdam to receive green ammonia as early as 2026, with ammonia and hydrogen users within the Port of Rotterdam complex and connected to its various green fuels corridors. EverWind recently completed front-end engineering design (FEED), which included over 110,000 hours of engineering, marking a major milestone in the development of its project and represents the first announced completion of FEED for a large-scale green hydrogen and green ammonia production facility in North America. Quotes: "Establishing successful green hydrogen projects requires establishing a global supply chain, and we are excited to work with Port of Rotterdam, Europe's largest seaport to support this endeavour. We're confident that our projects in Atlantic Canada will produce the greenest, most cost-competitive green hydrogen in North America to decarbonize carbon-intensive processes domestically and abroad." Trent Vichie Founder and CEO, EverWind Fuels "Nova Scotia is poised to be a world leader in the production of green hydrogen. Our Government is excited to host EverWind's Point Tupper project which will bring green jobs and a clean, sustainable future for Nova Scotians. Green hydrogen leadership will help us and our global partners develop our green economies and fight climate change." The Honourable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia "As Europe's leading energy hub we recognize the significance of green hydrogen for the decarbonization of the European industry and we are establishing infrastructure, facilities and cooperations that will help deliver on this. EverWind supports our efforts for the import of green hydrogen by establishing a significant project for large-scale green hydrogen production. We expect EverWind's green hydrogen and green ammonia production will to be among the first volumes from North America to land in Europe." Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority About EverWind Fuels EverWind is North America's leading independent green hydrogen developer. EverWind received the first Environmental Approval in North America for a large-scale green hydrogen project, and is well progressed in design, engineering, and development for the first phase of both its green energy generation projects and the production facility which will convert this energy into green hydrogen and green ammonia. EverWind owns and operates the deepest ice-free berth on the East Coast of North America, with world class access to rail, roads, and pipelines. Our safety-first culture, evidenced through 18 years without a lost time injury, reflects a highly skilled and extensively certified workforce. EverWind has three First Nations equity partners and is a champion for meaningful engagement with Rightsholders and the advancement of social and economic reconciliation. At a local level, the Company works closely with municipalities and stakeholder organizations. EverWind is also concurrently developing a world scale green fuels project on the Burin Peninsula in Newfoundland & Labrador. This project will be critical in delivering the scale and competitive wind resource required to support the green energy transition ambitions of some of the largest industrial companies in the world. EverWind is currently preparing its environmental approval application and to date has collected 17 months of environmental data and is executing the largest wind measurement campaign in the Province. EverWind continues to engage with communities and stakeholders on the Burin Peninsula and work closely with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to ensures the economic, social and environmental prosperity of the region for generations to come. EverWind is led by Trent Vichie, a co-founder of Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, and a former Blackstone Partner. EverWind's development team consists of over 20 members who have previously held senior positions at various infrastructure, private equity, renewable power, engineering, and utility companies. EverWind is also supported by a world-class advisory team including Black & Veatch, ILF, RES, Strum Consulting, McInnes Cooper, King & Spalding, McKinsey, CIBC, and Citi. The port of Rotterdam is a cornerstone of the Dutch and European transport and economic systems. In addition to the significant economic and social value the port holds in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region, it also benefits the logistics sector and businesses that import and export in the rest of the Netherlands and Europe through employment, added value, revenue and business locations. The Port of Rotterdam Authority's core tasks are the sustainable development, management and operation of the port and maintaining the smooth and safe handling of shipping. The aim of the Port of Rotterdam Authority is to strengthen the port's position as a logistics hub and future-proof industrial complex. In doing so, it's not size, but rather quality that takes precedence. The Port of Rotterdam Authority takes responsibility for the impact of the activities in the port on the climate and immediate surroundings. The health and safety of current and future generations are an integral consideration in our decision-making, including in our cooperations with businesses. Port of Rotterdam Authority: approximately 1,300 employees, revenue approximately 842 million and gross investments 295 million. Port area: 12,500 ha of port area (land and water, of which over 6,000 ha is industrial sites). Length of the port area: over 40 km. Cargo throughput: approximately 439 million tonnes of freight a year. Shipping: approximately 28,000 seagoing vessels and 90,000 inland vessels annually. Employment: approximately 193,000 jobs (directly and indirectly Rotterdam-Rijnmond). Added value: 30.6 billion, 3.2% of the Dutch gross domestic product (GDP). The port of Rotterdam generates over 500,000 jobs and provides an added value of over 60 billion for the Netherlands. Adam Langer Director, Public Affairs info@everwindfuels.com (902) 201-0643 CHICAGO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the Southeast Asia data center construction market is growing at a CAGR of 11.69% during 2023-2029. To Know More, Click: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/southeast-asia-data-center-construction-market Browse in-depth TOC on the Southeast Asia Data Center Construction Market 36 - Tables????????? 116 - Figures????????? 352 - Pages????? Southeast Asia Data Center Construction Market Report Scope Report Attributes Details Market Size - Investment (2029) USD 5.29 Billion Market Size - Investment (2023) USD 2.80 Billion CAGR - Investment (2023-2029) 11.18 % Market Size - Area (2029) 3,079 Thousand Square Feet Power Capacity (2029) 578 MW Historic Year 2020-2022 Base Year 2023 Forecast Year 2024-2029 Regional Analysis Southeast Asia (Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and Other Southeast Asia Countries) The Southeast Asia data center construction market is one of the fastest-developing markets globally, driven by the increase in cloud adoption, the advent of 5G services, and the adoption of AI, Big data, and IoT technology. Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand have robust connectivity and are among the most connected countries in Southeast Asia. Singapore is the gateway and an integral interconnection point to several APAC countries, including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Pakistan. The adoption of cloud-based services will likely be a significant driver of the data center market over the next few years. Moreover, Singapore boasts the largest existing capacity in the region, and countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are outpacing it in terms of new investments, collectively capturing over 50% of the market share for new investments. This trend can be attributed to several factors, including lower energy costs, increased renewable energy sources, and inexpensive labor and land availability. These factors are influencing companies' decisions to invest in these emerging markets. Watch Out for How Advancing in Adoption of AI Boosting the Market Growth In June 2023, Run ai, a company that manages computing resources for AI tasks, announced a strategic partnership with AI Singapore. AI Singapore, a national R&D initiative led by the National Research Foundation, Singapore, aims to establish strong AI capabilities in the country. This collaboration aims to provide scalable infrastructure solutions for various AI projects and assist AI Singapore in its mission to expedite AI adoption across industries. AI Singapore, as the country's AI initiative, holds a pivotal position in aiding organizations in adopting AI solutions. It has made significant strides through its notable 100 Experiments Programme (100E) and the acclaimed AI Apprenticeship Programme (AIAP). Collaborating with over 60 companies, they've trained over 200 Singaporean AI engineers to create, assess, and implement numerous AI models that tackle real-world challenges. While AI investments primarily focus on Singapore, nine out of the top 10 deals involved start-ups based in Singapore that cater to various businesses and use cases throughout the region. For instance, Biofourmis, a health analytics platform analyzing physiological data from clinical-grade wearables, operates in both Singapore and Indonesia. Similarly, Tookitaki, a sophisticated decision-support system for compliance programs in the financial services sector, extends its operations across the six major Southeast Asian countries. The Southeast Asia Colocation Data Center Market by Investment to Reach $4 Billion by 2029 In Southeast Asia, colocation investments in Singapore declined significantly over the last few years owing to the lack of space for new builds. This has led to the spill over demand toward Indonesia and Malaysia. The upcoming capacity of under-construction announced and planned data center campuses across these two countries will overtake Singapore's existing colocation capacity. In the same year, BDx Indonesia, Chindata Group, EdgeConneX, Equinix, Keppel Data Centres, GDS Services, Princeton Digital Group, and others invested in developing colocation data center facilities in the region. The Southeast Asia Data Center Construction Market?Report Encompasses Crucial Data, Including:??????????? CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) during the forecast period: This metric provides insights into the annual growth rate of the Southeast Asia data center construction market over the specified time frame.??????????? Detailed information on growth drivers: The report offers in-depth information on the factors that will propel the Southeast Asia data center construction market growth from 2023 to 2029. This includes an analysis of various market influences.??????????? Precise estimation of market size: Accurate assessments of the Southeast Asia data center construction market size and its contribution and focusing on key market segments.??????????? Predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior: The report offers insights into anticipated trends and shifts in consumer behavior that are likely to impact the Southeast Asia data center construction market helping businesses prepare for future market dynamics.??????????? Geographical market growth: The report covers the development of the data center construction market across Southeast Asia. Competitive landscape analysis: A thorough examination of the market's competitive landscape is presented, including detailed information about companies operating in the Southeast Asia data center construction market. This includes an overview of key players, their market share, strategies, and key developments.??????????? Analysis of growth challenges: The report includes a comprehensive analysis of factors that may pose challenges to the growth of companies in the Southeast Asia data center construction market, providing a well-rounded view of the market dynamics.????? Buy this Research @ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/southeast-asia-data-center-construction-market Post-Purchase Benefit????????????????????????? 1hr of free analyst discussion 10% off on customization The Report Includes the Investment in the Following Areas: Facility Type Colocation Data Centers Hyperscale Data Centers Enterprise Data Centers Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure General Construction Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Transfer Switches & Switchgear PDUs Other Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems Racks Other Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems CRAC & CRAH Units Chiller Units Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers Other Cooling Units Cooling Techniques Air-based Cooling Liquid-based Cooling General Construction Core & Shell Development Installation & Commissioning Services Engineering & Building Design Fire Detection & Suppression Physical Security DCIM/BMS Solutions Tier Standard Tier I & II Tier III Tier IV Geography Southeast Asia Singapore Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Philippines Vietnam Other Southeast Asia Countries Vendors Key Construction Contractors Arup Aurecon Group CSF Group DSCO Group Gammon Construction NTT Facilities PM Group Studio One Design Other Prominent Construction Contractors AtkinsRealis AWP Architects Corgan DPR Construction First Balfour Fortis Construction ISG Kienta Engineering Construction Linesight LSK Engineering M+W Group Nakano Corporation Obayashi Corporation Powerware Systems Sato Kogyo Red Engineering Prominent Support Infrastructure Vendors ABB Caterpillar Cisco Systems Cummins Dell Technologies Eaton Rittal Schneider Electric STULZ Vertiv Other Prominent Support Infrastructure Vendors Airedale Alfa Laval Canovate Cyber Power Systems Delta Electronics EAE Fuji Electric Fujitsu Green Revolution Cooling Hewlett Packard Enterprise HITEC Power Protection Huawei Technologies KOHLER Power Legrand Lenovo Mitsubishi Electric Narada Nortek Air Solutions Piller Power Systems Rolls-Royce Shenzhen Envicool Technology Siemens Socomec Trane Prominent Data Center Investors Amazon Web Services Chindata Group (Bridge Data Centres) DCI Indonesia Digital Realty ePLDT Equinix GDS Services Keppel Data Centres NTT DATA ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Telkom Indonesia VADS (Telekom Malaysia) Viettel IDC Other Prominent Data Center Investors AirTrunk Beeinfotech Big Data Exchange (BDx) Converge ICT Solutions Digital Edge DC Meta (Facebook) FPT Telecom Google MettaDC Microsoft OneAsia Network Open DC Princeton Digital Group Singtel Vantage Data Centers New Entrants CtrlS Datacenters Digital Halo EdgeConneX Evolution Data Centres Flow Digital Infrastructure FutureData (Cyclect Group + TSG Group) Gaw Capital I-Berhad Infinaxis Data Centre Infracrowd Capital K2 Data Centres Minoro Energi Indonesia Nautilus Data Technologies Pure Data Centres Group YCO Cloud YTL Data Center Yondr Key Questions Answered in the Report: How big is the Southeast Asia data center construction market? What is the estimated market size in terms of area in the Southeast Asia data center construction market by 2029? What is the growth rate of the Southeast Asia data center construction market? What are the key trends in the Southeast Asia data center construction market? How many MW of power capacity is expected to reach the Southeast Asia data center construction market by 2029? Get Detailed TOC @ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/southeast-asia-data-center-construction-market Check Out Some of the Top Selling Research Reports: U.S. Data Center Construction Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2024-2029 https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/united-states-data-center-construction-market-2024 Latin America Data Center Construction Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2024-2029 https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/latin-america-data-center-construction-market-size-and-analysis-2024 Southeast Asia Data Center Market Landscape 2023-2028 https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/southeast-asia-data-center-market Why Arizton?????????????????? 100%?Customer Satisfaction????????????????? 24x7?availability - we are always there when you need us????????????????? 200+?Fortune 500 Companies trust Arizton's report????????????????? 80%?of our reports are exclusive and first in the industry????????????????? 100%?more data and analysis????????????????? 1500+?reports published till date?????????????????? About Us:?????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovative and quality-driven firm that offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients worldwide. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.???????????????????????????????????????????????????? We offer comprehensive market research reports on consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals, materials, I.T. and media, logistics, and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts.????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Contact Us??????????????????????????????????????????????????? Call: +1-312-235-2040?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????? +1 302 469 0707????????????????????????????????????????????????? Mail:?enquiry@arizton.com??????????????????????????????????????????????????? Contact Us:?https://www.arizton.com/contact-us??????????????????????????????????????????????????? Blog:?https://www.arizton.com/blog??????????????????????????????????????????????????? Website:?https://www.arizton.com/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413471/Aritzon_Data_Center_Infographic.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/818553/Arizton_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/southeast-asia-data-center-construction-market-investment-to-reach-5-29-billion-by-2029--exclusive-research-report-by-arizton-302146261.html NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, DISSEMINATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / South Pacific Metals Corp. (TSX-V:SPMC)(FSE:6J00) ("SPMC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Murphy as Chief Executive Officer, and Cathy Fitzgerald as President and Chief Geologist of the Company, effective immediately. Both Mr. Murphy and Ms. Fitzgerald are accomplished executives with extensive experience in designing and executing strategic initiatives and creating value for shareholders. Mr. Murphy has an established track record of transformational leadership within the metals and mining sector. He is the founder of TSX-listed gold producer Torex Gold Resources Inc., prior to which he spent more than 15 years in the financial services sector in London, UK, with Merrill Lynch, DLJ, and Credit Suisse. Ms. Fitzgerald is a proficient executive and professional geologist with more than 20 years of exploration and resource development experience across multiple commodities. Ms. Fitzgerald most recently served as Vice President, Exploration and Resource Development for Apollo Silver Corp., prior to which she was Director Resource Evaluation, Ivanhoe Electric (formerly High Power Exploration). With these appointments, the core of the Company's senior management team is now based in Canada. The Company also takes this opportunity to thank the outgoing interim Chief Executive Officer, Adam Clode, for his services. Michael Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, states "the Company would like to sincerely thank Adam for his efforts and contributions during South Pacific's transitional period and we wish him nothing but the very best on his future endeavours." About South Pacific Metals Corp. SPMC is an Asia-Pacific focused copper and gold exploration company with four highly prospective projects: KRL South, KRL North, Kili Teke and the May River Project. All projects are located in premier exploration mining regions in Papua New Guinea. KRL South and KRL North both have the potential to host copper-gold porphyry and high-grade epithermal mineralisation, similar to that being currently mined in the adjacent high-grade Kainantu Gold District. Kili Teke is an advanced exploration project only 15 km from the world-class Porgera Gold Mine and hosts an existing Inferred mineral resource with multiple opportunities for expansion and further discovery. The May River Project is adjacent to the world-renowned Frieda River Copper-Gold Project, and historical drilling indicating there is potential for a significant copper-gold mineralized system. SPMC has a highly experienced leadership team with experience working together in the region and with established in-country partners. For further information please contact: Michael Murphy, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +1 604-428-6128 Email: info@krl.com.sg Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Disclaimer and Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainty affecting the business of SPMC. In making the forward-looking statements, SPMC has applied certain assumptions that are based on information available, including SPMC's strategic plan for the near and mid-term. 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 statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. SPMC does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property. SOURCE: South Pacific Metals Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Fix & Fogg's Peanut Butter Makes History as It Ventures Into the Final Frontier HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Fix & Fogg, the beloved premium peanut butter brand from Down Under, is making history as it ventures into the final frontier for the very first time. Lifting off on NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 for its journey into space, the brand has embarked on its biggest and nuttiest venture to date, fueling the spacecraft for six months with its iconic spreads. Fix & Fogg Peanut Butter Fix & Fogg Smoke & Fire peanut butter space pouch "This is a truly exhilarating moment for Fix & Fogg," said Roman Jewell, founder of Fix & Fogg. "To be the first New Zealand food brand to journey to the International Space Station is an honor beyond words. We love to help people go places, but it's not every day you get to go to space. We're thrilled that some of the crew share our passion for peanut butter, almond butter and cashew butter." Fix & Fogg's commitment to quality and innovation has propelled it to the forefront of the food industry, earning a dedicated global following and a coveted spot on shelf in every Whole Foods Market. Over the last 10 years, the award-winning brand has catapulted to become one of the largest spread brands in New Zealand, sold in over 2,500 USA grocery stores, and a certified B-Corp company. Acclaimed "the best peanut butter on the planet," the company prepares to break new ground in space while continuing its dedication to delivering unparalleled flavor and quality to consumers, wherever they may venture. As Fix & Fogg sets its sights on the stars, Americans are encouraged to try out its extensive flavor range, with favorites including "Super Crunchy Peanut Butter," "Everything Butter" and "Creamy Cashew Butter." Fix & Fogg invites fans and supporters - both on Earth and above - to join us on this remarkable voyage. See Fix & Fogg on the International Space Station here and follow along on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses of Fix & Fogg's cosmic journey. For more information about Fix & Fogg and its award-winning nut butters, visit fixandfogg.com or explore the range of Fix & Fogg at Whole Foods Market. Fix & Fogg - Go Places Contact Information Roman Jewell CEO and Founder info@fixandfogg.com +1 832 463 9446 SOURCE: Fix & Fogg View the original press release on newswire.com. Visitors at the California Academy of Sciences, which is facing a deficit next year of $8.7 million, according to a letter reportedly sent from the director to staff. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle A union representing California Academy of Sciences employees is accusing the San Francisco-based research institute and natural history museum of planning layoffs amid a major budget shortfall. Academy leadership told members of the union, Cal Academy Workers United, this year that the institution is facing a large deficit following the pandemic and that it plans to carry out voluntary and involuntary layoffs to address it, according to Holly Rosenblum, an aquarium employee who is a member of the bargaining committee. Administrators have not publicly specified how many people may be laid off, but some scientists and curators in the research division have heard they are going to be laid off, Rosenblum said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The institution for years has faced substantial structural budget deficits due to lost revenue, fewer tourists and higher than expected medical and labor costs, according to a letter that Executive Director Scott Sampson sent to staff on April 23 that was reviewed by the Chronicle. The deficit for 2025 totals $8.7 million, he said. Administrators are weighing significant cuts to the 16-person curatorial staff at the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability, the San Francisco Standard reported on Wednesday, citing Cal Academy scientists. Academy spokesperson Ronna Kelly said the administration declined to comment because we are in union negotiations with our staff and want to prioritize working directly with them. According to a petition protesting potential cuts the union sent earlier this month to the Academys Board of Trustees, the institute must eliminate $4 million of labor expenses from its 2025 budget. The petition was signed by dozens of Academy scientists and staff, including many current and former employees. The president of the Board of Trustees, Charles Marshall, declined to comment and referred questions to Sampson, who did not respond. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While employees suggested ways to fill the deficit without cutting staff, Rosenblum said the administration had been dismissive of the ideas. The aquarium employee said the union would prefer to have the entire staff involved in budget discussions around layoffs. A Delicious Alternative to Pork and Beef Chorizo, Offering the Same Authentic Flavor, Texture, and Quality. CHICAGO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- V&V Supremo Foods, Inc., a leading producer of authentic Mexican cheeses, cremas and chorizo, is proud to announce the launch of its newest product: chicken chorizo. This innovative addition to the company's chorizo line offers consumers a delicious alternative to traditional pork and beef varieties while maintaining the same authentic flavor, texture, and quality that V&V Supremo is known for. Since its founding in 1964, V&V Supremo Foods, Inc. has been dedicated to bringing the flavors of Mexico to tables across the United States. The introduction of chicken chorizo is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and its mission to provide high-quality, authentic Mexican products to both the retail and foodservice industries. "Our commitment to innovation is reflected in every bite of our new chicken chorizo. It's a product I'm excited to introduce to the world," said Gilberto Villasenor, Chief Visionary Officer of V&V Supremo. "We strive to offer our customers a wide range of options that cater to their diverse tastes and preferences, and our chicken chorizo is a perfect example of that." The new chicken chorizo joins V&V Supremo's existing line of chorizo products, which includes the original pork chorizo and beef chorizo. With its authentic taste and versatility, the chicken chorizo is sure to become a favorite among consumers looking for a leaner alternative to pork and beef without sacrificing flavor or texture. As the nation's oldest family-run Mexican American cheese manufacturer and marketer, V&V Supremo Foods, Inc. remains committed to its roots while embracing innovation and growth. The launch of chicken chorizo marks another milestone in the company's history and solidifies its position as a leader in the Mexican food industry. For more information about V&V Supremo Foods, Inc., and its products, please visit www.vvsupremo.com. About V&V Supremo Foods, Inc. V&V Supremo is an award-winning producer of authentic Mexican cheeses, cremas and chorizo and maker of Chihuahua brand quesadilla cheese. The company was founded in 1964 by Mexico natives Gilberto Villasenor, Sr. and Ignacio Villasenor. It is now the nation's oldest family-owned and run Hispanic cheese company. V&V Supremo serves both the retail and food service industries. To learn more about V&V Supremo Foods, visit www.vvsupremo.com V&V Supremo Foods on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Vvsupremo V&V Supremo Foods on Instagram and TikTok, @Vvsupremo V&V Supremo Foods on YouTube at www.youtube.com/vvsupremo For media inquiries, please contact: Media Relations media.r@vvsupremo.com 312.224.2820 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413697/Burritos_Nortenos.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413698/Enfrijoladas_with_Chorizo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413696/Chorizo_and_Eggs.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413695/Chorizo_Burrito_Bowl.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1641073/VV_Supremo_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/vv-supremo-foods-inc-introduces-authentic-chicken-chorizo-expanding-its-line-of-traditional-mexican-favorites-302146664.html SAN JOSE, Calif., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TCL CSOT, a company focused on developing new technologies and innovations in the display industry, today celebrated its 15th anniversary and proudly presented the future of innovation displays during a keynote speech by Jun Zhao, CEO of TCL CSOT, titled "Beyond Pixels: Innovative Displays Leading the Future", at SID Display Week 2024. "This year is a significant milestone as TCL CSOT celebrates our 15th anniversary, marked by major achievements in small-scale mass production of our groundbreaking IJP OLED displays later this year and the launch of our latest display offerings at SID Display Week 2024. We have always believed in the promise of display technological advancements in creating a better life and a better future for all since 2009," said Zhao. "With the progress TCL CSOT made in IJP OLED technology, we are reshaping the industry with more eco-friendly, eye-safe, and high-quality display innovations, opening doors to greater possibilities." Zhao believes that IJP OLED technology is the pioneering display technologies at the moment, even amidst structural changes in the industry and emerging technologies that are still on the path to mainstream adoption. Over the past 11 years, since IJP OLED technology was introduced in 2013, TCL CSOT has taken steps to make the technology accessible to more people and achieved significant advancements in terms of enhancing visual experiences, reducing power consumption, and extending product lifespan amongst other developments: Elevated visual experiences: TCL CSOT's IJP OLED technology offers an impressive more than300 PPI pixel density through high accuracy inkjet printing techniques, RGB side by side strip design and advanced printing correction algorithms, surpassing the retina display standard of tablet, notebook and monitor. This results in higher resolution, sharper images, and improved font quality, redefining the visual experience. Significantly reduced power consumption: By optimizing material performance and device structure, and minimizing the light loss with optical design, and improving the overall light output efficiency by using a flattened pixel design, TCL CSOT has facilitated a significant reduction in power consumption, bringing it in line with FMM-OLED technology. Extended product lifespan: TCL CSOT's product lifetime can meet or even exceed industry standards set by FMM-OLED displays. Achieving the aperture ratio double or even triple that of FMM-OLED and making advances in organic materials, PDL material photolithography capabilities, and lifetime model compensation schemes contribute to longer service life. In addition, IJP OLED technology offers additional benefits including higher cost-competitiveness, more adaptive production, and greater environmental friendliness: Cost-competitiveness: IJP OLED optimizes material utilization at over 90% through high accuracy inkjet printing, minimizing waste compared to FMM. The simplicity of IJP's structure reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs, resulting in a 30% reduction in unit cost compared to FMM. Flexible production: IJP OLED features simpler production process compared to FMM OLED and reduces the need for expensive vacuum chambers by 90%. FMM-free technology eliminates the need for FMM design, preparation, and replacement, improving flexibility and shortening product development cycles, and also enables the production of different sizes and resolutions products on a single substrate. Environmental friendliness: The decreased use of EL materials and vacuum equipment for IJP OLED brings significant environmental benefits. Taking a medium-sized G8.6 factory as an example, IJP OLED reduces carbon emissions by 500,000 tons per year compared to FMM OLED technology. Driven by continuous innovation, TCL Group is set to follow up with more products and applications based on the pioneering IJP QD-EL technology, which replaces the luminescent layer in printed OLED displays with quantum dot electroluminescent materials to deliver wider color gamut and reduction in power consumption, and a boost in reliability for a next-level visual experience. During his keynote, Zhao also acknowledged the difficulties ahead, particularly in increasing the lifespan of QD-EL's blue light material to meet production requirements. To encourage collaboration and innovation, TCL CSOT announced the Blue Star Project with a $1 million prize to incentivize collaboration and accelerate breakthroughs in QD-EL technology. With the various breakthroughs made possible through IJP OLED technology, TCL CSOT is solidifying its position as a key industry player committed to innovation, pushing the boundaries of display performance and user experience. Attendees are invited to explore TCL CSOT's showcase at booth #315 during SID Display Week 2024 and experience the tangible results brought about by the company's relentless pursuit of excellence. About TCL CSOT TCL CSOT (TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology), established in 2009, is a company committed to developing new technologies and innovations in the display industry. TCL CSOT focuses on promoting the development of next-generation display technologies such as Mini LED, Micro LED, OLED, and ink-jet printing OLED to embrace the future technology trend. The company business includes large area displays, small medium displays, touch modules, interactive whiteboards, video walls, automotive displays, and gaming monitors. In the future, TCL CSOT will keep devoting itself to technology innovation and providing high-end products for customers and building a vibrant display industry ecosystem. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413921/TCL_CSOTiMAGE.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tcl-csot-celebrate-its-15th-anniversary-and-unveils-the-future-of-innovations-displays-at-sid-display-week-2024-302146676.html German-based joimax, the market leader in technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery, announces the launch of its new website alongside a significant presence at the Global Spine Congress (GSC) in Bangkok, May 15 18. This dual celebration marks a pivotal moment for the company as it showcases its latest product innovations and commemorates two decades of excellence with TESSYS, a pioneering technique that has revolutionized endoscopic spine surgery. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515197607/en/ joimax celebrates 20 years of TESSYS, exhibits at Global Spine Congress: booths 2 and 3. (Graphic: Business Wire) The new website provides a seamless digital experience for customers and partners, worldwide. With enhanced features and user-friendly navigation, www.joimax.com serves as a comprehensive hub of information on joimax's cutting-edge endoscopic spine surgery solutions. At GSC, joimax is not only celebrating 20 years of TESSYS, but also exhibiting an array of product innovations, such as TESSYS Trans SAP with the newest Double Drill, ilESSYS Biportal, the RoboFIX robotorized Arm, and the Camsource Duo, which further enhances surgical precision and visualization, ultimately improving patient outcomes. "We are immensely proud of the impact TESSYS has had on the field of endoscopic spine surgery," stated joimax CEO and President Wolfgang Ries. "joimax has pioneered the transforaminal approach, building upon and enhancing Parviz Kambin's original concept, influencing our path to endoscopic fusion. Our commitment to excellence remains unwavering as we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in minimally invasive spine surgery." Feedback from surgeons has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing enthusiasm for joimax's "fireworks of innovations". Dr. Frank Hassel, Chief Physician Spinal Surgery and Medical Director, Loretto Krankenhaus Freiburg, Germany; Prof. Junseok Bae, President, Wooridul Spine Hospital, Seoul, South Korea; and Prof. Christoph P. Hoftstetter, Professor of Neurological Surgery, Cape Cod Healthcare, Hyannis, USA issued this group statement: "These advancements are game-changers in endoscopic spine surgery, especially the transforaminal approach and will undoubtedly revolutionize how to tackle complex spinal procedures." Also at GSC, joimax is hosting expert talks, and leading basic and advanced workshops. From groundbreaking technologies to intuitive surgical tools, joimax continues to lead the way in providing surgeons with the necessary resources to address a wide-range of spinal issues. To learn more about joimax's innovations, visit www.joimax.com or stop by the joimax GSC booths 2 and 3. About joimax Founded in Karlsruhe, Germany in 2001, joimax is the leading developer and marketer of complete systems for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery. With the Endoscopic Surgical Systems TESSYS (transforaminal), iLESSYS(interlaminar) and CESSYS (cervical) for decompression procedures, MultiZYTE for facet and sacroiliac joint pain treatment, EndoLIF and Percusys for minimally invasive endoscopically assisted stabilizations, established systems are provided, addressing a whole range of indications. All methods are supported by the latest generation electronical devices in the all new NAVENTO navigated endoscopic tower. In procedures for herniated discs, stenosis, pain therapy or spinal stabilization treatment, surgeons utilize joimax technologies to operate through small incisions under local, conscious sedation or full anesthesia, via tissue and muscle-sparing corridors, and through natural openings in the spinal canal, e.g., the intervertebral foramen, the so-called "Kambin triangle". View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515197607/en/ Contacts: Press Contact Germany joimax GmbH Antje Paulsen antje.paulsen@joimax.com +49-721-25514-214 Press Contact USA joimax, Inc. Jose Elguera Jose.Elguera@joimaxusa.com Tempe, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - Tucker Hill Air, Plumbing & Electric, under the leadership of CEO Jeremy J. Prevost, is expanding its market reach across multiple states. Building on its foundation in Arizona, the company aims to replicate its success in Nevada, Texas, and California, targeting significant revenue growth and market penetration. Jeremy J. Prevost With a strategic focus on leveraging growth in the smart home and home services sector, Tucker Hill Air, Plumbing & Electric is set to capitalize on the increasing demand for high-quality HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services. The company's expansion strategy relies on its consistent customer service and technology integration to boost operational efficiency and satisfaction. As part of its growth strategy, Tucker Hill is pursuing acquisitions to strengthen its market position and enhance its services. This aims at financial growth, fostering innovation, and providing comprehensive solutions to meet evolving customer needs across regions. Jeremy commented on the expansion, "Our goal is to build on our success in Phoenix and bring our top-quality services to more customers across Nevada and California. We are committed to growing Tucker Hill into a leading national brand known for excellence in-home services." The company aims to achieve annual revenues exceeding 300 million dollars, reflecting its growth strategy in the home services industry. About Tucker Hill Air, Plumbing & Electric: Tucker Hill Air, Plumbing & Electric, founded in 2021 and based in Phoenix, AZ, specializes in residential plumbing, HVAC, and electrical services. Serving homeowners in Phoenix and surrounding areas, the company offers 24/7 emergency response and same-day service options by licensed technicians. Their services encompass plumbing remodeling, maintenance, and repair for residential systems, delivered by technicians with extensive training and background checks to meet safety standards. Tucker Hill also holds BBB accreditation and memberships in industry organizations. Contact Information: Address: 1553 W. Elna Rae St, Suite 101, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States Phone: (602) 661-3659 Website: https://tuckerhillaz.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tuckerhill To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209138 SOURCE: SMG Media Group Join Cubanacan Heritage at Battleship New Jersey Museum's Annual 'Cigars on the River' Event Green Leaf Innovations, Inc., (OTC PINK:GRLF), an importer and wholesale distributor of premium hand-rolled cigars, is proud to announce its participation in the highly anticipated 'Cigars on the River' event at the iconic Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial. Overlooking the majestic Delaware River and the breathtaking Philadelphia skyline, this annual soiree promises an unforgettable evening of indulgence and philanthropy. Guests will savor the finest cigars, exquisite cuisine, and handcrafted cocktails amidst the historic setting of the Battleship New Jersey. Cubanacan Heritage, a cornerstone of Green Leaf Innovations, Inc.'s esteemed portfolio, will take center stage at this prestigious event, showcasing the rich heritage and unrivaled craftsmanship behind each meticulously hand-rolled cigar. About Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial: The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial stands as a testament to our nation's military prowess and enduring legacy. From its storied past in World War II to its pivotal role in modern naval history, the battleship offers a captivating glimpse into the triumphs and sacrifices of our armed forces. Immerse yourself in a journey through time and honor the heroes who have served our country with courage and valor. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to join Green Leaf Innovations, Inc. and Cubanacan Heritage aboard the Battleship New Jersey for an evening of camaraderie, celebration, and support for a noble cause. About Green Leaf Innovations, Inc. Green Leaf Innovations, Inc., a Florida corporation, is an emerging growth company engaged in the Marketing and Distribution of handmade premium cigars. The company strategically imports and exclusively distributes some of the best known premium cigar brands in the Market created by the Mederos family a Third generation Cigar maker with Robert Mederos at the helm who has owned and operated handmade cigar operation in Nicaragua and the US for over 20 years with a rich family history in the craft dating back to the 1800s Cuba, brands such as CUBANACAN, MEDEROS and TABACALERA SERRANO. In addition to it the company also distributes packaged whole leaf Tobacco to cigar lounges, smoke shops, C-stores and vape shops across the United States and soon International Markets. Additional information can be found on our websites http://www.greenleafinnovation.com or follow us on Twitter @otcgrlf. For more information, press only: PR Contact Name: Ryan Medico Phone number: (800) 303-6268 Email: info@greenleafinnovation.com Safe Harbor Statement: The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, and various other factors beyond the Company's control. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. SOURCE: Green Leaf Innovations, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Lancaster, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - UDS Foundation (UDSF), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of older adults and individuals living with disabilities, is thrilled to announce that it has been selected as a grant recipient by the Lancaster County Community Foundation (LCCF) to support its CAPABLE Program. The grant, totaling $25,000, was awarded during the Well-Being & Vibrancy Event held at Buchannan Park on Saturday, April 20, 2024. The CAPABLE Program, spearheaded by Shauna Buchmoyer, MSOTR/L, CFPS, and Marie Olmand, RN, BSN, aims to empower individuals and enhance their well-being through a variety of services and support systems. With the generous funding provided by LCCF, UDSF will be able to further its mission to increase mobility, functionality, and capacity so that older adults can age in their homes and communities. The LCCF, celebrating 100 years of impact, launched the Shaping Tomorrow Awards to inspire innovative projects that will continue to benefit the community for the next century. Through this initiative, LCCF invested over $1 million into Lancaster County, with a focus on four broad categories: Creative Expression, Well-Being and Vibrancy, Our Planet, and Next Generation. UDSF was honored to be selected as a recipient of the Well-Being and Vibrancy grant. "We are deeply grateful to the Lancaster County Community Foundation for their support of our CAPABLE Program," said Judy Naylor, President & COO of UDSF. "This grant will enable us to expand our reach and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve." Visit the UDSF website at www.udservices.org to learn more about the company's mission and services. ### About United Disabilities Services Foundation: United Disabilities Services Foundation (UDSF), headquartered in Lancaster, PA, is a full-service human services organization offering a comprehensive suite of care solutions that enables individuals to live the way they want. UDSF accomplishes that by providing a variety of home- and community-based services to help people with disabilities enjoy safer, happier, and more independent lives in the comfort of their homes. Incorporated in 1970, UDSF has evolved from a small organization to a company providing a network of a variety of different programs through several nonprofit entities. UDSF serves older adults, individuals with disabilities, and veterans throughout Pennsylvania and has satellite offices in multiple counties. For more information, visit www.udservices.org. About Lancaster County Community Foundation: The Lancaster County Community Foundation helps people who love Lancaster County shape our shared future. Since 1924, individuals have established permanent funds to support our community by making grant investments to local organizations. Today, the Community Foundation manages approximately $200 million in community assets that support Lancaster County every year. Contact details: Madison Baber, madison@rprfirm.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209166 SOURCE: R Public Relations NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. Rover Critical Minerals Corp. (TSXV:ROVR)(OTCQB:ROVMF)(FSE:4XO) ("Rover" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing for a minimum of $400,000 and a maximum of $800,000. The Company will issue $0.03 units. Each unit is priced at $0.03 and is comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (the "Units"). The warrants on the Units have an exercise price of $0.05 per warrant share, with a life of three years. Assuming the financing is fully subscribed, there will be up to 26,666,667 common shares and 26,666,667 common share purchase warrants issued in connection with this financing, plus any finder's commission warrants. Further to the above announcement, Rover has received orders for $327,344 and has also received approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") to close the first tranche of the Unit financing for gross proceeds of $$327,344 (the "First Closing"). The Company will issue of 10,911,467 common shares and 10,911,467 warrants. No finders' commissions will be paid connection with the First Closing. The shares and warrants issued under the First Closing will bear the minimum four-month regulatory hold period from the date of issuance. The financing is being led by a lithium investment portfolio managed by Gunnar Pedersen's family office. Mr. Pedersen is a Director of the Company. An updating release will be provided once the Company has completed any future closings of the Unit financing, including receipt of final acceptance from the TSXV for the financing. Use of Proceeds The proceeds from the First Closing will be used to finance ongoing permitting and exploration work at the Company's Let's Go Lithium project located in the Amargosa Valley of Nevada, USA. Judson Culter, CEO at Rover, states: "Gunnar's commitment to financing the permitting process for our Let's Go Lithium ("LGL") project is huge for us. We have significantly reduced our burn rate to allow us to focus our working capital on the continued NEPA permitting process for the LGL project. Our last equity financing was in the summer of 2023. As a Company, we are positioned to ride-out this bear market in lithium exploration. Our valued partners at the UES, Reno office, have been out in the field since March of this year doing the work needed to move the LGL project to the next level. Management is satisfied with the UES fieldwork to date and feel confident that exploration drilling can be achieved in the area, with less than five acres of planned disturbance." Paddy Moylan, Rover's President comments: "What a great show of support to start this raise. The smart money is seeing the opportunity. We are set for the market turnaround. If anyone is keen to look at us please contact us directly at info@rovermetals.com." Related Party Transaction The private placement constitutes a "related party transaction" as such term is defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") as an investment by a company beneficially controlled by a director of the Company has participated in the financing, acquiring aggregate of 10,000,000 Units for aggregate consideration of $300,000. The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of related party participation in the private placement as the Company is not listed on a specified market and neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involved the related party, exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). The private placement was approved by the board of directors of the Company with the conflicted director abstaining. About Rover Critical Minerals Rover is a publicly traded junior mining company that trades on the TSXV under symbol ROVR, on the OTCQB under symbol ROVMF, and on the FSE under symbol 4XO. The Company is focussed on the permitting and exploration of the LGL project, a claystone lithium project in the Amargosa Valley of Nevada, USA. You can follow Rover on its social media channels: Twitter: https://twitter.com/rovermetals LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rover-critical-minerals/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true for daily company updates and industry news, and YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsHsfag1GFyp4aLW5Ye-YQ?view_as=subscriber for corporate videos. Website: https://www.rovercriticalminerals.com/ ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Judson Culter" Chief Executive Officer and Director For further information, please contact: Email: info@rovermetals.com Phone: +1 (778) 754-2617 Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause Rover's actual results, performance, achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. There can be no assurance that such statements prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any factor could cause actual results to differ materially from Rover's expectations. Rover undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates, opinions, or other factors, should change. THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS 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. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE. SOURCE: Rover Critical Minerals Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Cool Company Ltd. (NYSE: CLCO CLCO.OL, "CoolCo" or the "Company") will host a First Quarter 2024 Earnings call and webcast presentation on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 8:00 A.M. New York 2:00 P.M. Oslo 1:00 P.M. London. The presentation will be available to download from the Presentations and Webcasts subsection of the Investors section of the Company's website at www.coolcoltd.com. We recommend that participants join the conference call via the listen-only live webcast link provided. Sell-side analysts interested in raising a question during the Q&A session that will immediately follow the presentation should access the event via the teleconference dial-in options listed below. We recommend connecting 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Information on how to ask questions will be given at the beginning of the Q&A session. There will be a limit of two questions per participant. a. Listen-only live webcast link Go to the Investors News Presentations and Webcasts section at www.coolcoltd.com and click on the "Webcast" link. b. Teleconference Conference call participants who wish to raise a question during the Q&A session should join the teleconference by phone using one of the following options and conference ID CCLQ124: North America +1 888-632-3384 International +1 785-424-1794 Please download the presentation material from www.coolcoltd.com (Investors News Presentations and Webcasts) to view it while listening to the conference. If you are not able to listen at the time of the call, you can access a replay of the event audio on www.coolcoltd.com (Investors News Presentations and Webcasts) (on-demand link is available for one year). ABOUT COOLCO CoolCo is an LNG Carrier pure play with a balanced portfolio of short and longer-term charters, the cash flows from which form the basis of the Company's quarterly dividend for common shareholders. In addition to the built-in and funded growth from two newbuilds scheduled to be delivered in the second half of 2024, CoolCo's strategy includes ongoing assessment of opportunities for vessel acquisitions and potential consolidation in a fragmented market segment. Through its in-house vessel management platform, CoolCo manages and operates its LNG transportation and infrastructure assets for a range of the world's leading companies in addition to providing such services to third parties. CoolCo benefits from the scale and stature of Eastern Pacific Shipping and its affiliates, encompassing CoolCo's largest shareholder and the owner of one of the world's largest independent shipping fleets, which strengthen the Company's strategic position with regard to shipyards, financial institutions, and access to dealflow. CoolCo supports the world's decarbonization and energy security needs and has stated its intention to reduce its emissions by 10-15% through its LNGe upgrade program, as part of a fleet-wide improvement target of 35% between 2019 and 2030. Additional information about CoolCo can be found at www.coolcoltd.com. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Regulation EU 596/2014 (MAR) article 19 number 3 and Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515439462/en/ Contacts: For further information, please contact: c/o Cool Company Ltd +44 207 659 1111 ir@coolcoltd.com Richard Tyrrell Chief Executive Officer John Boots Chief Financial Officer Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - CubicFarm Systems Corp. (TSXV: CUB) ("CubicFarms" or the "Company"), a leading local chain agricultural technology company, is providing this default status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 Cease Trade Orders for Continuous Disclosure Defaults ("NP 12-203"). On April 16, 2024, the Company announced that it was unable to file its annual audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and the related management's discussion and analysis and annual information form for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the "Required Filings") by the deadline of April 29, 2024. On April 30, 2024, the British Columbia Securities Commission, as principal regulator, granted a temporary management cease trade order (the "MCTO") to the Company. The Company intends to file the Required Filings as soon as practicable. Pursuant to NP 12-203, the Company must file bi-weekly default status reports in the form of further news releases during the period of the MCTO. The Company reports that since its news release of April 16, 2024, there have been no changes regarding the information contained in that news release that would reasonably be expected to be material to an investor. The Company confirms there have been no failures by it in fulfilling its stated intentions with respect to satisfying the provisions of the alternative information guidelines under NP 12-203, , except that the Company has not filed a default status report since April 16, 2024, and there has not been, nor is there anticipated to be, any specified default subsequent to the default announced in the Company's news release of April 16, 2024. Lastly, there is no material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed. About HydroGreen HydroGreen's Automated Vertical Pastures technology utilizes a unique process to sprout grains, such as barley and wheat, in a controlled environment with minimal use of land, labour and water. HydroGreen's fully automated indoor growing technology performs all growing functions including seeding, watering, lighting, harvesting, and re-seeding-all with the push of a button-to deliver nutritious fresh forage for livestock without the typical investment in fertilizer, chemicals, fuel, field equipment, and transportation. Automated Vertical Pastures not only provide superior nutritious feed to benefit the animal but also enable significant environmental benefits to the farm. About CubicFarms CubicFarms is a leading local chain agricultural technology company developing and deploying technology to feed a changing world. Its proprietary ag-tech solutions enable growers to produce high quality, predictable produce and fresh livestock feed with HydroGreen Nutrition Technology, a division of CubicFarm Systems Corp. The CubicFarms system contains patented technology for growing leafy greens and other crops onsite, indoors, all year round. CubicFarms provides an efficient, localized food supply solution that benefits our people, planet, and economy. For more information, please visit https://cubicfarms.com. Contact info@cubicfarms.com for media or investors@cubicfarms.com for investor inquiries. Forward-looking and other cautionary statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, statements with respect to: statements regarding the timing, review, completion and filing of the Required Filings. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors and assumptions which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of CubicFarm Systems Corp., or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information including, without limitation, the risk of the Company not obtaining the Management CTO or file the Required Filing on time and the other factors disclosed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022, and those risks described in other documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the prospectus. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict", and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur, or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except as required by securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if the Company's expectations regarding future events, performance, or results change. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209362 SOURCE: CubicFarm Systems Corp. Cruise has agreed to pay millions of dollars to a woman who was struck and dragged by one of its vehicles in 2023. Amaya Edwards/The Chronicle General Motors Co.s autonomous car unit has reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with the pedestrian who was struck and dragged by one of its robotaxis in San Francisco last year, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. The exact amount of the settlement has not been made public, but is believed to be $8 million to $12 million, a person familiar with the situation told the news outlet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Oct. 2, the Cruise driverless vehicle continued moving while a woman was pinned under its chassis as the car attempted to pull over. The company later said the vehicles software mischaracterized where the robotaxi initially struck the woman, leading it to make the wrong decision. Californias Department of Motor Vehicles suspended the GM-owned companys driverless taxi license in the city after the company allegedly withheld car crash footage and lied to investigators. The company then ceased all driverless operations. Representatives for General Motors and Cruise did not answer questions about the settlement. The pedestrians name and condition have not been made public. The hearts of all Cruise employees continue to be with the pedestrian, and we hope for her continued recovery, Cruise spokesperson Navideh Forghani said in an email. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - Orestone Mining Corp. (TSXV: ORS) (OTC Pink: ORESF) (FSE: O2R1) ("the Company") is pleased to announce the completion of its non-brokered private placement announced April 11, 2024 whereby the Company issued a total of 5,000,000 common shares ("Shares") at a price of $0.03 per Share for gross proceeds of $150,000 (the "Offering"). The proceeds of the Offering will be used for payment of certain expenses, consisting of $45,000 payable to DeVisser Gray LLP for audit and tax related services; $25,000 payable to Pacific Opportunity Capital, a non-arm's length party, for office rent and accounting services, with the balance of the proceeds to be used for general working capital purposes. The Shares issued under the Offering are subject to a hold period that expires on September 16, 2024. Finders' fees amounting to $5,130 were paid in connection with the Offering. The private placement is subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Certain directors, officers and other insiders of the Company purchased or acquired direction and control over a total of 1,450,000 Shares under the private placement. The placement to those persons constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 -Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") adopted in the Policy. The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of related party participation in the placement as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involved the related parties, exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). The securities referred to in this news release 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 applicable securities laws of any state of the United States, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) or persons in the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws of the United States or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities within any jurisdiction, including the United States. Orestone Mining Corp. is a professionally managed mineral exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, BC. The Company's primary asset is the 100 percent owned Captain gold-copper project which hosts a large gold dominate porphyry target. The property encompasses 105 square kilometres located 41 kilometres north of Fort St. James and 30 kilometres south of the Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine in North Central British Columbia. The Captain Project can be explored year round. To stay informed of Orestone's latest activities please click here to provide consent and receive news and updates. For more information, please visit Orestone's website at: www.orestone.ca. ON BEHALF OF ORESTONE MINING CORP. David Hottman CEO For further information contact: David Hottman at 604-629-1929 | info@orestone.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this News Release. This news release has been prepared by management and no regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. 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/209348 SOURCE: Orestone Mining Corp. LONDON, May 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --New research released today reveals that over three quarters of the UK public (76%) believe that, more than ever before, the law needs to change to give businesses a legal responsibility to prioritise people and the planet alongside making a profit. UK law currently requires firms to operate under a legal regime of shareholder primacy, meaning company directors too often put profit ahead of society and the environment. The research, which looks at UK opinion on business responsibility, was conducted by B Lab UK ahead of this year's Better Business Day (Thursday 16th May). Better Business Day will see a broad coalition of businesses call to enact the Better Business Act - a proposed change to Section 172 of the Companies Act that would empower company directors to align the interests of shareholders with their employees, customers, local communities and the environment. Support for the change spans political preferences with voters across the party divide strongly giving their backing; 85% of Labour supporters, 70% of Conservative supporters, and 89% of both Liberal Democrat and Green Party supporters said they were in favour of the proposed amendment to the law. When respondents were asked about their biggest single motivator for backing the change, looking after people was at the forefront. Over a quarter (28%) polled believed the most important reason was to protect employees, with recent developments such as the Post Office scandal highlighting a need for change. This was followed by the need to support the public during the ongoing cost of living crisis (26%) and the fact that businesses should have a legal responsibility to protect the environment (25%). Around the UK, Wales is the biggest supporter of the proposed amendment, with 86% of people polled there saying the law must change. The research showed that increasingly the public are looking to businesses to act as a force for good and will prioritise those that do. Almost half of respondents (47%) said that they will only work for companies that show themselves to have a responsibility towards wider stakeholders including their employees, customers, local communities and the environment. 45% also said they would only invest in, and purchase goods from, companies who act in a responsible way, indicating that businesses who prioritise people and the planet have a competitive advantage. Mary Portas, Chair of the Better Business Act, and founder of Portas agency, said: "The data is clear. And so is the cultural mood. The British public are crying out for businesses to make a change and make it their legal right and responsibility to look after people and the planet. We see this demand across the board. From all parts of the UK. All age ranges. All political persuasions. As we head into the election, it's a challenge the next government cannot ignore. Thousands of businesses have already prioritised responsible decision-making. It's only fair that the government now supports every company - big and small - in their journey towards becoming a better business." Chris Turner, Campaign Director of the Better Business Act and Executive Director of B Lab UK, said: "It's been three years since we launched the Better Business Act campaign. In that time, we've seen a growing majority of the UK public demand more from the companies they engage with, while leaders of these organisations also recognise that we need to change 'business as usual'. Over 2,500 UK companies from all sectors and of all sizes are now backing the Better Business Act, demonstrating the urgency for the next Government to take action and empower all business leaders to prioritise people and the planet alongside profit. During a time when people are battling a cost-of-living crisis, global temperatures are rising and inequality is reaching new heights, updating Section 172 of the Companies Act would ensure that business becomes part of the solution to the social, environmental and economic challenges we face." During Better Business Day, B Lab UK will be releasing a new video in support of amendments to Section 172 of the Companies Act. The film will show UK business leaders sharing elevator pitches as to why they support the campaign. These contributors are Mary Portas (Co-Chair of Better Business Act and Founder of Portas Agency), Amy Clarke (Chief Impact Office of Tribe Impact Capital), Chris Turner (Executive Director of B Lab UK and Campaign Director of Better Business Act), Dr Ateh Jewel (Entrepreneur), Safia Minney (Author and Entrepreneur), and Luke Boase (Founder of Lucky Saint). To find out more information visit https://betterbusinessact.org/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413540/Better_Business_Day_1.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/b-lab-uk-research-reveals-uk-public-back-change-to-company-law-to-put-people-the-planet-and-profit-on-more-equal-footing-302146486.html Singapore, Singapore, May 15th, 2024, Chainwire A major event in Cosmos is the recent passing of Governance Proposal No.917: a request by Dora Factory and DoraHacks for a $1 million grant from the Cosmos Hub community treasury. This grant will support ten rounds of Quadratic Funding within the Cosmos Hub ecosystem over the next two years. As one of the largest treasury funding applications, this proposal sparked extensive discussions within the Cosmos community and received overwhelming support. Over $1 billion worth of ATOM, including major validators and core Cosmos contributors, voted in favor. The approval rate reached 91.9%, making Gov Proposal 917 the motion with the highest approval rating in the Cosmos Hubs history. Following the approval of this proposal, Dora Factory, in collaboration with DoraHacks, has officially announced the second AEZ (ATOM Economic Zone) quadratic funding program, marking the launch of the first long-term funding initiative. This quadratic funding program will span two years, starting May 15, 2024, and ending May 2026. The passing of Gov Proposal 917 brings native Quadratic Funding to the Cosmos Hub for the first time. What is Public Goods Funding? Public goods funding is a frequently discussed concept within the Web3 industry. Generally, public goods refer to goods or services that are available for everyone to use. In crypto, public goods can include blockchain infrastructure, storage, developer tools, software middleware, and user-facing applications such as block explorers, data dashboards, and wallets. Due to its inherent transparency and verifiability, crypto and blockchain are ideal tools for funding public goods. However, web3 public goods funding also faces numerous challenges. Lack of coordination among the various parties involved in public goods funding (foundations, institutions, DAOs, developers, and communities). A shortage of sustainable and effective funding mechanisms. Public goods funding is often perceived as not interesting. Enter Dora Factory, which strives to build infrastructure that enables large-scale adoption of public goods funding. Dora Factory: Infrastructure Born for Public Goods Dora Factory is a leading decentralised governance infrastructure and multi-chain public goods funding protocol stack, incubated and supported by DoraHacks, the industrys developer and public goods funding platform. Its products include Public Good Staking infrastructure and Dora Vota, an appchain for voting and governance designed to empower the global Hacker Movement, open-source communities, and DAOs. Multi-Chain Quadratic Funding: Aligning Communities and Ecosystem Builders What is Quadratic Funding? Through native-token donations, token-holder communities can support high-quality early-stage projects and public goods within various ecosystems, fostering better collaboration among foundations, communities, and developers. As the first and only team in the industry to develop and advocate for this approach, Dora Factory is a true leader in multi-chain quadratic funding. It has successfully deployed native quadratic funding in numerous mainstream crypto ecosystems, including BNB Chain, Solana, Polygon, Aptos, Cosmos Hub, Injective, and Avalanche. Public Good Staking: Providing Sustainable Funding for Public Goods In late 2022, Dora Factory introduced the concept of Public Good Staking. By operating underlying infrastructure such as validators, they earn native block rewards that are continuously used to fund multi-chain developers and public goods ecosystems. Dora Factory has promoted public good staking in over 30 ecosystems mainnets and testnets, achieving a TVL (Total Value Locked) of over $400 million, providing up to $10 million in sustainable annual funding. In the future, Dora Factory will explore ways to use cryptocurrency to fund cutting-edge technology fields like space technology, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and biomedical research. Community Incentive Fund: Making Public Goods Funding More Fun Dora Factory launched the Community Incentive Fund to make the public goods funding process more engaging and fun. Top meme and NFT projects like Celestias Celestine Sloth Collection, Injective Ninja, Aptos Gui Inu, and Aptos Monkeys have become partners of the Community Incentive Fund. Through retroactive airdrops and gamified donations, these projects have brought more fun to public goods funding, receiving contributions and donations from nearly 100,000 unique addresses across different communities. Anonymous Minimum Anti-Collusion Infrastructure (aMACI): Bringing Privacy Technology to On-Chain Public Goods Governance MACI is a cryptographic technology designed to maximize the detection and elimination of collusion in voting. In 2022 and 2023, the Dora Factory team collaborated with ETHDenver, 0x, and OpenSea to introduce privacy voting to crypto hackathons. MACI has significantly improved privacy and reduced collusion in on-chain governance and voting. In 2024, Dora Factory launched aMACI, adding voter anonymity to eliminate collusion between the vote initiator and the operator. This further enhances privacy and lowers the usage threshold of MACI voting. This is a significant step towards future large-scale decentralized voting systems. Dora Vota: Open Infrastructure for Public Goods Funding Dora Vota is a multi-chain governance and voting infrastructure. Vota and interoperability protocols like IBC will provide modular voting and governance infrastructure, such as plug-and-play quadratic funding modules and grant distribution mechanisms. As the first permissionless appchain focused on scaling on-chain voting, Dora Vota will offer developers a valuable playground, unlocking more possibilities for public goods funding and decentralized community governance. Recently, Dora Factory secured strategic financing from dao5, Whampoa Digital, and angel investors like EigenLayer co-founder Calvin Liu. This is the first strategic round of a new funding series since Dora Factorys $17.5M raise in 2021. As Doras Public Good Staking grows and Votas ecosystem matures, the team believes Dora Factory will continue exploring new solutions to traditional funding inefficiencies, accelerating the maturity of governance and public goods funding in the multi-chain ecosystem. Contact Community contributor Chris Lee Dora Factory [email protected] Holidu, a Munich, Germany-based vacation rental company, acquired Clubrural, a Madrid, Spain-based provider of a portal for rural vacation rentals in Spain and Portugal. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. With the acquisition, Holidu will expand its offerings. Founded in 1997 by Javier De La Cruz, Clubrural specilizes in booking of vacation rentals in the Iberian Peninsula, with a particular focus on rural tourism. Since then, the platform has grown to a portfolio of 28,000 vacation homes and apartments in Spain and Portugal attracting more than 15 million website visitors every year. Over 15,000 hosts rent out their accommodation via the portal. Founded by brothers Johannes and Michael Siebers in 2014, Holidu is a vacation rental company that offers software and service solutions for hosts to generate bookings. Landlords have access to software and receive personal support from local travel experts. The company has 25 European branches and already manages over 37,000 properties with a presence across Europe and five branches in Spain (Mallorca, Barcelona, Tenerife, Alicante, and Malaga). FinSMEs 15/05/2024 ListEngage, a Boston, MA-based Salesforce Ventures-backed certified partner, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 1to1, a Salesforce personalization consulting agency. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. Upon completion of the acquisition, 1to1 will join the ListEngage team to enhance and expand services. In addition to growing the Marketing Cloud Personalization practice, the acquisition of 1to1 expands ListEngages capacity for integration and artificial intelligence-driven solutions for customers. Led by CEO and Founder Pratik Desai, 1to1 is a Salesforce Personalization consulting agency, providing enterprise solutions to organizations. Led by CEO and Founder Altaf Shaikh, ListEngage is a Salesforce certified partner whom experts guide businesses to get the most out of Salesforce. It has delivered 5,000+ projects across 3,000+ customers over its 20-year history. FinSMEs 15/05/2024 Sesame, a Valencia, Spain-based HR management startup, raised 23M in funding. Backers included PSG and GP Bullhound. The company intends to use the funds to continue to invest in product development, launch new verticals, and accelerate international expansion. Led by CEO Albert Soriano, Sesame provides a complete system for work teams and human resources. From a phone users will be able to manage everything involved in their daily work: attendance control, selection processes, communications, etc. The company serves over 8,000 customers, with the platform reaching more than 300,000 users. The company plans to launch new finance related features, such as expense control, salary in advance and flexible remuneration. FinSMEs 15/05/2024 In the days to come, Cannes will premiere George Millers Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Francis Ford Coppolas self-financed Megalopolis and anticipated new movies from Paolo Sorrentino, Yorgos Lanthimos, Andrea Arnold and Kevin Costner read more The Cannes Film Festival opened Tuesday with the unveiling of Greta Gerwigs jury and the presentation of an honorary Palme dOr for Meryl Streep, as the French Riviera spectacular kicked off a potentially volatile 77th edition. A 10-day stream of stars will soon begin flowing down Cannes famous red carpet beginning with the opening night film, The Second Act, a French comedy starring Lea Seydoux, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel and Raphael Quenard. During the opening ceremony, Streep will be given her honorary Palme. Advertisement In the days to come, Cannes will premiere George Millers Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Francis Ford Coppolas self-financed Megalopolis and anticipated new movies from Paolo Sorrentino, Yorgos Lanthimos, Andrea Arnold and Kevin Costner. But much of the drama surrounding this years Cannes has been off screen. After French actor Judith Godreche earlier this year accused two film directors of rape and sexual abuse when she was a teenager, the French film industry has been dealing with arguably its defining #MeToo moment. On Wednesday, Godreche will premiere her short Moi Aussi. Asked about #MeToo expanding in France, Gerwig told reporters in Cannes on Tuesday that its progress. I think people in the community of movies telling us stories and trying to change things for the better is only good, Gerwig said. I have seen substantive change in the American film community, and I think its important that we continue to expand that conversation. So I think its only moving everything in the correct direction. Keep those lines of communication open. Gerwig, coming off the success of Barbie, is president of the jury that will decide Cannes top award, the Palme dOr. Thierry Fremaux on Monday praised her as the ideal director for Cannes, given her ability to work across arthouse and studio film and her interest in cinema history. And, Fremaux said, We very much liked Barbie. Advertisement Joining Gerwig on the jury is Lily Gladstone, star of Killers of the Flower Moon, French actor Eva Green, Spanish filmmaker J.A. Bayona, French actor Omar Sy, Lebanese actor and director Nadine Labaki, Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, Turkish screenwriter Ebru Ceylan and Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino. I thought I just got over my imposter syndrome last year, said the Oscar-nominated Gladstone. But Ill start all over again. The jurors were asked how the many real-world concerns outside the festival might affect their deliberations. One film in competition, Ali Abbasis The Apprentice, stars Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump. And Labaki was asked if the war in Gaza might be on her mind. Advertisement I truly believe that one of the tools to really change something in the situation we all live in right now, which is a situation I think is not that great, is really through art and through cinema, said Labaki. It may propose a more tolerant way of seeing things and seeing each other as human beings. Filmmakers, Favino said, play the important role of reminding the world of where it can find beauty. This is why I decided that I could be here without feeling guilty as a human being, said Favino. Because if we look for beauty, then we might look for peace. Advertisement Other concerns are also swirling around this years Cannes. Festival workers, fed up with short-term contracts that leave them unqualified for unemployment benefits in between festivals, have threatened to strike. On Monday, the Iranian filmmaker Mohammed Rasoulof, whose film The Seed of the Sacred Fig is premiering next week in competition in Cannes, said he had fled Iran after being sentenced to eight years in prison and flogging. The film is said to be a critical depiction of the Iranian regime. As Cannes continues, though, many will be focused on the stars parading the festivals famous red carpet. Theyll include Emma Stone, Anya Taylor-Joy, Demi Moore, Selena Gomez, Nicolas Cage and Barry Keoghan. At the closing ceremony on May 25, George Lucas is to receive an honorary Palme dOr. Advertisement Regardless, the 77th Cannes will have a lot to live up to. Last years festival, widely celebrated for its robust lineup, produced three Oscar best picture nominees: Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest and Killers of the Flower Moon. To help rekindle last years spirit, Messi, the canine star of Anatomy of a Fall, is back in Cannes for a series of brief French TV spots. A good Cannes will help France keep the global spotlight through the summer. The festival will be followed by the French Open, the Tour de France and the summer Olympics in Paris. On May 21 in Cannes, the Olympic flame will be carried up the steps to the festivals hub, the Palais des Festivals. King Charles IIIs first official portrait since his coronation was unveiled on Tuesday. The painting by British artist Jonathan Yeo shows the monarch with a sword in hand and a butterfly hovering over his shoulder. But it is the vivid red background that has caught the eyes of many read more Britains King Charles IIIs first official portrait since his coronation has been unveiled. However, it has not garnered responses that Buckingham Palace might have been hoping for. Social media users have not taken kindly to the 8.5 by 6.5-foot painting that shows larger-than-life King Charles against a backdrop of garish red, pink and fuchsia hues. Lets take a closer look. King Charles official portrait On Tuesday (14 May), Buckingham Palace revealed Charles new official portrait by esteemed British artist Jonathan Yeo. Advertisement It shows the British monarch wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, with a sword in hand and a butterfly hovering over his shoulder. Charles was made Regimental Colonel in the Welsh Guards in 1975. The fiery red background seems to consume the King. The artist said of the experience of painting The King: When I started this project, His Majesty The King was still His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and much like the butterfly I've painted hovering over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the subject's role in pic.twitter.com/U289q8AlMh The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 14, 2024 The butterfly is a nod to Kings interest in environmental causes that he has championed most of his life and certainly long before they became a mainstream conversation, the British artist wrote on his website. In the context of art history, a butterfly often the symbol of metamorphosis and rebirth, and thus also parallels the Kings transition from Prince to monarch during the period the portrait was created", the website says. Yeo started working on the oil painting when Charles was still Prince of Wales. He had four sittings with the King, with the first one at Highgrove in June 2021, reported BBC. These sitting reportedly ended before Charles cancer diagnosis . Advertisement The artist told BBC that the butterfly was Charles idea. I said, when schoolchildren are looking at this in 200 years and theyre looking at the whos who of the monarchs, what clues can you give them? He said what about a butterfly landing on my shoulder?. Yeo, who has painted the likes of English broadcaster David Attenborough, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, actor Idris Elba and the activist Malala Yousafzai, said in a statement released by the royal family, Much like the butterfly Ive painted hovering over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the subjects role in our public life has transformed. Advertisement I do my best to capture the life experiences etched into any individual sitters face. In this case, my aim was also to make reference to the traditions of royal portraiture but in a way that reflects a 21st century monarchy and, above all else, to communicate the subjects deep humanity. Yeo said on his website that the vivid colours in the background echo the uniforms bright red tunic, not only resonating with the royal heritage found in many historical portraits but also injecting a dynamic, contemporary jolt into the genre with its uniformly powerful hue providing a modern contrast to more traditional depictions. Advertisement The portrait was commissioned by the Drapers Company, the City of London livery company which, for centuries, has been collecting royal portraits, reported BBC. Charles painting will hang in Drapers Hall in London, which has a gallery of monarchs from King George III to Queen Victoria, according to New York Times (NYT). It will be exhibited to the public from 16 May to 14 June at the Philip Mould Gallery in London. The painting will hang at Drapers Hall by the end of August. Yeo has also painted Charles wife, Queen Camilla, and his father, Prince Philip. ALSO READ: Who will take over the British throne after King Charles? Advertisement Youve got him Charles portrait received a positive response from Camilla. As per BBC, she looked at the painting and told Yeo: Yes, youve got him. The painting caught Charles by surprise. Queen Camilla gave a positive response to Charles portrait. Reuters File Photo The King, who got a glimpse of the portrait in its half-done state, was initially mildly surprised by the strong colour but otherwise he seemed to be smiling approvingly, Yeo told BBC. The portraits unveiling comes just weeks after Charles returned to public duties, nearly three months after he announced he had cancer. Social media reaction Social media users have not been happy with Charles portrait. References to blood and Hell have not been far behind. A user wrote: Looks like hes going straight to hell. Some royal watchers commented the painting looks slightly disturbing and like hes bathing in blood and like hes burning in hell. Commenting on an Instagram post on the royal familys account, a user wrote: With the uniform and that color it looks like (the) visual representation of the massacre cause by colonisers. Another said, I would have loved this if this was any other color than red. He really captured the essence of him in the face, but the harshness of the red doesnt match the softness of his expression. However, not all disliked the painting. Art historian Richard Morris wrote on X, I really like the portrait before photography, to have a great painter capture your real appearance you accepted the revelation of your flaws and your mortality. Its what Yeo captures here. With inputs from agencies Scientists say 2023 was the hottest year globally since records began in 1850. A study in the journal Nature indicates human-caused climate change pushed northern summer highs well beyond anything seen in two millennia read more A schoolgirl takes a drink on a hot summer day in Lucknow, India. The conservative estimate found that 2023 was at least 0.5 degrees Celsius hotter than the warmest northern hemisphere summer of that period in AD246. AP Summer 2023 left its mark as the hottest season in the northern hemisphere in the past 2,000 years. A recent study compared last years temperatures with the climate variations of millennia past, revealing that last June, July, and August were at least 0.5C hotter than historical climate extremes. This warming trend was significantly accentuated by an El Nino weather pattern in the Pacific, which drove mercury up, intensifying the impact of human-caused global warming. Advertisement Researchers revealed that summer temperatures over northern hemisphere land in 2023 were 2.07C higher than in the pre-industrial period (1850-1900). This exceeds the Paris Agreements target of limiting temperature increases to 1.5C, indicating a serious breach in the northern hemispheres climate stability. How concerning it is? What else the study reveals? Lets take a closer look. Not a big surprise Scientists say 2023 was the hottest year globally since records began in 1850, but the study in the journal Nature indicates human-caused climate change pushed northern summer highs well beyond anything seen in two millennia. We shouldnt be surprised, the studys lead author Jan Esper told AFP. For me its just the continuation of what we started by releasing greenhouse gases that cause global warming, said Esper, a professor of climatology at Germanys Johannes Gutenberg University. While 2050 appears far off, researchers said, people as young as 40 today would be among those vulnerable to future heatwaves. PTI Scientists used tree-ring data from sites across the northern hemisphere to estimate global temperatures between the first century AD and 1850, before the advent of modern observational instruments. The conservative estimate found that 2023 was at least 0.5 degrees Celsius hotter than the warmest northern hemisphere summer of that period in AD246. Otherwise, it was 1.19 degrees warmer. Volcanic activity could bring about cooler conditions Study co-author Max Torbenson told reporters that 25 of the last 28 years exceeded the summer highs of AD246 the hottest year before modern temperature records began. Advertisement By contrast the coolest summer of that 2,000-year period was nearly four degrees below 2023 summer temperatures in the northern hemisphere due to a major volcanic eruption. Scientists say volcanic activity could bring about cooler conditions in future as they did in the past, but that ultimately humanitys release of greenhouse gases would keep trapping heat in the atmosphere. In 1992, an eruption the previous year helped soften the impact of the El Nino weather system, which warms the Pacific Ocean and can bring hotter global conditions. After the effect subsided, temperatures soared in 1998, which the study noted was one of the warmest summers after 2023 and 2016 respectively both also El Nino years. Advertisement Esper said the only way to curb rising temperatures was to immediately start cutting emissions and the longer we wait, the more difficult and expensive it will be. Health risks owing to high temperatures A separate study published on Tuesday warned that higher temperatures and ageing populations would see tens of millions of older people being exposed to dangerous heat extremes by 2050. Already 14 per cent of elderly people are exposed to days exceeding 37.5 degrees, which can aggravate health conditions and even lead to death, said the study in the journal Nature Communications. Jitendra Kumar, a paramedic who travels in ambulance, washes his face with water to cool himself off after dropping a patient at Lalitpur district hospital, in Banpur, in Uttar Pradesh. The rising temperatures are aggravating health conditions. File image/PTI That number is expected to climb to 23 per cent by the middle of the century, the study said. Advertisement Different countries in the world are facing similar issues but the level of preparedness, the adaptive capacity of people and of society is different, the studys lead author Giacomo Falchetta told AFP. Europe has systems in place to support people during heatwaves but faces considerable change as one of the fastest warming regions on Earth, said Falchetta of the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change. The share of elderly people in Africa and Asia is set to grow dramatically though populations in poorer regions lack access to sufficient clean water or healthcare to cope with heat extremes, Falchetta said. It raises questions of inequality around the world in terms of how governments and regions are equipped to cope with this, he said. Advertisement While 2050 appears far off, Falchetta said people as young as 40 today would be among those vulnerable to future heatwaves. Ageing populations cannot be avoided but reducing emissions can really reduce to some extent the heat exposure that will be felt, he said. 2024 could top it As climate change is exacerbated by El Nino, temperature records will most likely be broken again in 2024. In recent weeks, exceptional heat waves have baked many Asian countries, with Myanmar experiencing its highest-ever April temperature of 48.2 degrees Celsius. India also recorded temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius in some parts of Delhi. When you look at the long sweep of history, you can see just how dramatic recent global warming is, Ulf Buntgen, a study co-author from the University of Cambridge in the UK, said in a statement. 2023 was an exceptionally hot year, and this trend will continue unless we dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With inputs from AFP Mohamed Amra, a drug trafficker, was being transported from court to prison in a police van, which was ambushed by gunmen. Two guards were killed and three others were wounded in the attack that saw Amra escape. Nicknamed The Fly, he is accused of murders, kidnapping and burglaries read more A forensic is at work as police officers patrol at the site of a ramming attack which took place on Tuesday at a road toll in Incarville in the Eure region of northern France. Two French prison officers were killed and two others wounded in the ambush on the prison van transporting the inmate, Mohamed Amra, who escaped. AFP On the weekend, Mohamed Amra was caught by the French police as he was trying to saw the bars of his prison cell. Authorities decided to relocate him to a disciplinary unit but that did not end well. Frances most wanted man has escaped after gunmen ambushed a prison convoy in Normandy, killing two guards and wounding three others. The incident took place as the vehicle was transporting Amra from court to a nearby prison. Now a massive manhunt is on. Hundreds of police are looking for the armed men and the convict, nicknamed The Fly. Advertisement We take a look at how Amra escaped and his many crimes. How the French police van was ambushed Gunmen attacked a prison convoy in Normandy on Tuesday, shot dead two prison officers and left three others seriously injured. The guards were transporting Amra, 30, between prison and a court when they were ambushed. Video footage from the scene shows a black car in flames that appeared to have crashed into the prison van near a motorway toll booth, according to a report by BFMTV, a CNN affiliate. Two hooded gunmen are seen wielding long rifles and another video shows two others patrolling nearby. The four armed men used two vehicles to target the police van, reports Le Parisien. The attackers escaped in one of the cars along with Amra. A screen grab from a CCTV video shows gunmen wearing balaclavas ambushing a prison van to free a drug dealer in Val-de-Reuil. Reuters Yvon Barbier, a retired cattle farmer with land near the motorway, told Sky News that he heard maybe 30 or 40 really loud gunshots. It was so loud, and we didnt dare go and check the cattle as I didnt want to get shot What could those guards do? They had pistols and the other guys had big, serious weapons. French justice minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said one of the officers who died was aged 34 and left behind a pregnant wife; the other, aged 52, was a father of two. He said two of the injured guards were critical. Advertisement Who is Mohamed Amra? Amra is one of Frances most wanted men. He is said to have ties to a gang in the southern city of Marseille, which has been hit by drug-related gang violence, reports the BBC. He is nicknamed La Mouche (The Fly), according to BFMTV. The 30-year-old was recently sentenced to 18 months for burglary in Evreux, a suburb in northwest France, particularly thefts from supermarkets and businesses between August and October 2019. He was reportedly held in prisons in Marseille, Paris and Rouen during the legal process against theft. The French media describe Amra as a high-flying bandit. Some reports suggest that he heads an organised drug network. He is reportedly involved in international drug trafficking. He has also been indicted by a Marseille court for kidnapping leading to death and was held in prison on suspicion of ordering a murder in June 2022. Advertisement Amras implication in the death of a man from Dreux near Rouen who was kidnapped in Marseille is linked to drug trafficking. He is also under investigation for attempted homicide in an organised gang in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, a commune in the Normandy region. Mohamed Amra is said to run an organised drug ring and is accused of murders and kidnap. AFP The convict had 13 previous convictions for several minor offences like driving without a licence, theft and refusing to stop for police. Amras attempt to cut through the bars of his prison cell prompted his relocation to a disciplinary unit. His surveillance level was raised to level three, one below the special surveillance level reserved for the most dangerous prisoners in the country, reports The Telegraph. Advertisement The gangsters lawyer Hugues Vigier said that he was shocked by the inexcusable and insane violence, as he spoke of the van ambush. This does not correspond to the impression that I had of him, the lawyer told BFMTV, according to a BBC report. Vigiers assistant had met Amra on Tuesday morning, hours before the escape and he appeared to be perfectly normal, the lawyer said. He [Amra] knew about the transfer so it is possible that hed have told other people. Amras mother said that she had no idea that he would escape. He doesnt talk to me. Hes my son, he doesnt talk to me about anything at all, she was quoted as saying in the BBC report. Advertisement She broke down after hearing about the ambush. how can lives be taken away in this way?" she told RTL. What we know about the manhunt Gerald Darmanin, Frances interior minister, said several hundred police officers were now hunting Amra and the gunmen. French police have discovered two burnt cars used by the attackers. One of the vehicles, a Peugeot, was used to ram the police van, while the other, an Audi, followed the cops and carried the two gunmen, Paris state prosecutor Laure Beccuau told a press conference. This is the terror attack on the prison van in France today. These terrorists successfully freed an Islamist drug dealer called Mohamed. Truly shocking. Welcome to the New Europe. pic.twitter.com/aDtZVcfKQ5 Paul Golding (@GoldingBF) May 14, 2024 Forensic experts have been carrying out meticulous tests at the scene of the crime, and police had been studying video of the attack filmed by eyewitnesses and posted on social media, Beccuau said, according to a report in CNN. French president Emmanuel Macron said, Everything is being done to find the perpetrators of this crime so that justice can be done in the name of the French people. We will be intractable. The attack, which cost the lives of prison officers, is a shock to us all. The Nation stands alongside the families, the injured and their colleagues, he wrote on X. With inputs from agencies A San Francisco jury acquitted a man of hate crime charges related to two incidents near Mission Dolores Park in June. Robert Daly/Getty Images A San Francisco jury acquitted a man of hate crime charges related to two June incidents near Mission Dolores Park in which he was accused of throwing glass and shouting anti-gay slurs at several men, the citys Public Defenders Office announced Wednesday. Public defenders claimed the San Francisco Police Department misrepresented facts and failed to properly investigate the incidents involving defendant Muhammed Abdullah, 21. Abdullah was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and hate crimes. He also faced a misdemeanor petty theft charge after police accused him of stealing a Pride flag from a store in the Castro District. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The jury acquitted him of the charges and he was released after spending 340 days in custody at the San Francisco County Jail, public defenders said. Abdullah was in the midst of a mental health crisis at the time of the incidents and was later denied mental health treatment, the public defenders office said in a statement. The court rejected a motion to admit Abdullah into a mental health diversion program, and he was released from jail last week with no plan for his future treatment, the office said. The District Attorneys Office was presented with evidence that Mr. Abdullah attacked three members of the LGBTQ community in the Castro and ... expressed homophobic views verbally and in writing, spokesperson Randolph Quezada said in a statement. Prosecutors case rested on the testimony of the civilian witnesses and mental health experts, he said. Deputy Public Defenders Deborah Awolope and Tal Klement, who represented Abdullah, praised the jury for rejecting what they characterized in a statement as misleading police work. According to public defenders, a police officer admitted in testimony that he had misrepresented the facts in a police report that accused Abdullah of carrying out an unprovoked attack. Public defenders said Abdullah defended himself after a passerby who was offended by a sign Abdullah was carrying grabbed him from behind. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Two days later, Abdullah was accused of throwing glass bottles at two men. Public defenders said the jury acquitted the 21-year-old after police failed to gather forensic evidence and surveillance footage to support the claim. Lawrence Wong is set to succeed Lee Hsien Loong as Singapore prime minister on Wednesday. He will be just the second non-member of the founding family in nearly six decades to lead the affluent city-state read more Wong, who has served as deputy prime minister since 2022, will lead the People's Action Party in next year's general election and will be sworn in on 15 May. File image/Reuters Lawrence Wong, a 51-year-old US-trained economist, is set to succeed Lee Hsien Loong as Singapores prime minister today. He will be Singapores second non-founding family leader in nearly six decades. Wong, who has served as deputy prime minister since 2022, will lead the Peoples Action Party in next years general election and will be sworn in on 15 May. Wong gained public support by showing off his guitar skills on social media, including a viral video of him playing Taylor Swifts country ballad Love Story on guitar. His decisive leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic response also aided his promotion to the highest office. As the first leader born after Singapores independence in 1965, Wong aims to make decisions that benefit Singapore and its citizens. Advertisement Heres a closer look at who is he. Guitar-wielding prime minister Singapores next leader Lawrence Wong is a US-trained economist who oversaw the countrys fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and is a pretty good blues guitarist. The 51-year-old, who is married without children, comes from a young generation of politicians groomed for leadership in Singapores carefully orchestrated succession process. He becomes the first leader to have been born after the countrys independence in 1965, and hes won public support by taking to social media to showcase his guitar skills. Certainly, Lawrence Wong has a very disarming way of engaging with people, the ability to put people at ease, said Eugene Tan, an associate professor of law at Singapore Management University. Lawrence Wong and Malaysian finance minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz strum guitars after a private dinner in September 2022. Image Courtesy: @tzafrul_aziz/X After Singapore made waves by booking Taylor Swifts only Southeast Asian date on her recent tour, a video Wong posted on social media of him playing her country ballad Love Story on guitar went viral. Imagine the next prime minister in line welcoming Taylor Swift with his guitar at the opening scene of the concert tonight, one Instagram user wrote, adding a pair of smiling emojis with heart-shaped eyes. Decisive While Wong has lengthy experience in government, he was not always tipped among the countrys generation of young leaders to reach Singapores top office. But he distinguished himself as co-chair of a government task force to fight COVID-19, which Lee described as the crisis of a generation. Advertisement The pandemic response suggested that he is decisive and prepared to take tough measures if need be, Tan said. Singapore was among the first countries to procure the COVID-19 vaccine, and the government spent a whopping $74 billion (Rs 6.17 lakh crore), or 20 per cent of GDP, on economic and social support. That enabled Singapore to crank up its trade-reliant economy faster than other countries when pandemic-related curbs were lifted and international air travel resumed. I believe when push comes to shove and the time comes to take hard decisions, I would do so, so long as the decision is in the interest of Singapore and Singaporeans, Wong said in a recent interview with The Economist magazine. Advertisement Giving a glimpse into his leadership style, he told the publication he listens to other viewpoints. While Wong has lengthy experience in government, he was not always tipped among the countrys generation of young leaders to reach Singapores top office. File image/Reuters When I go into a meeting, I do not start off assuming that I know all the answers. I want to get peoples insights, I want to get peoples perspectives, eventually thinking about what makes for the best decisions and outcomes for Singapore, he said. Wong has more than 200,000 followers on Instagram, where he describes himself as a bookworm, guitar player and dog lover. My dad gave me a guitar as a birthday present, a surprise gift, he said in another interview. Ive been playing a long time. Advertisement Growing up in the 1980s, his greatest influences were Eric Clapton and rock bands such as the Eagles, he said, adding that he also loves the blues. Never about one person He went on to graduate with bachelors and masters degrees in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in the United States, respectively. He also holds a graduate degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. After university, he began his career in the civil service, where he caught the eye of the long-ruling Peoples Action Party. Wong was first elected to parliament in 2011 and quickly climbed through the ranks to hold various positions, including in the defence and education ministries. Advertisement He went on to serve as chief executive of the Energy Market Authority, chairman of the central bank and as Lees principal private secretary. Wong was appointed finance minister in 2021, a position deemed a crucial preparation for running an international financial hub like Singapore. Lee appointed Wong deputy prime minister in 2022, putting him firmly in line as heir-apparent. As I have repeatedly emphasised, leadership and political leadership is never about one person, Wong told reporters last year. Tan, the political analyst, said it was a good sign that someone outside the Lee family would become prime minister. Can you imagine if a country has to depend on one or two families to produce its national leaders? I think that is not good. With inputs from AFP Lee Hsien Loong is stepping down as prime minister of Singapore after ruling the city state for two decades. Experts say he will be remembered for guiding the country through tough times including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also transformed Singapore into an innovation and entrepreneurship hub read more Lee Hsien Loong in August 2004 took over as Singapores third prime minister for the long ruling Peoples Action Party (PAP). For Singapore politics, Wednesday is the end of an era. Lee Hsien Loong, the third prime minister of Singapore, is stepping down after two decades atop the city state. Though Lee is handing over the prime ministers chair to Lawrence Wong, he will not entirely be out of the picture. Lee will remain senior minister a path taken by all former premiers. We started off with the founding ideal to be one people, regardless of race, language or religion. And actually, we have gone very far in that direction by policies, by government indoctrination even, by the way we have built our society to be one people, Lee told CNA earlier this week. Advertisement But what is Lees legacy? Lets take a closer look: By the numbers Lee in August 2004 took over as Singapores third prime minister in the long ruling Peoples Action Party (PAP). Lee was following in the footsteps of his predecessor Goh Chok Tong and his father Lee Kuan Yew the countrys first leader who turned it into an economic powerhouse. According to CNA, Lee has repeatedly said he wants to leave Singapore in good order. Lee has done far more than that in fact, hes leaving with the country in far better shape than when he took over. The countrys gross domestic product (GDP) has increased more than two-fold from $168 billion to $392 billion, as per CNA. The average income of a Singapore resident has risen from $1,723 to $3,850. The country also managed to lower its inequality. The Gini coefficient, which measures the gap between the richest and poorest in a country, dropped from .42 to .37. The scale slides from 0 (equality) to 1 (inequality). Yearly passenger arrivals also doubled to 29.5 million from 14.3 million. Singapore under Lee Hsien Loong more than doubled its gross domestic product (GDP) from $168 billion to $392 billion. The country now has 27 free trade agreements as compared to five in 2004. The number of infant care and childcare centres also climbed from 722 in 2004 to 2,470, as per CNA. Handling crises, home to start-up firms According to SCMP, Lee guided Singapore through some of its toughest times including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement A post in Medium noted how deftly Singapore handled the COVID-19 crisis under Lees leadership. Through transparent communication and decisive action, Lee Hsien Loong rallied the nation, instilling confidence and unity in the face of uncertainty. Singapore emerged as a global exemplar in pandemic management, a testament to the efficacy of his leadership, the piece stated. The city state also changed from a trading and manufacturing port into an innovation and entrepreneurship hub, as per SCMP. It is now a home to tech companies and start-up firms. Advertisement Lee also made social progress in 2022 by revoking a law that forbade gay sex. Expanded welfare state, global statesman He also made improvements to Singapores education system and expanded the welfare state. CNA noted how Lees government improved the lot of low wage workers through the Progressive Wage Model and Workfare scheme. SCMP quoted Nydia Ngiow, managing director of BowerGroupAsia in Singapore, as saying, Compared to his predecessors, Lee placed even greater emphasis on social policies and inclusivity as he took on the task of fostering an open and inclusive society, Ngiow told Ngiow told CNA that cash handouts, vouchers and rebates helped the common man deal with the increasing cost of living. She noted how this was a departure from the policies of previous prime minister including his father. Advertisement She recalled how during the 1997 crisis the government of Goh preferred tax rebates to putting cash in the hands of people and businesses. Furthermore, the continuity of cash handouts since 2020 despite significant economic recovery also signals a willingness to implement more social welfare measures, Ngiow added. As a young nation, Singapore started out with a minimalist approach to welfare given its strong focus on self-reliance, but as Singapore continued its focus on economic growth, the country was able to progress financial packages to support each generation of Singaporeans, she TOLD SCMP. A piece in ConnectedtoIndia.com noted the role Lee had played as a global statesman. Lee Hsien Loong also made improvements to Singapores education system and expanded the welfare state. KV Rao, president of the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS), told the outlet, What inspires or impresses me about Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is there are many heads of state, but [he] is a global statesman, [that is] how the world recognises him. Singapore this little red dot usually, more often than not, punches way above its weight. That is the legacy that our prime minister is leaving behind. Advertisement Rao highlighted the challenges leaders face in todays world. There are fewer friends left [in the world] and more are becoming aggressive to each other. In such a world, you look at the role that Singapore plays its a friend of China; its a friend of India; its a friend of America. So its something which is multi-polar and also acceptable, said Rao. Ultimately though, experts said Lee would likely be remembered for a few things above all else. Associate professor Bilveer Singh, deputy head of the Department of Political Sciences at National University of Singapore, told CNA, If asked what could well be his most lasting legacy, it would likely be a combination of his ensuring national political and economic growth continued throughout the COVID pandemic, and his meticulous preparation for the smooth handover of the reins of government administration to the 4G PAP leaders. The negatives But there have also been some negatives. While Singapore under Lees rule flourished into one of the worlds wealthiest nations, it also became one of the most expensive cities to live in. The PAP has also been criticised for tight government control and a government-knows-best stance, media censorship and the use of oppressive laws against dissidents. Issues like increasingly unaffordable housing, overcrowding caused by immigration and restrictions on free speech are often used as fodder by the Opposition and have loosened the PAPs grip on power. One-party dominance in Singapore is weakening but the challenge for the PAP leadership is to slow down the process, said Eugene Tan, a law professor at Singapore Management University. Bridget Welsh, a Southeast Asia political expert, said Lee will be remembered for steering Singapore quietly and successfully through turbulent waters from the 2008-2009 financial crisis and COVID-19. He helped to build resilience in Singapore. (But) Singapore has become a more complex society, with more open demands, making the task of governing (for Wong) more challenging. It remains to be seen if and how Wong rises to the challenge. With inputs from agencies Launched on 8 May, the Dublin-New York portal, a livestreaming art installation, aims to connect individuals through technology. But it has been was temporarily closed for inappropriate behaviour. This comes after a few onlookers made wild gestures, flashed body parts, and used swearwords read more New Yorkers greet people in Dublin during the reveal of The Portal, a public technology sculpture that links with direct connection between Dublin, Ireland and the Flatiron district in Manhattan, in New York City, US. Reuters A live video portal linking the Irish capital of Dublin to New York City was an artistic effort designed to bring the world together. However, in less than a week of its launch, the portal has been temporarily closed for inappropriate behaviour. This comes after a few onlookers made wild gestures, flashed cameras, and other unacceptable pictures. Lets take a closer look. The portal Launched on 8 May, the Dublin-New York portal aims to connect individuals through technology. Each structure has a 2.4-metre (eight feet)-diameter screen that weighs 3.5 tonnes, as per The Guardian. Advertisement 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, the 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. People hold signs as they greet during the reveal of The Portal, a public technology sculpture that links with direct connection between Dublin, Ireland and the Flatiron district in Manhattan, in New York City, US. Reuters The Dublin portal is situated close to OConnell Street, one of the citys main roads, while the New York portal is close to the Flatiron Building. This portal is the second of its kind; the first one connected Vilnius, Lithuania, and Lublin, Poland, and launched in May 2021. The Dublin City Council announced in a news release on 8 May that the Dublin site will link to other cities and locations in Poland, Brazil, and Lithuania. It is anticipated that the connection with New York City will last throughout the autumn, with more cultural events beginning in mid-May. Inappropriate behaviour The two sculptures, known as The Portals, resemble circular lenses and have a live video feed that enables viewers to see and converse with onlookers from across the Atlantic Ocean. However, some users have flashed body parts and used swearwords, while video of the 11 September attack on the World Trade Centre was transmitted to viewers in New York. Advertisement A man has been seen lowering his trousers in several social media videos, while OnlyFans model and social media personality Ava Louise lifted her shirt, according to Forbes. A phone bearing the inscription RIP POP SMOKE was held up to the camera by bystanders on the Dublin side in a video that has received over 500,000 likes on X. This was about a rapper who was shot and died in 2020. A New York resident recorded a video of the 11 September attack footage, which was flashed by a Dublin resident, the report said. Since then, millions of people have seen and shared the video on social media. Advertisement The Irish publication Limerick Leader revealed that a woman was detained and taken away from the Dublin portal by police shortly after it went live, though the story did not state why. The woman was seen dancing provocatively on Instagram, according to a bystander who claimed to have captured footage of the incident. Amy Donohoe lamented in an Irish Independent column, by saying, Not even a week in and Dubliners have truly embarrassed us around the world. Anyone who goes and stands in front of the portal is representing our little country, but if were showing off a drunken culture and being offensive, it could potentially affect tourism in Ireland in the long run. People may not want to come here if this is what theyre seeing. Advertisement Dancers perform during the reveal of The Portal, a public technology sculpture that links with direct connection between Dublin Ireland and the Flatiron district in Manhattan, in New York City, US. Reuters Organisers response The organisers claim to be working on ways to stop inappropriate behaviour. The installation was shut off on Monday and Tuesday, according to a statement from Dublin City Council; however, the Flatiron Nomad Partnership in New York stated that it was put on hold until Wednesday at 03.00 EST (08.00 GMT), as per BBC. While we cannot control all of these actions, we are implementing some technical solutions to address this and these will go live in the next 24 hours, said the Dublin City Council on Monday. Dublin City Council had hoped to have a solution in place today, but unfortunately the preferred solution, which would have involved blurring, was not satisfactory, it added. Advertisement The Flatiron Nomad Partnership claimed that it would deploy software updates to limit such behaviour appearing on the live stream. It also planned to increase staffing and erect barriers at the location in Manhattan to keep individuals from stepping on the Portal. A very small minority The overwhelming majority of visitors have behaved appropriately and experienced the sense of joy and connectedness that this work of public art is intended to evoke, according to the partnership. Its true that most folks on the New York side just smile and wave at others. In the brief, lighthearted exchanges that the projects initiators envisioned as a bridge to a united planet, some people also mime, dance, and wave humorous signs, as per The Guardian. New York organisers underlined that a very small minority were responsible for the unpleasant behaviour. A TikTok video featuring a New Yorker and her Irish friend meeting up through the portal while both holding up heart signals received around one million views, as per Forbes. An additional TikTok user received almost four million likes on a video with people in Dublin and New York exchanging waves. In a TikTok video, a different user recorded a marriage proposal between the two portals. With inputs from agencies The Delhi High Court has restrained Hindustan Unilever Limited from advertising or carrying out marketing campaigns that compare its Ponds creams with Nivea products. But why? read more Popular moisturiser brands Nivea and Ponds are fighting out in court. The battle that began over three years ago dealt with various issues, including unfair market practices. In 2021, Beiersdorf AG, which manufactures Nivea products, took Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) to the Delhi High Court. But why? Lets take a closer look. What is the case? Beiersdorf AG told the Delhi High Court that they learnt in 2021 that sales representatives of HUL in various malls in Delhi and Gurgugram were making a comparison between Ponds Super Light Gel and cream in an un-labelled blue tub identical to NIVEA Creme blue tub. Advertisement They would apply the cream in the blue tub on one hand of a customer and Ponds gel on the other. They would then ask the customer to look through a magnifying glass, showing that the cream in the blue tub left an oily residue on their skin, compared to Ponds Super Light Gel, as per a Live Law report. Beiersdorf AG sought a permanent injunction restraining infringement of trademark, unfair trade practices, disparagement, dilution and damages. The company argued that the comparison was misleading and unfair, pointing out that the unmarked blue tub resembled Nivea products as it used the same shade of blue that is generally associated with Nivea, as per a Bar and Bench report. Beiersdorf AG also said Ponds was making an inherently wrong comparison between a heavy cream category of Nivea products and a lighter cream/gel-based Ponds product. It would have been a better comparison if both the products were light or gel-based, the report added. HULs response HUL argued they used a generic blue tub, without Niveas branding. They also said that Nivea did not have a monopoly over the colour blue, reported Indian Express. Ponds sales representative compared its Super Light gel with an unmarked cream in a blue tub. Image Courtesy: ponds.in HUL also said they did not misstate the facts as Ponds cream was less sticky than the one in the blue tub. ALSO READ: Unilever under fire for greenwashing consumers. What does this mean? Advertisement What has Delhi HC said? The Delhi High Court has restrained HUL from advertising or carrying out marketing campaigns that compare its Ponds creams with Nivea products. The court was hearing an injunction plea filed by Beiersdorf AG in its suit against HUL. Justice Anish Dayal said in his order that this Court is of the opinion that the impugned activity undertaken by defendant choosing to compare plaintiffs NIVEA products (either expressly or by implication or association) and defendants products, especially those under the trademark Ponds, are prima facie misleading and disparaging, and cause irreversible prejudice to plaintiff. The court also said that prima facie the colour blue was associated with Niveas products for years. Advertisement Prima facie, the colour blue, in particular Pantone 280C, is certainly associated for years with plaintiffs product NIVEA, which has achieved distinctiveness for plaintiffs product and has become popular , the use by defendant (HUL) in the impugned activity of a blue colour tub is too much of a coincidence to ignore. The allusion seems to be to the distinctive blue colour used by plaintiff, Justice Dayal was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench. The court also said that HUL could have used a tub of any other colour for its comparative marketing campaign if it did not intend to denigrate or allude to Nivea products. Advertisement By choosing to use a distinctively blue colour tub without a label, defendant (HUL) has ventured into the area of deception, misstatement and by implication, into the area of disparagement Defendant chose to compare their lightest product (Ponds Superlight Gel) to the heaviest product (NIVEA Creme) of plaintiff, is inherently misleading, it observed, as per Bar and Bench. The Delhi High Court said that the law concerning advertisements in any form such as print, or digital ads, or TV commercials would apply to in-mall marketing campaigns, according to Live Law. The court will hear the suit next on 24 July. With inputs from agencies A pod of orcas has sunk a yacht after ramming it in Moroccan waters in the Strait of Gibraltar. This is the latest in a series of these killer whales going after vessels in the area over the past four years, starting in 2020. While some experts theorise that it may be revenge for the killing of an older orca, others note that it is playful behaviour by the mammals read more Another orca attack has taken place in the Strait of Gibraltar. An unknown number of killer whales struck a yacht on Sunday, causing for it to sink. Image used for representational purposes/AFP The orcas are at it again. The highly social mammals, who belong to the dolphin family, have struck again in the Strait of Gibraltar, where they sank another yacht on Sunday morning. This is the latest in a series of orca rammings of vessels around the Strait of Gibraltar that separates Europe from Africa and off the Atlantic coast of Portugal and northwestern Spain over the past four years. As the incidents keep rising, scientists are trying to figure out whats behind this behaviour from the orcas, who have never been known to be aggressive towards humans in the wild. Advertisement What happened in the latest orca attack? On Sunday (12 May), an unknown number of orcas sunk a yacht after ramming it in Moroccan waters in the strait of Gibraltar. The Alboran Cognac, a 15-metre long yacht, carrying two people was struck by the social apex predators around 9 am local time on Sunday. The passengers on board the yacht said they could feel sudden blows to the hull before the vessel then sank. The couple alerted emergency services and were rescued by a nearby oil tanker which then took them to Gibraltar. The passengers on board the yacht said they could feel sudden blows to the hull before the vessel then sank. The couple alerted emergency services and were rescued by a nearby oil tanker which then took them to Gibraltar. Image used for representational purposes/AP The authorities have said that this is the first vessel to sink in the waters this year owing to orca-related activity. Moreover, officials have advised to avoid certain areas after they have been deemed as potentially dangerous spots for orca interactions. Are orca attacks on the rise? Since 2020, killer whales in the waters around Strait of Gibraltar have been exhibiting strange behaviour and going after ships. As BBC reports, the pod of orcas chase sailboats, push the rudders, and break them in the process. According to the research group GT Atlantic Orca, which tracks populations of the Iberian orca sub-species, there have been at least 673 interactions since 2020. According to data, there were 207 interactions in 2022, up from 197 in 2021 and 52 in 2020. Commenting on the same, Spanish officials have said: During the summer and autumn of 2020, interaction events began to occur between several specimens of this species and vessels, mainly sailboats, both in the Strait of Gibraltar and in the waters of the Galician coast. These interactions have ranged from persistent approaches to ships, to ramming the hull and rudder, causing various types of damage, which continue today. Advertisement Last October, a Polish yacht met the same fate in the strait of Gibraltar. A Polish touring company, Morskie Mile, said that its vessel, the Grazie Mamma II, was in the Strait of Gibraltar when a pod of orcas targeted it. In a Facebook post, the company wrote that the mammals attacked the boats steering fin for 45 minutes, causing major damage. The crew is safe, the post added, but the boat itself sank at the entrance to Tanger-Med, a Moroccan port. In June 2023, the Dutch crew competing in The Ocean Race had a run-in with a pod of orcas. No-one was injured, but as the skipper of the vessel said that it had been a scary moment. A month earlier, three orcas struck a yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, off the coast of Spain, and pierced the rudder. Skipper Werner Schaufelberger was later quoted as saying that there were two smaller and one larger orca. The little ones shook the rudder at the back while the big one repeatedly backed up and rammed the ship with full force from the side. Spanish coast guards rescued the crew and towed the boat to Barbate, but it sank at the port entrance. Advertisement The rudder of a ship damaged by killer whales (Orcinus orca) while sailing in the Strait of Gibraltar and taken for repairs at the Pecci Shipyards in Barbate, near Cadiz, southern Spain. Groups of killer whales have rammed hundreds of small boats off the coast of Spain in recent years, in terrifying behaviour that has baffled scientists. File image/AFP Out for revenge or having fun? However, whats driving orcas, known to be social in nature, to act in such a way? Scientists note that assaults seem to be mainly directed at sailing boats and follow a clear pattern, with orcas approaching from the stern to strike the rudder, then losing interest once they have successfully stopped the boat. Alfredo Lopez Fernandez, a biologist at the University of Aveiro in Portugal and representative of the Grupo de Trabajo Orca Atlantica (GTOA), or Atlantic Orca Working Group, was quoted as telling Live Science that in more than 500 interaction events recorded since 2020 there are three sunken ships. We estimate that killer whales only touch one ship out of every hundred that sail through a location. Advertisement Currently, there are two theories floating around the orca interactions. The first one that has been circulating is that the orcas are out for revenge. Some scientists claim the orcas are seeking revenge for White Gladis a killer whale supposedly hit by a boat. VIDEO: Scientists puzzled by Iberian orcas ramming boats off coast of Spain and Morocco pic.twitter.com/0vGPYo15dF AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 13, 2023 Advertisement But other experts disagree. Neuroscientist Lori Marino, president of the Whale Sanctuary Project, told BBC: The idea of revenge is a great story, but theres no evidence for it. Theres never been a case of an orca harming a human being in the wild. If they really wanted to do damage and harm the people on the boat they could easily do that. The director of the Orca Behaviour Institute, Monika Wieland Shields, told ABC News that there is no evidence to prove the theory these whales were seeking vengeance against humans for a past trauma. While Im sure it feels like an attack for the people on board, for the whales themselves, it really looks more like play behaviour, she said. Theres something intriguing or entertaining to them about this [boat rudder] mechanism and theyre just showing a lot of curiosity about it. Theres also another explanation. As per Lopez Fernandez, trauma could be the reason for the orcas ramming into vessels. As per this theory, the orcas are acting out after suffering a bad experience and trying to stop the boats in order to prevent a recurrence. What comes next? Sailors fear that these orca rammings need to stop. However, the problem is how to do so. The GTOA recommends avoiding or shortening interactions with orcas. The top recommendation is to avoid the areas where the orcas are with the help of updated maps. But this could be almost impossible, and in such a situation, then may be leaving the area quickly helps, as orcas are less likely to follow the boat once its outside their preferred area. With inputs from agencies The term Nakba, derived from Arabic and meaning catastrophe or disaster, is used to describe the loss experienced by Palestinians during and after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Approximately 700,000 individuals residing in what is now Israel either fled or were displaced from their homes during this period read more Displaced Palestinians arrive in central Gaza after fleeing from the southern Gaza city of Rafah in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on 9 May, 2024. AP On Wednesday (15 May), Palestinians will commemorate the 76th anniversary of their mass expulsion from what is now Israel, a pivotal event in their national struggle. However, the current crisis unfolding in Gaza far surpasses the magnitude of this historical tragedy. Referred to as the Nakba, meaning catastrophe in Arabic, the 1948 Arab-Israeli war led to the displacement of approximately 700,000 Palestinians, constituting a majority of the prewar population. Israels refusal to allow their return post-war, fearing a demographic shift, resulted in the establishment of a sizable refugee community, now numbering around 6 million, predominantly residing in urban refugee camps across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In Gaza, these refugees and their descendants make up about three-quarters of the population. Advertisement The denial of Palestinians right of return by Israel remains a core grievance in the conflict, contributing to the breakdown of peace talks over the past 15 years. The refugee camps have historically served as strongholds of Palestinian militancy. What is Nakba Day? Nakba Day, observed on the 15th of May, commemorates the beginning of the Arab-Israeli war in 1948 and serves as a day of protest for Palestinians against their displacement. Many participants display Palestinian flags, carry symbolic keys representing their former homes, or hold banners depicting keys, symbolising their aspiration to return homea right they assert belongs to them. In the past, some of these demonstrations have escalated into violent confrontations. Israel has alleged that Hamas and other organisations designated as terrorist entities by the EU and other nations exploit this day for their own agendas, reported Deutsche Welle. Displaced Palestinians arrive in central Gaza after fleeing from the southern Gaza city of Rafah in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on 9 May, 2024. AP The term Nakba Day was introduced by then-Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in 1998, establishing it as the official day for remembering the loss of the Palestinian homeland. Why did Palestinians have to leave? Until the conclusion of World War I, Palestine was under Ottoman rule as part of the Ottoman Empire. Subsequently, it fell under British control through the Mandate for Palestine. During this period, characterised by escalating antisemitism in Europe, an increasing number of Jews from various regions migrated to Palestine, viewing it as their ancestral homelandEretz Israel, the Promised Land where Jews had historically resided, albeit in smaller numbers. Also Read: A former colonel of the Indian Army was killed in Rafah. Who was he? Advertisement Following the Holocaust in Nazi Germany, the United Nations adopted a Partition Plan for Palestine. While the Jewish Agency for Palestine accepted the plan, the Arab League rejected it. On 14 May, 1948, the State of Israel was declared. In response, a coalition of five Arab states declared war, but Israel emerged victorious by 1949. Prior to the war, an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 Palestinians had already fled or been expelled, with an additional 300,000 to 400,000 displaced during the conflict, totaling approximately 700,000 people. Palestinian children, displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, play together as they stand at a makeshift tent camp in Deir al Balah on 13 May, 2024. AP During the war, more than 400 Arab villages were razed. While both sides committed human rights violations, the massacre at Deir Yassina village between Tel Aviv and Jerusalemremains deeply ingrained in Palestinian memory. The event, which resulted in the deaths of at least 100 individuals, including women and children, instilled widespread fear among Palestinians, prompting many to flee. Advertisement By the wars end, Israel controlled roughly 40% of the territory originally designated for Palestinians by the UN partition plan of 1947. Where did Palestinians go? The majority of Palestinians became stateless refugees in the Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank, and neighbouring Arab countries, with only a minority resettling further abroad. Today, a significant portion of second and third-generation Palestinians remains stateless, contributing to the current population of approximately 6.2 million Palestinians in the Middle East. Where do they live today? According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the majority of Palestinians in the region reside in refugee camps, which over time have transformed into towns. These camps are predominantly located in the Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and East Jerusalem. Advertisement Also Read: What is Blockout2024 movement, where A-list celebs are losing followers over Gaza war? The global Palestinian diaspora is estimated to range from 6 to 7 million individuals. However, due to the absence of a centralised authority tracking Palestinians worldwide, precise data is unavailable. What is the Palestinian right to return? United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 in 1948, along with UN Resolution 3236 in 1974 and the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees, asserts the right of return for Palestinians recognised as refugees. However, Israel has rejected the right of return, arguing that it would jeopardise its status as a Jewish state. Israel has denied responsibility for Palestinian displacement, citing the expulsion or flight of around 800,000 Jews from Arab countries such as Morocco, Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen between 1948 and 1972. Advertisement What is the current situation? Now, Palestinians fear a recurrence of their traumatic history on a potentially catastrophic scale. Amid Israels ongoing offensive, Palestinians in Gaza are evacuating to already overcrowded tent camps , evoking poignant parallels with the mass exodus of 1948. Speaking to AP, Mustafa al-Gazzar, now 81, vividly recalls his familys harrowing journey from their village in central Israel to Rafah during his childhood, including experiences of aerial bombardment and makeshift shelters. Forced to flee once more over the weekend, al-Gazzar now resides in a tent in Muwasi, where living conditions are even more dire than in 1948. My hope in 1948 was to return, but my hope today is to survive, he told AP. I live in such fear, he added, breaking into tears. I cannot provide for my children and grandchildren. Palestinians displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip walk along a beach of Mediterranean Sea at a makeshift tent camp in Deir al Balah on 13 May, 2024. AP The current conflict, triggered by Hamas attack into Israel, has resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians, making it the deadliest round of fighting in the conflicts history. Additionally, approximately 1.7 million Palestinians, comprising three-quarters of Gazas population, have been displaced multiple times. With Israel sealing its border and Egypt limiting Palestinian exit, fears of a protracted refugee crisis loom large. Despite international opposition, far-right factions within the Israeli government advocate for voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza. Israels longstanding stance on absorbing refugees from 1948 into host countries, rather than facilitating their return, remains unchanged. The possibility of Palestinians never reclaiming their homes or rebuilding amidst widespread destruction further exacerbates their plight. Also Read: India backs Palestines UN membership bid; says only two-State solution will deliver peace In contrast to the 1948 war, where Jewish militias primarily used lighter weaponry, Israels current military campaign in Gaza is characterised by unprecedented force, resulting in extensive civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The World Bank estimates the damage at $18.5 billion, equivalent to the GDP of the entire Palestinian territories in 2022. Even prior to the current conflict, Palestinians decried an ongoing Nakba, characterised by Israels gradual displacement policies in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Home demolitions, settlement expansion, and discriminatory practices, labeled as apartheid by major rights groups, continue to undermine Palestinian aspirations for statehood. With inputs from agencies New Caledonia is a semiautonomous French territory in the South Pacific around 1,500 kilometres from Australia. The island which has a history of tensions between the indigenous pro-independence Kanaks and the descendants of colonisers witnessed an uproar after Frances parliament began debating a bill that would allow French citizens to vote in local polls read more Authorities in New Caledonia have imposed a two-day curfew and banned gatherings after two people have been killed and three seriously injured. Reuters New Caledonia is in flames. Authorities in the French Pacific territory have imposed a two-day curfew and banned gatherings after two people have been killed and three seriously injured. Meanwhile, Frances president Emmanuel Macron has summoned top ministers to discuss the situation. But what happened in New Caledonia? And what happens next? Lets take a closer look: What we know about New Caledonia First, lets take a brief look at New Caledonia. It is a semiautonomous French territory in the South Pacific around 1,500 kilometres from Australia. Advertisement It became French in 1853 under Emperor Napoleon III, Napoleons nephew and heir. It became an overseas territory after World War II, with French citizenship granted to all Kanaks in 1957. The vast archipelago of about 270,000 people is 10 time zones ahead of Paris. As per Britannica, it comprises New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep Islands, and the Ile des Pins as well as some uninhabited inlets. The main island holds 90 per cent of the population. The Kanaks, who are the indigenous people, comprise 39 per cent of the population. The others are ethnic European, Wallisian or Futunan, Caledonian, Tahitian, Indonesian and Vanuatuan. People of European descent in New Caledonia distinguish between descendants of colonisers and descendants of the many prisoners sent to the territory by force. The territory has no official language, but French and Kanak are accorded special privileges under the law. Around 30 languages are spoken with most of the populace being fluent in at least two, as per Britannica. The island has witnessed decades of tensions between the Kanaks and the descendants of colonisers. The Kanaks are seeking independence, while the other group wants to stay part of France. A peace deal between rival factions was reached in 1988. Advertisement A decade later, France promised to grant New Caledonia political power and broad autonomy and hold up to three successive referendums. This, as per DW, was known as the Noumea accord. Three referendums on New Caledonias independence were organised between 2018 to 2021 under this agreement. A majority of voters chose to remain part of France instead of backing independence. As per DW, the first two polls saw the winners net around 57 per cent and 53 per cent of the vote. The pro-independence Kanak people rejected the last referendums results in 2021, which they boycotted because it was held at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement The 2021 poll saw a landslide win for the remainers but recorded a turnout of under 50 per cent. So, what happened now? As per The New York Times, the violence began ahead of a vote in the French Parliament to change the constitution of New Caledonia. The amendment would allow those who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to cast ballots in provincial elections. As per DW, around 40,000 French nationals cannot currently vote in local polls. Pro-independence activists fear this amendment to the constitution is a ploy to strengthen Frances position. Reuters This, as all New Caledonian residents have full voting rights in Frances polls. Paris has called this situation absurd. Advertisement According to The Guardian, Macron had laid out his goal for an updated constitution for New Caledonia by early 2024. This comes as Macron tries to reaffirm Frances status in the Pacific where it has territories such as New Caledonia and French Polynesia. The unfreezing of the electoral roll for the sole local elections in New Caledonia is not just a political desire, it is a moral obligation for those who believe in democracy, Frances interior minister Gerald Darmanin said in the National Assembly as per DW. Early Wednesday, Frances National Assembly adopted a constitutional revision reforming the electoral body in the territory, with 351 lawmakers voting for and 153 against the bill. But in New Caledonia, pro-independence activists fear this is a ploy to strengthen Frances position. Advertisement They argue that expanding voter lists that have not been updated since 1998 would benefit pro-France politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalise the indigenous Kanak people, who once suffered from strict segregation policies and widespread discrimination. These protests were organised by the pro-independence field action coordination committee (CCAT), according to The Guardian. Authorities call for calm French authorities in the territory said more than 130 people have been arrested since Monday in the violence that has raged across the archipelago. The territorys top French official, High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, warned that if calm is not restored, there will be many deaths in the area of the capital. Clashes between police and protesters have continued in and around Noumea despite a curfew and ban on gatherings. Schools have been closed until further notice and the main airport, La Tontoura, remains closed to commercial flights. The situation is not serious, it is very serious, Le Franc said. We have entered a dangerous spiral, a deadly spiral. Pro-independence representatives appealed to supporters for calm and condemned the vote in the National Assembly, Frances most influential house of parliament. The president of the pro-independence Caledonian Union party, Daniel Goa, called for calm but said the protests reveal the determination of our young people to no longer let France rule them. Goa condemned the looting that dishonors us and in no way serves our cause and our fight. The Guardian quoted CCAT leader Christian Tein as telling the youth to slow down. He denied his group had called for violence. Tein in an interview Radio Djiido slammed France for turning a deaf ear despite months of mobilisation. Macron also appealed for calm after the vote and condemned unworthy violence in a letter to Caledonian representatives and political parties. Macrons office said the president also canceled a trip he had been planning to northwest France on Wednesday while he focused on the crisis. The special defense and security council meeting called by Macron typically brings together a limited group of officials, including Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and the ministers for defense, interior, economy and foreign affairs. With inputs from agencies Four hospitals in Delhi and Tihar Jail, where high-profile inmates including some key politicians are imprisoned, received bomb threat emails on Tuesday read more Fear and panic struck inside Delhis Tihar Jail and four big hospitals in the national capital that received bomb threat emails on Tuesday claiming that explosive devices had been planted in the building. After receiving the threat email, police conducted checks and searches but it turned out to be a hoax as nothing suspicious was found on the complexes. What did bomb threat email say? The bomb threat email sent on Tuesday, read: I have placed explosive devices inside of your building. They will explode in the following hours (sic). Advertisement Also Read: Now, Delhis Tihar Jail gets bomb threat email; prison has high-profile inmates, including politicians This isnt a threat; you have a few hours to disarm the bomb or else the blood of innocent people inside of the building will be on your hands. The group called Court is behind this massacre (sic), the bomb threat email further read. The mail was sent to more than 15 other email IDs. Origin of bomb threat emails sent across Delhi As per reports, the origin of bomb threat emails is said to be from a Cyprus-based mailing service company beeble.com which had also sent threat emails to hospitals on Sunday. On May 12, Delhis Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and more than half a dozen government hospitals in the capital city received bomb threats through email. The police have approached Sikneco Technologies Ltd in Nicosia requesting more details of the user sending the bomb threat emails. On Tuesday morning, four hospitals in Delhi - Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital in Ashok Vihar, Shri Dada Dev Hospital in Dabri, Hedgewar Hospital in Farsh Bazaar, and GTB Hospital received bomb threat emails. Later in the day, Tihar Jail too received similar threat mail but nothing suspicious was found. Also Read: 4 Delhi hospitals receive bomb threat emails, police trace sender Advertisement On May 1, nearly 100 schools in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) received hoax bomb emails which triggered panic among students as well as administrations. Meanwhile, cops suspect the same set of senders to be behind the latest threats. A senior police officer said: There has been a pattern in which establishments in several states are being targeted to spread panic and cause disruptions. With inputs from agencies From Jahangir Alams residence, the Enforcement Directorate had taken more than Rs 35 crore in cash. The entire sum came from commissions rather than bids for building roads in rural regions. Today, Alamgir was arrested by the agency after the ED expressed dissatisfaction with his response read more After recovering over Rs 35 crore in cash, ED had arrested Sanjeev Kumar Lal and his servant Jahangir Alam Image Courtesy ANI Alamgir Alam, the minister for rural development in Jharkhand, was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) following questioning by the investigation agency in Ranchi regarding a potential money laundering case. The minister is being prosecuted in relation to a substantial financial recovery from his Personal Secretary (PS), Sanjeev Lal, who assisted with home chores. From Jahangir Alams residence, the Enforcement Directorate had taken more than Rs 35 crore in cash. The entire sum came from commissions rather than bids for building roads in rural regions. Today, Alamgir was arrested by the agency after the ED expressed dissatisfaction with his response. Advertisement After recovering over Rs 35 crore in cash, ED had arrested Sanjeev Kumar Lal and his servant Jahangir Alam. The ED raided the homes of Alamgir Alams PS and other close colleagues on May 6. Late at night, the counting of the confiscated banknotes resumed, and a total of Rs 35.23 crore was retrieved. In first interrogation, Jahangir Alam reportedly acknowledged to officials that he was a custodian of commission and bribe-acquired money, for which he was paid approximately Rs 15,000 per month. Additionally, the Enforcement Department (ED) has confiscated Rs 2.93 crore from the property of Sanjeevs wifes construction company partner, builder Munna Singh, and Rs 10 lakh from his residence. Though Sanjeev first denied having any ownership over the money taken from Jahangirs apartment, the agency eventually detained him based on credible evidence and Jahangirs testimony. The ED also took various documents during the Monday operation, including ones pertaining to the transfer-posting of officials. The suggestion for the assignment of bureaucrats made by Rajesh Thakur, the president of the Jharkhand Pradesh Congress, is also mentioned in these records. There was also a letter that the ED had received from the states Chief Secretary requesting that a FIR be filed citing irregularities in the Rural Development Department. It is thought that the government leaked the EDs letter to department officials rather than acting upon it. Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said PM Modi-led party had built a grand Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya after it won 300 seats in the Lok Sabha read more The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will build Krishna Janmbhoomi temple in Mathura and Kashi Vishwanath temple in place of Gyanvapi mosque in Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi after it wins 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Assam Chief Minister and party leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Addressing an election rally in poll-bound East Delhis Laxmi Nagar, Sarma also said when Prime Minister Narendra Modis party gets 400 seats, POK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) will also become a part of India. Advertisement Himanta Biswa Sarma says why BJP needs 400 seats The BJP leader went on to say that the party built, as promised, a grand Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya after it won 300 seats in the Lok Sabha. If someone asks Sachin Tendulkar, why do you hit double century or triple century, theres no answer to this question, still when Congress asks us (BJP) why do you need 400 seats? The answer is - when we got 300 seats, we built the Ram Mandir and now when we get 400 seats Krishna Janmabhoomi will be built and Baba Vishwanath Mandir will also be built in place of Gyanvapi Mosque, Sarma said. The BJP government had promised the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and it kept its promise. The BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled all the promises, Assam CM said. PoK will be included in India under PM Modis leadership Sarma also slammed the Congress and said during the grand old partys rule, there were no discussions held in the Parliament over the issue of PoK. He said, When the Congress government was in power, we were told that one Kashmir is in India and the other in Pakistan. It was never discussed in our Parliament that Pakistan has Occupied Kashmir, it is actually ours. Right now, agitation is happening every day in PoK and pictures are emerging from there where people are seen protesting against Pakistan with Indian flag in their hands. When PM Modi gets 400 seats, PoK will also become a part of India. It has already started, Sarma said. Advertisement Videos from protests in PoK, which erupted around May 10, showed Azadi slogans being raised by a group of agitators against Pakistan. The demonstrations were spearheaded by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) which has asked protesters to resume their march saying that Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan government did not fulfill all their demands. On Tuesday, three civilians died and six others suffered injuries in PoK due to firing and teargas shelling by the Pakistani Rangers, a paramilitary force operating under the Pakistan Army, in Muzaffarabad as protests over rising costs of food, fuel, and utilities intensified. With inputs from agencies A California bill that aims to reduce theft by rolling back grocery and drug stores reliance on self-checkout lanes has been met with opposition from the states retailers. Paul Chinn/The Chronicle A California bill that aims to reduce theft by rolling back grocery and drug stores reliance on self-checkout lanes has been met with opposition from the states retailers one of the main groups the bill is designed to protect. While supporters of the Retail Theft Prevention and Safe Staffing Act said the bill would thwart would-be shoplifters and protect employees from sometimes hostile confrontations, the bill has also prompted blowback from retailer groups who say its measures are overly burdensome and lack evidence that they would reduce theft. Senate Bill 1446 author Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, D-Los Angeles, said she was surprised at the bills criticism, given the growing amount of losses attributed to retail theft. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Were hearing from them that (theft) is a challenge and a problem, Smallwood-Cuevas said. But Smallwood-Cuevas said the bill is envisioned as more than just an anti-theft measure; its about protecting workers from artificial intelligence technologies that are quickly replacing humans in a growing number of industries. Smallwood-Cuevas, a former labor union organizer, said flesh-and-blood employees are the biggest deterrents to retail theft. Its a service that she said has been lost with the spread of self-checkout lanes, which are often used to cut labor costs. We already have a situation where our residents dont earn enough to be able to provide basic needs; food, shelter and health care, she said. Without better assessing the impact of AI technologies, she said, California is facing a major, major crisis. A 2023 survey published by the National Retail Federation found that the national shrink rate the measure of losses from theft by a retailer increased from $94 billion in 2021 to $112 billion in 2022. The report said organized retail theft was a key driver in these losses, with the California metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and the Bay Area hit harder than anywhere else in the country. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But it remains unclear how much the measure would impact losses in a city like San Francisco, where businesses have repeatedly cited theft as reason for shuttering and where footage of brazen shoplifting often goes viral. In one extreme example, a San Francisco woman this month was convicted of stealing more than $60,000 in merchandise from the Stonestown Galleria Target store over the course of a year by pretending to pay for items at a self-checkout lane. Prosecutors said the woman would scan each item, but then enter just a single bill or coin into the machine before exiting. But many of the citys most infamous retail thieves dont bother with the pretense of paying, like the man who filled a trash bag full of merchandise from Walgreens before riding away on a bicycle, or the flash mob burglars known to target high-end stores like Neiman Marcus and Louis Vuitton. The proposed law would prohibit grocery and drug stores from using self-checkout machines unless they do the following: Staff at least one employee at a manual checkout station while the self-service options are in use. Limit self-service lanes to 10 items or fewer. Prohibit customers from using self-checkout options to buy certain products, including items that use surveillance tags. Ensure that employees are monitoring no more than two self-service stations at a time, and that they are relieved from all other duties. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some large retailers including Target and Walmart have already begun scaling back their use of self-checkout lanes in an effort to reduce their losses. But critics of SB1446 say this is a decision better left to individual companies, rather than imposing a one size fits all approach. These measures will only serve to frustrate customers with no evidence they will reduce theft or provide additional protection to employees, said Margaret Gladstein, who lobbied on behalf of the California Retailers Association at a Senate committee hearing last month. Gladstein said members are constantly evaluating the effects of new technologies on employees and customers. But the statutory requirements in SB1446 are overly burdensome and limit our ability to change as necessary, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The bill in its current form has no mechanism for enforcement if passed, according to a Senate committee analysis. Amber Parrish, executive director of the labor union United Food and Commercial Workers Western States Council, which supports the bill, said workers have reported being overwhelmed by monitoring multiple self-checkout lanes at once, and have found themselves in dangerous situations at times when attempting to intercept a theft. Parrish Baur noted an instance in which a Luckys worker in Pinole was attacked by a woman who had attempted to steal groceries and saw the employee calling the police. Our workers are not trained to approach, and theyre not supposed to stop shoplifters, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Maldives government, last week, alleged that a sortie was made by Indian military helicopter pilots during the leadership of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in 2019 read more Diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Male witnessed another major blow after the Maldives recently accused an Indian naval chopper of undertaking an unauthorised sortie, a claim that India has categorically denied. India responded to the allegations, saying: Indian aviation platforms in the island nation have always operated as per agreed procedure. On May 10 this year, India withdrew all its military personnel from Maldives. They were involved in operating two Indian helicopters and a Dornier aircraft in the archipelago for humanitarian assistance and disaster response activities. Advertisement Maldives claims Indian helicopter made unauthorised sortie The next day, on May 11, at a press conference convened by Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu-led government, the countrys defence minister Ghassan Maumoon alleged that Indian military helicopter pilots had flown without Maldivian authorisation during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in 2019. Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Chief, Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, who was also at the press conference, alleged that the unauthorised flight had taken place, with the Indian military personnel landing the helicopter in the island of Thimarafushi in Thaa Atoll, about 222 km south of the capital city of Male. Ghassan also assured the media that such unauthorised flights could not have been conducted after the Muizzu-led government assumed office. India denies Maldives claims India denied the allegation made by the Maldives. The High Commission of India in Maldives said: The specific sortie on October 9, 2019 referred to at the press conference was undertaken with the approval of MNDF. Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives have always operated as per agreed procedures and with due authorisation from MNDF. The specific sortie on October 9, 2019, referred to at the press conference was also undertaken with the approval of MNDF, the statement by the Indian High Commission said. Advertisement The emergency landing at Thimarafushi was necessitated due to an unforeseen exigency, which was carried out after taking necessary on-ground approvals from the ATC to ensure the safety and security of the platform and crew, the High Commission further said. Muizzu, who defeated Ibrahim Solih in the Maldives elections last year, had centred his election campaign around the slogan India Out, urging India to withdraw its troops from Maldives. Advertisement Soon after taking office in November 2023, Muizzu formally requested India to withdraw its military personnel. This issue was also raised during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the UAE. After this, Maldives also pulled out from a hydrography agreement with India. Also Read: Despite strained ties, India gives Maldives $50 million to run the island nation Despite strained ties, New Delhi recently augmented the quota of essential imports to the island nation and extended the $50 million Treasury Bill subscription for an additional year, as per the request Muizzu-led Maldivian government. The Supreme Court noted that the remand application and the grounds of arrest were not supplied to NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha or his counsel before his custody application was decided by the trial court read more The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered releasing NewsClick founder and editor in-chief Prabir Purkayastha saying his arrest by the Delhi Police under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 was illegal. The apex court further noted that the remand application copy was not provided to Purkayastha or his counsel before passing the remand order on October 4 last year and therefore, it has held the arrest as well as the remand void. The top court, however, ordered that Purkayasthas release will be subject to him furnishing the bail and bonds to the satisfaction of the trial Court, since chargesheet has been filed. Advertisement The verdict was delivered by a bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta after having concluded arguments on April 30. There is no hesitation in the mind of the Court to reach to a conclusion that a copy of the remand application, in the purported exercise of the communication of the grounds of arrest in writing, was not provided to the accused-appellant or his counsel before the passing of the remand order dated 4th October, 2023, which vitiates the arrest and the subsequent remand of the appellant. As a result, the appellant is entitled to a direction for release from custody by applying the ration of the judgment rendered by this court in Pankaj Bansal, the Court pronounced. Purkayastha moved the SC challenging the legality of his arrest by contending that the grounds of arrest were not supplied to him in writing as mandated by the apex courts judgment in Pankaj Bansal. The Delhi police contended that the grounds of arrest were contained in the remand application. The court, during the hearing, noted that the remand order was recorded to have been passed on October 4, 2023 at 4 am, however, copy of the remand application was served on Purkayasthas lawyer much later. Purkayastha and NewsClick HR head Amit Chakravarty were arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police last year on October 3 on charges of taking money from China to disrupt the sovereignty of India and cause disaffection against the country. According to the FIR, a large amount of funds to run the news site came from China. Advertisement The police claimed Purkayastha conspired with a group Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Secularism to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. On October 3, 2023, raids were conducted at 88 locations across Delhi and seven in other states on the suspects named in the FIR and those that surfaced in the analysis of data. During the searches, around 300 electronic gadgets were seized from the offices of NewsClick and the residences of the journalists who were examined. With inputs from agencies Although Aam Aadmi Partys Sanjay Singh addressed the matter during a press conference on Tuesday, admitting that Kumar did attack Maliwal in the chief ministers residence earlier this week, there is no response from Kejriwal himself who is currently out on bail till June 2 read more Women BJP workers on Wednesday staged a protest outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals residence in New Delhi over the Swati Maliwal assault case. Suspense over AAP MP and former Delhi Commission for Women chiefs alleged assault by Kejriwals close aide Bibhav Kumar continues to grow with her ex-husband Naveen Jaihind claiming that her life is in danger. VIDEO | Delhi: Women BJP workers stage a protest over the issue of 'misbehaviour' with AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at CM Arvind Kejriwal's official residence. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's personal assistant Bibhav Kumar "misbehaved" with AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at pic.twitter.com/tysNiwa689 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 15, 2024 Advertisement Although Aam Aadmi Partys Sanjay Singh addressed the matter during a press conference on Tuesday, admitting that Kumar did attack Maliwal in the chief ministers residence earlier this week, there is no response from Kejriwal himself who is currently out on bail till June 2. Meanwhile, Maliwal has not publically commented on her assault yet and according to the Delhi Police, there is no official complaint lodged on the matter. Why isnt CM saying anything? The Bharatiya Janta Party has blamed the AAP government for keeping mum over the assault against their own leader and has demanded Kejriwals resignation. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said, When (AAP MP) Sanjay Singh himself has confirmed the incident of misbehaviour with Swati Maliwal at CMs residence, then why isnt CM saying anything? The incident happened at his residence, he should have called the police. But, he is not doing anything which throws his role in all this under suspicion. VIDEO | "When (AAP MP) Sanjay Singh himself has confirmed the incident of misbehaviour with Swati Maliwal at CM's residence, then why isn't CM saying anything? The incident happened at his residence, he should have called the police. But, he is not doing anything which throws his pic.twitter.com/c4cHla6wC3 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 15, 2024 Advertisement I am shocked at why Arvind Kejriwal is silent on this issue? Till now AAP has only condemned the incident, why no action has been taken by Arvind Kejriwal? If CM Arvind Kejriwal cant ensure the security of his own partys woman MP then how can he ensure the security of females of Delhi? said Bansuri Swaraj, BJPs candidate from New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency. Advertisement #WATCH | Delhi: On AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal assault case, BJP Lok Sabha candidate from New Delhi, Bansuri Swaraj says, "I am shocked at why Arvind Kejriwal is silent on this issue? Till now AAP has only condemned the incident, why no action has been taken by Arvind pic.twitter.com/vW0IqxbDDJ ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2024 Ex-husband Naveen Jaihind speaks up Soon after AAP leader Sanjay Singhs press conference, Maliwals ex-husband and former AAP leader Naveen Jaihind posted a video on X claiming that her life is in danger. Whatever happened with Swati Maliwal is part of a big conspiracy and there is danger to her life, Jaihind said. Earlier today, he said, FIR should be lodged against Arvind Kejriwal because this happened at his homeSanjay Singh is a parrot of Arvind Kejriwal. #WATCH | AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal assault case | Her ex-husband Naveen Jaihind, says, "...FIR should be lodged against Arvind Kejriwal because this happened at his home...Sanjay Singh is a parrot of Arvind Kejriwal. Singh knew that such an incident would take place, he pic.twitter.com/zAkvnlc9UH ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2024 Advertisement Action should be taken and Swati should come outShe cant be scared into silence, I dont know what pressure has been put on her, Jaihind added. Family of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (retd) said the news of his death came as a major shock for them. We are still not able to come to terms that he is no longer with us, they said read more Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Wednesday, condoled the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (retd), the Indian national who was working as a Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in war-torn Gaza. Colonel Kale died on Monday, May 13, when the vehicle he was travelling in fell to strike in Rafah where Israeli forces had intensified their attack. Work on for repatriation of mortal remains Advertisement The MEA in a statement on Wednesday said: Our Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and our Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending all assistance in the repatriation of (his) mortal remains to India and continue to be in touch with relevant authorities regarding the investigation into the incident. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones, the Ministry further said. Kale took early retirement from Indian Army Kale, 46-year-old, was originally from Maharashtras Pune. He is survived by his wife and two children girl aged 16 and a boy aged 8. Kales death marked the first international casualty for the UN since the start of the Israel-Hamas on October 7 last year. Also Read: A former colonel of the Indian Army was killed in Rafah. Who was he? He had served in the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army. Kale took a premature retirement in June 2022 and joined the UN as a Security Coordination Officer in the United Nations DSS two months ago. Family mourns Col Kales death The family members of Kale have been mourning his death and recalled their memories of him. His cousin Chinmay Ashok Kale recalled his brothers initial struggle to join the Indian defence forces. He said: Waibhav Anil Kales father and paternal uncles wanted him to join defence. Initially, he wasnt very keen, but he finally joined. Within a few months after joining NDA, he even got nervous and wanted to leave But after his uncle spoke to him and convinced him, there was no looking back. Advertisement Peace will come to Gaza but my brother will never return During the Pathankot terrorist attack, he took the charge to cordon off and sanitise the area. He even briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the task he was assigned He worked with the infantry for about 22 years, but then he took VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme) and became an officer of a reputed company. However, he always wanted to do field work and did not enjoy a desk job. After that, he joined the UN. Gaza was his first posting and when he was leaving, I messaged him saying, come with peace at Gaza. Peace will ultimately come to Gaza, but my brother will not never return, Chinmay said. Advertisement #WATCH | Chinmay Ashok Kale, cousin of Col. Vaibhav Anil Kale (Retd.) says, "...The family wanted him to join the Defence...He finally joined it...He served in the Infantry for 22 years and then took VRS. He had then joined a high-level officer in a company but he wanted to do https://t.co/lvjaYMThw6 pic.twitter.com/x5W1h9Zwc5 ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2024 When he joined the forces, it wasnt just about putting his life on the line for the country, as per the highest traditions of the army, but also about living for his homeland. When Waibhav joined the army, he was ready to give his all for the country, Kales sister-in-law Ajita Kale said. Family struggled to come to terms with Kales demise Kales aunty Mugdha Ashok Kale said, The news of Waibhavs death has come as a big shock for all the family members. We are still not being able to come to terms that he is no longer with us. #WATCH | Mugdha Ashok Kale, aunt of Col Vaibhav Anil Kale (Retd), says, "...He came from a very happy family so he was not worried about anything. He was brought up with a lot of love and care...They are all patriots in his family. So, they wanted him to join the Defence...When pic.twitter.com/jLft7xM53L ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2024 Advertisement He was thrilled to serve the country and was prepared to sacrifice his life for the nation, she further said. His elder brother is a pilot and his sister-in-law is serving in the Indian Air Force, Mugdha Ashok Kale further informed. With inputs from ANI Quality and quantity are two sides of the same coin, each trait contrasting the other. In any aspirational society, the blind motivation is to capture and own both; a state of everything, everywhere, all at once! Without balance and modicum, it becomes one virtue at the expense of the other. Voltaire, ever pragmatic, stated that the perfect is the enemy of the good. In striving for excellence, one would not even achieve the good, as these two aims are an inherent contradiction. What is the best is often not the quickest resolution. Einstein was more idealistic, valuing quality over quantity; thereby pitting one directly against the other. In the end, the civilised world turns with a healthy tension between quality and quantity, striving for a synergistic convergence of the two traits. Advertisement Bharat today has a huge demographic dividend, a quantitative advantage over our competitor China. In India, 26 per cent of the population is aged between 10 and 24, while 25 per cent of people are in the 0-14 age group, according to United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA. About 18 per cent of Chinas population is in the 10-24 age group and 17 per cent in the 0-14 age group. What are we doing with our population dividend? Not very much, I am afraid. After I voted in the recent election in late April, I posted a simple selfie on X that showcased my voters mark rather prominently and asked voters to just go out there and vote. The post had a mere eight words. Within 24 hours, it had 1.1K likes, an unreal number for me, given my modest engagement with X. I have never got so many likes for a post, including several I quite liked myself viz. well-considered opinions of current events, that barely made it past double digits. So I asked myself what it was about this innocuous post, that grabbed eyeballs. Going back to Occams Razor, a ploy I often rely on, I came to the conclusion that most people reading my posts in X or anyones elses for that matter, lack basic cognitive, analytical and logical skills. Mind you, X has a relatively small number of subscribers in India, perhaps two crore at the limit, and all of them presumably have some working knowledge of English, although their grammatical and spelling skills are nothing short of deplorable. X is important because its contributors tend to shape opinion and the potentates within this group are anointed social media influencers. I have no idea what they might influence. Now, the inescapable conclusion is that most readers of my posts, nearly 20K of them, are too lazy to read or even try to understand what I have written. A photograph, that too a casual one of me voting and showing off my inked forefinger, does not tire or exhaust their brain. All of them are eligible voters, I assume. Each of them would have identified with my post because they saw themselves in it. And this is why they punch that likethe easiest thing to do on a holiday. This is what our demographic dividend is doing. Advertisement Cogito, ergo sum, I think therefore I am, said Rene Descartes. Our magical educational system has produced masses of people who cannot thinktherefore they are not. Examples of this abound freely in the public space. A 28-year-old was elected to Parliament in 2019. There were psychophantic reactions that predicted a future Prime Minister. A 38-year-old, who just might make it into Parliament this time around is facing such a daunting fate today. As if it is that trivial to become Prime Minister of India! And then theres the Rajya Sabha, the inevitable dumping ground for all these shrill English TV debaters. Whither this august body? Advertisement Those students who make it through the monkey mills of the IIT JEE and UPSC exams, the so-called success stories of our system, know facts, in fact too many facts. Their brains are chock full of facts. But we forget that information is not knowledge, and knowledge is not wisdomnot by a long shot. What India needs are knowledgeable and wise people, not walking libraries. Anyway, why do we even need libraries? Everything we need is available with Google and ChatGPT. Before long, AI will dispense with human beings altogether. To the so-called successes of the Indian education system, I would point out that Swami Vivekananda said that education is not the amount of information put into your brain to run riot there undigested all your life. He also said that the very essence of education is actually the concentration of the mind, not the collection of facts. We see a manifestation of things running riot in the posts on X and other social media platforms. We will have produced millions of mental hooligans and vagabonds, not responsible citizens, who should guide the less fortunate members of society forward responsibly. Advertisement What we need for Bharat to achieve its rightful place in the world is quality. In trying to seek the golden mean between Voltaire and Einstein, one must ask how quality may be identified. Quality is so difficult to define, that in the age of machines, it has simply been quantified. Anything is quality if one has oodles of it; houses, cars, foreign labels, even disciples on social media. Einstein actually expanded his observation and elaborated that not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted. How true this is and how far we have deviated from this essential truth. And yet, truth is given the go by in the age of post-truth. We inhabit a culture where emotions and personal beliefs often override objective fact and evidence in shaping public opinion. We saw an example recentlythe DGP of Hyderabad closed the case on Rohith Vemula on the grounds that his caste certificate was a fake. There was an immediate outcry from students and political parties and it is now sought to reverse the findings of an investigation that had completed its work seven years ago. Advertisement What is truth? Unless this can be answered, we will not be able to identify quality. Quality has four essential attributes: (1) it must be a group decision; (2) it must be time independent; (3) it must be culture independent; (4) it must arise as a result of human activity. Let us look at these four conditions. Today, quality has become individualistic, as society becomes lonelier and has split into single voices over social media. An individual cannot proclaim quality, only a critical mass can. Swathes of readers consider Shakespeare, Austen and Hemingway to be writers of the utmost quality. Equally, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are revered as great literary works. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Karna, King of Anga, are etched in our minds for all time, as they embody universal qualities, both good and bad. When quality is identified by critical numbers across culture, country and conceit, the particular extends to the universal. Such evaluations stand the test of time. An adoring echo chamber of semi-educated people in a book release function in Lutyens Delhi cannot make a quality evaluation that will stand the test of time. Once quality is reduced to individual vanity, it has no relevance. This is what we Indians fail to understand. Quality must be time independent. The literary works mentioned above span centuries in human history. If one considers the Madurai Meenakshi temple, the Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, the Sacre Coeur sepulchre in Paris, the Empire State Building in New York City and the Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai, one recognises a certain similarity in these man-made objects built across the centuries. All of them exemplify quality as they span the grounded earth to the limitless sky, propelling our imaginations to unimaginable fancies. True quality has a very long shelf life because it is time independent. Quality is also culture independent, and nowhere can this be seen so clearly as in the fine arts. Who is to say that the cave paintings of Ajanta are superior to the Sistine Chapel ceiling or to Picassos Guernica? Who is to say that Yehudi Menuhin or Vladimir Horowitz are better than Bismillah Khan or Lalgudi Jayaraman? No one can. All these people and phenomena represent quality at the highest level and are culture independent. They evoke strong feelings of individual joy and collective euphoria when viewed, heard or observed. In a fascinating musical comparison, the similarities between Beethovens Moonlight Sonata and Muthuswami Dikshitars kriti, Chandram Bhaja Manasa , both written at the turn of the early 19th century are striking. Clearly, the moon evokes similar emotions across widely different cultures, and in the skip of a heartbeat, the specific transcends to the universal. Quality is created by humans and is enjoyed by humans. The appreciation of quality is an essential part of a full life. Therefore, it is an obligation of humans to be able to identify it correctly and preserve it properly. We Bharatiyas find ourselves at a critical juncture in our intellectual and moral development. We need desperately to be able to identify true quality in a world that is being battered by political currents and counter-currents, by a blizzard of wokeness, virtual reality and an inability to distinguish the truth from what is not. Our national motto is Satyameva Jayate. This is all very well as long as we are able to define satya. This is the challenge that confronts all of us. The author is an Emeritus Professor in the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and is the author of Bharat: India 2.0 published in 2021. He has an H-index of 104. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Everything connected with elections and the election machinery in Jammu & Kashmir has a strong relationship to its future. It also indicates the status of things in the erstwhile troubled state now steadily moving towards achieving a state of normalcy. I may have witnessed many elections in Jammu and Kashmir but the most turbulent one was in September 1999. This was the Lok Sabha poll in the wake of the victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War, which had ended just two months before. It was a period with terrorism and separatism at a peak. The notorious so-called fedayeen actions by Pakistani suicide fighters had just struck the state placing all security forces on the defensive before they found initial solutions against them. Advertisement The BJP was making a brave attempt to establish electoral roots in the Valley. It was extremely unfortunate that its candidate for the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, Ghulam Hyder Noorani, was killed along with his driver and a party worker, by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near Bijbehara. Electoral violence targeting candidates and preventing them from electioneering was rife at that time. Even more common was targeting polling booths to prevent electoral turnout. A low turnout was touted around as an endorsement of a particular constituencys anti India sentiment. A few terrorists usually appeared and fired at the local police or threw a hand grenade to create a scare and some civilian casualties, forcing people to melt away. The Army was not permitted closer than one kilometre from a booth. Its professional deployment next to a booth and the domination of the area around would have been enough deterrence against the terrorists who would seldom seek contact with regular soldiers. Yet, there was a perceived sensitivity about deploying the Army because then the elections would be considered unfair and the electoral process would be seen with a stigma attached which the world would not see as free and fair. Most members of the political community of J&K would have preferred the employment of the Army under certification from observers, but the system never embarked upon taking these legitimate risks. Serving as the Colonel General Staff at the well-known Headquarters (HQ) Victor Force of the Indian Armys Rashtriya Rifles (RR) at Awantipura, I was swamped by reports of terrorist movement. South Kashmir in those days had over a thousand terrorists holed up in innumerable safe houses and in jungle/mountain hideouts. On election day for Anantnag constituency, watching from my HQ I could actually see the areas where grenade blasts were occurring and how the terrorists were being chased and encountered. A couple of Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs) would have been extremely handy and would have afforded good protection for our troops. That was never to be. Advertisement With the moral high ground that the Indian Army occupied and continues to do so, combat vehicles of any kind have always been a No-No. Compare this with Pakistan which never ceases to employ every military resource against terrorists and many times against innocents in remote rural areas caught in the vortex of the fight between the Army and the terror organisations. There is no doubt that the conduct of successful and peaceful polls contributes to normalcy and helps cement the path to stability and peace. The realisation was starkly revealed in 1996 when the polls were held after a hiatus of seven years, and that too with abysmal electoral turnout. The system accepted it and continued to progress with more such polls. The panchayat polls were conducted in 2011 with a good turnout, proving that democratic norms were at the height of inclusion and would make the major difference between stability and turbulence. Advertisement The decision by the Government of India to bring the electoral process back to Jammu and Kashmir so soon (five years) after the amendment of Article 370 in 2019 and the likely abidance with the Supreme Court directive to hold Assembly elections before September 30, 2024, are actually force multipliers in the integrative process. It is with this in mind that I gave a description of the elections in early years. Having achieved peaceful elections in the first round of the parliamentary polls in Jammu and Kashmir, the portends augur well for peace and stability. Unrealistic expectations of zero terror, infiltration and recruitment must not be placed upon the security forces. They have delivered well and deserve our appreciation. Stray incidents will continue in the form of targeting of minorities, migrants, soldiers on leave and unarmed policemen. These are signs of dying proxy war capability. Every effort must be made by the state and the security forces to eliminate such feasibility. Advertisement The hybrid content of the proxy effort has diluted to a great extent due to a number of factors. The media is no longer enthused by separatism nor promotion of radical jingoism. The NIA has successfully taken control of terror financing and there arent enough hideouts or safe houses in the mainstream built up areas. Terrorism under ambit of proxies is classically limited to the Pir Panjal belt but can always be considered a seed element which can grow exponentially. Was there a Pakistani intent to disrupt the current election at all? The intent would surely have been there, but current capability to effectively interfere appears low. Alternatively, this one is being exploited for lulling the stakeholders while preparation is made for the Assembly elections which bear more potential for disruption. Sentiments are also usually difficult to bring to the boil in parliamentary polls, while the Assembly elections can throw up all kinds of unpredictable issues. Thus, even though stakeholders for peace and stability in J&K should celebrate at the end of the current polls, the heavy lifting is yet to come. Advertisement From a security point of view, focus on intelligence, infiltration of terrorist leadership, financing, movement of narcotics and the domination of the rural countryside must be undertaken as a continuum to the current efforts for the ongoing elections. There should also be no let-up in the launch and execution of welfare projects. Money is flowing into the Union Territory in positive ways and should remain rooted to the development side without finding ways of being siphoned. This is the time for the NIA to achieve its next big success after its decision to go after the financial networks. Perhaps another word from the Central government about its promised intent of restoring status from UT to full-fledged state, will make a difference in the shifting sentiments of the populace. This should see an even better turnout than what Srinagar has currently witnessed. It will add much to the sentiments of Jammu which has sometimes felt equated with the anti-India segment, with its own status questioned. What India needs to be careful about is the regional and global terrorist organisations and movements. The expected rise of a second cycle of global terror must not be allowed to mess with Jammu and Kashmir. We just have to isolate it to prevent any resurgence of pan-Islamist sentiment which has in the past sullied the thought process here. Keeping Jammu and Kashmir isolated is the key but alongside that, our own focus must remain upon signals picked up all around India, all the way from Afghanistan to Indonesia. No harm in being prepared and in readiness. I, for one, would never like to see any Indian organisation in the predicament of September 1999 when we had to battle away to safeguard our electoral system and its application to Jammu and Kashmir. Its towards that end that our stakeholders must work remembering that a successfully conducted election leading to duly constituted Assembly and government is a nail in the coffin of terror in Jammu and Kashmir. The writer is a Member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Google is revamping its core offering, Search, and making it more personal for the user, using AI. You will get features like AI Overviews, Googles AI-powered etc read more Google isnt content with just sprinkling a bit of AI magic here and there theyre going all in. Image Credit: Google Google Search, the trusty digital companion weve all grown accustomed to, is getting a serious upgrade and its all thanks to the magic of artificial intelligence (AI). The driving force behind this transformation? None other than Liz Reid, the person steering the ship of all things search at Google. Her recent revelations at the I/O developer conference in sunny California have sent waves rippling through the tech world, hinting at a seismic shift in the way we interact with the digital behemoth known as Google. Advertisement Picture this: You toss a tough question Googles way, something that would usually have you wading through a swamp of search results. But instead of getting lost in the digital wilderness, youre greeted with a tidy summary right at the top of the page. Enter AI Overviews your very own search genie, ready to dish out quick and authoritative answers to even the most perplexing queries. Its like having a personal assistant with an encyclopedic brain at your beck and call. Google isnt content with just sprinkling a bit of AI magic here and there theyre going all in. From meal planning to finding the perfect yoga studio, Googles AI-powered search is your one-stop shop for personalised recommendations. With AI at the helm, youll get tailored suggestions faster than you can say Hey Google, making the search process smoother and more intuitive than ever before. Now, before you get too swept up in the AI revolution, its worth pausing to consider the potential pitfalls. Some sceptics worry that AI summaries could overshadow other search results, potentially limiting the diversity of information available to users. And lets face it, Googles AI isnt infallible its had its fair share of missteps in the past. But despite these concerns, Google remains undeterred in its quest to revolutionise search. By harnessing the power of AI, theyre aiming to create a search experience thats not only faster and more efficient but also more personalised and intuitive. Advertisement Its certainly is a bold vision for the future of search, one thats sure to have a lasting impact on how we navigate the digital landscape. Of course, Googles AI-powered search isnt without its challenges. As the tech giant continues to refine its algorithms and roll out new features, there are bound to be bumps along the way. But if history has taught us anything, its that Google isnt afraid to embrace change and with AI leading the charge, the possibilities are endless. So, what does this mean for the future of search? Well, if Google has its way, we could be looking at a whole new era of search, one thats faster, smarter, and more personalised than ever before. And with Liz Reid at the helm, leading the charge with her visionary approach to search, the future looks brighter than ever. Aravind Srinivas mocked the companys branding shifts. A year ago, it was called search generative experience. Today its called AI overview. And I bet next year itll be called something else. read more Googles unveiling of AI-summarized search results may be making waves, but for Aravind Srinivas, CEO and co-founder of Perplexity AI, its just another day in the world of AI-driven search. With Perplexity AI having already offered a popular AI-driven search tool providing similar digests for nearly two years, Srinivas seems unfazed by Googles latest move. In a world where everyone gets answers and doesnt have to click on links, the biggest loser is Google, Srinivas candidly remarked during an interview with Axios Kia Kokalitcheva at Axios BFD San Francisco. Advertisement Taking a subtle jab at Googles marketing manoeuvres in response to the rise of OpenAIs ChatGPT over the past 18 months, Srinivas gently mocked the companys branding shifts. A year ago, it was called search generative experience. Today its called AI overview. And I bet next year itll be called something else. Its exactly the same story of them doing a new messaging app every year, he quipped. Srinivas also scrutinized Googles business model, pinpointing the inherent conflict between serving users and advertisers. The one thing that Google got wrong is that the same unit of information that stands for truth, which is the links, is also the same unit of information that the advertiser bids on. So thats where theres a conflict between serving the user and serving the advertiser, he elaborated. While Perplexity is also exploring revenue from advertising, Srinivas emphasized their commitment to ensuring ads never compromise the delivery of accurate answers. Ads should never come at the cost of serving a correct answer, he emphasized. On the flip side, Google has consistently maintained that ad dollars do not influence search results. However, the proliferation of sponsored results over time has blurred the line between organic and sponsored content. Despite the challenges, Perplexity continues to thrive, recently announcing a substantial fundraising milestone of $62.7 million, bringing their total fundraising to $164 million and valuation to over $1 billion. Srinivas explained that AI startups continue to attract significant investment due to the necessity of recruiting top talent, which comes at a premium. Advertisement In a lighthearted moment, Srinivas reflected on the unpredictability of the tech industry, referencing Inflection AIs aspirations to build a multi-billion dollar public company at a previous BFD event, only to later dissolve and join Microsoft. Famous last words, he quipped, refusing to make any bold predictions about Perplexitys future in the public arena. Googles initiative to introduce AI-summarized search results may appear groundbreaking to some, but for Aravind Srinivas, CEO and co-founder of Perplexity AI, its just another day in the realm of AI-driven search. With Perplexity AI having offered a popular AI-driven search tool providing similar digests for nearly two years, Srinivas sees his company as a seasoned veteran in the field. Advertisement In a world where everyone gets answers and doesnt have to click on links, the biggest loser is Google, remarked Srinivas during Axios Kia Kokalitchevas interview at Axios BFD San Francisco. Drawing from his experience as a research intern at Google from 2020 to 2021, Srinivas gently critiqued the tech giants branding strategies and response to the ascent of OpenAIs ChatGPT. A year ago, it was called search generative experience. Today its called AI overview. And I bet next year itll be called something else. Its exactly the same story of them doing a new messaging app every year, quipped Srinivas, shedding light on Googles ever-evolving approach to branding. Advertisement Srinivas also directed his attention to Googles business model, highlighting the inherent conflict between serving users and advertisers. While Perplexity is exploring advertising revenue, Srinivas stressed their unwavering commitment to ensuring ads never compromise the delivery of accurate answers. Ads should never come at the cost of serving a correct answer, he asserted. On the other hand, Google has consistently maintained that ad dollars do not influence search results. Nevertheless, the proliferation of sponsored results over time has blurred the line between organic and sponsored content. Despite the obstacles, Perplexity is pressing forward, recently celebrating a significant fundraising milestone of $62.7 million, elevating their total fundraising to $164 million and valuation to over $1 billion. Srinivas elucidated that AI startups continue to attract substantial investment due to the premium attached to recruiting top talent. Advertisement Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the tech industry, Srinivas shared a lighthearted moment when discussing the fate of other AI startups. Referencing Inflection AIs ambitious goal to build a multi-billion dollar public company at a previous BFD event, only to later dissolve and join Microsoft, Srinivas quipped, Famous last words. However, he remained reserved about Perplexitys future, refraining from making any bold predictions about going public. A total of 8 content creators, some of whom have worked closely with TikTok are suing the US government, challenging the law that forces ByteDance to sell TikTok, or see it getting banned read more TikTok is funding the lawsuits that TikTok influencers are filing against the US government. Image Credit: AP Eight TikTok content creators are taking the US government to court for forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok, or face a ban. The content creators filed their lawsuits on Tuesday, challenging the new federal law that threatens to ban the social media platform nationwide unless its China-based parent company sells its stakes within a year. Lawyers representing the creators argue that the law violates users First Amendment rights to free speech, echoing TikToks own arguments in a separate lawsuit filed last week. This legal challenge could ultimately reach the Supreme Court. Advertisement The lawsuit represents a diverse group of content creators, including a Texas rancher featured in a TikTok commercial, an Arizona creator advocating for LGBTQ issues, and a skincare product business owner who utilizes TikToks e-commerce platform. These creators rely on TikTok as a means of self-expression, community-building, and even their livelihood. According to the lawsuit, TikTok has provided a unique platform for these creators to connect with audiences, express themselves, and earn a living. The law, they argue, would deprive them and others of this important means of communication. TikTok is covering the legal costs for the lawsuit, which was filed in a Washington appeals court, and is being led by the same law firm that successfully challenged Montanas ban on the platform last year. The Department of Justice defends the law, stating it addresses national security concerns while remaining consistent with constitutional limitations. However, TikTok and its creators argue that complying with the law would be impractical and could lead to the platforms shutdown. The law requires TikToks parent company to sell the platform within nine months, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress. TikTok argues that separating its US platform from the global operation would be unfeasible and that the Chinese government, which must approve any sale, has indicated it would not permit the transfer of the platforms recommendation algorithm, critical to its success. Advertisement One of the creators involved in the lawsuit, a Texas rancher, explained how TikTok has transformed his business and personal life, emphasizing the significant impact a ban would have. Another plaintiff, a Tennessee-based content creator and small business owner highlighted TikToks role in her businesss success and criticized the lack of evidence supporting the laws necessity. The creators are seeking a court declaration that the law is unconstitutional and an order preventing its enforcement by Attorney General Merrick Garland. According to the Buenos Aires Herald, two days after Mercedes Roxana Figueroa, who had ninety percent of her body burned, passed away from organ failure, her lover Pamela Fabiana Cobas had died nearly instantly from severe burns. On May 12, Andrea Amarante, the third woman, passed away in the hospital read more The incident has been referred to as a hate crime by LGBTQ organizations in Argentina Two lesbian couples were inside a boarding house in Argentina when a room caught fire, leaving three ladies dead and one critically injured. A man in Buenos Aires tossed a Molotov cocktail into their boarding house room on May 6, which is when the incident occurred. According to the Buenos Aires Herald, two days after Mercedes Roxana Figueroa, who had ninety percent of her body burned, passed away from organ failure, her lover Pamela Fabiana Cobas had died nearly instantly from severe burns. On May 12, Andrea Amarante, the third woman, passed away in the hospital. Advertisement The fourth woman, 49-year-old Sofia Castroriglos Riglos, is still at a nearby hospital but should survive. Justo Fernando Barrientos, 62, is the individual who set the fire. He apparently used rags soaked in flammable liquid, which resulted in the Barracas boarding houses evacuation on Monday night. Due to a self-inflicted neck injury, Barrientos was transferred to a different hospital and placed under arrest. He is still being held by the police despite being released later. He had beaten and threatened the victims in the past because they were lesbians, according to witnesses and other boarders at the boarding home. The incident has been referred to as a hate crime by LGBTQ organizations in Argentina. Perhaps one of the most vile hate crimes in recent years, the Argentine LGBT Federation said in a statement. Hate crimes are the result of a culture of violence and discrimination, sustained by hate speech currently endorsed by several government officials, the organisation said in a statement. We are going to stand by them, making ourselves available for whatever they and their families need, and we will closely follow the court case so that there is justice, said the organization. But we cannot fail to point out that hate crimes are the result of a culture of violence and discrimination that is sustained on hate speeches that today are endorsed by several officials and referents of the national government, the organisation added. Advertisement Demands for justice for the deaths were voiced during a demonstration outside Argentinas National Congress building on Friday, May 10. Mama Ganuush, 42, a transgender Palestinian drag artist and activist, stands in front of a painting of the late 6-year-old Palestinian Hind Rajabc, who was killed in January by the Israeli military, at Sproul Plaza at UC Berkeley. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle A vigil for Palestinians at Cal Poly Humboldt University on April 27 includes a Pride flag. Justin Maxon/Special to the Chronicle Standing in the shadow of Durant Hall on the UC Berkeley campus, Mama Ganuush at first was happy to be on the sidelines, colorful umbrella clutched in one hand to shield against the midday sun, as a crowd of 50 or so activists chanted for a free Palestine. This was a student-led protest, said Ganuush, who wanted to respect that hierarchy. But soon enough Ganuush, 42 and not a student, gestured for the megaphone and began calling out, Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest. The brief rally Saturday was organized to call out UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ for not giving into student demands to divest from Israel. Ganuushs leadership came naturally, from a lifetime of activism as a displaced Palestinian and as a transgender person. The two identities, Ganuush said, overlap easily: Global politics and social structures have created cultures of oppression that are familiar to the oppressed, no matter their background. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Indeed, pro-Palestinian protests around the Bay Area and beyond often are being led by LGBTQ activists, and in particular transgender activists, who say they are driven both by a deeply rooted belief in basic human rights and extreme empathy for people for whom those rights are trampled. Mama Ganuush, 42, a transgender Palestinian drag artist and activist, says more than 200 of their relatives have been killed or are presumed dead since the Oct. 7 attacks. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Trans people understand what it means to be bound in your own body by institutions and government and oppression, Ganuush told the Chronicle. Palestinians are in an apartheid state they cant move. I have cousins who live 20 miles from the sea and have never seen it. Thats our trans experience, weve been apartheided in our own bodies. In every situation, word of planned actions spread rapidly on social media and especially among LGBTQ channels, and protests often were organized or promoted by LGBTQ groups. At rallies, queer rights slogans appeared on signs and T-shirts and enamel pins alongside the Palestinian flag. At the UC Berkeley encampment, a volunteer working security wore a hat with they printed in the pink and blue colors of the transgender flag. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Queer people hold a lot of leadership in our movement, said Wassim Hage, 29, with the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, which has staged many events around the region. Queerphobic and gender-based violence is linked to other types of exploitation and oppression. When people live and understand that violence, they learn to fight and seek justice for their own people and people from all different struggles. Ethos de Leon, 33, came out of activist retirement to join the pro-Palestinian demonstrations, mostly in the Sacramento area where they live. Growing up queer, de Leon was bullied and beat up: I was told I was never enough for this world, they said. Activism was a way to express the anger and rage, just hitting the street and chanting. Mama Ganuus attends a demonstration at Sproul Plaza. Trans people understand what it means to be bound in your own body by institutions and government and oppression, Ganuush said. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle For LGBTQ folks, its intergenerational and historical trauma to know oppression. Weve been oppressed by the oppressed, de Leon said. Fighting back is in our DNA. De Leon and others noted parallels between the attacks on transgender rights in the United States specifically, bans on gender-confirming care for youths and in some cases adults and the war in Gaza that has cost tens of thousands of Palestinian lives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the U.S. what I call a legal genocide is happening, where were being denied health care. Young trans folk and nonbinary folk are being murdered because of the rhetoric being put out, de Leon said. How can we not show up for Palestine when we understand intimately what its like to go through what Palestinians are going through being dehumanized and erased? Similarly, Lea McGeever, 39, whos joined several pro-Palestinian events in San Francisco, said one major motivation is a deep appreciation for what it means to be supported, especially when it feels like the whole world is unfriendly. Trans people right now, we feel very, very alone, McGeever said. And I know how wonderful it feels when other people who arent trans stand up for us and speak for us and fight for us. I want to be that person for other people as well. Many queer activists said they also felt motivated to speak out against the pink-washing of Israels actions in Gaza, with Israel promoting itself as an LGBTQ sanctuary while rights are trampled by Hamas. Mama Ganuush attends a protest outside Durant Hall at UC Berkeley. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle There was this huge messaging campaign, with Israeli soldiers lifting rainbow flags and all that, said Yuan Wang, 28, executive director of Lavender Phoenix, a Bay Area-based group focused on queer and transgender rights for Asians and Pacific Islanders thats been involved in Gaza organizing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Theyre using this narrative that Israel is a safe haven for queer people. Were being used to justify genocide and bombing, Wang said. But you cant say youre a safe haven for trans and queer people and then bomb them and incarcerate them. We have a responsibility to reject that contradiction. Ganuush, too, said they were outraged to see Palestinians portrayed as homo- or transphobic, especially when queer culture hasnt been allowed to flourish in Gaza in an environment of oppression. Ganuush still has family in Palestinian territory they said more than 200 relatives have been killed or are presumed dead since the Oct. 7 attacks but has never lived there. My family in Palestine actually loves my drag, Ganuush said with a chuckle. Palestinians are very chill. But people in Gaza are under a lot of stress, they live under apartheid. They dont have the ability to nurture queerness and queer culture, the same as they cannot nurture youth programs and art. They cant even fix their sewage. You cannot address queer rights without addressing Palestinian rights. I have queer cousins in Gaza, Ganuush said. Their priority is not to go to gay pride, their priority is literally to survive. Based on claims that the United Nations (UN) halved the death toll in Gaza, Israel has accused the UN of relying on fake data and sought the resignation of UN chief Antonio Guterres. read more Has the United Nations (UN) lowered the death toll of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip? This question is being asked after the UN earlier this month changed the estimate for the number of women and children killed in Gaza in the seven months of war. Here is the short answer to the question: While the UN has indeed changed the number of women and children estimated to have been killed in Gaza, it has not changed the overall estimated death toll. Advertisement Such a situation has arisen as the UN quietly changed the methodology of ascertaining Gazas death toll and the categorisation of dead people. What did the UN do with Gazas death toll? On May 6, the UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that 34,735 people have been killed in Gaza. Of these, the UN said more than 14,500 were women and over 9,500 were women. On May 8, the UNs OCHA quietly updated the figures and said 7,797 children and 4,959 women were part of the total 34,844 killed in Gaza. The figures for dead women and children were almost half of the numbers published just two days back. Such a change led to claims that the UN had halved the death toll in Gaza, but, as it should be clear from the overall death toll published on May 8, the UN did not halve the death toll or reduce it all. It only did a downward revision of the number of women and children killed. Still, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused the UN of relying on fake data and sought the resignation of UN chief Antonio Guterres. The miraculous resurrection of the dead in Gaza. The @UN had reduced its estimate of women and children killed in Gaza by 50% and claims that it relied on data from the Hamas Ministry of Health. Anyone who relies on fake data from a terrorist organization in order to promote pic.twitter.com/WbfNrB965y Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 13, 2024 Advertisement UN changed methodology & categorisation of dead, it didnt reduce toll The change in the figures is because of the change in the methodology and categorisation by the UN. Until May 6, the UN was using the data from Gazas Government Media Office (GMO) and was categorising the dead as just women and children, according to NBC News. On May 8, the report said the UN switched to using data from Gazas Ministry of Health and (MoH) and started categorising the dead in the categories of women (4,959), children (7,797), men (10,006), and elderly (1,924). This adds up to 24,686. Advertisement Both the GMO and MoH of Gaza are run by the terrorist group Hamas. In a statement to USA Today newspaper, UN Spokeswoman Eri Kaneko clarified that the category-wise breakdown was only for the dead whose identities had been confirmed by Gazas MoH 24,686. The remainder of the dead were not included in the breakdown as their identities were not ascertained and they remained missing or under the rubble. Separately, UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq told the same to Al Jazeera. According to the Ministry, the fatalities for whom full details have been documented include 7,797 children, 4,959 women, 1,924 elderly, and 10,006 men. The Ministry of Health notes that the documentation process of casualties full identification details is ongoing, said Kaneko. Advertisement For more than 10,000 people counted as dead in the overall death toll but excluded from the category-wise breakdown, Haq told Al Jazeera, Theres about another 10,000 plus bodies who still have to be fully identified, and so then the details of those which of those are children, which of those are women that will be reestablished once the full identification process is complete. Netanyahu admits civilian outnumber terrorists in Gazas toll Even as Israeli officials have disputed the death toll published by Hamas-run Gaza authorities, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has admitted that more civilians have been killed in Gaza than civilians. Advertisement In an interview last week, Netanyahu said that around 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza, which is not very far from Hamas-run administrations figure of around 35,000. Weve killed about 14,000 terrorists. Unfortunately, because of the fact they use human shield, theres slightly bigger number about 16,000 for civilians that were killed in places where terrorists will not let them leave, said Netanyahu in an interview with Dr Phil, an American chat-show host. Hungary and Poland, which have long opposed any obligation for countries to host migrants or pay for their upkeep, voted against the package but were unable to block it read more Migrants aboard a rubber boat end up in the water while others cling on to a centifloat before being rescued by a team of the Sea Watch-3, around 35 miles away from Libya. AP File European Union nations endorsed sweeping reforms to the blocs failed asylum system on Tuesday as campaigning for Europe-wide elections next month gathers pace, with migration expected to be an important issue. EU government ministers approved 10 legislative parts of The New Pact on Migration and Asylum. It lays out rules for the 27 member countries to handle people trying to enter without authorization, from how to screen them to establish whether they qualify for protection to deporting them if theyre not allowed to stay. Advertisement Hungary and Poland, which have long opposed any obligation for countries to host migrants or pay for their upkeep, voted against the package but were unable to block it. Mainstream political parties believe the pact resolves the issues that have divided member nations since well over 1 million migrants swept into Europe in 2015, most fleeing war in Syria and Iraq. They hope the system will starve the far right of vote-winning oxygen in the June 6-9 elections. However, the vast reform package will only enter force in 2026, bringing no immediate fix to an issue that has fueled one of the EUs biggest political crises, dividing nations over who should take responsibility for migrants when they arrive and whether other countries should be obligated to help. Critics say the pact will let nations detain migrants at borders and fingerprint children. They say its aimed at keeping people out and infringes on their right to claim asylum. Many fear it will result in more unscrupulous deals with poorer countries that people leave or cross to get to Europe. Why are the new rules needed? Europes asylum laws have not been updated for about two decades. The system frayed and then fell apart in 2015. It was based on the premise that migrants should be processed, given asylum or deported in the country they first enter. Greece, Italy and Malta were left to shoulder most of the financial burden and deal with public discontent. Since then, the ID-check-free zone known as the Schengen Area has expanded to 27 countries, 23 of them EU members. It means that more than 400 million Europeans and visitors, including refugees, can move without showing travel documents. Advertisement Who do the rules apply to? Some 3.5 million migrants arrived legally in Europe in 2023. Around 1 million others were on EU territory without permission. Of the latter, most were people who entered normally via airports and ports with visas but didnt go home when they expired. The pact applies to the remaining minority, estimated at around 300,000 migrants last year. They are people caught crossing an external EU border without permission, such as those reaching the shores of Greece, Italy or Spain via the Mediterranean Sea or Atlantic Ocean on boats provided by smugglers. How does the system work? The country on whose territory people land will screen them at or near the border. This involves identity and other checks - including on children as young as 6. The information will be stored on a massive new database, Eurodac. This screening should determine whether a person might pose a health or security risk and their chances of being permitted to stay. Generally, people fleeing conflict, persecution or violence qualify for asylum. Those looking for jobs are likely to be refused entry. Screening is mandatory and should take no longer than seven days. It should lead to one of two things: an application for international protection, like asylum, or deportation to their home country. Advertisement What does the asylum procedure involve? People seeking asylum must apply in the EU nation they first enter and stay until the authorities there work out what country should handle their application. It could be that they have family, cultural or other links somewhere else, making it more logical for them to be moved. The border procedure should be done in 12 weeks, including time for one legal appeal if their application is rejected. It could be extended by eight weeks in times of mass movements of people. Procedures could be faster for applicants from countries whose citizens are not often granted asylum. Critics say this undermines asylum law because applicants should be assessed individually, not based on nationality. People would stay in reception centers while it happens, with access to health care and education. Those rejected would receive a deportation order. Advertisement What does deportation involve? To speed things up, a deportation order is supposed to be issued automatically when an asylum request is refused. A new 12-week period is foreseen to complete this process. The authorities may detain people throughout. The EUs border and coast guard agency would help organize joint deportation flights. Currently, less than one in three people issued with an order to leave are deported. This is often due to a lack of cooperation from the countries these people come from. How has the issue of responsibilities vs obligations been resolved? The new rules oblige countries to help an EU partner under migratory pressure. Support is mandatory, but flexible. Nations can relocate asylum applicants to their territory or choose some other form of assistance. This could be financial - a relocation is evaluated at 20,000 euros ($21,462) per person - technical or logistical. Members can also assume responsibility for deporting people from the partner country in trouble. Advertisement What challenges lie ahead? Two issues stand out: Will member countries ever fully enact the plan, and will the EUs executive branch, the European Commission, enforce the new rules when it has chosen not to apply the ones already in place? The commission is due to present a Common Implementation Plan by June. It charts a path and timeline to get the pact working over the next two years, with targets that the EU and member countries should reach. Things could get off to a rocky start. Hungary, which has vehemently opposed the reforms, takes over the EUs agenda-setting presidency for six months on July 1. The European Union (EU) said that Israeli activities in Rafah were disrupting the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and were leading to more internal displacement and exposure to famine read more The European Union (EU) has told Israel to end its military operation in Rafah immediately or else the bilateral relations will suffer. Rafah is a town at the southern tip of the Gaza Strip where around 1.3-4 million Palestinians displaced from months of fighting had taken refuge. It is the last town in Gaza that has not seen major Israeli military operations. In recent days, Israel has conducted limited operations in the town and these actions have resulted in the fleeing of more than 300,000 people from the town. Advertisement In a statement on Wednesday, the EU said that Israeli activities in Rafah were further disrupting the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and is leading to more internal displacement, exposure to famine and human suffering, as per AFP. The statement was issued in the name of EU by Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Should Israel continue its military operation in Rafah, it would inevitably put a heavy strain on the EUs relationship with IsraelThe European Union urges Israel to end its military operation in Rafah immediately, said the statement. The EU is the main aid donor to the Palestinian territories of West Bank and Gaza and is he biggest trading partner of Israel. Israel must act in line with international humanitarian law The EU in the statement said that while it recognises Israels right to defend itself, it must do so in line with the international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of civilians. The EU further said that Israel is obliged under international humanitarian law to allow the entry of aid to Gaza. While the EU urged Israel to stop its military operations in Gaza and called upon the nation to allow aid into Gaza, the bloc also condemned an attack by Hamas on the Kerem Shalom border crossing which blocked humanitarian supplies. We call on all parties to redouble their efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas, said EU in the statement. Advertisement The international community, including partners like the United States and the United Kingdom, has asked the Israel to not go ahead with a major offensive in Rafah without a clear and actionable plan to evacuate and rehabilitate displaced persons sheltering there. The US and UK have maintained that the Israelis have not furnished any such plan so far. He has indicated Israel seeks to maintain open-ended control over security affairs and rejected a role for the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. That position stands in contrast to the vision set forth by the Biden administration, which wants Palestinian governance in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to Palestinian statehood read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday fended off criticism that he is not planning for a postwar reality in the Gaza Strip, saying it was impossible to prepare for any scenario in the embattled Palestinian enclave until Hamas is defeated. Netanyahu has faced increasing pressure from critics at home and allies abroad, especially the United States, to present a plan for governance, security and rebuilding of Gaza. He has indicated Israel seeks to maintain open-ended control over security affairs and rejected a role for the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. That position stands in contrast to the vision set forth by the Biden administration, which wants Palestinian governance in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to Palestinian statehood. Advertisement The debate over a postwar vision for Gaza comes as fighting has erupted again in places Israel had targeted in the early days of the war and said it had under control, as well as in Gazas southernmost city of Rafah, which has sent hundreds of thousands fleeing. For Palestinians, that displacement has renewed painful memories of mass expulsion from what is now Israel in the war surrounding the countrys creation in 1948. Palestinians across the Middle East on Wednesday were marking the 76th anniversary of that event. The latest war began on Oct. 7 with Hamas rampage across southern Israel, through some of the same areas where Palestinians fled from their villages decades earlier. Palestinian militants killed some 1.200 people that day, mostly civilians, and took another 250 hostage. Israels fierce response has obliterated entire neighborhoods in Gaza and forced some 80% of the population to flee their homes. Gazas Health Ministry says over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed, without distinguishing between civilians and combatants in its count. The U.N. says there is widespread hunger and that northern Gaza is in full-blown famine. THE DAY AFTER The renewed fighting in areas where Israels military had largely asserted control suggests that Hamas is regrouping, prompting criticism in Israel that Netanyahu is squandering military gains in Gaza by not moving toward a postwar vision for the territory. Netanyahu said Israel has been trying for months to find a solution to this complex problem, but that a postwar plan could not be promoted so long as Hamas was not defeated. He said Israel had tried to enlist local Palestinians to assist with food distribution but that the effort failed because Hamas threatened them, a claim that could not be verified. Advertisement All the talk about the day after, while Hamas stays intact, will remain mere words devoid of content, Netanyahu said. Senior members of his Cabinet disagree. In a nationally televised statement Wednesday, Netanyahus defense minister increased the criticism, saying he had repeatedly pleaded with the Cabinet to make a decision on a postwar vision for Gaza that would see the creation of a new Palestinian civilian leadership. Yoav Gallant, a member of the three-man War Cabinet, said the government has refused to discuss the issue. Gallant said not doing so would produce a reality where Israel could again exert civilian control over the Gaza Strip, which he said he opposed. Israel withdrew troops and settlers from the territory in 2005 after capturing it in the 1967 Mideast war. Advertisement I call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a decision and declare that Israel will not establish civilian control over the Gaza Strip, that Israel will not establish military governance in the Gaza Strip and that a governing alternative to Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be advanced immediately, he said, suggesting Netanyahus decision-making was based on political considerations. Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also chided Israel for the lack of a plan in some of his strongest public criticism. Disagreements over Gazas future have led to increasingly public friction between Israel and the U.S., its closest ally. The U.S. has been outspoken against an Israeli incursion into Rafah, which Israel sees as essential to defeating Hamas but where more than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million have sought shelter. Advertisement Israeli troops launched operations in Rafah last week, seizing the nearby crossing into Egypt and moving into eastern districts of the city in battles with Hamas fighters. Though still short of the full-on invasion Israel has threatened, the incursion has already caused chaos. As Israeli forces have moved into parts of Rafah and reinvaded parts of northern Gaza, U.N. agencies say some 550,000 people have been displaced in just the last week. SAME SCENES PLAY OUT The Nakba, Arabic for catastrophe, refers to the 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were driven out of what today is Israel before and during the 1948 war surrounding its creation, in which five Arab countries attacked the nascent state. Advertisement More than twice that number have been displaced within Gaza in the latest war. The refugees and their descendants number some 6 million and live in built-up refugee camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In Gaza, they are the majority of the population, with most families having been pushed out of what is now central and southern Israel. Israel rejects what the Palestinians say is their right of return because if it was fully implemented, it would likely result in a Palestinian majority within Israels borders. We lived through the Nakba not just once, but several times, said Umm Shadi Sheikh Khalil, who was displaced from Gaza City and now lives in a tent in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah. At a center for older residents of the Shatila refugee camp in Beirut, Amina Taher recalled the day her familys house in the village of Deir al-Qassi, in todays northern Israel, collapsed over their heads after being shelled by Israeli forces in 1948. The house was next to a school that Palestinian fighters used as a base, she said. Taher, then 3, was pulled from the rubble unharmed, but her 1-year-old sister was killed. Now she has seen the same scenes play out in news coverage of Gaza. When I would watch the news, I had a mental breakdown because then I remembered when the house fell on me, she said. What harm did these children do to get killed like this? Months of Houthi strikes in the Red Sea have caused shipping companies to reroute their operations to more expensive and time-consuming routes around southern Africa, disrupting global trade and igniting concerns that the battle between Israel and Hamas might destabilize the Middle East as a whole read more The Houthis' military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, stated in a televised speech that they had used several "appropriate naval missiles" to target the American destroyer "Maysun" in the Red Sea Image Courtesy Reuters The Houthis of Yemen announced on Wednesday that they had attacked a US warship and a ship in the Red Sea named Destiny as part of a continuous campaign of assaults that they claim is intended to demonstrate support for the Palestinians in Gaza. The group is sponsored by Iran. The Houthis military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, stated in a televised speech that they had used several appropriate naval missiles to target the American destroyer Maysun in the Red Sea. Advertisement Because the ship Destiny had been traveling to the Israeli port of Eilat on April 20, Sarea said, Houthis targeted it. The dates on which the two ships were targeted were not mentioned by Sarea. The Houthis assertion that they struck the two vessels could not be independently confirmed by Reuters. Months of Houthi strikes in the Red Sea have caused shipping companies to reroute their operations to more expensive and time-consuming routes around southern Africa, disrupting global trade and igniting concerns that the battle between Israel and Hamas might destabilize the Middle East as a whole. In reaction to the attacks on shipping, the United States and Britain launched strikes against targets controlled by the Houthis. Ever since France announced its plan to accept 30,000 students from India, there has been a beeline for Paris. However, studying and working in the country may not be as easy as it seems, say some students Firstpost spoke to read more During his visit to India, French President Emmanuel Macron introduced a promising initiative to open the French doors for Indian students. Shortly after gracing the 2024 Republic Day parade as a chief guest, Macron announced that by 2030 France plans to induct 30,000 Indian students into their universities. The commitment by the French president was also incorporated into the France-India Horizon 2047 Roadmap which was adopted during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to France in July last year. Advertisement To achieve the goal of welcoming 20,000 Indian students by 2025, setting the stage for the larger goal of 30,000 by 2030, France implemented several initiatives in 2023. One of the most prominent ones was the Classes Internationales programme. The aforementioned initiative provides Indian students with direct admission into French-taught undergraduate programmes. This is done after students undergo a foundational year of French language training in France. Apart from this, the French government also introduced an alumni visa which would allow Indians who hold a Masters degree or above from a recognised institution and have spent at least one semester of study in France to be eligible for a 5-year validity short-stay Schengen visa. While speaking to Firstpost, the Embassy of France in India mentioned, Students who are not fluent in French can enrol in the Classes Internationales programme or choose one of the 1700 academic programmes taught entirely in English. Initiatives like French For All, French For a Better Future also provided school students in India to learn French in public schools. A testament to strong Indo-France ties can be seen in the fact that the French government has already taken measures to make it easier for Indian students to study in France. In 2018, the French government launched a programme called Campus France which provided information and support to Indian students to study in the European nation. Advertisement While on paper the initiatives and the ambitions seemed promising, the ground realities may be quite different. Firstpost spoke to a bunch of Indian students and professionals to find out what it was like studying, staying and working in France. The first year is a smooth ride When asked about the ease of getting a student visa and enrollment in a French university, almost all students interviewed gave a favourable response. They maintained that it was easy to get a one-year visa and institutions like Campus France kept them informed about the admission process. It was all smooth and fine for me. I didnt face any issues, said Tanuja, who is currently pursuing a double masters, MIM and MSc, in Luxury and Design Management. I didnt go through any agency for my master application. I did everything on my own. So, after my application was shortlisted, I had to go to Campus France for the visa interview. They have been very helpful, she added. Advertisement Tanujas sentiments were echoed by other students who are currently pursuing several skill-based degrees in France. The Embassy of France in India also told Firstpost that there has been a significant uptick in applications of Indian students for France. The consulate maintained that visa applications witnessed a steady increase of over 25 per cent each year since the Pandemic. In the year 2024, Campus France witnessed over 60 per cent increase in visa applications for long-study programmes compared to 2023. Year 2 and trouble begins However, this is the place where the smooth ride ends. After students complete their first year, they face delays in getting their visas renewed. Advertisement It is important to note that, unlike other countries, France only provides a student visa for one year irrespective of the duration of the course. A student has to get his/her visa renewed if they want to continue with their stay in France. While speaking to Firstpost several students narrated that they have either faced issues in getting their visas renewed or acquiring Autorisation Provisioire de Sejour (APS) which allows students to stay in France for one year after completing their course. France provides APS to nationals from 13 nations including India. Tanuja herself stated that while she underwent a smooth process to get her first visa, she faced delays in getting her visa renewed. Advertisement Tanuja claimed that the upcoming Paris Olympics are part of the reason for the delay. It has been very difficult. As I was saying, because of the Olympics and everything, each prefecture had been delaying student files because they were giving importance to tourists who were coming here, especially for the Olympics and everything, she told Firstpost. Another student named Daina* faced similar delays. She mentioned that for 2-3 months she was without a visa which also meant she was without a job or any form of internship. For 2-3 months, I was not having my visa. Because of that, I was not able to work and I had college issues also, Diana who is pursuing a Global MBA told Firstpost. So basically, it was more of a work thing. Because if I didnt work, I couldnt pay my rent. My friends were supporting me to pay my rent, she added. She also mentioned that she constantly asked Sous-prefecture du Raincy (the prefecture she was dealing with) about the reason behind the delay. However, she did not get a solid response. When asked about these concerns, the embassy of France in India stated that once a student arrives in France, they must register and obtain their residence permit within the first three months of arrival. The procedure is quick and simple and ensures that the student is registered as a legal resident in France, the Embassy stated in response to Firstposts queries. In many cases where visa renewal issues crop up, the reason is that this registration was not initiated early on. In any case, students who face visa renewal issues during their stay in France or when they come back to India in between academic years can count on the assistance of the Embassy of France to help them sort out the issues. We encourage them to reach out to us in case of need, the French consulate furthered. Beyond the gold gates, theres paperwork While students easily get their first visa, the delays in getting documentation after they are done with their courses come with several challenges. These challenges can be divided into three categories: 1. Lack of documentation Its been 6 months since John* has been waiting for his APS. However, an address change has delayed the authorisation process for him. It was pretty easy when I was a student because they have a process for it, so I could apply when the visa was going to expire. You could apply one month prior, and they will give you an attestation in one or two weeks and then youre good to go till you get the final one, John, who pursued a Masters in Operational and Strategic Marketing told Firstpost. But things went downhill for John when he tried getting an APS which he applied for back in October. After the master, I changed my address to some other place. Thats when I started facing some issues because the authorization was taking a long time. They said it would take two months but now its been almost six months and I have had no reply from them which is really annoying, he added. The lack of paperwork is also affecting Johns career prospects as he is unable to get a job and pay his bills without documentation. They just say verbally that theyre processing it, but they dont give you anything in writing. If I get checked by any cops or anything, they will know that I dont have my paperwork. I cant show them anything physically, he exclaimed. Sometimes lack of paperwork also makes these students vulnerable to scams, exploitation, harassment and even racism. 2. Instances of exploitation Due to a lack of information, international students often get exploited and scammed. Daljeet Singh who leads a Facebook group called Indians in France narrated how young students to save money often live in extremely poor conditions. Call it a harassment problem, I witnessed a case where a man gave a 4BHK house on rent to 25 students. He divided each room into multiple sections by putting plastic sheets. Imagine the condition they must be living in and mind you, they all come from good families, he said. Anuj* who pursued a Diploma in Pastry from Cordon Bleu Paris, recalled the time when he was hired by a famous restaurant that promised to give him an employment visa. I kept asking them, you know, when is it happening? When is it coming? The human resource management person kept saying, itll come and then one day he said, oh, Im so sorry, theyre not doing it for you, he said. So after 10 months of struggle, they refused to do my visa. My student visa was only valid for 12 months. After they refused, I said, Im sorry. I was waiting for you to give me an employer visa, but you stalled me for 10 months and now I have to look for another employer, he added. Anuj mentioned that after facing a similar situation in another job, he had to quit and only survived on his savings from July 2023 to March 2024. However, the problems for Anuj did not solve here. While he is currently working on a self-employed authorisation and paying all his taxes, he is still unable to enjoy social or any sort of benefits one gets when paying taxes. He also pointed out that he is being paid way less than some of his peers and sometimes even less than some of his juniors. The lack of documentation also causes mental distress among students. Daljeet mentioned the time when a student jumped in front of a train because he was struggling to pay his loans since he could not get a job without papers. At that time the railway authorities did not give much details, but only mentioned that the traffic was being disrupted due to personal accident. Firstpost has seen the copy of the death certificate. En raison d'un accident grave de personne, le train stationne a Auber en direction de Boissy Saint Leger Chessy - Marne la Vallee. #RERA RER A (@RER_A) December 19, 2023 3. The language barrier One of the major issues Indian students and professionals face in France is the language barrier. The major issue is language. They speak English but English is not their first language. We speak in French to communicate with colleagues. No one speaks English here, Daljeet explained. He pointed out that the inability to speak French can also lead to students losing out on big job opportunities. Both Diana and Tanuja also highlighted that it took them and their friends longer to get an internship in comparison to people who were well-versed in French. The Embassy of France in India also highlighted the importance of learning French to work in France. Contrary to many countries, France does not require fluency in French to apply for a visa for studying or working in France, they said in their statement to Firstpost. It is true however that knowledge of French is very often an asset when considering a career in France. In this respect, students who undertake the Classes Internationales programme will have a significant advantage, as they will become fluent in French, the embassy added. While the French government stated that they will be providing French classes to students, both Anuj and Daljeet highlighted that some of these classes can be very advanced and the fast pace can also dampen the learning experience. The community is the support When asked from all the students why they were not contacting the embassies and sharing their grievances, they insisted that the embassy would ask them to go back to the Prefectures. Daljeet also pointed out that sometimes embassies are stuck in the protocols. However, the cooperation among the Indian community in France provides a glimmer of hope. John told Firstpost, that his friend provided him with a place to stay for free while he struggled to get paperwork. The students also mentioned how they cope with their mental agony by sharing their experiences. While Daljeet opened his Facebook page during the pandemic to help the students on an online platform, he has been helping Indians in France for over two decades. However, theres still more that needs to be done. When asked about what are some of the initiatives both the French and the Indian governments could take to help Indians stuck in France, he gave the following suggestions: Due to the strong ties between India and France, Daljeet suggested that there could be separate posts in the prefectures where Indians can go and be able to resolve their visa issues. Introducing campus placements Indian consulate taking help from the Indian community to set up placement drives to help Indian students. International colleges can set up seminars where students can understand how to apply for and renew their visas. Overall, with initiatives like Classes Internationales Indian students and professionals are hoping to get relief for a better tomorrow. *Some names have been changed to provide anonymity Xis personalised power hasnt contributed to Chinas positive development. Instead, it has created a negative image whereby the world perceives Beijing as an authoritarian bully relentlessly hungry for resources and territories read more (File) China's President Xi Jinping holds the hand of his wife Peng Liyuan as they disembark from their aeroplane upon their arrival for an official two-day state visit, at Orly airport, south of Paris, France on 5 May 2024. Reuters Having ascended to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) presidency a decade back, Xi Jinping emerged as the longest-serving head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) after securing the third consecutive presidential term last year. His grand ambition, Chinas great rejuvenation by 2049, aims to restore the countrys lost glory and rightful place in the world. Therefore, Xis series of legislative and diplomatic measures over the last decade are his proactive efforts to reach this goal. Advertisement Under Xis leadership, China has witnessed a rapid and drastic transformation in all aspects, all catering to increasing his control over the CCP and the military. However, his grand ambition and personalised power also brought China face to face with greater political challenges. Xis ambitions, reflected in Chinas involvement in geopolitical conflicts, technological prowess, and increasing human rights violations at home, put China at a pivotal point in the current global order. What separates Xis vision from his predecessors is his larger-than-life goals, be it the modernisation of the military, economic aspirations (Belt and Road Initiative), technological advancements, or legislative measures adopted at home. However, his efforts attracted more challenges and criticisms against his leadership. Chinas engagement in various geopolitical conflicts in the last decade is a case in point. Chinas territorial claims based on expansionist policy have been a game changer in the current geopolitical tensions witnessed in Taiwan, Hong Kong, the South China Sea and the Himalayan region. The release of the latest standard map (2023) showcased Beijings unilateral claims over disputed territories, such as Taiwan, regions of the South China Sea, Indias Arunachal Pradesh, and Aksai Chin, on which Beijing asserts to have complete sovereignty. Under Xis leadership, territorial claims over disputed regions assumed a rather aggressive and militarised nature. This is noted in the series of military incursions in Taiwan, the tightening of legislative grip in Hong Kong, the deployment of maritime militias and surveillance vessels in the South China Sea, and similar encroachment activities in the Himalayan region. Advertisement A common feature of Chinese actions is that they are justified as safeguarding national security and protecting sovereignty, even though these do not receive support from other countries. Another common feature is the employment of grey-zone warfare tactics to intimidate and undermine other countries to successfully achieve their territorial ambitions without going to war. Beyond cross-border military intimidation, Chinas technological capability reach is another domain in which Xi aims for global influence and to be perceived as a significant global power. This is conducted using its information warfare tactic through disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks worldwide. Artificial Intelligence and Deep Fake technologies under Xis China are turned into tools of cognitive warfare for this purpose. Beijing has been found to heavily indulge in this campaign, known as the Spamouflage campaign, during the Covid-19 pandemic, intending to create a positive image of China and discredit individuals, governments, and media (especially the West) critical of the country. Advertisement Besides disinformation, the increasing use of cyber espionage to gather intellectual property and sensitive (government) information from other countries through sophisticated digital techniques has been another form of intelligence warfare under Xis China. Aiming to target Western countries security sectors to possess intelligence on military weapons and technologies and information on neighbouring countries to assert regional influence, Chinas cyber espionage campaign emerged as a new threat to global, national (and cyber) security. As one of the worlds leading providers of 5G networks, prominent Chinese telecommunication companies like Huawei and ZTE have drawn controversy for posing a national security threat for their involvement in intellectual property theft and cyber espionage. Besides telecommunication, Beijings dominance in digital technology further challenged global security through its popular social media applications, like TikTok. Notwithstanding the apps commercial success since its launch in 2017, it soon became a new platform for Chinas geopolitical competition in cyberspace over cybersecurity, individual data privacy, and cross-border data flow via cyber-spying. Advertisement The common factor in Chinas cyber activities is state sponsorship and links with the Chinese Communist Party and the military, intended to undermine liberal democratic countries critical of Xis policies. Xis ambitious programmes were not without controversy and criticism, adding to the geopolitical complexities we witness today. Chinas wolf-warrior diplomacy reflects Xis reaction to global criticisms concerning handling the Covid-19 outbreak, trade war with the US, national security threat via digital technology, and human rights abuses at home. In 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief declared Chinas zero-Covid policy unsustainable. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), too, reiterated this sentiment, calling the zero-Covid policy a burden . Chinas strict zero-Covid policy triggered protests among citizens and contributed to Beijings and the worlds economic woes. Advertisement Chinas human rights violations have only seen to surge since Xi assumed power. The treatment of ethnic and religious minorities in the country, especially Uyghurs and Tibetans, drew international criticism and sanctions for China. A UN report (2022) concluded China is committing severe human rights violations against Uyghurs and other Muslim communities in China that may constitute crimes against humanity. Last year, a UN experts report claimed Chinas forced cultural assimilation policies led to the separation of one million Tibetan schoolchildren from their families. International reaction to Chinas human rights abuses came especially from the West, in the form of trade sanctions and visa restrictions on Chinese officials. In the technology sphere, Chinas cyber activities were also poorly received. Western countries recently accused China of conducting a global cyber espionage campaign, filed charges against Chinese nationals involved in this, and slapped sanctions against the Asian Giant. In addition, Beijing was also accused of its role in election meddling (and foreign interference) in other countries. Its tech ambitions received a further blow, with countries implementing a ban on TikTok and curbing the use of Chinese 5G network equipment due to national security concerns. Stemming from Chinas policies, the country has a growing negative perception. As per the Pew Research Centre survey (2023) across 24 countries: 67 per cent expressed to have a negative opinion of China, 57 per cent viewed Chinas foreign policy to be interventionist, that is, interference in the affairs of other countries, 71 per cent believed China has no positive contribution to the worlds peace and stability, and 76 per cent believed that China takes no account of the interests of other countries. Xi Jinpings dream of Chinese rejuvenation, while commendable for its grand ambitions to transform China into a global power, seems to backfire. All the measures he adopted to facilitate the development of his nation, analysed above, reflect his goal of amassing greater direct control over the CCP and the military. Xis personalised power did not contribute to Chinas positive development, as he envisioned. Instead, it pushed the country to a political challenge, especially in the global arena, whereby the world perceives Beijings ever-increasing authoritarian nature and anticipates its involvement in a geopolitical war in the future. It is widely believed that none but Xi Jinping himself poses the greater obstacle to Beijings development. NC Bipindra is the chairman of Law and Society Alliance, a New Delhi-based think tank. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Israel and Egypt are witnessing a standoff over aid flow to Gaza. Both nations have accused each other of blocking humanitarian aid to war-stricken Gaza read more A drone picture of a line of trucks waiting on an Egyptian road along the border with Israel, near the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip May 2, 2024. Representative image/ Reuters Israel is anticipating that cracks within its relationship with Egypt may widen and the latter might retreat as the mediator between Tel Aviv and Hamas to help the two warring sides reach a ceasefire deal. According to a report by Haaretz, Israel fears that its current crisis with Egypt might hamper military and intelligence cooperation between the two countries. Israel and Egypt are witnessing a standoff over aid flow to Gaza. Both nations have accused each other of blocking humanitarian aid to war-stricken Gaza. Advertisement In the report, an unknown official was quoted saying, The current situation vis-a-vis Egypt is the worst that has been since the war began. Another official said that while Egypt was receptive to Israels goal of toppling Hamas at the start of the war, things have changed after the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government launched its Rafah operation. They have been purposely acting to hinder us and to try and compel us to stop the war, the official said. Egypt joins ICJs case against Israel Earlier this week, Cairo announced that it would join South Africas request to the International Court of Justice to hear cases against Israels military operation in Rafah. Meanwhile, ICJ has agreed to hear cases on the same on South Africas request. In an interview with the Associated Press, an Egyptian official said that Cairo has complained to the United States and European governments, saying that its peace treaty with Israel is at high risk. While announcing its backing to South Africa for ICJ hearings on Israel, Egypt said, The decision comes in light of the worsening severity and scope of Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, and the continued perpetration of systematic practices against the Palestinian people, including direct targeting of civilians and the destruction of infrastructure in the Strip, and pushing Palestinians to flee. Advertisement Israel and Egypt row Israel said on Tuesday that it was up to Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing and allow humanitarian relief into the Gaza Strip, prompting Cairo to denounce what it described as desperate attempts to shift blame for the blockage of aid. The key to preventing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza is now in the hands of our Egyptian friends, Israels Foreign Affairs Minister Israel Katz said in comments released by his office. Katz said he had spoken with his British and German counterparts about the need to persuade Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing, adding he would also speak with Italys foreign minister later on Tuesday. Advertisement The comments drew a swift and angry response from Egypts foreign ministry, which said Israel was responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and that Israels military operations in Rafah were the main factor blocking aid. With inputs from agencies Ever since the House of Commons enacted legislation in 2016, the United Kingdom has encountered resistance from foreign jurisdictions that are hesitant to establish public registries that reveal the true owners of funds held in tax havens read more According to Andrew Mitchell, the Foreign Office will make new demands on the crown dependencies and foreign territories to conform with UK rules that establish public records of beneficial share ownership According to the UKs deputy foreign secretary, the City of London and its crown dependencies handle close to 40% of the worlds dirty money. According to Andrew Mitchell, the Foreign Office will make new demands on the crown dependencies and foreign territories to conform with UK rules that establish public records of beneficial share ownership. Ever since the House of Commons enacted legislation in 2016, the United Kingdom has encountered resistance from foreign jurisdictions that are hesitant to establish public registries that reveal the true owners of funds held in tax havens. Advertisement Speaking to the Bright Blue thinktank, Mitchell said: On the issue of dirty money, it is important to recognise that Britain has a dog in the fight. According to some estimates, 40% of money laundering around the world this is money often stolen from Africa and Africans by corrupt businessmen, bent politicians and war lords and so on 40% of that money comes through London and overseas territories and crown dependencies. Mitchell said that the UK will see a greater emphasis now on introducing these open registers of beneficial ownership now that David Cameron was the foreign secretary. He warned: If these overseas territories and crown dependencies want to have our king and our flag, then they must also accept our values, which is why we are so intent on ensuring dirty money cannot flow in and from there. The minister claimed that Lord Cameron made the issue of dirty money and the significance of public beneficial ownership registers front and center when the United Kingdom chaired the G8 group of industrialized nations in 2016. It is commonly acknowledged that the governments will to combat corruption in its overseas territories waned when he resigned as prime minister in 2016. Nevertheless, in response to a backbench revolt by Conservatives, the UK approved a law in 2018 mandating that the government submit a draft order in council enforcing beneficial ownership registers by 2020. Backbencher Mitchell was one of the renegade Tory MPs at the time. Advertisement Restrictions on who can access the registers are currently being imposed by the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands, who have yet to adopt public registers and are invoking rulings from the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Decisions made by the ECJ do not apply to the BVI or the Cayman Islands. The BVI minister of financial services, Lorna Smith, stated in 2013 that the government would not move forward with plans to create publicly accessible registers due to an ECJ ruling that she believed may violate peoples human rights. Addressing the media, Sutaj-Estok said, What has started now was sown by many of you, by your hate. This call to action underscores the ministers concern over the detrimental effects of inflammatory rhetoric circulating online read more Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico being transported by medics and his security detail to the hospital in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia where he is to be treated after he had been shot "multiple times" (Photo by AFP) Following the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovakias Interior Minister, Matus Sutaj-Estok, provided crucial details, stating that the attacker fired five shots at Fico, leaving him in critical condition. Sutaj-Estok asserted that preliminary findings strongly indicate a political motive behind the attack, particularly in the wake of Slovakias recent presidential election. He urged both journalists and politicians to refrain from perpetuating hate speech on social media platforms. Addressing the media, Sutaj-Estok said, What has started now was sown by many of you, by your hate. This call to action underscores the ministers concern over the detrimental effects of inflammatory rhetoric circulating online. Advertisement As investigations into the assassination attempt unfold, authorities continue to highlight the importance of fostering a culture of civility and respect in public discourse, especially within the digital realm. Expressing shock and solidarity, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conveyed his thoughts, stating, All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy denounced the attack, highlighting that violence cannot be normalised. He condemned the assault on Slovakias head of government and called for concerted efforts to uphold peace and stability. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her deep shock Wednesday after Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico was shot and taken to hospital. I learned with deep shock the news of the cowardly attack, she said in a statement that also stressed the Italian governments strongest condemnation of all forms of violence and attacks on the cardinal principles of democracy and freedom. Slovakias president-elect, Peter Pellegrini, condemned the assassination attempt, saying its is a threat to the countrys democratic principles. He urged for respectful discourse in democratic processes. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said he was shocked and appalled by the shooting of Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday. I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia, Stoltenberg wrote on X. Advertisement Blaming the media and progressives, Lubos Blaha, Slovakias deputy speaker of parliament, linked todays incident to broader societal factors, as reported by Aktuality. German scholar Olaf Scholz expressed shock at the cowardly attack on Prime Minister Fico, saying that violence has no place in European politics. Echoing similar sentiments, Prime Ministers Peter Orpo of Finland and Kaja Kallas of Estonia condemned the violence, reaffirming their commitment to democracy and expressing solidarity with Fico and his family. European Council President Charles Micheal condemned the attack, stressing that violence can never be justified. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala echoed the sentiment, highlighting the need to reject violence unequivocally. Advertisement Fico, who was conscious after the incident, received initial treatment for bullet wounds at a hospital in Handlova before being transferred to a higher-level facility, according to a hospital spokesperson cited by Reuters. People fly kites in Cesar E. Chavez Park in Berkeley in 2021. Decades ago, Stauffer Chemical Co. dumped hazardous waste into East Bay landfills, including the landfill below the park, according to an L.A. Times report. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Sherry Padgett visits the site of a proposed residential development project in Richmond in 2020. Padgett, who owns an electrical contracting company across the street, is concerned because the former Zeneca and Stauffer Chemical Co. site is still contaminated with hazardous materials and is fighting approval of the project. Paul Chinn/The Chronicle Plans are in place for a large mixed-use development including 4,000 housing units at the Zeneca site on the Richmond Shoreline, where Stauffer Chemical Co. dumped hazardous waste decades ago. Michael Macor/The Chronicle 2017 Decades ago, Stauffer Chemical Co. dumped hazardous waste into several East Bay locations, including two places known to have radioactive material. But the extent of the disposal sites, and the fact that they also occurred at what are now public parks, only became widely known last year, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. Last year, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control shared a letter dated March 28, 1980, with several other state and federal agencies that showed the chemical company had dumped a total of over 50,000 tons of industrial waste in previous decades at two Richmond sites as well as in landfills in Benicia, Albany and Berkeley, the latter two at locations that are now covered by parks, according to the report. It was already known that Stauffer had dumped hazardous waste, including radioactive material, at the site of its Richmond plant, now known as the Zeneca site for the company that took over after it closed, and the nearby Blair landfill. But it was not previously disclosed that Stauffer had dumped 11,100 tons of waste in each of two landfills that are now covered by Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley and Albany Bulb, a park and public art space, and 3,700 tons in Benicia, according to the Department of Toxic Substances Control. DTSC is aware of radioactive material discovered at the Blair landfill and Zeneca/former Stauffer Chemical sites, but is unaware of whether radioactive material was disposed of at other sites, said Russ Edmondson, media information officer at the department, in an email. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Though the letter was in Department of Toxic Substances Control archives, the agency had not shared it previously with other agencies, and neither representatives from San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board nor city officials in Berkeley and Albany were aware that the chemical company had dumped waste there, the Times reported. The project has been investigated since the 1980s and multiple agencies and staff have been involved over the years, Edmondson said. He also said that laws passed in the 1970s and 1980s increased requirements for generators of hazardous waste to notify landfills and the public of hazardous waste disposal, and that the water board oversaw the early stages of cleanup at Stauffers Richmond plant in the 1980s to 2000s. In January, the water board instructed the cities of Berkeley and Albany to test their landfills for contaminants and radiation after learning that the sites historically received industrial waste, according to letters obtained by the Chronicle. Blair Robertson, public information officer at the water board, said that the landfills are regulated by the board to ensure that waste discharges dont impact surface or groundwater quality. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Currently the board has no information to suggest that the sites pose a risk to water quality or human health, Robertson said. For that reason, Berkeley does not plan to close Cesar Chavez Park but will test it for historical materials as a precautionary measure, said Matthai Chakko, communications manager for the city, in an email. The city of Albany did not respond to a request for comment. Stauffer built a plant on the Richmond shoreline in 1897 to produce sulfuric acid, and later manufactured fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides there. In the 1980s, the site was purchased by Zeneca Corp., now known as AstraZeneca, which also produced chemicals and dumped hazardous materials. Sherry Padgett, a Richmond Shoreline resident, business owner and environmental activist, said community groups had long suspected that Stauffer dumped waste beyond Richmond, based on records of the amount of raw material that was brought to the manufacturing site versus the amount of product that was shipped out. The records were like ghosts as to where the rest of the materials had been transplanted, she said in an interview with the Chronicle. We didnt know how much or what type of material was taken from the plant. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Though the content of the industrial waste buried below the Berkeley and Albany parks is unknown, previous testing on dumping locations at the Stauffer property and the nearby Blair landfill showed that they contained heavy metals including lead, volatile organic compounds such as benzene, and radioactive substances. High levels of radioactivity from alum mud, a byproduct of the production of sulfuric acid, were first detected at the Blair landfill location in 2011, according to the Times. We knew that alum mud dumped at Blair landfill was radioactive for 13 years, said Padgett. Our regulators have been turtles. Theyve just been moving at a very slow pace in getting this cleaned up. Richmond Shoreline Alliance and other community and environmental groups sued the city of Richmond in 2021 over a developers proposal to build 4,000 units of housing and a grocery store on the Zeneca site, after the Department of Toxic Substances Control announced it would do a partial cleanup of the area before construction. The groups wanted the city to go through with a previous plan to do a full cleanup of the sites contaminated soil before building. The case is under appeal. Janet Johnson of the Richmond Shoreline Alliance said the news about Stauffer disposal sites in Albany and Berkeley was horrifying. Instead of cleaning it up they want to cover it up, she said of the Department of Toxic Substances Control, including both the current situation and previous ones with the Zeneca site. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Johnson recommended that people who are concerned by what is now known about the Cesar Chavez Park and Albany Bulb get organized. The largely isolated country has recently bolstered military ties with Russia, and Pyongyang thanked Moscow last month for using its UN Security Council veto to block the renewal of a panel of UN experts that monitored international weapons sanctions on Kims regime read more North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for an epochal change in war preparations by achieving arsenal production targets during his inspection of a tactical missile system, state media reported Wednesday. It comes as analysts say the nuclear-armed North could be testing and ramping up production of artillery and cruise missiles before sending them to Russia for use in Ukraine. During his inspection of the tactical missile weapons system on Tuesday, Kim expressed great satisfaction over the production results registered by the defence industrial enterprises this year, Pyongyangs official Korean Central News Agency said in a dispatch. Advertisement Kim particularly stressed the need to bring about an epochal change in the preparations of the KPA for war by carrying out the munitions production plans for 2024 without fail, it added. Missile launchers produced so far this year are intended for military units in the countrys west, KCNA said. The largely isolated country has recently bolstered military ties with Russia, and Pyongyang thanked Moscow last month for using its UN Security Council veto to block the renewal of a panel of UN experts that monitored international weapons sanctions on Kims regime. South Korea and the United States have accused North Korea of supplying weapons to Russia, despite UN sanctions banning such a move. Inter-Korean relations are at one of their lowest points in years, with Pyongyang declaring South Korea its principal enemy. It has jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and threatened war over even 0.001 mm of territorial infringement. Sutskever announced his departure from ChatGPT maker on X on Tuesday read more (File) The OpenAI logo is displayed on a cell phone with an image on a computer monitor generated by ChatGPT's Dall-E text-to-image model, on 8 December, 2023, in Boston. AP San Francisco: OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, one of the original creators of the artificial intelligence technology behind ChatGPT, said Tuesday he is leaving the company after a nearly decade. Sutskever was one of four board members last fall who voted to push out CEO Sam Altman from the company only to quickly reinstate him. It was Sutskever, OpenAIs chief scientist, who told Altman last November that he was being fired. Sutskever announced his decision on the social media site X. He said he is working on a new project that is very personally meaningful to him, but he offered no other details. Advertisement Altman, meanwhile, wrote that parting ways is very sad and called Sutskever one of the greatest minds of our generation, a guiding light of our field, and a dear friend. Sutskever will be replaced by Jakub Pachocki as chief scientist at San Francisco-based OpenAI. Altman called Pachocki also easily one of the greatest minds of our generation and said he is very confident he will lead us to make rapid and safe progress towards our mission of ensuring that AGI benefits everyone. Short for artificial general intelligence, AGI is a futuristic vision of machines that are as broadly smart as humans or at least can do many things as well as people can. On Monday, OpenAI introduced an update to its AI model it says can reason across text, audio and video in real time. Footage circulated on social media showed at least one burning truck while other images showed trucks wrecked and stripped of their loads, which lay strewn over the road near the Tarqumiya checkpoint outside Hebron in the occupied West Bank read more A view of trucks carrying aid to Gaza that were stopped after they were damaged by Israeli settlers near a checkpoint near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters Palestinian hauliers said on Tuesday they feared for the security of aid convoys to Gaza, a day after Israeli protesters wrecked trucks carrying humanitarian supplies bound for the enclave, which is facing a severe hunger crisis. Footage circulated on social media showed at least one burning truck while other images showed trucks wrecked and stripped of their loads, which lay strewn over the road near the Tarqumiya checkpoint outside Hebron in the occupied West Bank. Advertisement Yesterday there was coordination for 70 trucks of aid to go to the Gaza Strip, said Waseem Al-Jabari, Head of the Hebron Food Trade Association. While the trucks were uploaded with products at the crossing settlers attacked the trucks and they destroyed the products and set fire in trucks, he said, saying Israeli soldiers had stood by as the attack took place. Mondays incident was claimed by a group calling itself Order 9, which said it had acted to stop supplies reaching Hamas and accusing the Israeli government of giving gifts to the Islamist group. No comment was available from the Israeli military. The Israeli police said the incident, in which several people were arrested, was being investigated. The violent protest drew condemnation from Washington, which has urged Israel to step up deliveries of aid into Gaza to alleviate a growing humanitarian crisis in the enclave, seven months since the start of the war. British Foreign Minister David Cameron also condemned the appalling incident, saying Israel must call the attackers to account. Palestinians and human rights groups have long accused the Israeli military and police of deliberately failing to intervene when settlers attack Palestinians in the West Bank. Adel Amer, a member of the West Bank-based hauliers union, said around 15 trucks had been damaged by Israeli protestors who beat some drivers and caused about $2 million worth of damage. Advertisement The drivers are now refusing to take goods to Gaza because theyre afraid, he said. Its a disaster here because of the settlers. Even when the military was present, the convoys were still at risk, he said. The army says we cannot do anything to the settlers. The coast guard was not part of the civilian mission which sailed on Wednesday, but it would provide safety and security for the civilian volunteers, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokeperson Jay Tarriela said. read more In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, fishing boats carrying activists and volunteers belonging to a nongovernment coalition called Atin Ito, Tagalog for This is Ours, pass by waters off Palauig Point, Zambales province, northwestern Philippines as they head towards Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday May 15, 2024.- AP The Philippines has dispatched three Coast Guard vessels to safeguard a civilian flotilla heading to a contested shoal in the South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing have frequently clashed over territorial claims. Approximately 100 small wooden fishing boats with bamboo outriggers joined the voyage to distribute food and fuel to fishermen and place a dozen territorial buoys about 20 nautical miles (37 kilometers) from the coast before returning to Zambales, according to organizer Emman Hizon. Advertisement The three-day mission, led by the group Atin Ito (This is Ours) along with five commercial fishing vessels, aims to provide provisions to fishermen anchored at the Scarborough Shoal. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela said that while the Coast Guard was not directly involved in the civilian mission that began on Wednesday, it would ensure the safety and security of the civilian volunteers. A PCG aircraft has also been deployed to monitor the situation at Scarborough Shoal. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that the Chinese Coast Guard recently conducted routine drills at the shoal. Atin Ito previously led a similar mission in December to deliver supplies to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, but the journey was cut short due to what the group described as shadowing and harassment by Chinese coast guard ships. China effectively took control of the Scarborough Shoal, a triangular atoll with a vast fishing lagoon surrounded by mostly submerged coral outcrops, by encircling it with coast guard ships after a tense standoff with Philippine government vessels in 2012. In response, the Philippine government brought the dispute to international arbitration in 2013 and largely won the case, with a tribunal in The Hague ruling three years later that Chinas extensive claims based on historical grounds in the busy seaway were invalid under the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ruling declared the Scarborough Shoal a traditional fishing area for Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese fishermen. In the past, fishermen have anchored in the shoal to avoid huge waves in the high seas in stormy weather. Advertisement China refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected the outcome and continues to defy it. The West Philippine Sea (WPS) is Manilas term for waters in the South China Sea that fall within its 200-nautical mile EEZ. Atin Ito said it has installed symbolic buoys within the Philippine EEZ containing the words WPS ATIN ITO. China claims almost all the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. A 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration found that Chinas sweeping claims have no legal basis. With inputs from agencies. Russia and China proclaimed a no limits relationship just days before Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but Beijing has so far avoided providing actual weapons and ammunition for Russias war effort. read more Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing.Credit: Reuters Photo Chinas plan and further principles made public by President Xi Jinping last month took account of factors behind the conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin said as he backed its proposed plan for a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis. In an interview published early on Wednesday, Putin said that Russia remained open to dialogue and talks to solve the more than two-year-old conflict. Putins visit to Beijing on Thursday is expected to focus less on concrete deals and more on demonstrating support from his most powerful political ally, Chinese President Xi Jinping, as he begins his new presidential term. Advertisement Beijing put forward a 12-point paper more than a year ago that set out general principles for ending the war, but did not get into specifics. The plan received a lukewarm reception at the time in both Russia and Ukraine, while the U.S. said China was presenting itself as a peacemaker but reflecting Russias false narrative and failing to condemn its invasion. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last month called the proposal a reasonable plan that the great Chinese civilization proposed for discussion. This two-day trip, marking Putins first official visit of his new term, aims to emphasize the strong no limits partnership between Russia and China, despite pressure from the United States regarding Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a special operation to disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Ukraine and the West say the fascist allegation is baseless and that the war is an unprovoked act of aggression. Russia and China proclaimed a no limits relationship just days before Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but Beijing has so far avoided providing actual weapons and ammunition for Russias war effort. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys peace plan calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops, the restoration of Ukraines 1991 post-Soviet borders, and holding Russia accountable for its actions. A peace summit is scheduled to take place in Switzerland in June. However, Russia is not invited and dismisses the initiative as meaningless, insisting that talks must consider new realities. China has participated in some preparatory discussions for the summit, and Ukraine has made significant efforts to persuade it to attend. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Western correspondents in Moscow would feel response if the European Union took action against Russian media read more Russia on Wednesday warned the European Union that if the bloc imposed restrictions on Russian media then Western reporters in Russia would feel a swift, harsh and painful response from the Russian state. European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova said that the EU would sanction Voice of Europe, along with Rossiiskaya Gazeta, Ria Novosti and Izvestia, Bloomberg reported on May 6. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Western correspondents in Moscow would feel response if the European Union took action against Russian media. Advertisement If these measures are taken against the Russian media, Russian journalists, then, despite the fact that Western correspondents will not want to, they will also have to feel our retaliatory measures, Zakharova said. They felt our love before, but now they will have to feel the response, Zakharova said. We will respond with lightning speed and extremely painfully for the Westeners. Zakharova said that any move to put any Russian media outlet put under restriction, would immediately lead to a response in Russia against Western correspondents. If just one Russian media outlet is subjected to unjustified restrictions, then it will ricochet off their colleagues here in Russia, I mean, Western journalists, Zakharova said. Putin arrives in Beijing on Thursday to meet his dear friend Xi Jinping, seeking to win greater support from China for his war effort in Ukraine and isolated economy read more Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Beijings genuine desire to help resolve the Ukraine crisis, in an interview with Chinese state media published Wednesday ahead of a two-day visit to the country. Putin arrives in Beijing on Thursday to meet his dear friend Xi Jinping, seeking to win greater support from China for his war effort in Ukraine and isolated economy. The visit, in which he will also travel to the northeastern city of Harbin for a trade and investment expo, is Putins first trip abroad since his March re-election and his second in just over six months to China. Advertisement We commend Chinas approaches to resolving the crisis in Ukraine, Putin told the Xinhua state news agency in a Moscow interview, which was also carried in English on the Kremlin website. Beijing is well aware of its root causes and global geopolitical significance, Putin said, referring to a 12-point position paper published by China in February 2023 on reaching a political settlement to the crisis. The ideas and proposals contained in the document show the genuine desire of our Chinese friends to help stabilise the situation, Putin said. Days before Russia launched its full-scale military assault on Ukraine in February 2022, Beijing and Moscow declared a no limits partnership and have since boosted trade to record highs. Moscow has looked to China as a crucial economic lifeline since the West hit Russia with unprecedented sanctions over its military offensive. China has meanwhile benefited from cheap Russian energy imports and access to vast natural resources, including steady gas shipments via the Power of Siberia pipeline. But their close economic partnership has come under scrutiny in the West, with the United States threatening to sanction overseas banks and companies that work with Moscow. Through meticulous evidence gathering and rigorous investigative techniques, the tribunal amassed sufficient evidence to ascertain that Charles Sikubwabo and Ryandikayo, the last two names on its list of 92 indictees, had met their deaths and were laid to rest in unmarked graves in different parts of central Africa read more Sculls and personal items of victims of the Rwandan genocide are seen as part of a display at the Genocide Memorial in Gisozi in Kigali, Rwanda April 6, 2019.REUTERS In a historic moment, the war crimes tribunal for Rwanda has concluded its 29-year mission, achieving justice for the 1994 genocide that claimed over 800,000 lives in 1994. During a video conference on April 30, where tribunal prosecutor Serge Brammertz and the leaders of the fugitive tracking team jointly confirmed the fate of the remaining suspects. Through meticulous evidence gathering and rigorous investigative techniques, the tribunal amassed sufficient evidence to ascertain that Charles Sikubwabo and Ryandikayo, the last two names on its list of 92 indictees, had met their deaths and were laid to rest in unmarked graves in different parts of central Africa. Advertisement Roles of the Last Two Suspects Charles Sikubwabo played a pivotal role in orchestrating one of the most heinous massacres of the genocide. As an influential local organiser in Rwandas Kibuye prefecture, Sikubwabo led mobs of the Interahamwe Hutu militia, responsible for the brutal slaughter of Tutsis. He was charged with genocide and crimes against humanity for his active involvement in coordinating mass killings and leading search parties to eliminate Tutsi survivors. Ryandikayo, a restaurateur known by just one name, was another key figure implicated in the genocide. Alongside Sikubwabo, Ryandikayo participated in numerous massacres, perpetrating acts of violence that claimed tens of thousands of innocent lives. His involvement in the genocide extended to the brutal killing of individuals, including Mukanyemera, a 12-year-old Tutsi girl, whom he personally bludgeoned. Brammertz highlighted the importance of this achievement, showcasing the international communitys dedication to ensuring accountability, regardless of time. The successful conclusion of the tribunals work signifies the culmination of over three decades of efforts in international justice for mass atrocities. It also underscores the significance of institutions like the International Criminal Court (ICC), established in 2002. Under Brammertzs leadership, the tracking team pursued the remaining fugitives with unwavering determination, employing meticulous investigative techniques to gather evidence and corroborate witness testimonies. The closure of Sikubwabo and Ryandikayos cases highlights the pivotal role of international justice in preserving the memory of the genocide and combating denialism. Advertisement While the era of the Yugoslav and Rwandan tribunals may be viewed as a brief golden age of international justice, the quest for accountability continues. Rwandas prosecutor general is now focused on apprehending lower-level war crimes suspects still at large. Among those willing to relocate, workers in the media and marketing sectors are the most willing to relocate abroad, according to the survey read more Almost two-third Singapore's workers are willing to relocate abroad to work (Photo: Reuters) Neary two in every three workers in Singapore are willing to move abroad for work, according to a new survey. The survey said that Australia is the most preferred destination for such workers, followed by the United States, China, Japan, and the United States. The was conducted by jobs portal Jobstreet by Seek during October-December 2023. A total of 150,735 people in 188 countries were surveyed, including 3,260 workers in Singapore. Drop in workers willing to move abroad post-Covid: Survey Advertisement While survey found that nearly two in every three workers in Singapore is willing to relocate abroad, it also found that the overall percentage for such willingness has reduced after the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, 64% workers in Singapore are willing to relocate abroad while figure for the same was 87% in 2018, according to The Strait Times. Among those willing to relocate, Australia ranked as the top preference with 33% respondents preferring it. It was followed by other technology-driven economies of China, Japan, and the United States. Of those willing to relocate, 72% were aged under 30. While the figures are high for Singapore, the report said that Southeast Asian markets figures (68%) are in line with global figures (63%). Among those willing to relocate, workers in the media and marketing sectors are the most willing to relocate abroad, according to the survey. The two sectors are followed by digital sectors such as data science and artificial intelligence (AI). The social care, social services, and administration are the least willing to relocate abroad for work. Singapores workers prefer short-term stints: Survey When it comes to working overseas, Singapores workers prefer short-term stints between one to three years, according to the survey. The survey notes that this is in contrast to the global trends where the preference is for long-term indefinite stays. Alyce Cheong, a certified Institute for Human Resource Professionals, told The Strait Times that Singapores workers preference for shorter stints could be to fulfil familial obligations and be here to nurture the next generation. Advertisement As for the reason for willing to relocate, most of the workers 60% cited financial and economic reasons, as per the survey. A Reuters witness said he heard several shots and that he saw a man being detained by police read more Security officers move Slovak PM Robert Fico in a car after a shooting incident, after a Slovak government meeting in Handlova, Slovakia, on 15 May, 2024. Reuters Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico was on Wednesday shot multiple times and rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a cabinet meeting, officials said, in an attack condemned by EU chiefs. Fico, a populist leader accused of being Kremlin-friendly, has been prime minister since last year. Today, after the government meeting in Handlova, there was an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico, the government said in a post on social media. Advertisement He is currently being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica in a life-threatening condition, because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute intervention, it said. Fico was shot multiple times, said a post on his official Facebook page. We confirm the attack on the prime minister, police spokesman Matej Neumann told AFP. A Reuters witness said he heard several shots and that he saw a man being detained by police. The Reuters witness said he saw security officials pushing someone into a car and driving off. The Dennik N daily, whose reporter saw the premier being lifted into a car by security guards, reported that the suspected gunman had been detained by police. According to the BBC, Handlova is situated about 180km (112 miles) northeast of Slovakias capital, Bratislava. A witness reported to the Dennik N website that she heard three or four gunshots and saw the prime minister collapse with injuries to his head and chest. Two of the prime ministers guards immediately assisted him, rushing him into a car. Reports indicate that he was airlifted to a nearby hospital by helicopter and later transported to a hospital in Bratislava. The Slovakian prime minister was conscious when he arrived at a Handlova hospital where he was treated for his wounds. A hospital spokeswoman said his life functions were stabilised. Advertisement A video captured the dramatic scene outside Handlovas cultural centre, where several civilians and guards detained the suspect. The man, dressed in a pale-blue shirt, was shown sitting on the ground with his hands tied behind his back. Handlova local hospital director Marta Eckhardtova said Fico was brought into our hospital and he was treated at our vascular surgery clinic. She was unable to describe his injuries. The Dennik N daily said its reporter heard several shots fired and then saw security guards lift the premier off the ground and into a car. The newspaper also reported that police had detained the suspected gunman. Advertisement Attack condemned Slovak President Zuzana Caputova said she was utterly shocked by todays brutal and reckless attack on Slovakias prime minister which I condemn in (the) strongest possible terms. I wish him a lot of strength in this critical moment and early recovery, she said on X, formerly Twitter. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala also called the news of the attack shocking. I hope the prime minister will get well as soon as possible. We must not tolerate violence, it must have no place in society, he said on X. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: Robert, my thoughts are with you in this very difficult moment. Advertisement EU chief Ursula von der Leyen denounced the vile attack on Slovak Prime Minister Fico. I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family, von der Leyen said on X, formerly Twitter. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also expressed deep shock over the heinous attack against my friend Slovakias premier Robert Fico, who was reportedly shot and hospitalised after a cabinet meeting. I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country, the nationalist fellow EU leader wrote on X. Advertisement Fico as premier As well as his current stint as premier, Fico also headed the government in 2006-10 and 2012-18. Since he was elected last October, Fico has made a string of remarks that have soured ties between Slovakia and neighbouring Ukraine. He has notably questioned Ukraines sovereignty and called for a compromise with Russia. He also sparked mass protests with controversial changes, including a media law that critics say will undermine the impartiality of public television and radio. At a press conference following the shooting, MP Lubos Blaha from Ficos Smer party lashed out against his critics. You, the liberal media, and progressive politicians are to blame. Robert Fico is fighting for his life because of your hatred, Blaha said. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has become part of a national initiative offering free admission to low-income families. Brian Feulner/Special to the Chronicle The Monterey Bay Aquarium has become part of a national initiative offering free admission to low-income families. Starting May 27, the world-renowned aquarium will provide free entry to anyone enrolled in the federal food assistance program, SNAP (known as CalFresh in California), for up to four individuals. This initiative is part of the Museums for All program, launched in 2014 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The program aims to make museums accessible to a broader demographic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We want everyone to experience the joy, wonder, and sustenance a healthy ocean provides, Julie Packard, executive director of Monterey Bay Aquarium, said in a statement. Joining Museums for All supports our vision of a future where the ocean flourishes and people thrive in a just and equitable world. Eligible individuals can access the aquarium by presenting a valid SNAP/EBT card and a photo ID with a matching name. The qualifying beneficiary must be present at the time of entry. Theres no need for advance ticket purchase, and admission is valid during regular operating hours without any restrictions, according to the program guidelines. Museums for All, offering reduced admission free to $3 to low-income visitors, includes more than 1,300 participating museums and attractions nationwide. These discounts lower the barrier for families of color, who already disproportionately struggle to pay for necessities like food, transportation and housing in the Bay Area, according to a 2023 study by United Way of California examining the cost of living in San Francisco. Visitors walk through the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Brian Feulner/Special to the Chronicle A family of four visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium, for instance, would typically expect to pay approximately $220 for admission alone, excluding the cost of tours and souvenirs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the Bay Area, participants of the program include the Asian Art Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Exploratorium, de Young Museum and Childrens Creativity Museum in San Francisco; Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland Museum of California and the Zoo in Oakland; the Marine Mammal Center and Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito; Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa; Childrens Discovery Museum of San Jose and more. In 2023, only 30% of Black and Latino individuals identified themselves as frequent museum visitors in the U.S., according to a survey by the American Alliance of Museums. Cultural institutions, including aquariums, should be accessible to everyone, said Kera Abraham Panni, Monterey Bay Aquariums community engagement senior manager. Through Museums for All, were inviting more people to care for our life-giving ocean. For a full list of participating institutions, visit museums4all.org. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Slovakia, a member of NATO and the European Union, has little history of political violence. Russias President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden joined Slovakias EU partners in expressing shock and condemnation of the shooting read more A person is detained after a shooting incident of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, after a Slovak government meeting in Handlova, Slovakia, May 15, 2024. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa Slovakias Defence Minister, Robert Kalinak, delivered an update on the health of Prime Minister Robert Fico, stating that Fico remains in an extraordinarily serious condition following surgery. Speaking at a news conference outside the hospital at around BST 1900 hrs in Banska Bystrica, Kalinak described Ficos condition as extraordinarily serious, revealing that medical staff are engaged in a life-saving battle for his survival. Fico sustained serious polytrauma after several shots, according to Kalinak. Advertisement The health of Fico is serious, his situation is bad, Kalinak emphasized, urging patience as medical professionals work tirelessly to stabilize the Prime Ministers condition. We do not have good news at the moment, and we put our hope in the hands of the medical specialists at the hospital, Kalinak added. The ongoing surgery, which has lasted three and a half hours thus far, has been fraught with uncertainty. Kalinak assured that further medical updates will be provided as they become available, as the nation awaits news on the condition of its leader. Slovak media said the shooter was a 71-year-old man but the motive was not immediately clear. Slovakia, a member of NATO and the European Union, has little history of political violence. Russias President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden joined Slovakias EU partners in expressing shock and condemnation of the shooting. Fico, 59, was rushed to hospital in the central Slovak town of Handlova where he had been chairing a government meeting. He was then transported by helicopter to regional capital Banska Bystrica for urgent treatment, it said, adding that his condition was too serious for him to be taken to Bratislava. A Reuters witness heard three or four shots as Fico exited a building to shake hands with a crowd of people who had been waiting to greet him. Police then wrestled a man to the ground. Advertisement An assassination (attempt) on Prime Minister Robert Fico was carried out today at the governments off-site meeting in Handlova, the government office said in a statement. Slovak news media reported the shooter was a former security guard at a shopping mall, an author of three collections of poetry and a member of the Slovak Society of Writers. Atkuality.sk cited his son as saying his father was the legal holder of a gun licence. I have absolutely no idea what my father intended, what he planned, what happened, news outlet Aktuality.sk quoted the shooters son as saying. Broadcaster TA3 reported four shots had been fired, and that the leftist prime minister had been hit in the abdomen. Advertisement I dont think I will wake up from this, Lubica Valkova, a 66-year-old resident told reporters. This kind of thing just cant happen in Slovakia. VETERAN LEADER Fico, who returned as prime minister last October for the fourth time, has drawn criticism in some quarters for taking a more pro-Russian stance in the Ukraine war and initiating reforms of criminal law and the media which have raised concerns over the rule of law and prompted street protests. Describing the shooting as a monstrous crime, Putin said in a telegram sent to Slovakias President Zuzana Caputova: I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation. Advertisement Biden offered U.S. help to Slovakia, saying in a statement: We condemn this horrific act of violence. Ficos close ally Lubos Blaha, deputy parliament speaker and deputy chairman of the prime ministers SMER-SSD party, blamed what he called the liberal media and opposition for creating an atmosphere that led to the shooting. For SMER-SSD, I want to sharply condemn what happened today in Handlova and at the same time express heavy disgust over what you have committed here in the past years, Blaha said. You, liberal media and political opposition. What hatred you spread against Robert Fico. Slovakias biggest opposition party Progressive Slovakia called off a planned protest against government public broadcaster reforms set for Wednesday evening. Advertisement We call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps that could contribute to an escalation of tension, said Michal Simecka, leader of Progressive Slovakia, a liberal pro-Western party. During a three-decade career, Fico has moved between the pro-European mainstream and nationalistic positions opposed to EU and U.S. policies. He has also shown a willingness to change course depending on public opinion or changed political realities. An admirer of Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Fico has grown increasingly critical of Western support for Ukraine in its war with invading Russian forces and has expressed opposition to allowing Kyiv to join NATO in the future. Fico was forced to resign as premier amid mass protests in 2018 triggered by the contract killing of Jan Kuciak, a journalist who had been invesgitating high-level corruption. Those protests exacerbated divisions in Slovak society that still linger. Slovakias President-elect Peter Pellegrini cut short a foreign trip and is returning to the country, a spokesperson for his HLAS party said. He was convicted of a string of offences committed between 2000 and 2016. The Criminal Chamber finds Ousman Sonko guilty of multiple counts of intentional homicide, multiple counts of torture and false imprisonment, each as a crime against humanity, a court statement said read more Switzerlands Federal Criminal Court on Wednesday sentenced Gambian ex-interior minister Ousman Sonko to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity committed under the regime of former dictator Yahya Jammeh. Sonko, 55, is the highest-ranking official ever convicted in Europe under universal jurisdiction for the most serious crimes. He was convicted of a string of offences committed between 2000 and 2016. The Criminal Chamber finds Ousman Sonko guilty of multiple counts of intentional homicide, multiple counts of torture and false imprisonment, each as a crime against humanity, a court statement said. Advertisement Sonko committed these crimes as part of a systematic attack against the civilian population. The Criminal Chamber sentences Ousman Sonko to a prison term of 20 years. He will also be expelled from Switzerland for 12 years once the sentence has been served, and must also pay compensation to the civil claimants for the non-material pain and suffering they sustained, the court said. State prosecutor Sabrina Beyeler said they were very satisfied with the verdict. Sonkos lawyer Philippe Currat said his client would probably exercise his right to appeal. - Universal jurisdiction - Sonko was tried under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows countries to prosecute alleged crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide regardless of where they were committed. The NGO Trial International which filed the complaint leading to Sonkos arrest said the conviction was historic, while Human Rights Watch called it monumental. Trials executive director Philip Grant said the verdict brings justice to the victims of these heinous crimes, but also sends a strong signal to high-ranking perpetrators around the world: justice can catch up with you. Sonko has been in Swiss custody since his arrest in January 2017 after applying for asylum following his sacking from the West African nations government. His time already served in custody will be taken into account in his sentence. The conviction of Ousman Sonko, one of the pillars of Yahya Jammehs brutal regime, is a major step on the long road to justice for Jammehs victims, said lawyer Reed Brody, a member of the International Commission of Jurists. Advertisement Brody works with Jammehs victims and followed the court case in Bellinzona. - String of convictions - The trial in Bellinzona, southern Switzerland, was heard in January and March. Sonkos lawyers had argued that he should not have been tried on any counts predating 2011 when universal jurisdiction came into force in Switzerland. The court ruled that Sonko, in complicity with others, intentionally killed a soldier suspected of a coup; tortured army personnel, politicians and journalists and falsely imprisoned them in connection with a failed coup attempt; murdered a former member of parliament; and tortured several opposition members. Charges relating to alleged rape as a crime against humanity were dropped as the court could not establish an attack on the civilian population, meaning Switzerland did not have jurisdiction. Advertisement The court said Sonko was a close confidant of Jammeh, who ruled The Gambia with an iron grip from 1994 to 2016. Sonko was accused of committing the crimes first within the army, then as inspector general of the police, and finally as the interior minister from 2006 to 2016. - Jammeh and his henchmen - We havent really had time to speak but I expect that hes disappointed, said his daughter Olimatou Sonko. Fatoumatta Sandeng Darboe, the daughter of Solo Sandeng who was tortured and killed, said: We are actually happy that the responsibility of Ousman Sonko in all of what has happened in The Gambia is put out there. Advertisement Cherno Marenah, The Gambias deputy permanent representative in Geneva, said: We are quite satisfied that due process was followed and that at the end of the day, justice has been served. Currat said Sonko would not be commenting, having been unable to understand the verdict in German without translation. The long arm of the law is catching up with Yahya Jammehs accomplices all around the world, and hopefully will soon catch up with Jammeh himself, Brody said. In 2022, the Gambian government endorsed the recommendations of a commission that looked into the atrocities perpetrated during the Jammeh era. The authorities agreed to prosecute 70 people, starting with Jammeh, who went into exile in Equatorial Guinea in January 2017. Beijing regards incoming president Lai Ching-te as a dangerous separatist, and tensions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been high since he won the January poll read more Forty-five Chinese aircraft were detected around Taiwan, Taipeis defence ministry said Wednesday, less than a week before the self-ruled island holds a May 20 inauguration for its new president. This is the highest number of Chinese aircraft detected around Taiwan which Beijing claims as part of China in a single 24-hour period this year. Beijing regards incoming president Lai Ching-te as a dangerous separatist, and tensions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been high since he won the January poll. Advertisement On Wednesday, Taipeis defence ministry said it had detected 45 Chinese aircraft and six naval vessels operating around Taiwan during the 24-hour period leading up to 6:00 am (2200 GMT). 26 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, the ministry said in a statement, referring to a line bisecting the 180-kilometre (110-mile) waterway that separates Taiwan from China. The ministry added that it had monitored the situation and responded accordingly. On Tuesday evening, the ministry had said 23 Chinese aircraft including fighter jets and drones were detected around Taiwan during a two-hour period. China has said it would never renounce the use of force to bring Taiwan under Beijings control. It has upped military pressure on the island in recent years, sending in warplanes and naval vessels near-daily which experts says are grey zone tactics that stop short of an outright act of war. Lai, like outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, rejects Beijings claim over Taiwan. Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israels war in the Palestinian territory following Hamass attack on October 7, has often expressed support for the Palestinian group as defenders of their homeland read more President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday claimed that Israel would set its sights on Turkey if it succeeded in defeating Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israels war in the Palestinian territory following Hamass attack on October 7, has often expressed support for the Palestinian group as defenders of their homeland. Hamas is classed as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States and the European Union, amongst others. Advertisement Do not think that Israel will stop in Gaza, Erdogan told his party lawmakers in the parliament in the capital Ankara. Unless its stopped this rogue and terrorist state will set its sights on Anatolia sooner or later, he said, referring to the large Turkish peninsula also called Asia Minor that comprises more than half of Turkeys territory. We will continue to stand by Hamas, which fights for the independence of its own land and which defends Anatolia, added Erdogan. The Turkish leader on Monday said more than 1,000 members of Hamas were being treated in Turkish hospitals amid the ongoing war in Gaza. The October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Militants also seized some 250 hostages, 128 of whom Israel estimates remain in Gaza, including 36 the military says are dead. Israels bombardment and offensive in Gaza have killed more than 35,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. Russia has claimed to have captured up to 11 villages in its offensive in the Kharkiv province since Friday read more Ukraine has said that it has withdrawn military from parts of the Kharkiv region amid Russias ongoing offensive. Since launching an offensive in the Kharkiv region in Ukraines northeast on Friday, Russia has continued to steady advances. So far, it has claimed to have captured 11 villages. In certain spots in Lukyantsi and Vovchansk areas, due to the fire impact and assault actions of the enemy, manoeuvres were carried out in order to save the lives of our soldiers, units were removed to advantageous positions, said a military spokesman on state television, as per AFP. Advertisement In more than two years of war, the news agency noted that both Ukraine and Russia have used the phrase removed to advantageous positions as a euphemism for a military retreat. The Russian offensive in Kharkiv came at a time when Ukrainian forces were stretched thin across various theatres and were starved of ammunition as US military assistance was stuck for several months in Congress. In recent months, the morale of the Ukrainian defenders has also suffered as Russia has scored a string of victories. Ukrainian officials have said that up to 30,000 Russian soldiers have been pressed into the ongoing offensive in Kharkiv. They, however, maintain that Kharkiv city, the second-largest city in Ukraine, is not in any danger of falling into Russian hands, according to the agency. Intense street fighting reported in Kharkiv Ukrainian authorities have reported intense street-to-street fighting in the border down of Vovchansk in Kharkiv. The town has faced the brunt of the ongoing offensive. Several thousands of civilians have been evacuated from the region to safer places. We are here and are evacuating people and helping them. The situation in Vovchansk is extremely difficult, said police chief Oleksiy Kharkivsky in a post on social media, as per AFP. Separately, the report quoted the Ukrainian military as saying that the situation remains difficult but that the military was not allowing the Russian occupiers to gain a foothold. Russia claims to have captured 11 villages Advertisement In the latest such claim, Russia has said that it has captured two more villages in its latest push in the ongoing offensive in Kharkiv. This takes the number of villages claimed to have been won by Russia to 11. Previously, Russia on Sunday claimed to have captured four villages. On Saturday, it claimed to have captured five villages Russia further claimed to have captured a sixth village outside of the Kharkiv theatre on Saturday. To stave off the Russian attack, Ukraine has deployed troops from outside of the region to Kharkiv as reinforcements. This has further thinned the Ukrainian forces in other regions. The AFP noted that some military analysts have said that Russian offensive may be an attempt to make Ukrainian troops divert their focus from elsewhere to Kharkiv so that those areas may be rendered further vulnerable, such as the strategi town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk province, which Russia has been fighting for lately. Advertisement In an address on Tuesday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dubbed the situation in Donetsk and Kharkiv as most difficult. During a meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Zelenskyy requested for two more Patriot air defence systems to protect the countrys border regions, as per AFP. Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, have rejected the idea of sending their forces due to concerns about appearing complicit with Israel and the risk of getting involved in an insurgency in Gaza, which has been under Hamas control since 2007. read more The Biden administration is urging Arab states to join a peacekeeping force for deployment in Gaza after the war ends to fill the power vacuum until a reliable Palestinian security force is established. The US has been discussing the proposal with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco, although President Joe Biden is not willing to send American troops to Gaza, according to Western and Arab officials. Arab states have indicated the need for US leadership, so the US is exploring ways to lead without deploying troops, a Western official said. Initial talks have taken place with Egypt, the UAE, and Morocco, but they want the US to recognize a Palestinian state first. Advertisement Other Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, have rejected the idea of sending their forces due to concerns about appearing complicit with Israel and the risk of getting involved in an insurgency in Gaza, which has been under Hamas control since 2007. However, these countries are becoming more receptive to the concept of an international force in Gaza as Western and Arab states seek an alternative to Israeli troops remaining in the area. The latest Israel-Hamas war started when Hamas and other terrorists stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking an additional 250 hostage. Palestinian terrorists still hold about 100 captives, and Israels military has killed more than 35,000 people in Gaza, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israeli tanks pushed deeper into Rafah on Tuesday, reaching some residential areas of the southern Gazan border city where more than a million people had sought shelter, and its forces pounded the enclaves north in some of the fiercest attacks in months. Israels international allies and aid groups have repeatedly warned against a ground incursion into Rafah, where many Palestinians fled and Israel says four Hamas battalions are holed up. Israel says it must root out the remaining fighters. The White House said US national security adviser Jake Sullivan will visit Israel and Saudi Arabia this weekend. The Biden administration declined to comment on a report by Axios that Israel agreed not to expand its Rafah operation significantly before Sullivans visit. Mohamed Bazoum, the president of Niger who was elected democratically, was overthrown by a military coup detat last year. At Air Base 201, where the US stations more than 1,000 military personnel and conducts drone surveillance of the Islamic State and al-Qaida-affiliated forces in the Sahel, Washington then suspended counterterrorism operations and suspended security support read more In response to Niger's demands for the withdrawal of US soldiers, the US agreed to do so last month Image Courtesy AP Ali Mahaman The vital military agreement between the US and Niger, which permits US forces to deploy there, was broken, according to Nigers prime minister, Lamine Zeine. In an interview with the Washington Post, Zeine claimed that US officials were doing nothing to stop an Islamist insurgency in the area and had tried to dictate which nations Niger might support. They had also failed to provide an explanation for why US forces were stationed in the nation. Advertisement The Americans stayed on our soil, doing nothing while the terrorists killed people and burned towns, Zeine told the Post. It is not a sign of friendship to come on our soil but let the terrorists attack us. We have seen what the United States will do to defend its allies, because we have seen Ukraine and Israel. Mohamed Bazoum, the president of Niger who was elected democratically, was overthrown by a military coup detat last year. At Air Base 201, where the US stations more than 1,000 military personnel and conducts drone surveillance of the Islamic State and al-Qaida-affiliated forces in the Sahel, Washington then suspended counterterrorism operations and suspended security support. In response to Nigers demands for the withdrawal of US soldiers, the US agreed to do so last month. There are concerns that US influence in west Africa may decline and Russian power may take its place in light of the US-Niger security pacts cancelation. Moscow is already regarded as being close to neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, where Russias Wagner mercenary force has established a presence. In July of last year, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner group, welcomed the new military government in Niger and offered Wagners services. He was assassinated in August. Russia has sent troops to the capital, Niamey, despite a counteroffer made by US diplomats and military personnel intended to maintain collaboration. Now, US and Russian forces are stationed at opposite sides of an airbase. Advertisement Zeine disclosed the full depth of the US-Nigeria relationships collapse in an interview with the Washington Post. According to Zeine, the National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland, or CNSP, leaders of Nigers new government, were not pleased that the US had stopped military assistance but had maintained US troops in the nation. According to Zeine, the US attitude to the coup in Niger was in stark contrast to that of Russia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, who had greeted the new government in Niamey with open arms. He did, however, add that he had conveyed to the US delegation Nigers continued desire for diplomatic and commercial ties with the US. We would give American investors what they wanted if they came. We possess uranium. We possess oil. Lithium is available. Come on, make an investment. Thats all were after. Advertisement Zeine told the Post that he was offended by statements made by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee, who he claimed had threatened sanctions against Niger if it went ahead with a deal to sell uranium to Iran and told the country to avoid interacting with Russia and Iran if it wished to maintain its security relationship with the United States. Absolutely nothing has been inked with Iran, according to Zeine. The Niger leader said he had told Phee that she had come here to threaten us in our country. That is unacceptable. And you have come here to tell us with whom we can have relationships, which is also unacceptable. And you have done it all with a condescending tone and a lack of respect. Advertisement In a response, a US official told the Washington Post that the message relayed to Niamey was delivered in a professional manner, in response to valid concerns about developments. The song, Rockin in the Free World highlights the central theme of Joe Bidens administration of the democratic United States being in a fight with the autocracies of the world led by China and Russia read more After a hectic day of serious diplomacy, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday hit a basement bar in Ukraines capital Kyiv and picked up a guitar, but the rock notes he struck were as serious as ever. As Ukraine battled the invading Russian forces, Blinken strummed the guitar to Neil Youngs 1989 song Rockin in the Free World. The song was released in 1989 just before the fall of the Berlin Wall, an event that marked the Western triumph against the Soviet Union. The selection of the song appeared to underline the central theme of Joe Bidens presidency that the United States is fighting for the cause of democracy against the autocracies of the world led by China and Russia. Advertisement Blinken message of the free world came at a when Ukrainian forces struggle to contain a Russian offensive in the Kharkiv province in the countrys northeast. In the bar when he was singing, as he did in meetings with Ukrainian leaders, Blinken said the US and the world stands with Ukraine. I know this is a really, really difficult timeYour soldiers, your citizens particularly in the northeast in Kharkiv are suffering tremendousl, but they need to know, you need to know, the United States is with you, so much of the world is with you, and theyre fighting not just for a free Ukraine, but for the free world, and the free world is with you too, said Blinken as he joined a punk-jazz band in strumming the anthemic song. During a visit to Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken played Neil Youngs Rockin in the Free World with a local band at a bar in a show of support for Ukraine. https://t.co/DhkorwHYE2 pic.twitter.com/7sgjOftVaK The New York Times (@nytimes) May 15, 2024 Blinken is a longtime guitarist This is not the first time that Blinken, a longtime guitarist, has taken up the instrument and joined a performance. He has played in bands before too and some of those tracks are up on Spotify and YouTube. Advertisement In an interview with Rolling Stone, Blinken once said that the thread that runs throughout my life is probably music. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken played guitar at a bar in Ukraines capital Kyiv (Photo: Reuters) Previously, Blinken was part of a band that was called Cash Bar Wedding. His fellow members at the band were Eli Attie, a speechwriter for former Vice President Al Gore and Jay Carney, a spokesperson for President Joe Biden when he was still the Vice President in Barak Obamas administration. While Blinkens tracks have been played in his events occasionally, the most notable moment was in September 2023 when he joined a band playing at an event of the Department of State to mark the launch of the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative. Advertisement Fico has recently been in the news for rejecting the Global Pandemic accord and denying to send more arms to Ukraine. He was reportedly receiving criticism for his authoritarian methods despite being the face of a coalition government read more First image of the shooter who shot Slovak PM. Source: X Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and wounded in the abdomen after a government meeting on Wednesday, Slovak media reported. After gunshots were heard, Police with the help of locals detained a man while security officials pushed the PM into a car and drove off, as seen in the video of the incident, taking rounds on Social media. Coincidence? I think not. Slovak PM Robert Fico refused to sign the World Health Organization treaty that allows international control of borders and commerce. Days later he is shot. pic.twitter.com/OmccOSMZ3F Jeff Younger (@JeffYoungerShow) May 15, 2024 Advertisement Slovak news agency TASR quoted parliamentary vice-chairman Lubos Blaha as saying Fico had been shot and hurt. Broadcaster TA3 reported four shots were fired, one hitting Fico, 59, in the abdomen. BREAKING : Slovak PM Robert Fico taken to his car after being shot several times. He was later picked up by an ambulance helicopter and flown to a hospital. He is currently in serious condition. pic.twitter.com/xVTdBw6GWO Baba Banaras (@RealBababanaras) May 15, 2024 Emergency services said a helicopter had been sent for a 59-year-old man in Handlova after receiving information that he had been shot. The Slovak government was meeting in Handlova, 190 km (118 miles) northeast of Bratislava, as part of a tour of the countrys regions after coming to power late last year. Fico has recently been in the news for rejecting the Global Pandemic accord and denying to send more arms to Ukraine. He was reportedly receiving criticism for his authoritarian methods despite being the face of a coalition government. Advertisement Fico returned as prime minister of the central European country, which is a member of the European Union and NATO, for the fourth time last year after shifting political gears to appeal to a changing electorate. During a three-decade career, Fico has moved between the pro-European mainstream and nationalistic positions opposed to European Union and U.S. policies. He has also shown a willingness to change course depending on public opinion or changed political realities. Following the shooting, Slovakias biggest opposition party called off a planned protest against government public broadcaster reforms set for Wednesday evening. With inputs from agencies The action follows a government application granted by Hong Kongs Court of Appeal requesting the ban of a protest anthem called Glory to Hong Kong. The judges warned that dissidents seeking to incite secession could weaponize the song for use against the state read more Protesters sing Glory to Hong Kong outside of Polytechnic University (PolyU) while police keep it under siege in Hong Kong, China, November 25, 2019. Reuters file Alphabets YouTube on Tuesday said it would comply with a court decision and block access inside Hong Kong to 32 video links deemed prohibited content, in what critics say is a blow to freedoms in the financial hub amid a security clampdown. The action follows a government application granted by Hong Kongs Court of Appeal requesting the ban of a protest anthem called Glory to Hong Kong. The judges warned that dissidents seeking to incite secession could weaponize the song for use against the state. Advertisement In comments criticizing the court order, YouTube said the ruling would raise skepticism around the Hong Kong governments work to foster the digital economy and reclaim its reputation as a predictable place for doing business. We are disappointed by the Courts decision but are complying with its removal order, YouTube said in a statement, saying it shared human rights groups concerns that the content ban could chill free expression online. Well continue to consider our options for an appeal, to promote access to information. Some observers, including the US government, say the ban will further undermine Hong Kongs international reputation as a financial hub, and raise concerns about the erosion of freedoms and its commitment to the free flow of information. It is not a desirable situation from the perspective of free internet and free speech, said George Chen, co-chair of digital practice at the Asia Group, a Washington DC-based business policy consultancy. He is also the former head of public policy for Greater China at Meta. Now the question is how far and how aggressive the government wants to go, Chen added. If you start to send platforms 100 or 1,000 links for takedown every day, this will drive platforms crazy and also make global investors more worried about Hong Kongs free market environment. How predictable and how stable the policy environment is matters a lot to foreign investors, and Hong Kong is now at a crossroads to defend its reputation. Advertisement Industry groups, including the Asia Internet Coalition, which represents big tech firms like Meta, Apple and Google, have said keeping a free and open internet in Hong Kong is fundamental to maintaining the citys edge. The Hong Kong government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The action is not a worldwide first for the US technology sector or Google parent Alphabet, which has restricted items when legally required to do so. In China, it has removed content and opens a new tab. In 2010, Google took its search engine out of mainland China, where YouTube is not available. A spokesperson for YouTube, part of Mountain View-based Alphabet in California, said the geoblocking of videos would take effect immediately for viewers in Hong Kong. Advertisement Eventually, links to the videos will no longer show up on Google Search in Hong Kong as the companys systems process the changes, YouTube said. Attempts to view the song on YouTube from Hong Kong displayed the message: This content is not available on this country domain due to a court order. Hong Kong does not have an official anthem. Glory to Hong Kong was written in 2019 during widespread pro-democracy protests that year, becoming an unofficial alternative anthem to Chinas March of the Volunteers. In recent years, Hong Kong officials have been sanctioned by the U.S. government for a sweeping national security crackdown on dissent that has seen many opposition democrats jailed and liberal media outlets and civil society groups shuttered. Advertisement The former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with a guarantee that its freedoms would be preserved under a one country, two systems formula. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has said that stopping the songs spread was necessary for Hong Kong to safeguard national security. University of Nairobi hosts 23rd Chinese Proficiency Competition Kenya division finals Xinhua) 10:50, May 15, 2024 NAIROBI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The University of Nairobi on Tuesday hosted the finals of the 23rd Chinese Bridge -- Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students Kenya division. The Kenya division finals of this year's Chinese Bridge competition covered speech, Q&A sessions and a talent show. Twenty finalists from various colleges attended the finals. Co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, the Confucius Institutes at four leading Kenyan universities and sponsored by several Chinese firms, the contest showcased the local youth's proficiency in Mandarin as well as their grasp of Chinese culture, including Taiji, Wushu, dance and classical music. Stephen Kiama, the University of Nairobi's vice-chancellor, said the Chinese language proficiency contest has gained traction globally, citing its role in fostering cultural and educational exchanges among civilizations. On the theme of "One World, One Family," the Chinese Bridge competition also served as a platform for igniting passion for improving fluency in Mandarin among local youth, Kiama said. Zhang Zhizhong, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said that Kenyan youth studying Chinese language should leverage that opportunity to understand the essence of China's "Harmony Culture" and explore Chinese civilization. Laurence Kamau, a 20-year-old Chinese language major at the University of Nairobi, was declared the overall winner of the Kenyan finals of the Chinese Bridge competition and will later represent the country at the global contest in China. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A cup of coffee at Aint Normal Cafe, one of the few places in the Bay Area to try co-fermented coffee. Colin Peck/Special to The Chronicle I recently spotted a unicorn at Aint Normal Cafe in Oakland. It wasnt actually a mythical beast, but its the closest thing to one for coffee fans. Im talking about a kind of bean thats incredibly rare in the Bay Area, imbued with an uncanny flavor of fruit like grapes, peaches and melons. On the menu, it was listed simply as Strawberry Columbia, with a price tag of $20. When I got the bright yellow mug, its liquid contents looked like unremarkable black coffee. But then I took a sip and fell into a barrel of strawberries. It was complex, with notes of yogurt and an acidity so bright it lit up my brain. For years, Ive combed through the entire Bay Area searching for its best coffee. During these expeditions, I heard whispers about a special chile-infused lot from the Crown in Oakland; murmurs of mugs that tasted like blueberries brought me to Aint Normal. Sadly, by the time I got there, they had vanished, leaving only a poof of unicorn dust. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A cup of pour-over coffee arrives in a yellow mug at Aint Normal Cafe, located in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland. Colin Peck/Special to The Chronicle This revelatory coffee is known as co-fermented coffee. The name refers to an experimental process where coffee cherries are fermented with fruit, spices, yeasts and a universe of other aromatics and botanicals. It gives new meaning to the idea of flavored coffee, though nothing is added once its brewed. Ive been obsessed for the last few years. On my first try, I was stupefied, confused. How could a cup be so obvious in its juiciness, fruitiness and brightness? The superpower of co-fermented coffee is that it goes beyond tasting notes, producing much clearer flavors. Its also controversial, creating a schism in the coffee community. Purists, to borrow the language of wine, believe coffee should be a reflection of its terroir the soil and its environment. Some think its cheating. To make it is costly, laborious and risky because adding external bacteria and cultures could potentially result in an off taste, requiring a batch to be discarded. Yet, a few Bay Area coffee shops and roasters have begun adopting the style. Kaleb Ede makes pour-over coffee at the Crown in Oakland. Samantha Laurey/The Chronicle The Crown is one of the earliest to brew and roast this special coffee in the Bay Area. Its parent company, Royal Coffee, is a coffee importer, selling unroasted green beans to roasters across the country. Royal started working with co-fermented coffee in 2022, offering retail bags and pour overs ($5) at the Crown on a seasonal basis. Past examples included beans processed with cinnamon and another fermented with hops and ginger. When I tried the latter, it had extravagant savor, delicate florality and tingling tang. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In addition to the strawberry-fermented coffee, Aint Normal has brewed beans processed with cinnamon or mangoes simulating warmth and tropical sweetness, respectively. I tried a watermelon-processed coffee ($10) that freakishly tasted like Hubba Bubba chewing gum with a hint of salinity. The Oakland outfit is what coffee nerds call a multi-roaster, meaning that its bean selection for drinks espresso, drip and pour overs constantly rotates. When it comes to the sheer variety of co-ferments, the shop is a trailblazer. However, the majority of the featured roasters arent local. A bag of co-fermented Stellar Collision III beans roasted by Brandywine Coffee Roasters (third from the left) on the shelf for sale at Aint Normal Cafe. Colin Peck/Special to The Chronicle For that, go to Mind Coffee, a newer shop just north of UC Berkeley, that regularly pulls shots of co-fermented espresso. On a recent visit, I sampled peach-infused shots; on its own ($3.95) it had sharp, tart notes of stone fruit. In a cortado ($4.95), it made me think of a peach creamsicle. Owner Vivana Wang attaches the mission of mindfulness to her cafe, from promoting mental health to equitable sourcing. Wang, who trained under Crown roaster Doris Garrido, is very hands-on, going as far as sourcing and roasting the coffee in-house. Because of the fermentation, roasting this style of coffee might be a little more chaotic than others. The goal, like with all coffees, is to toast it to the point it develops flavors, but not so much that destroys or mutes it. Co-fermented beans can behave more erratically, so Garrido takes a more gentle, intuitive approach to roasting them. Wang, who brews under the high heat and pressure of an espresso machine, lands somewhere in between light and medium. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A cortado made with peach co-fermented coffee from Mind Coffee in Berkeley. Cesar Hernandez / The Chronicle Bill Li of Hydrangea Coffee, the Bay Areas sole roaster that focuses on fruit-infused beans, prefers to go lighter. The most notable is Hydrangeas strawberry coffee, which boasts a jammy, strawberry milkshake-like richness, even without milk. Past offerings include lots infused with passion fruit, coconut and even koji the fungus used to brew sake. One of the aspects that attracts Li, who roasts and sells beans at CoRo Coffee Room in Berkeley, to this coffee type is that it can improve the price of a less-desirable crop. He estimates that farmers might be able to sell coffee cherries, normally priced at $6 per pound, at double the price if its co-fermented. Chris Kornman, director of education at the Crown, shared similar approximations, saying that crops that might sell for $2 per pound could climb to $10 or $15 per pound. Infused coffee will likely remain limited or seasonal because it represents a small percentage of a farmers overall production. According to Isabella Vitaliano, the Crowns lab and education coordinator, these coffees are not where theyre making the bulk of their money. Its a very small part of their harvest that theyre experimenting with. The Crown was among the first to dabble in co-fermented coffee in the Bay Area. Samantha Laurey/The Chronicle What enticed me about this coffee, aside from the flavor, was that it forces consumers to think more about the hands that produce it. One such innovative farmer is Edwin Norena, an engineer and biotechnologist from Colombia. Farmers like him lead and mitigate the risk of the experimentation. His efforts are what were tasting in the cups at the Crown and Aint Normal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kornman first heard about co-fermented coffee a decade ago: a cinnamon-processed crop from Costa Rica that debuted at an international coffee competition called the Cup of Excellence. Today, Colombia is one of the leading producers of the style, but countries like Burundi, Indonesia and Thailand are also adopting it. I believe that this is all still, in a lot of ways, roaster and consumer driven, Kornman said. I would include myself in a category of the people who are partially at fault for both the success and the failure of these types of ventures. In other words, if coffee buyers request bright, zesty, sweet coffees, farmers might use the co-ferment method to meet those demands. Faunus Lucas tips pour-over coffee into a mug at his Oakland shop, Aint Normal Cafe. Colin Peck/Special to The Chronicle Aside from bringing more attention to co-ferments in the Bay Area, roaster Li wants to make these coffees more accessible. He wants to prove that flavorful coffee doesnt have to be bank-breaking. His 4-ounce bags of coffee cost anywhere from $16 to $30. Its a lot cheaper than the top-of-the-line coffee that costs $40, $50 or $60 a bag, Li said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That mission is shared by coffee shops, too. The Crown prices all of its pour overs, even those made with co-ferments, at $5. Astonishingly, Mind Coffees co-fermented coffee is available like any other coffee on the menu, and the beans are available indefinitely. These are not profitable for the cafes; theyre driven by the desire to bring exposure to the coffee. Even the more costly pour overs at Aint Normal have slim margins, according to owner Faunus Lucas. Faunus Lucas, owner of Aint Normal Cafe in Oakland, prepares a pour-over coffee. Colin Peck/Special to The Chronicle Theres one lingering question, however: Can a $20 cup of coffee ever be worth it? Lucas argues that co-ferments could encourage palate development. Its clarity of flavor is not one you need to mentally squint at to visualize. Its tasting notes are in high-definition, less of an exercise of abstraction. Russia is opening new fronts in order to stretch Ukraines army, which is short of ammunition and manpower, along the about 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, hoping defenses will crumble. Russian artillery and sabotage raids have also been menacing Ukraines northern Chernihiv and Sumy regions read more Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys office said Wednesday that he has postponed all his upcoming foreign visits amid a new Russian offensive. Zelenskyy canceled all foreign visits that were planned for the coming days, his office said Wednesday on Telegram. The head of state instructed his team to reschedule the visits. We are grateful to our partners for understanding, the announcement said. Zelenskyy had been expected to visit Spain, and perhaps Portugal, later this week. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below. Advertisement KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russias Defense Ministry said that air defenses shot down 10 U.S.-supplied Ukrainian missiles targeting the Crimean Peninsula early Wednesday, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spent a second day visiting Kyiv, and Ukraines army battled to contain a front-line push by the Kremlins forces. The ATACMS long-range ballistic missiles were destroyed over the Black Sea, the ministry said. The U.S. included the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, in a military aid package in March. The Ukrainian attack came as Russian troops pressed their offensive in northeast Ukraines Kharkiv region that began last week, marking the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began and forcing almost 8,000 local people to flee their homes. Together with Moscows weekslong effort to build on its recent gains in the eastern Donetsk region, the more than two-year war has entered a critical stage for Ukraines depleted army. Against that grim backdrop, with thousands of Ukrainian troops locked in fierce battles in towns and villages, Blinken on Tuesday pledged unceasing U.S. support for the country, during and beyond the war. He also tried to lift spirits in Kyiv, performing on guitar with a band at a city bar and eating pizza at a veteran-run restaurant. Russia is opening new fronts in order to stretch Ukraines army, which is short of ammunition and manpower, along the about 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, hoping defenses will crumble. Russian artillery and sabotage raids have also been menacing Ukraines northern Chernihiv and Sumy regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Tuesday that the army has sent reinforcements to the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. Advertisement It is too early to draw conclusions, but the situation is under control, he said. Even so, Zelenskyy canceled a planned trip to Spain later this week, according to the Spanish government. It gave no reason for the cancellation. The pace of Russias advance in the Kharkiv border region, where it launched an offensive late last week and has made significant progress, has slowed, the Institute for the Study of War said late Tuesday. The Washington-based think tank said Moscows main aim there is to create a buffer zone that will prevent Ukrainian cross-border strikes on Russias Belgorod region. Blinken on Wednesday visited a drone manufacturer on the outskirts of Kyiv and toured a grain transshipment facility where Ukrainian grain is loaded into containers for export by rail. Advertisement Blinken praised the ingenuity of the process, which local companies adopted after traditional shipping routes were interrupted by Russias full-scale invasion, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Ukraine has had to adapt and adjust to this and its done so remarkably, Blinken said. Meanwhile, Russian air defenses shot down several Ukrainian missiles over the Black Sea and near the Belbek air base, Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev said. Sevastopol is where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is headquartered. The fragments of downed missiles fell into residential areas but caused no casualties, Razvozhayev said. Russian air defenses also shot down nine Ukrainian drones, two Vilha rockets, two anti-radar HARM missiles and two Hammer guided bombs over the Belgorod region early Wednesday, the Defense Ministry said. Advertisement Two people were injured in the village of Dubovoye when a Ukranian rocket set their house ablaze, according to Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov. The military said five other Ukrainian drones were downed over the Kursk region and three drones were shot down over the Bryansk region. The Defense Ministry also said that another Ukrainian drone was downed over the Tatarstan region. Tatarstan is located more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) east of the border with Ukraine. Vasily Golubev, the governor of the Rostov region, said two drones attacked a fuel depot. He said there were no casualties or fire. Ukraine has launched a steady series of drone attacks on oil refineries and fuel depots across Russia over the past months, causing significant damage. At its recent I/O 2024 conference, Google announced a series of updates aimed at integrating Google AI into the Android operating system. These updates promise to revolutionize how users interact with their Android devices. Heres what Google announced: Circle to Search for Homework Help Google introduced an enhanced version of Circle to Search, designed to aid students with homework. By circling a problematic prompt on their digital materials, students can now receive step-by-step instructions for solving math and physics word problems directly on their phones or tablets. The feature is already available on over 100 million devices, with plans to double this figure by year-end. Geminis Contextual Assistance Gemini, Googles AI, will soon offer contextual assistance by overlaying its features on top of other apps. Users can drag and drop images generated by Gemini into apps like Gmail and Google Messages or utilize the Ask this video function to find specific information within YouTube videos. This update will reach hundreds of millions of devices in the coming months, with ongoing improvements to provide dynamic suggestions based on on-screen content. Multimodal Capabilities for Gemini Nano Google announced the integration of full multimodal capabilities into Gemini Nano, Androids built-in, on-device foundation model. This update, set to debut on Pixel devices later this year, enables smartphones to understand various inputs beyond text, including images, sounds, and spoken language. Enhanced Descriptions with TalkBack Gemini Nanos multimodal capabilities will extend to TalkBack, benefiting users with blindness or low vision. This feature will provide detailed descriptions of images, offering insights into photos shared by family and friends or product details while online shopping. These descriptions are generated on-device, ensuring swift performance even without a network connection. Real-time Scam Alerts Google is testing a new feature that utilizes Gemini Nano to detect conversation patterns associated with scams during phone calls. Users will receive real-time alerts if the system identifies suspicious behavior, such as urgent fund transfers or requests for personal information like PINs and passwords. This protection occurs on-device, preserving user privacy. Looking Ahead Google emphasized that these updates represent just the beginning of integrating on-device AI into the Android experience. The company plans to expand Google AI across various smartphone brands, including Pixel and Samsung, to further enhance user experiences. Announcing the updates, Sameer Samat, President, Android Ecosystem, said: HMD Global has introduced a new rebranded XR21 smartphone, which was originally introduced under the Nokia branding last year. This rugged phone is assembled in Europe, similar to the XR21 5G Limited Edition which was introduced a few months back. Other specifications are similar to the original XR21, including a 6.49-inch FHD+ 120Hz LCD screen with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection, Snapdragon 695 5G SoC, dust and waterproof (IP68 ratings) body, MIL-STD-810H durability, 64MP + 8MP dual rear cameras, 16MP front camera and a 4800mAh with 33W fast charging. However, this runs Android 13 out of the box, and will get 2 years of OS upgrades. The HMD T21 has a new camera design compared to Nokia T21, which was introduced back in 2022. It retains the 10.36-inch 2K LCD screen, UNISOC T612 Octa-Core processor, 4G support, 4GB of RAM, 64GB storage, 8MP front and rear cameras, IP52 ratings for dust and splash resistance, and a 8200 mAh battery with support for 15W charging. Similar to the phone, this also runs Android 13 with a promise of 2 years of OS updates. Pricing and availability The HMD XR21 comes in Midnight Black colour and is priced at 599.99 Euros (USD 649 / Rs. 54,215 approx.) / 499.99 GBP for the single 6GB + 128GB model. The HMD T21 comes in Black steel colour and is priced at 299.99 Euros (USD 324 / Rs. 27,105 approx.) / 229.99 GBP for the single 4GB + 64GB model. These are already on sale in several countries in Europe and the UK. At its Google I/O 2024 event, Google unveiled several updates and additions to its offerings, focusing on enhancing user experiences and providing new tools for developers. Heres a breakdown of what was announced: Gemini 1.5 Pro and 1.5 Flash Gemini 1.5 Pro received significant quality improvements across various tasks like translation and coding. These enhancements aim to empower users to handle broader and more complex tasks effectively. Meanwhile, the introduction of Gemini 1.5 Flash caters to tasks that require quick responses, thanks to its optimized design. Both models support natively multimodal capabilities, allowing users to incorporate text, images, audio, and video seamlessly. While the standard version offers a 1 million token context window, users can access the 2 million token window by joining the waitlist on Google AI Studio or Vertex AI for Google Cloud customers. Availability: Preview versions of both models are accessible today in over 200 countries and territories, with general availability slated for June. New Developer Features In response to user feedback, Google is introducing two new features to the Gemini API: video frame extraction and parallel function calling, enabling more efficient processing of tasks. In June, Google plans to implement context caching for Gemini 1.5 Pro, reducing the need to resend prompts and large files to the model repeatedly, thus improving efficiency and affordability. Pricing: While access to the Gemini API remains free in eligible regions through Google AI Studio, Google is expanding its pay-as-you-go service, increasing rate limits to accommodate more usage. Additions to the Gemma Family PaliGemma, Googles inaugural vision-language open model, debuts, optimized for tasks like image captioning and visual Q&A, joining existing Gemma variants CodeGemma and RecurrentGemma. Gemma 2, set to launch in June, represents the next generation of Gemma models, offering industry-leading performance in developer-friendly sizes. The Gemma 27B model, specifically designed to balance size and performance, surpasses larger models efficiency while remaining compatible with GPUs and TPUs. Gemini API Developer Competition Google introduced its inaugural Gemini API Developer Competition, encouraging developers to showcase their creativity. Submission deadline is August 12, with a grand prize of a custom electric DeLorean. Updates to Gemini 1.5 Pro At Google I/O 2024, Google introduced several updates to Gemini 1.5 Pro, including a longer context window, enhanced data analysis capabilities, and better integration with Google apps. Analyze Documents with a Long Context Window Gemini 1.5 Pro, part of Gemini Advanced, now supports a context window of 1 million tokens, the longest for any consumer chatbot. This allows it to process large documents up to 1,500 pages or summarize 100 emails. It will soon handle an hour of video or codebases with over 30,000 lines. Users can upload files via Google Drive or directly to Gemini Advanced, making it easier to extract insights from dense documents like rental agreements or research papers. Additionally, Gemini will soon analyze data files, creating custom visualizations from spreadsheets. All files remain private and are not used for model training. Gemini 1.5 Pro also improves image understanding. Users can take photos of dishes to get recipes or snap math problems for step-by-step solutions. Availability: Gemini 1.5 Pro will be available to Gemini Advanced subscribers in over 150 countries and 35 languages. Natural Conversations with Gemini Live Gemini Live enhances interaction by allowing users to chat via text or voice. In Google Messages, users can chat with Gemini directly. With Gemini Live, users can choose from various natural-sounding voices, speak at their own pace, and interrupt for clarifications. For example, users can prepare for job interviews by rehearsing with Gemini, which can suggest skills to highlight. Later this year, users will be able to use their camera during Live sessions for more interactive conversations. Availability: Gemini Live will roll out to Gemini Advanced subscribers in the coming months. Simplified Trip Planning Gemini Advanced now offers a planning feature that creates custom itineraries. Users can ask Gemini to plan trips by pulling flight and hotel information from Gmail, considering meal preferences, and suggesting local activities. For example, a prompt for a Miami trip could generate a schedule including flight details, restaurant recommendations, museum visits, and more. The itinerary updates automatically with any changes or additional details. Availability: This planning feature will be available to Gemini Advanced subscribers soon. Personalize Gemini with Gems Gemini Advanced subscribers will soon be able to create Gems, customized versions of Gemini for specific tasks like being a gym buddy, cooking assistant, coding partner, or writing guide. Users describe the desired role and behavior, and Gemini creates the Gem accordingly. Integration with More Google Apps Gemini will connect with more Google tools, including Google Calendar, Tasks, and Keep. This allows users to automate tasks such as creating calendar entries from school syllabi photos or converting recipe photos into shopping lists. Gemini Model Updates 1.5 Flash, optimized for speed and efficiency, was introduced. Its lighter than 1.5 Pro but excels in tasks like summarization, chat applications, and data extraction from documents. Significant improvements were made to 1.5 Pro, enhancing its performance across various tasks such as code generation, logical reasoning, and audio understanding. Gemini Nano now understands multimodal inputs, including text, images, sound, and spoken language. Gemma Family Updates Gemma 2: Google introduced Gemma 2, the next generation of open models designed for breakthrough performance and efficiency, available in new sizes. PaliGemma: The Gemma family expands with PaliGemma, the first vision-language model inspired by PaLI-3. Responsible Generative AI Toolkit: Upgraded with LLM Comparator for evaluating model responses quality. Progress with Project Astra Google shared progress on Project Astra, aimed at developing universal AI agents for everyday assistance. These agents aim to understand and respond to the world like humans, being proactive, teachable, and personal. Google has been working on improving perception, reasoning, and conversation to enhance interaction quality and pace. Bartender John Mattiassi waits for the evening rush at the Presidio Social Club. The restaurant, which opened in 2006, is now closed. Sarah Rice/Special to The Chronicle One of San Franciscos most scenic restaurants has closed for good. Presidio Social Club owner Ray Tang told the Chronicle the restaurant served its last diners on May 12, Mothers Day. The restaurant opened in 2006, built inside a structure that was originally military barracks in the Presidio. Since opening, Tang estimates it has served 2 million customers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tang said the cost of operating the restaurant had become too high across the board and that staffing had become a challenge. In its heyday, Presidio Social Club had around 85 employees. Most recently, Tang estimated it had just a few dozen workers. Running a business of this size is no longer tenable, he said. He considered raising prices across the board, but he believed that would not be fair to longtime regulars. It was a place of comfort and value and it doesnt feel right to push the price up, he said. Former Chronicle restaurant critic Michael Bauer praised the restaurant's food and staff in a 2015 review. Yet part of the charm of Presidio Social Club transcends the food and service, he wrote, and continued: It sits atop a small hill with a view through a wall of paned windows that overlooks a shaded porch lined with red geraniums. Tang would like to open another restaurant sometime, just smaller and in a different location. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bay Grape Napa is closing, but will be replaced by Decant SF's new Wine Country location. Jess Lander/The Chronicle Bay Grape Napa, a trendy wine shop adored by locals, is closing, but its not a total loss. A popular San Francisco wine haunt will open in its place. Decant SF, a bottle shop-bar hybrid in SoMa, is expanding to Wine Country in July and taking over the space (2999 Solano Ave., Napa) occupied by Bay Grape Napa for the past three years. Bay Grapes original Oakland location, launched in 2014, will remain open. Dont expect massive changes, as Decant Napa plans to amplify Bay Grapes current offerings. The new shop will have a robust list of wines by the glass; a dry bar featuring an extensive selection of non-alcoholic beverages; a gourmet market; and a packed events calendar. Itll be a beautiful expansion of Decant SF, said co-founder Cara Patricia, but now with a patio and a dedicated events and class space. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Patricia and Simi Grewal, who opened their San Francisco wine bar five years ago, have also brought in a new partner for the North Bay outpost: Master Sommelier Gillian Balance, the longtime Education Manager at Treasury Wine Estates and a Napa local. Decant SF, a wine bar and wine shop in SoMa, will have wines by the glass and a dry bar of non-alcoholic beverages at its new Napa location. Courtesy Joseph Weaver The store is set in a residential area not a tourist hub roughly one mile north of downtown Napa. Its location, combined with Bay Grapes focus on lesser-known producers, international wines and affordable pricing, has made it a popular hangout for the local wine industry, plus young people with kids and dogs. Bay Grape founders Stevie Stacionis and Josiah Baldavino, who also own the restaurant Mama Oakland, decided to sell Bay Grape to build a more sustainable life for our family, said Stacionis. The shop will close sometime in June. The couple had hoped to sell both Bay Grape stores to the same buyer, but Patricia said she and Grewal were nervous about operating a business in Oakland. Theres been a lot of vandalism, robberies and burglaries directed at small businesses, and were already dealing with a lot of hardship in SoMa, she said. Napa gives us the opportunity to have a beautiful outdoor space and warm weather in a robust residential area. I like the idea of being in a place where I can relax my shoulders a bit and hopefully not worry about my patio furniture being stolen. Patricia said Bay Grapes wine inventory, which was included in the acquisition, already aligns with Decants. So like Bay Grape, Decant will carry a mix of classic and nouveau producers from California and abroad, prioritizing those engaging in sustainable farming practices. The spot will also continue to differentiate itself from the other local wine shops with more approachable pricing. Decant will have a $25 and under wall and offer tastings priced far below the regions average of $81, according to a 2023 report. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Decant co-owners Cara Patricia, right, and Simi Grewal opened their San Francisco wine shop five years ago. Jen Fedrizzi/Special to the Chronicle You shouldnt have to be a billionaire to visit Napa Valley, Patricia said, adding that she plans to grow the shops currently limited Napa and Sonoma selection to appeal more to visitors. Were trying to open up the world of wine for people. Were not gatekeepers. In addition to take-home items from the market, Decant Napa will have a larger selection of snacks than Bay Grape, including tinned seafood the San Francisco bar is known for having one of the largest collections in the Bay Area cheese, charcuterie and caviar. Patricia said to expect frequent food pop-ups, especially on Sunday afternoons. The purchase included a separate space in the building, which Balance (who is keeping her day job at Treasury) will utilize for Decant Napas educational offerings. This might include certification courses, consumer classes, tastings and even bachelorette parties. We want people to treat us as their third place, said Patricia. Its not your home, not your work, but a third place you can feel comfortable, feel at home. Most U.S. wineries predict that the wine market will grow by 10% in the coming decade. Patrick Tehan/Special to the Chronicle The U.S. wine industry is struggling, but a new comprehensive report suggests that better times could be on the horizon. The volume of wine sales declined last year, but according to the new report, most of the nations wineries predict that the market will grow by 10% over the next decade. And while a phenomenon known as pantry loading in which Americans stocked up on lots of wine during the pandemic and still havent drunk through it has depressed sales in the last couple of years, the data suggests that we should be approaching the end of that, said Adam Beak, managing director and head of Bank of Montreals Wine & Spirits Group. Once people drink through their pantry, he said, they will buy wine again. The 2024 BMO Wine Market Report, published Wednesday morning, is a collaboration among several industry analysts: the Bank of Montreal, which Beak said is the largest commercial lender to the wine industry; Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates, which tracks sales data; Wine Business Analytics, which surveys wineries; and Full Glass Research, which tracks wine consumer behavior. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This first installment of what Beak said will be an annual publication appears to compete with the State of the Wine Industry Report from Silicon Valley Bank, another major lender to U.S. wineries. The Silicon Valley analysis became highly influential, generating national news upon its publication each year, though the banks collapse in 2023 raised questions about its future. While some other industry reports focus on higher-end California estates and show only a piece of the industry, the new effort is uniquely comprehensive, said Jon Moramarco, partner at Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates and an author of the BMO report. He said this publication looks at the entire spectrum of wine, from grocery-store brands to the luxury tier. Overall, the BMO report confirms that wine consumption has been down over the last year, and wineries are feeling the pinch. But whereas many vintners have told the Chronicle this downturn is so severe that theyre worried for the viability of their businesses, the data here presents a rosier picture, especially in the long term. The sober-curious movement, for one thing, may not be as robust as many wineries believe. Americans self-reported drinking habits dont square with the sales figures in fact, theyre not even close. In 2022, what people said they drank accounted for just 36% of what they apparently bought. Americans appear to understate their beverage alcohol consumption and spending when surveyed much like when their doctor asks about their drinking, the report reads. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Though wine drinkers have long skewed white, older and wealthier, there are also signs here that the consumer base is diversifying. The share of Black wine drinkers grew 10% between 2015 and 2023. Among families where the head of the household is over 30 years old and the income exceeds $75,000, surprisingly, the ethnic and racial split of wine drinkers is very similar, Moramarco said. And although wine sales are declining in volume, theyre growing in value, a sign that drinkers are continuing to favor higher price segments. The brand they drink enhances their self-perception, Moramarco said. Consumers always move up. According to Moramarco, $12 to $15 wines are the new $10 wines. Smaller wineries with higher prices expressed a greater sense of optimism than larger wineries with lower prices, the report found. Forty percent of those producing between 1,000 and 5,000 cases, and 34% of wineries whose bottles average more than $50, said they expected growth to exceed 10% in the next five years. Some of this optimism can be attributed to the expectations that restaurants, which tend to serve higher-end wines, will see better sales in the years ahead. The flip side of the pricing-up trend, of course, is that wines priced $10 and below may be approaching an existential moment, according to the report. During the past decade, sales of wines under $10 in food stores declined more than 22% by volume. Thats the most difficult part of the market, without a doubt, said Beak. Its also a major component of the market, with Americas largest wine companies comprising more than 80% of the countrys total wine production. The decline of cheap wine portends a looming crisis for the agricultural areas that supply those products grapes, particularly Californias Central Valley. My own sense is that youre going to see over time less production out of the Central Valley, Moramarco said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If these companies cannot, or wont, innovate and create a new market for these grapes, the report says, the vineyard removals already begun in earnest may become permanent rather than a short-term, corrective measure. At a news conference Tuesday, prominent addiction medicine doctors and harm reduction advocates blasted San Franciscos response to the drug overdose crisis, which has claimed twice as many lives as COVID-19. Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle Prominent addiction medicine doctors and harm-reduction advocates Tuesday blasted San Franciscos response to the drug overdose crisis, which they say has claimed twice as many lives as the COVID-19 pandemic, and urged the city to open a supervised drug consumption site like the controversial Tenderloin Center that closed in late 2022. Since January 2020, 3,026 people have died from accidental drug overdoses in San Francisco more than double the 1,319 people who have died from COVID, according to city data. 3,000 deaths is an inconvenient truth because it highlights 3,000 failures in our public policy related to substance use, said Dr. Dan Ciccarone, a UCSF professor of family and community medicine and addiction researcher. It highlights that were not listening to our public policy experts and our doctors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ciccarone joined leaders of the addiction-treatment provider HealthRight 360, harm-reduction advocates and representatives of the San Francisco Public Defenders Office at a news conference outside the San Francisco Medical Examiners Office. They called for changes to the citys approach to the overdose crisis, including lowering barriers to treatment, drug supply checks, and reopening a supervised drug consumption site like the Tenderloin Linkage Center, a temporary location that existed for nine months in 2022 but closed because it did not link enough people to treatment. Staff at the center reversed 300 overdoses and helped more than 1,000 people get into housing or shelter, but fewer than 1% of visits connected people to mental health or drug treatment. The fact that it was closed at nine months is a crying shame, Ciccarone said. The supervised consumption model has worked successfully in Zurich and in Melbourne, Australia, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Under Mayor London Breed, San Francisco has deployed a more aggressive law enforcement response to drug use, increasing drug arrests and passing a ballot measure that requires welfare recipients to undergo drug screenings and enroll in treatment as a condition of receiving cash assistance. Juju Pikes, with the Young Womens Freedom Center, holds a sign reading, Every overdose is a policy failure during a news conference Tuesday outside the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle Speakers at Tuesdays news conference say these strategies are not rooted in evidence and do not help people struggling with addiction, citing studies showing that people who use drugs are more likely to overdose shortly after being released from jail because their tolerance drops. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, San Francisco quickly moved forward, following the science and implementing evidence-based responses instead of falling victim to attempts to politicize it, said Gary McCoy, vice president of policy at HealthRight 360. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A regional housing bond could open the pipeline for thousands of new homes in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2023 Regarding A Bay Area bond could unlock 41,000 affordable housing units. Heres where theyd be built (Real Estate, SFChronicle.com, May 8): An obscure special district called the Bay Area Housing Financing Authority is proposing a $20 billion bond measure to build affordable housing. Meanwhile, San Francisco has passed numerous affordable housing bonds, and the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result. Recent population declines in several areas of California are simultaneous with housing cost increases an indicator that housing affordability might not be a supply-and-demand issue. Perhaps its time to rethink strategy. How about replacing property taxes with land-value taxes, bringing back savings and loan banks, repealing inclusionary zoning, repealing development impact fees, limiting real estate investment trusts and corporate housing ownership or chartering public housing development banks? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Moreover, so-called affordable housing programs use creative definitions of affordable. A 2016 report from the California Legislative Analysts Office found that affordable housing locks people into situations that force them to make life choices that are not always optimal. Its not hard to imagine an Orwellian situation where in exchange for your affordable unit, you have to comply with another government interest such as taking an injection or signing up for the draft. Thomas Busse, San Francisco Make BART free Regarding BART has no backup plan if Bay Area voters reject tax measure (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, May 8): BARTs drastically decreased ridership affects it more than most other transit systems, which rely on fares for a small portion of their budgets. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This makes me think that if the taxpayers are paying for most of BARTs funding anyway, we should just make it free for all to ride. There are obvious cost savings such as fare machines, collections, accounting, security gates, etc. For example, BART is spending $90 million on new security gates. The idea is to make BART more useful and encourage free movement to motivate economic activity. Making the system free will make voting for a tax bill easier to swallow and likely encourage more ridership, providing benefits to all of us, including those still using the freeways. Scott Taylor, Walnut Creek U.S. EVs cant compete Regarding Chinese EV threatens U.S. makers (Nation & World, May 14): Chinese-made electric vehicles outperform those from U.S. manufacturers for the same reason Henry Ford revolutionized transportation: affordability. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ford used standardized parts and an assembly line to make an expensive toy for the rich into a product for the everyman the affordable car. The Chinese are now making the affordable EV. Elon Musk and other U.S. automakers could probably do so, but it doesnt fit their business model. This is like the 1970s when Detroit insisted on making huge, low-mileage behemoths while the Japanese introduced smaller, high-mileage, easier-to-park, more nimble compacts. Instead of imposing tariffs on imported Chinese electric vehicles, which is a disservice to American EV motorists, U.S. automakers could make more competitive cars by cutting frills and using more efficient manufacturing methods. James Brzezinski, Pacifica Bridge differences I believe a majority of our nation supports the security of Israel and opposes the use of U.S. weapons in indiscriminate bombing that is killing thousands of innocent people in Gaza. Advertisement Article continues below this ad These two sentiments are reasonable and certainly not mutually exclusive. Why must the media and many politicians split us as either pro-Israel or pro-Palestinian? This artificial dichotomy only fosters discord and thwarts reaching peace. Greg Faris, Menlo Park S.F. is the place to be I was in San Francisco recently and am so happy to see its comeback. Over a few days, I went to the new Mission Rock Park, Asian Art Museum, Exploratorium, North Beach, Chinatown and Japantown. The Chinatown Night Market was fantastic. Blocks of food, shopping, music and lion dancers. And so many people with energy and enthusiasm. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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 Japantown was the biggest surprise. It is chock-full of activity and people. Everyone is having fun, shopping and eating great food. San Francisco is an energetic, interesting, beautiful city its back and ready for us all to enjoy. Yes. A handful of bad actors does not negate the number of people being helped by the services provided. The city should work on an improvement plan instead. Yes, but it should be moved to avoid hurting nearby businesses and the proposed future development near its current location. No. Illegal activity occurring around the area should come as no surprise. I dont want my tax dollars supporting it. Im not sure. Its hard to know what the right approach to these problems is. Vote View Results Photo courtesy of Mesa County Valley School District 51 Central High School senior Bryce Davis, standing next to Central Principal Tracy Arledge, is recognized as a Boettcher Foundation Scholarship recipient at a Mesa County Valley School District 51 Board of Education meeting in April. Davis also recently was recognized by Secretary of State Jena Griswold with the Eliza Pickrell Routt Award for the third year in a row for his efforts in encouraging 91% of eligible Central students to register to vote. . Jack Ohman/The Chronicle In a linear political universe were not currently living in, Donald Trump, the first former president to face a criminal trial, would not be the presumptive Republican presidential nominee if he were on trial for paying hush money to a porn star. Alas, in this universe, Trump is leading in five swing states, more or less, in the latest New York Times/Siena College poll. As former Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen sets the table for 12 New York jurors while the former president fumes before him, often with his eyes closed, this dystopian courtroom drama plays out to a bitterly divided political audience. Half of American voters think its compelling and convincing, and the other half is either checked out, disbelieving or both. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Washington Post reported last week that a woman named Liz Crescibene has attended the Trump trial three times, and she doesnt believe a word of it because its a witch hunt. How many trials can we have against Trump? she asked plaintively. Theyre doing everything in their power because they want to get this man locked up. For what? I dont know. Im still waiting to see the evidence. Historically, they have these trials to present evidence and maintain the rule of law, and the evidence is pretty compelling, if youre waiting to see it. While Crescibene is probably a bit more enthusiastic than most in her Trump fealty, some voters are still open to the notion of a former president of the United States as a con and possible inmate. Not sure how the Secret Service protects a former president in a prison, but shame on this country if we find out. According to the Times/Siena poll, Trump is ahead among registered voters in Michigan, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania. These leads are all mostly within margin of error. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Political analyst Simon Rosenberg, the new Democratic polling handholder for nervous Democrats, called the Times/Siena poll an outlier. I realize the NYT headline of their story is Trump leads in five states, but thats not what the data in these polls say. He leads in three AZ, GA, NV and three are essentially tied, Rosenberg wrote on Monday. Rosenberg notes that Biden is now leading in most national polls, particularly with likely voters. He has clear leads in Pennsylvania, which one poll showed at a 10-point gap. Hes also been consistently up in Wisconsin and Michigan for weeks. So when the New York Times or the Washington Post slops out another survey to the media pigpen, we all roll around in it for a day on CNN, even if the presentation or the methodology is, shall we say, foggy. The electronic media loves to continue the narrative that President Joe Biden may lose. Eyeballs, you know. Asking why theres a single Republican who would continue to support Trump, a man in enormous legal jeopardy and not just in the Judge Juan Merchans chilly New York courtroom, is fruitless. The Trump voter lives on an astral plane that eludes logic. But I think a huge element of it plays into the Trump fanbases group delusion: Everyone and everything is rigged against the former president. My favorite parlor game is What If This Was Obamas Trial For Paying Off A Stripper? Hmm. Ill take your wagers here. Cohen noted in testimony that Trump didnt seem to be overly concerned with Melania Trumps reaction. How long do you think Ill be on the market? Trump said, according to Cohen, an odd reaction to the potential end of his marriage, to be sure. Advertisement Article continues below this ad True love. As Cohens testimony continues, where he said Trump told him to just do it, the effect all this is having is, well, either unclear or disgusting, depending on your political viewpoint. During President Richard Nixons impeachment process, one Republican elected official after another abandoned him, and really didnt think a thing about it. Why? Because they followed the law and the Constitution. Trump? The Constitution is a speedbump, a trifle, an old joke from 1789 that impedes Trumps wannabe dictatorial impulses. Who knows how the U.S. Constitution polls at this point? Even his former attorney general, William Barr, blasted Trump for months and then, incredibly, has endorsed him, as has former Person of Integrity Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire. Sununu, Nikki Haleys former main national spokesman, has now said he would endorse Trump this fall. In yet another surreal moment in this trial, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and other Trump coterie members attended the morning session to show moral (?) support. Not sure how this plays out in the national polls, but it only highlights the theater of the absurd the GOP has become. Weirdly, I got a push notification fundraising appeal from Speaker Johnson mere hours after he humiliated himself at the Trump trial. Oh. Thats why he went. Surprise. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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 Whether this trial moves the needle for Trump either way remains to be seen. Some polls suggest a conviction hurts Trump. Maybe, but most of his followers seem to be impenetrable to logic, facts or appearances. Johnson, a Christian, sticking up for a guy who is accused of hooking up with a porn star and paying her off while his pregnant wife sat at home? How does that play in Louisiana evangelical circles? Sun Sunday 84 /56 More clouds than sun. Highs in the mid 80s and lows in the mid 50s. China voices serious concern over spying charges against Chinese citizens in UK Global Times By Chen Qingqing Published: May 14, 2024 09:13 PM China on Tuesday voiced serious concern over the arrest and prosecution of the Chinese citizens and strongly urge the UK to earnestly protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the UK. Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry made the remarks during a routine press conference on Tuesday on reports about three men who were charged with allegedly "assisting Hong Kong's foreign intelligence service in Britain." The Chinese Embassy in the UK, the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the HKSAR government all voiced the strong opposition and condemnation against the UK's act. Zheng Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK, met with officials from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Tuesday, lodging stern representations against the UK's unfounded accusations against Chinese citizens. Zheng rejected the UK's explanations on the spot and warned the UK to cease its political manipulation and not to proceed further down the dangerous path of damaging China-UK relations, according to the Chinese Embassy. Zheng urged the UK side to immediately correct its mistakes, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, stop spreading the so-called "China threat" lies, cease its anti-China political provocations, and stop arbitrary law enforcement against Chinese citizens in the UK. The UK must ensure the safety and legitimate rights of all Chinese institutions and personnel in the UK. China warns the UK that any actions interfering in China's internal affairs or harming China's interests will be firmly countered, the Chinese envoy said. Some experts said the UK's latest move shows that the UK government seems addicted to hyping up the so-called Chinese espionage, and its arrest of three people, including Chinese citizens, under the pretext of monitoring "pro-democracy" activities, aimed to warn against harassing individuals "protected by the UK." Such acts will cause a further deterioration in China-UK relations, warned experts, who also noted that if the local court ultimately convicts the three individuals, it could lead to a diplomatic incident. The three men are charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service between December 2023 and May 2024 by "agreeing to undertake information gathering, surveillance and acts of deception" in Britain, according to the charges brought in court, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Bill Yuen Chung-biu is listed as the office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in London. Another man, Peter Wai, 38, a dual British and Chinese national, is a UK Border Force officer and ran his own private security firm, according to the media report. And the third defendant, Matthew Trickett, is a former Royal Marine commando who works as a Home Office enforcement officer and also runs a private security firm. For quite some time, the UK has repeatedly hyped up "China spies" and "China's cyberattacks." All these accusations are groundless and unacceptable vilification. China firmly opposes such despicable, politically-driven ploys in the name of legal justice and national security, Wang said British politicians have recently started a fresh round of "China threat" hype with the focus on cybersecurity and "Chinese spying," which serves as smear campaign in line with their long-term anti-China stance but intensified by the upcoming general election, experts said. "These events reflect that the British government seems somewhat addicted now to hyping up the so-called Chinese espionage," Gao Jian, director of the Center for British Studies at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday. In fact, the UK's entire stance on issues related to Hong Kong is still influenced by a lingering colonial-era mentality, Gao said. Within the UK's political atmosphere, the political class continues to hold an inexplicable and undeniable sense of regulatory responsibility toward Hong Kong, even after its return to the motherland, which reflects a deep-seated cultural attachment to the UK's colonial past, Gao noted. In a press conference on Tuesday, the HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices established abroad by the HKSAR government strive to fulfill their duties, and any interference with the work of these offices is a violation of the principles of free trade and a free economy. "If a country attempts to interfere with the operations of these offices, it will ultimately harm the local economy," Lee said. What the UK refers to as information gathering may just be seen as normal information collection for Hong Kong and not threatening to the UK's national security, Lau Siu-kai, a consultant from the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies who is also a senior policy advisor, told the Global Times on Tuesday. Accusing a government of another country or region of committing espionage within one country's own borders is a serious allegation, and it is difficult to convince the other party and will inevitably trigger diplomatic tensions between the two countries, particularly between China and the UK, Lau noted. The South China Morning Post said it is not clear whom the trio were allegedly spying on. But it is understood that Nathan Law Kwun-chung, an infamous fugitive, who has lived in the UK since 2020, could have been among their alleged targets. Since the enactment of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the improvement of Hong Kong's local security law, along with the more comprehensive anti-espionage law, loopholes in the management system have been effectively closed, eliminating certain channels through which the UK interfered in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong's affairs, Gao noted. "This has significantly curbed the arrogance of anti-China forces in the UK." "The UK arrested Hong Kong government employees under the pretext of monitoring 'pro-democracy' activists, aiming to warn against harassing individuals protected by the UK," Lau said. "This is anticipated to cause a further deterioration in China-UK relations, and if the court ultimately convicts the three individuals, it could lead to a diplomatic incident," the expert said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hong Kong trade official accused of spying for city's government 3 men are charged including a manager at Hong Kong's Economic and Trade Office in London. By Jasmine Man for RFA Mandarin, Lee Heung Yeung, Edward Li and Alice Yam for RFA Cantonese 2024.05.14 -- Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday confirmed that one of three defendants charged with spying for his government in the United Kingdom holds a senior post at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, but defended the role of his city's global network of offices. British police on Monday charged three people with spying for the Hong Kong government after a nationwide operation that saw 11 arrests using powers under new national security legislation. Peter Wai, 38, Matthew Trickett, 37, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, have been charged under the United Kingdom's National Security Act 2023 with "assisting a foreign intelligence service," and "foreign interference," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement. "The foreign intelligence service to which the above charges relate is that of Hong Kong," the statement said. Lee said his government has demanded full disclosure from the British government. "We have seriously demanded that the U.K. handle the matter fairly, and effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office's office manager, who was alleged to be involved," Lee told reporters in Hong Kong. He was referring to the defendant named by the police as Chung Biu Yuen, and listed on the Office's official website as Bill C.B. Yuen, office manager. Lee appeared to deny that the city's economic and trade offices were engaged in espionage. He said they were tasked with developing trade, economic and cultural ties between Hong Kong and other countries, and called on governments around the world to "respect the rightful duty" of the offices. Lee also confirmed that he appeared in a 2002 photo alongside Yuen as they graduated from a Graduate Certificate in Police Management at Australia's Charles Sturt University. China said Monday it has made "serious representations" to the British government regarding the spying allegations, calling the case a "fabrication" and a form of "political manipulation." "All those accusations are groundless and slanderous," the Chinese Embassy in London said in a statement on its official website, adding that the British authorities had "wantonly harassed, arrested and detained Chinese citizens in the U.K. under the pretext of judicial and national security." "This constitutes a grave provocation against China," the statement said. Latest in string of spy cases The charges are the latest in a slew of China-related espionage cases across Europe in recent weeks, highlighting concerns over the extent to which agents of the Chinese state have penetrated the workings of democratic governments and activists in exile, and prompting angry protests from Beijing. They also come after repeated reports from Hong Kongers in exile of violent attacks and surveillance on foreign soil by suspected Chinese agents, as well as bounties placed by Hong Kong national security police on the heads of several prominent activists in exile. The three men, who appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday, are accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service between December and May by "agreeing to undertake information gathering, surveillance and acts of deception" in Britain, according to the charges. The second charge alleges the three men conducted "foreign interference" by forcing entry into a residential address in Britain on May 1. All three men appeared in court on Monday only to confirm their personal details, and entered no plea. They were all released on bail, and will appear in court again on May 24. The indictment named U.K.-based former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law, exiled activist Finn Lau and veteran labor unionist Christopher Mung, all of whom have bounties on their heads and warrants for their arrest issued by Hong Kong's national security police amid an ongoing crackdown on public dissent, as among the targets of the alleged activities. Hong Kongers in the United Kingdom have also spoken in recent months about threats to their personal safety and acts of violence by Beijing supporters and officials. 11 arrested in sweep British counter-terrorism police arrested 11 people in a nationwide sweep of suspects, but charged only three of them. The others were released by the end of last week, the Metropolitan Police statement said. The force's counter-terrorism chief Cmdr. Dominic Murphy said the operation had been nationwide, and that investigations are ongoing. "A number of arrests were made and searches carried out across England as part of this investigation," Murphy said. "The Counter Terrorism Policing network has been crucial to disrupting this activity." Authorities in Germany last month arrested three Germans on suspicion of stealing military science and technology secrets for the Chinese government. While the three were only identified as Thomas R., Ina F. and Herwig F., the trio were linked in media reports to an organization called the Smart City Association, whose chairman is listed on its website as Thomas Reichenbach. According to Reichenbach's bio, he has a background in strategic management consultancy, and specializes in electric vehicle technology transfer between Germany and China. Hong Kong's English-language South China Morning Post newspaper reported on May 9 that Reichenbach had also worked as a marketing manager at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, starting in July 2022. The Council confirmed to RFA Cantonese on May 10 that Reichenbach was a former employee, but said the investigation was into his "personal activities," and had nothing to do with the government. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content May not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hong Kong leader criticizes Britain after arrest of trade official in London By VOA News May 14, 2024 Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee is criticizing the arrest of a key trade official in Britain on allegations of spying for the city's foreign intelligence service. Bill Yuen, who manages Hong Kong's Economic and Trade Office in London, and two other men, Peter Wei and Matthew Trickett, were granted bail when they appeared in a London courtroom Monday. They are accused of "agreeing to undertake information gathering, surveillance and acts of deception" between December 2023 and May 2024. The charges were brought under Britain's new national security act. Chief Executive Lee has denied the allegations. During a press briefing Tuesday, he warned that any attempt "to interfere with the work of ETO offices in different places will be against free trade and free economy," and would harm the economies of countries that "try and do bad things" to ETO offices. China's foreign ministry issued a statement warning the case could erode relations between Beijing and London. Tensions between the sides have risen over China's crackdown on pro-democracy and dissenting voices in Hong Kong in recent months. Britain's foreign ministry summoned China's envoy Tuesday to lodge a formal protest over the allegations. Hong Kong is a former British colony that was returned to Chinese control in 1997. The handover included an agreement for China to allow Hong Kong to enjoy freedoms and a degree of autonomy not enjoyed on mainland China. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kurtis Alexander is an enterprise reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle, with a focus on natural resources and the environment. He frequently writes about water, wildfire, climate and the American West. His recent work has examined the impacts of drought, threats to public lands and wildlife, and the nations widening rural-urban divide. Before joining the Chronicle, Alexander worked as a freelance writer and as a staff reporter for several media organizations, including The Fresno Bee and Bay Area News Group, writing about government, politics and the environment. Ex-Australian military lawyer sentenced to five years in prison for sharing classified info By VOA News May 14, 2024 A former Australian military lawyer has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for sharing classified documents with journalists that revealed potential war crimes committed by Australian forces in Afghanistan. David McBride had already pleaded guilty to three charges in connection with the case, including theft. In a decision handed down Tuesday in the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory in Sydney, the judge sentenced the 60-year-old McBride to five years and eight months in prison. He ordered McBride to serve two years and three months of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. The judge rejected McBride's assertion that he did not believe he was breaking the law by sharing more than 200 documents with three reporters with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The documents were the basis of an Australian Broadcasting Corp. news series that revealed allegations that Australian special forces killed 39 unarmed Afghan men and children between 2009 and 2013. The series led to an investigation by the Australian military, which recommended that 19 current and former soldiers face criminal prosecution. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 13 Red Sea Update U.S. Central Command Press Release | May 13, 2024 USCENTCOM May 13, 2024 Release Number 20240513 - 02 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAMPA, Fla. -- At approximately 3:41 p.m. (Sanaa time) on May 13, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in an Iranian-backed Houthi controlled area of Yemen. Later, between approximately 5:51 p.m. and 6:02 p.m. (Sanaa time), USS Mason (DDG 87) successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile launched by Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen over the Red Sea. Additionally, USCENTCOM forces destroyed one UAS launched by Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels. It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels. -30- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement on the President's Decision Prohibiting the Acquisition by MineOne Cloud Computing Investment I L.P. of Real Estate, and the Operation of a Cryptocurrency Mining Facility, in Close Proximity to Francis E. Warren Air Force Base U.S. Department of the Treasury May 13, 2024 Washington -- Today President Biden issued an order prohibiting the purchase and requiring the divestment of certain real estate operated as a cryptocurrency mining facility located within one mile of Francis E. Warren Air Force Base (F.E. Warren AFB), as well as requiring the removal of certain improvements and equipment at the property by MineOne Partners Limited, which is ultimately majority owned by nationals of the People's Republic of China; MineOne Cloud Computing Investment I L.P.; MineOne Data Center LLC; and MineOne Wyoming Data Center LLC (collectively MineOne), as well as their affiliates. MineOne acquired the property in June 2022 and then made improvements to allow for use of the property for specialized cryptocurrency mining operations within one mile of F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming, a strategic missile base and home to Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS or the Committee) reviewed and investigated this transaction pursuant to authorities provided by Congress in the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA) to cover real estate transactions in close proximity to certain sensitive U.S. facilities, including F.E. Warren AFB. "Today's divestment order underscores President Biden's steadfast commitment to protecting the United States' national security. It also highlights the critical gatekeeper role that CFIUS serves to ensure that foreign investment does not undermine our national security, particularly as it relates to transactions that present risk to sensitive U.S. military installations as well as those involving specialized equipment and technologies," said Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen. CFIUS identified national security risks arising from the transaction relating to the proximity of the property to F.E. Warren AFB. CFIUS also assessed the risk associated with the presence of specialized equipment on the property used to conduct cryptocurrency mining operations, some of which is foreign-sourced and presents significant national security concerns. The proximity of the foreign-owned cryptocurrency mining facility to a strategic missile base and key element of America's nuclear triad, and the presence of specialized and foreign-sourced equipment potentially capable of facilitating surveillance and espionage activities, presented a significant national security risk that led to CFIUS's referral to the President. To address this risk, the President's order directs both the prompt divestment of foreign ownership of the property as well as the removal of the equipment and improvements that were added to the property. By law, CFIUS is authorized to negotiate and enter into an agreement or take other actions to mitigate the national security risk arising from a covered transaction. In some cases, however, CFIUS determines that mitigation of the national security risk is not adequate or appropriate, and that the President should prohibit a transaction. In such instances, most transaction parties voluntarily take steps to forgo or abandon a transaction. In other cases, parties are unwilling or unable to take actions or to timely agree to terms and conditions the Committee deems necessary to adequately address the national security risks. In all CFIUS reviews, the parties' conduct can impact the Committee's assessment of what steps or actions are needed to resolve national security risks. "If CFIUS parties are unwilling or unable to fully address national security risks, CFIUS won't hesitate to exercise the full scope of its authorities, including Presidential referrals, to address the risk," said Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Investment Security Paul Rosen. Rosen added that "CFIUS expects complete, accurate, and timely information, particularly when serious national security issues are on the line." MineOne did not file the transaction with CFIUS until after CFIUS's non-notified team investigated the transaction as a result of a public tip. CFIUS's non-notified function has been enhanced by authorities provided by Congress in FIRRMA and ongoing appropriations to support the Committee's ability to identify and review non-notified transactions. By law, CFIUS may enter into a negotiated mitigation agreement only if it is effective, verifiable, and monitorable based on a careful evaluation. In this case, the Committee determined that it would not be possible to enter into a negotiated agreement with MineOne that would sufficiently address the national security risks in an effective, verifiable, and monitorable manner, resulting in CFIUS's referral to the President. This decision is based on the facts and national security risks related to this transaction only. The CFIUS process focuses exclusively on identifying and addressing national security concerns arising from a covered transaction on a case-by-case basis, which reinforces CFIUS's commitment to encouraging foreign investment while protecting national security. View a copy of the President's order. ABOUT CFIUS CFIUS is an interagency committee authorized to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States and certain real estate transactions by foreign persons, in order to determine the effect of such transactions on the national security of the United States. CFIUS is chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury and includes as members the Secretaries of State, Defense, Commerce, Energy, and Homeland Security, the Attorney General, the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the U.S. Trade Representative. The Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Labor participate as non-voting, ex-officio members, and the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture is a member when a case involves elements of the agricultural industrial base that have implications for food security. Treasury's Office of Investment Security leads CFIUS's efforts to identify transactions where no voluntary notice has been filed under section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended. If CFIUS determines that a non-notified transaction may be a covered transaction or covered real estate transaction and may raise national security considerations, the Committee may contact the transaction parties and request a CFIUS filing. Members of the public are encouraged to provide tips, referrals, or other relevant information to CFIUS.tips@treasury.gov regarding matters that may be within CFIUS's purview, including foreign investment in, or an acquisition of, a U.S. business or real estate. #### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Landmark hospital materiel pull for DEFENDER 24 By Sandra Wilson, USAG Benelux Public Affairs May 14, 2024 DULMEN, Germany -- U.S. Army Soldiers arrived at Army Prepositioned Stock-2 (APS-2) Dulmen for a landmark 32-bed field hospital pull for transport to Baumholder, Germany in support of the DEFENDER Europe exercise May 6-7 in Dulmen, Germany. During the convoy preparations, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux housed a number of deployed Soldiers in the Dulmen Tower Barracks gymnasium. Not only did this mark a first for U.S. Army medicine but also an unprecedented mission for the Dulmen site as it issued from its warehouse and loaded a convoy for the first time since the installation was initially handed over to the U.S. Army in 2017 from British armed forces. "We also coordinated with the city and Polizei about the movements while maintaining operational security," said Daniel Jones, Dulmen site manager. The field hospital set plays an integral role in this year's exercise, DEFENDER 24, as the mission provides troops an invaluable training opportunity in the European theater. "This exercise helps us synchronize so that we can get [materiel] ready in a timely manner for the warfighter," said Maj. Tameka Tutt, U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency (USAMMA) APS-2 Class VIII logistics support director. "It gives [the Soldiers] an opportunity to learn to set up a hospital." APS-2 Dulmen stores and maintains USAMMA Class VIII medical materielenough to stand up a 240-bed field hospital. Equipment includes items as small as a combat medic bag and as large as a full medical laboratory, operating room, pharmacy, and more. Keeping materiel ready for issue allows for a rapid logistical supply chain to future incoming warfighters. "When you look at APS-2 in Europe, we are set up in a way to do long-term storage and be a break-glass-in-case-of-war type stock," said Troy Furlow, the APS-2 Dulmen site director with Army Field Support Battalion (AFSBn)-Germany, 405th Army Field Support Brigade. "[We] shorten the logistics trail and ultimately resource the warfighter that flies over here." Support class VII material, such as AC units and power generators, also went on the convoy with the medical equipment. The issue and transport of the materiel out of Dulmen Tower Barracks is only a piece of the whole exercise that builds on multi-partner defense strategies and increases readiness. "The DEFENDER series is ... helping us see ourselves as we execute a process," said Furlow about how the exercise takes place every year led by the U.S. Army as a joint endeavor to enhance interoperability. "The preparation is important but also the repetition." DEFENDER 24 occurs this year from March 28 to May 31 and as the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe, it employs more than 17,000 U.S. and 23,000 multinational service members. More than 20 Allied and partner nations participate to strengthen the NATO Alliance and build collective defense. "It went top notchI got a lot of positive feedback from the unit on how the process flow went," said Furlow. "I'm really proud of the team here for what they've done." While the issuing of the 32-bed hospital set is complete and in transit to the exercise location, the next stages of DEFENDER 24 continue. In the following days, Soldiers complete the unpacking and set up the field hospital to cover more than six acres of land in Baumholder. After building the hospital to full capacity, the Soldiers then tear it down, pack it up, and convoying it back to APS-2 Dulmen. "To see the whole process from start to finish is ... amazing," said Holly Jordan, director of supply for AFSBn-Germany at the Dulmen site. Once returned to the warehouses, the 300 devices and other materiel in the 32-bed set are serviced back to 100 percent and restocked on the shelvesa complete process and full display of the U.S. Army and its partners' mission-capable status. "It takes a lot of manpower and working pieces to make this happen," said Maj. Nikkia Lee, of the 810th Hospital Center, an Army Reserve unit deployed for the exercise to Germany from Alabama. "It's a critical mission that we're doing now." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 14, 2024 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With the Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasciunas Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with his counterpart from Lithuania, Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasciunas. Secretary Austin congratulated Minister Kasciunas on his recent appointment as minister and the two discussed support to Ukraine, NATO regional plans, recent progress with Lithuania's defense industrial base, and U.S. force posture in the Baltics. Secretary Austin lauded Lithuania's strong commitment to providing security assistance and training to Ukraine and leadership of the demining capability coalition and thanked the Minister for outstanding support to U.S. and NATO rotational forces in Lithuania. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3774612/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 14, 2024 Release DOD Releases Open Announcement Through Other Transaction Authority for U.S. and Selected International Partners Department of Defense (DOD) has released a new Open Announcement through the Defense Industrial Base Consortium Other Transaction Authority (DIBC OTA) that will accept unsolicited White Papers to be considered for Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III and Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) funding. DIBC membership is free and is open to U.S. organizations as well as international partners from the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and Canada. The FY24 National Defense Authorization Act designated the UK and Australia as domestic sources for DPA funds; Canada has been a domestic source since 1992. "This Open Announcement will solicit new ideas for research or prototype project solutions that will benefit our industrial base," said Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (ASD(IBP)). "Expanding sources of supply is a key element of the vision articulated in the National Defense Industrial Strategy to help build resilient supply chains." The Open Announcement will significantly accelerate the timeline to project award, which will bring critical capabilities to the industrial base faster. This effort also supports the critical Supply Chain Resiliency Focus Areas identified as part of President Biden's Executive Order 14017, On America's Supply Chains. "The new OA demonstrates the Department's continued commitment to ensuring the integrity of our supply chains and providing our warfighters with the materials and technologies they need," said Mr. Anthony Di Stasio, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience. The critical sectors sought under this Open Announcement include: Kinetic Capabilities Energy Storage and Batteries Castings and Forgings Strategic and Critical Materials Microelectronics Workforce Development The Open Announcement is currently accepting White Papers and will remain open until September 30, 2024. Learn more at the DIBC OTA website here. The DPA Investments Office is overseen by the ASD(IBP)'s Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Program (MCEIP), in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience. For more information on MCEIP, please visit: https://www.businessdefense.gov/ibr/mceip/index.html About the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD IBP) The OASD IBP works with domestic and international partners to forge and sustain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base enabling the warfighter, now and in the future. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3774005/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 14, 2024 Transcript Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds a Press Briefing Major General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: All right. Well, good afternoon, everyone. Just a few things here at the top and then we'll get right to your questions. Earlier today, Secretary Austin spoke by phone with the Egyptian Minister of Defense, General Mohamed Zaki, to discuss regional challenges and the deep bilateral security cooperation between our two nations. During the discussion, Secretary Austin reiterated U.S. commitment to the Middle East and Egyptian security in the face of the regional threats. A full readout of the call will be posted to Defense.gov later today. Additionally, Secretary Austin also spoke today with his counterpart from Lithuania, Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasciunas. During the call, Secretary Austin congratulated Minister Kasciunas on his recent appointment as Minister, and the two leaders discussed support to Ukraine, NATO regional plans, and recent progress with Lithuania's defense industrial base. The Secretary lauded Lithuania's strong commitment to providing security assistance and training to Ukraine, and their continued support for U.S. force posture in the Baltics. A full readout of their discussion will be posted to the DOD website. Switching to some exercise news, nearly 30 nations and approximately 1,300 personnel are participating in Exercise Flintlock, which kicked off yesterday during an opening ceremony in Cote d'Ivoire. The exercise, which runs through May 24, will be conducted at training locations hosted by Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. Exercise Flintlock is U.S. Africa Command's premier and largest annual Special Operations Forces exercise that works to strengthen combined partner force collaboration in Africa alongside international and NATO international Special Operations Forces. Separately, Exercise Obangame Express, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, kicked off May 6th and continues until May 17 throughout Africa's West Coast, particularly in and around host nation Gabon. The Obangame Express - you - excuse me - through Obangame Express, U.S. forces work alongside participating nations to improve combined maritime law enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security in West Africa, and increase interoperability between the U.S., African, and multinational partners. The U.S. routinely exercises with our partners in Africa to build enduring relationships and combined capacity to ensure the safety and security of the regional maritime environment. For more information about these two exercises and the many other regional partnership activities throughout Africa, I would recommend you contact USAFRICOM Public Affairs. In other news, the department would like to welcome our new Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia Mr. Anka Lee, who has joined us from USAID. DASD Lee is leading the East Asia team at a time when our alliances with Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, as well as our partnerships with New Zealand and across the Pacific Islands region, are stronger than ever. And shifting to the Middle East, in the coming days, the United States, as part of an international effort, in coordination with the United Nations and the World Food Program, will begin facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza via the Cyprus maritime corridor. The U.S. government and other international donors are providing aid commodities for delivery from Cyprus to the beach in Gaza by way of U.S. and partner nation military and civilian vessels and a temporary floating pier. The World - World Food Program will take receipt of that aid once ashore in Gaza and coordinate its onward movement and distribution to people in need. To be clear, this humanitarian effort is intended to relieve the suffering of the people of Gaza. We call on all parties not to interfere with the delivery of lifesaving assistance. And finally, on an administrative note, Secretary Austin will go to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center later today for a scheduled, routine follow-up appointment with his doctors. The Secretary's in good health, and as we've highlighted previously, you can expect he'll be conducting these types of follow-on check-ups from time to time. And with that, we'll take your questions. We'll go to Associated Press, Lita Baldor. Q: Thanks, Pat. On the aid distribution, is the U.S. satisfied at this point - since this is going to start in the coming days, is the U.S. satisfied with security on the ground? Humanitarian aid groups are still voicing some concerns about their safety on the ground. What does the U.S. think at this moment of the Israeli security on the ground? And are you aware of any lingering concerns about safety for the aid groups? GEN. RYDER: Yeah, sure. So as you know, U.S. Central Command has been working very closely with USAID, Israelis, other partners in the region on putting together a comprehensive security plan for this temporary pier and the aid distribution routes. And so a - a lot of work has gone into that, and of course as we've said all along, force protection is going to continue to be of paramount concern. All that to say we do believe that we have the - the pieces and parts in place so that when we do begin operations, we're confident that - that we'll have the security in place that we need. For any operation, any commander at any time can make the decision based on the situation on the ground to - to take appropriate measures to safeguard forces or to safeguard the operation. And so certainly as this operation continues, that will of course be something that we're constantly looking at to make sure that - that, at the end of the day, aid can be distributed safely and securely. Q: And just as a follow-up, is it your understanding at this moment that aid agencies are prepared to begin distributing the aid once it starts moving onto the shore? GEN. RYDER: The short answer is yes. You know, again, as I highlighted at the top, I'm not going to get into specific dates, but in the coming days, you can expect to see this effort underway. And we are confident that - that we will be able to, working with our NGO partners, ensure that aid can be delivered. OK? Joseph? Q: Thanks. Just on the pier as well, we've heard some dollar amounts before. Can you put a dollar amount on how much it's costing the U.S., how much the U.S. has spent on this? GEN. RYDER: You know, again, right now what I would tell you is we estimate that to operate this pier will cost approximately $320 million. Again, if we have revised estimates, we certainly will - but that's the - the current estimate. Q: And then secondly on that, there - so - Hamas and others have - have said this pier will be useless by the end of August due to the changes in tide. I know you - the department has made it clear that this is temporary but does the Pentagon have an initial timeframe for how long you guys want to be using this pier? GEN. RYDER: Yeah, I - I don't have an initial timeframe to provide to you today, Joseph. That's an interesting statement by Hamas. You know, what I would tell you is look, if you take a step back here, in the situation on the ground in Gaza, this is about providing another avenue by which to get humanitarian assistance in to the people of Gaza. Clearly, land routes would be optimal, but as, you know, we continue to see challenges in terms of getting aid in via ground, we're going to continue to employ this method to work with the international community to get aid in to the people of Gaza. Q: Can I just ask you one more? Sorry. Turning to the - on the Red Sea and the campaign against the Houthis, last night CENTCOM said that U.S. or USS Mason was targeted. U.S. forces took down the incoming drone. I mean, or is the U.S. in this for the long run because we're seeing pretty steady flow of Houthi attacks on a daily basis. And they've expanded now from previous to just being in the Gulf of Aden in the Red Sea. Now, we're seeing some of the Indian Ocean and then as well in other parts of the Mediterranean. So, I mean, can you talk a little bit aboutelaborate a little bit? GEN. RYDER: Yeah, what I would say is, you know, said another way is the U.S. in it for the long run when it comes to freedom of navigation and vital seaways around the world. Yes, we are. So. OK. Laura? Q: Thanks Pat. I wanted to ask you about Kyiv. The situation there. There's reports that Ukraine is running low on weapons as the Russians advance. So, are U.S. weapons not getting there fast enough, or what exactly is going on? GEN. RYDER: We, as you've heard, Secretary Austin and others say we are working very hard to rush aid into Ukraine. Again, it's a challenging situation on the battlefield right now in Ukraine. But all accounts are you know, that they continue to take measures to defend their territory. And we're going to do everything we can to get them the critical munitions and supplies that they need. Q: Can you give us a little bit more information about how we got to this point? I mean, was part of the problem that we weren't sending aid, specifically in the Kharkiv region, or are the Russians, or the Russians in a better position. Can you just give us kind of a battlefield update? GEN. RYDER: Well, you know, I think it's a combination of things and certainly won't recount the last, you know, six to eight months on the battlefield. But needless to say, it was not helpful to have this pause in security assistance. Clearly, you know, you've got other partners around the world that are providing aid to Ukraine. But the Russians have exploited the situation on the battlefield, and are attempting to -- to make advances. Incremental as they may be, it's certainly concerning. And we're going to continue to work closely with Ukraine and our international allies and partners to get them the security assistance they need. Thank you. Let me go to Constantine. Q: Thanks Pat. On the pier. Can you say whether any U.S. Naval vessels are going to be providing security to the operation? GEN. RYDER: There -- there will be. Q: They will be. Can you go into any detail? GEN. RYDER: And I'm not going to go into the specifics, for OPSEC reasons. But as you know, we do have naval vessels, destroyers in the region that can provide assistance. Q: OK. And then slightly similarly, has any determined that -- any determination been made as to the USS Eisenhower and whether she'll be extending in CENTCOM? GEN. RYDER: Yeah, as I'm sure you can appreciate. I'm not going to get into talking about future ship movements and deployments. So, we have updates, we'll certainly let you know. Oren? Q: I was just wondering if you could say, as we -- as we prepare to see the humanitarian corridor from Cyprus to Gaza began operating. How much aid is there in Cyprus right now ready to move? GEN. RYDER: I don't have a number for you, Oren. Certainly will have much more in the in the days ahead. As you highlight, we've been pre-positioning aid, international groups have been pre-positioning aid in Cyprus, to be loaded onto vessels for transfer -- transport to the floating pier. And so, you know, what I think you'll end up seeing is as this pier becomes operational, and as it becomes the viable route for humanitarian assistance to get into Gaza, that you'll see other groups coming, wanting to participate and contribute aid via this mechanism. Because again, when we take a step back here and look at what it is we're trying to accomplish here, it's trying to get humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible to the people of Gaza, whether that be by land, sea or air. Thank you. We go to the phones here real quick. Heather from USNI. Q: Hi, thanks so much. I was just following up on what was happening in the Red Sea. And with the Gaza pier. At this point does the Department of Defense have confidence that they can both support the safety of the Gaza pier while also continuing Prosperity Guardian, with the ships that are available in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea? GEN. RYDER: Yes. I mean, and the other -- the other important aspect here, Heather, is that we're not doing this alone, right? When it comes to Operation Prosperity Guardian, we are part of a multinational coalition that's working to safeguard those shipping lanes, you also have the -- the European effort that we are coordinating with in the region. And then when it comes to operations in the Mediterranean and near Gaza, as I mentioned, we do have naval vessels there. But we're also working with our Israeli partners when it comes to security, both on land and at sea. Can come back into the room. We'll go to Chris, and then we'll come to you Janne. Q: Thanks Pat. Niger participated in Flintlock last year, and a few years ago, it was held in Niger. There been a number of coups since then. So how enduring and effective are these exercises? GEN. RYDER: The exercises are incredibly important, and they are enduring. And I mean, you saw that, you know, just to kind of take a step outside of Africa for a second. I mean, you saw that play out recently, in the defense of Israel, when Iran conducted, it's unprecedented aerial attack. I mean, a lot of the -- the coordination and the ability to communicate and work together and that interoperability between the U.S., Israel and other partners in the region, was because of exercises. And so certainly, when it comes to things like counterterrorism, or addressing regional threats, or humanitarian crises, types of situations, those exercises are central to enabling our forces to not only interoperate, but to understand one another, and to have those kinds of relationships that on that -- on that day, you need the most, there, there. Q: Do you have any concerns about Nigerian armed forces trained by the U.S., given the situation now? GEN. RYDER: You know, look, when it comes to Niger, you know, certainly we are proud of the -- the long relationship that we had with Niger and the work that we were able to do together in terms of counterterrorism and helping to train Nigerian forces to address threats like terrorism. But as you know, we're in a different position now. And we're going to continue to consult with the Nigerians in terms of the orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces, we're going to continue to stay engaged with the partners in the region when it comes to terrorism and countering the terrorist threat. Because, again, you know, I think we all collectively can work together to address those very real threats. But we also respect the sovereignty of countries that we work with. And I'll just leave it at that. Janne and then I'll come to you. Q: Thank you, General. North Korea announced that it has deployed the new 244-millimeter multiple rocket launcher to the people's army and is preparing combat. And Kim Jong Un declared that he will target the Korean peninsula and the U.S. military unit. Can you comment on this? GEN. RYDER: You know, look, Jenne, we -- we obviously continue to work very closely with our ROK and Japanese allies in the region when it comes to regional threats to include those -- that may be posed by North Korea. We certainly aren't seeking conflict with North Korea. And we're going to continue to do everything we can to ensure regional security and stability in the region through our extended deterrence efforts, but also through continuing to work with like-minded partners throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Q: Yeah, how will the war in Ukraine change it if this, I mean, new 240-millimeter rocket, multiple rocket launcher exported Russia? Do you think it will be changed somehow? GEN. RYDER: Yeah, I don't want to get into hypotheticals, but let's leave it at that. Fadi? Q: Thank you, General. I have just a clarification and two questions. So, on the cost of the pier and the causeway, the 320 million, what is the period you're talking about? This is throughout, like, this is the just... GEN. RYDER: Estimated for about a three-month period. Q: That's for three months. Okay, thank you. And then on the situation in Rafah, as with the Israeli operation continuing, we saw today Israel and Egypt trading blame over who's closing the Rafah crossing. Israel is saying that Egypt can prevent humanitarian catastrophe by reopening the crossing. Egypt is blaming Israel for what's happening. Based on the information available to you, who's closing the Rafah crossing? GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Fadi. So, I don't have that in front of me. The bottom line is we want to see the gates opened and aid delivered at an increased rate into Gaza. So, we'll continue to consult with our partners in the region, to include Israel and Egypt to ensure and work hard to get those gates open so that additional aid can be delivered over land into the people of Gaza who need it most. Q: And on Niger, I don't know if you saw the interview with the prime minister today in The Washington Post. He addressed the situation and the withdrawal of U.S. forces. He basically said the U.S. tried to dictate who Niger can work with in relation to Russia and Iran. And he's blaming the U.S., you know, the situation of the U.S. stopping its security cooperation with forces in Niger after the -- after the coup. Do you have any comment on that? GEN. RYDER: Yeah, the only thing I'd say is kind of what I relayed to Chris earlier and that, you know, we're proud of the work that we were able to do alongside Niger, you know, the work that we were able to do together. But, again, we respect Niger's sovereignty. And so, as we've said, we're in discussions with them now at their request to discuss the orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces. And so as we have updates on that front, we'll definitely provide those. Let me go back to the phone, Ryo? Q: Thank you so much, General. So, yesterday there was a media report that U. S. and the Taiwan navies conducted official joint trainings in the Western Pacific in April. And the Taiwan navy didn't deny the report of this joint training. Could you give us DOD's comment on this report? GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Ryo. I've seen that reporting, but don't have a comment on specific operations. As you know, we have a longstanding One-China policy. And consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. makes available to Taiwan defense articles and services necessary to enable it to maintain a self-defense capability. So, beyond that, nothing further to provide. We'll come back to Liz. Q: Thanks. So, for an update for the troops that were stationed in Chad that had to move to Germany, since the presidential election has taken place, is there any update on if they'll stay in Germany or go back? GEN. RYDER: Yeah. No updates provided this time. They're still in Germany. We still have that very small presence in Chad, but beyond that, no updates at this time. Q: And so with Chad and Niger, with the troops that will be leaving Niger soon, what do you attribute that to, that these U.S. forces had to leave Chad and Niger? GEN. RYDER: Yeah. Well, look, I mean, I think we've, you know, when it comes to Niger, we've been very clear that the Nigerians have asked us to depart and we're going to work with them to discuss the orderly withdrawal of our forces. On Chad, again, this is a temporary drawdown as they went through their elections. And again, we're going to continue to have conversations about, you know, what types of support they require and where we can work together. But I think it's also important, again, to take a step back, as I highlighted at the top of this, the other work that we're doing throughout Africa. And so while it's very understandable to focus on these two countries, and they're important countries in the region, it's also important to look at our efforts more broadly when it comes to counterterrorism, and to working with countries throughout Africa on regional security and stability issues. And so we'll continue to do that, and we'll continue to find areas where we can work together, you know, as appropriate in accordance with policy and law to address areas of mutual concern. Thanks. Carla? Q: Two follow-ups. On Niger, there was supposed to be a follow on meeting with Assistant Sec Def Mara, Lieutenant General Anderson. It was supposed to happen the week of the 29th, it didn't happen. It was supposed to happen last week. As of late Thursday, it had not happened. Has that meeting started yet or is that still delayed? GEN. RYDER: Yeah. So, they're actually enroute right now and, you know, we'll keep you updated on the outcomes of those discussions. Q: Okay. And then on the pier, if I may -- apologies if I missed it, but has the pier been attached to the coast yet? I know that yesterday it was supposed to. GEN. RYDER: No. No, it's still off the port of Ashdod and has not been attached to the beach. But again, when that happens, we'll obviously make sure to let you know. Q: Do you know about how long -- sorry if I'm asking for too much specificity. But about how long does it take to attach it? Because my understanding was the sea state today was pretty good. GEN. RYDER: Yeah. Again, we'll give you -- we'll keep you updated on that front. I'm not -- for operation security reasons, I'm not going to go into specifics here from the podium. But again, in the coming days, I think you can expect to see it operational. Yeah. Q: Thanks. What is the current risk assessment for the location that American hostages could be housed in case of a larger-scale miliary operation in Rafah? GEN. RYDER: The estimate of American hostages? Q: Yeah. And the risk assessment that places hostage could be housed to be bombed or to be targeted? GEN. RYDER: Yeah. I mean, I don't have any specifics on that. Obviously, we're going to continue to stay very focused on hostage recovery. As you know, the U.S. has been working closely with Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and others in the region to get the hostages released. But I don't have any information, obviously, in terms of where they're located, what their current situation is, other than this continues to be a top priority for the U.S. government. Thank you. Yes, sir. Q: Thank you. Chinese Coast Guard vessels entered prohibited waters last week south of Kinmen, the island that belongs to Taiwan. I was wondering if the DOD, through some of its measures that it's restored to communicate with Chinese counterparts, has sent a message regarding that since that happened last week. GEN. RYDER: Yeah. I don't -- I don't have anything specific to pass along. You know, we, obviously, continue to urge the PRC not to use Taiwan's election as a pretext for escalation. As you know, we've seen in the past where they've used naval activity to increase pressure. We remain concerned by those types of activities. And I'll just leave it there. Thank you. Laura? Q: I wanted to ask you about Iraq also. There's been some reports of an ISIS resurgence in Iraq recently. So, can you tell us if that is accurate and if there's been an uptick in the number of reports of attacks? GEN. RYDER: You know, I think we've talked a little bit about this before. When it comes to Iraq, Syria, there is an ISIS threat. Nowhere near the degree that it was, you know, 10, 5 years ago. But it's something that definitely requires continuing to keep an eye on and addressing. You know, when you look at places like Al-Hawl Detention Facility, that is a significant challenge in that how do you repatriate ISIS prisoners and their family members. And so that continues to be an area of main effort. But to your point, you know, I don't think we can necessarily take our eye off the ball here. So we'll continue to work with regional partners to address that threat through the international coalition. Q: So there has been an uptick recently? GEN. RYDER: I said that I don't have numbers, Laura, to provide other than, again, we don't see the ISIS activity as the level it was back at the height of ISIS, but ISIS does continue to remain a threat. Q: You'll take that question? GEN. RYDER: Sure. Yes, sir? Q: Thank you, General. So you may have heard this, Defense Intelligence Officer Harrison Mann recently resigned from the DoD, citing his own guilt in abetting Israel's war. Yesterday, he posted a letter online explaining why. And it read, the policy that has never been far from my mind for the past six months is nearly unqualified support for the government of Israel, which has enabled and empowered the killing and starvation of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians. As we were recently reminded, this unconditional support also encourages reckless escalation that risks wider war. Mann said his work at the DIA unquestionably supported the war and its consequences. Then he concluded saying, at some point, whether the justification, you're either advancing a policy that enables mass starvation of children or you're not. So what does the Pentagon make of his reservation and his charges that the DoD is abetting the slaughter of innocents and risking a wider war in the Middle East? GEN. RYDER: Yeah, I appreciate the readout of the report. I've seen those as well. Look, I don't have anything to provide on the status of this individual. I'd refer you to DIA or the Army. Thanks. Q: And his claims against the DoD, do you find any legitimacy behind them? GEN. RYDER: Again, look, I'm not going to discuss the particular -- the viewpoints of an individual service member. Again, I'd refer you to that service for any comments on his status. But generally speaking, you know, this is an all-volunteer force. We're engaged in challenging and complex issues on any given day around the globe. It's always been that way. There's going to be times when there's members that have different views. And of course, in this particular case, it's certainly your right to go ahead and get out. And I'll just leave it at that. Chris? Q: If I could just follow up on Laura's question, not to press you too much on the specifics, but is it fair to say that the Iranian-aligned militia activities and before that, the Russian activities have certainly not helped the ISIS fight in the last? GEN. RYDER: Yeah. I mean, that is a fair assessment, right? I mean, it's a diversion from the defeat ISIS mission when you're focused on those kinds of things. And look, I know it's hard to believe. I don't have a data tablet here that shows me ISIS activity over the last 10 years, month by month. You know, the bottom line is ISIS continues to present a threat in various parts of the world. Again, for context, I don't see it at the same levels we saw in 2014, again, when you had ISIS forces 24 kilometers outside of Baghdad threatening to essentially take control of Baghdad. And so when it comes to the activities by Iranian proxies that are targeting forces that are engaged in the defeat ISIS mission, of course, that has an impact. But, you know, our forces remain disciplined. They stay focused on the task. I'll just leave it there, Chris. Time for a couple more. Yes, sir. Q: Just one more on Iraq. One, can you tell us when the last attack was on coalition -- U.S. or coalition troops in Iraq or Syria? And two, are there any updates -- can you provide any updates on the bilateral talks for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq? GEN. RYDER: No updates on the higher military commission at this time. In terms of the last two attacks, there was one attack at the Ramallah landing zone on April 21. And April 22 was the other. That was an attack near Al-Asad Airbase. No injury or damage to infrastructure. Prior to that was the February 4 attack. OK. Yes, sir. Last question. Q: Thank you, General. You just touched on ISIS threats. So the security situation and borders between Iraq and Syria has become an ISIS threat to make preparations for its activities. So do you have any plan to increase your posture and engage more with the Iraq and Syrian Democratic Forces? GEN. RYDER: Yeah. No announcements to make in terms of force posture. As you know, Operation Inherent Resolve remains focused on working as part of an international coalition to address the threat of ISIS and to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS as it relates to Iraq and Syria. And so we'll continue to stay supportive of that as well as working with regional partners to address the threat of ISIS. All right. Fadi, fine, I'll take your question. Q: All right. Yeah (inaudible). GEN. RYDER: That was a pretty deep sigh here. Q: You still got it. I want to revisit my question because you said, I believe, that you want to see -- the department wants to see the gates reopened in reference to Rafah. With your contacts, with the Egyptian partners and the Israeli partners, you must know who's closing the crossing. Is it both sides? Is it one side? GEN. RYDER: Yeah. I just don't have in front of me here what the situation at the gate is. Again, right now, what I'm tracking is four of the five gates are open. The Rafah gate is not. And again, we'll continue to work with Egyptian and Israeli partners to address that gate and ensure that we can continue to see aid come into Gaza. Q: Do you know when was the last shipment of aid that went through Rafah? GEN. RYDER: I don't. I don't have that in front of me. All right. Thanks very much, everybody. Appreciate it. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3775180/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 14, 2024 By Joseph Clark, DOD News Service Chiefs Discuss Role of Partnerships in Meeting Defense Demands Partnerships with allies and across the services are key to maintaining the United States' edge amid an increasingly challenging national security backdrop, the military's top officers said. That message echoed as a central theme as the Joint Chiefs of the six armed forces branches came together yesterday for a panel discussion on U.S. defense priorities and military readiness hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. The leaders described a rapidly changing security landscape characterized by a range of challenges throughout the Indo-Pacific, Middle East and Europe. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric M. Smith said these challenges are becoming progressively linked as China, the United States pacing challenge, and Russia, which defense officials have identified as an "acute threat," attempt to challenge international rules-based order. He said the U.S. military must stand ready to deter and, if necessary, defeat would-be aggressors on multiple, simultaneous fronts. "Russia is an opportunistic aggressor," Smith said. "And so, if war breaks out with China, you can be sure that Russia will follow. And if war breaks out with Russia, you can be sure that China will follow. "They're both opportunistic feeders and opportunistic aggressors," he said. "And they'll look for the seams in our armor the chinks in armor and they'll work to exploit those." Smith said the Marine Corps accounts for these overlapping threats in shaping force for the future, while posturing primarily to counter the pacing challenge posed by China. "For us, the force design is designed against the peer competitor of China," he said. "They are the pacing threat by the National Defense Strategy, so [the] force design is aimed at deterring China, and we still believe that that will include all the lesser included offenses such as Russia and [North Korea]." He said his service's focus on modernized weapon systems and the ability to fight from longer ranges is useful for deterring and defeating aggression in any theater. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin echoed Smith in highlighting the strategic deterrence challenge posed by Russia's longstanding nuclear capability coupled with China's rapid buildup of its nuclear arsenal. He said maintaining a safe, effective and reliable nuclear triad remains critical for deterrence. "I think what is going to be interesting for the nation, for the national security apparatus, is to really get a grip on what it really means to have strategic deterrence in a tri-polar type world," as China's nuclear capability approaches parity with the U.S. He said deterring strategic threats in a tri-polar world is "fundamentally different" from deterrence in the past. "That's a national conversation," he said. "But from the military side, we just have to make sure that our capabilities are suited to the task." In recognizing the uptick in challenges, the service chiefs noted the key role partnerships will play in ensuring the U.S. maintains its military advantage. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti said the United States' partnerships with allies in the Indo-Pacific, in particular, are a key to managing competition with China. "I think the thing that really distinguishes us from any of our potential adversaries is that we do have allies and partners all over the world," she said. "And nowhere is that more important than in the Indo-Pacific." She said allies continue to welcome U.S. leadership in the Indo-Pacific. Partners throughout the region, she said, are driven to partner with the U.S. as all of the military services work to bolster interoperability throughout the region. "I think as we leverage our relationships that we already have, and we continue to build new ones in the Indo-Pacific, we will continue to develop the capabilities to deter China or any other adversary in the Indo-Pacific or around the world," Franchetti said. U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan said partnerships were also key to deterring threats in the Arctic. The Coast Guard, she said, has played a key role in bolstering these partnerships through exercises and capacity building among Arctic stakeholders. "This is our nation's competitive advantage," Fagan said. "Not only do these nations welcome us, we're partners of choice." Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George also highlighted the key role the NATO alliance will continue to play in Europe, and the importance of the bloc to continue to improve its collective capability. "The battlefield is changing very rapidly," he said. "I think it's changing more in the last couple of years than I've ever seen it." George said NATO's collective ability to respond quickly and effectively to the changing battlefield will be critical going forward. In addition to underscoring the importance of partnerships among allies, Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said the ability to work across the services is critical. He said the service chiefs each espouse a commitment to partnership "because we know that's the only way to succeed." He said that includes not only partnering with allies, but also partnering with industry and between the services. "We know that each, individually, our forces, our services, our capabilities are inadequate to the global tasks that we've been presented," Saltzman said. "And if we can't work together [...] technically, operationally, doctrinally if we can't work together then we're in a world of hurt." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Romania - AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Missiles Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov Transmittal No: 24-24 WASHINGTON, May 14, 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Romania of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $340.8 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Romania has requested to buy up to three hundred (300) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles; forty (40) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missile Guidance Units; forty (40) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); and twenty (20) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II CATM Guidance Units. Also included are missile containers; personnel training and training equipment; classified and unclassified publications and technical documents; warranties; U.S. Government engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total program cost is $340.8 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe. The proposed sale will improve Romania's capability to meet current and future threats by providing air-to-air missiles for its F-16 fleet in support of NATO's defense mission. Romania will have no difficulty absorbing these weapons into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, located in Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Romania; however, U.S. Government engineering and technical services may be required on an interim basis for training and technical assistance. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USEUCOM, Adriatic Charter nations convene for multi-national security cooperation discussions U.S. European Command's logistics directorate and senior representatives from the U.S. - Adriatic Charter nations met from May 8-10, 2024 in Tirana, Albania to discuss ideas and proposals in the field of logistics By U.S. European Command Public Affairs , United States European Command Stuttgart, Germany May 14, 2024 U.S. European Command's logistics directorate and senior representatives from the U.S. - Adriatic Charter nations met from May 8-10, 2024 in Tirana, Albania to discuss ideas and proposals in the field of logistics. The discussions also set the stage for follow-on discussions at the 27th U.S.-Adriatic Charter's Chief of Defense conference to be held later this year and where Tirana, Albania will once again be the host. The U.S. - Adriatic Charter nations, consisting of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the U.S. periodically convene to discuss solutions for defense modernization, security issues and other charter objectives such as Euro-Atlantic integration. This round of discussions focused on ways to advance key logistics knowledge and capacity as part of USEUCOM's Theater Logistics Readiness Program and culminated with each country's signature on the Logistics Support, Services, and Supply Memorandum of Understanding under the Adriatic Charter framework. "We've found approaches for providing additional logistics training that have led to tangible improvements for each logistician within a relatively short timeframe," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. James G. Kent, U.S. European Command logistics director. "Ensuring responsive and flexible logistics is vital for seamlessly supporting the warfighter across diverse terrains and circumstances. We are committed to enhancing our collective capabilities to support European military operations and exercises." Leaders discussed current and future efforts for reception, staging and onward movement training, as well as identified additional options to strengthen each nation's overall logistics capacity. The logistics curriculum, that began last June, provides in-depth coursework to students to build their knowledge of contemporary NATO logistics systems and processes. Representatives from each Adriatic Charter nation regularly attend sessions held across Europe to build their overall logistics proficiency. "Each nation's ability to mobilize its own military units, while supporting collective defense in southeastern Europe, is essential for deterrence and military success," said U.S. Army Col. Michael Lindley, U.S. European Command Deputy Director of Logistics and senior representative at the conference. "The U.S.-Adriatic Charter nations have demonstrated their proficiency in achieving charter goals since it formed more than 20-years ago. Our collaboration will expand their ability to rapidly deploy forces by enhancing their knowledge of logistics service and support systems and operations." For its part, the USEUCOM Logistics Directorate identifies opportunities for integrated logistics under varying conditions, as well as tracking, reporting and consumption rates in U.S. and combined operations to ensure critical materiel and logistics capabilities support force needs. The connection between USEUCOM as the U.S. military logistics provider in Europe and its European Allies and partners helps to promote standardization of combined and joint logistics campaign planning and execution while laying the foundation for future joint effort. -30- About USEUCOM U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) is responsible for U.S. military operations across Europe, portions of Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean. USEUCOM is comprised of more than 64,000 military and civilian personnel and works closely with NATO Allies and partners. The command is one of two U.S. forward-deployed geographic combatant commands headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. For more information about USEUCOM, visit https://www.eucom.mil. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Roland Li covers commercial real estate for the business desk, focusing on the Bay Area office and retail sectors. He was previously a reporter at San Francisco Business Times, where he won one award from the California News Publishers Association and three from the National Association of Real Estate Editors. He is the author of Good Luck Have Fun: The Rise of eSports," a 2016 book on the history of the competitive video game industry. Before moving to the Bay Area in 2015, he studied and worked in New York. He freelanced for the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and other local publications. His hobbies include swimming and urban photography. Revised National Budget: The Norwegian Defence Boost Begins Now Government of Norway News story | Date: 14/05/2024 The government's most fundamental task is to ensure the security of people living in Norway. Therefore, we prioritise defence, security, and preparedness, especially in a more serious security situation. In the revised national budget, the government proposes allocating 13 billion NOK to the Defence. Six billion are proposed for military support to Ukraine and seven billion to increase operational capability in the Norwegian Armed Forces. "This is a significant increase, and it means that we will reach NATO's two percent goal already this year. It also means that we can start several initiatives we have planned in the long-term plan on defence earlier, which involves strengthening the foundation of the Armed Forces. Both support for Ukraine and investment in our own Armed Forces are crucial in the current security situation. Ukraine's defence battle is also ours, and the long-term plan is designed to provide us with the defence we need to secure Norway," says Defence Minister Bjrn Arild Gram (Sp). The long-term plan for the defence sector is currently being reviewed in the Parliament (Storting). However, with funds from the revised national budget, it is possible to start certain projects now. "Necessary projects that take a long time to plan and implement can start earlier. This means, for example, that properties, buildings, and facilities can be completed ahead of schedule to help retain and recruit personnel for the Armed Forces. We will also accelerate the purchase of air defence systems. In total, five billion will go towards advancing investments and measures. The remaining two billion will be used so that the Armed Forces can train, exercise, and operate more," says the defence minister. With the proposed increase in the revised national budget, the defence budget will rise from 91 billion NOK to 104 billion NOK this year. Over the next 12 years, the government will strengthen Norway's defence with 600 billion NOK. This means that by 2036, the defence budget will be 166 billion NOK. Distribution of the 13 Billion NOK The military support to Ukraine will be increased by six billion NOK with this budget proposal. This particularly involves the purchase of ammunition and air defence systems, which are critical resources in Ukraine's fight for freedom. Five billion NOK is an advancement of the long-term plan and goes towards ammunition, equipment, housing, barracks, and other infrastructure. This improves the living conditions for personnel in the Armed Forces, begins the establishment of emergency storage, and paves the way for further growth in the long-term plan. Two billion NOK will be used to strengthen operational capability and the operational budget of the defence sector in 2024. The government proposes strengthening the operational budget of the Armed Forces in the revised national budget by 992 million NOK to maintain the operational ambition for 2024 and facilitate increased activity in the Armed Forces this year. The government proposes strengthening the Home Guard with 180 million NOK. 150 million NOK of this goes to increased activity in 2024. Additionally, 30 million NOK is proposed for increased purchase of personal clothing and equipment for the Home Guard personnel. This measure continues the government's commitment to a stronger and more robust Home Guard and accelerates allocations for uniforms and equipment, skill development, and further exercises and training in 2024. The government also proposes 200 million NOK for necessary maintenance of the logistics vessel KNM Maud, to maintain necessary operational capacity and activity level, and funds for the maintenance of P-8 maritime patrol aircraft. Furthermore, the government will increase the allocation by 37.5 million NOK for manned security at Andya, in line with the government's ambitions for further development of Andya related to drones, space activities, and allied reception. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Strong Norwegian support for Red Cross hospital in Gaza Government of Norway News story | Date: 14/05/2024 Together with Secretary General of the Norwegian Red Cross Anne Bergh, Minister for Development Cooperation Anne Beathe Kristiansen Tvinnereim, has received a briefing on the newly opened field hospital in Rafah. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contributed NOK 30 million to the hospital. 'Gaza is a man-made humanitarian disaster. It has enormous dimensions. 35,000 people have been killed. More than 76,000 people have been injured. Gaza is in ruins. The health system has collapsed. That is why it is so important that the Red Cross field hospital is now opening in Rafah. This hospital will help to save many lives', said Minister for Development Cooperation Anne Beathe Kristiansen Tvinnereim. The hospital has two operating theaters, 60 beds and it can provide health care to around 200 people every day. The first patient at the hospital was a woman who gave birth by caesarean section. The Norwegian Red Cross is responsible for coordinating the operation of the hospital. They work closely with the Red Cross movement in ten other countries and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which also contributes to the hospital. 'I would like to say a big thank you to all the humanitarian workers who are working to save lives and alleviate suffering in Gaza. They are doing a life-saving job under dangerous and difficult conditions. Norway has been very clear that civilians must be protected and that attacks on hospitals and other health facilities are completely unacceptable and must stop', said Tvinnereim. In addition to the hostilities, shortages of fuel and essential commodities such as water, food and medicines are creating major challenges for the humanitarian efforts in Gaza. 'I am proud of the close cooperation with the Red Cross. They know what is happening on the ground and the most urgent needs in Gaza. We have an ongoing dialog about how we as authorities can push for humanitarian access', says the development minister. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: Strong warning against a military operation in Rafah Government of Norway News story | Date: 14/05/2024 Gaza is a manmade disaster. Words cannot describe the suffering of the 2.3 million people of Gaza, who have endured extremely difficult circumstances during the past seven months. Despite the many calls from the international community, Israel maintains that a large-scale military operation is imminent, said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide., 'Therefore, I repeat my strong warning to the Israeli authorities to refrain from moving forward with such a military operation. It would be catastrophic for the population. Providing life-saving humanitarian support would become much more difficult and more dangerous', said Eide. 'More than 600.000 children are currently taking shelter in Rafah. They are injured, malnourished and traumatised. Protecting all civilians, and ensuring immediate humanitarian access, is a matter of urgency'. 'The more than 1 million who have sought refuge in Rafah have already fled multiple times from famine, death, and horror. They are now being told to move again, but no place in Gaza is safe. There is a desperate need for an immediate ceasefire, which includes the release of all remaining hostages'. 'I wish to stress the urgent need to ensure safe, rapid, un-impeded and sustained humanitarian access to people in need in all parts of Gaza. All available crossings into Gaza must remain open so that essential supplies, including aid and fuel, can enter Gaza', said the Foreign Minister. 'The 26 January and 28 March orders of the International Court of Justice, stating that Israel must take immediate and effective steps to facilitate humanitarian access, basic services and humanitarian assistance to the population and that Hamas must release all hostages, must be respected', said Eide. 'I call on the parties to redouble their efforts to reach a sustainable ceasefire to avoid an even greater catastrophe', said the Foreign Minister. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah targets Zionist command base in Occupied Golan IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Hezbollah of Lebanon has launched an attack on Golan heights in which a Zionist command base ha s been hit, local media reported. Sama news agency said on Tuesday that Hezbollah fired 10 missiles at Arar military base. It added that sirens were heard in Golan heights following the attacks. The attacks were launched while Hezbollah also reported the hunt of a Zionist spy balloon earlier today. Ever since the Zionist invasion of Gaza, Hezbollah has been carrying attacks against Zionist targets to ease the pressure of the regime against Gaza Strip. 9341**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli forces suffer day of heavy attacks by resistance in Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Israeli occupying forces have suffered a day of heavy attacks from Hamas and other Palestinian resistance groups in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian media reports. The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, carried out two operations in the east of the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza on Tuesday. During the operations, one Merkava tank belonging to the Israeli army was targeted and destroyed. The Al-Qassam fighters also hit seven Israeli soldiers at point-blank range. They also used a Yassin-105 rocket to target and destroy an Israeli bulldozer in eastern Rafah, the primary focus of the Israeli regime's attacks in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the Omar al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, said it had destroyed an armored personnel carrier on the frontline in the Brazil neighborhood of Rafah. The group's fighters also clashed with an occupying infantry force in eastern Rafah. The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, also confirmed that they targeted the occupying forces and their machinery in the Brazil neighborhood with a large number of heavy mortars. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah attacks Israeli targets in north of occupied Palestine IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah says it has launched a multipronged attack on Israeli targets in the north of occupied Palestine. Al-Manar television network reported on Tuesday that Hezbollah had launched missile and drone attacks on the Metula region in the occupied territories. Earlier, the resistance movement had destroyed a number of tanks of the Zionist regime's army and killed and wounded several Zionist soldiers in separate drone and rocket operations in the north of occupied Palestine and the Gaza Strip. 6125**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi Resistance launches drone strike on southern occupied Palestine IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Iraqi Resistance has launched a drone strike on southern occupied Palestine, media outlets have reported. The Islamic Resistance of Iraq announced that it has targeted an important location in the occupied Eilat with two drones in a bid to support Gazans and in response to the crimes of the Zionist regime, Palestinian Sama news agency has reported. The Resistance has stressed the continuation of its attacks against the Zionists, saying that the drones of Al-Arfad were used for the first time in the operation, it added. The Iraqi Resistance had warned the occupied territories in previous operations that it would intensify its operations against the regime's positions if the regime continued its attacks on the Gaza Strip. Since the war began in Gaza in October 2023, nearly 35,000 Palestiniansmostly children and womenhave lost their lives. Resistance groups in the region have conducted attacks on Israeli positions ever since the regime launched its war on Gaza in early October. The groups have promised to continue their operations until the genocide against Palestinians comes to an end. 7129**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US claims there's no genocide in Gaza despite Israeli bloodbath IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The US government denied once again that the Zionist regime has been committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, in yet another attempt by Washington to cover up Israeli crimes and massacres of Palestinian in the besieged territory. US President Joe Biden's administration does not view the killings of Palestinians in Gaza as genocide. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Monday while speaking to reporters at the White House. "We do not believe what is happening in Gaza is genocide. We have been firmly on record rejecting that proposition," Sullivan said. The White House official also said that the United States wants to see Hamas defeated and reiterated a comment Biden made on Saturday that there could be a ceasefire in Gaza now if Hamas would release Israeli captives. Despite the killing of more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, the United States has always sided with the Zionist regime and provided Tel Aviv with weapons to carry out massacres of Palestinians. Biden, who is seeking re-election this year, has come under fire from people at home for his support for the Zionist regime that they say is committing genocide in Gaza. More Gazans, UN international staff killed Meanwhile, 20 more Palestinians are killed in an Israeli attack on a building in central Gaza as the Zionist regime's warplanes and artillery keep pounding the besieged coastal strip incessantly. News sources reported on Tuesday morning that the Israeli warplanes targeted a residential building south of the Nuseirat camp in Central Gaza. According to IRNA based on the Palestinian Sama news agency, the efforts to pull out the bodies of the martyrs from under the rubble are continuing and there is a possibility that the number of dead will increase. Since the 7th of October last year, over 35,000 people have been killed in the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, with women and children making up the majority of those killed. A United Nations security services member was also killed in an attack on a vehicle in Gaza on Monday, a spokesman said, adding the death was the first international UN employee killed in the Palestinian territory since October 7. Antonio Guterres "was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) staff and injury to another when their vehicle heading to European Hospital in Rafah was struck, the Un chief's spokesman said. 'No safe place in Gaza' In a statement on Monday night, Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed concern over the continuation of the Zionist regime's crimes in Gaza, saying there is no safe place left in the strip where people can take shelter. We currently need international action to prevent further crimes in Gaza, HRW said in a statement cited by IRNA. Earlier, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) also called for an end to the indiscriminate killing of children. The UNCEF statement followed killing of more children in Rafah, a city that has become focal point of the Zionist regime's attack despite the international outcry. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Resistance in Gaza will never give up: Hamas official IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A senior Hamas leader called absurd and baseless Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's preconditions, saying the Palestinian resistance will not fail or surrender. Ezzat Al-Rashq made remarks in response to Netanyahu's statement on Monday that the war can be stopped if Hamas surrenders, lays down arms and hands over Israeli captives, According to Palestine's Sama news agency, Al-Rashq described Netanyahu's statement as ridiculous and for domestic consumption and said it showed the reality of his critical situation after 220 days of the invasion of Gaza. "The criminal Netanyahu has not achieved any of his goals except committing terrible massacres against defenseless civilians," he said, adding that "the Zionist premier continues to live in the illusions and dreams of victory that he will never achieve". Al-Rashq emphasized that Netanyahu will never succeed in attacking the resistance leaders who remained steadfast and would never give up. In order to compensate for its failure and stop the resistance operations, this regime has recently taken over the crossings of the Gaza Strip and intensified its bombing and shelling of the flashpoint southern Gaza city of Rafah where 1.4 million Palestinians are taking refuge. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nasrallah: Israeli deterrence declines after Iran's Operation ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Tue / 14 May 2024 / 12:02 Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that the "image of deterrence" within the Israeli occupation entity is declining, especially after Iran's Operation known as "Truthful Promise." Tehran -ISNA- Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah affirmed that the Lebanese front continues, in various forms and methods, its operations in support of the Resistance in the Gaza Strip and imposes its own rules of engagement. In a speech delivered on the eighth anniversary of the martyrdom of Commander Mustafa Badreddine, Sayyed Nasrallah underlined that the continuation of the Lebanese Resistance's operations in support of the Gaza front is "a settled matter not open for discussion." He stressed that the entire world "has accepted this fact," adding that this is why the Americans conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that there is no solution for the Northern front without a ceasefire in Gaza. The Resistance leader addressed the settlers in northern occupied Palestine who are eager to return to their settlements, calling on them to pressure their government to end the aggression on the Gaza Strip. Israel hits a brick Sayyed Nasrallah explained that evaluating the results of the war requires assessing the battlefield and not relying on Israeli claims about victory, indicating that "there is a consensus on the failure of Israel." He also pointed out that even allies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mock him when he says he is "one step away from victory," emphasizing that the issue "is not limited only to Israeli failure to achieve objectives but extends to include more strategic losses." The Resistance leader touched on Israeli opinion polls regarding confidence in Israel as a "state" and in its army, highlighting that at least 30% of settlers believe that "Israel" is uninhabitable. The Hezbollah chief considered that the "real achievement" is the failure of Israel, backed by the West, to retrieve its captives or achieve any form of victory, not to mention its inability to protect its ships from missiles launched from thousands of kilometers away. Sayyed Nasrallah added that the "image of deterrence" within the Israeli occupation entity is declining, especially after Iran's Operation known as "Truthful Promise." In the same context, he mentioned that senior Israeli generals say that Netanyahu, through his insistence on war, "is leading us to the abyss," noting that Israelis also speak of "daily attrition in Gaza, in the support fronts, and in the economy." He added that Israel fears withdrawing from Gaza because that would mean its defeat, which comprises a "disaster" for the entity, indicating that the Israeli leadership "has no vision for the day after the war." In light of this, Sayyed Nasrallah asserted that the Israeli occupation "has hit a brick and is searching for any image of victory," pointing out that "Netanyahu wants to invade Rafah to efface the image of defeat." As for the mediators' proposal that Hamas agreed to, Sayyed Nasrallah said that it surprised Netanyahu because it meant his defeat and victory for Hamas (because it fulfilled Hamas' demands). Therefore, "the Israeli occupation has two options, either return to the mediators' document, which means defeat for Israel, or pursue the [war of] attrition," he maintained. US deception should not trick anyone In a similar vein, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah spoke about the continued US support for the Israeli occupation in its war on Gaza, stressing that "even if the United States stops an arms deal bound for Israel, it will re-allow it as this constitutes an American deception because what is happening is nothing more than a tactical dispute between the United States and Israel." "These theatrics that we are witnessing nowadays should not deceive anyone, as Washington stands with Israel [no matter what]," he stressed. Furthermore, Sayyed Nasrallah maintained that what happened at the United Nations and the International Court platforms is clear proof of the US' continuous, unabating support for Israel, with a clear indication that the US position has not changed at all. Sayyed Nasrallah also pointed out that one of the most significant results of the war is "Israel's" acknowledgment that it did not achieve victory, highlighting that 70% of Israeli settlers are demanding the resignation of the Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. He also emphasized that Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, the resilience of the people, and the images of the blood of children and women in Gaza and southern Lebanon have shown the true colors of Israel. Sayyed Nasrallah reiterated that among the goals of the Palestinian Resistance and the Axis of Resistance declared since the beginning of Al-Aqsa Storm battles was to revive the Palestinian cause, remind the world of forgotten Palestine, and uphold the rights of its people inside the occupied territories and in the diaspora. "The most important scene that reflects the victory of the Resistance is when the Israeli UN delegate raised a picture of the leader Yahya al-Sinwar," he maintained. Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out that, thanks to Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, the Palestinian cause is now the talk of the town worldwide, including at the United Nations, where most countries are demanding a ceasefire. The Secretary-General of Hezbollah also touched on the protests taking place at universities in the United States and across Europe, confirming that these protests, bearing the name of Palestine, "are the fruit of October 7 and following events." He mentioned that some Arab rulers were about to sign the death certificate of the Palestinian cause through normalizing ties with the Israeli occupation, which was looming in the coming months. He also noted that some Arab regimes and media outlets are now promoting the Israeli occupation entity as "the only democratic state" in the region. US, EU hindering Syrian refugees return On the internal Lebanese front, and specifically regarding the file of Syrian refugees, Hezbollah's Secretary-General confirmed that there is a "consensus to address the issue," explaining that the meeting of the Lebanese Parliament, next Wednesday, is "an opportunity to present practical proposals" to this end. Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out that everyone is in favor of the return of Syrian refugees to their country, with the exception of some non-governmental organizations, which means that "the main obstacle standing in the way of the return of Syrian refugees to their country is the US along with the EU." In this context, Sayyed Nasrallah recalled his visit to Syria, a few years ago, where he met with the Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, who encouraged the return of the refugees to al-Qusayr, stressing that "those who were preventing them from doing so were the EU-funded organizations." The Lebanese Resistance leader considered that "it is inevitable to communicate with the Syrian government to ensure the return of refugees," stressing that a delegation must be formed to visit countries, of the United States likes, in order to convince them of the need for their return. He also called for "taking a Lebanese national stance to open the sea for the voluntary departure of Syrian refugees to Europe," explaining that this is when the West and the EU "will rush to Lebanon and pay 20 billion dollars instead of one" to prevent so when such a decision is made. "When we are our own masters and not slaves and we possess the elements of power, that is when we can impose our conditions on the enemy," Sayyed Nasrallah affirmed. He also emphasized that Syria is capable of getting back on its feet within a few years once the sanctions imposed on it are lifted. Syria's stance regarding Palestine firm, consistent In this regard, Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that they wanted to force Syria, through the global war waged on it, into the American grip or into a civil war, stressing that it had "come out of the war and still maintains its [original] position, despite the siege and the difficult conditions" imposed on it. The Lebanese Resistance leader also indicated that Damascus' stance regarding the Palestinian cause is firm and consistent, affirming that the goal behind Hezbollah's engagement in the war in Syria was to keep the country as part of the Axis of Resistance. On the martyrdom anniversary of the revered leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah confirmed that Martyr Sayyed Mustafa Badreddine deserved a medal for every walk of his life as a freedom fighter and a combatant, as a wounded individual, as a captive, as a commander, as an achiever, and as a martyr. Hezbollah's Secretary-General stressed that Martyr Badreddine "is present across all battlefields, as is the case with all the martyrs, especially the leaders," explaining that the Resistance that is fighting today is "a cumulative result of the past and present leaders and fighters and those who will join in, any time in the future." End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Transamerica Pyramid can be seen from the Jackson Square neighborhood of San Francisco. The area could be adding a new, high profile tenant. Nicole Boliaux/The Chronicle A San Francisco neighborhood that has morphed into a magnet for investment from the ultra-wealthy just landed a new, high-profile tenant, according to real estate market participants tracking deals in the area. Multiple individuals have confirmed to the Chronicle that a near century-old, brick and timber office building in Jackson Square sold on Monday for roughly $9 million. The buyer, according to these individuals, is Thrive Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in internet, software and tech-enabled companies. Thrive is based in New York and was founded in 2010 by Joshua Kushner, the son of real estate developer Charles Kushner and brother of Jared Kushner, who is former President Donald Trumps son-in-law and former senior adviser. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thrive did not respond to multiple messages from the Chronicle seeking comment on the deal this week. Joshua Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital and brother to Jared Kushner, attends the 2023 Met Gala. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Michael Gschwend, a senior vice president with brokerage Kidder Mathews, which was hired to list 451 Pacific, confirmed that the building sold when contacted by the Chronicle, but declined to disclose the identity of the buyer or provide further details. Michael Birch, the buildings seller who, along with his wife, Xochi, also owns and operates the Battery a private social club and high-end hotel located less than two blocks away at 717 Battery St. neither confirmed nor denied the deal when contacted by the Chronicle. They purchased the building in 2020 for $12 million. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is unclear whether Thrive already has office space in San Francisco one individual said the company is working to lease a temporary office in the area until planned renovations at the 451 Pacific property are completed. Another market participant said it would make sense for Thrive to set up shop in Jackson Square, where former Apple chief designer Jony Ive has been busy acquiring nearly half a dozen properties located on a single block, between Columbus Avenue, Pacific Avenue and Jackson Street. A report by the Information last month linked Thrive to Ive and the Emerson Collective, the philanthropic organization founded by Laurene Powell Jobs, who was married to Steve Jobs, Apples late co-founder. The building at 451 Pacific could be the new home of a high profile tenant, in San Franciscos Jackson Square neighborhood. Google Street View Powell Jobs recently invested in San Francisco real estate herself. In February, a new nonprofit backed by the philanthropist purchased the deserted campus of the San Francisco Art Institute for about $23 million, with plans to renovate it and restore it as an art institution. The campus is located about a mile north of Jackson Square. Last year, Ive reportedly joined forces with OpenAI founder Sam Altman to build an artificial intelligence device that has been dubbed the iPhone of AI. According to the Informations reporting, Ive and Altman are seeking to raise $1 billion for the ambitious venture and have been in talks with the Emerson Collective and Thrive as potential investors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Altman, of OpenAI which last year made a splash in San Francisco by leasing more than 400,000 square feet of office space in the Mission Bay neighborhood is reportedly looking to use Ives design studio Lovefrom to develop the AI device. Ive has been driving up real estate values in Jackson Square, paying significantly above market value for a string of properties hes assembling into what real estate market participants have described as a compound that will serve as the headquarters for Lovefrom. Ive co-founded the design firm in 2019 with fellow designer Marc Newson. In February, Ive bought the Little Fox Theater property at 535 Pacific Ave. from real estate investor Clint Reilly, paying nearly $60 million for the 35,200-square-foot building. Reilly had acquired the property in the early 1990s for just $4 million. Ive also owns two adjacent buildings at 809 and 831 Montgomery Street, as well as a third nearby at 100 Columbus Ave. that is used as a parking lot. He paid a total of $35.5 million for the three properties. Last year, a 10,000-square-foot office building in San Franciscos Jackson Square neighborhood was acquired for $38 million by an unidentified buyer said to be linked to Ive. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2022 and 2023, Ive purchased two condo units at 845 Montgomery St. a building that sits adjacent to his 831 Montgomery property for $4.5 million. Ives properties are located just half a block from the 451 Pacific building that is now said to be owned by Thrive. Birch, 451 Pacifics former owner, paid $12.8 million for the property, which spans roughly 7,000 square feet, in January 2020, just months before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered offices and many other businesses in San Francisco. An individual with insight into the 2020 deal said Birch had planned to move one of his startups into the building, or potentially use it as an extension of the Battery, but added those plans never materialized. MFA statement on Georgia's "foreign influence transparency" law Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland 14.05.2024 Poland expresses deep disappointment about the adoption of the law on "transparency of foreign influence" by Georgia's parliament. The act is in breach of the European Union values and makes Georgia drift away from the EU. It is unacceptable to use force against protesters or physical violence against those demonstrating or criticising publicly the foreign influence legislation. Since Tbilisi regained independence, Poland has always supported Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time, we recognise the European aspirations of the Georgian society and its determination to defend citizens' rights and freedoms. We are ready to further support it on its path towards a better European future. We call on Georgia's authorities to withdraw the legislation and maintain their commitment to remaining on track for full EU integration and to continue the necessary reforms. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rafah becoming 'ghost town' in large parts amid Israeli invasion: UNRWA Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 7:10 PM The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says Rafah now resembles a "ghost town" in large parts in the wake of Israel's invasion of the southern city in the besieged Gaza Strip. "It's hard to believe there were over 1 million people sheltering here just a week ago," UNRWA communications officer Louise Wateridge said in a post on X on Tuesday. "Families have moved as far west as possible, now reaching the shore and along the beach," she said. The UN agency says nearly 450,000 Palestinians have been forced to leave the city due to the Israeli offensive. "UNRWA estimates that nearly 450,000 people have been forcibly displaced from Rafah since May 6," the agency said on X. Israel claims Mawasi, on Gaza's western coast, is a "safe zone" but humanitarian groups and displaced Palestinians say tens of thousands of people are crammed into the area and are facing severe food and water shortages as well as periodic bombardments. Georgios Petropoulos, an official with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Rafah, earlier said humanitarian workers had no supplies to help them set up in new locations and accommodate the tens of thousands of new people from Rafah. "We simply have no tents, we have no blankets, no bedding, none of the items that you would expect a population on the move to be able to get from the humanitarian system." The Israeli regime kept the Rafah crossing shut for the seventh day in a row, blocking the entry of aid and the passage of the elderly and the injured. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICJ to hold hearings over Israel's invasion of Rafah Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 4:11 PM The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold hearings to discuss new emergency measures over Israel's invasion of the southern city of Rafah in the besieged Gaza Strip. The tribunal said the hearings on Thursday and Friday will deal with a request to the ICJ to order more emergency measures against Israel over its attacks on Rafah. The measures form part of an ongoing case South Africa filed at the ICJ in December 2023 accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention during its brutalities in the besieged Palestinian territory. The ICJ earlier this year ordered the Israeli regime to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide in Gaza. The order by the ICJ was part of its interim ruling on the emergency measures in its genocide case against Israel. Several countries including Egypt, Turkey and Colombia have now formally requested to join the case against Israel. Colombia's president has also called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for the Israeli prime minister over the genocide in Gaza. Gustavo Petro said Benjamin Netanyahu will not stop the genocide and this implies the need for an arrest warrant. The Colombian president also called on the UN Security Council to establish a peace-keeping force in the Gaza Strip. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani also hit out at the US over reports that American lawmakers are preparing legislation to impose sanctions against ICC officials if they issue arrest warrants against Israeli officials. Dozens of Palestinians are killed in fresh Israeli strikes on a number of refugee camps across the besieged territory. The regime forces on Tuesday continued to shell homes in the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah. The UN says at least 450,000 Palestinians have been forced to leave the city due to the ongoing Israeli offensive. The displaced Palestinians are being forced into areas of Gaza that are already devastated, including the battered southern city of Khan Younis. The regime also kept the Rafah crossing shut for a seventh day in a row, blocking the entry of aid and the passage of the elderly and the injured. The Israeli regime has killed over 35,100 people in Gaza since October 7. Thousands of bodies also remain under the rubble. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey says will apply to intervene in ICJ genocide case against Israel Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 3:42 PM Turkey has decided to take legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday Ankara had decided to submit its declaration of official intervention in South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the ICJ. Fidan had already said earlier this month Turkey planned to join the case launched by South Africa against Israel over its war on Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023. "We condemned civilians being killed on October 7," he told a press conference with his Austrian counterpart. "But Israel systematically killing thousands of innocent Palestinians and rendering a whole residential area uninhabitable is a crime against humanity, attempted genocide, and the manifestation of genocide." Turkey's decision follows similar moves in this regard by Egypt, Libya and Colombia. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in a statement on Saturday urged the international community, including Israel's allies, not to turn a blind eye to the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Once more, he sounded the alarm on Israel's treatment of Palestinians and called for urgent action to put an end to the months-long sufferings, torture, destruction and death. "The gross human rights violations perpetrated by Israel have scaled to incomprehensible levels of cruelty, hate, and extreme violent oppression," Ramaphosa said. "The world must do more to end the persecution of Palestinians, including that of many innocent women and children." He said the latest worldwide pro-Palestinian student protests had been an encouragement for his nation's continuous anti-Zionist stance. The South African leader said the UN General Assembly's backing of the Palestinian bid for full membership at the world body despite the US-Israeli opposition had been another push in this direction. "We are also greatly encouraged by the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly draft resolution that recommends to the Security Council to reconsider favorably the application by the State of Palestine for full membership of the United Nations." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN says it informed Israel of convoy that came under attack in Rafah Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 2:33 PM The United Nations says it had informed Israel's authorities of the movements of a clearly marked UN convoy that came under attack by the regime's military forces in Rafah on Monday. An international staff member, identified as Col Waibhav Kale, was killed and another one injured, when Israeli forces attacked the convoy that was on its way from Rafah to the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis. In a statement on Tuesday, UN spokesperson Rolando Gomez said, "The UN informs Israeli authorities of the movement of all of our convoys." "This is a standard operating procedure," he said. "This was the case yesterday [Monday] morning, so we have informed them. And it was a clearly marked UN vehicle." Gomez said the attack against the UN convoy "is a sheer illustration that there's really nowhere safe in Gaza at the moment." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had called for a full investigation, according to Gomez. "Of course we want accountability. This is the ultimate aim of this investigation. International humanitarian workers are not targets, so such attacks must end." Six international aid workers and a Palestinian colleague from the international food charity World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli strike at the start of April in Gaza. Israel has killed more than 35,090 people since it launched its bloodiest-ever military campaign in Gaza in October. Palestinian medic shot while on the job In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces shot a volunteer paramedic in the leg on Tuesday. Hamza Jetawi, who is working with the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said he was shot while responding to reported injuries in Nour Shams refugee camp. He said Israeli forces blocked an ambulance from picking him up for treatment for more than 12 hours. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran condemns US senator's 'horrible' call on Israel to nuke Gaza Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 2:32 PM Iran has condemned a senior US Republican senator's "horrible" suggestion that Israel should use nuclear bombs on Gaza. Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani made the remarks in a post on X on Tuesday. Senator Lindsey Graham has said Israel should do "whatever" it deems necessary in the bombing of Gaza, drawing a comparison to when the US dropped atomic bombs on Japan during World War II. On Sunday, the South Carolina Republican suggested Israel would be right to flatten the besieged Gaza Strip. The US dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 and killed more than 200,000 people. Graham also urged President Joe Biden to provide the occupying regime with more bombs. "These horrible statements by an American senator in justifying and encouraging the use of nuclear bombs by the Zionist regime reflect the brutality of those who advocate war and disregard human rights and international resolutions," Kan'ani said. The Iranian official said such statements are made by a senator whose country of origin has a history of using nuclear weapons while merely claiming to defend human rights. The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman called on the international community to stand up against such "demonic statements" to prevent the continuation of the humanitarian disaster and genocide in the Gaza Strip. The Iranian official also called for a strong global condemnation of the unrelenting support the United States gives the Israeli regime. Graham's remarks came days after Biden claimed he had halted a weapons shipment to Israel and that he might continue to do so if the regime launched a full-scale assault on Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, where 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering. Israel launched brutalities in Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out a historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. Israel has killed more than 35,170 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in Gaza since that October day. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli military's Rafah offensive set talks over Gaza ceasefire 'backward': Qatar PM Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 11:20 AM Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says indirect negotiations between the Palestinian resistance group Hamas and Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza and the exchange of captives have hit a snag due to the regime's aggression in the southern border city of Rafah. "Especially in the past few weeks, we have seen some momentum building but unfortunately, things didn't move in the right direction and right now we are in a status of almost a stalemate. Of course, what happened with Rafah sent us backward," Sheikh Mohammed said at an economic forum in Doha on Tuesday. He noted that his Persian Gulf country would keep working to resolve the stalemate. "We make it very clear for everyone: our job is limited to our mediation," Sheikh Mohammed said. "That's what we will do, that what we will continue to do." He pointed out that the fundamental difference between the two parties was over the release of captives and ending the seven-month Gaza conflict. "There is one party that wants to end the war and then talk about the hostages and there is another party who wants the hostages and wants to continue the war. As long as there is not any commonality between those two things it won't get us to a result," the Qatari prime minister said. Negotiations over a potential ceasefire in the Gaza war come amid signs that Israel is preparing for a full-scale assault on Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than a million displaced Palestinians have taken refuge. Israel believes thousands of Hamas fighters are inside the city, along with potentially dozens of captives. Such an incursion would put hundreds of thousands of lives at risk and be a huge blow to the aid operations of the entire territory, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Friday. Israel launched its atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship since Palestinian resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm, against the usurping regime on October 7. At least 35,173 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 79,061 individuals have sustained injuries. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dozens of Palestinians killed as Israel launches heavy bombardment in Gaza Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 8:54 AM Israeli warplanes have conducted fresh aerial assaults on the Gaza Strip, killing dozens of civilians, including children, in the besieged Palestinian territory. Citing medical sources, the Palestinian Wafa news agency reported on Tuesday that 14 people lost their lives in overnight Israeli bombing of a three-story house owned by the Karaja family, south of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The report added that children were among those killed in the strike that also injured several more. Other reports updated the death toll to at least 20 people. Meanwhile, dozens of Palestinians were killed in Israeli air raids on the Jabalia refugee camp and the city of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. Jabalia residents said Israeli tanks were advancing towards the camp. Civilians are "running in the streets," a Jabalia resident told Al Jazeera, adding, "We've been displaced from one place to the next ... we don't know where to go." UN condemns killing of staff member in Israel's Rafah attack In an X post, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned all attacks on UN personnel. "More than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza. Humanitarian workers must be protected," he said. A staff member of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security was killed and another injured in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah on Monday after an Israeli strike hit their vehicle which was displaying the UN flag and insignia. Guterres' deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the UN chief had called for a full investigation into the killing. Israel waged a genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out a historic operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. The Tel Aviv regime has so far killed at least 35,091 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 78,827 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNICEF urges end to Israel's 'indiscriminate killing' of Gaza children Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 6:54 AM The United Nations children's agency (UNICEF) has called for an end to the "indiscriminate killing" campaign against Palestinians, especially children, in the Gaza Strip, raising the alarm at the dire situation caused by Israel's genocidal war on the territory. In an interview with the US broadcaster ABC on Monday, UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram said that she saw the "horrific" impact of fighting on children's bodies during the time that she spent at hospitals in Gaza, including in the southern city of Rafah. "I saw a nine-year-old girl who was clinging to life on a hospital bed in Rafah with major blast wounds down one side of her body, and when I met her, she had been that way 16 days because the medical ability in Gaza to repair those wounds was non-existent," she added. "We need to see an end to the fighting and the indiscriminate killing of civilians, especially children." Israel unleashed its brutal war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out a historic operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. The Tel Aviv regime has so far killed at least 35,091 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 78,827 others. Despite warnings from international humanitarian actors, Israeli troops recently took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, Gaza's lifeline, and started carpet-bombing the city. Israeli officials said it was the first step towards a full-scale assault on Rafah, home to around 1.5 million Palestinians who have been displaced due to the Gaza onslaught. The Israeli attacks on Rafah further restricted aid delivery to the besieged Gaza amid acute shortages of fuel, food and clean water. Humanitarian access 'matter of life or death' for Gazans: UNRWA In an X post on Monday, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said restricted humanitarian access is a "matter of life or death" for people in Gaza. It also underlined the need for safe passage of humanitarian assistance and aid workers to the Palestinian territory. In another post, UNRWA warned over 150,000 pregnant women are facing "terrible sanitary conditions and health hazards" in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi Resistance fires new kamikaze drone in attack on strategic Israeli site in Eilat Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 6:16 AM Fighters from Iraqi anti-terror resistance groups have used a new kamikaze drone in its strike against a strategic target in the southernmost part of the 1948 Israeli-occupied territories in response to the regime's relentless offensives on Gaza. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, in a statement published on its Telegram channel, claimed responsibility for an attack on a "vital" installation in the Port of Eilat early on Tuesday. It said the drone strike was carried out in continuation of the struggle against the occupying Israeli regime, in support of Palestinians in Gaza, and in retaliation for the massacres that the usurping Zionist entity is perpetrating against ordinary people, including women, children and the elderly, in the besieged territory. The group noted that it will continue to target and destroy important installations across the occupied lands. The strike marked the first application of al-Arfad suicide drones in operations against Israeli and US interests in the West Asia region. Arfad drones resemble the Yemeni Armed Forces' domestically-developed and long-range Sammad (Invincible) drones. Sammad drones are available in three models, all featuring distinctive V-shaped tail fins and a pusher engine. They have a ventral protrusion and wing skids, which they use for taking off and landing. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has been staging many such attacks on Israeli targets since the occupying regime launched a genocidal war on Gaza in early October. Israel waged the atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship after Palestinian resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm, against the usurping regime on October 7. At least 35,091 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 78,827 individuals have sustained injuries. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese calligraphy charms Moroccan people in cultural events held in Rabat Xinhua) 11:08, May 15, 2024 A woman takes a close look at traditional Chinese writing tools during a Chinese calligraphy exhibition held in Rabat, Morocco, May 14, 2024. Chinese calligraphy has charmed many Moroccan people in cultural events held here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) Teachers and students from the Confucius Institute at the Mohammed V University write visitors' names in Chinese calligraphy during the 29th edition of the International Book and Publishing Fair in Rabat, Morocco, May 14, 2024. Chinese calligraphy has charmed many Moroccan people in cultural events held here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) A young girl watches a student from the Confucius Institute at the Mohammed V University writing her name in Chinese calligraphy during the 29th edition of the International Book and Publishing Fair in Rabat, Morocco, May 14, 2024. Chinese calligraphy has charmed many Moroccan people in cultural events held here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) Visitors view an exhibit during a Chinese calligraphy exhibition held in Rabat, Morocco, May 14, 2024. Chinese calligraphy has charmed many Moroccan people in cultural events held here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) A visitor takes photos of exhibits during a Chinese calligraphy exhibition held in Rabat, Morocco, May 14, 2024. Chinese calligraphy has charmed many Moroccan people at cultural events held here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Erika Kittrell inside her tent Tuesday at Lafayette Square Park in Oakland. Kittrell has been living at the park, also known as Old Mans Park, for two years. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle An important survey of homelessness in Alameda County found that Oaklands unhoused population grew by 9% over the past two years. Thats despite a 3% overall dip across the county, according to the data released Wednesday. Oaklands jump was smaller than those seen in previous counts, suggesting the city is doing a better job of slowing the inflow of newly homeless people, and Alameda Countys numbers marked the first reduction observed in years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The figures stem from a one-day point-in-time count conducted in late January when more than 1,000 volunteers fanned out across the county to gather information on the current state of homelessness. The federally mandated counts are used by local, state and federal officials to get a pulse on the homelessness crisis and determine funding priorities. A tent is seen Tuesday at an encampment at Lafayette Square Park in Oakland. A point-in-time count showed Oaklands homeless population rose 9% over 2022, though Alameda County saw a decline. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Most Bay Area counties saw their homeless population balloon during the COVID pandemic despite an infusion of hundreds of millions of dollars in increased federal and state funding, but the new data from Alameda County appears to signal delayed progress from those investments. Across Alameda County, officials said volunteers counted 9,450 unhoused residents, down from the 9,747 in 2022 when the county reported a 22% spike in its homeless count. Oakland, which accounts for more than half of the countys homeless population, reported 5,490 unhoused people, according to the countys data. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It can feel like a bit of a low bar to say its not up or its not that up, but thats the reality that were dealing with, said Jonathan Russell, Alameda County's homelessness and housing director. Stemming the tide on a systemic and structural crisis requires structural investments at scale. And so to see this stemmed, and overall tipped slightly the other way, is not insignificant in context. Unsheltered people living in vehicles, tents or other makeshift structures declined 11% countywide, while chronic homelessness those who have been without a home for more than a year grew by 5%. Homelessness among Alameda County veterans dropped 35% and among residents under the age of 25 was cut by half, the data reveals. Despite the 9% reported growth in Oakland, city officials said the results demonstrated progress and highlighted their increased investments. From 2015 to 2022, the city averaged a much higher increase of 32% between each point-in-time count. Were excited and actually delighted to see the curve bending in terms of the growth rate of homelessness here in Oakland, said LaTonda Simmons, Oakland assistant city manager. Advertisement Article continues below this ad RVs are parked along Frontage Road in Berkeley on Tuesday. The city saw a decline in its homeless population in the most recent point-in-time count. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Even people sleeping outside say the growth seems to have slowed in the past couple of years. You can see it more people are out here trying to help us, and you hear about more places being offered to live, said Cedric Montgomery, 57, whos been homeless off and on since 1981 and now sleeps in his car at Lafayette Square in Oakland, the site of the first big downtown homeless camp in the 1980s. The attention from the city comes and goes over the years, and I guess its on the increase right now, he said. The last sweep of the park was quite a while ago, and the only officials visiting lately are either aid workers or street counselors, said Erika Kittrell, 52, whose orange-gray tent dominates the south corner of the lawn. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think maybe homeless people are dying or just getting better at hiding, she said. Im not really sure there really are fewer people who are homeless. Debris at a homeless encampment at Lafayette Square Park in Oakland. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle In a poll last year, Oakland residents ranked homelessness as their top concern, above rising housing costs and violent crime. Oakland has a significantly higher rate of unhoused people compared with San Francisco, though its encampments and RVs are more spread out. The city last year dismantled what was once the largest homeless camp in Northern California a site known as the Wood Street encampment, which spanned nearly 25 city blocks and had around 200 residents who parked RVs or built makeshift shelters. City officials in 2022 estimated that the citys homelessness crisis cost the city about $122 million per year, though they acknowledged that the true cost was difficult to pin down. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Since 2020, Oakland has received $90 million through the states Homekey program, which allowed the city to add more than 400 permanent supportive housing units for formerly homeless people. The city has generated new funding through a $200 million bond passed in 2022 to build more affordable housing. The state last month awarded Oakland a $7.2 million grant to clear three long-standing encampments and convert a former hotel into an interim shelter. Oakland and Alameda County officials hope by the fall to transition the more than 150 people living in those encampments into transitional housing and move them into permanent housing within the subsequent year. Art Porter, 65, prepares breakfast Tuesday at an encampment at Lafayette Square Park in Oakland. Porter has been living on the streets for 40 years. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle This is truly all hands on deck, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. Were looking at all avenues to bring people indoors and into shelter and permanent supportive housing. Oakland wasnt the only city in Alameda County to see an increase in its homeless count. The city of Alameda recorded 455 unhoused people this year, up 72% from 2022. Other East Bay suburbs, including Albany, Dublin and Newark, also observed jumps, though their homelessness populations are much smaller. Cities that reported decreased homeless counts in Alameda County included Union City, San Leandro, Fremont and Berkeley. The decline is perhaps most readily noticeable in Berkeley, where many giant camps along Interstate 80 and in parks have been dismantled or shrunk. The citys unsheltered homeless population reportedly plummeted 45%, shrinking from 803 to 445 over the past two years, according to the countys data. A lot of people were moved, and I dont really know where they went, said Paula Johnson, 58, who sleeps in her 24-foot RV on the Interstate 80 frontage road near the foot of Ashby Avenue. Ive got homeless friends whove found places to live, and it does seem like theyre making more housing and shelter available. She pointed to the wide meadow along the bay shore about a mile away where she said there was once a camp, but now theres nothing. Since 2021, Berkeley officials say theyve permanently housed nearly 1,200 people experiencing homelessness. By converting former motels into shelters and permanent supportive housing, officials say theyve doubled their shelter acceptance rate over the past three years. The city in 2022 opened its largest affordable housing development to date, a 186-unit complex. Peter Radu of Berkeleys housing and community services department said in an email that the city has much more work to do, but we are excited to see these efforts beginning to pay off. Paula Johnson, who recently relocated to an encampment along Frontage Road, sits with her dog, Mia, in Berkeley on Tuesday. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle When asked about the city-level changes across Alameda County, Russell said county officials focus on the trends at a regional level rather than by city. We know (homelessness) doesnt follow strict jurisdictional lines, he said. The federal point-in-time count provides a one-night snapshot of homelessness in communities across the country, but it is widely considered an underestimate. The count, for instance, doesnt account for people who may be staying on a friends couch or in a motel room for the night. Alameda County updated its procedures this year with the hope of improving the accuracy. As part of the revamped process, volunteers surveyed more than 1,500 unhoused people and gathered detailed demographic information. Yemen warns it may strike targets enemy 'can't even imagine' Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 2:22 AM Yemen's Armed Forces have warned that they might surprisingly escalate their pro-Palestinian strikes if the Israeli regime kept up its ongoing genocidal war against the Gaza Strip. The forces' spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree sounded the warning during a speech on Monday. "Gaza is a red line for us, a red line. Our causes, holy sites, and our Islam are red lines, and we will not compromise on them," he said. "We target things that the enemy hasn't thought of and can't imagine, things that neither the Yemeni people nor the people of the [Arab and Islamic] nation can imagine," the official asserted. Yemen began the strikes after October 7, when the Israeli regime launched the war against Gaza that has so far killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The Yemeni forces began the operations by hitting the Israeli vessels or those heading towards the ports of the occupied Palestinian territories that could pass through Yemen's maritime areas. They gradually expanded the strikes to cover targets lying across the occupied territories and vessels sailing through the Indian Ocean as the Israeli regime would refuse to accede to their demand of halting the war and a simultaneous siege that it has been enforcing against Gaza. Earlier in May, Saree announced commencement of the fourth phase of the pro-Palestinian operations, saying the Yemeni forces would target all ships heading to Israeli ports "in the Mediterranean Sea in any area within our reach." He also warned that the Yemeni military would also impose sanctions on all ships of companies involved in supplying and accessing Israeli ports, regardless of their nationality, and prevent all ships of those companies from passing through the operational area of the Armed Forces, regardless of their destination. Adding to his Monday remarks, the spokesman said, "By God's will and strength, we will reach the fifth and sixth stages [of our pro-Palestinian operations], if the enemy continues its aggression on Gaza..." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Clashes Erupt Inside, Outside Georgia's Parliament Over 'Foreign Agent' Law's Approval By RFE/RL's Georgian Service and RFE/RL's Echo of the Caucasus May 14, 2024 TBILISI -- Riot police and protesters briefly clashed outside parliament while inside lawmakers traded punches on the legislature floor, as tensions boiled over in Tbilisi after final approval was given to a contentious "foreign agent" bill that has triggered weeks of massive protests by Georgians who regard it as a threat to the country's European integration because it mirrors similar repressive legislation pushed through in Russia. In the third and final reading on May 14, lawmakers voted 84 to 30 in favor of the law pushed forward by the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has used its control over security forces to violently crack down on protesters using water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Ahead of the final vote, scuffles broke out in parliament between Georgian Dream and opposition lawmakers, with television footage showing deputies, men and women, pushing one another and exchanging blows as the angry debate rapidly degenerated. The brawl inside erupted as thousands of mostly young people pushed forward toward the parliament building. Riot police pushed the crowd back, with several arrests reported. TV and social media footage showed activist Davit Katsarava being violently detained outside parliament. He was later pictured with serious injuries to his face. Doctors at a Tbilisi clinic said he had suffered a broken clavicle and fractured jaw and undergone surgery. "I'm Georgian and therefore I'm European," one of the young protesters outside the parliament building told RFE/RL in English, adding, "and we want freedom, that's all. My name is Irakli Beradze, I am a student of Ilia State University, and I'm here protesting against the Russian law, against the Russian[-style] regime and I'm fighting for freedom." The draft legislation has been condemned by the United States, the European Union, and rights watchdogs for emulating a similar Russian law used by President Vladimir Putin to crush dissent and stifle independent institutions. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien, who is in Tbilisi, said Washington's relationship with the South Caucasus country would be at risk and U.S. aid for Georgia would come under review if the bill officially becomes law. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola praised the protesters, who she said were "dreaming of Europe," while German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also sent a message of solidarity and support to Georgian demonstrators. "The rule of law, democratic standards, and media freedom are essential for accession to the European Union. And tens of thousands of people in Georgia show that Europe's heart beats not only between Warsaw and Lisbon," Baerbock wrote on Instagram. The United Nations representative office in Tbilisi warned that the bill's adoption "threatens the freedom of expression" and urged the authorities to investigate the violent treatment of protesters. RFE/RL's Georgian Service said police started detaining protesters with no warning. The authorities say 13 demonstrators were arrested on May 14. A photojournalist with the local news agency Interpress News told RFE/RL that he had been slapped and beaten with a baton by police officers. A female protester who said her name was Irina Iramashvili said the legislation went against Georgia's fundamental law. "We are here to protest the adoption of this totally anti-constitutional law," Iramashvili told RFE/RL in English. "Adoption of this law is just an attempt to put Georgia again under full influence of Russia. And I'm sure that we will win...they must listen to the voices of Georgian people, and young, especially young generation. Because we, their parents, will not allow that they grow up in the same regime as us," she said, adding, "We will have no other way but to fight to the end and we should not get tired. Never." Georgian police arrested 20 people as they violently dispersed a rally outside parliament on May 13. Video footage shared on social media showed several masked riot police officers taking turns as they violently beat a fallen protester before they apparently detained him. In another video, a man whose face was bleeding was seen being violently detained by numerous masked men, who beat him and tore off his shirt. Human rights watchdogs had also urged Georgian Dream to immediately withdraw the bill. "In advancing this damaging bill, the Georgian government openly supports the repression of human rights and civil society, which has reached alarming levels in recent days," Amnesty International said in a statement on May 14. A day before the vote, U.S.-based advocacy group Freedom House warned that the bill's adoption would "align Georgia with repressive regimes such as those in Russia and Kyrgyzstan." Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the protesters of "following the agenda of the political minority" and charged that they were showing a "great irresponsibility" toward their country. The massive rallies against the bill are some of the largest protests since Georgia became independent in 1991. President Salome Zurabishvili, who has come out in support of peaceful protests, has vowed to veto the legislation after it's approved. She has 10 days from when the bill is officially presented to exercise her veto powers. However, the dominant position of Georgian Dream and its partners in parliament is enough to override the president's veto. Zurabishvili told CNN on May 14 that given the "monolithic majority" she faces, her veto would be merely "symbolic." She insisted, however, that the only way to "reverse Russian laws" was for pro-European parties to win the general elections in October. Under the terms of the proposed legislation, media outlets, NGOs, and other nonprofits would be required to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if more than 20 percent of their funding comes from abroad. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/foreign-agent-law-tbilisi- protest-students/32946429.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 450,000 Gazans now uprooted from Rafah as Israeli bombardment continues 14 May 2024 - Large parts of the city of Rafah are now a "ghost town", with UN humanitarians reporting on Tuesday that some 450,000 Gazans have been forcibly displaced from the southernmost city by Israeli evacuation orders in the last week. "Empty streets in Rafah as families continue to flee in search of safety... UNRWA estimates that nearly 450,000 people have been forcibly displaced from Rafah since 6 May," said the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in a post from western Rafah on X. "Inland in Rafah is now a ghost town. It's hard to believe there were over one million people sheltering here just a week ago," reported UNRWA spokesperson Louise Wateridge. "People face constant exhaustion, hunger and fear. Nowhere is safe. An immediate ceasefire is the only hope." North and south bombed The development comes as airstrikes continued to hit northern and southern Gaza amid reports that the Israeli military said it had hit 120 targets in the past 24-hour period. "Ground incursions and heavy fighting continue to be reported in eastern Rafah as well Gaza City and the Jabaliya refugee camp," the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said in its latest situation update late Monday. Many of those forced to leave eastern Rafah had already been displaced multiple times in the past seven months, the UN office explained. In the north, evacuation orders were also issued on Saturday "amid ongoing Israeli bombardment there", OCHA said, noting that some 100,000 people have left their homes and shelters so far. "OCHA remains deeply concerned about the lack of protection for civilians and the lack of safety for humanitarian operations," the UN agency said, noting that one fifth of Gaza's population had been displaced in just the last week. "Civilians must be protected and have their basic needs met, whether they move or stay. Those who leave must have enough time to do so as well as a safe route and a safe place to go." Deep concerns remain about a lack of lifesaving aid reaching the enclave since Israeli troops seized the Rafah crossing and restricted access to the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing last week in response to a deadly rocket attack by Hamas fighters. "The Rafah crossing remains closed," OCHA said late Monday, "and there is a continued lack of safe and logistically viable access to the Kerem Shalom crossing." Echoing fears for the people of Gaza, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the incursion into Rafah had jeopardised access to health care, the provision of health services and the delivery of lifesaving supplies. The UN health agency noted that partners working on medical relief in Gaza "require a minimum of 46,000 litres of fuel every day just for their operations". Death toll data defended In a related development, UN agencies pushed back at erroneous claims that the number of Gazans killed and injured had been scaled down after the enclave's ministry of health announced that some 25,000 of the 35,000 reported fatalities have now been identified. "We're basically talking about 35,000 people who are dead, and really that's all that matters, isn't it? We know that many of those are women and children, and there are thousands missing under the rubble," said Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the UN human rights office, OHCHR, in response to journalists' questions in Geneva. Echoing that message, WHO insisted that the system of verification of the dead by the ministry of health would necessarily take time, given that in Gaza, the "numbers are huge". An estimated 18,000 individuals have yet to be identified or found, comprising 10,000 whose bodies have been recovered and another 8,000 who have not, said WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier. Of the 24,686 identified fatalities, 40 per cent were men (10,006), 20 per cent were women (4,959) and 32 per cent were children (7,797). In a separate category, the elderly accounted for eight per cent of all identified deaths (1,924), Mr. Lindmeier explained. Among the 10,000 unidentified victims, the WHO official suggested that there was a "high likelihood" of finding the bodies of more women and children from destroyed houses, "because they are the ones staying at home, while the men are out looking for food, looking for business and supplies" for their families. "Every single (one) of these figures is a person with a name and a history and a family," he told journalists. "So, as people are still under the rubble, dead in mass graves, somewhere out there on the side of the road [and] couldn't get picked up in a conflict area in a so-called safe zone, but still not reachable because there's firing going, as long as all this is happening, there are still people out there which can't be identified." Welcoming ongoing efforts to ascertain the identities of all those killed in more than seven months of war in Gaza as part of the civilian casualty monitoring process, OHCHR's Ms. Throssell insisted that "the bottom line is we are talking about people who have lost their lives." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNRWA Situation Report #107 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - All information from 6 - 12 May 2024 is valid as of 12 May 2024 at 22:30 (local time) UNRWA 14 May 2024 Key Points The Gaza Strip Reports persist of ongoing strikes by Israeli Forces, encompassing aerial, land and maritime bombardment across the Gaza Strip. These attacks exacerbate civilian casualties, displacement and the decimation of residential structures and essential civilian infrastructure. The Israeli ground offensive continues to expand, particularly in the southern regions of Gaza city and eastern Rafah, notably around the Kerem Shalom and Rafah Crossings. On 8 May, OCHA, UNRWA, UN Mine Action Service, and the UN Department of Safety and Security carried out a security assessment at both crossings, which remain heavily militarized. Due to current Israeli military operations and insecurity, critical land routes of Kerem Shalom and Rafah were closed from 6 - 10 May 2024. On 10 May, the Health Cluster issued a warning: unless fuel is promptly permitted into Gaza, the operational lifespans of five hospitals and five field hospitals across the Strip would significantly reduce in less than 48 hours. Likewise, at risk are 28 ambulances, 17 primary health care centres, 23 medical facilities in Al Mawasi, and ten mobile clinics providing essential immunization, trauma care and nutrition services. The absence of fuel to power generators poses a critical threat, particularly endangering patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU), including newborns in neonatal ICUs, trauma patients requiring urgent surgeries and pregnant women in need of caesarian sections (C-sections). Urgent action to increase fuel supply into Gaza is imperative to keep health services going, with life-saving services hanging in the balance. As of 11 May, only 120,000 litres of diesel was allowed to enter the Gaza Strip since 6 May, which is well below the requirement for UN and NGO partners on the ground, therefore urgent rationing and difficult choices have been taken. According to OCHA, despite escalating humanitarian needs, access challenges persistently obstruct the efforts of humanitarian organizations to reach vulnerable people, particularly in northern Gaza. From 1-9 May, only nine out of 32 humanitarian aid missions (28 per cent) to northern Gaza were facilitated by Israeli authorities. Five missions (16 per cent) were outright denied, eleven (34 percent) were impeded and seven (22 per cent) were cancelled due to logistical hurdles. Similarly, in areas of southern Gaza requiring coordination, Israeli authorities facilitated 25 out of 46 aid missions (54 percent). However, nine missions (20 percent) faced outright denials, three (6 percent) were impeded, and nine (20 percent) were cancelled due to logistical constraints. The current Israeli military operation in Rafah is directly impacting the ability of aid agencies to bring critical humanitarian supplies into Gaza. Between 6 - 10 May the border crossings of Kerem Shalom and Rafah were closed due to a combination of military activity, insecurity and lack of approvals from Israeli authorities. As of 12 May, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is 189, an increase of one since the last report. As of 11 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. .*** 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. Already displaced families are on the move again namely due to insecurity and Israeli evacuation orders. As of 12 May 2024, the estimated number of people displaced out of Rafah amounts to nearly 360,000 people since 06 May. The majority of UNRWA shelters in Rafah have been left by the IDPs who moved to Khan Younis and Deir Al Balah. Furthermore, new evacuation orders have been issued affecting parts of Gaza City. It was reported that about 100,000 people were displaced from Zaitoun and Sabra areas towards the west of Gaza City. In the North of Gaza, it was reported that about 64,000 people were displaced from Jabalia and Beit Lahia after the new evacuation orders. *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 6 and 12 May, there were 175 recorded Israeli Security Forces (ISF) search and arrest operations across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. More than 130 Palestinians, including Palestine Refugees, were detained during this period. Two Palestine Refugees were killed: a resident of Tulkarm Camp who died on 6 May from injuries after being fired upon by ISF east of Tulkarm, and a resident of Balata Camp who died on 12 May after an exchange of fire during an ISF search operation in the camp. On 6 May, an ISF search and arrest operation in the northern West Bank targeted Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps, lasting nearly 22 hours. The operation caused significant damage, including bulldozing of roads and the destruction of a Palestinian Red Crescent Society medical post. On 9 May, the ISF, using explosives, demolished an apartment near Shu'fat Camp, in the Jerusalem area. The apartment belonged to a Palestinian killed in February 2024 by ISF after allegedly being involved in a security incident. Punitive home demolitions are a form of collective punishment, illegal under international law. The UNRWA West Bank Field Office in East Jerusalem was subject to an arson attack by Israeli residents on 9 May, who set fire to the perimeter of the compound while staff were inside. This followed a violent protest outside the office on 7 May, during which windows were broken and UNRWA staff were attacked with stones. Following these incidents the UNRWA West Bank Field Office was temporarily closed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Combined Maritime Forces Expands to 45 Nations with Addition of Lebanon, Albania US Navy 14 May 2024 From Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs MANAMA, Bahrain -- Combined Maritime Forces welcomed Lebanon and Albania on May 9 as the 44th and 45th members of the world's largest maritime security partnership. CMF is the largest naval partnership in the world, made up of a headquarters staff based in Bahrain and five combined task forces focused on maritime security, maritime security training and regional anti-piracy efforts. "It is a pleasure to welcome both Lebanon and Albania to the Combined Maritime Forces," said U.S. Navy Vice Adm. George Wikoff, the CMF commander. "The expansion of CMF brings with it skills and expertise from more nations than ever, and I look forward to being 'ready together' as we continue to set the global standard." The combined task forces include: - CTF 150, focused on maritime security in the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. - CTF 151, which leads regional anti-piracy efforts. - CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf. - CTF 153, responsible for maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden. - CTF 154, established in May 2023 to enhance maritime security training throughout the region. The combined task forces' collective areas of responsibility cover 3.2 million square miles of water, encompassing some of the world's most important shipping lanes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN chief 'appalled' by Israeli military escalation in Gaza's Rafah By VOA News May 14, 2024 U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday he was "appalled" by the escalation of military activity in and around the southern Gaza city of Rafah by the Israeli Defense Forces, as nearly 450,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from the area in the past week. "These developments are further impeding humanitarian access and worsening an already dire situation," his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, told reporters at United Nations headquarters. "At the same time, Hamas goes on firing rockets indiscriminately. Civilians must be respected and protected at all times, in Rafah and elsewhere in Gaza." For the past week, the Israeli military has intensified bombardment and other operations in Rafah while ordering the population to evacuate parts of the city. Israel says it is carrying out a limited operation to destroy the militant infrastructure along Gaza's border with Egypt. Haq said "nowhere is safe now" in Gaza, and that the U.N. chief reiterates his appeal for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire and the release of all hostages. "He calls for the Rafah crossing to be re-opened immediately and we must have unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza," Haq added. More than half of Gaza's population had been sheltering in Rafah, with many of the Palestinians going there after fleeing the Israel-Hamas war in other parts of Gaza. Haq said the displaced are arriving at sites that lack shelter, latrines and clean water. With key crossing points to Gaza closed, fuel critically low, and aid movement at a near standstill, humanitarian workers cannot alleviate their situation. "As we have said repeatedly, all parties must respect international humanitarian law at all times," Haq noted. "This means that civilians must be protected, and their essential needs including food, shelter, water and health must be met wherever they are in Gaza and whether they move or stay." The United States, the United Nations and others have called on Israel to avoid a full-scale offensive in Rafah, warning of a humanitarian disaster there. But Israeli leaders say Rafah is the last stronghold for the Hamas militant group and an offensive is necessary to achieve the goal of eliminating Hamas as a threat in Gaza. The International Committee of the Red Cross announced Tuesday the opening of a 60-bed field hospital in Rafah. It says the facility will provide emergency surgeries, obstetric and gynecological care, pediatric care, and outpatient services for about 200 people per day. And the U.N. says work continues to restore services at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, which is expected to formally reopen in the coming days. UN investigating staffer's death On Monday in Gaza, an Indian national working for the U.N.'s Department of Safety and Security (DSS) was killed, and another staffer was injured, when their marked U.N. vehicle was hit with fire on the way to the European Hospital of Rafah. Haq identified the deceased staffer Tuesday as Waibhav Anil Kale. A female Jordanian security officer was also injured and is being treated outside Gaza, he said. "The U.N. has established a fact-finding panel," Haq said. "It's very early in the investigation and details of the incident are still being verified with the Israeli Defense Forces." He said what they know so far indicates that a weapon appears to have impacted the back of their vehicle. He said the U.N. believes it came from Israeli tank fire in the area. US reaction U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said during a White House news briefing Monday that President Joe Biden's administration did not view the killings of Palestinians in Gaza by Israel in its war with Hamas as a genocide. "We do not believe what is happening in Gaza is a genocide. We have been firmly on record rejecting that proposition," Sullivan said. Sullivan said the United States wants to see Hamas defeated, that Palestinians caught in the middle of the war were in "hell," and that a major military operation by Israel in Rafah would be a mistake. Biden, who is running for reelection this year, has faced heavy criticism from his own supporters domestically for his support of Israel; some of those critics have accused Israel of committing genocide. The war was triggered by the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials. Israel's subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which includes civilians and combatants in its count, but says most of the dead are women and children. Israel says it has killed more than 14,000 militants and around 16,000 civilians. VOA United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address International court reassures Uganda LRA victims on reparations By Halima Athumani May 14, 2024 An official of the International Criminal Court has promised victims of Uganda's rebel Lord's Resistance Army that the court will provide reparations that were promised after the conviction of a top LRA leader. However, the Tribunal Trust Fund does not have enough money to make the payments, and now some victims worry other world conflicts are drawing down donor funds. ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler, speaking to the media Tuesday in Uganda, assured victims of the violent, long-running LRA rebellion that the court would do as much as possible to ensure victims get their reparations. In February, ICC judges ordered $56 million in reparations to recognize the harm suffered by 50,000 victims of war crimes for which Dominic Ongwen has been convicted. Those include murder, rape, forced marriage, and the recruitment of child soldiers. Giler's commitment comes despite Ongwen's appeal of his conviction. Giler said while the appeal is still pending, the ICC will continue efforts to raise funds to pay the reparations and comply with the court order. He also indicated not all victims would receive payments at the same time. "And that will depend on the fundraising efforts of the trust fund to do this. I am confident that there is enough interest in the international donor-based community to support the effort of the trust fund in trying to achieve its goals," said Giler. Speaking to VOA before meeting the ICC registrar, Bishop Nelson Onono-Onweng, a community leader from Gulu district, said what he is hearing from the ICC is worrying. Bishop Onono said the promised $795 per person allocation for the 50,000 victims is too little, yet the ICC has no money. "So, if it comes now it will be great. But, we are told they are still raising the money. Fundraising today as you know with the war in the world. I don't know. But, personally I am worried. Because the international community is now overwhelmed with the needs in the world to support the suffering people," he said. Peter Labeja, a journalist from Gulu district, lost his father during the 20-year rebellion. He was also abducted but was lucky to escape. Labeja told VOA victims still have questions on how the money will be shared. "Who is going to take the money? Is it the head of the family taking the money or the entire group in the household taking the money? And, we were quick to calculate. We said this is about three-million shillings in Uganda. What can three-million shillings do? It can't even send a child to the university for two semesters," he said. The community remains hopeful that the communal reparation will be used to build schools and health facilities and improve roads. Victims will have to wait until September, not for the money, but for the ICC to prepare the implementation plan now being developed. Dominic Ongwen is serving his 25-year prison sentence in Norway. The LRA fought the Ugandan government for 20 years resulting in the deaths of about 100,000 people. Meanwhile, 19 years after an arrest warrant was issued for LRA leader Joseph Kony, the ICC pre-trial chamber has set October 15 to hold a hearing confirming charges against him. But according to ICC Mofficials, Kony qualifies as a person who cannot be found so no confirmation hearing can be held. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A growing number of Chinese Indonesians are winning political offices By Devianti Faridz May 14, 2024 This October, 45-year-old Kevin Wu will serve in the Jakarta House of Regional Representatives for the first time, becoming part of a minority of ethnic Chinese elected officials in the Indonesian legislative body. Wu has been a staunch advocate for Chinese-Indonesian rights since 2008 and helped to establish a Buddhist house of worship in the predominantly Muslim country. Now, he is an entrepreneur who advocates for small businesses. "If we witness injustice, we have two choices to accept our fate or to strive and hope for change. I chose to do the latter," he said. Wu said he was inspired to fight for Chinese-Indonesian rights by late President Abdurrahman Wahid, who was known for his support for ethnic and religious tolerance. In February, nearly 205 million Indonesians were eligible to cast their votes in the country's presidential and parliamentary elections. According to the last census in 2010, 1.2% of Indonesia's total population is of Chinese ethnicity, at over 2.8 million people. Johanes Herlijanto, chairman of the Indonesian Sinology Forum, a group that seeks to promote Indonesia-China relations, said that in this election he saw more names of Chinese-Indonesian politicians vying for the 500 seats in the national Parliament as well as in the District Representative Council, Provincial Council and Local Council than there were during the parliamentary elections in 2019. Herlijanto said that political activism among the Chinese-Indonesian community strengthened in the last 26 years, since the Jakarta riots in May 1998 that saw many Chinese Indonesians being persecuted. He said he has seen more Chinese Indonesians serving in public offices ranging from regent, mayoral and legislative. Herlijanto explained that there have been organizations that provided political education to Chinese Indonesians since the late 1990s. "This allowed Chinese Indonesians who previously were uncomfortable, to be involved in politics, to now being elected and actively improving public welfare as politicians," he said. For decades, under President Suharto, many Chinese Indonesians faced discrimination, persecution and social restrictions, such as being banned from using their Chinese names, practicing their traditional beliefs, showcasing Chinese culture and having their full citizenship recognized. It was only after former President Wahid came into power in October 1999 that government discrimination against Chinese Indonesians was abolished with the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 6, which protected minority rights. Wahid - commonly known as "Gus Dur" - was the former head of Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, and had Chinese, Arab and Javanese ancestry. Wu joined the Indonesian Solidarity Party, or PSI, in 2024, founded by a Chinese Indonesian TV news anchor-turned-politician, and said he was attracted to the party's dynamic "start-up"-like work environment and idealistic approach to politics. Wu is also a member of the Young Entrepreneurs Association and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "I am keen to support industries that open up more job opportunities, offer quality human resources development programs and ease the application process for business permits and industries," he told VOA. Daniel Johan, 52, a Buddhist, has been a legislator for the past decade and will serve his third five-year term for the Indonesian Renaissance Party, PKB, in October 2024. He said Gus Dur, and another PKB leader, Muhaimin Iskandar, both inspired him. Johan is active in the Chinese Clans Association of Indonesia and shared with VOA that it took months of working in the community for his constituents, who are mostly Muslims in West Kalimantan, to trust and vote for a Chinese Indonesian politician. "This term, I will be working on issues regarding food security, food independence and how to improve the management of natural resources and better monitor the implementation of the Mineral and Coal Production Law," he said. Although political activism and involvement is on the rise in the Chinese Indonesian community, politicians and leaders of Chinese associations in Indonesia are still aware that stereotypes remain, especially in rural areas. Herlijanto said that the campaign teams for all three presidential candidates in the recent elections had Chinese Indonesian supporters, "so taking on divisive identity politics is not a prudent political strategy." However, the tides could turn against ethnic and religious minorities if divisive identity politics were to be used again in future elections. Herlijanto noted the case of former Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Chinese-Christian governor known as "Ahok," who was sentenced to two years in prison in 2017 under Indonesia's blasphemy law, based on claims he insulted the Quran during his campaign for reelection. Ahok denied wrongdoing. "Although radicalism based on religious beliefs, or a narrowed interpretation of nationalism, has faded in recent years, its re-emergence is possible and is an issue Chinese Indonesians are cautious about. That's why it's important for Chinese Indonesians to be inclusive, strive for equality and welfare and show that we stand for all Indonesians," said Herlijanto. I Wayan Suparmin, head of the Indonesian Chinese Association in Jakarta, said Chinese Indonesians must strive to be more inclusive in their surroundings and better understand that in a community everyone's lives are truly intertwined. A notion that Johan agrees with, "Moving forward, Chinese-Indonesian politicians need to be more sincere, humble and avoid being deceitful or scandalous. The majority of people can sense politicians' sincerity and intentions." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 15 May 2024 - Day 812 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 14 May 2024 was the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. As the war in Ukraine continues, Russia's bombardment of cities through long range aviation strikes, and glide munitions have had devastating effect on Ukraine's cultural, historical, and religious heritage. Ukraine's Ministry of Culture and Information Policy states that as of 02 May 2024, a total of 1,987 cultural institutions have suffered losses and damage since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. The Ministry also estimates that as of 06 May 2024,1,062 cultural heritage sites have been destroyed or damaged since the start of Russia's invasion, and UNESCO has separately verified damage to 129 religious sites as of 10 April 2024. In mid-February 2024, UNESCO estimated Russia caused $3.5 billion damage to Ukraine's cultural heritage which will require 10 years and $9 billion to replace. As the war continues, Russia's military apparatus will likely continue to cause damages to Ukraine's historical and cultural heritage. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russia continues to attack along nearly the entire front line. The main effort continues to focus on pokrovs komu and kupans komu directions. The defense forces respond flexibly to the actions of occupiers and take necessary measures to exhaust the offensive potential of Russian troops. In the Kharkiv direction, the intensity of combat has increased. As of now, Ukrainian soldiers have already fought off 10 attacks in the area of Slobozansky, Vovchansk, Staritsi and Lipciv. The situation managed to partially stabilize, the cleaning of the north-western outskirts of vovcans ka is ongoing. Since the beginning of the day, Russian forces have lost about 60 people and 19 units of arms and military equipment. 11 Russian hideouts are also affected. In the Kupans komu direction, there were 28 combat clashes, including in the areas of Stelmakhivka, syn kivka, Ivanivka and Tverdohlibovogo. Data on the loss of agresora data is being clarified. In the limans komu direction, the Russian invaders twice unsuccessfully tried to improve the tactical position near Novosadovy and Tors kogo. There were 3 air strikes in the Liman area. In the northern direction, Russian troops carried out 7 attacks in the directions of Nikolayivka - Spirne, Brestove - Spirny, Yakovlivka - Rozdolivka, Soledar - Rozdholivka, Zolotarivka - Verkhnyokamianske. In the Kramators komu direction Russian forces 9 times attacked Ukrainian positions. In the pokrovs komu direction the Russian opponent does not reduce the intensity of the attack. In total, 31 Russian forces' attacks took place here today. Most of them are in the areas of Novooleksandrivka and Netaylovoye. Ukrainian defenders are doing their best to prevent the Russian forces' advancement. In the Kurahivs komu direction of the Defense Forces successfully repelled 7 Russian attacks. In the weather direction, the Russian opponent tried to squeeze Ukrainian defenders in the area of Urozhaynogo. Took a loss and walked away. In the Orihivs komu direction, Russia continues to press near Staromayorskogo, carrying out 22 attempts of assault. Made an air strike in the area of robotnogo. Ukrainian soldiers hold defensive borders and positions. In the pridniprovs komu direction, the enemy 5 times attacked Ukrainian defenders near krynok, had no success. In other directions, the situation has not undergone significant changes. During the day, the units of the Rocket Troops of the Defense Forces carried out strikes at the control point, ammunition warehouse, 13 areas of focus and other important Russian objects. Our Air Force carried out 2 strikes at anti-aircraft missile complexes and 22 areas of concentration of the Russian occupier personnel. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that as a result of active actions, the units of the Sever Group of Forces liberated Glubokoye and Lukyantsy (Kharkov region), as well as advanced into the depths of the enemy defence. Russian troops have hit 14th, 23rd mechanised, 143rd infantry brigades of the AFU and the 113rd Territorial Defence Brigade near Zhuravka, Granov, Liptsy, and Volchansk (Kharkov region). Russian servicemen have repelled three counter-attacks close to Glubokoye and Staritsa (Kharkov region). The AFU losses were up to 125 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one 300-mm Olkha MLRS combat vehicles, one 122-mm Czech-made Vampire MLRS combat vehicle, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one 100-mm Rapira anti-tank gun. The units of the Zapad Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line. The servicemen have also defeated 14th, 44th mechanised, 68th jaeger brigades of the AFU near Petropavlovka (Kharkov region), Stelmakhovka, and Nadiya (Lugansk People's Republic). Ten counter-attacks of AFU 21st mechanised, 3rd assault brigades, and the 1st National Guard Brigade have been repelled close to Makeyevka and Novoyegorovka (Lugansk People's Republic). The AFU losses were up to 190 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one 122-mm Grad MLRS combat vehicle, one 155-mm U.S.-made M198 howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, three 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one 105-mm U.S.-made M119 gun. The units of the Yug Group of Forces have taken more advantageous lines and inflicted fire defeat on manpower and hardware of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigades, 59th motorised infantry, 79th air assault, 22nd, 33rd, 54th, 57th mechanised brigades of the AFU near Kalinina, Razdolovka, Kleshcheyevka, Nevelskoye, Krasnogorovka, Georgiyevka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic). The AFU losses were more than 510 Ukrainian troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, 10 motor vehicles, one 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 155-mm U.S.-made M198 howitzer, one 155-mm UK-made FN-70 towed howitzer, one 152-mm Giatsint-S gun, two 152-mm D-20 howitzers, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, one 105-mm UK-made L-119 gun, as well as one Kasta radar station. Three AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed. The units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have improved the tactical situation and inflicted fire defeat on 68th jaeger, 24th, 100th mechanised brigades of the AFU, the 2nd National Guard Brigade close to Novgorodskoye, Mayorsk, Semyonovka, and Umanskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The servicemen have repelled six counter-attacks close to Solovyovo, Ocheretino, Netailovo, and Keramik (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses amounted up to 175 Ukrainian troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, including one German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicle, five motor vehicles, one 155-mm U.S.-made M777 howitzer, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, one 105-mm M119, and one 105-mm U.S.-made M102 howitzer. The units of the Vostok Group of Forces have captured more advantageous lines, inflicted fire defeat on manpower and hardware of the 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade, the 72nd Mechanised Brigades of the AFU, the 128th Territorial Defence Brigades near Staromayorskoye, Urozhaynoye, and Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses were up to 140 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 howitzer, and one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer. The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have fully liberated Rabotino (Zaporozhye region) and hit manpower and hardware of the 65th Mechanised Brigade, the 121st Territorial Defence Brigade, the 23rd Ukrainian National Guard Brigade close to Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region), Nikopol (Dnepropetrovsk region), and Zolotaya Balka (Kherson region). The AFU losses were up to 25 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one 155-mm U.S.-made M777 howitzer. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 135 areas during the day. Air defence facilities have shot down one Ukrainian Air Force's MiG-29 aircraft, 40 unmanned aerial vehicles, four U.S.-made HARM missiles, 12 U.S.-made ATACMS operational-tactical and Tochka-U missiles, as well as 45 U.S.-made HIMARS, Uragan, and Olkha projectiles. In total, 597 airplanes and 274 helicopters, 24,086 unmanned aerial vehicles, 521 air defence missile systems, 16,035 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,299 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 9,595 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 21,728 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dropping in for training By Tastri Murdoch 14 May 2024 About 70 Singaporeans and a C-130H Hercules were welcomed to RAAF Base Richmond last month for their annual air tactical training with Air Force. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 Training Detachment, in Australia from April 27 to June 2, includes personnel from RSAF's 122 Squadron and the 3rd Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Transport Battalion. The exercise not only allows the RSAF and SAF to conduct tactical training for its workforce, but also presents an invaluable opportunity for close engagement with RAAF and Australian Army members. An opening ceremony was held at the base cinema with Defence representatives providing briefings, including an official welcome from Commanding Officer 22 Squadron and Senior Australian Defence Force Officer of the base, Wing Commander Todd Yurkowski. "It's an opportunity for base personnel to build working-level relationships with Singaporean personnel," Wing Commander Yurkowski said. "Base-wide support will be provided by 22 Squadron airbase operations, 453 Squadron air traffic control services, 176 Air Dispatch Squadron with aerial delivery equipment and in drop zones and 37 Squadron with mission planning and execution." Commander Air Mobility Group Air Commodore Bradley Clarke reiterated the sentiment, saying the training would help ensure both Air Forces can collaborate closely on future joint activities and exercises. "The RSAF's training will be largely unilateral, but this year there are planned partner flying training activities with RAAF's 37 Squadron and its C-130J Hercules," Air Commodore Clarke said. "Training of this nature allows RAAF, the Australian Army, Republic of Singapore Air Force and Singapore Armed Forces counterparts to integrate and further enhance our interoperability." The exercise involves day and night-time flying activities with aircraft operating at low levels, providing the Singaporeans with key training opportunities. Conducted within airspace and drop zones that are regularly used by RAAF Base Richmond, local community support was vital, according to Air Commodore Clarke. "The ongoing support of the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains, and regional New South Wales communities is greatly appreciated by Defence and the Republic of Singapore Air Force," he said. "The success of the training detachment will enhance our two nation's ability to collaborate and work together in future." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sheriff Paul Miyamoto spoke at a City Hall hearing Tuesday about problems of violence and overpopulation in the citys jails. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle 2023 San Franciscos jail system is in crisis, officials said Tuesday, as the sheriffs office grapples with a surge in prisoners amid severe understaffing, along with a rash of attacks on deputies. During a tense public hearing Tuesday, some supervisors questioned whether the conditions in the jails contributed to recent incidents in which prisoners allegedly attacked deputies and whether the jump in prisoners was due to Mayor London Breeds aggressive arrests of drug users and dealers in the Tenderloin. San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, representatives from the public defenders office, the inspector general and the union representing sheriffs deputies spoke about the problems in the citys jails, though they didnt always agree on the cause of the problems and how to address them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The hearing comes after what officials have described as a rash of attacks on jail staff by incarcerated people in the past five months, as well as an increase in violent prisoner-on-prisoner incidents. Officials from the sheriffs deputies union said there were 170 reported fights among people held in county jails in 2022, rising to about 240 last year. They said attacks on deputies jumped from 120 in 2022 to 220 in 2023. In April, 92 deputies signed a letter to warn Miyamoto of increasingly dangerous conditions at the jails caused by what they described as a critical level of understaffing. Deputies said in the letter that jail officials have created an unsafe environment, one in which fights, drug use, assaults on staff and blatant disregard for rules and deputies orders have increased. Supervisor Hillary Ronen excoriated the mayors office Tuesday about the recent crackdown on drug dealing and use, saying that the crisis at the jails was an obvious outcome from the law enforcement push. This is an incredibly grave situation that was entirely foreseeable, Ronen said in an impassioned speech. What was the plan? Sheriffs deputies lives are on the line. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She said Breed regularly sends out news releases touting the number of people shes arrested in the drug crackdown, but what isnt said is that arrested dealers and users are going to an overcrowded jail where theyre going to spend time in lockdown and beat the crap out of our city employees. Ronen said the hearing proved that the mayors war on drugs 2.0 has made the jail more dangerous for prisoners and deputies. But Supervisor Rafael Mandelman praised the mayors crackdown on people using and dealing drugs openly on San Franciscos streets, saying it helped take back some of our sidewalks. He said the notion that this is a war on drugs 2.0 is patently ridiculous. Mandelman argued that the jail was failing in its primary job of becoming a place for rehabilitation and added that he wants to see more hiring and treatment programs for prisoners. Miyamoto and union representatives for the deputies said that recent prisoners booked into the citys jails recently have behavioral and mental health issues related to drug use, which have caused unsafe situations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In April the sheriff locked down the jail for several days while deputies called for assistance from the National Guard. In late April eight county prisoners were charged in connection with the rash of attacks on deputies. Several of those suspects had been in custody for three years or more, many of them awaiting trial on serious charges such as murder and attempted murder, according to the District Attorneys office. Others involved were booked on lesser charges as recently as this year for offenses such as burglary and violating parole. The rise in incidents has coincided with an increase in the jail population and a decrease in the number of deputies assigned to each of the citys jails related to a crackdown on public drug use and sales championed by Breed. The average jail population on any given day in 2024 at all city jails is about 1,122, a 36% increase from last year, according to the sheriffs office. Meanwhile, the number of sheriffs deputies has been steadily decreasing. In 2020 there were 843 deputies, but as of March 2024 there were only 725 the lowest number since 2017. The jail annex is being used to address the rising prisoner population as the remaining jails have reached capacity, while other jail facilities must lock down or scale back services and programs like outdoor time for prisoners due to a lack of staffing, according to the sheriffs office. Deputies also have to work mandatory overtime amounting to dozens of hours a month, which the sheriffs office said is harming deputies mental and physical health. Miyamoto told supervisors at the hearing that he wants to see more investment in hiring deputies as well as increasing funding to hire behavioral health professionals to deal with the new prisoner population which, in contrast to previous years, is dealing much more with substance use and mental health issues. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I know we have a crisis right now, and I believe were capable of dealing with it, Miyamoto said. To deal with an influx in drug users to the citys jail, Miyamoto said he had envisioned a system where new prisoners go to a non-jail-based program, or hub, to provide them with treatment. But he did not say why that idea was not implemented, and the mayors representative at the hearing also did not say why it was not part of the strategy. Ken Lomba, president of the San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs Association, called the sheriffs proposal very odd. Look at his solutions, he told the Chronicle. Nothing about increasing staffing, nothing about needing more funds for recruiting, nothing about outsourcing more background investigators, nothing about more recreation for the incarcerated, and nothing about sunshine for the incarcerated. Yolanda Huang, an attorney representing prisoners suing the city over poor conditions at the jail, said the lockdowns, related to a staff shortage and an increase in prisoners, are part of a structural problem that Miyamoto has not bothered to fix, and now its out of control. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She added the poor mental health facing prisoners is due to excessive lockdowns, which results in de facto solitary confinement for many prisoners. May 13, 2024 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Bilateral Meeting with Canadian Minister of National Defence Bill Blair On May 13, 2024, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted his Canadian counterpart, Minister of National Defence Bill Blair, for a bilateral meeting at the Pentagon. The two leaders discussed cooperation through NATO to counter Russian aggression against Ukraine, and their shared commitment to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) modernization, Canada's Defence Policy Update, defense spending, Haiti, Middle East security, and a free and open Indo-Pacific. The two leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, pledging to continue providing assistance to strengthen Ukraine's security and sovereignty over the long term. They also reaffirmed the importance of our nations' investment in modern, ready, and capable forces, steps to advance NORAD modernization, and close coordination on a range of other bilateral and global issues. They also emphasized the continuing commitment of the United States and Canada to work together to improve security in Haiti, in collaboration with regional and international partners. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3773908/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister Blair concludes productive visit to Washington, D.C. to discuss Our North, Strong and Free National Defence News release May 14, 2024 - Washington, D.C. - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, concluded a productive two-day visit to Washington, D.C., where he discussed Canada's defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free, with our American allies and partners. On May 13, Minister Blair met with United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the Pentagon to discuss Our North, Strong and Free, as well as NORAD Modernization efforts, support for Ukraine, and other key priorities including the crisis in Haiti and joint efforts between Canada and the United States to ensure a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. After his bilateral meeting with Secretary Austin, Minister Blair delivered remarks at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council and participated in a fireside chat with Mr. Ian Brzezinski, Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Security Initiative, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. Minister Blair also participated in a roundtable discussion with the Defense Writers Group hosted by George Washington University to discuss Our North, Strong and Free, support for Ukraine, and continental security. Also on May 13, Minister Blair welcomed senior U.S. government officials to the Embassy of Canada for a discussion on Our North, Strong and Free, and on Canadian and American innovation in cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and quantum technology. On May 14, Minister Blair hosted defence industry leaders for a working breakfast focused on Our North, Strong and Free, and Canada's commitment to renew its relationship with the defence industry. Minister Blair outlined the measures in the defence policy update to provide more certainty and clarity to industry partners, and to build a stronger relationship founded on transparency and trust. These include a $9.5 billion, long-term investment in ammunition supply and production - and piloting a Continuous Capability Sustainment approach to upgrading equipment. Canada has also committed to review its defence policy every four years, and to publish a National Security Strategy every four years. Minister Blair also met with United States Senator Tim Kaine. The Minister and Senator Kaine discussed Canada's defence policy update, support for Ukraine, NORAD Modernization, and security in the Indo-Pacific. Minister Blair thanked Senator Kaine for his longstanding support of the Halifax International Security Forum, held annually in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Finally, Minister Blair met with Theodore (Ted) Colbert III, Executive Vice-President of The Boeing Company and President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The Minister and Mr. Colbert discussed Canada's acquisition of up to 16 P-8A Poseidon Multi Mission Aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force, which was announced by Minister Blair in November 2023. The P-8A will replace Canada's current maritime patrol aircraft, the CP-140 Aurora, which has been in service for more than 40 years. This platform is a proven capability that is operated by all our Five Eyes alliesathe United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealandaas well as other defence partners. The P-8A will provide Canada an advanced multi-mission platform to conduct maritime and overland surveillance in defence of Canada and to support our allies, with integrated C4ISR, anti-submarine and anti-surface capabilities. The first P-8A should be delivered in 2026, with full operational capability anticipated by 2033. Minister Blair discussed with Mr. Colbert, as well as with other industry leaders, how the government can work effectively through targeted investments in Canadian industry to support the growth of our aerospace and defence sector. The United States is Canada's closest friend, partner, and ally - and the two countries maintain an unparalleled defence relationship built upon decades of trust and collaboration, and shared values. Quotes "Canada and the United States face a growing list of security challenges - and we are stepping up to address them. With Our North, Strong and Free, we have a clear plan to increase Canada's ability to defend our country, our Arctic sovereignty, and defend our continent. We must tackle new threats to the international rules that keep us all safe - and we will be most successful if we do so together. Together, I am confident that Canada and the United States can protect our citizens and our territory and ensure a prosperous future for our peoples." - The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence Quick facts This is Minister Blair's first official visit to Washington, D.C. as Minister of National Defence. This visit follows Minister Blair's trip to NORAD Headquarters in Colorado Springs on February 5, 2024. Canada and the U.S. are like-minded global partners with a shared commitment to bolstering multilateralism and the rules-based international order. As long-standing partners in NATO and NORAD, we cooperate closely on security and defence issues. Our two countries are also members of the G7 and G20, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Trade Organization. On April 8, 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Bill Blair released Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada's Defence. This defence policy update prioritizes Arctic and northern security and will invest $8.1 billion over five years and $73 billion over 20 years to bolster the defence of Canada. With this investment, Canada projects its defence spending-to-GDP ratio to reach 1.76% in 2029-30. This is a significant step toward meeting our commitment to reach defence expenditures of 2% of GDP. On April 8, 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Bill Blair released Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada's Defence. This defence policy update prioritizes Arctic and northern security and will invest $8.1 billion over five years and $73 billion over 20 years to bolster the defence of Canada. With this investment, Canada projects its defence spending-to-GDP ratio to reach 1.76% in 2029-30. This is a significant step toward meeting our commitment to reach defence expenditures of 2% of GDP. These investments build on Canada's NORAD Modernization Plan, announced in June 2022. This plan, backed by an investment of approximately $38.6 billion, is Canada's largest investment in NORAD in a generation. NORAD is the cornerstone of Canada's contribution to the defence of North America, and the cornerstone of our defence relationship with the U.S. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo Statement on President Biden's Action to Protect American Workers and Businesses from China's Unfair Trade Practices FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Office of Public Affairs publicaffairs@doc.gov Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo issued the following statement on President Biden's decision to direct the United States Trade Representative to increase tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on $18 billion of imports from China to protect American workers and businesses. "President Biden is taking decisive action to ensure unfair trade practices do not threaten our competitiveness and economic security, while also strengthening American manufacturing. This is a strategic approach to trade policy that will help protect key U.S. industries, like the clean energy and semiconductor sectors," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "We know the PRC's playbook - we've seen their non-market actions on solar and steel - and cannot allow China to undermine U.S. supply chains by flooding the market with artificially cheap products that hurt American businesses and workers." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China vows 'all necessary measures' against additional US tariffs Global Times By Wang Cong, Qi Xijia and Li Xuanmin Published: May 14, 2024 10:06 PM Updated: May 14, 2024 10:50 PM China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Tuesday urged the US to immediately cancel the additional tariffs on Chinese products and vowed to take resolute measures to defend its rights over US' announcement to increase tariffs on Chinese products including electric vehicles (EVs) The plan to impose additional tariffs will mark another significant escalation in Washington's multi-year, ill-conceived campaign to crack down on emerging Chinese industries that are gaining global prominence, experts said, noting that the politically motivated move won't stop the rise of relevant Chinese industries, due to their small presence in the US market. The Biden administration announced new tariff rates Tuesday on several Chinese products, including a major hike in levies on Chinese EVs. Starting this year, President Joe Biden will quadruple tariffs on imported Chinese electric vehicles, from 25 percent to 100 percent. The tariff rate on lithium-ion EV batteries will more than triple to 25 percent. The announcement also added new tariffs on solar equipment and semiconductors. The import tax on Chinese solar cells will double, from 25 percent to 50 percent in 2024. Starting in 2025, tariffs on imported Chinese semiconductors will jump from 25 percent to 50 percent. Chinese medical supplies such as syringes and needles will also face additional tariffs of 50 percent. The MOFCOM slammed the US move, saying that it is a politicization and weaponization of trade issues and a typical case of political manipulation that will seriously impact the atmosphere for bilateral cooperation. The US decision to increase the tariffs goes against President Biden's commitment of not seeking to suppress China's development, and not seeking to decouple with China. It is also not in line with the spirit of consensus reached between the two heads of state, the MOFCOM said. China's Foreign Ministry vowed earlier on Tuesday to take "all necessary measures" to safeguard the nation's legitimate rights and interests. The move is part of the Biden administration's plan to revise the Trump era tariffs, known as "Section 301 tariffs," so as to target China's strategic industries. The Chinese EV industry, which has been rising rapidly to global prominence, has become a top target for the US crackdown, experts said. "The development of China's new energy industry, including new-energy vehicles, photovoltaic and lithium battery products, is causing increasing anxiety for the US, so now they are suppressing our emerging industries," Wei Fulei, a research fellow with China Development Institute, told the Global Times on Tuesday. The new plan comes after US officials have in recent weeks been hyping accusations of "overcapacity" in Chinese new-energy industries, which they say poses risks to US industries and jobs. Chinese officials have repeatedly slammed such accusations as an attempt to create a pretext for Washington to take protectionist, bullying actions against China's emerging industries. Commenting on the US tariff plan at a press briefing on Tuesday, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that China has always opposed violating WTO rules and unilaterally imposing tariffs. "China will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," Wang said. Wang also slammed US officials' "overcapacity" claims, saying that the US is engaging in protectionism, trampling on market economy principles and international economic and trade rules, and engaging in blatant bullying, and Wang warned the US against repeating the mistake of protectionism. Countermeasures Chinese auto association on Monday blasts US plan to impose higher tariffs on Chinese EVs, calling it typical protectionism. China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) on Monday slammed the US' imposing higher import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, saying the industry's development needs global cooperation. Experts said that any bullying actions by the US will be countered. "China will firmly oppose such moves, because this is absurd and extraordinarily unreasonable," He Weiwen, a senior fellow from the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Tuesday. He noted that China has different options to counter Washington's moves that won't necessarily involve US cars, but other areas. "How China responds specifically depends on what would be the most favorable opportunity and the most beneficial option for us." As China responded firmly to previous US bullying acts, including punitive tariffs, some US officials expect a firm response from China on the new tariffs. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said this week that the US could see a "significant" response from China, according to Reuters. Chinese officials and experts slammed the US move as politically motived amid toxic politics during an election cycle, since the US administration's accusation that relevant Chinese products pose threats to the US is baseless, given their minimal presence in the US market. Also for the same reason, additional US tariffs will not stop the rise of relevant Chinese industries, they said. "[The US move] will not have a major impact on relevant Chinese industries, because China exports a very small number of EVs to the US," He said, adding that the US plan is not based on economic considerations, but political optics that aim to show a tough stance on China. China exports very few EVs to the US, with Geely being the only Chinese EV maker that exported to the US in the first quarter, according to industry data. In terms of solar cells, exports to the US only accounted for less than 0.1 percent of China's total exports in 2023, according to media reports. In terms of the solar industry, over the years, the export of solar panels from China to the US has significantly decreased due to US' protectionism, Wei said. Moreover, the move could also backfire on the US, as it will not help build its domestic capacity, experts said. "It seems that US politicians woke up from a hangover after decades of consumerism, during which they cared for consumption and not production. Now, they want to rebuild their manufacturing capacity, but the horse has already bolted. The solution would be exactly the opposite of what they are doing, that is, they should rebuild their capacity with the help of - and not against - Chinese industrial power," Claudio Celani, economic editor of news magazine Executive Intelligence Review, told the Global Times. Zhang Xiang, Director of the Digital Automotive International Cooperation Research Center of the World Digital Economy Forum, told the Global Times that as China has already taken the lead in the new-energy sector, with the largest industry chain globally, any attempt by the US to boycott Chinese products and components would also result in losses for the US. "The automotive industry is now highly internationalized and interconnected, and it is not feasible for any country to produce vehicles in isolation," Zhang said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA delegation arrives in Japan; first visit of its kind in 4 years shows mutual willingness to stabilize ties: experts Global Times By Liu Xin and Guo Yuandan Published: May 14, 2024 07:33 PM A delegation comprising of 20 senior commissioned officers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is reportedly embarking on a weeklong visit to Japan on Tuesday to conduct exchanges with Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF). Analysts said that this visit, the first of its kind in four years, reflects the mutual willingness of China and Japan to deepen defense exchanges and foster momentum to stabilize bilateral relations. The Sasakawa Peace Foundation of Japan announced on Friday that the exchange activity between the JSDF and the PLA is taking place from Tuesday until May 20. During their stay in Japan, PLA officers are scheduled to visit the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the Komaki Air Base of Japan Air Self-Defense Force, which locate in Komaki of Aichi Prefecture and the Maizuru Naval Base of the Maritime Self-Defense Force in Maizuru of Kyoto Prefecture, Kyodo News reported. In 2001, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation established the Japan-China Field Officer Exchange Program, which arranges annual exchange trips for officials from the JSDF and Chinese PLA to boost mutual understanding and foster dialogue, according to information from the foundation's website. Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and negative changes in Japan's policies toward China, relations between the two countries have been strained, resulting in the interruption of this program during the past years. The resumption of military exchanges between China and Japan is regarded as a positive development, contributing to the rebuilding of mutual security trust between the two countries, Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday. It is also beneficial for strengthening crisis management, enhancing mutual understanding, exploring pragmatic cooperation and managing conflict, Xiang said. According to the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, the program was temporarily suspended due to the deterioration of political relations. It later restarted in 2018 and officers from the two countries last met under the program in September 2019 before the pandemic. In July 2023, JSDF officials visited Beijing. Japanese media reported that China postponed a reciprocal visit scheduled in September 2023 amid China's opposition to Japan's dumping nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the sea. Military exchanges generally follow the principle of reciprocity, arranging delegations to visit each other's military bases, facilities and institutions to facilitate deeper understanding on each other's society and culture especially among senior commissioned officers and to benefit cooperation between the defense departments of both countries, Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times. Zhang also noted that senior commissioned officers are mostly young officers at the battalion, regiment and division levels who play important roles in the armed forces. Strengthening communication and understanding among young officers contributes to friendly relations between the two countries. "Given their nature as military diplomatic activities, exchanges between senior commissioned officers of China and Japan are inevitably influenced by the political and diplomatic relations between the two countries. The recent visit of a PLA delegation of mid-level officers to Japan signifies a mutual willingness to deepen defense exchanges, foster greater mutual trust and steadfastly work toward establishing a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that aligns with the demands of the contemporary era," Zhang said. Starting from last year, China-Japan relations have shown signs of bottoming out and the beginnings of a gradual rebound. While negative factors affecting bilateral relations, especially Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater and some Japanese politicians' hyping of Taiwan question, still exist, both sides have maintained some exchanges and gradually restored relations, said Xiang. Aside from military exchanges, there are some positive factors to encourage bilateral interactions, especially that China, Japan and South Korea are reportedly finalizing plans for a meeting of leaders in late May, the first of such trilateral meeting in more than four years, analysts said. Broad-ranging cooperation between China and Japan, as well as between China and South Korea, can slowly unfold in various fields, said Xiang, who called for Japan as well as South Korea to work together to create positive momentum for higher-level interactions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US urged to abandon self-imposed constraints of technological protectionism before first high-level AI talks with China Global Times Washington urged to abandon self-imposed constraints of protectionism By Liu Caiyu Published: May 14, 2024 08:21 PM The scheduled high-level talks between China and the US over the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) and global governance are widely seen by Chinese experts as a positive sign for the two major powers to mitigate misunderstandings, close the gap in divergences and seek cooperation potential in this field. But experts also said it is crucial for the US, which has long regarded AI as a core strategic area of competition against China, to abandon its self-imposed constraints of technological protectionism and work toward promoting possible common solutions on topics of concern. The talks are scheduled on Tuesday in Geneva. Commenting on the talks on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin did not elaborate much, but reiterated that the meeting is delivering on the common understandings reached by the two presidents in San Francisco, as agreed by the two sides. The two sides are expected to exchange views on the risks and global governance as well as other issues of respective concern on AI, Wang noted. The dialogue is positive in terms of prompting the two countries to understand each other better, mitigate mutual misunderstanding and close divergences. Both China and the US should shoulder responsibility to seek common solutions to address AI risks for the sustainable development and application of AI, Liu Wei, director of the human-machine interaction and cognitive engineering laboratory at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, told the Global Times on Tuesday. Echoing Liu, LA Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that initial discussions between China and the US - both competitors and cooperators - are encouraging. It is time for the US to demonstrate its positivity and practical attitude to pave the way for future bilateral cooperation in this field. LA noted that China has maintained an open attitude toward cooperating with other countries, including the US, on AI for the advancement of global interests in technology development. Despite the US designating AI as a core strategic area of competition against China, it harbors strong suspicions regarding China's rapid AI progress and has implemented highly restrictive measures on key technologies, LA told the Global Times on Tuesday. According to The Washington Post, the US delegation will be led by Seth Center, State Department deputy envoy for critical and emerging technology, and Tarun Chhabra, senior director for technology and national security at the National Security Council. China will be represented by officials from the Foreign Ministry and the National Development and Reform Commission. LA said it is anticipated that during the high-level talks this time, China will reiterate its open stance for cooperation, urging the US to abandon its self-imposed constraints of technological protectionism and work toward promoting mutual understanding between China and the US in AI. "While there is competition between the two sides in the field of AI, there is also room for cooperation," Liu said. The meeting of the China-US government dialogue on AI may touch upon a range of topics, including data sharing and privacy protection, the development and application of AI technology, ethical and legal issues, the relationship between humans and machines, as well as international cooperation and regulatory frameworks for AI, Chinese experts said. Potential forms of collaboration may include joint research projects, talent exchanges, and data sharing, Liu noted. Based on recent remarks by US officials, the US's strategic competition against China is not expected to see significant improvement, LA noted. Officials from the Biden administration stated that they are not seeking to issue a joint statement or engage in cooperation with China in AI research, according to The Washington Post. Washington will not negotiate on "national security measures." Biden administration officials did not specify whether the talks involved TikTok or Huawei. On whether the two sides could reach a possible consensus, Liu holds a cautious attitude as well. "It is good to see the two countries exploring common solutions to promote sustainable development and application of AI. But whether a cooperation agreement can be reached depends on the convergence of mutual willingness and interests between the two sides during the meetings," he said. "To be very clear, talks with Beijing are not focused on promoting any form of technical collaboration or cooperating on frontier research in any matter. And our technology protection policies are not up for negotiation," Reuters quoted one US official ahead of the meeting. The Washington Post cited scholars stating that such talks could reach a better consensus on the military applications of AI technology, and agree on which data can be used across borders for AI model training and other issues. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 300 Chinese troops arrive in Cambodia for joint exercise Golden Dragon 2024 to be the largest wargame to date between the two countries. By RFA Staff 2024.05.14 -- A Chinese amphibious landing ship carrying 300 troops has arrived in Sihanoukville in Cambodia to take part in the largest bilateral military exercise to date between the two countries. Photographs published on the Facebook page of the Ream naval base show the welcome ceremony for the Type 071 ship Qilianshan (Hull 985) at Sihanoukville autonomous port. Last week, China Military Online said the Qilianshan left Zhanjiang port in Guangdong for Cambodia with more than 300 Chinese troops from the army, navy, air force and joint logistic support force on board. The 6th Golden Dragon exercise is set to begin on May 16, marking a new step in the deepening military cooperation between Cambodia and China. It will last for 15 days at two main locations in Kampong Chhnang and Sihanoukville provinces. Major Gen. Thong Solimo, spokesman for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, told a press conference in Phnom Penh on Monday that with more than 1,300 Cambodian troops, more than 700 Chinese troops, three large Chinese warships and 11 Cambodian warships, the Golden Dragon exercise this year "will be even larger than before." It is not clear how the other 400 Chinese troops will get to the exercise. The Qilianshan, a 25,000-ton helicopter landing dock, appears to have replaced the Jinggangshan, which took part in last year's Golden Dragon and was mentioned in an earlier Chinese defense ministry announcement about the exercise. Besides the Qilianshan, two Chinese navy corvettes, which have been at Ream naval base since December, are expected to take part in the joint drills. The semi-permanent presence of the ships led to assertions that the Chinese navy had been using facilities at Ream as a military base. Cambodia has rejected that suggestion. 'Not harming any countries' Cambodia and China have been holding the annual exercise since 2016 but it was canceled in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cambodia held its last joint military drills with the United States in 2016. The annual Angkor Sentinel began in 2010 but Cambodia called it off in 2017, citing domestic reasons, and it has not been held since. The suspension of the exercise with U.S. forces comes as Cambodia builds closer ties with China. In 2021, the U.S. imposed an arms embargo on Cambodia over concerns about growing Chinese military influence. Thong Solimo was quoted in Cambodian media as saying on Monday that the joint exercise with China this year is aimed at enhancing the military's capabilities as well as its combat skills and "does not threaten or harm any countries." Edited by 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 China, US engage in in-depth, professional and constructive exchanges on AI Global Times By Global Times Published: May 15, 2024 09:20 AM China and the US held their first meeting of intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence (AI) in Geneva on Tuesday local time. Both sides engaged in in-depth, professional, and constructive exchanges of views on AI technology risks, global governance, and other issues of mutual concern, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. The meeting was co-chaired by Yang Tao, Director-General of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of Chinese foreign ministry, Seth Center, the State Department's acting special envoy for critical and emerging technology, and Tarun Chhabra, senior director for technology and national security at the National Security Council (NSC) of the US. Representatives from various Chinese ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, as well as representatives from the US NSC, Department of State, and Department of Commerce, attended the meeting, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. Both sides engaged in in-depth, professional, and constructive exchanges of views on AI technology risks, global governance, and other issues of mutual concern. The two sides introduced their respective views on AI technology risks and governance measures, as well as the measures taken to promote the empowerment of AI in economic and social development. China emphasized that AI technology is currently one of the most closely watched emerging technologies and reiterated its commitment to the people-centered and benevolent use of AI, ensuring that AI technology is beneficial, safe, and fair. China supports strengthening global governance of AI and advocates for the role of the UN as the main channel. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the international community, including the US, to form a global AI governance framework and standard norms with broad consensus. China also expressed a firm stance regarding US restrictions and suppression against China in the field of AI. Both sides recognized that the development of AI technology presents both opportunities and risks. They reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in San Francisco. Some Chinese experts considered the first intergovernmental dialogue between the two countries on AI as a positive sign for the two major powers to mitigate misunderstandings, close the gap in divergences, and seek cooperation potential in this field. But they also said it is crucial for the US, which has long regarded AI as a core strategic area of competition against China, to abandon its constraints of technological protectionism and work toward promoting possible common solutions on topics of concern. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese ambassador warns UK not to further jeopardize ties People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:11, May 15, 2024 LONDON, May 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang met with relevant UK Foreign Office official on Tuesday, and told the UK side not to go further down the dangerous path of jeopardizing China-UK relations. During the meeting, Zheng made further, serious representations to the UK side on its wrongful behavior, including its unwarranted accusation against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, and refuted the excuses made by the UK side. The ambassador was unequivocal that the UK must stop anti-China political maneuvering and not go further down the dangerous path of jeopardizing China-UK relations. The UK fabricated on Monday the so-called case to smear and attack the HKSAR government, Zheng said. For some time now, the UK has staged a series of accusations against China, including those on "China spies" and cyber attacks, he added. "All those accusations are groundless and slanderous. The British side has also wantonly harassed, arrested and detained Chinese citizens in the UK under the pretext of judicial and national security. This constitutes a grave provocation against China and severely contravenes the basic norms governing international relations. It is totally unacceptable," he said. Hong Kong has long returned to China and the UK has no right and is in no position to point fingers at and meddle in Hong Kong affairs, the ambassador said. The Chinese government remains firmly resolved in fighting anti-China elements seeking to disrupt Hong Kong and in upholding the stability and prosperity of the region, he said, adding that the UK's harboring of wanted criminals tramples on the rule of law and leads nowhere. The ambassador urged the UK side to immediately correct its wrongdoing, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, stop spreading lies about the so-called "China threat," stop its provocations against China and stop its arbitrary law enforcement against Chinese citizens in the UK. He also called on the UK side to ensure the safety and legitimate rights and interests of all the Chinese institutions and personnel in the UK. "We want to make it clear to the UK side: any move to interfere in China's internal affairs and undermine our interests will be met with a firm response. The UK side must not go further down the dangerous path of jeopardizing China-UK relations," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Comrades In Arms: The Mutual Benefits Of Increased North Korean-Iranian Military Cooperation By Michael Scollon May 14, 2024 Iran and North Korea have a long history of working together to advance their respective military arsenals. Now, increased trade efforts between the two heavily sanctioned countries have raised concerns that they could share advanced missile and nuclear technology. Coming at a time when Tehran and Pyongyang are playing a central role in heightened global tensions, the prospect of one pariah state in possession of nuclear weapons and intercontinental missiles, North Korea, aiding another accused of seeking those capabilities, Iran, has heightened fears in Western capitals. The visit of a North Korean delegation to Tehran last month only served to increase suspicions. Washington and Brussels both expressed concerns about any sanctions-violating cooperation, prompting Tehran to insist that the visit by North Korea's external economic relations minister was aimed only at improving economic ties and assertions that it is seeking to expand cooperation on missile technology were "untrue." But allegations that North Korean military technology has shown up in the hands of Iranian proxies in the Middle East and aided Iran's missile and drone attack against Israel last month have fueled concerns. Experts say that the two sides are aligned in an anti-Western stance and most recently in supporting the Palestinian cause. And each has plenty to offer the other in terms of military expertise and experience. "North Korea's nuclear program is obviously something that the Iranians seek to emulate," said Benjamin Young, a North Korea expert at Virginia Commonwealth University. "North Korea's ability to develop nuclear weapons at a rapid scale is admirable to the Islamic republic." Pyongyang also has a long-range delivery vehicle in its Hwason-15 intercontinental ballistic missile, which is capable of carrying a heavy payload and of reaching the mainland United States. "North Korea has made strides with very long-range-capable missiles, and that's something that Iran could be interested in," said Kenneth Katzman, a senior adviser for the New York-based Soufan Group intelligence consultancy and an expert on geopolitics in the Middle East. Tehran has long insisted that its controversial nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes. But amid increased tensions with Israel, Iran has stressed, as recently as May 12, that it may have no choice but to change its nuclear doctrine. As for what Tehran could offer North Korea, missile and drone attacks launched by Iran and its regional proxies have provided valuable experience. Katzman noted that "Iranian missiles didn't do too well against Israel" in the April 19 strike, with most of the some 150 cruise and ballistic missiles having failed or been shot down. But he says the attack and others by Iran and its proxies in the region have given Tehran firsthand knowledge of how Western air-defense systems work. This could be valuable to North Korea, he said, because its missiles "would be facing similar technology if launched against Japan, South Korea, the United States," the East Asian country's main adversaries. Young says Iran's ability to mass produce Shahed-136 suicide drones, which were launched unsuccessfully by Iran against Israel but have been used extensively by Russia in its war against Ukraine, is also "likely attractive to Pyongyang." North Korea has cultivated a military partnership with Tehran for decades, including the provision of conventional weapons to the Islamic republic during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s and help in the 1990s in developing Iranian ballistic missiles. Successors to those missiles were used in Iran's attack against Israel, and South Korean intelligence is reportedly investigating whether North Korean components were used in the attack. South Korean intelligence has also said that North Korean weapons have been used against Israel by Hamas -- the U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist organization that sparked the war in Gaza with its deadly assault on Israel on October 7. It is unclear when such weapons transfers may have been made, but Katzman said that since Israel launched its retaliatory and controversial invasion of Gaza with the aim of eliminating the Iran-backed Hamas, North Korea has "reiterated Iranian positions on Gaza as a means of standing with Iran." Young says that Pyongyang's relationships with Iranian proxies are nothing new, noting that North Korea boasts some of the best tunnel-building experts in the world and "most likely" helped Lebanese Hizballah build its own tunnel network in the Middle East. He says there is no indication of strengthened ties between North Korea and Hamas or Hizballah since the deadly assault on Israel, but that whenever a major military crisis occurs, "North Korean-made arms regularly pop up." This, he says, is in part because "North Korea seeks to exploit these conflicts for their own financial gains and actively tries to find purchasers of their weapons." The North Korean delegation's visit to Tehran, coming just a month after a similar visit to Moscow, raised concerns that Pyongyang could be entering a broader partnership involving Iran and Russia. That prospect has gained attention with North Korea's reported provision of munitions to aid Russia's war effort in Ukraine. As to why Iran might seek cooperation with Pyongyang instead of other allies such as Russia or China -- fellow members of the burgeoning bloc of the sanctioned -- Katzman said that "North Korea would be probably the most willing." "There is that history of relationships on missiles, and North Korea certainly doesn't really care about being subjected to any more sanctions," Katzman said. "So, North Korea would not be hesitant to share that technology." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-north-korea- missiles-weapons-russia/32947042.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 Shoppers outside San Francisco Centre, formerly operated by Westfield. Gwendolyn Wu/The Chronicle Ted Baker, the British high-street clothing retailer whose executives raised concerns about safety at the troubled San Francisco Centre, is the latest casualty at the citys largest mall. The company declared bankruptcy last month, signaling the closure of all its stores across North America. The shutdown will affect not only Ted Bakers San Francisco store but also its locations at Santana Row in San Jose and a discount outlet in Livermore. With 31 retail locations in the U.S., the chain has initiated clearance sales of its entire inventory of mens and womens designer clothing. Additionally, the brand has discontinued online shopping. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ted Baker filed a Chapter 15 motion in New York bankruptcy court last month, following similar insolvency proceedings in Canada and the U.K. Legal documents obtained by the Wall Street Journal revealed that the decision to shutter the company came after Authentic Brand Group, which acquired Ted Baker in 2022, stopped paying its suppliers. Approximately 600 employees will be affected by the closures of the North American stores. The Ted Baker store in London is among those that will be closing following the high-end clothing retailers bankruptcy declaration. Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images We wish that there couldve been a better outcome for the Ted Baker employees and stakeholders, John McNamara, chief strategy and transition officer for Authentic Brands Group, told Fashion Network. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The San Francisco store, located inside the troubled mall at Market and Fifth streets, was a particular challenge for the company. Records obtained by the Chronicle indicate that public safety concerns date to October 2022. We urgently need to discuss Westfield, wrote Sami Archondo, vice president of retail at Ted Baker, in an email to other top executives at the clothing store chain. Archondo said Ted Bakers San Francisco Centre location had five female associates report an increase in violent activity from homeless people on the streets coming in the mall. Shoppers inside San Francisco Centre, formerly operated by Westfield, in 2023. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle The employees had said people also continue to come in to our location to swipe the front table, Archondo wrote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They reported more serious incidents from around the mall, including security guards from another store who were stabbed and a homeless person who allegedly hid in a bathroom and sexually assaulted a customer. At one point at the Ted Baker store, employees locked the doors and someone banged on them, threatening to bring a gun to shoot everyone, and telling our team that they will wait for them and rape them on their way home, Archondo said. Ari Hoffman, Ted Bakers North America CEO, forwarded the email to Westfield and asked for the company to pay for a security guard. If the mall does not provide a safe environment, we will close the store, Hoffman said. A Ted Baker store in London. The British fashion retailer with close all its locations following a bankruptcy declaration last month. Peter Nicholls/Getty Images Ted Baker, founded in Scotland in 1998, faced broader challenges. After a successful global run in its first three decades, the brand faced a crisis in December 2018 when 300 present and former employees signed a petition accusing founder and CEO Ray Kelvin of forced hugging. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kelvin resigned three months later, leaving the brands leadership and finances in disarray. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated its issues, forcing Ted Baker to sell its London headquarters. Authentic Brands Group, owner of Reebok and the David Beckham brands, attempted to revive the brand, but the companys shares continued to fall in recent years. Chronicle staff writer J.D. Morris contributed to this report. Iran, India sign 10-year deal to develop Chabahar Port Iran Press TV Monday, 13 May 2024 7:23 PM Iran and India have signed a 10-year contract for operation and equipment of the southern Iranian port city of Chabahar as part of plans to further boost their bilateral trade and economic relations. The 10-year deal was signed by Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash and India's Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Monday. The two sides agreed on the partnership of the India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) in equipping and operation of the freight and container terminals of Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar. Under the agreement, Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) will hand over parts of the freight and container terminals of the Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar to India for 10 years while India invests $120 million for the supply of strategic equipment of the Port and $250 million on the transport infrastructure of Chabahar. The parties are committed to fulfilling their obligations in facilitating transit along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), developing shipping lines between the ports of the two countries and attracting container transit freights. "Chabahar... can act as a focal point in the transit development of the region. We are pleased with this agreement and we have full confidence in India," Bazrpash said. "This agreement is a start for the further development of trade between the two countries, and India's access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Europe through Chabahar Port will be facilitated," he added. Sonowal, for his part, praised the long-term contract as a symbol of "enduring trust and effective partnership" between India and Iran. "Iran and India are seeking to develop Chabahar Port as much as possible, taking into account the interests of the two countries for joint access to regional markets," the Indian minister said after signing the agreement. "Chabahar Port's significance transcends its role as a mere conduit between India and Iran; it serves as a vital trade artery connecting India with Afghanistan and Central Asian Countries," he added. "This linkage has unlocked new avenues for trade and fortified supply chain resilience across the region." India agreed in 2016 to finance the development of the Iranian port but the process was stalled two years later due to the US sanctions reimposed after Washington's unilateral withdrawal from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. India's contribution to development projects in Chabahar is part of New Delhi's policy to use Iranian transportation networks to ease its trade access to Afghanistan and landlocked countries in the Central Asia region. India also views the development of Chabahar, which is Iran's only ocean port, as a project that can rival China's investment in Pakistan's Gwadar region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Targeted sanctions in response to Iran's destabilising activities in the Middle East Australia - Minister for Foreign Affairs Media release 14 May 2024 The Australian Government is imposing targeted sanctions on an additional five Iranian individuals and three entities, in response to Iran's destabilising behaviour. Senior officials sanctioned today include Iran's Defence Minister, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, and the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Qods Force, Brigadier General Esmail Qaani. The IRGC is a malignant actor that has long been a threat to international security, and to its own people. Those sanctioned also include Iranian senior officials, businesspeople and companies that have contributed to the development of Iran's missile and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) programs. Iran's proliferation and provision of these technologies to its proxies has fostered instability across the region for many years. Targeted entities include the IRGC Navy, which seized an Israeli-linked (Portuguese-flagged) civilian vessel in international waters on 13 April 2024. Australia continues to call for the immediate release of the ship and its crew. Today's listings mean the Albanese Government has now sanctioned 90 Iranian-linked individuals and 100 Iranian-linked entities and are a further demonstration of this Government's commitment to taking strong action against Iran. This action is in line with sanctions measures taken by our partners in recent weeks, following Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel in April. Australia will continue to deliberately and strategically apply pressure on Iran to cease its disruptive activities and adhere to international law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran FM spox blasts US senator for warmongering remarks IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has rebuked the US senator's remarks about encouraging the Zionist regime to use nuclear bombs in Gaza. In a Farsi post on his X account on Tuesday, Kanaani stated that the appalling comments by an American senator, which violate all rules, values, and humanitarian principles by justifying and encouraging the use of nuclear bombs by the Zionist regime, demonstrate the extreme brutality of this belligerent faction and their complete disregard for the right to life and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). He also pointed out that these remarks come from a senator of a country known for its use of atomic bombs, yet it consistently proclaims itself as a flag bearer of human rights, deeming itself qualified to assess and judge human rights standards in other nations. The international community should strongly condemn the unwavering support of the US for the Zionist regime and take a stand against such evil remarks to prevent the escalating spread of genocide and humanitarian catastrophes in Gaza Strip as soon as possible, Kanaani added. Earlier, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham had urged Israel to use a nuclear bomb in Gaza as a decisive action to end the war, comparing it to the US dropping atomic bombs on Japan in World War II. "When we were faced with destruction as a nation after Pearl Harbour, fighting the Germans and the Japanese, we decided to end the war by bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki with nuclear weapons," the Republican said Sunday on NBC, adding: "That was the right decision." "Give Israel the bombs they need to end the war [that] they can't afford to lose, and work with them to minimize casualties," he says in an apparently contradictory statement. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US warns of sanctions following India, Iran sign landmark deal ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Tue / 14 May 2024 / 12:07 Hours after Iran inked a landmark deal with India to develop and operate its southern port city of Chabahar, the United States warned New Delhi that "anyone" considering business deals with Tehran needs to be aware of the "potential risk of sanctions," once again highlighting Washington's addiction to sanctions. Tehran-ISNA-At a US State Department briefing on Monday, US spokesperson Vedant Patel while answering questions over India's latest deal with Iran, cautioned of a retaliatory punishment from Washington if it made "business deals" with Tehran. "We are aware of these reports that Iran and India have signed a deal concerning the Chabahar Port," Patel was quoted as saying. "Any entity, anyone considering business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risk they are opening themselves up to, potential risk of sanctions," he added. The agreement for the Long-Term Bilateral Contract regarding the operation of Chabahar Port, Iran's sole ocean port, was officially executed on Monday between Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) from India and the Port & Maritime Organization (PMO) of Iran. This contract allows for the operation of Shahid-Behesti port within the Chabahar Port Development Project for a duration of 10 years. During the duration of this decade-long lease agreement, IPGL committed to investing approximately $120 million to enhance the port's facilities. Additionally, India has extended a credit window of $250 million for collaborative projects that focus on enhancing the infrastructure associated with Chabahar. Patel confirmed that the sanctions imposed by the Washington on Tehran are still in effect and will be upheld, and refused for exempting New Delhi for this deal. "US sanctions on Iran remain in place and we will continue to enforce them," he said. The spokesperson also noted that it would let the Indian government speak on its foreign policy goals. "I will let the government of India speak to its own foreign policy goals vis-A -vis the Chabahar port as well as its own bilateral relationship with Iran," Patel said in the press briefing. New Delhi has long considered the importance of developing a port in West Asia, and Chabahar acts as a gateway to landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia for India, bypassing the port of Karachi and Gwadar in its rival Pakistan. Being an India-Iran joint venture, the port also plays a crucial role with larger connectivity projects of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The INSTC, established by Iran, India, and Russia, serves as a multi-modal transportation network designed to connect the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea through Iran, and further extend to northern Europe via St Petersburg in Russia. To date, New Delhi has furnished the port with six mobile harbor cranes and additional equipment valued at $25 million. Moreover, a cumulative total of 2.5 million tonnes of wheat and 2,000 tonnes of pulses have been successfully transported from India to Afghanistan through Chabahar. India sees the progress of Chabahar as a venture that has the potential to compete with China's investment in Pakistan's Gwadar region. Meanwhile, ever since the joint project turned into reality in 2003, the US has interfered into India's dreams of operating the port located in Iran's Sistan and Baluchistan province. India agreed in 2016 to finance the development of the Iranian port but the process was stalled two years later due to the US sanctions reimposed after Washington's unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. The threat of sanction come in continuation of US sanction policy against Iran as Tehran says Washington is "addicted" to imposing sanctions. Various Iranian institutes and individuals have been targeted by sanctions since the victory of the Islamic Revolution 44 years ago under various pretexts. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU broadens sanctions to cover Iran's missile program Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 4:12 PM The European Union (EU) has expanded its sanctions regime to target Iran's missile capabilities a month after the country launched missile and drone attacks on the Israeli regime to punish it for an airstrike that killed Iranian generals in a diplomatic mission in Syria. The European Council, a body which defines the EU's overall political direction and priorities, said in a Tuesday statement on its website that the sanctions regime on Iran had been expanded beyond current restrictions on the country's drone production capabilities to also cover its missile program. "The EU will now be able to target persons and entities supplying, selling or otherwise being involved in transferring Iran's missiles...," said the Council in its statement, adding that those targeted will be subject to an asset freeze and travel ban to the EU. The statement alleged that the sanctions had been imposed on Iran in response to the country's support for Russia's war on Ukraine and its supply of missiles and drones to non-state groups in the West Asia region. It said that the sanctions also came after Iran launched drone and missiles attacks against Israel. Iran has repeatedly denied accusations it has supplied weapons to Russia for direct use in the war in Ukraine. It has also rejected allegation of supplying weapons to anti-Israeli and anti-US groups in the region. Tehran has said that its mid-April military operation against Israel was a legitimate response to the Israeli regime's attack on Iran's consulate in Syria's Damascus on April 1. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said last month that it was a pity that the EU was planning to impose sanctions on Iran only because the country had used its legitimate right to defend itself against "brazen Israeli aggression". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Vice-Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya Abdullah al-Lafi and Acting Foreign Minister at the Government of National Unity of Libya Taher al-Baour 13 May 2024 20:31 874-13-05-2024 On May 13, Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Vice-Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya Abdullah al-Lafi and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Government of National Unity of Libya Taher al-Baour, who arrived in Moscow on a working visit. During an in-depth exchange of views on the situation in Libya, Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's commitment to continue supporting the country's comprehensive and sustainable stabilisation. He stressed the importance of inclusive national dialogue to preserve Libya's territorial integrity, unity, and sovereignty. He also pointed to the relevance of efforts to rally international support for the Libyan people in advancing the political process, with the United Nations playing the leading role. The parties stated their shared interest in establishing and strengthening a mutually beneficial, multifaceted cooperation. In this connection, it was considered appropriate to facilitate the early resumption of activities of the Russian-Libyan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, which serves as the key coordinating mechanism for bilateral collaboration in trade and the economy. On the same day, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov held inter-agency consultations with the Libyan delegation, focusing on developments in Libya, the Middle East and North Africa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The United Kingdom reiterates support for the International Criminal Court's investigation in Libya: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Legal Advisor Colin McIntyre at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya. 14 May 2024 Thank you, Mr. President. Let me begin by thanking Prosecutor Khan for his briefing today on his office's 27th report on the situation in Libya. The United Kingdom reiterates our support for the ongoing investigation and welcomes the prosecutor's latest report to the Council. The UK was pleased to read in the report of the progress made in the investigation during this reporting period. We note in particular the large number of missions and the extended fieldwork carried out by the office over the past six months. We especially welcome Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan's visit to Tripoli and Tunis in April of this year, to engage with victim groups directly. We also welcome the publication of the roadmap. This outlines a clear pathway for the completion of the investigative phase. We were pleased to read in the report that the office has actively sought input from civil society partners, victims and their representatives, and given their views, their consideration during the development of the roadmap. In order to achieve the objectives set out in the roadmap, we agree with the prosecutor that active cooperation from the Libyan authorities will remain necessary. We, therefore, welcome the news that cooperation and collaboration with Libya have increased significantly during this reporting period. It is clear that sustained cooperation will be required in order to support the completion of the investigative phase by the end of 2025 and to ensure success thereafter. We were also pleased to hear today of the plan for the establishment of a liaison office in Tripoli. We hope this will support the transition from the investigative phase, facilitate further information sharing and further consolidate the partnership between Libya and the Office of the Prosecutor. Madam President, in conclusion, we reiterate the UK's continued commitment to working with the prosecutor and urge them along with the Libyan authorities, UNSMIL and others to build on the progress made, in order to deliver justice for the people of Libya. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar military adds advanced Chinese drones to arsenal The move to upgrade its fleet follows years of successful drone strikes by rebel forces. By RFA Burmese 2024.05.14 -- Myanmar's military is adding advanced Chinese drones to its arsenal and using them to attack its enemies with increasingly devastating effect, rebel groups say. A recent investigation by RFA Burmese found that the military is now deploying more advanced, Chinese-built "first-person view" drones, equipped with special cameras that allow the controller to clearly observe their targets. An official with the anti-junta Myingyan District Drone Strike Team said that the new CH-2 and CH-4 drones include six-bladed "hexacopters" that can take-off and land vertically. "The quality of their equipment has improved, and the possible damage [they can inflict] has increased," said the official, who spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. "The military is now using advanced methodology." Rebel groups have also used drones to fight junta forces. Since the military seized power from Myanmar's democratically elected government in a February 2021 coup, and embarked on a nationwide offensive to solidify its rule, guerilla forces have embraced drones as a low-cost method to level the playing field against airstrikes and artillery. In a commentary published by RFA earlier this month, Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University, noted that the shadow National Unity Government, or NUG, and Myanmar's ethnic armies "have used modified hobby and crop dusting drones with incredible efficacy," including in an attack that purportedly wounded Soe Win, the deputy junta commander. But he said that with the military experiencing a shortage of spare parts and regular servicing of its "overtaxed" air force, which has led to the crash of several aircraft, it is now looking to armed drones to bolster its air power. "Evidence has surfaced that the military is already fielding more lethal drone-specific munitions, rather than relying on mortar shells," Abuza said. Casualties increasing According to data gathered by RFA, in the first four months of 2024, junta drone attacks killed eight people and injured 26 others in Chin, Rakhine, Kayin and Shan states, as well as in Sagaing region. Of the eight dead, three were members of local anti-junta forces, while the remaining five - including one child - were civilians. All 26 of those injured were civilians. In the last four months of 2023, junta drone attacks injured four civilians - including one child - in Rakhine and Kayah states, RFA data showed. The pro-junta People's Media, based in Myanmar's capital Naypyitaw, reported on April 25 that the military had deployed Chinese-built CH-4 drones in an offensive it launched to recapture the Kayin state townships of Kawkareik, Thingannyinaung and Myawaddy. In a report published May 4, it said the junta had officially formed a drone force, and was receiving technical training from Russia, India and China. First manufactured in 2013, the larger CH-4 drone is equipped with missiles and can be deployed on reconnaissance and combat missions for several hours at a time, according to Captain Ze Thu Aung, who left Myanmar's air force to join the Civil Disobedience Movement of civil servants boycotting the junta. But the CH-4 has its disadvantages, said the former officer, who now advises anti-junta forces. "It's big and requires a runway," he said. "The military has largely refrained from using this drone. Instead, they mostly use the same type of drones used by the rebel forces, as they don't need a runway and can be carried easily." Attempts by RFA to contact junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun for further information on the military's use of drones went unanswered. Weaponizing drones Salai Peter Thang, the vice president of the ethnic Chin National Defense Force, told RFA that the military always had drones at its disposal, but mostly used them for reconnaissance. "The junta troops used drones even before we [rebel forces] could," he said. "But they didn't use bombs, which they've started using recently." He said that the military now deploys drones to conduct "limited airstrikes" as reinforcement for its ground troops. Two members of the ethnic Chinland Defense Force - Zophei and one member of the Zophai CDF were killed in junta drone attacks during fighting in Chin state's Tedim township and Sagaing region's Kalay township on April 27. In both attacks, junta troops also suffered casualties from rebel drones. A former military official, who also declined to be named, told RFA that as the number of drones used by both the military and rebel forces increases and technology improves, so will the number of casualties and extent of damage. "At present, both sides are suffering casualties," he said. "Victory will depend on their ability to endure." 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 Widespread Myanmar water shortage kills scores of people Nearly 50 villages in the west are impacted by this year's intense hot season, residents said. By RFA Burmese 2024.05.14 -- Nearly 50 villages in western Myanmar are facing shortages of water, residents told RFA on Tuesday, after the hot season brought record high temperatures across the region. Ponds and small lakes across Rakhine State are drying up, leaving residents with limited water for drinking and cooking. The United Nations has warned that tens of thousands of people displaced by conflict face the risk of disease as a result of the lack of water. Villages across Ponnagyun township have faced severe drought since April, as the hot season reached its most intense period, said one resident, who declined to be identified in fear of reprisals. "There are two or three ponds in the village. But this year, the daytime temperature rose so high that the ponds went dry," he said. "Some people don't even bathe regularly and sometimes even lack drinking water. There are some aid groups donating water but it's not enough because most of the villages need it." Ponnagyun faces a water shortage every year but this year has been the worst, he said, adding that some residents were suffering from diarrhea from drinking dirty water. Nearly a quarter of the households in Ah Htet Myat Hle village's camp for internally displaced people are facing a water shortage, a camp administrator said. Water-borne illnesses killed three people in the camp in April, with similar symptoms killing nearly 80 in other camps across the state in the same month, aid workers have said. Camp official Aung Myint told RFA that hundreds of people were facing various symptoms from drinking unclean water. "We are already having a lot of trouble in the camp. Hundreds of people are suffering from diarrhea. My child is also suffering from it, too," he said. "Three people from the camp have died from disease. It is caused mainly due to unclean drinking water, rising heat and the toilets." Mass displacement and disruption in Rakhine State from fighting between junta forces and ethnic minority insurgents from the Arakan Army, has forced thousands of people from their homes and deprived them of their livelihoods. Those forced into camps, mostly members of the persecuted Rohingya minority, lack access to doctors and sanitation. RFA tried to contact Rakhine State's junta spokesperson, Hla Thein, but he did not respond. 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 Seoul's decision to attend Putin inauguration leaves door open for diplomatic relations By Christy Lee May 14, 2024 In a move that contrasts with the United States, South Korea had its ambassador in Moscow attend Russian President Vladimir Putin's inauguration, seemingly leaving its options open for maintaining diplomatic relations with Russia amid Moscow's deepening ties with Pyongyang. Seoul said it based its decision for Ambassador Lee Do-hoon to attend Putin's inauguration "after considering all circumstances surrounding South Korean-Russian bilateral relations." A South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson made the remark to VOA's Korean Service on Friday. The U.S. and most European Union countries boycotted Putin's inauguration held May 7 at the Grand Kremlin Palace. He was reelected in March for his fifth term in office as Russia's war in Ukraine raged on for more than two years since its invasion in 2022. Moscow has turned to Pyongyang to replenish its stockpile of arms to fight Ukraine. "The U.S. directed our embassy not to attend the inauguration in protest of Russia's war against Ukraine," a State Department spokesperson said Thursday in an email sent to VOA's Korean Service. Japan also did not send a representative to the ceremony. Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kobayashi Maki said during a news briefing held in Tokyo the day after the inauguration that its decision was "based upon comprehensive consideration of Russia's aggression against Ukraine." VOA contacted the Russian Embassy in Seoul for comment on Lee's attendance. Its spokesperson, Mira Dzhamalidinova, emailed that it has "no comments for VOA." Robert Rapson, who served as charge d'affaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul from 2018 to 2021, said, "Ambassador Lee's attendance at Putin's inauguration was a small but symbolically significant step by Seoul to signal to Moscow its interest in improving, or at least more effectively managing, deteriorating bilateral relations." He continued, "It put [South] Korea clearly out of a public messaging step with the U.S. and its like-minded partners," and demonstrated "adjustments to its 'signature value-based' foreign policy." Relations between South Korea and Russia have declined as military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang deepened since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia in September. In April, South Korea sanctioned two Russian vessels involved in delivering military supplies from North Korea to Russia. In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called Seoul's move "an unfriendly step" that "will affect South Korea-Russia relations in a negative way." [[ https://www.voanews.com/a/us-pushes-back-at-russia-s-protest-over-south-korean-sanctions/7563881.html ]] "Washington was likely displeased with South Korea's decision to send a representative to Putin's inauguration," said Dan DePetris, a fellow at Defense Priorities, a Washington-based think tank. "This is a subtle, low-cost way for the Yoon government [of South Korea] to signal to Moscow that differences over Ukraine and North Korea notwithstanding, it's not going to mimic the U.S. policy of diplomatic isolation" toward Russia, he continued. DePetris added that Seoul likely allowed its representative to attend Putin's inauguration "precisely because North Korea-Russia bilateral ties have strengthened over the last two years" and wants to "keep all options on the table." Pyongyang-Moscow ties have expanded to include several visits to Russia by North Korean delegations recently. On Tuesday, North Korea sent a science and technology delegation to Russia to attend a meeting on trade, economy and science to be held in Moscow, according to North Korea's state-run KCNA. Also, passenger train services between the two countries resumed since they were suspended after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap, citing Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of Russia's northeastern region of Primorsky Krai, bordering North Korea. Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center's Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Project, said, "Moscow's new partnership with North Korea may have been a factor" that prompted Seoul to make its representation at Putin's inauguration. He continued, however, "I doubt Seoul has illusions about its ability to restrain Russia's ties with Pyongyang" but is "perhaps focused on maintaining economic ties" with Moscow. South Korea's exports to Russia totaled $6.33 billion in 2022, while its imports from Russia amounted to $12.8 billion in the same year, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, an online platform for data collection and distribution. South Korea's investment in Russia reached $4.16 billion in the same year, according to the South Korean Foreign Ministry. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fonterra announces step-change in strategic direction Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today announced a step-change in its strategic direction, as it commits to deepening its position as a world-leading provider of high-value, innovative dairy ingredients. As part of this, the Co-op has announced it is exploring full or partial divestment options for some or all of its global Consumer business, as well as its integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka. Chairman Peter McBride says this is a significant move for the Co-op which will set it up to grow long-term value for farmer shareholders and unit holders. We have conducted a strategic review which has reinforced the role of our core business. This is working alongside farmers to collect a sustainable supply of milk and efficiently manufacture products valued by customers, to deliver strong returns to farmer shareholders and unit holders, says Mr McBride. CEO Miles Hurrell says the review has also given the Co-op confidence in the role it plays in the dairy nutrition value chain, with one of its greatest strengths being the production of world-class, innovative ingredients for customers to take to consumers. We believe we can grow further value for the Co-op by focusing on being a B2B dairy nutrition provider, working closely with customers through our high-performing Ingredients and Foodservice channels. This will be enabled by strong relationships with farmers, a flexible manufacturing and supply chain footprint, deeper partnerships with strategic ingredients customers, further investment in our Foodservice channel, continued delivery on our sustainability commitments and investment in innovation. In this context, we are exploring divestment options for our global Consumer business as well as our integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka, says Mr Hurrell. Fonterras Consumer and associated businesses Fonterras global Consumer business has grown over the years since Fonterra was formed and is performing well. It includes a portfolio of market leading brands such as Anchor, Mainland, Kapiti, Anlene, Anmum, Fernleaf, Western Star, Perfect Italiano and others. Fonterra Oceania is a fully integrated business, recently created through merging Fonterra Brands New Zealand and Fonterra Australia. It comprises Consumer, Foodservice and Ingredients businesses. Fonterra Sri Lanka comprises Consumer and Foodservice businesses. Collectively, the businesses in scope for potential divestment utilised approximately 15% of the Co-ops total milk solids and represented approximately 19% of Fonterras group operating earnings in the first half of FY24, with our Consumer businesses delivering strong underlying earnings. A divestment of these assets would help create a simpler, higher performing Co-op with our focus on our core Ingredients and Foodservice business and doing what we do best, says Mr Hurrell. While these are great businesses with recent strengthening in performance and potential for more, ownership of these businesses is not required to fulfil Fonterras core function of collecting, processing and selling milk. Due to our co-operative structure, we believe prioritising our Ingredients and Foodservice channels and releasing capital in our Consumer and associated businesses would generate more value. At the same time, we believe Fonterra is not the highest-value owner of the Consumer and associated businesses in the longer term and a divestment could allow a new owner with the right expertise and resources to unlock their full potential. This presents a great opportunity for these brands and businesses. While I recognise theres a strong connection to brands such as Anchor, a new owner could help these businesses to flourish. We have also received unsolicited interest in parts of these businesses, making now a good time to consider their ownership, says Mr Hurrell. Next steps As a next step, Fonterra will appoint advisors to assist with assessing divestment options. We recognise a divestment of this scale would be significant for Fonterra. Throughout this process we will be considering how best to maximise overall returns to our farmer shareholders and unit holders. The choices we make when considering divestment options will be driven by a clear-eyed view of the best value creating pathway for the Co-op both in terms of the potential proceeds from a sale and the ability for Fonterra to generate consistent economic returns over the long-term. Any decisions about use of net proceeds from a sale will be guided by our Resource Allocation Framework, which allocates funds to debt repayment, investment to support our strategy and distributions to shareholders and unit holders. We expect a divestment process to take at least 12 to 18 months. If we were to proceed with a divestment of this size we would seek shareholder support, says Mr Hurrell. Fonterras long-term strategy In 2021, Fonterra released its long-term strategy Our Path to 2030 which included financial targets out to 2030. These targets were based on a strategy which included the businesses that are now in scope for potential divestment and, in these circumstances, it is appropriate for Fonterra to withdraw these financial targets. It is also appropriate for Fonterra to terminate its on-market share buyback programme, which was expected to run until 13 August 2024. At all times, we remain committed to maximising returns through the Farmgate Milk Price and dividends, and achieving a strong return on capital that is greater than farmers cost of capital. Fonterra will continue to provide updates on our forecast Farmgate Milk Price and earnings guidance as part of our quarterly reporting process or as required. Our FY24 forecast earnings are not impacted by this announcement. The Co-ops sustainability targets and associated investment plans remain unchanged. Fonterra also remains committed to improving cost efficiency across the Co-op and will continue to report progress against efficiency measures annually. Through our work to date, Fonterra has strong foundations which puts us in the position to consider where we will next invest for long-term growth. We intend to provide a further update on our revised long-term strategy in due course. This will include further detail on our plans to grow the long-term value of Fonterra and the measures through which we will track our progress, says Mr Hurrell. Notes: In FY23, Fonterras Ingredients business represented ~80% of the Co-ops New Zealand milk solids sold and returned $17.4 billion in revenue by selling a range of products, from high quality powders to premium proteins through GDT, resellers, and direct to strategic customers. It has a global sales footprint and customer base, with growing demand in developed economies such as North America. In FY23, Fonterras Foodservice business represented ~13% of the Co-ops New Zealand milk solids sold and returned $3.9 billion in revenue by selling products such as UHT cream, cream cheese and mozzarella to customers including restaurants, bakeries and hospitality businesses. It has a strong position in Greater China with further growth potential in other markets seeing economic growth, such as in Southeast Asia. In FY23, Fonterras Consumer business represented ~7% of the Co-ops New Zealand milk solids sold and returned $3.3 billion in revenue. It sells everyday dairy products such as fresh milk, cheese and butter enjoyed in homes around the world. It has a global footprint with brands most prominent in New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, China and Southeast Asia. Please find appended to this announcement an information pack with further detail on the scope, revenue and allocation of milk solids to these businesses. 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Related News: TRU - WHO Agency UNITAID Features TRU in Tech Landscape Report PaySauce Quarterly Market Update - September 2024 October 2nd Morning Report Rua Releases Annual Report for Year Ended 30 June 2024 SCL - Settlement of orchard sales The Warehouse Group 2024 ASM and Director Nominations AIR - Update on Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer Comvita Limited - Annual Report 2024 September 27th Morning Report Spark announces departure of Finance Director Putin to pay state visit to China, 'bilateral strategic ties to be further improved' Global Times By Yang Sheng Published: May 14, 2024 09:18 PM Updated: May 14, 2024 10:55 PM At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to China from May 16 to 17, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday, with analysts from the two countries saying that the visit will have strategic significance for not only the two major powers, but also the world amid turbulence and profound changes. This is Putin's first state visit after he was sworn in as Russian president for a new term, Wang Wenbin, a foreign ministry spokesperson, told a regular press briefing. As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, during the visit, Xi and Putin will exchange views on bilateral relations, cooperation in various fields, and international and regional issues of common concern, Wang said. He added that China will release relevant information on this visit in a timely manner. Chinese experts said that Putin's decision to choose China as the destination of his first state visit after his reelection is not a surprise, and this shows that Moscow attaches great importance to further developing its strategic partnership with China, and that under pressure from the West, Russia's determination to "turn to the East" is becoming rock-solid. Bilateral ties Zhang Hanhui, Chinese ambassador to Russia, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview recently that "under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between China and Russia is currently in its best historical period." Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the world will pay attention to the meeting between the top leaders of the two countries to see how China-Russia relations can be promoted to a new height, as strategic ties between the two major powers will greatly affect the international arena. 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 during his trip to China, Putin could also visit some places outside Beijing, and that would be key to watching where Russia's specific interests lie in its cooperation with China. Analysts said the two countries are expected to promote cooperation in many fields, including energy, aerospace, chemical engineering, education, transportation, infrastructure construction, agriculture and media, as the two countries are greatly interdependent and complementary. Alexey Maslov, director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies of Moscow State University, told the Global Times that "We value the stability of Russia-China relations. The one word I can use to describe our relationship is 'trust.' That's very important because if you look at the cooperation with the Western countries, we don't have, and we have never had, mutual trust. But with China, we have a mutual trust." "Our cooperation during the last two years developed very fast," said Maslov, adding that the two countries could deepen cooperation in finance and banking, as well as in sci-tech and investment. The long-arm jurisdiction imposed by the US in the past two years has brought some impacts and added barriers for normal economic and trade relations between China and Russia, and in the next step, the two sides will try to find solutions to handle the problem, said some observers. Multipolar world China and Russia are both major powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, and they share a consensus to promote a multipolar world order. Therefore, in many international issues, the two countries will strengthen their coordination to jointly safeguard world peace and justice among the international community, experts said. "Taking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity, China and Russia will further strengthen strategic cooperation, cultivate new momentum for cooperation, and help each other achieve development and revitalization. The two countries will also continue to enhance international multilateral cooperation, practice true multilateralism, and make contributions to the security and stability of both countries, regions, and the world," Zhang said. Russian philosopher and political analyst Aleksandr Dugin told the Global Times that China and Russia are two "pillars" of the multipolar world, and the cooperation and communication between the two pillars will encourage many other countries worldwide to also participate in the construction of a new multipolar international order with confidence. The 2024 BRICS Summit will be held in Russia from October 22 to 24, marking the first summit since the expansion of the bloc. And this year, China is the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Analysts said that China and Russia will jointly strengthen coordination in different multilateral mechanisms to make the Global South play a more important role in global governance. Global & regional issues The Russia-Ukraine conflict has lasted for more than two years with serious casualties and heavy economic losses. As the US will have presidential elections at the end of the year, some observers believe it could be a chance for different parties to bring this crisis to an end. China has always made efforts to promote peace talks and mediate the conflict between different parties, and in order to realize a cease-fire and stop the bloodshed, it is necessary for the top leaders of China and Russia to maintain communication, so that China can bridge the different parties that have contradictory stances, said experts. Zhang said "In regard to the Ukraine crisis, China has always adhered to an objective and just position, always standing on the side of peace and dialogue, actively advocating for peace and promoting talks." Unfortunately, there is still no sign of a cease-fire in the current crisis, and the conflict is still escalating and expanding, Zhang noted. The parties involved are not willing to budge on their positions, with significant differences in understanding. Some external forces are still adding fuel to the fire and fanning the flames, he said. "History has proven that the end point of any conflict is the negotiating table. China supports the timely convening of an international conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties and fair discussion of all peace proposals. China is willing to continue to play its unique role and contribute Chinese wisdom and strength to promote a political solution to the Ukraine crisis," said the ambassador. Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that not only on the Ukraine crisis, the two sides may also coordinate their stances on hot spot issues such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, to speak for justice and stand with the Global South to oppose unilateralism and hegemony together. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden signs bill banning U.S. imports of Russian uranium People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 13:34, May 14, 2024 WASHINGTON, May 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law Monday a bill that will prohibit U.S. imports of unirradiated low-enriched uranium from Russia. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement that Biden signed the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, which is aimed at "reducing, and ultimately eliminating, our reliance on Russia for civilian nuclear power." Having already been passed in the House and the Senate, the bill stipulates that 90 days after its enactment, unirradiated low-enriched uranium produced in Russia or by a Russian entity may not be imported to the United States. Enriched uranium is the main fuel used by nuclear power plants. The bill will provide waivers until Jan. 1, 2028 for utilities having to shut down nuclear reactors due to the cutoff of Russian uranium supply. It also frees up 2.72 billion U.S. dollars in federal funding that Congress recently appropriated, according to Sullivan, who said the money will be used to "jumpstart new enrichment capacity in the United States." U.S. companies pay around 1 billion dollars per year for enriched uranium from Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear power conglomerate, according to The Washington Post. The paper said in a report that the newly enacted law intends to "cut off one of the last significant flows of money from the United States to Russia" amid the latter's conflict with Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's Putin to visit China on President Xi's invitation Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 5:00 PM Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a two-day state visit to China this week to underscore the deepening "no limits" partnership with his counterpart Xi Jinping. The Chinese Foreign Ministry made the announcement on Tuesday, saying Putin will meet the Chinese president during his visit. The two leaders will discuss "cooperation in various fields of bilateral relations ... as well as international and regional issues of common concern." No further details were mentioned. The Kremlin also confirmed the trip in a statement, saying Putin was going to Beijing on Xi's invitation. The trip, starting on Thursday, will be Putin's first foreign trip since he was sworn in as president and began his fifth term in office last week. The Chinese president and Putin held a summit in Moscow earlier in March, during which they agreed to expand trade, energy and political relations. The Chinese Defense Ministry said at the time China was "willing to work together with the Russian military to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state." Last year, trade between Beijing and Moscow reached a record $240 billion, with Chinese companies increasing investment after Western firms left Russia following the imposition of sanctions against Moscow. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Detains Another Senior Defense Ministry Official In Corruption Case By RFE/RL's Russian Service May 14, 2024 Lieutenant General Yury Kuznetsov, who heads the personnel directorate of Russia's Defense Ministry, has been arrested in a corruption case after more than $1 million in cash and valuables were found during a search at his residence amid an ongoing crackdown on top military officials in Russia. Kuznetsov is suspected of receiving a bribe from a commercial entity in exchange for an unspecified favor, Svetlana Petrenko, a spokeswoman for the Investigative Committee wrote on social media on May 14. During searches of Kuznetsov's home, funds in Russian and foreign currencies worth more than 100 million rubles ($1.09 million), gold coins, collectible watches, and luxury items were found and confiscated, Petrenko said. "A court placed Kuznetsov in detention at the request of investigators," Petrenko added. Kuznetsov's arrest is another signal the Kremlin is battling to contain corruption as the war it initiated in Ukraine rages on. Two days earlier, President Vladimir Putin relieved his close ally Sergei Shoigu of his duties as defense minister, while on April 23, police detained Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov on bribe-taking charges and a court later sent him to pretrial detention for at least two months. Kuznetsov was appointed to his position in May last year. From 2010 until his appointment to his last post, he served as the chief of the eighth directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff which is responsible for the protection of classified information related to the Defense Ministry. Media reports quoted unnamed sources as saying that Kuznetsov's arrest is related to that period of his career. The dramatic developments within the Russian Defense Ministry are taking place after pro-Kremlin bloggers and political observers criticized Shoigu and the Defense Ministry for poorly handling Russia's ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Some pro-Kremlin political observers have explained Russia's failure to take over Ukraine in a short period of time by what they called widespread corruption among top military officials. Putin replaced Shoigu with former First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, 65, a politician who specializes in economic matters. The move is seen as part of a strategy to make the armed forces more streamlined with the war now in its third year. Shoigu's future as defense minister had been closely watched over the past year following the struggles of the military in Ukraine and other issues. With reporting by Baza and Kommersant Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-defense-ministry- corruption-kuznetsov-detained/32946558.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 Prohibiting Imports of Uranium Products from the Russian Federation US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson May 14, 2024 The President signed H.R. 1042, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, into law May 13, 2024. This bipartisan legislative action prohibits the import of Russian uranium products into the United States as of August 12, 2024, while enabling a waiver process with the Department of Energy, in consultation with the Departments of State and Commerce, through January 1, 2028, consistent with the law. This prohibition supports the United States' ongoing effort to reduce and ultimately eliminate our dependence on Russian uranium for civil nuclear power reactors by prohibiting uranium product imports from the Russian Federation. Russia continues to use its military-industrial base in its war against Ukraine and to undermine international and U.S. national security, in part, with proceeds from its uranium exports. Additionally, Russian entities responsible for uranium exports are part of the State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom), which is also responsible for aspects of Russia's nuclear weapons complex. Proceeds from Russian uranium exports enrich Rosatom and risk enhancing Russia's nuclear weapons program, which poses an ongoing and serious threat to the national security of the United States. Since February 2022, the United States has sanctioned over 35 Rosatom subsidiaries and related individuals under Executive Order 14024. The Russian Federation has also proven by its actions it is willing to weaponize economic relationships, which makes the continued reliance on Russian uranium products a threat to U.S. energy and economic security through dependence on an insecure source or supply of uranium needed for domestic nuclear energy. With bipartisan support from Congress, the enactment of this law also releases $2.72 billion in appropriated funds to the Department of Energy to invest in domestic uranium enrichment further advancing a secure and resilient global nuclear energy fuel supply consistent with our international obligations. These obligations include our commitment with the G7 in June 2022 to reduce reliance on Russian civil nuclear and related goods. Separately, this law enables our COP 28 commitments under the Sapporo 5 grouping joining Canada, France, Japan, and the United Kingdom to invest $4.2 billion to expand enrichment and conversion capacity and separately to join the Multinational Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy Capacity by 2050. The bipartisan act President Biden has signed into law, together with the funding in the FY24 budget, will provide assurance to industry, allies, and partners that the United States has made a clear decision to establish a secure nuclear fuel supply chain, independent of adversarial influence, for decades to come. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Huang Shu-kuang to remain indigenous sub program convener under Lai ROC Central News Agency 05/14/2024 08:45 PM Taipei, May 14 (CNA) Retired Navy Admiral Huang Shu-kuang (ea) will retain his roles as a National Security Council (NSC) advisor and the convener of the Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program after the new government is sworn in on May 20, the presidential handover committee announced Tuesday. Huang, who tendered his resignation as NSC advisor and IDS program convener last month, decided to stay on after President Tsai Ing-wen (ee) and President-elect Lai Ching-te (ea) asked him to do so, a source with knowledge of the matter told CNA. Tsai and Lai both have strong faith in Huang, and Lai asked him to continue overseeing the major project to bolster Taiwan's defense capabilities, the source said. Huang said in a statement last month that he had resigned in hopes it would put an end to "politically charged, unfounded accusations and slander targeting the IDS program." However, Tsai did not approve Huang's resignation, and he has since been supervising the testing of the prototype IDS, called the Narwhal, or Hai Kun, at a CSBC Corp., Taiwan facility, the source said. The first military officer to be promoted by Tsai to the rank of admiral second class, Huang served as Navy chief from June 2016 to January 2020, when he was named chief of general staff. His primary mission under the departing president has been to push the IDS program forward. In September 2021, he was appointed by Tsai as a National Security Council advisor and further designated as the program's convener. In 2017, Huang became the first admiral of the Republic of China, Taiwan's formal name, to travel to the United States during the administration of then-U.S. President Donald Trump. During the visit, he oversaw the handover ceremony of two Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates Taiwan had purchased from the U.S. Huang's military career has been inextricably linked to submarines. As far back as 1979, he was in charge of taking delivery of two Chien Lung-class submarines ordered from the Netherlands, which were a modified version of the Dutch Navy's Zwaardvis subs. Huang later captained the "ROCS Hai Shih" (Sea Lion) submarine, which was acquired from the U.S. in the 1970s and was formerly named the USS Cutlass. He was also the leader of the ROC Navy's 256th Submarine Squadron before he became chief of general staff in 2020. (By Matt Yu, Lai Yu-chen and Sean Lin) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan not invited to World Health Assembly, again ROC Central News Agency 05/14/2024 06:39 PM Taipei, May 14 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said it is "deeply regrettable" that Taiwan has not been invited to attend this year's World Health Assembly (WHA), the annual meeting of the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). The deadline for registering for the 77th WHA, to be held from May 27 to June 1 in Geneva was Monday, a deadline Taiwan, which is not a member of the United Nations, could not meet because it did not receive an invitation to the WHA for an eighth consecutive year. In a written report sent to lawmakers for a legislative committee hearing on Wednesday, MOFA called on the WHO to "face squarely" Taiwan's professional contributions in the field of global health, and argued that Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO posed a global health risk. The decision not to invite Taiwan to the WHA, which the government has repeatedly protested, not only disregards the rights of the 23.5 million people of Taiwan but also the health and welfare of all of humanity, the MOFA report said. Despite the lack of an invitation, incoming Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan () will lead a Taiwanese group to Geneva to attend a series of events to promote Taiwan's inclusion in the WHA, in line with previous practice, MOFA added. Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang () will also lead a legislative delegation to Geneva for the same purpose, it said. The Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan's official name, left the WHO in 1972 following a decision by the United Nations to expel the ROC and recognize the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the only "legitimate representative of China." Since then, Taiwan has been unable to attend the WHA even as an observer due to Chinese pressure, except from 2009 to 2016, when relations with China were warmer under Taiwan's then-Kuomintang (KMT) government and Beijing supported Taiwan's participation. On Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin () told reporters in Beijing that China sees Taiwan as part of its territory, and that Taiwan's participation in the WHA "must be handled under the one-China principle." "China's Taiwan region, unless given approval by the central government, has no basis, reason or right to participate in the WHA," he argued. Asked to comment on Wang's remarks, Jeff Liu (), the spokesman for Taiwan's foreign ministry, said Tuesday that China has no right to interfere with Taiwan's diplomacy and international participation. "Taiwan has never been part of the PRC. This is an objective fact and an internationally recognized status quo," he said. It is Taiwan's right to participate in international organizations. The decision does not rely on Beijing's goodwill or need its consent, Liu argued. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan, U.S. Pacific drills held based on international code: MND ROC Central News Agency 05/14/2024 05:09 PM Taipei, May 14 (CNA) An unpublicized joint military exercise between Taiwan and the United States in the Pacific last month was carried out in accordance with an international code, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday. According to a Reuters report citing unnamed sources, the American and Taiwanese navies conducted joint drills in the Western Pacific in April. The drills were not made public at the time, but the sources said about six navy ships from both sides, including frigates and supply and support vessels, participated in the days-long exercises, according to Reuters. Responding to the report, MND spokesman Major General Sun Li-fang (ac) said the drills were based on the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), a series of non-binding rules-of-the-road to prevent an escalation of tensions between different militaries at sea. Sun said routine drills were carried out in accordance with CUES to avoid mutual interference during encounters at sea because there are many uncertain factors during any such encounter. An agreement reached at the 2014 Western Pacific Naval Symposium, CUES offers safety measures and a means to limit mutual interference, to limit uncertainty, and to facilitate communication when naval ships or naval aircraft encounter each other in an unplanned manner. The drills, which focused on communications and other operations and did not involve live fire maritime exercises, were not the first held to simulate encounters between Taiwanese and American naval ships, according to a source familiar with the matter. Meanwhile, in response to questions about Chinese military activity ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Lai Ching-te (ea) on May 20, Sun said peace in the Taiwan Strait and regional stability depend on the joint efforts of all parties. Any provocative actions will not help regional peace and stability, and Taiwan's military is not a troublemaker and will not take provocative actions, Sun said. One of the moves made by the People's Liberation Army of China recently seen as being provocative was deploying the Type 052D destroyer Lishui in waters around Taiwan's outlying Penghu islands on May 11, according to media reports. Major General Tung Chi-Hsing (eaY), who is in charge of combat and planning affairs at the MND, said China has also been stepping up gray-zone warfare against Taiwan. The MND will continue its joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations to stay on top of developments in the Taiwan Strait and respond to any emergencies based on related combat readiness guidelines and regulations, Tung said. (By Matt Yu, Wu Shu-wei and Evelyn Kao) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tsai's 8 years in government: Transforming Taiwan amid global challenges ROC Central News Agency 05/14/2024 04:58 PM By Teng Pei-ju, CNA staff reporter In just a few days, President Tsai Ing-wen () will complete her two four-year terms in power and pass the baton to her deputy, Lai Ching-te (), who is also from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and was victorious in the 2024 presidential election. Over the past eight years, the Tsai administration has elevated Taiwan's visibility on the global stage as it navigated increasing competition between the world's two great powers and other complex geopolitical situations. Not only that, Tsai's government managed to "internationalize the Taiwan issue," Wang Hung-jen (), a political science professor at National Cheng Kung University, told CNA. Its strategy is to convey to the international community that "Taiwan is not merely an internal problem of China" but rather a global issue that "impacts the core interests of many countries," Wang said. Since 2021, the Group of Seven (G7) has consistently emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait through statements following key meetings. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at an event in February 2023 that a crisis across the Taiwan Strait "is not an internal matter, as China would have it, based on its sovereignty" but rather a matter of concern to "literally the entire world." Understanding these developments requires accounting for broader global economic and geopolitical changes, including trade disputes in 2018 and subsequent tensions, between the U.S. and China. At the same time, the international community was forced to grapple with emerging challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to Wang, the Tsai administration has managed to turn these watershed moments into opportunities for Taiwan and, as Tsai pledged on the first day on the job, "fulfill our duty as a citizen of the world and contribute toward diplomatic and global issues." When COVID-19 began sweeping the West in 2020, Taiwan, which was controlling the virus effectively at that time, offered to share its public health expertise internationally, Wang said. The country also engaged in what was later dubbed "mask diplomacy," sending millions of face masks, among other medical supplies and equipment, to countries hit badly by the deadly disease, he added. Officials from those countries expressed gratitude to Taiwan and reciprocated by providing COVID-19 vaccine doses when Taiwan suffered a shortage in 2021. Following the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Taipei aligned itself with Washington-led initiatives to impose sanctions on Russia, providing aid relief and financial assistance to Ukraine, often in collaboration with Central and Eastern European nations, according to Wang. Counting what her administration has achieved over the past eight years in her last New Year's address in 2024, Tsai said "Taiwan has changed... and what has changed is that Taiwan is no longer overlooked." "We win the trust of the international community and deepen cooperation with our democratic partners," Tsai added, alluding to the U.S., Japan, European and Southeast Asian countries. Among the support garnered by Taiwan from the international community, its relationship with the U.S. is arguably the most important, spanning across military, economic, educational, and other fields. Tsai's "steady leadership" has ensured "incident-free" relations between Taipei and Washington and enabled "a very smooth channel of communication," Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (), who was Taiwan's envoy to Washington from 2020 to 2023, told an event in April. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (), meanwhile, said in an interview in 2022 that the U.S. had "significant trust" in the Tsai administration, because of its "non-provocative stance toward China" and "determination to defend Taiwan" when coming under pressure. This included Tsai's prompt and firm rejection of a proposal made by China's leader Xi Jinping () at the start of 2019 to explore "one country, two systems" -- the political arrangement Beijing has imposed on Hong Kong -- for Taiwan. In addition to vocalizing Taiwan's commitment to self-defense, the Tsai administration has actively worked on boosting the nation's defense capability through initiatives to build vessels and jets in the country and reinstating one-year compulsory military service for men. While enjoying flourishing relations with Washington, Taipei's relationship with Beijing has deteriorated since Tsai took office, despite her repeated pledge to uphold the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. Unlike her predecessor Ma Ying-jeou () of the Kuomintang, Tsai does not accept the "1992 consensus," a political concept Chinese authorities consider a prerequisite for any dialogue between the two sides. Beijing responded by cutting official contact with Taipei, ramping up military, political and economic pressure on Taiwan, and seeking to limit the country's participation in the international arena. Taiwan has lost 10 diplomatic allies to China over the past eight years and has been excluded from the World Health Assembly -- the World Health Organization's decision-making body -- and other United Nations agencies because of Beijing's opposition. This is a stark contrast with the previous administration led by Ma, which adopted a much more conciliatory approach toward China. During those eight years, Taiwan lost one ally and was able to participate in some of the U.N. agencies as an observer. Domestically, Tsai has also rolled out several major reforms and policies, with some so contentious that opponents often took to the streets to protest. These included cutting pensions for retired military personnel, civil servants, and teachers at the start of her first term. She also scrapped seven public holidays and gave the green light to imports of American pork containing ractopamine. Her administration was also strongly criticized by opposition parties during the COVID-19 pandemic for the perceived slow importing of life-saving vaccines, rapid test kits, and antiviral pills following outbreaks and a surge in confirmed cases in Taiwan since May 2021. The ruling DPP has attributed the delay to China's interference in the purchasing deals. Tsai, who specialized in international trade law and competition law, was a trade negotiator for Taiwan's accession to the World Trade Organization in the 1990s. The 67-year-old earned a master's degree in law from Cornell University Law School in 1980 and a Ph.D. in law from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1984. She then served on the National Security Council as an adviser to former President Lee Teng-hui () and later headed the Mainland Affairs Council, the top government agency handling cross-strait affairs, under the government of former President Chen Shui-bian (). She did not become a DPP member until 2004, and her ascent to the party leadership came just four years later, after the DPP's dismal defeat in the presidential election in 2008, partly due to Chen's corruption scandal. Tsai's first presidential bid in 2012 ended in defeat to Ma of the KMT, but she made a successful comeback four years later and became the first female president of the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name). A social policy that Tsai has often emphasized in key public speeches is the legalization of same-sex marriage in Taiwan in 2019, even though the legislative process also faced significant pushback from religious and conservative groups. At a talk in March, Tsai said the passage of the same-sex marriage law was "a key moment" where "Taiwan attracted tremendous attention" from the world. "Since then, the international community's views and perceptions of Taiwan have changed," Tsai said, noting that the country is known not only for advanced technology development but also for its "progressive ideas." Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan calls for swift return of China-rescued military officer ROC Central News Agency 05/14/2024 10:12 PM Taipei, May 14 (CNA) The Republic of China (Taiwan) Army on Tuesday urged China to allow the return of an ROC officer stationed in Kinmen as soon as possible, following his detention in mainland China since March. The noncommissioned officer, a 25-year-old man surnamed Hu (), who was part of the Kinmen Garrison Brigade, was rescued by the Chinese coast guard after drifting into Chinese waters off Fujian Province during a fishing trip in March. He has since been held due to his "sensitive status" as an active-duty soldier. The Army Command Headquarters said Tuesday that Hu's family applied for voluntary military discharge on his behalf, and the application has been approved and became effective on May 8. The Army said it will continue collaborating with related government agencies, including the Kinmen County government, to convey to the China side the hope Hu can be returned home as soon as possible. Hu and a 40-year-old angler surnamed Wu () were rescued by the coast guard of China's Fujian Province after going missing and losing contact due to foggy conditions during a fishing trip in Kinmen on March 17. While Wu was returned to Kinmen, a Taiwan-controlled island group located around 10 kilometers east of the city of Xiamen in Fujian, on March 23, Hu is still being kept in China due to his military status. (By Matt Yu and Evelyn Kao) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SoftwareOne Holding AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results/Quarter Results SoftwareOne delivers solid start to 2024 and reiterates full-year guidance 15-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. Media Release ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR SoftwareOne delivers solid start to 2024 and reiterates full-year guidance Stans, Switzerland I 15 May 2024 SoftwareOne Holding AG, a leading global software and cloud solutions provider, today published its Q1 2024 trading update. Group revenue up 7.4% YoY constant currency (ccy) and 3.1% YoY reported currency to CHF 246.9 million in Q1 2024 Adjusted EBITDA up 18.8% YoY ccy to CHF 45.4 million, with margin up 1.8pp YoY to 18.4% reflecting continued cost control Acceleration in NORAM to revenue growth of 26.4% YoY ccy supported by a number of large client wins Execution of Vision 2026 progressing as planned, with a focus on driving strategic growth priorities, sharpening execution and margin expansion Ambition to become #1 Copilot partner and deliver on USD 100 million revenue opportunity across licensing and services on track Implementation of transformed GTM model ongoing based on new client segmentation and coverage model, with a phased roll-out starting in key markets in Q2 2024 Outlook for 2024 reiterated based on YTD performance and stabilising market environment Transaction Committee chaired by Till Spillmann and comprised of all independent members of the Board of Directors has been established to address approaches received from several parties Brian Duffy, CEO of SoftwareOne said, We delivered our Q1 2024 results against a backdrop of uncertainty in the economic environment. With our integrated offering of software & cloud, services and data & AI, we are strongly positioned to serve our clients with outcome-oriented solutions to meet their needs. In particular, we made great progress in supporting clients with the implementation of Microsoft 365 Copilot this quarter, helping them bend the productivity curve, while addressing security, governance and other considerations. We are focused on executing our updated strategy Vision 2026 a new chapter of growth. We have finalised the blueprint design for a transformed GTM approach based on our new client segmentation and coverage model, with roll-out in key markets starting in Q2 2024. We have also made significant progress in forming a well-defined global alliance organisation to manage prioritised partnerships with ISVs. Lastly, we continue to see traction on our Marketplace Platform, with the number of clients, cloud subscriptions and sales steadily increasing. Combined with a continued focus on operational excellence, we are confident these strategic initiatives will drive accelerated growth and margin expansion in line with our Vision 2026 targets. Rodolfo Savitzky, CFO of SoftwareOne added, Our Q1 2024 results are a testament to our resilient business model and the successful execution of our operational excellence programme. We continue to be on track to deliver our target of CHF 70 million in annualised savings in 2024. Based on our performance this quarter, we reiterate full-year guidance of revenue growth of 8-10% and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 24.5-25.5%. Key figures Group CHFm Q1 2024 Q1 2023 % % (CCY) Software & Cloud Marketplace 125.6 125.6 0.0% 4.6% Software & Cloud Services 121.3 113.8 6.6% 10.4% Total revenue 246.9 239.4 3.1% 7.4% Delivery costs (87.7) (91.4) (4.1)% (1.1)% Contribution margin 159.3 148.0 7.6% 12.6% SG&A (113.9) (108.4) 5.1% 10.3% Adj. EBITDA 45.4 39.6 14.5% 18.8% Adj. EBITDA margin (% revenue) 18.4% 16.6% 1.8pp - In Q1 2024, revenue at the group level grew 7.4% YoY ccy and 3.1% reported currency to CHF 246.9 million, compared to CHF 239.4 million in the prior year period. The strengthening of the CHF versus several major currencies, including the EUR, USD and GBP led to a negative FX translation impact of around 4.3 percentage points on revenue. Solid growth in key markets Revenue by region CHFm Q1 2024 Q1 2023[1] % % (CCY) EMEA 147.0 148.9 (1.3)% 3.0% NORAM 39.1 32.6 19.9% 26.4% LATAM 24.8 23.1 7.3% 4.3% APAC 32.8 31.3 5.0% 14.4% Group, FX & Other 3.1 3.5 (10.4)% - Total revenue 246.9 239.4 3.1% 7.4% By region, EMEA grew revenue by 3.0% YoY ccy to CHF 147.0 million, with good momentum in Southern Europe, Benelux and CEE, particularly within services. NORAM accelerated on the back of a number of large client wins, driving revenue growth of 26.4% YoY ccy to CHF 39.1 million in Q1 2024. APAC was up 14.4% YoY ccy to CHF 32.8 million in Q1 2024, driven primarily by Microsoft and related services. Revenue in LATAM grew 4.3% YoY ccy to CHF 24.8 million in Q1 2024 with improved performance across the region on the back of new leadership since last year. Continued growth momentum across business lines Software & Cloud Marketplace Key figures Software & Cloud Marketplace CHFm Q1 2024 Q1 2023 % % (CCY) Revenue 125.6 125.6 0.0% 4.6% Contribution margin 108.2 106.6 1.5% 6.1% Contribution margin (% of revenue) 86.1% 84.9% 1.2pp - Adj. EBITDA 57.9 53.3 8.6% 13.0% Adj. EBITDA margin (% of revenue) 46.1% 42.5% 3.6pp - Revenue in Software & Cloud Marketplace grew 4.6% YoY ccy to CHF 125.6 million in Q1 2024. Gross billings in the Microsoft business amounted to USD 4.3 billion in Q1 2024, up 6% compared to Q1 2023. Revenue growth in the Microsoft business continued to offset lower growth in other ISVs. Contribution margin grew by 6.1% YoY ccy to CHF 108.2 million in Q1 2024, with the margin improving to 86.1% of revenue. Adjusted EBITDA grew by 13.0% YoY ccy to CHF 57.9 million in Q1 2024, compared to CHF 53.3 million in the prior year period. Software & Cloud Services Key figures Software & Cloud Services CHFm Q1 2024 Q1 2023 % % (CCY) Revenue 121.3 113.8 6.6% 10.4% Contribution margin 51.1 41.4 23.5% 29.2% Contribution margin (% of revenue) 42.1% 36.4% 5.8pp - Adj. EBITDA 4.4 2.3 89.1% 93.6% Adj. EBITDA margin (% of revenue) 3.6% 2.0% 1.6pp - Software & Cloud Services delivered revenue growth of 10.4% YoY ccy to CHF 121.3 million in Q1 2024, up from CHF 113.8 million in the prior year period. Growth was driven by Cloud Services and Software Sourcing & Portfolio Management (previously known as ITAM). Focus on cross-selling continued with 73% of LTM (to 31 March 2024) revenue generated by c. 15.9k clients purchasing both software and services, up from 15.5k a year ago Contribution margin increased to CHF 51.1 million in Q1 2024, driving the margin to 42.1%, driven by continued optimisation of the delivery network. Adjusted EBITDA was CHF 4.4 million in Q1 2024, compared to CHF 2.3 million in the prior year period. The margin was 3.6%, up 1.6 ppts compared to one year ago. Focus on profitable growth Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2024 was CHF 45.4 million, increasing 18.8% YoY ccy driven primarily by optimisation of the delivery network and strict cost control. The operational excellence programme generated additional cost savings of CHF 7 million in Q1 2024 and is on track to achieve the CHF 70 million target this year. Restructuring expenses relating to the operational excellence and GTM programmes, as well as discontinuation of the MTWO vertical totalled CHF 12.2 million in Q1 2024. Update on implementation of Vision 2026 At its Capital Markets Day on 15 February 2024, SoftwareOne announced Vision 2026 a new chapter of growth to drive accelerated growth, margin expansion and cash generation by pursuing key growth priorities and through sharpened execution, while leveraging its unique value proposition. The implementation of Vision 2026 is progressing as planned. Strategic growth opportunities In terms of its strategic growth priorities, SoftwareOne remains on track to becoming the #1 Copilot partner for Microsoft and achieving the USD 100 million mid-term revenue opportunity, with over 325,000 new Copilot users and 325+ services engagements in the quarter. Sharpened execution With regards to sharpening execution, transforming the companys GTM approach and implementing pricing and renewals initiatives were priorites in Q1 2024. A blueprint design of the GTM model based on the new client segmentation and coverage model was finalised in the quarter. Roll-out to key markets is planned for Q2 2024, followed by an organisation-wide launch towards year-end. To execute on its focused ISV strategy, significant progress was made in establishing the global alliance team to manage prioritised partnerships with the hyperscalers and other ISVs. To increase wallet share and expand its addressable market, the company remained focused on accelerating adoption of the Marketplace platform, which continued to gain traction with both vendors and clients in Q1 2024. With over 17k clients actively using the platform, the number of cloud subscriptions increased to 34.5k and LTM gross sales to 31 March 2024 was CHF 668 million. Margin expansion To drive margin expansion, SoftwareOne continued to execute on its operational excellence programme, with continued optimisation of delivery network, scaling of HR shared service centers and completion of Finance shared service transitions. Board of Directors update Together with the Executive Board, the newly elected Board of Directors is currently analysing the business with a view to accelerating the current transformation and growth plans. In the meantime, the Board has been approached by several parties regarding a potential going-private transaction. To ensure an orderly follow-up, the Board has established a Transaction Committee that is chaired by Till Spillmann and comprises all independent members of the Board of Directors. Outlook for the financial year 2024 reiterated Based on its first quarter performance, SoftwareOne reiterates its 2024 full-year guidance, assuming no material deterioration in the macroeconomic environment: 8-10% YoY revenue growth for the group in constant currency; Adjusted EBITDA margin of 24.5-25.5% of revenue; Dividend pay-out ratio of 30-50% of adjusted profit for the year. Reconciliation Reported to adjusted EBITDA CHFm Q1 2024 Q1 2023 Reported EBITDA 28.7 29.9 Impact of change in revenue recognition of Microsoft Enterprise Agreements 0.3 1.4 Share-based compensation - - Integration, M&A and earn-out expenses 3.1 3.9 Operational excellence restructuring expenses 4.1 4.4 GTM restructuring expenses 5.1 - Discontinuatoin of MTWO vertical 3.0 - Russia-related loss - 0.1 Other non-recurring items 1.0 - Adjusted EBITDA 45.4 39.6 Q1 2024 RESULTS DOCUMENTS The Q1 2024 Trading update documents can be found on SoftwareOnes website in the Results centre . CALL FOR INVESTORS, AnalystS AND THE MEDIA A webcast for investors, analysts and the media with Brian Duffy, CEO and Rodolfo Savitzky, CFO will be held today at 9.00 CEST and may be joined via the link Audio webcast. If you wish to actively participate in the Q&A session or are unable to join via the webcast, you may call the following numbers, 10 15 minutes before conference start: Switzerland / Europe: +41 (0) 58 310 50 00 United Kingdom: +44 (0) 207 107 06 13 United States: +1 (1) 631 570 56 13 Other international numbers available here. The webcast will be archived and a digital playback will be available approximately two hours after the event in the Results centre . CORPORATE CALENDAR 2024 Half-year results and Half-year Report 21 August 2024 Q3 2024 Trading update 13 November 2024 CONTACT Anna Engvall, Investor Relations Tel. +41 44 832 41 37, anna.engvall@softwareone.com FGS Global, Media Relations Tel. +41 44 562 14 99, press.softwareone@fgsglobal.com ABOUT SOFTWAREONE SoftwareOne is a leading global software and cloud solutions provider that is redefining how organizations build, buy and manage everything in the cloud. By helping clients to migrate and modernize their workloads and applications and in parallel, to navigate and optimise the resulting software and cloud changes SoftwareOne unlocks the value of technology. The company's ~9,300 employees are driven to deliver a portfolio of 7,500 software brands with a presence in over 60 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, SoftwareOne is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SWON. Visit us at www.softwareone.com SoftwareOne Holding AG, Riedenmatt 4, CH-6370 Stans CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This media release may contain certain forward-looking statements relating to the groups future business, development and economic performance. Such statements may be subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, such as but not limited to force majeure, competitive pressures, legislative and regulatory developments, global, macroeconomic and political trends, the groups ability to attract and retain the employees that are necessary to generate revenues and to manage its businesses, fluctuations in currency exchange rates and general financial market conditions, changes in accounting standards or policies, delay or inability in obtaining approvals from authorities, technical developments, litigation or adverse publicity and news coverage, each of which could cause actual development and results to differ materially from the statements made in this media release. SoftwareOne assumes no obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. [1] Includes reallocation of revenue between Group and the regions to align with 2024 reporting, with no change to total revenue Joint drills by US, Taiwan island 'political stunt' ahead of Lai's inauguration Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: May 14, 2024 06:04 PM Ahead of the scheduled inauguration of Taiwan regional leader-elect Lai Ching-te, Western media on Tuesday sensationalized the so-called joint drills between the navies of the US and the island of Taiwan held in April. Slamming military collusion between the US and the island of Taiwan, Chinese mainland experts said that such exercises have little military significance, and that the media hype is a political stunt lending support to "Taiwan independence" separatists. Citing anonymous sources, Reuters reported on Tuesday that the navies of the US and the island of Taiwan conducted joint drills in the West Pacific in April, which were not publicized at the time. Dubbed "unplanned sea encounters" and lasting for days, the drills featured about half a dozen of warships from both sides including frigates and supply and support vessels as they practiced "basic" operations such as communications, refueling and resupply, Reuters reported. In response to the report, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a routine press conference on Tuesday that China is firmly opposed to the US's military contact with Taiwan. This position is consistent and unequivocal. "We urge the US to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiquAs and stop its wrong behavior of having military contact with Taiwan. We also have a clear message for the DPP authorities: seeking "Taiwan independence" and resisting reunification with force is bound to fail. They can be assured of that," Wang said. It is questionable whether the "joint drills" were indeed "unplanned sea encounters," but both the US and the DPP authorities know that military contact is a serious provocation, so they did not make any official announcement, a Chinese mainland military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Tuesday. But a week before Lai's scheduled inauguration on May 20, the so-called sources used media to publicize and sensationalize the event to show US "support" to the hard-line "Taiwan independence" separatist Lai, while attempting not to provoke the Chinese mainland, the expert said, calling the move a "gray zone tactic." It is a political stunt with little military significance, because the training courses were indeed "basic," the expert said. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has overwhelming military advantages in the Taiwan Straits and around the island of Taiwan, and it regularly holds exercises in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Royal Marines to Get New Multi Role Support Ships Amid Scramble to Fix UK Navy's Woes Sputnik News 20240514 Svetlana Ekimenko News that the Royal Marines will be getting new specialist vessels comes as two of the UK's aircraft carriers - the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales - have been plagued by technical malfunctions, with humiliating breakdowns affecting Britain's ability to participate in large-scale joint NATO drills. Amid a scramble to fix the technical and operational woes plaguing the UK's Navy, the Royal Marines are to receive a set of new support vessels. The Multi Role Support Ships (MRSS) will be specialist warships geared to "quickly transport the Royal Marines Commando Force from sea to shore," UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps told The Telegraph. Development of the six vessels has just begun, with Shapps underscoring that the investment is crucial to ensure that the Royal Navy is not "not left behind" by adversaries "like China and Russia." The new-generation ships will: feature docks for landing craft; have a hangar to accommodate a Chinook helicopter as well as a launch pad for helicopters; will enable hosting and launching of attack drones from a dock that can be lowered into the water; may be fitted with laser weapons such as DragonFire. In April, the UK announced plans to deploy the new DragonFire laser platform by the year 2027. Britain's MoD released footage of a test of the DragonFire directed energy weapon in March, showing the system firing a powerful beam of light into the night sky. It also released a computer graphic showing the laser being carried by a British warship and targeting a small boat. The MRSS ships touted by Shapps as "critical investments in shipbuilding to build the future Royal Navy needed to deter our adversaries, and then win if they are not deterred," will be the first large-scale investment after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced A75 billion (around $94 billion) in new funding for the Ministry of Defense. The announcement that Grant Shapps is officially making at the First Sea Lord's Sea Power Conference at Lancaster House on Tuesday comes amid a host of embarrassing setbacks for the Royal Navy. In a reflection of the UK's host of internal political and economic problems, its flagship aircraft carriers the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales have faced a number of technical malfunctions and operational restrictions. The HMS Queen Elizabeth, which was officially commissioned into the Royal Navy on December 7, 2017, may boast sophisticated weaponry and communications systems, but critics have pilloried it as an expensive project unable to tackle drone and hypersonic missile strikes. A minor fire broke out onboard the 65,000-ton aircraft carrier in March as it was docked at Glenmallan in Scotland awaiting repairs. Earlier in the same month, the flagship worth A3.5 billion ($4.5 billion) was forced to withdraw from a major NATO drill after a coupling on the vessel's 33-ton starboard propeller malfunctioned. Although Big Lizzie was replaced by the HMS Prince of Wales, its departure was also canceled due to the same malfunction. At the time, geopolitical analyst and former US Marine Brian Berletic told Sputnik that it is "just the latest incident in a long line of maintenance problems plaguing" both the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and its sister ship, singling out their major propulsion issues. Earlier in the year, The National Interest referred to problems with UK aircraft carriers the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales as a "nightmare" that "won't end." Furthermore, The Telegraph reported that the Royal Navy's auxiliary fleet, which is supposed to provide supplies at sea, is in an "even worse mess". It pointed to issues such as lack of personnel, many vessels not operating, with some being in a state of "extended readiness," and others believed never to be deployed. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK and Republic of Korea conduct joint sanctions enforcement patrols The United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have conducted joint maritime patrols in the waters around the Korean Peninsula. 14 May 2024 UK and Republic of Korea have completed joint patrols around the Korean Peninsula Operations enforced UN Security Council Resolutions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea HMS Spey took part alongside Republic of Korea ships and aircraft The United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have conducted joint maritime patrols in the waters around the Korean Peninsula to enforce UN Security Council Resolutions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). This reflects a step-change in UK and Korea defence cooperation following the signing of the Downing Street Accord by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President Yoon Suk-Yeoul during a state visit to the UK in November 2023. The first of its kind, the joint operation reflects the commitments made by the UK and ROK in the Accord to protect peace and stability and enhance regional security in the Indo-Pacific. HMS Spey is one of two Offshore Patrol Vessels deployed in the Indo-Pacific as part of the UK permanent maritime presence in the region. The ship participated in the patrols alongside ROK units, including a ROK Navy ship and maritime patrol aircraft. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: The UK operates a truly global Navy - deploying across the world to support peace, security and uphold international law. These joint patrols demonstrate the value our partnerships have in promoting and protecting our shared values in a more dangerous world. The Downing Street Accord commits to bringing the UK and ROK closer together, upgrading ties to the status of 'Global Strategic Partners' and providing for closer collaboration in a wide range of fields, including trade and business, clean energy and climate, and development. On defence and security, the UK and ROK agreed to improve information sharing, tackle cyber threats, and improve our defence industrial capability and cooperation. The Republic of Korea have recently started a two-year term on the UN Security Council, of which the UK is a permanent member. The joint enforcement of sanctions against the DPRK are an increasingly important means through which the two countries work together to safeguard the security of the Korean peninsula, and support security in the region. Lieutenant Commander Kris White, Executive Officer of HMS Spey said: This latest period of operations in the Indo Pacific has provided the opportunity to work with ROK and US partners and, importantly, to assist with the mission to limit DPRK's weapons development programme. As well as cooperating on this important mission, I was thrilled that, alongside the ROK Armed Forces, we were able to develop greater interoperability and people-to-people links. From the Korean War to today's defence and security challenges, it was clear how like-minded we are, especially on the importance of maritime security and the free flow of trade. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK underlines strong Indo-Pacific relationships as Defence Minister visits Malaysia and Thailand The UK's steadfast commitment to Indo-Pacific security and prosperity was underlined as Defence Minister The Earl of Minto visited Malaysia and Thailand. 14 May 2024 The UK's steadfast commitment to Indo-Pacific security and prosperity was underlined last week as Defence Minister The Earl of Minto visited Malaysia and Thailand. Visiting Kuala Lumpur, the Minister met with Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman and Deputy Defence Minister YB Adly Zahari to discuss defence cooperation both bilaterally and through the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). FPDA is in its 53rd year. Founded in 1971, the FPDA is a series of agreements between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK, with the group seeking to work together to promote stability in the region. The Minister also met Deputy Secretary General (Policy) Mr Mohd Yani in Daud, Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman bin Ayob and Director General National Security Council YM Raja Datuk Nushirwan bin Zainal Abidinto. Defence Security Asia Expo took place in Kuala Lumpur, and the Minister visited the event to see some of the cutting-edge kit being developed by UK companies on show. Minister Minto also addressed the National Security International Seminar where he spoke about the need for international alliances and clear rules to protect our values. In Thailand, The Earl of Minto met with Thai Minister of Defence Sutin Klungsang to discuss defence policy and strategy, and areas where the UK and Thailand can work together. The Earl of Minto also met with Chief of Defence Forces General Songwit Noonpackdee and other military chiefs. UK Defence Minister The Earl of Minto said: It was a huge pleasure to visit Malaysia and Thailand last week and discuss how we can continue to grow our defence cooperation. The Indo-Pacific is critical to global prosperity and security, and the UK will continue to work with partners including Malaysia and Thailand to ensure the region remains free and open. Reinforcing the UK's commitment to the region, the Royal Navy has two ships operating in the Indo-Pacific - HMS Spey and HMS Tamar. HMS Spey visited Thailand last year, shortly before Thai and UK Forces partnered together during Exercise Panther Gold in July 2023. Next year, the UK's Carrier Strike Group will sail to the region. UK Armed Forces take part in regular exercises with Thailand and Malaysia. In the face of increasing threats to global stability and security, last month UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced that the UK's defence spending would increase to A87 billion by the end of the decade - 2.5% GDP. The Minister's visit affirms the UK's steadfast commitment to work with the members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to secure a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. ENDS NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. secures one Patriot battery for Ukraine from ally, senior official says People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 11:21, May 14, 2024 WASHINGTON, May 13 (Xinhua) -- One U.S. ally has pledged to send Ukraine one Patriot air defense system, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Monday. Sullivan told a daily press briefing at the White House that he has been consulting with allies "every single day" on how to get more Patriot batteries, a type of advanced surface-to-air missile defense system, to Ukraine to bolster its air defense capabilities in the face of intensifying Russian airstrikes. "And I think we recently had some good news from an ally about getting one in," Sullivan said, adding that President Joe Biden's administration is also looking for other systems from allies to equip the Ukrainian forces -- ones that the United States is able to resupply its allies to "backfill" their air defense needs. As regards the number of Patriots the United States and its allies are now able to provide to Ukraine, Sullivan said "dozens of Patriot batteries I don't think is the right order of magnitude for what we're trying to get in there." Biden approved 400 million U.S. dollars Friday in additional weapons aid to Ukraine using the presidential drawdown authority (PDA). Sullivan said another PDA package for Ukraine is expected "just in the coming days." Ukraine has for months been requesting additional Patriots from the West, with officials saying the country needs a total of 26 such systems to cover the entirety of its territory and at least seven to protect key targets from Russian aerial bombardments. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in late April that the United States was committed to supplying Ukraine with additional Patriots, but that in order to do so Washington would have to rely on help from its allies. "I think going forward, we'll be able to hopefully work with a number of countries to put together additional Patriot capability," Austin told a Pentagon news conference at the time, seemingly suggesting that additional U.S. versions of system are not readily available for Kiev. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blinken in Ukraine to reaffirm US support as Russia makes rapid advances Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 10:05 AM US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has paid an unannounced visit to Kiev to reaffirm his country's support for Ukraine, amid a new Russian operation in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Blinken arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday by overnight train from Poland. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which he claimed that the flow of the weapons will "make a real difference." "In the near term, assistance is now on its way and that will make a real difference against the Russian aggression on the battlefield," Blinken told Zelensky at the start of their meeting. Zelensky, for his part, said that Blinken had come during "a tough period for the east of our country." The Ukrainian leader thanked Blinken for the "crucial" $60.8 billion aid package for his country that President Joe Biden signed last month but added that Ukraine was still in need, pointing to the Russian military advances around Kharkiv in recent days. Russian troops launched the operation against the Kharkiv region on Friday, capturing several villages. Russia's defense ministry said its troops had "improved the tactical position and dealt a blow to (Ukrainian) manpower" around border villages, including Lyptsi, and the town of Vovchansk. A senior US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters aboard the train from Poland that the aim of the trip "is to send a strong signal of reassurance to the Ukrainians who are obviously in a very difficult moment both with grinding battle on the Eastern Front but also with the Russians now expanding some cross-border attacks into Kharkiv." Blinken's two-day visit comes just weeks after the US Congress approved the long-delayed $61 billion financial aid package for Ukraine after months of political wrangling. It's Blinken's fourth trip to Kiev since Russia launched a "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022. This comes as US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has told reporters a new arms package would be announced "in the coming days." Russia launched the military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Western countries have responded to the Russian military operation by backing Ukraine with cash and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such a flow of weapons to Kiev will only prolong the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia: 1,400 Ukrainian soldiers killed in Donetsk, Luhansk in 24 hours Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 May 2024 8:03 AM Russia's Defense Ministry says nearly 1,400 Ukrainian troopers were killed in battles with Russian soldiers in Ukraine's two eastern breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in 24 hours. In a statement on Monday, the ministry said Ukraine's losses in battles with the southern grouping of the Russian armed forces in the past day "amounted to up to 540 military personnel, two tanks, including a German-made Leopard-2A1, two armored fighting vehicles, [and] 11 vehicles [among other military losses]." The statement noted that Russia's central grouping of forces took better tactical positions in Donetsk, adding that up to 395 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in battles there. According to the ministry, up to 135 Ukrainian soldiers were also killed in battles with Russia's eastern grouping of forces which have improved their tactical position. Meanwhile, up to 250 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in battles with Russia's northern grouping in the past day, the ministry said. The Ukrainians also lost two tanks, two armored vehicles, and 17 cars in the battles. The ministry added that the northern grouping also repelled five counterattacks by Ukraine in the Kharkiv region. In the Luhansk People's Republic, the western grouping repelled 13 Ukrainian counterattacks, leaving up to 80 Ukrainian soldiers dead, the ministry said. This comes as former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter has predicted that Ukraine will loss up to 2,000 soldiers a day as Russia expands its operation into Kharkiv region. Russian troops launched the operation against the Kharkiv region on Friday, capturing several villages. Moscow launched the military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Western countries have responded to the Russian military operation by backing Ukraine with cash and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such a flow of weapons to Kiev will only prolong the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dubai Unlocked: How Yanukovych-Era Ukrainian Officials Poured Millions Into Secretive U.A.E. Real Estate By Kyrylo Ovsyaniy, Serhiy Andrushko and Kira Tolstyakova May 14, 2024 Ukrainian officials who served during the reign of Kremlin-aligned President Viktor Yanukovych poured millions of dollars into Dubai real estate, including public servants who failed to report these assets or have faced charges of corruption, abuse of office, or treason, a new report by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, reveals. The Schemes investigation is part of cross-border collaboration by more than 70 media outlets across the globe based on a trove of leaked data that provides a detailed overview of thousands of properties in Dubai and information about their ownership or usage, largely from 2020 and 2022. Among the former Ukrainian officials reporters found in the records are Yanukovych's environment minister and several lawmakers with the Party of Regions headed by the former president, whose decision to flee Ukraine amid mass street protests in 2014 was among the triggers that led to Russia's seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and, ultimately, its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While Ukrainian laws do not prevent citizens -- including state officials -- from acquiring real estate in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), anti-corruption watchdogs have long noted that the Persian Gulf kingdom has been a magnet for illicit wealth. Tom Keatinge, director of the Center for Finance and Security at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based defense and security think tank, told Schemes that the U.A.E. has been a place where one's "money is safe and the questions are few." "So if you're anybody who has money that you want to move it beyond scrutiny in your own country, then the U.A.E. has historically been a great place to do that," Keatinge said. 'Bags Of Cash' Among the most prominent names revealed in the Dubai Unlocked leak is that of Mykola Zlochevskiy, who served as Yanukovych's environment minister and founded Burisma Group, Ukraine's largest privately owned natural gas producer. Burisma became enmeshed in U.S. domestic political battles over one of its board members, Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden. In July 2019, Zlochevskiy bought two apartments at the W Residences Dubai -- The Palm, an elite residential complex on the shores of the Persian Gulf -- purchases totaling nearly $11 million. While Zlochevskiy was no longer a public servant at the time of these real estate acquisitions, he was later put on a wanted list by Ukrainian authorities on suspicion of embezzlement and charged with trying to bribe law enforcement officers with more than $5 million. He eventually pleaded guilty to the charge. Under his plea agreement with investigators, Zlochevskiy donated more than $15 million to the Ukrainian military for the purchase of drones and other assistance. Ownership of the two Dubai apartments was transferred to Zlochevskiy's daughter, Anna, in 2022, and real estate records show the former minister's family used Cypriot passports to acquire the properties. Neither Zlochevskiy nor his daughter responded to a request for comment sent to several of their family's companies. Journalists from Swedish public broadcaster SVT managed to get a property tour from a leading Dubai real estate development firm, Damac, during which the undercover reporters were told they could buy the apartment with "bags of cash" or cryptocurrency and face "zero question[s]" about the source of the funds. "In properties you are not going to be questioned from any department...especially the developer himself," the salesman said. "Anyone who wants to buy can buy." He also explained how buying real estate with cash helps customers avoid bank inquiries about the origins of their money. "If you sell the property and then you transfer all the amount in the bank account, then there is no problem, you will not be questioned from where you bring the cash to buy the property and then to put it in the bank," the salesman said. A Damac representative later said the firm vets its clients and that it is not the company's policy to recommend that clients purchase real estate with cash. "Had your undercover reporter proceeded further through the sales process beyond the mere first encounter with a salesperson, they would have witnessed the scrutiny and the heightened measures we apply to transactions that trigger red flags," Damac said, adding that the company would investigate the salesman's statements. The opacity of the Dubai real estate market makes it difficult for governments to ensure that its citizens who own property there are paying the required taxes. "If a Ukrainian owns real estate in Dubai and sells it or rents it out, he must pay income tax and the military levy," Ukrainian economist Vyacheslav Cherkashin told Schemes. "Of course, no one will be in a hurry to pay such taxes," Cherkashin added. Posh Properties And Party Of Regions Multiple former lawmakers with Yanukovych's now-banned Russian-friendly Party of Regions are also among the erstwhile Ukrainian officials whose names surfaced in the Dubai Unlocked data, including Vyacheslav Bohuslayev, a former parliament member for the southern Zaporizhzhya region. Bohuslayev was the president of the aerospace company Motor Sich, which the Ukrainian government nationalized in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. From 2009 to 2018, Bohuslayev and his son, Oleksandr, purchased at least 19 apartments and office premises in Dubai for a total cost of some $15 million. One of the apartments was registered to Bohuslayev, while the rest were owned in the name of his son, who served as deputy chairman of Motor Sich's supervisory board. Their connection to these properties has never before been revealed to the public. Only five of the 19 properties remain in the Bohuslayevs' ownership. Beginning in 2019, the year Bohuslayev ceased being a parliament deputy, the family began selling off their Dubai real estate assets. Bohuslayev was detained by Ukrainian law enforcement in 2022 following Russia's invasion earlier that year on charges of treason, financing of terrorism, and opposition to the armed forces of Ukraine -- allegations he denies. He is currently in custody until at least June 10. Earlier investigations by Schemes revealed Bohuslayev's links to representatives of state-owned Iranian military companies, including the manufacturers of Shahed drones that the Russian military has deployed in its war on Ukraine. The Ukrainian Prosecutor-General's Office told Schemes that it had yet to receive "reliable information and documents" about the Bohuslayev family's U.A.E. assets but said that "measures are being taken to identify and seize" foreign property owned by Bohuslayev and his son. Questions sent to Bohuslayev through his lawyer about his Dubai real estate holdings went unanswered. Another former lawmaker with the Party of Regions, former State Migration Service deputy head Vasyl Hrytsak, and his family purchased two Dubai apartments for a total of more than $700,000. In 2019, ownership of one of the apartments was transferred to Hrytsak's son, Ihor. Hrytsak's wife and another son are co-owners of the other. Both apartments have been rented out, yielding income of more than $370,000, according to the Dubai Unlocked data. Reached for comment by Schemes, Hrytsak claimed he was "hearing from you for the first time" that he owns Dubai real estate. Prosecutors And Judges Former state servants in Ukraine's justice system also acquired multiple Dubai properties, the Dubai Unlocked data show. These include Oleh Kornilov, the former deputy prosecutor in the southern Odesa region, who bought a $90,000 apartment in the upscale Jumeirah Bay X1 Tower -- which features access to artificial lakes and nearby beaches -- in the winter of 2011-12, when he had already been named deputy prosecutor in Odesa. Kornilov later became deputy head of the investigative department of the regional prosecutor's office and then a unit head. Following his dismissal in 2014 in the wake of Yanukovych's flight to Russia, Kornilov became locked in a protracted battle to keep his job. He also kept buying real estate in Dubai, records show, snapping up a hotel apartment in an elite part of the emirate for $210,000 in 2016. None of these properties -- two of which have since been sold -- were listed in Kornilov's declarations, nor were they mentioned in the declaration of his wife, who as of 2013 was also a prosecutor in the Odesa regional prosecutor's office. She filed a 2018 declaration as a candidate for a senior regional position under the Ukrainian parliament's human rights commissioner. Reached by telephone, Kornilov denied having any apartments in Dubai. When told that his ownership was reflected in official U.A.E. property data, he hung up and did not respond to further calls and messages. The wife of Artur Yemelyanov, an influential judge of the Yanukovych era, was also listed as the owner of three apartments in the elite Dubai Marina area of Dubai that cost a total of $1.8 million, the Dubai Unlocked data show. Svitlana Yemelyanova served as a deputy in the city council for the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk until 2014. In December of that year, she bought the first of these three apartments for $650,000, the Dubai records show. Yemelyanova and her husband, who had faced allegations that he may have interfered in the automated distribution of cases among Ukrainian judges, divorced in the fall of 2014, and the judge's ex-wife purchased the other two apartments in 2017 and 2018 for $620,000 and $560,000, respectively. Previous investigations by Schemes found evidence that Yemelyanov and his ex-wife continued to vacation and spend time together in Vienna, where she lived with their children. Yemelyanov declined to discuss the Dubai properties when reached by Schemes, saying it was his ex-wife who purchased the real estate. "Svitlana and I continue to communicate. We are civilized people, and divorce is not a factor preventing further communication," he said. Speaking to Schemes, Yemelyanov said that neither he nor his ex-wife were implicated in the criminal case, which he called a "baseless" attempt to "spread falsehoods about me." He said, however, that the authorities had conducted searches on premises owned both by him and his ex-wife, albeit in connection with a separate legal matter. Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) told Schemes that as of May 2024, neither Yemelyanov nor his wife had been notified of any suspicions facing them in the criminal case. Svitlana Yemelyanova did not respond to a request for comment on the Dubai properties. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/dubai-unlocked-ukraine-real- estate-yanukovych-officials-corruption-schemes-occrp/32944521.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 In Surprise Kyiv Visit, Blinken Pledges 'Tangible Steps' For Ukraine At July NATO Summit By RFE/RL May 14, 2024 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in an unannounced visit to Kyiv, vowed Washington will take "tangible steps" to ensure Ukraine's accession to the NATO military alliance and that the United States will support the country to ensure its security and sovereignty as Russia's attacks in the east intensify. In a televised address to students in the capital, Blinken said the United States had been by Ukraine's side since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, and that it is still "with you today, and we will stay by your side.... You are not alone." Blinken's speech focused mainly on enhancing Ukraine's security and building economic infrastructure as a means to pave the way for Kyiv's membership in NATO. "When we hold the Washington summit in July, we'll take tangible steps to increase NATO's role in building a resilient, capable Ukrainian force, supporting its ongoing reforms that are integrating Ukraine into the alliance," he said. "We are bringing Ukraine closer to and then into NATO.... We will make sure Ukraine's bridge to NATO is strong," Blinken added. Russia has claimed it was forced to launch the invasion because the West was escalating tensions after years of provocative NATO expansion eastward and that deeper ties between the alliance and Ukraine represented a red line. The alliance's leaders reject the accusation saying NATO does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia. Blinken told the students Russia would be made to pay for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction and added that Congress had empowered the administration of President Joe Biden to seize Russian assets in the United States. "It's what international law demands. It's what the Ukrainian people deserve," Blinken said, adding that Washington would work with its G7 partners on the seizure of Russian assets abroad for that purpose. Before his speech, Blinken met President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other senior Ukrainian officials and said badly needed weaponry had already arrived in Kyiv as part of a $61 billion military aid package recently passed by Congress. Zelenskiy told the secretary of state that his country desperately needs Patriot air defense systems, particularly in the northeastern Kharkiv region, where Russia has ramped up its offensive in recent days. Earlier on May 14, a Russian air strike hit a residential high-rise building in Kharkiv, killing nine people. Russia has been pressing forward into the north of the Kharkiv region, with the Defense Ministry saying it had taken the border village of Buhruvatka. The claim could not be independently verified. Blinken also met his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, and dined at a military-themed pizzeria founded by a war veteran, where he gave a ringing endorsement of the food, calling it "superb." He is due to also meet with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. On the ground in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine's General Staff said on May 14 that its forces had repelled a new attack in the direction of Vovchansk, a small town near the border with Russia that has been the focus of Moscow's offensive in recent days. However, the military later said it was moving troops to new positions in the north of Kharkiv in response to Russian advances. "In certain sectors in the area of Lukyantsi and Vovchansk, units have moved to more advantageous positions as a consequence of enemy fire and storming action and in order to preserve the lives of our servicemen and avoid losses," the General Staff said in a statement. Earlier, Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine's military intelligence, told Ukrainian television that the situation was stable in the Kharkiv area but that Russia may send in more reinforcements in the coming days. Separately, Oleksandr Lytvynenko, the chief of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, told AFP in an interview that Russia had concentrated some 50,000 troops near the border with the region of Kharkiv, and that more than 30,000 Russian soldiers were currently taking part in the operation there. However, Lytvynenko said the scope of Russia's move appeared limited. "We can say that we do not see the threat of an assault on the city of Kharkiv," he said. British intelligence, meanwhile, said that, rather than attempting to take Ukraine's second-largest city, the Russian move was aimed at stretching Kyiv's depleted forces by forcing their reallocation from other battlefields. "Russia is almost certainly attempting to divert Ukrainian resources from other parts of the front line and to threaten Kharkiv," the British defense ministry said in its daily intelligence update on May 14. "It is unlikely that Russia has built up sufficient combat power to take the city without diverting additional forces into the area," it added. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-blinken-zelenskiy- kyiv-visit-military-aid/32946326.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 Russian Armed Forces Take Full Control of Settlement of Bugrovatka in Kharkov Region - MoD Sputnik News 20240514 The Russian armed forces have taken full control of settlement of Bugrovatka in the Kharkov region and advanced into the territory of Ukraine's defense, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. Ukraine's military casualties reached 1,080 servicepeople in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in the past 24 hours in battles with the southern, central and eastern groupings of the Russian armed forces, the ministry added. "Over the past day, the enemy lost more than 520 military personnel, four vehicles, a D-20 howitzer, two D-30 howitzers [among other military losses in battles with the southern grouping," the ministry said in a statement, adding that the southern grouping improved its tactical position. Russia's central grouping of forces has repelled eight counterattacks in the DPR, while Ukrainian forces have lost up to 405 soldiers in battles with it, the ministry said. Russia's eastern grouping of forces has also improved its tactical position, while Kiev has lost up to 155 soldiers in battles with it, the ministry said. "The Ukrainian armed forces lost [in battles with Russia's northern grouping] up to 135 servicepeople, two armored vehicles, and 7 cars," the ministry said. The western grouping has also repelled five counterattacks by Ukraine in the Lugansk People's Republic and the Kharkov region, while Kiev has lost up to 120 soldiers, the ministry added. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 14, 2024: In April the Ukrainian intelligence service made it possible for a Ukrainian S-300 Air Defense missile system to shoot down a Russian Tu-22M3 heavy bomber that has been attacking Ukrainian forces near the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula. This was the first time the Ukrainians were able to shoot down a Russian Tu-22M3 heavy bomber that was operating hundreds of kilometers from its base inside Russia. The Tu-22M3 was attacking various Ukrainian targets near Crimea or bordering the Black Sea or the Sea of Azov extension in the northeast. Ukraine has been regularly attacking Russian land and naval bases in Crimea and usually destroying them. Ukraine also attacked Russian radars and SAM (Surface to Air Missile) installations. This made it easier for Ukrainian missiles to hit targets in Crimea. Russian civilians who came to live in Crimea since 2014 are leaving what they now consider a war zone. When Russia seized control of Ukrainian Crimea in 2014, there were already several large Russian military bases there. The Russians paid Ukraine rent for the use of these bases and had a long-term lease. The 2014 seizure was believed to be cheaper and more useful to Russia than operating in Ukrainian-controlled Crimea. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, in an attempt to conquer all of Ukraine, the Ukrainians have managed to halt the Russian attack and inflict heavy losses on the Russian forces. The Ukrainian resistance included a growing number of attacks on Russian bases in Crimea, sometimes using Ukrainian commandos who sought to take prisoners and capture documents as well as destroying military facilities like air or sea search radars. By 2o23 Ukraine had destroyed over a third of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and forced the remainder to move as far from Crimea as possible. This means anchorages in the Black Sea extension, the Sea of Azov that was more than a thousand kilometers from Crimea and reachable only via the narrow 15 kilometer-long Kerch Strait. This is also the site of the Kerch Strait bridge, which connects Crimea with the Russian mainland. This bridge has been under constant attack by the Ukrainians since Russia invaded in early 2022. Currently Ukraine is attacking the bridge with explosive armed USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels). Similar USVs were used against the Black Sea Fleet. With Crimea stripped of its radars, anti-aircraft systems and warships normally based there, the area is now largely defenseless. Every Russian vehicle and electronic device in Crimea relies on imported fuel and the Crimea is now effectively blockaded by Ukrainian forces. No more fuel gets into Russian-occupied Crimea. When the last of it is used, Russian-occupied Crimea will be defenseless and Ukrainian forces can walk in and take over. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal Before Their Meeting US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Prime Minister's Office Kyiv, Ukraine May 14, 2024 PRIME MINISTER SHMYHAL: (Via interpreter) Your Excellency Secretary of State, Madam Pritzker, dear colleagues, Your Excellency, Ambassador, first of all I would like to welcome you to Ukraine. This is your fourth visit over the time of the full-scale invasion. We appreciate very highly your steadfast support. Early at our meeting, I would like to express our deepest thanks to the President Biden administration, and to President personally, and to all American people for the strongest possible support that the United States are disbursing to Ukraine in the time of challenges, in the time of the full-fledged, bloody invasion of Russia into Ukraine. We have received all the necessary packages of assistance, and we have discussed with you the 400 million that you have signed recently, and we are already getting the assistance, which helps us to stop the enemy in the battlefield - not only stop, hold our enemy, but to start to regain our territories. This is our strategic objective, this is our common goal, and we thank you for this understanding. I would also like to thank the Congress of the United States for the finalization of a long-awaited package of project assistance to our country. Indeed this will be of huge help to us both militarily and financially. To live through this very tough year, on our part, I would like to ascertain you that Ukraine continues its reform agenda, its Euro integration path. And the European Union adopted the Ukrainian facility plan, which gives us the four-year horizon perspective to communicate with the European Union the 50 billion assistance package, and we hope that in June we can already start negotiation process on the path to the full-fledged membership. Ukraine plans 233 various reforms which are united under the umbrella of Matrix, and there are seven wide measures that we are to implement this year. We are well underway and working according to schedule. We also have annexing joint program with the IMF. It has been on track and we receive all tranches of assistance. And this is the benchmark, the most important (inaudible) program for us to ascertain our cooperation with wider set of partners. We would like to thank you again, Your Excellency, and all your team. We would like to thank the United States of America. We are grateful for your visit. Thank you very much indeed. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, Prime Minister, thank you very much and it's very good to see you again. We very much appreciate your work, your leadership, in this critical time. The United States is determined - determined to help Ukraine succeed, succeed both on the battlefield with victory but also succeed, as we would say, in winning the peace, in building the strongest possible Ukraine, a Ukraine that stands strongly on its own feet militarily but also economically and democratically. And the work that you're doing, particularly on the economy with the necessary reforms, is absolutely critical. It's critical to attracting the investment of the private sector that's so necessary, it's critical to the European Union pathway that you just described, and it's also critical in terms of our ability to sustain assistance to Ukraine. So in each of these areas we appreciate the work that's being done, and I look forward to discussing that with you and your colleagues. But I can tell you that, as you mentioned, with the supplementary budget support assistance now arriving in Ukraine, I think it's further demonstration of the commitment of the United States to a Ukraine that is sovereign, that is independent, and that is a thriving country. That's our goal, and we will not stop until we achieve it. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson May 14, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal today in Kyiv, Ukraine. The two discussed the United States' enduring commitment to Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction efforts and our dedication to working in concert with partners to address Ukraine's security, economic, and humanitarian needs. Secretary Blinken highlighted the economic assistance the United States has provided to help create financial stability and rebuild critical infrastructure as well as our support for Ukraine as it moves forward on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Before Their Meeting US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Bankova Kyiv, Ukraine May 14, 2024 PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Good morning. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good morning. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: You're very welcome, Mr. Secretary of State, colleagues. Thank you so much. Thanks for coming to Ukraine, especially these days. It's not a simple period for Ukraine and a tough period for the east of our country, for our warriors. Thank you that you came, especially at these days, to support Ukraine. Thank you for this signal. Also I wanted to thank you from all my team, all Ukrainians, to - crucial package for our forces, for our warriors. Thank you so much for this package. Thanks to Congress. Thanks, President Biden, please best regards from us to him and to administration. We are thankful for bipartisan support and I know you did a lot also for this positive decision, and of course we are thankful for this to Americans, to American people, so big appreciation from Ukrainians to Americans for this. I want to discuss with you about some - today about some, I think, very important issues. And first, the decision of the package was crucial for us, we're able to get it as quick as possible, and the second one - point is the air defense, the biggest deficit for us. I think that the biggest problem, yes, and we need, really we need today two batteries for Kharkiv, for Kharkiv region, because they are - the people are under attack. Civilians and warriors, everybody they are under Russian missiles. And of course, I want to discuss security guarantees, how our teams worked on it, and this summit which is very important for us. We need the participation, not only United States, we need your - we need President Biden and also your help to involve as much as possible Congress to this summit. I think, a lot of things, you're very welcome. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, Mr. President, thank you very, very much. And first, it's very good to be back in Ukraine. It's very good to see you. I bring, as well, warm greetings from President Biden. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN: All of us admire your extraordinary resilience, your endurance, your strength, your leadership. And we know this is a challenging time, but we also know that in the near term the assistance is now on the way - some of it's already arrived, more that will be arriving - and that's going to make a real difference against the ongoing Russian aggression on the battlefield. We're determined along with many other partners of Ukraine to make sure that you succeed on the battlefield. We're equally determined that over time Ukraine stands strongly on its own feet militarily, economically, democratically. A strong, successful, thriving, free Ukraine is the best possible rebuke to Putin and the best possible guarantor for your future. And for all of that, the United States is and will remain a committed partner. We've traveled a long road together these past couple of years, and we've seen the extraordinary courage of the Ukrainian people. And we know that that courage endures, and that only reinforces our determination to do everything we can to help ensure your success. As you've mentioned, there are a number of critical issues that are now before us for the months ahead, and we want to make sure that together as - along with many other partners that we make these next months successful, that we deal with the challenges that you have, and that we push through all of them and we do it together. So I'm eager to discuss all of that with you, and thank you again for having us today. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Thank you, press. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia is using Iranian-made weapons to target Ukraine's electricity infrastructure: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. 14 May 2024 Thank you, President and I thank Director Lisa Doughten and Director Caitlin Howarth for their informative briefings. This spring, Russia has targeted power plants, electricity substations and gas storage facilities across Ukraine. The United Kingdom calls for an immediate halt to this destructive campaign against Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Millions of people already face disruption to power, heating, and water supply. These attacks are making an appalling humanitarian situation worse. This is especially the case for frontline communities, as the attacks and lack of power hamper humanitarian partners' communications and movements. The most recent attack, on 8th May, involved over 70 missiles and drones. Since March, at least 14 power stations have been hit. Iranian-made UAVs remain Russia's weapons of choice in these attacks against civilians and their infrastructure. Colleagues, Russia has targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022 and before that. In 2015, thousands of consumers experienced power outages when Russia hacked Ukrainian energy grids. Now, this pattern of Russian aggression continues in an attempt to terrorise civilians, obstruct livelihoods and businesses, and ultimately, to break down Ukraine's resolve. But Ukrainians will not allow Russia to do that. The UK has committed $55 million to the Energy Community's Ukraine Energy Support Fund, and over $214 million in overall support to the energy sector in Ukraine. We encourage donors to support this fund, to consider rapid provisions of new or refurbished energy equipment, and to help provide air defence systems to protect Ukraine's civilian infrastructure. Together, we will help Ukraine repair, restore, and defend its energy infrastructure. One country could end this wanton destruction and suffering immediately. The United Kingdom calls on Russia to cease its attacks and to withdraw from the internationally-recognised territory of Ukraine. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Should Receive an Invitation to Join NATO in the Near Future - the Report of the Yermak-Rasmussen Task Force President of Ukraine 14 May 2024 - 18:41 The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen took part in the Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine discussion panel at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, where they presented the Official Report of the International Task Force on Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine. The Head of the Presidential Office emphasized that the report recommends inviting Ukraine to join NATO at the Washington summit and considering specific terms of our country's membership in the Alliance. "We need concrete support from the world and strong steps. We are looking not for short-term security commitments but for long-term ones, the ones for the future. And the strongest commitment is NATO membership. The Ukrainians' will is to be part of the EU and NATO. Now is a critical moment, and it is necessary to support Ukraine and motivate our heroes who are now defending not only Ukraine but also the democracy in the entire world on the frontline," he emphasized. The International Task Force offers to lift all reservations on the types of conventional weapons supplied to Ukraine and on the ways they can be used against the military objectives of the aggressor country Ukraine and its partner countries should consolidate the bilateral security agreements into an international compact. The report of the International Task Force proposes to oblige NATO member states to spend 0.25% of their GDP on military assistance to Ukraine, as well as to unblock frozen Russian assets worth $300 billion and use them to support our country. Anders Fogh Rasmussen noted that the report prepared by the Task Force contains three specific points aimed at helping Ukraine: lifting all restrictions on arms supplies, deploying air defense systems along NATO's eastern border, and inviting Ukraine to join the Alliance during the Washington summit. "I don't think we should accept the argument that we cannot invite Ukraine while the war is ongoing. If we accept this argument, we will de facto give Putin an incentive to continue the war," the former NATO Secretary General believes. Andriy Yermak added that the key conclusion of the report is very simple: Ukraine should receive an invitation to join the Alliance in the near future. "Many people think this is impossible while the war is ongoing. That is not true. With proper determination, anything is possible. We have proved this more than once," the Head of the Presidential Office summarized. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine and Luxembourg Have Launched Negotiations on a Security Agreement President of Ukraine 14 May 2024 - 17:58 Ukraine and Luxembourg have launched bilateral negotiations on a security cooperation and long-term support agreement. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden agreed to start working on the document during a telephone conversation a day earlier. According to the Presidential decree, the Ukrainian negotiating delegation is headed by the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak. Today's round of talks was led by the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva. "We are grateful to Luxembourg for its consistent support and leadership, especially on such issues as co-chairing the IT coalition, military assistance, and support for Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO. I am convinced that all of this will be reflected in our security agreement," Ihor Zhovkva emphasized. The parties thoroughly elaborated the text of the draft agreement, discussed the content of specific provisions, and approved the next steps. They noted significant progress towards signing the document based on the results of the first round. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Global Peace Summit: France and South Korea Have Confirmed Their Participation President of Ukraine 14 May 2024 - 16:53 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held telephone conversations with the President of France Emmanuel Macron and the President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol and invited them to the Global Peace Summit. Both countries have confirmed their participation. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Emmanuel Macron for the important role of France in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, in particular, the nuclear safety point. They also discussed the engagement of the Global South representatives in the Summit. During the conversation, the leaders spoke in detail about the situation on the frontline, particularly in the Kharkiv direction, and the defense needs of our country: air defense enhancement, additional artillery systems, and shells. "I am grateful to all the French people and to you, Emmanuel, for supporting our country. We, Ukrainians, highly appreciate all the powerful defense aid from your side. And we will always welcome your visit to Ukraine," the Head of State said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Republic of Korea and the Korean people for their principled stance in supporting Ukraine and helping Ukrainians. During the conversation, the parties also discussed the development of cooperation between the countries, including in the field of humanitarian demining. They also spoke about the creation of a system of security commitments for Ukraine and the prospects for concluding a security agreement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Membership Is a Guarantee of Peace and Security for Ukraine and the World: Rasmussen-Yermak International Task Force Published an Official Report President of Ukraine 14 May 2024 - 15:00 The International Task Force on Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, co-chaired by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has published a report with a rationale for the necessity of Ukraine's future membership in NATO and concrete proposals for it. First of all, the document states that at the NATO Summit, which will take place in July in Washington, the Alliance should extend an invitation to Ukraine to begin membership talks and invite the Ukraine-NATO Council to specify the terms of membership. "A credible prospect of NATO membership is a way to convince Russia that it has nothing to gain from waging war. Inviting Ukraine to start accession talks now is a way to send a clear message to Russia that it needs to end the war and give Ukraine a chance for a just peace," the report emphasizes. The Rasmussen-Yermak International Task Force proposes to set a clear timeframe for Ukraine's accession to NATO - no later than July 2028, subject to the fulfillment of specific conditions. It is also proposed to strengthen the efforts of Ukraine and its allies aimed at hindering Russia's operational success in the air, at sea and on the ground, lifting all reservations on the types of conventional weapons supplied to Ukraine and, importantly, on how they can be used against military targets in Russia. The International Task Force emphasizes the need to unify the set of bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and its partners into an international compact. In particular, its goal is to build up Ukraine's Armed Forces so that they can reach a size and structure strong enough to defend against a future Russian attack and strengthen NATO's collective defense by the end of the decade. It is proposed that NATO members commit to spending 0.25% of their GDP on military aid to Ukraine, as well as unlocking $300 billion in frozen Russian assets and using them to support Ukraine. Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak emphasized that failure to extend an invitation to Ukraine at the Washington Summit could further intensify Russian aggression. "Strong and clear decisions at the NATO Summit in July will be extremely important for the future just peace in Ukraine and the entire Euro-Atlantic region. They will also be a good motivation and strong support for the Ukrainian military and all our citizens," he emphasized. Anders Fogh Rasmussen is convinced that Ukraine's victory and the establishment of a sustainable peace require bold action on the part of NATO. "NATO leaders need to make clear that our support for Ukraine's security and sovereignty is irreversible. This report sets out clear measures to achieve that through enhanced economic and military support to contain and end Putin's war. It also recommends NATO leaders open accession talks with Ukraine at the Washington D.C. summit in July. Bringing Ukraine into NATO is the surest path to lasting peace and security in Europe," he emphasized. The report is attached. The document was signed by members of the task force: Former President of Lithuania Dalia GrybauskaitA Former President of Poland Aleksander KwaAniewski Former Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin Former Prime Minister of Poland Marek Belka Former Prime Minister of Slovakia MikulAA Dzurinda Former Prime Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Former Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of National Defense Peter MacKay Former French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Defense MichAle Alliot-Marie Former British Foreign Secretary Lord William Hague Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker Former National Security Advisor of Canada Jody Thomas Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Wesley Clark Former NATO Assistant Secretary General Heinrich Brauss Former NATO Assistant Secretary General Giedrimas Jeglinskas Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic Future: Paving the path to peace & security. Presented by the International Taskforce on Ukraine's Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration - pdf - 468.65 kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Presidential Office Hosted a Meeting with Members of the UK Parliament from the Opposition Labour Party President of Ukraine 14 May 2024 - 10:41 Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with members of the UK Parliament from the opposition Labour Party: Shadow Secretary of State for Defence John Healey and Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy. Andriy Yermak informed them of the situation on the frontline and, in particular, in the Kharkiv region. He emphasised Ukraine's critical need for F-16 fighter jets, long-range artillery and air defence systems to stabilise the situation. "We are grateful to the UK for its unprecedented assistance. You are not just partners, but truly close friends. Ukraine greatly appreciates that the UK was the first country to sign a bilateral security agreement. Our victory is possible if we succeed on the battlefield and in diplomacy. And now is the time for strong decisions," he said. The Head of the President's Office spoke about the preparations for the Global Peace Summit to be held in Switzerland on 15-16 June and stressed the need for the widest possible involvement of states in it. The UK shadow secretaries of state noted that they were on a visit to demonstrate the Labour Party's support for Ukraine. "The Labour Party's support for Ukraine is unwavering. There may be changes in the UK government this year, but the UK's determination to support Ukraine will not change. The Labour Party fully supports increased UK assistance to Ukraine this year and in the years to come," said David Lammy and John Healey. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andriy Yermak Urged Heads and Other Representatives of Foreign Universities to Spread Information about the Global Peace Summit President of Ukraine 14 May 2024 - 09:33 Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held an online meeting with heads and other representatives of about 40 foreign universities that cooperate with Ukrainian higher education institutions. The meeting was also attended by Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi and rectors of leading Ukrainian universities. Andriy Yermak emphasized that Ukraine's victory in the war, the restoration of a just peace on our land, the return of prisoners of war and illegally deported children are the main priorities for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his team. The Head of the Office of the President told the representatives of the global university community about the preparations for the Global Peace Summit to be held on June 15-16 in Switzerland. "Many world leaders have already agreed to attend this Summit. But our goal is to convene as many countries as possible. Because we want all responsible states of the world that respect international law and the UN Charter to come together at a single table to openly work out a plan that would bring a just peace to Ukraine," he said. Andriy Yermak also noted that the Global Peace Summit aims to reach a common position on three issues that are important for the whole world and have arisen in the wake of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine: food and nuclear security, and the return of all illegally deported Ukrainian children and prisoners of war. "I urge you to join in spreading the word about the Global Peace Summit. Use your influence, contacts, and opportunities to make us heard. Today we have a real chance to make a very important step towards ending this terrible war," the Head of the Presidential Office emphasized. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese leader Xi Jinping has decided to seize or try to seize Taiwan before the end of the decade. Xi realizes Taiwan has a say in this matter and wants to mobilize sufficient forces and create the right psychological conditions in China and Taiwan. This includes having Chinese naval and air forces operating near Taiwan on a regular basis so the Taiwanese military is not alarmed every time Chinese forces operate near the island. Some of these forces that regularly appear off the Taiwanese cast are those that would be used if China were seeking to blockade Taiwan. Chinese military forces will eventually blockade Taiwan and prevent any ships from getting in or out. Preparations are also being made inside China. Laws have been passed allowing China to quickly nationalize foreign assets as part of a program to keep the Chinese people supplied if there is an international embargo and economic sanctions. China also plans to increase its emergency petroleum stockpile so there will be supplies for years of isolation. China is also building a pipeline to get petroleum to areas that normally receive it from the nearest coastal city and port. China is purchasing oil from as many suppliers as possible as these nations will feel the economic pain if China is embargoed because it seized Taiwan. Xi Jinping expects most of the nations in the world to oppose a seizure of Taiwan. To deal with that, China is reducing its holdings of American government bonds. This reduces the damage to China if the United States declares war and seizes whatever Chinese assets it can. China hopes such a war will not involve much military action beyond that needed to blockade China. According to Chinese plans, that blockade would last a few years and would then be lifted because so many nations want to end their economic suffering because trade with China was blocked. China is the second largest (after the US) trading nation in the world and taking Chinese trade out of circulation would cause worldwide suffering. In theory, it would be worse for China but not if China can build up large enough reserves of essential industrial supplies to survive the economic catastrophe China created. These Chinese moves would lead to economic disruption outside China for years and have a lasting impact that could take a decade or more to recover from. The Chinese plans are theoretical at the moment even though China is quietly implementing some aspects of their surviving the expected worldwide economic disruption a seizure of Taiwan would lead to. Another problem is that enough details of the Chinese plan have become known to trading partners and nations willing to use military and economic force to block a Chinese attack on Taiwan. China wants to avoid a war but Taiwan and its military allies, especially the United States, are willing to meet force with force. China doesnt want to get into a war because its forces are untested and, as recent corruption scandals have demonstrated, led by generals who are more concerned with getting rich than getting ready for war. Taiwan and its allies have been increasing their military preparations for over a decade. This began before the current Chinese economic and military activities and China is now seen reacting to efforts to make the Chinese plans more difficult to implement. Taiwan has purchased new weapons as well as increasing stockpiles of ones it already has. That means more warships, warplanes, and equipment for ground forces. Taiwan is the most troublesome independent portion of China. After World War II Taiwan acquired protection from the United States before the new communist Chinese government could get organized and do anything about the troublesome Chinese province of Taiwan. China is also having problems getting control of territories in the South China Sea which historically were not Chinese. The Philippines and other nations bordering the South China Sea oppose Chinese efforts to take control of this watery region. In this case the opposition also has support from the United States and several other major powers in East Asia and Europe. Similar situations exist because of islands off the Chinese coast controlled by Taiwan. A current example is China pretending to be angry at Taiwan because two Chinese citizens drowned when their speed boat overturned while they were trying to evade a Taiwanese coast guard ship. China responded that they would increase security around a small group of Taiwanese-controlled islands off the Chinese coast that China also claims. Taiwan defended the actions of its coast guard because Chinese fishing boats and other vessels were operating in Taiwan-controlled waters, especially around the Kinmen and Matsu islands which sit a short distance from Chinas coast. Chinas coast guard declared that it would strengthen its maritime law enforcement forces and carry out regular law enforcement patrols and inspections in the waters around Kinmen and Xiamen. China insists that this is needed to maintain order and safeguard the safety of fishermens lives and property. Chinese and Taiwanese fishing boats have been operating in the Xiamen-Kinmen maritime area since ancient times, and Taiwan points out that there never were any prohibited or restricted waters in that area. Chinas government professes goodwill towards Taiwans people but will never tolerate Taiwans disregard for the safety of Chinese fishermen. Taiwan continues to enforce the rules that ban unauthorized Chinese access to Taiwans waters around Kinmen. However, ships which carry no name, have no certification or port registration carry out continuous intrusions and make dangerous moves when trying to flee, lead to unfortunate incidents nobody wants to see or take responsibility for. Kinmen, along with Matsu, has been controlled by Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, when the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan after losing to Mao Zedongs communists and the new communist Peoples Republic of China. Kinmen was the site of frequent fighting during the 1950s but is today a popular tourist destination, though many of the islets which are part of the island group are heavily fortified by Taiwans military and off limits to civilians. Taiwan rejects Chinese sovereignty claims and accuses China of waging what it calls gray-zone warfare. This includes the Chinese use of irregular tactics to exhaust a foe without actually resorting to open combat, including sending civilian ships into or close to Taiwanese waters. Taiwanese support their governments resistance to this Chinese aggression. China is still seeking ways to take control of Taiwan and reincorporate this lost province into China. Taiwanese do not want their country to become a Chinese province. As an independent state, Taiwan has prospered and became a major manufacturer of electronic devices and electronic components which are purchased by companies in the Americas and Europe as well as those in East Asia like Japan, South Korea, and many more in southeast Asia. China has become a major market for Taiwanese electronics and Taiwanese manufacturers have opened some factories in China. Taiwan is still where most of the production takes place and one reason China has for not attacking Taiwan is to avoid damaging the Taiwanese electronic components industry. Taiwan is a major world producer of these electronic components and an innovator when it comes to designing new components. The rest of the world would not appreciate China attacking Taiwan and disrupting all that electronics manufacturing and development of new items. Andriy Yermak Urged UNITED24 Ambassadors to Support the Global Peace Summit President of Ukraine 14 May 2024 - 09:14 Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met online with ambassadors of the UNITED24 fundraising platform. He thanked the ambassadors for supporting Ukraine from the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion and spoke about the preparations for the Global Peace Summit. Andriy Yermak urged to spread the idea of the Summit and information about it. "Together with our results on the battlefield and success in diplomacy, the Global Peace Summit is of utmost importance," the Head of the Presidential Office said. He emphasized that the Summit participants would develop a framework for a plan to restore a just peace for Ukraine, which should prevent new attempts of aggression against our country. The Head of the Presidential Office also noted that the Peace Summit should lay the groundwork for overcoming the crises provoked by this war. "The point is very simple: if you really want to stop the killing of Ukrainians and Ukrainian children, your leaders must be at this Summit," emphasized Andriy Yermak. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blinken reaffirms US support of Ukraine in Kyiv visit By VOA News May 14, 2024 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised Ukraine the unconditional support of the United States during his Tuesday visit to Kyiv. "We are with you today. And we will stay by your side until Ukraine's security, sovereignty, its ability to choose its own path, is guaranteed," Blinken said, according to Reuters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. for what he called a "crucial package" of aid, as he hosted talks with Blinken. Congress approved and U.S. President Joe Biden signed last month a $61 billion aid package to Ukraine. Military aid from Washington is "going to make a real difference against the ongoing Russian aggression on the battlefield," Blinken told Zelenskyy. Blinken delivers 'message of assurance' Blinken arrived in the country hours earlier on an unannounced trip to deliver what U.S. officials called a "strong message of reassurance" at a time when Ukrainian forces are facing significant attacks by Russia's military in eastern Ukraine and are awaiting the arrival of new weapons shipments from allies to help with defense. "I returned to Kyiv today to demonstrate our unwavering support for Ukraine as they defend their freedom against Russian aggression," Blinken said on the social media site X. Zelenskyy told Blinken his visit comes during a "tough period for the east of our country." During the past week, Russia has intensified its attacks on the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine. Zelenskyy said the two would discuss getting the new U.S. aid to Ukraine as quickly as possible, as well as bolstering Ukraine's air defenses, including the hope that Ukraine could secure Patriot missile systems to help protect Kharkiv. Blinken said the United States, along with other Ukrainian partners, are determined to make sure Ukraine has what it needs to be successful in fighting the Russian invasion. "We know this is a challenging time, but we also know that in the near-term the assistance is now on the way," Blinken said. "Some of it has already arrived, more of it will be arriving, and that's going to make a real difference against the ongoing Russian aggression on the battlefield." Blinken also met with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and told him the U.S. intends to help Ukraine rebuild after the war. Blinken had lunch with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at a pizza restaurant founded by Ukrainian veterans. On Friday, the United States announced its latest contribution to Ukraine's war effort: A $400 million package of weapons and equipment. "We're doing everything humanly possible, both ourselves and our allies," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters, adding that a new arms package would be announced "just in the coming days." Russia's defense ministry said it destroyed 25 Ukrainian missiles over the Belgorod region, located on the Russian side of the border from Kharkiv. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional governor of Belgorod, said Tuesday on Telegram that the attack injured one person and damaged more than 20 houses. Ukraine's air force reported Tuesday destroying all 18 Russian drones launched in overnight attacks, with intercepts taking place over Cherkasy, Donetsk, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad, Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia. Energy infrastructure under attack The United Nations office for humanitarian affairs said Tuesday that several waves of attacks in the Kharkiv region over the past few days have killed and injured numerous civilians, including children. "These attacks have triggered yet more displacement from border and front-line communities," OCHA's Lisa Doughten told the U.N. Security Council. "As of today, authorities report that over 7,000 civilians were evacuated from border areas of the Kharkiv region." She said that since March, Russia has specifically targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, with the Kharkiv and Dnipro regions particularly affected. In April alone, the United Nations recorded 50 attacks that destroyed or damaged power generation plants and electricity substations, leaving millions across the country without power, water or cooking gas. Doughten also expressed concern about what she said appears to be a new pattern of deadly attacks on railway infrastructure in Ukraine's east and south, with 10 such attacks in April in government-controlled areas. "And we are alarmed by reports of attacks damaging energy infrastructure and oil refineries in the Russian Federation," Doughten added. "Such attacks risk inflaming the war further and worsening its humanitarian impacts." Moscow's envoy dismissed the accusations, saying Russia's air force carries out high-precision strikes only on facilities related to Kyiv's military capabilities. Vassily Nebenzia said life in Ukrainian cites is "proceeding normally, on the whole." VOA's United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AWS plans to invest 7.8 billion into the AWS European Sovereign Cloud May 2024 by Marc Jacob Amazon Web Services announced its plans to invest 7.8 billion in the AWS European Sovereign Cloud in Germany through 2040, which reflects AWSs long-term commitment to meeting Europes digital sovereignty needs. The AWS European Sovereign Cloud is planning to launch its first AWS Region in the State of Brandenburg, Germany, by the end of 2025, available to all customers. AWSs long-term investment is expected to lead to a ripple effect in the local cloud community, through accelerating productivity gains, empowering the digital transformation of businesses, empowering the AWS Partner Network (APN), upskilling the cloud and digital workforce, developing renewable energy projects, and creating a positive impact in the communities where AWS operates. In total, AWSs planned investment is estimated to contribute 17.2 billion to Germanys total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through 2040, and support an average 2,800 full-time equivalent jobs in local German businesses each year. These positions - including construction, facility maintenance, engineering, telecommunications, and other jobs within the broader local economy - are part of the AWS data centre supply chain. In addition, AWS will also create new highly-skilled permanent roles to build and operate the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. These jobs will include software engineers, systems developers, and solutions architects. This is part of our commitment that all day-to-day operations of the AWS European Sovereign Cloud will be controlled exclusively by personnel located in the EU, including access to data centres, technical support, and customer service. Continued investment in Europe Over the last 25 years, weve driven economic development through our investment in infrastructure, jobs, and skills in communities and countries across Europe. Since 2010, Amazon has invested more than 150 billion in the EU and were proud to employ more than 150,000 people in permanent roles across the European Single Market. The launch of the AWS European Sovereign Cloud builds on our long-term commitment to Europe and ongoing investment in its digital future. In Germany, we also collaborate with local communities on long-term, innovative programmes that will have a lasting impact in the areas where our infrastructure is located. We focus on developing cloud workforce and education initiatives to learners of all ages, helping to solve the skills gap and prepare for the tech jobs of the future. For example, last year AWS partnered with Siemens AG to design the first apprenticeship programme for AWS data centres in Germany, and launched the first national cloud computing certification with the German Chamber of Commerce (IHK), as well as the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance in Germany. We will work closely with local partners to roll out these skills programmes, and ensure they are tailored to regional needs. High performing, reliable, and secure infrastructure is the most important prerequisite for an increasingly digitalised economy and society. Brandenburg is making progress here. In recent years, we have set on a course to invest in modern and sustainable data centre infrastructure in our state, strengthening Brandenburg as a business location, said Prof. Dr. Jorg Steinbach, Brandenburgs Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Energy. State-of-the-art data centres for secure cloud computing are the basis for a strong digital economy. I am pleased Amazon Web Services (AWS) has chosen Brandenburg for a long-term investment in its cloud computing infrastructure for the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. More control, more choice From day one, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has believed it is essential that our customers have control over their data, and choices for how they secure and manage that data in the cloud. AWS gives customers the flexibility to choose how and where they want to run their workloads, including a proven track record of innovation to support specialised workloads around the world. We help customers meet stringent security, sovereignty, and privacy requirements in our existing sovereign-by-design AWS Regions. The AWS European Sovereign Cloud will be a new independent cloud for Europe, designed to provide further choice to help public sector organisations and customers in highly regulated industries meet their evolving sovereignty needs. It will utilise the full power of AWS with the same familiar architecture, expansive service portfolio, and APIs that customers use today, though separate from existing AWS Regions. This means that customers using the AWS European Sovereign Cloud will get the benefits of AWS infrastructure including industry-leading security, availability, performance, and resilience. The AWS European Sovereign Cloud will provide customers the capability to meet stringent operational autonomy and data residency requirements within the European Union (EU), with infrastructure wholly located within the EU and operated independently from existing Regions. The AWS European Sovereign Cloud will allow customers to keep all customer data and the metadata they create (such as the roles, permissions, resource labels, and configurations they use to run AWS) in the EU. Were committed to giving customers more control and more choice to help meet their unique digital sovereignty needs, without compromising on the full power of AWS. TORONTO, May 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wallbridge Mining Company Limited (TSX: WM, OTCQB: WLBMF) (Wallbridge or the Company) announced today that it has acquired 1,487,500 units (each, a Unit) of NorthX Nickel Corp. (formerly Archer Exploration Corp.) (Archer) (CSE:NIX) (NorthX) at a price of $0.24 per Unit for a total purchase price of $357,000, by way of non-brokered private placement (the Offering). Each Unit is comprised of one common share (each, a Common Share) and one common share purchase warrant of NorthX (each, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.36 at any time during the 36-month period following the closing of the Offering. The Warrants are subject to an accelerated expiry date, which comes into effect after November 3, 2024 if the closing price of the Common Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange is equal to or greater than $0.72 for a period of 10 consecutive trading days (the Acceleration Event). If the Acceleration Event occurs, NorthX may provide an expiry acceleration notice (the Notice) to Warrant holders and the expiry date of the Warrants will be deemed to be 30 days from the date of the Notice. Immediately prior to the closing of the Offering, Wallbridge owned 3,007,293 Common Shares, which represented 15.84% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. Following the Offering, Wallbridge owns 4,494,793 Common Shares and 1,487,500 Warrants, representing 15.79% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and 19.98% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis, assuming the exercise of the Warrants. On July 12, 2022, Wallbridge entered into an asset purchase agreement with Archer, pursuant to which the Company received common shares of Archer as part of the consideration for the disposition of its portfolio of nickel assets (the Transaction). As part of the Transaction, Wallbridge entered into an investor rights agreement (the IRA). Pursuant to the IRA, Wallbridge has the right to nominate two (2) candidates for election as directors of NorthX so long as it maintains ownership of at least 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially-diluted basis, as calculated in accordance with the IRA. The IRA also provides the acquiror: (i) a pro rata pre-emptive right, (ii) top-up rights, and (iii) a standard piggyback registration right subject to underwriter cutback, so long as Wallbridge holds at least 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis, as calculated in accordance with the IRA. Wallbridge acquired the Units for investment purposes and may, depending on market and other conditions, increase or decrease its beneficial ownership of Common Shares or other securities of NorthX whether in the open market, by privately negotiated agreement or otherwise. This press release is being issued pursuant to NI 62-103 The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, which also requires a report to be filed in accordance with applicable securities laws (the Early Warning Report). A copy of the Early Warning Report will be available under Wallbridges and NorthXs profiles on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About Wallbridge Mining Wallbridge is focused on creating value through the exploration and sustainable development of gold projects along the Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend in Quebecs Northern Abitibi region while respecting the environment and communities where it operates. Wallbridges most advanced projects, Fenelon Gold (Fenelon) and Martiniere Gold (Martiniere) incorporate a combined 3.05 million ounces of indicated gold resources and 2.35 million ounces of inferred gold resources. Fenelon and Martiniere are located within an 830 square kilometre exploration land package controlled by Wallbridge. Wallbridge has reported a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) at Fenelon that estimates average annual gold production of 212,000 ounces over 12 years (see Wallbridge press release of June 26, 2023). Wallbridge also holds a 15.79% interest in NorthX Nickel Corp., on a non-diluted basis, as a result of the sale of the Companys portfolio of nickel assets in Ontario and Quebec in November of 2022 and the Companys subsequent acquisition of additional Common Shares and Warrants by way of private placement by NorthX in May of 2024. For further information please visit the Companys website at https://wallbridgemining.com/ or contact: Wallbridge Mining Company Limited Brian Penny, CPA, CMA Chief Executive Officer Tel: (416) 716-8346 Email: bpenny@wallbridgemining.com Victoria Vargas, B.Sc. (Hon.) Economics, MBA Capital Markets Advisor Email: vvargas@wallbridgemining.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information The information in this document may contain forward-looking statements or information (collectively, FLI) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. FLI is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this document. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are FLI that involve various risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties. Generally, FLI can be identified by the use of statements that include, but are not limited to, words such as seeks, believes, anticipates, plans, continues, budget, scheduled, estimates, expects, forecasts, intends, projects, predicts, proposes, "potential", targets and variations of such words and phrases, or by statements that certain actions, events or results may, will, could, would, should or might, be taken, occur or be achieved. FLI in this document may include, but is not limited to: statements regarding the results of the PEA; the potential future performance of the Common Shares; future drill results; the Companys ability to convert inferred resources into measured and indicated resources; environmental matters; stakeholder engagement and relationships; parameters and methods used to estimate the MREs at Fenelon and Martiniere (collectively the Deposits); the prospects, if any, of the Deposits; future drilling at the Deposits; and the significance of historic exploration activities and results. FLI is designed to help you understand managements current views of its near- and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. FLI by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such FLI. Although the FLI contained in this document is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such FLI, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such FLI. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such FLI contained in this document to reflect new events or circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, this document has been prepared based on information available as of the date of this document. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the FLI, or information contained herein. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in FLI. Assumptions upon which FLI is based, without limitation, include: the results of exploration activities, the Companys financial position and general economic conditions; the ability of exploration activities to accurately predict mineralization; the accuracy of geological modelling; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; the legitimacy of title and property interests in the Deposits; the accuracy of key assumptions, parameters or methods used to estimate the MREs and in the PEA; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; geological, mining and exploration technical problems; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the evolution of the global economic climate; metal prices; foreign exchange rates; environmental expectations; community and non-governmental actions; and, the Companys ability to secure required funding. Risks and uncertainties about Wallbridge's business are discussed in the disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca . Cautionary Notes to United States Investors Wallbridge prepares its disclosure in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Terms relating to mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources and economic studies used herein are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended. NI 43-101 differs significantly from the disclosure requirements of the SEC generally applicable to US companies. As such, the information presented herein concerning mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Dallas, TX , May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KISS PR, a leading digital marketing and PR firm, today released an in-depth analysis of the 20 major AI updates announced at Google's I/O 2024 conference and their profound impact on Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The report, accessible at KISS PR Google Impact on SEO Based on I/O 2024, provides essential insights for businesses aiming to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Google unleashes AI in search, raising hopes for better results and fears about less web traffic, said Michael Liedtke of AP News . Google has transformed its search engine by incorporating generative AI, setting a new standard for the search experience. This overhaul, introduced at the recent Google I/O conference, aims to provide users with more informative, context-rich, and interactive search results, fundamentally changing how information is accessed and utilized online. Key Features of Googles AI-Powered Search Enhanced Search Experience: Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) introduces AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results. These summaries offer concise, contextually rich answers to user queries, streamlining the search process and enabling quicker access to relevant information. Impact on SEO: The introduction of AI-generated summaries means that traditional SEO tactics need to evolve. Businesses will need to focus on creating high-quality, in-depth content that AI can use to generate these summaries. Additionally, there will be a greater emphasis on structured data and semantic SEO to ensure that content is easily interpretable by AI systems, said Qamar Zaman of KISS PR. Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) introduces AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results. These summaries offer concise, contextually rich answers to user queries, streamlining the search process and enabling quicker access to relevant information. Impact on SEO: The introduction of AI-generated summaries means that traditional SEO tactics need to evolve. Businesses will need to focus on creating high-quality, in-depth content that AI can use to generate these summaries. Additionally, there will be a greater emphasis on structured data and semantic SEO to ensure that content is easily interpretable by AI systems, said Qamar Zaman of KISS PR. Improved Information Quality: The AI-driven search emphasizes the accuracy and reliability of information, especially for sensitive topics like health and finance. By cross-referencing data from reputable sources, Google ensures that users receive factual and trustworthy information. Impact on SEO: This shift towards high-quality information underscores the importance of building authority and credibility. Brands need to ensure that their content is well-researched, properly cited, and aligns with Google's E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines to maintain visibility in search results, Zaman added. The AI-driven search emphasizes the accuracy and reliability of information, especially for sensitive topics like health and finance. By cross-referencing data from reputable sources, Google ensures that users receive factual and trustworthy information. Impact on SEO: This shift towards high-quality information underscores the importance of building authority and credibility. Brands need to ensure that their content is well-researched, properly cited, and aligns with Google's E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines to maintain visibility in search results, Zaman added. Interactive and Multimodal Searches: Users can now engage with search results more dynamically, using text, voice, and image inputs. Google's Lens and multi-search capabilities enhance this interactive experience, allowing users to explore related topics and ask follow-up questions seamlessly. Impact on SEO: Marketers must optimize for various input methods, including voice search and image search. This means incorporating conversational keywords and ensuring that visual content is optimized with relevant metadata, Zaman explained. Users can now engage with search results more dynamically, using text, voice, and image inputs. Google's Lens and multi-search capabilities enhance this interactive experience, allowing users to explore related topics and ask follow-up questions seamlessly. Impact on SEO: Marketers must optimize for various input methods, including voice search and image search. This means incorporating conversational keywords and ensuring that visual content is optimized with relevant metadata, Zaman explained. User Safety and Content Standards: Google prioritizes user safety by avoiding the generation of content on potentially harmful or explicit topics. The SGE interface also highlights information sources, promoting transparency and credibility. Impact on SEO: Maintaining high content standards and transparency will be more important than ever. Brands should ensure their content is safe, reliable, and sourced from credible references to align with Google's guidelines and gain user trust, Zaman stated. Implications for Businesses Content Strategy: Businesses must adopt a user-centric content strategy, focusing on creating valuable, relevant, and engaging content that aligns with user intent. Incorporating long-tail keywords and conversational phrases will enhance visibility in search results. Technical SEO: Technical SEO practices, including optimizing page load speeds, ensuring mobile responsiveness, and adhering to Core Web Vitals, are crucial for maintaining competitive search rankings. Regular technical audits and updates are essential, noted Zaman. AI and Automation: Leveraging AI-powered tools and automation can enhance keyword research, content optimization, and performance tracking. Embracing these technologies will streamline SEO efforts and improve efficiency. Leveraging AI-powered tools and automation can enhance keyword research, content optimization, and performance tracking. Embracing these technologies will streamline SEO efforts and improve efficiency. User Experience: Prioritizing user experience through intuitive design, fast load times, and secure browsing will contribute to better search performance and higher user satisfaction. KISS PR's Commitment to Clients At KISS PR, we are dedicated to helping businesses navigate the complexities of SEO in the ever-changing digital landscape. Our expert team leverages cutting-edge strategies and technologies to optimize our clients' online presence, drive organic traffic, and achieve sustainable growth. About KISS PR KISS PR is a premier digital marketing and PR firm specializing in SEO, content marketing, social media strategy, and brand storytelling. With a proven track record of success, we empower businesses to enhance their online visibility, build their brand, and achieve their marketing goals. For more information, please visit KISS PR Google Impact on SEO Based on I/O 2024 or contact: Media Contact Qamar Zaman Founder, KISS PR Phone: +1 214-675-1016 Qamar Zama SEO Expert References Michael Liedtke, "Google unleashes AI in search, raising hopes for better results and fears about less web traffic." AP News. Bermuda, May 15, 2024 Key information relating to return of capital and dividend to be paid by Avance Gas Holding Ltd. for the first quarter 2024 is specified as per below. The distribution of return of capital will be made from the Companys Contributed Surplus account which consists of previously paid in share premium transferred from the Companys Share Premium account. Return of capital: $0.99 Dividend amount: $1.16 Declared currency: USD Last day including right: May 22, 2024 Ex-date: May 23, 2024 Record date: May 24, 2024 Payment date: May 31, 2024 Date of Approval: May 14, 2024 For further queries, please contact: Randi Navdal Bekkelund, CFO Email: IR@avancegas.com Tel: +47 23 11 40 00 ABOUT AVANCE GAS Avance Gas operates in the global market for transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The Company is one of the world's leading owners and operators of very large gas carriers (VLGCs) and owns sixteen LPG ships consisting of twelve modern VLGCs including four dual fuel LPG VLGCs and four dual fuel MGCs for delivery in 2025 and 2026. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act Hsinchu, Taiwan, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Andes, HiRain, and HPMicro jointly announced that the three parties will cooperate to combine the AndesCoreTM RISC-V processor series, the HPMicro HPM6200 full line of products, and the HiRain Vehicle OS software platform solutions to jointly build the RISC-V ecosystem in the field of automotive electronics. In this cooperation, HiRains AUTOSAR product INTEWORK-EAS will be adapted to HPMicros full line of HPM6200 products, supporting MCAL software adaptation and engineering integration for HPMicros AUTOSAR solutions. HiRain is currently one of the few major AUTOSAR software suppliers with experiences in supporting multiple RISC-V automotive-grade chips. HiRain has been an active player in enabling the RISC-V AUTOSAR ecosystem. The HPM6200 product line has 12 product models, with built-in AndesCoreTM D45 single-core or dual-core RISC-V processor. This series of products has high performance and real-time features, and its application fields include new energy, energy storage, industrial automation, electric vehicles, etc. Through this cooperation, the HPMicros chip products will target different application scenarios of automotive electronics with more complete functions and services, enhancing the compatibility of RISC-V technology in the field of automotive electronics. In the future, HiRain and HPMicro will continue to cooperate and continue to provide AUTOSAR software platform solutions for new products. INTEWORK-EAS is a software product independently developed by HiRain that complies with the AUTOSAR standards. It has a complete AUTOSAR tool chain and is compatible with a variety of mainstream data formats in the industry, such as DBC, LDF, PDX, ODX, ARXML, etc. It supports seamless integration with third-party MCAL toolchains. The solution covers all aspects of standard embedded software, AUTOSAR tool chain, integration services and training, aiming to provide OEMs and suppliers with a stable, reliable, convenient, and easy-to-use AUTOSAR platform. HiRain attaches great importance to the construction of integrated software and hardware solutions. The INTEWORK-EAS series products have been extensively mass-produced and verified on internationally renowned SoC platforms, and HiRain continues to deepen its cooperation with chip companies to jointly provide more integrated software and hardware solutions to the automotive market. For HiRain, this cooperation with HPMicro adds a new important company to its chip partner list and secures its leadership position in the AUTOSAR ecosystem. HPMicro HPM6200 has adopted the D45 core, which has an 8-stage dual-issue superscalar design, with a main frequency of 600 MHz and performance exceeding 3390 CoreMark and 1710 DMIPS, while supporting IEEE754-compliant single/double-precision floating-point unit (FPU) and RISC-V P (draft) instructions (DSP/SIMD). The D45 core also has a memory subsystem that can support configurable instruction and data caches and local memories which can further improve software performance for the HPM6200 series SoCs. In terms of the application market, the D45 core is very suitable for embedded applications that have special requirements for fast response time and high arithmetic accuracy. In addition to the high computing power RISC-V CPU, the HPM6200 product also integrates a series of high-performance peripherals and external storage. Further, the HPM6200 series also provides an enhanced PWM control system and a programmable logic array PLA for complex signal generation. Integrating AES-128/256, SHA-1/256 acceleration engines and hardware key managers, the HPM6200 can support hardware and software signature authentication, secure boot, and encrypted execution to prevent illegal code replacement, tampering or copying, further improving safety. HPMicro has completed the ISO9001 quality management certification and ISO 26262 functional safety management system ASIL D certification. The entire line of HPM6200 products has passed the AEC-Q100 G1 certification, with an operating temperature range of -40 to 125C. After the HiRain INTEWORK-EAS is adapted to the HPM6200, this packaged solution will be fully promoted in the China and rest of the world automotive markets. Jimmy Zhang, head of HiRains embedded software sector, said: We are very pleased to cooperate with Andes and HPMicro. The three parties jointly create a software and hardware integration solution based on RISC-V to target the growing automotive market. In this era of rapid iteration of chips, it is important to take full advantages of the AUTOSAR middleware. We have strong capabilities in supporting new hardware platforms and this cooperation will once again prove this. In the future, we hope to work with more partners to provide integrated solutions and promote them to the automotive industry. Jintao Zeng, CEO of HPMicro, said: The D45 processor can provide high performance and low-latency for HPMicros MCU series products that require ultra-high-speed real-time computing. The CPU performance is excellent and in some test environments it can surpass other competing products. Andes technical support helped us quickly and successfully complete the tape-out of the HPM6000 series. The two teams have a close and efficient cooperation. For HPMicro, this AUTOSAR cooperation with HiRain means that the HPMicro products have been widely recognized by the industry, and can drive adoption for high-performance microcontroller products with Andes RISC-V cores into the field of new energy electric vehicles. Dr. Charlie Su, President and CTO of Andes Technology, said: The D45 core and the HPMicro HPM6200 SoC provide developers with a versatile hardware platform, allowing customers to design software with higher performance and more features. The cooperation with HiRain and HPMicro has set a good example for the industry to take a RISC-V MCU into the wider automotive applications. We look forward to participating in more similar cooperations in the future to jointly promote great products to the automotive electronics industry. About Andes Technology Andes Technology Co., Ltd. was established in Hsinchu Science Park in 2005 and listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in 2017 (TWSE: 6533 SIN: US03420C2089; ISIN: US03420C1099). Andes is the founding chief member of the RISC-V International Association and the first mainstream CPU vendor to launch commercial RISC-V vector processors. To meet the strict requirements of today's electronic equipment, Andes provides highly configurable 32/64-bit high-performance CPU cores, including DSP, FPU, Vector, Superscalar, and Out-of-Order execution, multi-core and functional safety series, which can be applied to various SoCs and application scenarios. Andes also provides a full-featured integrated development environment and comprehensive software/hardware solutions to help customers innovate their SoC designs in a short time. As of the end of 2023, cumulative shipments of Andes-Embedded SoC have exceeded 14 billion units. For more information, please visit https://www.andestech.com. Please follow the latest news of Andes Technology through LinkedIn, Twitter, Bilibili and YouTube now . About HiRain Technology HiRain was founded in 2003 and focuses on providing electronic products, R&D services and high-level intelligent driving overall solutions to customers in the fields of automobiles, unmanned transportation and other fields. Headquartered in Beijing, it has R&D centers and modern factories in Tianjin, Nantong and Malaysia, forming a complete R&D, production, marketing and service system. In line with the concept of "value innovation and customer service", the company adheres to the strategies of "professional focus", "technology leadership" and "platform development". We are committed to becoming a world-class comprehensive electronic system technology service provider, a full-stack solution provider for intelligent connected vehicles, and a leader in high-level intelligent driving MaaS solutions. HiRain is currently one of the few suppliers that can implement full-stack solutions covering intelligent driving electronic products, R&D services and solutions. In the future, HiRain will keep up with the development trend of the automotive industry, adhere to independent innovation, strive to provide high-quality products and services to domestic and foreign customers, and contribute to the development of the automotive industry. For more information about HiRain, please visit https://www.hirain.com/. About HPMicro Semiconductor HPMicro is a semiconductor company dedicated to high-performance embedded solutions. Its products cover microcontrollers, microprocessors, and peripheral chips, as well as supporting development tools and ecosystems. The company was established in June 2020, with its headquarters located in Zhangjiang High- Tech Park, Shanghai, and branches in Tianjin, Shenzhen, Suzhou and Hangzhou. The core team comes from the management team of world-renowned semiconductor companies, with more than 15 years of rich R&D and management experience in more than 20 SoCs. HPMicro focuses on product quality, and all products pass strict reliability testing. The high-performance general-purpose MCU product series currently in mass production include HPM6700/6400, HPM6300, HPM6200, HPM5300 and HPM6800. Their performance leads similar international products and has passed AEC-Q100 certification. The company has completed ISO9001 quality management certification and ISO 26262/IEC61508 functional safety management system dual certification, and fully serves the Chinese industrial, automotive and new energy markets. HPMicro will work with world-renowned wafer fabs, packaging and testing plants and other strategic partners to jointly promote technological innovation in the semiconductor fields such as the Internet, industrial automation, and automotive electronics. For more information about HPMicro, please visit www.hpmicro.com. BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- amana, a leading neo-broker in the MENA region, is pleased to announce significant enhancements to its operations in Lebanon. These include the introduction of advanced trading technology and a broader array of tradable assets. This initiative is designed to give Lebanese investors superior access to a wide range of global and regional markets through amanas innovative trading platforms. By implementing amanas proprietary technology, Lebanese traders will benefit from a streamlined and effective trading experience across various market classes. This enhancement not only bolsters amana's offerings in Lebanon but also equips traders and investors with the tools to expand and diversify their investment portfolios like never before. Key Features of amanas Platforms: Access to a broad range of assets: Including US stocks, MENA stocks, gold, ETFs, and more. Including US stocks, MENA stocks, gold, ETFs, and more. All assets, one account: For easy management of portfolios. For easy management of portfolios. Ultra-competitive spreads : Up to 70% lower than industry average. : Up to 70% lower than industry average. Advanced trading tools: Leveraging amanas own cutting-edge technology to provide robust and user-friendly trading solutions. Leveraging amanas own cutting-edge technology to provide robust and user-friendly trading solutions. Easy payments: amana offers multiple ways to fund trading accounts. amana offers multiple ways to fund trading accounts. Safety: Operating in various global markets, amana is regulated by the FCA in the UK, DFSA in the UAE, CMA in Lebanon, and CySEC in Cyprus. Muhammad Rasoul, CEO of amana, emphasized the impact of this initiative: "Our company was founded in Lebanon in 2010, and today, we are thrilled to strengthen our presence here. We're bringing sophisticated trading tools and broader market access to our Lebanese customers. Our commitment is to offer a safe, unparalleled product proposition, ensuring that every Lebanese trader and investor can effortlessly access global and regional markets." amanas platforms include features designed to cater to both novice and experienced traders. These include educational resources to guide users on their investment journey, promoting financial literacy and empowering users to make informed trading decisions. About amana amana is a leading neo-broker in the Middle East. It provides active traders and investors across MENA with direct access to the global and regional financial markets. It operates multiple offices, such as in Beirut, Dubai, and Limassol. amana is regulated by DFSA in UAE, FCA in the UK, CYSEC in Europe, CMA in Lebanon, LFSA in Malaysia, and FSC in Mauritius. www.amana.app Contact: Karolina Slowikowska, Director of Communications (karolina.slowikowska@amanacapital.com) A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c961cbae-3e10-426b-8bbe-81990d8e6acf Dublin, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Autonomous Vehicles in Insurance - Thematic Intelligence" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Visualize the growth potential of global autonomous vehicle insurance markets, understand the transformative impact on the motor insurance sector, and identify key challenges and opportunities, facilitating benchmarking against leading insurers in this emerging field. Market Insights The primary challenges to the insurance industry relating to autonomous vehicles are largely technological and regulatory. More specifically, insurers need to understand the impact of in-car technology on collisions to accurately quantify the risk of a vehicle. They also need to understand the cost of this technology and how it is likely to change over time so that they can manage these costs. To fully understand the potential of autonomous vehicles on road safety (and ultimately insurance premiums), insurers are collaborating with autonomous vehicle manufacturers in trials across the world. Gaining access to important data on how these vehicles act and react in a range of situations is key to the risk assessment phase of the insurance value chain. These trials must continue, with more knowledge to be acquired of how vehicles will behave in non-ideal weather and road conditions. The emergence of Level 4 and 5 autonomous vehicles will alter the way liability is determined in the motor insurance sector. Countries are updating traffic regulations to consider how self-driving vehicles should be legislated once driver fault is no longer a cause of incidents. While the owner or keeper of the vehicle will still be expected to take out an insurance policy for their vehicle, this product is likely to be more akin to product liability insurance than third-party liability insurance. Before Level 4 autonomous vehicles become mainstream, vehicles will be increasingly fitted with advanced driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking and automated lane-keeping systems. Fully autonomous vehicles will be fully connected to the world around them, including infrastructure, other vehicles, and real-time event data from the internet. These connections will introduce cyber vulnerabilities not only to individual cars but potentially also to the wider vehicle population, compounding risk. Key Highlights Accenture and the Stevens Institute of Technology estimate that gross written premium (GWP) in the personal motor line will fall by 40% by 2040. The report also estimates that the market for product liability will increase by 14% over the same time due to the emergence of autonomous vehicles. The AAA estimates that contemporary advanced driver assistance systems is adding around 33% to the cost of claims in 2024. Key Topics Covered Executive Summary Players Technology Briefing Trends Technology Trends Macroeconomic Trends Regulatory Trends Industry Trends Industry Analysis Market Size and Growth Forecasts Challenges of Autonomous Vehicles to the Insurance Industry Timeline Signals Deal Trends Patent Trends Value Chain Hardware Software Services Companies Public Companies Sector Scorecards Non-Life Insurance Sector Scorecard Glossary Thematic Research Methodology A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to: Swiss Re AXA Munich Re State Farm Tokio Marine Sompo Aviva Allianz Tesla Waymo Alphabet Covea Hiscox Chubb AIG Uniqa Toyota Honda Darwin GM Cruise Mercedes-Benz Nissan Volvo Land Rover For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/yi921x 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 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Cinnamyl Alcohol Market by Type (Cinnamyl Alcohol 95.0%, Cinnamyl Alcohol >98.5%), Form (Liquid, Solid), Application, End-Use Industry - Forecast 2024-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Cinnamyl Alcohol Market size was estimated at USD 97.86 million in 2023, USD 102.16 million in 2024, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.48% to reach USD 133.02 million by 2030. In the Americas, the United States and Canada are significant players in the cinnamyl alcohol market. The United States hosts a mature market with high consumer awareness and demand for eco-friendly and organic personal care products, including cinnamyl alcohol. However, Canada shares similar market traits on a smaller scale, with a steady demand influenced by consumer preferences for sustainable and natural products. On the other hand, the European Union boasts a well-established fragrance and flavor industry, with stringent regulations governing the use of cinnamyl alcohol in consumer products. High consumer awareness regarding product ingredients and safety is a hallmark of the region's market. The Middle East, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, is known for its luxury fragrance market, with cinnamyl alcohol being a key ingredient in many traditional and high-end perfumes. Moreover, the Asia Pacific region, particularly China, India, and Japan, represents a rapidly growing market for cinnamyl alcohol due to the booming personal care and perfume industries. The region's increasing disposable incomes and growing middle-class populations have heightened consumer demand for premium and luxury fragrance products. With its extensive manufacturing base, China is significant in production, while both production and increasing consumption patterns propel India's market. Market Trends by Segment Increasing demand for >98.5% cinnamyl alcohol due to its exceptional quality and high aromatic properties Application: Pertaining uses of cinnamyl alcohol as a flavoring agent in food and beverage industries Industry Insights Market Dynamics Market Disruption Analysis Porter's Five Forces Analysis Value Chain & Critical Path Analysis Pricing Analysis Technology Analysis Patent Analysis Trade Analysis Regulatory Framework Analysis FPNV Positioning Matrix Market Share Analysis Strategy Analysis and Recommendations This research report offers invaluable insights into various crucial aspects of the Cinnamyl Alcohol Market: Market Penetration: This section thoroughly overviews the current market landscape, incorporating detailed data from key industry players. Market Development: The report examines potential growth prospects in emerging markets and assesses expansion opportunities in mature segments. Market Diversification: This includes detailed information on recent product launches, untapped geographic regions, recent industry developments, and strategic investments. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: An in-depth analysis of the competitive landscape is conducted, covering market share, strategic approaches, product range, certifications, regulatory approvals, patent analysis, technology developments, and advancements in the manufacturing capabilities of leading market players. Product Development & Innovation: This section offers insights into upcoming technologies, research and development efforts, and notable advancements in product innovation. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 189 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $102.16 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $133.02 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.4% Market Dynamics Drivers Growing inclination towards natural and organic flavoring agents in the food and beverage industry Potential demand for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents in cosmetics and pharmaceutical manufacturing Restraints Strict government regulations associated with the cinnamyl alcohol Opportunities Expanding new usage of cinnamyl alcohol as a biofuels and agricultural chemicals Ongoing research and development activities for more potent and longer-lasting fragrances Challenges Potential health concerns associated with the prolonged exposure or ingestion of high doses of cinnamyl alcohol Market Segmentation Analysis Increasing demand for >98.5% cinnamyl alcohol due to its exceptional quality and high aromatic properties Application: Pertaining uses of cinnamyl alcohol as a flavoring agent in food and beverage industries Competitive Landscape ACS International GmbH Adooq Bioscience LLC Advanced Biotech. Inc. Augustus Oils Ltd. Axxence Aromatic GmbH BASF SE Beijing Lys Chemicals Co., Ltd. Berje Inc. Biorbyt Ltd. Biosynth Ltd. Carl Roth GmbH + Co. KG Ernesto Ventos S.A. Lanxess AG Loba Chemie Pvt. Ltd. LUSH GmbH Marirosa Natural Cosmetics Merck KGaA Pell Wall Ltd. RAU Cosmetics RayBiotech, Inc. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Tokyo Chemical Industry For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4bwm1g 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 May 15, 2024: The effectiveness of Ukrainian air defenses has baffled and frustrated the Russian Air Force, which has taken heavy losses over Ukraine and increasingly stayed away from Ukrainian air space. There are very practical reasons for this. For example, the Ukrainians earlier managed to shoot down one of two Russian Tu-22M3 heavy bombers as well as an A-50 AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft that was monitoring air orations over Ukraine and thought it was safe from attack. Russia has fewer of the expensive A-50s than they do Tu-22M3 bombers. The Ukrainian S-200 missile traveled over 300 kilometers to hit the A-50 and Tu-22M3. That is the maximum range for the S-200 missile. It is not known how much recent Russian upgrades of their S-200 systems contributed to the recent success of the system. Ukraine used a Russian designed S-200 anti-aircraft system developed in the 1960s and remains in use because of continuous upgrades and maintenance. S-200 has remained the primary Russian air defense system since it was introduced. Ukraine inherited over a dozen S-200 batteries and hundreds of anti-aircraft missiles when the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991. The S-200 has been used in three wars. The first was the Libyan Civil War that began in 2011 and soon turned into a stalemate that continues. The second war was the Syrian Civil War that also began in 2011, was more intense than the one in Libya and is still active but has also turned into a stalemate. The third war the S-200 has shown up in is in Ukraine, where both Russia and the Ukrainians had S-200 systems when Russia invaded in early 2022. In early 2022 Ukraine had four S-200 batteries in service and twelve S-200 sites that had been shut down and the equipment put in storage. Before and after the invasion Ukrainian developed and implemented improvements in its S-200 systems. That is one reason why Ukraine has used most of its S-200 missiles. New missiles are only available from Russia, though some old ones held by NATO countries which had been former Soviet satellites were given to Ukraine, which now wants more Patriot systems for the United States and other NATO countries. Patriot has performed very well in Ukraine and Ukraine wants more Patriot batteries and missiles. Ukraine also received other, shorter range, anti-aircraft missile systems from NATO countries but Patriot is the most capable and heavily used system. With the loss of the A-50 and Tu-22M3, Russia is no longer operating over or near the Black Sea. This was the first time the Russians lost a Tu-22M3 since they invaded Ukraine. The second Tu-22M3 present when the first one was downed, turned and quickly left the area before it could be fired on. The bombers were based inside Russia, some 600 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. This latest incident makes five major mishaps or crashes of Tu-22s since 2017. Only about ten percent of the 497 Tu-22s built between 1967 and 1997 are still in service and many are grounded for required maintenance. The problem with the Tu-22 is that most were built in the 1980s. after the first ones entered service in 1980. The Tu-22 had plenty of problems during the eleven years after a prototype made its first flight. Development had been underway since the early 1970s. Efforts to upgrade up to twenty percent of the younger Tu-22s ran into lots of problems and delays, and the latest fatal failure of the ejection seat system is but one of many problems with aging tech in the Tu-22s still flyable. The Tu-22 is the most recent Russian heavy bomber that was produced in large numbers. In 1987 the 275 ton Tu-160 was introduced as a successor to the Tu-22 but only 28 production models were completed. Some of these werent completed until after 1991 using unfinished aircraft that were stored when regular production was halted after 1992. Production resumed but at the rate of one new Tu-160 every few years. Russia only has 18 Tu-160s in service and about ten new ones on order. Meanwhile Russia is trying to muster the cash and capabilities to design and build a new heavy bomber similar to the American B-2. Given continued problems with shrinking military budgets and keeping the Tu-22s, flying a new aircraft is unlikely. In the 1990s the Soviet Union fell apart and the new Russian Federation armed forces lost 80 percent of its Soviet era manpower. Too many of the most able officers left the military for better paying jobs in the new free market economy or took advantage of the post-1991 freedom to emigrate. Soviet era defense industries also shrank and those that remained lost many of their best technical people and managers. There was no money for new technology or even maintaining Cold War era equipment. The military high command was unable to cope with all this and much-delayed reforms were imposed on the military from above after 2008. After the reforms began the air force retired most Tu-22s and tried to upgrade and refurbish about a hundred of the Tu-22s built since the late 1980s. That program was scaled back several times because of a shortage of money and heavy use of Tu-22s in Syria after Russian forces entered the civil war there in 2015. All that led to more and more problems with Tu-22s and more were withdrawn from service. An ejection seat accident was particularly demoralizing for Tu-22 crews. The Tu-22 is a 1970s design. It's a 126-ton, twin-engine, swing-wing aircraft with a crew of four including two pilots, a bombardier, and a defensive systems operator. Originally it had a 23mm cannon mounted in a tail turret. It normally carries 12 tons of bombs and missiles, including cruise missiles but can carry 24 tons over shorter distances. Max speed is 2,300 kilometers an hour and combat radius 2,400 kilometers on internal fuel. The Tu-22M was roughly equivalent to the contemporary 45-ton American FB-111. Russia wanted to have a new bomber design in service by 2030, to replace the aging but upgraded Tu-22M3Ms. That is not going to happen so the latest upgrade, the Tu-22M3Ms must receive another refresh before it is retired. The new Russian stealth heavy bomber project is running into problems with its budget and doubts that the aircraft industry can develop the new aircraft on time and in sufficient numbers. Dublin, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "China Polycarbonate Import Research Report 2024-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. In recent years, China's polycarbonate production capacity has grown at an average annual rate of 30%. According to the analyst, by the end of 2023, it is estimated that China's annual polycarbonate production capacity has exceeded 4 million tons. Despite significant increases in domestic production capacity, the majority of domestically produced material is used for lower-end general-grade products such as sheets and films. High-end, high-value polycarbonates used in medical, electronics, automotive, and optical industries still require substantial imports. In 2023, China imported approximately 1.04 million tons of polycarbonate, worth $2.463 billion. According to the analyst, in 2023, China imported polycarbonate from over 60 countries and regions, with major sources including Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, with Taiwan being the largest source. In 2023, Mainland China imported 235,787 tons of polycarbonate from Taiwan, worth $563 million, accounting for 22.7% and 22.9% of the total imports for that year. According to the 'Anti-Dumping Regulations of the People's Republic of China', on November 30, 2022, China's Ministry of Commerce issued Announcement No. 35 of 2022, deciding to initiate an anti-dumping case investigation on imported polycarbonate originating from Taiwan. On April 19, 2024, China's Ministry of Commerce proposed to the State Council's Tariff Policy Commission to impose anti-dumping duties, which, based on the Ministry's recommendation, were decided to be implemented from April 20, 2024, for a period of five years. It is anticipated that imports and import values of polycarbonate from Taiwan will significantly decrease in the coming years. Economic growth has driven higher consumption levels and increased demand for new products, directly promoting the need for high-performance materials. According to the analyst, technological advancements have also fostered the development of new applications for materials beyond traditional areas, such as in sustainable energy and high-tech products. For instance, in electric vehicles and renewable energy equipment, polycarbonate, due to its lightweight and durable properties, becomes an ideal choice for manufacturing components. It is expected that with the global emphasis on sustainable development and environmental awareness, developing and using environmentally friendly polycarbonate products will become a significant trend. Therefore, it can be foreseen that in the coming years, both global and Chinese consumption of polycarbonate will continue to grow. According to the analyst, with the ongoing increase in domestic production capacity and technological advancements, it is expected that the volume and value of polycarbonate imports into China will decline somewhat over the next few years. However, due to the short-term inability of domestic production to meet the demand for high-end polycarbonate products, the annual import volume of polycarbonate in China is expected to remain at several hundred thousand tons annually from 2024 to 2033. Topics covered: Analysis of China's Polycarbonate Import Policies Polycarbonate Imports in China from 2019-2023 and Main Sources Main Drivers and Market Opportunities for Polycarbonate Imports in China What are the main drivers, challenges, and opportunities for polycarbonate imports in China during the 2024-2033 forecast period? Who are the key players in China's polycarbonate import market, and what are their competitive advantages? What is the expected revenue for the polycarbonate import market in China during the 2024-2033 forecast period? Polycarbonate Imports from Japan to China from 2019-2024 Polycarbonate Imports from South Korea to China from 2019-2024 Polycarbonate Imports from Thailand to China from 2019-2024 Polycarbonate Imports from the United States to China from 2019-2024 Polycarbonate Imports from Saudi Arabia to China from 2019-2024 Monthly Status of Polycarbonate Imports in China from 2021-2024 What strategies have major market players adopted to increase their market share in this industry? Which segment of China's polycarbonate import market is expected to dominate by 2032? What are the competitive advantages of the main participants in China's polycarbonate import market? What are the major limiting factors restraining the growth of polycarbonate imports in China? Companies Featured Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corp. Idemitsu Chemicals Taiwan Corporation Chimei Corporation Chilin Technology Co. Ltd. Key Topics Covered: 1. China Polycarbonate Import Analysis 2019-2023 1.1. China polycarbonate import scale 1.1.1. China polycarbonate import volume 1.1.2. China polycarbonate import amount 1.1.3. China Polycarbonate Import Price 1.1.4 China Polycarbonate Apparent Consumption 1.1.5. China Polycarbonate Import Dependence 1.2. China Polycarbonate Main Import Sources 1.2.1 By Import Volume 1.2.2. by Import Value 2. 2019-2023 China Polycarbonate Main Import Sources Analysis 2.1. Taiwan 2.1.1 Import Volume Analysis 2.1.2 Import Value Analysis 2.1.3 Average Import Price Analysis 2.2 South Korea 2.2.1 Import Volume Analysis 2.2.2 Import Amount Analysis 2.2.3 Average Import Price Analysis 2.3. Thailand 2.3.1 Import Volume Analysis 2.3.2 Import Value Analysis 2.3.3 Average Import Price Analysis 2.4. United States 2.5. Japan 2.6. Saudi Arabia 3. China Polycarbonate Monthly Analysis 2021-2024 3.1 Monthly Analysis of Import Volume 3.2 Monthly Import Value Analysis 3.3 Monthly Average Import Price Forecast 4 Major Factors Affecting China's Polycarbonate Imports Analysis 4.1 Policy factors 4.1.1 The current status of import policy 4.1.2 Trend forecast of import policy 4.2 Economic factors 4.2.1 Market price 4.2.2 Growth Trend of Polycarbonate Capacity in China 4.3 Technical Factors 5 China's Polycarbonate Import Outlook, 2024-2033 5.1 China Polycarbonate Import Forecast 2024-2033 5.2 China's Polycarbonate Import Value Forecast, 2024-2033 5.3 China's Polycarbonate Average Import Price Forecast, 2024-2033 5.4 Forecast of Major Import Sources of Polycarbonate in China, 2024-2033 For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/oh77di 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. Contacts Media Contact Investor Relations Amsterdam +31 20 721 4133 Brussels +32 2 620 15 50 +33 1 70 48 24 27 Dublin +39 02 72 42 62 13 Lisbon +351 210 600 614 Milan +39 02 72 42 62 12 Oslo +47 41 69 59 10 Paris +33 1 70 48 24 45 Euronext N.V. Annual General Meeting results Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris 15 May 2024 Euronext announced that in its Annual General Meeting (AGM) that took place today, all items on the agenda were approved, with the exception of resolution 3.C (advisory vote). For the detailed items, please refer to the agenda of the AGM published on the investor relations website. The payment of the annual dividend will occur on 23 May 2024, with ex-dividend on 21 May 2024 and record date on 22 May 2024. CONTACTS ANALYSTS & INVESTORS ir@euronext.com Investor Relations Aurelie Cohen +33 1 70 48 24 17 ir@euronext.com Clement Kubiak +33 1 70 48 26 33 ir@euronext.com MEDIA mediateam@euronext.com Europe Aurelie Cohen +33 1 70 48 24 45 mediateam@euronext.com Andrea Monzani +39 02 72 42 62 13 Amsterdam Marianne Aalders +31 20 721 41 33 amsterdampressoffice@euronext.com Brussels Marianne Aalders +32 26 20 15 01 brusselspressoffice@euronext.com Dublin Andrea Monzani +39 02 72 42 62 13 dublinpressoffice@euronext.com Lisbon Sandra Machado +351 91 777 68 97 portugalpressoffice@euronext.com Milan, Rome Ester Russom +39 02 72 42 67 56 italypressoffice@euronext.com Oslo Cathrine Lorvik Segerlund +47 41 69 59 10 oslopressoffice@euronext.com Paris, Corporate Flavio Bornancin-Tomasella +33 1 70 48 24 45 parispressoffice@euronext.com Corporate Services Coralie Patri +33 7 88 34 27 44 parispressoffice@euronext.com About Euronext Euronext is the leading pan-European market infrastructure, connecting European economies to global capital markets, to accelerate innovation and sustainable growth. It operates regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. With nearly 1,900 listed issuers and around 7.1 trillion in market capitalisation as of end of March 2024, it has an unmatched blue-chip franchise and a strong diverse domestic and international client base. Euronext operates regulated and transparent equity and derivatives markets, one of Europes leading electronic fixed income trading markets and is the largest centre for debt and funds listings in the world. Its total product offering includes Equities, FX, Exchange Traded Funds, Warrants & Certificates, Bonds, Derivatives, Commodities and Indices. The Group provides a multi-asset clearing house through Euronext Clearing, and custody and settlement services through Euronext Securities central securities depositories in Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal. Euronext also leverages its expertise in running markets by providing technology and managed services to third parties. 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Attachment TORONTO, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Questrade ( www.questrade.com ) -- Canadas #1 rated* online brokerage -- is thrilled to announce the addition of TradingView , one of the financial industrys most sought-after solutions, to its growing list of investment resources for customers. The new integration, which is now live, allows Questrade customers to access TradingViews comprehensive charting features and execute trades with their Questrade accounts directly from the TradingView platform. We continue to source new ways to empower Canadians on their journey to financial independence by providing the most innovative and cost-efficient financial services in-market, said Edward Kholodenko, president and CEO, Questrade. Working with TradingView to bring our customers access to this powerful platform speaks to our ultimate goal of enabling Canadians to confidently make educated investment choices and become much more financially successful and secure. We are very excited to onboard our first homegrown Canadian brokerage as we welcome Questrade into our ecosystem, said Pierce Crosby, General Manager, TradingView. Questrade customers can now join the millions of users who rely on our world-class charting capabilities every day, further empowering them to analyze market activity, make more informed investment decisions, and execute trades efficiently all in one seamless multi-platform experience. TradingView - The Pinnacle of Investment Tools for Traders TradingView is the go-to charting platform used by over 50 million investors and traders worldwide to spot opportunities across global markets. Its unmatched tools empower users by providing industry-leading charting capabilities, global market and fundamentals data, macroeconomic and earnings calendars, market screeners, and heatmaps. Questrade customers who wish to track their stock holdings and execute trades from TradingView can simply connect to the integration using their existing Questrade credentials. For more information on the addition of TradingView to Questrades investment resources and instructions on how to connect Questrade accounts to TradingView, visit the following link: https://www.questrade.com/learning/platform-tutorials/investment-tools-at-questrade/tradingview . Introducing TradingView to Questrades list of investment resources accompanies the recent additions of Seeking Alpha news and stock analysis and OptionsPlay options trading tool to its platforms. With further additions on the horizon, Questrade continues to build on its commitment to empower Canadians with the right tools and educational resources to make the best investment decisions; ultimately, adding value and helping them achieve their financial goals. About Questrade Questrade, Inc. (Questrade) is changing the Canadian financial services industry by leveraging technology to lower fees while providing a viable alternative to traditional financial investment options, thereby allowing Canadians to Keep More of their Money. As a leader and innovator in financial services, Questrade is a trusted ally that advocates for consumers, focused on improving value. With 24 years of challenging the status quo as one of Canada's leading, non-bank online brokerages and over $30 billion in assets under administration, Questrade and its affiliates provide financial products and services, including securities and foreign currency investments. For more information, visit www.questrade.com or on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) @Questrade. Questrade, Inc. is a registered investment dealer, a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), and a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). Questrade is a wholly owned subsidiary of Questrade Financial Group Inc. * MoneySense 2023 Media Contact For more information, contact Susan Willemsen at The Siren Group Inc. Tel: 416-461-1567 or M: 416-402-4880, or email: susan@thesirengroup.com . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4e07eb9-4705-4e92-9330-ef2c8c1bf1cb Dublin, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "South Korea - Tourism Source Market Insight" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides a thorough insight into the South Korea's domestic and outbound tourism market. The report looks at the profiles of South Korean tourists and summarizes the key reasons that they travel. The report offers an in-depth analysis of traveler flows, spending patterns, main destination markets and current and future opportunities for tourism businesses seeking to tap into the South Korea's outbound travel market. Key Highlights According to the the publisher's Q3 2021 consumer survey, gastronomical holidays are one of the most preferred types of holiday for South Korean travelers with 44% of people stating that they would prefer to take gastronomical holidays. This is significantly higher than the global average of 26%. 39% of South Korean respondents are also influenced by popular destinations for food and drinks when deciding on a holiday destination, higher than the global average of 33%. Transportation and retail have consistently been the top sectors of spending for South Korean travelers abroad. They comprised 36.9% and 21.6% respectively of the total outbound tourism expenditure in 2023. China is slowly re-developing as a prominent destination market for South Korean travelers. The number of South Korean travelers departing for China increased to 424 thousand in 2023 and is forecast to grow further with a CAGR of 34.09% for 2023-2028, highlighting the growing interest in the destination. According to the publisher's Traveler Spending Patterns database, outbound expenditure reached a high of $38 billion in 2018, following steady growth from $24.5 billion in 2013 (CAGR 2013-18: 9.18%). This outbound tourism industry expenditure experienced a notable fall in 2020 and 2021 to reach an all- time low of $2 billion in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The overall outbound spending for 2023 reached $22.8 billion showing a movement in the positive direction. The report provides an in-depth analysis of traveler flows, spending patterns, main destination markets, as well as current and future opportunities for tourism businesses seeking to tap into the outbound travel market. This report provides clear insight into developments in South Korea's regional and outbound tourism markets. The report uses data and analysis to discuss future trends related to domestic trips, international departures, traveler spending, and main destination markets. Key Topics Covered: Overview South Korean Tourist Profile Domestic Tourism Outbound Tourism Main and Developing Destination Markets Outlook Appendix Company Coverage Includes: Instagram Facebook KakaoTalk YouTube Airbnb Booking.com Yanolja TUI Kozaza BnB Hero NAVER For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xk9zff 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. AI-Based Innovation Available Soon in RAD and RAD-R Solutions Detroit, Michigan, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the Company) ( OTCPK:AITX ), is pleased to announce the biggest technology innovation it has ever developed which it is calling Autonomous Intelligent Response, abbreviated to AIR. AIR is the inevitable evolution of the Companys Autonomous Remote Services (ARS) paradigm by harnessing newly developed technological innovations to deliver intelligent human-like response in every applicable surveillance camera and RAD device. Its like having the best possible remote video operator watching every camera with unblinking eyes and ready to apply best practices for engagement in an instant, said Steve Reinharz, AITX CEO & CTO. Imagine having a security operations center at the edge in every device, thats AIR. This massively enhances our ability to identify and deter dangerous and costly events in addition to a myriad of other solutions. The significance of this development has prompted the Company to update the AITX Mission Statement. AIR will be utilized throughout all AITX subsidiaries and made available for licensing in the future. For Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), this means the Generation 4 RAD devices and software (ROSA, RIO, AVA, ROSS) will be fully AIR-capable. AIR will also be the software backbone for RADCam from subsidiary RAD-R, providing home security performance levels not currently known to be available in the marketplace. AIRs autonomy allows AIR-based security devices to monitor environments, detect anomalies, and respond to potential threats without the need for constant human oversight. By reducing reliance on human resources, AIR not only enhances efficiency and lowers operational costs but also ensures continuous, uninterrupted protection, even in the most dynamic and complex scenarios. Additionally, AIR-enabled systems can initiate visual and audible alarms, alert authorities, and lock doors in real-time, providing a level of responsiveness that is both faster and more accurate than traditional security systems. This rapid response capability is crucial in mitigating risks and preventing incidents before they escalate, ensuring that security measures are always one step ahead of potential threats. Reinharz continued, The introduction of AIR represents our unwavering commitment to advancing security and facility management through cutting-edge technology. Stay tuned for more updates and detailed insights into how AIR will redefine the landscape of intelligent security solutions. The Company noted that it is making preparations for the first AIR demonstrations in the next few weeks which will be available on the AITX YouTube channel. The forthcoming release of AIR marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of corporate security and facility management. As businesses and organizations face increasingly sophisticated security challenges along with budget constraints, AIR enables transformative solutions that will combine autonomy, intelligence, and responsiveness. AITX, through its subsidiaries, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), RAD-R, RAD-M and RAD-G 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 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. ### Washington, DC, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) has added Denmark Technical College (DTC) to its member schools, now totaling 54 institutions consisting of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), predominantly Black institutions (PBIs), and historically Black community colleges (HBCCs). DTC is the first of its kind among TMCF members. It is an honor to welcome Denmark Technical College to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund membership. Its unique role as the sole two-year HBCU in South Carolina makes its contributions to the states economic growth particularly noteworthy, Dr. Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of TMCF, said. We look forward to a partnership that benefits their students through scholarships, internships, mentoring and more, helping mold graduates that are capable, competitive, creative, and inventive. TMCF began adding HBCCs in June 2023, which reflects the organizations belief that diversity, equity and inclusion efforts include alternative pathways to degree attainment and skill development. HBCCs play a critical role in local and regional economic development by offering upskilling and reskilling programs. Denmark Technical College is elated to have the distinguished honor of being among the ranks of the newest crop of Thurgood Marshall College Fund member schools. The groundbreaking work of the TMCF has a lasting impact on the students and colleges they serve. Their intentional inclusive strategy to embrace two-year HBCUs in their membership is a testament to their progressive administration, Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr., president and CEO of Denmark Technical College, said. This is a game-changer, and I cannot wait to see the profound effect this partnership will have on our community, faculty, staff, and, most importantly, our students." Located in Denmark, South Carolina, DTC provides affordable associate degrees, diplomas and certificates to students from diverse educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nations largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member schools include the publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Historically Black Community Colleges, and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending Black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit www.tmcf.org. LOS ANGELES, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Equatic today announced the appointment of three industry leaders to expand its Advisory Board: Caitlyn Fox, former Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative; Jerome Schmitt, former Senior Vice President M&A at TotalEnergies and founder of OGCI; and Craig Cogut, Chairman and CEO of Pegasus Capital Advisors. Their experience spans climate solutions, innovation and technology in the energy and investment sectors. They join Lord John Browne, Edward Muller and Peter Relan on the companys Advisory Board. "We look forward to our expanded Advisory Board helping guide us in our mission to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and produce clean hydrogen on a large scale," said Lord John Browne, who is the Chair of Equatics Advisory Board, the Founder & Executive Chairman of BeyondNetZero and the former Group Chief Executive, BP. Equatic reduces the cost of carbon removal dramatically by combining it with clean hydrogen generation. Its technology accelerates and amplifies the oceans natural ability to absorb and permanently store atmospheric carbon. The company recently announced that it is now constructing the worlds largest ocean-based carbon removal plant in Singapore, a facility capable of annually removing 3,650 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) and generating 110 tonnes of clean hydrogen. Meet the new Advisory Board members: Caitlyn Fox , former Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative: "Equatics commitment to transparency, exemplified by its thoughtful MRV practices, sets the standard for accountability in this growing industry. The companys mission to build carbon removal at a meaningful scale, while engaging in meaningful stakeholder and community engagement, complements my dedication to tackling urgent societal problems with a focus on equity. Together, we will drive meaningful change and create a sustainable future for all." Fox is a social and climate leader with over 15 years of experience including roles at Redstone Strategy Group, REDF, and The Rockefeller Foundation. In Foxs role at CZI, she was responsible for building-out CZIs climate program with a focus on scaling carbon removal technologies. Jerome Schmitt , former Senior Vice President at TotalEnergies: My career has been built around value creation and managing sustainability and innovation in the anticipation of new trends. Equatic has identified a way to combine multiple processes into one footprint and utilize the ocean for some of the most expensive aspects of carbon removal: transportation and storage. I look forward to contributing my expertise toward Equatics ambition of removing carbon for less than $100 per metric ton before the end of the decade. Schmitt has over 30 years of global experience in finance, sustainable and energy innovation. He held the positions of SVP of Mergers & Acquisitions, SVP of Carbon Neutral Businesses, and SVP of Sustainable Development & Environment during his tenure at TotalEnergies. Craig Cogut , Chairman & CEO of Pegasus: Equatic is rapidly developing as a company, with multiple opportunities before it. There is tremendous need for the solutions Equatic offers. With more than two decades focused on investment in sustainability, I am eager to support Equatics vision in accelerating growth and prioritizing the right customers, strategic partners, and locations to establish market leading position. In 1995, Cogut founded Pegasus, a private equity fund manager which over time has focused on planet health and human health. It has become the first U.S. private equity fund manager to be accredited by the Green Climate Fund. Prior to Pegasus, Cogut was a founder and an original partner at Apollo Advisors L.P. These highly impressive individuals round out Equatics advisory board and will support the company as it achieves its mission of gigaton-scale carbon removal. To learn more about Equatic, visit equatic.tech and follow the companys growth on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/equatic-tech/. About Equatic: Equatic is a carbon removal company leading the industry in combined carbon dioxide removal and carbon-negative hydrogen generation. Using a patented seawater electrolysis process, Equatic amplifies the oceans inherent ability to absorb and store massive amounts of carbon. The technology was created and developed at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineerings Institute for Carbon Management . Following the successful operation of two pilot facilities in Los Angeles and Singapore, Equatic is now constructing the worlds largest ocean-based CDR facility and works with industry pioneers, national agencies, and government leadership to scale climate solutions at unprecedented rates. The company sells high-quality carbon removal credits and is the only ocean-based carbon removal company that measures removal inside the boundary of its plants, leading to unprecedented certainty . For media inquiries or further information, please contact: LaunchSquad for Equatic equatic@launchsquad.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b028a77-8a34-4cc4-8519-712ffd1ed932 Fire Island, NY, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tech entrepreneur and hospitality visionary Tristan Schukraft is expanding his portfolio of iconic LGBTQ+ venues with the acquisition of 75% of the Fire Island Pines commercial district, one of the most celebrated queer community hubs in the United States. The purchase includes a variety of businesses including the Pavilion nightclub, The Blue Whale, the Canteen, a hotel and pool deck, retail shops, and docks, all considered the heart of Fire Islands vibrant gay community. The currently non-operational hotel will be renovated and transformed into The Tryst Fire Island, the third location for Tristans budding luxury hotel brand for gay travelers. Tristan Schukraft, CEO of Tryst Hospitality and MISTR, is on a clear mission, Fire Island Pines has been a queer hub for multiple generations of the LGBT community. As businesses and neighborhoods turn over, its important for the next generation of gay entrepreneurs to invest in our communities, preserve our culture and help them thrive as safe havens for the LGBT community. Included in the acquisition are ten buildings over two acres along 320 feet of Fire Island Pines main pedestrian thoroughfare, including the only hotel zoned within the Pines commercial district. All the businesses will operate as planned for the 2024 season. This fall, Tryst Hospitality will invest in thoughtful enhancements to these properties, focusing on elevating the guest experience while maintaining the Fire Island Pines as a world-class LGBTQ+ travel destination. The most significant investment will include a major renovation to the hotel, which will open as The Tryst Fire Island in time for the 2025 season. Tryst Hospitality and its brands are part of Tristans vision for a global portfolio of gay businesses that champion diversity, luxury, and adventure. Tristan founded MISTR, which provides free online PrEP across the United States to more than 300,000 patients. He launched Tryst Hotels, a luxury brand catering to the discerning tastes of gay travelers, that are located the most iconic LGBTQ+ travel destinations. Tryst Hotels encourage you to be your best self, even on your worst behavior. The Tryst Puerto Vallarta will open this Summer in the heart of the Zona Romantica and begin taking reservations in the next few weeks. The Tryst San Juan is open now but will begin extensive renovations later this year. Fire Island will become the brands third location in 2025. Tristan owns and operates The Abbey Food & Bar and The Chapel in West Hollywood, the iconic gay nightlife venue, twice named the best Gay Bar in the World, frequented by A-List talent and neighborhood regulars alike, and named the top nightlife drop off and pick up point in the world for both Uber and Lyft. This fall, Tristan will re-open a newly renovated Circo, a well-known LGBTQ+ nightlife venue in San Juan, walking distance to The Tryst San Juan. In the coming months, Tristan will announce more acquisitions as he expands his company and truly embraces the moniker the CEO of everything gay. For more information and to sign up to be one of the first to book your stay, please visit trysthotels.com and follow @trysthotels on social media. # # # # # About Tryst Hospitality Tryst Hospitality, spearheaded by Tristan Schukraft, is revolutionizing LGBTQ+ luxury travel and nightlife. With The Tryst Puerto Vallarta and The Tryst San Juan, Tryst Hospitality offers luxury boutique hotels celebrated for their design, exceptional service, and vibrant experiences, including weekend pool parties and drag brunches. The company also owns iconic venues The Abbey in West Hollywood, Circo Nightclub in San Juan. Tryst Hospitality announced plans to acquire the Fire Island Pines commercial district with plans to own and operate Tryst Fire Island, The Blue Whale, the Pavilion nightclub, the docks and more. About Tristan Schukraft Known as the CEO everything gay, Tristan Schukraft is a technology entrepreneur, turned hotelier and nightlife aficionado. An LA native, now residing in Puerto Rico, Tristans entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of ID90.COM, an e-ticketing platform for airline personnel. Following the success of ID90, Schukraft later went on to establish MISTR, the largest telemedicine platform dedicated to HIV prevention and long-term HIV care. His hospitality and nightlife portfolio began with the acquisitions of The Tryst beachfront hotel and Circo nightclub, both located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, later acquiring The Tryst in Puerto Vallarta and the iconic LGBTQ+ nightlife venue, The Abbey in West Hollywood, California. Attachment MUNICH, Germany, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TWAICE , the leading provider of battery analytics software, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL ) published today their joint study: the first publicly available analysis of the root causes of battery energy storage system (BESS) failures. In aggregating why battery systems have failed in the past in an easily accessible format, the report will help guide efforts to mitigate storage incidents in the future and minimize BESS risk. The report draws primarily from EPRIs BESS Failure Event Database to categorize failure incidents by cause and failed element. Of the 81 events in the database, 26 had sufficient information to establish a root cause. TWAICE engineers worked with EPRI and PNNL to classify these failures, applying their expertise in battery analysis to determine causes and categorize them. Their findings ultimately showed that many BESS failures can be prevented with better quality assurance and battery monitoring. Contrary to popular belief, the engineers determined only three failures could be traced to defects on the cell or module, underscoring the need for tools that enable improved commissioning and operational analysis of the entire system. Understanding the reasons behind battery storage failures is critical for preventing them, which is why were pleased to help create the first-ever public analysis of BESS incidents by cause, said Ryan Franks, Senior Engineer at TWAICE. The report emphasizes the importance of battery analytics, with most of the failures traced to the integration and operation stages. We believe this new resource will help guide further development of analytics software that can ensure BESS safety. Were honored to support EPRI in the publication of this report and thankful for the collaboration of their engineers and those from PNNL. In underscoring the importance of battery analytics and its future development, the report lays the foundation for a more resilient and secure energy storage infrastructure. The analysis of failure incidents demonstrates that, while manufacturing defects do contribute to some failures, operators must pay equal attention to potential errors during the design, integration, and operation of BESS units. Analytics software is ideally suited to detect these incidents before they lead to a system failure, and the publication of this report should help guide the development of mitigation strategies which include the deployment of battery analytics. The full report can be downloaded at EPRIs website. TWAICE, EPRI, and PNNL will present a summary of the report at the Energy Storage Safety and Reliability Forum at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory from May 14-16, 2024. About TWAICE TWAICE provides predictive analytics software for companies working with batteries addressing key concerns throughout the entire lifecycle. Customers using TWAICE de-risk their battery business and outperform their peers by increasing battery performance and lifetime. Uniquely combining deep battery knowledge and artificial intelligence on a scalable analytics platform, TWAICE generates actionable insights at every step of the battery lifecycle. In addition to enabling TWAICE products, the analytics platform is a launchpad for customer and partner solutions, leveraging an entire ecosystem of market leaders. TWAICE is committed to increasing the lifetime, efficiency, safety, and sustainability of the products that power the economy of tomorrow. Media Contact Justin Williams Trevi Communications for TWAICE justin@trevicomm.com +1 (978) 539-7157 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/751a9225-f17b-435e-bac9-8a53678f5ea6 ORLANDO, Fla., May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sustainable Green Team, Ltd. (OTCQX: SGTM) ($SGTM), a leading provider of sustainable and eco-friendly products, announces signing a Letter-of-Intent (LOI) with Revive Terra Corporation ("Revive") to pursue a merger on corporate operations. Revive Terra Corporation, a Canadian Corporation, is recognized for its groundbreaking approaches to soil restorations and carbon sequestration products and methodologies. Revive Terra's management has advanced sustainable practices and driven positive environmental outcomes through innovations and collaborations while creating sustainable agricultural and land management operations for its clients. Once the Companies enter a definitive agreement, both companies will become one entity. The corporate combination expects to create a synergistic approach combining human resources, technologies, products, and future innovations and scaling operations to provide worldwide sustainable solutions. Globally, Sustainable Green Team, Ltd. has a reputation for its unwavering dedication to eco-friendly practices and pioneering technologies. Meanwhile, Revive Terra has earned acclaim for its groundbreaking approaches to soil restoration and carbon sequestration. Chad Clovis, Director of Revive Terra, Comments on the possible merger: "We are thrilled to announce the culmination of a significant milestone in the sustainability sectorthe potential merger of Sustainable Green Team and Revive Terra. This union represents a bold step forward in our commitment to environmental stewardship and innovative solutions. As Director, I am honored to lead this transformative venture. Our shared vision is to pioneer a new era of sustainability where ecological responsibility and economic growth go hand in hand. By integrating our expertise, resources, and passion, we seek to redefine industry standards and drive positive change on a global scale." By combining operations and complementary capabilities, SGTM and Revive believe they can accelerate the development and deployment of sustainable solutions, creating positive environmental outcomes across diverse sectors, from agriculture to renewable energy. Tony Raynor, CEO/Founder of Sustainable Green Team, expressed his excitement about the potential merger: "Together, we can form a dynamic powerhouse capable of tackling the most pressing challenges facing our planet. Our joint commitment to sustainability extends beyond mere rhetoricit is part of everything we do. Environmental integrity is our guiding principle, reflected in our operational practices and product innovations. Through collaborative partnerships, community engagement, and continuous innovation, a successful merger would be goal oriented, to strive to create a more resilient, equitable, and prosperous world for future generations." Upon completing due diligence and other regulatory overviews, Revive Terra and SGTM will provide timely updates to inform shareholders and customers. Together, the Companies embark on a potential new chapter, with boundless possibilities and endless opportunities to make a meaningful difference in global sustainability. For media inquiries or further information, please get in touch with Tony Raynor at 1-407-886-8733 and traynor@sgtmltd.com. About Sustainable Green Team, Ltd. (OTCQX: SGTM) ($SGTM): Sustainable Green Team, Ltd. (OTCQX: SGTM) ($SGTM) is a leading Company in climate reversing technologies, a provider of sustainable solutions to improve environmental health, promote sustainable practices, and deliver eco-friendly products and services. SGTM aims to make significant contributions to global sustainability; learn more by visiting the Company website, https://thesustainablegreenteam.com/, SGTM's YouTube Channel, Corporate Bloomberg TV commercial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_0rLESvJJ0, corporate video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ7Dp9Coi88&t=1s and SGTM's Blogs - https://thesustainablegreenteam.com/sgtm-blog. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products, and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. The Company cautions readers not to rely on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Company Contact: Tony Raynor, CEO Sustainable Green Team, Ltd. (OTCQX: SGTM) ($SGTM) www.sustainablegreenteam.com Traynor@sgtmltd.com 407-886-8733 A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c06fc9d-a09a-4c99-95b0-65cd221023f5 May 15, 2024: General Atomics, the American firm that developed and builds Predator and Reaper UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), has a new UAV, the three-ton Mohave. This is in development to supplement and eventually replace the current 4.8 ton MQ-9 Reaper that can carry 1.4 tons of bombs and missiles plus 360 kg of internal sensors and fire control systems. Mohave can carry 1.6 tons of bombs and missiles and was designed to use shorter, 152 meter, primitive runways for takeoffs and landings. The shorter runway only works when Mohave is not carrying a lot of external weapons. These hang from the wings and impose drag. When equipped just for surveillance, no weapons are carried and a shorter runway is needed. Mohave was designed with larger wings and more control surfaces so it can operate at low altitudes and use 7.62mm machine-gun pods for strafing. This is possible because the Mohave benefits from three decades of development and use since the MQ-1 Predator entered service in the 1990s for the CIA and later the air force. Only 300 Predators were built between 1995 and 2018, when the air force retired its MQ-1s, These UAVs continued to be used by other military and commercial operators. The MQ-9 Reaper entered service in 2007, after a decade of development and its first flight in 2001. About 400 MQ-9s are expected to be put to use before Reapers are retired in the late 2030s. Mohave will continue in service into the 2040s if development and use go as planned. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that UAVs like Predator and Mohave are as vulnerable as manned aircraft to air defenses. Predator and Mohave cost up to $40 million each and much more if high-end sensors are carried. Operations in Ukraine have shown that most surveillance and reconnaissance takes place using cheaper UAVs that operate closer to the ground. High altitude surveillance is most effectively carried out by space satellites or high-altitude manned aircraft like the $70 million American U-2, which is expected to be retired by the end of the decade. The low-level air reconnaissance and combat missions are carried out by cheap UAVs used and controlled by the ground forces. Control of UAVs was initially a problem in the United States where the air force insisted it must control anything the flew in the combat zone. The army felt this was nonsense and in 2008 the U.S. Air Force and Army agreed to amend the half century understanding known as the Treaty of Key West that restricted what kind of aircraft the army could use. The 1950s agreement ended nearly a decade of bickering about how much control over U.S. military aircraft the newly created, in 1947, air force should have. Early on, the air force sought to control everything. The navy and marines fought the air force to a draw, but the army came off less well. The army was allowed to have all the new and untried helicopters it could get its hands on, but was restricted to only a few fixed wing aircraft, and none of them could be large or armed. The army was not happy with this, but the Key West deal, forced on them by president, and former army general Eisenhower, at least ended the constant feuding and uncertainty. But the new deal allows the army to have fixed wing combat aircraft again, but they cannot carry any people, not even pilots. This was all about UAVs, in particular the Predator and its derivatives, Reaper, Grey Eagle and Mohave. These aircraft changed the way wars were fought, and the army had built a fleet of over a thousand UAVs in the first decade of use. The air force protested this, but the army was doing most of the fighting in wars that began after September 2001, and had the clout to persuade the air force to change the rules about what kind of aircraft the army could have. The army was then able to have fixed wing combat aircraft, initially in the form of over 500 MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAVs. These 1.6 ton UAVs were based on the Predator and Reaper designs and were meant mainly for surveillance. MQ-1C could carry Hellfire missiles but often did not and concentrated on surveillance. The army only received 204 MQ-1Cs and four of those are headed for Ukraine. The U.S. Army and Air Force also negotiated out an agreement on how to use, and share, this growing fleet of armed UAVs. That's because the air force and army use their UAVs differently. For the army, the UAV is a tool for the local combat commander. That's why each combat division received a MQ-1C squadron. Combat brigades will also get detachments of two to four UAVs as needed even though the brigades always have several smaller 170 kg RQ-7 Shadow 200 UAVs assigned. The army began using RQ-7 in 2002 and has received over 400 so far with more on the way. The RQ-7 is more compact and can be transported and launched with a pneumatic device. The army is seeking to replace RQ-7 with a new UAV by the end of the decade. The air force uses Predator and Warrior class UAVs more as strategic recon aircraft and put them at the disposal of the most senior combat commander in a region, which was originally CENTCOM, or Central Command, that covered Afghanistan and the Middle East. The air force believed that the army policy of assigning Sky Warriors to brigade and division commanders was wasteful, because many would be sitting on the ground when the CENTCOM commander has a mission that would benefit from the maximum number of UAVs being used. But the army convinced the air force that, for the combat brigade commander, having those UAVs under his command all the time was essential to planning and carrying out combat operations. Too often in the past, getting the needed number of aircraft from the air force/navy pool was chancy, and a major headache for ground commanders. This new policy wasn't all that new. During World War II, the Russians gave ground commanders their own air forces, for the same reason American commanders still needed them 65 years later. The U.S. Air Force is planning on replacing its MQ-1B Predators with the new U.S. Army MQ-1C. The latter is developed from the former and both are built by the same manufacturer. The air force and army have already agreed to cooperate on maintaining and further developing Predator and Sky Warrior UAVs, which will save money for both services. But the air force is alarmed at some of the army's ideas for operating the MQ-1C. For example, the army wants to rely more on the software, than trained pilots, for flying the UAVs. In fact, the army will not use pilots at all as operators. This appalls the air force, which is scrambling to turn fighter and transport pilots into Predator operators. The air force does use non-pilots for micro-UAVs, similar to the army's two kg Raven, which are used to help guard air force bases. But for larger UAVs the air force is concerned about collisions with other UAVs or manned aircraft. The army believes the future holds technological solutions for this problem. Besides, the army can't spare pilots to man its planned force of several hundred MQ-1Cs. General Atomics, the manufacturer of the Predator UAV, developed the new MQ-1C UAV. The army wanted 45 squadrons, each with 12 UAVs, at a cost of about $8 million per aircraft including ground equipment. MQ-1C weighs 1.5 tons, carries 136 kg of sensors internally, and up to 227 kg of sensors or weapons externally. It has an endurance of up to 36 hours and a top speed of 270 kilometers an hour. The MQ-1C is heavier than the one-ton Predator, and a bit larger and more capable in general. Basically, it's Predator Plus, with the added ability to land and take off automatically and carry four Hellfire missiles compared to two on the Predator. The size of the army UAV force also scares the air force. The MQ-1C carried Hellfire missiles and Viper Strike smart bombs. While the air force has agreed to coexist with the new army air force, the army has also agreed to work out how to handle the new traffic problems. MQ-1C has a max ceiling of 9,000 meters, which puts it up there (above 3,100 meters) where the large, manned, air force aircraft operate. Below 3,100 meters, especially below 300 meters, pilots are warned to be alert for army artillery shells and rockets, as well as the 2.2 kg Raven UAVs. Basically, it's dangerous down low, although army helicopter pilots survive. But they can move slowly, while air force jets require the army personnel to make sure the air is clear of little UAVs and large artillery shells before coming on the deck for some gunnery. The air force A-10 pilots do this all the time, but it can be unnerving for an F-16 pilot. So, the air force and the army have formed a group to not only work out new rules, but to keep an eye on the situation indefinitely, because there will always be new aircraft and technology to work into the air control system. The post-2001 war on terror, and the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, created a radical change in the way air power supports the ground troops, all because of UAVs and smart bombs. The former made aircraft much more effective at reconnaissance, while the latter made aircraft much more effective at close air support. Both of these changes were radical, not just incremental little improvements on what had been done before. Now the army has gained direct control over the new combat aircraft like the MQ-1C, while also acquiring smart, GPS guided shells and rockets. The air force is still useful for gaining and maintaining control of the air, and for air transport, but it is not as critical as it was before. The air force has lost much of its usefulness at reconnaissance and direct combat support. This was a major shift in combat power, and it will now be up to the army, much more so than in the past, to develop new strategies and tactics for the use of air power. The U.S. Army Air Force, which dissolved into the U.S. Air Force in 1947, is back. DuBois, Pennsylvania, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Many hours of planning and coordination are part of that campus, said Tony Miller. That campus is Penn Highlands State College, the new state-of-the-art hospital and medical office building that will open this summer on Colonnade Boulevard in State College. As one of the superintendents for McClure Company, a mechanical contractor working on the facility, Tony has been overseeing a crew of 20 men and women handling the air distribution work for the entire campus for the past 20 months. Penn Highlands State College marks the first time that Penn Highlands Healthcare is building a hospital with an adjacent medical office building from the ground up to its specifications. We planned and built this hospital with a patient-centric design to offer our patients and their families innovative and comfortable care close to home, explained Rhonda Halstead, MSM, Regional Market President, Central Region, for Penn Highlands Healthcare. When this hospital opens, people will have emergency care, innovative cancer therapies and a host of other primary and specialty services in one convenient location. The new Penn Highlands State College will include: An Emergency Department with 10 private treatment rooms and a trauma room for prompt assessment and expert care A state-of-the-art Surgical Department with three high-tech operating suites and an Endoscopy Procedure Room 18 modern and private inpatient rooms A Medical Imaging Department that utilizes the latest technology for the sharpest images The State College Medical Office Building will offer: Penn Highlands Hahne Cancer Center Cutting-edge technology with a personalized approach Nationally respected oncologists Multidisciplinary care including advanced medical oncology/infusion services State-of-the-art radiation services Technologically advanced linear accelerator for precision accuracy Skilled and compassionate family medicine and specialty care physicians Gynecological services for every stage of a womans life Womens Medical Imaging staffed by professionals who understand a womans special needs Pulmonology services including advanced screenings, diagnostics and treatments Cardiology services Walk-in Laboratory services QCare Walk-in Clinic for expert care for all ages A Retail Pharmacy with convenient drive-thru service Working on the project for nearly two years, Mr. Miller witnessed firsthand the technological advancements and convenience the new hospital will offer. It truly is a state-of-the-art building, he said with pride. Although it is a community hospital, Penn Highlands State College has all of the services of a larger hospital in a compact, easy-to-navigate facility. As the project nears completion, Mr. Miller reflected on the actual building process. We take pride in what we build. Everyone who worked on this project gave 110%, he said. Like every construction project, there were the normal challenges to contend with along the way such as wintery weather snow, sleet and rain. Also, daily logistics such as where to store deliveries until they were needed sometimes presented a challenge. However, Mr. Miller was quick to point out the cooperation shown among the trades. The project ran very smoothly and efficiently largely due to the great leadership onsite helping to schedule deliveries and coordinate installations, he explained. Mr. Miller is looking forward to the opening of Penn Highlands State College. It is refreshing to know that I was part of providing indoor comfort for all of the patients, doctors and nurses who will occupy the hospital for years to come. In addition, I live in Clearfield County, 30 minutes west of the hospital, and my family uses Penn Highlands medical offices in Philipsburg, said the married father of two. As a dad, it is exciting to know that we have another medical facility within arms reach if I or my family should need medical care. When I drive by the campus, I say, that is my hospital. Attachment Dublin, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Big Data Security Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Offering (Software, and Services), By Deployment Mode (Cloud, and On-premise), By Organization Size, By Technology, By Vertical By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2024 - 2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Big Data Security Market size is expected to reach $71.1 billion by 2031, rising at a market growth of 14.5% CAGR during the forecast period. The exponential growth of data volumes and the increasing complexity of data environments make traditional backup and recovery methods inadequate for modern data protection needs. Therefore, the data backup & recovery segment captured $2.67 billion revenue in the market in 2023. Organizations require advanced data backup & recovery solutions capable of handling large-scale data sets, diverse data types, and heterogeneous IT environments. The major strategies followed by the market participants are Partnerships, Collaborations & Agreements as the key developmental strategy to keep pace with the changing demands of end users. For instance, In March, 20244, Dell Technologies, Inc. came into a partnership with CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. Under this collaboration, the customers were provided with Dell's Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services coupled with CrowdStrike's cutting-edge AI-native Falcon XDR platform. Additionally, In November, 2023, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. came into a partnership with Alkem Laboratories Ltd. Through this collaboration, Alkem Laboratories integrated Check Point Harmony and Quantum solutions, which provide robust defense mechanisms against diverse cyber threats. Cardinal Matrix - Market Competition Analysis Based on the Analysis presented in the Cardinal matrix; Microsoft and Google are the forerunners in the market. In September, 2023, Google expanded its strategic partnership with Salesforce, Inc., an American cloud-based software company, to integrate Salesforce, the leading AI CRM, and Google Workspace, the widely used productivity tool. The collaboration introduced bidirectional integrations, enabling customers to merge context from Salesforce and Google Workspace, including Google Calendar, Docs, Meet, Gmail, and more, to enhance generative AI experiences across platforms. Companies such as Amazon Web Services, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.), Broadcom, Inc., Oracle Corporation are some of the key innovators in the market. Market Growth Factors Hybrid and multi-cloud environments introduce complexity to security management. Organizations need to ensure consistent security policies and controls across multiple cloud platforms, on-premises infrastructure, and legacy systems. Thus, the market is anticipated to increase significantly due to the migration to hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Integrating security into CI/CD pipelines allows automated security testing to be part of the build and deployment process. Security testing tools can automatically scan code repositories, container images, and deployment configurations for vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and compliance violations. Hence, integration with DevOps and CI/CD pipelines has been a pivotal factor in driving the growth of the market. Market Restraining Factors Complexity and integration challenges can drive up the implementation costs of big data security solutions. Organizations may incur additional expenses related to consulting services, professional expertise, and customized integrations required to address integration complexities. Thus, complexity and integration challenges can slow down the growth of the market. The leading players in the market are competing with diverse innovative offerings to remain competitive in the market. The above illustration shows the percentage of revenue shared by some of the leading companies in the market. The leading players of the market are adopting various strategies in order to cater demand coming from the different industries. The key developmental strategies in the market are Partnerships, Collaborations & Agreements. By Offering Analysis On the basis of offering, the market is bifurcated into software and services. In 2023, the software segment held 74.3% revenue share in the market. Tokenization and encryption are featuring that big data security software offers to protect sensitive data at rest and in transit. These solutions encrypt data using strong cryptographic algorithms and manage encryption keys securely to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. By Software Analysis Under software type, the market is segmented into data discovery & classification, data encryption, tokenization & masking, data backup & recovery, data authorization & access, data governance & compliance, data security analytics, and others. In 2023, the data discovery & classification segment witnessed 29.9% revenue share in the market. These solutions leverage advanced analytics and machine learning techniques to enhance data discovery & classification capabilities. By Deployment Mode Analysis Based on deployment mode, the market is bifurcated into cloud and on-premise. The on-premise segment acquired 40.4% revenue share in the market in 2023. On-premise deployments offer organizations greater customization and flexibility to tailor security solutions to their needs and requirements. By Organization Size Analysis Based on organization size, the market is bifurcated into large enterprises and small & medium enterprises. In 2023, the large enterprises segment witnessed 69.1% revenue share in the market. Large enterprises typically manage vast volumes of data generated from various sources, including internal systems, customer interactions, and third-party applications. The complexity and scale of data make it challenging for large enterprises to implement effective security measures manually. By Technology Analysis By technology, the market is classified into identity & access management, security information & event management, intrusion detection system, unified threat management, and others. The security information & event management segment covered 21.3% revenue share in the market in 2023. Security information & event management (SIEM) solutions offer comprehensive visibility and reporting capabilities that enable organizations to gain insights into their security posture and compliance status within big data environments. By Vertical Analysis By vertical, the market is categorized into BFSI, government, energy & utilities, healthcare & lifesciences, manufacturing, retail & eCommerce, IT & telecom, transportation & logistics, and others. The BFSI segment garnered 19.1% revenue share in the market in 2023. BFSI organizations utilize such solutions to detect and prevent fraud, such as unauthorized transactions, identity theft, and account takeovers. By Regional Analysis Region-wise, the market is analysed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA. In 2023, the Asia Pacific region acquired 27.9% revenue share in the market. Asia Pacific is experiencing rapid digital transformation across various industries, including finance, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and government. The Asia Pacific region is a prime target for cyber threats, including data breaches, ransomware attacks, and advanced persistent threats (APTs). Market Competition and Attributes The market competition in the Big Data Security Market is intense and dynamic, characterized by a multitude of players offering a wide range of solutions and services to address the evolving cybersecurity challenges in the era of big data. Key factors driving competition in this market include technological innovation, regulatory compliance, threat landscape complexity, and the increasing adoption of big data analytics across various industries. Recent Strategies Deployed in the Market Mar-2024: Dell Technologies, Inc. came into a partnership with CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc., an American cybersecurity technology company. Under this collaboration, the customers were provided with Dell's Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services coupled with CrowdStrike's cutting-edge AI-native Falcon XDR platform. Additionally, this partnership assisted customers in safeguarding their systems against the escalating sophistication of cyberattacks. Dec-2023: Thales Group S.A. completed the acquisition of Imperva, Inc., an American cyber security software and services company. Through this acquisition, Thales strengthened its global cybersecurity capabilities for governments and organizations. Additionally, the acquisition enhanced business opportunities and market innovations. Nov-2023: Broadcom Inc. completed the acquisition of VMware, Inc., an American cloud computing and virtualization technology company. Through this acquisition, the Broadcom Software portfolio was combined with the VMware platform to provide critical infrastructure solutions to customers. Nov-2023: Hewlett Packard enterprise Company teamed up with NVIDIA Corporation, an American multinational corporation and technology company. Under this collaboration, the companies developed an enterprise computing solution tailored for generative AI (GenAI). The new product jointly engineered, pre-configured solution for AI tuning and inferencing facilitates enterprises, regardless of size, in swiftly tailoring foundational models using proprietary data. Oct-2023: Amazon Web Services, Inc. announced the launch of a sovereign cloud in Europe tailored for government and highly regulated industries. Data will be stored on EU servers, managed exclusively by EU-resident AWS employees. The service will initially launch in Germany before expanding to all European customers. List of Key Companies Profiled Oracle Microsoft Broadcom IBM Amazon Hewlett Packard Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. Thales Group Dell Technologies Google For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vhy27z 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. Attachments Dublin, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Kombucha Market by Product Type (Hard, Conventional), Type (Natural, Flavored), Nature (Organic, Inorganic), Packaging (Bottle, Can), Distribution Channel & Region - Forecast to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global kombucha market is estimated at USD 2.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.9 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 19.4% during the forecast period. Growing consumer preference toward organic products will lead to drive the demand for kombucha drinks. Furthermore, growing awareness of the health benefits associated with kombucha increases the growth of the kombucha market. Kombucha contains antioxidants, such as polyphenols and vitamins C and E, which help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the body. These antioxidants may contribute to overall health and protection against chronic diseases. The organic acids produced during kombucha fermentation, such as acetic acid and gluconic acid, may support detoxification processes in the body by aiding liver function and promoting the elimination of toxins. Kombucha contains vitamins and minerals that support immune function, such as vitamin C and zinc. Additionally, the probiotics in kombucha may help modulate the immune system and enhance immune response. Key players in this market include GT's Living Foods (US), Brew Dr. (US), SYSTM Foods Inc. (US), Health-Ade LLC (US), Tropicana Brands Group (US), MOMO Kombucha (UK), GO Kombucha (UK), Harris Freeman (US), Kosmic Kombucha (US), Equinox Kombucha (UK), Remedy Drinks (Australia), Soulfresh Global Pty Ltd (Australia), Cruz Group Sp. z o. o. (Poland), NessAlla Kombucha (US), and FedUp Foods (US). In 2023, conventional type stood as the major segment within the product type segment of the kombucha market. Conventional kombucha drinks are favored for their potential health benefits, appealing to consumers seeking natural and functional beverage options. These beverages offer a variety of advantages, including their rich probiotic content, which supports gut health by maintaining a healthy balance of microorganisms and aiding digestion. Additionally, the organic acids in kombucha can improve digestive wellness, alleviating symptoms like bloating and indigestion. With its array of vitamins and antioxidants, kombucha also provides immune support, helping to strengthen the body's defenses against illness. Furthermore, the detoxifying properties of kombucha, attributed to organic acids like acetic acid and gluconic acid, promote liver health and aid in the elimination of toxins. Within the packaging type segment, the can segment to grow at highest rate. The shift towards packaging kombucha drinks in cans is gaining momentum for several reasons, mirroring a broader trend in the beverage sector. Primarily, cans provide superior protection against light and oxygen exposure, surpassing other packaging options like glass bottles. This safeguarding capability ensures the retention of the nuanced flavor profiles and beneficial live cultures found in kombucha, delivering a consistently fresh product to consumers. Additionally, cans offer the advantages of being lightweight and portable, catering to the demand for convenient consumption, especially for on-the-go and outdoor activities. Furthermore, their high recyclability and lower carbon footprint compared to alternative packaging materials align with the increasing consumer preference for sustainable and eco-conscious products. With the growing awareness of environmental issues and the rising popularity of canned beverages, the trend towards utilizing cans for packaging kombucha is anticipated to continue expanding in the foreseeable future. The kombucha market in Europe is anticipated to maintain consistent growth throughout the forecast period. In Europe, there is a growing trend towards health and wellness, with consumers increasingly seeking out natural and functional beverages like kombucha. The European market is witnessing a rise in environmentally conscious consumerism, with growing concerns about sustainability and eco-friendliness. With its natural fermentation process and organic ingredient base, Kombucha aligns well with these values, making it an attractive option for environmentally conscious consumers seeking sustainable beverage choices. Moreover, the trend toward premiumization in the beverage industry has led to an increasing demand for high-quality and artisanal products. European consumers, known for their appreciation of artisanal foods and beverages, are drawn to the authentic and handcrafted nature of kombucha, driving growth in the market. Reasons to buy this report: The report will help the market leaders/new entrants in this market with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall kombucha market and the subsegments. This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to position their businesses better and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. The report provides insights on the following pointers: Analysis of key drivers (rise in demand for fortified food & beverage products, Growing health awareness amongst people, and easy manufacturing process). restraints (complex supply chain, regulations for the use of microorganisms, and regulatory approvals). opportunities (growing consumption of functional beverages and growing demand in emerging economies) and challenges (lack of regulatory framework and logistics challenge). Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on research & development activities and new product launches in the kombucha market. Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets - the report analyses the kombucha market across varied regions. Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the kombucha market Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 250 Forecast Period 2024 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $2.4 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $5.9 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 19.4% Company Profiles Gt's Living Foods Brew Dr. Systm Foods Inc. Health-Ade LLC Tropicana Brands Group Momo Kombucha Go Kombucha Harris Freeman Kosmic Kombucha Equinox Kombucha Remedy Drinks Soulfresh Global Pty Ltd Cruz Group Sp. Z O. O. Nessalla Kombucha Fedup Foods Aqua Vitea Drink Live Kobenhavn Kombucha Lask Fix8 Bb Kombucha Brothers and Sisters Atmosphere Kombucha Kultur'D Borecha For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rf6x1 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 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Vehicle Armor Materials Market by Type (Metals & Alloys, Ceramics, Composites, Fiberglass, Aramid Fibers), Application (Defense, Para Military, Police, Security Agencies, Personal), and Region (North America, Europe, APAC, ROW) - Forecast to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The vehicle armor materials market is projected to reach USD 9.3 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.7% from USD 6.7 billion in 2024 The vehicle armor materials market is experiencing rapid expansion, driven by a combination of factors that reflect both the evolving nature of global security threats and technological advancements in material science. This growth is underpinned by increasing demand from military, law enforcement, and civilian sectors for vehicles that offer enhanced protection without compromising on performance or mobility. Firstly, the global landscape of security threats is continuously changing, with armed conflicts, terrorism, and urban violence presenting complex challenges. This unpredictable environment has necessitated the development of armored vehicles capable of providing superior protection against a wide array of threats, from high-velocity projectiles to explosive devices. As a result, defense forces and security agencies worldwide are investing significantly in upgrading their fleets with the latest armor technologies, fueling market growth. Secondly, technological advancements in materials science have led to the development of innovative armor materials that offer improved ballistic resistance while being lighter and more durable. Composite armors, incorporating ceramics, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and advanced metallic alloys, are at the forefront of these developments. These materials not only provide superior protection but also contribute to the overall vehicle performance by reducing weight, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and speed. Additionally, the civilian sector's interest in personal security has spurred demand for armored passenger vehicles, further broadening the market's scope. This demand is particularly pronounced in regions with high crime rates or political instability, where the safety of individuals and corporate assets is a paramount concern. Regulatory factors also play a significant role in the market's expansion. Governments and international bodies are implementing stringent safety standards and regulations, pushing manufacturers to adopt the latest armor technologies and materials to comply with these requirements. This regulatory pressure ensures a continuous cycle of innovation and adoption within the industry. Lastly, the market is witnessing increased collaboration between vehicle manufacturers, material scientists, and defense contractors. These partnerships aim to integrate armor solutions during the vehicle design phase, leading to the development of platforms that are optimized for protection, performance, and cost-effectiveness from the ground up. Composites, by type, accounts for the second-largest market share in 2024. Composites represent the second largest material type in the vehicle armor materials market, standing out as a pivotal component due to their unique blend of properties that traditional materials like metals cannot match. This category has gained prominence for several reasons, which are integral to understanding its position and role in the market. The core advantage of composite materials lies in their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. Composites can provide similar or superior levels of ballistic protection as metals while significantly reducing the overall weight of the armor. This reduction in weight is crucial for vehicle performance, allowing for greater mobility, increased payload capacity, and improved fuel efficiency - factors that are especially important in military operations where agility and endurance are paramount. Another key feature of composites is their versatility in protection capabilities. By adjusting the composition and layering of materials, manufacturers can tailor armor solutions to protect against a wide range of threats, from small arms fire to explosive devices. This customization enables the development of specialized armor systems for different operational requirements, enhancing the versatility and applicability of armored vehicles across various scenarios. Technological advancements have also propelled composites to the forefront of the vehicle armor materials market. Innovations in material science and manufacturing processes have led to the development of new composite materials that offer improved ballistic resistance, durability, and environmental resistance. These advancements not only enhance the protective capabilities of composites but also contribute to cost efficiency over the armor's lifecycle, considering factors like maintenance, repair, and replacement. Furthermore, the integration of composites in vehicle armor aligns with the growing emphasis on survivability and crew protection as primary design considerations. Composites can be engineered to absorb and disperse the energy from impacts and blasts more effectively than traditional materials, reducing the risk of injury to occupants and ensuring the structural integrity of the vehicle in combat situations. The environmental impact of materials used in vehicle armor is increasingly becoming a concern, and here too, composites offer benefits. Defense is expected to be the fastest growing at CAGR 6.9% for vehicle armor materials market during the forecast period, in terms of value. The defense sector's position as the fastest-growing segment in the vehicle armor materials market is fundamentally linked to the evolving nature of global security challenges and the progressive adaptation of military requirements. This growth is fueled by several interconnected factors that underscore the sector's pressing need for advanced protective solutions. Firstly, the modern battlefield is characterized by an ever-changing threat landscape, where adversaries deploy a variety of tactics and increasingly sophisticated weaponry. The imperative to safeguard military personnel and assets against a broad spectrum of threats, ranging from conventional ballistic attacks to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and advanced anti-armor systems, drives the demand for innovative armor materials. These materials must offer not only enhanced ballistic protection but also reduced weight to improve vehicle mobility and fuel efficiency, which are critical in combat scenarios. Technological advancements in material science significantly contribute to the sector's growth. The development of new composite materials, advanced ceramics, and ultra-high-strength alloys has led to the creation of armor that combines superior protective capabilities with significant weight reductions. This dual benefit directly addresses the military's operational needs for vehicles that can swiftly maneuver in diverse terrains while ensuring the highest levels of protection. Such innovations also extend the service life of armored vehicles, offering better resistance to wear and environmental conditions, which is crucial for maintaining operational readiness. Another pivotal factor is the increase in defense budgets globally, with a considerable portion earmarked for the modernization and procurement of military vehicles. This financial backing facilitates the adoption of cutting-edge armor technologies, reflecting a widespread commitment to enhancing force survivability. Governments and defense departments recognize the strategic value of investing in advanced armor solutions as part of broader efforts to maintain a qualitative edge in military capabilities. Furthermore, there is an acute focus on personnel safety within the defense sector. The enhanced protection provided by advanced armor materials directly contributes to reducing casualties and injuries in conflict situations. This emphasis on survivability has catalyzed the integration of sophisticated armor systems into a wide range of military vehicles, from front-line combat platforms to support and logistics vehicles, ensuring comprehensive protection for troops across all operational contexts. Additionally, the demand for multi-mission capabilities in military operations necessitates vehicles that are adaptable and can be quickly reconfigured with different armor packages to meet the requirements of specific missions, whether in urban combat, reconnaissance, or peacekeeping roles. The defense sector's need for modular and scalable armor solutions underscores the importance of versatility in vehicle design and protection, driving continuous innovation in the vehicle armor materials market. Based on region, Europe was the second largest market for vehicle armor materials market in 2024. Europe holds the position of the second largest market for vehicle armor materials, a status underpinned by several key factors that reflect the region's unique geopolitical, economic, and technological landscape. Firstly, Europe's complex security environment, marked by evolving threats both within and at the borders of the continent, necessitates advanced protective solutions for military and civilian vehicles alike. This need is accentuated by ongoing tensions in various regions, the rise in terrorism, and the need for peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, driving demand for armored vehicles equipped with the latest material innovations. Moreover, Europe boasts a robust industrial base with some of the world's leading defense contractors and material science companies. This industrial ecosystem fosters significant research and development activities, leading to technological advancements in armor materials that cater to the stringent requirements of both European and global defense markets. European companies are at the forefront of developing innovative composite materials, ceramics, and lightweight alloys, contributing to the global supply chain of advanced armor solutions. The region's commitment to regulatory standards and collaborative defense initiatives also plays a crucial role. European countries, through frameworks like the European Defence Agency (EDA), actively pursue standardization and interoperability in defense procurement, including vehicle armor. This encourages harmonization in defense spending and fosters a market environment conducive to innovation and cross-border collaboration. Economic factors, including sustained defense spending among European NATO members committed to meeting their defense investment pledges, further stimulate the vehicle armor materials market. The key players in this market are DuPont De Nemours, Inc. US), Saint-Gobain SA (France), ATI, Inc. (US), Honeywell international Inc. (US), Teijin Limited (Japan), Alcoa Corporation (US), Tata Steel Limited (India), Ceramtec (Germany), SSAB AB (Sweden), Morgan Advanced Materials (UK) etc. Companies Featured Dupont De Nemours, Inc. Saint-Gobain SA Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (Ati Inc.) Honeywell International Inc. Teijin Limited Alcoa Corporation Tata Steel Limited Ssab Ceramtec Morgan Advanced Materials Ppg Industries Coorstek Inc. Cerco Corporation Agy Holding Corp. Safariland, LLC Leeco Steel Armorworks Enterprises LLC Waco Composites At&F Advanced Metals LLC Protective Structures, Ltd. Cps Technologies, Corp. Jps Composites Materials Schunk Carbon Technology Surmet Corporation 3M For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jbdecw 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 ICG is pleased to announce that its subsidiary Irish Ferries has signed a space charter agreement with P&O Ferries on the Dover Calais route. This agreement will encompass both freight and passenger space sharing on both parties vessels. We expect the agreement to come into effect for our freight customers during this Summer. When implemented, our freight customers will benefit from the advantages of a turn up and go service. This will then be followed on a phased basis for our passenger business. The agreement will result in greater flexibility and more choice for all our customers. While the space charter agreement means that capacity is shared so that customers will have more frequent sailing options, all commercial activities remain entirely under the control of each operator. END 15 May 2024 Enquiries: Eamonn Rothwell, CEO Tel +353 1 607 5628 Email: info@icg.ie David Ledwidge, CFO Tel +353 1 607 5628 Email: info@icg.ie Q4 Public Relations Tel +353 1 475 1444 Email: press@q4pr.ie About Irish Continental Group plc Irish Continental Group plc is the leading Irish-based maritime transport group. The Groups activities include the transport of passengers, cars and Roll on Roll off (RoRo) freight under the Irish Ferries brand, on routes between each of Ireland, Britain and Continental Europe. The Group also provides Container Lift on Lift off (LoLo) freight services on routes between Ireland and Continental Europe under the Eucon brand. Other activities include the operation of container terminals in the ports of Dublin and Belfast and ship chartering activities. For the year ended 31 December 2023, ICG reported revenue of 572.0 million and EBITDA of 132.6 million. SAN FRANCISCO, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Swift Navigation (Swift), a market leader in precise positioning technologies for automotive, IoT, and mobile applications today announced its partnership with SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM, SKT) to accelerate the deployment of AI-powered, location-based products in Korea. Through the partnership, SK Telecom and Swift designed, deployed, and are jointly operating a carrier-grade network to deliver Swifts Skylark Precise Positioning Service across Korea. Skylark is a cloud-based service that improves the positioning accuracy of standard GNSS by up to 100x from several meters down to just a few centimeters. Its a critical component in more than 8 million connected and autonomous vehicles and devices, including ADAS-enabled and autonomous cars, unmanned aerial aircraft, vehicle tracking solutions, and robotic equipment. As part of the partnership, SK Telecom is introducing Skylark to its broad base of customers in Korea, including the Korea Forest Service, which conducts high precision surveying for forest management and road design in challenging mountainous areas of the country. ISO-certified to meet the most stringent functional safety and cybersecurity standards for road vehicles, Skylark is a key enabler of autonomous driving and ADAS. For its 24-day, 8,000 km drive showcase across Korea, SK Telecom deployed Skylark in in-vehicle receivers and smartphones, maintaining lane-level positioning for more than 99% of the drive using the former and 92.61% in the latter on open roads, and, the in-vehicle devices maintained lane-level positioning integrity 99.99999% of the time. By comparison, standard GNSS maintained lane-level positioning for 60% and 34% of the drive, respectively. SK Telecom shares our vision to build a safer and more productive future by changing the way we navigate the planet, said Holger Ippach, Executive Vice President of Product & Marketing at Swift Navigation. Together our two companies offer a robust set of positioning solutions backed by real-world experience deploying mission-critical technology for some of the largest companies in the world. We are thrilled to have them as a partner. SK Telecom is ready to provide precise GNSS positioning services for various mobility platforms including UAM, autonomous vehicles and smartphones by collaborating with Swift, said Takki Yu, VP and Head of Infra Tech Office at SK Telecom. We will continue our research to improve the services with AI technology and offer this innovative and high-integrity service to our customers in Korea. Already available across North America, Europe, and other parts of Asia, Skylark underpins production deployments for more than 20 automotive OEMs and suppliers and thousands of other companies manufacturing robots and building innovative location-based products to improve safety and efficiency across industries. Skylark is backed by integrations with popular components from more than 20 chipset, module, and receiver makers and is highly configurable to meet a broad range of requirements for accuracy, coverage, data transmission, and power consumption all of which can vary greatly across industries. ABOUT SWIFT NAVIGATION Swift Navigation is changing the way we understand and navigate the planet. Swifts precise positioning solutions enable centimeter-level mapping, tracking, and navigation to unlock vehicle autonomy, industrial automation, and digital innovation across industries globally. Some of the largest companies in the world are leveraging Swifts technology to enable safer driving, deliver autonomous vehicles and equipment, optimize logistics, and unleash next-generation mobile applications for navigation, worker safety, and augmented reality, among others. Learn more at https://www.swiftnav.com . ABOUT SK TELECOM SK Telecom has been leading the growth of the mobile industry since 1984. Now, it is taking customer experience to new heights by extending beyond connectivity. By placing AI at the core of its business, SK Telecom is rapidly transforming into an AI company with a strong global presence. It is focusing on driving innovations in areas of AI Infrastructure, AI Transformation (AIX) and AI Service to deliver greater value for industry, society, and life. For more information, please contact skt_press@sk.com or visit our LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/company/sk-telecom . A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c3a3b564-8385-4374-a6d2-05b9c75e09da SEATTLE, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GMD Development , a private, mission-based developer/owner of affordable housing based in the Pacific Northwest, and WNC & Associates (WNC), a family-owned business known as both a pioneer and leader in the affordable housing industry, have closed a deal to begin construction on Victory Northgate, an all-new 6-story affordable housing development in north Seattle. Victory Northgate is scheduled for completion in April 2026. The development will create 182 affordable apartment units targeting families at 50% and 60% of area median income (AMI). Layouts include 13 studios, 101 one-bedroom units, 17 two-bedroom units, and 51 three-bedroom units. The development will also incorporate 6,800 square feet of commercial space with 77 underground parking stalls. Located at 1000 Northeast Northgate Way, Victory Northgate has a walking score of 90 and is ideally situated near an abundance of retail, services, and restaurants within blocks of the site. The property is also within walking distance of the new Northgate light rail station, which will provide residents with convenient transportation access to the greater Seattle area. The commercial space on the first floor of the project is tentatively planned to be occupied by a daycare facility run by the YMCA of Greater Seattle. The Seattle rental housing market is one of the most competitive in the country. LIHTC occupancy rates in the region are at 98.1%. Of the 6 LIHTC developments in Victory Northgates primary market area, four are fully occupied and two have waiting lists that range in length from six months to two years, said Darrick Metz, Senior Vice President of Originations at WNC. The need for affordable housing in Seattle has never been greater, especially as we see occupancy rates and waiting list times for these homes continue to increase. We are proud to support the development of even more affordable housing options in the region. Victory Northgate will meet all mandatory criteria required by the Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard (ESDS), Washington States sustainable building standard. Sustainable features will include energy star rated appliances, high-efficiency building mechanical systems, windows, and insulation, low-flow plumbing components, LED lighting throughout the property, and 90% drought-tolerant landscaping plants. The deal was structured with 4% LIHTC Equity, a construction and perm loan through Citi Community Capital, and a $25.2MM soft loan from the City of Seattle. AOF/Pacific Affordable Housing Corp. is participating as the non-profit co-general partner. About GMD Development GMD Development specializes in the development and preservation of affordable housing. Utilizing a broad range of financial products, including bonds and tax credits, GMD Development has experience structuring complex, multi-family transactions that often involve multiple sources of debt and equity. Located in Seattle, GMD Development has focused its development strategy in the Western U.S. While the demand for affordable housing remains strong throughout the country, GMD Development targets markets with the greatest disparity between working class incomes and affordability. About WNC & Associates Founded in 1971, WNC & Associates (WNC) is a family-owned business known as both a pioneer and leader in the affordable housing industry. WNC and its affiliated companies specialize in tax credit syndication, affordable housing development, and preservation equity fund investments. Combined, the WNC companies have acquired approximately $18.2 billion in assets across 48 states, including more than 1,800 affordable rental properties that house more than 1 million residents. With offices in 16 states, WNC has partnered with more than 400 developers and 125 institutional investors. To learn more, visit: https://www.wncinc.com/ . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a53965c4-a22f-4b92-8b3d-69ea2e18995d Los Angeles, Calif., May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zeem Solutions (Zeem or the Company), a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and fleet management provider, today announced it is developing a large capacity EV charging depot for electric drayage trucks serving the Port of Long Beach. The site will enable drayage truck companies operating from the San Pedro Bay Port complex to comply with new California zero-emission regulations, resulting in a significant reduction in diesel emissions for the region and nearby communities. Large Charging Capacity to Serve High Volume of Drayage Trucks The 2.7-acre Long Beach location is one minute from the Trainer Long Beach Terminal and just west of the Gerald Desmond Bridge, on a power generation site currently owned by an affiliate of ArcLight Capital Partners (ArcLight). The depot will feature a 15 MW capacity interconnection, with plans to scale up to two to three times that amount in the coming years to meet growing demand. The site will also initially contain 84 DC Fast Charger (DCFC) ports delivering up to 400 kW of power per port, and the ability to charge as many as 500 vehicles per 24-hour period. The project will be the largest commercial charging depot in the U.S. in terms of connected chargers and capacity. Zeem has been working with Southern California Edison (SCE) to energize the site via the Charge Ready Transport program, with SCE projecting site energization by Q1 2025. The depot will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is scheduled to begin operations by early 2025. Zeem is pursuing agreements with multiple intermodal and logistics companies that plan to operate from the new site. Battery-Electric Class 8 Trucks Available with Zeem Zeem will guide customers operating out of its Port of Long Beach site on the selection and financing of Class 8 electric truck models, so that drayage operators can access the zero-emission vehicles, charging, and related services without the large upfront capital investment typically required. This provides a quick path to comply with regulations such as the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule, which requires all newly registered drayage trucks to be zero-emission. The regulatory environment is shifting, and we will be seeing a dramatic increase in electric drayage trucks operating around the port over the next few years, said Paul Gioupis , Founder and CEO of Zeem. With a 15 MW interconnection, we can service over 500 tractors per day with parking and charging and our operations are at a central location in the Port of Long Beach. Zeem will be able to directly address the critical issue of charging infrastructure for Class 8 EVs. The depot employs reliable charging technology, boasting the highest capacity chargers tailored to accommodate trucks effectively. With our streamlined operations developed through years of hands-on experience, we anticipate a substantial increase in throughput, expediting the electrification process for fleet operators. Zeems charging depot at the Port of Long Beach will play a critical role in improving air quality, helping accelerate our transition away from diesel fuel and towards a zero-emission future, said Mayor Rex Richardson. This critical infrastructure advances our climate action plan and supports one of Long Beachs key growth sectors. These investments in our city create jobs that support local families and promote a more climate-sustainable economy. ABB E-mobility is proud to support Zeem with our new All-in-One EV charger, the A400. The A400 provides the highest reliability on the market, performance-based SLAs for service, and maximum charge session success rates for high utilization, remarked Chris Nordh, Head of ABB E-mobility in North America. Were excited to continue to support Zeems business and operational goals and give fleet and truck operators confidence in an electric future that works for them. We look forward to supporting Zeem help one of the nations busiest maritime ports meet its sustainability goals, said Sargent & Lundy Chairman, President, and CEO Victor Suchodolski. Our design for the installation of more than 80 heavy-duty truck charging stations charts a course for the Port of Long Beachs decarbonization efforts. Repurposing Existing Infrastructure The Port of Long Beach depot is part of a comprehensive energy transition plan for the site, which includes the proposed development of a utility scale battery storage unit managed by ArcLight company Elevate Renewables, LLC . It is great to see Zeem continue to lead the way in developing and commercializing strategic infrastructure to enable the electrification of heavy duty fleets, a critical step in improving air quality and meeting state and federal emissions standards, said Jake Erhard , Partner and Head of ESG at ArcLight, Zeem Solutions lead investor. We are pleased to partner with Zeem to help unlock the tremendous value that incumbent power infrastructure sites like Long Beach have in the energy transition. ### About Zeem Solutions Zeem is at the forefront of building and operating zero-emission vehicle depots providing charging infrastructure, parking solutions, fleet management services, and electric vehicle leasing. These strategically located depots are spread across the country, near crucial hubs such as ports, airports, warehousing & distribution centers, and within customer facilities. Zeems mission is centered on delivering a comprehensive solution that accelerates the transition to sustainable transportation for all fleets. Each depot includes high-speed charging stations designed to support a broad spectrum of electric vehicles, ranging from Class 1 to Class 8. With a focus on affordability, scalability, and environmental impact, Zeem is leading the way in accelerating the transition to electric mobility for fleets nationwide. For more information, please visit www.zeemsolutions.com . Attachments Three Full Days of Education and Exhibits in New West Hall Location NEW YORK, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The education program for Questexs International Beauty Show (IBS Las Vegas) and the International Esthetics, Cosmetics, & Spa Conference (IECSC Las Vegas), presented by American Salon and American Spa respectively, return to the Las Vegas Convention Center June 22-24, 2024, at the new West Hall for three full days of top-tier education, exhibits, and a gateway to self-care. "At our recent New York event in March, attendees voiced that education was their foremost motivation for participation, said Elizabeth Fantetti Trevorrow, Event & Partnership Director for the Spa & Beauty group at Questex. As spa and beauty professionals converge at IBS and IECSC Las Vegas, they'll delve into an expansive array of over 300 hours of education led by top-tier educators, artists, and influencers. This immersive experience aims to empower attendees with invaluable wisdom, talent, and insights, fostering business growth and broadening their customer reach. Plus, were bringing back the 3-day Exhibit Hall which is very exciting news." IBS will include over 100 classes free with an Exhibit Hall pass, as well as eight immersive, three-hour Hands-On Workshops for an additional fee. New this year, IBS will introduce six Master Classes two-hour long, in-depth looks into the latest skills, techniques, and styles, also available for an additional fee. All Hands-On Workshops and Master Classes include the 3-day Exhibit Hall pass at no additional charge. Attendees who book two or more paid classes will save $40. Some of the big headliner names presenting at IBS Las Vegas include Larisa Love, Presley Poe, Rebecca Taylor, Roger Molina, Tonya Pushkareva, Keya Neal and Gilad Goldstein. Featured IBS Las Vegas 2024 classes include: Master Classes Bold & Blended, Larisa Love, Larisa Love, LLC Remarkable Red Heads Take Your Red Color Game to the Next Level, Carlina Ortega, Rita Hazan Salon Hands-On Workshops Haircolor Elevated Maximize your Time, Income & Efficiency, Rebecca Taylor, Honey Hair Lab Signature 3 Section Curly Cut, Presley Poe, Hair by Presley Poe Free Classes (included with Exhibit Hall Pass) Hairvolution: Trending with Precision, Roger Molina, Sam Villa ArTeam Techniques to Elevate Yourself into a Super Barber, Isis Moreno, Osiris Pastor & Remy Jane Nazareno, Major League Barber How to Fire a Client & Avoid Negative Reactions, Dawn Bradley, Dawn Bradley, Inc. Marketing your Business & Finding your Niche in the Nail Game, Miranda Richardson, MJ Nailz Academy For a full list of classes at IBS Las Vegas, click here. The IECSC Las Vegas program will offer spa professionals their own curated Conference Education a diverse range of paid classes featuring hand-picked speakers with unique expertise, all aimed at providing the essential knowledge and insights to elevate and grow businesses. Those who purchase three or more classes to enhance their show experience will save $25. All paid classes include the 3-day Exhibit Hall pass. IECSC also offers over 140 Product Focused Education sessions and workshops, included free with an Exhibit Hall pass, led by top exhibitors offering a deep dive into a specific products or services, as well as exciting demonstrations and Q&A on The Studio Stage. Some of the powerful educators lined up for this years show include: Savanna Boda, Douglas Preston, Susanne Schmaling, and Nichelle Mosley. For a full list of speakers click here. Featured IECSC Las Vegas 2024 classes include: Business Management, Client Relationships & Retail Creating Compliant Clients, Savanna Boda Skincare Line Development: A Wellness-Centric Approach, Dr. Jenelle Kim Esthetics Workshops Flex Your Comedone Extraction Game, Douglas Preston Mastering the Melanin; Learn How to Treat the Depths of Hyperpigmentation, Tasha Madison Holistic Health & Wellness Secrets to Launching a Thriving Wellness Center, Sherrie Tennessee Managing the Gut-Skin Axis for Magnificent Skin, Dr. William Davis Medical Spas & Spa Technologies Cutting-Edge Treatments for Skin Disorders: Innovations in Esthetics Technologies, Monika Machej Breaking into Medical Aesthetics, Jamie Garland & Ashlee Ludwig Social Media & Marketing Boomers are Big Business! Marketing Spa and Wellness to Older Adults, Nancy Griffin Strategic Brilliance: Top Brand Strategies for Every Business, Cassandra McClure For a full list of classes at IECSC Las Vegas, click here. Attendees may register to attend by clicking here. The 3-day Exhibit Hall pass includes access to all free classes at IBS Las Vegas, all Product-Focused education at IECSC Las Vegas, and unlimited access to both exhibit halls. Hands-on Workshops and Master Classes at IBS Las Vegas and the curated conference sessions at IECSC Las Vegas are available for additional fees and include a 3-day Exhibit Hall pass. Press may apply for a media pass here. SHOW HOURS: Saturday, June 22, 11:00am 4:30pm Sunday, June 23, 11:00am 4:30pm Monday, June 24, 11:00am 3:30pm NEW LOCATION: Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall 300 Convention Center Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89109 Upcoming Events Additional networking and educational opportunities for beauty, spa, and wellness professionals will take place throughout 2024 and 2025: IECSC Florida , October 13-14, 2024 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Visit iecscflorida.com for more information. , October 13-14, 2024 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Visit iecscflorida.com for more information. IBS and IECSC New York, March 23-25, 2025 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. Visit and ibsnewyork.com and iecscnewyork.com for more information. For more information on IBS Las Vegas, visit ibslasvegas.com. Stay connected on LinkedIn, Facebook , Instagram and TikTok. For more information on IECSC Las Vegas, visit iecsclasvegas.com. Stay connected on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. About IBS Produced by Questex and presented by American Salon, the International Beauty Show is the longest running professional beauty event in the country. IBS Las Vegas is for professionals only and reaches a wide crosssection of participants including salon owners and managers, cosmetologists, hair stylists, hair colorists, makeup artists, nail technicians, beauty and hair product manufacturers and distributors. Connecting serious beauty professionals with the best in the industry, the show brings hundreds of top beauty brands together under one roof for free educational classes by industry legends, workshops, and exclusive show-floor discounts. For more information, visit ibslasvegas.com About IECSC Produced by Questex, the International Esthetics, Cosmetics and Spa Conferences (IECSC) are for professionals only and reach a wide crosssection of participants from spa and wellness product manufacturers and distributors to spa owners, directors and managers, estheticians, massage therapists, medical estheticians, and dermatologists. With dynamic trade show floors, in-depth conference programs, and presented by American Spa, the IECSC events provide the perfect meeting ground for the worlds most elite and qualified spa professionals looking to meet the top skin, cosmetic and wellness companies. For more information, visit iecsc.com. About QUESTEX Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here. Media Contact Jennifer Rosen Group Marketing Director Questex Travel & Wellness jrosen@questex.com CALGARY, Alberta, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Energy Safety Canada, the national safety association for Canadas energy industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Vineeta Maguire as the new President and Chief Executive Officer effective June 11, 2024. Vineeta will succeed Murray Elliott, who announced his retirement in January after serving in the role for seven years. Vineeta brings more than 30 years of deep operational experience in the energy industry. Her diverse leadership roles from field operations to most recently transforming supply chain has integrated the safety perspectives and efficiency of multi-disciplinary teams including trades, services and vendors across the industry. Murray Elliott has led Energy Safety Canada since September 2017. He retires after a career spanning over three decades, which has included serving in significant roles at Shell Canada. Murrays visionary leadership has guided Energy Safety Canadas strategy, significantly influencing the organizations global recognition. Murrays contributions to Energy Safety Canada and the broader energy industry have been substantial. His leadership and vision for health and safety have established a strong foundation for our continued growth and impact on industry, said Steve Reynish, Board Chair at Energy Safety Canada. We are all truly grateful for his dedication and his contributions and wish him the best in his retirement. Vineetas experience in executive roles across domestic and international organizations saw her lead transformative strategies for North American operations and supply chains. As Vice President of Ovintivs Canadian Operations, Vineeta demonstrated exceptional leadership by overseeing a 1,000-person functional organization that included drilling, completions, facilities, field operations, health and safety, and stakeholder communications. As Vice President Supply Management North America, Vineeta's strategic vision and operational expertise were instrumental in optimizing supply chain efficiencies, driving innovation, and ensuring effective coordination across complex operations. Vineeta currently serves on Whitecap Resources Inc.s Board of Directors and is an advisor and mentor at the Haskayne School of Business and the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary. She has been recognized for her leadership and contributions with awards including the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee 2023 Medal for volunteer service, a 2020 STEP Award from the North American Manufacturing Institute and was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Supply Chain in 2019. I am honored to join Energy Safety Canada and continue the important work of advancing safety in the energy industry, said Vineeta Maguire. I look forward to building on the strong foundation established by Murray Elliott and driving further innovation and excellence in health and safety in Canadas energy industry. Energy Safety Canada is committed to ensuring the energy industry has the skilled workforce required for a thriving industry. Under Vineetas leadership, Energy Safety Canada is positioned to further strengthen its reputation as a globally respected and trusted health and safety authority with deep expertise to improve workplace safety. For more information, please contact: Media@EnergySafetyCanada.com About Energy Safety Canada Energy Safety Canada is a globally recognized safety authority dedicated to continually advancing safety in the energy industry. Founded in 1949, Energy Safety Canada mobilizes industry to drive safe work performance through education, resources and engagement. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0216038d-18d8-4d3e-b4c0-41e4881f7f47 VANCOUVER, British Columbia and TORONTO, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. Lube, Canadas leading quick lube provider in the automotive maintenance sector, is proud to announce that it has been recognized with the prestigious designation of Platinum Club member by Canadas Best Managed Companies in 2024. This is the twelfth consecutive year that Mr. Lube has been selected as one of Canadas Best Managed Companies and the sixth consecutive year as a Platinum Club member! A Best Managed Company award is the pinnacle of corporate success in Canada. It highlights companies that are focused on their core vision, creating stakeholder value, and excelling in the global economy. Mr. Lube is proud to be recognized as a Platinum Club member by Canadas Best Managed Companies once again. This achievement is a testament to the collaboration and culture that we have built over the years with our staff, franchisees and supplier partners who share in this commitment to deliver service excellence to our millions of customers in Canada. For nearly fifty years, Mr. Lube has offered Canadians a convenient alternative for routine automotive maintenance. Over this time, Mr. Lube has expanded beyond the traditional oil change model to include a full suite of maintenance services as well as tire services and sales. Today, most stores now also offer light mechanical work, such as spark plug and brake pad replacement. We are excited to see that our investments have strengthened our customer experiences and served to create more awareness for our brand and expanded service offers. In 2023, Mr. Lube achieved record-setting sales growth, franchisee profitability and customer service metrics. As we look to the future, we will grow our national footprint of stores to offer trusted convenience to more Canadians looking to maintain their vehicles. We will continue our history of innovation to ensure our technology and programs meet the needs of the evolving automotive industry. As well, we will amplify our brand messaging to create even more awareness around our full range of services for our customers. Our achievement as a Platinum Club member of Best Managed Companies exemplifies recognition from industry peers, business leaders, and, most importantly, the communities we serve. On behalf of Mr. Lubes Board of Directors, our employees, our franchise owners, and our supplier partners, we are very honoured and humbled to have achieved the prestigious Platinum designation once again. President and CEO of Mr. Lube Canada, Pamela Lee. Now in its 31st year, Canadas Best Managed Companies program awards excellence in private Canadian-owned companies with revenues of $50 million or greater. To attain the designation, companies are evaluated on their leadership in the areas of strategy, culture and commitment, capabilities, and innovation, governance and financial performance. Canadas Best Managed Companies is one of the countrys leading business awards programs recognizing innovative and world-class businesses. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent evaluation process. Applicants are evaluated by an independent panel of judges with representation from program sponsors and special guests. About Mr. Lube Canada Mr. Lube is Canada's leading quick lube provider in the routine automotive maintenance sector. The company was founded in 1976, pioneering a category of automotive servicing focused on convenience and no appointment necessary. With locations across the country, Mr. Lube is operated by a national network of franchisees. Headquartered in Richmond, BC, the company also has an office in Mississauga, Ontario, to support its national franchise network. In 2002, Mr. Lube Canada founded the Mr. Lube Foundation to support its corporate goals of giving back to the community and helping those most in need. Today, the Foundation has donated more than $6.3 million to charities nationwide. For more information about Mr. Lube, please visit www.mrlube.com; Facebook/MrLubeCanada (www.facebook.com/MrLubeCanada); Twitter @MrLube (www.twitter.com/MrLube). About Canadas Best Managed Companies Canadas Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for private Canadian-owned and managed companies. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on four levels: 1) Canadas Best Managed Companies new winner, one of the new winners selected each year; 2) Canadas Best Managed Companies winner, award recipients that have re-applied and successfully retained their Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review; 3) Gold Standard winner, after three consecutive years of maintaining their Best Managed status, these winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully retained their award for 4-6 consecutive years; 4) Platinum Club member, winners that have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more. Program sponsors are Deloitte Private, CIBC, The Globe and Mail, and TMX Group. For more information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca . For additional information, comments or photos, please contact: Kelly Ma Director - People and Talent Mr. Lube Canada Tel: 604.759.4336 Cell: 604.340.1644 kma@mrlube.com bestmanagedcompanies@deloitte.ca www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca Charleston, SC, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Award-winning author Beth Lyon Barnett has just released her fifth book, The Lyons Den. This well-researched, biographically-inspired account of her ancestor Morris Lions migration to the United States is based on the story of her familys determination to escape antisemitic oppression in 1860s Germany. In 1866 at age 18, Morris Lion fled Germany to pursue a better future and religious freedom. Boarding a ship to America, he set out to find a more prosperous and secure life than the one he was leaving behind. Filled with youthful zest and vitality, Morris toiled until he was able to establish roots in Kansas City. Changing his family name to Lyon, Morris became the first of four generations to live in America. Facing new challenges in a burgeoning nation, surviving the dangers of the Mississippi River and confronting all-too-familiar prejudices, Morris and his children fight to claim a place in their new home. The Lyons Den was inspired by Beths desire to more precisely understand what compelled her great-grandfather to journey to America was it antisemitism, youthful daring, or a lust for adventure? Filling her heart with pride, her research uncovered an intriguing story of struggle, optimism, sacrifice, and ultimate success and also an appreciation for the brave Lyon women who stood resolutely with their men to make meaningful lives possible for their descendants. Memoir fans, history buffs, and anyone with an interest in Jewish genealogy will want to experience The Lyons Den. The book recounts true stories that will resonate with Reform Jews and tells a timeless story of the struggle and ambition to create a better life. The Lyons Den is available for purchase online at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. For more information about the author, please visit www.BethLyonBarnett.com About the Author: Beth Lyon Barnett was born in Kansas City, Missouri. After graduating from Mill College she worked professionally as an X-ray technologist and then a sales rep until back problems brought her medical career to a premature end. Now, Beth has more time to focus on what shes always wanted to dowrite. Beth is an award-winning author whose previous works include Jazz Town, Adam's Needle, Hitchhiker, and This Borrowed Land. In writing The Lyons Den, Beth spent years conducting extensive research and she is proud to share the finished project. Media Contact: Beth Barnett, bethlbarnett@gmail.com Available for interviews: Author, Beth Barnett Attachment Singapore, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Group Limited (NYSE American: GNS) ("Genius Group" or the "Company"), a leading provider of AI-powered, digital-first education solutions, announced today its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2023. Business Highlights for Fiscal 2023 2023 audited revenue increased 27% to $23.1 million from $18.2 million in 2022. Pro forma 2023 revenue increased 150% to $70.4 million from $28.1 million in 2022, including revenue from the FatBrain AI transaction. Students and users increased 24% to 5.5 million from 4.4 million in 2022. Gross profit increased to $11.9 million or 52% of revenue compared to $8.6 million, or 47% of revenue in 2022. Net loss after tax reduced 90% to ($5.7) million compared to ($56.0) million in 2022. On a pro forma basis, net loss after tax reduced further to ($0.8) million. Reiterates previously issued 2024 pro forma revenue guidance of at least $105 million for the full year, a 50% increase compared to 2023s pro forma revenue of $70.4 million Roger James Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Genius Group, commented 2023 was a year of significant growth in revenue combined with a significant reduction in costs, positioning us for strong, sustainable growth in 2024. 2024 is already proving to be a truly transformative year for Genius Group. The completion of the recent of acquisition FatBrain AI and pending OpenExO transaction have accelerated our plans to build a global AI education and acceleration group. We are building upon our AI-driven Edtech platform, GeniusU, with in-demand AI training and AI tools to power the exponential economies of tomorrow. We are launching our Genius City Model, beginning with Singapore, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, to deliver localized learning ecosystems for students, entrepreneurs, businesses and governments to access AI education and acceleration tools with their own localized AI avatars and assistants. Our Genius City Model has attracted global interest, with nine new Genius Cities now scheduled to launch in 2024: London, Tokyo, Mumbai, Miami, Las Vegas, Toronto, Vancouver, Stockholm and Santiago. Audited Financial Results The audited financial results are for the seven companies within Genius Group (excluding the FatBrain AI and pending OpenExO transactions completed and to be completed in 2024) and including nine months of Entrepreneur Resorts Ltd prior to its spin off in October 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2023, overall revenue totaled $23.1 million, or an increase of 27%, compared to $18.2 million in the previous year. This was driven by an increase in Education Revenue of 37% from $13.6 million to $18.6 million and decrease in campus revenue by 4% from $4.6 million in 2022 to $4.5 million in 2023 as a result of the ERL spin off. Gross profit increased to $11.9 million or 52% of revenue compared to $8.6 million, or 47% or revenue in 2022. Operating expenses decreased to $48.3 million in 2023 compared to $51.1 million in 2022. The decrease in our operating expenses is the result of lower impairments offset by continued investment in our business. Net loss for 2023 was ($5.7) million compared to a net loss of ($56.0) million in 2022. Earnings per diluted share were $(0.10) in 2023 compared to $(2.47) in 2022. Cash and equivalents on December 31, 2023 were $1.3 million. Total assets at December 31, 2023 were $43.2 million. Pro Forma Financial Results Genius Group pro forma financial results is for the seven companies within Genius Group, taking into account the Group Companies including FatBrain AI with the transaction completed in March 2024, and excluding Entrepreneur Resorts Ltd, which spun off in October 2023, and pending OpenExO, as the agreement was completed in 2024 but final closing is pending various closing conditions being met. The Pro Forma Financial Results should be viewed as the current groups financial performance, of which the audited financial results represent a subset of this group the group prior to the 2024 FatBrain AI transaction. The historical results do not necessarily indicate our expected results for any future periods. During the year ended December 31, 2023, overall pro forma revenue totaled $70.4 million, compared to $28.1 million in 2022. Pro forma gross profit was $17.0 million or 24% of revenue. Pro forma net loss after tax was ($0.8) million. Pro forma total assets was $97.9 million. Strategic and Operational Highlights Welcomed leading education entrepreneurs to our investor base, including Michael Moe (Founder and CEO of GSV Ventures), Brent Richardson (Past CEO and Chairman of Grand Canyon Education), Dr Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Aldhaheri (Founder and Chairman of Abu Dhabi University). Added new Board Members and Executive Team, including Salim Ismail (Founder, OpenExO), Eric Pulier (Founder, Vatom), new Chairman, Michael Moe, and new CFO, Adrian Reese. Completed transaction with FatBrain AI and signed agreement with OpenExo, building AI product suite Launched Genius City model with first cities Singapore, Dubai and Abu Dhabi Launched AI educator suite of AI Genie and AI Avatars Launched full AI-driven partner portal for education and community partners Moved from campus to digital revenue with spin off of ERL and closure of UAV Restructured financing with full repayment of $18.3 million convertible note eighteen months ahead of schedule. Financial Guidance Genius Group maintains its 2024 financial guidance as we scale our GeniusU, AI-Driven Edtech platform and scale our Genius City model of local teams delivering AI training and AI tools to participating cities around the world. We believe we are on a strong, sustainable pathway of ongoing organic growth and acquisitions, leading to continued revenue growth and a path to sustainable, cash positive, profitable growth. Profit & Loss Performance Pro forma Audited Financials Year Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2023 2023 2022 (USD 000s) (USD 000s) (USD 000s) Revenue 70,371 23,063 18,194 Cost of revenue (53,325 ) (11,127 ) (9,555 ) Gross profit 17,046 11,936 8,639 Other Operating Income 346 344 144 Operating Expenses (47,753 ) (48,347 ) (51,121 ) Operating Loss (30,361 ) (36,067 ) (42,338 ) Other income 32,965 32,981 418 Other Expense (4,070 ) (3,704 ) (15,151 ) Net Loss Before Tax (1,466 ) (6,790 ) (57,070 ) Tax Benefits 644 1,079 1,063 Net Loss (822 ) (5,711 ) (56,007 ) Other Comprehensive Income (204 ) (204 ) (290 ) Total Comprehensive Loss (1,026 ) (5,915 ) (56,297 ) Net income per share, basic and diluted (0.01 ) (0.10 ) (2.47 ) Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted 55,501,971 55,501,971 22,634,366 About Genius Group Genius Group (NYSE: GNS) is a leading provider of AI-powered, digital-first education solutions, disrupting the highly standardized system of traditional education with a personalized, flexible and life-long learning curriculum for the modern student. Genius Group services 5.4 million users in over 200 countries, providing personalized curriculums for individuals, enterprises and governments. The comprehensive, AI-powered platform offers programs for K-12 education, accredited university courses and skills-based courses for entrepreneurs. To learn more, please visit https://www.geniusgroup.net/. Investor Notice Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and forward-looking statements described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2024. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer. In that event, the value of our securities could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. In addition, our past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results in the future. See "Forward-Looking Statements" below. Forward-Looking Statements Statements made in this press release include 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. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as may, will, plan, should, expect, anticipate, estimate, continue, or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate and involve factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are advised to consider the factors listed above together with the additional factors under the heading Risk Factors in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 20-F, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company's Reports of a Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise. Investor Relations Contact: Brian M. Prenoveau, CFA Managing Director MZ Group - MZ North America (561) 489-5315 GNS@mzgroup.us www.mzgroup.us Miami, Florida, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Miami, FL South Florida PBS Health Channels new original production, Ask the Doc: No Appointment Needed, is an engaging interactive series that simplifies healthcare by bringing medical professionals right into your living room. This series premieres on Monday, May 20th at 12:30 PM on the Health Channel and will stream live on AllHealthGos Facebook and YouTube channels. This innovative series invites viewers to submit their health-related questions by emailing questions@allhealthtv.com or by submitting them in the comments section during the Facebook and YouTube Live streams to receive tailored advice from trusted specialists in real time. Whether viewers are dealing with back pain, concerned about flu symptoms in children, or have general health inquiries, our panel of expertsincluding an orthopedic surgeon, pediatrician, primary care physician, pharmacist, and specialized nursesare here to assist. Meet the Expert Line-up : Mondays at 12:30 PM - Consult Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, a renowned Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, for expert advice on managing back and neck pain. Tuesdays at 12:30 PM - Speak with Dr. Scarlet Constant, Board Certified Pediatrician, and founder of Constant Care Pediatrics, for insights into pediatric health. Wednesdays at 12:30 PM - Engage with Dr. Kamaljit Kaur, a seasoned Primary Care Physician, to address a broad range of health issues. Thursdays at 12:30 PM - Join Dr. Madeline Camejo, Vice President & Chief Pharmacy Officer at Baptist Health South Florida, for advice on medications and treatments. Fridays at 12:30 PM - Connect with the Ask Hanna Nurses for answers to general health queries. "We are excited to bring this innovative new series to our viewers across South Florida. 'Ask the Doc: No Appointment Needed' provides a unique platform for our community to get their health questions answered directly by medical experts in an interactive and accessible format, said Dolores Fernandez Alonso, CEO at South Florida PBS. Our goal is to help demystify healthcare and empower people to take charge of their well-being by connecting them with trusted medical professionals right from their living rooms. This series underscores our commitment to leveraging technology and community engagement to improve lives through education and trusted information." Watch the premiere on Monday, May 20th at 12:30 PM, and tune in every weekday to the Health Channel, or stream the program live on AllHealthGos Facebook and YouTube pages. To learn more about Ask the Doc: No Appointment Needed, visit the website: https://allhealthtv.com/program/ask-the-doc-no-appointment-needed. About the Health Channel: AllHealthGo is South Florida PBS exciting new digital health media venture that is building a trusted source of health and wellness information for consumers hungry for information and understanding. Through AllHealthGos Health Channel, the only 24/7 health and wellness TV channel in the country, we connect you with medical and well-being specialists in real-time, promoting healthier lifestyle options. In partnership with prestigious organizations, the service aims to empower you with the most up-to-date information, enabling you to take more control of your and your familys health. To complement the live interactions with medical and well-being specialists, AllHealthGo offers a robust companion digital platform that provides access to specialized services. ### Attachment Article can be found at: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/05/15/assange-team-predecision-press-conference/ LONDON, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Press conference was held today at the Foreign Press Association prior to the UK High Court extradition decision for Julian Assange. ThinkCareBelieve thinks this is important because if Julian Assange is extradited to the United States, he stands little chance of winning in the Eastern District of Virginia Court, which has earned the nick-name "Espionage Court" and if Assange is convicted, that precedent would be open to be used against any journalist, publisher, reporter, blogger, social media user, or common citizen. This is enough of an incentive to forget what we've heard in the media in the past and independently look at the facts of this case and ask ourselves what we stand for. Speakers on the panel: Julian's wife Stella Assange, WikiLeaks Editor Kristinn Hrafnsson, Assange's Attorney Jen Robinson, and Reporters Without Borders Director Rebecca Vincent. Links to Recorded Previously Live Press Conference: Reuters on X- https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1YpKkwYBaDPKj The Independent on YouTube- https://youtu.be/DKC6MUPAR2c?si=jqR3QrazCKYf1p2X Reuters on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/live/GmN3GFtCJL8?si=iDy9f8-zchhx3D01 Important Points Shared at This Press Conference: This case is of huge legal significance, not just for Julian but for journalists everywhere. The Australian government has put their support behind Julian Assange. We are working closely with our Prime Minister and our Attorney General and the Australian government to try to seek a resolution of this case and we continue to demand that Julian be released and this case be brought to an end and he be brought to Australia. -Jen Robinson, Assange Attorney via remote "This is institutional corruption on a judicial level. Julian Assange is a political prisoner. Its abundantly clear, and I hope that you can look into the details of the case where the evidence is basically screaming at you. -Kristinn Hrafnsson, Editor of WikiLeaks "Julian is just one decision away from being extradited. If the judges find against him on Monday then there will be no further avenues for appeal in the UK, and the UK will move to extradite him. The timing is uncertain, but we know that in other cases, other national security cases of extraditions to the United States, the person has been extradited within 24 hours of the decision. The United States has been given opportunity after opportunity after opportunity to change its case in order to get Julian extradited. Initially it lost in January 2021. That was the initial Magistrates decision to deny extradition based on the mental health and physical conditions that Julian would be placed under, if extradited, and then once that decision came through, the United States was allowed to change its case by issuing so-called assurances, which the High Court then accepted, and an extradition order was issued and then Priti Patel who at the time was the UK Home Secretary in June of 2022, issued her approval of the extradition as well. Julian then requested permission to appeal to the High Court which was initially denied, and then when he sought a separate panel of High Court Judges to review that decision, which is the current panel that Julian is before, in February they gave a provisional permission to appeal to the High Court, and that provisional permission is subject to U.S. so-called assurances. Now think about how bizarre this case is, where the U.S. has not only been allow 2 sets of assurances, but also 3 sets of indictments. It seems that they are given endless chances to change their case in order to get Julian extradited to face 175 years for publishing evidence of U.S. war crimes." Stella Assange, Wife of Julian Assange "We agree with the assessment that this is a political case. We dont know what will happen in the event for example with the return of Trump whose DoJ brought this case in the first place. President Biden has the chance still to be the President who put an end to this, who acted in the interest of press freedom and journalism, rather than enabling this very dangerous prosecution that will tarnish the reputation of the country of the First Amendment. -Rebeca Vincent, Reporters without Borders Notable Guest in Attendance at Press Conference: The rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Sunna varsdottir (Iceland, SOC), just wrapped up a thorough investigation into Assanges case was in attendance at the Press Conference to answer questions. Sunna states, As noted in the motion underlying my mandate, Julian Assanges harsh treatment risks deterring others who wish to report truthful information pertaining to armed conflicts, said Ms varsdottir. Whether or not he is extradited, his prosecution and lengthy detention already risk deterring other whistle-blowers and journalists from reporting on various transgressions of governments or powerful private parties. https://pace.coe.int/en/news/9462/pace-rapporteur-ending-visit-to-julian-assange-in-belmarsh-prison-expresses-deep-concern-for-his-well-being ThinkCareBelieve believes that when we take a look at the ideals and practices for which Julian Assange stands, we can see him as a man of integrity. He has a moral and social intelligence that shines through his work and his talks in educating the public on how to empower themselves with knowledge against a state of increasingly diminished rights. Julian Assange changed journalism forever by employing the practice of Scientific Journalism which printed the source documentation alongside the articles for verification of facts. Monday May20, 2024 is Decision Day for Julian Assange. The public is assembling outside the UK High Court in London on The Strand and will be livestreamed on Youtube, X and Facebook starting Live at 8:30AM BST. Presented by @FreeAssangeNews on X in collaboration with Stella Assange and AssangeDefense.org. Livestreamed by Reuters and The Independent on X and YouTube. Official AssangeDefense Press Releases can be found at: https://assangedefense.org/press-releases/ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fe591aa3-3f1e-4917-aa53-dccfb7b1a809 Washington, D.C., May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) celebrates a landmark achievement in accessible air travel as Congress grants final passage to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill - H.R.3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act. The bipartisan effort, following months of negotiation, represents the most significant improvement in air travel for people living with disabilities in nearly 40 years and makes strides towards ensuring safer and more dignified air travel experiences for everyone. The FAA reauthorization bill, bolstered by provisions championed by MDA, addresses crucial aspects of accessibility in air travel, including the establishment of pathways to wheelchair spots on airplanes, the requirement for continued study on safe wheelchair tie-down systems and evacuation standards for passengers with disabilities, greater information on onboard wheelchair provision and enhanced training standards for assisting passengers who use wheelchairs and for safe stowage of wheelchairs. Additionally, the bill aims to streamline and improve the Department of Transportation (DOT) complaint process and increase representation of individuals living with disabilities on passenger experience committees. The FAA reauthorization is an important step to creating an equitable, safe, and dignified travel experience for people with neuromuscular and related disabilities, said Donald S. Wood, PhD, President and CEO, MDA. "This passage is the most significant advancement in accessible air travel in nearly four decades. Were extremely proud of the collaboration between MDA, our advocates, and government leaders, which helped bring this new standard for accessible travel into law." The Muscular Dystrophy Associations Accessible Air Travel advocacy campaign channeled the neuromuscular and the entire disability communities efforts to make it quite clear that mistreating people and damaging wheelchairs during air travel is unacceptable. We are grateful to the House and Senate for prioritizing accessibility improvements needed by the community, said Paul Melmeyer, Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy, MDA. Following todays Congressional vote, the President is expected to sign the bill into law. Even with todays momentous news, MDA will remain actively engaged in the implementation process and will continue to advocate for future reforms that prioritize the needs of people with disabilities. MDA on the Hill continues to be a tremendous force as advocates meet with lawmakers in person; in 2023, our advocates visited their legislators to catalyze the effort to ensure that the final FAA reauthorization bill reflected the shared vision of enhanced accessibility and inclusivity in air travel. MDA extends its gratitude to Congress for their unwavering support and bipartisan collaboration in advancing these critical initiatives, said Mindy Henderson, Vice President of Disability Outreach and Empowerment, MDA. With the final passage of the FAA reauthorization bill, the entire community of families served by Muscular Dystrophy Association look forward to a future where air travel is truly accessible to all. "Finally, with the new reforms included in the FAA Reauthorization, there's hope for a transformation in air travel for people with disabilities. No longer should boarding a flight feel like an out-of-body experience fraught with fear and uncertainty. As someone with muscular dystrophy, I've faced the harsh reality of inadequate training and misconceptions about my needs. Being loaded onto a plane isn't a privilege; it's a necessity to shield others from the indignity and pain we endure during transfers. We've fought tirelessly for inclusion in society, from public buildings to workplaces, and accessible air travel is our right, not a mere courtesy. It's time for airlines to recognize our voices and uphold their obligations under the law, ensuring that every passenger, regardless of ability, can fly with dignity and respect," said Madison Lawson, MDA Advocate, journalist and disability rights activist. MDA remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering collaboration between lawmakers, disability advocacy groups, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and other stakeholders to ensure that this final FAA reauthorization bill is fully implemented and results in a better flying experience for individuals with disabilities. MDA is grateful to Chairwoman Maria Cantwell, Chairman Sam Graves, Ranking Member Ted Cruz, Ranking Member Rick Larsen, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Congressman Garrett Graves, Congressman Steve Cohen, and Congresswoman Dina Titus who collectively ensured this legislation would transform accessible air travel for the better. MDA also thanks its advocacy partners, particularly Paralyzed Veterans of America, for their steadfast collaboration. About MDAs Accessible Air Travel Advocacy Campaign In May 2023, MDA Advocates went to Capitol Hill to speak with lawmakers who sit on key committees about accessible air travel for inclusion in the FAA reauthorization. In addition to this video, featuring Mindy Henderson, Vice President of Disability Outreach and Empowerment, MDA released a companion video featuring MDA Advocate and disability activist Madison Lawson, which documents a treacherous experience on a recent flight. That video garnered over 2 million views and thousands of messages to Capitol Hill. MDA Advocate Maceo Carter also shared his experience with damage to his wheelchair in USA Today. In total, MDA advocates have sent over 10,600 messages to lawmakers since 2023 urging them to make air travel accessible for people living with disabilities. To learn more about todays landmark legislative achievement and to follow MDAs #AccessibleAirTravel campaign go to MDA.org/AirTravel and follow @MDA_Advocacy. About Muscular Dystrophy Association Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. For over 70 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for the support of our families. MDA's mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org and follow MDA on Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Attachment Washington, DC, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is celebrating Congressional action that could lead to safer skies for travelers with potentially life-threatening allergies. The U.S. House and Senate passed legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration that includes a requirement that emergency medical kits (EMKs) on airplanes be equipped to treat anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction that progresses rapidly. This legislation represents a tremendous step forward for people with food allergies traveling on commercial airplanes, said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA. "Ready access to easy-to-use epinephrine can save lives. The requirements established in this bill will help ensure that this first-line treatment for anaphylaxis is available for use on all commercial flights." Sen. Tammy Duckworths tenacious leadership on the EMK issue made this possible, and we thank her for seeing the legislation across the finish line, Mendez added. The legislation includes anaphylaxis among the conditions that EMKs on commercial planes must be equipped to treat. Additionally, the reauthorization calls for a review of the contents of these medical kits at least every five years. AAFA has consistently called on the FAA and Congress to act to ensure easy-to-use epinephrine is available on commercial airplanes. AAFAs work on this issue dates back to 2018 and includes briefing House and Senate staff on the importance of updating EMKs, including key committee leadership. AAFA also connected people with food allergies with their Members of Congress to ensure patient voices were heard. In 2023, more than 300 AAFA advocates contacted Congress urging action on this issue. Were grateful that lawmakers heard the voices of people with food allergies and included language that will ensure EMKs are updated as new treatments emerge, said Jenna Riemenschneider, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at AAFA. Today, that would mean including auto-injectors. But in the future, it could include other treatments such as nasal spray or under-the-tongue epinephrine. This is a significant change from the current standard and has the potential to make a difference in how serious allergic reactions on flights are treated." AAFA met with key stakeholders to amplify the importance of updating EMKs, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Flight Attendants Association, Aerospace Medical Association, and Airlines for America. Alexa Jordan, an advocate for updating EMKs with easy-to-use epinephrine, was a college student when she experienced anaphylaxis on a flight. The experience led her to work with AAFA to push Congress and the FAA to make changes. "I remember thinking to myself, 'I will never let this happen to anyone again,'" said Jordan. "I called Senator Duckworths office the day after my mid-flight reaction because I knew this was an obvious bipartisan piece of legislation we could all agree on. We want to keep all 20 million of us with food allergies safe on flights, and I think Section 368 (the portion of the FAA reauthorization that addresses EMKs) is an impactful first step. AAFA reached out early to me in my advocacy, and their team has been such a support to the Senators efforts." Jordan launched a petition asking for EMK updates that received more than 200,000 signatures and her persistent advocacy ultimately paid off. "What I learned in this process is that our elected officials do listen to us when we are brave enough to raise our voices. It is easy to become discouraged by the length of time it takes to get bills passed, but this should not discourage us from writing letters to our representatives, organizing lobbying trips to the Capitol, or talking to our friends about change we know is needed. The legislations passage coincides with Food Allergy Awareness Week (May 12-18) and the 40th anniversary of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Throughout the month of May, AAFA is raising awareness of the impact of conditions such as food allergies and highlighting education and advocacy activities. For more information, including a full calendar of events, fact sheets, infographics and more: aafa.org/awareness. ## About AAFA Founded in 1953, AAFA is the oldest and largest non-profit patient organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease for people with asthma, allergies, and related conditions through research, education, advocacy, and support. AAFA offers extensive support for individuals and families affected by asthma and allergic diseases, such as food allergies and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Through its online patient support communities, network of regional chapters, and collaborations with community-based groups, AAFA empowers patients and their families by providing practical, evidence-based information and community programs and services. AAFA is the only asthma and allergy patient advocacy group that is certified to meet the standards of excellence set by the National Health Council. For more information, visit: aafa.org. Attachments Guelph, Ontario, Canada, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skyline Retail REIT, a Guelph, Ontario-based Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) focused on essentials-anchored retail assets in Canadas secondary and tertiary markets, has announced that effective June 30th, 2024, it will undergo a transition in leadership. Gordon Driedger, having served the REIT for eight years as President, will be handing over the role to a new leader. He will remain active in overseeing the REITs activity in a new role as a Trustee of Skyline Retail REIT. Gord has been an instrumental part of the growth of the Retail REIT since its inception a decade ago, said Jason Castellan, Co-Founder & CEO, Skyline Group of Companies. We are grateful for his expertise and guidance to curate a high-quality and resilient portfolio, and his transition to a Trustee of the REIT will promote future continuity and support. We look forward to seeing the REIT continue its growth trajectory under new leadership. It is my pleasure to have been part of the fantastic Skyline team over the past eight years, working to provide value for our many investors, said Driedger. I have seen first-hand that the entrepreneurial Skyline environment is consistently well-funded and focused on quality, and I look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of Skyline Retail REIT. Stepping into the role of President will be Craig Leslie, the REITs current Vice President. Craig will be responsible for the REITs ongoing growth and performance. Craig joined Skyline Retail REIT in 2023 with more than 19 years of experience across both the Canadian and UK real estate markets. Prior to joining Skyline, he held senior positions with two publicly traded REITs as well as consulting roles at some of Canada's largest accounting and real estate firms, having started his career in the UK with two global real estate brokerages. About Skyline Retail REIT Skyline Retail REIT (the REIT) is a privately owned and managed portfolio of retail properties, focused on acquiring well-located properties with service-oriented, national brand tenants in secondary and tertiary communities across Canada. Skyline Retail REIT is distributed as an alternative investment product through Skyline Wealth Management Inc. (Skyline Wealth Management), the preferred Exempt Market Dealer for the REIT. It is also available on Fundserv (Code: SKY2013). Skyline Retail REIT is committed to providing outstanding places to conduct business and services. It prioritises superior service to its retail tenants while surfacing value with a goal to deliver stable returns to its investors. To learn more about Skyline Retail REIT, please visit SkylineRetailREIT.ca. To learn about additional alternative investment products offered through Skyline Wealth Management, please visit SkylineWealthManagement.ca. Skyline Retail REIT is operated and managed by Skyline Group of Companies. Attachments NEW YORK, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) resulting from allegations that Block may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. SO WHAT: If you purchased Block securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=24974 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On February 16, 2024, before market hours, NBC News published an article entitled Federal regulators are probing whether Cash App leaves door open to money launderers, terrorists which stated, among other things, that Federal financial regulators are exploring allegations by two whistleblowers that Cash App, the popular mobile payment platform, and entities providing transaction services to its users performed inadequate due diligence on customers, potentially opening the door to money laundering, terrorism financing and other illegal activities. On this news, Blocks stock fell $3.84, or 5%, to close at $65.64 per share on February 16, 2024. On May 1, 2024, before market hours, NBC News published another article entitled Federal prosecutors are examining financial transactions at Block, owner of Cash App and Square: Internal documents indicate Block processed crypto transactions for terrorist groups and Square processed transactions involving nations subject to economic sanctions. That article stated, among other things, that Federal prosecutors are digging into internal practices at Block discussing with a former employee alleged widespread and yearslong compliance lapses at the companys two main units, Square and Cash App[.] On this news, Blocks stock fell $6.16, or 8%, to close at 66.84 per share on May 1, 2024. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. 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 ~ Posted Increase in Year-Over-Year Revenues, Segment Profit and Net Income ~ ~ Grew Adjusted EBITDA by 125% from Q1 2023 ~ LONGMONT, Colo., May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enservco Corporation (NYSE American: ENSV) (Enservco, or the Company), a diversified national provider of specialized well-site services to the domestic onshore conventional and unconventional oil and gas industries, today announced operational and financial results for the first quarter of 2024. FINANCIAL SUMMARY (in 000s, except per share data) Q1 2024 Q1 2023 % Change Revenues $ 9,792 $ 8,912 10% Production services $ 2,485 $ 2,863 (13%) Completion and other services $7,307 $ 6,049 21% Segment profit $ 3,261 $ 2,015 62% Production services $ 364 $ 546 (33%) Completion and other services $ 2,897 $ 1,469 97% Income (loss) from operations $ 1,262 ($ 459) NM Net income (loss) $ 740 ($ 1,004) NM Per diluted share $ 0.03 ($ 0.07) NM Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 2,222 $ 986 125% NM: Not meaningful. (1) A non-GAAP financial measure; see the Non-GAAP Information section in this release for more information including reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures. Q1 2024 HIGHLIGHTS Grew revenues 10% from Q1 2023 with the Companys primarily seasonal-focused completions services revenue increase partially offset by a production services revenue decrease; Drove segment profit increase of 62% year-over-year primarily due to overall top-line growth complemented by execution of further operating efficiency initiatives and related cost savings; Reduced general and administrative expenses 18% from prior year; Improved profit position to net income of $0.7 million, or $0.03 per diluted share an increase from a net loss of $1.0 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for Q1 2023; Increased year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA by 125% to $2.2 million; Announced agreement to acquire Buckshot Trucking LLC, an experienced and profitable energy logistics business (the Transaction); Expected to generate increased operational and financial flexibility with addition of year-round business highlighted by significant growth opportunities and non-dependence on weather related business; and Evaluating various financing alternatives with closing of the Transaction targeted in early Q3 2024. MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY Rich Murphy, the Companys CEO and Chairman stated We kicked off 2024 on a strong note with first quarter results that materially exceeded the prior year across the board on key financial metrics, including revenues, segment and operating profit, and net earnings. Also included was 125% year-over-year growth in Adjusted EBITDA. Significantly contributing to our first quarter 2024 results was more than a 95% increase in profit from our completions services segment that primarily reflects solid performance from our seasonal-based frac water heating offerings. As we have discussed in the past, this business is very winter weather-dependent, and we were fortunate to have a colder first quarter this year versus the same period in 2023. This was partially offset by a decrease in profit in our production services segment. I want to thank the entire workforce and especially our employee team for their continued hard work and dedication as we continue to execute on internal and external initiatives designed to enhance our business mix and promote future success. Murphy continued, While the first quarter benefited from improved seasonal conditions for our frac water heating services business, our performance during the period also highlighted our efforts to drive further improvements throughout the Company. These initiatives were muti-faceted and included reducing our footprint to focus only on operations that provide the best economic returns, lowering costs and streamlining processes throughout the organization, and taking necessary steps to enhance the Companys financial outlook. Combined with our pending acquisition of Buckshot, we believe Enservco will be in a much-improved position in the marketplace and with the investment community. We look forward to evaluating and executing additional opportunities that further evolve our business away from seasonal to more year-round activities designed to drive long-term cash flow generation, profitability, and shareholder value. Q1 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS Total revenues were $9.8 million 10% higher than $8.9 million in the same quarter last year. Production services revenue, which includes hot oiling and acidizing services, decreased to $2.5 million from $2.9 million in the same quarter last year, primarily due to decreased acidizing services in the Companys Texas region, combined with decreased hot oiling activity levels in Enservcos Pennsylvania and Texas regions. Production services generated a segment profit of $0.4 million compared to a segment profit of $0.5 million in Q1 2023. Completion services revenue, which is primarily seasonal-focused frac water heating services, grew to $7.3 million from $6.0 million in the prior year quarter. Primarily driving the increase was colder weather in 2024 relative to the prior year that led to increases in frac water heating service activity levels. In addition, service price increases in the Companys Pennsylvania and Colorado regions contributed to the growth in year-over-year revenue. Completion services generated a segment profit of $2.9 million compared to a profit of $1.5 million in the same quarter last year. Operating profit improved to $1.3 million versus an operating loss of $0.5 million in Q1 2023. In addition to a significant improvement in the Companys combined segment results, year-over-year performance benefitted from an almost $0.3 million or 18% decrease in general and administrative expenses primarily due to reduced legal costs substantially associated with Enservcos successful shareholder litigation matter. The Company reported net income of $0.7 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.0 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was $2.2 million versus $1.0 million for Q1 2023 a 125% year-over-year increase. BUCKSHOT TRANSACTION & OTHER UPDATES Enservco expects to close the Transaction in early Q3 2024, with the Company currently evaluating financing alternatives. Following closing, Enservco looks forward to quickly integrating Buckshots assets and operations into the broader organization. The Company remains excited about the opportunities afforded by the addition of this year-round business that has strong margins and cash flow visibility, coupled with growth prospects. Separately, Enservco continues to explore strategic initiatives to reduce reliance on its seasonal frac water heating services business and invest in opportunities that generate solid cash flow and provide visible near and long-term growth. CONFERENCE CALL & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Company has scheduled a conference call on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET to discuss its first quarter 2024 operational and financial results. To participate, interested parties should dial 888-506-0062 at least five minutes before the call is to begin. Please reference the Enservco First Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call or use the participant access code of 623631. International callers may participate by dialing 973-528-0011. The call will also be webcast and available on Enservcos website at www.enservco.com under Investors on the Events page. In addition, interested parties can participate through the webcast by accessing the following link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2228/50645 Like callers, participants should access the webcast at least five minutes prior to start time. In addition, a replay of the webcast will be available following the call through the above link. ABOUT ENSERVCO Enservco provides a range of oilfield services through its various operating subsidiaries, including hot oiling, acidizing, frac water heating, and related services. The Company has a broad geographic footprint covering major domestic oil and gas basins across the United States. Additional information is available at www.enservco.com. On March 20, 2024, the Company announced an agreement to purchase Buckshot Trucking LLC, an energy logistics provider in multiple key oil and gas basins (the Buckshot Acquisition). The Buckshot Acquisition is scheduled to close in the third quarter of 2024. When closed, the Buckshot Acquisition would provide Enservco with a growing business that is not weather dependent, allow the Company to enter steady year-round logistics, provide an expanded operating footprint, and improve cash flow visibility. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains information that is "forward-looking" in that it describes events and conditions Enservco reasonably expects to occur in the future. Expectations for the future performance of Enservco are dependent upon a number of factors, and there can be no assurance that Enservco will achieve the results as contemplated herein. Certain statements denoting future possibilities, are forward-looking statements. The accuracy of these statements cannot be guaranteed as they are subject to a variety of risks, which are beyond Enservco's ability to predict, or control and which may cause actual results to differ materially from the projections or estimates contained herein. Among these risks are those set forth in Enservcos annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequently filed documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Forward looking statements in this news release that are subject to risks related to, among other things, closing of the Buckshot Acquisition on anticipated terms and timing, and the ability of Enservco to successfully integrate Buckshots market opportunities, personnel and operations and to achieve expected benefits. Enservco disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement made herein. CONTACT Mark Patterson Chief Financial Officer Enservco Corporation mpatterson@enservco.com ENSERVCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Revenues: Production services $ 2,485 $ 2,863 Completion and other services 7,307 6,049 Total revenues 9,792 8,912 Expenses: Production services 2,121 2,317 Completion and other services 4,410 4,580 Sales, general, and administrative 1,232 1,503 Severance and transition - 1 Gain on disposal of assets - (1 ) Depreciation and amortization 767 971 Total operating expenses 8,530 9,371 Income (loss) from operations 1,262 (459 ) Other (expense) income: Interest expense (578 ) (590 ) Other income 56 29 Total other expense, net (522 ) (561 ) Income (loss) before taxes 740 (1,020 ) Deferred income tax benefit - 16 Net income (loss) $ 740 $ (1,004 ) Net income (loss) per share: Basic $ 0.03 $ (0.07 ) Diluted $ 0.03 $ (0.07 ) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic 26,934 14,808 Diluted 30,284 14,808 ENSERVCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 474 $ 201 Accounts receivable, net 4,248 4,190 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 870 1,047 Inventories 219 209 Note receivable 75 75 Total Current Assets 5,886 5,722 Property and equipment, net 6,235 6,923 Intangible assets, net 67 - Right-of-use asset - finance, net 6 9 Right-of-use asset - operating, net 759 891 Note receivable, less current portion 125 144 Other assets 182 183 Total Assets $ 13,260 $ 13,872 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 3,104 $ 4,285 Utica Facility 1,684 1,595 LSQ Facility 2,739 2,472 November 2022 Convertible Note, related party 1,079 1,027 September and October 2023 Convertible Notes, related parties 1,660 - Lease liability - finance 6 10 Lease liability - operating 395 441 Other current liabilities 200 198 Total Current Liabilities 10,867 10,028 Utica Facility, less current portion 1,075 1,690 September and October 2023 Convertible Notes, related parties, less current portion - 1,656 Utica Residual Liability 293 256 Lease liability - finance, less current portion 10 6 Lease liability - operating, less current portion 436 528 Deferred tax liabilities 222 222 Other non-current liabilities 7 58 Total Liabilities 12,910 14,444 Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity (Deficit): Preferred stock, $0.005 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding - - Common stock, $0.005 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 27,362,742 and 26,592,637 shares issued as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; 6,907 shares of treasury stock as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; and 27,355,835 and 26,585,730 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 135 131 Additional paid-in capital 49,148 48,970 Accumulated deficit (48,933 ) (49,673 ) Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) 350 (572 ) Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) $ 13,260 $ 13,872 ENSERVCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) (Unaudited) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ 740 $ (1,004 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 767 971 Gain on disposal of equipment - (1 ) Stock-based compensation 76 196 LSQ Facility interest paid-in-kind 126 - Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount 77 70 Deferred income tax benefit - (16 ) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (58 ) 243 Inventories (10 ) (1 ) Prepaid expense and other current assets 178 481 Amortization of operating lease assets 132 139 Other assets 1 17 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (924 ) (1,189 ) Operating lease liabilities (138 ) (143 ) Other liabilities 92 (242 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 1,059 (479 ) Investing Activities: Purchases of property and equipment (77 ) (49 ) Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment - 9 Purchase of intangible (67 ) - Collections on note receivable 19 25 Net cash used in investing activities (125 ) (15 ) Financing Activities: Proceeds from February 2023 Offering, net - 2,952 Net LSQ Facility borrowings (repayments) 140 (334 ) Utica Facility repayments (545 ) (294 ) Repayments of long-term debt - (15 ) Payments on financed insurance (256 ) (79 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (661 ) 2,230 Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents 273 1,736 Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 201 35 Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 474 $ 1,771 NON-GAAP INFORMATION This press release and the accompanying tables include a discussion of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures provided as a complement to the results provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The term "EBITDA" refers to a financial measure that we define as earnings (net income or loss) plus or minus net interest taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA excludes from EBITDA stock-based compensation and, when appropriate, other items that management does not utilize in assessing Enservcos operating performance (as further described in the attached financial schedules). None of these non-GAAP financial measures are recognized terms under GAAP and do not purport to be an alternative to net income as an indicator of operating performance or any other GAAP measure. We have reconciled Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net loss in the table below. We intend to continue to provide these non-GAAP financial measures as part of our future earnings discussions and, therefore, the inclusion of these non-GAAP financial measures will provide consistency in our financial reporting. For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Reconciliation from Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA Net income (loss) $ 740 $ (1,004 ) Add back (deduct): Interest expense 578 590 Deferred income tax benefit - (16 ) Depreciation and amortization 767 971 EBITDA (non-GAAP) 2,085 541 Add back (deduct): Stock-based compensation 76 196 Severance and transition costs - 1 Non-recurring legal and transaction costs 117 278 Gain on disposal of assets - (1 ) Other income (56 ) (29 ) Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) $ 2,222 $ 986 Putin says open to dialogue on Ukraine crisis Xinhua) 11:26, May 15, 2024 MOSCOW, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Regarding China's efforts towards the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed positive views on China's position. In a written interview with Xinhua on the eve of his two-day state visit to China, which starts on Thursday, he said that China clearly understands the roots of the Ukraine crisis and its global geopolitical impact, as reflected in the "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis," a 12-point proposition issued by China in February 2023. The concepts and suggestions indicated in the document demonstrate the sincere desire of China to stabilize the situation, he added. Putin emphasized that the four principles for the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis recently proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping seamlessly fit in the above-mentioned document. "The steps build on the idea that we need to forego the 'Cold War mentality' and ensure indivisible security and respect for international law and the UN Charter in their entirety and interrelation," he said. "We have never refused to negotiate," Putin said. "We are seeking a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of this conflict through peaceful means. We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) IRVINE, Calif., May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RevHubOC , Orange Countys first incubator and catalytic capital fund for social enterprises, hosted its inaugural Women in Impact Investing Panel, featuring top female executives and experts from the world of equity and philanthropic impact investment. Hosting over 100 attendees at the University of California Irvine, Beall Applied Innovation, this panel shed light on the need for increased female representation in key investment sectors. While the number of women-owned businesses has continued to grow over the past decade increasing 1.2% from 2021 to 2022 in Orange County (First 5 Orange County) women-founded ventures in the U.S. still only receive 1.9% of venture capital funds, according to McKinsey. In an effort to address this inequity and amplify female voices in the investment space, RevHubOCs Women in Impact Investing Panel offered valuable insights on the current impact landscape, panelist investment theses and the future of funding for impact ventures. As an organization dedicated to incubating social enterprise, the panel specifically discussed the impact investment sector, which focuses on investments made with the intention of achieving positive social and environmental impact in addition to financial return. While Southern California and the entire country have made great strides providing equitable opportunity for all entrepreneurs, there is still much work to be done, said Julie Cranston, executive director of RevHubs Investment Fund. As an organization dedicated to creating social impact through for-profit ventures and eliminating systemic barriers to entrepreneurship, RevHub is proud to host events like the Women in Impact Investing Panel that not only elevate voices of women who are the leading experts in the emerging investment space, but also inspire the business community to join us in our mission to prioritize a more regenerative and interconnected view of business, capital and impact. Panelists for RevHubOCs Women in Impact Investing Panel included: Moderator - Katie Kalvoda, Founder and CEO, G3 Ventures : Katie Kalvoda is the founder and CEO of G3 Ventures, a social enterprise specializing in impact investments, innovative philanthropy and community advocacy. Prior to this, Ms. Kalvoda worked in the investment management industry as Chief Investment Officer of Newport Wealth Management. In that role, she managed a portfolio comprised of commercial real estate, private equity and liquid investments. Her achievements earned her many national and international awards including Angel Investor of the Year and Best Business Leader in Real Estate Investments. In 2018 and 2021, Katie chaired the Impact Investing Conference for Campden Wealth in San Diego and Palm Springs. : Katie Kalvoda is the founder and CEO of G3 Ventures, a social enterprise specializing in impact investments, innovative philanthropy and community advocacy. Prior to this, Ms. Kalvoda worked in the investment management industry as Chief Investment Officer of Newport Wealth Management. In that role, she managed a portfolio comprised of commercial real estate, private equity and liquid investments. Her achievements earned her many national and international awards including Angel Investor of the Year and Best Business Leader in Real Estate Investments. In 2018 and 2021, Katie chaired the Impact Investing Conference for Campden Wealth in San Diego and Palm Springs. Shannon F. Eusey, Founder and CEO, Beacon Pointe Advisors : Beacon Pointe is one of the largest Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firms specializing in full-service financial planning and research-driven investments, partnering with institutions, retirement-sponsored plans, and private clients. As of YE2023, the firm has more than $30 billion in assets under advisement, with more than 50 offices and 470+ employees nationwide. Shannon is also a founding member of the Beacon Pointe Womens Advisory Institute, and Beacon Pointe Advisors is proudly the largest female-led RIA in the nation. She also co-authored Your Dollars, Our Sense, an International Best Seller, having ranked #1 in six business and finance categories. : Beacon Pointe is one of the largest Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firms specializing in full-service financial planning and research-driven investments, partnering with institutions, retirement-sponsored plans, and private clients. As of YE2023, the firm has more than $30 billion in assets under advisement, with more than 50 offices and 470+ employees nationwide. Shannon is also a founding member of the Beacon Pointe Womens Advisory Institute, and Beacon Pointe Advisors is proudly the largest female-led RIA in the nation. She also co-authored Your Dollars, Our Sense, an International Best Seller, having ranked #1 in six business and finance categories. Laruen Grattan, Co-Founder and Chief Community Officer, Mission Driven Finance : Laurens background in nonprofit development made her eager to activate more capital for social change, leading her to co-found Mission Driven Finance, an impact asset management firm and Certified B Corporation that designs, develops, and manages capital vehicles to advance inclusive economic opportunity. As Chief Community Officer, she leads the design of community-based strategy, providing a frame for both internal culture & partner relationships. Laurens blended heritageIrish, Chinese, and Native Hawaiianinforms her approach to reconnecting capital and community. Prior to building Mission Driven Finance, she spent nearly 10 years fundraising for a wide variety of nonprofitsfrom large universities to small, volunteer-run initiatives. : Laurens background in nonprofit development made her eager to activate more capital for social change, leading her to co-found Mission Driven Finance, an impact asset management firm and Certified B Corporation that designs, develops, and manages capital vehicles to advance inclusive economic opportunity. As Chief Community Officer, she leads the design of community-based strategy, providing a frame for both internal culture & partner relationships. Laurens blended heritageIrish, Chinese, and Native Hawaiianinforms her approach to reconnecting capital and community. Prior to building Mission Driven Finance, she spent nearly 10 years fundraising for a wide variety of nonprofitsfrom large universities to small, volunteer-run initiatives. Rama Chakaki, Partner, Transform VC : Syrian-American Impact Tech Entrepreneur, Investor and philanthropist. Rama is a partner in Transform VC, a Silicon Valley firm enabling 1000 tech founders to impact a billion and make a billion by investing in deep tech with climate and social impact. Rama was instrumental in building the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Middle East. In addition to her corporate roles, Rama runs an edTech nonprofit (VIP.fund) supporting youth impacted by conflict. Rama has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, the Monitor, Arab Women Rising, a Wharton School of Business Publication and The power of presence, a book by Joy Moore. : Syrian-American Impact Tech Entrepreneur, Investor and philanthropist. Rama is a partner in Transform VC, a Silicon Valley firm enabling 1000 tech founders to impact a billion and make a billion by investing in deep tech with climate and social impact. Rama was instrumental in building the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Middle East. In addition to her corporate roles, Rama runs an edTech nonprofit (VIP.fund) supporting youth impacted by conflict. Rama has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, the Monitor, Arab Women Rising, a Wharton School of Business Publication and The power of presence, a book by Joy Moore. Katie LaFleur, Partner, Full Cycle Climate Partners: Katie LaFleur is a serial entrepreneur and Partner at FullCycle Climate Partners, investing in commercial-scale, climate-critical technologies. Committed to driving global change, Katie champions environmental protection initiatives, sitting on the board of the conservation journalism outlet, Mongabay, and serving as a Nexus Global ambassador. To learn more about RevHub, its Impact Fund and its Social Enterprise Incubation tracks, click here . About RevHubOC: RevHubOC coalesces Orange Countys social enterprise ecosystem for greater innovation and impact. Founded in 2019, RevHub is a community of investors, entrepreneurs, mentors, and partners which has incubated 23 social enterprises and established RevHubOC Social Innovation Fund, Orange Countys first social impact investment fund (RevFund I). In 2022, RevHub joined several partners in establishing the NorthSTAR (Systems To Access Resources) OC Collaborative to build the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Orange County. Most recently, RevHub has announced its development of Orange Countys first Climate Action Business Incubator (CABI). For more information, please visit the RevHub website . Sophie Booth sophie@ideahall.com (562) 230-3051 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8d8c553e-6649-48ed-8966-663f995a9373 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ValOre Metals Corp. (ValOre; TSXV: VO; OTCQB: KVLQF; Frankfurt: KEQ0, the Company) today provided a corporate and project update. Thiago Diniz Appointed Vice President, Exploration Thiago Diniz, P.Geo. has significant experience as an exploration geologist in Brazil and Canada, including work on early to advanced-stage Platinum Group Element (PGE), orogenic and magmatic hydrothermal gold and gold-copper systems, sediment-hosted zinc-lead, phosphate, and potash projects. His expertise in the planning and management of large-scale programs, including data review, mapping & sampling, exploratory & resource delineation drill campaigns, and metallurgical testwork programs have provided valuable input to ValOres Pedra Branca Project over the last four years. Mr. Diniz is a registered P.Geo in Ontario and Saskatchewan, with a B.Sc. Geology (Federal University of Minas Gerais), and a M.Sc. Economic Geology (Queens University). Jim Paterson, Chairman & CEO, stated: We are very happy to announce Thiagos appointment as V.P. Exploration. He has been successfully managing ValOres Pedra Branca PGE Project in Brazil for 4 years, excelling in the planning, budgeting, and program execution, which resulted in several discoveries, including Salvador, and a doubling of the inferred resource at Pedra Branca. Importantly, Thiago has gained the respect of ValOres in-country team and our board of directors and has built an exceptional level of trust with the local community of Capitao Mor and the Pedra Branca region. On behalf of all ValOre team members, I would like to wish Colin Smith great success as he moves on to serve as the CEO of an exciting gold exploration company. We thank Colin for his many years of excellent work at ValOre and the great friendships formed along the way. Pedra Branca Project Update ValOre continues to prioritize project exploration and advancement efforts on the Pedra Branca PGE deposits that exhibit the potential for the shortest development timeline with the highest operating margin. Key aspects of focus to achieve these goals, include: grade and metallurgical characteristics of PGE mineralization; depth and orientation of deposits and related strip ratio of the optimized resource pits; proximity of deposits to one another and to the proposed location of future on-site processing facilities; Social Licence, local employment, infrastructure and water availability. The Curiu, Esbarro, Cedro, Cana Brava and Salvador PGE deposits are now ValOres top priority areas of focus. Curiu, Esbarro, Cedro and Cana Brava host, in aggregate, a 2022 NI 43-101 inferred mineral resource estimate of 1.031 million ounces (Moz) palladium + platinum + gold (2PGE+Au) in 27.2 million tonnes (Mt)*; These four deposits are located within a 3-kilometre (km) radius; Average resource strip ratio for these 4 deposit areas is approximately 2.1:1 waste to ore*; Curiu and Esbarro collectively average a resource strip ratio of approximately 0.7:1 waste to ore*; Maximum vertical depth of the mineralization drilled to form resource pits at these 4 deposits is approximately 150 metres*; The recently discovered Salvador target is located within 5km from those resource zone and highlights significant potential for high grade PGE shallow resources and improved economics in the surrounding area (CLICK HERE for news release dated November 7, 2023 and HERE for news release dated December 11, 2023 and references therein). Planned 2024/2025 Tasks/Actions include: Advanced metallurgical studies to define processing flowsheets; Complete a marketability study for Pedra Branca PGE-enriched concentrate; Complete additional exploration and deposit definition drilling at Salvador target; Updated NI 43-101 Technical Report disclosing a mineral resource estimate update, including reclassification of certain zones into the indicated category subject to an increased level of confidence in metallurgical recoveries and drill hole spacing; Complete a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) report, including CAPEX and OPEX optimization; Commence permitting processes and environmental impact assessment (EIA); Define timeline to production. Exploration Upside: 3 additional resource zones, Trapia, Massape and Santo Amaro, host, in aggregate, an inferred mineral resource estimate of 1.167 Moz 2PGE+Au in 36.4 Mt*; The recently completed 2023 drill program confirmed the potential for Pedra Branca resource expansion, with PGE mineralization drilled in Galante, Troia, Nambi and Ipueiras (CLICK HERE for news release dated September 21, 2023); Significant additional discovery potential along more than 80 km of Pedra Brancas prospective, underexplored, property-wide PGE trend. Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) CLICK HERE for a summary of ValOres policies and procedures related to QA/QC and grade interval reporting. Qualified Person (QP) The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Thiago Diniz, P.Geo., ValOres QP and Vice President of Exploration. About ValOre Metals Corp. ValOre Metals Corp. (TSXV: VO) is a Canadian company with a team aiming to deploy capital and knowledge on projects which benefit from substantial prior investment by previous owners, existence of high-value mineralization on a large scale, and the possibility of adding tangible value through exploration and innovation. ValOres Pedra Branca Platinum Group Elements Project comprises 52 exploration licenses covering a total area of 56,852 hectares (140,484 acres) in northeastern Brazil. At Pedra Branca, 7 distinct PGE+Au deposit areas host, in aggregate, a 2022 NI 43-101 inferred resource of 2.198 Moz 2PGE+Au contained in 63.6 Mt grading 1.08 g/t 2PGE+Au. ValOres team believes the Pedra Branca project has significant exploration discovery and resource expansion potential. (CLICK HERE to download 2022 technical report* and CLICK HERE for news release dated March 24, 2022). *The 2022 Technical Report is entitled Independent Technical Report Mineral Resource Update on the Pedra Branca PGE Project, Ceara State, Brazil was prepared as a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on behalf of ValOre Metals Corp. with an effective date of March 08, 2022. The 2022 Technical Report by Independent qualified persons, Fabio Valerio (P.Geo.) and Porfirio Cabaleiro (P.Eng.), of GE21, commissioned to complete the mineral resource estimate while Chris Kaye of Mine and Quarry Engineering Services Inc. (MQes), was commissioned to review the metallurgical information. The Mineral Resource estimates were prepared in accordance with the CIM Standards, and the CIM Guidelines, using geostatistical, plus economic and mining parameters appropriate to the deposit. Mineral Resources, which are not mineral reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability, and may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, marketing, and other relevant issues. Mineral Resources are based upon a cut-off grade of 0.4 g/t PGE+Au, correlated to Pd_eq grade of 0.35 g/t, and were limited by an economic pit built in Geovia Whittle 4.3 software and following the geometric and economic parameters as disclosed in the 2022 NI 43-101 Technical Report, On behalf of the Board of Directors, Jim Paterson James R. Paterson, Chairman and CEO ValOre Metals Corp. For further information about ValOre Metals Corp., or this news release, please visit our website at www.valoremetals.com or contact Investor Relations at 604.653.9464, or by email at contact@valoremetals.com. ValOre Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: http://www.discoverygroup.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. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Although ValOre believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements have been based on factors and assumptions concerning future events that may prove to be inaccurate. These factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information to ValOre. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. A number of important factors including those set forth in other public filings could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the future operations of ValOre and economic factors. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release and, except as required by applicable law, ValOre does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ValOre undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of ValOre, or its financial or operating results or (as applicable), their securities. Vancouver, May 14, 2024 - Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. (CSE: SXTY) (FSE: 2F40) (OTC Pink: SXNTF) (the "Company" or "Sixty North Gold"). Sixty North Gold is pleased to announce that it has purchased the tent camp and is acquiring other light equipment and supplies needed for the restart of mining operations. Mining crews have been engaged and are expected to be on site around the end of May 2024, once camp setup is complete. Dave Webb, President & CEO states, "We are very pleased to be moving crews into the property and driving our re-development of this very high-grade past producing gold mine. The Yellowknife gold camp hosts two mines that averaged 30 gpt gold or better, and two that averaged 15 gpt or better for a total production of over 14 million ounces of gold (Sixty North Gold NI 43-101 - August 3, 2023)." Sixty North Gold further announces that it has arranged debt settlements with certain officers and a director of the Company, and a consultant to settle $233,000 in indebtedness for accrued management and consulting fees from the period May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024, to be paid by the issuance and delivery of a total of 3,883,332 common shares of the Company in the aggregate, at a deemed value of $0.06 per share, plus GST. The shares will be subject to resale restrictions for a period of 4 months and a day from their date of issuance. The Company further approved bonuses totalling $19,900 for certain officers and a director of the Company to be settled as debts for shares on the same basis as the debt settlements for the creditors noted above for a total of another 331,666 common shares at a deemed value of $0.06 per share. The Company has also granted incentive stock options to its directors, officers, and consultants to purchase up to 2,750,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.08 per share until May 14, 2029. Dr. D.R. Webb Ph.D., P.Geol., P.Eng. is the Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101 and is responsible for the technical details of this release. About the Company The Company is developing mining operations for gold on its 100%-owned Mon Gold Property, 40 km north of Yellowknife, NWT. Past production extracted 15,000 tonnes of ore to depths of only 15 m below surface, recovering an estimated 15,000 ounces of gold in the 1990's (NI 43-101, August 3, 2023). The North Ramp has been reopened and has been extended to within 60 m of the target portion of the vein. The Company plans to extend the ramp to where some high-grade historic holes intersected the vein beneath the previously mined stopes. The plan is to install cross-cuts and raises within the vein to extract and stockpile the vein material on surface. Upon confirmation of the grade and tonnage, a permitted mill will be brought in to process this and ongoing mined material. For more information, please refer to the Company's public filings available on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca), under the Company's profile. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Dave Webb" Dave Webb, President & CEO For further information, please contact: Dave Webb Tel.: 604 818-1400 Email: dave@drwgcl.com Website: www.sixtynorthgold.com Statements about the Company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward looking statements". Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including risks inherent in mineral exploration and development, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any projected future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Further details about the risks applicable to the Company are contained in the Company's public filings available on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca), under the Company's profile. THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209202 VANCOUVER, May 15, 2024 - Silver One Resources Inc. (TSXV: SVE) (OTCQX: SLVRF) (FSE: BRK1) ("Silver One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the discovery of additional large silver vein fragments along the major east-west 417 vein structure, immediately to the west of the large angular and unabraded 417 pound (189 kg) silver vein fragment that was estimated to contain over 70% silver (see February 5, 2020, January 11, 2021 company's news releases and Figure 1). The distribution of these newly discovered vein fragments, one weighing up to 6+ pounds (2.7 kg), extends the area of potential mineralization 600+ metres to the west of the 417 pound silver vein fragment (see Figure 2 below), significantly expanding the area of potential high-grade silver prospectivity. Geological reconnaissance on the new claims staked in October and December, 2023 (see company's news releases of October 23 and December 19, 2023) has also uncovered several new copper and silver prospects with up to 1,785 g/t Ag and 2.74 % Cu in selected samples (Table 1, Figure 3, and Figure 5 below). The southern portion of the Phoenix Silver property has numerous copper and silver showings and hosts potential for the discovery of porphyry related copper mineralization. The southern part of the project is immediately northeast of the Freeport McMoRan Miami copper mine and the recently discovered Ocelot porphyry project being actively explored by BHP (see Figure 4 below). Highlights: New silver fragments discoveries extend the area of potential silver vein mineralization for 600+ metres to the west of the previously discovered 417 lb (189 kg) angular and unabraded vein fragment that was estimated to contain over 70% silver and an 18.7 lb (8.5 kg) specimen assaying 459,000 g/t (14,688 oz/t) silver (see news release dated February 5, 2020). The project is permitted for drilling on the potentially high-grade silver targets (See Figure 2). New copper showings on recently acquired claims highlight the potential for porphyry copper mineralization immediately along strike from the Freeport McMoRan Miami copper mine and the recently discovered Ocelot porphyry project being actively explored by BHP Copper values in selected samples range between 0.1% to 2.7% and silver between 10.9 g/t and 1,785 g/t containing locally abundant lead and zinc in veins, breccias and bed planes. Greg Crowe, President and CEO of Silver One commented: "The Phoenix Silver project continues to evolve, not only in the size and distribution of mineralized areas, but also in the very nature of the mineralized systems. What started as a rare opportunity in potentially identifying areas of extremely rich silver vein mineralization, has now expanded to include large areas of copper-silver porphyry potential. Large angular and unabraded silver vein fragments were detected by metal detectors and uncovered in overburden within a metre of the surface. These have been interpreted as being near their original source, as silver is very soft and large fragments break apart easily upon transport over even small distances. One vein fragment weighed 417 lb (189 kg) and was estimated by specific gravity methods to contain 70% silver. Assays of smaller fragments returned up to 459,000 g/t (14,688 oz/T) silver (see Company News Release of February 5, 2020). The recently discovered silver vein fragments have extended the known area of mineralization along the 417 vein structure for an additional 600+ metres to the west of the 417 pound vein fragment. This illustrates the significant potential for outlining additional high-grade silver targets. A drill permit has been secured to test structures believed to be the host to these very high-grade vein fragments (see Company News Release of March 2, 2023). Emphasis will be placed on the 417 vein structure. The southern portion of the project also hosts regional northeast-trending veins, alteration and breccia zones, with several selected samples returning over 1% copper. Recent sampling has uncovered more copper mineralization on the claims acquired in October and December of 2023. The property lies to the northeast of Freeport McMoRan's copper producing Miami Complex and BHP's Ocelot porphyry copper exploration project. Phoenix Silver lies at the northeast margin of a 30+ km long porphyry copper and silver belt and has excellent potential to host high-grade silver mineralization as well as porphyry related copper-silver mineralization. The Phoenix Silver project is truly a unique and exceptional exploration opportunity." Table 1: Selected assays in new claims staked in the Phoenix Silver Project (October 23, and December 19, 2023 news releases). All samples are rock chip samples. Selected copper assays are shown in Fig. 3. Sample Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) Cu (%) MnO (%) Fe 2 O 3 (%) Mo (ppm) Description 91812 33.9 0.07 0.06 0.01 0.09 1.72 12.50 Silicified breccia 91813 195.0 0.19 0.34 0.05 3.83 2.85 5.00 Silicified breccia with MnFeOx in matrix 91814 588.0 2.54 7.44 1.17 12.90 18.70 44.20 5m quartz-manganese vein w/CuOx in vn&bed planes 91815 36.9 0.21 0.17 0.01 2.59 1.65 4.34 3m silicified breccia with MnFeOx 98009 1,695.0 0.36 0.08 1.46 0.47 3.76 3.04 Abdt FeMnOx & malachite in veinlets and fractures in quartzite 98010 548.0 1.42 0.59 0.55 5.70 6.82 11.65 Fractured quartzite with MnFeOx veins 98011 10.9 0.01 0.09 2.74 0.05 4.00 2.05 Bedded quartzite w/malachite & CuOx in bed planes 98012 1,785.0 1.50 0.26 0.61 3.40 4.49 11.30 Silicified breccia with MnFeOx and local CuOx 98019 116.0 0.43 0.09 0.13 1.94 2.03 8.75 Quartz vein with FeMnOx Elevated copper and silver values with abundant manganese, iron oxides and local base metals (lead and zinc) shown in Table 1 above, are representative of the mineralization in veins, hydrothermal breccias, and fracture systems that are widespread throughout the southern part of the property. These values along with elevated molybdenum (to 44 ppm) and local chlorite hydrothermal alteration suggest the presence of intrusive centered hydrothermal systems and are distal manifestations potentially related to the margins of porphyry copper deposits. Examples of these manifestations can be seen at the Silver Queen and Silver King mines and the Old Dominion vein, which are the surface expression of the Magma copper deposits and Ocelot porphyry copper discovery, respectively. Silver One plans to continue the geologic reconnaissance and sampling of the new claims staked in October and December 2023. Assays of 30 samples currently at Skyline laboratories in Tucson AZ are expected within 30 days. Analytical and QA/QC Chip samples were collected by geologists during a recent property visit and varied in size from approximately 1 kg to 5 kg. Samples were submitted to ALS USA Inc. ("ALS") in Reno, NV, USA for sample preparation and analyzed at ALS in North Vancouver, BC, Canada (ISO accredited Laboratory, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015). Samples were analyzed for fifty-one elements by four acid digestion on a 0.25 g sample and ICP-MS finish (ME-MS61L). Over limit silver, copper, manganese, lead and zinc were analyzed by ore-grade four acid digestion (0.4 g sample) and ICP-AES (OG62). Gold was analyzed by 30 g FA/ICP-AES (Au-ICP21). Chromium, niobium, silica, tantalum, titanium, yttrium, zircon, and niobium were also semi-quantitatively analyzed at ALS by portable XRF (pXRF) on sample pulps. ALS inserts blanks, standards and includes duplicate analyses to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Robert M. Cann, P. Geo, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and an independent consultant to the Company. About Silver One Silver One is focused on the exploration and development of quality silver projects. The Company owns a 100%-interest in its flagship project, the past-producing Candelaria Mine located in Nevada. Potential reprocessing of silver from the historic leach pads at Candelaria provides an opportunity for possible near-term production. Additional opportunities lie in unmined historic resources as well as in previously identified high-grade silver intercepts down-dip, which can potentially increase the substantive silver mineralization along-strike from the two past-producing open pits. The Company owns 636 lode claims and five patented claims on its Cherokee project located in Lincoln County, Nevada, host to multiple silver-copper-gold vein systems, traced to date for over 11 km along-strike. Silver One also owns a 100% interest in the Silver Phoenix Project. The Silver Phoenix Project is a very high-grade native silver prospect, recently permitted for drilling, which lies within the "Arizona Silver Belt," immediately adjacent to the prolific copper producing area of Globe, Arizona. For more information, please contact: Silver One Resources Inc. Gary Lindsey - VP, Investor Relations Phone: 604-974-5274 Mobile : (720) 273-6224 Email : gary@strata-star.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Silver One cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Silver One's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Silver One's limited operating history, ability to obtain sufficient financing to carry out its exploration and development objectives on the Candelaria Project, obtaining the necessary permits to carry out its activities and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Silver One undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. 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. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1574720/4707106/Silver_One_Logo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413069/Figure_1_Silver_One.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413070/Figure_2_Silver_One.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413071/Figure_3_Silver_One.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413072/Figure_4_Silver_One.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413073/Figure_5_Silver_One.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/silver-one-discovers-new-silver-vein-fragments-and-outlines-new-copper-showings-on-its-phoenix-silver-project-in-arizona-302145696.html SOURCE Silver One Resources Inc. VANCOUVER, May 15, 2024 - Bedford Metals Corp. (TSX-V: BFM) (the "Company" or "Bedford") announces the engagement of Grander Exploration to assist in designing its upcoming exploration program on the newly acquired Ubiquity Lake Uranium Project in Athabasca, Saskatchewan, Canada. Grander Exploration brings extensive experience in uranium exploration in the Athabasca region, making them an ideal partner for Bedfords' ambitious plans for the project. Their proven track record and in-depth knowledge of the local geological conditions will be invaluable in optimizing the exploration program. The program will be strategically designed to explore the geological understanding that the trends found on Uranium Energy Corp.'s (UEC-US) Diabase project extend through the Ubiquity project. By leveraging Grander Exploration's expertise, Bedford aims to maximize the project's potential and unlock its full value. Peter Born, President of Bedford, commented, "We are grateful for the expertise and support provided by the Grander Exploration team in designing our exploration program for the Ubiquity Lake Project. Their extensive experience in uranium exploration in Athabasca will be instrumental in guiding our efforts as we seek to uncover the project's true potential." Bedford reaffirms its commitment to conducting all exploration activities in accordance with environmental best practices and in collaboration with local communities and indigenous nations. Environmental stewardship is a top priority for Bedford, and the Company is dedicated to minimizing its environmental footprint while maximizing the benefits to local stakeholders. About Bedford Metals Corp. Bedford Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company. We create value for our shareholders by identifying and developing highly prospective mineral exploration opportunities. Our strategy is to advance our projects from discovery to production. Ubiquity Lake Uranium Project, covering 1382 hectares, lies just south of the bottom lip of the Athabasca Basin, adjacent to ALX Uranium's Carpenter Lake Project to the east. Situated near the Cable Bay Shear Zone, parallel to the Virgin River Shear Zone, which hosts Cameco's Centennial uranium deposit, the project holds immense potential. Furthermore, it is located 100 km west of Cameco's past-producing Key Lake uranium mine, underscoring the strategic significance of its location. Dr. Peter Born, PGeo, is the designated qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for, and has approved, the technical information contained in this release. For further information, please contact the Company at info@bedfordmetals.com or 604-622-1199 or visit the Company's website at www.bedfordmetals.com. On behalf of the Board, Bedford Metals Corp. "Peter Born" President 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. This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws. CONTACT: MRKT360 INC https://mrkt360.com Alex Zertuche alexz@mrkt360.com For E.S.T Office Hours, Call 1 416-477-0587 VANCOUVER, May 15, 2024 - Foran Mining Corp. (TSX: FOM) (OTCQX: FMCXF) ("Foran" or the "Company") today proudly announces the release of its inaugural Sustainability Report (the "Report"), marking a significant milestone in the Company's commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible business practices. Dan Myerson, Executive Chairman & CEO, commented: "As we navigate the growing demand for low-carbon energy solutions, with copper serving as the essential link supporting artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and green energy, our commitment to becoming a net-zero carbon producer of critical minerals has never been stronger. We've achieved a major milestone with the publication of our inaugural Sustainability Report, which not only reflects our dedication to health, safety, and environmental stewardship, but also underscores our deepening engagement with local Indigenous communities. I am profoundly grateful to our entire team for their tireless efforts, which have been instrumental in reaching this point. This report is just the beginning, setting a strong foundation for future initiatives and sustainability investments. We invite all stakeholders to explore the report, as it highlights our progress and underscores the transformative projects that are part of our epic journey toward sustainable excellence." The Report is now accessible for download on Foran Mining's website (link), offering detailed insights into our sustainable initiatives and their impacts. We have also prepared a video presentation to accompany the release, available here. About Foran Mining Foran Mining Corp. is a copper-zinc-gold-silver exploration and development company, committed to supporting a greener future, empowering communities and creating circular economies which create value for all our stakeholders, while also safeguarding the environment. The McIlvenna Bay Project is located entirely within the documented traditional territory of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, comprises the infrastructure and works related to pre-development and advanced exploration activities of the Company, and hosts the McIlvenna Bay Deposit and Tesla Zone. The Company also owns the Bigstone Deposit, a resource-development stage deposit located 25km southwest of the McIlvenna Bay Property. The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is a copper-zinc-gold-silver rich VHMS deposit intended to be the centre of a new mining camp in a prolific district that has already been producing for 100 years. The McIlvenna Bay Property sits just 65km West of Flin Flon, Manitoba and is part of the world class Flin Flon Greenstone Belt that extends from Snow Lake, Manitoba, through Flin Flon to Foran's ground in eastern Saskatchewan, a distance of over 225km. The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is the largest undeveloped VHMS deposit in the region. The Company announced the results from its NI 43-101 compliant Technical Report on the Feasibility Study for the McIlvenna Bay Deposit (the "McIlvenna Feasibility Study") on February 28, 2022, outlining that current mineral reserves would potentially support an 18-year mine life producing an average of 65 million pounds of copper equivalent annually. The Company filed the McIlvenna Feasibility Study on April 14, 2022, with an effective date of February 28, 2022. The Company also filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Bigstone Deposit resource estimate on January 21, 2021, as amended on February 1, 2022. Investors are encouraged to consult the full text of these technical reports which may be found on the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca. The Company's head office is located at 409 Granville Street, Suite 904, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2. Common Shares of the Company are listed for trading on the TSX under the symbol "FOM" and on the OTCQX under the symbol "FMCXF". CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or to the future performance of Foran Mining Corp. and reflect management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this news release or as of the date of such forward looking statement. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our objectives and our strategies to achieve such objectives; our beliefs, plans, estimates, projections and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events; as well as specific statements in respect of our commitment to environmental stewardship and certain business practices; the expected growth in demand for low-carbon energy solutions; the uses of copper in connection with supporting artificial intelligence, infrastructure and green energy; our commitment to becoming a net-zero carbon producer of critical minerals; our focus on health, safety and environmental stewardship and our engagement with local Indigenous communities; the use of the Report as a foundation for our future initiatives and sustainability investments; our future projects in respect of sustainability; our sustainability initiatives and their expected impacts; and the statements contained in the Report and the video presentation accompanying the Report's release. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date specified in such statement. Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, estimates, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These factors include management's belief, expectations and in certain cases, management's response with regard to the Company's reliance on the McIlvenna Bay Property, and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ available at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and should note that the assumptions and risk factors discussed herein are not exhaustive. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are qualified by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Additional information about these assumptions, risks and uncertainties is contained in our filings with securities regulators available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. SOURCE Foran Mining Corp. Toronto, May 15, 2024 - KO Gold Inc. (CSE: KOG) ("KO Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals ("NZP&M") has granted the Company its Exploration Permit (EP) over the historic Carrick Goldfield in the Otago Gold District in New Zealand ("Carrick EP"). The Carrick EP has been granted for a 5-year term commencing on May 9, 2024, and is approximately 105 km2 in size (Figure 1). The Company has also commenced exploration activities on its Carrick Range Prospecting Permit ("Carrick Range PP") located immediately south of the Carrick EP and both permits comprise the "Carrick Gold Project". In addition, regional exploration and drilling programs are planned for the Company's other permits in the Otago Gold District. Highlights Carrick EP granted for a 5-year term over the historic Carrick Goldfield with immediate plans to drill several holes targeting high-angle lode-style gold mineralization and low-angle shear-hosted gold mineralization within the Carrick-Potter Shear Zone ("CPSZ"). Exploration activities on the Carrick Range PP will take approximately six weeks to complete and includes geological mapping, prospecting and rock sampling, and an extensive soil and stream sediment sampling program over the 200 km 2 permit area. This program is designed to identify potential drilling targets for an upcoming reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling program in the Carrick Goldfield. Management has recently approved a C$3M exploration budget to complete regional exploration programs on its Carrick Range, Rough Ridge South, and Tokomairiro prospecting permits and in addition RC and diamond drilling programs on its Carrick, Hyde, Glenpark, and Smylers Gold exploration permits; once access agreements have been approved in a few weeks and a drilling contractor has been selected. The drilling programs for the Carrick, Smylers, Hyde, and Glenpark EP's are currently being designed. The Company is working on obtaining access agreements to drill on both private and Department of Conservation (DOC) lands on its permits and this will include discussions with local Maori iwi groups on any potential land impacts. The exploration and drilling programs are managed and supported by RSC Consulting Ltd. ("RSC"), a highly experienced geological and mining consultant company based in Dunedin and with extensive knowledge of the Otago Gold District. KO Gold is targeting the discovery of reef/shear-hosted gold lode mineralization within the historic Carrick Goldfield (Carrick EP) and to the south on the Carrick Range PP where modern exploration has been limited up until this point. The Carrick Gold Project is potentially similar to the nearby Santana Minerals Ltd. ("Santana") Rise & Shine ("RAS") gold deposit within the Rise & Shine Shear Zone ("RSSZ"). The RAS deposit is quickly advancing through the mining feasibility stage and contains a JORC Indicated Mineral Resource of 17.1 Mt at an average grade of 2.4 g/t Au for 1.3 Moz of contained gold and a JORC Inferred Mineral Resource of 13.7 Mt at an average grade of 2.1 g/t Au for 0.9 Moz of contained gold using a 0.5 g/t Au cutoff and open-pit mining scenario (source: Santana ASX announcement dated February 16, 2024). New Zealand is a Tier 1 Mining Jurisdiction Greg Isenor, President and CEO of KO Gold recently completed a four-week visit to New Zealand to meet with the RSC geological team, NZP&M officials, and other key stakeholders. The trip also included visits to KO Gold's prospecting and exploration permits and meetings to plan extensive exploration and drilling programs in the Otago Gold District over the next 12 months. The Otago Gold District is currently attracting significant attention primarily due to Santana's RAS gold discovery within the RSSZ at Bendigo-Ophir, continued expansion at OceanaGold's Macraes Gold Mine immediately adjacent to KO Gold's Smylers Gold Project, and a recent change to a pro-mining government (National Party led Coalition) in New Zealand. Santana's RAS deposit is expected to advance quickly and may become the next major gold mine in the Otago Gold District. The New Zealand government has also made it a priority to fast-track permit applications and to improve the consenting process to allow exploration, drilling, and mining activities to occur without significant delays. The new government has also made it their mission to promote the natural resources industry in New Zealand and to support local communities and companies engaged in exploration and mining activities. New Zealand is fast becoming one of the most attractive gold mining jurisdictions in the world and is considered a Tier 1 mining jurisdiction with a long history of mining, fair permitting system, and fiscally responsible government. Greg Isenor, President and CEO of KO Gold, commented, "We see great potential for gold deposits in the Otago Gold Belt as pointed out by the presence of the many indicators of gold mineralization, including old gold workings, gold showings, extensive alluvial gold production, geochemical anomalies, and structure, etc. This area is underexplored! We spent several years on research and assembling this land position. Our exploration approach has been successful for us previously in other jurisdictions. KO Gold now has four properties at the drill stage. In addition, we also have regional gold exploration programs working to bring more properties to the drill stage. We are pleased to be working closely with both RSC and Hardie Pacific, both of whom have extensive knowledge and experience in the Otago Gold Belt. RSC is the project manager of our project and have excellent relationships and experience with the New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals department and other government departments, the local Maori groups, local landowners and drilling contractors. The requirement for local expertise is imperative for a successful project. We are presently designing our drilling programs and will report on this promptly. We are at the right place at the right time." Background on Carrick Gold Project The Carrick Goldfield is situated on the high slopes of the Carrick Range at altitudes varying from ~500 m to ~1,100 m above sea level within the Otago Schist Belt. Primary sulfide mineralization is mainly pyrite and arsenopyrite with minor accessory sphalerite, chalcopyrite and possibly galena. Scheelite was noted in a few lodes and small stibnite-bearing lodes were found in the northern sector of the Carrick Range PP. The lodes are generally steeply dipping and tend to strike either north-south or east-west and are not controlled by local bedding or foliation attitudes. The Carrick EP contains a NE-trending 8 km long by 1 km wide gold mineralized zone. High-grade gold mineralization traditionally coincides with strong gold-arsenic soil geochemistry results and approximately parallels a major regional structure known as the Potters Antiform. This structural corridor hosts both high-angle lode-style gold mineralization and low-angle shear-hosted gold mineralization and is known as the Carrick-Potter Shear Zone (CPSZ). A total of 98 historical drill holes (7,600 m) have been completed within the Carrick EP since 1980 using RC, rotary air blast (RAB), and diamond drilling techniques. Historical drilling intercepted the CPSZ but only to shallow depths (~100 m) and mainly targeted high angle structures with suboptimal hole orientations to test for potential shear-hosted gold mineralization. Historical drilling intercepted numerous mineralized intercepts grading >1.0 g/t Au over down hole lengths ranging between 3 m and 17 m along a >1.5 km strike length, and mineralization remains open along strike and at depth. Over 60 shallow workings occur within the CPSZ from historical hard-rock mining from the 1860's to the 1920's that produced over 24,000 ounces of gold with average grades of 30 g/t Au. The high angle gold mineralization has not been as thoroughly drill-tested as the shear-hosted gold mineralization. The extent and grade of primary mineralization below the level of the historical workings remains unknown. In addition, the plunge of any potential ore shoots and the factors that determine the plunge orientation are not currently known and will be the focus of future drilling by KO Gold on its Carrick Gold Project. Cautionary Statements and Data Verification This news release contains scientific and technical information with respect to adjacent properties to the Company's properties in the Otago Gold District, which the Company has no interest in or rights to explore. Readers are cautioned that information regarding the geology, mineralization, and mineral resources on adjacent properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Company's properties. The Qualified Person (QP) has reviewed the historical scientific and technical information on the Carrick Gold Project from historical reports and scientific papers, but has not yet fully verified the sampling, analytical, and test data underlying this information. Current limitations include getting access to original assay certificates or the general lack of original assay certificates from the historical drilling on the Carrick EP and the need to potentially twin or re-drill a significant portion of the historical drill holes to verify historical gold grades and mineralized widths. Qualified Person Statement All scientific and technical information contained in this news release was prepared and approved by Paul Teniere, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration and Director of KO Gold Inc. who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Figure 1: KO Gold's permits in Otago Gold District To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9895/209170_67e3ace0943f0891_002full.jpg About KO Gold Inc. KO Gold is a Canadian junior exploration company listed on the CSE under the ticker symbol "KOG". The Company's strategy is to acquire and explore highly prospective gold properties within the Otago Gold District in New Zealand. KO Gold has nine 100%-owned prospecting and exploration permits within the Otago Gold District for a combined land package of approximately 1,100 km2. The Company's Smylers Gold Project is an advanced exploration project located adjacent to OceanaGold's Macraes Gold Mine and the Carrick Gold Project hosts the historic Carrick Goldfield which holds promise as a significant gold deposit near Santana Minerals' Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project. KO Gold has spent over C$1.5M in exploration and drilling on its permits in the Otago Gold District over the past four years including reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling at its Smylers Gold Project. For further information, please contact: Greg Isenor, President and CEO, Director Tel: (902) 832-5555 Email: info@kogoldnz.com Website: www.kogoldnz.com KO Gold Inc. Suite 802 - Sun Tower, 1550 Bedford Highway Bedford, Nova Scotia B4A 1E6 Canada The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Information 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." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. 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. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209170 Vancouver, May 15, 2024 - Lexston Mining Corp. (the "Company" or "Lexston") (CSE: LEXT) (OTC: LEXTF) (Frankfurt: W5G) is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated April 26, 2024, it closed a non-brokered private placement of $419,960 through the issuance of 6,999,333 units at a price of $0.06 per unit (the "Private Placement"). Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each common share purchase warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.08 for two years from the date of issuance and will expire on May 15, 2026. The Private Placement was oversubscribed by $19,960. Company's directors Jagdip Bal, Clinton Sharples and Jatinder J. Manhas participated in in the Private Placement and purchased a total of 1,973,334 units. The Company paid finder's fee consisting of 8% cash and 8% broker warrants from raised proceeds as follows: $3,840 cash and 64,000 broker warrants to Haywood Securities Inc., $5,997 cash and 93,280 broker warrants to Raymond James Ltd, and $1,200 cash and 20,000 broker warrants to SCP Resources Finance LP. All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a four-month statutory hold period until September 16, 2024. The Company plans to use the proceeds of the Private Placement for general working capital and exploration of mineral properties. About Lexston Mining Corporation The Company is a Canadian mineral exploration company, focused on the acquisition and development of mineral projects, with the objective to enhance value to all its stakeholders. The Company has mineral exploration projects in British Columbia and Nunavut, Canada. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Lexston Mining Corp. Jagdip Bal Chief Executive Officer Telephone: (604) 928-8913 Email: info@lexston.ca The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. Forward-looking statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and are based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, objections by aboriginal people, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, obtaining consents of aboriginal people and other risks in the mining industry. These statements include but are not limited to obtaining financing, exploration permits, exploration of properties for minerals, liquidity of the common shares of the Company and future financings of the Company. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the acquisition of new properties, liquidity of the common shares of the Company, financings, the market valuing the Company in a manner not anticipated by management of the Company. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. The Company is presently an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks, requires substantial expenditures, and may not result in the discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. Furthermore, the Company currently has no reserves on its properties. As a result, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, May 15, 2024 - The Board of Directors and the management team of Element79 Gold Corp. (CSE:ELEM) (OTC:ELMGF) (FSE:7YS0) ("Element79", the "Company") extend their congratulations to Sun Silver Ltd. ("Sun Silver") for their successful initial public offering (IPO) today. The offering was oversubscribed to its maximum limit of AUD $13,000,000 and Sun Silver shares began trading on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) under the symbol SSI. Sun Silver comes to market at a time of growing investor interest in the silver industry, driven by growing demand for the metal from industrial and high-tech applications particularly the solar industry. Solar energy capacity in the USA alone is forecast to increase by 125GW per year to 2030, and the USA has set a target for solar energy to provide 30 per cent of all electricity in the United States by 2030 and 45% by 2050. The estimated amount of silver required to achieve this target by 2050 represents as much as 98% of the current known global silver reserves. As part of the transaction, Element79 now hold a stake representing 3,500,000 shares of Sun Silver, pursuant to the terms agreed upon in the recently completed sale of the Maverick Springs project. Sun Silver aims to develop Maverick Springs and undertake early-stage studies to assess the feasibility of silver paste and solar energy opportunities. "We are pleased to witness the success of our colleagues at Sun Silver," said James Tworek, CEO of Element79 Gold. "Element79's stake in Sun Silver share capital solidifies the relationship between two industry players who share a vision of sustainable growth development and long-term value creation for their shareholders." "We are thrilled to have completed our IPO and excited to embark on this journey where we intend to expand on the existing resource at Maverick Springs," said Gerard O'Donovan, Executive Director of Sun Silver Ltd. "We look forward to leveraging our position in the silver industry, capitalizing on the growing demand and we are grateful for the synergies with the team at Element79 who were instrumental in helping us make this significant step forward." About Element79 Gold Corp. Element79 Gold is a mining company focused on gold and silver committed to maximizing shareholder value through responsible mining practices and sustainable development of its projects. Element79 Gold's focus is on developing its past-producing, high-grade gold and silver mine, the Lucero project located in Arequipa, Peru, with the intent to restart production in 2024. The Company also holds a portfolio of 5 properties along the Battle Mountain trend in Nevada, with the Clover and West Whistler projects believed to have significant potential for near-term resource development. Three properties in the Battle Mountain Portfolio are under contract for sale to Valdo Minerals Ltd., with an anticipated closing date in the first half of 2024. The Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Dale Property, 90 unpatented mining claims located approximately 100 km southwest of Timmins, Ontario, and has recently announced that it has transferred this project to its wholly owned subsidiary, Synergy Metals Corp, and is advancing through the Plan of Arrangement spin-out process. For more information about the Company, please visit www.element79.gold Contact Information For corporate matters, please contact: James C. Tworek, Chief Executive Officer E-mail: jt@element79gold.com For investor relations inquiries, please contact: Investor Relations Department Phone: +1.403.850.8050 E-mail: investors@element79.gold Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press contains "forward?looking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward?looking 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 considering management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's business strategy; future planning processes; exploration activities; the timing and result of exploration activities; capital projects and exploration activities and the possible results thereof; acquisition opportunities; and the impact of acquisitions, if any, on the Company. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking 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 forward?looking statements. 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 "forward?looking statements". Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking 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 forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the duration and effects of the coronavirus and COVID-19; risks related to the integration of acquisitions; 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; 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 Company's other public disclosure documents, available on www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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. 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. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Albon signs extension Williams Racing signed an extension to continue with Alex Albon going forward. The team announced today that they have inked a multi-year deal with the Thai driver. Alex Albon, Miami GP 2024 Williams Alex Albon said, "I am incredibly happy to be remaining with Williams Racing and to continue working with such a talented and dedicated team of people. It has been a difficult start to the year but since joining Williams we have made significant progress together and I have seen the huge changes happening behind the scenes to take us back to the front of the grid. This is a long-term project that I really believe in and want to play a key role in which is why I have signed a multi-year contract. The journey will take time but I am confident we are building the right team to move forward and achieve great things in the years to come. Team Principal James Vowles said, "We are delighted to secure Alex's long-term future with Williams Racing. He has exceptional talent, technical input and dedication to the cause and this is a huge vote of confidence in Williams and the journey back to competitiveness that we are on. Since joining, Alex has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, and signing him for the long-term is a big piece of the puzzle of moving us up the grid. F1 not ruling out new race deal for Barcelona Formula 1 is not yet ruling out a new race deal for Barcelona. Spanish GP 2023 Alfa Romeo The future of the current Spanish GP venue has become particularly clouded since F1 agreed to transfer that official race title to Madrid for 2026 and beyond. The Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona has an existing race deal for 2025 and 2026, but venue bosses admit that convincing F1 to host two races in Spain will be difficult. At the announcement of a forthcoming F1 fan festival, circuit president Roger Torrent said: "The conversations to achieve the renewal are continuing and the relationship with F1 is very good. They are happy with our improvement works. But nothing has been signed, and there is nothing we can announce. Present at the announcement in Barcelona was Kate Hodgkinson, a marketing specialist who left the Premier League to join Formula 1 last year. She confirmed that contract talks with Barcelona officials are taking place. We have to consider each and every aspect, and those discussions are being held, Hodgkinson is quoted as saying by Spanish newspapers. But no decision has been made at this time. She added: The Spanish market is very important for F1. We have two drivers in Fernando (Alonso) and Carlos (Sainz) who reinforce the link between the fans and Formula 1. However, she admitted that Madrid already having the Spanish GP deal for 2026 and beyond is a complication for Barcelona. The conversations are still on the table with Barcelona in terms of looking at the two cities, she said. "But as you can imagine, there are many requests for races from all around the world, considering what F1 can offer on and off the track. "I think it's very important to highlight that Formula 1 brings a lot to the Spanish market. We have always maintained the possibility of having a race in Barcelona as well as Madrid. The arrival of Madrid is very important to gain even more fans and we are going to continue the conversations with Barcelona, Hodgkinson added. (GMM) F1 unlikely to feature two Italian races in 2026 F1's CEO admits that one of the two grands prix in Italy is unlikely to still be on the calendar beyond 2025. Max Verstappen, Emilio Romagna GP 2022 Red Bull The sport races at Imola this week, just a few months before the historic and traditional Italian GP at fabled Monza. Italy is a central part of our calendar, Stefano Domenicali told La Repubblica newspaper. "But we will soon have to address together the amount of resources to invest as a country. The uniqueness of a grand prix is no longer enough. We need to make a change of pace with the infrastructure for the fans. However, the F1 CEO insisted that it's possible both Imola and Monza will secure new contracts. Yes, but objectively it's quite difficult, the Italian admits. There are more and more countries ready to enter the calendar, from the far east of the world, to the United States to Europe itself, like Madrid which has demonstrated that it is possible to innovate. Domenicali says the moment of truth for the Italian promoters is now looming. At the end of August, in Monza, we will take stock with the government institutions and with the Aci, he said. If today some countries do not have the desire to invest, cooperate with us, or make long-term plans, then they risk being left without the grand prix. (GMM) Hamilton, Leclerc now in honeymoon period Frederic Vasseur says he is confident Lewis Hamilton will get along with Charles Leclerc once the seven time world champion makes the switch for 2025 and beyond. Charles Leclerc, Miami GP 2024 Ferrari The Ferrari boss told La Repubblica newspaper that deciding to oust Carlos Sainz was not easy , as both the Spaniard and Leclerc are very competitive as an existing lineup. I have to calm them down every two races, but they respect the team, Vasseur smiled. However, he decided that Ferrari needed fresh blood as the team sets up for an assault on Red Bull's dominance. I know his professionalism, although it's not that our drivers don't already have it, said the Frenchman. "But Lewis has a different vision of things and we can benefit from that. "Together with Fernando Alonso he is the most experienced driver on the grid, and the most experienced on the grid for winning. But he will bring his knowledge of outside the car, on how to approach the weekend, with the goal of achieving excellence. That will drive us forward a lot. And, in any case, we must remember that now we are looking at the details. Any detail or individual contribution can make a difference. However, Vasseur appeared to play down rising speculation that Adrian Newey's next move will be to Maranello. With his experience and achievement, Adrian is the benchmark for all of Formula 1, said Vasseur. "He's probably the one with the most experience. "At the same time, I believe much more in the team than in individuals. Part of success is where everyone knows their role in the system and how it strengthens the whole team. I will always be the one who will insist on the importance of this idea. However, Vasseur has already poached Hamilton, alongside two other signings from Mercedes - new deputy boss Jerome d'Ambrosio, and engineer Loic Serra. He denies that has strained his friendship with Toto Wolff. No, that's still normal, Vasseur laughed. "When I came to Formula 1 ten years ago, we both understood that in some situations we would inevitably become competitors, and that such a moment would come. But it is also true that until now we have never been direct rivals, he added. Last year we competed for the first time, but we always tried not to mix business and our personal affairs. Even if in our sport it's not always easy. Vasseur is confident Hamilton and Leclerc will also get along. I never ask my drivers to be best friends or to go on vacation together, he said. "I myself don't do this with my colleagues. "You just need an honest relationship full of mutual respect, and I think they already have that. Over the past two months, they have already become a little closer, although in this period it's like a honeymoon. But I would say that so far, everything is good. No clouds in the sky. (GMM) New documents related to additional charges against Mesemwan Repwak, a suspect in multiple violent crimes, show that police had already arrested him in December but he was released just six days later. The 31-year-old Repwak, also known as Ace, was apprehended again Friday after the Guam Police Department launched a search for him in connection with a string of violent crimes, including the recent shooting of a 14-year-old girl in Maite. A grand jury on Monday indicted Repwak on new charges connected to alleged crimes from last year. Court documents show that Repwak was apprehended before, as early as Dec. 28, 2023, after he was allegedly found swerving in the street in a stolen truck, and trying to conceal a firearm. He allegedly tried to ram a police officers vehicle with his truck, and was also charged with felony assault and family violence after the arrest. A catch, release, and reoffend report published by the Office of the Attorney General shows that an order of conditional release for Repwak was issued on Jan. 3. Two weeks later, on Jan. 17, Repwak failed to show for a court-ordered visit to the probation office, and had failed to report weekly with the office, the report states. On Jan. 24, Repwak failed to show up for his arraignment hearing, according to the report, and a warrant of arrest was issued for him on Feb. 14, 2024. GPD had produced a flyer stating Repwak, whos also known as A.J. or Ajay Jain Jr., was wanted for questioning in several violent incidents that happened in Barrigada and Mongmong-Toto-Maite, PDN files show. On April 29, GPD told the media Repwak was believed to be armed and dangerous, and involved in a carjacking robbery and two cases of aggravated assault. In the early morning hours of May 3, a 14-year-old girl was shot in Maite, and Repwak has since been charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault in connection with the incident. The girl was hospitalized, and had a laceration to the right side of her stomach area and possibly a gunshot wound to the right back area, based on court documents. Recent activities Repwak was arrested at the Sinajana Mobil gas station parking lot on May 10, shortly after an altercation where he and accomplices allegedly used their car to ram another vehicle from behind, and attempted to rob the vehicles owner with machetes and a shotgun, the PDN reported. Charges in two other cases were brought against Repwak on May 11. Repwak faces charges of aggravated assault in one case, and aggravated assault, assault on a peace officer, and resisting arrest in the other. According to a DOC confinement listing, Repwak was confined in 12 separate cases on suspicion of several aggravated assault cases, possession of a firearm without a license, terrorizing, use of a deadly weapon in a felony, attempted murder, and assault, among others. A criminal history background report from the AGs office indicates he had no previous convictions as of Dec. 28. New charges, old incident Repwak now faces more criminal charges for allegedly stealing a vehicle, using a fraudulent license plate, and resisting arrest. The charges are connected to the Dec. 28 incident that landed Repwak in police custody late last year, based on court documents. A grand jury indictment was handed down in the Superior Court of Guam on Monday. The defendant is already being held on a $540,000 cash bail in the Department of Corrections. Repwak stole a 2020 Nissan Frontier truck around July of last year, charging documents state. At some point between July 7 and Dec. 28 2023, he did intentionally receive, retain, or dispose of the vehicle. A separate magistrate complaint filed last December records the details of the stolen truck and Repwaks arrest, though the defendant was only charged with theft of a motor vehicle at the time. GPD Officers on Dec. 28 arrested Repwak after he was observed swerving in the street in the stolen Nissan Frontier, the PDN previously reported. When officers tried to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle abruptly turned left, crossed the median lane, and motored directly toward a police officers patrol vehicle. Officers eventually stopped Repwak outside of Best Water and Ice in Mangilao. He allegedly refused to lay on the ground when instructed, and was observed attempting to throw a black handgun into the passenger side of his vehicle, the PDN reported. Responding officers drew their weapons and called for backup. The defendant was charged Monday with two counts of resisting arrest in connection to that incident, according to an indictment. The stolen Nissan Frontier truck was also identified to have a swinging, temporary license plate when Repwak was arrested on Dec. 28. He was charged Monday with intentionally using a fraudulent license plate on a vehicle. Family violence, assault The alleged vehicle theft from last year wasnt the first time Repwak got involved with the law. The defendant was also charged with family violence and aggravated assault on Dec. 29 last year, the day after he was arrested for the alleged vehicle theft, court documents state. Officers responded to a call in Agana Heights on April 11, where a woman known to Repwak told officers she had been punched, slapped, and beaten with a mop stick by the defendant, according to a magistrates complaint. Repwak allegedly struck the woman until she fell on the living room floor, and officers observed injuries on her ears, leg, lip, back, shoulders, arms, and ribs. The woman told officers she was afraid for her life and for her minor children. A child care center and restaurants have reopened after passing follow-up sanitation inspections and having their sanitary permits reinstated, according to the Department of Public Health and Social Services Division of Environmental Health. Precious Ones Childcare and Learning Center in Sinajana had its sanitary permit reinstated on April 22 after a DEH follow-up inspection. DEH suspended the centers permit on March 21 after a cockroach infestation and other violations were found. LA Tofu & Galbi LA Tofu & Galbi in Tamuning has also reopened. DEH ordered the restaurants temporary closure on April 11 for health and sanitation rule violations. It was assessed on April 24, but pest activity was still observed at the time so their sanitary permit remained suspended. However, on May 1, a follow-up inspection found no violations so the restaurants sanitary permit was reinstated, Public Health said. RIHGA catering The same day, RIHGA Royal Laguna Guam Resort catering in Tamuning also underwent a follow-up inspection with no violations observed. DEH reinstated their sanitary permit. Before that, Public Health had visited the Tamuning hotel on April 26, but inspectors observed pest activity so their sanitary permit remained suspended. The catering permit was suspended on March 29 after an inspection found 64 demerits, resulting in a D grade. The presence of insects, rodents and/or animals were observed during the March 29 inspection, Public Health said. Demerits for other restaurants Other restaurants that Public Health inspected between April 21 and May 11 included Panda Express in Hagatna, Taco Bell in Hagat, Fin Japanese Restaurant in Dededo, Jack in the Box in Tamuning, Wendys in Tamuning and KFC in Mangilao. Most of the inspections were in response to complaints, except for Taco Bell and Fin Japanese Restaurant. Panda Express had seven demerits and got an A grade after an inspection on April 25. Taco Bell in Hagat got 11 demerits and a B grade after an inspection the same day. Fin Japanese Restaurant was inspected on May 3 and got 18 demerits and a B grade. Jack in the Box in Tamuning was inspected on May 7 and got 10 demerits and an A grade. Wendys in Tamuning was inspected on May 8 and got 22 demerits and a C grade. KFC in Mangilao got three demerits and an A grade after a May 11 inspection. Oceanview Middle School passed its inspection on May 9 with 36 demerits and a C grade. Members of the Legislatures Rules Committee will meet on Thursday to set what will likely be a full agenda for the May session and among the bills for consideration so far are those seeking to ban nuclear energy on Guam and marijuana testing for jobs and housing applications. Here are among bills for consideration, and more are expected to be added: Sen. Joe S. San Agustins Bill 204-37, which seeks to appropriate $9 million from the fiscal 2022 general fund balance to the Department of Public Works for roadway repairs and maintenance. The priority, according to the bill, is repainting, re-striping, and adding reflective markers for road lanes, lane markers, curbs, and bicycle sharrows of routed and secondary roads. Sen. William A. Parkinsons Bill 6-37, which would prohibit employers, landlords, colleges or government agencies from testing for marijuana as a condition of employment, housing, education or government services, respectively. Sen. Chris Barnetts Bill 57-37, which would fast-track the appeals process for protests of projects funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act monies. The bills provisions would sunset on Dec. 31, 2024, which is also the funding obligation deadline for ARPA expenditures. Sen. Sabina F. Perezs Bill 151-37, which would prohibit the production and use of nuclear energy on Guam. This would include, according to the bill, a nuclear fission power plant, small modular reactors, or nuclear microreactors. It adds that no radioactive material shall be disposed of on Guam. A pair of bills not yet on the agenda are by Sen. Chris Duenas, who has been lobbying publicly the past week for their inclusion. Duenas has said together, the legislation can help landowners develop homes on their properties, which will help relieve the current affordable housing shortage. His Bill 51-37 would allow for accessory dwelling units (ADU), which are small, apartment-like structures, on the same lot as a primary single-family home. Duenas said this will allow landowners to build or extend their homes on land that has been sitting idle due to existing lot size building limitations. Duenas companion measure, Bill 175-37, would authorize the use of a new Type 4 toilet facility to provide options for landowners who under existing laws cannot develop their property where sewer is not currently available. The Rules Committee is scheduled to meet at 12 p.m. Thursday at the Guam Congress Hall. The dates for the May legislative session are subject to Speaker Therese M. Terlajes call. Jeffs Pirates Cove owner Jeff Pleadwell is joined by senators, mayors, Guam Visitors Bureau President and CEO Carl Gutierrez and other government officials in the unveiling of a new sign, Jeffs Pirates Cove Guam USA in Ipan, Talofofo, on Feb. 13, 2024. GVB said it paid for the sign bearing the private open-air restaurants name, at an estimated price of $60,000 for 23 letters. HOUSTON A man has pleaded guilty in the fatal shooting of an off-duty New Orleans police detective and his friend during a holdup at a Houston restaurant in 2021, prosecutors announced Wednesday. As part of a plea agreement, Frederick Jackson pleaded guilty to two murder counts in exchange for a 60-year prison sentence, said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. Jackson, 22, from San Antonio, pleaded guilty in the killing of New Orleans police Detective Everett Briscoe, 41, and Dyrin DJ Riculfy, 43. Briscoe and Riculfy were dining on a restaurant patio on Aug. 21, 2021, when two men wearing hoodies approached, tried to rob them, then shot them, police said. The suspects fled but were later arrested, according to police. Briscoe, who had been a 13-year veteran of the New Orleans Police Department, was pronounced dead at the scene. Riculfy died 10 days later in a Houston hospital. Briscoe and Riculfy were members of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club and were taking the trip with club members when they were shot. This undated photo released by the city of Houston shows Frederick Jackson. Jackson has pleaded guilty in the fatal shooting of an off-duty New Orleans police detective and his friend during a holdup at a Houston restaurant in 2021, prosecutors announced Wednesday, May 15, 2024.City of Houston via AP, File Jackson pleaded guilty in a Houston court on Tuesday. He had been set to stand trial this week. This was a well-trained police officer from a major city who was just minding his own business and enjoying time off with friends on vacation, Ogg said in a statement. It is an absolute tragedy, and it shows that anyone, anywhere can be the victim of a violent crime. Jackson must serve at least 30 years in prison before he is eligible for parole. He is set to be formally sentenced on Monday. Two other men, Anthony Rayshard Jenkins, 24, and Khalil Nelson, 21, still face trial in the shooting. Both remain jailed. Haiti - FLASH : 32 military planes have already landed in Port-au-Prince Some (public) details on the support of the Department of Defense (DOD) for the security of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince and the preparation for the arrival of the Multinational Security Support Mission ( MMSS) as of May 14, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) Summary as of May 14 : 32 planes landed in Haiti 835 tonnes of cargo were delivered Transport of civilian contractors for the construction of the base to host the Mission and of military personnel for the security of delivered materials, personnel and the airport Materials and equipment delivered : Hygiene and sanitation, construction materials, food, heavy and medical equipment Let's recall that in February and March 2024, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised US aid of $300 million https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41867-haiti-politic-antony-blinken-announces-an-additional-$100m-for-the-pnh-support-mission.html to support the multinational mission in Haiti approved by the United Nations https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40642-haiti-flash-the-security-council-approves-the-intervention-of-a-multinational-force-in-haiti.html to fight against insecurity and create the security conditions necessary for stability and long-term growth. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42307-haiti-flash-21-military-planes-have-already-landed-in-port-au-prince.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42293-haiti-flash-more-than-100-us-army-flights-expected-in-the-coming-days-in-port-au-prince.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41867-haiti-politic-antony-blinken-announces-an-additional-$100m-for-the-pnh-support-mission.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40642-haiti-flash-the-security-council-approves-the-intervention-of-a-multinational-force-in-haiti.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Health : The University Hospital of La Paix on the front line The Ministry of Public Health estimates that at least 39% of health structures with beds were closed during the month of April due to insecurity or looting in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince. Among them, the State University Hospital of Haiti (HUEH), the country's main public hospital, which has been unable to reopen its doors due to frequent clashes nearby. On the front line of the health authorities' response to the current emergency, the Hopital Universitaire de La Paix (HUP) is the only public hospital capable of handling a large influx of patients. Dr. Paul Junior Fontilus, Director of the establishment, had to activate the hospital's emergency plan to deal with the influx of patients with serious injuries. Should be noted that the HUP is supported by the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO Haiti) which has already provided the HUP with several tons of medical products, enough to ensure the medical care of emergency and the operation of other services for the months to come. PAHO/WHO also provides fuel to supply the hospital's generators with electricity. These actions were carried out thanks to the financial support of the Humanitarian Aid Service of the European Commission (ECHO). A new ambulatory emergency room, a key element of the response "Since its inauguration [in December 2022], and even more so during the current crisis, this new wing of the hospital has been instrumental in improving our capacity for patient management. The ambulatory emergency room allows us to efficiently triage and stabilize patients, provide cast and wound care and monitor the condition those who need it in our observation room," explains Dr. Fontilus. Although its team has been reinforced with medical staff from the now-closed HUEH, HUP still faces a human resources challenge. Indeed, many of its employees are often unable to report to work in a context of tense insecurity in several areas of the capital, indicates PAHO/WHO HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : The first Kenyan contingent regroups for departure Construction work on sites to accommodate the first Kenyan troops continues at good pace. During the delivery of equipment to improve the capacity of the Haitian National Police (PNH), the United States Ambassador to Haiti, Dennis Bruce Hankins, highlighted the support of the American Government in the construction of these sites. According to Hankins, with the efforts of the American Government and the cooperation of the Haitian Government, before the end of May, all the conditions to welcome the first Kenyan contingents will be met. After Kenya, it will be the turn of troops from other countries to join the mission. American Ambassador Hankins is convinced that from the first month of the deployment of troops from the PNH Support Mission, which aims to defeat armed gangs in the capital, there will be a big change in terms of palpable result However, he specifies that it is up to the Haitian Government to set its priorities. According to the New York Times, some 400 men from two Kenyan paramilitary units, forming the first contingent, are currently regrouping in preparation for their departure for Haiti, accompanied by a support staff of around 100 people including doctors. No specific date has been made public for their arrival, but it is expected to happen this month. The men received physical and weapons training from Kenyan and American security personnel, as well as detailed information on how Haitian gangs operate. They also took courses in French and human rights. They say they "cant wait to be in Haiti." HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Port-au-Prince : More than 50,000 displaced children and families affected by violence Since the coordinated attacks carried out by armed groups in late February, UNICEF and its partners have intensified their efforts. More than 50,000 displaced children and families affected by violence in various parts of the city received vital health services through mobile clinics. "We offer an integrated package of services to children and their families, including consultations and treatment for children, pregnant women, mothers, adolescents, and families, identifying and treating cases of malnutrition, and administering vaccinations to children and pregnant women," explains Jean-Bosco Hulute, head of the UNICEF health program. 75% of women and children do not have access to basic public health and nutrition interventions in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. Hospitals have been vandalized and forced to close for safety reasons. With the support of UNICEF, partners have put in place a reference plan to ensure the care of children requiring hospitalization, including pregnant women among internally displaced people. Two health establishments, the Peace University Hospital and the Eliazar Germain Hospital, have been designated to facilitate referrals. Maternal, newborn and child health products are scarce, particularly in terms of quality resources and functional health facilities. The few health facilities remaining open to women and children in areas controlled by armed groups lack adequate human resources, equipment and medicines to provide essential health and nutrition services. In addition, UNICEF has prioritized support with medical supplies to 67 health facilities in the West, Artibonite, North and North-East departments, ensuring continuity of care for children and Women's. In response to the collapse of the health system in the Artibonite and South departments, UNICEF deployed approximately 115 health professionals to assist with case management in these departments. "We remain committed to delivering aid despite the ever-changing realities on the ground, even in hard-to-reach and the most challenging areas. However, additional support is needed to help us protect more children and communities in need today and to move towards building more resilient systems to better protect children in the months ahead," underlines Dr Hulute. In 2024, UNICEF's plan for Haiti is to continue to scale up the humanitarian response by increasing access to basic services and helping to maintain these services. UNICEF aims to reach at least 650,000 children and women. IH/ iciHaiti Haiti - News : Zapping... A BIM police officer shot dead Monday May 13 in the evening, police officer Jean Danas (22nd promotion), assigned to the Motorized Intervention Brigade (BIM), was shot dead in front of a club, at Cote-Plage 20 (commune of Carrefour). AGD : Me Wilner Morin has issued his order Tuesday May 24, 2024, Investigating Judge Jean Wilner Morin issued his order, in the context of the corruption case at the General Customs Administration (AGD). Former Director General Romel Bell, his wife Anna Dorvil Bell and Catholic priest Dukens Augustin are referred to the criminal court. They will be judged, among other things, for money laundering and complicity in money laundering, false declaration of assets, illicit enrichment and criminal associations... Guadeloupe : 30 Haitian boat people intercepted Tuesday May 14, 2024, a small sailboat carrying around thirty Haitians in an irregular migration situation was intercepted off the coast of the town of Bouillante (Guadeloupe). The Haitians were taken care of by the Border Police. 13,000 euros was found on board. Two suspected smugglers were arrested and taken into custody. The Consul General of Haiti Carl Saint Remy had a telephone exchange with Sub-Prefect Moniotte who undertook to transmit to him information relating to the situation of migrants. The Consul, in accordance with the Vienna Convention of 1963, requested a visit from his nationals in the waiting zone in order to provide them with assistance. At least 5 confirmed PM candidates Civil Society organizations support the candidacy of Gerald Germain for the post of Transitional Prime Minister and have sent correspondence to the Transitional Presidential Council confirming this choice. He joins the already known candidates on the list : Garry Conille, the economist Gerald Germain, Me Lucmane Delille, Me Iswick Theophin, Dr. Smith Magny and Ernst Pierre Vincent 4,500 people displaced in 24 hours At least 4,463 people were forced to move following the attack by armed bandits in Gressier on the night of May 10 to 11, 2024 in the 1st communal section of Morne a Bateau. 92% of people took refuge in other places in the West department, 4% in Nippes and 3% in the South, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Among them, 73% found refuge with host families, while 27% settled in 7 sites, including 4 new sites and 3 existing sites. Gangs plan to take refuge in the Great South Security expert James Boyard warns of the strategy of gangs who plan to transform certain coastal towns in the Great South into refuges, faced with the imminent arrival of the multinational mission "To prevent the insecurity which prevails in the capital from is exported to these provincial towns, a multi-sector alert system must be put in place" recommends James Boyard on his "X" account. HL/ HaitiLibre MBABANE - As the investigation into the alleged impropriety, maladministration, and abuse of power at the Master of the High Court Office continues, the name of the former Assistant Master, Khanyisile Masilela, has again come up. This time around, Masilela, who is now the Deputy Registrar at the High Court, allegedly facilitated the transfer of a plot belonging to the late Edward Thulani Silindza, purchased for a sum of E50 000, but the money was unaccounted for. It was alleged that there was no trace that the money was ever sent to the estates account, yet Masilela signed off the transfer of the plot to the buyer, Michael Mahlalela. This was revealed during the Judicial Commission of Inquiry session yesterday. The allegations veracity is yet to be tested as the implicated parties are still to present their side of the story. The mother of Silindzas two children, Jabulile Tsabedze, and Silindzas son, Bongiswa, appeared before the commission, where they alleged that they were sidelined on the estate. Knowledge They also alleged that the plot, which is located at Nkwalini Zone 4, was sold without their knowledge. Silindza died in 2012 and was not married. Tsabedze testified before the commission that she learned that the estate was reported to the Masters Office, through the Mbabane Municipal Council. According to Tsabedze, they were told that the plot had been sold and they should enquire at the Masters Office. She said the municipal council officials allegedly told her that they did not know who opened the estate file at the Masters Office and that the plot had been sold. Tsabedze told the commission that the plot was vacant at the time of Silindzas demise, and they wanted to build their home to stay with the children.To my knowledge, the plot was under Silindzas name, but without our knowledge, it was sold and we dont know how much it was sold for. The municipal council told us to go to the Masters Office for answers, Tsabedze alleged. Enquired Adding, she said when they enquired at the Masters Office, they learned that the plot was allegedly sold in 2020 and bought by Mahlalela. Tsabedze told the commission that there was no explanation as to why the plot was sold and who benefited from the proceeds. She said they wanted the plot back, so that Silindzas children could benefit. In the same vein, she revealed that she allegedly received only E600 as maintenance. On the other hand, Bongiswa alleged that his uncle, Bongani Silindza, who was appointed as the executor, took everything. He testified that Bongani allegedly told the Masters Office, that his father had no children. He also alleged that his uncle and his grandmother knew about their existence, but chose to lie at the Masters Office. On the contrary, Assistant Master George Langa said when Silindza passed on; his death notification was registered by Bongani. Langa said Bongani recorded that the deceased had no children. According to Langa, Bongani also registered Silindzas inventory, where he named the plot at Nkwalini as an asset. He told the commission that a family meeting was called in 2020, attended by the Masters Office, Silindzas mother, Mahlalela who was Silindzas creditor at that time, Bongani and another creditor. He shared with the commission that Silindza allegedly owed Mahlalela a sum of E15 000 and he died without settling the fee. Adding, the assistant master said Mahlalela was also appointed as the executor of the estate. Evaluation Langa revealed to the commission that Bongani and his mother sold the plot to Mahlalela for E65 000 as per the evaluation by the municipal council. The family was supposed to get E50 000 from Mahlalela for the sale of the plot, minus the E15 000 owed to him. There is an affidavit signed by Silindzas mother and his brother, which states that they gave Mahlalela the plot, because he paid for it, while Silindza was alive. What then followed was the distribution and liquidation account prepared by the executor, Langa said. He went on to state that, the distribution account, doesnt show if the E50 000 was ever paid and how it was distributed. On the same note, he testified that the executor allegedly prepared the distribution account and the Masters Office approved it. Furthermore, he said the executor also wrote in the account that there was no cash available for distribution, but the plot was signed off and transferred. Basically, there is no sign of the E50 000. The only thing I have seen is the executors claim. There is no evidence to say that Mahlalela was owed the said amount, he alleged. The commission asked Langa to provide the name of the Masters Office official who signed off the transfer of the plot. Langa politely answered to say, Masilela was allegedly behind the transfer. When asked about the money, and if it benefitted Silindzas children, he responded by saying, there was no trace that the money was paid into the estate account, but Masilela wrote a letter to the municipal council, endorsing the transfer of the plot to Mahlalela. The letter was written on the strength of the estate distribution and liquidation account. Masilela granted the transfer of the plot and further signed the letter, he alleged. Letter Reading Masilelas letter, Langa said: The Office of the Master of the High Court is in the process of winding up the above-mentioned estate. You are hereby granted authority to transfer the plot from the deceased name to the claimant Michael Mahlalela. The assistant master further emphasised to the commission that there was no evidence substantiating that Mahlalela and the other creditor were owed anything. Even in the minutes presented here, there is no evidence. We also tried calling Mahlalela to get more information but he was not picking up his phone. In the file, there are no clear answers as to how the file was handled, Langa alleged. The commission said there was a need to call all the people who were involved in the estate, to bring clarity on the matter. The commission noted that there was too much confusion about the purported events, and the implicated parties were the only ones to provide clarity about the estate. (CNBC) OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever said Tuesday that hes leaving the Microsoft-backed startup. I am excited for what comes next a project that is very personally meaningful to me about which I will share details in due time. The departure comes months after OpenAI went through a leadership crisis involving co-founder and CEO Sam Altman. To read this article: The festival kicks off with a press event that offered a sneak peek into the planned activities and sparked discussions on Helsinki's culinary innovations and restaurant culture. Helsinki is gearing up for its first-ever "Edible Helsinki" weeks, a celebration of the citys rich culinary culture scheduled from May 24 to June 16, 2024. This innovative food festival is the result of a collaborative effort among local restaurants, tourism bodies, and event organizers, aiming to highlight Helsinkis gastronomic diversity through a hundred unique events. Marja-Leena Rinkineva, Helsinkis Director of Economic Development, emphasized the citys commitment to enhancing its appeal as a sustainable and diverse food destination. "Helsinki already offers world-class experiences to both locals and tourists. We aim to be recognized as a top culinary city that attracts visitors from afar," Rinkineva stated. During the festival, food enthusiasts can explore an array of experiences including special dishes, themed menus, festivals, brunches, workshops, and food tours, showcasing the best of Helsinkis food and drink offerings. One of the highlights is the "Edible Sunday" event, where approximately 30 local restaurants will open their doors exceptionally on Sunday and Monday, May 26-27, catering to both locals and guests attending the Michelin Star announcement ceremony. Moreover, the historic Torikorttelit area will once again host a summer terrace at Senate Square. Adjacent to the terrace, a viewing area for the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony for the Nordic Countries will be set up, allowing everyone to experience the excitement of the gala while enjoying local culinary delights. Helsinkis food culture will also be celebrated through guided food tours in the citys famous market hallsHakaniemi, Old Market Hall, and Hietalahti. These tours, scripted with delicious content by Helsinki Guides, will be available both as private bookings and free tours during the festival weeks. Adding a multi-sensory dimension to the festival, the City Hall will open a 360 "Edible Helsinki" experience room on May 29. Created in collaboration with Haaga-Helia students, this immersive space allows visitors to explore Helsinkis culinary story through sights, sounds, and pre-ordered tastings, catered by Palmia. "Edible Helsinki" weeks are poised to transform the city into a vibrant showcase of culinary arts, attracting food lovers from around the world and highlighting Helsinkis potential as a top international food destination. HT The decision was made on grounds that the former lawmaker had participated in a seminar organised in Kaliningrad, Russia, reportedly as part of an influence operation by the Kremlin. THE UNIVERSITY of Eastern Finland on 7 May announced it has cancelled its decision to grant an honorary doctorate to Tarja Cronberg , a former cabinet member and chairperson of the Green League. Cronbergs co-operation and appearance at the event in question violates the universitys principles and practices, whereby there are no longer grounds for granting the title of honorary professor to Tarja Cronberg, a university spokesperson explained in a press release on 7 May. The university became aware of her participation at the event through reporting by a group of news outlets, including Finlands Iltalehti. Iltalehti on 6 May reported that Cronberg has visited Russia after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 to take part in events that have been linked to propaganda disseminated by the Kremlin, including as a speaker at a seminar organised as part of Baltic Platform in Kaliningrad. The Baltic Platform is officially marketed as an international discussion forum created on the initiative of universities and research centres in Russia. Secret documents reveal, though, that it has been devised as a tool to legitimise Russian actions under the pretext of ecological problems in the Baltic Sea, according to another news outlet that participated in the reporting, Lithuanias LRT. Its objective is thereby to shape public opinion in the Baltics, Nordics and Germany to align with the goals of Moscow. Cronberg also delivered a speech in Moscow in November 2023, according to Iltalehti. She argued to the newspaper that her visits are part of her ongoing research projects. Im currently researching Russias role in the nuclear weapons system, and Im writing a book about it. In this kind of research, its very important for me to know and understand whats going on in Russia as it relates to the issue of nuclear weapons. If the Kremlin was shown to use western scholars in its influence operations, she assured that she would not participate in such events. Also in Sweden, her appearances have come under scrutiny given her role at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). According to Expressen and Insider, Dan Smith, the director of Sipri, has said Cronberg made the decision to participate in the seminar herself and was not there as a representative of the institute. He added that participation in the event has been deemed justified to maintain lines of communication. Johan Forssell, the Swedish minister for international development co-operation and foreign trade, said the Swedish government has asked Sipri to provide an account of the measures it has taken to make sure it is not utilised in influence operations by the Kremlin. Weve got an aggressive Russia thats determined to spread propaganda and disinformation whenever it can. We have to be awake in these questions and aware of the danger of being used as an instrument for propaganda, he said to Expressen. Ville Niinisto, a former chairperson of the Green League, on 6 May wrote on X he has never agreed with Cronbergs views on Russia. Currently a Member of the European Parliament, Niinisto added to Helsingin Sanomat that his social media post was referring particularly to the period following Russias invasion of Crimea in 2014. The Greens as a party and I as the chairperson were the strictest in Finland about making sure the sanctions on Russia are so firm that the message is clear, he commented. I thought it peculiar already at the time that Cronberg had a different view on the sanctions than the Greens did as a party. In an interview with YLE in 2014, Cronberg viewed that sweeping sanctions would be overkill due to the negative impact they would have on shopping tourism. She would have rather reduced international investments in Russia and excluded Russian President Vladimir Putin from the Group of 8. Cronberg served as the minister of employment in the cabinet of Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen 20072009, as a Member of the Finnish Parliament in 20032007 and a Member of the European Parliament in 20112014. Currently, she is a distinguished associate fellow at Sipri. Aleksi Teivainen HT The Finnish public broadcaster wrote that a decision to expel the two lawmakers was made in a meeting of the party leadership on Thursday, 9 May. THE FINNS PARTY has expelled two of its senior members, Member of the Finnish Parliament Timo Vornanen and Member of the European Parliament Teuvo Hakkarainen , YLE revealed on Monday. Harri Vuorenpaa, the party secretary of the Finns Party, confirmed but declined to specify the grounds for the expulsions in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat on Monday. The party rules state that a member can be expelled if, for example, his or her actions within or outside the party have caused harm to the party. Another acceptable reason for expulsion is standing in elections on the ticket of another party. Hakkarainen told the newspaper that he was notified about the decision in a curt e-mail. I got an e-mail, and it said that Ive been expelled from the party and that [the expulsion] will come into effect immediately, he recounted on Monday. Vornanen, a 54-year-old first-term lawmaker from Joensuu, had been kicked out of the populist right-wing partys parliamentary group roughly a week before the expulsion, with the group citing a lack of confidence stemming from his implication in a shooting outside a nightclub in Helsinki in April. Hakkarainen and the Finns Party, meanwhile, have had a public falling out over the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. With the Finns Party refusing to nominate Hakkarainen despite his professed desire to retain a seat in Brussels, the 64-year-old lawmaker is running on the ticket of the Freedom Alliance, a newly registered party from the nationalist-conservative flank of the political spectrum in Finland. The Finns Party justified its refusal to nominate him by pointing to actions that violated party interests. Hakkarainen on Monday stated to Helsingin Sanomat that the grounds remain a mystery to him. The Finns Party, he added, has undergone a complete transformation since he was first elected to the Finnish Parliament in 2011, becoming a lapdog of the National Coalition. The party has become the National Coalitions beagle. Its priority now is to promote the interests of the party leadership and its doing so with this kind of right-wing populism. They no longer care about the rank and file, and the voice of the deep public has been suffocated. They want to suffocate people like me. Ill move on. Its sad that this has happened to this party. You used to be able to freely express your views and criticise the party leadership. Now you cant. Aleksi Teivainen HT UNC Health Pardee exemplifies community service Tammy Albrecht Often, its the outdoor opportunities, the variety of unique and high-quality local food and beverage options and our charming small towns that draw folks, from young families to retirees, to visit Henderson County. For many, those visits turn into a return trip to tour homes, investigate schools, or conduct a job search in hopes of relocating to their new home. But what really ensures that not only the family or retiree but the new business or industry will relocate here, is our incredibly valuable hospital and access to quality healthcare found within our community. It cannot be overstated that we are fortunate to have a hospital and healthcare system of the size and caliber of UNC Health Pardee in our community. Rural communities losing hospitals According to a report released by the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in July 2023, nearly 10% of rural counties in the South are losing hospitals. The article points to worsening economic inequality, greater reliance on Medicaid and Medicare payments, and the precarious finances that result as part of the reason. They note that in the southern United States, approximately 10% of rural counties lost one or more hospitals to a closure between 2007 and 2018. In August of last year, Martin County in Northeastern North Carolina lost its hospital, making it the 11th hospital in NC that was forced to shut down or drastically change service in 2023. It doesnt take a researcher to tell you what can happen when a hospital closes, but Ill share a few points, nonetheless. Rural hospital closures and the resulting increase in travel time to hospitals negatively impact health service use in rural areas, such as longer ambulance trips, more preventable hospitalizations and increased mortality due to less timely responses to emergent health conditions like heart attacks and injuries. Ensuring access to health care With a 222-bed hospital, a team of 1,885 employees, nearly 600 providers representing 59 specialties, a comprehensive cancer center, and four urgent care centers, UNC Health Pardee delivers life-saving interventions every day to the residents of Henderson County and beyond many of whom live in rural areas without immediate access to healthcare. The addition of our STEMI certification and cath lab in recent years has helped decrease the time it takes for a person to receive life-saving heart attack care and increased the number of patients utilizing that service. In the first year of being able to provide 24-hour, seven-day-a-week heart attack care, Pardee saw 79 patients. And that number continues to grow. In our rapidly changing healthcare landscape in Western North Carolina, Pardee continues to move the needle forward in providing early access to innovative and quality care. Our decision less than two years ago to move our primary care practices known as Pardee BlueMD into a subrecipient Federally Qualified Health Center designation with Blue Ridge Health ensures all patients have access to a primary care provider, regardless of their ability to pay. Less than six months ago, we were the first in western North Carolina and the entire UNC Health system to administer the first dose of Lecanemab, a newly approved FDA medication for treating Alzheimers disease. Lecanemab is the first drug to have shown benefit in slowing down the progression of Alzheimers. More than 80% of the regions counties are designated as rural, and roughly 33% of us will be 65 or older by 2038. It is paramount that Pardee continues to lead and work to ensure quality care in areas that need services and to those who have been historically underserved. Anchor in the community Hospitals like Pardee are anchor institutions in local communities and a vital piece of the overall healthcare system. Through the ongoing support of the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, Pardee can expand care access to patients who might otherwise need to travel great distances or face other barriers to care. Through collaborations with Blue Ridge Community College, Pardee is engaging thoughtfully and meaningfully to ensure we are addressing the workforce needs of our region, which will ultimately serve the healthcare needs as well. Our community and its demographics are changing. County lines no longer represent a division within a health system. Today and in the future, Pardee will continue to respond to the changing needs of our community by strategically adding facilities when and where they are most needed delivering value for the greater community. * * * * * Chair of the UNC Health Pardee Board of Directors, Tammy Albrecht submitted this column in honor of National Hospital Week. Is Kannauj the graveyard of empires? This non-descript town about 400 kilometres southwest of Delhi is today known mainly for its indigenous perfumes. Presently, the town has been in the news for being the constituency of Akhilesh Yadav, president of the Samajwadi Party and the main challenger to the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh. This dusty town which once used to be on the right bank of the Ganga (the river has shifted course and flows at a distance of 11 km from the town) boasts of a rich antiquity that few places in India can match. Its perfume factories are renowned for bottling even the fleeting fragrance of the monsoon (petrichor), however, its history is lost to time so deeply that it appears to us only as momentary whiffs in the form of occasional inscriptions and travellers accounts. Valmikis Ramayana explains that one of Kannaujs names, Kanyakubja (the city of hunchback maidens), stands for a king whose hundred daughters turned into hunchbacks after rejecting advances by Vayu (the wind god). This story also tells us that before it came to be called Kanyakubja, it was called Mahodaya (full of prosperity). The city was also called Kusasthala, which means a place of kusa grass, a type of spindly reed found usually near rivers. The Mahabharat contains a reference to Kusasthala, when eldest Pandava Yuddhishtir talks with his arch-rival, Duryodhan, saying, We are desirous of peace; give us a single province of the empire. Give us even Kusasthala, Vrikasthala, Makandi, Varanavata, and for the fifth any other that thou likest. Even this will end the quarrel. From a historical point of view, both these references indicate the remote antiquity of Kannauj. Harshavardhan: The illustrious king of Kannauj One of the first historically concrete references about Kannauj is from the reign of King Harshavardhan (606 CE- 647 CE), although the antecedents of his own Vardhana dynasty (also called Pushyabhuti) are not firmly established. Harshacharita, written by Bana, a courtier of King Harshavardhan (also called Harsha), and the memoirs of Chinese traveller and Buddhist monk, Xuanzang are some of the key sources of Kannaujs history in the latter half of the first millennium of the common era. Harsha came to fill the power vacuum in the wake of the decline of the Gupta empire. He took over the kingdom of Kannauj, whose Maukhari king (formerly a Gupta vassal family) was also his brother-in-law, who was killed in a war with the Palas of Bengal. Subsequently, Harsha whose kingdom was Thanesar in present-day Haryana avenged the Maukhari defeat and continued to manage the affairs of Kannauj. Xuanzang writes, he invaded the states which had refused allegiance and waged incessant warfare until six years he fought the Five Indias. The Chinese traveller doesnt tell us the names of the states Harsha conquered or what is meant by five Indias, presumably that they were the other kingdoms that arose after the disappearance of the imperial Guptas. Banas Harshacharita also doesnt illuminate this dark patch in history other than to mention a string of titles for Harsh: King of kings, sovereign of all continents, and Harsha, the king of kings, the lord of the four oceans, whose toe-nails are burnished by the crest gems of all other monarchs, the leader of emperors. As RS Tripathi writes in History of Kannauj to the Muslim Conquest, Far from urging that these pompous expressions argue Harsha's paramount status, we might say that these high-sounding titles were sometimes conventional among the courtly panegyrists, and were used in a very loose way. Even now, we continue to see this tradition of glorification and deification of rulers which is often at odds with their actual appeal and power. How syncretism and pluralism became the norm under Harshavardhan Xuanzangs 7th-century account of Harshas rule is particularly interesting as it depicts a syncretism and coexistence that India has been known for millennia. His biography, The Life of Hiuen-Tsiang records his account of a religious ceremony during Harshas reign and another of a massive congregation at Prayagraj, that uncannily resembles the Kumbh Mela held every twelve years. Both accounts establish that Buddhism and its two sects, Hinayana and Mahayana, Hinduism, and Jainism were accorded royal patronage under King Harsha. According to Xuanzang, at Harshas invitation, ...kings of eighteen countries of the Five Indias, three thousand priests thoroughly acquainted with the Great and Little vehicle (referring to the two earliest Buddhist sects, Mahayana and Hinyana respectively), besides about three thousand Brahmans and Nirgranthas (Jains) and about a thousand priests of the Nalanda monastery reached Kannauj to participate in a days-long conference. Importantly, the conference began with the consecration of a three-foot-tall golden statue of the Buddha with Harsha, who was dressed to resemble Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. The account is long and detailed, however, it ends on a climatic note when theres an assassination attempt on Harsha by Brahmins who were resentful of Harshas patronage of Xuanzang and the practice of Buddhism. Even though Harsha favoured Buddhist ideas more, it appears he bore no hatred towards non-Buddhists as evidenced by his extending mercy to all but the main accused in the Brahmin conspiracy to kill him. Another account of a quinquennial religious ceremony is set in Prayagraj. The ceremony lasted nearly a month and consisted of worship of Buddha, Aditya (the sun god), and the image of Isvara-deva (Siva) on the first three days following which Harsha would start a distribution ceremony that covered the estimated gathering of about 500,000 shramanas (ascetic), heretics, Nirgranthas, the poor, the orphans, and the bereaved of the Five Indias who had been summoned by imperial decree, writes Tripathi. Another proof of Harshas pluralism is Xuanzangs reference to food arrangements being made for five hundred Brahmins and one thousand Buddhists at royal lodges when he was travelling. Harshas long and continuous reign lasting nearly half a century came to an end with his death in 648 CE. Without him, neither the centre of his empire nor outlying provinces could remain stable for long. According to, Mawtwan-lin, another Chinese writer, albeit from the 13th century, one of the ministers of Harshavardhan, Arunasva or Arjuna usurped the deceased monarchs throne, and resorted to violent extortion from other kings. This was resisted by the kings and the aid of a Chinese general was also required to vanquish Arjun, and he was taken to China. A tripartite struggle in Kannauj's history The ninth and tenth centuries witnessed a long struggle between the Rashtrakutas from the South, Gurjara Pratiharas from West and central India and the Pala kings of the East. From historical sources, it can be discerned that the three-way struggle was won by Gurjara-Pratihara king Mihir Bhoja whose descendants, Mahendrapala I, his son Bhoja II and Mahipala I, ruled over Kannauj till early 910 CE. The syncretic ruling culture in Kannauj found new inheritors in the Pratiharas. Tripathi writes, The eclectic tendencies of the times were remarkably reflected in the religious ideals of the royal family, for although the Pratihara kings were all officially Brahmanical Hindus, they did not confine their spiritual allegiance to one and the same deity. The period leading up to the Ghanavid raids starting in the early 11th century saw the rule of another dynasty that shot up to power from obscure origins. The Gahadvalas connection with Kannauj is based mainly on the Basahi inscription issued in 1104 CE under Madanpala Gahadvala which says that Kannauj (Kanyakubja in the inscription) had been the capital of his father Chandradeva Gahadvala. Most scholars agree that both Kannauj and Varanasi were Gahadvala capitals. The last major Gahadvala king to be associated with Kannauj is Jayachandra who was defeated and killed in 1194 CE. Jayachand, king of Kannauj in Chand Bardais Prithviraj Raso is most likely not the historical Jayachandra Gahadval. However, in popular culture, Jaichand is used as an eponym for a traitor whose small-mindedness against Delhis ruler, Prithviraj Chauhan, enabled the establishment of Muslim rule in India. Tripathi writes, It is difficult to accept this romantic story as a historical fact, for at this time, svayamvaras (where a woman chooses her husband from a group of suitors) and rajasuyayagnas (ritual to mark the consecration of a king) had become obsolete, and if they had been performed they must have found mention in inscriptions. Moreover, even the Rambhamanjari, of which Jayacandra is the hero, is silent about these ceremonies. Lastly, the available evidence does not indicate that his conquests were so extensive as to justify him in holding a celebration indicative of paramount rank. In fact, the only evidence of Kannaujs destruction and subsequent absorption into the Delhi sultanate is afforded by a single coin that tells us that during the rule of Sultan lltutmish (1211-1236 CE), the land revenue of Kannauj went to the royal coffers at Delhi, says Tripathi. HistoriCity is a column by author Valay Singh that narrates the story of a city that is in the news, by going back to its documented history, mythology and archaeological digs. The views expressed are personal Bhubaneswar, May 14: The annual Times Higher Education Young University Rankings has been announced today. In a notable achievement in its academic rankings, KIIT Deemed to be University has ascended to the 11th position in India in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings for 2024. This move demonstrates KIITs continuous improvement and commitment to excellence in higher education. KIIT Deemed to be a University, which is just 20 years old, has outshone many older and more established institutions, including several IITs. This achievement is particularly significant considering the youth of the institution compared to others that have been educational pillars for about half a century. In last year's rankings, KIIT was placed in the cohort of 151200 globally. KIITs global rank has significantly improved to 168 in this year's rankings. Out of the 673 universities worldwide evaluated in this years ranking, 55 were from India, placing KIIT in the elite top echelon of young universities. The Times Higher Education Young University Rankings specifically list the worlds best universities that are 50 years old or younger, assessing them across their core missions: teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook. KIIT's rise in the rankings is a testament to its robust academic framework and innovative educational practices. The university has consistently been recognized for its dynamic approach to education that emphasizes not just academic rigor but also the holistic development of its students. Faculty, students, and staff at KIIT and KISS have expressed deep gratitude towards the Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta. His visionary leadership and dedication have been pivotal in KIITs rapid rise and substantial impact on both national and international levels. Dr. Samanta commented on the achievement, stating, "This ranking is a reflection of our relentless pursuit of academic excellence. At KIIT, we are committed to providing world-class education and preparing our students to be global leaders." He also congratulated all teachers, staff, and students for this achievement. Disclaimer: This article is a promotional feature 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. Neuralink's disclosure last week that tiny wires inside the brain of its first patient had pulled out of position is an issue the Elon Musk company has known about for years, according to five people familiar with the matter. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his security detail depart the company's local office in Washington, US.(Reuters) The company knew from animal testing it had conducted ahead of its U.S. approval last year that the wires might retract, removing with them the sensitive electrodes that decode brain signals, three of the sources said. Neuralink deemed the risk low enough for a redesign not to be merited, the sources added. Neuralink is testing its implant to give paralyzed patients the ability to use digital devices by thinking alone, a prospect that could help people with spinal cord injuries. The company said last week that the implant's tiny wires, which are thinner than a human hair, retracted from a patient's brain in its first human trial, resulting in fewer electrodes that could measure brain signals. The signals get translated into actions, such as moving a mouse cursor on a computer screen. The company said it managed to restore the implant's ability to monitor its patients brain signals by making changes that included modifying its algorithm to be more sensitive. The sources declined to be identified, citing confidentiality agreements they had signed with the company. Neuralink and its executives did not respond to calls and emails seeking comment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration was aware of the potential issue with the wires because the company shared the animal testing results as part of its application to begin human trials, one of the people said. The FDA declined to comment on whether it was aware of the issue or its possible significance. The agency told Reuters it would continue to monitor the safety of patients enrolled in Neuralink's study. Were Neuralink to continue the trials without a redesign, it could face challenges should more wires pull out and its tweak to the algorithm proves insufficient, one of the sources said. But redesigning the threads comes with its own risks. Anchoring them in the brain, for example, could result in brain tissue damage if the threads dislodge or if the company needs to remove the device, two of the sources said. The company has sought to design the threads in a way that makes their removal seamless, so that the implant can be updated over time as the technology improves, current and former employees say. In January, Neuralink implanted the device in the brain of its first patient, Noland Arbaugh, who is paralyzed from the shoulders down due to a 2016 diving accident. In the weeks after the surgery, a number of threads retracted from the brain, Neuralink said in a blog update last week. The post made no mention of adverse health effects to Arbaugh and did not disclose how many of the devices 64 threads pulled out or stopped collecting brain data. So far, the device has allowed Arbaugh to play video games, browse the internet and move a computer cursor on his laptop by thinking alone, according to company blog posts and videos. Neuralink says that soon after the surgery, Arbaugh surpassed the world record for the speed at which he can control a cursor with thoughts alone. It is common for medical device companies to troubleshoot different designs during animal trials and for issues to arise during animal and clinical testing, according to outside researchers and sources who have worked at Neuralink and other medical device companies. Specialists who have studied brain implants say the issue of threads moving can be hard to solve, partly due to the mechanics of how the brain moves inside the skull. Robert Gaunt, a neural engineer at the University of Pittsburgh, described the movement of the wires so soon after the surgery as disappointing but said that is not unforeseen. In the immediate days, weeks, months after an implant like this, its probably the most vulnerable time, he said. Vietnam encourages Chinese businesses to expand investment: PM Xinhua) 13:12, May 15, 2024 HANOI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnamese government always encourages Chinese businesses to expand investment in areas where China has strengths and Vietnam prioritizes such as innovation, green development, renewable energy and smart urban areas, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said. He made the statement on Tuesday while chairing a seminar in capital Hanoi with representatives of 19 leading Chinese corporations in the green and digital economic sector. This was the first meeting between the Vietnamese Prime Minister and Chinese businesses. Chinh said trade, investment, and economic cooperation between China and Vietnam, particularly in digital and green economies, will be a significant and driving force in the advancement of the two countries' bilateral ties. He told Chinese businesses to develop large-scale, standard projects in Vietnam in the fields of high technology and construction, infrastructure for road and rail transportation, metallurgy, healthcare, education and renewable energy. Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo said China firmly supports Vietnam in accelerating industrialization and modernization, and is willing to assist Vietnam's economic transformation, upgrading and its sustainable development. China will also encourage more Chinese-funded enterprises with technological strength and credibility to engage in key areas of cooperation with Vietnam, said the ambassador. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Army officer, 3 terrorists killed in clash in SW Pakistan Islamabad, May 15 (UNI) A military officer leading an offensive against terrorists and three militants were killed in a clash in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Tuesday, the Pakistan Army said in a statement. The incident happened in the Zhob district of the province where the clash was triggered in response to an intelligence-based operation conducted by the security forces, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army said in the statement. Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the killed terrorists, the statement added. Go Digit IPO: Go Digit General Insurance IPO which is backed by Virat Kohli is opening for subscription today. The 2,614.65 crore issue is a mix of fresh issue of 4.14 crore shares worth 1,125 crore. It has an offer for sale of 5.48 crore shares worth 1,489.65 crore. Go Digit IPO: The Virat Kohli-backed issue consists of a fresh equity issue of 1,125 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 5.47 crore shares.(AFP) Here are top things you need to know about the Go Digit IPO: Two flights are scheduled to fly from Delhi to Mumbai at the same time, but one is to reach in 115 minutes, while the other will take 135 minutes. Delhi - Mumbai - Delhi, the busiest sector in the country sees block times which range from an hour and 55 minutes to two hours and 50 minutes for the non-stop flights(REUTERS) A little while later, the story is repeated with one airline taking 110 minutes, while the other takes 130 minutes. The plane types are either the same or similar. In fact, in one case, two airlines depart at the same time but one is scheduled to reach Mumbai in 130 minutes while the other one is to take 170 minutes and yes the flight is non-stop! The story of block times mismatch is one which refuses to improve year after year for the last many years and has a direct impact on On-Time Performance and thus passenger experience. Data provided by Cirium - an aviation analytics company, exclusively for this article throws some interesting light providing insights which show the large variation in block times on the same sectors with similar or same aircraft. ALSO READ: Woman couldnt meet husband before death due to AI Express flight cancellations There has been a lot of debate on the definition of block times, if it is calculated from doors closed to doors open or when the aircraft is on its own power or if it is from chocks-off to chocks-on. The variation in some cases is so large that no matter if airlines calculate it differently, it would still not make sense. ALSO READ: Journalist shares Delhi airport nightmare after IndiGo flight delays: 'Trauma I'll remember for long' The top sectors Delhi - Mumbai - Delhi, the busiest sector in the country sees block times which range from an hour and 55 minutes to two hours and 50 minutes for non-stop flights. Airline-wise averages differ as well. IndiGo averages 127 minutes (2:07) on Delhi - Mumbai, while Air India averages 140 minutes (2:20). The longest flight on the route by block time is with Air India at two hours and fifty minutes. Vistaras average block time is 133 minutes. The difference in block time ranges from 115 minutes to 170 minutes. For the return sector, the spread is 120 minutes to 150 minutes. IndiGo averages 129 minutes while that of Air India is 138 and Vistara is at 132 minutes. On the second busiest route in the country, Delhi - Bengaluru - Delhi, the average block time is 168 minutes (two hours and 48 minutes) with the shortest block time being 150 minutes by a Vistara flight, while the longest being 185 minutes - operated by SpiceJet. IndiGos average block time is 165 minutes, while that of Air India is 173 minutes and that of Vistara being 160 minutes. The return sector averages 170 minutes, with IndiGo, Air India and Vistara averaging 172 minutes, 174 minutes and 160 minutes respectively. On the third busiest route in the country, the Mumbai - Bengaluru route, the average block time is 109 minutes (one hour and 49 minutes). IndiGo averages 106 minutes while Air India and Vistara averages 111 minutes. Akasa Air has a significant presence on the route and averages 110 minutes. While the average looks in line for everyone, the smallest block time is just 95 minutes or one hour and thirty five minutes on an IndiGo flight, while the longest scheduled block time is Two hours and five minutes (125 minutes) on Vistara and AIX Connect flights. The story is the same across multiple other sectors. On the Delhi - Guwahati sector, the difference between the shortest published flight and the longest is 35 minutes, likewise for Mumbai Chennai. For Delhi - Hyderabad, Mumbai - Lucknow the difference is 30 minutes while for Delhi - Pune, Mumbai - Kolkata it is 25 minutes, for Delhi - Chennai and Delhi - Kolkata it is 20 minutes. Even for short sectors, like Delhi - Lucknow, the shortest and highest block time has a difference of 20 minutes while that between Bengaluru and Hyderabad is 25 minutes. Building in the buffers? Many years ago, IndiGo was accused of maintaining a high On Time Performance by having higher block times and building buffers and then reaching early. This practice is now being used by multiple carriers and has backfired for IndiGo as its OTP has seen a drop in recent months. But why does this happen ? More often than not, at congested airports like Mumbai and Delhi, the airlines are forced to opt for slots that are on offer rather than the ones that are as per requirements. While sometimes the difference is 0510 minutes, the difference could be as high as 20 or 30 minutes. ALSO READ: Woman recounts airport ordeal amid IndiGo flight delay: Diabetic patients made to eat sugary food The only way to adjust the block time then is to change the departure timings at the origin, which if it is a congested airport may not be possible. India is uniquely characterised by airports that are under the control of the armed forces and civil airports, which have restrictions. Both these types lead to a shortage of bays or restriction on operating hours, eventually not allowing the airlines to change the timings at both or either ends and live with the timings which they have been offered. While a flight has an inflated or short block time as the case may be, the flight ends up taking as much time as needed to traverse the distance. A flight that has inflated block time reaches early at the destination and the one that is short on block time ends up with a delay. What does this lead to? One of the prime reasons for congestion and cascading delays is either an excessively short block time or a very long block time. In either cases it leads to air congestion and cascading effects at airports. A flight that comes very early, eats into the airspace planned for other planes and leads to delays. A flight that has a short block time will end up coming in late, thus intruding into the planned arrivals and departures leading to delays. The solution is for airports and airlines to look for best possible swapping of slots to ensure that such flights are far and few, as is the norm globally. Will it happen? A lot depends on the will of just about the entire ecosystem. OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever announced his departure after almost a decade at the startup. On X (formerly Twitter), he said that OpenAI's trajectory has been nothing short of miraculous while sharing his decision to exit. He wrote, After almost a decade, I have made the decision to leave OpenAI. The companys trajectory has been nothing short of miraculous, and Im confident that OpenAI will build AGI that is both safe and beneficial under the leadership of @sama, @gdb, @miramurati and now, under the excellent research leadership of @merettm." Ilya Sutskever, co-Founder and Chief Scientist of OpenAI speaks during a talk at Tel Aviv University in Tel Aviv, Israel.(Reuters) He added that it was an honour and a privilege to work with the OpenAI colleagues, saying, I will miss everyone dearly. So long, and thanks for everything. I am excited for what comes next a project that is very personally meaningful to me about which I will share details in due time." Here are top points on Ilya Sutskever who is leaving OpenAI: Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath said that Bengaluru is his favourite city despite some challenges that people face in the country's startup capital. Praising the people of Bengaluru, he said, "The big, big differentiator at the end of the day-- scr** all the roads, the traffic... those things don't matter -- the people of Bengaluru are second to none (because of) the love they have for the city, how nice they are as people." Nikhil Kamath said that Bengaluru is his favourite city despite some challenges that people face in the city. He added that Hyderabad is famous for its Biryani, Mumbai for its good-looking people, Delhi for "people who have a lot of money and they know it", and Bengaluru is famous for nice people. Nikhil Kamath also said in the podcast that he finds the people in Bengaluru to be welcoming, "normal", understated and subtle. For startups, he said, the city offers immense talent. "If you have to build something, if you have to start a company, the access to talent at the cost you get in Bengaluru, I don't think you get that anywhere in the world," he said. He also said that he meets several business leaders in Bengaluru including Biocon executive chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. "We are constantly working on projects to... how do we make Bangalore cooler in actual and from a narrative standpoint," he said. At least eight schools in Bengaluru received a 'hoax' bomb threat through email on Tuesday. This comes two days after Bengaluru's popular hospital chain, St Philomena received a bomb threat on Sunday morning. Bengaluru police later found out that the threat was a hoax. A probe was immediately launched and the police declared the email a hoax within a couple of hours.(HT File Photo) Several schools in the Delhi-NCR region, Lucknow, and Jaipur received a chain of bomb threats over the last few days. (Also Read: Bengaluru hospitals receive bomb threat, police declare it as hoax later) Bengaluru Scottish School, Bhavan Bangalore School, Jain Heritage School, Deeksha High School, Edify Schools, Chitrakoota School, Gangothri International Public School, and Giridhanva School were among those that received the threat email from the same domain, 'beeble.com'. According to the Deccan Herald, this email address is registered with an end-to-end encrypted provider based in Nicosia, Cyprus. News agency PTI reported bomb threats were sent to 48 private schools from the same email, spreading panic among the school authorities and students. "When the email IDs were observed (in past instances), it came to light that Virtual Private Network (VPN) and proxy servers were used to send hoax threats," Bengaluru Police Commissioner Dayananda said during a press briefing on Tuesday.. (Also Read: Bengaluru update: 48 schools received bomb threat; minister reveals email id) According to a report by the Indian Express, the email read, "I have placed explosive devices inside of your building. They will explode in the following hours. This isnt a threat, you have a few hours to disarm the bomb, or else the blood of innocent people inside of the building will be on your hands. The group called, Court, is behind this massacre." Several school administrations read the email on Tuesday morning and informed the police. A probe was immediately launched and the police declared the email a hoax within a couple of hours after no explosives were found on the campuses. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the sexual abuse cases against JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, conducted raids at multiple places in and around Hassan district on Tuesday. Karnataka JD(S) leader HD Revanna with officials of a Special Investigation Team. (PTI) ALSO READ | HD Revanna out of jail in woman kidnapping case According to sources, the raids were carried out at the residences and offices of the close acquaintances of a BJP leader. ALSO READ | Get back Prajwal Revanna from Germany, hand him over to Karnataka govt: Cong to PM The searches were to trace the source of the leak of explicit videos allegedly involving Prajwal Revanna, they said. ALSO READ | 2 sent to 14-day judicial custody for circulating explicit videos in Prajwal Revanna case The MP, who is seeking reelection as an NDA candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha seat is absconding and a blue corner notice has been issued by the Interpol. Fearing sale of counterfeit seeds of the government-recommended PR-126 paddy variety a short-duration variety that saves water, the department of agriculture has already ordered the chief agriculture officers (CAOs) to take proactive steps in this regard. The CAOs are learnt to have been asked to conduct raids on the premises of private seed dealers, distributors and producers so as to nip the sale of duplicate seeds. Chief agriculture officers will conduct raids on premises of seed dealers, distributors and producers. Besides, the department has warned of strict action if any of its officers is found conniving with private seed operators. The officers have been asked to send samples of suspicious seeds to Punjab Agricultural University to check genetic purity. The sowing process for both direct seeded rice (DSR) and seedlings for transplantation has already started in the state. To ensure farmers get good quality PR-126 seeds, we have asked the officers to raid seed distributors, dealers and producers. Enough seed is available with Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) that can be easily purchased from government sale points, including Krishi Vigyan Kendras, said Jaswant Singh, director, department of agriculture. The orders to conduct raids came after a meeting last week that was held among the PAU vice-chancellor, members of the All-India Rice Millers Association and a team of rice scientists from the PAU, Ludhiana. In the meeting, Tarsem Lal Saini, president of the All India Rice Millers Association, had expressed apprehensions about the widespread sale of counterfeit seeds and urged the department of agriculture and farmers welfare to implement stringent measures to curb such a practice. This year, the Punjab government, led by chief minister Bhagwant Mann, has been appealing to the farmers to adopt the short-duration paddy variety (PR-126) to save groundwater. The state government has officially banned the sale of long-duration paddy variety (PUSA-44) this month. The water guzzling PUSA-44 variety was a favourite among farmers for its higher yield. PAU Vice-Chancellor SS Gosal said, We have received some complaints regarding sale of counterfeit PR-126 seeds. The agriculture department has collected some samples of suspicious seeds, which will be tested at the PAU. A day after the chief judicial magistrate, Chandigarh, issued a non-bailable warrant, Shamsher Singh, one of the convicts behind the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, surrendered before a local court on Wednesday. On August 31, 1995, the then Punjab chief minister Beant Singh was killed in an explosion outside the civil secretariat in Chandigarh. This was the second such warrant issued after his premature release request was declined by the UT administration. Shamsher, a native of Patiala, had been behind bars since his arrest in 1995. In mid-June last year, he moved the local court for his release on bail as the UT administration had not decided on his premature release petition. On September 20, he was granted interim bail on a surety of 2 lakh. He was released in view of the order of the Punjab and Haryana high court in January, 2023 regarding release of all those convicts on regular bail who had completed their life sentence but the decision of their premature release was pending. However, his premature release request was declined by the Chandigarh Administration this year, following which the CJM court issued notice to Shamsher Singh to surrender. Beant Singh was killed in an explosion outside the civil secretariat in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995. The special CBI court had awarded the death penalty to Balwant Rajoana in July 2007. It also awarded death penalty to Jagtar Singh Hawara and life imprisonment to Gurmeet Singh, Lakhwinder Singh and Shamsher Singh in August 2007. On May 10 and June 2 last year, the CJM had released Lakhwinder Singh and Gurmeet Singh on interim bail. Following the recent incident of land subsidence in Ramban districts Pernote village, a similar phenomenon has hit Chenani village of Udhampur district, where three to four houses were damaged causing fear among the villagers, who have turned to the administration for help. A woman inside her house which developed cracks as the Tangdhar village experience gradual sinking in Udhampur. (ANI) The land subsidence occurred in ward number 5 of Tandhar Panchayat in Chenani tehsil. Rabri Devi, an elderly woman, whose house has developed big cracks, said, The cracks started appearing 10 days ago and they kept increasing. We live in fear as the area has wild animals. A temple in the village has also collapsed due to land subsidence. The children have stopped going to school. We urge the administration to do something for us and provide us a house at a safe place. Addressing the issue, Chenani sub divisional magistrate Gurdev Kumar said, Land subsidence has occurred in ward number 5 of Tandhar Panchayat where around 100 kanal land (12.5 acres) has been affected. Though 70% of it is forest land, three to four houses have been immediately affected by it. Kumar informed that people in the vicinity harboured apprehensions that the land subsidence may extend to their area. I visited the affected village on Monday to take stock of the situation. A land is being identified for evacuation of the affected families and the higher authorities have been apprised, he said. The SDM informed that experts from the geology and mining department are being requisitioned to ascertain the triggers behind it and to analyse how much this phenomenon may extend. A rehab plan is being looked into. Only one has suffered extensive damage while there is no alarming situation for three others, he said. He also informed that free ration was also available and a Panchayat Ghar has also been identified for the affected families. On April 25, a massive land subsidence in Pernote village damaged over 30 houses, 1000 metre road stretch between Ramban and Gool, uprooted three to four high tension electricity poles and a receiving station. Frequent land subsidence in districts like Ramban and Doda and now in Udhampur in the fragile Himalayan region are being attributed to a multitude of factors including blasting and cutting of hills for roads and tunnels, proliferation of hydroelectric projects and murree formation of soil akin to Joshimath where sewerage water seepage into the ground cause land sinking. It may be stated here that Jammu and Kashmir falls in Seismic Zone 4 and 5. Former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said good voter turnout in Srinagar sent a message to Delhi that the decision taken in 2019 was unacceptable to the people, who were feeling suffocated. Former J&K chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti (File photo) Mufti, who was addressing public gatherings in south Kashmir, urged the people to vote in good numbers in the remaining phases as well. Polling was good because people have been feeling suffocated for the past five years. People want to convey a message to Delhi that the decision of 2019 and the subsequent orders after that related to our land, state subject, jobs; they are not acceptable to people of Kashmir, Rajouri-Poonch and Jammu, she said. The Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency on Monday registered its highest voter turnout for a national election in nearly three decades, as people queued up to exercise their right to franchise in the first major electoral contest in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. In the backdrop of Srinagar voting, Mufti, who is PDPs candidate from south Kashmir, hoped that more people will come out to vote for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. The situation in Srinagar or Pulwama is the same in Anantnag and Kulgam. The way people are suffocated there [in Srinagar] and want their voice to reach the Parliament by voting and convey to the people of the country that they have faced tyranny. For the same voice, I hope the people of Anantnag, Kulgam and Rajouri-Poonch will vote in good numbers, she said. The leader takes on National Conferences Mian Altaf in a high-profile contest in Anantnag-Rajouri, which goes to polls on May 25. Mufti, meanwhile, alleged that Srinagars voting was deliberately carried out at a slow pace, forcing people to wait in queues for long periods. I want to tell the election commission of India that wherever they saw a good congregation of people which was indicative of voting for PDP, the polling was made slower in those places deliberately. I want the people in Rajouri, Poonch, Anantnag, Kulgam and Wachi to understand that even if it takes 10 hours to wait in the queue, they should not return without voting, he said. The election authorities in Srinagar have stated that EVMs take the same time across the country and polling officials were working diligently. The Uttarakhand high court (HC) has sought opinion of people, litigants and lawyers from across the state on shifting the Uttarakhand HC from Nainital to some other place in the state. The matter has been scheduled for the next hearing on June 25, 2024. (Uttarakhand high court) Under this first-ever exercise, which started on Tuesday and will continue till May 31, the public, litigants and lawyers have been asked to give their opinion on shifting on its website. In its May 8 order, the HC had directed the state government to locate suitable land for shifting the high court from Nainital. The court had also directed the state government to complete the entire exercise within a month and submit a report to the court by June 6. Also Read: Uttarakhand HC reserves judgment on CBI inquiry into Corbett tree felling The court also directed registrar general of the court to open a portal by May 14, where lawyers and people across the state are free to give their choice. This option will be available till May 31. The HC order also stated that the High Court Bar Association may also suggest of the land for shifting of the High Court. It also constituted a committee headed by the registrar general of Uttarakhand HC, which after going through opinions, will submit its report by June 7, 2024, to HC in a sealed cover. The matter has been scheduled for the next hearing on June 25, 2024. While giving reasons for the need to shift the HC from Nainital, the division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal on May 8, stated in its order, 26 hectares of land has been offered to the High Court at Golapar in Haldwani for making the new High Court. Out of this 26 hectares of land, 75% of land is full of trees. So, the Court does not want to uproot any of the trees to make a new High Court. Keeping in view the above fact, we are not using that land. Every institution is established with a vision to remain established for a long period, therefore, we also want that High Court should be established at a new location so that there will be no need to shift it again in the next 50 years. Keeping in view the larger public interest, hardships faced by litigants and young lawyers, lack of medical facilities and connectivity and the fact that in more than 75% of the cases, state government is party and government has to spend a huge amount on their TA & DA, shifting of High Court from Nainital is required, the court said. On May 31 last year, the state cabinet approved the transfer of 26.08 hectares of forest land in Haldwani for the shifting of the Uttarakhand high court from Nainital to Haldwanis Gaulapar area. Earlier on March 24 last year, the Central government had given in-principle consent to shift the Uttarakhand HC from Nainital to Haldwani. The Delhi high court on Tuesday held a man guilty of raping his minor daughter for two years, observing that the girl, instead of finding monastery in her fathers lap, found a monster. People protest against a rape case. (Representative Photo) In a 34-page ruling, a bench of justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain observed, The wrongdoer was not any outsider or stranger. Victim must have thought that she would find a monastery in the lap of her father. Little did she realise that he was rather a monster. The bench said: We need not remind ourselves that we are dealing with a matter where a daughter has been raped by her own father inside her own house, not once but repeatedly... It is not difficult to understand the dilemma of such mother as well. The court was considering a plea filed by the state, as well as the victim along with her mother and brother, challenging a city courts June 2019 order acquitting the man for commission of offences punishable under Section 6 (punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of POCSO Act and sections 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In the order, the city court ruled that the prosecutions story did not inspire confidence and was not worthy of credence. The court, acquitting the man, ruled that there was not only gross delay in registration of the FIR but there were also numerous contradictions and inconsistencies which remained unexplained. The city court also ruled that the prosecution failed to disclose the true genesis of the crime. The petitions before the high court asserted that the trial court failed to appreciate the evidence in the desired perspective and further gave unwarranted weightage to contradictions that were trivial and superficial in nature. The accused asserted that he had been falsely implicated in the case as there was a discord between him and his wife. He claimed that his wife had projected their daughter as victim to come up with false allegation that he had raped her. In his verdict, the bench of justice Manoj Jain rejected the contention that the case against the man was motivated or planted. Moreover, we are not inclined to hold that merely because there were minor quarrels between the respondent and his wife, the victim would churn out a story claiming that she was being sexually assaulted for the last two years, the court said. The judges noted that court can always disregard and condone the delay if it is explained in a satisfactory manner, provided the testimony is found to be of sterling quality. In a patriarchal set up, which is still very much predominant in our country, such matters are either not reported at all or reported when it is beyond the tolerance of the victim. Here, victim did not see any ray of hope as her father, despite being questioned, did not mend his ways and scolded not only his wife but also the victim and in such a peculiar situation, victim kept on tolerating such sexual assault for approximately two years. Noticing that her father had beaten up her mother and brother, she felt that enough was enough and went to the police station and gave a complete account about as to what had been happening with her, the court said. Consequently, the high court reversed the acquittal order, emphasising that the lower court misread and misinterpreted the evidence, and gave unwarranted weightage to the contradictions that were superficial in nature. There would rarely be a foolproof case where there is no deviation or omission or contradiction. Any victim of sexual assault, living under serious trauma, cannot be expected to give photographic version of the entire episode, particularly when such act was continuing for around two years. Pith and substance of her all the versions remain same and consistent, the court said. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh admitted on Tuesday that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's personal assistant Bibhav Kumar had misbehaved with the party's Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal when she visited the chief minister's residence to meet Kejriwal. The AAPs Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. (PTI) Sanjay Singh also said the chief minister had ordered strict action to be taken. Yesterday morning, Swati Maliwal had gone to meet Arvind Kejriwal at his residence. While she was waiting to meet him in the drawing room, Bibhav Kumar came and misbehaved with her. This is a highly condemnable incident. Arvind Kejriwal has taken cognisance of it and will take strict action in the incident. Maliwal has done a lot of work for the country and society. She is a senior party leader. We are with her during this time. The party does not support those (who insult women). The whole incident has been taken seriously by Kejriwal, he said. Soon after Sanjay Singh's statement, several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders urged the Delhi Police to take action on Singh's statement, insisting that an FIR should be filed and those responsible should be dealt with. What did the Delhi Police say? The Delhi Police has said it was still awaiting a formal complaint by Swati Maliwal, emphasising that it has not closed the daily diary (DD) entry. Although Swati Maliwal visited the police station on Monday, expressing her intent to file a case, she did not return. Former chief of the Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) Swati Maliwal visited the Civil Lines Police Station. It claimed that a member of Kejriwal's personal staff "assaulted" her at the CM's residence, according to police officials. NCW chief's comments National Commission for Women (NCW) chief Rekha Sharma said in a post on X, I am worried about the safety of @SwatiJaiHind. Woman who raises voice fro orher's, what pressure is she under that she is unable to come forward and complaint to Police. Be brave Swati #speakup. Swati Maliwal's ex-husband Swati Maliwal's ex-husband Naveen Jaihind said her life was under threat. In a video on X, he said, I am Naveen Jaihind. Since yesterday, I have been getting a lot of calls from journalists regarding what happened with Swati Maliwal at the Delhi Chief Minister's residence. First, I want to say that I am divorced and have not been in contact with her for the last four years. Second, I want to tell you that whatever has happened with Swati was planned and now she has been threatened and anything can happen to her. The man who has assaulted Swati does not have the guts to even raise his voice but he did that on the instructions of someone. I was just listening to Sanjay Singh's press conference and wanted to tell him that he should stop acting, as he knows everything. Swati should stand up and speak for herself. What are you afraid of? Speak up, we are all with you. Her life is under threat, he added. BJP leaders on the issue Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said, Sanjay Singh's statement that the party will take action in the matter is quite embarrassing. Sanjay Singh claims that Arvind Kejriwal was not there at the time, but the BJP knows through sources that this entire incident occurred at the behest of and in front of Arvind Kejriwal. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Vice President should take suo motu cognisance of the matter. He said, There was an earlier allegation that a Delhi chief secretary was beaten by Kejriwal. Yesterday, he also thrashed a Rajya Sabha MP. I think the vice president, who is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, should take suo motu cognisance of how a chief minister can beat a Rajya Sabha MP. Senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan attacked Kejriwal while campaigning for BJP candidate for the North East Delhi constituency Manoj Tiwari. He said, Such humiliation and misbehaviour with a sister in Chief Minister's house, will you accept it? Mahabharat started just because Draupadi was humiliated. BJP leader Shazia Ilmi said to ANI, Why is AAP quiet on such a serious issue? Why did Swati Maliwal make such an allegation? She even went to Police station. Was she trying to threaten somebody or was that allegation true? She is the DCW chief and Rajya Sabha MP, why is she making such an allegation? People need to know the reality of Arvind Kejriwal and the people around him. After a two-day Kashi visit on May 13-14 for filing his nomination and holding a road show, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address four rallies in eastern Uttar Pradesh on Thursday as part of the BJPs mega Purvanchal push, party leaders confirmed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Varanasi on May 13 and 14. (FILE PHOTO) The Thursday rallies of PM Modi will be held in Pratapgarh, Azamgarhs Lalganj, Jaunpurs Machhlishahr and Bhadohi. Polling in these constituencies will be held in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election on May 25. In east UP, the BJP is up against a well- coordinated Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance in most of the seats. The first rally of the day will be in Lalganjs Nizamabad assembly segment in Azamgarh district, followed by the second one in Jaunpurs Machhlishahr, the third at Bhadohi and the fourth at Pratapgarh. This would be Modis highest number of rallies in a single day in this election in Uttar Pradesh. Each Modi rally draws a massive audience and thus has the power to swing votes, the reason why his rallies are much sought after. That is why the idea is to squeeze in as much as possible, a senior BJP functionary said, adding that the demand for a Modi rally was there for each of the 80 Lok Sabha seats. Pratapgarh borders Rae Bareli, the only Lok Sabha seat that Congress had won in Uttar Pradesh in 2019. Senior party leader Rahul Gandhi is now contesting against Yogi 2.0 minister Dinesh Pratap Singh in Rae Bareli. BJPs Kashi region spokesperson Navaratan Rathi said along with rallies in Nizamabad and Pratapgarh, Modi will also address two more rallies in Jaunpur and Bhadohi districts. Soon after landing at Babatpur airport (in Varanasi), the PM will be joined by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and together they will proceed to address the rallies, BJP leaders said. Modi is also scheduled to address election rallies in Basti and Deoria districts in eastern U.P, BJPs regional chief Sahjanand Rai confirmed. He said the Modi rally in Basti, that was earlier scheduled for May 17, would now be held on May 21. Basti goes to polls in the sixth phase on May 25. On May 21, Modi will also be in Varanasi to attend a womens conference. His other rally in the region will be held in Deoria from where BJP replaced its sitting MP Ramapati Ram Tripathi with Shashank Mani Tripathi, who is pitted against Congress-SP joint candidate Akhilesh Pratap Singh on May 27. Deoria goes to polls in the seventh and final phase on June 1. Besides these rallies, BJP cadres are also demanding a Modi rally in Amethi or Rae Bareli. It would be great if Modiji could hold one rally here. We are trying our best because a Modi rally has the capacity to make a difference but if that doesnt happen as Modi ji has national responsibilities, then even the Pratapgarh rally would help, a BJP cadre from Rae Bareli said. Mumbai: Two more bodies have been located under the debris at the site of a giant hoarding collapse in Mumbai as the search and rescue operation continued more than 40 hours after the incident, officials said on Wednesday. The bodies were spotted last night at the hoarding crash site in Ghatkopar, but were yet to be pulled out, they said. The hoarding that crashed on a petrol pump in Ghatkopar on Monday, killing 14 people, was thrice the permitted size. (Raju Shinde/HT Photo) The illegal hoarding that stood on a piece of land in possession of the Government Railway Police crashed on a petrol pump in Chheda Nagar area on Monday evening when the city was hit by dust storms and unseasonal rains. Rescue teams had earlier extricated 89 persons from under the collapsed hoarding, of whom 14 were declared dead while the other 75 were injured, as per officials. National Disaster Response Force's Assistant Commandant Nikhil Mudholkar told PTI on Wednesday, "We have spotted two bodies stuck under the third girder but we are facing difficulties in reaching the spot. One needs to crawl to reach there." "We have removed the first girder after cutting it overnight and are now removing the debris with the help of earthmovers and excavators," he said. The NDRF personnel will now cut the second girder and there are more than five such girders , he said. After removing the girders it will be known how many people are still trapped, the official said. On Wednesday morning, a small fire broke out at the incident site during the search and rescue operation, but it was immediately doused by the fire tenders deployed there, an NDRF official said. "There was a small fire but it was extinguished immediately," the official said. The search and rescue operation continued more than 40 hours after the incident, officials said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The Mumbai sessions court has sentenced four convicts to ten years of rigorous imprisonment for their roles in the 2015 Malvani hooch tragedy, which claimed the lives of 106 people and left 75 others injured, some permanently losing their eyesight. The Mumbai sessions court has sentenced four convicts to ten years of rigorous imprisonment. (Getty Images) On April 30, Additional Sessions Judge SD Tawshikar found bootleggers Raju Tapkar, also known as Raju Langda, Donald Patel, country liquor distributor Francis Thomas D'mello, and prime hooch supplier Mansur Khan, also known as Atiq or Rahul Bhai, guilty of procuring and selling contaminated liquor in the Laxmi Nagar slums of Malvani. The incident is considered the worst hooch tragedy in the city's history. The court acquitted ten others due to lack of evidence. Judge Tawshikar stated, "They used to bring some chemicals from Gujarat and sell them here to vendors. Accused number 1, 3, 5 and 8 are proven to have been involved in criminal conspiracy." Special Prosecutor Pradip D Gharat revealed that Raju Langda and Donald Patel operated the dens where the victims consumed the poisonous concoction, while Malvani-based country liquor distributor Francis Thomas D'mello supplied them with the hooch. Mansur Khan was responsible for bringing surplus industrial methanol from Gujarat and distributing it among city distributors like Francis. The court found the four convicts guilty of offences punishable under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 304(II) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), and 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as relevant sections of the Bombay Prohibition Act. The tragic incident unfolded on June 18, 2015, when residents of Laxmi Nagar slums in Malvani consumed contaminated liquor and developed respiratory problems, nausea, and diarrhoea. Within a week, 106 people died, while around 40 others who were hospitalised with similar symptoms survived. Over a year after the incident, the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested 14 people, including suppliers, distributors, and dealers of the spurious liquor, which was industrial methanol diluted with water. According to the police, methanol supplier Mansoor Khan used to purchase ethanol from Vapi, Gujarat, and supply it to three city-based dealers, who would then dilute the chemical with water and sell it in small packets for 10 to 20 per piece. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again criticised the Congress party for its alleged appeasement of Muslims, claiming that the party has been allocating 15% of its budget to the Muslim community and will continue to do so if elected to power, diverting funds from the share of others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI) During his rally in Nashik, northern Maharashtra, on Wednesday, Modi also targeted Nationalist Congress Party founder Sharad Pawar, stating that the Maratha leader and former Union Agriculture Minister had done little for farmers. He added that Pawar and other opposition leaders have realised their impending defeat and have begun discussing the possibility of merging their parties with the Congress. Modi, who was addressing a rally for BJP candidate Bharati Pawar and Shiv Sena candidate Hemant Godse from the Eknath Shinde faction, claimed that after four phases of the election, the opposition had conceded defeat and started talking about merging their factions with the Congress. "Both the 'Nakali' (fake) Shiv Sena (led by Uddhav Thackeray) and Nakali NCP (led by Sharad Pawar) will be merged into Congress. They think that by merging smaller parties into Congress, the INDIA block will at least be able to form a formal opposition in the Lok Sabha. The Nakali Sena had been bowing before Congress, which has been cursing Savarkar. But the people of Maharashtra have decided to punish them, and this has been evident in the first four phases of the polls," he said. In a scathing attack on the Congress, Modi alleged that the party had always designed government budgets based on religion. "They would spend 15% of the government budget on minorities. The budget would be distributed in the name of religion and it would be out of the divisive mindset of the party. For Congress, there is only one minority as it is its beloved vote bank. I, as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, had staunchly opposed this idea of spending 15% of the budget only on Muslims. They could not implement it after our opposition. But now they are determined to implement all their old agendas," he said. Modi also assured that he would neither allow the distribution of the budget in the name of religion nor permit the diversion of SC, ST, OBC, and EWS reservations to Muslims. "I would not let it happen against the policies of Dr. BR Ambedkar on reservation. This is the election to pick not only an MP but a prime minister who has the might to work for a powerful nation," he said. Addressing the concerns of onion farmers in Nashik and neighbouring areas, Modi highlighted that his government had made arrangements for buffer stock, unlike previous governments. "We procured 1 lakh metric tonnes of onion and have now decided to create a buffer of 5 lakh metric tonnes more. Our policies have resulted in a 35% rise in onion exports during our regime, and export figures have crossed 22,000 metric tonnes," he said. Modi also mentioned that Operation Green would benefit onion growers, and cluster development schemes would help grape growers in the coming years. He emphasised that, unlike earlier governments that announced fake packages, he had taken farmer-friendly steps, for which the farmers are grateful. The Mumbai Police have imposed a ban on flying drones, paragliding, balloons, kites, and remote-controlled microlight aircraft as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other VIPs visit the city for the Lok Sabha election campaign. The ban has been enforced in various areas, including Ghatkopar, Dadar, Chembur, Vikhroli, Kanjur-Marg, Tilak Nagar, Airport, Sahar, Vile-Parle, Worli, Mahim, and Shivaji Park. The police stated that the ban was implemented to prevent any untoward incidents using these devices. Prime Minister Modi is also expected to address a rally at Shivaji Park on Friday, alongside Mahayuti leaders(BJP) Prime Minister Modi is expected to address a rally at Shivaji Park on Friday, alongside Mahayuti leaders such as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The preventive order, issued by the Mumbai Police under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on Wednesday, aims to ensure the safety of the large number of VIPs and party workers attending the programme. Akbar Pathan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), signed the order, which prohibits the use of drones, paragliders, balloons, kites, and remote-controlled microlight aircraft within the jurisdiction of the aforementioned police stations. The order will remain in force on Wednesday and Friday, coinciding with the Prime Minister's visit to the city. Violators of the order shall be punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. The police expressed apprehension that terrorists or anti-social elements might use these devices to mount an attack, and there was also a likelihood of breach of peace, disturbance to public tranquillity, danger to human life, health, safety, and damage to public property during the visit. Traffic Restrictions and Alternate Routes In anticipation of Prime Minister Modi's roadshow in Ghatkopar on Wednesday, the Mumbai Traffic Police issued an advisory on Twitter, warning of slow traffic movement from 2 pm to 10 pm on Lal Bahadur Shah Marg, Eastern Express Highway, and Western Express Highway. Passengers planning to travel by air or long-distance trains were advised to plan their journeys in advance and follow alternate routes, as several spots on the Lal Bahadur Shashtri Marg, stretching from Thane to Sion, will remain closed. Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Raju Bhujbal, Eastern Suburbs Traffic, issued a notification detailing the road closures and alternate routes. The roadshow is expected to attract a large number of followers, impacting vehicular traffic movement in the vicinity of LBS Road. As a result, LBS Road from Gandhi Nagar Junction to Naupada Junction and Mahul-Ghatkopar Road from Meghraj Junction to R.B Kadam Junction will be closed on both bounds from 2 pm to 10 pm on May 15. Three additional roads will be closed during this time: Andheri Ghatkopar Link Road from Ghatkopar Junction to Sakinaka Junction, Gulati Petrol Pump Junction from Hiranandani Kailas Complex Road, and Golibar Maidan and Ghatkopar Metro Station (West) towards Sarvodaya Junction. The recommended alternate routes for motorists include the Eastern Express Highway, Western Express Highway, Andheri-Kurla Road, Saki Vihar Road, MIDC Central Road, Santacruz-Chembur Link Road, Sion-Bandra Link Road, and Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road. Prior to his roadshow, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address an election rally in Dindori and later in Kalyan. Two-time MP from Kokrajhar in Assam, Nabi Kumar Sarania (52), is seeking his third consecutive term in the Lok Sabha from Valmiki Nagar constituency in Bihar. Nabi Kumar Sarania at a village in Valmiki Nagar. (HT) Sarania, a former militant with the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), filed his nomination from Valmiki Nagar on May 6, days after his nomination from Kokrajhar was rejected. The former militant, whose candidature here has been cleared after scrutiny, has already begun campaigning in the constituency which has a vast population of tribals, like Kokrajhar, besides Dalits. Valmiki Nagar shares a lot of similarities with my constituency. After being ruled out of Kokrajhar race, I was deluged with offers to contest from Valmiki Nagar seat as people here are fed up with the NDA and same set of opposition leaders. Therefore, they want me to uproot the existing political syndicate here, which coincidentally happens to be the constituency number one in our country, said Sarania. I was a mere 20 year-old in 1989 when the circumstances forced me to join ULFA for the cause of my people. I became the battalion commander there. In 2014, I severed my ties with ULFA after realising the futility of guns in restoring peace, said Sarania, who won the Lok Sabha elections from Kokrajhar as Independent in 2014 and went on to form a political party Gana Suraksha Party after retaining the seat in 2019. The MP suspects a foul play behind the cancellation of his nomination. Its the handiwork of the ruling NDA to save its candidate from being defeated again, said Sarania. The former rebel is livid at the plight of Valmiki Nagar constituency. During campaigning, I was surprised to see poverty people are afflicted with. The road network, health centres and educational institutions are in very poor shape. The scheme of tap water is practically non-existent, he said, while sitting MP and JD-U leader Sunil Mahato of being silent on issues related to tribals and Dalits. Bettiahs additional district magistrate (ADM) and returning officer of Valmiki Nagar LS seat, Rajeev Kumar, said, Nabi Kumar Sarania, who hails from Assam, is one among the nine contestants form Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha seat. He is a sitting MP as well and comes under the X- category of security. He is having criminal antecedents, the ADM said, feigning his ignorance about his association with ULFA. RJD has fielded one Deepak Yadav, managing director of a sugar mill at Bagaha. Yadav, who hails from Haryana, had fought the 2019 LS polls as a BSP candidate and polled a little over 60,000 votes to finish third. Later, he joined BJP but quit the party to be inducted into RJD just ahead of the ongoing elections. A member of Naga group National Socialist Council of Nagalim Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) has been arrested in Arunachal Pradeshs Changlang district. A case under section 10/13 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been registered. (Representative file photo) According to Assam Rifles officials, they launched an operation after receiving specific information and nabbed the person from Laktong area of Changlang district. Based on specific information, we conducted a raid and nabbed him. However, no weapons were seized from him. He has been handed over to the local police and theyll investigate the matter further, the official said. The arrested person was identified as Sergeant Wangmun Khimhun, a resident of Yanman village in Changlangs Khimyong. Also Read: 10 coal miners abducted by suspected militants along Assam-Arunachal border: Cops Senior Arunachal Pradesh Police officials said he is an active member of (NSCN-IM). We are investigating the matter further and also examining the contacts of the arrested person to find if more such militants are operating their activities from our district, the senior police officer said. Police said that a case under section 10/13 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been registered against Khimhun at Changlang Police Station. In February this year, the NSCN (IM) in collaboration with United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) kidnapped ten coal miners from Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border and a month later police rescued them. According to police, banned militant groups like NSCN (IM) are active in some areas and their prime activities are extortion and collecting money from local residents. A day after Lok Sabha polls held for Pune seat, the city police have booked Congress candidate Ravindra Dhangekar along with approximately 100 others for alleged unlawful assembly and violation of model code of conduct by holding a protest at Sahakarnagar police station between 8pm and 11pm on Sunday. Police officials said Dhangekar failed to produce evidence to back his claim. (VIDEO GRAB) According to the police, Dhangekar approached the police station complaining about workers of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegedly distributing money in slum areas for their votes. Taking cognisance of the complaint, a team led by a senior inspector visited several areas but did not find anything suspicious. Police officials said Dhangekar failed to produce evidence to back his claim. However, over inaction of police, Dhangekar along with other Congress workers held a protest at Sahakarnagar police station demanding action against BJP workers. Police claimed that, considering law and order issues, they repeatedly requested Dhangekar to cooperate before booking him for unlawful assembly of workers and violation of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code amid Lok Sabha elections. Surendra Malale, senior inspector, Sahakarnagar police station, said, The Congress Lok Sabha candidate along with 100 others were booked for violation of poll code and other relevant sections. Amitesh Kumar, Pune police commissioner, said, Sahakarnagar police station received an oral complaint regarding distribution of money to citizens, but no evidence was provided to substantiate the claim. We did not find any such activity after thorough inspections. The LS candidate was insisting to registering an offence, but we said no legal action could be taken without evidence. Meanwhile, Dhangekar said that BJP workers and a former corporator were present at the police station. BJP workers raised slogans at the police station and a case has been registered against Congress workers, he said, adding that Congress workers will request police to take similar action against BJP workers. The Sahakarnagar police station on Monday filed a case under Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 145 (unlawful assembly after being commanded by law to disperse), 149 (offence is committed by any member of an unlawful assembly in prosecution of the common object), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act 1951 and Section 126 (prohibition of public meetings during period of forty-eight hours ending with hour fixed for conclusion of poll) of the Representation of the People Act 1951. The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Wednesday arrested Jharkhands parliamentary affairs and rural development minister Alamgir Alam on money laundering charges, eight days after 35.20 crore was recovered from premises linked to his OSD (officer on special duty) Sanjeev Lal and his associates on May 6, people aware of the development said. Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam arrives at the ED office in Ranchi on Wednesday. (PTI) After nine hours of interrogation on Tuesday and six hours of interrogation on Wednesday, the minister was arrested. He will be produced before the special PMLA court on Thursday, an ED official said, without sharing details. Alams arrest is second major action by the federal agency this year against political heavyweights in the state. Earlier this year, former chief minister Hemant Soren was arrested on January 31 in connection with an ongoing probe related to an alleged land scam. Alam has been arrested as part of EDs probe into alleged laundering of money earned by collection of cuts from contractors appointed for implementation of government schemes involving Virendra Ram, the arrested former chief engineer of rural development department. Alam, a fourth-term Congress MLA, is also the leader of its legislature party in the assembly. He has also served as Speaker in the past. Alam, MLA from Pakur, is a political heavyweight in Santhal Parganas division of the state, where three Lok Sabha seats are going to vote on June 1, the last of the ongoing seven-phase parliamentary elections in the country. The Congress had been maintaining distance from Alam since the cash seizure on May 6. He also did not attend the two rallies of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge since then. For the record, the party described Alams arrest as political vendetta. After four phases of elections, PM Modi knows they are losing the polls. This is a desperate attempt to disturb the elections by proxy. He is a major force in Santhal Parganas where elections are due in the seventh phase. This arrest is sheer vendetta, said Jharkhand Congress spokesperson Rakesh Sinha. On May 12, a day before the first phase of election in Jharkhand on May 13, the 70-year-old Congress leader was summoned by ED and asked to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at the EDs zonal office in Ranchi on May 14. The minister, unlike former chief minister Hemant Soren, responded positively and appeared before the ED for questioning. He was questioned from 11am to 8pm on Tuesday and from 12 noon to 6pm on Wednesday before he was arrested. The probe agency sought to know the source of cash and ministers role in dumping of 32 crore at the residence of a private servant of the OSD. They also questioned him about 1.5 per cent commission from contractors which came out from during interrogation of Lal, said an ED official, who wished not to be named. ED has already arrested Lal (52), a state administrative service officer, and his domestic help Jahangir Alam (42). The probe pertains to alleged irregularities and payment of bribes in the state rural development department. On May 6, the agency raided at least six locations in Ranchi and recovered 35.23 crore in cash, largely from the residence of Jahangir Alam. The seizures also included 10.05 lakh from Lals house, apart from 3 crore from the residence of a builder allegedly linked to the OSD. While seeking the remand of Lal and his domestic help, the agency had informed a special PMLA court in Ranchi that the former collected commission on behalf of some influential people and government officials from top to bottom in the rural department are involved in the alleged bribery case, the ED official cited above said, requesting anonymity. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi told News18 India, a television channel, that the day I do Hindu-Muslim, I will be unworthy of public life. He reiterated that it was his resolve that I will not do Hindu-Muslim. What the PM seems to suggest is that he does not approve of communal politics, and is against people in public life practising it. PREMIUM PM Narendra Modi addresses a campaign rally, in Dindori district, Maharashtra.(PTI) Modis remarks are significant and welcome since they come in the context of the controversy generated by a speech he delivered on April 21 while campaigning in Banswara in Rajasthan. Attacking the Congress, he had said: Pehle jab unki sarkar thi, unhone kaha tha ki desh ki sampatti par pehla adhikar musalmanon ka hai. Iska matlab, ye sampatti ikhatti karke kisko baatenge? Jinke zyada bachche hain unko baatenge, ghuspaithiyon ko baatenge. Kya aapke mehnat ki kamayi ka paisa ghuspaithiyon ko diya jayega? Aapko manzoor hai yeh? (Earlier, when they were in power, they had said Muslims have the first right to the wealth of the nation. That means, who will they distribute this wealth to? They will give it to those who have more children, to infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money be given to infiltrators? Do you agree with this?). This speech, unfortunately, polarised the 2024 campaign. Many BJP leaders took a cue from it to indulge in Muslim bashing rather than focus on the record of the party in office. The Opposition, which complained about the speech to the Election Commission, too changed its narrative and the campaign took a vicious turn. In a separate context, defence minister Rajnath Singh has clarified that the BJPs idea of Ram Rajya, repeatedly spoken of in this election, is not a theocratic State but only signifies the partys intention to work with a sense of responsibility and duty among the people. These comments from the BJPs leadership should, henceforth, guide its leaders, cadres and supporters in their approach to the campaign and beyond. The India story is built on inclusive politics that right from the days of the freedom movement rejected communal agendas and State-building that privileged any particular community. It does not serve the national interest to isolate the countrys largest religious minority in public discourse or make insinuations against them even in the heat of elections. Instead, the campaign should focus on issues to do with lives and livelihoods and the record of legislators. The PM himself explained that his understanding of secularism and social justice is derived from ensuring the delivery of governance without prejudice and corruption. The message from him is clear: Drop dog whistles and embrace a political vocabulary centred on inclusive governance. Unlock a world of... See more Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now! Continue reading with HT Premium Subscription Daily E Paper I Premium Articles I Brunch E Magazine I Daily Infographics Subscribe Now @1199/year Already Subscribed? Sign In Madhav Sharan, who was in a coma two years ago, scored 93% in the CBSE class 12 board exam, the result of which was declared on Monday. Despite the odds stacked against him, Madhav displayed remarkable progress, gradually regaining mobility but still grappling with impaired speech and proper limb functionality.(Handout) A student of Amity International School, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi, 18-year-old Madhav, suffered from a brain haemorrhage in August 2021, following which he was in a coma for about ten days. Madhav's journey since his Class 10 board exams in August 2021 has been a testament to resilience and determination. Following a devastating hyper-dense brain haemorrhage caused by an AVM (Arteriovenous malformation), Madhav faced significant challenges, with nearly one-third of his brain affected, impairing vital functions like speech, comprehension, arithmetic, and writing. "Madhav was brought into the hospital in a coma stage. For the 1st week, while he was in the intensive care unit fighting his battle for life, there was no clarity on whether he understood commands or still had the comprehension to relate. He had forgotten how to speak completely," said Dilip Sharan, Madhav's father. In the ensuing weeks, the uncertainty loomed as medical professionals struggled to ascertain the extent of Madhav's comprehension and responsiveness. "His complete loss of speech added another layer of complexity to his recovery journey. Over the next 12 months, Madhav underwent a series of critical brain-related surgeries and radiation interventions, including the removal of a bone flap from his skull, leaving it exposed for six months," his father, a resident of Vasant Kunj. Despite the odds stacked against him, Madhav displayed remarkable progress, gradually regaining mobility but still grappling with impaired speech and proper limb functionality. It was a slow and arduous path towards reclaiming elements of his former life. Six months into his ordeal, Madhav tentatively began to vocalise, though with noticeable difficulty. "The process of relearning elementary English spanned almost a year, highlighting the magnitude of his linguistic challenges. However, his inability to recall Hindi, a language he once knew, remains a poignant reminder of the lingering impact of his medical ordeal," said Sharan. Madhav's return to school in July 2022 marked a significant milestone in his journey. Recognising his limitations, he made the courageous decision to transition from science to arts, acknowledging the need to adapt his academic pursuits to accommodate his evolving abilities. Despite the ongoing challenges that punctuate his daily life, Madhav's iron resolve and unwavering passion serve as guiding beacons, propelling him forward in his quest for a semblance of normalcy. "Madhav eschews offers of sympathy and assistance, preferring to navigate his journey independently, driven by an innate determination to carve out a life defined not by his setbacks but by his resilience in overcoming them," said his father, a businessman. His story poignantly reminds us of the indomitable human spirit and the boundless capacity for perseverance in the face of adversity. Madhav took English, History, Political Science, Fine Arts, and Physical Education for his class 12 board exams. Now, he wishes to pursue higher education in political science. "I am preparing for the Delhi University's entrance examinations, which are due later this week," he said. Noida students with special needs shine in CBSE board exam Meanwhile, in Greater Noida, 19-year-old Sujata Bidhuri, who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at a young age, scored 76% in the class 12 examinations. "Sujata has proved herself to be an enabled child with all her special abilities. She has severe skeletal muscle dystrophy, due to which she can't write and walk properly. She had the assistance of a scribe for the exams, extra time, and the ground floor exam hall, according to the CBSE provisions for Special Education Needs and disabled children. Her academic performance in the CBSE Board examination has been brilliant, scoring 87% in English and 76.4% overall," said Aditi Basu Roy, principal of Grads International School, Greater Noida. She now plans to pursue a graduation in English literature. Noida, Sector 27 resident Savir Tyagi, who has been diagnosed with Dyslexia, scored 91% in the class 12 examinations. His twin brother Parin Tyagi, who is preparing for medical entrance examinations, scored 81%. "Rote learning is difficult for me, so I always look at studying as a way of reading a storybook. Especially political science, which is one of my favourite subjects, I learn the topics in a way of story-telling. One of the most difficult subjects I find is English, as spelling is challenging to write. However, with much practice, I scored 95 in the same," said Tyagi, whose father is a businessman. Savir is a student of Amity International School Noida, Sector-44. He took English, political science, home science, physical education, and legal studies as his subjects in Class 12. "While my career goal is to pursue law and later go for civil services examinations, my ultimate goal is to stay happy, even through the sufferings that life throws at you," said the 18-year-old. UPSC CDS 2 Exam Notification: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Wednesday issued the notification for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2 examination, 2024. Eligible candidates can apply for it up to June 4 on upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in. UPSC CDS 2 notification released on upsc.gov.in (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE ) This time, the UPSC CDS exam will be held for 459 vacancies as mentioned below- Indian Military Academy's159th course: 100 vacancies (including 13 reserved for NCC C Army Wing certificate holders Indian Naval Academy course: 32 (including 6 reserved for NCC C Naval Wing certificate holders Air Force Academy Pre-Flying Training course: 32 (including 3 reserved for NCC C Air Wing certificate holders through NCC Special Entry Officers Training academy's 122nd SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) course: 276 vacancies Officers Training Academy's 36th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) course: 19 vacancies UPSC CDS 2 2024: Educational qualifications For IMA and Officers Training Academy, candidates need at least a graduation degree of a recognised university. For the Naval Academy, a degree in Engineering is required and for Air Force, a graduation degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 or a Bachelor's degree in Engineering will be required. For post-wise age limit and other eligibility conditions, interested candidates can check the official notification. UPSC CDS 2 notification. UPSC CDS 2 2024: Application fee The application fee for the UPSC CDS 2 examination is 200, except for SC, ST and PwD candidates who are exempted from paying this fee. The examination consists of two parts written examination and interview. The detailed scheme for both rounds are mentioned in the notification. For further details about the CDS examination, candidates can check the official notification hosted on the commission's website. How to apply for UPSC CDS 2 exam? Why is Alia Bhatt on Blockout list Alia has found herself in the middle of a brewing stir because of her alleged silence on the situation in Gaza. It came after she turned heads at this years Met Gala on May 6 dressed in a stunning saree by Sabyasachi. She followed the appearance with another international outing: the actor attended the Gucci Cruise Show 2025 in London on May 13. She has been accused of being complicit for her inaction and not driving the attention towards the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The celebrity blocklist also include other popular names such Virat Kohli, Priyanka, Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Kylie Jenner, Zendaya, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Zac Efron, Nick Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Justin Timberlake and many others. What is a Blockout List? In the past few months, the Blockout 2024 movement gained traction on social media, especially TikTok, where users call out celebrities who havent spoken up enough on Israels attacks on Gaza. It was after Met Gala 2024 when it gathered more steam with people sharing their lists of blocked celebrities on different social media platforms. The boycott effort aims to compel these prominent figures to utilise their wide-reaching platforms for advocacy, specifically urging for calls for ceasefire. It symbolises a digital protest where individuals across social media are purposefully blocking celebrities due to their silence regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict or, in some cases, their alleged backing of the conflict. Celebrities who are vocal about the conflict Meanwhile, there are many celebrities who are taking a stand on the Israel-Gaza conflict. They are being praised for taking a stand. Actors such as Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, and John Cusack are among those who are actively striving to speak out against the war. Several stars, including Billie Eilish, Finneas OConnell, and Mahershala Ali, wore red pins on the red carpet, signifying their support for Artists4Ceasefire at this years Oscars ceremony. Actor Jacqueline Fernandez is all set to make a mark at the Cannes Film Festival in France. She tells ANI that shes pumped to walk the red carpet, representing BMW. Jacqueline joins the list of Indian actors like Kirara Advani, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sobhita Dhulipala, and of course, Aishwarya Rai, who will attend the film festival. (Also Read: Jacqueline Fernandez files complaint against Sukesh Chandrashekhar: He is threatening with intimidating tactics) This is not Jacqueline Fernandez's first time at Cannes.(Instagram) Jacqueline on attending Cannes Jacqueline told ANI, I am super excited to go to the Cannes Film Festival once again this year, this time in association with BMW and I cannot wait for it. It feels great to represent the Southeast Asian diaspora at a global level, and it's an honour to walk the prestigious red carpet where many legends have already walked. This is not the first time Jacqueline will be at Cannes. In 2015, she was invited by the Queen of Malaysia, according to TOI, and she even attended Naomi Campbells 45th birthday party on a private yacht. Her previous experiences have been filled with glamour and excitement, and she is looking forward to creating more unforgettable memories this year. Other celebs at Cannes This year, newbies Kiara and Sobhita are joining Cannes veteran Aishwarya at the prestigious film festival. Aditi will also represent India at the fest. Deepti Sadhwani has already walked the red carpet at Cannes 2024 making waves in an orange dress, while Urvashi Rautela shared pictures from France. Aishwarya and Aditi will be at Cannes on behalf of L'Oreal Paris, Kiara will represent India at Red Sea Film Foundation's Women in Cinema Gala dinner and Sobhita is representing Magnum India. Upcoming work Jacqueline will soon star in Fateh, directed by and starring Sonu Sood. The makers recently released the films action-packed teaser. She was recently also seen in the song Yimmy Yimmy by Tayc, Shreya Ghoshal and Rajat Nagpal. With inputs from ANI Actor Rashmika Mandanna has talked about the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated in January. In an interview to ANI, she said it is a game-changer for Mumbai's transportation network. The actor also lauded the PM and said 'India is not stopping anywhere'. Also read: Rashmika Mandanna reacts after person who created her deepfake video is arrested Rashmika Mandanna attends the premiere of Netflix series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar on April 24, 2024. (PTI) 'India is the smartest country' While speaking about Atal Setu, Rashmika said, "The journey of two hours can be done in 20 minutes. As in, you wouldn't even believe it! Who would have thought that something like this would have been possible. Aaj Navi Mumbai se Mumbai tak, Goa se Mumbai tak aur Bangalore se Mumbai tak (From Navi Mumbai to Mumbai and Goa to Mumbai and Bengaluru to Mumbai), when all the journeys have been made so easily and with such amazing infrastructure! It makes me proud." She added, "I think now, at least, India is not stopping anywhere. Now look at the country's growth. It's freaking brilliant in the last 10 years how the country has grown. The infrastructure, the plan in our country, the road planning, everything, it is just brilliant - I think now it's our time! I just got to know that it's all done in seven years and it's 20 km. It's amazing! Look at it. I am speechless honestly... India is the smartest country, I would like to say!" 'Headed in the right way' Rashmika also said that 'young India is growing at such fast speed'. The youth is being 'very responsible' now and is 'not getting influenced by whatever you say', the actor added. People are actually seeing, people are being very responsible and the country is 'headed in the right way', she added. Rashmika is gearing up for the release of Pushpa 2: The Rule, co-starring Allu Arjun. She was seen with Ranbir Kapoor in the 2023 blockbuster Animal. Somy Ali advocates for women's rights and their freedom on her social media accounts. She runs an NGO for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, she discusses why the MeToo movement failed to gain momentum in India. (Also read: Somy Ali backs Zeenat Aman amid backlash, says live-in-relationships can bring down divorce rates) Somy Ali says women are subject to guilt and shame when they open up about harassment. Somy Ali is hopeful of justice for MeToo survivors When quizzed on why the MeToo movement in India could not create a lasting cultural shift, Somy recalls Tanushree Dutta's case. Shesays, "Diandra (Soares), who is a model and good friend of mine also opened up during the MeToo movement in India apart from Tanushree Dutta. In America it took 18 years for people to speak up against Jeffrey Epstein and Bill Cosby. Hollywood actors like Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Judd took 18 years to open up about facing harassment during the time of MeToo movement. You can imagine how many years it will take in India and Pakistan to deliver justice. There are all sorts of crimes in America as well." Somy further adds, "OJ Simpson died recently and everyone knew he was behind the killing of his wife and her boyfriend. But he got away with murder. Nobody spoke about it because they were scared. He even took the custody of the children. Karma did strike him, and he was jailed for stealing memorabilia from a Hard Rock Cafe. As a fan of Shah Rukh Khan, I consider him as an intellectual and often repost his quotes on social media. Shah Rukh Khan always says, if things go wrong or they don't happen as per our plans, then picture abhi baaki hai (the show is not over yet). Corruption is the foundation of India, Pakistan The actor-turned activist also cites at how fear factor and corruption impact the justice delivery mechanism. She points out, We all know what happened to Sushant Singh Rajput, but nobody is raising any questions. Everyone is scared to ask if Jia Khan actually died by suicide or if it was a murder. Nothing is going to change unless the fear factor stays in Bollywood. When I see Sushant's reels he is highly intellectual, speaking about NASA and even aspired to be an astronaut once. Why would somebody who is so intelligent and such a good actor commit suicide? So many bruises were found in his ankle during autopsy. Fear factor plays a crucial role in India and Pakistan. Guilt, shame, fame, fear, and corruption the foundation of both India and Pakistan is built on these aspects. Women are subject to guilt and shame. If men have fame, they use it to their advantage through their contacts to create fear among people. People are scared to speak against harassment Somy argues that achieving justice for MeToo victims in India still has a long way to go. She says, I'll repeat again, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd took 18 years to open up about facing harassment. Do you think anyone is going to do research about Sushant or Jiah's case? Who is going to come forward to speak up? Till now, only one editor named Mina Das has spoken up about Sushant. Actors haven't spoken about him. I live in America and I am not scared of anyone. For 17 years I have been working for No More Tears and there have been eight attacks on me. Second attack on me was by a human trafficker who pointed a gun on my head and said, I am warning you, if you again try to pursue the victim, then youll be murdered.' So, I have no fear. If I give up my life working for No More Tears, than there cannot be a better way to leave this world. Every deed is selfish. If people do good to others, it's for their own personal happiness and contentment. Whatever I am doing it is for my own happiness, I am no Mother Teresa or any saint. I have made many mistakes in childhood and I continue to do so even today. Somy Ali made her acting debut with Krishan Avtaar (1993), opposite Mithun Chakraborty. Zeenat Aman on Tuesday shared a rare photo of herself with Dimple Kapadia. In the candid black-and-white photo, Zeenat smoked a cigarette as Dimple and filmmaker Joy Mukherjee looked on. In her long caption alongside the throwback, Zeenat gushed about the 'effervescent Dimple Kapadia' and spoke about her 'character'. Now, Dimple's daughter, actor-turned-author Twinkle Khanna, has responded to the post. Also read: Zeenat Aman shares smoking pic with disclaimer; praises Dimple Kapadia Zeenat Aman with Dimple Kapadia and filmmaker Joy Mukherjee (centre) in the throwback photo. Mom says thank you for your gracious words Taking to Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Twinkle reposted Zeenat's post and wrote, "What a lovely picture and mom says thank you for your gracious words (red heart emoji)." In her original post, Zeenat had written, I dont believe she (Dimple Kapadia) is on Instagram, but perhaps @twinklerkhanna will pass on my love to her. Truly, a wave of appreciation washed over me when I found this picture some days ago. Twinkle Khanna responds to Zeenat Aman penning a warm post for her mom Dimple Kapadia. Zeenat Aman recalls Dimple Kapadia 'stood' by her In her latest Instagram post, the veteran actor began by writing, I cant recollect where this picture was taken, but it quite certainly had something to do with the film Chhailla Babu. Perhaps its a BTS shot from set. I say this because while the chairs scream 'production', Im in my own clothes not a costume. With me are the director of the film Joy Mukherjee and the effervescent Dimple Kapadia, who must have been visiting set as she was married to the lead actor (Rajesh Khanna). Zeenat added, "This isnt a post about Dimples talent though she has that in spades, its about the little I saw of her character. During a very difficult phase in my life she was one of a mere handful of people who publicly stood by me. This despite the criticism and scrutiny of her own life that the decision invited! In those trying times she revealed to me a strength of character that I admire to date..." The Vanderpump Rules reunion series started off Tuesday night with the first of three special episodes. The cast reunited one year after "Scandoval," with former partners Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval sitting in the same semi-circle and acknowledged each other's existence for the first time since last season's reunion. Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval during Vanderpump Rules Season 11 Reunion.(Bravo) The trailer for the customary post-finale sitdown hinted at shocks to come as the main cast gathered in Los Angeles to discuss the events of season 11, which began filming just after last year's Scandoval season concluded. The last episode, which aired on May 7, concluded on an explosive note when Madix fled a cast event early after refusing to film with Sandoval, who had approached her for an attempted taped apology. The exes have been communicating through a third party and have not directly filmed together this season. Season 11 followed the aftermath of a national scandal in which co-star Sandoval's secret affair with former castmate Rachel Leviss was revealed. As a result, Leviss departed the blockbuster series, which set viewership records with its finale and reunion last year, to confront the problem. What did the reunion have for Sandoval and Madix? The most popular storyline this season was Sandoval and his ex partner Madix cohabiting inside the same home following the Scandoval affair. Madix had already filed a petition to force the sale of their $2 million property. During the reunion, the former partners stated that they couldn't legally discuss whether or not the house was for sale. However, Madix, who has apparently purchased a new house in Los Angeles, stated, Ive been in an Airbnb and then living in New York. At the current moment, no [Im not living there], I did not spend the night there last night. Sandoval also addressed claims levelled against him by Leviss.Looking back, I think shes a f-cking coward. And I think her sitting here and preaching to everybody that shes moving on, but still talking relentlessly about me and everybody is just ridiculous,. Sandoval criticised the iHeartMedia Rachel Goes Rogue podcast, which she left due to mental health issues and unequal pay for herself and her co-stars. We both did this. We both chose to do it. Were both responsible. How have both the exes moved on in life? Sandoval is now seeing Leonardo DiCaprio's ex Victoria Lee Robinson, while Madix is starring in Broadway's Chicago, she is also hosting this summers Love Island. The busy cast is taking a break from filming this summer before heading back into production for season 12. In 2023, fans were shocked when actor-musician Joe Jonas filed for divorce from his wife, Game of Thrones actor Sophie Turner. The couple was married for four years before Joe filed documents citing irreconcilable differences. In an interview with British Vogue, Sophie opened up about the aftermath of the news, facing misogyny, being mom-shamed and painted as a partier. (Also Read: Sophie Turner asks judge to reactivate divorce case with estranged husband Joe Jonas over custody of kids: Report) A throwback picture of Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner when she was pregnant with their second child.(Instagram) The mum guilt is so real Sophie says she was shooting for her upcoming TV series Joan when articles citing sources and claiming she wasnt a good parent began doing rounds. She says, her children being in the US while this was happening gave her mom guilt but she pushed through it. She says, I mean, those were the worst few days of my life. I remember I was on set, I was contracted to be on set for another two weeks, so I couldnt leave. My kids were in the States and I couldnt get to them because I had to finish Joan. And all these articles started coming outIt hurt because I really do completely torture myself over every move I make as a mother mum guilt is so real! I just kept having to say to myself, None of this is true. You are a good mum and youve never been a partier. Thank f**k for Gen Z Sophie says that despite what she went through, shes grateful she had to do it in now instead of 10 years ago, when she wouldve been judged harshly. Talking about how a picture of her at the wrap party of Joan was used as proof of her partying ways, she adds, I mean, its unfathomable the amount of people that will just make shit up and put it up based on a picture. A picture might tell a thousand words, but its not my story. It felt like I was watching a movie of my life that I hadnt written, hadnt produced, or starred in. It was shocking. Im still in shock. If something like this had happened to me 10 years ago I dont think I would have had the same support. I just feel very lucky to be alive in a time when people are open-minded. Thank f**k for Gen Z. Sophie and Joes story Sophie and Joe began dating in 2016 and got engaged in 2017. They married in 2019 in Las Vegas and held a second ceremony in France the same year. Sophie moved to New York City from England to live with Joe. They have two daughters, born in 2020 and 2022. After Joe filed for divorce in 2023, the couple engaged in a custody battle over their daughters, with Sophie asking the judge to reactivate their divorce this year, which was on hold as the two went to mediation to try to work out a property and child custody settlement, as per TMZ. Sean Diddy Combs has shared a cryptic message on social media amid his legal woes. His post about the truth comes at a time when he is embroiled in controversies. Sean Diddy Combs shares mysterious post about time revealing truth (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)(AFP) The Bad Boy Records founder took to Instagram on Tuesday, May 14, to tell his followers that time tells truth. His picture post is captioned, LOVE, accompanied by various emojis, including a black heart. Earlier this month, Diddy shared another cryptic post about being steady in the storm. The video showed the camera moving down a white hallway with narration beginning, with Diddy eventually seen hugging a person. "Not hysterical. Not frantic. Not anxious. Not fretful," the voice said. The voice also said in the video, But steady in the storm. Looks bad, looks tough, but remains steady in the storm. The video was captioned, Sometimes we create our own storms and then get mad when it rains. Sean Diddy Combs legal woes At present, Diddy is facing sexual abuse lawsuits from Liza Gardner, music producer Rodeny Lil Rod Jones, Joi Dickerson-Neal, and a woman being identified as Jane Doe. The rapper has maintained his innocence. Homeland Security officials raided Diddys homes in Miami and Los Angeles back in March in connection with a federal human trafficking investigation. Aaron Dyer, the rappers attorney, said in a statement to Fox News Digital at the time that the raids were a "gross overuse of military-level force. Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs residences, Dyer said in a statement at the time. There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated. Besides these lawsuits, Diddy is also facing a business lawsuit alleging he left a New Orleans design firm on the hook for $100,000 in material costs. The lawsuit also alleged that he pushed back the event it was meant for. Actor Sharad Kelkar, who lent his voice to Telugu star Prabhas in the Hindi dubbed version of the popular Baahubali films, says he was initially unsure whether filmmaker SS Rajamouli would approve him for the role. Sharad Kelkar was also the voice of Baahubali in SS Rajamouli's Baahubali films for the Hindi version.(File Photo: Varinder Chawla) In Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali: The Conclusion , the 47-year-old actor voiced the double roles of Amarendra Baahubali and Mahendra Baahubali, played on screen by Prabhas. Kelkar said he was working on the 2016 Telugu-language action comedy Sardaar Gabbar Singh, fronted by Pawan Kalyan, when a crew member recommended his name to Rajamouli. Up north, his acting credits include films such as Ram-Leela, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and Prime Video series The Family Man. "I was not sure whether he would approve it or not, it came as a pleasant surprise. Somebody suggested that in Pawan Kalyan's film there's a villain who has a good voice, 'Please test him'. So, he asked, 'Does he speak Hindi?' and they said, 'He is from Gwalior and he is good at Hindi'," the actor told PTI in an interview. Soon, the makers of Baahubali called him for a voice test. "I had no idea about Baahubali but I had seen Magadheera and Makkhi ," said Kelkar, referring to Rajamouli's previous films. "As an actor, I wanted to meet the creator of this masterpiece. So, I gave my voice test, took the tape and met him at the studio. Next day, he said, 'You're doing the dubbing for Baahubali," he recalled. Kelkar has now collaborated with Rajamouli on the upcoming animated series Baahubali: Crown of Blood, a prequel to the blockbuster movies. According to the makers, the Disney Hotstar show promises to take the audiences into an animated world of Baahubali to experience an untold story of epic adventure, brotherhood, betrayal, conflict and heroism. Rajamouli and Sharad Devarajan of The Legend of Hanuman fame serve as series creators. It was a nostalgic feeling, said Kelkar about reteaming with the RRR director, whom he credited for his popularity. "That character is close to my heart. I got a huge fan base because of Baahubali. It was a new high in my career. People started calling me, 'the voice of Baahubali, the voice of India'. It brought about many changes in those two-three years. Now that we are coming back with Baahubali: Crown of Blood, I am excited," he said. This time around, the actor said, the animation was created after he finished dubbing for the series in Hindi. "It was tougher to understand what kind of visuals or scene it would have or how far the other character is from you. Or, how loud or sharp you can be. At that point, the creator and director come . It was a different process. But it was fun as well." Kelkar, who also lent his voice to Prabhas for his outing as Lord Ram in 2023's Adipurush, also opened up about the on-screen depiction of the Hindu deity while dubbing for the modern retelling of Ramayana. Directed by Om Raut, the film was panned on social media for its poor quality of VFX and colloquial dialogues. "The subject is very sentimental. As a Hindu, I have read or heard it so many times, so there were a few things which I felt I had not heard about or maybe it was a different version. So, it was odd for me. But it's a film, it's fiction, so we should watch it as a film. "But it's Lord Ram, if we have hurt anybody's sentiments then we are sorry for that. But we should move on, and look forward to a bigger and honest product, which he is going to make, and I'm 100 per cent sure about it," the actor said. A Graphic India and Arka Mediaworks production, Baahubali: Crown of Blood is produced by Rajamouli, Devarajan and Shobu Yarlagadda. It is directed by Jeevan J Kang and Navin John. The animated series will start streaming on Disney Hotstar from May 17. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Netflixs Baby Reindeer has successfully captivated millions of viewers, who went through a complete emotional rollercoaster watching the show. In the aftermath of real Martha Scott Fiona Harveys first public interview, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist Sohom Das, who treats and rehabilitates criminals who are mentally disordered, broke down her statements in an exclusive interview with HindustanTimes.com. Fiona Harvey (L), Baby Reindeers real Martha Scott, recently appeared for her first public interview (Piers Morgan Uncensored/YouTube, Netflix screenshot) Speaking to English broadcaster Piers Morgan, Harvey dismissed almost every detail shown in the series, dismissing claims that she was a stalker and accusing Richard Gadd of being the one who asked her to sleep with him. Gadd claimed his stalker sent him more than 41,000 emails, 744 tweets, 100 pages of letters and 350 hours of voicemails. Harvey said these were lies, insisting that her interaction with Gadd involved only some friendly banter. Harvey admitted that she may have only sent him a handful of emails. The series said the stalker got sentenced to several months in prison, but Harvey said she has never had any legal troubles. She also denied attacking Gadd and his girlfriend on separate occasions, as shown in the series. Watch the interview: Is Fiona Harvey lying? Internet sleuths have been pointing out inconsistencies in Harveys sentences and her lack of confidence. Are these factors enough to determine that she is lying? Das, who lives and works in London, providing evidence to criminal trials about defendants with various mental illnesses, said the answer is no. He insisted that it is hard to know where the exact truth lies. I have seen a plethora of internet commentators making assertions that she is lying, simply from her presentation. As a forensic psychiatrist dealing in criminal court cases, its all about hard evidence. Speculation only blurs the lines. For example, are there email trails of the emails from Harvey? Gadd claimed there were over 40,000, but she said that she sent only a few. This is a cast iron discrepancy that can easily be ascertained, but only with the proper evidence, he said. He added, To me, this is infinitely more robust than trying to decide if somebodys fibbing, by their presentation or relying on our gut feelings. Das insisted that we need to be very careful about accusations of Harvey seemingly contradicting her own points. She certainly was a little vague in her recollection at times, but we have to take this in the context that she is being grilled about events that happened many years ago, which seemed trivial to her at the time. However, this in itself is not proof of lying. Im not saying shes definitely telling the truth, but I also dont think that outsiders can definitively decide, he reiterated. Das explained that Harveys body language and the lack of confidence in her claims do not prove she is lying. This could be related to poor memory of incidents from many years ago, or being flustered or nervous about participating in such a high-profile interview. We can't assume anything at this point, he said. Sohom Das works with people in courts, prisons and psychiatric units (A Psych For Sore Minds screenshot/YouTube) How was real-life Martha's body language in the interview? Das went on to say that to him, Harvey came across as relatively lucid and plausible in this interview. On the surface she does not appear to be harbouring any delusional beliefs about a previous relationship with Gadd, as shown in the series. Of course, its possible that she does have underlying very strange or even delusional beliefs or that shes lying I just dont think any of that obviously came out during the interview with Morgan, Das said. Harvey said she used six email IDs on being asked if she still uses the same email address she used while writing to Gadd. Speaking about this, Das admitted that it is indeed odd and maybe even suspicious. However, he said that this does not necessarily ring alarm bells, as it is possible that the person simply changed the IDs over time. It could suggest the possibility of deception, but again, there is no definitive proof of lying, he said. What happens if Fiona Harvey sues Netflix and Richard Gadd? Harvey, who claims to have a law degree, has threatened to sue Gadd and Netflix for defaming her. But if she does that, wont it be super easy for authorities to find out who is telling the truth? If Harvey does try to sue Netflix, and if she is lying, then presumably it will be extremely easy for Gadd to provide evidence of this. I think her civil court case will collapse very quickly, Das said. The potential trouble is if the truth lies somewhere in the middle for example, supposing Fiona sent dozens emails as opposed to the 41,000 that Gadd claimed. Would this still constitute stalking? And if it did, could Fiona claim defamation of character if Martha Scott was supposed to be a fictionalised version of her? So, what Im saying is, the issue might be more about to what degree her character was fictionalised, as opposed to what degree she carried out stalking behaviour, he added. Das concluded by saying that although there are too many unanswered questions, speculation and conspiracy theories, there is not enough evidence to know the answers. But hopefully in time, all will reveal itself, said Das, whose YouTube channel explores the crossroads of mental illness and offending. The drama around Baby Reindeer At the end of the seven-episode drama, people were left with various unanswered questions, and one of these questions turned viewers into what they would themselves rather run from stalkers! Viewers channelled their inner Martha Scotts, vowing to find out who the real female stalker of Gadd is, even though the actor himself had urged his audience on social media not to try and track her down because, as he had said, that is not the point of our show. What truly shocked viewers was the fact that Baby Reindeer, a British dark comedy drama-thriller, is a true story. Created by and starring Gadd, the series centres on struggling comedian Donny Dunn (played by Gadd), who befriends Scott after feeling a sense of pity for her when she turns up alone at a bar he worked at. What started as an innocent interaction quickly turned dark, with Scott beginning to relentlessly stalk Dunn. The story is based on Gadds personal experiences, and he has played a fictionalised version of himself in the drama. Scotts character has been played by actress Jessica Gunning. Richard Gadd (Donny Dunn) and Jessica Gunning (Martha Scott) in Baby Reindeer (Netflix screenshot) Internet sleuths being internet sleuths, they were quick to trace Harvey, thanks to an age where so much data is available online, for free. Gadds conscious steps to prevent identification, including using pseudonyms for the names of the series characters, were all in vain. After almost a decade of the data hack of Ashley Madison's users that affected the lives of countless users of the dating site for people seeking adulterous affairs, a Netflix docuseries sheds light on the victims and talk about their experiences. Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal premieres on Netflix on May 15. (Also read: X-Men '97 review: Animated series revival flourishes when not invaded by Marvel) Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal releases on Netflix on May 15. About the show The Canadian online dating service was launched in 2002, and had a viral tagline that read, 'Life is Short. Have an Affair.' The website was hacked in July 2015 by The Impact Team, which then led to shocking revelations, and impacted millions of lives and relationships. Names, details, and email addresses which were linked to Ashley Madison were released to the public. The new Netflix docuseries on this difficult case runs for three episodes, each with a 50-minute run time, searching for the truth on some of the families that were impacted, as well as some details about company. "When a dating site for people seeking adulterous affairs is hacked, millions of users' intimate data is exposed, wrecking marriages and destroying lives," reads the official logline of the series. Statement from the director In a statement to Netflix, series director Toby Paton said, We all know infidelity can be incredibly destructive and hurtful, but at the same time, the fact that Ashley Madison had 37 million members tells us something else we all know that committing to one person for the rest of your life is really hard. Rather than berating people who joined Ashley Madison we were much more interested in exploring why they were drawn to the site. What were they looking for? What was going on in their relationships? And, crucially: What was their partner's side of the story? It is an emotional moment for Prateik Patil Babbar. His mother, late actor Smita Patils 1976 film Manthan will be screened at the Cannes film festival at the Cannes Classics segment. Prateik Patil Babbar is the son of late actor Smita Patil. Talking to us before he flies off to France today, he says, My mother is going to be celebrated. It is a big moment for me and my family. For me specifically it is extremely symbolic. I am a very proud son. This moment reminds me of how amazing a woman she us and how I am lucky to be her son. Babbar was told a couple of days back about the screening, and he put all his professional commitments on hold. His visa in fact arrived two days back. Manthan is a monumental film also because it was a crowd funded film- five lakh dairy farmers had pitched in 2 each for the film to be made. I always knew about it. My grand mom and aunt used to tell me the story of the films making. My grandfather was also a farmer , so I was always told to feel proud of my lineage. Also, I revisit my moms films very frequently, its like watching FRIENDS for me- you know whats going to happen next, but you keep watching, he adds. This kind of dedication to make a film- does he feel it exists in todays generation too? Babbar says, I mean its difficult now. I wont say its impossible. We need to have that kind of reach and support and most importantly story. Since we are talking about her film being recognised at Cannes, we ask whether he feels his mother is not celebrated enough back home, until say some international acclaim pops up every now and then. Babbar says, Thats the way the cookie crumbles, you get on with life. You cant blame people also- life is changing so fast, nobody knows where they are going. Moments like these are symbolic- people will be reminded again about the woman who remains one of the greatest actors. Apart from being an actor, Alia Bhatt is a true fashion icon. She has an incredibly relatable style which ranges from ultra-glam to casual chic. We witnessed one of her most glamorous avatars recently at the Met Gala 2024 when she turned heads in a Sabyasachi floral saree. But on Tuesday she left us stunned in a minimal midi dress for a fashion show in London. So today lets celebrate the times Alia took the minimal approach and yet managed to impress the fashion police. Alia Bhatt's most minimal yet timeless looks Clean girl aesthetic for Gucci Cruise 2025 Alia opted for a simple yet stunning strapless bodycon midi dress for the fashion show in London. Her hair was in a neat ponytail while her makeup was inspired by the clean girl aesthetic. She added a splash of boldness with her deep wine pout, which brought the whole look together Hectic but minimal movie promotions The actor looked breathtaking in her bandhani saree which featured hues of red, pink and turquoise while promoting a film. But instead of going overboard with the jewellery and makeup, she kept it simple with nothing but a pretty pink pout and a maang tikka Light and flowy haldi ceremony The number one thing that fans expect from celebrity weddings is lavish and overly glamorous outfits for the bride and groom. But for her haldi ceremony with now husband Ranbir Kapoor, Alia ditched heavy lehengas and opted for a light yellow suit with zardozi embroidery. White flowers in her hair made for a nice touch Alia and Ranbir's haldi ceremony Subtle glam for award function This one is undoubtedly one of Alias best red carpet looks so far. She redefines glamour without looking over the top. The peach gown gives princess vibes and steals the show. But the magic is the balance she holds sans jewellery, with her hair in a messy plait, as she glows in dewy soft glam makeup Newlywed Alia Bhatt Kapoor Alia and Ranbir tied the knot in a dreamy yet subtle wedding ceremony in April 2022 at their Bandra home. After getting married, the two danced the night away with family and close friends. Alia looked radiant in a bright red suit, flaunting her infinity mangalsutra, sindoor and chooda. But it was her simplicity that won hearts. She opted for a no-makeup look, a neat ponytail and a small bindi along with a maang tikka Ranbir and Alia's wedding after-party If you could, which minimal look of Alias would you like to recreate? Urvashi Rautela is a Cannes veteran who attends the film festival almost every year. One thing common in all her appearances is that she always manages to slay on the red carpet in dramatic couture. How can we ever forget her statement blue pout and matching gown at Cannes 2023, which paid tribute to the peacock feather in Lord Krishnas crown? Or her crocodile necklace that took social media by storm. Well, the Bollywood actor has now reached France for the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. Urvashi Rautela at the 77th Cannes Film Festival Unveiling her look for day 1 of Cannes 2024, the actor shared, Festival de Cannes 2024 OPENING CEREMONY with my ultimate fav #MERYLSTREEP . Urvashi looks absolutely stunning in a hot pink gown, with a ruffled tulle shrug, custom-made by celebrity designers Khaled and Marwan. The strapless OOTD features a plunging neckline with rhinestones embedded on the edges. She adds an extra splash of bling with a bejewelled headband on her golden brown locks. Well, fans cant get enough of Urvashi and her oh-so-glam look. The comment section has been flooding with compliments and praises ever since she shared her OOTD from Cannes. For instance, one social media user wrote: Queenn Of CANNES You're making our country soo proud at CANNES Festival Pride Of India @urvashirautela, whereas another fan gushed, Most beautiful actress in India , No one can compare URVASHI . Another internet user pointed out, Wow she's looking like a princess, while a fan shared, You're Ruling Our Heart's International Crush Queen Of CANNES @urvashirautela. Well, it's only day one. We cannot wait to see Urvashi dazzle at the Cannes Film Festival all week! Expanding on its earlier argument that the decades-old compromise in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute was not valid, the Hindu side on Wednesday told the Allahabad High Court that the compromise was a "fraud" by the Sunni Central Waqf Board and the mosque committee. A view of Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple and Shahi Idgah mosque, in Mathura (KK Arora/ANI) The counsel for the Hindu side also submitted that the property belonged to the deity Katra Keshav Deo for over a millennium and a "chabutara" (platform) was constructed as Idgah after desecrating Lord Krishna's birthplace in the 16th century. Read: Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah case: Waqf Board aiding in encroachment of properties, says Hindu side The submissions were made during the hearing on a plea challenging the maintainability of the suit that seeks the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque and restoration of the temple. The matter is being heard by Justice Mayank Kumar Jain on applications moved under order seven rule 11 of Civil Procedure Code moved by Muslim side challenging the maintainability of suits. Read: Supreme Court extends stay on survey in Mathura mosque case Advocate Taslima Aziz Ahmadi, appearing for the Muslim side, reiterated in the court that the suit is barred by the limitation that a compromise can be challenged within three years. She submitted that the two parties had entered into a "compromise" on October 12, 1968, and the said compromise was confirmed in a civil suit decided in 1974. The Hindu side counsel last week argued that the Places of Worship Act, 1991, and Waqf Act are not applicable in the case. They submitted that in the claimed compromise the deity was not a party nor a party in the court decree passed in 1974. The owner of property is a deity, but the deity was not made party in the compromise, hence it is not a valid compromise, the counsel said. Hearing in the matter will continue on Thursday. Doug Stowe in The Hedgehog Review: A few years ago, when my daughter was a freshman at Columbia University, one of only a few from Arkansas, I had the audacity to propose to then-president Lee Bollinger that the university add a hands-on component to its core curriculum. The core curriculum is intended to build a common framework of understanding as a baseline for academic life and what proceeds from it. Even though my academic credentials might not have caught Bollingers attention, I believed that I had something to offer as a craftsman and woodworker, and a father. Of course, the classics of literature and philosophy are important, but if you look just a bit earlier in Greek philosophy than Plato and Socrates, you find Anaxagoras, who had said that man is the wisest of all animals because he has hands. Much later, Rousseau suggested that if you put young people in a workshop, their hands and brains will be equally engaged, and they will become philosophers while thinking themselves only craftsmen. Theres a certain element of beauty in that. Imagine philosophers invested concurrently with thoughts of highest ideals and with a sense of humility concerning themselves and their place in the whole operation of life. We might find an important lesson there. More here. Belagavi: A 20-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times to death allegedly by her stalker right outside her home in Karnatakas Hubballi district on Wednesday, police said. Police said that the incident took place early on Wednesday around 5am. (Representative Photo) The woman, identified as Anjali, was stabbed at least seven to eight times right at the doorstep of her house in Veerapur Street, New Hubballi, said police. She was found dead in a pool of blood at the doorstep. There are around seven to eight knife wounds on her body, Renuka Sukumar, Hubballi-Dharwad commissioner of police, told reporters. Police have identified the accused as Girish Savant. Savant, a resident of Yallapur Street, came to Anjalis house on Wednesday morning and soon after she opened the door, he attacked her with a knife and fled the scene, said police. Based on initial reports, the police commissioner said Anjali and Savant were in love and had planned to marry. Savant had asked to move with him to Mysuru and threatened to kill her if she refused. Anjalis grandmother Gangamma, while speaking to the reporters, said that the family had informed the Bendigeri police about harassment from Savant, but the matter was not taken seriously. My granddaughter would be alive if the police had taken the matter seriously, she said, adding that they had informed the police orally but did not file a formal complaint. Police commissioner Sukumar said the department would deal seriously with the negligence of the police. Even though a complaint was not registered, the area police should have acted after being informed, she said. Police said that a murder case has been registered against Savant, and an investigation into the matter has been launched. Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's remark during the latter's Lok Sabha election campaign was a clear case of contempt of the Supreme Court. Home minister Amit Shah also took a swipe at Arvind Kejriwal over Swati Maliwal's alleged assault.(ANI) Amit Shah was referring to Arvind Kejriwal's recent comment that the AAP chief would not have to return to jail if the masses vote for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Earlier this month, Arvind Kejriwal, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in March in connection with the liquor policy case, was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court, to allow him to campaign for his party. The court, however, directed Kejriwal to steer clear of administrative works as the chief minister of Delhi. Amit Shah told ANI today that Kejriwal's remark that he would be sent back to jail if people press Lotus (BJP's election symbol) on EVMs, was a misuse of the court's verdict. "I believe that this is a clear contempt of the Supreme Court. So what he wants to say is that if he wins, even if he is guilty, the Supreme Court will not send him to jail. Now the judges who pronounced the judgement have to see if their judgement is used or misused," Amit Shah said. He said that the Supreme Court's verdict wasn't a routine judgement and a special treatment was accorded to him. The Enforcement Directorate had opposed Kejriwal's bail in the court, saying there was no precedent of a person being released for election campaign. The court ordered Kejriwal to return to Tihar Jail on June 2, a day after the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Amit Shah also took a swipe at Arvind Kejriwal over the alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal at his house. Kejriwal's personal assistant Bibhav Kumar is accused of manhandling the former DCW chief. "Right now he (Arvind Kejriwal) is stuck in another issue (alleged assault on Swati Maliwal by CM's aide). Let him get free from that then let's see what happens," Amit Shah said. Arvind Kejriwal, during campaigning in the national capital, claimed that if the people press the "Broom" (AAP's poll symbol) button, he would not have to return to Tihar Jail. "Now, they are saying I will have to go to jail again. It is in your hands whether I go to jail. If you choose lotus (the BJP's symbol), I will have to return to jail. If you choose an INDIA bloc candidate, I won't have to go to jail," he said today, reported PTI. Arvind Kejriwal further said that he was jailed because he provided good education to children, built good schools and opened Mohalla Clinics. Union home minister Amit Shah vehemently refuted claims by Western media outlets that India may veer towards autocracy should the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secure a large number of seats in the upcoming elections. Union home minister Amit Shah speaks during an interview with ANI Editor-in-Chief Smita Prakash, in New Delhi on Wednesday.(ANI) During an interview with news agency ANI, Amit Shah said, Friends abroad need not worry so much about us. Our country is mature enough, our voters are mature enough. The senior BJP leader went on to highlight India's history of peaceful transitions of power, asserting that the nation has undergone numerous governmental changes without any violence. There have been several changes in the government in this country without the spilling of even one drop of blood, he said. Uttarakhand Waqf Board chief endorses PM Modi, says Muslims not in danger Several articles recently appeared in the Western press, in particular from the US, on Indian elections, the status of democracy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The home minister pointed to India's constitutional safeguards, particularly the system of checks and balances, which he believes effectively prevents the rise of autocracy. Autocracy can never come to our country. Our Constitution has provided for such a beautiful balance of power that autocracy can never come here, he said. Mamata should be ashamed: Amit Shah jabs Bengal CM on Sandeshkhali Shah talked on a host of issues ranging from the release of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and his party prospects in the ongoing general elections. The home minister said the Supreme Court's decision granting interim bail to Kejriwal was not a routine judgment. "Supreme Court has the right to interpret the law, I believe this is not a routine judgement. A lot of people in this country believe that special treatment has been given," Shah told ANI. Dismissing Arvind Kejriwal's claims that the central government installed cameras in Tihar jail to keep a watch on him, the Union Home Minister said that the Tihar jail administration is with the Delhi government. "Tihar is with them (Delhi government), not with us. They are lying continuously. Jail administration is with the Delhi government, it's with Kejriwal. Not with the Home Ministry," Shah said. Union home minister Amit Shah has asserted that the interim bail granted to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was not a routine judgment, claiming that many people believe a special treatment has been given to the AAP leader. Amit Shah. Asked if Arvind Kejriwal's narrative in the election campaign has become aggressive after walking out of jail, Amit Shah, in an interview with ANI, said, Right now he (Arvind Kejriwal) is stuck in another issue, referring to the ongoing controversy around the alleged assault of AAP MP Swati Maliwal. Let him get free from that then let's see what happens. However, the home minister denied to comment on the matter saying police will take cognisance of the issue if a complaint is filed. Shah also took strong exception to Arvind Kejriwal's repeated assertions that he won't have to go back to jail if people vote for the Aam Aadmi Party in the Lok Sabha elections, terming it a contempt of court. In my opinion, it is clearly a contempt of court. He is suggesting that the Supreme Court doesn't jail those who win in elections. Whichever judge granted him the bail, he needs to think about how his judgment is getting misused. Read: Swati Maliwal misbehaviour incident: AAP, ex-husband react | What we know so far Shah also hit out at Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi for his decision to contest the Lok Sabha elections from two constituencies, Wayanad in Kerala and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. "Anyone can contest from anywhere but Rahul Gandhi should have said before elections that he is going to contest on 2 seats. I think from the democratic point of view, it is not right to hide it." He should have told the people of Wayanad about it and then asked them to make their choice, he added. Read: Sanjay Singh meets Swati Maliwal amid assault row; 'Is she safe': BJP stages protest Shah claimed that Rahul Gandhi went to Raebareli after seeing a threat of losing the Wayanad seat in the post-poll survey." Countering the opposition's retort of Dakshin mein BJP saaf aur Uttar mein half, Shah asserted that BJP will emerge as the biggest party in south India. I stand by my statement. Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu - combining the seats in these 5 states, BJP will emerge as the single largest party, he said. Ex-Delhi minister Raaj Kumar Anand, who resigned last month from the AAP citing corruption in the Arvind Kejriwal-led party, has sent a fresh letter to the Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor to accept his resignation. Raaj Kumar Anand joined the anti-corruption movement in 2011 that set the ground for the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). (Twitter/Raaj Kumar Anand) Earlier, I was told that the CM is in jail, and so he cannot sign any file. Now I have written to him again, and my team member visited his residence to submit the letter. They got the letter but did not say anything. The fresh one was sent on Sunday, Anand told The Indian Express. I met the Lieutenant Governor and raised the matter. It has been four days since the CM was released. My resignation, however, is yet to be accepted, the Capital's former social welfare minister, said. A senior official from the Social Welfare Department, meanwhile, stated that the SC/ST department is functioning smoothly, though the official conceded that files are stuck as Anand's successor is still to be appointed. Earlier this month, Anand joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and will contest the ongoing Lok Sabha elections from the New Delhi parliamentary constituency. All seven seats in Delhi will vote on May 25 in the penultimate leg of the seven-phase polls. On March 21, the central Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Kejriwal in the alleged excise policy scam. On May 10, the Supreme Court granted him interim and conditional bail, allowing him to campaign for the Lok Sabha polls. The AAP chief has been asked to surrender on June 2, a day after the general elections conclude, and two days before the results are to be declared. During his interim bail, Kejriwal cannot sign files, visit the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) or the Secretariat, a two-judge Supreme Court bench said. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarification that the latter never mentioned Muslims in his controversial 'infiltrators' remark last month, claiming that the BJP stalwart's entire political journey was based on "anti-Muslim politics". All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and party candidate from Hyderabad seat, Asaduddin Owaisi. (ANI file photo) Asaduddin Owaisi, one of the harshest critics of the BJP government, claimed PM Modi spread "countless lies and immense hatred against Muslims" during his Lok Sabha elections campaign. He described PM Modi's clarification as false. The Hyderabad MP also attacked those who vote for the BJP despite listening to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speeches. "In his speech, Modi had called Muslims infiltrators and people with too many children. Now he is saying that he was not talking about Muslims, he never did Hindu-Muslim. Why did it take so long to give this false clarification? Modi's political journey is based solely on anti-Muslim politics. In this election, Modi and BJP have spread countless lies and immense hatred against Muslims. It is not just Modi who is in the dock, but every voter who voted for BJP despite these speeches," Asaduddin Owaisi wrote on X. Last month, at a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara, PM Modi courted a controversy with his remark that the Congress plans to redistribute the country's wealth to those "who have more children and infiltrators". Also read: Narendra Modi's Banswara speech, Sam Pitroda's tax remarks take centre stage in phase 2 election campaign Yesterday, PM Modi claimed in an interview to News18 that he was not referring to the Muslims in particular. He said he was talking about every poor family in the country. "I am shocked. Who told you that whenever one talks of people with more children, the inference is they are Muslims? Why are you so unjust towards Muslims? This is the situation in poor families too. Where there is poverty, there are more children, irrespective of their social circle. I didn't mention either Hindu or Muslim. I have said that one should have as many children as you can take care of. Don't let a situation arise where the government has to take care of your children," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi also claimed that his opponents had tried to tarnish his image among Muslims after the 2002 Godhra riots. He said he would lose the right to be in the public domain if he "starts doing Hindu-Muslim". He said it was his pledge that he would never do Hindu-Muslim. The Congress had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Modi's "deeply objectionable" remarks. The commission had sought a response from BJP national president JP Nadda over the complaint. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging model code of conduct (MCC) violation by the Congress and disrespect to the Indian Army by Rahul Gandhi. A BJP delegation comprising External Affairs minister S Jaishankar, Union ministers G Kishan Reddy and Arjun Meghwal, party's national media head Anil Baluni and Om Pathak met with the Election Commission. External affairs minister S Jaishankar called Rahul Gandhi's 'two types of soldiers' remark a direct attack on the armed forces. "A few days ago, Rahul Gandhi ji said that Narendra Modi has created two types of soldiers...This is a lie, this is a direct attack on our Armed forces, they want to make it a matter of controversy, they want to reduce their morale. This is not a matter of elections, it is a matter of national security," Jaishankar told reporters after the delegation meets with the EC. The Army is using its full strength for the security of the country against the Chinese...So we take this very seriously and our request is to the Election Commission to take very strict action regarding this, such a thing should not happen in future and should be restricted, the minister added. Addressing a rally in Raebareli, Gandhi had said,"PM Narendra Modi has made two types of Jawans. One is the son of a poor, Dalit, minorities and the other is from a rich family. He has given a new name to the son of the poor, Agniveer, who won't be getting any facilities like pension, canteen...but, if you are a senior officer or one amongst the four, you'll get all those things. In the military, they have created 'two-India', two types of 'shaheed." Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Raebareli. Jaishankar also cited the instances when Rahul Gandhi and Congress targeted the armed forces, the BJP statement read. ALSO READ: In Lok Sabha, Jaishankar reacts to Rahul Gandhi's remark: The word pitai He (Jaishankar) referenced a past incident when Rahul Gandhi claimed in Parliament that our soldiers were beaten by Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh, despite the soldiers having successfully repelled them, the BJP stated. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati has reiterated her demand for a separate state of Bundelkhand. The sensitive issue, which saw large scale protests in the past, could force the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress to weigh in and state their stance on dividing the state that sends the highest number of lawmakers to Parliament. One of most water-deprived, drought prone areas of the country, Bundlekhand is spread over seven districts in Uttar Pradesh and eight districts in Madhya Pradesh. (Vipin Kumar/HT File Photo) Although the BJP has in the past favoured carving out smaller states for administrative ease and better governance, in the past 10 years, the party has largely been silent on this matter. The exception was the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories after the Parliament gave its nod to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019. On Tuesday, speaking at an election rally, Mayawati said if her party is voted to power, it will carve a separate state for Bundelkhand. One of most water-deprived, drought prone areas of the country, Bundlekhand is spread over seven districts in Uttar Pradesh and eight districts in Madhya Pradesh. The BJP has not commented on the issue of dividing UP, where elections are underway with three phases pending. A stray remark last year by BJP lawmaker from Muzzafarnagar, Sanjeev Balyan, of carving out western UP as a separate state raised eyebrows but did not gather political mileage. BJP allies, such as the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), pitch for the western part to be redesignated as Harit Pradesh, while the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) has voiced support for a state of Poorvanchal. A few party leaders admit that there is a section that supports the idea of trifurcating the state into Poorvanchal, Bundelkhand and Harit Pradesh. A senior leader explained that the demography of the state in addition to its population bolsters the case for the states division. But the pitfalls, he said, would be creating divisions of caste and faith that would bring its own set of challenges. For instance, western UP is dominated by Jats and Muslims, and redrawing boundaries may not be politically expedient. The BJP, however, does take credit for the formation of three new states Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand in 2000 when former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was in power. While Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand was part of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand was taken out of Bihar. The party also presents the formation of these states as an example of carrying out the process without violence and presents it as a contrast to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, which was marked by protests and bitterness. The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday handed over citizenship certificates to 14 people under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The law was passed by the parliament in 2019. The BJP-led Central government, however, notified the CAA rules in March this year. The Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi. In its Lok Sabha elections manifesto, the BJP promised that it would grant citizenship to eligible applicants under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla handed over the documents to some applicants in the national capital. "The first set of citizenship certificates after notification of Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 were issued today. Union Home Secretary Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla handed over citizenship certificates to some applicants in New Delhi today. The Home Secretary congratulated the applicants and highlighted salient features of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. Secretary Posts, Director (IB), Registrar General of India and senior officers were also present during the interactive session," the home ministry said in a statement today. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act was notified by the Central government on March 11, weeks before the commencement of the Lok Sabha elections. The CAA rules authorize the District Level Committees (DLC) to accept applications of eligible people for Indian citizenship. They empower the State Level Empowered Committee to scrutinize the applications ahead of granting citizenship. The ministry said in its statement that the authorities have been receiving applications from people belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who were persecuted on religious grounds and entered India by December 31 th, 2014. It further said the DLCs, which are chaired by designated officers, have administered oath of allegiance to the applicants after verification of documents. "After processing as per rules, DLCs have forwarded the applications to the State Level Empowered Committee headed by the Director (Census operation). Processing of applications is completely done through the online portal The Empowered Committee, Delhi headed by Director (Census Operation), Delhi, after due scrutiny, have decided to grant citizenship to 14 applicants," the central government added. Several Opposition leaders, including West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, have vowed that they will not implement the law in their respective states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union minister Amit Shah, on the other hand, have promised that the law will be implemented across the country. The Opposition claims CAA discriminates against Muslims and is unconstitutional. The BJP accuses the Opposition of misleading the Muslims for vote bank politics, saying that the law is not aimed at snatching away their citizenship. New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday issued the first set of citizenship certificates to 14 individuals under the Citizenship Amendment Act or the CAA, almost four and a half years after the controversial law was brought in, the Union home ministry (MHA) said. The first set of citizenship certificates were handed over to the applicants by Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla in New Delhi (ANI Photo) The first set of citizenship certificates were handed over to the applicants by Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla in New Delhi, who congratulated the recipients. The home ministry notified Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, on March 11 this year. The rules envisage the manner of application form, the procedure for processing applications by the District Level Committee (DLC), and the scrutiny and grant of citizenship by the state level Empowered Committee (EC). Over the last two months, several applications have been received by the MHA from individuals belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who entered India up to December 31, 2014, on account of persecution on grounds of religion or fear of such persecution. The DLCs chaired by the senior superintendents of post/superintendents of post as designated officers, on successful verification of documents, administered the oath of allegiance to the applicants, the MHA said in a statement. Also Read: Wont let anyone repeal CAA law: Modi at rallies in Bengal After processing as per rules, DLCs have forwarded the applications to the State Level Empowered Committee headed by the director (census operation). Processing of applications is completely done through the online portal, it added. The Empowered Committee, headed by the director (census operation), Delhi, after due scrutiny, have decided to grant citizenship to 14 applicants. Accordingly, the director (census operation) granted certificates to these applicants, MHA stated on Wednesday. The CAA law was passed in December 2019, but the underlying rules were not framed. Its passage resulted in protests that petered out only with the COVID-19 pandemic and a clutch of petitions that remain before the Supreme Court. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has said she would oppose the CAA if it curtailed Indian citizens existing rights in any manner. The CAA rules have a provision which states that refugees from six minority communities from the three countries (Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan) applying for the grant of citizenship by registration or naturalisation will have to submit an application, an affidavit verifying the correctness of the statements made in it, another affidavit from an Indian citizen testifying to their character, and a declaration that they are familiar with one of the languages specified in the eighth schedule to the Constitution of India. The rules say that the application will have to be submitted in electronic form to an empowered committee through the district-level committee, which may be notified by the central government, and be supported by documents such as copy of passport issued by Pakistan, Afghanistan or Bangladesh governments birth certificate, an identity document of any other kind, land or tenancy records, or any document that shows that either of the parents or grandparents or great grandparents of the applicant were a citizen of one of the three countries. The rules state that these documents will be admissible even beyond their validity period. Applicants also have to provide proof that they entered India before December 31, 2014, which can take the form of either a visa and immigration stamp, registration certificate from the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), or slip issued by the Census enumerators in India, government-issued licence or certificate or permit in India (including Driving License, Aadhaar number, ration card, or marriage certificate issued in India etc). New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has summoned the chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP) of Andhra Pradesh to New Delhi on May 16 over post-poll violence that occurred in the state, a senior election commission official said on Wednesday. (Representative Photo) The senior-most officials of the state have been summoned to personally explain reasons for the failure of the administration to contain post-poll violence and preemptive steps being taken to avoid any such incidents in future, the official said. Also Read: Andhra assembly, Lok Sabha polls end with 69% voter turnout The poll body has also directed chief secretary K S Jawahar Reddy and police chief Harish Kumar Gupta to ensure that such violence does not continue and that the model code of conduct is still in force. All 25 Lok Sabha constituencies and 175 assembly constituencies of Andhra Pradesh went to polls on May 13. Violence was reported in the state on Tuesday and Wednesday. According to a Hindu report, poll violence witnessed in the state was significant compared to the 2019 general elections, with both the ruling chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress and the Opposition parties accusing each other of resorting to violence. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) accused the YSR Congress of abducting its poll agents. There were complaints of the kidnapping of three TDP polling agents in the Punganur assembly constituency while the ruling party said that TDP had resorted to violence and disruptions during the voting process. YSR Congress Tenali Assembly candidate Annabattuni Siva Kumar was captured on camera slapping a voter who protested when the former tried to jump the queue to cast his vote. This led to a physical altercation between the YSR Congress cadre who accompanied the candidate and the voter. The ECI eventually ordered the police to place Siva Kumar under house arrest until polling time was over, The Hindu reported. According to chief electoral officer Mukesh Kumar Meena, there were reports of sporadic violence in several parts of the state. In Kuppam, the electoral officials stopped polling for some time due to an altercation between YSR Congress and TDP workers. In Railway Koduru and Macherla, polling was stopped due to the alleged destruction of EVMs. Party supporters attacked rival party sympathisers in the Tadipatri assembly constituency and Gannavaram. The Hindu reported that a few people, including polling agents, were also injured in different constituencies because of the violence. According to a New Indian Express report, clashes erupted in Tirupati, Tadipatri and Palnadu. Crude bombs were hurled and vehicles were damaged in Palnadu, as per a Times of India report, even as the police fired rubber bullets to disperse the clashing groups. Due to damage to EVMs, polling was also suspended for some time in Palnadu district, Times of India reported. Polling agents were also reportedly kidnapped and released only after ECs intervention, the TOI reported. The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday arrested Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam in money laundering case, this days after 35 crore was recovered from the house of his personal secretary's domestic help. Alam was arrested after being questioned by the central agency in connection with the cash seizure. "I was called today as well and so I have come," the state rural development minister had told reporters before entering the ED office. He was interrogated by the ED for about 10 hours on Tuesday. Jharkhand rural development minister Alamgir Alam. (File) The Congress leader was summoned by the ED to appear at its zonal office in Ranchi to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The money laundering investigation pertains to alleged irregularities in the state's rural development department. Sanjeev Lal and his house help Jahangir Alam were arrested by the ED on Tuesday, a day after 35.23 crore were seized from them. Both Sanjiv Lal, PS to Alam, and his domestic help, Jahangir Alam, were arrested by the ED after the raids and subsequent recovery of 35.23 crore in cash from their premises in Jharkhand's Ranchi. At least seven teams of the agency had started the raids at 6 am on Monday morning. According to the ED officials, the recoveries were largely made from the house of Jahangir Alam near Ranchi hill. The searches continued into the evening, and multiple cash counting machines had to be pressed into service. Elections are going on. ED is investigating the matter. Being the minister of the department, they can interrogate me. I do not want to say anything about this. People are understanding everything, Alamgir Alam had told news agency ANI. The ED said that the names of "senior bureaucrats and politicians" have emerged in the case and this was being investigated, PTI reported. It had conducted searches at the rural development ministry in Ranchi too with Lal accompanying ED officials. (With PTI, ANI inputs) The canopy of an electric blue cotton saree pulled over her head, Asha Das set out from her village in northwest Bihars Muzaffarpur district one searing morning in May last year. She dropped out of school in Class 8, and married at 25, never having dreamt of stepping out of her village of Khabra. In the region, women travelling alone was a source of social consternation, with concerns being raised not just about safety but also family honour. The region is set back by a crippling lack of infrastructure. (ht photo) Yet, that morning, she cheerfully sprinted up the dusty village road and past the precarious makeshift bridge of bamboo poles arranged on stilts. Her destination was farther the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie where Indias young bureaucrats get trained. Alongside her was a compatriot from the small organisation they run together, Mina Devi It was a lifetime achievement. Our names were flashed on screen and we addressed the officers for 15 minutes each for three days, said Das. During that lecture, the two women told a roomful of budding administrators how they started their organisation to earn a basic livelihood, but soon found that it could motivate other women like them to attain self-dependence and education, and teach them the importance of saving and taking care of their health. It was like a dream. We had never been to such an environment, said Devi. Das runs a small village-based group of women who grow their own mushrooms and then sell them at the local market.Devi is studying at the local polytechnic institute to sharpen her accounting skills, after working as a master bookkeeper at the same organisation. She also visits the homes of the elderly and the sick to help them with their banking needs. Despite their many achievements, hardly anyone knows them by their names. Instead, their calling card is just didi (or sister). For, the two women are the first participants in the central governments flagship lakhpati didi (millionaire sister) scheme, which aims to catalyse economic empowerment and financial independence among women in rural areas. A lakhpati didi is a self-help group (SHG) member who earns an annual household income of 100,000 or more. This income is calculated for at least four agricultural seasons and/or business cycles, with an average monthly income exceeding 10,000, so that it is sustainable. Its now part of our identity, said Das. Lakhpati didi is part of a bouquet of schemes that form the central governments welfare outreach and the core of the Bharatiya Janata Partys re-election pitch in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. But by targeting women in the hinterland, the scheme is also stoking a social churn and seeding behavioural and economic change. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Muzaffarpur. Dass first tryst with self-help groups (SHGs) began in 2011. That year, members of a state government scheme the Bihar Livelihoods Project, better known as Jeevika came to her village. At the time, the thought of women stepping out of the house, unsupervised by their male relatives, was alien to Khabra. Let alone men, even older women in the house were opposed to the idea of allowing married women to work. The Jeevika workers, therefore, first convinced Dass 58-year-old mother-in-law to join the scheme. Two months later, Das followed. We first went into the savings scheme of the SHG and saved 10 per week. This continued till 2015; from 2015 till 2022, my savings contribution increased to 20 per week. Now, it is 50 per week, she said. When she was chosen as a lakhpati didi in 2023, it unlocked new opportunities for her. The scheme was on the lookout for SHG members associated with small producer groups engaged in localised marketing catering to local demand and supply situations. Their business model is primarily based on economies of aggregation and thus aimed at reduction in individual transaction costs. Their target markets are also local and usually fall within a short radius. I got selected as I completed two years in SHG and availed of the community investment fund (CIF). I had already initiated my project of oyster mushrooms and was actively involved in the savings scheme for more than a decade, said Das, who has two sons and a daughter. The daughter got married in 2022. The eldest son works in the plywood industry and the youngest is an ITI passout. Her husband, Ajit Das, is a construction worker. With her savings, they have now built a proper house. Our group got a loan of 50,000 through which five didis started a business. We joined gram sangathan through which we got health benefits, said Das. Today, she runs the Sangam Gravity Samiti Mushroom Cluster in Khabra, spread over 7,400 sq feet of land taken on lease of 50,000 per annum. It is a cluster run by 10 women, each producing 29 kg oyster mushroom per day in a 720 sq feet hut. We have been able to supply mushrooms worth 6.25 lakh in six months, Das said. Devi, too, has turned her life around from not being sure where her next meal would come from to building a two-storey house and sending her son to Sainik School. I travel by my own scooty. The SHG has changed the lives of many, she said. The Lakhpati Didi scheme stands on two prongs capacity building training for the women selected, and providing them with easy loans backed by the government to expand their businesses. There is a revolving fund of 20,000 to 30,000 per eligible SHG, and a 2.5 lakh community investment fund, in addition to collateral-free bank loans up to 20 lakh, an interest subsidy , and an overdraft facility for SHG members with Jan Dhan accounts. In addition, credit guarantees for loans up to 5 lakh for a maximum of 5 years are also provided. For Muzaffarpur, this is a revolution. Many of the women in the scheme come from the hinterland and marginalised castes, where banking penetration is historically low, forcing locals to fall prey to interest-gouging moneylenders. The immediate impact of the scheme was on our lives. We stopped going to the mahajans (money lenders) for our small needs. One didi, on an average, saved 12,000 per year, said Das. The number of women in the sangam cluster today stands at 8,444. More and more women, cutting across caste and community including minority women are stepping towards self dependence, said Anisha Ganguly, district project manager, Muzaffarpur. The state has around 1.1 million SHGs that employ roughly 12.7 million women. The Lakhpati didi portal says about 3.2 million didis have been identified. Muzaffarpur has nearly 600,000 women associated with 50,159 SHGs, which are working to make bags and bangles, grow vegetables, make pickles, build mosquito nets and run a kitchen service. Today the district boasts of nearly 360,000 lakhpati didis, some of whom are earning 7 lakh and above a year, said Ganguly. This is engendering deeper political economy changes. During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the women voter turnout in Muzaffarpur was 64.56% against 57.7% of the men this difference of roughly seven percentage points was among the highest in the state. Experts point to the expansion of SHGs and the financial empowerment of schemes such as Lakhpati Didi as catalysts helping women carve out independent public spaces. The financial empowerment definitely made their identity stronger, said Kanchan Bala,an expert on womens movements. Devi is the biggest example of this phenomenon. Once a meek wife of a construction worker who seldom stepped out of the home, she contested the panchayat elections in 2021, and lost by just four votes. She is also now one of the loudest voices in support of Bihars controversial prohibition drive, one that chief minister Nitish Kumar brought in 2016 after many womens groups held protests. Today nobody can dictate to us. We have enough reasoning to decide good and bad, and identify who stands for us and who just talk. We are self-dependent, she said. During one of her drives against prohibition in 2020, a man involved in liquor trade attacked her with a sword. But she remained undaunted. We decide silently and the decision doesnt change. Bhatgama, a sleepy village of roughly 2,000 people on the northeastern fringes of Muzaffarpur, jumped into the national headlines last year after 11 people, including eight children, drowned when their boat capsized in the Bagmati river. The tragedy underlined the crippling lack of infrastructure in the region, including a 30-year-demand for a bridge. Eight months on, the concerns have melted away. One summer afternoon, a group of villagers are engrossed in political gossip under a tree, the pages of a Hindi broadsheet splayed in front of them. Women voters pose after casting their ballot in Ujiarpur, Bihar,(HT Photo) Nobody talks about the issues. Everybody is counting the caste numbers. Where will the Bhumihars go, who will the Sahnis vote etc. We face floods every year. At least 10 villages still use makeshift bridges made of bamboo, said Govinder Sahani, who lost his brother in the boat mishap. At many places, the bridge demand is three decades old but at the time of polls it is forgotten. In this mix of extremely backward classes, Muslims, Yadavs and Bhumihars, women such as Devi and Das are a relatively new addition. Itll be an exaggeration to say that women vote as a distinct bloc because most of them have lingering allegiances to the caste and faith groups of their birth, but their adherence to the direction given by the patriarch has loosened. Our decision making and voting behaviour are no longer influenced by anybody, said another woman, Rita Devi. The National Democratic Alliance is hoping that like 2019 when Ujwala and other welfare schemes helped the BJP gain among women this election will see the Lakhpati Didi become a game changer. This is why, the party points out, the scheme was mentioned prominently in the interim budget, which increased the target of lakhpati didis from 20 million to 30 million. We have reformed womens life particularly in rural Bihar by creating self-reliant women folk not only economically but socially. Now, Modi ji has said that we will make crores of women Lakhpati didisWe are asking for votes only after reforming millions of lives, said BJP state vice-president Santosh Pathak. The party has denied ticket to its two-time sitting MP Ajay Nishad who won 2019 with more than 400,000 votes and has picked Raj Bhushan Choudhary, who lost five years ago to Nishad as a candidate of the Vikassheel Insaan Party. The BJP sitting MP is now the Congress candidate. The Opposition has an uphill climb on a seat once represented by George Fernandes five times but which was last won by the Rashtriya Janata Dal in 1998. Nitish Kumar is banking on women votes but I dont think they will vote for NDA this time. Instead, we will benefit as the Congress manifesto speaks a lot about their welfare, said Anand Madhab, the Congress spokesperson. As elections approach Muzaffarpur votes on May 20 the political temperature in Khabra is rising. But Das has no time to think of the polls. The 40-year-old gave her Class 10 examinations this year through open schooling and the results are expected any day. My sons encourage me to study. It is giving me more understanding about the people and welfare measures,she said. And itll help me earn more. This is the 24th in a series of election reports from the field that look at national and local issues through an electoral lens. The leader of opposition in Tamil Nadu assembly and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) on Tuesday appeared before the Egmore metropolitan magistrate court in a defamation suit filed by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Dayanidhi Maran. EPS appeared before the 13th Metropolitan Magistrate, who adjourned the case to June 27 (PTI) In his defamation complaint, Maran submitted that EPS, during the election campaign, made statements that he didnt use 75% of his MP funds and hence defamed him. Maran is the incumbent lawmaker from Chennai Central parliamentary constituency. Tamil Nadu went to polls on April 19 in the first phase. Maran filed the defamation case under section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), stating that EPS on April 15 had defamed him while campaigning for the Chennai Central candidate from his ally- Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK). EPS appeared before the 13th Metropolitan Magistrate, who adjourned the case to June 27. EPS, Maran claimed without any evidence said that he had not even used 75% of the funds for the constituency. The petition accused EPS of defaming him and added that Maran had worked full time for the people of his constituency. Former chief minister Edapadi, even after knowing it is not true, stated that I didnt completely use MPLAD (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Division) fund, to defame me, Marans petition read. He has said this with no evidence. The DMK leader added that 17 crore had been allotted to his constituency with which he carried out several schemes for the welfare of the people of his constituency and out of this only 17 lakh is left. Maran had warned EPS that if he did not issue an apology within 24-hours, he would file a criminal defamation case. EPS speech is false and baseless and hence he is liable for the damaging and malicious statements which has lowered his reputation, Maran said in his petition. Indias imports of fertilisers in 2023-24 fell nearly 10% due to a boost in local production as the country, which entirely depends on overseas markets for many types of crop nutrients, looks to achieve self-sufficiency in urea, official data show. Food security of the worlds most populous nation is closely linked to the availability of fertilisers. (Representational image) The drop in imports was mainly on account of falling inbound shipments of urea by the worlds top importer of the fertilizer for three years in a row. The country also saw lower imports of DAP, another crop nutrient. Lower shipments could potentially result in savings in fertilizer subsidy if global prices of other crop nutrients and raw materials, such as natural gas, remain stable or see further moderation, an official said, declining to be named. Food security of the worlds most populous nation is closely linked to availability of fertilisers, whose prices hit a multi-year peak in 2022 due to the Ukraine conflict and knock-on effects of the pandemic on supply chains. Urea imports dropped 7% to 7.04 million tonnes due to a 20% jump in domestic output to 31.4 million tonnes in 2023-24, according to the data. The Union government has set 2025-26 as the deadline by which the country will end all urea imports. India mainly imports urea from Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Lower imports of urea also came on the back of higher local production of nano urea, a liquid form of the farm chemical, as well as a move towards eco-friendly alternatives by farmers. The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) has sold about 3.3 million tonnes of locally produced nano urea worth about 7 crore between August 2021 to February 2024 The government subsidizes a range of fertilizers to farmers through manufacturers and importers, who sell crop nutrients at a discount to millions of cultivators through internet-enabled outlets. These firms are then reimbursed by the government. Urea accounts for about 70% of the overall fertiliser subsidy bill. Lower imports in 2023-24, however, did not reduce the overall fertilizer subsidy, which touched nearly 2 lakh crore, higher than a revised budgetary allocation of 1.89 lakh crore. It was mainly because of elevated prices of intermediate goods and raw materials used in the production of fertilisers. India aims to end urea imports when five new plants start production. Plants at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Ramagundam in Telangana and at Talcher, Barauni and Sindri are slated to together produce 6.5 million tonnes of urea every year. Imports of DAP, another key fertilizer, stood at 5.51 million tonne, down from 7.08 million tonne, a drop of 22.2%. The lower imports of urea and DAP were offset by higher inbound shipments of muriate of potash, which rose to 2.1 million tonne from 1.3 million tonne, up 51%. Overall fertilizer consumption in the country rose 2.6% to 60 million tonne in 2023-24, according to data from the fertilizer ministry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has defended himself amid allegations that he was stoking divisions between Hindus and Muslims to win the Lok Sabha elections 2024, saying the day I do Hindu-Muslim, I will be unworthy of public life and it is my resolve that I will not do Hindu-Muslim. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting for the Lok Sabha polls.(BJP) PM Narendra Modi made these remarks in an interview with broadcaster CNN-News18he posted clips of the interview on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesdayin Varanasi on the day he filed his nomination papers, seeking a third consecutive Lok Sabha term from the constituency. I believe people of my country will vote for me, Modi said during the interview. "The day I start talking about Hindu-Muslim (in politics) will be the day I lose my ability to lead a public life," Modi said, speaking in Hindi. "I will not do Hindu-Muslim. That is my resolve." Follow full coverage of Lok Sabha elections 2024 Modi also clarified his "infiltrators" and "those with more children" remarks, saying that he did not only talk about Muslims but spoke about every poor family. "I am shocked. Who told you that whenever one talks of people with more children, the inference is they are Muslims? Why are you so unjust towards Muslims? This is the situation in poor families too. Where there is poverty, there are more children, irrespective of their social circle. I didn't mention either Hindu or Muslim. I have said that one should have as many children as you can take care of. Don't let a situation arise where the government has to take care of your children," Modi said. The Opposition, including the Congress, has accused Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party of targeting minority Muslims to please their Hindu voters, which he and the party have denied. Modi's latest statement came days after his April 21 speech in Rajasthan's Banswara, where he, while slamming the Congress manifesto, said, Pehle jab unki sarkar thi, unhone kaha tha ki desh ki sampatti par pehla adhikar Musalmanon ka hai. Iska matlab, ye sampatti ikhatti karke kisko baatenge? Jinke zyada bachche hain unko baatenge, ghuspaithiyon ko baatenge. Kya aapke mehnat ki kamayi ka paisa ghuspaithiyon ko diya jayega? Aapko manzoor hai yeh? (Earlier, when they were in power, they had said Muslims have the first right to the wealth of the nation. That means, who will they distribute this wealth to? They will give it to those who have more children, to infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money be given to infiltrators? Do you agree with this?). The Congress has complained to the Election Commission of India that Modi made deeply objectionable comments about Muslims in an April 21 speech, violating poll rules. The commission has sought a response from BJP national president JP Nadda on the complaint. By Arpan Chaturvedi and Sudipto Ganguly India's top court orders release of journalist held in illegal funding case NEW DELHI, - India's Supreme Court has ordered the release of the founder-editor of a news portal accused by police of receiving illegal funding from China, saying his arrest was invalid more than seven months afterwards, his lawyers said on Wednesday. Police arrested Prabir Purkayastha early in October and raided the New Delhi office of NewsClick and the homes of journalists and writers linked to the English-language news site. On Wednesday, the court said Purkayastha was not notified of the grounds for his arrest in a timely manner, according to his lawyer, Arshdeep Singh Khurana. Purkayastha will be released from custody after furnishing a bail bond to a lower court, said Nitin Saluja, another lawyer in the case. The investigation began after a report in the New York Times in August identified NewsClick as part of a global network receiving funds from American billionaire Neville Roy Singham, allegedly to publish Chinese propaganda. Police accused Purkayastha of conspiring to disrupt India's sovereignty and cause disaffection, saying he had received large funds from China to push biased news criticising Indian policies and projects and defending Chinese policies and programmes. At the time, NewsClick said it does not publish news or information at the behest of any Chinese entity or authority, and does not take directions from Neville Roy Singham on its content. Media rights watchdogs and opposition groups in India have called the investigation into NewsClick and the surrounding accusations part of a crackdown on the media - a charge dismissed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. NEW DELHI: India is waiting for the findings of a United Nations investigation into the killing of a former Indian Army officer working for the world body in Gaza, even as information emerged that an Israeli tank targeted the slain staff members vehicle. A United Nations (UN) vehicle amongst fleeing Palestinians following Israeli army orders to evacuate ahead of military operations in Rafah, Gaza, on May 6 (Bloomberg File/Representative Image) The external affairs ministry said on Wednesday that Indias permanent mission to the UN in New York and the countrys missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are working to repatriate the body of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (retired), who was killed at Rafah in the Gaza Strip on Monday. These missions are also in touch with relevant authorities regarding the investigation into the incident, the ministry said in a statement on Kales unfortunate death. The ministry said it was deeply saddened by the death and extended heartfelt condolences to Kales family. People familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that the Indian side is awaiting the findings of the investigation launched by the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) before deciding on further steps. Kale, 46, retired early from the Indian Army in July 2022 and began working for the DSS about two months ago. The posting in Gaza was his first assignment after completing his training. He was the first international UN staffer killed in Gaza since the war began last October, taking the total UN death toll to 191. Comments by Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general, at a media briefing on Tuesday made it clear that Kales vehicle was hit by tank fire in an area of Rafah where only Israeli tanks are present. Kales UN-marked vehicle was targeted when DSS staff were travelling to the European Hospital in Rafah. When Haq was asked whether the shots that hit the UN vehicle were fired from the direction of a tank and whether only the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have tanks in the area, he replied: I think thats a safe assumption to make, yes. Responding to another question as to whether Israeli forces had fired the shots that hit the vehicle, Haq said: I think the point is we are in discussion with Israel to determine exactly how this incident happened and the nature of what happened. I dont think at this stage we are in doubt about where the shots came from, as much as what the circumstances were. The DSS has set up a fact-finding panel to determine responsibility for the incident. Its very early in the investigation, and details of the incident are still being verified with the Israeli Defense Forces. What we know so far indicates that a weapon appears to have impacted the back of a white UN vehicle...killing one and injuring another, Haq said. The IDF has said the incident was under review and that it had not been made aware of the UN vehicles route. An initial inquiry indicated the vehicle was hit in an area declared an active combat zone, the IDF said. Gilles Michaud, the UN under secretary general for safety and security, said he was told by Kale that he joined the UN because he thought it was the best way to make a difference. He signed up to work in support of people who desperately need help, in the most dangerous place, at a time of unimaginable crisis. This speaks volumes about his character, added Michaud. Veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar on Wednesday reacted sharply to the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (retired) in Gaza while he was working for the United Nations. Javed Akhtar questioned the indiscreet attacks by Israel, adding that it would not be answerable to anyone. He said that the country would, at most, issue an apology. Veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar.(File) Retired colonel Waibhav Anil Kale working with UN in Rafah was Killed while going in the UN car to European hospital. That shows how indiscreet Israel s attacks are but they are not answerable to any one. At the most there will a formal apology to our government and thatall. My heartfelt condolences to col kales wife and two daughters. He was there to help bring peace, Javed Akhtar wrote on X (formally Twitter). Kale, 46, died while he was going from war-torn Rafah to a hospital in Khan Younis in Gaza. On Wednesday, India said it is deeply saddened over the death of Kale. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said India's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York as well as its mission in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains of Kale to India. In November last year, Javed Akhtar slammed Israel for justifying bombing Palestinian territories. He said in a post on X, So now Israel is justifying its indiscriminate round the clock bombing on helpless civilians of Gaza by giving example of Hiroshima and Nagasaki . !!! .. and the so-called civilised world is listening . They are the same people who teach us human rights. Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed his condolences to Kale's family. Also Read | MEA reacts to death of ex-India Army officer Col Waibhav Anil Kale in Gaza Taking to X, Kharge said, Extremely saddened to know about the passing away of Colonel Anil Vaibhav Kale (Retd.) who sacrificed his life working for global peace while serving as UN Security Service Coordinator in Gaza. His untimely demise leaves behind a legacy of selflessness and dedication to peacekeeping. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. Kale served in the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and retired two years ago to join the UN. He was working as the Security Coordinator in the UN's Department of Safety and Security (DSS) and had joined two months ago. His cousin Chinmay Ashok Kale said Anil was extremely patriotic and that his service to the nation ran in his blood. He was very active and always up to something since childhood. However, he was also very dedicated to his family and would catch up and spend time with us whenever he could. Patriotism and service to the nation run in the veins of the Kale family. It was his grandfather's wish that he join the forces. He sat for the exam on several occasions but couldn't crack it. However, he did not lose heart and kept at it till he finally fulfilled his grandfather's dream by being drafted into the army, news agency ANI quoted Chinmay Ashok Kale as saying. The deputy spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General said in a statement, The Secretary-General was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) staff member and injury to another DSS staffer when their UN vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah this morning. The statement added that Waibhav had recently joined the United Nations as a security service coordinator and had been stationed in Gaza for about a month. The Secretary-General also strongly condemned all attacks on UN personnel and urged for a thorough investigation into the matter. At least 10 schools in Kanpur received threatening emails on Wednesday, triggering panic in the city. This comes amid a spate of such emails threatening schools and hospitals with bomb blasts in several cities across India, including Delhi. The emails have come through servers based in Russia. Over 50 schools in Jaipur received bomb threats via email on Monday. (PTI file photo) According to initial reports, the emails threatened to blow up the schools. The district administration has rushed the bomb disposal squad to the schools to sanitise the premises. Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Harish Chander said the police's cyber cell is probing the matter. "Kanpur Police received information about a bomb threat to various schools. The cyber cell is investigating the matter. All officials are instructed to monitor CCTV footage thoroughly to establish a link between this threat and previous bomb threats which were received by multiple schools, airports and hospitals," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. He also urged parents not to create a panic situation. On Tuesday, eight schools in Bengaluru received emails threatening bomb blasts. Last week, the city's popular hospital chain, St Philomena, received a bomb threat. All these threatening emails later turned out to be hoaxes. Bengaluru Scottish School, Bhavan Bangalore School, Jain Heritage School, Deeksha High School, Edify Schools, Chitrakoota School, Gangothri International Public School, and Giridhanva School were among those that received the threat email from the same domain, 'Beeble.com'. Delhi's Tihar Jail also received similar threats via emails yesterday. Delhi's Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital, GTB Hospital, Dada Dev Hospital and Hedgewar Hospital also received bomb threats via email. The city's administration scrambled the bomb disposal squad, bomb detection team, fire department and the local police to conduct searches. Over the last one month, Indira Gandhi International Airport, over 20 hospitals and more than 100 schools across the national capital region (NCR) have received such threats; all of them turned out to be hoaxes. On Monday, over 50 schools in Jaipur received similar emails. The domains through which most of these emails originate, are hosted in Russia. Per the Delhi police's FIR, the bomb hoax emails were aimed at creating mass panic and disturbing public order in the national capital. These emails have become a menace for law enforcement agencies as they trigger panic, cause mass evacuations, traffic jams, and waste resources. The ministry of home affairs has issued detailed guidelines regarding how to deal with such situations. Thiruvananthapuram, Politicians from the Left and the Congress party in Kerala have rallied behind Malayalam superstar Mammootty who is facing online harassment from certain right wing sympathisers in connection with one of his movies that had been released two years ago. The controversy erupted after posts on on social media platforms claimed that the movie 'Puzhu' released in 2022 was an anti-Brahmanical one. Some of them even used Mammootty's birth name, Muhammed Kutty, to criticise the national award-winning actor in connection with the film, which was a psychological drama directed by debutant filmmaker Ratheena P T. The row erupted following a recent interview given by the woman director's husband to an online channel in which he claimed that the movie was against a particular community and criticised Mammootty over doing the film. Rubbishing the social media campaign against the legendary actor, several persons including state Ministers V Sivankutty and K Rajan and AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal came out in support of Mammootty. Senior CPI leader and General Education Minister V Sivankutty put up a Facebook post sharing a photo of of him with the actor, who has won three national awards, among many other recognitions. "Mammootty is Malayalees' pride," the minister said in the FB post. CPI leader and Revenue Minister K Rajan also described Mammootty as the "Pride of Kerala and Malayalees". The minister alleged that "Sangh Parivar politics" was behind such campaigns and said that such propaganda would not reap its desired results in the state. "This is Kerala," he pointed out to those behind the campaign. Recalling a similar campaign unleashed against eminent director Kamal some time ago, the minister said the "the Sanghi politics of calling Mammootty as Mohammed Kutty, Kamal as Kamaluddin and Vijay as Joseph Vijay will not reap any result here." Sharing similar views, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal also strongly supported Mammootty and said the secular society of the state would not support such propaganda. He said no matter how hard they try to brand a person who has clear political views and acting skills, the people of the state won't support them. In an FB post, the Congress leader further said that it is the duty of Kerala society to take care of the actor without being affected by the "poison of hate campaigns". A person like Mammootty cannot be confined to the compartments of religion and caste, he said, adding that vested interests are doing so with a clear political agenda. "Mammootty is being Mohammed Kutty only in the contemptuous minds of those hate campaigners," the leader added. The actor is yet to react to the controversy. Kerala politicians stand by actor Mammootty facing online harassment, call him state's pride A woman has accused her husband of torturing her over dowry within a week of their marriage, police said. The woman, a resident of North Paravur in Ernakulam district, alleged that her husband Rahul attacked her and tried to strangle her to death with the cord of a cellphone charger (File photo) The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has registered a case on its own and ordered an investigation. The woman, a resident of North Paravur in Ernakulam district, alleged that her husband Rahul attacked her and tried to strangle her to death with the cord of a cellphone charger. She further alleged that he also punched her several times in the head and hit her back with a belt. He slapped me on the face first and then punched me in the head at least three times. He also hit me on the forehead and it had swollen. When I tried to escape from the room, he caught me, pushed me on my back on the bed and struck me with a belt. I started bleeding from the nose and began losing consciousness. He also attempted to kill me by constricting my throat with the cord of a mobile charger. He kept saying that he would kill me, the woman told media persons about the events that unfolded at her in-laws home in Pantheerankavu in Kozhikode district on May 11. The woman said that her husband tortured her in the name of dowry. He told me that he deserved to get more dowry from my family. He wanted 150 sovereigns of gold and a car. First he assaulted me in the room, he had an hour-long discussion with his mother behind closed doors. He refused to tell me when I asked about it, she said. She complained that her in-laws did not come to her rescue while she was being assaulted. I was crying quite loudly in the room and Im sure they must have heard my cries. But they didnt intervene, she said. The womans family has also alleged that the local police in Pantheerankavu did not take their complaint against Rahul seriously. I dont think the local police there would investigate seriously. The officers were very friendly with him and I suspect that he would have paid them off. I dont think we will get justice from them, the victims mother told media persons. An officer at the Pantheerankavu police station, on condition of anonymity, said a case has been registered against Rahul under section 498(A) (punishment for cruelty inflicted upon married woman by husband or his relatives) and 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). When asked why the accused was not booked for attempt to murder as per the victims complaint, the officer said, We will add it if it is required. We will have to check the statement of the doctor as well. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly VD Satheesan accused the local police of being indifferent to the complaint of the woman. Are the police with the victim or the accused? The hands of the police are tied. Satheesan said in a statement. He said the incident in Pantheerankavu has led to an enlightened state like Kerala to bow its head down in humiliation. It is unbelievable that a woman is tortured in the name of dowry within a week of marriage. The woman was tortured to the extent that her parents could not recognise her. This cannot be accepted, he said. Kendrapara, Lack of industries, unemployment and migration of skilled workforce are the main issues in Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency in coastal Odisha from where BJP national vice president Baijayant Panda is contesting against BJD's Anshuman Mohanty. Lack of industry, migration of skilled workforce main issues in Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat Kendrapara parliamentary constituency has sent a galaxy of political heavyweights including late Biju Patnaik and former Lok Sabha Speaker Rabi Ray to the Lok Sabha in the past. This time, the fight is mainly between Panda and Mohanty with Sidharth Swarup Das of Congress also in the fray. Elections to the Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency will be held on June 1. This coastal region is primarily an agrarian belt with people largely dependent on farming for sustenance. The district, despite sending several political heavyweights to Lok Sabha and state Assembly, still does not figure in the industrial map though the Naveen Patnaik government in December last year had approved ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel's proposal to set up a 1,02,275 crore worth mega steel project at Mahakalpara block of Kendrapara district. Migration of skilled workforce is a common factor here as employment opportunities here are few and far. The skilled plumbers from this region have made their presence felt across the globe. The plumbers are much sought-after for their workmanship and dexterity. Exodus of plumbers to overseas is a recurring phenomenon. Just like nurses from Kerala, Kendrapara plumbers are much in demand in Gulf countries for their professional approach to work. The region, home to Bhitarkanika National Park and Olive Ridley turtle habitat of Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, virgin beaches, is yet to be utilized for ecotourism-related economy. "I know for sure; there will be no visible change whoever wins. Kendrapara will remain the same as it was... Though there has been improvement in infrastructure in the form of road infrastructure, river bridges and rail lines, employment opportunities elude the youths here," rued an elderly voter from Kendrapara town, Subhash Chandra Mohanty. Panda, an industrialist was elected to Lok Sabha twice from the Kendrapara seat in 2009 and 2014 on BJD ticket. He was also a two-time BJD Rajya Sabha MP from 2000 to 2009. Panda was suspended from the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on charges of anti-party activities and later he resigned from the party as well from Lok Sabha. Panda lost to BJD's Anubhav Mohanty by a margin of 1,81,483 votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Mohanty, a Congress deserter and former MLA had joined the BJD days before the polls. The Congress candidate Das is a political greenhorn with zero experience in Vidhan Sabha or Lok Sabha election. The poll fight, according to observers, will be principally between BJP's Panda and BJD's Mohanty, son of veteran politician late Nalinikanta Mohanty who was expelled from BJD in 2000 by CM Naveen Patnaik. The Aul, Mahakalpada, Rajnagar, Kendrapara, Patkura, Kisannagar and Mahanga Assembly segments constitute the Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency spread across Kendrapara district with parts in Cuttack district. Significantly, all the Assembly seats coming under the parliamentary constituency were bagged by the BJD . The parliamentary constituency is home to 17,91,112 voters including 42,181 first-time voters. It has 9,26,275 male voters and 8,64,837 female. Biju Patnaik had won the seat thrice successively in 1977, 1980 and 1984. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Rabi Ray had won consecutive elections from Kendrapara in 1989 and 1991. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The strategic Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency, which votes on May 20, is ready for a triangular contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and an independent candidate from the Shia-dominated Kargil district The triangular contest in the constituency, which shares its borders with China and Pakistan, will be between Congress candidate Tsering Namgyal, leader of the opposition in Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council, the BJPs Tashi Gyalson, chairman-cum-chief executive councillor of the Leh hill council, and independent candidate Hanifa Jan who was the former president of the National Conferences (NC) Kargil unit. Given the rapidly changing political dynamics in the constituency, political observers and voters foresee a close contest between Jan and BJPs Gyalson. The Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency goes to polls on May 20 in the fifth phase; Leh is a Buddhist-majority district while Kargil has a higher Shia Muslim population. Prominent political analyst Zafar Choudhary said the BJP, which, until recently was considered down and out, because of the protracted agitations in Ladakh over the issue of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and statehood, was back in the contest. In the last 10 years, BJP built a narrative that they alone can fulfil the aspirations of the region and Ladakhs old demand from 1947 of carving out a separate UT out of J&K was fulfilled by none other than the BJP in 2019, said Choudhary. Then protracted agitations over the Sixth Schedule and statehood followed after BJPs U-turn. Consequently, the party dropped incumbent MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and fielded Tashi Gyalson, an advocate, who is popular among Buddhists and Muslims as well. I dont see it as a major triangular contest. To me, it appears to be a direct contest between Leh and Kargilmore between Buddhists and Muslims, added Choudhary. Hanifa Jan, who in his election manifesto, has accorded top priority to Sixth Schedule, statehood, unemployment, and one more Lok Sabha seat for Ladakh, is going to win because Kargil has more voters than Leh and the fight between Congress and BJP in Leh would benefit Jan, said Akbar Ali, 33, a voter from Kargil. Leader of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), Sajjad Hussain Kargili, who has backed out of the race in support of Jan, said: Now, it is a straight contest between Jan and BJPs Gyalson. Congress is nowhere in the picture. The Kargil unit of the Congress is also supporting Jan. Jan could win by a margin of 10,000 to 20,000 votes, Kargili said, adding that in case Jans votes get divided then Congress (Kargil unit) would be squarely held responsible. It may be noted here that earlier, in an unexpected development, the Kargil unit of the Congress decided to support Jan in total contravention to the party high commands candidate Tsering Namgyal. As part of the seat-sharing agreement between the National Conference (NC) and Congress, Ladakh had gone to the Congress, which nominated Namgyal. However, Kargil units of the NC and Congress had announced Jan as their consensus candidate. The entire unit of the NC resigned after party president Farooq Abdullah asked them to support INDIA bloc candidate Namgyal. The district of Kargil has 7,049 more voters than the Buddhist-dominated Leh district; Leh district has 88877 voters and Kargil 95926. After months of trouble, BJP is back in the contest. Though Jans probability of winning is higher because of more voters in Kargil and evolving polarisation between Leh and Kargil, BJPs tactics of fielding Tashi Gyalson has, to some extent, soothed frayed nerves of the people and has brought BJP back in the contest, Choudhary added. Jan is the lone candidate contesting from the Shia-dominated Kargil district and therefore, is banking on the consolidation of the votes in the region. The Islamia School, Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust and other religious organisations of Kargil have also extended support to Jan, who seems to enjoy the confidence of KDA as well. Ladakh Buddhist Association president Chering Dorje Lakrook said that Jan had a strong chance of winning the seat. Given the triangular contest, it appears that the Kargil candidate will win because the division of votes looks imminent in Leh but not in Kargil. Hanifa Jans chances to win are 90% unless something unusual happens, said Lakrook. The vast and sparsely populated Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency spans an area of 173.266 sq km. The election authorities have set up 598 polling stations. In 2014, BJP candidate Thupstan Chhewang won the seat followed by party candidate Jamyang Tsering Namgayal in 2019. Lok Sabha elections 2024 highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow in Mumbai's Ghatkopar on Wednesday evening, as campaigning continues for the fifth round of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. In the fifth leg, which is scheduled for May 20, voting will be held for 49 parliamentary constituencies spread across six states and two Union territories....Read More A total of 695 candidates will be in the fray in this round, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Union ministers Rajnath Singh (Lucknow) and Smriti Irani (Amethi), and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (Rae Bareli) are among these candidates. On Tuesday, meanwhile, PM Modi filed his nomination from Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi; he is the incumbent two-term Member of Parliament (MP) from the seat and is contesting it for a third consecutive Lok Sabha polls. Varanasi will be among 57 constituencies that will vote in the seventh and final phase on June 1. Here's the phase-wise schedule for the Lok Sabha Election 2024: Phase 1: April 19 Phase 2: April 26 Phase 3: May 7 Phase 4: May 13 Phase 5: May 20 Phase 6: May 25 Phase 7: June 1 Counting of votes: June 4 Three phases of polling remain for Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Lok Sabha election. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will hold their first joint press conference in Lucknow to boost their electoral chances in the state. The fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls will take place on May 20. (File photo) Even as the Congress stitched a strong alliance with the SP, the transfer of votes between the two parties remains crucial for the two INDIA bloc allies to win seats. The same will also decide the fate of the three Congress candidates from Delhi, where the party is in an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Rahul to Raebareli: Will fight for your dreams Rahul Gandhi has evolved his own way of campaigning in Rae Bareli, considered to be his partys bastion and there are indications that he will address a major public meeting in Rae Bareli city before the campaigning ends on May 18. Rae Bareli goes to the polls in the fifth phase on May 20. Rahul also told the gathering of this journey, saying, I walked 4,000 km from Kanyakumari to Jammu and Kashmir and opened a shop of love in the market of hatred. You have opened a mall/supermarket of love here. AAP admits misbehaviour with Swati Maliwal AAP leader Sanjay Singh on Tuesday admitted that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals private secretary Bibhav Kumar misbehaved with the partys Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at the chief ministers residence on May 13 when she was waiting to meet the CM; and added that the CM has taken note of the incident and has asked for strict action. The acknowledgment by Singh comes a day after Delhi Police received two calls from CMs residence, claiming Maliwal was assaulted there. Maliwal herself, who has been incommunicado since, arrived at Civil Lines police station soon after the alleged incident but she left stating she would file a complaint later. Mamata offers to cook for Modi Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modis outrage over video footage of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav enjoying fish, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee offered to cook for the BJP leader. At an election rally in Kolkata, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief said she was ready to cook something for him (Modi) if he wanted but added that she was not sure whether he would consume the meal prepared by her. Banerjee was targeting the BJP for allegedly interfering with food choices of people following the furore over the video of Tejashwi posted during Navratri. Last month, PM Modi accused opposition leaders of demonstrating a Mughal mindset and teasing the people of the country by consuming non-vegetarian food in the holy month of Sawan and posting a video of it online. Modi said eating non-vegetarian food during Navratri and Sawan hurt the feelings of people. Get Prajwal Revanna back from Germany: Cong to PM The Congress on Monday demanded that PM Modi make all efforts to bring back Karnatakas JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna, who fled the country after sexual abuse allegations surfaced against him. Talking to reporters, Congress women wing president Alka Lamba said the party will show black flags to PM Modi during his rally and roadshow in Mumbai on May 15 and 17. You should bring back Prajwal Revanna and hand him over to the Karnataka government. The silence of PM and BJP leaders is like supporting the accused, Lamba said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latter's assertion that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is going 400 paar (400 plus seats) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Modi and the BJP have been talking about 400-paar. Fortunately they are not speaking about '600-paar' as there is a constitutional limit on the strength of Lok Sabha at 543 seats, PTI quoted Kharge as saying at a rally in Raebareli, from where Rahul Gandhi is contesting the Lok Sabha elections. ALSO READ: If Modi becomes PM again, polls wont be held in country: Kharge The Congress chief said that he signed all the promises made by the grand old party, that will be fulfilled if the INDIA bloc forms the government at the Centre. It's not like 'Modi ki guarantee' which is never fulfilled, he added. ALSO READ: Modi in Nashik: PM hits out at Congress again for appeasing Muslims Kharge alleged that Modi's government is "cut off from the poor", and is working just for the interest of a handful of industrialists. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the Modi government is "cut off from the poor", and is working just for the interest of a handful of industrialists(ANI) People will bid goodbye to this dispensation and the opposition coalition will come to power after the results are announced in the first week of June, the Congress leader said. The Congress brought the Food Security Act, you (PM Modi did nothing. You are giving five kg free ration, if the INDIA bloc forms government, we will give 10 kg ration to the poor, he added. Slamming the prime minister for mocking Rahul Gandhi over the Congress leader's decision to contest from Raebareli and not Amethi, Kharge said,"The fact is that Modi himself has ran away from Gujarat and chose Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to contest the poll." Modi promised to double farmers income, have these been fulfilled?': Kharge During the rally, Kharge said,"Modi had promised to double the income of farmers and provide two crore jobs to unemployed youths. Have these been fulfilled?" The Congress president said that after coming to power, the opposition coalition government would fill 30 lakh vacancies in government departments and public sector undertakings out of which half would be for the weaker sections. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday asserted that her party Trinamool Congress will extend outside support to the opposition INDIA alliance to form the government at the Centre. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.(PTI file) BJP is claiming that it will win 400 seats, but people are saying it will not happen. The entire country has understood that the BJP is a party full of thieves. We (TMC) will support the INDIA bloc from outside to form a government at the Centre, the TMC chief said at a rally in Hooghly. ALSO READ: Only guarantee is Narendra Modi not returning to power, says Mamata Banerjee "We will extend our support so that in (West) Bengal, our mothers and sisters never face a problem... and those who work in the 100 days' job scheme, also do not face problems," she added. However, Banerjee said that the TMC will not support the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Congress in Bengal, whom she alleged are helping the BJP. "Do not count on the CPI(M) and the Congress in Bengal. They are not with us, they are with the BJP here. I am talking about that (INDIA bloc) in Delhi," PTI quoted her as saying. ALSO READ: Mamata skipped Ram Temple to not offend her infiltrator vote bank: Amit Shah Though still a part of the INDIA bloc, the TMC chose to go it alone in Bengal. The Congress and the Left Front have a seat-sharing arrangement in the state under which the Left parties contest 30 seats and the Congress contests the remaining 12 seats Reminding the BJP of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's loss in the 2004 general elections, Mamata Banerjee said,"They (BJP) are desperate to win. But the country's voice is also united in calling for their defeat. Nobody was able to predict Atal Bihari Vajpayee's defeat in 2004. He gave the slogan 'India Shining' but the winds changed and the people didn't vote for him." The TMC chief also slammed the Election Commission for holding general elections over a period of two months. "The Election Commission is a puppet and operates according to Modi's directions. Poll is being held for two-and-half months, have you (poll officials) ever realised the struggle of the common people," she said. (With PTI inputs) Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday hit out at Mamata Banerjee over her allegations dubbing Sandeshkhali incident a conspiracy by Bharatiya Janata Party. Mamata Banerjee has developed a Modus Operandi. First commit atrocities, once people talk about this then hide it and conduct atrocities again. Sandeshkhali is a classic example of this. Under a woman Chief Minister's nose, according to religion, atrocities are committed against women...She is quiet? Shah told news agency ANI in an interview. High Court has to intervene, still no investigation (by West Bengal Police) and then the case has to go to CBI...she should be ashamed, the minister added. Sandeshkhali, a village in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas, was at the centre of a political storm after several women accused local Trinamool Congress strongman Sheikh Shahjahan of land grabbing and sexual assault. Shahjahan was suspended from the TMC and later arrested. ALSO READ: Why is Sandeshkhali, a riverine island in WB, on the boil again? Earlier this month, the TMC released a video alleging that leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari hatched a conspiracy and paid the women villagers of Sandeshkhali to frame local TMC leadership. Union home minister Amit Shah (left) and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The viral video released by TMC showed a man named Gangadhar Koyal purportedly narrating how Suvendu Adhikari had directed BJP cadre to frame TMC leaders and get them arrested. ALSO READ: Fresh clash erupts in Sandeshkhali after TMC releases new sting video Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday at a rally in West Bengal's Nadia had hit out at the BJP on Sandeshkhali issue. The BJP and the PM are spreading falsehoods on the issue. The 'guarantee babu' (Modi's guarantee) is maligning West Bengal. Our women were tricked and deceived into writing just anything without their consent. Women are now coming out and saying that they hadn't filed these (false rape) complaints. Who should be punished for this? I want to tell them that truth wins and a lie doesn't live forever, she was quoted by PTI as saying. The ministry of external affairs on Wednesday condoled the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (retd), the Indian national who was working with the UN in Gaza. The MEA said India's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York as well as its mission in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains of Waibhav Anil Kale to India. A native of Nagpur, Waibhav Kale, 46, working with the United Nations, tragically lost his life enroute to a hospital in the Rafah region of Gaza, Palestine, on Monday. (HT PHOTO)(HT_PRINT) Waibhav Anil Kale was killed after the vehicle he was travelling in came under attack in Gaza's Rafah region on Monday. The MEA, in an official statement, said We are deeply saddened by the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in Gaza on 13 May 2024. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones. Our Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and our Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains to India and continue to be in touch with relevant authorities regarding the investigation into the incident, the ministry added. Waibhav Anil Kale, who was working for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS), was killed when his vehicle was attacked in Rafah, where Israel is currently carrying out military operations. Kale, 46, prematurely retired from the Indian Army in June 2022. He was a counter-terrorism specialist who also served as a UN peacekeeper before his retirement. Kale's death marked the first time an international staff member of the UN has died in the Israel-Hamas was since October 2023. The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York posted on X, We are deeply saddened by the loss of Col Waibhav Kale, working for the UN Department of Safety and Security in Gaza. Our deepest condolences are with the family during this difficult time. Further, the United Nations launched an investigation into the unidentified missile that hit Kale's vehicle, claiming his life on May 13. In a statement on Monday after Kale's death, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated an "urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages," saying the conflict in Gaza was continuing to take a heavy toll "not only on civilians but also on humanitarian workers". Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said people across religious lines will vote for him, maintaining the day he does divisive politics he will be unworthy of public life, days after his comments alleging Congress will take away reservations meant for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes and give them to Muslims as well redistribute wealth to the minority community sparked an uproar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI) The day I do Hindu-Muslim, I will be unworthy of public life...it is my resolve that I will not do Hindu-Muslim, he said in an interview with News18 India in his constituency of Varanasi on Tuesday. Modi, who posted clips of the interview on X on the day he filed his nomination for the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, maintained he neither said Hindu nor Muslim in his April 21 speech in Rajasthans Banswara. I said you should have as many children as you can support. Do not create a situation where the government has to... In response to a question whether Muslims would vote for him or if he needed their votes, he said the countrys people would vote for him. He referred to the housing scheme and said when houses are given, he talks about 100% delivery. Modi said when homes are given, there is no consideration of community, caste, or religion. He called 100% saturation social justice and true secularism. ...there is no chance of corruption in it. You know that if another person got it this Monday, I will get it next Monday. The comments came days after the Election Commission of India (ECI) sent a notice to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda in response to the Congress, Communist Party of India, and Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) Liberations complaints about Modis Banswara speech. Opposition leaders targeted Modi over the comments with Congress chief Mallikaarjun Kharge calling the remarks hate speech. Kharge said that Modi had lowered the dignity of political discourse. In the notice to Nadda, the ECI said star campaigners have to set high standards of political discourse and observe provisions of the Model Code of Conduct in letter and spirit. In its complaint, the Congress highlighted a part of Modis speech in which he said when the party was in power it said Muslims have the first right to the countrys resources. Modi questioned who will they redistribute resources to. Those who have more children. Those who are infiltrators. Will your hard-earned money be given to infiltrators? Will you accept that? The Congress manifesto says they will take stock of the gold owned by our mothers and sisters, and then they will redistribute that wealth. And distribute it to those who, according to the Manmohan Singh government, have the first right to resources Muslims. This is Urban Naxal thinking, and mothers and sisters, they will not even spare your Mangalsutra. They will stoop to this level. In December 2006, then-Prime Minister Singh said, We will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, are empowered to share equitably in the fruits of development. They must have the first claim on our resources. The Congress has said that the BJP is misrepresenting Singhs remarks and that he had spoken of the need to empower the marginalised, including the scheduled castes, the scheduled tribes, and Muslims. The Congress maintained Modis comments violated sections of the Indian Penal Code and the MCC, a voluntary set of guidelines for political parties during the election season. MCC says no party or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic. Mumbai hoarding collapse news: A case has been filed against Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of Ego Media Private Limited, the company responsible for installing the massive hoarding in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area. The giant hoarding collapsed on Monday evening, resulting in the loss of at least 16 lives. The FIR was registered against Bhavesh Bhinde and others for culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the IPC at Pant Nagar police station, another official said. The giant hoarding in Mumbai's Ghatkopar collapsed on Monday evening, resulting in the death of at least 14 people. The FIR was registered against Bhavesh Bhinde and others for culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the IPC at Pant Nagar police station. Bhavesh Bhinde remained absconding since the incident. Police officials said Bhavesh Bhinde's mobile phone is also switched off. The illegal hoarding, which stood on a piece of land in the possession of the Government Railway Police (GRP), crashed into a petrol pump in the Chheda Nagar area when the city was hit by dust storms and unseasonal rain. Officials said late Tuesday evening that the search and rescue operation at the site of the collapse in Ghatkopar continued even 40 hours after the incident and may continue for a few more hours. An official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said victims trapped under as much as 90 per cent of the 120 x 120-foot hoarding had been rescued. At least 89 persons were extricated from under the hoarding, of whom 14 were declared dead while the other 75 were injured and undergoing treatment, officials said. Two more bodies were located under the debris as the search and rescue operation continued after the incident, officials told PTI on Wednesday. The bodies were spotted last night at the hoarding crash site in Ghatkopar, but were yet to be pulled out, they said. Mumbai hoarding collapse: Who is Bhavesh Bhinde? The Supreme Court on Wednesday summoned the Uttarakhand chief secretary to appear before it on May 17 over the lackadaisical approach shown by the Uttarakhand government in tackling fires. NDRF personnel try to control a fire that broke out in the forest of Pauri Garhwal district on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.(PTI) The top court directed that no state shall deploy forest officials or forest department vehicles for poll duty. The Supreme Court has also sought an explanation on why central funds were not utilised for dousing fires as out of over 9 crore disbursed by Centre last year, only 3.14 crore was spent on preventing forest fires. The chief secretary has also been asked to explain large vacancies in the forest department, lack of fire fighting equipment, and deployment of forest officials despite specific exemption granted by Election Commission. ALSO READ: Relying on rain god no solution: SC to Uttarakhand as forest fires rage The bench headed by Justice BR Gavai and also comprising Justices SVN Bhatti and Sandeep Mehta, observed that though multiple action plans are prepared, no steps are taken for their implementation. The top court's tough stance comes in the wake of the wildfires that have hit the hill state this summer. On May 9, the head of forest force Dhananjay Mohan said that five people had lost their lives while 1,300 hectares of land were affected due to the forest fires. The situation of forest fire is currently under control. Forest department personnel are reaching on time at the accident spot. So far 388 cases have been registered in forest fires and 60 cases have been named, Mohan had told news agency ANI. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had launched the Pirul Lao-Paise Pao Mission last week. 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. On Wednesday, the chief minister said on X,"One of the main reasons for forest fires is Pirul. For its disposal, we are running a campaign along with the common people. Under the campaign 'Pirul lao, Paise pao', a large number of people are collecting Pirul and selling it to the government at the rate of 50 per kg." Its widespread effect is also being seen. At present, due to this campaign, the incidents of forest fire have reduced significantly and the villagers living near the forest area are also earning income, Dhami added. Amid a row over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "infiltrators" and "those with more children" remarks, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday accused the prime minister of using "communal" language since the start of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.(PTI) He also lamented the "inaction" of the Election Commission after the Congress brought the issue to their attention. Follow full coverage of the Lok Sabha elections. Ramesh also criticised the prime minister's defense in which he denied that he was stoking divisions between Hindus and Muslims to win the Lok Sabha elections 2024. The nation knows very well that the outgoing PM is a pathological liar. But even by his own pathetic standards, Mr. Modi's latest claim that he does not do Hindu-Muslim politics shows the new depths he reaches daily in lying, Ramesh wrote on X. Since April 19th 2024, it is a matter of public record that cannot be erased from our collective memory - even if Mr. Modi erases it from his own - that the outgoing PM has blatantly and brazenly used communal language, symbols, and allusions. He added: We have brought this to the attention of the Election Commission of India as well. Action should have been taken, but sadly it has not. Ramesh further alleged that Modi has no agenda except "Hindu-Muslim politics" in his campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. His party's manifesto, an incoherent jumble of words amidst an array of his own photos, has found zero traction. Modi ki Guarantee, promoted at tremendous cost to the public exchequer for the last few months, has fallen flat. 400 Paar has been given a silent burial, Ramesh wrote on X. Also Read | No reservation based on religion to Muslims as long as I am alive: PM Narendra Modi His last, desperate attempt at having a campaign has been to lie and spread untruths about the Congress Party's and the INDIA janbandhan's agenda for equitable growth for each and every Indian citizen. The certainty of his exit has now forced him to feign memory loss," the Congress leader added. What PM Modi said During an election rally in Rajasthan, PM Narendra Modi claimed that if voted to power, the Congress would distribute the country's wealth to those who have more children. "Congress earlier said Muslims had the first right in the country's wealth. In their manifesto, the Congress said they will distribute the country's property...to whom? Earlier, when their (Congress) government was in power, they had said that Muslims have the first right to the country's assets. This means they will distribute the wealth among those who have more children, among infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money go to the infiltrators? Do you approve of this?" Modi had asked. The Congress had condemned the statement, saying that the prime minister, through his 'lies', was again creating division between Hindus and Muslims. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, however, had defended Modi's remarks, saying that the PM echoed people's sentiments by calling a spade a spade. Bhatia said the opposition is in pain as Modi has shown them the mirror of its past. On Tuesday, PM Modi, however, defended the allegations against him saying the day I do Hindu-Muslim, I will be unworthy of public life and it is my resolve that I will not do Hindu-Muslim. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena on Wednesday, calling it the nakli Shiv Sena (fake Shiv Sena) and stating that it, along with the Nationalist Congress Party, will gradually merge with the Congress. He cited reported statements from Nationalist Congress Party-SCP chief Sharad Pawar, who remarked that in the next couple of years, several regional parties will associate more closely with Congress or even merge with it. PM Narendra Modi addressed an election rally in Dindori district, Maharashtra on Wednesday.(PTI) PM Modi, while addressing a poll rally in Maharashtra's Dindori, said, Congress is losing so badly that it is difficult for them even to become a valid opposition. A leader of the INDI alliance in Maharashtra suggested that all the small parties in Maharashtra should merge with Congress after the elections. This fake Shiv Sena and fake Nationalist Party will certainly merge with Congress. When this fake Shiv Sena merges with Congress, I will remember Bala Saheb Thackeray the most. Balasaheb also used to say that the day he felt that Shiv Sena had become Congress, that day he would end Shiv Sena, meaning that now there will be no trace of fake Shiv Sena, he added. Did Sharad Pawar talk about NCP's merger with Congress? Last week, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar clarified that he did not discuss his party's merger with the Congress, but instead highlighted their collaborative efforts. Responding to inquiries about the potential merger, Pawar informed reporters in Satara on May 9 that he had never made any such statement. In an interview with a newspaper, Pawar mentioned that in the coming years, various regional parties could forge stronger alliances with the Congress or even consider merging with it. Modi slams Cong, Shiv Sena (UBT) over Ram Temple ceremony invite PM Modi also hit out at Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) for rejecting the invitation to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya that took place in January this year, saying, The fake Shiv Sena has shattered every dream of Balasaheb Thackeray. His dream was to build a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. Congress rejected the invitation of Pran Pratishtha, and fake Shiv Sena also chose the same path. Congress people are talking nonsense about the temple and the fake Shiv Sena is completely silent. Their sinful partnership has been exposed in front of the entire world. In the four phases of elections that have taken place, the public has defeated them from all sides, he added. Criticising the Congress for its approach towards reservations in India, PM Modi accused them of resorting to vote bank politics. He asserted that he opposes budget allocation and reservations based on religious considerations. Additionally, PM Modi emphasised that his BJP-led government at the centre never considers religion when formulating plans or implementing schemes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a roadshow in Mumbai's Ghatkopar at 8pm on Wednesday, May 15. Modi's roadshow will cover 2.5 km, and strict traffic guidelines have been issued to ensure there are no security lapses during his rally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses during a public meeting for the Lok Sabha polls, in Koderma on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)(BJP media) The roadshow will commence at 8 pm from Shreyas Cinema on LBS Road in Ghatkopar, and end at Gandhi market. PM Narendra Modi will be campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Ghatkopar seat, Mihir Kotecha. The constituency will go to polls with other Mumbai seats on May 20, in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election. In view of Modi's rally in Ghatkopar, the Mumbai Police issued a strict traffic advisory, shutting off multiple routes in the area for some hours. The LBS road will remain closed for vehicles from Gandhi Nagar junction to Naupada junction, and the Mahul-Ghatkopar road will remain closed from Meghraj junction to RB Kadam junction from 2pm to 10pm, a Mumbai traffic police official told news agency PTI. Some other roads that will remain closed during this time are - Andheri Ghatkopar Link Road from Ghatkopar Junction to Sakinaka Junction, Gulati petrol pump junction from Hiranandani Kailas Complex Road and from Golibar Maidan and Ghatkopar Metro Station (West) towards Sarvodaya Junction. The vehicular traffic will be diverted to the Eastern Express Highway, Western Express Highway, Andheri-Kurla Road, Saki Vihar Road, MIDC Central road, Santacruz Chembur Link Road (SCLR), Sion Bandra Link Road and Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link road (JVLR), the official added. Ahead of his roadshow, PM Modi will address an election rally in Dindori, and later in Kalyan. The prime minister's roadshow comes two days after a massive hoarding collapsed in Ghatkopar near a petrol pump, killing 14 people and injuring 75. The hoarding, larger than an Olympic pool, collapsed amid heavy rains and dust storms across Mumbai on Monday evening. The billboard collapse in Ghatkopar on Tuesday led to traffic congestions on multiple routes and road closures as rescue operations advanced. Fourteen officials of the Hindustan Copper Limited trapped inside a mine in Rajasthan's Neem Ka Thana were rescued by relief teams on Wednesday morning, while one official was found dead, sources said. The officials were trapped inside the Kolihan mine in the district on Tuesday night after a lift collapsed. All 14 trapped in Rajasthan mine rescued by relief teams (Photo - PTI/X) The vertical shaft carrying the 15 PSU Hindustan Copper Limited officials collapsed on Tuesday night after one of its ropes snapped. Earlier on Wednesday, officials in charge of the rescue mission said that all 15 had been rescued, and three had been taken out of the mine. "All have been rescued. Three of them have been taken out of the mine and sent to hospital. They have fractures," Dr Mahendra Singh, part of the medical team on site, told PTI. Rescue operations took place overnight with multiple ambulances and medical teams on site. The trapped personnel were stuck at a depth of 577 metres at the Kolihan mine. Out of the rescued personnel, three were severely injured and in serious condition, receiving treatment at a hospital in Jaipur. The rescue operations were carried out using a ladder and the lift was moved manually. Some of people rescued from the mine sustained fractures to their arms and legs, officials said. Nursing Staff of Jhunjhunu Government Hospital, Shishram told ANI, Some people have suffered fractures in hands and some in legs. Everyone is safe. Three people are seriously injured, the rest are safe. The rescue operation was done with the help of a ladder... The lift that collapsed on Tuesday evening was carrying a Kolkata vigilance team and mine officials. It is believed to have crashed more than 1,800 feet inside the mine. The incident occurred due to the breaking of the rope supporting the lift. The trapped officials included Chief Vigilance Officer Upendra Pandey, Khetri Copper Complex (KCC) unit head GD Gupta, and Kolihan Mine's Deputy General Manager AK Sharma. A journalist, Vikas Pareek, who had entered the mine as a photographer with the vigilance team, was also trapped among the 14 people. Shortly after information was received that the lift had collapsed, medical officials and ambulances rushed to the spot, ordered to prepare for any emergency situation. BJP MLA Dharmpal Gurjar also reached the spot at night to assess the situation. (With inputs from agencies) Fourteen officials and members of a vigilance team of PSU Hindustan Copper Limited were trapped in a Kolihan mine in Rajasthan's Neem Ka Thana district when a vertical lift collapsed on Tuesday. Rescue operations started on Tuesday night, and some of the officials are likely injured in the incident, police said. Rescue operations underway to rescue trapped HCL workers (Photo - PTI/X) Praveen Nayak, superintendent of police of Neem ka Thana district, told news agency PTI that a rescue team reached the spot of the incident. Till now, no casualties from the mine lift collapse have been reported. The vertical shaft used for transporting personnel collapsed in the Kolihan mine in the district, and the Hindustan Copper officials are stuck at a depth of several hundred metres. Rescue operations are currently underway. BJP MLA Dharmpal Gurjar reached the spot soon after the incident was reported to take stock of the situation. The shaft collapsed at around 8 pm on Tuesday night, and ambulances and rescue teams reached the spot shortly after, asked to prepare for an emergency situation. I had gone to Haryana for election campaign but when I got this information, I immediately came here. I called everyone and took stock of the entire situation. I have called the SDM here, Dharampal Gurjar told ANI. The BJP MLA further said, The rescue team is engaged and 6-7 ambulances are standing here... The entire administration is on alert. There is no report of any casualty so far, definitely everyone will come out safely. As rescue operations continue, Rajasthan chief minister Bhajanlal Sharma posted on X, "Information was received about an accident caused by breakage of the lift rope in the Kolihan mine of Hindustan Copper Limited in Khetri, Jhunjhunu. The concerned officials have been instructed to immediately reach the spot and speed up the relief and rescue operations and provide all possible help and health facilities to the affected people..." According to preliminary information, the incident occurred when the vigilance team along with senior officials of the state-owned company went inside the mine for an inspection. When they were about to come up, a rope of the shaft or 'cage' broke due to which around 14 people were stuck, the police said. Attempts are being made to move the lift manually and extract the trapped personnel. (With inputs from agencies) External affairs minister S Jaishankar has hit out at the Western media over the negative coverage of Indian elections, saying the countries that have to go to court for deciding election results are giving gyan on conducting polls. External affairs minister S Jaishankar addresses a press conference.(ANI file) S Jaishankar also claimed that the Western countries feel they have influenced the world for the last 200 years, so they cannot give up their old habits so easily. Interacting with the audience after the launch of the Bangla edition of his book Why Bharat Matters in Kolkata, S Jaishankar said, They (Western countries) do want to influence us because many of these countries feel that they have influenced this world for the last 70-80 years...Western countries actually feel that they influenced the world for the last 200 years. How do you expect someone who has been in that position to give up those old habits so easily. Jaishankar claimed that the Western media want a certain class of people to rule the country and feel disturbed when the Indian electorate doesn't feel the same way. Jaishanakar was responding to a question on allegations made against India by Canada and the US of poll interference, and conducting operations on foreign soil. "Why are these newspapers so negative on India? Because they see an India that is not in a sense compliant with their image of how India should be. They want people, ideology, or a way of life...they want that class of people to rule this country, and they are disturbed when the Indian population feels otherwise," Jaishankar said at the event. Watch the video here: The minister also alleged that Western media, at times, openly endorsed candidates and political parties. "The Western media, in some cases, have openly endorsed candidates and political parties, they don't hide their preference. They are very smart, somebody is doing this domination game for 300 years, they learn a lot, anubhavi log hain, chatur log hain (they are experienced and clever people)," he said. Describing it as a "mind game," Jaishankar took a dig at the West, pointing out that nations resorting to legal avenues to determine election outcomes are now lecturing India. They (newspapers) will reputationally damage you, somebody will bring out an index and put you down in that... The countries which have to go to court to decide the result of their election are giving us gyan about how to conduct the election. This is the mind game that is happening in the world, Jaishankar said. Jaishankar subtly alluded to the ongoing legal dispute initiated by Donald Trump in his attempt to reverse the 2020 US Presidential election results, where Joe Biden defeated him. Jaishankar on US sanction warning after Chabahar Port deal Responding to a question on the US warning of potential risk of sanctions after India inked a 10-year agreement for running the Chabahar Port in Iran, Jaishankar said the project would benefit the entire region, and people should not take a narrow view of it. He also pointed out that the US itself had appreciated the larger relevance of Chabahar in the past. "I did see some of the remarks which were made, but I think it's a question of communicating, convincing and getting people to understand, that this is actually for everyone's benefit. I don't think people should take a narrow view of it," news agency ANI quoted Jaishankar as saying. "They (US) have not done so in the past. So, if you look at the US' own attitude towards the port in Chabahar, the US has been appreciative of the fact that Chabahar has a larger relevance...we will work at it," he added. Earlier on Tuesday, the US warned that anyone considering business deals with Tehran needs to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions. (With inputs from agencies) NEW DELHI: The secretary general of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), Mohammad Golam Sarwar, has met senior Indian officials to discuss the status of regional cooperation and assess the working of institutions under the grouping. Golam Sarwars interactions with Indian authorities focused on various issues of regional cooperation within Saarc, the external affairs ministry said in a statement (X/MEAIndia) Sarwar, who began a five-day visit to India on May 11, met Jaideep Mazumder, secretary (East) of the ministry of external affairs, on Wednesday. Sarwar also met foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra and minister of state for external affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh during the visit. This was the first official visit by the senior Bangladeshi diplomat to any of the member states of Saarc after his appointment as Saarc secretary general in July 2023. Saarc includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Sarwars interactions with Indian authorities focused on various issues of regional cooperation within Saarc, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. During the discussions, India reiterated its commitment towards regional cooperation for growth and prosperity of the people of South Asia through Saarc, it said. It was also underlined that India considers Saarc as an important regional association for cooperation in South Asia and has been taking several efforts and initiatives to bring the peoples of South Asia closer to each other, it added. On Tuesday, Sarwar visited the South Asian University (SAU), an international university established by the eight members of Saarc that is hosted by India in New Delhi, and discussed issues concerning the institution. Sarwar met SAU president KK Aggarwal, who briefed him about the work of the varsity, new programmes introduced by it and avenues for future development. Sarwar noted that SAU is one of the most successful flagship endeavours of Saarc, and expressed gratitude to the Indian government for the support provided to the university. He also highlighted the institutions role in imparting quality education and promoting cooperation among students from across the region. Saarc has been largely moribund since India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan decided to skip the blocs summit in Islamabad in 2016 over concerns related to cross-border terrorism and interference in the internal affairs of member states by Pakistan. Under the Saarc charter, all decisions must be made by unanimity and the postponement of the summit led to the stalling of all work done by the bloc. Since then, India has focused on bolstering cooperation with countries in South Asia through other groupings such as Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) and Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN). The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the release on bail of web portal NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha, who was arrested in October 2023 under the stringent anti-terror law Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for allegedly receiving funds from Chinese firms, saying he was not provided the grounds of arrest and a copy of the remand application. NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha was arrested in October 2023. (HT PHOTO) We have no hesitation to conclude that a copy of the remand application and grounds of arrest were not given to the accused or his lawyer which vitiates the remand, said a bench of justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta. The bench cited the October 2023 Pankaj Bansal case in which the Supreme Court said an arrest would be invalid if written grounds were not communicated to the accused. The arrest and remand is held to be invalid and is quashed and set aside. The bench added that Purkayastha shall be released on bail bonds that the trial cases will decide since a charge sheet has been filed in the case. Additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju, who appeared for the Delhi Police, requested the court the judgment should not prevent police from re-arresting Purkayastha considering the grave charges. The bench said it was not saying anything on that and whatever police are permitted to do under the law, they are allowed to do. Purkayastha, who was arrested in October 2023, challenged the arrest to be illegal as he was kept in the dark about the grounds for it. He said his remand was decided without allowing his lawyers to contest the case. The Delhi high court dismissed the bail plea of Purkayastha, who is accused of receiving funds through Chinese firms to compromise the countrys stability and integrity, on October 13. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who appeared for Purkayastha along with advocate Nitin Saluja, cited the Pankaj Bansal case in which the judgment was passed on the day the NewClick founder was arrested. The Pankaj Bansal judgment related to alleged money laundering. Sibal argued that the investigating agency did not take mandatory sanction from the central government under UAPAs Section 45 before filing the charge sheet. As it reserved the judgment on April 30, the bench observed, You are a premier investigating agency and you file the charge sheet without the mandatory sanction. The bench added the high court was bound by the Pankaj Bansal judgment. At least before communicating the remand application, the grounds of arrest must be communicated. Unless this is done, how can he resist the remand. Raju and advocate Zoheb Hossein for the Delhi police submitted that the arrest grounds were communicated in the remand application. Police maintained the Pankaj Bansal judgment was passed in the context of money laundering. They added there was no rule for providing written grounds of arrest under UAPA. The bench asked Raju: Can remand be granted without informing the accused of the grounds of arrest? This came after police argued that the allegations against the petitioner were grave, affecting national security and that the arrest should not be quashed on technical grounds. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea of a 20-year-old unmarried woman seeking termination of her over 27-week pregnancy, saying the foetus in the womb also has a fundamental right to live. The bench said the duration of pregnancy was over seven months now. (ANI) A bench headed by Justice B R Gavai passed the order while hearing the woman's plea challenging the Delhi High Court's May 3 order refusing to allow termination of her pregnancy. "We can't pass any order contrary to the statute," the bench, also comprising justices S V N Bhatti and Sandeep Mehta, told her counsel. "The child in womb also has a fundamental right to live. What do you say about that?," the bench asked. Read: SC orders NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayasthas release The woman's counsel said the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act talks about the mother only. "It is made for mother," he said. The bench said the duration of pregnancy was over seven months now. "What about the right of the child to survive? How do you address that?" the bench asked. Read: No forest officials for election duty: Supreme Court's tough stance on Uttarakhand fires The counsel said the foetus is in the womb and till the child is delivered, it is the right of the mother. "The petitioner at this stage is under severe traumatic condition. She can't come outside also. She is taking classes for NEET exam. She is under highly traumatic condition. She can't face the society at this stage," he said. The lawyer argued that her mental and physical well-being should be considered. "Sorry," the bench said. Read: India's top court orders release of journalist held in illegal funding case In its May 3 order, the high court had noted that on April 25, the court had directed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences to constitute a medical board to ascertain the condition of the foetus and the petitioner. "A perusal of the report shows that there is no congenital abnormality in the foetus nor is there any danger to the mother to carry on with the pregnancy which will mandate termination of the foetus," the high court had said. "Since the foetus is viable and normal, and there is no danger to the petitioner to carry on with the pregnancy, foeticide would neither be ethical nor legally permissible," it had said. Before the high court, the petitioner had said that on April 16, she felt discomfort in the abdomen and got an ultrasound scan done and it showed she was 27 weeks pregnant, which was beyond the legally permissible limit of 24 weeks. Under the MTP Act, termination of pregnancy of a duration exceeding 24 weeks can be allowed in case of substantial foetal abnormality as diagnosed by a medical board or if an opinion is formed in good faith for the purpose of saving the life of the pregnant woman. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the immediate release of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha arrested in a UAPA case. The top court said the arrest and the subsequent remand of Purkayastha is invalid. A bench of Justice BR Gavi and Justice Sandeep Mehta came to the conclusion as the remand application and the grounds of arrest were not supplied to him or his counsel before his custody application was decided by the trial court NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha was arrested on October 3, 2023.(HT_PRINT) However, since a charge sheet has been filed in the case by Delhi police, the top court directed Prabir Purkayastha's release on bail on conditions to be fixed by the trial court. What is the NewsClick case? Why was Prabir Purkayastha arrested? The Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty on October 3 last year on charges of taking money from China to "disrupt the sovereignty of India" and cause disaffection against the country. According to the FIR, a large amount of funds to run the news site came from China. Police claimed Purkayastha conspired with a group -- People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism -- to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Raids were conducted at 88 locations in Delhi and seven in other states on October 3 on the suspects named in the FIR and those that surfaced in the analysis of data, police said. Around 300 electronic gadgets were also seized from the offices of NewsClick and the residences of the journalists who were examined. Under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, an independent authority makes a recommendation to the competent authority (central or state government) about prosecuting an accused after reviewing the evidence gathered by the investigating agency. It is for the competent authority to decide whether or not to grant sanction. The arrests came after an investigation published in The New York Times alleged that the portal was part of a global network that received money for pushing Chinese propaganda. It said that Shanghai-based businessman Neville Roy Singham funded NewsClick, among other outlets across the globe, to sprinkle its coverage with Chinese government talking points. Amit Chakravorty later turned an approver in the case and has been named as a witness in the charge sheet. Delhi high court on May 6 ordered the release of Chakravorty. The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved orders on contempt notices issued to the yoga entrepreneur and Patanjali managing director Balkrishna over misleading advertisements, even as it took Indian Medical Association president RV Asokan to task for his caustic comments against the apex court in a recent interview. Ramdev (File photo) With both Ramdev and Balkrishna present in court, a bench of justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah said while there is no doubt that Ramdev and his team played a big role in taking yoga to the world stage, the matter concerning Patanjali products is a different thing, dispensing with the need for their personal presence at future hearings. The court said, Our intention was to see that people are not taken for a ride. There is a lot of aastha (faith) in Baba Ramdev. People follow him blindly as they look up to him. In bringing yoga to the world stage, he and his team have played a big role. But when it comes to Patanjali products, it is a different matter. The court enquired from Ramdevs lawyers senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Balbir Singh whether the 14 products whose production was banned by the Uttarakhand licensing authority on April 15 have been removed from Patanjali stores as well. Singh told the court that the sale of the products has been stopped online. You may have stopped the online sale, but is it removed from your stocks? File an affidavit in two weeks. We are reserving orders. Singh said Patanjali has a huge network of more than 1,000 stores and sought more time. The court granted them three weeks to file the affidavit indicating steps taken to recall stocks from Patanjali agents. Rohatgi pointed out that the company reserved the right to challenge the order against the ban on the 14 products. The order said, The affidavit filed will be without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the proposed contemnors to assail the ban on sale of products before appropriate forum. The order came on a petition filed by IMA which approached the court in 2022 against disparaging remarks by Ramdev and Patanjali against modern medicine. The petition showed that Patanjalis advertisements promising miracle cures for lifestyle disorders and other illness violated the law under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1954. The court issued contempt notices to Ramdev and Balkrishna after the advertisements continued to appear in newspapers in violation of an undertaking given by the company in November last year. IMA president RV Asokan was not spared by the court for his comments against the Supreme Court in a recent interview given to a news agency where he criticised the order asking the National Medical Commission to inform it about cases of misleading advertisements against medical professionals. Taking up Asokans unconditional apology, the bench said, We are not willing to accept your affidavit. You were the one who drove the other side to court and this is exactly what you have done. Asokan said in his affidavit that he regretted his mistake and realised the error in making such statements in the interview. However, he added that his intention was not to disrespect the court. The bench pointed out that he was president of IMA, a body with 350,000 doctors as members, What is the example you are setting? IMA is a vital body of the country. These are very castigating statements. When faced with this kind of provocation, we use our discretion. But that does not mean you go to town with these kind of comments on what the court ought to do. Senior advocate PS Patwalia appearing along with advocate Prabhas Bajaj for IMA sought one more opportunity as the bench asked why no public apology was issued following the interview. What precluded you from doing what the other contemnors (Ramdev and Balkrishna) did? You could have asked your lawyer to expunge the remarks or refute them. You are in this case from day one. You cant be sitting on your couch and lampooning the court in a sub-judice matter where you are the petitioner. Giving another chance to Asokan to file an affidavit, the bench said judges dont respond to criticism because they have no ego: We are magnanimous and wonder whether to take judicial notice to send a message across to the public. We are the first ones to uphold free speech but there are times when there needs to be self-restraint on your part. Earlier this month, the court took serious exception to the misleading advertisements seeking action from state authorities and central ministries on the action taken against advertisers based on complaints. The court even suggested that celebrities and influencers who endorse products are equally liable for action as those who advertise products in a misleading manner. The court in its order passed on May 7 directed advertisers to give an undertaking before issuing advertisements in print or electronic media attesting that these are not misleading. On Tuesday, the court received responses from only two states Nagaland and West Bengal while other states sought time to file their responses. Even information from the Centre on action taken against misleading advertisements under the Food Safety and Standards Act was not forthcoming. Posting the matter for July 9, the bench said, States have to have much more sense of responsibility to public health. Besides pointing out the complaints received, the state shall also indicate suo motu action against misleading advertisements by manufacturers or advertisers of relevant products, that will include food products. The bench said common citizens are not aware of the law and hence action must be taken by the authorities concerned. As public servants you have to be proactive. You have to move out of your comfort zones to do something. Common man does not know what the law is. In your supervisory authority, did you take any suo motu action? the bench remarked. The IMA petition cited Section 3 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act that prohibits any advertisement claiming diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of any lifestyle diseases such as blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, cervical spondylitis, obesity, heart diseases, etc. Further, Patanjalis claim to eradicate asthma and cure diabetes was in direct contravention to the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1954, it said. Naveen Jaihind, the former spouse of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, on Wednesday demanded FIR against Arvind Kejriwal, two days after she was assaulted at the Delhi CM's residence. Naveen Jaihind (right) with Arvind Kejriwal (File) An FIR should be lodged against Arvind Kejriwal, as the incident happened at his home. (AAP Rajya Sabha member) Sanjay Singh is Kejriwal's parrot, Jaihind told news agency ANI, and reiterated his charge that Singh was aware that of the incident. Calling the CM's residence a gutter house, the ex-chief of AAP's state unit in Haryana again alleged danger to Maliwal's life. She was threatened; otherwise, nobody would up call up the police or return from the police station. She is still being silenced, he claimed. Naveen also questioned the silence of the Union home ministry, Delhi, and the National Commission for Women (NCW). The Delhi Police reports to the Union home ministry. Alleging pressure on Maliwal, a former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief, Jaihind asserted that if his assistance is sought, I will definitely help. Swati cannot be silenced. I know what kind of pressure has been put on her. Delhi Police must take congisance of the matter. No one knows them (AAP) better than me, he said. On Tuesday, a day after the dramatic episode unfolded at Kejriwal's residence, the AAP finally broke its silence, and acknowledged the misbehaviour with Maliwal, and blamed Bibhav Kumar, the chief minister's private secretary. Yesterday, a very condemnable incident occurred. Bibhav Kumar misbehaved with Swati Maliwal. She informed police about the incident. The Delhi CM has taken cognisance, and asked for strict action in the matter," senior leader Sanjay Singh said at a press conference. Reacting to the United States potentially sanctioning India after the latter signed a 10-year agreement to run the Chabahar port in Iran, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that people should not have a narrow view as the project will benefit everyone. The Chabahar port. (File) I saw some of the remarks that were made, Jaishankar said on Tuesday in Kolkata, referring to comments made by Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, US State Department. Also Read: Anchoring ties in Chabahar waters But I think it is a question of communicating, convincing, and getting people to understand that this (Chabahar port) is actually for everyone's benefit. There should not be any narrow view for it, the EAM stated. The United States, according to Jaishankar, did not take a negative view of Chabahar in the past, adding that the US itself appreciated Chabahar's larger relevance. Jaishankar also explained why India, despite its long association with the project, could not sign a long-term pact earlier. There were various problems on the Iranian end, such as changes in the joint-venture partner, conditions etc. Finally, we were able to sort this out and get the long-term agreement done. The deal is necessary because without it, you cannot really improve the port operation. Its operation, we believe, will benefit the entire region, the minister elaborated. The Long-Term Bilateral Contract was signed between Indian Ports Global Limited (IPCL) and Iran's Port & Maritime Organization (PMO) on Monday. A flagship project between the two countries, Chabahar serves as an important transit port for trade with Afghanistan, and landlocked countries in central Asia. Under the contract, the Government of India has offered credit worth $250 million to develop infrastructure around this strategic facility in the Gulf of Oman. (With ANI inputs) Uttarakhand Waqf Board's chairman Shadab Shams said on Wednesday that India needs the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tide over global uncertainties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi waving to supporters as Union home minister Amit Shah looks on. (AFP file photo) Endorsing PM Modi amid the Lok Sabha elections, Shadab Shams said he must get a third term as the prime minister of India. In an apparent swipe at the INDIA bloc, he said India will suffer if the reins of the country passes into weak hands. "The clouds of war hover over the entire world. An atmosphere of chaos and strife grips various countries. In times like these, India needs the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He must get a third term. The country will suffer if its leadership passes into weak hands at this juncture," Shams told PTI. The Waqf Board chairman, along with members of the Muslim community, prayed for PM Modi's victory in Haridwar's Dargah of Sabir Saheb. They also offered a chadar for PM Modi. "We offered a chadar at Piran Kaliyar and raised our hands praying for the formation of a strong government once again under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi so that the process of development in the country does not get derailed," Shams said. He further said that PM Modi's scheme reached all quarters of the society. He said roads are being built under him and the country is surging ahead in development. Shams also slammed the Opposition, saying neither Muslims nor the Constitution is in danger under PM Modi's rule. He said the "shop of some politicians" is in danger. He claimed the Opposition has been trying to mislead the Muslims and spreading lies. The remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was not referring to the Muslim community in particular when he made the controversial infiltrator remark. "I am shocked. Who told you that whenever one talks of people with more children, the inference is they are Muslims? Why are you so unjust towards Muslims? This is the situation in poor families too. Where there is poverty, there are more children, irrespective of their social circle. I didn't mention either Hindu or Muslim," he told News18. PM Narendra Modi further said he would never do "Hindu-Muslim" in public life. Acclaimed author Alice Munro was the first Canadian to win the Nobel Prize in literature. Her collections of short stories were celebrated for their complexity and authenticity. She died at the age of 92. The Canadian writer Alice Munro has passed away at the age of 92.(Chad Hipolito/AP/picture alliance ) One of the most esteemed contemporary writers, Canadian author Alice Munro, has passed away at the age of 92 in her home in Ontario, a spokesperson for her publisher confirmed on Tuesday. A titan of short-story writing, Munro revolutionized the architecture of short stories and demonstrated that the format was worthy of the Nobel Prize. She published 14 original short-story collections and several short-story compilations. With this body of work, she became the first Canadian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013. "Dear Life" was the title Munro gave to her last work, a 2012 collection of short stories. Some of the stories were inspired by the author's own life. Other stories also explored the destinies of women, but it never felt as if feminism was the main issue. Bad books inspired her to write Born Alice Ann Laidlaw on July 10, 1931, in Ontario, Munro began writing as a teenager and published her first story, "The Dimensions of a Shadow," in 1950. During her studies in English and journalism, she met the man who would become her husband, James Munro. The couple moved to the west of Canada, where they opened a still-running bookstore, Munro's Books. While she first concentrated on raising her three children, Alice Munro devoted herself to her writing by the end of the 1960s. According to Jim Munro, reading some of the books inspired the author to return to her own stories: "I can write better books than this!" she said. She was right. Her first collection of short stories, "Dance of the Happy Shades" (1968), was received with wide acclaim, winning the Governor General's Award Canada's highest literary prize at the time. Building on a simple story Munro's stories combine linguistic and emotional density. They typically revolve around a series of recurring themes. They're about women in Canada, mothers and daughters, who grow up, fall in love, and experience the beautiful and tragic sides of life. "What makes Munro's growth as an artist so crisply and breathtakingly visible [] is precisely the familiarity of her materials. Look what she can do with nothing but her own small story; the more she returns to it, the more she finds," wrote the US author Jonathan Franzen about her, a decade before she won the Nobel Prize. His piece in the New York Times listed reasons why he felt "her excellence so dismayingly exceeds her fame." A whole life on a single page Munro wrote "about unfulfilled desires that are carried through one's life, and how people deal with them. It's the small details that made her so great," said Hans-Jurgen Balmes from the publisher S. Fischer, which distributes Munro's books in Germany. She mastered "the art of capturing the entire life of a human being on a single page," literary critic Sigrid Loffler told DW on the occasion of her 85th birthday. She filled "her stories, which are often no longer than 20 to 30 pages, with more life than many 700-page works." Her books turned into bestsellers in Canada and the UK, and she became extremely popular in Germany after winning the Nobel Prize. Adding value to the short story The author long wrestled with the notion that short stories were generally seen as a minor genre by literary critics, a preliminary step leading to a novel. "How I tortured myself trying to write a novel! Until I one day realized that short stories was the most appropriate format for me," she once told German weekly Die Zeit in a rare interview. As a specialist of the short story, even her book "Lives of Girls and Women," told through one single character, was rather considered a short story cycle and not a novel. She won the Man Booker International Prize in 2009 for her lifetime body of work, which includes "The Love of a Good Woman" (1998) and "Runaway" (2004). She was also awarded several other prizes and honors, topped by the Nobel Prize in 2013. In her last collection, "Dear Life," she hinted that the book could well conclude her career as an author, adding a coda to the last four stories: "I believe they are the first and last and the closest things I have to say about my own life." With the last sentence in one of those final stories, "Night," the master of the short story offered a peaceful farewell: "From then on I could sleep." Valentino launched its flagship store in Mumbai at the Jio World Plaza. The Italian luxury fashion house celebrated the occasion by throwing a star-studded bash, attended by celebrities like Malaika Arora, Mira Rajput, Alaya F, Sobhita Dhulipala, Sharvari Wagh, Sophie Chaudhary, Alizeh Agnihotri, Rohit Saraf, Kanika Kapoor, and more stars. The stars walked the red carpet at the event, dressed in stunning ensembles. Meanwhile, the best-dressed divas of the night were Malaika Arora, Mira Rajput, Sharvari Wagh and Alaya F in their killer black outfits. Sobhita Dhulipala also stole the show in a chic white gown. Check out who wore what to the affair. Malaika Arora, Mira Rajput and Alaya F attend Valentino event in Mumbai. (HT Photo/Varinder Chawla) Bollywood stars attend Valentino store launch event: Who wore what Malaika Arora Malaika Arora came dressed head-to-toe in Valentino to attend the red carpet event of the Italian Luxury fashion house in Mumbai. She wore a black shimmering lurex-detailed tweed mini dress featuring contrasting white-coloured trims on the neck, half-length sleeves, and pocket hem. The figure-hugging silhouette, above-knee length, signature V logo on the pockets, fitted waist, flared a-line skirt, and short sleeves elevated the ensemble's look. She styled it with gold Valentino logo earrings, a white mini bag, black pumps, red lips, shimmering eye makeup, a dewy base, and a centre-parted braided hairdo. Mira Rajput Mira Rajput embraced date-night fashion on the red carpet at the Valentino event. She wore a spaghetti-strapped floor-length slip dress featuring a plunging neckline, silver sequin embellishments on the front in a bow shape, a figure-hugging fit, and a train on the back. She styled the ensemble with embellished black pumps, a mini Valentino bag, statement rings, centre-parted open wavy tresses, shimmering pink eye shadow, winged eyeliner, mascara on the lashes, caramel lips, and blushed glowing skin. Sobhita Dhulipala Sobhita Dhulipala attends Valentino event in Mumbai (HT Photo/Varinder Chawla) Sobhita Dhulipala made a splash at the Valentino event in a unique white ribbed dress featuring a collared neckline, off-the-shoulder detail, a draped design on the bust, full-length sleeves, a flowy skirt, bodycon silhouette, and ankle-length hem. She wore the ensemble with white pumps, a black Valentino gold chain bag, dangling earrings, a messy hairdo, berry lips, matching eye shadow, kohl-lined eyes, and feathered brows. Alaya F Alaya F attends Valentino event in Mumbai (HT Photo/Varinder Chawla) Alaya F made a sizzling appearance at the red-carpet event in a black spaghetti-strapped bodycon gown featuring a plunging neckline, a cut-out on the front, a sheer detail on the midriff, a gathered skirt, and a short train. She wore the ensemble with heels, drop earrings, glittering pink lip shade, winged eyeliner, smoky eye shadow, mascara on the lashes, rouge on the cheekbones, darkened brows, and a centre-parted updo. Sharvari Wagh Sharvari Wagh turned heads in a black-and-white mini dress that turned her into a Barbie. The sleeveless outfit features a sheer white neckline adorned with pearl embellishments, a black mini skirt, and a figure-hugging silhouette. She wore the dress with see-through black stockings and black pumps. Lastly, she styled her loose tresses with messy bangs and a half-up, half-down hairdo. Winged eyeliner, caramel lips, mascara on the lashes, feathered brows, and blushed cheekbones completed the glam picks. International Day of Light 2024: Light guides us and lights up the world. Before light came to be invented, life was difficult after dark. In the year 1960, the first successful operation of the laser was done. Since then, light has been an irreplaceable factor in our lives. We cannot imagine living without light. Light also has a significant role in shaping innovations, technology and creativity. Every year, International Day of Light is observed to celebrate the importance of light in our lives. As we gear up to celebrate the special day, here are a few things that we should keep in mind. Every year, International Day of Light is observed on May 16.(Unsplash) Date: Every year, International Day of Light is observed on May 16. This year, International Day of Light falls on Thursday. History: In the year 1960, Physicist and Engineer Theodore Maiman conducted the first successful operation of the laser. To commemorate the special day, International Day of Light came to be observed every year on May 16. In 2015, the United Nations observed International Day of Light to raise awareness about light science and light-based technologies and applications. Following this, in 2016, UNESCO adopted the resolution to celebrate International Day of Light every year. The first International Day of Light was observed in 2018. Significance: The day is observed to raise awareness about the significance of light and how we can explore ways to encourage scientific collaboration and possibilities of light-based technologies for innovation, creativity and sustainable societies. The day urges people to come together from all sectors, such as science, technology, art and culture to implement the application of light and light-based technology for innovation and fulfillment of the goals of UNESCO. "This day is a call to strengthen scientific cooperation and harness its potential to foster peace and sustainable development," wrote UNESCO on their official website. As Covid-19 curve flattens, experts warn about the worrisome spike in drug-resistant superbugs that pose a greater risk that coronavirus and cause negative health outcomes as the bacteria is evolving and becoming resistant to existing antibiotics. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified this antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the biggest global health threats facing humanity and Prof Dame Sally Davies, Englands former chief medical officer, who is now the UKs special envoy on antimicrobial resistance, too warned of the consequences if the world fails to tackle the problem within the next decade. Superbugs pose graver threat than Covid-19. Here's all you need to know about antimicrobial resistance (Image by starline on Freepik) Having lost her goddaughter two years ago to an infection that could not be treated, Prof Dame Sally Davies cautioned, It looks like a lot of people with untreatable infections, and we would have to move to isolating people who were untreatable in order not to infect their families and communities. So its a really disastrous picture. It would make some of Covid look minor. If we havent made good strides in the next 10 years, then Im really scared. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sachin Kumar, Senior Consultant, Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine at Sakra World Hospital, explained, AMR or antimicrobial resistance happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve to resist medications meant to fight them. This makes infections harder to treat, raising the risk of severe illness, death, and spreading infections. AMR is a major threat, weakening the power of antibiotics and other drugs, leading to longer illnesses, higher medical expenses, and more deaths. If not dealt with, AMR could make previously treatable infections untreatable, causing a worldwide health emergency. He elaborated, Additionally, AMR affects not only individuals but also disrupts the environmental food chain, potentially causing the death of various organisms. Failing to address AMR could lead to untreatable infections, requiring isolation measures to curb further spread. This situation would pose a significant challenge, potentially surpassing the difficulties encountered during the Covid-19 pandemic. It's crucial to refrain from unnecessary medication without proper consultation, as AMR can have carcinogenic effects and affect respiratory health. Unlike Covid-19, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) won't fade away as people develop immunity from exposure or vaccines. AMR will persist for many years without stopping. With viruses, they often fade away as more people become immune but AMR doesn't work that way. The emergence of drug-resistant superbugs poses significant challenges to achieving herd immunity. Dr Sachin Kumar revealed, First, their resistance to antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, commonly used to treat secondary infections linked to vaccine-preventable diseases. This undermines the ability of vaccination to confer immunity, resulting in more severe illness in affected individuals. Secondly, drug-resistant superbugs contribute to disease transmission by causing severe and prolonged infections, making it harder to establish and maintain herd immunity in communities. Furthermore, the presence of these superbugs may compromise standard infection control measures like hand hygiene and quarantine protocols, crucial for managing outbreaks and safeguarding herd immunity. He alerted, Moreover, vulnerable populations, including older adults and those with weakened immune systems, are disproportionately affected by drug-resistant superbugs, exacerbating the challenges in maintaining herd immunity. Their diminished capacity to generate a robust immune response adds complexity to efforts aimed at controlling the spread of infectious diseases. In conclusion, the rise of drug-resistant superbugs presents a substantial barrier to achieving and maintaining herd immunity, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to tackle this urgent public health issue. Dr Manjusha Agarwal, Senior Consultant Internal Medicine at Gleneagles Hospitals in Mumbai's Parel, shared, Some infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites can not be managed with the available medicines in the country. Unlike viruses, bacterial infections, the infections caused by these superbugs are challenging to treat owing to antibiotic resistance. This will further increase the burden on the healthcare system in the future. She added, The higher prevalence of drug-resistant superbugs arises because of the factors such as the overuse and misuse of antibiotics by people without the doctor's knowledge. Moreover, in future, there will be a huge problem in treating even common infections and this will impact one's overall well-being. One has to exercise caution will using antibiotics. It is better to discuss this with the doctor and ensure you don't overuse medication or self-medicate. Echoing that the rise of drug-resistant superbugs is a pressing issue that could potentially eclipse the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Praveen Sikri, CEO at Ikris Pharma Network, concluded, These formidable bacteria, resistant to multiple antibiotics, threaten to undermine decades of medical advancements. If left unchecked, common infections could become untreatable, leading to higher mortality rates and overwhelming healthcare systems globally. There should be more focus on innovation in antibiotic research and development is more crucial than ever. The lawmakers should be dedicated to investing in new treatments, promoting responsible antibiotic use, and collaborating with global health organisations to combat this emerging threat. Together, we can prevent a future where superbugs pose an even greater crisis than the recent pandemic. The first time Marcelle Hutchins sat down to meditate, she put on a guided session, relaxed her shoulders and tried to close her eyes. She lasted two minutes. Tried meditating but cant sit still? Heres how and why to try meditation again (Photo by Pixabay) I had a deadline, and I thought, I dont know if I can sit still this long, said Hutchins, who was working as a radio journalist. At the urging of her father, a longtime practitioner, she tried again and managed to finish a 10-minute video on her third attempt. I remember feeling this sense of joy and relaxation, she said. I used to be that person who said, I cant meditate. Hutchins has since become a certified meditation teacher and serves as an example that busy, restless people who try once should try again. Research shows a daily meditation practice can reduce anxiety, improve overall health and increase social connections, among other benefits. The trick is to get over that initial barrier. Experts say its more achievable when you throw common misconceptions out the window. For instance, many people try meditation only once because they feel theyre doing it wrong or that they cant turn off their brain. Thats not the point, says Tara Brach, who holds a doctorate in psychology and has trained more than 7,000 people to be meditation teachers. Its not about stopping thoughts. The mind generates thoughts the way body creates enzymes, she said. Its about being able to get larger than the thoughts and witness them. START SIMPLE There is no right way to meditate, Brach stressed. The key is to relax and focus on something in the present moment. Feel your breath pass through your nostrils, listen to a guided recording, mentally scan your body from head to toe, repeat a loving phrase to yourself or try countless other techniques. You can sit on the floor, in a chair or on a cushion. If you cant get comfortable, lie down. You dont even need to close your eyes, though its recommended to try. There is no standard amount of time to begin with, but set an achievable goal. You can customise it to who you are, said Brach, author of several books, including Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha. Start with the most you can comfortably do without having to feel like you want to quit, she said That could mean starting with as little as a few minutes, said John Mitchell, an associate professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University who uses meditation to treat patients with ADHD. The goal should be working meditation into a routine and focusing on the quality of the practice, not the quantity. Then the question is, what do we do to create success so we can have momentum and start off without feeling like youre failing right way? he said. WHEN YOU CANT SIT STILL When you inevitably get distracted everyone does notice the thought or urge to move, acknowledge it and bring your attention back to where you are. Instead of judging yourself, get curious for a minute about the nature of restlessness, Brach said. Ask yourself, What does it really feel like if I want to jump out of my skin? Then take a long, deep breath, and sit for one more minute. If you still want to move, then move. But Brach recommended doing so mindfully. Stand up, do a light stretch, take a deep breath and sit again. You will be surprised at how that sense of restlessness will change over time, she said. It will evolve. If the restlessness builds to a point where you are uncomfortable, consider taking a slow, meditative walk, Mitchell said. Stay alert but calm, focusing on the sounds, sights and smells around you, or maybe on the sensation of the wind and sun on your face. Youre not restricted, he said. You dont have to sit there in silence and be still all the time. TOMORROW, AND THE NEXT DAY, TRY AGAIN After sticking through the first session, you will almost certainly feel calmer, no matter the length. But to get the full benefits, as with exercise, research shows you need to practice consistently. For people having trouble starting, that can be daunting, but Brach suggested trying a few techniques to find the right fit. It takes a bit of experimentation to find the style of meditation that works for your particular body, mind and personality, she said. Luckily, there's a universe of free meditation resources online. Nobody reading this needs to go buy anything, she said. Sporting costumes ranging from Cinderella dresses to Dragon Ball Z outfits, children were hoisted onto metal poles as unofficial mascots of a boisterous parade as Hong Kong celebrated its annual bun festival on Wednesday. A girl participates in the "Piu Sik" parade on the island of Cheung Chau during its annual Bun festival in Hong Kong on May 15, 2024. (Photo by Peter PARKS / AFP) Thousands of visitors flocked to Hong Kong's outlying of island of Cheung Chau to watch the "Piu Sik" or floating colours parade, which used to be performed with statues of deities before costumed youngsters replaced them. The elaborately dressed young children were raised above the crowds for the iconic spectacle on the island, which is steeped in cultural traditions and a popular tourist destination. Temperatures soared to 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) during the parade. "Last year I was a firefighter... I've always wanted to be a cop," said Wu, 9, who was dressed as a police officer -- complete with sunglasses and a baton. "It's cool." Legend has it that in the 1800s, Cheung Chau's fisherfolk drove away pirates and the plague by parading a statue of Taoist sea deity Pak Tai, inspiring today's five-day bun festival. A popular local bakery saw long queues of festivalgoers eager to sample the island's favourite sweet buns, which are stamped with the Chinese character for "peace and safety". "We've always had a queue for our 'ping on' buns," said second-generation store owner Martin Kwok, adding that the store made more than 60,000 buns daily in the preceding week. Kwok said he quit a high-paying finance job to carry the torch at the family business, over his father's objections. "I really want to maintain the tradition of making buns and to keep the spirit of the bun festival alive," Kwok told AFP. In a nearby playground, a 14-metre-high (45-feet-high) tower covered with imitation steamed buns loomed over the crowd, the site of a midnight contest where 12 athletes will speed-climb their way to the top. Janet Kung, a former winner who is competing again this year, said the bun scrambling competition has a "sense of grandeur" given its long tradition and live audience. "The biggest challenge for bun scrambling is how to get over the pressure from the crowd, as well as from my own expectations," said the 30-year-old, who works as a nurse. A retiree in her 50s surnamed Chan said she appreciated the bun festival's cultural legacy as well as the charms of Cheung Chau, a contrast to the hectic pace of city life. It's the ambience of old Hong Kong, the alleys and the small shops... I think this was how my father and mother lived. New York recently witnessed discussions concerning the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform. An obscure diplomatic process, the IGN was recently given a new lease of life by the opportunity to inform a landmark Pact for the Future expected later this year. But the push for UNSC reform also reflects growing concerns, hastened by developments in Ukraine and Gaza, about that institution becoming ineffective and unrepresentative. The five permanent members who can veto resolutions (or P-5) the United States (US), Russia, China, United Kingdom (UK), and France represent the victors of World War II. Asia, Africa, and Latin America remain severely underrepresented. In 1950, when Asia claimed one-half of the worlds population, one-fourth of UN members, and one-fifth of the worlds economy it was unfair although unsurprising that the continent received just one-fifth of seats on the Security Council. Global circumstances have undoubtedly changed since then and the disparity between reality and representation is even more absurd. Now Asia boasts 60% of the worlds population, almost 40% of the world economy, and more than 25% of UN members, but still has just 20% of Security Council seats. The movement to reform the UNSC has been building gradually for some time. The expansion of non-permanent membership in the 1960s offers an important precedent. Around the same time, the Economic and Social Council of the UN was increased from 18 to 27 and subsequently 54 members. More recently, the IGN evolved from a more informal open-ended working group (OEWG) on UNSC reform. In 2015, a framework for negotiations was agreed upon with specific suggestions. However, efforts at initiating a text-based negotiation have since stalled. The IGN languished in purgatory, with no clear text, timeframe, or record of proceedings. This years Summit for the Future has given the process some momentum but, in truth, the prospects for real change have grown from nil to negligible. One reason is that negotiations are riven by cliques. The G-4 (comprising India, Germany, Japan, and Brazil) has called for their own inclusion as permanent UNSC members (along with two African representatives) and more elected members. India and other G-4 countries may be willing to accept permanent membership without a veto, subject to a review after 15 years. The L.69 group, of which India is also a participant, has proposed the expansion of permanent and non-permanent membership but with a more maximalist position on the veto for new members. Although a majority of UN members have expressed support for expanded permanent and non-permanent membership of the UNSC, there is spirited opposition from the United for Consensus group or UfC (also known as the Coffee Club). This grouping is led by countries such as Italy, Pakistan, and Argentina who oppose the expansion of permanent membership, often to block regional rivals such as India, Germany, and Brazil. Meanwhile, four of the five permanent UNSC members the United States, UK, France, and Russia have agreed in principle to new permanent and non-permanent members. The administration of Joe Biden recently broke from precedent in outlining its commitment to reform. But in practice, the P-5 have often dithered, reluctant to support specific proposals. A further challenge comes from a lack of consensus among the African group over how to determine their nominees for permanent UNSC membership. They fear that any concrete negotiations over details will sow divisions, which is unfortunate, given that Africa has arguably the biggest stake in UNSC reform. But the biggest obstacle remains China. China alone among the P-5 has not voiced support for the expansion of permanent UNSC seats but often hides behind others in negotiations. It is ironic that the most significant obstacle to better representation for Asia and the Global South should come from the sole Asian permanent member in the UNSC. Given these constraints, is a compromise possible? One option could involve the expansion of permanent membership to 11 (the P-5, G-4, and two African representatives) along with a proportional increase in non-permanent members. Instead of a strict veto, no votes by a certain number of permanent members could block a motion. This would make the UNSC simultaneously more efficient and more representative. Such a formula might also prove more acceptable to the P-5 than either the complete repeal of the veto or its extension to all permanent members. In the meantime, the continuing absence of action would betray the letter and spirit of the UN Charter and its intent to shield future generations from the prospect of devastating war, ensure respect for treaties and international commitments, and promote social progress and human dignity. It would only further transfer legitimacy to non-UN bodies, whether regional groupings such as the African Union or institutions such as the G20. After all, last years G20 summit in New Delhi demonstrated that it was possible to forge a consensus on some pressing global issues. To regain its effectiveness, the UNSC must reflect the world as it is and will be and not the world as it was almost eight decades ago. Dhruva Jaishankar is executive director, ORF America. The views expressed are personal (Bloomberg) -- China is considering a proposal to have local governments across the country buy millions of unsold homes, people familiar with the matter said, in what would be one of its most ambitious attempts yet to salvage the beleaguered property market. China is considering a proposal to have local governments across the country buy millions of unsold homes, people familiar with the matter said (Representational photo) Photographer: Raul Ariano/Bloomberg(Bloomberg) The State Council is seeking feedback from several provinces and government entities on the preliminary plan, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing a private matter. While China has already experimented with several pilot programs to clear excess housing inventory with the help of state funding, the latest plan would be much larger in scale. Local state-owned enterprises would be asked to help purchase unsold homes from distressed developers at steep discounts using loans provided by state banks, according to two of the people. Many of the properties would then be converted into affordable housing. Also Read: China home sales drought persists despite mounting support Officials are still debating details of the plan and its feasibility, the people said, adding that it could take months to be finalized if Chinas leaders decide to go ahead. The housing ministry didnt respond to a request for comment. If authorities do proceed, it would mark a new phase in the governments closely watched campaign to address the biggest drag on the worlds second-largest economy. Chinas home sales plummeted about 47% in the first fourth months and unsold housing inventory is hovering at an eight-year high, exacerbating a meltdown that threatens to put about 5 million people at risk of unemployment or reduced incomes. Also Read: Can Indian real estate market face a crisis like China's Evergrande? Investors have been awaiting details of the governments next moves after the ruling Communist Party on April 30 vowed to explore new approaches to ease the real estate crisis. The Politburo, composed of Chinas 24 most-senior leaders, said the country was studying ways to digest the existing stockpile of homes. A gauge of Chinese property stocks has rallied about 14% since then. While Beijing has experimented in the past with state buying of unsold apartments, most smaller-scale initiatives have met with little success. Also Read: Chinas private builders face $553 billion gap to complete homes In early 2023, the Peoples Bank of China made 100 billion yuan ($13.8 billion) available to some financial institutions through a specialized lending facility. The money was meant to help eight cities on a trial basis buy unsold properties for use in local subsidized rental programs. The Economic Observer newspaper reported in January this year that cities including Qingdao and Fuzhou had started using those funds to buy apartments. Still, only 2 billion yuan was extended under the program as of March, the central banks latest quarterly data showed, implying caution among banks and local authorities. Since the Politburo meeting last month, several major cities including Hangzhou, the homebase to Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., scrapped all their remaining curbs on residential purchases to lift transactions. Meanwhile, more than 50 Chinese cities rolled out trade-in programs that offer residents incentives for selling their old homes and upgrading to new properties as part of efforts to boost housing demand. Among them 11 local government or city-backed entities are conducting trials of buying housing inventory, according to a note from Tianfeng Securities Co. this week. Not Enough Even so, Chinas property sector is unlikely to stabilize until the gap between housing supply and demand closes, according to Bloomberg Economics. Unsold housing inventory climbed to 3.6 billion square feet last year, the highest since 2016, official data showed. It will cost at least 7 trillion yuan ($967 billion), or 78% of Chinas budget deficit this year, for the government to absorb the inventory in 18 months, Tianfeng Securities estimated. The new plan to enlist local governments to reduce housing glut could further exacerbate their debt level, which has soared to 56% of gross domestic product as of last year. Banks would also be under pressure as their balance sheets have already been eroded by rising bad loans and narrowing margins. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. OpenAI co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever has decided to leave the Sam Altman-led firm. Ilya Sutskever made the announcement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. Ilya Sutskever After almost a decade, I have made the decision to leave OpenAI. The companys trajectory has been nothing short of miraculous, and Im confident that OpenAI will build AGI that is both safe and beneficial under the leadership of @sama, @gdb, @miramurati and now, under the excellent research leadership of @merettm, Ilya Sutskever wrote. Ilya Sutskever added that it was an honour and a privilege to work with the OpenAI colleagues. I will miss everyone dearly. So long, and thanks for everything. I am excited for what comes next a project that is very personally meaningful to me about which I will share details in due time, he added. Following Ilya Sutskever's announcement, Sam Altman bid him farewell in a post on X, calling the former one of the greatest minds of our generation, a guiding light and a dear friend. His brilliance and vision are well known; his warmth and compassion are less well known but no less important. OpenAI would not be what it is without him. Although he has something personally meaningful he is going to go work on, I am forever grateful for what he did here and committed to finishing the mission we started together. I am happy that for so long I got to be close to such genuinely remarkable genius, and someone so focused on getting to the best future for humanity, Altman wrote. The OpenAI CEO also announced that Jakub Pachocki would replace Sutskever as the firm's new chief scientist. Jakub is also easily one of the greatest minds of our generation; I am thrilled he is taking the baton here. He has run many of our most important projects, and I am very confident he will lead us to make rapid and safe progress towards our mission of ensuring that AGI benefits everyone, he said. Sutskever's departure comes over five months after OpenAI went through a leadership crisis involving the firm's CEO Sam Altman - who was fired by the company's board in November last year. Reportedly, Sutskever had joined in the effort to fire Altman but later signed an employee letter demanding his return. Shortly after Altman returned to the ChatGPT maker company, the board that fired him from his role, including Ilya, was almost entirely replaced after a rebellion by employees. Who is Ilya Sutskever? Ilya Sutskever, a Russian-born Israeli-Canadian computer scientist, co-founded OpenAI. He studied at the Open University of Israel between 2000 and 2002, following which he moved to to Canada with his family and attended the University of Toronto. In 2012, Sutskever built AlexNet in collaboration with Hinton and Alex Krizhevsky. He is also one of the many co-authors of the AlphaGo paper. Sutskever's other professional trajectory includes a brief postdoctoral stint with Andrew Ng at Stanford University, followed by a return to the University of Toronto to join DNNResearch, a venture stemming from Hinton's research group. Days after a Chandigarh dhaba went viral for saying they make a paratha in "diesel", the owner has clarified the situation. He said that they don't sell anything made of diesel and also added that their food is hygienic. The man also added that the food blogger had made the video for "fun". Snapshot of the Chandigarh dhaba owner. (X/@ANI) While speaking to ANI, the owner said, "We neither make any such thing as 'diesel paratha' nor serve any such thing to customers. A blogger had made that video just for fun. It is common sense that nobody would consume a paratha prepared in diesel nor is it cooked like that. I didn't know that the video was going viral, I came to know only yesterday. The blogger in question has deleted it and apologised to the people...We use only edible oil. We provide hygienic food to people here. We also supply langar from here...We don't play with people's lives..." (Also Read: Chandigarh dhaba under fire after video of 'diesel' paratha goes viral, people call for food regulatory authority) Watch the video here: This video was posted on May 15. Since being posted, it has gained more than three lakh views. The clip also has more than 500 likes, and the numbers are only increasing. The share also received numerous reactions. Here's what people had to say: An individual wrote, "Edible oil and hygienic food? What was the black oil that was shown in that video?" A second said, "That reheated oil was termed 'diesel'? The looks of it indicated the same. Reheated oil is the biggest scam in the food industry." "Most viral clips we have seen on internet are basically vloggers ask the dhaba and thella wala to make. They do such things for viral content. That blogger should be behind bars," posted a third. A fourth commented, "Shameless and irresponsible behaviour of the blogger. Just for some views on his channel, he is manipulating the content and emotions of the people. This has become a nuisance for our society where these kinds of bloggers create futile content and deceive people." I had a brain MRI scan last Thursday looking for recurrent glioblastoma (&/or treatment complications). I found out yesterday that there is still no sign of recurrence. I couldnt be happier! wrote Professor Richard Scolyer on X to celebrate a year of being cancer-free. Professor Richard Scolyer, 57, was treated with a combination of drugs before he underwent surgery. (X/@ProfRScolyerMIA) How did it all start? Professor Scolyer was on a holiday in Poland when he fell ill and suffered from headaches and seizures. He then underwent a brain scan and was diagnosed with incurable grade 4 brain cancer, known as glioblastoma. This type of cancer has a very low survival rate, and most people die within a year after being diagnosed, reported Daily Mail. Unfortunately for me, Ive got one of the worst of the worst brain cancers, which doesnt have a cure. Im not happy to accept that, I want to do something that gives me a fighting chance against this tumour, Professor Richard told ABC News last year. World-first cancer treatment based on own research The 57-year-old professor then tried to cure the brain cancer on his own. He underwent an experimental therapy which was based on his own research on melanoma, a type of cancer that starts in the skin. With the help of his colleague and friend Professor Georgina Long, who is a co-director of the Melanoma Institute Australia, he was able to be cancer-free. Professor Scolyer was treated with a combination of drugs before he underwent surgery. This was done to teach the immune system of his body to attack cancer cells, the outlet further reported. To be honest, I was more nervous than I have been for any previous scan, he told the BBC. The professor added, Im the best I have felt for yonks. It certainly doesnt mean that my brain cancer is cured but its just nice to know that it hasnt come back yet, so Ive still got some more time to enjoy my life with my wife Katie and my three wonderful kids. Take a look at the post below: The post was shared on May 14 on X. It has since then accumulated over 1.9 lakh views and the numbers are still increasing. Additionally, the post has received numerous likes and comments. A few even dropped comments on the post. Heres how people reacted to this post: Super happy for you, expressed an X user. Another added, That is awesome! Incredibly good news! said a third. A fourth joined, This is so cool. Fantastic news! Keep pushing the boundaries, said a fifth. A sixth commented, Amazing! I wish I could like this twice! What a gift this has given future glioblastoma patients. What is glioblastoma? According to Mayo Clinic, glioblastoma is a type of cancer that originates in the brain or spinal cord. It grows rapidly and destroys healthy tissue. Glioblastoma develops from astrocytes, which are cells that support nerve cells. This type of cancer can occur at any age, but it is more common in older adults and men. Symptoms of glioblastoma include worsening headaches, nausea and vomiting, blurred or double vision, and seizures. Unfortunately, there is no cure for glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme. However, treatments may help slow cancer growth and alleviate symptoms. An Indian boy based in Dubai was honoured by the citys police for his admirable action. He returned a watch that he found while roaming with his father. The Dubai Tourist Police Department awarded the kid for his honesty and good judgement. The image shows police authorities giving a certificate to the Indian boy who returned a tourist's lost watch. (X/@DubaiPoliceHQ) The police department took to X to share about this incredible child, Muhammad Ayan Younis. Dubai Police Honours Child for Honesty After Returning Tourist's Lost Watch, they wrote. They also shared a picture of Brigadier Khalfan Obeid Al Jallaf, Director of the Tourist Police Department, his deputy, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abdul Rahman, and Captain Shahab Al Saadi, Head of the Tourist Happiness Section, presenting the boy with a certificate. The post includes a blog link about the incident. Take a look at the post here: The watch belonged to a tourist who lost it when he came to Dubai. When the watch was found, the tourist had already left for his homeland. However, Dubai police contacted the tourist and eventually reunited him with his watch. After getting his watch back, the tourist "expressed his immense satisfaction with Dubai's high level of security and integrity. What did the police say about Muhammad Ayan Younis? Brigadier Al Jallaf said the kids behaviour reflects high moral standards and security prevalent in the UAE. He further encouraged others to take inspiration from Muhammad Ayan Younis. The kid used the smart lost and found services available at the Smart Police Stations (SPS) to return the watch to the police. It is a way through which owners can reconnect with their lost properties. Last year, a man lost a wallet filled with $10,000 worth of US and European currency while taking a train from Ben-Gurion International Airport to Tel Aviv's Savidor Central Station in Israel. His first thought was that he had lost his money forever. However, to his surprise, the railway station authority located the wallet and returned it to him within a few hours. Remote prefecture educates itself on ways to prosperity 16:11, May 15, 2024 By Shen Wendi, Ma Jingna and Xiao Xiangyi ( China Daily Morteza Akbari gives a lesson on Persian at Linxia Modern Vocational College. CHINA DAILY With its culture and history inexorably linked to the Silk Road, the Linxia Hui autonomous prefecture in Gansu province was an easy fit for Iranian schoolteacher Morteza Akbari and his family. The 38-year-old is from Iran's Qom province, which was twinned with the prefecture in 2011 and has been boosted by the Belt and Road Initiative. Morteza taught Persian at Mustafa International University in Qom before he was invited to take a position at Linxia Modern Vocational College. After seven years at the school, his bonds with the students are so strong that when a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the region just before midnight on Dec 18 last year, many phoned him for reassurance. His phone began to buzz, and he was inundated with messages from his panicking students. "I'm so scared, Mr Morteza. Will I die?" one asked him. Coming from Iran, a seismically active country, Morteza was convinced that the earthquake's most dangerous moments had passed. "You'll be fine. You have very sturdy buildings and an efficient government. You can trust them," he reassured the student. Students get scenario-based language training from Morteza. CHINA DAILY A different school Few higher education institutes in China, including foreign language universities, offer Persian as part of their curriculum, let alone a vocational school in a remote and underdeveloped region of Northwestern China. But, Linxia is a special prefecture that requires different solutions. Home to 41 ethnic minority groups that account for the majority of the population, the prefecture shook off poverty at the end of 2020 during China's poverty-alleviation efforts. However, it has always tried to build connections with the global community, whether in ancient times as a crucial trade hub on the historic Silk Road, or in modern times as it explores outside opportunities in the education field. Built in 2015, Linxia Modern Vocational College is the first and only vocational college in the prefecture. Su Hua, deputy director of the college, said it has developed rapidly in recent years, with the number of students and faculty members expanding from 2,000 to 10,000. The college now offers 29 majors, including medical science, Persian and Arabic. "Boosted by strong policy support, vocational education is going through a golden period," she said. As it forges its own education path, the prefecture has also found ways to help boost the prospects of students from ethnic groups, by addressing urgent social issues such as youth employment, sustainable economic growth, and cultural and environmental preservation. Since 2020, with the support of the national Education Ministry, the province has striven to achieve a "skilled Gansu". Over the past three years, the provincial government has set out policy measures aimed at achieving a comprehensive and "world-class" vocational education system in the province. "Our goal is to build a model vocational college for China's ethnic minority areas," Su said. "Linxia prefecture has a built-in advantage for language cultivation," she said. "It used to be a stop on the ancient Silk Road, so people here are good at communication and business and are gifted in language learning." Students majoring in Persian receive training in interpretation at Linxia Modern Vocational College in Linxia. CHINA DAILY More life choices Wang Mabin, one of Morteza's students, has benefited from the college's development over the years. "The facilities and the campus environment have improved significantly since I came here," said the 19-year-old. "We have the most advanced translation and interpreting equipment in our class, as well as increasing overseas study opportunities." Two years ago, he failed his high school entrance exam. He then entered the "2+3 program" at the college, which allows him to study two years of secondary school then undertake three years of vocational education. "Were it not for this school, I would have had to learn to make a living like many youngsters my age did in the past," he said. Under the nation's nine-year compulsory education policy, poor performances in the high school entrance exam, or gaokao, take away the opportunity for some junior students to attend college. "College entrance exams still carry a lot of weight for Chinese parents. But the path is so narrow and crowded. Many good kids deserve a better life. Vocational education offers an alternative option," Wang said. Ma Jinxiao, 20, has studied Persian for five years in the same program, which he said has equipped him not only with language skills, but built his self-confidence. "I used to be very shy, but I love studying. The vibrant school life helped me open up," he said. Ma has often been the top student in the class and wants to study abroad. He is due to graduate in June, but the earthquake, which damaged the family home, has changed his plans. "As the youngest son, I need to stay by my parents' side and shoulder my responsibility," he said. He has now decided to study teaching in the province's capital city, Lanzhou. "My ambition is to improve people's educational levels in my hometown. Five years of study have made me see there's still a gap between here and more advanced areas," he said. Gao Lei, 23, graduated from the vocational college in November, 2022, and has realized his goal to work as a professional translator in Iran. He encouraged the current crop of students to cherish their time at the school and lay a solid linguistic foundation. "This is our goal to tailor our education and help the students find their place in society," deputy director Su said. "The reform of vocational education is systematic work requiring longtime joint efforts." Morteza starts to become emotional when he talks about how vocational training is changing the lives of his students. On the wall of his classroom is painted an inspirational sentence in both Persian and Chinese that read "Language is the key to the world". "I'm happy for them that they are walking out of this remote place toward a bigger world," he said. Students of the culinary institute of Linxia Modern Vocational School receive lessons from a local catering group. CHINA DAILY Talent pipeline Linxia is a small basin that is not blessed with large amounts of mineral resources or big manufacturing enterprises. However, the population density of Linxia city, the capital of the prefecture, is equivalent to that of Shanghai. "We do have a demographic dividend, but there are no large enterprises to solve employment issues. Developing vocational education is basically a way for us to solve employment, agricultural and population issues," said Chen Yanhua, director of the vocational education department of the regional education bureau. With tourism as the pillar industry, Linxia has been actively developing its abundant cultural and natural resources. Making its unique ethnic cuisine, for example, demands a large amount of manpower, which has been greatly supported by vocational training. Linxia Modern Vocational College and the prefecture's largest catering group, Baihua Jiayuan, jointly built a culinary institute in 2021 to train students and provide them with internships and business skills. Chen said the training model offers more jobs for culinary graduates and related majors, attracts students through employment opportunities, and establishes a virtuous cycle of cooperation between schools and industries. "It is not only basic training to do a job or ensuring employment upon graduation. Through this connection, we also aim to enhance the professionalism, standardization, and branding of the culinary industry," she said. For years, Linxia has been exporting agricultural products such as freshly cut flowers to Central Asia and Europe. Last year, the college cooperated with the Linxia Baiyi Group, a major flower exporter, to establish the Baiyi Industry Academy. By introducing corporate capital to majors including livestock, agriculture, forestry, and logistics, the college has become a talent pipeline for the agricultural industry. Most of the students come from impoverished ethnic minority families, and many of them are left-behind children. Apart from the college, there are seven vocational schools in Linxia, and some of them provide financial assistance for their students. Linxia Guoqiang Vocational Technical School, for example, offers comprehensive free education for students in their first three years, including waiving tuition, accommodation, transportation and other fees. The number of students studying at vocational schools in Linxia increased from 8,200 at the end of 2018 to more than 15,000 at the end of 2023, according to the local education bureau. A bird's-eye view of the rare Danxia land formation inside the Linxia UNESCO Global Geopark in Linxia Hui autonomous prefecture, Gansu province. SHI YOUDONG/XINHUA In tune with the environment Primary and secondary education in the region is also being developed in accordance with local geographic conditions. In March, Linxia geopark was listed in the Global Geoparks Network by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The Linxia UNESCO Global Geopark, with its dramatic landforms, diverse fossils and rich cultural relics, can play a big role in the education of primary and middle school students, said Ma Jun, director of the geopark. A total of 12 primary and secondary schools are already located within the geopark. "We want to make the most of our geological resources to boost our children's interest in science and their understanding of their hometown as well as the Earth," Ma said. Xiguan Primary School, located in Linxia's Hezheng county, is one of the 12 geopark schools. Since 2018, the school has held classes twice a week in museums and at outside locations, so students can conduct hands-on research. Some of the children have volunteered as guides to share their rich knowledge with visitors about ancient creatures or geography. "The wealth of fossil specimens in our park makes me so proud of our hometown, and I want to share it with my schoolmates and everyone," said Wang Zihan, a fifth-grade student who volunteers at Hezheng Paleozoological Museum and conducts her own research. Zhang Wufan, another fifth-grader who volunteers at the museum, said her favorite extinct animal is the shovel-toothed elephant. "The big long teeth make it look so hilarious and whenever I pass by the model, it trumpets in a funny way," she said. Zhang is eager to explain to visitors three-toed horses, and has modeled clay into the shape of the animal at a handicraft school club. Ma Jiao, who graduated from the school, is now a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology. Chang Hui, head of Xiguan Primary School, said the geopark gives his students the opportunity to learn about culture and nature for free. The students are passionate about researching subjects related to the park, he added. "The children are particularly interested in immersive experiences such as reconstructing scenarios, treasure hunts and exploring fossils. Stepping out of classrooms gets their spirits and brains very excited, and I believe it's more effective than sitting in a room reading books all day." Students from Xiguan Primary School paint extinct animals found in the geopark on gourds at a handicraft club. CHINA DAILY Students of Xiguan Primary School in Linxia's Hezheng county visit Hezheng Paleozoological Museum for research study. CHINA DAILY (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) An Indian-origin CEOs suggestion to Indian students looking forward to studying in foreign universities has sparked a debate among X users. In her post, she advised the students to choose institutes with fewer Indian students, adding that a large community of students from the country comes with toxic patterns. The Indian-origin CEO's post asking students not to choose foreign universities with many Indians has gone viral (Representational image). (Unsplash/napr0tiv) Any Indian student planning to move abroad for higher education should check how many Indian students that university has. The more the number of Indian students, the lower that university should be on your list of places to join. A big Indian community of students doesnt come with a homely feeling. It comes with toxic Indian patterns, X user Shreya Pattar shared in her post. In the following lines, she claimed that a big Indian community in a college means Too much drama, lack of professionalism, no good role models, no leadership or responsibility towards juniors, self-centred behaviour, 'group-ism', back bitching, no seriousness towards the future. She added that people moving out of the country should avoid such mindsets, attitudes, and nature of people. She further advised that if students want to feel at home while abroad, they shouldn't move out of the country. Take a look at the entire X post here: The image shows an X post by an Indian-origin CEO advising students to choose universities with fewer Indian students, (X/@ShreyaPattar) Since being shared a few days ago, the post has accumulated more than 8.4 lakh viewsand the numbers are only increasing. The viral share has also collected nearly 7,500 likes. People posted varied comments on the share, most slamming her for her point of view. How did X users react to this post? I spent about a decade studying and working abroad. There are all sorts. Generalising and avoiding South Asians is not helpful, nor is sticking to them only outside of work. Take each one as an individual, regardless of origin, accent, appearance, or income. That way, I found friends, shared an X user. I respectfully disagree. Having a community of Indian students can provide a sense of familiarity and support, especially in a new country. It's about finding the right balance between comfort and exposure to diverse perspectives, added another. According to you, why are those patterns found disproportionately in Indians? Is there something that breeds those patterns more than in other nations? added a third. So basically, you want to avoid people similar to you. Got it. Dont you think others might think the same things about you as well? asked a fourth. Id say you are projecting your own toxic experience. And life? I studied in top schools in India and the US. I made great friends in and outside the Indian community. What you perceive in others is often a mirror of who you are, wrote a fifth. Actor Kangana Ranaut, BJP's candidate for Lok Sabha from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, disclosed assets totaling over 91 crore on Tuesday. These assets comprised 28.7 crore in mobile assets and 62.9 crore in immovable assets. The actor owes 17.38 crore in debt as well, reported Live Hindustan. Kangana Ranaut filed her nomination papers from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat. The actor owns around 5 crore worth of gold, 50 lakh worth of silver, and 3 crore worth of 14-carat diamond jewellery. Ranaut also owns properties in Zirakpur, Chandigarh, Manali (Kullu), and Bandra, Mumbai. Her Manali apartment costs 4.97 crore, while her Bandra property costs 23.98 crore. The report further added that she owns luxury cars like a BMW and two Mercedes Benz worth 3.91 crore. She has also invested around Rs. 21 lakh in the share market and given personal loans to 11 people. Not only that, but the actress also has 50 LIC policies to her. (Also Read: Eyeing successful political innings, Kangana Ranaut files nomination from Mandi) Soon after the news of her assets was announced, numerous social media users had all kinds of reactions to it. Many people were stunned to hear about her assets, specially about the 50 LIC policies. According to Live Mint, she also revealed that eight criminal cases, including three for offending religious feelings and four for defamation, are filed against her. The Mandi Lok Sabha constituency in Himachal Pradesh will hold elections on June 1st, marking the seventh and final round of the parliamentary elections. "Today I have filed nomination from Mandi LS seat. It is a matter of pride for me to have the opportunity to contest from Mandi... I have been successful in Bollywood and I am hopeful that I will get success in politics as well," Kangana Ranaut told news agency ANI. She further added, "The people of Mandi and their love for me have brought me here. Women in our country are making a mark in every field but incidents of feticide in Mandi were high a few years ago. Today, the women from Mandi are in the Army, the field of education and politics." A recent newspaper advertisement seeking a groom for a woman who passed away three decades ago has become the talk of the town here in Dakshina Kannada district. A family from Karnataka placed a newspaper advertisement in search of a groom for their dead daughter, expressing their wish to bring peace to her soul (representational image). (Unsplash/jalodarajk) The unconventional advertisement, originating from a family in Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district, aims to arrange a marriage for their deceased daughter, believing that her unmarried status in the afterlife may be causing ongoing misfortunes. Thirty years ago, tragedy struck the family when their infant daughter passed away. Since then, they have faced unexpected challenges. Seeking guidance from elders, they were told that their deceased daughters unsettled spirit might be at the root of their troubles. To bring peace to her soul, the family decided to arrange a marriage for her - an unique and poignant endeavour. To find a groom for somebody who died 30 years ago, the parents got an advertisement published in a widely read newspaper in the district. The advertisement reads: "Seeking groom who passed 30 years ago for a bride (sic) who passed 30 years ago. Please call the number to arrange a Pretha Maduve (marriage of spirits)." Despite exhaustive efforts by relatives and friends, finding a suitable deceased groom of the same age and caste proved elusive, say the heartbroken parents. This unconventional practice underscores a longstanding tradition in Tulunadu the region spread across three coastal districts of Karnataka and portion of neighbouring Kasargod district in Kerala where local dialect Tulu is spoken. In this region, arranging marriages for deceased individuals holds deep emotional significance. According to Tuluva folklore experts, the departed remain connected to their families, sharing in their joys and sorrows. As a result, rituals like Vaikunta Samaradhane and Pinda Pradana are eschewed in favour of offerings of food and the arrangement of marriages for departed souls. A woman in Lucknow fell prey to scammers and lost nearly 2 lakh in a wedding gift scam. According to reports, the fraudsters pretended to be her brothers on Instagram and promised to send her lavish gifts for her wedding. Scammers duped a Lucknow woman of her money by telling her that her wedding gift was seized at the airport (representational image). (Unsplash/miagolic) The woman communicated with three men whom she met on the social media platform, reported the Times of India (TOI). They assured her they were her brothers and would send her various gifts for her wedding. With constant communication, they gained her trust. According to the outlet, one of the scammers eventually reached out to the woman and said a shipment they were sending to her was seized at the airport. They demanded a sizable amount for its release. When the woman appeared hesitant, they threatened her and claimed that the legal agencies were involved. The woman subsequently sent nearly 2 lakh to the men through the QR code they provided. After days of communication, one of them, Ravi Kumar, contacted me via phone and assured me that they would provide expensive wedding items for me. For this, they requested my Aadhar card, photos, and other documents for shipping purposes," Salmay told the police, reported TOI. According to the outlet, the police have confirmed that an FIR has been lodged regarding the matter, and investigations are underway. Police departments often use social media to spread awareness about scammers who con people out of their money. The departments warn people against trusting strangers on social media and sharing personal details. They also issue reminders about choosing stronger passwords and multi-level verifications for online accounts. An Algerian man who had been missing for 26 years has been found in his neighbour's house, just a few minutes' walk away, the country's justice ministry said Tuesday. The man missing for 26 years was allegedly held by his neighbour, now 61-year-old. He is a doorman at a municipality. (Unsplash/Matt Popovich) The man only identified as Omar B. had vanished at the age of 19 during the Algerian Civil War in 1998, and his family assumed he had been kidnapped or killed. Now aged 45, he was found amid haystacks only about 200 metres (yards) away in the city of Djelfa after the captor's brother aired grievances on social media, reportedly due to an inheritance dispute. The alleged culprit, a 61-year-old doorman at the municipality in the nearby town of El Guedid, was taken into custody after attempting to flee, the ministry said. Also Read: Haryana Police reunites missing UP girl with family Algerian media reported that the victim said he had been unable to call out for help "because of a spell that his captor had cast on him". The ministry said the investigation was still ongoing, adding that the victim was receiving medical and psychological care after the crime it described as "heinous". A year after Google CEO Sundar Pichai's repeated usage of the term "AI" at last year's Google I/O conference became fodder for memes and jokes, the Indian-origin tech leader played along with the joke and shared the total number times "AI" was used in the mega tech event on Tuesday. The term "AI" was used over120 times during the presentation that ran a little over 100 minutes. Google CEO Sundar Pichai used Gemini AI to count the number of times 'AI' was used at Google I/O 2024. (YouTube/Google) "Before we wrap, I have a feeling that someone out there might be counting how many times we've mentioned AI today. And since the big theme today has been letting Google do the work for you, we went ahead and counted so that you don't have to," Pichai said as he wrapped up the event in Mountain View, California. Sundar Pichai asked Google Gemini AI to count the number times the speakers, including himself, used the term "AI" on stage. The prompt he gave Gemini was: "How many times does the word AI appear in this file?" He uploaded a file containing the full script of the speakers' address. Gemini showed that "AI" was used 121 times at the event. Billionaire Elon Musk reacted to Tech Crunch's video compilation of AI used at the Google event with a playful emoji. See Elon Musk's reaction here: "That might be a record in how many times someone has said AI. I'm tempted to say it a few more times. But I won't. Anyhow, this tally is more than just a punchline. it reflects something much deeper. We've been AI-first in our approach for a long time," Pichai said. In his welcome note, Pichai compared the Google I/O event to global pop icon Taylor Swift's ongoing Eras Tour, joking that the Google event has fewer costume changes. For those of you who haven't seen I/O before, it's basically Google's version of the Eras Tour, but with fewer costume changes. At Google though, we are fully in our Gemini era, Pichai said. When 83-year-old Marie Fowler started her journey towards earning her doctoral degree, she thought she would never make it past the first semester. However, she was wrong! She did it and went on to become Howard Universitys oldest graduate. The woman doubted herself when she thought of starting college again, but her father's words kept her motivated. (Representative image) It is never too late, Fowler told ABC 7 News - WJLA. According to the outlet, Fowler also holds a bachelors degree and two masters degrees from the Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary. Before starting college again, she doubted herself. She said, I had been out of school since 1959. I didnt know if I could even retain information. But her fathers words, A mind is a terrible thing to waste, acted as a catalyst for her, and she completed her doctoral degree in three years. My mom and dad were born in an era when it was illegal for them to learn to read and write. We taught my dad how to read and write and how to sign his name so he wouldnt have to put that X, she further added. The university, in a Facebook post, said that Fowler graduated during the 156th Commencements graduating class and that it was the largest in the universitys history. We at the Howard University School of Divinity would like you to help us celebrate the recent 83-year-old Doctor of Ministry graduate, Dr Marie A Fowler, who serves as the oldest graduate of both the Howard University School of Divinity and Howard University overall, Howard University School of Divinity wrote on X. She was the life of the party. She knew what she needed, what she wanted, and she came here and did that, Dr Alice Ogden Bellis, Professor of Hebrew Bible, told ABC 7 News - WJLA. If I can do it, why not you? Fowler told the outlet. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said they are really happy with their meaningful trip to Nigeria. Britain's Prince Harry (2ndR), Duke of Sussex, and Britain's Meghan (R), Duchess of Sussex, react as Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (unseen), gives a speech at the State Governor House in Lagos on May 12, 2024 as they visit Nigeria as part of celebrations of Invictus Games anniversary. (Photo by Kola SULAIMON / AFP)(AFP) In an exclusive interview with People magazine, the Sussexes shared heartfelt details about Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet and recent humanitarian endeavours. Meghan, 42, finds joy in witnessing the growth and development of her young family in their California home. Were just doing great, she expressed with happiness filling their lives as they watch their children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 2, become their own. And happy to be watching our family grow up and evolve. Of course, Im happy. Were really happy. The reflections followed a three-day journey to Nigeria. Invited by General Christopher Musa, Nigerias chief of defense staff, Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, dedicated their visit to the Invictus Games, an international adaptive multi-sport event for wounded, injured, or sick armed services personnel and veterans. ALSO READ| Prince Harry, Meghan Markle break silence after Archewell charity receives delinquency notice This event was particularly poignant as Nigeria, having joined the Community of Nations in 2022, marked its debut in the Invictus community. Nigeria trip was meaningful: Meghan Prince Harry, 39, shared, These trips are about us being able to go out and go and focus on the things that mean so much to us. Meghan concurred, Its really meaningful. Just being able to connect to people thats what makes it special. During their stay, the royal couple visited Nigeria Unconquered, an affiliate of the Invictus Games, and a military hospital in Kaduna. The Duke said, That experience of knowing what life, post-injury, is like gives people so much hope. And hope, hope, hope is a huge part of this. Adding to the trips impact was Meghans recent discovery of her 43 per cent Nigerian heritage. The revelation brought her excitement and a sense of connection to her roots, which she eagerly anticipates sharing with her children. Thats such a special thing as a mother to know you can do, she remarked. ALSO READ| Prince Harry slammed as cringe for inspecting troops like a working royal despite losing military titles Sussexes find common ground with students The couples focus on mental health was evident as they engaged with students at Lightway Academy. Meghan recounted a touching moment with her daughter Lilibet, whose innocent observation, Mama, I see me in you, resonated with the Duchess as she addressed the students, Looking around this room, I see myself in all of you as well. Meghan told People, I always reflect back on myself as a young girl and the type of inspiration that I wanted to see in other women. I hope in some small way I can be a part of that for a lot of these young girls especially. I saw myself in them. I see the potential in all of these young girls and, by the way, in these young boys, as well. She aspires to be a source of inspiration for young girls and boys, recognizing, Its what we see in our own children to give them that promise and excitement for their futures ALSO READ| Royal commentator brands Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's Nigeria visit a farce: Its a fake royal tour The Duke and Duchess of Sussexs African tour in 2019, while still active members of the royal family, was a precursor to their eventual step back from royal duties in 2020. A man armed with a knife wounded several people in the streets of the northern Swiss town of Zofingen on Wednesday before being detained, police said. Police did not give the number of casualties or any details on the attacker.(AP Photo) Police did not give the number of casualties or any details on the attacker. The man first lashed out at a passer-by at the railway station in the town of 12,000 people in the Aargau canton, about 60 kilometres (38 miles) west of Zurich. He then wounded several people seemingly at random before entering a house, police said in a statement. After two hours of negotiations with a specialised team, the man was arrested, police said. The suspect had been injured, police said. The United Nations vehicle carrying two passengers, including an ex-Indian Army officer, in Gaza Strip's Rafah, was apparently hit by shots from a tank operating in the area, a senior official of the world body said on Tuesday. Col Waibhav Anil Kale (retired) opted for premature retirement from the Indian Army in July 2022 Colonel (retired) Waibhav Anil Kale was killed in the strike. The 46-year-old, who took premature retirement from the army in 2022, was a Security Coordinator in the UN's Department of Safety and Security (DSS), having joined just two months ago. The weapon appears to have impacted the back of the white vehicle that was carrying the two staff members. The other passenger, a female staff member of the DSS, is receiving medical attention, and we believe she will make it through, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said at a press meet, responding to a question from PTI. When asked by the news agency if only Israeli tanks are in the region, Haq responded in the affirmative. I think that is a safe assumption to make, yes. At this stage, we are in no doubt about where the shots came from, as much as what the circumstances were. We are in discussions with Israel to determine exactly how this incident happened and the nature of what happened, he stated. The UN has established a fact-finding panel to investigate the attack, he added. Colonel (retired) Waibhav Kale is UN's first international casualty" in Gaza, Haq noted, adding that currently, as many as 71 international staff members of the United Nations, are in Gaza. What is Israel's response on the killing? Without attributing any responsibility, an initial inquiry conducted by the Israeli military indicates that the vehicle was hit in area declared as an active combat zone, and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) were "not made aware of the route of the vehicle, AFP reported. The IDF recently began an offensive in Rafah against Hamas, the Islamist group responsible for last October's terrorist attacks in the Jewish State. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is no longer in a life-threatening condition after he was shot in an assassination attempt when leaving a government meeting on Wednesday, a government minister said. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico(Reuters) The gunman shot Fico, 59, five times, initially leaving the prime minister in critical condition and undergoing surgery hours later on Wednesday evening. "I was very shocked ... fortunately as far as I know the operation went well - and I guess in the end he will survive ... he's not in a life-threatening situation at this moment," Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC's Newshour. Taraba said one bullet went through Fico's stomach and a second hit a joint. News outlet Aktuality.sk cited an unnamed source saying Fico was out of surgery and in stable condition. Defence Minister Robert Kalinak told a news briefing hours earlier that Fico had suffered "serious polytrauma" after several shot wounds. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok had said earlier that Fico was in a life-threatening condition while he remained in the operating room. "This assassination (attempt) was politically motivated and the perpetrator's decision was born closely after the presidential election," Sutaj Estok said, referring to an April election won by a Fico ally, Peter Pellegrini. The shooting in the central Slovak town of Handlova, which Slovak media said was carried out by a 71-year-old man, stunned the small central European nation and drew international condemnation. Slovakia, a member of NATO and the European Union, has little history of political violence. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden joined Slovakia's EU partners in expressing shock and condemnation of the shooting. The country of 5.4 million has seen polarised political debate in recent years, including the hard-fought presidential election last month that helped tighten Fico's grip on power. Since returning as prime minister last October, Fico has shifted policy quickly. Opposition critics call it a power grab. His government has scaled back support for Ukraine while opening dialogue with Russia, sought to weaken punishments for corruption and dismantled a special prosecutor's office, and is revamping the RTVS public broadcaster despite calls to protect media freedom. Fico has long been critical of Slovakia's mainstream media, refusing to speak to some outlets. Members of his party blasted media and opposition actions in recent months. "I ask all to stop piling attacks, expressions of hate, on social networks, in the media, which are aimed at that or another political camp, regardless if it concerns the (government) coalition or the opposition," Sutaj Estok said. After the attack, Fico was rushed to hospital in Handlova where he had been chairing a government meeting. He was then transported by helicopter to regional capital Banska Bystrica for urgent treatment, it said, adding that his condition was too serious for him to be taken to Bratislava. A Reuters witness heard shots as Fico exited a building to shake hands with a crowd of people who had been waiting to greet him. Police then wrestled a man to the ground. Slovak news media reported the shooter was a former security guard at a shopping mall, an author of three collections of poetry and a member of the Slovak Society of Writers. News outlet Aktuality.sk cited his son as saying his father was the legal holder of a gun licence. "I have absolutely no idea what my father intended, what he planned, what happened," it quoted the son as saying. Broadcaster TA3 reported the leftist prime minister had been hit in the abdomen in the attack. "I don't think I will wake up from this," 66-year-old Lubica Valkova told reporters on the scene. This kind of thing just can't happen in Slovakia. Fico, a dominant force in Slovakia for two decades, has drawn criticism for taking a more pro-Russian stance in the Ukraine war. Describing the shooting as a "monstrous" crime, Putin said in a telegram sent to Slovakia's President Zuzana Caputova: "I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation." Biden offered U.S. help to Slovakia, saying in a statement: "We condemn this horrific act of violence." Slovakia's biggest opposition party Progressive Slovakia called off a planned protest and called for restraint to avoid escalating tensions. Parliament suspended debate indefinitely after the attack. In his career, Fico has moved between the pro-European mainstream and nationalistic positions opposed to EU and U.S. policies. He has also shown a willingness to change course depending on public opinion or changed political realities. An admirer of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Fico has grown increasingly critical of Western support for Ukraine in its war with invading Russian forces. Fico was forced to resign as premier amid mass protests in 2018 triggered by the contract killing of Jan Kuciak, a journalist who had been investigating high-level corruption. Those protests exacerbated divisions in Slovak society that still linger. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was rushed to a hospital after an assassination attempt by an unidentified gunman on Wednesday. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks during a press conference with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, Hungary on Jan. 16, 2024. (AP) Robert Fico, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired at him in front of the local House of Culture while he was meeting his supporters. The suspect has been taken into custody. According to a post on his Facebook profile, Rober Fico's condition remains critical. It said he was being transported by helicopter to the Banska Bystrica, 29 kilometers (63 miles) away from Handlova because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute procedure. The next few hours will decide, it said. Who is Robert Fico? Born to a working-class family, Robert Fico graduated with a law degree in 1986 and joined the then-ruling Communist party. After the fall of Communist rule in 1989, he worked as a government lawyer, won a seat in parliament under the renamed Communist party. Fico also represented Slovakia at the European Court for Human Rights. Fico has run the SMER-Social Democracy party since 1999 after establishing it to oppose the reformist centre-right cabinet, according to Reuters. Also Read | Thousands Protest in Slovakia to Stop Prime Ministers Judiciary Revamp He won elections for the first time in 2006 and served as PM till 2010. He again won in 2012 and served till 2018. In 2018, Fico marred into controversy after journalist Jan Kuciak, who was investigating high-level graft, and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova were killed by a contract killer. The journalist's killing fuelled mass protests against graft and Fico was forced to resign. Also Read | Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky removes head of state guards after recent plot to assassinate him After five years in opposition, Ficos party won parliamentary elections last year on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform. He vowed to bring an end to Slovakia providing Ukraine with military support as it battled Russia's full-scale invasion, and has argued that NATO and the United States provoked Moscow into war. (Inputs from AP, Reuters) Robert Fico, Slovakias populist prime minister, suffered life-threatening injuries when he was shot and wounded in an attempted assassination on Wednesday, Reuters reported. The police have detained the suspect. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico looks on during a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Germany on January 24.(Reuters) The incident took place in the town of Handlova, some 150 kilometres northeast of the capital, Bratislava, according to the news television station TA3. The 59-year-old Robert Fico was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired at him in front of the local House of Culture when he was meeting his supporters. Security officers move Slovak PM Robert Fico in a car after a shooting incident, after a Slovak government meeting in Handlova, Slovakia, May 15, 2024.(REUTERS) "An assassination (attempt) on Prime Minister Robert Fico was carried out today at the government's off-site meeting in Handlova," the government office said in a statement, according to Reuters. At the moment he is being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica, because it would take too long to Bratislava in view of the necessity of an acute intervention. Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha also confirmed the attack on Robert Fico during a session of Parliament and subsequently adjourned it until further notice. Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova condemned the incident, calling it a brutal and ruthless attack on the premier. Im shocked, Caputova said, according to AP. I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack. A person is detained after a shooting incident of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, after a Slovak government meeting in Handlova, Slovakia, May 15.(Reuters) Robert Fico, a third-time premier, and his leftist Smer (Direction) party won Slovakia's September 30 parliamentary elections. The win marked Fico's political comeback as he campaigned on a pro-Russian and anti-American message. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico's policies, according to AP. World leaders express shock Several leaders across the world have expressed shock over the assassination attempt on Robert Fico. In a post on X, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed shock and said that there must be no place for violence in European politics. "News of the cowardly assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Fico shocks me deeply. Violence must have no place in European politics." Austria's conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer also said he was shocked. "Hate and violence must not be allowed to take hold in our democracies and must be fought with the utmost determination," he wrote. Diplomats are focusing on a narrow set of goals in preparation for a summit on Ukraines peace plan in Switzerland next month to ensure China and other nations of the so-called Global South attend the meeting. Ukraine Peace Plan Summit Eyes Minimal Goals to Woo Skeptical Global South German Chancellor Olaf Scholz set the scene for the gathering on Tuesday, when he told Stern magazine that the talks are going to touch on the safety of nuclear power plants, grain exports, prisoner exchanges and what he described as the necessary taboo on the use of nuclear weapons. Nobody should have exaggerated expectations, Scholz said in an interview published on Tuesday. We are not negotiating the end of the war there. Even so, its uncertain whether the outreach effort will be successful. More than 160 countries have been invited to discuss Ukraines conditions for a settlement with Russia at a mountain resort near Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 15-16. But the level of attendance beyond Ukraines western allies isnt clear. To secure broader support, Germany and other allies of Ukraine are engaging diplomats in the Global South on a possible text focused on key United Nations principles, and other basic issues such as returning deported children to Ukraine, prisoners exchanges and nuclear and food security, according to people familiar with the discussions. These points, however, fall short of Ukraines blueprint for peace, which calls for respecting the countrys territorial integrity and sovereignty, the withdrawal of Russian troops as well as guarantees over its future security. Chinas presence, in particular, is seen as important for the success of the gathering, given the influence diplomats say Beijing has on Moscow more than two years into the war. Read more: Scholz Asks Xi to Exert Pressure on Putin to End Insane War Group of Seven nations and the European Union are intensifying efforts to secure the participation of countries from Brazil to South Africa to Indonesia. Italy, in particular, has been asked to convince Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support the initiative, the people said, while Japan is talking to Brazil. They declined to be named because the talks are private. Beijing and other major Global South nations have been pushing to involve Russia in the process. Ukraine and its allies believe that can happen only once a framework of the key principles of any peace settlement have been established, with early suggestions that such a meeting could take place in the Gulf. Switzerland hasnt invited Russia to the conference. Still, one of the key objectives of the summit is to discuss how Russia can be involved in an actual peace process going forward, one of the people said. The Lucerne conference has been preceded by several rounds of lower level meetings. At the last such gathering, which took place in Doha in late April, national security advisers and senior officials failed to make much progress and raised doubts that a consensus can be achieved on anything but a very narrow agenda, the people said. The conference will be among the topics when Scholz meets Swiss President Viola Amherd in Berlin on Wednesday. Scholz is one of the few leaders from the worlds major economies that so far confirmed his participation at the Swiss summit, together with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Polish President Andrzej Duda. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The circumstances under which Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk assumed control of Ukraines ground forces in February could hardly have been less auspicious. The president was publicly feuding with the outgoing commander-in-chief, mobilisation was faltering and Republicans in Americas Congress had delayed a crucial aid package for what would prove to be six months, allowing Russia to regain the initiative. FILE PHOTO: Commander of the Joint Forces Oleksandr Pavliuk visits combat positions of the Ukrainian armed forces near the line of separation from Russian-backed rebels, near the village of Bohdanivka in the Donetsk region, Ukraine February 19, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo(REUTERS) Yet the general dismisses any idea that his new role might be a poisoned chalice. Despite the recent setbacks on the front line, he insisted Ukraine should not be judged by the fewwho are scared and cry out in panic. His outgunned soldiers are standing firm because they know what is at stake. Wherever there is Russia, there is nothing. Where thriving towns once stood, now lie skeletons, corpses, and ruins. Read more of our recent coverage of the Ukraine war General Pavliuk says the critical phase of the war will come in the next two months. With American assistance only beginning to reach the front lines, Vladimir Putins generals are throwing in all the combat-ready material they have to test Ukraines exhausted and undersupplied troops. Russia knows that if we receive enough weapons within a month or two, the situation could turn against them. Ukraine urgently needs more air defence, he says, and the anticipated delivery of F-16 fighter jets by early June will offer a significant psychological boost. But it remains uncertain whether Ukraine will receive the newer versions of the F-16 (block 50 onwards) that are needed to challenge Russias bombers. These stay at a distance, out of range of Ukrainian air defence, while dropping heavy guided bombs on front-line positions at a rate of 130 per day. The commander believes Russia will continue to focus on Luhansk and Donetsk, the eastern districts that have borne the brunt of the war. But intelligence suggests Russian forces will soon stretch defences by attacking the north-eastern districts of Kharkiv and Sumy. Russia is testing the stability of our lines before choosing the most suitable direction, the general says. Before Russias full-scale invasion in 2022, General Pavliuk commanded Ukraines Joint Forces operation in eastern Ukraine. That gives him an intimate knowledge of Ocheretyne and Chasiv Yar, two small towns in the Donetsk region that have been the focus of Russias latest attacks. Ukraines loss of Ocheretyne has enabled Russia to breach the first line of its defences and threaten vital supply routes. The general refuses to comment on reports that miscommunication led to the loss of positions, attributing it instead to insane pressure, overwhelming [Russian] air superiority, and an artillery ratio that reached 20:1. Over the whole range of the front, Russian guns are firing seven times as many shells as Ukraines. Ukraine still holds Chasiv Yar, a strategic height five kilometres west of Bakhmut, the mostly destroyed city that Russia spent nine months liberating. Chasiv Yar is the key to a cluster of towns and cities behind it, the last urban centres of the Donbas that remain in Ukrainian hands. General Pavliuk appears to be preparing public opinion for what some believe to be inevitable. He argues that losing Chasiv Yar would have no decisive significance; it is just a regular urban settlement. One of the most urgent tasks on the generals desk is raising ten new brigades in preparation for the Russian offensive. Although manpower has been a concern since December, when mobilisation largely stalled, General Pavliuk insists equipment, not men, is the main bottleneck. Ukraine desperately needs artillery and armoured vehicles, which it hopes the West will provide. Part of this new force will be deployed to protect the capital. Two and a half years after the Russian army was stymied there, it has not abandoned its ambition to ultimately take the city, the general says. Defending Kyiv remains one of our main concerns, no matter how tough it is in the east. It is the heart of Ukraine, and we know the key role defence of the capital will play in the future. But General Pavliuk, who was seconded to the capital in 2022 to help stop the attempted blitzkrieg, says Russias threat is fundamentally different from what it was at the start of the war. The Russian army can no longer execute sweeping raids on multiple fronts, he says. It is using missiles fresh off the factory line, mere weeks after production, rather than from its once vast stockpiles. Ukraines armed forces are also much larger than they were. The story remains Russias strategic failure, he argues. Ukraines official estimate is that Russia has suffered over 400,000 killed, captured and wounded. Losing that many soldiers to seize a small part of one region is disproportionate for any rational mind. Yet history has shown, he says, that Russia is not governed by rational minds. Although grim front-line reports keep the general occupied, domestic developments are forcing him to keep an eye on the home front too. On unpopular issues such as mobilisation, he says, every official must show leadership. Ukraine is still a young political nation. Confronted with mortal dangers, some citizens have panicked, and that is natural. But if the country is to survive, people must overcome panic and respond to the call to fight, as they do in countries like Israel. However hard it is, we have no other choice. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com A metro Atlanta school is under fire after giving students a Hitler-themed class assignment. The questions given to 8th graders at The Mount Vernon School were reviewed by Fox 5. The students were asked to rate some of Adolf Hitlers attributes. Altanta school under fire over troubling assignment asking students to rate Hitler (Pixabay - representational image) One question asked, "How would you rate Adolf Hitler as a solution seeker?" "How would you rate Adolf Hitler as an ethical decision-maker?" another asked. For both these questions, the students were given the option to select Lacks Evidence, Approaching Expectations, Meets Expectations, Exceeds Expectations to describe Hitler. Looks horrible in the current context Parents and students have now questioned how appropriate the assignment is, with one student labelling it as troubling. "Obviously, that looks horrible in the current context," said one student. "Knowing Mount Vernon, we do things a little odd around here. We try to think outside the box, but oftentimes that doesnt work." Many students claimed that when they were in 8th grade, these questions were not in the curriculum. The principal of Mount Vernon, Kristy Lundstrom, has insisted that the school condemned antisemitism. "The intent of the assignment was an exploration of World War II designed to boost student knowledge of factual events and understand the manipulation of fear leveraged by Adolf Hitler in connection to the Treaty of Versailles," Lundstrom said in a statement. Immediately following this incident, I met with the Schools Chief of Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Action, Head of Middle School, and a concerned Rabbi and friend of the School who shared the perspective of some of our families and supported us in a thorough review of the assignment and community impact, the principal added. Adolf Hitler and the events of the time period are difficult and traumatic to discuss. One student said he believes the school intended to encourage critical thinking. "I can definitely see why theyd be upset, but overall, I think its important to look at both sides of the coin in every situation and I think its important to be able to compare and contrast everything thats happened in our world history, whether its been good or bad," said the student. It has been revealed that cargo ship Dali had experienced an electrical blackout while undergoing maintenance before the Francis Scott Key Bridge tragedy in Baltimore. This was revealed by investigators probing the March 2024 collapse in a preliminary report released Tuesday, May 14. Cargo ship Dali experienced 2 electrical blackouts before striking Francis Scott Key Bridge (REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo)(REUTERS) What does the preliminary report reveal? The power outage took place a day before the tragedy after a crew member closed an exhaust damper by mistake. This caused the cargo ships engine to stall, as per the report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board. Shortly after leaving the port on March 26, Dali lost power again, crashing into one of the bridge's supporting columns. The bridge collapsed in seconds. The report added that the ships senior pilot and apprentice pilot were not informed about the previous power outage. The agency added that a full investigation could take a year, or more than that. An investigation was launched by the board immediately after the bridges collapse. Our mission is to determine why something happened, how it happened and to prevent it from recurring, board chair Jennifer Homendy said at the time, according to CBS Washington. The preliminary report said that after the blackout, the crew managed to restore it, and then called for assistance from tug boats. The pilot then demanded that the anchor of the ship be dropped. However, it was too late for tug boats to assist or the ship to be anchored. A second blackout happened when Dali was only a couple of hundred yards away from the bridge. At the time, a marine radio call was made in an attempt to warn waterborne traffic. The tragedy took place shortly after. According to the report, in May last year, bridge inspectors rated the conditions of the deck, the superstructure and the substructure, declaring they were in satisfactory condition. The recent report has revealed only a fraction of the findings. Six construction workers were killed in the tragedy. The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it would send more than $1 billion in additional arms and ammunition to Israel, three congressional aides said Tuesday. But it was not immediately known how soon the weapons would be delivered. Biden advances $1 Billion arms aid to Israel. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)(AFP) It's the first arms shipment to Israel to be revealed since the administration put another arms transfer, consisting of 3,500 bombs of up to 2,000 pounds each, on hold this month. The Biden administration, citing concern for civilian casualties in Gaza, has said it paused that bomb transfer to keep Israel from using those particular munitions in its offensive in the crowded southern Gaza city of Rafah. The package disclosed Tuesday includes about $700 million for tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds, the congressional aides said. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an arms transfer that has not yet been made public. ALSO READ| Hamas blasts Joe Biden for saying ceasefire possible if hostages are released: We consider it a setback There was no immediate indication when the arms would be sent. Two congressional aides said the shipment is not part of the long-delayed foreign aid package that Congress passed and Biden signed last month. It wasnt known if the shipment was the latest tranche from an existing arms sale or something new. House Republicans and Democrats clash over Bidens proposed arms aid to Israel The Biden administration has come under criticism from both sides of the political spectrum over its military support for Israel's now seven-month-old war against Hamas in Gaza at a time when Biden is battling for reelection against former President Donald Trump. Some of Biden's fellow Democrats have pushed him to limit transfers of offensive weapons to Israel to pressure the U.S. ally to do more to protect Palestinian civilians. Protests on college campuses around the U.S. have driven home the message this spring. Republican lawmakers have seized on the administration's pause on the bomb transfers, saying any lessening of U.S. support for Israel its closest ally in the Middle East weakens that country as it fights Hamas and other Iran-backed groups. In the House, they are planning to advance a bill this week to mandate the delivery of offensive weaponry for Israel. Despite the onetime suspension of a bomb shipment, Biden and administration officials have made clear they will continue other weapons deliveries and overall military support to Israel, which is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid. ALSO READ| Joe Biden threatens to cut off weapon supplies if Israel tries to invade Rafah Biden will see to it that Israel has all of the military means it needs to defend itself against all of its enemies, including Hamas, national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters Monday. For him, this is very straightforward: Hes going to continue to provide Israel with all of capabilities it needs, but he does not want certain categories of American weapons used in a particular type of operation in a particular place. And again, he has been clear and consistent with that. The Wall Street Journal first reported the plans for the $1 billion weapons package to Israel. Biden Administration threatens Veto In response to House Republicans' plan to move forward with a bill to mandate the delivery of offensive weapons for Israel, the White House said Tuesday that Biden would veto the bill if it were to pass Congress. The bill has practically no chance in the Democratic-controlled Senate. But House Democrats are somewhat divided on the issue, and roughly two dozen have signed onto a letter to the Biden administration saying they were deeply concerned about the message sent by pausing the bomb shipment. One of the letters signers, New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, said he would likely vote for the bill, despite the White Houses opposition. I have a general rule of supporting pro-Israel legislation unless it includes a poison pill like cuts to domestic policy, he said. ALSO READ| Joe Biden condemns Donald Trump's 'gestapo administration' remark as 'despicable' In addition to the written veto threat, the White House has been in touch with various lawmakers and congressional aides about the legislation, according to an administration official. We strongly, strongly oppose attempts to constrain the Presidents ability to deploy U.S. security assistance consistent with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said this week, adding that the administration plans to spend every last cent appropriated by Congress in the national security supplemental package that was signed into law by Biden last month. It was on Wednesday, May 15, when US President Joe Biden challenged GOP rival Donald Trump for two debates ahead of the presidential elections. The 81-year-old Commander-in-Chief deliberately chose Wednesday as he specifically mentioned in his fiery video that Donald I hear youre free on Wednesdays. We hear Donalds free on Wednesdays, Biden-Harris campaign wrote on X, giving the link of the website from which one can buy the T-shirt. Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then he hasnt shown up for a debate. Now hes acting like he wants to debate me again, Biden stated in a video released on his X account. Well, make my day, pal, Ill even do it twice. So lets pick the dates, Donald I hear youre free on Wednesdays, he continued, referring to Trumps court schedule amid his hush money trial, which usually takes a break from hearing on Wednesday. Trump is now facing 34 charges of fabricating business records for allegedly concealing hush money payments to former film adult star Stormy Daniels to stay silent about their alleged affair just before the 2016 presidential elections. However, the GOP leader has pleaded not guilty to the allegations and denied having any affair with Daniels. While Trump has accepted invitations for both the debates with the Democrat contender, the Biden campaign went a step ahead to mock the ex-president as they started selling Free on Wednesdays T-shirts. We hear Donalds free on Wednesdays, Biden-Harris campaign wrote on X, giving the link of the website from which one can buy the T-shirt. The FREE ON WEDNESDAYS SHIRT, which is 100 percent cotton, is priced at USD 32. JoeBiden.com states that Trumps acting like he wants to debate the President. We hear hes free on Wednesdays. Lets do it! It is American made union printed and is available in navy unisex. Moreover, the T-shirt will be shipped within 10 days and the purchase will be a donation to the Biden Victory Fund. Also Read: Donald Trump reacts to crooked Biden's debates challenge, and the first one to take place in beautiful Atlanta Netizens react to launch of FREE ON WEDNESDAYS SHIRT Biden campaign's post on "free on Wednesdays" T-shirt garnered mixed reactions from the netizens. While Trump supporters doesn't like the idea, Biden's fans hailed him for his great sense of humor. Free? So youre going to stop your sham prosecution of Trump? one X user wrote. I will buy a shirt Mr. President. I love your sense of humor. Btw, Thank you for not stealing from a kids cancer charity, sir. You are a man of honor and integrity. I speak for all Americans. Free on Wednesdays haha I love it, one more reacted. A third user chimed in, Thank you for giving Trump a boost in the polls. While a fourth one stated, Brilliant. Ordered mine, a fifth user wondered, if Trump is awake on Wednesdays, alluding to the reports that he dozed off in the courtroom during hush money trial. US President Joe Biden on Wednesday expressed shock over the shooting of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in an assassination attempt during a political event. Denouncing the horrific act of violence on Fico, Biden informed that Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist.(AP ) In a statement, Biden said he was alarmed to hear the reports of attack on Fico. He wished speedy recovery to the Slovakian PM, mentioning that his thoughts are with Fico's family and the Slovakians. Denouncing the horrific act of violence, he informed that Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist. I am alarmed to hear reports of an attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Jill and I are praying for a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia. We condemn this horrific act of violence. Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist, Biden said in a statement. Fico, the pro-Russian leader, was shot multiple times and seriously injured on Wednesday. The 55-year-old PM was said to be struggling for his life after getting struck in the stomach. The administration reported that at least four bullets were fired outside a cultural center in the town of Handlova, where Fico was gathering with supporters. In a televised announcement, Slovak President Zuzana Caputova claimed a suspect has been taken into custody. Fico was helicoptered to a hospital. However, the motivation for the shooting remains unclear. I am shocked, we are all shocked... The hateful rhetoric we witness in society leads to hateful acts. Please, let's stop it, she said. Also Read: Biden campaign trolls Trump with 'FREE ON WEDNESDAYS' T-shirts launch, sparking flurry of memes and wild reactions Global leaders condemn attack on Fico Several foreign leaders expressed outrage at the attack, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, condemned the attack in a statement released Wednesday. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good, she stated. Slovakia's President-elect Peter Pellegrini, who is an ally of Fico, called the shooting an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy." If we express other political opinions with pistols in squares, and not in polling stations, we are jeopardizing everything that we have built together over 31 years of Slovak sovereignty, he said. Meanwhile, Czech PM Petr Fiala also wished his Slovakian counterpart a swift recovery, stating that "we cannot tolerate violence, there's no place for it in society. Why was Fico attacked? Fico's return to power last year with a message of a pro-Russian and anti-American raised more concerns among other European Union members that he would take Slovakia further away from the Western mainstream. His administration has blocked weaponry exports to Ukraine, and detractors fear that he may push Slovakia, a NATO member with 5.4 million people, to forsake its pro-Western stance and follow in the footsteps of Hungary's PM Viktor Orban. Thousands of people have marched in the capital and around Slovakia in opposition to Fico's policies. Following the attack on the PM, Slovakia's parliament has been suspended until further notice. US State Secretary Antony Blinken, who gave a rocking musical performance at a bar in Ukraine's capital, drew sharp criticism after the video of his performance gone viral on social media. Many X users called Antony Blinken's performance inappropriate considering Ukraine's continuing conflict with Russia. During a surprise visit to Kyiv on Tuesday amidst ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Blinken performed a cover of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" with a band at the Barman Dictat, a popular cocktail basement bar. The Biden official promised that the US would keep supporting Ukraine, despite recent setbacks in assistance that have been critical to its defense operations. After Blinken appeared on stage with the Ukrainian band 19.99, the audience burst in cheers. Addressing the crowd, he said: "Your soldiers, your citizensparticularly in the northeast, in Kharkivare suffering tremendously." But they need to know, you need to know, the United States is with you, so much of the world is with you, and theyre fighting not just for a free Ukraine, but for the free world. And the free world is with you, too, he added. Also Read: Ukraine 'aid on its way' as Russia claims advances: US Blinken under fire over poorly timed performance Many X users called the top US diplomat's performance inappropriate considering Ukraine's continuing conflict with Russia. Some Ukrainians even chastised him for what they saw as bad judgment given Russia's recent push into northwestern Ukraine. In a Facebook post, Svitlana Matviyenko, the executive director of the Agency for Legislative Initiatives NGO, termed the US State Secretary's performance as inappropriate, mentioning that it came when Russia launched a new offensive in the Kharkiv oblast. Kharkiv region is being wiped from the Earth, people are leaving their homes, Kharkiv is under strike from air bombs. Sumy region is preparing, and a US top official is singing songs in a Kyiv bar, she wrote. Taking to X, Oleh Symoroz, a Ukrainian veteran who lost both legs in the conflict, called the performance "as inappropriate as possible." Not the right time, not the right time at all. So many people die every day because we dont have enough weapons and enough support from our allies, he wrote. Therefore, such concerts, Im sorry, are simply tactless and inappropriate. I advise the Secretary of State to visit a military cemetery instead of a bar," Symoroz added. Ukrainian politician Bogdan Yaremenko stated that Blinken's performance was poorly timed. While appreciating the United States' invaluable assistance, Yaremenko said: "But we also can't unsee all that makes the impression that the United States performs for the free world is not rock and roll, but some other music similar to Russian chanson." Jimmy Rushton, a foreign policy expert in Kyiv, described the performance as "astonishingly tone-deaf." This isnt supposed to be a [fing] vacation; Ukrainian soldiers are fighting and dying in large numbers right now along the frontline and Blinken is in a bar in Kyiv pretending to be a rockstar, he tweeted. Blinken also experienced domestic criticism from the Republican National Committee (RNC), which stated, "This is not a serious administration." The US Secretary of State abandoning professional dignity to sing a song called 'Rockin' in the Free World' at a people facing total demographic collapse thanks to that 'Free World', while their Armed Forces are disintegrating in real time, is embarrassingly fitting, one X user reacted. Blinken landed in war-torn Ukraine to hold meeting with top authorities, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to demonstrate the United States' support for the nation. It was the first official discussions since Congress approved a large foreign aid package that included $60 billion for Ukraine's army and air defense systems. During the commencement ceremony at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, a student named Saham David Ahmed Ali began delivering a speech critical of Israel. However, just moments into her address, her microphone was reportedly cut off, interrupting her remarks. Columbia University grad was slamming college's silence over the ongoing Israel strikes on Gaza as her mic suddenly cut out. Video footage captures the instance when Ali's mic started glitching as she was discussing Columbia's response to the conflict in Gaza. Despite attempts to continue, the microphone cut off several times, leading some audience members to chant, "Let her speak." While the audience isnt visible, you can hear her peers cheering her on and asking for the mic to be restored. Coincidently the mic malfunctioned when she was questioning the university's stand on Isarel and police action on its premises. The incident comes days after a Columbia University student torn apart her diploma handed at the graduation ceremony on the renowned college's New York City campus. Saham's speech is drawing staunch criticism from netizens. The speaker spent her entire speech providing false statistics and narratives, demanding divestment from Israeli institutions, and asking for amnesty for students who vandalized buildings and harasses Jewish students, an Instagram user commented. Another commented, She has a degree in public health. But what is her goal other than spreading propaganda and libel? How is framing her speech around Columbia University being on stolen land gonna help anyones health? Questioning Columbia she added, And why on earth is Columbia University tolerating this drivel? What a waste of an education!! A couple of weeks back students at campuses across the U.S. were up in arms against the Gaza war by setting up encampments and calling for their schools to cut ties with Israel and businesses that support it. Several protesters were arrested after horrific visuals of police brutality inside the campuses went viral online. Police wearing riot gear arrested 19 protesters who had occupied the president's office at the college with about 1,700 undergraduates. In a Reuters report, academics who study protest movements and the history of civil disobedience say it's difficult to maintain the people-power energy on campus if most of the people are gone. They feel these demonstrations are just one tactic in the wider pro-Palestinian movement that has existed for decades, and that this summer will provide many opportunities for the energy that started on campuses to migrate to the streets. Archewell Foundation received a delinquency notice from the California State Attorney General's office on May 3. Amid the recent controversy, a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's charity confirmed in an email to HindustanTimes.com that Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell Foundation no longer 'delinquent'(AP) Prince Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation delinquency row The not-for-profit organisation, which was founded by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, was deemed delinquent over unpaid fees. The letter issued by Attorney General Rob Bonta said that Archewell had failed to pay the $200 annual filing fee after a May 2023 expiration. This barred the organisation from carrying out further activities, such as soliciting or disbursing charitable funds, till the issue was resolved. In light of the issue, the charitable organisation's spokesperson said, We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that The Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing. The foundation's records show that a payment of $200 was duly postmarked and dispatched. However, it appears that it was not received by the concerned authorities. Bonta's office has also issued a clarification, saying that the organisation is no longer delinquent. Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the IRSs processes and procedures. Furthermore, all necessary paperwork had been filed by the Foundation without error or wrongdoing, the statement continued. ALSO READ: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle break silence after Archewell charity receives delinquency notice Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's quasi-royal Nigeria trip The Sussexes concluded their 3-day trip to Nigeria, which has been dubbed as quasi-royal by experts on Monday. Calling the trip unforgettable, Prince Harry and Meghan expressed their gratitude to Nigerian officials and the community for their hospitality in a statement released on the Sussex website. The Duke and Duchess would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all the event organizers, military officials and the whole Nigerian community for their tremendous hospitality and the first of many memorable trips, the statement reads. King Charles III unveiled the first official portrait of himself, and it is causing quite a range of internet reactions. Artist Jonathan Yeo and Britain's King Charles III at the unveiling of artist Jonathan Yeo's portrait of the King, in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace, in London, Tuesday May 14, 2024. T(Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)(AP) The monarch was at Buckingham Palace Tuesday with Queen Camila, where he pulled down a big curtain to reveal the much-expected portrait - which has a red background, much to the shock of both the royal fans and normies everywhere. Charles' first portrait comes since his May 2023 coronation. Despite the fact that Charles made the Welsh Guards uniform for the painting, it was the bold, brash backdrop that stole the show, and that led to a tidal wave of online memes and farce. ALSO READ| King Charles' first official portrait since coronation unveiled Netizens think the portrait looks hell-ish Who approved King Charles III's new portrait cuz it looks like he's in hell?! one quipped. Another one wrote, Im sorry but his portrait looks like hes in hell. Without sounding rude, this is the worst royal portrait Ive ever seen, one chimed in. One quipped, The King's portrait channelling the 'Everything is fine' meme? Just me then. Many netizens are saying Charles looks villainous in the portrait. Many think the portrait actually captured Charles' essence Artist Jonathan Yeo dedicated three years to the creation of this portrait, meticulously crafted during four distinct sessions held at Highgrove and Clarence House. This is quite an accomplishment considering the royal subjects demanding timetable. The portrait seeks to encapsulate His Majestys life experiences and the evolution of his role in our public life. In the artwork, Charles is portrayed wearing the distinguished uniform of the Welsh Guards, set against a dynamic backdrop and foreground filled with expressive brushstrokes in bold shades of red. A butterfly, added at the Kings behest, is depicted as if about to alight on his shoulder. ALSO READ| Prince Harry's long-time friend asks King Charles III this Yeo called it a privilege and pleasure to have been commissioned by The Drapers Company to paint this portrait of His Majesty the King. Many have expressed mixed reactions to Yeos work, He really captured the essence of him in the face, but the harshness of the red doesnt match the softness of his expression, one said. This painting is absolutely SPECTACULAR and so sophisticated and STRONG. Congratulations to the artist, another piped in. Amidst the ongoing hush money trial in New York, former adult film star Stormy Daniels' husband revealed that the couple will most likely leave the US if former President Donald Trump isn't found guilty. Stormy Daniels' counsel Clark Brewster has now stated that she wore a bulletproof vest to appear in court because she was concerned about what "some nut might do to her."(REUTERS) Appearing on CNN's 'Out Front', Barrett Blade foreshadowed a possible move while detailing the backlash his wife has received after coming out in public with allegations of sexual encounter with Trump over 20 years ago, for which the former president made hush money payment of $130,000 to Daniels to stay silent about their affair. Either way, I dont think it will get better for her. I think if its not guilty, we have to decide what to do. Good chance well probably vacate this country, Blade, who is Daniels fourth husband and an adult performer, stated. Stressing that he doesn't see it as "a win-win situation either way," he said that even if Trump is found guilty, Daniels will most likely face hatred from the Republican leader's fans. I know that we would like to get on with our lives. I know that she wants to move past this. We just want to do what I guess youd say normal people get to do in some aspects but I dont know if that ever will be, you know, and it breaks my heart. Daniels donned bulletproof vest to appear in court, says her counsel His remarks come after Daniels testified in Trump's Manhattan trial last week, revealing sordid details about her alleged affair with him and the hush money payment she received ahead of the presidential elections in 2016, when Trump's wife Melania was pregnant with their child, Barron. During her testimony, Daniels recalled spanking the expected 2024 Republican presidential nominee with a rolled-up magazine featuring his face on the front, as well as her claimed sex with Trump on a hotel bed in "the missionary position." Her counsel Clark Brewster has now stated that she wore a bulletproof vest to appear in court last week because she was concerned about what "some nut might do to her." "She was paralysed with fear not of taking the stand or telling her story, but of what some nut might do to her," Brewster explained, adding that I'm genuinely concerned about it as well. Also Read: Paralyzed with fear Stormy Daniels wore a bulletproof vest to Donald Trump's hush money trial Daniels's husband calls her a warrior Blade expressed similar fears, stating that Daniels is used to all of this. And this is all her fighting for what she believes is right and telling the truth, and I don't think a lot of people realize that. It wears on her, but she's a warrior, he noted. Trump has denied all the allegations levelled against him in the case, and has pleaded not guilty. On Tuesday, key Republican leaders joined Trump in Manhattan Criminal Court in show of solidarity with the former president as they slammed the judge and sham trial. Jimmy Carters grandson has announced that the former president is coming to the end. Jason Carter appeared at the 28th Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum, saying he recently visited his grandfather. Jimmy Carters grandson gives update on former US president's health (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)(AP) People ask me how youre doing, Jason Carter told the crowd, according to New York Post. And I say, I dont know. And he said, Well, I dont know myself.' Jason is the chair of the board of trustees for the Carter Center. On Tuesday, May 14, while talking about the global charitys work, he shifted his focus on his personal life and grandparents. Jimmy, 99, has been living in hospice in his Georgia home for over a year now. Rosalynn Carter, whom he had been married to for 77 years, died in November last year. Jason said that although Jimmy is doing fine keeping the circumstances in mind, the end of his journey is near. My grandfather is doing OK. He has been in hospice, as you know, for almost a year and a half now, Jason said of the 39th US president. He really is, I think, coming to the end that, as Ive said before, theres a part of this faith journey that is so important to him, and theres a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end, and I think he has been there in that space, he added. Jimmy has already survived metastatic brain and liver cancer. Jason Carters previous ominous statement This is not Jasons first ominous statement about his grandfathers health. In November too, ahead of Rosalynns funeral, he said Jimmy was coming to the end. At the time, he noted that Jimmy was very, very physically diminished. Rosalynn was buried on a plot that is visible from the front porch of the house that they built in Plains. The home was built before the former presidents first political campaign in 1962. The outpouring of love and support that we as a family received from the people in this room and from the rest of the world, was so remarkable and meaningful to us, Jason said at the time. US President Joe Biden on Wednesday surprisingly threw a challenge at GOP leader Donald Trump amid his hush money trial, as he asked his competitor for a one-on-one debate ahead of the November elections. Donald Trump and Joe Biden have agreed for two presidential debates, which will hosted by CNN and ABC.(AFP) Earlier today, Biden took to X and posted a video prodding Trump to debate him. He even made fun of Trump's ongoing criminal trial for hush money payments made to former adult film star Stormy Daniels, referencing how Trumps remains free on Wednesdays, which is usually a weekly day off from the trial in Manhattan criminal court. Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasnt shown up for a debate, the POTUS stated. Now, hes acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. Ill even do it twice. So lets pick the dates, Donald. I heard youre free on Wednesdays. Reacting to Biden's challenge, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, writing: Crooked Joe Biden is the WORST debater I have ever faced He cant put two sentences together! I am Ready and Willing to Debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September. " He even recommended more than two debates and a very large venue. Trump, however, mentioned that Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds Thats only because he doesnt get them. First two debates to be hosted by CNN and ABC In follow-up posts, both the leaders stated that they have received and accepted offers to debate on CNN and ABC. In another tweet, the POTUS announced that he has an invitation from CNN for a debate on June 27, adding that it's over to you, Donald. Following this Fox News Digital Political Correspondent & Reporter Brooke Singman declared that Trump has accepted the CNN debate invitation, stating that he will be there and "he is looking forward to being in Beautiful Atlanta". They two rivals have agreed to face off on stage for the first time since 2020 on June 27. In a press release, CNN confirmed that it will hold the debate at its Atlanta headquarters and a moderator for the event will be announced before the event. According to the network's press release, there will be no spectators present. Later, the duo also accepted an invitation for a second debate to be hosted by ABC on 10 September. Trump says hell arrange his own transportation. Ill bring my plane, too. I plan on keeping it for another four years, Biden quipped. Meanwhile, Trump also confirmed that he will appear for a second debate, hosted by ABC. It will take place on 10 September at an undisclosed location. Likewise, I accept the ABC News Debate against Crooked Joe on September 10th. Thank you, DJT! he wrote on Truth Social. All you need to know about Biden-Trump debate While some specifics about the debate are yet to be known, a New York Times report published Wednesday morning indicated that Biden's team intends to sidestep the Commission on Presidential Debates, a nonpartisan institution that has overseen presidential debates since 1988. "Mr. Biden and his top aides want the debates to start much sooner than the dates proposed by the organization, the Commission on Presidential Debates, so voters can see the two candidates side by side well before early voting begins in September," reported The New York Times, They want the debate to take place inside a television studio, with microphones that turn off automatically when a speaker's time restriction expires. Also Read: Biden campaign trolls Trump with 'FREE ON WEDNESDAYS' T-shirts launch, sparking flurry of memes and wild reactions CNN will hold first debate at its Atlanta studios around 9 p.m. ET. The debate be broadcast live on CNN, CNN Max, CNN.com, CNN International and CNN en Espanol. There would be no crowd present "to ensure candidates may maximize the time allotted in the debate," CNN stated in a release. This will be the first debate between Biden and Trump ahead of the 2024 election, in which the Republican leader hopes to return to the White House. Trump did not take part in any of the GOP primary debates ahead of the general elections. Trump campaign issues statement as he accepts offer for third debate In a letter to Bidens re-election campaign, top Trump advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles demanded more face offs between the two candidates. Today is a good day for Americas voters, now that Joe Biden has FINALLY accepted President Trumps debate challenge. President Trump and our campaign have been requesting this for months with a consistent message: ANY TIME! ANYWHERE! ANY PLACE! Wiles and LaCivita write. In addition to Vice Presidential debate, they suggested four debates -- in June, July, August, and September, stressing that it allow voters to have maximum exposure to the records and future visions of each candidate. Meanwhile, Trump declared that he will participate in a third presidential debate hosted by Fox News in October, but it is unclear if Biden will join him. He confirmed that the debate will be hosted by Fox News. Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that I hereby accept debating Crooked Joe Biden on FoxNews. The date will be Wednesday, October 2nd. The Hosts will be Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. Thank you, DJT! he wrote on Truth Social. OCALA, Fla. Mexican citizens were among those going to work at a Florida watermelon farm on Tuesday when the bus they were traveling in was sideswiped and crashed, killing eight people, officials said. Mexican citizens were traveling to work at a Florida farm when a pickup hit their bus, killing 8 Alicia Barcena, Mexicos foreign relations secretary, on Tuesday said via the social media platform X that she was sorry to report that a tragic automotive accident had happened in Florida with Mexican agricultural workers involved. She didnt say how many of the more than four dozen people on board were from Mexico. The Mexican consulate in Orlando was working to find out more and provide support, according to a post on X. The Florida Highway Patrol said names of the people who died would be released after relatives were notified. The Florida Highway Patrol arrested the driver of a pickup truck that crashed into the farmworker bus. Troopers said Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, faces eight counts of driving-under-the-influence-manslaughter for Tuesday mornings crash. No further details were released, including what substance allegedly left Howard impaired. It wasn't immediately known if Howard has an attorney to comment on his behalf. Attempts to reach Howard were unsuccessful Tuesday. State records show he has previous arrests for alleged driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident and marijuana possession. Troopers say Howard was driving a 2001 Ford Ranger that crossed into the center line on State Road 40, a two-lane road that passes through horse farms. The truck sideswiped the bus, causing it to veer off the road at about 6:40 a.m. It plowed through a fence and into a tree and then rolled. In addition to the eight killed, at least 40 were injured. The accident happened about 80 miles north of Orlando as the workers were going to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon. The bus ended up on its side, with its windows smashed and its emergency rear door and top hatch open. The truck came to a stop at the side of the road, with its air bag blown and extensive damage to the driver's side. Andres Sequera, a director of mission and ministry for AdventHealth hospitals, told reporters that the injured workers who could be visited by chaplains were in good spirits for what they have been through. We were able to provide support, presence, prayer when it was asked of us, he said. No one answered the phone at Olvera Trucking on Tuesday afternoon. The company recently advertised for a temporary driver who would bus workers to watermelon fields and then operate harvesting equipment. The pay was $14.77 an hour. A Labor Department document shows Olvera recently applied for 43 H-2A workers to harvest watermelons at Cannon Farms this month. The company again offered a base rate of $14.77 an hour, with promises of housing and transportation to and from the fields. The H-2A program allows U.S. employers or agents who meet certain regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals into the country to fill temporary agricultural jobs. Florida farms employ more H-2A workers than any other state, about 50,000 a year, according to the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. Thank you to all who have reached out and offered condolences, help and prayers for the families and loved ones involved in the crash, Cannon Farms posted on its Facebook page, adding that the family-owned operation would stay closed through Wednesday. Cannon Farms grows peanuts and watermelons, which it sends to grocery stores across the U.S. and Canada. Federal statistics show that vehicle crashes were the leading cause of job-related deaths among farmworkers in 2022, the latest year available. They accounted for 81 of 171 fatalities. It was not immediately not known if the bus had seat belts. Authorities in several states have been pushing for greater regulations for the safety of farmworkers, who are overwhelmingly migrants. The Labor Department announced new seat belt requirements for employer vehicles used for farmworkers on temporary visas, among other worker protections that take effect June 28. The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has been opposed, calling the seat belt requirement impractical. State law requires seat belts for farmworker transport using smaller vehicles, weighing less than 10,000 pounds. A GoFundMe campaign organized by the Farmworker Association of Florida to support accident victims and their families had raised about $20,000 of a $50,000 goal by Tuesday night. Farmworkers tend to be forgotten, but its important not to forget farmworkers, especially during such difficult times, the post said. Two groups that advocate for farmworkers issued statements calling for stricter laws to protect them from harm. It is too easy to dismiss this as just another accident, said Asia Clermont, Florida director for the League of United Latin American Citizens. Florida must take every possible step to protect its essential workers, who are human beings and the backbone of the states economy. Ty Joplin of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers said transportation laws for farmworkers are often unenforced. While accidents will happen, protecting workers while transporting them with mandatory and enforceable safety provisions, like seat belts and safety inspections, can reduce injuries and deaths, he said. Spencer reported from Fort Lauderdale. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The video screen Portal that lets people in New York and Dublin peer into life on opposite sides of the Atlantic in real time has been a source of whimsical delight for sidewalk crowds in the two cities, but also a magnet for boorish behavior thats prompted officials to hit pause for now. People view the live stream portal between Dublin and New York, in Dublin, Ireland, on Monday May 13, 2024. (Niall Carson/PA via AP)(AP) The livestreaming public art installation known as The Portal made its North American debut on May 8, with a circular screen set up below New York Citys iconic Flatiron Building and a companion screen on Dublin, Ireland's main thoroughfare, OConnell Street, with city landmarks including the Spire in the backdrop. Exhibit organizers touted the interactive display as a unique way to embrace the beauty of global interconnectedness. Portals are an invitation to meet people above borders and differences and to experience our world as it really is united and one, said Benediktas Gylys, the Lithuanian artist who conceived the installation, when the screens were unveiled to fanfare. But just days into a run that was to have continued into the fall, the portals were shut down Monday night after videos spread on social media of people behaving badly from an OnlyFans model in New York baring her breasts to Dubliners holding up swastikas and displaying images of New Yorks Twin Towers burning on 9/11. The screens, which only broadcast video with no audio, were back up Tuesday morning but were to be powered down again Tuesday evening, according to officials in New York and Dublin. Michael Ryan, a spokesperson for the Dublin City Council, said exhibit organizers are looking into possible technical solutions to address the inappropriate behavior. The displays are expected to return later in the week, he said. Dublin City Council had hoped to have a solution in place today, but unfortunately the preferred solution, which would have involved blurring, was not satisfactory, Ryan wrote, declining to elaborate. The Portals.org team is now investigating other options. Zac Roy, a spokesperson for the Flatiron NoMad Partnership, a local Manhattan business group, stressed the overwhelming majority of people interacting with the citys portal have behaved appropriately. Roy said theres been around-the-clock security and barriers in place at the New York location since the exhibit launched. Gylys, meanwhile, didnt respond to messages seeking comment on Tuesday, but his organization Portals has said it encourages people to be respectful. Our goal is to open a window between far away places and cultures that allows people to interact freely with one another, the group, which also has installed similar exhibits between Vilnius, Lithuania and Lubin, Poland, wrote. On Tuesday morning, crowds on both sides of the portals were mostly behaved. Some gave a friendly wave or made heart signs with their hands. Most took a selfie. But on the Dublin side, a man stood behind a crowd of school children in uniform and extended two middle fingers. Later, a woman on the New York side held up a sign imploring folks in Dublin to join her in a TikTok dance. When the crowd didnt comply, she did the lighthearted dance anyway, while a friend recorded the routine on their phone. Killian Sundermann, a 30-year-old from Dublin who was in New York on a visit, held his phone to his ear as he waved and spoke to his girlfriend watching from the Dublin side. At one point, he approached the security barrier and jokingly attempted to impersonate someone going down an escalator. The Irish crowd didnt seem amused, so he walked back into the crowd. Sundermann said many of his countrymen have taken the kerfuffle over the on-camera antics to heart, even as he questioned the wisdom of placing the Dublin screen in such a busy stretch of that city's downtown. I dont think you could have picked a worse spot for late-night drinking crowds, he said. I dont know what I would have done as a young lad walking past it after Ive had a few too many pints. Joe Perez, a 46-year-old Manhattan resident who held up his sizeable pitbull Virgil for the Dublin crowd to see, shrugged off the bad behavior. No one is getting hurt. Its fine. Its all peace, he said. A middle finger doesnt hurt me. Nearby, Lynn Rakos waved and blew a kiss toward the screen. I think its sweet, as long as we all behave, said the 60-year-old Brooklyn resident, who lived for a time in Dublin. We have all these connections on our phone and Facebook, but here its unscripted. You dont know who is there and youre just saying hi. The US district court has approved an agreement to lift sanctions on over 90 foreign nationals, many of them from India. They were previously barred from re-entering the US or denied visas due to their association with an Optional Practical Training (OPT) fraud by their former employers. US court has approved an agreement to lift sanctions on over 90 foreign nationals, many of them from Indians These students, who were victims of fraudulent OPT employers, faced serious consequences, like being denied entry into the US or being ineligible for visas. One student from Chennai shared how he was turned away by US customs officials after a short trip, simply because he had briefly worked for a blacklisted OPT-certified company. Attorney Jesse Bless, representing the plaintiffs, explained that after negotiations, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agreed to review its records. It confirmed that these former students are not inadmissible to the US or ineligible for visas solely based on their employment with fraudulent OPT companies. "With the inadmissibility lifted, these plaintiffs have now regained another opportunity to live and work in the United States," Bless said. What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)? OPT enables foreign students to acquire work experience in the US, with STEM students having the option for a two-year extension. Out of the 270,000 Indian students in the US during 2022-23, 69,000 were engaged in OPT, as per an Open Doors Report. Attorney Jonathan Wasden informed Times of India that the fraudulent scheme involved companies certified by DHS through the E-Verify system. They aggressively promoted consulting roles to recent graduates, conducting interviews and offering employment for questionable training programs, often priced under $500. Despite being certified for years, DHS eventually raided these companies, seizing employee lists and cross-referencing names, resulting in findings of inadmissibility against students. Wasden criticized DHS for not disclosing the issue earlier, which could have prevented numerous students from falling victim to the scam. He pointed out that students admitted to the US before the scam's exposure were later rendered inadmissible, often without proper legal procedures, leaving them stranded with their belongings. He advised students to safeguard themselves by avoiding companies charging for training and to promptly report suspicious activities to DHS through legal representation. Former Indian American presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy slipped a word while he was talking outside Donald Trump's New York hush-money trial Tuesday morning. Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy addresses the media outside of Manhattan Criminal Court on behalf of former President Donald Trump on May 14, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by David Dee Delgado / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) Trump is accused of 34 felony cases of falsifying business records, which was part of a $130,000 hush-money scheme to put out the stories of his alleged extramarital affairs with pornstar Stormy Daniels that he feared would be damaging to his presidential campaign in 2016. He is the first former president to be sent to the trial for the criminal charges. Ramaswamy, who supported Trump soon after he withdrew from the 2024 GOP race, was one of the few Republicans who came to Manhattan to speak the former president in his trial - including House Speaker Mike Johnson, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, United States Representative Byron Donalds, Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., ex-President's son Eric Trump and Republican National Committee (RNC) co-Chair Lara Trump. ALSO READ| Vivek Ramaswamy declares he would accept Trump's VP offer, claps back at Ann Coulter's racist remark Ramaswamy said, God bless our country. I pray for our future, and lets pray for our country being stronger on the other side of this disgusting sham politician, before promptly correcting his slip, Prosecution, he quickly amended. Ramaswamy torches Biden administration's sham trial Before flocking to the Manhattan court, the biotech entrepreneur took to X and lambasted the Biden administration's sham trial, lamenting it as a politically motivated assault on the leading candidate for US President, green-lit by his political opponent, Joe Biden, and carried out at the highest levels of the White House and Department of Justice. He torched Matthew Colangelo, Biden's former number#3 at the Department of Justice, who is now leading the Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg prosecution effort, a criminal because he was himself a candidate for office on the promise of going after Trump. Ramaswamy said it is an insult to American democracy and no one has a clue what the alleged crime even is. ALSO READ| Vivek Ramaswamy steps up attack on Biden administration as he joins Trump supporters at sham NY trial The irony here is that the crime is supposedly about bad bookkeeping, but the real bookkeeping scandal is how to account for Judge Merchans own family members being paid millions of dollars by Democratic operatives. He went on saying, His entire legal theory depends on the ludicrous idea that Trump should have used campaign funds for a personal payment, yet if Trump had done that, theyd be prosecuting him for it - which is the ultimate proof that this is a politicised persecution, and added, The American people will deliver the ultimate verdict in November: say NO to the weaponization of justice. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said his government is ready to negotiate on Ukraine. He made the remark in an interview ahead of his visit to China. Russian President Vladimir Putin made the remark ahead of his visit to China. (AP file photo) Putin, in an interview with China's official news agency Xinhua, said that Russia is open to a dialogue as long as other countries all factor in its interests. Vladimir Putin said such negotiations must take into the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including Russia. "We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours, Putin said on Wednesday. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. However, amid a stiff resistance, the former superpower hasn't been able to make Kyiv capitulate. The Russian leader's two-day trip starting Thursday comes as Russia's forces have launched an attack in northeastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region, AP reported. The country's fresh push comes amid Ukraine's long wait for new supplies of anti-aircraft missiles and artillery shells from the United States, which has been helping the country defend itself against Putin's all-out invasion. Vladimir Putin said Russia never refused to negotiate. He said his country seeks what he called "a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of this conflict through peaceful means". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been leading his country from the front during, maintains that any potential negotiations must discuss the vexed topics of Ukraine's territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops, and the release of all prisoners. He also wants that security guarantees for Ukraine must also be included in any negotiations, AP reported. Russia has said in a statement that Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will meet in Beijing and discuss issues linked to comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. They will also exchange opinions on the most "acute international and regional issues." Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov told his country's parliament yesterday that the two countries were "objectively interested in maintaining our lead in efforts to establish a more fair and democratic world. Secretary of State Antony Blinken followed up a pledge to support Ukraine in its war against Russia by playing a cover of Rockin in the Free World in a basement bar just off Kyivs main strip. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken performs "Rockin' in the Free World" with members of The 1999 band at the Barman Dictat bar in Kyiv, Tuesday, May 14, 2024.(AP) Dressed in a black shirt and faded jeans and strapping on an electric guitar, the top US diplomat launched into Neil Youngs hit anthem. He was backed by a local jazz-punk band after a short speech expressing empathy with Ukrainians facing a new Russian onslaught in the northeast of the country. I know this is a really, really difficult time, Blinken told the crowd of Ukrainians and Americans who descended on BarmanDictat, or the barmans dictatorship, after being tipped off about the 8:30 p.m. gig on Tuesday. Your soldiers, your citizens in the northeast in Kharkiv are suffering tremendously. For the secretary, the one-song gig capped a full day of meetings, including President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and a speech to students with a message that Ukraine is not alone. The two-day visit to Kyiv is the first by a senior US administration official since Congress approved a $61 billion military aid package after months of delay, which left Ukrainian troops outgunned and stretched on the battlefield. Blinkens performance triggered mixed feelings in Kyiv as some Ukrainians, including former Economy Minister Tymofiy Mylovanov, expressed a preference for action in delivering more weapons over hollow words of support. Zelenskiy on Tuesday pleaded with the secretary of state for two Patriot air-defense batteries to provide air cover for Kharkiv as it suffers from months of relentless bombardment and as Russia opened a new front north of Ukraines second largest city. The Biden administration is working to send an additional Patriot battery, people familiar with the matter said. The troops defending Kharkiv region need to know, you need to know, the United States is with you so much, the world is with you, Blinken told the crowd in the bar in central Kyiv. And they are fighting, not just for a free Ukraine but for the free world and the free world is with you too. Extended Stay America, the leading mid-priced extended stay hotel brand in the United States, announced today the opening of the Extended Stay America Premier Suites Fort Myers - Airport in Fort Myers, Florida. Turnstone Group developed the property, which Sandpiper Hospitality will manage. The four-story, 124-room newly constructed Extended Stay America Premier Suites Fort Myers - Airport hotel features free Wi-Fi, complimentary healthy breakfast, premium cable, a fitness room, onsite guest laundry, outdoor pool with grill area and Extended Stay America Premier Suites' signature spacious lobby with additional vending options. All spacious suites include fully equipped kitchens with a full-size refrigerator, microwaves, stovetops, cookware, utensils, and dishes, as well as signature bedding, recliner, and workspace. Conveniently located ten minutes off I75 and 15 minutes from Southwest Florida International Airport, the Extended Stay America Premier Suites Fort Myers - Airport stands adjacent to Hammond Stadium, home to the Minnesota Twins Spring Training facility, and only eight minutes from JetBlue Park at Fenway South, which hosts the Boston Red Sox Spring Training. Guests can easily access Lee Health, Golisano Children's Hospitality, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Southwestern State College, Hertz Arena, Miromar Outlets, Sanibel, and Captiva Islands. Launched in 2021, Extended Stay America Premier Suites is one of the fastest growing midscale extended stay brands in the United States. For more information about Extended Stay America Premier Suites, including franchise development opportunities, visit franchise.esa.com. Hotel website IHGHotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hotel companies, is proud to announce the signing of a management agreement with Mansarovar Amusement Park & Resort to develop Crowne Plaza Resort Nepalgunj, Nepal. Scheduled to open in early 2028, the resort will feature over 100 keys and will further strengthen IHG's growing portfolio in the SWA region. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts is one of the world's largest premium hotel brands, with more than 520 open or in pipeline properties in major global cities and resort locations. Rooted in a deep understanding of the needs of today's business traveler, Crowne Plaza's "Work/Life Blend" features multi-functional spaces where guests can switch effortlessly between work and socialization. Located in the sub-metropolitan city of Banke District, Nepalgunj is a vibrant and diverse city that serves as a major transport hub for many of the western regions of Nepal. It is a convenient stopover for travellers between Nepal and India, due to its location near the southern border with Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh. The city is famous for its treks to the Dolpo Plateau and Jumla region, and offers a strategic stopover spot on the pathway to the Himalayas, offering a unique blend of culture, adventure, and nature. The new resort will be easily accessible from the Nepalgunj Airport and the India-Nepal border, catering to the needs of travellers seeking leisure and blended travel. Hotel website ComOps, a leader in providing strategy and support for the hospitality and casino industries, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Sofya McIntosh as the new Senior Vice President of Sales & Customer Success, effective May 7, 2024. Sofya is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in both hotel operations and technology sales leadership. Her comprehensive background in the industry, starting as a reservations agent, underscores her deep-rooted passion for empowering hospitality operators to excel and expand. Sofya has demonstrated a proven track record of delivering strong results and has supported several leading business intelligence and hospitality technology firms, including TravelClick, Rainmaker, Oracle Hotel Effectiveness, and Kalibri Labs. Her extensive knowledge in revenue management, marketing solutions, business intelligence, and profit optimization is enhanced by her role as an HSMAI Sales Advisory Board Member, where she contributes to shaping sales strategies across the hospitality industry. "Sofya's vast experience in the hospitality sector and her remarkable leadership skills make her the perfect choice to lead our Sales & Customer Success teams," said Robert Levine, CEO of ComOps. "We are eager to see how her expertise will further enhance our commitment to driving growth and success for our clients." Sofya holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Law from the Moscow Academy of Economics and Law. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, taking salsa lessons, and spending time with her two daughters. As I sat across a video call interviewing Arian Lewis, one of the founders behind Kiln, a lifestyle-focused coworking brand, I couldnt help but notice the perfectly curated room in the background behind him. I had recently visited that very Salt Lake City Kiln location and was impressed not only with the beauty of the spaces but also with the small details, including the way all the cushions were gently plumped in the exact same way, reminiscent of a high-end hotel lobby. Refresh rooms, music studios, podcast rooms, and warm meeting spaces that felt like you were walking into your very own living room peppered the high-ceilinged, art-infused environment. Everything about this coworking space, from the distinct lighting in each space, down to the books on the coffee tables, seemed intentionally handpicked to spark conversation and evoke specific human interactions. And yet, throughout our conversation, Arian assured me that their members didnt stay at Kiln for the physical environment, or even for the great complimentary breakfast snacks and lunches; they stayed because of the particular way his team made them feel. The Freedom from Square Feet framework, which we discussed in our latest piece and highlights the need to look above and beyond square feet in commercial real estate, highlights the connection between a hospitality-driven approach to operating coworking spaces and increased growth and profitability. We interviewed 4 leading coworking brands and 2 industry experts to gain insight into the increasingly popular hospitality-driven trend that is transforming the work landscape. Our goal is to share best practices from the brands that are pioneering the future of work in the hopes that it helps the entire industry move forward sustainably. That special feeling Coinciding with Arian, for Sibila Lantzy, Executive Vice President of Shift Workspaces, a Denver-based coworking brand known for its high-touch hospitality, workspace is about how we make people feel. From the moment you enter a Shift workspace and are greeted, to the day you move in, to your day-to-day experience, every ordinary interaction is carefully transformed into an extraordinary human experience. This VIP experience, as Sibila describes it, is behind their remarkable 70% member retention rate. Read the full article at Forbes Newly retired hospitality icon Eric Danziger, who may be best remembered as the only CEO of Trump Hotels who wasnt a Trump family member, recently spoke with LODGING about his career climb from Fairmont San Francisco bellman to CEO of Starwood Hotels, Wyndham Hotel Group, and, of course, Trump Hotels. However, as he mentioned while sharing his success story, it was his fortunate track record of growing companies that prompted the Trumps, among others, to tap him to undertake many of the challenges he described. Early Career Fresh out of high school in San Francisco in 1971, Danziger entered the industry as a bellman at the citys Fairmont hotel. That was a time when world-class meant everything was shiny and crisp, including coins that were washed and dollar bills that were ironed, he recalled. That began a dizzying career climb that kept him and his family on the move, tracing a path through San Diego, New Orleans, Nashville, Charlotte, Kansas City, Tucson, Houston, Phoenix, Dallas, New York, and finally, Idaho. He became GM of a full-service, Four Diamond hotel at age 25, after completing a management training program and rotating through various positions with the Fairmont organization, including front office manager at a 600-room hotel in San Diego, where he met his first mentor, Jack Vaughn. Vaughn, who created the Opryland Hotel as a convention destination, sent him to Nashville to become rooms division manager two years before construction began on the first 600-room phase of the property. As he tells the storyand he loves to tell storiesMy wife and I rented a U-Haul to go from New Orleans to Nashville. At first, it was just me, a salesman named Mike Dimond, and a cat named Opry working in a trailer on the site, where they hadnt yet broken ground. His role expanded as the hotel grew to almost 3,000 rooms. This spectacular opportunity, he said, let him be a part of putting together a major convention hotel in the middle of the country. It also enabled him to forge a bond with Vaughn until his death in 2014. Leadership Positions DoubleTree: Danzigers success garnered a fair amount of attention in the hotel community and netted a recruiting call in 1979 from another mentor-turned-friend, Jim Schmidt, who was president of DoubleTree Hotels when it was still a young company. In telling this story, he recalled how Schmidt proceeded to bait him with an enticing offer to run a waterfront property in Monterey, only to switch to a far less attractive offer: a problem resort in Tucson. The problem, he explained, was that they had been unable to even pay the interest on the principal they had undertaken. Read the full article at Lodging Magazine Sojern, the leading digital marketing platform built for travel, today announces its suite of Guest Experience Solutions are now available in Europe. The launch will kick off in Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and Ireland, with France and Portugal to follow. In 2023, Sojern acquired VenueLytics, hospitalitys most integrated guest experience platform, and incorporated VenueLytics capabilities as an extension of the Sojern Travel Marketing Platform, known as Guest Experience Solutions (GES). In North America, Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) spoke highly of the increased guest satisfaction and new restaurant revenue since incorporating GES. Sojern has significantly boosted guest satisfaction at our property. Our team gains access to real-time data that assists in delivering a seamless customer experience. Additionally, the platform acts as an added revenue stream for our restaurant, said Dhiren Masters, North Texas Regional Director, AAHOA. Building off the initial launch, Sojern is also expanding its Guest Experience Solutions in Europe including working with GetYourGuide, a leading platform for travelers to discover and book experiences such as walking tours, local cooking classes, skip-the-line tickets and more across 10,000 cities. GetYourGuide Chief Marketing Officer Emil Martinsek said, At GetYourGuide, our data shows a clear mindset shift. Not only are consumers finding and booking tours and activities earlier in their travel planning, theyre doing this increasingly digitally. We are focused on developing and leveraging technologies that help travelers easily discover and book experiences worth traveling for. Guests Want Personalized Experiencesand Hoteliers Must Deliver Todays guests are seeking personalized experiences, and theyre drawn to brands that deliver exactly that. According to a recent survey, only 65% of guests believe that a hotel knew them and 62% believe that a hotel truly heard them. Whats more, only 60% of guests were satisfied with a hotels proactive communication, and just 65% were content with its ability to provide personalized experiences. Guest Experience Solutions automate guest communications while giving hoteliers a pulse on customer sentiment, freeing up staff to deliver the special touches that make a hotel stand out from the crowd. Elevating the Traveler Experience Since 2007, Sojern has given hoteliers the tools to drive direct bookings, build loyal relationships with guests, and maximize revenue. With the addition of GES, hotel marketers can now engage with travelers before, during and after their stay to optimize net revenue per room (RevPAR). Sojerns Guest Experience Solutions gives hoteliers access to automated tools in a flexible model that fits their business needs. Sojerns Guest Experience Solutions include: AI Smart Concierge: AI Smart Concierge automates more than 500 responses to common guest questions via SMS, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Website Chatbot, enabling staff to prioritize face-to-face interactions while gathering valuable data on guest wants and needs. AI Smart Concierge has driven up to a 600% increase in guest engagement, a 65% decrease in front desk calls, and a 56% reduction in brand quality audits. AI Smart Concierge automates more than 500 responses to common guest questions via SMS, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Website Chatbot, enabling staff to prioritize face-to-face interactions while gathering valuable data on guest wants and needs. AI Smart Concierge has driven up to a 600% increase in guest engagement, a 65% decrease in front desk calls, and a 56% reduction in brand quality audits. Reputation Manager: Sojerns data shows that every negative review can cost a hotel anywhere from $1,000-5,000 in revenue and loss in the lifetime value of the customer. Reputation Manager empowers hoteliers to efficiently gather and manage feedback. Generative AI instantly drafts responses for both in-stay and online customer reviews and streamlines the escalation of real-time issues to the relevant staff members or managers. With Reputation Manager, Sojern customers have increased their Net Promoter Scores by 35% on average over three months. Sojerns data shows that every negative review can cost a hotel anywhere from $1,000-5,000 in revenue and loss in the lifetime value of the customer. Reputation Manager empowers hoteliers to efficiently gather and manage feedback. Generative AI instantly drafts responses for both in-stay and online customer reviews and streamlines the escalation of real-time issues to the relevant staff members or managers. With Reputation Manager, Sojern customers have increased their Net Promoter Scores by 35% on average over three months. Guest Marketing Suite: Hoteliers can cultivate genuine guest relationships by effectively using email, SMS, WhatsApp and chat features to engage with guests throughout the entire customer journey. Through consistent and tailored communication, they can boost direct bookings, ancillary revenue, and foster long-term loyalty. Some Sojern customers have generated more than $5,000 per day from email marketing campaigns using the Guest Marketing Suite. In a short-staffed market, the increasing expectation for customized experiences throughout the entire customer journey is placing unprecedented pressure on hotels. We are excited to introduce our Guest Experience Solutions in Europe to empower hoteliers beyond the booking, expanding our offerings to be an end-to-end marketing platform. Sojerns cutting-edge Travel Marketing Platform enables consistent engagement throughout the guest journey thanks to state-of-the-art technology, said Celine Chaussegros, Vice President of Property at Sojern. We are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions for the travel sector by harnessing data, AI, and technology to achieve impactful outcomes. Through our Guest Experience Solutions, we analyze, unify, and act on data from diverse hotel management and marketing systems, enabling Sojern to strengthen our connections within the hospitality industry. Sojerns Guest Experience Solutions equip hotel marketers with the tools to enhance their entire marketing funnel. Recently, Sojern introduced The Hotel Marketers Playbook: A Guide to Navigating the Marketing Funnel to help hotel marketers leverage a full-funnel marketing approach and create a unified strategy. To download a copy click here. For more information about Sojerns Guest Experience Solutions, click here. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) together with IC Bellagio and Members of the private Travel & Tourism sector, has launched a new consumer focussed initiative helping travellers understand how they can discover the world sustainably. WTTC has joined forces with IC Bellagio on the new campaign, Community Conscious Travel, and aims to raise awareness and drive action amongst consumers and communities to maintain the delicate equilibrium between residents' quality of life, the traveller experience, and the environmental health of popular destinations. This call to action highlights the positive impact travellers can have by making informed choices, such as exploring destinations during off-peak times, promoting year-round travel, and considering less-crowded, new, and emerging destinations. By making these choices, it will help reduce the strain on local infrastructure and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the communities, businesses, and ecosystems, enjoying a steady flow of visitors throughout the year. WTTC plans to roll out the campaign in full just before the 2024 Summer season, with a strong emphasis on video-based storytelling and spread across the global tourism bodys social media platforms highlighting the enormous benefits that the sector can provide to these destinations and its people. Italy serves as the first case study for this content-driven initiative, designed to raise awareness and spark conversations about Community Conscious Travel and the positive social impact of responsible tourism. Travel & Tourism is a powerful force for good. In Italy it contributed nearly 215 billion to the economy and creates nearly three million jobs. The sector employs more women and young people at entry level than any other. We also offer high skilled roles in AI, finance, engineering, commercial roles. It is important Travel & Tourism pays people fairly and offers great opportunities. The campaign demonstrates how both local communities and visitors can benefit from the positive social impact of Travel & Tourism, facilitating sustainable growth for all. This year, the sector is also expected to support nearly 350 million jobs globally, highlighting its significance as an economic powerhouse. In navigating this growth, it is imperative to emphasise effective management practices to ensure sustainable development and flourishing communities. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: Our Community Conscious Travel campaign shows how consumers can travel the world while making a positive impact and supporting local communities. There have always been very popular tourist sights and it is critical for destinations and local governments to work hand in glove with local communities to manage visitors in a way that benefits everyone. In Italy, and many other countries around the world, it is often visitors that help keep authentic arts, culture, and crafts alive. Andrea Grisdale, IC Bellagio CEO & Founder, said: Across the spectrum of Travel & Tourism, the significance of people cannot be overstated. They are the lifeblood of this vibrant industry, intrinsic to the experience that travel provides and, ultimately, the economic growth it creates. At IC Bellagio we believe that Travel & Tourism is all about the people, not the traveller alone but the communities and the individuals that welcome them. We hope this campaign will draw an even bolder line between these parties and highlight the truly positive and mutually beneficial relationship that can exist when we choose to travel in a more responsible way. We are hopeful the local stories will encourage global dialogue, motivating others to share solutions that can be put into action as we pair resident quality of life with the opportunitys tourism presents. The World Travel & Tourism Council is committed to fostering partnerships between the private and public sectors, aimed at advancing sustainable travel practices and pioneering innovative solutions for responsible tourism. This new campaign with IC Bellagio is part of the wider global tourism body's efforts to ensure a balanced approach to tourism management, following previous reports on Destination Stewardship and handling destinations success. Find more information about Community Conscious Travel here. Find previous WTTC reports here. About WTTC The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector. Hospitality Net today Sign up to our free daily newsletter, Crowne Plaza Resort Nepalgunj to Open 2028 in Nepal IHG announced the signing of a management agreement with Mansarovar Amusement Park & Resort to develop Crowne Plaza Resort Nepalgunj, Nepal. Scheduled to open in early 2028, the resort will feature over 100 keys and will strengthen the IHG portfolio in the SWA region. Located in the sub-metropolitan city of Banke District, Nepalgunj is a vibrant and diverse city that serves as a major transport hub for many of the western regions of Nepal. It is a convenient stopover for travellers between Nepal and India, due to its location near the southern border with Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh. The city is famous for its treks to the Dolpo Plateau and Jumla region, and offers a strategic stopover spot on the pathway to the Himalayas, offering a unique blend of culture, adventure, and nature. The new resort will be easily accessible from the Nepalgunj Airport and the India-Nepal border, catering to the needs of travellers seeking leisure and blended travel. Commenting on the announcement, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, "We are delighted to announce the signing of Crowne Plaza Resort Nepalgunj, further expanding IHG's presence in Nepal. The strategic location of the hotel will provide us with a great opportunity to offer world-class premium hospitality and cater to the demands of our guests across leisure, business and blended travel. He added: The signing represents a strategic milestone in IHG's expansion into South West Asia, a region ripe with an increasing demand for world class hospitality. With the strong brand recall of Crowne Plaza, the signing further strengthens IHGs positioning in Nepal, and highlights our commitment to bring premium offerings to key markets across the region." Dr. Om Prakash Mishra, Managing Director, Mansarovar Amusement Park & Resort, added, "We are thrilled to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring the Crowne Plaza brand to Nepalgunj. True to the renowned Crowne Plaza brand, we are confident that the hotel will provide guests with an exceptional experience, combining world-class facilities with the rich cultural heritage of Nepalgunj. We look forward to harnessing the benefits of IHGs global systems and robust loyalty program to maximise our mutual success." Once opened, the hotel will offer exceptional culinary experiences across three F&B venues that cater to diverse guest preferences. For guests looking to unwind and relax, the hotel will boast a fitness centre, club lounge, rejuvenating spa, as well as a retail store. To cater to MICE demands, the hotel will be equipped with two meeting rooms, including a ballroom. IHG currently has 50 hotels operating across five brands in South West Asia, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express, and a pipeline of 64 hotels due to open in the next 3-5 years. Travel and tourism sector witnessed the announcement of 217 deals (mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity and venture financing deals) during January-April 2024 compared to the announcement of 251 deals during the same period in previous year. This represents a year-on-year (YoY) decline of 13.5% in deals volume during January-April 2024, according to GlobalData. Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: Deal activity in travel and tourism sector remained subdued amid the uncertain market conditions and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Several leading economies including the US and China recorded YoY decline in deal volume. An analysis of GlobalDatas Deals Database revealed that the number of deals announced in the US and China declined by 26.4% and 57.1% during January-April 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Other key markets such as France, Japan and Italy also experienced YoY decline in deal volume. Meanwhile, deal volume for the UK, South Korea, and Spain remained the same. Similarly, most of the regions experienced subdued deal activity. Deals volume for North America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South and Central America regions registered decline, whereas it remained mostly the same in Europe. Bose adds: It was a mixed bag for different deal types under the coverage with M&A and VC deals registering decline while private equity deals volume showcasing improvement during January-April 2024. The number of M&A deals and venture financing deals declined by 9.4%, and 31.7%, respectively, during January-April 2024 compared to January-April 2023 while private equity deals volume grew by 37.5%. Note: Historic data may change in case some deals get added to previous months because of a delay in disclosure of information in the public domain. The ever-increasing role of AI in hospitality From boosting security to personalising guest interactions, AI is redefining efficiency and satisfaction in hospitality. AI is seemingly permeating discussions every day. The technology, its use cases, and the call for legislation, are frequently featured in the national and international news agenda. The hospitality industry is not immune, with a number of recent research reports highlighting the growth and demand for AI solutions to enhance efficiencies, increase productivity and ultimately positively impact the bottom line for hoteliers. So lets take a look at some of the recent forecasts. According to IndustryARC, the travel and hospitality AI market will surpass $1.2bn by 2026, with most of this adoption focused on utilising AI technologies to enhance customer service. Meanwhile, a recent report from PwC revealed that over three quarters (76%) of hospitality executives are utilising AI specifically to personalise guest experiences and boost customer loyalty. Furthermore, the 2022 Hotelier Technology Sentiment found that 70% of hotel executives are adopting various technological tools to increase operational efficiency, including AI solutions. Finally, on a McKinsey & Company podcast at the end of last year, McKinsey partners discussed a new report on the future of Generative AI for the wider travel industry. They estimate that adoption of GenAI is set to result in $2 trillion $4 trillion of incremental value across associated sectors. The scope of opportunities are therefore clear, and the adoption of AI in hospitality marks a critical juncture for how hotels and the wider hospitality sector manages the guest experience specifically. In an industry in which personalisation reigns supreme, the sophisticated analytics that AI can provide supplies management teams with a plethora of opportunities to finetune their services. AI in action: enhancing hotel operations from security to service From shoring up security operations to improving resource allocation by monitoring footfall, and enabling better decision-making via business intelligence insights, AI promises to unlock a host of valuable use cases for the hotel industry. An example of this in practice is the work that is being done by Media One Hotel in Dubai, which is utilising the application of computer vision. Computer vision technology analyses what is happening within a CCTV video and transforms it into actionable business intelligence and insights. Applications can range from identifying abandoned luggage and unauthorised presences, to detecting smoke, traffic at entrances, or blocked exits. Media One Hotel started to use computer vision technology to enhance security operations. Practically, this has yielded benefits such as around car parking facilities, removing the need for all such areas to be manned in person by staff at all times. Instead, the security team in the control room are now able to analyse when and where to place the number of security personnel required, especially during busy periods. However, the benefits for Media One Hotel have extended beyond security. Application of AI has enabled the hotel to also determine in real-time via automatically generated alerts if somebody on the front desk is not available and guests are building in the waiting area. This means the management team can automatically send more staff without there being a delay. Expanding computer vision: deepening guest insights and security in hospitality With increasing adoption and demand for computer vision within hospitality, the technology now forms key building blocks for improving the overall guest experience. Given that the heartbeat of the hospitality industry is its customer base, adopter are now eager to explore the technology across their facilities. What hoteliers like Media One are now looking at in more detail is how to analyse the data provided by integrating AI into its existing security and camera network to provide further benefits from a business intelligence perspective. This includes starting to consider looking at areas such as monitoring footfall and how to better manage guest flow across hotel spaces and restaurants. Another use case under consideration is evaluating the demographics of guests and what facilities within the hotel they make use of so that data can be used to inform how to effectively market venues to the right target audience moving forward. Similarly, the technology can be utilised to control access to secure areas, such as VIP rooms, spas, gyms, or executive lounges. This not only enhances security but provides a frictionless experience for guests by streamlining touchpoints through communal areas. Smart sustainability: using computer vision to reduce waste in hospitality We can even take a step further and look at computer vision as a sustainability champion for hospitality. In restaurants and kitchens, computer vision can track food service areas to identify and reduce food waste. Cameras can monitor buffet lines, analysing food levels and guest behaviour. This data can be used to optimise portion sizes, predict demand fluctuations, and identify areas prone to spoilage. Imagine intelligent systems alerting staff when food on a buffet line is running low, prompting them to prepare smaller, fresher batches to avoid unnecessary waste. These are just a few examples, but they showcase the potential of computer vision to contribute to a more sustainable hospitality industry. By leveraging this technology, hotels can make significant strides towards reducing their environmental footprint while saving money on utility bills and food costs. But as Media One Hotel is findings, the benefits of AI within hospitality and the hotel industry specifically dont begin and end with security. AI solutions can also be used to monitor guest demographics and identify VIP clientele, alerting management to their presence in time for them to prepare for their arrival and provide the highest quality service. The end result is a harmonised approach to overall safety, security, operational efficiency, and, most importantly, customer safety and satisfaction. In summary, integrating AI with existing security cameras unlocks the power of computer vision technology, like video analytics. This empowers hotels and hospitality venues to transform into smart spaces. With this comprehensive view, they can achieve better management of safety, security, operations and even contribute to sustainability goals. Sophiene Ben Marzouk is regional manager for UAE, Levant & Africa at Ipsotek, an Eviden business. Connect with Sophiene on LinkedIn. This article originally appeared on Hotel Management Network. Lokesh Kumar Minor Hotels has announced the appointment of Lokesh Kumar as Vice President of Development for the Middle East. Lokesh brings over 23 years of strategic business leadership experience and a proven track record in managing owner and key government relationships whilst executing strategic public-private partnerships to maximise revenues and optimise costs. Lokesh joins Minor Hotels from his most recent management consulting role, where he demonstrated his prowess in developing tourism offerings along the 1,600 km Coral Highway from Jezan to NEOM, whilst creating futuristic hotel concepts for the tourism authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He also offered feasibility and development strategies for mixed-use city development projects across multiple asset classes, including hospitality, commercial, residential and education. Additionally, Lokesh provided advisory services for operator selection and joint venture evaluation for a sovereign fund entity in KSA that aimed to develop 4,000 hotel rooms in key cities. His exceptional track record in managing key responsibilities of development, asset management and commercial with hospitality companies, including Movenpick, Unison Hotels and The Oberoi Group, puts him in an ideal position to drive Minor Hotels future growth initiatives and expansion in the Middle East. In his new role, Kumar will oversee development strategies and management of assets across Minor Hotels portfolio of hotels, including the Anantara, Avani, NH Hotels, NH Collection, Oaks and Tivoli brands. His expertise in business process enhancement will also contribute to commercial effectiveness across all the brands projects. We are delighted to welcome Lokesh to Minor Hotels, remarked Amir Golbarg, Senior Vice President of Middle East, Africa and India for Minor Hotels. His sterling reputation in developing and managing strategic business operations across the GCC and India aligns seamlessly with Minor Hotels vision for our future. Lokeshs astute thinking and expertise in the market will be invaluable as we move forward with our plans for the future. Kumar added, I am indeed privileged to join Minor Hotels. Its an exciting time for the company, which has witnessed impressive growth in recent years. Im eager to contribute to its continued success with new openings across the Middle East. The entrepreneurial approach of the company aligns with my professional goals and I look forward to working with the team to further accentuate growth. Lokesh holds an MBA from the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in India after completing hotel school at the Institute of Hotel Management, Goa. Image Credit Cloudbeds Rate parity is a common practice in hotel revenue management. It's also a quite controversial one. The debate around its fairness is ongoing, and in one case, a dispute on its application even had to be resolved by a Supreme Court. There are two sides to the argument. On the one hand, it makes it easier for hotels to manage their pricing strategy, preventing dumping and price wars. But it also makes it more challenging to get travelers to book direct. In this article, we explore what rate parity is, its pros and cons, and how you can adapt to it successfully. What is rate parity? Rate parity is the practice of keeping the publicly available rates of your hotel rooms the same across all distribution channels, including your website. As room rates change based on your dynamic pricing strategy, all channels subject to rate parity must be updated accordingly. With rate parity in the hotel industry, if you sell a room on Booking.com for $100 per night, you will have to set the same rate on all other booking platforms, whether its other online travel agencies (OTAs), metasearch engines, brick-and-mortar travel agents or your own website. Pros and cons of rate parity Rate parity is regulated by contractual agreements between hotels, OTAs, and other booking platforms. This clause was initially enforced by large hotel chains in the pre-online booking era. As OTAs appeared at the end of the 1990s and started to undercut hotels rates, rate parity clauses were extended to them, too. Pros of rate parity The advantages that rate parity offered to hoteliers back then still apply to hotel businesses today. It ensures a level playing field between direct and non-direct channels, such as GDS, online travel agents, and brick-and-mortar travel agencies, preventing one channel from dominating. It makes pricing strategies easier to control, preventing dumping and price wars. It allows hotels to present a consistent brand image, increasing trust with guests and preventing brand devaluation due to too-low prices. Cons of rate parity Thirty years after OTAs started to appear their contractual power and commissions have increased considerably while new playerssuch as smaller OTAs and wholesalershave also entered the supply chain. In this changed scenario, rate parity has presented a few revenue management challenges for hotels. As a hotel, you cannot offer rooms for lower rates than OTAs on your hotels own website and must inform them whenever youre running discounted promotions. OTAs, however, may offer lower prices than those on your website by cutting into their own commission. Wholesalers may resell your room inventory to lesser-known OTAs, adding a small markup and applying lower rates on public sites. A study by Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight) revealed that European independent chains, especially, frequently suffer parity loss from non-contracted channels. Because of the proliferation of online booking sites, you may have to spend more time and resources monitoring rate parity to ensure its being maintained across different channels. The debate around rate parity The growing market power of OTAs has created a lot of controversy around rate parity. For more than a decade, a debate has been going on as to whether this practice is good or harmful for the hospitality industry and consumers. On one side, detractors claim that parity agreements are anti-competitive. By preventing hotels from setting lower rates on their own channels, the largest OTAs are damaging consumers and abusing their dominant position while preventing other smaller OTAs from entering the market. On the other side, supporters of hotel rate parity claim that it actually helps the profitability of hotels. They argue that many establishments, especially independent hotels, dont invest enough in marketing and direct booking technology, so even if they were allowed to offer lower rates on their websites, no one would see them. Another point of contention is that forbidding rate parity would encourage free riding, meaning that travelers would use OTAs to find the hotel room that suits them and then finish the booking on the hotel website, where the rate would be lower. This way, hotels would be unfairly taking advantage of OTAs investments in marketing and website usability. Types of parity: Wide vs. narrow parity In Europe, regulators have stepped into the debate by limiting the scope of rate parity or even prohibiting it altogether. In 2015, following actions from French, Italian, and Swedish National Competition Authorities, Expedia and Booking.com decided to change rate parity clauses from wide to narrow throughout the European Economic Area (EEA). Wide parity With wide rate paritythe type of rate parity known until thenif you enter a contractual agreement with an OTA, you wont be allowed to offer a lower rate on any other channel, whether its your own website or another one. In other words, with wide rate parity, an OTA always gets to match the lowest available rate for that room, regardless of where it may appear. Its commission, however, wont necessarily be lower. Narrow parity With narrow rate parity, the clause is only enforced between you and the OTA. While youre not allowed to offer a lower rate on your website, you can offer lower rates to other OTAs or through offline channels, such as over the phone or to walk-in customers. The Europe-wide application of narrow parity clauses, however, was short-lived. In the following years, France, Austria, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland adopted laws that banned the use of all parity clauses. In 2019, the German Supreme Court prohibited Booking.com from applying narrow parity clauses. The European industry association HOTELREC welcomed the decision as a breath of fresh air for hoteliers. A similar prohibition was implemented in Australia and New Zealand, where Booking.com and Expedia were forced to use only narrow parity clauses. The debate on a total ban, however, is ongoing, with Tourism Accommodation Australia firmly in favor of abolishing all parity clauses. In the United States, rate parity is not regulated, and wide parity is generally applied between hotels and OTAs. At the moment, the legal state of rate parity around the world is a confusing patchwork of deregulation, partial limitations, prohibitions, announced bans or bans applied only to some OTAs. 5 strategies to drive direct bookings while maintaining parity When rate parity clauses are applied, the surest way to increase revenue is to drive more direct bookings to your hotels website. Here are the five best strategies to do that. 1. Add value If you cant charge guests less, provide more value with extra perks. Think free parking, wi-fi, early check-in, late check-out, discounts to local attractions, flexible cancellation terms, and free airport transfers. You can also add value (and escape parity restrictions) by offering special rates via social media, email, phone, or walk-in guests or by selling some room types exclusively on your website. With the latter strategy, however, you wont be able to use the visibility provided by OTAs, so its best to use it only if your website already has a good amount of traffic. 2. Optimize the booking experience If you dont want visitors to abandon your website without booking, you must offer the same level of user experience as OTAs. Invest time and resources to ensure that room rates, perks, and amenities are easy to understand and the booking process is seamless. Also, put a Best Price Guarantee statement on your website and monitor all public sales channels to make sure that no one is undercutting your prices. 3. Advertise on metasearch sites Metasearch engines such as Trivago, TripAdvisor, and Google Hotels allow you to compete directly with OTAs, increasing the chances to drive visitors directly to your site. These platforms typically use a pay-per-click model, which is likely to be cheaper than OTAs commissions. 4. Create your loyalty program Offering exclusive discounts to your mailing list is a good way to avoid rate parity restrictions and drive direct bookings. It also allows you to connect directly with customers, secure first-party guest data, and increase repeat bookings. 5. Invest in digital marketing The one surefire way to increase direct bookings is to invest in digital marketing. Pay-per-click advertising can be very effective in driving bookings in the short term, but it should be used in conjunction with other marketing tactics like SEO, social media, and influencers to increase visibility online. Once you have a solid foundation with the basics, you can raise the bar and move to more advanced strategies, such as using CRM data for segmenting guest profiles, personalizing campaigns, and retargeting ads. How technology can help Hospitality technology provides several tools to help you drive direct bookings and maintain rate parity. Integrated booking engine. Create the same level of booking experience as OTAs on your website, offering real-time availability, secure payment processing, and instant confirmations with a booking engine integrated with your property management system (PMS). Chatbots. Mimic human conversations and offer basic assistance to website visitors such as responding to queries, suggesting rooms or putting them in touch with customer service. Chatbots allow you to start interacting with potential customers as soon as they land on your website and are becoming more sophisticated thanks to AI. Customer relationship management software (CRM). A CRM gathers and stores guest data, helping you organize personalized email marketing campaigns where you can bypass rate parity restrictions with special offers. Channel manager. Helps you comply with rate parity clauses, by updating all different rates in real-time on all contracted sales channels. Rate shopping software. Typically used to monitor competitors prices, it can also determine whether any booking platform is breaking parity. If the parity issues come from a contracted OTA, you can work with them directly. If the offender is a non-contracted OTA that bought room packages from wholesalers, you can try to reach an agreement to offer rooms to them directly. Final thoughts Whatever the legal status of rate parity in your country, OTAs will continue to be a crucial sales channel for hotels. Whether you are a small independent hotel or a large chain, the best strategy to increase revenue without selling more rooms will always be to increase direct bookings. About Cloudbeds Cloudbeds is the leading platform redefining the concept of PMS for the hospitality industry, serving tens of thousands of properties in more than 150 countries worldwide. Built from the ground up to be masterfully unified and scalable, the award-winning Cloudbeds Platform brings together built-in and integrated solutions that modernize hotel operations, distribution, guest experience, and data & analytics. Founded in 2012, Cloudbeds has been named a top PMS, Hotel Management System and Channel Manager (2021-2024) by Hotel Tech Report, Worlds Best Hotel PMS Solutions Provider (2022) by World Travel Awards, and recognized in Deloittes Technology Fast 500 in 2023. For more information, visit www.cloudbeds.com. Chicago, IL (60637) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 67F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 57F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Live Music Society adds $710,000 in grants to 24 small US music venues The nonprofit Live Music Society has awarded $710,000 in much-needed Music Action Grants to 24 small independent U.S. music venues. Founded by Pete Muller in 2020, the foundation has provided crucial funding to 155 small performance venues totaling $3.7 million. Venues must have a capacity of 300 or less to be eligible for Live Music Society grants. At a time when a few large corporations dominate live music, independent venues are crucial musical incubators for musicians and an essential part of their communities cultural fabric. But these venues often operate on razor-thin margins, so survival can take priority over creative programming. Todays Music In Action Grants will fund events that build community, promote accessibility for marginalized groups, and create opportunities for local talent and touring acts to build new audiences. Each venue applied with a specific program idea and a commitment to completing their project during the grant period, July 2024 through June 2025. Ive been inspired by the scope and breadth of projects funded by the Music In Action grant, said foundation founder Pete Muller. At Live Music Society, we focus on empowering small performance venues to find creative ways of engaging with their communities and reaching new audiences. Its heartwarming to see the energy and excitement weve helped spark! 2024 Music Action Grant Recipients The 2024 Music In Action recipients include both non-profit and for-profit venues nationwide. Here is a sampling of the 24 funded programs: The Spot on Kirk (Roanoke, Virginia), Devils Backbone Tavern (Fischer, Texas), and La Pena Cultural Center (Berkeley, CA) each have programs that will celebrate Latinx and Hispanic heritage and culture. (Roanoke, Virginia), (Fischer, Texas), and (Berkeley, CA) each have programs that will celebrate Latinx and Hispanic heritage and culture. The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts (Three Oaks, Michigan) will launch the JazzReach Residency for K-8 students, including free clinics and all-ages concerts to expand music education in rural Michigan (Three Oaks, Michigan) will launch the JazzReach Residency for K-8 students, including free clinics and all-ages concerts to expand music education in rural Michigan The Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center (Sarasota, Florida) will use their grant for their second annual Creative Nexus series of gatherings for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ musicians to connect, collaborate, and receive artistic development support. Full list of 2024 Grantees 118 North Wayne, PA B Side Lounge Cleveland Heights, OH Blue Jay Listening Room Jacksonville Beach, FL Bossa Bistro Washington, D.C. Chris Jazz Cafe Philadelphia, PA Coles Bar Chicago, IL Devils Backbone Tavern Fischer, TX Drkmttr Collective Nashville, TN Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center Sarasota, FL Grand Annex Music Hall San Pedro, CA Jillys Music Room Akron, OH La Pena Cultural Center Berkeley, CA Maple Leaf Bar New Orleans, LA MOTR Pub Cincinnati, OH Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club Denver, CO One Longfellow Square Portland, ME Rebel Rebel Studio & Lounge Berea, KY Roots Music Project Boulder, CO The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts Three Oaks, MI The Jalopy Theatre Brooklyn, NY The Lost Church San Francisco, CA The Parlor Room Northampton, MA The Royal Room Seattle, WA The Spot on Kirk Roanoke, VA Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a Berklee College Of Music professor. Share on: Pittsfield Council Recognizes ALS, Appoints CIO PITTSFIELD, Mass. The City Council began its regular meeting on Tuesday with a proclamation for ALS awareness and the appointment of a new chief information officer. This year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Ice Bucket Challenge through renewed commitment to increase public awareness and support funding, leading to the significant improvements in ALS research, Mayor Peter Marchetti explained. The challenge took social media by storm, with participants recording themselves dumping a bucket of ice water over their heads to promote awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Resident Jacqueline Surbaugh was presented with the proclamation. Marchetti dedicated this month to ALS awareness and called upon residents to join him in supporting ALS research, advocating for increased funding, and standing in solidarity with those affected by this disease. The neurodegenerative disease causes the brain to lose connection with muscles, resulting in the loss of the ability to walk, talk, and eventually breathe. The mayor pointed out that the average prognosis for those diagnosed is two to five years with a diagnosis made every 90 minutes and that the ALS Association has committed over $154 million to support more than 550 research projects globally in a push for new treatments. The council unanimously voted to appoint Sigfredo Irizarry as the chief information officer responsible for planning, directing, managing, and overseeing the Citys Information Technology department. According to his resume, Irizarry has over 30 years in the field and previously worked as the CIO for three companies. The council also approved a conservation restriction the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Inc. for the property located off Barker Road, Velma Avenue, and Gamwell Avenue, also known as the Saw Mill Property. Town Administrator Jay Green explains how the Memorial Building will house the Council on Aging to Housing Secretary Edward Augustus Jr. during a tour of the Adams Housing Authority with Executive Director William Schrade. Augustus is visiting all 242 housing authorities in the state. PreviousNext Housing Secretary Makes Adams Housing Authority No. 40 on List of Visits Executive Director William Schrade invited Secretary Edward Augustus to the rededication of the Housing Authority's Community Room, providing a chance for the secretary to hear about the authority's successes and challenges. ADAMS, Mass. The state's new secretary of housing got a bit of a rock-star welcome on Wednesday morning as Adams Housing Authority residents, board members and staff lined up to get their picture taken with him. Edward Augustus Jr. was invited to join the Adams Housing Authority in the rededication of its renovated community room, named for James P. McAndrews, the authority's first executive director. Executive Director William Schrade said he was surprised that the secretary had taken up the invitation but Augustus said he's on a mission to visit every housing authority in the state. "The next logical question is how many housing authorities are there in Massachusetts? There's 242 of them so I get a lot of driving left to do," he laughed. "This is number 40. You're in the first tier I've been able to visit but to me, it's one way for me to understand what's actually going on." The former state senator and Worcester city manager was appointed secretary of housing and livable communities the first cabinet level housing chief in 30 years by Gov. Maura Healey last year as part of her answer to the state's housing crisis. He's been leading the charge for the governor's $4 billion Affordable Homes Act that looks to invest $1.6 billion in repairing and modernizing the state's 43,000 public housing units that house some 70,000 low-income, disabled and senior residents, as well as families. Massachusetts has the most public housing units and is one of only a few states that support public housing. Numbers range from Boston's tens of thousands of units to Sutton's 40. Adams has 64 one-bedroom units in the Columbia Valley facility and 24 single and multiple-bedroom units scattered through the community. "The scale could be different but some of the issues and challenges are the same. We need more dollars to do capital repairs," Augustus said. "Many of these facilities have been around for 50 years. ... We need to take some of the older systems out of those buildings, green the buildings, if you will, shrink our carbon footprint in some of these older buildings. "As folks age in place, we need to make sure they're accessible. Making sure that we have tub cuts and grab bars and things so that folks can stay here, stay in their homes as long as possible. And do that with dignity and do that in a way that meets their needs." The Affordable Homes Act would triple the amount of money spent on public housing capitol improvements, he said, from $500 million over five years to $1.6 billion. That means when when a sidewalk or driveway project comes up, the state will have the resources to say yes to more projects. That's important for Schrade, who took the secretary on a tour of a renovated unit and the walkways and steps difficult for residents to navigate. "Our pavement hasn't been replaced in over 40 years," he said afterward. "And our parking lot has heaving spots and sinkholes. What we've originally been asking for is money to be able to replace them to become ADA compliant. ... "In certain parts they're separated by wood in between them so they're trip hazards, and with the average age of my residents being 83 years old, and with more of them using walkers, you have to make sure they're able to stay safe." The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities will match 2 1/2 times every $1 from the community for capital projects but Adams' Commununity Development Block Grants are already committed for the next two years. And the authority only gets $100,000 a year for capital funds, meaning it will take five years to save up the funds. "That means I would have to do no projects for five years just to do that one project," he said. The authority's started slowly rehabbing units, many of which have their original kitchens from the 1970s. Schrade credited maintenance manager Matthew Puricelli for not only getting the work done but as economically as possible. Puricelli a one-man band estimates about 90 percent of repairs and renovations are being done in house. "We have to be more creative on how to get the work done," he told Augustus. "But I got to tell you something, we, you know, there's no excuses, we just we get it. ... "There's a lot of work that needs to be done, but we have a good, have a great, great game plan on how we're going to be able to do it and to be able to get people in." Schrade and Puricelli say they try to keep units empty for no more than 30 days. There's a waiting list to get in and Schrade later said he gets two or three calls a day. Because of the way the system works, people outside the community often pick Adams just to get on the list but Schrade said they do try to get local people in. Augustus said there are some other opportunities within the proposed act to help communities, such as a real estate transaction fee above a certain amount that could generate a half percent for towns toward public housing projects or create a fund for renovations of apartment units in return for rental stabilization. "If the town had some resources, you could go in and say, 'hey, you need a new roof. We'll loan you the money for the roof, put an affordability restriction on the units and stabilize that naturally occur," the secretary said. "Otherwise we don't have our book with them because there's no public participation in those buildings. So some of those things we're trying to figure out, you know, some new tools in the toolbox." There are also some reforms for receivership for problem properties that would give a little more leverage to local communities to work with a community development corporation or nonprofit partner to take over some of those properties, Augustus said, in response to a question about zombie houses lingering in Land Court. The administration on Thursday will be announcing a community investment tax incentive that would give tax credits for properties donated to CDCs for redevelopment. The incentive has been a temporary measure and the governor is advocating it become permanent. "So it allows companies and businesses that are looking for those tax credits and want to do something good to give it and they get the tax credit in exchange for that," he said. "It's about to expire, and we're upping it from $12 million a year to $15 million a year, so putting more tax credits into more CDCs so they can do some of these smaller-scale projects." The secretary was headed for a listening session at Berkshire Community College in the afternoon with local officials and community and business leaders. Schrade said it was exciting and huge accomplishment to have the secretary visit, the first official of that caliber to come to the Housing Authority since its opening. "The secretary's office has been quiet for about 30 years. Even before that we didn't have a high-level person come to a small housing authority like Adams," he said. "When we asked the secretary to come and he accepted the invitation, we wanted to make sure we were showing him not the negative things about what we all need, but the positive things we're doing. "We might be small but we will compete with larger housing authorities to be able to get the work that needs to be done to fill these apartments. We don't want these apartments to be vacant, we want to be able to fill them for residents who actually need housing ... in a safe environment." Reconnaissance aircraft takes off for patrol flight training China Military Online) 16:28, May 15, 2024 A reconnaissance aircraft attached to a PLA naval aviation unit is well-prepared for a patrol flight training exercise on May 1, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yang Jian and Xing Yun) A reconnaissance aircraft attached to a PLA naval aviation unit takes off for a patrol flight training exercise on May 1, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yang Jian and Xing Yun) A reconnaissance aircraft attached to a PLA naval aviation unit takes off for a patrol flight training exercise on May 1, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yang Jian and Xing Yun) A reconnaissance aircraft attached to a PLA naval aviation unit flies in the sky during a patrol flight training exercise on May 1, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yang Jian and Xing Yun) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) 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 Its only eight years since the last major London museum show of photographs from Sir Elton John and David Furnishs collection. Yet such is the scale of the couples holdings and the speed of their collecting they could probably have mounted 10 exhibitions over that period without repeating a single work. Tate Moderns 2016 show The Radical Eye focused on Sir Eltons first photographic love, classic early modernist photography, often severely abstract and almost exclusively in black and white a taste that might seem surprising in so flamboyant a figure. The far larger Fragile Beauty takes us into the succeeding era, from the post-war period to date, with the couples personal preoccupations explored through iconic images by some of the worlds greatest photographers. Themes include fashion, celebrity, desire as represented by the male body, and the idea, suggested in the shows title, of beauty as something vulnerable, even inherently tragic. Indeed, judging by the advance images, anyone who felt short-changed by the Tate shows lack of high-style glitz and rampant homoeroticism will be in seventh heaven here. Yet the first section one might almost call them chapters on Fashion shows how much photography owes to the modernist pioneers seen in the Tate show, and how much Elton has learned about the mediums abstract underpinnings by studying them. Irving Penns Harlequin Dress (1950) with its peerlessly elegant composition of black and white checked dress, evening gloves and hat worn by a peerlessly elegant model brings to mind the bold geometric patterns of so-called hard-edge abstract painting. Norman Parkinsons Cardin Hat over Paris (1960) in which the model is framed in the cockpit of a helicopter soaring over the Eiffel Tower has that sense of bravura anything-is-possible modern style it seems impossible to achieve today no matter how large the format or how expensive the equipment. Tina Barneys spectacular, high-gloss The Limo (2006), is a case in point. Showing a model styled to resemble the iconic designer Halston in the back seat of a car beside a black man clad only in an expensive designer jacket, its immediately arresting, though its points about the interaction of identities and whos looking at who, feel slightly too easy. Given that Elton has lived for decades with the consequences of celebrity, its hardly surprising that Stars of Stage, Screen and Studio should be a theme here. The tragic destinies of two artists who obsess him, Marilyn Monroe and the doomed jazz trumpeter Chet Baker both seen in superb photographs embody not only his concept of fragile beauty, but the kind of fame-related disasters that could all too easily have befallen him. At the same time, we can sense his open-mouthed awe at being able to acquire seminal images of figures who have for him and for many others a near-religious mystique. Were shown Sinatra with his Mafiosi minders in Frank Sinatra on the Boardwalk, Miami, 1968 by Terry ONeill; Miles Davis, represented by three images of his very shiny hands, by Irving Penn; Bruce Davidsons wonderful image The Supremes Preparing for a Show at the Apollo Theatre (1965). Perhaps most telling are Richard Avedons amazing portraits of The Beatles, taken on 11 August 1967, at the summit of their celebrity, looking back at us with expressions that are at once wide-eyed and friendly and resolutely enigmatic. Their personalities have been shaped by an experience of fame that only they could ever fully comprehend. The images of Desire feel more obvious, simply because the exclusively male subjects, from Gilbert & George in oversized underpants to Robert Mapplethorpe naked in the bath, are all so cheerfully in on the creation of the images. The only picture with the sense of risk necessary to a truly great photograph is Walter Pfeiffers Untitled (1984) in which five well-muscled young men look back at the camera with subtly varied expressions of confusion and hostility. No one, least of all the snapper, seems to know quite whats going on. But the most powerful section is Reportage, looking at the subject of photojournalism, which takes us to world-changing moments with an intensity that utterly transcends that rather bland term. Were right up close with Martin Luther King, chuckling with his wife Coretta Scott King, captured by Stephen Somerstein at the end of the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965. We look on at the moment of stunned confusion immediately after the shooting of Robert Kennedy, snapped by Boris Yaro, in 1968. open image in gallery David LaChapelle, Elton John, Egg On His Face, New York, 1999 ( David LaChapelle ) Best of all are eight large, intensely dramatic, but unrelated images, all recent, any one of which has the capacity to reduce us to jelly, placed together on a single wall: from a ragged stars and stripes being carried upside down through a riot-torn American city in 2020 to Ukrainian women being waved off on a train and a dust-covered woman emerging from the bombardment of a Syrian city. While no specific point or narrative emerges, its clear that documentary photography in the classic sense of going to a conflict zone and pressing the shutter still has the capacity to yield images of immense power. Yet in the section devoted to Fragile Beauty as a subject in its own right, the focus shifts from the intense scrutiny of the external subject to the subject performing their predicaments for the camera. An entire room is covered from floor to ceiling with Nan Goldins brutally raw images of marginalised 1980s New Yorkers, sprawled around their squalid rooms and acting up at bohemian parties. After the real-life horrors of the previous rooms, the allure of their self-advertising micro-dramas soon wears thin. open image in gallery Eve Arnold, Malcolm X, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 1962 ( Eve Arnold Magnum Photos ) In the final stages of the exhibition, including an extensive section on Constructed Images, the emphasis shifts from the subject to the manipulation of the medium, whether its Andreas Gurskys wall-filling digitally doctored images of North Korean rallies or Back to Black director Sam Taylor-Johnsons faux-candid studies of famous actors crying for the camera. While it provides a visually compelling showcase for where art photography is now, it all feels a shade thin after the first half of the shows brilliant exposition of photography as the ultimate observational tool. Photographys original promise was to give us chunks of physical reality with a veracity and level of detail that had never been seen before. Over the second century of the mediums existence, weve become so preoccupied with the ease with which photography can be manipulated, with the fact that the camera actually does lie at every turn, that weve almost lost sight of that original power. The best images in this tumultuous show, from whichever period, have the capacity to make us excited about the very idea of photography, all over again. At the V&A, from 18 May to 5 January Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Israeli team at Cannes Film Festival have said they fear protests against them will break out along the French Riviera. Their concern comes after thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets of Malmo to protest against Israels participation in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest last week. One member of the Israeli team at Cannes, who are attending the festival to promote Israeli film, said they were saddened by the demonstrations and fear a Eurovision repeat in France. Speaking to The Telegraph, the leader of the Israeli team, Osnat Bukofzer, said she had been going to the festival for over 40 years but now had concerns about attending. We are here for films, culture, and open for dialogue. We hope that it will be the only action here in Cannes, she said. Bukofzers team is based in the main festival building in Cannes for the duration of the festival, where security measures have been drastically increased. This year, weve had 15 security briefings compared with only four or five last year, so I can tell you its a very serious matter, said Cannes general secretary Francois Desrousseaux at a press conference ahead of the festivals opening night. open image in gallery Israels Eurovision performance jeered by pro-Palestinian protesters in Malmo fanzone ( AP ) We also have AI-powered cameras around the Palais for the first time, and weve also starting using new AI safety gates. Mayor of Cannes, David Lisnard, has also placed a ban on demonstrations along the beach side stretch where the festivals main events take place. 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 Meanwhile, festival chief Thierry Fremaux made clear the focus of the festival should be on the films included in the programme. This year we decided to host a festival without polemics, to make sure that the main interest for us all to be here is cinema, he said. So, if there are other polemics it doesnt concern us. However, jury member Omar Sy posted on Instagram that there is nothing that justifies the killing of children in Gaza. or anywhere as the festival opened. Meanwhile, the Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, was sentenced to eight years in prison by the Islamic Revolutionary court just days before his film The Seed of the Sacred Fig was set to debut at the festival. The film remains on Cannes schedule. Speaking on Monday (13 May), Fremaux lamented an increased focus in recent years on political and social issues in the movie industry, which he said came at the expense of the actual films. open image in gallery Cannes Film Festival president Thierry Fremaux attends the Opening Ceremony Official Gala Dinner ( Getty ) In the past, people only talked about the cinema. We as organisers only had one anxiety - the films: Will people like them, will people hate them? he said at a news conference. Fremaux made the comment in response to a question about a report in French newspaper Le Figaro last week, which said Cannes had hired a crisis management team to deal with possible fallout from a list that could be published of 10 film industry figures who have been accused of sexual abuse. He added that it felt important to show at the festival the new short film Moi Aussi (Me Too) by Judith Godreche, a French actor who has been a major voice in the countrys #MeToo movement. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Aubrey Plaza has addressed the speculation surrounding Francis Ford Coppolas forthcoming sci-fi epic, Megalopolis. The veteran director struggled to get funding for the film, which has cost $120m (96m) and taken decades to make. It has yet to find a distributor. After an industry screening in Los Angeles in late March, Megalopolis was already being dismissed as yet another of its legendary directors folies de grandeur. The film debuted to critics at Cannes Film Festival on Thursday (16 May). Of the furore surrounding the movie, Plaza, who plays journalist Wow Platinum in the movie alongside Adam Driver and Shia LaBeouf, told Deadline: I thought it was kind of funny. I would defend Francis all day long, but he doesnt need my defense, she said. I think when youre on the inside of it, and you know whats really going down, its almost like, Let them make up their stories and let them cause a big ruckus about it. Why not? Drum up some more attention for the movie. I think it ends up, in my mind, all working for the movie. The White Lotus alum, 39, speculated that people want that, especially with him, with all the stories about Apocalypse Now. They want it to be a disaster, they want some big epic whatever. Coppola, 85, is often characterised as having a major temper. open image in gallery Aubrey Plaza plays ambitious journalist Wow Platinum in Francis Ford Coppolas forthcoming sci-fi epic ( Getty Images ) In past interviews, the director revealed he threw his Oscar trophies out the window after stars including Al Pacino and Steve McQueen turned down the lead role in his 1979 Vietnam war epic, Apocalypse Now. Knowing Francis like I do now, I would think that it wouldnt bother him at all, that he would love the tales that are being told about the film, like, Go on, make up all the stories you want, Plaza added. Hes got such a magical way of directing and inspiring actors. You can feel it when you watch his movies and I felt it when I worked with him. It was everything that I had hoped for. And I think ultimately, he is just a brilliant storyteller, and he has something to say, I think. 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 Every movie that he makes, there is a passion behind it. It feels like there is a reason for it. Its pure in an artistic sense. Even though hes obviously commercially successful through the years, it never seems like its about that. Its just that he wants to tell stories and he wants to play with actors. So, its my favorite stuff. Megalopolis is set in an imagined Modern America, an official logline reads. The City of New Rome must change, causing conflict between Cesar Catilina (Driver), a genius artist who seeks to leap into a utopian, idealistic future, and his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), who remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare. Torn between them is socialite Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayors daughter, whose love for Cesar has divided her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves. Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Talia Shire, Kathryn Hunter, Grace VanderWaal, Chloe Fineman, DB Sweeney and Dustin Hoffman also star. 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 Law & Order actor Angie Harmon has sued Instacart and the delivery driver who allegedly shot one of her dogs dead at her home in North Carolina in late March. Harmon, 51, detailed the incident in an Instagram post last month, claiming that a man delivering groceries for Instacart shot and killed our precious [dog] Oliver. Now, more than a month later, the Rizzoli & Isles alum has filed a lawsuit against the grocery delivery company and the driver for alleged trespassing, conversion, negligence, negligent supervision/hiring, invasion of privacy and negligent misrepresentation. According to the suit, seen by People, Harmon had scheduled groceries from a chain in Charlotte, North Carolina, to be delivered to her home on 30 March. Harmon had been messaging with the delivery driver identified as Christopher Anthoney Reid in the suit whose profile picture allegedly depicted an older woman by the name of Merle. Reid was impersonating Merle on the Instacart app, the documents read. It adds that Harmon had no idea she had been communicating with Reid, who is described as a tall and intimidating younger man. When Reid arrived at the house, the suit says Harmon heard what sounded like a gun shot. And with her children in the backyard at the time, Harmon was terrified for her childrens safety, so she immediately ran downstairs to determine the source of the noise, the suit says. Once outside, Harmon says she saw Reid as he was placing a gun in the front of his pants. Looking to the side, she saw that her beloved dog, Oliver, was shot. Although shot, Oliver was still alive. She then rushed her dog to the vet, where it later died. At the time, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department told The Independent that Reid told officers that he shot the dog in self-defence after it had attacked him when he arrived at the home. 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 The filing, however, argues that Reid was not injured or seriously threatened by the dog and had ample opportunity to leave the premises without shooting it. Harmon is seeking over $25,000 in damages. The Independent approached Instacart for comment at the time, with the company stating it had suspended the driver. We were deeply saddened and disturbed to hear about this incident. We have no tolerance for violence of any kind, a spokesperson said. We have been in direct contact with the customer and are cooperating with law enforcement on their investigation. In a new statement shared with People, Instacart said: Our hearts continue to be with Ms Harmon and her family following this disturbing incident. While we cannot comment on pending litigation, we have no tolerance for violence of any kind, and the shopper account has been permanently deactivated from our platform. 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 Gudrun Ure, known to children of the Eighties as Super Gran, has died aged 98. The Scottish actor impacted the childhoods of many in the role of Granny Smith in Super Gran, the ITV childrens series about a grandmother with superpowers. Having gained her abilities unexpectedly when she was hit by an inventors magic ray, Granny Smith used her powers to defend the resident of her fictional town of Chiselton against various villains. Ures death was confirmed by her niece, Kate McNeill, on Tuesday (14 May), who said that she died at her home in London. Fans of Ures work have paid tribute on social media, with some remembering her portrayal of Granny Smith as strong, Scottish and very funny. Long before her turn as a crime-fighting grandmother, Ure was born in 1926 in Milton of Campsie, near Stirling. She began her professional acting career in 1951, starring as Desdemona in Orson Welles production of Othello by William Shakespeare. Ure also performed at the Edinburgh Festival and as part of the Childrens Theatre. Her most famous role, however, came in 1985 as the title character of Super Gran. The show ran for two seasons before concluding in 1987. Though only 27 episodes long, the series became an international hit when it was sold to more than 60 countries worldwide. It also won an International Emmy Award in the Children and Young People category. Speaking to the BBC in 1987, Ure described the role as great fun. Ive got a bicycle that flies, so I can fly around on that which is great fun, and Ive got that skimmer thing which goes in the water and flies in the sky and all those things, she said of Granny Smiths powers. 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 The theme tune for the series was written and performed by fellow Scot Billy Connolly, and had empowering lyrics that boasted of Super Grans talents. You can take your heroes, your Robert De Niros, your Al Pacino too, and big Stallone is just another phoney, he couldnt lace her shoes! Connolly sings. After Super Gran, Ure starred in TV dramas such as Casualty and Midsomer Murders. Between 2008 and 2010, Ure played Joan Danbury, the mother of Inspector Gwen Danbury, in the first series of the radio police drama An Odd Body. 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 Working class representation in the film and TV industry has plummeted to the lowest level in a decade, according to a new study. Only eight per cent of creatives in the film and TV industries identified as being from a working class background, while over 60 per cent of those working in the same sector were middle or upper class, the highest level in 10 years. According to research conducted by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre at the University of Sheffield, the vast majority of people working in the field are from middle or upper class backgrounds. The findings will only heighten already febrile conversations about privilege within the world of the creative arts. The report titled Arts, Culture and Heritage: Audiences and Workforce, uses census data to provide an in-depth analysis of the state of the arts, culture and heritage workforce across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In music and the performing arts, a sector known for discovering diverse talent, 65 per cent of people are now middle class, marking a record high only 16 per cent are from working class backgrounds. There is a sense sometimes that I feel like I dont belong in certain events and certain people Ive met who I do feel sometimes judged by, Sam Oddie, a filmmaker told Channel 4 News. Despite winning multiple awards, he says he still struggles to do what he loves full time. I feel like Ive had to earn it and Ive eventually gotten to the point where I do feel involved and welcome, but there wasnt [that feeling] in the beginning. Actor Samira Ahmed told Channel 4, that attending drama school had been a traumatic experience for her and that the industry relied on connections. open image in gallery ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) In addition to the findings on class, there were also notable disparities around region despite the governments levelling up agenda to redress regional social, cultural and economic imbalances and bridge the North-South divide. Most creatives are based in the countrys capital of London, which is also one of the most expensive places to live. 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 Race was another consideration: over 90 per cent of people in the creative industries are white, higher than the general workforce average of 85 per cent. Seventy per cent of those in managerial positions are men, with only 1 per cent being black. It comes shortly after Paddy McGuinness defended his working class roots after his appearance on Question Time was criticised for dumbing down the programme. When I got asked to go on, its the sort of programme that is terrifying. But it would have really irked me if hadnt done it. It wouldnt have sat easy with me, he said at the time. Being working class, people look at you as the place you are from as you still speak like them - if I hadnt done it then youre not getting peoples voice across. Bernard Hay, Head of Policy at Creative PEC said: This research shows that the likelihood of someone participating or working in arts, culture and heritage still varies significantly depending on a range of factors. These include gender, disability, ethnicity, social class, or geographic location. It also shows the picture can be very different depending on the type of activity or job. Viewed together and in the context of funding challenges for UK arts, culture and heritage, as well as a cost-of-living crisis, this report shows that we still have a long way to go to address social inequalities in many parts of the sector. Dr Mark Taylor, lead author of the report highlighted more positive aspects of the report including increased LGBTQ+ representation. Our new report confirms ingrained inequality across several demographics, using census data for the first time to provide this level of insight. However, we also identify ways in which arts, culture and heritage could be considered more inclusive than other sectors. For example, workers are more likely to be LGBTQ+, and in terms of participation in some creative activities for example creative writing, disabled people are more likely to participate. Overall, though the picture is one of sustained inequality in both workforce and audience diversity across arts, culture and heritage. 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 privately owned wildlife park in eastern China is being investigated following reports of abnormal deaths of several animals in recent years, including at least 20 Siberian tigers. The Fuyang Wildlife Park, located in the Yingdong district of Fuyang City, is at the centre of a controversy after reports in local media alleged that animals were kept in inhumane conditions. The outrage against the zoological park forced them to suspend operations for three days. The park is accused of illegally breeding protected Siberian tigers and prematurely housing animals while still under construction, a report by the China Philanthropist magazine revealed. The report further alleged that since 2018, when the animals were acquired, many have died due to inadequate facilities. The report stated that some of the animals were being kept in small cages for years, which led them to develop physical disabilities. Many animals lost their lives, including 20 Siberian tigers, two African lions, and three giraffes. Siberian tigers are listed as first-level protected animals in China. The report detailed the cramped and dark living conditions that the animals endured, with corpses discovered during an on-site visit. Black bears and tigers were confined in small iron enclosures, and tigers and lions kept in dimly lit rooms, the report said. There were also stacks of animal carcasses preserved in a freezer. In 2018, 33 Siberian tigers, 11 black bears, five lions, three camels, and various other wildlife were reportedly acquired by the park from Fuyang Tengfei Domestication Exhibition Co., Ltd. (or Tengfei Company) for a total of $350,000. Despite a refusal from Chinas National Forestry and Grassland Administration to permit artificial breeding, the park continued its operations, reports said. Authorities in Fuyang city have formed an investigative team to examine the deaths and look into these allegations. Animal rights advocates, including PETA Asia, condemned the zoo for its treatment of animals and highlighted broader issues of animal mistreatment in captivity worldwide. Its heartbreaking to hear that 20 tigers, two lions, three giraffes and many other wild animals have reportedly died in recent years at the decrepit Fuyang Wildlife Park, Jason Baker, vice president of PETA Asia, said in a statement. Fuyang Zoo seems to have become a grim refuge for animals displaced from the collapsing circus industry, Mr Baker added. On Weibo, Chinas social media platform, commentators expressed concern and anger over the loss of wildlife at the zoo. These animals should be living freely in the vast grasslands and forests. They are living in dark and cramped areas. How can they grow well in such conditions? one user was quoted as saying by the Global Times. If we cant take care of them properly, we should find another way. If this continues, what will be the fate of the remaining animals? Li Lianghua, Tengfeis legal representative, said in April 2019, the firm discovered the zoo had ceased operations while transporting 25 tigers from Shanghai to Fuyang. When I saw the environment was unsuitable for Siberian tigers, I didnt dare transport any more, Li Lianghua was quoted as saying by The Lai Times. Local media reports named Anhui Qicai Wildlife Park Co Ltd as the parks operator. There is a lack of clarity over who was responsible for the parks operations. Pan Zhichao, the legal representative for the Anhui Qicai Wildlife Park Co Ltd, said that Tengfei Company has no relationship with the zoo, and it is currently a malicious occupation of Fuyang Wildlife Park. The Independent has reached out to a number associated with the Fuyang Wildlife Park online 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 comedian seeking to take on Narendra Modi as an independent candidate in Indias general election said his application was rejected by the authorities on a technicality he was not aware of. Stand-up comedian Shyam Rangeela , who is known for his viral impressions of the prime minister, said he had submitted all the documents needed for his nomination from northern Uttar Pradesh states Varanasi, a holy city by the River Ganges and Mr Modis high-stakes constituency . However, Mr Rangeela said late on Tuesday his application was rejected on the ground that he did not take an oath or affirmation as required for all candidates in a format prescribed by Indias Election Commission as part of a nomination checklist. He said this was a step he was not informed about by the authorities. I have seen how democracy was murdered today, Mr Rangeela told reporters after his nomination papers were rejected. They dont want me to contest from here. They took my nomination papers after 3pm on Tuesday while I was alone. I am a first-timer and I did not know the process. No one told me that I was required to take an oath, he said, adding that his lawyers were also not allowed inside the premises or informed. The district magistrate of Varanasi said Mr Rangeelas nomination paper was rejected as the affidavit submitted by him was found to be incomplete, according to The Wire. open image in gallery Indian comedian Shyam Rangeela running against Modi ( The Independent ) Mr Rangeela, 29, had earlier said his efforts to file nomination papers in Varanasi, a seat Mr Modi, 73, has not lost since 2014, had been rejected by local officials for the past three days running. He had called the initial acceptance of his candidature documents by the officials a win for us in a democracy. In a video shared on his social media on Tuesday, he said officials were denying him entry inside the district magistrates office, just hours before Mr Modi was scheduled to file his nomination papers. Flanked by his cabinet ministers and a heavy posse of security personnel, Mr Modi filed his papers in the city on Tuesday around 11.40am, after offering prayers at Ganges, a spectacle which dominated all major Indian news channels for much of the day. open image in gallery India's prime minister Narendra Modi waves on the day he votes during the third phase of the general election, in Ahmedabad ( REUTERS ) The comedian said: Mr Modi filed his nomination... surrounded by his security staff and cabinet minister. No one could have come close to him, while we sweated for days outside the office to successfully file our nomination. Mr Rangeela had vowed to be the face of all independent candidates looking to compete against Mr Modi, stating that voters should be allowed to choose who they want as their leader in a democracy. He said he wanted to give voters options other than Mr Modi, even if he did not have the political acumen to actually pose a threat to the prime minister. You dont need to fear anything at all, I am an independent face and I will remain in the race without any other political partys support. We, independent candidates, are all one, Mr Rangeela had said as words of encouragement to other aspirants. He added that his decision stemmed from what he claimed was unfairness and discrimination against political competition in some of the big seats such as Surat in Mr Modis home state of Gujarat. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) candidate Mukesh Dalal was declared the uncontested winner from Surat after other eight candidates in the fray withdrew following the rejection of the Congress opposition party candidate Nilesh Kumbhanis nomination. Local officials claimed Mr Kumbhanis nomination was rejected due to discrepancies in signatures of his proposers, but several local opposition politicians have alleged serious cases of obstruction and police intimidation. Varanasi will be voting on 1 June and will see Mr Modi running in the race for the third time with his major competition in the city being Ajay Rai from the opposition Congress party. Results this time around will be announced alongside the rest of the countrys on 4 June. 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 Joan Vassos has been announced as the first lead for The Golden Bachelorette. The 61-year-old former Golden Bachelor contestant has recently been named the titular bachelorette of the newest instalment of the Bachelor franchise. She had developed a strong connection with Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner until week three of the show. However, she ultimately chose to go home upon learning that her daughter was having a medical emergency. Vassos was widowed after 32 years of marriage. Shes also a mother of four and a grandmother of two. Currently, she works in her hometown of Rockland, Maryland, as a school administrator. According to ABC, she enjoys spending her free time jamming out to Elton John, cheffing it up in the kitchen, and playing with her dog. Following the success of the first season of The Golden Bachelor, ABC ordered a season of The Golden Bachelorette, hoping for another ratings boon. The former was lauded as one of the highest-rated series of the 2024-2025 broadcast season, with adults between ages 18 to 49 tuning in at record numbers across seven days. Since its premiere, the inaugural series has reached more than 43.5 million viewers. The Golden Bachelor concluded with Turner proposing to Theresa Nist, whom he later married during a live special on ABC in January. However, the pair unfortunately shared that they were divorcing three months later in April in an interview with Good Morning America. Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations, and weve looked closely at our situation, our living situation, so forth and - and weve kind of come to the conclusion mutually that its probably time for us to - dissolve our marriage, Turner revealed to GMA host Juju Chang. When Chang asked if the pair planned to divorce, the 72-year-old lead replied: Yes. I dont think we can tell you how many people told us that it gave them so much hope, Nist admitted. We want none of that to change for anybody. The 70-year-old financial services professional noted that their search for a home ultimately led to their marriage falling apart. Although the pair had been looking for houses in South Carolina and New Jersey, they never finalised their plans. Nist added that shed also, unfortunately, have to give back the vintage-inspired Neil Lane engagement ring Turner proposed with back in the November season finale. She admitted, I think thats the rule, I think I have to give this ring back. Sad to say. But, you know what, we dont have to give back the memories. Even though they stressed that they had found their forever person, referring to one another as each others best friends. Theres no doubt in my mind, I still am in love with her, Turner admitted. I root for her every day. The Golden Bachelorette will reportedly air on Wednesday nights starting at 8 pm, slated to be a part of ABCs fall schedule. 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 Illegal dealers selling weapons, including knives, on social media to underage teenagers is still a really concerning picture for the police. Commander Stephen Clayman, who is the national lead for policing knife crime, said forces in England and Wales are keen to end the supply of weapons and as a result reduce the number of injuries and deaths. These knives are being sold to teenagers under 18 on social media platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat and those run by Meta. It can be extremely worrying to think that your child is involved in something as dangerous as knife crime. Knife crime has risen 81% in the last 10 years, so it is important to understand the reasons young people may think about carrying weapons, said Anoushka Dunic, training programmes manager at The Ben Kinsella Trust. One of the biggest drivers of knife crime among young people is fear, so acknowledging our childrens fears can help them understand how they can make safe choices. So how can parents talk to their teenagers about knife crime? Experts share everything you need to know. How should parents approach the conversation? It can be difficult to know how to start, here are some tips we recommend on how best to have meaningful conversations with our children about staying safe from knife crime. Before we start, make sure it is the right time and place, this may mean making sure the environment isnt distracting and your child feels relaxed and safe, said Dunic. Making sure you have enough time to have the conversation, things might get emotional and so we want to ensure we dont have to leave the conversation before our child is ready. Sometimes, it can be easier to have these conversations whilst doing another activity, like going for a walk or whilst driving in the car. It may also help to check in with your own feelings too are you feeling anxious about the topic, if so, it may be useful to learn about the law on knife crime. Dr Julius Elster, senior lecturer and course leader for BSc Youth Studies (Hons), at London Metropolitan University, agreed and added: Its also a good idea to encourage critical thinking by discussing the root causes of knife crime, such as peer pressure, social inequalities, and lack of opportunities. Teach children problem-solving skills and emphasise non-violent conflict resolution strategies, as well as the importance of seeking help from trusted adults or authorities if they ever feel threatened or unsafe. What about the wider impact of knife crime? Its about making them aware of the personal consequences of carrying a knife. Carrying a weapon increases the risk of them being injured themselves.They could go to jail for up to four years if theyre found in possession of a knife, even if theyre carrying it for someone else. They will get a criminal record, which could stop them from entering university or getting a job, and place restrictions on countries that they can travel to, such as the USA, Australia and Canada, said Dunic. In a worst-case scenario, they could end up using the weapon and seriously hurting someone. Help them understand that knife crime not only affects the person who carries the knife and the person who may be seriously harmed, but it also has a massive ripple effect on the families, friends and communities impacted by that event. How can you support your teen? Parents should try and have a rough plan of the types of questions they want to ask their child, but be mindful of being flexible as the conversation may go in directions you may not have prepared for. Its really important to listen to our children, non-judgmentally and empathetically. Its also important to let them ask questions too and give them time to answer any questions you may have. Be realistic, sometimes the conversation might not go as expected and thats OK. Let your children know you will always be there for them and try again another time, said Dunic. But Elster said its also important to get an understanding of their level of knowledge regarding knife crime, so asking them if they have heard about it at school or on the news, to determine how aware they are of the issue. In terms of supportive things to say, always reassure your child that they can talk to you about the issue and keep the conversation open. Try to also speak in a way that provides guidance and support for children as they navigate the complexities of knife crime and its impact on communities. What to do if youre worried your teen might have friends who carry knives or have one themselves? If youre worried that your teen might have friends who carry knives or might possess one themselves, its crucial to address the situation promptly and delicately. Signs to look out for include changes in behaviour, secretive or evasive actions, sudden interest in weapons, or unexplained injuries. Make sure that you pay attention to any unusual behaviour or changes in their social circle. Keep an eye out for signs of aggression, involvement in fights, or sudden withdrawal from family and friends, said Elster. You should also initiate an open and non-judgmental conversation with them. This includes expressing your concerns and listening to their perspective without jumping to conclusions. Remember support is available. If you suspect your teen is involved in dangerous activities, seek support from school counsellors, youth organisations, or mental health professionals. They can offer guidance and resources to address the situation effectively. 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 Queen Camilla has promised she will not be buying any new real fur clothes or products. Buckingham Palace made the revelation in a letter to Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), where it was said that the Queen, 76, will not procure any new fur garments. This comes with the Queens warmest wishes, the palace added. The news went down a storm with the animal rights organisation which said staff would be celebrating the Queen with a glass of the finest claret. Its right and proper for the British monarchy to reflect British values by recognising that fur has no place in our society, managing director Ingrid Newkirk said. The Queen did not however rule out wearing existing items - in a similar way to Elizabeth II who indicated in 2019 that she would acquire no new real-fur products. The revelation comes amid a wider move in the monarchy towards a more cruelty-free existence, with King Charles banning foie gras from royal residences in 2022. It is a French delicacy that is controversially made by fattening the liver of geese to as much as ten times its natural size. open image in gallery Queen Camilla has said she wont buy any more real fur garments ( Pete Cziborra/PA Wire ) But Camillas pledge to stop buying fur was not welcomed by everyone, with some arguing real fur is a more sustainable option than cruelty-free alternatives. The International Fur Federation said the monarchy should not be placed under pressure from animal activists. It is the right of everyone to decide what to wear, said Mark Oaten, the chief executive officer of the International Fur Federation. Many people still buy fur as they prefer to wear something thats natural and sustainable, unlike plastic-based fake fur. We hope the Royal Family consider the environment when they decide what to wear - but freedom of choice is the key issue. open image in gallery The palace has taken steps towards becoming more cruelty-free ( Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire ) This is not the first time this year that the use of fur within the royal family has come under scrutiny. Back in January, actor and writer Stephen Fry called upon the Kings Guard to stop using real bear fur in their famous hats. Tradition is never an excuse for cruelty, he said at the time. The palace said in response to the call that the hats are made from fur acquired via legal and licensed hunts. 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 }} South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday signed into law a bill that aims to overhaul the healthcare system to address deep inequality, but it faces legal challenges from critics. The law introduces what is known as National Health Insurance, which will provide funds for all South Africans to access private healthcare. Currently, 80% of the population relies on strained state-run public health services while about 16% has access to private healthcare through medical aid plans. The country's unemployment rate is 32.9%, with most of the Black majority population unable to afford private healthcare. Public health facilities often have long lines and medicine shortages. According to Ramaphosa, the aim of the National Health Insurance is to provide access to quality health care for all and integrate the health system. In its essence, the National Health Insurance is a commitment to eradicate the stark inequalities that have long determined who in our country receives adequate healthcare and who suffers from neglect," he said. Opposition parties accuse Ramaphosa of using the law as a campaign strategy by announcing it nearly two weeks before much anticipated elections. The May 29 vote is expected to be one of the country's most highly contested. Ramaphosas ruling African National Congress faces the possibility of receiving less than 50% of the vote for the first time since it came into power in 1994. Concerns have also been raised about the affordability of the law and possible tax increases to fund it. The official opposition Democratic Alliance said Wednesday it would legally challenge the new law. Civil society group AfriForum has also announced plans to challenge the constitutionality of the law, while some business forums have described it as unworkable and unaffordable. The Health Funders Association, an organization representing stakeholders involved in funding private healthcare, said it would take significant time before the plan comes into effect. There will be no immediate impact on medical scheme benefits and contributions, nor any tax changes. The HFA is well prepared to defend the rights of medical scheme members and all South Africans to choose privately funded healthcare, where necessary," spokesman Craig Comrie said. Others have welcomed the law. Dr. Cedric Sihlangu, general secretary of the South African Medical Association Trade Union, said it has long advocated for reforms that significantly improve patient care and access to health services. ___ AP Africa news: 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 }} A court in Germany convicted a man of murder and sentenced him to life in prison Wednesday for carrying out a fatal stabbing on a train last year. The state court in Itzehoe convicted the 34-year-old Palestinian, who has been identified only as Ibrahim A. in line with German privacy rules, of murder and attempted murder, German news agency dpa reported. It found that he fatally stabbed two teenagers and wounded another four passengers seriously in the Jan. 25, 2023 incident in the northern town of Brokstedt, before being overpowered by others on board the regional train traveling from Kiel to Hamburg. The defendant grew up in the Gaza Strip and came to Germany in 2014. A psychiatric expert testified during the trial that the defendant had psychotic symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder, but could be held criminally responsible for his actions. The defense lawyer had called for his client to be moved to a psychiatric institution. Investigators have said the man had a previous criminal record and had been in pretrial custody in another case before being released days ahead of the attack. He had traveled to an appointment with immigration authorities in Kiel and prosecutors have said he appears to have acted out of frustration. The severity of the case meant that he likely wont be eligible for release after 15 years as is usually the case in Germany. 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 police chief has admitted officers cannot solve knife crime alone as criminals turn to social media to peddle weapons despite a clampdown on sales. The national lead for policing knife crime Commander Stephen Clayman said officers are tackling the symptoms but they do not have the cure for an epidemic of offences. His comments came as the Home Office announced a 4m funding boost, including investment in new knife detection technology, ahead of a week of police action. In a candid admission, Commander Clayman said: Like all emergency services, we are dealing with the symptoms but, while the cure is something we are involved in, we are clearly not going to be the ones that ultimately solve this. Because its going to be a joint effort through us, policing partners, government. Have you been affected by knife crime? Email amy-clare.martin@independent.co.uk Commander Clayman said tackling knife crime will be a long-term project requiring generational change which needs to be evidence-led, addressing complex societal issues including deprivation and lack of opportunity. Official figures show that knife crime rose by 7 per cent in the year to December 2023 with 49,489 offences recorded, but it has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels. In London, the number of offences soared by 22 per cent with more than 14,000 recorded in the year to September 2023. Separate figures show eight in 10 teenage homicide victims were killed with a knife in the year to March 2023, compared to seven in 10 in the previous year. Elianne Andam was stabbed to death on her way to school last year ( (Metropolitan Police/PA) ) Shocking recent incidents include a sword attack in Hainault, east London, in which Daniel Anjorin, 14, was killed and four others were injured. Last September, Elianne Andam, 15, died in a knife attack on her way to school in Croydon, south London. A 17-year-old boy has denied her murder. Although Commander Clayman insisted knife crime was not out of control, he said it is of great concern that they are seeing more young people injured by knives. The commander said while police will always act to take knives off streets and bring offenders to justice, intervention is key, adding: Ultimately, of course, the knife is handled by an individual and it is the individuals motivation that we need to tackle. He said more could be done to support youth services with intervention work, but warned: We have also got to manage our expectations in terms of how long this will take to change. You are not going to switch off knife crime in an instant its never going to happen. Daniel Anjorin was killed in a sword attack in Hainault, east London, last month ( PA Wire ) He said one of the best areas police can add value is in tackling supply and taking menacing weapons like machetes, zombie knives and swords off the streets. However, officers have discovered that illegal knife dealers are turning to social media channels including Snapchat and TikTok to sell weapons as the authorities clamp down on knife sales in shops and online retailers. Laws around zombie knives, machetes and swords are to be tightened from September, giving police greater powers to seize weapons found in private properties. It will be illegal to possess, sell, manufacture or transport zombie-style knives and machetes, and the maximum penalty for the possession of these and other banned weapons will also increase from six months to two years. Police leaders have met with social media companies about people selling weapons via their sites. In some cases dealers aged over 18 will buy large quantities of knives from a retailer and resell them to young people from social media chatrooms. Some of the zombie knives and weapons police have taken off the streets ( PA ) They are selling all sorts of weapons, Commander Clayman told The Independent. And they are packaging them up, they are glorifying them. They are doing all sorts of things that a normal seller cant do. They are talking about how good the weapons are and they are doing it in a way that is easily accessible to people via these channels. These are people who just want to make a quick buck and they arent bothered about where they sell those knives or who they sell those knives to. His comments come as police forces across the country ramp up action for a week this month as part of Operation Sceptre. New government funding will also see 3.5m of investment in developing new technology to catch people carrying knives from a distance using hand-held or body-worn systems which can be operated by individual officers. A further 547,863 will be handed to the Metropolitan Police for more live facial recognition mobile units to help officers catch wanted people on the street. Commander Clayman said: We welcome todays announcement of additional investment in knife detection technology which is one of the many tools we use to keep our communities safe. Tory MP Marco Longhi, a member of the home affairs select committee, said: Commander Claymans admission is alarming. While acknowledging the symptoms is a crucial step, the public expects law enforcement to do more than merely manage the fallout. To passively accept that they lack the ultimate solution is to betray the trust and safety of communities plagued by knife crime. Its time for a proactive, comprehensive approach that addresses root causes and implements effective prevention strategies. Anything less is an abdication of responsibility. Labour home affairs select committee chair Diana Johnson added: This may be something we will raise with the home secretary next time he appears before us. Home secretary James Cleverly said: Knife crime ruins lives and recent tragedies show theres a lot more to be done to take these dangerous weapons off our streets. Thats why were taking a joint approach and announcing further measures to tackle these heinous crimes. No technology can replace the presence of officers on our streets, but as criminals develop new strategies towards crime, so must we. New technologies are already revolutionising how we fight crime and we are going even further to give police the solutions they need to keep us safe. The promotion and trade of weapons is against TikTok guidelines and any content found to violate rules will be removed, according to a spokesperson for the platform. A Snapchat spokesperson said: Using Snapchat to buy or sell knives and other weapons is strictly against our rules. If we find this content or if it is reported to us through our confidential in-app tools, we quickly remove it and take appropriate action, including working with police to support investigations. 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 woman has appeared in court over the death of a disabled man who was found unresponsive without his mobility scooter outside a Tesco supermarket. Kimberley Ann Hawkins, 41, of no fixed address, is charged with the manslaughter of Neil Shadwick in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Police were called to the store in Stratford Road by a member of staff who discovered Mr Shadwick on the floor at around 5am on 22 January last year. The man, who had Parkinsons disease, was found in sub-zero conditions without the scooter he used as his mode of transport. He was taken to hospital and died on the same day. Appearing via video link from HMP Eastwood Park at Cheltenham Magistrates Court, Hawkins confirmed her name and date of birth before the charge of manslaughter was read out. Neil Shadwick was discovered unresponsive outside the Tesco store in Stroud ( Google Maps ) She was remanded to appear before Gloucestershire Crown Court on 14 June. Ms Julia Hurrell, chairman of the bench, said: Mrs Hawkins I hope you have understood everything that has been said. We are going to send this charge of manslaughter against you to the crown court as this is not something that can be dealt with at the magistrates court. Close Sycamore Gap: Iconic tree at Hadrians Wall chopped down in apparent act of vandalism 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 }} Two men have appeared in court in connection with the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree - which has been valued at 620,000 in criminal damage. Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, have been charged with causing the damage, the Crown Prosecution Service said. They are on bail. Graham entered pleas of not guilty, while Carruthers entered no plea when they appeared on Wednesday. There was a national outcry in September when the much-loved, centuries-old tree in rural Northumberland was found to have been cut down. The tree, believed to have been one of the most photographed in the country, used to sit in a gap along Hadrians Wall a Unesco world heritage site and a popular hotspot for tourists and walkers. Its origins are believed to have dated back to medieval times and it has been excavated on two previous occasions between 1908 and 1911 and again between 1982 and 1987 when Roman remains linked to Hadrians Wall were found. Northumberland National Park (NNP) said it had received 2,000 heartfelt messages from people from all around the world expressing sadness and that it had been inundated with offers of help. 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 }} An Afghan asylum seeker has spoken of the constant stress of being monitored with a GPS ankle tag for 20 months, seemingly without explanation from the authorities. Lawyers challenged the government over why the migrant was still on an electronic tag after a Home Office pilot to put GPS tags on asylum seekers was deemed unlawful. Its removal was finally ordered at the end of April after the Public Law Project intervened, although the Home Office claims the pilot scheme ended in December. MM, who has asked to be anonymous, arrived in the UK by boat in June 2022 and was fitted with a tag after spending more than 60 days in immigration detention. He said that the tag caused him to suffer depression, anxiety and stress due to fears that he would be punished if it was not charged. MM said: Being fitted with this tag has been a constant stress for more than a year and a half. I struggled with sleep because I had to keep the tag charged at all times, including at night, but it would often beep and wake me up. I have had security guards following me like Im a thief when I go shopping. People in my community do not understand why I have been tagged. They think I am a dangerous criminal. There is physical pain too it caused a wound that keeps opening up and bleeding. It has really affected all parts of my life. He said he was given no explanation about why he was tracked 24/7, saying: If the law is applied equally, I do not understand why I was fitted with a tag but others were not. Nobody else in the hotel I stayed in had a tag. I dont understand why this injustice has happened. I do not understand why the Home Office needed to monitor everywhere I went and everything I was doing. This was not explained to me at all. The Home Office launched a pilot in June 2022 to put asylum seekers on electronic tags ( PA ) It was unclear why he had been fitted with the dehumanising tracking device, lawyers said. Niamh Grahame, solicitor at Public Law Project (PLP), said: He is not someone who the Home Office has a duty to tag, and there is no evidence of him being a significant risk of harm or of absconding. The Public Law Project believes that MM was one of up to 600 asylum seekers who were part of a 2022 pilot scheme where GPS tags were put on people who arrived in the UK on small boats, or via other irregular routes, before their application was decided. People who did not comply could be taken back into detention or prosecuted. However, the Home Office said it is in touch with all the people who were on the pilot and that their tags were removed by December 2023. The Information Commissioners Office issued an enforcement notice against the Home Office in March, saying the pilot failed to comply with data protection laws. At the time the UK information commissioner John Edwards said the pilot was highly intrusive and there was a lack of clarity on how this information will be used. Ms Grahame said: Our client has been subject to a harmful and unnecessary experiment. There is mounting evidence of the harm caused by GPS tagging and incredibly limited evidence of asylum seekers absconding in significant numbers. GPS tagging is an inhumane and disproportionately invasive bail condition. Instead of expanding its use, the Home Office should stop this practice altogether. Our client arrived at the time the small boats pilot was launched and was fitted with the tag after being detained for over two months. When PLP reached out on his behalf, we said we understood that he was part of the small boats pilot and should have his tag removed. The Home Office did not dispute any of our letter in this response and ordered the removal of his tag. A Home Office spokesperson said: All individuals who were subject to electronic monitoring as part of the Expansion Pilot, and remained in contact with us, had their tags removed before the pilot ended on 14 December 2023. 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 }} Food banks have seen a concerning increase in pensioners needing emergency food parcels in the past year, new figures that show the deepening cost-of-living crisis reveal. Food bank charity The Trussell Trust delivered a record 3.1 million emergency food parcels to people across the UK in the year 2023/4, up over 100,000 on the year before. Part of this increase was fuelled by more pension-age households needing help, with 179,000 parcels provided for older people in this age bracket. This is a 27 per cent increase on the year before. The emergency food parcels are packages of food that will keep one person going for three or seven days. Food banks also reported seeing many more people in 2023/4 who were turning to them for the first time. 655,000 people used a Trussell Trust food bank for the first time last year, a 40 per cent increase from five years ago. Two thirds of all the support provided by food banks last year was for families with children. 179,000 emergency food parcels were provided to pension-age households in the past year ( AFP via Getty Images ) Wendy Doyle, manager at Leeds south and east food bank, said they had seen an alarming rise in families and pensioners using their services in the past year. There was a 34 per cent increase in families and 27 per cent increase for pensioners. She added: Our volunteers are telling us that they are dealing with pensioners who cant afford to put food on the table due to having to pay higher energy costs and that is the choice they are having to make. A lady who came to the food bank recently told us that she had never had to use charity before. She said that she had always been able to manage, even while bringing four children up on her own, but when she came to the food bank she was in a situation where she had to choose between keeping warm or eating., Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trust, said food banks should not be allowed to become the new norm ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Trussell Trust, which runs a nationwide network of over 1,000 food banks, is calling for the government to introduce an essentials guarantee to Universal Credit, which would ensure that everyone has a protected amount of financial support to afford basic essentials. They have also warned that the plan to end the Household Support Fund in September will have devastating consequences for families in England. Their warning comes after former prime minister Gordon Brown launched an emergency plan to tackle child poverty, which argues for an injection of money into the Sure Start programme. Mr Brown has called on Jeremy Hunt to require banks to hold a fraction of their deposits in the Bank of England, enabling government to recover 2bn in interest payments. Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trust, said food banks should not be allowed to become the new norm. She added: Food banks are not the answer. They will be there to support people as long as they are needed, but our political leaders must take bold action to build a future where everyone has enough money to afford lifes essentials. Iain Porter, senior policy adviser at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said the figures revealed the painful economic reality facing families. A DWP spokesperson said: There are 1.1 million fewer people in absolute poverty compared to 2010 and our 108bn cost of living support package prevented 1.3 million people falling into poverty in 2022-23. After boosting benefits and raising the State Pension, were putting more money in peoples pockets by raising the National Living Wage, cutting taxes and driving down inflation while investing billions through our Back to Work Plan to help over a million people break down barriers to work and become more financially secure. 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 }} The government has been forced into yet another emergency measure to deal with the prisons overcrowding crisis, with court hearings delayed where no jail cell can be found. As the crisis in the criminal justice system reached new levels, Downing Street was also forced to deny that Rishi Sunak misled parliament on Wednesday with his insistence that dangerous offenders were not being freed from prison early despite inspectors revealing evidence to the contrary just days prior. Legal professionals were left scrambling for official information on Tuesday night as claims emerged that an unknown number of hearings at magistrates courts would be delayed as part of an emergency response to the prisons crisis, dubbed Operation Early Dawn. Magistrates warned they still remained in the dark about the plans on Wednesday, as the Ministry of Justice confirmed it would immediately begin delaying hearings when no prison cells can be found for suspects otherwise at risk of being stuck in prison vans with nowhere to go from court. We cannot continue like this, the Bar Council warned ( Jonathan Brady/PA ) It is just the latest emergency measure brought in to stem the crisis in prisons, with the government forced to house prisoners in police cells and quietly expanding its early-release scheme from 18 to up to 70 days this month, with The Independent revealing that some female prisoners are also being freed early. Law Society president Nick Emmerson warned: Victims, witnesses, defendants and lawyers will today turn up at magistrates courts across England only to find out that their cases have been delayed due to a crisis in prison and police cell capacity outside of their control. As of now, we understand that this pattern will be repeated every day that this emergency measure is in place, he said, adding that the leading representative body for solicitors was seeking more information from the government to understand the full implications of this emergency measure. What is crystal clear is the prison spaces crisis is a consequence of the governments approach to justice including over a decade of underfunding of our criminal justice system, which also sees chronic shortages of judges and lawyers, huge backlogs of cases and crumbling courts. No 10 insisted Rishi Sunak had not misled parliament over the prisons crisis ( UK Parliament ) The Magistrates Association criticised an alarming lack of information on the emergency plans, as it warned on Wednesday that magistrates had still not been informed about the plans to delay hearings. Warning that every delay has real-life consequences for victims, witnesses and defendants and leads to court officials sitting around waiting rather than administering justice, the groups chief executive, Tom Franklin, said: That is a waste of resources, at a time when there are already large backlogs. While officials were unable to give an estimate of how many trials could be delayed as part of Operation Early Dawn, the Ministry of Justice told The Independent that claims on Tuesday night that private firm Serco would decide which hearings to postpone were false. Operation Early Dawn is understood to have already been used at certain courts this year, but has been initiated nationwide to be monitored for at least the next seven days, in a move which could put pressure on police as suspects are either held in police custody for longer or bailed as their court hearings are postponed. Accusing ministers of continuing to make major and unprecedented changes to the justice system without so much as a word to the public, Labours shadow justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: Its completely unacceptable and the public will be alarmed at this latest panic measure. The government is stalling justice and leaving victims in limbo because of the mess they have created. This comes days after they hid from the public that theyre now letting criminals out of jail earlier than ever before. It is astonishing that lawyers and witnesses, let alone the public, are none the wiser on which cases will actually be affected how many people will be let out on bail when they should have been remanded, and how will the government ensure public safety is not compromised? This is no way to run the justice system, and it is certainly no way to run the country. Legal professionals will do everything they can to ensure that the day-to-day administration of justice continues so far as possible, said Bar Council chair Sam Townend KC as he warned: We cannot continue like this. ( Getty/The Independent ) The latest emergency measure is just one symptom of the chronic lack of investment in the criminal justice system for so long, he said, pointing to soaring average trial waiting times and worsening backlogs. As previously highlighted in The Independent, Mr Townend warned that with reducing numbers of guilty pleas and victims of crime giving up on criminal cases, the government must now show that it takes criminal justice seriously. Real and sustained investment in prisons, courts, judges, solicitors and barristers is needed, and now, otherwise these emergency measures will just precipitate more, he said. Mr Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer clashed in the Commons over the prisons crisis at PMQs on Wednesday, with the Labour leader accusing him of issuing get out of jail free cards to criminals with the early-release scheme. Pressed on a recent inspection report at HMP Lewes which found that a man accused of stalking, domestic abuse and posing a risk to children was among high-risk offenders chaotically released under the scheme, despite prison officials urging otherwise Mr Sunak said: No one should be put on this scheme if they are a threat to the public. Insisting that governors in the prison service have an absolute lock so that no one is put on the scheme who shouldnt be, the prime minister told MPs: There are strict eligibility criteria in place, with exclusions based on public safety and no one will be put on the scheme if they were deemed a threat to public safety. The Independent has sought clarification from the Ministry of Justice on whether it is governors or in fact senior government officials who can overturn the decision to free someone early. No 10 insisted to reporters that Mr Sunak had not misled parliament. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: This government is categorical that the most dangerous offenders should stay behind bars for longer, which is why new laws will keep rapists locked up for every day of their prison sentence and ensure life means life for the most horrific murderers. We continue to see pressure on our prisons following the impact of the pandemic and barristers strike which is why we have initiated a previously used measure to securely transfer prisoners between courts and custody and ensure there is always a custody cell available should they be remanded. 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 }} Millions of litres of untreated sewage was illegally discharged into Lake Windermere, according to a report, which only adds to concerns about the levels of pollution in British waters. Raw sewage was pumped into the lake for nearly 10 hours in February after a telecommunication failure at a pumping station operated by United Utilities, a major water and wastewater services provider in the North West. The discharge happened at the companys pumping station at Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria on the night of 28 February and intermittently the following day. The emergency pumps discharged more than 10 million litres of raw sewage into the lake after the main pumps abruptly stopped due to a telecom fault, insiders at the firm told BBC News, whose report also cited internal documents from the company. Windermere, a Unesco world heritage site, is one of the countrys most popular natural attractions. The incident was not reported to the Environment Agency until around 13 hours later. Failure to promptly notify the agency about such an incident constitutes a criminal offence. United Utilities said in a statement to The Independent that it took urgent steps to resolve the issue and said it informed the Environment Agency within an hour after pollution of the lake was confirmed. Windermere is one of the UKs most popular natural tourist attractions ( PA ) This incident was caused by an unexpected fault on the third-party telecoms cable network in the area, which United Utilities was not notified about and which affected both the primary system and United Utilities backup, the company said. As soon as we discovered this fault was affecting the Glebe Road pumping station, our engineers took urgent steps to resolve the situation and we informed the Environment Agency within an hour of the pollution being confirmed. The company told the BBC that the scale of the discharge was not recorded and described the broadcasters estimate as unreliable. A similar incident occurred at the pumping station in 2022. The latest incident comes amid warnings from environmental agencies that swimming and other activities in and around some of the countrys rivers and lakes could be hazardous due to high levels of sewage pollution. Windermere is a Unesco World heritage site ( PA Archive ) There were 68,481 incidents of sewage released into Englands seas last year, totalling 440,446 hours, campaign group Friends of the Earth said on Wednesday after analysing Environment Agency data. In a statement to The Independent, the Environment Agency said an officer attended the scene to confirm with UU [United Utilities] that the discharge had ceased and to carry out water sampling in areas affected. We are undertaking a thorough investigation into the incident which involves examining further evidence from United Utilities, it added. If we determine a permit breach has taken place, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action. If any water company is found to be in breach of an environmental permit, the Environment Agency will take the appropriate enforcement action up to and including a criminal prosecution. 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 Home Office has been criticised for demanding that a Windrush scheme applicant take a DNA test before it would consider his claim for compensation. Dijoun Jhagroo-Bryan, 39, described as degrading a requirement for evidence of his relationship with his father, Anthony Bryan, who faced deportation in 2017 despite living in Britain for five decades. Anthony, 66, who moved to London from Jamaica at the age of eight, was wrongly arrested, detained twice and threatened with forced removal from the country. But when Dijoun applied for compensation for long-term trauma and financial losses due to his dads plight, the Home Office demanded a DNA test. Ive suffered watching my dad being held in prison and Ive suffered going through the steps that I needed to do in order to get him to stay in the UK, Dijoun told the BBC, adding that the experience has been traumatic. Its outrageous. Me submitting a DNA test doesnt change what Ive gone through. Anthonys story inspired television drama Sitting in Limbo, which won a BAFTA award in 2021. At the time he exclusively revealed to The Independent that the Home Office had failed to pay compensation for his plight. Hours before the ceremony, a Home Office representative contacted Anthony and offered an insulting payment package, he said. He eventually accepted a new offer, The Independent understands. Now, his son Mr Jhagroo-Bryan has submitted an application on his own behalf, arguing that he and his children have been left with long-term trauma and financial losses due to his dads situation. Anthony Bryan has been wrongly arrested, detained twice and threatened with forced removal from the UK ( PA ) Anthony said he was stunned when his son told him about the DNA demand. Theyre at fault and still we have to fight this and fight that, do a DNA test and get the midwife, he said. Its degrading and, once again, it feels like the Home Office is insulting your intelligence. Human rights lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie believes racism is at the heart of how Black victims of the Windrush scandal are faring and that they are being held to a different standard compared with families of other political scandals like the Post Office, which mainly affected people of South Asian heritage. Im not surprised that this has now become an issue in the context of Windrush, she told the BBC. The treatment of Black people generally is so bad across society, and particularly by the Home Office. It is not uncommon for the Home Office to request proof of biological relationships with family members in some immigration cases, but Ms McKenzie said this was the first time she had heard about DNA requests from victims of the Windrush scandal. Its absolutely shocking, she added. I think racism is at the heart of this. The Windrush scandal was uncovered in 2018 as it emerged that thousands of, predominantly Black, people and their children were wrongly told they were in the UK illegally. Its hostile environment immigration policy wrongly stripped them of their right to live and work in the UK, and their access to NHS treatment. Some were detained, threatened with deportation and even deported. At least 53 people have died while awaiting compensation, according to government figures, though campaigners believe the number is higher. A Home Office spokesperson said: Claims for the Windrush Compensation Scheme are considered on their individual merits. When necessary, further information may be requested to ensure we can issue the maximum award available, at the earliest point possible and we will support individuals on how to provide further evidence. They added: The government is committed to righting the wrongs of the Windrush scandal and making sure those who are eligible and entitled to compensation under the Windrush Compensation Scheme receive the compensation they rightly deserve. 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 Julian Assange's wife and supporters held a briefing in London on Wednesday, 15 May, ahead of an extradition hearing. Judges are expected to give a ruling on whether to accept US assurances which would pave the way for the Australian-born journalist to be sent across the Atlantic to face 18 charges, almost all of them falling under the Espionage Act. Stella Assange, Wikileaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson, Rebecca Vincent from Reporters Without Borders, and Tim Dawson from the International Federation of Journalists were in attendance at Wednesdays event. The High Courts decision is the next stage in a legal battle that has been ongoing for more than 13 years after WikiLeaks shared details from what was the biggest security breach of its kind in US military history.Mr Assange has been imprisoned in Belmarsh, in south east London, for the last five years. He married Stella at the prison in 2022 in a ceremony attended by four guests. Before being sent to Belmarsh, he stayed in the Ecuadorean Embassy in central London where he fled to avoid extradition to Sweden over sex offence allegations which were later dropped. Calls for a change of thinking on child poverty and an end to the two-child cap on child benefits are trending, as they say on social media, thanks to two high-profile interventions. The more unexpected of these came from Suella Braverman at the weekend, when she wrote: The truth is that Conservatives should do more to support families and children on lower incomes ... A crucial reform that Frank [the late former Labour minister Frank Field] advocated was to scrap the two-child benefits limit, [which restricts] child tax credits and universal credit to the first two children in a family. If they have a third or fourth child, a low-income family will lose about 3,200 per year ... Over 400,000 families are affected and all the evidence suggests that it is not having the effect of increasing employment or alleviating poverty. Instead, its aggravating child poverty. Such thoughtful and pragmatic sentiments dont often emerge from such circles, although Iain Duncan Smith is a notable exception to that particular caricature. Carrying more weight and authority is former PM Gordon Brown, who is also urging the (likely) incoming Labour government to make the change. Brown calls for help for austeritys children the more than 3 million young people born after 2010 to low-income families, who have never known what it is like to be free of poverty. This blighted generation accounts for 3.4 million of the UKs 4.3 million children living below the relative poverty line. They will, according to Brown, face extra health, educational and employment challenges as a legacy of the decade-long experiment of fiscal austerity. Many experts believe that the two-child limit, which was introduced by the then chancellor Philip Hammond in 2017, saved little money (less than expected) and had no effect on birth rates in low-income families or on peoples propensity to secure work. What is child poverty? As the childrens commissioner remarked a few years ago, income poverty means living in a household without enough money. There has always been heated debate about what counts as enough, and how to define the concepts of absolute and relative poverty, but by any accepted definition, millions of children in the UK live in poverty. Under New Labour, for example, child poverty rates were monitored closely using the relative poverty measure. So a family was deemed poor if its income was lower than 60 per cent of the median (ie more or less typical) amount for a family of that size. Now, there is more of an emphasis on absolute poverty. This used to be (and can still be) measured by reference to a basket of basic living costs. In the UK, currently, it is different the absolute poverty threshold is defined as less than 60 per cent of the median income, but this is fixed at 2010-11 levels (though adjusted for price inflation). Because incomes over the longer term tend to outstrip wages, fixing poverty in this way helps to produce lower figures, and flatters a governments record. Thus, to offer an extreme illustration, had the threshold been set at 1900 levels of income and only adjusted for prices, not wages, poverty would by now be virtually extinct. There is also what some people think of as poverty, which is Victorian-style destitution and it is sadly still with us. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRT) claimed only last year that destitution in the UK had increased by 148 per cent since 2017, to a point at which more than a million children had experienced it at some point in 2022-23. Destitution occurs when people are unable to afford to meet their most basic physical needs to stay warm, dry, clean and fed. What is the governments defence? Rishi Sunak often claims that the number of children in poverty has fallen during the 14 years of Conservative rule but this appears to be according to the measure of absolute poverty. In terms of policy, the prime minister also argues that children who grow up in a home where neither parent works are five times more likely to grow up in poverty: We all know the best way to make sure children do not grow up in poverty is to make sure theyre growing up in a house where people work. There is some truth in what he says, of course, and even the most humble of occupations can lead to future opportunities and inculcate a culture of grafting for a living. Even so, that can still leave you poor. A study carried out in 2020 by the JRT found that, while paid employment does reduce the risk of poverty, about 56 per cent of people living in poverty are now in a household where at least one person earns an income. This is because nowadays, being in work can often mean being in a very low-paid role; state benefits can ameliorate this. What about Browns own record? Arguably, not unblemished. As shadow chancellor and then chancellor of the Exchequer under John Smith and Tony Blair, Brown was a driving force in the campaign against child poverty and, while in government in 1999, he set the target of eliminating it within 20 years. His weapons were a range of family tax credits and New Labours Sure Start programme. Eventually, this established a network of 3,500 childrens centres with a focus on poorer children. They provided integrated care and services for young children and their families, with a particular aim to close the achievement gap for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Though much praised, Sure Start was abolished by the coalition government after 2010. Despite some substantial success, it must also be noted that, as chancellor, Brown was also behind the abolition in 1997 of the special lone parent premium that was added to child benefit, worth 6 a week (11 in todays money). The decision was bitterly opposed by many in the Labour Party at the time, and damaged the political career of the then social security secretary (and Brown ally) Harriet Harman. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves deemed the plan to scrap the two-child limit unaffordable ( Labour Party handout ) Nonetheless, after the first term of the Blair administration, under Browns policies, there was a near 25 per cent reduction in child poverty. However, by the time Brown had become prime minister and the global financial crisis had induced a recession, progress had stalled somewhat. By 2020, it was at best about halfway to the target set in 1999. Whats wrong with a target for easing child poverty? As in other policy areas (notably the aim to produce net zero carbon emissions by 2050), a target doesnt guarantee success, even if it is enshrined in law. One of the very last things the last Labour government did in 2010 was to pass the Child Poverty Act. This set down the following detailed objectives for 2020: Relative poverty less than 10 per cent of children should be living in families with an income below 60 per cent of the median before housing costs Absolute poverty less than 5 per cent of children should be living in families with an income below 60 per cent of the median in 2010/11, adjusted for retail prices index inflation Combined low income and material deprivation less than 5 per cent of children should be living in families with an income below 70 per cent of the median and unable to afford key goods and services Persistent poverty less than 7 per cent of children should have been living in relative poverty for at least three out of the last four years The 2010 act was never really implemented. After the Tories won an overall parliamentary, they repealed it. It was replaced in 2016 by the Welfare Reform and Work Act. The argument put forward by the then chancellor, George Osborne, was that the target had incentivised heavy government spending to shift people from just below the relative poverty line to just above it. So they ended targeting and shifted the focus onto social mobility and getting people into work. Whats Labours policy? Before last summer, Labour was in favour of scrapping the two-child rule, but the party reversed its policy because shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves deemed it unaffordable, provoking huge anger and debate within the party. Starmer made the U-turn during an interview with Laura Kuenssberg, stating that he was not changing that policy. His shadow work and pensions secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, had condemned the cap as heinous only days before. The topic continues to cause disquiet, especially as abolishing the cap would cost a comparatively small sum 1.3bn a year against a total welfare budget of 315bn. There seems to have been no change of mood on the Labour right. Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, told The Independent last week: I also know that the answer to child poverty, ultimately, is not simply about handouts: it is about a social security safety net that also acts as a springboard that helps people into work and with good work, that makes the cost of living affordable for everyone. Why dont they do as Brown and Braverman suggest? It would be a U-turn on a U-turn, which is a bit embarrassing, and it would look as though they dont know what theyre doing. Politically, Labour is also wary of doing anything that could be portrayed by the Tories and their media allies as being reckless with public money, or as encouraging a lifestyle choice to subsist on benefits on the back of taxes paid by hardworking families. There is also an old prejudice against poorer families having children they cant afford. It may be that, in due course, having stabilised the public finances, boosted growth and established a reputation for fiscal probity, Reeves will indeed end the two-child limit, especially given its effect on the poorest families set against the relatively modest cost. But expect no promises in the manifesto. If it is anything, eliminating child poverty will be the unspoken mission of the Starmer administration. 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 }} Rishi Sunaks government is reported to be planning a ban on children being taught about gender identity and having explicit conversations about sex before the age of 13. In an apparent doubling down on so-called culture war issues, the government is reportedly set to publish new guidance on when children should be offered sex education, with schools required to provide parents with samples of the material their children will be taught. The guidance will tell teachers to focus on biological facts about sex, warning that ministers view gender identity as a contested subject, and will ban all sex education until year five, when children are aged nine or over, according to a series of reports. The government is reportedly set to publish new guidance on when children should be offered sex education ( Ben Birchall/PA ) From year five, lessons are to focus simply on conception and birth, with no explicit discussions of sexual acts until they are 13 and over, The Times reports. Children would also not be taught about contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and abortion until this age. The new guidance expected to be set out by education secretary Gillian Keegan is said to be part of the governments response following concerns that some children are receiving age-inappropriate relationships, sex and health education (RSHE). Mr Sunak commissioned a review into the curriculum last March to ensure that schools are not teaching inappropriate or contested content in RHSE lessons, after hearing concerns including from Conservative MPs that children were receiving sex education lessons at too young an age. What are children currently taught at what age? RSHE was made mandatory in all schools in England from September 2020, with current guidance outlining broad lesson modules on what primary and secondary pupils should be taught about families and healthy relationships without breaking up the curriculum by key stage, year group or age. Education secretary Gillian Keegan is expected to soon set out the changes ( PA Wire ) Primary school students are taught about healthy relationships, including how to communicate their own boundaries and recognise the boundaries of others, staying safe online, and the differences between appropriate and inappropriate or unsafe contact. Schools are strongly encouraged to include the teaching of different family models and same-sex relationships, according to the government website. Health education should include puberty, including menstruation, and this should be addressed as far as possible before onset, the website adds. Secondary school-aged children meanwhile are taught more complex topics, including about puberty, sexual relationships, consent, unsafe relationships and online harm. The secondary curriculum covers a wide range of key topics including grooming, coercion, harassment and honour-based violence. What would change under the new plans? It is not currently clear exactly what changes the government plans to introduce but the strict age limits suggested by early reports indicate that the new guidance could significantly limit the current level of discretion afforded to teachers in order to accommodate the differing needs of individual pupils and schools. Following the announcement of a review last March, James Bowen, former headteacher and director of policy for school leaders union NAHT, said: The overwhelming majority of schools are doing nothing more than following the governments own statutory guidance when it comes to relationships and sex education. Noting that the current curriculum was subject to extensive consultation before it was introduced, he said NAHT had seen no evidence to suggest a widespread problem with pupils being presented with age-inappropriate materials. There is a real concern that this is a politically motivated review, rather than one based on the reality of what is happening in the vast majority of schools up and down the country. The current guidance does not state explicitly what should be taught by year group, age or key stage ( PA Archive ) In the wake of Tuesdays reports, the unions chief Paul Whiteman added: It is hard to see how rigid limits on what can be discussed, and when, would be in the best interests of young people and this may even risk them seeking information from less reliable sources. If what has been leaked is accurate, the government must provide the evidence which unequivocally shows that such age limits will improve the support, protection and safeguarding of children and young people. What are they currently taught on gender ID? According to the government website, secondary school pupils should be taught the facts and the law about sex, sexuality, sexual health and gender identity in an age-appropriate and inclusive way. It adds: There should be an equal opportunity to explore the features of stable and healthy same-sex relationships. Guidance to help school leaders plan their curriculum states: We are aware that topics involving gender and biological sex can be complex and sensitive matters to navigate. You should not reinforce harmful stereotypes, for instance by suggesting that children might be a different gender based on their personality and interests or the clothes they prefer to wear. Resources used in teaching about this topic must always be age-appropriate and evidence-based. Materials which suggest that non-conformity to gender stereotypes should be seen as synonymous with having a different gender identity should not be used and you should not work with external agencies or organisations that produce such material. While teachers should not suggest to a child that their non-compliance with gender stereotypes means that either their personality or their body is wrong and in need of changing, teachers should always seek to treat individual students with sympathy and support. Are they taught about consent? Yes, the current RHSE guidance states that secondary school children should be taught about consent. Many schools also plan their curriculum around the non-statutory Personal, Social and Health Education framework, in which children are taught about seeking and giving consent in different situations at key stage two, which covers years three, four, five and six. 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 warned today that his culture-war strategy will not save the Tories, as Sir Keir Starmer brutally mocked him at Prime Ministers Questions by calling him a jumped-up milk monitor. The Labour leader went on the attack over plans to ban rainbow lanyards in the civil service, as leading pollsters questioned the Tory strategy after the government unveiled plans to ban explicit sex education in schools until children turn 13 along with lessons about gender identity. This latest foray into the culture wars followed a major speech on Monday by the common sense minister Esther McVey, in which she unveiled new civil service rules to end so-called woke activism in Whitehall and elsewhere, including a ban on rainbow lanyards. Ministers also unveiled new stop and search powers for police in an effort to tackle knife crime. The new strategy comes after the Techne UK weekly tracker poll recently showed that Labours lead over the Tories had increased to 24 points in the wake of Dover MP Natalie Elphickes defection over the small boats crisis. Pollsters told The Independent that the strategy would not work, and that Mr Sunak needs to somehow get his message on the economy over to voters instead. Rishi Sunak appears to have resorted to a culture-war strategy ( PA Wire ) Sir John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, said: Culture issues are related to attitudes to Brexit, and divide party supporters more than they did. So they have some appeal for the Conservative base, but the principal reasons why people have left the Tories are the economy, the NHS, and leadership not any failure to address cultural issues. It is not clear how a focus on them will win many back. Meanwhile, transgender [issues] apart, the anti-woke position is one with diminishing popularity. Thats probably why the issues are now being debated and causing concern among social conservatives. Robert Hayward, a Tory peer, noted: [Culture-war issues] help only marginally. Shifting people is a series of building blocks. The Conservatives need to convince on things like economy first, then small items like that solidify their support. He added that the problem for Mr Sunak is that voters are not convinced by his partys approach to the economy. Meanwhile, the chief executive of polling company Techne UK, Michela Morizzo, warned: A culture-war message cannot be the right way to collect votes for the Conservatives. We all know that in such uncertain times, people are only looking to feel safe and economically sustainable. Ideological battles, at the moment, are not a winning strategy. Sir Keir lampooned the prime minister about the proposals in what turned out to be a torrid PMQs for Mr Sunak. The Labour leader accused his opposite number of being a jumped-up milk monitor obsessed with confiscating lanyards. Continuing a series of jokes about the prime ministers drive to stop civil servants from wearing pro-LGBT+ lanyards to work, Sir Keir said he should instead be more worried about letting prisoners out of jail early. The Labour leader said: The only answer to the question I asked about whether domestic abusers should be exempt from his early release scheme, for anyone serious about security, is Yes. John Curtice does not believe that fighting culture-war issues is a winning strategy ( Getty ) Perhaps the most ludicrous part of his speech on Monday was when he said he wont accept the idea that any of the problems people are facing are caused by the 14 years of Conservative government. Mr Sunak highlighted Britains GDP growth figures, which the Office for National Statistics said showed that the economy is going gangbusters. The raft of hardline policies has delighted Tory MPs on the right of the party, but opened Mr Sunaks government to accusations that it is trying to restore its flagging fortunes by launching a culture-war strategy. Luke Tryl, executive director of More in Common and a former adviser to Nicky Morgan when she was Tory education secretary, was also critical of the approach. Esther McVey has proposed a ban on rainbow lanyards in the civil service ( PA Archive ) He said: I think most of the electorate will find it a little odd (and frustrating) that the focus seems to be on lanyards and curtailing sex education, given the challenges the country faces. Obviously, people want kids to be protected, but theyd like the government to start with smartphones and social media. There is also a risk that goes beyond this election, that the Tories toxify their brand by appearing too out of tune with modern Britain. Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle said: Governments that try culture wars usually lose look at Australia. This government has run for the last three years on culture wars. He added: Publishing guidelines on sex ed is, however, very sensible but guidelines are just that: suggestions, not rules. Furious Labour MP Nadia Whittome added: The government is focusing on culture-war nonsense because they have no solutions to the crises theyve created from housing and the NHS to the cost of living. So theyre announcing policies aimed at ramping up discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, in an attempt to desperately cling on to the hard-right voters amongst their base and avoid complete wipeout at the next general election. It wont work, of course, but it will add to the increasingly hostile environment LGBTQ+ people are facing. But the moves have been welcomed by the Tory right, especially MPs from the influential New Conservatives group set up by Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates to push the party leadership on culture-war issues. Ms Cates told The Independent that the announcements made by the government this week show definitely some progress. Another New Conservative group member, Tom Hunt, who is also deputy chair of the right-wing Common Sense Group, said he is pleased with this weeks announcements as well as a reduction in immigration numbers. He said that things are massively heading in the right direction. Tory deputy chair Jonathan Gullis, who helped to found the New Conservatives group, claimed that the penny has finally dropped with the government on these issues. Their comments follow recent concerns in Downing Street that MPs on the right could trigger a leadership vote against Mr Sunak. Meanwhile, there have been warnings that Tory voters are peeling away to Nigel Farages Reform UK, or refusing to vote because they do not think the Conservative Party is sufficiently right-wing. Another right-winger, Dudley North MP Marco Longhi, said: Im delighted, and I dont underestimate the magnitude of the fight against woke. It has spread like a cancer and caused irreparable damage in many settings, and harmed individuals. Eradicating it is going to be difficult, but its the right fight to have. Close Hunt attacks Labour and says he refutes 'myths' the economy is worse under Tories 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 }} Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled new tax cuts if the Conservatives win the general election as he accuses Labour of playground politics following Sir Keir Starmers speech on Thursday. Speaking from London, he hinted at further National Insurance cuts before the general election kicks off after Summer. He claimed Labours electoral pledges would cost tax payers 59 billion over the next four years and accused Labour of lying and labelled fake news their economic plans. He has also pledged taxes will go down under a Conservative government and accused Sir Keir Starmer of planning to hikes as sure as night follows day. Meanwhile, David Lammy has launched Labours foreign policy campaign pledge as he vowed voters to reinstall trust between the UK and the EU amid security threats. He added the country is currently facing key challenges around war and security, over-dependency with unfriendly states, and low growth around West. 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 }} Barbara Nabulo was one of three girls in her family. But when a sister died, her mother wailed at the funeral that she was left with just one and a half daughters. The half was the ailing Nabulo, who at age 12 grasped her mothers meaning. "I hated myself so much, Nabulo said recently, recalling the words that preceded a period of sickness that left her hospitalized and feeding through a tube. The scene underscores the lifelong challenges for some people with sickle cell disease in rural Uganda, where it remains poorly understood. Even Nabulo, despite her knowledge of how the disease weakens the body, spoke repeatedly of the germ I was born with." Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders in which red blood cells normally round become hard, sticky and crescent shaped. The misshapen cells clog the flow of blood, which can lead to infections, excruciating pain, organ damage and other complications. The disease, which can stunt physical growth, is more common in malaria-prone regions, notably Africa and India, because carrying the sickle cell trait helps protect against severe malaria. Global estimates of how many people have the disease vary, but some researchers put the number between 6 million and 8 million, with more than 5 million living in sub-Saharan Africa. The only cure for the pain sickle cell disease can cause is a bone marrow transplant or gene therapies like the one commercially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December. A 12-year-old boy last week became the first person to begin the therapy. Barbara Nabulo cleans clothes at her home in Busamaga-Mutukula village in Mbale, Uganda, Thursday, April 25 ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Those options are beyond the reach of most patients in this East African nation where sickle cell disease is not a public health priority despite the burden it places on communities. There isnt a national database of sickle cell patients. Funding for treatment often comes from donor organizations. In a hilly part of eastern Uganda thats a sickle cell hot spot, the main referral hospital looks after hundreds of patients arriving from nearby villages to collect medication. Many receive doses of hydroxyurea, a drug that can reduce periods of severe pain and other complications, and researchers there are studying its effectiveness in Ugandan children. Nabulo, now 37, is one of the hospital's patients. But she approaches others like her as a caregiver, too. After dropping out in primary school, she has emerged in recent years as a counselor to fellow patients, speaking to them about her survival. Encouraged by hospital authorities, she makes weekly visits to the ward that has many children watched over by exhausted-looking parents. Nabulo tells them she was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at two weeks old, but now she is the mother of three children, including twins. Such a message gives hope to those who feel discouraged or worry that sickle cell disease is a death sentence, said Dr. Julian Abeso, head of pediatrics at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. Barbara Nabulo talks to patients at the childrens emergency ward at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, in Mbale, Uganda ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Some men have been known to divorce their wives or neglect them in search of new partners when they learn that their children have sickle cell disease. Frequent community deaths from disease complications reinforce perceptions of it as a scourge. Nabulo and health workers urge openness and the testing of children for sickle cell as early as possible. Abeso and Nabulo grew close after Nabulo lost her first baby hours after childbirth in 2015. She cried in the doctor's office as she spoke of her wish to have a relative I can call mine, a descendant who can help me, Abeso recalled. At that time, people here were so negative about patients with sickle cell disease having children because the complications would be so many," the doctor said. Nabulos second attempt to have a child was difficult, with some time in intensive care. But her baby is now a 7-year-old boy who sometimes accompanies her to the hospital. The twin girls came last year. Speaking outside the one-room home she shares with her husband and children, Nabulo said many people appreciate her Barbara Nabulo who lives with sickle cell disease jokes with her husband at Busamaga-Mutukula village in Mbale, Uganda ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) work despite the countless indignities she faces, including unwanted stares from people in the streets who point to the woman with a big head," one manifestation in her of the disease. Her brothers often behave as if they are ashamed of her, she said. Once, she heard of a girl in her neighborhood whose grandmother was making frequent trips to the clinic over an undiagnosed illness in the child. The grandmother was hesitant to have the girl tested for sickle cell when Nabulo first asked her. But tests later revealed the disease, and now the girl receives treatment. I go to Nabulo for help because I cant manage the illness affecting my grandchild, Kelemesiya Musuya said. She can feel pain, and she starts crying, saying, It is here and it is rising and it is paining here and here.'" Musuya sometimes seeks reassurance. She would be asking me, Even you, when you are sick, does it hurt in the legs, in the chest, in the head? I tell her that, yes, its painful like that," Nabulo said. Nabulo said she was glad that the girl, who is 11, still goes to school. Barbara Nabulo picks her sickle cell prescription at the Mbale Regional Referral Hospital pharmacy counter, in Mbale, Uganda ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The lack of formal education is hurtful for Nabulo, who struggles to write her name, and a source of shame for her parents, who repeatedly apologize for letting her drop out while her siblings studied. One brother is now a medical worker who operates a clinic in a town not far away from Nabulo's home I am very happy to see her, said her mother, Agatha Nambuya. She recalled Nabulos swelling head and limbs as a baby, and how these children used to die so soon." But now she knows of others with sickle cell disease who grew to become doctors or whatever they wanted to be. She expressed pride in Nabulos work as a counselor and said her grandchildren make her feel happy. "At that time, she said, recalling Nabulo as a child, we didnt know. 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 crew of Indian and Sri Lankan men has spent the last 49 days confined to a hulking and motionless cargo vessel in Baltimore, its bow pinned by what's left of the shattered bridge it struck. Demolition crews set off explosives Monday to push broken bridge trusses away from the grounded Dali container ship, which lost power and struck one of the columns of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, causing the entire structure to collapse. But even as the ship moves closer to freedom, the crew's future remains an open question. The 21 crewmen are still on board. They've had their phones seized by investigators. And bodies of the six construction workers who were fixing potholes on the bridge when it collapsed have been pulled from the water around them. Some worry theyll be held personally liable for the disaster. While some crew members are coping, morale has understandably dipped, two unions representing the seafarers said in a statement. Here's what we know about the Dali's crew, what they've been doing and what their concerns are: What have they been doing? The Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, president and executive director of the New York-based Seamens Church Institute, said he and others boarded the Dali about a week after the crash to provide a compassionate ear to the crew. Everybody was trying to make the best out of a tragic situation, Nestlehutt said. At that point, the only real question for the seafarers was when they might be able to go home. Food has not been a concern. The Dali was well-stocked for what was supposed to be a long voyage, while additional food has been brought onboard as well, said Darrell Wilson, a spokesperson for Synergy Marine, the Dalis Singapore-based management company. Crewmembers have stayed busy, focused on the many tasks of running a large cargo vessel. They've also participated in the ongoing federal investigation into the crash and assisted with salvage operations of the collapsed bridge. They've received visits from unions and religious groups. Most of the crew are Hindu, Nestlehutt said, but others are Muslim and Christian. Bishop Adam J. Parker from the Baltimore Archdiocese visited the ship in early May and held mass with three Roman Catholic crew members in a small office, said Andrew Middleton, director of the archdiocese's Apostleship of the Sea. Middleton said they also passed along care packages, including from a stranger in Minnesota, that had candy, socks and puzzles, among other things. What are their concerns? Crewmembers have expressed concerns about their phones being seized by federal investigators, Nestlehutt said. Wilson said the phones have been replaced with new ones, and Synergy Marine said in a statement in early April that the crew had unlimited use of the ships satellite communications to stay in touch with family. But Nestlehutt and unions say the new phones lack the important personal information that's on the old phones, such as contacts, family photos and banking apps for transferring money back home to their families. The two unions representing crew members, the Singapore Maritime Officers Union and the Singapore Organisation of Seamen, called for the swift return" the phones in a statement. The unions said the men also suffered emotional distress from witnessing the crash and have an unfounded fear of personal criminal liability. The criminalisation of seafarers based solely on their position on board a vessel during an incident is a growing concern, said Mary Liew, general secretary for the officers' union. Nestlehutt also said the crewmen are concerned that continuing to be detained on the ship could imperil future visas to the U.S. or for the crewmembers children. What does the future hold? The Dali is currently scheduled to be refloated during high tide on Tuesday, officials said over the weekend. They said several tugboats will be used to guide the ship to a nearby terminal in the Port of Baltimore, where it will likely remain for a few weeks and undergo temporary repairs before being moved to a shipyard for more substantial repairs. Wilson said the men will remain on the ship for the foreseeable future as investigations into the crash continue. Nobody knows that ship better than the crew, he said. "So they are instrumental in helping with the salvage operation as well as the investigation process. Nestlehutt said 1.6 million people work as seafarers on cargo vessels an invisible workforce. This is maybe a chance to appreciate what seafarers do for us day-in and day-out," he said. To make sure that we have the things that we order from Amazon and the cars that we want to drive and the things we want to put on our table. 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 }} All 21 crew members of the ship that crashed into Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge are still stuck on board the vessel, cut off from the rest of the world with no access to their cellphones, seven weeks on from the deadly disaster. Darrell Wilson, a spokesperson for Synergy Marine Group, which manages the Dali ship, told The Independent that the FBI had confiscated the crew members phones during the investigation into the crash. The crew members including 20 men from India and one from Sri Lanka have since been supplied with new phones which they are able to use to stay in contact with their families, he said. Yet, it remains unclear why the crews cellphones were seized or when they will be returned. The Independent has contacted the FBI for comment. It is also unclear why the crew continues to be held on board the doomed vessel almost two months on from the deadly incident. Speaking at a House Transportation and Infrastructure committee hearing on Wednesday, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy acknowledged that the amount of time the men have spent on the ship is unprecedented. The crew first boarded the Dali, a vessel comparable in size to the Eiffel Tower, one day before their scheduled 30-day voyage to Colombo, Sri Lanka. In a preliminary report published on Tuesday, the NTSB found that the Dali then experienced two blackouts before even leaving the Port of Baltimore. These blackouts, however, were mechanically distinct from the two blackouts that happened the next day on March 26. Two were related to routine maintenance in port. Two were unexpected tripping of circuit breakers on the accident voyage, Ms Homendy testified on Wednesday. In the early hours of March 26, not long after the ship set off from the port, a blackout caused the crew to lose steering control of the vessel and slam into the bridge. A section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is demolished ( AFP via Getty Images ) Seven construction workers working on top of the bridge fell into the Patapsco River. One was rescued from the water, while the six others died. An inspector at the scene, who was also on the bridge, managed to run across a span of the structure to safety. Unified Command, the government body responding to the tragedy, has since recovered all the victims bodies. On Monday, officials demolished parts of the collapsed steel bridge. The Dali crew members remained on board, in the aft part of the vessel while the controlled explosion took place. Gwee Guo Dua, a representative of the Singapore Maritime Officers Union, said that several of the crew members visas have expired in the seven weeks that they have been held on board as it remains unclear when they will be able to leave. The organization is requesting that the men be granted shore leave and that the FBI return the mens phones. He said that the probe has led to a declining morale among the crew members. For the crew, their mobile devices are their only means of communicating with their loved ones or handling their personal business, half a world away, a statement released by the union read. Mr Wilson said that Synergy Marine Group has representatives on site who are in constant contact with the men, ensuring they are well supplied throughout the ordeal. I am not sure about shore passes. The ship was headed on a long voyage and had plenty of supplies on board, he told The Independent. The company has representatives on site who have been in constant contact with the crew to ensure that they are taken care of and well supplied. At this time, I do not know how long the crew will remain on board as they are part of the ongoing investigation and they are assisting in that process. Unified Command estimates that the ship will be returned to the Port of Baltimore next week. The ship has not moved since the incident. 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 mother of the former Miss Teen USA 2023 has alleged her daughter and former Miss USA 2023 were tormented and threatened daily by management at the organization. Barbara Sravistava said the two young women allegedly suffered mental abuse at the hands of Miss USA president Laylah Rose, in their brief time as title-holders after being crowned last year. Pageant queens Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA respectively, both announced they would be stepping down from their positions earlier this month amid accusations of unprofessional behavior, workplace bullying and harassment. Speaking to The Independent, Ms Voigt said the families had been through many bad situations with the organization which had stemmed from a lack of communication. From the very beginning [when] the girls won the titles the communication was really bad, she claimed. They didnt know what they were doing wrong, why they were getting such bad texts and emails. You know, like, not normal. Normally you talk to a person. Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava, left, and Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, right, recently both announced they would be resigning from their positions amid accusations of a toxic work environment ( Getty Images for Supermodels Unl ) They didnt know why they got in trouble so often when they didnt even discuss rules. It was not much communication, but when it was, it was bad. In a recent interview with Gord Morning America (GMA), Ms Voigt revealed that her daughter had also allegedly received unwanted sexual advances from a man at a 2023 Christmas parade. Representatives of the organization allegedly told Ms Voigt they could not control what the public said to its winners that those kinds of advances "essentially just comes with the territory," she told GMA. Speaking of the alleged encounter, Ms Voigt told The Independent: It was very difficult. I noticed that she was confused, she was in shock and thats what I said. You need to communicate and send an email. We were very upset. It was one of many, many bad situations she went through with the organization. Among the allegations, reported by the New York Post, were that the toxic conditions had gotten so bad that at one point Ms Sravistavas parents had not let her talk to Ms Rose. The job of their dreams turned out to be a nightmare, Ms Srivastava told GMA. Its not about what they didnt get in prizes, its about how they were ill-treated abused bullied and cornered. Speaking to The Independent, Ms Sravistava described the alleged treatment of the women by Ms Rose as akin to mental abuse. That woman [Rose] tormented them daily and threatened them, she said. Both mothers have said they want Ms Rose to step down. The CW, which airs the contests, said it is reevaluating its relationship with the organization. The Independent attempted to contact the Miss USA Organization about the accusations against Ms Rose. It has also contacted the Miss Universe Organization, which owns the license to the Miss USA competition. UmaSofia Srivastava, who made history in 2023 when she was crowned the first Mexican-Indian Miss New Jersey Teen USA, resigned last week, just days after Ms Voigt relinquished her own crown. In an Instagram post, the teenager wrote that her personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization. Ms Voigt had voiced similar concerns in a separate Instagram post. Their announcements came on the heels of the resignation of Miss USA Social Media Director Claudia Michelle, who voiced several concerns about her experience with the Miss USA Organisation. In a statement to the GMA, Miss USA said: We are committed to fostering a healthy, communicative and supportive environment for all contestants, state titleholders, national titleholders and staff. The Miss USA Organization falls under the umbrella of the Miss Universe Organization, which owns the license to Miss USA and sold the license to Ms Rose. 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 }} When officials told a fisherman to hide his boat from his driveway, he concocted a cunning solution. Etienne Constable from Seaside, California, kept his trusty vessel, The Might as Well, harboured on his driveway for the past four years. The keen angler, in his early sixties, could quickly and easily launch his boat near Monterey Bay for his weekly fishing trips. However, Mr Constable received a letter from local government officials informing him that he would need to conceal his prized vessel with a six-foot fence to obscure its view from neighbours. Despite some reluctance, he complied. However, Mr Constable had the last laugh after finding a loophole in the notice. Six-foot screen was the wording that they used [in the letter], but they never defined screen. My reading of that gave me some creative leeway, he told The Times. Mr Constable had a brainwave: So I figured I would comply but I would just paint my boat on the fence. Etienne Constable enlisted the help of local artist Hanif Panni ( NBC News ) After erecting the fence last summer, he enlisted the help of local artist Hanif Panni to create a hyperrealistic mural of The Might as Well. My neighbour has a sea-faring vessel, which he parks on the side of his home, Mr Panni wrote on Facebook last week. After reluctantly building the fence and driveway, he presented a sassy idea to me that would require my artistic skills, he added. The artist spent four days scrupulously painting each detail of the boat and other objects in the background. From the right angle, the painting aligns perfectly with what lies behind the fence. A painting of boat in a driveway next to a house on a fence in front of a boat in a driveway next to a house! Mr Panni summated in the post. Neighbours and passers-by have been stopping to admire the mural and applaud Mr Constable for his artful response to local code enforcement officers, he said. Despite the creative display of defiance, the pair were careful that their response met with local legislation. Im a firm believer in creative dissonance and dealing with bureaucracy in a creative way to work around things, the artist told The Times. Even Seasides police chief, Nick Borges, thanked Mr Constable for being community-minded and bringing publicity to the city, he said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 pickup truck driver has been charged with driving under the influence after he crashed with a bus carrying migrant farm workers, killing eight and injuring around 40 others. Bryan Maclean Howard is facing eight counts of driving under the influence-manslaughter after the crash in Marion County just after 6.30am on Tuesday. Around 53 people were on board the former school bus heading to a farm to work when Mr Howards truck allegedly side-swiped the vehicle. The bus spun off State Road 40, hit a tree and landed in a field. Eight people on board died, while around 40 others were taken to nearby hospitals, some in critical condition. A bus, which had been carrying migrant farm workers, overturned in a field in Marion County, Florida on Tuesday 14 May 2024 ( Marion County Fire Rescue ) The workers were on their way to work at Cannon Farms in nearby Dunnellon, Florida. They are hard-working individuals and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them being here, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said, after being asked if those on board were undocumented. Just after midday, the Mexican Consulate in Orlando announced it was offering emergency phone numbers for the presumably Mexican migrants on board. [We] would appreciate any information about the affected Mexican individuals and their family members, the consulate posted on X. Florida Highway Patrol told The Independent that the approximately 40 people injured were taken to local hospitals for treatment, later saying that some were in a very serious condition. The agency is investigating the cause of the collision, which it is treating as vehicular homicide. A bus carrying farm workers crashed northwest of Orland, Florida on Tuesday ( Marion County Sheriffs Office ) Its probably going to be six months, at least, before we conclude factually what transpired here today, FHP Public Information Officer Pat Riordan told reporters on the scene. Some victims were taken to nearby AdventHealth facilities in Ocala. The hospital told The Independent that 16 patients were in its care. "Our prayers are with all those affected by the tragic bus accident in Ocala this morning, Dr Rodrigo Torres, Chief Medical Officer, AdventHealth Ocala, said in a statement. Our immediate priority is to provide exceptional medical care to those injured, and compassionate support to our patients and their loved ones." Two were later taken to other facilities, while 14 were discharged. EMS workers are seen transporting one of the dozens injured in a fatal bus crash in Marion County, Florida, on Tuesday 14 May 2024 ( Marion County Fire Rescue ) The farm where the workers were heading to, Cannon Farms, posted to Facebook saying it would be closed on Tuesday. Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident, the statement said. The Florida Immigrant Coalition called the incident gut-wrenching. This accident, just like the Key Bridge collapse, illustrates the intricate interconnectivity between migrant labour and the success of our country as an economic powerhouse, Adriana Rivera, Director of communications for FLIC, told The Independent. We would not be who we are today without the sacrifice and labour of the men and women who, while vilified and spat upon by many, have been the backbone of our country for generations. From the Chinese who built our railroads, to todays construction and farm labourers, we owe our economic growth to them. Investigators assess the scene of a fatal bus crash which killed at least eight migrant workers in Florida on Tuesday 14 May 2024 ( Marion County Fire Rescue ) We wish that this tragedy serves to amplify the voices of the labourers themselves; their dreams, their lives, and their full humanity. May they rest in power. The identities of those involved had not been released on Tuesday evening. Marion County Sheriffs Office was forced to clarify to followers on its Facebook page the vehicle involved was not a school bus after rumours quickly spread that children were involved. The Sheriff called the collision a tragedy and said that the Highway Patrol was the best authority to investigate the wreck. 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 Columbia University graduation speakers microphone briefly cut out as she criticised the schools stance on Gaza this week. At the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health graduation ceremony on Tuesday, student Saham David Ahmed Ali gave a speech calling for the school to take action on Israels continued bombardment of Gaza. Saham David Ahmed Ali, pictured speaking at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health graduation ceremony, had her microphone cut out twice during her speech ( Columbia University ) However, minutes into her remarks, Ms Alis microphone began cutting out. A university spokesperson told The Independent the momentary loss of audio was due to an unintended technical glitch. Ms Ali began to criticise the silence on Columbia Universitys campus about Israels war in Gaza when her microphone appeared to glitch before turning off. The crowd booed as she took a brief pause. She resumed her speech, but moments later the microphone cut out again. The crowd chanted: Let her speak. After the second interruption, the microphone continued working and Ms Ali completed her speech. Throughout the rest of her speech, Ms Ali called on Columbia to disclose their financial records and divest from institutions profiting off of Palestinian genocide. She also asked the school to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Her call comes as Israels offensive in Gaza has killed at least 35,000 people, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health figures, most of them women and children. Israels 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. Now, Gaza is suffering a man-made famine, according to the United Nations and other international agencies. At least 32 people, 28 of whom were children, have died of malnutrition and dehydration in Gaza, according to Human Rights Watch. Volunteers deliver food to families in Gaza in April 2024. At least 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023 ( Reuters ) Ms Ali gave her speech in the wake of Columbia University cancelling its commencement ceremony in the wake of anti-war protests on its campus. The college is only hosting school-specific graduation ceremonies after hundreds of protesters were arrested in April. Protests against Israels war in Gaza began at Columbia on 17 April after school president Minouche Shafik testified to Congress about alleged antisemitism on the campus. After protesters erected an encampment on school property, Ms Shafik called the New York Police Department to campus on 18 April. Officers arrested 109 protesters. More than 100 additional protesters were arrested on 30 April after they occupied Columbias Hamilton Hall, renaming it Hinds Hall in honour of a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli tanks in Gaza. Gaza protesters hang a banner that reads Hinds Hall as they barricade themselves inside Columbia Universitys Hamilton Hall ( AP ) Columbias protests sparked dozens of similar demonstrations on campuses across the US, resulting in thousands of arrests. The public health student also called on the school to end expansion into the surrounding New York City neighbourhoods. Columbia University Apartheid Divest has been asking Columbia University for multiple things throughout this year, Ms Ali told the audience. Their asks include rights in Palestine and in Harlem and also in Washington Heights. Columbia University students have a long history of protesting against the schools expansion in Harlem. In 1968, students protested against the universitys plan to construct a gym near Morningside Park, fighting against racist policies that would have dictated separate and unequal access to its facilities. Criticisms of the schools impact on the surrounding community continue, with students now arguing further expansion into Harlem displaces low-income residents in the neighbourhood. 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 }} Federal officials warned Boeing about criminal charges after the airline failed to improve plane safety and adhere to a settlement after deadly 737 aircraft crashes, prosecutors said Five years ago, Boeing agreed to pay $2.5b and make safety improvements after two new 737 Max jets crashed in separate incidents, within the space of five months, one in Indonesia in 2018 and one in Ethiopia in 2019, killing a total of 346 people. But, now the feds claim that Boeing has violated that deal and it could face further prosecution after a string of high-profile safety incidents involving its planes, including an incident in mid-January when an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9s door plug blew off, causing the grounding of all 171 MAX 9 jets by the FAA while it investigated. For failing to fulfill completely the terms of and obligations under the [deferred prosecution agreement], Boeing is subject to prosecution by the United States for any federal criminal violation of which the United States has knowledge, Department of Justice lawyers wrote in a letter to a federal judge. Rescuers work at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight of a Boeing 737 Max 8 plane crash near Bishoftu, Ethiopia in March 2019 ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) It is now up in the air as to whether Boeing could face prosecution, and it is unclear if the government would actually go ahead and prosecute the company. The Government is determining how it will proceed in this matter, the Justice Department said in the court filing, according to The Associated Press. Boeing will have until 13 June to respond to the governments allegation. Upon doing so, the justice department said it would consider the companys explanation in determining whether to pursue prosecution. Boeing disputes the DOJs findings, claiming the company has honored the terms of the agreement and look forward to the opportunity to respond to the Department on this issue. As we do so, we will engage with the Department with the utmost transparency, as we have throughout the entire term of the agreement, including in response to their questions following the Alaska Airlines 1282 accident, a spokesperson for Boeing told The Independent. Indonesian investigators inspect the wreckage of an engine from the fatal Lion Air Flight JT 610 recovered from the sea at the Tanjung Priok in November 2018 ( Getty Images ) In 2018, 189 people lost their lives while on a Lion Air flight from Indonesia plunged into the Java Sea just 13 minutes after take-off. Just five months after this horrific incident, an Ethiopian Airlines took off from Addis Ababa, when six minutes in, it crashed only 30 miles from the airport, killing all 157 people on board. When investigations into the disaster crashes were underway, authorities pointed to a flight-control system that Boeing added to the Max without telling pilots or airlines, which Boeing did not overhaul until after the second crash. After a series of negotiations, the government agreed not to prosecute Boeing on a charge of defrauding the United States by deceiving regulators about the flight system. The settlement included a $243.6 million fine, a $500 million fund for victim compensation, and nearly $1.8 billion to those airlines whose Max jets were grounded for nearly two years. Prosecutors said they will be meeting with families of passengers who died in both Max disasters on May 31. Paul Cassell, a lawyer who represents families of passengers in the Ethiopia crash, said the Justice Departments allegation that Boeing violated the settlement terms is a positive first step, and for the families, a long time coming. But we need to see further action from DOJ to hold Boeing accountable, and plan to use our meeting on May 31 to explain in more details what we believe would be a satisfactory remedy to Boeings ongoing criminal conduct, Mr Cassell added to The Associated Press. Boeing 737 Max airplanes sit parked at Boeing Field in 2020 in Seattle, Washington after they were grounded worldwide since March 2019 after two deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia ( Getty ) The agreement was thrust back into the spotlight after a string of safety incidents involving Boeing planes in recent months. The most notable was a door plug blew out at 16,000 feet on an Alaska Airlines flight. That led to a federal investigation into the incident and Boeing. Former workers and whistleblowers have accused the company of systematically degrading the quality of its manufacturing and the expertise of its workforce in pursuit of short-term profits for shareholders. Last week, a second whistleblower within Boeings supply chain died after alleging the company had cut corners while building its 737 Max jetliner. Reports indicated the man had died of pneumonia caused by a flu infection. In an email to employees last month, Scott Stocker, the head of Boeings 787 program, blamed the missed inspections on misconduct by workers and said that those responsible had received swift and serious corrective action. 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 }} Oklahoma officials may have tied a cold case disappearance to the infamous BTK serial killer. Dennis Rader, 78, is serving 10 consecutive life sentences after pleading guilty to 10 murders in 2005. He calls himself the BTK killer, which stands for bind, torture, kill. Now, local police say they have linked Rader to the 1976 disappearance of teen Cynthia Dawn Kinney using a crossword puzzle the convicted killer sent to the media twenty years ago, local outlet KSN-TV reports. In 2004, Mr Rader sent local news outlets a word puzzle containing the details about the women he killed. Now, Osage County, Oklahoma Sheriff Eddie Virden says that the puzzle connects Rader to Kinneys disappearance. Its pretty hard to get around the fact that Cindy Kinneys name is in there, that Osage Laundromat is in there, that Pawhuska is in there, Sheriff Virden said. Kinney disappeared from an Osange laundromat at 16 years old. Rader has been a prime suspect in the 1976 cold case since August 2023, after police found additional evidence. Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK killer, may be linked to a 1976 cold case disappearance ( AP2005 ) Investigators said they have evidence indicating Rader may have buried Kinney in a barn near the Kansas-Oklahoma border. Her body has never been found. Last year, Sheriff Virden said officers received an anonymous call months after Kinney disappeared from a man claiming her body could be found in an old barn along the Oklahoma-Kansas border. Then, in September, law enforcement intercepted communications from Rader in prison that revealed there may be some hidden items in old barns, according to the sheriff. Her parents, Don and Markie, soon afterwards said they were afraid they would never know what happened to their Cindi. We went 50 years thinking every time somebody had something, well, I hope this sheriff does, Don Kinney said last year. I hope he has good intentions. Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK killer, may be linked to a 1976 cold case disappearance of Cynthia Dawn Kinney ( OCSO/SCSO ) Sheriff Virden says this new evidence strengthens the case that Rader was involved in Kinneys disappearance. We found carvings, markings in barns, things we believe are 100 per cent proof he has operated within our area, he said. However, District Attorney Mike Fisher says his office is not as convinced. I have not heard Mr Virdens latest pronouncement about Dennis Rader and the Cynthia Kinney case, Mr Fisher told KSN-TV. However, I can tell you that the cold case unit of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has found no connection tying Rader to Cynthias disappearance. They are still investigating other possibilities but because of the age of the Kinney case have found nothing that points to a particular suspect, he continued. Meanwhile, in January 2023 the Osage County Sheriffs Office launched a new investigation into hundreds of Raders drawings and writings that were recovered after his 2005 arrest. Were hoping that releasing these, someone might recognize one of these barns or the unique features in them, or the closeness of the silo to the barn or possibly might have even found items that they didnt know why were there that could be very important in this case, Sheriff Virden told CNN at the time. Earlier this year, Rader was also absolved of yet another cold case initially believed to be connected to him. Rader was a potential suspect in the 1990 murder of Shawna Garber, according to the McDonald County, Missouri Sheriffs Office. Larry Hall, another serial killer, was also a suspect. But neither man is believed to have killed 22-year-old Garber the sheriffs office identified Talfey Reeves as the suspect who died on 15 November 2021. 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 truck driver charged with eight counts of manslaughter under the influence after a horror bus crash will remain behind bars after his myriad of previous traffic offenses was revealed. Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, is facing charges after eight migrant farmworkers died in a Tuesday crash at a farm in Florida, the Florida Highway Patrol said in a release. It is unclear what substance police say Mr Howard was intoxicated from. With his head wrapped in bandages, Mr Howard appeared in court on Wednesday morning, where he was appointed a public defender. Prosecutors listed his long history of driving offenses and asked he be held without bond, to which a judge agreed. His name has cropped up on 24 court records, many involving driving-related offenses, between 2003 and 2021, according to state court records seen by The Independent. Florida Authorities said Mr Howard was driving a 2001 Ford Ranger Tuesday morning when it crossed into the center line on State Road 40 near Ocala. A farmworker bus was also heading along the road, carrying migrants heading to Cannon Farm in Dunnellon to harvest watermelons. Bryan Howard, 41, has been charged with eight counts of manslaugter after eight people died in a horror bus crash ( Marion County Sheriffs Office ) The truck allegedly sideswiped the bus, causing the bus to veer off the road and crash through a fence and a tree before overturning. The result of the crash left a horrific scene: the entire bus ended up on its side, windows were smashed, its emergency rear door and top hatch open, while the truck also received extensive damage to the drivers side. In total, 53 people were on the bus at the time, with eight killed and at least 40 people injured many of them hospitalised. Mr Howard was arrested and hit with a string of charges that day. Mr Howard told troopers that he had been on his way to a methadone clinic for treatment for a chipped vertebra in his back when the crash occurred, according to an arrest report obtained by ClickOrlando. Howards name appears on 24 court records dating back to 2003. He is pictured in a series of mug shots ( Marion County Sheriffs Office ) He claimed he was driving carefully because he crashed his mothers car into a tree three days earlier while trying to avoid an animal that ran in front of the vehicle, the report added. He allegedly told investigators that he was with a friend the night before, smoking his friends marijuana oil that he got through a medical card before he took his own prescribed medicines, Klonopin, Lyrica and clonidine. He then got around five hours of sleep that night, the arrest report details. While troopers visited Howard at the hospital after he had been discharged, he underwent a series of sobriety tests that he largely failed, the arrest document shows. The documents state that Mr Howard could not explain why he allegedly travelled into the wrong lane saying he only remembered wearing his seatbelt and that the airbags in his truck deployed. Marion County Fire Rescue and the Marion County Sheriffs Office on the scen assisting victims after a bus carrying farmworkers crashed and overturned early Tuesday ( AP ) In the wake of the deadly crash, the suspects string of prior encounters with law enforcement have now come to light, with previous arrests for driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash and possession of marijuana. Most recently, Mr Howard was arrested on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license in 2021. The prosecutor dropped the charges in that case. Other charges over the years include careless driving, violation of a red light, violation of a traffic sign and an expired license. He was also charged with stolen property and grand theft in 2013. Mr Howard was jailed in that case and spent two years on probation. Mr Howard is next due to appear in court for his arraignment over the deadly crash on 18 June. Some of the victims killed in Tuesdays crash have now been identified as Mexican agricultural workers. The bus carrying 53 farmworkers that crashed and overturned ( AP ) Emergency workers work the scene of a fatal bus crash carrying farm workers that overturned Tuesday morning ( AP ) Alicia Barcena, Mexicos foreign relations secretary, said on X: I am sorry to report that a tragic automotive accident happened in Florida with Mexican agricultural workers involved. Our sympathies and prayers are with the families of the deceased. Consistent with our duties, the Florida Highway Patrol will conduct both a thorough and exhaustive traffic crash and criminal investigation, Dave Kerner, the executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, wrote in the FHP release. Close Chad Daybells daughter testifies in his murder trial The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A new rebuttal witness for the prosecution testified that Chad Daybells son Garth had told him how he found his dead mother Tammy Daybell, which is different from what Garth told the court at his fathers triple murder trial earlier this week. Shortly after the defense rested on Thursday, Jason Abegelen, who worked with Garth at a haunted house, recalled that Garth told him how he found his mother dead in the bedroom and that his father was not there. But Garth had testified that in the early morning hours of October 19, 2019, his father woke him up to help after finding the mother-of-five dead and halfway off the bed on the floor, tangled up in sheets. Daybell, 55, is on trial for the death of Tammy, and the murders of Lori Vallows two children, Tylee Ryan, 16, and JJ Vallow, seven. Two weeks after Tammys death, Daybell and Vallow married on a beach in Hawaii. It was only after the children were reported missing and authorities began delving into the couples bizarre cult beliefs that questions were asked about Tammys death and her body was exhumed for an autopsy. It was determined she had died of asphyxia and Daybell was charged with her murder, as well as the murders of Vallows children, who were found buried in Daybells Idaho backyard nine months after they went missing. Prosecutors say Daybell and Vallow justified the three killings by creating an apocalyptic belief system, which was part of an elaborate scheme to eliminate any obstacles from their life. But Daybells attorney claims he was manipulated by Vallow, who was convicted of the murders last year and received three life sentences. Like Vallow, Daybell did not testify in his defense. Closing arguments are expected to be next week and then the case will be in the hands of the jury. If convicted, Daybell faces the death penalty or life in prison. 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 }} For more than a decade, the cold case of three bodies found stuffed inside a car on a Georgia interstate has remained unsolved until now. Keante Harris, a middle-school assistant principal in Alabama, was arrested last week in connection with the triple homicide. He is one of four men to be arrested over the case. Mr Harris was arrested on a fugitive from justice charge and is facing murder charges in Georgia. He has worked in education since 2006, according to his LinkedIn page. Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he works at McAdory Middle School. We have been made aware that Mr. Keante Harris was arrested Wednesday afternoon. At this time, we still are gathering facts about the specifics of this situation, Mr Gonsoulin said in the statement. Keante Harris, an assistant principal for the Jefferson County school district in Georgia, has been arrested in connection to a 2013 cold case ( Jefferson County Jail ) However, early indications are that the charges are not related to this individuals employment with Jefferson County Schools. Per standard procedure, Mr. Harris has been placed on paid administrative leave. As more facts become available, we will act according to our districts policy. Kevin Harris, Kenneth Thompson and Derrell Adams were also taken into custody, according to the Clayton County Sheriffs Office. All four men are facing murder charges in Georgia. In January 2013, an officer discovered the bodies when he stumbled upon an abandoned Dodge Charger on the northbound exit ramp of I-85 ramp in Union City, Georgia. Inside were the bodies of Cheryl Colquitt-Thompson, 32, Quinones King, 33, and Rodney Cottrell, 43, authorities said. Colquitt-Thompsons body had been stuffed in the trunk while the other two bodies were inside the vehicle. Cheryl Colquitt-Thompsons body was found stuffed inside the trunk of a car that was abandoned on the side of a Georgia interstate in 2013 ( WSFA ) An investigation revealed that the victims had been lured at gunpoint to a residence in Jonesboro, Georgia, where they were tortured and killed before their bodies were dumped in the Charger and left in Fulton County. On 8 May 2024, the Clayton County Sheriffs Office obtained murder warrants for the four men and arrests were made across three different states - Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. They were each indicted on three counts of malice murder, according to the statement. Authorities have not said how the men were linked to the case or why it took so long to make the arrests. Quinones Kings body was found inside a car that was abandoned on the side of a Georgia interstate in 2013 after he and two others were tortured and killed ( WSFA ) Keante Harris is being held in the Jefferson County Jail. The three other men are in custody in Georgia and South Carolina awaiting extradition back to Clayton County. Tony Garrett, with Central Alabama CrimeStoppers, told WSFA he has never forgotten about the case and is hoping the reward offered is what helped lead to the arrests. Were still offering the reward for this case, so we are waiting for them to get back with us to see if they had a tipster or if they had information come in to solve the case, Mr Garrett said. Rodney Cottrell was the third body found in the vehicle 11 years ago ( WSFA ) He added that more and more cold cases are now being solved, thanks to technology. We are seeing DNA investigations, agencies combining more resources. We are seeing that there is a better solution or a better way to investigate so we are seeing technology catch up and we are seeing better communication, Mr Garrett said. CrimeStoppers is in contact with the family, Mr Garrett said. He said this is a case hes never forgotten and that he still remembers the pain the victims families felt. This case actually helped me grow as a CrimeStoppers director because I was able to start off feeling what the family felt, not really, but being able to go through their emotions, he said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A teacher has been accused of grooming her students by wearing a bikini to lead a water aerobics class before allegedly having sex with one of them when she drove them home from school. Claire Wright Mitchell, who worked at Mecklenburg County High School in southern Virginia, allegedly began the grooming in the summer of 2023, around a year after she joined the school from Park View High School. Prosecutors said that she was on a school field trip, when she held a water aerobics class in the hotel while wearing a bikini. Ms Mitchells husband, Dakota Mitchell, sat nearby in a hot tub, prosecutors said. Ms Mitchell also allegedly messaged several students, sending one of them a photo of her breasts in an attempt to get them to have sex with her, SoVaNow reported. In one incident, the teacher allegedly had sexual relations with a student while she was supposed to be driving them home from school. School leadership was made aware of the alleged abuse in February, and passed the details onto law enforcement. Mecklenburg High School, pictured before its opening in 2022 ( Google ) Ms Mitchell was arrested in April on charges of taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial or supervisory relationship, and one felony count of using the internet, a computer network, or other communication device to solicit sex with a minor. She appeared in court on Wednesday where she was released from prison on a $25,000 bond. In the hearing, prosecutor Allen Nash said that Mr Mitchell appeared to be unaware of his wifes alleged conduct and that he had not done anything to make the students feel uncomfortable. However, Mr Nash did allege that the husband had tried to talk to various students after learning of the accusations against his wife. Mr Mitchell told the court that he did not know about his wifes behavior and that she had never brought a student to their home. The teachers husband and parents offered their homes as collateral to pay for her $25,000 bond. The judge has now ordered her to remain under house arrest, with no access to the internet or social media, as well as no contact with anyone under the age of 18. Ms Mitchell pleaded not guilty to the charges against her and she will next appear in court on 20 May. The Independent has contacted Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office and the school district 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 tourist has toppled a 113-year-old tramway tower in Death Valley, sparking fury on social media. The National Parks Service said on Tuesday that the historic tower in the Saline Valley area in California had been pulled down some time between 1 April and 24 April. The NPS said that the incident was likely to have unfolded when a person used a winch to pull their vehicle out of deep mud and used the tower as support, pulling it out of the ground along with its concrete base. Rangers found tire tracks nearby indicating that a vehicle had driven off a nearby legal roadway and become stuck in the mud. I have hiked along sections of this tramway, and am amazed by the tenacity it took to build, said Superintendent Mike Reynolds. I hope the person responsible for this damage will contact us so we can discuss restitution. The Saline Valley Salt Company built the 13-mile aerial tram in 1911, to transport salt from the valley to Owens Valley. It climbed over 7,000 feet at steep vertical grades of up to 40 degrees, NPS said. The historic Saline Valley Tram tower was found toppled with car tyre tracks nearby ( National Parks Service ) The tram tower in question is one of four within the Death Valley National Park, with the remaining tramway running across land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The tramway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its age, steepness, length, preservation and scenic setting, NPS said. The news comes just weeks after some other badly-behaved tourists were caught tumbling protected rocks at another park in Nevada. In April, two men were caught on video vandalizing the federally-protected red rock formations in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Unlike that incident, the damage done in Saline Valley is likely fixable. The National Parks Service said the 113-year-old salt tram tower was pulled down sometime in April ( National Parks Service ) Before the tower was toppled, the service had secured funding to stabilise the tramway, but it is not clear if that funding can now be redirected to re-anchor the tower. Some responding to the news on the Death Valley National Park Facebook page volunteered to help right the artefact, while others voiced their annoyance over the incident. I would be all for background checks before entering a National Park, one said. I think a lot of people dont deserve to be there. Another simply said: And this is why we cant have nice things. Others suggested it could simply have been an accident. 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 }} Student protesters have reached an agreement with Harvard University to end a 20-day pro-Palestine encampment thats been occupying a central green at the prestigious university. Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine (HOOP), the activist coalition which coordinated the encampment as part of its campaign to get the university to cut financial ties with the Israeli military apparatus, announced the deal on Instagram on Tuesday. Encampments are a tactic a big and beautiful one in a larger strategy of divestment, the group wrote in a statement. Here at Harvard, we believe the utility of this tactic has passed, and we have decided to re-group and carry out this protracted struggle through other means. We are under no illusions: we do not believe these meetings are divestment wins, HOOP added. These side-deals are intended to pacify us away from full disclosure & divestment. Following negotiations with the student activists, the school agreed to reinstate 22 students from involuntary leaves of absence for their participation in the encampment, according to the Harvard Crimson university newspaper. People walk past the remnants of an encampment of tents in Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass ( AP ) The school also offered HOOP a meeting with members of university leadership involved in setting guidance for stock purchases within Harvards $50bn endowment. There will continue to be deep disagreements and strongly felt emotions as we experience pain and distress over events in the wider world, Harvard president Alan M Garber wrote in an email Tuesday to Harvard affiliates following the deal. Now more than ever, it is crucial to do what we do at our best, creating conditions for true dialogue, modeling ways to build understanding, empathy, and trust, and pursuing constructive change anchored in the rights and responsibilities we share. This spring, protest encampments have formed at universities across the United States. University administrations have taken starkly different approaches to engaging with these demonstrations. Some schools, like Brown University, forged a deal with protesters to end their encampment in exchange for putting forward a vote on Israeli divestment. Others, like Columbia University, have failed to reach agreements with students, and have instead called riot police to campus to clear out the demonstrators. 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 charity that raised millions for the victims of the Kansas City shooting has yet to distribute any of the funds. United Way of Greater Kansas City in Missouri raised nearly $2m in the wake of the Kansas City, Missouri Valentines Day shooting that left one dead and 22 injured. Three months later, local outlet Fox 4 KC reports the organisation has yet to disburse anything from the KC Strong fund to victims and their families. However, the donation fund was open from 15 February through the end of April, the organisation told The Independent on Tuesday. After working with local law enforcement and completing a victim verification process, those impacted by the shooting have now received claim forms, Kera Mashek, the Director of Communications for the United Way of Greater Kansas City, told The Independent. The forms which give victims the opportunity to detail how they were financially impacted by the shooting are due 15 May, Ms Mashek said. Now, the organisation plans to have checks in the hands of victims before the end of June. Police clear the area of the Kansas City shooting on 14 February 2024. A charity that raised funds for the victims has yet to distribute the money now three months later, a local news outlet reports ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) On 14 February, thousands gathered at Kansas Citys Union Station to celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs, who had just won the Super Bowl. Gunshots broke out during the festivities, causing chaos and terror. One person was killed: Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a mother of two and beloved local radio DJ. Beto Lopez, the victims brother, told ABC News at the time that his sister loved her family and had a life-of-the-party personality. Lisa Lopez-Galvan (left) pictured before she was fatally shot on 14 February in Kansas City. She was a mother and beloved radio DJ ( Facebook/Lisa Lopez-Galvan ) She was dearly loved in this community and gave a lot back, Mr Lopez said. Another 22 people were injured and half of those injured were under 16, local officials said at the time. The youngest victim was just eight years old, while the oldest was 47. Marques Harris was one of those injured. Pastor Timothy Hayes, a spokesperson for his family, told Fox 4 KC that Mr Harris life has totally changed in the wake of the shooting. He was the first person shot at the parade so before anybody felt pain, felt a bullet he felt that agony, Mr Hayes told the outlet. Not only has he been physically damaged, but hes been mentally damaged, he continued. Local officials have since charged three adults and three juveniles in connection with the shooting, which police say stemmed from a personal dispute. Terry Young, pictured in a booking photo, will go to trial next year on charges related to the Kansas City Valentines Day shooting ( AP ) Two of the adult suspects Lyndell Mays and Terry Young are being held on $1m cash-only bonds. Earlier this month, a judge declined a bid by Mr Mays, 23, to have his bond lowered, The Kansas City Star reported. One of his relatives reportedly began yelling after leaving the courtroom and was briefly handcuffed until she apologized for the outburst. Mr Youngs trial has been set for March 2025, according to the outlet. Meanwhile, the third adult suspect was only booked into jail on 3 May after being hospitalized for injuries sustained during the shooting. Two of the three juveniles charged are currently undergoing hearings to determine whether they will be charged as adults, according to The Kansas City Star. A decision is expected at the end of the month. The third juveniles gun-related charges do not rise to the level of being tried as an adult. 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 }} Former Miss USA 2023 was the subject of inappropriate advances by the driver of a car she was traveling in during a Florida Christmas parade, sources have told The Independent. Noelia Voigt, who last week resigned her title amid accusations of toxic workplace conditions at the Miss USA Organization, felt she couldnt escape the vehicle, and her designated handler allegedly did not intervene. Miss USA has been held every year since 1952. The winner holds the title for 12 months, taking part in media and philanthropic events, and raising awareness about her chosen cause. She also becomes the American entry for the annual Miss Universe pageant. Ms Voight, 24, is under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the beauty pageant organization and has been unable to comment on the alleged incident. Two sources close to the matter shared what she had told them about the incident with The Independent, and raised concerns about the level of support given to the competition winners. The incident took place during a Christmas parade last December in Sarasota, Florida when Ms Voigt was traveling in the backseat of the car, the sources said. Former Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, was subject to unwanted advances at a Christmas parade in Sarasota, Florida, last December, sources say ( Getty Images ) Claudia Michelle, former social media director for Miss USA and a friend of Ms Voigt, said the driver was an older man who had begun to make really inappropriate advances. He was saying, how he was older and he had money, that kind of thing, Ms Michelle told The Independent on Wednesday. The former employee is not bound by an NDA. She said that the older man suggested that he wanted a relationship with the beauty queen, and made her uncomfortable. Ms Michelle added: She literally couldnt escape it. What was she going to do, step out of the car and walk away in the middle of the parade? She was stuck. The former employee, who also resigned from her role at Miss USA citing reasons of mismanagement and disrespect towards the title holders families, said that security for Ms Voigt at the Florida parade, and on multiple other occasions, had been inadequate. The role of the handler in the pageant world is to almost be like a bodyguard in the sense where theyre the eyes, ears and voice for Noelia to kind of speak up, she said. It would have been in that handlers best interest to speak up and say something, you know, thats not appropriate, thats not okay, right then and there, and squash it out. The incident in Sarasota was thankfully isolated though concerns had been raised previously by Ms Voigt and her family about her mismanagement, Ms Michelle said. Miss USA president Laylah Rose, who owns the license to the company which falls under the Miss Universe Organization umbrella, did not provide the level of support to Ms Voigt that title holders should expect to receive, Ms Michelle said. Another source close to the matter told The Independent that they attended several meetings where Ms Voigt had brought up security concerns, and those were basically dismissed as though it wasnt a big deal. [Ms Rose] did not have the funds to run it [the organization]. Its really that plain and simple, Ms Michelle also told The Independent. Noelia should have been traveling with a bodyguard, with a handler, at all times. There was not enough staff to help her do what she needed to do for the first four months of her reign. Miss USA should be booked and busy and going to all of the important events an equal mix of philanthropic events, red-carpet events... whatever it is. Instead, Ms Voigt was mainly at her boyfriends college apartment in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and her familys house in Sarasota, Florida, because nothing was provided. Miss USAs are typically treated like celebrities, Ms Michelle said. Ive seen state pageants run better than the way Miss USA was being handled and run under the current direction, she added. The Independent has contacted Ms Rose for comment on the Florida parade allegations, along with the claims of mismanagement and mistreatment of Miss USA title-holders. Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava, left, and Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, right, have both resigned their crowns recently, amid allegations of a toxic work environment against the organization ( Getty Images for Supermodels Unl ) The accusations against Miss USAs president were echoed by Ms Voigts mother, Jackeline Voigt, and the mother of Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Sravistava, who resigned her crown shortly after Ms Voigt. Miss Teen USA, a pageant for girls aged 14-19, is also owned by Ms Rose and run under the Miss Universe Organization umberella. Barbara Sravistava told The Independent on Tuesday said the two young women suffered mental abuse by Ms Rose. That woman tormented them daily and threatened them, she said. Both mothers, and Ms Michelle, have said they want Ms Rose to step down as Miss USA president. The CW Network, which airs the contests, said on Monday that it is reevaluating its relationship with the organization. The Independent has made repeated attempts to contact the Miss USA Organization about the allegations, and the Miss Universe Organization, which encompasses the Miss USA competitions. In a statement to ABC NewsGood Morning America, a representative for the Miss USA Organization said: We are committed to fostering a healthy, communicative and supportive environment for all contestants, state titleholders, national titleholders and staff. 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 }} Forget reinventing the wheel, how about reinventing the burger? Because thats what Pizza Hut says its doing with its newest offering. The restaurant and takeout chain has revealed its Cheeseburger Melt, calling it a better way to burger because theres no soggy bun, but a thin crust instead. The company is even trolling traditional burger chains by taking cars branded with promotional material through their drive-thru lanes. "As a brand known for exceptional pizzas, venturing into the burger business is an exciting first for us," Lindsay Morgan, chief marketing officer at Pizza Hut, said in a press release. "We thought wed kick off our burger journey with something bold. Thats why were making waves in burger chain drive-thrus, serving up our delicious new Cheeseburger Melt for all you burger lovers out there." Pizza Hut is asking customers to cheat on their favourite burger joint, with the promotional vehicles including a QR code which can be scanned to be entered into a draw for a free Cheeseburger Melt. The catch is that the offer is only available in Miami, Florida, Chicago, and Illinois, where Burger King and McDonalds are headquartered, respectively. The pizza-turned-burger is filled with beef, applewood-smoked bacon, onions, mozzarella, and cheddar, with Burger Sauce on the side. The thin-n-crispy concept isnt new to the Hut with other versions already on the menu, including the Pepperoni Lover's served with marinara dipping sauce; Buffalo Chicken served with buffalo dipping sauce and ranch dipping sauce; Chicken Bacon Parmesan served with ranch dipping sauce and Meat Lover's served with marinara dipping sauce. "For the first time ever, we packed everything you know and love about a cheeseburger into our craveable Thin N Crispy crust to develop the new Cheeseburger Melt," Rachel Antalek, chief food innovation officer at Pizza Hut, added. "Unlike a traditional cheeseburger, the Cheeseburger Melt dips perfectly into what we would argue is the worlds best burger dipping sauce. We challenge you to find a better burger and sauce experience." 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 }} More than seven in ten Americans are concerned about how artificial intelligence (AI) will be used to influence the 2024 election via social media, according to a new poll. A survey conducted by North Carolinas Elon University and headed by the schools Imagining the Digital Future center found that 78 per cent of Americans are at least somewhat if not very concerned that AI will be used to manipulate or distort voters perceptions of the candidates ahead of voting in November. Given specific examples of such behaviour, 70 per cent of respondents assumed likely examples of this would include the generation of fake accounts on social media platforms and the generation of fake video, audio or other materials representing the candidates. Sixty-two per cent said they were concerned about AI-driven content aimed at convincing specific demographics to not participate in the election. Finally, 73 per cent said they believed AI would be used to artificially drive conversations on social media through fake or bot accounts. In general, Americans outlook on the future of AI and its use by nefarious actors in political spheres is very grim. Just 5 per cent of poll respondents think the technology will have a positive effect on political discourse, compared to 37 per cent who thought it would lead to an overall negative outcome. Misinformation in elections has been around since before the invention of computers, but many worry about the sophistication of AI technology in 2024 giving bad actors an accessible tool to spread misinformation at an unprecedented scale, said Jason Husser, professor of political science and director of the Elon University Poll. We know that most voters are aware of AI risks to the 2024 election. However, the behavioral implications of that awareness will remain unclear until we see the aftermath of AI-generated misinformation. President Joe Biden has made clear that he shares the views of a majority of Americans when it comes to the potential abuses of AI and the sudden explosion of the technology in everyday life. Last year, he signed an executive order directing companies to share AI safety test results with the federal government, and ordering the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop federal standards for AI tools to be met before their public release. Joe Biden speaks at the White House ( AP ) The Federal Trade Commission also finalized a rule in February aimed at cracking down on AI scams centred around the impersonation of government officials and is considering extending that rule to ban all AI tools allowing the impersonation of individuals. We cant move at a normal government pace, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients quoted the president as telling his staff last year, according to the AP. We have to move as fast, if not faster than the technology itself. But Americans still clearly worry that the technology remains far ahead of government regulation. An optimistic hope is that risk-aware voters may approach information in the 2024 cycle with heightened caution, leading them to become more sophisticated consumers of political information, Husser said. A pessimistic outlook is that worries about AI-misinformation might translate into diminished feelings of self-efficacy, institutional trust and civic engagement. The Elon University poll was conducted between 19 and 21 April 2024 with responses from 1,020 adults across the US. Its margin of error was 3.2 per centage points. 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 }} Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks won the Democratic Senate primary in Maryland, beating an adult beverage chain mogul who had made the race a staggering display of his own wealth. The race was called shortly before 10pm, when Alsobrooks was leading by more than 20,000 votes. It was an impressive showing for a local state official against a congressman with more resources and a history of running in competitive Democratic primaries. We are going to defeat Larry Hogan, keep Maryland blue, and keep our Senate under Democratic control spread the word, the victor declared on Twitter shortly after the race was called. Rep David Trone, the billionaire owner of the Total Wine & More chain, broke open the casks for this race and his election-night event was no exception. A modestly-attended bash (possibly a sign of the weather and generally low turnout of the primary) was thrown at Baltimores Museum of Industry, a quaint collection of relics from the citys manufacturing past located a stones throw away from the towering red neon Domino Sugars sign which has illuminated Charm Citys skyline for nearly a century. Partygoers including electeds from around Maryland said they expected the race to be close a squeaker and they initially looked to be right. Trones staggering cash advantage had come up against a sizable chunk of the Maryland Democratic machine. More than an hour after voting had ended, however, it was clear that his ability to blankent the airwaves (and YouTube) had not been the race-defining advantage his supporters hoped it would be. Angela Alsobrooks meets with voters on primary day in Burtonsville, Maryland ( Getty Images ) Money was one factor that played heavily into this primary. Race was another. As attendees slowly trickled into Trones event, a clear theme emerged: the candidates strength with both Latino and Asian-American Democratic electeds was evident. A southern state which is made up partly of the suburbs of Washington DC, the nations federal workforce has counted many Marylanders (and in particular many Black residents of Prince Georges and Montgomery counties) as members for decades. Alsobrooks, who could be the first Black woman to represent the state in the Senate, consolidated support from the Black political class of the state, concentrated in Baltimore, at what some of her detractors said was the expense of other key parts of the so-called Obama coalition. She won support from progressives including Jamie Raskin, known for his work on the January 6 committee, too. I knew that I was not going to support Alsobrooks from the very start, Briana Urbina, a city council member from New Carrollton, told The Independent. (New Carrollton is located within Alsobrookss jurisdiction of Prince Georges County). Based on her lack of inclusion of Latinos in her cabinet and her lack of response to many Latinos trying to engage her. Trone, she noted, vigorously pursued the support of Latinos in the state and had engaged her more than a year out from the primary, repeatedly, wearing down her resistance and skepticism. Urbina also pointed to one other point in the congressmans favour: even a year ago, when Larry Hogan had been adamant about not seeking a Senate seat, Trone had been clear-eyed about the likelihood of the ex-governor jumping into the race. State Delegate Deni Taveras echoed those same concerns about Alsobrooks locking up Black allies like Wes Moore and Brandon Scott while leaders from other communities felt as if they fell by the wayside. She also said that Trone had moved on from his hiccup of uttering a racial slur unintentionally during a House hearing with all available grace. Taveras likened the strategy pursued by Alsobrooks to focus on Black voters to divide-and-conquer tactics. Attendees of David Trones election night watch event are reflected in the glass protecting an exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Industry ( John Bowden ) But Trones alliances with Latino Democrats across the state (such as Joseline Pena-Melnyk, another guest on Tuesday) and his limitless cashflow could not hold up to attacks from Alsobrooks, who in the final days of the race hammered the congressman as a risky choice in November given a few recent missteps, including that racial slur incident and a video of a blowup at a local TV reporter which spread quickly in Maryland political circles. Both Taveras and Urbina were quick to say that the Maryland Democratic coalition would be reformed in time for November both pointed to keeping the Senate seat currently held by retiring Ben Cardin as the top priority of the election season. Others were seemingly less convinced: one female Trone supporter at the watch party was overheard remarking to her friend that 2024 may end up being the first year she voted Republican. A short (depending on traffic) trip down I-97, Larry Hogan was rallying supporters in Annapolis, where his campaign was always going to find its strongest base: Marylands yacht club Republicans. The Republican nominee was crowned shortly after votes started coming in, the field having been essentially cleared for the former governor who did not even face a Trump-backed primary opponent. Tonight, the campaign for Maryland, and Marylands future, begins, a triumphant Hogan declared to fans at his event. Hogan will need all the help he can get from those Republicans in Annapolis, as well as down the road in Washington. While early polling of the race upon his entrance earlier this spring pointed to the possibility that his name recognition would put him at an advantage over both Alsobrooks and Trone, a poll released in the final days of the race by Emerson indicated that either Democrat could pull out a victory. Democrats who spoke to The Independent as well as countless other news outlets pointed to a difference between sending Hogan, who was a popular Republican governor, to the Senate over the governors mansion given the delicate 51-49 balance in the upper chamber. The race now pivots to November, where Hogan continues to present one of if not the GOPs best chance at picking up a seat in the upper chamber this cycle. Democrats, conversely, will need to spend resources to protect a seat which they would otherwise not need to expend. Hogan is a rarity in his party: an anti-Trump Republican who supported both impeachment inquiries into the former president, who will be on the same ballot as the ex-governor for the first time this fall. Hogans performance this November is a test to prove that there is room for such Republicans within the modern-day GOP as much as anything else. Trone spoke for a few minutes after 1030pm on Tuesday, after calling to concede the race. He thanked supporters and called on Democrats to help the party defeat Hogan in November. The congressman was then promptly rushed out of the event, with aides refusing to allow any questions. Those potential questions for Trone were obvious: will his supposedly bottomless coffers dry up as his party works to keep the Cardin seat blue? And what lessons, if any, does he take from spending the most money in Marylands senatorial primary history, only to come away the loser? As he strolled out into the dark parking lot, the answers remained unclear. 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 }} On Wednesday, President Joe Biden threw down the gauntlet against former president Donald Trump and challenged him to two debates in June and September, rejecting the traditional calendar. Its a bold move meant to signal that hes unafraid to be combative. But back in Washington, the president has angered both Democrats and Republicans when it comes to his policy on Israel amid its war against Hamas in Gaza. Biden last week said that the United States would not support Israel if it went into Rafah and paused the shipment of 1,800 bombs weighing around 2,000lbs (907kg) and 1,700 bombs weighing 500lbs (227kg). But on Tuesday, the administration informed Congress that it planned to send more than $1bn in new weapons to Israel. While the Biden administration thinks it is trying to walk a tightrope, its splitting the difference has wound up infuriating everyone. Republicans, furious that Biden withheld even some aid to Israel, have proposed legislation that states no federal funds may be used to withhold, halt, reverse, or cancel the delivery of defense articles or defense services to Israel. The bill would also require that some money meant for maintaining the office of the Secretary of State and Defense may not be spent until each office certifies to Congress that any withheld defense articles or services are delivered to Israel. This is obviously a messaging bill that has little chance of passing the Senate. But it is meant to turn up the heat on pro-Israel Democrats while also highlighting Bidens policy, which they hope to portray as anti-Israel. At the same time, Biden is not winning over many people in his own party. On Friday, the State Department dropped its report saying that it found reasonable evidence Israel has violated international humanitarian law in its use of US weapons in Gaza. But the report did not link the violations to Israels use of US weaponry, which allows the Biden administration to continue future sales to Israel. The fact that the Biden administration dropped the report known as an national security memorandum or an NSM-20 on a Friday afternoon, when the House and Senate were out and they expected most reporters not to pick it up, shows that they knew it would cause anger and costernation amongst its critics. The response by Democrats was swift. Last week, Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, a critic of Israels military action in Gaza, told The Independent: 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. But on Wednesday, Van Hollen told The Independent that while the NSM-20 is a useful tool, he was less than impressed by the results. I think that the administration avoided making some tougher decisions, he said. On the other hand, they did recognize that it's reasonable to conclude that there have been violations of international humanitarian law. Similarly, Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, a moderate Democrat who nonetheless has criticised Israels conduct in Gaza, expressed disappointment in the NSM-20s contents. I was disappointed in the portion dealing with the humanitarian aid, Kaine, who cited the killing of a United Nations aid worker, said. And I feel like the NSM gave Israel a higher grade than was warranted. Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee who hails from a state with many weapons manufacturers and defense contractors, has criticised presidents of both parties for bypassing Congress when it comes to military action. Nonetheless, as a former vice presidential candidate, hes a steadfast supporter of the president. So his decision to speak out shows dissatisfaction from multiple wings of the Democratic Party. Throughout the war, Biden has steadfastly supported Israel, pushing for Congress to successfully pass a massive supplemental package that provided $26.38bn in aid to Israel and passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. This comes despite the fact that many believe the Biden administrations actions played a role in Gazas devastating famine. Members of the Squad, the progressive coterie in the House, criticised the sale of weapons to Israel. I think we need to be consistent with the NSM-20s findings here and I think it's up to us to ensure that that happens, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York told The Independent. We should be doing everything right now to save lives, Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts said. That's why I continue to advocate for a permanent ceasefire to save lives and to deliver humanitarian aid and to return the hostages home. He should reverse course. Tellingly, when asked about Bidens decision, Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York who faces a pro-Israel Democratic primary challenger said his office would get back to The Independent. The Biden administration would have likely always received criticism from Democrats for its steadfast support for Israel, even if had elected to withhold aid even earlier. But they likely did not expect the Republican blowback. Somehow, the president has managed to anger everyone. 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 }} Embattled New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez will blame his wife for accepting gold bars, cash payments and hiding them from him, his defense lawyer suggested during opening statements at his bribery trial on Wednesday. Mr Menendez, wife Nadine Menendez, and three New Jersey men Wael Hana, Fred Daibes and Jose Uribe were indicted in September 2023 over a scheme that allegedly saw the couple accept gold bars, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and payments for a Mercedes convertible in exchange for his political influence. The lawmakers actions ultimately benefitted the Egyptian and Qatari governments, according to prosecutors. The Democrat, 70, faces 16 federal charges, including bribery, acting as a foreign agent, obstruction of justice and extortion. He has pleaded not guilty and denies all wrongdoing. Menendez is on trial with Fred Daibes, a real estate developer, and businessman Wael Hana. They too have pleaded not guilty. Mr Uribe previously took a plea deal, while Ms Menendez will be tried separately later this year as she is recovering from a serious medical condition, according to court filings. US Senator Bob Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, arrives at Manhattan Federal Court, in New York City on May 15, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) In a courtroom in downtown Manhattan on Wednesday, defense lawyer Avi Weitzman told the jury that the senator knew nothing of the gold bars and cash, which had been recovered from his New Jersey home by FBI agents in June 2022. Mr Weitzman argued that it was Nadine Menendez who accepted the lavish bribes, hid them from her husband and then served as a messenger between the senator, his co-defendants and Egyptian officials. He told jurors that Ms Menendez lives a relatively separate life from her husband and kept the gold bars locked in her closet. He implored jurors to ask themselves Wheres Bob? while listening to evidence, and underlined his point by showing the jury an image of the comic book character fromWheres Waldo. Senator Bob Menendez seen in court sketch sitting with his defense team during jury selection on Tuesday May 14 2024 at Manhattan federal court in New York ( AP ) Mr Menendez sat quietly during Mr Weitzmans remarks next to his other attorneys, co-defendants, and their lawyers. More than half of the courtroom was filled with legal clerks, paralegals and attorneys. Mr Weitzmans remarks followed federal prosecutor Lara Pomerantz who told jurors that Mr Menendez was motivated by greed and put his power up for sale. She alleged that Mr Menendez had accepted bribes from Mr Daibes, Mr Hana and Uribe to help them secure deals with Qatari and Egyptian officials as well as intervene in criminal state and federal investigations. The day concluded just before 5pm with the jury set to hear from Mr Daibes and Mr Hanas lawyers on Thursday. Nadine Menendez, left, appears with her husband Senator Bob Menendez in 2022 ( AP ) The start of the trial comes after two days of slow jury selection. Multiple jurors asked to be excused citing nonrefundable travel plans and concerns over the high-profile nature of the case. The judge has indicated that the trial could last six to seven weeks. 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 }} A man convicted of entering the Capitol during the January 6 riot lost a Republican primary for the House of Representatives in West Virginia on Tuesday. Derrick Evans was running against WV-1 incumbent Rep Carol Miller for a seat in the very same chamber he once joined a mob of enraged Trump supporters attempting to storm. He lost by more than 20,000 once all votes were counted. Evans is no stranger to elected office. He previously served as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates for a single year, before he would go on to be arrested two days after the bloody attack on the Capitol. Derrick Evans in the West Virginia House of Delegates ( West Virginia legislature ) During the attack, rioters (including Evans) were seeking to halt the Senates process of counting votes in the Electoral College and certifying the result of the 2020 election. They failed, though the votes were delayed for several hours as lawmakers sheltered in fear for their lives around the Capitol complex. Rioters chanted violent slogans, including hang Mike Pence!, as they raged against the Republicans and Democrats, including the vice president, they blamed for betraying them thanks to Donald Trumps lies and conspiracies about massive voter fraud affecting the outcome of the election. Evans livestreamed his role in the attack, where he was seen shouting at police officers who were desperately trying to hold rioters back. Were in; theres too many for them to do anything about it, he said at one point, according to court documents. At another point, to remove all doubt from prosecutors minds, he screamed: Derrick Evans is in the Capitol! He would go on to be sentenced to three months of prison in June of 2022, after agreeing to plead guilty to one felony count of obstructing or impeding officers during a period of civil disorder. His attorney told a judge that the prosecution of Evans had been a humbling experience for the defendant. Trump calls January 6 defendants 'hostages' But the Republican would-be congressman went on to lean on that reputation of a January 6er as he campaigned for Congress, and clearly that brand was appealing to at least a portion of the electorate. Noel Fritsch, his campaign manager, told Mother Jones: 80 percent of the voting electorate thinks that whatever happened on January 6 was warranted, and 70 percent think the Feds did it. Aiding his effort to rewrite history, of course, is Donald Trump himself. The former president is campaigning for the White House under four seperate criminal prosecutions, including two related to his effort to overturn the election based on lies and conspiracies. As he has criscrossed the country, he has openly expressed his support for Americans convicted of crimes related to January 6 and referred to them even those convicted of assaulting police as hostages. Evans failure to crack even 40 percent in a district considered to be a GOP bastion is a sign, however, that even so-called Trump territory has its limits when it comes to selecting members of Congress. 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 }} Donald Trumps private plane swiped another aircraft at a Florida airport on Sunday, according to a report. On Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported a private Boeing 757 clipped another unoccupied corporate aircraft while taxiing at West Palm Beach International Airport. Now, Reuters reports that Boeing 757 is the former presidents Trump Force One. The FAA said the incident, which is being investigated, happened in an area where the organisation does not direct aircraft. The Independent has contacted Mr Trumps 2024 campaign for comment. Donald Trumps Boeing 757, pictured at Palm Beach International Airport, clipped another unoccupied corporate plane while taxiing on Sunday ( Getty Images ) The incident happened just hours after Mr Trump wrapped up a campaign rally in New Jersey on Saturday. There, he inexplicably praised the great Hannibal Lecter and took a jab at a beloved icon from the state: Bruce Springsteen. The move didnt end well for him, after fans of Mr Springsteen took to social media to mock the former president, poking holes in his campaigns claim that 80,000 people attended his rally. The former president purchased his $100m private plane in 2010. Earlier this year, Mr Trump made his love for the aircraft model clear on social media. Boeing should bring back the 757, the most beautiful, best-handling plane (from the pilots standpoint!) that Boeing ever made, the former president said on Truth Social in January. Stop with the crazy extensions of the 737, the worst-looking plane in the air, he continued. His comments came just days after a door plug fell off a Boeing plane mid-flight. While there were no major injuries, passengers were left terrified and three of those on board even sued the airline. Boeing has since been in the national spotlight as whistleblowers come forward to raise concerns about the manufacturers safety standards. Earlier this year, Sam Salehpour, a current quality engineer for the manufacturer, testified to Congress about his concerns. He said Boeing has a culture of retaliation when employees speak up about their concerns. When asked if the planes are safe, Mr Salehpour testified: Its like an earthquake. When that hits the building ... [it has] to be prepared to accommodate that type of shake-up... Right now, from what Ive seen, the airplanes are not being billed per spec, and per requirements. 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 }} Warning: This livestream has not been independently fact-checked and may contain misinformation. Watch from outside court in New York as Donald Trumps hush money trial continued on Tuesday 14 May. Mr Trumps former fixer Michael Cohen resumed testifying a day after telling jurors that the former president personally authorised him to make a hush money payment to a porn star weeks before the 2016 election. Mr Cohen, once so loyal to Mr Trump that he claimed he would take a bullet for his boss, is the prosecutions most important witness. In hours of testimony on Monday, he said Mr Trump ordered him to pay the adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Just do it, Mr Cohen remembered Mr Trump saying - to ensure her silence about an alleged 2006 sexual encounter. Mr Cohens $130,000 payment in October 2016 is at the heart of Mr Trumps trial, the first for a former US president, which began in New York state criminal court in Manhattan a month ago. Prosecutors say Mr Trump paid Mr Cohen back after the election and hid the reimbursements by creating false records indicating they were for legal fees. Those reimbursements provide the basis for the 34 counts of falsifying business records that he faces. Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty and denies any sexual encounter with Ms Daniels. 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 has told Congress that it wants to send more than $1bn in new weapons to Israel despite its opposition to the invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza by the Israeli military. The US announced this month that it had paused a bomb shipment to Israel, concerned that civilians may be killed if they were put to use in densely populated areas. The new package of weapons, which would include $700m in tank ammunition, $500m of tactical vehicles, and $60m of mortar rounds has been sent for approval to Congress. It remains unclear when the arms will be sent. Two congressional aides have said that the shipment is not part of the foreign aid package signed by Mr Biden last month. The Biden administration has faced criticism from the left and the right for its handling of Israels war in Gaza, which is now in its seventh month. Several members of Mr Bidens own party have argued that he should restrict the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel to push the country to take stronger measures to limit the harm to Palestinian civilians. The war has prompted widespread pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses across the US. Benjamin Netanyahu and Joe Biden ( Getty ) Republicans have used the pause in the bomb transfer to slam the Biden administration, arguing that a lack of American support will weaken Israel in its fight against Hamas and other terrorist groups. House Republicans will vote on a bill this week that would mandate delivering offensive weapons to Israel. The White House said on Tuesday that Mr Biden would veto the bill if it reaches his desk, though its unlikely to pass the Democratic Senate. House Democrats have been divided on the matter, with about two dozen signing onto a letter stating their concerns about the message sent by the pause in the bomb shipments. New York Representative Ritchie Torres said he would probably back the bill in the House. I have a general rule of supporting pro-Israel legislation unless it includes a poison pill like cuts to domestic policy, he said. We strongly, strongly oppose attempts to constrain the Presidents ability to deploy US security assistance consistent with US foreign policy and national security objectives, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said this week. She added that the administration plans to spend all funds appropriated by Congress in the national security package signed by Mr Biden last month. The Biden administration has said that it will continue other arms shipments as well as general military support for Israel the largest recipient of US military support. The plans to send more than $1bn of weapons to Israel were initially reported by The Wall Street Journal. On Monday, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told the press that Mr Biden will make sure that Israel has all of the military means it needs to defend itself against all of its enemies, including Hamas. For [Biden], this is very straightforward hes going to continue to provide Israel with all of [the] capabilities it needs, but he does not want certain categories of American weapons used in a particular type of operation in a particular place. And again, he has been clear and consistent with that, he added. The Associated Press contributed to this report 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 }} Donald Trumps wife Melania Trump has often been portrayed as publicly hands-off, both in the political world and when it comes to her husbands biggest scandals. But this might not be the case after all. Media reports have long presented Melania, a former fashion model, as a reluctant participant in her husbands administration and campaign. When some of his biggest scandals came to light, she would typically be in the background, rarely taking time to comment, if she did at all. Now, its being revealed that her role in shaping his public responses to scandals was bigger than it may have been let on. That includes the Access Hollywood tape scandal that nearly ended Mr Trumps political career. While recorded in 2005, the bawdy talk with that showsanchor Billy Bush about grabbing women by the genitals wasnt revealed until 2016, just weeks before the election. His team tried to downplay it as locker room talk. Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen told a New York City courtroom this week about the immediate response to the Access Hollywood tape. We needed to put a spin on this... that this is locker room talk, something that Melania had recommendedthats what Melania had thought it wasand use that in order to get control over the story and to minimize its impact on him and his campaign. Former US first lady Melania Trump during a rare public speaking engagement at the National Archives in Washington DC on 15 December 2023 ( AFP/Getty ) Cohens insight into Melanias role in handling the scandal was detailed as he took the witness stand in Mr Trumps trial over alleged hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The former president faces 34 felony counts and prison if convicted. Cohen is one of the star witnesses for the prosecution as he details the payments and the efforts to try to prevent the affair between Ms Daniels and Mr Trump from becoming public. Ms Trumps absence from the trial, of all people, is understandable given that Ms Daniels claims to have had an extramarital sexual encounter with Mr Trump in a Lake Tahoe hotel room in July 2006. The actor claims the affair took place four months after Melania gave birth to son Barron Trump. The Republican presidential candidate, it should be noted, denies that the episode ever took place, has pleaded not guilty to all 34 of the felony charges brought against him by Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg and insists the trial is a scam orchestrated by his political opponents to keep him from the campaign trail. Then-US president Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive to the White House after a trip to Baltimore, Maryland, on 25 May 2020 ( Getty ) While Ms Trump has kept her distance throughout the first month of legal proceedings in the Big Apple and has not spoken publicly about it, The New York Times quoted a source close to her describing the case as a disgrace and branding it tantamount to election interference, seemingly finding her in lockstep with her husband on that point. However, the Slovenian-born socialite has found her name cropping up a number of times in courtroom testimony. Ms Daniels mentioned Ms Trump last week, when the porn star claimed Mr Trump had told her that he and his wife did not sleep in the same bed. She was then mentioned twice more in testimony by Cohen, whose remarks, if accurate, suggest she has been more central to Mr Trumps political whirl than has previously been understood. That locker room talk line an attempt to downplay the seriousness of Mr Trumps grab them by the p**** comment presented conservatives with a convenient, palatable rationale for excusing the scandal and casting their vote for the GOP candidate, regardless of the extent of their distaste for his statement. It may even have prevented disaffected Republicans from deserting the campaign in droves right before the election. Donald and Melania Trump attend the Michael Kors show during Olympus Fashion Week at Bryant Park in New York on 9 February 2005 ( Getty ) It has not previously been suggested the framing came from Ms Trump but that changed when Cohen portrayed her as a key figure in how to handle the response. The spin certainly proved successful enough in stabilising her husbands campaign at a pivotal moment and ensured he could go on to defeat Hillary Clinton at the ballot box. Elsewhere during Cohens testimony, he said Mr Trumps concern about the Ms Daniels story was always about his political campaign, not his wifes feelings, and mentioned her again when he described struggling to locate Mr Trump during a moment of crisis over the alleged payments in 2016. Cohen eventually received a text message from Melania that read: Good morning Michael, can u pls call DT on his cell. Thanks. Donald Trump walks off the stage followed by Melania after the final presidential debate of 2016 at the University of Las Vegas in Nevada on 19 October 2016 ( AFP/Getty ) Again, if Cohen is to be believed, Ms Trump was there playing a calm, facilitating role in a moment when her husbands campaign and political future looked on the brink of disaster. After Mr Trump went on to win the White House and served as commander-in-chief, Melania Trump would often be characterised as a reluctant first lady, initially staying behind at Trump Tower in New York rather than joining her husband in Washington DC, to enable their son Barron to complete his school year. She was later mocked for her scary taste in Christmas decorations and derided for her insensitive choice of jacket when she visited a migrant detention centre on the Texas border. Commentators also liked to zero in on clips of her seemingly batting the presidents hand away from her own as they exited Air Force One to speculate that she did not welcome his attention and that theirs was an unhappy marriage and elected life. But Cohens testimony hints at the possibility that the Trumps may have been much closer than anyone realised when it came to defending his scandals. 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 }} Boorish cartoon misogynist. Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain. Dictator d*******g. Michael Cohen used to be one of Donald Trumps closest legal advisers and a senior counsel within his Trump Organization empire. But on Tuesday, the former presidents more recently acquired attorneys quoted from Cohens insults aimed at his former boss while he sat on the witness stand in Mr Trumps criminal hush money trial. Mr Trumps ex-attorney and one-time fixer was confronted with a string of barbs he fired at his former boss over the years, as the former presidents legal team tried to depict him as motivated by vengeance and greed to undermine his damning testimony that directly connected Mr Trump to a fraudulent scheme that silenced stories of his affairs before the 2016 election. Cohen readily admitted that he was knee-deep in the cult of Mr Trump in the years before federal law enforcement raided his home, office, phones and computers, resulting in a plea deal that landed him in prison for crimes connected to the Manhattan case before Mr Trump. Defence attorney Todd Blanche reminded Cohen of his past praise for the former president how he admired him tremendously, called The Art of the Deal a masterpiece, and would take a bullet for him. At the time, you werent lying, right? Mr Blanche asked him. At that time, I was knee-deep into the cult of Donald Trump, yes, Cohen said. I was not lying, he added. Its how I felt. A courtroom sketch depicts Michael Cohen testifying in front of Donald Trump durinh his hush money trial on 14 May. ( REUTERS ) Hours earlier, jurors heard Cohen express life-shattering regret for his actions at the center of the case, and for his blind loyalty that violated his moral compass and made his family suffer. That loyalty collapsed in 2018 after Cohen was caught up in a federal investigation into tax and campaign finance violations tied to a catch and kill scheme that unlawfully suppressed politically damaging stories about Mr Trump in an effort to boost his chances of winning the 2016 election. In a line of questioning that often jumped from different points of time, before and after Cohens fallout with Mr Trump, Mr Blanche suggested that Cohens cooperation in the New York case was motivated by self-preservation in the hopes of getting out of a federal prison sentence and self-interest. Is it fair to say you are motivated by fame? Mr Blanche asked. No, sir. I dont think thats fair to say, Cohen replied. Is it fair to say youre motivated by publicity? Mr Blanche asked in response. I dont know if thats fair to say, Cohen said, drawing a blank expression. Im motivated by many things. Quoting from Cohens book Disloyal, Mr Blanche read that Cohen wanted it all: power, the good life, public acclaim, fame, big deals, fast cars, private planes, the excess and glamor and zest for life. Those are my words, yes, Cohen said. Michael Cohen leaves heads to criminal court in Manhattan on 14 May. ( AFP via Getty Images ) But Cohen wasnt shy about his feelings for the former president. He acknowledged that he wanted to see Mr Trump behind bars (sure), and agreed that he once said he truly f****** hope this man ends up in prison. In a series of muted replies, he agreed that his comments sound like something I would say. Mr Blanche opened his cross-examination with a visceral series of questions about Cohens comments about himself and didnt appear shy about his contempt for Mr Trumps former lawyer. On April 23, after the trial started in this case, you went on TikTok and called me a crying little s***, didnt you? Mr Blanche fired at Cohen. Sounds like something I would say, he replied. Before Mr Blanche could continue, Justice Juan Merchan called him to the bench, out of earshot of the courtroom and the jury. According to a court transcript, the judge asked him, Why are you making this about yourself? Before sending counsel back to their tables, he reminded him: Just dont make this about yourself. Cohen will return to the stand on Thursday to face more questions from Mr Trumps attorneys. Manhattan prosecutors do not anticipate calling any more witnesses. 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 }} Senator Mitt Romney said Joe Biden should have pardoned Donald Trump after the Justice Department brought election-interference charges and pressured New York prosecutors to drop the case over alleged hush-money payments. He should have fought like crazy to keep this prosecution from going forward, Mr Romney said, referring to Mr Biden, during an interview on MSNBCsThe 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle. It was a win-win for Donald Trump. Mr Romney said pardoning Mr Trump would have put Mr Biden in a position of power over the former president. I mean, you may disagree with this, but had I been President Biden, when the Justice Department brought on indictments, I would have immediately pardoned [Mr Trump], Mr Romney said. Why? Well, because it makes me, President Biden, the big guy and the person I pardoned a little guy. Mr Romney also criticised the parade of Republican leaders trying use Mr Trump's trial to get their faces out in front of the public and press, calling the display "a little embarrassing." Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told reporters that seeing his colleagues swarm Donald Trumps hush money trial was demeaning and embarassing ( AP ) "I think its a little demeaning to show up in front of a courthouse particularly one where were talking about an allegation of paying a porn star," Mr Romney told reporters before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting on Wednesday. The proceedings have drawn crowds of onlookers and an army of press, which has made it fertile ground for Republican leaders hoping to visibly show their fealty to the 2024 GOP presidential candidate. Among those edging their way into the fringes of the spotlight cast on Mr Trump were Senators Rick Scott, Tommy Tuberville, and JD Vance, Representative Byron Donalds, House Speaker Mike Johnson, South Dakota's Governor Doug Burgum and failed GOP primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Mr Romney found the opportunistic displays disheartening. "Really very difficult to watch," Mr Romney said. "There is a level of dignity and decorum that you expect from people who are running for the highest station in the land, and going out and prostrating themselves in front of the public to try and apparently curry favor with the person who is our nominee, its a little embarrassing." Those visiting the trial often espouse the same talking points that Mr Trump has used; the trial is a travesty, a sham, a political hit job concocted by Democrats afraid of Mr Trump's chances in this year's election. Some, like Mr Vance, are prospective vice presidential picks. Mr Johnson said Tuesday the trial was intended to keep Mr Trump from campaigning for re-election. "This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial," he said. US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) listens as former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives with attorney Todd Blanche (R) to court during his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments ( Getty Images ) There is no evidence that the trial was spearheaded by Democrats. That lack of evidence didn't stop Mr Vance from proclaiming that everyone involved was "practically" a Democratic operative. Mr Scott, who is up for re-election this year, accompanied Mr Trump to court last week, and insisted his visit was purely to show support for his "friend". Im here because I have known Donald Trump a long time, he said. I knew him before I was governor. I consider him a friend. And what he is going through is just despicable. Mr Scott has also been attacking Judge Juan Merchan's daughter, calling attention to someone who has no say in the trial and is a private individual. The judges daughter is a political operative and raises money for Democrats, Mr Scott said in New York. When asked on Fox News Sunday why he was attacking someone who was not involved in the trial or in politics in general, he insisted, like Mr Vance and other Republicans, that Democrats were pulling the strings at the trial. The Democrats are using the court system to go after and prosecute, criminally, a political opponent, Mr Scott said. Theyre just thugs trying to stop Trump from being able to run for president. Former President Donald Trump returns to the courtroom after a lunch break during his trial at Manhattan criminal court before his trial in New York ( AP ) Mr Romney told MSNBC he did not approve of his colleagues attacking the US justice system in order to defend Mr Trump. I think its a terrible fault, for our country to see people attacking our legal system thats an enormous mistake, he said. I think its also demeaning for people to quite, apparently, try and run for vice president by donning the red tie and standing outside the courthouse and its just I felt awkward. Mr Romney wasn't the only Republican leader to find the Trump teat suckling a bit pathetic. Senator Lisa Murkowski also called out her colleagues for parading around the court for the cameras. Do we have something to do around here other than watch a stupid porn trial? I mean, this is ridiculous, she said on Tuesday, according to HuffPost. Despite the criticism, at least Mr Trump seems to enjoy his underlings' wailing and gnashing of teeth. I do have a lot of surrogates, and they are speaking very beautifully, Mr Trump told reporters outside the courthouse. We have a lot of great people here to talk to you. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former US president Jimmy Carter is nearing the apparent end of his life, his grandson said at a policy forum on Tuesday. (My grandfather) is doing OK, Jason Carter told the audience at the Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy. He has been in hospice, as you know, for almost a year and a half now, and he really is, I think, coming to the end that, as Ive said before, theres a part of this faith journey that is so important to him, and theres a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end and I think he has been there in that space. Mr Carter added that the 99-year-old former president still shows signs of his easygoing personality, describing a recent visit to his Plains, Georgia, home to watch an Atlanta Braves MLB game. I said, Pa Pa people ask me how youre doing and I say I dont know, And he said, Well, I dont know myself. And so, hes still there, Jason Carter recounted. President Carter has been in hospice care since last year. His wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, died in November. During his remarks at the symposium, Jason Carter spoke about how the family has been processing her death. Former President Jimmy Carter departs after attending the funeral service for his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, at Maranatha Baptist Church, in Plains, Georgia on 29 November 2023 ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) My grandmothers passing was a difficult moment for all of us, including my grandfather, he said, adding, The outpouring of love and support that we, as a family, received from people in this room and from the rest of the world was so remarkable and meaningful to us. And it really turned that whole process into a celebration. At almost 100 Jimmy Carter is the oldest living former US president. In November, Mr Carter appeared for the first time in public since entering hospice care, when he attended Rosalynn Carters funeral. The former first lady was known for her mental health advocacy, and Jason Carter spoke about how mental health considerations were playing into the end of Jimmy Carters life during the symposium on Tuesday. The caregiving associated with mental health and mental illness is so crucial and so fundamental to the work that we all do in this room and to her legacy that it is remarkable and important, and weve all experienced it very first hand over the last year so we give thanks for that as well, he said at the event, according to Georgia Recorder. 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 }} Federal prosecutors have asked the judge overseeing Steve Bannons prison term to reverse a stay on his sentence now that an appeals court has upheld his contempt of Congress conviction. Prosecutors requested that Judge Carl Nichols overturn the stay on Mr Bannons four-month sentence following the appeals courts decision, stating that there is no legal basis to continue the stay, in a motion filed in US District Court for the District of Columbia on Tuesday. Mr Bannon was convicted of two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House January 6 committee to testify and provide documents in the case. The political strategist, who previously served as an adviser to former president Donald Trump, was sentenced to four months in prison and hit with a $6,500 fine in October 2022. Prosecutors filed a motion asking a judge to reverse a stay on Steve Bannons prison sentence ( AP ) Mr Bannon appealed the sentence, prompting the judge to issue a stay on his prison term. On Friday, Judge Bradley Garcia issued a formal denial of that request. In a ruling from the appeals court, Judge Garcia wrote: As both this court and the Supreme Court have repeatedly explained, a contrary rule would contravene the text of the contempt statute and hamstring Congresss investigatory authority. He added: Because we have no basis to depart from that binding precedent, and because none of Bannons other challenges to his convictions have merit, we affirm. Since Mr Bannons appeal was not successful, prosecutors said: Consequently, there is no longer a substantial question of law that is likely to result in a reversal or an order for a new trial. Under these circumstances, the Court shall order defendant be detained so the stay of sentence must be lifted. Judge Nichols has not issued a ruling on the matter but ordered Mr Bannon to respond to the motion by Thursday. The Independent emailed the office of David I Schoen, Mr Bannons attorney, for comment. The attorney has asked to file his response on 20 May, in a move that was opposed by Department of Justice prosecutors, according to court documents. If granted, Mr Bannon will have more time on the outside before his prison term begins. 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 }} Rudy Giuliani has been indicted for his alleged part in a 2020 election interference plot in Arizona but prosecutors say hes nowhere to be found. Last month, the former New York City mayor and Donald Trump lawyer was one of 18 Trump allies and fake electors to be indicted in a sprawling case to plant fake electors to cast electoral college votes for the former president instead of President Joe Biden. Since then, state prosecutors have spent weeks trying to serve Mr Giuliani with a summons, Richie Taylor at the Arizona attorney generals office told CNN. But he has proved elusive and is now the only one of the 18 who has yet to be served with a summons, One day after a grand jury handed down the indictment, two agents with the office of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, went to New York to hand the notice to Mr Giuliani, thinking he was probably at his apartment from which he had recently been live-streaming, CNN reported. They cross-referenced the live-stream with an old real estate listing of his apartment. But they were not given access to the building, with front desk staff saying they could not accept the documents. The staff member didnt deny that Mr Giuliani lives in the building. The formal notice states that Mr Giuliani has been charged in the case and has a court appearance set for 21 May. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani departs the US District Courthouse after he was ordered to pay $148m in his defamation case in Washington on December 15 2023 ( REUTERS ) Mr Trump is not among those charged in the case, though the details of the indictment suggest that hes Unindicted Co-conspirator 1. The indictment states: In Arizona, and the United States, the people elected Joseph Biden as President on November 3, 2020. Unwilling to accept this fact, Defendants and unindicted coconspirators schemed to prevent the lawful transfer of the presidency to keep Unindicted Coconspirator 1 in office against the will of Arizonas voters. Others charged in the case include former Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, adviser Boris Epshteyn, the main election security lawyer for the Republican National Committee (RNC) Christina Bobb, and former campaign staffer Mike Roman. When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Mr Giuliani told The Independent: We are LIVE every night, where we regularly announce our specific location, in reference to the ex-mayors live broadcasts on YouTube. 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 Senator Tammy Duckworth is trying to get a surgeon she said saved her life out of Gaza as aid workers remain trapped in the embattled enclave. The Illinois Democrat told NBC News that Dr Adam Hamawy gave her critical care while she was wounded during the conflict in Iraq. The former National Guard member lost both legs and partial use of her right arm after a rocket-propelled grenade hit her helicopter in 2004. Now she says that the doctor and other aid workers with the Palestinian American Medical Association are stuck in Gaza now that Israel has closed the regions Rafah crossing. Senator Tammy Duckworth is working to get a doctor she says saved her life out of Gaza after Israel closes the Rafah border crossing ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Speaking to The Independent, Ms Duckworth said that shes spoken with the Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog and the Department of State on the matter. Were trying to get this particular groups names on the priority list so that they can get through the crossing and try to arrange a safe passage for them, she said at the US Capitol. Dr Hamawy traveled to Gaza earlier this month with a team of 19 healthcare professionals from the medical association to provide emergency care at the European Hospital in Gazas Khan Younis region. The mission was conducted under the umbrella of the World Health Organization, the medical association wrote in a news release. Ten out of the 19 members are US citizens, while other members are from Jordan, Egypt and Australia. The organization is asking President Joe Bidens administration to get them out of Gaza. Sen Tammy Duckworth arrives for a briefing on Ukraine at the US Capitol on 20 September 2023 ( Getty Images ) We at PAMA urge the US government, President Biden, the US State Department and all official bodies to bring our American doctors and nurses back to their families, the statement read. Ms Duckworth said that even as the doctors group is trying to get out of Gaza, another is trying to get in with more medical supplies. This is an ongoing humanitarian crisis that were trying to address, she said. A representative for the Biden Administration told NBC News that they are working to get the group out of Gaza and are monitoring the situation. We continue to work to see if we can get them out, but not going to have more to share at this moment, will let you know if that changes though, the source told the outlet. 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 }} Donald Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen faced another day of fiery cross-examination on Thursday as the former presidents defense attorney Todd Blanche sought to discredit the one-time fixer as a revenge-seeking liar. Mr Blanche launched several attacks against Cohens credibility and history of deception, including past false statements and guilty pleas for financial crimes some related to the hush money payments at the center of Mr Trumps trial. Mr Blanche zig-zagged through Cohens dubious history as an admittedly self-interested figure in Mr Trumps universe to undermine bombshell testimony in the case against his former boss. Here are the key takeaways from the 18th day of proceedings. Defense depicts Cohen as a serial liar Mr Blanche argued that Cohens turn against the former president was only motivated by his self-interest and that he was lying both on the stand and throughout his career. He argued that Cohen lied when he said he stated he hadnt been offered nor would he accept a pardon from Mr Trump, and that he was angry when Mr Trump didnt pick him for a White House role. Cohen said he only wanted a job offer for his ego. Former President Donald Trump waves as he returns to the courtroom after a break in his trial at Manhattan criminal court Thursday, May 16, 2024, in New York ( AP ) Cohen celebrates Trump indictment Mr Blanche played audio from Cohens podcast Mea Culpa where he celebrated the 34-count indictment against the former president last year. I truly f***ing hope this man ends up in prison, Cohen said in an October 2023 episode. Revenge is a dish best served cold. You better believe I want this man to go down and rot for what he did to me and my family, he added. Trumps lawyer shouts at Cohen Mr Blanche was furious with Cohen during cross-examination and accused Cohen of lying about a pivotal phone call that tied Mr Trump to the conspiracy at the center of the case. Cohen previously testified that he spoke to Mr Trumps bodyguard, Keith Schiller, after finalizing a deal to pay Stormy Daniels $130,000 in 2016. But Mr Blanche suggested Cohen was only calling Mr Schiller to complain about some harassing phone calls he was receiving at the time. Mr Blanche yelled at Cohen: That was a lie, wasnt it! Michael Cohen is asked about taking an oath as he is cross-examined by defense lawyer Todd Blanche during former President Donald Trumps criminal trial ( REUTERS ) Crime-fraud exception Cohen testified that he regularly recorded phone calls with journalists over the years and even recorded a few with Mr Trump. Mr Blanche noted it was unethical for an attorney to record client phone calls. Yes, except of course in crime-fraud exception, Cohen replied. Under the crime-fraud exception, a clients statements to lawyers are not protected by attorney-client privilege if they are meant to further or conceal a crime. Lauren Boebert and Matt Gaetz show up at court MAGA Republican Reps Lauren Boebert and Matt Gaetz became the latest lawmakers to show up at the courthouse for their surrogate duties in a bid to circumvent the gag order. On X, Ms Boebert attacked Justice Merchans daughter, claiming she was being paid millions and millions of dollars by Democrat campaigns. Meanwhile, Mr Gaetz echoed Mr Trumps call to far-right extremists the Proud Boys prior to the 2020 election. Standing back and standing by, Mr. President, he posted on X. US Representative Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, listens as former US President Donald Trump speaks to the press before his trial ( via REUTERS ) The week ahead On Monday morning, Mr Blanche will finish his interrogation of Cohen. Manhattan prosecutors will not introduce any further witnesses, defense attorneys are deciding whether to introduce rebuttal witnesses when or if they decide to make a case, and Judge Merchan instructed attorneys to prepare for closing arguments as soon as Tuesday. Mr Trump still has not indicated to his attorneys whether he will testify in his defense. The defense hopes to introduce one expert witness Bradley Smith, a former chair of the FEC but want to expand the scope of what he can talk about. 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 }} Donald Trump could end up in jail or face thousands of dollars in fines if he continues to violate a gag order blocking him from publicly attacking witnesses and the jury in his hush money trial in Manhattan. So instead, Republican members of Congress and GOP officials have responded to his distress signals and traveled to New York, where they can menace them from inside the courtroom or just outside its doors. Jurors and witnesses testifying against the criminal defendant former president now enter a room where a growing number of lawmakers and powerful Trump allies can stare them down and say whatever they want about them, in person and online. But the trials gag order explicitly prohibits Mr Trump from making or directing others to make public statements about witnesses and jurors and other parties in the case, and the former presidents allies are now echoing his grievances and attacks. House Speaker Mike Johnson the nations highest-ranking Republican joined a fleet of Trump allies in Manhattan on Tuesday, a remarkable moment in American politics that pitted the GOP and its presidential candidate against the judicial system altogether. Mr Johnson did not step one foot into the courtroom on Tuesday, but he held a press conference on the other side of the street from the courthouse to attack the man sitting on the witness stand: Michael Cohen, whose crucial testimony connected Mr Trump to the fraudulent scheme at the center of his criminal charges. This is a man who is clearly on a mission for personal revenge, Mr Johnson said. No one should believe a word he says in there. A thing like that, out of Mr Trumps mouth, could land him in jail for contempt. But now, Mr Trump has his surrogates, defendant Trump told reporters in the courthouse hallway on Tuesday. And they are speaking very beautifully. US Rep Byron Donalds, Doug Burgum, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Vivek Ramaswamy and US Rep Cory Mills watch Donald Trump speak in a Manhattan criminal court hallway on 14 May. ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) On Monday, Republican senators JD Vance and Tommy Tuberville joined Mr Trump in court. The next day, Republican US Reps Byron Donalds and Cory Mills and former Republican presidential candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Doug Burgum filled the room, along with Mr Trumps son Eric Trump and wife Lara Trump, now the co-chair of the Republican National Committee. On Monday, Mr Vance made Mr Trumps intentions clear: His allies are there to say what Mr Trump is prevented from saying, which is a disgrace, he told reporters on Monday. Mr Tuberville was even more explicit. He told Newsmax that he went to the trial to overcome the gag order. He even attacked the makeup of the jury in his remarks to reporters in a hallway just steps away from where the randomly selected group of Manhattan residents were assembled to hear the case. I am disappointed at looking at the American citizens supposedly American citizens in that courtroom, he said on Monday. In a press conference outside the courthouse on Tuesday, Mr Ramaswamy derided the fourth-rate prosecutors and a fifth-rate lawyer on the stand. And one after one, Mr Trumps allies attacked the judges daughter as if they all pulled from the same script claims that, if they came from Mr Trumps Truth Social or out of his mouth, would ensure him severe sanctions or jail time. Among the atrocities here, the judges own daughter is making millions of dollars doing online fundraising for Democrats, Mr Johnson said. The judges daughter herself is also fundraising off this for people like Adam Schiff and the Biden administration, Mr Mills said. His daughter is raising money for Democrats, said Mr Donalds. And all of the fundraising emails are about this trial that his daughter is using ... This is a travesty of justice. Mr Ramaswamy demanded an accounting for her millions of dollars as a Democratic operative. US Senator JD Vance watches Donald Trump address reporters outside his hush money trial on 13 May. ( via REUTERS ) Senator Rick Scott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have also joined the former president in court. Like Mr Trump, his allies have baselessly asserted that the trial is a Democratic-led conspiracy to crush Mr Trumps chances of winning the 2024 presidential election, under the direction of President Joe Biden. But their appearances at the courthouse this week coincided with pivotal testimony in the case, making their press conferences and hallway distractions all the more obvious. In more than seven hours of testimony over seven days, Cohen explained how Mr Trump furious and terrified about the prospect of damning stories from women derailing his 2016 campaign directed him to pay hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels to bury her story about having sex with Mr Trump, then submitted fraudulent invoices to cover up reimbursements as mere legal expenses. Dozens of New Yorkers line up before sunrise in the hopes of securing one of a handful of seats inside the 15th-floor courtroom. Government-issued press badges are journalists permission slips to use their laptops and phones in court. Members of the public, however, are forced to stow away their devices. But if youre a Republican elected official or high-profile GOP figure in Mr Trumps entourage, you can fire off social media posts from just feet away from the former president, his attorneys, the judge and jury. You can skip the massive early-morning lines and head straight for the 15th-floor Mr Trumps attorney Alina Habba, who is not representing him in this case, as well as Eric Trump and Mr Ramaswamy routinely pulled out their phones throughout the trial on Tuesday. Mr Vance appeared to be posting on X from inside on Monday moments after Cohen appeared on the stand. The president is expected to sit here for six weeks to listen to the Michael Cohens of the world, he wrote. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The US government has unveiled a $1bn arms package for Ukraine which will include additional 155mm artillery pieces and 36,000 rounds of ammunition to go with them along with more High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and a pair of Harpoon anti-ship missile systems for coastal defence purposes. Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defence J. Todd Breasseale announced the security assistance package in a statement released by the Defence Department on Wednesday. He said the package consists of $350m in arms delivered under President Bidens authority to draw on existing US arms stocks for aid purposes. It also includes $650m in funds from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative to purchase arms from manufacturers and deliver them directly to Ukraine. The United States has now committed approximately $6.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration, including approximately $5.6 billion since the beginning of Russias unprovoked invasion on February 24. Since 2014, the United States has committed more than $8.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, Mr Breasseale said. He added that the US also continues to work with its allies and partners to identify and provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its evolving battlefield requirement. 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 }} Deadly violence has erupted in New Caledonia after Paris approved a constitutional amendment to allow recent arrivals to the territory to vote in provincial elections. The amendment, which some local leaders fear will dilute the vote of the indigenous Kanak, is the latest flashpoint in a decades-long tussle over Frances role in the island. At least three people have died in the protests, which prompted authorities to shut the international airport and schools and impose a curfew in the capital Noumea, where businesses and vehicles were set alight. On Wednesday, a person was fatally shot in the French Pacific territory as violent unrest over a constitutional reform pushed by Paris led to anger on the archipelago, which has long sought independence. Where is New Caledonia? Set in the warm waters of the southwest Pacific, some 1,500 km (930 miles) east of Australia, New Caledonia is home to 270,000 people, including 41% Melanesian Kanaks and 24% of European origin, mostly French. The archipelago was given its name by British explorer Captain James Cook in 1774. It was annexed by France in 1853 and was used as a penal colony until shortly before the turn of the 20th century. Why does it matter? New Caledonia, one of five island territories spanning the Indo-Pacific held by France, is central to Macrons plan to increase French influence in the Pacific. This picture taken on May 14, 2024, shows smoke rising in the distance amid protests linked to a debate on a constitutional bill aimed at enlarging the electorate for upcoming elections of the overseas French territory of New Caledonia. ( AFP via Getty Images ) The worlds No. 3 nickel producer, New Caledonia lies at the heart of a geopolitically complex maritime region, where China and the United States are jostling for power and influence in security and trade. Without naming China, Macron has previously said Frances drive to expand its influence in the Pacific was to ensure a rules-based development. What is the history with France? After Frances colonisation in the 19th century, New Caledonia officially became a French overseas territory in 1946. Starting in the 1970s, in the wake of a nickel boom that drew outsiders, tensions rose on the island, with various conflicts between Paris and Kanak independence movements. People walk next to a burnt-out car while a man (C) holds a flag of the Socialist Kanak National Liberation Front (FLNKS) after a supermarket was looted and shops vandalised in the N'Gea district of Noumea, on May 14, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) A 1998 accord helped end the conflict by outlining a path to gradual autonomy and restricting voting to the indigenous Kanak and migrants living in New Caledonia before 1998. The accord allowed for three referendums to determine the future of the country. In all three, independence was rejected. Tonight, France is more beautiful because New Caledonia has decided to stay part of it, Macron said after the result of the most recent vote in 2021. Nonetheless, the 2021 poll was boycotted by pro-independence parties due to the coronavirus pandemic, and there remains lingering scepticism over the legitimacy of the result. Why have the riots happened now? Under the terms of the Nouma Accord, voting in provincial elections was restricted to people who had resided in New Caledonia prior to 1998, and their children. The measure was aimed at giving greater representation to the Kanaks, who had become a minority population. Paris has come to view the arrangement as undemocratic and lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment to open up the electorate to include people who have lived in New Caledonia for at least 10 years. Macron has said he will delay rubber-stamping it into law, and invite representatives of the territorys population to Paris for talks to reach a negotiated settlement. However, he said a new agreement must be reached by June, or he will sign it into law. 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 }} Emmanuel Macron has convened a meeting of top French ministers to discuss spiralling violence in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, his office said. Three people have been killed in the unrest, an official said, as rioting continued and stores and schools remained shut on Wednesday after Frances National Assembly approved changes to voting rules in the Pacific island. The three dead were young indigenous Kanak, said a spokesman for president Louis Mapou. He said the information was provided by police. The special defence and security council meetings typically bring Mr Macron together with a limited group of officials, including prime minister Gabriel Attal and the ministers for defence, interior, economy and foreign affairs. On Wednesday, a person was fatally shot in the French Pacific territory as violent unrest over a constitutional reform pushed by Paris led to anger on the archipelago, which has long sought independence. On Tuesday, the French Interior Ministry sent police reinforcements to New Caledonia, which long served as a prison colony and now hosts a French military base. France's Minister for Interior and Overseas Gerald Darmanin (R) and France's Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti attend a debate on the constitutional bill aimed at enlarging the electorate of the overseas French territory of New Caledonia ( AFP via Getty Images ) French interior and overseas territories minister Gerald Darmanin said four mobile gendarmerie squadrons are being deployed as reinforcements, including 15 gendarmes from an elite intervention unit. The unrest started as French lawmakers debated voting reforms which would increase the number of people who could cast ballots in New Caledonia. Opponents say expanding voter lists that have not been updated since 1998 would benefit pro-France politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalise the indigenous Kanak people, who once suffered from strict segregation policies and widespread discrimination. People of European descent in New Caledonia distinguish between descendants of colonisers and descendants of the many prisoners sent to the territory by force. The vast archipelago of about 270,000 people east of Australia is 10 time zones ahead of Paris. French gendarmerie armored vehicle Berliet VXB-170 (or VBRG) is seen at the entrance of the Vallee-du-Tir district, in Noumea on May 14, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) The major pro-independence political group, Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS), said in a statement on Wednesday it would accept Macrons offer of dialogue and was willing to work toward an agreement that would allow New Caledonia to follow its path toward emancipation. On Wednesday morning, Lilou Garrido Navarro Kherachi, 19, drove around protestor blockades in Noumea and saw burning cars and buildings, including a ruined veterinary clinic where the neighbors had evacuated the animals before the fire spread. Police were outnumbered by protestors, she told Reuters. The real problem is the youngsters who trash, burn and loot. We didnt see any police deployed on site, she said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails 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 fire at a marina in northwestern Croatia has destroyed 22 boats and caused huge damage but no injuries. An investigation is underway to determine what caused the fire at the marina in Medulin, a small town on the Istrian peninsula that's popular with tourists in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea. Photos showed boats in the marina burning in a raging blaze. Local media said some owners jumped into the sea to escape as firefighters rushed to separate the boats still untouched by the fire. Croatia Marina Fire The fire was brought under control. Authorities said they put up barriers in the sea in stop any environmental damage. Croatia is a top European tourism destination and a favorite spot for sailing. This article will be updated. 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 man accused of sexually assaulting a college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, So I raped you, has been detained in France after a global three-year search. A prosecutor in Metz, France, confirmed that Ian Thomas Cleary, 31, of Saratoga, California, had been taken into custody last month and will be held pending extradition proceedings. Cleary had been the subject of an international search since authorities in Pennsylvania issued a 2021 felony warrant in the case. The arrest warrant accuses Cleary of stalking an 18-year-old Gettysburg College student at a party, sneaking into her dorm and sexually assaulting her while she texted friends for help. He was a 20-year-old Gettysburg student at the time, but did not return to campus. According to a French judicial official, Cleary was detained on the street in Metz on April 24 as part of a police check. He told a magistrate that he had arrived in France two or three years ago from Albania and had only recently come to Metz, but did not have housing there, the official said. A French lawyer appointed to represent him did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment Tuesday. Cleary, according to his online posts, had previously spent time in France and also has ties to California and Maryland. His father is a tech executive in Silicon Valley, while his mother has lived in Baltimore. This wanted poster provided by the US Marshals shows Ian Cleary, of Saratoga The Gettysburg accuser had a rape exam done the same day she was assaulted in 2013. She gathered witnesses and evidence and spent years urging officials to file charges. She went to authorities again in 2021 after discovering the Facebook messages that seemed to come from Cleary's account. So I raped you, the sender had written in a string of messages. Ill never do it to anyone ever again. I need to hear your voice. Ill pray for you. According to the June 2021 warrant, police verified that the Facebook account used to send the messages belonged to Ian Cleary. Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett, who filed it, did not immediately return a call Tuesday. A sign for Gettysburg College stands on April 7, 2021, in Gettysburg ( Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) After leaving Gettysburg, Cleary earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Santa Clara University, near his family home in California, worked for Tesla, then moved to France for several years, according to his website, which describes his self-published medieval fiction. By 2023, two years after the warrant was filed, the victim and her lawyers wondered how he was avoiding capture in the age of digital tracking. The US Marshals Service thought he was likely overseas and on the move, even as he was the subject of an Interpol alert called a red notice. Across the US, very few campus rapes are prosecuted, both because victims fear going to police and prosecutors hesitate to bring cases that can be hard to win. Close Quality of Russian troops is now lower than beginning of war, says Nato Chief 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 }} Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed there are no plans to take the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv despite tens of thousands of his forces having recently stormed across the border into the region and getting within artillery range of the city. Speaking on the second day of his two-day tour of China, Putin claimed he had ordered the attack to create a buffer zone between Ukrainian soldiers and the Russian region of Belgorod. When asked if Russian forces planned to take control of Kharkiv city, some 20 miles from the current fighting, Putin said: As for Kharkiv, there are no such plans as of today. While Ukrainian officials and military analysts maintain that Russian forces in the Kharkiv region do not have the manpower or weaponry to take its namesake capital, and that the attack is likely an attempt to create a buffer zone, as Putin puts it, as well as draw Ukrainian forces away from other battles further east, there is little doubt that Russia would try to invade the city if it had the capability. 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 }} Slovakias government approved a plan on Wednesday to build another nuclear reactor in a country that relies heavily on nuclear electricity generation. The new reactor, with an expected output of 1,200 megawatts, is to be built at the Jaslovske Bohunice nuclear plant, where the utility Slovenske Elektrarne currently operates two nuclear units. The government said its ministers of finance and economy would work out the details by the end of October. Economy Minister Denisa Sakova previously said that Russian energy giant Rosatom would not be allowed to participate in a possible tender to build the unit. Slovakias government is led by populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, whose leftist Smer party won a general election in September on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform. Slovakia generates over 50% of its electricity at two nuclear plants. The decision reflects recent nuclear expansion in Central and Eastern Europe. The neighboring Czech Republic is currently seeking to build up to four nuclear reactors. French state nuclear giant EDF and Koreas KHNP are the two contenders bidding for the project. Poland struck a deal with Westinghouse to build its first nuclear power plant, while Rosatom is set to build Hungary's fifth and sixth reactors. 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 }} Slovakias prime minister Robert Fico was left fighting for his life after a shooting described by government officials as an assassination attempt. The incident took place in Handlova, a small mining town about 120 miles northeast of the capital Bratislava, after a government meeting on Wednesday. The 59-year-old premier was hit in the stomach during the broad daylight attack, and underwent major surgery. Robert Ficos security team bundled him into a car after he was shot ( Reuters ) A man was detained after the shooting and is in custody ( Reuters ) Speaking late on Wednesday, deputy prime minister Tomas Taraba said the operation went well and added: I guess in the end he will survive ... hes not in a life-threatening situation at this moment. After the incident, Fico was bundled into a car by his security team before being taken to hospital for treatment. A suspect, understood to be a 71-year-old former security guard, has been detained after dramatic images showed a man handcuffed on the ground. The shooting occurred in front of the local House of Culture, where Mr Fico came to meet with supporters. A reporter for the daily newspaper Dennik N said they heard shooting and then saw rescuers carrying Mr Fico, an ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, to a car. I was just going to shake his hand, said a man who witnessed the shooting. His wife said she almost became deaf after hearing three or four shots ring out. A post on Mr Ficos Facebook page following the shooting described his condition as life-threatening. A spokesperson for Handlova Hospital, where Mr Fico was first treated, said he was conscious when he arrived and that medics there were able to stabilise his life functions. He was later transferred to a higher-level hospital by helicopter. The prime minister is undergoing treatment in hospital ( AFP/Getty ) Pictures later showed Mr Fico covered by a blanket and surrounded by medics being wheeled into a hospital in Banska Bystrica, a city about a 45-minute drive from Handlova. Deputy speaker Lubos Blaha adjourned the days session of parliament until further notice. Slovakian president Zuzana Caputova condemned a brutal and ruthless attack on the premier. Im shocked, Ms Caputova said. I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack. In a later statement, Ms Caputova said that a physical attack on the prime minister is primarily an attack on a person, but also on democracy. Peter Pellegrini, Slovakias president-elect and an ally of Mr Fico, described the attack as a threat to everything that has adorned Slovak democracy so far. I am horrified by where the hatred towards another political opinion can lead, he added. We dont have to agree on everything but there are plenty of ways to express our disagreement democratically and legally. The prime minister was taken to hospital in Handlova before being transferred to Banska Bystrica by helicopter ( Google Maps ) View more Leaders across Europe began to condemn the shooting and send their best wishes to Mr Fico and his family. I strongly condemn the vile attack on prime minister Robert Fico, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on X. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico and his family. Donald Tusk, the prime minister of Poland and former president of the EU Council, said: Shocking news from Slovakia. Robert, my thoughts are with you in this very difficult moment. Rishi Sunak said: Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with prime minister Fico and his family. Jens Stoltenberg, Nato secretary general, said he was shocked and appalled by the shooting. The news about the shooting of Slovak prime minister Robert Fico is shocking, said Czech prime minister Petr Fiala. I wish the prime minister to get well as soon as possible. We must not tolerate violence, it must have no place in society. Fico is wheeled into hospital in Banska Bystrica after being wounded in a shooting in Handlova ( AP ) Following the shooting, Slovakias biggest opposition party called off a planned protest against government public broadcaster reforms set for Wednesday evening. The Slovak government meeting in Handlova was part of a tour of the countrys regions by Mr Fico after he returned to power last year. He is in his fourth stint as prime minister after his scandal-tainted leftist Smer, or Direction, party won Slovakias parliamentary election at the end of September 2023 on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform. He formed a parliamentary majority by signing a coalition government deal with the leftist Hlas, or Voice, party and the ultranationalist Slovak National Party. Slovakia, a country of 5.5 million people that shares a border with Ukraine, had been up to that point a staunch supporter of Kyiv since Russia invaded in February 2022, donating arms and opening its borders for refugees fleeing the war. Mr Fico stopped that military aid and opposed EU sanctions on Russia while wanting to block Ukraine from joining Nato. During the election, Mr Fico vowed to pursue a sovereign foreign policy, promised a tough stance against migration and non-governmental organisations and campaigned against LGBT+ rights. Known for his tirades against journalists, Mr Fico has previously labelled a major television network, two nationwide newspapers and an online news site his enemies and said he wont communicate with them. The prime minister is an ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin ( AFP/Getty ) Hungarys prime minister Viktor Orban said he was shocked by the attack ( AP ) In April, Slovakias government approved controversial plans for an overhaul of the countrys public radio and TV broadcasting a move critics said would result in the government taking full control of the media. During a three-decade career, Mr Fico has moved between the pro-European mainstream and nationalistic positions opposed to European Union and US policies, his latest election win being based around the latter. He has also shown a willingness to change course depending on public opinion or changed political realities. Mr Fico, the son of a forklift truck driver and shop worker, grew up in Topolcany, a small town in Slovakias west, in what was then Czechoslovakia a satellite state of the Soviet Union. He attended local primary and secondary schools, then signed up to study law at the respected Comenius University, 100km away in the capital, Bratislava. In 1986, a 23-year-old Fico joined the Communist Party and in 1988 he married a fellow lawyer. World leaders have offered their support to Fico following the attack ( AP ) The shooting comes three weeks ahead of crucial European parliamentary elections, in which populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc appear poised to make gains. Slovakias major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, cancelled a planned protest against a controversial government plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give the government full control of public radio and television. We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and todays shooting of premier Robert Fico, said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka. At the same time, we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension. Milan Nic, a former adviser to the deputy foreign minister of Slovakia, said that the attack was unfortunately not an isolated incident. He said he was sorry to say that he believed the shooting had been coming due to the countrys increasingly polarised politics and threats made against politicians on social media as he called for calm on all sides. Fico speaking with supporters on Wednesday before the shooting ( AP ) I would expect all leaders of the parties in parliament to step up in front of the cameras and call on their supporters to calm down, he said. He urged them to unite in condemnation of this act and to stop with the threats against the lives of politicians, to set back from the brink. He added: We are at the edge of an abyss. This terrible incident an assassination attempt should be a wake-up call to step back from that abyss. And not only in my country, but I think throughout Europe and the Western world. Mr Fico and his Smer party won Slovakias 30 September parliamentary elections. Critics worried Slovakia under Fico would abandon the countrys pro-Western course and follow the direction of Hungary under Mr Orban, who congratulated Mr Putin on his re-election in Russias sham presidential election in March. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest against his policies. 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 }} Slovakias populist prime minister, Robert Fico has been shot and is in life-threatening condition in hospital. Fico, 59, was injured after multiple shots were fired outside a cultural centre in Handlova, Slovakia about 90 miles (150km) from the capital Bratislava where the leader was meeting his supporters. Images showed police detaining a suspect following the shooting, which the interior minister called an assassination attempt. Deputy prime minister Tomas Taraba called it a brutal and ruthless attack. So who is Robert Fico, what party is he from and what is his political? The Independent takes a look below. Populist prime minister Robert Fico, 59, was shot in the stomach in a brutal attack in Slovakia on Wednesday ( AP ) Who is Robert Fico? Born to a working-class family in September 1964, Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico graduated with a law degree in 1986 and joined the then-ruling Communist party. After the 1989 Velvet Revolution that led to the break up of former Czechoslovakia, he worked as a government lawyer and represented Slovakia at the European Court for Human Rights. During a three-decade career, Fico has moved between pro-European mainstream and nationalistic positions opposed to European Union and US foreign policy. What party does he belong to? Fico has run the Smer-SD party since 1999 after establishing it to oppose the reformist centre-right cabinet. He had been turned down for a ministerial post by the Democratic Left, the political heirs to the Communist Party. Fico, 59, returned to power in Slovakia last year. Having previously served twice as prime minister, from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2018, his third term, won in September last year, made him the longest-serving head of government in Slovakia's history. After the win in 2006 two years after Slovakia joined the EU Fico kept the nation on course to adopt the Euro in 2009 despite forming a government with nationalists. Security officers drag Slovak PM Robert Fico into his official car after the assassination attempt in Handlova ( REUTERS ) Fico and Smer have most often been described as left-populist, though he has also been compared to right-wing politicians like the nationalist prime minister of neighboring Hungary, Viktor Orban. Out of power in 2010, Ficos party won again two years later after another centre-right coalition broke up. A tough stance against migrants brought re-election in 2016. After that win, he declared he wanted Slovakia as part of the EU's core with France and Germany. Fico's political fortunes faded in 2018 when journalist Jan Kuciak, who was investigating allegations of high-level corruption, and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova were killed by a contract killer. This fuelled mass protests against graft and Fico was forced to resign. Smer lost power in a 2020 election to parties pledging to weed out corruption, and his party split. Fico has hit out at accusations of corruption that have dogged his party during his political career. He was charged with criminal conspiracy in 2022 to use police and tax information on political foes charges he denied and which were later dropped. What does he believe? During a three-decade career, Fico has skilfully weaved between pro-European mainstream and nationalistic anti-Brussels and anti-American positions, while showing a willingness to change course depending on public opinion or changed political realities. Polling at around 10 per cent in 2020, the Covid pandemic opened a door for Fico, who sought to address voter fears in slamming government health measures. Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico during a press conference in Moscow on 16 November 2009 ( AFP via Getty Images ) "He became the most prominent political representative of a movement against face masks or vaccination," political analyst Grigorij Meseznikov told Reuters. At the same time he a tapped into dissatisfaction with bickering in the ruling government and raised doubts with its pro-Western course, chiming with pro-Russian narratives on social networks that had spread across Slovakia. That is part of having embraced more extreme positions over the past four years that include strident criticisms of western allies and pledges to stop military support for Kyiv. He has also argued that Nato and the United States provoked Moscow into its invasion of Ukraine. He has also expressed opposition to sanctions on Russia and threats to veto any future Nato membership invite for Ukraine. Fico certainly admires Vladimir Putin, having said that he would not enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against the Russian leader if he visited Slovakia. That warrant came after the start of the invasion of Ukraine. He also respects Orban, who he says defends the interests of his country and his people. After Ficos latest election victory last year, the new government immediately halted arms deliveries to Ukraine. Thousands repeatedly took to the streets across Slovakia to rally against Fico's pro-Russian and other policies, including plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor and to take control of public media. Fico's return to power has caused concern among his critics that he and his party will lead Slovakia away from its pro-Western course. He vowed to pursue a "sovereign" foreign policy, promised a tough stance against migration and non-governmental organisations, and campaigned against LGBTQ+ rights. Last month, the government approved a proposal to abolish the public broadcaster and replace it with a new body, sparking outrage of opposition parties who say that the government will then have control of public radio and television. The same month, Peter Pellegrini, a Ukraine-sceptic and close ally of Fico, won a run-off vote in presidential elections against the pro-western opposition candidate, Ivan Korcok and will succeed Zuzana Caputova who has been vocal in her support for Kyiv. Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report Close Robert Fico in life-threatening condition after assassination attempt 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 Slovakian prime minister escaped death by just a hair, after he was shot in the stomach in an assassination attempt on Wednesday. Mr Fico, 59, was injured after five shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova where the leader was meeting with supporters. In an update on Thursday, Slovakias president-elect Peter Pellegrini said the PM is still critical as he is living the worst hours and days of his life. He added that if the bullets struck just a few millimetres either side, the Mr Fico would have been killed. Suspect Juraj Cintula, 71, believed to be a former security guard and poet, was charged with attempted murder and faces up to 25 years in prison. He is believed to have attended anti-government protests, and in social media posts referred to having disagreements with Mr Ficos policies. Mr Fico, a well-known ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, is a divisive figure in Slovak politics, with the European Union Parliament elections due to take place in three weeks. 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 fierce legal debate over a bear that killed a jogger in the Italian Alps last year is set to come to an end. The female Alpin Brown bear will now be relocated to a sanctuary in Germany, authorities from the northern Italian province of Trento said on Tuesday. After the bear, known as JJ4, fatally attacked a 26-year-old man in April 2023, Trento administrators issued an order for its capture and execution. The death sentence was blocked by legal challenges from environmentalists. JJ4 will be transferred by the autumn, Trentos tourism and hunting councillor Roberto Failoni told local daily Corriere del Trentino, adding it would find a new home at the Worbis Alternative Bear Park in the central German state of Thuringia. The decision came after the animal rights group LAV said it had secured access to medical bulletins showing that JJ4 and another bear were being held in captivity in the Trento province in a severe state of stress. Failoni denied this was the case. The area around the city of Trento, which was re-populated with bears from 1999 under an EU-funded programme, has seen several bear attacks in recent years, raising questions about how to achieve successful cohabitation with the animals. Andrea Papi, 26, was killed by a bear while running in mountains near the town of Caldes ( ) JJ4 is the same Alpine brown bear that injured a father and son out walking in the region in 2020. Then too, Trento provincial authorities ordered her killed but a court blocked the move. She is the sister of two other brown bears that have been ordered killed in recent years because of their aggressive behavior, including Bruno, or JJ1, who was killed after he crossed into Germany in 2005, and JJ3, killed by Swiss authorities in the canton of Grigioni in 2008, Italian news reports said. Trentos provincial president, Maurizio Fugatti, previously expressed anger that Mr Papis death could have been avoided if JJ4 had been euthanized after her first dangerous encounter with humans in 2020. He denounced as ideological the arguments by animal rights groups that have opposed selective euthanasia for bears known to be aggressive, like JJ4. A brown bear in Trento ( Province of Trento ) European Union-funded Life Ursus project aimed at increasing the Alpine brown bear population which was once nearly extinct began in 1999 with the introduction of three males and six female bears into the Trento forests. The project had the intention of rebuilding the population to 40-60 bears over a few decades. But the project has worked too well, and the population has rebounded to more than 100 identified bears, which are increasingly encountering the human population, according to Italian media. 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 }} Two journalists were kept under detention in Tunisia on Wednesday, following a raft of arrests targeting government critics including lawyers and the press that has drawn concern from the country's international allies. Authorities in the north African country this week unleashed a new campaign of repression against perceived opponents of President Kais Saied 's government. Migration activist Saadia Mosbah, France 24 cameraman Hamdi Tlili and lawyer Sonia Dahmani were among those detained or arrested in recent days. Tlili was subsequently released without being charged, according to the North Africa Foreign Correspondents Club. On Wednesday, radio journalist Borhen Bsaies and opinion columnist Mourad Zeghidi were kept under pre-trial detention four days after they were apprehended. They were accused of violating a cybercrime law barring fake news and undermining state security. Bsaies's attorney Nizar Ayed told The Associated Press that his client was questioned for five hours about his Facebook posts and political views but did not offer clear evidence that he had violated the law or made remarks targeting the president. Criticism of Tunisia's president is often used as a reason for officials to charge people with undermining state security. Khaled Drareni, Reporters Without Borders North Africa representative, called the arrests a frontal attack on press freedom. In a statement he called for an end to this serious obstruction that signals the tougher line being taken by an increasingly authoritarian government. Political arrests have grown increasingly common since President Kais Saied took power five years ago but the frequency of developments this week sparked renewed fear in Tunisia and alarmed the countrys international allies. The European Union, Tunisias top trade partner, on Tuesday issued a rare rebuke of Tunisian authorities, calling the arrests worrisome. Freedoms of expression and association, as well as the independence of the judiciary, are guaranteed by the Tunisian Constitution and constitute the basis of our partnership, its spokesperson said in a statement. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters that the U.S. was engaging Tunisia about the arrests, particularly those of attorneys. This kind of action is inconsistent with what we think are universal rights that are explicitly guaranteed in the Tunisian constitution, and weve been clear about that at all levels, he said. Tunisia is a key ally for the U.S. and the EU on issues ranging from security to migration in the Mediterranean. The arrests were the latest made under a controversial cybercrime law called Decree 54 that authorities have used to pursue prominent political opponents since 2022.. A growing chorus of groups, including the countrys largest labor union and its affiliate that represents journalists, condemned the law and the arrests. The General Union of Journalists on Tuesday said the law was being used to stifle freedom of expression and called it a sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of journalists. They said that the two journalists were at risk of being fined and facing five years behind bars if found guilty in court next week. The arrests mark a continuation of Saieds tumultuous first term in office, months ahead of a yet-to-be scheduled presidential election expected this fall. Leading opposition parties are expected to boycott the contest. 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 }} Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has cancelled all his upcoming foreign trips as he looks to concentrate on Russias advance in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region. It comes as US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced a new $2 billion (1.6bn) weapons deal during a visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, before suggesting Washington could sign a bilateral agreement with Ukraine in the coming weeks. Mr Blinken did not go into detail about what would be included in the latest pledge, which will be drawn from the $61bn package passed by Congress last month. But during a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, he said the US was focused on sending Patriot missile systems and other forms of critical air defence. Mr Blinken said that the support for Ukraine comes at a "critical time" as the country faces a renewed Russian onslaught. Earlier on Wednesday, the Ukrainian president met with senior military personnel, including commander-in-chief Oleksandry Syrskyi, to discuss the difficult situation in the Kharkiv region. His press secretary Sergii Nykyforov announced on Facebook after the meeting that Mr Zelensky had instructed that all international events scheduled for the coming days be postponed and new dates coordinated so that he could focus on Kharkiv. Ukrainian servicemen of the 92nd Assault Brigade fire BM-21 'Grad' multiple rocket launcher toward Russian positions, in the Kharkiv region ( AFP via Getty Images ) Russian President Vladimir Putin held his own meeting with his top war generals in the Kremlin on Wednesday ( AP ) King Felipe of Spain had been due to hold a reception for Mr Zelensky on 17 May and host a meal in his honour. The Ukrainian President had also been expected to sign a bilateral security cooperation agreement with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez following a joint declaration by Nato last year. He was later scheduled to visit neighbouring Portugal. But the situation in Kharkiv has deteriorated quickly as Russian forces appear to have moved within artillery range of the city centre of the regions namesake capital, where more than 1.3 million civilians are currently living. Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his own meeting with top military generals, as well his new defence minister Andrei Belousov and his predecessor Sergei Shoigu, now the secretary of the security council, said the work of the military was "proceeding according to the plan". Russias defence ministry claimed to have captured two more villages in the northernmost of their two attacks across the border into the Kharkiv region. Kremlin troops have advanced nearly five miles towards the regions capital since last Friday, when the first units of infantry rushed into the grey zone, a portion of land that was previously outside the control of both the Russian and Ukrainian forces. The recent captures of the towns of Hlyboke and Lukyantsi mean that Putins forces have taken eight towns in that sector of fighting and an additional four in the neighbouring attack towards the small city of Vovchansk. According to DeepState, a Ukrainian war tracker, Russias forces have occupied a total of more than 50 square miles of land in the Kharkiv region in just six days. Ukraines military, in its latest update, claimed that they had repelled multiple attacks along both sectors of fighting. After a local Vovchansk police chief said Russian forces had taken positions in the streets of the town, Ukraines military said they had expelled [Russian] forces in the northern and northwestern suburbs. Ukrainian tracker DeepState said Russian forces were using artillery to level everything to the ground in the two areas of fighting. 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 }} An online movement is quietly gathering momentum with calls for social media users to block global celebrities and their businesses in protest against their perceived silence on Israels war on Gaza. There #Blockout2024 or Chop Chop movement reflects frustration towards celebrities who followers believe havent leveraged their influence and platforms to highlight the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. According to one TikToker, the goal of the campaign is to curb specific revenue streams and fame of such celebrities. On social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and X, people are circulating lists of celebrities to unfollow and block, resulting in notable declines in followers, according to Social Blade, a social media analytics site in the US. Reality TV star Kim Kardashian, for example, has reportedly lost hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram alone due to being sent to this digital guillotine, while Taylor Swift has lost some 200,000 followers on the platform. When did the movement start? When celebrities from around the world were walking the red carpet at the Met Gala in New York earlier this month, people on social media juxtaposed pictures of the expensively-clad stars with horrifying visuals of death and destruction coming out of Gaza. Some expressed outrage at the display of wealth and luxury at the annual gala while thousands of women and children were being slaughtered in the besiegedenclave. Some suggested that the juxtaposed images of celebrities living it up in New York and of Palestinians blockaded, starving and dying were akin to The Hunger Games, a dystopian world from the novels of Suzanne Collins. This is genuinely so dystopian, a social media commentator who runs the Climate Revolution TikTok page said. These people are living in a different plane of reality than the rest of us. They arent even affected by the same political and economic issues that matter to us because rich people will always have the means to circumvent them, he said. War, abortion access, rent prices, sea level rise, extreme heat, food scarcity, these things dont concern them. What do they actually have to lose by speaking out about what is going on in Rafah? Nothing. In response to what was seen as the insensitivity of the celebrities, the #blockout2024 movement gained momentum, pushing for the blocking of global stars who chose to stay silent. Why does #Blockout2024 matter? The latest Gaza conflict began with an attack by Hamas on southern Israel on 7 October last year,killing around 1,200 people before taking more than 250 hostages back to the Gaza Strip. Israel then launched a fierce bombardment, ground assault and blockade on Gaza,in which more than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed according to health officals in the Hamas-run strip. More than 80 per cent of the enclaves 2.2 million people have been rendered homeless and on the brink of starvation. Except for a few notable exceptions such as Macklemore and the Artists4Ceasefire collective many global stars and influencers have avoided commenting publicly on the crisis in Gaza. Actor Nicola Caughlan said in a recent interview that she was told she would lose work in Hollywood if she called for a Gaza ceasefire, while Susan Sarandon was dropped by her agent over comments she made at a pro-Palestinian rally. American rapper Macklemore recently released a protest song titled Hinds Hall, dedicated to the memory of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli forces in January while trapped in a car with her slain relatives and awaiting rescue. According to Social Blade, he gained thousands of new followers on social media platforms in the days after the song was released. Macklemore has said he will donate all proceeds from the song on streaming platforms to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main UN agency providing aid to Palestinians. The video of the song includes footage of people protesting and expressing solidarity with Palestinians alongside assorted clips featuring police officers and politicians. How are social media users finding celebrities to block? I made a Google Doc of every celebrity that attended the Met Gala and now Im going through and writing if theyve been silent, or if theyve been using their platform to speak up about the genocide in Gaza, a TikTok user said in a video. The TikToker created a video displaying a long list of celebrity names against a black background. Some of the names, including Zendaya, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Andrew Scott, were accompanied by the word SILENT in red. The TikToker pointed out that while some celebrities like Zendaya had spoken out in the past, they hadnt done so recently. They said Zendaya had shown support for Palestinians in October but had not commented further since then. The Independent has approached representatives for Zendaya, Minaj, Urban and Scott, as well as Kardashian and Swift, for comment. Several pages on Instagram and TikTok have surfaced that have made blocking celebrities easier. For example, a new page on Instagram called @blockout.2022 the name is meant to confuse the Instagram algorithm that earlier took down a similar page called #blockouts2024 says in its bio: Go in the Following and Block them all! We gave them their platforms. Its time to take it back take our views away, our likes, our comments, our money by blocking them on all social media and digital platforms, a TikToker called @ladyfromtheoutside urged in a video recently. Let Them Eat Cake: Why is Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France who disparaged the poor, being invoked? On 7 May, TikTok influencer Haley Kalil faced backlash after posting a video lip-syncing let them eat cake outside the Met Gala on her TikTok account, which goes by the username @haleyybaylee. The phrase, associated with Marie Antoinette, symbolises the detachment of the elite amid widespread poverty and crisis. Kalils video angered many people online as it came after a statement by the head of the United Nations World Food Program that northern Gaza had entered full-blown famine after nearly seven months of war. Later, Kalil apologised on 10 May, stating she wasnt officially invited to the Met Gala and was there as a host with E! News. She justified the use of the let them eat cake by saying that it was trending on TikTok at the moment. But the comparisons were not lost on her followers. One user posted a video saying that Kalils TikTok might have unlocked the rage of millions of people. How effective has #Blockout2024 been so far? The Met Gala was a bit of a hyperbolic moment that got a lot of peoples attention, Marcus Collins, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Michigan, told NPR. The celebrity boycotts had existed, but they werent really at the top of the social zeitgeist. But then you have a moment like the Met Gala that wasnt really related to the conflict, but the pieces were all at play. When the attacks [in Gaza] were happening the same day, the juxtaposition just got people talking and moving. He continued: The hope is that it will either bring more visibility to the cause and shift the balance in getting political forces like the US government to do something to mitigate the violence thats happening in the Middle East. But as rational as that logic may seem, I dont think there are very many examples where this has actually worked. Eddy Borges-Rey, an associate professor in residence at Northwestern University in Qatar, specialises in researching social media and algorithms. He told Al Jazeera: Social media celebrities heavily rely on high visibility and engagement to attract and maintain advertising deals. He added that when someone unfollows a celebrity, they simply stop seeing the celebritys posts in their feed. But if someone blocks the celebrity, they completely cut off all interaction with their content. A reduction in visibility can lead advertisers to perceive the celebrity as less valuable, potentially cutting back on the amount they are willing to pay for ads on the celebritys profile, thereby directly affecting their ad revenue, 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 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 }} Israels defence minister Yoav Gallant has publicly hit out at prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus plans for a post-war Gaza vowing to oppose any long-term military rule by Israel. Pressure has been growing on Mr Netanyahu for weeks over Israels conduct in Gaza, with the international community calling for a ceasefire and even staunch ally the US baulking at a full-scale assault on the border city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering. The Israeli prime minister claims the offensive is crucial to eliminating Hamas. Mr Netanyahus attempts to keep his hardline government coalition partners onside in promising an attack on Rafah is said to have caused splits in the countrys war cabinet, with these bursting into the open with Mr Gallants remarks. Israel launched its heaviest-ever bombardment of Gaza, plus a ground assault and a blockade, in retaliation for a bloody attack by Hamas on 7 October during which around 1,200 people were killed and another 250 were taken hostage, including toddlers. Since then, Palestinian health workers in the Hamas-run territory say Israels bombardment has killed at least 35,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children. In a televised news conference, Mr Gallant said that, since soon after the conflict erupted with a shock Hamas attack on 7 October, he had tried to promote a blueprint for an alternative Gaza administration made up of Palestinians. Those efforts got no response from various decision-making cabinet forums under Mr Netanyahu, said Mr Gallant, who comes from the prime ministers Likud Party. I call on the prime minister to announce that Israel will not rule over Gaza militarily, Mr Gallant said. An alternative to Hamas governance should be established ... Indecision will erode the military gains [of the war]. Fellow war cabinet member Benny Gantz voiced support for Mr Gallant, saying he spoke the truth. The responsibility of leadership is to do right thing for the country, at any price, Mr Gantz added. Mr Netanyahu has said Israel, if it achieves its war goal of dismantling Hamas government and military apparatus in Gaza, would retain overall security control over the territory. He has stopped short of describing this scenario as an occupation. In a video statement issued after Mr Gallants remarks, Mr Netanyhu said that any move to establish an alternative to Hamas as the government of Gaza required that the militants first be eliminated, and demanded this goal be pursued without excuses. The Israeli military has in recent days pressed into the east of Rafah in pursuit of what it says are four Hamas battalions, despite warnings from its allies including the US and the UK to hold off to avoid mass civilian casualties. Rafah residents said Israeli forces had pushed into three neighbourhoods and Palestinian gunmen were trying to prevent soldiers and tanks moving towards the centre. Israel said its troops targeted a training compound, killing militants in close-quarters combat and finding many weapons. Earlier on Wednesday, in an interview broadcast by CNBC, Mr Netanyahu said he hoped to overcome differences with US President Joe Biden and receive $1bn (790m) in military aid from Washington as he said an operation in Rafah could take weeks. The latest US weapons package, revealed by anonymous sources in the US state department, is currently under congressional review. Critics say if the package is passed, it would undermine the opposition expressed by Mr Biden last week when he suspended a weapons shipment to Israel and warned Mr Netanyahu against an invasion of Rafah. Asked in a CNBC interview that aired on Wednesday if he could confirm the $1bn package movement, Mr Netanyahu declined to say but added that he appreciates US assistance. Yes, we do have a disagreement on Gaza. Rather, on Rafah. But we have to do what we have to do, Mr Netanyahu told CNBCs Sara Eisen. And, you know, sometimes you have to ... you just have to do what is required to ensure your survival and your future. We cannot continue into the future by having Hamas retake Gaza. The latest arms deal allows for the potential transfer of $700m in tank ammunition, $500m in tactical vehicles and $60m in mortar rounds, the anonymous officials said. The package, suspended last week, included 1,800 900kg bombs. Jake Sullivan, Mr Bidens national security adviser, said on Monday that they paused the shipment because they do not believe [the bombs] should be dropped in densely populated cities. In the same press briefing, however, he added that the US was continuing to send military assistance to Israel. This handout picture released by the Israeli army on 14 May shows Israeli soldiers during military operations in the Gaza Strip ( Israeli Army/AFP via Getty ) In the north of Gaza, Israel said it had concluded an operation in the Zeitoun area, killing dozens of terrorists. Residents said tanks had pulled back from the area, with dozens of homes destroyed or damaged, while Palestinian medics said dozens of civilians had been killed and wounded. US secretary of state Antony Blinken, meanwhile, reiterated calls from the Biden administration for Israel to have a clear and concrete plan for the future of Gaza where it faces the potential for a power vacuum that could become filled by chaos. We do not support and will not support an Israeli occupation, Mr Blinken said during a visit to the Ukrainain capital of Kyiv. We also, of course, do not support Hamas governance in Gaza ... Weve seen where thats led all too many times for the people of Gaza and for Israel. And we also cant have anarchy and a vacuum thats likely to be filled by chaos. The US top diplomat has held numerous talks with Israels Arab neighbours on a post-conflict plan for Gaza since Israel vowed to root out Hamas from the Palestinian enclave more than seven months ago. But Israel says it intends to keep overall security control and has baulked at proposals for the Palestinian Authority, which governs with partial authority in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, to take charge. Its imperative that Israel also do this work and focus on what the future can and must be, Mr Blinken said. There needs to be a clear and concrete plan, and we look to Israel to come forward with its ideas. 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 Albania could be the next big Mediterranean destination, the boss of Europes biggest holiday company has said. Its a great country, Sebastian Ebel, chief executive of Tui, told The Independent. Im a big fan of Albania and I think we should and could do more. Its on our agenda to look at it. I think the prospect is huge and I wouldnt be surprised if we start a significant programme there. open image in gallery Opening up: Tirana street scene, dominated by snow-capped mountains ( Simon Calder ) Mr Ebel revealed that 10 years ago, when he joined the executive board at Tui, he had raised the prospect of launching holidays to Albania. I couldnt convince people to invest there, he said. At present the only Tui operation to Albania is a twice-weekly flight by the companys Belgian offshoot from Brussels to the capital, Tirana. In comparison, the budget airlines now have a massive programme from the UK. Ryanair and Wizz Air each have three daily flights to Tirana from their London hubs, Stansted and Luton respectively. Ryanair also flies from Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh to the capitals Mother Teresa International Airport. Marlene and Bernard Kayley, from Preston, have just returned from a trip to Albania, saying they had a marvellous five days. They split their time between the capital and the main resort, Durres. In the latter, Ms Kayley said: Our hotel, Vila One Beach, was, as its name suggests, on the lovely clean beach. The excellent hotel chef provided us with traditional Albanian cuisine each night not from the menu, he just asked what we liked. We are definitely returning to Albania. In December the nations tourism minister, Mirela Kumbaro, told The Independent: We are aiming for high-end tourism in Albania. The minister, whose brief also includes the environment, said she is pushing for four- and five-star hotels with international brand names. Of all the eastern European nations, Albania endured the longest and most oppressive spell under state communism in the latter part of the 20th century. Almost no tourists were allowed to visit during the 40-year Stalinist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. But a then-small company, Regent Holidays, started bringing in visitors from the UK in the 1970s. Former director Neil Taylor recalls: In most years through the 1970s and 1980s we sent about 12 groups a year there. The diversity of the clientele was the great appeal. We, perhaps rather naughtily, advertised in the Daily Telegraph and in the Morning Star to ensure that people who would normally have not given the time of day to each other, suddenly had to behave in a closely-knit group for 10 days. We had the idle rich, vaguely feeling they ought to see what communism was about, we had the academics noting every word that was said and buying every publication in English, and we had the wild revolutionaries determined to find paradise in Albania and to impose it on Britain when they returned. Another nation bordering the Mediterranean could also soon be welcoming British package holidaymakers. The Tui boss also revealed to The Independent that he had just discussed opening up Algeria for beach holidays. There was a very clear message that the security situation is not as bad as you might think from what you hear in Europe. But its not in a way that we could send customers to. I would hesitate to do something before the overall situation improves. Algeria, the largest country in Africa, has a vast range of almost empty classical sites as well as a long, mostly empty, Mediterranean coastline. 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 On Sunday 12 February 2023, I set off from home to Manchester airport for the holiday of a lifetime, says Valerie Coleshaw. By Monday 13 April I was home by breakfast, without luggage and in total despair. Ms Coleshaw, from Bolton, lost her 11,000 Antarctic cruise with Hurtigruten (now HX) after cabin crew on a KLM flight from Manchester to Amsterdam asked her to check in her cabin baggage as the plane was extremely full. open image in gallery Dream trip: Fridtjof Nansen, Antarctic cruise ship ( HX ) She says she was told her hand luggage would be returned to her at Amsterdam, where she was due to transfer to Buenos Aires and onwards to the southern Argentinian port of Ushuaia. I have heard of this happening before. So after checking several times that I would pick it up in Amsterdam, I agreed, she says. Arriving at Amsterdam, my case was not on the carousel. I was advised to go straight to the boarding gate for Buenos Aires and it would be waiting for me there. It wasnt. After hours of badgering the staff, my hand luggage could not be found. In it was my asthma spray. She explained to ground staff that her medication was missing. They told the captain of the KLM plane, who decided she would not be able to make the 7,100-mile journey without the asthma spray. I was left with a member of staff who said she would try to put me on another flight the next day. I realised that without my hand luggage I would have the same problem. I could not contact Hurtigruten as all the paperwork was in my hand luggage. Having never experiencing anything like this before, I felt humiliated and confused. I was given vouchers for a hotel and flight back to Manchester the following morning. KLM says when passengers are asked to put cabin baggage in the hold, they are asked to remove valuables and items needed during their flights as the hand luggage will be forwarded to the final destination. Ms Coleshaw disputes that this happened and says that she was told the cabin baggage would be waiting for her at Amsterdam airport. I have never before been parted from my hand luggage but went along with the request even checking four times before I boarded the flight to Amsterdam that it would be waiting for me, she says. I had no additional handbag in which to store my documents, tickets and asthma spray. I had only a mobile phone, credit card and passport in my pocket. No one ever suggested to me to remove my medication, tickets, holiday reservation, emergency contact details and so on. Had they done so, I would have taken my hand luggage on board. KLM gave Ms Coleshaw a full refund for the value of the flights plus a 500 voucher for future travel. It suggests quite strongly to me that they understood the implications of my cases travelling on the plane without me, she says. However, the air fare was just a small proportion of the total cost of the holiday. Ms Coleshaw paid Hurtigruten 10,660 for the package, and spent hundred of pounds more on preparations for the trip including travel insurance, guidebooks and Antarctic clothing that she never got to wear. Under the Package Travel Regulations, the organiser of a holiday in this case Hurtigruten (now HX) is responsible for providing the trip as booked, including services contracted out such as flights. Normally, if an airline does not fly a passenger in time to begin their holiday, the customer would expect a full refund. But the cruise company does not accept that KLM was at fault, and therefore is refusing to hand the money back. Instead, HX (formerly Hurtigruten) is offering 8,500 for an alternative cruise as a goodwill gesture. Ms Coleshaw describes the offer as honourable but not usable. She tried to use some of the credit on a West African cruise, but the voyage was cancelled by the company ahead of departure. She says her circumstances have changed significantly since losing the cruise, leaving her unable to plan any similar expedition. She has suffered a serious shoulder injury, and the health of her 95-year-old mother has deteriorated. A spokesperson for HX said: We are disappointed that we have been unable to resolve this current issue to date. Our guest experience team have been in direct contact with Ms Coleshaw for several months now and we have worked hard to try and find a resolution to this situation. Following a thorough review of this booking, we offered a Future Cruise Credit, equivalent to the value of the sailing and available for use on all our itineraries around the world. This amount far exceeds our standard cancellation policy and was provided by our team as a sincere goodwill gesture. Furthermore, we have also offered the opportunity to extend the rebooking period to the end of 2024, for any expedition voyage departing through to the end of 2025. We remain fully committed to making this option available to Ms Coleshaw. Our dedicated guest experience team will continue to look for a suitable resolution to this matter, in line with what has already been offered, and hope this can be achieved soon. Ms Coleshaw says: I chose Hurtigruten for two reasons: one, I had travelled with them before and it was top class; and two, the flights were included so I felt that I had peace of mind if a connecting flight were delayed. I did not cancel my Holiday of a Lifetime but realised that without medication and everything in my hand luggage I would be unable to travel further. I asked repeatedly at the boarding gate about the collection of my hand luggage, and was told it would be waiting for me. She says the pursuit of the refund is having a considerable impact on my health and well-being. I am beginning to give up the challenge and quit, but it is so much money as well as the shattered dream. 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 Westminster City Council has warned that rowdy short-term lets, including Airbnb properties, risk hollowing out west London. Flats pegged for noisy parties, presumed brothels and houses hosting over their listed capacity have prompted stacks of complaints from local residents. Of around 10,500 rental properties in the area, a council probe revealed that the borough is now investigating 2,400 properties suspected of flaunting the rules. The council claims that bookings at local hotels and housing stock have both been impacted by the Airbnb-type lets. Plans to combat the housing crisis were announced earlier this year, with measures including a mandatory national registration scheme for new short-term let landlords to require the councils permission to host in their home. Housing Secretary Michael Gove said: We know short-term lets can be helpful for the tourist economy, but we are now giving councils the tools to bring them under control so that local people can rent those homes as well. Under the 2015 Deregulation Act, London homeowners can let out their properties for a maximum of 90 nights a year without a permit those properties that breach the rule risk a 20,000 fine. Adam Hug, a Westminster councillor, said that the volume of anti-social short-term lets threatened hollowing out our capital by eroding the private rented sector, increasing costs for local authorities and undermining communities across the country. According to the new planning permission rules, existing Airbnbs will be exempt from the cap to the displeasure of the Westminster Council. Mr Hug wrote to the Secretaries of State to get a grip on this issue and change the wild west of short-term lets. It is our view that given the high number of cases under investigation, a high proportion of the 10,500-plus properties we know are being used for short-term lets in Westminster are breaching the 90-day limit and would be lost to use as full-time short-term lets, added Mr Hug. The idea these and many more could be legitimised, without scrutiny, at a time when we have never had so many investigations into non-compliance is entirely unacceptable. Leading short-stay rental platform Airbnb say they encourage the Governments wider implementation of a national host register and a new short-term let planning framework. An Airbnb spokesperson said: We have enforced restrictions on short-term lets in London for more than 6 years, partnering with local authorities to investigate and take appropriate action where there are concerns about a listing breaching London regulations. The typical listing on Airbnb is rented for just 3 nights a month - far less than the London 90 night limit - and four in ten Hosts say they use the extra income from hosting to help them afford the rising cost of living. We have led calls for national short-term let regulations to be introduced since 2019 and we welcome the Governments announcement that there will be new rules across England. Chris Hemsworth broke a rule at the 2024 Met Gala. The 40-year-old Australian actor attended the glitzy fashion event held in New York City alongside his wife Elsa Pataky last week. According to Vogue, the high-profile annual Gala has a no phone policy and posting images to social media is also prohibited. However, it seems Hemsworth wasnt aware, and revealed that he shied away from proper protocol to take heaps of selfies. When asked if he stuck to the rule during an interview with E! News, he responded: Selfies everywhere. A lot of selfies in my phone. Those involved in the inappropriate behaviour at the Dublin to New York City portal have "let us all down" the Irish minister for public expenditure has said. Paschal Donohoe believes it was a "very small number of people" involed and hopes the portal remains in Dublin. The portal closed on Tuesday 14 May and had been open for less than one week. Flashing and even images of the 9/11 attack were shown from the Dublin side. One woman was escorted away by police after allegedly grinding on the portal itself. It will reportedly re-open by the end of this week. Aid trucks headed for Gaza were destroyed by fire in the West Bank, video posted on Tuesday, 14 May shows. Footage obtained by Reuters showed vehicles by a barrier wall in Beit Awwa, west of Hebron, alight. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames but the vehicles and the contents appeared destroyed. It came after Israeli protesters blocked aid trucks in a protest at Tarqumiya checkpoint. Four demonstrators, including a minor, were arrested at the protest according to lawyers representing them. Footage shows Slovakias prime minister Robert Fico being taken into hospital after he was shot and injured on Wednesday 15 May. Mr Fico, 59, suffered life-threatening injuries when he was wounded in the attempted assassination, his government office said. He was rushed to hospital in the central city of Handlova after holding a meeting there and was then transported by helicopter to the city of Banska Bystrica for urgent treatment. Broadcaster TA3 reported four shots were fired, and that the leftist prime minister had been hit in the abdomen during the daylight attack. Slovakias parliament was suspended on Wednesday 15 May after populist prime minister Robert Fico was injured in a shooting and taken to hospital. Reports on a Slovakian TV station said that Mr Fico, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, some 93 miles northeast of the capital Bratislava, where the leader was meeting with supporters. A suspect has been detained, according to reports. Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during a session on Wednesday and adjourned until further notice. Russia carried out a series of air strikes on residential areas in the city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine on Tuesday 14 May, injuring at least 20 people. One of the sites hit was a 20-storey building in the city centre, emergency services said. Regional prosecutors said Russia had used its new guided UMPB D-30 bombs in that attack. At another site, at least 15 garages near to a residential building caught fire after being struck by the guided bombs, the prosecutors added. Oleh Syniehubov, the regional governor, said Russia had struck residential areas of Kharkiv city seven times throughout the day. Dawn Meats has it has secured an initial multi-million contract for monthly shipments with a leading South Korean company. It comes as the Department of Agriculture announced the opening of Korea to Irish beef exports for the first time and after a number of high-level trade missions by the Department in recent years to Korea. The contract is for Dawn Meats to supply beef monthly to the South Korean firms foodservice, retail and manufacturing customers across the country. Dawn Meats said it has secured South Korean approval for the supply, marketing, and distribution of bone in and boneless beef cuts and offal into South Korea from its sites in Grannagh in Co Waterford and Charleville in Co Cork. This new contract will commence later this month. According to Dawn, it follows a visit in January of representatives from the South Korean company to Dawn. It said the visit was the culmination of significant efforts by Dawn Meats to build relationships with South Korean potential clients, which began in 2018. It also follows an audit of Irish beef plants by South Korean authorities last month. Dawn Meats is already a supplier of Irish beef into other markets in the region including the Philippines and Japan. This new market access will now facilitate the development of a broader customer base and builds on Dawn Meats growing reputation overseas. Niall Browne, CEO, Dawn Meats said: We welcome this new market access to South Korea and we are delighted that two of our sites have received South Korean approval. It is a testament to the high-quality beef supplied by our family farm suppliers, and it is a significant step in developing new market opportunities for our products. "We must recognise the role played by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine over the years to secure this positive development. We look forward to working with our customers in the South Korean market who will be crucial to helping to bring quality Irish beef to the plates of South Korean consumers. The Dublin-headquartered PR firm led by former Irish Independent journalist Karl Brophy enjoyed record revenues of just under 12m last year. Mr Brophy, CEO of Red Flag Global, confirmed the record revenue performance for 2023 and said: Were budgeting for further significant growth in revenues and profit across the business for 2024. The revenues of just under 12m for 2023 follow revenues of just over 11m for 2022. Mr Brophy was commenting on new 2022 accounts for Red Flag Consulting Ltd which show that the strategic communications and public affairs agency recorded post-tax profits of 2.36m in 2022. That was 11pc down on the post-tax profits of 2.65m for 2021. The company had dividends payable of 588,534 for 2022 and this followed dividends payable of 765,663 for 2021. Commenting on the 2022 performance, Mr Brophy said: It was another very strong year for Red Flag Global, coming off what was a record year in 2021, as we grew the business globally from our bases in Brussels, Washington DC, London and Dublin. The company grew revenue across the board with particularly strong performances in our technology, food and agriculture, international trade policy and financial services lines. He added: There is increasing client appetite for our fully-integrated advisory approach and client retention is very high and increasing with significant new client wins. Mr Brophy said that 2023 was a strong year and we expect to report growth of approximately 15pc in net profit. The company which was established by Mr Brophy in 2013 today employs 57 full-time equivalent posts and they include the recently appointed head of policy, Carolina Costa, who is based in the firms Brussels office. At the end of December 2022, the companys accumulated profits totalled 6.43m while its cash funds almost doubled from 1.69m to 3.06m during the year. Six directors served on the board during the year, including non-executive chairman Gavin OReilly, who was Mr Brophys boss when Mr OReilly was chief executive of INM, former owners of the Irish Independent. Aggregate directors pay totalled 691,724 in 2022 which was a sharp increase on the directors pay of 454,431 in 2021. The directors pay for 2022 comprised 548,795 in remuneration and 142,929 in fees. The fast-food group employs in excess of 2,000 people 'It is difficult to get staff,' says Pat McDonagh of Supermacs. Photo: Frank McGrath Supermacs boss Pat McDonagh has stated that his group has spent between 6m and 7m on purchasing houses for staff accommodation. In an interview, Mr McDonagh said that the recruitment of staff is the biggest challenge facing his fast food and hospitality business today. He said there are currently between 200 and 250 Supermacs staff living in accommodation mainly houses which were specifically purchased as staff residences. Asked how much Supermacs has spent on purchasing properties to accommodate staff, Mr McDonagh said: It is a guesstimate, but youre talking between 6m to 7m. He added: In a lot of areas, we are accommodating staff where it is difficult to get accommodation. It is not always possible but where we can, we do. You need to have a stable workforce and if you can provide accommodation at a reasonable rate, then it is beneficial to both parties. The fast-food group today employs well in excess of 2,000 people with 45 different nationalities among the workforce. It is difficult to get staff, especially Irish staff at the minute, he said. New accounts for Supermacs (Holdings) Ltd have shown pre-tax profits increased by 15pc to 34.02m in 2022. This followed revenues increasing by 80.6m, or 41pc, from 195.69m to 276.2m in 2022. Mr McDonagh said that 2022 was a recovery year and a pretty good year. He said that annual revenues increased by another 15pc in 2023. He said: Turnover is one thing but the margin is another and margins are getting eroded by extra costs including wage costs, food costs and recruitment costs while energy costs have more doubled since 2019. Mr McDonagh said that 2024 is more challenging because of the rising costs and people in certain quarters are tightening their belts. The group recorded post-tax profit of 28.95m last year after incurring a corporation tax charge of 5.07m. Profits for 2022 further strengthened the groups balance sheet with accumulated profits of 216.85m at the end of 2022. Cash funds rose from 61.58m to 85.97m. Mr McDonagh said the group operates 116 Supermacs outlets and is planning to open two to three this year. Staff costs in 2022 increased from 38.99m to 52.98m as numbers employed increased from 1,503 to 1,711. Anglo American laid out plans on Tuesday to refocus on energy-transition metal copper while spinning out or selling its less profitable coal, nickel, diamond and platinum businesses, as it moves to fend off BHP Groups $43bn (40bn) takeover offer. The announcement came a day after the London-listed miner rejected its Australian suitor for the second time in less than three weeks, saying an increased proposal continued to significantly undervalue the company. Anya Taylor-Joy attends the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga red carpet during the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France (Doug Peters/PA) The premiere of George Millers Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has arrived at the Cannes Film Festival, with Anya Taylor-Joy looking every inch the leading lady on the red carpet. The latest Mad Max film, starring Taylor-Joy as a young Furiosa, premieres nine years after Mad Max: Fury Road debuted at the French festival. US actress Taylor-Joy leaned into the glamour of Cannes on Wednesday with an old Hollywood style, poles apart from the post-apocalyptic biker look she characterises in the film. It comes after she told the New York Times she had never been more alone than making that movie. On the red carpet, Taylor-Joy wore a sparkling strapless champagne gown featuring a corseted bodice from Dior, paired with a sculptural platinum necklace, earrings and rings from Tiffany & Co. Elsa Pataky, Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy attend the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga red carpet during the 77th Cannes Film Festival in France (Doug Peters/PA) Adding to the timeless beauty look, the 28-year-old swept her hair into an complicated updo paired with a dramatic red lip. Taylor-Joy was joined on the red carpet by leading man Chris Hemsworth, who plays warlord leader Dementus in the film, wearing a white suit jacket and black trousers, alongside his wife Elsa Pataky, who wore a chic black gown. Anya Taylor-Joy and George Miller attend the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere in Cannes (Doug Peters/PA) Australian filmmaker Miller, who has served on the jury in Cannes several times, also hit the Croisette promenade to launch one of the most anticipated films of the summer. Additional red carpet guests included Barbie director Greta Gerwig in a custom Armani Prive red dress paired with Chopard jewellery, British model Naomi Campbell in a Chanel 1997 couture black gown and actress Eva Green in a black and gold Balmain number. Naomi Campbell attends the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere (Doug Peters/PA) Over the past few days, Taylor-Joy has turned Cannes into her runway, impressing with a collection of over-the-top sun hats and Jacquemus bridal-wear. Her appearance at the festival marks a full circle moment, having first attended in 2017 to receive a Chopard trophy as an emerging actress in 2017 presented by the original Furiosa and star of Fury Road, Charlize Theron. Meryl Streep has hinted at her potential return to the Mamma Mia! film franchise. The Oscar-winning actress, 74, mentioned that she's set to meet with producer Judy Craymer imminently, during which they'll discuss the possible reintroduction of her character, Donna Sheridan, in Mamma Mia! 3. In the 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, fans discovered that Donna had passed away after a brief cameo by Streep. Speaking to Deadline about the exciting development, the three-time Oscar winner shared: I dont know how theyre going to do it. They have an idea. I havent heard it yet but its in [my diary] and Im going to hear about it pretty soon. She added: Of course I want to do it. I think folks love it. The screen legend's agent also mentioned Universal's eagerness to produce a third installment of the beloved film series. In October, Craymer, producer of the musical and films, said that a third film would happen but claimed ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson would need convincing. She told Variety: Im sure [the third movie] will happen. Im in the privileged position that I have Universal Studios wanting to do it, who I love working with, and I have a storyline. It just always takes a certain amount of time with Mamma Mia. Bjorn and Benny always take a certain amount of convincing. I dont know how much more convincing theyre gonna have because everybody wants another film. But they had ABBA Voyage and then they wanted a rest from ABBA stuff. But it will happen. Weve done the television show and now maybe Ill focus on the movie. Maybe thatll be a second 25-year celebration. Then in February, the film producer said she was confident that she could easily persuade cast members like Amanda Seyfried and Dame Julie Walters to come back for a third film, especially considering the success of the previous two installments released in 2008 and 2018. She told the Daily Star: The cast had a great time making the first two films. Julie said she is going to retire from acting, but the one thing she would still do is another Mamma Mia! film. I really think theres big love from the people who worked on the films and also from the audiences. All the generations enjoy it. Streeps comments come as the Hollywood star was honoured with an Honorary Palme dOr at an emotional presentation Tuesday night during the Cannes Film Festivals opening ceremony the Grand Theatre Lumiere. Messi, the dog from the film Anatomy of a Fall, who is getting his own TV show at Cannes, interacts with trainer Laura Martin Contini, on the red carpet at the opening ceremony at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Reuters Meryl Streep, awarded with an Honorary Palme d'Or Award, poses with Juliette Binoche during the opening ceremony at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Photo: Reuters Beneath intermittent rainy skies, the Cannes Film Festival opened yesterday with the presentation of an honorary Palme dOr for Meryl Streep and the unveiling of Greta Gerwigs jury, as the French Riviera spectacular kicked off a potentially volatile 77th edition. A 10-day stream of stars will soon begin flowing down Cannes famous red carpet, beginning with the opening-night film, The Second Act, a French comedy starring Lea Seydoux, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel and Raphael Quenard. The festivals first lengthy standing ovation went to Streep. After Juliette Binoche introduced her, Streep alternatively shook her head, fanned herself and danced while the crowd thunderously cheered. Im just so grateful that you havent gotten sick of my face and you havent gotten off of the train, said Streep. My mother, who is usually right about everything, said to me: Meryl, my darling, youll see. It all goes so fast. So fast, added Streep. And it has, and it does. Except for my speech, which is too long. The reception was nearly as rapturous for Gerwig, the first American female filmmaker to serve as president of the Cannes jury that will decide the festivals top award, the Palme dOr. Thierry Fremaux, Cannes artistic director, on Monday praised her as the ideal director for Cannes, given her work across arthouse and studio film and her interest in cinema history. And, Fremaux said, We very much liked Barbie. In the days to come, Cannes will premiere George Millers Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Francis Ford Coppolas self-financed Megalopolis and anticipated new movies from Paolo Sorrentino, Yorgos Lanthimos, Andrea Arnold and Kevin Costner. But much of the drama surrounding this years Cannes has been off screen. After French actor Judith Godreche earlier this year accused two film directors of rape and sexual abuse when she was a teenager, the French film industry has been dealing with arguably its defining #MeToo moment. Today, Godreche will premiere her short Moi Aussi. Asked about #MeToo expanding in France, Gerwig told reporters in Cannes yesterday that it is progress. I think people in the community of movies telling us stories and trying to change things for the better is only good, Gerwig said. I have seen substantive change in the American film community, and I think its important that we continue to expand that conversation. So I think its only moving everything in the correct direction. Keep those lines of communication open. Joining Gerwig on the jury is Lily Gladstone, star of Killers of the Flower Moon; French actor Eva Green; Spanish film-maker JA Bayona; French actor Omar Sy; Lebanese actor and director Nadine Labaki; Japanese film-maker Hirokazu Kore-eda; Turkish screenwriter Ebru Ceylan; and Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino. I thought I just got over my imposter syndrome last year, said the Oscar-nominated Gladstone. But Ill start all over again. The jurors were asked how the many real-world concerns outside the festival might affect their deliberations . I truly believe that one of the tools to really change something in the situation we all live in right now, which is a situation I think is not that great, is really through art and through cinema, Labaki said. It may propose a more tolerant way of seeing things and seeing each other as human beings. An east Belfast taxi driver has admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Former Fonacab driver Brian Stalford was initially charged with three offences arising from an incident in his taxi which was captured on a dashcam and went viral last June. At a previous court hearing, Stalford, from Park Avenue in east Belfast, denied the three offences and a trial was due to start on Wednesday. However, he appeared in court today where his solicitor Mark Austin asked that Stalford be re-arraigned on a charge of possessing an imitation firearm. He was then charged that on a date between March 1 and June 2, 2023 he possessed a handgun resembling a 'Desert Eagle' self-loading pistol with intent to cause fear of violence. When the offence was put to him, he was asked how he pleaded, and he replied: "Guilty." Following this, Crown barrister Natalie Pinkerton told Judge Donna McColgan KC that the prosecution was leaving two remaining counts 'on the books' and they were not being proceeded with. These counts were assaulting a front seat passenger and threatening to kill the same male, on a date between March 1 and June 2, 2023. Judge McColgan said that as Stalford has admitted a "very serious charge", the consequences were "inevitable" and he was to be remanded into custody ahead of sentencing. Mr Austin then addressed the judge and asked that his client be granted continuing bail. This, he said, was to allow Stalford to be examined by defence experts including a psychologist which the solicitor said "can often prove to be extremely difficult" for defendants remanded in custody. Mr Austin added that Stalford "has been on bail for a somewhat significant period of time" and has abided by all conditions. When asked what the Crown's view was regarding bail, Ms Pinkerton said "the prosecution would not be applying to revoke his bail" pending sentence - but agreed that the consequences of his plea were "inevitable." Judge McColgan released Stalford on continuing bail and he was told to return to court on Tuesday, July 2, for sentencing. I just knew I wanted to have children. In my 20s I reached the point where I just knew. But girls didnt want to have children until their late 30s China implements visa-free entry for foreign tourist groups on cruise ships Global Times) 16:36, May 15, 2024 A press conference of the National Immigration Administration Photo: Yin Yeping/GT China's National Immigration Administration announced on Wednesday the full implementation of a visa exemption policy for foreign tourist groups entering China on cruise ships from the country's coastal provinces and cities. The policy will take immediate effect. This decision was made through consultation and coordination among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the General Administration of Customs, and approved by the State Council, China's cabinet. Starting from Wednesday, foreign tourist groups (consisting of two or more people) traveling by cruise ship and organized by domestic travel agencies can enter Chinese mainland without a visa as a whole group through the designated ports in 13 cities including Tianjin, Dalian in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, Shanghai, Lianyungang in East China's Jiangsu Province, Wenzhou and Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang Province, Xiamen in East China's Fujian Province, Qingdao in East China's Shandong Province, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong Province, Beihai in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Haikou and Sanya in South China's Hainan Province, said the National Immigration Administration at a press conference on Wednesday. Tourist groups ought to accompany the same cruise ship to the next port until the cruise ship leaves China, and their stay in China cannot exceed 15 days, with activities limited to the coastal provinces and Beijing, the administration said. In order to support the development of cruise tourism, seven new cruise ports including Dalian, Lianyungang, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beihai were added to the list of ports eligible for China's transit visa exemption policy, facilitating transit for overseas passengers traveling by cruise. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) A healthcare worker who has spent over a year alone in Ireland without her family has described her situation as very painful due to rules around reunification imposed by the Department of Justice. Saritha Vincent, who lives and works in Wicklow, has described the loneliness felt by migrant workers separated from their families, who are calling on Justice Minister Helen McEntee to reconsider current policies that keep them apart. Her husband, son (5) and daughter (2) remain in India as her salary does not meet the minimum threshold for them to join her. The minimum income to allow reunification is 30,000 and increases with each family member. Workers must currently wait 12 months before they can apply to bring their family to Ireland, during which they must undergo a salary assessment and lengthy processing times that campaign groups have described as unfair. Many non-EEA (European Economic Area) workers in essential sectors can wait as long as seven years without their immediate family joining them because their job does not pay enough to meet the threshold, Migrant Rights Council of Ireland (MRCI) has said. I need my family here, its very painful for me, Ms Vincent said. I have two children at home and my husband is taking care of them. It is so sad talking to them. I just beg [Ms McEntee], we need to be here together. Speaking at a demonstration outside the Department of Justice yesterday, where protesters held pictures of their families and signs calling on the Government to take action, Ms Vincent said the current waiting period for reunification is too long. We need our family here. Its very difficult because we are alone. In stressful situations, there is no one to help us through them. Its very painful. Shiji Joseph, who works as a carer in a Dublin nursing home, has spent almost two years alone in Ireland as her son (15) and daughter (9) remain in India with her husband. We look after elderly people, family members here. We love them, but we go back after work and dont have anyone to care for us. It is very hard, she said. The time zone is so different between India and here that by the time I finish my shift at 8pm, it is the middle of the night in India. We cant contact our family sometimes . Healthcare worker Saritha Vincent outside the Department of Justice. Photo: Arthur Carron. She said she is pleading with Ms McEntee as a mother herself to reconsider the policy. Nurudeen Oyewole, a social care worker and father of three, has lived in Ireland for almost five years without his family, who remain in Nigeria as his salary does not reach the threshold for them to join him. Just like every other person, we feel we deserve to enjoy the family bonding that every other person enjoys. If you are applying for a general work visa, you have to wait 12 months before you can even apply to have your family. After that, you need to meet the salary check. The process itself will then take another 12 months, he said. Most days, I move around with a divided mind. I am ready to be in Ireland and do the job that Im doing, but I am human and the desire to have my family just like every other family is always there . He said migrant workers are paying taxes and contributing to Irish society. There are people in hospitality, cleaners, working in the food industry, in construction, he said. MRCI campaigns manager Neil Bruton said: Nobody should have to choose between providing for their family and actually being with them. People are doing essential work. Ireland has called for them to come here, they have come. People are desperate to be reunited with their families and were calling on the minister to scrap the unfair rules that are keeping them apart. A Department of Justice spokesperson said: The policy governing family reunification applications for non-EEA family members, which was last amended in 2016, is currently under review. The minister announced the first changes to be introduced under this review today. Under these changes, all spouses and partners of General Employment Permit holders who are already living in Ireland having been granted family reunification and Intra-Corporate Transferee Permit Holders, will be now able to engage in employment without needing a separate employment permit. The review is also examining a much wider range of complex matters relating to applications for family reunification. It is intended to conclude the review as soon as possible. Kathy Hochul with fellow Democrat and US President Joe Biden. Ireland is to roll out the red carpet for one of the most powerful US politicians who proudly flags her Irish-American ancestry. New York Governor Kathy Hochul (65) will fly to Ireland this week to attend the Global Economic Summit and deliver a keynote address. However, Irish officials have arranged several personal honours for Governor Hochul whose grandparents hailed from Kerry. Both the Government and local authorities are determined to foster links with Governor Hochul who is seen as one of the most powerful Irish-American politicians after President Joe Biden. Governor Hochul will be accorded a special civic reception by Kerry Co Council to honour her local roots. Her paternal grandfather John Courtney hailed from Cutteen in the Maharees while her grandmother Mary Brown also hailed from the Kingdom. Both emigrated to the US and married after meeting in Chicago. Read more Kerry to honour New York Governor Kathy Hochul The Courtney family eventually relocated to the Buffalo area of New York. The special civic reception will be hosted by the council in Castlegregory - and Governor Hochul will be given a tour of her ancestral home and briefed on her local family history. Senator Mark Daly will attend the reception and has paid tribute to Governor Hochul for her personal interest in her Irish roots and her commitment to fostering economic and cultural links between the two countries. The Buffalo native replaced Andrew Cuomo as Governor of New York in 2021 after he stepped down following a controversy over inappropriate behaviour. A graduate of both Syracuse University and Columbus School of Law, she worked in the legal field in the 1980s before serving as a legal advisor and consultant for several Democratic officials in New York. She was later elected to the US House of Representatives and, in 2015, became Lieutenant Governor of New York. In 2021, she became Governor following Governor Cuomo's shock resignation. Governor Hochul won re-election in 2022 in the closest race with Republicans for several decades. Her victory was also the first time a woman had been elected New York Governor. Governor Hochul is a mother of two and her husband is one of the highest profile lawyers in New York state. The Governor will meet Taoiseach Simon Harris during her Irish visit. She will be one of the keynote speakers at the Global Economic Summit which takes place at the Hotel Europe in Killarney from May 20-22. Before visiting Ireland, she will attend a special conference on climate change in the Vatican and will meet Pope Francis. Governor Hochul's first overseas visit was to Israel last year in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack. Over 400 business leaders will attend the Killarney event including Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation. Other speakers will include EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Executive Director of Partnerships and Planning at INTERPOL, Darrin E. Jones, and global executives from Apple, Google, The World Food Programme and The World Bank. The latest migrant camp on the Grand Canal in Dublin has grown to 57 tents less than a week after a similar camp was dismantled. The new camp started to grow late last week between the Baggot Street and Leeson Street bridges on the city-side of the canal. The tents are positioned side by side and are now on both sides of the tow-path, with some pitched on the slope between the path and the canal itself. While the number of tents had been in the 40s yesterday, the figure was nearing 60 this morning. As work went on at a construction site at the edge of Wilton Place, the occupants of the tents remained asleep inside their tents at 7am. The camp that was removed last Thursday at nearby Mount Street Bridge numbered nearly 100 tents, and that had gown after a previous camp of more than 200 tents had been established over a 14-month period on Mount Street Lower and Grattan Street, and its surrounding laneways, was taken down after accommodation was found for the occupants. Barriers erected around the canal area after removal of the tents Asylum seekers are drawn to the area due to its proximity to the International Protection Office on Mount Street Lower. Speaking about the growing number of tents, Labour leader Ivana Bacik has said the lack of coordination and the lack of provision amounts to the conclusion that the resulting tents amounts to a sort of Rwanda policy for the Irish Government. They are leaving people sleep in tents and its almost as if they are seeking to send out a signal to those who may be coming to Ireland to claim refuge, she added. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald called on Integration Minister Roderic OGorman and Justice Minister Helen McEntee to make statements on immigration in the Dail yesterday, expressing further concern about the growing number of tents around the canal. If ever there was an image for your abject failure in this area, it is that there is a situation where, on the one hand, the State pays money to distribute tents to these vulnerable people, and then, at the far end, commits to have these tents removed, only for more to appear, she said. This is utterly scandalous. It causes huge unease not just across the city of Dublin but far beyond. We need answers and accountability from the Ministers, Deputies OGorman and McEntee, and from Government, she added. The growth of the numbers of asylum seekers sleeping in tents comes as the Government signed-off on social welfare cuts that will see the benefits to around 27,000 Ukrainian refugees who came here before March 14 drop to 38.80 per week. Refugees who came here after March 14 are already receiving the lower rate, which is in line with payments to asylum seekers. The new changes will affect only refugees who are in fully serviced State accommodation, including those who have their food, boarding and other services, such as laundry, paid for. There are now 83,000 Ukrainian refugees in the State. A collective effort by all agencies is needed to combat the risk of a politician being killed in Ireland, the former Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan has said. Ms OSullivan was speaking during the launch of a report into the abuse experienced by those working in politics. The publication came as news broke that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico suffered life-threatening injuries after he was shot multiple times on Wednesday. A number of recommendations were also published today by the task force, which was chaired by Ms OSullivan, into safe participation in political life. Asked if Ireland could see a situation like that of the attack on MP Jo Cox in the UK, Ms OSullivan said the full implementation of the recommendations by all agencies was needed. None of us, and Im sure nobody in this room wishes that we would have anything like what we heard in Slovakia today or indeed anything that happened in the UK, none of us want to see that, Ms OSullivan said. Today's News in 90 seconds - 15th May 2024 But the reality is that we all have to work together to prevent that. There is no one agency, there is no one body, not the Oireachtas, not An Garda Siochana, not anybody, but all of us, collectively, have to stand together and face down the threat and the risk that is there that something like this could come, she added. Ms OSullivan also said citizens must play a role in reducing the risk of a fatal attack on politicians. I think active citizenship is the way to go. We all sometimes like to be passive bystanders, but we actually need to be upstanders. We need to be there and we need to speak our mind. We need to really address these behaviours we see in spaces, she said. A number of politicians have seen their homes become the target of threats and protests, including Taoiseach Simon Harris, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Integration Minister Roderic OGorman and People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy. One of the recommendations put forward today said the publication of the home addresses of election candidates should no longer be a requirement and instead should be optional. Ms OSullivan said this recommendation was one considered carefully by the task force and that there was a palpable sense of menace. Not just as a former Garda Commissioner, but as a citizen I certainly share the concern of a lot of citizens around the increase in the tempo and I would call it that palpable sense of menace that is certainly increasing from a small cohort of people, Ms OSullivan said. The report emphasised the role of social media and the presence of abuse on platforms. Asked what engagement the task force had with X, Ms OSullivan said participation with the Elon Musk-owned platform did not happen. It was regrettable that X were unavailable. So, that was the message we got, that they were unavailable, Ms OSullivan said. Other recommendations included a comprehensive security review to be conducted regularly to ensure the safety of Leinster House and a review of the security allowance scheme so that it meets the needs of elected members of local authorities. Sinn Fein TD Kathleen Funchion looks like she will get a seat in Europe. Photo: Collins Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is sweating over the chances of Barry Andrews (pictured) Mick Wallace is under pressure, while Clare Daly needs to become more visible in her campaigning. Photo: Cate McCurry/PA Former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly looks well positioned to win a seat in the European Parliament Barry Cowen is polling well but may suffer from his party's strategy. Photo: Gerry Mooney Barry Cowens chances of getting elected as an MEP are being jeopardised by Fianna Fail splitting their vote between three candidates. Meanwhile, right-wing shock-jock Niall Boylan is fighting it out with soft-left candidates Ciaran Cuffe and Aodhan O Riordain for a seat. And the Social Democrats are a very long shot for a seat, with Holly Cairns candidate challenging two sitting MEPs. Private polling data, confirmed by the Irish Independent, shows Independent and smaller party candidates firmly in contention for up to six seats in the European elections. The polling was undertaken in the last 10 days with a sample size of about 1,400 and a full slate of candidates. Former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly looks well positioned to win a seat in the European Parliament Sinn Fein will comfortably win three seats, but the party is falling short of taking second seats. And Simon Harris is in contention for a freak result with his line-up. Ireland Midlands North West: Independents day Former RTE News correspondent Ciaran Mullooly, running for Independent Ireland, is going really well, as is left-wing Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan. As of now, both are in position to win seats. Aontu TD Peadar Toibin is also firmly in the race. Sinn Fein will also take a seat, with sitting MEP Chris MacManus polling slightly better than Westminster MP Michelle Gildernew. However, the party will be in contention for a second seat if its support solidifies. Fianna Fails tactic of running three candidates has backfired. Cowen is polling way ahead of Lisa Chambers and Niall Blaney. But there is a danger the partys vote is being split too much, which could lead to Mr Cowen getting overtaken. Mick Wallace is under pressure, while Clare Daly needs to become more visible in her campaigning. Photo: Cate McCurry/PA And that could benefit Fine Gael. Celebrity candidate Nina Carberry is polling just ahead of sitting MEP Maria Walsh, with an outside shot of a second seat. Mullooly is killing Cowen in the midlands, a source said. Cowen needs to go west for Fianna Fail votes. "Fine Gael have an outside chance of two. A freak result could happen and a lot of things would have to go right, but it would be a freak. Fianna Fail is not dividing the constituency, so Mr Cowen will be free to campaign across the coasts. Party supporters are likely to swing in behind him once its obvious he is the real party candidate. No candidates are currently getting elected on the first count, with anything up to eight coming in around the half-a-quota mark Solid: Ciaran Mullooly, Luke Ming Flanagan Scurrying: Peadar Toibin, Nina Carberry, Maria Walsh, Chris MacManus, Michelle Gildernew, Barry Cowen Niall Boylan of Independent Ireland is in contention. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Ireland South: Hard or soft-left swing A shoot-out for the last seat is on the cards here, with two MEPs battling it out with a possible surprise package. Sitting MEP Mick Wallace, under his Independents4Change banner, and Green Party MEP Grace OSullivan, are both under pressure. Social Democrats candidate Susan Doyle is not that far behind the Greens and a late run would see her in the frame to overtake Ms OSullivan and take on Mr Wallace. Sinn Fein TD Kathleen Funchion looks like she will get a seat in Europe. Photo: Collins Independent TD Michael McNamara is polling strongly and is now a favourite to take a seat. The first three seats are terribly straightforward, with Sinn Fein TD Kathleen Funchion, along with Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly and Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher, all safe and sound. Sinn Feins second candidate, Senator Paul Gavan, is back in the pack and will need a big swing towards his party to be in the frame so he cant be ruled out. Fine Gaels John Mullins is also polling not-badly, but mainly from his Cork base. Safe: Kathleen Funchion, Sean Kelly, Billy Kelleher Stable: Michael McNamara Scramble: Mick Wallace, Grace OSullivan, Susan Doyle, Paul Gavan Dublin: Going right, left or centre Beyond SInn Feins Lynn Boylan topping the poll and being elected comfortably, nothing else is a certainty in Dublin. The performance of sitting MEP Clare Daly of Independents4Change will be key as she appears to be in grave danger. Her campaign has been low-key to date, so shell need to up the tempo to hold on. Fianna Fails sitting MEP Barry Andrews and Fine Gaels Regina Doherty will definitely win one seat between them. However, there is a question mark over whether there are really two centre-ground party seats. Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan looks a certainty to be elected. Photo: Rollingnews.ie At the moment, the polling is suggesting both will be elected, which would be a superb result for Micheal Martin and a relief for Simon Harris. Neither are safe though. Niall Boylan of Independent Ireland is definitely in contention, along with Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe and Labours Aodhan O Riordain. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is sweating over the chances of Barry Andrews (pictured) Sinn Feins second candidate Daithi Doolan is not featuring, so will be reliant on a big boost for his party over the last three weeks to get in the hunt. Sorted: Lynn Boylan Scavenging: Barry Andrews, Regina Doherty, Clare Daly, Niall Boylan, Ciaran Cuffe, Aodhan O Riordain AN INVESTIGATION has been demanded into the case of a nursing home patient who died with his wounded face infested by maggots. The demand came in the Dail from Aontu leader Peadar Toibin as he raised the case of Ultan Meehan who died in hospital two weeks after transfer from the home. He had cancerous wounds which became infected at Kilbrew nursing home in Co Meath during Covid. Fifteen people died at the home in the course of the pandemic. Mr Toibin said that Ultan had died with "his face was discoloured with black congealed blood. It had become infected, and shockingly his face had become infested with maggots". The minister of state with responsibility for nursing homes, Mary Butler, said she had personally apologised to Mary Bartley Meehan, who also lost a son to Covid. The Aontu leader said Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, the Department of Health, the HSE, Hiqa, and Ombudsman has all refused so far to investigate what happened. "Practically every second night Mary herself has nightmares in relation to the infestation," he said. She said to me yesterday: "I hope I dont die without them saying sorry to me." Mr Toibin said Mary and her family was just one of thousands of family who had lost loved ones in nursing homes during Covid. "North of the border we see the Covid inquiry in full swing. We see the hypocrisy of Michelle ONeill laid bare in relation to that. But in this part of Ireland we dont have a Covid inquiry," he said. "We dont have a terms of reference and we dont have a Government that actually has any will to carry out this investigation." There were 2,300 lives lost in nursing homes during the pandemic, he said. "Im asking you, why is it this Government dont want to investigate what they did in relation to Covid. "Will you confirm today there be an investigation with the powers of compellability, before the end of this Government." Today's News in 90 seconds - 15th May 2024 Minister of state Mary Butler, who has responsibility for nursing homes, said tough rules had been put in place during Covid, which was a horrendous time for many people in nursing homes. "I have met in person with Mrs Bartley-Meehan and I have worked with her on a couple of issues. I'm not going to discuss them here on the floor of the Dail, but in relation to your substantial question, that is a decision for the Government. "I did apologise to Mrs Mrs Bartley-Meehan in person myself." Mr Toibin attempted to speak again on the issue, but was ruled out of order by the Ceann Comhairle. Sean O Fearghail told him as he persisted: "It's very important that you adhere to the rules of the House. You're out of order, you're out of time, and if this persists, you won't be called again." Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar repeatedly promised a national Covid inquiry. Asked recently by Independent.ie if the inquiry was one of the issues now being long-fingered by Simon Harris, his successor, a spokesman reiterated that the Government was committed to an inquiry - but could not say when. Emma Little Pengelly expressed personal concern for the vulnerable in the previously unseen messages. Photo: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye DUP MLA Edwin Poots (right) and solicitor John McBurney, leaving the Clayton Hotel in Belfast after giving evidence at the UK Covid-19 inquiry last week. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA 3/5/24 Press Eye/Darren Kidd Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 3rd May 2024 The Taoiseach, Simon Harris, visited Parliament Buildings this morning (Friday 3 May). He was greeted at the front of Parliament Buildings by the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Edwin Poots MLA. Having been shown around the Great Hall. Dame Arlene Foster leaving the Clayton Hotel in Belfast after giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry hearing. Picture date: Wednesday May 15, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story INQUIRY Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Diane Dodds, former minister for the Economy of Northern Ireland, leaving the Clayton Hotel in Belfast after giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry hearing. Picture date: Wednesday May 8, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story INQUIRY Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Arlene Foster leaving the Clayton Hotel in Belfast after giving evidence to the UKs Covid-19 Inquiry hearing. Photo: PA More than 1,000 internal text messages between the DUP's most senior figures have been published by the Norths Covid Inquiry, providing an unprecedented insight into what the party really thought and how it operated during the pandemic. The WhatsApp messages, some of which are acutely embarrassing for senior party figures, are being made public after they were given to the inquiry by former DUP minister Edwin Poots, now the Assembly Speaker, and have been published tonight. DUP MLA Edwin Poots (right) and solicitor John McBurney, leaving the Clayton Hotel in Belfast after giving evidence at the UK Covid-19 inquiry last week. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA That is in stark contrast to Sinn Fein, whose Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill admitted to the inquiry yesterday that she deliberately deleted everything from all her devices despite being warned by the Head of the Civil Service not to do so and despite being given written legal advice which specifically said text messages and WhatsApps should not be deleted. So far, the inquiry hasn't published a single internal Sinn Fein message. The DUP messages are from a WhatsApp group containing its Executive ministers, special advisers, and other senior party figures. They show the party lampooning the Catholic Church, a message from Emma Little Pengelly that the public were looking for a "strong man", but also Mrs Little Pengelly's personal concern for some of the most deprived members of society, reminding colleagues that she came from a poor background. The inquiry has made multiple redactions to the 63 pages of messages, some of which are hard to follow for that reason. Today's News in 90 seconds - 15th May 2024 One of the individuals whose name has been blacked out appears to be Economy Minister Diane Dodds, who talks about going to vote in the European Parliament, and another is First Minister Arlene Foster, who confirmed that in oral testimony today. However, there is no way to know how many other individuals were involved but have their names redacted. The messages begin when Stormont returned at the start of 2020 following three years without devolved government. Someone whose name has been blacked out by the inquiry said on 17 January 2020: "SF doesn't seem to have matured at all!!" Emma Little Pengelly - then a special adviser but now deputy First Minister - replied sarcastically: "Well, why not - let English taxpayers subsidise our free prescriptions, lower rates, no water charges, lower tuition fees and free prescriptions...but hey, how dare you guys starve us of funding? #Perfidious Albion". Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots responded: "And a 100m pa on welfare mitigation". Education Minister Peter Weir said: "Are any of [us] really surprised?" The first reference to covid is on 23 January when an individual whose name has been blacked out said: "I hear there's a suspected case of this virus in RVH." In apparent reference to Sinn Fein calling Michelle O'Neill 'joint head of government', someone said "this must be a new title bestowed on Michelle"; another person said: "they are at this all the time". Another person whose name is hidden said: Certainly they cannot have that on official communications". Mr Weir, whose messages are often laden with humour, said: "Perhaps I should start calling myself George Clooney, it's just as accurate". Peter Weir at the Covid inquiry The Education Minister said on 13 March: "I see on PA, Archbishop Eamon Martin is writing to me urging me to close all the schools. Wasn't aware of his qualifications in virology." Someone whose name has been blacked out said: "Write back and tell him we don't live in the South and that his institution hasn't the best track record of looking out for the welfare of kids." The following day, in an apparent reference to Sinn Fein, someone denounced "panicking people" and "totally irresponsible" behaviour. On 14 March, in a reference to civil servants, someone said that "some of the officials don't inspire me". The next day, Mr Weir said that solicitor Kevin Winters had launched a judicial review of the decision not to close schools. An unidentified person responded: "Read SF for KW". Mr Weir replied: "Indeed." The messages show that DUP ministers genuinely believed they would be hurting people - and even endangering lives - by taking radical measures to shut down society. But in their evidence to the inquiry several DUP ministers, including Arlene Foster and Edwin Poots, now accept that they should have locked down sooner. Dame Arlene Foster leaving the Clayton Hotel in Belfast after giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry hearing. Picture date: Wednesday May 15, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story INQUIRY Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire On 14 March, Mr Weir said that "above all other considerations will be our protection of human life, which the best opportunity to do so is following the professional advice. If in the long run we can spare one extra family from the tragic loss of a loved one then we will have done the right thing rather than the politics of panic of others." In another message, he said: "There is crazy stuff going about which if acted upon would simply cost lives." On 15 March, Emma Little Pengelly lamented how teachers seemed to think they wouldn't be going to work once schools closed. Mr Weir replied: "We could do with a few unnamed ministers not coming to work." Two days later, Mr Poots said he was "under pressure with CAFRE", the agricultural college. Referring to Sinn Fein, he said: "The public are looking to us for leadership and we can't afford to be scrapping with them. That doesn't mean giving them want they want but need agreement." Ms Little Pengelly's influence with Mrs Foster is evident. On 17 March, she set out how lockdown was likely days away and they needed to propose multiple measures including a single website for all pandemic information and "a stateswomanlike address to NI by FM and DFM". She said: "We also need to be aware that in behaviour science terms we are now dealing with emergency, war time like circumstance - ergo people want to see what is termed in political science as 'strong man' political leaders - (now strong women..) - this is very well established. Strong and serious, calm and professional." She urged ministers to be "empathetic and understanding" to the pressures faced by those struggling financially, reminding them that "those on working tax credit get free school meals (FSM}, many on that benefit DO work but may find themselves on reduced hours or redundant...and many of those on FSMs are our voters (I am saying this as a child who was a FSM child for many years)." There is a gap of about a month in the messages. On 22 April, Mr Weir said: "Hargey has [another few words have been blacked out by the inquiry as 'irrelevant and sensitive']! She's had a tough paper round clearly." Orli Degani deselected because her position and that of the party on Gaza differed The Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has said she doesnt think deselection of an Israeli local election candidate will hurt the party in the upcoming local elections. Israeli businesswoman Orli Degani was deselected by the party due to a clash over her position on Gaza. Ms Degani, who is a German Jew, has suggested she was deselected because she raised concerns of the Jewish community with the party. She is now running to be an independent councillor on the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said Ms Degani was deselected because her position and that of the party on Gaza differed, especially with regard to boycott divestment settlements and there was objections to our members attending rallies. Holly Cairns launching the Social Democrats local and European Election campaigns in Merrion Square, Dublin 2. Photo: RollingNews.ie She said there was a very long and fair process with a mediator and Ms Degani did not appeal the decision. Ms Cairns said she doesnt think that the deselection will hurt the partys chances electorally in Dun Laoghaire. Ms Degani has since been replaced on the Social Democrats ticket by law student Hugo Mills. I think a lot of people can understand that sometimes candidates do need to be deselected and it is a very difficult process. Nobody wants that to happen, but there is a time and a place for that, said Ms Cairns. As long as the process is fair, I think people are happy. She said the partys position on Gaza is really clear and pointed to comments from the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, calling them a distraction. Ms Erlich said previously that it appears that Ms Degani was deselected because of her nationality. Orli Degani will run as an independent candidate It is kind of an attempt at a distraction from whats really important, said Ms Cairns. Our position is we need ceasefire now, we need a release of the hostages, we need sanctions which are a catalyst for some kind of a consequence for Israel. A lot of that narrative is a distraction from the more important issue of the now 35,000 people killed in Gaza. At the launch of their local and European campaigns in Merrion Square, the party also criticised RTE for excluding their candidates for Ireland South and Midlands North West in TV debates. Israeli ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich Ms Cairns said the party is incredibly disappointed it wont be included in two debates. It will be in the Dublin debate. She said the party has six TDs, has over 20 councillors, regularly ranks fourth in the polls and has been excluded. When the result of that criteria is that a party of our size is not going to be in two of those debates, it is really, really surprising, she said. Heather Humphreys has once again wielded her axe against the welfare entitlements of refugees fleeing Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine. The men, women and children who arrived in their thousands to these shores to avoid the Kremlins missiles will now have to survive on 38.80 a week. This includes young mothers and pensioners who have little or no English. A young Ukrainian mother with at least one child, who arrived in Ireland before March, is receiving 278 a week. A Ukrainian pensioner is entitled to 266 but not for much longer. They are also entitled to medical cards that give them free GP visits, among other things, for at least the first year of their stay. Some would trust the future of the country to kids as young as 16, but dont trust them to be responsible for what they consume. Stock image: Getty Another week, another government proposal which, to be most charitable, can be filed under well intentioned but destined to fail. In this particular instance Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is proposing to the Cabinet that we should change the legal age of buying cigarettes from 18 to 21. Thats where the well intentioned bit comes in. After all, nobody wants to see young people picking up the habit and I say that as a smoker. It says much about the rarity of common sense that we are always taken by surprise by displays of it especially when practised by government. Taoiseach Simon Harriss review of the full range of supports provided to refugees and asylum-seekers is as necessary as it is overdue. Consistency and sustainability have been glaringly missing from the ad hoc approach adopted to date. Initially, there were mitigating factors, as numbers arriving were unprecedented as a result of the invasion of Ukraine. While there must be no diminution in our determination to shelter and protect those fleeing Vladimir Putins brutal invasion, we must be practical and fair in not over-committing. Our accommodation crisis and the surge in the number of people arriving here have exposed the lack of strategy in managing new arrivals. We have an obligation to keep people safe and provide the basics for survival, but resources are finite and have to be balanced against real needs. The precise criteria which have to be met must be adhered to unambiguously. A structured and transparent even-handed approach, treating all humanely, must then be implemented uniformly. People must be processed and assessed speedily and respectfully. Mr Harris is correct to assert that we remain compassionate and committed to helping those we can. But there is a corresponding need to be crystal clear that we cannot be a soft touch or that we can have open borders to embrace all. Good intentions seldom suffice and generally sell short those depending on them. The lessons from the shambolic direct provision debacle need to be understood. Too many are now trapped because they can neither find let alone afford alternative accommodation. It is a textbook example of what happens when temporary emergency measures are allowed to become permanent. Ireland benefits from migration, but at the same time we have to make sure that our system is working, Mr Harris said. But right now, that system is malfunctioning. In terms of welfare and accommodation, there are indefensible anomalies. Benefits are to be cut and this must be done fairly. The old and young must be prioritised. Peoples lives are in play and we have a duty of care. But we also have a responsibility in managing expectations. The clearing of tents one day, only for them to be replaced by new encampments 24 hours later, speaks to the current chaos and confusion. Coincidentally, yesterday also saw the EU endorse sweeping reforms to the blocs outdated asylum system in Brussels. The New Pact on Migration and Asylum is the culmination of eight years of work. It will rewrite the rulebook for handling people who enter Europe without authorisation. It offers firm guidelines for screening people to establish whether they qualify for some kind of protection. Ireland also needs to be abundantly clear, open and honest about what we can and cannot do, before committing to others. It was May 17, 1974, when Wendy Burkes life changed forever. She was just one year old when her mother Colette, who was due to give birth in two days, was killed in the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, as they walked up Talbot Street on the way back from the maternity hospital. It was busy that Friday evening as they walked home through rush hour. Unknowingly, Wendys mother walked straight into the direction of the bomb after she had stopped to chat with a neighbour on the street. The explosion was the second of three car bombs that went off in Dublin that day. In a co-ordinated attack, the Ulster Volunteer Force had planted three devices - at Parnell Street, Talbot Street and South Leinster Street. In total 34 peopled were killed with hundreds more injured. The bombings werent spoken about in Wendys home as she grew up. She only heard snatches of conversations and bits of stories. Wendy is concerned that even now, the significance of the events is watered down. My children have gone through school and it was never spoken about, she said. Every year when the anniversary comes up, Wendy feels not enough respect is given to those who died. It is definitely the forgotten massacre. It's never even on the news, the anniversary. You might get a bit at the end. To this day, no one has been prosecuted for the murders. Today on The Indo Daily, Tabitha Monahan is joined by Wendy Burke, a survivor of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings to look at the cultural impact of one of the worst atrocities in the history of the State, and why, 50 years on, families are still looking for answers. Gardai have not confirmed if all three incidents are linked Only a matter of time before someone gets hurt A third tanning salon in Carlow Town has gone up in flames after a car crashed into the building in the early hours of this morning. Gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred at approximately 2.30am this morning, Wednesday May 15. Tanique Tanning Salon, which is located in a premises on Barrack Street near the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow Town, went up in flames after a car hit the building. A silver Ford Focus with a partial registration of 08 C was reversed into the front door of the salon, which resulted in a fire. The driver, who was wearing dark clothes, then fled the scene and made his escape from the area in a getaway car. Follow Independent Carlow on Facebook Fire services from the Carlow Town and Bagenalstown stations attended the scene and brought the fire under control. No injuries have been reported. Tanique Tanning Salon. This is the third fire at various tanning salons in Carlow Town, with the last incident only occurring last month when a car crashed into a different tanning salon on Tullow Street in Carlow Town. Similarly to this incident, the Tullow Street tanning salon fire occurred in the early hours of the morning at around 2.30am on Monday April 8, when a car was driven backwards into the building and the premises went on fire. Prior to that incident, in May of 2022, another tanning salon was destroyed by a fire on Tullow Street after a car was also driven into the building in the early hours of the morning. Today's News in 90 seconds - 15th May 2024 Gardai have not confirmed if all three incidents are linked. Carlow Superintendent Anthony Farrell confirmed that gardai are searching for a getaway car they believe was used by the offender to flee the scene. "A silver Ford Focus with a partial registration of 08 C was reversed into the front door of the salon resulting in a fire. The driver wearing dark clothes exited the area and made his escape in the direction of the Bridge Street area. "Before the incident, the offending vehicle travelled from the Staplestown Road through Bridge Street to the scene. A second vehicle is believed to have taken the offender from the scene. Superintendent Farrell added: Maybe you were in the environs of the Fairgreen Shopping Centre overnight, maybe you were on shift work returning home, maybe you were at an event passing by the area, and thats all the streets surrounding the Fairgreen Shopping Centre such as Bridge Street, Staplestown Road and Barrack Street. "Maybe you have dashcam footage. An Garda Siochana are currently doing a trawl for CCTV in the locality. If you have any information to support the Garda investigation please contact An Garda Siochana Carlow on 059 913 6620 or the confidential Garda line on 1800 666 111, he concluded. Mayor of Carlow, Cllr Tom ONeill said it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. "This is the third incident in the town in a matter of months. Its absolutely crazy that it has happened again, said a visibly disgusted Mayor ONeill. Tanique Tanning Salon. "I am very concerned that this is the third incident of this nature in recent times. Thankfully no one has been injured this time. "But Im terrified that someone will be hurt because this is an ongoing issue that has to be dealt with straight away and I have full confidence in the Gardai because I know they are working hard on this case and the previous incident. But things like this cannot happen again in Carlow Town because its only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. "Im worried about anyone who passes by and gets caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. We were so lucky that no one was hurt during the last incident on Tullow Street in April because the car just rammed into the building and it was amazing that no one passing by got hurt. Tanique Tanning Salon. He added that if anyone has any information to contact the Gardai immediately. "I want to pay tribute to the emergency services such as the local Gardai and fire services that were quickly on the scene and brought the flames under control. Im urging anyone with any information to come forward to Carlow Gardai to help them in their investigation. If you have any dashcam or CCTV footage please come forward or if you saw anything or heard anything please contact the Gardai right away. Tanique Tanning Salon had only recently opened its doors in April. Aisling Lacey owns Dame Ladies Fashion next door to the tanning salon. She said an incident like this is devastating for any independent shop owner, especially if you have only just opened the store for the first time. I think any Irish independent business at the moment is doing their upmost to want to trade and support each other and the local community so to be faced with adversity like something that is out of their control it is very frustrating and disappointing for any retailer to have to overcome, sighed Aisling. A spokesperson from An Garda Siochana headquarters said investigations into the incident are ongoing. "Gardai received reports of an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred at approximately 2:30am today Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at a premises on Barrack Street in Carlow Town, explained the spokesperson. No injuries were reported and investigations are ongoing at this time, concluded the statement. There was great excitement in Boherbue on Monday morning as Councillor Bernard Moynihan turned the sod at the construction site of the new Ingredient Solutions Plant, with James Lucey, Site Supervisor, Chris O Leary, Plant & Civil Engineering, Raymond O Leary, Project Engineer, Ian Galletly, Managing Director of Ingredient Solutions, Esther Linehan, Office Manager, Ted Healy, Factory Manager, Michael Moynihan TD, Declan O Keeffe, Tadhg O Leary, Chairman of Boherbue Co Op and Peter Murphy, Vice Chair. Councillor Bernard Moynihan turning the sod at the construction site in Boherbue on Monday morning for the new Ingredient Solutions Plant with Tadhg O Leary, Chairman of Boherbue Co-Op and Ian Galletly, Managing Director of Ingredient Solutions. Photos by Sheila Fitzgerald Boherbue and the wider Duhallow Community celebrated as ground works officially commenced for the brand new 13 Million Ingredient Solutions Cheese Plant on the outskirts of the village on Monday morning. Councillor Bernard Moynihan, who has been driving the project forward since its inception was delighted to turn the sod, with Ian Galletly, Managing Director of the Company, Staff from Ingredient Solutions, Chris O Leary, Plant and Civil Engineering Crew, Boherbue Co-Op Board of Management personnel and members of the public. Sign up to the This is Cork newsletter here Councillor Moynihan said: This is a momentous day for Boherbue and the local area, with the sod turned on this site for the new Ingredient Solutions plant. This project represents a huge investment in Boherbue, providing local employment and a significant economic boost to the area. Having worked closely with the management team in Ingredients Solutions and the Planning Department of Cork County Council, I am delighted to see this important development now progressing to construction. One of the contributing factors which has delivered this project in Boherbue is the high quality of the existing workforce in the Ingredients Solutions factory, along with the delivery of the new wastewater treatment plant which made this major development feasible. Traffic calming measures will also be installed along the main road as part of this construction. I look forward to working closely with this exciting company into the future as this new development progresses in Boherbue. Ian Galletly, Managing Director of Ingredient Solutions said: I want to thank the local community, Boherbue Co Op and the local councillors for supporting me from the first day I started business here in Boherbue 24 years ago. I started this Factory with five employees and no customers. Today, we have 85 staff members and were selling to 70 countries worldwide but we could not do that without the support of the local community and the staff we have. Most of them live within a 10 mile radius of this factory. We expect over the next 10 years, after this new factory opens, to double our production and further increase our workforce. Chairman of Boherbue Co Op Tadhg OLeary said: On behalf of Boherbue Co Op, I want to congratulate Ian and his team for getting this project underway, we also want to thank him for setting up Ingredient Solutions here in Boherbue 24 years ago and we wish him the very best of luck with this new endeavour. Today's News in 90 seconds - 15th May 2024 Since Ingredient Solutions commenced trading in Boherbue in the year 2000, the business has evolved into a highly respected international cheese solutions provider. The majority of products are sold to the Irish and UK markets but the company supplies products to 70 countries worldwide. Ingredient Solutions was purchased in 2022 by Rupp, a family-owned cheese business in Austria which was founded in 1908. Rupp, which is the largest privately owned dairy company in Austria, has now invested in this new factory in Boherbue, thereby taking the company to the next level. Africa Day celebrations will include events such as a family fun day, art workshops and drumming workshops Mallow Library will host some of the Africa Day events. Africa Day, an annual worldwide celebration of the people, culture and heritage of African countries, will be celebrated in north Cork libraries on Saturday, May 25. People from all communities have been invited to participate in the celebrations, with a wide range of events including a family fun day, art workshops, an exhibition, drumming and dance workshops set to take place. Announcing the programme of events for the day, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Frank OFlynn, said the day is an opportunity to celebrate the many cultures of people with African Heritage in Cork. Our annual Family Fun Day returns to Mallow Library, while drumming workshops for beginners are available to book in Mallow and Newmarket libraries. I encourage communities to get involved and join in the fun, Mayor OFlynn said. Young residents at Drishane Castle in Millstreet will participate in art workshops with artist Elton Sibanda, and their art will be displayed at an exhibition in Mallow Library on Africa Day. African Drumming Ireland will run drumming workshops for beginners at Newmarket and Mallow Libraries on Saturday, May 25, with advance booking essential. Following the drumming workshop, a free Family Fun Day is planned for Mallow Library on Saturday the 25th of May from 12.30pm, celebrations include including art classes with Elton Sibanda, face painting, food by Marrian from Cafe Jane, and music by Godswill Enamaye. Mallow Library is also inviting children and teenagers from across the county to submit artworks for an exhibition under the theme of Africa Day. The closing date for entries is the 22nd of May and book vouchers will be awarded to the most original and creative artworks. Entries, including name, age, address and parent or guardian contact number, can be submitted by post to Africa Day Competition, Arts Office, Cork County Council, County Hall, Carrigrohane Road, Cork. For further information, contact Mallow Library on (022) 21821 or email mallow.library@corkcoco.ie and Newmarket Library on (029) 61090 or email newmarket.library@corkcoco.ie to reserve a space. Richard E Grant will talk about his new memoir, A Pocket Full of Happiness, on May 17. Pic: Gerry Mooney British actor and presenter Richard E. Grant is set to attend the International Literature Festival in Dublin this Friday evening. The Withnail and I and Saltburn star will be among the many talented headlining authors to appear at the festival, which runs for 10 days from May 17 to 26. Now in its 27th year, the festival is returning to its home in Merrion Square Park and is bigger than ever before, with 230 events planned, including 21 for all ages of the family. Aimee van Wylick, Festival Director and Producer, told the Irish Independent there has been a whole lot of planning happening in the last few months to make the vision come to life. Last year, American actor Stanley Tucci attended the festival, and she said that this year Richard E. Grant is the Stanley Tucci equivalent. His new book is described as an honest, hilarious memoir reflecting on finding happiness even on the darkest of days. Its called A Pocket Full of Happiness. Hell be talking about his memoir in the Speranza tent on Friday, which holds roughly 660 people, she said. All of our authors are headliners in my opinion, and well be featuring writers from all over the world. The festival director added that the increase in size of the program this year has meant theyre able to leverage the space of the park. Literature lovers can look forward to some amazing guests such as One Day writer David Nicholls; Marian Keyes with her latest release, My Favourite Mistake; and Colm Toibin with Long Island, the highly anticipated follow-up to Brooklyn. This years festival has a specific focus on spreading events from morning to evening, meaning everyone can make their own time to stop in. The majority of the events are ticketed and book up quite quickly, so those interested in attending should book ahead. Some of the highlights of this year include a painting and prosecco event, a fun event where attendees will be able to recreate iconic pieces from Picasso and Vermeer. Another interesting event for younger families is a special live illustration and reading performance of Oscar Wildes classic The Happy Prince, brought to life by illustrator Harry Woodgate and actor Ali Hardiman. Actors from the Gaiety School of Acting will also get involved in the fun, taking a book from the series and bringing it to life. The Space Between will also host a number of yoga sessions over the weekend. Gustav Parker Hibbett, an upcoming writer originally from the United States, also spoke about their upcoming appearance at the festival on Sunday. They said that this is one of their first times speaking to a crowd this large and that their navigation of being a black, non-binary and queer man is one of the reasons they got into writing in the first place. Its been huge to me in terms into what brought me getting into writing at first, they said. For more details on the programme for the International Literature Festival Dublin, visit their website ilfdublin.com. She said Ukrainian refugees want to work but face difficulties in doing so including a language barrier, the recognition of their qualifications and overreliance on seasonal work. Natalia has put her name forward to contest the local elections in the Killarney Electoral Area and said the planned cuts to the Ukrainian community will adversely affect mothers with children and older people. Ukrainians would be happy to work, earn and pay taxes here in Ireland and not depend on social benefits. Dependence on government payments is not our way of life, she said in response to the announcement the Government has signed off on plans to reduce social welfare payments to Ukrainian refugees who are entitled to 232 weekly rates of jobseekers allowance if they are not working. The changes to welfare signed off by the Cabinet will affect Ukrainian refugees who fled to Ireland between 2022 and early 2024 and who are in are in fully-serviced state accommodation. They are to have their allowances cut from the job seekers rate of 232 to a lower rate in the next three months. But now Ukrainians are facing several difficulties - learning English in a short time, uncertainty about the recognition of diplomas and then finding a job. As the war continues, I think we in Ireland need a more medium to long-term strategy to help integrate Ukrainian professionals into the workforce and into society, however long that takes, he said. 50% of Ukrainians in Ireland have higher education. We want to use these qualifications and Ireland can use it for the greater good. I think this is the way forward, she said. She said a sharp reduction would mean that some people would be forced back to a war situation. The Ukrainian community expresses the opinion that a sharp reduction in payments will not allow young mothers with children and pensioners, disabled people to stay in Ireland, because the payment of 38 euros per week does not even cover the cost of meals in hotels which is 70 a week. Thus, with this decision, the government can push people into poverty or return to the war zone in Ukraine. Player scooped 500,000 in Euromillions Plus draw on Tuesday night The player purchased their winning Quick Pick ticket the day before the draw on Monday, May 13, at Daybreak, Main Street, Borris in Ossory, Co Laois. A player in Laois has woken up half a million euro richer this morning after they scooped the EuroMillions Plus top prize of 500,000 in last night's draw, held on Tuesday, May 14. The player purchased their winning Quick Pick ticket the day before the draw, on Monday, May 13, at Daybreak, Main Street, Borris in Ossory, Co Laois. The winning numbers in the EuroMillions Plus draw were: 10, 14, 22, 44 ,47. Follow Independent Laois on Facebook Last nights win came as a great surprise to Store Manager Kate Brennan, who was delighted to hear their store sold the winning ticket in the Tuesday night draw. This is the biggest prize that we have ever sold so there has been lots of excitement ever since we posted the news on our social media first thing this morning. Were located on the old road between Dublin and Limerick so the winner really could be anyone. Heres hoping they check their ticket soon. All of the staff were thrilled to hear that this is the biggest prize weve ever sold. Lets hope the winning continues and maybe there will be even more phone calls from the National Lottery in the near future. This is the eighth time the EuroMillions Plus Top Prize has been won in Ireland so far this year, following wins in Dublin (2) Tipperary, Cork, Wicklow (2) and Kilkenny. Today's News in 90 seconds - 15th May 2024 Sarah Ruane, National Lottery spokesperson said: We are appealing to all of our players who may have purchased a ticket at the Daybreak, Main Street, Borris in Ossory, Co Laois to check their tickets carefully today as one player has a prize worth an incredible 500,000 waiting for them. The winner should contact our prize claims team as soon as possible and arrangements will be made for them to pop into Lotto HQ to officially claim their prize. They should make contact with the prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie and arrangements will be made for them to collect their prize. The site of the planned depot at Drumfin. Sligo County Council has voted to go ahead with the building of a large scale road maintenance depot on a former compound at Drumfin used during the construction of the N4 dual carriageway from Colloney to Castlebaldwin. The Council intends to build a large road maintenance depot including a salt warehousing depot in a joint venture with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The council is proceeding with its proposal to create its Strategic Road Maintenance Facility under Part 8 planning approval. Part 8 allows for submissions or observations to be made by the public or any interested bodies or parties and a report was presented to the members of the Council by the Chief Executive recommending its go ahead. At last Mondays monthly meeting of the council, Riverstown Councillor Martin Baker voiced his objection to the development saying that he had received some concerns from local residents. When the vote was taken Cllr Declan Bree, Cllr Gerry Mullaney, Cllr Rosaleen OGrady, Cllr Martin Connolly, Cllr Tom Fox, Cllr Thomas Walsh, Cllr Marie Casserly voted in favour, Cllr Thomas Healy, Cllr Joe Queenan, Cllr Michael Clarke abstained, Cllr Martin Baker, Cllr Donal Gilroy, Cllr Gino OBoyle voted against and Cllr Dara Mulvey, Cllr Paul Taylor, Cllr Tom MacSharry, Cllr Sinead Maguire and Cllr Arthur Gibbons were absent. The council wants to develop a Strategic Road Maintenance Facility, including Strategic Resilience Salt Barn facility, Maintenance/Operation Depot and Local Authority Municipal District Machinery Yard, with ancillary buildings and structures, to provide a range of national, regional and local road maintenance services. The regional reach will cover the whole North West region, including counties Donegal, Sligo, Longford, Leitrim, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. The council plans to build four salt barns, with capacity of 30,000 tonnes of salt, for national reserves and resilience salt stocks; a two-storey administration building for maintenance/operation activities which includes internal storage area, welfare facilities, offices and canteen facilities on the ground floor, with offices and meeting/training room on the first floor; maintenance and operation barn including lean-to vehicle storage and secure internal storage for maintenance and operation salt supplies; single-storey workshop and staff welfare facility. Other proposed facilities include an internal access road, weighbridge, bunded re-fuelling area,truck washdown area, underground storage tank for collection of brine/contaminated runoff from salt containment and truck washdown, road material storage areas and a staff/visitor carpark. The council says environmental protection has been provided on the site to ensure that possible contaminants in the site runoff are intercepted at source and treated prior to discharge. Salt-water will be managed through an independent sealed networks preventing contaminated runoff entering the surrounding ephemeral drainage networks. Foul water, storm water, water supply, electricity and telecommunications are proposed to be provided to the siter in accordance with the relevant standards. Environmental considerations have been assessed for the site. The council says the proposed development aligns with the Governments National Adaptation Framework (NAF), by facilitatingreduced carbon footprint for road maintenance services through delivery, storage and security of salt supplies proximate to demand, thereby significantly reducing haulage distances to serve the north-western region. It will facilitate the roll out of consistent proactive network management for the entire North-Western region and environs including counties Sligo, Leitrim, Longford, Galway, Donegal, Mayo and Roscommon. It adds that the strategic salt barn facility will ensure full control, security and the supply of salt in the north-western region for all proximate local authorities, TII and Depratment of Transport. However, locals claim the proposed site, a compound used during the construction of the N4 dual carriageway, was to be returned to a greenfield site when the road was completed by Roadbridge. Locals asserted that the site is not in the ownership of Sligo County Council or any government agency and remains the property of a landowner based in Cork and the project application is based on it being subject to planning. The Council received 18 submissions from local residents. An Bord Pleanala ruled that the development did not need an Environmental Impact Report as requested by two local residents. In response to some local concerns about traffic movement in the operational phase, Sligo County Council Chief Executive Martin Lydon said operations would be mindful of local residents. On concerns about noise he said there would be an increase in some noise but it was not significant. Among the residents other concerns were on light pollution, disposal of waste, fencing and landscape, cultural heritage and archaeology, impact on property prices, site notice and consultation. Mr Lydons recommendation to the Council was that, having regard to the submissions received that the proposed development proceed in accordance with drawings and particulars contained in the Part 8 Public Notice dated Thursday July 27 2023. Senior planners said the proposed development would be consistent with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. It was of regional significance associated with road maintenance. Any visual impact associated with the development has been appropriately mitigated or is considered acceptable given the context. The report also stated that appropriate consideration has been given to other planning such archaeology, flooding, lighting. The development will include the use of sustainable urban drainage, solar panels, EV charging points, the use of air to water heat pumps and efficient building technologies which ensures the proposal is an environmentally sustainable form of development. Mr Lydon said no suitable alternative locations were feasible on the N4 route. The proposed development is located stategically to the region it is serviing and with near immediate access on to the national road network. It is considered unlikely that there will be any notable property vaue impact by the development. It would result in some increased noise and activity associated with work to the site and vehicles leaving and arriving. However, it is considered that this would not represent a significant increase in the surrounding noise levels experienced in the area and mainly associated with traffic movements on the N4 dual carriageway/interchange which is just to the south of the site, said Mr Lydon in response to submissions from local residents. He also pointed out in another reply to residents that it is considered unlikely that the proposed development will create any obstacles to future planning potential of nearby properties. Mr Lydon recommended that the development should proceed in accordance with the drawings and particulars contained in the Part 8 Public Notice dtaed, July 27th 2023. At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday the Government took the decision to extend the remediation of homes damaged by the use of defective blocks to include County Sligo. The decision has been welcomed by Sligo/Leitrim Fine Gael TD, Frank Feighan who thanked the Minister for Housing Darragh OBrien who made the recommendation to cabinet. I have written and spoken to Minister OBrien on a number of occasions and asked that home owners with issues around pyrite and mica based in Sligo would have access to the government compensation scheme and I am pleased that he has responded positively to my request, said Deputy Feighan. Sligo County Council now becomes a designated local authority under the scheme and householders affected by defective blocks can apply to the local authority to avail of the scheme. Deputy Marc MacSharry has also welcomed the announcement by the Minister. He said the campaign to include Sligo had been a long one and he was delighted to see it had a successful conclusion. The news has also been warmly welcomed by local councillors. But some councillors said it had to be 100 per cent redress. A report last February by the Housing Agency noted pyrite damage to between 250 and 350 dwellings in certain parts of Sligo. At Mondays Sligo County Council meeting, Mr Jim Molloy, Director of Housing said the application for the grant was being approved by the Cabinet. Reacting to the development, Cllr Michael Clarke thanked all concerned with getting the funding for Sligo. Cllr Clarke said: I want to acknowledge the utter devastation of the families in county Sligo have experienced in their lives because of their houses crumbling around them. They campaigned with dignity and effectiveness to ensure that this day would come. But they need 100 per cent redress to restore their homes. But it will never compensate them for the trauma and the hurt and the mental anguish it has caused them. He added: Cllr Joe Queenan and I did not look for headlines We worked behind the scenes with the officials and calmly as a group and the families have been better served by working as a group with our officials. Cllr Queenan said:The one regret is that they had not moved earlier but it was good news story. People built houses, paid their mortgages, raised their families and now have to start all over again. Cllr Thomas Walsh said for those affected it was one of the worst things any household could face. He lauded the staff of Sligo County Council for their efforts. Cllr Marie Casserly said it was such a relief to so many families to get this news as it had dragged on for a long time. There was huge worry and there were a lot of families who did not make it known that their houses were affected because it was nearly like there was a stigma attached to it. They have been quietly waiting for this for a long time, so they are genuinely relieved. A lot of people have not told their immediate families that their homes were affected by pyrite and that is how serious it is for some people. This was one of the most serious and upsetting issues that faced many people and their children. Cllr Casserly added that she had been contacted by a family who were worried now that the process would be slow. They want this process to work as quickly as possible. Cllr Thomas Healy said it was great that Sligo was being included and was a great victory for the campaign group the Sligo Pyrite Action Group who also made sure that the first committee was set up here in Sligo County Council. This only put Sligo on a par with Mayo, Clare, Donegal and the rest of the counties. We met all the families here and the plaster is still falling off the walls and we hear that foundations are not going to be included in the scheme so that needs to be redressed. It needs to be 100 per cent redress. These families affected did nothing wrong but they are the ones that are carrying the can. So the quicker it starts the better and lets think of the families being forced to live in rented accommodation and their children. Until we get 100 per cent redress, nothing has happened yet, he said. Marie Ward, Sligo Traveller Support Group is the lead Primary Health care worker raising awareness in her community on Autism and supporting parents and families with children diagnosed with Autism. In the past Traveller adults would have gone through life without a diagnosis and even now there are Travellers in their 20s and 30s who are not diagnosed. Marie said Travellers face many barriers and having a family member living with autism brings additional challenges but positive change is happening and Travellers are reaching for support and asking more questions to understand autism. The Sligo Traveller support group said there is very little information available that Travellers feel comfortable to access specifically focused on the experiences of Travellers which is a concern for the project. This was recently highlighted at the Sligo Connecting for Life meeting where Ita Madden, HSEs Regional Traveller Mental Health service coordinator said: Travellers are often afraid to access a service because they dont understand the process or gateway to accessing the supports and this fear is intensified with their experiences of systemic levels of discrimination and racism. It is well documented that Travellers already have to hide their identity to survive and this leaves it more difficult for a Traveller to admit to being an Autistic Traveller. The Sligo Traveller support group hosted an open day for Traveller parents and families to come together in a safe place to share information and support which was very successful. Marie said it is the small steps that will encourage parents not to be afraid or ashamed and to reach out for services. She admitted since she started to learn about autism she realised people with autism are our neighbours, shop assistants and our friends and we dont recognise it. The Traveller primary health care team will be hosting a number of information sharing events, supports and encouragement for Traveller parents and families throughout 2024. Marie said: Through Connecting for Life and the support of Ita Madden we have been able to access information and have since registered as a member with the national Autism support group As I Am. We have also engaged with the Irish Traveller movement who have resources and information which has been a great benefit as it is specific to Travellers experiences of living with autism. Having a child with autism can be very worrying and stressful and can affect the mental health of carers if you dont take action and this is why it is important to get help and support and take time out to be able to cope. Autism is not a medical condition with treatments or a cure. But some autistic people need support to help them with certain things. Sligo Town is part of the AsIAm Autism Friendly Town programme. . For support you can contact Marie Ward, STSG at marie@stsg.ie or Ita Madden, Mental Health Service Coordinator at ita.madden@hse.ie. Waterford City and County Council said it received reports of graffiti in the Grange Manor area of Waterford on Tuesday evening, May 14. Pictures posted by Damien Tiernan of WLR radio Sinister graffiti spray painted on to walls in a housing estate in Waterford city is to be removed today. The graffiti, which made reference to Sinn Fein, contains the words kill shiners (sic) and hang traitors paired with a celtic cross or gun sight symbol, was been reported to local Gardai. The two images were sprayed on to walls close by to each other. Follow Independent Waterford on Facebook Waterford Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane told local radio station WLR that there is CCTV footage of that area, and hopefully they will be able to capture some of that. Obviously, Sinn Fein is big enough to be able to deal with any of these issues. Its water off a ducks back to me, added Deputy Cullinane. The images were to be removed by WCCC Amenities Team on Wednesday morning this week. Pictures posted by Damien Tiernan of WLR radio Waterford City and County Council (WCCC) said it received reports of graffiti in the Grange Manor area of Waterford on Tuesday evening, May 14. WCCC Amenities Team will be removing the graffiti on Wednesday morning, May 15, confirmed a spokesperson for the Council. Green Party Cllr Cristiona Kiely commented: Another day, another new low. This graffiti in Waterford is sinister and intimidating for the people it's meant to target and for everyone who has to see it. Gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage that occurred at The Grange, Waterford city between Sunday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 14, confirmed a Garda spokesperson. Enquiries are ongoing into the incident. Gardai in Waterford are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward. "Any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and were travelling in The Grange/Johns Hill area between 12pm on Sunday, May 12, and 4pm on Tuesday, May 14, are asked to make this footage available to Gardai. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Deadpool 2 (2018) **** (Film4, 9.00pm) Former Special Forces operative Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), receives a swift kick to the nether portions from Lady Luck as he continues to romance sex-club worker Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). Plunged into a fiery pit of despair, Wade is rescued by X-Men buddies Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), who now has an electrified girlfriend (Shioli Kutsuna). The noble mutants enrol Deadpool as a trainee and for his first assignment, the wise-cracking rogue attempts to subdue a misunderstood teenager called Russell (Julian Dennison), who is being hunted by futuristic soldier Cable (Josh Brolin). Directed by one of the guys who killed the dog in John Wick, Deadpool 2 is a rollicking, gleefully irreverent and potty-mouthed sequel. THURSDAY Quartet (2012) **** (BBC4, 9.00pm) Dustin Hoffman goes behind the camera to direct an impressive British cast in this comedy drama. Run with a gentle yet firm touch by on-staff medic Dr Lucy Cogan (Sheridan Smith), retirement home Beecham House heaves with eccentrics, including luvvie Cedric (Michael Gambon), who masterminds the annual fundraising concert attended by staff and wealthy donors. Three of the residents Reginald (Tom Courtenay), Wilf (Billy Connolly) and Cissy (Pauline Collins) once performed together as a celebrated quartet. The unexpected arrival of the groups fourth member, Regs ex-wife Jean (Maggie Smith), sends shockwaves through Beecham House. Once Jean adjusts to the gentle ebb and flow of daily life at the home and rebuilds bridges that were burnt to a cinder, she rediscovers her passion for performance. FRIDAY The Imitation Game (2014) ***** (BBC1, 10.40pm) Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) sits in a police interrogation room with Detective Nock (Rory Kinnear), facing a charge of indecency with a 19-year-old unemployed man. In flashback, Alan arrives at Bletchley Park where a group of the countrys keenest try to break the Enigma code. Hugh Alexander (Matthew Goode), John Cairncross (Allen Leech) and Peter Hilton (Matthew Beard) work alongside Turing, but he ploughs his own furrow and raises eyebrows by recruiting Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley) to the team. The Imitation Game is a handsomely crafted tribute to a prodigy, whose invaluable contribution to the war effort was besmirched by bigotry. Oscar-nominee Cumberbatch is mesmerising, trampling over the egos of fellow code breakers without any concern for their feelings. SATURDAY Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) ***** (BBC2, 12.50am) Director Celine Sciammas acclaimed, absorbing French drama stars (Noemie Merlant) as Marianne, an 18th-century artist who is hired to paint a portrait of the aristocratic Heloise (Adele Haenel), which her mother (Valeria Golino) can show to a wealthy prospective husband. The problem is Heloise doesnt want to be married off, so she wont sit for an artist. As a result, Marianne must pose as her companion during the day, and then secretly paint her at night, but despite the subterfuge, the two women start to grow close. As befits a film about artists, Portrait of a Lady on Fire looks stunning, and Merlant and Haenel are both terrific in the leads. SUNDAY Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) ***** (ITV1, 4.35pm) In the musical sequel, Sophie Sheridan (Amanda Seyfried) anxiously prepares for the grand opening of Hotel Bella Donna. Thankfully, her mothers best friends Tanya (Christine Baranski) and Rosie (Julie Walters) are on hand to calm Sophies nerves and encourage her to look to the past for courage. Cue flashbacks to the young Donna (Lily James, in the role made famous by Meryl Streep) embarking on her lusty Mediterranean odyssey with the young Sam (Jeremy Irvine), Harry (Hugh Skinner) and Bill (Josh Dylan) via Paris. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again lays all of its Abba love on us with platform heels, tongue-in-cheek humour and joy-infused musical performances choreographed to perfection by Anthony Van Laast. The addition of Cher as Streeps impeccably coiffed mother is a masterstroke. MONDAY Notorious (1946) ***** (Talking Pictures TV, 9.05pm) The screen positively crackles with electricity whenever Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant appear together in Alfred Hitchcocks tense, sexy thriller set directly after the end of the Second World War. Alicia (Bergman), the pro-American daughter of a convicted Nazi spy, is recruited by US government agent Devlin (Grant) to infiltrate a group of Hitlers supporters who escaped to Brazil following his downfall. They include Alexander Sebastian (Bergmans Casablanca co-star Claude Rains), who has always been in love with Alicia, which makes the situation trickier when she and Devlin start falling for each other. As their affair develops, look out for what must surely be one of the most passionate of all screen clinches. TUESDAY The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) ***** (ITV4, 9.00pm) Missouri farmer Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood, who also directs) vows revenge after his family is slaughtered by maverick soldiers during the American Civil War. While tracking down those responsible, he becomes an outlaw, much-feared by those whove heard of his ruthless ways. As time passes and the conflict ends, Josey becomes a wanted man, but despite his efforts to remain a loner, he unwittingly creates a new family involving a bunch of mismatched, disenfranchised souls. Largely ignored on release, this absorbing and frequently very funny Western is now rightly regarded as one of Eastwoods best although the charming Chief Dan George comes close to stealing the entire movie from him. James (Jim) Redmond, a well-known UN veteran from north Wexford who spent time in the Congo during the Niemba Ambush has passed away at the age of 86. Jim from Knockina, The Rock, Gorey passed away on Friday, May 10, after a lengthy illness. He was the beloved husband of the late Sadie and loving father of Geraldine, Angela, Charlie, Liam, Shay, Paddy and the late Jenny, brother of Nell and the late Charlie, Jack, Joe, Mary, Julia, Bud, Paddy and Jim. Jims funeral mass took place in St. Michael's Church, Gorey at midday on Tuesday, May 14 where he was laid to rest in his United Nations uniform. Jim joined the the Irish Defence Forces in 1960 and was sent to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of the second group of Irish soldiers to be sent there. During his station there, he endured several tragic experiences. He was there during the Niemba Ambush on November 8, 1960 where nine Irish soldiers were killed. "Jim was told by his commanding officer the morning of the Niemba ambush that they needed a coup and that he needed to get somebody to go on it. Jim went in and got somebody out of bed and said pack up, take a rifle, youre going on patrol. The chap was shot and he died in the ambush. That hit Jim very hard," said Jim Gilbert. Jim was one of the founding members of the United Nations Veteran group in Wexford. He went on to become the President of the Gorey United Nations Group which he was one of the founding members of ten years ago. When he returned home to Wexford from the Congo, he worked at Glanbia for 26 years and did a lot of voluntary work for St Aidans Services and the Red Cross. In his free time, he went dancing. Many mourners left heartfelt condolences on RIP.ie. One mourner wrote: "So very sorry to hear this sad news about your father Charlie, Sarah and all the family. Often had the pleasure of dancing with Jim in Tinahely. He was a lovely man and I always enjoyed our chat and laugh. Sincere condolences to you all at this time. May Jim rest easy now. Hope he is dancing in heaven Rest in peace Jim." Another wrote: We are so sorry to hear of Jims passing and offer our deepest sympathy to all his family. We have the very best of memories of Jim from our Glanbia days. He was such a character and always loved the chat and banter. Rest in peace Jim. You are one of a kind. Jim is deeply regretted by his sons, daughters, sister, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and many friends. A Bray school principal has been raising funds for a very special addition to his team, following an abseiling challenge he undertook recently at Croke Park. Alan Bedford, who is the principal of Bray School Project National School, is seeking donations to raise money for My Canine Companion, an Irish charity that helps to enrich the lives of people with difficulties, particularly autism, through the placement of highly skilled service dogs and companion dogs providing safety, independence, and companionship, not just for families, but to schools, hospitals and nursing homes. The cost to the charity of providing a fully qualified service dog over a two-year programme and continuing lifetime support is 15,000. But handlers need to be trained also. Alan hopes that enough funds can be raised to secure a dog for his own school, given it has two classes designated for children with autism. Alan explained that for their purposes, the dog is trained specifically to work in the school environment, three to four days a week, where it is provided with a rest space and is able to sense if there are children with issues and give them some respite. The school has a member of staff trained to handle the dog and is waiting for a suitable match. They are there to support the children and apparently, theyre very successful, Alan said. Theres all sorts of scientific data showing that even spending time petting a dog can help reduce anxiety. While the school is raising money in the hope that it will be soon matched with a service dog, he said it can be a bit of a lottery system when it comes to provision and the school doesnt know how far away it is from securing one. My Canine Companion currently has 40 dogs placed in schools nationwide, and the programme is expanding quickly and is in much demand. But the demands are also on the school, with a staff member having to essentially adopt the dog, bring it home and treat it like the family dog as well as the school therapy dog. It requires a second staff member is trained up, if for some reason the primary handler isnt able to come to school or is unable to fulfil what is a long commitment. Alan, together with his colleague, Michelle Adebisi, an SNA and the designated handler, undertook the abseiling challenge, which Alan described as great fun, raising roughly the required target of 400 each. Bray School Project National School currently has 230 pupils, including the two classes for children with autism, so the therapy dog would be a wonderful addition to the school. Alan has also initiated a nurture programme, which is designed to help young students cope with anxiety which Alan said is at a level that is way higher now than when he began his career as a teacher. We set up a nurture room, and we have developed a few things here, where instead of a teacher coming in in the morning and getting straight into correcting the homework, the first 20 minutes or half an hour is just settling in. They do some free activity so its a soft start to the day. Annually, the charity provides approximately 50pc of Irelands service/assistance dogs to children with autism. The balance is provided by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland. Also, the charity qualifies an average of 45 autism service dog partnerships per year and currently has over 300 working dog partnerships in Ireland. The service dogs are known to make a dramatic difference in the quality of life for children with autism and their families. Not only do our dogs assist them physically, the charity reported, but these special dogs also become the childs best and in some cases, only, friend. You can continue to donate to Alans campaign on: idonate.ie/fundraiser/alanbjumpforadog A local campaigner and member of the people-powered campaigning community, Uplift, has slammed Wicklow County Council for failing to bring the 6,334 empty homes it says exist in the county back into use. The campaign group, which claimed there are more vacant houses than people who need a home in every county of Ireland, recently commissioned research into exactly what the problem with vacant properties was, and what can be done to fix it. The group defined a vacant home as: One which does not have anyone living in it, is not used as a holiday home and could be a dwelling that is generally fit for purpose. It might be for sale, being refurbished or an unoccupied rental property. It may be in probate, or the owner may be in a care home. A derelict dwelling not habitable because it is being run down, boarded up, or generally in a poor state of repair. On the back of the report, Addressing Housing Dereliction, Vacancy and Underuse, local campaigner and Uplift member Aoibheann Boyle has hit out at the Council, for what she said was its failure to to bring some 6,334 empty homes in County Wicklow back into use. The report also found there were 59 homeless people in Wicklow. Meanwhile, according to vacant property data, there are 107 empty homes for each homeless person in the county, the group said. Its so hard to stomach, seeing empty homes on every street in Ireland, while so many people are in need of a secure and sustainable roof over their heads. Its clear that all these homes are a political choice, Ms Boyle said. Her sentiments were echoed by Colm Flood, an independent candidate for the upcoming local elections in Bray West, Kilmacanogue, and Enniskerry. Far too many of us are living on edge, not knowing where well live month to month, year to year, he said, and highlighted the paradox of thousands of empty homes against the highest recorded state figures for homelessness. Despite their promises, this Government and local council bosses are dragging their heels, refusing to properly administer grants, schemes, policies, leaving potential homes lying empty A handful of politicians and candidates are trying to turn communities against each other. Politicians need to know that the only way to get and stay elected is to ensure Housing for All and stop pitting communities against each other, he added. Uplift referenced GeoDirectory, established by An Post and Tailte Eireann (the state agency responsible for property registrations), which it said identified 86,708 vacant dwellings in June 2022. There were 163,433 vacant properties on Census night that same year. The research carried out by Uplift has, the group said, uncovered the failure of government policies and schemes to solve the problem of empty houses. A key finding is that councils are failing to accurately count the number of empty houses, along with huge barriers being faced by people trying to access the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme, it concluded. When contacted, Wicklow County Council was unable to verify the exact number of vacant homes in the county at the time of publication. However, the Council did confirm that there were currently only around 50 social homes under its remit in Bray. In January of this year, the Council reported that it had a stock of just 136 social homes that were vacant across the county, including 52 in Bray. At the start of the year, Wicklow County Council Housing Officer Brian Wildes explained these social houses were either awaiting renovation, allocation, or they are boarded up for health and safety reasons. He added the number fluctuates on a week to week basis and there are some weeks we might do an allocation of 10 boarded-up houses. The figures showed that for 2023, the Council completed 114 relets of its social homes across the county. Bray Wicklow community project rolls out seminars on positive parenting The community initiative It Takes a Village is teaming up with the The Triple P Positive Parenting Program to offer parents a range of supports, including free seminars, as part of its focus on the well-being of children in the Thai protester Netiporn Sanesangkhom (28) dies in prison during hunger strike urging reform of monarchy Activist demanded abolition of law against defaming the royal family Netiporn Sanesangkhom (centre) poses with activists during a protest against Thailands government and calling for monarchy reform, in Bangkok last year. Photo: Reuters Napat Kongsawad Wed 15 May 2024 at 03:30 A young Thai activist who went on a hunger strike after being jailed for advocating reform of the countrys system of monarchy has died in a prison hospital, officials said. Irish student was among those killed by monster in Nottingham last year The families of the victims of the Nottingham killer have said they now face their own life sentence of ensuring the monster is never released after the Court of Appeal ruled his sentence will not be changed. A French court yesterday acquitted film director Roman Polanski of defaming British actress Charlotte Lewis after she accused him of raping her when she was a teenager. Lewis (56) alleged in 2010 that the Franco-Polish director had sexually abused her at his Paris apartment in 1983 when she was 16 after she had travelled to the French capital for a casting session. She starred in his 1986 film Pirates. Members of prison staff walk past a fire as prison staff block the entrance of the Detention Center after gunmen freed a drug dealer, killing two prison guards and severely wounding three others, in Val De Reuil, France, May 15, 2024. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Interpol has issue a Red Notice search warrant for escaped French prisoner Mohamed AMRA, alias The Fly at the request of French authorities, Interpol said in a statement on X. Hundreds of police fanned out across northern France on a massive manhunt for a fugitive gangster known as The Fly on Wednesday, a day after he was sprung from a prison van by gunmen in an attack that killed two prison guards. Josef Fritzl, centre, is escorted to his trial in the provincial courthouse in St Poelten, Austria in 2009. Photo: AP An Austrian court said yesterday the countrys most infamous living criminal, incestuous rapist Josef Fritzl, could move to regular prison from a prison psychiatric unit but he was still far from being eligible for release. Fritzl, who has now changed his name, raped his daughter as he held her captive for 24 years in a dungeon he built under his home, fathering her seven children. The case attracted worldwide attention when it came to light in 2008. A suspected drug boss is being hunted by hundreds of police officers after he escaped when his prison van was ambushed by armed gunmen in France. Two prison officers were shot dead while three others were seriously injured during the shooting, which occurred in broad daylight on a motorway around an hour from Paris. Named as Mohammed Amra, 30, he is understood to be the boss of a narcotics network who is known by the nickname La Mouche, which translates to The Fly. Palestinians sit at their house which was destroyed in an Israeli strike in Khan Younis, Gaza. Photo: Reuters Palestinian health authorities say Israels ground and air campaign in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 people, mostly civilians, and driven most of the enclaves 2.3 million people from their homes. LATEST | Israeli tanks push deeper into Rafah amid row with Egypt over opening crossing ICJ to hear South African request for new emergency measures over military operation A Palestinian woman holds a child at a nearly deserted school used as a shelter by displaced people who fled Rafah after Israeli forces launched a ground and air operation in the eastern part of the city. Photo: Reuters Nidal Al-Mughrabi Wed 15 May 2024 at 03:30 Israeli tanks pushed deeper into Rafah on Tuesday, reaching some residential areas of the southern Gazan border city where more than a million people had sought shelter, and its forces pounded the enclave's north in some of the fiercest attacks in months. A curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York said on Tuesday he was released and arrived back in the United States after Turkish authorities detained him on suspicion of trying to smuggle valuable poisonous spiders and scorpions out of the country. Lawyers for Donald Trump take aim at former fixer-turned-star witness Cohen said he regretted violating his moral compass for ex-US president Donald Trump looks on during court proceedings. Photo: Getty Jack Queen, Jody Godoy and Joseph Ax Wed 15 May 2024 at 03:30 Donald Trumps lawyers sought to use Michael Cohens words against him yesterday, grilling him about insulting social media posts and television appearances to try to undermine his testimony that Mr Trump authorised a hush-money payment to a porn star. A staff member employed by the UN Department of Safety and Security was killed while traveling in a UN vehicle from Rafah to the European Hospital in the southwest corner of Khan Younis, according to a statement Monday by Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the secretary general. Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Police website A 22-year-old man has been charged with the murder of an Indian-origin woman Anita Mukhey who was stabbed when she was standing at a bus stop in London, police said. The attacker was identified as Jalal Debella. He appeared on Saturday (May 11, 2024) at Willesden Magistrates Court where he was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon. Police were called at around 11:50hrs on Thursday (May 9, 2024) to reports of a stabbing in Burnt Oak Broadway. "Officers, London Ambulance Service (LAS) and Londons Air Ambulance (HEMS) all attended the scene, where a 66-year-old woman was treated for knife wounds," Metropolitan Police said in a statement. Jalal Debella was arrested on suspicion of murder in the Colindale area on Thursday (May 9). Anita Mukhey, 66 years old, was a married mother and grandmother devoted to her family, who also worked part-time in the NHS as a Medical Secretary. The family ask for privacy at this difficult time," her family members of the victim said in a statement. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court has ordered an immediate release of NewsClick founder Prabir Purakayastha, who was arrested over alleged Chinese funding to promote anti-national propaganda, media reports said. Purakayastha's arrest under the anti-terror law has been termed as "illegal" by the top court. A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said the arrest was "void" as the remand copy was not provided. "There is no hesitation in the mind of the court that the grounds of arrest were not provided, which vitiates the arrest. The appellant is entitled to release from custody after the Pankaj Bansal case. The remand order is invalid," Justice Mehta said as quoted by NDTV. On April 30, the Supreme Court questioned the Delhi Police for hastily producing Purakayastha without informing his lawyer after the arrest. According to the FIR (First Information Report) a large amount of funding for the news portal allegedly came from China to "disrupt the sovereignty of India" and cause disaffection against the country. The probe agency also alleged that Purkayastha conspired with a group called the People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) - to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Photo Courtesy:@TigerCharlii X page The Indian government on Wednesday condoled the death of Indian national Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd) who was working with the UN in Gaza. According to reports, he died after the vehicle in which he was travelling came under attack in Rafah. "We are deeply saddened by the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd.), Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in Gaza on 13 May 2024. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. "Our Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and our Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains to India and continue to be in touch with relevant authorities regarding the investigation into the incident," the statement said. Gaza: UN investigates killing of Indian staff member The UN has launched an investigation into the recent killing of an Indian staff member in Rafah, in southern Gaza, amid ongoing Israeli military strikes during the seven-month-long conflict, the Organizations deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Tuesday. A UN vehicle was driving to the European Hospital in Rafah on Monday when deadly shots were fired, killing one UN international staff member and injuring another. Haq said theres regular work thats going on in terms of bringing people to different sites, and this was part of that. We are in discussion with Israel to determine exactly how this incident happened and the nature of what happened, Mr. Haq said. I dont think at this stage we are in doubt about where the shots came from as much as what the circumstances were. We believe it came from a tank in the area. UNs first international casualty in Gaza What we know so far indicates that a weapon appears to have impacted the back of a white UN vehicle, carrying two UN staff members, killing one and injuring another, he explained. The deceased staff member has been identified as Waibhav Anil Kale, a former military officer from India, and the injured staff member was a Jordanian woman, who is receiving medical attention, Haq said, expressing the UN Secretary-Generals condolences. Kale is the first international casualty in Gaza, the deputy spokesperson said, adding that there are currently 71 international UN staff members in the besieged enclave. Its very early in the investigation, and details of the incident are still being verified with the Israeli Defense Forces, he added. Photo Courtesy: PIB More than two months after the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 was notified, the Indian government handed over the first set of citizenship certificates to 14 applicants in New Delhi on Wednesday. Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla handed over the certificates to the applicants. "Home Secretary congratulated the applicants and highlighted salient features of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. Secretary Posts, Director (IB), Registrar General of India and senior officers were also present during the interactive session," read a statement issued by the Indian government. The Government of India had notified Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 on Mar 11. The Rules envisage manner of application form, procedure for processing applications by District Level Committee (DLC) and scrutiny and grant of citizenship by State Level Empowered Committee (EC). In pursuance of these rules, applications have been received from persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have entered into India up to 31.12.2014 on account of persecution on grounds of religion or fear of such persecution. "The District Level Committees (DLCs) chaired by Senior Superintendents of Post/Superintendents of Post as designated officers, on successful verification of documents, have administered oath of allegiance to the applicants," the government said. After processing as per rules, DLCs have forwarded the applications to State Level Empowered Committee headed by Director (Census operation). Processing of application is completely done through the online portal. "The Empowered Committee, Delhi headed by Director (Census Operation), Delhi, after due scrutiny, have decided to grant citizenship to 14 applicants," the statement said. Accordingly, the Director (Census operation) granted certificates to these applicants. Photo courtesy: Videograb from X The Election Commission (EC) has accepted the nomination form of jailed radical preacher and 'Waris Punjab De' Chief Amritpal Singh to contest the Lok Sabha Election 2024 as an independent candidate from the Khadoor Sahib seat. Amritpal, who is lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act, filed his nomination as an independent candidate on May 10. His uncle filed the nomination papers on Amritpal's behalf. Polling for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be held on June 1. The Punjab government informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that it made arrangements for the radical preacher to file his nomination for the Lok Sabha election. The state government's reply came on a petition filed by Singh seeking a temporary release for seven days to file his nomination papers or alternatively. Amritpal, who styled himself after slain Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was arrested in Moga's Rode village on April 23 last year following an over a month-long manhunt. The Khalistani sympathiser had escaped the police net in Jalandhar district on March 18, switching vehicles and changing appearances. Amritpal, who had supported calls for the formation of Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland, was wanted for several charges, including attempted murder, obstruction of law enforcement, and creating disharmony. He and his supporters, armed with swords, knives, and guns, had raided a police station in March and clashed with policemen. Photo courtesy: Videgrab of Mumbai billboard tragedy from X Irregularly shaped hoardings, especially those larger than 40x40 feet, will be removed immediately from the boundary of the railway administration, the Mumbai civic body said days after a massive billboard fell on a fuel station in Ghatkopar due to a dust storm, killing 14 people and injuring around 75. The rescue operation at the incident site is still ongoing and several people are suspected to be buried under the hoarding which was about 250 tonnes. The Brihanmumbai Corporation does not allow hoardings larger than 40x40 feet given Mumbai's geography as it is close to the coastline, where high winds can pose a risk. "However, it has been observed that irregularly sized advertising boards have been installed around the roads/private constructions within the boundary of the railway administration," read the civic body's notice, sent on Wednesday to the Central and Western Railways administration. "In the light of this, as an additional measure to prevent accidents, the Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) has directed the immediate removal of all advertising boards larger than 40x40 feet within the boundary of the railway administration," the notice said. Meanwhile, rescue work is continuing in Ghatkopar as many families remain at the spot in search of their loved ones. The hoarding had collapsed during a spell of dust storm on Monday, and with a petrol pump buried under it, the rescue work has been moving slowly. Given the size and weight of the hoarding, rescue workers fear they may not be able to reach the trapped people in time. Even though only upto 40x40 feet hoardings are allowed by the civic body, this one was 120x120 feet and weighed 250 tonnes. Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of the Igo Media Company, has been booked for putting up the hoarding, ignoring all rules. Igo Media has erected four illegal hoardings on GRP land in Ghatkopar. Now, while the BMC is busy removing the remaining three hoardings, the Mumbai Police is searching for Bhavesh Bhinde. A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered against him. Twinkle Khanna with Dimple Kapadia/ courtesy: Facebook Hours after Bollywood veteran Zeenat Aman, who is massively popular for her Instagram posts with a backstory, lauded actress Dimple Kapadia in a throwback picture claiming the latter was one of the few who supported her in difficult times, latter's daughter Twinkle Khanna responded with her mom's message. The picture was from the set of Chhailla Babu, which starred Zeenat Aman opposite Rajesh Khanna. The frame, shared by Zeenat Aman on Instagram, featured Dimple Kapadia, the wife of late actor Rajesh Khanna. Zeenat Aman says, "With me are the director of the film Joy Mukherjee and the effervescent Dimple Kapadia, who must have been visiting set as she was married to the lead actor. "Dimple and I both got big career breaks thanks to Raj Kapoor. She as a teenager, when she was cast in and as Bobby. Whereas I was able to deliver a blow to my western image thanks to SSS." Reacting to the post, Twinkle in her Instagram story wrote: "What a lovely picture and Mom says thank you for your gracious words." Check out Twinkle's story here: Lauding Dimple Kapadia, the veteran actress says the strength of the former's character was a reason to admire her. Zeenat Aman says, "This isnt a post about Dimples talent though she has that in spades, its about the little I saw of her character. During a very difficult phase in my life she was one of a mere handful of people who publicly stood by me. "This despite the criticism and scrutiny of her own life that the decision invited! In those trying times she revealed to me a strength of character that I admire to date." As Dimple Kapadia is not on Instagram, Zeenat Aman had urged the former's daughter Twinkle Khanna to get the message across. "I dont believe she is on Instagram, but perhaps @twinklerkhanna will pass on my love to her. Truly, a wave of appreciation washed over me when I found this picture some days ago," she says. Besides praising Dimple Kapadia, Zeenat Aman didn't forget to mention how she quit smoking, which she was seen doing in the picture, after the birth of her first child. She says, "On another note, please dont be influenced by my smoking in this image! Ill admit I enjoyed a few cigarettes a day between my late teens and early 30s, but that all went out of the window the minute I became pregnant with my first born!" Photo courtesy: Video grab Handlova (Slovakia): Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times and rushed to a hospital with gruesome injuries on Wednesday after a cabinet meeting, media reported citing officials. The attack has been condemned by EU leaders. Fico, a populist leader accused of having pro-Kremlin leanings, was elected the prime minister of the country last year. "Today, after the government meeting in Handlova, there was an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico," AFP reported, quoting government officials. "He is currently being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica in a life-threatening condition, because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute intervention," it said. The first minutes after the attack on Robert #Fico - the prime minister's security guards evacuate him to his motorcade while eyewitnesses hold the shooter According to preliminary information from Slovak media, Fico was shot multiple times. One to the abdomen, one to the pic.twitter.com/vhcYPPjjlg NEXTA (@nexta_tv) May 15, 2024 According to media reports, police nabbed the shooter immediately. According to media reports, police nabbed the shooter immediately. Fico was attacked with multiple bullets, according to a post on his official Facebook page. "We confirm the attack on the prime minister," police spokesman Matej Neumann told AFP. Reports indicate that Slovak PM Robert Fico was greeting people in front of a cultural community centre in the central town of Handlova when several shots were fired from the crowd, reported BBC. Handlova is located about 180 km (112 miles) northeast of the capital, Bratislava. According to local reports, Fico was initially airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital and was later transferred to another hospital in Banska Bystrica, east of Handlova. According to the report, Handlova local hospital director Marta Eckhardtova said, "Fico was brought into our hospital and he was treated at our vascular surgery clinic". She could not explain the extent of his injuries. The daily newspaper Dennik N reported that one of its reporters heard several shots and then saw security guards lift the prime minister off the ground and into a car. The newspaper also mentioned that police had detained the suspected gunman. Local reports say Fico was shot in the abdomen, arm, and leg. Pictures show police detaining a suspect. According to BBC, President-elect and Fico ally Peter Pellegrini said he was "horrified" to hear that Fico was "the target of an assassination attempt". "I am horrified at where hatred for a different political opinion can lead. We don't have to agree with everything, but there are many ways to express your disagreement democratically and legally," he said. Condemning the attack, he said that differences in political opinions should be voiced in polling stations and not with guns. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala also called the news of the attack "shocking". "I hope the prime minister will get well as soon as possible. We must not tolerate violence, it must have no place in society," he said on X. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: "Robert, my thoughts are with you in this very difficult moment". Fico previously led the government from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2018. Since his election last October, Fico has made a series of remarks that have strained relations between Slovakia and neighbouring Ukraine. He has questioned Ukraine's sovereignty and called for compromise with Russia. His has also sparked mass protests with controversial changes, including a media law that critics claim will undermine the impartiality of public television and radio. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash A large number of women, who were demonstrating against prolonged powercut, stormed into a grid station in DI Khan region of Pakistan recently, media reports said on Wednesday. Women in DI Khan led a protest against prolonged loadshedding, blocking the grid station and roads to express their frustration, reported ARY News. The protesting women claimed the Pakistani city is facing 20-22 hours of loadshedding daily, making life unbearable. Crticising the government, they said the Governor and Chief Minister are sitting in their air-conditioned offices while the general public suffers. Antony Blinken performs with guitar in Kyiv bar during his sudden visit to Ukraine. Photo Courtesy: Screengrab of viral video on X US Secretary of State Antony Blinken took a red guitar in his hand and performed at a basement bar in Kyiv on Tuesday (May 14, 2024) where he expressed his support to the conflict-ravaged country and said the people of Ukraine are fighting for a free world. Blinken made his unannounced visit to Ukraine on Tuesday (May 14, 2024) to voice his support for the country amid the ongoing conflict against Russia. According to reports, he performed a rendition of Neil Young's 'Rockin' in the Free World' in the bar along with a local band from Kyiv. Before his performance, he told the audience: "Your soldiers, your citizens, particularly in the northeast in Kharkiv, are suffering tremendously." "But they need to know, you need to know, the United States is with you, so much of the world is with you," he said. "And theyre fighting not just for a free Ukraine but for the free world, and the free world is with you too," Blinken added. During his visit, Blinken met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky when they discussed long-term security arrangements. "Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today in Kyiv. The two discussed recent battlefield updates and the importance of newly-arrived U.S. security assistance to helping repel Russian attacks," read a statement issued by US Department of State spokesman Matthew Miller. "Secretary Blinken reiterated the United States enduring support for Ukraines sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and our commitment to Ukraines recovery," Miller said. According to reports, Blinken arrived in Ukraine after his nine-hour journey via sleeper train from the Polish border. His visit comes as the country struggles to hold back a major Russian incursion near its second-biggest city of Kharkiv, reported BBC. He also visited Kyiv at a time when the US Congress agreed to a new USD 61bn aid package for Ukraine recently. Russia-Ukraine tension escalates Escalating Russian attacks in northeast Ukraine have killed civilians, sparked further displacement and caused massive destruction to railways and other infrastructure, a senior official with the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, told the Security Council on Tuesday. Lisa Doughten, OCHAs director of financing and partnerships, said relentless hostilities continue along the border with Russia and on the frontline. Following several waves of attacks, Ukraines second largest city, Kharkiv, was struck again that day, injuring 15 civilians, she reported. Thousands evacuated These attacks have triggered yet more displacement from border and frontline communities. As of today, authorities report that over 7,000 civilians were evacuated from border areas of the Kharkiv region, she said. People in the Donetsk and Sumy regions, located in the east and north of the country, were also impacted by recent attacks. Last month, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, recorded more than 700 civilian casualties across Ukraine, with 129 people killed and 574 injured, representing a significant increase for a second consecutive month. Most casualties, 90 percent, occurred in Ukrainian-controlled territory. Cannes 2024: The 77th Cannes Film Festival kicked off on May 14, 2024, at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres in Cannes, France. This prestigious event attracts filmmakers, actors, and cinephiles from across the globe. Renowned stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Sobhita Dhulipala will grace the red carpet, alongside emerging influencers and digital creators making their Cannes debut this year. Beyond film premieres, the festival buzzes with glamorous red carpet affairs and captivating press conferences, cementing its status as a cultural celebration of cinema. Notably, on the first day, Dubai-based millionaire Farhana Bodi also made a striking appearance on the red carpet. #Cannes2024: Farhana Bodi attends the Opening Ceremony in Maison Yeya 'SUBLIMISSIME' Couture pic.twitter.com/C78yMZpjZX Thomas James Monks (@thomasjmonks) May 14, 2024 Who Is Dubai-Based Millionaire Farhana Bod? Farhana Bodi is a very prominent figure in the popular Netflix series Dubai Bling, where she has been a key cast member since the show's inception. Known for showcasing her lavish lifestyle, Farhana was born in Gujarat, India, to Indian parents but grew up outside of her native South Africa. As per Pinkvilla, Despite her Indian roots, she identifies as Emirati, having resided in Dubai for many years. Beginning her career at just 19, Bodi started out as a model and makeup artist in the fashion industry. She gained further recognition when she opened for Atelier Zuhra's show at London Fashion Week and made multiple appearances at the Cannes Film Festival, according to Edinburgh News. Also read: Cannes 2024: Star Dog Messi From 'Anatomy of a Fall' Walks The Red Carpet At Opening Ceremony In addition to her acclaim in the fashion world, Bodi has established herself as a thriving entrepreneur. She is the visionary behind "I Am Woman Of The World," a venture aimed at empowering women across diverse backgrounds. Through this company, Bodi orchestrates lifestyle events that serve as platforms for connecting brands with clients. The primary goal is to uplift women-led businesses by providing them with essential exposure and support. Also read: Cannes Film Festival 2024: Indian Influencers And Celebrities Attending The Star-Studded Event For the unversed, Cannes Film Festival 2024 started on 14th May 2024. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Mohini Ekadashi is a significant observance in Hinduism, occurring on the eleventh day during the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Vaisakha, typically falling in April-May according to the Gregorian calendar. It holds great importance for Hindu followers as it is believed to cleanse one of all sins, even those from past lives. In Hindu mythology, Mohini is the disguised form of Lord Vishnu, and as the lord appeared in this form on the Ekadashi tithi, the day came to be known as Mohini Ekadashi. While it is celebrated in the month of Vaisakha in Northern India and nearby regions, its timing varies in other calendars such as the Tamil, Bengali, and Malayalam calendars. Devotees observe this Ekadashi to seek divine blessings for a happy and prosperous life. When is Mohini Ekadashi in 2024? Mohini Ekadashi in 2024 falls on Sunday, May 19th. The Parana, or breaking of the fast, is from 05:28 to 08:12 on Monday, May 20th. The Dwadashi, which marks the end of the fasting period, ends at 15:58. The Ekadashi Tithi, or the eleventh lunar day, begins at 11:22 on May 18th and ends at 13:50 on May 19th. Mohini Ekadashi Significance Mohini Ekadashi holds immense significance in Hindu mythology. According to legends, Saint Vasistha narrated its greatness to Lord Rama, while Lord Sri Krishna shared it with Maharaja Yudhisthira. It is believed that observing this fast with complete devotion yields more merits than pilgrimages, charity, or yagnas. The observer is said to receive blessings equivalent to donating a thousand cows to charity and achieves freedom from the cycle of birth and death, attaining salvation. Mohini Ekadashi's importance is highlighted in texts like the Surya Purana, which further elaborates on its significance. Mohini Ekadashi history The story of Mohini Ekadashi is closely tied to the ancient mythological event known as the Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the ocean. This celestial episode saw a fierce battle between the gods and demons over the possession of Amrita, the nectar of immortality. In order to ensure fairness and distribute the nectar justly, Lord Vishnu took on the enchanting form of Mohini. Her beauty and charm played a crucial role in ensuring that the gods received the nectar, while the demons were captivated by her allure. During the churning, besides the nectar, a deadly poison also emerged. Lord Shiva bravely consumed this poison to prevent it from causing harm. The appearance of Mohini ensured that the nectar remained safe for the gods. During Mohini Ekadashi, devotees participate in various rituals to seek blessings from Lord Vishnu. These rituals include: Fasting: Devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise on Ekadashi to sunrise the next day. Some may abstain from water as well. Devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise on Ekadashi to sunrise the next day. Some may abstain from water as well. Puja and Worship: Devotees perform puja, offering flowers, incense, and fruits to Lord Vishnu while reciting Vishnu mantras. Devotees perform puja, offering flowers, incense, and fruits to Lord Vishnu while reciting Vishnu mantras. Reading Scriptures: Many devotees read or listen to the Vishnu Sahasranama, a list of a thousand names of Lord Vishnu, which is considered highly meritorious. Many devotees read or listen to the Vishnu Sahasranama, a list of a thousand names of Lord Vishnu, which is considered highly meritorious. Charity: Giving to those in need, whether through food, clothing, or monetary donations, is encouraged as a charitable act. Giving to those in need, whether through food, clothing, or monetary donations, is encouraged as a charitable act. Visiting Temples: Devotees visit Lord Krishna temples to participate in special prayers and sing bhajans, devotional songs dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Devotees visit Lord Krishna temples to participate in special prayers and sing bhajans, devotional songs dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Listening Stories: Listening to the story of Mohini Ekadashi, which recounts the divine manifestation of Lord Vishnu as the enchanting nymph, is believed to bestow spiritual benefits upon the listener. Here are some powerful mantras associated with Mohini Ekadashi: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" "Shri Krishna Govind Hare Murari Hey Nath Narayan Vasudeva" "Ram Ram Rameti Rame Raame Manorame Sahasranama Tatulyam Ram Naam Varanane" "Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare" The Mohini Ekadashi Vrat Katha, as narrated in the Padma Purana, goes like this: Once, Yudhishthira asked Lord Sri Krishna about the significance of the Ekadashi observed during the bright fortnight of the month of Vaishakha and its merits. Lord Krishna replied that Sri Rama had asked the same question to Sage Vasishtha in ancient times. Sage Vasishtha explained that the Ekadashi in Vaishakha is called Mohini Ekadashi and is supremely sacred, capable of removing all sins and freeing one from delusions and wrongdoing. In the city of Bhadravati, there lived a virtuous king named Dhritiman and a wealthy merchant named Dhanpal. Dhanpal had five sons, one of whom, Dhrishtabuddhi, was inclined towards sinful deeds like gambling and associating with courtesans. His father expelled him from home, and he wandered in sorrow until he reached the hermitage of Sage Kaundinya. Desperate for liberation from his sins, Dhrishtabuddhi sought guidance from Sage Kaundinya, who advised him to observe the fast of Mohini Ekadashi. Following the sage's instructions, Dhrishtabuddhi observed the fast diligently and attained freedom from sin. Eventually, he ascended to the abode of Lord Vishnu on the divine Garuda. Thus, the Mohini Ekadashi fast is highly meritorious, and those who observe it or listen to its virtues attain great merits equivalent to donating a thousand cows. With the recent announcement of class 10th and 12th exam results in several states, the post-exam fun has turned into dread for many students. Managing this post-result stress becomes even more challenging when you start thinking about the arduous process of entrance tests and college admissions. studynama.com/Pinterest Sometimes, even if you have prepared well for an exam, the results can unexpectedly turn out to be bad. If you are someone who didn't get the desired scores in your exams, don't lose hope! Read on and learn some essential tips to manage your stress in this difficult time. Ways To Cope With Low Grades And Poor Test Results 1) Dont Panic And Be Kind To Yourself Try to understand what went wrong. Try to understand how to move forward with what you've scored. Attempt to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Additionally, practice yoga and meditation with deep breathing exercises to reduce tension and keep your mind calm. 2) Stay Close To Your Loved Ones freepik.com/Pinterest Maintaining connections is extremely important in these trying times. Go out with your family, cousins or friends and try to take things lightly. Spending quality time with your peers is a great way to manage your stress levels. Seek help and guidance from them to deal with the impact of your test results. 3) Sleep Properly And Eat Mindfully Extreme stressful conditions greatly impact your eating habits. People tend to either over-eat or completely forego food when their mind is occupied. At the same time, ensure that you get enough sleep to relax your mind and body. Most teenagers require an uninterrupted sleep of 7-9 hours, sleeping less or more than this is detrimental to your health. Maintain your daily routine to promote a sense of normalcy. 4) Minimise Negative Thoughts And Avoid Comparisons creativemarket.com/Pinterest Every student has unique capabilities. It is important to recognise that comparing yourself to others only leads to self-doubt. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses will go a long way in managing feelings of inadequacy and build self-confidence. Do not let your marks deter your ultimate life goals and move forward. 5) Map Out Your Options In this day and age, there are endless options that you can explore. Make a list of your priorities whether it is the choice of subjects or a choice of university, keep your mind open to suggestions. Seeking help from professionals, like a guidance counsellor, is a great way to keep your thoughts aligned and make an smart decision. For students who face disappointment after exams, understand that not every action yields the desired results. So stop over-analyzing yourself, collect your thoughts and focus on what you want to achieve in future. Also Read: The Power Of Evening Rituals: 5 Practices To Unwind And Improve Sleep Quality For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: In a nation where women's rights are a common topic of discussion, there exists a political party that focuses on advocating for men's rights. Formed in 2009 by men entangled in legal battles related to the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, the party is known as Mera Adhikar Rashtriya Dal (MARD). Since its establishment, MARD has participated in seven elections, including the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi and Lucknow. They also contested a by-election in Bangarmau in 2020 and the Assembly elections from Bareilly, Lucknow North, Bakshi Ka Talab (Lucknow), and Chauri Chaura in 2022. Despite their efforts, their candidates have consistently performed poorly, often forfeiting their deposits. Nevertheless, MARD is preparing for the 2024 general elections, with candidates aiming for Lok Sabha seats in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Ranchi. One of the party's founders and current president, Kapil Mohan Choudhary, is running for the Lok Sabha seat in Lucknow. Choudhary has been embroiled in a dowry case since 1999, which remains unresolved after 25 years. "I have two kids from my first marriage, both taken away by my ex-wife. Later, I was falsely accused in dowry and domestic violence cases. While fighting these cases in Lucknow, I met many others facing similar charges in similar situations," says the 52-year-old Kapil. "I got divorced, but the dowry case is still ongoing. To highlight men's rights, we formed a political party," adds Kapil, who remarried in 2011. The party's tagline, 'Mard ko dard hota hai' (Men feel the pain), reflects their mission. MARD candidates Sonu Rai and Dhananjay Kumar are contesting from the Gorakhpur and Ranchi constituencies, respectively. Their 'MANifesto' contains several intriguing promises, including the establishment of a 'Ministry of Men's Welfare' and a 'National Commission for Men'. They also propose a 'Men's Safety Bill' to prevent the unjust treatment of men due to laws favoring women and plan to set up a 'Men's Power Line' to support men with family issues. Furthermore, the party advocates for the creation of a 'Family Welfare Committee' to address family matters, implement laws concerning child custody post-divorce, and immediately halt live-in relationships. When asked if women could join their party, Kapil replied, "By all means. Our aim is to protect men's rights, not infringe on women's." However, a specific online post they made presents a contrasting image. There is no such thing as Feminism. It is a psyop and a pathetic ideology propagated and funded by Politics to destroy families. do u all agree? the party said on X. MARD remains steadfast in its mission to highlight and address men's issues, despite the challenges they have faced in the political arena. As they gear up for the upcoming 2024 general elections, the party hopes to bring more attention to the rights and welfare of men in India. (With Inputs from IANS) For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. It's a case of 'same, same but different' that's got a teacher in Mizoram scratching his head. Everywhere he turns, he's seeing double. Once might be a fluke, but multiple times? That's raising some eyebrows. And what's even more surprising? Other teachers in different classes at the same school are experiencing the exact same thing. So, what's really going on here? Eight sets of twins in the same school The astonishing revelation behind the mystery is that they are all twins. Not just one or two, but an incredible eight sets of twins all attending the same school! BCCL The famed twin school is the Government Model English Medium Primary School in College Veng area of Aizawl, Mizoram. Among them are three pairs of boy twins and four pairs of girl twins spread across classes from KG I to Standard II. Also read: Meet The 'Twin Family' Of Kerala: 150 Pairs Of Twins & Triplets Gather For A Grand One-Of-A-Kind Event Even the schools headmaster H Lalventluanga's fraternal twins, a boy and a girl, study in the same school. Teachers see it as a divine blessing Despite the absence of a specific policy catering to the needs of twins, the teachers take immense pride in this extraordinary occurrence. Residing in a predominantly Christian state, Lalventluanga expressed gratitude to God, describing it as a divine blessing for the school to have such exceptional children. Northeast Live "Identical twins are a source of fascination and in our case, we were 'attracting' twins without any deliberate effort. We all are jubilant. Being a govt school, we cannot announce any policy of our own on taking care of the twins. We need to treat all students equally," Lalventluanga remarked. Also read: 'Leveraged Social Media To Advantage': Mom Shares Study Pattern Of Twins Who Scored Above 97% In CBSE 12 Boards Despite the absence of specialised policies, the teachers' joy and commitment to fairness shine through. This unique situation is a reminder of the unexpected joys that can enrich school life and bring communities together. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. An Algerian family was in for the shock of their lives when they learned that one of their own, who had been missing for well over two decades, had been living just a few minutes away from them all these years. An Algerian man who went missing in 1998 has been found, being held captive by a neighbor for 26 years. Kidnapped at the age of 19 The man identified as Omar B had gone missing when he was just 19 years old in 1998 during the Algerian Civil War. His family assumed he had been kidnapped or killed, and Omar was almost forgotten when he reappeared recently. FREEPIK What is even more shocking is that Omar, who is now a 45-year-old, was living close to them all these years. The Algerian justice ministry said Tuesday that Omar, who had been missing for 26 years, was being held captive in his neighbor's house, just a few minutes' walk away. Also read: Youth Stages Own Kidnapping To Avoid Going To Leh The alleged culprit, a 61-year-old doorman at the municipality in the nearby town of El Guedid, was taken into custody after attempting to flee, the ministry said. How he was found The twists in this absurd tale don't even end there. The illegal captivity came to light after a fallout between the captor and his brother over an inheritance dispute. The captor's brother aired his grievances on social media, leading to the recovery of Omar, who was found amid haystacks only about 200 meters away from his house. Also read: Man Gets Stuck Inside Rogue Electric Car, Claims He Was 'Kidnapped' Unsplash Captors cast a spell on him It is unclear how the captors managed to keep Omar silent and unnoticed for all these years, but Algerian media reported that the victim said he had been unable to call out for help "because of a spell that his captor had cast on him". Authorities said that the victim was receiving medical and psychological care after the years of trauma he had to go through. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Do you remember those days when most of us dreamed of owning an Apple iPod? It changed the whole experience of listening to songs. Walkmans looked too bulky in front of this chic gadget. The original iPod was introduced in October of 2001. It was the first MP3 player that had space to accommodate 1000 songs. It had a 10-hour battery backup. Apple's iPod revolutionized the music industry more than twenty years ago. Presently, the capability to carry one's entire music library on the go is integrated into every Apple device, ranging from the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Mac. It Was Bill Gates Who Had Predicted The Fall Of The iPod bill gates startup shark tank india/forbes About two decades ago, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates forecasted the decline of the iPod and voiced doubts regarding its lasting dominance, as reported by NBC News. In a 2005 interview with the German newspaper Allgemeine Zeitung, Gates had discussed the success of Apple's device, launched in 2001, stating, "As good as Apple may be, I don't believe the success of the iPod is sustainable in the long run. "You can make parallels with computers: Apple was very strong in this field before, with its Macintosh and its graphic user interface - like the iPod today - and then lost its position," Mr Gates had added. Also Read: Bill Gates Admits Being 'Jealous' Of Steve Jobs, Says His Public Speaking Style Is Unmatched At The Time, Gates Prediction Sounded Impossible But Eventually Apple Discontinued The iPod flickr At the time, the tech mogul's forecast seemed improbable. While mobile phones of the era were often bulky and lacked the music storage and playback capabilities of specialized MP3 players, the iPod experienced tremendous success, selling millions of units. "If you were to ask me which mobile device will take top place for listening to music, I'd bet on the mobile phone for sure," Bill Gates told the newspaper. Indeed, Gates' prediction proved somewhat accurate. Smartphones, with functionalities akin to the iPod but offering additional features such as app support, calling capabilities, and internet access, gradually supplanted dedicated MP3 players. Apple played a pivotal role in this transition, contributing significantly to the rise of smartphones as the preferred portable device. Also Read: Mark Zuckerberg's 40th Birthday Pics: Meta CEO Rocks Chain, Hangs Out With 'Special Guest' Bill Gates Apple Launched iPhone In 2007 Which Offered Phone Capabilities And Music Player All-In-One TIME Significantly, Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007, a groundbreaking device that seamlessly integrated phone functionality with an iPod-inspired music player and internet connectivity. This move came despite initial skepticism from Apple regarding the phone industry. The iPhone's remarkable success persists in the market, with Apple's flagship smartphones consistently ranking among the top-selling devices. Petros Kokkalis, leader of the newly-formed Kosmos party, has lashed out at Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for what he called a disparity between his policy statements and actions on climate change. The criticism came in the wake of comments made by Mitsotakis at The JTI Foundation conference, openly challenging with a series of questions. Why is the transition from fossil fuels so sluggish? Why are the restoration efforts for the ravaged ecosystems in Dadia and Thessaly stalled? Why does Civil Protection remain underprepared, especially in light of its shortcomings in combating last summers wildfires? The new political party leader who is also vying for re-election in the upcoming European elections, also accused Mr. Mitsotakis of aligning with a faction of governments that are stalling the enactment of European laws essential for nature restorationlaws that are crucial to addressing the climate crisis. Mr. Kokkalis brought attention to an initiative led by 11 European governments, with Ireland at the forefront, urging member states to ratify the nature restoration laws before Hungary assumes the EU Presidency. He called on the Greek leader to participate in the initiative. Even now, Mr. Kokkalis said, align yourself with nature, and take your place on the right side of history. iefimerida.gr In a significant move underscoring Greeces commitment to healthcare and minority rights, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the construction site of the new general hospital in Komotini, northern Greece. This visit comes on the heels of Mr. Mitsotakis meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, highlighting the hospitals role in serving the regions Muslim minority. The new hospital, poised to revolutionize the National Health System, will replace the aging Sismanoglio, expected to become a beacon of modernity and inclusivity, as officials put it. With a capacity of 165 beds,the hospital aims to foster a new level of patient care and staff-patient relationships. Mr. Mitsotakis tour emphasized the hospitals digital innovation and its significance in an area marked by national sensitivities. The establishment, which is part of a nearly 450 million euros initiative funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, symbolizes a step forward in addressing the needs of all community members, irrespective of their religious background. The Prime Ministers talks with President Erdogan earlier this week also touched upon the broader issues of equality and citizenship, reinforcing Greeces legal autonomy in managing such matters while also pointing to the hospital as a concrete example of the countrys dedication to serving its diverse populace. The timely completion of this project is anticipated to set a new standard for healthcare infrastructure in Greece. iefimerida.gr Stefanos Kasselakis, the president of the SYRIZA party, embarked on a significant visit to the Holy Metropolis of Maroneia and Komotini, as well as the Muftiate of Komotini. During these engagements, Kasselakis engaged with key religious leaders, fostering dialogue and emphasising the importance of coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the region. Mr. Kasselakis met with the Metropolitan of Maroneia and Komotini, Mr. Panteleimon, and the acting mufti of Komotini, Tzihat Halil. He said the meetings provided an opportunity to gain insight into the work carried out by both Greek Orthodox and Muslims communities in the region. The leftist leader emphasised the need for continued dialogue and mutual respect among religious groups, underscoring Syrizas commitment to fostering interfaith harmony and regional stability through inclusive policies. He expressed support for enhancing equality, citizenship, and social cohesion in the region through democratic reforms. Mr. Kasselakis also discussed his comprehensive plan for economic development in Thrace. He highlighted the significance of the European Unions role in addressing regional challenges. iefimerida.gr Greek police arrested a Turkish male, 29, following a cooperation of the Greek National Intelligence Service with Turkish authorities, it was made known on Wednesday. The man was arrested at the Abelokipi neighborhood of Athens on May 10, following a red alert issued by Interpol. He is expected to be extradited to Turkiye, where he is wanted for several offences. iefimerida.gr In the latest findings from Protios apartment investment data, Amerikis Square emerges as the standout performer in real estate for the first quarter of 2024, boasting a 6.9% yield. Following closely behind is the vicinity surrounding the National Technical University of Athens, which secures a 6.6% yield, showcasing promising potential for investors. Examination of income property statistics in Attica for January to March pinpoints the regions offering the greatest investment potential based on property performance. In the first quarter of 2024, Korydallos in the Piraeus region and the burgeoning Attiki Square retain their top spots with impressive yields of 6.3%. Meanwhile, Egaleo (Aigaleo) in the western part of the Athens urban area and the central Victoria Square area stand out with yields of 6.1% and 6%, respectively, thanks to ongoing expansion in Athens center. These divs position these areas as prime investment options. Peristeri, similarly situated in the western parts of Athens, maintains its allure with a 6% yield, remaining one of Atticas most appealing income property investments. In the more central suburbs of the broader Athens region, Zografou emerges as a new contender with a 5.8% yield, driven by a notable rise in rental prices. Perissos holds steady at 5.7%, with further development expected alongside the new metro. Beyond Athens core and its surroundings, the Northern Suburbs see a newcomer. Ekali debuts with a dynamic 5.8% yield, reflecting rising rental rates and highlighting the investment potential in Atticas northern suburbs. Antonios Fiorakis, CEO of Protio, commented: We observe that for the first quarter of 2024, the real estate market in the Attica region continues to offer consistently good yields and new opportunities. Source: tovima.com The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has suspended Senator Jimoh Ibrahim. Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly was suspended for alleged anti-party activities. The lawmaker was suspended by members of the APC Executive Committee of Igbotako Ward 11 in Okitipupa Local Goverment Area of Ondo State. Advertisement The notice was signed by ward executive members including Bakere Usuf, Tore Obwoselu, Oloyinmi Idowu, Borewaye Louyomi, Oladipupo Bose, Alkimbobola Seyi, Lawal-Babatunde, Aritawe-Ademole, Akinkuoju Olarewaju and Fabioye Ajoke. Ibrahims suspension is coming after he lost out in the partys governorship primary election in the state. The suspension letter sighted on Wednesday read, We, the members of the APC Executive Commince of Igbotako Ward 11 in Okitipupa Local Goverment Areu of Ondo State, convened meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024, During our meeting, we deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members. READ ALSO: Remove Ministers Not Good Enough, Others Accused Of Corruption, So Your Efforts Can Be Visible Jimoh Ibrahim To Tinubu We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahims actions and activities to be in violation of the partys constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities. As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the partys constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities In accordance with Article 21, Section A of APC Constitution. It is worth recalling that the National Party Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, met with all Ondo State governorship aspirants on April 25th, 2024, in Abuja. During the meeting, he urged them to cooperate with the partys candidate and incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Despite this, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso proceeded to sue the Governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party instructions. Additionally, he has engaged in anti-party activities by urging his supporters in Igbotako and Ondo State to join NPP, claiming he will soon receive the gubernatorial ticket from them. Senator Jimoh has openly declared his intent to disrupt APC before leaving the party, as evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about APC in various media outlets. The Federal Government has suspended the controversial cybersecurity levy on electronic banking transactions. The development is coming, following many outcries from Nigerians and socio-political groups, lamenting over the Central Bank of Nigerias directive. It was gathered that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the suspension of the levy on Tuesday, while addresing newsmen in Abuja. Advertisement Idris stated that President Tinubu has directed the CBN to temporarily halt the enforcement of the 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy and to review the methods for its application. He said: The position of the government is that policy has been suspended. READ MORE: Tinubu Bows To Pressure, Orders CBN To Suspend Cybersecurity Levy It has been put on hold. That is the position of the government for now. It is undergoing some form of review. It was reiterated in the council (FEC meeting) yesterday. You know that todays council (meeting) is a continuation of the council meeting of yesterday, the minister said. So, I can tell you that the cybersecurity levy has been put on hold. It is being reviewed by the government. Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that, on May 6 the CBN mandated financial institutions, mobile money operators, and payment service providers to implement the levy as contained in the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act 2024. With the development, all electronic transactions were expected to attract a levy of 0.5 per cent. The money was to be remitted to the National Cybersecurity Fund overseen by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). The Christians Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, called for the release of Leah Sharibu, Chibok girls and others who were abducted by terrorists in Yobe and Borno State. The group, on Tuesday, during a peaceful protest, said that Leah was 14 years old when she was kidnapped in February 2018 among 150 of her classmates while in school at Dapchi, but one month later all the girls were released except her because she allegedly refused to renounce her faith. The Chief Executive Officer of the CSW-N, Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, who led the protest, urged Federal Government and security agencies to take action and rescue the girls safely. Advertisement Rev. Nmadu said: We have all come out to commemorate the 21st birth of Leah Sharibu who has become the face of this campaign and many other campaigns for safe schoolchildren. We therefore want to wish her a happy birthday even in captivity. READ MORE: Leah Sharibus Mother Prays For Her Return As She Turns 18 In Captivity But then, we also want to entreat the government that they must do the needful. Nigeria is ebbing out. Nigeria is dying. We are almost surrendering to insecurity and bandits, kidnappers, and all sorts of evil people in our land. It is time to stop. Our children must go to school. We must stay safe in our homes. Our homes are no longer safe. Our roads are no longer safe. Government must come to terms with what is happening in the country and they must save the lives of the populists. We voted you in for security but what we get is insecurity. Therefore, we asked and we spoke this time to the President of the country, Bola Tinubu. Please, up your game, and safe lives. People are dying in their hundreds every day. This is unacceptable to us as citizens of this country. Security is our right. Therefore, we hope that the government will listen and do the needful. Safe our schools. Safe our girls. It is not a crime to go to school because they have chosen to go to school. It is the responsibility of the government to secure our schools and protect the lives and property of the citizens of this country. The Federal Government, on Tuesday, begged the organised Labour not to interrupt its transformation plan for the electricity sector. Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, had shutdown offices of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Distribution Companies nationwide, on Monday, over the hike in electricity tariff. It was gathered that the unions described the upward review, demanding outright cancellation. Advertisement Meanwhile, addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting on yesterday, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said that labour had the right to protest. He said: My appeal again is that they should please not derail or distract our transformation plan for the industry. We have a clearly documented reform roadmap to take us to our desired destination, where were going to have reliable, functional, cost-effective and affordable electricity in Nigeria. It cannot be achieved overnight because this is a decay of almost 60 years, which we are trying to correct. Nobody promised us or assured us that the road will be smooth. We knew its going to be rough, but we must weather the storm, which is going to be temporary. Its a lot of sacrifice from everybody; from the governments side, from the peoples side, from the private sector side. So we must bear this sacrifice for us to have a permanent gain. READ MORE: Tarrif Hike: Labour Unions Shut Down NERC Head Office (Pictures) I dont want us to go back to the situation we were in February and March, where we had very low generation. We all felt the impact of this whereby electricity supply was very low and every household, every company, every institution, felt it. From the little reform that weve embarked upon since the beginning April, we have seen the impact that electricity has improved and it can only get better. So Im appealing to everybody that one should not toy with this before that we have embarked upon, we are aiming somewhere and we will achieve it. Workers are dwarfed by the hull of the Battleship New Jersey at Philadelphia Ship Repair. The ship is berthed in Dock No. 3, from which it was launched on Dec. 7, 1942. Read more The Battleship New Jerseys $10 million facelift in South Philadelphia should be completed in time for the beloved ship to return home to the Camden Waterfront by early summer. The goal is to be fully open to the public prior to the July 4 weekend, if not sooner, said Marshall Spevak, CEO of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial. About 60% of the work to refresh the ship is complete, he said. Advertisement Since arriving in South Philly propelled by tugboats on March 27, Big J 887 feet long, four stories tall, and weighing 45,000 tons has been resting on 302 concrete keel blocks in the same dry dock from which it was launched on Dec. 7, 1942. READ MORE: Battleship New Jersey moved from Camden to Paulsboro. It was a spectator sport. Workers from Philadelphia Ship Repair are repainting and repairing the hull as well as replacing anticorrosion technology. A separate crew of carpenters is installing a new teak deck, a $4 million project that, like the hull work, is being paid for with a mix of public and private funding. The hull project also includes inspecting and, where needed, sealing about 160 through holes that drew in seawater to cool the engines when the ship was operational. Although Boston-based North Atlantic Ship Repair plans to close its Philadelphia operation as of June 30, the parent firms chief operations officer, Donna Connors, said the closure would not affect the battleship work. The vessel will be fully serviced prior to departure back to its home berth, she said. We look forward to a successful completion of this long-awaited project. Pleasant surprises and good karma Before the ship was dry-docked, visual inspections by divers indicated that the hull which hadnt been out of the water in more than 30 years was not seriously deteriorating. It turned out the hull was in tremendous shape, as good as you could possibly ask for, Spevak said. He and others among Big Js stewards also were surprised by the outpouring of public interest in dry dock tours of the ship, as well as on the Battleship New Jersey YouTube channel, its Facebook page, and elsewhere on social media. National media, including the New York Times and NBC News, also have covered the project. Theres a lot of good karma going on, said Spevak. Im absolutely blown out of the water by the public response. I never expected anything close to this, Big Js curator, Ryan Szimanski, said. So far, more than 5,000 people have taken guided tours tickets cost $225 per person for a standard tour, or $1,000 per person for a tour led by Szimanski. Tours are limited to 10 people at a time. Proceeds have more than made up for the projected revenue loss of between $700,000 and $800,000 while the ship has been absent from the Camden Waterfront. The weekend guided tours will conclude the weekend of June 7-9. More than 240,000 viewers now subscribe to Big Js YouTube channel, where Szimanski is both congenial host and enthusiastic instructor about the history and workings of the ship the more arcane, the better. What I do on the channel is geek out, he said. And viewers get a chance to geek out with me. Sales of merchandise, including special goods related to the dry docking, are brisk. Replicas of a nuclear weapons key left on the ship after it was decommissioned for the last time in the 1990s are popular, as are little glass vials of rust scraped from the hull, and wood shavings from the teak deck replacement process. The ship was a home to over 45,000 sailors and Marines during its 21 years in the active fleet, and that type of service evokes nostalgia, patriotism, and gratitude, Spevak said. They dont make ships like this any more. Its a Philly and a Camden thing After a contentious North-South political battle in New Jersey, the U.S. Navy in 2000 chose Camden over Bayonne, Hudson County, for the battleships permanent home as a floating museum. The decision followed a grassroots campaign energized by tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the Delaware. South Philly and South Jersey both have familial or other ties to those who helped build or served aboard the warship that was launched on the first anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. And now, the dry docking is a once-in-a-generation event, said former N.J. Assembly member Patricia Egan Jones, a leader of the campaign to secure the ship for Camden. People share our desire to make sure the most highly decorated ship in the history of the Navy will be here for the next 30 years, she said. The dry dock tours have caught the imagination of people. Once-in-a-lifetime views and reviews Leo Wieger, 68, of Hamilton Square, Mercer County, is a 28-year U.S. Navy veteran and curator of the Chief Petty Officers Exhibit on the battleship. His late father, Leo Sr., was a commissioning crew member, known as a plank owner, of Big J. Wieger said he was struck by the massiveness as he looked down on the ship at the beginning of a recent tour. The bottom of the 103-year-old dry dock is below sea level. Once you climb down the stairs, you can see the immensity and the power, he said. You put your hands on the hull of the largest and fastest and most-decorated battleship. Its a feeling of ownership. Its once-in-a-lifetime. Michael Melniczuk, 43, of Pilesgrove, Salem County, owns Farmers & Bankers Brewing in neighboring Woodstown and is sponsoring a beer event at the battleship after it returns to Camden. Im also an engineer, and when I did the tour, the size of the ship was overwhelming, he said, adding that his late grandmother worked for many years at the New York Shipbuilding Co. in Camden. The company shut down in 1967. Helping preserve history is very important for me, Melniczuk said. A historic vessels future The 22 years Battleship NJ has been berthed in Camden have not been a smooth sail. The annual number of visitors has fluctuated, budgets have been cut, and the pandemic still casts a shadow, the ships stewards said. Nonetheless, the overwhelming response to the dry dock tours tells me that people care about what were doing, said Szimanski. Completion of the work and coming back to Camden are a signal of confidence in the future of the Big J and the city, Spevak said. The battleship is part of the fabric of the community, said Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen, adding that the departure of the vessel has left an unmistakable void. Its comforting knowing this piece of American history has been preserved for future generations, he said. We all look forward to [the battleships] grand return home to the Camden Waterfront. Salim Ramji, formerly an executive at BlackRock, will be Vanguard's new CEO. Read more Vanguard Group, the $9 trillion investment firm that employs 12,000 in Chester County, has named Salim Ramji as chief executive, reaching outside company ranks for the first time in its 49-year history. Ramji, 53, has worked 25 years in the investment business, the last 10 at the only U.S. investment company bigger than Vanguard New York-based BlackRock, which has back offices near Princeton and Wilmington. Ramji replaces Mortimer Tim Buckley, who, like his three predecessors, had worked for the late Vanguard founder John C. Bogle. Advertisement The new CEO faces a competitive investment market, where some of Vanguards historically low fund fees have been matched by rivals like Fidelity and Schwab, and money managers like Vanguard are feeling pressure to offer new products and advisory services to bring in more cash. The current investor landscape is changing, and that presents opportunities for Vanguard, Ramji said in a statement. My focus will be to mobilize Vanguard to meet the moment while staying true to that core purpose: remaining the trusted firm that takes a stand for all investors. Vanguard confirmed the appointment in a news release Tuesday evening. Buckley had announced in March that he would retire as CEO by years end. Past presidents had been elevated to CEO, but this time Vanguard decided to conduct a wider search. Greg Davis, named Vanguards president in March, will stay in that job. He will retain his earlier post as chief investment officer and join the Vanguard board, the company said. Ramji was head of BlackRocks iShares and Index Investing Group, competing head-to-head against Vanguards top products, when he left BlackRock in January. He joined BlackRock from consultant McKinsey & Co., where he headed the asset management group. At BlackRock, Ramji served on the top executive committee. At Vanguard he will join the board, along with Davis and another new member, John Murphy, chief financial officer at Coca-Cola, whose addition to the board follows the resignation of Deanna Mulligan, a retired insurance executive which leaves two women on the 12-member board. Vanguard did not say why Mulligan stepped down. Born in Tanzania, in East Africa, Ramji holds a bachelors in economics and politics from the University of Toronto, then spent a year as a microlender getting field experience in the mountains of Pakistan, he told Wharton Fintech in a 2021 interview. He holds a law degree from Cambridge in England. He is also a chartered financial analyst (CFA), completing a complex set of tests certifying investment analysis. We have significant opportunities for growth ahead, Mark Loughridge, a former IBM executive who is the leading non-Vanguard employee on the companys board, said in a statement. Vanguard has an important future, and we believe he is the best person for the job. In another change from past Vanguard practice, Loughridge will take over this summer as chairman of the Vanguard board that oversees company management. In the past, that post had been held by the CEO, so that Buckley and his predecessors effectively reported to a governing board they also headed, a once-common practice at big U.S. financial and industrial companies that has been changing under pressure from corporate-governance reform advocates though as a private, for-profit company Vanguard is largely shielded from activist shareholders. Buckley said he knew Ramji from their service together on the top board of the Investment Company Institute, an industry lobby. In a statement, Buckley credited Ramji with strategic thinking and an understanding of Vanguards purpose. Ramji is one of a few people with experience running an asset manager as large as Vanguard that has seen [similarly] dramatic growth, Jeff De Maso wrote in an email to subscribers of his Independent Vanguard Adviser newsletter. The new leaders outsider status may be a positive, as past CEOs have managed in the shadow of their founder Bogle, who popularized low-fee index stock funds, he said. Bogle deserves his cult following, but todays Vanguard is more of a sprawling organization than an upstart, De Maso added. Vanguards Bogle-era culture, while still useful as a marketing tool, has been changing already, he said, as it sold off its small-business retirement accounts earlier this year to Dresher-based Ascensus, reversed a Bogle-imposed ban on the word product to describe Vanguard funds, and continues to boost some service fees. Everyone other one [Vanguard CEO] was internal star and former Bogle assistant, Eric Balchunas, an analyst at Bloomberg, posted on his X feed, adding that he was in semi-shock at Ramjis hiring. Ramjis appointment sparked immediate interest from crypto traders and watchers, who noted that Vanguard has resisted adding funds that bet on Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, while BlackRock embraced the speculative products. Nate Geraci, a Kansas financial planner who has predicted BlackRock will gain exchange-traded fund market share from Vanguard this year, posted that it will be interesting to see if Salim Ramji tries to help Vanguard investors gain access to crypto as he did promoting crypto funds for BlackRock customers. But Ramji promptly told Barrons he has no plans to reverse Vanguards crypto ban, adding that he will lead the company to growth within its long-standing culture, with the zeal of a convert. For its part, BlackRock hailed Ramjis hiring in a statement early Wednesday: We congratulate Salim on this accomplishment and thank him for his leadership at our firm. BlackRock is proud to have a track record of our firms alumni later going on to lead other investment management companies. BlackRock alumni also run Wilshire, Northern Trust, Russell Investments, and other investment firms. The Central Bucks school board met and voted on a contract for new superintendent Steven Yanni, right, on May 14, 2024. Read more The Central Bucks school board voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Lower Merion superintendent Steven Yanni as its next superintendent, at an annual salary of $275,000. The salary, approved as part of a five-year contract, is less than what the prior Central Bucks board had given its former superintendent, Abram Lucabaugh, who received an annual salary of $315,000 after getting a 40% raise last year. After Democrats won the November school board elections, Lucabaugh abruptly resigned and was awarded a $700,000 separation agreement by departing Republicans a payout that has been under investigation by the new board. Advertisement But Yannis salary is also less than the $290,000 he is making in Lower Merion, one of Pennsylvanias highest-spending school districts, where Yanni has worked for less than a year. Previously, Yanni spent five years leading the Upper Dublin School District; before that, he was superintendent in New Hope-Solebury. Central Bucks is home for me, Yanni said at a community forum in the district Monday, while addressing a question about his short tenure in Lower Merion. As a Central Bucks resident for the last eight years, Yanni said, Ive watched what has transpired in the school district and community the good times, the struggling times. I believe at my core Im a unifier and a uniter, he said. Central Bucks has been a flashpoint for controversy in recent years, with debate around masking and pandemic safety policies giving way to battles over library books and the districts treatment of LGBTQ students. The community has been sharply divided politically, and its school board elections have drawn intense campaigning and interest. Yanni said he hopes to focus the district on a shared goal: making sure kids are successful. If that becomes the mission, he said, I think were going to be successful as a school district and a community. Yanni is scheduled to start in Central Bucks July 1 taking over from Jim Scanlon, a former West Chester superintendent who stepped into an acting role leading Central Bucks in January. In Lower Merion, Yannis departure has triggered another superintendent search. Before Yanni, another superintendent had left the district after only a brief tenure: Khalid Mumin, who spent a little more than a year in Lower Merion before becoming Gov. Josh Shapiros education secretary. At a meeting Monday, Lower Merion board members told the community they were committed to finding the right candidate and bringing stability to the district. Its going to be our fifth superintendent, or acting superintendent, in nearly as many years, and thats not good, said board member Todd Ridky. Were going to do everything we can to do this right. Board president Kerry Sautner said the board would be hiring a search firm and working over the next three to six months to identify a new leader. The board will ensure this leadership change is a strong one, a stable one, that lasts us for years, she said. A jury in the civil sex abuse trial against Wasim Muhammad has rejected the claim that the former middle school teacher sexually abused his student three decades ago, but did find both he and the Camden City School District were negligent, awarding her $1.6 million. Read more A jury in the civil sex abuse trial against Wasim Muhammad on Tuesday rejected the claim that the former middle school teacher sexually abused his student three decades ago, but did find that both he and the Camden City School District were negligent, awarding the woman $1.6 million. The plaintiff, known in the lawsuit as Jane Doe, said she was relieved by the verdict, which was decided in 18 parts. The jury of four men and two women deliberated for about 5 hours over two days. Advertisement Im gratified that I stood up for myself, finally, she said after the trial concluded before New Jersey Superior Court Judge John Kennedy. It is my hope that the jurys decision will make schools safer for children against sexual abuse, both in Camden and throughout New Jersey. The crowded courtroom was tense as the lawyers and others rushed inside to await the verdict. About five sheriffs officers were standing by. Muhammad and the plaintiff sat quietly next to their lawyers. Later, Muhammad and his entourage clashed with a group of community activists as they left the courtroom. Allah is the greatest, Muhammad said. The truth will set you free, one of the activists responded. Although the jury found that Muhammad, 56, the Camden School Board Advisory president and a Muslim minister in Camden, had not assaulted his former student nor engaged in nonconsensual sexual contact when the plaintiff was younger than 18, it did decide that he recklessly or intentionally committed extreme and outrageous conduct upon her. It also found that the district was negligent in supervising Muhammad, then known as Donnie Walker, and created or permitted a sexually hostile educational environment, which caused the plaintiff harm. Brian Budic, solicitor for the school district, was surprised by the outcome, given that the jury did not find that Muhammad sexually assaulted the plaintiff when she was his student. The jury verdict, frankly, makes no sense, Budic said. How can Camden City School District be held liable? Budic and Muhammads lawyer, Troy Archie, both called the verdict inconsistent and said their clients would likely appeal or seek a new trial. At a news conference Tuesday afternoon at Muhammads Temple No. 20, Archie said jury deliberations should have ended after the jury found no liability on the sexual assault allegations. The whole case is based on her being underage and being assaulted by Don Walker, Archie said. If its a no on that, it should be no across the board. The school district will be liable for 60% of the $1.6 million; Muhammad will be liable for 40%. Before the trial, an arbitrator recommended a $1 million settlement, but that was rejected by all parties. Calling the verdict a powerful statement, the plaintiffs lawyer, Jeffrey Fritz, called on the nine-member school board to oust Muhammad as president. Muhammad took a leave of absence after Gov. Phil Murphy called for his resignation. The district has been under a state takeover since 2013. In a statement Tuesday night, a Murphy spokesman said: While we understand litigation is ongoing, the appalling and heinous nature of these allegations casts doubt on Mr. Muhammads ability to effectively serve the Camden City School District. The Governor believes he should immediately resign. READ MORE: Who is Wasim Muhammad, Camdens school board president accused of sexually abusing a student? The jury will return June 17 to decide whether punitive damages should also be awarded. Muhammad said he will remain on leave from the Camden school board pending the final outcome of the case. The accusations In the lawsuit, Muhammad was accused of sexually abusing Doe when she was a student at Cooper B. Hatch Middle School and he was her seventh-grade social studies teacher. She alleged that they started having sex in 1994, and that he abused her for years, even after she moved with her family to the South. The lawsuit also alleged that school district employees who knew about the relationship failed to stop it. During the trial, the jury heard emotional and graphic testimony from the plaintiff. The Inquirer is not identifying her because it does not identify victims in sexual assault cases without their consent. Among her allegations, she said the two engaged in a threesome with one of his many wives, and that he took the plaintiff to a porn theater and forced her to have sex with a stranger while he watched and masturbated. He sexually assaulted her every way imaginable, said Fritz. During Muhammads testimony, he told the jury that he began a relationship with his former student when she was 18, when they married under his Islamic faith. (She denies that the two were ever married.) Muhammad said he is legally married to his childhood sweetheart, Stephanie, and currently has four spiritual wives. Besides the plaintiff, he was married to another woman, but that relationship ended previously, he said. Muhammad had denied he had a sexual relationship with the plaintiff before she was 18. Muhammad testified that he started relationships with four of his six wives when they were 18. The plaintiff waited until 2020 to come forward with her allegations because, she said, I felt very shamed. I felt stupid. I felt like nobody would believe me. She tried to file a complaint with Cherry Hill police because some of the alleged sexual assaults occurred at the Feathernest Inn in Cherry Hill but was told that it was too late to pursue criminal charges. Now 45, the plaintiff filed the lawsuit under the New Jersey Child Victims Act, a state law passed in 2019 that allows victims of child sexual abuse to sue their abusers up until they turn 55. The jury rejected that claim. Married and the mother of three children, she said she was looking forward to returning home to finish the school year as a first-grade teacher. She said the verdict brought a modicum of closure. Im happy that the truth came out, she said. Ill never be the same. When asked whether her 13-year-old self would be proud of her, she wept softly. I know that she is. My family is notoriously slow to get out the door to start vacation, even when were heading somewhere as exciting as the Jersey Shore. But Ive started to believe that its just their devious strategy to assure a good meal. Well have barely crossed the Walt Whitman Bridge before the cries of hunger suddenly begin coming from the back seat, as if the mere 90-minute journey from Center City is simply too long to bear without sustenance: Whats for lunch?! And Ill admit: the options are so tempting, from raw oysters and fried clam rolls to barbecue, pozole, hoagies, and pie, my stomach starts growling, too. If theres a bigger challenge than hitting the road, its deciding where to go. Sweet Amalia Market and Kitchen You can practically taste the ocean at this dreamy yellow roadside stand turned market-cafe, even though its only halfway between the city and the Shore, set amid the farmland near Vineland. Chef-partner Melissa McGrath effortlessly channels South Jerseys best ingredients with inspired dishes featuring Mid-Atlantic oysters, creative sandwiches, and local produce for picnic table feasting. The raw bar is essential, showcasing Sweet Amalias from co-owner Lisa Calvos oyster farm on the Cape May Peninsula, along with oysters from other Jersey farms. You can get them fried, baked, or raw in Sweeties platters splashed with creative seasonal toppings, including a fennel, ginger beer, and buttermilk dressing for spring; summer versions have ranged from gazpacho to melon salsa. The stunning sandwiches are also worth the trip not only the various seafood rolls (the fried clam is a favorite), but the stellar Italian hoagie, superb eggplant cutlet, and arguably the best BLT on the planet when Jersey tomatoes are ripe. Im also obsessed with McGraths latest creation: a shrimp cutlet made from a burger-like patty of ground crustacean bound with sesame oil, mustard, and dill thats crisped in seeded Sarcones bread crumbs, layered with gribiche (a mayo sauce made here with Smith Poultry eggs, mustard, and dill) and gem lettuce on toasted brioche. Finish with the luscious strawberry biscuit and whipped cream for dessert, and youll understand why I dont really even need a trip to the Shore as an excuse for a Sweet Amalia run. 994 Harding Hwy., Newfield, N.J., 08344 856-839-2478, sweetamalia.com/market-kitchen. Henris Hotts Barbeque Ruthie Henri has kept the smoker fires glowing at arguably South Jerseys best barbecue joint since her husband and cofounder, Doug Henri, died in 2021, carrying the pit masters torch at this Black Horse Pike roadhouse in his stead. The St. Louis-cut ribs remain a particular favorite, along with the slow-smoked chicken, tender pulled pork, and corn pudding. But Henris is just as well known for its expansive weekend soul food buffet, which showcases some of the regions best fried chicken. 1003 E. Black Horse Pike, Folsom, N.J. 08094 609-270-7268, bestbbqsj.com Pal Joeys Deli Sometimes we dont make it very far at all before lunch. But thats probably because we took a detour through Gloucester County for some excellent hoagies at this classic Italian deli in Sewell. The sharp Italian hoagie is fantastic, a perfectly layered blend of meats and finely shredded veggies (including pickled peppers) that makes for a hearty sandwich without it feeling overstuffed. I especially love the Chicken Giuseppe, a crisp chicken cutlet hoagie topped with juicy bruschetta tomatoes and provolone. 660 Woodbury Glassboro Rd., Sewell, N.J. 08080, 856-415-9600 paljoeysdeli.net Hammonton On our most ambitious, early-to-rise vacation launch days, my crew can make it the full 35 miles from Center City to Hammonton, or about halfway to our destination in Ocean City. This agricultural town in the Pine Barrens is known widely as the Blueberry Capital of the World. But I also regard it as one of the most delicious cities in South Jersey because it has become a hub for great Mexican cuisine to go along with its enduring collection of Italian businesses. El Nuevo Mariachi Loco There is great Mexican food up and down the South Jersey Shore thanks to decades of immigration drawn by jobs in the casino industry, agriculture, and tourism. One of my favorites, El Nuevo Mariachi Loco, can be found just a few minutes off exit 28 of the Atlantic City Expressway. Roberto Diazs festive Mexican makeover of a Victorian downtown storefront is a reliable destination for soulful red pozole and excellent chicken enchiladas in mole that pay tribute to Diazs Poblano roots. Carnitas braised in Coke, fresh huaraches, and quesadillas folded around huitlacoche with Oaxaca cheese are also worthy draws. 101 Bellevue Ave., Hammonton, N.J., 08037 609-270-7224 elmariachilocorestaurant.com Brunis Pizza This institution has been serving Hammonton since 1956, and while the pizzas may look fairly basic, there is something elusively delicious about Brunis old-school approach. The airy, hand-pinched crusts topped with bright sauce, freshly cut veggies, and a housemade sausage that comes in hot or sweet all add up to something distinctive and as close as it gets to a mid-century pizza time capsule. There is a second location in Rio Grande. Original location: 303 12th St., Hammonton, N.J. 08037, 609-561-5310 Second location: 1613 NJ-47, Rio Grande, N.J. 08424, 609-600-1114, brunispizzanj.com. Manninos Cannoli Express I tend to be a ricotta-only purist when it comes to cannoli. Offer to fill my crisp Sicilian pastry tubes with birthday cake or maple bourbon bacon, and I get suspicious. On the other hand, Manninos handles the cannoli with proper respect, and since blueberries are a serious thing here, I figured why not give the local favorite cannoli flavor a shot? And, well ... wow. The fruit not only turns the ricotta a vibrant purple hue, the berrys gentle tartness perfectly balances out the ricotta filling, which can often border on being overly sweet. This is now my favorite cannoli outside of Isgros in the Italian Market. 220 Bellevue Ave., Hammonton, N.J. 08037, 609-481-2033, gotcannolinj.com. Baglianis Italian Market A multigenerational specialty grocer that dates to 1959, Baglianis isnt just a cornerstone of the Sicilian community that has deep roots in Hammonton, its one of the best Italian import stores in the entire Philly region. Its the perfect place to stock up on cheeses, salumi, and olives, many of which are imported from Sicily and Baglianis has some of the most competitive prices around on coveted olive oils, balsamico, and dried pasta to boot. Friends rave about the hoagies, which Ive yet to try. But Im always loading up on fresh-made Italian sausage to put in my cooler, because these are still some of the best links around especially the variety stuffed with parsley and provolone. 417 12th St., Hammonton, N.J. 08037, 609-561-0693, baglianis.com Penzas Pies at the Red Barn Cafe The Red Barn is a charming and quirky little cafe for asparagus omelets, quiche, and homemade meatball sandwiches. But the pie paradise of Penzas retail bakery is the real reason to visit. These bountiful rounds practically explode with the colors of local fruit, from a double-crusted classic American apple pie to crumb-topped beauties brimming with the pride of Hammonton fresh-picked cranberries, peaches, or Jersey Blues that make a stunning dessert centerpiece for any picnic by the beach. 391 US-206, Hammonton, N.J. 08037, 609-567-3412, penzaspies.com West Side Discount Liquors Im always happy to fill my tank at the Valero station in the parking lot of this seemingly generic convenience store because West Side Discount Liquors is anything but ordinary: Its shelves are crammed with one of the largest selections of tequila in the region, with more than 600 labels that range from popular brands to coveted producers, like Fortaleza, and hard-to-find novelty bottles shaped as jaguar-man deities, mariachis (with anatomically correct pouring spouts), machine guns, and cowboy boots. Suffice it to say, after a stop here, you will have everything you need to be the life of the Shore party. 730 12th St., Hammonton, N.J., 08037 609-704-7660 Custard Hut We can almost smell the ocean air by the time the Custard Hut comes into view. Somers Point is our last stop on the mainland, just across the bay from our ultimate destination in Ocean City. But theres something to be said for one perfect cone of soft-serve before crossing the bridge, unloading the car, and planting chairs in the sand for a couple weeks. It just so happens that this family-owned ice cream stand, started in 1977, makes some of the richest custard around. With this one final pause to get out of the car, stretch our legs, and devour our cones (a chocolate-vanilla swirl for me, please), the final leg of our trip is short and very sweet. Theres another C-Hut location just south in Upper Township, near the causeway to Sea Isle City. 710 New Rd., Somers Point, N.J. 08244, 609-653-0420 109 NJ-50, Ocean View, N.J. 08230, 609-390-0361 on Facebook From left: Mike Solomonov with culinary director Caitlin McMillan, business partner Steve Cook, and director of events Neira Jackson at the Weitzman, overlooking Independence Mall. Read more Kristen Kreider speaks with the clients booking events at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, where she is managing director for business operations. She said there have been a lot of happy people on the end of the line lately. Advertisement In a deal announced Wednesday, Lilah Events the catering arm of Mike Solomonov and Steve Cooks CookNSolo restaurant group is the Weitzmans new exclusive caterer and events partner. This in effect puts hummus, kebabs, coffee-braised brisket, and other dishes from such CookNSolo restaurants as Zahav and Dizengoff on museum menus. The Weitzmans 20,000 square feet of space includes a ballroom and terrace that can handle a sit-down event for 450 people with fifth-floor views of Independence Mall from floor-to-ceiling windows. Kosher caterers can partner with Lilah at the Weitzman, if needed. Kreider said clients who had booked the Weitzman with the venue in mind, not necessarily the caterer view Lilahs hiring as a bonus. When the Weitzmans previous caterer, Neumans Kitchen, permanently closed, news traveled through the catering industry very quickly, she said. We had all these great caterers stepping up and offering to help. But during the process, I kept thinking, We could be another great museum in a beautiful neighborhood with a terrific caterer, just like all the other 15 great museums with terrific caterers and beautiful neighborhoods, Kreider said. Or we could really distinguish ourselves as something unique. To be competitive, thats what you have to do. Kreider said she reached out to Lilah. One selling point: Because CookNSolo is Jewish-owned, a Weitzman-Lilah partnership would be a natural marriage, she said. This is the museum thats celebrating the accomplishment of Jews in America. Cook who opened the flagship Lilah catering venue in Fishtown in 2022 with Solomonov, culinary director Caitlin McMillan, and director of events Neira Jackson said the company wasnt looking to expand. We probably could have put our hats in the ring for a lot of other venues, but this was the one that really felt right to us, Cook said. It just seemed so perfect, Solomonov said. We didnt want anyone else to do it. Kreider said the Weitzman hosts more non-Jewish events than Jewish ones. Besides the location and facilities, she said, its nice to have a short name. Weitzman is going to fit better on a wedding invitation. During one early chat with Solomonov, Kreider said she asked him, I know what you can do, but can you actually do something simple, like chicken fingers for a bat mitzvah? He said, Yes. We do chicken fingers all day long. We just call it schnitzel instead. 2024: Michael Lynch with kids Molly, 11, and Miles, 16, at the Port Richmond location of Miles Table. Read more Miles Lynch was nearly 5 years old when his father, Michael, opened a bruncherie on South Street West in February 2013 and named it after him. It was Michael Lynchs debut as a restaurateur. He had been the caterer at Lombard Swim Club and previously worked at Gallos Seafood, Buddakan, and Culinary Concepts catering. Advertisement Miles and Miles Table have since grown. In 2020, Lynch opened the second location in the Bok Building in South Philadelphia; by then, Miles was 11 and Michael and wife Marybeths daughter, Molly, a baby when the first location opened, was 7. Now Miles is 16 and well over 6 feet tall. On Friday, the Lynches will open the third Miles Table, filling the spot left by Mercer Cafe at 2619 E. Westmoreland St. in Port Richmond. Its a cozy former corner store near several local landmarks, such as Byrnes Tavern and Polish food specialist Czerws. All locations are open daily from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offer such dishes as tres leches French toast; carnitas Benedict; short rib omelet; Thai chicken sandwich; the Molly kale salad with mixed greens, avocado, almonds, cranberries, apples, and Dijon; and the Miles Burger, topped with Cheddar and bacon. Might the namesake want to get into the restaurant business himself someday? Miles smiled. Not a chance, he said. Miles Table is joining the solid food and drink scene of Port Richmond, just off the Allegheny Avenue exit of I-95. Whats up in Port Richmond Later this spring, beer and wine from Carbon Copy, the West Philadelphia winery and brewery, and Polish food from pierogi purveyor Mom-Moms will be together under one roof on Richmond Street. Mom-Moms calling card is the pierogi, and Port Richmond might be the pierogi capital of the region. Its down the block from the family magnet called Pizza Richmond related to Pizza Shackamaxon which opened a few month ago on Richmond Street in a century-old building whose facade bears the name A.S. Smolczynski, the eponymous furniture store that served the neighborhood. The old-time eateries delight the locals: Lauren McNeal, Registered nurse monitors patients in multiple facilities remotely. Registered nurses in the Center for Connected Care, monitors patients from this center at Penn Medicine Rittenhouse, 1800 Lombard Street, Philadelphia on Monday, May 13, 2024. Read more This week we look at how technology can solve problems but also introduce new ones. Our big read explores what three hospital systems are learning about virtual nursing, when a nurse provides care to as many as a dozen patients through a screen. (Spoiler alert: Hype has not always matched reality.) In keeping with the technology theme, we highlight a new study reviewing the evidence on how algorithms impact racial bias in health care. And we look at an initiative grounded in human connection: A Philadelphia partnership that brings people together to share real-life experiences managing chronic illnesses has received $5.5 million from the NIH. Advertisement Before we begin, a note to any pharmacists joining us: You might be tempted to relocate to the wine country on the West Coast by the end of this newsletter. Got tips, questions, or suggestions? For a chance to be featured in this newsletter, email us. If someone forwarded you this newsletter, sign up here. Abraham Gutman and Aubrey Whelan, Inquirer health reporters, @abrahamgutman and @aubreywhelan. This health-care solution created its own unforeseen problems. Philly-area hospitals are testing remote nursing models. The idea is appealing at a time when nurses are in short supply: Put cameras in patient rooms that allow one nurse to keep an eye on as many as 12 patients at a time. And research suggests that so-called virtual sitters can help reduce falls. But Jeffersons Abington Hospital learned implementation can be tricky. The Montgomery County hospital was rebuked by state inspectors in March over the logistics involved in using virtual monitors in behavioral health patient rooms. The monitors rolled on carts into patient rooms used an 8-foot power cord. This poses an unacceptable strangulation risk in behavioral health settings. In response, Abington administrators removed the carts and used the incident as a teaching moment. Penn Medicine has found the effort required to maneuver the bulky equipment sometimes offsets the time that virtual nurses would save for on-the-floor staff. And in South Jersey, Virtua Health is testing whether its virtual nurses can take on more of the duties typically assigned to in-person nurses. Everyone is thinking the technology is going to create such efficiency. We bought into the hype, said Ann Huffenberger, a nurse and the director of the Penn Center for Connected Care. It didnt really work out for us in that manner. Our colleague Sarah Gantz has the details on the hospitals experiences with virtual nursing. This weeks number: 148. Thats the number of metro areas in the U.S. where pharmacists made more money on average than those working in the Philadelphia region last year. Philadelphias 7,760 pharmacists earned an average of $133,680 in 2023, a 3% increase from the year before. Pharmacists looking for a raise could check out Californias Napa Valley, the metro area with the highest average pay. The pharmacists in that region, known for its wineries (and high cost of living), earned an average of $182,380. The Philadelphia area had the fifth-highest average pay in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware. In Pittsburgh, the second-largest market in the three states, the average pay was only $125,830. Abraham broke down the differences in the workforce and pay statistics. Inspectors visited the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia three times between September 2023 and February 2024. They twice found the hospital in compliance, but on a third visit found a patient was sent home without needed medication. A partnership between Philadelphia, Penn Nursing, and community groups wants to help people with chronic illnesses manage their diseases and the NIH is supporting the effort with $5.5 million. The four-year grant will train community health workers to lead group sessions in their neighborhoods where patients will learn about their illness and discuss their challenges in managing the conditions. The secret sauce of the initiative is the group setting, said Carmen Alvarez, a Penn Nursing professor who co-leads the project. When youre in a space with people who are experiencing the same barriers, that helps to deal with the stigma and its also validating or encouraging, Alvarez said. Oh, Im not the only one thats struggling. Read more about the partnership and what it hopes to achieve with the new grant. Jane Shull is leaving Philadelphia FIGHT, after serving as the community health organizations chief executive for more than three decades. She told Philadelphia Gay News that she doesnt plan on slowing down. Do you want to be FIGHTs next CEO? Email the executive search firm that they retained at jfazekas@wittkieffer.com. Penn researchers undertook the most comprehensive review yet of how algorithms impact racial biases in health care. Their study, published in March in the Annals of Internal Medicine, comes years after researchers around the country began raising concerns that an algorithm used to place people on the kidney transplant list was wrongly keeping some Black patients off the list. Penns study found that intention matters in this space: Algorithms that included a patients race specifically in order to reduce inequalities generally result in better care for everyone. But those that include race for no real reason tend to worsen racial disparities in care. Aubrey explored their findings and how the study can help local efforts to address algorithmic biases in health systems. Writing this weeks newsletter items made us want to hear more about how technology is shaping your job. We would love to feature your experiences in this newsletter, so 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 pod of orcas from the Eastern Tropical Pacific population are seen in Southern California. Read more A pod of killer whales attacked and sunk a yacht over the weekend between Spain and Morocco in the Strait of Gibraltar and its not the first time. The couple on the yacht said they felt sudden blows to the hull and rudder before the boat started taking on water, according to reports. They alerted authorities and a nearby oil tanker took them onboard. The yacht was unsalvageable. Advertisement Sundays incident is the latest in a string of attacks on yachts by orcas in recent years. A lot regarding the attacks remains a mystery to experts, including the whales motives. Scientists suggest it could be because the orcas feel threatened, are protecting their food supply, or are simply playing around. Heres a timeline of the encounters. The early 1800s Thats right, were going way back. While this latest string of whale attacks began around 2020, records show whales attacking boats isnt a new concept at all let us all recall one Moby Dick. According to Graham Faiella, an author whose books recall early tales of the sea, ship attacks by the marine mammals date back to around 1820, when the Essex, a whaling ship designed to catch whales was pursued by a group of whales that struck the ship with their bodies. The ship sank, leaving 20 castaways. The Essexs story was said to be an inspiration for Herman Melvilles novel, along with another true story from 1850 about the Ann Alexander. Based out of New Bedford, Mass., the Ann Alexander sailed to the Pacific in 1851, when it was struck by a sperm whale the crew was trying to pursue. One whale was said to be rushing at it [the boat] with tremendous violence, lifted open its enormous jaws, and taking the boat in, crushed it into fragments as small as a common-sized chair! according to an account from the whalemen the men aboard the ship tasked with catching the whales cited by Faiella. The culprit whale, which was nicknamed the monster of the deep eventually blew a hole through the Ann Alexanders hull. The late 1800s and early 1900s Faiella said the whales attacking whalers and their ships continued into the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1871, a whale followed the King Oscar on its voyage between Tasmania and New South Wales. After three days of peaceable companionship, the whale heel-turned, abruptly ramming the ship and causing a leak. In 1901, the Kathleen ship set off on a whaling voyage from New Bedford toward the Brazilian coast. A single whale broke away from its pod to charge the ship and create a hole in the Kathleen. The whalers found safety before the ship sank. Finally, in 1904, a Danish merchant ship called Anna was voyaging from Iceland to New Brunswick, Canada, when a frisky whale appeared and played around the vessel. Suddenly you can probably guess this part like a warship intent on ramming, [the whale] came straight at the boat, according to a 1905 report from Wide World Magazine. The late 1900s and early 2000s Perhaps a dormant period, we heard a lot less about whales attacking ships and a lot more about ships striking whales. Reports show that collisions with motorized ships were a recognized source of whale deaths, but, as noted in a report from the Society for Marine Mammalogy, little had been done to compile information on the frequency of the events. Renaud de Stephanis, a biologist involved in investigating whale attacks, told BBC News last year that in the mid-1990s, he noticed an orca pod (a family of whales that stick together) that would steal tuna from tuna boats, teaching younger whales to do the same. He told the BBC he believes the whales attacking boats today come from the same pod that was taking back tuna as part of a predatory self-preservation tactic prompted by overfishing. The 2020s Theyre bacccckkkkk. Since 2020, a small pod of orcas in the strait of Gibraltar has been ramming vessels with their heads and biting rudders. The movement, which was nicknamed #orcauprising and inspired plenty of memes, reportedly has occurred hundreds of times. Other instances were recorded in different locations, like when an orca rammed a boat near Shetland last year. According to research from GT Atlantic Orca, a group that tracks whale populations, there have been nearly 700 interactions of orca attacks on ships near the strait of Gibraltar since the first report in May 2020. An advisory from the Spanish Ministry of Transport says anyone sailing through the waters from the Gulf of Cadiz and the Strait of Gibraltar should avoid areas marked as potential danger zones for orca interactions. The greatest threats occur from May through August, which is when officials say whale pods are most commonly seen in those parts of the Atlantic. But, as noted by CBS, the rest of the year can still be dangerous. One of the rental cabins at Sea Pirate Campground in West Creek, N.J. The campground sits a little over 10 miles from the public beach in Long Beach Island. Read more While the idea of roasting marshmallows in a sandy firepit and falling asleep to the worlds biggest white noise machine is dreamy, in New Jersey, it is truly just a dream. You cant camp on the beach. At least not legally. Advertisement Theres a whole slew of reasons, including lack of plumbing and human waste, but that doesnt mean you cant park an RV or even pitch a tent relatively close to the ocean, off the barrier islands. Most of the Jersey Shore campgrounds are along Route 9, which runs north along the coast from Cape May for about 150 miles. Any one of these campgrounds is a 10-minute drive to the beach, said Mike Slifer, general manager of Avalon Campground in Middle Township, Cape May County. For many, Jersey Shore campgrounds provide a convenient and often more affordable option than renting a home in Ocean City or a hotel room in Wildwood. Theyre not just a place to rest your head. The amenities often keep people parked there instead of heading over the bridges to drop hundreds of dollars on the piers and boardwalks. Many private campgrounds like Avalon Campground feature everything from pools to small water parks, swimmable lakes, theme nights, shows, playgrounds, arcades, rentable cabins, and spots to park and connect your RV for a week. It would be nice to think of the campgrounds as the Shores best-kept but theyre not much of a secret these days. Were almost completely sold out from mid-July to Labor Day, Slifer said. Many of the sites at the Jersey Shore campgrounds are seasonal, a Shore-house-on-wheels parked at the site for decades by a single family. Visitors can also bring RVs and pop-up campers, or rent an assortment of cabins that range from rustic to multibedroom with full kitchens and air-conditioning. Visitors can even rent their own RVs before arriving. Slifer said private campgrounds are often a self-contained vacation, where parents can head to the pool while children go to the arcade or pedal bicycles on a 5 mph gravel road. Thats not as easy to do in a Shore resort town, he said. If all of this sounds like glamping instead of actual camping, other options remain. Some campgrounds offer rustic tent-only sites, with no electricity or water, and others will let you pitch a tent on an RV site as long as youre willing to pay the fee. You wont feel ocean breezes, though, and may have to tangle with New Jerseys flying menaces, like mosquitoes. Yeah, it can be pretty hot, said Matt Benn, co-owner of Sea Pirate Campground in West Creek, Ocean County. Sea Pirate is about a 10-mile drive from Long Beach Islands public beaches but also offers fishing in its private lake and even crabbing along a trail into the salt marshes. If youre still looking for a more traditional, and even more affordable, camping experience, the New Jersey State Park Service runs two campgrounds close to Jersey Shore beaches, and both will give you a feel for the states other natural wonderland: the Pine Barrens. Bass River State Forest, in Ocean County, is about a 20-minute drive from Long Beach Islands beaches and it offers 176 tent and trailer sites, along with cabins and lean-tos. Theres also swimming at Lake Absegami, along with fishing and hiking. Farther south, Belleplain State Forest is about 11 miles west of Sea Isle City, with 169 tent and trailer sites and a lake for swimming. While the states offerings are rustic compared to private campgrounds, Caryn Shinske, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, said theres little to no vacancy in many of them during summer months. Campers should remember that the State Park Service only provides the space to camp, a table, and a grill, Shinske said. Campers must bring everything else with them tents, sleeping bags, pillows, sheets, food, cooking supplies, etc. While New Jersey has a state park on the beach in Island Beach State Park, Shinske said theres no camping there. One reason, she said, is the ever-changing landscape caused by erosion. Theres no camping at Gateway National Recreation Areas Sandy Hook beach, either, in Monmouth County. In Delaware, Cape Henlopen State Park is very close to the beach. For real beach camping, youd need to head even farther south to Assateague Island. The barrier island habitat can be harsh if you are not prepared, the National Park Service warns. Places to camp at the Jersey Shore Bass River State Forest 762 Stage Rd., Bass River Twp., 08224, (609) 296-1114 Closest beach: Long Beach Island. Sea Pirate Campground 148 Main St., West Creek, 08092, (609) 296-7400 Closest beach: Long Beach Island. Acorn Campground 419 Route 47 South, Green Creek, 08219, (609) 886-7119 Closest beach: Stone Harbor/North Wildwood. Cheesequake State Park 300 Gordon Rd., Matawan, 07747, (732) 566-2161 Closest beach: Old Bridge. Avalon Campground 1917 US-9 #1917, Cape May Court House, 08210, 609-624-075 Closest beach: Avalon/Sea Isle City. 810 South Shore Rd., Marmora, 08223, 609-390-3458 Closest beach: Ocean City. Belleplain State Forest 1 Henkinsifkin Rd., Woodbine, 08270, (609) 861-2404 Closest beach: Sea Isle City. King Nummy Trail Campground 205 NJ-47 South, Cape May Court House, 08210, (609) 465-4242 Closest beach: Wildwoods. Sun Retreats Seashore 720 Seashore Rd., Cape May, 08204, (609) 293-3270 Closest beach: Wildwood Crest/Diamond Beach. For more campgrounds visit campnj.com. Ocean City Police officers close off beach access at the 8 p.m. curfew. Last year, the Shore town moved up its teen curfew to 11 p.m., closed beaches, and banned backpacks after 8 p.m., and closed boardwalk bathrooms after 10 p.m. Read more While the Jersey Shore is known in some towns as Americas favorite family vacation, its relationship with teenagers has become a bit rocky in recent years. A trend of large teen gatherings at night on public beaches and boardwalks has prompted many southern New Jersey Shore towns to enact laws aimed at curbing misbehavior, which local police and businesses say stems from these gatherings. Last year, these public parties led to increases in underage drinking, shoplifting, and vandalism throughout the summer, according to local authorities. Advertisement In some towns, like Ocean City, thousands of incidents are reported each year, with extreme nights like last years Memorial Day causing police to issue more than 1,000 curbside warnings in a single weekend. The number of curbside warnings in Ocean City jumped from 13,494 in 2021 to 43,719 in 2022. I know people have concerns and dont want their summer to be ruined, but I will always be cautious when I see a kid passed out on the sidewalk, said Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian during the announcement of new rules last summer. This is serious and its not just in Ocean City. In response, Shore towns have implemented measures such as teen curfews, earlier beach closures, and backpack bans on boardwalks. Some towns will even fine parents if their children are found breaking these laws, as local officials believe many parents are unaware of their childrens activity at night, said Ocean City Police Chief Jay Prettyman. Last summer, one extreme example required a parent to drive from Connecticut to Ocean City to pick up their teen. Much of the brunt of the rowdiness was felt by business owners along the boardwalk. You get overwhelmed with 20 kids coming into your store, Abraham Romy said last summer. Romy witnessed teens lighting fireworks on the beach and experienced two incidents of shoplifting at his boardwalk apparel shop, Blue Sky, over Memorial Day weekend. Despite the years of rowdiness, some local officials are optimistic for a turnaround. We do have concerns with large groups of juveniles gathering at night, but it has started to slow down in recent years, North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello said. It seemed like from 2020 to 2022, it really exploded and then its kind of waned. Since curfews and stricter rules were enacted in Ocean City and Wildwood, local officials and business owners said it was a much calmer summer. Unfortunately, it was something we needed to do to address an issue, and it worked, Prettyman said. The beach and boardwalk were much more enjoyable this year than in years past. Here are the rules that teenagers and their parents need to know about visiting the Shore this year. What happens if a teenager is breaking curfew? Most Shore towns have curfews for those under 18, but some towns are stricter than others. Generally, if teens are found in public places or businesses after curfew, they risk being stopped by the police. Teens should receive two warnings from police for being out past curfew. Afterward, police will identify them and bring them in for a station house adjustment, where a parent or legal guardian is called to come pick them up. These police interactions do not show up on a criminal record. Exceptions to the curfew include traveling to and from work, organized events, or recreational activities under adult supervision. Cape May In Cape May, there is a teen curfew from midnight to 6 a.m. during the summer. Wildwood In Wildwood, there is a teen curfew from midnight to 6 a.m. Parents who allow their child out past curfew risk being fined up to $1,000. North Wildwood In North Wildwood, there is a new teen curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the summer. Parents who allow a child out past curfew risk being fined $250 to $1,500. I dont foresee our police officers seeking out people to enforce this ordinance upon. It is really just an enforcement tool for our police officers in the event theyre encountering juveniles drawing unwanted negative intention, Rosenello said last month. Stone Harbor In Stone Harbor, there is a teen curfew from midnight to 6 a.m. Sea Isle City In Sea Isle City, there is a teen curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the summer. Theres also a ban on backpacks after 10 p.m. No one, including adults, is allowed to have bags larger than 8x6x8 on the beaches, boardwalk, and beachside streets between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. during the summer. This doesnt include medical devices, equipment for journalists, or people engaged in fishing. If police see a person with a bag during restricted hours, they will give two warnings with the ability to remove the bag from restricted areas. Afterward, police can fine adults $25 to $100 and stop kids to call their parents. Parents can be fined $250 to $1,500 if they let their child break curfew. Ocean City In Ocean City, there is a teen curfew and backpack ban, and beaches close earlier. Last years rule of closing boardwalk bathrooms at 10 p.m. is no longer in place. People under 18 cannot be in public places or businesses from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. without a parent or legal guardian. Beaches are closed to the public, not just teens, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. No bags larger than 8x6x8 are allowed on the beaches, boardwalk, and beachside streets from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Police will give two warnings to both adults and kids for violating the backpack ban. After the second warning, police can fine adults $25 to $100 and stop kids to call their parents. Parents can be fined $250 to $1,500 for allowing a child to break curfew. Seaside Heights In Seaside Heights, there is a teen curfew and beaches close earlier. People under 18 cannot be in public places or businesses from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. without a parent or legal guardian. Beaches are closed to the public from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Parents can be fined up to $1,000 for allowing a child to be out past curfew. Managing director Adam Thiel, right, and Tiffany Thurman, chief of staff to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, try to answer questions from the Fairmount residents about the homeless services center. Read more Demands for answers, accusations of gaslighting, and fears about inheriting Kensingtons drug problems erupted at a contentious meeting Tuesday night in Fairmount, where city officials tried to mollify concerns about a recently expanded homeless shelter in the neighborhood. Residents have been on edge since learning the city quietly added 90 beds and additional services last month to an existing shelter at 2100 W. Girard Ave., located on the campus of the former Philadelphia Nursing Home. Managing Director Adam K. Thiel cast the expansion as necessary to combat the citys interwoven crises of homelessness and drug use, stressing that the Fairmount facility was one of several being built out to improve quality of life for residents and provide help to the citys most vulnerable. Advertisement Everywhere across the city, there is a need for additional facilities, he told the crowd of more than 200 people who packed into the City School on North 24th Street. Many residents who attended the meeting were unaware that a shelter had been operating on the walled-off campus for years, and were shocked to learn from an Inquirer report two weeks ago that the facility had grown to accept people with substance use issues. More than 950 people signed an online petition to halt operations at the site pending community input. Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. said he was also in the dark about the newly expanded 222-bed facility in his district, and introduced a bill last week to prevent the city from renewing its lease at the state-owned facility, which ends in 2026. I can tell you all that none of my questions have been answered, Young said Tuesday, airing frustration with the mayors top aides. No one in this room does not want folks to get treatment. However, you cannot plan for a community without a community. READ MORE: Parker administration details plans for Fairmount site for people with addiction Although Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has made cleaning up Kensingtons open-air drug market a priority, the blowback over the Fairmount shelter highlights the challenges as she seeks to build a $100 million network of triage and wellness facilities for drug users. City Hall historically defers to civic groups when it comes to zoning and development, but officials said the Fairmount site does not require community approval for a zoning variance, as it has continuously operated as a nursing home and a homeless shelter. Many communities throughout the region view treatment and recovery houses with acute hostility. At an April town hall meeting, Parker hinted at the pushback that so-called triage facilities would face among residents who dont want it in our neighborhood and asked for patience as she worked to build an infrastructure for something that doesnt exist. But the mayors chosen metaphor for her Kensington plan which she likened to building the plane while Im flying it did not appear to sit well with some Fairmount neighbors. When Thiel declined to identify other locations where the city plans to add beds and services for drug users, citing privacy concerns, a resident in the crowd accused him of turning Fairmount into a guinea pig. While meeting organizers came with pre-submitted questions, the crowd frequently interjected with concerns about whether residents of Kensington homeless encampments, potential sex offenders, or people with mental illness would be taken to the Fairmount site. Some cut off officials mid-answer and accused them of lying. Gaslight! a woman yelled. Kensington is going to be on West Girard Avenue in two months! another man said. Officials opened the meeting with an apology for the poor communication about the facilitys expansion and promised more engagement. We own that, said Tiffany Thurman, Parkers chief of staff. We should have had this meeting proactively. Thiel said none of the 59 people who voluntarily connected with housing and treatment services during last weeks encampment clearing in Kensington were taken to that facility. While he stressed that not all residents are drug users, he acknowledged that some basic medical services, such as wound care, had been added a critical need due to the wounds caused from injecting xylazine, an animal tranquilizer often mixed with fentanyl in the street drug supply. Thiel also insisted that the facility was not a rehab site. The city is not offering drug treatment or more intensive medical services on site, but he did not rule that out as a future use, drawing a chorus of groans and objections. We have not taken any steps to turn that property into a quote-unquote drug treatment facility, Thiel said. We will not do that without engaging. I will commit to a transparent engagement process. The managing director said no registered sex offenders would be placed at the facility. A police detail and security guards are assigned to the site around the clock. (One resident held up a cell phone video that appeared to show a guard asleep in the booth.) READ MORE: Mayor Parker defends Kensington plan: Im building the plane while Im flying it Despite the agitated mood, public sentiment at the meeting was not entirely oppositional. At one point, someone in the crowd accused both Young and administration officials of demonizing people in addiction and ginning up irrational fears. Many clapped in support, while others shouted back objections. While some residents came and left Thursdays meeting in fierce opposition, Tim Butters, president of the Fairmount Civic Association, said that the majority of people just wants answers and assurances. Butters said most residents for weeks had been working on theories about what was going on in the site and he felt better informed after directly hearing from officials. Elsie Stern, a 22-year Fairmount resident, had worried that the city was moving to establish a full-scale treatment facility without the proper infrastructure in place. She was pleased with details offered Tuesday and remained optimistic that her more critical neighbors would warm to the idea. Case in point, she argued, was that most people werent aware that a shelter had been operating on the campus for years. I wasnt aware of it, and the fact that we werent aware of it should mitigate some of these concerns, Stern said. Rather than now suddenly being cause for alarm and concern, that should actually be evidence for us that you can house unhoused people in the neighborhood without having a negative impact. Staff writer Anna Orso contributed to this article. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators with Jewish Voices for Peace down a street in Center City for an hour on Tuesday to protest the investment of private and taxpayer dollars in Israel Bonds. Pennsylvanians are evenly divided on whom they plan to vote for. But theyre much more fractured on the issues motivating them to vote. Predictably, many of those differences are partisan. But not all of them. Advertisement For a Philadelphia Inquirer/ New York Times/ Siena College poll released Monday, voters were asked to describe why they were voting for the candidate they chose, without any prompting. Over 22% of voters responses listed the economy as the primary reason, making it the main motivating issue albeit more so for voters supporting former President Donald Trump. Another 13% talked about abortion much more so for supporters of President Joe Biden. But those reasons still account for just a third of all voters statewide. After that, things get messy. The poll of 1,023 registered voters was conducted from April 28 to May 7. The survey has a margin of sampling error of +/- 3.6 percentage points, although the error for individual responses was often larger. Voters fractured motivations stand in stark contrast to the remarkable statewide consensus on major issues. Four-fifths of voters across the Commonwealth said the national economy is bad; almost two-thirds want to keep abortion legal. Respondents also agreed that in deciding how to vote, domestic issues mattered most. Few mentioned American policy abroad including the conflict in Gaza, despite the extensive coverage of the war and of the many campus-based protests against it. But people rated the importance of the many issues differently. And in that tangled list of reasons, a few patterns stand out. Emphasis on the economy v. abortion falls along gender, age, and educational lines The partisan divergence along the two most-mentioned issues the economy and abortion was stark, but more telling was the breakdown along demographic lines. Some of these divisions arent likely to surprise. About 20% of women named abortion as a motivator of their vote; just 5% of men did. Voters without college degrees, who on average have lower salaries, were likelier to name the economy as their reason for voting. Voters with college degrees were twice as likely to name abortion. Likewise, young voters were likelier than older ones to emphasize abortion, while middle-aged voters were likeliest to emphasize the economy. But other demographic breakdowns cut against partisan tendencies. Non-white voters were likelier to support Biden than Trump, but were less likely than white voters to cite abortion as a major reason for voting. They were roughly equally likely to cite the economy. No region of the states voters rated the economy as more or less important, despite sharp partisan divides between more urban and more rural areas. And while suburban voters are frequently associated with concerns about abortion, only 16% of voters in suburban neighborhoods cited abortion as their primary reason for voting. Immigration matters to Trump voters particularly older and rural ones After the economy and abortion, the third most-cited reason for voting was immigration and its almost exclusively a concern of Trump voters. For supporters of the former president, the issue is persistent. In 2016, Trump ran vociferously on closing the southern border. Since Biden took office, the flow of migrants on the southern border has swelled, driven in large part by political, economic, and climate crises in other countries. But while Trump has plenty of suburban and urban supporters, it was rural voters who were likeliest to name immigration as a major concern despite the fact that most immigrants nationwide and in Pennsylvania move to urban areas. Rural voters also tend to be older than the state average; seniors were twice as likely to mention immigration as a reason for voting than young voters. Biden voters were likeliest to be motivated by dislike of the other side, or concerns about democracy Recent elections have seen voters make a sport of mocking the character and fitness of the other side. The attacks that paint Biden as doddering or feeble, or Trump as criminal or cruel, are myriad. But only for one side were concerns about the basic fitness of the opposition a major reason to vote. Supporters of Biden were much likelier than Trump supporters to say their vote was motivated by dislike of the opposing candidate, the character or competence of the candidates, or the state of democracy or political corruption more broadly. Still, though, not all types of Biden-disposed demographics were equal. Older, whiter, and more well-educated voters were likeliest to name these issues as important. Some voters didnt name specific issues especially non-white voters and third-party supporters Most voters were able to name at least one widely-discussed policy issue when explaining their voting decision. But some didnt: They might have named another, less-discussed issue, or they might have declined to name a particular issue at all. By factor of two, voters of color and third-party supporters were much likelier to fit into that bucket. Perhaps as many as a quarter of non-white voters didnt name a major domestic or foreign policy issue in explaining their vote choice. Tellingly, these groups are likeliest to be disengaged from the political process. According to the poll, they were likeliest never to have voted before, and not to pay attention to political news. Whether these more peripheral voters can be a liability or an opportunity for the major candidates could be a big focus of this years campaign. While investigations are ongoing, at this stage, it appears the nature of the unauthorised access relates to the use of a security credential which only applies to GitHub. There is no evidence this GitHub credential can be used to access any other Iress system via our MFA protocol, it said. The use of generative AI to augment photographs that are in turn, used to fraudulently inflate insurance claims. Similarly, AI could be used for voice spoofing, email phishing, or synthetic identity fraud, the ICA said. Commercial sensitive data such as proprietary information uploaded to a public AI model may then be shared elsewhere by the model. Similarly, prompt engineering used to train an AI model could potentially reveal sensitive information in situations where it should not otherwise be available. This union marks a significant step in our journey. Joining King Insurance Partners allows us to leverage a broader range of resources and expertise, enhancing the service we provide to our clients and expanding our capabilities. I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead with King Insurance Partners and the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from a network that values customer excellence as much as we do, Palmer said. The fund aims to deliver up to a 23% annualized yield to its investors and is open to US accredited investors and those abroad who pass Res know-your-customer (KYC) verification. The minimum commitment period for investments is set at one year, with the possibility of redemption as collateral is freed from the associated insurance firms. Eric Coleman (pictured), president of business insurance for Farmers, noted: As a leading insurer of small businesses, we are excited to be re-opening these key lines of our commercial insurance offerings to new customers in California and help provide business owners with more choices when shopping for coverage options. A man injured when he was hit by a car while he was operating a low speed Segway electric scooter is not entitled to personal injury protection (PIP) benefits under New Jerseys no-fault auto insurance law, the states Supreme Court has ruled. David Goyco had argued that he was entitled to PIP benefits from his auto insurer Progressive Insurance because, he claimed, his low speed electric scooter (LSES) was akin to a bicycle, bicyclists have been deemed pedestrians, and pedestrians are entitled to benefits under the no-fault act. But the New Jersey Supreme Court has rejected Goycos arguments, as did lower courts. Instead, the high court found that the plain language of the no-fault law makes Goyco ineligible for no-fault PIP benefits. Expanding the definition of pedestrian to include LSES operators would be a policy decision with insurance cost implications that is properly for the Legislature, not the Court, the unanimous opinion states. In November 2021, Goyco was operating a Segway scooter that has a maximum speed of 15 mph when he was struck by an automobile. As a result of the accident, he sustained injuries and incurred medical expenses for his treatments. He filed for PIP benefits. Progressive denied his claim, informing him he was ineligible for PIP benefits because no-fault benefits are only available if the accident involves a qualifying automobile and the Segway does not meet the definition of a qualifying automobile under the law. Progressive also explained that the Segway he was riding at the time of the accident disqualified him from meeting the definition of a pedestrian. Goyco protested that denial but neither the trial court nor the state appeals court adopted his reasoning. Now the state Supreme Court has affirmed the appellate courts conclusion, while noting that there was no need to go outside the language of the no fault provision itself or the ordinary meanings of the terms it uses to reach the same conclusion. The no-fault act requires that every New Jersey automobile liability insurance policy provide PIP benefits when the covered individual is occupying, entering into, alighting from or using an automobile or when the covered individual is a pedestrian. The no-fault law defines pedestrian as any person who is not occupying, entering into, or alighting from a vehicle propelled by other than muscular power and designed primarily for use on highways, rails and tracks. First the high court found that an LSES clearly falls within the ordinary definitions of the term vehicles; therefore it is a vehicle for purposes of the no-fault act. Based on the evidence, the court said Goycos LSES was propelled by other than muscular power because it used an electric motor with a rechargeable battery. Critically, Goycos LSES was not designed to be propelled by muscular power. The high court further concluded that his LSES was designed for use on highways based on its features and the broad ordinary definition of the term highways. His LSES can travel 15.5 miles per hour and has a headlight, brake light, and speedometer. The LSESs owners manual provides that LSES operators must comply with local laws and regulations. Since his electric scooter is not propelled by muscular power and is made for use on highways, Goyco was not a pedestrian and thus is not eligible for PIP benefits. The high court also said the separate provision N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.16(g) that Goyco argued meant he should be considered a pedestrian like a bicyclist does not in fact render him a pedestrian for purposes of the no-fault act. Progressive pointed out that N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.16(g) does not apply to the no-fault act because it was implemented to combat climate change, not to expand the applicability of PIP benefits in the no- fault act. The high court concluded that neither the plain text nor the legislative history of the law suggests that the legislature intended LSES riders to be considered pedestrians for purposes of the no-fault act. Rather, the court said, the text and legislative history suggest that LSES riders are not considered pedestrians for purposes of PIP benefits. Topics Auto New Jersey The container ship that rammed into Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge in March lost power multiple times on both the day of the fatal accident and the day before, according to a preliminary report. The Dali, which sails under the flag of Singapore, lost power twice on March 26 before hitting the bridge and causing it to collapse, killing six construction workers who were on the structure at the time. The first blackout was caused when electrical breakers powering most of the vessels equipment and lighting unexpectedly tripped, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a report Tuesday. The crew eventually was able to restore electrical power, but then a second blackout occurred only 0.2 miles from the bridge. They regained power, but the ship lacked the propulsion needed to avoid striking the bridge, safety inspectors found. It wasnt the first time the ship experienced blackouts. Two also occurred while the vessel was in the Port of Baltimore. The first, occurring about 10 hours before the vessel left port, was caused when a member of the ships crew mistakenly closed an inline engine exhaust damper, causing the engine to stall, the NTSB said. A second blackout occurred shortly afterwards due to insufficient fuel pressure for an online generator. The Baltimore bridge collapse shut a major shipping and transportation artery and caused billions of dollars worth of damage. President Joe Biden has pressed Congress to quickly approve funds to rebuild the structure. Photo: The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Sunday, May 12, 2024. The Key Bridge Unified Command is getting ready to remove the piece of the Francis Scott Key Bridge that fell on top of the Dali after the carrier ship crashed into the bridge in March, according to an emailed statement. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law on Wednesday a bill that aims to provide universal health coverage, hailing it as a major step in the journey towards a more just society although critics say they will challenge it in court. Ramaphosa has vowed to reform South Africas two-tier health system, in which a publicly funded sector that serves 84% of the population is overburdened and run-down, while some people have access to better treatment through private insurance. His signing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill, which was passed by parliament last year, comes two weeks before an election in which the ruling African National Congress (ANC) is fighting to retain its parliamentary majority after 30 years in power. The bill will gradually limit the role of private insurance, create a new public fund to provide free access for South African citizens, and set the fees and prices that private doctors and healthcare suppliers can charge for NHI-funded benefits. Supporters call it a generational change to reverse persistent inequality dating to the apartheid era. But opponents say it will be a drain on already stretched public finances, limit patient choice, undermine the quality of care and drive talented doctors out of the country. Ramaphosa told the reforms detractors that the current inequalities in healthcare provision could not be allowed to continue. For those who would like to see those privileges continuing, sorry, you are on the wrong boat. The boat we are on is about equality, he said at a signing ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the seat of government. Legal Challenges The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, and some labor and business groups plan to challenge the bill in court. Industry and political analysts have said it is likely to get bogged down in lawsuits for years. The government has said the National Treasury will determine the funding sources for NHI, which will include a mandatory pre-payment system and other forms of taxes. Big local health insurers like Discovery, Momentum Metropolitan Health and AfroCentric say they support the goal of universal health coverage but they do not agree on the proposed funding model. There is no funding plan yet and given the countrys constrained fiscal position, low economic growth and narrow tax base, this can only be solved in the longer term, said Adrian Gore, group CEO of Discovery. We see no scenario in which there is sufficient funding for a workable and comprehensive NHI in its current form. The NEHAWU labor union, part of the countrys COSATU federation which is in an alliance with the ANC, urged Ramaphosa and the national treasury to put their full political weight behind the NHI to ensure it is properly resourced. (Reporting by Nqobile Dludla and Nellie Peyton; additional reporting by Bhargav Acharya in Johannesburg; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Alexander Winning) The threat of a wildfire bearing down on the unofficial capital of Canadas oil-sands industry is expected to lessen as temperatures cool and winds shift, though the prospect of rains dousing the flames entirely remains remote. The blaze near Fort McMurray, Alberta, grew overnight to 21,000 hectares (52,000 acres) and came within 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) of the citys landfill as of 8 a.m., Alberta Wildfire said. Winds are expected to weaken and push the fire away from Fort McMurray, allowing firefighters that had been pulled from the area to resume establishing a containment line. Still, the fire remains a threat to the city, parts of which were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday. The coming days may bring a few showers, but long-term prospects of a big weather system extinguishing the blaze are low, said Tom Kines, a meteorologist with commercial forecaster AccuWeather Inc. Canadian Crews Battle Wildfire Threatening Remote Western Town It doesnt look like there are going to be any weather systems that is going to put an end to the fires in the near future, Kines said. Over the next couple of days there is at least a threat they are going to get a shower up there, but it doesnt look like anything big. At about 70,000 residents, Fort McMurray is the largest city near Canadas oil-sands operations, which produce the bulk of Canadas 4.9 million barrels of daily crude output. While the oil-sands mines and well sites are well outside of city limits, many of the operations employees live in the town, while others live at worker camps on site. Fort McMurray in a remote and heavily forested area was ravaged by a blaze in 2016 that burned down large sections of the city, forcing thousands to evacuate and temporarily shutting more than 1 million barrels a day of oil output. The fire caused about C$3.7 billion ($2.7 billion) in insured losses, making it Canadas costliest natural disaster. The current fire prompted an alert Friday that put the citys 70,000 residents on notice to be prepared to leave. On Tuesday, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, where Fort McMurray is located, declared a state of local emergency, and communities totaling around 6,000 people were ordered to evacuate. Winds across the northern US and Canada should keep most of the smoke at bay, Kines said. There may be episodes where smoke brushes the northern US states and gets into the Great Lakes, but it wont be coming into the large cities of the East Coast, he said. More than 65% of Canada was abnormally parched or in drought at the end of March, threatening another smoke-filled summer after last years fire season, which was Canadas worst on record. Suncor Energy Inc., which operates oil-sands mines to the north of the city, said the evacuations havent affected operations. There is no risk to our operations, Leithan Slade, a spokesman, said by email. However, we recognize many of our employees and contractors are affected by this situation and their safety is our top priority. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Energy Oil Gas The European Unions securities watchdog confirmed on Tuesday final guidelines on when investment funds can label themselves as being sustainable without being accused of greenwashing. Trillions of dollars globally have flowed into investments that promote their green attractions, but regulators say that some funds exaggerate sustainability claims. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) said a fund that has any environmental, social or governance (ESG) related words in its name must have at least 80% of assets that meet ESG objectives in accordance with the binding elements of its stated investment strategy. The minimum is in line with draft guidance that ESMA put out to public consultation. The watchdog ditched its initial plan for a 50% threshold for investment funds that label themselves as being sustainable. ESMA said that it has decided instead to introduce a commitment to invest meaningfully at all times in sustainable investments, when using any sustainability-related words in a funds name. It has also introduced a new category for transition-related terms, which also includes the 80% minimum rule, to avoid penalizing investment in companies that derive part of their revenue from fossil fuels, thus promoting strategies aimed at moving to a greener economy. The objective of the guidelines is to ensure that investors are protected against unsubstantiated or exaggerated sustainability claims in fund names, and to provide asset managers with clear and measurable criteria to assess their ability to use ESG or sustainability-related terms in fund names, ESMA said in a statement. Managers of existing funds have about nine months to comply, while new funds will have to comply sooner. Britain, now outside the EU, will introduce from the end of May its first bespoke labeling rule to combat greenwashing in finance, with regulators in the United States also taking action. (Reporting by Huw Jones; Editing by Susan Fenton) Topics Europe Ardonagh Specialty announced it is naming its reinsurance business Price Forbes Re. The renaming of Inver Re in London and Bermuda and Equinox Re in the US follows the simplification of Ardonagh Specialtys multiple brands in 2023, with Price Forbes becoming the main brand for its wholesale business, the company explained. Inver Re launched in June 2021 and brought together multiple teams following the acquisition of BGCs insurance business in November 2021. It has grown across Bermuda, the US and London, welcoming specialists and launching several specialist teams to become the largest independent broker in Bermuda, according to Ardongh Specialty in a statement. Chris Bonard has been named president of Price Forbes Re. He will report to Ardonagh Specialty CEO Andrew Wallin. (Bonards appointment is subject to regulatory approval). Price Forbes Re will build on more than 100 years of specialist insurance broking by creating a reinsurance specialist business that is energetic, entrepreneurial, progressive, and bold, commented Wallin. In an increasingly complex world, success in business relies more than ever on effective and strategic risk management, and Price Forbes has a reputation for partnering with clients around the world who are looking to understand and balance todays risk and plan for the future, he added. Our approach breaks from traditional reinsurance models to provide the agility needed in todays fluid, rapidly changing world, Bonard said. As Price Forbes Re, we will continue to bring a fresh perspective to a market increasingly lacking flexibility and draw on a rich history of driving innovation in risk management. Ardonagh Specialty is a holding company and growth platform for leading independent brokers across the wholesale, specialty and reinsurance sectors. It is a subsidiary of the Ardonagh Group, the UK-based independent insurance distribution platform and a top 20 broker globally. Source: Ardonagh Specialty Topics Excess Surplus Reinsurance Net written premium in the U.S. workers compensation insurance market grew by just 1% from 2022 to 2023, a far smaller percentage than most other property/casualty lines. However, the workers compensation line remains the most profitable segment, with a combined ratio well under 100, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), which provides analysis and recommendations on loss costs and rates in 38 states. The NCCIs Annual Issues Symposium runs through Wednesday in Orlando, Florida. The overall numbers for workers compensation show a financially healthy system, Donna Glenn, NCCIs chief actuary and lead presenter at the conference, said in a statement. The combined ratio climbed slightly for calendar 2023, to 86, something NCCI actuaries attributed to a slight bump in the average loss ratio nationwide. Last year was the 7th consecutive year with a combined ratio below 90, Glenn noted. Net written premium for workers comp private carriers grew from $42.5 billion in 2022 to $43 billion in 2023. For the P/C industry as a whole, net premium climbed by more than 10%, to $851 billion, the NCCIs State of the Line report shows. The workers comp line reserve redundancy grew to $18 billion. Other highlights from the symposium: Lost-time claim frequency declined by 8% in the past year. Frequency continues its long-term decline. Workplace safety has contributed to a steady decline in injuries over the last two decades, helping to produce annual rate decreases in most U.S. states. Safety technology is now expanding into more industries and evolving into a broader range of applications. It is clear that safety technologies will be a vital part of future safety initiatives. They may even be a gamechanger for evaluating and improving workplaces and reducing injuries, said Damian England, executive director of affiliate services for NCCI. Severity changes were considered moderate for 2023 with increases of 2% for medical claim severity and 5% for indemnity claim severity. Inpatient cost per claim rose modestly. Thats largely from a decrease in utilization of 22% since 2012, said Raji Chadarevian, executive director of actuarial research at NCCI. This is fueled by a dramatic drop in admissions and a shift of surgeries to an outpatient setting. By contrast, inpatient prices have grown by more than 50%. Since 2012, a 24% decline in pharmacy costs has come from decreased opioid prescribing and a shift to generic use, which has led to savings in direct pharmacy expenditures and in workers compensation settlements, said Jon Sinclair, director and actuary. Payroll increased by about 6% in 2023 2% from employment and 4% from wages. Topics USA Profit Loss Workers' Compensation Hawaii lawmakers appropriated funds for more firefighting equipment and a state fire marshal after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century ripped through the historic Maui town of Lahaina and exposed shortcomings in the states readiness for such flames. The House and Senate last week passed the measures during their first legislative session since the Aug. 8 wildfire killed 101 people. They now go to Gov. Josh Green for his consideration. Climate change has been boosting drought in Hawaii, drying the archipelagos vegetation and increasing the risks of destructive blazes. Wildfires were once rare in Hawaii but they have grown in frequency in recent years. Last year, just months after the Maui blaze, a wildfire burned a large part of the Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge about 20 miles north of Honolulu. I think that the biggest game changer is now, Hawaii is viewed as a wildfire state, Rep. Kyle Yamashita, the chairperson of the House Finance Committee, told reporters after the bills passed. So we have to change our policies and procedures and what our departments have to do to mitigate some of the fuel and those kind of different things. New funding includes: $10 million for equipment like bulldozers, fire engines and water tanks for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, which cares for state forests. $1.4 million for the department to hire 22 staff, including a forester, mechanics and heavy equipment operators to protect against fires. $7.4M for the department to manage invasive grasses and other vegetation that fuels fires, restore native plants in areas burned by fire and work with communities to prevent wildfires. $172,000 for a state fire marshal, an assistant and training. The new fire marshal would review and assess fire risk in the state and work with county agencies to enforce the state fire code. These duties have been handled by a council of the fire chiefs from Hawaiis four main counties and state fire agencies since 1979, when Hawaii abolished the state fire marshal position. Currently Hawaii is the only state without a state fire marshal. $1 million for the University of Hawaii to develop a wildfire forecast system with the help of artificial intelligence. Lawmakers also appropriated $1 billion to cover various costs stemming from the Lahaina disaster, including $500 million for emergency housing for displaced residents and $124 million in rental assistance for those ineligible for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The budget includes $65 million for a victims relief fund established for those who lost family members or suffered severe injury. Hawaiian Electric Industries, landowner Kamehameha Schools and Maui County are also contributing to the fund. House Speaker Scott Saiki, a Democrat, said his caucus addressed Mauis immediate needs and then the states broader needs to face climate change. Youve seen the maps the fire zones, sea level rise, theres always a risk of hurricane, Saiki told reporters. We need to learn how to deal with with these and prevent losses, mitigate losses, and just be prepared for the future. The cause of the Lahaina wildfire is still under investigation. The U.S Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is expected to produce a report on the cause before the one-year anniversary of the blaze. Related: Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Hawaii In the fight to ratchet down climate emissions and soothe the most dangerous effects of an overheating planet, one of the most withering setbacks in recent memory wasnt delivered by the oil industry or coal excavators, but, rather, a group of restaurants in California. When Berkeley became the first city in the country to ban the extension of gas pipes into new buildings, it targeted a contentious source of climate pollution. The combustion of gas inside of homes and businesses to power things like furnaces, water heaters and stoves accounts for 9% of Californias emissions, or 33 million metric tons of heat-trapping gases per year, equivalent to the entire climate footprint of Hong Kong. With the US gas system continuing to expand the industry connects one new customer to the gas grid each minute Berkeley was the first to try to stop this climate problem from becoming bigger. Since it enacted its ordinance in 2019, more than 100 cities, counties and states across the country have followed. Today, these efforts are reeling. The California Restaurant Association took the city to court in November 2019, arguing that its 20,000-plus members preferred cooking with a gas flame and that, even though the rule wouldnt require changes to existing buildings, such an ordinance would limit their options when opening new locations. Moreover, they argued, federal energy laws preempt these aggressive local ordinances. After a see-sawing legal battle, the restaurants prevailed. When Berkeleys last-ditch request for a rehearing was rejected earlier this year, the city in March canceled its ordinance, prompting a jubilant CRA to declare it a significant triumph for chefs and restaurateurs. Now, Bloomberg Green has learned, a coalition of gas companies and their supporters are planning to wield the restaurants legal victory to beat back similar rules across the western US. This puts restaurants directly at odds with a hospitable planet, as theres no feasible pathway to avert catastrophic warming if places like California dont sharply reduce gas combustion in buildings, according to climate experts. Its rather irritating to have restaurant owners put their heads in the sand, says Robert Howarth, a professor of ecology and environmental biology at Cornell University. We have to move away from natural gas. The planet demands it. This is not the first time restaurants in California have sided with industry giants in an epic battle over public health. In 1987, a year after US Surgeon General C. Everett Koop warned second-hand smoke was causing lung cancer in healthy nonsmokers, Beverly Hills became the first city in the state to ban smoking inside restaurants. Several nearby towns followed with similar proposals. Restaurants howled in protest. Some eateries in Beverly Hills complained their sales plummeted overnight by nearly a third, though tax records later showed no such drop had occurred. Within months, the Beverly Hills city council walked back its rule. These public health battles, nearly four decades apart, share another striking resemblance: Restaurant groups served as the public face for both efforts, while they worked alongside hidden powerful interests. In the smoking fracas, millions of cigarette-company documents later unearthed during litigation revealed the tobacco industry recruited and worked closely with restaurant groups around the country, including CRA, to fight smoking restrictions. The industry even surreptitiously funded and created the Beverly Hills Restaurant Association, which led the successful pushback against the states first ban. Public health advocates need to understand that, with rare exceptions, when they talk to organized restaurant associations, they are effectively talking to the tobacco industry, warned researchers at the University of California San Francisco in a 2002 paper. In todays fight over gas, CRA also hasnt acted on its own. It refuses to say who paid the legal bills for its Berkeley suit. As a nonprofit, it must make its tax filings public. In these forms, nonprofits are supposed to disclose contractors to whom they paid at least $100,000 in the previous year. CRA regularly lists law firms working on its behalf, such as those litigating Covid-related restrictions. But the restaurant group has never disclosed a payment to Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg LLP, the law firm that spearheaded the Berkeley case. The Berkeley lawsuit topped the $100,000 threshold. When Sarah Jorgensen, the law firms founding partner, spoke at a National Propane Gas Association board meeting in February, she was asked what a legal challenge of this sort would cost, according to a recording of the discussion heard by Bloomberg Green. After an NPGA executive estimated it would require $300,000 to $400,000 to take a case to court and another couple of hundred thousand for appeals, Jorgensen said we definitely spent more than that on Berkeley. In a written response to questions, Jorgensen declined to say who paid their legal bills. So who picked up the tab? SoCalGas, the nations largest gas utility whose territory covers 24,000 square miles from the Mexican border to central California, paid Reichman Jorgensen more than $4 million between 2020 and 2022, according to its regulatory filings and as reported last year by the Sacramento Bee. When compelled by state regulators to explain some of these payments, SoCalGas denied it was for the Berkeley case, but rather to examine legal issues such as government actions potentially affecting natural gas service and whether they might be preempted by federal law (which was the core issue in the Berkeley case). Meanwhile, SoCalGas and San Diego Gas & Electric, both subsidiaries of energy giant Sempra, combined to contribute over $1.3 million to CRA and its charitable arm since 2019, a sharp uptick from previous years. In a statement, SoCalGas said that it didnt fund the Berkeley suit and its contributions went to the restaurant associations charitable arm, which supported eating establishments that struggled during the pandemic. Some close watchers of the utility, though, dont buy it. Given the payments funded an examination of the very same legal issues raised in that litigation, declared the Public Advocates Office, an independent watchdog for the states utility regulator in a filing last year, it strains credibility to suggest that the utility did not fund research that supported the California Restaurant Associations litigation. Matt Vespa, a senior attorney at Earthjustice and lecturer at the University of California Berkeley School of Law, who dug through a thicket of utility filings to unearth many of the gas industry payments, agrees. Its clear to us that SoCalGas underwrote the lawsuit, he says. (SoCalGas called such claims irresponsible.) Jot Condie, chief executive officer of CRA, has dismissed such questions, telling one news outlet back in 2019 that it amounted to looking for monsters under the bed. He declined to be interviewed by Bloomberg Green and would not say who funded the suit, but in written responses to questions, Condie rejected parallels to the indoor-smoking fight. If comparing these two dissimilar issues decades apart is intended to portray the association as doing the bidding for other interests, its an inaccurate and misleading portrayal of this associations 118-year history, he said. He added that the decision to fight the illegal city ordinances was CRAs alone, and that it supports Californias climate goals. There is a way to transition to a greener economy without violating federal energy law and harming the restaurant community, he said. When asked for details on what such a low-carbon pathway would look like, he declined to provide specifics. The emphasis must be on a transition, he said. No economy, industry, or business can be expected to flip a switch overnight. (Berkeleys rule wouldnt have required any changes to existing restaurants.) For longtime tobacco watchdogs, like Joelle Lester, executive director of the Public Health Law Center at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, it amounts to more than a striking case of deja vu. Theyre concerned the tactics that once slowed indoor-smoking bans will also stymie efforts to solve climate change. We started realizing how closely the gas companies tactics mirror Big Tobacco, almost like theyre following a script, says Lester, whose group recently published a report examining the similarities. We thought it was important to sound the alarm that theres this other industry doing really the same thing. Gas wasnt always a widely viewed climate villain, with the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank, even heralding it 15 years ago as a bridge fuel to a cleaner future. When burned, it produces about half the heat-trapping emissions of coal. In the mid 2000s, new drilling techniques like fracking unlocked huge quantities of cheap gas. Coal plants couldnt compete on price and began shutting down. But as many studies have shown, the climate harms from gas are extensive. When methane is unearthed and delivered to homes and businesses through thousands of miles of pipelines, some of the gas escapes. Because unburned methane causes more than 80 times the warming as an equivalent amount of CO2 over two decades, these leaks nullify much of the fuels improvement over coal. Governments today are pushing for dramatic shifts away from gas. Lawmakers in the European Union agreed in April to abolish fossil fuels in new construction by 2030, while requiring retrofits for the least-efficient buildings. New York State, meanwhile, enacted a rule last year to ban gas in most new construction. Reichman Jorgensen filed a suit in October to block it on behalf of a slew of plaintiffs including homebuilders and gas companies. (The New York State Restaurant Association says its concerned about the rule but didnt join the suit because restaurants are exempt from the ban.) The grim outlook for gas has sparked energetic pushback by restaurant groups around the country. In the District of Columbia, where the combustion of gas in buildings contributes 22% of its climate footprint, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington emailed members in February warning them of misguided energy policies that would limit their access to gas. It urged them to become advocates for their local utility, Washington Gas, describing it as a trusted partner to the business community for over 175 years. The utility recently fought a rule that would fund retrofits and electrification of homes for 30,000 lower-income residents. (RAMW chief executive Shawn Townsend declined to comment.) This issue is supercharged in California, where homes and businesses are more reliant on gas than in any other state. Thats why state regulators, when crafting a blueprint to reach Californias goal of a 40% cut in emissions by 2030, stressed the need to shrink the states gas system and halt expansion of gas pipes into new buildings. Californias Love Affair with Gas | Percentage of homes with a gas stove If were going to have a chance of slowing global warming, we have to deal with the buildings problem, says Rafael Mandelman, a San Francisco supervisor who authored a rule requiring new buildings in the city to be all-electric beginning in 2021. Its an imperative if human beings are going to live comfortably on this planet. The gas industry warns these policies will hike customer bills and increase the possibility of electric blackouts. The choice available to us isnt how to convert our nations energy system away from natural gas but how the customers can continue to benefit from the countrys abundance of affordable natural gas and ensure reliability and resiliency, said American Gas Association chief executive officer Karen Harbert in a written statement Above-ground tanks at the SoCalGas Honor Rancho natural gas storage facility in Santa Clarita, California. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg Many gas companies also contend the harmful impacts of their fuel can be alleviated by mixing in vast quantities of methane captured from dairy farms and landfills. This so-called renewable natural gas counts less towards climate change than fossil gas, because it comes from sources that likely would have vented the methane into the atmosphere. But state officials arent nearly as optimistic. Utility regulators in Massachusetts, for instance, who are examining the future of their gas system as the state tries to slash emissions by 90%, recently rejected proposals by gas companies to bank heavily on RNG, highlighting concerns about its cost and availability. The California Energy Commission came to a similar conclusion in a 2021 report, finding there wasnt nearly enough RNG to decarbonize buildings and that maximizing its limited supply would cost more than seven times as much as electrification. But a sharp turn away from gas requires a level of government intervention that the California Restaurant Association has long shunned. The group traces its beginnings to 1906, when a cafe owner in Los Angeles got sick and tired of being told how to run his business by City Hall, Condie recounted during a luncheon speech several years ago. That cafe operator, he said, gathered a bunch of restaurateurs and said, We ought to form an organization and fight back against some of these regulations.' Ever since, Condie added, CRAs mission hasnt changed. Thats what we do. Condie has spent much of his career fighting government edicts. During the 1990s, after a stint as a campaign manager and legislative aide to Republican lawmakers in the California state assembly, he worked for the California Manufacturers Association. There, he worked with the Thursday Group, a powerful coalition of industry groups that challenged environmental rules they deemed harmful to the states business interests, such as early efforts to regulate CO2. Since Condie took the reins at the restaurant association in 2004, the group has spent time fighting a wide array of measures, like minimum-wage hikes and bans on polystyrene takeout containers, arguing they would erode restaurants profits. When a proposal emerged in 2018 for California to study ways to reduce emissions in buildings, CRA officials called it an attack on their preferred fuel. Were still not sure how a restaurant is going to tell a chef to not use natural gas, a CRA spokeswoman retorted in a video briefing. May as well tell them: Put your knives down and forget the pots and pans, too!' On a stormy morning this February, Sarah Jorgensen was warmly introduced to the board of the National Propane Gas Association, which had gathered in a wood-paneled conference room at a hotel perched over Monterey Bay along Californias central coast. There, the Harvard-educated lawyer was feted for her crucial role in beating back gas restrictions around the country. Sarah has been an absolute asset for the propane and natural gas industry over the past several years, NPGAs chief executive Stephen Kaminski told the audience, according to a recording of the event. Just weeks earlier, Jorgensen scored a big victory on the restaurants behalf when a federal appeals court in the Ninth Circuit shot down Berkeleys request for a rehearing, all but ending the four-year legal battle. This now meant that scores of cities and counties that followed Berkeley to restrict gas in new buildings might be in violation of the courts ruling, whose jurisdiction covers nine states in the western US. The plan now, Kaminski explained to the audience, is to reach out to these local governments and, for lack of a better word, strong-arming those municipalities into following the law. Jorgensen then said this might begin with an initial letter-writing campaign to these cities to see if theyre going to withdraw their rules. The decision doesnt do too much good if people just dont follow it, she told the audience. If cities still dont comply, I think there will have to be a couple of lawsuits. When asked about the remarks, Jorgensen replied in writing that any efforts to enforce the courts decision are confidential client matters. Kaminski said in a statement that NPGA does not strong-arm, but, rather, is exploring whether local governments are continuing to enforce gas bans despite binding jurisprudence from the Berkeley suit. While many cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, are sticking with their gas bans, at least 10 others, including Sacramento and Menlo Park, have already halted their rules after the Berkeley decision. There are other endeavors that could slow the expansion of gas in California. The states utilities have long used ratepayer money to help fund the extension of gas and electric service to new homes and buildings. The California Public Utilities Commission recently abolished this practice for any new buildings using gas. This will add $28,000 to the average home that wants to use gas, and over $95,000 for new commercial buildings. Meanwhile, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which regulates air pollution for over 7 million people in and around San Francisco, has implemented rules that will effectively ban the sale of new gas-powered water heaters and furnaces. These regulations will be phased in starting in 2027. Gas companies are not going to win this thing, says Charlie Spatz, research manager at the Energy and Policy Institute, a utility watchdog. The whole point of the lawsuits is to intimidate the cities and wear them down. Ironically, the first major blow to the tobacco industrys vice-like grip over restaurant groups was delivered by the California Restaurant Association. After adopting a resolution opposing smoking bans in 1983 and working alongside cigarette companies for years, CRA knew they were losing and began to tire of the struggle, according to Paul McIntyre, who helped run government and public affairs for the group in the 1980s and 1990s. It was like the restaurant association had become a smoking association, says McIntyre. In 1990, after months of tortured deliberations and a contentious board meeting, CRA held a press conference to announce a monumental shift: It would now call for a statewide smoking ban in all public places. Its unclear if any similar turnabout is in the cards for California restaurants today. But loyalty to gas may not be ironclad. Chipotle Mexican Grill, for instance, has vowed to halve climate-warming emissions from its 3,500 restaurants by 2030. It recently announced a new all-electric kitchen design that it plans to implement at over 100 locations this year. Meanwhile, induction cooktops, which use electricity to send pulses of electromagnetic energy to heat up cookware, have made significant improvements and generally outperform all other options, including gas, according to Consumer Reports. No other technology weve tested is speedier. But induction ranges cost two to three times more than a comparable gas stove. And some restaurants will need to upgrade the electric connection into their building to handle the increased power demands. The technology exists, it is state of the art and it is expensive, says Sammy Monsour, a chef who co-owns and operates Joyce, a restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, which uses gas. That can be too tall an order for restaurants already facing huge hurdles, he says. So, if governments want to phase out gas, he says, there needs to be plenty of financial support to help restaurants make that jump. But restaurants need to get on the right side of the climate issue, Monsour adds, and stop fighting gas bans that have no impact on existing buildings. Thats a little ridiculous to hold back progress for an if-what-maybe situation, he says. We do need to be greener. We do need to get away from natural gas. Top photo: Above-ground tanks at the SoCalGas Honor Rancho natural gas storage facility in Santa Clarita, California. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics California Kellogg Co. (K), known for its Kellogg's brand breakfast foods, is a global food company that sells cereals and snacks such as Cheez-It crackers, Pringles potato chips, and Eggo waffles. W.K. Kellogg founded Kellogg as Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company in 1906. Since then, the company has grown into a sprawling multinational with manufacturing plants in 21 countries and operations in more than 180. Kellogg posted net income of $1.5 billion on net sales of $14.2 billion in 2021. The company had a market cap of $23.6 billion as of June 21, 2022. Kellogg initially focused on breakfast cereals, and rolled out sweetened brands like Corn Pops and Sugar Frosted Flakes during the early 1950s. Now, with consumers turning more health-conscious, Kellogg is reshaping its product portfolio to offer healthier food options. One example is Kellogg's divestment in 2019 of its cookie, fruit snacks, and ice cream business. It was sold for $1.3 billion to Ferrero Group. This included brands such as Keebler, Mother's, Famous Amos, Murray's, Little Brownie Bakers, and Stretch Island. Kellogg has also made a number of acquisitions. Some have expanded its portfolio of healthier products. Others have focused on marketing Kellogg's traditional products, such as breakfast cereals, in international markets with more room for growth. This strategy is key for Kellogg as consumers in North America and elsewhere increasingly choose non-cereal breakfasts. Below, we'll look at five acquisitions made by Kellogg. Note that Kellogg does not typically provide annual revenue and profit figures by subsidiary or brand. RXBAR Type of business: Protein bars Acquisition price: $600 million Date purchased: Oct. 6, 2017 Kellogg paid $600 million in 2017 to acquire Chicago Bar Co., makers of the RXBAR line of protein bars. Chicago Bar was founded in 2012 and grew rapidly into a nationally recognized protein bar maker. The acquisition helped Kellogg expand further into healthier snack options, which it calls "wholesome snacks." The bars are made with egg whites, fruits, and nuts, and provide 12 grams of protein in 210 to 220 calories, with marketing focused on the simplicity and health value of the ingredients. In June 2021, RXBAR launched its first plant-based protein bar as an alternative to its standard egg-based recipe. Pringles Type of business: Potato chips Acquisition price: $2.7 billion Date purchased: May 31, 2012 In 2012, Kellogg acquired Pringles potato chips from Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) for $2.7 billion. At the time of the acquisition Pringles had $1.5 billion in sales in more than 140 countries and was the world's second-largest supplier of savory snacks. The deal nearly tripled the size of Kellogg's international snacks business, a key consideration for Kellogg. Parati Group Type of business: Food conglomerate Acquisition price: $429 million Date purchased: December 2016 Parati Group is a Brazilian food conglomerate best known for its biscuits, powdered beverages, and pasta. In 2016, Kellogg acquired Ritmo Investimentos, the Parati Group's controlling shareholder, when Parati had estimated net sales of approximately $190 million. The deal was Kellogg's largest Latin American acquisition, providing access to a breakfast cereals market less saturated than it is in the U.S. Kashi Type of business: Cereal Acquisition price: $32 million Date purchased: June 2000 Kashi was founded in 1984 as an organic breakfast cereal company with a focus on nutrition and ethical sourcing practices. Kellogg acquired the business in 2000 for $32 million. The Kashi product line includes healthy cereals and waffles. The purchase complemented Kellogg's $307 million acquisition of plant-based foods company Worthington Foods the previous year. Worthington was best known for its veggie burgers. Those two deals were among Kellogg's earliest and most significant forays into health food brands. After years of strong results Kashi's growth eventually slowed as Kellogg asserted control and the brand became embroiled in a controversy over its use of cereal derived from genetically modified organisms, which was discontinued in 2014. Joint Venture With Tolaram Group Type of business: Diversified food products Acquisition price: Approximately $450 million (50% stake in Multipro, option to buy stake in Tolaram Africa Foods) ; investment of $420 million in Tolaram Africa Foods in 2018 ; investment of $420 million in Tolaram Africa Foods in 2018 Date purchased: Sept. 15, 2015 (initial deal) ; May 2, 2018 (acquisition of stake in Tolaram Africa Foods) The final entry on our list is a significant joint venture involving Kellogg rather than a business it owns outright. Tolaram Group is a Singapore-based holding company founded in 1948. In 2015, Kellogg purchased a 50% stake in Tolaram subsidiary Multipro, a food distributor and seller in Nigeria and Ghana for $450 million, along with an option to buy a stake in Tolaram Africa Foods, which owned nearly half of Dufil Prima, a manufacturer of foods including breakfast noodles. In 2018, Kellogg exercised its option, investing roughly $420 million. As with many of Kellogg's acquisitions, this one expanded its footprint in the faster-growing developing country markets. Kellogg Diversity and Inclusiveness Transparency As part of our effort to improve the awareness of the importance of diversity in companies, we have highlighted the transparency of Kelloggs commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and social responsibility. The chart below illustrates how Kellogg reports the diversity of its management and workforce. This shows if Kellogg discloses data about the diversity of its board of directors, C-suite, general management, and employees overall, across a variety of markers. We have indicated the disclosed information with a . VANCOUVER, BC - May 15, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase (IPSS), a premier platform for celebrating Indigenous success, fostering partnerships and promoting sustainable development, is returning to Vancouver on June 5-6. IPSS unites leaders in Indigenous business, government, and corporate Canada to highlight the ways these leading-edge relationships are making reconciliation a reality for the whole nation. Celebrating its fifth year, the 2024 showcase will take place on June 5 - 6 at the Vancouver Convention Centre (West Building). GCT Global Container Terminals is returning as the event's patron sponsor, alongside digital sponsor TELUS, and sponsors Enbridge, Beedie, LNG Canada, PCI Developments, and Woodfibre LNG. The theme for this year's conference is "Reconciliation in Action." Panels and discussions will revolve around topics including real estate and land development, technology, natural resources, finances, trade and Indigenous small businesses. Aaron Pete, host of the Bigger Than Me podcast, will emcee this year's showcase, and Melanie Mark, former BC Cabinet Minister, will emcee this year's conference dinner on June 5th. Other speakers featured at the showcase include: Doug Caul, Deputy Minister, Policy and Coordination, Government of BC Geena Jackson, Executive Producer, Creator and Core Judge on Bear's Lair TV Jamie Schmale, MP for Haliburton - Kawartha Lakes - Brock Jay Mearns, Director of Business Development, Musqueam Capital Corporation Hon. Josie Osborne, BC Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation Karen Ogen, CEO of First Nations LNG Alliance Ken Coates, Distinguished Fellow and Director of Indigenous Affairs at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute Ken Sim, Mayor of Vancouver Kwatuuma Cole Sayers, Executive Director, Clean Energy BC Michelle Mungall, Former BC Cabinet Minister and MLA Natiea Vinson, CEO, First Nations Technology Council Additional speakers will be announced in the coming days. For the latest updates on speakers and the full conference agenda, please visit https://www.indigenoussuccess.ca/. In addition to the engaging discussions and panels, IPSS will feature performances, including Notorious Cree and Git Hayetsk (People of the Copper Shield). The dinner on the evening of June 5th will also present two Lifetime Achievement Awards for Championing Economic Reconciliation, to the Honourable Larry Campbell and Wendy Grant-John. "The theme, 'Reconciliation in Action', focuses on ways we can advance and harmonize Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships, especially in the Canadian business landscape," said Chief Ian Campbell, Event Chair for IPSS. "The showcase is deeply inclusive, and we welcome everyone to join the open and forthright conversations that will be fostered at this year's showcase." Tickets may be purchased here. Media Contact For more information, to book an interview or to apply for media accreditation, please contact Taylor Jantzi (tjantzi@globalpublic.com). About IPSS The Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase (IPSS) is a leading platform for celebrating Indigenous success, fostering partnerships and promoting sustainable development. The annual event brings together a diverse range of participants to connect, learn and draw inspiration from the accomplishments of Indigenous communities in Canada. https://www.indigenoussuccess.ca/ 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 Newly acquired Cork employee communications firm Workvivo has been named by Meta as a replacement for its own collaborative workspace software program which it has chosen to discontinue. Founded in 2017, by John Goulding and Joe Lennon, Workvivo provides internal employee software allowing workers to communicate with one another, with its clients comprising industry leaders including Ryanair, Amazon and the Virgin Group. The company has grown extensively since its inception and was acquired last year by US tech giant, Zoom which saw Workvivo's program incorporated into the video firm's existing platform. Financial details were not disclosed, however, it is understood the deal was worth more than 200m. The Douglas-headquartered firm has now teamed up with Meta as the Facebook owner's only preferred migration partner with its own employee platform, Workplace, set to be discontinued. The partnership will see Meta's Workplace and Workvivo provide migration tools for customers migrating to the Cork-founded firm, with Workvivo also offering additional implementation services to support customers transition. Launched in 2016, Workplace has more than 7 million users, however, Meta said it would discontinue the product to focus on developing AI and metaverse technology. Workplace will be phased out over the course of two years, Meta said, with customers still able to use the platform as usual until August 2025. "We know that the news may be disruptive for Workplace from Meta customers, but were so excited about the opportunity to support and help them," said Workvivo co-founder and chief executive, John Goulding. "Meta has made a huge impact in this market, and we believe that Workvivo is the natural choice for Workplace from Meta customers to transition their employee experience platform." Eric S. Yuan, founder and chief executive of Zoom added: "Workvivo has seen momentous growth as organisations around the world are increasingly prioritizing the employee experience. "We are excited to support Workplace from Metas customers and help them reach their goals of reaching and engaging employees whether theyre desk or frontline workers. Processors have held their prices for April milk supplies. Lakeland Dairies was the first processor to confirm its price for suppliers. A base price of 41.9c/litre (3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein) will be paid for April milk in the Republic of Ireland. The base price has been held from last month and includes the 0.5c/litre sustainability incentive payment. A 1c/litre input support payment introduced last month continues to be paid on top of the base price. The all-in base price for suppliers is 42.9c/litre for milk supplied in April. In Northern Ireland, a base price of 34.5p/litre will be paid for milk supplied in April. The base price for April has been held from last month and includes the 0.5p/litre sustainability incentive payment. A 0.8p/litre input support payment continues to be paid to all suppliers. The all-in price for suppliers is 35.3p/litre for April. A Lakeland spokesperson said that "while weather conditions have become somewhat more manageable in the last couple of weeks, the spring has been a difficult one for all farmers". "We recognise this and have therefore continued the input support for April," the spokesperson said. "Global and EU milk supplies remain back on last year but the gap has begun to narrow. "With the full-year global supply picture looking generally more positive versus last month, buyers remain cautious and the market has been a little more volatile over the past month as a result." Kerry price The Kerry Group milk price for April is 41c/litre, consisting of a base price of 39c/litre and a milk contract payment of 2c/litre on all qualifying milk volumes. The April milk price at EU standard constituents (3.4% protein and 4.2% butterfat) is 44.96c/litre. Based on Kerrys average milk solids for April, the milk price return inclusive of Vat and bonuses is 43.71c/litre. A spokesperson for Kerry said that the "rebound in global dairy prices observed in late 2023 and during the first quarter of this year has decelerated in recent weeks due to weakened demand". "Despite this, supply-side challenges will persist in the short to medium term, which is supporting dairy commodity prices in the absence of a substantial increase in demand," the spokesperson added. Milk supplies lagging Irish Farmers' Association dairy chairman Stephen Arthur has said that milk processors need to continue supporting farmers by maximising the price paid for supplies. Mr Arthur said that milk volumes continue to lag well behind 2023 levels, with the CSO confirming a drop of almost 6% in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the year before, while costs associated with the very difficult spring weather have extended into May. We have reached or passed the peak of production now, with no lift in milk volumes on farm," Mr Arthur said. "This means reduced sales for dairy farmers, which is further compounded by the massive increase in overall cost of production this spring. "We acknowledge the support paid by some processors for March milk, but it needs to extend into April. "We need our processors to return every cent they can to dairy farmers to support them during this very difficult period." Where and when are Bruce Springsteen's Irish gigs? Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band are playing four dates on the island of Ireland as part of the 2024 World Tour. Theyve already done Boucher Fields in Belfast on May 9, and Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, last Sunday. Next up is Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Thursday, May 16, before they head to Dublin Croke Park on Sunday, May 19. Are there any tickets left? Tickets for the Cork and Dublin gigs are long sold out. Fans have been warned about the possibility of scams with organisers reminding the public that Ticketmaster is the only official ticket seller for the event. What will Springsteen play? This tour probably hasnt featured as many set changes as in the past, but The Boss and his band are still prone to mixing it up, especially in the early part of the evening. Notably, he opened the Kilkenny gig with A Rainy Night in Soho, by way of tribute to Shane MacGowan. Will he do the same in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, a venue the Pogues had previously played in? You will hear plenty of hits across the almost three-and-a-half hours, as well as album tracks and some of his own personal favourites. In Cardiff recently, Springsteen played five songs from Born In The USA, and five from Born to Run, with the rest of the set drawn from eight other albums. He also performed three cover versions Because the Night (Patti Smith), Nightshift (Commodores), Twist and Shout (The Top Notes). After a hit-laden encore, concerts on the 2024 tour have featured The Boss returning to the stage to say farewell with a solo acoustic version of I'll See You in My Dreams, from 2019s Letter to You album. What are the timings of the gig in Cork? Official kick-off time is 7pm, and while that might be a bit optimistic, Springsteen is highly likely to take to the Pairc stage soon after. Hell probably finish close to 10.30pm. Springsteen with Nils Lofgren and Steven Van Zandt of the E Street Band. (Picture: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File) Is there a support act? As is the case with most Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band gigs, there will be no support act. Whos in the band? Its very much the lineup who came to Cork in 2013 with Springsteen: Garry Tallent, Roy Bittan, Max Weinberg, Steven Van Zandt, Nils Lofgren, and Patti Scialfa; supplemented by longstanding associates Soozie Tyrell, Charles Giordano, and Jake Clemons (nephew of Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist who died in 2011). ACCESS AND TICKETS What time do I need to be at Pairc Ui Chaoimh? Since there is no support act, Springsteen and co will be on stage from soon after 7pm. Those attending the Pairc Ui Chaoimh gig are asked to arrive at the venue at 5pm and ensure they are in their seats or in position on the pitch by 7pm, depending on whether they are standing or sitting. The stadium is open at 5pm so queuing earlier in the day is not permitted. Can I bring a printout of my ticket? No. You must download your ticket from your Ticketmaster account and save them to your iPhone wallet or Google Pay account. Do ensure your phone is well charged. Its important to note that organisers say screenshots and printouts of digital tickets will not be accepted, so download your ticket ahead of time and be sure to have your phone fully charged and ready to present at the gate. How do I get there? Pairc Ui Chaoimh is very poorly served by public transport, and the city's Park & Ride facility doesn't stay open late enough to service large events like this. The 205 bus does run from the city to nearby Ballintemple but thats probably only an option for people heading to the area in the early afternoon. Ballintemple is also one of the best options for taxi drop-offs (10 minutes from the city in low traffic) for the early birds. Walking will be the best bet for most people, and you should give yourself at least 30 minutes for the flat stroll from the city centre or train station. There will be no shuttle buses or parking at the stadium. According to gardai, traffic will be very limited in the areas of Centre Park Road, the Marina, Maryville and the Monahan Road and there will be a traffic management plan in place for the evening. An aerial view of Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork during Springsteen's concert in 2013. Picture: Denis Scannell Are there different entry points to the stadium? Yes, your ticket should tell you which route to enter the stadium at: yellow, red or blue. The yellow route will bring you along Centre Park Road for the pitch and North Stand access, while the red route is on Monahan Road and is specifically for South Stand access. The blue route is also located on Monahan Road and will provide access for the pitch and South Stand. Hows the weather looking? Bruce basked in the sunshine in Kilkenny, and on his last Cork visit, but it doesnt look like conditions will be as good this time around. Early indications are that punters should be prepared for some showers at least through the day, with possible heavier downpours in the evening. Picking up after the gig? Obviously, Ballintemple and the immediate environs of the stadium will be chaotic from 10.30pm onwards, so if you do need a pick up, youre probably better arranging it a step or two back from the frontline, in an area you can walk to (eg Albert Road or city centre; Boreenmanna Road; Blackrock village or Beaumont). Organisers have asked people to be respectful of the fact that most of the areas around the stadium are residential. Food and drink? As ever, there are bars and food providers in the Pairc, with standards and prices fairly competitive. The Marina Market and the Black Market are converted warehouses with multiple food stalls within walking distance of the venue. As well as the city itself, Ballintemple and Blackrock village also have several bars, while the Silver Key has a decent menu. The Marina Market, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan What can I not bring? Concert-goers are asked to leave bags at home where possible. If you need to bring a bag, it must be no larger than A4 size. Any bags bigger than this will not be permitted and there will be no storage facilities at the venue. Umbrellas will also not be allowed into the venue so be sure to bring a poncho or rain jacket. Anything else I should know? About 40,000 people will attend the Cork gig and it is expected that many will be planning to see Bruce elsewhere in the country too. With that in mind, organisers have asked fans to double check the date and venue on their tickets in order to avoid arriving at the wrong location or on the wrong date. Its also important to note that under 14s are not allowed to enter the standing/pitch area and must be accompanied by an adult elsewhere. The BA in Visual Art (BAVA) graduate exhibition on Sherkin Island, West Cork, is arguably the most unique degree show in the country. It runs at various locations around the island, with work being shown in historic structures and contemporary venues, as well as in the landscape itself. BAVA is a community-based, four-year honours programme fully accredited, managed and delivered by the Dublin School of Creative Arts, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), in partnership with Sherkin Island Development Society and Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre. This years graduate exhibition is called Beyond the Frame, and features the work of seven artists: Sorcha Browning, Hammond Journeaux, Sarah Wainwright, Paula Quirke, Natalie Allen, Macha and Daniel Flynn. The exhibition can be seen on Sherkin Island on May 18-19, and then transfers to Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre in Skibbereen, where it runs from May 25 to June 15. Here, we profile three of the Sherkin artists. Sarah Wainwright, Skibbereen Sarah Wainwright worked as a care worker for some years before deciding to study art. I started with a two-year PLC course in Skibbereen, she says. I didnt think Id go on to do a degree, but then Covid happened and I applied for BAVA. I live about seven miles outside Skibbereen, so I can get to Sherkin in half an hour or so. This was the only way I could do a degree. It would have been too far to travel to Cork, and I wouldnt have had the time; I have three children, aged between 12 and 24, and I do a lot of paperwork for my husband, who works in construction. The old abbey on Sherkin, with some of Sarah Wainwright's work. BAVA requires the students to attend classes every second weekend at the community centre on Sherkin. Previous groups often stayed on the island for those weekends, says Wainwright, but we never got into the habit of doing that, as we were coming and going during Covid. I had to do a lot of juggling to keep up with the work at home. But I think it prepares you for life as a self-employed artist, and Id feel a lot more confident about that, going forward. Wainwright had studied textiles on the PLC course in Skibbereen. And then, during the BAVA programme, I began looking at the history of weaving on Sherkin, she says. Traditionally, the island people made sugan ropes out of grass, and lobster pots out of willow. Those kinds of crafts inspired me to start weaving. Sarah Wainwright weaving at the Abbey on Sherkin. For her degree project, Wainwright decided to present her work at the 15th century Franciscan Friary, known locally as the Abbey, overlooking the pier. I think weaving is a very mindful activity, and the Abbey is a very spiritual place. Ive cut fabric into strips and woven them through the metal bars on the windows. I like making natural dyes, and Ive used turmeric to dye some of the fabric a mustard yellow colour, like gorse in the landscape. Ive also got work on a wooden frame, and a freestanding loom as a piece of sculpture. TU Dublin launched an MA in Art and Environment on Sherkin in 2020, and Wainwright may apply for that at some point. But I wont go straight into it, she says. Id like to take some time to chase up funding and organise some exhibitions of my work. But it is something Id like to do in the future. Other graduates have ended up teaching on the course, and I could see myself doing that. Hammond Journeaux, Ballydehob Hammond Journeaux was born in Wyndham, New Zealand, but she has lived in Ballydehob, about seven miles from Sherkin, for nearly thirty years. What brought her so far from home? An Irishman, she laughs. I met him in London, and we moved over in 1996. Journeaux had heard about BAVA around the time it launched as a pilot programme in 2000. I couldnt have done it then, when the children were young, she says. But I promised my mother before her passing that I would go back and study art, and I did. When Journeaux began the programme in 2020, Covid restrictions meant that there was a lot of blended learning. Only three of us could be on the island at one time, she says. I was surprised at how much work was involved. It was a huge commitment, but the tutors Jesse Jones, David Beatty and Naomi Sex - were really exceptional. Work from from Hammond Journeaux. As a cancer survivor, Journeaux decided to make cancer treatment the focus of her degree show. That led on to an interest in how female genitalia are depicted in art, and I began researching Sheila-na-gigs. In school in New Zealand, we studied Maori wood carvings, and I could see similarities to the Sheila-na-gigs, which are found here in medieval graveyards. What the Sheila-na-gigs actually mean is open to interpretation, but I see them as agents of disruption, transformation and change. Before starting on her degree, Journeaux had a background in drawing and illustration. Hammond Journeaux's work. But I learned a lot about modern technology on Sherkin, she says. So my degree project features photography and video, as well as soft sculpture. Im showing my work in a space associated with the Honorah, a traditional lobster boat that was restored over twenty years ago. Now that she has completed her degree, Journeaux would be happy to pursue the MA programme on Sherkin. If theyll have me! she says. Sorcha Browning, Ballydehob Sorcha Browning grew up in Ballydehob. Having travelled in Australia and the United States, she was about to leave home again when Covid hit in 2020. Facing lockdown, she applied for BAVA. The fact that the programme was mainly online for the first few years suited me fine, to be honest, she says. Id studied filmmaking at St Johns College in Cork, which was a very practical course. The degree programme helped me find a context for my work as an artist. Like others on the BAVA programme, Browning found herself being challenged to try out different media. I did a lot of painting in 1st and 2nd Year, she says. I wasnt expecting that, but its good to move outside your comfort zone. A still from Sorcha Browning's film. For her degree show, Browning has gone back to film. But I find that Im composing the images like a painter now, she says. Her work will be shown in a space adjacent to the North Shore B&B and activity centre. My degree project is like a collage of eight different performances, where I play different characters. Its looking at how we are all constantly performing when we go online. Im sort of critiquing our digital availability and interaction. Digital connectivity was a huge part of the experience of studying at Sherkin; it allowed us to work together, which was very positive. But theres also a dark side to being online so much; it can suck up all your attention. A still from Sorcha Browning's film. As for what she will do next, Browning is not yet sure. Id like to do an MA at some point, she says. But not yet. Just now, Im trying to establish myself as an artist at home in Ballydehob. I may go travelling again, and Id love to do some artists residencies. Ill see which way the wind blows. The Government needs to give political priority and resources to prepare for future supplies of potentially deadly synthetic opioids hitting the country, according to an HSE-led expert group. The continued operation of a small team, set up on an emergency basis late last year to respond to mass nitazene overdoses in Dublin and Cork, is not sustainable into the future, the group said. The sudden emergence of the man-made opioid, estimated to be between 100 and 500 times more powerful than heroin, resulted in 57 overdoses in Dublin and 20 in Cork. It is thought there was at least one fatality in Cork, with some uncertainty as to whether or not any deaths, or how many, have occurred in Dublin with inquests awaited. UN and EU drug organisations are concerned that the supply of nitazenes and other synthetic opioids will accelerate in the coming years after a 95% collapse in opium production in Afghanistan in 2023 and the emptying of existing heroin stocks. To deal with the response in Ireland, the National Red Alert Group (NRAG) was set up, coordinated by the HSE, and led by National Clinical Lead for Addiction Services, Professor Eamon Keenan. The group brought together the HSE, Forensic Science Ireland, the State Laboratory, the National Drug Treatment Centre, Gardai, National Ambulance Service, and the Dublin Fire Brigade as well as academics. Overdoses Writing in the Addiction journal, the group said the 57 overdoses in Dublin happened over five days in early November, mainly affecting people who were attending homeless services. The N-pyrrolidino protonitazene then hit Cork in December, resulting in 20 overdoses over six days. The HSE has established that it was the same batch of nitazene and that dealers were testing the market. Rapid responses helped to protect people who use drugs through an urgent analytical review of samples, mobilization of frontline services to deliver tailored harm reduction measures, and Red Alert risk communications issued for these regions, the group said. It said that two additional alerts were issued this year, the first following the seizures of another nitazene powder (protonitazene) in Dublin. Gardai were particularly concerned given the size of the seizure 2kgs. The second alert followed the discovery of N-pyrrolidino protonitazene in a Dublin prison (Wheatfield), followed by cases in Cork Prison. The total number of overdoses was less than five. The current situation creates great uncertainty for the direction of future opioid markets that could impact the estimated 19,875 opioid users in Ireland, the group said. It said: Significant work was required by a small Irish coordination group who adapted current roles to focus on the outbreaks. This approach will not be sustainable on a long-term basis, emphasising the need for political prioritization. Increased budget allocation should be provided to improve early warning mechanisms, to expand harm reduction and treatment responses, and to enhance drug checking through a dedicated drug-monitoring laboratory. The group added: The Irish nitazene outbreaks are examples of how these substances can emerge without warning and sporadically on the market. Taoiseach Simon Harris has been accused of pandering to "thugs" by agreeing severe cuts to Ukrainian welfare payments. Any Ukrainians living in State-provided and serviced accommodation and do not work will see payments cut from 232 to 38.80 per week. These centres include hotels which provide meals to Ukrainian refugees. The change will not apply to Ukrainians in either pledged accommodation or within unserviced State accommodation like converted buildings. A senior government source estimated around 27,000 Ukrainian refugees would be affected by the changes with a three-month lead in time to give time to either find a job or leave the country. A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said the 27,000 figure is just an estimate and the Department of Justice would now carry out a thorough examination to determine the numbers in fully supported accommodation. Emma Lane-Spollen, national coordinator of the Ukraine Civil Society Forum, of which more than 24 NGOs and community organisations are part, claimed the only outcome would be to drive people out of Ireland, which she said is the aim of anti-migrant groups who have been accused of inciting fires and escalating protests at the homes of politicians. If I want to be heard, do I need to start burning buildings or picketing the Taoiseachs home? she asked. Its a radical, thuggish edge which is driving policy. This is not where the majority of people are." Mr Harris said it is about consistency of approach and ensuring the system is "financially sustainable". It doesnt seem sensible to me that you could have two children from Ukraine at the same school today in a very different system of treatment for one persons family versus the other, he said adding many Ukrainians are working and contributing to businesses across Ireland. We have to make sure the systems we have in place are grounded in common sense, that they are fair and in line with what is best practice across the EU. Ms Lane-Spollen said school principals and community organisations will have to pick up the pieces arising from this policy. Meanwhile, the Government is now exploring how it might buy its way out of a lease agreement on Thornton Hall to use it as a location for tented migrant accommodation. The site in north Dublin was purchased in the mid-2000s for a large-scale prison to replace Mountjoy. However, the project stalled and it has since been leased out by the State and is being used as agricultural land. Ministers yesterday discussed options around breaking the lease in order to free up the site for international protection accommodation. According to data released by the Department of Justice, there are currently 21,577 international protection applicants awaiting a first decision on their asylum application. Justice Minister Helen McEntee has set a target of 14,000 applications processed by the end of 2024. This would require 270 applications to be processed weekly, but according to statistics from the International Protection Office, an average of 210 decisions were delivered each week as of April 30. The backlog is likely to increase due to the number of international protection applicants arriving each week, on average 416 per week since the start of the year. President Michael D Higgins has condemned attacks on aid convoys bringing vital aid to the people of Gaza saying the incidents must be condemned by all those who believe in humanitarian principles. "Two incidents on Monday alone demonstrated the appalling circumstances which aid workers are facing," the President said. "In Rafah, a vehicle clearly marked with the United Nations emblem came under fire, killing a UN staff member and injuring others. Claims made during a tribunal hearing that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) carried out surveillance of the phone data of journalists is undermining confidence in policing, two human rights organisations have said. Amnesty International and the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) have written to the Northern Ireland Policing Board, the oversight body of the PSNI, making a fresh call for an inquiry into the claims. A hearing of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) in London last week heard claims that 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. It came during a hearing of a case examining allegations that investigative reporters Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney were subject to unlawful covert intelligence by the police. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher is to hold a private meeting with the boards leadership on Wednesday. It now appears that there was routine surveillance of the phone data of journalists The letter from the two organisations said the IPT case has now revealed that covert surveillance has been deployed against journalists on multiple occasions over the period of at least a decade. It continues: It now appears that there was routine surveillance of the phone data of journalists, and possible surveillance of the spouse of one journalist as well as their lawyer. Further, we understand that the limited disclosure of information to date by the Chief Constable to the Policing Board points to multiple instances of covert surveillance by the PSNI of journalists and lawyers. Public disquiet at the intrusive, covert and possibly unlawful use of surveillance powers by the PSNI is considerable. The partial and drip feed disclosure of relevant information by the PSNI, both to the IPT and to the Policing Board is further undermining public confidence in policing here. The two organisations urge the board to establish an inquiry under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher is to meet with the Policing Board leadership on Wednesday (Liam McBurney/PA) Following last weeks tribunal claims, the Policing Board said an urgent meeting had been sought with Mr Boutcher. Board chairman Mukesh Sharma and vice chairman Brendan Mullan said they wanted to seek further clarification and assurance around whether surveillance powers have been used lawfully, proportionately and appropriately in the past. Mr Boutcher said the PSNI would co-operate fully with the IPT hearing but said he wanted to wait until that process concludes before speculating about what might or might not have happened in the past. A man and a woman have been arrested after a sub-machine gun, a silencer and ammunition were seized in Dublin. Gardai attached to the Dublin Crime Response Team carried out a search operation in Clondalkin on Wednesday evening. An aerospace company has withdrawn from Cork's Carnival of Science following protests over its parent companys links to the Israeli army as students continue their pro-Palestine encampment at University College Cork (UCC). University chiefs met Students Union leaders on Wednesday to discuss its position on the conflict in Gaza while another student group, UCC BDS boycott, divestment and sanctions marked day two of its encampment on the quad. A spokesman for UCC said it was liaising with the encampment group to ensure the safe staging of their demonstration. UCC recognises and respects the right to peaceful protest, he said. He also pointed out that UCC is in an ongoing, direct and constructive engagement with the Students Union, which raised concerns last week about the college's stance on the war in Gaza, and is committed to continuing this collaborative process together. Mikey Rose, left, and Morgan Hegarty of UCC BDS after setting up the encampment on the quad at UCC, to force the university to divest links with Isreal. Picture: Eddie O'Hare UCC committed last week to establishing a Palestine Emergency Response Working Group, involving Students Union reps, to identify ways to make its Sanctuary Scholarships available to displaced Palestinian students, and to explore the expansion of its Scholars at Risk programme. The university has also agreed to divest its investment with an Israeli financial institution, which constitutes less than 0.5% of the universitys overall investments. Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner has confirmed that Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of Raytheon, which supplies hardware and software to the Israeli Defence Forces, has pulled out of the city council-run Carnival of Science, by mutual agreement, following pro-Palestine protests outside its Cork offices earlier this year. The issue was raised at Mondays city council meeting after councillors were asked to approve the holding of the science event. The free non-profit event aims to promote science, technology, engineering and maths through a fun programme that involves exhibitions, child friendly activities, performances and workshops, with up to 5,000 visitors a day expected. But People Before Profit councillor Brian McCarthy said he had serious concerns about Collins Aerospace being a sponsor of the event. A web link to the councils website listed the company as a stand holder. They are a subsidiary of Ratheon Ltd, and they are weapons suppliers to the Israeli army, including the iron dome. This [carnival] event is aimed at children. They need to be withdrawn from this event, he said. He was backed by Sinn Fein councillor Mick Nugent, Workers' Party councillor Ted Tynan and Rabharta Glas councillor Lorna Bogue. Collins Aerospace Cork will not be involved in this year's Carnival of Science. Council chief executive Ann Doherty told councillors no submissions were made when the event was advertised for public consultation. A vote was called, and councillors voted 23-seven, with one abstention, to approve the holding of the event on June 8 and 9 subject to clarification on the involvement of Collins Aerospace. However, the company told the Irish Examiner on Tuesday it would not be involved in this years event. The council said the web link which listed the company as a stand holder was related to the 2023 event, and has now been removed from its website, and confirmed the companys first involvement in the event was last year when it paid a total of 922.50 to take a stand. There was a mutual agreement to not participate in 2024 due to protests taking place outside their Cork office connected to the conflict in Gaza, the council said. Mr McCarthy welcomed the clarification and claimed it was a victory for protest. When words like crackdown and fester are hanging in the ether, its hard not to feel depressed. At least our public discourse hasnt been degraded to the extent that senior politicians feel able to compare migrants, as former American president and card-carrying idiot Donald Trump did at the weekend, to Hannibal Lecter, claiming that theyre all escaping from insane asylums. But it was a relief last Friday to hear Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Paschal Donohoe, say that we should not lose sight of the positives of openness and people coming here. He pointed out that around 166,000 people came to Ireland last year legally on work visas, and that these people who work in our health services, nursing homes, and big companies are wanted, needed, and form a valuable part of our economy and society. He also pointed out that some become Irish citizens. According to government figures, since 2011 around 175,000 people have received citizenship from 180 different countries. Four citizenship ceremonies are planned for next month, two in Killarney, and two in Dublin. In February, 1,200 new Irish citizens were granted Irish citizenship. They are from 105 countries and live in 31 counties. As Ireland becomes more of a melting pot, we need to foster a sense of cohesion while allowing new citizens to preserve their cultural heritage. Actually, the term melting pot arguably brings difficulties because it suggests developing a monoculture, so maybe we should be aiming for a tossed salad with a nice dressing to cover us all. We dont require new citizens to renounce their original citizenship as some other countries do which is a good thing, but without invoking nationalistic paranoia, surely some level of compromise must be struck between integration and maintaining cultural difference. In February, in advance of the citizenship ceremonies, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: Citizenship ceremonies are always a joyous celebration of what it means to be Irish. I would like to warmly congratulate and welcome our newest citizens on this milestone in their lives. What it means to be Irish, of course, is open to a wide variety of interpretations, but certain mainstream cultural norms act as binding cement which should be communicated to those seeking to be naturalised as Irish citizens. Two years ago, an academic friend of mine became an Irish citizen, sending happy photos from Killarney where Minister McEntee gave a short, upbeat speech. On that day, film producer David Puttnam and his wife Patsy, long of my parish, also both became citizens. What jumped out to me from the beaming images of men and women in that one room was a sense of hope and belonging. Encouraging that sense of belonging and helping people to integrate is important for them as they become us. When I asked my friend if he had to sit any test demonstrating basic knowledge of Irish culture, history, and social attitudes, the answer was ni shea. Many countries wisely require a level of civic knowledge for citizenship. My relative who became a Canadian citizen had to sit a test that took about 45 minutes, based on 20 multiple-choice questions addressing facts about history, geography, laws, the economy, and symbols. You could argue that learning facts and reciting them from memory doesnt give you an in-depth knowledge of culture, people, and country which can only be gained from living somewhere but its a start. Most applications for naturalisation are processed within 19 months which is a good chunk of time to learn some basic facts. The Netherlands has a test that seems to be centred around giving information that is useful to get started, like how to apply for their equivalent of a PPS number, but it also gives information on traditions and public morals that might be particularly helpful for people coming from countries with less liberal regimes. Its not simply a question of being more helpful. New citizens must understand what we expect in terms of broad attitudes to women, domestic abuse, the LGBTQI community, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities. If you grew up somewhere like Saudia Arabia, your social norms would likely be radically different on many of these topics, and there should be an element of when in Rome. It seems entirely reasonable that if you want to gain citizenship you should learn some basic facts about a country because becoming a citizen is an important right bestowed on you. Currently, to become a citizen you have to be of good character and have been living here for five years, with some exceptions. For example, refugees can apply for citizenship after three years but regardless of the circumstances, there is no test. New citizens give a Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State, swearing that they will observe the laws of Ireland and respect its democratic values. But aspirant Irish citizens should know what kind of country they are pledging allegiance to, how and when it was set up, its history, its evolution to a liberal democracy, its traditions. Basic knowledge I wrote a letter for somebody who got citizenship. She was hard-working and of good character, and I was happy to oblige but I was unhappy that she displayed a complete ignorance of the most basic facts about Ireland. We give new citizens information packs with the words to Amhran na bhFiann, advice on how to register to vote and how to obtain a passport, but its not enough. Im not suggesting that in some version of coercive assimilation or sinister Irishisation programme, we force people to demonstrate a reasonable knowledge of how many of her family fell over a cliff (most Irish-born citizens wouldnt have a clue) but for starters, you should know who the president and the Taoiseach are, that we have a written constitution, that Irish is the official language of the country, the cultural context for why bells gong on the national airwaves daily at noon and 6pm. And should people not demonstrate a basic proficiency in English? (Lets agree to park the obvious Irish language aspect to this question for today). Most EU countries require one. The idea of a language test was floated by the Department of Justice six years ago, but so far it hasnt been implemented, although supposedly language skills are sometimes tested when being interviewed during the process. Its not about raising a bar to keep people out, its about better integrating people. Naturally, there are plenty of theorists who regard these tests as illiberal but common sense dictates that the nexus between language and citizenship is important to encourage positive social participation, maintain order and minimise social strains. In the absence of an official test, I submitted my friend to an online one including questions like, Fill in the blank, roll it there?, What does a Cork person mean when they say, I will yeah!, Mammy is gone to get the messages. Explain. Impressively, he passed all questions except the tricky sucker: who did Biddys niece have an affair with in Glenroe? I guess even when youre an academic and a proud, newly-minted Irish citizen still cant know everything. When the Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, was removed from his post and appointed head of the security council this week, there were two big questions on everyones mind. What would his successor, Andrei Belousov, bring to the table, and what would happen to the former head of the security council, Nikolai Patrushev reputed to be the second most powerful man in Russia and seen by many as a potential successor to Vladimir Putin? The second question has a straightforward answer. Patrushev, it seems, is being sidelined. On Tuesday, the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Patrushev had been appointed to the grand position of presidential aide for shipbuilding barring any further surprise moves, this is a considerable downgrade in role. The question of what Shoigus removal will mean is a bit trickier, but it may also be a case of Putin neutralising an ally who has become too powerful. The Kremlin reshuffle was initially interpreted as a much-needed anti-corruption clean-up within Russias security apparatus. There was last months arrest of Shoigus close ally, the deputy defence minister Timur Ivanov, and the reported detention on unspecified criminal charges of Yuri Kuznetsov, another senior figure in the defence ministry this week. But the Russian political scientist Mikhail Savva insists Shoigus dismissal, and the nomination of Belousov as the new defence minister, have nothing to do with Shoigus corruption adding in those circles everyone steals. Removing threat to Putins power This is about two things: taking back control of military spending and removing any threat to Putins power. Belousov is described as a trustworthy bureaucrat among bureaucrats, and President Putins Albert Speer, who will take Russias military industrial complex to a new level of efficiency. Russias myriad of pro-war bloggers have welcomed him as a technocratic manager who will undertake a full audit of military spending and manage the finances and procurement vital to the army, but leave military issues to the general staff. By putting an economist who strongly believes the state should be the main driver of the economy at the head of the defence ministry, Putin is showing the world he is turning the whole of Russia into a war machine, and that he is digging in for the long haul. For this, he needs a good technocrat who is, above all, loyal. Indeed, unlike Shoigu, Belousov does not come with a power base or a clan of loyal followers. He owes his position to Putin, is an introvert who does not seek the limelight, and, most importantly, does not threaten to build a parallel power base to Putin. Former defence minister Sergei Shoigu: In his new position, Shoigu will also oversee the federal service for military-technical cooperation. Between this, and Patrushev as shipbuilding aide, the nominal heads of some of the most corrupt sectors of the Russian economy are both controlled by Putin. Picture: AP /Alexander Zemlianichenko Vladimir Osechkin, an exiled political commentator with close ties to the security apparatus, explains Putin is terrified of a repeat of last Junes events, when Yevgeny Prigozhin led a mutinous rebellion. So, if it seems strange to dismiss the minister of defence while things are picking up on the front, it is precisely because of that success that Putin can now move Shoigu aside. According to Ivan Preobrazhensky, a Russian political commentator and member of the Free Russia Forum: Putin was afraid of changing the top brass in the defence ministry while the front was unstable. Fear of Kremlin power struggles All of this points to Putins fear of the power struggles inside the Kremlin and the awareness that, as he builds his absolutist power, there are cracks that could widen unless he takes pre-emptive measures. In this context, it is interesting to look at some of the other appointments of the last few days. While Patrushev has been given the unenviable task of supervising the building of ships to replace those that have been destroyed by Ukrainian drones, his son Dmitry has been promoted from agriculture minister to deputy prime minister in charge of agriculture. Another dynastic positioning also took place at the weekend when Putin nominated Boris Kovalchuk, the son of his closest adviser and main financier Yuri Kovalchuk, to be head of Russias audit chamber. By placing the children of his close advisers in prominent positions, Putin shows he is playing for the long haul, and making every effort to secure his future and that of his closest allies. He is signalling to them they are safe for now, but by tying the next generation of leaders to his political survival he is clipping the wings of any potential threat in a carefully crafted balancing act. Mark Galeotti, the director of Mayak Intelligence and a historian specialising in Russia, explains Shoigu is unlikely to inherit much power in his new post at the security council. Patrushev was seen as highly influential in that role, but this is derived partly from his personality, as well as his past as an old Putin confidant in St Petersburg, and as former head of the FSB. In his new position, Shoigu will also oversee the federal service for military-technical cooperation. Between this, and Patrushev as shipbuilding aide, the nominal heads of some of the most corrupt sectors of the Russian economy are both controlled by Putin. Putin has boosted personal power Putin has effectively just put the whole military industrial complex under presidential control, thereby boosting his personal power by taking over the whole of the war economy and the opportunities for corruption that go with it. In the short term, this makes Putin seem even more impregnable and underlines the fact he is not interested in any kind of peace that would put a stop to the war, which feeds his power, political and material. It also shows how wary he is of political challengers, and leaves him very vulnerable should the war not go his way. In the medium and long term, this will spell disaster for the Russian economy, as the war drains resources and human power into a cycle of production whose only aim is to feed the war. Those who think Putin would be open to negotiating over a piece of eastern Ukraine and Crimea should bear this in mind when hoping for a quick negotiated end to this war. Putin needs war to survive. Samantha de Bendern is an associate fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House and a political commentator on LCI television in France Guardian Thermo Fisher Scientific operates a world-class contract pharmaceutical development and manufacturing campus in Cork supporting customers in developing and optimising novel chemistries to treat rare diseases and manufacturing many life-changing medicines to treat common conditions. There are currently many exciting opportunities to join this growing team with an important Mission to enable their customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Thermo Fisher has significantly expanded its drug development capability at the Cork site in recent years and is recruiting into its growing Process Development Services (PDS) team. Chemists and Analysts working in Thermo Fishers state-of-the-art laboratories and production facilities here in Cork work alongside colleagues in Project Management, Operations, Engineering, Quality and Supply Chain to deliver the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) that go into products to treat cancer, hepatitis, HIV, lupus, diabetes/weight gain, Parkinsons Disease, psoriasis, BPH, respiratory diseases and more. There are several open roles within their Analytical Development (AD) team the AD chemists are responsible for developing new analytical methods, providing analytical expertise and technical support for all phases of drug development. This might include supporting the analytical aspects of route scouting, route development, proof of concept of new and existing manufacturing routes for APIs. Peter McDonald, who heads up the PDS team at the Cork site, says: The career development opportunities here are immense. We are building a world-class AD offering, and the team is working on multiple chemistries in parallel. As well as the opportunity that brings to develop and expand technical skills, our analytical chemists also get to interact with customers on a day-to-day basis and that experience is quite unique. Peter McDonald is head of Thermo Fisher's Process Development Services (PDS) team. Norma Kelly, Senior Process Chemistry Manager, added: We partner with more than 20 customers, a mix of large multinationals and small biotech companies, which offers a breadth of experience that you dont get everywhere. A lot of the development work we do is with biotech companies developing novel chemistries, and we are able to apply our development expertise to help them synthesize it, make it reliable and robust so it can be scaled to support clinical trials and ultimately to commercial manufacture. The Analytical Development team gets a chance to flex their scientific muscles every step of the way. Norma Kelly, Senior Process Chemistry Manager at Thermo Fisher, Tara McInerney, Thermo Fisher Scientific Prize in Organic Chemistry awardee and Dr Stuart Collins, Lecturer in Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, UCC Here, Colleen Kelly, Analytical Development Manager, and Paddy Feeny, Senior Analytical Development Chemist, outline what they love about working as part of the Thermo Fisher team. What led you to a role in Analytical Development? Colleen: I grew up on the west coast of Ireland, by the sea and I loved growing up in nature. Studying science seemed like a no brainer to me. I went on to study Pharmaceutical Science and Drug Development in IT Sligo because it was a broad course. During my degree, I did a lab-based thesis within a Quality Assurance department. Though I didnt know it at the time, this Quality Assurance experience, combined with the lab experience set me up to start making the transition into Analytical Development. Colleen Kelly has worked for a number of pharmaceutical companies, but none have offered her as much variety as Thermo Fisher does. Paddy: I hold a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry and a Masters of Science, Chemistry from University College Cork. When I first left college, I worked as a research technician and then moved into manufacturing. After a few years, I felt that all I had learnt in instrumentation and analysis leant itself to a natural progression to Analytical Development. At this stage, I had gained what might be called troubleshooting experience, I had learned how to develop practical methods of drug development and I was eager to keep moving along that path. Why did you choose to build your career at Thermo Fisher Scientific? Paddy: I knew I wanted to make the jump into Analytical Development and based on what I had heard about the team here, I knew Thermo Fisher would give me the training that I still needed in certain route development skills in conjunction with the support to learn more about testing and documentation on the job. For my first three years here, I learned quickly yet at a safe enough pace that I felt secure in my learning. I was guided every step of the way. I think what we do in Cork is special, method development is not just a concept here, we all live and breathe it. We get to work on early-stage methods and turn them into something that's scalable and manufacturable. For Paddy Feeny, Thermo Fisher's acceptance of different perspectives and new ideas is one of the best parts of the company's culture. Colleen: Cork is a long way from Sligo but I was bamboozled by how much I liked it here, even the setting is so gorgeous. I started in Thermo Fisher with the Quality Control Department, then moved into an Analytical Development chemist role. After four years, I went travelling for a few months and when I came back, I moved between a number of pharmaceutical companies one consisted of just method transfers, one didn't do validation work. They werent really a right fit as I wanted more variety. In 2023, I re-joined the Thermo Fisher team as a Senior Analytical Development Chemist, and in June was promoted to my current role of Analytical Development Manager. Within Thermo Fisher Scientific, what has your career journey been and what experience have you gained? Colleen: The opportunities at Thermo Fisher are pretty unique. Were customer-facing here, and I'd never had that experience anywhere else. I consider myself a people person as well as a chemist and I love the interaction with customers, you really get a sense that the work we are doing is making a real difference in the world. The customer programmes we work on range from early phase clinical trials all the way through to commercial release, and because we are a contract development and manufacturing organisation you never know what your next project is going to be. The innovation never stops. If you are in any way curious and if you like a challenge, youll thrive here within our Process Development Service team. Paddy: Ive had the opportunity to expand my experience in method development, validations and transfers. Overall I developed my analytical and technical expertise for all phases of drug development because I get to work on honing these skills every day in the lab. After three years of carefully guided learning from my team and demonstrating my hard work, I was guided into the role of Senior Analytical Development Chemist. I volunteered to lead on a three-to-four-month project because I wanted to decide for myself if I liked the specific project leader responsibilities. Do you feel like you are contributing to the development of life-saving medicines when you get to work every day? Colleen: 100%! The work we do means that we work with our customers to adapt whatever methods they have, run their methods here to see how robust they are, make adjustments and then move to validate the data. One of the projects that we're working, for example, is the first ever treatment for a rare neurodegenerative disorder impacting children with most wheelchair bound in their 20s. The chemistry is really promising, and its being investigated as a potential treatment for a range of other neurological disorders. We get to come to Thermo Fisher and work on this amazing project every day. Paddy: Absolutely! When you work on a project here, you work on all stages with the team you work on the method development and validation, perform a technology transfer of the method to Quality Control or In-Process Control (IPC) labs, troubleshooting of those methods with chemists all while collaborating with the customer to bring their work to life. When the project concludes into a commercial product, there is an immense sense of pride. What would you say to anyone considering a career in Analytical Development at Thermo Fisher Scientific? Colleen: The breadth of the work and the collaborative approach to the work is fantastic. We have an amazingly diverse team a mix of graduates just starting out on their careers and people who have been working for nearly 30 years. Everyone is unique and is supported to achieve their individual career ambitions, we dont copy and paste a career journey, we help you map out clear career progression. There are also loads of opportunities to get involved in cross-functional groups, for example, Im a member of the Womens Resource Group on site and love taking part in our annual Volunteer Day to support the local community. There is a real emphasis on giving back. For example, each year, Thermo Fisher awards a Community Partnership Grant to charities and community groups in Corks Lower Harbour there have been over 100 awardees to date. Thermo Fisher Scientific's Cork base contains exceptional laboratories and production facilities. Paddy: If youre in any way curious about analytical chemistry, give it a try. If you are willing to work hard and demonstrate that you are a team player, Thermo Fisher will look after you and your career here. Ive seen that working here there is a culture that welcomes ideas and different perspectives. Inclusion isnt a buzz word here; diversity is embraced to drive innovation and improvement. Its hands-on learning within a really supportive team." To discover the career opportunities available at Thermo Fisher Scientific, visit their website. Having first opened its doors in 1915, Bon Secours Hospital Cork has a long tradition of providing medical and surgical care. Today, The Bon Secours Health System is the largest private hospital network in Ireland. Leading the way in advanced medicine and exceptional care is Bon Secours Cork Cancer Centre, the most advanced private cancer centre in the region providing a full range of oncology services including Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Clinical Trials, and Palliative Care. Given that the hospitals reputation for excellence is so well known, its not surprising to learn that the teams working there are capable, dedicated and highly qualified. Bon Secours Hospitals state-of-the-art facility Cork Cancer Center opened its doors in 2019 equipped with some of the most advanced technologies available. Dona Jose has been a clinical nurse manager II in oncology for the past two and a half years. Dona came to Ireland from India six years ago and worked in hospitals in Dublin and Sligo before coming to work in Cork. Donas experience here in Bon Secours Hospital Cork has been positive from the outset. I came out of the interview feeling that everyone was lovely and very professional, she says. I felt the same sense of warmth there, as I do when Im in my friends homes. Clearly, Dona impressed the interview panel as much as they impressed her: She must have, as she got the job. When I started working at Bon Secours Hospital Cork, I felt I was among family, she says. I love coming in to work every morning. There is a great team here. Highly trained, Dona has a masters degree in oncology and psychology and is currently studying palliative care. Bon Secours Hospital Cork employees benefit from a rewarding, collaborative and friendly work culture as well as top pay scales and benefits package. The more you learn the more beneficial you are for the patients, she says. In that way my studies help me to be a better nurse everyday. As she talks about her job, her compassionate nature is apparent. In my oncology work, I meet patients who when they first get a diagnosis, are in fear. Because it was not something they were expecting, there can be a fear of the unknown. Very often these patients are treated and cured. But whatever happens, our hospital team is there for them when they need us most. They can go through tough times, but as they become more familiar with the hospital team, they talk with us about how they are feeling and they share parts of their stories. That sort of familiarity builds up trust. Trust can bring a comfort of the sort that can replace fear. For Dona, being able to be with someone going through a difficult time is the most rewarding part of nursing. The part that gives the most satisfaction. I feel we nurses become the patients extra hands and legs, as we help them go through their treatments, she says. Then when we tell them what they might expect to experience day-to-day, they are reassured. Dona is passionate about the importance of healthcare workers being prepared to work outside of their comfort zone, in order to experience working in areas they might not originally have considered. She says: You wont know what its like to work in a particular area until youve done it for six months. I recommend people give it a try to see the job satisfaction it might bring. If you find you have a love for it, a passion for it, you wont turn away from it. On the vital importance of teamwork in healthcare, Dona says: A love for the work we do is something I have in common with everyone Im working with now. Whether newly qualified or highly experienced, that shared feeling brings us close to each other. We look after the team as we look after ourselves. This helps us to be the best we can, when looking after the patients. Bon Secours is proud to be Employer of Choice on Irelands Best Employers list for the last three years as well as IBECs Leading in Wellbeing list of 2024. Donas view and experience of working in healthcare is that it is amazing. No other area gives you the same opportunity to help people and to stand with them when they are in need. You go home happy, knowing that you have been able to do something for someone that makes a positive difference in their lives. This is rewarding work. In recent weeks, Bon Secours Hospital Cork has been recruiting for nurses, including clinical nurse managers and clinical nurse specialists. Oncology in particular offers endless career advancement opportunities as well as a large nurse education bursary. This along with a top salary and benefits package, make the hospital the ideal ground for growing your nursing career. To learn what roles are available at the hospital right now, see: www.bonsecours.ie/cork/careers Michael Cohen has told Donald Trumps hush money trial that it was not until after a decade in the fold, after his family pleaded with him, after the FBI raided his office, apartment and hotel room, that he finally decided to turn on the former US president. That decision led to a 2018 guilty plea to federal charges involving a payment to the adult film actor Stormy Daniels to bury her story of an alleged sexual encounter with Trump and to other, unrelated crimes. And it is that insider knowledge of shady deals that pushed Manhattan prosecutors to make Mr Cohen the star witness in their case against Trump about that same payment, which they say was an illegal effort to influence the 2016 presidential election. US speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks at a press conference across the street from Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Stefan Jeremiah/AP) Under questioning this week, Mr Cohen has described the nuts-and-bolts of how the scheme worked. To keep the loyalty and to do the things that he had asked me to do, I violated my moral compass, and I suffered the penalty, as has my family, Mr Cohen said on Tuesday. There has been no witness box bombast or fireworks so far from Mr Cohen, a man who was defined for years by his braggadocio as Trumps problem-zapper. Instead, his evidence about purposefully mislabelled cheques, false receipts and blind loyalty, however dry it was, placed Trump at the centre of the scheme and underscored the foundational argument of the case that it is not about the spectacle of what Trump was paying for, but rather his alleged effort to illegally cover up those payments. A shocking moment did come, but it was courtesy of House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson, who appeared at the courthouse with Trump and who used his powerful bully pulpit to turn his political party against the rule of law by declaring the Manhattan criminal trial illegitimate. He and other Republican legislators are serving as surrogates while Trump himself remains barred by a gag order in the case following an appeals court ruling on Tuesday. Michael Cohen, right, leaves his apartment building in New York (Seth Wenig/AP) I do have a lot of surrogates, and theyre speaking very beautifully, Trump said before court as the group gathered in the background. And they come from all over Washington. And theyre highly respected, and they think this is the greatest scam theyve ever seen. The Republican presidential nominee has pleaded not guilty and denies that any of the encounters took place. Mr Cohen has given evidence in detail about how the former president was linked to all aspects of the hush money scheme, and prosecutors believe Mr Cohens insider knowledge is critical to their case. But their reliance on a witness with such a chequered past he was disbarred, went to prison and separately pleaded guilty to lying about a Moscow real estate project on Trumps behalf could backfire, especially as Trumps lawyers cross-examine him. Defence lawyer Todd Blanche spent no time asking about the allegations at the centre of the trial. He instead worked to portray Mr Cohen as a Trump-obsessed media hound, intimating that Mr Cohen leaked self-serving information about himself. Amid rapid-fire objections from prosecutors, Mr Blanche probed Mr Cohens hyperfocus on Trump, quizzing him about various social media posts and comments he has made. Mr Cohen was asked to listen through headphones to a snippet of his podcast, as was Trump while sitting at the defence table. Mr Cohen was asked by Mr Blanche if he recalled an October 2020 podcast episode in which he said Trump needs to wear handcuffs and that people will not be satisfied until this man is sitting inside a cell. Donald Trump speaks before the start of proceedings in his trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Craig Ruttle, Pool/AP) The line of questioning was designed to persuade jurors that Mr Cohen was driven by personal animus to hold Trump accountable. I wouldnt put it past me, Mr Cohen said. Is it fair to say youre motivated by fame? Mr Blanche asked. No sir, I dont think thats fair to say, Mr Cohen said. Im motivated by many things. Mr Cohen will be the prosecutions last witness. Trumps defence will begin after Mr Cohen, though it is not clear whether his lawyers will call any witnesses or if Trump will give evidence in his own defence. Jurors have already heard how Trump and others in his orbit were reeling after the leak just a few weeks before the 2016 election of an Access Hollywood tape in which he bragged about grabbing women by the genitals without their permission. The publication of the tape hastened the payments to Ms Daniels, according to evidence. Mr Cohen said that Trump was constantly apprised of the behind-the-scenes efforts to bury stories feared to be harmful to the campaign. And after paying out $130,000 (120,000) to Ms Daniels in order to keep her quiet about an alleged sexual encounter, Trump promised to reimburse him. Stormy Daniels in Manhattan Criminal Court on May 7 in New York (Elizabeth Williams via AP) Jurors followed along as prosecutor Susan Hoffinger, in a methodical and clinical fashion, walked Mr Cohen through that reimbursement process. It was an attempt to show what prosecutors say was a lengthy deception to mask the true purpose of the payments. As jurors were shown business records and other paperwork, Mr Cohen explained their purpose and reiterated again and again that the payments were reimbursements for the hush money they were not for legal services he provided or for a retainer. It is an important distinction, because prosecutors allege that the Trump records falsely described the purpose of the payments as legal expenses. These records form the basis of 34 felony counts charging Trump with falsifying business records. All told, Mr Cohen was paid $420,000 (388,000), with funds drawn from a Trump personal account. Were the descriptions on this cheque stub false? Ms Hoffinger asked. Yes, Mr Cohen said. And again, there was no retainer agreement, Ms Hoffinger asked. Correct, Mr Cohen replied. On Monday, Mr Cohen said: Everything required Mr Trumps sign-off. He told jurors that Trump did not want Ms Daniels account of a sexual encounter to get out. Former US president Donald Trump sits in the courtroom with lawyers Todd Blanche, left, and Emil Bove at Manhattan Criminal Court before his trial in New York (Michael M Santiago/Pool Photo via AP) At the time, Trump was especially anxious about how the story would affect his standing with female voters, particularly after the Access Hollywood leak. What I was doing, I was doing at the direction of and benefit of Mr Trump, Mr Cohen said. But prosecutors also spent time on Tuesday working to blunt the potential credibility issues, painting Mr Cohen as a longtime Trump loyalist who committed crimes on behalf of the former president. In the witness box, Mr Cohen described in detail the April 2018 raid that marked the beginning of the end of his time being devoted to Trump. How to describe your life being turned upside-down. Concerned. Despondent. Angry, Mr Cohen told the jury. Were you frightened? Ms Hoffinger asked. Yes, maam, he said. But he was heartened by a phone call from Trump that he said gave him reassurance and convinced him to remain in the camp. Mr Cohen said: He said to me, Dont worry. Im the president of the United States. Theres nothing here. Everythings going to be OK. Stay tough. Youre going to be OK. Mr Cohen told jurors that he felt reassured because I had the president of the United States protecting me And so I remained in the camp. It was his wife and family who finally made him see how sticking by Trump was detrimental, he said. What are you doing? Were supposed to be your first loyalty, Mr Cohen said. It was about time to listen to them, he said. Assistant district attorney Susan Hoffinger questions Michael Cohen, right, as former president Donald Trump, far left, looks on in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Elizabeth Williams via AP) The men were once so close that Mr Cohen boasted that he would take a bullet for Trump. But as their relationship soured, Mr Cohen became one of Trumps most vocal critics. The two have, over the years, traded vicious barbs. During their last courtroom face-off in October during Trumps civil fraud trial, Trump walked out of the courtroom after his lawyer finished questioning Mr Cohen. Throughout Mr Cohens evidence on Tuesday, Trump reclined in his chair with his eyes closed and his head tilted to the side. He shifted from time to time, occasionally leaning forward and opening his eyes, making a comment to his lawyer before returning to his recline. Even some of the topics that have animated him the most as he campaigns did not stir his attention. Mr Cohen, do you have any regrets about your past work for Donald Trump? Ms Hoffinger asked. I do, Mr Cohen said. I regret doing things for him that I should not have. Lying. Bullying people to effectuate a goal. I dont regret working for the Trump Organisation. As I expressed before, I had some very interesting, great times. Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the worlds most esteemed contemporary authors and one of historys most honoured short story writers, has died aged 92. A spokesperson for publisher Penguin Random House Canada said Munro, winner of the Nobel literary prize in 2013, died on Monday at home in Port Hope, Ontario. Munro had been in frail health for years and often spoke of retirement, a decision that proved final after the authors 2012 collection, Dear Life. A master of the contemporary short story Often ranked with Anton Chekhov, John Cheever and a handful of other short story writers, Munro achieved stature rare for an art form traditionally placed beneath the novel. She was the first lifelong Canadian to win the Nobel and the first recipient cited exclusively for short fiction. Echoing the judgment of so many before, the Swedish academy pronounced her a master of the contemporary short story who could accommodate the entire epic complexity of the novel in just a few short pages. Munro, little known beyond Canada until her late 30s, also became one of the few short story writers to enjoy ongoing commercial success. Sales in North America alone exceeded one million copies and the Nobel announcement raised Dear Life to the high end of The New York Times bestseller list for paperback fiction. Other popular books included Too Much Happiness, The View From Castle Rock and The Love Of A Good Woman. Over half a century of writing, Munro perfected one of the greatest tricks of any art form: illuminating the universal through the particular, creating stories set around Canada that appealed to readers far away. She produced no single definitive work, but dozens of classics that were showcases of wisdom, technique and talent her inspired plot twists and artful shifts of time and perspective; her subtle, sometimes cutting humour; her summation of lives in broad dimension and fine detail; her insights into people across age or background, her genius for sketching a character, like the adulterous woman introduced as short, cushiony, dark-eyed, effusive. A stranger to irony. I think any life can be interesting. I think any surroundings can be interesting Her best known fiction included The Beggar Maid, a courtship between an insecure young woman and an officious rich boy who becomes her husband; Corrie, in which a wealthy young woman has an affair with an architect equipped with a wife and young family; and The Moons Of Jupiter, about a middle-aged writer who visits her ailing father in a Toronto hospital and shares memories of different parts of their lives. I think any life can be interesting, Munro said during a 2013 post-prize interview for the Nobel Foundation. I think any surroundings can be interesting. Disliking Munro, as a writer or as a person, seemed almost heretical. The wide and welcoming smile captured in her author photographs was complemented by a down-to-earth manner and eyes of acute alertness, fitting for a woman who seemed to pull stories out of the air the way songwriters discovered melodies. She was admired without apparent envy, placed by the likes of Jonathan Franzen, John Updike and Cynthia Ozick at the very top of the pantheon. Munros daughter, Sheila Munro, wrote a memoir in which she confided that so unassailable is the truth of her fiction that sometimes I even feel as though Im living inside an Alice Munro story. Fellow Canadian author Margaret Atwood called her a pioneer for women, and for Canadians. The road to the Nobel wasn't an easy one for Munro: the odds that a literary star would emerge from her time and place would once have been zero Back in the 1950s and 60s, when Munro began, there was a feeling that not only female writers but Canadians were thought to be both trespassing and transgressing, Atwood wrote in a 2013 tribute published in The Guardian after Munro won the Nobel. The road to the Nobel wasnt an easy one for Munro: the odds that a literary star would emerge from her time and place would once have been zero. Although not overtly political, Munro witnessed and participated in the cultural revolution of the 1960s and 1970s and permitted her characters to do the same. She was a farmers daughter who married young, then left her husband in the 1970s and took to wearing miniskirts and prancing around, as she recalled during a 2003 interview with The Associated Press (AP). Many of her stories contrasted the generation of Munros parents with the more open-ended lives of their children, departing from the years when housewives daydreamed between the walls that the husband was paying for. Filmgoers would become familiar with The Bear Came Over The Mountain, the improbably seamless tale of a married woman with memory loss who has an affair with a fellow nursing home patient, a story further complicated by her husbands many past infidelities. The Bear was adapted by director Sarah Polley into the feature film Away From Her, which brought an Academy Award nomination for Julie Christie. In 2014, Kristen Wiig starred in Hateship, Loveship, an adaptation of the story Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage, in which a housekeeper leaves her job and travels to a distant rural town to meet up with a man she believes is in love with her unaware the romantic letters she has received were concocted by his daughter and a friend. Canadian writer Alice Munros Dear Life (Alamy/PA) Even before the Nobel, Munro received honours from around the English-language world, including Britains Man Booker International Prize and the National Book Critics Circle award in the US, where the American Academy of Arts and Letters voted her in as an honorary member. In Canada, she was a three-time winner of the Governor Generals Award and a two-time winner of the Giller Prize. Munro was a short story writer by choice, and, apparently, by design. Judith Jones, an editor at Alfred A Knopf who worked with Updike and Anne Tyler, did not want to publish Lives Of Girls & Women, her only novel, writing in an internal memo that theres no question the lady can write but its also clear she is primarily a short story writer. Munro would acknowledge that she did not think like a novelist. I have all these disconnected realities in my own life, and I see them in other peoples lives, she told the AP. That was one of the problems, why I couldnt write novels. I never saw things hanging together too well. The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than $1bn (924m) in arms and ammunition to Israel, three congressional aides said on Tuesday. It is the first arms shipment to Israel to be announced by the administration since it put another arms transfer consisting of 3,500 bombs on hold earlier in the month. The administration has said it paused that earlier transfer to keep Israel from using the bombs in its growing offensive in the crowded southern Gaza city of Rafah. Palestinians rescuers dig around the body of a man in the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat, Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) The congressional aides spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an arms transfer that has not yet been made public. The aides said the package being sent includes about $700m (647m) for tank ammunition, $500m (462m) in tactical vehicles, and $60m (55m) in mortar rounds. There was no immediate indication of when the arms would be sent. Israel is now seven months into its war against Hamas in Gaza. The Wall Street Journal first reported the plans to move the package. House Republicans were planning this week to advance a Bill to mandate the delivery of offensive weaponry for Israel. Following Mr Bidens move to put a pause on bomb shipments last week, Republicans have been swift in their condemnation, arguing it represents the abandonment of the closest US ally in the Middle East. Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip (Leo Correa/AP) The White House said on Tuesday that Mr Biden would veto the Bill if it were to pass Congress. The Bill also has practically no chance in the Democratic-controlled Senate. However, House Democrats are somewhat divided on the issue, and roughly two dozen have signed a letter to Mr Bidens administration saying they were deeply concerned about the message sent by pausing the bomb shipment. According to an administration official, in addition to the written veto threat, the White House has contacted various lawmakers and congressional aides about the legislation. We strongly, strongly oppose attempts to constrain the Presidents ability to deploy US security assistance consistent with US foreign policy and national security objectives, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said this week, adding that the administration plans to spend every last cent appropriated by Congress in the national security supplemental package that was signed into law by Mr Biden last month. Boeing has violated a settlement that allowed the company to avoid criminal prosecution after two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft more than five years ago, the Justice Department told a federal judge on Tuesday. It is now up to the Justice Department (DOJ) to decide whether to file charges against Boeing. Prosecutors will tell the court no later than July 7 how they plan to proceed, the department said. New 737 Max jets crashed in 2018 in Indonesia and 2019 in Ethiopia, killing 346 people. Boeing reached a 2.5 billion dollar (1.97 billion) settlement with the Justice Department in January 2021 to avoid prosecution on a single charge of fraud misleading federal regulators who approved the plane. Boeing blamed the deception on two relatively low-level employees. In a letter filed on Tuesday in federal court in Texas, Glenn Leon, head of the Justice Department criminal divisions fraud section, said Boeing violated terms of the settlement by failing to make promised changes to detect and prevent violations of federal anti-fraud laws. The determination means that Boeing could be prosecuted for any federal criminal violation of which the United States has knowledge, including the charge of fraud that the company hoped to avoid with the settlement, the Justice Department said. However, it is not clear whether the government will prosecute Boeing. Safety cards in seat backs are seen on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft (Lindsey Wasson/AP, File) The Government is determining how it will proceed in this matter, the Justice Department said in the court filing. Boeing will have until June 13 to respond the governments allegation, and the department said it will consider the companys explanation in determining whether to pursue prosecution. Boeing Co, which is based in Arlington, Virginia, disputed the Justice Departments finding. We believe that we have honored the terms of that agreement, and look forward to the opportunity to respond to the Department on this issue, a Boeing spokesperson said in a statement. As we do so, we will engage with the Department with the utmost transparency, as we have throughout the entire term of the agreement, including in response to their questions following the Alaska Airlines 1282 accident. Boeing has come under renewed scrutiny since that Alaska Airlines flight in January, when a door plug blew out of a 737 Max, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the jetliner. The company is under multiple investigations into the blowout and its manufacturing quality. The FBI has told passengers from the flight that they might be victims of a crime. Prosecutors said they will meet on May 31 with families of passengers who died in the two Max crashes. Family members were angry and disappointed after a similar meeting last month. Paul Cassell, a lawyer who represents families of passengers in the second crash, said the Justice Departments determination that Boeing breached the settlement terms is a positive first step, and for the families, a long time coming. But we need to see further action from DOJ to hold Boeing accountable, and plan to use our meeting on May 31 to explain in more details what we believe would be a satisfactory remedy to Boeings ongoing criminal conduct, Mr Cassell said. Investigations into the crashes pointed to a flight-control system that Boeing added to the Max without telling pilots or airlines. Boeing downplayed the significance of the system, then did not overhaul it until after the second crash. After secret negotiations, the government agreed not to prosecute Boeing on a charge of defrauding the United States by deceiving regulators about the flight system. The settlement included a 243.6 million dollar (192.4 million) fine, a 500 million dollar (395 million) fund for victim compensation, and nearly 1.8 billion dollars (1.4 billion) to airlines whose Max jets were grounded for nearly two years. Boeing has faced civil lawsuits, congressional investigations and massive damage to its business since the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. French President Emmanuel Macron has convened a meeting of top ministers to discuss spiralling violence in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, his office said. The special defence and security council meetings typically bring Mr Macron together with a limited group of officials, including prime minister Gabriel Attal and the ministers for defence, interior, economy and foreign affairs. On Wednesday, a person was fatally shot in the French Pacific territory as violent unrest over a constitutional reform pushed by Paris led to anger on the archipelago, which has long sought independence. On Tuesday, the French Interior Ministry sent police reinforcements to New Caledonia, which long served as a prison colony and now hosts a French military base. French interior and overseas territories minister Gerald Darmanin said four mobile gendarmerie squadrons are being deployed as reinforcements, including 15 gendarmes from an elite intervention unit. The unrest started as French lawmakers debated voting reforms which would increase the number of people who could cast ballots in New Caledonia. Opponents say expanding voter lists that have not been updated since 1998 would benefit pro-France politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalise the indigenous Kanak people, who once suffered from strict segregation policies and widespread discrimination. People of European descent in New Caledonia distinguish between descendants of colonisers and descendants of the many prisoners sent to the territory by force. The vast archipelago of about 270,000 people east of Australia is 10 time zones ahead of Paris. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys office has said that he has postponed all his upcoming foreign visits amid a new Russian offensive. Mr Zelenskyy cancelled all foreign visits that were planned for the coming days, his office said on Wednesday on Telegram. A massive manhunt is under way in France for an armed gang that killed two prison officers and seriously injured three others as part of a scheme to spring an inmate they were escorting. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said unprecedented efforts were deployed, with hundreds of officers mobilised in the search for the escaped convict Mohamed Amra and the assailants who ambushed the convoy transporting him on Tuesday. The violence of the attack shocked France. Prison workers held moments of silence Wednesday outside prisons in Paris and elsewhere to commemorate the officers who were killed. Mr Darmanin, speaking on RTL radio, expressed hope that Amra could be caught in the coming days. Without giving full details about the extent of the manhunt, he said 450 officers had been deployed in the region of the attack to search for the assailants and clues about their whereabouts. The means employed are considerable, he said. We are progressing a lot. The convoy was transporting Amra back to jail in the Normandy town of Evreux after a court hearing in Rouen when it was ambushed on the A154 motorway. Amra, 30, had a long criminal record, with at least 13 convictions for robbery and other crimes, the first when he was just 15, said Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau. One of the officers killed was a 52-year-old captain in the prison service, where he had worked for nearly 30 years, and a father of two, the prosecutor said. The other officer killed, aged 34, was a married father-to-be, she said. Slovakias populist prime minister, Robert Fico, was shot multiple times and gravely wounded on Wednesday in an attempted assassination that shocked the small country and reverberated across Europe. The pro-Russian leader, 59, was reported to be fighting for his life after being hit in the stomach. At least four shots were fired outside a cultural centre in the town of Handlova, nearly 85 miles north east of the capital, where Mr Fico was meeting with supporters, the government said. A suspect was in custody, the countrys president said in a televised statement. Mr Fico was taken by helicopter to a hospital. The motive for the shooting was unclear. Mr Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond, but his return to power last year on a pro-Russian, anti-American message led to even greater worries among fellow European Union members that he would lead his country further from the Western mainstream. His government halted arms deliveries to Ukraine, and critics worry that he will lead Slovakia a nation of 5.4 million that belongs to Nato to abandon its pro-Western course and follow in the footsteps of Hungary under populist prime minister, Viktor Orban. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest against Mr Ficos policies. A message posted to Mr Ficos Facebook account said he was taken to a hospital in Banska Bystrica, 17 miles from Handlova, because it would take too long to get to the capital, Bratislava. The attack comes as political campaigning heats up three weeks ahead of Europe-wide elections to choose lawmakers for the European Parliament. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico. File picture: AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File Concern is mounting that populist and nationalists similar to Fico could make gains in the 27-member bloc. A physical attack on the prime minister is, first of all, an attack on a person, but it is also an attack on democracy, outgoing President Zuzana Caputova, a political rival of Fico, said in a televised statement. Any violence is unacceptable. The hateful rhetoric weve been witnessing in society leads to hateful actions. Please, lets stop it. President-elect Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Mr Fico, called the shooting an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy. If we express other political opinions with pistols in squares, and not in polling stations, we are jeopardising everything that we have built together over 31 years of Slovak sovereignty. Mr Fico, a third-time premier, and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party won Slovakias September 30 parliamentary elections. But politics as usual were put aside as the nation faced the shock of the attempt on Ficos life. Slovakias parliament was adjourned until further notice. Leaders 'shocked' by shooting of Mr Fico Taoiseach Simon Harris called the shooting on Mr Fico an "attack on democracy." In a statement on Wednesday afternoon Mr Harris said he was "deeply shocked" by the attack. "The attack on Prime Minister Fico is an attack on democracy, a fundamental value of the European Union and one we all share," he said. "All of our thoughts and our solidarity are with Robert, his family and the Slovakian people." The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins expressed both shock and concern at the shooting the Slovak Prime Minister. "The attempted assassination of a democratically elected Head of Government, following a government meeting is deeply shocking," Mr Higgins said. "And will be condemned by all of those who believe in democracy and the rule of law." "May I express my very best wishes and my hopes that Prime Minister Robert Fico makes a full recovery," he said. "To Prime Minister Fico, his family and colleagues and to the Slovakian people at this most difficult time, I send my expression of best wishes at getting past this terrible action," the president added. British prime minister Rishi Sunak said he was shocked by the awful news that Mr Fico had been shot. European Council president Charles Michel said: I am shocked at the news of the attack on Slovakian PM Fico after a meeting of the Slovak cabinet in Handlova." Nothing can ever justify violence or such attacks. My thoughts are with the prime minister and his family," he added. US President Joe Biden said he was alarmed. We condemn this horrific act of violence, he said in a statement. Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg posted on the social media platform X that he was shocked and appalled by the attempt on Mr Ficos life. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it a vile attack. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good, Ms Von der Leyen said in a post on X. A red notice has been issued by Interpol at France's request for the arrest of a convict who was freed by gunmen in an attack against a prison van that killed two guards and wounded three. Hundreds of police are scouring northern France for Mohamed Amra, a fugitive known as "The Fly" who was freed from the van Here's what we know about Amra: The 30-year-old was born in the northern French city of Rouen and has a formidable rap sheet, with 13 convictions, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said on Tuesday. His first conviction came in 2009 when he was just 15. Beccuau said most of his convictions had been handed down by courts in northern France, but he had also served time in jails in Paris and Marseille. She said many of his convictions were for burglary. "To date, his criminal record does not mention any conviction for drug violations," she said. Police sources told Reuters Amra was a mid-level player in France's drug trade, with links to Marseille's powerful "Blacks" gang. The Paris prosecutor's office said he had been indicted by prosecutors in Marseille, the epicentre of France's drug trade, for gangland murder. The Interpol Red Notice said he was suspected of the "acquisition, detention, transportation, offering or disposal of narcotics". Amra was convicted of burglary by a court in Evreux on May 10 and was being held at the Val de Reuil prison. A few days before his escape, he had tried to saw his way out of his cell, officials said. Tuesday, May 14 On Tuesday morning, Amra was on his way to a meeting with an investigating judge when his two-vehicle convoy approached a toll booth in Incarville in the Eure region of northern France. At 10:57 a.m., a Peugeot car that had been stolen a few days earlier rammed into the front of one of the prison vans, Beccuau said. Armed men got out of the Peugeot and were joined by another crew who got out of an Audi before they opened fire on the two vans. Two officers were killed and three were critically wounded. The assailants then sped off with Amra. Two burned-out vehicles that were found nearby are now undergoing forensic examination, Beccuau said. 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. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) Playing with the death toll from Israels total war on Gaza is not as cruel as actually killing over 35,000 people, the majority women and children. But it is still cruel and heartless. It is also another way we are being gaslit by the pro-Zionist US establishment. There is that scene in the first Star Wars film when Obi Wan Kenobe uses Jedi magic to convince the Storm Troopers looking for R2D2, These are not the droids youre looking for. Congressional staffers once told me that that is the way politics works on the Hill. Now theyre trying to tell us that actually all those little dead children are figments of our imagination. The US government repeatedly warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his extremist, fascist cabinet not to invade Rafah without a practical plan for protecting the nearly two million civilians whom Israel has force-marched into the small enclave, most with no potable water, no toilets, and insufficient food and shelter. Israel is in the process of invading Rafah, forcing some 360,000 internal refugees to flee the area designated as a safe zone for wilderness or already-destroyed towns that are still being actively bombed. I think it is in order to take peoples minds off the current additional war crimes being committed by Tel Aviv that Zionist agents provocateurs have signaled their useful idiots to try to make an issue of the Palestinian death toll. It is a phony issue. Netanyahu himself has admitted that 30,000 are dead, though he implausibly alleges that 14,000 are Hamas militants and he leaves out another 5,000 hes not accounting for. The UN World Health Organization said Monday that 25,000 of the Palestinians in Gaza had been positively identified by the Gaza Health Ministry which is run by professionals, not by the Hamas politburo. Another 10,000 of the corpses awaited such definite identification, coming to 35,000 total. The identification of 25,000 is an advance, since previously names had not been put to so many of the dead. Persons who hate Palestinians the way the devil hates holy water jumped on the disaggregation of the two figures to allege that the UN was admitting only 25,000 had been killed and the MoH numbers were unreliable. These horrid prevaricators included the US Council on Foreign Relations, which thereby lost all credibility, and Rupert Murdochs New York Post, which never had any credibility, and Joe Scarborough, long a right wing clown. That isnt what the WHO said. As a historian I like primary sources. So Ill let you hear it from the horses mouth. Heres the video: WHO Video: World Health Organization Gaza Casualties And heres the transcript: Storyline In Gaza, as more Palestinian casualties of the Israeli military offensive are identified by the enclaves health authorities, UN humanitarians reiterated on Tuesday (14 May) that a high proportion of women and children were indeed among the 35,000 dead. UNTV CH Since the beginning of the war in the enclave triggered by Hamas deadly 7 October attacks in Israel, the United Nations has consistently relied on casualty figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health, noting that independent verification is not possible. Last week, the health authorities updated the breakdown of the figures based on the number of bodies identified, but the UN has maintained that neither the overall death toll nor the proportion of women and children killed had gone down. Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), told the Press in Geneva: Were basically talking about 35,000 people who are dead. And really every life matters, doesnt it? We know that many and many of those are women and children, and there are thousands missing under the rubble. Speaking on behalf of the UNs humanitarian affairs coordination office, OCHA, Jens Laerke clarified that what has been provided additionally by the Ministry of Health is more detailed information about a subsection of the overall tally of the 35,000 dead. Christian Lindmeier, spokesperson for the UN World Health Organization (WHO), explained that as the Gaza Ministry of Health identifies every single body gives names to people to give closure to their family, their friends thats when these figures get updated and the data get updated. Some 25,000 have been identified, he said, calling the growing number of identified bodies a step forward and a typical and very normal process in any conflict. Among the 10,000 remaining dead, some are not reachable, including those in mass graves. These individuals need to be brought back to a health centre or morgue for identification, Mr. Lindmeier said, insisting that every single of these figures is a person with a name, a history and a family. The WHO spokesperson also warned against getting sidetracked by the death toll updates and breakdowns. Two recent OCHA situation reports have been widely scrutinized for changes in the proportion of women and children killed, he said. However, if one applies the breakdown by gender and age of the 25,000 bodies now identified to the remaining unidentified 10,000 casualties, women and children still represent about 60 per cent. The UN health agency spokesperson also pointed out that under collapsed houses, there is a high likelihood that you find rather women and children because they are the ones typically staying at home while the men are out looking for food, looking for business, looking for any supplies for their families. Mr. Lindmeier further insisted on the challenges of identification in a difficult conflict where people have been displaced five, six, seven times, and where, in certain areas, not a single health worker, no ambulance can venture to recover dead bodies. Once everybody is recovered, you may have a chance to have a name to every person, he said. We need a ceasefire now to be able to recover those dead. Only the malicious could have read the UN reports in any other way but as an affirmation of the vast death toll and a plea for a ceasefire so that the remaining 10,000 Jane Does and John Does can have a decent individual burial, not the mass graves into which Israeli soldiers are bulldozing them. Of course, a ceasefire would also be nice so as to cease racking up such an astonishing death toll. VANCOUVER, May 15, 2024 TheNewswire China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. (TSX: CGG; HKEX: 2099) (China Gold International Resources or the Company) reports financial and operational results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 (Q1, first quarter or first quarter of 2024). This news release should be read in conjunction with the Companys Financial Statements, Notes to the Financial Statements and Managements Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). For detailed information, please read the Companys Financial Statements and MD&A for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 which are available on SEDARs website at www.sedar.com, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limiteds website at www.hkex.com.hk, the Company's website at www.chinagoldintl.com, or call the Company at +1-604-609-0598 and email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 2024 FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL, PRODUCTION AND OPERATION HIGHLIGHTS Revenue decreased by 76% to US$60.5 million from US$252.8 million for the same period in 2023. Mine operating loss of US$1 1 . 5 million, compared to mine operating earnings of US$ 102.7 million for the same period in 2023. Net loss of US$2 6 . 0 million , compared to net income of US$78.7 million for the same period in 2023. 0 Cash flow from operation of US$7. 2 million, compared to US$127.7 million for the same period in 2023. Total gold production of 20,714 ounces , a decrease by 61 % from 52,827 ounces for the same period in 2023. Total copper production of 4.6 million pounds (approximately 2,093 tonnes) as partial production at the Jiama mine resumed on December 15, 2023 , compared to 44.1 million pounds (approximately 20,025 tonnes) for the same period in 2023. The decrease in production and profit in the first quarter was mainly attributed to the suspension of operations of the Jiama Mine and the lower-than-expected production of CSH Mine due to the cold climate and the lower mining rate last year. At present, the Company is in preparations for the full resumption of production in the Jiama Mine. It is expected that the Company will obtain the governments final approval before the end of May 2024. The Companys Chairman and CEO, Mr. Junhu Tong, stated, The performance of the Company in the first quarter of 2024 continued to be negatively affected by the suspension of Jiama Mine operation. With the Phase I processing plant at Jiama Mine achieving stable production, we anticipate the Phase II processing plant operation at Jiama Mine to fully resume by the end of May, 2024, assuming that safety and environmental protection measures are fully implemented and accepted by the government. Despite the cold weather in the first quarter impacting CSH Mines production, we are confident that CSH Mines production will return to normal level in the second quarter. The development of CSH Mines underground resources is on schedule and has made significant progress. We will continue to operate our business with a high degree of responsibility. Thanks to our shareholders and stakeholders for their understanding and support. About China Gold International Resources China Gold International Resources is a gold and base metal mining company incorporated in BC, Canada and operates two mines, the CSH Gold Mine in Inner Mongolia, China and the Jiama Copper-Gold Polymetallic Mine in Tibet, China. The Companys objective is to build shareholder value through growing production at its current mining operations, expanding its resource base, and acquiring and developing new projects internationally. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CGG) and the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEX: 2099). For further information on the Company, please refer to SEDARs website at www.sedar.com, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limiteds website at www.hkex.com.hk, the Company's website at www.chinagoldintl.com, or call the Company at +1-604-609-0598 and email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements Certain information regarding China Gold International Resources contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although China Gold International Resources believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. China Gold International Resources cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what China Gold International Resources currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and subject to change after that date. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - C3 Metals Inc. (TSXV: CCCM) (OTCQB: CUAUF) ("C3 Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has intersected 79.0m at 0.71% copper and 0.49 g/t gold (1.06% CuEq1) from 128m, including 46.0m at 0.95% copper and 0.69 g/t gold (1.45% CuEq1) at its Connors porphyry prospect in its 100%-owned Bellas Gate project. This most recent result from Connors, along with recent intercepts from Provost and Camel Hill, confirms the potential for high-grade copper-gold mineralization within the porphyry systems at Bellas Gate. Many targets remain to be tested. Systematic exploration aimed at defining economic tonnages of mineralization is continuing. The Company also welcomes Barrick Gold Corp. ("Barrick") to Jamaica. Barrick recently signed an agreement with Geophysx Jamaica Ltd. ("Geophysx") to earn up to 80% in certain mineral concessions that essentially surround C3 Metals' 100% owned 17,855 hectares and its 50% owned 9,870-hectare Super Block. For more information, see Barrick's press release dated May 1, 2024. The Super Block project is a recently announced 50-50 joint venture between C3 Metals and Geophysx that includes the past producing Pennants Gold mine (see press release dated March 1, 2024). Regionally, C3 Metals has identified 16 porphyry, 40 epithermal and multiple volcanic hosted redbed style copper-gold prospects over a 30km strike extent (Figure 1). Figure 1 - Map of C3 Metals' mineral concessions showing the location of the Connors, Connors SE, Geo Hill and Camel Hill porphyry copper-gold prospects within the Bellas Gate project. Drilling Highlights Drill hole CON9325-002 was collared at the Connors copper-gold porphyry prospect at the Bellas Gate project. It was designed to test below drill hole CON9325-001, which intersected 309.0m at 0.44% copper and 0.33 g/t gold (0.67% CuEq1) from 15m (see press release dated September 12, 2022). Drill hole CON9325-002 intersected 79.0m at 0.71% copper and 0.49 g/t gold (1.06% CuEq1) from 128.0m, including 46.0m at 0.95% copper and 0.69 g/t gold (1.45% CuEq1). Drilling at the Connors porphyry prospect has confirmed that copper-gold mineralization occurs in strongly altered andesitic volcanics and diorite porphyry dykes containing abundant chalcopyrite. A multi-phase intrusive complex comprising of pre-, syn and post mineral diorite dykes and a larger granodiorite stock at depth has been identified. While favourable copper-gold grades are present at the Connors porphyry, mineralization appears to be diluted at depth due to post mineral intrusions. The Company believes, however, that the Connors porphyry may be offset or dismembered due to faulting and part of the system may be located on the southwest side of the Connors Fault. Porphyry style alteration and mineralization appears to be intimately associated with the contact between the granodiorite stock and andesite volcanics. The Company recently identified a new prospect (Connors SE) immediately to the southeast of Connors that is situated along the favourable contact (Figure 2). Due to the copper-gold grade profile at Connors, the newly identified Connors SE prospect becomes a high-ranking, near-surface porphyry target. C3 Metals is conducting field work in the area to determine the best location for a drill pad for the initial test of this new prospect. Figure 2 - Plan view map of the northwest-southeast trending copper-in-soil anomaly extending through Ginger Ridge, Connors and the Connors SE porphyry prospects. Completed and in-progress 2022-24 drill holes (blue) and historical drill holes (black). Dan Symons, President and CEO, stated, "The Connors porphyry prospect has consistently delivered the best copper-gold grades encountered thus far at Bellas Gate. The interpreted offset of the Connors porphyry to the southeast hosts the same prospective contact that produced strong copper-gold grades at Connors. At the Connors SE prospect, we see outcropping intrusive rocks consistent with those at Connors that are supported by a similar copper soil geochemistry anomaly. "I also want to take the opportunity to welcome Barrick to Jamaica. We agree with Barrick's assessment that Jamaica hosts a favourable geological setting comparable to the Dominican Republic where Barrick operates the world-class Pueblo Viejo gold mine. C3 Metals, as a first mover into Jamaica, has secured over 20,000 hectares of highly prospective ground in what we believe is a new and emerging copper-gold district." Next Steps C3 Metals has completed multiple drill holes at the Camel Hill and Geo Hill porphyry prospects on the Bellas Gate project (Figure 1). Assays are pending. Separately, the Company has begun trenching and channel sampling at its 100%-owned Arthurs Seat project and its 50%-owned Super Block project. C3 Metals looks forward to providing additional assay results as they become available. The Company's drill contractor recently completed the required metreage under its drilling contract. C3 Metals will continue to drill with its more cost-efficient, company-owned, diamond drill rig. For additional information, contact: Dan Symons President and CEO +1 416 716 6466 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ABOUT C3 METALS INC. C3 Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on creating substantive value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of large copper and gold deposits. The Company is actively exploring in Jamaica where it has identified 16 porphyry, 40 epithermal and multiple volcanic redbed copper prospects over a 30km strike extent. The Company holds a 100% interest in 17,855 hectares of exploration licenses and a 50% interest in 9,870 hectares in a joint venture with Geophsyx Jamaica Ltd, the largest mineral tenure holder in the country. Barrick Gold Corp. announced on May 1, 2024 that it had entered into an earn-in agreement with Geophysx Jamaica Ltd. on approximately 400,000 hectares of exploration licenses, several of which surround C3 Metals' mineral concessions. Mining is currently the second largest industry in Jamaica, and historical mining dates back to the colonial eras of the 1500s (Spanish) and 1800s (British). The Company also holds approximately 30,000 hectares located in the prolific high-grade Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry-Skarn belt of Southern Peru. Mineralization at Jasperoide is hosted in a similar geological setting to the nearby major mining operations at Las Bambas (MMG), Constancia (Hudbay) and Antapaccay (Glencore). At Jasperoide, the Company has identified over 15 skarn prospects and an outcropping porphyry system over two parallel 28km belts. The Company has published a maiden resource estimate on the first of these skarn targets, which contained Measured & Indicated Resources of 52Mt at 0.5% copper and 0.2 g/t gold. Related Link: www.c3metals.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. QP Statement Stephen Hughes, P.Geo. is Vice President Exploration and a Director for C3 Metals and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Hughes has reviewed the technical information in this news release and approves the written disclosure contained herein. Technical Program C3 Metals adheres to a strict QA/QC protocol for handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses. Chain-of-custody protocols are designed to ensure security of samples until their delivery at the laboratory. Samples were cut at C3 Metals' operations base in Bellas Gate, St Catherine, Jamaica by Company personnel. Diamond drill core was sampled in maximum 3-metre intervals, stopping at geological boundaries, and using a rock saw. Core diameter is a mix of HQ3 and NQ3 depending on the depth of the drill hole. Samples were bagged, tagged and packaged for shipment by DHL air freight service to the ALS preparation laboratory in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada where entire samples were crushed to 70% passing 10 mesh (2mm), and a 250g split was pulverized to 85% passing 200 mesh (75m). The prepared samples were sent to the ALS assay laboratories in Vancouver, Canada for copper, gold and silver assays, and multi-element ICP. ALS is an accredited laboratory which is independent of the Company. Gold assays were by fire assay fusion with AAS finish on a 30g sample and the overlimit gold assay was completed by fire assay and gravimetric finish on 30g sample. Copper and silver were assayed by ICP-AES following a 4-acid digestion on the ME-ICP61 package for a suite of 33 elements and the over limit copper by 4-Acid digestion and assayed by ICP-AES on each sample with copper greater than 10000ppm (1%). Copper and gold standards as well as blanks and duplicates (coarse crush split) were randomly inserted into the sampling sequence for quality control. On average, 9% of the submitted samples are quality control samples. No data quality problems were indicated by the QA/QC program. 1 Copper equivalent (CuEq) calculation is for reporting purposes only and was determined based on CuEq (%) = Cu (%) + ((0.7097 Au g/t) under metal price assumptions of Copper - US$3.00/lb, Gold - US$1,800/oz. As the Bellas Gate project is an early-stage exploration project and there is insufficient metallurgical data to allow for estimation of recoveries, porphyry copper-gold recoveries are estimated based on multiple comparable porphyry-style copper-gold deposits (Alumbrera, Batu Hijau, Fish Lake, Mt Milligan, El Pachon, Agua Rica, Cerro Cassle and Skouries) which averaged 90% recovery for copper and 73% for gold. A nominal cut-off of 0.2% CuEq is used for the reporting of potentially significant intercepts and higher-grade cut-offs are 0.4% CuEq. Maximum contiguous dilution within each intercept is 10m for 0.2% and 0.4% CuEq. Samples have been composited to two and maximum three metre lengths. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the exploration operations of the Company and the timing which could be affected by the current global COVID-19 pandemic. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - Kirkland Lake Discoveries (TSXV: KLDC) (OTC Pink: KLKLF) ("Kirkland Lake Discoveries" or the "Company") today announced a strategic transition, effective immediately, with the retirement of Founder, President, and CEO, Ms. Daniele Spethmann from her role as President, CEO and as a director of the Company. This change comes as a mutual decision and Ms. Spethmann will act as a Strategic Advisor for the Company going forward. The Board and Management Team thank Ms. Spethmann for her significant contributions and look forward to her continued guidance in shaping the strategic direction of the Company. Stefan Sklepowicz, Vice President of Corporate Development, will take over as Interim CEO. Ms. Spethmann, who has been at the helm of Kirkland Lake Discoveries since 2015, has successfully expanded the Company's consolidated land package in Kirkland Lake from 3,800 hectares to over 38,000 hectares. Her leadership has been pivotal in positioning the Company with the largest prospective land package in the historical gold camp of Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada. Reflecting on her tenure, Ms. Spethmann said, "It has been an incredible journey leading the company during my tenure. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the Company's success as a Strategic Advisor." About Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. is a TSX Venture Exchange-listed company that has recently consolidated a district-scale and highly prospective land package in the Kirkland Lake Gold Camp in Ontario, Canada. The properties are hosted in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, one of the world's best-endowed greenstone belts, with 200+ million ounces of gold produced to date.1 The properties are host to regional and property-scale mineralized structures that are considered second-order structures off the Larder Lake Cadillac Deformation Zone (LLCDZ), the regional structure in the belt known to be spatially associated with the gold mines hosted in the camp. The properties assembled include the Lucky Strike Property, Arnold Property, KL Central, Goodfish-Kirana, and the optioned KL West Properties. The KLDC land position comprises approximately 38,000 ha, over 1,338 claims, and 29 patented claims and ranks the Company as the largest landholder in the Kirkland Lake region. For additional information, please contact: Stefan Sklepowicz Interim CEO www.kirklandlakediscoveries.com +1 226 979 3515 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. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Kirkland Lake Discoveries, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's three-phase drill program, the results thereof, and any impact therefrom. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Kirkland Lake Discoveries, 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 forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, changes in general economic, market and business conditions, and the ability to obtain any requisite approvals. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Kirkland Lake Discoveries does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws. 1 Canada's Gold Exploration Frontier: The Abitibi Greenstone Belt - https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/canadas-gold-exploration-frontier-the-abitibi-greenstone-belt/ Identifies New, Late-Stage, High-Grade, Overlapping Hydrothermal System Above Porphyry Target and Along Northwest Trending High-Grade Corridor - The Valeriano System Remains Open in All Directions Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - ATEX Resources Inc. (TSXV: ATX) ("ATEX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce complete assay results for drill holes ATXD26 and ATXD17B, the fifth and sixth holes from its Phase IV drill campaign at the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project ("Valeriano" or the "Project") located in Atacama Region, Chile. Highlights include: ATXD26 intersected 68.0 metres of 2.02% CuEq (1.39% Cu, 0.60 g/t Au, 3.81 g/t Ag and 473 g/t Mo) from 1,100 metres downhole, within longer intervals of 356.0 m of 0.98% CuEq (0.7% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au, 1.49 g/t Ag and 180 g/t Mo) and 978.0 metres of 0.75% CuEq (0.54% Cu, 0.21 g/t Au, 1.26 g/t Ag and 145 g/t Mo) from 586.0 meters. A high-grade, copper, gold and silver enriched low sulphidation epithermal system, overprinting existing mineralization has been intersected above the projected porphyry target in ATXD26 from 1,108m to 1,208m downhole. ATXD26 was drilled between the Central and Western Trends, and along the northwest striking high-grade trend from ATXD16A in the southeast to ATXD26 in the northwest and remains open along strike. The overprinting high-grade epithermal mineralization is hosted in silicified breccias made up of clasts composed of wall rock and porphyry fragments including Early Porphyry ("EP") fragments. This suggests the presence of mineralized EP below the current hole extents (hole concluded at 1,565.4m) and will be followed up in Phase V. The hole ended in grades of 1.5% CuEq and was terminated 400m above the planned depth. Mineralization intersected in ATXD26 is open at depth and along strike in both directions and is a priority for follow up in Phase V. Additionally, ATXD17B ended at 1,254.0 metres and intersected 504.0m of 0.56% CuEq (0.42% Cu, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.96 g/t Ag and 51 g/t Mo). Sporadic high grades associated with chalcopyrite bearing potassic alteration were intersected in the upper part of the hole from approximately 800m to 1,200m indicates the potential to intersect mineralized EP below and along the southeast continuation of the high-grade mineralization intersected in ATXD16A (594m grading 0.92% CuEq (0.67% Cu, 0.32 g/t Au, 1.13 g/t Ag and 71 g/t Mo) within EP from 1,168m and 112m of 1.42% CuEq (1.01% Cu, 0.57 g/t Au, 2.06 g/t Ag and 46 g/t Mo) from 1,616m). (See Company news dated Feb 22, 2024). ATEX is also pleased to announce it has received an additional CAD$2,170,000 in total proceeds from the exercise of common share purchase warrants ("Warrants") between March 10, 2024, and May 14, 2024. During this period, an aggregate of 6,907,824 Warrants were exercised. "Hole ATXD26 exceeded our expectations and highlights the potential for more high-grade mineralization and provides first evidence for the presence of multiple overlapping systems yielding higher grades along the growing high-grade trend from ATXD16A through to ATXD26 representing a strike length of approximately 700m and open along strike in both directions, and at depth," stated Ben Pullinger, President and CEO of ATEX. "Equally exciting is that our understanding of the shape and size of the Valeriano Porphyry system and higher-grade EP component has increased dramatically through the Phase IV program. All holes so far in Phase IV have continued to intersect significant mineralized intervals within the yet to be defined limits of the system. Additionally, this program continues to return the highest grades seen at the Project to date and provides an exciting springboard to launch from in Phase V." Table 1 - Summary Results for ATXD26 and ATXD17B Hole ID From To Interval Cu Au Ag Mo CuEq % MRS(1) % g/t g/t g/t ATXD17B(2) 750.0 1,254.0 504.0 0.42 0.17 0.96 51 0.56 ATXD26**(2) 586.0 1,564.0 978.0 0.54 0.21 1.26 145 0.75 Incl. 1,010.0 1,366.0 356.0 0.70 0.29 1.49 180 0.98 And Incl. 1,086.0 1,208.0 122.0 1.11 0.49 2.71 348 1.60 And Incl. 1,100.0 1,168.0 68.0 1.39 0.60 3.81 473 2.02 (1) CuEq calculated using recoveries assumed in 2023 MRE (90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo) (See Company news dated September 12, 2023) using the formula stated below: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = Cu % + (6,481.488523 * Au g/t /10,000) + (94.6503085864* Ag g/t /10,000) + (4.2328042328 * Mo g/t /10,000). *CuEq values reported in historical releases use metals reported in-situ (100% basis). Recoveries for these metals as assumed in the NI 43-101 technical report titled: "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" with an effective date of September 1, 2023, available at www.sedarplus.ca and www.atexresources.com are 90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo. (2) ATXD17B and ATXD26 were composited at a cut-off of 0.3% CuEq. **Includes intervals of 22.2m from 804.3m to 826.5m and 8.0m from 854.7m to 862.7m where no core was recovered due to use of a directional drilling tool and 50m of intervals with a below cut-off grade of 0.25% CuEq(1). Due to the early onset of seasonal storms in the region, the Phase IV program has been concluded totalling approximately 12,000m of diamond drilling. Through utilizing directional drilling allowing for the completion of daughter holes out of existing parent holes drilled from surface, ATEX has been able to realize an effective total of 20,100m drilled in the event all holes had been drilled from surface. ATEX has announced assay results for six complete holes, ATXD16A, ATXD17A, ATXD12A ATXD25, AXTD17B and ATXD26 totalling approximately 9,400m and has three more partial holes, totalling approximately 2,600m to be announced. Results Three diamond drill holes were underway when the program was suspended including ATXD25A ((end of hole "EOH") at 1,454.2m), ATXD26A a daughter hole starting at 792m from ATXD26, (EOH 925.5m) and ATXD27 (EOH 944.3m). These holes were testing for continuity of mineralized porphyry between the currently modelled EP trends and extending mineralization further along strike to the northwest (Figure 2). ATXD25A is a daughter hole from ATXD25 and is testing the continuity of mineralization north-west of ATXD23 (964.0m of 0.68% CuEq (0.48% Cu, 0.24 g/t Au, 78 g/t Mo), see Company news dated June 5, 2023 "ATEX Intersects 0.70% CuEq over 964 metres in a 200m Step-Out Along the Recently Discovered High-Grade Western Porphyry Trend"). The hole was shut down at 1,454.2m in potassic altered and mineralized wall rock (Figure 1 & 2). ATXD26 and ATXD26A are a parent and daughter hole testing the continuity of EP between the northern extents of the Central and Western Trends. ATXD26 intersected mineralized porphyritic units and mineralized hydrothermal breccias from approximately 1,100m downhole confirming the potential for mineralized EP below the current hole bottom and in the gap. A newly discovered zone of overprinting hydrothermal mineralization has been intersected in ATXD26, above the porphyry target. This breccia hosted mineralization includes clasts of EP and is associated with enriched, gold, silver and bismuth grades. This zone remains open in all directions and will be a priority for exploration and definition in Phase V. ATXD26 was abandoned, due to in hole conditions, at a depth of 1,565m. (Figure 1 & 2) ATXD26A is a daughter hole being drilled out of ATXD26, to the south. Starting at a depth of 792m it is targeting the extension of the high-grade mineralization intersected in ATXD24 (670.0m of 0.84% CuEq (0.60% Cu, 0.24 g/t Au, 101 g/t Mo including 312m of 1.00% CuEq (0.73% Cu, 0.3 g/t Au and 77 g/t Mo)), see Company news dated July 13, 2023 "ATEX Intersects 0.84% CuEq over 670 metres Widening the Central High-Grade Trend in the Last Drill Hole of Phase III Program.") (Figure 1 & 2). ATXD27 tested the northern extent of mineralization along the Western Trend Porphyry to the north-east of ATXD23 (Figure 2). The three uncompleted drill holes (ATXD25A, ATXD26A and ATXD27) will be extended in the next drilling season. Figure 1. Cross-section through trends with 2023 MRE interpretation Figure 2. May 2024: Evolving interpretation of NNW trending Early Porphyry corridor Table 2 - Detailed Results for ATXD17B and ATXD26 Hole ID From To Interval Cu Au Ag Mo CuEq % MRS(1) CuEq % In Situ(2) CuEq % Met(3) % g/t g/t g/t ATXD17B(4) 750.0 1,254.0 504.0 0.42 0.17 0.96 51 0.56 0.61 0.60 ATXD26**(4) 586.0 1,564.0 978.0 0.54 0.21 1.26 145 0.75 0.82 0.81 Incl. 1,010.0 1,366.0 356.0 0.70 0.29 1.49 180 0.98 1.07 1.05 And Incl. 1,086.0 1,208.0 122.0 1.11 0.49 2.71 348 1.60 1.77 1.73 And Incl. 1,100.0 1,168.0 68.0 1.39 0.60 3.81 473 2.02 2.23 2.19 (1) CuEq calculated using recoveries assumed in 2023 MRE (90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo) (See Company news dated September 12, 2023) using the formula stated below: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = Cu % + (6,481.488523 * Au g/t /10,000) + (94.6503085864* Ag g/t /10,000) + (4.2328042328 * Mo g/t /10,000). (2) CuEq reported in-situ assuming 100% recovery for component metals assuming metal prices of US$1,800 /oz Au, US$3.15 /lb Cu, US$23 /oz Ag, and US$20.00 /lb Mo and using the formula stated below: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = (((Cu % * 3.15 * 22.0462)) + (Au g/t * (1,800/31.1034768))+(Ag g/t * (23/31.1034768)) + ((Mo g/t / 10,000) * (20*22.0462))) / (3.15*22.0462). (3) CuEq calculated using recoveries reported from metallurgical test work results reported in Company news dated October 18, 2023 (95% Cu, 94% Au, 89% Ag and 83% Mo) using the formula stated below: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = (((Cu % * 3.15 * 22.0462)) + ((0.94/0.95 * Au g/t) * (1,800/31.1034768)) + ((0.89/0.95 * Ag g/t) * (23/31.1034768)) + ((0.83/0.95 * Mo g/t / 10000) * (20*22.0462))) / (3.15*22.0462). (4) ATXD17B and ATXD26 were composited at a cut-off of 0.3% CuEq. *CuEq values reported in historical releases use metals reported in-situ (100% basis). Recoveries for these metals as assumed in the NI 43-101 technical report titled "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" with an effective date of September 1, 2023, available at www.sedarplus.ca and www.atexresources.com are 90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo. **Includes intervals of 22.2m from 804.3m to 826.5m and 8.0m from 854.7m to 862.7m where no core was recovered due to use of a directional drilling tool. Outlook With the early onset of seasonal storms affecting many operators in the region, ATEX is currently executing a staged shut down of the Phase IV program to safely demobilize personnel and equipment, marking the end of the Phase IV program. The Phase V program, which will follow on from the success of Phase IV, is anticipated to commence in H2 2024. Final drill results from the remaining Phase IV drill holes are expected to be released through June of 2024. These results and the associated geological information will be integrated into planning for Phase V. The success of this drill program has positively impacted the Company's understanding of the Valeriano Porphyry system. Specifically, results from the Phase IV program have led to an increase in the target size for the EP component through demonstrating continuity along a 1.2 km strike length and proving that the three previously modelled trends are likely to be connected. The Phase V program is expected to focus on drilling within the EP trend to confirm continuity of the higher-grade corridor within the larger EP target and on significant step-outs to the northwest and southeast where the EP trend remains open. ATEX believes this program could continue to grow the deposit significantly and provide the foundation for an eventual preliminary economic study. QAQC Drill holes are collared with a PQ drill bit, reduced to HQ and, sequentially, to NQ as the drill holes progressed deeper. Drill core produced by the drill rigs was extracted from the core tubes by the drill contractor under the supervision of ATEX employees, marked for consistent orientation and placed in core boxes with appropriate depth markers added. Full core boxes were then sealed before being transported by ATEX personnel to the Valeriano field camp. Core at the field camp is processed, quick logged, checked for recovery, photographed, and marked for specific gravity, geotechnical studies and for assays. From camp, the core is transferred to a secure core-cutting facility in Vallenar, operated by IMG, a third-party consultant. Here, the core trays are weighed before being cut using a diamond saw under ATEX personnel oversight. ATEX geologists working at this facility double-check the selected two-metre sample intervals, placing the samples in seal bags and ensuring that the same side of the core is consistently sampled. Reference numbers are assigned to each sample and each sample is weighed. The core trays with the remaining half-core are weighed and photographed. Additionally, core logs are updated, and specific gravity and geotechnical samples are collected. The remaining core is stored in racks at the Company's secure facility in Vallenar. From Vallenar samples are sent to an ALS preparation facility in La Serena. ALS is an accredited laboratory which is independent of the Company. The prepared samples were sent to the ALS assay laboratories in either Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru for gold (Au-AA24), copper (Cu-AA62), molybdenum (Mo-AA62) and silver (Ag-AA62) assays as well as and multi-element ICP (ME-MS61) analysis. No data quality problems were indicated by the QA/QC program. Qualified Person Mr. Ben Pullinger, P.Geo., registered with the Professional Geoscientists Ontario, is the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects, for the Valeriano Copper Gold Porphyry Project. Mr. Pullinger is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is President and CEO of ATEX. He has reviewed and approved the disclosure of the scientific and technical information contained in this press release. About ATEX ATEX is exploring the Valeriano Copper Gold Project which is located within the emerging copper gold porphyry mineral belt linking the prolific El Indio High-Sulphidation Belt to the south with the Maricunga Gold Porphyry Belt to the north. This emerging belt, informally referred to as the Link Belt, hosts several copper gold porphyry deposits at various stages of development including, Filo del Sol (Filo Mining), Josemaria (Lundin Mining), Los Helados (NGEX Minerals/JX Nippon), La Fortuna (Teck Resources/Newmont) and El Encierro (Antofagasta/Barrick Gold). Valeriano hosts a large copper gold porphyry resource: 1.41 billion tonnes at 0.67% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, 0.96 g/t Ag and 63.80 g/t Mo), which includes a higher-grade core totaling 200 million tonnes at 0.84% CuEq (0.62% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au 1.25 g/t Ag and 55.7 g/t Mo), reported in September 20231. For further information, please contact: Ben Pullinger, President and CEO Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Aman Atwal, Vice President, Business Development and Investor Relations Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 1-647-287-3778 or visit ATEX's website at www.atexresources.com CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections, and forecasts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among others: plans for the evaluation of exploration properties including the Project; the success of evaluation plans; the success of exploration activities especially to the significant expansion of the high-grade corridor; mine development prospects; potential for future metals production; changes in economic parameters and assumptions; all aspects related to the timing and extent of exploration activities including the Phase IV and Phase V drill programs contemplated in this press release; the timing or nature of a preliminary economic study; timing of receipt of exploration results; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities and mineralization; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future metals price; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental and local approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; timing of assay results; as well as those factors disclosed in ATEX's publicly filed documents. Although ATEX 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. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. 1 Please see NI 43-101 technical report titled "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" by Joled Nur, CCCRRM-Chile, and David Hopper, CGeol, with an effective date of September 1, 2023, available at www.sedarplus.ca and www.atexresources.com for additional details on the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Valeriano project. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lancaster Resources Inc. (CSE:LCR) (OTCQB:LANRF) (FRA:6UF0) (Lancaster) announces that the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has provided Lancaster with approval for the Plan of Operations regarding the Alkali Flat Lithium Brine Phase 1 drill program. This follows permit approval granted by the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division (MMD), as announced on April 30, 2024. "The BLM approval of our Plan of Operations application is further proof of Lancasters vision of providing sustainable and minimal impact critical minerals for the energy transition, says Andrew Watson, Lancaster's VP Engineering & Operations. "We are rapidly progressing to drilling our maiden exploration well at Alkali Flat and showing the significant potential lithium brine deposit in the subsurface aquifers identified by our 2023 geophysics program." Pursuant to BLM regulations 43 CFR 3715, the Plan of Operations submitted to the BLM in September 2023 has been formally approved. This approval includes the potential to drill up to three wells on the playa allowing for an expedited regulatory process pending results of the maiden well in Q2 2024. In addition to the approval are conditions for access, safety, and protecting the environment that the BLM and Lancaster have worked very closely on. Lancaster intends to meet or exceed all requirements to ensure the safety and protection of the environment and all stakeholders. As previously released, Lancaster must submit a financial assurance instrument, such as a letter of credit, for USD $63,783 to be jointly held by the BLM and MMD. Once the financial assurance is received and approval from the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer is received, Lancaster will be able to access and drill on the playa. The Alkali Flat Lithium Project targets a closed-basin brine deposit in a playa lake setting. The project is conveniently situated next to a major rail line and interstate highway, providing excellent access. The Drill Permit area lies about 8 miles north of the renowned 15MW Lightning Dock Known Geothermal Resource Area (KGRA). Closed basin brine deposits contain an estimated 58% of the worlds lithium resources. The only location of lithium production currently active in the United States is the brine operation at Clayton Valley, Nevada. Qualified Person Andrew Watson, P.Eng., a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Watson is the VP, Engineering and Operations for Lancaster. About Lancaster Resources Inc. Lancaster Resources (CSE:LCR | OTCQB:LANRF | FRA:6UF0) is engaged in exploring lithium, and other critical minerals. Its Alkali Flat Lithium Project, in Lordsburg, New Mexico, USA, spans ~5,200 acres and comprises 260 mineral placer claims which cover the heart of the Alkali Flats playa near Lordsburg, Mexico where Lancaster is exploring a below-surface lithium brine target. Lancasters goal at Alkali Flat is to produce Net-Zero Lithium through the use of direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology and solar power. Lancaster is also collaborating to deploy advanced satellite hyperspectral acquisition, geospatial data aggregation, and AI-driven predictive modelling services exploration. Lancasters project portfolio includes 100% ownership of the Piney Lake Gold Property in Saskatchewan and rights to acquire the Trans-Taiga Lithium Property located within the James Bay lithium district of Quebec. Lancaster also holds a 100 percent interest in the Catley Lake and Centennial East Uranium projects in the Athabasca basin in Saskatchewan, Canada. It also has a minority interest in Nelson Lake Copper Corp., an unlisted reporting issuer which owns 100 percent of the Nelson Lake Copper Project in Saskatchewan, Canada. Guiding Lancaster's journey is a skilled management and technical team with collective involvement in over 40 mineral discoveries and endowed with extensive experience in the creation of lithium brine targets and the exploration and development of exploration projects across Canada, the American West, Mexico, and South America. Penny White, President & Chief Executive Officer, Lancaster Resources Inc. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 604 923 6100 www.lancaster-resources.com The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events, or Lancasters future performance. The use of any of the words could, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Lancasters current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, the ability of Lancaster to execute its exploration plans, ability to enter into a long form agreement for the acquisition of the Trans Taiga Lithium Propety, retain key personnel, identify, acquire, explore, and develop high-quality mineral-rich properties and integrate sustainable energy sources and innovative technologies for climate-positive resource production constitute forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements made in this press release are made as of the date hereof. Lancaster disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws. The International Criminal Court prosecutor said Tuesday he will not be intimidated by threats as his office probes possible war crimes in Ukraine and Gaza. During a UN Security Council meeting on his probe into war crimes in Libya, prosecutor Karim Khan was challenged by the ambassadors of Russia and Libya, who criticized what they called his inaction as Israel wages war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. "One wonders if the effectiveness of the ICC on this track is affected by the fact that a new bipartisan bill has been submitted to the US Congress to sanction ICC officials involved in investigating not only the US but also its allies," said the Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzia. Nebenzia was alluding to news reports that a bill to this end has been submitted to the US Congress. Khan responded by citing what he said were threats against him and his office to make him halt his probes. "We will not be swayed, whether it's by warrants for my arrest or the arrest of elected officials of the court by the Russian Federation, or whether it's by other elected officials in any other jurisdiction," Khan said. In May of last year Russia put Kahn on its list of wanted persons after the court issued an arrest warrant against President Vladimir Putin for his role in the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia as part of the war. In early May Kahn's office said on X that the court's "independence and impartiality are undermined, however, when individuals threaten to retaliate against the court or against court personnel." It did not say where the threats are coming from. "Such threats, even not acted upon, may constitute an offence" against the ICC's "administration of justice," the office warned, calling for an end to such activity. The court made this comment after US and Israeli media reports which suggested the ICC prosecutor could issue warrants against Israeli politicians including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders. "We have a duty to stand up for justice, to stand up for victims," Kahn said Tuesday. "And I am fully cognizant that there are Goliaths in this room. There are Goliaths with power, with influence" he said. He added: "We have something called the law. All I can do is say that we will stand up to the best of our ability. We will stand up by the law with integrity with independence." After their spontaneous trip, Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon) had a bittersweet moment with Ryu Sun Jae (Byeon Woo Seok) in "Lovely Runner" Episode 12. 'Lovely Runner' Episode 12: Im Sol Discovers Kim Young Soo Escaped Im Sol was happy that everything was okay and that they already had their new future. Sun Jae received a business card from CEO Kim in exchange for an Eclipse debut contract. The couple then spent more time together. However, the happiness was short-lived, as it was revealed that serial killer Kim Young Soo escaped the police during his arrest. In particular, in case something happens, Im Sol secretly asked Detective Kim for help and says a specific date to lurk around the building as the killer might be there. At that time, Ryu Sun Jae realized that Im Sol was hiding something to protect him from the upcoming incident. He got anxious and wanted to ask her to know how he could help and protect Im Sol. Ryu Sun Jae, Im Sol Go on Beach Trip Meanwhile, amid the chaos, Ryu Sun Jae, Im Sol, and Kim Tae Seong (Song Geon Hee) went on a spontaneous trip as Baek In Hyuk (Lee Seung Hyub) ran away from home saying he would give up music because of his mistake at the performance. Sun Jae comforted him and persuaded him that wanted to pursue music with In Hyuk. It was a path he had not taken before, and even though it was scary, it would be less of a burden if he was with his friend. Then, the four of them went to the sea and enjoyed their time together. In particular, when Im Sol spent the night with Sun Jae alone, she confessed to him. In return, Sun Jae became honest with his feelings too, and they ended up sharing a passionate kiss. Im Sol Lies to Ryu Sun Jae To Save Him From Kim Young Soo However, their happiness was short-lived again as Kim Young Soo overheard the phone call between Im Sol and Park Bok Soon (Jeong Young Joo) and headed to where the two were. Im Sol was standing alone in front of a supermarket - a scene she had never seen flashed before her eyes, and was surprised to realize that her fate had changed again. Before the episode ended, in the rain going to Seoul, Im Sol shocked Sun Jae, as if she had returned to the future of 2023. Her actions confused and put Sun Jae in pain. He asked her if she was back in the future already, but she left him and warned him not to follow her. He couldn't bear to catch Im Sol and shed tears at their unexpected breakup and sudden bittersweet farewell. But all of those were lies by Im Sol to save Sun Jae. Previously, she saw a shocking future where Sun Jae was stabbed to death by Kim Young Soo. In the end, Im Sol wanted to change their fate and had to lie to him. 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. Wi Ha Joon talked about his career and the number of positive responses he got after joining the hit Netflix K-drama "Squid Game." The South Korean heartthrob appeared as a guest on Hong Seok Cheon's YouTube channel, Jewel Box, where he candidly talked about his childhood experience, career growth, and plans for the future. Wi Ha Joon made his acting debut in 2015, where he played the role of young Uhm Tae Goo in "Coin Locker Girl." His acting career continued, and he appeared in supporting roles in various dramas and movies, which included "Something in the Rain," "Matrimonial Chaos," and more. Wi Ha Joon had his first main lead role through the 2019 K-drama "Romance Is a Bonus Book" with Lee Jong Suk and had his big break through the Netflix K-drama "Squid Game." Wi Ha Joon Says He is More Popular With Men According to the actor, he wasn't popular during his school days. As mentioned by a media outlet, Wi Ha Joon shared during his guesting on Hong Seok Cheon's YouTube channel that it was "very quiet." However, although he wasn't famous among the girls, he was "always popular with men" and had the same experience during his military service. "I played 'Squid Game' overseas and was loved by so many men. I was curious as to why my charm appealed to me," he added. As for Hong Seok Cheon, he thought that Wi Ha Joon "has really sexy Asian eyes," and his "masculine face" is one of his strongest features. Wi Ha Joon Initially Wanted to Become an Idol The South Korean heartthrob also mentioned his childhood dream, which was to be an idol. While some celebrities debuted as K-pop stars first, then as actors or actresses, Wi Ha Joon dreamed of joining the music industry. According to him, he has been into dancing since he was young. "I liked acrobatics and b-boying. While I was in a dance club, I had a dream of being in an idol group." Interestingly, what made him change his mind was when he visited Japan. "I came to Tokyo and did something, and when I started learning acting, I became an actor." After his big breakthrough, "Squid Game," Wii Ha Joon appeared in back-to-back K-dramas and movies. From the protagonist's roles in "Bad and Crazy" and "Little Women" to the villain character in "The Worst of Evil," the 32-year-old actor delivered an amazing performance, showing his flexibility as an actor. Interestingly, Wi Ha Joon is currently starring in the romance K-drama "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon," where he couples up with Jung Ryeo Won. Wi Ha Joon's new drama airs every Saturday and Sunday via TVN, TVING, and Viki. For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Flores FILE - Kelly Daughtry, Republican candidate for North Carolina's 13th District U.S. House of Representatives seat, speaks at a rally, Jan. 26, 2024, in Roxboro, N.C. North Carolina voters will choose between attorneys Kelly Daughtry and Brad Knott in Tuesday's Republican primary runoff for the reconfigured 13th Congressional District. Daughtry finished first, and Knott second, in the March 5 primary. (AP Photo/Chris Seward, File) Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - A man is lucky to be alive after being shot and allegedly denied medical care after the shooting. Then survivor's story was shared on X by his friend Alex Onyia, the Chief Executive Officer of Educare. Alex Onyia took to X on Tuesday night to narrate how his friend, Kene Nnadi, narrowly escaped death after some assailants attacked him. Sharing a photo of Kene in a hospital bed and another of the bullets extracted from his body, Onyi wrote: "16 extra bullets removed from his body and 3 remaining. They wanted to kill my friend Kene but God said no. "All hospitals rejected him and were asking for police report before treatment him. "We managed to get one that attended to him until we flew him to London. Today, we thank God. The victim, whose full name is Fredrick Kenechi Nnadi, is a lawyer and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party who contested as a candidate for the Enugu North Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly in 2018. In 2022, Nnadi contested for the Enugu North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - A 26-year-old lady, Xoliswa Radebe, was murdered allegedly by her boyfriend in South Africa a week after her graduation from the university. An NGO, Women For Change disclosed this in a Facebook post on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. According to the statement, Xoliswa's decomposed body was found in her apartment in Pretoria on May 7, 2024. She was allegedly beaten to death. It was revealed on CCTV footage that the last person seen with her was Xoliswas ex-boyfriend, the statement read. "On 7 May, Xoliswas decomposed body was found after her neighbours contacted her family, telling them that a horrific smell was coming out of her apartment. No one has been arrested yet. Xoliswa graduated a week before she was murdered at Tshwane University of Technology. We are heartbroken over the loss of such a beautiful soul. Fly high, Sister. Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - A family in Nairobis Huruma Estate is seeking justice after their son was reportedly beaten to death following an altercation with Manchester United Fans. The deceased young man was an Arsenal fan. He was engaged in an altercation with Man United fans last Sunday during the thrilling match that saw the Red Devils lose to the Gunners. Man United fans ganged up against him and beat him senselessly, killing him on the spot. Although the matter has been reported to the police, no suspect has been arrested. The family is urging police to speed up investigations and bring their sons killers to book. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - A 35-year-old African man identified as Daniel was burnt to death in a car accident in Bangkok, Thailand. Bangkoks Prawet Police Station, confirmed the identity of the Nigerian national in a statement on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Daniel, whose Thai wife came to confirm his identity with the police, died on Saturday, May 11, when his car crashed into a road median and caught fire. This serious road accident occurred at 5:30 a.m. on a three-lane road near Soi Phatthanakan 53/1, Suan Luang Subdistrict and District, Bangkok. When officials received the report and arrived at the scene, they found a gray Toyota Vios with Samut Prakan province license plates overturned and engulfed in flames, blocking the middle of the road. The officers spent about 10 minutes spraying water to extinguish the fire, but the car was completely damaged by the flames. At that time, rescuers had to use cutting and prying equipment to remove the drivers body from the wreckage and send it to the Police Hospital for an autopsy. They found a document with a front-facing photo of a foreign man. Eyewitnesses stated that they saw the car driving at high speed in the far right lane before losing control and crashing into the road median. The car spun and hit a palm tree with such force that it flipped over and ended up on its roof in the middle of the road. At that moment, good Samaritans tried to pry open the door to help the unconscious driver, but before they could pull him out, sparks ignited, and the car quickly caught fire. Tuesday, May 14, 2024 An African man, Olubunmi Abodunde, who beat his wife to death with their son's skateboard has been jailed for life in the United Kingdom. Abodunde, 48, and Taiwo Abodunde, 41, moved to the UK with their children in 2022. Taiwo got a job as a health care assistant nurse at a care home in Cambridge while her husband, who had trained as a civil engineer, was unable to find work in his profession. He worked at Tesco and Wickes and there were arguments about bills. He was sentenced on May 9, 2024, at Ipswich Crown Court for killing Taiwo at their Exning Road home in Newmarket, Suffolk on November 28, 2023, a day after he was bailed by police. He changed his plea to guilty during the third day of his trial last month, having previously denied murder. Judge Martyn Levett described the attack as cold blooded and callous before sentencing Abodunde to a mandatory life sentence. Mr Levett ruled he should serve a minimum of 17 years in prison before being considered for parole. During the case last month, Stephen Spence, prosecuting, said Abodunde was a jealous man who had accused his wife of having affairs throughout their marriage. There were also disputes over bills and money, with frequent arguments and violence from both parties, he told the court. On November 27, Abodunde was arrested after a dispute and bailed. He was banned from returning to the family home or contacting his wife but the next day he returned shortly before Mrs Abodunde finished work and killed her between 9.12am and 9.20am. In addition to being beaten to death, there were signs she had been strangled and stamped on. After changing his plea, the jury returned a guilty verdict. Suffolk Police is under investigation for potential misconduct over prior contact with Mrs Abodunde before her death. Suffolk Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), in line with standard procedure. Detective Inspector Dan Connick from Suffolk Police said: I hope this sentence provides some comfort and reassurance to those most affected by the murder of Taiwo Abodunde, in particular her family and friends." Our thoughts remain with the family and all those who knew Taiwo." Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - An outspoken Azimio One Kenya Alliance Senator has asked the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to probe how Machakos County has been distributing bursary funds. Speaking on Tuesday, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who is the chairman of County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, revealed how Machakos County paid altered bursary cheques to needy students in the financial year 2020-21. The auditor general in her report had flagged off the anomaly pointing out a possible collusion between the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) officials Machakos Branch and the County officials. It emerged that some cheques were altered with the suspects adding a zero at the end of the cheques, thereby increasing the amount of money channelled to the needy students. This matter is a clear case of fraud. The amounts stolen in this scheme could be higher. "We direct the EACC to swing into action and fish out the perpetrators of the fraud, said Osotsi. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - Albany State University volleyball player Mariam Creighton has been tragically killed in a nightclub shooting in Atlanta. Atlanta Police Department said on Tuesday, May 14, that the incident happened around 2:28 AM on Sunday, May 14, when officers responded to shots fired at the Elleven45 establishment. Six people were shot, two of whom were pronounced dead at the scene, Creighton and 20-year-old Nakyris Ridley. The police department said in a statement; Preliminary investigation indicates the shooting occurred during a physical dispute at the location that escalated to gunfire. Creighton was a member of the ASU Golden Rams volleyball team, and was one semester from graduating from the HBCU with a biology degree. Her family said she was at the club on Sunday celebrating her niece's birthday. "Its just senseless," Creighton's sister, Tiffany, said. "My sister was just out having a good time, and now our lives are just altered forever." Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - NCBA Group Managing Director and Kenya Bankers Association chairman John Gachora has strongly criticized the proposed taxes in the Finance Bill 2024. The government on May 9, gazetted Finance Bill 2024, which has introduced a raft of new taxes on suffering Kenyans. The new taxes include the Boda Boda tax, bread tax, motor vehicle tax, Mpesa, and Bank transaction taxes among others. Speaking about the new taxes, Gachora who is a close ally of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, labelled the taxes 'unnecessary taxation' and condemned the 'introduction of both Tobin Tax and Robinhood Tax by removing VAT exemptions for banking transactions'. Gachora also expressed concerns that the bill could devastate the banking industry, potentially leading many to revert to 'mattress banking'. He argued that the Bill would make basic banking services more expensive, increase the cost of credit, and push people towards the black market. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Todd Robinson, has informed a US newspaper that Kenya will be sending troops to Haiti starting May 18th of this month. The official who spoke with the Miami Herald Newspaper said the Kenyan government will send 200 police officers to Haiti for a peacekeeping mission. The official also confirmed that the arrival of the Kenya Police officers in the Caribbean nation will coincide with Kenya President William Ruto's visit to the White House. "The initial deployment will happen sometime around his state visit," said Robinson, declining to give an exact date or the number of officers who will be deployed as part of the long-awaited Multinational Security Support mission. The US military has already completed the construction of barracks that will house over 1000 Kenyan police officers. The police officers will come from the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), General Service Unit (GSU), and Border Patrol Unit (BPU). The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - Kenyans across the political divide have petitioned Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki to deal with rogue police officers at Kiambu Police Station being used by former Governor William Kabogo to frustrate one of his tenants. Njeri Gatheca and her husband Willson Gatheca bought a house from Iguta Paradise Homes along Kiambu Road for Sh 40 million. Still, Kabogo wants to forcefully take the whole house even after they paid for it in full. He has been using police officers to frustrate Wilson and he has even been assaulting him but corrupt Kiambu police officers have not been doing anything. Njeri and Wilson have reported two cases under OB54/31/10/23 and OB17/11/5/2024 but Kiambu Police officers have yet to act on them due to the bribes they have been receiving from the arrogant Kabogo. Now, Kenyans have begged Kindiki, who is always sober and impartial, to look into the police officers protecting Kabogo and send them home if not to jail. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi should not uncork the champagne just yet after surviving the impeachment over the fake fertilizer scandal. This is after Bumula MP Jack Wamboka came up with a nuclear plan to remove Linturi from office. In a statement, Wamboka announced that he would begin fresh plans to have Mithika Linturi ousted from office after failing in his first attempt. He expressed that there was evidence pointing to the liability of the CS in the fake fertilizer saga despite him being saved from impeachment by the committee and national assembly. Wamboka acknowledged that the votes in favour of the CS were not overwhelming, hence the need to draft new plans to have him ousted from office. "The unanimous decision of 149 members representing over 30 million Kenyans cannot be overturned by the influenced seven members of the select committee. Their decision is a betrayal in the city to the hardworking Kenyans in our villages. "We will not tire until justice is served to Kenyan farmers and Linturi is dismissed. There are many ways of killing a rat, some will use poison, others will burn the house but some will sit on it," he stated. Nonetheless, as per the 2010 constitution, a CS can cease to hold office through three avenues which include resignation, impeachment by the National Assembly, or dismissal by the President. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - An Australian mining firm, which has been operating in Kwale since 2013, has affirmed plans to shut down its large mining operations by December 2024, a move that will result in over 800 job losses. The company faces resource exhaustion in the area and as such, the government established the Post Mining Land Use (PMLU) committee to oversee the closure of the mine. The Kwale mine, which began operations in 2013 after taking over from Canada's Tiomin Resources, has been a significant contributor to Kenyas mineral exports. However, with the depletion of titanium resources, the mining venture is set to come to an end later this year. According to the General Manager, the closure is part of a progressive rehabilitation and mine closure plan. "Our mining operations will officially end in December this year when our ore reserves are fully exhausted," he stated. The Kwale Mine Operation, known for its high-grade ore body rich in rutile, ilmenite, and zircon, has been a vital source of employment for the local community. With 98 per cent of its employees being Kenyan, the closure will have significant economic ramifications, particularly for residents of Kwale and Mombasa counties. The company's exit will not only impact employment but also financial implications for the government as they paid approximately Ksh11.3 billion in taxes and royalties in the year ended June 2022. Additionally, suppliers who earned revenues from dealings with the mining firm will also suffer losses. Despite efforts to explore alternative mineral deposits, the parent company concluded that there are not enough titanium resources to sustain operations beyond 2024. The company will shift its focus to Madagascar while maintaining exploration activities in Kenya and Tanzania. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura is reportedly entangled in an affair with a college student. The lady identified as Sapiyaya Rayan is a communication student at the Nairobi Institute of Business Studies (NIBS). She is on internship at the Government Spokemans office. Sources say she loves to spend her sweet time inside Mwaura's official government vehicle whenever he is on his never-ending trips watching and recording TikTok videos. Mwaura gives her special favours, raising eyebrows among staff. Word has it that Mwaura recently fired one of his drivers after he had an altercation with Sapiyaya. The driver was reportedly forced to exit the vehicle late at night and find his own way home. Sapiyaya has locked her social media accounts after her alleged affair with Mwaura, whose appetite for women is well-known, was exposed to the public. See her photo below. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Wednesday, May 15, 2024 In what is likely to elicit mixed reactions from Kenyans, President William Ruto has authorized a private company to 'destroy' forests by harvesting wood. This comes days after Ruto led Kenyans in planting trees countrywide to increase forest cover. In a statement yesterday, Ruto gave the green light to factories housed under the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) umbrella to harvest wood in government forests and to grow trees in protected lands belonging to the Kenya Forestry Service (KFS). Ruto issued the directive at State House, Nairobi, during a meeting with KTDA tea factory chairmen and directors. This was after KTDA management requested an opportunity to take part in Rutos climate change agenda. The directors remarked that most of their factories used firewood as the main source of fuel and as such would be willing to plant more trees if they had the space. Because you sometimes use wood fuel in your factories you want to work with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to see whether you can participate in growing trees in a manner that is mutually beneficial, Ruto spoke of the request. You have asked that we allocate you spaces in our forested areas and you can do commercial forestry where you harvest and we share the benefits between your factories and KFS. Ruto revealed that he had consulted with Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and the request was deemed feasible. Additionally, the Kenya Forest Service had briefed the President that the move would help in the greening of the country and reverse the adverse effects of climate change. The Head of State added that the framework agreement must capture how KTDA will harvest the trees commercially in a manner that is beneficial to them and the government. KTDA is a private holding company owned by small-holder tea farmers in Kenya. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, May 15, 2024 The future of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangulas Ford Kenya now hangs in the balance. This is after President William Rutos UDA and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadis Amani National Congress (ANC) parties formed a team of seasoned MPs and technocrats to spearhead a merger that will see the two outfits work together as a single formation ahead of 2027. The development comes barely months after Mudavadi hinted at an earthshaking move that would see the two parties work together in the run-up to the 2027 general elections. Ruto has been imploring Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties to join UDA to form one strong party to face off with other outfits in 2027. Mudavadi readily embraced the idea, but Wetangulas Ford Kenya has been reluctant. The unveiled team comprises National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah and his Senate counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot from the UDA side. ANC Secretary General Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya) and party chairman Kevin Lunani, will represent the ANC party. Political strategist Nick Biketi and ANC Directors Nathaniel Mong'are (ICT) and Ken Omulo Junior (political affairs) will join the committee as technocrats. "The anticipated merger will create ripple effects in Kenya's political landscape akin to Earthquake II ahead of the 2027 General Election," said Mong'are. The two parties will also join their respective directors of ICT to handle the digital and technological aspects of the merger. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - President William Rutos government has vowed to close all institutions offering fake degrees in the country. Speaking after presiding over a stakeholder workshop in Machakos County on Tuesday, State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training Principal Secretary Esther Muoria said her ministry has made plans to establish a framework aimed at weeding out certificates and degrees from national institutions. The PS warned that in the future, there would be no certificates issued by any institution of higher learning without prior registration by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA). The establishment of a National Accreditation system is in alignment with these reforms. Moving forward, no certificate shall be conferred without prior registration by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority. This commitment upholds credibility and excellence as paramount principles. "This initiative will profoundly impact the promotion of lifelong learning and the adoption of global best practices, aligning our efforts with internationally recognised standards, added Muoria. The move comes barely days after President William Ruto ordered a crackdown on all civil servants holding fake papers with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission launching investigations targeting 2000 individuals. Nairobi County Governor, Johnson Sakaja is among Kenyans with fake degrees. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - A loyal confidant of President William Ruto has vomited on Kenyans complaining about the introduction of the Motor Vehicle Tax. According to the Finance Bill 2024 proposed by the Treasury, Kenyans owning vehicles will be required to pay 2.5 percent of the value of their car as motor vehicle tax beginning from July 1 this year. Kuria Kimani, the MP for Molo Constituency and chair of the National Assembly Finance Committee, described the levy as a hybrid of income and wealth tax on Tuesday and said the move is meant to encourage investment in what he described as an elaborate local public transport system. If you go to economies ahead of us, there are elaborate and very efficient public transport systems, the MP told NTV in an interview. Every time investors want to invest in our public transport system through public-private partnerships, the feasibility studies show that we like to drive our cars so much that we are not able to attract foreign investment. He argued that Kenyans like using cars because the public transport system is not elaborate and if Kenyans were to be presented with a better alternative, they would avoid using cars. And while the motor vehicle circulation tax will be tied to the annual renewal of insurance policies, Kimani claims Kenyans have an option of not paying it by not using their cars altogether. If you dont want to pay the motor vehicle circulation tax, then dont use the car, like how you dont use the expressway if you dont want to pay for it, he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - 25-year-old David Kioko has been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of Mount Kenya University student Faith Musembi in Thika. Kioko, a student at Tom Mboya University, was arrested early Tuesday after preliminary investigations suggested that he killed Faith over alleged infidelity. It is believed that they had been dating for almost six years. He was also known to Faiths parents. Kioko was due to travel to the United States of America after landing a scholarship. He now faces murder charges. He appeared before Thika Chief Magistrate Phillip Mutua on Tuesday where the Investigating Officer (IO) Oscar Limo sought a 21-day detention period to complete ongoing investigations into the murder. While making the application, Limo informed the court that police required additional time to conduct another autopsy on the deceaseds body and collect samples to determine the DNA composition of her unborn foetus. He also mentioned that the officers plan to assess the suspect's mental state and record witness statements. Limo added that detectives are still working to recover the deceaseds mobile phone which will be later subjected to forensic analysis. He, however, noted that police have successfully recovered the deceased's SIM card which was used to ask for ransom from her parents before she was killed. Magistrate Mutua granted the application on grounds that it is a matter of public interest but stated that the suspect be detained for just 14 days at the Thika Police Station. Kiokos girlfriend was eight months pregnant at the time of her death and her lifeless body was discovered last week by her father in her rented room. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Wednesday, May 15, 2024 The Government of President William Ruto has confirmed Kenyans' worst fears. This is after it acknowledged the existence of ghost schools in the country some of which are alleged to have been used by IEBC as polling stations to rig Azimio Leader Raila Odingas victory in 2022. Speaking during an interview yesterday, Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga disclosed that action will be taken against the officials who have been receiving money through non-existent institutions. "It is true that there are 'ghost schools' and those officials who have been receiving money from the government through these schools will be dealt with," Chidzuga remarked. Chidzugas remarks come in the backdrop of an expose that revealed the existence of ghost schools in Baringo County which were in the directory of the Ministry of Education. The schools flagged as ghost institutions included Kaptiony Girls High School, Kasaka Mixed Secondary School, Kampi Ya Nyasi Secondary School, and Kasaka Primary School. Later, reports emerged that the aforementioned schools were used as polling centres in the 2022 general elections, with screenshots purportedly from the IEBC online portal being used to back the claims. However, IEBC later clarified in its response that no such stations existed in its directory, terming the reports as fake and misleading. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - Stormy Daniels wore a bulletproof vest to and from the courthouse in New York last week when she appeared as a witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial. Stormy Daniels attorney, Clark Brewster said his client was particularly worried about being targeted as she came to reveal the alleged encounter at the center of the trial. 'She was concerned about the security coming in to New York,' Clark Brewster told CNN on Monday night, May 13. ''She wore a bulletproof vest every day until she got to the courthouse', he explained. ''I can tell you that before she came on Sunday she cried herself to sleep. She was paralyzed with fear, not of taking the stand or telling her story, but what might some nut might do to her. And I'm genuinely concerned about it as well.' The jury heard for seven-and-a-half hours from Daniels, who testified in vivid detail about a 2006 encounter she says she had with Trump, which he has denied. Daniels said under questioning that she was not physically or verbally threatened to sleep with Trump and that she was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time. It was noted that one piece of evidence seen by the jury even has Stormy Daniels' current address printed on it. The lawyer said that Daniels has a fear there could be some sort of retaliation in the future. She's very concerned about that. And because she she lives in an area that might not have a level of security that she'd feel comfortable with.' Given the nature of Daniels' testimony, it was hardly surprising that she faced a combative cross-examination in what was easily the most heated back-and-forth of the trial so far. The Trump team painted Daniels as an untrustworthy witness as it picked apart her personal life and profession. When asked how she felt after giving evidence at the trial, Brewster said Daniels was unfazed. 'She was concerned about the security coming in to New York,' Clark Brewster said 'You know, she was pretty nonplused by him. She really didn't pay much regard to him. She heard him cursing in the courtroom, but I don't think she that impacted her at all. They were really trying to make her feel shamed in some way by her profession. 'She's genuine. She's very bright, she's quick witted, and I think she came across as genuine and open and exposed as she intended to be,' Brewster said 'I knew her time to shine would be on cross [examination] because she's a very quick thinker. Brewster was asked if it matters if Trump was found guilty. 'You know, she's said privately to me, she feels bad for the guy because she's just empathetic,' Brewster said. 'But publicly, I mean, she's been so damaged by him in the statements he's made about her that any person would feel some degree of revenge motive. 'I think that she would be more inclined to hope that the jury does the right thing and finds a conviction. Wednesday, May 15, 2024 As President William Ruto prepares to deploy Kenyan police to Haiti from 23rd May this year, the US Government has raised some concerns that are worth considering. The US Department of Defense has written a proposal to Congress to amend the legislation allowing the special operations authorities to equip and train allied countries in combat against outside forces. The duties of Special US forces are usually reserved for counterterrorism, border security activities, and counternarcotics operations. In the proposal, the Defense Department seeks to add resistance and foreign internal defense operations to its mandate. In particular, the US department referenced Kenya as a prime example, with their security infrastructure in question to counter war-related activities. Kenya is a prime example as their conventional and [Special Operations Force] units are growing in capacity, but their security infrastructure and institutional pillars are vulnerable to corruption, subversion, lawlessness, terrorism, and civil war, notes the proposal by the Pentagon. The US government had pledged a Ksh13 billion aid towards Kenya's deployment of police forces to Haiti to restore peace within the conflict-riddled country. As the date for deployment first approaches, the US Pentagon is yet to complete the construction of a base for the officers, raising questions over the project's viability. Similarly, the US Pentagon raised concern over the Scandinavian and Baltic countries' security, indicating a possible risk of Russian influence. Congress is set to consider the Pentagon's legislative proposals in the coming weeks ahead. The first batch of police officers is set to carry 200 police officers, with the rest scheduled to land in Haiti in the following weeks. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - A prisoner is on the run after two prison guards transporting him were shot dead. A prison van transporting an inmate was ambushed by armed men at around 11am at the Incarville tollbooth in Northern France on Tuesday, May 14. In the shocking ambush, two prison officers were killed and three were injured, allowing for the escape of fugitive detainee, Mohamed Amra (pictured above), who is known to French courts for drug trafficking. A source told local media that the 30-year-old, who also goes by "The Fly" is also connected to an attempted homicide case, and is known as "the head of a narcotics network", reports Le Parisien. According to reports, the four gunmen and fugitive fled the tollbooth in two vehicles, one of which has since been burnt out. Le Figaro reports the getaway car, a white Audi A5, was found burnt in nearby Watteville. The second car, a BMW 5 series, fled the scene in the direction of Louviers and Evreux. LBC reports that footage shows armed men, in hoodies and dressed in black, surrounding several police vans at the toll booth. One of the vans appeared to have collided with another car. The heavily armed criminals are still on the run, while three further guards remain seriously injured. French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement on X. It read: "This mornings attack, which cost the lives of prison administration agents, is a shock for all of us. The Nation stands alongside families, the injured and their colleagues. Everything is being done to find the perpetrators of this crime so that justice can be done in the name of the French people." France's interior minister Gerald Darmanin said that efforts were underway to capture the gunmen and inmate, with several hundred police mobilised, as well as officers in the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN). In a X post, he said: "Sincere and saddened condolences to the bereaved families and agents of the Ministry of Justice. The Epervier plan was triggered. All means are being used to find these criminals. On my instructions, several hundred police officers and gendarmes [paramilitary personnel] were mobilised." The French Minister of Justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti tweeted: "Two prison officers have died, three are seriously injured." All my thoughts are with the victims, their families and their colleagues. I am going immediately to the crisis unit of the Ministry of Justice . Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - Former Kiambu County Governor William Kabogo should be arrested and arraigned for intimidating Kenyans, including the investors of multi-billion Tatu City. In the last few weeks, the flamboyant former county boss has been accused of frustrating one of his tenants at Iguta Paradise homes, namely Njeri Gatheca and her family. This accusation stems from claims that he wanted to take over the house forcefully even after selling it to them for Sh 40 million. The other accusation is that Kabogo is entangled elsewhere in a Sh4.5 billion bribery court row with investors behind the Tatu City real estate project. The investors have accused Mr. Kabogo of illegally holding onto five title deeds as part of a ploy to blackmail them into ceding a five percent stake in a section of the multibillion-shilling project. Stephen Jennings, the majority shareholder in the Tatu City projects, claims that Mr. Kabogo has fabricated a series of events to try and trick the High Court into declaring that the politician is entitled to five percent of any proceeds that the developers will earn from a 128-acre section of the development. The case is still in court and as usual, Kabogo is trying to bribe judges to get what he wants. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana has blasted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his support for the one-man-one-shilling campaign for Mt. Kenya, saying the DP was getting it wrong. Speaking during an interview, Mungatana poked holes into the pronouncement and went to the extent of questioning whether Gachagua is keen on succeeding his boss, President William Ruto. The senator criticised the move, claiming that some regions will get the shorter end of the stick with regard to the distribution of resources and development. He added that this would prove detrimental to his presidential ambitions in the future if he rubs other regions the wrong way. "He is a firm believer of one man one vote one shilling. I'm also a firm believer in one man one vote one square kilometre, so we differ. "I want to tell the DP and his advisors that unless he thinks that Lamu, Tana River, Garissa, Isiolo, Turkana, Taita Taveta, and Marsabit counties are unimportant," Mungatana remarked. "If he intends to be President, he is heading in the wrong direction and needs to be told in no uncertain terms that all of us listening to him are very disappointed with him." Additionally, the senator reaffirmed that the pronouncement was not an official position under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party but represented Gachagua's personal views. "He needs to be forgiven because he was in an area where he needed to get the claps but I want to tell you that it is not the UDA position. We have never sat as the UDA party to pass a policy pronounced by the DP," the politician added. "When you're making such statements, at least call a PG meeting and say that this is the proposal so that you hear other opinions, but if you go public, I will also go public and say you're wrong." The Kenyan DAILY POST September 1974. I was a third-year medical student at NYU. My husband and I, newlyweds, lived in a single room in the med student dorm. Fortunately, third-year students took night calls, so on those nights, my husband had the single pull-out bed all to himself. If family medicine and emergency medicine existed as defined specialties at that time, our med school didnt acknowledge them. Seven years later, as a chief resident, I would butt horns with the first EM-trained attending in the Bellevue ER (he was reading the EKG monitor and trying to interpret the rhythm of a patient with an open chest, and I was yelling, Ive got the heart in my hands, Im telling you its fibrillating! with some profanity laced in) but thats another story, for another day. So our third-year clerkships consisted of internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, OB-GYN, and psychiatry. We were the last class to train in the old Bellevue; by the time we became fourth-year students, everything but psych had moved into a brand-new building. Going into my third year, I knew I wanted to be an internist. They were the cool kids, the smart kids, and renowned diagnosticians. Everyone knew surgeons were just animals. I started my third year with surgery because it didnt matter, and I could get my feet on the ground. So Id be really slick when I got to internal medicine. Joining a surgical team at Bellevue Hospital was like flying a glider into a hurricane. I was assigned to the trauma service. Our chief resident hung out in the ER, waiting for a trauma to come in. When one arrived, he sprang into action. A page went out over the loudspeakers throughout the hospital, Trauma Team, 4344 stat, 4344 stat! You didnt actually call extension 4344, which was the ER; you just ran there hoping you werent the first one to arrive. The team swarmed around the patient, blood flew in every direction, and they went off to the OR. The patient either came back to the recovery room or didnt by that time, we were on to the next. Morning rounds took us across the peaked roofs of the old Bellevue while the sun rose over the East River. My next rotation was internal medicine. I remember our first day of rounds we began with a four-bedded room occupied by three patients a woman deeply jaundiced due to end-stage hepatitis (no treatment available), one rigid with Parkinsons disease (no treatment available), and a Hispanic woman covered with nodules of squamous cell carcinoma (unknown primary) metastatic to her skin (no treatment available). A single bare light bulb hung from the high ceiling, and the windows were densely covered with soot. Residents squabbled over who was due for the next admission: You are! Not me, you!!! At 3 a.m., our resident said, Lets talk about congestive heart failure, and I said, Lets not! I passed, barely. Pediatrics? Well, I did that rotation at the University Hospital (with a couple of weeks at a community hospital in Queens). NYU was (still is) a center for truly unfortunate children with Riley-Day syndrome (familial dysautonomia), as well as cystic fibrosis. In my memory, half the children on the inpatient unit had Riley-Day, and the other half had cystic fibrosis. They were profoundly miserable, and virtually nothing could be done for them. We all wore white coats, and they cried when they saw us coming. The community hospital rotation was supposed to show us what pediatrics was really like. All I remember is watching residents do LPs on screaming infants with sepsis. I fled. OB-GYN? I had spent six weeks in Puerto Rico the summer before my third year (the summer we got married, when any normal woman would have been preparing for her wedding) as part of a medical Spanish elective. Aguadilla General Hospital was an approximately 80-bed general hospital, and I had free rein along with another student. In the evenings, wed go to the OB ward and say, Tiene partos? (Do you have any deliveries?), and sometimes join a more natural kind of childbirth. But in New York, the delivery tables were fitted with leather restraints. Not for me. Psychiatry? I mostly remember the dark underground tunnel from the regular part of the hospital to the psych hospital, dank, dripping, and (supposedly) home to feral cats. I did learn from my psych rotation not to be afraid to ask a patient anything, with proper preparation. Thorazine was the only drug I remember. The biological basis of psychiatric illness was just being developed. Cross another one off the list. At the end of the third year, I assessed my situation. By then, we had moved into a one-bedroom apartment. We slept in a double bed that was cast off from my in-laws. Such luxury! I got an A in surgery and Bs in everything else. When a similar pattern emerged from my USMLE test scores, I took it as a sign from the gods, whatever gods there be. I went into surgery and never looked back. Carol Scott-Conner is a surgeon. A census official in Namutumba district is crying foul after being bitten by a dog from one of the homes he had gone for the enumeration exercise. Patrick Isabirye says he was attacked by a dog at the home of one Madina Nabirye a resident of Kangulumo B village in Namutumba Town Council. Isabirye says since he has not yet received facilitation from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), he is now stuck without money for treatment and vaccination against rabies. Iam here stuck after being bitten by a dog which is suspected to be rabbied since UBOS is yet to give us any money. I would have used that for treatment, Patrick said. He is thus calling for support from well-wishers. The UBOS Deputy Executive Director Godfrey Nabongo said they are yet to receive a report about the said incident. Nabongo however adds that if its true, the Bureau will take over the matter since the affected person was carrying out its work. Im yet to receive a report on this incident in Namutumba but UBOS is ready to take care of this person because it is our staff, Nabongo said. He said the affected person only needs to formally submit to UBOS the cost of treatment in writing and the bill will be cleared. Rabies is a vaccine-preventable fatal zoonotic disease. On average, the vaccination costs about Shs 350,000. Since the 2024 National Housing and Population Census (NHPC) exercise kicked off on May 10th, some of the enumerators have experienced various challenges including attacks that claimed that lives of atleast three of them. The 10-day census exercise will end on May 19th except for Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono where it was extended by one day due to technical glitches experienced by some enumerators on the first day. More than 700 foot pilgrims set off this morning for the Namugongo trek from Namrwodho Nebbi cathedral parish in Nebbi district. Speaking to KFM, the spokesperson Organizing committee Nebbi diocese Fr Emmanuel Ocokuru said the pilgrims will be flagged off in the morning from Nebbi by the Archbishop elect of Gulu Archdiocese Raphael Okorach. Father Ocokuru says the pilgrims first stop will be in Packwach Town, and the next day they will be driven to Karuma, to ensure their safety from wild animals in the Murchison Falls National Park. We have a number of about 700 pilgrims who will be footing and those who will take off from Nebbi will be around 400 and some will be waiting from Pakwach, the pilgrims will be supported by MTN who will give them reflector jackets and there are some individuals who have also shown interest. Mr. Ocokuru said. Lawrence Songa a member of parliament of Ora county Zombo District speaks to KFM Today we have started the walk to Kampala up to Namugongo they are many pilgrims we want to call upon all the along the road to support them so that they can reached safely to Kampala, pray on third and then return to Nebbi. Lawrence said. The foot pilgrims are expected to trek all the way to Namugongo shrine in Wakiso District, covering a distance of about 272 KM for the annual Martyrs Day celebrations slated for June 3rd. This years National Martyrs Day celebrations at the Namugongo Catholic shrine will be led by the Nebbi catholic diocese. By Patrick Okaba and Barbra Anyait 1 of 1 , khaskhabar.com : , 15 2024 10:52 PM 1 of 1 - , 3 - , khaskhabar.com : , 15 2024 4:57 PM There's been a decidedly mixed reaction in Kilkenny to the latest Governments Business Supports announced today. Groups such as the Irish Hotel Federation (IHF) South East Branch and the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) - and the Kilkenny man at its helm - have said they fall well short of what's required, while Chambers Ireland has welcomed the measures. Local TD John Paul Phelan has said Fine Gael backs business, and will continue to do so. The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) says that while elements of the supports for business announced by Government are welcome, such as a second payment of the ICOB scheme, the hospitality sector requires strategic measures that will support the pub trade over the long-term. While we welcome the reopening of the Increased Cost of Doing Business (ICOB) scheme for a further 14 days and an additional payment for businesses in the hospitality sector, grants are not the answer to the crisis facing our members," said Pat Crotty, VFI Chief Executive. Publicans require meaningful changes to their cost base, such as lowering the standard VAT rate and a reduction in the alcohol excise rate, currently the second highest in Europe. The announcement of a change to the Employers PRSI threshold only covers the recent increase in the minimum wage so doesnt result in any real benefit for our members, he adds. Sick pay benefits and the move to a Living Wage are massive threats to the pub trade without the correct supports. Wage increases have to be paid every Friday so any measures offered by Government must be in the context of that reality, said Mr Crotty. If we dont see a long-term reduction in costs we face the real prospect of a decimated hospitality sector." The Irish Hotel Federation (IHF) South East Branch described the measures as a missed opportunity which overlooks the majority of small and medium sized hotels. It said the business measures announced are disappointing and fall far short of what is required to support small and medium sized regional hotels that are heavily dependent on food services. This is a missed opportunity to provide meaningful assistance to our sector at a time of ever-increasing business costs, much of which are a result of the Governments own policy interventions," said Patrick Kickham-Lennon IHF South East Branch chair. The bottom line is that these measures fail to address the enormous underlying challenges facing our sector, which is an important part of the wider tourism industry. The measures will have a minimal impact for many hotels that are struggling with unprecedented cost increases. This includes many regional hotels that are heavily reliant on food services and are dealing with very tight margins and reduced profitability in what is a very labour-intensive sector. Take for example the realignment of PRSI rates. In reality, this will only offset a very small percentage of the enormous cost increases that hotels and guesthouses are experiencing the length and breadth of the country. A fundamental restructuring of employers PRSI is now essential for our sector. This is one area where todays measures could have made a tangible difference by introducing a targeted rebate on employers PRSI. It is very disappointing that this was not forthcoming. Ryanair has shared its list of dos and don't when it comes to packing for a holiday trip and avoid extra charges. All Ryanair fares include one small personal bag that can be brought on board, but it must not exceed 40x20x25cm and must fit under the seat. If you want to add a cabin bag, it must fit in a case measuring 55x40x20cm and weigh no more than ten kilos. One of the tips from Ryanair to help you avoid exceeding the baggage weight is to wear your heaviest footwear to the airport, and bring no more than two other pairs of footwear. The air carrier says if you want to travel light, a little bit of organisation goes a long way. Ryanair has compiled a list of packing dos and donts to help you look forward to less hassle the next time you fly which you can read here. One piece of advice is to pack your shoes first, lining the sides of your case. Stuff your shoes with socks and smaller items of clothing, gadgets or jewellery. This will also prevent your shoes from losing their shape. Ryanair also advises to pack your heaviest items (e.g. shoes, jeans) in the bottom of your wheelie suitcase. Youll find its much easier to roll as the weight will be more evenly distributed. Dont waste unused space roll your clothes instead of folding. Theyll wrinkle less and youll have much more room in your luggage to fit in any extras you pick up while youre away. The air carrier also advises to make it easier to spot your checked-in luggage on the carousel, especially if your luggage is black, navy or grey (like 99.9% of the population). Add a colourful luggage tag or ribbon to the handle so that theres no confusion on arrival. Another tip is not to keep all your packing space to yourself, especially if youre travelling as a couple. Split your clothes between two pieces of luggage in case one of them gets lost in transit. Ryanair also advises passengers to make a copy of your passport, driving licence and/or ID card and email them to yourself. Its also a good idea to take photos of these and save them to the camera on your phone in case you dont have internet access when you get to your destination. It is also advisable to pack a lightweight, foldable bag inside your carry-on luggage. If youre asked to hand over your carry-on luggage to check-in crew at the last minute because the overhead lockers are full, youll have somewhere to stash your phone, e-reader, money, snacks and any other valuables you cant live without during the flight. This small bag can then be placed under the seat in front of you. Ryanair also advises passenger not to forget your travel adaptor if youre flying to European countries with different electrical sockets than at home. Bonus Tip: If you forget the adaptor plug for your phone, check the side or back of the TV at your accommodation for a USB port. You should be able to plug your USB cable in and charge your phone from there. It is anomalous to treat Ukrainians differently based on when they arrived in Ireland, the Finance Minister has said. Michael McGrath said the changes introduced in 12 weeks time would affect 27,000 Ukrainians living in state-provided accommodation. Ukrainian refugees who fled to Ireland between 2022 and early 2024 are to have their allowances cut from the job seekers rate of 232 euros to a lower rate in the next three months. A reduced payment of 38.80 euros per week already was applied to Ukrainians who arrived after mid-March, following a Cabinet decision that was expected to reduce the number of arrivals in Ireland, while those who entered the country before that deadline remained on the higher amount. On Tuesday, ministers agreed to cut the rate being offered again, this time for Ukrainians who arrived in Ireland before March and are living in State-provided accommodation. The changes will not affect Ukrainians who arrived in Ireland before March and are living in pledged accommodation and the private rental sector. Mr McGrath told RTEs Morning Ireland programme on Wednesday that it was an inconsistency which we have to address. He said the policy would be implemented in a reasonable and a fair manner, and said that in exceptional circumstances where peoples basic needs cannot be met by the level of support, that will be taken into account. The Fianna Fail minister said they would continue to be provided with the most important and basic need of all which is shelter, adding that child benefit would still be available. Its important, whatever level of supports we have in place, are sustainable in every respect and it is anomalous to have a situation where people who came after a certain date are treated very differently to people who came prior to that date, he said. I think if you look at what the state has done since February 2022, the state the country, our people, our communities have been welcoming, have been generous. I believe that that will continue over the period ahead. But we also have to ensure that our system is sustainable and that we are fair to everyone and that we dont have an arbitrary cut-off point and depending on which side of that cut-off point a Ukrainian falls, the level of support is different in multiples. I think that would be unfair and we are addressing that. He added that the Government has an extensive data bank of information about state support for people from Ukraine. Almost 107,000 people have fled the war in Ukraine and have been granted temporary protection in Ireland, he said. Theyre not all still here. We estimate that approximately 86,000 of the 107,000 who came here from Ukraine remain in the state and over 66,000 are in state-supported accommodation. This change will impact on about 27,000 (people). He said there are an estimated 19,000 Ukrainians working in Ireland. Since the last cut to supports being offered to Ukrainians was implemented in March, Mr McGrath said there had been a significant reduction in the number of arrivals. The daily inflow now is between 20 and 30 at this point. It was many multiples of that earlier in the war. We will see what the impact is in terms of people deciding to leave, many will want to leave I think in time anyway, others wont. He described the Irish state and the Irish peoples response to the war in Ukraine as exemplary. Ireland has been to the fore at an international level in supporting Ukrainians, and we have taken a significant proportion of those who have fled Ukraine relative to our geography and relative to our population. So any objective analysis of Irelands response to the war in Ukraine I think will show generosity. It is not a good idea for charities to provide tents to unaccommodated asylum seekers, the Tanaiste has said. Micheal Martin said he believes there is a problem with non-governmental organisations providing tents to refugees who have yet to receive an offer of accommodation from the State. The comments have been characterised as misunderstanding the reality of homelessness, as the Government continues to face criticism for failing to accommodate all asylum seekers amid an increase in the number of arrivals. There are currently 1,780 male international protection applicants who have not received an offer of State-provided accommodation. Charities have provided tents to some of the asylum seekers who have not been provided with shelter by the State. The Government provides funding to some of the organisations that have provided the tents. Many of the unaccommodated refugees chose to erect their tents in clusters around Dublin, forming makeshift encampments around the International Protection Office and, later, along the Grand Canal. The Government ordered multi-agency operations to clear the camps and relocate the international protection applicants. However, more tents have since been pitched on a different stretch of the waterway. Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Martin said his experience from working with charities on the issue of homelessness was that other organisations are not in favour of providing tents. He said the practice is fundamentally unsafe and also carries risks around sanitation. Asked about whether it made sense for the Government to fund charities that provide tents to the migrants while it is also attempting to clear encampments, Mr Martin said: There is a conflict and theres a problem there, I acknowledge that. In my own view, tents are not a good idea anyway. I witnessed that during different phases of homelessness, where many established homeless organisations were not in favour of the giving out of tents to homeless because it led to other challenges, and was actually unsafe. And theres a fundamental issue of lack of sanitation and safety around the pitching of tents in any kind of location within a city or a town. The short-term solution is the securing of a significant State-owned site where we can facilitate proper tents with proper sanitation and basic supplies. Speaking on Newstalk, he added: That is what we have been doing but were going to have to create more because the numbers that have come into the first three months, at the moment, is nearly double what came in the last three months last year. Asked if the provision of tents in the city centre needed to be stopped, Mr Martin said: In respect of non-governmental organisations, they operate to their own ethos and so on but I do think we need to engage with them in relation to their practice. I think there is a fundamental problem that we do have to address. Roisin McAleer of Social Rights Ireland, which has been working with international protection applicants in the camps, said: The Tanaiste is either misunderstanding the reality of homelessness or deliberately engaging in a game of smoke and mirrors. Homeless charities distribute tents only as a last resort. Tents pitched on city streets or parks are obviously not a solution and constitute a grave risk to human safety and dignity. Ms McAleer said that it is profoundly cruel to prohibit the pitching of tents or instruct charities not to distribute them in the absence of a stable alternative. This would be tantamount to a revival of the anti-vagrancy laws of the 19th century that criminalised poverty and sent millions of Irish people to the workhouse. The alternative we propose is to open up the numerous empty buildings around Dublin city that are in the ownership of the State, starting with the Baggot Street Hospital. Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said the Government will have to examine the circumstances in which tents are being made available, in what numbers, and their purpose. I think the Tanaiste is making an important point that we are going to have to consider. Its about getting the balance right, he said. On one hand, if we dont make tents available to people we run the risk of them not having any shelter at all. We run the terrible risk of them be totally open to the elements, unable to secure themselves and run the risk of a level of homelessness and an experience of homelessness that I certainly do not want to see happen. On the other hand, the availability of these tents in the numbers that they have been available also leads to other problems that weve had to grapple with. We have to look at the circumstances in which tents are being made available, in what numbers and what their uses are once theyre made available. We are trying to avoid people who are coming to our country in terrible circumstances, being completely vulnerable and thats why the tents are being made available in the first place. But we are going to have to engage with NGOs (Non-governmental organisations) and other parts of the state to see how that can be done in a way that is safer and all involved. Most insurance claims take more than one phone call or meeting to resolve. If you have a homeowners or an auto claim, heres what you need to know to avoid hassles and get a fair payment from your insurance company. 4 Steps to file and collect on your homeowners insurance claim Andrea Johnson went for years without filing a homeowners insurance claim. But one afternoon in May, the sky went dark and a tornado with 200-mile-per-hour winds ripped through her hometown of Moore, Okla. The tornado wiped out so many houses that she had a hard time finding her street when she returned. The neighborhood behind ours was totally destroyed and was just debris, she says. Only a few houses on her block were still standing. One side of her home was completely gone, and my neighbors house was in my house." Subscribe to Kiplingers Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. Save up to 74% Sign up for Kiplingers Free E-Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail. Sign up 1. Act fast. When you file a claim that involves damage to your home, an adjuster usually comes within 24 to 48 hours, but it can take longer after a catastrophic event. Johnson contacted her State Farm agent after the tornado, and she met with the adjuster three days later to determine the extent of the damage. Johnson also contacted a builder who came to the site with an engineer and sent the insurer a report explaining why the house was unfixable. The insurer finally decided it was a total loss, she says. Your insurer or agent may help you find contractors, water-remediation services and other experts to help make the repairs, or you can use your contractors. It can help to have your contractor at your house when you meet with the adjuster. They can walk through together, and we can assure theyre both seeing the damage from the same perspective, says Patrick Gee, senior vice president for auto and property claims at Travelers. The insurer may adjust the payout if the contractor finds more problems after starting the work. 2. Take inventory. Filing the claim for the contents of Johnsons home was complicated. She had little evidence of her missing possessions when the adjuster arrived. Some possessions had been tossed in the trash by well-meaning volunteers and others had been scattered by the tornado. They asked for page after page of information to tell them about everything how many pairs of shoes, how long you had them, how much they cost. Who remembers that? she says. Johnson wishes she had kept a home inventory or taken pictures. Keeping an updated inventory isnt the tedious hassle it used to be. Many insurers have home inventory apps you can use. Take pictures of your rooms, closets, attic, and backyard, says John Doak, Oklahomas former insurance commissioner. Open drawers and cupboards so that the photos show all your possessions. Keep the photos and copies of receipts for valuable items off the premises, with your insurance agent or online. If possible, have your insurance agent visit your home, take pictures and let you know if youve reached your policy limits, says Doak. 3. Know whats covered. Most homeowners' policies pay for additional living expenses including your rent, food and other costs for up to a year while your home is unlivable. Keep the receipts for reimbursement; some insurers provide debit cards for these expenses. State Farm paid Johnsons rent for a small apartment while she waited for her claim to be settled. In a disaster area, you may be out of your house for a long time because of a shortage of contractors. You could potentially be paid more for the additional living expenses than for the home if youre out of your home for a year or more, says Doak. Johnson decided to take the insurance money and move to Oklahoma City rather than rebuild her house. Periodically review your policy or ask your agent what is and isnt covered and how to fill the gaps. Homeowners insurance doesnt include flood insurance, but you can get a policy from the National Flood Insurance Program; your home insurance agent may sell those policies. Sewage and drain backups usually arent covered automatically, but a rider may cost just $50 to add about $10,000 in coverage, says Rene Hernandez, an independent agent in Oklahoma City. Most policies cover only about $5,000 worth of jewelry, but you can add a rider to cover the appraised value. 4. How to fight back. If your insurer drags its feet or you dont think youre getting adequate reimbursement, you can get help from your state insurance department. If theres an impasse, the insurance department can step in and speed things up, says Doak, whose office fielded about 30,000 calls to help policyholders in one year. The Oklahoma Insurance Department, like departments in many states, sets up a mobile office to answer consumers questions about their coverage and rights after a major disaster. It also offers a mediation program to help resolve disputes between homeowners and their insurance companies, an option several state insurance departments offer. 4 Steps to file and collect on your auto insurance claim The steps you take immediately after a car accident can make a huge difference in how quickly and smoothly the claims process goes. Preserving evidence and filling out a police report create a record to support your claim. 1. Gather evidence. If you dont have a smartphone camera with you when you drive, keep a disposable camera in the glove compartment. If youre in an accident, start taking pictures when its safe capture images of your car, the other car, the intersection, and the other drivers license and insurance card. You may even want to take a photo of the other driver. Also, keep a notebook and pen by the drivers seat so you can jot down a license plate number quickly, says Sharon Jansma, owner of Jansma Financial and Insurance Services in Visalia, Calif. If there are witnesses, get their contact information. Having a police report can help, especially if theres a question of whos at fault. Dont tell anyone the accident was your fault, even if you think it was, says former State Farm spokesman Kip Diggs. Dont sign any document unless its for the police or your insurance agent. Most insurers, including State Farm and Travelers, have mobile apps that make it easy to submit photos and walk you through the next steps. Or you can call your insurance company or agent 2. Find the right shop. You can usually use any body shop, but most insurers have preferred shops that work directly with the adjusters and guarantee their work. This can speed up the claims process, but it can help to have a second opinion. If you have rental car coverage, your insurer will pay for at least a portion of the cost of a rental car while yours is in the shop. If the car is a total loss, the insurer will generally pay actual cash value (the market value for a car of its age and condition). Ask how the insurer came up with the number. Farmers compare the cost of cars selling in the area that are the same make and model, with similar mileage and upkeep, then adjust the figure for your specific details. I like to see a sample size of five to 10 cars selling in your area, says Jansma. If you think the number is too low, gather your list of similar cars for sale locally. The insurer will either send you a check for that value (minus your deductible) or pay the financing company and send you any additional money if you have a loan. 3. Delays common to two-party accident. Claims can get complicated and take longer when another car is involved. It usually takes 60 days or less, says Jana Schellin Foster, who is a Property & Casualty specialist at Nevada Insurance Agency Company in Carson City, Nev. Anything beyond that, somebody is dropping the ball. In that case, Foster will generally have a conference call with the agent, the insurer and the customer. That way there is no miscommunication, she says. The final payment can be delayed while the two insurers decide who is at fault. A typical scenario: Your insurer pays the claim while you pay your deductible, even if theres a good chance you werent at fault. Your deductible could be returned to you months after the insurance companies determine who is to blame. That process, called subrogation, can take 10 days to a year, says Jansma. 4. How to fight back. If the insurer is lowballing you about the repair costs, ask your body shop to provide a detailed estimate of what needs to be fixed. If that doesnt help, find out if you have an appraisal clause in the policy, under which a third party reviews your body shops appraisal and the insurers and settles on a number. Your agent may be able to help with stalled claims. You may have one claim in a lifetime, but we do this every day, says Sarah Brown, of Keller-Brown Insurance Services, in Shrewsbury, Pa. As an independent agent, she often has contacts at the other drivers insurance company, so her clients can find out whats causing the delay. The state insurance department can also explain your rights and get the insurance companies moving. Check an insurers record of complaints One way to minimize the chances of having claims problems is to avoid insurers with a history of hassling people at claim time. You can look up the insurers complaint record with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners consumer insurance search. Type in the companys name, then click on property/casualty for the business type for auto and homeowners insurers. When you see the list of companies, click on closed complaints, then select closed complaint ratio report. Youll see a ratio of the insurers market share of resolved complaints to the companys market share of premiums for that type of insurance (so larger insurers arent penalized for having more complaints). The national median is 1.00; companies with ratios below that median have a better track record than those above the median. You can also contact your state insurance insurance department to learn about any actions taken against the insurer. Geopolitical crises put a strain on international science cooperations and induce the risk of fragmenting communities. And yet, science can also be a role model in difficult times, staying close to long-standing partners, helping to build bridges and keeping the space for dialog open, says KIT President Professor Jan S. Hesthaven. Science thrives on exchange, acknowledging differences and promoting diversity. With its students and employees from more than 120 countries, KIT stands for open mindedness, dialog and tolerance. It is important for me that KIT remains as a place that offers a safe and inclusive space for dialog, says Hesthaven. KIT therefore rejects any discriminatory, racist, anti-Semitic or Islamophobic statements and actions. The delicate differences between academic freedom and freedom of expression as well as the balance between freedom of expression and protection against discrimination are becoming increasingly complex, Hesthaven points out. As open and inquisitive spaces, universities are particularly faced with the growing challenge of facilitating discourse without excluding individuals or encouraging discrimination. As a member of the Bundnis fur Demokratie und Menschenrechte Karlsruhe (Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights Karlsruhe), which was founded in April this year, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), together with more than 40 initiatives, churches, religious communities, parties, associations, clubs, and institutions from Karlsruhe, advocates our free democratic basic order. KITs Executive Board supports the German Rectors' Conference in its appeal for a decisive rejection of anti-Semitism at universities as well as in its current demand to protect universities as an open space for discourse. By adopting its Diversity Statement, KIT as a public institution and employer has already emphasized the value of diversity of all people. mle, May 15, 2024, updated October 8, 2024 Winston Peters announced: New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestines participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. I think this sends an unfortunate message. If you launch a major terrorist attack in Israel, and Israel responds (as was wanted), then you have the international community reward you by moving you closer to statehood. And yes it was Hamas who did the attack, not Palestine, but polls show it had widespread support with the populace. Now I favour a two state solution (unless most Palestinians who sadly reject it). You just really need two things to occur, to get a Palestinian State. A peace treaty where Palestine and Israel agree to not to attack, or allow attacks, from their territories into each others Settling the boundaries With regard to (2) Im so sick of the death and destruction that frankly I dont care that much if the boundaries are the 1947 boundaries (which were very generous and turned down), the 1949 armistice boundaries, the 1967 post-war boundaries or the 1967 boundaries with some land swaps. The key thing is (1). You will never persuade Israel to agree to establish a neighbouring state whose aim is to wipe Israel out. Why would you? Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr The United States has been left with no option but to "double down" on security cooperation with South Korea and Japan, and the enforcement of anti-North Korea sanctions due to the recalcitrant regime's rejection of dialogue, a senior U.S. diplomat said Tuesday. Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, made the remarks, underscoring that Washington is "certainly" focusing on North Korea that he cast as one of the "most significant" security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. His remarks came as critics have raised election-year questions over President Joe Biden's approach towards North Korea amid little headway in U.S. efforts to reengage with Pyongyang despite the regime's dogged pursuit of advanced weapons programs and its military cooperation with Russia. "I think we've had no choice but to double down on our security arrangements, particularly with the Republic of Korea and Japan, and no one should doubt the ironclad nature of our security commitments to those allies," he said during a forum hosted by the Washington-based Brookings Institution. "We've also doubled down with a large international coalition of partners who continue to enforce sanctions against North Korea. I think given North Korea's unwillingness to respond to our offer of diplomacy, we've been left with no choice but to focus on these harder elements of our strategy." Kritenbrink reiterated that Washington has pursued dialogue with the North "without preconditions" while highlighting its security commitment to its allies. "Unfortunately, the only response we've received thus far from the DPRK has been more missile launches," he said. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Despite evolving North Korean threats, Kritenbrink pointed out progress in bilateral and trilateral efforts to counter the threats among Seoul, Washington and Tokyo. "Our trilateral cooperation has also really reached unprecedented levels. And we have to be candid that a lot of that cooperation is designed to counter this growing threat from North Korea," he said. He was referring to agreements from a landmark summit that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held at Camp David in Maryland in August. The summit agreements included the "Commitment to Consult" each other in the event of a shared threat. "There are many challenges across the Indo-Pacific. This (North Korea) remains one of the most significant and we are certainly focused on it on a daily basis," he said. (Yonhap) By Park Jae-hyuk Doosan Group invited Czech government officials to the Partnership Day event at Zofin Palace in Prague, Monday (local time), to convince the European country to select Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) as the preferred bidder in July for its nuclear power plant construction project, the company said Wednesday. The Czech Republic plans to build up to four nuclear power plants in Dukovany and Temelin by 2036. In collaboration with Doosan Enerbility and Daewoo E&C, KHNP is competing with EDF, a French government-owned electric utility company, to win the 30 trillion won ($22 billion) project. KHNP is trying to defeat EDF by offering lower prices and showing its ability to complete the construction as planned. The Korean nuclear power plant operator also offered to supply APR1000 reactor, a redesigned version of locally-developed APR1400 reactor, to meet the Czech Republics demand. Based on our successful supply of main components for the United Arab Emirates Barakah nuclear power plant, we will do our best to win the first overseas nuclear power plant construction order in 15 years, said Doosan Group Chairman Park Jeong-won, who hosted the Partnership Day event. We will continue our investments in the Czech energy and machinery industries. Once KHNP obtains the order, Doosan Enerbility will supply reactors and steam generators. In addition, steam turbines for the new nuclear power plants will be made by Doosan Skoda Power, a Czech turbine manufacturer acquired by the Korean business group in 2009. Doosan Enerbility will also provide its non-carbon power generation technologies to Doosan Skoda Power for the Czech Republic to become the outpost of the European non-carbon power generation industry. During the event, Doosan Enerbility signed memorandums of understanding with Czech companies, such as Skoda JS, MICO, Vitkovice and ZAT, for their cooperation in potential supply of components for new nuclear power plants. On Tuesday, Park visited Doosan Skoda Power in Plzen to inspect its production lines. He also visited Doosan Bobcat EMEA in the Czech town of Dobris, which oversees the construction equipment makers business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Doosan Bobcat EMEA has also promoted its contributions to local communities to support KHNPs bid to win the Czech nuclear power plant construction project. Angola, IN (46703) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to occasional showers during the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 69F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms. Low 52F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Mostly cloudy with rain ending for the afternoon. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly late. Low 53F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. After NewJeans's choreographer accused ILLIT of copying the group's dance, netizens are claiming it was them who copied BLACKPINK's Lisa first. On May 13, 2024, the K-pop community exploded after NewJeans' choreographers, Kim Eunju and Black Q, accused ILLIT of plagiarism. This accusation comes amidst an internal dispute between HYBE Labels and Min Hee Jin, with the former attempting to oust the latter from her position as ADOR's CEO. The core of the issue stems from HYBE's debut of their new girl group ILLIT. Min Hee Jin claimed that HYBE Labels and BELIFT Lab copied NewJeans's formula to ensure ILLIT's successful debut. As a result, ILLIT has faced significant backlash online, being labeled as an "imitation group." Netizens have noted several similarities in concept, costumes, and choreography between ILLIT and NewJeans, causing many to question their originality. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Did ILLIT 'Copy' NewJeans 'Ditto' Outfits? K-Netz Discuss The plagiarism allegations gained further traction when Kim Eunju took to Instagram to accuse ILLIT of copying NewJeans. Her story reads, "Huh? Really? They even copied the choreography for the commercial? I've held back for so long, but to say it's just a coincidence is too much. Yes, there may be similarities! But normally if you reference, you should at least change it somewhat; this is plain plagiarism." Black Q also expressed his frustrations, noting, "No way! I've been trying to keep these thoughts to myself, but to think that even CF choreography couldn't escape. The process of bringing someone's creative work into the public isn't easy..." Their remarks referenced the apparent similarities between ILLIT's "Lucky Girl Syndrome" choreography and NewJeans' dance for their previous McDonald's commercial. YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: Can ILLIT & LE SSERAFIM Recover Their Image? K-Netz Discuss Groups' Future A comparison video of ILLIT and NewJeans's choreography was soon shared on social media, with many siding with the choreographers' claims that ILLIT's choreography was a little too similar to the dance of NewJeans. Who tf do they think we are? Do they seriously think we will see this as just another 'coincidence' after the many otherspic.twitter.com/8KdHIq9hoP https://t.co/o8rCcKBT6O Yaya | (@Modanisland) May 13, 2024 Despite these claims, some pointed out that NewJeans's dance also drew inspiration from others, such as BLACKPINK member Lisa's choreography for "MONEY." The debate also highlighted the use of common dance moves in the industry, with fans defending their idols by claiming the move isn't especially unique. ILLIT fans argued that the artistic choices, including any supposed plagiarism, were made by the company, not the artists themselves, Fans believe that the criticism should be directed at their agency rather than ILLIT themselves CHECK THIS OUT: ILLIT Safety Shorts Draws Backlash From K-Netizens: 'I Feel Repulsed' Additionally, NewJeans' fans countered accusations that the group copied Lisa by noting that some gestures, like the hand-spreading move, are widely used and should not be considered plagiarism. What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below! KpopStarz Owns This Written by Alexa Lopez NewJeans is being accused of copying not just one, but two songs for their latest single, "Bubble Gum." On April 26, NewJeans released the music video for their pre-release single, "Bubble Gum." This release came at a critical time, as the conflict between ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and HYBE was intensifying, causing more eyes to be on NewJeans than ever. The music video, which features a vibrant school setting and a mellow sound that is reminiscent of past NewJeans hits, has excited fans with its fresh vibe. However, just days before their scheduled comeback with the single "How Sweet," NewJeans was slammed with plagiarism allegations. Many believe that "Bubble Gum" sounded eerily similar to the song "Easier Said Than Done" by the British jazz-funk group SHAKATAK. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: K-Media, Industry Experts Break Down ILLIT's Alleged 'Copying' Of NewJeans - Here's What SHAKATAK acknowledged these similarities on their social media and announced plans for further investigation. Thanks Sean well look into this it is v similar May 12, 2024 Thank you all for your info and support on this Its lovely to hear we still have great fans in S Korea SHAKATAK (@SHAKATAK_UK) May 13, 2024 In response, a YouTuber posted a video analyzing both songs, showing distinct differences in chord progressions. Thus, they concluded that "Bubble Gum" did not plagiarize "Easier Said Than Done." The YouTuber suggested that the controversy may have stemmed from a misleading mashup of the two tracks. It was also theorized that "Bubble Gum" used a sample from "Easier Said Than Done," but there was no official registration of such a sample on copyright platforms or in the song's credits. However, this remains a personal analysis and not a definite statement that the group did not plagiarize. Thus, many are waiting to see if ADOR will release a statement on the matter. YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: ILLIT Accused of Sniping at NewJeans But Fans Defend Group: 'It's Forced Hate...' "Easier Said Than Done" has been a significant hit since its release in 1981 by SHAKATAK, a group that has seen many lineup changes but remains active. Additionally, Vietnamese music fans had previously noted that the spoken part of "Bubble Gum" resembled Bich Phuong's 2021 track "Do You Guess." However, Bunnies (NewJeans's fandom) argued that the vocal style was common in many songs prior to both "Do You Guess" and "Bubble Gum." The plagiarism accusations against NewJeans have sparked a variety of opinions online. Many do not put that blame on NewJeans themselves but claim the song did sound similar. Others believe the producer should release a statement to clear the air. CHECK THIS OUT: NewJeans Danielle Goes Viral For 'Fairy' Visuals In 'Korea On Stage' Photos - And Bunnie Some comments read, "Yesterday, I saw a comment comparing 'Bubble Gum' with 'Easier Said Than Done.' They're quite different; 'Bubble Gum' builds up steadily, whereas 'Easier Said Than Done' unfolds slowly without a climax. The melody, rhythm, and overall production are totally different." "Its weird that the song's owner acknowledged the similarities but the YouTuber didnt. Its best for the public to give their opinions and let the professionals handle it." "The YouTuber said there was no plagiarism. It's like having a professional musician or a music review board make that conclusion." "Has the producer who created 'Easier Said Than Done' made any statements? Only the creator would truly know if it was sampled or copied." "We should ask the producer directly instead of targeting NewJeans!" What do you think of the situation? FOR YOU: Bang Si Hyuk's Alleged Partiality Towards LE SSERAFIM Over NewJeans Sparks Controversy KpopStarz Owns This Written by Alexa Lopez A pickup truck and a bus that was carrying Latino farm workers collided on a hilly and rain-slicked rural road in Florida, killing eight and wounding 40 others. The two vehicles sideswiped each other, leading to the bus crashing while the pickup truck overturned. David Kerner, executive director of the State Department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle, stated that while the pickup truck was overturned, its driver, Bryan Maclean Howard, survived the wreck. However, he was soon charged with eight counts of driving under the influence-manslaughter. "Our sympathies and prayers are with the families of the deceased," said Kerner in a statement. "Consistent with our duties, the Florida Highway Patrol will conduct both a thorough and exhaustive traffic crash and criminal investigation." According to NBC News, the bus was going west on State Road 40 when "for unknown reasons" when a 2001 Ford Ranger "traveled toward the centerline," leading to the two vehicles sideswiping one another. The bus, which was carrying 50 people, barreled off the road before going through a fence. It then struck a tree before overturning. Eight of the passengers were critically injured. They were among the 40 people hospitalized due to the Florida collision. Florida officials warned that there is a "high probability" that the death toll could rise as many of the Latino farm workers injured were "in very serious condition." "At this point, we are conducting a massive traffic homicide investigation," FHP Lt. Pat Riordan told reporters. He also confirmed that the driver of the pickup truck was also sent to the hospital. Latino Farm Workers Are Foreigners But Are in the Country Legally, Florida Official Confirms "We're a very big agricultural county. So this time of year, we always have migrant workers that are in our county, that are on buses just like this.," commented Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods to CNN, adding, "Everything that I have been told at this point - they all have what they need to be here. There's no reason for me to be involved with these individuals. They're hard-working individuals, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with them being here." READ NEXT: Baltimore Bridge Collapse: 6 Workers Presumed Dead as Recovery Operations Paused Meanwhile, Dominique O'Connor of the Farmworker Association of Florida revealed that they are trying to help local authorities aid the victims and their families, especially as many of them can only speak Spanish and are not from the area. "These workers are all here on H-2A work visas," he confirmed, which means they are legally in the country. This is part of the H-2A program, which allows US employers to bring foreign nationals into the country to fill temporary agricultural jobs. Latino Farm Workers Were Supposed to Harvest Watermelons When Fatal Florida Collision Happened According to the Associated Press, the farm workers were supposed to be heading to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon when the crash occurred. They were harvesting watermelons at that moment, and the farm workers were about to continue the harvest. Farm workers in Florida, one of the US's top fruit producers, are mostly migrants granted temporary working visas. The Mexican consulate in Orlando has announced that it would be helping any workers from the crash who were Mexican citizens. Meanwhile, Cannon Farms issued a statement on Facebook, saying, "We will be closed today out of respect to the losses and injuries endured early this morning in the accident that took place to the Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp., Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident. We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time." READ MORE: Panama: 5 Dead, 1 Missing After Migrant Smuggling Boat Capsizes This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Florida bus crash: 8 dead, 43 hurt after bus filled with workers overturns in Marion County, FHP say - FOX 35 Orlando In a federal district court session on Tuesday, Judge Maryellen Noreika upheld the Hunter Biden trial date, dismissing his legal team's request for a postponement until September. The defense asserted the need for more time to secure expert witnesses and review evidence, but Noreika remained resolute in maintaining the original June 3 start date, Politico reports. Hunter Biden faces charges of falsifying information on firearms purchase form in 2018, alleging he lied about drug use and unlawfully possessed a gun for approximately 11 days. Despite pleas of not guilty, his legal team has struggled to solidify their defense strategy amid the case's high-profile nature. During his opening remarks to Judge Maryellen Noreika, the lawyer Abbe Lowell stated that they have neither been delaying nor been tardy. READ NEXT: Hunter Biden Intends to Sue Fox News Over Alleged 'Revenge Porn' Broadcasting Complexities in Hunter Biden's Legal Battle Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, is embroiled in legal battles spanning both coasts. Alongside the Delaware gun charges, he faces separate charges in California related to tax issues. These legal entanglements stem from a lengthy investigation overseen by Special Counsel David Weiss, according to AP News. Weiss's team intends to leverage excerpts from Hunter Biden's memoir, "Beautiful Things," in the upcoming trial. The memoir delves into Biden's past struggles with addiction, providing context for the prosecution's argument. Despite Biden's assertions of sobriety since 2019, the memoir's contents may play a pivotal role in the courtroom. Hunter Biden's defense has encountered obstacles in securing expert witnesses, citing reluctance due to media scrutiny. However, prosecutors argue that Biden's documented addiction struggles present a significant challenge to disputing the prosecution's claims. Amid these legal proceedings, allegations of political motivation have surfaced, with Republicans suggesting preferential treatment for the president's son. Despite attempts to dismiss the case on grounds of political bias, Judge Noreika rejected such claims, paving the way for the Hunter Biden trial to proceed. Previous attempts at resolution, including a potential plea deal for misdemeanor tax charges, faltered, prolonging the legal saga. Admissibility of Evidence and Ongoing Preparations As the trial date approaches, both the defense and prosecution are engaged in preparations, including motions to exclude certain evidence from jury consideration. Issues surrounding the admissibility of evidence, including details from a 2018 police report involving Hunter Biden's then-relationship with Beau Biden's widow, Hallie, are under scrutiny, Fox News noted. In a recent development, a federal appeals court denied Hunter Biden's request to dismiss the gun charges, underscoring the complexity and gravity of the legal proceedings. Upcoming Hunter Biden trial marks a pivotal moment in his ongoing legal battles, with implications extending beyond individual charges. As courtroom preparations intensify, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on the intricate web of allegations, evidence, and legal maneuvers shaping the trajectory of this high-profile case. READ MORE: Trial Commencement Scheduled for Senator Bob Menendez Corruption Case This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: Judge rejects Hunter Biden's bid to delay his June trial on federal gun charges - From WGN News As Mexico nears its June 2 election date, a new poll by consulting firm Mitofsky for the newspaper El Economista was released on Tuesday. It showed MORENA candidate Claudia Sheinbaum in a huge lead over her nearest rival, Xochitl Galves, with the election date just three weeks away. However, Reuters noted that this lead is much narrower than the previous Mitofsky-La Economista poll, though Sheinbaum still has a very comfortable polling lead over Galves. The administration candidate took 49% of the vote in the poll, which was released on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Xochitl Galvez, who represents three different parties, namely the center-right National Action Party (PAN), the centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the center-left Democratic Revolution (PRD), only took 28% of the vote. Despite this, much like other Mexico election polls, it showed that she is slowly gaining on Sheinbaum's lead. Previously, the Mitofsky-La Economista April poll had Sheinbaum with 51.4% of the vote against Galvez's 26.7%. Still, this is widely considered as a three-horse race, with Jorge Alvarez Maynez of the center-left Citizens' Movement (MC) also gaining ground against Sheinbaum, taking 10.3% of the vote. This is up from last month's 9.3%. However, these latest gains for Galves and Alvarez may come too late as the election is only three weeks away. The Mitofsky poll also showed that 12.7% of its respondents said they either would not vote or had not yet decided who they would vote for on June 2. The poll had 1,600 respondents and was conducted from May 3 to 6. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5%. Mexico's 'Disappeared' Citizens Looming Over Election as Part of AMLO's Legacy As the June 2 elections draw ever closer, plenty of issues are looming over all candidates, from immigration to how to handle the cartels. One of the biggest issues happening is about the thousands of "disappeared" people. READ MORE: Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Claims Drug Cartels Are 'Respectful' and 'Respect the Citizenry' This is evident during Mother's Day as hundreds of mothers lit candles and showed images of their missing loved ones at the foot of the Mother's Monument, a stone obelisk in the center of Mexico City, according to Al Jazeera News. "When I read the approved protocol for searching for missing persons, I realized that, in reality, the protocols that had to be done were not done," Joanna Alvear, the mother of one of the "disappeared," told the news outlet. "So I am a mom who has searched for Lilith with her own resources." Under President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, mentor and ally of election favorite Claudia Sheinbaum, the number of "disappeared" only increased, and the issue has only become a major stain in his administration. Mexican Citizens in Texas Ready To Vote in the June 2 Mexico Elections There are plenty of Mexican citizens abroad, especially in the United States. In Texas, which has one of the highest Hispanic populations in the country, Mexican citizens who have registered to vote in the Mexican elections are now preparing themselves for the opportunity to vote for the person to replace AMLO. "In exercising my vote I am a part of a change in Mexico, even though I am not physically there," Judith Diaz, a Mexican citizen in Texas, told the Texas Tribune. She was originally from Cuernavaca, Mexico, but is now living in Austin as a nanny. She says she will vote for Claudia Sheinbaum. READ MORE: Mexico Elections Primer: Who Are the Top 3 Candidates Vying to Replace AMLO? This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Mexico presidential debate: Candidates face off ahead of elections in June - Al Jazeera English In Mexico City, clashes between protesters and police turned violent as demonstrators demanding justice for 43 missing students from 2014 engaged in confrontations. The protest, marked by the hurling of firecrackers, left at least 26 Mexico police officers injured. Mexico police reported injuries ranging from arms and legs to buttocks, prompting hospital treatment for the officers, BBC reports. The disappearance of the 43 students from Ayotzinapa in southern Guerrero state has long been a contentious issue, sparking outrage among families and human rights activists. The students vanished under mysterious circumstances, believed to have been abducted by a drug cartel colluding with corrupt police. Despite extensive investigations, only the remains of three students have been found, while the fate of the others remains unknown. Tensions soared following the release of eight soldiers suspected of involvement in the student's disappearance from pre-trial detention. This development exacerbated frustrations over the lack of progress in bringing the perpetrators to justice, leading to intensified protests outside the presidential palace. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador addressed the disappearances at a recent news briefing, expressing hope that efforts to find the Mexico missing students would not be hindered. However, critics argue that his administration has not done enough to investigate the case or provide closure to the families affected. READ NEXT: Students in Mexico Attempted to Breach Presidential Palace, Used Truck to Force Entry During Protest Escalating Tensions and Continued Struggles Guerrero state, where the disappearances occurred, has been plagued by lawlessness and violence, posing significant challenges for law enforcement. Recent incidents, including the escape of an accused police officer and the disappearance of two detectives involved in the case, underscore the ongoing struggles to maintain order in the region. Protests have escalated into violent confrontations, with demonstrators resorting to drastic measures to voice their grievances, according to Barron. Incidents such as breaking into state prosecutors' offices and clashes with security forces reflect the deep-seated frustrations and anger over the unresolved disappearances. The pervasive influence of drug cartels in Guerrero exacerbates security concerns, with areas effectively under cartel control. Instances of cartel violence, including beatings of bus drivers for alleged non-compliance, underscore the challenges authorities face in maintaining law and order. The disappearances and subsequent protests have drawn international attention, with concerns raised about human rights violations and the government's response. Criticism of President Lopez Obrador's handling of the situation and allegations of inadequate investigation efforts highlight the need for decisive action to address the underlying issues. Seeking Justice Amid Turmoil Despite setbacks and challenges, families of the Mexico missing students and rights activists continue to demand accountability and justice, CBS News noted. Their steadfast dedication to uncovering truth and finding resolution highlights the significance of tackling the underlying issues behind the disappearances and holding accountable those who are culpable. As tensions simmer and protests persist, the government faces mounting pressure to take meaningful action to address the grievances of the affected families and communities. Upholding human rights, combating impunity, and fostering transparency are essential steps toward achieving justice and reconciliation in the aftermath of these tragic events. READ MORE: Wife Claims American Soldier Was Stabbed by Russian Girlfriend Before Arrest This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: The Missing 43: Mexico's Disappeared Students (Full Length) - From VICE News Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is facing more financial problems as his radio show has been canceled after he continued to spread election misinformation. Soon after the cancelation though, Giuliani has once again listed his New York City home for sale. According to The New York Post, the disgraced former mayor's property, located at 45 E. 66th St., was previously listed for $6.5 million last summer. However, as Giuliani is hoping to secure a swift buyer, the listing is now listed at a much cheaper price, with the former New York City mayor currently in bankruptcy court. Serena Boardman of Sotheby's International Realty is representing the unit, and she lists it as having a wood-paneled library, a wood-paneled dining room, leaded glass windows, moldings, and an eat-in kitchen. It also boasts looks out to views of the surrounding neighborhood and is also well-lit, according to the realtor. The relisting of the property for sale coincided with the recent cancellation of his WABC radio show, with Giuliani having a very public dispute with the radio station's management, particularly with station owner John Catsimatidis. Just this weekend, Giuliani repeated his debunked election lies that the 2020 elections were stolen. This time, however, he involved Catsimatidis in the mix, accusing the station owner of having a bias towards President Biden and the Democratic Party while also questioning his commitment to free speech. The WABC boss fired back, however, with Catsimatidis saying that Giuliani was making unreasonable demands such as increased airtime and compensation. He also accused the former New York City mayor of insubordination. Radio Station That Aired Rudy Giuliani Radio Show Concerned About Getting Sued by Dominion Despite Giuliani's accusations that Catsimatidis is showing bias towards Democrats and President Joe Biden, the radio station owner is actually a billionaire donor for the Republican Party. However, like many rightwing outlets after Fox News was forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in settlement after a lawsuit from voting machine company Dominion, WABC toned down its "election was stolen" rhetoric. READ MORE: Arizona Fake Electors Case: Donald Trump Lawyers John Eastman, Jenna Ellis, Others Officially Named and Indicted "Guiliani has admitted repeatedly over the past few days that he agreed not to speak about Dominion," Catsimatidis told CNN. "However, he was also warned numerous times, particularly in the past few months, to refrain from any allegations of electronic voting manipulation surrounding the 2020 election." Dominion gained $787 million in its lawsuit from Fox News, and WABC did not want the same thing to happen to it. "I won't jeopardize WABC over stupid things like that," Catsimatidis added. Judge in Rudy Giuliani Bankruptcy Case Expresses Frustration with Former New York Mayor Back in December, Giuliani declared bankruptcy after he lost in the lawsuit filed by two Georgia election workers against him for spreading a false conspiracy theory about them. Now, the judge overseeing the case says he has grown frustrated. According to the Associated Press, US Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane said he was "disturbed" that Giuliani has made so little progress in sorting out his finances. This has led the judge to refuse Giuliani's latest attempt to appeal the $148 million defamation judgment against him in the Georgia election worker case. "They have done nothing. They sold nothing. They settled nothing," Rachel Strickland, the attorney representing the two Georgia election workers, told the judge, accusing Giuliani of getting fired from the WABC on purpose by "deliberately flouting his employer's restrictions." The judge agreed. READ MORE: Donald Trump Asked Supporters To Protest Hush Money Trial, But Few Showed Up, Now He Is Making Excuses This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Rudy Giuliani's Lies Just Cost Him His Biggest Source Of Income - Farron Balanced DEAR ANNIE: Im a single 52-year-old male who needs your advice, please. I come from a close-knit family of four. I am my handicapped nephews personal home caregiver, taking care of him 24/7, 365 days a year. I live a normal, happy life with no interference. Lately, Ive been stuck in a rut of sorts, and I cannot figure it out. I am a Type 2 Diabetic who maintains and watches my health very well and carefully. I eat right and walk a mile or two every other day. I go to my doctors appointments when needed and stay on top of everything else that is important for me and my family. I dont know if its a midlife crisis kind of thing or something else. Ive been feeling a little sluggish and down and out, but I dont feel anything else out of the ordinary. Annie, am I possibly going through something here? I never married and dont have children, so I am not sure what this could possibly be. I dont have any outbursts or PTSD. All Im feeling is like life is slowing me down and I havent a clue as to why. I am writing you to see what condition or conditions that may be affecting me. Thank you in advance! -- Oblivious in New Mexico DEAR OBLIVIOUS: Seeking the help of a professional doctor is your best bet. It could be physical, in which case a general practitioner could help you. It could be psychological, in which case your general practitioner will guide you to seek help from a therapist. You sound like a wonderful human for taking care of your nephew 365 days a year. Maybe you just need a little vacation. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. Tick-borne disease season is ramping up, data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health show, and theres a brand-new way to keep track of the tiny parasites threat. In time for National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, the Pennsylvania Department of Health this week introduced a new online dashboard to provide the public and health-care providers with information about Lyme and other diseases spread by ticks. With an eye on preventing illness, the dashboard was designed for Pennsylvanians to use themselves to see where ticks are prevalent and be prepared to take appropriate precautions while enjoying outdoor activities. Pennsylvania has incredible outdoor recreational opportunities, and we want to provide as much information as possible for residents to enjoy them safely, Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen said in a news release. Taking appropriate precautions can help avoid Lyme and other tick-borne diseases that can lead to serious illness. As a pediatrician, I always recommend doing a tick check after playing outside, especially for children and pets. The dashboard can be founded at health.pa.gov. Its data include tick-borne disease case counts across Pennsylvania and cases per 100,000 residents per county. Lyme disease is Pennsylvanias most commonly reported tick-borne disease, as it is in many other states, but there are several other diseases ticks can carry. In 2022, Pennsylvania ranked ninth in the United States for the number of Lyme cases reported by population. Although tick-borne diseases can occur any time of the year, cases increase from April through August, the Health Department says. In 2022, 8,413 Lyme cases were reported in Pennsylvania, representing an incidence of 64.9 cases/100,000 people. The dashboard reflects a change in reporting of Lyme disease in Pennsylvania: It is now entirely based on laboratory reports the Health Department receives directly from lab-based reporting. Prior to 2022, Lyme cases were classified based on laboratory and clinical information obtained from health-care providers. Since that date, clinical information is no longer required, and Lyme cases are reported based only on laboratory criteria. Tick-bite prevention and tick removal Anyone with exposure to wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter is at greatest risk of tick exposure, state health officials say. You can reduce the likelihood of a tick bite by: walking in the center of trails and avoiding areas with high grass and leaf litter; using EPA-approved insect repellents on exposed skin; using products that contain 0.5% permethrin to pre-treat shoes, clothing and gear; wearing light-colored clothing, which will make it easier to see crawling ticks; conducting full-body tick checks (including pets) after spending time in tick habitats; bathing or showering within two hours after coming indoors; and placing clothing worn outdoors in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks. If an attached tick is found, it should be promptly removed using fine-tipped tweezers. The tick should be grasped as close to the skins surface as possible and pulled upward with steady, even pressure. Visit cdc.gov for additional directions for tick removal from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. A candidate who wants to represent Laois people in Europe insists politicans promising to do something about Irelands housing crisis or health service problems in campaigns to get elected to the European Parliament are lying. Luke Ming Flanagan insists that he is being honest with voters about domestic issues not being possible to be solved in Brussels when canvassing in Laois for votes ahead of June 7 European Parliament election. He said he can represent people on a variety of issues from farming, environment, trade EU directives. However, he said he would not have the power to help people with Irish domestic problems such as the shortage of houses. If someone comes to you canvassing in European election and says they are going to do something about housing they are lying," he told the Leinster Express / Laois Live. You are more likely to get your teeth pulled out in a hairdressers than get an MEP to do something about housing, he said. He had a similar take on the health services. I can do absolutely nothing about the health services - that is the competence of the Irish Government. Not only are people being misled by candidates when they say they can do something but what they are also doing, if they are not from the Government parties, is that they are letting the Government parties off the hook, he said. An MEP since 2014, said his priority as a candidate and MEP has been reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and the rural development fund. One of the main reasons thats my priority is that thats the area where you can affect peoples lives in a positive way from a monetary point of view, he told. 62% of money that comes from Europe to Ireland comes through this fund, he said. He claimed he been credited with delivery for Ireland under the CAP. He was critical of the IFA. My problem with the IFA is that they do not represent extensive suckler farmers and farmers on carbon-rich soilsI feel they dont represent a lot of their members and their members feel like that as well, he said. He insisted that European farming money has a huge impact on urban Ireland. Every last cent of that money comes into towns like Portlaoise, he said. Mr Flanagan said MEPs can represent voters on many issues such as the environment. He said people must be helped to pay for climate change measures such as retrofit. He said householders should get 100% funding for retrofitting their houses. He said carbon taxes on fuels are going to fund retrofitting of homes owned by the very rich. He also argued that solutions must also be found to help people who rely on turf to find alternatives. If they want people to move away from cutting turf and move to another fuel the only way that will happen is if it is cheaper to do otherwise, he said. He said he would support people to continue to cut turf until there is a just transition. Mr Flanagan acknowledged that pressure on him to keep his seat in a crowded field of candidates in the Midlands North West constituency but he has been written off throughout his political career. I like proving people wrong and I have done that throughout my political career, he said. He commented on the role played by RTE and Irelands national media in reporting on Europe and Irelands MEPs. He said RTE cover the work of the European Parliament for one hour a month on a Friday night. He said the Irish Times is the only newspaper with a reporter in Europe. From the point of view of explaining to people the work that goes on out there by MEPs whether you are useless, brilliant or in between, nobody knows any difference. There is a big danger in that because people then presume MEPs do nothing. There is a reason why people dont see us or hear from us its because it doesnt get covered by the national media, he said. He said local media are more likely to cover the work done than nationals. An initiative for children on waiting lists for special needs assessments is to be announced shortly, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said. The Fine Gael minister was responding to opposition TDs raising concerns about long waiting times for assessment and therapies for children with additional needs. These assessments identify whether a person has a disability and what health and educational supports they need. Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy said there were record numbers on waiting lists for assessment, and 8,000 children had been waiting more than three months to be assessed. Mr Carthy said children cannot access appropriate school places or special protection supports without an assessment, and when they do get an assessment, access is still difficult because of intolerable waiting lists. He also pointed out that Co Monaghan, a constituency which both Ms Humphreys and Mr Carthy represent, is one of the two counties without a special school, the other being Co Leitrim. Mr Carthy said: What do you say to those parents who are wondering when their child will receive the diagnosis that they need for educational and health support? What do you say to those who have been assessed, who know what their childs needs are, but who are being told that those needs will not be met? Independent TD Michael Lowry said: The lives of these children are on hold, and I have to say it is a sad reflection on Government and all of us here as members of this House and as a country and as human beings, we are continuing to let down these children and their families. Ms Humphreys said the Government is committed to improving those services. She said that Simon Harriss Cabinet sub-committee on children, education and disability had met several times since being set up upon his appointment as Taoiseach. Ms Humphreys said: I know that the most recent meeting, there was a focus on the waiting list for assessment of need and how we can increase the use of the private sector to deliver results for families waiting long periods. Private assessments are already taking place with 16.5 million already set aside for the HSE to procure diagnostic ASD assessments through the private sector. The Social Protection Minister said that Anne Rabbitte, minister of state with responsibility for disability, had visited Co Monaghan and met people first hand and works day and night on the issue. Ms Humphreys said: Im pleased to tell you today, deputy, that Minister Rabbitte along with the Taoiseach and Minister Donnelly is spearheading a new, long waiting list initiative that will be announced very shortly and thats going to be underpinned by both investment and, importantly, a real sense of urgency to address this issue. She added that Ms Rabbitte does hold her officials to account, I can assure you because Ive seen it first hand. Ms Humphreys said: A significant number of new special classes, 400, have already been sanctioned for September. Mr Lowry said there are 100 special needs schools across Ireland but the reality is that number is failing to meet demand. Similarly many special need classes in national schools are also struggling to care for those who need a space, he said, adding that children with special educational needs can get lost in mainstream schools. Currachs are a symbol of Ireland's west coast but a currach built in Kilkenny will be the vessel from an epic fundraiser this summer which will be launched in Laois. Mayo man Pat Sweeney and Pat Comerford from Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny along with other friends formed the charity Pulling Together to Save Lives have built a traditional Achill currach in aid of Teac Tom Mental Health Services helping to prevent suicide and Achill RNLI saving lives at sea. Neither of the two Pats or their friends had ever built a currach before but nine months ago they decided to build one based on the design of an Achill currach. It was difficult to find plans to build a currach as generally the craft is handed down from father to son so the two men went to Achill to study and measure a currach and set to work. What is unique about the midlands currach is that it is built with nine or ten kinds of timber but a traditional Achill currach is made of yew wood while the midlands currach is mostly made of oak, teak, Irish walnut amongst others. more below picture. Over the last couple of months the men have been busy constructing the currach together and it will be soon ready to launch and put into the water. The seats of the boat are carved with the names of the builders in Irish by Aaron Purser, Burren Woodcraft, Co Carlow with an extra seat planned for Cairde friends. The public launch will be held in the Castle Arms Hotel in Durrow on June 7 at 8pm when the public can the unique piece of carpentry and workmanship and meet the lads for a chat. MORE BELOW PICTURE. The plan after that is to take to the water. First with a row in the River Barrow from July 5 to 7 and then the currach will head west and see how it survives the waters of the Atlantic around Achill Island on July 19. A big group from Kilkenny and Laois plan to travel to Achill to take the currach on the water and they also look to attend the Inishturk Regatta. The currach supports three rowers but with the aim to raise funds for charity, people are invited to take turns to row with them to raise some funds for these essential services. More information is available on their Facebook page Pulling Together To Save Lives and donations can be made on www.idonate.ie. The death has occurred of Basil Dunne Leixlip, Kildare. May 13, 2024 (peacefully) in the loving care of the staff at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. Beloved husband of Frances and much loved father of Caroline, Fiona, Deborah and the late Samantha and James. Sadly missed by his loving wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers Matt and John, sisters Marie, Kathleen and Junie, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace. Reposing at his home on Thursday evening (May 16) between 5pm and 7 pm. Removal on Friday morning (May 17) to The Church of Our Ladys Nativity, Leixlip arriving for Funeral Mass at 11 am followed by burial in Dardistown Cemetery. Basils funeral Mass may be viewed online (live only) by following this link. Messages of sympathy and condolences for the family may be left at www.cunninghamsfunerals.com. The death has occurred of Sheila O'Neill (nee Rowe) Fontstown, Athy, Kildare / The Curragh, Kildare. Sheila died peacefully at home surrounded by loving family on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Predeceased by her parents John and Sarah Rowe, sisters May and Rita and her granddaughter Gillian. She will be sadly, missed by her devoted husband Jimmy, son Niall, daughters Elaine and Vivienne, grandchildren Lauren, Cian, Aaron, Shauna, Darragh, Zarah, Kai and Charlie, great-grandchild Eabha, daughter-in-law Roberta, sons-in-law Joe and James, sisters Vivi and Patsy, brother John, extended family and friends. Sheila will repose at Thompsons Funeral Home, Chapel Hill, Mount Hawkins, Athy (R14 NX80) on Wednesday, May 15 2024, from 5pm until the conclusion of prayers at 7pm. Arriving at St Itas Church, Kilmead, County Kildare for Requiem Mass at 11am on Thursday, May 16, 2024, burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations, if desired, to the Irish Cancer Society. Donate Here: https://www.cancer.ie/ways-to-help/donate/in-memory-tributes-to-your-loved-one/donate-in-memory The above links are provided and managed by an independent streaming company. The funeral director accepts no responsibility for its functionality or any interruption to a live transmission. Funeral service: https://www.narraghmoreandmoone.ie/kilmead-webcam/ Students from St. Wolstons Community School in Celbridge competed in the Student Enterprise National Finals which saw 28,000 students from almost 500 secondary schools across the country take part. Deputy Principal of St. Wolstons Community School Anne Smyth said, This has been a fantastic learning opportunity for our students and we were proud to represent Kildare. We are ready for the challenge again next year. There were 81 student businesses in contention across three main categories for the Final in what is Irelands largest entrepreneurship programme for second level students. The initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country. Students Maeve Foley Wollmer, Zoe Shannon, Alannah Morely and Caoimhe Ni Drisceoil who worked under the guidance of their teacher, Lorraine Plunkett presented their student enterprise TANdyHand, which helps people apply self-tan to reach their back to get a flawless and even tanned look. The student team had previously won Kildare Local Enterprise Offices county final of the student enterprise programme and following their win, the Local Enterprise Office Kildare team worked with a local product designer to refine the material choices in their original prototype and to experiment with 3D printing. They also met with influencer and AYU Cosmetics company owner Suzie ONeill to learn from her and her industry experience. Jacqui McNabb, Head of Enterprise and Economic Development, Kildare County Council said, Suzie and The AYU brand started their entrepreneurship journey as a client of Local Enterprise Office Kildare and weve watched her grow to international acclaim. We brought in industry experts from Kildare to work with these aspiring female entrepreneurs, and to inspire them to really consider entrepreneurship as a future career. Entrepreneurship is important for students as it builds real world skills of leadership and collaboration, which are helpful and important in a variety of fields. Today's students are tomorrow's leaders, or in this case, tomorrow's entrepreneurs. The Student Enterprise Programme is funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country. Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, over 400,000 students have taken part, learning key skills on how to create a business idea, start a business and grow a business. Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who took part in the ceremony, congratulated the students today and said, Congratulations to everyone who made it to todays National Finals. With over 28,000 students taking part in this years programme, it is a huge achievement to make it to the Finals and shows a real flair for entrepreneurship. Some amazing businesses and entrepreneurs have come from this programme the majority did not win any prizes but are still running successful businesses today. So, to those of you who won something today, a huge congratulations, but most importantly, to you all, this is the first step on the path, you are the entrepreneurs and business leaders of the future and everyone here today is excited to see what you do next. The Student Enterprise Programme is one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, National Womens Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland. Schools wishing to participate in Local Enterprise Office Kildares fully funded Student Enterprise Programme for Transition Year students for the academic year 2024-2025 can get involved by emailing the team via localenterprise@kildarecoco.ie or visit www.studententerprise.ie 39 residential units have been granted planning permission on site of the former Malt House in Monasterevin. A planning application by Clonmel Enterprises Limited was approved by Kildare County Council. The three-storey Malt House dates from 1850 and was refurbished in the 1980s. The former store managers house was built around 1885. The planning application sets out a scheme of 16 houses, eight one-bed apartments and 15 two-bed apartments. Being planned is the demolition of a blockwork section of boundary wall at the entrance to the site as well as the existing bungalow. The plans include the redevelopment of existing buildings and the site of 1.1 hectares to provide 39 residential units. Also planned are internal access roads, footpaths, 55 car parking spaces, cycle parking, landscaping,. There will also be proposed alterations to both the existing vehicular entrance and the entrance to station house which is a protected structure. The estimated construction value of the project is almost 5m, according to Construction Information Ireland database. A man who was driving a car which contained 420,000 worth of cocaine has been jailed for two years. Eamon Larkin (69) of Jenkinstown, Kilcock, Co Meath pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on June 12, 2023 at the N2, The Ward, Dublin 11. An investigating garda told prosecuting counsel that gardai had information that a Skoda with a D10 registration would be involved in the movement of a large quantity of drugs in the Ashbourne area. Larkin was driving this car, which gardai later stopped and searched. A total of six kilos of cocaine was found in a shopping bag in the boot of the car, valued at 420,000. Larkin was arrested and during interview, said he was approached by a stranger in a pub and offered 200 for his role. He told gardai he was aware he was transporting drugs, but didn't know which type. Gardai checked CCTV from the pub, but there was no sighting of Larkin. Other CCTV footage showed Larkin swapping vehicles with a man described in court as a close male relative at a petrol station one hour before the Skoda was stopped. The court heard the Skoda was being driven by Larkin's male relative before the petrol station. Larkin has six previous convictions for road traffic offences. The garda agreed with Michael O'Higgins SC, defending, that Larkin has not been on the garda radar before this and has not come to recent attention. Mr O'Higgins told the court his client has been living a modest home in Portugal and intends to return there. Judge Martin Nolan said the court accepted Larkin was transporting the drugs and had no interest in them. He noted that a custodial sentence will be more difficult for Larkin due to his poor health, adding that he would have imposed a term of between four and five years on a healthy man. I think he has to undergo a period in custody for his wrongdoing, Judge Nolan said, handing Larkin a two year sentence. People engaged in inappropriate behaviour that led to a livestream portal between Dublin and New York being temporarily switched off have let us all down, an Irish minister has said. The video screen portal that links the Irish capital and New York was paused as efforts continue to find solutions to address the problems in front of the installation. Dublin City Council said a preferred solution involving blurring proved to be unsatisfactory and added that the portal would be switched off at 10pm on Tuesday. The council said a small minority of people have engaged in inappropriate behaviour which has been amplified on social media, and included people flashing body parts and displaying offensive images. The livestreaming portal was unveiled last week and gives New York viewers a glimpse of Dublins OConnell Street, while Irish viewers can see live images of people passing through North Earl Street. Irelands Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said that while only a small number of people have been engaged in inappropriate behaviour, it is having an impact. He also rejected suggestions that those involved came from the north inner parts of the city. I dont accept the premise that everybody who was involved in that behaviour came from the north inner city. That is an assumption that I dont accept, he said. I was delighted to see the portal located off the main street of our capital city. I feel that the very small number of people who have been involved in inappropriate behaviour have let us all down. But you only have to see the numbers of people coming to Dublin at the moment to spend their summer holidays here to know that the standing of Dublin in the eyes of the rest of the world is still really really high. I hope the portal not only stays in Dublin, but that it stays where it is. I hope the small number of people that are letting the rest of us down with that behaviour realises the impact it is having and that we can look at ways from a technology perspective that that kind of behaviour is diminished. All that being said, I think anybody standing at the other side of the portal, very early in the morning or very late at night, not everybody always conducts themselves in the way you would want. I think it is a really interesting innovation and I am really interested in seeing the number of people talking about portal and I am sure for the vast majority of people, it was good to look at and good to participate in. Tourism minister Catherine Martin said people using the portal needed to be cognisant of the fact that children may be watching. Asked if she had concerns about the citys reputation due to the incidents of bad behaviour, she added: I think Dublin is still a top destination for tourism and will continue to be. The portal was temporarily closed earlier this week as changes in how the visual link operates were introduced. A new city council statement on Tuesday night said: The team behind the portal art sculpture, Portals.org, has been investigating possible technical solutions to inappropriate behaviour by a small minority of people in front of the portal. Unfortunately the preferred solution, which would have involved blurring, was not satisfactory. As a result the portal will be switched off at 10pm tonight and the team at Portals.org have told us they expect it will be switched back on later this week. We are delighted by how many people have been enjoying the portal since it was launched last week. It has become a global phenomenon and it is important to note that the overwhelming majority of people interacting with the Dublin portal have behaved appropriately. Videos on social media have shown some on the Irish side flashing body parts, displaying swear words on phone screens and showing images of the Twin Towers on 9/11. Another woman was escorted away by Irish police after she was seen grinding against the portal. SilverCrest Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results Financial and Operational Flexibility Continue to Drive Strong Results TSX: SIL | NYSE American: SILV VANCOUVER, BC, May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - SilverCrest Metals Inc. ("SilverCrest" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 ("Q1, 2024"). This release provides additional operational results to supplement the April 17, 2024 release of Q1, 2024 operational highlights from the Company's Las Chispas operation ("Las Chispas" or the "Operation") located in Sonora, Mexico. All amounts herein are presented in United States Dollars ("US$"), unless otherwise stated. N. Eric Fier, CEO, commented, "We are proud to deliver another quarter of strong financial and operational performance. Our ability to deliver consistent results is a function of the operational and financial flexibility we have created, which was showcased in a number of ways this quarter. The planned mobilization of our new underground mining contractor began in February, with ramp-up of the underground benefiting from excellent cooperation between our new and outgoing contractors leading to a 10% increase in average daily mining rates from Q4, 2023. Our ability to strategically blend from surface stockpiles and underground resulted in record silver equivalent process grades of 874 grams per tonne and recoveries of 98.3%, supporting higher than expected silver equivalent sales, despite planned processing plant maintenance. Our financial flexibility supported a planned lump sum payment for 2023 taxes and duties of $26.2 million while still ending the quarter with total treasury assets of $91.1 million, including $20.0 million of bullion. Our financial strength allows us to hold bullion thereby increasing the exposure to the metal for our shareholders without additional operating risk. The strong start to the year positions us favourably to deliver on our 2024 guidance." References to average realized gold and silver price, sustaining and non-sustaining capital expenditures, free cash flow, free cash flow per share (basic), working capital, operating cash flow before changes in working capital, operating cash flow before changes in working capital per share (basic), operating cash flow per share (basic), treasury assets, cash costs, and corporate all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") are described in more detail in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this news release. Q1, 2024 Highlights Recovered 14,719 ounces ("oz") gold ("Au") and 1.4 million oz silver ("Ag"), or 2.6 million oz silver equivalent ("AgEq" 1 ). ). Sold 15,000 oz Au and 1.4 million oz Ag (2.6 million oz AgEq) at average realized prices of $2,062 /oz Au and $23.37 /oz Ag. /oz Au and /oz Ag. Revenue of $63.6 million and cost of sales of $26.2 million . and cost of sales of . Mine operating earnings of $37.5 million (59% operating margin), exceeded the $36.9 million generated in Q4, 2023. (59% operating margin), exceeded the generated in Q4, 2023. Net earnings of $33.9 million or basic earnings of $0.23 per share. or basic earnings of per share. Cash costs of $7.09 per oz AgEq sold and AISC of $12.90 per oz AgEq sold. per oz AgEq sold and AISC of per oz AgEq sold. Operating cash outflow of $1.1 million and operating cash flow before changes in working capital of $17.6 million or $0.12 per share, after payment of 2023 taxes and duties which totaled $26.2 million . and operating cash flow before changes in working capital of or per share, after payment of 2023 taxes and duties which totaled . Free cash flow was negative $11.4 million or $0.08 per share for the quarter, due largely to the payment of 2023 taxes and duties and a $7.5 million prepayment for mining services. or per share for the quarter, due largely to the payment of 2023 taxes and duties and a prepayment for mining services. Reported retained earnings of $21.5 million on the Company's balance sheet at the end of the quarter, achieving this milestone in only the sixth quarter since commercial production was declared. on the Company's balance sheet at the end of the quarter, achieving this milestone in only the sixth quarter since commercial production was declared. Ended the quarter with treasury assets totaling $91.1 million ( $71.1 million cash and $20.0 million in bullion) and no debt outstanding. ______________________________ 1 Silver equivalent ("AgEq") ratio used in this news release of 79.51:1 based on the Las Chispas Operation Technical Report dated September 5, 2023, with an effective date of July 19, 2023 (the "2023 Technical Report"). First Quarter Operating Performance The following operating performance refers to operating cash flow per share (basic), free cash flow, free cash flow per share (basic), cash costs, AISC, and treasury assets which are described in more detail in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this news release. OPERATIONAL Unit Q1, 2024 Q1, 2023 Ore mined tonnes 85,737 63,600 Underground development km 4.2 2.8 Ore milled(1) tonnes 93,373 104,400 Average daily mill throughput tonnes per day ("tpd") 1,026 1,160 Gold Average grade gpt 4.97 4.06 Recovery % 98.6 % 97.5 % Recovered oz 14,719 13,300 Sold oz 15,000 14,200 Silver Average grade gpt 479 419 Recovery % 98.0 % 91.9 % Recovered million oz 1.41 1.29 Sold million oz 1.40 1.36 Silver equivalent(2) Average grade gpt 874 742 Recovery % 98.3 % 94.4 % Recovered million oz 2.58 2.35 Sold million oz 2.59 2.49 FINANCIAL Unit Q1, 2024 Q1, 2023 Revenue $ millions $ 63.6 $ 58.0 Cost of sales $ millions $ (26.2) $ (22.4) Mine operating earnings $ millions $ 37.5 $ 35.6 Earnings for the period $ millions $ 33.9 $ 27.2 Earnings per share (basic) $/share $ 0.23 $ 0.18 Operating cash flow $ millions $ (1.1) $ 26.6 Operating cash flow per share (basic) $/share $ (0.01) $ 0.18 Free cash flow $ millions $ (11.4) $ 19.0 Free cash flow per share (basic) $/share $ (0.08) $ 0.13 Cash costs(2) $/oz AgEq $ 7.09 $ 7.36 AISC(2) $/oz AgEq $ 12.90 $ 10.90 Unit March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Cash and cash equivalents $ millions $ 71.1 $ 86.0 Bullion $ millions $ 20.0 $ 19.2 Treasury assets $ millions $ 91.1 $ 105.2 (1) Ore milled includes material from stockpiles and ore mined. (2) Q1, 2023 figures have been recast to align with the current period's presentation as follows: 1. Silver equivalent ounces sold have been adjusted to reflect a ratio of 79.51:1, used in the 2023 Technical Report, from the previous 86.9:1, and 2. Cash costs increased by $2.1 million from the exclusion of adjustments for corporate salaries and other expenses, and changes in inventories. Underground In the quarter, a total of 85,737 tonnes were mined from the underground. Mining rates in Q1, 2024 averaged 942 tpd, a 10% increase from Q4, 2023. Ramp-up of the underground is planned to continue through 2024 with a target to exit the year at over 1,050 tpd. Key performance indicators which track the quality of mining, such as ore loss and mining dilution, continued to track to or better than plan. The mobilization of the new underground mining contractor is largely on pace and continuing to progress, with good collaboration and coordination between the new and outgoing contractors contributing to the strong underground mining rates in the quarter. Mobilization of our new contractor is expected to continue through Q3, 2024. In the quarter, the Company completed 4.2 km of horizontal and vertical underground development. Development rates and costs were inline with expectations. Processing Plant Average daily mill throughput was 1,026 tpd in Q1, 2024, a decrease from previous quarters due to planned maintenance that was completed ahead of schedule. Process plant availability returned to 92% in March 2024, which is in the range of planned availability. Average processed grades of 4.97 gpt Au and 479 gpt Ag, or 874 gpt AgEq marked a record for silver equivalent processed grades. These higher grades were strategically planned to offset the planned downtime in Q1, 2024, facilitated by sizable surface stockpiles and a flexible mine plan. Process grades are expected to moderate in Q2, 2024 as processing plant rates increase to be more inline with the expected average rate for the remainder of 2024 of 1,200 tpd. Average process recoveries in Q1, 2024 were 98.6% Au and 98.0% Ag, or 98.3% AgEq, setting another record for the plant. These higher recoveries benefited from consistent and higher grade feed. Sustaining Capital Sustaining capital totaled $10.2 million in Q1, 2024 which consisted largely of the costs attributed to underground development and infrastructure. Expenditures in the quarter were lower than planned due to the timing of some payments and delay in execution of some surface infrastructure projects which are expected to be made in Q2, 2024. The delay in sustaining capital spending is not expected to impact production with 2024 sustaining capital still expected to be in the range of $40.0 to $44.0 million. Costs During the quarter, cash costs averaged $7.09 per oz AgEq sold. Cash costs were below the 2024 guidance range of $9.50 to $10.00 per oz AgEq sold, mainly due to lower volume processed, higher grades, and lower maintenance costs. Cash costs are expected to increase over the balance of the year to align with 2024 full year guidance. AISC averaged $12.90 per oz AgEq sold in Q1, 2024, lower than expected due primarily to a combination of lower cash costs and sustaining capital costs. It is anticipated that AISC will increase in Q2, 2024, with 2024 annual AISC guidance of $15.00 to $15.90 per oz AgEq sold reiterated. Exploration Beginning in H2, 2023 through Q1, 2024, a combination of infill (75%) and expansion (25%) drilling (161 holes totaling 34,384 metres) was completed to test Inferred resources that were identified as high priority for potential conversion to Indicated resources in the 2023 Technical Report. Approximately 10 million oz AgEq were targeted for potential conversion to Indicated resources in proximity to existing or planned underground development. Drilling targeted the Babicanora Area where seven veins were tested. Drill results confirmed mineral continuity in these targets, with results in general verifying the grades and thicknesses of the targeted Inferred resource proximal to underground infrastructure as presented in the 2023 Technical Report. Opportunities for further expansion of mineralization were identified in the Babicanora Norte Splay 3 vein ("BAN Splay 3") and Babicanora Sur vein ("BAS") where drilling extended the mineralized footprint down dip and to the southeast of BAN Splay 3 and to the northwest of BAS beyond the initial area of the targeted Inferred resources. These results are being compiled and assessed for the potential conversion to Indicated resources for reserve consideration. Drill intercept highlights from 161 drillholes are presented in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2024. 2024 Las Chispas and Regional Exploration Program With the majority of the Las Chispas high priority Inferred resources now drill tested, exploration efforts will return to earlier stage targeting at Las Chispas and regionally. The Company's strong regional geological knowledge and expertise is being applied to identify potential nearby satellite deposits which could eventually contribute additional feed to the Las Chispas plant. Throughout 2023 a regional evaluation program was carried out to identify priority opportunities. In 2024, a number of targets, including Picacho, have been chosen for further work including mapping, sampling, and drilling. The 2024 exploration budget of $12.0 to $14.0 million is inclusive of this regional work. Selected First Quarter Financial Results Revenue During Q1, 2024, the Company sold a total of 15,000 oz Au and 1.4 million oz Ag at average realized prices of $2,062/oz Au and $23.37/oz Ag, generating revenue of $63.6 million. During Q1, 2023, the Company sold a total of 14,200 oz Au and 1.4 million oz Ag at average realized prices of $1,879/oz Au and $23.00/oz Ag, generating revenue of $58.0 million. The increase in revenue for Q1, 2024 was driven by higher Au and Ag prices and quantities sold. Income Q1, 2024 net earnings of $33.9 million, or $0.23 per share, was $6.7 million more than Q1, 2023 net earnings of $27.2 million, or $0.18 per share, primarily related to $3.5 million in lower taxes from utilization of tax attributes in the current quarter, $1.9 million in higher mine operating earnings resulting from higher realized metal prices and increased sales quantities, and $1.4 million of other income, from bullion and derivative gains, in Q1, 2024 with no amount in Q1, 2023. Net earnings in both Q1, 2024 and Q1, 2023 benefited from relatively low effective tax rates, well below anticipated long term tax rates which are expected to approximate statutory corporate tax rates. The effective tax rate for Q1, 2024 was 5%. Cash Flow In Q1, 2024, cash flow used by operating activities was $1.1 million, primarily the result of a $26.2 million payment for taxes and duties, a $7.5 million prepayment for mining services, offset by strong cash mine operating earnings in the quarter. The Company expects to pay a further $1.2 million in 2023 income taxes in Q2, 2024 and begin the payment of 2024 monthly income tax installments. Mining duties are paid annually in the first quarter based on the previous financial year. Guidance for tax payments related to taxable income generated in 2024 is $28.0 to $33.0 million based on metal prices of $1,850/oz Au and $22.80/oz Ag and Mexican peso to US dollar of 17:1. During the quarter, a total of $14.8 million was recorded in payments for mineral properties, plant, and equipment, of which $10.2 million was related to sustaining capital expenditures. Q1, 2024 free cash flow was negative $11.4 million (or $0.08 per share) largely due to the $26.2 million payment for 2023 taxes and duties. Financial Position As at March 31, 2024, the Company had treasury assets of $91.1 million ($71.1 million cash and $20.0 million in bullion). The Company also had $4.9 million in trade and other receivables related to metal sales, which was received early in Q2, 2024. The Company remains debt free with access to an undrawn $70.0 million revolving facility. Bullion assets increased by 4% during the quarter as a result of strong metal prices. Since undertaking the bullion holding strategy in Q1, 2023, bullion has outperformed all of the other currencies utilized by the Company and continues to add increased exposure to gold and silver for investors. The Company's working capital was $148.3 million at March 31, 2024, an increase of $21.5 million from December 31, 2023, primarily due to the payment of income tax liabilities which were accrued at the end of 2023. ESG In Q1, 2024 installation of two kilometres of pipeline for water conduction for agricultural use in the community was initiated as part of the Company's ongoing commitment to water stewardship. Also in the quarter, work continued to advance efforts to integrate renewable solar power at Las Chispas. This program is expected to be underway through 2024 with a target to begin implementation of a solar installation in 2025. The benefits of this program are expected to include cost savings and a reduction in GHG emissions. First Quarter 2024 Conference Call A conference call to discuss the Company's Q1, 2024 operational and financial results will be held Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT / 11:00 a.m. ET. To participate in the conference call, please dial the numbers below. Date & Time: Wednesday May 15, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT / 11:00 a.m. ET Telephone: North America Toll Free: 1-800-274-8461 Conference ID: SILVER (745837) Webcast: https://silvercrestmetals.com/investors/presentations/ ABOUT SILVERCREST METALS INC. SilverCrest is a Canadian precious metals producer headquartered in Vancouver, BC. The Company's principal focus is its Las Chispas Operation in Sonora, Mexico. SilverCrest has an ongoing initiative to increase its asset base by expanding current resources and reserves, acquiring, discovering, and developing high value precious metals projects and ultimately operating multiple silver-gold mines in the Americas. The Company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metal mining sector, including taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Management believes that the following non-GAAP financial measures will enable certain investors to better evaluate the Company's performance, liquidity, and ability to generate cash flow. These measures do not have any standardized definition under IFRS, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate these measures differently. Average realized gold and silver price Average realized gold and silver price per ounce is calculated by dividing the Company's gross revenue from gold or silver sales for the relevant period by the gold or silver ounces sold, respectively. The Company believes the measure is useful in understanding the metal prices realized by the Company throughout the period. The following table reconciles revenue and metal sold during the period with average realized prices: Three months ended March 31, 2024 2023 Gold revenue 30,923 26,676 Gold ounces sold during the period 15,000 14,200 Average realized gold price (per oz sold) $ 2,062 $ 1,879 Silver revenue 32,723 31,307 Silver ounces sold during the period 1,400,000 1,361,000 Average realized silver price (per oz sold) $ 23.37 $ 23.00 Capital expenditures Capital expenditures are classified into sustaining capital expenditures or non-sustaining capital expenditures depending on the nature of the expenditure. Sustaining capital expenditures are those required to support current production levels. Non-sustaining capital expenditures represent the capital spending at new projects and major, discrete projects at existing operations intended to increase production or extend mine life. Management believes this to be a useful indicator of the purpose of capital expenditures and this distinction is an input into the calculation of AISC. The following table reconciles payments for mineral properties, plant and equipment, and equipment leases to sustaining and non-sustaining capital expenditures: Three months ended March 31, 2024 2023 Payments for mineral properties, plant and equipment $ 14,804 $ 7,930 Payments for equipment leases 11 43 Total capital expenditures 14,815 7,973 Less: Non-sustaining capital expenditures (4,586) (320) Sustaining capital expenditures $ 10,229 $ 7,653 Free cash flow Free cash flow subtracts sustaining capital expenditures from net cash provided by operating activities, serving as a valuable indicator of our capacity to generate cash from operations post-sustaining capital investments. The following table reconciles this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable IFRS measure. Three months ended March 31, 2024 2023(1) Operating cash flow $ (1,121) $ 26,617 Less: sustaining capital expenditures (10,229) (7,653) Free cash flow $ (11,350) $ 18,964 Free cash flow per share (basic) $ (0.08) $ 0.13 Weighted average shares outstanding (basic) 146,954 147,200 (1) Q1, 2023 operating cash flow has been adjusted to include $1.1 million in interest paid and $0.7 million in interest received which was previously presented in financing and investing activities, respectively. Working capital Working capital is calculated as current assets less current liabilities. The Company uses working capital as a measure of the Company's operational efficiency and short-term financial health. Operating cash flow before change in working capital The Company uses operating cash flow before change in working capital to determine the Company's ability to generate cash flow from operations, and is calculated by adding back the change in working capital to operating cash flow as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Three months ended March 31, 2024 2023(1) Operating cash flow $ (1,121) $ 26,617 Less: change in working capital 18,735 8,544 Operating cash flow before change in working capital $ 17,614 $ 35,161 Operating cash flow per share (basic) $ (0.01) $ 0.18 Operating cash flow before change in working capital per share (basic) $ 0.12 $ 0.24 Weighted average shares outstanding (basic) 146,954 147,200 (1) Q1, 2023 operating cash flow has been adjusted to include $1.1 million in interest paid and $0.7 million in interest received which was previously presented in financing and investing activities, respectively. Treasury assets SilverCrest calculates treasury assets as cash and cash equivalents plus bullion as reported in the consolidated statements of financial position. Management believes that treasury assets provide a useful measure of the Company's most liquid assets that can be used to settle short-term obligations or provide liquidity. Treasury assets are calculated as follows: March 31 2024 December 31 2023 Cash and cash equivalents $ 71,085 $ 85,964 Bullion 20,039 19,191 Treasury assets $ 91,124 $ 105,155 Cash costs Cash costs include production costs, and government royalties. Management uses this measure to monitor the performance of its mining operation and ability to generate positive cash flow on a site basis. AISC All-in sustaining costs, a non-GAAP financial measure, starts with cash costs and includes general and administrative costs, reclamation accretion expense and sustaining capital expenditures. Management uses this measure to monitor the performance of its mining operation and ability to generate positive cash flow on an overall company basis. Cash costs and AISC are calculated as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2024 2023(1) Production costs $ 18,203 $ 18,038 Government royalties 190 294 Total cash costs 18,393 18,332 General and administrative expenses 4,695 3,533 Reclamation accretion expense 136 107 Sustaining capital expenditures 10,229 5,181 Total AISC $ 33,453 $ 27,153 Silver equivalent ounces sold (koz) 2,593 2,490 Cash costs (per AgEq sold) $ 7.09 $ 7.36 AISC (per AgEq sold) $ 12.90 $ 10.90 (1) Q1, 2023 Figures have been recast to align with the current period's presentation as follows: 1. Silver equivalent ounces sold have been adjusted to reflect a ratio of 79.51:1, used in the 2023 Technical Report, from the previous 86.9:1, and 2. Cash costs increased by $2.1 million from the exclusion of adjustments for corporate salaries and other expenses, and changes in inventories. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These include, without limitation, statements with respect to: the Company's 2024 guidance and outlook; the amount of future production of gold and silver over any period; the strategic plans and expectations for the Company's operation and exploration program; working capital requirements; expected recoveries; expected cash costs and outflows, Au and Ag prices and currency exchange rates. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: present and future business strategies; continued commercial operations at the Las Chispas Operation; the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of gold and silver; estimates of capital and operating costs; production estimates; estimates of mineral resources, mineral reserves and metallurgical recoveries and mining operational risk; the reliability of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; mining and development costs; the conditions in general economic and financial markets; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of expenditures related to exploration programs; and effects of regulation by governmental agencies and changes in Mexican mining legislation. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors including: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; fluctuations in gold and silver prices and currency exchange rates; and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. Qualified Persons Statement The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng, CEO for SilverCrest, who has reviewed and approved its contents. SOURCE SilverCrest Metals Inc. 14 may 2024 at 16:59 News published onand distributed by: TUC.technology in Paris - TUC.tiny and TUC.modular Dashboard World Premiere at Viva Technology 2024, May 22-25 Just over a month after the Digital World Premiere, TUC.tiny is ready to make its debut at VivaTech 2024, the most important technology fair in Europe. In Hall 1, Pavilion 41, TUC S.r.l. will present to the public for the first time its latest technological innovation: TUC.tiny, the Modular Dashboard concept, and the TUC.technology offering, developed to revolutionize the world of mobility. TUC.tiny is the compact version of the industrialized technology launched last year, based on the TUC.technology patent and released in over 140 countries. It is currently the subject of collaborations with industry leaders such as ZER01NE, the Hyundai Motor Group's Open Innovation Platform, for the development of "Human-centric" vehicles. This technological gem is based on the three pillars of TUC: mechanical structure, electronic management, and data exchange. Thanks to the integration of USB Type-C technology, TUC.tiny aims to reinvent the interaction between users and vehicles, converging mobility and everyday life. The result of advanced research by TUC S.r.l. in technological miniaturization and simplification, TUC.tiny represents the core of the company's patented technology, designed to innovate the value chain in the mobility sector with a "human-centric" approach. It is an ideal solution for both the main players in the sector and users, representing a perfect synthesis of their needs. The Modular Dashboard, developed to showcase the potential of TUC.tiny, is a true blank canvas, customizable infinite times thanks to TUC.tiny and TUC.technology. An environment to inhabit and configure without limits, adapting functionally and flexibly to the needs of users. With TUC.tiny and its advanced interface - including physical fastening, electrical connectivity, and data transfer - any device can be integrated into the modular dashboard design, making it immediately operational. TUC.tiny supports all everyday devices with USB Type-C connection, distinguishing itself by seamlessly blending into any part of the vehicle. Its robustness is ensured by a mechanical or electro-actuated locking mechanism, introducing the novelty of NFC technology for added security. The introduction of TUC.tiny completes the TUC.technology offering, marking a step forward towards the democratization of technology. The gateway to an advanced mobility experience becomes wider, easily accommodating the smart objects that animate our daily lives. TUC.tiny and TUC.technology embody the vision of the mobility ecosystem of the future: interconnected, multimodal, circular, and dynamic. This technology not only connects but synthesizes different spheres of our lives, making mobility more accessible, customizable, and environmentally conscious. TUC invites everyone to imagine and build together a world where technology unites us, improving every aspect of our daily journey. The project, which started in the automotive sector, now aims to scale the technology to new verticals such as aerospace and marine sectors. "The World Premiere of TUC.tiny at VivaTech 2024 is an important recognition for TUC.technology as an enabler of the Mobility of the Future," said Ludovico Campana, Inventor and CEO of TUC. "TUC.tiny represents our promise for the future: the vision of a world where technology and mobility create personalized experiences designed around the needs of each individual. This is the future that TUC S.r.l. is building: a mobility ecosystem driven by the values of democratization, personalization, and sustainability." TUC.tiny and the Modular Dashboard are ready to be showcased live to the public at VivaTech 2024, demonstrating that this vision is already a reality. For more information, visit the "NEWSROOM" section of the website: https://www.tuc.technology/newsroom. ABOUT TUC.technology TUC S.r.l. is a leading Deep-Tech company in mobility innovation, specializing in the development of modular solutions for vehicles that aim to simplify and revolutionize the concept of a vehicle. Distinguished by technological excellence on an international level, TUC has received significant recognitions, including exhibitions at CES in Las Vegas and the National Automobile Museum. With the launch of TUC 3.0, the company sets new standards in the sector, collaborating with major global OEMs. Learn more at http://www.tuc.technology. Facebook @TUCtechnology Instagram @tuc.technology Twitter @TUCtechnology Linkedin @TUC.technology 15 may 2024 at 05:35 News published onand distributed by: Unitree Robotics introduces G1 Humanoid agent AI avatar HANGZHOU, China, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 13, Unitree Robotics introduces its latest masterpiece??Unitree G1 Humanoid agent, AI avatar! It immediately caused a sensation in the global AI and robotics fields. The robot is about 127 centimeters tall and weighs about 35 kilograms. It has flexibility beyond ordinary people and unlocks unlimited movement potential. The walking speed of G1 is about 2m/s. It has a large joint movement space, with 23-43 joints, and the maximum joint torque can reach 120N.m. It can perform high-load dynamic movements, such as dynamic stand-up, seat folding, dance stick, etc. At the same time, G1 is based on deep reinforcement learning and simulation training, and uses the accelerated development of AI to continuously upgrade and evolve. G1 can be equipped with the optional Dex3-1 force-controlled dexterous hand. Through force-position hybrid control, G1 can simulate the precise operation ability of the human hand and accurately control various objects.Whether it is smashing walnuts, carrying heavy objects, or picking up fragile objects such as eggs, the G1 can demonstrate extremely high accuracy and stability. What's more worth mentioning is that the G1 robot can also easily handle delicate operations such as opening soda bottles and welding. These tasks that were considered difficult for machines in the past have now become a piece of cake under the dexterous control of the G1. In terms of visual sensors, G1 is equipped with Intel RealSense D435 and LIVOX-MID360 3D lidar, which can achieve 360 detection and perception. These sensors provide a powerful perception hardware foundation, allowing G1 to better understand the surrounding environment. In addition, the G1 power supply module supports two hours of battery life and quick disassembly. There are two versions of the G1 humanoid robot released this time, namely G1 and G1 EDU. The price of G1 is $16k (excluding tax and shipping). As an advanced version, G1 EDU provides a combination of different module solutions, and the price is customized according to different customer needs. Compared with G1, G1 EDU supports Dex3-1 force-controlled dexterous hand installation, optional tactile sensor arrays, greater knee joint torque and arm load, and optional NVIDIA Jetson Orin high computing power module to support secondary development. Unitree also released the robot world model, providing a co-creation platform: UnifoLM (Unitree Robot Unified Large Model), allowing everyone to jointly create a new era of intelligent agents and explore unlimited innovation possibilities. As we all know, G1 is the second general-purpose humanoid robot introduced by Unitree, and will be widely used in comprehensive fields in the future. As early as last year, Unitree mass-produced the world's first full-size electric-driven humanoid robot H1 with the ability to perform backflips on the spot. It is about 180 cm tall and weighs about 47 kg. It has set a world record for the fastest running humanoid robot with a moving speed of 3.3m/s. At present, H1's AI-driven programs are rapidly iterating and changing with each passing day. In just six months, it has introduced several major version upgrades,becoming the world's leading company in high-performance humanoid robot technology and shipments. Unitree G1 has made its debut at the ICRA 2024 Yokohama Japan exhibition. At the same time,in the sub-forums and seminars held on May 17, Xingxing Wang, the founder and CEO of Unitree Technology, will deliver three wonderful speeches, which will further demonstrate Unitree's outstanding influence in the field of global robotics. Looking back on thousands of years of human history, we are now in an exciting era. Unitree will continue to rapidly promote breakthroughs in robotic technology and open a new era of intelligent agents. About 30% of industrial scenarios are expected to be redefined in the future, including many jobs in agriculture, construction and other fields that can be completed by humanoid robots, thus truly upgrading productivity. Introduction: https://www.unitree.com/g1 Website: www.unitree.com Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Unitree Robotics 15 may 2024 at 06:58 News published onand distributed by: Microbix Reports Strong Results for Q2 Fiscal 2024 MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, OTCQX: MBXBF, Microbix), a life sciences innovator, manufacturer, and exporter, reports results for its second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024 ended March 31, 2024 ("Q2" and "H1"), with strong growth in sequential and year-over-year quarterly revenues, reflective of ongoing progress to increase sales from its diagnostic-test related ingredients and devices businesses and resulting in net income for Q2 and H1. Management Discussion Results for Q2 show robust growth in sales of Microbix's test ingredients ("Antigens") and test quality assessment products ("QAPstm"), which were collectively up by 34% versus prior year. The resulting revenues of over C$ 5.6 million led to meaningful net earnings and continue to set the stage for a record full-year fiscal 2024. Microbix believes sales growth will continue for Antigens and QAPs, alongside satisfactory progress of Kinlytic toward FDA re-approval and re-launch into the U.S. market. Quarter ending March 31, 2024 ("Q2") Q2 revenue was $5,632,901, a 34% increase from Q2 2023 revenues of $4,218,323. Antigen sales grew by 37% to $4,111,462 (2023 - $3,004,730), while QAPs grew by 27% to $1,399,596 (2023 - $1,101,684). Revenue from royalties increased to $121,843 (2023 - $111,910). Q2 gross margin was 53%, down from Q2 2023 gross margins of 60%. Gross margins were primarily impacted by product mix and and increased weighting of Antigen revenues during the quarter. Operating and finance expenses in Q2 increased by 4% relative to Q2 2023 . Q2 costs reflect the ongoing costs of our IT systems upgrades which began in the latter half of fiscal 2023 and amortization charges relating to the reversal of the impairment of the Kinlytic intangible asset which began at the end of fiscal 2023. Increased sales and higher gross margin dollars led to an operating income and net income of $377,730 versus a Q2 2023 operating income and net income of $31,616. Cash provided by operating activities was $839,245, compared to cash used in operating activities of ($1,055,856) in Q2 2023. Period ending March 31, 2024 ("H1") H1 revenue was $14,040,785, a 109% increase from H1 2023 revenues of $6,720,395. Included were antigen revenues of $6,065,138 (2023 - $4,008,537), up 51% from last year. QAPs revenues of $3,647,832 were up 51% from H1 2023 (2023 - $2,435,186), due in large part to the more than doubling of sales of our branded PROCEEDx and REDxtm QAPs products. Revenue from royalties were $241,155 (2023 - $276,672). H1 revenues were also greatly influenced by the recognition of $4,086,000 in Kinlytic licensing milestone payments (2023 ? nil). In summary, the H1 2024 sales growth result was driven by Kinlytic licensing revenues and significant growth in both our Antigens and QAPs businesses. H1 gross margin was 65%, up from 55% in H1 2023, primarily due to the impact of Kinlytic licensing revenues and stronger QAPs revenues. Operating expenses in H1 increased by 28% relative to H1 2023, principally due to US$ 500,000 in investment-banking fees related to our Kinlytic licensing agreement that were absorbed into G&A in accordance with IFRS accounting practices. In addition, H1 costs reflect the on going costs of our IT systems which began in the latter half of fiscal 2023 and amortization relating to the reversal of the impairment of the Kinlytic intangible asset, which began at the end of fiscal 2023. Overall, strong H1 revenues led to an operating income and net income of $2,833,109 versus a H1 2023 operating loss and net loss of $1,267,647. Cash provided by operating activities was $2,178,196, compared to cash used in operating activities of $1,769,723 in H1 2023, with much of the change coming from operating income and changes in working capital balances during the period. At the end of Q2, Microbix's current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) was 6.64 and its debt to equity ratio (total debt over shareholders' equity) was 0.37, both measures having improved from the prior year second quarter (Q2 2023) and the preceding fiscal year end (Q4 2023). FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Three months ended Six months ended For the three months and six months ended March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023 March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023 Total Revenue $ 5,632,901 $ 4,218,323 $ 14,040,785 $ 6,720,395 Gross Margin 2,970,969 2,527,280 9,193,301 3,713,255 SG&A Expenses 2,016,032 1,878,420 5,184,281 3,841,622 R&D Expense 495,881 525,925 980,100 950,883 Financial Expenses 81,326 91,319 195,811 188,397 Operating Income (Loss) for the period 377,730 733,489 2,833,109 1,614,267 Net Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the period 377,730 31,616 2,833,109 (1,267,647 ) Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities 839,245 (1,055,856 ) 2,178,196 (1,769,723 ) As at March 31, 2024 September 30, 2023 Cash 12,873,087 11,606,487 Accounts receivable 4,407,630 4,119,771 Total current assets 24,683,176 22,302,006 Total assets 37,922,214 35,653,024 Total current liabilities 3,718,551 4,349,942 Total liabilities 10,165,806 11,028,537 Total shareholders' equity 27,756,408 24,624,487 Current ratio 6.64 5.13 Debt to equity ratio 0.37 0.45 Corporate Outlook Microbix will continue to drive sales growth across all of its business lines, and work to keep improving percentage gross margins and driving bottom-line results. Management currently expects Microbix to generate meaningful year-over-year growth in revenues and net earnings across full-year fiscal 2024. Furthermore, at 10:00 AM ET on Wednesday May 15th, Microbix intends to hold a webinar discussion of Q2 2024 results with its CEO, CFO, and COO. Investors and shareholders can participate in the webinar, hosted by Adelaide Capital, by registering at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_imQCaP3DTQC-1oGUSfs85g. It will also be live-streamed to YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Jpt_DWjF1qSCzfKlpLMWw. A replay of the webinar will also be made available on Adelaide Capital's YouTube channel. About Microbix Biosystems Inc. Microbix Biosystems Inc. creates proprietary biological products for human health, with over 100 skilled employees and annualized revenues approaching C$ 2.0 million per month. It enables the worldwide commercialization of diagnostic assays by making a wide range of critical ingredients and devices for the global diagnostics industry, notably antigens for immunoassays and its laboratory quality assessment products (QAPstm) that support clinical lab proficiency testing, enable assay development and validation, or help ensure the quality of clinical diagnostic workflows. Its antigens drive the antibody tests of approximately 100 diagnostics makers, while QAPs are sold to clinical lab accreditation organizations, diagnostics companies, and clinical labs. Microbix QAPs are now available in over 30 countries, supported by a network of international distributors. Microbix is ISO 9001 & 13485 accredited, U.S. FDA registered, Australian TGA registered, Health Canada establishment licensed, and provides CE marked products. Microbix also applies its biological expertise and infrastructure to develop other proprietary products and technologies, most notably Kinlytic urokinase, a biologic thrombolytic drug used to treat blood clots, and reagents or media to support molecular diagnostic testing (e.g., its DxTMtm for patient-sample collection). Microbix is traded on the TSX and OTCQX, and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Forward-Looking Information This news release includes "forward-looking information," as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, discussion of financial results or the outlook for the business, risks associated with its financial results and stability, its current or future products, development projects such as those referenced herein, sales to foreign jurisdictions, engineering and construction, production (including control over costs, quality, quantity and timeliness of delivery), foreign currency and exchange rates, maintaining adequate working capital and raising further capital on acceptable terms or at all, and other similar statements concerning anticipated future events, conditions or results that are not historical facts. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward looking information is inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and represent the Company's judgement as of the date of this new release, and the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking information. Please visit www.microbix.com or www.sedarplus.ca for recent Microbix news and filings. For further information, please contact Microbix at: Cameron Groome, CEO (905) 361-8910 Jim Currie, CFO (905) 361-8910 Deborah Honig, Investor Relations Adelaide Capital Markets (647) 203-8793 [email protected] Copyright 2024 Microbix Biosystems Inc. Microbix, DxTMtm, Kinlytic, & QAPstm are trademarks of Microbix Biosystems Inc. 15 may 2024 at 07:45 News published onand distributed by: CRN Recognizes Amy Appleyard of LastPass on the 2024 Women of the Channel List LastPass, a leader in password and identity management solutions, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Amy Appleyard, chief revenue officer, to the Women of the Channel list for 2024. Every year, CRN highlights women from vendor, distributor, and solution provider organizations whose vision and leadership have a beneficial influence on the technology industry. The CRN 2024 Women of the Channel honorees are creative, strategic leaders who show ongoing commitment to using their skills to innovate and drive success for their partners and customers. With this recognition, CRN honors these women leaders for their unwavering dedication and commitment to furthering channel excellence. As a cybersecurity and sales veteran with over 15 years of experience driving high-growth sales organizations, Appleyard brings a wealth of knowledge to her role along with a passionate advocacy for diversity across sales and leadership teams. At LastPass, Amy drives key priorities across revenue-related functions, oversees the overall customer journey, and supports global sales performance. She has played a key role in the launch of LastPass' channel program, having fostered the program, making key hires, overseeing the roll out of a new partner portal and program, and evangelized selling through partners internally. As a result, LastPass' channel business grew triple digits in 2023, and is well-positioned for continued growth going forward. Before joining LastPass, Appleyard held key roles in several cybersecurity companies, including most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Global Sales for Malwarebytes and Vice President of Sales for the Commercial division of VMware Carbon Black. "It is a great privilege to honor the remarkable achievements of these women leaders in the IT channel," said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S. Content and Executive Editor, CRN at The Channel Company. "Each woman on the list has demonstrated a deep commitment to innovation and leadership that advances their organizations and drives transformation and success across the IT channel." "I am honored to be included in the company of such a dynamic group of channel leaders. Delivering cybersecurity solutions requires value-added partnerships that provide the expertise, options and innovation customers need to address their unique businesses, functions and cyber risk profiles," said Appleyard. "LastPass continues to invest in its people, technology and partnerships so that we can better address our current and future customers' unique and changing needs." CRN's 2024 Women of the Channel also recognizes LastPass' Vice President of Global Channels and Alliances, Jessica Couto, for her accomplishments as Vice President of North American channels at her prior company, Imperva. Couto joined the LastPass team in January 2024, bringing more than two decades of channel sales leadership to a LastPass organization committed to building a robust, growing channel partner ecosystem. "Building LastPass into a world-class channel partner has been a critical component of transitioning the organization from a product line within a broader portfolio company to a stand-alone, fully dedicated provider of industry-leading password and identity management solutions," said Couto. "To that end, LastPass has assembled a management team with decades of combined cybersecurity and channel sales experience and success. We believe that this leadership team, together with significant investments in enterprise infrastructure, product integrity and innovation, and proven security, privacy and engineering teams, have positioned LastPass for continued channel growth in the months and years to come." The 2024 Women of the Channel list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine, with online coverage starting May 13 at www.CRN.com/WOTC. About LastPass LastPass is a leader in password and identity management solutions that helps 100,000 businesses and millions of consumers secure their credentials at work and at home. Since 2008, LastPass has made logins easier, more secure, and accessible across virtually any device. Today, LastPass innovates for a passwordless future by supporting next-generation security solutions that respond to human behavior, including biometric logins and beyond. Learn more via www.lastpass.com and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, X and Instagram. LastPass is trademarked in the U.S. and other countries. About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end-users. Backed by over 40 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com Follow The Channel Company: X and LinkedIn 2024. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 15 may 2024 at 08:15 News published onand distributed by: Career Gaps Not a Problem According to Canadian Hiring Managers TORONTO, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Many Canadian job seekers (34%) worry that having a career gap in their resume would prevent them from being hired, but most hiring managers say they are not a problem, according to a newly released Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey. Indeed, the vast majority (92%) of hiring managers say there are acceptable reasons for large gaps in an applicant's resume (the same proportion of job seekers agree) ? with only one-third (36%) responding that a large and unexplainable gap between work experiences would cause them not to hire a candidate. The acceptable reasons for large gaps on job applicants' resumes include: Going to School ? 68% hiring managers; 71% job seekers Staying Home with a Child ? 66% hiring managers; 68% job seekers Health Issues ? 64% hiring managers; 72% job seekers Caring for an Elderly Parent ? 63% hiring managers; 65% job seekers Trying to Switch Careers ? 46% hiring managers; 47% job seekers Not Liking Working in Their Past Industry ? 25% hiring managers; 24% job seekers Interestingly, female hiring managers tend to be more accepting of career gaps in numerous categories compared to males. For example, 71% of female hiring managers say career gaps are acceptable if staying home with a child, compared to 62% of male hiring managers. When it comes to health issues, 73% of female hiring managers view it acceptable compared to 58% of male hiring managers. This difference is also found among job seekers. For example, 78% of female job seekers believe staying at home with a child is an acceptable reason for a career gap, compared to 62% of male job seekers. Re-Entering the Workforce After a Career Gap According to Hanif Hemani, Express franchise owner in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, most career gaps have a legitimate explanation, and candidates should be transparent about it during the hiring process. "Generally, acceptable gaps are health-related matters, educational upgrading and family support needs to name a few," said Hemani. "But excessive gaps can raise flags with employers and limit a candidate's ability to secure the next step in the process, so I suggest providing a short explanation from the beginning, if the candidate is comfortable doing so, as to the nature of the gap." Hemani says there are other issues employers pay more attention to than career gaps. "One area of concern among employers is a candidate with no gaps, but many shorter employment roles," he said. "This raises red flags about the employee's commitment or ability to work with others." Hemani says that both job seekers and employers must be realistic about a candidate returning to the workforce after a long gap. "The reality is that candidates who have been out of the workforce for a while can have a difficult time because market conditions have changed, the role responsibilities have changed and technology has changed ? often their confidence level has changed too," said Hemani. "Many returnees recognize that they will need to start in a lower position than they left, and often will need to reskill or acclimatize to these new realities." But there are things job seekers who are re-entering the workforce after a gap can do to increase their chances of getting hired. "Like any skill, lack of practice will diminish capabilities and performance," said Hemani. "Job seekers can recognize this and proactively upgrade technical skills, job shadow and get micro credentialed. This will show the employer that they are trying and is usually indicative of their work ethic and work nature, which employers will perceive positively." It can be easy to overlook candidates without a linear work history, but that could be a mistake, according to Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller. "For even the most dedicated employee, life interruptions happen," he said. "Hiring managers might miss out on the ideal candidate by simply evaluating them on paper. If the applicant has the proper skills and appears to be a cultural fit, it's worth bringing them in for further evaluation and a possible employment offer." Survey Methodology The Job Insights survey was conducted online within Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between Oct. 31 and Nov. 10, 2023, among 504 Canadian hiring decision-makers. The Job Seeker survey was conducted online within Canada by the Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from November 9-26, 2023, among 509 Canadian adults ages 18 and older. For full survey methodology, please contact [email protected]. If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Ana Curic at (613) 858-2622 or email [email protected]. About Bill Stoller William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment International. Founded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing franchisor supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and related brands. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. About Express Employment Professionals At Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 492,000 people globally in 2023 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com/CA. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/34d0061c-83df-46c1-a6cd-393334ac9819 15 may 2024 at 09:00 News published onand distributed by: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. announces release date for first quarter results: Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) announced today that it will release its first quarter results on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 before the market opens. Following the release via the wire services, the Company will host a conference call beginning at 10:00 AM Eastern Time, which can be accessed at http://ir.williams-sonomainc.com/events. Following the call, a replay of the webcast will be available at http://ir.williams-sonomainc.com/events beginning at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company's products, representing distinct merchandise strategies ? Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and GreenRow ? are marketed through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands are also part of The Key Rewards, our free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma family of brands. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, offer international shipping to customers worldwide, and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea and India, as well as e-commerce websites in certain locations. We are also proud to lead the industry with our ESG efforts. Our company is Good By Design ? we've deeply engrained sustainability into our business. From our factories to your home, we're united in a shared purpose to care for our people and our planet. For more information on our ESG efforts, please visit: https://sustainability.williams-sonomainc.com/ WSM-IR 15 may 2024 at 09:15 News published onand distributed by: Artmarket.com: 2024 Q1 revenue growth... AI with the Intuitive Artmarket in Artprice databases... New high value-added services and subscriptions PARIS, May 15, 2024 /CNW/ -- As Artificial Intelligence sweeps across the planet like a tsunami, Artprice is pleased to announce new services and a new subscription (?990/year) that uses AI Intuitive Artmarket. This service will be available for 2024/2025. Up until now Artprice subscriptions (including subscriptions with paid advertising fully integrated into our databases and services in Q4 2023 and Q1 2024) did not include Artprice's Intuitive Artmarket AI, which is currently being rolled out. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has now reached into all sectors of our daily lives, whether economic, scientific, professional or administrative, and the speed of its global spread has prompted Artprice to offer, as of May 2024, new tools that deploy Artprice's own proprietary AI baptized "Intuitive Artmarket". This offer is now available to our paying advertisers, but can also be subscribed to independently. This decision, leading to a slight delay of the targets in our business plan with regard to our new paying advertisers (a strategy we fully endorse), was carefully considered by Artmarket.com's Board of Directors in the light of the exponential growth of Artificial Intelligence in the global economy. Indeed, for Artprice by Artmarket it was a natural choice to inject Intuitive Artmarket into all of our products and services in order to be consistent with its AI service to its customers. Our Advertising Department has been strengthened by the arrival of new expert consultants who are already operational in Q2 2024, and we have now deployed our Intuitive Artmarket with new elements of AI languages formatted in UX Design (User Experience Design) and UI Design (User Interface Design) that allow Intuitive Artmarket paying advertisers a different approach to advertising. According to Les Echos/Solutions citing DOMO Inc., there is an important index in the service sector today that scores the ability of a company to integrate AI into its processes by counting how much data is processed per second by its employees. The average is currently 1.7 MB of data per second. After an IT audit by Mazars, Artprice by Artmarket was able to see for itself that each of its employees generates 35 MB/second, or 21 times more than the European average, which is perfectly consistent with Artprice's core business as a major global publisher of professional databases and proprietary algorithms, and world leader in art market information. Indeed, for 27 years now, Artprice by Artmarket has been designing and operating more than 180 proprietary vector metadata banks with more than 38 million indices and auction results covering more than 845,000 artists and 180 million images/engravings of artworks from 1700 to the present day. This work is of course fuelled by its extraordinary physical archive of sales catalogs and manuscripts (unique in the world) and its several billion user behavior logs from its 9.3 million customers and members, all anonymized in strict compliance with European (GDPR) and American PDP legislation. With its Intuitive Artmarket, Artprice can increase its search and results capacity tenfold over the coming years, taking it to a level that the art market has never seen before. Its customers and members will have access to new services and products which, in turn, will generate more sophisticated subscriptions for Artprice by Artmarket, with an increase in our annual recurring revenue (ARR). In 2024, Artprice's mastery of Artificial Intelligence is so advanced that it will be deploying a first subscription with extra-high added-value: the 'basic' Intuitive Artmarket subscription at the price of ?990/year (?82.50/month). Additional options are planned as our AI grows and develops. Artprice's vector databases play a vital role in numerous AI applications. They allow the storage, indexing and, above all, efficient search of complex art history and art market data in the form of vectors. They can be used for researching art market information, recommending content, recognising images of artworks as well as in other systems. We are for example, currently developing a tool that will be a powerful assistant in the appraisal of paintings and sculptures for valuation and insurance companies (Artprice Signatures & Monograms vector databank). Vector databases like ours have become an indispensable element of the AI ecosystem, facilitating the development of efficient and effective AI models like Artprice's Intuitive Artmarket. According to AI analysts, for a company that is already highly computerized, the implementation of standardization and vectorization of all of its data flows requires a minimum timeframe of 3 years and a very substantial budget; and that is before it can hope to tackle the development of its own proprietary AI, which would take an additional 2 years minimum. In total, it therefore takes an average time of 5 years for an IT department (with external consultants) to develop its own AI. For Artprice by Artmarket, this entire process was, along with the corresponding investment, completed in full more than a decade ago. In 2024, Artprice has an irrevocable lead in its sector and it represents one of the most interesting AI investment opportunities in Europe. To meet the needs of vector and algorithmic calculations on its latest generation servers with high volume capacities (via SAN/NAS as well as Cloud storage), Artprice owns all its Data Centers in full. This allows us to get closer to our customers in more than 80 countries. As part of our eco-responsible approach (see our Annual CSR Report) since 2011, Artprice by Artmarket has developed processes to optimize the use of its servers, by adapting the necessary power and reducing energy consumption of its data centers by 40%. This has been achieved by using the principle of micro-grids which allow better exploitation of production units, the use of multiple technologies, with a preponderant use of renewable energies. The annual objective is to raise our overall IT power by around 300%, in particular through AI, which is primarily ultra-secure data storage (SAN/NAS) but with an annual drop of 3% to 5% in energy consumption. Intuitive Artmarket will offer Artmarket.com shareholders and the financial markets spectacular growth for this decade, starting from this year. Artprice's headstart in Europe in terms of AI and it overall advance as regards the global art market, is such that the act of management, for Artprice by Artmarket, is to produce end-user subscriptions this year that will allow its customers and members to easily write 'prompts' (instructions given to an AI) that are simple and specific to the art market. Again, this facility is being developed using optimal UX and UI Design. As a reminder, Artprice by Artmarket has twice consecutively obtained the state label "Innovative Company", awarded by the Public Investment Bank (BPI), and it is pursuing its ambitions in this direction. To understand how our Intelligence Art Market application can be used to create a digital campaign for paying advertisers let's look at an example simulating the "Regards d'Orient art moderne & contemporain" sale on 27 October 2023 hosted by the Parisian auctioneer Cornette de Saint Cyr. The sale contained 100 lots signed by 54 artists. Artprice, at the request of its advertising client, will therefore produce, in a few minutes using AI mode, 54 paid campaigns by 'extracting', from its 9.3 million clients and members, 54 profiles corresponding to each artist, with auto-generation of their artistic portfolios, thereby forming the final sale of 100 lots. This technique generates the closest possible pairing of supply and demand and is the most successful digital campaign on the art market by including Artprice's AI Intelligence Art Market. It should be noted that for over 70 years, the standard economic model of auction houses allocates 34% of overall costs to advertising (announcing detailed public auction sales) regardless of the country or the size of the auction operator. In order to ensure the success of its sale, maintain or enhance its reputation and keep its registered sellers happy, the auction house is ready to deploy in a few hours ultra-targeted digital campaigns that only Artprice can produce thanks to the new deployment in 2024 of its Intuitive Artmarket AI. With its data centers, its exceptional data engineering skills and its highly sophisticated processes, Artprice can effectively respond to these types of requests 24 hours a day anywhere in the world. It is not a coincidence that the global volume of art market auction turnover (a totally opaque market until the 1990s) has grown by +3,600% in 22 years since 2000, the reference year. By delivering information akin to the financial markets ? Artprice, the historic pioneer of Art Market standardization (with more than 450 indices, traceability of artwork IDs, econometric analysis, floating, % country, auction turnover ID Artists, calculation of price evolutions using the 'repeated sales method', artists' biographies, signatures and monograms etc.) ? has transformed the art market from an opaque entity into one that grows steadily and exponentially, according to economists. Taken together, the global primary and secondary art markets are today worth over $70 billion compared with $5 billion in 1997. Intuitive Artmarket AI and its impact on annual recurring revenue (ARR) growth from Artprice by Artmarket subscriptions and sales of products and services. Drawing on the experience of its parent company Groupe Serveur ? an Internet pioneer since 1987 ? Artprice by Artmarket.com, has, over the decades, developed thousands of increasingly powerful and relevant proprietary algorithms with more of 180 meta-banks of vector data which allow the implementation of its own AI (Artificial Intelligence), in strict compliance with the different applicable legislations, notably regarding personal data protection and intellectual property rights. The three cornerstones of Artificial Intelligence are data, computing power and algorithms. The quality and scale of data, particularly standardized Big Data, significantly influence the effectiveness of AI models in learning and evolving, thus enhancing their "intelligence." This aligns precisely with the fundamental DNA of Artprice by Artmarket which masters both IT programming and the induction computing which defines AI. This was only possible through the targeted acquisition by Groupe Serveur as of 1999, then by Artprice, of innovative companies like Xylologie, a Swiss company composed of prestigious scientists (from CERN, WHO, etc.) who were considerably ahead of their time and who already prefigured the birth and development of Artificial Intelligence (see our reference document). In the world of major global publishers of professional databases, it is vital for the long-term development of industries to integrate proprietary AI into their core businesses. This is why Artprice by Armarket has taken a very significant lead since 1999 and made 2024/2025 the key period for the commercial launch of its proprietary algorithmic AI, Intuitive Artmarket. This 'cultural revolution' brings new elements of language, but the AI processes and tools were already scientifically at the heart of Artprice by Artmarket. Using the new semantics, Artprice's clients and partners discover the unexplored riches of Artprice, namely data of a magnitude they couldn't even imagine, perfectly aligned with their needs. It should also be noted that investors are looking for serious projects with a solid background in Artificial Intelligence on both sides of the Atlantic. Our algorithms harness billions of anonymized proprietary logs, text data, and tens of millions of artworks from Artprice's databases to identify new semantics encapsulating an artist's primary approach, their universe, inspirations, mediums, themes, forms, volumes, and more. This invaluable data forms a synergy, enriching the understanding of over 845,000 referenced artists with their certified biographies and data. It goes beyond conventional visual criteria thanks to the neural networks of the Intuitive Artmarket AI. Intuitive Artmarket will notably calculate the values of artworks based on an analysis of past sales that is specific to Artprice; but it will also be able to anticipate future fluctuations, including for totally unique works. It will make it possible to identify highly complex transversal artistic trends which largely escape the academic and institutional worlds. Of the many new service projects in 2024 for Artmarket's clients, we plan to link Intuitive Artmarket with our Standardized Marketplace that was created in 2005 and offers over 77,000 artworks at a fixed or bidable price. We also plan to link our Intuitive Artmarket to all Artprice by Artmarket's databases. Intuitive Artmarket will constantly assist Artmarket clients ? whether art enthusiasts or art market professionals or museum curators ? to build and/or manage their collections. With the analysis of billions of logs, 125 million collected and tokenized images of artworks, more than ten million auction results (word embedding), Intuitive Artmarket will be able to provide extremely relevant solutions for customers wishing to start, or manage, an art collection. To build the collection, Intuitive Artmarket will provide suggestions for works to acquire based on criteria the client has provided such as the budget allocated over time, the artistic movement(s) the customer is interested in, the preferred medium(s), the favorite artist(s) or similar artists, the preferred dimensions of the works, the favorite acquisition location(s) (in full compliance with the different legislative frameworks on personal data security). It will also be able to identify from the behavioral analysis of the client's searches certain preferences that neither the client nor an appointed expert might have been aware of. It goes without saying that this analysis via Intuitive Artmarket will be conducted with the consent of the client as part of his/her paid subscription (in accordance with the terms and conditions enumerated in the General Conditions of Sale attached to his or her subscription). As regards collection-management, Intuitive Artmarket will update the value of the collection in real time, not only taking into account the latest auction results but also by projecting trends with expected results, built on in-depth data analysis. Intuitive Artmarket will notify the collector and/or art market professional of sale and/or purchase opportunities, depending on the objectives identified by the collector or the professional over time. These may range from the desire to enhance the pecuniary value of a portfolio to the desire to enhance the artistic value of a collection; everything will be possible via an intuitive configuration. Contemporary artists will also be able to use this tool to offer their works for sale on our Standardized Marketplace with higher probabilities of reaching buyers, particularly artists producing NFTs. Bearing in mind all the underlying parameters and data, Artprice is the only platform on the global market that can deal effectively with the certification of primary issues of Art NFTs in an environment of cryptocurrencies alongside the major international currencies. With Intuitive Artmarket, it has never been so easy and intuitive to discover the parallel worlds of 'Online Art' and 'Auction House Art' (we are directly linked to 7,200 auction operators around the world). In today's extraordinarily busy world, every minute counts and Intuitive Artmarket will allow users to explore the Standardized Marketplace and monitor the global art market with infinitely better results and much more quickly. Less time spent also means less energy spent, which is perfectly in line with Artmarket.com's eco-responsible approach. Artmarket's AI (Intuitive Artmarket ) is based exclusively on its massive proprietary content which is protected under intellectual property law, thereby allowing us to overcome these obstacles and potential prohibitions. In other words, our Intuitive Artmarket has no need to look elsewhere for data or for responses to very specific searches from art market amateurs or professionals. It is therefore a guarantee of sustainability, but also of a considerable increase in performance for Artprice by Artmarket.com, with constant growth in turnover through high added-value subscriptions. Over the last two decades Artprice has recorded, observed and induced hundreds of millions of human decisions in relation to the art market. This market is of course infinitely complex due to the heterogeneous and singular nature of art on the one hand, and the abstract notion of beauty at the limits of human emotion on the other. This algorithmic learning has allowed Artprice to create AI models unique in the world, specific to the art market, which will constitute the 2024/2029 growth driver for Artprice by Artmarket. For over 20 years, Artprice by Artmarket has gradually stabilized its 'alignment problem', a key issue for the successful genesis then construction of its AI (Intuitive Artmarket). For the Artprice group, the so-called 'alignment problem' means all of the scientific and ethical questions raised by the relationship of its artificial intelligence system (and its induced results) with the values, expectations and human sensitivities specific to the Artprice by Artmarket group, its clients and the intangible and centuries-old rules of the art market. Artmarket's AI (Intuitive Artmarket ) will be supervised by 'prompt engineers', a new career that includes the programming and management of proprietary AI. The possibilities offered by properly managed AI are therefore immense, which explains its popularity: Microsoft Bing Chat now attracts more than 100 million active users per day with a commitment to responsible AI that respects copyright and copyright-related rights. Microsoft has already started rolling out Bing Chat for Business and Microsoft Copilot in paid subscription mode. The same is true for the paid versions of ChatGPT, IBM Watson, Google Cloud AI Platform, Amazon Web Services and Midjourney. 95% of the S&P 500 groups are planning to base their future growth on Artificial Intelligence. According to the best Anglo-Saxon financial analysts, who are one step ahead of Europe on this subject, the only economically viable model ? i.e. one that does not expose the economic entity (whatever its size) to incessant legal proceedings ? is an AI based on an extremely well-defined economic segment. The economic sector must have information which plays an absolutely vital role, full intellectual property of the entirety of Big Data (including Data Mining), of the copyright and related rights confirmed on all algorithms, databases, with machine learning (deep learning) and neural networks. In short, the AIs that will triumph with very substantial economic gain and without major industrial or legal risk, are the economic entities which own, in full intellectual property, all of the different stages of the proprietary AI in a defined market segment where expensive high added-value information plays a vital role. And this is exactly the case of the Intuitive Artmarket AI developed by Artprice by Artmarket.com, World Leader in Art Market Information. Artprice's Intuitive Artmarket AI is entirely in line with this postulate. Copyright 1987-2024 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com Don't hesitate to contact our Econometrics Department for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: [email protected] for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo Subscribe to our services: https://www.artprice.com/subscription About Artmarket: Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. France . Artprice is an active sponsor of the International Congress of Art History (CIHA) which this year will be attended by a thousand researchers from over 70 countries. Artmarket.com: CIHA Lyon 2024 -. Artprice is an active sponsor of the International Congress of Art History (CIHA) which this year will be attended by a thousand researchers from over 70 countries. https://www.actusnews.com/fr/artmarket/cp/2024/05/13/artmarket_com-ciha-lyon-2024-france_-artprice-is-an-active-sponsor-of-the-international-congress-of-art-history-ciha-which-this Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: www.artprice.com/video Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987. See certified biography in Who's who : https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2024/02/2024_Biographie_thierry_Ehrmann_WhosWhoInFrance.pdf Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information (the original documentary archives, codex manuscripts, annotated books and auction catalogs acquired over the years ) in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 850 000 artists. Artprice by Artmarket, the world leader in information on the art market, has set itself the ambition through its Global Standardized Marketplace to be the world's leading Fine Art NFT platform. Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 181 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians. Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 7200 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 9.3 million ('members log in'+social media) users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code). The Art Market's future is now brighter than ever with Artprice's Artmarket Intuitive AI Artmarket, with its Artprice department, has twice been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI), which has supported the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the art market. Artprice by Artmarket's Global Art Market Report, "The Art Market in 2023", published in March 2024: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2023 Artprice by Artmarket publishes its 2023 Contemporary Art Market Report: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2023 Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department: https://serveur.serveur.com/artmarket/press-release/en/ Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (over 6.5 million followers) twitter.com/artmarketdotcom twitter.com/artpricedotcom Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department https://www.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013 La Demeure du Chaos / Abode of Chaos GESAMTKUNSTWERK & SINGULAR ARCHITECTURE Confidential bilingual work now public: https://ftp1.serveur.com/abodeofchaos_singular_architecture.pdf ? L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o ? www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 (over 4.1 million followers) ? https://vimeo.com/124643720 Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department - Contact: [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2260897/Artmarket_logo.jpg SOURCE Artmarket.com 15 may 2024 at 09:41 News published onand distributed by: Building more child care spaces for families in Newfoundland and Labrador ST. JOHN'S, NL, May 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Every child deserves the best start in life. But for young families, including Millennial and Gen Z parents, the costs of child care can add up to a second rent or mortgage payment. This makes it harder to start and support a family, and as a result, parents?especially moms?often face impossible choices between their careers and child care fees. Fairness for every generation means ensuring parents, especially moms, do not have to choose between a career and starting a family. The Government is taking action to make life cost less for young families and to build a Canada where every generation can get ahead. Already, all provinces and territories are offering or are on track to offer $10-a-day regulated child care. This progress, made possible by nearly $40 billion in federal support since 2016, including the transformative investment of nearly $30 billion in Budget 2021, is making life more affordable for young families. Women's labour force participation is now at a record high of 85.7%, meaning more families are bringing home more income and contributing to Canada's economic growth, while saving thousands of dollars on child care every year. But more families need access to affordable child care. That's why, today in St. John's, the Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Labour and Seniors, and the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, joined the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Education, to announce $13.7 million over four years, including approximately $9.8 million through 2025-2026, to help build more inclusive child care spaces across the province through the Government of Canada's $625 million Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund. This investment will help Newfoundland and Labrador reach the shared goal of building 5,895 new child care spaces by 2026. Through this Fund, all provinces and territories will be able to make further investments in child care , so more families can save up to $14,300 on child care every year, per child. These investments will aim to support families in rural and remote communities, as well as families in communities that face barriers to access, such as racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers, official language minority communities, and children, parents and employees with disabilities. Funding may also be used to support infrastructure to provide care during non-standard hours. Across the country, over 750,000 kids are already benefiting from affordable, high-quality child care, with some families saving up to $14,300 per child, per year. Alongside provinces and territories, the Government of Canada has also announced over 100,000 new spaces, well on the way to reaching the goal of creating 250,000 new spaces by March 2026. Investing in affordable child care is about helping more families save thousands of dollars on child care and ensuring that every child has the best start in life. The measures highlighted above complement what the Government of Canada is doing in Budget 2024 to build a fairer Canada for every generation. The Government is building more homes, strengthening public health care, making life cost less, and growing the economy in a way that is shared by all?to make sure every generation has a fair chance at building a good middle-class life. Quotes "Young families who don't yet have access to affordable child care spaces are paying as much as a second rent or mortgage payment for unregulated child care. This is unfair to today's generation of parents, especially Millennial and Gen Z parents, who need and deserve the relief of $10-a-day child care. We are working with provinces and territories to build more spaces across the country, so that more families can access affordable child care and save thousands of dollars every year." ? The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance "Every family should have access to high-quality, inclusive child care. More child care spaces mean more high-quality spots for kids, and more relief for parents as they access affordable child care. The Government of Canada remains committed to working with Newfoundland and Labrador so children in Canada have the best possible start in life. The Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund will help child care providers across the province so they can continue to provide access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care to underserved communities." ? The Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development "We look after each other around here. More child care spaces means more support for young families. And that's good for us all." ? The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Labour and Seniors "Whether parents work in an office or on a shop floor, in Labrador City, St. Anthony, or St. John's, everyone deserves access to reliable child care. With this continued investment today, we are helping Newfoundland and Labrador build more daycare spaces so families have child care they can rely on, no matter where they live." ? The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development "Newfoundland and Labrador has made child care more affordable for families throughout the province. With over 9,100 early learning and child care spaces operating at $10-a-day or less and an additional 2,200 spaces in development, there is no doubt that momentum is building to ensure that all families in the province have access to the early learning and child care that they need. The Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund is a welcome addition to further enhance the resources and supports available to child care providers as they grow their services." ? The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Education Quick facts As part of Budget 2021, the Government of Canada made a transformative investment of more than $27 billion over five years to build a Canada -wide early learning and child care system with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners. made a transformative investment of more than over five years to build a -wide early learning and child care system with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners. Combined with investments since 2016, including investments in Indigenous early learning and child care, the federal government has announced investments of nearly $40 billion in early learning and child care. in early learning and child care. To date, eight provinces and territories are delivering regulated child care for an average of $10 -a-day or less, including Quebec and the Yukon , which achieved this prior to the Canada -wide system. In all other provinces and territories, fees for regulated child care have been reduced by at least 50% on average. Provinces and territories are working toward lowering fees for regulated child care to $10 -a-day on average by March 2026 . Canada -wide early learning and child care is saving families, per child, up to $6,000 in Nova Scotia , $13,700 a year in Alberta , $8,500 in Ontario , $6,900 in Saskatchewan , $6,600 in British Columbia , $6,300 in Newfoundland and Labrador , $4,170 in Prince Edward Island , $3,600 in New Brunswick , $2,610 in Manitoba , $7,300 in the Yukon , $9,120 in the Northwest Territories , and $14,300 in Nunavut . -a-day or less, including and the , which achieved this prior to the -wide system. In all other provinces and territories, fees for regulated child care have been reduced by at least 50% on average. Provinces and territories are working toward lowering fees for regulated child care to -a-day on average by . As part of the Canada -wide early learning and child care system, the Government of Canada is working with provinces and territories to create 250,000 new child care spaces across the country by March 2026 to increase access to affordable child care options for families, no matter where they live. To support this goal, the federal government previously announced the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund. The Fund provides an additional $625 million to provinces and territories to support infrastructure projects for not-for-profit child care spaces in underserved communities, such as rural and remote regions, high-cost and low-income urban neighbourhoods, and communities that face barriers to access, including racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, official language minority communities, newcomers, as well as parents, caregivers, and children with disabilities. To further accelerate progress, Budget 2024 announced a new $1 billion Child Care Expansion Loan Program, to help public and not-for-profit child care providers to build more child care spaces and renovate their existing child care centres. -wide early learning and child care system, the Government of is working with provinces and territories to create 250,000 new child care spaces across the country by to increase access to affordable child care options for families, no matter where they live. To give every child the best start in life, the federal government is also: Giving families more money through the Canada Child Benefit to help with the costs of raising their children and to make a real difference in the lives of children in Canada . The Canada Child Benefit, which provides up to $7,437 per child per year, is indexed annually to keep up with the cost of living and has helped lift half a million children out of poverty since its launch in 2016. Improving access to dental health care for children under the age of 12 through the Canada Dental Benefit, and soon for children under 18 with the Canadian Dental Care Plan, because no one should have to choose between taking care of their kids' teeth and putting food on the table. Creating a National School Food Program to ensure that every child has the best start in life, with the food they need to learn and grow, no matter their circumstances. Supporting after-school learning with an investment of $67.5 million to help all Canadian students reach their full potential. After-school learning and supports play an important role in helping students succeed in their academic pursuits, especially for at-risk students. Associated links Toward $10-a-Day: Early Learning and Child Care Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework Follow us on X (Twitter) SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada 15 may 2024 at 10:50 News published onand distributed by: Federal government invests in energy upgrades in Sagamok Anishnawbek SAGAMOK, ON, May 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Upgrades to the Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik Indigenous education facility are being supported by $2.2 million in funding from the federal government. Announced by the Minister Sean Fraser and Chief Angus Toulouse, this project will help make the facility more sustainable and accessible. Since its establishment in 1985, Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik has been educating students from kindergarten through eighth grade on Sagamok Anishnawbek, sharing Anishinaabe learning, language, and culture. The school plays a key role in preserving traditional knowledge and nurturing a connected, dynamic, and prosperous community. Green improvements to the school include replacing windows, upgrading ventilation, and the addition of a solar array. Energy efficiency will not only make the school more environmentally friendly but will allow cost savings to be invested directly into the community. Inclusive improvements to the school will make it easier for children of all ages and mobilities to navigate daily life at school. Upgrades include accessibility ramps, railings, and automated doors at various entrances, along with sensor-activated faucets in restrooms. Quotes "Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik is an important part of Sagamok Anishnawbek, shaping young minds with Anishinaabe knowledge, language, and culture. We are proud to support a project that will help it become a more greener and accessible space for its students." The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities "The Sagamok Anishnawbek are very pleased to be participating in this Lifelong Learning Centre Solar Array, Energy Efficiency & Inclusivity Renovation Project. This $2,200,000 project is in-line and consistent with our Traditional Values, Customs and Beliefs, which places a high value on environmental and energy conservation. We are encouraged that this project will assist in the reduction of GHG emissions and addressing the need to offset the effects of Climate Change. We look forward to working with our Partners at Infrastructure Canada and the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program." Angus Toulouse, Chief, Sagamok Anishnawbek Quick Facts The federal government is investing $2,176,408 in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program. in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program. These enhancements are expected to reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 92.9% and greenhouse gas emissions by 5.8 tonnes annually. The GICB program was created in support of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. It is supporting the Plan's first pillar by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate change. Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. It is supporting the Plan's first pillar by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate change. The program is providing $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades. over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades. At least 10% of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres. The application period for the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program is now closed. Associated Links Green and Inclusive Community Buildings https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gicb-bcvi/index-eng.html Strengthened Climate Plan https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-on-eng.html Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada 15 may 2024 at 11:00 News published onand distributed by: Federal government and Nova Scotia invest in public transportation in Western Lunenburg County BRIDGEWATER, NS, May 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Lunenburg County Wheels will expand their fleet by four vans after a combined investment of $432,000 from the federal and provincial governments. This was announced today by Minister Becky Druhan and Jerome Tanner, president of the Lunenburg County Wheels board. Expanding the fleet will allow Lunenburg County Wheels to serve more people in a larger area. Lunenburg County Wheels is a non-profit organization that provides transportation services in rural communities in western Lunenburg County. With these four additional vehicles more residents in western Lunenburg County will have an affordable transportation option that will help them get around. Quotes "Organizations like Lunenburg County Wheels are invaluable partners in making our communities stronger and making lives easier for residents. We are proud to support this project that will help even more people in Lunenburg County get around easily and conveniently. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities "People in communities across Nova Scotia rely on public transportation to do day-to-day tasks and to get them where they need to go. Investments like this make a big difference in our rural communities where there are often fewer transportation options. I'm pleased to support this important organization and help expand their fleet to better serve Lunenburg County." The Honourable Becky Druhan, Nova Scotia Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lunenburg West "The addition of these four mobility vans enables Lunenburg County Wheels to enter the last expansion of our affordable transportation system to all of western Lunenburg County. It is a feeling of accomplishment. After over a year of planning for this service we could not have accomplished it without the support of the federal and provincial governments as well as our Board, our drivers, sponsors, and the municipal governments of Lunenburg County. We hope this service will be successful and continue for years to come." Jerome Tanner, president of the Lunenburg County Wheels board Quick Facts The federal government is investing $345,600 in this project through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF), and the Government of Nova Scotia is contributing $86,400 . in this project through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF), and the Government of is contributing . The RTSF helps Canadians living in rural and remote areas get around their communities more easily. It supports the development of rural transit solutions, including new transit service models that could be replicated or scaled up. A minimum of 10% of RTSF's funding will be allocated to projects that benefit Indigenous populations and communities. The RTSF's ? Capital Projects stream helps cover capital costs like the purchase of vehicles or digital platforms, as well as support for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. Eligible applicants were able to seek contributions of up to $3 million to help cover the capital costs of a new or expanded transit solution (e.g., purchase of vehicles or digital platforms), and up to $5 million to support zero-emission transit solutions (e.g., for the purchase of a zero-emission vehicle(s)). This stream closed on February 28, 2024 . to help cover the capital costs of a new or expanded transit solution (e.g., purchase of vehicles or digital platforms), and up to to support zero-emission transit solutions (e.g., for the purchase of a zero-emission vehicle(s)). This stream closed on . The RTSF's ? Planning and Design Projects continuous intake remains open. Through this stream, eligible applicants can receive a grant up to $50,000 in support of a communities' projects to plan and design a new or expanded transit solution for their communities. Some examples of eligible Planning and Design Projects activities are assessment of routes and modes of travel, feasibility studies, public and stakeholder engagement and surveys. in support of a communities' projects to plan and design a new or expanded transit solution for their communities. Some examples of eligible Planning and Design Projects activities are assessment of routes and modes of travel, feasibility studies, public and stakeholder engagement and surveys. One in five Canadians live in rural communities. Rural communities in Canada account for nearly 30% of the nation's gross domestic product. account for nearly 30% of the nation's gross domestic product. The RTSF complements Canada's strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. Through the plan the federal government has committed to providing permanent federal funding for public transit in support of making clean and affordable transportation available in every community. strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. Through the plan the federal government has committed to providing permanent federal funding for public transit in support of making clean and affordable transportation available in every community. Since 2015, the federal government has announced an unprecedented investment of over $30 billion in thousands of transit projects in communities across the country. in thousands of transit projects in communities across the country. The funding announced today builds on the federal government's work through the Atlantic Growth Strategy to create well-paying middle-class jobs, strengthen local economies, and build inclusive communities. Associated Links Rural Transit Solutions Fund https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html Strengthened Climate Plan https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html Federal infrastructure investments in Nova Scotia https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-ns-eng.html Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada 15 may 2024 at 13:15 News published onand distributed by: Firefighters work at the site of a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine May 14, 2024. SOFIIA GATILOVA / REUTERS Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky postponed on Wednesday, May 15, all his upcoming foreign trips as Ukraine's army battled to contain a frontline push by the Kremlin's forces in the northeast region of Kharkiv. Zelensky instructed his team to reschedule the visits. "We are grateful to our partners for understanding," the announcement said. Zelensky had been expected to visit Spain, and perhaps Portugal, later this week. Russian troops are pressing a fresh offensive in the border region. It began last week, marking the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began over two years ago. Together with Moscow's weekslong effort to build on its recent gains in the eastern Donetsk region, the war has entered a critical stage for Ukraine's depleted army. Read more Subscribers only Russia opens a new front north of Kharkiv On Wednesday, the country's emergency services said Ukraine has evacuated around 8,000 people from the Kharkiv region. "Most of them are women, elderly people, people with reduced mobility, and people with disabilities and children," the state emergency services agency said in a post on Telegram. A Ukrainian military spokesman conceded earlier on Wednesday on state television that Kyiv had withdrawn troops including near Lukyantsi citing overwhelming Russian onslaughts and the need to save soldiers' lives. The interior ministry announced that three civilians had been killed in the region over the last 24 hours and the national police said five civilians had been wounded by Russian fire on Wednesday. Moscow's advances on two fronts point to the acute ammunition and manpower shortages crippling the Ukrainian military and paving the way for the Kremlin's army to eat away at Ukrainian territory. Additional US aid US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meanwhile announced in Kyiv on Wednesday the release of a further $2 billion in military aid for Ukrainian forces holding back Russian onslaughts across the front line. The aid, which was announced at a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, is part of a $61 billion package that Washington approved several weeks ago following months of delays in Congress. Blinken said the purpose of the aid was "to provide weapons today" as well as invest in Ukrainian infrastructure and help Ukraine purchase military equipment from other countries. Kuleba repeated that Ukraine "urgently" needs seven more air defense systems and said the northeastern region of Kharkiv, which came under Russian attack last week, needs two systems. He also said Ukraine needed faster deliveries of weapons promised by allied countries. Read more Subscribers only War in Ukraine: US aid will not be enough to level the playing field in 2024 TWO Limerick film organisations have been recognised for their work developing the film sector in the region, with nominations at the prestigious Global Production Awards. The ceremony, which will take place at the Cannes Film Festival next week, celebrate outstanding and sustainable work in the world of film and TV production, locations and studios. The shortlist announced by Screen International, includes a nomination for Fresh Film, nominated in the Community Impact category for their outstanding work to develop next generation film talent, both locally and nationally. Film in Limerick, the film office for the Mid-West, have also been nominated in the City of Film Category for their work developing the sector in the region. This is the second time that Film in Limerick have been nominated at the Global Production Awards. Last year, they took home the runner-up award in the Emerging Location category. At the Makers and Shakers Awards at BAFTA in December, they also were announced as Film Commission of the Year, in what has been an exceptional year for the project. Regional film manager at Film in Limerick, Paul C Ryan said what an incredible honour for our region to be recognised at this level. "There is clearly a huge appetite for developing a sustainable film sector in the Mid-West, delivering economic and cultural impacts. This is something that is not only a local ambition, but is recognised internationally at the highest level in the industry. The doors are open for Limerick and the region to maximise this opportunity on the international stage. "Working together with our partners, Fresh, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, Regional Skills, Screen Ireland, the Local Authorities and LEO offices, the Mid-West will become a major regional production hub for Film and TV production in the coming years," said Paul. READ MORE: Too tyred to cycle? Certainly not these Limerick girls Jayne Foley, artistic director of Fresh Film Festival, said they are thrilled to have made the shortlist for the Community Impact Award, which acknowledges the growing efforts in youth filmmaking, both locally and globally. "For 28 years, Fresh has fostered a community of young filmmakers, empowering them to share their stories through our Festival and various prominent projects. "Thanks to the continued support from our partners nationally and locally, The Arts Council, Screen Ireland, RTE and Limerick City Council and the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. Fresh is the starting point for many young people as they set out on their future careers within the industry, said Jayne. The two nominations for Limerick-based organisations are the only Irish nominations this year, pointing to the success of the sector locally, which has gone from strength in recent years, with TV series such as Hidden Assets and Blackshore and feature films Double Blind and Bonhoeffer all filmed in the region. Most recently RTE broadcast of Fresh Films Irelands Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards was filmed at Troy Studios, showcasing the best in the next generation of filmmakers. Fresh Film are up against organisations in Saudi Arabia and in the US in their category, while Film in Limerick is competing with Tulsa (Oklahoma), Zagreb (Croatia), Sofia (Bulgaria), and Bristol (UK). The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21. DUE TO A concerning surge in dog-attack related incidents, Limerick City and County Council, in collaboration with An Garda Siochana, are urging heightened awareness and responsibility. Recent events have shed light on the escalating presence of formidable breeds in Limerick city and county, including the XL Bully and Cane Corso, necessitating a collective effort to ensure public safety. Sinead Hourigan, administrative officer, veterinary services at Limerick City and County Council, said a worrying recent escalation in dog-related incidents requires heightened vigilance. Working with An Garda Siochana, the councils message to the Limerick public is to consider the implications before welcoming a potentially dangerous dog into your home and into your community. The introduction of higher fines and current scrutiny of dog breeds at a national level, underscores a commitment to public safety and the need for responsible ownership, said Ms Hourigan. Superintendent Andrew Lacey (pictured above), community engagement Limerick City, said gardai are delighted to partner with the council to embark on this collective effort to ensure public safety through this awareness and enforcement campaign. The focus is on anyone suspected of owning, using, and breeding restricted breeds of dangerous dogs, while also enforcing the law in respect of muzzling and leash requirements of restricted breeds in public, said Supt Lacey. He said while the new government-appointed taskforce is welcome and will examine measures to strengthen Irelands laws on dog control we feel that anecdotally and through reported incidents that there is growing prevalence of offences in Limerick and action needs to be taken. READ MORE: Limerick gardai investigate early evening assault Supt Lacey said certain dog breeds are growing in popularity and people may not be aware of the potential dangers. With more than 1,500 dog attacks reported to An Garda Siochana in the last two years it is important that the message gets out that while individuals may feel they care for their dogs, they also have responsibilities under the law that need to be adhered to. There must be a level of personal responsibility on the part of those who take on restricted breeds and bring them out in public. At the forefront of the campaign will be educating individuals about the dangers associated with newly-introduced breeds like the XL Bully and Cane Corso but ultimately enforcement of the law will be needed to change behaviours and ensure public safety,said Supt Lacey. If you wish to report a stray or dangerous dog or rehome a dog, please call Limerick City and County Council dog shelter at 061 301604. List of restricted breeds are available online. Gardai in Ennis have issued an appeal for witnesses to the tragic road incident that claimed the life of an 18-month-old little boy in the town last week. Hunter Molloy died from injuries he sustained in a road traffic incident outside the Ballaghboy Halting Site on the Quin Road, on Wednesday, May 8. A statement from Clare's Crime Prevention Office asked "members of the public, motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and all road users to please be mindful of their personal safety in the coming weeks and months", in the wake of Hunter's tragic death. Read More: Infant who died after being stuck by vehicle at Clare halting site is laid to rest They stated that gardai in Ennis are "currently investigating a traffic incident which claimed the life of a juvenile in the past week." "If there were any witnesses to the road traffic incident or if anyone has any information in relation to this incident they can contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 - 6848100 or any Garda station. The Garda confidential line is 1800-666-111." At his funeral on Monday afternoon, Ennis parish priest Fr Tom Ryan told mourners: Hunters life was lived fullyHe never committed a sin in his life - he just radiated love. A DOG CHARITY in Limerick has called for help for dogs who "never know kindness" and are bred for hunting. Deel Animal Rescue, based in Newcastle West, has asked for help after being "inundated" with requests from pounds to help with Lurchers, a breed of dog which results from mating a greyhound with a dog of another type. According to Deel Animal Rescue, pounds are now at full capacity and the Lurchers are left in a "very dangerous position". "We are inundated with requests from pounds to help with Lurchers. The pounds are full to capacity and so these poor souls are in a very dangerous position. They legally have 5 days to be reclaimed or go to a rescue. Make no mistake, no one is coming for these dogs. If a rescue doesnt step in, then their days are numbered," said Deel Animal Rescue on their fundraiser page. READ MORE: Limerick council and gardai bare their teeth after surge in dog attacks "This is not the fault of the pounds or their staff. This is the fault of those who let their dogs roam, unneutered to have litter upon litter. To those indiscriminately breeding Lurchers for hunting and discarding them if they are no good. These dogs never know kindness, a bed or a regular food source. "They almost always come to our rescue with mange, damaged limbs, full of parasites, terrified and broken," they explained. Deel Animal Rescue takes care of Lurchers from across Ireland. You can donate to their fundraiser here, and sponsor a dog. Plans to cut the social welfare payments of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland has sparked concern from the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko. Payments will be cut significantly from 232 a week to just 38.80 to those who have temporary protection status receiving the same payments, regardless of when they first arrived in Ireland. More than 100,000 Ukrainians have come to Ireland since the Russian invasion in March 2022. Ambassador Larysa Gerasko said, "I am still waiting for a meeting with the Government representative in order to get more clarification on new changes. But I am concerned. "We hope that it will take into account the interests of the vulnerable categories such as elderly, children, people with special needs, women with small kids - they have difficulties in finding jobs. "I am concerned that significant changes in the welfare they get would force them to go back to the Ukraine amid deteriorating security situation in Ukraine and ongoing Russia's offensive attack." The cut in payments will apply to Ukrainian refugees who do not work in Ireland and live in State accommodation. In December of last year, Cabinet agreed to reduce welfare rates and limit State accommodation for new arrivals coming from Ukraine to a maximum of 90 days. The Government has defended its decision saying it is important that the State ensures the overall migrant system remains sustainable. Speaking to RTE's Morning Ireland, Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath said inconsistencies of payments to refugees cannot continue and that the change is necessary to ensure everyone is treated fairly. "We have a situation where people who arrived since March are in a very different system and getting a very different level of support. "So the change that was decided yesterday by Cabinet relates to people who came from Ukraine prior to the change in March, who were in state supported and serviced accommodation." Lack of tracking metrics and inadequate IT infrastructure propel only a select few senior executives ranked vice-president (VP) and above to consider discussing generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and make enterprise-wise plans for it, according to a study conducted by Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. Indias biggest IT Services firm conducted a study to gauge the impact of AI on business based on inputs from 1,272 executives ranging from VPs to business heads and chief executives officers (CEO) in 24 countries across 12 industries. According to the TCS AI for Business Study titled "From potential to performance by design," only 17%, or about 216 senior executives are considering discussing generative AI and making enterprise-wide changes on them. This comes on the back of more than half the respondents stating that GenAIs impact on their business model will be greater than that of previous disruptive technologies like the internet and smartphones. At least 54% of senior executives who have responded believe that their company is a long way from fully leveraging Al, with the primary barrier being the quality and availability of enterprise data. Even attempts to migrate to an impactful AI environment are little. Cloud, considered a foundational pillar for AI has not seen much traction from the top management of those companies that have responded either. Only 29% of the companies, or about 369 of them in absolute numbers that were part of the study, are cleaning up their data and migrating to the cloud. The response by industry leaders follows an optimistic cloud prospect by K. Krithivasan, chief executive of Mumbai-based TCS. Today, clients are seeing cloud as a strategy for business transformation and growth. The shift to cloud-native products and platforms is being fast-tracked, to achieve increased collaboration, security, scalability and efficiency, said Krithivasan in a letter addressed to stakeholders in the annual report for the financial year ended March 2024. Legacy issue On challenges companies found while integrating AI into their businesses included inadequate IT infrastructure as many of the companies that took part in the TCS study found that their legacy hardware, software and data ecosystems were not capable of handling complex AI algorithms. "The IT infrastructure and applications that some large enterprises have are largely legacy-based. The focus for IT companies is on how to make these clients AI-ready. AI will only help if there is robust data, processes and applications are up to date. That is where the service providers will have a lot of work to do. Leading service providers are at an edge here as they have industry-specific focus," said Mrinal Rai, principal analyst for Stamford-based IT advisory firm Information Services Group Inc. The study also revealed that security, privacy and the ethical uses of AI were the primary concerns of companies when it came to internal GenAI challenges. Every two out of five respondents preferred global AI standards regulating outcomes. Companies were also of the view that they were unable to track the progress of AI deployment in their businesses due to a lack of ill-defined performance metrics. Only about one in five respondents felt they had a good enough metric for AI deployment. This inability to track AI progress and assess its effectiveness resulted in companies being unsure on the kind of AI technologies to adapt. Focus on human creativity Two-thirds of executives that took part in the study believe that human creativity or strategic thinking will remain their company's competitive advantage, indicating that AI was far from making a substantial business impact. Right now, most organizations use AI to assist humans. As it matures, we will increasingly see AI used to augment human activities and ultimately, transform businesses by elevating human thinking with the ability to ideate based on machine output, said Krithivasan as part of the study. However, almost half the respondents admitted to the AI threat on human jobs. At least 47% senior executives believe that AI will eliminate more jobs than create them. On AI translating into revenue, most of the respondents believed that companies must look to build in AI strategies that can drive revenues, save costs and improve customer experiences rather than mainly focus on shoring up revenues. "Out of 18 possible business objectives driving current AI investments, expanding revenue opportunities ranked 17th. And without sufficient KPIs (key performance indicators), it is challenging to be AI to revenue, read a finding from the TCS study. According to the study, the 'banking, financial services and insurance' vertical was the most optimistic about AI's potential and oversaw the highest completion rates for AI projects. The sector also expects AI to increase or hold steady the number of jobs. The study also shows that the consumer packaged goods sector, that has a high reliance on quality and little room for margin, is still in the early phase of AI adoption and exploration. Last month, Prestige Estates Projects, a real estate company primarily focused on the southern states, signed an agreement with global hospitality giant Marriott International to manage six of its upcoming hotel projects in India. The Bengaluru-headquartered group set aside a significant budget for these projects: 4,250 crore, or about $500 million. A month prior, in March, D B Realty announced plans to de-merge its hospitality division and create a subsidiary called Advent International Ltd that would subsequently be listed on the stock markets. The company recently hired hospitality industry veteran Rahul Pandit to expand its hotels arm to manage assets to the tune of 2,300 crore. Property developers with significant hospitality business, such as K Raheja Corp which operates Chalet Hotels Ltd, have earmarked at least 10,000 crore combined to develop or manage hotels across India over the next 5-7 years, attracted by the hospitality sectors rapid growth. Globally, yields in asset classes like office or retail are subdued while the quantum of supply that can be added on the lodging front is still pretty high," said Rahul Pandit, the new chief of D B Realtys hospitality business, who previously led Lemon Tree Hotels and IHCL-operated Ginger. That is why there is suddenly so much interest in hotel investments." Hospitality industry giants too are planning significant budgets to capitalise on what industry experts are calling a golden era for Indias hotels sector. Take, for instance, international hospitality chain Hyatt Hotels Corp. In a recent interview with Mint, Hyatts global president and chief executive Mark Hoplamazian said the company had its sights set on Indias bustling hospitality industry, particularly on the luxury segment. Homes to hotels Mumbai-based developer House of Abhinandan Lodha has outlined plans to invest 2,000 crore for constructing five luxury hotels in cities known for their spiritual, cultural or tourism attractionsVaranasi, Vrindavan, Amritsar and Shimla. House of Abhinandan Lodha has also signed a deal with hospitality giant Leela Palaces, Resorts and Hotels to develop a 5-acre, 100-room luxury hotel in Ayodhya, which is expected to be operational by 2028. Consumer conglomerate DS Group, which has been in the hospitality business since 2000 and owns five 5-star properties including Holiday Inn Express in Kolkata and Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati, last year earmarked about 1,000 crore for its hotels division. Also read: Indias hotels sector is seeing wind in its sales Bamboo Hotel Global Centre (Delhi) Pvt. Ltd, a joint venture between Prestige Hospitality and Marine Drive Hospitality & Realty Pvt Ltd, is set to construct Indias largest integrated hotel complex at Delhi Aerocity. As for Bengaluru-based developer K Raheja Corp., its hospitality arm Chalet Hotels in March acquired a Courtyard By Marriott resort for 315 crore. Chalet Hotels managing director and chief executive Sanjay Sethi in a recent interview with Mint said the company was looking for big-box", or large inventory, hotel assets, and would add about 800 rooms to its ownership portfolio. Chalet Hotels has earmarked 2,000 crore to reach a total room count to 5,000 in the next three-four years. Another Bengaluru-based developer, Brigade Enterprises, recently signed a deal with global hotel company IHG to develop an Intercontinental Hotel in Hyderabad. A golden era in hospitality The (hotel) sectors golden era is being driven by high demand juxtaposed with limited supply growth, creating an optimal investment climate," said Mandeep S. Lamba, president, and CEO of South Asia, for hospitality consultancy HVS Anarock. Traveller demand over the past two years has provided a strong foundation, allowing hotel companies to not only recover from the pandemic but to achieve their best performance figures in FY23, a trend that should reflect in numbers of FY24." A recent analysis by HVS Anarock of Indias top 23 listed hotel companies by market capitalization shows these companies experienced a significant turnaround in the 2022-23 financial year, with year-on-year growth rates doubling on average in a post-covid recovery. Also read: Hotel industry market cap tripled since 2019; Jefferies sees momentum continuing The financial resurgence is evident in the soaring share prices of hotel companies, which have grown significantly over the past two years compared to their global counterparts," said Lamba. This is a testament to the markets confidence in their recovery strategies and improving industry fundamentals. This is also reflected in successful large-ticket IPOs, such as those by SAMHI Hotels and Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels." Indias hotels sector grew at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 8.4% between 2007 and 2023, according to HVS Anarock. Sustained, stronger growth As the Indian hotel industry matures, there is also a shift from scattered capital to more organised institutional funding. Investors in the hospitality sector are becoming more focused, selective, and looking at larger-scale investments. This could lead to a consolidation, with big players expanding their portfolios through acquisitions and investments, and major players holding significant sway over standards and market dynamics. India is currently estimated to have about 180,000 branded hotel rooms. A lot of these developers always had intent to develop in the (hospitality) sector, but now it is much more structured," said Achin Khanna, managing partner, strategic advisory, for hospitality consultancy Hotelivate. While the bulk of hotel ownership remains with single-asset owners, we do see this formalising more now," he added. This change is reflective of the place where the hospitality sector in India is at right now, and the cycle is far more sustained and stronger than previous ones." Also read: How Mhow, Silvassa and Rewa emerged as hotspots for Indian hotels The supply of branded hotels, or hotels in the organised sector, increased at a compound annual growth rate of 8.37% between 2007 and 2023, with the most significant growth, of over 10%, seen in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Pune and Jaipur, as per data from HVS Anarock. High demand, higher billings Even so, demand for hotels is outpacing supply growth in the organised sector, driving up room rates, which also explains the increased interest in the sector. Revenue per available room, or RevPAR, a key measure of financial performance in the hospitality sector, reached 4,662-4,940 in 2023, a significant increase of 29-31% from 2022 and 19-21% from the pre-pandemic year of 2019. The occupancy rate last year improved by 3-5 percentage points to 63-65%, but short of the pre-pandemic level of 65-67% in 2019. HVS expects India-wide occupancy to improve to 66-67% this year, which coupled with a 6-8% increase in average room rates, will likely push up RevPAR to 5,281, which would be 31-33% higher than in 2019. Demand isnt the only factor attracting developers to invest more in the hotels sector. The hospitality business can yield a consistent Ebitda, or operational earnings, of 25-40% from properties established in the right location, presenting an attractive opportunity for sustainable, longer-term growth, said Nikhil Shah, senior director of hospitality, capital markets and investment services at Colliers India. The investment management company is currently guiding a few second-generation and emerging hotel owners who are eager to capitalise on the sectors potential, he said. The landscape of hotel ownership is expected to witness a lot of diversifications in the coming days," added Kiran Andicot, regional vice president for hotel development in South Asia for Marriott International. Regional and local ownership groups, alongside established players, will play an integral role in shaping the industry's trajectory." Bengaluru: Near-death experiences are not uncommon in startups. For Fractal Analytics Inc., a provider of artificial intelligence (AI) products and solutions, that existential crisis came seven years after it startedin 2007. Two of its five co-founders suddenly left to start another company. And a third of Fractals employees quit to join them. Left with 40 people, the split crippled the analytics companys ability to execute. From then on, began a slow and gruelling journey to resurrect itself. It took Fractal over 20 years to hit a landmark todays startups aspire to achieve in about five years. In January 2022, TPG Capital Asia pumped in $350 million into Fractal, making it Indias first AI unicorn, or a company with a valuation of over a billion dollars. The company today has over $300 million revenue, 4,600 employees and operations spread across 17 global locations. Data intelligence platform Tracxn ranks Fractal eighth among 1,435 competitors in the data analytics space. The long list includes giants such as Accenture and PwC, as well as well-funded startups such as CleverTap, Mu Sigma and data.ai. When Fractal started, in Mumbai in 2000, very few knew about machine learning and AI. The Tracxn listing tells you how competitive the space has becomehordes of companies are rushing to make AI-based products and deliver analytics services as global corporations struggle to make sense of the massive amount of data they already possess and generate regularly. So, why are investors backing Fractal? Fractal, Zoho and Freshworks are few Indian tech product companies successful at the global level. Jayanth Kolla This is the story of Srikanth Velamakanni and Pranay Agrawal, Fractals co-founders, who have stuck with the company through thick and thin. They have built the company through 10 acquisitions and is now collaborating with the hyper scalers (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google, Databricks, Nvidia). Fractal, along with Zoho and Freshworks, is one of the few Indian technology product and solutions companies that are successful at the global level," said Jayanth Kolla, founder and partner at Convergence Catalyst, a deeptech consultancy firm. Fractal had the vision of putting analytics at the core of its existence, placing it a generation or two ahead of its time," he added. Zoho, founded by Sridhar Vembu, and Freshworks, founded by Girish Mathrubootham, provide software as a service (SaaS) solutions for businesses. Before we tell you how Fractal plans to stay ahead in the AI race, lets rewind to the beginnings. View Full Image Zohos Sridhar Vembu. Decade of stress Velamakanni had a trouble-free childhood. Born in a small city in Andhra Pradesh, he grew up in an industrial town in Assam where his father worked as a senior executive for Oil India Ltd. The father, who was a very good engineer", had only one demand: Be good at math. Else, I had no major stress as a child," Velamakanni recalled. After completing his bachelor of engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Delhi), followed by an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM, Ahmedabad), he took up a job with ANZ Investment Bank in 1998. He followed this with a stint at ICICI Bank. But on 15 August 1999, he told one of his friends, Im going to quit by the turn of the millennium, and will start a company." Velamakanni kept his word. Along with Pranay Agrawal, Nirmal Palaparthi, Pradeep Suryanarayan and Ramkrishna Reddy, he started Fractal. All the co-founders pooled in about 2 lakh each. I got my 2 lakh from my mother. A few other friends sent us $10,000 cheques, and Sasha Mirchandani (managing director and founder of Kae Capital and co-founder of Mumbai Angels) invested about $400,000, which helped us start the engine," he recalled. View Full Image Sasha Mirchandani, managing director and founder of Kae Capital. The next decade proved to be stressful. He co-founded Fractal in 2000, at the peak of the dotcom bubblemany companies started closing down. Then came the split with the co-founders. The company also worked with very little external capital. After Mirchandanis investment, Fractal didnt raise any more money till 2013 when TA Associates invested $45 million. Meanwhile, Fractal battled to establish its own identity. Not a BPO None of the co-founders were thinking of building an analytics company when they started. We only wanted to help customers make better decisions when buying devices, appliances, etc.," said Velamakanni. Soon, the co-founders realized that the company wouldnt make much money with this approach. They pivoted into an analytics firm to help enterprises make better decisions using data, math, human psychology, and so on. While there were firms like Fair, Isaac and Company that were into building risk models for companies, the concept of analytics didnt really exist back then, said Velamakanni. An initial business came from ICICI Bank where Fractal was tasked with building a scorecard to automate lending. Then, the company worked with Hindustan Unilever, helping it understand consumer buying behaviour through the lens of data". View Full Image A file photo of an ICICI Bank branch. (Mint) But Fractal faced a big challenge. It was being branded either as an information technology (IT) services company or a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, which, back then, was mostly a call centre. To differentiate, we took a big decisionwe would never write any software for our clients," recalled Velamakanni. At that time, it was very important to identify ourselves as an analytics company," he added. Fractal originally focused on India. Few years later, Velamakanni decided to move to the US while the operations in India were being overseen by Ramkrishna Reddy. But in 2006, investors recommended appointing a chief executive officer (CEO) from among the co-founders, little knowing that this development would also fracture their company. Pranay and I were in favour of making R.K. (Reddy) the CEO," Velamakanni said. They left and took my team. I was very angry and upset. Srikanth Velamakanni However, investors picked Velamakanni to head Fractal. Six months later, Suryanarayan and Reddy, who were unhappy with Velamakannis leadership, broke ranks to start their own company. They left and took my team. I was very angry and upset," recounted Velmakanni. It took three years for matters to settle down. I was in my early 30s then. I reflected and also apologized to all of them," he said. Power of 10 Serendipitously, AI came to Fractals rescue since those were the early days when people started to see a future in machine learning techniquesdeep learning in speech processing, text processing, natural language processing, and image processing. These were technologies that Fractal had expertise in. Around 2015, Velamakanni decided to invest 12.5% of its annual revenue on research. The idea appealed to Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the strategic investment fund of the Government of Malaysia. In May 2016, the sovereign fund invested $100 million in Fractal to enhance its AI- and deep learning-based software stack. The funding also helped the company invest in new businesses and acquire startups. Till date, we acquired (and sold some) 10 startups, including Mobius Innovations (which Fractal bought from one of its co-founders). All of them were small. None of them has contributed more than $4-5 million of revenue," said Velamakanni. But theyve all added significantly in terms of our capabilities." Some of the companys AI-powered platforms today include Asper.ai (for revenue growth), Crux Intelligence (analytics), Eugenie.ai (emissions intelligence platform), Flyfish.ai (generative AI for sales), Qure.ai (algorithms for medical imaging), Senseforth.ai (conversational AI platform), and Final Mile (behavioural sciences firm). Senseforth.ai had built Eva, HDFC Banks AI-based chatbot. For Coca-Cola Company, Fractal helped unify disparate data spread across many data sources such as with the bottlers. A financial institution, meanwhile, leveraged Fractals machine-learning algorithms to estimate customer and merchant locations using transaction data. GenAI playbook On Holi, 25 March, Fractal wished users on X, formerly Twitter, in a rather unusual way: Wishing you all a kalAIdoscopic Holi filled with boundless happiness and unforgettable memories," the post read. The post was accompanied with a video that showed a series of picturesEinstein and robots playing Holi; astronauts in space with a burst of colours in the background; a tiger and a bird in Holi colours. The video added another note: All images created by Fractalites and their family & friends using kalaido.ai". A month earlier, on 29 February, Fractal had introduced kalaido.ai, a text-to-image platformit can generate high quality images from text prompts in English and 17 Indian languages including Hindi, Sanskrit and Tamil. It is trained on a public dataset of 70 million images. View Full Image Image created by kalaido.ai. (X) In some ways, kalaido.ai is a showcase of the power of generative AI (AI technology that can create new types of content including text, images, audio, video, and synthetic data) and its possibilities. Fractal is pumping research dollars into many such models and use cases to future proof its business. For instance, FractalGPT, an off-the-shelf product of enterprises, is designed to boost productivity, save time, and enrich call centre operations. Meanwhile, Fractal is also focusing on developing AI agents. Unlike chatbots, AI agents can replicate personalities and emotional aspects of human interactions by responding to queries with personalized responses. One such AI agent is called Dexter. It can assist employees in their interactions with their company. Were also working on quantum computing. There is an incredible amount of research going on at Fractal, which helps us stay ahead," the co-founder said. If GPT-5 comes in and its better, well build on top of that. We are also building our own foundation models like the Kaleido text-image model," he added. GPT is short for Generative Pre-trained Transformer, a large language model created by OpenAI. Unlike chatbots, AI agents can replicate personalities and emotional aspects of human interactions by responding to queries with personalized responses. Forrester Research, a market research company, in a June 2023 report, named Fractal a leader among customer analytics service providers, also stressing on the edge the company has because of its investment in research. Fractal correctly differentiates with its emphasis on design and engineering, which help clients bridge the insights-to-action gap," Brandon Purcell, vice president and principal analyst with Forrester, wrote in the report. Fractals innovation approach reflects this ethosdedicated funding for research and development in generative AI and neuroscience should strengthen its leadership position," he added. Staying cute Nonetheless, leaders can get disrupted. Fractal has done well but it still has to deal with stiff competitionfrom every big and small tech company that offers AI and GenAI solutions. Like we mentioned earlier, the analytics market is getting crowded. The company will need to continuously differentiate its offerings and demonstrate unique value propositions, analysts said. For example, it will have to showcase proprietary algorithms or industry-specific expertise to stand out in competitive bids. Convincing large and first time clients that it can provide significant value could be a challenge," Kolla of Convergence Catalyst said. Because in a lot of cases, the value offered by analytics could be incremental which might not look impressive from the recipients point of view," he added. View Full Image Jayanth Kolla, founder and partner at Convergence Catalyst (Mint) Second, the demand for skilled data scientists, analysts, and AI specialists is high. Theres a shortage of talent in the market, which makes recruitment and retention challenging for any firm. Fractal wont be immune to this. The company, meanwhile, has launched AI courses for free on Coursera, an e-learning platform, in a bid to attract the best talent. Last, but not the least, since Fractal generates a majority of its revenue from the US and EU, it will have to ensure responsible use of AI algorithms, avoid biases in decision-making, and comply with the ever evolving data protection regulations, analysts pointed out. Compounding Magic View Full Image The global generative AI market size is projected to grow from $67 billion in 2024 to $968 billion by 2032. In 2022-23, Fractal posted a 55.5% jump in consolidated revenue to 2,043 crore from a year earlier, as per its latest filings sourced from Tofler. The company reported a profit of 194 crore during the year from a loss of 148 crore a year earlier. We are currently at a $300 million annual run rate," said Velamakanni. About 70% of Fractals current revenue is generated in the US; 20% from Europe; 10% from Australia. The company is clearly piggybacking on the mushrooming of AI and generative AI-based solutions market. The global generative AI market size is projected to grow from $67 billion in 2024 to $968 billion by 2032, a CAGR of 39.6%, according to Fortune Business Insights. Thats a super-sized playground for analytics companies. Fractal, therefore, believes it is time to exponentially expand. Velamakanni wants to eventually grow Fractal into a $15 billion revenue company but has not set a timeline yet. How does he plan to achieve this? Target 500 companies doing an annual business of $30 million each. Of these, some will be making more than $100 million revenue a year, but the average has to be $30 million. The choice of clients is crucial. We think this business can grow at a compounding growth rate of 25% or so for the foreseeable future," he said. While $15 billion will take us time, the next goal would be to get to $1 billion of revenue. Compounding is magical. We will get there, sooner than later," Velamakanni concluded. Google has been seen as playing defense for much of the past 18 months after OpenAI launched ChatGPT in late 2022. The online chatbot powered by generative artificial intelligence was seen as a major threat to the internet search business that still powers the most of Googles revenue and operating profit. Googles own misstepsincluding a bungled launch of its Gemini chatbot earlier this yearfed that image further. In the weeks following Geminis launch in February, shares of Google-parent Alphabet were lagging behind the trailing 12-month performance of OpenAI-backer Microsoft by 14 percentage points, according to FactSet data. But Google isnt so easily displaced. The company whose name was added to dictionaries nearly 20 years ago as a verb for web search still powers more than 90% of the worlds search activity, according to data from Statcounter. Its Android mobile operating system also runs more than 70% of the worlds smartphones. Those two areas alone are powerful points of distribution for Googles AI technology. Microsofts Bing search engine, where the company incorporated ChatGPT in 2023, currently has about 3.6% of the global search market, according to Statcounter data. Google made it clear on Tuesday that it plans to play to its strengths. The company kicked off its annual I/O developers conference with a two-hour keynote featuring a slew of announcements and demonstrations showing how its latest generative AI tools will integrate into its widely used services such as search and Android. These will include a new feature called AI overviews, which will allow search users to generate more conversational answers to certain queries with a single click. The company also showed how mobile device users will be able to have audio-based conversations with its Gemini chatbota day after OpenAI held an event showing similar developments for its latest AI model called GPT-4o. No mention was made of a much-rumored Google licensing deal with Apple. But the iPhone maker likes to tightly control its own news flow, and will likely save any AI announcements for its own developers conference next month. Apple is also reported to be in licensing talks with OpenAI. Investors seem to have more faith in Google now. Shares of parent company Alphabet edged up Monday following OpenAIs announcements and picked up Tuesday following its own eventclosing with a net gain of about 1% over two days. That follows an 8% rise since the companys strong first-quarter report nearly three weeks ago. Alphabets stock is now up nearly 22% for the yeardouble Microsofts performance in that time. Also, the total dividend-adjusted return on the two is now nearly identical since the public launch of ChatGPT boosted Microsofts stock starting in late November 2022, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. We dont believe there will be only one AI winner, but we think Google has successfully proven that it will remain a leading player in this AI race," Mark Mahaney of Evercore ISI wrote in a note to clients on Tuesday following Googles event. The challenge for both companies now is to show how their expensive AI race will pay off. Both have signaled plans to boost their already record-high capital spending to further build out the technical infrastructure for AI services. Wall Street projects combined capital spending for just those two will reach just under $97 billion this yearup 42% from last year, according to consensus estimates from FactSet. That payoff could prove to be a little clearer in the near-term for Microsoft, which has a massive base of enterprise software customers that it can market new AI tools such as CoPilot to. For Google, the economics of generative AI-based search are less clear, as advertisers may not yet be willing to pay a premium for placement in chatbot-generated results. But that could also change fast as more internet users try those services. In a note Tuesday, Morgan Stanley analysts reported a recent survey showing 36% of Googles Gemini users are using the chatbot to shop for products, compared with 23% of ChatGPT users doing the same. Googles position as the internets starting page should never be taken lightly. Write to Dan Gallagher at dan.gallagher@wsj.com Mumbai: Private health insurer Niva Bupa has lined up six investment banks to raise 3,000 crore in an initial public offering this year, three people aware of the development said. The development comes months after the company's majority shareholder True North sold a big chunk of its stake to its UK partner Bupa. The company has appointed Kotak Mahindra Capital Co., Axis Capital, HDFC Bank, Morgan Stanley, ICICI Securities and Motilal Oswal to manage the public issue, the people cited above said. Investment banks have been appointed and the company is looking for a listing towards the end of 2024," one of the three people cited above said on condition of anonymity. That would make Niva Bupa this year's second health insurer to go public, after GoDigit. In September 2023, homegrown PE firm True North sold around 20% of its stake in the insurer for 2,700 crore. Bupa, a UK-based healthcare company, was a founding shareholder when the business was first established in India in 2008. The company was looking to raise 1,100 crore in primary capital at a valuation of 12,600 crore in a pre-IPO round, Mint reported in September. The IPO may value the company at 15,000-18000 crore, the second person added. Queries emailed to spokespersons of True North, Niva Bupa, and the six investment bankers remained unanswered at the time of publishing. True North acquired 55.6% in Niva Bupa in 2019 from Max India Ltd for 510 crore. The acquisition was made via Fettle Tone, special purpose vehicle set up by True North. In March 2021, Axis Bank acquired 9.9% in the SPV for 90.8 crore. True North now holds little more than 60% of the SPV, with other investors holding the remaining. Also read: Max Bupa Health Insurance rebranded as Niva Bupa True North is likely to sell around half of its stake as part of the offer for sale during the IPO," the third person cited above said, adding the company may file its draft IPO papers by July. In FY23, Niva Bupa clocked more than 4,000 crore in gross written premium or GWP, expanding its presence to nearly every district in the country, with over 8% market share in the health insurance market. The health insurance segment breached the 1 trillion mark in FY24, driving the non-life insurance growth in India, a March 2024 report by CareEdge said. Tesla shareholders have a decision to make in the next month about Elon Musk. On June 13, they are set to vote on whether to reinstate stock options currently valued at $46 billion to Musk, the carmakers CEO and one of the worlds richest people, after a judge struck down the award in January. Having a revote on such a giant pay package is uncharted territory, and there is a lot at stake for Tesla: The company is launching ambitious plans that its board believes Musk is integral to achieving. Approval should erase investor concerns that Musk could leave the company if he doesnt get paid, which some investors say are weighing on Teslas stock price. And, Tesla hopes, a fresh vote would sidestep a drawn-out appeals process in court. Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm and others at the company plan to spend the next several weeks crisscrossing the globe to rally support from shareholders. Their challenge is taking shareholders back to 2018, when they originally signed off on Musks pay package, and detaching from the vote concerns that have cropped up since then. In 2018, Tesla had a market value of around $50 billion and was losing money. The company is now valued at nearly $570 billion. Denholm and Tesla are telling shareholders Musk deserves to be rewarded for hitting lofty goals set back then. They say he earned that pay and should get it. The present complicates their efforts. Teslas shares are down about 30% this year, as sales and margins have fallen. Musks varied business interests, including his ownership of social-media platform X, his changes to plans for Tesla and his drug use have stoked controversy. (Musk has brushed off concerns hes distracted and said he hasnt failed drug tests.) Adding to Teslas challenge, individual investors whose votes are harder to wrangle amassed an outsize portion of its shares in the past several years. In 2018, shareholders voted 73% of their shares in favor of the pay package. Tesla is bracing for a tighter vote this time around. How to get to Mars The board awarded Musk the unusual pay package in 2018. If Tesla shares skyrocketed by more than 10 times and the company hit several operational targets, Musk would be able to buy a huge stake at cheap prices. If he fell short, he would get nothing. Musk would have to hold the stock for at least five years. He planned to use the money to go to Mars. The added comp is just so that I can put as much as possible towards minimizing existential risk by putting the money towards Mars," Musk wrote to an executive at the time, according to the judges opinion. This is kinda crazy, but it is true." Vanguard, the biggest outside shareholder, rejected the pay package, while BlackRock, the second biggest, approved it. Within five years, the company had hit all the targets, and its share price had increased more than 1,000%. Tesla was valued at $1 trillion, and the package was valued at $55.8 billion. Mars looked a bit closer. But earlier this year, a Delaware judge ruled the boards process in negotiating the pay package was deeply flawed," citing the directors close ties to Musk. She invalidated the shareholder vote and ordered the pay rescinded. In response, Musk fumed on X: Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware." The board has said a fresh shareholder vote should cure the judges concerns, but the shareholder who sued over the pay is challenging the idea. Appeals are also likely to remain live. The board also put up for a vote moving the companys incorporation from Delaware to Texas, where it has its corporate headquarters. Campaigning for votes Convincing shareholders falls to Denholm, an Australian businesswoman who was on the board committee that negotiated the pay package and succeeded Musk as chair later in 2018. She has been reaching out to shareholders and the proxy advisers whose opinions, published ahead of the vote, hold important sway. She met with some investors in New York this week and plans to return in early June, people familiar with the matter said. Some big holders are taking a fresh review, not just repeating their 2018 votes, investors and Tesla say. T. Rowe Price, which owns about 0.8% of the shares, blessed the pay package in 2018 and pushed for the board to take it to a vote again. Other shareholders say Musk, who owns roughly 13% of Teslas shares, has been handsomely rewarded by the stock prices rise. Some plan to use the meetings to air current gripes. Denholm and Tesla are making several arguments beyond the companys performance. They are telling shareholders their rights have been usurped by a judge and they should ratify the original vote, whether they approved of the package or not. They also say approval will remove doubts about Musks interest in running Tesla. Musk said in testimony he wouldnt have quit if the original vote had gone against him. But he did take the vote personally. In 2018, he told Tesla representatives to tell big shareholders who voted against the package he was very offended by their action," according to the judges opinion. He wanted to tell one holder to divest themselves of all of his companies because they are not welcome." The need for individual investors Individual investors, who often sit out shareholder votes entirely, now own about 30% of Teslas shares. For the pay package to be approved, a majority of shares voted must support it, excluding Musks stake and a much smaller stake owned by his brother. That leaves Tesla racing to get individuals to show up. It is rolling out new adsincluding paid posts on Musk-owned Xurging investors to vote. The campaign to incorporate in Texas likely faces even harder odds. That vote needs a majority of all shares outstanding, so anyone who doesnt vote is essentially a no. Write to David Benoit at David.Benoit@wsj.com, Emily Glazer at Emily.Glazer@wsj.com and Corrie Driebusch at corrie.driebusch@wsj.com Asian Paints MD and CEO Amit Syngle has expressed cynicism about GDP numbers and admitted to investors the figures do not correlate to core sectors including steel and cement. Not very sure how GDP numbers are coming, Syngle said pointing out that that the numbers being talked about do not seem to correlate to core sectors. He was answering investor questions on May 9. You are correct that the GDP correlation has really gone for a toss, in the current year. I also feel that today, I am not very sure as to how the GDP numbers are coming. You guys are better wizards in terms of really understanding in terms of how those numbers are coming and so on and so forth, Syngle told an investor. GDP not correlating with sectors The GDP numbers being talked about do not seem to correlate to core sectors such as steel and cement, Syngle said . "And sometimes you feel that there is such a variation happening across industries. How does that GDP really correlate to the actual GDP what we are kind of talking of. So, even if you look at the core sectors, whether it is steel, cement, so on and so forth, no where it is correlating with the kind of possibly overall GDP growth in terms of what we are kind of talking of," he said. The Asian Paints top executive said there is need to "normalise" the GDP growth to find what it means for sectors "realistically". "I feel that we need to look at from a nominalisation of this GDP growth to find out more realistically, if we are talking of a 7% growth; whether that 7% really translates to a real-time of 5% or 4% GDP for a certain sector, and therefore look at extrapolating data in terms of seeing how the correlation works out." He said Asian Paints is working on "finding out what the real GDP" is. "So currently, as you rightly said, even we are not kind of really correlating to the GDP in terms of looking at it ... So, we are also looking at ways and means in terms of finding out what is the real GDP." What Congress Claimed Syngle's responses gained traction after the Indian National Congress (INC) questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government over GDP numbers and alleged that claims of India being the world's fifth-largest economy are based on "fake GDP data." In a post on the social media site X (formerly known as Twitter, Congress referenced the Asian Paints executive's answer to investors to support its allegations. "What everyone was saying is confirmed by Asian Paints MD & CEO Mr Amit Syngle. He said that there is no correlation between GDP numbers and underlying sectors. GDP is off by a huge margin! He said this in the investor conference held on 9th May. The transcript is available online," it stated. "So, the fifth largest GDP claim is also fake. God knows what is our real GDP!" it added. Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel said that the people of Raebareli are not just electing a Lok Sabha member. "But after late Indira Gandhi, the people of Raebareli are now going to elect the Prime Minister of the country, Baghel said ahead of the fifth phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Baghel took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a video clip of himself making the statement before a group of people. Who is INDIA bloc's PM face? The Congress is part of the Opposition's INDIA bloc, which has not yet declared its prime minister candidate. This has prompted speculation that Rahul Gandhi is the coalition's candidate for the post of prime minister. On the day the Congress released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha Elections, Rahul Gandhi was asked who the party's PM face could beRahul Gandhi himself or Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. The question was asked since the Congress' manifesto displayed images of these two leaders in the front. In 2009, Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh's image was on the manifesto. In a press conference [back then], they were asked who would be the PM's face. Sonia Gandhi then hid her face in the manifesto. Who's face will you hide this time? [yours or Kharge's]," someone had asked Gandhi at the press conference held on April 5. Gandhi replied that the Opposition party coalition, INDIA bloc, will decide its prime minister candidate after winning the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Rahul Gandhi, addressing the question of the Congress' prime minister candidate, explained, "The INDIA bloc has taken a collective decision. We are fighting an ideological election, and the coalition will collectively decide on the leader and prime minister after winning the elections." Rahul Gandhi is contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections as a Congress candidate from Raebareli and Wayanad. Gandhi mother Sonia Gandhi and grandmother Indira Gandhi, both have represented the Raebareli seat in the past. PM Modi seeking third term The Congress' opponent, the Bharatiya Janata Party's PM candidate remains Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi is seeking a third term as the prime minister of the country and MP from the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in this year's Lok Sabha polls. PM Modi has time and again exuded confidence that he will retain the power at the Centre. He said at a public gathering in Maharashtra's Kalyan on Wednesday, "The efforts that I am putting in now, I will continue to do that even after June 4. That's why we have prepared the blueprint for first 100 days [of government] in third term." Lok Sabha Elections 2024 The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 are being held in seven phases, starting April 19. The results will be announced on June 4. Based on the results, a prime minister of India will be chosen. KHARKIV, UkraineRussian forces are fighting inside the northeastern border city of Vovchansk, as Moscow grinds forward on a new front while Kyiv is still waiting for much-needed U.S. weaponry to reach the battlefield. Russias advance into the city, located about three miles south of the border with Russia, is part of a push into Kharkiv province that is drawing Ukrainian troops from other fronts in the east and is aimed at threatening the regional capital of Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city. Russia has seized a handful of villages since it sent armored vehicles and infantry across the border on Friday. The situation in Vovchansk is extremely difficult," the citys chief of police, Oleksiy Kharkivskiy, said Wednesday in a video posted from inside Vovchansk on Facebook. The enemy is taking positions on the streets." As he spoke, the sound of gunfire popped constantly around him. Ukrainian officials and Western analysts said Russian forces were unlikely to be sufficient for a major breakthrough or to launch a direct assault on Kharkiv. But the advance could gobble up territory and further stretch Ukraines outnumbered forces. Ukraines military acknowledged pulling back troops around Vovchansk and another village to the west, but said it was fighting to retake lost positions. Before departing Ukraine Wednesday after a two-day visit, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. is looking at ways to rush in additional air-defense systems for Ukrainian troops, especially in Kharkiv. During his two-day visit, he said he had detailed discussions with top officials about the delivery of Patriot missiles and other systems into the country. We are intensely focused on Patriots and other possible defense, and making sure that we can find them and bring them to Ukraine," he said. Kharkiv is of course one urgent priority. There are others." U.S. officials said that some of the newly approved aid is already arriving in Ukraine, and that Russia is redoubling its offensive in anticipation that resistance will stiffen as it arrives. The new aid will include long-range ATACMS, or Army Tactical Missile Systems, that can hit any Russian target inside Ukraine. Kyiv, at the behest of the Biden administration, has pledged not to use U.S. weapons on Russian territory, the launchpad for the Kharkiv offensive. For months, Ukrainian officials had warned that Russian forces were again preparing to assault Kharkiv, which stands just 25 miles from the border. Russia occupied much of the Kharkiv region, including Vovchansk, at the start of its full-scale invasion in February of 2022. Ukrainian forces retook almost all occupied territory in the Kharkiv region during a lightning offensive in September of that same year. But when the Russian assault began last week, Ukrainian forces were caught unprepared, according to military analystswith units out of position and without substantial fortifications in some border areas, including in Vovchansk. More considerable fortifications have been constructed deeper into the country, analysts say. Some of Ukraines best units have been moved from the eastern Donetsk regionwhich had been the focus of Russian assaults in recent monthsto help shore up defenses in the Kharkiv region. Still, most of the weaponry that the U.S. approved last month still hasnt arrived, leaving Ukrainian forces short on artillery ammunition. Sr. Lt. Denys Yaroslavsky, the commander of a unit in the 57th Brigade defending Vovchansk, was in a bunker inside the city on May 9, watching from a drone feed as two Russian armored fighting vehicles charged through a fence that demarcates the international border and a group of 15 Russian troops came out and entered the city. At least two more waves followed as Yaroslavsky alerted the military leadership and fed coordinates to Ukrainian artillery teams. Weve got another Bakhmut on our hands," he said in an interview, referring to the Ukrainian city that Russia seized last year after nine months of brutal fighting a year ago, and which Yaroslavskys unit defended. The Russians are dropping heavy glide bombs on Vovchansk and shelling it with artillery. They are also using Lancet drones that smash into targets at more than 100 miles an hour. For Russia, it would already be a success to get back into artillery range of Kharkiv city. Throughout most of 2022, the regional capital was menaced by Russian artillery bombardments, which killed hundreds and devastated the north district of Saltivka. At an evacuation hub in Kharkiv on Wednesday, volunteers from the International Rescue Committee and other nongovernmental organizations each day register some 300 new arrivals from Vovchansk and Lyptsi, another village the Russians are assaulting. About 8,000 people have evacuated to Kharkiv from Vovchansk and surrounding villages since the new Russian offensive began last week, according to the Kharkiv administration. Volodymyr Kharchenko, an employee of the local hospital, said he stepped over two Russian corpses as he walked from his house in north Vovchansk to an evacuation point in the citys southern part on Wednesday. The city is now divided between us and them," he said. A tank positioned near a meat factory several hundred yards away was targeting homes, he said. Nadiya Mizharyova, a pensioner who left the city on Tuesday, said only the homeless and infirm remained in Vovchansk. Everything is on fire," she said. Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraines military-intelligence chief, said Ukrainian forces were stabilizing the situation in the Kharkiv region and working to push the Russians back. He also warned that the Russians were also massing forces for a potential incursion into the Sumy region west of Kharkiv. The main goal of this operation is an information operation to create chaos and panic in order to force our groups to withdraw from the eastern directions," Budanov said Wednesday on Ukrainian television. Franz-Stefan Gady, a Vienna-based military analyst, said that by attacking on multiple axes, Russia was exploiting Kyivs growing shortage of manpower. Its primarily a way to pull resources away and then push on into Chasiv Yar and Kramatorsk," Gady said, naming two of the largest cities in the eastern Donetsk region that remain under Ukrainian control. Theyre essentially setting up the Ukrainian armed forces for a game they cant really win. They simply dont have enough manpower to plug all these gaps." Ukrainian forces are limited in their ability to strike back at the Russiansnot only because of the shortage of manpower and ammunition, but also because the U.S. prohibits Kyiv from firing American weapons into Russian territory. That rules out the use of Himars rocket systems and ATACMS missiles, two of Ukraines longest-range and most effective weapons. George Barros, an analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, said the U.S. could immediately alter the battlespace in Kharkiv if the U.S. would lift this ban. In other parts of the country where the fighting continues, Russian forces have to run their supply lines through occupied parts of Ukraine, which Kyiv has repeatedly struck. In the Kharkiv region, however, the front line runs along the border, meaning that Russian forces are setting up command posts, ammunition depots, air fields and other logistics centers inside of Russia. The ban on firing American weapons at those targets, Barros said, lets Moscow move troops and weapons to the front far more efficiently than theyre able to in other regions, where they have to disperse and camouflage positions behind the line. It allows the Russians to bring a whole bunch of combat power into this really big area, and the Ukrainians are not able to engage them until they cross the international border," he said. Asked Wednesday if the U.S. would allow Ukraine to use ATACMS against targets inside Russia, Blinken said: We have not encouraged or enabled strikes outside of Ukraine. But ultimately Ukraine has to make decisions for itself about how its going to conduct this war, a war that its conducting in defense of its freedoms, of its sovereignty and its territorial integrity." Nikita Nikolaienko contributed to this article On Monday, India and Iran signed a long-term contract for the development of Chabahar Port after years of negotiations. This has paved the way for increased Indian investment in the strategic port, which will serve as a vital trade artery connecting India with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries. It will also strengthen the country's presence on a strategic route thats considered to be the main gateway for shipments from the Indian subcontinent to Europe. Mint takes a closer look at what it means for India. What did India and Iran agree to on Monday? India and Iran signed a long-term contract for the development of Chabahar Port during shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowals visit to Iran. Signed by Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) and the Port & Maritime Organisation of Iran, the agreement allows the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar Port to operate for 10 years. The pact replaces one-year contracts that were being signed since 2016 to keep the port operational. These short-term arrangements, and geopolitical tensions involving Iran, proved a major deterrent for shippers, who were looking for a more permanent arrangement before making investments and commencing operations. Why did it take this long to sign this contract? In 2003, India agreed to help Iran develop the port and accompanying infrastructure links during Iranian President Muhammad Khatamis visit to India, but talks progressed slowly. In 2013, India committed to providing $100 million for the ports development and two years later, in May 2015, it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The contract was executed on 23 May 2016 in Tehran during the Indian prime ministers visit. India also agreed to invest $85 million to the Shahid Beheshti terminal. However, the reimposition of US sanctions on Iran for its nuclear programme hampered Indias ability to develop the port. The India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ), a subsidiary of IPGL, facilitated the first consignment of exports from Afghanistan to India only in 2019 and the operations continued through short terms contracts while negotiations on the Long-Term Agreement peaked pace with the visit of Sonowal to Chabahar in August, 2022. Negotiations on the long-term contract stalled over disagreements on arbitration clauses, with Iran not agreeing with international arbitration provisions. The two sides later agreed for follow arbitration rules framed by the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Why is Chabahar Port important to India? Located in the Sistan-Baluchistan province on Irans southwestern coast, Chabahar Port is an important point on the Arabian Sea with easy access from Indias west coast. Kandla port in Gujarat, 550 nautical miles away, is the closest Indian port; the distance between Chabahar and Mumbai is 786 nautical miles. The strategically located port also offers an alternative route from the Strait of Hormuz for cargo traffic between Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. With land routes through Pakistan completely blocked for trade with these regions, the port offers a faster alternative. Situated just 170 km from Pakistans Gwadar port, where China is developing a deep port facility under its Belt and Road Initiative, Chabahar Port offers India a strategic advantage over both its neighbouring rivals. Chabahar is also part of the proposed 7,200-km International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multi-modal transportation route that will connect the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran, and onward to northern Europe. The port is thus seen as Indias gateway to increased trade with European countries as its expected to cut travel time by about 15 days compared to the current route through the Suez Canal. Strategic importance aside, does the port promise any commercial gains? Having handled more than 80,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container traffic and more than 8 million tonnes of bulk and general cargo since 2019, Chabahar Port also has the potential to generate considerable revenue. India expects 13,282 TEUs of cargo handling at the Shahid Beheshti terminal in 2023 (the data has not been released yet), up from just 3,096 TEUs in 2022. The port's integration with IPGCFZ increases its appeal. India offers various other incentives, too, such as concessions on vessel-related charges and cargo charges to boost trade flows through Chabahar. India also plans to increase the ports cargo-handling capacity from 8 million tonnes to 18 million tonnes a year in the next phase and eventually to 82 million tonnes a year over the next few years to boost revenue. Which other infrastructure projects is India working on to strengthen its presence in the region? India is also involved in the construction of the 700-km Chabahar-Zahedan railway line. An MoU was signed between Indian Railways IRCON and Iranian Railways Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructures Company (CDTIC) in 2016 for its construction. Once complete, the project will further improve cargo movement, and could also increase capacity significantly if linked to the port, according to experts. In addition, India is looking to strengthen its presence in key infrastructure along the route through the Persian Gulf. Adani Group already operates Haifa port in Israel and Indian companies are expected to strike more such deals in the region. Take Japans hybrid leaders, Toyota and Honda. Last week they both reported by far their most profitable fiscal years ever. The weak yen played a part: The U.S. is their largest market, while they have a lot of costs in Japan, making them big beneficiaries of a weaker local currency. So too did the resurgence of the hybrid technology pioneered by the Toyota Prius in the late 1990s. In the U.S., hybrid sales rose 62% from a year earlier in February, according to the latest Kelley Blue Book data, while EV sales fell. Only the much smaller market for plug-in hybrids grew faster. The trend is similar in Europe. Crucially, hybrids are highly profitable, unlike the EVs sold by Ford and General Motors. Honda said Friday that its hybrids in the U.S. commanded the same margins as regular cars but at higher prices. But Toyota and Honda arent taking their recent success as a cue to ease off on their push into EVs, where they lag behind. If anything, the fat profits they are raking in on relatively mature hybrid technology are allowing them to spend even more massively on alternatives. Toyota said it would spend 1.7 trillion yen, equivalent to $10.9 billion, on growth areas" such as EVs and software in its current fiscal year through March 2025, up from 1.2 trillion last year. Honda has been investing heavily in the EV supply chain, with further details expected at a strategy update Thursday. China is the key problem. Most foreign manufacturers have been losing market share as Chinese consumers adopt EVs and become more comfortable with local brands. This isnt as existential a threat to Japans car industry as it is to Germanys, but it still hurts. China accounted for under 7% of Toyotas profit before taxes in the 12 months through March, roughly half the level of the previous fiscal year. At a press conference last week, the company admitted that it faced some difficult years ahead before it launches more attractive products, notably software-rich EVs and plug-in hybrids, later this decade. There is also the question of Chinese competition outside China. The Biden administration raised tariffs on Chinese EV imports on Tuesday, and Europe is considering a similar move. That only leaves emerging markets more exposed. Today, Southeast Asia is a key market for Japanese cars. Chinas excess capacity in car production means it soon could become a battleground. One thing that isnt in doubt is the financial resources Toyota can mobilize for a fight. After a banner year, it had net cash and equivalents of roughly $25 billion at the end of March, excluding the financial services business. It now expects a less profitable period as it shores up its supply chain, but this could be the companys traditional conservatism as the hybrid boom continues and the yen remains very weak. The Toyota ecosystem also includes separately listed Subaru, Suzuki and Mazda through a web of partnerships. For those outside the Toyota network, notably Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi, the investments required to create software-rich EVs that can win back Chinese customers are intimidating. Mitsubishi already pulled production out of China in October. Honda said Friday it would increase research and development spending by 23% this year to the equivalent of $7.6 billion. Sharing resources is an obvious path forward: Nissan already has a stake in Mitsubishi, while Honda and Nissan in March said they would explore partnerships for future technology. But executives from the two companies sounded noncommittal when they presented results last week. Following the failure of previous collaborationsNissan with Renault, Honda with GMthey need to make sure there is more to the talks than warm words. I dont think they can survive by themselves as medium-size players in the long term," says Julie Boote, a Japanese autos analyst based in London. Mastering every new automotive technology is expensive. For anyone but the very largest players, it might even be unaffordable. Write to Stephen Wilmot at stephen.wilmot@wsj.com New Delhi/Mumbai: The spectre of cheap steel imports flooding the Indian markets has returned to haunt Indian makers of the alloy. Last week, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) issued a licence to Vietnamese steel manufacturer and exporter Formosa Ha Tinh, according to people aware of the matter. This has paved the way for the company to resume steel exports to India after the steel ministry mandate for BIS licences late last year hobbled all imports. The Vietnamese steel firm getting a BIS licence could potentially further steel dumping into the country," said Ranjan Dhar, director and vice president, sales & marketing, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) India, a prominent steel manufacturer with an integrated steel plant at Hazira in Gujarat. The apprehension is that other mills from FTA countries and China may also get a renewal of their licences for exporting to India," analysts at market intelligence & consulting firm BigMint said, adding that this was a worrisome factor for Indian mills. AM/NSs Dhar added that with India now available as an option, Vietnamese steelmakers will see the country as a lucrative avenue to dump excess production. This may also affect the significant investments already made by Indian steel producers to increase their steel capacities," he added. Formosa Ha Tinh and BIS didnt respond to queries sent by Mint at the time of going to print. Also read: Steel industry grapples with price pressures as global demand wanes Vietnam's steel industry relies heavily on exports, with nearly half of its production being shipped abroad, Dhar said, adding that this is partly because China exports a lot of cheap steel to Vietnam, flooding the local market there and putting pressure on their domestic players to seek alternative global markets. Government data shows that Indias domestic production of crude steel totalled 143.6 mt in FY24, and consumption was at 136 mt. About 8.3 million tonnes (mt) of finished steel was imported in FY24, a 34% growth compared to 6 mt in FY23. Steel exports during the year came in at 7.5 mt, turning the country into a net importer of steel. The imports slowed only in the last quarter of fiscal year 2023-24 after the steel ministry issued a quality control order last October that made it mandatory for all steel products imported into the country to have a BIS licence and certification. The Indian government had stopped renewing BIS licences in the second half of last year as a non-tariff barrier to reduce ballooning imports, which had hit domestic mills hard," BigMints analysts said. Vietnam is the fourth largest source of steel imports into India behind South Korea, China and Japan. Just under 1 million tonnes of steel was imported from Vietnam into India in FY24, accounting for 10% of the countrys total steel imports, as per data from BigMint. The country also benefits from Indias free trade agreement (FTA) with the ASEAN block, allowing it to export steel to India without any duties, unlike in the case of China, which pays 7.5-10% import duty depending on the grade of steel. India is one of the only major consumers in the world to have a growing appetite for steel. Amidst muted global demand for the alloy, steel producers have been stuck with excess production, pushing down prices. While growing steel demand in India has helped Indian steelmakers post a rise in volumes and revenues, their margins have come under pressure due to weak global prices. This is because steel prices in the domestic market are closely linked to global prices. A large deviation in domestic and international prices provides dealers an arbitrage opportunity. The price of benchmark hot-rolled coils of steel declined from an average of 57,900 per tonne in September to 52,750 per tonne on average in March, as per data from BigMint. As the industry advocates for tariffs on the influx of imports, the government maintains its current stance on the issue. And while India's top steel producers have urged the government to safeguard measures, including the imposition of import tariffs, particularly from countries like China, government officials in earlier conversations have told Mint that as per their analysis imports were within their tolerance thresholds. The government continues to maintain a close watch on import volumes coming into the country, these government officials said earlier. This comes at a time when the industry is trying to adjust its operations in accordance with the European Unions Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which is further expected to hurt the exports of the country to key destinations in the European continent. The country though remains is still in the initial stages of exploring various green steel production methods with the ministry setting a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, with a roadmap focusing on the short term (2030). The stocks of major steel producers in the nation, including Tata Steel, JSW Steel, SAIL, and Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL), have witnessed a significant uptick over the last six months. Tata Steel shares surged 33.02% on the BSE, while JSW Steel experienced an increase of 14.02%. SAIL and JSPL stocks also grew by 86.31% and 51.12%, respectively, on the BSE. Shares of Cipla jumped over 5 percent in intra-day deals on Wednesday, May 15, after three block deals took place on the exchanges. Around 2.04 crore shares or 2.53 percent stake of Cipla changed hands in the block deals worth around 2,600 crore. As per the company, promoters of the firm sold the shares in the block deals. "Ms. Shirin Hamied, Ms. Rumana Hamied, Ms. Samina Hamied and Okasa Pharma Private Limited (all categorised as Promoter Group) have sold 2.53 percent shares of Cipla Limited for the purpose of creating liquidity for specific needs including philanthropy," Cipla said in a regulatory filing. Post transaction, the entire promoter group (including Person Acting in Concert) continues to hold 31.67 percent in the company, it added. Read here: Why stock markets are jittery and what could happen next The stock rose as much as 5.2 percent to its day's high of 1,427.70 post the block deals. It is now 6 percent away from its 52-week high of 1,519, hit on March 11, 2024. Meanwhile, it has advanced 56.5 percent from its 52-week low of 911.80, hit on May 18, 2023. The stock has rallied over 47 percent in the last one year and 14.5 percent in 2024 YTD. Notably, in February 2020, the Hamied family reduced their holding by selling an additional 2.5 percent stake through open market transactions. The Cipla board includes three members of the promoter family: chairman Yusuf Hamied, his younger brother MK Hamied, and MK Hamied's daughter, Samina Hamied. All three serve in non-executive roles, contributing their experience and strategic guidance to the company's governance. Read here: Shakti Pumps stock locks in 5% upper circuit for 2nd day in a row Meanwhile, in the March quarter, the pharma firm posted a 79 percent year-on-year (YoY) jump in its net profit at 939 crore as against 525.6 crore in the same period last year. Revenue from operations also increased 7 percent YoY to 6,163 crore in the March quarter from 5,793.3 crore last year. On the operating front, EBITDA for the quarter under review rose 13 percent YoY to 1,316 crore versus 1,166 crore in the last year period. EBITDA margin stood at 21.3 percent as compared to 20.5 percent in the same period last fiscal. The company's board has also recommended a payment of final dividend of 13 per equity share for the financial year ended March 2024. Read here: 5 key money lessons on value investing one can learn from Warren Buffett "In FY24, our revenues crossed the threshold of 25,000 crore, whereas operating margins significantly improved to cross 6,000 crore for the very first time, growing at a healthy 14 percent on topline and 26 percent on profitability YoY," said Umang Vohra, MD, and Global CEO, Cipla. "As we enter into FY25, our focus will be on our priorities of market-leading growth in our key markets, growing big brands bigger, investing in the future pipeline as well as focusing on resolutions on the regulatory front," Vohra added. Read here: Thermax share price surges 14% to hit record high, up 144% in 1 year Post the earnings announcements, brokerages have mixed views on the stock. Incred Equities: The brokerage has a hold call with a target price of 1,479, implying just a 3.5 percent potential upside. "We expect FY25F to be a moderate year for Cipla, with key launches pushed back to FY26F, and expect the stock to be range-bound in the medium term. Our FY25F/26F earnings are reset by +1 percent/+4 percent, respectively, factoring in higher margins. Upside risks: Clearance of Goa/Indore plants and faster-than-expected product launch and vice versa on the downside," it said. It further added that the firm's FY25F margin guidance of 24.5-25.5 percent comes as a positive surprise and is 100-150bp above expectations. With two key plants under the US FDA radar and likely field force addition in India, we had expected a decline in margins. "Our FY25/26E EPS estimates broadly stand increased by 3 percent. CIPLAs Q4FY24 EBITDA was in line with our estimates, aided by higher GMs. Due to delays in some key launches like gAdvair and gAbraxane (pushed by at least 2-3 quarters), the timely launch of five peptides (guided for FY25) will be key. We continue to remain positive on key segments' growth including India & US given 1) strong traction in respiratory & other portfolios, 2) potential +10 percent growth in domestic formulations and 3) sustainability of current US revs. We expect a 10 percent EPS CAGR over FY24-26E. Any further FDA escalation to the Indore unit and erosion in key products in the US will be a key risk to our call," it said. Axis Securities: The brokerage has a Buy call with a target price of 1,550, indicating an 8.5 percent upside. "The companys US revenue stood at $226 Mn, which was led by improvement in the base business pricing and higher market share (MS) in gLenotirade and in gAlbuterol. Indias branded prescription grew by 100bps more than IPM growth, driven by respiratory and cardiac therapies. Chronic now comprises 61 percent of Revenue Gross margins, improving by 90 bps YoY to 66.4 percent due to a high proportion of gRevlimid and low other expenses. Furthermore, stable R&D expenses led to EBITDA margins of 26.5 percent," it explained. Read here: Virat Kohli, Anushka-backed Go Digit IPO opens. How much celebrity couple earn? Choice Broking: The brokerage has also retained its buy call on the stock with a target price of 1,552, implying an 8.7 percent potential upside. Ciplas top objective for One India going forward is to maintain leadership in Gx while growing Rx (within the chronic portfolio), and the US will continue to include the commercial execution of the current portfolio, new product launches, and the resolution of USFDA observations, it stated. Choice expects Revenue/EBITDA/PAT CAGR of 10.6 percent/13 percent/13 percent for the stock during FY24-FY26E. Shakti Pumps, the country's leading manufacturer of solar pumps & motors, has seen its shares rise sharply in recent weeks due to multiple positive developments, such as stellar performance in Q4 and a steady stream of order flows. These advancements have boosted investor optimism, resulting in increased demand for the stock. In today's trading session, shares locked in a 5% upper circuit for the second straight day to hit a new record high of 2,493.60. Over the past year, the shares have soared from 439 to the current level, yielding an impressive return of 468%. On April 27, the company reported a significant increase in its consolidated profit after tax (PAT) to 89.70 crore for the quarter ended March 2024, driven by higher revenues. This is a substantial rise from the net PAT of 2.2 crore during the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. Revenues surged over threefold to 609.3 crore from 182.7 crore in the year-ago quarter. For FY24, the company's PAT grew manifold to 141.7 crore from 24.1 crore in FY23, while revenue jumped 41.7% to 1,370.7 crore from 967.7 crore in FY23. Also Read: Weekly stocks: Motilal Oswal recommends these 3 shares to buy this week Meanwhile, in March, the company successfully raised 200 crore through a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP). The company stated that the majority of the funds will be strategically allocated to increasing the capacity for pumps, motors, inverters, VFDs, and related structures. Multiple order wins In March, the company secured several significant orders. Notably, it won a contract worth 930 million Indian rupees from the Maharashtra Energy Department Agency to supply 3,500 solar photovoltaic water pumping systems across various locations in Maharashtra, India. Additionally, the company received an order from the Haryana Renewable Energy Department (HAREDA) valued at 73.32 crore for the supply, installation, and commissioning of solar water pumping systems. This marks the second contract awarded by HAREDA within the span of a month. As of March 31, 2024, Shakti Pumps' order book stood at 2,400 crore, including three new orders worth 250.62 crore from Haryana and Maharashtra for the installation of solar pumps, as per the company's earnings report. Meanwhile, the company successfully raised 200 crore in March via QIP route. The company said that the majority of the funds raised through QIP will be strategically deployed towards increasing the capacity of pumps, motors, inverters, VFDs, and structures. Demand drivers India, predominantly an agrarian economy, has a thriving agricultural sector with a sustained demand for pumps, driven by declining groundwater levels and proactive government policies such as subsidised electricity and exemptions for solar water pumps. These policies have promoted independent irrigation facilities, increasing the demand for water pumps. Additionally, India's GDP is projected to reach USD 15 trillion by 2030, with 70% of this growth driven by urbanisation, which significantly propels the demand for pumps. Urbanisation and population growth are major demand drivers, as expanding cities and a rising population require better sanitation, further boosting the need for pumps. Through the PM Kusum Scheme, led by the government, it is estimated that there are over 14 lakh solar pumps under Component B (off-grid pumps) and 35 lakh solar pumps under Component C (on-grid pumps) to be installed. Silkflex Polymers made a decent market debut today, on May 15, 2024, as its shares opened at 60 each on NSE SME, indicating a premium of 15.38% over the issue price of 52. The stock further jumped to 63 right after the listing, indicating a 21.15% jump over the issue price. The SME IPO, valued at 18.11 crore, was open for subscription from May 7 to May 10, 2024, at a price of 52 per share. It consisted solely of a fresh issue of 3,482,000 shares, without any offer-for-sale component. The IPO is subscribed to 39.30 times. The market capitalisation of the Silkflex Polymers IPO is 60.36 crore, according to Chittorgarh. The company proposes to utilise the net issue proceeds towards funding the acquisition of land, funding the capital expenditure requirements towards the purchase of plants and machinery, working capital requirements, and general corporate purposes. The company is engaged in the trading of the textile printing inks and water-based wood coating polymers products of a Malaysian-based brand, "Silkflex, produced by Silkflex Polymers SDN BHD (Silkflex Malaysia). Silkflex Malaysia is one of the garment printing ink manufacturers in Malaysia. Silkflex Malaysia manufactures its products through its manufacturing unit located in Malaysia, and the same products are then supplied around the globe through its authorised agents. The list of countries where Silkflex Malaysia supplies the products includes India, Thailand, Turkey, Russia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. Currently, the company has the right to sell the products of Silkflex and the right to use the brand name of Silkflex in India. Silkflex Polymers offers a wide variety of products, which consist of 108 textile printing ink products and 51 wood coating polymers products. The company entered into an agreement with Silkflex Malaysia on October 01, 2016, for the distribution and sale of its water-based textile printing ink products. Also Read: Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited gets SEBI nod for 1,500 crore IPO It also entered into an agreement with Silkflex Malaysia on October 01, 2019, for the distribution and sale of the wood coating polymers products. These agreements also give the company the right to use the brand name Silkflex in India. The Russia-Ukraine war exposed numerous weaknesses in the global defence sector . For India, the most significant revelation was the lack of domestic manufacturing and the widespread reliance on international supply chains. Decades of importing defence equipment from various countries highlighted India's vulnerability. In response to this crisis, the narrative swiftly changed. The Narendra Modi-led government took decisive action, implementing import bans and ambitious plans to boost the domestic defence industry. Today, India's defence sector is flourishing, driven by a newfound focus on self-reliance. India has achieved remarkable success in bolstering its domestic production of defence equipment. Government spending on defence has increased substantially, making India the third-largest spender on defence globally. This increased spending, coupled with necessary regulatory changes and a focus on indigenous procurement, has invigorated the entire sector, benefiting companies across the defence ecosystem. For investors, the prospect of exponential growth in the defence sector presents a significant opportunity. One company poised to capitalize on this megatrend is Nibe Ltd. Nibe: Seizing opportunities Incorporated in 2005, Nibe Ltd is a versatile manufacturer specializing in critical components for the defence sector, electric vehicles (EVs), and software development. The company produces structures, sub-assemblies, and assemblies for mobile weapon launchers, including programs such as the BrahMos Missile, MRSAM, and Pinaka rocket launcher. Additionally, Nibe manufactures structural and engineering systems for naval applications and develops sensors, wiring, control systems, and military software. Nibe's CEO, Balakrishnan Swami, has emphasized the company's commitment to the defence sector, stating that they are pursuing every available project. With the right resources, qualified welders, and a competitive team, Nibe has secured a strong position in the industry. Their clients include all three branches of the Indian defence forces and L&T Defence. Beyond defence, Nibe has also ventured into the high-growth EV segment through its subsidiary, Nibe E-Motor, which deals in e-bicycles, e-rickshaws, batteries, motors, hybrid PCUs, solar induction cookers, and water treatment units. Recent developments In the past year, Nibe's share price has surged, tripling investors' wealth with a 275% increase. This impressive performance is largely due to multiple order wins. Recently, Nibe signed a 10-year exclusive manufacturing agreement with Munitions India Ltd (MIL) to supply hardware for the export of ammunition, explosives, rockets, and bombs. They also secured an order from Ordefence Systems for assemblies and sub-assemblies, valued at 3.1 billion, and a purchase order from L&T for machining modular bridge structures and assemblies worth 1.3 billion. Nibe has also been registered by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for outsourcing various CNC machining tasks. Additionally, the company inaugurated a new production facility in Pune to expand its manufacturing capabilities. In non-defence related projects, the company has signed a collaboration agreement with Hewlett Packard (HP) Enterprise India Pvt Ltd for green lag cloud services. Nibe also has a licensing agreement with Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (Dipas), a constituent laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for transfer of technology of solar heated shelters. Financial performance Nibe's financials have shown significant improvement due to a progressive order book. In December 2023, the company reported sales of 627 million, up from 412 million in September 2023 and 152 million in December 2022. Net profit soared from 7.2 million in December 2022 to 44.2 million in December 2023. View Full Image (EM) This years profit could be the highest ever as Nibes order wins from the past 15 months come to fruition. Looking ahead? Nibe is currently under the radar but is ticking all the right boxes with a heavy order book providing future revenue visibility. Its long-term deal with Munitions India ensures continued progress in the defence sector, contributing to overall growth. Despite the stock's recent rise, industry experts believe Nibe remains undervalued, not yet widely recognized as a major defence player. The company trades at a high price-to-earnings multiple, with its price-to-book value (P/BV) at around 20x, above its median P/BV of 8x. In FY23, Nibe reported a net profit compared to a loss in FY22. View Full Image (EM) Foreign investors have taken a keen interest, increasing their holdings from 1.4% last year to 11% at present. View Full Image (EM) With India's ambitions to become a defence superpower, Nibe is poised to play a critical role in this journey. As the company executes its pending order book, revenues are expected to surge, presenting a significant opportunity for investors. Nibe's share price performance In the past five days, Nibe's share price has declined by 7%. However, in 2024 so far, the stock has delivered multibagger returns, rising by 119%. Nibe's 52-week high is 1,770, reached on 4 March 2024, and its 52-week low is 317, touched on 20 June 2023. Over the past year, Nibe's share price has rallied over 275%, reflecting its robust performance and promising future. View Full Image Nibe stock performance. Happy Investing! Disclaimer:This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com A tranquil weekend for a Boston-based non-resident Indian (NRI) was abruptly shattered by an unexpected email from the Indian Income Tax (IT) Department, demanding a staggering 25 lakh in taxes. This NRI, who wished to remain anonymous, was bewildered since he had left India 17 years ago and had no income sources in the country. "At first, I thought it was a phishing scam. But on looking closely, I realized it was related to a property I sold in 2019. But it didnt make sense as the buyer had deducted TDS," he said. After the NRI hired a chartered accountant to look into the notice, he realized that the buyer had deducted 1% TDS (tax deducted at source), the rate applicable to residents who sell property, instead of the 20% applicable to NRIs. Thats not all. The NRI did not file an Income Tax Return (ITR) to report the sale of the property. I thought if the TDS is paid, theres no need for filing the ITR," he said. This was a mistake, as Income Tax laws mandate disclosing the sale of assets in India by NRIs in the ITR, even if the applicable taxes have been paid through TDS. View Full Image (Graphics: Mint) The IT department has been issuing a flurry of tax notices to NRIs who sold property in India in the past and did not pay capital gains tax or failed to file an ITR to report the sale. Most of these notices concern property sales dating back to 2014, 2015, and beyond. Most of the NRIs facing this have not filed tax returns in India for several years and hence, are not aware of either the tax laws or the process of filing ITR. But ignorance of the law cannot be excused," said Prakash Hegde, a chartered accountant at Acer Tax & Corporate Services LLP. Read More: What are personal effects and how are they taxed While it is not new for the IT department to issue notices to non-residents for non-payment of taxes or not filing tax returns, the number and frequency of notices have increased significantly in the past year due to digitization. Several chartered accountants told Mint that they have received inquiries from several hundred NRIs who have recently received tax notices. My firm is currently handling over 120 cases related to this issue," said Ajay R Vaswani, founder of ARAS and Company. Financial penalties Non-compliance attracts severe penalties, including a 1% monthly interest on outstanding taxes and a penalty ranging from 100% to 300% of the tax. If NRIs fail to file an ITR, an additional 1% monthly interest is charged. The interest alone adds up to 24% annually. Over several years, these penalties can accumulate to amounts far exceeding the property's sale value. In this particular case, a 8 lakh capital gains tax liability ballooned to nearly 25 lakh over five years. View Full Image (Graphics: Mint) Bureaucratic hassle If an NRI does not file an ITR in India reporting the sale of a property, the IT department first sends a tax notice seeking details of the sale and the gains made. When NRIs fail to respond to tax notices, or if the response is unsatisfactory, the IT Department may classify the entire sales proceeds as capital gains or undisclosed income. Many NRIs are caught off-guard due to outdated contact information. "Tax officers try to communicate with the NRI through multiple channels of email, phone number or address to which PAN is registered. But these channels may not be functional anymore, so the communications get missed and the tax officer passes an order as they are time bound to close the case," explained ARAS's Vaswani. Path to resolution Hegde said that whenever an NRI discovers an order demanding the payment of tax due to non-response caused by non-receipt of notices, they must immediately file an appeal with the Joint Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) or Commissioner of Income (Appeals). The appeal should be filed within 30 days after the order is passed by the IT officer. If there is a delay in filing the appeal, a Condonation Application explaining the reason for the delay should also be filed. In many cases, they may not accept the excuse of non-functionality of email because the onus of updating the changed email ID or postal address with the tax department is on the NRI taxpayer. But, irrespective, the application must be filed," he said. If the entire sales proceeds are declared undisclosed income, the NRI is required to pay tax on it according to the tax slab, along with annual interest of 12-24%. The recourse available for the NRI is to appeal, which is digital and doesnt require their physical presence. Note that to appeal, the NRI must first deposit 20% of the raised tax demand with the IT department. If the appeal is honoured, it is refunded or adjusted against the net payable tax. If the appeal is not allowed by the JCIT(A)/CIT(A), the NRI taxpayer can further appeal before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). Buyers beware When an NRI sells a property, it is the buyers responsibility to deduct 20% TDS for long-term assets (30% for short-term assets) on the sale amount and deposit it with the IT department. Failing to do so can land the buyer in trouble with the tax authorities. In such cases, the tax department sends the buyer a short deduction notice and raises a demand for the differential or full amount if no TDS was paid at all. It increases compliance hassles for the buyer. Of course, they can either get the NRI seller to pay it or pay it themselves and later claim it from the NRI, but its an ordeal," said Vaswani. Note that no penalties are levied on the buyer for not deducting TDS. In an extreme situation where the NRI seller doesnt pay the due taxes for several years and has no assets or bank accounts in India that the tax department can use to recover the amount, the liability may eventually fall on the buyer. The liability will be limited to the extent of the sale price of the house. This is the reason its important that the buyer deducts the applicable TDS at the time of buying the property," he said. File ITR when purchasing property NRIs should also be careful about reporting investments made in India by filing an ITR here if they are not declaring the same in their country of residence. While its not mandatory, for NRIs living in countries such as Dubai where there is no tax filing, I would advise filing an ITR in India. Otherwise, the tax department will most likely issue a notice demanding an explanation for the source of funds used to buy the asset," Vaswani said. If the NRI declares such investment in their tax return filed in their country of residence, they may not have to file an ITR in India, as the tax return filed in the other country documents the trail of the funds used to make the investment. Many flock to Mumbai with one aim: to become the next Shah Rukh Khan. However, people seldom go to the graveyard of failed actors and see the thousands who dont make the cut. After all, there are no banners for failed actors. Sandeep Jethwani, the founder of wealth management startup Dezerv, thinks this bias applies to mutual fund (MF) investors as well. Apps cherry-pick funds that performed well in the past to paint a rosy picture. There are about 1,500 schemes available at an investors disposal at any point. The easiest way for these fintech apps to avoid confusing investors with too many options is to throw them a list of best-performing funds. However, experts caution against this strategy as the top-ranking schemes keep changing frequently. For every Infosys that has survived, there are many IT companies that shut down their shutters," said Jethwani. Similarly, in mutual funds, for every fund that has performed well, there are many that haven't." Read more: Why regulatory restraints are not enough to contain retail trading in F&O Another prevalent channel through which people buy mutual funds is banking. Many peopleespecially the older generationhappen to buy MFs through banks as theyre easy targets for the banks. Bank employees generally need to meet their sales targets and guiding investors is usually not their forte once the sales are done. Direct fintech apps and banks might have intentions other than just selling MFs. This is because both have other avenues to mint more money. For some fintech apps, selling direct MFs may be a way to attract customers. The real business for many of these platforms is cross-selling other products like direct stocks or futures and options (F&O). Banks, on the other hand, may be incentivized more towards selling guaranteed insurance plans that fetch them multiples of the commission that they earn through MFs. So, where can you get credible mutual fund advice? Here are the options along with their pros and cons. View Full Image (Graphic: Mint) MF distributors There are 140,000 MF distributors spread across the country. If you start looking, youll likely find one in your locality. When you buy an MF through them, they get a small commission from the asset management company (AMC). Since they earn through commissions, some of them might end up giving you a product that fetches them the highest commission instead of one that is best suited for you. Distributors can help investors get a basic idea of the MF scheme and handhold them through documentation, KYC-related issues, etc. In terms of recommending MFs, they can give incidental advice. Note the term incidental advice that the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi) tells distributors to provide. Advice by MF distributors should be incidental to the sales made but is not supposed to go beyond that. The kind of advice that MF distributors are allowed to provide is still a gray area. However, since the barrier to becoming an MF distributor is pretty low, investors need to be careful while choosing the right one. Viral Bhatt, who has been an MF distributor for more than a decade, says those creating a sense of urgency and putting pressure on investors to make quick decisions are a big red flag. Investors should also not fall for complicated products and should be wary of anyone offering guaranteed returns. Investors should not hurry and should first ask the MF distributor for their qualifications, understand their investment philosophy and, most importantly, ask how they earn from the transaction. Lastly, be upfront about the expectations you have from the MF distributor and talk about how they can help you with it. View Full Image (Graphic: Mint) Registered investment advisors Unlike MF distributors who get their commissions from AMCs whenever an investor buys a mutual fund, some registered investment advisers (RIAs) charge a fixed fee from the client directly. This removes the incentive from the adviser to mis-sell products to earn higher commissions. Moreover, RIAs are allowed to make a holistic financial plan for an individual and a family. This means they are not just restricted to MFs but can tailor all your financial needs keeping in mind the risk appetite and your goals. So, apart from MFs, if you also want to plan your taxes, want to know which insurance to buy, or if you should take a home loan, then an RIA can come in handy. They also periodically review your portfolio and hence keep you updated on whats working and what needs tweaks. In some cases, RIAs even help in deciding whether you should leave your job and start a new venture of your own. The major drawback of RIAs is that they are very few in number. There are less than 1,000 active RIAs across the country. Out of these, many are concentrated only in the metropolitan states. Large swathes of the country have no RIAs at all. This means that RIAs tend to work only with high-net-worth individuals. Vishal Dhawan, an RIA and founder of Plan Ahead Wealth Advisors, also pointed out that people dont like paying fees from their pocket when everyone else is earning through costs embedded in the products themselves. Portfolio management services MFs go through cycles, but what if there was a fund manager actively taking a call on which MFs to own at a particular point? Thats exactly what some portfolio management service (PMS) providers seek to do. There is a fund that in turn invests in a bunch of carefully selected MFs. But heres the thing. The minimum ticket size is 50 lakh, which is not something that many investors have. Since PMS is treated as a pass-through instrument, taxation happens on the holders account. This means that the taxation will be based on how often the PMS manager buys and sells MFs in your account. Research analysts Another option is to take a subscription with a research analyst for a fee. These are generally offered online, and when you buy a subscription, you get a list of recommended MFs. There is ambiguity on whether research analysts (RAs) can only give recommendations or create a model portfolio giving weightage to each scheme, for instance, whether they can simply recommend the top five funds or whether they can go ahead and allocate 30% to so-and-so scheme. While RA services may work for those needing in-depth research on MFs, they might not be suitable for those who are not digitally savvy. Thats because this subscription will only give you research and recommendations, while the buying and selling of funds need to be carried out by the investors themselves. People with no background or knowledge about MFs might also face difficulty if they do not understand the basis of the given recommendation. Also, the model portfolio or research offered to all clients may not be customized to you. Whats right for you? In general, go for an RIA registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India. There are highly competent individuals on other licences as well, such as PMS providers, MF distributors and RAs. Whichever entity you pick, ascertain their qualifications, experience and charges before you proceed. (Bloomberg) -- Boeing Co. has violated a deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department related to the crashes of two 737 Max airplanes, the department said in a court filing. The government has determined that Boeing breached its obligations under DPA, according to the filing posted Tuesday. Boeing breached it by failing to design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the U.S. fraud laws throughout its operations, according to the filing. The Justice Department said it is still determining how to proceed, including whether and how to punish the company. The department has directed Boeing to respond by June 13 with its analysis and comments, which will be taken into consideration with regard to any punishment. Boeing didnt immediately comment on the finding. The decision escalates the legal risks facing the planemaker in the wake of a near-catastrophe in early January when a fuselage panel blew off a 737 Max during flight. Under the agreement, Boeing admitted to misleading its regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration, about changes made to its new jet, the 737 Max, and paid a criminal fine of $243 million. If the company cooperated fully with the government over a period of three years, prosecutors would move to get a fraud charge against the company dropped. Just before the three-year period expired, a Boeing door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines plane mid-flight, forcing pilots to turn around and land. The Justice Department opened a criminal investigation. US prosecutors in Seattle have already sent subpoenas seeking documents and communications from Boeing and supplier Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc., which made the door plug. The US Securities and Exchange Commission is also scrutinizing Boeings comments about its safety practices after the Jan. 5 accident. Boeing took steps to improve safety following the two 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, including creating a chief aerospace safety officer and changing the management structure so its engineers reported to chief engineer Howard McKenzie rather than business leaders. But the measures didnt go nearly far enough, according to scathing report issued by the Federal Aviation Administration in February. The year-long study found that many Boeing employees didnt know how to flag potential safety issues and didnt trust the Speak Up program the company put in place to flag wrongdoing. The planemaker was also faulted for ineffective procedures and training. (Updates with background on deferred prosecution agreement) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com (Bloomberg) -- Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva shook up the leadership of the nations state-owned oil company, firing the chief executive officer and one of his top deputies after months of sparring. Petroleo Brasileiro SA CEO Jean Paul Prates, who had fought with the president over dividend payments, was formally dismissed at a board meeting Wednesday. The companys chief financial officer, Sergio Caetano Leite, was also terminated. Lula, as the president is known, plans to nominate Magda Chambriard, the former head of Brazils oil and gas regulator, to replace Prates. Clarice Coppetti, the executive director of corporate affairs, will fill in as temporary CEO, Petrobras said. Reaction in markets was swift and negative as investors braced for a new CEO who analysts warn could be more willing than her predecessor to put the presidents priorities above those of shareholders. Petrobras preferred shares dropped as much as 8.3% in Sao Paulo, the biggest intraday slump since March 8, when the announcement of a lower-than-expected dividend payout disappointed markets and drove a widespread rout across Brazilian assets. The sudden change in management adds significant uncertainty, Regis Cardoso, an analyst at XP Investimentos, wrote in a note to clients. Also See: Petrobrass Next CEO Is an Oil Veteran Who Champions Exploration Pratess departure ends months of speculation that his days at Petrobras were numbered. Tensions escalated earlier this year when he refused to align himself with government-appointed board members who voted to withhold the payout of extraordinary dividends to shareholders whod grown used to steady returns. Prates was applauded by employees on Wednesday afternoon in Rio de Janeiro when he left the companys downtown headquarters. Im sad, thats all, he said, while also defending his track record on fuel pricing and investments. The companys future is on track with the energy transition, good projects in the portfolio to be analyzed. The firing may add to concern that Petrobras is coming under increasing pressure from the ruling Workers Party to help revive Brazilian industry and create jobs, at the expense of shareholders. The dividend drama shocked some investors who viewed it as a sign of growing political interference in Latin Americas top oil-producing nation. After weeks of debate, Petrobras ultimately approved returning half its available cash to investors through a special dividend, as Pratess executive board had initially proposed. The government is the biggest shareholder, and the dividends have helped shore up a fiscal deficit at a time spending is on the rise. Prates told the executive board before the official announcement that Lula had asked for his position back. In a message seen by Bloomberg, he said that his mission was prematurely cut short, blaming Alexandre Silveira, the energy and mines minister, and Rui Costa, Lulas chief of staff, with whom he had clashed. A former senator for Lulas left-wing party with a history of working in the oil industry, Prates became chief executive in January 2023, shortly after Lula resumed the presidency. Petrobras had burned through six CEOs, including interim ones, from 2019 until Pratess appointment. Under his leadership, Petrobras changed direction, halting asset sales, shielding consumers from sharp fluctuations in global oil prices and earmarking billions of dollars for energy transition investments. The company recently boosted the budget for its five-year business plan to $102 billion, its biggest spending plan since 2015. Petrobras said it received a notice from the Energy Ministry late on Tuesday confirming that it would propose Chambriard to replace Prates. The engineer started her career at Petrobras in 1980, working at the company for 22 years, before moving to Brazilian oil regulator Agencia Nacional de Petroleo, Gas natural e Biocombustiveis, known as ANP. She was appointed head of the agency by former Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff in 2012 and held the position until 2016. Like Prates, Chambriard was part of Lulas transition team for energy in 2022. At that time, she had already been identified as a possible candidate for Petrobrass top job. The former ANP head has defended the need for Brazil to explore for oil in new areas, including the Equatorial Margin and the Pelotas Basin. The pre-salt boom is over. Its time to look for new frontiers, so Brazil can keep producing oil, she told Bloomberg in an interview in December. Chambriard also backs more investment in domestic oil refining, and wants to see more commodities processed in Brazil rather than exported as raw materials. The ousting of Prates marks a deterioration in Petrobrass governance, and Chambriards mission wont be easy, Citigroup Inc. said in a note. She arrives with the pressure to fulfill the investment plan and accelerate Petrobrass capex expansion and this may result in lower dividend payments, it said. --With assistance from Rachel Gamarski, Peter Millard and Leda Alvim. (Updates to include CFO departure in second paragraph) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com After Delhi, Gujarat and Jaipur, schools in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur, on Wednesday, received bomb threats via emails, creating a panic situation. However, all threats turned out to be hoaxes. Over the last few weeks, several schools in various parts of the country, including Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR, have received such emails. Bomb threat emails At least 10 schools, including two government-run schools, received these threatening emails within 72 hours. Don't panic Police officials have requested all parents not to panic, saying they are taking all precautionary measures. Hoax threat However, after extensive searches, the police said they were all hoaxes. Schools which received bomb threats PTI reported that schools, including, Gulmohar Vihar Public School in Hanumant Vihar, KDMA School in Gujaini, Sanatan Dharm Education Centre in Kaushalpuri, Chintals School in Singhpur Kachar, Virendra Swaroop School in Civil Lines Kendriya Vidyalaya Cantt, and Kendriya Vidyalaya in Armapore estate received threat emails. Top cop on threat emails Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chandra said such emails were also received earlier and that security precautions are being taken. Police Commissioner received information that several schools have received a threat mail that school premises would be blown up with a bomb. All DCPs have been directed that teams be formed, and the schools be monitored, ANI quoted Harish Chandra. Probe ordered "The Cyber Crime officials have been alerted, and the instructions were issued to launch the investigation into the matter after registering the FIR," PTI reported, quoting the Joint CP, Harish Chandra. Similar pattern? The officials are also trying to ascertain patterns between similar hoax bomb threats received by schools in Lucknow, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Delhi-NCR. Previous threats On May 1, over 100 schools in the national capital received threat emails. After searches, authorities found no suspicious items. The threat emails were sent from Russia using the email ID sawariim@mail.ru. Threat email to IGI airport On May 11, the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport also received threat emails. However, nothing suspicious was found. India-Maldives Relations: India has dismissed claims made by Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon, who alleged that Indian military helicopter pilots in the Maldives conducted an unauthorised operation in 2019. In a post on the social media site X (formerly known as Twitter), the High Commission of India in the Maldives issued a statement asserting that Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives have always operated according to agreed procedures and with due authorisation. Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives have always operated as per agreed procedures and with due authorization from MNDF. The specific sortie on 09 October 2019 referred to at the press conference was also undertaken with the approval of MNDF, the statement said. MNDF is the Maldives National Defence Force. It added that the emergency landing at Thimarafushi was necessitated due to an unforeseen exigency, which was carried out after taking necessary on-ground approvals from the ATC to ensure the safety and security of the platform and crew. Background of the Dispute This clarification follows the recent withdrawal of 76 Indian military personnel from the Maldives, prompted by a demand from President Mohamed Muizzu. Relations between India and the Maldives have strained since Muizzu, a seemingly pro-China leader, assumed office in November 2023. Muizzu had set a deadline of May 10 for the removal of Indian military troops from the country. The final group of Indian personnel left the Maldives on deadline as agreed upon in February in New Delhi. In a press conference on May 11, Maumoon recounted an incident where one of two helicopters operated by Indian military personnel in the Maldives landed in Thimarafushi without permission. He stated that the incident was reviewed by the Parliaments Committee on National Security Services when he was a lawmaker. However, the Indian mission refuted this claim. During the same press conference, Maumoon also admitted that the Maldives military still lacks pilots capable of operating three aircraft donated by India. Indian military personnel had been stationed in the Maldives to operate two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft, primarily for medical evacuations. The Maldives is a crucial maritime neighbour for India in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and holds a significant place in initiatives such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighbourhood First Policy of the Indian government. India confirmed the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), the Indian national who was working with the UN in Gaza. In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "We are deeply saddened by the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in Gaza on May 13." The ministry further informed that India's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah "are extending all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains to India" They "continue to be in touch with relevant authorities regarding the investigation into the incident," the ministry said. How did retired Colonel Kale die? Kale, 46, died while travelling in a vehicle to a hospital in the Khan Younis area from Rafah. He reportedly died in war-torn Rafah in Gaza when the vehicle he was travelling in was attacked by shots fired from what the UN believes was an Israeli tank. The UN informed that the shots that killed the Indian national on Monday in Rafah came from the Israeli tank. The UN has how established a fact-finding panel to probe the matter. "What we know so far indicates that a weapon appears to have impacted the back of a white UN vehicle, carrying two UN staff members, killing one and injuring another. The deceased staff member has been identified. He is Waibhav Anil Kale of India, and we send our condolences to his family," Haq said. "Its very early in the investigation, and details of the incident are still being verified with the Israeli Defence Force...The wounded one is from Jordan. Were awaiting her recovery," the UN said. ALSO READ: Iran adviser hints at nuclear doctrine shift and builds bomb amid Israel threats Who is Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd)? Colonel Waibhav Anil had retired from the Indian Army in 2022. He was commissioned into the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and had taken retirement two years ago to join the UN, news agency ANI reported. The retired Indian Army officer was working with the UN Department of Safety and Security. Kale is the "first international casualty" for the world body since the Israel-Hamas conflict started last year. Haq confirmed that this was the first international casualty for the UN in Gaza and added that currently, the world body has 71 international staff in Gaza. Kale is now survived by a wife and two kids. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a part of India. "We have rights over it. No one can deny that," he said. When asked if India has taken any "pro-active steps" towards the PoK issue, Shah said, They will be taken at the right time. "Proactive steps are not taken by speaking about them in your interview. They will be taken at the right time while keeping in view the situation of the country and world. But we have set this target [of taking back PoK]," Amit Shah said in an interview with news agency ANI. He said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) believes that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir belongs to India and only India should get it. Shah was also asked about the unrest in PoK and India's response to it. He said, Based on the disputes there, we don't want to claim our authority over PoK...There is mismanagement there, it is their subject...but Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is ours because the entire Kashmir has merged with the Indian Union. How to take that back is India's question... Mass protest in PoK Several thousand locals are reportedly out on the streets in PoK to protest against taxes on electricity bills and reduction in subsidies. A complete strike has been observed in the territory since last Friday, bringing life to a halt, news agency PTI reported. On Monday, the Pakistan Paramilitary rangers unlawfully deployed in PoK opened fire on protestors, leaving three civilians dead and several others severely wounded. According to PTI, the region witnessed clashes on Saturday between the police and activists of a rights movement, leaving at least one police official dead and injuring over 100 people, mostly policemen. 'PoK belongs to India' In an election rally in West Bengal on Wednesday, Shah said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee can fear Pakistan if they want, but this PoK belongs to India and we will take it. Shah, a senior BJP leader, also criticised Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar and Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) leader Farooq Abdullah. In a video, Aiyar was heard saying that India should give respect to Pakistan as it is a sovereign nation and engage with it as it also possesses the atom bomb. He indicated in the video that if a "mad person" comes to power there and uses the atomic bomb, it will not be good and will have its effect here too. While Aiyar said the video was old and dredged up now as the BJP's election campaign is faltering, the Congress said that it totally disagreed with the remarks made by Aiyar some months ago. Screenwriter and poet Javed Akhtar on Wednesday slammed Israel after retired Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale was killed in war-torn Rafah in Gaza. The retired Indian Army officer joined the United Nations as a Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) two months ago. Notably, this is the first international casualty for the world body since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Slamming Israel for its attack on Gaza, Javed Akhtar wrote on X, Retired colonel Waibhav Anil Kale working with UN in Rafah was Killed while going in the UN car to European hospital . That shows how indiscreet Israel s attacks are but they are not answerable to any one . At the most there will a formal apology to our government and thatall . My heartfelt condolences to col kale's wife and two daughters. He was there to help bring peace. Earlier in the day, Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging him to condemn the killing of the former Indian Army officer in Gaza. "It is shocking that a retired Indian Army colonel was killed by Israel in Gaza and the shameless Modi Govt hasn't uttered a single word," Gokhale said in a post on X, where he shared the letter written to the External Affairs Minister. Investigations initiated in the attack After the killing of the former Indian Army officer, the United Nations has called for a full investigation into the matter. Moreover, Israel has also ordered a separate investigation into the attack, reported PTI. Col Waibhav Anil Kale took premature retirement from the Indian Army in 2022. He had joined the UN earlier this year. The United Nations has condoled and expressed apologies to India over Kale's killing. According to the news agency PTI, the former Indian Army officer's UN vehicle came under heavy firing, believed to be from an Israeli tank. The attack also injured another DSS staffer as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah on Monday morning. We also express our apologies and our condolences to the Government and people of India, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said at the daily press briefing on Tuesday in response to a question by PTI. We appreciate the contribution that India has made, he said. It's very early in the investigation, and details of the incident are still being verified with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), Haq said. Following the Mumbai billboard collapse incident, which claimed 14 lives, the Mumbai civic body on Wednesday issued notices to the Central Railway and the Western Railway administrations to remove oversized hoardings erected on their land. In the release, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said the notices have been issued under Section 30 (2) (V) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, for the removal of hoardings above 40 x 40 feet in size. Also read: Mumbai hoarding owner Bhavesh Bhide is a rape accused: 23 criminal cases "Taking into consideration the geographical position of Mumbai, the coastal region, its weather and wind conditions, the civic body has decided not to permit erection of hoardings larger than 40x40 feet in size," the release said. The BMC drive for the removal of illegal and dangerous hoardings across Mumbai was prompted by the Ghatkopar incident. Also read: Two more bodies found, await extraction as rescue operations continue The civic body has claimed that it has undertaken a drive to demolish illegal hoardings "on a war footing" and has already started demolishing the remaining three hoardings on the GRP's land in Ghatkopar. It also claimed that the hoardings were erected without obtaining permission. The BMC said it is facing issues in the demolition process of the three hoardings due to high wind velocity. However, the civic body said two of the hoardings will be pulled down by Thursday night. Also read: From Mini Mathur to Soni Razdan-- celebrities pull up BMC over tragedy "The three hoardings at Chheda Nagar will be demolished, taking the wind speed into consideration," it said. The BMC also said it has already removed a huge hoarding of a sweet shop outside the Malad railway station in the city. Several citizens had complained about the hoarding through social media. What happened in Ghatkopar? On Monday evening, a 120x120-foot hoarding collapsed on a petrol pump at Chheda Nagar in the Ghatkopar area of Mumbai due to gusty winds and unseasonal rains. At least 14 people have been killed in the incident, while 75 others were reportedly injured. The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday ordered release of NewsClick founder and editor Prabir Purkayastha in UAPA case after holding that his arrest and remand were illegal. It is alleged that the news portal received foreign funds in violation of the FCRA case. The court has held the arrest and the remand proceedings to be illegal and has directed the release of Purkayastha. We have been directed to furnish the bail bond before the trial court, said Advocate Arshdeep Khurana. "This is a major and big relief because we have been maintaining from the beginning that the entire proceedings against him were illegal and the manner of arrest was illegal which has now been upheld by the Supreme Court..." he added. On October 11, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a case against NewsClick for breaching the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. During its investigation into the portal, the Delhi Police accused an active member of the propaganda department of the Communist Party of China, Neville Roy Singham, of fraudulently injecting funds. However, these allegations have been refuted by the portal. On 10 October, the Patiala House Court of Delhi sent NewsClick's Founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty to 10 days of judicial custody. However, the Delhi Court on May 6 granted bail to NewsClick human resources department head Amit Chakraborty in the UAPA case for for allegedly receiving foreign funds through Chinese firms to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. In January this year, the trial court had allowed Chakravarty to turn an approver in the case and granted pardon to him. He had claimed that he is in possession of material information" about the case, which he is willing to disclose to the Delhi Police. NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and Chakravarty were arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3 last year. The FIR accused Purkayastha of conspiring with a group -- People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) -- to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Seven members of a family, including minors, were feared drowned in the Narmada River at Poicha in the Narmada district of Gujarat after reportedly being swept away by the river current yesterday. At present, local divers of the National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF), and the Vadodara fire team started a search operation for the victims. So far no traces have been found yet. The police said the victims were part of a group from Surat which had arrived at Poicha, on the border of Vadodara and Narmada districts. Officials rushed to the spot after the victims were swept away on Tuesday morning. A unit of the 6BN NDRF from Jarod in the Vadodara district arrived in Poicha in the afternoon to begin the search operation for the seven people who went missing. Poicha is a popular summer picnic spot for swimming in the Narmada River. The Narmada district administration recently prohibited local boat operators from operating boats without a license in the river. At the same time, boatmen continue to operate boats on the Vadodara district side of the river. A near-stampede-like situation arose at Ghatkopar metro station in Mumbai on Wednesday, May 15, after the authorities briefly suspended train services between Jagruti Nagar and Ghatkopar stations amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Maximum City. Due to PM Modi's road show, the metro services were shut from 6 pm, which is usually when office-goers start returning home. However, the services were resumed at 7:46 pm. Several social media users, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, took to X, formerly Twitter, to share videos of the massive crowd at Ghatkopar metro station. "PM Modi in Mumbai for campaigning, public services go for a toss for security reasons and has led to creating massive chaos," Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi posted on X. Independent journalist and author Kunal Purohit also shared a video of the chaotic situation and said, Terrible planning by Mumbais Metro and Rail agencies towards PM Modis roadshow today. A near-stampede at Ghatkopar station because of closure. The Congress Mumbai unit said the chaotic scenes at the metro station due to the sudden halt are deeply concerning. The sudden halt of Mumbai Metro during PM Modi's roadshow is causing havoc. With no advance notice, commuters are left stranded, and the chaotic scenes captured on video are deeply concerning, posted the Mumbai Congress on X. The Congress unit in Kerala accused PM Modi of creating trouble for lakhs of passengers by forcing the Mumbai metro to temporarily shut down for his election campaign. If it's Modi, despair is guaranteed, it tweeted. An X user also questioned why wasn't a notice given a day in advance and who is responsible for this disruption. To campaign for BJP Lok Sabha candidates from the financial capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow from Ashok Silk Mills in Ghatkopar (West), and thousands of people gathered on both sides of the road to greet him. The roadshow was to conclude at Prashavnath Chowk in Ghatkopar (East). Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and BJP candidates Mihir Kotecha and Ujjwal Nikam were among the leaders who attended the roadshow. Amid ongoing row over the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asked on Wednesday if Bibhav Kumar acted at the behest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and questioned the silence of India alliance over the issue. Bibhav Kumar, the PA of Delhi Chief Minister, is accused of misbehaving with former DCW chief Maliwal, at the residence of Kejriwal. Speaking to media, BJP leader Shazia Ilmi asked what action has been taken against Bibhav Kumar and if he beat-up Swati Maliwal at the behest of Kejriwal. "Is that the reason for which Arvind Kejriwal is trying to not take action against Bibhav Kumar?," Ilmi asked. Stating that Arvind Kejriwal should tell the people of the country the truth behind the incident which happened at the CM house on May 13, the BJP leader questioned, "Is Swati Maliwal safe? Is she being threatened into silence? Why has no FIR been registered so far? Should Arvind Kejriwal not be held responsible for it?." She also questioned if Maliwal is being pressured to compromise. Meanwhile, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said that if such an incident is happening in front of a Chief Minister or on his behalf, then how big a threat AAP's MLAs and workers are for the women in Delhi. "The women leaders who speak openly on different subjects have become silent on their subjects? There is definitely some pressure on themIt is clear that Arvind Kejriwal himself is not taking any action... Today AAP has become Anti-Women Anarchist Party," Poonawala told ANI. Earlier in the day, demanding a probe into the matter, BJP leaders and workers protested near Kejriwal's residence in the national capital. US inflation resumes downward trend, eases to 0.3% in April US consumer prices increased less than expected in April, suggesting that inflation resumed its downward trend at the start of the second quarter in a boost to financial market expectations for a September interest rate cut. Click here to read more SC orders release of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha in UAPA case The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday ordered release of NewsClick founder and editor Prabir Purkayastha in UAPA case after holding that his arrest and remand were illegal". It is alleged that the news portal received foreign funds in violation of the FCRA case. Click here to read more After Delhi, Jaipur, now Kanpur schools receive bomb threats After Delhi, Gujarat and Jaipur, schools in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur, on Wednesday, received bomb threats via emails, creating a panic situation. However, all threats turned out to be hoaxes. Over the last few weeks, several schools in various parts of the country, including Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR, have received such emails. Click here to read more Mother of Jyotiraditya Scindia passes away at AIIMS Delhi Madhavi Raje Scindia, a prominent figure of the Gwalior royal family and mother of Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, passed away this morning at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. She had been receiving treatment there for the past three months, battling pneumonia and sepsis, and had been in an extremely critical condition over the last two weeks, according to a press statement. Click here to read more SC raps Centre, state govt over Uttarakhand forest fires The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday criticised the Uttarakhand government for insufficient funds and assigning state forest officials Lok Sabha Election 2024 duties amid the ongoing forest fire situation in the state. The hilly state has been grappling with hundreds of active wildfires since November last year, and approximately 1,145 hectares of forest land have already been destroyed. Click here to read more An intense verbal spat between IndiGo passengers and its staff led to huge commotion at Gujarats Rajkot International Airport on Monday. The heated exchange between the staff and the passengers was caught on camera and has been shared widely on the internet. The dispute occurred after the IndiGo Rajkot-Mumbai flight passengers had to wait for more than two hours due to a flight delay. The situation worsened when refreshments were not available for the passengers. The video of the the heated argument between the staff members and the passengers was shared by news agency IANS on X. The video shows the IndiGo staff members trying to handle the situation by calmly explaining the condition to the passengers. In another part of the video, passengers can be seen shouting at the staff for failing to provide refreshments and flight delay. The IndiGo airline is yet to release its official response to the incident. According to media reports, the flight was later cancelled due to bad weather. The unexpected flight cancellation left passengers irritated. Moreover, the cancellation was announced after the flight delay of two-and-a-half hours. The video received mixed reactions on social media. Several users shared their own experience of flight delays and inconvenience with IndiGo, while many other users criticised the passengers for misbehaving with IndiGo's female staff. Faced the same issue with Indigo on 6th May at Jagdalpur airport with no access to a small canteen at the airport. Passengers were made to wait for four hours without anything to eat. Shame on Indigo, commented X user Sandip Jand on the post. You don't get free food on air why ask on land. In a small airport it's not possible to get so many meals, wrote another user. As the Lok Sabha Election 2024 enters its Phase 5 on May 20, a man in Mumbai encountered an unexpected situation: his mother's voter ID card, issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI), had no name on it. In utter disbelief, the Reddit user claimed that his mother's name, written in Marathi, was not printed on the voter ID card. Also read: PM Modi's Mumbai visit: Metro services to remain suspended between these stations from 6 pm today The picture of the voter ID card shared by the user showed little boxes in place of the woman's name, signifying an error in the script. The user also sought assistance from the social media community on what to do about the voter ID card. Also read: Mumbai hoarding owner Bhavesh Bhide is a rape accused: 23 criminal cases This is how my mother received her voter id. look at the marathi names. how can the eci send it like this?? what to do now? (SIC), his post read. In response to the post, netizens questioned whether this voter ID card would be accepted at the polling booth. looks like the marathi characters didn't render or something. somebody at the eci printed this and thought it was alright to be mailed to us?? will this be accepted in the polling booth?? voting is in 5 days what to do? (SIC), a user commented. Also read: NOTA: Decoding 'None of The Above' option in Lok Sabha elections relevance and criticism explained I don't get why do you need one if your name is in voter list. Aadhar is enough, another said. just embarrassing for the government, how shit is their software (SIC), a user added. Mumbai, Palghar, Kalyan, and Thane, the key Maharashtra Lok Sabha seats, will go to the polls on May 20. Also read: Mumbaikars, show your inked finger for a treat! Restaurants offer discounts to voters on May 20, 21 To encourage more people to vote in the ongoing general elections, hotels and restaurants in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra have also been offering discounts to customers who will cast their votes. By Nate Raymond BOSTON, May 15 (Reuters) - Two brothers who studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology were arrested on Wednesday on U.S. charges that they carried out a cutting-edge scheme to exploit the Ethereum blockchain's integrity and steal $25 million worth of cryptocurrency. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan called the scheme perpetrated by Anton Peraire-Bueno, 24, and James Peraire-Bueno, 28, "novel" and said the case marked the first time that such a fraud had ever been the subject of U.S. criminal charges. Authorities said they executed their elaborate heist in April 2023, stealing $25 million from traders in just 12 seconds by fraudulently gaining access to pending transactions and altering the movement of cryptocurrency. "As we allege, the defendants' scheme calls the very integrity of the blockchain into question," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said. An indictment charged them with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Anton Peraire-Bueno was arrested in Boston, while James Peraire-Bueno was arrested in New York. Their lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Both brothers had attended Cambridge, Massachusetts-based MIT, where according to prosecutors they studied computer science and math and developed the skills and education they relied upon to carry out their fraud. The indictment alleged that for months, the Peraire-Bueno brothers plotted to manipulate and tamper with the protocols used to validate transactions for inclusion on the Ethereum blockchain, a public ledger that records each cryptocurrency transaction. Prosecutors said they did so by exploiting a vulnerability in the code of software called MEV-boost that is used by most Ethereum network "validators," who are responsible for checking that new transactions are valid before they are added to the blockchain. (Bloomberg) -- Portions of Fort McMurray, Alberta, are being evacuated as a wildfire approaches the city, the unofficial capital of Canadas oil-sands industry that almost burned to the ground during a historic blaze eight years ago. The 9,600 hectare (24,000 acre) blaze expanded overnight and is now about 13.5 kilometers (8.4 miles) from the Fort McMurray landfill, southwest of the city, Alberta Wildfire said in a release. Shifting winds caused the fire to grow in multiple directions and created large plumes of smoke. With winds expected to blow out of the west and southwest gusting to 35 kilometers an hour, this will be a challenging day for firefighters, the agency warned. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, where Fort McMurray is located, declared a state of local emergency on Tuesday because of the fire. Residents of the communities of Beacon Hill, Abasand, Prairie Creek, and Grayling Terrace were ordered to evacuate. Fort McMurray, located in a remote and heavily forested part of the province, was ravaged by a blaze in 2016 that burned down large sections of the city, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and temporarily shutting more than 1 million barrels a day of oil output. The fire caused about C$3.7 billion in insured losses, making it Canadas costliest natural disaster. The current fire is one of three that are listed as out of control in Alberta and the closest to the oil sands, where the bulk of Canadas 4.9 million barrels a day of crude is produced. The fire prompted an alert on Friday that put the citys 70,000 residents on notice that they should be ready to leave if necessary. Rising temperatures across western Canada increased fire risk in recent days, contributing to poor air quality in Calgary over the weekend. Rain in the Fort McMurray area was supposed to ease the wildfires on Monday, but fire activity increased in the afternoon and into the evening, according to Alberta Wildfire. More than 65% of Canada was abnormally parched or in drought at the end of March, threatening another smoke-filled summer after last years fire season, which was Canadas worst on record. Read More: Zombie Fires Near Oil and Gas Wells Threaten Canadas Drillers The fire isnt currently near any major oil-sands mines, but its southern perimeter is within 8 kilometers (5 miles) of Athabasca Oil Corp.s Hangingstone well site, which produced almost 7,500 barrels of oil a day in February, Alberta Energy Regulator data show. The company didnt respond to questions on the status of the facility. In addition, two Inter Pipeline Ltd. natural gas liquid lines and a Pembina Pipeline Corp. crude pipeline pass through the west end of the wildfire zone, according to Alberta Energy Regulator and Alberta Wildfire data. Inter Pipeline said in an email that its assets havent been affected by the blaze, but the company is monitoring the situation. Pembina didnt respond to an email seeking comment. Meanwhile, a blaze in British Columbia continues to threaten the town of Fort Nelson, which lies on the northern edge of a major natural-gas producing region. Residents of the town of about 3,000 people are under an evacuation order, and new evacuation orders and alerts were issued Monday for nearby areas. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Senator Bob Menendezs bribery trial began Wednesday with a US prosecutor telling jurors that the New Jersey Democrat took cash, gold bars and a luxury car from two businessmen to perform favors for them and corruptly help the Egyptian government. Menendez, the former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is also accused of illegally helping the government of Qatar and acting as an agent of Egypt. This was not politics as usual, Assistant US Attorney Lara Pomerantz told jurors in New York federal court. This was politics for profit. Robert Menendez was a United States senator on the take, motivated by greed, focused on how much money he could put in his pocket and in his wifes pocket. Menendez, a three-term senator, lost his political support in the Senate and New Jersey after prosecutors displayed photographs of the gold bars and $480,000 in cash seized at his home in 2022. Outrageously False In his opening statement, Menendez attorney Avi Weitzman said the senator took no bribes. Menendez did not accept cash or gold or a car in exchange for corrupt actions, his lawyer said. Hes an American patriot. Hes not an agent for the Egyptian government. Claims that Menendez sold his office are outrageously false, Weitzman said. He did not ask for bribes, and he did not receive bribes. Weitzman said prosecutors overplayed the role of cash and gold in the case. Smells a bit fishy, you might thinking to yourself, Weitzman said. Youll see there are innocent explanations for the gold and the cash. Also on trial are two businessmen, developer Fred Daibes and Egyptian-American Wael Hana. Menendezs wife, Nadine, is also charged, but has an undisclosed illness and will be tried in July. Menendez has suggested in court filings that if he testifies, hell blame his wife for withholding information about gifts she received. Menendez, 70, faced another corruption trial in 2017, but a federal judge in New Jersey declared a mistrial and prosecutors dropped the case. Pomerantz said Menendez gave Egyptian officials sensitive non-public information about personnel at the US embassy in Cairo and helped Egypt obtain hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid. Failed Businessman Nadine Menendez, who began dating the senator in 2018, joined Hana in trying to help Egyptian officials influence the senator, Pomerantz said. Hana, she said, was a failed businessman but saw a way out. When Hana learned Nadine was dating a US senator, he saw an opportunity, the prosecutor said. Over several years, Menendez met again and again with Egyptian officials in meetings arranged by Hana and Nadine Menendez, Pomerantz said. Hana is accused of bribing Menendez so that the senator would help protect the monopoly he secured from Egypt to certify US food exports as compliant with halal standards. Daibes also faces federal bank fraud charges in New Jersey that figure into the Menendez trial. Pomerantz said Daibes bribed Menendez with cash and gold bars for the senators influence in the New Jersey case. Menendez was being bribed by Daibes to disrupt a criminal prosecution, Pomerantz said. Daibes was giving gold bars worth more than $50,000, the prosecutor said. During this time, Menendez repeatedly searched the Internet for the price of a gold bar, Pomerantz said. When FBI agents raided Menendezs house, they found $480,000 in cash stuffed in envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets and a safe. Some envelopes bore the fingerprints and DNA of Daibes and his driver, Pomerantz said. Qatari Investment In June 2021, Daibes sought funding for a real estate project when Menendez introduced him to a Qatari royal family member who was the principal of a Qatari investment company, the US alleges. The Qatari firm entered a joint venture with a Daibes company and agreed to put tens of millions of dollars into the project, the US says. Menendez has offered varying explanations for the cash. His lawyers have said the cash reflected decades of documented withdrawals by the senator from his own bank account. But US District Judge Sidney Stein, whos overseeing the case, denied a Menendez request to present evidence that the senator kept cash because of the trauma stemming from his parents fleeing Cuba after having their funds confiscated by the Cuban government. Menendezs lawyer offered that a psychiatrist could also testify about the senators trauma when his father, a compulsive gambler, died by suicide after Senator Menendez eventually decided to discontinue paying off his fathers gambling debts. Prosecutors opposed the request. The case is US v. Menendez, 23-cr-490, US District Court, Southern District of New York . UK customers spent almost 800 years in total on hold to the countrys tax authority last fiscal year, according to the government spending watchdog, which said more than half of phone calls are now going unanswered. Advisers with His Majestys Revenue and Customs answered just 20.5 million out of 38 million calls in 2022-23, the last year for which full data is available, the National Audit Office said Wednesday in a report. Based on 11 months of data, it projected a deterioration in the rate for 2023-24 to 16.3 million calls answered out of 36.5 million. The NAOs damning report found that the HMRC is on track to miss its correspondence targets for a fifth year in a row and that taxpayers are spending on average more than four times as long waiting to speak to an adviser on the phone as they did in 2018-19. HMRCs telephone and correspondence services have been below its target service levels for too long, NAO chief Gareth Davies said. While many of its digital services work well, they have not made enough of a difference to customers, some of whom have been caught in a declining spiral of service. The failings are the latest illustration of the toll on public services after a decade of austerity policies under the Conservative government, followed by efforts to rein in public spending in the wake of the record government largess shown during the Covid-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who was then Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2021 asked HMRC to find savings worth 75 million a year by 2024-25, a target the tax authority has struggled to meet, despite cutting staffing by 9% over four years. The third largest government department cleared just 76% of queries within 15 working days in the first 11 months of 2023-24, according to the NAO. There was an average wait time of nearly 23 minutes, compared to five minutes five years earlier. The NAO found that the tax authoritys telephone workload is coming down more slowly than projected as it tries to shift customer service online. Thats in part due to increased demand, as fiscal drag brings more people into the tax system, and to more complex queries, with advisers having to spend longer on average dealing with each call. In recognition of HMRCs struggles to meet its targets, the Treasury on Monday announced 51 million of new funding for the tax authority to service its phone lines. That will mean everyone can rest assured there will be someone at the end of the phone, ready to speak, Treasury Minister Nigel Huddlestone said in a statement. A day after the US warned of a potential risk of sanctions following India's 10-year agreement to operate the Chabahar Port in Iran, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted that the project will benefit the entire region. Jaishankar added that people should not take a narrow view of the initiative. He also pointed out that the US had appreciated the larger relevance of Chabahar in the past. The EAM spoke at an interaction on Tuesday after the launch of the Bangla edition of his book Why Bharat Matters in Kolkata. When asked about the US remarks, Jaishankar said, I did see some of the remarks that were made, but I think it's a question of communicating, convincing, and getting people to understand that this is actually for everyone's benefit. I don't think people should take a narrow view of it. "They (US) have not done so in the past. So, if you look at the US' own attitude towards the port in Chabahar, the US has been appreciative of the fact that Chabahar has a larger relevance...we will work at it," he added. Earlier Tuesday, the United States warned that anyone considering business deals with Tehran must be aware of the potential risk of sanctions. "I would just say...US sanctions on Iran remain in place and we will continue to enforce them," the US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Vedant Patel said at the press briefing, adding, Any entity, anyone considering business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risk they are opening themselves up to, potential risk of sanctions. The Long-Term Bilateral Contract on Chabahar Port Operation was signed between Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) of India and Iran's Port & Maritime Organisation (PMO) on Monday. This agreement allows for the operation of the Shahid-Behesti port as part of the Chabahar Port Development Project for the next 10 years. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India had a longstanding association with the Chabahar project but had previously been unable to secure a long-term agreement, which was crucial. He added that New Delhi managed to resolve the issues and finalize the long-term contract, which is expected to benefit the entire region. We have had a long association with the Chabahar Port, but we could never sign a long-term agreement. The reason was...there were various problems on the Iranian end...the joint-venture partner changes, the condition changed, the Foreign Minister said. He added, Finally, we were able to sort this out and we were able to get the long-term agreement done. The long-term agreement is necessary, because without it you cannot really improve the port operation. And the port operation we believe, will benefit the entire region. The Chabahar Port is a flagship project between India and Iran, serving as a crucial transit hub for trade with landlocked countries like Afghanistan and those in Central Asia. India has played a significant role in the development and operation of the Chabahar Port, investing in its infrastructure and upgrading its facilities to establish it as a viable transit route for Indian goods destined for Afghanistan and Central Asia. The United States warned of "potential risk of sanctions" against anyone considering business deals with Iran after India and Iran signed a 'long-term main contract" for the development of Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal in Chabahar city of Iran. The US' reaction is widely seen as a policy-reversal move. Under a 2018 policy, the US exempted India from certain sanctions for the development of the Chabahar port. The latest contract between India Ports Global Ltd and the Ports and Maritime Organisation of Iran will give a boost to regional connectivity and India's linkages with Afghanistan, Central Asia and Eurasia, the Ministry of External Affairs said on May 13. According to Iran's Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, the deal will give India 10-year access to use the port, located close to Iran's southeastern border with Pakistan. The contract will, in turn, see India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) invest $370 million into "providing strategic equipment" and developing the transport infrastructure of the port, news agency AFP reported. What did the US warn about? Following the India-Iran Chabahar Port deal, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said the US was aware of reports that Iran and India have signed a deal to operate the Chabahar port. Patel said, "I will let the Government of India speak to its own foreign policy goals vis-a-vis the Chabahar port as well as its own bilateral relationship with Iran. I will just say, as it relates to the United States, US sanctions on Iran remain in place and well continue to enforce them." On whether that includes sanctions against "Indian firms, potentially", the US official said, Youve heard us say this in a number of instances, that any entity, anyone considering business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risk that they are opening themselves up to and the potential risk of sanctions. "So theres not an exemption for this specifically?" Patel answered this question in the negative. Did the US take a U-turn? In November 2018, the US had exempted India from certain sanctions for developing of the Chabahar port and the construction of a railway line connecting it with Afghanistan. The US State Departments 2018 policy had granted a waiver specifically for the Chabahar port. The US, however, imposed several conditions on Indian entities and companies. If the conditions were not fulfilled, the Indian entities may be "exposed to sanction risks". In a statement released in 2019, the US State Department statement informed that in 2018, the administration granted a narrow exception under section 1244 of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (IFCA) to allow a limited number of activities that support the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan, a key US national security interest. The statement noted the IFCA exception applied with respect to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and to the operation and development of Chabahar port. What was allowed? This exception allowed for "three-principal activities" that included development and maintenance of Chabahar port and an associated railway link to Afghanistan; Afghanistans imports of refined petroleum products from Iran including gas, diesel, and liquid petroleum gas; and the shipment of non-sanctioned goods through Chabahar port to Afghanistan. What was not allowed? The exception didn't allow for the import or export of Iranian crude. It did not allow transactions with individuals or entities designated under US counter-terrorism or non-proliferation authorities, including Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its officials, agents, and affiliates. No entity with which Indian companies engage should have direct or indirect ties to the IRGC. Any financial transactions must not involve the Central Bank of Iran. "Current or future financial transactions that involve the Central Bank of Iran could expose Indian companies and individuals to sanctions risk," it said. The State Department added that other sanctions would still be applicable to entities engaging in certain activities at Chabahar, including the sale, supply, or transfer to or from Iran of materials that could be used by the country's construction sector. Can US impose sanctions on India ? Iranian ambassador Iraj Elahi said on Tuesday that the importance of India will prevent any country from imposing sanctions on India over its cooperation with Iran. He told the Hindustan Times that any US sanctions would harm the trade interests of numerous countries that are looking at Chabahar as a transit hub. As per the report, Elahi responded to a specific question on whether there was an exemption for the new India-Iran agreement by saying: No. Meanwhile, former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal said in a post in X that earlier, the US had excluded Chabahar from sanctions "as desirable alternative route to Afghanistan. (sic)" "[The] US handed over Afghanistan to Taliban. Why publicly threaten sanctions? Crude diplomacy . Could have said the US is in touch with India on this issue and leave it at that. Will just put our backs up, (sic)" Sibal said. Why the U-turn on Chabahar port? The 2018 policy aimed to support Afghanistan by allowing the development of the port and its associated railway, and facilitating the transport of non-sanctionable goods for Afghanistans reconstruction and economic development. Several reports speculated that the real change in US stance on Chabahar may have come in August 2021, when the US officially ended its military presence in Afghanistan. "The US exit from Afghanistan could be the reason why it no longer views the Chabahar port project favourably," Business Standard reported. Besides, the relationship between the US and Iran has strained over time. In April this year, the US military operating from undisclosed bases had shot down a number of Iranian drones in Sweida and Deraa provinces in southern Syria near the Jordanian border, security sources told Reuters. What is the Chabahar deal? The development of the Chabahar Port Project is an India-Iran flagship project. Chabahar hold significance as it is seen as a gateway for trade with Afghanistan and broader Central Asian countries. According to the Indian government's statement in 2020, India is developing the 1st Phase of Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar. The Trilateral Transit Agreement (Chabahar Agreement) was signed by transport ministers of India, Iran and Afghanistan in the presence of PM Modi, President Rouhani and President Ashraf Ghani in May 2016. The contract on the Shahid Beheshti port of Chabahar involved the investment of $85 million for procuring equipment of the port. "The contract also comprises of provision of a line of credit of approximately $150 million for the development of the port. After operations began at the Chabahar port in December 2018, the port has handled more than 8200 TEUs and 1.28 million tonnes of bulk cargo," the government said. India had taken over the operations of a part of Shahid Beheshti Port, Chabahar in Iran during the Chabahar Trilateral Agreement meeting held there on the 24th of December 2018. The United Auto Workers filed a US labor board complaint over Harvard Universitys handling of pro-Palestinian protests, claiming the university violated grad students rights as employees. In a Wednesday filing with the National Labor Relations Board, the UAWs Harvard Graduate Students Union accused the university of surveillance and retaliation against workplace-related collective action in its response to student activists. Harvard also violated federal law by denying employees union representation in disciplinary investigation meetings, and unilaterally changing policies about their access to areas of campus in order to discourage them from protesting, the labor group alleged. The alleged retaliation targeted by the complaint includes moves such as suspending students for participating in the encampment, which can also cause them to lose their jobs, according to the union. The UAW international union has been calling for a Gaza ceasefire since December. It has denounced arrests of people protesting the war in Gaza, which began after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 people and kidnapped hundreds more. Israels counterattack has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, including civilians. If you cant take the outcry, stop supporting this war, the unions president Shawn Fain said earlier this month. Read more: How Israel-Hamas Protests Engulfed Elite US Colleges: QuickTake The UAW represents around 100,000 US academic employees, including around 5,000 Harvard PhD candidates and undergrads doing teaching and research. For weeks, students including UAW members maintained an encampment near the university presidents office, demanding the school disclose and discontinue investments in Israel. Its something thats important to the members and something thats clearly linked to our workplace, Harvard history of science teaching fellow Sal Suri, vice president of HGSU, said in an interview. UAW members dont want their work or their paychecks entangled with Israels conduct in Gaza, Suri said. Protest leaders and university administrators announced Tuesday that they reached an agreement to take down the tents, with Harvard agreeing to answer questions about its endowment and to consider requests to reinstate suspended protesters, but not to divest. A spokesperson said the university will continue disciplinary proceedings that could result in official admonishments or expulsions. The school began suspending some protesters on Friday. Activists have mounted similar protests at other colleges and universities across the US, including Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In many cases, administrators have called in police to shut the protests down as well as suspended some students. UAW members employed by the University of California are voting this week on whether to authorize a strike over administrators response to Gaza protests. Undergraduate student workers at the New School whove been organizing with the UAW have been on strike since Monday protesting arrests of union members who were demonstrating in support of divestment, according to the union. Harvard didnt respond to inquiries about the NLRB filing. A university spokesperson said last week that the Harvard Yard encampment violated school policies and created significant disruption to the educational environment as students were taking final exams and getting ready for graduation. The Harvard case is the latest of several at schools including Brown University and the University of Southern California, in which campus unions allege that management is violating workers rights by cracking down on pro-Palestinian protests. Alphabet Inc. is also facing allegations it illegally fired dozens of employees for their participation in a sit-in opposing the companys contract with the Israeli government. The cases could test the boundaries of federal labor law, which prohibits retaliation against employees for taking collective action related to their working conditions, with or without a union. Both Brown and USC have denied wrongdoing. Union members had no right to violate university rules as part of a protest unrelated to their employment, a Brown spokesperson told Bloomberg Law last week. Alphabet has also denied wrongdoing. The NLRBs general counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, has taken an expansive view of what counts as protected concerted activity under federal labor law. If its got a nexus to your working conditions, its PCA, she said in response to a question last month about Gaza-related employee protests. We need to be protecting as many workers as possible, said Abruzzo, who was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021. The statutes very broad. With assistance from Janet Lorin, Parker Purifoy and Jonathan Roeder. An Indian-origin man employed in the Singapore Air Force was sentenced to 11 months in jail for allegedly phishing women's social media login details to get their intimate images. The man, identified as K Eshwaran, reportedly pleaded guilty to 10 charges under the Computer Misuse Act on Wednesday. Channel News Asia reported that "another 21 charges were considered for sentencing". The prosecution sought 11 to 16 months of jail time for Eshwaran. However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Joshua Phang argued that Eshwaran's offences were premeditated and sophisticated. ALSO READ: Indian man jailed in Singapore for dozing off at wheel while drunk According to news agency PTI, defence lawyer Mervyn Tan told the court that Eshwaran was serving as an engineer in the Republic of Singapore Air Force. Eshwaran will start serving his sentence on June 19 after the judge granted his request for a deferral. What are the charges against the Indian-origin man? According to news agency PTI, Eshwaran sent phishing links to 22 victims from 2019 to 2023 to get login credentials for their social media, cloud server and email accounts. The prosecutors were quoted as saying that Eshwaran targeted victims whom he knew in real life or victims whose intimate images had been posted to an adult forum. The prosecutors added that Eshwaran posed as a "helpful netizen" and would send phishing links to victims with a message saying that their intimate images had been posted online. In some cases, he used a website to generate possible login credentials based on a victim's social media details that he had and then used trial and error to access their accounts. Once inside the accounts, he would trawl through them to see if the victims had stored any intimate images of themselves. ALSO READ: Senior executive of IT company jailed in Singapore for racial slurs to Indians In the case of one victim, Eshwaran knew she had done modelling shoots where she was partially dressed or in lingerie, and wanted access to those photos, PTI reported. It was alleged that Eshwaran had also gained unauthorised access to mens social media accounts. He would then impersonate the account holder and contact women whom he thought had an intimate relationship with the man to ask for intimate photos. Eshwaran continued to re-offend in 2023, even when he was out on bail and already under investigation for his earlier phishing attacks. The identities of all his victims were protected by a court order, which the prosecution requested given the sexual element of his offences, the report said. Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Joe Biden and several other world leaders have condemned the attempted assassination of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday, terming the attack as monstrous and horrific. Fico, four-time prime minister and a political veteran accused of swaying his country's foreign policy in favour of the Kremlin, is battling life-threatening wounds in hospital after being shot multiple times. While wishing Fico "a speedy and full recovery", Putin said there can be no justification for this monstrous crime. "I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation," Putin said in a telegram to Slovak President Zuzana Caputova. Also read: Robert Fico, Slovakian PM, shot multiple times in assassination attempt; 'poet' held According to a statement released by the White House, Biden extended assistance to the Slovakian government and said he was alarmed to hear reports of an attack on the prime minister. "We condemn this horrific act of violence. Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist," Biden added. Also read: India undertaking assassinations inside of Pakistan: Imran Khan writes from prison United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the shocking attack against the prime minister of Slovakia. UN spokesman Farhan Haq said Guterres's "thoughts are with the prime minister and his loved ones at this difficult moment." Also read: Pannun assassination plot: US says expect Indias accountability' amid report on RAW official's involvement While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere." "Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family," said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly condemned the attack on Fico and said, I learned with deep shock the news of the cowardly attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. All my thoughts are with him, his family and the friendly Slovak people. "Also on behalf of the Italian Government, I would like to express the strongest condemnation of all forms of violence and attacks on the cardinal principles of democracy and freedom," she added. Pakistani MP Syed Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday drew parallels between India's and Pakistan's achievements during his speech at the National Assembly. He said the world is reaching the moon, "but today, in Karachi, innocent children are dying by falling into open gutters". "On the same screen, there's this news that India has reached the Moon, and just after two seconds, a news flash says a child was killed after falling into an open drain in Karachi...," Kamal, a leader of Muttahida Quami Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), said in his speech. The MQM-P leader posted a video of his speech during the National Assembly session on Facebook on Wednesday. A few snippets of his speech video went viral on social media on Wednesday. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Mustafa Kamal's remarks were in reference to India's successful Chandrayaan-3 mission in August last year. With Chandrayaan-3, India scripted history by becoming the first country to soft-land on the Moon's south pole. Pakistan MP lauds India's education system Kamal went on to claim that "2 crore 62 lakh children are not going to school in Pakistan". While hailing India's education system, he said, If India is booming and excelling today, it is because of the education it imparted to its people... "Our neighbouring India 30 years ago, it taught its citizens those things which the world needed. Today, Indians are CEOs of 25 top Global Companies...Today, there are loads of global investments in India," Kamal said. He said this while emphasising that a large segment of Pakistans youth can be an opportunity as well as a threat to the country. He said universities in Pakistan have been industries that produce jobless youth. This is because we are not teaching them what is demanded in the world, the MQM-P leader said. He also took potshots at the government over cash-trapped Pakistan's foreign reserves, saying, We have total reserves, which we can't even spend because we have taken loans, at $8-9 billion...sometimes it is $6 billion. India's reserve is $607 billion... Last year in December, India's foreign exchange reserves jumped by $2.8 billion to $607 billion, a five-month high, in the week ended December 8, data by the Reserve Bank of India showed. Russian President Vladimir Putin is heading to China for the first foreign visit of his new term, underlining the vital importance of the relationship as Beijing faces growing US pressure to curtail support thats helping Moscow continue its war in Ukraine. Putin, 71, who extended his nearly quarter-century rule in tightly controlled March elections, will visit Beijing starting May 16, as well as the northern city of Harbin where hell take part in the opening ceremony of the eighth Russian-Chinese Expo. He is likely to prioritize countering the US warnings to China over trade with his country at talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders, who declared a no-limits friendship just weeks before Putin invaded Ukraine, have met more than 40 times since Xi came to power in 2012. China, which has helped Russia weather unprecedented US and European sanctions imposed over the Kremlins invasion of its neighbor, has faced increasing US threats of retaliation. The worlds second-largest economy has become an indispensable ally for Russia, which relies on China as a market for its energy and supplier of its wartime needs. Thats put Putin in a sometimes awkward position, with Beijing wary of his nuclear sabre-rattling and mindful of the need to keep unfettered access to the US-led global economic system. Putins decision to make Beijing his first foreign destination since his inauguration last week shows that China is without a doubt our main partner, said Fyodor Lukyanov, head of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, which advises the Kremlin. In some aspects, weve no other alternative. The visit comes just days after Putin appointed Andrey Belousov, an economist and technocrat, as his new defense minister, replacing the long-serving Sergei Shoigu in a signal the Russian leader sees an extended conflict ahead. Several other prominent officials, some with experience working with China, kept their current roles. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who oversees Russias relations with the OPEC group of oil-exporting nations, retained his position, while adding oversight of the nations economy to his responsibilities. In addition to a one-on-one meeting with Xi, Putin also will be joined by both Belousov and Shoigu for closed-door talks, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said, according to the Interfax news service. Novak, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Bank of Russia Governor Elvira Nabiullina are among a host of other officials that will also participate in talks, he said. In recent weeks, the US has stepped up warnings to Chinese banks and exporters about consequences if they help to bolster Russias military capacity. In December, the Treasury Department announced it would impose secondary sanctions on banks that facilitate deals in which Russia procures semiconductors, ball bearings and other equipment necessary for its military even if theyre unaware theyre doing so. Banking transactions between Russia and China in general have now hit obstacles, according to Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and an expert on Russia-China ties. The chilling effect of US policy is already there, he said. The two leaders and their top officials could look for solutions such as designating smaller banks with no exposure to the US financial system to handle transactions with Russia, said Gabuev. The Chinese ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, said in an interview with Russian state TV last week that US sanctions have caused some disturbance in trade between the two countries. He added that the two sides are actively holding consultations and striving to find effective solutions as soon as possible. Read more: Xi Warns Blinken Against Vicious Competition Between US, China Driven by Russian oil and gas sales and purchases of electronics, industrial equipment and cars, Moscows trade with China hit a record $240 billion in 2023, more than double the $108 billion reached in 2020. Despite the growing economic ties, Chinas exports to Russia were down 13% in April from a year earlier, the second month in a row of an annual decrease, according to Chinese customs data. Russian media reported that Chinese banks in late March began blocking payments from companies in Russia buying components for electronic assembly. It has become a tradition for the two heads of states to visit each other in the first overseas trips of their respective new presidential terms, a display of mutual trust, said Wang Yiwei, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing. However, Beijing doesnt want to be seen as tied to Russias war machine, he said. China wants to build a multi-polar world with partners including European nations as President Xis recent trip showed not just with Russia, said Wang, who was also a former Chinese diplomat to the European Union. Xi traveled to France, Serbia and Hungary last week, seeking to promote China as a reliable partner. Read more: Chinas Exports to Russia Slump Amid US Threat of War Sanctions On the energy front, negotiating a new supply contract with China will be on the agenda. Russia has all but lost its position in the European gas market in the wake of the invasion, and gas giant Gazprom PJSC sees China, the worlds largest energy importer, as a replacement. Currently, Gazprom ships natural gas to China through just one route, the Power of Siberia pipeline. Deliveries have been growing gradually and are planned to reach an annual record of 38 billion cubic meters next year. They are set to increase by a further 10 billion cubic meters, with supplies starting from 2027, under a separate contract signed in 2022. Russias ambition is to reach another agreement with China, with one option being a potential new Power of Siberia 2 link through Mongolia, which could lift Gazproms eastbound deliveries by 50 billion cubic meters a year. While Putin and Xi may discuss the contract when they meet, the Russian side does not expect a final agreement this time around, according to a person familiar with the matter. Even if China and Russia did agree on a new deal, Gazproms flows to the Asian nation wouldnt exceed half of what it used to ship to Europe, and would be less lucrative, with the price for Russian gas to China lower than for remaining European clients through at least 2027, according to an economic outlook prepared by the Economy Ministry. Read more: Russia Forecasts Lower Price for Its Gas to China Versus Europe Yet another source of worry for Russia is Ukraines bid to rally international support for a June conference in Switzerland aimed at promoting Kyivs demand for a Russian troop withdrawal from occupied territory as a pre-condition for any peace agreement. The key here is whether China attends or not, said Lukyanov from the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy. Moscow takes into account the risk that the conference will create the impression on the world stage that everyone is for peace except Russia. Still, China is continuing to sell more than $300 million a month of dual-use components to Russia identified by the US and its allies as essential for making weapons such as missiles, drones and tanks, according to a study by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published May 6. Providing components rather than weapons allows Beijing to claim plausible deniability, while supporting Russia diverts American resources away from the Indo-Pacific where China and the US are in competition, the study said. For China, they dont want Russia to lose the war in Ukraine, Carnegies Gabuev said. With assistance from Jing Li. US President Joe Biden on Tuesday implemented 100% tariffs on various Chinese products, including electric vehicles, advanced batteries, solar cells, steel, aluminum, and medical equipment. Throughout this decision, Biden criticised Donald Trump's previous approaches and argued that Chinese government subsidies give their companies an unfair advantage in global trade by allowing them to operate without the need for profitability. However, an old tweet from 2019 by President Joe Biden, criticizing then-President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports, is resurfacing amid Biden's recent decision to implement significant tariffs on various Chinese products. "Trump doesn't get the basics. He thinks his tariffs are being paid by China," Biden said at the time. Any freshman econ student could tell you that the American people are paying his tariffs. The cashiers at Target see what's going on- they know more about economics than Trump, Biden wrote in a post on X in 2019. During his 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden pledged to eliminate Donald Trump's tariffs if he were to be elected to the White House. One netizen reacted, Biden is attempting to mimic President Trump's policies for the election now. lol. Another user commented, This epitomizes American politics at its peak. A user said, He plagiarized his whole life. Why are we shocked now that hes plagiarizing Trump? Another wrote, Leave it to a liberal to by a lying hypocrite, figures. Another individual remarked, The pandering for votes continues.. A different user speculated, Must be all the industries that did not send Hunter and him money. A user said, This administration are liars to an amazing degree. Biden has no idea whats going on. He thinks he back in Delaware circa 1956. Another one said, Biden wants American to pay more. Netizens react to the post on X. Meanwhile, another commenter quipped, What's awkward is that you think you're buying semiconductors. Netizens react to the post on X. A user, Marty Combs wrote, The Circular Firing Squad is nearly complete. Charlie Brinza remarked, He can't recall 5 days ago, let alone 5 years ago. Another user concluded, That didnt age well, did it. It is to be further noted that during his 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden pledged to eliminate Donald Trump's tariffs if he were to be elected to the White House. Biden has positioned his presidential legacy on the United States gaining ground against China through government investments in domestic factories producing electric vehicles (EVs), computer chips, and other advanced technologies. On the contrary, Trump reassures his supporters that America risks falling behind China by not heavily investing in oil to sustain the economy despite the associated risks of climate change. While the former president believes tariffs could prompt changes in Chinese behaviour, he acknowledges the U.S.'s dependence on China for components of EVs and solar cells. Joe Bidens economic plan is to make China rich and America poor, he said at a rally this month in Wisconsin. Twenty-one years after Iran offered India the option to develop the strategic Chabahar port, which offers multiple benefits to New Delhi, recent developments suggest that investments in Chabahar may now accelerate. The signing of a long-term "main contract" for the development of the Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal in Chabahar this week between India Port Global Ltd (IPGL) and the Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) of Iran was anticipated. Pressure had been mounting on Iran to decide on the fate of Chabahar port and its ties with India since New Delhi became part of the India-Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC) in September 2023. IMEC, once developed with support from the US and Saudi Arabia, risked isolating Iran from the expanding trade route between India and Gulf nations, as well as between India and Central Asian nations. Iran seems to have waited too long to leverage its perceived geographical and strategic advantage on the Indian Ocean as a midpoint. Tehran has long tried to use Chabahar to keep both India and China interested in the desert region. It allowed China to develop several infrastructural assets close to its border, even as it bombed Pakistan, and set stiff terms for India to retain its foothold. The ten-year lease on the port signed in 2015 was about to end and had to be renewed annually. Over these years, Tehran consistently accused New Delhi of going slow on investments in Chabahar, arguing that India was unwilling to spend dollars in the Iranian market to make the investments. Starved of foreign exchange, Tehran was keen for New Delhi to provide the funds needed to expand the port. India, in turn, was concerned about spending in Iran through Indian banks as this would expose them to US sanctions. India also wanted Iran to establish connectivity of the port with Bandar Anzali at the mouth of the Caspian Sea so that the proposed International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC) linking Russia with South Asia and beyond could become operational. Chabahar's strategic significance However, as IMEC has demonstrated, Iran does not have many steady partners in the global league. As it tries to gain a foothold in entities like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS, not just India but other Asian nations have also questioned Irans commitment to bilateral deals. By signalling its commitment to Chabahar, Iran hopes to demonstrate otherwise. However, there are Indian seafarers held hostage in Iran even now. Only if Tehran doubles down on its commitment to Chabahar would nations like India risk taking on US sanctions to develop investments in Iran. The current US waiver to New Delhi for Chabahar notes: As Indian entities and partners proceed with the construction and development projects for Chabahar Port, it will be critical that any entities with which the Indian companies and entities engage do not have direct or indirect ties to IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps)." It is akin to saying do not get involved with PLA-related outfits in China. Also, the waiver states any trade in metals or software with any Iranian company or the Iranian Central Bank is not acceptable. The US has responded to the signing of the long-term India-Iran deal on Chabahar by warning that the pact will have to contend with the existing sanctions regime, even though under a 2018 policy Washington specifically exempted India for the development of the port. This threat of sanctions has crippled the expansion of the port by preventing the addition of gantries and other necessary infrastructure, as European manufacturers have been skittish in responding to Indian tenders. Yet, every year since 2020, India has signalled that the role of Chabahar, where India runs two terminalsa container and a multimodal oneshould expand. There is economic potential too. Freight rates to Russia via the Suez Canal before the Covid-induced dislocation averaged $650 per container and had risen to over $4,000. While it has come off those highs since then, the prospect for an alternative route has been rising. There are challenges, of course. INSTCs business viability is hampered by the current low volume of trade India does with Central Asia. In 2020, Indias trade with the entire region, including Russia, was just $16.1 billion, only 2% of Indias total annual trade volume. The more immediate reason for investing in the port is that it is a test case for Indias understanding and promotion of its geo-strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. India has realized it cannot stay aloof from these issues. Recently, our naval frigates have begun patrolling Indian vessels in the ocean in coordination with other navies to safeguard them from pirates and state-supported actors like the Houthis. This means a nuanced understanding of the needs of neighbours and planning a port-plus strategy. The rapid development of Gwadar in Pakistan by China means there is no way India can afford to step back from its commitment to develop Chabahar, which New Delhi describes as the country's first overseas port project with strategic objectives." The entire data of about 615,000 customers of UniSuper, an Australian retirement fund managing $81 billion in assets, was stored on Google Cloud but vanished into thin air recently. The situation could be retrieved only after considerable effort. This hitherto-unimaginable incident should refocus our attention on last months supervisory action against Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd (KMB) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for technology-related inadequacies. Many compared it with similar action on Paytm Payment Bank Ltd (PPBL) and wondered if such drastic curbs were worth the cost of hardship imposed on affected customers, though it was less so in the case of KMB. One commentary compared technology adoption with a banana peel that Indian banks were slipping on, recalling that in 2020, RBI had put restrictions on HDFC Bank for technological inadequacies. Another article about the cost of digital banking, while failing to highlight its significant benefits in reducing transaction costs and enhancing financial inclusion, quoted various bankers who put the technology spend of banks at around 10% of their overall expenses. With so much noise around the issue, we should examine the proportionality of such regulatory actions. Lets start with the 24 April directive from RBI, directing KMB to stop onboarding new customers through its online and mobile banking channels and issuing fresh credit cards. RBIs IT examination for two successive years had uncovered deficiencies in KMBs asset inventory management, software patching, services outsourcing, data security and business continuity back-up. Further, KMB reportedly fell short on its compliance with a corrective action plan and risk and security governance norms. The gamut of issues mentioned in the RBI press release cover most key aspects of the cyber security framework that banks are expected to adhere to. There is also a mention of KMB suffering frequent and significant outages in the last two years, the recent one being a service disruption on April 15, 2024, resulting in serious customer inconveniences." Surprisingly, though, the X (formerly Twitter) handle of KMB has no mention of any such planned or unplanned outage on that date. Keeping customers updated on such events is a good practice that many foreign banks operating in India follow. We should also recall the 800 crore plus IMPS fraud/glitch in UCO Bank, amounting to almost half its previous years profit, which exposed weaknesses in the IT operations and security posture of the Kolkata-based lender. Such large-impact incidents are bound to cause concern among regulators, customers and the government. A wake-up call for the Indian banking sector came in February 2016 in the form of a SWIFT system hack involving Bangladesh Bank in our neighbourhood, exposing the soft underbelly of large international fund flows through this network. Not surprisingly, several Indian banks faced multiple incidents of a similar nature in subsequent years, notably the $171 million (about 1,400 crore) hack at Union Bank of India in July 2016 and the 94 crore online attack on Pune-based Cosmos Bank in August 2018. Indias bank regulator had taken note of this emerging risk. RBI had been working on appropriate regulations to deal with cyber risk and building its own supervisory capability to audit the IT systems of banks for cyber security and resilience. It also set up Reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt Ltd (ReBIT), its technology subsidiary, which I had the privilege of heading for five years. These efforts arguably improved the cyber posture of banks. Central banks that have always had to worry about financial stability now have cyber risk looming on their radar. An entire chapter in the International Monetary Funds financial stability report released in mid-April deals with cyber risk. The report notes that cyber attacks have doubled since the pandemic and pose an acute threat to macro-financial stability, as shocks can arise from disruptions of critical services that are put at risk by their interconnectedness and from lost confidence. The Fund reports prescribed remedy: Strengthen cyber resilience through a coordinated national and sectoral effort, technology investments and the development of a well-skilled cyber workforce. Apart from considerations of financial stability, India also relies heavily on its digital public infrastructure to deliver financial and other essential services. Being in a rough neighbourhood, so to speak, the possibility of remote-controlled cyber attacks needs to be guarded against in full earnest. Given this background, I, for one, would not fault the strong regulatory measures adopted by RBI, and would hope that regulated entities see these as forming a well-lit path towards higher-level IT capabilities that make for safer banking. The journey will help them not only mitigate risks better, but also get their digital banking services up to speed with whats needed. Bank boards and their top managers have their jobs cut out. They must aim to know more, understand better and execute well. Risk management, after all, is at the heart of banking. It has been almost a decade since Harvard economist Dani Rodrik coined the term premature de-industrialization. Indias share of manufacturing in GDP may have stagnated for about as long, but with shiny new production-linked incentive schemes making headlines over the past few years, it was possible to believe that India might buck the trend. Rodriks thesis was that manufacturing is plateauing or declining as a share of GDP in many developing countries at a relatively early stage in their development. Recent export data, however, suggests that India is de-industrializing rapidly in labour-intensive sectors. The Indian Express this month quoted the Federation of Indian Export Organisations as saying, An analysis of sector-wise export performance for the last five years reveals the troubling pattern that India is experiencing a decline in global market share across labour-intensive sectors." The trade group said that apparel, knitted garments, marine products, plastics, and gems and jewellery had grown at just 1 % to 2%. In fact, during 2023-24, while goods exports contracted by 3%, exports of textiles, leather, gems and jewellery and marine products declined 9%. The reasons are manifold and various, ranging from the difficulties that small firms have had adapting to Indias GST regime and an environment of slowing global trade to a sourcing preference displayed by buyers for Vietnam and Bangladesh because they are part of free trade agreements that we have spent several years negotiating but not joining. A report earlier this year by Global Trade Research Initiative, a think-tank, contains alarming data-points on Indias decline in the global garments market. It states, In 2023, China exported $114 billion worth of garments, followed by the EU with $94.4 billion, Vietnam with $81.6 billion, Bangladesh with $43.8 billion, and India with just $14.5 billion From 2013 to 2023, Bangladeshs garment exports grew (cumulatively) by 69.6%, Vietnams by 81.6%, but Indias grew by only 4.6%." This matters because Indias textile and garments industry employs millions. New Delhi, regardless of which party is in power, prefers wooing big-name multinationals such as Tesla while exporters in these sectors tend to be unknown companies. By contrast, China in its early industrialization phase of the 1980s and 1990s leaned heavily on the expertise of Hong Kong and Taiwanese small and medium enterprises that made Chinas provinces of Guangdong and Fujian light-manufacturing hubs that then pole-vaulted up the industrial value chain. There is far better news in our data on exported services, especially over the past decade. These grew from $167 billion in 2013-14 to $340 billion in 2023-24. The growth has slowed in the past year and the worry is that our stubborn stand on data localization, for instance, and more might hobble this golden goose. To some extent, the sheer critical mass of investment and expertise in offshore business process management and analytics protects India from bureaucratic excesses. Just this week, the CEO of Concentrix Corp, a company I had never heard of, told Business Standard that he expects the companys employees in India to reach 100,000 this year from about 1,000 a little more than a decade ago. I live in Bengaluru and most conversations with anyone in their twenties on where they work are a reminder of this growth were witnessing. The trouble is, as the troubling data on labour-intensive exports shows, India is arguably experiencing the most K-shaped economic recovery anywhere. And the gap with places such as Bangladesh is not limited to their lead in garment exports, but extends to human development indicators, as Swati Narayan observes in Unequal: Why India Lags behind its Neighbours. The book unsettlingly begins with interviewees in Bangladesh laughing at Indians just across the border still defecating in the open. It quotes the National Family Health Survey (covering 2019-2021) which showed that in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, about half of those in villages defecated outdoors. The number of toilets has tripled in Bangladesh in the past three decades. The upshot, as Narayan notes, is that children in West Bengal are shorter than Bangladeshi children due to poor sanitation." Nepal has improved on sanitation too; by 2016, 85% of its homes had toilets and its government was even denying benefits to those who did not have functional toilets. The biggest beneficiaries of widely used toilets and better sanitation, which improves nutritional outcomes, are women and small children. An Indian-born garment-factory owner, who employs tens of thousands of workers and has invested in Bangladesh for decades, says its wide availability of female garment workers is its chief attribute; a larger share of its girls is in secondary school than Indias. Narayan contrasts the life expectancy of a girl born in 2021 in different parts of South Asia: it is 80 in Sri Lanka (whose schooling levels kept pace with Keralas for more than a century) and 74 in Bangladesh, versus 69 in India and Pakistan. Nobody with a cursory interest in economics or a white-collar job would trade our macroeconomic position of ballooning foreign reserves with that of our neighbours. On the ground, however, a woman garment worker in Bangladeshor even a tourist journeying from the messy sidewalks of Bengaluru to a Colombo of pristine lakes experiences a different reality. For years, the Democrats political and rhetorical approach to abortion was the Bill Clinton model. Make it safe, legal and rare. Three decades later, when abortion is illegal or severely restricted in 21 states, the formula is essentially this. Make abortion safe and legal, and mainly about privileged Caucasian women who need medical, not elective abortions. This is the narrative preferred by the Biden campaign, which has spent millions on ads featuring this story. They should tell a more complete story on abortion. In its focus, this strategy ultimately stigmatizes certain women and certain abortions, even as it aims to expand reproductive freedoms for all women. Democrats have rightly judged that the most politically effective way to approach abortion is to have women tell their own stories. To be more effective, Democrats must include a wider array of women. De-stigmatizing abortion will make it more politically palatable, which would help all women. Some facts about abortion: Roughly one in four US women will have an abortion by the age of 40. Women who choose to have abortions cite several factors, including financial (40%), timing (36%), partner-related reasons (31%), and the need to focus on other children (29%). Most women who choose to have abortions are low-income. Six in 10 women who have abortions are already mothers. Women in their 20s account for over half of abortions. African-American women account for 40% of abortions. Hispanic women account for 21% and Caucasians, the main focus of the Biden campaign ads, just 30%. In Prosecute, Austin Dennard, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Dallas, talks about having to flee her state to get an abortion because of a foetal abnormality. Willows Box features the story of Amanda Zurawski of Texas, who was denied an abortion, got sepsis and almost died. An ad in Arizona, which just repealed an 1864 abortion ban, features several Latinas silently, with President Joe Biden providing the voiceover. Obviously, Democrats have judged that it is easier and more politically palatable to tell the story of upper-income Caucasian women dealing with planned pregnancies that go horribly wrong. This worked for Democrats in 2022. Yet its unclear how potent this approach will be in a presidential election over multiple states with a bigger electorate. Including women who elected to have abortions to continue their college education, for instance, to get a better job and lift their families out of poverty would allow Democrats to make an economic argument around abortion. When US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen linked abortion to economics, arguing that eliminating abortion access would set women back decades," she was rebuked by the likes of Republican Senator Tim Scott and other conservatives. Yet, she was right, particularly when it comes to low-income women who dont have six months maternity leave and the ability to pay for day care. Reproductive freedom is economic freedom. A broad spectrum of young voters get it. Forcing women to have children they cant afford makes upward mobility difficult. And this isnt just about women. Men, too, have an interest in making sure the women in their lives have access to abortions. The Biden team recognizes this to a degreeit recently released an ad aimed at Latino men featuring a Marine talking about his daughters freedoms. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff is pushing more men to join the fight. This is an issue of fairness to women. Women are dying," Emhoff said in an interview with NBC News. Its affecting [mens] ability to plan their lives. And its also an issue of whats next, what other freedoms are at risk. And these freedoms are affecting all Americans, not just women." Its a good start. Democrats are rightly concerned that highlighting the stories of younger and more marginalized Americans might alienate certain voters, but they must take a big-tent approach to abortion politics. Give all women (and men) who believe that women should decide when they want to have a child a voice, rather than making certain abortions good" and others more taboo. This is good politics. The truth is most Americans know someone who has had an abortion. Women who have had abortions, elective and medical, are Democrats, Republicans, independents, and often people of faith. Yes, people who go to church, too. To win, Democrats will need a diverse coalition of voters. So, they must find a way to speak to them about this key issue. Democrats like to say that they trust women to make their own decisions when it comes to their bodies. But if they continue to exclude certain women from the conversation on abortion, it suggests they only trust certain women. bloomberg Apple has made some of the worlds most iconic advertisements ever. When the brands Macintosh computer was launched about four decades ago with its 1984 commercial, whose protagonist was shown throwing a sledgehammer to smash a giant screen depicting Big Brother, the world applauded. But when Apple Inc recently released its Crush! commercial for the iPad that showed several things integral to human lives being crushed by a huge industrial compressor, the world shuddered in fear. The predominant view expressed through social media was that Big Brother has returned. While launching the latest iPad commercial, Apple Incs chief executive Tim Cook tweeted, Just imagine all the things itll be used to create." But instead of putting across the intended message of the device enabling creativity, the commercial ended up conveying a sense of the destruction technology could wreak on all that human hands can create. While watching that commercial, the first thought that went through my head was this: How could Apple have thought it fit to release this advertisement? Months of strategic discussions happen before an idea for a commercial is finalized. Pre-testing the advertising idea is often done before the final story board goes into production. It is very difficult to believe that at no stage of this long production process did Apples marketing department receive any negative feedback on the storyline of this commercial. While the exact reason why Apple released this advertisement is hard to understand, one thing is clear. The public response to it should serve as a signal for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. For all the good things AI machines bring into this world, the fear that these modern contraptions will take over the world and all that is human could one day be subservient to them is an anxiety that has expanded its presence in the worlds non-conscious. The reaction to the iPad commercial was immediate and widespread, just as we would expect if the world were to suddenly realize that all thats human will soon be replaced by machines. In these times of social media, such intense fears spread like a wildfire across the world. If such non-conscious fears of what AI will do to human roles persist, it could lead to even stronger pushback against the global AI industry. This resistance is unlikely to take the form of a few protests here and there, displays of anger where a few technology products are destroyed in public places, as Luddites did to spinning mills at the start of the Industrial Revolution. The pushback could be significant enough for the AI industry to stay on guard. Protests will probably aim for the Achilles heel of the industry. Questions have arisen on the privacy of the vast data used by the AI industry to train its models, as also over the ownership of this intellectual property. The huge carbon footprint of AI training is another target of critics, just as job losses caused by AI has been flagged as a major problem. These are issues on which the AI industry is yet not in a strong position to defend itself. Rather, it is on the back-foot on all these. A pushback on any of these issues could slow down an industry that has shown tremendous growth momentum in recent years. This is why AI players across the world should be careful about the language they speak and positions they take. Lets take the example of an AI product developed to read X-ray images and detect signs of tuberculosis. How should such a innovative AI product be positioned? It can be positioned as a tool that can read X-ray photos with far greater accuracy than a human radiologist. One could easily work out the productivity gains a hospital would make by automating this task. But this positioning stance has a weakness: the AI product would be portrayed as heroic, while the human professional will get cast as inadequate. The same AI product can also be positioned as a product that helps detect tuberculosis among people who have no access to a radiologist. This positioning is all about meeting an unmet human need, an end-game where humans emerge as winners. There is no scope for doubt which of these two approaches taken to the market will win public approval and which is likely to run into resistance. AI products that try to complement human roles instead of replacing them will be welcomed. This calls for a deeper understanding of need-gaps in existing products and developing innovative products to fulfil those unmet needs. It is easy to develop a machine that fits into an air-conditioned room of a city hospital, but a machine that can help read X-rays of people in remote villages located at high altitudes in the Himalayan mountains, or in rural settlements of the Thar desert, speaks of innovation driven by human needs. Recent turns in history remind us that humans have not let inventions flourish that are seen as detrimental to human existence. Take the case of nuclear energy. It offered humanity the benefit of power generation free of fossil-fuel emissions. But when people realized its larger harmful effects and risks, public rejection and legislation followed that have kept the nuclear-power industry under stiff restrictions. The iPad advertisements backlash should remind the AI industry to get its language right. The pushback is real, and if AI is seen as a threat to humanity, it will only grow. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday asserted that people of the country have prepared to bid farewell to PM Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, while exuding confidence that the opposition bloc INDIA will form the new government on June 4. He also emphasized that the elections are important to safeguard the Indian Constitution and questioned why Prime Minister Modi has not taken action against individuals advocating for changes to the Constitution. Addressing a joint press conference with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav here, Kharge said, Four rounds of polling have been completed in the country. The INDIA bloc is in a very strong position. "I can say with full confidence that the people of the country have prepared to bid farewell to Narendra Modi. INDIA bloc is going to form the new government on June 4," he said as quoted by newswire PTI. Recalling that RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat said it first, he claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will change the Constitution if it comes to power again. It was said in Karnataka that two third majority is needed to change the Constitution. In Uttar Pradesh, so many from the BJP have talked of changing the Constitution, the Congress chief said. "I am surprised that Modi remains quiet on this. You talk of strength and 56 inch chest, why don't you scare them, expel them from the party. One should not say such things against the Constitution," he added. On the other hand, Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the INDIA bloc will win 79 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. However, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), seeking a record third term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has set a target of winning 400 seats this election. The ruling alliance is challenged by the opposition parties led by the Congress under the banner of the INDIA bloc. Charanjit Singh Channi, the Congress party candidate from Jalandhar in Punjab, on Wednesday said that Delhi chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal can't be trusted. The former Punjab chief minister made the remark when he was asked about Delhi CM's road show in Punjab on Thursday for Lok Sabha election campaign. "Kejriwal who is involved in liquor scam and is out of jail for only 15 days, can't be trusted," said Channi. Stating that a big liquor scam happened in Delhi and the same happened in Punjab also, Channi added, "We demand an inquiry into it. Instead of being welcomed, he (Kejriwal) should be opposed." Arvind Kejriwal will start his Lok Sabha election campaign in Punjab on Thursday. He is likely to hold a mega roadshow in Amritsar in which Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will also participated. In Delhi, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are contesting on 3:4 seat-sharing agreement. However, both the parties are contesting separately in Punjab after mutual agreement. Arvind Kejriwal is out of jail after the Supreme Court granted interim relief till till June 1, in Delhi liquor policy case. On May 12, while campaigning in his constituency, Channi also took a jibe at the AAP government saying that drug trafficking was widespread and the law and order situation had worsened. Also Read: 'Ek thi Congress': AAP's Bhagwant Mann narrates 'shortest story' in Delhi, Punjab Congress vs AAP vs SAD Charanjit Singh Channi is fighting against AAP candidate Pawan Kumar Tinu and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate Mohinder Singh Kaypee from Jalandhar seat. EC on Channi's Poonch remark After May 4 terrorists attack on IAF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, Channi had remarked that these are all stunts and not attacks. He faced huge criticism for his remark. Later, he clarified that he targeted the Centre over the 2019 Pulwama terror strike and said he was proud of the country's soldiers. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, speaking at an election rally in East Delhi on Tuesday, said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to build temples at the Krishna Janmabhoomi site in Mathura and the Gyanvapi mosque area in Varanasi if it secures 400 seats in the ongoing elections. Biswa was campaigning for BJP's East Delhi candidate, Harsh Malhotra, in the national capital on Tuesday. Would you ask Sachin Tendulkar why he scored double and triple centuries? When we had 300 seats, built Ram Mandir. Now, if we get 400 seats, Mathura will see the realisation of Krishna Janmabhoomi. We shall replace the Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi with a grand temple dedicated to Baba Vishwanath. We will also be able to clean up the mess spread by the Mughals, the Assam CM said. The sites in Mathura and Varanasi are both disputed, and legal cases are underway. In the Mathura case, the Allahabad High Court is hearing a petition seeking the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque, which stands adjacent to the Krishna Janmasthan temple. In the second case, the Supreme Court, in April this year, refused to stay the Hindu prayers in the mosque cellars and ordered maintaining the status quo on the offering of namaz by Muslims in the Gyanvapi premises in Varanasi. Biswa also said that Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) will be included in India under the leadership of Narendra Modi in his predicted third term as the Prime Minister. We were told during the Congress's regime that Kashmir is part of both India and Pakistan... If Modiji gets 400 seats, we will bring the PoK to India. If I continue with the list of our plans with 400 seats, Congress will reach the ICU, he said. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), seeking a record third term under PM Modi, has set a target of winning 400 seats this election. The opposition parties, led by the Congress under the banner of the INDIA bloc, are challenging the ruling alliance. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, JP Nadda, has, in response to the Election Commissions notice, justified Prime Minister Narendra Modis statements about the Congress Party planning to redistribute the public's wealth to Muslims. Nadda has, instead, urged the poll panel to act against the Congress party for its alleged denigration of Hinduism Indias foundational religion, a report in the Indian Express said. The response comes PM Modi saying during that a TV interview that he doesn't do Hindu-Muslim as a resolve and that he was "shocked" at people interpreting his "infiltrator" remark as against Muslims. Naddas reply to the poll panel is in response to a notice served on him as the party president over alleged breach of the election Model Code of Conduct by PM Modi in his statements on Muslims. The notice was served based on complaints by the Congress, the CPI, and the CPI (M-L). The complaint was about PM Modis speeches. On April 21, PM Modi, during an election rally in Rajasthans Banswara, claimed that based on earlier statements of Congress leaders, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the grand old party plans to redistribute peoples wealth among those who are infiltrators and who have more children, referring to Muslims. The PM also said that the Congress manifesto said that they would take stock of the jewellery, including the Mangalsutra, of mothers and daughters and distribute it among Muslims. While Modi didnt use the term Muslims in his April 21 speech, he, however, repeatedly alleged that Congress was going to redistribute peoples wealth among Muslims in his poll speeches later. Nadda, in his response to EC, is reported to have accused the Congress, like the Muslim League, of trying to divide the country. This is in reference to PM Modis allegation that the Congress manifesto Nyay Patra has a Muslim League imprint. The Muslim League was the original successor of the All-India Muslim League that was at the forefront of Pakistan becoming an independent nation. Five of Pakistans first Prime Ministers have been affiliated with this party. Nadda claimed that just as the Muslim League sowed the seeds of Indias Partition, Congress has attempted to divide the countrys south from its northern parts through economic non-cooperation and linguistic differences. Nadda has also accused the Congress of opposing the countrys foundational religion and its ancient culture, the Indian Express report said. Nadda has also said that all PM speeches were based on facts and that the voters had a democratic right to understand Oppositions motives. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Prime Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that Congress would lose the Lok Sabha elections "so badly" that "it is difficult for them even to become a valid opposition." While addressing an election rally in Maharashtra's Dindori, Modi claimed that Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena would merge with Congress, along with "all the small parties in Maharashtra." It is certain that fake Shiv Sena and fake Nationalist Party, will merge with Congress. When this fake Shiv Sena will merge with Congress, I will remember Bala Saheb Thackeray the most, because Bala Saheb also used to say that the day he felt that Shiv Sena has become Congress, that day he will end Shiv Sena, meaning that now there will be no trace of fake Shiv Sena," PM Modi said. Meanwhile, a local functionary of the Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has resigned in protest after being denied a spot on stage at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally. Arvind More, who oversees the party unit in the Kalyan-Murbad assembly constituency in Thane district, told PTI on Wednesday that he had resigned from his position. In Phase 5 of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, six constituencies in Mumbai will go to the polls, including Mumbai North, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North East, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai South, and Mumbai South Central." The other constituencies of Maharashtra that will be part of the ongoing election in the fifth phase include Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Kalyan, Palghar, Bhiwandi and Thane. Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second-largest after Uttar Pradesh. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 23 out of 25 contested seats, while the undivided Shiv Sena secured 18 out of 23 seats. When Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing this week, the two leaders will seek to project their customary united front against the U.S.-led global order. Beneath the surface, however, the relationship isnt one of equals. Beijing has provided a lifeline to the sanctions-stricken Russian economy, supplying it with everything from electronics to washing machines to tractors. But while China accounts for around 33% of Russias overall trade, Russia makes up only 4% of Chinas trade, according to data provider CEIC Data. China has become a critical source of optics, microelectronics, drone engines and other materials that enable Russias weapons production, while Russias arms exports to China have fallen precipitously in recent years. Meanwhile, Russia, its oil and gas now shunned in Europe, has had to sell at significant discounts to China. Beijing has yet to agree on a major new gas pipeline, using its leverage to squeeze Russia on price. Its a strategic partnership where both sides need each other but its increasingly asymmetrical in Chinas favor," said Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin. China is not only the more powerful partner, but also the one that has many more options than Russia and the war has exacerbated that." Russia is now locking itself into vassalage to China," Gabuev said. Despite the escalating imbalance, the bond between two nuclear-armed powers carries profound implications for the West. Those include intensifying military collaboration and heightened geopolitical rivalry with the West across Africa and Asia. The surge in their oil and gas trade is meanwhile fundamentally reshaping the global energy map. Worries are also growing among Western officials that, as China helps backfill Russias war economy, Moscow could win against Ukraine in a war of attrition while Europe and the U.S. struggle to mobilize their own industries to match Russian production. In recent meetings with Xi, both European leaders and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have pushed the Chinese leader to cut back on his nations support for Russias defense industry. Washington has also warned Beijing that it could take action against Chinese banks handling trade in so-called dual-use goods that have both civilian and military purposes. The threat of extending sanctions on Chinese banks could already be having some effect as recent monthly data shows Chinese exports to Russia have moderated, analysts say. They caution, however, that as with previous sanctions on Russia, companies would switch to other banks and use middlemen, including in third countries. Russian officials have pushed against the notion that their country is becoming dependent on China. The Kremlins spokesman last year said relations between Russia and China are a partnership, not dependence." Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kremlin didnt respond to requests for comment. Putins two-day visit set to begin Thursday marks his first foreign trip since winning a rubber-stamp election in March, underscoring the priority that the Kremlin places on further expanding its security and economic ties with China. Putin will visit the capital Beijing and the city of Harbin, the Kremlin said Tuesday. Though historically the relations between the two countries have oscillated between periods of mutual support, ideological competition and even outright hostility, Moscow and Beijing have long viewed the U.S. as their main challenger and sought to undermine its global influence. After Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, the Kremlin pivoted to China in a bid to shield its economy from Western sanctions. Less than three weeks before Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine in February 2022, Putin and Xi declared that the friendship between the two countries has no limits" and that there are no forbidden areas of cooperation." Ties have only deepened since then, including a flurry of diplomatic, military and business meetings. But in one indication of the shifting weight in the relationship, traffic has been mostly one-sided, with senior Russian officials and business leaders going to China much more frequently than their Chinese counterparts going the other way, said Gabuev, who regularly talks to officials in both countries. On the military front, trade in critical dual-use goods, including electronic and mechanical components used in Russian weapons systems, surged after Xis meeting with Putin in March last year, according to a recent analysis published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank. That has helped ease pressure on Russias defense industrial sector, enabling Russia to wage a long war of attrition against Ukraine, CSIS said. When it comes to Russias defense industrial base, the primary contributor in this moment is China," Blinken said last month. The Sino-Russian economic relationship has also deepened, with Russia playing the junior partner. Bilateral trade reached a record $240 billion last year, a year earlier than a goal set by Putin. Thats dwarfed, however, by Chinas trade with the European Union at nearly $800 billion and with the U.S. at around $660 billion, according to Chinese customs data. To cope with the surge in trade, the Russian Far East customs service had to hire 1,000 additional staff over the past two years, basing most on the border with China. China has almost everything that Russia lacks because of sanctions," said Janis Kluge, an economist focusing on Russia at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. Without imports from China, Russias economy would almost immediately falter. This gives Beijing a lot of leverage over Moscow." The Chinese yuan has overtaken the U.S. dollar in Russias exports, while Russian companies are increasingly borrowing in yuan and households are stashing savings in it. The exodus of Western brands from Russia following the war has created a void swiftly filled by Chinese manufacturers, which now dominate markets from smartphones to household appliances. Around 60% of newly sold cars in Russia were Chinese at the end of last year, almost double their share in 2022, according to Russian data provider Avtostat. Not everyone is happy. Russias AvtoVAZ, the maker of Lada cars, said that Chinese carmakers are crowding out Lada by offering large discounts. Many Chinese brands, carrying out, I would say, aggressive expansion into the Russian market, are beginning to break through," Maxim Sokolov, president of AvtoVAZ, told the Russian newswire Interfax in March. Deeper economic cooperation with China, though, is inevitable for many Russian businesses faced with Western sanctions. Norilsk Nickel, a metals giant controlled by Russian oligarch Vladimir Potanin, will shift a portion of its copper-smelting operations to China after sanctions hindered access to crucial equipment and impacted the companys payments. Potanin said last month that the companys dependence on China increases along with sanctions pressure. If this cannot be avoided anyway, if we cannot diversify our supplies so as not to depend on the Chinese market, then it is better to enter deeper into it and integrate," he told Interfax. There are growing concerns in Moscow about Russias dependence on China, said Vasily Astrov, an economist at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies. But, under the current circumstances for Russia, growing dependence on China is effectively the only alternative to isolation, which Russia is seeking to avoid at all costs," he said. In energy, too, China holds most cards. After the Ukraine invasion severed decades-old oil and gas links between Russia and Europe, China stepped in as a willing buyer. China has also supplied much-needed parts for Russias oil-and-gas industry that used to come from the West. But that leverage also means that China could command discounts. Russian ESPO blend oil delivered to China currently trades around $5 cheaper a barrel than other comparable crude deliveries to China, according to data from Argus Media. Beijing has so far been reluctant to sign up for the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline. A massive project that would carry gas from the Yamal region in northern Russia to China via Mongolia, the pipeline has become critical for Russia ever since its traditional European market shrunk in the wake of Putins invasion of Ukraine. Sticking points such as financing and gas pricing remain unresolved, industry watchers say. China, which can tap other gas suppliers such as Australia and Qatar, can afford to wait it out and then force lower prices from Russia. China has consistently paid lower prices than Europe for Russian gas, according to calculations by Sergey Vakulenko, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and former Russian energy executive. Even if Moscow and Beijing agree on the new pipeline soon, this precedent, coupled with Moscows limited alternatives for gas export beyond China, has weakened Russias bargaining power in negotiations, Vakulenko said. Kluge, the economist focused on Russia, said that Moscows dependence on China represents a long-term shift. The reorientation of Russian trade flows is permanent," he said. Dependence on China will shape Russias economic future for years to come." Kate Vtorygina contributed to this article. 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Specifications of Carrier 1.5Ton 5 Star Window Inverter Air Conditioner Brand: Carrier Capacity: 1.5 Tons Cooling Power: 5150 Kilowatts Special Feature: Dust Filter Product Dimensions: 65D x 96W x 32H Centimeters Energy Rating: 3 Star Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Efficient cooling for medium-sized rooms May be challenging to install in certain window sizes Energy-saving with Flexicool inverter technology Also read:Best Carrier split AC to install at home or office for staying comfortable during Summer: Top 6 options to consider Top 3 features of best 5 star Carrier AC 5 star Carrier AC Capacity Energy Rating Features Carrier 1.5 Ton 5 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC 1.5 Tons 5 Star Flexicool Inverter Technology, Copper Condenser Coil, Dual Filtration with HD & PM 2.5 Filter Carrier 1 Ton 5 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC 1 Ton 5 Star Flexicool Inverter Compressor, 10-year Compressor Warranty, Aqua Clear Protection Carrier 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Window AC 1.5 Tons 5 Star Inverter Compressor, 2-way Air Directional Control, High-Density Filter Carrier Emperia CXI Wifi 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC 1.5 Tons 5 Star Intelligent CRF Alert, Security Lock, Auto-restart, 4-way Auto Swing Carrier Emperia CXI Wifi 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC 1.5 Tons 5 Star Intelligent CRF Alert, Security Lock, Auto-restart, 4-way Auto Swing Carrier 1.5Ton 5 Star Window Inverter Air Conditioner 1.5 Tons 3 Star Flexicool Inverter Technology, Copper Condenser Coil, Turbo Cool, Hydro Blue Coating Best value for money 5 star Carrier AC Carrier 1 Ton 5 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC The Carrier 1 Ton 5 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC offers exceptional value for money with its powerful cooling capabilities, energy-efficient performance, and durable build. Despite its slightly higher price compared to non-inverter ACs, its long warranty period, including 10 years on the compressor, 5 years on the PCB, and 1 year on the product, makes it a cost-effective choice in the long run. Additionally, the AC's 100% copper condenser coil with Aqua Clear Protection ensures reliable cooling and low maintenance, further adding to its overall value for money. Best overall 5 star Carrier AC Carrier 1.5 Ton 5 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC The Carrier 1.5 Ton 5 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC stands out as the best overall product among the 5 star Carrier ACs. It offers efficient cooling with advanced features like Flexicool inverter technology, which adjusts power based on the heat load, ensuring energy savings. With a 1.5-ton capacity, it's suitable for mid-sized rooms, while the 100% copper condenser coil provides better cooling and low maintenance. Special features like dual filtration with HD & PM 2.5 filter, auto cleanser, and insta cool feature ensure a comfortable experience, making it the top choice for those seeking reliable and efficient cooling solutions. Also read: Best 3 star Panasonic AC: Bid goodbye to summer heat and stay cool with our top 5 choices How to find the best 5 star Carrier AC To find the best 5 star Carrier AC, consider the cooling capacity suitable for your room size. Look for energy-efficient models with a 5-star rating for long-term savings. Check for advanced features like inverter technology, which adjusts power based on heat load, ensuring efficient cooling. Additionally, consider special features such as air purification filters, auto clean functions, and intelligent controls for added convenience. Compare warranty periods and customer reviews to gauge reliability and after-sales service. Lastly, assess your budget and choose a model that offers the best balance of features, energy efficiency, and value for money. FAQs Question : Q: Are Carrier ACs energy-efficient? Ans : A: Yes, Carrier ACs are known for their energy efficiency, with many models boasting 5-star energy ratings. Question : Q: Do Carrier ACs come with warranties? Ans : A: Yes, Carrier ACs typically come with warranties, with the compressor often covered for 5-10 years depending on the model. Question : Q: Are Carrier ACs easy to install? Ans : A: Carrier ACs can be installed easily, although complex features like Wi-Fi connectivity might require professional assistance. Question : Q: Do Carrier ACs offer advanced features? Ans : A: Yes, Carrier ACs offer various advanced features such as inverter technology, air purification filters, and smart controls. Question : Q: Are Carrier ACs suitable for all room sizes? Ans : A: Carrier offers a range of ACs suitable for different room sizes, from small rooms to larger living spaces. Disclaimer: At Livemint, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Mint has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. Equipment at Lewistons Red Lobster, which is now closed, is being auctioned now through 12:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the website of a business CNN describes as a leading restaurant liquidator. TAGeX Brands is promoting the sale as the largest restaurant equipment auction ever on its website. A collection of items from Lewistons Red Lobster at 2115 Thain Road is being auctioned, along with gear from more than 50 of the chain's other restaurants across the country, according to TAGeX Brands website. Red Lobster has more than 700 locations around the world, according to its website. These auctions are WINNER TAKES ALL meaning, each winner will receive the ENTIRE contents of the Red Lobster they bid on, according to TAGeX Brands website. The equipment is being sold as is, where is and not tested, according to TAGeX Brands website. Winning bidders are responsible for the appropriate removal and loading of their items, according to TAGeX Brands website. No one on site can assist with disconnect, removal or loading items. The more than 50 items that are being sold as a single lot at Lewistons Red Lobster include decor, refrigerators, freezers (one described as being for breaded shrimp), chairs, tables, microwave ovens, a four-burner saute range, a charbroiler, television, margarita slush machine and lobster tank, according to TAGeX Brands website. The list is subject to change. Perishable goods and alcohol are not part of the sale and all purchases have to be picked up by the end of Friday or the purchase will be forfeited without a refund, according to TAGeX Brands website. Retired fish biologist John McKern will give a presentation during a Thursday meeting at Clarkston of the Citizens for the Preservation of Fish and Dams, the group announced. McKerns talk is titled Predation on Snake River Salmon. He is the owner of Fish Passage Solutions and a former Army Corps of Engineers biologist. An assessment by Asotin County Public Health shows that mental health, housing and aging in place, along with substance use, are some of the largest health issues facing the community. The assessment, which received 775 responses from community members living in Asotin County, also included community leader interviews and focus groups covering substance use, mental health, housing access, aging in place and open-topic health needs. Mental health was the biggest health issue raised by community members. In Asotin County, 24% of adults reported poor physical or mental health keeping them from completing usual activities, compared to 11% statewide. The county also had an age-adjusted mortality rate due to intentional self-harm or suicide of 22 per 100,000, compared to the state average of 16 per 100,000. Adults werent the only ones struggling with mental health over the past few years. The assessment included information from the 2021 Healthy Youth Survey in Washington, which showed a higher-than-state average of eighth grade students who had seriously contemplated or attempted suicide in the past 12 months. Lora Gittins, community health program manager, said youth mental health today is even worse than the 2021 survey the Community Health Assessment pulled from. Those numbers increased in 2023, she said. And its really heartbreaking. The health department is aiming to add staff in the future, Gittins said, including a prevention specialist who would work in substance use, overdose and suicide prevention. A major health goal for the community is combatting the stigma of talking about issues like suicide and substance use, she said. Just because youre talking about it doesnt mean its going to put it into your kids head, or that youre going to cause someone to like, think more about suicide or more about using, she said. Thats the key to prevention, is collaboration, community-building and connection. Several community members noted that only one provider, Quality Behavioral Health, accepts Washington Medicaid, and that often the only option to be seen quickly is through the emergency room for people in crisis. They do absolutely everything they can, but they dont have enough, said Skate Pierce, a business owner and Clarkston City Council Board of Health Chairperson. So if you need care, if you need urgent care, you have to (get there) at seven in the morning, and just hope that somebody can see you. Asotin County residents identified housing as the second-biggest health need within the community. In Asotin County, the median property value was $229,300 in 2021, and the median household income was $57,263. Over 70% of residents owned a home, and 67% had a mortgage. Compared to the Washington state average, the county had a lower percentage of residents who spent more than 50% of their household income on housing. Equipment at Lewistons Red Lobster, which is now closed, is being auctioned through 12:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the website of a business that television network CNN describes as a leading restaurant liquidator. TAGeX Brands is promoting the sale as the largest restaurant equipment auction ever on its website. Items from Lewistons Red Lobster at 2115 Thain Road are being auctioned, along with gear from more than 50 of the chains other restaurants across the country, according to TAGeX Brands website. As of early evening Tuesday, the high bid for Lewistons equipment was $4,400 after 18 bids, according to TAGeX Brands website. Red Lobster has more than 700 locations around the world, according to its website. These auctions are WINNER TAKES ALL meaning, each winner will receive the ENTIRE contents of the Red Lobster they bid on, according to TAGeX Brands website. The equipment is being sold as is, at its current location and not tested, according to TAGeX Brands website. Winning bidders are responsible for the appropriate removal and loading of their items, according to TAGeX Brands website. No one on site can assist with disconnect, removal or loading items. The more than 50 items being sold as a single lot at Lewistons Red Lobster include decor, refrigerators, freezers (one described as being for breaded shrimp), chairs, tables, microwave ovens, a four-burner saute range, a charbroiler, a television, a margarita slush machine and a lobster tank, according to TAGeX Brands website. The list is subject to change. Perishable goods and alcohol are not part of the sale and all purchases have to be picked up by the end of Friday or the purchase will be forfeited without a refund, according to TAGeX Brands website. Based in Rochester, N.Y., TAGeX Brands is the worlds largest after-marketplace for restaurant and food equipment and supplies, according to its website. Whether buying, selling, moving, storing or any other facility/equipment life-cycle event, we are the resource epicenter for headache relief with white glove service, according to TAGeX Brands website. The auctions come after Red Lobster has encountered financial issues, which has been reported by news organizations such as CNN. BOISE The family of Lewiston native Milo Warnock, who was killed while serving a prison sentence at Kuna, Idaho, in late 2023, wanted answers as to why he died. Now, they are pursuing legal action against the state. The Warnock family is planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the state. The claim, which was filed on Friday, said the state of Idaho, the Idaho Department of Correction, its leaders and Centurion the company responsible for inmate health care acted negligently and deliberately indifferent in preventing Warnocks death. The family is asking for more than $463,000 in damages. Warnock, who was 45, was killed Dec. 10, 2023, at the Idaho State Correctional Center in Kuna. He was serving a two-year sentence for a DUI. Kay Joan (Chilton) Jacobs passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, in Lewiston. Kay was born on Oct. 4, 1962, in Orofino, to Lee and Aretha Chilton. She had one sister, Carol, and brother, Richard. Kay grew up in the small town of Orofino and graduated from Orofino High School in 1960. After graduation she attended Links Business College in Boise. Upon completing business college, she returned to Orofino to work for the General Telephone Company and was eventually transferred to their location in Moscow. Kay worked for the telephone company until 1964. Kay was married to Ed Robie in 1964. Shortly after their celebration, they moved from Moscow to Grangeville where they welcomed their son, Eric Robie. In 1967, Kay went to work for the Grangeville School District as a teachers aide. In 1988 she transferred to the Kooskia school district and worked there for 16 years. Kay married Nick Jacobs in 1990, and they lived in Kamiah until they both retired. Kay and Nick then moved to Lewiston in 2004. An Investigation Hearing into alleged contraventions of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 by Longford Westmeath Fianna Fail TD Robert Troy will be held by the Standards in Public Office Commission (the Commission) in the Commissions offices on June 10, 2024 at 10am. Attendance by members of the public and the media will only be facilitated online via Zoom. Anyone wishing to observe the hearing is asked to contact the office by email via complaints@sipo.ie before 4pm on Friday, June 7 to register their interest. Remote login details will then be provided. Deputy Troy resigned as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in August 2022 for failing to correctly declare properties on the parliaments register of members interests and also failing to register a rental property with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Junior minister Robert Troy resigns amid questions around his property interests Deputy Troy issued a fulsome apology over his unintentional errors and also told journalists, Im more than happy to answer any questions Revenue, RTB, the local authority, or Sipo (Standards in Public Office Commission) have in relation to any of my dealings. Also read: Longford / Westmeath TD looking forward to cooperating fully with SIPO investigation Deputy Troy, who had indicated that he will contest the next general election, is the most experienced TD in Longford / Westmeath constituency and has secured election in three consecutive elections. Major search operation in Longford this morning to help locate missing Drumlish man Deputy Troy topped the poll in 2016 with 11,653 votes but his first preference vote dropped by 2,322 to 9,331 in 2020, the second highest of the fifteen candidates in the race. Also read: Longford-Westmeath TD Robert Troy set to run in next election despite resigning as junior minister over property dealings St Josephs national school has started a crowdfunding campaign to develop a playground and sensory area. The school hope to raise 100,000 in order to develop these facilities. The Longford town school has over 500 pupils and 70 staff, making it the largest in the county. The school will open its fifth autism class this coming September. Speaking to the Leader, school principal Orla Egan said that, unfortunately for us as an Urban Deis Band 1 school, we are finding fundraising extremely difficult. Also read: Longford doctor honoured at Royal College of Physicians of Ireland conferring ceremony Our playground is not just a place but a sanctuary of shared experiences, where friendships bloom and the echoes of laughter resonate forever. We aim that our playground becomes a hub of joy, laughter and learning, she stated. We want to create a playground that grows with the community, fostering friendships and unforgettable memories for generations to come, Orla added. PICTURES: Inside idyllic Longford house on acre site that could be sold at auction in June Orla is in her 10th year as Principal and she is a member of staff since 2001. It is very busy but I honestly love my job. Were so lucky here with an excellent, hard working, dedicated, hard working staff, she recently told Humans of Longford. Its all about the pupils though, theyre the reason why were here, to meet the needs of the school community, she added. The school has approximately 26 languages. Any donation, big or small, will be appreciated. iDonate link : https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/stjosephsconventnsplaygroundfund Bank details: Permanent TSB 27-28 Main St Longford. BIC:IPBSIE2D IBAN: IE90IPBS99073152461321 Cash or cheque: St Josephs NS, Dublin Road, Longford. N39 DY23 Or visit the school: Reception opened 9am - 4.30pm Monday-Friday. Ireland will recognise Palestinian statehood by the end of the month, the Irish deputy premier has said. Ireland and Spain have been in discussions with other European countries about making a joint recognition of the state of Palestine. While May 21 had been floated as a potential date, Micheal Martin said the specific day remains fluid. Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Martin said: We will be recognising the state of Palestine before the end of the month. The specific date is still fluid because were still in discussions with some countries in respect of a joint recognition of a Palestinian state. It will become clear in the next few days as to the specific date but it certainly will be will be before the end of this month and I will look forward to consultations today with some foreign ministers in respect of the final specific detail of this. Speaking on Newstalk radio, he added: Were doing it in the context of the Arab Peace Initiative to track towards a two-state solution and to extend the signal to the Palestinian population at large that we support their right to self-determination and the idea of a two-state solution as the ultimate, only way that Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side in peace. Asked if he supported a call to fly the Palestinian flag over the Irish parliament, Mr Martin said: What is important here is we focus on the substantive issues of an immediate ceasefire. It is quite shocking that Israel is moving into Rafah and there is now a military operation underway in Rafah. The suffering is immense. The death and destruction is immense, and people want it to stop and the international community want it to stop. A call to fly the flag over the parliament building in Dublin for Nakba Day was rejected by the speaker of the house. The Nakba refers to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the war surrounding the creation of Israel in 1948. Good to speak with @KingAbdullahII of Jordan today on the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza and Irelands plan to recognise the State of Palestine. We also discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza & will keep in contact in the coming days pic.twitter.com/brgQNWWBIk Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 15, 2024 Meanwhile, Taoiseach Simon Harris also updated King Abdullah of Jordan about Irelands plan to recognise the State of Palestine on Wednesday. The pair also exchanged views on what was described as a desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Fine Gael leader outlined Ireland and Spains ongoing efforts on Palestinian recognition and ongoing discussions with other like-minded countries. In a statement, a spokesman for Mr Harris said: The King and the Taoiseach agreed that both Ireland and Jordan should stay in touch in the coming days. King Abdullah briefed the Taoiseach on efforts to secure an end to the conflict and to create a context for peace in the region, including his contacts with other regional leaders and his discussions with President Biden in Washington last week. This work will be a focus at the Arab Summit due to convene in Bahrain this week. They also discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and in particular the situation in Rafah. The King underscored the need for the international community to step up efforts to increase humanitarian assistance and the Taoiseach promised Irelands full support in advancing this work. The Taoiseach also congratulated the King on his silver jubilee. The 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne will be formally marked on 9 June. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: May 15 2024 This years conference focused on social senior living options and explore key differences between assisted living, independent living, continuing care retirement communities. More than 200 guests and 40 elder care industry sponsors and exhibitors gather for the Annual Cona Elder Law Caregiver Conference, discussing The Loneliness Epidemic: Tackling Isolation, Care Needs & Finances In Senior Living, here recently. This years conference focused on social senior living options and explore key differences between assisted living, independent living, continuing care retirement communities, the ALP program and the CDPAP program, allowing different options for family and financial support. Loneliness has been declared a public health epidemic by the US Surgeon General because it reportedly leads to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and depression, said Jennifer Cona, Founder and Managing Partner of Cona Elder Law, located in Melville. The majority of adults aged 65 and older report feeling lonely. For this already vulnerable population, it is critical that we consider alternatives to aging-in-place. Topics also included financing senior living, including asset protection planning, Medicaid planning and eligibility, and provide practical tips for determining the best way to finance needed care and services. Presenting Sponsors Included: Cona Elder Law, Gurwin Healthcare Systems, Amber Court Assisted Living, The Bristal Assisted Living, Encore Luxury Living, Community Care Home Health Services, and Family & Childrens Association. Conference Sponsors included: SeniorCare Companions, Inc., Lifes WORC, Long Island Alzheimers & Dementia Center, Heritage Harbor Financial Associates, Jerusalem Memorial Chapels, Senior Health Plan Specialists Inc., Handled Real Estate, Centerlight Healthcare, Alzheimer's Association, and M&T Bank. Cona Elder Law also presented its annual Caregiver of the Year award at the conference to David Marshall, of Baldwin, NY a dedicated husband who has helped and supported his wife of 75 years as she lives with dementia. A WWII veteran, David was recognized for his infinite dedication and service to his wife as a model caregiver. ABOUT CONA ELDER LAW: Cona Elder Law is an award-winning law firm concentrating in the areas of elder law, estate planning, estate administration and litigation, and health care law. Cona Elder Law takes a holistic approach to elder law, providing support and resources for older adults and caregivers. The firm has been consistently ranked the #1 Elder Law Firm by various publications and industry awards. For additional information, visit www.conaelderlaw.com. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: May 15 2024 Gary Confredo was sentenced for conspiring to commit bank fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud Bank of America of more than $3.2 million in loans and lines of credit. Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Gary Confredo, also known as Gary Conte, the former operator of Goldstar Financial Management Corp. (Goldstar), a financial services business based in Commack, New York, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to 42 months imprisonment for conspiring to commit bank fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud Bank of America of more than $3.2 million in loans and lines of credit that were obtained under false pretenses. The Court also ordered Confredo to pay $1,096,882 restitution to Bank of America. Confredo pleaded guilty to the charge in November 2022 Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Daniel B. Brubaker, Inspector-in-Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, New York Division (USPIS), announced the sentence. The defendants scheme of submitting fraudulent applications for commercial loans and lines of credit to Bank of America was full of lies and deception. With todays sentence the defendant learns a powerful truth, that cheating financial institutions for personal gain will be punished and the cost is significant, stated United States Attorney Peace. As a financial consultant, Confredo was a trusted member of the financial industry. However, instead of acting ethically, he used his position to submit fraudulent loan applications on his clients behalf. Many of whom were complicit in this scheme. Driven by greed, Confredo and these co-conspirators caused Bank of America to lose millions of dollars in defaulted loans. These crimes have a far-reaching and long-lasting negative impact on the financial industry and the American public. Todays sentencing bears truth to the fact that Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners will investigate and prosecute white collar criminals to the fullest extent of the law, stated USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Brubaker. According to court filings and facts presented at the plea proceeding, between November 2016 and October 2019, Confredo conspired with others to submit fraudulent applications for commercial loans and lines of credit to Bank of America on behalf of Goldstar clients, who agreed to pay Confredo a portion of any loan that he secured on their behalf. To manipulate the application process, Confredo submitted altered tax returns and bank statements that falsely inflated the clients incomes and assets and allowed them to qualify for loans and lines of credit under Bank of Americas lending criteria. As a result of Confredos scheme, Bank of America issued approximately $3.2 million in loans and lines of credit to Goldstars clients and sustained losses of approximately $1 million when those loans and lines of credit were not repaid. In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney Generals Advisory Committee (AGAC) . As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace plays a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud, securities and commodities fraud, and identity theft. Kyiv replaced the commander of Ukrainian forces defending Kharkiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Monday as Russian troops pressed forward in an offensive launched on May 10. Although Russia has little chance of taking Kharkiv city, Moscow has already achieved some success in its likely goal: compelling Ukraine to divert forces badly needed elsewhere. The Russian Offensive Ukrainian officials had been warning for months that Moscow might launch an offensive near Kharkiv. Russian forces previously controlled much of Kharkiv Oblast but were routed during a September 2022 Ukrainian counteroffensive. In mid-April, Russia established its Sever (North) Group of Troops, responsible for the area along Russias border with northeastern Ukraine. The groupings commander is Colonel-General Aleksandr Lapin, who simultaneously leads Russias recently recreated Leningrad Military District. That district includes the newly formed 44th Army Corps, elements of which reportedly began deploying to the border regions in recent weeks. Prior to launching its offensive, Russia bombarded Ukrainian frontline and rear areas using rocket and tube artillery and glide bombs. Vovchansk, a small city located just a few miles from the border, was hit particularly hard, forcing its evacuation. Russias Air Force has since continued to support Russian ground troops with frequent glide-bomb strikes. The Russians have also actively used Lancet loitering munitions and rocket strikes, facilitated by persistent drone reconnaissance, to destroy Ukrainian artillery and air defense systems. Russian ground troops reportedly commenced their attack early in the morning of May 10. According to Ukrainian war correspondent Yuriy Butusov, the initial force comprised a total of up to four to five battalions. The attacking forces consisted mainly of light infantry along with a modest number of armored fighting vehicles. Russian infantry advanced in small groups, typically around a platoon in size, at times crossing the border uncontested. Russia has probably since introduced additional forces. The Russians are advancing in two directions. The first is toward the town of Lyptsi, which lies around 15 kilometers north of Kharkiv. The second is toward Vovchansk, around 45 kilometers northeast of the city. The latter appears to be the main effort. Sources: Ukrainian General Staff, Ukrainian analytical project DeepState, Ukrainian war correspondent Yuriy Butusov, authors open-source analysis In the Lyptsi direction, Russia quickly took the villages of Strilecha, Pylna, Borysivka, and possibly Krasne. The first three settlements were already in the gray zone, preventing Ukraine from constructing fortifications there. Ukrainian FPV strikes knocked out at least a handful of Russian infantry fighting vehicles near the border, although others reportedly made it through. By the afternoon of May 11, Russian infantry were attempting to push southwest of Morokhovets and Oliinykove. That day, a Ukrainian soldier indicated Ukrainian troops had retreated to the village of Hlyboke. Russia had apparently taken at least part of Hlyboke by the afternoon of May 13. A few kilometers to the east, Russia reportedly captured Lukyantsi the same day. The Ukrainian military later said its troops were forced to withdraw from the village amid heavy aerial bombardment. Hlyboke and Lukyantsi stood between Russia and Lyptsi and were better fortified than the villages closer to the border. In the Vovchansk direction, Russia had taken most or all of the border villages of Pletenivka, Hatyshche, and Ohirtseve by May 11-12. Russian forces have since attempted to push into Vovchansk and nearby villages. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Russia had devoted up to five battalions to take Vovchansk as of May 12. The Russian Air Force has continued to pound the city with glide bombs, reportedly conducting 20 strikes on May 11 and 30 on May 12. By May 13, Russian troops had apparently taken a meat-packing plant on the northern edge of Vovchansk. They have since attacked deeper into the city, moving in small groups. As of May 14, fighting was ongoing in the northern part of Vovchansk. The Russians have apparently also reached the citys eastern outskirts, though it is unclear whether they have secured a foothold there. To the southwest, Russian troops have entered the villages of Buhruvatka and Starytsya. While the Russian Defense Ministry on May 14 claimed to have captured Buhruvatka, whether Russia firmly controls those two settlements remains unclear. Russian troops in the Vovchansk direction have benefited from forested terrain, which obstructs aerial reconnaissance and first-person view (FPV) drone strikes. Ukrainian sources also say Russian electronic warfare has impeded drone operations. In the Lyptsi direction, the Travyanske Reservoir provides a natural barrier protecting Russias right flank. The Siverskyi Donets River performs a similar function in the Vovchansk direction. That river and the smaller Vovcha River, along with the destruction of bridges across them, also impede the flow of Ukrainian forces and supplies from the rear and between different parts of the front. In an effort to isolate Vovchansk, the Russian Air Force, using Kh-38ML laser-guided missiles, struck a pair of bridges (over the Vovcha River) east of Vovchansk as well as the Staryi Saltiv Dam bridge (over the Siverskyi Donets River) to the south. On May 13, footage emerged showing a strike on a fourth bridge (over the Vovcha), this time inside Vovchansk. Satellite imagery indicates a fifth bridge (over the Siverskyi Donets), northwest of Vovchansk, was destroyed in early May. Two other bridges across the Siverskyi Donets, near Buhruvatka and Verkhnya Pysarivka, were disabled earlier in the war and evidently have not been repaired. Russian Objectives Kharkiv is Ukraines second-largest city, with a prewar population of over 1.4 million. Although Russias Sever grouping likely still has significant reserves available, it lacks anywhere near enough forces to take Kharkiv. Nor can Russia quickly assemble a large enough force without pulling units from other, higher-priority sectors or leaving its lines elsewhere vulnerable. In addition, Ukraine has multiple fortified defensive lines protecting Kharkiv. The closest one stretches from Lyptsi to Bilyi Kolodyaz, consisting of a series of strong points along with some anti-tank obstacles. If Russia manages to achieve larger-than-expected gains near Kharkiv, Moscow could reprioritize and transfer more forces to the area. Besides an attack on the city itself, Russia could try to sever the ground lines of communication supporting Ukrainian forces near Kupyansk, southeast of Kharkiv. For now, though, Moscows objectives seem to be limited. When the offensive began, Ukrainian military officials said Russia aims to push 10 kilometers deep. This modest advance would create a buffer zone to protect Belgorod, a Russian city that lies less than 30 kilometers from the border and regularly comes under fire. It would also put Russia within tube artillery range of Kharkivs outskirts. This, in turn, could set up a future assault on Kharkiv or at least allow Russia to force a partial evacuation of the city. Moscows chief goal likely is to compel Kyiv to divert units defending the Donbas region, particularly the Avdiivka and Chasiv Yar areas, where Russia is concentrating its main effort. With Ukraine already acutely short on manpower, pulling forces from those areas will further weaken the Ukrainian defense. Ukraine indeed seems to have redeployed a number of units to the Kharkiv area. These include at least parts of the 92nd Assault Brigade, 42nd Mechanized Brigade, and 57th Motorized Infantry Brigade, plus units subordinate to Ukraines military intelligence directorate, including the Kraken regiment. Ukraine apparently also sent a battalion from the 82nd Air Assault Brigade and at least part of the National Guards 13th Khartiya Brigade. The 92nd, 42nd, and Kraken had been defending in the Chasiv Yar area, while the 92nd Brigades Achilles drone battalion has been operating both there and in the Avdiivka area. The 57th Brigade had been fighting in the Kupyansk direction, while the 82nd Brigade was defending near Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The Khartiya Brigade had been fighting near Lyman in Donetsk Oblast, but at least part of the brigade appears to have redeployed to the Avdiivka area by early May. Some of the units sent to Kharkiv may have been rotated out for rest and reconstitution when they were redeployed. Still, committing them to the Kharkiv area leaves Ukraine short on reserves needed to reinforce and rotate units elsewhere. By tying up and attritting Ukraines limited reserves, Russia can set conditions for further advances this summer. The precariousness of the situation is not lost on Ukrainian officials. All of our forces are either here or in Chasiv Yar, Ukraines military intelligence chief told The New York Times, apparently referring to the various units subordinate to his directorate. Ive used everything we have. Unfortunately, we dont have anyone else in the reserves. John Hardie is the deputy director of FDDs Russia Program and a contributor to FDD's Long War Journal. The Boston Bruins kept their season alive with a gutsy 2-1 in over the Florida Panthers in Game 5 on Tuesday night of their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup. They now have a chance to force a decisive Game 7, but first they need to win Game 6. The series shifts back to Boston on Friday night, but sportsbooks arent confident the Bruins will get the job done in front of their home crowd. DraftKings sportsbooks has Boston at +500 (5/1) odds to win the series as of Wednesday afternoon. BetMGM has the same odds. Fanatics Sportsbook 10X$100 BONUS BET BET MATCH BONUS CLAIM OFFER Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, KY ,MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV); (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); (800) 327-5050 or gamblinghelpline.org (MA), mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1800gambler.net (WV) Despite not having Brad Marchand in the lineup for the second straight game, the Bruins played for their captain and will now give him a shot to play in Game 6 as he recovers from an upper-body injury. A Game 5 win will give Boston some momentum. And its not impossible to see a comeback after being down 3-1 in the series. The Panthers did as much against the Bruins last year in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Game 6 is set for Friday night. As of Wednesday afternoon, the time is still to be determined. Ed Sheeran, Tyler Childers and The Killers will headline Boston Calling this year, but they are not the only notable acts taking the stage at the 3-day festival. The headliners will be joined by more than 50 artists, including more than 20 acts from the Northeast. To highlight these local artists, MassLive will publish profiles on the acts leading up to the festivals May 24 start date. Beach Weather Beach Weather is one of more than 20 local acts performing at Boston Calling 2024.Arista Publicity Local band Beach Weather is looking to bring the groups soulful indie pop to Boston Calling for the first time this year. The group will be playing the Red Stage on Friday, May 24 before David Kushner and Leon Bridges take over later in the day. While frontman Nick Santino feels honored to be sharing the stage with these artists, hes mostly looking forward to seeing how Fridays headliner controls the crowd. I met Ed [Sheeran] once a long long time ago after his show at the Boston House of Blues, Santino told MassLive. The way he captivated a loud Boston crowd that night was something special. Will be cool to see him do it in front of a couple thousand. Beach Weather formed in 2015 and released the What A Drag EP and toured alongside The Maine thereafter. The following year, Beach Weather joined Sleeping With Sirens on a U.K. tour and released a second EP, Chit Chat. The band would later have a resurgence after the song Sex, Drugs, Etc., which came off Chit Chat, went viral in 2022. This was complimented with Beach Weathers release of Pineapple Sunrise in 2023. As a Braintree native, Santino has been to Boston Calling before and recalled thinking how cool it would be to play. Therefore his first performance at the festival will be a career high for the musician. Its pretty incredible honestly. Im from the South Shore and have never played a local music festival like this before, Santino said. Looking out at a hometown crowd is always a special feeling, he added. Also, to be able to wake up/go to sleep in my own bed and also play a festival that same day is going to be a cool feeling. Fans can keep up with Beach Weather by following the band on Instagram. Boston Calling will take place Memorial Day Weekend from Friday, May 24, until Sunday, May 26, at the Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston. Fans looking to purchase tickets for Boston Calling can visit StubHub and VividSeats. More information about this years lineup and how to purchase tickets can be found here. People visiting Boston are in for a whale of a time this summer as tickets for the New England Aquariums (NEAQ) 2024 whale watching are on sale now. The NEAQs annual whale watching season, which is in partnership with Boston Harbor City Cruises (BHCC), is launching Thursday, May 16. The cruises last 3-4 hours and give guests an up-close experience with whales and ocean life off the coast of Massachusetts by heading to Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary. The start of whale watching season is our favorite time of year here at BHCC, Bob Lawler, BHCCs general manager and regional vice president, said in a statement. Together with the New England Aquarium, were thrilled to continue to provide the unique opportunity for Boston-area residents and visitors to see and learn about whales in their natural habitat. The cruises high-speed catamarans have outdoor viewing decks and indoor spaces with large windows, so guests can get an ocean view from practically anywhere on the boat. Passengers can also learn about whales from NEAQ naturalists, who serve as guides on the whale watching cruises. Drinks and snacks can be purchased onboard as well. At the New England Aquarium, we aim to inspire everyone to form a deeper connection to the ocean and take action to protect it, New England Aquarium President and CEO Vikki N. Spruill said in the statement. Education is at the core of our mission, and these whale watches provide a wonderful opportunity to experience the wonders of our blue planet first-hand. BHCC will be running multiple whale watch cruises a day. Cruises leave from Bostons Central Wharf, which is located next to the aquarium. A schedule of upcoming cruises and ticket availability can be found online. A 24-year-old Chelsea woman pleaded guilty on Tuesday to using fake IDs with stolen identities to buy cell phones and accessories, which she would then sell on the black market, acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levys office said in a statement. Perla Soto pleaded guilty to an information charging her with conspiracy to possess and use more than five false identifications, according to Levys office. Soto was charged in March. She will be sentenced on Aug. 9. Between January 2022 and November 2023, Soto was seen on surveillance video conducting upwards of a dozen transactions where she pretended to be a customer of a wireless company. She did so at retail stores across the country, according to the statement. Soto used counterfeit drivers licenses and IDs with her photo and the personal identifying information of customers of the wireless company. While posing as a customer, Soto would buy new phones and accessories on the customers account, which she would then sell on the black market, Levys office said. In all, more than 120 customers of the wireless company had their information used in transactions that totaled nearly $300,000 in phones and accessories. Soto could face a sentence of up to five years in prison, according to federal prosecutors. A construction worker had to be rescued Tuesday after falling into a hole at a home that is being demolished, according to the Concord Fire Department. The construction worker had fallen into the hole at 63 Bruce Road around 11:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Concord Fire Chief Thomas Judge said in a statement. The man was injured and trapped in a roughly 6-foot deep hole inside the structure. Firefighters used confined space rescue equipment to remove the worker from the hole. He was trapped in a relatively small opening and we had some challenges getting him out of there with an injury, Judge said. Id like to thank all of our companies who worked together to bring this rescue to a successful conclusion. After about an hour, the man was freed. A spokesman for the department said the worker was not too seriously hurt and was conscious and alert before the rescue. He was taken to Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston. One of the Walt Disney Co.s most celebrated characters will no longer be at park meet-and-greets with the public after Disney employees complained about them being potentially problematic, according to reports. Tinker Bell, a character from Disneys 1953 Peter Pan film, was removed from the parks meet-and-greets along with other characters when Disney World shut down during the pandemic, according to the street.com. But when the park reopened in 2021, Tinker Bell never returned, the street reported. Even her signage at Town Square Theater at Magic Kingdom the only place where fans could come and see her has been removed. Read More: Disney on Ice skates into MassMutual Center Disney confirmed Tinker Bells disappearance from the parks meet-and-greets in February 2024, according to a post on its website. Disney character meet and greets do change in the Disney Parks, the company wrote on its website. Its always a good idea to keep an eye on the Walt Disney World Resort website for character updates. The company stated that people can see Tinker Bell at the end of the Happily Ever After nighttime fireworks show and during the Festival of Fantasy Parade. Disney did not give a specific reason as to why they discontinued Tinker Bell from meet-and-greets. Read More: Disney on Ice celebrating 100 years of beloved characters But, Disneys Stories Matter team, a group developed to ensure the companys content accurately represents its diverse audiences, had flagged Tinker Bell as potentially problematic, according to a 2022 article from the New York Times. The Stories Matter team claimed that she is body conscious and jealous of Peter Pans attention. We are reviewing our offerings beyond the screen, which include products, books, music and experiences, according to the Stories Matter homepage on Disneys website. While advisories for negative depictions of people and cultures may be added to some offerings, others will be reimagined. We are also investing in new ways to better reflect the rich diversity of stories in our world. This work is ongoing and will evolve as we strive toward a more inclusive tomorrow. Fairfield University mourned the loss of one of its students killed in a crash on a wrong-way, head-on car crash in Connecticut last week, a Massachusetts man named Alexander Dennis. It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of one of our students, Alexander Dennis 25, the school said in a statement shared on Facebook. Alex had just completed his junior year here on campus and was traveling home to Massachusetts for the summer when the car accident occurred. As a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, Alex was a visual and performing arts major with a special interest in film. The Connecticut Chief Medical Examiners Office positively identified 21-year-old Dennis, of Wayland, as one of two drivers involved in the crash Tuesday afternoon, according to the crash report. Dennis was so badly injured in the crash that an autopsy was necessary to confirm his identity. On May 9, Connecticut state troopers received a call about a wrong-way SUV driver on Route 15 south near exit 53 around 1:45 a.m., according to the report. They were notified soon after that the SUV had become involved in a head-on crash. At a time of year when we are actively engaged in the celebration of our students and their accomplishments, a loss like this seems inconceivable, Fairfield Univesity President Mark R. Nemec said in the statement. Those who knew and loved Alex will be especially impacted by his passing, and his loss will be felt across campus. Our Jesuit colleagues are available to our community, as are staff members from campus ministry and the counseling center. For employees, the Employee Assistance Program may also be a helpful resource at this time. We will seek to gather as a community to celebrate Alexs life in the fall when students return to campus, the statement concluded. Early findings in the investigation suggest Dennis was driving a Honda CRV north in the southbound lane before he struck a Chrysler Town & Country heading south, according to the report. The SUV was fully engulfed in flames. Later, Dennis was declared dead at the scene. Inside the Chrysler were Steven Rowland, 65, and passengers Thomas and Olga Vitale, 80 and 91, respectively. All three were from Easton, Connecticut, and all were declared dead at the scene. The family of Nicole Nikki Sandoval, a 35-year-old Everett woman who died after undergoing a medical procedure at a Somerville home, is raising money to make her final wish come true that her ashes be spread on beaches in Miami, Florida. A GoFundMe organized for the family has raised more than $3,200 toward a $20,000 goal through four days. Sandovals exact cause of death remains unclear. Middlesex County prosecutors have said she underwent a medical procedure at a Somerville home, where another woman was seriously hurt after a procedure. Multiple reports have indicated both women underwent illegal liposuction procedures at the home. The fundraiser says simply Sandoval died of a bad procedure. Everett police went to a home in the city on Friday for a report of a woman in medical distress. The woman, now identified as Sandoval, was brought to a hospital where she was declared dead. Sandoval was the mother of two daughters aged 3 and 5, according to the fundraiser, which was organized by Katerin Landaverde. A spokesperson for the district attorneys office said Sandovals family has requested privacy. In the fundraiser, the woman is described as a charismatic, ambitious, hardworking woman who was taken from us way too soon. She leaves us with a big hole in our hearts but she also leaves us beautiful memories filled with her contagious laughter, the fundraiser reads. Sandoval loved the ocean and wanted to be cremated. She wanted her ashes to be spread on beaches in Miami, according to the fundraiser. We didnt know that her wish would come true so soon, Landaverde wrote. With any small contribution, we will be the upmost grateful for. A 69-year-old Hull man was arrested at Boston Logan International Airport on Tuesday after police say they determined he was in possession of child sexual abuse material. James Tucker is charged with possession of child pornography, disseminating child pornography and photographing an unsuspecting nude person, Hull Police Chief John Dunn said in a statement. As part of an ongoing investigation into child sexual abuse materials, Hull police searched Tuckers home at around 6 a.m. on May 7. When police arrived they determined no one was home, and later found several hard drives, thumb drives and other items inside they seized as evidence, Dunn said. At around 12 p.m. that day, Hull police contacted Tucker and told him they had searched his residence. Police determined he was in Florida and would be returning to Massachusetts on May 14, according to the statement. On Tuesday around 4 p.m. Hull police went to Logan Airport to arrest Tucker. Tucker exited the plane around 5:40 p.m. and was arrested, Dunn said. Police seized his phone as evidence. Tucker was held on $25,040 bail pending his arraignment in Hingham District Court on Wednesday. Online court records did not show any arraignment information for the man. A Marshfield man is facing assault charges in connection with a fight at a school bus stop Wednesday morning during which he bit another man under his armpit, according to police. Officers charged 28-year-old Oscar Anderson with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace, Marshfield police said in a press release. He may face further charges. Marshfield police received multiple 911 calls around 8:15 a.m. reporting a fight at a school bus stop on Plain Street, police said. Two callers said that one of the men involved in the tussle who was later identified as Anderson had pulled a gun on the other man. Given that the towns three schools were all less than a mile away, police issued a shelter-in-place at all three, police said. During this time, the students and staff stayed in their classrooms but continued planned lessons, according to a letter to families from Marshfield Public Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Granitino. It is not clear how police arrested Anderson, but he is now in police custody, police said. The other man involved in the fight was taken to a local hospital with a human bite under his armpit, as well as injuries to his head from being hit by a set of keys. So far, Marshfield police have not located a gun in connection with the fight, but are working with Massachusetts State Police and other law enforcement partners to try to find it. Police did not say what caused the fight, but Marshfield Police Chief Phil Tavares told reporters earlier on Wednesday that both Anderson and the other man are fathers, and that the conflict started at the bus stop. It is unclear if their children witnessed the fight or were at all involved, but according to police, Anderson lives near the bus stop. The shelter-in-place lasted about 25 minutes, and then the regular school day continued, Granitino said. No further information about the incident has been released. A man and a woman were killed on Monday after they were struck by Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Commuter Rail train in Natick Monday night, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryans office announced Tuesday. Before 6 p.m. on May 13, police arrived at the area of Washington Avenue between Cochituate Street and Middlesex Avenue, Ryans office said in a statement released on Tuesday. A report came in about two people who were struck and killed by an MBTA train heading eastbound on track two from Worcester to South Station. Witnesses saw the woman, 65, around the tracks before the train came, Ryans office said. These witnesses walked down the embankment to help her when they saw another person, the man, 59, try to help her off the tracks. The witnesses, at this point, left the area. Then the man and woman were struck and killed, Ryans office said. Early findings in the investigation show that the two were in a dating relationship and may have previously been seen in that area, Ryans office said in the statement. No foul play is suspected, the district attorneys office added. The deaths continue to be investigated, conducted by Ryans office, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to her office, Natick police and the MBTA Transit Police Department. A woman who died after undergoing what prosecutors described as a medical procedure at a Somerville home was identified as Nicole Nikki Sandoval, 35, of Everett, the Middlesex County district attorneys office told MassLive Wednesday. The district attorneys office has not detailed the medical procedure Sandoval and another woman, who was hospitalized after undergoing a procedure at the same location, underwent. But, multiple outlets have reported that the women underwent illegal liposuction procedures at the Somerville home. Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan was asked about the case during an unrelated press conference Tuesday morning, and said only that Sandovals death was under investigation and that prosecutors were awaiting information from the medical examiners office about the nature of the womans injuries. Its obviously a terrible loss of life of a very young woman and very concerning, particularly when we have another woman in the hospital right now, she said. So that is a very active, ongoing investigation. Ryans office did not respond to a request sent by MassLive Wednesday morning to confirm that Sandoval has been identified. The GoFundMe for Sandoval, a mother of two daughters, says she died of a bad procedure. In the fundraiser, the woman is described as a charismatic, ambitious, hardworking woman who was taken from us way too soon. She leaves us with a big hole in our hearts but she also leaves us beautiful memories filled with her contagious laughter, the fundraiser reads. The funds raised through GoFundMe will be used to allow Sandovals family to grant her wish to be cremated and have her ashes laid on the beaches of Miami because she loved the ocean. We didnt know that her wish would come true so soon, the fundraiser, organized by Katerin Landaverde, reads. With any small contribution we will be the upmost grateful for. Since its launch on Saturday, the fundraiser has raised more than $3,200 toward a goal of $20,000. A 16-year-old Bellingham teenager who was shot and killed at a massive house party in Northborough on Sunday will be remembered at services later this week. Visitation for Ygor Leandro De Oliveira Correia will be held at Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Milford from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 17, according to an online obituary for the teen. Correias full obituary was not immediately available Wednesday. Correia was identified as the person killed in the shooting by the Worcester County district attorneys office on Tuesday. Three men are facing weapons charges in connection with Correias death Wallisom Texeira Da Silva, 20, of Hyde Park, Arnoldo Nogueira Filho, 19, of Marlborough, and Pedro Desouza-Passos, 27, of Rockland. All three were arraigned in Worcester District Court on Tuesday. A GoFundMe was launched to help the teens family bring his body back to Brazil, which his father described as the boys homeland. The fundraiser was organized by Leandro Correia, who identified himself as the teens father. In the posting, Leandro Correia wrote that the family needs everyones collaboration to raise funds and help ... in this moment of pain and need. Any contribution, no matter how small, will be of great value so that we can provide a worthy goodbye to this dear young man, Leandro Correia wrote. May we comfort each other and honor the memory of this very special young man who unfortunately had his life taken away brutally, the fundraiser reads. Authorities began investigating the shooting after a party-goer flagged down a Northborough police officer around 1 a.m. Sunday morning and told them someone had a gun at the party, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph J. Early Jr. More than 25 officers from eight different departments including Massachusetts State Police were preparing to enter the home when they heard gunshots. Police then rushed into the home and found Ygor Correia had been shot. He was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester where he was declared dead. Summer skies in 2023 were choked with orange, graying, hellish smoke clouds produced by wildfires that spanned across Canada. Though its early to tell regarding the summer, Canadian wildfires are already leaving room for smoky conditions across New England. At least two fires are being held and two fires are under control by Canadian firefighters near the St. Lawrence River and the northern border with Maine, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, Inc., or CIFFC. These are four out of the 133 fires burning across Canada, with 41 that are out of control. As they continue burning as of Wednesday, May 15, National Weather Service meteorologist Torry Dooley told MassLive that from southern Quebec down to parts of Vermont and New Hampshire could see an elevated smoke risk on Thursday and Friday. Most of Canadas wildfires are concentrated in the west, across Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan before petering out in Manitoba, according to CIFFCs interactive map. Edmontons skies appeared reminiscent to skies over Boston, New York City, Washington D.C. and other major American cities, according to photos from the Associated Press. On Monday, most of Minnesota was under an air quality alert as a result of these fires, CBS News reported. With these conditions slowly resembling those from last year, is New England in for a repeat? Throughout the summer, will it happen again? There is a potential there, Dooley told MassLive. Theres always that potential for smoke to reach southern New England and Massachusetts but it depends on the upper wind level pushing smoke in our direction. Its definitely a possibility with wildfires in Canada or out west. Another signifier that fires could break out this summer is the prevalence of drought conditions across northeastern British Columbia, northwestern Alberta, and the southern Northwest Territories, Richard Carr, wildland fire research analyst with the Canadian Forest Service told The Boston Globe. Minimal snow cover and mixed precipitation during the spring have given parts of the east some moisture, while drought conditions are worse in the west, the Globe reported. Although this benefits agriculture more than forests, the moisture increase will help reduce the number or size of grass or brush fires in these regions, Carr told the newspaper. Another factor that could impact the potential for fires breaking out over the summer is the prediction of yet another unusually hot summer, Daniel L. Swain, a climate scientist with UCLAs Institute of the Environment & Sustainability, told the Globe. The eastern US can see major smoke episodes with wildfires stretching from Mexico to Canada, contributions from three different countries, he added. Testimony in the trial of Karen Read, a Mansfield woman charged in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John OKeefe, continued on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Read, 44, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton. Norfolk County prosecutors charged Read after his death and stated that she struck OKeefe with her SUV while driving intoxicated. Reads attorney, David Yannetti, said during the trials opening statements that her car never struck OKeefe and that others are to blame for his death. The trial is taking place in Dedhams Norfolk County Superior Court. Jurors heard from a witness on Tuesday who said she saw a black blob on the lawn of 34 Fairview as she left in the early hours of Jan. 29, 2022. On Monday, Brian Albert, a retired Boston police officer and homeowner of 34 Fairview Road, where OKeefe was found unresponsive, testified about what happened on the night of Jan. 28, 2022. Colin Albert testifies 4 p.m. Witness Colin Albert takes the stand. The Karen Read murder trial continues at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass on Wednesday May 15, 2024. Pool Photo by Greg Derr/ USA Today NetworkGreg Derr/ USA Today Network Colin Albert, 20, of Canton, was the last witness to testify on Wednesday. Hes the nephew of Brian Albert, the homeowner of 34 Fairview Road when OKeefes body was found. He was a senior in high school on the night of Jan. 28, 2022, and said hed been drinking at a friends house before going to 34 Fairview Road around 10:30 p.m. or 11 p.m. His cousin, Brian Albert Jr., was celebrating his birthday that night. He said he remembered saying bye to Brian Albert and other family members as they arrived at 34 Fairview Road from the Waterfall Bar & Grille. Colin Albert said he got home around 12:20 p.m. and said goodnight to his parents, Chris and Julie Albert, who testified last week. He said he knew OKeefe since he lived two houses down from him. He said his parents were friendly with him and that hed wave at him and Read when he drove past them. Asked by Lally if there were ever any arguments or animosity between him and OKeefe, he said, Never. Nice guy, good guy, Albert said when Lally asked for his description of OKeefe. Albert said he never saw OKeefe that night. Lally showed the same text messages shown during Allison McCabes testimony, only this time from Alberts perspective. They showed him asking to get picked up and then McCabe texted she arrived at 34 Fairview Road at 12:10 a.m. Alberts testimony ended at 4 p.m. The defense is expected to cross-examine Albert tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. when the trial resumes. At a hearing on April 12, Yannetti said that other people were responsible for OKeefes death. We do not have to prove that Brian Albert or Colin Albert or Brian Higgins, or some combination of them, intended to kill John OKeefe, Yannetti said. But the fact of the matter is, there is evidence that all three of them had a motive, had the opportunity and the means to attack John OKeefe. Presiding Judge Beverly Cannone did not allow Reads attorneys to use a third-party culprit defense during opening statements but allowed them to pursue the theory as the trial develops. Text messages focus on cross-examination 3:31 p.m. Witness Allison McCabe. The Karen Read murder trial continues at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass on Wednesday May 15, 2024. Pool Photo by Greg Derr/ USA Today NetworkGreg Derr/ USA Today Network When jurors returned at 2:30 p.m. testimony resumed with Allison McCabe, a niece of the homeowner who went to 34 Fairview Road on the night of Jan. 28, 2022. Lally sought to confirm with McCabe that the number she texted that night belonged to Colin Albert, the nephew of the homeowner. When she called the number prior to that night, Colin Albert would pick up, she told Lally. When she got to Fairview Road that night, she texted him she was there and he came out, according to McCabe. Lally showed jurors the text on a large screen and the texts began at 11:54 p.m. U can get me now. If easier, Colin Albert wrote Ok i am driving ppl home now, McCabe wrote. Word. Get me after, Albert wrote. Kk. here, McCabe wrote at 12:10 a.m. Ok, Albert wrote back. These were the same text messages in the screenshot she shared with state police, she confirmed with Lally. On cross-examination, David Yannetti, Reads attorney, raised questions about the text messages. McCabe said she was not asked to share the text messages with any law enforcement in the days after OKeefes body was found nor all of 2022. She said the texts were not relevant because it didnt become known that Colin Albert was at the house until later. She did not turn over the screenshot of the text messages until the summer of 2023, she agreed. She also did not remember when exactly she took the screenshot of the text messages. On redirect questioning by Lally, McCabe described how bloggers, people online had directed harassment towards her in connection with the Read case. Constant phone calls, emails, awful messages, she said. People showing up at our house, emailing my school. Just a lot of harassment. McCabe began to sob and took a moment to compose herself. Lally asked how long the harassment took place, and she said A very long time. Massachusetts blogger Aidan Kearney, known as Turtleboy, faces several witness intimidation charges in connection with the Read case. Testimony resumes after lunch break, questions about text messages are raised 2:16 p.m. Testimony resumed with Allison McCabe shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday about what happened when she arrived at 34 Fairview Road on the night of Jan. 28, 2022. She pulled into the driveway and texted Colin Albert, the homeowners nephew and her relative, to come out. Adam Lally, the Norfolk prosecutor, asked if he seemed overly intoxicated, and McCabe said no. His demeanor seemed normal, she said. From Fairview Road to Colin Alberts home was about a seven-minute drive, she said. She said she didnt remember any conversations during the car ride and then drove home after. Her parents were not home yet, she said, and she estimated she got home a little bit before 12:30 a.m. and went to sleep soon after. She spoke with Massachusetts State Police investigators in August 2023 and provided them with texts she exchanged with Colin Albert that night, she agreed under questioning by Lally. Lally showed her screenshots of the texts that she provided to state police. When Lally wanted to show jurors the texts, David Yannetti asked to meet at a sidebar with the judge and prosecution. Jurors left the courtroom for a little more than 15 minutes. Yannetti questioned McCabe during that period and confirmed that state police did not physically get her phone. She had upgraded to a new phone before she spoke with police, she confirmed. Jurors returned at 2:30 p.m. Niece of homeowner takes the stand before lunch break 12:50 p.m. Allison McCabe, of Canton, testified next. She is the niece of Brian Albert, the homeowner of 34 Fairview Road when OKeefes body was found. She is the daughter of Jen and Matt McCabe, who were also at 34 Fairview Road after midnight on Jan. 29, 2022. She was a senior in high school at the time. That evening started with a hockey team dinner at her house. She then went to her sisters basketball game at Canton High School and the night ended with driving Colin Albert home. She drove around aimlessly with her friends around Canton, she said, after the basketball game. They found a dog on the road. They picked up the dog and brought it to the police station. A small white and brown dog. She wasnt sure what kind of dog. At the same time, Canton police received a call from the dog owner and McCabe agreed to return the dog to the owner. We went to high school together, in the same friend group, McCabe said about Colin Albert. Both were seniors in high school, she said. They are not related by blood, but they share relatives, she said. Her mother is the sister-in-law of Brian Albert. Colin Albert texted her for a ride that night, she said. Colin Albert is the nephew of Brian Albert. Thats common, she said about Colin Albert asking for a ride at night. She said she knew Colin Albert was drinking at some point that evening which is why he asked for a ride. Colin Albert reached out around midnight, she said. She knew he was at the Alberts home at that time, she said. Presiding Judge Beverly Cannone called for a lunch break at 12:49 p.m. The trial resumes at 2 p.m. Third witness who drove to 34 Fairview Road takes the stand 12:35 p.m. Richard Ricky DAntuono took the stand around noon. He drove to 34 Fairview Road after midnight on Jan. 29, 2022. He drove with witnesses Ryan Nagel and Heather Maxon, and both testified earlier Wednesday. All three testified about seeing a black SUV in front of the home with a woman inside. He did not see anyone get outside of the black SUV parked in front of the house on 34 Fairview Road. Julie Nagel very quickly came out of the house, DAntuono told Adam Lally, the Norfolk prosecutor. They spoke for about two minutes as she no longer wanted a ride, and Julie Nagel asked if the three of them wanted to come in. They didnt want to come into the house and DAntuono wasnt aware of any other arrangements she made to get home. He didnt remember anything specifically about the SUV moving. He didnt see anyone leave the vehicle or go from the house toward that vehicle, he said. Defense attorney David Yannetti cross examines Richard D'Antuono. The Karen Read murder trial continues at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass on Wednesday May 15, 2024 Pool Photo by Greg Derr/ USA Today NetworkGreg Derr/ USA Today Network David Yannetti, Reads attorney, asked DAntuono whether he drove the car to pick up Julie Nagel. He did not know the exact time got there, but approximately midnight. While he was there, he never saw the SUV strike anybody nor any arguments, he agreed under questioning. No state police investigator nor anyone from the Norfolk district attorneys office spoke to him in 2022. The first time he gave a statement to anyone, it was not to Norfolk County prosecutors, state police, or the defense, DAntuono agreed. The judge barred attorneys from mentioning the federal grand jury investigation into the Read case by name during the trial. May 16, 2023, was the first time DAntuono spoke to any investigator about his observations that night, he agreed. Sept. 2, 2023, was the first time state police investigators spoke to him about Jan. 29, 2022, he agreed. DAntuono said there wasnt anything unusual about the way the dark SUV was parked in front of the house. He said he did not notice any broken taillights on the SUV. On redirect questioning, Lally asked whether he wouldve seen a 6-foot man walk out of the car to the house. The defense object and judge sustained. DAntuonos testimony wrapped up. Second witness says they did not see damage to SUV 12 p.m. Heather Maxon, of Plainville, the fourth witness to take the stand on Wednesday said she did not see damage to a black SUV that pulled up to 34 Fairview Road after midnight on Jan. 29, 2022. Maxon dated another witness, Ryan Nagel, at the time. Ryan Nagels sister, Julie Nagel, testified earlier Wednesday and on Tuesday about being at 34 Fairview Road to celebrate the birthday of the homeowners son, Brian Albert Jr. Definitely an SUV, Maxon said about the car they saw in front of 34 Fairview Road that night when they went to pick up her ex-boyfriends sister. Adam Lally, the Norfolk prosecutor, questioned what she saw inside the vehicle. Maxon said she saw both a man and a woman. The female was driving and the male was in the passenger seat, Maxon said. She did not notice any damage to the car or anyone leaving the car or going inside the house. She recalled how Julie Nagel came out and spoke to the three people in the car. Julie invited them inside but Maxon did not want to go in since it was late. As the car was pulling away from the house, Maxon said she was facing the house and she saw the woman in the drivers seat. The interior lighting was on inside the SUV. Alan Jackson, Reads attorney, asked whether it was a full 19 months before she was contacted by law enforcement, and she said, Correct. She did not notice anything wrong with the back of the SUV. You certainly did not see a full-sized Jeep Wrangler outfitted with a snow plow? Jackson asked. She said No. In earlier testimony, witness Brian Higgins drove that vehicle that night and arrived prior to Brian Albert, the homeowner and other members of the Albert and McCabe families after getting drinks at the Waterfall Bar & Grille in Canton. Maxon said she did not know if Read, sitting in the courtroom, was the same person she saw that tonight. The only person she saw as they were pulling away inside the car was the woman, Maxon said. Witness says they saw a person inside a black SUV in front of 34 Fairview Road 10:47 a.m. Witness Ryan Nagel of Canton. The Karen Read murder trial continues at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass on Wednesday May 15, 2024. Pool Photo by Greg Derr/ USA Today NetworkGreg Derr/ USA Today Network Ryan Nagel took the stand at about 10:20 a.m. He is the brother of Julie Nagel and came to 34 Fairview Road after she texted him for a ride home. As Ryan Nagel came up to the house, he noticed a black SUV pull up to the same house, he told Adam Lally, the Norfolk prosecutor. He texted his sister to come out of the house and she came out about five minutes later. She said she wanted to stay and she eventually got a ride home later with Jennifer and Matthew McCabe. Julie Nagel asked if they wanted to come in and they decided against it. He said he noticed the brake lights on the SUV. Asked about any damage to the car, he said, I did not observe. I noticed a person inside the car with an interior light on, Nagel said. Nagel said he saw a woman on the drivers side. I only saw one person at the time, Nagel said. He just happened to glance in that direction. Under cross-examination by Reads attorney, Alan Jackson, Nagel confirmed that he did not see the SUV drive in reverse at any point. He said that at no point did he see a person lying on the front lawn. No, but I also wasnt looking, he said. As he sat in the cars passenger seat and slowly drove away, he could see within the dark SUV due to the dome light turned on inside, he agreed under questioning by Jackson. The SUV sat there idling and he could see only one person inside, he agreed. A female with long hair, but he did not see anyone else. Nagel left the stand around 11 a.m. and presiding Judge Beverly Cannone called for a morning break. Forensic scientist takes the stand 10:21 a.m. Teri Kun, a forensic scientist and staff research associate from the University of California, Davis, testified about evidence sent to her lab from Massachusetts State Police to test for the presence of canine DNA. Adam Lally, the Norfolk prosecutor, showed jurors photos of two swabs that were submitted for testing. Kun said there was no canine DNA found on the swabs submitted for testing. Kun explained that canine DNA testing includes dogs, wolves and coyotes. Pig DNA was found in the sample, which couldve come from food, Kun said. We observed no canine DNA in the swabs we tested, Kun said. Alan Jackson, Reads attorney, asked whether the state police sent in the source material, and she said they did not. Police only sent in the swabs. I have no idea how the agency collected the swabs, Kun said Cases can vary for us. Sometimes we get samples, sometimes we get the source material, Kun said. Its up to each agency, she said. Kun was not present nor saw the collection of the swabs. Julie Nagel returns to the stand 9:34 a.m. Julie Nagel returned to the stand Wednesday morning. She testified on Tuesday that she saw a black blob when she left a Canton party in the early hours of Jan. 29, 2022, at 34 Fairview Road. Norfolk prosecutor Adam Lally asked about the black blob and whether shed previously gone to that part of the front lawn before. She said she hadnt. She said she didnt remember seeing any street lights in that area that night. OKeefe would later be found in that area of the front lawn in front of a flag pole at about 6 a.m. by Read and two other women. Had you realized it was a body? Lally asked. I wouldve called 911 if I thought it was an actual body. She said. I wouldve told people in the car as well. David Yannetti, Reads attorney, questioned her next. If you realized it that was a body, that wouldve been important information, Yannetti said, and Nagel agreed. Nagel, however, did not call the police or any authorities after she learned that OKeefes body was found on the front lawn the following morning. Yannetti asked whether Tuesdays testimony was the first time Nagel said that the object was five to six feet long. She said Yes. Periodical cicadas come out every 13 or 17 years depending on their brood. As these red-eyed, winged insects pop up across different states, researchers have developed maps to help show when the insects will appear near you. This summer, trillions of cicadas from Brood XIII (which emerges every 17 years) and XIX (every 13 years) are set to simultaneously pop up from the Earths soil. The last time these two groups co-emerged was in 1803 when the U.S. bought the Louisiana Territory from France, according to Cicadamania, a website that tracks the insects. The insects will fly across the South and Mid-Western part of the United States in 2024, cicadamania reported. A map generated by the United States Department of Agriculture details where the periodical cicadas are set to emerge over the next two decades. Most of these insects will be spotted in the mid-western and eastern coasts of the United States. The map, colored-coded by each cicada brood, tells people where and when the cicadas will show up across the U.S. Cicadas from Brood XIII will be out and about in southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois and parts of Iowa in 2024. Next year, Brood XIV cicadas will appear in parts of Massachusetts. Cicadas will return to New England in 2030 when those from Brood II will appear in parts of Connecticut. And Brood VII will be in western New York state in 2035. See the map below or click here for the full list of where the cicadas will be until 2038. This is a USDA Forest Service map showing, county-by-county, where periodical cicada broods of the United States are located, and when they can next be expected to emerge.US Forest Service Entomologists have also tracked cicada co-emergences. In 2041, cicadas from Brood XXIII and Brood XIII will pop out of the ground simultaneously. Cicadas from Brood XXIII will fly around Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Meanwhile, cicadas from Brood XIII will fly around Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and possibly Michigan, according to Cicadamania. Then in 2050, cicadas from Brood XIX and Brood V will co-emerge too. Brood XIX will be seen in Alabama, north-west half of Arkansas, north-west Georgia, southeast Iowa, southern Illinois, south-west Indiana, western Kentucky, northern Louisiana, Maryland in St. Marys County, Missouri, Mississippi, central North Carolina, eastern Oklahoma, western South Carolina, Tennessee, eastern Virginia, according to cicadamania. And cicadas from Brood V will co-emerge in 2050 from Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, cicadamania reported. To see when the next cicada co-emergences will be, check out the chart below. State officials continue to encourage people to seek care at Steward Health Cares eight hospitals across the Bay State despite the companys bankruptcy. But a doctor from a neighboring hospital said the message doesnt tell the whole story. Since Steward filed for bankruptcy in Texas last week, Gov. Maura Healey and others have sought to make clear that the legal proceeding does not necessarily mean that anything has changed for patients, urging people to keep their appointments at Steward facilities and encouraging residents to seek emergency care at Steward hospitals without reservation. Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein told the Public Health Council on Wednesday that the states consistent message to patients in the community has been and continues to be that all Steward hospitals in Massachusetts remain open, patients should keep up with their health care needs, maintain their appointments, screenings and tests. But the chief of medical affairs at Lawrence General Hospital, which is near to Stewards Holy Family Hospital in Methuen and Haverhill Hospital in Haverhill, told the council that underneath the states rhetoric is a reality, which is that in spite of these hospitals remaining open, their level of intensity of care is clearly declining. And thats a message that is not really advertised, but it is real. For the ones that are next door to them, we can see that vital support services -- not just having emergency room physicians and nurses, but you need to have orthopedics, neurosurgery, you need to have all of these other things to be able to care for these patients, Dr. Eduardo Haddad, a council member, said. So what we are finding is that they get in, they get evaluated, but then they get transferred out. And appropriately, because you dont want to admit them to a situation where they may not have an essential service, Haddad, continued. I think its important for the state to be aware of this and not, you know, understand that they are functioning at a full level of care, because the likelihood is that this is going to continue to decline. Haddads comments sparked a conversation about the capacity crunch that has stressed Massachusetts hospitals in recent years, and the fears that Steward closures -- or significant degradation of available services -- could put other hospitals under even greater pressure. Goldstein said DPH monitors have been closely watching for staffing, capacity or other issues at Stewards hospitals, and said that team includes five regional captains who have been in touch with Steward hospitals as well as other nearby hospitals or community health centers so that we can understand those changes in care and access that youre describing, Dr. Haddad. What we have learned from those conversations is that, at this moment, while there may be shifts in individuals that are providing care at one facility or another, the hospitals are still able to provide the care that they were previously providing, Goldstein said. And I think its really important for us to have that message out there because we dont want people with chest pain driving past the Holy Family campus to go someplace else. And we certainly dont want a pregnant person who is in active labor to drive past Good Samaritan Hospital, and to try to drive to South Shore Hospital or something else in the region, he concluded. Days after a trip to the nations southern border, Republican U.S. Senate hopeful John Deaton is putting Massachusetts shelter crisis front and center in a new campaign advertisement. The 90-second spot, which is being shared on YouTube and other social media channels, argues that every state is now a border state, after years of gridlock over immigration reform on Capitol Hill. And it points the finger of blame at Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and career politicians who have failed to come to an accord. Hundreds of migrants overwhelm our border every day, right where Im standing nearly 12 million over the last three years, Deaton, a lawyer and former Marine who once served at a border installation in Yuma, Ariz., intones over news footage. Our health care system and social service agencies break under the weight of this crisis. Sample HTML block The debate over how to sustainably fund the Bay States emergency shelter system, which houses both permanent Massachusetts residents and a seemingly endless stream of migrant new arrivals, has consumed policymakers on Beacon Hill for months. Though the Healey administration has projected that the cost of the system will soar past $915 million a year for the next two years, budget plans put forth by the state House and Senate do not cover the full cost of paying for it. Democratic Gov. Maura Healey and her allies in the General Assembly, meanwhile, have argued that the state is doing all it can in the face of federal inaction. 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 earlier this month. And like Deaton, legislative Democrats, albeit for different reasons, are looking to this Novembers general election for a change in tone. There is an election in November, he said. Were hoping that post-election the federal government will come to its senses, Senate Ways & Means Committee Chairperson Michael J. Rodriques, D-1st Bristol/Plymouth, told reporters last week. 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, Rodriques continued. Deaton, 56, of Swansea, previously has taken Warren to task for her procedural vote against a since-scuttled immigration reform plan. Hes argued that the legislation while not a perfect bill ... was better than the status quo. The Democrat has defended her vote, saying Senate Republicans killed their own border deal, and I am not willing to start the next round of negotiations with [that] bill as the foundation. In the spot that debuted Wednesday, Deaton vows to "fight to secure our border and to restore common sense to Washington DC. The spot also touches on familiar GOP tropes of migrant and border crime and the diversion of public resources that could go to other vulnerable communities, such as veterans. Ill support our border patrol and law enforcement to keep our nation and Massachusetts communities safe, he said. Deaton is contending for the Republican nomination with a pack of candidates that also includes Quincy City Council President Ian Cain. Like Deaton, Cain also has railed against partisan gridlock on Capitol Hill, arguing in an introductory video that nation is "at a crossroads. Washington is broken, and our politicians are failing the people that claim to serve. BELCHERTOWN When Dodi Melnicoff, 67, was booked by police last week, she was told she was being charged with trespassing and failing to disperse a riot. What riot? she asked in a court parking lot, after her arraignment Tuesday morning. These are college students letting you know that its time for us to do what needs to be done: divest from mass murder. NORTHAMPTON Samantha Britt, a Florence native, is breaking the grass ceiling with her up-and-coming cannabis microbusiness. Britt, 39, is a part of the legacy market for cannabis, meaning she has been in the industry far before the state legalized the ability to grow and possess marijuana in 2016 and to sell in 2018. The Canada Africa Chamber of Business is pleased to profile our Major Supporters who are committed to accelerating Canada-Africa trade and investment. Today we speak to Sabine Kamukitu, owner of Lambano Full Services SARL. Kolwezi-based Lambano Full Services (https://apo-opa.co/3UDMIdP) is a leader in the DRC mining industry in the areas of service supply and subcontracting, procurement of materials, equipment and spare parts, machinery maintenance and project management. Lambano Full Services strives to carry out the work that will lead to the achievement of your objectives, at advantageous prices and within the prescribed time frame, says founder and CEO, Sabine Kamukitu, who recently participated in the 30th Anniversary program of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and MineAfrica Mining Tour in Sudbury. A Major Sponsor of the Canada-Africa Chamber, Lambano Full Services were among the companies visited during the DRC-Canada Leadership Visit to the Lualaba Province in February this year, where the companys operations were profiled during a site visit for Canadian delegates. Lambano Full Services strives to carry out the work that will lead to the achievement of your objectives, at advantageous prices and within the prescribed time frame, says founder and CEO, Sabine Kamukitu. We are committed to customer satisfaction and to continuously improving the quality of our products and services by adhering to the required international standards, using certified equipment and rigorous safety to international standards. We also ensure that the services are adaptable to the needs of the clients, whether they are fixed or mobile installations. Sabine Kamukitu said her recent visit to Sudbury, following the Canada-Africa Chambers 30th Anniversary Forum, provided valuable insights for understanding the private sector in northern Ontario, as well as the importance of the region for business partnerships in African markets. I would like to thank the Canada-Africa Chamber for the incredible value Ive received as a member, including new networks and agreements with Canadian businesses. This private sector of this country is a strong partner in the growth of the DRC economy and Africa as a whole, working with local partners such as my company, says Kamukitu. During the program in Canada last week, including the visit to Sudbury run by MineAfrica, Sabine Kamukitu announced Lambano Full Services would continue its Major Sponsorship of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, ahead of its Africa Accelerating conference in Ottawa from 4-6 November, where Kamukitu will address delegates from across Canada and the African continent. Chamber President, Garreth Bloor, commended Sabine Kamukitu for her leadership of Lambano Full Services and the companys commitment to working with Canadian counterparts who are discovering the incredible opportunities in the DRC, through DRC-based members of the Canada-Africa Chamber. Governments reach out to private consultancy firms to seek advice and guidance in situations where the civil service or state agencies lack specific expertise. An economic justification can be made for this kind of outsourcing, when highly technical and specific expertise is required in such areas as medicine, engineering, international trade and so on. But outsourcing can become addictive. If a government wants to delay taking action, or does not want to take action, an easy solution is to farm out the problem to a consultant and ensure that interactions between government and consultant can remain concealed from prying Freedom of Information inquiries. Government can then claim that unpopular findings were arrived at impartially. Since 2020, I have engaged in two situations where the Department of Transport commissioned rail reports from consultancy firms. The first was EY, whose error-riddled report in 2020 concluded that there was no justification for restoring the disused Western Rail Corridor (WRC) between Galway/Athenry and Claremorris. The second was the Arup report of late 2023 that concluded there was little or no role for rail in regional development in the North and West (N&W) region and completely ignored the existence of the currently disused WRC line linking Claremorris to Collooney/Sligo. Was this deliberate or just sheer ignorance? There was, however, a grudging admission that the Athenry-Claremorris line might have some use for freight, since firms in Mayo have been clamouring for better access to rail freight in order to reduce their carbon footprint. The cost of these two reports? About 1.6 million. The value to the Irish tax-payer? Negative, in my judgement. FLAWED REPORTS THE findings of the deeply flawed EY report have already been overridden by government, with plans afoot to reopen the Galway/Athenry to Claremorris link, while the disappeared rail link from Claremorris to Collooney/Sligo will surely be rediscovered and reopened later this decade as Irelands climate change obligations press ever more tightly on government and the slow pace of policy progress to achieve them is exposed. Policymakers and the wider public have not been well served by these consultants reports. However, combatting and overturning such reports is a difficult business. Government steering committees appear either unable or unwilling to call the consultants to account during their work. The consultants, whose cards are marked by their government client, inevitably lack any incentives to be searching or critical in their findings. Both sides anticipate that badly written reports, full of PR puff, errors and technical gobbledygook, may annoy people, but after squawking in protest, these people will give up and go away. Over the past four years, I have learned how official negligence and lack of interest in regional rebalancing can be tackled. Of course, one needs to protest against flawed consultancy reports and government indifference. But to be effective, one must re-do the job that the consultants failed to do, but do it properly. For example, the All Island Strategic Rail Review produced by Arup for the Department of Transport was so badly drafted that it required months to deconstruct and understand. It seemed designed to beguile and confuse rather than to instruct and explain, a long-term strategy with no real strategic thinking behind it. It displayed a worrying level of ignorance about the dynamic performance of the Irish economy in recent decades, while its treatment of the four major regions on the island (North and West, East and Midlands, South and Northern Ireland) was cursory and shallow. THOROUGH INVESTIGATION IN THE newly published West on Track report, The Atlantic Railway Corridor The Mayo-Sligo Rail Link, it has taken over 200 pages to try to set right the poor analysis of Arup, with a new analysis mainly focused on the N&W region. This required a thorough investigation into the nature of the lagging performance of our region and the contributory role played by inadequate transport infrastructure. It required explaining the origins of the WRC in the late 19th century; the dramatic growth of the recently restored southern section of the railway linking Limerick to Galway; and a virtual tour of the disappeared Claremorris-Collooney/Sligo line, revealing the remarkably good state of its preservation. It was also necessary to go granular and look at the costs of restoring the Sligo end of the WRC and to present estimated travel times on a restored line. A journey time from Claremorris to Sligo of 70 minutes was found to be achievable. That would give a journey time of approximately 2 hours 10 minutes from Sligo to Galway. Such a journey, in comfort and with the ability to work on the move, would certainly be a major attraction. The total cost of reopening of the line was estimated at 412 million significantly less than the cost of a single kilometre of the proposed Dublin Metro. The likely financial, business and climate benefits of restoring the line were examined, and since the time horizon stretched out to 2050 and beyond, the non-fossil fuel options such as electric and hydrogen were also considered. The report will be available on www.westontrack.com from this week. By the way, the total cost to the State of this alternative report was nil. John Bradley is a former ESRI professor and has published on the island economy of Ireland, EU development policy, industrial strategy and economic modelling. The European Election will take place in only about three weeks. Voters in Mayo will be asked to vote for the five Members of the European Parliament alongside with the local election on June 7. Nearly 450 million citizens across Europe will go to the polls from June 6 to 9. Galway City will host the European Elections Ireland Midlands Northwest Town Hall tomorrow, on Thursday 16 May. The event will take place in the Galmont Hotel, organised by the European Movement Ireland, in co-operation with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland. Voters in county Mayo will decide on the five MEPs for the Midlands Northwest constituency. The panel discussion will be moderated by Oireachtas TVs Flor MacCarthy, and will feature Dr. Brendan Flynn, Head of Discipline Political Science at the School of Political Science & Sociology, University of Galway, Karen Coleman, Editor of EU News Radio (Ireland), and Mairin Ni Ghadhra, TG4 and RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta. Speaking ahead of the event, Noelle O Connell, CEO European Movement Ireland said: The constituency of Midlands-North-West is vast. The upcoming Town Hall presents an opportunity to engage with MEP candidates, learn about the issues dominating the campaign and discuss the importance of the upcoming elections, The panel will discuss topics such as the role of the European Elections, the impact of the European Parliament in our daily lives, and the role of voters in shaping our future. The panel discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A session with MEP candidates and audience members. European Movement Ireland and Amarach Research Island of Ireland EU poll recently revealed that a large majority 88% agree that it is important to vote in the upcoming European Parliament elections. This event is 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%. As part of this campaign, EM Ireland have launched the European Elections Information Hub, the go-to website for non-partisan information on the EU elections. The Can Vote, Will Vote campaign is co-funded by the European Union and developed as part of the European Parliaments Together.eu campaign. European Movement Ireland will also host an EU Election Town Hall in the Dublin constituency on Thursday 30 May. For more information and to register for the EU Elections Midlands North- West Town Hall visit: https://www.europeanmovement.ie/eu-elections-town-hall-ireland-midlands-north-west-constituency/ BUDDING entrepreneurs at Our Ladys Secondary School, Belmullet, have been honoured with the One to Watch award at this years Student Enterprise Programme National Finals in Mullingar. Their Erris students were honoured for their student enterprise called Easy Carrier, which sells portable handholds to relieve discomfort when carrying heavy plastic shopping bags. The products can be stylised to suit the customers needs or desires. Three Mayo schools were among the were 81 student businesses in contention across three main categories in the final Irelands largest entrepreneurship programme for second level students. Each student enterprise was challenged with creating, setting up and running their own business, which must show sales of their service or product. The judging panel included business owners and representatives from enterprise agencies and associated bodies. Ballinrobe Community School took part in the Senior competition with Fly Fitness while St Louis Community School, Kiltimagh entered the Intermediate competition with Owens Landscaping. All three schools were supported by the Mayo Local Enterprise Office. John Magee of the Mayo Local Enterprise Office said that The Student Enterprise Programme showcased the very best of Irish ingenuity and entrepreneurship amongst our secondary school students. This year produced a varied selection of businesses, from agricultural products and homemade gifts to pet apps and seaweed harvesting and some amazing winners across the board, Mr McGee said. We see every year that the National Finals are not an end point for our student entrepreneurs, but a stepping stone on the next stage of their entrepreneurial journey. From our class of 23/24 we hope to see some of our next great wave of Irish business leaders and global entrepreneurs emerge. Over 28,000 students from almost 500 secondary schools across the country took part in this years Student Enterprise Programme. Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, congratulated the students who took part. Some amazing businesses and entrepreneurs have come from this programme the majority did not win any prizes but are still running successful businesses today. So, to those of you who won something today, a huge congratulations, but most importantly, to you all, this is the first step on the path, you are the entrepreneurs and business leaders of the future and everyone here today is excited to see what you do next, Minister Burke said. The Student Enterprise Programme is open to students of all ages at secondary level, with three separate categories - Junior (First year), Intermediate (Second and Third year) and Senior (Fourth, Fifth and Sixth year, LVA, LCA and Youth Outreach). Senator Lisa Chambers has suggested that trains feature virtual meeting rooms. The suggestion comes as the European election candidate issued a call for comprehensive improvements to the rail link between Mayo and Dublin. Senator Chambers emphasised the need for enhanced service frequency, reduced travel times, overall efficiency, as well as ambitious upgrades to meet modern demands. An efficient and reliable rail service between Mayo and Dublin is essential for our economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social cohesion. It is crucial that we invest in our infrastructure to ensure it meets the needs of our citizens and businesses both now and in the future and re-balance the economy between east and west by allowing businesses to run sub-offices in the west and enable their employees to relocate, stated the Fianna Fail senator. She emphasised the importance of key rail stations in Mayo, such as Castlebar and Westport, as vital hubs for regional connectivity and economic development. Senator Chambers suggested the innovative addition of standing virtual meeting rooms on trains, which could be booked in 30-minute slots at a small cost that would provide Irish Rail with an income stream from business travellers. The rooms would allow passengers to conduct business meetings while travelling, effectively transforming trains into mobile offices and utilising unused space on trains. Integrating virtual meeting spaces on our trains will cater to the needs of modern professionals, making rail travel a practical choice for business as well as leisure. This initiative aligns with the EUs digital and environmental agendas, promoting a flexible and sustainable mode of transport, she said. In addition to these upgrades, Senator Chambers stressed the necessity of reinstating basic catering services on the Mayo-Dublin line, which were discontinued during the Covid-19 pandemic. Reintroducing basic catering services is vital for enhancing passenger comfort and convenience. Travellers deserve access to fundamental amenities during their journey, she added. At the European level, Senator Chambers proposed that rail services should operate as loss-leaders in every European country, including Ireland, to encourage public transport usage similar to recent initiatives taken in Germany to provide free travel, and that EU Competition rules should be set aside to facilitate this. She continued: Affordable and efficient rail services are a strategic investment in our future. Operating these services as loss-leaders will drive a significant shift from private car usage to public transport, helping us meet our sustainability targets and reduce congestion. To achieve this, EU Competition rules need to be adjusted to allow for increased investment and support in rail infrastructure. Senator Chambers also proposed that Irish Rail be enabled to reduce rail fares by 20% through European-funded subsidies to initially fund the incentive for increased usage, providing regular commuters with substantial annual savings and increasing the incentive for others to choose rail services over car travel. She called the lowering of fares a critical step in making travel more accessible. As we have seen in air travel over the last 40 years, lower fares and more frequent and faster services will ultimately result in greater usage of rail services, she concluded. Six schools across county Mayo are now receiving free fresh food packs through Tescos Stronger Starts schools programme. Last year, Tesco Ireland committed to doubling the reach of its Stronger Starts schools programme by the end of 2024. Now, it is already providing weekly fresh food packs to 240 DEIS primary schools and 5,400 children throughout Ireland. Each food pack contains a mix of seasonal fruit and vegetables including fresh apples, onions, potatoes, and carrots and is delivered to those who need it most, to feed the potential of a healthier future for children throughout Ireland. Store Manager of Tesco Westport, Liam Melody, said: Its great to hear from local school principals and home school community liaisons of the impact the Tesco Stronger Starts schools programme has on their pupils while theyre in class and engaging with other children. Im delighted to see it first-hand too while visiting Scoil Naisiunta an Teaghlaigh Naofa / Killeen National School and my team and I are looking forward to fostering a close partnership with this school, he added. Rosemary Garth, Communications Director at Tesco Ireland, called reaching the milestone ahead of schedule hugely significant. To date, Tesco has distributed over two million meals via DEIS primary schools, and this announcement means that hundreds more primary school children and families who are most in need, will receive free nutritious fresh fruit and veg to help with healthier meal solutions at home. The Tesco Stronger Starts schools programme has grown rapidly since beginning as a pilot programme in 2021. Key Irish food producers, and longstanding Tesco supplier partners Country Crest, Keelings and Dole are also a vital link in the chain to ensure these families get the support they need. For more information on Tesco Irelands commitment to communities, visit see their website. The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) in collaboration with Mayo County Council will launch an Arctic Char mosaic art piece by artist Annaliese Brown along with a new Mayo Blue Dots booklet and film during Biodiversity Week. The launch will take place at the beginning of national Biodiversity Week, Saturday, May 18, at Lough Mask, near Cong. LAWPRO is a national shared service working on behalf of the 31 local authorities in Ireland, coordinating efforts to achieve good or high water quality across the country. Lough Mask is one of Irelands Blue Dots, and also one of the remaining places where the native and rare arctic char remains. Blue Dots are high status objective water bodies, and there are 48 of these in County Mayo. When achieving this target, they have the highest ecological quality of all waters and often a greater diversity of species that are sensitive to pollution. The flyer for the launch Speaking ahead of the launch, Dr Bernadette White, Blue Dot Catchments Programme Manager at LAWPRO said they are looking forward to the launch and celebration of Mayos high-status objective waters. Lough Mask is iconic for arctic char and has one of the few populations left in Ireland of these species that date back to glacial times. It is important to mark these special waters that exist in Ireland and the diverse biodiversity they host, she added. The mosaic will be unveiled at 11am by Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, councillor Michael Loftus. The film and booklet will be launched thereafter in Tourmakeady Community Centre at noon, with copies of the booklet available for attendees. For further information on the event, please email Eanna Hyland, Community Water Officer for Mayo ehyland@lawaters.ie. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, May 14, 2024 Walmart, which releases quarterly results this week, keeps tightening expenses, eliminating several hundred corporate jobs. In moves first reported by the Wall Street Journal, the company is also asking many formerly remote corporate staff members to relocate. It has been a little over four years since we faced the global pandemic that reshaped our lives in many ways, including our ways of working, writes Donna Morris, Walmarts chief people officer, in a memo Walmart shared with MediaPost. In February 2022, we made the decision to bring Home Office associates back into our campus offices. We believe that being together in person makes us better and helps us to collaborate, innovate and move even faster. We also believe it helps strengthen our culture and grow and develop our associates. The company says it is asking most associates who are still working remotely and most of those based in their smaller offices in Dallas and Atlanta to relocate. Those working in the Global Tech office, based in Toronto, have also been asked to relocate. advertisement advertisement While most moves will be to the companys Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters, some people are being shifted to Walmart offices in the San Francisco Bay Area or Hoboken, New Jersey. She confirmed that business changes mean a reduction of several hundred campus roles. The news comes within weeks of the retailer announcing other key shifts in strategy. For one thing, it shuttered its healthcare business, citing profitability as the main reason. That effort, begun in 2019, had grown to 51 Walmart healthcare centers in rural markets, and the company promised to double that operation. The abrupt closure came as a surprise following its intense five-year investment. Through our experience managing Walmart Health centers and Walmart Health Virtual Care, we determined there is not a sustainable business model for us to continue, the retailer said in its announcement. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company also surprised observers with the launch of Bettergoods, a higher-end private-label line of foods. While Walmarts other private-label products build on the retailers Everyday Low Prices promise, Bettergoods is a little higher-end, delivering what Walmart calls an elevated experience. The launch Walmarts biggest private-label food debut in more than 20 years positions it better against food retailers like Kroger, Safeway and Target, which have long offered more tiers of private label. Walmart says it is also its fastest launch, enabling it to pounce on food trends quickly. Todays customers expect more from the private brands they purchase they want affordable, quality products to elevate their overall food experience, says Scott Morris, senior vice president of private brands, food and consumables, in the companys announcement. The 300-item collection is priced from $2 to $15. It falls into three categories: Culinary experiences, like specialty salts, Hot Honey Seasoning, Creamy Corn Jalapeno Chowder or Bronze Cut Pasta from Italy, plant-based foods, and Made Without, catering to various lifestyles. by Tanya Gazdik , May 15, 2024 BMW is reuniting with a former partner, British supermodel Naomi Campbell, to reveal the BMW XM Mystique Allure, the first-ever BMW tailored with high fashion material. The one-off show car, which is dedicated to the original supermodel herself, was unveiled with the glamorous backdrop of the red carpet at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where BMW is an official partner for the third consecutive year. The collaboration brings BMWs longstanding relationship with Campbell full circle. Campbell -- who was featured in the 2023 Dare to be You BMW XM campaign, an homage to believing in yourself -- is now getting a one-of-a-kind XM inspired by Campbells iconic violet and deep blue fashion looks throughout the years. The vehicle is a deeply saturated Ultramarine shade, accentuated by a lustrous matte finish, according to the automaker. A contemporary translation of high-fashion materials from luxury textile manufacturers, the design seamlessly brings the inside to the outside, featuring rich velvet and shimmering Frozen Metallic sequins casting hues ranging from intense violet to deep ultramarine. advertisement advertisement The vehicle also features distinctive sound designs composed by Hollywood film composer Hans Zimmer. BMW and Zimmer have been working together to develop the emotionally moving drive sound for electrified BMW models since 2021. The vehicle represents BMWs ongoing vision in contemporary, progressive luxury, says Stefan Ponikva, vice president BMW brand experiences. The partnership is the latest high-profile collaboration for the brand to be showcased at Cannes Film Festival, building on last year when BMW rejuvenated BMW Films with The Calm featuring Pom Klementieff and Uma Thurman. Campbell was featured in the 2023 Dare to be You BMW XM campaign by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, May 15, 2024 In a setback for Shopify, a federal appellate court said Tuesday it will reconsider whether the e-commerce platform can be sued in California over alleged privacy violations. Last November, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said courts in California lacked jurisdiction over the privacy claims against Shopify -- which is headquartered in Canada and has two U.S. divisions based in Delaware. On Tuesday, the 9th Circuit withdrew that decision and said it will hold a new hearing in the case. The dispute dates to August 2021, when California resident Brandon Briskin alleged in a class-action complaint that Shopify surreptitiously collected his personal data when he made a purchase from the online retailer IABMFG (iambecoming.com). He alleged that the checkout page linked to Shopify code that enabled it to intercept his data. He also said Shopify analyzed and processed his data, and transmitted the information to the payment processor Stripe, which also analyzed and processed the information. Additionally, he alleged that Shopify used his data to create a profile of him that was then provided to other merchants. advertisement advertisement The complaint included claims that Shopify violated a California wiretap law that prohibits the interception of electronic communications without both parties' consent. U.S. District Court Judge Phyllis Hamilton in the Northern District of California dismissed the claims in May 2022, ruling that the allegations, even if proven true, wouldn't show that Shopify was subject to the jurisdiction of California courts. Instead, she said, the allegations could establish only that Shopify was a vendor for the retailer IABMFG. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit upheld that ruling in November, writing that Shopify didn't specifically direct its activity toward California residents. Shopifys platform is accessible across the United States, and the platform is indifferent to the location of either the merchant or the end consumer, the panel wrote. No one has alleged that Shopify alters its data collection activities based on the location of a given online purchaser. It did not prioritize consumers in California or specifically cultivate them. Briskin's lawyers then sought a rehearing in front of at least 11 of the Circuit's 29 judges. Among other arguments, counsel said the panel decision would make it difficult for states to enforce their privacy laws. If California cannot hold Shopify accountable for the sale of personal financial data that it has taken from Californians located in California, California could also be constitutionally barred from holding a defendant accountable for collecting Californians photographs or voice recordings off the internet as part of a nationwide course of conduct and selling them to third parties without consent, Briskin's attorneys wrote. With ever more commercial and social activities taking place over the internet, states have an increasingly strong sovereign interest in protecting their citizens against unlawful online conduct that reaches into the states borders, counsel added. The new hearing is expected to take place the week of June 24 in Seattle. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, May 15, 2024 Eight U.S. TikTok users who have a combined 14 million followers on the platform are seeking to block a new law that bans the app unless it's sold within one year by China-based parent company ByteDance. The law undermines the nations founding principles and free marketplace of ideas, counsel for the users writes in a petition filed Tuesday with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs include BluffCakes founder Chloe Joy Sexton and 2021 Shark Tank contestant Paul Tran who, along with his wife sells skincare products through the platform. Sexton, Tran and the others allege that they have found their voices, amassed significant audiences, made new friends, and encountered new and different ways of thinking -- all because of TikToks novel way of hosting, curating, and disseminating speech. advertisement advertisement Their suit comes three weeks after President Joe Biden signed the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which prohibits web hosting services and app marketplaces from distributing TikTok, unless it's sold within one year by ByteDance. Lawmakers who supported the measure expressed concerns that the Chinese government would be able to obtain data from TikTok about Americans, and that the Chinese Communist Party would use the app to spread propaganda. Some lawmakers also suggested that information received through classified briefings justified the ban. The TikTok creators argue in their complaint that the ban violates the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from censoring lawful speech. The government cannot ban a medium for communication because it believes that medium is used to transmit foreign 'propaganda' or other protected content, the complaint states. Nor does the government have any actual, non-speculative evidence that banning TikTok in its current form enhances Americans data security, or that its ban is narrowly tailored to accomplish that objective, the creators' lawyers add. The plaintiffs allege that they have amassed large audiences, and in some cases developed ecommerce businesses, due to TikTok distinguishing features -- including its recommendation engine and editing options. Sexton has 2.2 million followers on TikTok, compared to 44,000 on Instagram, and that Trans company has 138,000 followers on TikTok, compared to fewer than 2,000 on Facebook, according to the complaint. The complaint also alleges that Sexton posted the same videos to TikTok and other platforms, and they performed vastly better on TikTok, according to the complaint. She attributes these differences to the fact that TikToks algorithm, in her experience, gets her videos in front of the exact communities who find it most compelling, according to the lawsuit. Last week, TikTok and ByteDance sued to invalidate the new law. The D.C. Circuit has consolidated TikTok's lawsuit with the new case brought by users. The Department of Justice hasn't yet responded to the petitions. by Colin Kirkland , May 15, 2024 For the first time, Reddit -- which is now a public social media platform -- has hired a vice president of ads product -- former Google ads product leader Jyoti Vaidee, who will oversee the platform's monetization engine. Prior to joining Reddit, Vaidee spent 11 years leading advertising products and monetization at Google, most recently as a product leader for Google's Display Ads business, where she helped with the founding of Dynamic Product Ads. Vaidee also drove products across Google Shopping ads and YouTube in addition to working at Microsoft, where she worked on large scale consumer products including Outlook and Xbox. In her new role at Reddit, Vaidee will drive ads product strategy, execution, and management of the Ads Product organization, which Reddit says is core to its monetization engine. Reddit's previous Ads Product and Engineering leader, Shariq Rizvi will be leaving the role after building the company's ad platform from the ground up, the company says. advertisement advertisement The creation of a VP of Ads Product role is a result of Reddit's focus on scaling its ads business across the globe since the company announced its IPO in March. Reddit has introduced a plethora of new ad products, including a suite of generative-AI ad creation tools, Dynamic Product Ads, and according to its first earnings report post-IPO, the likelihood of Search Ads. According to the earnings report, Reddit is off to a good start as a public company, with ad revenue up 39% year-over-year to $222.7 million. Additionally, over 82 million users visit Reddit daily to browse subreddits, while many consumers now include reddit in their Google searches to specify their results. In February, Reddit and Google struck a $60 million content licensing deal to help train Google's AI models. Vaidee said in a statement that it is a very exciting time to join the company, which she believes has untapped potential. Trusted Source 2023 summer warmth unparalleled over the past 2,000 years Go to source Trusted Source Despite accounting for natural climate fluctuations spanning centuries, #2023 emerged as the #hottest #summer since the peak of the Roman Empire, surpassing natural climate variability by half a degree Celsius. Revising Historical Temperature Baselines Advertisement Advertisement 2023 summer warmth unparalleled over the past 2,000 years - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07512-y) In a significant discovery, scientists reveal that 2023 marked the hottest summer in the Northern Hemisphere in the past two millennia, nearly four degrees warmer than the coldest summer within that timeframe. However, while 2023 is recognized as the hottest year on record, instrumental data only extends back to around 1850 at best, with many records confined to specific regions ().Now, by using past climate information from annually resolved tree rings over two millennia, scientists from the University of Cambridge and the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have shown how exceptional the summer of 2023 was.When you look at the long sweep of history, you can see just how dramatic recent global warming is, said co-author Professor Ulf Buntgen, from Cambridges Department of Geography. 2023 was an exceptionally hot year, and this trend will continue unless we reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically.The results, reported in the journalalso demonstrate that in the Northern Hemisphere, the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels has already been breached.Early instrumental temperature records, from 1850-1900, are sparse and inconsistent. The researchers compared early instrumental data with a large-scale tree ring dataset and found the 19th century temperature baseline used to contextualize global warming is several tenths of a degree Celsius colder than previously thought. By re-calibrating this baseline, the researchers calculated that summer 2023 conditions in the Northern Hemisphere were 2.07C warmer than mean summer temperatures between 1850 and 1900.Many of the conversations we have around global warming are tied to a baseline temperature from the mid-19th century, but why is this the baseline? What is normal, in the context of a constantly-changing climate, when weve only got 150 years of meteorological measurements? said Buntgen. Only when we look at climate reconstructions can we better account for natural variability and put recent anthropogenic climate change into context.Tree rings can provide that context, since they contain annually-resolved and absolutely-dated information about past summer temperatures. Using tree-ring chronologies allows researchers to look much further back in time without the uncertainty associated with some early instrumental measurements.The available tree-ring data reveals that most of the cooler periods over the past 2000 years, such as the Little Antique Ice Age in the 6th century and the Little Ice Age in the early 19th century, followed large-sulphur-rich volcanic eruptions. These eruptions spew huge amounts of aerosols into the stratosphere, triggering rapid surface cooling. The coldest summer of the past two thousand years, in 536 CE, followed one such eruption, and was 3.93C colder than the summer of 2023.Most of the warmer periods covered by the tree ring data can be attributed to the El Nino climate pattern, or El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). El Nino affects weather worldwide due to weakened trade winds in the Pacific Ocean and often results in warmer summers in the Northern Hemisphere. While El Nino events were first noted by fisherman in the 17th century, they can be observed in the tree ring data much further back in time.However, over the past 60 years, global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions are causing El Nino events to become stronger, resulting in hotter summers. The current El Nino event is expected to continue into early summer 2024, making it likely that this summer will break temperature records once again.Its true that the climate is always changing, but the warming in 2023, caused by greenhouse gases, is additionally amplified by El Nino conditions, so we end up with longer and more severe heat waves and extended periods of drought, said Professor Jan Esper, the lead author of the study from the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in Germany. When you look at the big picture, it shows just how urgent it is that we reduce greenhouse gas emissions immediately.The researchers note that while their results are robust for the Northern Hemisphere, it is difficult to obtain global averages for the same period since data is sparse for the Southern Hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere also responds differently to climate change, since it is far more ocean-covered than the Northern Hemisphere.Source-Eurekalert Trusted Source A petavoxel fragment of human cerebral cortex reconstructed at nanoscale resolution Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? The brain's neural network is incredibly efficient, capable of processing information at speeds of up to 268 miles per hour. #neuralconnection #cells #synapses Unprecedented Insights on Brain Revealed Advertisement Advertisement A petavoxel fragment of human cerebral cortex reconstructed at nanoscale resolution - (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk4858) Harvard and Google researchers release the largest dataset ever of neural connections, revealing intricate details within a cubic millimeter of brain tissue, containing 57,000 cells, 230 millimeters of blood vessels , and 150 million synapses, totaling 1,400 terabytes of data ().A Harvard team led by Jeff Lichtman, the Jeremy R. Knowles Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology and newly appointed dean of science, has co-created with Google researchers the largest synaptic-resolution, 3D reconstruction of a piece of human brain to date, showing in vivid detail each cell and its web of neural connections in a piece of human temporal cortex about half the size of a rice grain.The feat, published in Science, is the latest in a nearly 10-year collaboration with scientists at Google Research, who combine Lichtmans electron microscopy imaging with AI algorithms to color-code and reconstruct the extremely complex wiring of mammal brains.The papers three co-first authors are former Harvard postdoctoral researcher Alexander Shapson-Coe; Micha Januszewski of Google Research, and Harvard postdoctoral researcher Daniel Berger.The collaborations ultimate goal, supported by the National Institutes of Health BRAIN Initiative, is to create a high-resolution map of a whole mouse brains neural wiring, which would entail about 1,000 times the amount of data they just produced from the 1-cubic-millimeter fragment of the human cortex.The word fragment is ironic, Lichtman said. A terabyte is, for most people, gigantic, yet a fragment of a human brain just a miniscule, teeny-weeny little bit of human brain is still thousands of terabytes.The latest map in Science contains never-before-seen details of brain structure, including a rare but powerful set of axons connected by up to 50 synapses.The team also noted oddities in the tissue, such as a small number of axons that formed extensive whorls. Since their sample was taken from a patient with epilepsy, theyre unsure if such unusual formations are pathological or simply rare.Lichtmans field is connectomics, which, analogous to genomics, seeks to create comprehensive catalogs of brain structure, down to individual cells and wiring.Such completed maps would light the way toward new insights into brain function and disease, about which scientists still know very little.The team has also developed a suite of publicly available tools researchers can use to examine and annotate the connectome.Given the enormous investment put into this project, it was important to present the results in a way that anybody else can now go and benefit from them, said Google Research collaborator Viren Jain.Next, the team will tackle the mouse hippocampal formation, which is important to neuroscience for its role in memory and neurological disease.Source-Eurekalert Highlights: Excess body fat, particularly in the arms and visceral areas, is associated with lower bone quality, increasing the risk of spinal fractures Arm fat, easily measurable, may serve as an indicator of spinal fracture risk, offering a simple and cost-effective screening method Future research aims to validate this association and design exercise routines targeting arm fat to enhance spine bone quality Trusted Source Arm fat may reveal women and men at risk of spinal fracture Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? Arm fat might hold clues to spinal health! Emerging research suggests that measuring arm fat could help predict the risk of spinal fractures, offering a unique perspective on bone health assessment. #osteoporosis #bonehealth #medindia Arm fat might hold clues to spinal health! Emerging research suggests that measuring arm fat could help predict the risk of spinal fractures, offering a unique perspective on bone health assessment. #osteoporosis #bonehealth #medindia Advertisement What is Osteoporosis? Advertisement Link Between Body Fat and Risk of Fracture Advertisement Impact of Arm Fat on Bone Quality and Fracture Risk Arm fat may reveal women and men at risk of spinal fracture - (https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1043873) According to a study presented at the 26th European Congress of Endocrinology in Stockholm, measuring the total quantity of fat in the arms could help determine whether women and men over 50 are at risk of a spinal fracture (). The findings may assist identify high-risk individuals using a more simple and cost-effective way, as well as affect the design of their exercise routines. Osteoporosis is a prevalent disease among the elderly, but it is also one of the most misdiagnosed and undertreated medical conditions in the world. Many people do not discover symptoms of osteoporosis until they suffer an injury or fracture, which most commonly happens in the spine and is known as a spinal or vertebral fracture. Imaging techniques, such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), are used to quantify bone mineral density (BMD), whereas trabecular bone score (TBS) analyzes bone quality and predicts future fractures independent of BMD. However, the effect of body fat on bone health is still unknown.To investigate this, researchers from Greeces National and Kapodistrian University of Athens examined 14 men and 101 women without osteoporosis and with an average age of about 62. They discovered that those with excess body fat had low bone quality (low TBS) in their spine, regardless of their BMI . Furthermore, the more belly fat is found deep inside the abdomen and surrounding internal organs, the poorer the quality of the spines spongy bone (or trabecular bone). The researchers next investigated the distribution of body fat beneath the skin and observed that people with more fat mass in their arms had lower bone quality and strength in their spines."Surprisingly, we identified, for the first time, that the body composition of the arms in particular, the fat mass of the arms is negatively associated with the bone quality and strength of the vertebrae" , Professor Eva Kassi, the lead author, said."This could mean that the arms subcutaneous fat, which can be easily estimated even by the simple and inexpensive skin-fold calliper method, may emerge as a useful index of bone quality of the spine, possibly predicting the vertebrae fracture risk."She continued, "It should be noted that visceral fat, which we discovered to be highly connected with low bone quality, is the hormonally more active component of total body fat. It creates chemicals called adipocytokines, which cause low-grade inflammation , therefore an enhanced inflammatory condition may have a deleterious impact on bone quality."Professor Kassi acknowledges that more research is needed to validate the association between arm fat and spinal fracture risk. "Although our results remain robust after controlling for age and weight, we will now increase the number of participants and expand the age range by including younger adults between the ages of 30 and 50 years old, as well as more men", she stated."Moreover, using the loss of arm fat mass as a marker, we will try to determine the most effective physical exercise routine that not only targets the visceral fat but also focuses on the upper part of the body so that these higher-risk adults lose arm fat and achieve a favourable effect on vertebrae bone quality."Source-Medindia Trusted Source A human neural crest model reveals the developmental impact of neuroblastoma-associated chromosomal aberrations Go to source Trusted Source A newly developed model successfully mimics the formation of early #neuroblastoma-like cells, providing valuable insights into the genetic pathway of the disease. #childhoodtumor #stemcells Modeling Tumor Initiation in Childhood Cancer Research Advertisement Advertisement A human neural crest model reveals the developmental impact of neuroblastoma-associated chromosomal aberrations - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-47945-7) Researchers have unveiled a fresh understanding of the genetic pathway involved in childhood cancer , providing optimism for personalized treatments. Their development of a).Neuroblastoma is the most common childhood tumor occurring outside the brain , affecting the lives of approximately 600 children in the European Union and the United Kingdom each year.Until now, studying genetic changes and their role in neuroblastoma initiation has been challenging due to the lack of suitable laboratory methods.The research, published insheds light on the intricate genetic pathways which initiate neuroblastoma. The international research team found that specific mutations in chromosomes 17 and 1, combined with overactivation of the MYCN gene, play a pivotal role in the development of aggressive neuroblastoma tumors.Childhood cancer is often diagnosed and detected late, leaving researchers with very little idea of the conditions that led to tumor initiation, which occurs very early during foetal development. In order to understand tumor initiation, models which recreate the conditions that lead to the appearance of a tumor are vital.The formation of neuroblastoma usually starts in the womb when a group of normal embryonic cells called trunk neural crest (NC) become mutated and cancerous.In an interdisciplinary effort spearheaded by stem cell expert Dr Ingrid Saldana from the University of Sheffields School of Biosciences and computational biologist Dr Luis Montano from the St Anna Childrens Cancer Research Institute in Vienna, the new study found a way in which to use human stem cells to grow trunk NC cells in a petri dish.These cells carried genetic changes often seen in aggressive neuroblastoma tumors. Using genomics analysis and advanced imaging techniques, the researchers found that the altered cells started behaving like cancer cells and looked very similar to the neuroblastoma cells found in sick children.The findings offer new hope for the creation of tailored treatments that specifically target the cancer while minimizing the adverse effects experienced by patients from existing therapies.Dr Anestis Tsakiridis, from the University of Sheffields School of Biosciences and lead author of the study, said: "Our stem cell-based model mimics the early stages of aggressive neuroblastoma formation, providing invaluable insights into the genetic drivers of this devastating childhood cancer. By recreating the conditions that lead to tumor initiation, we will be able to understand better the mechanisms underpinning this process and thus design improved treatment strategies in the longer term.This is very important as survival rates for children with aggressive neuroblastoma are poor and most survivors suffer from side effects linked to the harsh treatments currently used, which include potential hearing, fertility and lung problems.Dr. Florian Halbritter, from St. Anna Childrens Cancer Research Institute and second lead author of the study, said: "This was an impressive team effort, breaching geographic and disciplinary boundaries to enable new discoveries in childhood cancer research."This research supports the University of Sheffields cancer research strategy. Through the strategy, the University aims to prevent cancer-related deaths by undertaking high quality research, leading to more effective treatments, as well as methods to better prevent and detect cancer and improve quality of life Source-Eurekalert Navy warships will help protect the U.S. military's soon-to-be-completed pier to deliver aid to starving Palestinians in Gaza, the Pentagon said Tuesday. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters at a briefing Tuesday that Navy ships will be part of the security plan for the operation. A Navy official told Military.com that the sea service is assigning two destroyers to the mission. The two ships will join the thousands of Israeli Defense Forces soldiers -- plus Israeli navy ships and Israeli air force planes -- that are dedicated to protecting the effort to move food and supplies into Gaza via the sea as Israel's crushing offensive against Hamas grinds on. Read Next: Marines Suffer Most Cases of 2 Life-Threatening Conditions Related to Exercise and Heat, Report Finds News of the Navy security mission comes as officials in the Pentagon say that the operation to move aid is nearly ready to swing into action in the coming days. The safety of U.S. forces positioned off the coast remains a concern amid the war in Gaza, which has killed large numbers of civilians, sparked regional violence and led to international controversy. Last Thursday, Ryder told reporters that the construction of the two portions of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, system -- the floating pier and the causeway being constructed by the Army -- "have been completed." "They are currently positioned offshore at the port of Ashdod, awaiting final movement," Ryder said. Officials have said that sea conditions in the Mediterranean have prevented them from taking the nearly 550-yard causeway and driving it into the beach in Gaza. Ryder has said that the soldiers and sailors running the operation have used the delay "to get ahead" and stage aid on the cargo ship USNS Roy P. Benavidez so that it's ready to go as soon as the floating causeway is in place. A senior defense official said that the first shipload of aid aboard the Benavidez will be made up of 475 pallets, or 170 tons, of food -- enough to feed 11,000 adults and children for one month. A senior military official who spoke with reporters in late April said that they expect the initial throughput of the effort to begin at "about 90 trucks a day ... and then quickly scale up to 150 trucks a day." However, both military and civilian officials have repeatedly made clear that the JLOTS mission is meant only to be a supplement to the more traditional aid routes through land border crossings in Gaza. But aid has been slow to come in through those routes either due to closures or heavy screenings by Israeli officials. At the beginning of April, Israeli forces conducted repeated airstrikes on a World Central Kitchen convoy of aid workers, killing seven. After the outrage over the attack drew renewed attention to the situation in Gaza, the land crossing reopened and the senior military official said that, in the last weeks of April, the average aid flowing in via land has been "about 220 trucks a day." Related: Gaza Pier Construction Begins Amid Concerns over Attacks on Troops and Aid Workers Joshua Cobb, 23, was arrested Friday and charged with transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce after allegedly posting plans for a mass attack in his home state of New Jersey on social media the U.S. attorney's office for the state said Monday. "I want to cause mayhem on the white community. The reason I specifically want to target white people is because as a Black male, they will never understand my struggles," Cobb allegedly wrote in 2022, more than a year before he joined the Marine Corps. Read Next: Marines Suffer Most Cases of 2 Life-Threatening Conditions Related to Exercise and Heat, Report Finds "I want to erase them," he posted, according to a criminal complaint filed by prosecutors last week. "All of them really, but in this case as many as I possibly can." Citing Marine Corps records, prosecutors said that Cobb attended basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, in June 2023. He then reported for duty to the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms in California the following February, only to be discharged earlier this month, the complaint indicated. "1st Marine Division is aware of the arrest of Joshua Cobb by civilian authorities in New Jersey," a spokesperson for his last unit, 2nd Lt. Giselle Cancino, told Military.com via email Tuesday. She confirmed that Cobb served from June 2023 to May 10, 2024 -- the day of his arrest -- having attended the School of Infantry-East at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He served as a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and separated from the military as a private first class. "Cobb received a certificate of commendation, but no personal military devices, nor did he deploy during his brief time in service," Cancino said. She did not specify why Cobb was separated from the military. The posts on social media indicated Cobb was planning an attack in New Jersey in 2023, though he did not specify a date, according to officials. Those posts said that Cobb had two of four weapons he wanted to use for the attack on "an important holiday to their race." Prosecutors said Cobb admitted to authorities to writing the posts on social media when interviewed in April aboard Twentynine Palms. He allegedly provided detailed information on three locations for the attack, which included a gym and a grocery store. "When I would fantasize about these things, I would get very detailed," he allegedly told law enforcement last month, adding that he imagined committing the attack at the gym, for example, and "then at that point go AWOL, go to like a different country or something." The complaint alleged that Cobb idolized Nikolas Cruz, a mass murderer who killed 17 people at Parkland High School in Florida. He said he watched videos of Cruz and "felt a connection" to him. He also allegedly discussed in social media posts hopes of becoming a serial killer, according to prosecutors. "Imagine the rush you'd feel while shooting some sh-- up," he allegedly posted. "Probably could get literally high off the adrenaline alone. I'd probably OD on my own adrenaline after the 10th body goes down." An attorney listed as Cobb's representative did not offer any comment when contacted by Military.com on Tuesday. Cobb waived a preliminary hearing Monday and remained in detention pending a bail hearing later this week; he faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Related: 2 Marines Charged with Hate-Related Crime After Slurs Found at University of Maryland Dorm The Air Force on Wednesday announced six bases selected to house new Air Task Forces -- an experimental reorganization aimed at changing the way airmen train ahead of deployments as geopolitical conflicts and tensions rise in the Pacific, Middle East and Europe. The new model, billed as a pilot program, will send nearly 50 people to each of the six bases this summer as part of a command element, which will integrate with existing units on each post and from the surrounding areas to form an Air Task Force. They will end up training, working and deploying together. Locations selected to host those Air Task Forces, or ATFs, include Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona; Scott Air Force Base in Illinois; Joint Base San Antonio and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina; and Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington state. Read Next: Air Force Pilot Who Died After Aircraft Ejection Seat Misfire Identified by the Service "As part of a pilot program, the following installations are expected to receive an ATF command echelon this summer, pending the successful completion of the National Environmental Policy Act process," the Air Force said in a statement. "This is a step toward forming the new Air Force combat wings as Units of Action." The command element coming to each of those bases will be the Air Task Force's leadership team and will include a colonel who will serve as the commander, a lieutenant colonel as deputy commander, and a senior enlisted leader who will serve as command chief master sergeant. They will be supplemented with an "A-Staff" that will include experts from manpower and personnel, intelligence, operations, logistical, plans and requirements, and communications, according to an Air Force fact sheet. Also comprising the Air Task Force is a Combat Air Base Squadron and Mission Generation Force Elements with attached Mission Sustainment Teams, all provided by one of those six bases or from the surrounding areas. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall announced the concept of Air Task Forces in September at the Air and Space Forces Association's conference, calling it "a major step in the right direction." The idea is to integrate a command element with existing personnel at certain locations so they can work and train together ahead of deployments instead of putting a group of individuals together from a wide variety of bases and assignments. Those Air Task Forces will deploy as part of the service's new rotational schedule called Air Force Force Generation, dubbed "AFFORGEN," which gives airmen 18 months to rest, prepare and train together before heading out for a six-month deployment. Two of the new Air Task Forces will be for U.S. Central Command and one is for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, according to the Air Force. Those three Air Task Forces will come from three of the newly named bases, and will be rotated out by the units from the other three installations. Those Air Task Forces will enter the new deployment cycle this summer and "will be prepared to be deployed beginning fiscal year 2026," according to the Air Force. In February, Air Force and Space Force leaders announced they were restructuring -- from names to organizations -- major parts of the Department of the Air Force in a move they hope will make them better equipped for "great power competition," a phrase used by the Air Force and the wider military to explain new spending and strategy to counter threats from other nations in various regions of the world, such as China in the Pacific. "We need these changes now; we are out of time to re-optimize our forces to meet the strategic challenges in a time of great power competition," Kendall said in February. Related: In Major Overhaul, Air Force and Space Force Will Roll Out New Ranks, Training, Structure to Compete with China The Air Force on Tuesday identified a training pilot who was killed by an ejection seat misfire at a Texas base. Capt. John Robertson, an instructor pilot from the 80th Operations Support Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base, was injured Monday "when the ejection seat of the T-6A Texan II aircraft he was in activated during ground operations," the base said in a statement. He died from his injuries early Tuesday morning. In a released statement, Col. Mitchell Cok, the acting commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing, praised the work of the maintenance team that "provided life-sustaining care," as well as the security forces, fire and medical members who rushed to help Robertson. Read Next: Army Eliminates Online Training Requirement for Noncommissioned Officers, Saying It's Too Burdensome "Their efforts allowed time for Capt. Robertson's family to be at his side when he passed," Cok said. Robertson's service information, provided to Military.com by the Air Force Personnel Center, shows he was commissioned as an officer from the Air Force Academy and entered active duty on May 30, 2019. Awards and decorations he received included the Air Force Training Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the National Defense Service Medal and Armed Forces Service Medal, the service said in an emailed statement. Sheppard Air Force Base said in the news release late Tuesday that an interim safety board investigation into Robertson's death began immediately. An Air Force Safety Investigation Board will start later this week and will eventually release its findings related to the incident. The 80th Flying Training Wing, which is the parent unit of the 80th Operations Support Squadron, hosts the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, which has trained new pilots and allies since the 1980s. The news of Robertson's death comes roughly two years after the service grounded 76 T-6s and 203 T-38 Talon training aircraft amid quality concerns, including potential defects in the explosive cartridges within their ejection seats. Robertson's death also follows the emergency landing of a T-6 with the 559th Flying Training Squadron out of Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, last month. T-6s do not have a long history of deadly incidents or expensive crashes, according to Air Force Safety Center data, with only two pilot fatalities reported since 2004. "This is a devastating loss for Capt. Robertson's family and loved ones, and for the entire 80th Flying Training Wing," Cok said in the statement. "Capt. Robertson was a highly valued airman and instructor pilot. Our deepest condolences go with all who knew and loved him." Related: Ejection Seat Misfire Kills Air Force Instructor Pilot at Texas Base After years of a shortage of noncommissioned officers in the Army Reserve, the service component may finally be gaining ground on its leadership deficit. The Army Reserve has struggled for half a decade to promote junior soldiers to sergeant, a reverberating impact that has led to shortfalls in the senior NCO ranks. But now, the reserve has a humble surplus of sergeants -- 34,500, or 108% of its authorized strength -- for the first time in years. The average time for an Army Reserve specialist to get promoted to sergeant has been at least seven years, an enormous amount of time that exceeds an entire contract. By comparison, the Army National Guard promotes specialists to sergeants in just under four years, on average. Read Next: Army Eliminates Online Training Requirement for Noncommissioned Officers, Saying It's Too Burdensome Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels assumed command of the Army Reserve in June 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that's when the shortage of NCOs was starting to take its toll on the Army's smallest component. Gaining ground on building the reserve's NCO corps, while maintaining its standards, has been among the top priorities of her tenure. "We had shortages of staff sergeants, sergeants first class, and if we didn't start building the sergeant population, we're going to have a very challenging future," Daniels told Military.com in an interview. "I needed to start at the beginning, and now we have this audacious goal to try and target and get more folks in that grade." That audacious goal was for promotions to sergeant to take five years, or "E-5 in five," assuming the soldier meets appropriate qualifications. Hitting that goal was low tech and didn't require any new bureaucratic heavy lifting, just some buy-in from subordinate commanders. At the core were two main issues holding soldiers back that were largely out of their control. One was the unwieldy packets soldiers have to build for promotion boards -- physical paper of all their records. Building those packets is especially difficult for part-time troops whose time with their units is limited. Soldiers also have inconsistent access to computers, the internet and printers, and much of the information is required to be printed. "People had tabletops full of papers for packets; there was this huge ridiculous manual process," Daniels said. "What documents do we really need? It turns out it's like two pieces of paper -- everything else is already there and online." The other issue was getting soldiers to the Basic Leader Course, or BLC, which has traditionally been the requirement for promotion from specialist to sergeant. Even with temporary promotions, the soldier would need to complete the school within a year to hold onto the rank. However, the Army is both eliminating temporary promotions and moving the BLC to be a requirement for staff sergeant in June. Part of the problem, Daniels explained, were units not thinking their soldiers were ready for school. Much of that hesitation was inflamed by the pandemic, which meant unit leaders had little exposure to their troops and weren't able to gauge their leadership potential. On the flipside, the National Guard was constantly on mission through much of the pandemic, and leaders were interacting with soldiers more than ever. This year, the reserve has seen a surge of promotion to sergeant, according to data from the service, with 9,000 specialists being promoted since October -- the start of the military's fiscal year. Last year, 4,700 specialists were promoted -- roughly the median for previous years since the pandemic. Now, the reserve is well above its goal of filling its sergeant ranks, having 34,500 -- 108% of its "authorized strength," which measures the number of troops in a given rank it is supposed to have. That slight surplus should eventually fuel the ranks of other senior NCOs, which are still below strength. There are 18,000 staff sergeants, 73% of the authorized strength; 12,000 sergeants first class, 61% of the authorized strength; 5,000 first sergeants or master sergeants, 77% of the authorized strength; and 1,000 sergeants major, 70% of the authorized strength. Meanwhile, the Army is in the midst of a total revamp of how it promotes NCOs. On top of realigning its NCO schooling system, the Army discontinued the Distributed Leader Courses, or DLC, on Wednesday. Those online leadership courses are roughly 40 hours each, a monumental time sink for part-time troops. Gutting that promotion requirement, on top of moving BLC as a requirement for staff sergeant, could further ease the reserve's efforts to grow its NCO ranks. "We are scrubbing everything we are asking our soldiers to study, because there is only so much time during the day to do your job, for your personal development, and for your family," Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer said in a statement to Military.com. Related: Temporary Promotions for Army Noncommissioned Officers to End in June The Marines were just over a hundred miles away from the southern tip of Taiwan when they seized the airstrip. They were operating in Northern Luzon and the Batanes Islands, Philippine territory north of the mainland -- key terrain for a potential conflict with China. The mission, known as maritime key terrain security operations, or MKTSO, was practice for that conflict, but had real-world implications. It was a show of force headed by elements of the Marine Corps' newest Pacific-oriented unit: the Marine littoral regiment, or MLR. On April 30, three combined littoral reconnaissance teams made up of roughly 30 U.S. and Philippine Marines each, flown by Army Chinooks and Black Hawk helicopters, departed a naval base off the northern coast of the mainland to insert into the remote islands. Read Next: Army Eliminates Online Training Requirement for Noncommissioned Officers, Saying It's Too Burdensome Their purpose was to reconnoiter the territory not only through sensors and unmanned systems but interactions with local communities, laying groundwork alongside their Filipino partners where civilian maritime trade has experienced increased aggression from China. Those units were joined by a rifle company, also a joint-nation element, with the ability to seize and defend key terrain in the event of conflict. It was the first time that Marines with the 3rd MLR, the unit deployed to the region, went to Mavulis, which is the furthest north island of the Philippines that its military has a presence on. "The further that we get from the mainland in order to truly demonstrate a capability, a flyaway capability that can sustain itself -- that's a significant demonstration of capabilities both on the air side and the ground side," Maj. Robert Patterson, a company commander who led forces during the air assault on one of the northernmost Philippine islands, told Military.com in an interview Monday. The exercise marked a notch in the Marine Corps' philosophical shift after 20 years of war in the Middle East where it faced insurgent adversaries, ones less equipped and organized compared to its current "pacing challenge," China. Lt. Col. Mark Lenzi, the battalion commander for the 3rd Littoral Combat Team, told Military.com that not only is it a shift in environment, but a recognition of the increased risk of conventional warfare. Long-range missile strikes, loitering munitions and enhanced sensing capabilities are just "some of the things that have proliferated in the years since," Lenzi said. "You have to modify your tactics and your thinking to break the enemy's targeting cycles to avoid being detected by those weapons in the first place and then avoid being targeted by them when and if you are detected." Lenzi is the commander of one of the MLR's critical set pieces, the littoral combat team. Within the MLR, it is accompanied by an anti-air and logistics battalion, for a total of nearly 2,000 Marines who are uniquely equipped for a Pacific fight. That equipment includes naval strike missiles, unmanned aerial systems and radars -- assets meant to support the unit's agile, dispersed nature. Those characteristics are exemplified in missions like the MKTSO, where Marines are sent out -- alone and with only the necessary equipment they need to survive -- to remote locations in the Pacific. "The strategic significance is the ability to put combat-capable forces anywhere that we would need them, and to deter an adversary or engage in combat without as many limitations on having to pull them back," Lenzi said. Marines who participated in the mission brought limited supplies to the islands, a tough logistical balance that was made more difficult by the humid climate. They filled packs with water and brought along platoon water purification systems, or PWPS, a piece of equipment that can produce up to 15 gallons of water per hour from sources found in the environment. Patterson described the water effort as "colossal," adding that fuel and food were priority items that played into his planning for the mission. The latter was in part supported by the local community. The reliance on the surrounding environment is part of the MLR's expeditionary nature. While dispersed operations for the Marine Corps are not new, the environment is. In 2022, after the MLR was set up, it was sent to the Philippines, a country known for its multiple islands, tropical jungles and reinvigorated alliance with the U.S. in light of the threat of China, which has used its coast guard to disrupt local fishing commerce. Now, service members find themselves constantly rotating to the country as part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, a plan between the U.S. and the Philippines that grants American troops access to nine Philippine military bases. But in this case, with the MKTSO mission, Marines were sent to the farthest-reaching islands off of the Philippine coast, placing them close to Taiwan and China. A critical part of these operations involves incorporating the Philippine military into them as a way to benefit from their knowledge of the terrain, legitimize interactions with the communities that live on the islands, and prepare for potential war together. Those efforts were often led by Marine corporals and sergeants. It was through those squad leaders, Patterson said, that he was able to understand the community and environment based on their information and relationship-building. "They recognized that they're some of the first United States forces on these islands," he said, specifically Itbayat, one of the islands not so far from Taiwan. "So, [they felt] very prideful, very excited to do their job." Related: Sleepy Far-Flung Towns in the Philippines Will Host US Forces Returning to Counter China Threats 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... As the military services flirt with the idea of privatizing more barracks to deal with deteriorating living conditions, a key House panel wants the Pentagon to study the issue more in depth. In its draft National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, released this week, the House Armed Services Committee calls on the Pentagon to deliver a report to the committee by March 2025 that examines the "complexities" of contracting out barracks management to private companies. "Members aren't completely bought into privatizing all housing," a senior Republican committee staffer told reporters at a briefing this week on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the committee. "There are problems with privatized housing, just like there are with service housing. So to turn it all over is something I don't think the members are ready to do." Read Next: Army Eliminates Online Training Requirement for Noncommissioned Officers, Saying It's Too Burdensome News stories and government watchdog reports over the last couple of years have detailed deplorable living conditions for the military's most junior service members, who are typically required to live in barracks. Mold, pest infestations and overflowing sewage, among other squalid conditions, have plagued barracks. As the military services struggle to get the issues under control, privatization has been floated as a solution. Military.com reported in February that the Army is considering the idea, and a report released last month by a congressional panel that studied military quality-of-life issues revealed the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps are also mulling privatized barracks. The Army and Navy already have a small number of barracks run by private companies, but proponents of privatization envision it becoming widespread. Some lawmakers have offered a full-throated endorsement of privatization. "I've encouraged every one of you that I've sat down with to look at privatization," Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., who chairs the House Armed Services Committee's readiness subpanel, said at a recent hearing with the vice chiefs for every service. "I want Marines focused on bullets on bad guys, not managing HVAC systems." But military family housing, the majority of which was handed over to private contractors in the 1990s, has had similar problems with mold, pests and other gross and dangerous living conditions in recent years. Asked at a hearing last month about how the Pentagon would ensure that any privatized barracks are not plagued with the same problems as privatized military family housing, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sidestepped the question. The study that the House committee's NDAA would direct the Pentagon to undertake would have to look at lessons learned from previous privatized barracks contracts, including details such as performance metrics, compliance standards, duration, termination clauses, and any incentive or penalty structures. It would also have to lay out the military services' plans for potential privatized barracks projects; analyze the cost-effectiveness compared to military-owned barracks; and examine any legal, policy or budgetary barriers. One hurdle with Congress approving any privatized barracks could be budgeting rules, committee staff said at the briefing. Signing a contract with a private housing company is considered what's known as mandatory spending, which complicates Congress' approval process. "Members have talked about privatizing barracks for quite a while," a senior Democratic committee staffer said. "But doing the full implementation of it, that's one of the challenges." The committee is scheduled to debate its NDAA next week. Related: Army's Idea to Privatize Barracks Has Some Cautious Bipartisan Support on Capitol Hill KYIV, Ukraine Russia's Defense Ministry said that air defenses shot down 10 U.S.-supplied Ukrainian missiles targeting the Crimean Peninsula early Wednesday, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spent a second day visiting Kyiv, and Ukraine's army battled to contain a front-line push by the Kremlin's forces. The ATACMS long-range ballistic missiles were destroyed over the Black Sea, the ministry said. The U.S. included the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, in a military aid package in March. The Ukrainian attack came as Russian troops pressed their offensive in northeast Ukraine's Kharkiv region that began last week, marking the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began and forcing almost 8,000 local people to flee their homes. Together with Moscow's weekslong effort to build on its recent gains in the eastern Donetsk region, the more than two-year war has entered a critical stage for Ukraine's depleted army. Against that grim backdrop, with thousands of Ukrainian troops locked in fierce battles in towns and villages, Blinken on Tuesday pledged unceasing U.S. support for the country, during and beyond the war. He also tried to lift spirits in Kyiv, performing on guitar with a band at a city bar and eating pizza at a veteran-run restaurant. Russia is opening new fronts in order to stretch Ukraine's army, which is short of ammunition and manpower, along the about 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, hoping defenses will crumble. Russian artillery and sabotage raids have also been menacing Ukraine's northern Chernihiv and Sumy regions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Tuesday that the army has sent reinforcements to the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. It is too early to draw conclusions, but the situation is under control, he said. Even so, Zelenskyy canceled a planned trip to Spain later this week, according to the Spanish government. It gave no reason for the cancellation. The pace of Russia's advance in the Kharkiv border region, where it launched an offensive late last week and has made significant progress, has slowed, the Institute for the Study of War said late Tuesday. The Washington-based think tank said Moscow's main aim there is to create a buffer zone that will prevent Ukrainian cross-border strikes on Russia's Belgorod region. Blinken on Wednesday visited a drone manufacturer on the outskirts of Kyiv and toured a grain transshipment facility where Ukrainian grain is loaded into containers for export by rail. Blinken praised the ingenuity of the process, which local companies adopted after traditional shipping routes were interrupted by Russias full-scale invasion, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Ukraine has had to adapt and adjust to this and its done so remarkably, Blinken said. Meanwhile, Russian air defenses shot down several Ukrainian missiles over the Black Sea and near the Belbek air base, Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev said. Sevastopol is where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is headquartered. The fragments of downed missiles fell into residential areas but caused no casualties, Razvozhayev said. Russian air defenses also shot down nine Ukrainian drones, two Vilha rockets, two anti-radar HARM missiles and two Hammer guided bombs over the Belgorod region early Wednesday, the Defense Ministry said. Two people were injured in the village of Dubovoye when a Ukranian rocket set their house ablaze, according to Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov. The military said five other Ukrainian drones were downed over the Kursk region and three drones were shot down over the Bryansk region. The Defense Ministry also said that another Ukrainian drone was downed over the Tatarstan region. Tatarstan is located more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) east of the border with Ukraine. Vasily Golubev, the governor of the Rostov region, said two drones attacked a fuel depot. He said there were no casualties or fire. Ukraine has launched a steady series of drone attacks on oil refineries and fuel depots across Russia over the past months, causing significant damage. ___ Joseph Wilson contributed to this report from Barcelona, Spain. At a time when the U.S. Army is cutting education benefits and the future of military tuition assistance is uncertain, there are still civilian companies who want to make sure that veterans and other military-connected Americans get the benefit of a four-year degree. Starbucks, a longtime supporter of military and veteran causes, just graduated the latest class of students from its Starbucks College Achievement Plan, one of the many benefits of working for the company. A partnership with Arizona State University provides Starbucks employees with their first bachelor's degree 100% tuition free, graduating more than 13,000 employees -- 200 of which are military -- who took advantage of the program since its inception. Access to the Starbucks College Achievement Plan is probably one of the best benefits of working for the company, but for military families in particular it's more than just a perk; it's something that can extend to family members as well. Students still need to pay for books and supplies, but tuition is (again) free and ASU's 150-plus degree programs are available online. Enya is a Starbucks employee, Navy veteran and military spouse who earned a bachelor's degree with the Starbucks College Achievement Plan and will use her GI Bill for a higher degree. (Courtesy of Starbucks). For Starbucks employees, using the Starbucks College Achievement Plan is simple. Fill out an information request online, and an ASU counselor will reach out to get the admissions and financial aid process started. Military dependents and children of veteran Starbucks employees should call 844-ASU-SBUX (278-7289) and mention their status as a military-connected family member to start the process. Starbucks gets its ideas for programs and benefits that support the military community from its veteran employee resource group (ERG), called the Starbucks Armed Forces Network. Many corporations have ERGs for employees from underserved and minority populations who work to inform the employer about the best way to support them. An employer with an all-veteran ERG is not only a hallmark of a military-friendly company, it means they often have high job satisfaction and veteran employee retention rates. Read Next: What Do All the Best Veteran Employers Have in Common? The Starbucks Armed Forces Network has come up with many great ways to support the company's military employees. The company offers a special relocation policy for spouses and reservists, offers free mental health counseling sessions through a special provider, and has designated more than 250 of its locations as Military Family Stores where veterans and families can meet and have a chance to connect with each other, even if they're far from home. They also have the goal of hiring at least 5,000 vets and military spouses every year in the United States. Starbucks (somehow, somewhere) picked up an undeserved reputation for not supporting the U.S. military, a notion the company has tried to dispel for more than two decades. Now, a new generation of veterans and family members who live free of student debt could finally put the rumor to bed. Want to Know More About Veteran Jobs? Be sure to get the latest news about post-military careers as well as critical info about veteran jobs and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. SpaceXs next launch, scheduled for March 2023, has been officially announced. (when is space x next launch) On February 18, 2023, SpaceX made an historic announcement when it revealed that its spacecraft Dragon 9 will be launching its first all-civilian crew to the International Space Station (ISS) on board the Dragon 9 vehicle. This marks the first time a privately funded mission has been sent to the ISS, and is expected to send two astronauts, Chris Sembroski and Paul Allen, aboard the spacecraft. The launch window for the Dragon 9 mission was set between March 4th and March 6th, but due to a technical issue with one of SpaceXs rockets, the actual launch date has been pushed back. The company has stated that they will not release more details about the exact cause of the delay, but they have assured that they will reschedule the launch once everything is sorted out. Once again, this is a major milestone for SpaceX and the entire aerospace industry. By sending civilians to the ISS for the first time, the company is challenging traditional about what it means to be a private space agency. It also represents a significant step forward in the commercialization of space travel, as companies like SpaceX are starting to create new revenue streams by offering services such as satellite launches, cargo delivery, and even human spaceflight. (when is space x next launch) Its important to note that the upcoming launch of SpaceXs Dragon 9 mission is just one of many exciting events in the world of space exploration. There are currently plans to launch multiple spacecraft into orbit around the Earth in the coming months, including two commercial satellites, one research satellite, and one crewed spacecraft. The future of space exploration looks bright and there is no doubt that we will continue to make incredible strides in this field for years to come. Inquiry us [wpforms id=12872] May 15: As expected, MLB has announced that Blanco has been given a ten-game suspension and an undisclosed fine. Blanco no longer plans to appeal the suspension, GM Dana Brown told reporters (via Rome). Hell begin serving the ban tonight. May 14: Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco was ejected from this evenings start against the As following a foreign substance inspection. Umpires confiscated Blancos glove when he came out for the fourth inning. Tayler Scott entered in relief. Its almost certain that the Astros will be without Blanco for the next week and a half. Players thrown out of a game for foreign substance usage are subject to an automatic 10-game suspension. MLB has yet to announce that in Blancos case but seems likely to do so tomorrow. Teams are not permitted to replace a player who is banned for an on-field rules violation. Assuming Blanco is suspended, the Astros will need to play with a 25-man roster for 10 games. Blanco told reporters (including Chandler Rome of the Athletic) that he plans to appeal if MLB imposes a suspension. Blanco has been Houstons best pitcher this year. He earned the fifth starter job late in camp and no-hit the Blue Jays in his season debut. The 30-year-old has followed up with another six strong outings. He hasnt allowed more than three runs in any start. Blanco pulled within one out of a quality start in all seven of his appearances until tonight. He was through another three scoreless frames against Oakland, bringing his season ERA to 2.09 over 47 1/3 frames. While Blancos pedestrian strikeout and walk rates suggest hes likelier to pitch like a mid-rotation arm moving forward, he has been a massive boost to an otherwise rough starting staff. Aside from Blanco, Hunter Brown and rookie Spencer Arrighetti are the only Houston pitchers who have made more than five starts. Brown and Arrighetti each have an ERA north of 7.00. Thats also true of J.P. France, who was optioned in late April and subsequently suffered a shoulder injury. The Astros have welcomed Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander and Cristian Javier back from the injured list over the past few weeks. Manager Joe Espada said last night that the Astros were going to run a six-man rotation of Valdez, Verlander, Javier, Blanco, Brown and Arrighetti for the time being (X link via MLB.coms Brian McTaggart). Thats designed to manage the staffs workloads as they navigate a stretch with only one day off until June 6. A likely suspension for Blanco could put that plan on hiatus for a couple weeks. LANSING, MI -- Nearly 1,100 pre-packaged marijuana joints already sold or in inventory at 20 dispensaries across Michigan were recalled over public health concerns Wednesday, May 15. The Cannabis Regulatory Agency accused the manufacturer, Flavor Galaxy, which operates a processing facility in Hazel Park, of adding ingredients to the joints after they underwent safety testing, in violation of state rules, and of failing to properly enter tracking data in the statewide monitoring system, known as METRC. Denise Policella, a Lansing-based attorney who represents Flavor Galaxy, said allegations that the manufacturer added ingredients after initial safety testing simply did not happen, and is an assumption by the CRA based on a former Flavor Galaxy employee who manipulated data in the statewide marijuana tracking system. The CRA recall bulletin said investigators discovered that Flavor Galaxy did not submit certain infused pre-rolls for testing in their final form and only tested the raw marijuana flower contained in the product. Manufacturers infuse marijuana flower by adding distillate, which is concentrated, high-potency THC oil, and terpenes, naturally occurring compounds that enhance smell and taste. According to testing rules, if a manufacturer adds terpenes or distillate, the product must be retested in its final form before being sold to customers. Beyond the recalled pre-rolls, the CRA issued a consumer advisory on other Flavor Galaxy products, including vaping cartridges and pre-rolls, that the agency believes may not have undergone required safety testing. A full list of those affected products are posted on the CRA website but they were not recalled. In this case, the facts available to the agency supported a recall for certain products and an advisory for others, CRA spokesman David Harns said. We wish to assure our valued cannabis consumers and trusted retail partners that at no point has Flavor Galaxy ever added any marijuana product or ingredient to any of our products after safety compliance testing or after they were in final form, and any suggestion otherwise is as bizarre as it is offensive, said a statement issued by Flavor Galaxy. The company said its products passed testing, are properly labeled, have not caused any negative health effects and remain unequivocally safe. Policella said the CRA placed nearly half of Flavor Galaxys product on hold in February while the investigation was ongoing. The hold on those products that were not recalled has been lifted. This is the first formal product recall issued by the CRA since July 2021, based on a review of the previously posted safety recalls and advisories. The CRA has issued at least two consumer advisories and five voluntary recalls since that time. A voluntary recall indicates the manufacturer doesnt dispute the CRA investigations findings. MUNISING, MICH. -- Its no secret that Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of the crown jewels of Michigans great outdoors. But what might not be quite as well known is exactly how to plan for a Pictured Rocks vacation. The national park in Michigans Upper Peninsula sprawls out over 70,000 acres of pristine woods and waters, with 40 miles of Lake Superior shoreline, 100 miles of trails, waterfalls, a wilderness area, a historic lighthouse, and so much more. With so much to see and do and all in such a remote area, often with little to no cell service it can be tough to know where to begin. To help you start planning your summer trip, the National Park Service recently shared 10 tips for visiting Pictured Rocks. From kayak safety to dealing with biting bugs, knowing these points ahead of time can help you have an easier, more enjoyable vacation. 1. Plan your route ahead of time. Gather the details for an amazing trip with the following resources: Drivers can download self-guided tours on the NPS App; research Things to Do and Places to Go on the parks website; and learn about shuttle services for backpackers. 2.Take a tour. According to the park, the best way to experience Pictured Rocks namesake cliffs is from the water with an experienced guide. Authorized tours at Pictured Rocks include boat cruises and kayak tours. You can find other tours, including photography, backpacking and ice climbing, online here. 3. Be prepared for bugs. At Pictured Rocks, biting insects can be plentiful, aggressive and even resistant to bug spray. Park officials recommend packing long pants, socks that cover your ankles, and an over-the-head bug net, and to always do a tick check after being outdoors. Learn more about insects at Pictured Rocks here. RELATED: Pictured Rocks: How to avoid bites during stable fly season 4. Know where your pet can go. Pets on leashes no longer than six feet are welcome in several areas of the park, but are not allowed in other places, including at Little Beaver Creek Campground and along the popular Chapel/Mosquito loop hiking trail. Learn more pet rules and find out which areas are open or closed to pets at Pictured Rocks website here. 5. Know your limits on Lake Superior. Officials warn that paddling on Lake Superior can be dangerous and even deadly, and should only be attempted by experienced sea kayakers familiar with safety procedures and self-rescue. Canoes and recreational kayaks (less than 14) are not built for Lake Superior; instead, they are suited for exploring one of the parks smaller, safer inland lakes. If you really want to get out on the big water, a guided sea kayak tour is your best option. More about paddling and water safety at Pictured Rocks is online here 6. Make reservations. All camping within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, including backcountry and drive-in campgrounds, is now reservation-only. Make reservations at recreation.gov; check RV size restrictions and pet policies here. 7. Pack your patience. As the parks visitation numbers have soared in recent years, the most popular trails, such as the Chapel-Mosquito loop, can get very crowded, with parking lots filling up fast. Plan to arrive early, or try new trails you can find some suggestions here. 8. Stop by a visitor center. Head to the visitor centers that bookend the park for park passes and useful resources for your trip. Operating 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily, the newly renovated Munising Falls Visitor Center in Munising is already open and the Grand Sable Visitor Center in Grand Marais opens June 1. 9.Plan ahead so you dont have to rely on your cell phone. Cell service can be unreliable in many parts of the park, so pack paper maps, check weather forecasts ahead of time, and bring a flashlight in your emergency kit so your phone flashlight doesnt drain its battery. 10. Leave no trace. Brush up on Leave No Trace principles before your visit these include not feeding wildlife, properly disposing of waste in trash receptacles (including food scraps like apple cores and banana peels), and not altering the park environment, such as stacking beach rocks. For the safety of staff and visitors, there are rules concerning human waste, too; read more here. Learn more at nps.gov/piro/index.htm. One of the Walt Disney Co.s most iconic characters has been removed from park meet and greets with the public, reportedly because the character was flagged as potentially problematic by a Disney committee. Disney confirmed in February that Tinker Bell, a Disney icon since making her first appearance in 1953s Peter Pan, had been removed from the parks meet and greet rotation, but could still be seen flying over the park at the conclusion of the nighttime fireworks show, as well as in park parades. In addition to park appearances, Tinker Bell has been a company mascot, featured in the opening sequence of scores of Disney movies and television shows for decades, flying towards the screen and sprinkling it with her famous pixie dust. Meet and greets within Disney parks were discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic, but when they returned, Tinker Bell did not. Now, the signage at the Town Square Theatre where guests could once meet the blonde fairy has been removed, replaced by signage for Mickey Mouse, according to Inside the Magic. While confirming the characters absence from meet and greets, Disney did not indicate a reason for the change. However, a 2022 report by the New York Times said Disneys Stories Matter team -- launched to ensure (our content) accurately represents our global audiences -- had indicated the Tinker Bell character was potentially problematic. The team found the Tinker Bell character to be both body conscious and jealous of Peter Pans attention. The Stories Matter team also flagged Peter Pan for its negative portrayal of Native people and the use of redskins in the film. FLINT, MI Her last day on Earth felt like many she cherished in life. From her hospital bed, E. Hill De Loney continued to talk about the work that needed to be done for the upcoming Juneteenth observation. For her to be in that bed talking about things she still wanted to get done, and wanted us to get done, that speaks to the tune of what she stood for, said DeWaun Robinson, whom De Loney affectionally called her African grandson. She was definitely all about our community. She was definitely all about the betterment of people and especially Black people. And, you know, even in the end, she was asking if everyone else is OK. That just speaks volumes. Robinson, a longtime mentee of De Loney, sat at her bedside for hours as a dozen family and friends streamed in and out to say their final goodbyes. Moved to hospice care in her final hours, De Loney mostly slept as she listened to the voices she trusted most in life send their well wishes and share memories of trips to Africa, Egypt and Haiti, more than 50 years of Juneteenth parades and celebrations in Flint, working with Black social workers, being an NAACP president for 30 years, stopping the gangs from fighting and trying to help them understand their place in Flint. Her breathing became more labored, but Robinson continued to be at her side, continually repeating the affirmations she lived by and taught him over and over and again. I know me. I accept me. I love me. I forgive me. A higher power lives within me, he spoke softly to her. A silence swept across the room. The air felt heavier. Tears of laughter transitioned to ones of communal sadness. De Loney, 85, took her last breath on May 9 surrounded by those who loved her. We were all there to ease the pain as she was dying. We wanted to make sure it was as peaceful as possible, said Robinson, spokesman for De Loneys family. Shes done her work and done it at the highest level. Weve lost our mother. Its a very hurtful feeling, because she was always a caretaker to all of us, and now we have to face the unknown a deep sadness knowing we will all have to face a world without her in it. Flint resident E. Hill De Loney has always had a mission, emphasizing the importance of educating people about Black history, heritage and culture that spans decades. She helped organize Flints first Juneteenth celebration in 1972. De Loney, now 83, said she felt empowered to educate the public about Black history and Juneteenth shortly after she learned about it as a teenager in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where segregation was still present. "My dad would say, 'Education is not for you. The education, you have to get it, but you gotta share it with someone else," De Loney said. The same message that De Loney shared then is still shared now. "When any of us are not free, none of us are free," she said. "So, we will try to get free together. History never changes. Culture does." (Jake May | MLive.com) She was a visionary. She embodied Black history as it happened. Harriet Tubman. Rosa Parks. Sojourner Truth. Those are the names are some of the countrys most beloved and renowned Black female voices thatve changed the course of history for African Americans in the United States. Many are widely known, but one is local to Flint: E. Hill De Loney. She earned her place in Black history for being a mouthpiece on education and preserving Black culture and history. These are prolific women who started something and had a vision, Robinson said. She stands up there with these giants before her and has left an impeccable, important legacy we will all continue to live in our hearts and actions for lifetimes and generations ahead. From the way that she dressed, to the way that she talked and her actions, she embodied that. De Loney, founder of Flints Juneteenth celebration, was taught the significance of the holidays meaning when she was a teenager. She created Flints first Juneteenth celebrations decades ago in 1972 as a weeklong event -- with a parade, speakers from around the country, lessons about Black history and other activities -- that takes place to this day. We made a master plan for the Black community in the city of Flint. Back then, you know, in the fifties, we couldnt cross Saginaw Street, De Loney previously said. They had all kinds of boards that made decisions about our lives, but there were no African Americans on there, so we made this master plan to make sure we got people on board to make decisions about our lives. De Loney was often affectionately called the mother or grandmother of Flint. Her passion to educate other Black people about their history, heritage and culture started with the youth. The key is that our children know who they are, De Loney said. Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said De Loneys presence in our community will be deeply missed. Mrs. DeLoney was beloved for fostering cultural pride in Flints children and engaging our community in Juneteenth celebrations, he said. Early life A Vicksburg, Mississippi native, De Loney grew up where segregation was prevalent and attended schools with only Black peers until she was in college. She obtained a masters degrees in guidance counseling and psychology from the University of Michigan. De Loney said she felt compelled to start educating the public about Juneteenth because of how she was raised -- the belief instilled by her parents that she could do anything she put her mind. My dad would say, education is not for you, the education, you have to get it, but you gotta share it with someone else. If you get an education you are not helping anybody but yourself. I was reared that way, De Loney said in 2022. Juneteenth celebrations have become widespread throughout Michigan in recent years, especially after the date celebrating Black freedom became recognized as a federal holiday in 2021. When any of us are not free, none of us are free, she said. So, we will try to get free together. ... History never changes. Culture does. In the 1990s, small red ribbons were passed out to Juneteenth attendees to be worn in remembrance of the blood shed by hundreds of Black people in their struggle for freedom. Most of the events were upbeat and in celebration, but some were solemn to recognize those whove died in the fight. Our goal is to say We are the survivors of those who would not die, De Loney said in a 1995 interview with The Journal. It is not a matter of whether we shall survive, but it is a matter of what kind of survivors we shall be. Flint resident E. Hill De Loney, seen here standing with DeWaun Robinson, has always had a mission, emphasizing the importance of educating people about Black history, heritage and culture that spans decades. She helped organize Flints first Juneteenth celebration in 1972. De Loney, now 83, said she felt empowered to educate the public about Black history and Juneteenth shortly after she learned about it as a teenager in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where segregation was still present. "My dad would say, 'Education is not for you. The education, you have to get it, but you gotta share it with someone else," De Loney said. The same message that De Loney shared then is still shared now. "When any of us are not free, none of us are free," she said. "So, we will try to get free together. History never changes. Culture does." (Jake May | MLive.com) De Loneys Legacy Who is Mrs. De Loney? You only get someone like her one time in your life, and anyone who shared space with her knew the blessing that she was, Robinson said. He noted De Loney wanted Black people to know about themselves, to understand their contributions to the world, originally as aborigines and throughout their journey as Americans. When people talk about 1865, and talk about the challenges Black people have had over the last 400-plus years, De Loney brought the past to the present to set us up for the future, Robinson said. Shes a visionary. Shes the anchor. Shes legendary, he said. You know when they say youre standing on the shoulders of giants? Thats what I feel like what she embodied. She was a giant, and she believed in a better future for all of us. She carried an empress spirit. She is one of the most gracious, selfless persons I know. She had that fire and boldness to fight for liberation and empowers others as she has built initiatives in the community whether that was engagement in neighborhoods, lessons and work at the universities she was consistently empowering others through education and action. At the end of her life, she told Robinson All people are one, something thatll stick with him forever. Queen. Empress. Cultural Icon. Legendary. Mother. Wonderful woman. African woman. Monumental. Major. There isnt just one word that can describe E. Hill De Loney. She was all of these, Robinson said. Her roots were everything to her. She took the time when education was cut off, she preserved and made every effort to reconnect to her roots. The way she dressed, the way she wore her hair, she wanted to embody everything about her culture and to represent everything her ancestors were before her. She was truly an African queen. Read more on MLive.com: Juneteenth celebrations in Flint unites community with music, parade and fellowship Flint celebrates Juneteenth with music, food and more in Max Brandon Park Hundreds celebrate Juneteenth across Flint GRAND RAPIDS, MI An Illinois man was sentenced to prison after he traveled to southwest Michigan to sexually assault a 12-year-old he met online. Eduardo Torres, 26, of Waukegan, Illinois, was sentenced Wednesday, May 15, by U.S. District Judge Janet Neff in Grand Rapids to 17 years in prison for sexually exploiting a child. Torres drove to Berrien Springs on April 14, 2023, to sexually assault the girl. Later that day, he sexually assaulted her in the Chicago area, prosecutors said. Torres allegedly admitted to FBI special agents that he produced three videos of sexual assault, court documents said. The girls mother contacted local police to report her daughter missing. The girls sister then found a Snapchat video of Torres sexually assaulting the girl that he had sent to her. Police obtained emergency disclose of information from Snapchat to identify and track Torres. He pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child by recording the sexual assault. The devices that nearly every child and teenager now carry leave kids vulnerable to criminals down the street, across state lines, and around the world, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a statement. I strongly urge parents, guardians, and loved ones to educate their kids about online dangers, stay aware of their social media activities, and create a trusting relationship where kids are willing to share if something goes wrong. Cheyvoryea Gibson, FBI special agent in charge in Michigan, said: Mr. Torres engaged in an egregiously inappropriate relationship with a minor, exploiting and sexually assaulting the young victim. Investigating those who prey on our children is a top priority for the FBI. Berrien Springs Oronoko Township Police Department also took part in the investigation. The FBI said: Parents and caregivers are urged to take steps to protect their children and teenagers from online predators. The FBI most often sees crimes against children begin when an adult either forges a relationship with a young victim online and later arranges to meet and abuse the child; or coerces a child into producing sexually explicit images or videos through manipulation, gifts, or threats. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Kalamazoo Public Schools is reconsidering the use of a controversial reading program in the district. Reading Recovery, a literacy intervention program for first graders at low reading levels, has been discredited by some for only providing short-term gains, but hindering long-term growth. The program teaches students to memorize words and use context, pictures and other clues to identify words, instead of sounding them out, per NPR. SAGINAW TOWNSHIP, MI The idea of staying stress-free during perhaps one of the most stressful stretches in Teondrae Bonds 28-year life is stressing him out. Bond last month received a heart transplant and remains in recovery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, and under doctors orders, he plans to return to Saginaw Township to live under low-stress conditions for at least 12 months, he said. This year has been rough for me, said Bond, a Bridgeport Township native. Its going to be a rough year for me. Part of Bonds challenge: He said doctors have told him he cannot work for the first year after receiving the surgery, to avoid the kind of stress that can disrupt the health of his new heart. Those doctors orders include avoiding work a stipulation that, if broken, would endanger the $950 in monthly Supplemental Security Income payments he will receive because of his health circumstances, he said. That means Bond, a father of two children, must find other means to pay for costs, including the Saginaw Township apartment where he plans to spend the next year attempting to avoid anxiety, he said. Bonds family set up a GoFundMe page, with the goal of raising $10,000 to pay for those housing expenses. The donation amount exceeded $1,000 as of Tuesday, May 14. Bond said, only four months ago, he could not imagine his current circumstances. In February, he moved to Tennessee, where he worked two weeks at a Volkswagen plant before he noticed severe swelling in his feet, Bond said. After researching potential causes of such a symptom, he was startled enough to seek medical attention. It said, heart failure, and I was like, OK, Im going to the hospital, he said. They ran tests, and the next day, a doctor told me I was having congestive heart failure. I just started crying. It was a lot. To be closer to family, Bond decided to face his health crisis in Michigan, where he was admitted to Henry Ford Hospital. Less than two months after Bonds diagnosis, the medical centers staff successfully completed heart transplant surgery for him on April 24. He remains under observation at Henry Ford Hospital but plans to move to Saginaw Township later this month. Bond said doctors advised him to ensure around-the-clock observation by another person during his first three months spent outside of the hospital. He said family members plan to help in that effort. (Doctors) dont want me to be alone, in case I fall or my heart rate goes up or anything like that, Bond said. Someone needs to be there, if that happens. He said the health scare led to a new life. Ive got to make sure Im on top of my medications and eating the way (doctors) told me to eat, Bond said. He admitted it will prove challenging to follow doctors orders to avoid stressful situations at a time when his health and financial challenges present reasons to feel anxiety. Its just a lot, man, Bond said. Its a lot of stress, but I cant stress out because I have a new heart. I try not to think about this crap, but its hard. To view Bonds GoFundMe page, go to https://gofund.me/56b5c079. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. BUENA VISTA TWP, MI The CEO of Wolverine Human Services says her agency is taking seriously a lawsuit alleging staff at a now-closed facility routinely sexually abused its minor wards. We were made aware of these serious allegations today and are reviewing the complaint in detail, said Judith Fischer, CEO of Wolverine Human Services, on May 14. She added residents safety is Wolverines paramount priority. All abuse claims are taken seriously to maintain Wolverines dedication to ensuring the well-being of each person in our care, Fischer said. The agency is a Grosse Pointe Park-based nonprofit social services agency for children with locations in Vassar, Flint, Detroit, Taylor, and Warren. The agency previously operated Wolverine Secure Treatment Center, 2424 N. Outer Drive in Buena Vista Township. The 100-bed facility housed boys and girls, aged 12 to 19, referred by the child welfare system and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The facility closed in late April 2021 after MDHHS announced it was revoking its operating license. New York City attorney Corey N. Stern on May 14 filed a lawsuit in Saginaw County Circuit Court on behalf of 14 plaintiffs. The 14 allege that while housed at the Buena Vista Township facility, they were subject to sexual assaults from guards, counselors, managers, and supervisors, both men and women. The alleged abuse in this lawsuit was never reported and we are working diligently to gather facts, Fischer said. Out of consideration for residents confidentiality and the investigations integrity, Fischer said she could not comment further. Attorney Stern disagreed with Fischers claim that the alleged widespread abuse went unreported. Rather, several of the minors reported the abuse to other staff members, he said. At each turn and in each instance, they were silenced and punished for doing so, Stern said. This is why he filed the lawsuit, he added. The 39-page lawsuit, readable in its entirety here, outlines each plaintiffs alleged abuse. The victims were boys and girls, the youngest being 13 and the oldest 17. While the abusers plied some of the minors with snacks, marijuana, or cellphone usage, others threatened the teens with violence or having their residencies extended, the suit alleges. All the plaintiffs are currently younger than 28, as Michigan law allows victims of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits until they turn 28, or three years after they discover an assault-related injury. Stern said he has spoken with 20 to 30 times more people who were similarly abused at Wolverine but are now too old to join the suit. The lawsuit does not name the alleged abusers, and the plaintiffs are only identified by initials. As far as Stern knows, none of the alleged abusers were ever criminally charged or convicted. Prosecutors and police have indicated this is accurate, while MLive has submitted several Freedom of Information Act requests. Regardless of what is said in the press, court proceedings will be a different animal entirely, Stern said. We will see what is said when placed under oath and being confronted with their own and outside investigative documents, he said. The $25,000 suit contains seven counts: negligence, sexual abuse and assault, negligent hiring and retention, negligent supervision, negligent training, negligent failure to follow established policies and procedures, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. MDHHS in 2021 issued a report finding 10 willful and substantial violations at Wolverines Buena Vista Township facility. The allegations included minors being choked, punched, improperly restrained, and subjected to sexual advances and requests for sexual favors. WSTC shuttered its doors in 2021 due to MDHHS recommending the revocation of its license, with the last child leaving there that April. At the time, Fischer opposed this. What we did there with kids was magnificent, she said in 2021. We changed lives, we saved lives. DETROIT -- Two left-handed pitchers are getting promotions to Triple-A Toledo after strong performances in Double-A Erie over the last two seasons. The Tigers moved Lael Lockhart to Toledo on Tuesday and transferred Andrew Magno on Wednesday. Since joining the Seawolves last season, Lockhart has posted a 2.48 ERA in 101 2/3 innings with 41 walks and 125 strikeouts. The Tigers acquired Lockhart last May from the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations. Lockhart, 26, is a Texas native who was a two-way player in college at Houston and Arkansas. He was drafted by the Dodgers in the ninth round in 2021. He pitched well in 2022 at Class A (advanced) Great Lakes, posting a 3.16 ERA and striking out 85 in 77 innings. But he struggled at Double-A Tulsa with an 11.40 ERA in 15 innings, which is one reason why the Dodgers were willing to ship him out. Its been a different story since he joined the Seawolves. Magno, 26, was drafted in the 15th round by the Tigers in 2019 out of Ohio State University. In parts of three seasons with the Seawolves, Magno has a 2.38 ERA in 72 innings with 93 strikeouts. Both Lockhart and Magno got brief opportunities in Toledo last season. The Seawolves also announced this week that right-hander Brendan White had been placed on the seven-day injured list. White pitched at the big-league level in 2023 but has endured a rough start to 2024. He walked six of 12 batters he faced over two early-April outings with the Mud Hens, prompting the team to place him on the development list. White pitched a couple of games at Class A Lakeland before being moved to Erie. He walked four of six batters in his only outing for the Seawolves before going on the IL with an undisclosed injury. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK Amit Shah on why Rahul Gandhi's decision to fight from Rae Bareli is 'not right' Follow us on: Amit Shah takes on Mamata Banerjee, says TMC promised 'Maa, Mati and Manush' but resorted to 'Mullah, Madrasa and Mafia' Follow us on: Did you know these interesting facts about Lok Sabha elections? Follow us on: Election wrap: Amit Shah slams Mamata Banerjee, Piyush Goyal says Priyanka is a "non-serious, tourist" politician and more Follow us on: From dousing brahmin ire to meeting strongmen, how Amit Shah is micro-managing UP polls for BJP Follow us on: 'I have bad news for Kejriwal': Amit Shah's counter to Delhi CM's 'retirement' dig at PM Modi Follow us on: In Ayodhya not everything on `Ram ke naam ; caste also matters Follow us on: Josh is high, will get three-fourth majority, says BJDs VK Pandian General Elections 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a roadshow in Ghatkopar. The 2.5 km roadshow set off from Shreyas Cinema on LBS Marg to Gandhi Market. Mihir Kotecha is the nominee of the Bharatiya Janata Party for the seat that will be up for election on May 20 along with other Mumbai constituencies in the fifth round of the Lok Sabha election. OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All 'Deliberate neglect' of infrastructure: Nirmala Sitharaman blames Congress for 'wasted potential' during UPA years Follow us on: PM Modi's Mumbai roadshow: Metro services to be shut at these stations from 6 pm today Follow us on: 'Was concerned about low voter turnout myself, until ...': Amit Shah Follow us on: 'Will support INDIA bloc from outside but...,' Mamata Banerjee softens her stance Follow us on: Kartik Aaryan's 'Chandu Champion' first poster out, actor calls it 'most challenging and special film' Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit's alleged romance was once a major talking point in 90's, a look at the times when 'Saajan' actor apologised to Madhuri over their alleged affair OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Tomb Raider series from Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge in the works OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Go Digit General Insurance Limited IPO Detail: Apply Go Digit IPO with One-Click BRAND CONNECT *Disclaimer - Brand Connect is a solution that allows brands to break the queue to gain better engagement among our audiences Follow us on: Coal share in Indias electricity mix drops below 50% for first time since 1966: Report Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Jinit Parmar is a correspondent based out of Mumbai covering the banking sector, fintechs, NBFCs, insurance and more, tweets @jinitparmar10 May 15, 2024 / 20:13 IST The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Congress leader Alamgir Alam in a money laundering case. The 70-year-old Jharkhand Rural Development Minister was taken into custody at the Enforcement Directorates zonal office in Ranchi under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Before taking him into custody, the ED interrogated him for about six hours on the second day of questioning. He was grilled by the federal agency on May 14 for over nine hours and his statement was also recorded. The agency had last week arrested Alam's personal secretary and state administrative service officer Sanjeev Kumar Lal (52) and the latter's domestic help Jahangir Alam (42) following the seizure of more than Rs 32 crore cash from a flat linked to them. Follow us on: Copper prices hit 2-year high on LME on bullish long-term trends, rise 19% in 2024 so far Follow us on: ICICI Securities delisting saga continues, NCLT defers case to July; here's the story so far Follow us on: M&M hits new record high a day ahead of Q4 results; stock up 32% in 2024 so far Morning Scan: All the big stories to get you started for the day Follow us on: Musk's Neuralink has faced issues with its tiny wires for years, say sources Follow us on: No plans to acquire any startup in e-motorcycle biz, says Eicher Motors MD and CEO Siddhartha Lal Souptik Datta Reports on Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Btw, curiosity never kills the cat. You can reach me on souptikdatta@nw18.com Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years. OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Vedanta, Tata group to scout for lithium mines in Zambia, Congo A few hours after delivering the keynote address at Google I/O 2024, CEO Sundar Pichai spoke about one of its big rivals. In an interview with CNBC, Pichai was asked about what the company would do if OpenAI had misused YouTube to train its AI models. This comes after OpenAI CTO Mira Murati was asked whether YouTube videos were part of training its large language models. Murati said she wasns sure about it. Pichai was more categorical and said that it is a question for them to answer. He further said Google has clear terms of service. I dont have anything to add. We do have clear terms of service. And so, you know, I think normally in these things we engage with companies and make sure they understand our terms of service. And well sort it out, he told CNBC. OpenAI has already been sued by The New York Times for copyright infringement. Following The New York Timess suit, eight more publishers are taking OpenAI to court. The Chicago Tribune, The Mercury News, The Denever Post are some of the other names suing OpenAI for using their content without permission and without payment. Its not clear if OpenAI has violated any of YouTubes terms of service. Google and OpenAI are locked in an arms race when it comes to unveiling new AI tools and innovations. On May 13 a day ahead of Google I/O OpenAI showcased a host of new AI features. Google followed it up with its flurry of AI announcements at I/O. Pichai also spoke about the need for responsible AI. We continue to approach the opportunity AI boldly, with a sense of excitement. Were also making sure we do it responsibly, Pichai said during the keynote address. OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All CAA: Centre issues first set of certificates; 14 individuals now Indian citizens Follow us on: 'Nations who go to court to decide elections ...': Jaishankar scoffs at Western 'gyan' on Lok Sabha polls Follow us on: Govt aims to boost use of artificial intelligence in food processing OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Haryana Cabinet approves new excise policy; slight increase in duty on liquor No doubt people living in PoK comparing themselves to those in J&K, says Jaishankar OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Seven feared drowned in Gujarat's Narmada river, rescue operations on Follow us on: Sri Lanka in talks with India to set up small arms manufacturing unit: Premitha Tennakoon Follow us on: Ladakh braces for a three-corner fight against the backdrop of demand for statehood Follow us on: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is part of India, we have rights over the region: Amit Shah Follow us on: Will Proceed With CAA-ution: In West Bengals Bongaon, Hindu Refugee Matuas Confused, Will Wait And Watch Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 13 years. Follow us on: Indian man debunks 6 myths about living in Dubai: 'Arabic is not the only...' Best cities to find a job in the US OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Blinken announces $2 billion arms package arms deal for Ukraine; mostly from package approved earlier OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All India asks Iran to release nearly 40 Indian seafarers from custody OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Lawrence Wong sworn in as Singapore's new Prime Minister Follow us on: Russia says it downed 10 US-supplied missiles over Crimea as Blinken visits Kyiv OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Vanguard names former BlackRock executive Salim Ramji as new CEO For their work to ensure that information on mainstream mobile devices can be stored securely and deleted permanently, Bo Chen and Niusen Chen have been honored with Michigan Techs 2024 Bhakta Rath Research Award. Michigan Technological University cybersecurity expert Bo Chen and his graduate student mentee Niusen Chen, as well as the researchers who collaborated with them, are the first to develop the capability for plausibly deniable encryption (PDE) for everyday computing devices. The breakthrough was achieved through careful consideration of the unique software and hardware components in the electronic devices that many of us regularly use. These include flash storage and security architecture such as TrustZone, the latter of which is designed to isolate and protect sensitive information stored on a device. About the Award The Bhakta Rath Research Award, founded in 2010, is presented to a graduating Michigan Tech Ph.D. student and faculty advisor who have done something valuable for American industry and society, encouraging faculty and doctoral students to conduct research that meets the nations needs and the challenges of emerging technologies. Bo Chen is an associate professor of computer science in the Michigan Tech College of Computing. The director of Techs Institute of Computing and Cybersystems Cybersecurity Center, he served as advisor to Niusen Chen, who completed his Ph.D. in computer science under a finishing fellowship in 2023 and is now a research assistant professor at MTU. PDE goes beyond protecting data. It hides the datas existence, even in situations where the decryption key is leaked. PDE systems are considered increasingly important as more and more people store sensitive information on their mobile devices. Researchers also confirmed and addressed the possibility that sensitive data remnants can exist within flash storage and be resistant to conventional secure deletion techniques. They created what they describe as a fresh secure deletion capability for mobile devices that meticulously manages these remnants, guaranteeing the complete and irreversible removal of confidential information from mobile devices. Who is Bhakta Rath? The Naval Research Lab named a room after him. The more than 750 team members he led include Nobel laureates. Hes received three honorary doctorates. And it all started at Michigan Tech. Learn more about Bhakta Raths personal and professional story. In a letter of support for Bo Chen and Niusen Chens nomination, Weisong Shi, who has collaborated with the duo since 2019 on the National Science Foundation-funded project, said their research will greatly contribute to national security efforts, given the high demand for secure data deletion in critical sectors, including federal agencies. Its practical applications are extensive, ranging from safeguarding personal data to securing critical information for organizations and government agencies, said Shi, who is a professor and chairs the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at the University of Delaware. A letter of support from Biswjit Ray, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Colorado State University, noted that Bo Chens team has designed a novel approach thats gaining increased attention in both high-impact publications and at top-tier cybersecurity conferences. "Dr. Chens team has initiated a new research direction for secure data deletion." Biswjit Ray, associate professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University Yang-Wai Chow, a researcher from the University of Wollongong in Australia who was not involved in Bo Chen and Niusen Chens project, said in a letter of support that their work has impacted and inspired his own endeavors. I appreciate the research works from Dr. Chens group, which provided me with a strong foundation for advancing my research on PDE, Chow said. "Their research will significantly benefit billions of mobile device users in the world." Yang-Wai Chow, associate professor, Engineering and Information Sciences, School of Computing and Information Technology, University of Wollongong, Australia In this Michigan Tech News Q&A, Bo Chen and Niusen Chen reflect on their findings and their work together. Q: Youre sitting next to someone on a plane or some other place where people strike up conversations. How do you describe your work? BC: I have been working on cutting-edge security and privacy problems, safeguarding digital assets and protecting individuals privacy against malicious attacks. NC: My Ph.D. dissertation focuses on enhancing data confidentiality in modern computing devices. It explores effective strategies for ensuring that deleted data cannot be recovered and protecting sensitive information when device owners are coerced by attackers. Additionally, my research extends to malware detection and defense, as well as security measures for connected and autonomous vehicles. Q: How will your research benefit mobile device users in general? BC: Our research aims to ensure the confidentiality of sensitive data stored in mobile computing devices, protecting user privacy. We have also worked on developing tools that allow users to restore their critical data upon being hacked by malware, safeguarding their digital assets. NC: My research primarily benefits mobile device users by enhancing the security and privacy of their data. By developing methods to achieve secure deletion, users can confidently dispose of or recycle their devices without fear of their personal information being retrieved by unauthorized parties. Additionally, by exploring strategies to protect sensitive data under coercion scenarios, my research aims to safeguard user information in extreme situations, providing a higher level of security and peace of mind for everyday mobile device users. Q: What are some specific impacts for institutions and people who deal with confidential information like medical and financial institutions? BC: Our research can be broadly applied to safeguard sensitive information in critical departments such as medical and financial institutions. Compared to the traditional encryption techniques, our PDE design can provide an extra layer of confidentiality protection. This can ensure that critical medical and financial data can remain protected even if the attacker performs rubber-hose cryptanalysis (a euphemism for coerced extraction of data). In addition, our secure deletion design can ensure that sensitive medical and financial data can be completely sanitized upon turning obsolete, which is critically important for compliance with various data security regulations. NC: For medical institutions, ensuring that deleted data such as patient records cannot be recovered helps comply with stringent data protection regulations like HIPAA. This enhances patient trust and safeguards sensitive health information against breaches. For financial institutions, my work on protecting sensitive data when device owners are coerced can prevent data leaks in scenarios involving threats or security breaches. By developing robust defense mechanisms, these institutions can better protect their clients financial data from unauthorized access, thus maintaining their reputation and adhering to financial privacy regulations. Q: You hear people say that data never really goes away and can always be retrieved. There is a high demand for secure data deletion. How did you approach and work to develop irrecoverable deletion? BC: We targeted a full-stack secure deletion design, which can sanitize remnants of sensitive data at all layers of a complicated computer system. NC: Our research primarily addresses the secure removal of outdated sensitive data from flash memory, which is commonly used as external storage in mobile devices. Flash memorys distinct characteristics lead to the generation of various data remnants even after data deletion. These remnants can potentially be exploited by adversaries to recover deleted data, thereby undermining the assurance of secure deletion. Through rigorous theoretical analysis and extensive experiments using real-world workloads, we identified duplicates a specific type of data remnant that arises from the intrinsic operations (such as garbage collection, wear leveling and bad block management) of flash translation layer firmware. We have also developed the first secure deletion scheme that efficiently and effectively eliminates both the data and its duplicates from flash memory, thus achieving true secure deletion. Q: What were some of the existing tools you worked with and what tools needed to be invented? BC: We mainly worked with open-sourced tools such as open-sourced firmware (OpenNFM) and file systems (EXT, NTFS, FAT). We developed various tools that can be used to hide sensitive data using PDE. We also developed tools that can be used to sanitize sensitive data at the lower-layer flash memory hardware. NC: We employ the LPC-H3131, a programmable testbed designed for flash devices, as a primary resource in our research. Alongside this, we use Firefly and Raspberry Pi as host devices. By integrating LPC-H3131 with Firefly or Raspberry Pi, we can create prototypes that replicate the architecture of modern mobile devices. For the software aspect, we utilize IAR Embedded Workbench to compile our secure code. Q: Tell me about the framework you developed. How does PDE protect the confidentiality of sensitive data and why was that important to include in a framework with secure data deletion? BC: PDE allows the victim to deny the existence of sensitive data even if the victim is coerced by the adversary. This deniability property cannot be provided by traditional encryption mechanisms. Essentially, PDE allows the victim to disclose a decoy key to the adversary, preventing the adversary from knowing the existence of the actual secret key. PDE is designed to protect the confidentiality of the existing data while secure data deletion is designed to protect the confidentiality of the obsolete data. Together they form a complete framework for confidentiality protection which is long-term and regulation compliant. Bo Chen Co-recipient, 2024 Bhakta Rath Research Award NC: We have developed three frameworks in this area. MobiWear is a PDE system design that is specific for wearable computing devices. CrossPDE is the first cross-layer mobile PDE system. HiPDS is a hardware-independent PDE system. PDE enhances data confidentiality by enabling users to deny the existence of encrypted data. It typically involves multiple layers or hidden volumes of encryption, allowing users to reveal less sensitive information while maintaining the secrecy of more critical data. PDE is employed to safeguard data throughout its lifecycle. On the other hand, secure deletion is crucial for eliminating outdated or no longer needed data, preventing unauthorized access after its useful life. Incorporating both strategies in modern computing devices is essential, as it addresses comprehensive data security challenges. This dual approach ensures that sensitive information is shielded both during active use and upon its disposal, thereby fortifying the overall data protection framework in todays digital environment. The prototype of the research team's PDE system built for the LG G watch lets users set both public and secret passwords differentiated by how they rotate the device. The secret password can be used to embed sensitive data stealthily into the innocent data. (Image credit: Bo and Niusen Chen) Q: What were the biggest challenges and how did you meet them? BC: There were a few major challenges. First, preventing the leak of sensitive data in the system memory is hard. We have addressed the challenge by incorporating the trusted execution environment, a hardware-level security feature built into processors of modern computer systems. Second, handling the leak of sensitive data in the storage system is hard due to the complicated design of a storage system in modern computing devices. We have intercepted multiple sublayers of the storage system, developing multiple novel techniques, which can be integrated into each unique storage sublayer. NC: Our research is somewhat dependent on hardware, which can make setting up our environment challenging at times. For instance, when we initially utilized ARM TrustZone, I spent several days experimenting with various OS (operating system) versions to get it operational. Whenever I encountered issues that were beyond my ability to resolve, I typically scheduled meetings with Dr. Chen to strategize and find solutions. Q: How did you get interested in this research? Why do you care about it? BC: I have been working on data security research since I was a doctoral student. When I became a faculty member at Michigan Tech, I started to explore the unique technical challenges of data security faced in emerging mobile computing devices. This research is becoming more critical, as mobile computing devices are now extensively used to process personal and mission-critical data, while cyber attacks on these devices have significantly increased in recent years. NC: I became interested after seeing how cyber attacks can affect everyone, from small businesses to big governments. I want to help find ways to stop these attacks and keep our information safe. I got into cybersecurity because its important for protecting our personal information and keeping our country safe as we use more technology. Niusen Chen Co-recipient, 2024 Bhakta Rath Research Award Q: This award is a team effort. Tell me more about your collaborators. BC: Our collaborators include both faculty members and students from Wayne State University and the University of Delaware. Our collaborators have extensive expertise in memory protection, which is an essential component of our developed framework. NC: Our research team comprises a diverse group of scholars, including three Ph.D. and two undergraduate students. We frequently hire masters students as research assistants to enrich our team with fresh perspectives and additional expertise. Our team is also committed to building strong collaborative relationships, working closely with notable universities like Wayne State University and the University of Delaware. Such collaborations are vital, enhancing our research output and enabling a richer exchange of knowledge across institutions. Q: How many years have you worked together? What was it like to work with each other? What did you learn from each other? BC: We have been working together since fall 2018. I have enjoyed my collaboration with Niusen Chen, a smart, diligent and reliable student. Niusen has been excited with new technical challenges, and our research achievements would not be possible without his contributions. He will join a university in Wisconsin, and I am confident that he will be very successful as a faculty member and a cybersecurity researcher in his future career. NC: I have been working with Dr. Chen for six years. Before entering the Ph.D. program, I had a limited background in computer security. Dr. Chen generously offered extensive advice and guidance, helping me deeply engage with the field. He is a committed professor, full of innovative ideas, and has provided invaluable suggestions regarding my career path. In summary, Dr. Chen is not only a supportive mentor but also a genuinely nice person. I highly recommend that other students enroll in his classes and pursue research opportunities with him. Q: Why did you come to Michigan Tech? BC: I joined Michigan Tech in fall 2017 and was attracted by the supportive and collaborative environment for scientific research. I have been supported by multiple seed grants from the University, the College of Computing, the College of Business and the ICC, which provided me with the indispensable resources to boost my research and to secure various research grants from federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation. NC: I chose Michigan Tech primarily for its outstanding programs, which are aligned with my career goals in technology and innovation. The location in Houghton, surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor activities, was also a major draw, providing a great balance between study and leisure. Moreover, the Universitys focus on research and practical learning experiences was crucial in my decision, as it promised a hands-on approach that was essential for my professional development. Q: Where and how have you been sharing your research with students? BC: We have organized multiple events, such as the cybersecurity track of the Michigan Techs Women in Computer Science (Cybersecurity Track) Summer Youth Programs exploration and the GenCyber Summer Cybersecurity Camp. We also conducted the MTU Explore CSR Workshop for Undergraduates from Underrepresented Groups cybersecurity track. We have continuously hosted students from community colleges through the Michigan College and University Partnership (MiCUP) Scholars Program and given lectures to the new computer science undergraduate students in the CS1000 course. We delivered our research results in courses CS5740/4740 and CS5472. In addition, we continuously presented our research results in academic conferences and journals, and gave invited talks to other universities. Bo Chen works with a MiCUP student in Techs Security and Privacy Lab. NC: We hosted numerous outreach activities to disseminate our research among students, including the ones Dr. Chen mentions, as well as sharing it at Michigan Tech Preview Day. Additionally, I integrated our research into the curriculum of CS4740/5740 as a special topics course for the spring 2024 semester. Q: Whats next for you in your research endeavors? BC: I plan to shift my research focus from security and privacy in embedded systems to that of critical cyber-physical systems. Im also interested in securing critical systems in the post-quantum era. NC: I will be joining another university as an assistant professor, where I will continue my work on addressing security vulnerabilities in the real world. Q: Anything else youd like to share? BC: I would like to wish Niusen Chen a bright future career. I would also like to thank the Department of Computer Science, the College of Computing and College of Business, and the ICC. I offer special thanks to our sponsors, including the National Science Foundation and the U.S. National Security Agency. NC: I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Bo Chen for his continuous support and guidance throughout my Ph.D. journey and career. I am also thankful to my colleagues in our lab, including Josh Dafoe, Caleb Rother, Harsh Singh and Job Siyfor their collaboration and help. Additionally, I extend my thanks to the Department of Computer Science. Studying here has been a truly outstanding experience. 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. U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-NJ, arrives at federal court for the start of his bribery trial in connection with an alleged corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen, in New York City, May 13, 2024. Members of Taiwan's Navy and media onboard a special operation boat navigate near a Kuang Hua VI-class missile boat during a drill ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays, on the waters near a military base in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Jan. 31, 2024. It now seems like an eternity ago, but the latest big play in the long-running Kentucky Retirement Systems case, with the centerpiece a deeply underfunded pension fund reaching for return, was the Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron rousing himself to enter the case on behalf of allegedly all potential plaintiffs. This was despite the previous AG having filed a motion supporting the effort by the legal team lead by Michelle Lerach, with her formidable and controversial husband, one-time top securities litigator Bill Lerach, and a cast of other able lawyers to obtain damages from some of the biggest names in finance, KKR, Blackstone, PAAMCO (a one-time affiliate of bond giant Pimco), their top execs (!!!) and many co-conspirators and enablers. The basis for action was over fiduciary duty breaches and other bad conduct in the sale and management of custom hedge funds. This is a very hard won and important victory for the plaintiffs. As you may recall well from the financial crisis, individual executives are virtually never successfully targeted for their misconduct, let alone figures as prominent as these. Here, they are subject to punitive damages and their personal finances are discoverable. So expect more pitched battles to try to continue to keep this case from advancing. Forgive me for skipping over the extensive legal and factual arguments to focus on the high points of the progress of the case; Footnote 1 presents some of the major evidence and arguments. As we will discuss in detail below, after yet another long detour from the original case, Mayberry v. KKR, first filed in 2017 and now replaced by overlapping new actions, judge Thomas Wingate has finally completed what must have been the painful process of evaluating the merits of a very large number of motions to dismiss. Weve embedded his orders at the end of the post. He deserves a lot of credit for patiently working through the different circumstances of the various defendants and delivering sound and clearly-explained rulings. We and others saw the Cameron maneuver was as intended to displace this tenacious legal team and entering a lowball, quiet settlement with powerful Republican donors. Cameron is the protege of Mitch McConnell. The targets in the suit include heavyweights like KKR co-founder Henry Kravis and Blackstones current chief Steve Schwarzman. For those of you following this saga, the case was originally Mayberry v. KKR. The legal team presented a derivate case on behalf of all beneficiaries, who nearly all are in defined benefit plans. A derivative suit is when plaintiffs step in to assert the legal rights of other parties, typically a corporation or other entity, who are supposed to be serving plaintiffs interests but have failed to do so (there are various tests for that). The case was appealed before any trial court rulings had been made, a highly irregular development. The decision against the plaintiffs raised a lot of eyebrows; even one of the defendants attorneys privately said was a bad ruling. Mayberry v. KKR then went to the Kentucky Supreme Court, which tossed it due to lack of standing as a result of an intervening Federal appeals court and a Supreme Court decisions that took place after the initial filing. The result was that beneficiaries in defined benefit plans could not sue for losses unless they had suffered reduction in or termination of their benefits (as in the plan had to be totally out of money). Even at an only 13% funding level at the time, Kentucky Retirement System was still satisfying all its current obligations. In the case of intervening decisions, plaintiffs are usually allowed to replead their cases. But then came another effort to throw a spanner. As it became clear that the plaintiffs were not going to go away easily even after their Kentucky Supreme Court defeat, Attorney General Daniel Cameron got out of bed. In July 2020, he intervened on behalf of the plaintiffs, shamelessly reworked the original plaintiffs filings (this was done with the cooperation of one of the original lead attorneys. Anne Oldfather, whose loyalties were seen as questionable from the outset). He later asserted he would fully occupy the field, as in represent the state (which is backstopping the funds), Kentucky Retirement Systems, and its beneficiaries. Kentucky Retirement Systems bleated, pointing out it was one of the state agencies that got to pick its own counsel and had not authorized Cameron to act on its behalf. The core legal team sought to file a reconstituted case, which kept some of the original plaintiffs, the ones who had hybrid so-called Tier 3 plans (both defined benefit and defined contribution components) and added other Tier 3 plaintiffs. Defined contribution plan members have a substantial body of precedent allowing them to sue over losses to their plan assets, even if they have not started withdrawing funds. That solved the earlier standing problem. Admittedly these beneficiaries represent a much smaller amount of total Kentucky Retirement System funds, but the fact of harm was presumably enough to get to discovery. At the end of December 2020, the trial court court rejected nearly all efforts to replead the case except the above mentioned Tier 3 claims (now called Taylor v. KKR). Perhaps other close followers of this many chaptered saga will disagree, but Judge Philip Shepherd, considered to be one of the most progressive judges in the state, seemed to sour on the case after the appellate and Supreme Court reversed his initial rulings. Judge Shepherd said he could not rule on whether the Tier 3 plaintiffs could proceed on their own until the Cameron articulated the nature and scope of the claims that will be asserted by the OAG. The Attorney General kept asking for extensions of time, even as Shepherd voiced frustration with the foot dragging. That was a pretty strong sign that Camerons presumed plan of negotiating a fast settlement had gone pear-shaped. So Cameron is looking like the dog that caught the car. The defendants then successfully sued to have Shepherd removed from the case because he had touted his tough position on the Mayberry v. KKR cases in his re-election campaign (Shepherd recused himself in May 2022). The defendants no doubt believed a more conservative judge would prove to their advantage. It appears not to have occurred to them that a competent judge, regardless of his ideological bent, would not blindly accept what the coastal con artists financiers were selling out of deference to their status. Judge Wingate has finally issued orders on the extremely large number of motions to dismiss, nearly all by differently-situated defendants. The magnitude of that task, plus getting his arms around the very very large body of past filings, presumably accounted for the substantial delay. The compact orders are well reasoned. They seem even more credible by rejecting the idea that the Attorney General could properly represent the Tier 3 plaintiffs, and denying the motions to dismiss of the hugely powerful defendants, KKR, Blackstone, PAAMCO, and private equity kingpins Henry Kravis, George Roberts, Steve Schwarzman, and Tomlinson Hill personally. Needless to say, the fact that the Tier 3 plaintiffs have gotten a discovery green light further complicated the Attorney Generals life.who by the way is no longer Daniel Cameron, who left office earlier this year, leaving the hot mess of this not-completed gambit on his successor, Republican Russell Colemans desk. How can he enter into a lowball settlement, which will be subject to disclosure, if the Tier 3 plaintiffs keep fighting and eventually get a healthy number on what is certainly to be less monetary harm based on their smaller interest in total fund assets? And finally keep in mind that everyone close to the case understands what the real leverage is. Its exposing the chicanery of the big ticket, supposedly reputable private equity leaders and getting deeply into the economic and commercial relationship of their top leaders to their firms. Pass the popcorn. The Lerach team has been so chomping at the bit that your humble blogger is behind their pace of action. Theyve already filed their first big motion/demand, which I will cover tomorrow. I thought it important to give an adequate recap of this tortured history before moving to the new battles. _____ 1 From a 2021 post: What We Can Learn From Ancient History (and What We Cant) Chronicle of Higher Education (Anthony L) How to get 7th graders to smoke Adam Mastroianni #COVID-19 MDA5-autoimmunity and interstitial pneumonitis contemporaneous with the COVID-19 pandemic (MIP-C) Lancet. KLG notes: I suppose the AIDS-associated conditions would be Kaposi sarcoma, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (P. jirovecii now IIRC), CMV-mediated retinitis/blindness, severe thrush (Candida albicans) FDA warns about using over-the-counter COVID-19 tests from Cue Health UPI. FDA letter here. ma: This is fairly disturbing, especially since I bought one of their $500 machines with tests, though I have not yet had occasion to use it. I guess Ill be part of the Class Action?! The FDA letterdated last Thursday specifically says: We request that you take immediate action to cease the sale and distribution of your Cue Health COVID-19 Test and your Cue Health COVID-19 Test for Home and Over The Counter (OTC) Use but their website seems to still be selling them, and I found no reference to the FDA letter on the website, in a cursory look. HmmmTheranos, is that you?! Climate/Environment China? European Disunion Gaza Gaza Protests New Not-So-Cold War Erdogan Holds Emergency Meeting Following Warning of Possible Coup Reports Sputnik Syraqistan Strategic setbacks for US, Israel as the Resistance Axis gains ground in Syria The Cradle The Caucuses Foreign agents law passed, riots in front of parliament Anti-Spigel via machine translation (Micael T) Thousands protest after Georgia Parliament passes foreign agents bill Al Jazeera (Kevin W) The West is mobilizing against Georgia Anti-Spigel via machine translation (Micael T) Imperial Collapse Watch Trump Biden 2024 Antitrust Falling Down Boeing Airplanes The DOJ is acknowledging that Boeing has fucked up so bad this year their conduct actually violates the weakest sweetheart deal in the history of sweetheart deals. Progress. https://t.co/SCGZJ6GWVL moe tkacik (@moetkacik) May 15, 2024 The Bezzle Your Margin and Your Life Steve Keen. Todays must read. On how the crisis-causing bubble of private debt is getting bigger, with margin debt a particularly worrisome feature. My whole library is wiped out: what it means to own movies and TV in the age of streaming services Guardian (Kevin W). Lordie. Own disks if you are attached to the content. Guillotine Watch Class Warfare Antidote du jour. Robert H sent this image from a Suzanne L: A bonus: A bear riding in a motorcycle sidecar waving to people. Just a normal day in Russia pic.twitter.com/SjHn6J8YyG Nature is Amazing (@AMAZlNGNATURE) May 13, 2024 And a second bonus (Chuck L): Bros in Morocco return a stranded leatherback turtle to the ocean using an ingenious method pic.twitter.com/ggpByU4IET Nature is Amazing (@AMAZlNGNATURE) May 13, 2024 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Yves here. This article usefully chronicles many of the weapons supplied by America, as well as Israeli arms, deployed in the war on Goza. Authors Medea Benjamin and Nicholas Davies are in this authors humble opinion, too optimistic about the effect of divestiture campaigns on munitions-makers. They sadly have a secure position as the US is ratcheting up hostilities with China as it pushes its poodles in NATO to keep the heat on Russia too. But it is still useful to get the US public to think of the arms industry as a shameful enterprise. Recall how cigarette companies found it hard to hire chemists due to their ill repute. And as we saw with South Africa, divestiture campaign force boards of endowments and foundations to have to debate the merits of continuing to hold positions in the companies in the hot lights. These individuals are politically and socially connected, so they are high-influence targets and can help move the Overton window faster. On a practical level, boycotts against Israel are more likely to have near-term impact, particularly since Israel is a small economy that has already takes substantial damage from the effects of war. But the two courses of action complimentary, not exclusive. By Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies, the authors of War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict, published by OR Books in November 2022. Medea Benjamin is the cofounder of CODEPINK for Peace, and the author of several books, including Inside Iran: The Real History and Politics of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Nicolas J. S. Davies is an independent journalist, a researcher for CODEPINK and the author of Blood on Our Hands: The American Invasion and Destruction of Iraq. On May 8, 2024, as Israel escalated its brutal assault on Rafah, President Biden announced that he had paused a delivery of 1,700 500-pound and 1,800 2,000-pound bombs, and threatened to withhold more shipments if Israel went ahead with its full-scale invasion of Rafah. The move elicited an outcry from Israeli officials (National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir tweeted Hamas loves Biden), as well as Republicans, staunch anti-Palestinian Democrats and pro-Israel donors. Republicans immediately prepared a bill entitled the Israel Security Assistance Support Act to prohibit the administration from withholding military aid to Israel. Many people have been asking the U.S. to halt weapons to Israel for seven months, and of course Bidens move comes too late for 35,000 Palestinians who have been killed in Gaza, mainly by American weapons. Lest one think the administration is truly changing its position, two days after announcing the pause, the State Department released a convoluted report saying that, although it is reasonable to assess that U.S. weapons have been used by Israeli forces in Gaza in ways that are inconsistent with international humanitarian law, and although Israel has indeed delayed or had a negative effect on the delivery of aid to Gaza (which is illegal under U.S. law), Israels assurances regarding humanitarian aid and compliance with international humanitarian law are credible and reliable. By this absurd conclusion, the Biden administration has given itself a green light to keep sending weapons and Israel a flashing one to keep committing war crimes with them. In any event, as Colonel Joe Bicino, a retired U.S. artillery officer, told the BBC, Israel can level Rafah with the weapons it already has. The paused shipment is somewhat inconsequential, Bicino said, a little bit of a political play for people in the United States who are concerned about this. A U.S. official confirmed to the Washington Post that Israel has enough weapons already supplied by the U.S. and other allies to go ahead with the Rafah operation if it chooses to ignore U.S. qualms. The paused shipment really has to be seen in the context of the arsenal with which the U.S. has equipped its Middle Eastern proxy over many decades. A Deluge of American Bombs During the Second World War, the United States proudly called itself the Arsenal of Democracy, as its munitions factories and shipyards produced an endless supply of weapons to fight the genocidal government of Germany. Today, the United States is instead, shamefully, the Arsenal of Genocide, providing 70% of the imported weapons Israel is using to obliterate Gaza and massacre its people. As Israel assaults Rafah, home to 1.4 million displaced people, including at least 600,000 children, most of the warplanes dropping bombs on them are F-16s, originally designed and manufactured by General Dynamics, but now produced by Lockheed Martin in Greenville, South Carolina. Israels 224 F-16s have long been its weapon of choice for bombing militants and civilians in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. Israel also has 86 Boeing F-15s, which can drop heavier bombs, and 39 of the latest, most wastefully expensive fighter-bombers ever, Lockheed Martins nuclear-capable F-35s, with another 36 on order. The F-35 is built in Fort Worth, Texas, but components are manufactured all over the U.S. and in allied countries, including Israel. Israel was the first country to attack other countries with F-35s, in violation of U.S. arms export control laws, reportedly using them to bomb Syria, Egypt and Sudan. As these fleets of U.S.-made warplanes began bombing Gaza in October 2023, their fifth major assault since 2008, the U.S. began rushing in new weapons. By December 1, 2023, it had delivered 15,000 bombs and 57,000 artillery shells. The U.S. supplies Israel with all sizes and types of bombs, including 285-pound GBU-39 small diameter glide bombs, 500-pound Mk 82s, 2,000-pound Mk 84s and BLU-109 bunker busters, and even massive 5,000-pound GBU-28 bunker-busters, which Israel reportedly used in Gaza in 2009. General Dynamics is the largest U.S. bomb manufacturer, making all these models of bombs. Most of them can be used as precision guided bombs by attaching Raytheon and Lockheed Martins Paveway laser guidance system or Boeings JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munitions) GPS-based targeting system. Little more than half of the bombs Israel has dropped on Gaza have been precision ones, because, as targeting officers explained to +972 magazine, their Lavender AI system generates thousands of targets who are just suspected rank-and-file militants, not senior commanders. Israel does not consider it worth wasting expensive precision munitions to kill these people, so it uses only dumb bombs to kill them in their homesobliterating their families and neighbors in the process. In order to threaten and bomb its more distant neighbors, such as Iran, Israel depends on its seven Lockheed Martin KC-130H and seven Boeing 707 in-air refueling tankers, with four new, state-of-the-art Boeing KC46A tankers to be delivered in late 2025 for over $220 million each. Ground Force Weapons Another weapon of choice for killing Palestinians are Israels 48 Boeing Apache AH64 attack helicopters, armed with Lockheed Martins infamous Hellfire missiles, General Dynamics Hydra 70 rockets and Northrop Grummans 30 mm machine guns. Israel also used its Apaches to kill and incinerate a still unknown number of Israelis on October 7, 2023a tragic day that Israel and the U.S. continue to exploit as a false pretext for their own violations of international humanitarian law and of the Genocide Convention. Israels main artillery weapons are its 600 Paladin M109A5 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, which are manufactured by BAE Systems in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. To the layman, a self-propelled howitzer looks like a tank, but it has a bigger, 155 mm gun to fire at longer range. Israel assembles its 155 mm artillery shells from U.S.-made components. One of the first two U.S. arms shipments that the administration notified Congress about after October 7 was to resupply Israel with artillery shell components valued at $147.5 million. Israel also has 48 M270 multiple rocket launchers. They are a tracked version of the HIMARS rocket launchers the U.S. has sent to Ukraine, and they fire the same rockets, made by Lockheed Martin. U.S. Marines used the same rockets in coordination with U.S. airstrikes to devastate Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq, in 2017. M270 launchers are no longer in production, but BEA Systems still has the facilities to produce them. Israel makes its own Merkava tanks, which fire U.S.-made tank shells, and the State Department announced on December 9, 2023, that it had notified Congress of an emergency shipment of 14,000 120 mm tank shells worth $106 million to Israel. U.S. shipments of artillery and tank shells, and dozens of smaller shipments that it did not report to Congress (because each shipment was carefully calibrated to fall below the statutory reporting limit of $100 million), were paid for out of the $3.8 billion in military aid that the United States gives Israel each year. In April, Congress passed a new war-funding bill that includes about $14 billion for additional weapons. Israel could afford to pay for these weapons itself, but then it could shop around for them, which might erode the U.S. monopoly on supplying so much of its war machine. That lucrative monopoly for U.S. merchants of death is clearly more important to Members of Congress than fully funding Head Start or other domestic anti-poverty programs, which they routinely underfund to pay for weapons and wars. Israel has 500 FMC-built M113 armored personnel carriers and over 2,000 Humvees, manufactured by AM General in Mishawaka, Indiana. Its ground forces are armed with several different types of U.S. grenade launchers, Browning machine-guns, AR-15 assault rifles, and SR-25 and M24 SWS sniper rifles, all made in the USA, as is the ammunition for them. For many years, Israels three Saar 5 corvettes were its largest warships, about the size of frigates. They were built in the 1990s by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, but Israel has recently taken delivery of four larger, more heavily-armed, German-built Saar 6 corvettes, with 76 mm main guns and new surface-to-surface missiles. Gaza Encampments Take On the Merchants of Death The United States has a long and horrific record of providing weapons to repressive regimes that use them to kill their own people or attack their neighbors. Martin Luther King called the U.S. government the greatest purveyor of violence in the world, and that has not changed since he said it in 1967, a year to the day before his assassination. Many of the huge U.S. factories that produce all these weapons are the largest employers in their regions or even their states. As President Eisenhower warned the public in his farewell address in 1960, This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry has led to the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. So, in addition to demanding a ceasefire, an end to U.S. military aid and weapons sales to Israel, and a restoration of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the students occupying college campuses across our country are right to call on their institutions to divest from these merchants of death, as well as from Israeli companies. The corporate media has adopted the line that divestment would be too complicated and costly for the universities to do. But when students set up an encampment at Trinity College in Dublin, in Ireland, and called on it to divest from Israeli companies, the college quickly agreed to their demands. Problem solved, without police violence or trying to muzzle free speech. Students have also won commitments to consider divestment from U.S. institutions, including Brown, Northwestern, Evergreen State, Rutgers and the Universities of Minnesota and Wisconsin. While decades of even deadlier U.S. war-making in the greater Middle East failed to provoke a sustained mass protest movement, the genocide in Gaza has opened the eyes of many thousands of young people to the need to rise up against the U.S. war machine. The gradual expulsion and emigration of Palestinians from their homeland has created a huge diaspora of young Palestinians who have played a leading role in organizing solidarity campaigns on college campuses through groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). Their close links with extended families in Palestine have given them a visceral grasp of the U.S. role in this genocide and an authentic voice that is persuasive and inspiring to other young Americans. Now it is up to Americans of all ages to follow our young leaders and demand not just an end to the genocide in Palestine, but also a path out of our countrys military madness and the clutches of its deeply entrenched MICIMATT (military-industrial-congressional-intelligence-media- academia-think-tank) complex, which has inflicted so much death, pain and desolation on so many of our neighbors for so long, from Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan to Vietnam and Latin America. Turkish public opinion of the West dropped due to the Iraq War and has not recovered. There have been almost constant issues since, with both sides fanning the flames the US with its arrogance and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for using the disputes for political gain. Beneath the surface, however, they continue to cooperate on a wide range of issues. That might get more difficult. The fact is the US, by supporting Israels plausible genocide in Gaza, has managed to find an issue that could cause an irreparable break between the West and the vast majority of Turkish citizens, which could make it politically toxic for Erdogan or anyone else to remain partially aligned with the West. For months after October 7, Erdogan paid lip service to the Palestinian cause while trade kept flowing between Turkiye and Israel. Voters forced him to take a firmer stand at the polls on March 31 when Erdogans Justice and Development (AK) Party lost the popular vote for the first time since 2002 partially due to the government response to Israels war in Gaza (the other big issue was the economy). The Islamist far-right New Welfare Party (YRP) left Erdogans ruling Peoples Alliance and campaigned on ending trade with Israel, and as a result it became the third largest party nationwide with 6.2 percent of the vote and won 60 municipalities. A contrite Erdogan said the AKP would begin listening more to voters concerns. On May 2, the news broke that Turkiye is halting all trade with Israel, which in theory could be a major blow to the latter. Turkiye is the fifth-largest source of Israeli imports, which include high-value products like iron, plastic and steel in addition to basic goods such as food items and textiles. In 2022, iron and steel topped the list of Turkish exports to Israel, and were together worth $1.19 billion. The US surprisingly bit its tongue over Turkiyes announcement with State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller saying that they are both allies of ours, and we would encourage them to work through their differences. The fact is there isnt a whole lot the US can do as Washington has already pushed so much on the Ukraine issue, trying to do so on the issue of the slaughter in Gaza, which has inflamed public opinion in Turkiye, would be unwise. Millers statement also ignores the fact that their differences could be solved by the US forcing Israel to put an end to its plausible genocide. Israels Foreign Minister said on May 9 that Erdogan was retreating on his trade restrictions only for Ankara to deny thats the case. That makes the statement from Israel sound either imprudent or like more of a threat. There are still questions of just how firm Erdogan and the Turks are on the trade suspension. On May 5, the Israeli financial daily Globes reported the following: Turkiye has not yet halted the loading of oil tankers at Ceyhan port bound for Israel, according to Israeli sources. Azerbaijan is an important supplier of oil to Israel, via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, at the end of which the oil is loaded onto tankers that bring it to Haifa. Azerbaijan and Turkiye are strong allies, and Israel enjoys probably its closest ties with a majority Muslim nation with Azerbaijan and is a major supplier of arms to the Caspian country. From 2016 to 2020 Tel Aviv accounted for 69 percent of Azerbaijans major arms imports, including loitering munitions (they have been likened to missiles that can hunt for a target while directed from a control station). The weapons gained notoriety in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. Israel is one of the top customers for Azerbaijani oil, importing $297 million worth in January. If Erdogan really wanted to get tough on Israel and lead the Muslim world response as hes claimed, he could not only stop the transit of Azerbaijani oil, but maybe even try to do something about other suppliers. After Azerbaijan, the second biggest exporter of oil to Israel is Kazakhstan, which sends it through the Chevron-, ExxonMobil-, and Shell-controlled Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. Article 5 of the 1936 Montreux Convention states that if Turkiye is a belligerent, neutral merchant vessels may transit the straits by day through designated routes, but only if they do not assist the enemy. Instead, Israel is beginning to send back its diplomats to Turkiye, half a year after it withdrew them over security concerns, and there are also rumblings about Turkiye rerouting exports through a middleman: One proposed solution is to transport the products through European countries, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. Israeli shipping company iShip Forwarding has suggested a workaround to bypass the ban by establishing a new logistical route where Turkish products are first transported to third countries, and from there, to Israel.This solution allows Turkish manufacturers to continue supplying goods to Israel without violating the ban and without their knowledge that the products are reaching Israel. The shipping company has refused to disclose the specific third country through which the shipment passes, but the Israeli newspaper mentioned Bulgaria and Romania among others. This transit would incur additional costs on the shipment but ensures the continuous flow of goods. If these reports of Turkiye already softening its trade suspension with Israel are true, more blowback can be expected as Turks are paying close attention to this issue demonstrated by Erdogan being unable to get away with his usual talk-but-no-action strategy in the recent local elections. And the longer Erdogan and the higher ups in Turkiye try to keep a lid on popular backlash against Israel and its partners in the West, the more likely it is that the situation explodes. The Bigger Picture Turkiye and the West The number of issues between Ankara and the West over the past few decades are almost too numerous to count. Heres just a brief list: Sanctions and more sanctions. The US sanctions Turkish individuals and companies for aiding Russia, for aiding Iran, and the US is already threatening to slap on more sanctions over Turkish firms exports to Russia. A quick search on the US Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control site turns up a whopping 232 sanctioned Turkish individuals or entities. This is not a great look when Turkiye is going through its worst economic crisis in two decades. Turkiye was snubbed by the EU. Since the 1990s, Ankara asked NATO multiple times to deploy early warning systems and Patriot missiles to Turkiye, but it never came to pass. In 2017 Russia sold Turkiye its S-400 missile defense systems, which are arguably superior to anything the West has. In response the US expelled Turkiye from its F-35 program and sanctioned the countrys defense industry organization and its leaders. Possible US involvement in failed 2016 coup attempt. US proxy forces in Ukraine have reportedly tried to sabotage pipelines between Russia and Turkiye over the past year. Western support of Kurds to the point there exists the possibility of Turkish soldiers coming face to face in the field with American soldiers, who are supporting the YPG in Syria. The US abandoned its largely neutral stance on Turkiyes relationship with both Greece and Cyprus. Washington is ramping up military aid to Greece, turning a port near the Turkish border into a naval base, and sending weaponry to Cyprus after ending a decades-old ban on arms sales. This has all taken place despite Turkiyes status as the second most important member of NATO just based on its geographic position, which includes controlling access to the Black Sea. These issues highlight a fundamental difference in how the two sides view the alliance: while Turkiye views itself as something more than just a regional power and wants to be treated as such, the US essentially wants Ankara to follow orders. For now, the relationship continues largely out of economic necessity. While Turkiye imports cheap and reliable energy from Russia, its factories produce goods for the European market. But economic concerns can be overruled by popular opinion, as we have seen by Erdogan being mostly forced by voters to start taking more active measures against Israel despite Turkiyes economic woes. There are no signs that the trajectory of US-Israel attitudes and actions are going to change, and as a result its difficult to see how Turkish public opposition to the US-led West doesnt continue to stiffen. Sinem Adar, an associate at the Center for Applied Turkiye Studies at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, writing at War on the Rocks: Turkiyes ruling elites believe that the West lacks strategic thinking and has increasingly become estranged from the rest of the world in the face of various issues including relations with China, migration and terror, and the shift in economic gravity from the West to the East. For Ankara, the unequivocal and unconditional support that the Biden administration gives Israel confirms this belief. Triggering a convergence between the policies of Turkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other countries, pro-government journalists expect that the conflict would lead to an increasing isolation of Israel. Regardless of their ideological affiliation, most Turkish political actors tend to see the recent conflict in Gaza as one between the so-called West (led by the United States) and the East. Since the disputed attack at the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, there have been calls on the government to ally with countries in the Global South to stop the U.S.-Israeli alliance. Yet the proposed methods vary. Addressing an emergency session of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation on Oct. 18, Fidan called upon Muslim countries to act with self-confidence and challenge the hegemonic narrative that has been imposed on them, but without offering a concrete roadmap for how to do that. Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the AKPs junior partner, the Nationalist Movement Party, said Turkiye should intervene militarily if there is no ceasefire. Those critical of Ankaras civilizationist aspirations yet share its aspirations for a foreign policy independent from the West call for booting U.S. military members at Incirlik Air Force Base and the Kurecik Radar Station in Malatya. While the main opposition remains committed to the West and even the usually nimble Erdogan has looked a bit slow in keeping up with public opinion on the Palestine issue, others are beginning to fill the gaps, speaking out against the lack of Turkish action on Palestine, as well as increasingly blaming NATO. There were protests at the American Incirlik air base in November. Protestors tried to storm the base and fought with police in riot gear who fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse the crowds. The base in southern Turkiye is reportedly still used by the US to deliver weapons to Israel. Theres also the fact that Incirlik hosts US nuclear weapons, which has become increasingly controversial. Asked about it before the 2020 election, Biden said he is worried. According to Nordic Monitor, the protests were at least partially organized by the Turkish intelligence agency MIT, which in a bid to give Erdogan more leverage in talks with DC, engaged a jihadist charity organization to orchestrate a nationwide march. Lets hope MIT doesnt lose control of its assets. There have also been protests at NATOs Kurecik Radar Station in southeastern Turkiye, where thousands chanted against Israel and NATO. Although Turkiye agreed to host the radar station under the condition that information gathered there only be shared with NATO member states, it is widely believed Israel also receives the information. Iran criticized Turkiye when the radar was being installed back in 2011, saying it would help to protect Israel from Iranian missile attacks in case of a war. Seeing as the US and Israel are joined at the hip, Israels actions in Gaza also increase opposition in Turkiye to the US and NATO. And this trend predates Israels plausible genocide: A poll conducted in December 2022 by the Turkish company Gezici found that 72.8% of Turkish citizens polled were in favor of good relations with Russia. By comparison, nearly 90% perceive the United States as a hostile country. It also revealed that 24.2% of citizens believe that Russia is hostile, while 62.6% believe that Russia is a friendly country. Similarly, more than 60% of respondents said that Russia contributes positively to the Turkish economy. Those results are astounding. Russia and Turkiye share a long, difficult history, and as recently as 2016, Russia was seen by the public as the biggest threat to Turkiye. Only 16 percent of Turks had a favorable opinion of Russia in 2014. The major reversal is likely the result of a sustained campaign by Russia to improve ties through energy links and the construction of Turkiyes first nuclear power plant. Further US heavy handedness havent helped, and theres a strong possibility that due to the unpopularity of the US in Turkiye, that when Russias ties deteriorate with the West it is held in higher regard in Turkiye. While low opinions of the West have persisted since the Iraq War, there are many differences between then and today that make the situation more volatile. The US is seen as worsening Turkiyes economic crisis by applying sanctions over a perceived lack of enthusiasm for the economic war against Russia. (Turkiye has not joined the Wests sanctions against Russia and has profited from acting as a middleman between Russia and other countries.) But most of all, it is the fact that the US could put a stop to the daily carnage in Gaza that is widely reported across Turkiye day after day going on seven months now, and it chooses not to. These issues helped propel the rightwing New Welfare Party (YRP) to third place in recent elections. YRP demands an end to trade with Israel and the closure of NATOs Kurecik Radar Station in southeastern Turkiye. The YRP had also previously opposed Swedens NATO bid. Erdogan is already moving towards the YRP position on trade with Israel or at least is trying to make it appear as though he is. Well have to see if more is coming. Erdogan has been playing this card of the big, bad West for years now, but hes been in power for more than two decades. His problem is that voters believe him; they also see that not much has been done about it. And theyre increasingly starting to demand action whether it comes through the democratic system or not. The fact that Incirlik Air Force Base and the Kurecik Radar Station have become targets of public outrage is not a great sign for the US. Leaders of Arab countries are getting increasingly nervous about their restive populations angry about their countries lack of action against Israel. US support for Israel has put a big target on US bases throughout the Arab world, and that is also the case in NATO-ally Turkiye where the ties holding Ankara and Washington together at arms length are increasingly fraying. GENERAL Allied Defence Ministers will meet at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on 13 and 14 June 2024. The meeting will be chaired by the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. Media representatives without annual accreditation to NATO for 2024 can apply for ad-hoc accreditation to the Ministerial meeting. The deadline for accreditation is Sunday 2 June 2024, at 23:59 (CEST). The Secretary General will address the media by the end of each day of the Ministerial meeting. On 13 June, a NATO-Ukraine Council will meet at the level of Defence Ministers. PROGRAMME View programme agenda with links to media resources or download the detailed media programme (PDF/176 kb). For information about individual Ministers media programmes, please contact the national delegations. A list of delegation press officers is available from NATO Press & Media (press@hq.nato.int). MEDIA ACCREDITATION Media representatives with an annual accreditation to NATO for 2024 do not need to apply for separate accreditation for this event. All other media representatives wishing to cover the meeting need to apply for accreditation via NATOs media accreditation platform: https://my.hq.nato.int. The deadline to register and apply for media accreditation is Sunday 2 June 2024, at 23:59 (CEST). Please apply as early as possible to allow for sufficient time for processing accreditation requests. NATO will confirm accreditation explicitly by email. Please bring a printout of the confirmation email when collecting your badge. Media passes must be collected in person upon presentation of the confirmation email, as well as the documents used to apply for accreditation at the Main Entrance, NATO Headquarters, Boulevard Leopold III 1110 Brussels. You must bring the same ID document and the same press card or editors letter that you used to apply for accreditation online. Ad-hoc accreditation badges will be given out to media representatives on a counter specifically designated for the purpose. Collection of annual accreditation is separate and can only be done at the main pass office. Passes must be visible at all times. Please arrive early to clear security checks. Security personnel will examine and may test equipment and personal effects. MEDIA ACCESS Accredited media representatives can work in the press area of NATO Headquarters on both days of the Ministerial meeting, and access all public areas. The opening hours of the press area will be communicated in the media programme. Accredited journalists can attend Ministers doorsteps and the press conferences of the NATO Secretary General. These events will also be streamed live on the NATO website. National briefings will also take place at NATO Headquarters. Those are by invitation only. Please contact national delegations at NATO for details about their plans. POOLS A few elements of the Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers will be accessible only to a pool of visual journalists. Details on pooled events and distribution of pool cards will be available in the media programme, a few days before the event. If you accept a NATO pool position, you must share immediately all information and material collected while in the pool with any accredited media that requests 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 cannot be sold. BROADCAST NATO will provide broadcast-quality video in real time on EBU World feed or to EBU News Exchange. NATO photographers and videographers will provide video clips and photos of all public events during the ministerial meeting. Photos can be downloaded from the NATO website. The video files will be available for free download from the NATO Multimedia Portal. The Secretary General's press conference and public remarks will be streamed live on the NATO website. MEDIA FACILITIES A press working area will be set up on the first floor of the Public Square at NATO HQ. Working spaces cannot be booked in advance and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Television and radio editing spaces will be available upon request by email to the NATO TV & Radio Unit (see contact details below). PARKING Media representatives can park in the Visitors' car park of the NATO HQ. Uplink vans can park in a special section of the car park upon request to the NATO TV & Radio Unit. For more information: For general queries: Contact the NATO Press Office Accreditation NatoAccreditations@hq.nato.int TV & Radio arrangements on site and via satellite broadcastoperations@hq.nato.int NATO Video on demand content@natomultimedia.tv AstraZeneca WITHDRAWS COVID-19 injection worldwide after admitting it causes BLOOD CLOTS AstraZeneca has announced the global withdrawal of its Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) injection , following the company's admission that it causes severe side effects. According to the National Pulse, the Anglo-Swedish drug firm applied for a withdrawal of its vaccine's marketing authorization in the European Union back in March. The European Medicines Agency (EMA), the agency in charge of regulating vaccines in the union, approved the request which took effect on May 7. Similar moves in the U.K. and other countries were expected. In an update on the EMA's website, it said the approval for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 injection had been withdrawn "at the request of the marketing authorization holder." Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccine strategy at the European regulator, said he expected all the "monovalent" vaccines which dealt only with the original SARS-CoV-2 strain to be withdrawn in time. "The authorization of the [COVID-19 vaccine] by AstraZeneca will be withdrawn, and the process has already officially started with the European Commission," he told Italian media outlets. "This is in line with the expectations that no-longer-used and updated vaccines will be withdrawn as per our indication." Described by former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as a "triumph for British science," the AstraZeneca COVID-19 injection was first approved by the EMA in January 2021. However, concerns grew about the vaccine's safety within weeks when dozens of countries suspended its use following the detection of blood clots in those injected with the vaccine. 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. 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. However, studies later suggested that the pricier messenger RNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna provided better protection against COVID-19 and its many variants, and most countries switched to those. AstraZeneca claims withdrawal due to "commercial reasons" AstraZeneca claims that the decision was due to "commercial reasons," with new injections having superseded its initial offering. But critics point out that the withdrawal followed an admission by the pharmaceutical company that its COVID-19 injection sold under the names Vaxzevria and Covishield can cause thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). The condition, which involves blood clots coupled with a low blood platelet count, is linked to 81 fatalities in the United Kingdom. "It is admitted that the [AstraZeneca] vaccine can cause TTS," the company indicated in recent court filings. Despite this, the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical firm insisted that TTS only happens "in very rare cases." The admission was in relation to a lawsuit alleging that AstraZeneca's COVID-19 injection was defective. (Related: AstraZeneca admits its COVID-19 vaccine CAUSES BLOOD CLOTS in U.K. court filings). The lawsuit was filed by Jamie Scott, a 47-year-old who suffered permanent brain damage after being injected with the COVID-19 vaccine. His wife Kate responded to the news of the withdrawal, telling the Telegraph: "They say it is for commercial reasons, but maybe it's because it can no longer be seen as being within the acceptable safety parameters, with 445 confirmed cases of [vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis], 81 of these fatal in the U.K. alone." Still, Kate was happy with this development. "AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine no longer being used in the U.K. or Europe, and soon the rest of the world, means no one else will suffer from this awful adverse reaction," she said. Watch this video about the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine being pulled out after being linked to blood clots and turbo cancer. This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Report: More than 70% of embalmers found strange BLOOD CLOTS in corpses beginning in mid-2021, months after COVID vaccines were rolled out. Australian actress sues AstraZeneca for life-threatening vaccine injury, but continues to ADVOCATE for other covid-19 "vaccines." Study finds causal link between COVID vaccines and mortality, confirming 1 death for every 800 jabs. Largest global COVID-19 vaccine safety study links vaccines to neurological, blood and heart-related conditions. TRUTH HURTS: CDC officials worried about publicity of COVID-19 vaccine studies damaging the publics vaccine confidence. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Telegraph.co.uk Brighteon.com Former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo admits to taking IVERMECTIN for his vaccine injury Former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo has admitted to taking the much-maligned antiviral drug ivermectin to address his Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine injury. Cuomo, now with NewsNation, first made mention of his vaccine injury during an interview with fellow vaccine-injured guest Shaun Barcavage on May 3. The nurse practitioner experienced severe adverse reactions after his hospital pressured him to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Days later on May 7, Cuomo admitted during an appearance on "The PBD Podcast" that he is taking the antiviral drug to address his vaccine injury symptoms. He told podcast host Patrick Bet-David: "I am taking a regular dose of ivermectin. My doctor was using it during COVID-19 on her family and on patients, and it was working for them." According to Cuomo, the entire clinical community knew from the beginning of the pandemic that ivermectin was not harmful. But he added that "they weren't saying anything" as they were playing scared. "We were given bad information about ivermectin. [I] didn't know that at the time," the former CNN anchor confessed. "[I] know it now, admit it now [and am] reporting on it now, because I think that's the job." Cuomo also criticized how the mainstream media portrayed ivermectin and admitted that podcast host Joe Rogan was correct. The host of "The Joe Rogan Experience" and former mixed martial arts commentator discussed ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 early in the pandemic. "Ivermectin was a boogeyman early on in COVID. You couldn't talk about it; that was wrong. [It] should have been part of our common practice to see if it could help or not," Cuomo told Bet-David. 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 NewsNation anchor also shared with Bet-David the results of his bloodwork, with doctors showing him "glowing micro-clot stuff." He also recounted his doctor advising him against taking the COVID-19 booster, with Cuomo being told: "You have so many antibodies that we don't know what the vaccine [booster] would do 'for you' as opposed to 'to you.'" Ivermectin is a controversial subject Ivermectin has been a subject of much controversy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being a well-established antiparasitic drug with a favorable safety profile, its use for treating COVID-19 was met with skepticism and resistance from mainstream media and some public health authorities. The Food and Drug Administration launched a campaign against the drug in 2021, calling it "horse paste" and warning people not to use it to treat or prevent COVID-19. But several physicians beg to differ, including Dr. Pierre Kory. According to Kory, the co-founder and president emeritus of the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, ivermectin is one of the safest medicines in history. "I use it for long COVID and long [vaccine injury], and I have patients on it who've been on it daily for up to two years," he said. Numerous studies have even shown ivermectin's potential effectiveness, with one clinical trial demonstrating its ability to reduce ICU admissions among COVID-19 patients by 83 percent.(Related: Ivermectin helped people RECOVER FASTER from COVID-19 infections, study finds.) Researchers from Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Iran were responsible for this trial, the results of which were published April 30 in the Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences. It involved 110 patients with moderate to severe confirmed COVID-19 infection. The study's findings demonstrated that ivermectin reduced the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission by 83 percent and shortened the median hospitalization duration from six days in the placebo group to four days in the ivermectin group. Moreover, it found no serious side effects related to ivermectin use. The authors wrote: "Among those administered ivermectin, there were no reports of sensitivity reactions, adverse effects or drug-related toxicity." "I think the war on ivermectin is over," Kory added. "It was fought to a stalemate meaning those that dont believe it works will not change their minds." Watch Dr. Syed Haider explaining how ivermectin has saved lives from COVID-19 on "The Breanna Morello Show." This video is from Mypodcastdropped2320 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ivermectin is trending again New scientific paper released exposing "miracle drug." Ivermectin can kill cancer cells and boost immune response, suggest health experts. Ivermectin available over the counter in Tennessee. Ivermectin works, even if the establishment falsely claims otherwise. Ivermectin smuggled in chocolate bar saves British Covid patients life. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org Brighteon.com FrankenSkies documentary exposes the chemtrail agenda and its effects on life on Earth Climate change is controversial on its own, but when discussions of geoengineering enter the equation, it can be even more contentious. Some climate change alarmists insist that taking extreme measures like spraying chemicals in the air to cool the earths climate is the only way to save us, while many others including some of those who buy into the climate change panic warn that it could cause a lot more harm than good Despite being a concept for nearly a century, far too few people are aware of geoengineering and its ramifications. Geoengineering may sound futuristic, but it actually dates back to the 1930s, and its origins and ramifications are explored in depth in an eye-opening documentary known as FrankenSkies. The documentary seeks to raise awareness about this practice, exposing how those with a vested interest in it sought to normalize the idea of chemical cloud formations via atmospheric aerosol dispersals so people wont question what is happening when they see it in the skies. A website for the documentary explains: Since the creation and release of FrankenSkies in June of 2017, the world as we know it has drastically changed, with many still blind to the realm of aerosol injections, chemtrails, geoengineering [or] weather engineering." It continues: Most importantly, on a global scale and in desperate need of much exposure, is the media normalisation, social engineering and official public deployment of geoengineering as a solution to climate change. The man behind the documentary, Matt Landman, explained that his curiosity was piqued after witnessing strange weather events while working on a California farm. On multiple occasions, he and others he spoke with saw planes flying through the skies, followed by rainstorms suddenly being quelled. After researching the phenomenon and learning about how atmospheric aerosols are being sprayed to prevent rain, he decided he wanted to do something to make sure the public knows what is at stake. 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. Since then, my research has uncovered a treasonous, nefarious plot to control the weather and an even worse agenda that involves tricking the public into a hoax that the planet is heating uncontrollably because of our carbon emissions, he wrote. Much like those who cautioned about the dangers of COVID-19 vaccines, people who speak out about chemtrails have long been slapped with the conspiracy theorist label in an attempt to discredit them. However, its a very real phenomenon, and those who support it arent even hiding their motivations. Scientists from top universities like Harvard insist that spraying sulfate aerosols into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight away is somehow sensible, while MIT scientists say that "geoengineering might be our final and only option" to save us from so-called climate change. European Commission warns about risks of geoengineering However, there is a silver lining here: the European Commission published a report last year warning about the risks of using geoengineering to manipulate the skies as climate change alarmists ramped up their calls for the use of these artificial interventions. The report warned that the risks, impacts and unintended consequences that these technologies pose are poorly understood, and necessary rules, procedures and institutions have not been developed." While the idea of spraying chemicals in the air that we breathe poses some obvious health dangers, they also pointed out potential problems such as power imbalances between countries that could lead to serious conflicts, as well as ethical and legal issues. EU Climate Policy Chief Frans Timmermans stated: "Nobody should be conducting experiments alone with our shared planet. This should be discussed in the right forum, at the highest international level." Sources for this article include: Expose-News.com ZeroHedge.com Gaza rescue team uncovers THIRD mass grave in ruins of Al-Shifa hospital Another horrific discovery occurred at Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital this week: amass grave full of bodies left behind by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The seventh mass grave to be discovered so far in the Gaza Strip since October 7, this most recent mass grave contained "dozens of Palestinians, including women, children, and patients, executed by Israel," according to Ramy Abdu, chairman of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor. The Government Media Office in Gaza also shared a statement via Telegram condemning the actions of Israel that created this tragedy. "We condemn in the strongest terms the crimes of genocide and the continuous killing committed by the occupation army against our Palestinian people. This brings the number of mass graves found inside hospitals to seven: one in Kamal Adwan Hospital, three graves in Al-Shifa Medical Complex, and three graves in the Nasser Medical Complex ... 520 martyrs have been recovered from these graves so far." Breaking| Member of the Emergency Committee at the Ministry of Health in Gaza: The Israeli army destroyed the reception department at Al-Shifa Hospital over the heads of patients. We found heads without bodies at Al-Shifa Hospital. Thousands of people are still missing in the pic.twitter.com/ZMmoxBN13Q Ramy Abdu| ???? ???? (@RamAbdu) May 8, 2024 (Related: Remember last November when Israel raided Al-Shifa and uncovered zero real evidence of a Hamas headquarters there?) U.S. government complicit Israel of course did not act alone, at least not technically seeing as how it receives regular welfare payments and arms shipments from the United States government. Gaza officials stressed this, stating that they "hold the U.S. administration, the international community, and the occupation fully responsible for these mass graves and this blatant aggression." Supporters of Israel continue to point to the events of October 7 as justification for this ongoing genocide in Gaza, but what many of them are failing to mention is the sheer number of Israel citizens who were slaughtered by IDF as well in its chaotic response that fateful day. 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. Not only that, but Hamas took very few lives in Israel on October 7 compared to the tens of thousands of lives that IDF has taken, both Israeli and Palestinian, over the past six-plus months. International organizations say they are looking into the many mass graves being uncovered, which in many ways resemble the mass graves tied to the Holocaust from the 1940s. Innocent people, many of them women and children, were dumped into these mass graves by Israeli soldiers after they were executed, and in some cases tortured. Is this something that supporters of Israel want on their conscience? Some of the bodies were reportedly wrapped in plastic bags with Hebrew writing on them. There were also bodies whose hands were tied behind their backs, their identities including doctors, nurses, children and the elderly. "Some of the bodies found have evaporated and turned to ash," reported the Gaza Civil Defense towards the end of April. "International institutions must identify the type of weapons used [by Israel]." Since the start of Israel's post-October 7 operation in Gaza, about 13,000 Palestinians remain missing, according to Euro-Med. Some of these are people whose bodies are trapped under the rubble of buildings destroyed by IDF airstrikes, as well as others who were "forcibly disappeared" by Israel for whatever reason. "They raided Al-Shifa and killed 50 civilians, execution style, including children," someone wrote on X about what is said to have happened in the most recent incident at the hospital. "The first raid on Al-Shifa in November saw similar civilian executions. The impunity is chilling, but the case for genocide is building as Israel keeps destroying civilian buildings." Netanyahu has said he will not stop bombing Gaza until the mission is complete. Learn more at Genocide.news. Sources for this article include: TheCradle.co NaturalNews.com The Israel lobby is First Amendments principal enemy, former senior diplomat warns Amid pro-Palestinian demonstrations condemning Israel's genocidal acts in Gaza, the Antisemitism Awareness Act was passed in Congress. For former Ambassador of the United States to Saudi Arabia Chas W. Freeman Jr., the Israel lobby that pushed for the legislation is the "principal enemy" of the First Amendment. The act passed in Congress by a vote of 320 in favor and 91 against. The bill would mandate that the Department of Education adopt the broad definition of antisemitism used by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), an intergovernmental group, to enforce anti-discrimination laws. This would also strengthen the crackdown efforts on nationwide university protests. The proposal first defines antisemitism and then gives the Education Department the ability to suspend funding if it determines a school does not act against students who violate that definition. Once passed and rolled out, it will give the department new tools to threaten or punish schools that dont take the department's definition of antisemitism seriously. The bill is seen by Freeman as another attempt to suppress denouncement of Israel's genocidal attacks in Gaza. "The principal enemies of the First Amendment in recent years have been the Israel lobby," he said in a May 4 "Dialogue Works" interview. "Basically, they have tried to prohibit any speech opposed to the state of Israel." He also pointed out that the redefinition of "antisemitism" conflates opposition to the mass killing and starvation of civilians with an irrational hatred of Jews. "Anti-Semitism is not the same as anti-Zionism and people who object to genocide or the conduct of that by a foreign government cannot be called antisemitic," he said. 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. Meanwhile, The Hill opinion contributor Miko Zeldes-Roth pointed out that the act codifies a definition of antisemitism that is hostile to both Palestinian rights and Jewish safety. "The bill adopts the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which has been criticized for 'conflating Judaism with Zionism in assuming that all Jews are Zionists,'" the writer said. According to him, the new bill has been opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union, which rightly sees it as an attack on the constitutional freedom of speech. One would think that establishment American Jewish leaders, even if they do not agree with the demands of pro-Palestinian student protestors, would subordinate their support for Israel to their support for American democracy, especially in a time of rising authoritarianism. (Related: The First Amendment must be scrapped to "protect Israel," says ADL.) Freeman: Israel is committing 'national suicide' by continuing war in Gaza Apart from slamming how thought police suppress free speech in America, Freeman also contended that U.S. support for Israel is simply enabling the Middle Eastern country's self-destruction, as the state's actions continue doing irreparable harm to its international standing. During his speech in front of the faction ruling Israel and its backers, he said, "I think Mr. Netanyahu, this group of people are committing national suicide. Without the support of the world including the large number of Jews in North America and elsewhere, Israel cant survive." He also believes that Israel is beginning to fall apart as its economy is in tatters and its society is divided. He also thinks that its government is unprecedentedly unpopular and that its actions alienate the entire world. "It is becoming a true international pariah," he added. The ex-ambassador also condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his intention to depopulate Gaza. "He will do that however he can. Whether by driving Palestinians out of Gaza, by starving them to death or by bombing and shooting them he doesn't care," Freeman asserted, adding that the Israeli leader "has spent his entire career trying to prevent Palestinian self-determination that is his purpose now." The political pressure on Netanyahu, coupled with the certainty of prosecution on leaving office, means he is "a political prisoner," according to Freeman. "The extremists who populate the cabinet would throw him out" if the Israeli prime minister tried to de-escalate the war. Freeman further mentioned the well-documented charges of fraud faced by the Israeli leader and if he's thrown out, he will spend some time in jail for corruption." Meanwhile, Freeman warned that if Israel continues to devastate Gaza, Israelis are going to find that when they announce they are Israelis, people are going to look at them as though they were Nazis. "This six-pointed Star of David, a symbol of Jewish renewal in the state of Israel, is now looked on by much of the world the same way as Europeans look at the swastika. It's a symbol of genocide. That is not anything anybody should celebrate," he said. IsraelCollapse.news has more stories related to the ongoing conflict waged by Israel in the Middle East. Watch the video below that talks about the backlash against the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act. This video is from the Auriga Books channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: In the name of "supporting Israel," U.S. is now being turned into anti-free speech tyrannical DICTATORSHIP. U.S. senate working to CRIMINALIZE any criticism of Israel's genocide with ADL-backed law that will make it illegal to tell the truth. COMING SOON: Stasi-like "antisemitism monitors" at U.S. college, university campuses, with the full support of supposed "free speech" conservatives. Google fires dozens of pro-Palestinian employees who protested against company's cloud deal with Israel. Sources include: NBCNews.com LifeSiteNews.com TheHill.com Brighteon.com Kenyan lawyer urges 79 nations to REJECT EU treaty pushing LGBT and pro-abortion agendas A top Kenyan lawyer has urged 79 nations to resist a treaty by the European Union (EU) that would force their countries to accept abortion, LGBT rights and child sexual education. Lawyer Charles Kanjama issued this call during the Second African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty, held from May 1 to 3 in Uganda. His call was addressed to 79 countries that comprise the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). The lawyer warned that the newest iteration of a 20-year trade agreement between the OACPS and the EU, known as the Samoa Agreement, threatens the values of African nations. According to Kanjama, the trade agreement, initially known as the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, was originally designed to facilitate "preferential access to European goods and substances in the African market." However, the EU has expanded its scope to include "human rights," democracy, peace and security and social development issues. He explained that "human rights" in the EU include "sexual and reproductive health and rights, which could effectively force African nations to agree to LGBTQ, abortion and sex education "rights." Given this, Kanjama stressed that the treaty uses "euphemistic language" to sneak those "rights" that contradict their cultural and moral beliefs into the agreement. (Related: Ugandan President Museveni signs anti-LGBT legislation that stipulates DEATH PENALTY for "aggravated homosexuality.") The lawyer advised representatives of the African nations part of the OACPS who were present at the three-day conference to study an analysis of the treaty done by Family Watch International (FWI). According to the Arizona-based lobbying organization, the Samoa Agreement contains detrimental clauses alongside ambiguous and undefined terms that could potentially be exploited to advocate for agendas related to abortion, LGBT rights and sex education. 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. FWI highlighted that the agreement mandates the signatories to "undertake to prevent, combat and prosecute all forms of sexual and gender-based violence and discrimination." It also emphasizes "the importance of tackling all factors contributing to violent extremism in all its forms, including religious intolerance, hate speech, xenophobia, racism as well as other forms of intolerance." Member nations pressured to sign for fear of being excluded from trade opportunities Several OACPS nations, including Nigeria and Namibia, are now reconsidering the treaty in response to Kanjama's suggestions. Lagos has said it is now reviewing the agreement to ensure that its provisions do not contravene Nigerias domestic legislation. Meanwhile, Windhoek has issued a ministerial statement noting that several treaty provisions are "not in line with the Namibian Constitution." But Kanjama believes that even though the Samoa Agreement is flawed, many OACPS countries feel pressured to sign for fear of being excluded from trade opportunities with Brussels. According to the lawyer, the most desirable solution would be to amend the treaty and convince the EU's 27 member states to agree to such changes. "Honestly, the only way [any] amendment would work is if the [OACPS member] countries decline or delay the process of ratification of the treaty and apply subsequent pressure to have the treaty re-negotiated," he explained. Aside from this, Kanjama also proposed OACPS member countries to make reservations or issue conditional declarations before they finalize the treaty. A conditional declaration, explained Kanjama, allows a state to approve a treaty on the condition that certain provisions are interpreted in a specific manner. Head over to Resist.news for similar stories. Watch Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, whose country's Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 drew condemnation from the West, denouncing gays as "disgusting" in the clip below. This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Scott Lively looks back on his fight against the LGBT mafia in Uganda Brighteon.TV. Globalist UN favors same-sex relationships and transgenderism, objects to Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023. Globalist World Bank DEFUNDS Uganda after the country passes anti-LGBT law. Dr. Scott Lively talks about the LGBT mafias oppression of Christians Brighteon.TV. The LGBT agenda has always been about population control, leaked 1969 memo reveals. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com Brighteon.com Netanyahus war cabinet approves calibrated expansion of Rafah invasion to appease U.S. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet has reportedly greenlit a " calibrated expansion " of Israel's operations within Rafah, a densely populated city in southern Gaza. This decision follows President Joe Biden's ultimatum to stop supplying offensive weaponry to Israel should the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) invade the city. On the morning of May 7, IDF tanks and troops entered the eastern precincts of Rafah, seizing control of the border crossing connecting Gaza and Egypt, and initiating airstrikes. Axios reported on Friday, May 10, that an "expansion of the area of operation" was endorsed, drawing insights from three informed sources. Israeli media also corroborated the IDF's broadening operational scope. Sources within the Israeli government and military claimed that the expanded operation aligns with Biden's outlined limits. Another source expressed concern over potential misinterpretation of American warnings. Notably, the cabinet mandated Israeli negotiators to persist in hostage release negotiations. However, National Security Minister Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich dissented from this directive. In response to Biden's threat to curtail weapon supplies, Netanyahu affirmed Israel's readiness to "stand alone" in its conflict with Gaza. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the suspension of a weapons shipment due to apprehensions regarding Rafah. The city, currently sheltering 1.4 million displaced Palestinians from bombarded northern enclaves, remains a focal point of contention. 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. Reuters reported IDF's capture of the primary route between Rafah's eastern and western sectors, while Hamas claimed resistance against Israeli tank forces near an eastern mosque. The IDF posted on X the casualties among Hamas militants during "face-to-face" encounters near the border crossing and the discovery of several subterranean tunnels. (Related: Israeli invasion of Rafah under way following evacuation order on 100,000 residents.) Palestinians flee amid looming Israeli takeover of Rafah Hundreds of thousands of weary and displaced Palestinians have dismantled their tents and gathered their belongings in Rafah, embarking on yet another journey of displacement. The closure of the main hospital has exacerbated the plight of those suffering from malnutrition, illnesses and injuries, with limited medical care available. Aid workers, facing shortages of fuel and supplies, are working tirelessly to assist a population weary from seven months of conflict. The seizure of the nearby border crossing with Egypt by Israel and the looming possibility of a full-scale invasion of Rafah have plunged the overcrowded city into panic and chaos. Families, displaced multiple times by the ongoing conflict, are uncertain about where to seek refuge: in the partially destroyed city of Khan Younis, in areas further north or in an Israeli-designated "humanitarian zone" within Gaza, already overwhelmed with residents and lacking adequate resources. Over the past three days, streams of people on foot or in vehicles have congested the roads out of Rafah in a chaotic evacuation, with vehicles piled high with belongings. Amidst this exodus, Israeli bombardment continues, adding to the sense of urgency and fear. "The war has reached even our schools. There is nowhere safe," remarked Nuzhat Jarjer, whose family evacuated from a United Nations-run school that was turned into a shelter in Rafah. Before the conflict, Rafah had a population of 250,000, which swelled to 1.4 million as displaced individuals sought refuge. Every available space was occupied by tent camps, and families crowded into schools or homes with relatives, relying heavily on aid organizations for sustenance. Israel issued evacuation orders for eastern parts of Rafah, home to approximately 100,000 residents, and subsequently deployed tanks to seize the Rafah crossing with Egypt, effectively closing it. Amid the uncertainty, confusion prevails. Residents, fearing further assaults, have fled districts beyond those initially designated for evacuation. Watch this video of a family describing their flight from a shelter in Rafah to the bombed out city of Khan Yunis. This video is from the AllTheWorldsAStage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Israel captures Rafah border crossing, cutting off all humanitarian aid to Gaza as hundreds of thousands face starvation. Biden gives ultimatum to Israel: Don't attack Rafah or you'll lose supply of U.S. bombs, artillery shells. Tlaib urges ICC to ARREST NETANYAHU after the Israeli leader's decision to invade Rafah. Israel's invasion of Rafah risks new MASSACRE, Jordan's King Abdullah II warns Biden. Israel carpet bombs Rafah after Hamas accepts ceasefire proposal. Sources include: RT.com APNews.com Brighteon.com Netanyahu proposes establishing a CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT in Gaza while his troops continue to slaughter more civilians Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared his vision for the future governance of Gaza, expressing a desire for a demilitarized civilian administration supported by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In an interview with U.S. talk show host Dr. Phil, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of continuous demilitarization to prevent the resurgence of terrorist threats even after dismantling the militant infrastructure. He proposed the establishment of a civilian government in Gaza comprising individuals committed to peace, aiming to promote stability and harmony in the region. Netanyahu's remarks contrast with the views of some members of his government who advocate the destruction and depopulation of Gaza to facilitate Jewish settlement. (Related: Netanyahu: Israel to take over "security" in Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war.) His troops have also killed tens of thousands of innocent civilians there over the past seven months. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have advocated for the Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern Gaza, despite widespread skepticism among Palestinians regarding the PA's effectiveness and its cooperation with Israeli authorities. The prime minister's statements coincided with the ongoing Israeli military offensive in Rafah, resulting in the displacement of over 100,000 Palestinians. Netanyahu affirmed Israel's commitment to military intervention in Gaza to combat terrorism. While U.S. President Biden has cautioned against Israel's actions in Rafah and threatened to withhold weapons shipments, Netanyahu remains resolute in Israel's defense capabilities, dismissing concerns about potential limitations on armament supplies. 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 exodus of Palestinians from Gaza's last refuge accelerated Sunday, May 12, as Israeli forces pushed deeper into the southern city of Rafah. Israel also pounded the territory's devastated north, where some Hamas militants have regrouped in areas the military said it had cleared months ago. Israel claims that Rafah is Hamas' last stronghold. Some 300,000 of the more than one million civilians sheltering there have fled the city following evacuation orders from Israel. Egypt intends to formally join South Africa's case against Israel at the ICC Neighboring Egypt issued its strongest objection yet to the Rafah offensive, saying it intends to formally join South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice (ICC) alleging Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Egypt's foreign ministry statement cited "the worsening severity and scope of the Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians." United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement that he cannot see how a full-scale invasion of Rafah can be reconciled with international humanitarian law. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated opposition to a major military assault on Rafah and told CBS that Israel would "be left holding the bag on an enduring insurgency" without an exit from Gaza and a postwar governance plan. Gaza has been left without a functioning government, leading to a breakdown in public order and allowing Hamas' armed wing to reconstitute itself even in the hardest-hit areas. On Sunday, Hamas touted attacks against Israeli soldiers in Rafah and near Gaza City. Israel has yet to offer a detailed plan for postwar governance in Gaza, saying only that it will maintain open-ended security control over the enclave of about 2.3 million Palestinians. Internationally mediated talks over a ceasefire and hostage release appeared to be at a standstill. In Tel Aviv, hundreds of protesters stood outside military headquarters and raised candles during a minute-long siren marking the day's start, demanding an immediate cease-fire deal to return the hostages. Netanyahu has rejected postwar plans proposed by the United States for the PA to govern Gaza with support from Arab and Muslim countries. Those plans depend on progress toward the creation of a Palestinian state, which Israel's government opposes. Watch Dr. Phil's exclusive interview with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This video is from the Jerusalem Cats channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Netanyahu promises to turn Gaza into "rubble" following Hamas attack they will pay "unprecedented price." Netanyahu begs Biden to block ICC from trying to put him in prison for war crimes. Netanyahu warns Biden he will "punish" Palestinian Authority if ICC issues arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. Sources include: TheCradle.co APNews.com Brighteon.com Politician who voted for rape bill that snagged Trump now says its unconstitutional after he was accused of rape NEW YORK- The controversial law that allowed E. Jean Carroll to sue former President Trump has now ensnared another politician, Brooklyn State Senator Kevin Parker. The irony of this situation is hard to ignore. (Article by Pat Droney republished from LawEnforcementToday.com) Brooklyn state senator Kevin Parker, who once supported the legislation that enabled Carroll to target Trump, is now facing a similar lawsuit. In a surprising turn of events, Parker is now claiming the so-called Adult Survivors Act is unconstitutional, the New York Post reports. In court records filed this month, Parker denied the allegations levied against him and then asserted the authorizing law was unconstitutional. NY state senator Kevin Parker has been accused of rape, under Adult Survivors Act, which he voted for so E. Jean Carroll could sue Trump. Now that he has been accused, he asserts the law is unconstitutional. pic.twitter.com/RTjmamMGX5 Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) May 7, 2024 The law, which has since expired, allowed alleged victims to file civil suits against their alleged attackers within a specific window of time, even if the criminal statute of limitations had run out. The accusation against Parker was filed in November 2023 for the attack that occurred in 2004, making it just before time ran out. Parker and every other state senate member voted in favor of the law in 2021. Parker actually repeated his support for the law in a statement issued when he initially responded to the allegations. I voted in favor of the [Adult Survivors Act] to ensure all New Yorkers can seek justice and be heard, he wrote of the law, signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul in May 2022. These allegations are absolutely untrue. My work and advocacy will continue, Parker continued. The incident allegedly occurred when the complainant, Olga Jean-Baptiste, worked with Parker on Haitian relief in 2004. She alleges he grabbed her wrists and forcibly raped her at her home, allegations that Hochul called deeply disturbing. The Post reached out to Parker and his lawyer for comment; however, neither responded. Parker is no stranger to the legal system, having been arrested for misdemeanor assault in 2005 after he struck a traffic officer who issued him a ticket. In 2011, Parker was arrested after he damaged the camera of a New York Post reporter after the photographer took pictures of him outside his home. Parker was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. He was also instructed to attend anger management classes and pay $672 to cover the damaged equipment. He avoided the more serious felony, assault during the commission of a felony, which could have resulted in a seven-year jail term. Read more at: LawEnforcementToday.com POLL: Trump LEADS Biden in five of six key swing states A recentpoll reveals that former President Donald Trump leads President Joe Biden in five of six key battleground states in a hypothetical head-to-head general election match-up. The poll was conducted by the New York Times, Siena College and the Philadelphia Inquirer among 4,097 registered voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin from April 28 to May 9. According to the poll, Trump holds the edge among registered voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Biden only has a lead in Wisconsin. Trump leads Biden by 47 percent to 44 percent in Pennsylvania, 49 percent to 42 percent in Arizona, 49 percent to 42 percent in Michigan, 49 percent to 39 percent in Georgia and 50 percent to 38 percent in Nevada. In Wisconsin, Biden is ahead with 47 percent compared to Trumps 45 percent. The margin narrows slightly among likely voters. In this demographic, Trumps lead over Biden was reduced by one or two percentage points in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania. However, in Michigan, Biden gains a slight advantage among likely voters, leading Trump by 47 percent to 46 percent. Conversely, in Wisconsin, Trump leads Biden 47 percent to 46 percent among likely voters. (Related: Poll: Trump LEADS Biden in five key swing states Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and North Carolina.) The polling also considered scenarios with third-party and independent candidates. With other candidates in the running, Trump continues to lead in Arizona (42 percent to Biden's 33 percent and to 10 percent for other candidates), Georgia (39 percent to 31 percent to 9 percent), Michigan (38 percent to 36 percent to 9 percent), Nevada (41 percent to 27 percent to 12 percent) and Pennsylvania (40 percent to 36 percent to 10 percent). 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 Wisconsin, Trump and Biden are tied at 38 percent each, with third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. garnering nine percent support. Other third-party candidates received no more than two percent in any of the match-ups. Biden campaign pollsters remain in denial of Trump's consistent lead against Biden These figures mirror the trends from the last last New York Times/Siena College poll conducted back in October 2023. At that time, when primary voting had not yet begun, Trump had already led Biden in Nevada (52 percent to 41 percent), Georgia (49 percent to 43 percent), Arizona (49 percent to 44 percent), Michigan (48 percent to 43 percent) and Pennsylvania (48 percent to 44 percent). But just like the latest poll, Biden also led Wisconsin at that time with 47 percent and Trump at only 45 percent. The poll results underscore significant hurdles for Biden, including low job approval ratings and concerns about his age and capability to lead. This comes despite Trump's extensive legal issues, with 91 criminal charges across four indictments, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to. Across these six battleground states, Biden's job approval stands at 38 percent, with only 19 percent of voters rating the economy as excellent or good. Meanwhile, Trump has a 42 percent favorability rating, closely matched by Biden's 41 percent. In these states, voters trust Trump more than Biden on issues such as the economy, immigration, national security and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while Biden is trusted more on abortion. Trust is closely split on handling democracy. But despite the results of both polls, the Biden campaign remains in denial of Trump's consistent lead against Biden. "The only consistency in recent public polls is inconsistency. These results need to be weighed against the 30-plus polls that show Biden up and gainingwhich is exactly why drawing broad conclusions about the race based on results from one poll is a mistake. The reality is that many voters are not paying close attention to the election and have not started making up their mindsa dynamic also reflected in todays poll. These voters will decide this election and only the Biden campaign is doing the work to win them over," said Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster for the Biden campaign. Visit Trump.news for more stories about the former president ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Watch Bill O'Reilly explain why former President Donald Trump governed better than his Democratic predecessor and successor. This video is from the Newsclips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump LEADS Biden by 8 points in latest Rasmussen Reports poll. Poll: Trump LEADS Biden in seven key swing states. Meredith Poll: Donald Trump LEADS Joe Biden by five points in North Carolina. Trump LEADS among Hispanic and under-35 voters in new poll. Biden frustrated by dismal poll numbers ahead of Trump rematch. Sources include: DNYUZ.com MSN.com CNN.com Brighteon.com President-elect Jose Raul Mulino of Panama vows to SHUT DOWN the Darien Gap President-elect Jose Raul Mulino of Panama has announced plans to shut down the Darien Gap , a largely undeveloped region in southern Panama crossed through by over 500,000 South American migrants in 2023 on their way north to the United States border. The Darien Gap has become an increasingly popular route for hundreds of thousands of migrants traveling to the U.S. despite its dangerous terrain and the risks of violent encounters with gangs. Organized crime groups and cartels from Colombia have been capitalizing on the demand by providing smuggling services through the dense jungle. With nations like Mexico imposing tighter visa restrictions on different South American nationalities, including Venezuelans and Peruvians, air routes have become more difficult. This has resulted in desperate migrants increasingly turning to the overland path through the Darien jungle. The route also became more established, with crossings that once took a week or more now taking just two or three days. Support services sprang up along the way, further entrenching the path as a key migration corridor. Panama has been facilitating the rapid transit of migrants across its territory to help them continue their journey north for several years now. Nearly 150,000 migrants have already traversed the Darien Gap into Panama this year alone. Mulino, who won Panama's presidential election on May 5, is determined to end the booming business in the Darien Gap. (Related: Panama intensifies efforts to prevent migrants from making their way to the U.S.) 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. "Panama and our Darien [Gap] are not a transit route. It is our border," Mulino said, reinforcing his campaign promise to terminate "the Darien odyssey that does not have a reason to exist." The 64-year-old lawyer and former security minister said Panama should not serve as a conduit for illegal mass migration. "Because when we start to deport people here in an immediate deportation plan, the interest for sneaking through Panama will decrease," Mulino said. "I assure you they are going to say that going through Panama is not attractive because they are deporting you." Experts doubt the feasibility of the proposed deportation Some experts doubt the feasibility of the proposed mass deportation, as Mulino has not yet given further details. Adam Isacson, an analyst with the Washington Office on Latin America, argued that Panama cannot "massively deport" thousands of migrants due to logistics and financial burdens. He claimed that even a daily flight would only repatriate around 10 percent of the daily flow, which is only about 1,000 to 1,200 migrants. In comparison, the U.S., with significantly greater resources, manages approximately 130 deportation flights globally per month. "This would be a radical change to Panamanian policy in terms of migration to avoid more deaths and organized crime using the route," said Julio Alonso, a Panamanian security expert. He also stressed the difficulties of implementing such measures along Panama's open and uncontrolled borders. "In Panama, there is no kind of suppression with this situation, just free passage, humanitarian aid that didnt manage to reduce the number of assaults, rapes, homicides and deaths along the Darien route," Alonso explained. Meanwhile, Giuseppe Loprete, the chief of mission in Panama for the United Nations' International Organization for Migration, warned of the broader implications of restricting migration routes. "People migrate for many reasons and frequently dont have safe, orderly and legal ways to do it," said Loprete. "When the legal routes are not accessible, migrants run the risk of turning to criminal networks, traffickers and dangerous routes, tricked by disinformation." Experts agree that any impact would only be temporary if the root causes of migration were not addressed, just like past efforts to close migration routes have often resulted in traffic displacement to even riskier alternatives. For instance, visa restrictions in the past unintentionally pushed migrants toward the hazardous overland route through Panama. Should the proposed crackdown be implemented, there are concerns that it might redirect migrants to perilous sea routes from Colombia to Panama. Read more stories like this at Migrants.news. Watch this short clip of the United Nations-run migrant encampment facilitating the movement of illegals through the Darien Gap. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Newsom deploys 50% more California National Guardsmen along U.S.-Mexico border to combat drug trafficking, but won't halt illegal immigration. As long as Biden keeps the southern border open, Texas will continue sending "even more buses" full of illegals to New York City, Gov. Abbott promises. Health Ranger Report: Michael Yon exposes Biden's simultaneous creation of migrant cities and depopulation of Americans. As millions of American citizens struggle to make ends meet, Biden decides to spend BILLIONS of their tax dollars to house illegal aliens in brand new CITIES built exclusively for "migrants." ILLEGAL MIGRATION under Biden nears aggregate total of LEGAL MIGRATION processed at Ellis Island in New York for 62 years. Sources include: FoxNews.com APNews.com Brighteon.com Putin authorizes Russian company to take over German chemical company BASF subsidiary Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted a domestic manufacturer of paints permission to acquire BASF Vostok, a subsidiary of the German chemical giant BASF, following their withdrawal from the country in response to the Ukraine conflict. The domestic enterprise, Lakra Sintez, can buy out 100 percent of BASF Vostok shares thanks to a presidential decree allowing special measures due to the unfriendly actions of some foreign states and international organizations. Among the measures allowed by this decree are the temporary seizure of foreign assets by Russian state agencies in cases where the assets are considered critical for energy security and the acquisition of foreign assets by Russian businesses. Lakra Sintez is the biggest producer of paintwork materials in Russia, and it owns numerous brands in the paintwork and construction materials sphere. It has been operating since 1993 and has 1,300 employees. BASF Vostok was founded in 1999 and focuses on producing paints, varnishes and printing inks. The move is believed to be a response to similar ones taken by a number of Western countries, particularly against Russian energy giant Gazprom, which is majority-owned by the Russian government and is the worlds biggest natural gas exporter. For example, Warsaw seized a 48 percent stake owned by Gazprom in the joint venture Europol Gaz, which owns the Polish part of the Yamal-Europe pipeline. Similarly, German authorities took over Gazprom Germania in June 2022. BASF is the largest chemical company in the world, racking up revenue of nearly $94 billion last year and employing 112,000 people across its 234 global production facilities. 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 company announced in March of 2022 that it would be withdrawing from both Russia and Belarus on account of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. At the time, it noted that it strongly condemns the Russian attack on Ukraine while declaring that the two countries made up around one percent of their total sales in 2021. EU to send profits from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine Meanwhile, the European Union has reached a deal that will allow them to seize the profits earned by Russian assets they have frozen to fund aid and weapons for Ukraines war efforts. Senior diplomats gave the green light to use the profits, which are estimated to total around 4.4 billion euros, to aid Ukraine. The EU was reportedly concerned about the potential legal ramifications of seizing all the assets but decided that Moscow had no right to the profits and that giving them to Ukraine would be an acceptable move. The blocs member states have decided to spend 90 percent of the profits on weapons for Ukraine, while the remaining 10 percent will be used on non-lethal aid. This split was made to appease countries that are not willing to fund arms, such as Hungary, Austria and Ireland. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyden tweeted: 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 are now discussing restricting the flow of Russian liquefied natural gas through Europe in what will be the 14th round of sanctions against them. Sources for this article include: RT.com TheGuardian.com Jerusalems wall: The ruins in the City of David archeological site could PROVE the Bible was TRUE Researchers have reported discovering a site in the ruins of ancient Jerusalem that could corroborate the Bible's account of certain events Experts have long presumed that one stretch of wall in the original heart of the city was built by Hezekiah, King of Judah who reigned between the seventh and eighth centuries B.C. Hezekiah witnessed the Kingdom of Israel, his neighbors to the north, destroyed by the Assyrian Empire. Some say that Hezekiah built the wall to defend against the invaders. However, an almost decade-long study has revealed that the wall was actually built by Uzziah, Hezekiah's great-grandfather, after a huge earthquake. The event echoes an account in the Bible. Details of the study, which was a collaboration between the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute of Science, were published in the journal PNAS. The ancient wall was discovered in the City of David The wall was found in the City of David, the historic archaeological site that formed the original town of Jerusalem, as stated in the Bible. Joe Uziel from the IAA explained that for decades, experts believed the wall was built by Hezekiah. However, the study revealed that the wall "dates back to the days of King Uzziah, as hinted at in the Bible." Before the discovery of the wall, many researchers believed that the wall was built by Hezekiah during his rebellion against Sennacherib, King of Assyria, to defend Jerusalem during the Assyrian siege. But the findings have revealed that the wall in its eastern part, located near the City of David, was built earlier. The recent discovery of the wall suggested that the wall was built shortly after the great earthquake in Jerusalem. It was also part of the construction of the city. 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 Old Testament describes the construction in the Second Book of Chronicles. According to the Bible, "Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate and at the angle of the wall, and he fortified them." Scripture has also referenced seismic activity. The Old Testament Book of Amos dates itself to "two years before the earthquake when Uzziah was king of Judah." The study revealed the fascinating history of the ancient wall using carbon-14 dating. The technique, also called radiocarbon dating is a scientific process that uses the decay of a radioactive isotope of carbon (14C) to measure the time and date objects containing carbon-bearing material. The IAA reported that this specific period of history was previously categorized as a "black hole" for carbon-14 dating because of fluctuating levels of the isotope in the atmosphere at the time. But because of ancient tree rings from Europe, the research team was able to chart these fluctuations year by year. (Related: Archaeologists discover boat-shaped mound that could be NOAHS ARK in Turkish ruins.) Elisabetta Boaretto from the Weizmann Institute explained that the resolution of c-14 was initially bad. For at least 200 to 300 years, experts found it "impossible to distinguish anything else." But thanks to their research in the City of David, Boaretto and her fellow scientists were able to reach a resolution less than 10 years. Samples from wall ruins link Jerusalem's expansion toward Mount Zion While examining the ruins, the scientists took samples from organic artifacts discovered at four different excavation sites in the ancient heart of Jerusalem, which was sometimes referred to as the City of David. The samples included an assortment of items, such as date pits, grape seeds and some bat skeletons. The samples were cleaned, converted into graphite, and then put into a particle accelerator at speeds of 3,000 kilometers per second (1,864 miles per second) to separate the carbon-14 from other organic materials. After measuring the carbon, the researchers confirmed the sample's true age. Yuval Gadot, from Tel Aviv University, explained that the method had also pushed back the westward expansion of the city by at least five generations. According to Gadot, before the study, many researchers have linked Jerusalem's growth to the West, particularly to the period of Hezekiah's rule a little over 2,700 years ago. Until now, experts have assumed that the city expanded because of the arrival of refugees from the Kingdom of Israel in the north, following the Assyrian exile. However, the new findings support the view that Jerusalem flourished and eventually spread toward Mount Zion by the ninth century B.C. This took place during the reign of King Jehoash, which was at least one hundred years before the Assyrian exile. Considering these new revelations, the recent study suggests that the expansion of Jerusalem was due to "internal-Judean demographic growth and the establishment of political and economic systems." Additionally, the findings revealed that the city was larger than previously thought during the reigns of King David and Solomon. Uziel clarified that during the 10th century B.C., which encompassed the days of David and Solomon, their research suggested that the city was occupied in different areas, and could have been larger than initially believed. Uziel added that the findings helped them "pinpoint specific buildings and relate them to specific kings mentioned in the biblical text." The Kingdom of Judah lasted until 587 B.C., when the Babylonians attacked its capital Jerusalem, along with Solomon's Temple or what is known as the First Temple. Visit Artifacts.news for more stories about other interesting discoveries around the globe. Watch the video below to learn about the rebuilding of Jerusalem from 130 to 324 A.D. This video is from the Freed From Evil channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Interactive map shows lost sunken cities in Germany, Japan and other countries. Ancient tablet discovered on Mount Ebal in Nablus precedes known Hebrew inscriptions. Ancient Scythian artifacts returned to Ukraine after decade-long legal battle with Russia. Archaeologists discover painting depicting an ancestor of modern-day Italian pizza in the ancient city of Pompeii. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk ArchaeologyMag.com Brighteon.com The Nakba: All you need to know explained in five maps and charts Every year on 15 May Palestinians mark the Nakba , "catastrophe" in English, when around 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly expelled from their homes by Zionist militias to make way for the creation of Israel in 1948. (Article republished from MiddleEastEye.net) It is an event that has shaped politics in Israel and Palestine ever since, and one which Palestinians say continues today in different forms of war, occupation, siege, home demolitions, land confiscations and more. Here, Middle East Eye breaks down the Nakba in five graphics. The events of the Nakba can be traced back to 1917, when Britain, in the "Balfour Declaration", promised Zionists leaders that it would help establish "in Palestine a national home for the Jewish people". After capturing Jerusalem from the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War One (1914-18), Britain ruled over Palestine between 1923-1948 under a "mandate" from the League of Nations. Under 25 years of British rule, Palestinians were repeatedly suppressed, while European Jewish immigration flourished and Zionist groups were trained and armed. With Britain deciding to end its mandate over Palestine in 1947, and the United Nations failing to enforce an alternative administration, Zionists began attacking Palestinians as part of a systemic campaign of forced expulsion. By the end of the war, Zionist forces had killed 13,000 Palestinians, destroyed and depopulated around 530 villages and towns, committed at least 30 massacres and expelled 750,000 people. Around 150,000 Palestinians remained within the boundaries of the newly formed state of Israel, many of them internally displaced. Those expelled in 1948 and their descendants number 5.8 million refugees today, living mostly in neighbouring Arab countries. Israel has never allowed Palestinian refugees to return to their homeland, making their plight the longest unresolved refugee crisis in modern history. Read more at: MiddleEastEye.net SCIENCE WARS: True science is the ENEMY of the Vaccine Industrial Complex and the Achilles Heel of the Climate Change Hoax The science is settled. Nobody is allowed to talk about the "science" of vaccines, or discuss the science behind "global warming," and never make the mistake of relying on science to speak about biological gender . Should anyone anywhere reveal that science, in all of its evidence-based research, proves that mRNA jabs are dangerous, that global warming is a farce, and that men who wear wigs and high heels cannot give birth, well, then that person is a hypocritical, far-right, racist, white-supremacist, domestic terrorist. The "socialism" is settled, and it has NOTHING at all to do with science, otherwise, all the conspiracy theories would crumble to bits instantly. The science shows that vaccines are dangerous, and that the risk highly outweighs the benefits, if there even are any. The science shows the earth is actually in a slow cooling period lasting thousands of years. The science shows that cosmetic operations, hormone pills and breasts and genitalia-mutilation surgeries do not make a boy a girl, or a girl a boy, or a man a woman, or a woman a man. In those aspects, the science is settled, but don't go arguing or debating "science" ever again, or the price you pay is censorship and social excommunication. The "science is settled" means don't talk about science when it comes to deadly vaccines, climate change hoaxes or gender-fluid role-playing (acting) The science is never "settled," or it's not science at all. Nobody can say the Covid "vaccines" are safe and effective, because they can't prove that with science, and there are no long term studies available because they're just three years young. However, the short-term consequences are happening all around us, every day, as millions of people who got the biological weapons of mass-immune destruction injections (mRNA jabs) are suffering from vascular clots, myocarditis, pericarditis, spontaneous miscarriages, anxiety and depression, and that science is now "in." 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 science is only "settled" when that science is a lie and is part of a eugenics agenda, like with the deadly mRNA vaccines, and the bankrupt-the-middle-class climate change Ponzi scheme. No Leftist can have a healthy debate or civilized discussion about their "platforms" and narratives because it all falls apart the second someone brings up real science. They can't prove the world is getting hotter, or that there are more hurricanes or earthquakes than ever before. The sea level is not rising, and no beaches are disappearing. Men still can't get their period or birth children. Women still can't play linebacker in the NFL, or compete with men in the UFC, it's just biologically not going to work out so well. The Science Wars are underway, but there's only news about one side being published in the mainstream media, and that is where ALL the misinformation and disinformation is rooted and festers, 24/7/365. The Science Wars of 2024 have never been more dangerous for the populace, who walk around mis-educated and brainwashed, like sheeple living on the battlefield without a shield. They walk into health disasters daily, while relying on disinformation from their doctors, nurses, the CDC and the FDA. They are losing every battle in the Science Wars, by default, and they simply cannot figure out why. The people on prescription medications are the sickest people in the world, and they believe the fake science that the pharma cartel publishes for them to gobble up. Just listen to the side effects advertised on TV for any medication. You have to be brainwashed to accept this as "science." Tune your internet dial to Gender.news for updates on extreme liberals who hate science because it proves their fraud. Welcome to World War III, and it's not about guns, bombs and missiles, it's about BAD science, eugenics and depopulation. Wake up. Sources for this article include: DailyCaller.com NaturalNews.com UK experiences nationwide airport system outage, unleashing travel chaos A nationwide "technical issue" reportedly shut down all airports in the United Kingdom this week. Reports claim that a "glitch" in UK Border Force electronic systems caused service at airports throughout England to be delayed, creating long lines and lots of angry customers who were stranded for many hours. The alleged glitch also affected other services at the airports including toilet and water access, which were inaccessible at certain times. Many of the eGates screens also turned blank with no flight or other information displayed. The affected airports included Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh. According to reports, the system network issue was first detected at 7:44 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7. The Home Office issued the following statement on Wednesday about the incident: "E-gates at UK airports came back online shortly after midnight ... at no point was border security compromised and there is no indication of malicious cyber activity." 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 (Related: Did you know that climate fanatics are trying to shut down all airports in the United Kingdom over the next 10 years to "cool" the planet?) Is AI to blame? The eGates system is currently installed at some 270 different airports and rail stations across Great Britain. This system normally allows for rapid service using facial recognition for residents of the UK and the European Union (EU). We are told, however, that the Belfast airport does not have eGates, and yet its Border Force systems were down just like the others, begging the question: What the heck happened that day? E-gates down at LHR T3, and seemingly across @HeathrowAirport. Border Force suggests to passengers it might be a nationwide outage. pic.twitter.com/XzAJcyoI95 Richard Gaisford (@richardgaisford) May 7, 2024 It turns out that this is not the first time a major and unexpected service shutdown like this has occurred. Last August, an air traffic control "meltdown" resulted in a major glitch occurring in the UK's computerized flight planning system. This incident resulted in 1,500 flights being canceled, and more than 700,000 passengers being impacted, according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority. "I can see another Hollywood script in the making to blame Russia or China," one commenter wrote at RT about how the recent outage is sure to be blamed by the West on one or both of the usual suspects. "The UK ought to be focusing on its endless woes and vulnerabilities at home rather than trying to create trouble abroad," wrote another, referring to the West's continued support for the Zelensky regime in Ukraine, as well as the Netanyahu regime in Israel. "The country is a mess and they've got the audacity to threaten Russia with their missiles," said another. "I'm wondering what London Bridge would look like after a hypersonic made a direct hit? That would present a bit of a glitch for them." Others speculated that perhaps the shutdown is linked to the rapid transition taking place into artificial intelligence (AI), which is increasingly being used instead of humans to run the systems of the world that billions of people rely on for survival. 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. "Artificial idiots," one said. "It will mean the world becomes one big idiot when the time comes. We need our brains. We need to be manual. We need to have essential services offline." "The future war is about paralyzing all systems," added another. "Immigration, traffic lights, power systems, water systems, banking, logistics, food supplies, hospitals, the list goes on." The world as we currently know it is being systematically deconstructed by the globalists, brick by brick. Learn more at Collapse.news. Sources for this article include: RT.com NaturalNews.com Russia goes on the offensive: Heres whats behind the advance in Ukraines Kharkov Region On the night of May 10, Russian troops launched an operation in the north of Ukraine's Kharkov Region. The fighting is dynamic and the situation is constantly changing, but some preliminary conclusions can already be drawn. (Article by Roman Shumov republished from RT.com) There is active combat on the front and rear lines of the Ukrainian army in the border area. Military facilities and infrastructure used by Kiev's forces are being hit at a distance of 10 to 50 kilometres. The Russian Defense Ministry has announced that units of the Northern Group of Forces have taken control of the settlements of Borisovka, Ogurtsovo, Pletenevka, Pylnaya and Strelechya in Kharkov Region. Ukrainian sources report that there are likely to be two main directions of attack: in the area of Volchansk (one of the Ukrainian strongholds from which Belgorod was shelled) and near the village of Liptsy towards Kharkov. Also, according to preliminary reports, Russian troops are advancing near the settlements of Strelechya, Glubokoye and Lukyantsy, 30 km northeast of Kharkov, but there is no official confirmation of this. High-precision FAB-250/500 air-dropped bombs are being actively used against Ukrainian military installations. The targeted equipment, which the Ukrainian army was covertly attempting to move into the area where hostilities were intensifying, was also hit by Lancet drones equipped with thermal imaging equipment. Among the targets were multiple rocket launchers and Buk SAMs, modified to fire Western AIM-7/RIM-7 anti-aircraft missiles. What is going on, why is it happening, and what could it lead to? The importance of the Kharkov front for Ukraine Kharkov is Ukraines second largest city. It had a pre-war population of 1.5 million and remains an important center. The city is less than 40 kilometres from the border with Russia. On the other side, about the same distance from the border, is Belgorod, the nearest major Russian city. At the start of the Russian operation in 2022, Kharkov was one of the first cities in the line of fire. In the first few days, the Russian military tried to enter it. This offensive was initially poorly organised, with insufficient forces and Kharkov itself was not taken, although some units penetrated deep into the city. However, while the regional capital was not taken, Russian troops did capture a significant part of the region to the east. The problem was that the frontline was held by insufficiently small forces, and by September 2022, a Ukrainian counter-offensive pushed Russian troops eastwards into Lugansk Region. From then onwards, the frontline ran north-south to the east of Kharkov, and along the state border to the north of Kharkov in a general west-east direction. A positional front was established in the east. The Ukrainian army used the new configuration to launch terrorist attacks on Belgorod and neighbouring towns. Several times Ukrainian units tried to break through into Russian territory, and the city of Belgorod and border towns (Shebekino, Graivoron, small villages) were shelled. This activity made no military sense. In Belgorod, the biggest bombardment was in the city center, when a rocket hit the New Years Fair and the surrounding districts, killing 25 people all civilians. Such shelling continued regularly. Russian air defences able to intercept almost all missiles and UAVs launched at the city, but were not 100% effective. Part of the population of Belgorod and most of the people from the villages and small towns closest to the border have fled inland. The shelling is coming from the very areas that the Russians lost to the Ukrainian counter-offensive in 2022. The Ukrainian armed forces are fulfilling several tasks with this activity. First, terrorist attacks on internationally recognised Russian territory are part of a deliberate strategy to put pressure on the population. Secondly, Kiev reasonably assumed that in this way it would be possible to keep the Russian military in a constant state of tension. Passively covering the border requires significant forces. Even small units conducting attacks along the border could troll the Russians, forcing them to cover the frontier with real military units in case of a more serious attack. A serious assault did take place in March 2024, when battalion-level units with armoured vehicles tried to break through the border near the village of Kozinka. This failed and the Ukrainian forces suffered heavy losses, but Kozinka itself was destroyed and the fighting lasted several days. Finally, Ukraine has tried and is trying to use the border problem to promote its proxies units composed of Russian citizens (emigrants and converted prisoners). The real value of these units is small, and the backbone of one of the main detachments of good Russians are literally neo-Nazis in the strictest sense, but the attempt to take control of at least some Russian territory and proclaim some kind of real Russian government there is something to keep an eye on. What the offensive means for Russia All of this was enough for Russian politicians and the military to consider an operation in Kharkov Region. In 2023, however, all forces were thrown into repelling a major Ukrainian offensive. On the Kharkov-Belgorod line, Ukrainian raids and shelling were subordinated to the task of drawing Russian troops there and distracting them from the main front in Zaporozhye. The Ukrainian summer offensive of 2023 failed and the initiative passed to the Russian side. But the choice of focus is more complicated than it seems at first glance. The frontline is very long, and in addition, there is a large section of the border where no fighting is actually taking place. All fronts have serious drawbacks from the point of view of Russian strategists. For example, in Kherson Region, the Dnepr river is an obvious obstacle; the front from Zaporozhye to Lugansk Region is very well fortified, with enemy reserves concentrated there. In short, there are no easy areas to attack. In the north there is the problem of poor communications and difficult forests along the road. Finally, Kharkov as such is a very large city, and an assault on such an urban center is an extremely difficult task. However, Kharkov Region (outside the city of Kharkov) is quite a promising front. For now the battlefield is shrouded in the thick fog of war. But some things can already be said. Firstly, the Russian offensive is taking place on both banks of the Seversky Donets River, which flows from north to south to the east of Kharkov. It is a serious obstacle, insurmountable for vehicles without an equipped crossing. The west bank is closer to Kharkov. Here, the Russian command may be planning to create a cordon sanitaire to prevent the shelling of Belgorod. The city of Kharkov itself could also be put under siege. This is a serious threat that the Ukrainian forces will find difficult to counter if the Russians move to a distance from which they can fire conventional artillery at Ukrainian positions in Kharkov itself. In addition, this offensive potentially puts Ukrainian forces in the city at risk of encirclement if the roads linking Kharkov to the rest of Ukraine can be compromised. The offensive east of the Seversky Donets is more interesting, and its real impact on the course of the war may be more significant. Its immediate objective is obvious the town of Volchansk. For a long time there were Ukrainian positions there from which Belgorod was shelled, and the capture of Volchansk solves the same problem of creating a cordon sanitaire along the border. However, there is more than one potential benefit. The fact is that an attack from this side will bring Russian troops to the rear of the Ukrainian units defending to the east on a line running from the north along the Oskol River. If successful, this means that the Ukrainian forces will have to draw their flanks under the threat of encirclement and withdraw further and further south. This will not break the front, but will shift the entire war in this area. Finally, the renewed fighting near Kharkov is part of a wider picture. Ukrainian troops are suffering from a severe lack of men and equipment. They are defending a very broad front, and the need to fend off crises here and there is leading to an accumulation of general fatigue. Whereas in 2023 the sides could not boast of any major breakthroughs, and each village had to be won through months of bloody fighting, Russian forces are now making tactical but increasingly frequent gains. In recent months, the Ukrainian army has been slowly but steadily losing scarce equipment, especially artillery. Its defences are beginning to rely more and more on drones and masses of infantry willing to stand under fire. However, all these are extremely optimistic options for the development of events. It is likely that the Russian command will consider the task as a whole accomplished even if it is only possible to shift the front line by 10-15 kilometres (which will greatly complicate the shelling of Belgorod and facilitate attacks on Kharkov) and, in particular, to recapture Volchansk. If such a result is achieved, it will be of significant benefit for future planning. For the side holding the initiative, an increase in the number of frontline players is simply advantageous: the enemy has to watch out for an increasing number of potentially vulnerable points that can be hit. This means that fatigue accumulates at a higher rate. Russia has long been engaged in a war of attrition, and the overall objective in this war can be formulated as creating a situation in which the enemys defensive line begins to collapse in many areas at once due to a total lack of men, ammunition and equipment. The opening of a new front near Kharkov could accelerate this process. Moreover, Kharkov will in any case force the Ukrainian army to withdraw from other areas, which will facilitate operations on other fronts. Russia has spent time building up its strength and reserves. It will soon become clear how much stronger it has become. Read more at: RT.com FLYING COFFINS: 3 Boeing aircraft suffered mechanical FAILURES in 2 days More and more Boeing aircraft are experiencing accidents, including one incident in Turkey involving a 737-800's tires exploding . Boeing's airplanes have actually been crashing for years On Thursday, May 9, a Boeing aircraft experienced a tire burst during landing in Turkey marking the third plane from the manufacturing giant to encounter technical issues or accidents within a span of two days. Following the incident, 190 individuals were evacuated from the Boeing 737-800, operated by Turkey's Corendon Airlines, upon its landing at Gazipasa-Alanya Airport in southern Turkey. Images from the scene depicted the aircraft stationed on the tarmac surrounded by emergency vehicles, with its front wheels and landing gear visibly damaged. Corendon Airlines refuted Turkish claims that the plane had landed on its nose. Despite the dramatic nature of the landing, none of the 184 passengers and six crew members on board the flight originating from Cologne, Germany, were harmed. This event is the latest in a series of alarming incidents involving Boeing aircraft over the past two days. The day before, a Boeing 767 cargo plane operated by FedEx executed an emergency landing at Istanbul Airport due to malfunctioning front landing gear. Video footage captured the nose of the aircraft scraping across the runway during the landing. On the same day, footage emerged showing frightened passengers fleeing a burning Boeing 737-300 jet with 78 passengers aboard after it skidded off the runway and caught fire during take-off in Senegal. 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. These incidents will undoubtedly exacerbate the challenges being faced by Boeing, which is already under intense scrutiny due to a series of mishaps, as well as the recent deaths of two whistleblowers within two months. Cost-cutting measures cause decline in reliability of Boeing aircraft "At its core, a software malfunction was to blame," said podcaster, teacher and writer David Perell in his essay. "The root cause lies in Boeing's decision to compromise its engineering standards." The main reason Boeing has lowered its engineering standards is "to save money," noted Perell. "The primary motive was cost reduction and efficiency enhancement," he wrote. "This can be traced back to Boeing's acquisition of McDonnell-Douglas in 1997, which introduced a corporate culture with diminished engineering rigor. Since then, the company's pace of innovation has slowed, leading to shortcuts being taken to sustain growth." The narrative of the 737 Max crashes extended far beyond the tragic events themselves. It's a tale of a once-revered American behemoth losing its direction due to mergers, risk aversion and excessive reliance on outsourcing. (Related: Boeings nosedive: How greed ruined a great American company.) As Stan Sorscher, a former Boeing engineer and labor representative, pointed out, Boeing's emphasis on cost-cutting over innovation and safety has had consequences. Production issues with various Boeing models, including the 787, 747-8 and 737 Max, have incurred significant financial losses and jeopardized airline passengers' safety. The structure of the 737 Max mirrored its predecessor albeit with notable differences, such as larger engines, an expanded fuselage and the addition of winglets for enhanced fuel efficiency. The decision to expedite production and minimize costs with the 737 Max directly contributed to the crashes. Instead of initiating a new aircraft project, Boeing opted to revamp the 737 to retain American Airlines' patronage, which had announced plans to purchase Airbus jets. This decision prioritized short-term gains over long-term safety. To avoid additional expenses associated with pilot training, Boeing limited modifications to the 737, resulting in larger engines that necessitated aircraft design adjustments. However, this alteration inadvertently destabilized the plane's aerodynamics, leading to the implementation of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) to counteract potential stalls. Unfortunately, the MCAS was flawed and poorly communicated to pilots, exacerbating the risks. Boeing's focus on cost reduction and efficiency compromised safety protocols, ultimately contributing to the tragic crashes. Watch this video showing a Boeing plane crashing after its landing gear failed. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Boeing aircraft incidents put spotlight on FAA diversity hiring. Boeing goes woke and will soon be broke as planes break amid focus on "diversity." Boeing 737 Max 8 skids off runway as gear collapses after landing in Houston. TERRIFYING: Mid-air blowout leaves gaping hole on the side of Boeing 737 Max 9. Boeing whistleblower found dead in a truck from "self-inflicted gunshot." Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk 1 Perell.com DailyMail.co.uk 2 Brighteon.com BACKWARDS WORLD: Illegal alien encampments treated like royalty while university student protestors treated like terrorists The city of Denver in Colorado is overloaded with illegal alien migrants who have set up encampments around the metropolis that they are refusing to leave unless the government meets their list of demands. A document published earlier this week outlines 13 demands the migrants are making to Denver Human Services that they say must be met before they will vacate the city. A few of their demands include "fresh, culturally appropriate" food, free showers without any time limits, and free immigration lawyers. "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.," the document states. "Shower access will be available without time limits & can be accessed whenever ... Medical professional visits will happen regularly & referrals / connections for specialty care will be made as needed." Jon Ewing, a spokesman for Denver Human Services, responded to the document by stating that "at the end of the day, what we do not want is families on the streets of Denver." Denver's illegal migrants have now built an encampment to protest the city's shelter system The city wants these illegals to get off this property. The encampment responded to officials with a list of 13 demands. One of encampment demands is for the taxpayers provide better pic.twitter.com/CF9sXkMwEk End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) May 8, 2024 Migrants in Denver have a list of demands for @CityofDenver before they accept city shelter: pic.twitter.com/rja2FfhHm4 Chris Parente (@chrisparente) May 8, 2024 And while the government in Colorado is entertaining the demands of illegals, our own citizens are being arrested for exercising their right to free speech on college campuses, protesting genocide in Gaza. (Related: Did you hear the news? Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Annunciation House, a non-governmental organization [NGO] accused of illegal activity at the southern border.) Mayor Johnston burdens taxpayers with $90 million bill for illegals The illegals' demands are on top of a $90 million aid package that Denver Mayor Mike Johnston saddled local taxpayers with last month to deal with the city's illegal immigration problem. In order to get that $90 million, Denver had to freeze hiring for approximately 160 vacant public office positions. Taxpayer monies also had to be siphoned from various other city services to pay for the illegals' continued presence on the streets. "We spent a lot of time advocating at the federal level for support here," Johnston said in a statement. "There was a bipartisan bill to do that that failed in the House you know that story." 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. "It was clear that was not going to happen in Congress in the next seven months, so we felt we had to take things into our own hands. That's why we came up with something that provides better support for newcomers without cutting core public services." In the comments on X, someone wrote that Denver should not be catering to the demands of illegals, especially when many local citizens are struggling just to pay their bills. "How about we provide them with one-way tickets to their home countries?" wrote another. "Taxpayers should not be forced to provide better food for illegal immigrants who are trespassing on city property," wrote another. "They have broken the law by entering the country illegally and should not be rewarded for their actions. The city should enforce the law and remove the encampment immediately." Another questioned why the United States does not require foreigners to prove that they are able to support themselves financially before being allowed to enter in the first place. Did you know that Denver also has an "adopt a migrant" hotline that locals can contact by dialing 211 on their phones? ? This insane: Denver now has a hotline to call and adopt a migrant. You just gotta call 211 ? ? THIS IS NOT SATIRE. pic.twitter.com/pqC2TJupSd pic.twitter.com/b9PFVuYk8c RAN_DUMB_LIBS (@Ran_Dumb_Libs) May 7, 2024 The latest news about America's open borders problem can be found at InvasionUSA.news. Sources for this article include: DailyFetched.com NaturalNews.com Actual collusion? Missouri AG accuses Biden DOJ of coordinating with Trump prosecutors Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileyon Thursday as part of a probe into whether the Biden DOJ coordinated with Trump prosecutors. (Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge.com) "The investigations and subsequent prosecutions of former President Donald J. Trump appear to have been conducted in coordination with the United States Department of Justice," Baily posted in a lengthy thread on X. "This is demonstrated by the move of the third-highest ranking member of the Department of Justice, Matthew Colangelo, to the Manhattan District Attorneys Office in order to prosecute President Trump in December 2022," Baily continues. What's more, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg worked hand-in-hand with NY Attorney General Letitia James in pursuing civil litigation against Trump, which he used to campaign on. Given the timing (Bragg charged Trump only after he declared his candidacy for President), the weakness of the charges, and the charges keeping Trump off the campaign trail, there is substantial reason to suspect @POTUS has coordinated with Bragg and others to prosecute Trump. Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) May 10, 2024 As Fox News reports further; Bailey argues that Braggs decision to bring the prosecution "despite its transparent weakness has nonetheless had the effect of keeping former President Trump off the campaign trail, which President Biden has bragged about." He cites a post on X from the official Biden-Harris campaign on April 24, which says, "While Trump is stuck in court, President Biden is keeping a very robust schedule of campaign events. Hes been to Pennsylvania to talk about the economy, Virginia to talk about clean energy, and Florida to talk about abortion." Baily is seeking all communications, including documents, calendar appointments, meeting minutes and agendas related to Colangelo's move to work in Bragg's office - as well as similar communications between Bragg and NY AG Leticia James and Fulton County DA Fani Willis. Read more at: ZeroHedge.com In leaked email, FBI official encourages agents to use warrantless wiretaps on Americans A senior FBI official reportedly advised his agents to use the agency's warrantless surveillance authority against targets on American soil. This is according to Wired, who obtained an internal e-mail in which Paul Abbate, a deputy director for the FBI, pressed his subordinates to find ways they can leverage Section 702 authority against U.S. citizens on American soil. Part of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Section 702 was originally set up in 2008 as a way to surveil threats from hostile actors who are taking part in crimes such as arms proliferation, terrorism, drug trafficking and cyber crimes. As long as one of the parties in the communications being surveilled is reasonably believed to be a non-citizen situated outside of the U.S., government agencies can compel American companies to intercept communications without a search warrant. It states that they can eavesdrop on a range of communications, including phone calls, emails and text messages, among others, without obtaining a search warrant. However, Section 702 is often misused by the FBI, who has been accused of targeting journalists, American protesters and a sitting member of Congress with this authority. Despite the controversy, the program was extended for two more years in April after an extensive debate and over the objections of some conservative and progressive lawmakers. In the e-mail obtained by Wired dated April 20, Abbate instructs employees to find ways to use the authority, writing: To continue to demonstrate why tools like this are essential to our mission, we need to use them, while also holding ourselves accountable for doing so properly and in compliance with legal requirements. 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. He added: I urge everyone to continue to look for ways to appropriately use US person queries to advance the mission, with the added confidence that this new pre-approval requirement will help ensure that those queries are fully compliant with the law. Some lawmakers, like Representative Zoe Lofgren (D- California) fear that Abbate is trying to convince FBI agents to spy on American citizens. She told Wired: The deputy directors email seems to show that the FBI is actively pushing for more surveillance of Americans, not out of necessity but as a default. This directly contradicts earlier assertions from the FBI during the debate over Section 702s reauthorization. A dramatic and terrifying expansion of government surveillance authority When Section 702 was reauthorized last month, Lofgren was one of several lawmakers sounding the alarm bells. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) described the move as one of the most dramatic and terrifying expansions of government surveillance authority in history. He explained that in addition to giving the government the power to force any American who repairs or installs anything capable of transmitting or storing communications to spy on behalf of the government, it also prevents those who are forced to participate in this surveillance from speaking about it to anyone. It is particularly relevant right now as political protesters are increasingly finding themselves at odds with authorities as they rally against Israels genocide in Gaza. In fact, in a meeting last year about reauthorizing the program, House Intelligence Chair Mike Turner presented a picture of Americans protesting the war in Gaza as part of his argument in favor of expanding the surveillance authority while implying they could be connected to Hamas terrorists. Although one might argue that Section 702 cannot be used to target such individuals in the strictest sense, the FBI is apparently already looking for ways to skirt its restrictions and spy on everyone they consider a threat for whatever reason. Sources for this article include: TheNationalPulse.com Wired.com TheDissenter.org Missouri governor signs HB 2634 into law, banning Medicaid reimbursements for abortion providers A proposal to ban Medicaid reimbursements for abortion providers in Missouri has become law after Gov. Mike Parson affixed his signature to it. The Republican governor signed House Bill (HB) 2634 into law on May 9, almost two years after Missouri's trigger law ended abortion in the state and on the same day of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson case. The new law, which is set to take effect on Aug. 28, ends Medicaid funding for abortion providers or affiliates. Even though abortion is illegal and legislators discovered the state hasnt paid any reimbursements to any abortion providers or affiliates in two years, the bills sponsors stated it was necessary to pass legal muster. "This same model has been upheld in another state that has already attempted to do [this] and in the same federal circuit we're in," Republican State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman told reporters last month. Members of the Republican Freedom Caucus in the Missouri Senate threatened to stop progress on all bills unless Parson signed HB 2634 when it reached his desk in late April. In a reply reported by many media outlets, the governor's office said he would review and sign bills on his timeline. "Our administration has been the strongest pro-life administration in Missouri history," Parson said in a statement announcing the signing. "We've 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. We thank members of the [Missouri] General Assembly for recognizing this important issue and sending this legislation to my desk." 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. Republicans in Missouri have tried for years to block Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood, even after the organization stopped performing abortions in the state. Earlier this year, the Missouri Supreme Court overruled an attempt by the state to eliminate funding for abortion providers through the state budget. (Related: Missouri AG sues Planned Parenthood for trafficking minors to get abortions in other states.) HB 2634 facing possible challenge in November election But when HB 2634 takes effect, a campaign might be underway to overturn it during the November election. Missourians for Constitutional Freedom delivered approximately 380,000 signatures to Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft to place a measure to legalize abortion on the November ballot. The initiative also would mandate state reimbursements to abortion providers. The signature certification results are required to be announced in August, the same month the new law takes effect. According to the Missouri Independent, Planned Parenthood clinics in the state have continued to operate. With the abortion ban, the clinics have taken to providing patients with services like contraceptive care, STI testing, cancer screenings and wellness checks. Democrats and abortion advocates have argued that the bill will target the state's most vulnerable population, and those who used Planned Parenthood for services other than abortion. The St. Louis and Southwest Missouri chapter of Planned Parenthood said the bill would restrict access to non-abortion-related care to low-income people in the state. "Just like [Missouri's] abortion ban, 'defunding' is about power and control," it wrote. "It's part of the fight to make sure Missourians not politicians control their bodies, lives and futures." "Parson may have signed the bill, but the fight for reproductive rights and health care access is far from over," Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes meanwhile posted on X. "We won't stand idly by as politicians play games with people's lives. Every person deserves quality health care, including access to Planned Parenthood." Visit Abortions.news for similar stories. Watch this video on the work Planned Parenthood does to arrange abortions. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Abortion rates in North Carolina drop by over 30% following implementation of PRO-LIFE LAW. Abortions in the U.S. HAVE INCREASED since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Abortions in Illinois surge 54% as neighboring states enact pro-life legislation. Planned Parenthood defies Missouri court order to turn over records related to sex change interventions for children. Planned Parenthood facing new allegations of illegally selling aborted baby tissue. Sources include: JustTheNews.com Brighteon.com U.S. military official ADMITS British commandos are operating covertly in Ukraine A senior American military official has inadvertently revealed that British commandos are covertly operating in Ukraine Gen. Bryan Fenton, commander of United States Special Operations Command, was recently interviewed by the Associated Press regarding the lessons his force is learning from the conflict. The initial story with the interview indicated that the Americans ha gained insights into Ukraine "mostly through the eyes" of the military's United Kingdom "special operations partners" who have been using the battlefields in Ukraine to test new military approaches. Fenton noted that British special operations forces were leveraging the experiences of Royal Air Force pilots and Royal Navy units to provide advice to Ukraine on how to use combat drones and how to navigate ships through the Black Sea, respectively. Later publications of the story have removed this part of the interview, eliminating any mention of the British Armed Forces' military involvement in Ukraine. The Russian military has long accused the U.K. of playing a significant role in purportedly Ukrainian operations. The Russian Defense Ministry has previously accused "British specialists" of assisting Kyiv in planning and executing a naval drone strike on the Russian Black Sea Fleet back in October 2022. (Related: Report: British Armed Forces directly involved in Ukraine conflict.) Multiple other sources confirm British military directly involved in Ukraine Fenton is not the only high-ranking military or political official to confirm that British military units are actively participating in the conflict in Ukraine. 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. Earlier this year, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed that British and French planners were aiding Ukraine in launching strikes with medium-range missiles supplied by the two countries. While Western nations have acknowledged maintaining a small number of military personnel in Ukraine for tasks like protecting diplomatic premises or providing advisory support, they have denied participation in combat operations. When asked about Fentons remarks, the British Ministry of Defense told Business Insider that "it is the long-standing policy of successive governments not to comment on U.K. Special Forces." Polish journalist Zbigniew Parafianowicz last December claimed in his new book "Poland At War" that British special forces have been on the ground in Ukraine aiding against the Russian special military operation within weeks of the conflict beginning. The book cites political insiders and officials, including a Polish government minister who claims to have encountered British commandos in mid-March 2022 while traveling between Kyiv and Zhytomyr. The minister described meeting Ukrainian soldiers and British special forces, uniformed and armed, moving with Ukrainians in trucks and off-road vehicles equipped with artillery radars to track targets. This adds to evidence suggesting U.K. soldiers were secretly deployed to Ukraine without parliamentary disclosure, actively participating in operations. In mid-April 2022, The Times reported British special forces training local troops in Kyiv for the first time since the conflict began. Later, Declassified U.K. revealed that 50 elite British troops were in Ukraine, three times more than any other ally. The British Defense Ministry later confirmed that soldiers have been in Ukraine since the invasion to protect the British embassy but declined to comment on special forces' roles. A spokesperson reiterated the ministry's position of not commenting or speculating about what special forces units are doing in operations. "Poland At War" further claims that President Volodymyr Zelensky's own bodyguards were trained by the U.K.'s most elite special forces unit, the Special Air Service; and that Polish, American and British forces have been building up the capabilities of Ukrainian special forces units since 2014. North Atlantic Treaty Organization soldiers and military advisers alike were initially focused on evacuating Ukrainians but later cooperated with Kyiv in providing military assistance in Kharkiv and the disputed Donbas region. Watch this clip of British Member of Parliament Andrew Brudgen claiming that the U.K. is at war with Russia. This video is from the Be Children of Light channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Polish book: British special forces are embedded with Ukrainian troops fighting Russia. Poland confirms NATO troops are in Ukraine. U.S. considering sending more military personnel to Ukraine. Sources include: RT.com DeclassifiedUK.org Brighteon.com Ohio SWAT team found to be using counterfeit body armor made in China Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers from the Akron Police Department (APD) have allegedly been using counterfeit body armor imported from China , which is a serious problem since they frequently rely on that gear to save their lives. "We became a part of a bigger investigation. We were notified by the Department of Homeland Security that the plates that we had were some of those plates that were found to be counterfeit and so as a result of that, we need to replace them," APD Captain Agostino Micozzi told the Akron City Council during a discussion about the issue. APD has requested the city to immediately help them purchase 40 new sets of protective shields for the SWAT team. A Homeland Security Department press release issued October 19, 2023, confirmed that they were investigating counterfeit body armor that was imported from China and sold to law enforcement agencies across America. (Related: DHS helping fund militarization of local police departments.) A report from News 5 Cleveland in November last year warned people to discontinue using certain body armor products purchased from the same shop in Cleveland that the APD purchased its body armor from "for product safety reasons." The questionable body armor also does not meet the standard put forth by the National Institute of Justice, the research, development and evaluation arm of the Department of Justice. Micozzi requested on May 6 for an allocation from the town's city council to have the counterfeit plates replaced. "They are a hard ceramic type of plate, and there's one on the front, one on the back and one on each side. To protect them from rifle rounds and more dangerous things, so those are the things that we are replacing with this request," Micozzi said. 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. "When you're on the SWAT team and you're doing high-risk response situations it's extremely important that you have the best equipment, and the equipment that has no chance of failure," said Tim Dimoff, a national law enforcement procedures and security expert. According to law enforcement experts, anything less than high-quality equipment could very well leave officers almost defenseless. "Equipment can be made in other parts of the United States, but mostly overseas it's being made because someone is trying to reduce the cost of that equipment but in favor of a higher probability of not meeting our standards," Dimoff added. Each set of plates is worth $1,300 and 40 sets are needed to outfit the whole SWAT team. The total expense to replace the counterfeit gear is $52,000. The Akron City Council unanimously endorsed the immediate request. It passed an ordinance under emergency to replace the questionable body armor immediately for $60,000. APD said it is cooperating with the continuing federal investigation. Fraudsters selling counterfeit China-made body armor NOT a new case This is not the first time that a local company has sold counterfeit body armor made in China. In 2021, Tanner Jackson, 32, of Top Body Armor pleaded guilty to selling "Chinese-made military helmets, body armor and other products" to the State Department and other federal agencies while passing them off as U.S.-made gear. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the crime but pleaded his way down to a lesser wire fraud charge and was convicted to 33 months in prison. In March, Jeffrey Meining, 42, owner of BulletProof-IT, was found guilty of "knowingly and intentionally marketing and selling low-quality ballistic protective equipment produced in China to dozens of domestic law enforcement agencies and the U.S. military." Meining claimed his gear, along with ballistic helmets, shields and plates, were manufactured in America. But in reality, they were bought from a Chinese corporation. Some of those supplies go as far back as December 2017. Meining also pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and was given a sentence of 12 months and one day in federal prison and a supervised release of three years. Read more news about the police force in the United States at PoliceState.news. Watch this episode of the Health Ranger Report as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, interviews Lyman Bishop on why acquiring body armor is essential for those who want to protect themselves against the coming chaos. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: New York bans most civilians from wearing bulletproof vests. Austin descends into lawlessness following defund the police cuts targeting law enforcement. Williamson County Sheriffs Office used SWAT team to raid a house for reality show. COP CORRUPTION: San Antonio police found to be protecting HUMAN SMUGGLING as side gigs for extra cash. More and more Americans are bulletproofing their cars as crime and lawlessness worsen. Sources include: LawEnforcementToday.com News5Cleveland.com NYPost.com Brighteon.com WHO Pandemic Treaty a ploy to usher in One World Government, Kenyan doctor warns A Kenyan physician has warned that the World Health Organization's (WHO) proposed pandemic treaty is but a ploy to usher in a globalist One World Government Dr. Wahome Ngare issued this warning during the Second African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty, held from May 1 to 3 in the city of Entebbe in Uganda. According to the obstetrician-gynecologist, the real purpose of the treaty which gives the global health body total control over its member nations on the matter of public health is depopulation. He added that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), in the form of the pathogen and the vaccine, is part of the depopulation effort. (Related: Is the WHO Pandemic Treaty a red herring designed to deceive?) But Ngare mentioned that this depopulation agenda through the injections only preface a bigger depopulation campaign via the treaty. The amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) that are part and parcel of the Pandemic Treaty will determine how the WHO, and by extension its Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, would manage pandemics. "The WHO is seeking to increase its powers so that the director-general can unilaterally declare that there is a pandemic, whether real or imagined. The minute he pronounces that, the new regulations would allow him to take charge of pandemic management in every country that is a signatory to [the] WHO," he explained. "It is Tedros who will say when you will lock down, whether you can ever go to work [and] which vaccines you'll be given. If the WHO causes so much damage with its current power, can you imagine what it would do if you actually gave it more power?" 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. Ngare ultimately concluded that the WHO "is no longer a health-promoting body" but "an imperialist arm of global corporate interests." He continued that both the pandemic treaty and the IHR amendments will give the global health body "the mandate to use the pandemics to establish a One World Government by totally obliterating the sovereignty of member states and countries and eroding the citizens' individual liberties." Ngare urges African nations to RESIST Pandemic Treaty The ob-gyn also recounted how the globalists injected African females with contraceptives presented as "tetanus vaccines." Females from age 14 to 49 were injected with these contraceptives every six months, with the "vaccines" developed by the WHO, the United Nations and the World Bank. Ngare wasn't all doom and gloom, however, as he suggested several ways that African nations can push back against this draconian treaty. First, he called on African nations to avoid this immense harm by formally writing to the WHO to reject the treaty and IHR amendments. He also urged them to "consider exiting the WHO by 2024, which is when the pandemic treaty is supposed to come into force." Ngare also urged African countries to "collectively call for an end to gain-of-function research," something he described as both absurd and extremely dangerous. "African countries should take a step and say, 'It is criminal for anybody to train viruses and bacteria to attack human beings as a way of creating a vaccine just in case the virus escapes.' That is witchcraft, it is not medicine." The doctor also exhorted representatives of African countries to "collectively treat all vaccination programs as a national security risk," explaining: "If you cannot determine what is in the vaccine that is being given to your people, you may be opening a door to destroy the African population." Lastly, the Nairobi-based ob-gyn called for the rejection of any plans to link individual health records including vaccination records to the digital ID being forced on African countries. "Honorable members, do not allow the government to access private health information as a means to determine who will get health services or not. It is medically unethical and it is against basic human rights." Visit Globalism.news for more stories about globalist organizations like the WHO. Watch Dr. Wahome Ngare warning Dr. Reiner Fuellmich about the vaccine program in Kenya in this interview. This video is from the Prevent Global Genocide channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: WHO's Pandemic Treaty will only benefit Big Pharma and billionaires like Bill Gates. WHO Pandemic Treaty: A power-grabbing act to control health responses of UN member countries. WHO releases international pandemic treaty, forcing all governments to target "disinformation" in digital and physical environments. WHO says it's one step closer to passing "legally binding" Pandemic Treaty for global authoritarian control over next "health emergency." Be warned: The World Health Organization's "Pandemic Treaty" will destroy all remaining freedoms and unleash a global MEDICAL DICTATORSHIP. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com Brighteon.com South Africa calls for immediate halt to Israels military offensive in Rafah South Africa urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday, May 10, to pass more emergency measures against Israel following the beginning of its military operations in Rafah . In a 10-page document submitted to the ICJ, South Africa called for Israel to immediately halt its military offensive and ensure unimpeded access to humanitarian aid and assistance to the Gaza population. Additionally, South Africa demanded the entry of internationally mandated bodies, investigators and journalists into Israel to preserve evidence. It also requested Israel to provide an open report to the ICJ within one week detailing measures taken to comply with previous provisional measures outlined by the court. These emergency measures are meant to supplement South Africa's ongoing genocide case against Israel at the United Nations' top court in The Hague, the Netherlands. (Related: Palestines representatives call for end to Israeli occupation at ICJ hearings.) While an interim ruling earlier this year ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza, it did not require Israel to cease military operations, a key demand from South Africa. The court found South Africa's case plausible, demonstrating Israel's intent to commit genocide. South Africa's latest request for Israel's immediate withdrawal and cessation of military operations in Rafah adds to the provisions. The nine interim measures previously sought by South Africa included an immediate halt to military operations, preventing forced displacement of Palestinians, lifting restrictions on humanitarian aid, refraining from genocide, and preserving evidence of alleged crimes 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. 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. Following the interim ruling on January 26, the ICJ mandated Israel to prevent acts falling under Article II of the Genocide Convention, such as killing members of a specific group, causing serious harm, physical destruction of the group, and imposing measures to prevent births. ICJ lacks ability to enforce possible ruling against Israel in genocide case The ICJ aims to deliver an opinion on the genocide case by year-end. Although ICJ rulings are legally binding, the court lacks enforcement mechanisms. Nonetheless, rights groups argue that resolutions can have significant moral and legal authority and may become part of customary international law. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese emphasized the ICJ's potential role in investigating Israel's actions in Gaza, suggesting it could be an ongoing process. On May 7, Israel's 401st Brigade crossed the Rafah crossing, a move that came a day after the Gaza-based Palestinian group announced acceptance of an Egyptian-Qatari mediated ceasefire plan. However, Israel remained adamant, asserting that the proposal failed to address its fundamental demands. Tanks and aircraft targeted multiple areas and at least four residences in Rafah, resulting in the death of 20 Palestinians and injuring several others, as confirmed by Palestinian health authorities. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees reported that approximately 110,000 Palestinians fled Rafah in recent days. Additionally, the UN highlighted that Israel's control of the Rafah border crossing has obstructed the entry of aid into Gaza for the past several days. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the Rafah offensive as necessary to combat Hamas. Watch this clip from "The Kim Iversen Show" as host Kim Iversen describes Israel's seizure of Gaza's only border crossing with Egypt in Rafah. This video is from the AllTheWorldsAStage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Israel captures Rafah border crossing, cutting off all humanitarian aid to Gaza as hundreds of thousands face starvation. U.S. opposed to Israel's Rafah operation "as currently planned," some offensive munitions being withheld from Israel by Biden admin. ICC warns against attempts to intimidate court into not issuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu, other Israeli officials. Netanyahu warns Biden he will "punish" Palestinian Authority if ICC issues arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. Turkey to join South Africa in its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net AlJazeera.com Brighteon.com Trump doubles down on support for Zionist genocide and mass bombing of Palestinians Donald Trump is upset at Joe Biden for commenting earlier this week that he might withhold weapons and artillery from Israel unless the Zionist regime behaves itself in Rafah. Accusing the current president of setting "the world on fire," former President Trump at a rally in Wildwood, N.J., told his followers that Israel has a "right to win its war on terror" however it sees fit. "Crooked Joe has not just set our economy on fire, he has truly set the world on fire," Trump said to cheers. "If you want to know how weak and pathetic a president really is, I mean the things they do, just think about this: this week he announced that he will withhold shipping weapons to Israel as they fight to eradicate Hamas terrorists in Gaza. It was shocking to hear it, even while there are still American hostages being held by Hamas." Trump went on in a rant to complain about people he claims are saying that October 7 "never happened." Perhaps he was referring to the people who are exposing the lies about "babies in ovens" and "mass rapes?" "You know they say that, and Biden has fallen for it," Trump mocked, suggesting that Biden's concerns about what Israel is planning to do in Rafah are invalid. "Crooked Joe's action is one of the worst betrayals of an American ally in the history of our country," Trump continued, rehashing that common trope he uses about something being the worst thing "in the history of our country." "I support Israel's right to win its war on terror is that okay?" Trump asked. "I don't know. I don't know if that's good or bad politically. I don't care. I mean, you got to do what's right. It was a terrible attack. October 7 was a terrible attack." 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: Did you know that the Biden regime is currently under investigation for 2024 election interference?) Trump promises to ban student protests if elected Trump also decried the student protesters across America who are speaking out on behalf of the people of Gaza facing mass genocide at the hands of Israel. "When I'm president, we will not allow colleges to be taken over by violent radicals," Trump promised, reassuring his base that freedom of speech will not be allowed under a Trump presidency. "If you come here from another country and try to bring jihadism, anti-Americanism, or antisemitism to our campuses, we will immediately deport you you'll be out of that school." Not content with just that, Trump went on to tell Biden and the Democratic Party at large that they should "return the donations of all antisemites, America haters, and financiers of chaos who have funded the chaos on our campuses." From there, Trump went down the usual path of calling Biden the worst president in the history of our country, which is similar to what he said about Barack Obama before him. "You could take the 10 worst presidents in the history of our country and add them up ... and they haven't done the damage to our country that this total moron has done," Trump scoffed. "The gloves are off. He's a bad guy ... he's the worst president ever, of any country. The whole world is laughing at him. He's a fool." Trump says he believes that he has a solid chance at winning the state of New Jersey this fall. He told his followers that "millions" of blue-collar folks are "joining our movement based on love, intelligence, and a thing called common sense." The latest news about Trump's run for president in 2024 can be found at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com JNS.org Witnesses testify before Congress that China is sequencing DNA for forced organ harvesting Last month, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) held a hearing with Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to discuss forced organ harvesting in China. At this hearing, it was revealed that the Chinese government is now involved in trying to sequence DNA for the purpose of obtaining more vital organs on demand. Maya Mitalipova, director of the Human Stem Cell Laboratory at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at MIT, spoke about the high cost of China's DNA sequencing crusade and how it will lead to even greater returns for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). "The main reason why the Chinese government invested billions of dollars into DNA sequencing of the entire population of Xinjiang and Tibet [is] because it will make exponentially many more billions of dollars per year in return [in organ transplantation]," she said. How does DNA sequencing help with organ transplants, you might be asking? According to Mitalipova, high-powered computers can use the sequences to more quickly find a match for organ donors. "When a patient requests an organ in China, his or her DNA sequenced data will be 'blasted' against millions in the DNA database stored in computers," Mitalipova said. "Within a few minutes, a perfect match will be found. If a potential donor of the organs is not in prison or a camp, then Chinese authorities can easily find a reason to detain a match to be killed for their organs on demand." (Related: Remember those at-home COVID tests that the Biden regime sent out to American homes? They were funded by a blacklisted Chinese company linked to the CCP.) 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. Pray for the Uyghurs We have covered this issue before, but the prisoners of whom Mitalipova is referring to are primarily Muslim ethnic minorities living in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China they are also known as Falun Gong practitioners, or political prisoners. China does not care much for these prisoners and routinely uses them as human guinea pigs to achieve its goals. In this case, China wants to make money by selling the vital organs of Uyghurs for profit. In Xinjiang, authorities are now forcing Uyghurs to undergo mandatory blood draws for DNA, as well as forced iris scan. The "patients" never receive the results of these draws, which the CCP uses to match organ donors with buyers in the United States and Europe. In as little as just a few weeks, China can use its DNA sequence database to make near-perfect matches, which means cha-ching for the Chinese government's bank accounts. A kidney transplant, according to Mitalipova, is among the least expensive organ sale at $70,000. Other organs cost even more, so you can see the kind of money the CCP is raking in by exploiting the Uyghurs. At least 25,000 Uyghurs are subjected to forced organ harvesting every single year in China, says Ethan Gutmann, the China Studies Research Fellow at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. In many ways, the Uyghurs are simply a "crop" that China "harvests" for profit. Right now, as many as three million and as few as one million Uyghurs are imprisoned in concentration camps throughout China. Horrific human rights abuses take place at these camps, including food deprivation, torture, overcrowding, solitary confinement, forced labor, rape, torture, forced sterilization, forced separation of children from their parents, destruction of cultural and religious heritage and forced organ harvesting. Keep in mind that many of the organ harvesting surgeries are done without anesthesia, resulting in an excruciating death. Uyghurs are not the only people in these camps, either. There are also political prisoners and other religious minorities are confined within them, too. The latest news about the CCP can be found at Communism.news. Sources for this article include: LiveAction.org NaturalNews.com Alleged American-Israeli SPY RING in Yemen nabbed by Houthis, accused of sabotage Houthi-aligned security services in Yemen have allegedly busted an American-Israeli spy ring , arresting members accused of espionage and sabotage. The crackdown occurred on Monday, May 6, with Houthi-controlled Saba News Agency claiming that Yemeni security services had imprisoned multiple spies working for the United States and Israel. The news agency released footage of the imprisoned men, describing them as "spies recruited to collect information and monitor sites operated by the [Houthi] armed forces on Yemen's western coast for the benefit of the American and Israeli enemy." The spies were allegedly recruited after the Houthis began targeting vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in November. This campaign, which disrupted global trade immensely, was in solidarity with the Palestinian people amid Israel's invasion of Gaza and the mounting deaths of innocent Palestinians. The report did not indicate the number of suspects arrested, but unconfirmed images Saba shared on social media showed no less than 18 people. But Saba mentioned that the suspects had already confessed. The security services stated that the spies were hired to work for the U.S. and Israel, adding that they are members of an intelligence unit called Force 400, which is led by spy Ammar Afash, an individual wanted by the Houthis. Spies accused of tracking strikes against ships, sabotaging Houthi property As reported by the security agencies, the detained spies admitted to carrying out operations to track drones, missile launch sites and locations of Yemeni military vessels. They also sent Force 400 their coordinates so that American and British jets could target them. 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. Apart from the material losses, the actions of the spies brought about the deaths and injuries of other military personnel. The spies also passed on information about the growth in the number of fighters recruited by the Houthi movement in the past couple of months. One of the spies revealed that he had sold the intelligence for only 300 Saudi riyals ($80). Likewise, the security agencies proved the fact that, based upon their admissions, the spies were assigned to carry out acts of sabotage, which involved destroying and setting fire to armed and security force vehicles. To distract the armed forces attempting to counter the continuing American and British bombing campaign, the spies were also charged with preparing to perform assassination operations employing silenced firearms and explosive devices. The security services reiterated their commitment to applying every effort to maintain Yemen's domestic security and stop attempts by operatives of the U.S. and Israel to enter the country. (Related: U.S. and U.K. warplanes bomb Houthi targets in Yemen in another significant escalation of Gaza war) The Houthis, who control a significant chunk of northern Yemen, including the internationally recognized capital of Sana'a, explained in a statement that they "will spare no effort in carrying out their responsibility to secure the home front and protect it from infiltration attempts by the American and Israeli enemy." Follow WWIII.com for more news about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the involvement of other parties, including the Houthis. Watch the video below about Yahya Saree, the spokesman of Yemen's Houthi armed forces, giving a statement after the U.S. and U.K. forces carried out air strikes against Houthi targets. This video is from the The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Yemeni Houthis claim responsibility for attacking Norwegian-flagged oil and chemical tanker with guided missiles. Yemens Houthi rebels join war against Israel to protect Palestinians in Gaza. Houthis step up offensive operations with new drone attacks on U.S.-owned commercial ships. Houthi blockades prompt Israeli port of Eilat to lay off half its workers. Houthis step up offensive operations with new drone attacks on U.S.-owned commercial ships. Sources include: GreatGameIndia.com NewArab.com OrinocoTribune.com Brighteon.com Scientists have determined that, compared to a world without climate change, the heat wave that swept over Asia in April and reached temperatures as high as 46 degrees Celsius in certain locations was far more severe and likely to occur. Asia And Climate Change Since the beginning of April, record-high temperatures have been seen in dozens of Asian countries, ranging from India to the Philippines, forcing the region's schools to close and prompting the issue of urgent health advisories. For the third year in a row, severe heatwaves that devastated records and claimed thousands of lives have affected billions of people throughout Asia. According to recent research by experts at the World Weather Attribution (WWA), without the climate problem brought on by burning gas, coal, and oil, this year's heatwave in the Philippines would have been "virtually impossible" and far less severe throughout South and West Asia. The footprint of heat-trapping gases in the impacted area was traced by the WWA group using computer models and ground data. Climate change, the scientists discovered, increased the likelihood of heat waves in places like Palestine and Israel by five times and raised their temperature by 1.7 degrees Celsius. The researchers calculated that this year's heatwave in the Philippines, where temperatures were 1.2 degrees Celsius higher, would not have been feasible without decades of fossil fuel use. Two of these studies (2022 and 2023) focused on South Asia, where it was discovered that the region's temperature would rise by 0.85 degrees Celsius and experience abnormal heat 45 times more frequently as a result of climate change. The WWA researchers also investigated the possibility that El Nino, the warm current that occurs regularly in the Pacific Ocean, contributed to the incident. They came to the conclusion that although it caused the Philippines' temperatures to rise by roughly 0.2 degrees Celsius, it had little effect on the West Asian heatwave. The study emphasizes the possibility of "wide-ranging systemic impacts on the economy," according to Ashish Fernandes, chief executive officer of the consultancy Climate Risk Horizons. Read Also: Deadly Heat Wave Crisis in Asia Forces School Closure Amid Health Warnings Worse May Yet To Come The study also pointed out that extreme heat waves of the kind that have been seen in Gaza, West Asia, and the Philippines are not uncommon in today's warmer globe and can be anticipated to occur roughly once every ten years. However, it cautions that worse may yet come. In the event that global warming surpasses 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as anticipated in the 2040s or 2050s if carbon emissions continue at their current rate, West Asia and the Philippines may experience comparable extreme heat waves every five years and every two to three years, respectively. A large portion of South and Southeast Asia, which also saw unusual heat waves last month, was examined in the WWA analysis. It was the warmest April day ever recorded in Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar, while it reached 46 degrees Celsius in India. The study included Bangladesh and Thailand, two other countries that also saw extremely hot April temperatures. The investigation showed that climate change also had a significant impact in this region, increasing the likelihood of heatwaves by 45 times and raising their temperature by 0.85 degrees Celsius. Related Article: Asia Heatwave Alert: Scorching Temperatures Recorded in Multiple Countries For years, there have been rumors of wolves returning to Nevada. Scientists investigated these reports by collecting scat and fur samples from animals spotted from helicopters. Mystery Solved: Coyotes Not Wolves in Nevada DNA testing confirmed with 99.9% certainty that the animals were actually coyotes. This news came after wildlife officials spent a significant amount of time and resources investigating the sighting. The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) even sent scat and fur samples to two independent labs to confirm the results. Coyotes are known to stalk young moose in some areas, but there is no evidence this is happening in Nevada. The NDOW was initially excited about the possibility of wolves returning to the state. Wolves were once native to Nevada, but they were hunted to extinction in the early 1900s. The return of wolves would have been a major conservation success story. These majestic creatures play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to control prey populations and keep them healthy. Wolves also scavenge on carrion, which helps to decompose carcasses and prevent the spread of disease. However, the DNA results confirmed that the animals were coyotes. Coyotes are native to Nevada and are a common sight in the state. They are smaller than wolves and have a different coat color. Coyotes are intelligent and adaptable animals that have been able to thrive in a variety of habitats. They are opportunistic predators that will eat a variety of foods, including rodents, rabbits, deer, and even fruit. Also Read: Coyotes Behind Mysterious Seal Pup Deaths in California, Researchers Confirm NDOW Studying Impact of Coyote and Potential Wolf Return on Moose Population The NDOW is now focused on monitoring the state's moose population. The moose population has been growing in recent years, and the NDOW is concerned that wolves or an increase in coyote predation could have a negative impact on the moose population. Wolves are apex predators, and they prey on a variety of animals, including moose. The return of wolves to Nevada could lead to a decline in the moose population. However, wolves can also have a positive impact on the ecosystem. By preying on weak and sick animals, wolves can help to keep the moose population healthy. The NDOW is also studying the impact of coyotes on the moose population. Coyotes are smaller than wolves, but they can still prey on young moose calves. Coyotes are known to be intelligent and adaptable predators, and they may be able to learn how to hunt adult moose more effectively. The NDOW is committed to managing Nevada's wildlife populations in a sustainable way. The department will continue to monitor the moose population and take steps to protect it if necessary. This may include measures to control coyote populations or to reintroduce wolves to the state. The NDOW is also working to educate the public about the importance of wolves and coyotes. These animals are an important part of Nevada's ecosystem, and they play a vital role in keeping the state's wildlife populations healthy. Related article: Putting Coyotes on Endangered List Could Save Rare Gray Wolf Species From Illegal Killings Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Seven Indians including Diksha and Pranavi to tee up in Germany D iksha Dagar and Pranavi Urs, the two in-form Indians will be in the group of seven Indians at the Euros 300,000 Amundi German Masters. Apart from Diksha and Pranavi, the other Indians are Tvesa Malik, Vani Kapoor, Amandeep Drall and Sneha Singh, who has received an invitation, as has amateur Avani Prashanth, who also played in the event last year. There are 132 players in the 72-hole event at the Seddiner See course, just outside Berlin. The cut will be applied after 36 holes and the top 60 and ties will play the final two rounds. Diksha Dagar will also represent India at the Olympic Games in Paris, where she will be joined by Aditi Ashok, who is playing on the LPGA Tour in the US. Last year Diksha was leading the event at one stage, before she finished third. It was one of the three Top-3 finishes she had in 2023, when she also finished third in the LET Order of Merit. She won the Czech Ladies Open and was third at the Amundi German Masters and the Hero Women's Indian Open. Pranavi Urs was T-7 last week in Aramco Series Korea, while Vani Kapoor, Tvesa Malik and Amandeep Drall are trying to get back their Tours cards for LET. Sneha Singh, winner of the Hero Order of Merit on the domestic Tour in 2023,m will be hoping to make it big and amateur Avani Prashanth expected to turn pro at the end of the year is keen on making a mark among professionals, too. The defending champion is Czech Republic's Kristyna Napoleaova who beat England's Cara Gainer in a playoff last year. The field also includes two former Order of Merit winners with reigning Race to Costa del Sol champion Trichat Cheenglab and South Africa's Lee-Anne Pace. Four winners from the 2024 LET season will be vying to add another title with England's Bronte Law (Lalla Meryem Cup), Alexandra Forsterling (Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF - Tampa), Mariajo Uribe (Women's NSW Open) and Manon De Roey (Investec SA Women's Open) all in town. Seven Indians including Diksha and Pranavi to tee up in Germany Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! 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. The blood-retinal barrier is designed to protect our vision from infections by preventing microbial pathogens from reaching the retina where they could trigger an inflammatory response with potential vision loss. But researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine have discovered the virus that causes COVID-19 can breach this protective retinal barrier with potential long-term consequences in the eye. Pawan Kumar Singh, PhD, an assistant professor of ophthalmology, leads a team researching new ways to prevent and treat ocular infectious diseases. Using a humanized ACE2 mice model, the team found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can infect the inside of the eyes even when the virus doesn't enter the body through the surface of the eyes. Instead, they found that when viruses enter the body through inhalation, it not only infects organs like lungs, but also reaches highly protected organs like eyes through the blood-retinal barrier by infecting the cells lining this barrier. This finding is important as we increase our understanding of the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Earlier, researchers were primarily focused on the ocular surface exposure of the virus. However, our findings reveal that SARS-CoV-2 not only reaches the eye during systemic infection but induces a hyperinflammatory response in the retina and causes cell death in the blood-retinal barrier. The longer viral remnants remain in the eye, the risk of damage to the retina and visual function increases." Pawan Kumar Singh, PhD, assistant professor of ophthalmology Singh also discovered that extended presence of SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen can cause retinal microaneurysm, retinal artery and vein occlusion, and vascular leakage. "For those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, we recommend you ask your ophthalmologist to check for signs of pathological changes to the retina," Singh said. "Even those who were asymptomatic could suffer from damage in the eyes over time because of COVID-19 associated complications." While viruses and bacteria have been found to breach the blood-retinal-barrier in immunocompromised people, this research is the first to suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 could breach the barrier even in otherwise healthy individuals, leading to an infection that manifests inside the eye itself. Immunocompromised patients or those with hypertension or diabetes may experience worse outcomes if they remain undiagnosed for COVID-19 associated ocular symptoms. "Now that we know the risk of COVID-19 to the retina, our goal is to better understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of how this virus breaches the blood-retinal barrier and associated pathological consequences in hopes of informing development of therapies to prevent and treat COVID-19 induced eye complications before a patient's vision is compromised," Singh said. This groundbreaking study entitled "SARS-CoV-2 infects cells lining the blood-retinal barrier and induces a hyperinflammatory immune response in the retina via systemic exposure" was recently published in PLOS Pathogens. In addition to Singh, the research team from the University of Missouri School of Medicine included Vaishnavi Balendiran, MD, vitreoretinal surgery fellow; Monu Monu and Faraz Ahmad, post-doctoral fellows in the Department of Ophthalmology; and Rachel M. Olson, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Laboratory for Infectious Disease Research at the College of Veterinary Medicine. This research was supported through fundings from the University of Missouri and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Eye Institute (NEI) grant R01EY032495. The blood-retinal barrier is designed to protect our vision from infections by preventing microbial pathogens from reaching the retina where they could trigger an inflammatory response with potential vision loss. But researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine have discovered the virus that causes COVID-19 can breach this protective retinal barrier with potential long-term consequences in the eye. Pawan Kumar Singh, PhD, an assistant professor of ophthalmology, leads a team researching new ways to prevent and treat ocular infectious diseases. Using a humanized ACE2 mice model, the team found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can infect the inside of the eyes even when the virus doesn't enter the body through the surface of the eyes. Instead, they found that when viruses enter the body through inhalation, it not only infects organs like lungs, but also reaches highly protected organs like eyes through the blood-retinal barrier by infecting the cells lining this barrier. "This finding is important as we increase our understanding of the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection," said Singh. "Earlier, researchers were primarily focused on the ocular surface exposure of the virus. However, our findings reveal that SARS-CoV-2 not only reaches the eye during systemic infection but induces a hyperinflammatory response in the retina and causes cell death in the blood-retinal barrier. The longer viral remnants remain in the eye, the risk of damage to the retina and visual function increases." Singh also discovered that extended presence of SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen can cause retinal microaneurysm, retinal artery and vein occlusion, and vascular leakage. "For those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, we recommend you ask your ophthalmologist to check for signs of pathological changes to the retina," Singh said. "Even those who were asymptomatic could suffer from damage in the eyes over time because of COVID-19 associated complications." While viruses and bacteria have been found to breach the blood-retinal-barrier in immunocompromised people, this research is the first to suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 could breach the barrier even in otherwise healthy individuals, leading to an infection that manifests inside the eye itself. Immunocompromised patients or those with hypertension or diabetes may experience worse outcomes if they remain undiagnosed for COVID-19 associated ocular symptoms. "Now that we know the risk of COVID-19 to the retina, our goal is to better understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of how this virus breaches the blood-retinal barrier and associated pathological consequences in hopes of informing development of therapies to prevent and treat COVID-19 induced eye complications before a patient's vision is compromised," Singh said. This groundbreaking study entitled "SARS-CoV-2 infects cells lining the blood-retinal barrier and induces a hyperinflammatory immune response in the retina via systemic exposure" was recently published in PLOS Pathogens. In addition to Singh, the research team from the University of Missouri School of Medicine included Vaishnavi Balendiran, MD, vitreoretinal surgery fellow; Monu Monu and Faraz Ahmad, post-doctoral fellows in the Department of Ophthalmology; and Rachel M. Olson, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Laboratory for Infectious Disease Research at the College of Veterinary Medicine. This research was supported through fundings from the University of Missouri and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Eye Institute (NEI) grant R01EY032495. The American Heart Association's National Teen of Impact title offers Gen Z changemakers an influential platform to fight against heart disease to improve health and well-being in communities across the country. This year, Aniston Barnette, a 16-year-old volunteer advocate from Bristol, Tenn., is the 2024 national winner. As a prominent student-athlete, Barnette is supporting the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association celebrating one hundred years of lifesaving service by promoting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) awareness and education. After watching family members suffer and die from heart disease, Barnette decided to take personal action by joining the Association's Teen of Impact initiative in her Tennessee hometown. She became CPR-certified and has since actively advocated for the heart health of her generation. Barnette, one of 142 nominees selected from 34 communities nationwide, worked at a grassroots level to raise funds, educate others in Hands-Only CPR and work with her local hospital system to inspire the next generation to live longer and healthier. Aniston Barnette, as well as all participants of the nationwide Teen of Impact initiative, are remarkable young people who are driving tangible change and saving lives in communities across the nation,. Aniston's passion, dedication and advocacy are great examples of what relentless qualities it has taken to drive improvements and outcomes for the Association in the past century. At the American Heart Association, our future is about improving yours with the support of volunteers like our Teens of Impact." Marsha E. Jones, American Heart Association volunteer board chair and former executive vice president and chief diversity officer for The PNC Financial Services Group "Embracing this opportunity was a natural choice," Barnette said. "As a student-athlete, the jarring statistic that cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death for student-athletes compelled me to get involved with Teen of Impact. Raising critical funds for research and education and leading Hands-Only CPR activities in my community was incredible. But there is more work to be done. I look forward to advocating for CPR education and access to AEDs in schools to ensure the next generation-;my peers-;become part of a Nation of Lifesavers and know what to do in the event of a cardiac emergency." As the 2024 National Teen of Impact Winner, Barnette will join dozens of other volunteers from the Association at the United States Capitol on May 23 to meet with members of Congress to talk about lifesaving policies to increase access and funding for CPR education, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and cardiac emergency response plans in primary and secondary schools across the nation. She will be asking for support of the HEARTS Act and Access to AEDs Act. The Act would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to schools partnered with a nonprofit health care organization to develop and implement a comprehensive program to improve the chain of survival in the event of a cardiac emergency. This year's annual Teen of Impact campaign launched on National Wear Red Day, Feb. 2, and culminated on April 4. Participants were nominated by the Association's nationwide network of peer volunteers to participate in the nine-week initiative where they took action to improve lives across the nation while raising funds for the Association's mission. For more information about the Teen of Impact campaign and the American Heart Association's lifesaving mission, visit teenofimpact.heart.org. More than 20,000 volunteers have been recruited to a resource aimed at speeding up the development of much-needed dementia drugs. The cohort will enable scientists in universities and industry to involve healthy individuals in clinical trials to test whether new drugs can slow the decline in various brain functions including memory and delay the onset of dementia. Using the resource, scientists have already been able to show for the first time that two important bodily mechanisms inflammation and metabolism play a role in the decline in brain function as we age. By 2050, approximately 139 million people are expected to be living with dementia worldwide. In the UK, in 2022, UK Prime Minister launched the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission, part of the governments commitment to double increase research funding for dementia. Although there has been recent progress developing drugs that slow down progression of the disease, the two leading treatments only have a small effect, and the vast majority of new approaches that work in animal studies fail when it comes to patient clinical trials. One explanation for these failures is that the drugs are tested in people who already have memory loss and by this point, it may be too late to stop or reverse the disease. Hence, there is an urgent need to understand what is going on before people develop symptoms at the very early stages of disease, and to test new treatments before people come to their doctor with cognitive problems. This approach requires a large cohort of participants willing to be recalled for clinical and experimental studies of cognitive decline. Today, writing in the journal Nature Medicine, scientists led by the University of Cambridge in partnership with the Alzheimers Society report how they have recruited 21,000 people aged 17-85 to the Genes and Cognition Cohort within the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) BioResource. The NIHR BioResource was established in 2007 to recruit volunteers keen to engage in experimental medicine and clinical trials across the whole of medicine. Approximately half of its participants are recruited to disease specific cohorts, but the other half are from the general public, and detailed information about their genetics and their physical makeup has been collected. They have all given their consent to be contacted about future research studies. For the Genes and Cognition Cohort, researchers used a combination of cognitive tests and genetic data, combined with other health data and demographic information, to enable the first at-scale study of cognitive changes. This will allow the team to recruit participants for studies of cognitive decline and new treatments for this. For example, a pharmaceutical company with a promising new drug candidate to slow the cognitive decline could recruit people through the BioResource based on their profile and invite them to join in the clinical trial. Having a baseline measurement for their cognitive performance will allow scientists to observe whether the drug slows their expected cognitive decline. Professor Patrick Chinnery from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge and co-Chair of the NIHR BioResource, who has led the project, said: Weve created a resource that is unmatched anywhere else in the world, recruiting people who are not showing any signs of dementia rather than people already having symptoms. It will allow us to match individuals to particular studies and speed up the development of much-needed new drugs to treat dementia. We know that over time our cognitive function decreases, so weve plotted out the expected trajectory of various different cognitive functions over our volunteers life course according to their genetic risk. Weve also asked the question, What are the genetic mechanisms that predispose you to slow or fast cognitive decline as you age?. Using the research, the team have identified two mechanisms that appear to affect cognition as we age and could serve as potential targets to slow down cognitive decline and thereby delay the onset of dementia. The first of these is inflammation, with immune cells specific to the brain and central nervous system known as microglia causing gradual deterioration of the brain and hence its ability to perform key cognitive functions. The second mechanism relates to metabolism in particular, how carbohydrates are broken down in the brain to release energy. Cognitive decline is a natural process, but when it drops below a particular threshold, thats when theres a problem that is when we would diagnose dementia. Anything that slows that decline will delay when we drop below that threshold. If you could put off the onset of dementia from 65 to 75 or even 85, it would make a huge difference at an individual and at a population level. Patrick Chinnery, Professor, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimers Society, said: This exciting study, funded by Alzheimers Society, is an important step in helping us to better understand how the diseases that cause dementia begin, and will aid in the development of new treatments that target the early stages of these diseases. The data, from over 20,000 volunteers, helps us to better understand the connection between participants genes and cognitive decline and allows for further ground-breaking analysis in future. One in three people born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia in their lifetime but research will beat dementia. We need to make it a reality sooner through more funding, partnership working and people taking part in dementia research. Exact Sciences, a leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, today announced that the UKs National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the expanded use of the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test to more effectively target chemotherapy treatment for women who have hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-), early-stage breast cancer involving up to three positive nodes and who have been through the menopause. NICE confirmed that breast cancer patients who are male and trans, non-binary or intersex may benefit from the test depending on their hormonal profile. Todays recommendation has the potential to impact more than 3000 additional breast-cancer patients in England who will now have access to the test through the NHS. The new guidance expands upon earlier NICE recommendation s for testing patients without lymph node involvement. Access to genomic testing for patients with lymph node-positive breast cancer addresses the issue of overtreatment with chemotherapy, helping many patients to avoid treatment side effects such as nausea, fatigue, hair loss and potentially secondary cancer. In addition, expanded reimbursement has the potential to free up resources and capacity within NHS breast cancer services. Dr Caroline Archer, consultant medical oncologist Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust said: This is a practice-changing moment for node-positive patients and the NHS. There is an urgent need to target chemotherapy more precisely to those most likely to benefit from it, so that patients can avoid unnecessary side effects. The Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score result enables us to do this effectively by providing specific information about an individuals response to chemotherapy. This positive recommendation marks a significant step forward in supporting equitable access to the test across the country. While the majority of patients with lymph node-positive early-stage breast cancer receive chemotherapy, research shows that only a minority benefit from the treatment. The Oncotype DX test is the only test able to identify around 85% of postmenopausal patients whose cancer outcomes are not likely improved by chemotherapy, meaning they can avoid the risk of side effects. A recent independent UK multi-center trial led by Prof Holt involving 680 women with lymph node-positive early breast cancer confirmed that using the Oncotype DX test to help guide chemotherapy treatment decisions leads to a substantial reduction in unnecessary chemotherapy, as well as savings for the NHS. Prof Simon Holt, Health and Life Science, Swansea University & Peony Breast Care Unit, Prince Philip Hospital said: This decision to recommend the use of the Oncotype DX test to guide chemotherapy decisions in early node positive breast cancer will be of great benefit to our postmenopausal patients and to the NHS. The use of the test will reduce the suffering and inconvenience by sparing up to 85% of people unnecessary chemotherapy, which in turn, then reduces the care demands on Oncology services. It also reduces significantly the cost of treatment so that NHS resources can be redistributed to other medical priorities. Also, our research has shown that the use of the Oncotype DX test means both clinicians and their patients will have much greater confidence in their chemotherapy decisions. The tests efficacy is also supported by the landmark TAILORx and RxPONDER studies, which demonstrated that most patients with either node-negative or node-positive early-stage breast cancer do not benefit from chemotherapy and can be reliably identified using the Oncotype DX test. The best way to help smartphone users manage their screen time may be to make phones progressively more annoying to use, according to new University of Michigan research. The study shows that interfering with swiping and tapping functions is around 16% more effective at reducing screen time and the number of times an app is opened than forcibly locking users out of their phones. The lockout strategy is used by many screen-time management apps today, and such apps also send users a notification offering more time before locking. Researchers planned to discuss the findings Monday at the Association for Computing Machinerys Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in Honolulu. Lockout apps are pretty disruptive, so if someone is in the middle of an important task or a game, theyll scramble to skip through the screen timer. Then, they can forget about the time limit and spend more time on the phone than they wanted to. Anhong Guo, U-M assistant professor of computer science and engineering and corresponding author of the study The researchers InteractOut app is more effective at limiting screen time because it is less restrictive and harder to ignore than hard lockouts. Once the users designated screen limit has been reached, InteractOut can delay the phones response to a users gesture, shift where tapping motions are registered or slow the screen scrolling speed. The strength of the delays and shifts continues to increase each time the user touches the phone, up to a pre-set maximum, and the user can decide how the app interferes with their phone use. The apps gradual interference allows users to continue using their phone, but with a little extra difficulty. If we just continuously add a little bit of friction to the interaction with the phone, eventually the user becomes more aware of what they are doing because theres a mismatch between what they expect to happen and what actually happens. That makes using smartphones a more deliberate process, said Guo, who also is an assistant professor of information. The researchers believe that forcing more mindfulness into otherwise mindless gesturing is the key to making smartphones less addictive. We want to evoke users awareness of using their smartphone so that they can use it more productively, said study first author Tao Lu, a recent U-M bachelor of science graduate in computer science who is now a masters student at the Georgia Institute of Technology. While designing InteractOut, the researchers had to be careful not to make the phone so inconvenient that it became insufferable. To ensure their software strikes the right balance, the team tested their apps performance in a field study of 42 participants that took place over five weeks. In the first week of the study, the researchers reviewed how often each participant used their phones without screen time management tools. Then, each participant installed the InteractOut app on their Android phone and chose which other apps it could monitor and interfere with. The researchers fixed the participants daily screen time allowance to one hour, after which InteractOut began to modify swipe and tap functions inside of the specified apps. All participants received a random swipe and tap intervention from InteractOut for a single two-week period, and their screen time was compared to a separate two-week period in which they used Timed Lockout, a widely available app that imposes hard lockouts. The researchers found that InteractOut was not only more effective at reducing screen time for the targeted apps than a hard lockout, but it was also better received by the study participants. When the screen-time management apps were activated, around 62% of the participants kept InteractOuts interventions on for the day, but only 36% of the participants did the same with Timed Lockout. There is still room for improvement, however. The participants thought that InteractOut was too intrusive for some games that require precise, real-time movements. It was also less effective at limiting the amount of time spent on apps that require few tapping or swiping gestures, such as video streaming services. Guo plans to find ways to tailor the apps interventions to be better suited for different kinds of phone apps. The research was partially supported by a Google Cloud Platform Credit Award. The team submitted an invention disclosure for the software and hope to eventually bring it to market. In a recent study published in Nature Microbiology, researchers investigated the dynamics of measles immunity at birth and following vaccination. Researchers found that a single dose of the measles jab is up to 2.6 times more likely to be completely ineffective in children born by C-section. Study: Dynamics of measles immunity from birth and following vaccination. Image Credit: PhotobyTawat/Shutterstock.com Background Measles remains a danger to human health despite immunization efforts. Mother antibodies can diminish vaccine-induced immunity, although the effect of pre-existing immunity levels and maternal and infant characteristics on vaccination responses is uncertain. The measles-containing vaccine (MCV) protects against measles virus infection, although breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals impede eradication. Debates concerning individual vaccine responses and the significance of catch-up vaccinations complicate the relationship between maternally derived and vaccine-induced antibodies. Large-scale investigations are required to determine the influence of catch-up dosages on individual-level immunological responses. About the study In the present study, researchers quantitatively examined measles antibody fluctuation in the initial few years of life and after vaccination. Researchers in China examined two longitudinal community-based serological cohorts of children from 2013 to 2018, focusing on measles antibody dynamics in the first years of life. Between September 2013 and August 2018, they included 1,505 patients with full measles vaccination records and antibody titers in the study. There were no spontaneous measles infections. The team used serological data from these cohorts and empirical models to recreate antibody trajectories from birth, allowing them to objectively examine the population-level effects of various vaccination regimens and evaluate vaccine policy at the national level. The cohort research investigated pediatric enterovirus A71 infections: a mother-neonate cohort and a population-based cohort of children aged one to nine years. The infant cohort included local pregnant mothers and their newborns at birth and followed up at two months, four months, six months, 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months. The infant cohort enrolled individuals aged one to nine years and followed up six times between 2013 and 2016, almost every six months. The researchers performed mathematical modeling to predict measles antibody levels throughout time and investigated maternal-level antibody trends and infant immunological responses to the measles-containing vaccine. They examined the causes of newborn MCV-induced immunological titers, the implications of different MCV vaccination regimens on population-level immunity, and the role played by catch-up dosages in developing individual immunological profiles. The team collected socio-demographic and obstetric information via questionnaires and retrieved vaccination and infection data from official records. They screened all samples for anti-measles virus immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results The study found that measles antibody evolution is significantly predictive from birth at the individual level, including after immunization. Cesarean section deliveries were associated with a 2.6-fold increase in the likelihood of primary vaccination failure, emphasizing the long-term immunological effects of the delivery mode. Maternal measles antibody titers tested in umbilical cord blood samples at delivery showed a 6.4 mean log concentration, with a strong association of umbilical cord blood with concentrations in the mothers and a 1.1 mean ratio of antibody transfer. The researchers found significant disparities in titers based on the infant gender, with male cord blood titers being 1.0 times higher on average than female newborns. The relative differences in titers increased to 1.1 by the age of seven months and before administering the initial MCV dosage (MCV1). After the initial MCV dosage, female newborns had 1.0 times higher concentrations than male newborns (190 in number), reversing the trend. The team discovered that exponential decay might accurately recreate the reported maternal concentration levels, outperforming power-law decay. The mean log maternal antibody half-life was 181 days, with population mean log concentrations decreasing to 4.4 by four months and 2.8 by eight months of age. The team noted a robust link between maternal antibody concentrations just before MCV1 and peak MCV1 responses, with each maternal log-concentration increase resulting in a 1.4 reduction in MCV1-induced peak log-concentrations. Controlling for maternal antibody titers, female newborns showed 0.2 higher peak log-concentration increases than male infants. MCV1-induced peak log-concentration increases were unaffected by infant age or vaccine type. The team observed continuous long-term log concentration reductions, falling from the mean of 7.3 at two years of age to 6.8 at five years and 6.5 at eight years. Children unresponsive to MCV2 had higher immunological responses to MCV2 than MCV1 responders. Post-MCV2, there were no discernible differences in peak log concentrations between MCV1 responders and non-responders, emphasizing the critical function of MCV2 in protecting children who did not generate immune responses to MCV1. Conclusion The study found that measles-containing vaccine delivery at 12 months could enhance antibody concentrations and immune protection while increasing the number of susceptible babies, highlighting the delicate balance between early-life vulnerability and post-vaccination immunity. The ideal vaccination timing depends on an age-structured population immunity profile and the danger of a measles epidemic. Population-wide seroprevalence research could improve the understanding of age-specific immune profiles and advise targeted vaccination programs. Outside the Mi'kmaq Nation's health department sits a dome-shaped tent, built by hand from saplings and covered in black canvas. Its one of several sweat lodges on the tribe's land, but this one is dedicated to helping people recover from addiction. Up to 10 people enter the lodge at once. Fire-heated stones called grandmothers and grandfathers, for the spirits they represent are brought inside. Water is splashed on the stones, and the lodge fills with steam. It feels like a sauna, but hotter. The air is thicker, and it's dark. People pray and sing songs. When they leave the lodge, it is said, they reemerge from the mother's womb. Cleansed. Reborn. The experience can be "a vital tool" in healing, said Katie Espling, health director for the roughly 2,000-member tribe. She said patients in recovery have requested sweat lodges for years as a cultural element to complement the counseling and medications the tribe's health department already provides. But insurance doesn't cover sweat ceremonies, so, until now, the department couldn't afford to provide them. In the past year, the Mi'kmaq Nation received more than $150,000 from settlements with companies that made or sold prescription painkillers and were accused of exacerbating the overdose crisis. A third of that money was spent on the sweat lodge. Health care companies are paying out more than $1.5 billion to hundreds of tribes over 15 years. This windfall is similar to settlements that many of the same companies are paying to state governments, which total about $50 billion. To some people, the lower payout for tribes corresponds to their smaller population. But some tribal citizens point out that the overdose crisis has had a disproportionate effect on their communities. Native Americans had the highest overdose death rates of any racial group each year from 2020 to 2022. And federal officials say those statistics were likely undercounted by about 34% because Native Americans' race is often misclassified on death certificates. Still, many tribal leaders are grateful for the settlements and the unique way the money can be spent: Unlike the state payments, money sent to tribes can be used for traditional and cultural healing practices anything from sweat lodges and smudging ceremonies to basketmaking and programs that teach tribal languages. "To have these dollars to do that, it's really been a gift," said Espling of the Mi'kmaq tribe. "This is going to absolutely be fundamental to our patients' well-being" because connecting with their culture is "where they'll really find the deepest healing." Public health experts say the underlying cause of addiction in many tribal communities is intergenerational trauma, resulting from centuries of brutal treatment, including broken treaties, land theft, and a government-funded boarding school system that sought to erase the tribes' languages and cultures. Along with a long-running lack of investment in the Indian Health Service, these factors have led to lower life expectancy and higher rates of addiction, suicide, and chronic diseases. Using settlement money to connect tribal citizens with their traditions and reinvigorate pride in their culture can be a powerful healing tool, said Andrea Medley, a researcher with the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health and a member of the Haida Nation. She helped create principles for how tribes can consider spending settlement money. Medley said that having respect for those traditional elements outlined explicitly in the settlements is "really groundbreaking." 'A drop in the bucket' Of the 574 federally recognized tribes, more than 300 have received payments so far, totaling more than $371 million, according to Kevin Washburn, one of three court-appointed directors overseeing the tribal settlements. Although that sounds like a large sum, it pales in comparison with what the addiction crisis has cost tribes. There are also hundreds of tribes that are excluded from the payments because they aren't federally recognized. "These abatement funds are like a drop in the bucket compared to what they've spent, compared to what they anticipate spending," said Corey Hinton, a lawyer who represented several tribes in the opioid litigation and a citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe. "Abatement is a cheap term when we're talking about a crisis that is still engulfing and devastating communities." Even leaders of the Navajo Nation the largest federally recognized tribe in the United States, which has received $63 million so far said the settlements can't match the magnitude of the crisis. "It'll do a little dent, but it will only go so far," said Kim Russell, executive director of the Navajo Department of Health. The Navajo Nation is trying to stretch the money by using it to improve its overall health system. Officials plan to use the payouts to hire more coding and billing employees for tribe-operated hospitals and clinics. Those workers would help ensure reimbursements keep flowing to the health systems and would help sustain and expand services, including addiction treatment and prevention, Russell said. Navajo leaders also want to hire more clinicians specializing in substance use treatment, as well as primary care doctors, nurses, and epidemiologists. "Building buildings is not what we want" from the opioid settlement funds, Russell said. "We're nation-building." High stakes for small tribes Smaller nations like the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in southern Alabama are also strategizing to make settlement money go further. For the tribe of roughly 2,900 members, that has meant investing $500,000 most of what it has received so far into a statistical modeling platform that its creators say will simulate the opioid crisis, predict which programs will save the most lives, and help local officials decide the most effective use of future settlement cash. Some recovery advocates have questioned the model's value, but the tribe's vice chairman, Robert McGhee, said it would provide the data and evidence needed to choose among efforts competing for resources, such as recovery housing or peer support specialists. The tribe wants to do both, but realistically, it will have to prioritize. "If we can have this model and we put the necessary funds to it and have the support, it'll work for us," McGhee said. "I just feel it in my gut." The stakes are high. In smaller communities, each death affects the whole tribe, McGhee said. The loss of one leader marks decades of lost knowledge. The passing of a speaker means further erosion of the Native language. For Keesha Frye, who oversees the Poarch Band of Creek Indians' tribal court and the sober living facility, using settlement money effectively is personal. "It means a lot to me to get this community well because this is where I live and this is where my family lives," she said. Erik Lamoreau in Maine also brings personal ties to this work. More than a decade ago, he sold drugs on Mi'kmaq lands to support his own addiction. "I did harm in this community and it was really important for me to come back and try to right some of those wrongs," Lamoreau said. Today, he works for the tribe as a peer recovery coordinator, a new role created with the opioid settlement funds. He uses his experience to connect with others and help them with recovery whether that means giving someone a ride to court, working on their resume, exercising together at the gym, or hosting a cribbage club, where people play the card game and socialize without alcohol or drugs. Beginning this month, Lamoreau's work will also involve connecting clients who seek cultural elements of recovery to the new sweat lodge service an effort he finds promising. "The more in tune you are with your culture no matter what culture that is it connects you to something bigger," Lamoreau said. "And that's really what we look at when we're in recovery, when we talk about spiritual connection. It's something bigger than you." Jolynn Mungenast spends her days looking for ways to help people pay their hospital bills. Working out of a warehouse-like building in a scruffy corner of this former industrial town, Mungenast gently walks patients through health insurance options, financial aid, and payment plans. Most want to pay, said Mungenast, a financial counselor at Rochester Regional Health. Very often, they simply can't. "They're scared. They're nervous. They're upset," said Mungenast, who on one recent call worked with an older patient to settle a $143 bill. "They do think 'I don't want this to affect my credit rating. I don't want you to come take my house.'" At Rochester Regional Health, that won't happen. The nonprofit system in upstate New York is one of only a few nationally that bar all aggressive collection activities. Patients who don't pay won't be taken to court. Their wages won't be garnished. They won't end up with liens on their homes or be denied care. And unpaid bills won't sink their credit scores. American hospital officials often insist that lawsuits and other aggressive collections, though unsavory, are necessary to protect health systems' finances and deter freeloading. But at Rochester Regional, ditching these collection tactics hasn't hurt the bottom line, said Jennifer Eslinger, chief operating officer. The system has even been able to move staff out of its collections department as it spends less to go after patients who haven't paid. Eslinger said there's been another benefit to the change: rebuilding trust with patients. "We think and talk a lot and strategize a lot about where is the distrust in health care," she said. "We have to remove that as a barrier to meaningful health care. We have to get the trust with the populations that we serve so that they can get the care that they need." 'Folks cannot afford this' Rochester Regional, a large health system serving a wide swath of communities along the south shore of Lake Ontario, is big, with more than $3 billion in annual revenue. But in a place where once-mighty employers like Kodak and Xerox have withered, finances can be challenging. In 2022, Rochester Regional finished nearly $200 million in the red. Patients have their own challenges. Unable to afford their bills, many ended up in collections, or even on the receiving end of lawsuits. "We would go to court," acknowledged Lisa Poworoznek, head of financial counseling at Rochester Regional. Then, before the pandemic, hospital leaders looked more closely at why patients weren't paying. The barriers became clear, Poworoznek said: confusing insurance plans, high deductibles, and inadequate savings. "There are so many different situations that patients have," she said. "It's really just not as simple as demanding payment and then filing legal action." Nationally, nearly half of adults are unable to cover a $500 medical bill without going into debt, a 2022 KFF poll found. At the same time, the average annual deductible for a single worker with job-based coverage now tops $1,500. Instead of chasing people who didn't pay a costly process that often yields meager returns Rochester Regional resolved to find ways to get patients to settle bills before collections started. The health system undertook new efforts to enroll people in health insurance. New York has among the most robust safety-net systems in the country. Rochester Regional also bolstered its financial assistance program, making it easier for low-income patients to access free or discounted care. At many hospitals, applying for aid is complicated long applications that demand extensive information about patients' income and assets, including cars, retirement accounts, and property, KFF Health News has found. Patients applying for aid at Rochester Regional are asked to disclose only their income. Finally, the health system looked for ways to get more people on payment plans so they could pay off big bills over a year or two. Importantly, the payment plans are interest-free. That was a change. Rochester Regional, like some other major health systems across the country such as Atrium Health, used to rely on financing companies that charged interest, which could add thousands of dollars to patients' debts. "Folks cannot afford this," Poworoznek said. Ending 'extraordinary collection actions' Working more closely with patients on their bills allowed Rochester Regional to stop taking them to court. The health system also stopped reporting people to credit bureaus, a practice many medical providers use that can depress consumers' credit scores, making it harder to rent an apartment, get a car loan, or even get a job. In 2020, Rochester Regional adopted a written policy barring all aggressive collections by the system or its contracted collection agencies. That put Rochester Regional in select company. A 2022 KFF Health News investigation of billing practices at 528 hospitals around the country found just 19 that explicitly prohibit what are called extraordinary collection actions. Among them are leading academic medical centers, including UCLA and Stanford University, but also community hospitals such as El Camino Hospital in California's Bay Area and St. Anthony Community Hospital outside New York City. Also barring extraordinary collection actions: the University of Vermont Medical Center; Ochsner Health, a large New Orleans-based nonprofit; and UPMC, a mammoth system based in Pittsburgh. Like Rochester Regional, UPMC officials said they were able to scrap aggressive collections by developing better systems that allow patients to pay off their bills. Elisabeth Benjamin, a vice president at the Community Service Society of New York, a nonprofit that has led efforts to restrict aggressive hospital collections, said there's no reason more hospitals shouldn't follow suit, particularly nonprofits that are expected to serve their communities in exchange for their tax-exempt status. "The value is to promote health, to care about a population, to promote health equity," Benjamin said. "Suing people for medical debt or engaging in extraordinary collection actions is really anathema to all those values," she said. "Forget about your cancer-mobile or your child vaccination clinic." Rochester Regional's approach doesn't eliminate medical debt, which burdens an estimated 100 million people in the U.S. And payment plans like those the system encourages can still mean big sacrifices for some families. But Benjamin applauded Rochester Regional's ban on aggressive collections. "I give them big props," she said. "It never should have been allowed." New laws in New York now prohibit all medical bills from being reported to credit bureaus and restrict other collection tactics, such as wage garnishments. Many hospital finance officials nevertheless say they need the option to pursue patients who have the means to pay. "Maybe it's on a very specific case where there is an issue with someone just not paying their bill," said Richard Gundling, a senior vice president at the Healthcare Financial Management Association, a trade group. But at Rochester Regional's finance offices, officials say they almost never find patients who just refuse to pay. More often, the problem is the bills are simply too big. "People just don't have $5,000 to pay off that bill," Poworoznek said. On her calls with patients, Mungenast tries to reassure the patients on the other end of the line. "Put yourself in their shoes," she said. "How would it be if that was you receiving that?" Prime Minister Narendra Modis active role and personal monitoring are responsible for the turnaround of the infrastructure sector, which suffered due to policy paralysis during the UPA regime, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday. In a contrast to the previous regime, the current government under the leadership of Modi has spearheaded a shift towards prioritising infrastructure development and capital expenditure with an aim to bolster the Indian economy. Taking a dig at the Congress-led UPA regime from 2004-2014, she said, @INCIndia-led UPA (2004-14) wasted Indias economic growth potential and left it among the Fragile Five economies without focusing on effective infrastructure development. Under UPA, almost all aspects of Indias economic needs were mismanaged or ignored. The UPA governments noticeable and deliberate neglect of infrastructure creation not only denied India much-needed roads, railways, power, etc, but it also compromised Indias long-term economic potential, she said in a post on X. The UPA governments term was replete with examples of decision stasis. Cost overruns, stalled projects and lack of timely approvals were common between 2004-14, she said. However, she said, Prime Minister Modis active role has made the infrastructure turnaround possible. The PM has personally monitored the progress of projects, even those launched earlier, through the PRAGATI platform. This led to the successful completion of long-delayed projects. Through 43 PRAGATI meetings, PM Modi has reviewed projects worth Rs 17.36 lakh crore. Pointing out that infrastructure spending not only boosts GDP growth through its multiplier effects on consumption and investment, but also improves the long-term efficiency of the economy by reducing logistical constraints, she said, adding that an NIPFP study points out that every rupee directed towards capital expenditure in India increases economic output by Rs 4.8. The share of capex in total expenditure dropped sharply under the UPA from 23 per cent in 2003-04 to an average of 12 per cent between 2005 and 2014, she said. It is also unwise to expect that @INCIndia would have learnt from their mistakes. INCIndia returns to their neglect of Capex and infrastructure. The 2024 Budget presented by the Congress government in Karnataka slashed the share of capital expenditure in total spending by 28 per cent, she said. Imagine the opportunity cost lost due to Congress not investing adequately in capital expenditure, Sitharaman said. Our government significantly increased the outlay for capex. As a proportion of total expenditure, capex rose to over 21 per cent in 2023-24, compared to just 12 per cent in 2013-14, she said. Since 2014, the Modi government has allocated a total of Rs 43.53 lakh crore in Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) capital expenditure, an increase of 3.72 times compared to 2004-14. Giving details of various segments, Sitharaman said, 3.74 lakh km of rural roads have been built under the PM Gram Sadak Yojana in the last 10 years, almost double of 3.81 lakh km of rural roads built till 2014. Over 99 per cent of rural habitations are now linked with rural roads. Since 2014, there has been a 500 per cent increase in road transport and highway budget allocation, she added. National Highway (NH) network has expanded 60 per cent from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,145 km by 2023; compared to only 39 per cent expansion from 65,569 km to 91,287 km between 2004-14. Under PM Modi, Indian Railways has ushered in an era of modernisation with modern stations, modern trains, modern facilities and modern technology. In 2023-24, she said, allocation for Railways capex increased to Rs 2.43 lakh crore. It is a 30-times increase over 2004-05, and 8 times over 2013-14. On the power sector, she said, India has transformed from being power-deficient to power-sufficient by adding 193 GW of generation capacity (249 GW to 442 GW). Investments in upgrades, grid modernisation, and smart technologies are being done to help reduce power outages, voltage fluctuations, and disruptions, she said. As of November 2023, she said, the availability of power in rural areas increased from 12 hours in 2015 to 20.6 hours, and in urban areas, it rose to 23.8 hours 100 per cent rural electrification was achieved in 2018. Since 2014, the Metro network has expanded around four times, from 248 km of operational lines in five cities to 939 km in 20 cities, she said. As the first of the eight RRTS corridors, she said, the Delhi-Meerut stretch will be completed by June 2025. With regard to aviation sector, Indias aviation network has doubled with the construction of 83 new airports since 2014. Operational airports rose from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024. The passenger traffic has increased from 169 MPPA (Million Passengers Per Annum) in 2014 to 376 MPPA in 2024. The Modi government has actively engaged in improving Indias maritime sector to promote the blue economy. A 10-year blueprint Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) was released to boost the maritime ecosystem. Besides, she said, FDI norms were relaxed to attract investments in port development and operations. Up to 100 per cent of FDI was allowed for port and harbour construction and maintenance projects. The Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG) 2024 exam admit card has been made available by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Students who have applied for the exam can download their hall ticket on the official website exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG/. It is to be noted that NTA has rescheduled the CUET UG for Delhi centres to May 29 from today due to unavoidable issues. It is recommended that candidates thoroughly go through the following instructions to grasp the guidelines for the CUET exam day to prevent any unneeded problems. The National Testing Agency will offer a seven-day hybrid mode (pen and paper or computer-based test) for the CUET 2024 exam. The dates of the CUET UG 2024 test are May 15May 24, 2024. The exam will be conducted at various locations across the nation (380 cities), including 26 places outside India. CUET UG 2024: Dress Code Any light clothes with long sleeves are prohibited. If candidates arrive at the examination centre wearing traditional or cultural attire, they should report at least one hour in advance of the last reporting time. This will allow for a proper frisking procedure to take place without causing the applicant any inconvenience and preserve the integrity of the exam. Low-heeled sandals and slippers are acceptable. Candidates are not allowed to wear shoes. CUET UG 2024: Items Prohibited Any type of gadget or electronic device. Wallets or purses. Blank white paper or a printed notepad. Any type of jewellery, including necklaces, chains, earrings, bangles, nose pins, hair bands, etc. Tie shoes or closed sandals. CUET UG 2024: Things to Carry Get a copy of the admission card and fill up the appropriate sections with your self-declaration. Carry any legitimate ID as verification with the admit card. It is also necessary to have a photo with you so that it can be pasted on the attendance sheet during the exam. Candidates for PwDB must bring a valid medical certificate to the exam location. Candidates are permitted to bring a water bottle, but it must be transparent. Students need to remember that the pen they will be using needs to be transparent as well. CUET UG 2024: Exam Day Guidelines Applicants should ensure they have all required documents, including their valid ID and admit card. It is suggested that applicants arrive at the testing location one to two hours prior to the start of the entrance exam. They will not be permitted entry into the CUET 2024 exam centre thirty minutes before the exam starts. A compensating period of twenty minutes will be given to candidates with physical disabilities (PwD) for each hour of the exam. Since the CUET has negative markings, candidates should be extremely cautious while attempting any answers. Students are required to attach a current photo to the CUET admit card by themselves. Candidates will not be permitted to enter the testing centre without the admit card. The majority of objects are not permitted within the examination centre, thus candidates should bring as few items as possible. CUET UG 2024: Exam Pattern There will be fifteen subjects in the OMR format exam. The duration of the CUET exam ranges from 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the subject. There will be a 60-minute time slot dedicated to the General Test paper in addition to other disciplines like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Economics, etc. The time for other disciplines, such as geography, sociology, Hindi, English, etc., will be 45 minutes. Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in damage-control mode once again after it acknowledged unequivocally that Arvind Kejriwals former PS Bibhav Kumar had misbehaved with its Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at the Delhi chief ministers residence. AAPs Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said: Swati Maliwal had reached the residence of Arvind Kejriwal to meet him and was waiting for him in the drawing room. In the meantime, Bibhav Kumar reached there and misbehaved with Maliwal [unhone Swati Maliwal ke saath bahut badtameezi ki, bahut abhadrata ki]. This incident can never be condemned enough. Kejriwal has taken cognizance of the issue and has directed that strict action be taken in this regard. Singhs unequivocal admission of wrongdoing by Kumar is perhaps the first such admission by the AAP in the midst of countless allegations levelled against the party. Singhs statement did not leave any room for interpretation and did not even carry the characteristic word allegedly or Swati alleged. Shockingly, the party admitted to the episode even though Maliwal had not got her medical examination done after reaching the Civil Lines police station nor had she filed an FIR. After making two calls to the helpline number 100, saying that she was at the chief ministers residence and was assaulted by Kumar first at the chief ministers behest and then correcting the accusation to drop the chief ministers name Maliwal had reached the Civil Lines police station. However, she did not file a formal complaint. While her allegations sent shockwaves across the country, the AAP fielded some of its senior leaders to get in touch with her to understand what had happened. Singh, who happened to be in Mumbai, rushed back to Delhi and was able to establish contact with Maliwal. It appears that Maliwal wanted a clear signal to be sent that what happened with her was wrong and the one who was guilty should be punished. Both Maliwal and Kumar are close to the chief minister and have been associated with him since his days of activism, working in non-governmental organisations PCRF and Kabir. While Maliwal has been in and out of AAP, Kumar has been by Kejriwals side through all the ups and downs of the party. Kumar is the link between the AAP convenor and the party. He is also the link between the party and the chief ministers family ever since the latter was arrested on March 21. Kumar enjoys the trust of the chief minister and, because of his proximity, enjoys considerable clout within the party. It is because of these reasons that Singhs statement that Kejriwal will ensure strict action is important. Maliwal, a well-known activist by now, was the DCW chairperson and galvanised the Delhi Womens Commission. When the time came for the AAP to nominate its Rajya Sabha members, Kejriwal rewarded the young activist by elevating Maliwal to the Upper House. However, when Kejriwal was arrested, Maliwal was not in India neither did she return soon. Attempts by journalists to reach out to her did not succeed. There were murmurs of resentment against her that a person, so handsomely rewarded, was missing when the party went through its hour of crisis. On Maliwals part, too, there could be grievances not being promoted for a more visible role like some of her party colleagues. So far as the AAP is concerned, this is at best a damage-control exercise. With elections on, the party could not have taken a chance with Maliwal going ahead and filing official complaints and holding press conferences. The opposition BJP has latched on to the story, demanding the strictest action against Kejriwal. Additionally, had Maliwal complained officially, Union government agencies like the Delhi Police and the National Commission for Women would have come knocking on the doors of the chief minister and his former PS. However, the big question is whether Maliwal will be content with Singhs statement. All eyes are on her next move. Repeated attempts to elicit a statement from Maliwal were unfruitful. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Barrackpore is one of the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal. The constituency centres on Barrackpore, with all assembly segments coming under the North 24 Parganas district. It consists of the following seven assembly segments: Amdanga (TMC), Bijapur (TMC), Naihati (TMC), Bhatpara (BJP), Jagatdal (TMC), Noapara (TMC) and Barrackpur (TMC). Voting for the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat will take place in the fifth phase of General Elections on May 20. The counting of votes will take place on June 4. 2019 Result and 2024 Candidates Arjun Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the sitting MP from Barrackpore. In 2019, he won the seat by a margin of 14,857 votes, trumping TMCs Dinesh Trivedi with a 42.82% vote share. The top contenders in Barrackpore in the 2024 polls are Arjun Singh (BJP), Partha Bhowmick (TMC) and Debdut Ghosh (CPI-M, backed by Congress) Political Dynamics BJP Banks on Baahubali Arjun Singh In many ways, the fight for Barrackpore in 2024 is playing out on the lines of what was witnessed in 2019. Arjun Singh, prior to the 2019 election, had jumped ship from the TMC and joined the saffron camp. However, three years later, despite being a BJP MP, Arjun Singh switched sides and hopped over to the TMC purportedly on the assurance that he would be provided a party ticket for the ongoing elections. However, as the TMC announced its candidate list in March, Arjun Singhs name was nowhere to be found. Alleging that he had been cheated by the TMC, Arjun Singh then reverted to the BJP, making this his fourth political switch so far. The BJP was then quick to field him from Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency, primarily because the party does not have any other big face with a substantial influence in the constituency. Arjun Singh is a known baahubali who has substantial support in Bhatpara, Jagatdal and Barrackpur assembly segments. There are about 30-35 per cent Hindi-speaking voters in Barrackpore LS, concentrated mostly in the Jute belt. This is a solid vote bank which supports Arjun Singh notwithstanding the party he contests from. In 2019, he won the seat by a margin of 14,857 votes, trumping TMCs Dinesh Trivedi with a 42.82% vote share. Arjun Singhs candidature also gave rise to some discontent in the local BJP unit, where leaders and workers were disturbed with the serial political turncoat being fielded by the party again. In the BJPs mind though, Arjun Singh remains their safest bet to retain Barrackpore, and is best suited to challenge the TMC here. Soon after the BJP announced his candidacy, posters against Arjun Singh were spotted at the Barrackpore station which read Bhag Arjun Bhag (Run Arjun, Run). Despite the BJPs denial of factionalism, all 23 mandals under Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency had leaders who began conveying their opposition to Arjun Singhs candidature. In many ways, the BJPs Hindutva plank finds considerable takers in Barrackpore, mostly due to the large presence of Hindi-speaking population here. It is no surprise that the Ram Mandir, and the role which the Modi government played in making the same a reality, has been finding many takers in Barrackpore. On Ram Navami, Arjun Singh even led a mega procession where participants enthusiastically chanted Jai Shree Ram. The BJP is expected to maintain its hold over the low-income groups in Barrackpore, and the personality of Arjun Singh is expected to play a decisive factor in ensuring their votes come to the BJP. However, some of the more Middle Class and educated set of voters could also side with the CPI(M), with the Left-Congress combine having fielded Debdut Ghosh, who is a prominent theatre personality. Observers say there is a likelihood of the CPI(M)s vote share rising this election. In 2019, the Left had got about 10% of the votes in Barrackpore. What remains to be seen, however, is which partys votes the Left cuts into the BJP or TMC. Given that the BJP has been a major recipient of the Lefts collapse in recent years, the effect could be more pronounced for the saffron party. TMC Poses Significant Challenge In 2014, the TMC had won Barrackpore with a margin of over 2.06 lakh votes, and the BJP was nowhere close to it back then. In 2014, the TMC defeated the CPI(M), which had emerged second on the electoral chart. Cut to 2019, the TMC received a drubbing so magnificent that the BJP was able to trump it by over 14,000 votes. For the TMC, this was a humiliating loss, as the Lefts near collapse had caught the Mamata Banerjee-led party off-guard and resulted in a surprise saffron win. Five years since, the TMC is making a determined push to wrest control of Barrackpore from the BJP. To do so, it has fielded Naihati MLA and state minister Partha Bhowmick, a debutant in parliamentary politics hailing from the same district. For the TMC, the minority vote of Barrackpore has never been more important. A lot depends on the kind of inroads which Partha Bhowmick can make in assembly segments with higher Muslim voter concentration, especially Amdanga. It is crucial that Bhowmick registers a significant lead in Amdanga and Naihati if it wishes to counter Singhs influence over Bhatpara, Jagatdal and Barrackpore. Naihati is Arjun Singhs home turf, so the TMC definitely faces a big challenge in trying to win the parliamentary constituency. Apart from the Muslims, the TMC will also need to lure in lower-income groups, something which the party feels its welfare schemes like Lakhsmi Bhandar, and others can help achieve. However, penetrating this segment will be an uphill task, given the influence BJPs Arjun Singh continues to command here. The TMC also feels that the Arjun Singh factor may be getting overplayed by analysts. Partha Bhowmick argues that if Arjun Singh was indeed such a big factor in Barrackpore, the BJP would have not lost six assembly segments in the 2021 state election. The TMC hopes that Arjun Singhs image as a political turncoat will turn the tide in Partha Bhowmicks favour. In fact, in a subtle reference to Arjun Singh switching sides and joining the BJP again, TMCs national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee even said that the saffron party was waiting for leaders rejected by the ruling party as it did not have candidates of its own. However, that would be a gross understatement of the fight Barrackpore is witnessing. The BJP still has a fair chance of retaining the seat, and the onus is on the TMC to counter not just Arjun Singh, but Narendra Modis popularity as well. Key Issues Law and Order Law and order issues in Barrackpore have been time and again brought to the fore. The opposition has alleged that gangs and criminals have been allowed to roam free in the region backed by local politicians. Violence has also been one of the major concerns of the people as murder, and robberies have continued unabated. Many cases of armed robberies have been registered in the region. People continue to live in fear and have voiced their concern to the local administration, the MLA, MP and the state government but to no avail. Former TMC MP from Barrackpore had also slammed the state government for its failure to ensure law and order in the region. Outside Migration There are a lot of jute mills in the region which create employment for the people. However, mill owners have employed migrant labourers from Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh who work at cheaper rates than the local population. This has created an issue for the local workers who blame the outsiders for the lack of employment in the region. Due to this labourers and daily wage earners from the region have to leave for employment opportunities. Political Violence Political violence aided by criminals have been alleged by the opposition in Barrackpore. The BJP has alleged that the TMC has used goons and criminals to threaten candidates and voters alike and have disrupted political campaigns. In 2020, a BJP leader was gunned down by motorcycle gunmen. That was the third incident of political violence in as many months in 2020. Jute Mill Worker Issues Jute mill workers in Barrackpore have been neglected for a long time. Almost all of the government mills have been closed and only a few remain under private ownership. Labourers have been working in the same mills for years. Their forefathers had also worked in the same mills and have lived in the same conditions. There is a lack of basic facilities in the settlements of these labourers. The workers of jute mills get less than Rs 500 per day i.e. around Rs 15,000 per month. Labourers trying to provide a better life for their children have been left in the lurch as they cannot afford to even provide education to their children as it has become expensive. Political interference was also seen dominating the operation of jute mills. Healthcare and Education There is a lack of educational facilities that can provide adequate education. The level of education provided by government schools is low and the private schools are too expensive for the daily wage labourers. Moreover, even the hospital infrastructure in the region lacks basic facilities. If people fall sick, they have to travel to Kolkata for medical care. People have voiced their concern, but the state government has remained indifferent to their needs. Drinking Water Drinking water is a major issue in Barrackpore, studies have shown that groundwater quality in the region is quite hard and is having an excess amount of Magnesium. Moreover, piped water provided by the municipality is not adequate and has not reached all of the households. Issues of water pipes bursting has also created issues of unavailability of water in many areas. Waterlogging Waterlogging has been a major issue in Barrackpore. Inadequate sewage systems have failed to keep up with the rising population. Moreover, the sewage system is old and crumbling as the city gets waterlogged even after short spurts of rain. This causes major issues for the citizens as people remain stuck in their houses as the city remains paralysed for days. Moreover, dumped garbage on the streets enters people home with the water creating unhygienic conditions and a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Infrastructure Development Kalyani Expressway Expansion To improve connectivity between Kolkata and Kalyani, a new expressway is currently under construction. This tolled roadway will span approximately 40 kilometres and feature multiple lanes to accommodate traffic flow. Once completed, it will provide a faster and more convenient route for commuters travelling between these two areas within the Kolkata metropolitan region. The expansion will connect Birati to Barrackpore. Amrit Bharat Station Barrackpore station is set to receive a major upgrade as part of the central governments Amrit Bharat scheme. The initiative aims to enhance passenger facilities and infrastructure, while also transforming the station into a key logistical hub. These improvements are expected to benefit both travellers and the local economy. Metro The pink line or the Metro line 5 is a new line covering a distance of 12.5 km. It will connect Baranagar to Barrackpore. The metro station is under construction in New Barrackpore. It will cost Rs. 2069.6 Crores. Sewage Treatment Plant The upcoming treatment plant is one of the 13 under construction in West Bengal. It will add 295 MLD of sewage treatment capacity to the region. Railway Infrastructure Passenger amenities were enhanced with the addition of foot overbridges, improved lighting, and new waiting halls. Stations like Barrackpore and Naihati received upgrades such as platform extensions and new escalators. Efforts were also made to modernise signalling systems and improve station aesthetics. The installation of Automatic Ticket Vending Machines and Pay & Use Toilets at various stations aimed to streamline ticketing processes and provide essential amenities. Efforts were also made to improve energy efficiency through the use of LED lighting and energy-saving measures at stations. Voter Demographics Total Voters: 1433276 Social Composition SC: 232,191 (16.2%) ST: 20,066 (1.4%) Geographical Composition Urban Voters: 1,188,186 (82.9%) Rural Voters: 245,090 (17.1%) Religious Composition: Hindu: 81.7% Muslim: 16.9% Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to talk about development matters rather than other issues in his campaign speeches, and said mutton-chicken, Hindu-Muslim are his words and not ours. His remarks came after Prime Minister Modi in an interview to News 18 said he wont be fit for public life if he starts playing the Hindu-Muslim card. Why is the PM not seeking votes on the work he did in the last 10 years, he said at a joint press conference with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav here. On PM Modis remarks that he has never discriminated between Hindu and Muslim, Kharge responded, Had the prime minister not said mutton, beef, chicken, fish and mangalsutra. These words are not mine but his (PMs). I am saying that leave these things, tell people about the work you did and seek votes on its behalf. They talk of mutton-chicken not us, Kharge said. The Congress chief asserted that the opposition INDIA bloc is in a strong position after four phases of Lok Sabha polls and that the people of the country are prepared to bid farewell to Prime Minister Modi. Four rounds of polling have been completed in the country. The INDIA bloc is in a very strong position. I can say with full confidence that the people of the country have prepared to bid farewell to Narendra Modi. INDIA bloc is going to form the new government on June 4, he said. The SP chief claimed the alliance will win 79 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. INDIA bloc will win 79 seats in Uttar Pradesh. It is in contest only on just one seat Kyoto, Yadav said referring to the PMs parliamentary constituency of Varanasi. The PM and the BJP have earlier stated that they will develop Varanasi like Kyoto, a picturesque city in Japan. Kharge also claimed that the BJP will change the Constitution if it comes to power again. These people are trying to change the Constitution. RSS leader Mohan Bhagawat said it first. It was said in Karnataka that two third majority is needed to change the Constitution. In Uttar Pradesh, so many from the BJP have talked of changing the Constitution, Kharge said. He asked why PM Modi has not taken any action against those who talk of changing the Constitution. I am surprised that Modi remains quiet on this. You talk of strength and 56 inch chest, why dont you scare them, expel them from the party. One should not say such things against the Constitution, he added. Acusing the prime minister of lying and abusing the Congress party and its leaders, he said, I think he (PM) would have not taken the name of Lord Ram as many times as he abuses Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and the remaining times to Priyanka Gandhi and me, Kharge said. The Congress chief also promised to provide 10 kg free ration per month to the poor if his party is voted to power. If INDIA bloc government is formed, we will provide 10 kg of free ration per month to the poor, he said while noting that the Congress made a law the Food Security Act to ensure food is provided to the poor. Yadav said with the completion of four phases of polling, the lies of BJP have also reached the summit and are now tumbling down. The BJP is stuck in its own negative narrative. When we look back all their promises turned out to be false. Sensing defeat, the BJP people have changed the language in their addresses. The time for negative politics is up and the people of the country want a change which is coming on June 4, Yadav said. The former UP chief minister, who is in fray from the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat, said that in Bundelkhand region of the state the BJP will not win a single seat. He also attacked the state government over exam paper leak. While the Congress is contesting on 17 seats in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party is from 62 seats. The All India Trinamool Congress, which is part of the INDIA bloc, has pitted its candidate from Bhadohi. . Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The Bharatiya Janata Party put up a heavyweight show in Varanasi over 24 hours, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi first leading a massive campaign tour, and then almost the entire National Democratic Alliance top brass and senior BJP leadership being by the PMs side when he filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday. The pictures were in contrast to how Rahul Gandhi landed in Raebareli virtually at the last minute on May 3 to file his nomination from the Congress pocket borough. Allies Missing Such suspense was built over it that a major constituent of the INDIA bloc in Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, was missing from the nomination filing event of Rahul Gandhi. No other INDIA partner was present either. In fact, Rahul Gandhis nomination filing turned out to be more of a family affair with Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Robert Vadra, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge present in the collectors room. What was worse was that none of them went for the nomination filing of Congresss Amethi candidate, Kishori Lal Sharma, who had to do the exercise in the presence of a few junior party leaders from the constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi chose not to contest from Amethi, a seat he had held for three terms. Another interesting comparison is from May 10 when Ajay Rai, the Congress president in UP and the partys Varanasi candidate against PM Modi, filed his nomination virtually with no support. Neither the Gandhis nor Kharge were by Rais side when he filed his nomination from arguably the most important seat in Uttar Pradesh. Rai led a bicycle rally to the Varanasi collectorate, with local leaders to file his nomination, an event that went unnoticed. Modi The Showstopper The same Varanasi collectorate was abuzz with activity on Tuesday when PM Modi landed here to file his nomination, flanked by union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president JP Nadda, and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. If that was not enough, the BJP got all its major NDA leaders to Varanasi to be present and all of them accompanied Modi as he came out after filing his papers, in a big show of strength for the alliance in the country. Key NDA allies like Eknath Shinde, Praful Patel, N Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, Chirag Paswan, Pashupathi Nath Paras, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Anupriya Patel, and Jayant Chaudhary were present to showcase how the NDA was united in these elections. This was much in contrast to the INDIA allies being absent from Congress nomination filing events in Raebareli and Amethi. The BJP is now asking if they were even invited by the Congress at all. The BJP further ensured a caste balance and a common man image when it came to the three proposers for PM Modis nomination: Brahmin face Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri, OBC face Baijnath Patel, and Dalit face Sanjay Sonkar. Overall, while Modi displayed his quintessential confidence in Varanasi both through his big roadshow and nomination filing event, the Congress camp came across as unsure and hesitant when it came to Raebareli and Amethi. There cant be a bigger reading of the 2024 elections. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency, situated in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the 80 parliamentary constituencies in the state. Classified under the General category, it encompasses parts of Barabanki and Faizabad districts. Currently, Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency comprises five Legislative Assembly segments Dariyabad in Barabanki district, Rudauli, Milkipur (SC), Bikapur, and Ayodhya in Faizabad district. The famous twin cities of Ayodhya and Faizabad lie in this constituency. The constituency will vote in the fifth phase on May 20. Current MP: Lallu Singh of BJP since 2014, preceded since Nirmal Khatri of Congress (2009) Candidates: Awadhesh Prasad (SP), Lallu Singh (BJP), Sacchidanand Pandey (BSP) POLITICAL DYNAMICS BJP in Pole Position: The BJP has fielded sitting MP Lallu Singh for a third term from the Faizabad Lok Sabha Constituency with the Ram Mandir as its central electoral platform. But the BJP has made it clear that it is not just Singh who is on the ballot, but more so, it is Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi themselves on the ballot. Seeking votes in the names of these two leaders, coupled with the Ram Mandir and the phenomenal transformation of Ayodhya, has placed the party in a pole position. In the 2014 Lok Sabha Election, Lallu Singh, a five-time MLA from Ayodhya, won the Lok Sabha seat with a massive margin of 2.82 lakh votes. In 2019, this lead shrunk to a little over 65,000 votes, which came as a concern to the party. However, the situation in 2019 was significantly different from what it is now. Firstly, the Ram Mandir land dispute case was still in court and patience was running thin among the constituents. Second, Singh faced anti-incumbency. And third, and most importantly, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party were in alliance, consolidating 43% of the vote, against the BJPs 49.1%. One major concern for the party emerged during the construction process amid Ayodhyas facelift as several homes and shops in encroached land were demolished. While the government offered compensation, residents claimed that it was not enough, and it also disregarded those who lived in rented homes or ran their business out of rented shops. Since then, the government has attempted to defuse this issue. In 2023, it let out a sigh of relief when it retained the mayoral seat in Ayodhya, with the partys Girish Pati Tripathi defeating the SP by almost 36,000 votes. In the 2022 assembly elections, the Yogi government was re-elected to power in the state and in the Faizabad parliamentary seat, it bagged four seats including Dariyabad, Rudauli, Bikapur and Ayodhya, while the SP bagged the SC-reserved Milkipur. The BJP led with over 85,000 votes and a vote share of 45.1% against the SPs 37.9%, BSPs 11.3% and Congresss 1.3%. In the absence of a BSP-SP alliance, the BJP is confident that in pursuit of Dalit votes, the BSP will do more damage to the INDIA bloc candidate than the saffron party. Five years since 2019, the conditions are starkly different as the newly built Ram Mandir and Ayodhyas infrastructural facelift stand testament to the political transformation of Ayodhya. Anti-incumbency is no longer a key concern of the party, and the SP and BSP are not in an alliance. Hence, this election is set to be a pivotal one, as it marks a new era in Ayodhyas political history with the BJP expected to register a landslide victory. A Sense of Ram Rajya: A key factor at play here is that CM Yogi Adityanath has been visiting the constituency every three-four weeks. Observers on the ground find that he has been accessible to the people, listening to their grievances and offering solutions with a team of bureaucrats and workers deployed for this very job. This has effectively fuelled speculation that when CM Yogi enters national politics, he would contest parliamentary elections from Ayodhya. The popularity and accessibility of the chief minister surpasses BJP candidate Lallu Singhs role as MP. Another point often discussed by voters is that the BJP leadership has put Ayodhya on the world map as a spiritual capital of the Hindu faith, unlocking its true potential and altering its trajectory for the better, as for most of its post-independence existence, Ayodhya has been neglected and deprived of development and prestige and embroiled in caste and religious battles. Ayodhya has witnessed a jaw-dropping facelift much to the awe of residents in and around the city with a brand-new airport, a revamped railway station, new roads, bridges, highways, hotels, restaurants and so on. Faizabad town has also seen a surge of development work including the widening of roads. Real estate prices have quadrupled in the city since the Supreme Court verdict in favour of a Ram Mandir on the disputed land. Construction activity is in flow in Ayodhya to cater to a footfall of millions of tourists from India and around the world. Traders and shops, big and small, are witnessing a boom in business. Essentially, the government has been credited with delivering the economic prospects associated with the grand Ram Temple, as promised. And ultimately, on the matter of the Ram Mandir itself the BJP has successfully projected itself as the flag-bearer of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement all the way from the Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 to the temples rapid construction and inauguration ceremony. The BJPs narrative is that it won the battle in court and helped expedite the immediate construction of the temple, delivering within four years after the verdict in November 2019. The nationally televised Pran Pratishtha ceremony in the presence of the Prime Minister, and his speech asserting the tenets of a Ram Rajya, have further swayed Hindu voters in Ayodhya. BJP Feeds Off Oppositions Dilemma: The BJP benefits tremendously from the stand of opposition parties on the Ram Mandir. While the decades long movement was opposed by leaders of the Congress and Samajwadi Party on several occasions, its journey towards inevitable success left the opposition jittery as it faced a two-fold dilemma one, that it could not participate in a movement spearheaded by the BJP and two, it feared antagonising its Muslim vote bank. It has successfully managed to paint their politics as anti-Hindu. It has deployed a popular phrase in action, Jab tai darshan nehi, tab tab vote nehi, essentially meaning that as long as opposition leaders do not visit and take blessings at the Ram Temple, they should not receive any votes. Top opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, and the Gandhi family, are yet to visit the temple. Moreover, the BJP often questions their decision to not attend the inauguration ceremony in January despite being invited. The BJP has also tagged the Samajwadi Party, its leading opposition, as the party under whose government the devotees of Lord Ram were fired at, referring to the incident of police opening fire on karsevaks gathered in Ayodhya amid the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1990. Meanwhile, the Congress partys record of flip-flops on the movement, its governments statement to the Supreme Court stating that there was no historical evidence to support the belief that Lord Ram had actually existed, and its ex-leader Kapil Sibals involvement in the court case representing the Sunni Waqf board fuel the BJPs campaign. While the India blocs candidate relies on the Muslim-Yadav-Dalit equation, with Muslim voters forming about 17% of the vote and Dalits forming 24.3%, a proper consolidation of Yadav and Dalit votes is not expected to take place in his favour. A considerable chunk of Yadav and Dalit votes are drawn to the BJP owing to its welfare schemes and Ram Rajya politics. Moreover, the BSP is expected to take away a major chunk of Jatav voters, its core constituency. INDI Alliances Strategy: The Samajwadi Party, a partner in the INDIA bloc alliance, has nominated a prominent Dalit leader from this unreserved constituency. Awadhesh Prasad, a member of the Dalit Kori community, was elected in 2022 from the Milkipur (SC) assembly seat and is the only SP MLA in Faizabad LS seat. He has served as an MLA nine times and aims to rally support from the Dalit community, which comprises approximately 5.5 lakh residents in the constituency. The opposition hopes that Dalits, who overwhelmingly favoured the BJP in previous elections, would enter their fold. Moreover, the Samajwadi Party hopes to cash in on the Muslim-Yadav (MY) factor, however, fears are that local voters, especially Yadav voters, may be swayed to some degree by the Modi-Yogi double engine government, its Hindutva politics, development spree in Ayodhya. Seeking the blessings of Lord Ram, Awadesh Prasad is a senior Samajwadi Party leader contesting on the might of his own popularity in the seat. In Milkipur, he won in 2022 with a margin of over 13,000 votes. Like his opponent, he is invoking Lord Ram in his speeches, and has voiced the bloc poll pitch to save democracy and the constitution from the BJP. Both the SP and BSP are fighting it out in pursuit of Dalit voters. With a tall Dalit leader in the fray, the SP hopes to curtail the damaging prospects it faces from BSP candidate Sacchidanand Pandey, who is a Brahmin. In the 2022 Assembly elections, in the absence of an alliance with the SP, the BSP scored 11.3 per cent of the vote as opposed to the SPs 37.9% and BJPs 45.1%. This signalled that in similar voting patterns, an SP-BSP alliance similar to 2019, could have snatched the seat from the BJP in 2024, but since there is no such alliance, the SP is jittery about BSPs role this election. The SP has also recently brought Syed Abbas Ali Zaidi Rushdie Mian back into its fold from the BSP. Rushdie Mian is a former MLA from Rudauli, who was a contender for the BSP ticket from Faizabad. This, SP hopes, will prevent further division of Muslim votes between the two parties. KEY ISSUES Compensation: The issue of compensation is surely one that would come up in the elections. During the road widening project of the Ram Path the government took over a lot of land from many in the region. People had expected a fair compensation, and in January of 2023, according to reports, Rs 100 crore had been distributed. However, people feel that the compensation has not been adequate. People are not angry but disappointed that the compensation that they had received was 10 times below market rate. The project had affected about 3,100 homes and 2,200 stores, some of which were fully demolished. Transformation: Before the 2019 verdict, people, especially the youth, had lost all hope from the city, which was embroiled in one of the biggest religious court cases in the country. However, since the verdict, the city has seen a transformation. Those who had lost hope and were preparing to migrate, now see the city with hope of development and economic progress. The improvement of civic amenities such as roads, public toilets, sewage system, water pipeline have all been upgraded to provide the best facility available to the residents and the tourists. People now have one hope from the government to build upon the existing transform and lead Ayodhya into prosperity. Condition of Seers: Despite reformational activities, one thing that has not changed over the past five years in Ayodhya is the condition of the seers. While there are many NGOs in action raising lakhs of rupees from across the nation to feed them, there has been no plan from the government to provide meals to the seers. While it could be reason to believe that this might have disappointed them, the word on the ground is that the Ram Temple has changed the mood. Mosque: Muslims in Ayodhya have stated that while they do not resent the Ram Mandir, they are disappointed at the slow work on constructing the mosque. While the Supreme Court had directed that the mandir and mosque be constructed simultaneously, the construction of the mosque lagged behind. The land was handed over to the Waqf board, still, no progress has been made. The construction started this year in April. Civic Amenities: While the city of Ayodhya has seen major transformations, conditions outside the city have remained stranded. Dhannipur, the area allotted for the mosque, is still without government schools, only small madrasas and private schools exist. There is no primary health centre in the two villages nearby, which are separated by a road. The closest hospital is in Faizabad which is 30-45 minutes away. Garbage Dumping and River Pollution: The water pollution in Saryu has been reaching critical levels due to uncontrolled dumping of effluents into the river. However, the government addressed the issue by stopping the dumping of effluents in the Saryu River. For its disposal, the municipal corporation has implemented several schemes in which many sewage treatment plants (STP) are being set up. Moreover, there is a hybrid plan that is being put into place to treat the sewage of intoxicants. Along with it, garbage dumping is also being addressed and is almost ready to be implemented. Ram Mandir: Ram Mandir is the biggest issue in Ayodhya. Reports state that people are in jubilation across the constituency due to the Ram Mandir. The temple has already put the city on the global map. Plans are underway to bring about major hospitality and tourism infrastructure to ready it for the footfall that the temple has started to generate. Hindu residents feel relieved at the sight of Ram Mandir. They have been waiting for this moment for roughly 500 years and now it is here for them to rejoice. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT In the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had stunned many by winning 71 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, along with ally Apna Dal winning two. It was the pre-Narendra Modi era and Rajnath Sigh was the BJP President then. But the responsibility of winning Indias largest state fell on Amit Shah. Five years later, Shah was the BJP President who had to campaign across India. BJPs UP tally fell to 62. But with an ambitious 400+ seats target this time, Amit Shah is back to pulling out all stops in Uttar Pradesh to ensure BJPs UP tally surpasses its 2014 mark. Shah has been meeting non-NDA leaders, chalking ground strategies and visiting the seats to ensure their smooth implementation, in pursuit of bypassing the 71 mark. DOUSING BRAHMIN IRE IN RAEBARELI Raebareli, the seat consecutively won by Congress MP Sonia Gandhi and this time having Rahul Gandhi in the fray, is one of the key targets for the BJP. The BJP has fielded its 2019 candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh again, after he halved Sonia Gandhis winning margin in 2019 from nearly 3.5 lakh votes in 2014 to just 1.67 lakh votes in 2019. Two key leaders of the area Congresss Aditi Singh and Samajwadi Partys Manoj Pandey both have sided with the BJP with Aditi Singh being a member of the saffron party. Even Dinesh Pratap Singh is a former Congressman. But Pandey, who, resigned as chief whip of the SP this February to facilitate cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh in favour of the BJP, has not yet joined the saffron fold. Its believed that Pandey, a Brahmin himself, was expecting a BJP ticket from Raebareli. What has complicated the matter for the BJP is the fact that Dinesh Pratap Singh and Manoj Pandey dont share a friendly equation. In caste-sensitive UP, the Brahmin community in the area, who form a whopping 18 per cent of the electorate of this seat, took it as an insult to them. In this precarious situation, during his visit to Raebareli, where Shah addressed a rally, he reached out to Pandey. Knowing fully well, Pandey, still a member of SP cannot campaign for Singh, while his son and brother were recently inducted into the BJP. As Shah went to Pandeys residence to seek his support, little is known about what transpired between the two. But taking no chance, the BJP launched UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, another Brahmin face in state politics, in Raebareli. WORK IN PROGRESS: RAJA BHAIYA & SHAH Another key leader of Uttar Pradesh who Amit Shah met last week is Kondas Raja Bhaiya, the Chief of Jansatta Dal Loktantrik. However, this meeting took place in Bengaluru. Sources say a senior BJP leader of UP arranged the meeting. When Shah visited Lucknow, Raja Bhaiya was out of town. Hence, the meeting was scheduled in Bengaluru on a date that suited both, said BJP sources. Raja Bhaiya went on record to say politics was discussed between the two but refused to be specific. In the state, Union Minister Sanjiv Balyan also visited him with a specific request to extend his support in the Pratapgarh Lok Sabha constituency where he has considerable influence. While he sided with the BJP in the Rajya Sabha election, these meetings dont seem to have worked. On popular demand from his supporters, he decided not to extend support to either BJP or SP two parties that asked for it. This decision came after a late evening meeting at Beti in UP while reminding that the electorate of Konda and Babganj assembly seats where he enjoys unparalleled influence have the power to decide who wins Pratapgarh. Earlier, murmurs of him sharing the stage with Shah at Pratapgarh on May 12, following his Bengaluru meeting with the Home Minister, proved to be just mere speculation. A BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh told News18 on the condition of anonymity, I think a couple of things are at play here. One of them is complaints from the Kshatriya community against the BJP and another a personal demand of Raja Bhaiya. Since the HM is seized of the matter, we hope Raja Bhaiya will reconsider his position. SHAH GETS JAUNPUR DONE Just days after Amit Shah met gangster-turned-politician Dhananjay Singh, the former BSP MP on Tuesday announced his support for the BJP in Jaunpur for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Like Raja Bhaiya, Singh too held a meeting with his supporters on Tuesday after which he announced his support for the BJP. Like Raja Bhaiya is considered to be the kingmaker in Pratapgarh, Dhananjay Singh is perceived to be the kingmaker of Jaunpur, a seat where he yields considerable influence. Interestingly, the move came after Shah met him and a week after the BSP cancelled his wife Shreekala Singhs ticket for the Jaunpur Lok Sabha seat, which he claimed was intentionally done to humiliate him. While the BSP nominated its sitting MP Shyam Singh Yadav for the seat, the local strongman came out in support of the BJP candidate Kripa Shankar Singh after Shahs intervention. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Whether it is the assembly or general elections, voters in Hyderabad city constituencies seemingly remain indifferent, say observers. The number of voters who showed up in the Telangana Lok Sabha polls on May 13 is 3,32,32,318. A few of the constituencies that registered low voter turnout in the elections this year are: Malakpet: 38.3% Yakutpura: 42.7% Chandrayangutta: 45.19% Charminar: 48.53% Bahadurpura: 48.7% Goshamahal: 49% A few observers are attributing the low voter turnout in these areas to the fact that Andhra settlers in Hyderabad went to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to vote in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections held simultaneously there. However, if we examine the data for voter turnout in these constituencies in the assembly polls in 2023, the difference in voter turnout is not high. The number of voters for the assembly elections in 2023 was 3,17,17,389. The polling percentage in the above constituencies was: Malakpet: 41.53% Yakutpura: 39.77% Chandrayangutta: 45.51% Charminar: 43.38% Bahadurpura: 45.39% Goshamahal: 54.78% Hyderabads twin city Secunderabad too registered a low polling percentage, displaying the lethargy of the urban voter. Under Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency, the only seats that crossed 50% polling percentage were Secunderabad (53.05) and Amberpet (50.12). In the rest of the seats, less than half of the electors cast their vote: Musheerabad: 45.25% Khairatabad: 49.8% Jubilee Hills: 45.69% Sanathnagar: 49.41% Nampally: 45.37% In the assembly elections too, a similar trend was noticed. While Secunderabad registered a 53.56 polling percentage, the other seats saw low turnouts: Amberpet: 52.86% Musheerabad: 50.78% Khairatabad: 52.33% Jubilee Hills: 47.58% Sanathnagar: 51.5% Nampally: 46.76% In the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls, Hyderabad registered the lowest polling percentage of 45.07 by 5 pm. Secunderabad scored 42.48% and Malkajgiri 46.27%. Telangana recorded an approximate voter turnout of 61.39% for the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state, according to Election Commission data. State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vikas Raj said an inquiry is going on into some complaints that have been received. The Collector of Hyderabad district said on social media site X that a case has been registered in Malakpet Police Station against BJP candidate Madhavi Latha, under different sections of the IPC and the Representation of the People Act. This follows an allegation that she checked the identity of burqa-clad women voters by asking them to show their faces. The BJP candidate said she had only requested the women to verify their identity and there was nothing wrong with that. I am a candidate. As per law, a candidate has the right to check the ID cards without the facemasks. I am not a man, I am a woman and with a lot of humbleness, I have only requested them can I please see and verify with the ID cards? If somebody wants to make a big issue out of it, that means they are scared, she said. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Union minister and BJP candidate from Amethi constituency in Uttar Pradesh, Smriti Irani on Wednesday took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi, calling him an absentee MP and said the people will reply with their vote if they are taken for granted. If you take voters for granted, the people will reply. People suffered for 15 years because of an absentee MP; they wanted someone for them. I am happy that I have been there for them, she told CNN-News18 in an interview. Irani, who breached the traditional Congress stronghold of Amethi in the 2019 general elections by handing a massive defeat to Rahul, further attacked the Gandhi scion by referring to his half-Italian descent. People sometimes get fascinated by white skin, a charisma is built around it. Jinko lagta tha meri aukaat nahin hai, woh compare kar sakte hain unse jinki paidaish Gandhi pariwar mein hui (those who thought I dont have the status, they can now compare me with those who were born in the Gandhi family), she added. All eyes were on Rahul, a three-time MP from Amethi, that he will once again contest from the seat but those clamouring for an Irani vs Gandhi rematch were left sorely disappointed. The Congress decided that he will take up his mother, Sonia Gandhis legacy and contest from her constituency of Raebareli another party bastion in the majorly saffronised Uttar Pradesh. But, there has been much speculation that even though the Gandhis are absent from Amethi this time, Rahuls sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is handling much of the partys campaign in this constituency from behind the curtains. The minister, however, dismissed her and said: I dont want to indulge in juvenile politics. My opponent is Priyanka Vadra, she is fighting from the backstage. At least the brother was in front; in 2014, too, Rahul only won with 1.07 lakh votes and that, too, with the help of Mulayam Singh Yadav, she said. Irani said she does not have a political pedigree like the Gandhi siblings, talking about her struggle to enter politics from the world of glamour, where she became a household name for her role in Ektaa Kapoors Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. I have never been pedigreed; I come from a humble background and we never had much money. Irrespective of my parents political differences, they kept the family together. I have seen poverty and I am not ashamed of it, she said. She accused the Congress of booth capturing and political violence in Amethi in the past, saying the Gandhi family ensured that there was no reportage of these events. She even said fellow BJP MP Maneka Gandhi was assaulted by Congress goons. It must have not been easy to fight elections in Amethi against Rajiv Gandhi, and then she was assaulted by Congress goons, she added. Irani further expanded on terror in Amethi saying even a journalist from News18 had witnessed that the Congress wanted to shoot at my car. Gandhi familys terror was not only for the voters, but also for the journalists. In 2014, Priyanka Gandhi Vadras assistant was at a voting booth even when it is prohibited for outsiders to be present in the vicinity, she said, citing a report published by The New York Times on how 97 booths were allegedly captured when Rajiv Gandhi was contesting the elections from this seat in 1989. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The Mandi Lok Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh is witnessing a heated battle in 2024 Lok Sabha elections with actor turned politician Kangana Ranaut of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Vikramaditya Singh of the Congress in the fray. On one hand, where Kangana calls Vikramaditya Singh Chhota Pappu and Shahzada, Singh has challenged her for an open debate with her vision for Mandi on the Seri Manch in Mandi district. In an exclusive interview with News18, Singh called Kangana a challenge for herself, adding she was a sycophant. She is a challenge for herself only. She is a star campaigner for me because the kind of statements she makes are helping me. She is here for a month and after elections she will go back, Singh said. Here are edited excerpts from Singhs interview with News18: Q: I followed your rallies yesterday where you said that it is not a party election, it is a Mahayagya. What does that mean and how do you see your campaign going? Vikramaditya Singh: When I said that it is not a party election, it is a sankalp, I said this because when I filed my nomination from Mandi Lok Sabha, people from the entire constituency were there. I took a sankalp for holistic development of the Mandi constituency. The tribal area of Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu and the area of Mandi are our priority. There is no BJP or Congress when it comes to development, we have always kept politics out of it. Being a PWD minister of state in last 15 months. we have done work worth Rs 36,000 crore which includes new roads, upgradation etc, and in the coming times, my focus will be the development in Mandi Lok Sabha and Himachal Pradesh. Q: I have covered many elections of Himachal in the past. But, this time it seems that the campaign has become vitriolic. You say something to Kangana and then she says something. She even calls you Chhota pappu, Shahzada. It seems that the focus has shifted from developmental agendas. Vikramaditya Singh: I said nothing about her, whatever she herself said in her programs, interviews and on social media, I only put it before the public. But as far as the vitriolic campaign is concerned, it is not like that. We do issue-based politics, for us, candidate doesnt matter. It is a coincidence that BJP brought a film star here and thats fine, we are focused on our issues. Me and my family have a very close connection with Mandi Lok Sabha. My father and mother both represented Mandi three times each. Q: Taking from that answer that your father and mother, both represented this constituency and now you are contesting from here, Kangana calls it parivarwaad. Do you consider her a challenge? Vikramaditya Singh: She is a challenge for herself only. She is a star campaigner for me because the kind of statements she makes are helping me. She is here for a month and after elections she will go back. I challenge her for an open debate at Seri Manch in Mandi. Come and lets have a debate and let the people decide then. I heard her interview with you, where you asked her about her vision for Mandi. My vision is very clear Smart City Mandi, to build three tunnels, medical college for Rampur and I have 10-15 such visions. She said that vision is not important in developing a nation, I mean what is this. You dont have a vision, what sort of fun you are making of people. Q: You visited Ram temple. She has been talking about Ram Temple also, she said Lord Ram gives you wisdom. But then you came back and you said siya pati hanuman ki jai. Vikramaditya Singh: We have good wisdom. I have good educational qualifications, I am a post graduate from Delhis St Stephens College. We have got the wisdom which is needed. We will keep learning in the future, one should keep learning. We dont need her wisdom, we are working and also learning, and if there has been any mistake, we apologise to the public for that. We are working with an open mind. Our narrative is very clear to make Mandi the number 1 constituency in the country. If they question what we have done for Mandi in so many years, I want to tell them them that Rohtang Tunnels primary budget, Rs 12,000 cr, was kept during the UPA government when Manmohan Singh was PM, IIT in Mandi, medical college in Ner chowk, all have come under the UPA govt. Yes, its fine that work has been taken forward by BJP government also. I call a spade a spade. The BJP has also done some good work and we appreciate that. But Kangana is a sycophant, she has no knowledge about the history or geography of the country. You cant talk on the basis of Whatsapp university. Q: This election is on local issues or national? What is your assessment? Vikramaditya Singh: The issues are local, but yes, it is a Lok Sabha election and national issues will also be discussed. But ultimately, we need to be development oriented for our area. What we can bring for Himachal from Centre issues like Nautod rule and polygamy in tribal areas in Kinnaur and Lahaul we want them to be amended. That can be done with the help of central government and from strategic point of view as we have the area bordering China roads and tunnels are important. I have good understanding of all the local issues. Even during the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, I was the only Congress MLA in HP who supported it. So for me, national integrity, national security are of utmost importance. I went for Ram Mandir consecration, I was the only Himachal Congress leader who was invited and I was there. I am a Ram bhakt. And we know our limit, so I told her not to force us to cross the limit. Q: You were not in good terms with CM Sukhu and there are allegations that you tried to damage the party and dislodge the government in Himachal. Vikramaditya Singh: I put forth my views openly, if I have issues in my working and functioning, we will change it and similarly if there is an issue in government, it is my responsibility to raise that too. I am not like those people in BJP who cant speak before the PM. We can talk to our leadership and we are capable of raising issues and make it right. Im not scared of anyone, for my people and for their rights, I raise issues before my government. For the same reason, I raised those issues at that time and I thank the high command that they heard us and now things are on the right track. Thus, I stood my ground and also in future, if I realise anything wrong, I will raise it for my people. Q: But why did you do it only at the time when six Congress MLAs were in hurdle against the party? Vikramaditya Singh: It did not happen overnight, even in the past when bureaucracy was trying to dominate, I raised this point at that time also. I will not let bureaucracy influence or command the work of my people which is the most important and priority for me. It is a matter of coincidence that this episode of six MLAs unfolded at that time. This is the government which was formed with the efforts of all and we will ensure it completes its term. Q: We heard that bureaucrats of your ministry dont listen to you. They are told not to listen to you and nothing gets finalised without CMO approval. What is the status now? Vikramaditya Singh: Now it is not like that. I am independent. No officer can do it under me. I am a person who gives full support to my ministry officials but if anyone tries to stop or interfere in the works of elected representatives and tries to suppress the voice of our people, I will take the strictest action against such bureaucrats. Peoples welfare is the most important thing. Q: It seems that now all Congress leaders and different rival factions of the Congress party in the state have come together to send you out of the state by helping you win. Vikramaditya Singh: I am not going out of the state. I will do politics for Himachal and will raise the issues of the state in Parliament. My father Raja Saab started with becoming an MP first and then came to state politics. I am doing it opposite by becoming an MLA first and now contesting Lok Sabha election. It is in our DNA to serve people. Q: Would your mother contest from your Assembly seat Shimla Rural if you win Lok Sabha? Vikramaditya Singh: The people of my constituency will decide that. We will speak to our people and also the High Command of the party will take the final decision in this regard. Q: People say that you were in touch with the BJP. Were you really in touch with BJP? Vikramaditya Singh: They sent me some feelers to join the party. But I kept them at the door only. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Lok Sabha Election 2024 News Updates: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government should talk about development and their achievements in the last 10 years rather than focus on mangalsutra and mutton-chicken. Hindu-Muslims, etc are his words, not ours, Kharge added. His reaction came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an interview to News18, said that it was his resolve to not do Hindu-Muslim. When asked whether Muslims will vote for him this election, the Prime Minister said, I believe that the people of the country will vote for me. The day I start doing Hindu-Muslim, I wont be fit to live in public life. I will not do Hindu-Muslim divide, this is my resolve. Here Are Other Election Updates: Day after filing his nomination for Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a grand roadshow in Mumbais Ghatkopar. Ghatkopar is the suburb in eastern Mumbai that hit headlines on Monday after a massive hoarding collapsed during a dust storm, killing at least 14 people. Mod was accompanied by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. The financial capital issued Strict traffic guidelines as PM Modis roadshow will cover 2.5 km. In his election affidavit submitted during the filing of nomination from Varanasi, PM Narendra Modi stated that he has total assets worth over Rs 3 crore. He, however, owns no land, houses or cars. Prime Minister while addressing a rally in Maharashtras Dindori called INDIA Bloc Paap Ki Partnership also launched a fiery attack on the Congress party claiming their budget is based on the religion of the people. Congress thinks that 15% of the countrys budget should be spent only on minorities, that is, the budget should also be divided based on religion. They divided the country on the basis of religion and even today they are engaged in dividing the society, PM said. We are people working under the inspiration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This election is not just about choosing MPs but a PM. A PM who can take tough and big decisions to make India strong he added. BJP National President JP Nadda also addressed a rally in West Bengals Gangajalghati and said that PM Modi changed the definition, culture and thinking of politics in India. 10 years ago people thought that nothing was going to change in the country, but in 10 years Modi ji gave them confidence that we can change the country and take it forward. Today in 2024, under the leadership of Modi Ji, we have set out with the resolve of a developed India, he said. Meanwhile, the electoral fight has intensified in Uttar Pradesh with just four days left for campaigning to end in key seats of Amethi and Raebareli. Taking the lead, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi accused Amethi MP Smriti Irani of having no love for the people of the area and only focusing on defeating Rahul Gandhi. BJP has unleashed its top leaders, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath pitching in his support. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will be campaigning in the key UP seats (once known to be Gandhi bastions) today. INDI alliance leaders are threatening and saying Pakistan has atom bombs, if Pakistan has atom bombs, do we have atom bombs to keep in the fridge? asked UP CM Yogi Adityanath. #WATCH | Addressing a public meeting in Mahobas Hamirpur, UP CM Yogi Adityanath says, PM Modi has uplifted 25 cr people from poverty and has made their lives better in the last 10 years, more than the population of Pakistan Those who are singing for Pakistan, ask them if pic.twitter.com/OXBevxYxwy ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2024 Union minister and BJP candidate from Lucknow, Rajnath Singh, praised both PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath, saying that while his constituency completely supports the prime minister, the pace of development in the area is due to the chief minister. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Addressing a public meeting, Union Minister & BJPs candidate from Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency, Rajnath Singh says, PM Modi has all its support in the constituencys development. However, the pace of developmental work is possible because of the CM.. pic.twitter.com/FQIc2CroG1 ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 15, 2024 Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that when the BJP got 300 seats, it built the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and now temples will be built at Krishna Janmabhoomi site in Mathura and in place of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi after it gets 400 seats in Lok Sabha polls. He also said that Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) will be included in India under the leadership of PM Modi. Reiterating Sarmas statement, Union minister Giriraj Singh said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party manages to get over 400 seats, it will take the development along with heritage. Places like Kashi, Mathura and Ayodhya will reach newer heights, he added. #WATCH | Bihar | Union Minister Giriraj Singh says, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had betrayed Hindus. When we get 400 plus, we will take the development and our heritage like Kashi, Mathura and Ayodhya to newer heights Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi are going to leave the country. pic.twitter.com/bYzNzvlgul ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2024 Union home minister Amit Shah is set to address a rally in West Bengals Hooghly, before proceeding to Odisha. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too will be present in the state, where he will take part in a bike rally in Bolangir. Reports stated that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to address a joint press conference with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow today. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has slammed the western media for their negative coverage of Indian elections and told them not to give gyaan to India (lecture India) on how to conduct polls. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modis planned visits to Mumbai, the police have banned the use of drones, paragliders, balloons, kites and remote-controlled microlight aircraft in the city, an official said on Wednesday. PM Modi is scheduled to hold a campaign roadshow in Ghatkopar in eastern Mumbai on Wednesday and address a public meeting in the city on Friday. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) has issued prohibitory orders banning the flying objects under section 144 of CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) from 00.01 hrs till 24.00 hrs of May 15 (Wednesday) and May 17 (Friday), the official said. According to the orders, it is apprehended that during PM Modis visits to Mumbai, terrorist/anti-social elements might launch attack using drones, paragliders, remote-controlled microlight aircraft and there is a likelihood breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity. There is a grave danger to human life, health, safety and injury to public property on that account, as per the orders. A large number of VIPs and officials are expected to attend PMs programmes on Wednesday and Friday. As it is necessary to put some checks and immediate action on terrorists and anti-social elements, the orders were issued banning the flying of drones, paragliders, all types of balloons, kites, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, the official said. According to the orders, the curbs will be in force under the jurisdiction of Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg, Parksite, Ghatkopar, Pant Nagar, Tilak Nagar, Chembur, Chunabhatti, BKC, Kherwadi, Vakola, Vile Parle, Sahar, Airport, Bandra, Worli, Mahim, Dadar and Shivaji Park police stations in Mumbai. Those not following the orders will be punished under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 188 (disobeying a lawful order given by a public servant), he said. Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday referred to protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and said PoK is part of India and we will take it. He said while peace has returned to once trouble-torn Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir now echoes with slogans of Azadi and protests. After the abrogation of Article 370 by the government in 2019 peace has returned to Kashmir. But now we witness protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Earlier slogans of Azadi were heard here, now the same slogans are heard in PoK. Earlier stones were pelted here, now stones are pelted in PoK, he said, addressing a rally in Serampore. Hitting out at Congress leaders for not supporting the demand of taking over PoK, Shah said, Congress leaders like Mani Shankar Aiyar say it should not be done as they have an atom bomb. But let me say this Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is part of India and we will take it. Shah said the present Lok Sabha elections are about choosing between corrupt leaders of INDI alliance and honest politician Narendra Modi, who despite being chief minister and then prime minister never had an allegation of single paisa against him. Its a fight between the Chinese guarantee of the INDI alliance and the concrete promises of Modi ji. Its a fight between infiltration and the guarantee of citizenship under the CAA. Its a fight between Vote for Vikas and Vote for Jihad! The choice is yours, he said. Dubbing West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee as Hirak Rani in an apparent reference to Oscar-winning film-maker Satyajit Rays Hirak Rajar Deshe, Shah said, Satyajit Ray was a great artist and filmmaker. He made a movie Hirak Rajar Deshe. It was quite a famous movie. But when Mamata ji came to power, Satyajit Ray was not there, otherwise, he would have made a movie named Hirak Rani, instead of Hirak Rajar Deshe. Mamata Banerjee is the Hirak Rani. Bengal is the land which gave us Vande Mataram and the national anthem Jana Gana Mana and played a key role in Bengals freedom struggle. Both the communists and the TMC tried to end nationalism and patriotism in Bengal, he said. Hitting out at the TMC over various scams, Shah said: No one will be spared even if Mamata Banerjee tries to protect them. Those involved in corruption and scams and looting common people of Bengal should be prepared to go to jail. No one will be spared. Shah slammed Banerjee for opposing the CAA and taking out rallies in support of infiltrators to appease her vote bank. Mamata Banerjee is spreading lies and canards about CAA. Why is she against refugees obtaining citizenship? She is supporting infiltration in Bengal but opposes Hindu refugees getting citizenship. She is taking of supporting infiltrators and Mullahs, he said. The Centre in March implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, notifying the rules four years after the law was passed by Parliament to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. Referring to politics of appeasement by the TMC in Bengal, Shah said invitations for the consecration ceremony were sent to both Mamata and her nephew (Abhishek Banerjee), but they chose not to attend it, as they are afraid that infiltrators, who are TMCs vote bank, might get offended. Hitting out at TMC candidate and sitting MP from Serampore Kalyan Banerjee for mimicking vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar, Shah said Mamata Banerjee and TMC leaders are known for flouting the Constitution. Mamata Banerjee and TMC continue to flout the Constitution. Mamatas representative and the TMC leader Kalyan Banerjees ridiculous act of mocking the vice president has been a shameful case of insulting a high constitutional position in the country, he said. A political row unfolded last year after Kalyan Banerjee mimicked Dhankhar during the oppositions protest on the Parliament stairs, condemning the suspension of opposition MPs. Criticising the TMCs resistance to central projects in Bengal, Shah said during the Congress-led UPA regime Bengal received around Rs 2 lakh crore in a period spanning 10 years from 2004-2014. On the other hand, the Modi government in the last 10 years have provided a whopping Rs 9.25 lakh crore. But this money did not benefit the common people as this fund was siphoned by TMC goons, he said. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, which has been outlawed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or UAPA for its activities against the security, integrity, and sovereignty of India, has said that it is willing to participate in the assembly elections in J&K if the Centre lifts the ban imposed on the organisation. The development has come after many of the groups top leaders were seen voting in the recently held Srinagar Lok Sabha elections, which saw a record turnout after 1996 in the Valley. Speaking exclusively to News18, Ghulam Qadir Wani, who has been made the head of a panel formed after Jamaat was banned by the government of India, said that the organisation was ready to participate in the electoral process to strengthen democracy and bring peace in Jammu and Kashmir, which saw violence for many years after the eruption of terrorism in the 1990s. To restore Jamaat and get our ban revoked, we have formed a panel and I head that panel. Majlis-e-Shura (advisory council or consultative council) had decided to talk with the Centre to get our ban lifted and we are in talks with them over several issues. We have always participated in the democratic process but since the 90s we couldnt because of the circumstances but now we will participate, he told News18 Asked if the Jamaat will participate in the assembly elections and put up candidates as it did before the 1990s, he said that if the ban is lifted, it will come forward and fight the elections depending on the time. Our members have also agreed to these decisions. The panel has decided to participate in the democratic process. In between blood was spilled and the situation was unstable for the process. We stayed away like others did but we believed in the democratic process. We wanted to vote in the Lok Sabha polls and we did it, he said. Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir has been pro-Pakistan and backed the separatist cause in the Valley. The government has accused it of being involved in fomenting terrorism and anti-India propaganda to fuel secessionism. If the ban is lifted, say observers, this will be the first time after 1987 that Jamaat will be able to participate in elections. According to data, 47 cases have been registered against the group across Jammu and Kashmir. Talking about his decision to vote, Qadir said that the organisation wasnt banned from voting. This is a democratic process and I was certifying it. I voted for the resolution of our issues. A letter with Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir written on it has emerged which states that voting was my personal opinion but the fact is that we had sought permission from our internal committee and the panel had decided to vote after a long pause, he said. Qadir said that due to violence many families were shattered and businesses suffered but Jamaat wants to restore peace. A government notification extending the ban on the group in February for five more years said, JeI is in close touch with militant outfits and is continuously supporting extremism and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere; is supporting claims for secession of a part of the Indian territory from the Union and supporting terrorist and separatist groups fighting for this purpose by indulging in activities and articulations intended to disrupt the territorial integrity of India, is involved in anti-national and subversive activities in the country intended to cause disaffection. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he wont be fit for public life if he starts playing the Hindu-Muslim card. In an exclusive interview with News18 during his visit to Varanasi to file his nomination for Lok Sabha election 2024, PM Modi said it was his resolve to not do Hindu-Muslim. PM Modi filed his nomination as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Varanasi for Lok Sabha Polls. Varanasi is set to vote in the sixth phase of polls on June 1. When asked whether Muslims will vote for him this election, the Prime Minister said, I believe that the people of the country will vote for me. The day I start doing Hindu-Muslim, I wont be fit to live in public life. I will not do Hindu-Muslim divide, this is my resolve. Also Read | Have A Lot of Muslim Friends. After 2002, Efforts Made to Tarnish My Image: PM Modi To News18 The Prime Minister further gave an example to explain how he would treat every person of the country equally irrespective of their caste or religion. If I give a house, I am talking about saturation, 100 per cent delivery. This means, suppose there are 200 houses in a village irrespective of which society, which caste, which religion if there are 60 lakh Indians in those 200 houses, then those 60 lakh people should get what the government is giving. And when I say 100 per cent saturation, it means true social justice. It is true secularism. Then there is no possibility of corruption. You know, even if you get it on Monday, you will get it do sure, PM Modi said. When asked why he called out Muslims for having more children, the Prime Minister said, Im shocked. Why do people assume Im talking about Muslims when I talk about people having too many children? Even poor Hindu families have this issue. They are not being able to give their kids proper education. I have neither named Hindus nor Muslims. Ive just made an appeal that have only many kids as you can take care of. My mantra is Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. I dont work for vote bank. If something is wrong, Ill say its wrong, the PM said. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website With the release of GPT-4o (o for omni), OpenAI has unveiled a glimpse into the future of intelligent computing. The moment the latest large language model was launched, demo videos began flooding social media platforms. The human-like voice assistance has left many in awe, drawing comparisons to Samantha the artificial intelligence operating system from the 2013 film Her. In a blog post, OpenAI said: It can respond to audio inputs in as little as 232 milliseconds, with an average of 320 milliseconds, which is similar to a human response time (opens in a new window) in a conversation. It matches GPT-4 Turbo performance on text in English and code, with significant improvement on text in non-English languages, while also being much faster and 50% cheaper in the API. It should be noted that there is a common misperception that ChatGPT is equivalent to GPT. Its an easy mistake to make because they have the same name, are produced by the same corporation, and deal with AI. The main distinction is that ChatGPT is an application driven by GPT AI models, not an AI model itself. ChatGPT uses the underlying GPT model, which is the AI language model, to create conversational replies in an interactive manner. What is GPT-4o? Launched in May this year, GPT-4o has a context window of 128K tokens and a knowledge cut-off date of October 2023. It is especially better at vision and audio understanding compared to previous models. The main intelligence source, GPT-4, couldnt directly understand things such as tone, multiple speakers, or background noises, and it couldnt express emotions like laughter or singing. But with GPT-4o, a new approach has been taken as it was trained to handle text, vision, and audio altogether. Soon after the GPT-4o launch, many people tried to use the new model, especially because of the emotional or more human-like voice behind the AI assistance. However, many users raised issues regarding the availability of overall access and voice mode for smartphones and PCs on the OpenAI Developer Forum and Reddit. OpenAI, however, said: GPT-4os text and image capabilities are starting to roll out (May 13) in ChatGPT. We are making GPT-4o available in the free tier, and to Plus users with up to 5x higher message limits. Well roll out a new version of Voice Mode with GPT-4o in alpha within ChatGPT Plus in the coming weeks. How to Access ChatGPT-4o? According to OpenAI, GPT-4o will be available in ChatGPT and the API as a text and vision model initially. GPT-4o will be available in ChatGPT Free, Plus, and Team and in the Chat Completions API, Assistants API, and Batch API. Free users will be automatically assigned to GPT-4o. If GPT-4o is unavailable, free-tier users will default to GPT-3.5. However, free-tier access comes with limitations on advanced communication features, including data analysis, file uploads, browsing, discovering and utilising GPTs, and vision capabilities. What are OpenAIs GPT Models? Despite being developed by the same company, all GPT models are different from each other in terms of speed, parameters, performance, application, cost, efficacy, token size (refers to the unit of text processed by the model e.g., word, character, subword) and parameters (represent the overall complexity of the model). OpenAIs GPT-3 lead the way for AI language models, while GPT-3.5 builds upon its foundation, elevating accuracy and contextual understanding. The selection between them depends on particular requirements. GPT-3 serves as a solution for general purposes, whereas GPT-3.5 shines in intricate and tailored settings. Serving as an advancement over GPT-3, GPT-3.5 utilises deep learning to produce human-like text with heightened precision and reduced biases. With the GPT-4 launch last year, OpenAI took another step ahead to solve difficult problems with greater accuracy than previous models because of its broader general knowledge and advanced reasoning capabilities. Now, represented by GPT-4o, the latest generation is more powerful than its predecessors, in terms of speed, performance, applications, and efficiency. Who Will Benefit? While speaking about the language models, Amit Prasad, Founder and CEO of SatNav Technologies said until very recently, most features that people see in ChatGPT and in other AI tools were considered science fiction and depicted only in movies. But the fast developments happening in this field are now providing opportunities to freely use them in daily work, both personally and professionally. Earlier versions of GPTs were still learning and often gave wrong answers, few of the answers had more flowery language with some elaborate sentences and disclaimers which were not logically tenable. Later, they were cleaned up and became more precise. With the latest announcement of GPT-4o, and the much-needed recent upgrade to reduce verbose content in answers of ChatGPT, AI innovation goes to a whole new level which should be warmly embraced by businesses, he noted. Ajay Goyal, co-founder and CEO, Erekrut, said: The latest addition to the series, GPT-4o, represents a further evolution in AI language models, and it will build upon the advancements of its predecessors, potentially offering improved performance and new features. Goyal believes that OpenAIs GPT models represent significant advancements in AI language processing and have the potential to benefit a wide range of users across various industries. According to him, all of these models including GPT-4o will turn out to be helpful for developers and researchers, as well as businesses like customer service, content creators like bloggers, educators and also general public. Meanwhile, Prasad said at the lower end of the pyramid, it will help to speed up certain level of tasks and their output. For example, a visual query window goes much further ahead than a chat window which was introduced earlier. At the higher end of the pyramid, some innovative ideas relevant to ones individual business needs to be thought of and models developed that can intelligently aid processes which are critical to an organisations functioning. Those who move quickly will have a quantum leap over competitors who dont, the latter even risking the possibility of getting wiped out, he added. US President Joe Biden announced an increase in tariffs on a series of Chinese goods such as electric vehicles (EVs), solar cells, semiconductors and advanced batteries to protect American companies from a new wave of competitors from Beijing who, the White House said, are employed in unfair trade practices such as intellectual property theft and flooding global market with artificially low-priced products. Biden said his administration was combining investments in America with tariffs that are strategic and targeted. What are the New Tariffs? There will be a new 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles implemented this year. A four-fold increase from the current rate of 25%, as well as a doubling of the 25% levy imposed on solar cells. Tariffs on lithium batteries for electric vehicles are also set to increase from 7.5% to 25% this year, with the levy hike broadening to cover all lithium batteries by 2026. New tariffs were announced on medical products such as respirators and face masks, as well as steel and aluminum products, which will jump from 0% to 7.5% to 25% in 2024, as well as a new tariff of 25% for critical minerals, up from 0, and a 50% levy on semiconductors in 2025, double the current rate. The White House said some $18 billion worth of Chinese goods will be affected. History of US-China Trade War The relations between both the countries began to nosedive in 2018 when former US President Donald Trump imposed punitive tariffs on China, followed by restrictions on both Beijings access to high-tech American products and foreign investments and allegations of unfair Chinese commercial practices. The trade war between the countries began when the Trump administration assumed that the US trade deficits which occur when the country imports more than it exports were bad and China was to blame for it. But the Trump tariffs have increased Chinas trade surplus and made US deficit worse, as per a report by think tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Trump also believed that US firms had been overinvesting in China, resulting in loss of competitiveness. But data shows that only 1-2% of annual US foreign investment has gone to China. In fact, Europe, which has same in economic size as the US, has invested roughly twice as much as the US has in China annually, the report by Carnegie Endowment added. Experts say US-China tensions are being driven less by economic realities and more by great power rivalry and nationalism. In describing the US relationship with China, the Biden administration has stressed the need to compete, confront, and cooperate all at the same time. But as Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed at the 2021 World Economic Forum, competition is for pursuing excellencenot killing off a rival, as mentioned in a report by Carnegie Endowment. How This Will Impact India? According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the raising of tariffs on EVs, batteries and other technology items by the US may push China to dump these goods on other markets, including India. It said higher duties on Chinese face masks, syringes and needles, medical gloves and natural graphite present a significant opportunity for India. By ramping up production and export of these in-demand products, India could enhance its trade footprint in the US market, it said adding India may not get any export advantage on remaining products like EVs, and semiconductors as India is the net importer of these products. New Delhi has been doing its bit to attract investments in EVs. Last month, the government unveiled a new policy for the sector slashing import taxes to 15% from 100% on some models if a manufacturer commits at least $500 million and sets up a factory too. The US and European Union (EU) are taking active measures to cut reliance on China. With stagnant exports and rising imports from China, India may also need a China strategy, GTRIs Ajay Srivastava said. According to the latest figures released by GTRI, China has reclaimed its position as Indias largest trading partner, surpassing the US after two years. In the fiscal year 2024, Indias bilateral trade with China totalled $118.4 billion, with imports rising by 3.24% to $101.7 billion and exports increasing by 8.7% to $16.67 billion. Conversely, trade between India and the US experienced a slight decline. Two-way trade totalled $118.3 billion in FY24, with Indian exports dropping by 1.32% to $77.5 billion and imports decreasing by 20% to $40.8 billion. What is China Saying? China has vowed to defend its interests in the face of huge new US tariffs, and warned that the trade barrier would affect the relations between the two powerful economics. Chinas commerce ministry said, The increase in tariffs by the United States contradicts President Joe Bidens commitment to not seek to suppress and contain Chinas development and not to seek to decouple and break links with China. This action will seriously impact the atmosphere of bilateral cooperation, as quoted by CNN. Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the country opposes the unilateral imposition of tariffs, which violate the World Trade Organization rules, and will take all necessary actions to protect its legitimate rights. Chinas global trade surplus in goods has jumped in recent years and is now approaching $1 trillion, fanning tensions with the US and Europe. College campuses across the world have become a hotbed of political activism where many are passionately siding with Palestinians, and are condemning the war in Gaza. More than any political or ideological war of the 21st Century, the Israel-Gaza conflict has fostered youngsters, especially the Gen-Z, to empathise with the marginalised communities like the Palestinians. The important and popular universities in the US have got tiny tents, where protesting students are staying, demanding ending US military support to Israel, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and cutting down of investment to Israel and university divestment from arms suppliers and other companies profiting from the war. Campuses in Australia are largely peaceful, but tensions are beginning to rise, according The Conversation. Universities across Europe, inspired by American colleges, have also started demonstrating at halls and facilities, demanding an end to partnership with Israeli institutions. Several hundred protesters resumed a demonstration around the University of Amsterdam campus in the Netherlands where police were filmed baton-charging them and smashing their tents. In the eastern German city of Leipzig, the university said in a statement that 50 to 60 people occupied a lecture hall last week, waving banners that read: University occupation against genocide, as reported by Al Jazeera. Berlin police said they made some arrests for incitement to hatred and trespassing. Police intervened at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) in the French capital to disperse about 20 students who had barricaded themselves in the main hall. Protests spread to three universities in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich in Switzerland. So, why do youngsters connect with the Israel-Gaza war amongst others? There are several factors why people actually choose to protest for a cause or a community, even if there are geographical, cultural or political differences. Researchers have found that some stories and narratives are more compelling than others at driving human emotions of thinking, sadness, empathy and social justice. As per an article by The Conversation, narratives are powerful motivators. The attack in Gaza shocked people, and represents the breach of expectations of how a life should be and what should be acceptable. The images of children and families destroyed by the Gaza war resonate with people, which motivated protesters to act. The stories, which have covered by the social media and news outlets, show the ideal victim who is powerless and needs protesters for urgent actions. Many victims of conflict are rendered invisible by inattention, as per The Conversation. In a paper by Mohamed Buheji, founder of Socio-economic Institute for Advanced Studies-Rwanda, in researchgate.net, The young generation has a dream to bring a positive impact on their communities. They have the desire to ensure that their imprint leaves a legacy of their dreams and hard work. Young generations are expected to provide a platform for change in their societies while they display their determination to reach their dreams. Youths understanding of justice, human rights, and international law can be profoundly influenced by their perception of the Gaza conflict. They might develop strong beliefs about these concepts, influencing their future actions and choices. Activists also see a role for themselves when identifying with a cause or when there is a clear call to action. For them, real time nature and the urgency of the war is an important motivator for them. Protest is not always about achieving specific demands, though. Protests also have significant symbolic value in raising awareness and bringing others to the cause, as per the article by The Conversation. Role of Social Media in Gaza War Opinion polls, hashtags, Instagram stories and college demonstrations show that Generation Z is more sceptical of Israel than older people. On TikTok, where half the users are under 30, #freepalestine has 31 billion posts compared to 590 million for #standwithisrael more than 50 times as many, as per an article by The Hill. Youngsters make up for their passion by uploading bite-sized videos of the conflict, having half knowledge about the war or the political ramifications of the war. This creates disinformation among the Internet users, especially Gen-Z, who get driven and start relying on it to form narratives and opinions. These social media apps even convince some of the youngsters that they are experts on Middle East and its conflicts. As per Observer Research and Foundation (ORF), the effect of TikTok has been such that an official from the social media app had to issue a clarification that it was not the algorithm favouring pro-Palestinian opinion, but that TikTok users were overwhelmingly posting in its favour. News outlets such as Al Jazeera, TRT World, RT News, and alternative media that do not take a Western line on the conflict have given more options for the public to consume news that is pro-Palestinian. The social media created a riffle effect that Joe Bidens approval rating dropped significantly over the Palestinian issue. Similarly, in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, the administrations had to succumb to public opinion so much so that Erdogan tried to maintain a neutral position and offered to mediate in the Gaza conflict. The ORF report cited Princetons Arab barometer project, which gauged that public opinion in large parts of the Arab world has been increasingly in favour of Palestine and, in some cases, even Hamas as a resistance movement due to the wide prevalence of social media and local news outlets. Tech companies dont need warnings to assess their risks and responsibility in the ongoing atrocities when the scale of death and destruction is unprecedented. According to experts, Israels destruction of the Gaza Strip in the first two months of the war that started on October 7 exceeded the razing of Ukraines Mariupol in 2022, Syrias Aleppo in 2012-2016, and even the Allied bombing of Germany in World War II. As of March 4, 2024, at least 30,534 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, and over 71,920 Palestinians have been injured. The number of Palestinian children killed in the first three weeks of the war alone surpassed the total number of other children killed in armed conflicts around the world since 2019. More than 80% of the population a staggering 1.9 million Palestinians have been internally displaced with no food, medicine, water, or safe shelter. Israels war has also killed more Palestinian journalists and UN workers than any other conflict. At least 10 major Kanpur schools received bomb threats through emails on Wednesday creating panic among people. In recent weeks, different establishments in major cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Ahmedabad have received similar emails. According to reports, police are investigating the matter and have banned the entry of people in the schools. Speaking to news agency ANI, Kanpur Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chander said, Police Commissioner received information that several schools have received a threat mail that school premises would be blown up with a bomb. FIR is being registered and this is being investigated. All DCPs have been directed that teams be formed, all schools be taken into conference and the schools be monitored. I urge everyone to not panic. Such emails were received earlier too. We are taking all security precautions. #WATCH | Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh: Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chander says, Police Commissioner received information that several schools have received a threat mail that school premises would be blown up with a bomb. FIR is being registered and this is pic.twitter.com/uesnTFWrCz ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 15, 2024 Multiple schools in both Jaipur and Lucknow on Monday received bomb threats through threatening emails, causing panic among school authorities and students. As a precautionary measure, the schools swiftly evacuated students and staff from the premises. In Rajasthans Jaipur, bomb threats were reported at approximately four schools, while in Lucknows Gomti Nagar area, at least three schools received similar threats. This latest string of bomb threats via email adds to a concerning trend across the country. Earlier this month, around 150 schools in the Delhi-NCR region also received similar threats. Moreover, on Sunday, several city hospitals and the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi were targeted with bomb threats. Four-five schools have received bomb threat. Police have reached the schools, said Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph. A team is trying to identify the sender of the threat email, police said. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Our courts have come to be reimagined not as imposing empires, but as democratic spaces of discourse, said Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud on Tuesday. Addressing at the J20 summit in Rio, the CJI said COVID-19 pushed the frontiers of our court systems- which were compelled to change overnight. Courts became more than just opaque physical spaces, he added. Speaking about the challenges of the new age judiciary, the CJI pointed out that Digital divide, representational asymmetry between parties to the same dispute, and low-connectivity locations are some problems that need to be looked into and tackled. The potential of technology lies in how we convert it to minimise pre-existing inequalities, he said. The CJI added, Inequalities are not neatly stacked compartments; they are rather a complex web of interwoven realities. Technology is not a one-stop panacea for all social inequalities. Hinting at the problems with emerging technology, CJI Chandrachud pointed out complicated issues such as AI-profiling and consequent stigmatisation of individuals in large language models, algorithmic bias, misinformation, exposure of sensitive information, and opacity of black box models in AI must be tackled with sustained deliberative efforts and engagement about the dangers. Elaborating the Indian judicial model to the world representatives at the summit, the CJI pointed out that the Indian Supreme Courts Case Management System has been developed on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), and is the largest case management system in the world. FOSS helps us cut costs significantly, and provides greater transparency, as opposed to proprietary or closed source software. It bridges an important communication gap, he said. The CJI further elaborated that it helps and allows litigants to keep a daily check on case status- it sends automated emails to litigants with case details, hearing dates, judgments and orders. We also have offline e-kiosks which assist litigants navigate the systems and supply case status information, he said. In the context of Brazils presidency of the G20 in 2024, the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court hosted the J20 Summit of Heads of Supreme Courts and Constitutional Courts of G20 members. The J20 aims to foster the exchange of ideas and initiatives concerning legal topics of relevance in our contemporary landscape, thereby establishing a global forum for constitutional jurisdiction bodies. Additionally, it strives to promote multilateral and bilateral cooperation projects. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Declined courtship advances, a 23-year-old man on Wednesday barged into a 21-year-old womans house in Karnatakas Hubballi city and stabbed her to death days after warning her of Neha Hiremaths fate. Police said the accused, Vishwa Sawant, also known as Girish, entered victim Anjali Ambigeras house at 5.30 am and attacked her as she slept. Before she could react, Vishwa had already attacked her with a knife. Despite efforts by the family to stop the Vishwa, he killed Anjali and managed to flee. Vishwa committed the crime in the presence of Anjalis grandmother and two sisters. He dragged her all over the house while kicking and stabbing her. Later, the killer pushed her into the kitchen where he stabbed her again. The incident occurred in the Veerapura Oni area within the jurisdiction of the Bendigeri police station. The incident shocked the state, occurring after the brutal murder of MCA student Neha Hiremath by a jilted lover on a college campus in the same city. Vishwa escaped from the scene and is currently at large. The family informed the police that he had threatened to kill her like Neha Hiremath if she did not reciprocate his feelings. The accused had been blackmailing Anjali, pressuring her to accompany him to Mysuru without informing her parents. A preliminary investigation by the police revealed that the accused has a history of involvement in theft cases. He allegedly stole bikes. Anjalis grandmother, Gangamma, had previously approached the police, informing them about the threats from the accused. However, the police did not take the complaint seriously and advised her not to be overly concerned, before sending her away. The police have launched a manhunt for the accused. A case of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the accused and teams have been formed to arrest him, police said. Neha Hiremath case The daughter of Karnataka Congress leader Niranjan Hiremath was stabbed to death with a knife on her campus by a former student after she allegedly rejected his advances. The victim, Neha Hiremath, was a first-year Master of Computer Applications (MCA) student at KLE Technological University in Hubballi, Karnataka. According to police, the victim had known her attacker, Fayaz, who also attended the same college but later dropped out. Fayaz fled from the scene after committing the crime and was subsequently arrested by the police. The accused had fled, but we arrested him in under 90 minutes. Other students have told us that Neha and the accused knew each other and had studied together. We will know more once the accuseds interrogation is done, Hubballi Dharwad Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar said. (With agency inputs) Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website A Special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act Fast Track Court in Keralas Thiruvananthapuram recently sentenced a man to life imprisonment for penetrative sexual assault, rape and sexual assault on his six-year-old daughter multiple times. Special Judge Rekha R delivered the verdict stating that the act of the accused brings disgrace to fatherhood. Accused who was supposed to lead, protect and make PW1 (victim) evolve as a confident and responsible person shattered her childhood and put her into extreme miseries and trauma. The accused was responsible for looking after his two daughters, who resided with him after his wife went to abroad for work. He allegedly committed sexual assault on his younger daughter while she was sleeping with his mother. The accused claimed that he was innocent and this case was foisted at the instance of his mother-in-law with whom he was not on good terms. He was charged under Sections 376, 376(2)(f), 376(2)(n), 376AB of Indian Penal Code and sections 6 read with 5(l)(m)(n) of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and section 75 of Juvenile Justice Act. However, the accused pleaded not guilty saying, His children and wife have no enmity to him. He was against sending his wife abroad. So his mother-in-law was in inimical terms with him. This case was created falsely due to the influence of his mother-in-law. The survivor was represented by Special Public Prosecutor Vijay Mohan RS. The court deemed it crucial to assess whether the observations made by the medical experts aligned with the survivors testimony regarding the occurrence of penetrative sexual assault. The doctors conducted examinations of the survivor on July 9, 2023, at different medical facilities. According to the first doctor, the survivor disclosed that her father had touched her inappropriately. The examination revealed swelling, redness, and tenderness in the vaginal area, with the victim exhibiting reluctance to be touched due to discomfort. The doctor concluded that these findings indicated sexual assault. During cross-examination, the doctor clarified that a pre-pubertal childs vaginal orifice typically measures less than 1 cm, whereas the victims was dilated beyond that standard. The second doctor who examined the survivor later that same day testified similarly. The medical examination indicated laxity of victims vaginal orifice and a ruptured hymen, consistent with a history of sexual assault. The doctor issued a medical certificate noting her findings. However, the defence argued that the medical certificates authenticity was in question due to its preparation on loose sheets but the testimony from the doctor confirmed this hospitals practice. Though the court in this regard held that the mere fact that the medical certificate was prepared in printed loose sheets and a blank sheet was appended to it is no ground to reject it as a bogus one. The court unequivocally accepted the testimony of the survivor. After thoroughly examining all evidence and materials presented, it deemed her testimony to be of exceptional quality. Therefore, the court deemed her deposition reliable and sufficient to justify a conviction of the accused. The court further said: Accused who dared to commit such heinous act is to be dealt with the iron hands of law. Maximum punishments provided under the statues are to be imposed on the accused to deter the potential offenders from committing similar offence and to give a strong message to the society. Consequently, the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 25,000 for each offence under various sections of the POCSO Act, with default terms of rigorous imprisonment. Additionally, the court ordered rigorous imprisonment for 7 years along with a fine of Rs. 5,000 for other offences, again with default terms. Furthermore, invoking the power under section 357-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, and section 33(8) of the POCSO Act, the court recommended the District Legal Services Authority, Thiruvananthapuram, to provide adequate compensation to the child. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The death toll in the Ghatkopar billboard collapse tragedy rose to 16 on Wednesday after two more bodies were recovered in a car, which was trapped under the hoarding, the civic body said. Efforts are being made for the retrieval of the victims. Earlier, rescue teams had recovered 14 bodies from the hoarding crash site, while 75 persons were injured in the incident. Also Read: Mumbai Hoarding Collapse: All About Bhavesh Bhinde, The Billboard Owner Who Went Missing Latest Updates In Mumbai Billboard Collapse Tragedy A small fire broke out at the incident site in Ghatkopar during the search and rescue operation on Wednesday morning, but it was immediately doused by the fire tenders deployed there, an NDRF official said. The search and rescue operation continued even 40 hours after the incident, officials said. Victims trapped under as much as 90 per cent of the 120 x 120 feet hoarding have been rescued but search was yet to be conducted under its central part, said an official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The illegal hoarding that stood on a piece of land in possession of Government Railway Police (GRP) crashed on a petrol pump in the Chheda Nagar area on Monday evening when the city was hit by dust storms and unseasonal rains. We want to ensure that nobody is left under the hoarding, the BMC official said, adding that the rescue team was planning to lift and cut a part of it so as to gain access to its centre. The search and rescue operation was likely to get over by 2 am on Wednesday and they have called for additional cranes, he told news agency PTI. An NDRF official said the rescue team tried to lift the hoarding with two cranes of 500 MT capacity but did not proceed considering safety concerns. The main concern is the possibility of fire as the petrol pump has underground fuel storage tanks and a CNG refuelling facility. We could not use gas cutters as there is a chance of fire due to sparks. Even while using cranes and other machinery, we were continuously spraying water, a Mumbai Fire Brigade official said. The five iron pillars of the hoarding got uprooted along with chunks of its concrete foundation when it came crashing down, he said. The BMC, meanwhile, started demolition of other hoardings near the petrol pump, also located on the GRP land. Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said the BMC had not given any permission for the hoarding. It had been conducting correspondence (with the owner and concerned agencies) regarding it for the last two years, and also lodged a police complaint for the poisoning of trees on its periphery, he said. A stand was taken that we (GRP) do not need permission (for hoarding on railway land) under the Railway Act. The BMCs response was that it was not legally correct. And hence, in the whole episode, so far there was no action, the commissioner claimed. Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar assured strict action against those responsible. A case has been registered against Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of Ego Media Private Limited which had installed the hoarding, and others for culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the IPC at Pant Nagar police station, another official said. Bhinde remained absconding. Two NDRF teams, comprising 100 personnel, joined the operation on Monday evening. Two heavy-duty cranes and two hydra cranes were being used in the operation along with two earth-excavating machines and 25 ambulances. The NDRF teams used two cranes weighing 500 tonnes each to pull up the hoarding from both sides. After creating a gap of about 3.5 to 4 feet, the rescuers crouched into the tiny space to look for people trapped underneath, NDRF assistant commandant Nikhil Mudholkar said. An Assistant Police Commissioner (Admin) had given permission for erecting four hoardings on behalf of the Commissioner of Railway Police, Mumbai, including the one which collapsed, but no official permission or NOC was obtained from the BMC, as per a civic official. The BMC had earlier said that it issued a notice to M/s Ego Media Private Limited for installing the hoarding that collapsed on the petrol pump. A senior civic official said the assistant municipal commissioner of the N-ward had issued a notice to an advertisement agency to remove these hoardings with immediate effect, but the civic body has not received any response so far. CM Shinde visited the incident spot late Monday evening and ordered a structural audit of all hoardings in the city. He also announced an aid of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each person killed in the incident. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The Supreme Court on Wednesday declared as invalid in the eyes of law the arrest of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha in a case under the anti-terror law, and directed that he be released from custody. The apex court observed that a copy of the remand application in the purported exercise of communication of grounds of arrest in writing was not provided to Purkayastha or his counsel before the passing of the remand order dated October 4, 2023 which vitiates his arrest and subsequent remand. As a result, the appellant is entitled to a direction for release from custody by applying the ratio of the judgement rendered by this court in the case of Pankaj Bansal, a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said. Accordingly, the arrest of the appellant (Purkayastha) followed by the remand order dated and so also the impugned order passed by the High Court of Delhi are hereby declared to be invalid in the eyes of law and are quashed and set aside, it said. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal assisted by Advocate on Record Nitin Saluja and Advocate Arshdeep Singh Khurana appeared for Prabir Purkayastha. The bench delivered its verdict on Purkayasthas plea challenging the high courts October 13 last year order dismissing his plea against arrest and subsequent police remand in the case. He was arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3 last year. While pronouncing the judgement, the apex court said, Though, we would have been persuaded to direct the release of the appellant without requiring him to furnish bonds of security but since the charge sheet has been filed, we feel it appropriate to direct that the appellant shall be released from custody on furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court. The bench made it clear that none of the observations made by it shall be treated as a comment on the merits of the case. After the verdict was pronounced, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, said since the arrest was declared to be void, it should not preclude the police from exercising the correct powers of arrest. We need not observe anything on that, Justice Gavai said, adding, Whatever you are permitted in law, you are permitted in law. The high court had on October 13 last year dismissed the pleas of Purkayastha and NewsClicks human resources department head Amit Chakravarty against their arrest and subsequent police remand. Chakravarty had earlier withdrawn from the Supreme Court his petition against his arrest under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). A Delhi court had earlier allowed Chakravarty to turn an approver in the case lodged against the news portal under the UAPA over allegations that it received money to spread pro-China propaganda. According to the FIR, the news portal allegedly received huge amount of funds from China to disrupt the sovereignty of India and cause disaffection against the country. It also alleged that Purkayastha conspired with a group Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. On April 30, a Delhi court had taken cognisance of a charge sheet filed against Purkayastha in the case. The court had in January allowed Chakravarty to turn approver in the case. The judge had pardoned Chakravarty, who was arrested in the case on October 3, 2023, on his application that claimed he had material information which he was willing to disclose to the Delhi Police, which is investigating the matter. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Coming down heavily on the Union government over the issue of forest fires in Uttarakhand, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked why only Rs 3.15 crore were given to the state when it asked for Rs 10 crore to tackle the issue. The top court also asked the Centre why forest officials were deputed to election duty while the incidents of forest fires were being reported. Why only 3.15 crore was given to the state when it asked for 10 cores to control forest fires When Uttarakhand had forest fires, why forest officials were deputed to election duty, the apex court asked the government. You showed us a rosy picture when things were worse, it added. The hearing was adjourned for a few hours and will resume at 3 pm today. Earlier on May 8, while hearing the matter, the Supreme Court said cloud seeding or depending on rain god is not the answer to the raging forest fires in Uttarakhand and that authorities will have to take preventive measures to tackle the problem. The Uttarakhand government apprised the apex court about the steps taken to control the forest fires and said 0.1 per cent of the wildlife cover in the state was on fire due to such incidents. The state government told a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta that since November last year, there were 398 forest fires in Uttarakhand and five people were killed in such incidents. Deputy Advocate General of Uttarakhand Jatinder Kumar Sethi told the court that all the fires were man-made. A total of 388 criminal cases have been lodged in connection with the forest fires, he said, adding that 60 people have been named in those. People say that 40 per cent of Uttarakhand is on fire, whereas 0.1 per cent of the wildlife cover was on fire. And all this was man-made. From November till today, we have 398 fires, all man-made, the counsel said. The court was hearing an application that has raised the issue of raging forest fires in Uttarakhand. While hearing a petition on forest fires in 2019, the apex court had observed that such incidents pose a serious problem in hill states, especially during summer, and the reason is the presence of a large number of pine trees, which are highly flammable. It was hearing a plea moved by advocate Rituparn Uniyal seeking urgent steps to protect forests, wildlife and birds from wildfires in Uttarakhand, saying the number of such blazes has increased over the years and these incidents cause massive damage to the environment. The petition has sought directions to the Centre, the Uttarakhand government and the principal chief conservator of forests in the hill state for making pre-fire arrangements and framing a policy to prevent such incidents. (With PTI Inputs) Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The 77th Cannes Film Festivals opening red carpet ceremony was a stylish soiree. The opening film Le Deuxieme Acte (The Second Act) which was screened at Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France, saw an array of celebrities from across the globe attend in their finest couture pieces. With icons such as Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda, Heidi Klum and Greta Gerwig among others making a statement with their respective looks, heres a look at how celebs owned the red carpet on the iconic stars at the opening ceremony. Sharp silhouettes met opulent gowns when fashion took over the red carpet. Be it Jane Fondas Elie Saab pre-fall 2019 jumpsuit with a sequin embroidered bodice or Meryl Streeps timeless custom Dior haute couture dress, the red carpet was all about making a statement. If not black or white, the colour palette did lean towards the all-time favourite red. Heidi Klum made heads turn in a Saiid Kobeisy fiery couture gown. The opulent off-shoulder gown that came with a train matched Heidi energy on the carpet. Thus adding some drama to her overall style. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Heidi Klum (@heidiklum) You know the red carpet is incomplete without sequins and 77th Cannes Film Festival jury president for the main competition and filmmaker-actor Greta Gerwig didnt disappoint. Dolled up in a burgundy sequin dress, Greta looked stunning in the jewel tone. Giving her company with her own share of sequin bling was jury member and actor Lily Gladstone. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Festival de Cannes (@festivaldecannes) While the silhouettes added the glam quotient on the red carpet it was the jewellery pieces adorned by the stars that made it a sparkling opening ceremony. From Meryl Streeps Hanut pendant earrings from Fred Leighton jewellery to Taylor Hills multi layered artistic luminous necklace, each design stood out on the red carpet. The 77th Cannes Film Festival will culminate on May 25 and like every year, this year there are an array of celebrities attending the festival. The opening ceremony was attended by Virginie Ledoyen, Palina Rojinski, Lea Seydoux, Vicky Krieps, Juliette Binoche, Matthias Schweighofer, Paola Turani, Rose Bertram, Louis Garrel, Shanina Shaik, Farhana Bodi, Camille Cottin among others. From India this year, the festival will be attended by Aditi Rao Hydari, Kiara Advani, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jacqueline Fernandez and Urvashi Rautela among others. Osteoporosis, characterized by weakened bone density, presents a significant health concern, particularly among the elderly population. Due to hormonal fluctuations, this disorder is frequently linked to postmenopausal women. It causes bone demineralization, which increases the risk of fractures and other consequences. Although its commonly assumed that males may not get osteoporosis, a large number of men do, as numerous secondary variables are required to keep their bones healthy. Understanding osteoporosis Osteopenia, or early bone weakening, is usually the first stage of osteoporosis progression, leading to osteoporosis, or severely damaged bone health. Factors such as nutrition, hormonal imbalances, conditions like thyroid-related disorders, diabetes, other autoimmune or rheumatological conditions, medications, chronic gastrointestinal malabsorption if their intestines are not absorbing food but theyre eating can lead to weakening of bone health. When it is severe, it is termed osteoporosis. When identifying this condition, if a person presents with multiple bone pains or aches across various areas, particularly in the limbs, we may suspect osteoporosis, especially if they possess risk factors such as postmenopausal age, medications, or other comorbid conditions. Subsequently, there are multiple ways in which we can evaluate for osteoporosis. The Importance of DEXA Scans in Osteoporosis Management Osteoporosis diagnosis is mostly dependent on diagnostic modalities such bone mineral density scans, such as Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scans. The DEXA scan is a non-invasive modality through which bone health can be identified. If bone health is significantly compromised, the DEXA scan report suggests different grades of bone weakness, and based on the severity, appropriate therapy can be determined for each individual. Therefore, identifying the condition is crucial, especially because many elderly individuals experience aches and pains, particularly those with diabetes or thyroid illnesses. There is a general assumption that as people age, their bones will naturally ache, leading many to neglect necessary steps for identification. Early identification is crucial before the disease progresses severely for better prognosis Early identification of osteoporosis is crucial because it allows necessary steps to be taken over a period of approximately six to 12 months to enhance bone health, subsequently reducing aches and pains. Moreover, early identification can prevent fractures, which are common among the elderly and often lead to significant morbidity, including immobility, bedsores, and a decline in quality of life for both the individual and their family. By implementing early screening for osteoporosis in the elderly population, we can maintain their bone health and mitigate the development of osteoporotic fractures, thereby significantly reducing morbidity and improving quality of life. Treatment modalities available Various treatment modalities are available for osteoporosis beyond routine calcium, vitamin D, and other protein supplementation, although these are fundamental for bone health. Additional injections and tablets are also available to further improve bone health. In conclusion, understanding osteoporosis and its implications is crucial for effective management and prevention of associated morbidity. Through proactive screening, early intervention, and comprehensive treatment strategies, we can safeguard bone health and enhance the well-being of aging populations. Urvashi Rautela has once again shown her best fashion style at the world-famous Cannes Film Festival. The former pageant queen chose a fuchsia corseted dress that came with a slit skirt. She added a touch of drama to her outfit by adding a circular halo-like ensemble. Rautela styled her hair with a jewelled headband and put her hair in an updo that went well with her tube-style top. To complete the look, she wore lace gloves with silver bangles. Her silver earrings completed the look. Rautelas dress was by Khaled & Marwan, a Haute couture fashion house in Beirut, Lebanon. In her Instagram caption, the 30-year-old actor wrote, Festival de Cannes 2024 OPENING CEREMONY with my ultimate fav MERYL STREEP View this post on Instagram A post shared by URVASHI RAUTELA (@urvashirautela) The Love Dose actor is not new to the Cannes Film Festival. She first made her Cannes debut in 2022 when she attended the festival for the poster launch of her Tamil debut film, The Legend. Next year, she returned to the festival and was seen attending the premiere of Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny. Last year, Urvashi Rautela courted controversy after Arundhati De-Sheth, a popular private jewellery shopping consultant, called her out for wearing a replica of the iconic alligator necklace by Cartier, which was specially made in 1975 for Mexican actress Maria Felix. In an Instagram Story, Arundhati De-Sheth shared a picture of the original necklace and wrote, Going to Cannes in France, home of Cartier and then wearing a poor, shoddy, sad, ugly copy of a historic piece. Allegedly representing our nation and pretending to be wearing the real thing. She tagged Rautelas team and wrote, It seems you have not done any homework. We are a land of the most special treasures and jewels that she could have worn instead; this is blatant and so sad. Urvashi Rautelas team did not clarify if the necklace was fake or real. While speaking to Brut India, Rautela dismissed the critics and implied that the necklace was real. She said, I wasnt aware of this, but I got to know that it was worn by Monica Bellucci back in 2006 at Cannes. I had absolutely no idea about it. Many aspiring actors decide to leave the film industry at the peak of their careers or sometimes even at the start. The reason could also include not getting the desired success. Something similar happened with former actor Arif Khan who left his acting career to focus on his religion. Arif Khan made his debut through the film Phool Aur Kaante, sharing the screen space with Ajay Devgn and Madhoo. Arif was seen in the role of the antagonist Rocky, the main villain of the film. His portrayal was received well by the audience, and the film became a hit. It led to numerous opportunities for him, where he acted in several hits. He was mostly cast as the villain or the male leads rival, battling him for the heroine. In the next seven years of his career, he worked with big names like Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty, in films like Veergati and Mohra. Then in 2007, Arif Khan appeared as a taxi driver in the Hollywood film A Mighty Heart, where he was seen sharing the screen with Angelina Jolie. As per the reports, after a short while, he decided to bid goodbye to the film industry. He decided to take the path of religion and became a preacher. A few years ago, the former actors image went viral on social media, showing him in a whole new look. Arif Khan became an Islamic scholar, who now leads a simple life and teaches others. Arif Khans debut film, Phool Aur Kaante was released in 1991 and was made under the direction of Kuku Kohli. The cast of the film included Ajay Devgn and actress Madhoo as the leads, who were supported by Amrish Puri, Aruna Irani, Arif Khan, Jagadeep, Raza Murad and others. Iqbal Durrani penned the story and it was produced by Dinesh Patel. The music in the film is under Nadeem-Shravan while the cinematographer is Thomas A Xavier and Suresh Chaturvedi did the editing. It was released theatrically on November 22, 1991. Ever since Ajay Devgn announced the sequel of his successful film Raid, fans have been eagerly waiting for it. Devgn will be reuniting with Ashish Gokhale as a police officer in the film. In an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Ashish talked about the much-awaited Raid 2 and revealed that it is also based on a real incident. Ashish shared that Raid 2 is very different from the films first part and teased that it will be more engaging. I cannot reveal much about it as of now. The basis of the story is Raid only even in the sequel but these raids are completely different from what you saw in the first part of the film. Whatever you saw there, Raid 2 is different. It is more engaging also. This is also based on the real incident, he told us. Gokhale further revealed that Raid 2 shooting is currently underway but the team is planning to wrap it up by this months end. We have almost finished the film. Around 75 per cent shooting has been done. We should wrap up the shoot for this film by the end of May, he added. Released in 2018, Raid is an action drama starring which also stars Ileana DCruz and Saurabh Shukla in key roles. In the film, Ajay Devgn plays the role of Amar Patnaik a senior income tax officer who decides to probe and raid the residence of a politician, who is also an influential man in Lucknow. The film was widely loved by all and had received positive reviews. Raid 2 is not Ashish Gokhales first film with Ajay Devgn. The two have previously worked together in Bholaa and the recently released, Shaitaan. Talking about the same, the actor praised Devgn and called him a humble and kind person. I did Bholaa with him. He was so friendly from day one. He is very down-to-earth and a humble guy. When I did Bholaa, I never thought that I would be able to work with him for another two films but yes, I always thought Koi aur accha karne ko mile inke saath toh maza aaega (if I ever get another chance to work with him, it will be good) . He is my idol, my guru. But yes, he maintains a friendly atmosphere all around, he said. Raid 2 will hit theatres on November 15, 2024. Actress Ankita Lokhande is being trolled for wearing shorts to a temple. A video of Ankita stepping out of the temple in Mumbai was shared by Viral Bhayani on Instagram on Wednesday. In the video, Ankita was wearing a baggy t-shirt and shorts and sporting an orange tilak on her forehead. She also had a bandage on her right hand. However, Ankitas outfit didnt go down well with a section of the internet. One user called out the actress for her inappropriate dressing for mandir darshan. Mandir mein aise kapde pehan kar kaun aata hai (Who dresses like this to temple), another user said. Recently, Ankita Lokhande slammed the trolls who dropped mean comments about her mental health after a few videos of her dancing candidly went viral. She wrote on her Instagram account, Yes I enjoy dancing. Yes I love being candid. Yes, I keep my inner-child alive. Thank you so much. In a recent exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Ankita expressed her desire to be a mother someday. She revealed that she and husband Vicky Jain often discuss babies even though there might still be some time before she embraces motherhood. We always talk about babies. Children are the future of our relationship. Ive nothing to hide when I get asked about wanting to have children. Bachche toh honge hi kabhi na kabhi. We dont know when well have children but we definitely do talk about it. And when I talk about babies, I feel really good, she told us. Ankita continued, I want to create so many memories for our babies. I always tell Vicky that when we grow old, our babies can see our videos and pictures and say, Achcha, mamma aur papa aise the. That will be something very interesting. I want them to watch every video that Ive recorded and posted. Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth had a friendly banter on the first day of the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The mega event kickstarted in the South of France on May 14, witnessed the arrival of the whos who of Hollywood. Among the esteemed guests, Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth were in attendance for the world premiere of their upcoming film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. The two have joined forces for the first time in this George Miller directorial. Now, a video dropped by Chris Hemsworth on Instagram offered fans a glimpse of the cordial equation he shares with his co-star. Anya Taylor-Joy can be seen recording the video while sharing the same frame with Chris Hemsworth. The Thor actor greets viewers with an excited Hi". The actress reciprocates a similar sentiment. Hemsworth displays his comical side in the clip, delivering a hilarious pun-intended Cannes joke. His jest also had a direct reference to Furiosa: A Mad Max Sagas premiere. We are at Cannes and we cannenot wait for the premiere," he says, making Taylor-Joy laugh. I love it," she admits. Throwin dad jokes left and right at Cannes Film Festival," captioned Hemsworth. Social media users found Chris Hemworths comical stance amusing and reacted to the video. Dad joke 101 ft Chris Hemsworth," lauded one individual. Tell all the Dad Jokes" you want. Ill happily listen," wrote a fan. The madness of Cannes not be contained," commented the official Mad Max account. Cheering Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joys warm camaraderie a person exclaimed, Best Duo. Omgg". Anya Taylor-Joy was a sight to behold on the Cannes red carpet. She was dressed in a strapless white semi-sheer dress, adorned with flower embroidery. The side slit added the risque element. Chris Hemsworth wore a pin-striped blue blazer, matching trousers and a white shirt underneath. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is the fifth installment of the popular Mad Max franchise. It serves as a prequel to the 2015 Mad Max: Fury Road. The movie will take movie buffs on Furiosas (Anya Taylor-Joy) origin story. Also starring Charlee Fraser, Lachy Hulme, Tom Burke, and Nathan Jones, the action-adventure will be released in the theatres on May 24. Jr. NTR enjoys a massive fan following. Fondly known as Man of Masses by his millions of fans, he is currently busy working on his much-awaited upcoming magnum opus, Devara: Part 1. Despite his larger-than-life persona, NTR Jr. continues to be extremely humble and genuine, qualities his fans truly admire. Recently, the actor extended his support for a noble cause. Man of Masses NTR Jr. generously donated a hefty sum of Rs. 12.5 lakhs to the famous Sri Bhadrakali Sametha Veerabhadra Swamy Temple in Cheyyeru, Andhra Pradesh. The same was revealed on social media by a fan page dedicated to NTR Jr. The post read, Tarak donated 12,50,000 to Sri Badrakali Sametha Veera Badra Swami Vari Alayam Additionally, NTR Jr has earlier made donations to various other important causes as well, including contributing Rs 25 lakhs to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Ministers Relief Fund to aid flood victims and donating another Rs 25 lakhs to The Corona Crisis Charity to support daily-wage workers in the industry, among many others. NTR Jrs contributions reflect his strong commitment to doing his bit for society and serve as a positive influence for others to follow. Meanwhile, NTR Jrs upcoming action drama Devara: Part 1 helmed by Koratala Siva, is scheduled for nationwide release on 10th October, 2024. Jr NTR is reportedly quite keen to expand his career trajectory in Hindi cinema in the days to come. He could also potentially relocate to Mumbai, signifying a shift in his career choices. Reportedly, he has also rescheduled all his South Indian projects to prioritise his Bollywood venture. According to a report, he intends to relocate to Mumbai and increase his involvement in Bollywood. Devara Part 1 is expected to hit the big screens on October 10, 2024. Besides the RRR actor, this film boasts a stellar star cast starring actors like Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor. Marathi actress Shruti Marathe has been roped in to play the role of Jr NTRs wife. Shruti confirmed this news in an interview with the Star Media Marathi portal. Earlier, there were reports that the Bard of Blood actress has been roped in the Devara to play a key role, but the news was not confirmed. Now that this news is verified, Shrutis fans are rooting for her regarding this new role. They are looking forward to watching her acting prowess in this pan-India film. South cinema legend Mammootty is gearing up for the release of his next, Turbo. Now, as per the latest reports, he is set to work with ace Tamil cinema filmmaker, Gautham Vasudev Menon in his Malayalam directorial. Gautham Vasudev Menon is reportedly preparing to direct his first-ever Malayalam project, which will star Mammootty as the lead. The reports state further that lady superstar Nayanthara will also feature in an important role. It is going to be bankrolled by Mammootty himself. An official announcement by the makers is still awaited. The reports are being shared by industry insiders, who are taking to their X handles for the details. The insider X account called @CinemaWithAB tweeted, Buzz #GVM to direct a movie with #Mammootty as lead. Produced by Mammootty himself. Buzz #GVM to direct a movie with #Mammootty as lead Produced by Mammootty himself pic.twitter.com/NTGRtlQM73 AmuthaBharathi (@CinemaWithAB) May 14, 2024 In an earlier media interaction, Gautham Vasudev Menon expressed his desire to helm a Malayalam film. He said, I am also looking to see if I can direct a film next year in Malayalam; I am in discussion with a couple of actors. I really want to work with Mammootty sir and also with Fahadh Faasil. Mammootty and Gautham are going to share the screen space in the upcoming film, Bazooka. Currently, Mammootty is preparing for the release of Turbo, his upcoming action-comedy project. It is directed by Vysakh, while its story and screenplay are done by Midhun Manuel Thomas. The film stars Mammootty, Sunil, Anjana Jayaprakash, Raj B Shetty and Kabir Duhan Singh among others. Mammootty is also the films producer, backing it via his Mammootty Kampany banner. Gautham Vasudev Menons last directorial project was Joshua: Imai Pol Kaakha, released on March 1, 2024. It stars Varun, Raahei, Krishna and others. Ishari K Ganesh produced the film under the banner of Vels Film International while Karthik handled the music. Mammootty and Gautham Vasudev Menon-starrer upcoming Bazooka is helmed by Deeno Dennis and produced under Yoodlee Films. It is expected to be released this year. Hina Khan has started a big debate online. On Wednesday, the actress took to her Instagram stories and argued that actresses should get the option of not shooting during the first two days of their periods. The actress mentioned that it is maddening to shoot during periods especially when it requires a lot of running sequences. I wish I had an option of not shooting on the first two days..not exaggerating. But imagine shooting outdoors, in almost 40 degrees, with bad period cramps, mood swings, dehydration, heat rashes, discomfort, low BP, shooting chase sequences with involve a lot of running around in the sun, its madness, she wrote and used the hashtag actors life. Check it out here: Meanwhile, on the work front, Hina Khan was recently seen in the Punjabi film, Shinda Shinda No Papa. The movie, also starring Gippy Grewal and his real-life son, Shinda Grewal is a comedy entertainer. Directed by Amarpreet GS Chhabra, it unfolds across Canada and India, focusing on Gopi, a frustrated father who decides to take his mischievous son, Shinda, to India to teach him discipline. However, when Shinda discovers his fathers true intentions, it sparks a conflict between them. Recently, Hina recalled shooting for the film in Chandigarh when she expressed her gratitude for the warm hospitality she received. Luckily, the cast and crew ensured that I felt at home while staying there. It was lovely to see the warmth I received from everyone, she told Mid-Day. Chandigarh is also a very very beautiful city. The green fields that we shot in for some of our scenes were just so well-kept, so beautiful, and it was such a joy shooting there. People were lovely, so simple, always greeting us with so much love wherever we shot in the city. I truly loved the entire experience of shooting for the film there, the actress added. Next, Hina Khan will be seen in the comedy-drama series Namacool. Alongside Hina, the show also features Aaron Kaul, Abhinav Sharma, Abhishek Bajaj, Anushka Kaushik, Faisal Malik, and Aadil Khan in key roles. Written by Shantanu Srivastava and directed by Ritam Srivastav, this seven-episode series is set to premiere on Amazon miniTV soon. Bollywood director Imtiaz Ali made a startling confession about Oscar-winning music director AR Rahman. Imtiaz and Rahman worked together for the first time in Rockstar in 2011. Their went on to collaborate on many other projects, including Highway (2014), Tamasha (2015) and Amar Singh Chamkila (2024). In a new round table chat with Rahman, Mohit Chauhan and Irshad Kamil, Imtiaz said he was not happy neither nervous about meeting Rahman. Instead, he went to meet him like it was a responsibility. I was not happy, I dont think I was nervous either. But it wasnt as though, Oh, Im happy that I am going to meet AR Rahman. It was just like a responsibility, Imtiaz said, in a video released by Netflix India. The producer, I believe, told him, Get him!' AR Rahman recalled. So the producers at UTV said that we will take you to Chennai, well put you in a room with him, you can tell him the story of Rockstar. In one way or the other, catch him because he doesnt say yes or no. You have to get a yes from him. And then he comes in and said, Yeah, what is your story. I started saying the story. I went on and on. I knew when I was looking at him and talking to him, I had a sense that its going all over. It wasnt registering in his head, Imtiaz said. Then I stopped and again started but this time, I said in the beginning, there is a dark screen, we hear some sort of the music and then we hear these lines (Nadaan Parinde lyrics), Imtiaz added. He narrated the lines, Kaga Re Kaga Mori Itni Araz Tose Chun Chun Khaiyo Maas, Re Jiya Re Khaiyon Na Tu Naina Mor, Piya Ke Milan Ki Aas. Imtiaz said Rahman asked him the meaning of the lyrics. As soon as it was translated, Imtiaz felt a shift in Rahmans interest in the film. At that point of time, I got a sense that we are on and maybe he will do it, he said. Rockstar released in 2011 and is considered as a cult classic. The film starred Ranbir Kapoor in the lead and marked Nargis Fakhris Bollywood debut. Kareena Kapoor Khan is a true Meryl Streep fan. The Hollywood star marked her return to the Cannes Film Festival this year. Attending the event as the guest of honour, the Hollywood legend received the prestigious Palme dOr on Tuesday, May 14. As fans celebrated her return to the film festival after more than three decades, Kareena Kapoor also lauded Meryls Cannes appearance. Sharing a picture of the actress from the red carpet, she wrote, O Meryl there is absolutely no one like you. This is not the first time that the Bollywood diva has expressed her admiration for Meryl. Mentioning that she loves to watch Meryl Streep in Big Little Lies, Kareena shared in an old interview that the Hollywood star inspired her. Meryl Streeps Glamorous Return To Cannes 2024 Dressed in a stunning white outfit, Meryl Streep walked the Cannes red carpet on May 14. More than three decades after receiving the Best Actress Award in 1989, Meryl Streep was invited as the guest of honour as she received the Palme dOr from French actor Juliette Binoche. After receiving a thunderous standing ovation from the audience, the 74-year-old thanked everyone with whom she worked. This prize is unique in the world of cinema and Im very, very honoured to receive it, she said, further thanking her agent, Kevin Huvane and her hair and makeup stylist, J Roy Helland. I thought that my career was over and that was not an unrealistic expectation for actresses at that time. And the only reason that Im here tonight and that it continues is because of the very gifted artists with whom Ive worked, including madame la president (Greta Gerwig), she added. Having worked in a variety of films in her career, Meryl Streep has several acclaimed roles to her name and has also won many major awards including three Academy Awards, eight Golden Globes, and two SAGs, among others. Kareena Kapoors Work Front Last seen in Rajesh A Krishnans Crew alongside Tabu and Kriti Sanon, Kareena Kapoor has a couple of exciting projects in the pipeline. While she will soon be seen in Rohit Shettys Singham Again, the actress also has Hansal Mehtas The Buckingham Murders in the works. The project is currently in production. Besides Kareena, the film also stars Ash Tandon, Ranveer Brar and Keith Allen. Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut declared her assets ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections polling in Himachal Pradesh. The actress recently turned politician and is contesting from her hometown, Mandi. Representing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kangana submitted her nomination on Tuesday along with details of her assets. It has been revealed that Kangana Ranaut has assets worth Rs 91 crore, which include jewellery, cars, and immovable assets. She also has a debt of Rs 17 crore. According to Indian Express, Kangana has submitted documents to reveal she has movable assets worth Rs 28.7 crore and Rs 62.9 crore in immovable assets. The Tanu Weds Manu actress revealed she owns properties across the country. These include three houses in Mumbai which is worth Rs 16 crore and a bungalow in Manali, which is worth Rs 15 crore. She also revealed she owns four properties in Chandigarh, a commercial property in Mumbai, and a commercial building in Manali. The Queen star also declared in the affidavit that she has 6.7 kilos of gold jewellery, amounting to a worth of Rs 5 crore, 60 kgs silver jewellery, which is worth Rs 50 lakhs, and diamond jewellery worth Rs 3 crore. She also owns three luxury cars a BMW worth Rs 98 lakh, a Mercedes Benz worth Rs 58 lakh, and a Mercedes Maybach worth Rs 3.91 crore. She has declared a scooter worth Rs 53,000. Kangana also shared that she currently has a bank balance of Rs 1.35 crore with Rs 2 lakhs in cash. She highlighted that she has a debt of Rs 17 crore. The report also claimed that Kangana declared her highest education qualification is 12th standard, which she did at a private school in Chandigarh. For the unversed, Kangana entered the film industry when she was 18 years old with the film Gangster. Kangana has also claimed that her income in 2022-2023 was Rs 4 crore whereas in the year before that, she earned Rs 12.3 crore. The details of Kanganas assets were made public after she submitted her nomination. The actress took to X and shared a picture of her nomination submission and said, I am overwhelmed by the love and trust of the people of Mandi Lok Sabha constituency. I am grateful to the respected Prime Minister Mr @narendramodi ji, the Honorable National President Mr @JPNadda ji, the Honorable Home Minister Mr @AmitShah ji, the Leader of the Opposition Mr @jairamthakurbjp ji, the State President Mr @rajeevbindal ji and all the dignitaries of the party for giving me the opportunity to serve the people of Mandi. I have full faith that the country will once again get a historic mandate to make Modi ji the Prime Minister. Kangana has dedicated all her time to campaigning. The actress has hosted several rallies in Himachal Pradesh since she got a ticket from Mandi and has been making headlines for her statements. The polling in HP will take place on June 1. After several title changes, the much-awaited Marvel Studios series and WandaVision spinoff featuring Kathryn Hahn has got a title. At Disneys May 14 upfront presentation, the makers revealed the official title of the series, i.e., Agatha All Along. Hahn, along with her co-stars Joe Locke and Patti LuPone, took to the stage to make the revelation. They also confirmed the release date of the show, stating that it will premiere with two episodes on September 18. Prior to the official title, the company played a lot around the official title with names like House of Harkness, Coven of Chaos and Darkhold Diaries. Recently, another title was tossed around on social media, suggesting Agatha: The Lying Witch With Great Wardrobe. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marvel Studios (@marvelstudios) With a teaser flashing through the previous titles, Agathas theme plays in the background. The song debuted in the seventh episode of WandaVision, becoming an overnight sensation. Meanwhile, Hahns hilarious performance in the show also made Agatha Harkness the breakout character, prompting makers to bring a spinoff on the witch. Speaking to Deadline, Kathryn Hahn opened up about the series and shared that she felt thrilled about Jac Schaeffers writing. It was very important to her and Mary Livanos, our producer, that there be minimal CGI, so theres very little that is not practical magic or just our magic, so that was a very exciting thing to set up that we were able to prove again and again we could do it. So, its minimal CGI, but that was very thrilling. The sets are incredible. It just felt delicious. It was a very immersive experience, she said. Kathryn Hahn says there was very little CGI in AGATHA ALL ALONG pic.twitter.com/SruSPQ9WWK Scarlet Witch Updates (@ScarletWitchUpd) May 14, 2024 LuPone also joined in and added that the show looks like a $100 million movie. More about Agatha All Long It is said to take place after the events of WandaVision, with Hahns character stripped of her powers by Elizabeth Olsens Wanda Maximoff. A short teaser drops hints at how Agatha tries to bring together a team of witches to gain her powers back. Further details about the plot have been kept under wraps. Besides Hahn, Locke, and LuPone, the spin-off series will also feature Aubrey Plaza, comedian Sasheer Zamata, Emma Caulfield and Debra Jo Rupp. Also returning is Jac Schaeffer, who is writing and directing Agatha All Along. Now set for a September release, the show was initially scheduled to premiere last year but was pushed back due to Hollywood strikes. Rakhi Sawant took the internet by shock on Tuesday night after photos of the actress from a hospital went viral on social media. Now, Rakhis former husband, Ritesh Raj Singh, has shared her health update. Rakhi had introduced Ritesh as her husband on Bigg Boss 15. Speaking exclusively to News18 Showsha, Ritesh said that Rakhi was admitted to the hospital after experiencing pain in her chest and stomach. He claimed that doctors discovered a tumour in Rakhis uterus after a couple of tests were performed. They have suspected Rakhi has cancer, according to Ritesh. However, the additional test results are awaited. She was admitted to the hospital last night after she complained of chest pain. Doctors are looking after her. They have discovered a tumour in her uterus. She had pain in her stomach too. Doctors have suspected that it might be cancer. Tests are being done. Doctors have proposed a surgery but they want to check first if it is cancer or not, Ritesh told us. Earlier today, Ritesh urged everyone to pray for Rakhis speedy recovery. This is not a matter of joke. Rakhi has created an image for herself where people think its all drama. If Rakhi is critical, then she is critical. The story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf is often repeated with her. The same scene has happened here. Now, when she is actually critical, a section of people thinks she is creating controversy, while others think she is pretending. Those who truly know her, please wish her well, pray for her. She will recover soon, he said. For the unversed, prior to Adil Khan Durrani, Rakhi was married to Ritesh. The two participated in Bigg Boss 15 but parted ways soon after the show ended in February 2022. Announcing their separation, Rakhi had said at the time, Dear fans and well-wishers, just wanted to say that Ritesh and I have decided to part ways. After the Bigg Boss show a lot happened and I was unaware of certain things which were out of my control. We have tried to work out our differences and tried to make things work but I think its best we both move on amicably and we both enjoy our lives separately. Earlier this month, Ritesh was spotted with Rakhi in Mumbai, which led to speculations about their possible patch-up. However, in his Instagram post, Ritesh clarified that he had no intentions of getting back with Rakhi, and also talked about her second husband, Adil Durrani, who was in jail after she accused him of domestic violence and mishandling of her funds. Rakhi Sawant has been admitted to the hospital, as per reports. A bunch of photos have gone viral on social media in which the internet sensation can be seen lying on a hospital bed with an intravenous cannula in her left hand. A pulse oximeter is clipped onto her fingertip on her right hand, while a nurse monitors her blood pressure. When News18 Showsha reached out to Rakhis ex-husband Ritesh on Tuesday, he said that he will update about her health soon. And now, he has said that Rakhi is critical. Speaking to the paps, Ritesh said, Yeh koi joke ka mudda nahi hai. Rakhi ne apni ek aise image bana li hai jisme logo ko lagta hai drama hai. Main bahut blunt hu. Main apko seedha bolunga. Rakhi agar critical mein hain, toh critical mein hain. Bhediya aya wala kahaani uske saath humesha repeat hota hai. Jab bhediya sach mein aata hai toh uske baaton pe koi yakeen nahi karta hai. Yaha pe scene wahi huya hai. Abhi jab toh sach mein critical hai toh adhe logo ko lagta hai ke woh controversy kar rahi hai, adhe logo ko lagta hai natak kar rahi hai. Jo log dil se usne jante hai, uske liye wish karein, pray karein. Jaldi hee woh recover ho jayegi (This is not a matter of joke. Rakhi has created an image for herself where people think its all drama. If Rakhi is critical, then she is critical. The mythical story of the boy who cried wolf is often repeated with her. The same scene has happened here. Now, when she is actually critical, a section of people thinks she is creating controversy, while others think she is pretending. Those who truly know her, please wish her well, pray for her. She will recover soon). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Not long back, Rakhi was photographed by the paparazzi in Mumbai with her former husband, Ritesh. Soon after the video of the two went viral on social media, netizens were left wondering if the Bigg Boss 15 fame are back together once again amid Rakhis legal battle with Adil Khan Durrani. However, when News18 Showsha reached out to Rakhi asking if she has reunited with Ritesh, she dismissed all such claims and called them rubbish. In October 2021, Rakhi Sawant left everyone shocked when she entered the Bigg Boss 15 house and introduced all to her husband, Ritesh. However, the two parted ways soon after the shows grand finale. Salman Khan never fails to impress all with his charm and dapper looks. On Wednesday too, the actor took to his Instagram handle and dropped a picture, which is now capturing everyones heart. In this latest click, Salman was seen posing in a black t-shirt. He also sported matching goggles and dished out a suave look in style. Soon after the picture was shared, fans rushed to the comments section to compliment their favourite actor. One of the fans called his new look, Jhakaaas. Handsome hotty, wrote another. Sabki Jaan hamare Salman Khan, a third comment read. Check it out here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan) Just a few days back, Salman Khan dropped another picture in which he was seen looking sharp in a pink polo t-shirt. Take a look: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan) Meanwhile, Salman Khan has also been making headlines ever since the shooting incident outside his Mumbai residence took place. On April 14, 2024, gunshots were fired outside Khans Galaxy Apartments in Mumbais Bandra area. Later, it was reported that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is alleged to be behind the attack as the gangsters brother, Anmol Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the shooting incident via a Facebook post. So far, five accused have been arrested in the case. Earlier this month, one of the arrested accused, Anuj Thapan, allegedly died by suicide in Mumbai Police custody. While the police claimed that Thapan killed himself in prison, his family alleged foul play and claimed that he was killed. Recently, the President of the All India Bishnoi Society, Devendra Budiya, also issued a statement and argued that the Bollywood superstars apology would be considered if he seeks forgiveness. If Salman himself apologizes, the Bishnoi society will consider the apology. The mistake was not made by Somy Ali, but it was committed by Salman, the Bishnoi gang leader told IANS, as quoted by Pinkvilla. Therefore, he should propose to the Bishnoi society that he wants to apologize. He should come to the temple and seek forgiveness. He should further take an oath that he will never make such a mistake in the future and will always work to protect wildlife and conserve the environment. If he does this, a decision of the society to forgive him will be considered, he added. However, Salman Khan has now issued any official statement regarding the firing incident as of now. Sanjay Leela Bhansalis debut Netflix series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, has been receiving mixed response ever since its release earlier this month. While some are praising the show for its sheer opulence and grand visuals, others are criticising it for alleged historical inaccuracies. In a recent interaction, Sanjeeda Shaikh, who portrays the role of Waheeda in the show, shared her views on the criticism. Speaking to Bollywood Bubble, Sanjeeda shared, There are different type of people. I think we should focus on the positive. As a maker, Sanjay is respected in the industry for his brilliant mind and he is so honest and authentic with his thoughts that nobody can match him. We have done our job and people have loved us so I dont really care whether other people didnt like it. You can say whatever you want. Even to criticise it, you had to watch it. You can say whatever you want but I am super proud of Heeramandis journey. Earlier, Sonakshi Sinha, who plays the antagonist in the show, also defended Bhansali. She said that the show is inspired by the real place Heeramandi in Lahore but ultimately its a fictional world created by Bhansali. She told ETimes, Hes selling you the idea of a dream and a vision, and thats what hes known for. Apart from this, Bhansalis Heeramandi has sparked a debate about nepotism, courtesy of his niece Sharmin Segals casting. Sharmin, the daughter of Bella Bhansali Segal and Deepak Segal, plays the role of Alamzeb in the show. While Manisha, Sonakshi and Aditi have been getting much love and appreciation for their solid performances, Sharmin has been receiving a volley of criticism for holding the same expression throughout the show. A section of the internet claims that nepotism got her this role. Following the constant negativity that shes been getting on social media, Sharmin has turned off comments on her Instagram account. Sharmin made her acting debut with Bhansalis production Malaal in 2019. The film co-starred Meezan Jafri. Having closely worked with Bhansali as an assistant director on projects like Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani and Gangubai Kathiawadi, Sharmin went on to star in the horror comedy Atithi Bhooto Bhava. Were at the halfway stage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While we wont know the verdict of the people till June 4, many political experts mostly from the anti-Modi tribe have declared that the NDA is in trouble. That the 2024 Lok Sabha election will be a near repeat of the 2004 Lok Sabha election. In that election, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA was widely tipped to win comfortably. The NDA was riding on the India Shining slogan and a fractured Opposition was not expected to pose a challenge. But in the end, the NDA lost. The political experts say theyre confident because there are 2004-like factors at play in 2024. First, a lower voter turnout than in 2019. This they say was also true of the 2004 election when fewer electors voted compared to 1999. Second, the existence of ground-level anti-incumbency despite the BJP having denied tickets to a fourth of its sitting MPs. And the absence of any one leader projected against PM Modi, which prevents the election from assuming the character of a presidential-style face-off. But are these 2004-like factors playing a decisive role as these political experts have predicted? Has the election turned? Here are some fact-based arguments that will establish that 2024 isnt 2004 and that those predicting gloom for the BJP might end up with eggs on their faces. Low Voter Turnout Isnt A Vote Against BJP There is no conclusive correlation between voter turnout and poll outcomes. Over the years, the data shows that incumbent governments have returned when the turnout has fallen, and incumbents have been ousted when the turnout has risen. Nevertheless, a detailed study on voter participation in the 2004, 2009, and 2014 general elections by Dr Prannoy Roy and Dorab Sopariwala concluded that the BJP consistently won in constituencies where the turnout had dropped. This, the study concluded, was because unlike other parties the BJP has a strong cadre-level organisation of booth workers and panna pramukhs that are experts in getting the core vote out. In a low turnout scenario, the BJPs strong booth-level ground game will ensure that at the very least its ideologically committed voters will turn up to vote. The same cant be said about opposition parties, particularly the Congress, which have witnessed considerable booth-level atrophy. BJP Has UP & Bihar In The North In 2019, the BJP won 224 seats by receiving 50% or more votes. Most of these stronghold seats were in the North, some in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar despite the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party stitching together an improbable alliance. If the Opposition is to wrest power from the NDA it will have to spring surprises in these two states. Remember no government has ever captured power in Delhi without a presence in these two states. A big reason for the viability of the UPA or even the UF governments in the 1990s was that they had support from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In 2004, still electorally vigorous, caste-based parties like the SP, BSP, and RJD had pushed the BJP-led NDA into a corner. The NDA for instance had a claim over just 22 out of a maximum of 120 Lok Sabha seats from these two states. But the NDA has come a long way since 2004. In 2019, the NDA Was sitting pretty on a nearly 50 per cent vote share. The Opposition will have to bridge a massive gap between itself and the BJP if it is going to make a comeback in this election. Only a very partisan political analyst will risk his reputation to predict a BJP rout in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The BJPs Ram Baan The NDAs dominance in the North, where it bagged 210 out of 244 seats is all but ensured. While the BJP is experiencing anti-incumbency pressures it has offset them by mobilising its base through its messaging on Ram and the mandir. The timing of the Ram mandir inauguration and the carefully curated ceremony aimed at including a panoply of castes was a calibrated exercise to shore up the BJPs big caste coalition. The Ram Mandir gambit, if it could be called that, has helped the BJP neutralise the Oppositions bid to undercut the partys rainbow caste coalition by floating the caste census balloon. The Modi Versus Khichdi Isnt An Option The Opposition is convinced that it has succeeded in avoiding turning the election into a presidential-style contest by not projecting a leader against Modi. But adopting such a strategy also hands the BJP a vital advantage. It allows it to market stable leadership under a decisive Modi as its unique selling point. Indian voters are today more aware of the chaotic impact of global strife in an interconnected world upon their daily lives. With wars, testy neighbours and a pandemic having driven home the point, voters are looking for security via stability at the national level. Especially the narrative setting aspirational middle class. The prospect of a fractious coalition with competing interests and a varying vision for governance acquiring power may not appeal. This antipathy towards instability is borne out even at the assembly level where a whopping 78% of the mandates in the last few years have been decisive. Of the remaining 22% of the verdicts, 80% have been in favour of a tested pre-poll alliance. The Southern Switch The BJP-led NDA has set itself an ambitious target in the South. It hopes to capture 40 seats. The more optimistic saffron-istas are dreaming about 50. The BJP may end up short. But because it only won 29 out of 129 seats in the South in 2019 it believes it has room to grow. In Karnataka, the BJP maxed out in 2019 and may yet concede a few seats but this will only happen if the Congress can dramatically swing votes. To put the challenge for the Opposition in perspective, the BJPs average victory margin across seats in Karnataka was 1.75 lakh votes. Dramatic swings are rare. But they do happen. In 2019 for instance, the BJPs vote share in Bengal went up to 40% from a mere 17% in 2014. But 2019 was thought to be a Modi wave election. There may not be a Modi wave but there certainly isnt a discernible anti-Modi wave either. Modi remains very popular in 2024. Losses in Karnataka may be offset in Telangana and Andhra. In Telangana, if even 10% of the approximately 40% BRS votes were to shift to the BJP, the party would bag 5 seats. In Andhra, the NDA is a three-party bloc that is expected to give the Jagan Reddy-led YSRCP a run for its money. Here, the Congress is a non-starter, so the NDA hopes to be the beneficiary of any anti-incumbency. NDA baiters will also note that the UPA was able to sustain itself between 2004 and 2014 largely because of its tremendous showing in unified Andhra. In 2004, UPA had 29 seats and its ally the communist parties 2 out of a total of 40 seats. And given that we havent even analysed Kerala and Tamil Nadu, it is highly improbable that the NDAs tally will dip below its 2019 showing in the South. With the North largely in the bag and the South holding up, the NDA is unlikely to stumble at the final hurdle. In the end analysis, the five factors listed here could be some of the more compelling reasons why Modis NDA in 2024 wont go the way of Vajpayees NDA in 2004. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday countered Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees working for Maa, Maati, Manush slogan, saying the party was now catering to Mullah, Madrasa and Mafia. The senior BJP leader said this while addressing a rally at Bongaon in the North 24 Parganas on Tuesday. The Union Home Minister said the TMC government provided a monthly honorarium to Imams but not a penny to priests and custodians of temples. The TMC came to power on the slogan of Maa, Mati, Manush. However, their focus has now shifted to Mullah, Madrasa, Mafia. The Imams here are paid an honorarium but the priests and keepers of temples get nothing. While there are no obstacles to Tazias (procession of Muslim mourners on Muharram), there are regular roadblocks to taking out immersion processions on Durga Puja and Kali Puja. Should this be allowed to continue, Shah said. Also, gunning for the CM for spurning the invite to the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, the Union Home Minister said, Despite receiving a formal invitation, she did not attend the inauguration ceremony (at the Ram temple) to appease a certain vote bank. You (people) are not her vote bank, the infiltrators are. She is scared of rubbing her vote bank the wrong way. Accusing the chief minister of spreading falsehoods over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), he said she was misleading people on the central legislation that is aimed at granting asylum and permanent residency to immigrant minority settlers from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Mamata Banerjee is misleading the people saying the CAA could invite trouble for the people. I want to assure you all that the legislation is not aimed at bringing any harm to anyone. All bonafide citizens can go on leading their lives here with dignity. No power in the world can stop Hindu, Sikh, and Jain refugees from becoming citizens of the country, he said. Alleging that the ruling TMC was trying to turn infiltrators into Indian citizens while coming out in Opposition to the CAA, which is aimed at granting permanent residency to oppressed minorities, including the Matuas who crossed over from Bangladesh. I want to remind Mamata Banerjee that the central government, and not state governments, reserves the right to grant citizenship, he added. Assuring that the Matua community, which inhabits Bongaon and elsewhere in the North 24 Parganas, would be able to avail rights under the CAA if the BJP comes to power in Bengal, Shah added, Four phases of polling have been completed. The elections to 380 seats in the Lok Sabha, including 18 in Bengal, are done and dusted. I can tell you today, that of the 380 seats for which polling has already happened, PM Modi has secured absolute majority, winning 270 seats. The battle for us now is to cross 400-plus seats. Warning CM Mamata that those involved in scams wouldnt be spared, the Union Home Minister said, From cut money culture to infiltration, from bomb blasts to Bhatijas (CMs nephew Abhishek Banerjee) goons harassing people, from Syndicate Raj to utter lawlessness, Bengal is staring at a state of complete lawlessness. Only Narendra Modi-Ji can save the state from plunging further into the abyss. Those involved in the chit fund scam, teacher recruitment scam, municipal recruitment scam, ration scam, cow and coal smuggling should be ready to go to jail. No one will be spared, he said. Amit Shah was campaigning for BJP candidate Shantanu Thakur, who is pitted against the TMCs Biswajit Das in his bid to secure a fresh term in the Lok Sabha from Bangaon. Polling in Bengal is being conducted across all seven phases and the counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. (With ANI inputs) Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said if Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gets 400 seats in Lok Sabha elections, it will build temples at Krishna Janmabhoomi site in Mathura and Gyanvapi mosque area in Varanasi. He added that Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) will be included in India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When the Congress government was in power, we were told that one Kashmir is in India and the other in Pakistan. It was never discussed in our Parliament that Pakistan has Occupied Kashmir, it is actually ours. Right now, agitation is happening every day in PoK and people are protesting against Pakistan by holding the Indian tricolour in their hands. If Modi ji gets 400 seats, then PoK will also become Indias. It has already started, Himanta was quoted by news agency ANI on Tuesday. #WATCH | Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says, "PM Modi himself comes from the OBC category. BJP has been in power for 10 years. Our government is working to give more strength to reservations. Congress wants to end SC, ST and OBC reservations and give pic.twitter.com/meKJW6i0SN ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2024 Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had highlighted the protests in the Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). He reiterated that PoK has been India and will always be, adding that people in the region must be comparing their situation with those living in Jammu and Kashmir, pointing out the evident progress in the latter area. The Pakistan Paramilitary rangers on Monday, unlawfully deployed in PoJK, gunned down several protestors leaving dozens and several others severely wounded. The incident left several locals of the area injured, as locals in several thousand were out on the streets to raise their demands against taxes on electricity bills, cuts in subsidies and an end to the perks and privileges of the Prime Minister and President. Meanwhile, CM Sarma, addressing an event in Odishas Bhubaneswar, also opposed reservation on the basis of religion and said that there is a need for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country. The BJP leader said all should be equal in the country. If a Hindu is allowed to have one wife, why people of other religions can have more than one wife, Sarma said, adding that a Uniform Civil Code is needed in the country. The UCC means having a common law for all citizens of the country that is not based on religion. Personal laws and laws related to inheritance, adoption and succession are likely to be covered by a common code. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Google I/O 2024 keynote was surprise, surprise, all about AI. The company has a lot of catching up to do with OpenAI now taking ChatGPT to the 4o version earlier this week. The I/O 2024 keynote has shown us the work Google has been doing behind the scenes with the help of the Google Deepmind AI team. And one of the products to roll out from the lab is called Project Astra, which is a new-gen AI assistant that promises to integrate AI into mobile devices with spatial understanding and video processing to give you accurate information. Project Astra The Everyday AI Assistant The multimodal from Google is based on Gemini is basically its way of saying to OpenAI that we are here for the battle. So, how does this version of the AI Assistant work? Google is using the camera on your phone to guide the AI assistant to help you understand the things near you. Heres a quick demo that Google showed at the keynote: For a long time, weve been working towards a universal AI agent that can be truly helpful in everyday life. Today at #GoogleIO we showed off our latest progress towards this: Project Astra. Heres a video of our prototype, captured in real time. pic.twitter.com/TSGDJZVslg Demis Hassabis (@demishassabis) May 14, 2024 It can even read a code written on a PC and help you determine its purpose or solve the complex code as well. Thats not all, you can point the camera to the street and ask the AI assistant to tell you where you are located and get more localised details if indeed. Google says these capabilities via Project Astra will be available in Gemini Live within the main app that will be available later this year. The tech will initially work on the Pixel phones and Google sees the AI assistant coming to more devices, which includes the smart glasses and even TWS earbuds some day. OpenAI unveiled its new ChatGPT 4o chatbot in front of the world on Monday and most people were amazed with how far the AI tech has come in one year. However, one person isnt impressed by its advancement and that is none other than Elon Musk. Musk and OpenAI have a long history, and not a pleasant one. So for Musk to not be impressed with ChatGPT 4o is hardly surprising. He was replying with his opinion to one of the users on X this week, which said, Humans can now let AI perceive reality in real time for them. We may have just replaced the post-truth era with something much worse. Musk replied to this post on the platform saying, demo made me cringe. Demo made me cringe Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 13, 2024 The Tesla and X owner has invested interest in the AI arena with another company he owns called XAI which offers the Grok AI chatbot for X Premium users. OpenAIs CEO Sam Altman has said that Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk thought that the ChatGPT-maker company would fail and he chose to part ways. So, you can imagine the animosity between the two, especially for Musk to have these feelings about OpenAI. OpenAI said Musk wanted the company to merge with electric vehicle maker Tesla, and he forwarded an email that said the startup should attach to Tesla as its cash cow. Elon Musk has publicly addressed his legal conflict with OpenAI earlier, and in response, the organisation had published a blog post revealing specifics about Musks wish to exert full control over the company and his ambition to assume the role of CEO. Musk, a former board member of OpenAI who resigned in 2018, has filed a lawsuit against the organisation and its CEO, Sam Altman, citing an alleged breach of their original contractual agreements related to artificial intelligence. Musk even wanted to file a lawsuit against the company, demanding OpenAI to change its name to ClosedAI. Australian doctor Professor Richard Scolyer is celebrating a year of being cancer free after purportedly undergoing a groundbreaking treatment based on his own research. Last year, while in Poland, he was diagnosed with grade 4 brain cancer, known as glioblastoma, which typically has a survival rate of about 12 months. At the age of 57, Scolyer decided to try an experimental therapy he had developed while studying melanoma, a skin cancer. Surprisingly, his recent MRI scan showed no signs of the tumour. The professor worked with his friend and colleague, Professor Georgina Long, both co-directors of the Melanoma Institute Australia and were honoured as Australian of the Year. The team used immunotherapy, a treatment that helps the bodys immune system fight cancer cells. According to BBC reports, Professor Georgina Long and her team found that immunotherapy is more effective when certain drugs are combined and given before surgery to remove a tumour. Last year, Scolyer became the first brain cancer patient to receive this pre-surgery combination treatment. He faced a challenging few months after treatment, as he experienced epileptic seizures, liver problems and pneumonia. Despite these hardships, he now says he feels healthier. To be honest, I was more nervous than I have been for any previous scan. Im just thrilled and delighted, couldnt be happier. Im the best I have felt for yonks. It certainly doesnt mean that my brain cancer is cured, but its just nice to know that it hasnt come back yet, so Ive still got some more time to enjoy my life with my wife Katie and my three wonderful kids, Professor Richard Scolyer told the portal. I had brain #MRI scan last Thursday looking for recurrent #glioblastoma (&/or treatment complications). I found out yesterday that there is still no sign of recurrence. I couldnt be happier!!!!!Thank you to the fabulous team looking after me so well especially my wife Katie & pic.twitter.com/WdqZKLDvge Professor Richard Scolyer AO (@ProfRScolyerMIA) May 13, 2024 Professor Georgina Long shared, Weve generated a whole heap of data, to then make a foundation for that next step, so that we can help more people. Were not there yet. What we have to really focus on is showing that this pre-surgery, combination immunotherapy type of approach works in a large number of people. The alleged results have sparked excitement, as Long and Richard Scolyer might be close to a revolution that could benefit approximately 3 lakh people diagnosed with brain cancer each year. The aim of this experimental treatment is to extend the professors life and pave the way for clinical trials for other patients. As per reports, the duo have even submitted a scientific paper for review, showing the early results of Scolyers treatment. However, Long claims that developing an approved treatment will still take time. Mark Zuckerberg, Co-founder and CEO of Facebook, celebrated his 40th birthday on Tuesday. His wife Priscilla Chan made sure that Zuckerberg reflected back on his life as she organised a birthday bash with miniature models of some of the most significant places in life. These places included his childhood bedroom where he learned to code, his Harvard dorm where he launched Facebook with his friends, his favourite Pinocchios Pizzeria, his first apartment with just a mattress on the floor where he stayed till they reached 100 million people on Facebook, office lockdown where he worked day and night to fight off competitors. Zuckerberg shared the photos from his birthday, which included Bill Gates sitting inside the model of Zuckerbergs Harvard dorm. Zuckerbergs post also has a video in which some of his closest friends and associates sent their best wishes and recalled the great time they spent together. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mark Zuckerberg (@zuck) This post got over 40 lakh views in less than a day. Andrew Huberman, neuroscientist and host of the Huberman Lab podcast, wished him and wrote, Welcome to the 4th floor Mark! Dr Rahul Mandal, the winner of 2018 The Great British Baking Show remarked, Happiest birthday Sir. And we share a birthday!! Chan also shared a post on Zuckerbergs birthday and wrote, Mark doesnt usually let me go big for his birthday but for his 40th I was allowed to throw a bash as long our friends and family also roasted him. We all had a blast! Lets just say that no one suffered from a lack of material! Talking about what she admires in Zuckerberg, she added, One of my favourite things about Mark is how he really, truly believes in people. He sees the potential in all of us. I have no idea what adventures are coming next, but Im here for all of them. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priscilla Chan (@priscillachan) Zuckerberg and Chan have been married for over a decade. They tied the knot on May 19, 2012, which was a day after Facebook went public with its initial public offering. The couple got married in a surprise outdoor wedding with their close friends and relatives. According to People Magazine, Zuckerberg and Chan had kept the wedding a secret from all guests, who had come to celebrate Chans graduation from medical school. However, the graduation party was actually a wedding. Zuckerberg and Chan have three daughters, Maxima, August, and Aurelia. Three youths in Noida, named Ajit, Deepak and Abhishek, faced consequences for filming a kidnapping reel in Sector 18. The video featured a staged scenario where a young man was seen kidnapping another individual and forcing him into a car, while their third friend recorded the scene. However, upon investigation, authorities discovered the incident was a planned act and the trio created the reel to gain few likes and followers on social media. The individual, who captured the video from the other side of the road, uploaded the video by falsely claiming a real kidnapping was happening in broad daylight at a crowded market. Later, police intervened and caught three youths. Although authorities initially arrested them, the trio were later released on bail. ADCP Manish Kumar Mishra condemned the trios actions, claiming that they caused public panic and disruption by their fake reel on a busy road. Mishra highlighted that their reckless behaviour not only threatened the safety of their friend but also was a threat to public safety and warned them against risking their lives for social media attention. The police took quick action against the youths and arrested them under sections related to breach of peace. However, they were released on bail. Earlier, content creators in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh used concerning tactics to create engaging content, which caused distress among residents, particularly children. On YouTube, the creators shared videos of fake abductions. In one of the widely circulated videos, a driver pretends to offer some children a ride before revealing to them that theyve been kidnapped. The children get terrified and attempt to escape the moving vehicle, but fail. However, the YouTuber later reveals it was a prank and consoles the frightened minors before letting them go. As per The Times of India, Shikha Goel, Additional DGP, Womens Safety Wing, Telangana Police said, Consent of the child to be in such a video is a crucial aspect because sometimes children agree to be part of it as an actor. Even if consent is there such videos must carry a ticker or disclaimer all throughout that it is for the purpose of awareness only. If consent is not taken then based on the kind of harassment, action can be taken based on a complaint under relevant sections of law including IPC, IT Act and JJ Act etc. During the time, an IT team was given the task to verify such videos. The authorities shared that necessary actions would be taken under the Juvenile Justice Act and other relevant legal provisions. In Northampton, UK, a local store owner has turned to innovative technology to combat the growing issue of shoplifting. Alex Kapadia, the proprietor of Morrisons Deli, reports a significant reduction in theft since he adopted RoboCop technology. Frustrated with daily losses due to shoplifting, Kapadia sought a solution that would help secure his store. He discovered the AI cop face watch, a cutting-edge system designed to identify known thieves. Since installing this technology, Kapadia claims theft in his store has dropped by 90 per cent. Kapadia was losing approximately 100 daily, amounting to about Rs 10,000. The AIcop face watch uses advanced facial recognition technology to match faces against a database of known criminals. When a match is found, the system alerts the store owner, allowing him to take preventative measures. This proactive approach has drastically reduced theft activities in his store. Because we look like a corporate store, criminals must have thought it was fair game and that we wouldnt put up a fight. All of a sudden, we were getting crime every day. We had to do something, Kapadia explained. Implementing the AIcop face watch has not only deterred thieves but also enhanced the overall security of the store. Kapadia believes this technology could be beneficial on a larger scale. He advocates for its nationwide implementation to combat the widespread issue of shoplifting. Moreover, he suggests that such technology could help address the increasing number of attacks on store employees. The rise in shoplifting is not limited to Kapadias store. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), shoplifting crimes in England and Wales have reached their highest level in 20 years. Last year, over 430,000 shoplifting incidents were recorded, marking a more than one-third increase compared to the previous 12 months until December 2022. The effectiveness of RoboCop technology in reducing theft at Morrisons Deli highlights its potential as a valuable tool for retailers. As shoplifting continues to rise, more store owners might consider adopting similar technologies to safeguard their businesses. While RoboCops may not replace human police officers, their increasing use in security demonstrates their potential to support law enforcement efforts and enhance public safety. The success of the AIcop face watch at Morrisons Deli is a promising indicator of what the future may hold for retail security. In a very bizarre incident reported from Rajasthan, a man has alleged that his wife sought divorce to take advantage of a supposed divorce quota in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam. The man, from Kalwar Road, lodged a complaint at Kardhani police station in Jaipur, while the womans family has denied the existence of any such divorce quota in the UPSC. Additionally, she has filed a case of dowry harassment against her husband in Pratapgarh. According to Sub Inspector Ashish Kumar of Kardhani police station, the man reported the incident on May 11 against his wife, who is a resident of Pratapgarh. The complainant, a photographer, claimed that they married a year ago following Hindu customs and traditions. He alleged that his wife sought divorce to avail the divorce quota in the UPSC exam, as detailed in a report from Voice for Men India. Also Read: Divorce, Really? Woman Takes Drastic Step After Husband Forgets To Bring Kurkure The couple, who had a love marriage after meeting in 2013 in Pratapgarh, allegedly maintained contact when the woman came to Jaipur for studies in 2016, eventually leading to a live-in relationship. They became engaged in 2021. The complainant revealed that his wife secured a government position through the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) quota in September 2022. Subsequently, she disclosed her ambition to prepare for the UPSC exam before abruptly terminating the engagement. However, she agreed to reconsider if the man assisted her in cracking the UPSC exam. Consequently, they tied the knot in February 2023 in Pratapgarh. The husband claims that upon returning to Jaipur, his wife left their home the very next day. She went back to her parents home and informed the man that they would live separately for a year before filing for mutual divorce. The man claimed that she reminded him of his promise to help her with anything for the sake of the UPSC. When he visited her in Pratapgarh to celebrate their first anniversary, she allegedly asked for a divorce and threatened to falsely implicate him in a case if he refused. He then approached the police, who registered a case based on his report. Conversely, the wife presents a contrasting narrative, accusing her husband of dowry harassment and emotional manipulation in marriage. Correspondingly, a dowry harassment case stands registered against him in Pratapgarh district. Also Read: Kanpur Man Brings Divorced Daughter Home With Band Baja, Watch Video Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the UPSC does not provide any specific quota for divorced individuals, extending reservations exclusively to SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and individuals with disabilities, alongside an age relaxation of up to five years. Understanding the causes and effects of early motherhood phenomena is necessary. Although the mother is the one who is most directly impacted, we have begun to talk about the effects on her. However, the research on the effects on early mothers who survive is not unambiguous. Does early parenting have an impact on the children? Does this impact the parents that are involved? Was this a decision they made on their own? Are they being made to do this? A Singaporean influencer has prompted a debate after becoming a grandmother at 34. South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports that now-35-year-old Shirli Ling welcomed her first-ever grandchild last year after her son, who was 17, became a father. Notably, the influencer owns a chicken hotpot shop, has three marriages under her belt with five kids. She had her first son when she was 17 and went on to have another son and three daughters. Her eldest son is 18, and the other children are 17, 13, 10 and 8. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shirli Ling (@shirli_ling) Ling, who has 17,000 Instagram followers, became popular owing to her appealing features after appearing in the 2022 Singaporean military comedy Ah Girls Go Army. While kids are growing up, you have to keep telling them, Dont be like mummy, dont get married so young, Ling told SCMP. But the more you tell them not to, the more theyre going to do it. According to SCMP, Ling a young mother herself did not react angrily when her eldest sons girlfriend became pregnant last year. She quipped that she had inspired her son to become a parent at the age of 17. Whats done is done, Ling remarked, adding that she would rather offer advice and more support than scold her son. She defined her son as playful and curious. Upon learning of his girlfriends pregnancy, Ling gave him the freedom to decide for himself and accept responsibility. She stated that even if her son chose not to have the kid, she couldnt promise that he would not commit the same mistake afterwards. The Singaporean influencer came to the conclusion that the most crucial thing is to educate and guide them when her kids require assistance. She also stated that she wasnt going to encourage her kids to start families early. Young parents face challenges, and its not easy, said Ling. She continued by saying that she could only educate her kid to accept accountability for his actions going forward because of what had occurred. Ling continued that she hoped her son would make sure the child is well taken care of and that she would support him. On social media, the situation has generated a heated debate. She received criticism on Instagram from a commenter who called her a failed mother. This mother is doing great, always guiding her child to be a responsible person, remarked a different commenter. India on Wednesday said it is deeply saddened over the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), the Indian national who was working with the UN in Gaza. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Indias Permanent Mission to the UN in New York as well as its mission in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains of Kale to India. Kale was killed after the vehicle he was travelling in came under attack in Gazas Rafah region on Monday. We are deeply saddened by the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in Gaza on May 13, the MEA said. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones, it said Our Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and our Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains to India and continue to be in touch with relevant authorities regarding the investigation into the incident, the MEA said in a statement. External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that the analysis of the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is complex but residents there must compare themselves to those living in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, referring to the steps taken by the government to develop the Kashmir region. There is a ferment happening in PoK, you can see it on social media or television. The analysis of it is very complex but definitely, I have no doubt in my own mind that someone living in PoK is comparing their situation with someone actually living in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that how is it that people today are actually progressing there, Jaishankar said. 'Why Bharat Matters'- , ,, https://t.co/EYYosSyBPn Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) May 14, 2024 The external affairs minister made the remarks in Kolkata at an event organised to release the Bangla edition of his book Why Bharat Matters. He said that people there are now feeling that they have been occupied and have been mistreated. They know that sense of being under occupation, of being discriminated, of being treated badly, clearly that any such comparison would be preying on their minds, Jaishankar further added. A civil unrest has been going on in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as residents there alleged discrimination and mistreatment at the hands of Pakistani law enforcement and the government. The civil unrest was triggered when Pakistan police tried to clamp down on a protests under the banner of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) which was seeking the provision of electricity as per hydropower generation cost in the region, subsidised wheat flour and an end to the privileges of the elite class. Clashes broke out between the resident and the police personnel when the latter tried to stop a rally for Muzaffarabad via Kotli and Poonch districts. One police officer was killed and more than 100 people, mostly policemen, injured in violent clashes between security forces and agitating protesters. Some protesters also demanded a merger with India. Jaishankar in Kolkata said PoK is an inseparable part of India and there is no question of a merger. I dont know what you mean by merge because it has been India, it will always be, Jaishankar said. US Chabahar Port Sanction Threat and LS Poll Criticism The external affairs minister also urged parties to not take a narrow view while discussing the India-Iran Chabahar Port Deal. I think its a question of communicating, convincing and getting people to understand that this is actually for everyones benefit. I dont think people should take a narrow view of it, Jaishankar said. f you look at the US own attitude towards the port in Chabahar, the US has been appreciative of the fact that Chabahar has a larger relevancewe will work at it, he said. The US warned of sanctions and said anyone doing business with Iran must be wary of the sanctions in place after Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) of India and the Port & Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran on Monday signed a long-term bilateral contract on Chabahar port operation. The external affairs minister also brushed off criticism of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections by western media outlets and urged them not to give gyan. Countries which have to go to court to decide the result of their election are giving us gyan about how to conduct the election. This is the mind game that is happening in the world, he said. Western media in some cases have openly endorsed candidates and political parties, they dont hide their preference. They are very smart, somebody is doing this domination game for 300 years, they learn a lot, he further added. Slovakias populist Prime Minister Robert Fico was wounded in a shooting Wednesday afternoon and taken to hospital. Reports on TA3, a Slovakian TV station, said that Fico, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, some 150 kilometres northeast of the capital, where the leader was meeting with supporters. A suspect has been detained, it said. Police sealed off the scene. Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during a session of Parliament and adjourned it until further notice, the Slovak TASR news agency said. Slovakias major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, cancelled a planned protest against a controversial government plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give the government full control of public radio and television. BREAKING: The Slovak Prime Minister Fico was shot!-> He is strictly against aid for Ukraine and reinstated relations with Russia! The Prime Minister of Slovakia Fico was wounded during the shooting in the building where the government meeting was held. He was injured pic.twitter.com/Mi15B2u6vs Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) May 15, 2024 We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and todays shooting of Premier Robert Fico, said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka. At the same time, we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension. President Zuzana Caputova condemned a brutal and ruthless attack on the premier. Im shocked, Caputova said. I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack. Fico, a third-time premier, and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party, won Slovakias Sept. 30 parliamentary elections, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message. Critics worried Slovakia under Fico would abandon the countrys pro-Western course and follow the direction of Hungary under populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Ficos policies. Condemnations of political violence came from leaders across Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned what she described as a vile attack. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good, von der Leyen said in a post on X. Leaders in Latvia and Estonia also quickly condemned political violence. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on the social media network X: Shocking news from Slovakia. Robert, my thoughts are with you in this very difficult moment. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued fresh guidelines for H-1B visa holders employed in the US who have lost their jobs. Major American employers like Google, Tesla and Walmart recently announced that they were laying off workers which also affected Indian workers who form a significant portion of tech workers in the US. The USCIS guidelines offer several means the individuals can employ to extend their stay in the US. There is also the 60-day grace period for individuals on an H-1B visa who have lost their job but the USCIS outlined the process for what to do after the grace period has expired. When a workers job in the United States ends, either because they decide to leave or are asked to leave, they usually have a few options to stay legally in the country for a certain period of time. File an application for a change of nonimmigrant status; File an application for adjustment of status; File an application for a compelling circumstances employment authorization document; or Be the beneficiary of a nonfrivolous petition to change employer. The USCIS also outlined the rules H-1B nonimmigrants should follow if they are working for a new employer in the US. If the visa-holder wants to change jobs, their new employer must fill out Form I-129 and send it to the concerned authorities. The person can start working for their new employer as soon as the paperwork is submitted and dont have to wait for approval before they can switch jobs. If someone has applied to become a permanent resident (green card holder) by submitting Form I-485 and has been waiting for approval for at least 180 days, they can move the underlying petition (Form I-140) to a new job offer in the same type of work with either the same employer or a different one, the USCIS said. Workers who can apply for immigrant visas without needing an employers sponsorship can apply for their visas at the same time they seek to adjust their status. While waiting for their status adjustment, they can stay in the US and get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). In cases where theyre experiencing major difficulties, they might qualify for a one-year an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if theyve been granted immigrant visa petitions based on employment. Jimmy Carter has been in hospice since early last year, and his grandson thinks the time to say goodbye might be on the horizon. The former president, 99, "is doing OK," Jason Carter said at a mental health forum at the Carter Center that was named in honor of the late Rosalynn Carter, a longtime mental health advocate. "He has been in hospice, as you know, for almost a year and a half now, and he really is, I think, coming to the end that, as I've said before, there's a part of this faith journey that is so important to him, and there's a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end and I think he has been there in that space." The elder Carter made a "rare public appearance," per CNN, to attend his wife's memorial service in November. "Horses are known for getting themselves into trouble, they are curious by nature," says the head of a Connecticut horse rescue and rehabilitation center. That characterization certainly applies to Damascus and Beau. The two horses took an unfortunate "shortcut" between a pasture and a barn on a Lebanon farm the center uses on Saturday and ended up trapped to their armpits in mudand in need of a massive rescue effort, Stirrup Fun Stables Rescue Director Jeanna Prink tells the New York Times . Prink says staff noticed the horses were missing and started an hourslong search, followed by a couple more hours of trying to get the horses unstuck. They finally called the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department; fire chief Jay Schall described the scene as a "logistical nightmare" due to the heavily wooded nature of the scene, the waist-deep mud in the area, and the size of the animals. The Durham Animal Response Team, which specializes in pulling large animals from mud, joined them. The plan was to pull the exhausted horses onto a sledlike sheet of firm plastic and pull them about 100 feet on a hastily constructed bridge to solid ground. About 45 people worked with ropes, saws, and lumber to get a bridge in place and pull out the horses, which took about 30 minutes each. Once the horses arrived on solid ground, they were evaluated by a vet, who found them to be in "mild distress," with one horse stuck for more than seven hours in the mud, reports FOX61. They were warmed with blankets and eventually able to stand. Prink describes them as in good health. (More animal rescue stories.) Most of the millions of drug screens performed in the US each year come back negative. A small but growing fraction, however, come back positive. And a rapidly increasing number show signs of tampering. Indeed, US workers are cheating on drug tests at the highest rate in decades, according to a leading drug-testing lab, which uncovered tens of thousands of tampered drug screens last year. Of 5.5 million drug screens collected from the general US workforce, 31,000 showed signs of tampering, according to Quest Diagnostics. "It's something that employers, employees, and all of us should be worried about," an official at the National Safety Council tells the Wall Street Journal. Test swaps: The most common method of tampering was substituting a worker's urine sample with urine from a friend or pet. Swaps were detected in 6,000 samples for a 633% increase from 2022 and "the highest rate ever recorded by the company," per the Journal. America's largest private employer delivered rough news to many of its corporate employees Tuesday. The company is cutting hundreds of corporate jobs at its headquarters and wants its remote workers to shift to in-office work most of the time, the Wall Street Journal reports. "We are asking the majority of associates working remotely, and the majority of associates within our offices in Dallas, Atlanta, and our Toronto Global Tech office, to relocate," Walmart Chief People Officer Donna Morris wrote in a memo to employees, per Reuters . Walmart has 1.6 million employees, and Morris said the number of people being laid off is "small in percentage." The company says most of the employees being relocated will go to its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, with others going to company hubs in New Jersey and the San Francisco Bay Area. "We believe that being together, in person, makes us better and helps us to collaborate, innovate, and move even faster," said Morris. Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management, tells Reuters the move appears to be "part of a broader push towards operational efficiency." Ordering remote workers back to the office is a way "to get people to quit instead of doing a layoff," he says. Walmart plans to open a new headquarters on a 350-acre campus a few miles away from its current headquarters in Arkansas next year. The company is the latest large employer to try to shift away from remote work, but other employers have faced a lot of resistance, the Washington Post reports. According to Gallup, hybrid work has become the norm for remote-capable workers, with 54% working partly on site and partly at home. (More Walmart stories.) UPDATE May 25, 2024 7:00 AM CDT Harrison Butker showed up Friday in public for the first time since his controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College earlier this month, with "zero regret" on those previous remarks, per Fox News. "I lean on those closest to me for guidance, but I can never forget that it is not people, but Jesus Christ who I am trying to please," he told the crowd at a gala held by the Regina Caeli Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. Butker conceded he'd become a "more polarizing" figure and said he was "humbled" by the support he'd received, but he added he wasn't backing down from his stance. "If it wasn't clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now," he said. As for the pushback on him: "If I constantly remind myself of the hardships the saints went through, especially the martyrs in their persecution, it makes it all seem not so bad." More here. May 15, 2024 8:23 AM CDT "It is safe to say that over the years, I have gained quite the reputation for speaking my mind," said Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker near the top of his commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend. The three-time Super Bowl champion railed against Pride month, working women, President Biden's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, and abortion during his roughly 20-minute address Saturday at the Catholic private liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas. Butker, who has made his conservative Catholic beliefs well known, began his address by attacking what he called "dangerous gender ideologies" in an apparent reference to Pride month, reports the AP. More: "Captivity is only justified when animals cannot return to the forest for either physical or behavioral problems that prevent them from living in freedom"a stance that obviously clashes with the concept of a zoo. It's Costa Rica's stance, with that line said in a Saturday video posted to Facebook by its minister of environment and energy in announcing the country's last two state zoos have closed. It's a move a long time coming, reports the New York Times : In 2013, Costa Rica banned the keeping of wildlife in captivity, intending to shutter government-funded zoos in 2014. But Fundazoo, the foundation that operated them, put up a legal fight. That appears to have reached its end. The Ministry of Environment and Energy on Saturday said Fundazoo's contract, which expired Friday, was not renewed, allowing the closure of the Simon Bolivar Zoo and the Santa Ana Conservation Center. Eighteen private zoos in the country are unaffected. As for the 287 animals held in the last two public zoosa jaguar, crocodiles, spider monkeys, and a sloth among them, per the Tico Timesthey'll be evaluated by biologists and vets, quarantined, and either returned to the wild or placed in an animal sanctuary. (Something noteworthy happened in one of the zoos last year.) There's a glimmer of hope in the ongoing drug crisis powered by fentanyl. Overdose deaths declined in 2023 for the first time in five years, though the drop was only slight, according to CDC estimates. There were 107,500 deaths, down 3% from 111,029 in 2022, preliminary data shows. The decrease doesn't look like much when considered against the 30% spike in overdose deaths reported around 2020, CNN reports. "Overdose deaths in 2023 were still almost twice as high as they were five years ago," the outlet notes. And it's the third year in a row they number more than 100,000. Still, the slight drop offers something to celebrate as it's only the second decline since the 1990s. "It is a hopeful trend in some ways," Columbia University epidemiology professor Dr. Katherine Keyes tells CNN. But "it is certainly not a sign that we need to take the foot off the gas of overdose prevention." The decrease may be tied to the distribution of naloxone and popularity of test strips that detect the presence of fentanyl in a drug, the New York Times reports. Prevention efforts do appear to be working in Indiana, Nebraska, Kansas, and Maine, where overdose deaths fell more than 15% in 2023, per Axios. Alaska, Washington, and Oregon, however, saw increases of at least 27%, which could be related to fentanyl's slow spread east to west across the country. Some 74,702 overdose deaths in 2023 involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl, down from 76,226 in 2022, per Axios and the Times. Keyes suggests that's due to treatments for opioid use disorder, greater availability of naloxone, and fewer opioid prescriptions. "I think that has been a real success story for public health," she tells CNN. On the flip side, overdose deaths tied to cocaine climbed 5% to nearly 30,000, and those tied to psychostimulants like methamphetamine climbed 2% to more than 36,000, per CNN. Less than 4% of overdose deaths involved heroin, which is less potent than fentanyl and also more time-consuming to produce. (More drug overdose stories.) Next week, the Reserve Bank is expected to hold its official cash rate at 5.5 percent - which would mark nearly a year of steady monetary policy. Nonetheless, ASB's latest rate cuts would take effect from Thursday, the bank said in a statement. "Effective immediately the three-year term will drop 26 basis points from 6.65 percent to 6.39 percent, with the four-year rate falling 10 points from 6.49 percent to 6.39 percent. "This is the eighth time we've dropped mortgage rates this year. We intend to do as much as we can to take the pressure off our existing homeowners and prospective home buyers despite the official cash rate remaining flat at 5.50 percent. "The slight decrease in wholesale rates, which is the rate at which the bank is borrowing money, means we can adjust our rates to benefit our customers looking to borrow," ASB personal banking executive general manager Adam Boyd said. A Lower Hutt man with a sick child was shocked to find a queue outside the city's after-hours medical centre before it was scheduled to open. Mohamed, who didn't want his last name used, said he arrived at the Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre just before 5:30pm on Monday. He couldn't believe the queue of people waiting to enter the medical centre at the 5:30pm opening time - some of whom were waiting in the cold with their children, he said. Mohamed said there was a two-week wait to get an appointment at their regular GP for his 2-year-old child, who was suffering from a bad cold and eczema. He therefore had "no choice" but to attend the after-hours clinic, he said. "I saw the line and I'm like, 'This is really bad - there are kids standing out in the cold,'" he told Newshub. The Whistle Dog, a delicious hot dog nested in a toasted bun and topped with relish, real cheddar cheese, and bacon, was a beloved Canadian staple on the A&W menu for decades. Following its departure from the menu in 2017, passionate Whistle Dog enthusiasts launched petitions, rallied support on the radio, and inundated A&W's social media comment sections, all in an attempt to bring it back. Fuelled by the passionate fan demand, A&W reintroduced the Whistle Dog to the menu in July 2022 as a limited-time offer. It swiftly sold out in locations across Canada. Filmed in four Canadian cities (Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver), the 18-minute documentary chronicles five self-proclaimed "Whistle Dog Warriors" and the relentless efforts they took to revive the iconic menu item. The short film illustrates the unwavering devotion of the Whistle Dog fanbase and delves into why this menu item has evolved into a surprisingly iconic staple of A&W. The short film documentary had its official world premiere at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia, hosted by A&W, drawing a crowd of media, content creators and Whistle Dog & A&W fans. This marked the first time a quick-service restaurant has hosted a film premiere to honour a menu item. The film, developed in partnership with A&W's agency partner R+D Productions, marks the brand's introduction to the film festival circuit. Prior to its public release, the short film has garnered numerous accolades in film festivals across the globe, winning laurels in cities including New York (Tribeca), Toronto, Paris, Tokyo, and more. To watch "Bring Back The Whistle Dog" and anticipate the Whistle Dog's return on May 21st, visit www.bringbackthewhistledog.ca . About A&W Canada A&W is proud to be 100% Canadian owned and operated, and Canada's original burger chain. Home of the Burger Family, we are known for delicious classics like the Teen Burger, hand-battered onion rings and A&W Root Beer. You can enjoy our craveworthy burgers, breakfasts and beverages at one of our 1,000+ restaurants across the country. For more information, please visit aw.ca . SOURCE A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. Media Inquiries: Jacky Le, [email protected], 604-836-5008 As part of its new Accessing Paradise Pledge in partnership with Mobi-Mats and Mobility Facilitator, Wade Watts Corona is committing to six beach transformations and invites Canadians to have their say TORONTO, May 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, in advance of the first summer long weekend and National AccessAbility Week (May 26 June 1, 2024), Corona Canada announced its Accessing Paradise Pledge. In an effort to make beach sunsets more accessible for those with mobility challenges, Corona's Accessing Paradise Pledge is a commitment to improve access for six beaches across the country. The first two beaches to get transformations and the dates they'll be ready for the public are: Wellington Beach in Prince Edward County, ON May 10 Saint-Zotique in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, QC June 15 Corona Canada - Accessing Paradise Pledge (CNW Group/Corona Canada) In consultation with Mobility Facilitator and Mobi-Mats' Canadian representative, Wade Watts of Watts Accessibility Consulting, Corona selected the first two beaches based on the greatest impact in terms of adding broad accessibility measures. The brand is now calling on Canadians to help identify the remaining four beaches to be transformed as part of this pledge, inviting them to visit CoronaExtra.ca/AccessingParadise to nominate a beach. "For years, Corona has been championing ways for consumers to disconnect from their busy routines to reconnect with nature, particularly at sunset," said Mike Bascom, Senior Marketing Director, Corona Canada. "With our Accessing Paradise Pledge, we hope that Canadians who have faced mobility-specific hurdles to beaches can experience the serenity of a sunset on more shorelines this summer. While we recognize there is more work to be done, we're thrilled to have the expertise of Mobi-Mats and Wade Watts as partners to best inform how to execute this project in a way that is authentic and meaningful." According to Statistics Canada, Canada has the longest coastline in the world1. Through his fieldwork, Watts estimates that there's more than 2,500 known public beaches, but less than 15 per cent are accessible. Corona's Accessing Paradise Pledge sets out to address this whitespace. "As part of the one-third of Canadians that suffer from mobility issues, I know first-hand how limiting and isolating it can be when outdoor public places are not accessible," said Wade Watts, Mobility Facilitator, Watts Accessibility Consulting. "When Corona connected with me to better understand the barriers people with mobility challenges face and how to improve their beach experience, I was keen to share my insights. Thanks to Corona's Accessing Paradise Pledge, Canadians with mobility limitations will be able to enjoy sunsets on more beaches this summer and I am excited to be one of them." As part of the transformations, Corona is enabling easier beach access with the installation of portable Mobi-Mats: earth-friendly and remarkably effective semi-rigid and roll-out portable pathways, made with reclaimed ocean-bound plastics that help create a smooth transition to shorelines. In addition, Corona is adding Mobi-Chairs, a floating wheelchair for in-water accessibility, along with Mobi-Decks that provide multi-purpose areas with added stability for beachgoers to gather and enjoy the outdoors to each of these two beaches. "Working with Corona to bring our leading designs to more beaches across Canada this summer is exciting for our brand, but more importantly for persons with mobility challenges," said Sandrine Carpentier, President, Deschamps Mats Systems, the manufacturer of the Mobi-Mats. "Providing solutions so everyone, regardless of ability or age, can equally enjoy a sunset from a beach is the kind of impactful work that drives our business." Corona's Accessing Paradise Pledge is a natural extension of the brand's ongoing work in improving shorelines, championing sunsets and connecting Canadians with nature. From beach clean-ups to Oceanic Blue-certified global events (including the brand's Sunset platform) and Corona Island (a fully natural brand-built paradise, designed to help consumers disconnect from the routine and reconnect with their essential nature), the brand has established equity in protecting paradises and encouraging consumers to connect with nature. "By teaming up with Mobi-Mats, an organization that shares our commitment to redirecting ocean-bound plastics, we're adding another credible partner to our long list of experts contributing to our mission of keeping plastics out of paradise," said Bascom. Be sure to follow the Accessing Paradise Pledge journey on Instagram @CoronaCanada and head to CoronaExtra.ca/AccessingParadise to help nominate the remaining beaches. About Corona Canada First brewed in 1925, Corona is a pioneer in the beer industry by being the first to use a transparent bottle showcasing its quality to the world. No Corona is complete without the lime. Naturally adding character, flavour and refreshment, the lime ritual is an integral part of delivering an experience that is truly unique to Corona. The brand is synonymous with the beach and celebrates time outdoors. It invites people to pause and reconnect with our essential nature. For more visit coronaextra.ca. For further information: Veronica Bart, Senior Communications Manager, Labatt Breweries of Canada, [email protected], 647.926.5028 Diana Hilderman, Account Manager, Veritas Communications Inc., [email protected], 306.541.8677 SOURCE Corona Canada OTTAWA, ON, May 14, 2024 /CNW/ - The Mining Association of Canada's (MAC) Community of Interest Advisory Panel has selected Rio Tinto IOC, Agnico Eagle's Laronde Mine, and Eldorado Gold's Lamaque Mine, to receive this year's prestigious Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Excellence Awards. The three projects were recognized this week at the CIM Awards Gala in Vancouver. "Mining companies recognized by the TSM Excellence Awards represent the best of the best when it comes to exemplary responsible practices and strong commitments to ESG," said Pierre Gratton, MAC's President and CEO. "Our industry has a particularly important role to play in ensuring the minerals and metals needed for the technologies we rely on are readily available and it is essential that they be mined using the highest standards in the world, like TSM." A mandatory component of MAC membership, TSM is driving performance improvement across a range of social and environmental issues where it matters most at the mine site level. This focus on mine site performance makes TSM a go-to system for investors and manufacturers looking to invest in and purchase responsibly mined materials. A national independent Community of Interest Advisory Panel oversees the program, including representatives from Indigenous communities, environmental organizations, labour, finance, local mining communities, social and faith-based organizations and academia. TSM performance is evaluated across a set of detailed environmental and social performance standards, including tailings management, climate change, water stewardship, Indigenous and community relationships, safety and health, biodiversity conservation, equity, diversity, and inclusion, crisis management and preventing child and forced labour. "We are proud that TSM, a made-in-Canada standard, is now being implemented by 14 mining associations around the world, making it the most widespread ESG program of its kind," said Gratton. "We applaud the work being done by this year's Excellence Award winners as it showcases the positive results that can be achieved when environmental stewardship and community engagement are prioritized." Established in 2014, the TSM Excellence Awards include the TSM Environmental Excellence Award and the TSM Community Engagement Excellence Award. To be eligible for the awards, mining companies must be actively implementing TSM and demonstrate exceptional achievements in environmental and/or community engagement. The Community of Interest Advisory Panel provides guidance and advice on the development and implementation of TSM and selects the winners of the TSM Excellence Awards. 2024 TSM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER Eldorado Gold Planning for Social Closure at Lamaque Advanced planning to address the social impacts of a mine closure is a nascent practice. While the profound social impacts that a mine's closure can have on communities are well-known, they are often not addressed until the mine is nearing the end of its operating life. Eldorado Gold Quebec is demonstrating exceptional forethought and proactivity in the development of its mine closure plan for the Complexe Minier Lamaque. Despite the fact that the mine's operating life is projected to be at least 8 more years, the company has already drawn up an action and public participation plan for the social aspects related to the closure of its Lamaque mine. A working group has been created, with a mandate to establish the vision, identify the risks and opportunities to be considered, create an action plan and identify measurable success factors for the six planning components identified by the Monitoring Committee: Community Contributions, Future Site Uses, Employment and Lifestyle, Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation, Landscape and Heritage, and Safety. Eldorado is welcoming the active involvement of all stakeholders, including local communities, employees, regional authorities, and environmental groups, at a very early stage in its planning process, enabling various viewpoints to be considered and ensuring that all decisions are acceptable and beneficial to all parties. Eldorado's early approach to the social closure of Lamaque is an exemplary practice for all mine operators to include social considerations in reclamation and rehabilitation plans. 2024 TSM ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD WINNER Filtered Tailings Management at Agnico Eagle's Laronde Mine Since its inception in 1988, the LaRonde Mining Complex had been utilizing slurry tailings deposition, reaching maximum storage capacity over the years. Seeking additional storage space became imperative, leading to the launch of a transformative project. The transition to filtered tailings management was aimed at addressing environmental concerns, while also ensuring operational efficiency and community well-being. A comprehensive comparative study conducted by a dedicated task force assessed various storage approaches, considering operational, investment, and rehabilitation costs. All factors combined, even though the capital investment was higher, the transition to filtered tailings emerged as the most viable option on the long term. The transition to filtered tailings represents a paradigm shift in mining practices. Notably, the LaRonde Complex stands as the first Canadian mine to complete the transition of stacking tailings on top of slurry beaches inside of existing tailings storage facilities, thereby minimizing its environmental footprint. Key innovations include the utilization of waste rock between the filtered tailings and the slurry beaches to reinforce them. This process eliminates the need for costly ground improvement measures. Additionally, a storage basin was built to store process water and manage rainfall, eliminating the need to store large quantities of water in the tailings pond, and thereby reducing associated risks. Finally, filtered tailings can also be repurposed, for example, to facilitate the reclamation of old tailings storage facilities, enhance progressive rehabilitation or be used as backfill material. Stakeholder engagement emerged as a driving factor of success with this project, with Agnico Eagle actively involving community representatives and regulatory bodies throughout the project lifecycle. This collaborative approach fostered transparency and ensured that sustainability goals were aligned with local concerns and regulatory requirements. While each mining site presents unique challenges, the success of the LaRonde Complex project underscores the potential for broader applicability. By considering operational costs, as well as rehabilitation and environmental factors, mines worldwide can explore similar transitions to filtered tailings management. 2024 TSM ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD - Rio Tinto IOC - Abandoned Site Rehabilitation Partnership: Nitassinan Cleanup In partnership with the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute (FNQLSDI), IOC is helping to clean up old outfitting facilities and legacy dumpsites on Nitassinan, the ancestral homeland of the Innu. By using IOC rail cars to recover and transport the discarded materials along the 418-km stretch of QNS&L Railway to Sept-Iles, Rio Tinto has found a unique way to rebuild lasting relationships with members of the Uashat Mak-Mani Utenam community and offer an expanded approach to environmental reclamation and remediation. As part of this project, FNQLSDI environmental specialists, members of the Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam community and machinery operators are dismantling decommissioned buildings and infrastructure and cleaning up abandoned sites and facilities. The goal is to restore the land as close to its original state as possible. The team at QNS&L Railway, which is owned by IOC, handles the logistics of transporting the materials and provides all the necessary equipment. Once the FNQLSDI team has prepared the materials, the QNS&L team loads the materials into railway cars for shipment by train to Sept-Iles. IOC's Environment Department ensures the materials are transported and disposed of in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations (e.g., by providing collection containers). The safe transport and disposal of residual hazardous materials is all handled free of charge. The QNS&L railway is the only link between Sept-Iles and northern communities, both for passenger services (Tshiuetin Rail Transportation) and the transportation of goods and ore. The railway is also the only overland route into Nitassinan. It's a very busy railway and adding this type of project to the already complex logistics during the summer maintenance period requires significant coordination between the various teams, particularly since the equipment used for recovery and transportation is generally used only for the railway maintenance program. Rio Tinto IOC's role in the FNQLSDI's program for the restoration of abandoned sites meets well defined goals for Indigenous communities, particularly that of Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam. It increases the company's understanding of Innu land use and traditional knowledge and allows IOC to build connections and deepen relationships with various communities of interest. Building strong collaborative relationships in a context that extends beyond IOC's regular operations has been a key component in the creation and maintenance of trusted relationships with communities. Rio Tinto believes that all mining companies have a role to play and need to broadly support their local communities, even if that means stepping outside the usual framework. For more information about the TSM Excellence Awards and past winners, please visit www.mining.ca/tsm-excellence-awards. The mining industry is a major sector of Canada's economy, contributing $161 billion to the national GDP and is responsible for 21 percent of Canada's total domestic exports. Canada's mining sector employs 694,000 people directly and indirectly across the country. The industry is proportionally the largest private sector employer of Indigenous peoples in Canada and a major customer of Indigenous-owned businesses. About MAC The Mining Association of Canada is the national organization for the Canadian mining industry. Its members account for most of Canada's production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical coal, mined oil sands and industrial minerals and are actively engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi-fabrication. Please visit www.mining.ca. SOURCE Mining Association of Canada (MAC) Please contact: Paul Hebert, Vice President, Communications, 613.292.2876, [email protected] Boeing Starliners CFT (crewed flight test) is delayed again. They are now targeting no earlier than May 21st which is a push by another 4 days. There is a helium leak in the spacecraft. Starliner will launch atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, on Floridas Space Coast. The May 21 launch is scheduled for 4:43 p.m. EDT Boeing Starliners CFT is delayed again! Now targeting no earlier than May 21st which is a push by another 4 days. Reason: A helium leak in the spacecraft. Imagine the Astronaut voices on the radio jk!!! I hope they'll fix all of the issues before the launch! pic.twitter.com/lKJ2WHdYAT What about it!? (@FelixSchlang) May 14, 2024 On May 11, the ULA team successfully replaced a pressure regulation valve on the liquid oxygen tank on the Atlas V rockets Centaur upper stage. The team also performed re-pressurization and system purges, and tested the new valve, which performed normally. Starliner teams are working to resolve a small helium leak detected in the spacecrafts service module traced to a flange on a single reaction control system thruster. Helium is used in spacecraft thruster systems to allow the thrusters to fire and is not combustible or toxic. NASA and Boeing are developing spacecraft testing and operational solutions to address the issue. As a part of the testing, Boeing will bring the propulsion system up to flight pressurization just as it does prior to launch, and then allow the helium system to vent naturally to validate existing data and strengthen flight rationale. Mission teams also completed a thorough review of the data from the May 6 launch attempt and are not tracking any other issues. The Atlas V and Starliner remain in the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, still in preflight quarantine, returned to Houston on May 10 to spend extra time with their families as prelaunch operations progress. The duo will fly back to NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida in the coming days. An Atlantic County man has been charged after authorities found unregistered machine guns, including two uzis, two shotguns and an assault rifle, in his home, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Wednesday. Michael John James, 30, of Somers Point was charged with one count of possessing unregistered machine guns and other firearms. James appeared in federal court in Camden Wednesday and was detained, authorities said. In February, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol intercepted two suspicious packages that authorities believed contained controlled substances that was addressed to James residence, authorities said. Officials organized a controlled delivery of the packages to the residence, and when authorities observed James take the packages into the home they executed a search warrant at the residence and found dozens of firearms and ballistics items, authorities said. Among the firearms recovered were two sawed-off shotguns and three operable machine guns, authorities said. The criminal complaint filed in federal court notes that two of the machine guns were described as Uzi-type and operable when test fired. The other machine gun was described as an AR-type machine gun and was also found to be operable. The criminal complaint lists several silencers found at the residence and one of the shotguns serial number had been obliterated. None of the eight firearms listed in the criminal complaint were registered under the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, authorities said in charging documents. A federal public defender for James did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X. A Pennsylvania man who managed a scheme that moved cocaine from Puerto Rico into New Jersey and Philadelphia must spend a decade in prison and surrender a gun and pickup truck, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. U.S. District Court Judge OHearn sentenced 51-year-old Jose Gonzalez to 10 years in prison during a hearing in Camden federal court. He is the second in case to be sentenced in the past two months. Under a plea deal, Gonzalez was ordered to forfeit his 9mm handgun, a Dodge truck and $120,900, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Wednesday. Iran Soler, Gonzalezs associate in the scheme, was sentenced in March to 50 months in prison. Both pleaded guilty at earlier hearings to one count of conspiring to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine. Prosecutors said Gonzalez, between March 2019 and August 2020, helped Soler ship over 200 pounds of cocaine into South Jersey and Philadelphia, purchasing the drugs in Puerto Rico and sending them through U.S. Postal Service into the mainland U.S. The scheme, prosecutors said, utilized cocaine from wholesale dealers San Juan. Both conspirators used commercial airlines to visit Puerto Rico to acquire the drugs. Soler, according to prosecutors, took 18 round trip flights to purchase the drugs, later selling them to locations in New Jersey, one of which included a co-conspirators residence in Egg Harbor Township in Atlantic County. Gonzalez would then sell the cocaine to area drug dealers for a profit. When Gonzalez was arrested in August 2020, $120,000 in cash was confiscated by police searching his Philadelphia home. A 9mm handgun was also taken from an auto garage that Gonzalez operated in the city. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. New Jersey State Police Trooper Marcellus E. Bethea, who died earlier this month while training to join the departments elite response team, was recalled Wednesday for his years of dedicated service to his community as a sea of uniformed officers solemnly honored his memory. Marcellus had a personality that drew people in, his wife Katarzyna Bethea said through tears during her eulogy in a packed Saint Marys Roman Catholic Church in Bordentown City. One of the things I loved most about Marcellus was his unwavering support and love for others, she said. He had a way of making you feel like you could conquer the world and he was always there to cheer you on no matter how big or small the accomplishment. He was dedicated to family and his career as a trooper, she said. Their daughter, Bella, turned 2-years-old this month, according to a fundraiser started to benefit his family. He adored our daughter, Bella, and would do anything to make her smile, Bethea said. Marcellus, you were my rock, my best friend, and my soulmate. Im forever grateful for every moment we had together, and I will carry your love with me always. Bethea, 33, a resident of Florence, died May 5 at State Police headquarters in Ewing during the training for the Technical Emergency and Mission Specialist unit that includes a scuba dive response team. Additional details about his cause of death have not been released. New Jersey State Police Trooper Marcellus E. Bethea, who died on Sunday May 5, 2024 during training.(NJSP photo) Darrus Bethea remembered his brother as someone he looked up to and noted that his tragic death occurred as he tried to improve his ability to serve as a trooper. He died striving to be better, Darrus Bethea said. He was trying to achieve new heights to serve others. Gov. Phil Murphy called Bethea a courageous public servant who embodied the best of New Jersey. Murphy noted Betheas early ambition to join the State Police as he participated in Trooper Youth Week when he was in high school at Northern Burlington Regional High School and his enrollment to join the State Police at age 21. Bethea spent time on Murphys security detail. He also served eight years in the State Polices Moorestown barracks. The word protect is all too appropriate when it comes to Marcellus Bethea, Murphy said. Because that word perfectly describes his lifes mission - protecting others. To all of you whose hearts are broken in the wake of this tragic loss, please know that I and the people of New Jersey are here for you. Murphy ordered flags across the state lowered to half-staff to honor Betheas service. Police officers from as far away as Missouri, Ohio and Michigan joined New Jersey law enforcement from throughout the state to honor Betheas line of duty death. Betheas friend and fellow trooper, Sam Liebman, shared stories about how Bethea found enjoyment in simple things like purchasing a new lawn mower or simply taking a moment to appreciate life. He enjoyed lots of activities, but he also just loved a good sit, Liebman said, sharing a story about how Bethea once planned an exciting night out in college, but after sitting down, never got back up to hit the town. Liebman also shared a moment of levity about how he and Bethea, who had known each other since the fifth grade, evolved into their fathers. We used to make fun of our dads for doing dad stuff, like being excited over a new lawnmower, Liebman added. It was just last week that we were talking about his new zero-turn lawn mower, and he was talking about it like it was the most exciting thing in the world. And then theres me who wanted to know everything about this lawnmower. We became our fathers. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X. Rutgers-Newark conferred degrees to one of the largest classes in its history Wednesday in a commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark capped off with a speech by hip hop icon Tariq Trotter, the musician known as Black Thought. Trotter is the Grammy Award-winning co-founder and lead emcee of The Roots, a group he formed in 1987 with Ahmir Questlove Thompson. The prolific poet and musician called on Rutgers-Newarks more than 3,000 graduates to chart their own futures. You all will be the ones shifting the world for my generation, said Trotter. Right now, we have fear. No one knows how were going to come out on the other side of all this hurt that has been growing in our chests since well before 2020. The Rutgers-Newark Class of 2024 will be the ones helping guide society on the other side, he said. You are the authors of the new myth borne out of the collapse of the old world, a myth that will finally connect us all, said Trotter. The Newark campus commencement included only a portion of Rutgers Universitys total graduates for 2024. On Sunday, the New Brunswick campus ceremony awarded degrees to 13,300 students. Rutgers has a total of 17,970 graduates across the state this year. Rutgers-Camden held its ceremony Tuesday at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden with commencement speaker Brian Bridges, the states secretary of higher education. On Sunday, Rutgers-New Brunswicks commencement ceremony at SHI Stadium in Piscataway included a walkout by pro-Palestinian protesters. At least 60 graduates exited the ceremony after the commencement speakers address. Many of the protesters wore keffiyehs, the traditional Middle Eastern headdress popular among pro-Palestinian campus activists. The demonstration was not planned by any specific Rutgers group, according to protesters who participated. Several college commencements around the nation have been disrupted by protests tied to the Israel-Hamas war. A graduate carries the flag of Palestine during Rutgers-Newark commencement Wednesday at the Prudential Center in Newark.Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media There was no walkout during the Rutgers-Newark commencement ceremony on Wednesday. But, some students decorated their caps with pro-Palestinian images and several graduates carried a Palestinian flag on stage with them while claiming their degrees. Two graduates walked on the stage holding a cardboard cutout that said Disclose, Divest, referring the protesters calls for Rutgers to divest its investments from companies tied to Israel. This years Rutgers commencements followed a large pro-Palestinian encampment on the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus that was set up by students demanding the university divest its investments from companies tied to Israel. The protesters voluntarily disbanded the encampment May 2 after successfully getting some of their demands met by Rutgers officials, though the school did not agree to divestment. A similar pro-Palestinian encampment on the Rutgers-Newark campus, which started May 1st, was still ongoing Wednesday morning. The encampment has grown to more than two dozen tents. Protesters were gathered in tents or under tarps Wednesday as graduation ceremonies in Newark continued. Rutgers Endowment Justice Collective, a coalition of Rutgers organizations advocating for divestment from companies with ties to Israel, posted calls on social media Tuesday for additional protesters to join the Rutgers-Newark encampment outside the universitys Center for Law and Justice building, between University Avenue and Washington Street. The graduate students speaker at Rutgers-Newarks commencement said the Class of 2024 has been through a lot in their years at the school, which began during the pandemic. When reflecting on our journey, we realize that success is not easily obtainable, said Malayja Brown, the graduate student speaker. However, the challenges we have faced on our journey to get here have only made us stronger and prepared for the life that awaits, said Brown. The Prudential Centers Jumbotron displayed photos of students decorating their graduation caps and celebrating the final days of college. More than 3,100 students will receive degrees, certificates and diplomas from Rutgers-Newark this year, including 393 doctoral students and 944 masters degree students. This years graduating class consisted of students from 32 different countries. Rutgers-Newark's Class of 2024 was one of the most diverse in its history, with graduates from 32 different countries around the world. Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media Undergraduate student speaker Ghufran Hussain, a first-generation Iraqi immigrant, touched on the current political and social climate. Throughout our four years, many of our lives have been touched by national discord and global conflicts that reach from our distant lands that we hold close to our hearts, to the communities in which we live today. Among these conflicts are the ongoing injustices in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, Haiti, Ukraine and other regions throughout the world, said Hussain. Throughout the challenges and the loss we have faced, we continue to forge a path of resilience, said Hussain. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who announced a bid for governor in March, called on graduates not to shy away from the public discourse. The world is once again repeating history, fighting on college campuses. And I will tell you this, if we cant disagree at a university, if ideas cant contend in college, if we cant have different points of view at institutions of higher education, then we are in trouble, Baraka said. So, hopefully you go out into this world and attack the things that are holding us back and preventing us from being together, and create opportunities for all, Baraka said. I need you to walk out of this university as your best self, your best mind, the highest elevation of who you could be, and begin to fight for justice, equity, freedom, and equality for all Americans. 29 1 / 29 Rutgers-Newark Commencement 2024 Get the best of our education coverage each week. Sign up for NJ Schools News with your email: Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com. A judge has ordered the Newark Public Schools district to cut a check for back pay to a pair of elementary school teachers after state arbitrators ruled they had been suspended in retaliation for their union activities. State Superior Court Judge Lisa Adubato in Newark confirmed rulings by a pair of arbitrators appointed by the New Jersey Department of Education to review separate but related cases involving veteran teachers Sanyka Montague and Jennifer Ferrara at the Pre-K through 8 Rafael Hernandez School. The Board shall immediately comply with the Arbitrators Remedy, Adubato wrote in a pair of orders she issued on May 3, which used identical language except for the names of the teacher and arbitrator involved and the date of each ruling. Arbitrator Kinard Lang ruled in Ferreras favor on Sept. 18, followed by arbitrator Robert Simmelkjaers ruling in Montagues favor on Nov. 27. The Newark Teachers Union, or NTU, which represents Montegue and Ferrara, announced Adubatos order on Tuesday. The judges order was in response to opposing actions by the teachers and the district following the arbitratorss rulings. The teachers filed whats known as a motion to confirm the rulings, said their lawyer, Colin Lynch. The district, on the other hand, filed motions to vacate the rulings, basically appeals seeking to have them thrown out, Lynch said. He said Adubato heard arguments for both sets of motions during the same May 3 hearing before she issued her orders. A spokesperson for the district declined to comment, citing pending litigation. Apart from the case before Adubato, a federal lawsuit filed by the union on behalf of the teachers is pending in U.S. District Court in Newark, likewise asserting they were retaliated against for their union activities. The teachers filed their complaints with the education department last year, charging that attempts by the schools principal to revoke their tenure and terminate their employment were based on Montagues position as the NTUs building representative and Ferraras assistance to him. The principal at the time, Natasha Pared, did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. Pared is now the principal of Barringer High School. The teachers were each given a 120-day suspension in the fall of the 2022-23 school year for receiving consecutive negative annual performance reviews for 2020-21 and 2021-22. State law requires that tenured teachers receive two consecutive negative reviews to be fired. The reviews asserted that Montague failed to file regular lesson plans or demonstrate improvement in his classroom performance or his students comprehension, and that Ferrara failed to comply with the districts COVID-era masking protocols or produce certain lesson plan-related documents. The teachers asserted, and the arbitrators agreed, that the reviews were subjective and motivated by the principals anti-union bias. The teachers said a different supervisor had given them positive evaluations before then, but that officials replaced them with ones complicit in the effort to fire them. Neither teacher was fired, and both were reinstated and returned to classrooms, teaching in spring 2023, though at different schools. They later filed complaints with the education department after the district failed to remit back pay and the value of benefits they had missed due to their suspensions. Despite the language of Adubatos order that the district immediately comply with the arbitrators rulings, Lynch said the order imposes no deadline for the district to do so. He said he would give the district two weeks to make the teachers whole or appeal the judges order to the Appellate Division of Superior Court. If the district does neither, Lynch said, he will file a new motion asking Adubato to find the district in contempt, which could mean the district pays his attorneys fees plus any penalties the judge imposes. 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 Newark woman who took part in a one-night armed robbery spree in Jersey City when she was 19 years old was sentenced in federal court Wednesday to 12 years in prison. Siobhan Chandler, 21, pleaded guilty in December to multiple robbery and weapons offenses for what authorities have described as four robberies and two shootings on Nov 14, 2021. She faced up to 20 years in prison. Rodney Williams, her accused conspirator, is awaiting trial. Authorities have said Williams and Chandler robbed a deli on Danforth Avenue, a gas station on Garfield Avenue, supermarket on Communipaw Avenue and a fast food restaurant at Communipaw and Crescent avenues. Williams shot a gas station attendant and an employee at Crown Chicken, authorities have said. The Black Interest Team Enterprise (BITE) food pantry and resource center is being evicted from the Jersey City high school its has called home for the past few years. The nonprofit that provides thousands of meals, household items and clothing every week to a large community of those in dire need must vacate its space in Lincoln High School by July 1, the Jersey City Board of Education voted Tuesday night. Most Board of Education trustees said that while they support the food banks mission, it has become a growing security concern for the district and a cost that taxpayers are burdening that should be going directly to students and their education. Although we believe this is a great program, it just needs to be in another location, said Board President DeJon Morris, who got into a tense exchange with BITE President Bishop Tinia Bland at the meeting. The food bank operates out of a garage space formerly used for drivers education and does not pay the district any money for the space, board officials said. Leaders of the nonprofit, as well as volunteers and recipients spoke in support of keeping Lincoln High as the base of operations, arguing that forcing it out jeopardize access to BITE resources. We have in our possession over 2,000 signatures with many more statements, Bland said. These are homeowners, these are community members and these are people that need the food in this central location. A new location for the pantry has not yet been selected, but is being discussed, said Hudson County District 2 Commissioner Bill ODea. Noting that many who advocated for BITE before the board are members of religious organizations, board member Christopher Tisdale suggested that one of these church officials would gladly welcome the nonprofit. The food bank previously operated out of BITEs Astor Community Garden, located just a few minutes away by foot, until 2021, when the state shut it down saying it had violated a deal by having advertising signage and a portable bathroom. School board Trustee Natalia Ioffe described the agreement to allow BITE to operate out of Lincoln High School for free as a good faith, temporary agreement made when BITE was displaced. For over a year now the school board has received frequent complaints from the community about the size of the operation on the school property, she said. Police have received complaints about litter, public urination and music played there, and there was recently an assault at the space, said Capt. Joseph Olszewski, the commander of the Jersey City Police Departments West District. Advocates of the pantry said they find the space peaceful and clean. Ioffe said she calculated that the district is spending more than $77,000 annually to provide custodial and security services for the food bank. The Board of Education has tried to find a solution with BITE for over a year, but until now the solution was simply to continue granting BITE more time in the space every month, Ioffe said. Morris accused Bland of refusing to meet with district officials to discuss the pantry. Bland called that a lie, but admitted she was upset that Morris did not personally reach out to her, but instead reached out through a third party. ODea said he has been working with the New Jersey Schools Development Authority to draw up an agreement to allow BITE to return to the Astor Community Garden property, but it has taken over a year. He is hopeful that the agreement will be reached soon and said he was disappointed that the board made its decision so abruptly. He said Morris only checked in with him about that property about two weeks ago. I wish I was involved in a little more dialogue before the arbitrary date of July 1 was set, said ODea, a candidate for mayor in 2025. Advocates for BITE say its important the pantry remain in the same neighborhood since families may not have reliable transportation to access it elsewhere. These food pantries are located at places that are generally for the most part walking distance for the individuals that go there, so moving it two miles would never make sense, ODea said. Trustee Younass Barkouch was the only board member to vote against BITEs removal in a 7-1 decision. Board vice president George Blount was not at the meeting. You guys are absolutely ridiculous, Barkouch told his fellow board members. Youre telling me this organization feeds nearly 2,000 to 3,000 people a week a responsibility that should fall on the city, county and state government and so you have decided, instead of aiding them in their mission to help people that are food insecure, youve decided were going to make it more difficult for them. After teasing retirement for years, Childish Gambino is finally going through with it. But not before he gives his fans a new tour. The New World Tour will begin on Aug. 11 in Oklahoma City, Okla. and will wrap up in the U.S. in Chicago on Oct. 3. While on his world tour, he is set to perform two shows in Brooklyn, N.Y. at the Barclays Center on Aug. 26 and 27. At the Brooklyn arena, AMEX card members can access the American Express Card Member Entrance, which allows them to skip the line and enter the arena before non-AMEX cardmembers. Cardholders can also get 10% off on food and drinks at concession stands and two free drinks, including alcoholic beverages, in the 40/40 Club and Modelo Bar. Also, Willow and Amaarae are set to open for the duration of The New World Tour, Donald Glovers tour announcement follows the release of his latest album Atavista, which is the reimagined version of his 2020 unfinished project 3.15.20 he released during the COVID-19 pandemic. Glover will not be leaving his fans in a music drought either, as he is dropping a second album this summer with an accompanying soundtrack to his forthcoming movie, Bando Stone & The New World. My fans are great and have been so patient and are starving. This album is for you guys, he said during a Gilga Radio stream this past April. Glover will also voice Simba in the upcoming Disney live-action film, Mufasa: The Lion King, which will release to theaters on Dec. 20. With all of this new music and this being Glovers first trek since 2018 and his last, tickets will most definitely fly off the market. How much are Childish Gambino 2024 tour tickets? While tickets didnt officially go on sale yet to the public through Ticketmaster, there are currently tickets available on secondary market websites. The cheapest tickets for Childish Gambinos Barclays Center concerts, before fees at the time of publication, is $118 on Vivid Seats. However, if these sell out or you want to just wait for the official tour sale, then there will be a presale that begins on May 15 at 12 p.m. It will wrap up on May 16 at 10 p.m. through Ticketmaster. There will also be an American Express presale which will begin on May 15 at 10 a.m. and will wrap up on May 16 at 10 p.m. through Ticketmaster. The general sale will then begin on May 17 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Tickets are also available on StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketCity and SeatGeek. If you find that you never secure the tickets at the best cost or in the section you want to be in through StubHub, you can find some tips and tricks here. First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout. A complete list of Childish Gambinos show dates is available here. Barclays Center Upcoming Tours 2024 Childish Gambino is not the only artist heading to Barclays Center while on tour. Here are a few other upcoming tours you wont want to miss: Russ, Chris Brown, Janet Jackson and Ed Sheeran. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. Projects filmed at Netflixs planned 289-acre production studio in New Jersey will receive millions in expanded tax breaks under a deal reached with state officials earlier this month. The media and entertainment giant will have access to a $150 million pool of tax incentives and a potential 40% tax credit in exchange for operating a massive film studio in New Jersey for at least 10 years, the states Economic Development Authority announced. Under the agreement, Netflix will be considered a studio partner, giving the company benefits through New Jerseys Film and Digital Media Tax Credit program, the authority said. The tax deal takes us one step closer to making New Jersey an international center for studio production and Netflix is excited to be a part of it, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said in a statement. The announcement was made as Netflix is inching closer to building its proposed $903 million film and television studio on the property of the shuttered Fort Monmouth military facility in Monmouth County. A zoning map of the proposed Netflix studio at Fort Monmouth.The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority If approved by local officials, the studio will open by 2028. It is slated to include 12 soundstages totaling nearly 500,000 square feet, along with production and office buildings, trailers, a helipad, theater, hotel and retail shops, according to proposal documents. Netflix won a bid in 2022 to purchase a 289-acre tract of land at the fort, which is located on the border of Oceanport and Eatontown. The company received a key approval for the project from a local county board in February to convert the base into a studio. Netflix still must obtain site plan approvals from local municipal planning boards before it can apply for state and county permits to begin construction. Gov. Phil Murphy has expressed support for the studio proposal, saying the Netflix studio could turn New Jersey into a major hub for the entertainment industry and bring economic benefits. With Netflix leading the way, the creation of new, world-class studios has solidified New Jersey standing as a national leader in film and television production. These substantial investments will create thousands of good-paying jobs, support small businesses and vendors, and stimulate the regional economy, Murphy said in a statement. An artistic rendering of the proposed Netflix production facility at Fort Monmouth.Courtesy of Netflix Netflix has promised that their the project will generate up to 3,500 jobs during construction and about 1,400 people will be employed at the studio complex once its fully operational. Over a 20-year period, the estimated value to the New Jersey economy as a result of construction and production activity will range between $3.8 billion and $4.6 billion, a spokesperson for the company previously said. The film studio tax credit program is part of Murphys plan to attract film and TV productions to the state and create jobs that officials hope will exceed the amount of taxpayer money funding the program. New Jerseys Film and Digital Media Tax Credit program was reinstated by Murphy and then expanded in 2021, increasing its annual state budget allocation to $400 million. Former Gov. Chris Christie previously let the program expire, arguing it was costly and he didnt want tax credits to go to the reality TV show Jersey Shore, which he criticized for its negative portrayal of the state. According to Murphys administration, streaming companies spent a total of $150 million more on productions shot in New Jersey due to the tax incentives. The expanded Film and Digital Media Tax Credit program, coupled with strong state support, make a compelling case for the return of major production companies to New Jersey the birthplace of film, Murphy said in a statement. The companys productions are also eligible for diversity tax credits if Netflix takes steps to recruit and hire women and minorities. There have been some concerns from local residents and municipal officials about the details in Netflixs studio complex plan, including worries about noise, construction, residential impact and whether local taxpayers be responsible for funding first responder crews sent to the site during emergencies. However, Oceanport and Eatontown mayors have said they are working to move the project forward as Netflix prepares to seek approval from local planning boards. Working together with Mayor Tvrdik of Oceanport, Eatontown is happy to begin the next phase of negotiations with Netflix and move this project forward, Eatontown Mayor Anthony Talerico said in a statement. Oceanport Mayor Thomas J. Tvrdik said he looks forward to the opportunities the studio could bring to Oceanport and its surrounding area, especially because its a small community. That a little town like Oceanport will be home to part of Netflixs east coast operations center is simply incomprehensible for someone like me who has spent his entire life in this town, Tvrdik said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Nyah Marshall may be reached at Nmarshall@njadvancemedia.com. A man has been sentenced to state prison after admitting he sold fentanyl to a man a day before his fatal overdose. Ryan Thompson, 35, of Trenton, was sentenced to seven years on Tuesday, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said in a news release. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in March, admitting that he supplied the narcotic to the 55-year-old Berkeley Township man. Police responded to a report of an unresponsive person at a home on Torrey Pines Drive in Berkeley Township on Sept. 29, 2023. The man was pronounced dead of an apparent drug overdose on the scene, officials said. Detectives would later determine that Thompson distributed fentanyl to the victim on Sept. 28, 2023, along with co-defendants Michael Wormann, 38, of Toms River, and Tina Martinez, 61, of Trenton, authorities said. The three were originally charged with drug offenses, but the charges were upgraded to manslaughter after a toxicology report found that fentanyl was the cause of the mans death. Wormann and Martinez both took plea deals in which they pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl. They will be sentenced on June 7. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney isnt impressed by former President Donald Trumps courtroom entourage. In fact, he thinks its demeaning for people like House Speaker Mike Johnson and others to show up in support of Trump. Romney spoke after Johnson along with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy went into the New York courthouse with Trump and later held a press conference to blast the criminal trial on Tuesday. I think its a little demeaning to show up in front of a courthouse, especially one where were talking about paying off a porn star. Its very difficult to watch, Romney said. There is a level of dignity and decorum you expect from people running for the highest station and going out and prostrating themselves in public to apparently curry favor with the person who is the nominee. Its a little embarrassing. Johnson, who is second in line for the presidency, called the court system corrupt. Outside the courthouse, he decried this ridiculous prosecution that is not about justice. He said, Its all about politics. With Trump stuck in court and barred by a judges gag order from criticizing witnesses or certain elements of the case, Johnson and the lawmakers are taking it upon themselves to attack the proceedings, now in a fourth week of witness testimony. Theyre using the trial as a de facto campaign stop as they work to return the former president to the White House. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged effort to keep salacious and, he says, bogus stories about his sex life from emerging during his 2016 campaign. On Monday, Trump called the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg a scam and witch hunt. The charges center on $130,000 in payments that Trumps company made to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen. He paid that sum on Trumps behalf to keep porn actor Stormy Daniels from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has denied the sexual encounter ever happened. Prosecutors say the payments to Cohen were falsely logged as legal fees. Prosecutors have described it as part of a scheme to bury damaging stories Trump feared could help his opponent in the 2016 race, particularly as Trumps reputation was suffering at the time from comments he had made about women. Trump has acknowledged reimbursing Cohen for the payment and that it was designed to stop Daniels from going public about the alleged encounter. But Trump has previously said it had nothing to do with the campaign. 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. Donald Trump has proudly boasted that when he was president we broke Roe v Wade and upended access to abortion. But not everyone sees it that way. According to a recent poll by The New York Times, nearly one in five voters in battleground states 17% say Joe Biden is to blame for ending the constitutional right to abortion. Trump supporters and voters with less education were most likely to attribute responsibility for abortion bans to Mr. Biden, but the misperception existed across demographic groups. Twelve percent of Democrats hold Mr. Biden responsible, according to New York Times/Siena College polls in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin and a Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena poll in Pennsylvania, per the report. Abortion is a central campaign issue in the 2024 presidential election as Trump seeks a more cautious stance on the issue, which has become a vulnerability for Republicans and has driven turnout for Democrats. Trumps deferring to individual states has drawn criticism from Democrats as well as conservatives and anti-abortion groups seeking a federal ban. As president, Trump appointed three justices to the U.S. Supreme Court who helped form the majority that overturned the constitutional right to abortion, and he has taken credit for that during his campaign. Earlier this month, he said he was proudly the person responsible for the ending of the 50-year-old ruling, Roe v. Wade. Biden, meanwhile, has blamed Trump for a deluge of state abortion restrictions put into effect since the ruling. His campaign also has warned that a second Trump term could lead to nationwide abortion restrictions. Most recently, Biden blamed Trump for Floridas six-week abortion ban during campaign events in the state last week. 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. MINNEAPOLIS This time, DJ LeMahieu and the Yankees really think his right fractured foot is all healed up and hes ready for game action. Of course, they thought that three weeks ago and LeMahieu lasted just one at-bat and one inning at third base in his first rehab game on April 23 with the Double-A Somerset Patriots at Reading due to more discomfort. After some rest and then more rehabbing, LeMahieu was cleared again to test his foot in games on Tuesday after he faced minor-league pitching in a live BP session at the Yankees player development complex in Tampa. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE YANKEES NEWSLETTER: RESTORING THE GLORY LeMahieu traveled to New York after his workout in Tampa to finishing up his prepping rehab games. The two-time batting champ is expected to work out at Yankee Stadium for a day or two starting Wednesday, then suit up for the Patriots on Thursday or Friday night when theyre home against Portland. Hell start at third base and probably play five or six innings. This will be a first of several minor-league games that LeMahieu is scheduled to play in before the Yankees seriously consider activating him from the injured list. DJs now missed seven or eight weeks, so I definitely want to see him get in some games and get some at-bats under his belt, manager Aaron Boone said before Tuesday nights Yankees-Twins game at Target Field. LeMahieu was injured March 16 when he fouled a pitch off his foot during a spring training game. An MRI the next day revealed a bone bruise, but he had another once some of his swelling was gone and it showed a non-displaced fracture. Here are updates on other Yankees on the injured list: GERRIT COLE The Yankees rehabbing ace threw a 36-pitch bullpen on Tuesday in Tampa, then headed back to New York. Hell probably will work out at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday and Thursday, then get in his work with the Yankees when theyre home this weekend playing the White Sox. Just onward and upward, Boone said of Cole, who hasnt pitched since he had problems recovering from both his only spring training start on March 1 two innings and 39 pitches against the Blue Jays on March 1 and a 47-pitch live BP on March 7. Multiple MRIs revealed Coles ulnar collateral ligament was intact, but he had elbow nerve inflammation that led to five weeks of no throwing. JASSON DOMINGUEZ The Yankees No. 1 prospect was 1-for-3 with a strikeout and walk in his first rehab game since his Tommy John surgery on Tuesday night with Low A Clearwater. Hell only DH for two weeks, then start playing some center field. After 20 days, the Yankees will activate Dominguez from the injured list and then either add him to their 26-man roster or option him to Triple-A. If all of the Yankees current outfielders plus desigated hitter Giancarlo Stanton stay healthy, Dominguez likely be optioned to Scranton. JORVIT VIVAS The second baseman prospect also began a rehab assignment on Tuesday night with Tampa and was 0-for-1 with two walks hitting second and playing second. Vivas, 23, suffered a fractured orbital bone on a hit by pitch during a Yankees spring training game on March 18, then returned to play two Triple-A games from April 23-24 before being shut down again. A left-handed hitter, Vivas was traded by the Dodgers to the Yankees on Dec. 11 with reliever Victor Gonzalez for shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney. TOMMY KAHNLE The veteran reliever pitched in his third rehab game and first in Double-A on Tuesday night and worked a 1-2-3 sixth inning with three strikeouts on 10 pitches in Somersets 11-10 loss to Portland. The righty worked 1-2-3 innings with Tampa last Wednesday and Saturday. Kahnle has been on the IL all season recovering and rehabbing from shoulder discomfort that first cropped up last September. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. On May 9, Forest DEC Forest Rangers joined Ranger School students from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry to conduct a prescribed fire on 0.6 acres of land on East Boundary Road in the town of Fine. In addition to propagating warm season grasses, the burn served as a training tool for new wildland firefighters. Contributed by DEC Bond set for jailed NOPD recruit accused of pointing a gun at a man during an argument Inmates participate in a prayer lead by New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond as part of a Holy Thursday Prayer Service at the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, La. Thursday, April 14, 2022. Because of COVID-19, the special prayer service that recreates a key event of Holy Week when Jesus washed the feet of the 12 apostles at The Last Supper has not been possible for the last two years.(Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) A Barnstaple man's vision for supporting North Devon veterans has taken shape in the form of The Root Cause Project. Co-founded by Roy Goddin and Roli Jones, this community interest company (CIC) is dedicated to providing veterans with a space to unwind and find solace alongside nature. Run by veterans for veterans, The Root Cause Project understands the unique challenges faced by those transitioning from military to civilian life. Drawing on their own experiences, the team offers authentic support in a tranquil setting. Located in the surroundings of Hakeford Woods, The Root Cause Project provides free sessions where veterans can engage in activities like wild cooking, woodland management, and woodcraft. These activities aim to offer relaxation and reflection, helping veterans reconnect with themselves and each other. Roy said: Our mission at The Root Cause Project is simple: to provide veterans with the support and community they need to thrive in civilian life. By leveraging the healing power of nature and drawing on our collective experiences, we aim to make a positive difference in the lives of those who have served our country. The Root Cause Project provides a free service for its veterans and receives funding from The Co-op, Devon Mental Health Alliance, The Army Benevolent Fund, and the National Lottery Community Fund. Roy said: I co-founded Root Cause Project [CIC] to help support the veterans of North Devon and offer a place to come and relax in nature. Using a combination of skills and experiences from working in the military (as an ex Navy Commando), in mental health for two decades (primarily in the Crisis team), and as a teacher; alongside an awareness of the need for veterans to have a space for them to switch off, and where the gaps are in provision, We at The Root Cause Project offer a valuable service to meet these needs. I know that when service personnel leave the armed forces, they are often left to feel isolated and unsupported without the tight-knit community they left. More often than not, mental health provision is often unsuccessful because there is a lack of experiences from therapists to understand the experiences that a veteran has been exposed to. Generally, this leads to a mirroring effect, which means that the veteran will mask how they feel and say what they think the therapist needs to hear. A recent NHS survey highlighted that 60 percent of veterans find it difficult to ask for help for mental health issues, using a peer-to-peer approach combined with the therapeutic benefits of being in nature Root Cause Project has been created to be a safety net for veterans who would potentially not seek support or even talk about their experiences in the military - we simply want to make life better for those who served our country and sometimes feel forgotten. To find out more about The Root Cause Project, you can visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rootcauseproject or email rootcauseproject@outlook.com A Maryland Transportation Authority patrol boat makes a pass in the waters of the Patapco river near where crews were getting ready to conduct a controlled demolition of a section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge resting on the Dali container ship in Baltimore on May 13, 2024. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images) A May 14 preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) appears to confirm claims by shipyard workers that the 95,000-ton cargo ship lost power repeatedly before crashing into Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, killing six and shutting down the ninth-busiest port in the United States. The 24-page report states the 947-foot-long Singapore-flagged containership, named the Dali, went cold iron at least twice in port from blackouts and was transiting out of Baltimore Harbor when it experienced a loss of electrical power and propulsion and knocked down the 1.6-mile, 45-year-old bridge. NTSB investigators say electrical failures the day before the massive ship was to leave port forced the crew to adjust the configuration of the electrical system about 10 hours before pulling out of Baltimore Harbor. NTSB also said it is still reviewing repairs that may have been done on the electrical system, but it has definitively narrowed down the cause of the crash to tripped electrical breakers that left the ship powerless and without steering in the Patapsco River. According to the NTSB, a crew member mistakenly closed an engine exhaust damper for one of Dalis four diesel generators, which clogged exhaust gases, caused the engine to stall, and diesel generators to stop working. The NTSB said Dali reported no blackout incidents while docked in Newark, New Jersey, and Norfolk, Virginia, before arriving in Baltimore. However, there were conflicting claims the ship was experiencing electrical failures while docked 48 hours at Seagirt Marine Terminal but was allowed to depart anyway. The assertion surfaced March 27 when Julie Mitchell, a Baltimore director with Container Royalty Fund, which manages benefits and advocates for port workers, told CNN that longshoremen and others told her the Dali had struggled pier-side with total power failure, loss of engine power, everything. Ms. Mitchell said the ship should never have left the dock. They shouldnt have let the ship leave port until they got it on under control, she said. On March 28, however, Ms. Mitchell had changed her tune. I redacted my comment. I have no comment, she told The Epoch Times and hung up the phone without elaboration. Ms. Mitchell, however, appeared to be sharing accurate scuttlebutt from shipyard workers, according to NTSB investigators, who say the crew told them of desperate measures to restore power to steer the ship, including one shipmate nearly being crushed by debris from bridge. The investigation is ongoing, the NTSB said, cautioning the final report may take up to two years to finish. The NTSB is still investigating the electrical configuration following the first in-port blackout and potential impacts on the events during the accident voyage, the report said. Dali remains pinioned to the fractured pylons of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, although dredged channels have allowed traffic to move through the river into Baltimore Harbor. On May 13, controlled explosions removed the section of the bridge that had fallen onto its bow. President Joe Biden on March 26 pledged the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, which some estimates say could near $4 billion over the five-to-seven years the project will take. On April 11, Marylands congressional delegation introduced Senate Bill 4114, the Baltimore Bridge Response Invests and Delivers Global Economic Relief Act, or Baltimore BRIDGE Act, which would pay the entire cost for reconstruction of the Key Bridge. The bill would eliminate the federal cost-share requirement for assistance from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Emergency Relief Programs disaster-damaged highways and bridges fund. From The Epoch Times American Legion Post 20 and the City of Crown Point will host the Hub City's annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on the holiday honoring fallen soldiers killed in war. The parade will kick off at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 27 on Joliet Street. The procession will head to Main Street, turn south on Wells Street and end at Crown Point's historic Maplewood Cemetery. The staging will take place at the Cal Ripken Little League parking lot on Joliet Street. Crown Point Mayor Pete Land, other city officials, elected officials from across Northwest Indiana, American Legion Post 20 members, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and U.S. Navy cadets will gather for a ceremony at 11 a.m. that Monday at the Historic Maplewood Cemetery. They will pay tribute to service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. American Legion Post 20 Cmdr. Kevin Dvorak will give the opening remarks. Land will reflect on those who died while serving in the Armed Forces. People can enter the cemetery at the Wells Street entrance across from Solon Robinson Elementary for the entrance. Both events are open to the public. MICHIGAN CITY Officers with weapons in hand took a 32-year-old man into custody on allegations of shooting a shotgun through the wall at the local Normandy Village Apartments, according to a court document. Jordan Adams, of Texas, who was reportedly visiting his mother, denied having a gun before being taken to jail on a felony count of criminal recklessness. He told police he had flown into the area less than 48 hours earlier, according to a charging document. Police said they were called to the site around 11:20 a.m. Saturday where a witness said she heard a gunshot and walked out of her apartment to find Adams looking at a hole in the wall. When the witness asked Adams about the hole, he reportedly "made a 'shushing' gesture (Putting index finger over closed lips)," police said. Driver in fatal crash likely had medical issue, Porter County police say His vehicle continued north through a field where it struck a pile of beams/rafters for a pole barn, police said. The witness reported overhearing Adams arguing with his mother, who lives at the apartment building, over the phone and her asking him, "why he was playing with 'it,' " police said. Police said they learned Adams also called another woman, who he left the area with in a vehicle with the shotgun. The woman reportedly told police she gave Adams the vehicle and police were later unable to find the gun. Police did report finding a drywall repair kit in the vehicle and store receipt from the time period in question. CROWN POINT The Lake County Council unanimously authorized Assessor LaTonya Spearman Tuesday to pursue an unprecedented appeal of the assessed valuation of the real property of U.S. Steel Gary Works. A 2001 Indiana law requires the state's Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF), instead of the relevant township or county assessor, to calculate the value of large industrial properties in Lake County for property tax purposes. Spearman said she believes the U.S. Steel assessment of $109 million calculated by DLGF for 2024 pay 2025 property taxes significantly undervalues the seven miles of Lake Michigan shoreline in Gary that's home to the largest integrated steel mill in the United States. Indeed, Spearman contends Gary Works has been undervalued for property tax purposes for decades, since it was valued at $270 million prior to the state taking charge of its assessment and immediately dropping the value to $90 million for the 2001 tax year. "Unlike other property classes across the county, U.S. Steel's real property values have largely remained constant during the past 20 years hovering around the $100 million range," Spearman said. Spearman told the county's financial governing body that the pending $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel, as well as the sale of the former Plant 4 on Dickey Road at Cleveland-Cliffs Indiana Harbor in East Chicago, also suggest Gary Works is undervalued. Specifically, Spearman noted Cleveland-Cliffs in 2021 sold an abandoned building on 92 acres for approximately $21.5 million, or $234,000 per acre. At that valuation, Spearman said the 3,100 acres comprising Gary Works would be worth $725.4 million for the land alone or nearly seven times the DLGF's assessment of U.S. Steel's land and buildings in Gary. "We're not seeking a $14 billion value, although that's the purchase price, the acquisition cost. But we do believe that they should pay their fair share and certainly the current assessment doesn't reflect the property's market value in-use. So I think that it's reasonable for us to at least attempt to challenge that value and see where it gets us," Spearman said. The same 2001 state law that made the DLGF responsible for industrial property assessments in Lake County also sets up a complex appeal process that begins with the county assessor calculating the likely cost of the appeal and receiving the county council's consent to pursue it. In this case, Spearman estimated the appeal potentially could cost $500,000. However, she said Gary tentatively has agreed to cover 93% of the expense since the Steel City would receive that share of any additional property taxes paid by U.S. Steel following a successful appeal. "This is uncharted territory as this would be the first time a challenge of this nature has been brought," Spearman said. "But the city of Gary is 100% supportive of this endeavor and is willing to pay their pro rata share of the expenses." Spearman now has until Friday to submit an appeal petition to the Indiana Board of Tax Review stating what she believes is the correct assessed value of Gary Works, along with "substantial evidence" in support of her conclusion. If the three-member bipartisan tax review board finds the assessor's evidence lacking then the appeal immediately is over with no further recourse. Otherwise, it will hold a hearing within 30 days to determine whether the assessor has established "a reasonable likelihood of success" concerning her assessment. U.S. Steel also would have the opportunity to testify at the hearing, cross-examine witnesses, and present evidence relating to the valuation of Gary Works. "If we are unable to clear this first hurdle, which requires us to show a reasonable likelihood of success, then this matter dies," Spearman said. According to the statute, the losing party at the hearing can appeal the outcome to the Indiana Tax Court and the Indiana Supreme Court. After that, assuming the appeal still is pending, the board has one year to decide whether to sustain or reject the appeal. Spearman declined to specify how much additional revenue Gary and other local taxing districts potentially could receive following the appeal. She said the appeal simply is a matter of fairness, since residents of Gary's Miller neighborhood, located on Lake Michigan near U.S. Steel, as well as other Lake County property owners, have seen the assessed value of their homes and businesses increase at a much higher rate in recent years compared to the state-assessed Gary Works. "Although U.S. Steel's assessment has long been believed to have been undervalued it has not since been challenged," Spearman said. "I actually believe it would be irresponsible for us not to do this." The two county council members representing Gary, Democrats Ron Brewer and Charlie Brown, both said they "wholeheartedly support" Spearman's appeal of the Gary Works assessment. "I sat on the city council for over 12 years there (in Gary) and I saw the impacts of us getting shrinking dollars from U.S. Steel," Brewer said. "I think the eyebrows went up when the sale came out and we saw how much U.S. Steel was really worth. I don't think none of us had the idea that those type of dollars were sitting among us." Brown likewise said he's well aware of "the negative impact" the state valuation "has had on Gary and other large communities by virtue of not having those potential tax dollars available." In contrast, Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-Cedar Lake, expressed some misgivings about the speed at which the appeal process is moving due in part to deadlines set by state law. He also wondered, prior to voting in favor of filing the appeal, if it will open a Pandora's box and potentially subject all the large industrial properties in Lake County to future challenges of their DLGF assessments. "You see a lot of industry that moves into industrialized areas seek tax abatement and other sorts of benefits, and this is kind of the opposite of that. I'm not saying that they deserve tax breaks, but... it's a major employer here in the Region and I think we want to try to find ways to protect those steel jobs and not put them in jeopardy," Niemeyer said. "There's always a ripple effect to these sorts of things." Councilman Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, was considerably less restrained as he contemplated the homes of Miller residents being assessed more per square foot than a nearby integrated steel mill. "They pollute our water, our air, they should at least pay their fair share in taxes," Bilski said. "And if they don't want to, I mean they could always restore the beach to its pristine condition as when Andrew Carnegie first went in there." Gallery: U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works U.S. Steel investing $60 million in new pig caster at Gary Works The Papa House will host a intergenerational conversation on Black women's mental health across three generations in Crown Point Saturday. The Indianapolis-based nonprofit will host the talk between teen daughters, mothers and grandmothers from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Purdue Technology Center at 9800 Connecticut Drive, Crown Point. Connie Martin-Washington, a National Alliance on Mental Illness-certified facilitator and her daughter, Kai Washington, a senior at Munster High School, will lead the talk. The aim is to destigmatize the discussion of mental health in minority communities. "Per NAMI, 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24, only 1 in 3 Black adults in need of mental health treatment receive it, and the suicide rate among Black youth has been increasing faster than any other racial/ethnic group," The Papa House said in a press release. "Furthermore, a pertinent note is the intersection between mental illness and substance misuse because NAMI also reports that 34% of U.S. adults with mental illness also have a substance use disorder. These statistics must propel us into a space for open dialogue and candidness for the sake of breaking cycles counter to communal wellness." The Papa House, which focuses on mental health, mentorship and, youth substance misuse prevention, will provide dinner at the free event. "Paij Rhymes, a visual artist and 12th grade student at Thea Bowman High School has been commissioned to capture the spirit of the journey of awareness, healing, and action this necessary discussion will bring forth in painting form," the Papa House said in a press release. "Moreover, Reverend Dena Holland-Neal of Peace United Church of Christ in Merrillville will serve as spiritual counsel for this intergenerational conversation focused on Black womens mental health and her gracious congregation is providing a cultural meal." Pre-registration is not necessary to attend. Donations are welcome. For more information, call 219-201-1975 or email thepapahouse219@gmail.com. This weekend, local unions will memorialize steelworkers who were clubbed, gassed and shot by police while striking outside the Republic Steel mill on the far South Side of Chicago more than 80 years ago in what became known as the Memorial Day Massacre, a seminal flashpoint in the history of organized labor. The United Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees Local 7-319 will stage a commemoration ceremony at the Generation to Generation Church that was previously the USW Local 3212 Hall at at 11731 S. Avenue O, Chicago at 1 p.m. Saturday. The program will start at 2 p.m. Chris Pena, the president of UAW Local 551, which represents workers at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant, will deliver remarks. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond will deliver the keynote address. "The Memorial Day Massacre happened in 1937, which is a long time ago but the condition of the unions has not changed all that much in many ways," organizer George Milkowski said. "Those workers sacrificed themselves for the behalf of others." Steelworkers had recently unionized at U.S. Steel at a time when the industry had low pay, long hours and dangerous working conditions, Milkowski said. But the "Little Steel" companies like Republic Steel and Inland Steel held out. "They were adamant in refusing to recognize unions at all," Milkowski said. "But the Memorial Day Massacre was so terrible that public opinion shifted and the small mills agreed to negotiations. It's tragic the sacrifice had to take place. That's why we always remember these people." Ten steelworkers died and 90 were injured while striking workers were picnicking outside the gates of the Republic Steel mill on Chicago's far Southeast Side. They decided to march toward the gates, and a violent confrontation with police ensued. Some accounts say the violence was completely unprovoked while others say workers rioted and threw rocks. The police shot and beat workers, including by putting a club with a meat hook at the end through one worker's skull, according to John F. Hogan's history book "The 1937 Chicago Steel Strike: Blood on the Prairie." "Especially back then they had to be brave but that bravery still exists in the labor movement today," Milkowski said. "Amazon workers who got themselves a vote to unionize were fired. Workers today don't face physical threats like that but still face discrimination on the job, firing and living marginally. A lot of people can't stand up to that." Sam Popovich, Earl Handley, Lee Tisdale, Leo Francisco, Kenneth Reed, Otis Jones, Joseph Rothmund, Alfred Causey, Anthony Tagliori and Hilding Anderson were killed. Four of the workers hailed from steel mills in East Chicago. Three were members of USW Local 1010, which is now in Hammond, and one a member of Local 1011 in East Chicago. They had a lasting impact that still reverberates today, said Milkowski, a former steelworker at U.S. Steel's South Works mill who then became a teacher and member of the Chicago Teachers Union. "Unions are 100% vital. You're totally on your own without them," he said. "If your boss is General Motors for example, you're not going to get them to pay attention to you or care about you. All they care about is the bottom line. It's the worker who is producing that profit and should get a fair share of it. The struggle is still out there. These companies dominate our lives and you have to attempt to get some decency and fairness in your life." The memorial ceremony is open to the public. It draws union workers and family members from around Chicago's South Side, south suburbs and Northwest Indiana. It typically includes a dirge from bagpipers, 10 crosses black scarfs are draped over by the USW's Women of Steel contingent, comments from the pastor and a march toward the former Republic Steel gates. "They were just getting some legal rights to unionize and faced violent union busting," local labor activist Terry Steagall said. "It shows the sacrifice that was made to unionize Little Steel, which was resisting. It was basically a coalition of local workers trying to create bargaining power to negotiate a contract with better benefits and wages to make life a little better for the working person. Inequality and wages for the workers were so horrendous back then. They were taking advantage of people." The workers who died in the Memorial Day Massacre helped secure collective bargaining gains that have benefited generations of steelworkers and their families, also laying the groundwork for worker advances in other industries, Steagall said. "Today, you see efforts to unionize all over the country at places like Starbucks and Amazon. The auto workers just had a major victory with a Volkswagen plant in very antiunion Tennessee," he said. "Organized labor is making gains for the first time since the 1970s. The unions has been losing jobs and union memberships, which meant a difficult time for workers. Even non-union workers suffered from more income inequality. But now there's an awakening for the need to create more equity and fairness." People can bike and walk around Wolf Lake at the 24th annual Wolf Lake Bi-State Wetlands, Wind & Water festival. The Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative, a non-profit that aims to protect and improve the thousands of acres in the bi-state Wolf Lake watershed, will host the festival at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 25. near the Visitors Center parking lot at William W. Powers State Recreation Area, 12949 Avenue O, Chicago. People should arrive 8:45 a.m. for a 5-mile bike ride through the Illinois portion of the Wolf Lake watershed. "Visited will be the obelisk marking the parks 1946 dedication, the Nike Missile monument, living memorials, and the Wolf Lake overlook. The ride will then reverse course and visit the new Wolf Lake connection with Powderhorn Lake to the south," the Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative's Michael Boos said in a press release. The riders will return to the Visitors Center at 11 a.m. They're required to wear helmets. A hike will take place at 2 p.m. at the entrance to the Mitigation Wetlands at the far west end of 129th Street in Hammond. Hikers should park bikes and cars by the entrance. "Joe Kruczek, director of this years cleanup of the Wolf Lake Watershed, will lead the hike. It will be a tour of spring wildflowers, sedges, and shrubs and spring activity of water fowl and small animals," Boos said. "Hikers should wear long pants, sturdy shoes and long-sleeved shirts." People should register online by May 22 at wolflakeinitiative.org. Registration deadline is May 22. Lori Beth Denberg, who starred in the hit childrens television show All That in the 1990s, has accused her former Nickelodeon boss, Dan Schneider, of having preyed on her then by showing her pornography, once fondling her and another time initiating phone sex. The allegations by Denberg, now 48, came in an interview with Business Insider, which reported on Tuesday that the actress said she felt Schneider had acted inappropriately toward her during a period when they worked together. She said that, at 19, she entered into a weird, abusive relationship with Schneider, who was 10 years older. I couldnt have been more vulnerable, she said in the interview. The interview comes as Schneiders conduct while at Nickelodeon has drawn scrutiny in a new docuseries that aired in March: Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. In the series, several former employees criticized the way Schneider treated them saying, among other things, that he solicited massages on set while also objecting to sexualized humor in his shows and inappropriate jokes in the writers room. In the interview with Business Insider, Denberg said that she sometimes slept over at the home of Schneider, who was the head writer on All That, and that, although they were not intimate, they exchanged massages. At one point, though, she said in the interview, she won a bet while watching Jeopardy!, and Schneider took the opportunity to fondle and put his mouth on her breasts. The Department of Justice said on Tuesday that Boeing was in violation of a 2021 settlement related to problems with the companys 737 Max model that led to two deadly plane crashes in 2018 and 2019. In a letter to a federal judge, the department said that Boeing had failed to design, implement and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of U.S. fraud laws in the companys operations. Creating that program was a condition of Boeings settlement, which also carried a $2.5 billion penalty. The determination by the Justice Department opens the door to a potential prosecution of a 2021 criminal charge accusing Boeing of conspiracy to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration, though Boeing can contest Tuesdays decision. In a statement, Boeing said that the company believed that it had honored the terms of the settlement, adding that it was looking forward to the opportunity to respond. YouTube said on Tuesday that it would comply with a court order to block users in Hong Kong from viewing a popular democracy anthem, raising concerns about free speech and highlighting the increasing fraught environment for tech companies operating in the Chinese territory. Last week, a Hong Kong court granted a government request to ban the song, Glory to Hong Kong, listing 32 links to videos on YouTube. Judges said the song was a weapon that could be used to undermine national security. The court said the injunction was necessary to persuade technology companies to remove the songs from their platforms. A representative of YouTube said in a statement that the company would continue to consider an appeal of the courts ruling but would comply with the order. Every event you did not predict can turn your situation completely upside down. And this is what happened in Ocheretyne. LT. OLEKSANDR SHYRSHYN, deputy battalion commander for Ukraine, on a breach that allowed Russian forces into the town and threatened to unhinge the Ukrainian lines across a broad stretch of the eastern front. Some brittle stars give an arm and a leg (and still another appendage) to reproduce. When mates are scarce, these starfish-like sea creatures split themselves in half. Each side then regrows its missing half, creating two identical clones of the original animal. This process, known as clonal fragmentation, is practiced by almost 50 species of existing brittle stars and their starfish relatives. However, scientists have found it difficult to determine when brittle stars, a gangly group of echinoderms, started reproducing this way. A recently discovered fossil from Germany pushes the origin of cloning sea stars back more than 150 million years. In a paper published Wednesday in The Proceedings of the Royal Society B, a team of scientists describe the fossil of a brittle star that was petrified while regenerating three of its six limbs. Its the first fossil evidence for this phenomenon, said Ben Thuy, a paleontologist at the National Museum of Natural History in Luxembourg and an author of the new study. The specimen, he added, shows that clonal fragmentation is actually much older than people previously thought. Lucy has impeccable comic timing and a sense of humor as dry as a gin martini. Her expression deadpan but for a slightly furrowed brow, she delivers punchlines with Amazon Prime efficiency in a calm, even tone that may sound familiar to people who use Alexa or ride the New York City subway. Played with wry assurance by Madison Ferris, Lucy communicates using a text-to-speech tool built into her motorized scooter. As heroines go, she is a young Katharine Hepburn type: headstrong and outspoken but eagerly in search of tenderness. Her verve and vulnerability are the lifeblood of All of Me, an affecting if formulaic new romantic comedy by Laura Winters that opened on Tuesday at the Pershing Square Signature Center. Lucy meets Alfonso (Danny J. Gomez), who uses a motorized wheelchair and similar technology to communicate, outside a hospital while awaiting their rides. Proposing a game, Lucy asks him to pick a random key on his screen; when he chooses B, theres a prolonged pause while she types. Then her devices flat staccato sounds out the raunchy rhymes of Sir Mix-a-Lots Baby Got Back. Typical of Lucy, its a funny bit with a mordant edge, bemoaning her situation by making light of it. As we soon learn, Lucy used to love to sing but has lost the ability to pronounce consonants (the plays title refers to the jazz standard by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons). Lucy received a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy when she was 16; now in her early 20s, she has been managing the disease long enough to laugh about it with a trace of cynicism. The Biden administration has told Congress that it intends to move forward with a plan for the United States to sell more than $1 billion in new weapons to Israel, according to three congressional aides familiar with the deal. The notification of the sale, which would include new tactical vehicles and ammunition, comes as President Biden has withheld a shipment of bombs to Israel, hoping to prevent U.S.-made weapons from being used in a potential invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Last week, Mr. Biden said he would block the delivery of weapons such as bombs and missiles that could be fired into the densely populated area where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering. The potential arms transfer illustrated the narrow path the Biden administration is walking with Israel, trying to prevent an assault on Rafah and limit civilian casualties in Gaza but continuing to supply a longtime ally that the president has said has a right to defend itself. One congressional aide said Congress had been aware of the arms deal for months, and suggested that the administration had simply waited for a foreign aid package with more aid for Israel to pass before moving forward with the required congressional notification process. When asked about the package, which was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal, the State Department referred to recent comments from Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, citing a continued commitment to supply Israel with military assistance to defend itself from threats in the region. A new set of surveys by The New York Times, Siena College and The Philadelphia Inquirer found that former President Donald J. Trump leads President Biden in five of six crucial battleground states: Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and Pennsylvania. The polls show an erosion of support for the president among young and nonwhite voters upset about the economy and Gaza. Heres more on those findings and others: Larry Hogan, the popular former governor of Maryland, cruised to an easy victory in the Republican Senate primary on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press, setting up an uncommonly competitive general election contest in the deep-blue state. Mr. Hogan, a two-term governor from 2015 to 2023 who enjoyed stratospheric approval ratings during much of his time in office, is a vocal critic of former President Donald J. Trump. His race will test whether there is any path forward for anti-Trump Republicans in a party that has remade itself almost wholly in the presidents image. The party is still the party of Trump, he said in an interview on Monday, but Im still a voice of reason to try to make sure we get back to a more traditional Republican Party. Maryland has not been represented by a Republican in the U.S. Senate since Charles Mathias retired in 1987. The race to replace Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat who is retiring, was expected to make for a fairly humdrum general election before Mr. Hogan entered the race. Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince Georges County executive, won the Democratic primary for Marylands Senate seat on Tuesday, setting up a showdown with a popular Republican former governor that could determine control of the chamber. The Associated Press called the race on Tuesday night for Ms. Alsobrooks, 53, over Representative David Trone, a wealthy congressman who spent more than $61 million of his own money on the race. Mr. Trone outspent Ms. Alsobrooks by a nearly 10-to-1 ratio, but Ms. Alsobrooks appeared on track to defeat him by double digits. She is trying to become the first Black woman to represent Maryland in the Senate. The chamber now has just four Black members, three men and one woman, Senator Laphonza Butler, who has made it clear she will leave at the end of her term in January. At her victory rally, Ms. Alsobrooks said that she had spoken with Mr. Trone by phone and that they had agreed to put their differences aside. The director of the Secret Service met on Tuesday with Senate Republicans to discuss the partys effort to push the expected protesters farther from the site of the Republican National Convention, set for July in Milwaukee. Republican officials and lawmakers have objected to the placement of a designated demonstration zone near the convention venue, arguing it would create conflict between protesters and attendees. A lawyer for the Republican National Committee proposed in a letter in late April that the Secret Service expand the security perimeter around the venue, the Fiserv Forum. The meeting came at the request of Senator Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, who warned in a letter on Friday of a potentially volatile situation and a likely and preventable area of conflict between attendees and demonstrators at the convention, where the party is set to officially make Donald J. Trump its 2024 presidential nominee. As you know, this year has been a very challenging one for protests in the United States, Mr. McConnell wrote, referring to a recent wave of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. We must all take seriously that tensions are high and do our best to balance the right to express dissent while also keeping convention attendees as safe as possible. Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska, a mainstream Republican, on Tuesday easily fended off a primary challenge from a right-wing businessman, advancing to what is expected to be a tight re-election contest in a competitive district won by President Biden in 2020. Mr. Bacon, a fourth-term congressman who has maintained a reputation as an independent voice in a party increasingly dominated by the hard right, won with an overwhelming share of the vote, according to The Associated Press. In recent years, a number of mainstream Republicans in politically competitive districts have been felled in primaries by ultraconservative candidates who went on to drag the party down in the general election. But since he was elected in 2016, Mr. Bacon, a former brigadier general in the Air Force, carved out a niche for himself as one of the only Republicans who could hold the Omaha-based swing seat. Since 2000, voters in the district have backed the winner of the presidential election, except in 2012. Singapore was once known as an affluent and strait-laced city-state. Today, its a glitzy international destination. It has hosted Taylor Swift concerts and Formula One night races. And it is substantially richer, per capita, than the United States. That transformation happened under Lee Hsien Loong, the Southeast Asian countrys third prime minister. He made Singapore even more prosperous by largely following the semi-authoritarian and free-market model pioneered by his father, Lee Kuan Yew, the countrys first leader. On Wednesday, Singapore gets a new leader for the first time in nearly 20 years. Mr. Lee, 72, is handing the office to his deputy, Lawrence Wong, 51. Their Peoples Action Party has governed Singapore continuously for over six decades, and has had astounding successes. But there are concerns that the vaunted Singapore model is failing more and more people. Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but it does not have a minimum wage. Housing prices have surged, and many Singaporeans say social mobility has dropped considerably. Others complain that freedom of expression is still tightly controlled, if less so than before. The strains are exacerbated by the need for overseas workers; about 40 percent of Singapores nearly six million people are not citizens. The 7.5-foot-by-5.5-foot portrait was commissioned by the Worshipful Company of Drapers, a medieval guild of wool and cloth merchants that is now a philanthropy. It will hang in Drapers Hall, the groups baronial quarters in Londons financial district, which has a gallery of monarchs from King George III to Queen Victoria. The unveiling came just weeks after the king announced his return to public duties, nearly three months after he disclosed that he had cancer, bringing palpable relief to a country anxious about another wrenching change in the British monarchy. Mr. Yeo previously told The New York Times that he had not learned of the kings illness until after he completed the painting, which depicts his subject in vivid color with a contemplative yet commanding glare. Mr. Yeo has also painted the kings wife, Queen Camilla, and his father, Prince Philip. Other subjects have included former Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain, the actors Dennis Hopper and Nicole Kidman and the media mogul Rupert Murdoch. He has said that the best portraits capture visual characteristics that remain relevant even as the person ages. When it came to the king, Mr. Yeo told The Times that he had noticed physical changes in their four sittings together during which time the king was going through a metamorphosis of stature. With Israeli troops returning to clear Hamas for the second or third time from parts of northern Gaza, and fighting farther south in Rafah, too, Israels government has found itself confronting more vocal discontent from an important constituency: its own military leaders. Current and former senior military officers have begun to argue more openly that because the government has failed to roll out a plan for what follows the fighting in Gaza, Israeli troops are being forced in the eighth month of the war to battle again for areas of the territory where Hamas fighters have reappeared. Two Israeli officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid professional repercussions, said some generals and members of the war cabinet were especially frustrated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to develop and announce a process for building an alternative to Hamas to govern Gaza. There was little expectation, among officials or experts, that a new government would be formed while combat raged. But clear, hold and build is the widely accepted practice for fighting an insurgency. And to a growing number of critics, Israel appears to be simply stuck in clearing mode, increasing the risks for Israeli soldiers and Gazan civilians while cease-fire talks remain stalemated. The two officials said Mr. Netanyahus unwillingness to have a serious conversation about the latter phases of the Gaza campaign the day after the fight has made it easier for Hamas to reconstitute itself in places such as Jabaliya in northern Gaza. Israel first attacked Hamass ranks there in October and returned this week with another air and ground assault. During a recent performance by Tomorrow Comes the Harvest that had some attendees dancing in the aisles at BAMs Howard Gilman Opera House, a thrilling rhythmic conversation began between the percussionist Sundiata O.M., who was playing African talking drums, and the Detroit techno pioneer Jeff Mills, who tapped out beats on a Roland TR-909 drum machine. Over a 90-minute set, the musicians boldly blended techno, jazz and modern classical, embodying the Art Ensemble of Chicagos famous credo Great Black Music, Ancient to the Future. Tomorrow Comes the Harvest began in 2018 as a collaboration between Mills and the Afrobeat originator Tony Allen, Felas longtime drummer. Despite their stylistic differences, they created a sonic language based around total improvisation, not typically a techno hallmark that Mills found so fruitful, he wanted to continue it even after Allens 2020 death. My hope, Mills said, during an interview backstage, is that Tomorrow Comes the Harvest becomes an approach to play music not always the same sound, but the idea of figuring it out while playing. Mills has blazed a singular trail over the past four decades: from his 1980s roots as the Detroit nightclub and FM radio D.J. the Wizard to his early 1990s period with the politically conscious Motor City techno collective Underground Resistance to his solo work helping define the sleek, stripped-down minimal techno genre. While always known as a dazzling D.J., Mills has continually expanded his horizons beyond the booth, including on high-concept album projects that began with Discovers the Rings of Saturn from the group X-102 in 1992, up through his new LP, The Trip Enter the Black Hole, released last week on vinyl via his own Axis label. Mills lifted Tomorrow Comes the Harvests name from a phrase coined by the science fiction author Octavia Butler, who was describing the potential power of seeds, properly sown, to influence the future. The metaphor seems apt for Millss entire career, which has inspired generations of electronic musicians, like Mali Mase, a 25-year-old D.J. and producer who releases music as Sweater on Polo. When PEN America celebrated its 100th birthday two years ago, it was a rousing if sober celebration of a nimble defender of free expression around the world. Once a small writers group best known for its staunch defense of imperiled writers in authoritarian regimes, it had become a leading fighter against book bans, educational gag orders and other surging threats across the United States. It was also taking on 21st-century scourges like misinformation and online harassment, while standing up for the old-fashioned power of the pen, rallying support for Salman Rushdie after he was stabbed onstage at a literary event in 2022. Today, amid spiraling protests over the Israel-Hamas war, battles over free speech are pitched as high as ever. But PEN America has found itself roiled, and at times hobbled, by escalating controversy over its response to the war. Last month, it canceled its literary awards ceremony and its World Voices Festival, which brings writers from around the globe to New York, after dozens of authors pulled out as a protest against what they said was PEN Americas failure to adequately speak out about dire threats to Palestinian writers and cultural life posed by Israels military action. But far from quelling controversy, the cancellations have unleashed a war of words over just who is trying to silence, shame and bully whom. Michael Cohen described a hush-money deal Michael Cohen, Donald Trumps former fixer, returned to the stand yesterday to face lawyers for the Manhattan district attorneys office, as well as Donald Trumps legal team, in the case against the former president. Cohen told jurors that he received monthly checks most bearing the former presidents signature that purported to be part of a legal retainer agreement, but that were in fact reimbursements for hush money he had paid to the porn star Stormy Daniels, who alleges that she had a sexual relationship with Trump. Cohens testimony was the first and only personal account tying Trump to the documents at the crux of his case. In a barrage of questions, Trumps attorneys sought to portray Cohen as an opportunist. Trumps lead lawyer, Todd Blanche, pressed Cohen about his social media posts, his efforts to monetize his feud with the former president, his own criminal history and his desire to see Trump behind bars. Analysis: The defense seemed to be trying to portray Cohen as, essentially, Trumps stalker, my colleague Maggie Haberman wrote a man once obsessed with the former president who was now equally obsessed with getting revenge. Martin Gruenberg is still the leader of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, an agency that supervises U.S. banks, but after a bipartisan grilling on Wednesday by members of a House committee overseeing bank regulators, he appeared to be hanging on by a thread. Democrats expressed dismay over his responses to the crisis at his agency, after a scathing report of a culture of widespread sexual harassment and discrimination. One congresswoman appeared to call for him to resign, as Republicans have been doing for months. Personally, I do not have confidence that you can continue to lead in this role, Representative Ayanna S. Pressley, Democrat of Massachusetts, told Mr. Gruenberg during an exchange. I am so tired of white men failing up. In a bruising session that lasted more than three hours, committee members repeatedly asked Mr. Gruenberg what he planned to do to change his behavior in response to reports that he had berated employees and created an environment in which people were afraid to communicate with him. (Two other federal bank regulators, the acting comptroller of the currency, Michael Hsu, and the Federal Reserve vice chair, Michael Barr, also offered testimony on bank regulatory matters, but much of the committees focus was on the F.D.I.C.) MSNBC placed a big bet on becoming comfort TV for liberals. Then it doubled down. Time slots on the cable network once devoted to news programming are now occupied by Trump-bashing opinion hosts. The channel has become a landing spot for high-profile alumni of President Bidens administration like Jen Psaki, who went from hosting White House press briefings to hosting her own show. On Super Tuesday, when producers aired a portion of a live speech by former President Donald J. Trump, Rachel Maddow chastised her bosses on the air. The moves have been a hit with viewers. MSNBC has leapfrogged past its erstwhile rival CNN in the ratings and has seen viewership rise over the past year, securing second place in cable news behind the perennial leader, Fox News. But MSNBCs success has had unintended consequences for its parent company, NBC, an original Big Three broadcaster that still strives to appeal to a mass American audience. NBCs traditional political journalists have cycled between rancor and resignation that the cable networks partisanship a regular target of Mr. Trump will color perceptions of their straight news reporting. Local NBC stations between the coasts have demanded, again and again, that executives in New York do more to preserve NBCs nonpartisan brand, lest MSNBCs blue-state bent alienate their red-state viewers. Follow live updates of closing arguments in the Menendez trial. The corruption trial of Senator Robert Menendez, a powerful New Jersey Democrat, spun into motion in Manhattan on Wednesday, with combative opening statements and an extraordinary claim by the defense. Speaking directly to the jury, a U.S. prosecutor asserted that Mr. Menendez put his power up for sale, trading favors involving Egypt and New Jersey businessmen for gold bars, cash and a Mercedes-Benz convertible. But it was a lawyer for Mr. Menendez who shook the courtroom awake, piling blame on the senators wife, Nadine Menendez. Mr. Menendez, 70, betrayed little emotion as he watched the opening statements from the courtroom, where he is facing some of the gravest charges ever leveled against a sitting U.S. senator. He has pleaded not guilty. He is being tried alongside two of the businessmen, Fred Daibes and Wael Hana. Prosecutors have also charged Ms. Menendez, but her trial was delayed until July for health reasons. Pinned Senator Robert Menendez, seen leaving Federal District Court on Wednesday, was accused by prosecutors of putting his power up for sale, trading favors involving Egypt and New Jersey businessmen for gold bars, cash and a Mercedes-Benz convertible. Follow live updates of closing arguments in the Menendez trial. The corruption trial of Senator Robert Menendez, a powerful New Jersey Democrat, spun into motion in Manhattan on Wednesday, with combative opening statements and an extraordinary claim by the defense. Speaking directly to the jury, a U.S. prosecutor asserted that Mr. Menendez put his power up for sale, trading favors involving Egypt and New Jersey businessmen for gold bars, cash and a Mercedes-Benz convertible. But it was a lawyer for Mr. Menendez who shook the courtroom awake, piling blame on the senators wife, Nadine Menendez. Mr. Menendez, 70, betrayed little emotion as he watched the opening statements from the courtroom, where he is facing some of the gravest charges ever leveled against a sitting U.S. senator. He has pleaded not guilty. He is being tried alongside two of the businessmen, Fred Daibes and Wael Hana. Prosecutors have also charged Ms. Menendez, but her trial was delayed until July for health reasons. Here are five takeaways from the senators third day on trial: The prosecution tried to keep it simple. Prosecutors have spun a dizzying set of accusations against Mr. Menendez, filing four rounds of charges that involve a halal meat monopoly, a Qatari sheikh and the inner workings of the U.S. government. All of it could easily confuse jurors. So laying out a road map for their case, they offered the panel a far simpler view: This case is about a public official who put greed first, said Lara Pomerantz, an assistant U.S. attorney. A public official who put his own interests above the duty of the people, who put his power up for sale. What the jury needed to understand, she insisted, was that favors were granted by Mr. Menendez, including a letter ghost written to help Egypt and calls to pressure important government officials. In exchange, the couple amassed hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, bars of gold and much more, with Ms. Menendez as a go-between. The defense: A tale of two Menendezes. Mr. Menendezs lawyer, Avi Weitzman, used his first words to the jury to flatly deny that arrangement. But the heart of his defense was a head-turning proposition: Do not confuse the senator with his wife. Mr. Menendez, his lawyer said, was an American patriot, the son of working-class immigrants who made it to Congress. All those instances of Mr. Menendez purportedly abusing his office to help a foreign power or New Jersey businessmen? They showed a senator doing his job, Mr. Weitzman said, asserting that the government had found no record of Mr. Menendez negotiating bribes. He did not say the same of Ms. Menendez, who had come late into the senators life and concealed her financial burdens and communications from him, according to the lawyer. Mr. Weitzman did not outright say that Ms. Menendez accepted bribes. But if she did, he wanted to make it clear that his client did not know what she was asking others to give her especially all that gold. The gold was hidden in a closet. Image A handout photo made available by the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan shows two gold bars federal agents found while searching the home of Senator Menendez. Credit... EPA, via Shutterstock To make his point, Mr. Weitzman displayed photographs of a closet that he said belonged to Ms. Menendez. It was there, in her private quarters, he disclosed, that the F.B.I. found the gold bars and cash with Mr. Daibes fingerprints. The senator did know that his wife had some gold, but assumed it was from her wealthy family of Persian rug dealers, the lawyer said. When Mr. Menendez repeatedly searched for the price of gold on Google, the lawyer said, he was looking to see how much money Ms. Menendez could generate from that family gift not to cash out a bribe. He did not know of the gold bars that existed in that closet, he said. Likewise, Mr. Weitzman said Mr. Menendez had been in the dark about how Ms. Menendez got the funds to purchase a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz convertible. In a guilty plea, another New Jersey businessman admitted that he gave Ms. Menendez the car in return for influencing a United States senator to stop a criminal investigation. The high stakes trial is being overshadowed. Blame Trump. The case against Mr. Menendez could hardly be more serious. It has already made history: Mr. Menendez is the first senator to be indicted in more than one bribery case. (The first ended in a mistrial in 2017.) But as his trial opened this week in Lower Manhattan, it was hard to escape the conclusion that it was being overshadowed by the state courthouse just a few hundred yards away. That is where, thanks to a quirk of timing, former President Donald J. Trump is in the midst of his hush-money trial. Image President Donald Trumps hush-money trial is overshadowing the Menendez case for now. Credit... Dave Sanders for The New York Times The first ever trial of a former president has inspired wall-to-wall cable news coverage. Unlike the Menendez case, it includes nationally known witnesses, like Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen. And it has attracted a parade of high-profile visitors to buck up Mr. Trump, including the speaker of the House. All of it is probably good news for Mr. Menendez and his party, which is vulnerable to political attacks after allowing him to continue serving in the Senate under indictment. Expect a long trial. Thats not good for Senate Democrats. The case has proceeded unusually quickly since the government first brought charges in September 2023. As for the trial, do not expect a verdict anytime soon. Prosecutors have said they may take as many as six weeks to lay out the tangled web of corruption they say surrounded Mr. Menendez. When Judge Sidney H. Stein read a list of dozens of potential witnesses (including several sitting senators), he informed jurors they would be likely to hear testimony in Spanish and Arabic. The defense has indicated it will then take another one to two weeks, setting up a verdict sometime around July 4. Except for odd days off, Mr. Menendez will be stuck in the courtroom the whole time, depriving Democrats of a key vote in the Senate, where they control a spare 51-to-49 majority. Maria Cramer and Maia Coleman contributed reporting. First they killed the adults. Then they piled up the children and shot them, a witness told Human Rights Watch. They threw their bodies into the river. Thats a scene from a humanitarian crisis happening now in Sudan that has been overshadowed by Gaza and Ukraine and may be about to get far worse. Its a conflict, by some accounts a genocide, unfolding particularly in the Darfur region there. You may remember Darfur: It was the site of a genocide two decades ago. Those atrocities galvanized a vast response, led by protesters across the United States. Barack Obama and Joe Biden, then senators, were among those who called for action, and they were joined by tens of thousands of high school and college students, plus activists from churches, synagogues and mosques working together. While hundreds of thousands were slaughtered in Darfur at that time, the campaign also probably saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of others. Other countries imposed sanctions and an arms embargo, peacekeeping forces were established by the African Union and the United Nations, and the Sudanese leader who commanded the genocide was eventually ousted. Take your fake, lab-grown meat elsewhere. Were not doing that in the state of Florida. [APPLAUSE] The idea is that instead of raising a cow, you take, basically, cow cells and grow them in a vat or something, and then you harvest them. So you get the meat, but without having to raise and then slaughter an animal along the way. And its a possibility, something we can do, but also not economically viable at this point. Its an industry that doesnt exist. But anyway, of all things, lab-based meat is now illegal in the state of Florida. I was really struck that, of all the things going on, that Ron DeSantis would choose to make this a priority. And it seemed to me a kind of window into the mindset of a lot of todays right. If we look at where the conservative movement is at, certainly where MAGA is at, there is, first of all, this belief that elites are out there to force you to stop living an American lifestyle, which includes eating a lot of steaks and burgers. Its got a psychological association with their version of freedom. They want to stop using your gas stove. They want you to stop driving your big SUV, and that environmental policies in general are somehow about restricting Americans freedom. So thats the ideological basis for it, which, then, turns into a bunch of conspiracy theories. So there were a lot of people saying that because President Biden wants to limit emissions of greenhouse gases, that gets translated into, theres a secret plan to limit the number of burgers youre allowed to consume. Theres no hint that that actually happens, but its out there. A few scientists have said, hey, insects are a pretty good source of protein that we dont use. So that becomes, theres a secret conspiracy to force you to eat bugs. And somehow, all of this turns into, were going to pass a law that prevents the production of something thats an alternative to traditional beef. I wanted a very sort of graphic, literal sense, illustration of whats really going on here. And I have to say, nothing I can write can possibly get at the commercial side, the political side than that Simpsons episode from 1995, Lisa the Vegetarian. Royal portraits, as a rule, tend to be fairly staid, predictable affairs. Full of symbolism, sure, but generally symbolism of the traditional, establishment kind: symbols of state, of office, of pomp and lineage. Which is why the new official portrait of King Charles III by Jonathan Yeo, the first since the kings coronation, has created such a controversy. A larger-than-life (7.5 foot-by-5.5 foot) canvas, the portrait shows the king standing in his Welsh Guards uniform, hands on the hilt of his sword, a half-smile on his face, with a butterfly hovering just over his right shoulder. His entire body is bathed in a sea of crimson, so his face appears to be floating. Though the butterfly was apparently the key piece of semiology meant, Mr. Yeo told the BBC, to represent Charless metamorphosis from prince to sovereign and his longstanding love of the environment it was the paintings primary color that almost instantaneously gave new meaning to the idea of seeing red. It was practically begging for interpretation. Nearly one in five voters in battleground states says that President Biden is responsible for ending the constitutional right to abortion, a new poll found, despite the fact that he supports abortion rights and that his opponent Donald J. Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices who made it possible to overturn Roe v. Wade. Trump supporters and voters with less education were most likely to attribute responsibility for abortion bans to Mr. Biden, but the misperception existed across demographic groups. Twelve percent of Democrats hold Mr. Biden responsible, according to New York Times/Siena College polls in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin and a Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena poll in Pennsylvania. I think the buck stops with him, so he had the ability to fight that, and thats not what Im hearing that he did, said Terri Yonemura, 62, an abortion rights supporter in Las Vegas who said she would not vote for Mr. Trump, but is unsure about Mr. Biden, so may not vote at all. More than a decade ago, two men and a woman were lured to a home in Jonesboro, Ga., outside Atlanta, where they were forced inside at gunpoint, tortured and killed, the authorities said. About a day later, a police officer found the victims bodies in one of their cars, a Dodge Charger, which had been abandoned on an exit ramp off a highway in Union City, Ga., according to court records, about 14 miles northwest of Jonesboro. All three victims Cheryl Thompson, 32, Quinones King, 33, and Rodney Cottrell, 43 had been strangled sometime around Jan. 12, 2013, the records state. Last week, 11 years after the killings, the authorities in Clayton County, Ga., said that four men Kenneth Thompson, 49, Keante Harris, 45, Kevin Harris, 51, and Derrell Adams, 31, had been arrested on charges of murdering all three victims. Barry Romo, whose combat experiences in Vietnam led him to become a leading antiwar activist who threw his medals onto the Capitol steps during a demonstration by veterans, died on May 1 in Chicago. He was 76. His death, in a hospital, was caused by a heart attack, said Roberto Clack, a friend and colleague. Mr. Romo was a strong supporter of the war when he arrived in Vietnam as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1967 but within four years, he was a leader of the group Vietnam Veterans Against the War. He earned a Bronze Star for his heroism in a battle in Tam Ky Province in November 1967 when he exposed himself to enemy fire to reach a squad that had been separated from the platoon he was leading. In early 1968, he fought during the Tet offensive. But he was crushed by an event that happened that May in Dong Ha, a village close to what was then North Vietnam: A North Vietnamese sniper killed his nephew Bobby Romo, who was a month younger and in the same brigade, while he was trying to save a friend. The intensity of enemy fire kept Bobbys body sitting in the sun for 48 hours until it could be retrieved. He was found by his girlfriend, Karen Read, who said she had frantically searched for him after waking up on his couch around 4 a.m. and realizing he had not come home from a night out. Officer OKeefe had severe head injuries and hypothermia and was pronounced dead that morning. Ms. Read was arrested three days later, and the case has transfixed Boston ever since. Ms. Read, 44, is now on trial in a Massachusetts courtroom, accused of killing Officer OKeefe by backing into him with her sport utility vehicle after an argument and then leaving the scene. Her lawyers, along with a vocal and devoted squad of defenders, say she is innocent, alleging a sweeping conspiracy and cover-up by law enforcement officials to hide the truth about the murder. The Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily reinstated a congressional map in Louisiana that includes a second majority-Black district, increasing the likelihood that Democrats could gain a House seat from the state in the November election. The move could be particularly significant in an election cycle in which the balance of power in the House is likely to be determined by a handful of races. The order was unsigned, as is the Supreme Courts custom in ruling on emergency applications. It came in response to a challenge to a lower-court decision that had blocked the map drawn by Louisianas Republican-controlled Legislature, deeming it a racial gerrymander. The justices said that their decision would remain in effect pending an appeal or a ruling by the Supreme Court. The courts three liberals said that they would have left the block in place. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan did not explain their reasoning, but Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, in a dissent, wrote that she believed the court had intervened too soon. President Biden said in a statement that he has received, and accepted, an invitation from CNN for a debate on June 27. Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place, he wrote. Mr. Trump told Fox News Digital that he will be there and is looking forward to being in beautiful Atlanta. CNN confirmed the date in a statement and said the debate would be hosted in its Atlanta studios, in a crucial swing state, with no audience. Moderators will be announced later. Jack Quinn, a Washington insider who served as White House counsel during the Clinton administration, helped found a bipartisan lobbying firm and became embroiled in scandal after securing a last-minute presidential pardon for the fugitive financier Marc Rich, died on May 8 at his home in Washington, D.C. He was 74. His wife, Susanna Quinn, said the cause was complications from a double-lung transplant in 2019. A popular and affable fixture on the Washington social circuit, Mr. Quinn was shunned in 2001 after helping Mr. Rich, a billionaire whose ex-wife had made large donations to Democrats, secure a pardon during President Bill Clintons last hours in office. One of the largest donations was for Mr. Clintons presidential library fund. Mr. Rich, who died in 2013, was indicted on tax evasion charges in 1983 but moved to Switzerland before authorities could arrest him. A congressional investigation ensued, and Mr. Rich became a political punching bag for cable news programs. Mr. Clinton later called the pardon terrible politics. The Rich aftermath was brutal, Mark Leibovich, a former New York Times political reporter, wrote in This Town, (2013) a book about the Beltways gilded culture. Quinn wondered if people were looking at him when he walked into restaurants, what they were saying. Friends abandoned him. Rafael Grossi slipped into Moscow a few weeks ago to meet quietly with the man most Westerners never engage with these days: President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. Mr. Grossi is the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, and his purpose was to warn Mr. Putin about the dangers of moving too fast to restart the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been occupied by Russian troops since soon after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But as the two men talked, the conversation veered off into Mr. Putins declarations that he was open to a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine but only if President Volodymyr Zelensky was prepared to give up nearly 20 percent of his country. A few weeks later, Mr. Grossi, an Argentine with a taste for Italian suits, was in Tehran, this time talking to the countrys foreign minister and the head of its civilian nuclear program. At a moment when senior Iranian officials are hinting that new confrontations with Israel may lead them to build a bomb, the Iranians signaled that they, too, were open to a negotiation suspecting, just as Mr. Putin did, that Mr. Grossi would soon be reporting details of his conversation to the White House. Last month, a video began circulating on social media purporting to tell the story of an internet troll farm in Kyiv targeting the American election. Speaking in English with a Slavic accent, Olesya offers a first-person account of how she and her colleagues initially worked in support of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. Then, she says, after a visit by mysterious Americans who were probably C.I.A., the group began sending messages to American audiences in support of President Biden. We were told our new target was the United States of America, especially the upcoming elections, the woman in the video says. Long story short, we were asked to do everything to prevent Donald Trump from winning the elections. The video is fake, part of an effort to cloud the political debate ahead of the U.S. elections. U.S. officials say the video is consistent with Russian disinformation operations as internet warriors aligned with Russia appear to be honing their strategy. Some of the old tactics of 2016 or 2020 could be used again, with new refinements. Former President Donald J. Trump landed in Cincinnati on Wednesday for a campaign fund-raiser, but without his ubiquitous Boeing 757, which had clipped a parked plane as it was taxiing at a Florida airport early on Sunday morning. It was not immediately clear whether Mr. Trump was aboard his plane at the time of the mishap, according to details released by the Federal Aviation Administration and public information about the two aircraft that were involved. The incident happened several hours after Mr. Trump held a campaign rally at the Jersey Shore. No injuries were reported, according to the F.A.A.s notice about the incident, which listed the Boeings registration number as N757AF. That is the same tail number as Trump Force One, the moniker for Mr. Trumps airliner, which regularly shuttles the former president to campaign rallies and court appearances. The aircraft has been a source of braggadocio for Mr. Trump over the years not to mention speculation about whether it might be seized as part of his civil fraud penalty in New York. A.T. Ariyaratne, a Sri Lankan who fought to alleviate the terrible living conditions of his countrys rural poor, creating a Buddhism-inspired social services organization that operates in thousands of villages, died on April 16 in Colombo, Sri Lankas capital. He was 92. His death, at a hospital, was confirmed by his son Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, in an interview. Sometimes styled in the countrys media as a Sri Lankan Mahatma Gandhi, Mr. Ariyaratne preached brotherhood across ethnic divides and, with the help of volunteer labor and outside donations, brought aid to Sri Lankan villagers struggling with poor sanitation, insufficient food, broken roads and inadequate shelters and schools. Hailed as a national hero and modeling himself on Ghandis ideals, he grew his Sarvodaya, or Awakening of All, movement from a presence in a handful of villages to operations in more than 5,000 of them a half-century later, digging wells, building schools, fixing roads, providing credit and more. Sarvodaya, a term first used by Gandhi in India and inspired by the writings of the English critic and essayist John Ruskin, meant the well-being of all, especially the least fortunate, in Mr. Ariyaratnes interpretation, as he explained in an essay in the anthology The Sri Lanka Reader. Ruskins essay Unto This Last, with its egalitarian, anticapitalist underpinnings, was a particular inspiration. In cooking, timing is everything. So much so that if the chef Kei Kobayashi spots diners heading to the restroom as he sends a dish out from the kitchen, he stops them. Natures call can wait; his culinary offerings should be tasted at peak flavor. Such imperiousness and exactitude align with what Mr. Kobayashi, the first Japanese chef to earn three Michelin stars for a restaurant in Paris, said he had learned from one of his earliest mentors in France: The chef is king. Unless you commit to your worldview to this extent, you wont be able to be a chef, Mr. Kobayashi, 46, said during a recent interview in Tokyo. Having earned his third star the maximum for his Restaurant Kei in Paris in 2020, he has now expanded his ambitions back to Japan, where he has opened four restaurants over the past two years. When Chinas top leader, Xi Jinping, hosts President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia this week, the two leaders presented a united front. But they have different agendas. Mr. Putin is trying to escalate his war in Ukraine before Ukrainian forces can receive a replenishment of arms from the United States, and probably wants to know he can rely on China. Mr. Xi is keen to exploit Russias acute wartime needs to secure preferential access to Russian resources and markets, but he is also under pressure to avoid further alienating the West over his support for the Kremlin. Those priorities were the backdrop of Mr. Putins two-day state visit, which began in Beijing on Thursday, and included a trip to the northeastern city of Harbin, where a China-Russia trade fair was being held. Mr. Putin likely sought more help from Beijing, which has provided a lifeline to the Kremlin since Western sanctions were imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago. China purchases huge quantities of Russian oil and sold technologies that helped Moscow withstand its economic isolation and sustain its war machine. Shooting left Slovakias leader in life-threatening condition Robert Fico, Slovakias prime minister, was shot five times and critically wounded yesterday. Officials said the attack appeared to be an assassination attempt and was politically motivated. Police said a suspect had been detained. The interior minister said Fico was still in surgery hours after the shooting and remained in critical condition. Heres the latest. Videos from the scene showed the gunman shooting Fico in Banikov Square, in the center of the town of Handlova. The attacker is seen standing with other people behind a barrier before shooting Fico at close range when he came to greet them. Who is Robert Fico? The 59-year-old politician is serving his third term. He has aligned with the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, in opposing aid to Ukraine, and has strong ties to Russias leader, Vladimir Putin. Interpol issued an alert on Wednesday for a French inmate who was freed during a violent ambush of a prison convoy a day earlier, an attack that left two guards dead, deeply shocked France and set off a large-scale police manhunt. It was not immediately clear whether the alert, known as a red notice, meant that French investigators believed that the inmate Mohamed Amra, 30, born in the northern city of Rouen and nicknamed The Fly had fled abroad or was trying to. But as the hours ticked by and no sign of the suspects publicly emerged, the French authorities vowed that they were going to great lengths to find Mr. Amra and the assailants who staged the ambush, at a tollbooth on a major highway about 85 miles northwest of Paris. Massive resources have been deployed to track down the perpetrators of this despicable attack, Gabriel Attal, Frances prime minister, told lawmakers. Four right-wing parties in the Netherlands said on Wednesday that they had reached a preliminary agreement to form a government that would exclude Geert Wilders, a populist politician, from becoming prime minister. The breakthrough came hours before a midnight deadline and was the result of nearly six months of negotiations. After the negotiators expressed optimism about the chances of forming a government, the members of the parties that will make up the coalition said they would support the preliminary agreement. This wont go wrong, Caroline van der Plas, the leader of the Farmer Citizen Movement, a populist pro-farmer party, told reporters on Wednesday. In response, Mr. Wilders posted two prayer hands and a sun emoji on the social media platform X. The agreement would still largely depend on Mr. Wilderss party, Party for Freedom, which won elections decisively last fall, sending shock waves through the Dutch political system. Robert Fico, 59, has played a pivotal role in Slovakian politics in the years since it gained independence in 1993 and has served as prime minister longer than any other leader. Slovakia a landlocked country of around 5 million people gained independence after the so-called Velvet Revolution, a series of popular and nonviolent protests in 1989 against the Communist Party in what was at that time still Czechoslovakia. That year, the Berlin Wall fell, Communist power in much of Eastern Europe collapsed and the Cold War in effect ended. Mr. Fico, who had been a Communist Party member while it was in power, founded the Smer party in the late 1990s. He began the first of his three terms as prime minister in 2006, serving for four years before going into opposition after his coalition lost an election. Mr. Fico returned to power in 2012 but resigned as prime minister in July 2018 following mass demonstrations over the murder of a journalist, Jan Kuciak, and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova, who had been uncovering government corruption. The protests, which rocked the country, were the largest seen since the Velvet Revolution; demonstrators demanded the resignation of the government and new elections. Slovakia ranks high in independent assessments of press freedom, but the protesters had also sought deeper changes in the country Mr. Fico had overseen. The word victory is everywhere in Moscow these days. It is being projected from gargantuan LED screens alongside major intersections and highways and written on red flags whipping in the wind. Its prominent at an exhibit of Western weapons destroyed on Ukrainian battlefields and lugged back to Moscow as war trophies on display in where else? Victory Park. Victory is precisely the message that President Vladimir V. Putin, 71, has sought to project as he has been feted with pomp and pageantry after another electoral success, while his army sweeps through Ukrainian villages in a stunning new offensive in the northeast. Together, we will be victorious! Mr. Putin said at his inauguration last week after securing a fifth term as president. Two days later, the country celebrated Victory Day, Russias most important public holiday, which commemorates the Soviet contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Pinned Slovakias prime minister, Robert Fico, a fixture in the countrys politics and known for defying his fellow leaders in the European Union, underwent hours of emergency surgery on Wednesday after being shot five times and critically wounded in a town in central Slovakia, in what officials said appeared to be a politically motivated assassination attempt. His deputy, Tomas Taraba, told the BBC that the operation appeared to have gone well. I guess in the end he will survive, he said. The shooting was the most serious attack on a European leader in decades, drawing shock and condemnation from Slovak officials and other European leaders and stoking fears that Europes increasingly polarized and venomous political debates had tipped into violence. The events were captured on videos, which showed Mr. Fico, 59, approaching a small group of people behind a waist-high metal barrier on a public square in the town of Handlova, when a man stepped forward and fired a pistol from just a few feet away. Five bangs could be heard. With the first bang, Mr. Fico doubled over at the waist and fell backward onto a bench as more reports ring out. Security officers then hustled him into a black Audi several feet away, half-carrying him to the cars rear door. He was taken to a local hospital and airlifted to another for surgery. Security officers at the scene of the shooting wrestled a suspect to the ground, and officials said that initial evidence pointed to political motivations. The authorities did not identify the suspect, whom Slovak news outlets described as a 71-year-old poet. The countrys interior minister, Matus Sutaj Estok, said more information would be made public in the coming days. The president of Slovakia, Zuzana Caputova, whose position is largely ceremonial, said in a statement, The shooting of the prime minister is first and foremost an attack on a human being, but its also an attack on democracy. The shooting also drew a chorus of condemnation from world leaders, including President Biden, who called it a horrific act of violence, and Russias leader, Vladimir V. Putin, who lauded Mr. Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. Image Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia on a visit to Prague in February. Credit... Michal Cizek/Agence France-Presse Getty Images Mr. Fico began his three-decade political career as a leftist but over the years shifted to the right, as did the party he founded, Smer. He served as prime minister from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018, before returning to power in elections last year. After being ousted amid street protests in 2018, he was re-elected on a platform of social conservatism, nationalism and promises of generous welfare programs. Mr. Fico presented himself as a pugnacious fighter for the common man and an enemy of liberal elites and immigration from outside Europe, and he aligned with Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban, in opposing aid to Ukraine and challenging mainstream opinions within the European Union. Domestically, his critics accused him of undermining the independence of the news media, opposed his efforts to restrict foreign funding of civic organizations and called him a threat to democracy. They also accused Mr. Fico of seeking to take Slovakia back to the repressive days of the Soviet bloc. Here is what else to know: Mr. Fico was in Handlova to hold a governmental meeting, which he followed with a nearly hourlong news conference. He had just emerged from those events when he was attacked. The Parliament of Slovakia suspended its meetings and said it was significantly bolstering its security measures. Some of Mr. Ficos parliamentary allies suggested that his liberal opponents had created the atmosphere for the shooting. Michal Simecka, the chair of the opposition party Progressive Slovakia, said he shared in the horror of the attack and stressed that the attacker was not a member of his movement or connected to his party in any way. Pavol Strba and Gaya Gupta contributed reporting. A gunman shot Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia, who is known for defying his fellow leaders in the European Union, multiple times at close range on Wednesday, in the most serious attack on a European leader in decades. Mr. Fico was shot after emerging from the House of Culture in Handlova, a town in central Slovakia, as he greeted a small crowd in Banikov Square. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, then airlifted to another hospital for emergency surgery. Hours later, the deputy prime minister, Tomas Taraba, told the BBC that Mr. Ficos situation was no longer life-threatening, and he expected the prime minister to survive. The gunman, identified by Slovak news outlets as a 71-year-old poet, was immediately wrestled to the ground by security officers. Ukrainian forces on Wednesday were putting up a fierce defense in Vovchansk, a village in northeastern Ukraine about five miles from the Russian border, engaging in what appeared to be street fighting as they tried to contain the Russian advance in the area. In a sign of heightened concern over Ukraines deteriorating military situation, President Volodymyr Zelensky canceled his participation in all international events for the coming days, including a visit on Friday to Spain where he was expected to sign a bilateral security agreement. Ukraines General Staff said in a statement that its forces had partially pushed the enemy out of Vovchansk. A few hours earlier, it had acknowledged that its troops had withdrawn from positions in two villages, including Vovchansk, allowing Russian forces to gain a foothold. Active fighting is ongoing, Oleksiy Kharkivskiy, the police chief in Vovchansk, said on Wednesday in a video published on Facebook from the village, in which heavy gunfire could be heard in the background. He added that Russian troops had taken positions in several streets in the village and that the situation is extremely difficult. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken warned on Wednesday that recent gains in getting desperately needed humanitarian aid to people in the Gaza Strip risked being undone by the fighting in southern Gaza. The border crossing in the southern city of Rafah has been closed since Israel began what it describes as a limited military operation against Hamas fighters in the town, on the border with Egypt. The United Nations said on Wednesday that 600,000 people had fled Rafah since Israels ground assault started there. At the very time when Israel was taking important and much needed steps to improve the provision of humanitarian assistance, Mr. Blinken said to reporters in Kyiv, Ukraine, weve seen a negative impact on the fact that we have this active, very active conflict in the Rafah area. Josep Borrell Fontelles, the European Unions top diplomat, said in a statement that Israel needed to end its Rafah operation immediately, warning that extending it would inevitably put a heavy strain on the E.U.s relationship with Israel. Mapping Russias Sudden Push Across Ukrainian Lines All of a sudden, Russian forces are making progress in many directions at once. In recent days, Russian troops have surged across the border from the north and opened a new line of attack near Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, capturing settlements and villages and forcing thousands of civilians to flee. Detail area UKRAINE Tykhe Russia launched one line of attack near Ohirtseve. Vovchansk RUSSIAN TROOPS Ohirtseve RUSSIAN ADVANCE AS OF MAY 14 RUSSIA Another line of Russian attack was near the town of Krasne. RUSSIAN ADVANCE MAY 11 Izbytske Zelene Krasne UKRAINE Hlyboke Lyptsi UKRAINIAN TROOPS Shestakove Shopyne Both sides reported fighting near Hlyboke on Sunday. Slatyne Rohan Derhachi Kharkiv Khorosheve Korotych Dvorichnyi Kut 5 miles Lyubotyn Detail area Russia launched one line of attack near Ohirtseve. UKRAINE Tykhe RUSSIA Vovchansk Ohirtseve RUSSIAN TROOPS Another line of Russian attack was near the town of Krasne. RUSSIAN ADVANCE AS OF MAY 14 RUSSIAN ADVANCE MAY 11 Izbytske Zelene Krasne UKRAINE Hlyboke Both sides reported fighting near Hlyboke on Sunday. Shopyne UKRAINIAN TROOPS Slatyne Rohan Derhachi Kharkiv Dvorichnyi Kut Khorosheve Korotych Lyubotyn 5 miles Sources: Institute for the Study of War with American Enterprise Institutes Critical Threats Project, Ukrainian officials The New York Times It may be a feint. The real goal may be to divert already-weakened Ukrainian forces from critical battles elsewhere. But one thing is clear: The map of battle in Ukraine looks a lot different today than it did only a week ago. Ukraine is more vulnerable than at any time since the harrowing first weeks of the 2022 invasion, a range of soldiers and commanders have said in interviews. It is too soon to know if the war in Ukraine has hit a turning point. But Russias progress isnt just in the northeast. Russia has been making small but geographically broad gains across the eastern front. And what started as a modest Russian advance near Avdiivka has grown in recent weeks into a roughly 15-square-mile bulge that is complicating the defense of the Donetsk region. RUSSIA Russian advances since April 14 Kharkiv Kupiansk HELD BY RUSSIA Cherneshchyna Izium Kremina Torske UKRAINE Lysychansk Sloviansk Kramatorsk Bakhmut Chasiv Yar DETAIL AREA UKRAINE Avdiivka Makiivka Donetsk Vuhledar 30 miles RUSSIA Russian advances since April 14 Kharkiv HELD BY RUSSIA Kupiansk Cherneshchyna Izium Kremina Torske UKRAINE Sloviansk Kramatorsk Bakhmut Chasiv Yar DETAIL AREA UKRAINE Avdiivka Makiivka Donetsk Vuhledar 30 miles Sources: Institute for the Study of War with American Enterprise Institutes Critical Threats Project, Ukrainian officials The New York Times Months of delays in American assistance, a spiraling number of casualties and severe shortages of ammunition have taken a deep toll, evident in the exhausted expressions and weary voices of soldiers engaged in daily combat. Whether Russia will succeed in weakening Ukraines defenses in other parts of the front line remains to be seen. A big objective, according to Franz-Stefan Gady, a Vienna-based military analyst, appears to be to draw Ukrainian forces away from Chasiv Yar, a town on strategic high ground where Ukrainians have fought for weeks to stave off an attack. Russias broad range of attacks appears to be stretching Ukrainian forces thin. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraines military intelligence agency, said in an interview from a bunker in Kharkiv this week that it has been difficult to find the personnel to shore up defenses in the northeast. All of our forces are either here or in Chasiv Yar, he said. Ive used everything we have. Unfortunately, we dont have anyone else in the reserves. Rafah Operation Pushes Gazans Into Areas With Scarce Aid and Medical Care Hundreds of thousands of Gazans have fled the southern region of Rafah over the past week, after Israel has expanded its evacuation orders amid continued bombardment and fierce fighting there. Many Gazans, already displaced multiple times, are packing up makeshift tents and moving out of the area. Encampments in eastern Rafah have emptied since a May 6 evacuation order May 5 May 7 Gaza Strip Image location 250 feet May 5 May 7 Gaza Strip Image location 250 feet Source: Satellite imagery from Planet Labs By The New York Times Many Palestinians have been directed to an area along the coast designated by the Israelis as a humanitarian zone. Maps and analysis of satellite imagery show that the zone is already overcrowded, frequently damaged by strikes, and lacking sufficient medical services. For months, Israel has threatened a full-scale invasion of Rafah to target Hamas, despite warnings from humanitarian officials, as well as its own allies, about the potential catastrophic toll on civilians. Israel has been conducting military operations in eastern Rafah since last week, describing them as limited, though it has stepped up pressure in recent days. Health officials have said that dozens of Gazans have been killed by Israeli strikes in Rafah since May 6, and the United Nations reported that one of its workers had also died, the first international U.N. staff member killed since the war began. The United Nations estimated on Tuesday that some 450,000 people had fled Rafah. Where people were sheltering before military operations began last week Tents had been concentrated in open areas in densely populated Rafah and near the coast. Many other areas in the declared safe zone had been heavily damaged. Areas where tents are visible in satellite imagery Gaza Strip Map extent Khan Younis Declared safe zone Gaza Strip Area under Evacuation Many fled this area after Israel issued evacuation orders Rafah Egypt Israel Rafah crossing N Kerem Shalom crossing 1 mile Areas where tents are visible in satellite imagery Gaza Strip Gaza Strip Khan Younis Map extent Declared safe zone Many fled this area after Israel issued evacuation orders Rafah Area under Evacuation Israel Egypt Rafah crossing N Kerem Shalom crossing 2 miles Source: Satellite data from Planet Labs; Satellite image by Copernicus Note: Tents observed in imagery as of May 5. By The New York Times Before the war, Rafah was home to fewer than 300,000 people. After the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks, Israel launched an offensive aimed at dismantling the group. The fighting forced more than two million Gazans to flee their homes, with many eventually ending up in Rafah. Now, however, Rafah has become a focal point of Israels campaign. Its military has often struck areas in Rafah, killing people and damaging buildings. Israel has said that Rafah is the last stronghold of Hamas, with several battalions holed up in tunnels below the city. Last week, Israel seized the Gazan side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt after Hamas fired rockets from the area and killed four Israeli soldiers. Satellite imagery taken after the May 6 incursion shows extensive new damage to eastern parts of Rafah. From May 5 to May 7 alone, more than 400 structures were destroyed in the evacuation area, an analysis of satellite imagery by The New York Times found. Humanitarian workers say these areas also likely contain unexploded ordnances from the war. Hundreds of Rafah buildings have been damaged recently, adding to the destruction Structures damaged in the evacuation area from May 5 to May 7 Areas damaged since the start of the war Gaza Strip Khan Younis Map extent Declared safe zone GAZA STRIP Area under evacuation Rafah ISRAEL EGYPT Rafah crossing N Kerem Shalom crossing 1 mile Gaza Strip Khan Younis Map extent Declared safe zone GAZA STRIP Area under evacuation Rafah ISRAEL EGYPT Kerem Shalom crossing Rafah crossing N 2 miles Sources: Damage analysis of Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite data by Corey Scher of the CUNY Graduate Center and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University; Satellite imagery from Planet Labs Note: Satellite-based damage detections of Gaza through May 8 at 12:49 p.m. in Gaza and Israel. Additional damaged buildings were identified in satellite imagery collected from May 5 to May 7. As of Tuesday, new high resolution satellite imagery of the evacuation area in Rafah was not available after May 7. By The New York Times The Israeli incursion has had devastating consequences for medical workers and patients, doctors and humanitarian groups say. The Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital, which is in eastern Rafah, has entirely shut down. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians must now rely on just two other major hospitals in Rafah that are still partially functioning, as well as a scattering of smaller clinics and temporary field hospitals. Israel has said it is also operating some field hospitals in what it has designated a humanitarian zone along the Gaza coast. Many medical facilities are no longer functioning Smaller clinics and temporary field hospitals make up the majority of functioning medical centers. Major hospitals Partially functioning No longer functioning Gaza Strip Map extent Declared safe zone Kuwait hospital is just outside the evacuation zone. Area under evacuation Al-Najjar hospital was evacuated on May 7. EGYPT Al Helal Al Emirati Maternity hospital stopped admitting patients last week. ISRAEL Rafah crossing Kerem Shalom crossing N 2 miles Gaza Strip Map extent Declared safe zone Al Helal Al Emirati Maternity Hospital stopped admitting patients last week. Area under evacuation Al-Najjar hospital was evacuated on May 7. Kuwait hospital is just outside the evacuation zone. ISRAEL Rafah crossing N EGYPT Kerem Shalom crossing 1 mile Source: World Health Organization; International Committee of the Red Cross press releases Note: Data is as of May 14. Map does not include field hospitals set up by the Israeli military. By The New York Times The seizure of the Rafah crossing and limited access to the Kerem Shalom crossing has also exacerbated shortages of fuel, putting humanitarian operations, including hospitals, at imminent risk of collapse, according to international aid groups. Little or no aid, and only limited amounts of fuel, have made it into southern Gaza over the past week, according to U.N. officials. Small amounts of aid have entered Gaza at the Erez crossing in the north, though fighting continues in Jabaliya and on the outskirts of Gaza City this week. The backbend is considered a crucial move in Chinese folk dancing, but it is also the main cause of severe spine cord injuries in children as young as five, leaving thousands of them paralyzed for life. Ironically, the vast majority of parents pushing their beloved children towards folk dancing have their offsprings best interest in mind, hoping to improve their physical fitness and overall health, but studies have found that one particular move taught in folk dancing schools is putting childrens lives at risk. Data analyzed by the Chinese Orthopaedic Association showed that the percentage of spinal cord injuries caused by the backbend exploded from just 4% between 1992 and 2002 to a whopping 33.9% of all pediatric spinal injuries between 2015 and 2019. Other reports show that, since 2005, over 1,000 children have been left paralyzed after doing backbends in dance classes, making this move the single greatest paralysis threat for young Chinese children. Photo: Oksana Taran/Unsplash It is not recommended that dance instructors apply external pressure to a childs lower back, which especially goes for children between the ages of 4 and 6, the age group most prone to dance-related injuries, Dong Daier, an instructor at Beijing Dance Academy warned in a Douyin (TikTok) video. Risky moves, including the backbend, are not meant for beginners and experienced teachers should know that; its a matter of common sense. Flexibility training should be built up over time, with shorter practice times and lower intensity in the initial stages. Unfortunately, the popularity of folk dancing in China attracted a large number of inexperienced teachers who simply dont understand the dangers of having young children practice moves like the backbend. Doctors warn that while childrens spines are indeed very flexible, the same cannot be said for the spinal cord, which cannot adapt to the excessive stretching that is caused by significant changes in posture. For instance, a newborns spine can be stretched and lengthened by up to two inches without rupturing. However, the spinal cord can only withstand about a quarter inch, Dr. Guo Xiaodong, director of Orthopedics at Wuhan Union Hospital, told Sixth Tone. Continuous or repetitive bending movements, as well as movements that repeatedly overextend the spine, are particularly dangerous and can easily lead to spinal cord injuries. Most backbend-related injuries are classified as pediatric acute hyperextension spinal cord injury (PAHSCI), a condition so often associated with this so-called basic dance move that it is commonly known as backbend paralysis. Approximately 70% of patients with PAHSCI suffer severe injuries for which there is no treatment, leaving them confined to wheelchairs for the rest of their lives. According to Dr. Guo, children who suffer spine cord injuries while practicing the backbend have a four-hour golden window to seek medical help. Unfortunately, because the initial symptoms are only mild pain and discomfort, most of them continue to engage in physical activity, thus increasing their risk of paralysis. If a child feels physically uncomfortable while practicing backbends, they should stop immediately and lie down to rest, Dr. Guo said. If the child feels better after resting for a while, they should continue to rest, but standing up and walking are not recommended. Last year, a number of studies and media reports sparked a heated debate about the backbend as a seemingly crucial part of folk dancing classes. Many teachers have since understood that it is not appropriate for young children whose spinal structure is not fully developed, and only recommend the move to older students who want to pursue professional folk dancing. Unfortunately, sometimes it is the parents who push their own children too, ignorant of the dangers they are exposing them to. Last year, one woman in her 20s wrote in a Douying comment that although she didnt become paralyzed, she still suffers from lower back pain caused by being forced to practice backbends at the age of seven. It was like a competition among the parents, the young woman wrote. When some of the other children could do a backbend in class, my mother would push me to practice more and say I should easily be able to literally bend over backwards given children are more flexible. Dr. Guo and other orthopedists in China are currently trying to raise awareness about the dangers of the backbend and thus spare thousands of children, particularly young girls, of a lifetime in wheelchairs, paralyzed from the waist down. Interestingly, studies have found that spinal cord injuries in children are not uncommon globally, but while in other countries they are the result of traffic accidents, falls from a considerable height, and other trauma, in China, they are most often associated with the backbend. An Arizona woman was recently sentenced to three years probation for trying to poison her husband by mixing bleach in his morning coffee. Melody Felicano Johnson was initially charged with attempted first-degree murder but ended up pleading guilty to two counts of the lesser felony charge of adding poison or a harmful substance to food or drink. She admitted to putting bleach in her husbands coffee, although it is still unclear as to why. Her husband told investigators he believes she was trying to kill him to collect death benefits, but he explicitly told the court that he did not want her to spend time in prison, which apparently had a major influence on the final verdict. Photo: Devin Avery/Unsplash The womans husband began suspecting that someone was tampering with his morning coffee back in March of 2023, while stationed with the whole family in Germany. For weeks, the US airman tasted something foul in his morning coffee, so he decided to install secret cameras in the kitchen, which caught his wife Melody as she was mixing the bleach in a container and then adding it to his coffee. Shocked by the hidden camera footage, the husband, whose name has not been revealed by the media, bought some pool water testing strips, which showed high levels of chlorine in his coffee. When investigators later checked the couples Arizona home, they found a container with liquid in it that smelled like bleach under the bathroom sink, and confirmed that the coffee machine also smelled like bleach. The husband pretended to consume his morning coffee despite its awful taste until the family returned to the United States, at which point he alerted the police and showed them the evidence. Melody Felicano Johnson was arrested and spent nearly a year in police custody due to her inability to post a $250,000 bond. Her attorney requested the sentence be time served, and the husband explicitly told the court he did not want her to be put behind bars. Melody Felicano Johnson and her husband were living together when the bleach poisoning took place, but they were going through a divorce, and the man believes she was trying to kill him to collect death benefits before the divorce was completed. The couples divorce is still pending. A few years ago, we wrote about a New York woman who allegedly tried to kill her husband by lacing his coffee with boric acid. (L-R) Joe Anthony, Greg Matusky, Bill Haynes Gregory FCA acquires BackBay Communications, a specialized financial strategic communications agency with offices in Boston and London. Gregory FCA came in at #13 on ODwyers 2024 ranking of financial PR firms, with BackBay folllwing at #14. The combined firm will create the countrys sixth largest financially focused strategic communications firm. BackBay will continue to operate under its current name, with founder and CEO Bill Haynes leading the 27-person BackBay team as EVP and managing director. He joins Gregory FCAs New York managing director Brittany Bevacqua and newly elevated COO Brittany Liberatore on the leadership team alongside Gregory FCA founder and CEO Greg Matusky and agency co-owner, president and head of its financial services division Joe Anthony. The BackBay acquisition, which is Gregory FCAs third with minority investor Copley Equity Partners, bolsters its financial expertise with a stable of public relations and content professionals that includes former journalists and analysts from the New York Times, Money, S&P Global, Celent, and American Banker. BackBay will benefit from an expanded suite of offerings through Gregory FCAs investor relations, creative services and digital marketing capabilities. In addition, BackBay will have access to Gregory FCAs portfolio of AI tools. BackBay brings an impressive lineup of the brightest minds in strategic communications, said Matusky. We welcome BackBay into our verticalized practice. Haynes says that the acquisition will provide enhanced career opportunities for our team members and additional value-added services for our clients, including Gregory FCAs pioneering AI-enhanced workflows and its creative center of excellence. Roscrea Community Development Council (RCDC) will hold their traditional 'Meet the Candidates' public meeting in the Abbey Hall, Roscrea on this Monday, May 20th at 8pm. The event has become a highlight of election season in Roscrea and offers a unique opportunity to meet the candidates hoping to represent the people of Roscrea and surrounding areas on the local authority and the European Parliament. It is primarily to offer the people of Roscrea and district an opportunity to listen to and question those candidates who have put themselves forward for election as County Councillors in the Roscrea/Templemore electoral area, RCDC Chairman and founder, John Lupton, told the Tribune ahead of the event. There is also an open invitation to any European candidates in the Ireland South Constituency who have an interest and commitment to Roscrea to attend and listen to the concerns of Roscrea people, the Chairman added. The meeting will be open to everyone and primarily intended for the public to question and hear from local election candidates from the Roscrea/Templemore Electoral area, whose names will appear on the local election ballot paper for the local elections for those voting in Roscrea and District. He said the next five years will be an important period for Roscreas development, as the town is now facing many challenges. In terms of infrastructure, employment opportunities for younger people, business supports and development, the challenges are huge, Mr. Lupton said.. So Roscrea and district needs the strongest possible voice at Municipal Council and County Council level and on the various committees of these Councils to support Roscreas much needed development over the next five years. Infrastructure, business development and opportunity for our younger population in Roscrea, while having benefitted from some development which must be acknowledged, has nonetheless lost ground relative to its neighbouring towns in the past number of years. RCDC Chairman - John Lupton This trend needs to be reversed and effectively tackled in the years ahead, Mr. Lupton said. The RCDC Chairman said they are also issuing an open invitation to candidates in the European Parliament Elections for the Ireland South Constituency, of which Roscrea is on the periphery. Im sure Roscrea may not be on the top of many of their electoral agendae, however, in the context of balanced regional development, they should take an interest in Roscrea and the challenges facing the town and its people. We are hopeful that some of the European candidates for Ireland South may consider it worth their while to visit Roscrea on May 20th and attend our pre-election public meeting and listen to the concerns of Roscrea people and the challenges facing them especially, in the context of balanced regional development and Roscreas present relative disadvantage in that regard. However, in the context of future development, Roscrea needs an elected member(s) of the european parliament who have an absolute commitment to Roscreas development into the future and who do not treat Roscrea as an outpost to pay a brief visit to at election time, and, have no contact with the area thereafter, the Chairman said. RCDC are hopeful for a good turnout of people in the towns Abbey Hall at 8pm on Monday night, May 20th to meet the candidates and impress upon them the urgent needs of Roscrea and its people, Mr. Lupton said. Two multi-million euro projects, The Harbour Masterplan and the Tullamore Regeneration Project, both of which have been in the pipeline for some time, have taken a significant step forward with the announcement that public consultation is set to take place in June on both proposals. The plans contain ''high level aspirations'' for the town and will ''set in train potential for a lot of other projects.'' director of Services, Tom Shanahan said at a presentation to members of Tullamore Municipal District at the May meeting. Members of the public will be invited to view the plans and make their own submissions when they go on public display from June 10 to July 8. An open day for stakeholders will be held within that time frame. Mr Shanahan reminded members that the plans are guiding documents and any individual project within the documents will be subject to further public consultation. They are not cast completely in stone,'' he said. As regards the Harbour Masterplan, Mr Shannon pointed out that the harbour is owned by Waterways Ireland. ''They are the key stakeholders and decision makers in terms of what will happen. They have gone through a process in private themselves in terms of looking at a potential framework for the development of the Harbour site. That's just complete now, they will bring this to public consultation in parallel with the regeneration framework.'' He said the plans and concepts are reliant on funding under the URDF (Urban Regeneration and Development Fund) which is subject to gate approvals, which ''can be a drawn out process. But we will get through it,'' he added. In addition plans are at an advanced stage for the O'Connor Square to Church Street link. This will go through the former Scanlon surgery on Church Street. ''We expect to go to Part 8 in Q3 of this year.'' Mr Shanahan said. Meanwhile Senior Executive Engineer, John Connelly said it is hoped to begin work on the Tanyard to High Street link in June. Councillor Neil Feighery welcomed the news. ''It's good to see that we will have public consultations. I do hope that the people and businesses in the town engage with it in a meaningful way. A lot of these plans will be dependent on the continuation of strong economic performance and we are able to fund these projects because these will be multi-million euro projects. They are very exciting plans for the town that I'm sure over the coming years the next council will be in a position to deliver on them.'' Councillor Sean O'Brien, said it was really exciting for the town, but a big challenge as well. ''The High St to Tanyard link will take place very soon.That's vital because the choking up of O'Connor Square with traffic is a daily problem and getting worse. Hopefully that will go a long way to sorting it out,''he said. ''The Harbour plan is the one we are most excited about, that is the one that's going to be the new Tullamore. It will involve Waterways Ireland it will be huge.'' Councillor Tony McCormack, said Councillors are getting mixed views about the town on the doorstep when canvassing. ''When we look at the streetscape, we don't have a variety of shops and there are shop units that are empty. The population of the town is growing the whole time, we can see that by the number of housing estates that are being built, so we need to have this vision for the town. The harbour plan is a game changer, using the same name as in Dublin, 'The Grand Canal Dock' in Tullamore and we hope we can get business in and get people to live in the area,'' he said An Offaly woman has appealed for "urgent help" to keep her sister alive "a bit longer". Chisa Matsushita has organised a fundraiser for her sister, Miya, who was born with a congenital heart defect, called Tricuspid atresia. With Tricuspid atresia, the valve isn't formed between the two right heart chambers. Instead, a solid sheet of tissue blocks the blood flow between the right heart chambers. The condition limits blood flow through the heart. Tricuspid atresia causes the right lower heart to be underdeveloped. To help her sister whose organs are failing and get them to the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, Chisa said "urgent help" is needed to keep Miya alive "a bit longer". "Miya's organs have been slowly failing for quite some time now. If we can get us both to the Royal Brompton London by boat or car May 19. As her heart is just not strong enough to fly. We will need to afford accommodation stay in London until she's strong enough to come back home," explained Chisa on GoFundMe. "Distressed and heavy hearted I write this on behalf of our beautiful, loving heart warrior sister. Anyone who knows Miya personally, knows her to have a loving, kind and generous heart. Always helping others where she can in life. Miya didn't want to have to ask this, she needs our help and support right now," she said. Throughout her life, Miya has undergone several open-heart surgeries and procedures. "Attaching her heart to her lungs, creating new arteries and fitting a pacemaker in her body. This is a few of many things surgeons have done in order for Miya to live her best life and extend that life. To say we are amazed by her strength and resilience is a huge understatement. Miya has spent her entire life accepting no limitations and proving people wrong. Miya was told she would never be able to work a regular job with her condition and Miya went on to work many positions her entire life. Pushing herself, defying the odds stacked against her. Always supporting herself throughout her life," said Chiya. But over the years, her sister said Miya's condition became increasingly difficult to cope with - and is getting much worse. "Having a cardioversion (shock to her heart) to help her heart restore somewhat of a regular rhythm for every alarming episode of tachycardia. Having these too frequently now and along with other effects of her condition as you can probably imagine is extremely stressful on her. "Having to pay for her trips to hospital in London and Dublin, trying to save for accommodation to stay after she has had another procedure. Every admission means paying for more sick certs. Unfortunately, sick certs don't cut the mustard when hospital visits are so frequent. Miya has lost so many jobs for this reason alone. Miya has a line-up of appointments and a procedure for another heart ablation, she cannot afford to miss this May in both Dublin and London. The healing time from this procedure alone can take months. I want nothing more then for her not to need to stress over the cost of her living right now. Maxed out and stressed out, I really hope we can support her together through this scary time. As I am immensely proud of my sister. I know she could do with more support then we can give her right now," she said. You can donate to the fundraiser here. THOUSANDS of people participated in a demonstration in Nenagh on Saturday following the decision by the HSE and the Department of Health to use a new 50-bed community nursing home as a temporary step-down facility to alleviate overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick. Politicians are divided on a potential solution to the issue, with what has been described as an 'all or nothing' approach taken by one side and the possibility of dividing the building and using it as a dual purpose facility being proposed by the other. The new St. Conlon's unit, a 50 bed facility which is ready to be occupied and cost 24-million, had been intended as a replacement long-term care facility for residents of the current St Conlon's nursing home in the town centre, which the Health Investigation and Quality Authority (HIQA) has deemed not fit for purpose for the just over 20 residents who live there. Residents and their families had been looking forward to moving to the new spacious facility soon, until the unexpected decision by the HSE to use the new facility to alleviate the significant congestion problems at the region's only acute hospital, UHL. Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has indicated he plans to proceed with the controversial HSE plan and temporarily use the new building as a privately run step-down facility to care for patients which would have been designated to UHL. The plan will ensure maximum use of all available bed capacity across the region, for a period of 12 months when it will be reviewed, the HSE said. The decision immediately prompted a strong rejection by the public and staff, who say the elderly and vulnerable residents of St Conlon's expected to be in the new nursing home very quickly. Thousands of people marched through the town from St Conlon's community nursing home to the new facility located beside Nenagh Hospital. They called on Minister for Health Stephan Donnelly and the HSE to reverse it and to allow the facility to proceed to open for its intended purpose rather than be used over the next year to relieve the overcrowding at UHL. POLITICAL DIFFERENCES Local representatives Deputy Alan Kelly and Councillor Seamie Morris addressed the large crowd, while Deputy Michael Lowry, who also participated in the march, was not invited to speak. Deputy Kelly, who is credited as bringing the new St. Conlon's build to Nenagh, was echoed by Cllr. Morris, with both calling for the staff and residents to be permitted access to the entire new building as was originally envisioned. Deputy Kelly urged people not to accept the repurposing of the 24-million new unit and Cllr. Morris said the issue will be a critical factor in the upcoming local elections. A previous suggestion by Deputy Lowry for a temporary shared use of the facility was criticised by both speakers. His proposal would see the current 23 patients and the staff at St. Conlon's relocate to the upper floor of the new building and the 25 beds on the ground floor be made available on a temporary basis as "step-down beds" to alleviate the chronic overcrowding in UHL. Responding on local radio on Tuesday, Deputy Lowry accused Deputy Kelly of "sacrificing" Roscrea's Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Home to advance the creation of a new 50-bed unit in Nenagh. "He took the credit for the 50-bed unit for Nenagh, but what he didn't tell anybody at the time was that he had sold out on Dean Maxwell in Roscrea by diverting the Roscrea beds to Nenagh - so the only reason you have a 50-bed unit in Nenagh is because he had sacrificed and abandoned Dean Maxwell", Deputy Lowry told Fran Curry's Tipp Today show on Tuesday morning. "If you ask any official in the HSE they will tell you that he abandoned the Dean Maxwell to get the 50-bed unit in Nenagh and forgot about the staff, the patients and the public of Roscrea", Deputy Lowry said. Deputy Lowry said he has withdrawn his proposal to divide the new building in Nenagh and will assist in advancing the popular proposal to reverse the HSE's decision. Protestors at the Nenagh march which was blessed with beautiful weather on Saturday last Union representatives from the Irish Nursing and Midwives Organisation (INMO), FORSA and SIPTU are to meet with HSE officials this week to seek a compromise that would see the existing 23 residents move into the new facility as soon as possible. The protest was also supported by the Save Nenagh A&E campaign which is part of the Midwest Hospital Campaign and want to see another emergency department opened in the region. A spokesman for the HSE CHO 3 region said the tender process is on-going to find a provider and that the new unit will also take rehabilitation patients from Nenagh Hospital. The benefit of having access to rehabilitation and sub-acute care for our elderly population in North Tipperary and across the wider region cannot be underestimated, he said. Older people will avail of the right care and closer to their own homes and communities. Inpatient rehabilitation has many positive impacts, not least because it enables recovery of the older person, meaning they can live an independent life, for longer, in their own homes and reduce the overall risk of readmission to acute hospital. He reiterated this is a temporary plan, and said: It is fully intended that the staff and residents of St Conlons will move to the CNU once the required additional staff are in place. The trade unions are also opposed to HSE plans to hire a private operator to run the Step Down Facility rather than directly managing the facility which is located adjacent to Nenagh hospital. A meeting between the HSE and the staff at St Conlans is planned for May 20th and campaigners say they will continue to fight against the decision to repurpose the new building. A man who was found with over 1.1 million worth of drugs hidden in dog food has been sentenced to 10 years in prison with the final two years suspended. Adam Rzepka (39) is already serving a seven-year sentence for money laundering, and had been released on bail for that offence the day before he was found with the drugs. Rzepka, of The Cammock Apartments, Mount Brown, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cannabis worth over 1.1 million. He also pleaded guilty to having a car in his possession that was being used in a drug trafficking offence, having a mixing agent for the use in drug trafficking and possessing property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct in the form of 33,090 in cash. All of the offences occurred on November 29, 2021, at Hickeys Yard, The Ward, Co Dublin. Rzepka, orginally from Poland, has two previous convictions from this jurisdiction. One is for the money laundering offence, which involved a sum of money over 400k, and for which he was sentenced to seven years in prison. He also has two convictions abroad - one for circulation of drugs and another for robbery. He received a two and a half year and a five year sentence for those offences respectively. He was seen by gardai in Hickeys yard on the date in question before he left and travelled in an Audi A6 to Richmond Street in Dublin 1. Rzepka met a man there and got into a WV Passat. He then drove this car back to Hickeys Yard, where he entered a lock-up building via a roller door. Gardai had obtained a search warrant and entered the unit. They found large bags of opened and unopened dog food. They found Rzepka in the upstairs loft. Rzepka was the only person in the building, and he was standing beside a box of vacuum-packed cannabis. Additional boxes of cannabis were also present in the loft. Other drugs in the form of amphetamine with a value of 38,767, ketamine with a value of 9732, along with 68 packs of cannabis with a value of 1,055,960. The total value of drugs seized was 1,104,595,50. The court heard caffeine powder, which is commonly used as a mixing drug for controlled drugs with a value of 7,097 was found along with other drug paraphernalia in the form of mixing jugs and weighing scales. Cash to the sum of 33,090 was also seized. The GNDOCB seized the WV Passat, and this was examined by specialist gardai. A concealed area that used a magnetic release between the boot and back seat was discovered. The car was also registered in a false name. Rzepka was arrested, detained, and interviewed. During his interview, he admitted to unpacking the drugs from the dog food bags. He declined to say anything more as he said he was in fear for his safety. The court heard that when asked about the other drugs found and the mixing agents, he denied having any knowledge. Michael Bowman SC, defending, submitted that his client had tried to take his own life on number of occasions since his arrest, in the belief that the courts would deal with him more harshly because he is a foreign national. Of course, the exact opposite is true, he said. Judge Codd imposed a 10-year sentence. Taking into account its a consecutive sentence, I will suspend the final two years on condition he be of good behaviour and keep peace, she added. Rzepka entered the bond and then hugged and kissed his fiancee before being led away. Hyderabad: New Zealand's food safety regulator on Wednesday said it is investigating possible contamination in spice products of top Indian brands MDH and Everest after they faced scrutiny in other countries. The United States and Australia have been looking into contamination after Hong Kong last month suspended sales of three spice blends of MDH and one of Everest, saying they contained high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide, ethylene oxide. Singapore ordered a recall of the Everest spice mix. In a statement, the regulator, New Zealand Food Safety, said it is aware of the overseas recalls. Ethylene oxide is a chemical known to cause cancer in humans, and its use for food sterilisation has been phased out in New Zealand and other countries. As MDH and Everest spices are also available in New Zealand, we are looking into this issue," said Jenny Bishop, the regulator's acting deputy director general. MDH and Everest did not immediately respond to requests for comment. They have said their products are safe for consumption. Regulators in India have inspected MDH and Everest plants and sent samples for testing after the global scrutiny, though the results have not yet been made public. For decades, MDH and Everest have been household names in India. Their products are also exported to the United States, Europe, South East Asia, Middle East and Australia. MDH has since 2021 also seen an average 14.5 per cent of its US shipments rejected over the presence of bacteria salmonella, an analysis of the US Food and Drug Administration data has found. Photo by Brittani Burns on Unsplash (Image by Brittani Burns) Details DMCA As the country races toward becoming "majority-minority" where non-Hispanic white people will be less than half of the population, fear has fueled a rising level of bigotry. Antisemitic incidents in the country rose more than 35% from 2021 to 2022 and then skyrocketed up about 400% in the month after Hamas' deadly terrorist attack on Israel. The Proud Boys and other far-right groups have disrupted "Drag Queen Story Hour" events across the country, sometimes violently. Fifty-one percent of black Americans reported hearing racial slurs and 60% reported being stopped or unfairly treated by the police. Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with 37.7% of our residents being foreign-born. Ninety-eight languages are spoken in the sprawling Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) schools. Approximately 17.5% of the city's population is Jewish, the largest community in the world outside of New York City and Israel. While Los Angeles joined Chicago and New York to hold the first Gay Pride parades to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, only Los Angeles' was officially permitted. Los Angeles County is home to the third-largest black population (936,285) in the United States. Being a diverse city has not exempted us from the rising tides of bigotry. Weeks before the primary election in March 2024, copies of tweets from a candidate in LAUSD Board District 1 were uncovered that showed support for a book that is "widely criticized for being antisemitic." Last June a group violently protested against a Pride Month assembly in front of Saticoy Elementary School. While 8.6% of Los Angeles' population is black or African American, in the summer of 2020 they comprised 31% of the people locked up in the Los Angeles County jail system. These issues highlight the importance of tackling inclusion and diversity in our schools. With this in mind, the six remaining candidates for the LAUSD School Board were sent the following questions to the email they have on file with the Los Angeles City Clerk: The proposed "LAUSD Resolution On Antisemitism" includes a requirement "that standalone units of study on antisemitism in both middle and high school will include a lesson on how the misuse of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction movements can be antisemitic." Would you support a resolution that included this wording? (Image by Dan Chang) Details DMCA During the 2020 election, the California Charter School Association (CCSA) ran an ad campaign against Scott Schmerelson that was widely condemned for using antisemitic tropes. Based on these actions would you reject support from this organization? During this year's primary election, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) endorsed a candidate who in the past had called on the LAUSD to include in its curriculum a book that has been called "the Bible of new antisemitism." Was the union correct to pull its endorsement of this candidate? When Citizens of the World Charter School was co-located on the campus of Shirley Avenue Elementary School, it had a student body that was significantly whiter and more affluent than its host. Should charter schools be held responsible for ensuring that their demographics reflect that of the community? Do you support "The Great Big Book of Families," as an age-appropriate resource for teaching elementary school students about diversity in family structures? Bullying often has an underlying component of racism, homophobia, or other types of bigotry. Is the LAUSD doing enough to eliminate bullying from its campuses? Long-used forms of student discipline have been accused of contributing to a school-to-prison pipeline. In response, the LAUSD has mandated that schools limit suspensions and implement Restorative Justice programs. Is the District providing enough support to ensure that these will help achieve their stated goal? The LAUSD has programs in place to lower the number of black students eligible for Special Education services claiming that this racial group is often overidentified and this causes harm. Do these programs run the risk of preventing students from receiving the services that they need? Carl Petersen is a parent advocate for public education, particularly for students with special education needs, who serves as the Education Chair for the Northridge East Neighborhood Council. As a Green Party candidate in LAUSD's District 2 School Board race, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action. Dr. Diane Ravitch has called him "a valiant fighter for public schools in Los Angeles." For links to his blogs, please visit www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty declares that NATO members will assist another member if attacked by "taking action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force." But the UN Charter does not say anywhere that warmaking is authorized for whoever jumps in on the appropriate side. The North Atlantic Treaty's authors may have been aware that they were on dubious legal ground because they went on twice to claim otherwise, first adding the words "Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall immediately be reported to the Security Council. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security." But shouldn't the United Nations be the one to decide when it has taken necessary measures and when it has not? The North Atlantic Treaty adds a second bit of sham obsequiousness with the words "This Treaty does not affect, and shall not be interpreted as affecting in any way the rights and obligations under the Charter of the Parties which are members of the United Nations, or the primary responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security." So the treaty that created NATO seeks to obscure the fact that it is, indeed, authorizing warmaking outside of the United Nations -- as has now played out in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, and Libya. While the UN Charter itself replaced the blanket ban on all warmaking that had existed in the Kellogg-Briand Pact with a porous ban plagued by loopholes imagined to apply far more than they actually do -- in particular that of "defensive" war -- it is NATO that creates, in violation of the UN Charter, the idea of numerous nations going to war together of their own initiative and by prior agreement to all join in any other member's war. Because NATO has numerous members, as does also your typical street gang, there is a tendency to imagine NATO not as an illegal enterprise but rather as just the reverse, as a legitimizer and sanctioner of warmaking. The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty forbids transferring nuclear weapons to other nations. It contains no NATO exception. Yet NATO proliferates nuclear weapons, and this is widely imagined as law enforcement or crime prevention. The prime minister of Sweden said this week that NATO ought to be able to put nuclear weapons in Sweden as long as somebody has determined it to be "war time." The Nonproliferation Treaty says otherwise, and the people who plan the insanity of nuclear war say "What the heck for? We've got them on long-range missiles and stealth airplanes and submarines?" The people of Sweden seem, at least in large part, to also want to say No Nukes -- but when were people ever asked to play a role in "defending democracy"? The purpose of bringing nukes into Sweden, for those in the Swedish government who favor it, may in fact be purely a show of subservience to U.S. empire, driven by fear of its obliging partner in the arms race, the militarists in Russia. Poland's president says his country would be happy to have "NATO" nuclear weapons there, "war time" or not, and this proposal is reported in U.S. corporate media with no mention of any legal concerns and with the claim that it comes as a response to the Russian placement of nuclear weapons in Belarus. Last year I asked the Russian ambassador to the United States why putting nuclear weapons into Belarus wasn't a blatant violation of the Nonproliferation Treaty, and he said, oh no, it was perfectly fine, because the United States does it all the time. In fact, NATO itself owns and controls no nuclear weapons. Three NATO members own and control nuclear weapons. We cannot be certain how many weapons they have, since nuclear weapons are both justified with the dubious alchemy of "deterrence" and, contradictorily, cloaked in secrecy. The United States has an estimated 5,344 nuclear weapons, France an estimated 290, and Great Britain an estimated 240. NATO calls itself a "nuclear alliance" and maintains a "Nuclear Planning Group" for all of its members -- those with and those without nuclear weapons -- to discuss the launching of the sort of war that puts all life on Earth at risk, and to coordinate rehearsals or "war games" practicing for the use of nuclear weapons in Europe. NATO partners Israel and Pakistan are estimated to possess 170 nuclear weapons each. Five NATO members have U.S. nuclear weapons stored and controlled by the U.S. military within their borders: Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey. These are estimated at 35 nuclear weapons at Aviano and Ghedi Air Bases in Italy, 20 at Incirlik in Turkey, and 15 each at Kleine Brogel in Belgium, Volkel Air Base in the Netherlands, and Buchel Air Base in Germany. The United States is reportedly also moving its own nuclear weapons into RAF Lakenheath in the UK, where it has stored them in the past. The people of each of these countries routinely protest the presence of nuclear weapons and have never been asked to vote on the matter. The notion that the nuclear weapons in a European country are still U.S. nuclear weapons and thus haven't been proliferated is an odd fit with the general understanding of international treaties, which are conceived and written as if there were no such thing as empire. With so-called U.S. or NATO nuclear weapons in potentially eight nations in Europe -- and perhaps South Korea as well, at least on U.S. submarines docked there to please certain war-crazed South Koreans -- there could soon be more nations in the world with "U.S." nuclear weapons than nations with anybody else's. In recent years, the United States has been replacing its nuclear bombs stored in European nations with a newer model (the B61-12), while NATO members have been buying new U.S.-made airplanes with which to drop them. Turkey has had U.S. nukes stored in it even while U.S.-backed and Turkish-backed troops have fought each other in Syria, and even during a non-U.S.-backed coup attempt at the very base where the nuclear weapons are stored. Seven other NATO members are said to support "nuclear missions" using their non-nuclear militaries: The Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Poland, and Romania. Poland and Romania also host new U.S./NATO missile bases that could launch missiles into Russia from very short distances, leaving the Russian government mere moments to decide whether the weapons are nuclear, or to decide whether to launch missiles of its own. The U.S. and NATO claim the bases are purely defensive, and various supporters of the bases have even claimed they had nothing to do with Russia-- that they were either focused on Iran (then-U.S. President Barack Obama) or purely functioned as jobs programs for U.S. workers (former U.S. Ambassador Jack Matlock). Meanwhile, the U.S. has been manufacturing what many of its officials describe as "more usable" or "tactical" nuclear weapons (merely several times the destructive power of what was used on Hiroshima). At the same time, the U.S. military is aware that, in its war game scenarios, the use of a single so-called "tactical" nuclear weapon tends to lead to all-out nuclear war. Or, as then-Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told the House Armed Services Committee in 2018, "I don't think there is any such thing as a 'tactical nuclear weapon.' Any nuclear weapon used any time is a strategic game-changer." The U.S.-made, disaster-prone F-35 is the first "stealth" airplane designed to carry nuclear bombs, meaning that it can in theory drop a nuclear bomb on a city with no warning from radar at all. The U.S./NATO have managed to sell F-35s to the U.S., UK, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, with efforts under way to spread them to more nations, eventually perhaps creating a general need for them on the grounds of "interoperability." The F-35 is currently being demonstrated on the people of Gaza. The U.S. military has enough nuclear weapons in each of the following three forms to threaten all life on our planet: missiles on U.S. submarines in oceans around the world; bombs on U.S. airplanes circling the globe; and missiles in the ground in the United States. So why also keep nuclear bombs in European countries, where they would have to be loaded onto airplanes and flown (presumably to Russia) on missions either so "stealth" that they avoid all warning or so risky that they would have to be preceded by massive efforts to destroy air defenses? Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). The beleaguered Oregon Employment Department said Wednesday it will attempt to accelerate claims processing by cutting phone hours, giving staff more time to reduce a backlog of unpaid benefits. Its a counterintuitive strategy for the agency, given the extraordinary hold times laid-off workers have been experiencing when they call for help with stalled claims. The employment department says the average hold time for callers is already well over an hour. But the employment department said it believes that faster processing will get aid to claimants faster. We need to get fully caught up on our work to provide the level of customer service that Oregonians deserve and require, employment department director David Gerstenfeld said Wednesday. The agency announced the shift following a steep decline in timely payments, which has left thousands of unemployed Oregonians waiting for financial help. Some have reported losing their homes and falling behind on bills because of delays in their benefits. The employment department said it has identified 28,000 applicants who have an issue with their claims, including 7,800 whose issues have been pending for at least six weeks. Some claimants have been receiving benefits despite the issues, according to the department, and some may be ineligible for aid. Gov. Tina Kotek said early this month that she is dissatisfied with the agency. This week, legislative Republicans demanded the employment department lay out a plan to overcome its lapses. Oregonians deserve assurance that their contributions to a state-run program meant to sustain them during a period of job loss will do just that, two dozen Republicans wrote in a Tuesday letter to Kotek. The changes the employment department outlined Wednesday aim to ease the overall problem at the cost of increasing frustrations over long hold times. Beginning in June, the employment department will temporarily stop taking calls on Mondays. And it said it will permanently reduce the hours it answers calls by one hour in the mornings and afternoons. It will only answer calls from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The change will affect both the agencys unemployment and paid leave programs. That gives agency staff more time to focus on claims, officials said, and make outbound calls to laid-off workers to help address benefits. We understand this change will make it more difficult for some people to reach us by phone in the short term, Gerstenfeld said. But he said a pilot project the agency undertook in January showed that it can reduce wait times overall by shifting its focus from the phones to claims processing. Overall, the negative impacts of reducing phone hours will be small in comparison to the progress we make, Gerstenfeld said. Agency staff are already working 1,000 hours of overtime each week, according to Gerstenfeld, and he said the agency is considering other measures to accelerate benefit payments. We cant wait. We must act boldly, Gerstenfeld said. We need to give our employees more time to focus on resolving claims. The Oregonian/OregonLive reported this month that nearly a third of laid-off workers must wait more than three weeks for their benefits to be paid. The share of claimants experiencing delays has tripled since the start of last year. Frustrations with the agency mounted after the employment department launched a new computer system in March, called Frances Online. The new system appears to have confused some claimants, at least initially, and it may have taken time for employment department staff to familiarize themselves with the technology. But state and federal data show the employment departments recent issues began months before Frances Online. The agency blames a decline in its own workforce, reporting that the number of staff processing benefit applications has dropped by two-thirds since last summer. Lawmakers approved additional funding to replace some of the staff during the last legislative session. But the employment department says those new workers wont begin making a difference until late this year, after it has had time to hire and train them. Legislators and the governor have made it increasingly clear they are unhappy with the agencys timetable. What Ive said to the agency is we have to do better, Kotek said at a press conference early this month. I dont want to read any more stories about someone who cant pay the rent and is going to lose housing. That would be counterintuitive to what were trying to achieve. On Wednesday, Gerstenfeld apologized for the delays and frustrations of those seeking his agencys help. Were upset at not being able to help everyone as quickly as we want, he said. Correction: The employment department has identified 28,000 applicants who have issues with their claims, including 7,800 whose issues have been pending for at least six weeks. This article originally overstated the figures since some claimants have more than one issue. -- Mike Rogoway covers Oregon technology and the state economy. Reach him at mrogoway@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Lawmakers passed a bill this year that will limit contributions to political contests in Oregon starting in 2027. But until it takes effect in 2 years, wealthy individuals and money-laden companies and groups will continue to direct a firehose of cash onto the states political landscape. Since January 2023, three groups or individuals have contributed more than $1 million to Oregon campaigns, similar to the four that did so in January 2020 through May 2021. And at least eight other companies, unions or industry alliances have poured in $400,000 or more. Adan Fausto, a Southern California-born chef with experience at high-end restaurants in California and New York, plans to revive his mariscos menu one of Portlands surprise pop-up hits of 2022 at psychedelic Southeast Portland bar The Houston Blacklight this summer. Last month, Fausto gave notice at Los Burros Supremos, the Submarine Hospitality and Sortis Holdings-backed burrito shop that recently moved downtown to the old Kenny & Zukes space. Los Burros remains open, but plans for a more ambitious Mexican restaurant, La Lenadora, are on ice, Fausto said. Emailing from a mariscos-fueled research trip to Ensenada, Fausto wrote that his original plan was to open a Portland food cart with seafood in the summer and tacos in the winter. But after learning that The Houston Blacklight owners Thomas and Mariah Pisha-Duffly were looking to shake things up at their year-old bar, he went back into pop-up mode. Adan Fausto (center) stands at one of the first incarnations of his Tacos Con Onda pop-up in the Montavilla neighborhood. The former Paradise Mariscos chef is taking over The Houston Blacklight with a summer seafood residency.Michael Russell | The Oregonian Fausto first hit Portlands radar in 2022 with Paradise Mariscos, serving bright ceviche, black cod flautas and Contramar-esque tuna tostadas from a parking lot pop-up behind Northeast Portlands Guero. The next year, he launched Tacos con Onda, a Norteno-style carne asada taco counter at the old Woodsman Tavern, where he eventually opened Los Burros. (Meanwhile, Megan Sanchez, Gueros owner, reinvented Paradise as a Mexican burger cart the next year; rumor has it a new concept is in the works for this year.) The Mariscos con Onda x Houston Blacklight menu will be familiar to fans of the pop-up. Fausto plans to serve ceviche, seafood coctels, shrimp flautas and fried oyster tortas. Hes also toying with a take on a cheesy deshebrada taco made with flour tortillas and black cod in place of beef. In a text, Mariah Pisha-Duffly said that Fausto and bartender Em Warden are changing the cocktail menu to better fit the mariscos menu. Some drinks will come with large garnishes from the kitchen, including whole oysters and grilled shrimp, and a mangonada-inspired slushie with chamoy is ready to roll and sure amp up the summer vibes. Look for Mariscos Con Onda to take over The Houston Blacklight kitchen starting in early June at 2100 S.E. Clinton St., 503-477-4738, thehoustonblacklight.com Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Audrey Bailey Bailey is the community education director for Oregon State Credit Union. Nearly two decades ago, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2584, creating a task force on financial education. The result of that work was a recommendation that the Legislature deem financial education an essential skill and provide students robust financial education as a requirement for a high school diploma. Last year, the Legislature finally made good on that recommendation, with the strong bipartisan passage of Senate Bill 3. The bill, which adds a half-credit of personal finance education to graduation requirements, was widely supported by credit unions, nonprofit organizations, students and financial education teachers. Now, however, it appears the state is on the verge of diluting that achievement. The Oregon Department of Education recently dropped a draft proposal requiring schools to offer a standalone half-credit class of financial education and instead is suggesting schools be allowed to meet the requirement by sprinkling financial literacy lessons into other courses. Not only is that no improvement on what many schools are doing now, it is a totally inadequate approach to help students learn how to create a budget, understand taxes, open a bank account and acquire other critical life skills for managing personal finances in an increasingly complex world. The proposal before the Oregon State Board of Education goes against what the education department has been working on for the past several months and defies what education officials themselves know is best for students. As the state education departments governmental relations director said in testimony before the Senate Education Committee last year, It is clear that financial literacy courses are most successful when offered as stand-alone courses. The pullback seems to stem from opposition by some school district officials who testified last month about staffing issues making it difficult to support a stand-alone course. While the staffing issue is a concern, it should not prevent schools from providing our children with this critical instruction. The legislation anticipated that concern by providing flexibility to districts. For example, current math, English or social science instructors who teach the financial education course and extensively use algebraic principles, writing skills or social-economic impacts of various financial tools in their teaching approach may allow students to meet a half credit requirement in those subject areas. Not only does that leverage the expertise of existing teachers, but provides students a practical and potentially more engaging class that incorporates those core skills into everyday life. In many Oregon high schools, where personal finance is taught as an elective course, the classes are so popular with students they are often over-subscribed. As one high school student from Newport testified: " I can honestly say I have learned more valuable information in my personal finance class than any other class I have taken. A stand-alone course is necessary as studies have shown when various financial literacy standards are scattered into other class course work, they are often never taught at all or even evaluated for compliance, as several people testified to legislators last year. Members of the Board of Education universally commented on the importance of financial education during discussion of the rule in April. Unfortunately, they also appeared to agree with the education department that requiring the stand-alone class would be too large of a burden for many schools. I have spoken to educators in our high schools who are devastated by this sudden change of directioneducators who fought hard for these requirements to be a standalone course. Resources abound in the financial and nonprofit sector to assist in curriculum development and teacher training. Oregon State Credit Union, like so many others have donated thousands of volunteer hours in our schools providing expertise. The new law does not take effect until 2027. Rather than stepping away from the challenges in implementing the legislation, state education leadership should embrace the opportunity it provides for our students and identify solutions to any obstacles rather than accepting a return to the status quo. We and many others stand ready to come alongside these leaders and to serve as a resource to help implement the legislation as intended. Our youth are counting on us to get this right. Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: Anyone who has walked their kids to school, driven to work, or biked to a park lately knows that Portlands roads are in miserable shape, (Editorial endorsement May 2024: Vote yes on extending Portlands gas tax, April 28). Our communities suffer from a systemic disinvestment in our transportation system, most notably in the soaring traffic fatality epidemic that continues to disproportionately harm our most vulnerable neighbors. This spring, Portland voters have the opportunity to extend a critical funding levy that makes our city safer, greener and healthier without raising any existing taxes. Measure 26-245 renews our existing local gas tax, authorizing Portland to continue moving forward with the effective Fixing Our Streets program. With just over a week to go before the May 21 primary, only 10% of Oregon voters had turned in their ballots, state elections officials reported Tuesday. In the metro area, Clackamas County voters were especially unlikely to have voted, with just 8% having returned their ballots, the state reported. Multnomah, the states most populous county, was just above that, with a return rate of 9%. The statewide rate compares to 17% of voters who had turned in ballots at the same point in 2020, the most recent primary election that included a presidential contest but not one for Oregon governor. The presidential primary races have been decided for months, a factor that may be impacting turnout this year. Oregon voters have also increasingly waited until the final days before election deadlines to cast ballots and, as of 2022, can mail them on Election Day and have them still count. That makes election night tallies harder to regard as final. So far this year, just 312,000 voters have gotten their ballots to county election offices, representing 13% of registered Democrats, 15% of registered Republicans and 4% of unaffiliated voters. Betsy Hammond oversees coverage of state politics and government as well as education, Portland City Hall and homelessness. Reach her at betsyhammond@oregonian.com or follow her at @OregonPolEds Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Wednesdays weather will feel a lot like Tuesdays did with some light morning clouds, then a clear afternoon with highs reaching near 80. The National Weather Service says high pressure will linger through the day Wednesday keeping skies mostly clear, but a weak system moving south from the Gulf of Alaska on Thursday could produce some light rain by the evening. Portlands string of warm, sunny days continues Wednesday with light winds out of the north/northwest. The high will be about 80 degrees. Weather patterns shift on Thursday and cooler temps will move southward from Alaska dropping Portland back down to more seasonably average temperatures. The metro area will see partly sunny skies but more clouds than it has in several days. The high will be about 73 degrees. Theres about a 20% chance of rain later Thursday night, when skies will be mostly cloudy. Clouds will clear off again on Friday leaving mostly sunny skies by the afternoon. The high will be around 68 degrees. Some forecast models are showing another low pressure system moving southward out of Canada on Saturday and likely bring another round of light rain into the Pacific Northwest. Winds will be gusty through the Columbia River Gorge and in the eastern parts of the metro area. Other models predict Portland will see mostly sunny skies Saturday. In either case, the high temp will sink to about 66 degrees. Those cool temps will carry through into Sunday when a high of only 65 is expected. On Sunday, tragic sibling deaths in Missouri occurred. The incident unfolded in St. Louis County as a woman and her brother succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds, according to authorities. Lamarr Harris, a 19-year-old resident of Florissant, was swiftly apprehended and charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the shooting. Currently detained on a $750,000 cash-only bond, Harris faces legal proceedings related to the heartbreaking event. St. Louis Sibling Murder Case A 19-year-old from Florissant, Lamarr Harris, has been charged by St. Louis County Police in connection with the tragic sibling deaths in Missouri deaths of siblings Marc Rhodes, 19, and Lanija Cooper, 20. According to authorities, Harris allegedly utilized a Lyft ride to and from the victims' residence, where a fatal altercation ensued. Law enforcement responded to reports of a shooting in Midland, situated approximately 18 miles west of St. Louis, early Sunday morning. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man and a woman, later identified as the siblings, suffering from gunshot wounds. Unfortunately, both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigative efforts unveiled that Harris, previously romantically linked to Cooper, harbored suspicions regarding her involvement in an incident concerning his new girlfriend's vandalized car tires. This suspicion allegedly prompted Harris to utilize a Lyft service to reach the victims' home in St. Louis County on Sunday morning. A confrontation with Cooper's brother, Marc, escalated, resulting in a fatal gunshot wound to Marc. The ongoing investigation has led to Harris facing charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with this heartbreaking incident. Lyft Involvement in Murder Case Harris and Rhodes engaged in a heated argument, leading to Rhodes striking Harris in the face, according to court documents. After being struck, the defendant drew his weapon and fired at Rhodes, the statement detailed. Rhodes succumbed to his injuries. In a prior police statement, it was revealed that the female victim, later identified as Cooper, was discovered nearby with a fatal gunshot wound. Both siblings tragically lost their lives at the crime scene. A neighbor recounted providing investigators with a description of the suspect. They were informed by detectives that the individual had arranged for a rideshare. He utilized it and had another rideshare waiting for a quick exit. The police noticed his behavior getting into a vehicle, which raised suspicions. Consequently, they stopped the car and detained the driver, as the neighbor mentioned. The same neighbor attempted to assist the victims but arrived too late. "By time I got there, it was too late. There was nothing I could do. They both sustained shots to their side and their organs. There was no putting on a tourniquet, nothing, it was already too late," he lamented. A police spokesperson disclosed that the suspect endeavored to flee the scene in a rideshare vehicle but was promptly intercepted by responding officers, who took him into custody. "The police observed him entering a vehicle, which seemed suspicious. Hence, they halted the vehicle and detained the driver," another neighbor informed a local news outlet. Chaos erupted at Howard University's nursing graduation ceremony, which quickly became the reason for its cancellation. Howard University abruptly ended the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences graduation ceremony on Thursday, just an hour after it began. Video footage showed a broken door at Cramton Auditorium and a group of locked-out families gathered outside. Nursing Graduation Ceremony in Chaos According to The Hilltop, Howard University's student newspaper, crowds began forming two hours before 6 p.m. ceremony, which was not ticketed. The Hilltop reported that university security closed the doors to the auditorium foyer once the approximately 1,500-seat capacity was reached. The ceremony was to award 280 degrees, with the auditorium's capacity allowing for an estimated 3-4 attendees per graduate. Dean Gina Spivey-Brown of the CNAHS addressed the crowd, explaining that the fire department was present due to overcrowding concerns, saying, "Because of the size of the room, and because our relatives sometimes do not know how to act, the fire department is now here to shut us down." However, fire officials said that they did not halt the ceremony. Noah Gray, Chief Communications Officer for D.C. Fire and EMS, stated that they responded to a medical call at 6:42 p.m. at the request of campus police. The patient injured during the chaos was evaluated and later refused transport, and D.C. Fire and EMS left the scene. As stated by the Howard University officials, security in the institution had removed an individual from the building before the graduation ceremony began. However, the said person have returned back to the place and smashed a glass door outside the auditorium. As a result, one of the students attending the graduation sustained cuts on their hands from the broken glass. The abrupt turn of events left students and their families shocked and upset. "I'm confused why it got so crazy, how it got so quick, so bad so fast," said graduate Kiana Hamilton. Numerous more students share the same feelings of devastation and grievances as their anticipated graduation ceremony came to a halt due to the sudden chaos. Howard University's Cancellation Response Graduate Halle Ragoonanan expressed deep disappointment, noting her missed high school graduation in 2020 due to the pandemic and her magna cum laude college graduation. Other graduates shared their frustration over the money their families spent to attend the ceremony, only for it to be canceled. The university apologized for the cancellation in a Friday statement and announced plans to review crowd control policies, committing to better managing crowd capacity and enhancing future graduation ceremonies. Howard University President Ben Vinson III acknowledged the college's graduates during the university's commencement ceremony on Saturday, apologizing for the week's events and saluting the graduates. Following the university's commencement, the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences resumed its ceremony. Howard University's statement noted that the incident led to a disturbance among guests outside the facility, causing a program disruption and immediate dispersal of attendees. Some affected students participated in the university's main commencement ceremony on Saturday, with individual awards distributed on Friday. A Chicago teen, Dorothy Jean Tillman II, has now earned her doctorate at 17. At the young age of 17, the teenager from Chicago has reached the remarkable achievement of now being officially Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman II, as she recently attended her graduation ceremony. Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman's Academic Journey Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman II began her journey towards higher education at an exceptionally young age. She started attending college a few years before she even entered her teenage years, became a freshman at the College of Lake County, and majored in psychology at only 10 years old. After college, by 2020, she had already earned her Master of Science from Unity College. Her academic prowess and determination led her to be accepted into the Doctor of Behavioral Health Management Program at Arizona State University (ASU) in 2021, when she was only 15 years old. In an interview with "Good Morning America," Tillman shared that her family's emphasis on education played a significant role in her academic pursuits. Her grandmother, a participant in the Civil Rights Movement, instilled in her the importance of lifelong learning. "People in my life like my grandmother, who was part of the Civil Rights Movement, she of course harped on the importance of education and consistently learning something always," Tillman said. Tillman's passion for education also stemmed from her innate curiosity and desire to explore the world beyond traditional school subjects. She always valued education highly, not only due to her upbringing but also because she sought out various topics to learn about. For her, the drive to discover new things was ever-present, encompassing more than just the subjects taught in school. Passion for Psychology From an early age, Tillman was drawn to psychology and related fields, which fueled her academic journey. She described her fascination with these subjects, saying, she found the complexities of psychology incredibly intriguing, which then kept her motivated to continue her studies in this field. In December 2023, at just 17 years old, Tillman successfully defended her dissertation to earn her doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from ASU's College of Health Solutions. On May 6, she proudly walked at ASU's commencement ceremonies. Before the big day, Tillman shared her excitement, noting that the celebration and seeing fellow students, even those she hadn't met in person due to the online nature of her program, would be fulfilling. Inspiration and Future Plans Dr. Leslie Manson, a clinical associate professor at ASU, praised Tillman as the youngest person in school history to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health. Manson highlighted Tillman's growth in professional writing and leadership skills during her time at ASU, noting her innovative ideas and motivation. Manson also mentioned that Tillman embodies the essence of a true leader, with her curiosity and intelligence being particularly remarkable. Other students, Manson suggested, could learn a great deal about dedication from Tillman. As for her future plans, Tillman is still exploring her dreams and goals, much like any other teenager. She expressed gratitude for having achieved so much at a young age, allowing her time to think about her next steps. Tillman also advised other young people to be cautious about the influence of social media, emphasizing that there is often more to a story than what appears online. She believes that figuring things out is part of the journey, and it's important to make the effort to find one's path. A Texas woman has claimed Santa Fe police officers of pressing her face into a pile of fire ants, leading to multiple bite marks on her head and chest. Santa Fe Police Arrests Texas Woman Taylor Rogers narrated that the circumstances took place on August 19, 2021, while she was taking her son to school. According to her federal civil lawsuit, an officer approached her vehicle contentiously, prompting her to panic and drive the wrong way down a bus-only lane. The suit, initially filed in July and amended in January, states that Rogers, who suffers from mental illness and PTSD from a prior police encounter, was forcibly slammed to the ground, handcuffed tightly enough to cut her skin, and had her leg twisted with excessive force. She was then hog-tied and her face was shoved into a pile of fire ants, causing severe pain. Rogers' lawsuit aims to prevent such incidents in the future, arguing that no officer should treat a detained person in this manner. Newly released body-camera footage shows Rogers on the grass, wailing and begging as ants crawl on her face. During a news conference, Rogers emphasized the circumstances as indicative of a lack of empathy and compassion in some law enforcement officers. Her attorney, Randall Kallinen, who organized a GoFundMe campaign for her, noted that she suffered over 300 fire ant bites and immense pain. Santa Fe Independent School District Police Chief Ruben Espinoza, named in the lawsuit along with another officer and the City of Santa Fe, contested the allegations. He stated that the video did not capture the full context and claimed that Rogers was erratic and non-compliant. Espinoza said that Rogers drove into a bus driveway near where children were being dropped off and posed a danger, prompting him to use his vehicle to stop hers. He insisted that she was treated with respect and professionalism and that no visible ant pile was present, although Rogers did yell about ants. Espinoza maintained that she was quickly lifted from the ground after mentioning the ants. Read Also : First Person to Receive Kidney Transplant from Genetically Modified Pig Dies 2 Months After Surgery Texas Mom Quietly Endured Her Pain to Prevent Upsetting Her Son The lawsuit disputes this account, alleging disrespectful behavior from the officers and that Rogers endured pain silently to avoid distressing her son, who was watching from the car. Kallinen calls for disciplinary action against the involved officers. Santa Fe City Manager Alun Thomas declined to comment on the lawsuit but has previously supported the officers. Rogers also stated that the incident occurred in front of her 9-year-old son, who was in the backseat of her car. Santa Fe ISD Police Chief Ruben Espinoza, one of the two officers named in the lawsuit, disputed Rogers' claims, saying images from the arrest showed no fire ants on the grass. Espinoza added that the bodycam video shared by Rogers' attorney was misleading and omitted the part where officers helped lift Rogers off the ground after she agreed to calm down. He asserted that Rogers was treated with "respect and dignity" throughout the arrest. After her arrest, Rogers pleaded guilty to charges related to fleeing from police but maintains that she drove away from Espinoza after he allegedly banged on her car and pointed a gun at her, causing her to panic. A Colorado swing set accident led to the tragic death of a 5-year-old girl in Fort Collins. The 5-year-old girl, named Aurora Masters, got strangled in their backyard from the swing. Medical rescue personnel immediately arrived on the scene and were quickly transported to the hospital. 5-Year-Old Girl Dies From Swing Set Accident A tragic play accident claimed the life of a young girl from Colorado after she was strangled by a swing set in her backyard. The 5-year-old girl from Fort Collins, Aurora Masters, was innocently playing on her swing set in their residence when the incident occurred. Fort Collins is located approximately 63 miles north of Denver. According to the Fort Collins Police Department, officers arrived at the scene and provided medical assistance until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) took over. With that, Aurora was then immediately transported to a local hospital, where the young child succumbed to her injuries on May 11. Police authorities at the crime scene have ruled the incident an accident and are not pursuing further investigation, as there is no evidence of criminal activity involved. Furthermore, the Larimer County Coroner's Office has yet to release the official cause of death. Brenda Kennedy, Aurora's great-aunt, shared that the child had moved her plastic slide near the swing and somehow became entangled, leading to the fatal accident. "She pulled her little plastic slide over to where her swing was and somehow got caught up in the swing, and the swing strangled her." Kennedy has also organized a GoFundMe campaign in memory of Aurora. In Memory of Aurora Great-aunt Brenda Kennedy provided updates about her grandniece's condition through a GoFundMe account, appealing to the public for prayers. In her latest message, Kennedy affectionately referred to the 5-year-old as a ray of sunshine. "Our family continues to feel your love and support as we move into the next phase," Kennedy expressed. "Our beloved Aurora Rae, whom many of you have described as a 'ray of sunshine,' is undergoing evaluations to optimize her potential for organ and tissue donation." Messages of support also started pouring in on the page from people who knew the 5-year-old girl and her family. The GoFundMe campaign outlines that the raised funds will cover Aurora's memorial and funeral services, with any surplus directed to organizations that honor her memory. As of the latest update, the campaign has garnered $26,000 towards its $30,000 target. "We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and kindness from everyone," Kennedy conveyed gratefully. "Your support is a source of strength for us during this challenging time." Over the weekend, Brenda Kennedy shared on a fundraising page that Aurora continues to undergo evaluations to maximize her potential as an organ and tissue donor. Kennedy elaborated that Aurora was involved in an accident involving a swing, resulting in her receiving care at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora. The family plans to allocate the donations from the fundraiser, including proceeds from an event in Loveland, towards Aurora's celebration of life, with any excess going towards charitable organizations in her honor. I finished an important and good book the other day: Samuel T. Wilkinson, Purpose: What Evolution and Human Nature Imply About the Meaning of Our Existence (New York and London: Pegasus Books, 2024). Ill have more to say about the book later, but I enjoyed reading it and I recommend it to others who might be interested in the subjects that it covers. Given the recent visibility of the Northern Lights in areas further to the south than usual, the following might be worthy of your time and consideration: In Aurora Borealis, Scientific and Aesthetic Design Arguments Meet Conference Talks: The Book of Moses: Exploring the World OF the Text (2021 Tracing Ancient Threads in the Book of Moses Conference), presented by David R. Seely David R. Seely spoke at the 2021 Tracing Ancient Threads in the Book of Moses Conference on Saturday, 24 April 2021. Based on the works of theorists like Hans-Georg Gadamer and Paul Ricouer there has emerged a model of hermeneutics based on the exploration of the three worlds of the text: the world BEHIIND the text which is the history and culture from which the text emerged; the world OF the texthow the text presents its story, the characters and action in the narrative and the structure and form of the text; and the world IN FRONT of the text which is the world in which the reader interprets the text and decides how to proceed. Much study has been done in all three of these areas, but I do not know of an extensive review and exploration of the World OF the text in terms of how the Book of Moses presents is story and message including its formal and structural characteristics, its narrative strategies and character description, and its rhetorical features. This study will explore the Book of Moses with a close reading of the text applying some of the methods of literary criticism including rhetorical, genre, and narrative criticism to better define the literary features and enhance the power of the narratives that are part of the World OF the Text of the Book of Moses. Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon Lesson 21 We Have Entered into a Covenant with Him (Mosiah 18-24) This week, we have lectures 36 through 39 from Hugh Nibleys Book of Mormon classes at Brigham Young University, covering Mosiah 16-26. During 1988, 1989, and 1990, Hugh Nibley taught Honors Book of Mormon classes for four semesters at Brigham Young University. The lectures were video-taped and audio cassettes and printed transcripts were made of the lectures. We believe these recordings will be interesting to listen to and valuable to your Come, Follow Me study program this year. Each week, we will include the lectures covering the Book of Mormon chapters being studied that week. Im fond of the writing of the Swiss author and entrepreneur Rolf Dobelli. Here, I share my translation of a passage from his book Die Kunst des klugen Handelns: 52 Irrwege, die Sie besser anderen uberlassen [The Art of Smart Behavior: 52 Errors That You Should Best Leave to Others] (Munich: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 2014): What do you think of genetically modified wheat? Its a theme with many facets, and you wont want to give a hasty answer. It would be rational to separate out the potential advantages and the potential disadvantages of the controversial technology and to consider them carefully. You list all of the possible advantages, assign a weight to them, and then multiply them by the likelihood of those advantages actually occurring. In this way, you create a list of expectation values. Then you do the same on the negative side: You list all of the conceivable disadvantages, estimate the possible harms, and multiply each of them by the likelihood of their actually occurring. The positive expectation values minus the negative expectation values yield a net expectation value. If that is greater than zero, you decide in favor of genetically engineered wheat. If it comes in at less than zero, youre opposed to genetically engineered wheat. Youre probably familiar with this process; its described in every book about decision theory. All the same, though, youve probably never taken the trouble to make such an evaluation. And its absolutely certain that not a single one of the professors who write the textbooks about decision theory chose his or her spouse in this fashion. (65; these are the opening paragraphs of a chapter entitled Warum Sie eine Marionette Ihrer Gefuhle Sind [Why you are a puppet of your feelings]) Heres another passage that I marked while reading Die Kunst des klugen Handelns. Again, its in my own uninspired translation: Think what you will of the former American Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. In any event, he expressed a philosophical thought at a 2002 press conference with previously unmatched clarity: There are things that we know (known facts), there are things that we dont know (known unknowns), and there are things regarding which we dont know that we dont know them (unknown unknowns). (106) If you havent read it yet, you might want to have a look at my most recent essay in Meridian Magazine, which is The Heavenly Sign: Brigham Youngs Transfiguration at Nauvoo. Having recently re-read the most serious critical argument against the historicity of the so-called mantle event at Nauvoo, as well as the extremely important article by Lynne Watkins Jorgensen, I am firmly convinced that testimonials to the transfiguration of Brigham Young cannot simply be dismissed or brushed aside. To do so requires more faith, frankly, than I can muster. Please Hit Subscribe! If you have received benefit from this or any of my other 4,600+ articles, please follow this blog by signing up (with your email address) on the sidebar to the right (you may have to scroll down a bit), above where there is an icon bar, Sign Me Up!: to receive notice when I post a new blog article. This is the equivalent of subscribing to a YouTube channel. Please also consider following me on Twitter / X and purchasing one or more of my 55 books. All of this helps me get more exposure, and (however little!) more income for my full-time apologetics work. Thanks so much and happy reading! *** I will be responding to the video, A Response to Trent and Suan on the Pauline Parody ft. A Goy for Jesus (8-2-22) on The Other Paul [Anglican] YouTube channel. This discussion has quite a history, but many folks reading dont seem to realize that it initiated with me, thirty years ago. It goes back to one of my most well-known articles: 50 New Testament Proofs for Petrine Primacy & the Papacy [1994] Evangelical anti-Catholic apologist Jason Engwer replied to that in 2002: 51 Biblical Proofs of a Pauline Papacy and Ephesian Primacy I responded with: Reply to Critique of 50 NT Proofs for the Papacy [3-14-02] He came back with another attempt: A Pauline Papacy And I replied again: Refutation of a Satirical Pauline Papacy Argument [9-30-03] Suan Sonna and Trent Horn entered the argument 19 years later with their video, The Pauline parody argument against the papacy (with Suan Sonna) [7-7-22] Jason Engwer addressed that, too: Apostolic Primacies [7-27-22]. And now the video I am replying to also enters the fray. The words from the video will be in blue. Jason Engwers words will be in green. *** One thing that Jason and some others dont get about my original article (included in my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism), is that its not about the alleged overwhelming force of any particular item, but rather, the cumulative effect of all of them together. That was the emphasis of Fr. Peter Stravinskas, when he encouraged me to write the article for his magazine, The Catholic Answer in 1997. 8:42 these are probably our two favorite Catholic apologists. Theyre both really nice guys, both smart, . . . even if we disagree with them, theyre not making egregious errors most of the time . . . Its always good to see good faith and courtesy in these debates. Good for them. 11:55 . . . absolutely classic article called 51 Biblical Proofs of a Pauline Papacy and Ephesian Primacy, which is basically trying to parody an earlier post . . . That refers to my original article that kicked off this entire discussion. Jason has been ignoring me since 2010 (he used to reply very vigorously, from 2002 to 2009). So when he reposted his original article from 2002 in 2012, he engaged in the practice of not naming me, which is also notoriously done by anti-Catholic polemicist James Swan, who for years was literally obsessed with my work. Its an indication of how much they both personally despise me (because I have refuted them so many times). For a while I would respond in the combox at Triablogue, until that site banned me. But Jason only distantly referred to me and my article in 2012: It was a list of 51 Biblical proofs of a Pauline papacy and Ephesian primacy. I wrote it in response to a Roman Catholic apologists list of 50 alleged Biblical proofs of a Petrine papacy. Annoyed Pinoy in the combox does dare to mention me: Jason, I got the impression that you could have included more than 51 proofs but that it was enough for you to top Dave Armstrongs 50 proofs. No one could read my original article, to see what Jason was responding to; nor were they made aware of my two later replies. This is standard anti-Catholic (censorship and ignore) practice. It wasnt always so. In his original reply on his own earlier website in 2002, Jason followed the usual standard practice of naming a dialogue opponent and linking to what was being responded to: At his web site, Catholic apologist Dave Armstrong has a list of 50 NEW TESTAMENT PROOFS FOR PETRINE PRIMACY AND THE PAPACY (http://ic.net/~erasmus/RAZ112.HTM). [see the blog version from 2006]. He says that the evidence is quite strong, and is inescapably compelling by virtue of its cumulative weight. In a recent article written in response to me (http://ic.net/~erasmus/RAZ502.HTM) [defunct link], Dave said: As I said, Jason is highly encouraged to actually offer reasonable replies to all 50 evidences, as opposed to merely belittling and dismissing them out of hand. Well, if Jason works up a list of 50 Biblical Proofs Suggesting that John, Not Peter, Was Pope, I will reply to it, point-by-point, even though Jason wont grant me that courtesy. Jason can mock the paper all he wants. The fair-minded reader who seeks truth may wish to take a look at it and see whether the evidences presented, taken together, are as extremely weak and insignificant as he makes them out to be. Later, Jason kindly linked to my counter-reply [see the article on my original website from 2002] and his reply back. But now I no longer exist, and in fact, never did. How the mighty have fallen . . . 14:36 its a parody showing proof texts for a Pauline Papacy . . . if youve been involved with dialogue with Roman Catholics and apologists and scholars . . . you may get the echo in your head [of] certain Petrine proof text arguments . . . a good example [is]: 5. Paul is the only apostle who refers to his authority over all the churches (1 Corinthians 4:17, 7:17, 2 Corinthians 11:28). like that kind of thing where they point to something uniquely said about Peter, therefore primacy or supremacy, neglecting to consider the possibility that saying something only to someone does not mean that the same was not given to others . . . so its kind of a bit of a leap to just say specifically him, therefore only him, but either way, just read through the whole thing. Classic article; absolutely classic. * Sorry, but Im not quite as enthralled with it. It was answered rather easily in my first reply: Thats an authority all apostles had, but it was a temporary office, and so has nothing to do with the question of the papacy as an ongoing office. I would further add that Paul played a rather minor role in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) his words were not even recorded , whereas Peter played the leading role. Paul went out proclaiming far and wide what the council had decided (Acts 16:4). Thats precisely authority over all the churches. Peter promulgated it, and Paul proclaimed his decree. Jesus specifically commissioned Peter as the leader of the Church in Matthew 16. Theres nothing remotely like that, anywhere, about Paul. So this proves nothing of what it purports to prove, as parody or not. * 16:36 Catholics have been raping the scriptures looking for things . . . any hint . . . I think a lot of this happens with Marian stuff as well, where * They can describe Catholic apologetics any way they like. In the end, they have to argue points just as we do. The polemics and sweeping derogatory statements prove nothing. I have defended my initial article (twice) and am doing so again now, and will whenever I catch wind of any other critique. Its not difficult, because these counter-arguments are so weak; many of them missing the point of my article altogether (cumulative evidence). * 30:46 The video shows Catholic Suan Sonna (whose YouTube show I have been on) making an argument that is somewhat critical of one of my 50 arguments: I see some Catholic apologists use [the argument that] Peter is mentioned this many times in the scriptures and that shows that he has a primacy, I mean it can show that he is an important character, but I think Ive also seen a lot of accounts that have Paul mentioned more than Peter, but I also dont think in the first place thats a good criterion to use how many times someone gets name dropped. It depends on what one is contending for: what a given argument is intended to prove. As I have reiterated, my argument was a cumulative one. I would never say and never have something like, Peter being mentioned a bunch of times proves he was the pope. My argument is much more nuanced and subtle. I would say it establishes (as Suan said) that he is an important character, which is consistent with the notion that he was the first pope. Thats an entirely different not nearly as sweeping argument. I discussed the numbers thing in my second reply to Jason One must always keep in mind my later clarification and qualification of what I was trying to accomplish (this is now the third and last time I will cite my own words in this vein): Obviously, passages like the two above wouldnt logically lead to a papacy. But they can quite plausibly be regarded as consistent with such a notion, as part of a demonstrable larger pattern, within which they do carry some force. Secondly, it should be noted that my original claim was Peters frequency of reference in relation to the other disciples, not all the apostles (i.e., the twelve, of which Paul was not one). This makes a big difference. The reasoning thus ran as follows: 1. Peter was the leader of the disciples. 2. This is shown by (among many other indications) the fact that he is mentioned far more than any of the other twelve disciples. 3. By analogy, then, if Peter was the leader of the disciples, then he was the model for the leader of the Church as pope, with other disciples being models of bishops. If Jason wants to play his reductio game with Paul, he is welcome to do so, but he is responsible for presenting my original claim accurately. As it stands above, it is not at all unreasonable or silly, or anything of the sort. All it is maintaining is that Peter was indisputably the leader of the disciples. The next step to the papacy is one of analogy and plausibility. In any event, I agree with Jason that proofs such as this one, by themselves, do not inexorably lead to a papacy. I do take exception to the related item in Jasons 51 arguments: 8. Paul is mentioned more in the New Testament than any other apostle. As a strictly factual matter, this is untrue. Last November, I revisited this question in an article I did a search concerning St. Paul, and his name appears 184 times in the NT (23 of those as Saul). But St. Peter is referenced 191 times (162 as Peter or Simon Peter, 23 as Simon, and 6 as Cephas: derived from the Aramaic kepha; i.e., rock). . . . Moreover, its not only the number of times Peter is mentioned; its also how he is mentioned. I wrote in my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism: Peters name occurs first in all lists of Apostles (Matth. 10:2; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). Matthew even calls him the first (10:2). (Judas Iscariot is invariably mentioned last.) Peter is almost always named first whenever he appears with anyone else. In one (only?) example to the contrary, Galatians 2:9, where he (Cephas) is listed after James and before John, he is clearly pre-eminent in the entire context (for example, 1:18-19, 2:7-8). . . . Peters name is always the first listed of the inner circle of the disciples (Peter, James and John Matthew 17:1; 26:37, 40; Mark 5:37; 14:37). . . . 31:16 Suan and Trent both acknowledge theres bad examples that Catholic apologists have have used . . . * Suan did indeed critique one form of the numerical argument that fails. I totally agree with him. My point is that what he critiques was not my own argument, which is much subtler and less sweeping in its ambition. * 31:29 I think the original thing was maybe David Armstrong * Finally my name got mentioned. It should be, in fairness, since it was my own argument and article (whether it is admired or despised) that kicked off this lengthy discussion, going back 22 years (Jasons critique) and 30 years to my initial article on Peters primacy. * The video then annoyingly wanders and rambles all over the place, like so many of these videos. Its immensely frustrating. I submit that written apologetics is exponentially better and more organized . . . Most of these videos need a good editor, if I do say so. Ive been scrolling through more than an hour of the video, and they scarcely even treat the ostensible topic Engwers Pauline Parody (judging by their title). * 1:38:45 Finally they get back to the actual topic, and show Suan Sonna talking about this item in Jasons list: 1. Paul is the only apostle who is called Gods chosen vessel who will bear His name before Jews and Gentiles ( Acts 9:15 ). I easily answered this in my first reply: The RSV reads a chosen instrument of mine, not the chosen instrument . . . Nor is it even used as a title or name, like Rock (Petros) is. And it is not exclusive. Peter certainly did both as well. 1:39:42 Suan Sonna is shown giving an excellent counter-argument to #1 on Jasons list. He brings up this verse: Acts 15:7 (RSV) And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. Suan goes on to develop the counter-argument: So Peters also saying that he was distinctively chosen by God to bring the Gentiles to the Church . . . we cant say that Paul only has this title when we see Peter claim a similar one for himself and with divine authorization claimed with it, . . . obviously that cant be to the exclusion of Peter . . . What is said about both Paul and Peter in the NT obviously cant be an argument (again, satirical or not) for the primacy of one over the other. Therefore, Jasons argument #1 fails in its purpose. Its a wash. * 1:45:05 this is Jasons whole tactic: just laid out to bear they cannot be consistent with their standards, they cant! The only consistency they can have is the pope. * My two replies and now this one, are the most thorough and direct responses to Jasons satirical arguments. If my reasoning is so bad and able to be refuted, then why dont these two guys critique those (and hopefully cease and desist from their constant rambling)? * The video continues to ramble off-topic. It was very disappointing. I had hoped that a video lasting two hours and 18 minutes would seriously grapple with the topic they (supposedly) chose, but it wasnt to be. Alas, this is very common with apologetics videos. Anyway, I made a few responses that may be helpful to one or two people out there . . . With Thunderbolt Share, Intel is turning the Thunderbolt cable into a way to connect two PCs to one another, sharing files or controlling a PC. Simple, huh? Well, except that Intel isnt exactly making it available to everybody. Thunderbolt Share is a new Intel specification that connects two PCs via a cable, one to each Thunderbolt port. Alternatively, you can connect it to a Thunderbolt dock instead. Thunderbolt Share offers several options, all at blazing 40Gbps or higher speeds: control another PC, transfer files, sync them, or even migrate one PC to another. Is it a killer sneakernet replacement? Sure seems like it for local networks. The idea? You or your family own more than one PC. If theyre Thunderbolt-capable, Share will unlock a number of handy additional sharing capabilities without needing to set up a workgroup, a network switch, or any other solution. Dock makers, too, will see an advantage: suddenly, Thunderbolt hubs like the Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt Hub (USB4-HUB3A), part of our list of the best Thunderbolt docking stations, wont just be designed primarily for external displays with Thunderbolt ports. Theres just one thing. Intel didnt take the simple route and just make Thunderbolt Share part of the Thunderbolt spec. Instead, Thunderbolt Share will be a software app Intel will license to PC and dock makers. And it wont work for legacy Thunderbolt 3 or USB devices either not officially, anyway. In short, youll have to keep track of which devices are Thunderbolt Share-capable, because without one, Thunderbolt Share wont work. A special logo, however, will help. The Thunderbolt Share logo will appear on PCs and licensed peripherals. The Thunderbolt Share logo will appear on PCs and licensed peripherals. Intel The Thunderbolt Share logo will appear on PCs and licensed peripherals. Intel Intel Its really going to offer users an easy, fast, and efficient way to do more with your two PCs by securely sharing screens external monitors, keyboard, mouse, storage and all your files, said Jason Ziller, vice president and general manager of Intel Client Connectivity Division, in a briefing with reporters. A decade ago, Intel showed off something very similar: a 10Gbit Ethernet-over-Thunderbolt demonstration called Thunderbolt Networking. This is a faster version, an Intel representative said via email. Thunderbolt Share uses up to a 20Gbps connection over Thunderbolt 4 with low latency, and should achieve those speeds on recent PC models with some variability for different specifications. How Thunderbolt Share works Thunderbolt Share is designed to work only with docking stations and PCs that include either the Thunderbolt 4 or upcoming Thunderbolt 5 specification. Youll also need the intermediary Thunderbolt Share software, designed by Intel, which will ship on licensed PCs. If you own a licensed Thunderbolt Share docking station, that accessory maker will point you to where youll be able to download the software. Remember, at least one of the PCs or docking stations must have a Thunderbolt Share license. Once the software is installed on both computers, youll be able to connect the two PCs to one another using a Thunderbolt 4 or 5 cable, Intel says. Thunderbolt Share offers four different options. Thunderbolt Share offers four different options. Intel Thunderbolt Share offers four different options. Intel Intel Once that occurs, youll have the choice of four different tasks: Control other computer: Youll see the other computers desktop in a window on your PC. Youll be able to control it using your keyboard and mouse, and you can place that external PCs window on your display. Essentially, youre performing a local, cabled version of Microsofts Remote Desktop without all of the setup. Since all this takes place over a cable, you dont have to worry about someone intercepting your communications on the Internet. Controlling another PC via Thunderbolt Share. Controlling another PC via Thunderbolt Share. Mark Hachman / IDG Controlling another PC via Thunderbolt Share. Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG Drag and drop files: Nothing special, though the copy/move functions should take place at Thunderbolt speeds between 80Gbps and 120Gbps speeds, depending on the specification. Sync files: Presumably this works like syncing files to the cloud or so on: ensuring that files in two folders on the two PCs are in sync. Its not clear which PC will be given priority, but it will most likely be the host. Transfer data to a new computer: Remember PCmover? The PC-to-PC migration software (which Intel and Microsoft reportedly contributed to) used to even include a dedicated cable. This Thunderbolt Share function works like Windows Backup and Restore or one of our recommended backup programs, migrating your files (but not apps!) from one PC to the other at the press of a button. Its not quite clear whether this includes things like system preferences, however. Thunderbolt Share looks almost exactly the same as Bravuras Easy Computer Sync, down to the text on the screen. Thunderbolt Share is built on both Intel and third-party technology (with appropriate licensing/permissions), an Intel representative said in an email. This ensures we can provide the best value to users and our OEM partners who are licensing Thunderbolt Share for their supported PCs and accessories going forward. Thunderbolt Share: who will get it, and who wont Intel didnt explicitly say whether or not Thunderbolt Share will be a feature attached to its Evo Edition PCs, but it seems quite likely. While Ziller hinted that users may be able to buy a license to Thunderbolt Share in the future, that isnt happening right away. Given that Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 are almost identical, thats not great news for owners of older Thunderbolt 3 docks. Owners of USB4 docking stations are technically out of luck as well and given that AMD Ryzen laptops use USB4 ports in place of Thunderbolt, that means that owners of Ryzen notebooks are left out. Ziller said that Thunderbolt Share devices are identified locally, presumably meaning that theyll have some sort of local authentication. But an Intel spokesman also confirmed that theres no limitation in adding Thunderbolt Share to existing devices, provided that they meet Intels hardware requirements. USB4 docks should be compatible, but it sounds like they wont be. USB4 docks should be compatible, but it sounds like they wont be. Mark Hachman / IDG USB4 docks should be compatible, but it sounds like they wont be. Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG And, of course, not every laptop and docking station manufacturer will support Thunderbolt Share, either. Intel identified MSI, Lenovo, Acer, and Razer among the PC makers supporting the technology, and Kensington, Plugable, Belkin, and Promise as device makers which will support Thunderbolt Share. Again, youll have to have one device in a Thunderbolt Share connection chain that has a valid license. Plugable said that it plans to release a docking station that will allow one PC to drive other headless PCs without displays, using Thunderbolt. However, one Thunderbolt Share licensee said that its still pursuing alternatives. While we believe that Thunderbolt Share will provide great benefits to creators, gamers, consumers and businesses, we are exploring additional solutions for seamless peripherals-sharing within Belkin docks, a representative of Belkin, one of the Thunderbolt Share licensees, said in an emailed statement. As were still in early days, were not ready to share our product plans but well let you know as soon as we are. Thunderbolt Share hands-on Intel provided an evaluation copy of the Thunderbolt Share software for PCWorld to test out. I performed my own tests, but my colleague Gordon Mah Ung tested the technology, too, in the video just above. As Intel suggested, I downloaded and installed the Thunderbolt Share software on both of my test laptops, which each have Thunderbolt ports. I used a manufacturer-supplied Thunderbolt 4 cable; a generic 10Gbps USB-C cable just wont work. Youll see this Thunderbolt Share screen after setting up both laptops and connecting them. Youll see this Thunderbolt Share screen after setting up both laptops and connecting them. Intel Youll see this Thunderbolt Share screen after setting up both laptops and connecting them. Intel Intel Once the software was installed on both laptops, simply connecting the cable opened the Share software, which offered me the four choices from controlling the other PC to syncing files. (Thunderbolt Share also works if youve plugged in your laptop in to an existing Thunderbolt dock with a second cable, by the way.) Surprisingly, the most obnoxious roadblock had nothing to do with Thunderbolt or the software: I wanted to control one PC via the other, and the software wouldnt do so until I had downloaded an up-to-date Intel integrated graphics driver. (Most PC makers recommend that you download drivers through them.) Controlling one laptop with another doesnt quite feel like youd be able to sneak in a bit of gaming on a personal gaming laptop, controlled remotely. (Edit: Intel believes that youll see rthe other PCs desktop at 1080p, 60 frames per second.) Streaming video, for example, was a little stuttery, though not too bad. Audio doesnt transfer across the Thunderbolt Share bus, however. It is handy to be able to poke around another laptop for a missing file, however. Whoops. Make sure you have the latest graphics driver installed. Whoops. Make sure you have the latest graphics driver installed. Intel Whoops. Make sure you have the latest graphics driver installed. Intel Intel That might be, while the other Thunderbolt Share functions feel vaguely similar. My testing of the best Thunderbolt docks at PCWorld involves copying a folder of files from a connected SSD over a docks Thunderbolt cable; it took just about the same amount of time (1 minute 6 seconds) to copy the folder from one PC to the other. Weirdly, it took quite a while (three minutes!) to copy the folder from the remote SSD to the remote PC, not touching the local laptop; it took 1 minute 20 seconds to copy the file from the remote drive to the remote PC. Syncing a folder worked fine; the default are the major folders (Documents, Videos, Photos, et cetera) but you can specify a particular folder if you so wish. The only feature I didnt test was copying files as part of setting up a new PC. So why isnt Thunderbolt Share part of, say, the Thunderbolt 5 spec? According to Ziller, Thunderbolt Share is a value-add feature: you wont get any benefit if you own a single PC. For that reason alone, Intel is separating it out, trying to benefit gamers and creators who work back and forth on different PCs. Granted, a Thunderbolt cable is just another cable on your desk. A Thunderbolt dock already has wires snaking back and forth to your PC, to displays, to SSDs and so on. So theres that. On the other hand, Thunderbolt Share honestly sounds like a decent solution to solve the sneakernet problem that just wont go away. Additional reporting by Gordon Mah Ung. Story updated at 10:49 AM to clarify the expected resolution of a shared PC. A Member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has called for a legislation that would ensure that tertiary institutions put out the same number of admission forms as the available spaces within the institutions. According to him, most tertiary institutions are making money by preying on the desperation of prospective students to further their educations by selling more admission forms than available vacancies in the institution. You know you have about 1,200 slots available, yet you sell over 20,000 admission forms. Its exploitation. We must find a way to stop this... in other jurisdictions they dont do that, he said at PAC session in Takoradi in the Western Region. Mr Mohammed, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central, further intimated that the schools had formed a syndicate bound by this common practice. I see it as a syndicate for educational institutions to exploit desperate and frustrated young people who are looking for the opportunity to be admitted into an institution, he said This ought to stop. And we must find a way, as the peoples representatives, in our report to legislate to ensure that the institutions do not have a carte blanche where they think they must make money from desperate students who want to be admitted into such institutions, he stressed. Source: graphiconline 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 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on African governments to align their policy framework to support the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and encourage innovation. The President emphasised the importance of SMEs in driving economic growth and job creation across the continent and highlighted the need for governments to create a conducive policy environment that enabled SMEs to thrive and innovate. Addressing participants in the 3i Africa Summit yesterday, he said the conducive environment included providing access to finance and investing in infrastructure and technology that could support the growth of these businesses. The President also called on governments to prioritise research and development, as well as foster a culture of entrepreneurship and creativity. The three-day summit is being held on the theme: Unleashing Africas Fintech and Digital economic potential. The Bank of Ghana (BoG), the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) through its subsidiary, Elevandi, are organising the summit being attended by over 4,000 participants. The diverse gathering of Africans living on the continent and those in the diaspora included the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, who is the Special Guest for the summit, the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, and representatives from the African Union. Also present for the three-day summit are Ministers of Finance, Governors of central banks and leaders of private sector businesses in the financial, investment, policy-regulatory and digital technology domains in Africa. Until tomorrow, the participants will engage in over 15 sessions with speakers and discussants contributing to over 60 topics aimed at finding the pathways that deliver the most traction in the drive to generate momentum and achieve progress. Right place President Akufo-Addo explained that by supporting innovation, African countries could harness the potential of their youthful population and drive sustainable economic growth that benefits all sectors of society. He reiterated that Ghanaian-owned SMEs would benefit from a patient capital pull of $200 million this year sourced from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) for which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed. (Refer to page 16/17 for details). President Akufo-Addo stated that the funds were to fulfil the governments objective of providing financial access to SMEs. In furtherance of our objective of providing financial access to SMEs, the Minister for Finance and the President of EBID signed an MoU for a $200-million facility in Togo last Friday to be disbursed through the GCB Bank PLC and the Ghana EXIM Bank to SMEs, the President reiterated. Guest of honour For his part, Prime Minister Mitchel said Accra was the ideal venue for discussions that sought to move the entire African population both home and in the diaspora towards one agenda. He said the time was right for Africans to invest in innovation and make it profitable and deliberately form partnerships that would encourage trading across borders. By forging partnerships and supporting one another, we could reduce the number of unbanked population and increase cross-border partnerships, the Prime Minister of the Caribbean country said. Using the Caribbean as an example, Mr Mitchel said many people there were still unbanked because it was difficult to open a bank account. Unlike Africa where mobile money and financial technologies have opened up access to financial services, many in the Caribbean are still prevented from getting access to financial services, he explained. If you cannot show documents to a house, for example, you cant open a bank account, Prime Minister Mitchel revealed. He, therefore, called for support for financial technology (fintech) startups and projects that encouraged inclusion to open up the continent for more investment. Deploy technology The Secretary-General of AfCFTA encouraged African governments to deploy digital solutions to tackle the continents challenges. Mr Mene said digital inclusion was crucial for leveraging the vast market potential represented by Africa's 1.4 billion population, projected to become one of the world's largest economies by 2050. "If we don't deploy these digital technologies that all of us are going to be discussing today and tomorrow, I don't think that we will reach that objective. I want to thank all of you very much for the opportunity to share with you what our heads of state have instructed me to do which is to implement the protocol on digital trade," he added. Mr Mene also called on the governments to put SMEs at the centre of the continental economy to help scale it to the global stage where it could equally compete. "To create opportunities for millions of young Africans to place SMEs in the centre of Africa's economy and to catapult our continent to global competitiveness which is the preeminent objective of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government that we have, the Secretary-General of AfCFTA stated. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Richard Dzakpa, a businessman and the third accused in the trial involving Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, a former Deputy Minister for Finance, is attributing any deterioration in the ambulances to the government's lack of cooperation. During his testimony in court, Mr. Dzakpa emphasized that the government failed to cooperate with Big Sea Limited, the company responsible for shipping the ambulances and installing the required accessories. According to his witness statement, Mr. Dzakpa highlighted that Big Sea Limited had shipped the necessary accessories as per the government's request. However, upon arrival, the government did not assist in clearing the accessories or facilitate their installation as outlined in the addendum. Mr. Dzakpa's assertions suggest that the government's alleged lack of cooperation hindered the timely installation of the accessories, potentially contributing to any deterioration observed in the ambulances. "I must repeat that in this case the government has not complained that the ambulances were not supplied. The government admits that the vehicles were supplied but complains that what was supplied were without accessories. The government has not rejected the goods, already paid for them and has further actually committed in principle to continue paying for subsequent productions till all the 200 ambulances are supplied." "The government and Big Sea have agreed that Big Sea should supply the accessories of which Big Sea has supplied since 2016, but the government has since and still without terminating the contract refused to cooperate to enable Big Sea to install the supplied accessories agreed in the addendum to the contract by clearing the accessories and notifying Big Sea to proceed to fly down to Ghana and fix the accessories as stated in the addendum." "For the past Seven (7) years government has reneged on implementing the addendum negotiated for by both parties." In addition, Mr Dzakpa asserted that none of the accused individuals were responsible for causing financial loss to the state. He emphasized that the state willingly accepted possession of the ambulance without any intention of terminating the contract. Furthermore, Mr. Dzakpa noted that the government had fulfilled its commitment by making payments for the ambulance. "It is clear from the particulars of the offence charged against me that the government has itself admitted that the ambulances were supplied to Ghana. "The point here I make is that since it is admitted that the ambulances were indeed supplied to the government of Ghana, it cannot be honestly said that the government sustained financial loss when government: has accepted or taken possession of the ambulances and not indicated no intention whatsoever of terminating the contract." "The government committed itself to performing the contract by paying for the ambulances as confirmed in the negotiated addendum." Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Dr. Sylvester Anemana a former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health and Businessman, Richard Jakpa are standing trial in connection with the importation of the 30 ambulances. 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 Banking Consultant Dr. Richmond Atuahene says calls for the removal of Tweneboah Kodua Fokuo as Managing Director of the National Investment Bank are without any basis. The NDC Minority have given government up to Friday to revoke the appointment of Mr. Fokuo who is also the NPPs Parliamentary Candidate for Manso Nlwanta in the Ashanti Region. The Minority insist a person with divided attention cannot be appointed to head a struggling bank. Nonetheless Dr. Richmond Atuahene says once the person in question has met all the criteria set to head a bank by Bank of Ghana, the call for his removal is not justified. Dr Richard Atuahene believed that, if the concern raised by the minority group is about time commitment, then they have no reason to protest for his removal. In an interview with Despite Media Sampson Kwame Nyamekye, Dr Atuahene said the President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Ado has never breached any constitution or statutory for appointing Mr Fokuo as the new MD since he followed all the norms before the appointment Reacting to CSOs assertion that the man in question is politically exposed and therefore cannot hold such position; the banking consultant again said their concern is unjustified since there is no law against a political figure holding a public office when he qualifies. PROFILE ABOUT NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR Mr. Fokuo is a risk expert with over 15years in Bank Risk Management. Until now he was the Deputy Managing Director of National Investment Bank Ghana PLC (NIB); having joined the Bank since 2019. At NIB, he has been instrumental in the turn-around journey of the bank and has been specifically in-charge of the Risk Management and Operations of the Bank. Joining NIB in 2019 was timely as the bank needed the full implementation of its Enterprise Risk Model (ERM) to kickstart its transformational journey. Execution of the ERM Model and the introduction of best practice in governance have created the necessary controlled environment required for sound banking. Again, Mr. Fokuo has revamped the Banks Operations to ensure resilience and application of standard guidelines across the bank for rigour and efficiency. Prior to joining the National Investment Bank, Mr. Fokuo was appointed as the Head of Credit Risk of First National Bank; a subsidiary of FirstRand Bank Group of South Africa. Between 2008 and 2016, Mr. Fokuo worked with Barclays Bank Ghana (now ABSA) where he rose through the ranks becoming a Senior Risk Control Manager and Country Risk Champion. Mr. Fokuo is the current Board Chairman of Nexans Ghana Limited, and a Board member at State Housing Company Limited. He holds a BSc. Degree in Natural Resources Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST); an MBA in Finance from the University of Wales, UK; and an Advanced Commercial Risk Certificate from the IFS School of Finance, UK. 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 Following the incident which occurred at the Kukuom registration centre on Saturday 11th May 2024, the Ghana Police Service took immediate steps to restore calm on the same day, and the registration exercise has been progressing in a peaceful and orderly manner. The ongoing Police investigation has led to the arrest of suspect Muniru Muhammad who allegedly took part in the attack which led to the injury of one person at the Kukuom registration centre. The Police are also pursuing more suspects in the disturbance including those involved in the alleged assault on some three persons. We want to assure the public that all suspects in these cases will be arrested and put before court to face justice. Police said. 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 Electoral Commission (EC) has so far registered 251,149 new eligible voters six days into the 21-day limited voter registration exercise across the country, the Deputy Chairman of the Commission in charge of Corporate Services, Dr Bossman Asare, has disclosed. Dr Asare said the figure meant that the commission registered an average of 45,000 applicants per day. Of the total applicants registered, he said females alone constituted 135,898, representing 54.11 per cent, while males were 115,251, representing 45.89 per cent. Regional breakdown Giving an update on the limited registration exercise in Accra yesterday, Dr Asare said at the end of the sixth day of the exercise, 33,899 applicants were registered in the Greater Accra, representing 13.5 per cent; 6,928 in the North East Region, representing 2.8 per cent, and 10,646 in the Upper East Region, representing 4.2 per cent. The Northern Region had 19,491 applicants registering, constituting 7.8 per cent; 8,972 (3.6 per cent) in the Bono Region; 9,681 (3.9 per cent) in the Bono East Region; 12,190 (4.9 per cent) in the Volta Region, and 8,474 (3.4 per cent) in the Upper West Region. The rest were 25,625 (10.2 per cent) in the Eastern Region; 27,984 (11.1 per cent) in the Central Region; 6,273 (2.5 per cent) in the Ahafo Region; 44,232 (17.6 per cent) in the Ashanti Region; 9,134 (3.6 per cent) in the Western North Region; 7,259 (2.9 per cent) in the Oti Region; 5,261 (2.1 per cent) in the Savannah Region, and 15,100 (6.0 per cent) in the Western Region. The exercise, which started on May 7 and will end on May 27, 2024, is being conducted across all 268 district offices of the EC nationwide. First-time voters On first-time voters, the Deputy EC Chairperson said those between the ages of 18 and 21 constituted the majority of registered voters in all the 16 regions. Nationally, they numbered 221,066, representing 88.02 per cent of the total number of registered voters so far. In respect of persons with disabilities, Dr Asare said 400 persons had so far been registered at the end of the day. He said Greater Accra Region registered 33, North East had 13, Upper East had 19, Northern had 25, Bono had 108, Bono East had 13, Volta had 14, Upper West had 11, Eastern had 20, Central had 37, Ahafo had four, Ashanti had 27, Western North had nine, Oti had 20, Savannah had six, while Western had 21. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Collins Dauda, Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, has been granted bail after he was picked up by the Police over an alleged violent incident during the limited voter registration exercise on Saturday, May 11, 2024. A statement by the police over the weekend indicated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP faced police detention as a result of the recent disturbance during the registration exercise in Kukuom in the Ahafo Region, where one individual was injured and subsequently hospitalised. But less than 48hours after the arrest, the National Communications Officer of the main opposition party, NDC, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, disclosed that Hon Collins Dauda has been granted bail. Sammy Gyamfi indicated during an interview on Accra based Citinews that the Asutifi lawmaker was picked up wrongly stating that the honourable MP was innocent of the allegations leveled against him. He [Collins Dauda] was immediately granted bail. And so he is currently on bail. And the police say that they are conducting their investigation, so he will hear from them. At no point was the Honorable Collins Dauda present at the scene. He was not there [at the scene] because he was busy in his constituency monitoring the registration process. So it came to us as a surprise when the police issued that statement, creating the impression as though Collins Dauda had committed a crime when they knew that he was not even at the scene when the said incident happened. Sammy Gyamfi further condemned the arrest and urged the police to focus their efforts on apprehending the true perpetrators of the disturbance. So we condemn what the police did and we are calling on them to focus on arresting the real perpetrators of that chaos, of those criminal actions. The NPP hoodlums and bandits were led by a known NPP bandit called Anointing. He is a notorious guy in the area, everybody knows him, the police know him, and they know where he lives. They should focus on arresting and prosecuting those hoodlums who went to the voting centre to harass, intimidate, and brutalise innocent citizens, Sammy Gyamfi stressed. 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 Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer and leader of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has explained that his view point on churches being paid was said out of joke. According to Dr. Bawumia, he joked when he stated that his administration plans to give incentives to churches to undertake more developmental projects, rather than imposing taxes on them. Dr. Bawumia, while in an engagement with the clergy in the North-East region, stated that his statement was misconstrued. Explaining to the clergy, the Vice president acknowledged that tremendous projects have been undertaken by the church in developing the country, thus, suggesting that, instead of imposing taxes on the church, the government should rather set up an initiative where the churches are given incentives in order to undertake many more developmental projects. Look at the number of hospitals the churches have built. Look at the number of universities the churches have built and the faith-based organizations have built. Look at the number of people the churches and faith-based organizations take care of on a daily basis. Can you imagine, just take a thought for a moment that you wake up tomorrow and all the schools, universities and hospitals the churches have built disappear. They just disappear. How would Ghana be like? Ghana will collapse. Isnt it? We will not survive in this sort of situation because there will be chaos. So at that point I was joking and I said, ohpeople are talking about taxing churches. I dont believe, and we will not tax churches. Because if you look at the work the churches have done, then I was joking then, maybe we should have actually paid them for what they did, not really trying to tax them. But I wasnt really saying we should pay churches, no. I am saying that we should give incentives to churches to do more. It is recalled that, the Vice President, during a visit to the Bono East region on May 10, mentioned that, Unless you dont understand the work the church has done. If you are looking at the buildings, the way they keep the society together, the universities, the hospitals, the schools, it is massive. It is just massive. Many churches have hundreds of schools. So I dont see and I will not have a situation where we are taxing churches." We will rather want to give churches incentives to support what the government is doing. I want us to be partners in the way that the development partners are with us. You are our domestic development partners and we will give you incentives to do more. 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 Public Utilities Workers' Union (PUWU) of the Trade Union Congress (Ghana) have responded to the allegations made against some ECG staff by the Vice President Dr. Bawumia during the Annual General Meeting of the African Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa on May 9,2024. The Public Utilities Workers' Union (PUWU) of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) strongly disagreed with the Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumias assertion that some ICT staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) sabotaged the governments digitalisation of revenue collection. The Vice President on May 9, 2024 alleged that some staff of ECG who work at the IT department sabotaged the digitalized revenue collection process by introducing ransomware to distort the process. In a rebuttal, the PUWU stated that the assertion of the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia are misleading and inaccurate. According to the Union, it is disappointing for the vice president to have attributed the improper functioning of the initiative to an act of sabotage from the staff of ECG. Excerpts from the letter from the PUWU signed by its General Secretary, Mr. Michael Adumatta Nyantakyi read, The Union respectfully DISAGREES with the statement of His Excellency the Vice President on his presentation relating to digitalization and sabotaging of the ICT system at ECG." "In September 2022, EOCO commenced forensic audit on the ECG Power App: They demanded for the payment platform architecture, databases, Application Programming Interface (API) documentation and the power app custom source code, including credentials to the backend prepayment systems. EOCO did not use its internal staff but had to use third-party IT professionals for the assignment. Consequently, it was not only ECG IT staff who had access to the ICT infrastructure of ECG. Could the sharing of the source code with external parties compromised ECG network security in relation to the scale of the September 2022 attack? "The first ransomware attack, occurred on September 28, 2022 which took a wide scope prompting the need to report the incident to the Cyber Security Authority, as required by regulation. The National Security thereafter took over the ECG ICT system as the attack was seen as a threat to national security. The union further added that, We wish to state that it was the ECG ICT staff who used their system recovery strategy and worked tirelessly day and night to restore the systems and even assisted the National Security operatives on how to operate the ECG systems. The ECG ICT staff led the recovery effort, with the support of E-crime Bureau, a cyber -security firm, invited by ECG Board." "In all these cases, the systems were restored with the major assistance by the ECG ICT staff. It is therefore factually inaccurate that National Security came in to recover the system, as reported by His Excellency the Vice President." "The Union wishes to put on record that the categorical statement made by His Excellency the Vice President was inaccurate and misleading. We wish to indicate that during the attack, personnel of the National Investigation Bureau launched an investigation into the incident of which we are yet to hear a conclusive report on the matter. Read attached the full statement by the the Public Utilities Workers' Union (PUWU) of the Trade Union Congress (Ghana). Your browser does not support iframes. 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 My attention has been drawn to the above-titled publication published on 13th May 2024, by News24, a South African news website. In my long public service career, I have grown accustomed to being the subject of false publications that seek to impugn my reputation, or in one way or the other, implicate me in matters that I am clueless about. Generally, I have considered attempts of this nature to be a hazard of the job and have usually ignored them. However, the allegations contained in this particular publication, which has sought to implicate me in bribery allegations, which according to News24, in an attempt to cover up, has led to the death of two persons, are so grave that I cannot help but respond. In this publication, I have been described as the Singhs closest associate and described as being responsible for brokering contracts worth over GHS400 million to their company, Ghana Infrastructure Company (GIC), in exchange for money. In making these allegations which I do not take lightly, News24, after its supposedly painstaking investigation, fails to show that I indeed received any monies from the Singhs or GIC. All it resorts to are fabrications and colourful storytelling in its attempts to forcefully include me in its publication. I am neither a director nor a shareholder of GIC, neither am I involved in its management. In all, even though I am alleged to have received Forty-Seven Million Rand (R47 million), the breakdown of the alleged receipts shows the fanciful nature of the allegations made by News24, following its supposedly elaborate investigation. Payments that were allegedly made to one Asumah Dokurugu, GICs director in Ghana, various suppliers, and political campaigns are for some reason being attributed to me without any basis. News24 also seeks to forcefully implicate me on an irrational basis regarding the association of my name to the Haruna Institute. For the record, the Haruna Institute does not operate a bank account and only survives on members' contributions. Finally, in its desperation, News24, further states that GIC paid for the construction of my house and funded several foreign trips for me. Conspicuously missing in all these claims, is any suggestion or claim that there is any proof that I received these alleged payments, betraying the bad faith intent of the publication, which has sought to put square pegs in round holes just to use my name to create traction for its portal. To be clear, and for the avoidance of doubt, I have never at any point in time, received personally, directed to be paid to, benefited from, or been aware of, any unlawful, illegal or immoral payments made by either GIC or the Singhs. Also, I have never brokered any deals to benefit GIC and/or the Singhs. Curiously, News24 in trying to create the impression that it reached out to me for comments, indicates that I ignored posts on my active social media pages. This further shows the bad faith approach, and honestly, puts in question the supposedly in-depth nature of its investigation. I have had occasion in the past to publicly indicate that I have no social media accounts and that the general public should disregard any accounts associated with my name. A simple Google search on my social media presence leads you to several posts by media outlets on this. It is therefore questionable that a supposedly reputable media outlet would after using its hallowed investigative skills, seek to reach me through social media accounts unrelated to me. I vehemently deny these allegations and categorically refute any implication of wrongdoing. This unfounded allegation not only seeks to tarnish my reputation but also undermines the trust and integrity of my office as the Member of Parliament for the people of Tamale South. As a responsible Member of Parliament, I am committed to upholding the highest standard of ethics and transparency. I have always conducted myself with integrity and have never engaged in any form of corrupt behaviour. In light of these unfounded claims, I demand that the accuser provide concrete evidence to support their accusations. Any allegation of corruption must be backed by factual evidence rather than mere speculation or hearsay. I do not know what may have motivated this false and unjustified attempt to denigrate my image, but rest assured that I do not intend to treat these false allegations lightly. I have promptly referred this matter to my lawyers and eagerly await their advice on the next steps to be taken. It is time that we held media outlets to high journalistic standards and quell the abuse of journalistic privileges. I will not succumb to cheap blackmail. ***END*** HON. HARUNA IDDRISU, MP TAMALE SOUTH CONSTITUENCY TUESDAY, 14TH MAY, 2024 ACCRA 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 By ANNIE MA, AP Education Writer WASHINGTON (AP) Seventy years ago this week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled separating children in schools by race was unconstitutional. On paper, that decision the fabled Brown v. Board of Education, taught in many American classrooms still stands. But for decades, American schools have been re-segregating. The country is more diverse than it ever has been, with students more exposed to classmates from different backgrounds. Still, around 4 out of 10 Black and Hispanic students attend schools where almost every one of their classmates is another student of color. The intense segregation by race is linked to socioeconomic conditions: Schools where students of color compose more than 90% of the student body are five times more likely to be in low-income areas. That in turn has resounding academic consequences: Students who attend high-poverty schools, regardless of their familys finances, have worse educational outcomes. FILE - Mothers carrying protest signs accompany their children to Graymont Elementary School in Birmingham, Ala., which was opened on an integrated basis, Sept. 4, 1963. (AP Photo, File)AP Efforts to slow or reverse the increasing separation of American schools have stalled. Court cases slowly have chipped away at the dream outlined in the case of Brown v. Board, leaving fewer and fewer tools in the hands of districts to integrate schools by the early 2000s. The arc of the moral universe, in this case, does not seem to be bending toward justice. School integration exists as little more than an idea in America right now, a little more than a memory, said Derek Black, a law professor at the University of Southern California. Its actually an idea that a pretty good majority of Americans think is a good idea. But thats all. MORE THAN JUST DIVERSE SCHOOLS The dream of Brown was never as simple as diversity. It was about equality, and the opportunity that came with it. From the beginning, funding and integration have been inseparable. Whiter schools and districts have more resources, and that is wrong, said Ary Amerikaner, a former Obama administration official and the founder of Browns Promise. But it is a reality. And that undermines opportunity for students of color, and it undermines our future democracy. We remember Brown v. Board as the end of segregated schools in the United States. But stating values does not, alone, change reality. Though the case was decided in 1954, it was followed by more than a decade of delay and avoidance before school districts began to meaningfully allow Black students to enter white schools. It took further court rulings, monitoring and enforcement to bring a short-lived era of integration to hundreds of school districts. For the students who took part in those desegregation programs, their life trajectory changed the more years spent in integrated schools, the better Black children fared on measures like educational attainment, graduation rates, health, and earning potential, with no adverse effects on white children. FILE - Third-grade students do school work during class at Hanby Elementary School, Feb. 15, 2011, in Mesquite, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)AP For a brief period, it seemed the country recognized the deeper remedies required. All things being equal, with no history of discrimination, it might well be desirable to assign pupils to schools nearest their homes, Chief Justice Warren Burger wrote in Swann v. Mecklenburg, a 1971 decision that upheld the use of busing to integrate schools in North Carolina. But all things are not equal in a system that has been deliberately constructed and maintained to enforce racial segregation. But not long after, another series of court decisions would unwind those outcomes. Fifty years ago, in Milliken v. Bradley, the court struck down a plan for integrating Detroit public schools across school district lines. The ruling undermined desegregation efforts in the north and Midwest, where small districts allowed white families to escape integration. Other decisions followed. In Freeman v. Pitts, the court ruled resegregation from private choice and demographic shifts could not be monitored by the court. More than 200 districts were released from court-monitored desegregation plans. By 2007, when the court ruled in Parents Involved v. Seattle Public Schools, even voluntary integration plans could no longer consider assigning students on the basis of race. If you have the tools taken away from you ... by the Supreme Court, then you really dont have a whole lot of tools, said Stephan Blanford, a former Seattle Public Schools board member. ONE DISTRICT AS A MICROCOSM The arc of history is clear in the city where the landmark Swann busing case originated. At its peak, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools was considered such a success at integrating classrooms and closing the gap between Black and white students that educators around the country came to tour the district. Today, more than 20 years after a court ruling overturned busing students on the basis of race, CMS is the most segregated district in North Carolina. While there are no laws that keep kids siloed by race and income, in so many schools that is the reality. Charlottes sprawling, complex busing plan brought Black and white students into the same schools and by extension, made white childrens resources available to Black students for the first time. The districts integration program ended when white families sued after their children did not get their top choice of school placement in a lottery that considered race. Instead, the district created a school assignment process that said diversity will be based on the familys decisions. It left the families of Mecklenburg County, some of whom have always had better choices than others, on their own. In the first year of the districts choice program, Black families were more likely to try to use the choice plan to pick an alternative school. They were also more likely to get none of the magnet schools they wanted. In the decades that followed, the district re-segregated. Years of busing had unwound the segregated makeup of the schools, but the underlying disparities and residential segregation had been left untouched. Charlotte is a place where the divide between affluence and poverty, and the clear racial lines that mirror it, are so stark that people who live there refer to the city in two parts the well-off wedge and the poorer crescent. How could anything other than an explicit consideration of those conditions ever hope to ameliorate them? FILE - White and Black children mix freely on the playground outside a school in a racially mixed neighborhood, Oct. 18, 1957, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Alvan Quinn, File)AP Solutions to segregated schools exist in this context, often relying on individual families to make choices that are limited by their circumstances. Magnet schools and inter-district transfers two common policies that may create great individual opportunities are limited and will always leave some students behind. Wherever you look, families are divided in how they view integration. For white and affluent families, it can exist as a noble idea, one filled with self-reflection. But for families of color or poor families those with less of a safety net the point of integration often is to place their children somewhere better. Efforts to integrate schools can take two paths, Stefan Lallinger, executive director of Next100, a public policy think tank, says. They either fight around the margins, creating slightly less segregated spaces, or they address the problem head on, which in many parts of the country would mean tackling boundaries deliberately drawn to separate rich from poor. HOW TO MOVE FORWARD IN A SYSTEM THAT RESISTS? Amerikaner and Saba Bireda founded Browns Promise on the idea of bridging the divide between funding and integration, leveraging state courts to obtain the tools the Supreme Court has taken away from districts. Their strategy has some precedence. In Connecticut, a 1989 lawsuit in state court resulted in the creation of an inter-district transfer program, which allows students in Hartford to transfer into suburban schools and magnet programs, breaking up concentrations of poverty and racially isolated schools. This country had to be moved to integration, Bireda said. And unfortunately, 70 years later, we feel like we still need litigation. We need the push of the courts. More recent lawsuits have taken place in New Jersey and in Minnesota. In 2015, Alex Cruz-Guzman became a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging segregation in Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools. Cruz-Guzman immigrated to the United States from Mexico as a teenager. As a parent, he noticed his childrens schools consisted almost entirely of other Latino students. When he tried to place them in more integrated schools, the family faced long waitlists. The case wound its way through court for nearly a decade, almost reaching a settlement in the legislature before that bill failed to pass. Cruz-Guzman recalls people asking why he would join a case that likely would not resolve in time to benefit his own children, who struggled with learning English for a time in predominantly Latino schools. To him, the arc of the case is about the kids whose lives could change in the future. Its not only my kids. My grandkids will benefit from it, he says. People for generations will benefit. How far those legal cases can reach remains to be seen. Actual solutions are imperfect. But integration is something this country has tried before, and while it lasted, by many measures, it worked. Anniversaries are moments to stop and contemplate. Seventy years after Brown, the work towards achieving its vision remains unfinished. Where there are no perfect, easy answers, what other choice is there besides trying imperfect pathways that bring about an increasingly diverse country somewhere closer to the promise of Brown? Whats the alternative? Bireda said. We are headed towards a country that is going to be majority people of color. ... We can be a strong multiracial democracy, but we cannot be that if we continue to allow most children in the United States not to go to school with children who are from different backgrounds. 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. Cream cheese products sold at two different supermarket chains have been recalled due to concerns about possible salmonella contamination. Aldi announced on May 9 that it recalled its Happy Farms Whipped Cream Cheese Spread, Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread, Cream Cheese Spread, and Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread products. The cream cheese products had the UPC codes 4099100101881, 4099100101737, 4099100101751 and 4099100101744. They had sell-by dates ranging between Aug. 30 and Sept. 22. The affected products were sold at select Aldi supermarkets in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The company advised anyone who bought these products to either discard it immediately or return it to their local store for a full refund. Anyone with questions should call Schreiber Foods at 800-644-5473 or email consumer.relations@schreiberfoods.com. In a separate incident, Hy-Vee, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, announced via the FDA that it is also recalling two varieties of its Hy-Vee Cream Cheese Spread due to possible salmonella contamination. The company is also voluntarily recalling its bulk-packaged Cookies & Cream Mix. The foods were manufactured at different third-party facilities around the Midwest and are sold under HyVees private label and bulk packaging programs. The manufacturers notified Hy-Vee of the potential contamination. The recalled Hy-Vee Cream Cheese Spread, sold in 12-ounce containers, has the UPC code 0075450096120 and a sell-by date of Oct. 1. The Hy-Vee Whipped Cream Cheese Spread, sold in 8-ounce containers, has the UPC code 0075450096132 and two sell-by dates: Aug. 7 and Aug. 14. Visit the FDAs website for more specific product information. The products were distributed to Hy-Vee, Hy-Vee Drugstore and Dollar Fresh Market locations as well as Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh convenience stores in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. There havent been any confirmed reports of illness due to the consumption of any of the Hy-Vee products. Anyone who purchased these products should either throw them away or return them to the store for a refund. By KAREL JANICEK, Associated Press PRAGUE (AP) Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event Wednesday afternoon, according to his Facebook profile. The populist, pro-Russian leader, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, some 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of the capital where the leader was meeting with supporters, according to reports on TA3, a Slovakian TV station. A suspect has been detained, it said. A message posted to Ficos Facebook account said that the leader has been shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition. Rescue workers wheel Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and injured, to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Slovakias populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting Wednesday afternoon, according to his Facebook profile. (Jan Kroslak/TASR via AP)AP It said he was being transported by helicopter to the Banska Bystrica, 29 kilometers (63 miles) away from Handlova because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute procedure. The next few hours will decide, it said. President-elect Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Fico, called the assassination an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy. If we express other political opinions with pistols in squares, and not in polling stations, we are jeopardizing everything that we have built together over 31 years of Slovak sovereignty. There were reactions of shock from across Europe, and some were calling it an attempted assassination of the leader in the NATO state, although no motive for the shooting was immediately apparent. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on the social media platform X that he was shocked and appalled by the shooting. The shooting in Slovakia comes three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections, in which populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc appear poised to make gains. Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during a session of Slovakias Parliament and adjourned it until further notice, the Slovak TASR news agency said. Slovakias major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, canceled a protest against a controversial government plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give the government full control of public radio and television. We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and todays shooting of Premier Robert Fico, said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka. At the same time we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension. President Zuzana Caputova condemned a brutal and ruthless attack on the premier. Im shocked, Caputova said. I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack. Fico, a third-time premier, and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party, won Slovakias Sept. 30 parliamentary elections, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message. Critics worried Slovakia under Fico would abandon the countrys pro-Western course and follow the direction of Hungary under populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Ficos policies. Smoke from Canadian wildfires could make its way into parts of Pennsylvania, conjuring up memories from 2023 when much of the state faced air-quality issues from similar circumstances. According to the Associated Press, wildfires in western Canada have sent smoke once again heading into the United States with the Upper Midwest facing air pollution warnings and hazy skies last weekend into Monday. A construction worker who died last week after being trapped in a large hole in New Jersey has been identified as a 29-year-old man who had wrestled for Rutgers University. Corey Greg Stasenko, of Cranford, N.J., died May 6 while attempting to install a storm drain while using an excavator in the rear of a business on Monroe Avenue in Kenilworth, authorities said. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but Stasenko was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Stasenko was born in Summit and later lived in South Plainfield, according to his obituary. After graduating from South Plainfield High School in 2013, Stasenko studied human resources at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. While at Rutgers, Stasenko wrestled for the Scarlet Knights program from 2013 to 2014 at 149 pounds, the school said. While in high school, he was a four-time district and county champion in South Plainfield, according to a notice mourning his loss from Rutgers. He also was a three-time NJSIAA qualifier and regional champion for the South Plainfield Tigers, Rutgers officials said. He studied plumbing in a Middlesex County Magnet Schools program in Piscataway, his obituary said. He finished school in 2023 and became a licensed plumber. He was most recently working for K&D Contractors in Kenilworth, his obituary said. On Tuesday, Joanna Hawkins, a spokeswoman for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said the agency is investigating Stasenkos death. K&D Contractors has no prior history of OSHA violations, she said. Officials with K&D Contractors did not immediately respond to a request to comment. Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has joined a program to help reintroduce new members of a threatened native species to the wild and boost their numbers. The commission has joined with the Maryland Zoo and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicines Wildlife Futures Program, in order to help the struggling numbers of the Allegheny woodrat. A renewed push is afoot to close loopholes in Pennsylvanias Clean Indoor Air Act that would end smoking in casinos - one of the last places smokers can light up inside. The legislation, sponsored by House Health Committee Chairman Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny County, is positioned for action by the full House but efforts are still being made to try to address concerns raised by opponents. Frankel said a news conference last week that casinos are the biggest obstacle to the stiffer the smoking ban. He said they declined to provide input at the November hearing when the health committee vetted the legislation that seeks to address the health effects of secondhand smoke. While it was a great advancement, it begs the issue of whether these exceptions that some people ought to be the beneficiaries of clean indoor air and some people arent, Frankel said. Its not fair. Its not right. And its not good for the health of Pennsylvanians. Attempts to get a response from representatives of the casino industry were unsuccessful. The current law allows up to 50% of the gaming floor in casinos to be designated for smoking, although Parx Casino has a complete indoor smoking ban at its facilities in Pennsylvania. Jen Rubolino, a founding member of Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects who uses an inhaler, told the health committee at a September hearing that even though she works in the non-smoking section of a casino, it doesnt eliminate her exposure to secondhand smoke. At that hearing, Frankel referenced a 2009 National Institutes of Health study of secondhand smoke in Pennsylvania casinos that came out after the enactment of the indoor smoking law. It concluded that secondhand smoke would cause an estimated six out of 10,000 casino workers to die of heart disease and lung cancer annually. Sens. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny County, has introduced legislation that also seeks to ban smoking inside casinos and other places where it is still permitted. Sen.Wayne Fontana, also an Allegheny County Democrat, has offered a bill that seeks a middle ground that allows casinos to decide whether to be smokefree or not. If the expansion became law, Pennsylvania would join nine other states that ban all smoking inside their casinos, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The other states are Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, and Washington. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands also require their casinos to be smoke-free. When the House Health Committee voted in November to advance Frankels legislation, none of the amendments offered dealt with casinos. The one change to his bill, approved on a party-line vote with all Republicans opposing, had to do with further restrictions on allowing smoking in private clubs that currently leave that decision up to their membership. The bill would require clubs that want to allow smoking to have a fully enclosed smoking lounge with a full exhaust system and other features to contain and filter smoke. Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Crawford County, said at that meeting that such an air filtration system would be too costly for some clubs. In particular, she was concerned about the impact it would have on veterans organizations. Im making a statement for the freedom of our veterans clubs especially and older private clubs who cant afford the luxury of filtration systems like ritzy elite clubs in the cities, Rapp said. This isnt about cigarettes to me. Its about the freedom for our veterans and private clubs. Frankel said when the 2008 law was passed, the VFW was insistent about being excluded from the smoking ban but in talking with a representative of that organization more recently, the concerns they have are really for the veterans themselves and their health and welfare. He said its encouraging to see the decline in the use of tobacco products in this state. While Frankel takes to heart the comments Rapp made about veterans, he said his bill is more about the health benefits that can accrue to all citizens of Pennsylvania by an expanded indoor smoking ban. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on X at @JanMurphy. YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Secretary of StateAntony Blinken on Tuesday took the stage at a bar in Ukraine's capital to play guitar and sing Neil Young's 1989 hit "Rockin' in the Free World" with a local band, Fox News reports. The jam session came after Blinken spent a day meeting with senior officials, civil society figures and university students.Blinken assured Ukrainians on his visit that they are not alone and that billions of dollars in American military aid on its way will make a "real difference" on the battlefield. YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS. At the Civil Aviation Committee, a meeting was held between the Director General, Mihran Khachatryan, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to the Republic of Armenia, Olivier Decottignies, and the Economic and Technical Cooperation Attache of the French Embassy in Armenia William Boggis. The meeting was also attended by Gerome Lizoug, responsible for international cooperation with Europe, the CIS and Turkey at the General Directorate of Civil Aviation of the French Republic, reported the Armenian Civil Aviation Committee. At the meeting, issues of strengthening and expanding cooperation between Armenia and France in the field of civil aviation were discussed. During the meeting an agreement, "The technical agreement in the field of aviation between the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Territorial Management and Infrastructures of the Republic of Armenia and the General Directorate of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing of the French Republic" was signed. The agreement is aimed at expanding cooperation between Armenia and France in the field of civil aviation by attracting relevant specialists, exchanging professional knowledge and advanced experience. Two of the better football teams in Region 7-5A, if not the best two, did battle on the first cool night of the season and the defensive units showed up ready to play. Read moreImproved defense on display for Gators in key region win Music is a language that transcends barriers, invoking empathy and understanding across those of differing nationalities, backgrounds and mother tongues. Such is the ethos behind Tell Your Story, a program that pairs Charleston orchestral fellows with members of the community to create an amalgamation of music and story, weaving the two distinct art forms into a kind of auditory memoir. We tried to think of the best way really to integrate the community, said Renate Rohlfing, an award-winning pianist, music psychotherapist and associate professor at the Berklee College of Music who is both the creator and director of Tell Your Story. We wanted to figure out a way for the musicians to understand a little more of the creative practices and the voices and the histories of the people that are residents. This years edition of the program is set to kick off Spoleto Festival USA 2024 with a special performance at Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain St., at 7 p.m. on May 22, just before the festivities begin. Tell Your Storys community partnerships this year are We Are Family, an organization that champions LGBTQ+ rights and creates safe, affirming community spaces in South Carolina, and the Children of Holocaust Survivors, affiliated with the Charleston Jewish Federation. We were looking at communities where we felt like (because of) their stories and the timing, that amplifying those stories would be really beneficial, said Rohlfing. Jonatan Guerrero Ramirez, community and events director at We Are Family, explained that the partnership with Tell Your Story will spotlight stories from youth in the LGBTQ+ community, bringing awareness to voices who arent necessarily, in his words, Google-able, but whose perspectives deserve to be witnessed. Hazel was born September 20, 1932 in Hatch Bend, Florida, a town that was founded by her grandfather. She was the youngest of six. She grew up on a farm, which had no electricity until she was in grade school. Her chores included plucking chickens and helping her brothers skin squirrels. As Read moreObituary Hazel Lee Carlton YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS. Russia welcomes the negotiations of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the peace treaty on May 10-11 in the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mikhail Galuzin during an interview with News.ru. "We welcome the negotiations of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the peace treaty on May 10 and 11 in Almaty. Another important step has been taken in the direction of achieving reliable and long-term peace in the South Caucasus. We fully support Astana's efforts in this direction. Kazakhstan played a significant role in the development and adoption of the 1991 Zheleznovodsk Declaration, which was one of the earliest substantial efforts to resolve the military confrontation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. The importance of ensuring that the discussions in Almaty align with the high-level trilateral agreements of 2020-2022, which outlined the roadmap for normalizing relations between Yerevan and Baku,said Galuzin. Speaking about the unblocking of transportation communications in the South Caucasus, Galuzin drew attention to the fact that Russia does not use the term "Zangezur Corridor" put into circulation by the President of Azerbaijan. "Russia stands not for the creation of one specific route, but for unblocking all transport and economic communications in the South Caucasus. This is exactly what the tripartite working group created by the decision of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2021, under the joint co-chairmanship of the deputy prime ministers of the three countries," Galuzin noted. He mentioned that the tripartite working group worked rhythmically and was able to record significant results. The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister noted that by June 2023, there was a general understanding on the issue of restoring rail communication between Armenia and Azerbaijan, adding that the parties had practically reached a systematic and balanced agreement. Galuzin said that this process has stopped, but not through Russia's fault. According to him, Yerevan also adopted a decision to freeze cooperation at the level of the tripartite working group. On 10-11 May 2024 negotiations were held between Ararat Mirzoyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, and Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, the Ministers welcomed the progress on delimitation and agreements reached in this regard. The Ministers and their delegations continued discussions on the provisions of the draft bilateral Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The parties agreed to continue negotiations on the open issues where differences still exist. During the course of the visit, the Ministers met with Murat Nurtleu. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, both separately and in a bilateral format. Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has expressed appreciation to the Kazakhstan side for hosting the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. ATLANTIC BEACH An Atlantic Beach town councilwoman who got kicked out of her first meeting last week awaits a judge's decision about whether she can take her seat. Carla Taylor asked Judge William Seals Jr. to force town leaders to recognize her as a duly elected councilwoman. Seals is expected to give his ruling on Taylor's petition this week. "We are on the right side of this," Taylor said after the May 14 hearing. "The people who are supporting me are here because they believe we're on the right side of this. It's not about me as an individual. But it is about my town, and my vote on that council would benefit my town." Seals also heard arguments from Kenneth Davis and Dwayne Green, who represented the town and town defendants, including Josephine Isom, who currently holds Taylor's seat. Isom and Interim Town Manager Orton Bellamy attended the hearing as town representatives. They declined to comment afterwards. Taylor, who was sworn in April 5, filled one of two council seats on the ballot last November. She replaced Isom, who ran instead for mayor against Town Councilman John David. Taylors term expires Dec. 31, 2027. Election results showed councilwoman Jacqueline Gore (71 votes) and Taylor (69 votes) winning. Remaining candidates Jerry Finney Sr. and Shaun Swinson Sr. received 62 votes and 48 votes, respectively. All three election commissioners signed off on the certification April 3, nearly five months after Election Day. But Taylor alleges town leaders have refused to let her take her council seat. She said they have canceled orientation sessions without explanation, failed to reschedule them and prohibited her from participating in her first council meeting. BRATISLAVA, 15 MAY, ARMENPRESS. Over the past two decades, discussions on global warming have increasingly emphasized the critical need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has surged by 50 percent. This poses a severe threat to the planet's biodiversity, as high levels of carbon dioxide create a greenhouse effect that directly contributes to global warming. In response, major international organizations and leading nations are implementing various strategies to curb carbon dioxide emissions. Recently, however, scientists have identified another gas that may be even more harmful and destructive to our environment: methane. The concentration of methane in the atmosphere has more than doubled over the last two hundred years. Experts now believe that methane is responsible for 20-30 percent of global warming. American engineer and inventor Tony Fadell, best known for creating the iPod, has significantly contributed to identifying and reducing methane emissions in recent years. Currently, much of Fadell's work focuses on promoting a sustainable future for Earth. Speaking at the STARMUS festival in Bratislava, he explained how he became involved in combating methane emissions and highlighted the progress made so far. "Armenpress" shares the key points from Tony Fadell's speech. Space has always been a childhood dream Ive been building since a young age. Ive always dreamed of Space. I saw the first shuttle launch when I was a kid. I was even born in the year of the first Apollo mission. So Ive always grown up around the Space, but I have never done anything in Space. Ive always dreamed of. But luckily 6-7 year ago I got a call to help build a satellite - a satellite that tracks methane around the globe. Why is it important to detect methane emissions? This is the first global satellite to track methane around the planet. Why is it important? It is not the biggest gas in the atmosphere. CO2 is; its 76 % of the global emissions every year. Methane is only 16 percent. The story is that methane is 80 times more powerful as a global warming gas than CO2. So yes, there is more CO2, but methane is a bigger problem, and it warms the Earth faster. And we have to address that as fast as possible, as well as we can. We cant wait. And were putting more methane into the atmosphere every day, just like CO2. Its not going down. And we have to solve this problem as soon as we can. Why? Because we believe we can slow the rate of the global warming by 30% by just tracking and cutting methane. Going and finding the sources of methane, reducing them and shutting them off. How does methane get into the atmosphere? The number one cause for the leaks of methane, just like in the case of CO2, is the oil and gas industry. They are the number one cause in the US and worldwide. The second one after the oil and gas industry is agriculture, agricultural burps and farts. So we are focused, with our satellite, on looking at oil and gas emissions first, and next, we are going after agriculture. After that there are landfills, where we dump all our trash. Our satellite will be able to cover all those. But first and foremost, we go over oil and gas, the fastest thing we can fix. Now that weve been talking about this problem. The world didnt know about methane problem 10 years ago. After COP, the US and EU have woken up to this problem, and they have now impelemented all kinds of regulations, measures and fines for all those oil and gas producers to go after that and get that to fix the problems. That is amazing. This is amazing that 10 years ago, we were only talking about CO2, and now we are talking about methane, and we actually have legislation in place to fix it. MethaneSat our eye in the sky Theres one issue. Where is the methane? Everybody sees theres a problem, but where is it? We dont have the global data until now. Our mission with this satellite is to report where all the methane is, all of them, across the globe. We can do that now with MethaneSat. Now we can have an eye in the sky checking up the entire globe for these missions. We can even detect the location, we know how much and how fast these emissions happen every day. MethaneSat is up there, it has been up there since March. The satellite data will be free for researchers Starting next month, were going to tell the world what we see. It orbits the globe every 95 minutes. And right now, it is focused on the top 80 percent of what we believe are the methane emitters on the planet. We will be able to recognize them, well be able to tell the world about them. But whats also important is that the data from the satellite is free for researchers. The uncorrected, raw data will be available for anyone to use to help us with this search, with this hunt to help us figure out if maybe your neighbor has a methane leak, or maybe the industry or the company that you work for has a methane leak. We can all go and help stop these methane leaks. And any company that uses the data, they will have to pay for it. Thats how we continue to sustain this mission. Araks Kasyan You know how Charlestonians get when they see snow falling? That was Pickens Rep. Neal Collins the morning Tropical Storm Helene arrived at his Easley home. He stood in his garage and shot video of the rain. I woke up before my 5am alarm with unexpected excitement, he posted on social medi Read moreScoppe: 'We are being manipulated by people who don't have our best interests at heart' CHESNEE A school board member has found himself out of step with his peers by calling for the superintendent to resign, alleging the administrator kept information about two lawsuits from the district's elected leaders. But Spartanburg County School District 2 board Chairman Jason Seay said, unlike board member Matthew Schubeck, the rest of the body doesn't support Superintendent Lance Radford's ouster. I would like to express our complete support for Mr. Radford and his ability to lead our district, Seay read from a statement at a May 14 meeting. His communication to us has always been appropriate and transparent. The lawsuits, which received coverage last week from two news outlets, were filed in 2022 and alleged the district did not do enough after two children were repeatedly targets of sexually inappropriate behavior from other students. In court filings, the district has denied any wrongdoing. After learning details of the lawsuit from that coverage, Schubeck released a statement that said Radford hid information from the board about the two lawsuits and should step down. The superintendent first informed the board of the lawsuits in mid-September 2022, Schubeck told The Post and Courier. He said the information was vague, and he followed up with Radford. The superintendent told him over the phone that the school board had no reason to worry and that all school districts have nuisance lawsuits that occur and most of them are frivolous and they just worked themselves out, Schubeck said. Radford referred The Post and Courier to Seay's statement when he was requested to comment. Schubeck said he contacted the superintendent privately to discuss one of the news stories. He said Radford directed him to a statement that addressed the entire school board. He shared the statement with The Post and Courier. YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS. The delegation of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, headed by Deputy Minister of Defense Karen Brutyan, participated in the IDEB-2024 defense exhibition in Bratislava, Slovakia, at the invitation of the Slovak Ministry of Defense. As part of the event, meetings were held with the Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia, the Minister of Defense Robert Kaliniak, the Director of the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency and with representatives of companies in the military-industrial complex. Issues of military-technical and military-technological cooperation between Armenia and Slovakia were discussed and a number of agreements have been reached. PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 15:46:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 393 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TUSTIN, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 /Alliance Funding Group (AFG), a premier provider of customized equipment financing solutions since 1998, announces significant appointments within its Technology Finance division. Adam Doyle joins as Senior Vice President, Head of Technology Finance, and Eric DeHart assumes the role of Market Director, Technology Finance. Together, they bring over forty years of combined experience in equipment leasing, sales, and strategic financial services.Adam Doyle: A Multifaceted LeaderAdam Doyle's diverse career spans politics, law, and technology. He has made impactful contributions to political campaigns, the United States Senate, and served as In-House Counsel for a Fortune 50 retailer. His journey in technology began at Dell Technologies, transitioning later into the equipment finance sector where he excelled at Winthrop Resources (acquired by TCF Bank, now Huntington Bank). Most recently, he was the EVP, Head of Sales and Business Development at CCA Financial. In his new capacity at AFG, Adam will lead initiatives to expand the company's equipment finance offerings within the technology sector.Eric DeHart: Expert Strategist and EducatorEric DeHart, a USC alum based in the Los Angeles area, began his impressive career in equipment finance at First American Equipment Finance (acquired by City National Bank). He then progressed to relationship management roles at City National Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank, furthering his expertise while earning an MBA with a concentration in finance. Prior to joining AFG, he was instrumental in shaping finance solutions at US Bank Technology Finance Group and CCA Financial. In addition to his role at AFG, Eric serves as CFO of the LYTE Foundation, which supports breast cancer survivors.Expanding AFG's Technology Equipment Finance ReachBrij Patel, Founder, President, and CEO of AFG, expressed his enthusiasm for the expanded team, stating, "The appointment of Adam Doyle and addition of Eric DeHart marks a significant enhancement to our Technology Finance capabilities. Their deep industry knowledge, OEM/reseller network, and commitment to client success are pivotal as we continue to tailor our financial services to the evolving needs of the technology sector. We are excited to see them drive growth and innovation within our company." AFG has a rich 26 year history as a privately-held entity with a robust team of over 75 sales representatives nationwide. The company caters to a diverse range of companies and credit profiles, emphasizing Equipment Finance, Leases, and Working Capital.SOURCE: Alliance Funding Group (AFG) PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 21:02:43 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 452 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 PORT VILA, VANUATU / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / In a testament to resilience and innovation in the financial sector,CWG Marketsclinched the "Best Copy Trading Platform" award at the recently concluded BrokersView Expo 2024 in Dubai. Despite facing the heaviest rainfall the region has seen in 76 years, the event drew an enthusiastic crowd of investors, underscoring the unyielding spirit of the finance community. The expo was a buzzing hub of activity, with packed halls and lively discussions pervading the venue. Even under the challenging weather conditions, the turnout was impressive, showcasing the dedication and enthusiasm of investors and industry stakeholders.CWG Markets revolutionizes investment by offering an award-winning copy trading platform that enables both novice and seasoned traders to easily mirror the strategies of top investors. This democratizes trading, allowing users to leverage the expertise of professionals worldwide with a simple one-click subscription to high-quality global signal providers. With access to over 100,000 traders, CWG empowers its users to enhance their investment strategies and achieve superior financial results, fostering a collaborative and continuously learning trading community.In a comprehensive interview with international financial media, Sami Rissaoui, the Head of Business Development at CWG, discussed the platform's impact and their vision for the future. Here are some key excerpts from the interview:- On Innovation and Accessibility: "The platform is designed to break down barriers in financial trading. By allowing easy access to experienced traders' strategies and enabling newcomers to the market to start on a level playing field," stated Sami Rissaoui.- On Regulation and Transparency: "Being regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority and being a member of the London Stock Exchange signifies their commitment to the highest standards of financial integrity and transparency," Rissaoui emphasized.- On Future Goals: "Looking forward, we aim to further enhance our platform's capabilities and reach, providing their users with even more sophisticated tools to maximize their trading potential," Rissaoui outlined.This prestigious recognition at the BrokersView Expo 2024 not only emphasizesCWG Markets ' dedication to excellence and client satisfaction, but it also establishes them as a paragon for others in the financial industry. The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) stringently regulates CWG, and as a distinguished member of the London Stock Exchange, it underscores its commitment to upholding the highest standards of financial integrity and operational transparency. As the financial landscape continues to advance, CWG's adherence to these rigorous regulations reassures investors of its reliability and forward-looking approach. Such accolades and memberships exemplify CWG's role in driving the evolution of the financial services industry, making it more accessible and efficient for global investors.Contact DetailsCWG Markets Will+60 1-800-81-9380complaint@ cwgmarkets.com Company WebsiteSOURCE: CWG Markets PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 13:05:27 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 472 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Expanding on a tradition of giving, Dr. Ahmed's foundation targets children in Chicago, Houston, and Dubai, enhancing community spirit with holiday cheer.CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Building on the success of his previous charitable initiatives,Dr. Anosh Ahmed, through the Anosh Inc Foundation,is pleased to announce a significant donation of 15,000 toys slated for distribution in 2024. This initiative targets communities in the Westside Chicago Austin Neighborhood, Houston, Texas, and Dubai, UAE, aiming to bring joy and hope to underprivileged children during the holiday season.Dr. Anosh AhmedFollowing the successful 4th Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway last December at Lone Star College, which saw thousands of children receive gifts, Dr. Ahmed's commitment to community support is stronger than ever. "It's more than just giving toys; it's about sparking joy, inspiring hope, and making a tangible difference in the lives of children," said Dr. Ahmed. His foundation, Anosh Inc Foundation, is dedicated to enriching communities and providing support where it is most needed.The chosen locations for the 2024 giveaway reflect a strategic approach to support communities with significant needs. The Westside Chicago Austin Neighborhood, known for its vibrant culture and community spirit, has faced economic challenges that Dr. Ahmed aims to mitigate with this kind gesture. Similarly, in Houston and Dubai, the focus will be on reaching children who are less fortunate, ensuring they experience the joy of the holiday season.Each event is meticulously organized to ensure that every child receives a gift that brings a smile. The toys are selected to cater to a diverse range of interests and ages, emphasizing inclusivity and the spirit of giving. Dr. Ahmed's foundation collaborates closely with community leaders and organizations to identify families who will benefit most from the giveaway.For more information about the toy donation events or to learn how to support the Anosh Inc. Foundation, please visit https://www.anoshincfoundation.com/ Contact:Dr. Anosh AhmedAnosh Inc. Foundation713-259-2336 https://www.anoshincfoundation.com/sami@anoshinc.com This press release underscores Dr. Ahmed's dedication to community service and sets the stage for another year of meaningful philanthropy.About Dr. Anosh AhmedDr. Anosh Ahmed has chosen the west side of Chicago as his new focus for the Anosh Inc. Foundation because of his deep love and affinity for the community. Having served as the CFO, COO, Medical Director, and board member of the Loretto Hospital before his resignation in 2021, Dr. Ahmed developed a profound connection to the area and its residents. Since stepping down from his roles at the hospital, his foundation has remained active in the community, tirelessly working to address the needs of its most vulnerable members. Dr. Anosh has dedicated his time, resources, and unwavering commitment to the west side of Chicago and Loretto Hospital, continuing to make a meaningful impact through his philanthropic efforts.SOURCE: Anosh Inc. Foundation PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-16 00:35:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 567 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Dr. Speron's Miracle Scar Solution was named thebest skincare item of the year in 2023 by the Skin & Beauty Journal . Dr. Sam Speron, a doctor and the creator of Dr. Speron's Natural Skincare, LLC, is excited to share that his Natural Scar Removal Cream has been recognized. It was recently honored as the Best New Skincare Product for 2023 by Skin and Beauty Journal, receiving acclaim for its ability to improve tissue health. By offering customers a way to enhance their skin's beauty and feel, Dr. Speron's Natural Skincare LLC solidifies its reputation as a leading figure in the skincare industry.Scar Removal Cream The booming skincare industry is projected to grow over the next six years due to rising consumer demand for products that actually work.Dr . Speron's Natural Scar Removal Creamshines in the market as a standout choice for those seeking skincare solutions. With care and precision, this award-winning cream represents a step forward in treatment methods.Setting itself apart from treatments that can be time-consuming, ineffective, or even harmful, Dr. Speron's Natural Scar Removal Cream delivers an exclusive oxygenated skincare formula that is fast-acting, safe, and scientifically proven to yield real results. Engineered to penetrate skin's layers, the cream targets scars at their source. Additionally, what makes the cream appealing is its fast healing process and minimal recovery time.Dr. Sam Speron Dr. Speron is a seasoned vet in the field of skin care, offering solutions backed by research. His goal of enhancing natural beauty stems from his years of expertise as a certified surgeon. Recognizing the demand for high-quality ingredients in skincare through his private practice, Dr. Speron curated a product line featuring natural ingredients sourced from his clinic. The dedication to delivering ethical, professional cosmetic care is evident in Dr. Speron's Natural Skincare products.The Natural Scar Removal Cream includes seven carefully selected active ingredients, working to address scars at both the cellular and surface levels. From medical-grade silicones to hyaluronic acid and aloe oil, each component contributes to scar softening, inflammation reduction, and enhanced collagen production. Ingredients like oxygenated purified water and Japanese green tea aid in scar healing, reducing redness, and providing antioxidant benefits that revitalize the skin.Scar Removal Cream Dr. Speron's Natural Scar Removal Cream has received global acclaim, with users reporting visible results within weeks of consistent use. Its recognition as the Best New Skincare Product for 2023 highlights its leadership in skincare innovation, with continued growth and advancement in the brand's future.For people seeking a trusted solution to skincare concerns, Dr. Speron's Natural Scar Removal Cream offers a clinically proven, natural option supported by years of medical expertise and research. Achieving radiant, youthful-looking skin can be attainable withDr. Speron's Natural Skincare, LLC , and its enriching oxygenated skincare. Visit the company's website for more information on Dr. Speron's Natural Scar Removal Cream and other natural, effective skincare products designed to reliably enhance the skincare journey.About Dr. Speron's Natural Skincare, LLC:Dr. Speron's Natural Skincare, LLC is a Chicago-based skincare brand offering a range of skincare solutions. The product line addresses various concerns, including acne scars, sun protection, and hair care. Founded by esteemed medical professional Dr. Sam Speron, MD, FACS, the company provides natural, effective skincare backed by scientific research and medical expertise for healthier and more vibrant skin.Media Contact:Delivar Solutions contact@ delivarsolutions.com +919836520089 https://skinandbeautyjournal.com/ SOURCE: Dr. Speron's Natural Skincare PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 01:22:36 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 769 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 52 state parks, 54,400 acres, and over 8 million visitors each yearNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2024 / Unparalleled opportunities for adventure, exploration, and relaxation await visitors in Arkansas state parks. Recently, Jason Parrie, Park Ranger at DeGray Lake Resort State Park and Kayla Gomance, Assistant Chief of Interpretation for Arkansas State, conducted a satellite media tour to talk about the variety of outdoor experiences and available accommodations in The Natural State.A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/iXo64pYNWo4 52 state parks, 54,400 acres, and over 8 million visitors each yearArkansas's diverse array of natural wonders spans across 52 state parks, covering a sprawling 54,400 acres. With a staggering 1,800 campsites, 208 cabins, and 5 lodges, these parks cater to the needs of over 8 million visitors each year, inviting families to immerse themselves in the beauty of The Natural State.With endless adventure opportunities for visitors of all ages and interests, Arkansas state parks are perfect places to get away. There are tons of fun activities to do with family and friends while visiting the State Parks of Arkansas - things like hiking scenic trails, kayaking on lakes and streams, fishing, birdwatching, touring historic sites, visiting museums, geocaching, and so much more.For those who prefer to explore on two wheels, mountain biking is a great way to get outdoors and get some exercise. With miles of challenging trails, Arkansas State Parks offer a mountain biking experience like no other. For something more fast-paced, visiting can head to one of the Monument Trails. No matter the skill level, there's a trail that will challenge and inspire everyone.Arkansas is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the country, and the state parks are no exception. Named the nation's best mountain biking trails by Outside magazine in 2023, the trails are designed to showcase the state's unique landscapes and cultural heritage. Take in the stunning views of the Ozark Mountains on the Signal Hill Trail at Mount Magazine State Park, or explore the ancient geological wonders on the Cedar Falls Trail at Petit Jean State Park.Arkansas is also a haven for water sports, with abundant lakes, rivers, and streams perfect for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and fishing. Whether seeking a tranquil float or an exciting whitewater challenge, visitors will find ample opportunities to explore these scenic waterways.Nature enthusiasts will delight in Arkansas's diverse wildlife. From birdwatching and butterfly spotting to glimpses of deer, elk, and other native species, Arkansas State Parks offer prime locations for wildlife viewing, photography, and unforgettable encounters.Arkansas state parks, offer opportunities to sleep under the stars, cozy up in a rustic cabin, or enjoy the comforts of a modern campground or lodge.In addition to recreational activities, Arkansas State Parks are also centers for education and relaxation. They offer interpretive programs, guided tours, and hands-on activities focusing on ecology, geology, history, and conservation. Visitors can also engage in wellness activities like forest yoga, nature walks, or simply enjoy the tranquility of a lakeside view.Arkansas state parks are ideal destinations for families looking to bond and create lasting memories. With affordable accommodations, exciting recreational activities, and special events tailored for families, these parks provide the perfect setting for summer adventures that everyone will enjoy.Ready to plan a visit to an Arkansas state park? Visitarkansasstateparks.comfor more information.Jason Parrie BioJason Parrie works as a sergeant for Arkansas State Parks at DeGray Lake Resort State Park. Parrie has served as both an interpreter and a commissioned law enforcement officer. In 2014, he became a full-time park ranger at DeGray Lake Resort State Park. Parrie is certified in Hunter and Boater Education, Kayaking, CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguarding. Today, as a lifeguard instructor trainer, Parrie serves as Chair of the Department's Medical Advisory Committee and is the Department's lead American Red Cross medical instructor. He is also certified in Wildland Firefighting, Search and Rescue, and Bike Patrol. Parrie earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Centre College of Kentucky and is a graduate of the National Association of State Park Director's Leadership School and the Arkansas State Parks Management Trainee Program.Kayla Gomance BioKayla Gomance works as Assistant Chief of Interpretation for Arkansas State Parks. Gomance escorts visitors into the woods, lakes, and the past in hopes that hearts and minds can connect with places she loves. Her passion for the profession has led her to serve as a regional officer for the National Association for Interpretation. In her downtime, you will find her atop her stand-up paddleboard alongside her dogs, Josie and Lottie, and husband, Eric.Contact Details YourUpdateTV+1 212-736-2727yourupdatetv@ gmail.com SOURCE: YOURUPDATETV PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 15:00:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 551 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Exyn Technologies, a pioneer in multi-platform robotic autonomy for complex, GPS-denied environments, is pleased to announce the addition of a new global partner, Measur, a leading Canadian unmanned technology provider, to deliver our world-class autonomy and mapping payload to the Canadian market.Initially founded by a couple in the materials testing industry, Measur cut its teeth representing just one brand. Now, the company has grown to offer over 20 brands across various sectors, including unmanned technology and geomatics. Starting from a small office in Calgary, Measur has expanded into a 10,000-square-foot facility and increased its staff from two to over 20 professionals spread throughout Canada."We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Measur, a leader in the Canadian geospatial sector for their expertising in providing the right tool for the job," said Brandon Declet, CEO of Exyn Technologies. "By combining our cutting-edge autonomous technologies with Measur's expertise in geomatics and unmanned solutions, we are poised to deliver even more robust and comprehensive solutions to our customers. Together, we look forward to empowering our clients with the tools they need to succeed in an ever-evolving technological landscape." As a leading technology solutions provider, Measur is thrilled to bring Exyn's state-of-the-art modular robotic autonomy and mapping payload, Nexys, to market, offering customers enhanced safety, efficiency, and cost-saving potential through a robust autonomy and post-processing pipeline."We are excited to partner with Exyn to introduce Nexys, a revolutionary 3D SLAM LiDAR payload. This partnership combines our expertise in unmanned and geospatial technologies with Exyn's experience in autonomous SLAM solutions to deliver innovation and value to our customers across Canada," said Lukas Wilgosh, Vice President at Measur. "Nexys transforms data collection, reducing scan time from hours to minutes. It's a game-changer for industries demanding efficient, high-quality spatial data." At the heart of Measur's operations is a commitment to deliver exceptional value and support to its customers. The company collaborates closely with clients to understand their specific needs and customizes its technical support accordingly. With a team of board-certified technicians and seasoned support specialists, Measur provides comprehensive technical expertise, both before and after sales, along with targeted training to ensure customers derive the greatest benefit from their purchases.About ExynExyn is a pioneer in multi-platform robotic autonomy for complex, GPS-denied environments. The company's cutting-edge technology enables industries such as mining, logistics, construction, and infrastructure to capture critical and time-sensitive data in a safer, more affordable, and more efficient way. With a team of experts in autonomous systems, robotics, and industrial engineering, Exyn is revolutionizing the way businesses operate and make data-driven decisions. Exyn is VC-backed and privately held, with headquarters in Philadelphia. For more information, please visit www.exyn.com About Measur:Measur is a leading distributor of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Canada and the United States. With a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Measur offers a comprehensive range of drones, payloads and other unmanned solutions to meet the diverse needs of its clientele. Founded in 2001, Measur has become the most trusted source for aerial solutions in mining & aggregates, agriculture & forestry, infrastructure & utilities, construction, surveying & mapping, and oil & gas.Learn more: measur.ca Contact InformationVanessa VarianVP Marketingvvarian@ exyntechnologies.com 2155145332SOURCE: Exyn TechnologiesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 15:02:03 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 358 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Leader in fertility care furthers commitment to help individuals and couples achieve their dreams of parenthoodREADING, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / The Fertility Centers of New England (FCNE), a First Fertility Company, is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Antonio Gargiulo, MD, as the medical director of its new Advanced Reproductive Surgery program. Dr. Gargiulo was formerly with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School where he practiced for the past 30 years. With this new program FCNE aims to provide its patients with unparalleled access to cutting-edge minimally invasive fertility-preserving and fertility-enhancing operations.Dr. Antonio Gargiulo of Fertility Centers of New England Dr. Antonio Gargiulo Joins Fertility Centers of New England as Medical Director of Advanced Reproductive Surgery ProgramDr. Gargiulo brings over two decades of expertise in reproductive robotic surgery to FCNE, having performed over 2,000 complex robotic procedures. His extensive experience includes radical endometriosis excisions, myomectomies, and conservative treatment of complex uterine anomalies. Dr. Gargiulo expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "This new program is designed to offer FCNE patients a preferential pathway to the most advanced minimally invasive procedures available anywhere." Joseph Hill, MD, President of FCNE, highlighted Dr. Gargiulo's exceptional qualifications, stating, "There is no one in New England and very few in the world as qualified and renowned as Dr. Gargiulo in Reproductive Robotic Surgery." Dr. Hill emphasized that Dr. Gargiulo's addition to the FCNE team exemplifies the organization's commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centered care.Board Certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (ABOG), Dr. Gargiulo holds the special ABOG certificate of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Focused Practice Designation, making him uniquely qualified in his field. Fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish, Dr. Gargiulo is dedicated to providing personalized care to patients from diverse backgrounds.FCNE is excited to welcome Dr. Gargiulo and looks forward to the positive impact his expertise will have on patients seeking advanced reproductive surgical solutions.FCNE requests prospective patients to schedule an appointment through their website at fertilitycenter.com Contact InformationCatherine Craigcraigc@ fertilitycenter.com 877-326-3483SOURCE: Fertility Centers of New EnglandView the original press release on newswire.com YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Azerbaijan lack experience and knowledge of peaceful coexistence, said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during the opening ceremony of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's Board of Governors meeting in Yerevan. According to the Prime Minister, living peacefully is not possible without learning how to do so. "From the first days of independence, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been in conflict, and beyond political negotiations and principles of peace, there is an important prerequisite: learning to live peacefully, which is an extremely difficult process, because, as I repeat, neither we, nor Azerbaijan knows what it is, what it looks like. "What you don't know brings uncertainties, concerns, tensions, which you understandably formulate and perceive based on your historical experience, which tells us that it is impossible. This is where the necessity of learning arises because the historical experience of human history should have convinced humanity that space flight was impossible, and indeed it was impossible until humanity learned to fly into space. Now, space flight doesn't surprise anyone," said the Prime Minister. According to him, in the case of Armenia and Azerbaijan, there is a need for tools to learn to live peacefully. The Prime Minister noted that one of such tools is the Armenia -proposed 'Crossroads of Peace,' project. According to Pashinyan, the border delimitation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan has started recently and should become one of the tools that will teach Armenia and Azerbaijan to live peacefully. PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 15:00:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 754 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Delivery of Wavelength Services up to 400 Gbps to Globalinx offers pivotal access point in fast-growth Hampton Roads, VA regionATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / FiberLight, LLC , a fiber infrastructure provider with more than 20 years of experience designing, building, and operating mission-critical, high-bandwidth networks, today announced the expansion of its service offering with a Point of Presence (POP) at theGlobalinxdata center and cable landing station in Virginia Beach, Virginia. FiberLight will deliver up to one terabit private ethernet service from the data center and subsea landing station to connect anywhere FiberLight has on-net presence, including more than 200 data centers across FiberLight's network.FiberLight's lit fiber, accessible from the Globalinx Data Center Campus in Virginia Beach, will serve as a key landing point, ensuring seamless connectivity between subsea and terrestrial fiber networks. Located in the Hampton Roads area, home to the world's largest Navy base and the Port of Virginia, the region is evolving into a dynamic tech hub with an IT sector spanning logistics, manufacturing and cybersecurity. FiberLight's POP will deliver secure, high-speed connectivity across its expansive network, catalyzing business expansion."Gaining a foothold in this market has been a long-held goal for FiberLight. Through our partnership with Globalinx, we're expanding our reach and delivering fast, secure, and robust infrastructure wherever our clients seek connectivity," said Ron Kormos, FiberLight's Chief Strategy Officer. "There's a large ecosystem of business that flows through this region - from Central and South America to Europe - and we're well positioned to pick up that traffic and deliver low latency data transport solutions. From this pivotal POP in Virginia Beach, we can unlock multiple avenues for growth and meet the diverse networking needs of our clients." Globalinx Data Centers is a2N+1 carrier-neutral multi-megawatt data center campus, developed to facilitate direct connectivity between subsea fiber and terrestrial fiber systems. As subsea cable tenants transition to terrestrial networks within the Globalinx facility, FiberLight is positioned to deliver fast and secure data transport with speeds of up to 400 gigabits."FiberLight has earned a reputation for excellence in the industry, and we're excited to work together to enhance and broaden connectivity options," said Greg Twitt, Founder and President of Globalinx. "While we maintain our carrier neutrality, FiberLight's proven reliability, coupled with their history of successful partnerships with data centers, underscores their expertise and trustworthiness. We're looking forward to a long-term partnership with FiberLight to meet the dynamic needs of our clients and deliver future-forward technology." FiberLight's Virginia Beach expansion follows the company's recent announcement that it has launchednew, diverse pathwaysfrom Dallas to central Mexico, and demonstrates the company's continued growth."We've long recognized the potential of the Virginia Beach area, situated within the vibrant landscape of Hampton Roads," said Bill Major, FiberLight's CEO. "With sectors such as education, healthcare, and DOD showing sustained growth, this region offers substantial opportunities for FiberLight's expansion. We're excited to expand connectivity options for our clients while also advancing our presence and pursuing new avenues for long-term development." About Globalinx Data CentersGlobalinx Data Centers is a carrier-neutral multi-megawatt data center campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, developed to facilitate direct connectivity between subsea fiber and terrestrial fiber systems. The three-phased project boasts 150,000 square-feet of data center space across a 11.5-acre dedicated site. The campus is fortified with high-security, access to more than 30MWs of power through two substations, and direct access to multiple terrestrial and subsea fiber cable systems. The campus also provides direct access to MAREA DUNANT and BRUSA subsea cables connecting Virginia Beach to Europe, South America and beyond. Additionally, Globalinx has four subsea conduits currently under construction in Virginia Beach with a completion prior to the end of this calendar year, terminating at its CLS. Globalinx has recently acquired 43 acres of land for data center development in Virginia Beach.Globalinx also owns subsea and data center infrastructure in the heart of Myrtle Beach SC.For more information, visit https://www.globalinxdatacenters.com About FiberLightFiberLight builds and operates mission-critical high bandwidth networks to ignite our client's digital transformation. With approximately 19,000 route miles of fiber networks and 230,000 pre-qualified near-net buildings, FiberLight operates in over 430 cities in the U.S. Our service portfolio includes high-capacity Ethernet and Wave Transport Services, Cloud Connect, Dedicated Internet Access, Dark Fiber, and Wireless Backhaul serving domestic and international telecom companies, wireless, wireline, cable, and cloud providers, as well as key players across enterprise, government, and education. For more information, visit https://www.fiberlight.com FiberLight Contact:Escalate PRFiberLight@ escalatepr.com SOURCE: FiberLight PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 14:00:55 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 853 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 PERTH, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / MAY 15, 2024 / Like many millennial couples navigating their 20s, Kieren and Mackenzie Parata were not confident they would ever be able to own a property.This lack of confidence was not necessarily misplaced: working as a fitness instructor and casual at Bunnings meant Kieren and Mackenzie, respectively, were no stranger to early wake-ups, long days and the relentless costs of renting, all while balancing the weight of increasing daily expenses.Savings were hard to come by - let alone a house deposit.Knocking at the door of the bank of mum and dad was not a reality for the couple, nor were there any large inheritances or trust funds on the horizon. Without other options to fall back on, the couple balanced five jobs and one law degree between them, saving every possible dollar in hopes of one day purchasing a home.Sunday brunches were a sacrifice they were willing to make - among many other luxuries they forewent in favour of growing their savings account."I became obsessed with changing the trajectory of our lives," recalls Kieren. "I couldn't get away from the idea of becoming successful, wealthy and escaping what was normal'. I would spend every waking minute, in between 16 hour days across multiple jobs, studying and learning about the life I wanted for us." For Kieren, the life he visualised included property ownership, using real estate as a vehicle to build wealth and financial freedom."I've always believed in the benefits real estate has over other types of investments," says Kieren. "Real estate is tangible. If I invest in a good property, in a good location, my investment capital will always be backed by something real. Hard assets, like real estate, have a physical purpose beyond simply being an investment vehicle, unlike stocks and bonds." These small steps, savings and sacrifices continued, until Kieren and Mackenzie were able to leverage their dollars for a house deposit - the first of many moves that would lead to an explosive multimillion dollar property portfolio in just a few years' time."Even though I was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted by long days and hard work, I knew the pay off would be big enough. I knew these 16 hour days would eventually lead us into having enough money to fund our first investment - so I went all in, taking courses on investing, real estate, finance and wealth creation." After two years of saving every penny, the couple bought their first property in cash. "It was a unicorn property that took us months of searching," says Kieren. "When we found it, it was being rented out for $1000 per week. The monthly cash flow from this property exceeded what Mackenzie was earning from her job at Bunnings." For Kieren, this was the lightbulb' moment that changed the couple's lives forever. "I thought, why would we stop at one? This was going to be the vehicle to take us to financial freedom. We were all in." Just a few short weeks later, Kieren and Mackenzie leveraged the equity from their first home to buy a second property in Mount Lawley. "The rest was history," Kieren says. "We have since repeated this process, again and again, which has led us to owning millions of dollars worth of real estate in two years." Looking back on the journey from 3:30 AM wake-ups to 9 PM clock-outs, sacrificing fun and saving every dollar, Kieren was asked whether he wished there was an easier way."I used to envy friends who had been given money by their parents to buy their first property," he recalls. "Now I'm glad and grateful we never received one cent from anyone. No one can diminish the sacrifices we went through to get where we are now." "For us, the most rewarding part is sharing what we've done with other people," says Mackenzie. "We've turned our focus to building our business, Parata Property, and giving clients access to the same opportunities that allowed us to build our wealth from square one." "Nine times out of ten, the founder of a property company with a large real estate portfolio is in their 60s, and started buying when they already owned a big business, or were a CEO of a major company, or had otherwise high levels of income," Kieren laughs. "That's why we are so passionate about sharing what we do. If a Bunnings employee and fitness instructor can do it, can't you?"Kieren and Mackenzie founded Parata Property in 2023, providing buyer's agent services while bringing together a community of real estate investors from all walks of life - building wealth through the same method the Paratas are proud to utilise and share.Those interested in Parata Property services can connect with the couple on Instagram @paratapropertyau or can book in a discovery call.For media inquiries, please contact:Cassandra EmmersonBrand Strategist for Parata PropertyM: +61 405 232 285E: hello@ emmersyn.com.au SOURCE: Parata Property PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 20:30:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 695 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Join Cubanacan Heritage at Battleship New Jersey Museum's Annual 'Cigars on the River' EventPEMBROKE PINES, FL / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Green Leaf Innovations, Inc., (OTC PINK:GRLF), an importer and wholesale distributor of premium hand-rolled cigars, is proud to announce its participation in the highly anticipated 'Cigars on the River' event at the iconic Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial.Overlooking the majestic Delaware River and the breathtaking Philadelphia skyline, this annual soiree promises an unforgettable evening of indulgence and philanthropy. Guests will savor the finest cigars, exquisite cuisine, and handcrafted cocktails amidst the historic setting of the Battleship New Jersey.Cubanacan Heritage, a cornerstone of Green Leaf Innovations, Inc.'s esteemed portfolio, will take center stage at this prestigious event, showcasing the rich heritage and unrivaled craftsmanship behind each meticulously hand-rolled cigar.About Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial: The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial stands as a testament to our nation's military prowess and enduring legacy. From its storied past in World War II to its pivotal role in modern naval history, the battleship offers a captivating glimpse into the triumphs and sacrifices of our armed forces. Immerse yourself in a journey through time and honor the heroes who have served our country with courage and valor.Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to join Green Leaf Innovations, Inc. and Cubanacan Heritage aboard the Battleship New Jersey for an evening of camaraderie, celebration, and support for a noble cause.About Green Leaf Innovations, Inc.Green Leaf Innovations, Inc., a Florida corporation, is an emerging growth company engaged in the Marketing and Distribution of handmade premium cigars. The company strategically imports and exclusively distributes some of the best known premium cigar brands in the Market created by the Mederos family a Third generation Cigar maker with Robert Mederos at the helm who has owned and operated handmade cigar operation in Nicaragua and the US for over 20 years with a rich family history in the craft dating back to the 1800s Cuba, brands such asCUBANACAN, MEDEROS and TABACALERA SERRANO . In addition to it the company also distributes packaged whole leaf Tobacco to cigar lounges, smoke shops, C-stores and vape shops across the United States and soon International Markets.Additional information can be found on our websites http://www.greenleafinnovation.com or follow us on Twitter @otcgrlf.For more information, press only:PR Contact Name: Ryan Medico Phone number: (800) 303-6268Email: info@ greenleafinnovation.com Safe Harbor Statement:The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, and various other factors beyond the Company's control. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.SOURCE: Green Leaf Innovations, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 14:30:35 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 407 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 /WebHealthAI, the newest AI tool on the healthcare market, has quickly gained traction, drawing in over 1.7 million total visitors, with 300,000 users in the last 30 days alone. Since launching just a few months ago, WebHealthAI has seen an extraordinary growth in monthly users, surging by over 3,000%.WebHealthAIWebHealthAI Answers Medical Questions Instantly & Matches Consumers to DoctorsAs AI tools gain wider acceptance and become increasingly integrated into everyday life, it was only natural for AI's utilization to extend into the healthcare space. According to a Deloitte Center for Health Solutions survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults, health emerges as a primary motivation for embracing generative AI, with more than 70% expressing belief in its potential to revolutionize care delivery. Without a doubt, this belief is a core reason why WebHealthAI received such strong reception in the consumer and caregiver marketplace.Launched after consultation with medical doctors and pharmaceutical companies, WebHealthAI is enabling individuals to confidently take charge of their well-being by equipping them with comprehensive health insights.Consumers benefit from WebHealthAI's rapid response time, allowing them to pose medical inquiries and promptly receive answers. This personalized experience extends to real-time recommendations accessible from any location. Additionally, the platform facilitates connections with specialized physicians tailored to the user's questions and geographical proximity based on their provided postal or zip code. By offering instant empowerment, WebHealthAI enables both consumers and caregivers to make informed decisions and take necessary actions promptly.WebHealthAI is a Disruptor in the Landscape of Search AdvertisingThe market's reception and the tool's expansion further confirm that AI tools are becoming indispensable for advertising, similar to how online search and content consumption supplanted print encyclopedias. Just as search engines and platforms like Wikipedia transformed information retrieval, consumers are quickly replacing search engines and adopting AI as their go-to platform for healthcare research.About WebHealth Network MediaWebHealth Network Media (WHNM) is a prominent healthcare publisher, aggregator, and digital media vendor. With over 25 specialized healthcare brands and websites covering various healthcare topics, WHNM offers premium content tailored for both healthcare professionals and consumers. Leveraging its first-party data obtained from these sites, WHNM executes highly effective digital media campaigns, precisely targeting healthcare professionals and consumers. Specializing in Display, Video, Connected TV, Audio, Email, eNewsletter, and Content Syndication campaigns, WHNM delivers impactful advertising solutions across multiple channels.Contact InformationClare Annis-BandolaMarketing Coordinatorcannis-bandola@ webhealthnetworkmedia.com 416-221-0447SOURCE: WebHealth Network MediaView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 11:01:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 632 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Harbor Diversified, Inc. ("Harbor Diversified" or "the Company") (OTC:HRBR) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Harbor Diversified securities between May 10, 2022 and March 29, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/HRBR Case Details:According to the Complaint, Harbor Diversified describes itself as "a non-operating holding company that is the parent of a consolidated group of subsidiaries, including AWAC Aviation, Inc. (AWAC'), which is the sole member of Air Wisconsin Airlines LLC (Air Wisconsin'), a regional air carrier. Harbor is also the direct parent of three other subsidiaries: (1) Lotus Aviation Leasing, LLC (Lotus'), which leases flight equipment to Air Wisconsin, (2) Air Wisconsin Funding LLC (AWF'), which provides flight equipment financing to Air Wisconsin, and (3) Harbor Therapeutics, Inc. (Therapeutics'), which is a non-operating entity with no material assets." The Complaint alleges that Harbor Diversified made materially false and/or misleading statements because the Company misrepresented and failed to disclose the following adverse facts pertaining to the Company's business, operations, and prospects, which were known to Defendants or recklessly disregarded by them. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:(1) Harbor Diversified's financial statements from May 9, 2022 to the present were misstated due to improper revenue recognition;(2) Harbor Diversified lacked adequate internal controls; and(3) as a result, Harbor Diversified's statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all times.The truth began to emerge, according to the Complaint, on March 29, 2024, when Harbor Diversified filed with the SEC a current report on Form 8-K in which it announced that certain of its previously-issued financial statements would need to be restated as a result of improper revenue recognition. Further, Harbor Diversified disclosed a material weakness in its internal controls that has the company's management evaluating "appropriate remediation actions." On this news, according to the Complaint, the price of Harbor Diversified stock fell by $0.28 per share, or14.25% , to close at $1.73 on April 1, 2024.Therefore, the Complaint further alleges that as a result of Defendants' wrongful acts and omissions, and the precipitous decline in the market value of the Harbor Diversified's common shares, investors have suffered significant losses and damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/HRBR or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Harbor Diversified you have until July 8, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller,332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 22:01:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 409 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Make Space Storage is delighted to announce the acquisition of six self-storage properties across southern Saskatchewan, aimed at elevating storage options and convenience for residents and businesses in the region.With the addition of these six newly acquired properties, Make Space Storage is further strengthening its presence in the region, now offering an additional 98,000 square feet of rentable space, including 640 storage units, across its expanding network. This strategic expansion creates an opportunity to offer more flexible storage solutions to meet the needs of customers across Saskatchewan.Formerly known as All Secure Storage, these six properties, located in Yorkton, Moose Jaw, and Weyburn, offer a range of amenities tailored to meet customers' unique storage needs. Each facility boasts convenient drive-up units for easy loading and unloading, ensuring a hassle-free storage experience. Additionally, select properties offer heated options, protecting delicate items from extreme temperatures. One of the properties stands out with the inclusion of boat and RV parking, catering to outdoor enthusiasts and travellers looking for secure storage solutions for their recreational vehicles. For added convenience, all facilities provide extended access hours or 24-hour access, giving customers the flexibility to retrieve their belongings whenever they need to."We are excited to enhance our storage offerings in Saskatchewan with the acquisition of these six self-storage properties," said Michael Landry, General Manager of Storage Operations at Make Space Storage. "We aim to meet the diverse storage needs of our customers across Saskatchewan by providing a wide range of services, including drive-up units, heated units, and specialized RV and boat parkingCustomers can rely on Make Space Storage to simplify their storage experience and ensure the safety and security of their belongings. Discover how Make Space Storage can make storage simple for you. Visit makespacestorage.ca to explore their expanded presence in Saskatchewan, access detailed information about the new facilities, and seamlessly book a storage unit online.About Make Space Storage:Make Space Storage offers storage and moving services, including portable storage container rentals, self-storage units, parking spot rentals, and packing supplies. With multiple easily accessible storage facilities across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec (as Entreposage Make Space), Make Space Storage is committed to simplifying the storage experience for customers. The brand continues to expand its network, with over 40 locations and counting across Canada.Contact:Michael Landry, General Manager of Storage Operations at Make Space Storage michael.landry@makespace.ca SOURCE: Make Space Storage PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 15:01:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 491 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Company's New Run for Office Plan Helps Level the Playing Field for Campaigns Around the World in a Historic Election YearLOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / NationBuilder, the leading software provider for politics and advocacy, announced today that its platform would be made available to campaigns in 2024 at a 90% discount, removing barriers to those who might otherwise be priced out of running for office this year.More elections will take place in 2024 than any other year in history, with more than two billion people expected to vote. It's an extraordinarily consequential year not only for the political trajectory of countries as varied as India, Mexico, Taiwan, South Africa, and the United States, but also for the future of democracy itself.National elections often get the lion's share of attention, but some of the most impactful change to people's daily lives happens in smaller-scale elections that can be decided by just hundreds of votes. And not enough people are running in those elections to give voters real choices. For example, according to Ballotpedia, over 60% of local elected offices in the United States went uncontested in 2023.In her letter to the NationBuilder community, co-founder and CEO Lea Endres said, "The world needs more people to step forward and say yes to running for office. And when someone makes that choice, getting access to the technological infrastructure they need to run should never be a barrier." That's why NationBuilder is debuting its historic Run for Office plan, which includes all the digital tools candidates need to get up and running - from contacting voters to raising money to building relationships with volunteers - for a six-month subscription of $365 (just $2 per day).NationBuilder is the world's most-used software for politics and advocacy, with customers in over 100 countries. Working to get the tools of democracy into the hands of millions of people around the world, the company's enduring commitment to access has ensured a low starting price for over a decade. The Run for Office plan takes this commitment even further.NationBuilder's customers are building the future everywhere from Nobel Peace Prize winner ICAN reaching 50 ratifications of a historic UN treaty banning nuclear weapons in Switzerland to National Bloc bringing Beirut citizens emergency aid and the tools for democracy in Lebanon. In 2023, customers used NationBuilder to raise nearly $500 million in donations, mobilize 327,000 volunteers, and send 2.3 billion emails.About NationBuilderA mission-driven software company, NationBuilder has served over 100,000 customers in 110 countries around the world since 2011. NationBuilder's human-centric, fully integrated software platform helps leaders of all kinds - from individuals stepping into leadership for the first time to people leading political parties, international networks, Top 100 charities, and Fortune 500 companies - mobilize their supporters and advocate for change. The software includes a dynamic people database, website hosting, email and text message communications, donations and fundraising. Learn more at https://nationbuilder.com/ Contact InformationSorcha Scullypress@ nationbuilder.com 8572347405SOURCE: NationBuilderView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 17:16:53 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 714 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Newtopia Now, presented by New Hope Network, is proud to announce a sneak peek of its programming for the highly anticipated launch event, August 25-28, 2024, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Newtopia Now will revolutionize the landscape of conscious consumer packaged goods (CPG), offering attendees a curated experience focused on product discovery, insightful programming and intentional connections.On-site programming will offer a wide range of sessions covering topics such as sustainability, diversity, retail practices and holistic wellness. Newtopia Now's content aims to educate and empower CPG professionals to navigate the evolving marketplace, drive positive change and source the connections and resources needed to accelerate business needs.This unique event introduces a "neighborhood" concept and distinctive marketplace, redefining the traditional trade show format and providing brands with innovative formats in which to showcase the latest initiatives and product offerings. Education will be organized across dedicated stages in each respective neighborhood.Thrive, the ultimate destination for conscious health and vitality, will welcome keynote speakerDan Buettner , American National Geographic Fellow and New York Times-bestselling author, to discuss Blue Zones insights and what it means for the CPG industry. Additional panels include nutrition and retail predictions with The Vitamin Shoppe CEOLee Wright , a Buyerside Chat featuring leaders from across Whole Foods Market divisions and CPG Unwrapped with 10 innovative brands.Represent, celebrating diversity and multiculturalism in CPG, will host Insights for Retailers Why Supporting Diverse-Owned brands is Critical to Retail Success. Plus, during Your Roadmap to Success with Target, emerging and diverse-owned brands will learn what it takes to make it in the retail giant, which is increasingly focused on bringing direct-to-consumer brands into retail. From Legacy to Leadership: Black Culinary History and the Future of CPG will engageAdrian Miller , the James Beard winning cookbook author known as the "Soul Food Scholar," about how the CPG industry can preserve and advance the plant-based traditions rooted in Black food culture.Regenerate, which will champion sustainability and environmental impact, hosts Cultivating Change: Retail Practices for Supporting Sustainable Brands and Agriculture, engaging the industry to learn best practices for partnering with environmentally friendly brands all the way down to the agriculture component, and How to Get Noticed by the Sprouts Forager Team, a conversation with one of the most innovation-forward accelerator groups in retail. Plus, the neighborhood will celebrate the culinary visionaries leveraging regenerative agriculture as a source of flavor and nutrition.Glow, embracing the future of conscious beauty and holistic wellness, will invite chef and television personalityCarla Hallto the stage to discuss the intersection of healthy aging, wellness and culinary excellence. One of the neighborhood's Buyerside Chats, Achieving Retail Success as a Conscious Beauty Brand: A Conversation with Ulta Beauty brings Rick Burian, senior manager of supplier diversity from Ulta Beauty, to retailers. Additional sessions include Conscious Beauty's Glow Up: Merchandising for Values & Results-Driven Shoppers and the Glow Conscious Beauty Pitch Event, highlighting the top beauty and wellness innovators who will pitch their products and initiatives to a panel of CPG experts for a chance to win a brand-building prize package.Additional leading retail establishments that will be featured in Newtopia Now programming include Fresh Thyme, Bristol Farms, PCC Community Markets, Thrive Market, Pop Up Grocer and more.Registration for Newtopia Now, August 25-28, is now open, but space is limited. To secure your spot and learn more about the event, please visitwww.newtopianow.com About New Hope NetworkNew Hope Network is a leading authority in the healthy lifestyle products industry, offering solutions for the complete supply chain from manufacturers, retailers/distributors, service providers and ingredient suppliers. Through its comprehensive portfolio of content, events, data, research and consultative services, New Hope Network is dedicated to fostering a prosperous, high-integrity CPG and retail ecosystem that promotes health, joy and justice for all people while regenerating the planet. For more information, visit www.newhope.com About Informa MarketsInforma Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. With a global reach and diverse portfolio of verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure, Informa Markets connects buyers and sellers worldwide through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. For more information, visit www.informamarkets.com SOURCE: New Hope Network PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 22:32:04 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 414 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NTsuites - Alliance is NTsuites (North Texas Office & Salon Suites) third office/salon suite development in the North Texas area. It will ultimately feature over 30,000 square feet and over 120 office/salon suites. Opening soon.ALLIANCE, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / North Texas Salon & Office Suites will be opening in June 2024 for a mixed-use facility that, when complete, will add 30,000 square feet of office and salon space near the Alliance Town Center. Conveniently positioned just off the Heritage Trace Parkway exit on Interstate 35, on its western side, NTsuites is easily accessible from North Tarrant County. Prices begin at $520/month (all-inclusive), and pre-leasing has already begun.NTsuites Alliance Rendering"The facility will ultimately feature over 120 individual/private/safe office and salon suites providing small business owners with a cost-effective solution to set up shop in one of Tarrant County's fastest-growing regions," states Sandeep Sandhu, Director of Marketing. He believes that "the open layout and the common lounge/waiting area will foster a professional and relaxing environment and stimulate tenant interaction." "NTsuites began about 7 years ago as a commercial real estate company and eventually transitioned to the Executive Suite/Salon Suite industry. Our company started in Southlake to meet the growing needs of the small business community. At NTsuites, we hope to breed opportunities for small-scale storefronts, without the hassle of large upfront costs and long-term commitments. It is our goal to offer an affordable solution for aspiring tenants," says Sandhu.The Fort Worth location is the third development by NTsuites since the local family-owned company set up its first development in Southlake. The company hopes to attract a diversified clientele in Tarrant County, as many of its tenants at the Southlake and North Richland Hills locations include a mix of salon suite owners, healthcare workers, educators, lawyers, start-up tech companies, brokers, architects, and real estate businesses. With its focus on accommodating local entrepreneurs, salons, and the artistic designs of their developments, the company strives to create a sense of comfort and synergy among its clients."Customer service is always our priority. We give each tenant the individualized attention they deserve. Here at NTsuites, we are a family, and it really shows," Sandhu concludes.For additional information please contact:Email: sales@ ntsuites.com Telephone: (817) 601-5558Website: www.NTsuites.com Contact InformationSandeep SandhuNTsuites Managersales@ ntoffices.com 8176015558SOURCE: NTsuitesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 19:55:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 738 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Healthcare information can be a confusing labyrinth, filled with complex terminology and conflicting advice. For many, reliable sources are scarce and deciphering medical jargon feels like an insurmountable task. Rejoy Health is here to change that.In a groundbreaking move towards democratizing healthcare information, Rejoy Health, through its innovative platform "ChatGPT for Healthcare," proudly unveils the launch of itsLarge Language Models (LLMs) for building healthcare AI Agents . Trained on the latest medical data and incorporating ongoing advancements in medicine, Rejoy Health's LLMs provide users with trustworthy answers to their healthcare queries in multiple languages, complete with citations for further exploration.Surpassing Benchmarks, Empowering UsersRejoy Health's LLMshave achieved remarkable accuracy on the popular MedQA (USMLE) benchmark, even surpassing Med-PaLM 2, a highly regarded LLM from Google. MedQA is a dataset designed to evaluate question-answering systems in the medical domain, particularly focusing on questions similar to those found in the United States Medical Licensing Examination(USMLE). This achievement underscores the exceptional reliability of Rejoy Health's technology, ensuring users receive accurate and up-to-date healthcare information.The impact of Rejoy Health's technology extends far beyond benchmarks. Thousands of users across the US, Canada, and the UK are already leveraging Rejoy Health's LLM-powered tools. These users come from esteemed institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Stanford Medicine, Columbia Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and John Hopkins, highlighting the widespread adoption and trust in Rejoy Health's solutions.The Visionary Team Behind Rejoy HealthRejoy Health is the brainchild of a remarkable team. Rituraj, a former senior engineer at Facebook (Meta) and Microsoft, and Ritu Ranjna, a PhD graduate from Imperial College London, joined forces to create this groundbreaking company. Their vision: to make healthcare information accessible to everyone. The team is further bolstered by talented individuals from Facebook AI Research, Google DeepMind, and OpenAI, bringing together a wealth of expertise in artificial intelligence and healthcare.Rituraj, Founder and CEO of Rejoy HealthSolving Accessibility: The First StepThe lack of readily available, reliable healthcare information online is a significant problem that Rejoy Health is tackling head-on. Its chatbot provides users with the ability to ask any healthcare question, in any language, and receive a comprehensive answer backed by credible sources. This multilingual capability, with support for Spanish, German, and others, bridges the gap for those who may not have access to quality medical information in their native language.From its inception, Rejoy Health has focused on addressing the fundamental issue of healthcare information accessibility. In a digital age inundated with misinformation, Rejoy Health's chatbots serve as beacons of reliable guidance. Whether it's a complex medical query or a simple health concern, users can rest assured thatRejoy Health's AI Agentsprovide accurate answers backed by credible sources. One of the standout features of Rejoy Health's AI Agents is versatility. Fluent in multiple languages, including Spanish, German, and more, these chatbots bridge language barriers and cater to diverse populations worldwide. This is particularly crucial in regions where access to quality healthcare information in local languages is limited, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health regardless of linguistic constraints.But Rejoy Health's impact extends beyond language diversity. Its chatbots are equipped to handle queries across a wide spectrum of healthcare topics, ranging fromgeneral wellness adviceto specialized medical inquiries. By offering comprehensive andpersonalized responses, Rejoy Healthensures that users receive the guidance they need, precisely when they need it.Moreover, Rejoy Health's commitment to transparency sets it apart in the realm of healthcare technology. Every answer provided by its chatbots comes with verifiable sources, enabling users to verify the accuracy of the information and instilling confidence in their decisions. This dedication to evidence-based practices underscores Rejoy Health's unwavering commitment to empowering individuals with knowledge.Rejoy Health's mission goes beyond just answering questions. It is further building AI tools that empower individuals and providers to navigate the complexities of healthcare with confidence, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or language, has access to the information they need to make informed decisions about their health.This is just the beginning for Rejoy Health. With its innovative LLMs and a dedicated team, Rejoy health is poised to revolutionize the way we access and understand healthcare information. As it continue to enhance its technology, we can expect even more exciting advancements that will empower individuals and transform the healthcare landscape.CONTACT:Company Name: Rejoy HealthContact Person: Ritu RajContact email:hello@ rejoyhealth.com SOURCE: Rejoy Health If you arent a Canadian citizen but you want to become one, youd better start studying. Thats because you need to pass the Canadian Citizenship Test before you can take your oath of citizenship. You will only pass this test if you have a decent knowledge of Canadas history, geography and system of governance. Fortunately, the Canadian government has published a 64-page study guide called Discover Canada, which devotes 10 pages to a chronological overview of key events in our history. Along with learning about the founding peoples of Canada (Indigenous, French and British), prospective citizens must become familiar with the War of 1812, the Rebellions of 1837-38, the 1867 British North America Act, Canadas role in the two world wars, and many other key facts. Theres a lot of historical content packed into these 10 pages. But if people who immigrate to Canada are required to know these facts about our history, it doesnt seem unreasonable to expect Canadian students to know as much when they graduate from high school. Unfortunately, according to a recent analysis of two provincial history curriculum guides, this is not likely to happenat least in Ontario and British Columbia. For example, the Ontario social studies curriculum guides include very little in the way of specific Canadian history content. While K-8 students are expected to compare life today with life in early Canada, theres no requirement for students to place major historical events in chronological order. The curriculum expectations are so vague that its basically up to individual teachers to decide what topics they will cover. Once students get to high school, only one required course covers Canadian historyCanadian History Since World War I, which is required in Grade 10. Most of the outcomes in the curriculum guide are overly broad. Stating, for example, that students should be able to describe some key social changes in Canada during this period and describe some key economic trends and developments in Canada during this period leaves much open to interpretation. Things are even worse in B.C. where the new curriculum focuses on big ideas that are, in fact, so vague theyre largely meaningless. For example, a big idea from Grade 2 is that Canada is made up of many diverse regions and communities while a big idea from Grade 9 is that Collective identity is constructed and can change over time. These vacuous statements are so open to interpretation they provide no guidance to teachers who genuinely want to ensure that their students learn what they need to know. In B.C. schools, the only repeated Canadian history outcome with any specific examples is the requirement for students to learn about past discrimination residential schools for Indigenous students, the Chinese Head Tax, the Komagata Incident, and the internment of various people. Interestingly, students in grades 9 and 10 are required to learn about these very same examples of discrimination. One can only wonder why anyone would think this content must be repeated at least three times during a students time in school while omitting most other details (many of which are positive) about our countrys history. Like in Ontario, what B.C. students learn about Canadian history is left almost entirely to the teachers discretion. This is unacceptable. Teachers must help students become critical thinkers. However, critical thinking is not an abstract skill but rather is heavily dependent on subject-specific knowledge. For example, people can only offer an informed comment about the appropriateness of erecting statues of Sir John A. Macdonald if they know about Macdonalds life and the cultural context of his era. If we want an educated citizenry that can think critically about the challenges facing Canada today, we must ensure they graduate from high school with a solid understanding of Canadian history. Unfortunately, both Ontario and B.C. students are poorly served by their governments curriculum guides. Instead of wondering who killed Canadian history (as renowned historian Jack Granatstein asked more than 25 years ago), we should ask how we can restore Canadian history. First, we should give teachers more comprehensive and balanced curriculum guides in history. All high school graduates, whether born in Canada or not, should be able to, at minimum, pass the Canadian Citizenship Test. Michael Zwaagstra is a Senior Fellow of the Fraser Institute. PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 06:05:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 754 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Melding Traditional Art with Digital Innovation, Catania's "Embrace Phy Version" Bridges Physical and Virtual Realms in a Dynamic Interactive ExperienceVENICE, ITALY / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / In a bold intersection of art and technology, the 60th Venice Biennale, the most authoritative artistic event in the World, becomes the stage for a groundbreaking presentation by Italian artistCesare Catania . Titled "the Embrace Phy Version," this sculpture melds reality with the digital realm through advanced use of artificial intelligence and augmented reality. This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of contemporary art.Cesare Catania, revered for his superfine artistic technique and a visionary approach that integrates his mathematical acumen and deep engagement with science and technology, continues to push the boundaries of conventional artistry. His latest creation stands as a testament to his commitment to transforming how art is perceived and interacted with globally.The Phygital Reality: A Living SculptureCatania'sphysical sculpture , which debuted at the Biennale with his phygital version, is more than a static piece of art. Through the innovative use of Digital Sculpture software, designed and developed by Catania himself, the piece interacts with viewers via augmented reality, creating a dynamic experience that bridges the physical and virtual worlds. This interactivity is not just an artistic statement but a robust tool aimed at democratizing contemporary art, making it more accessible and enjoyable for audiences beyond the traditional art community.Democratizing Art Through Technology"The importance of this software is profound" Catania explains. "It transcends the traditional realms of art display and consumption, inviting everyone to engage with contemporary art in a manner that is entertaining, educational, and inspiring." This approach addresses the often elitist perception of contemporary art, making it approachable and relatable.Cultural Significance and Social ImpactThe journey to this moment began years ago when Catania embarked on a mission to make art a universal and inclusive medium. His early works aimed at addressing visual impairments, such as the creation of art, entitled "The Mouth of Etna E Version", for individuals suffering from Dalton syndrome (color blindness), set the stage for a broader societal impact. His subsequent initiatives, including the internationally recognized "Embrace Project", have positioned him as a pivotal figure in leveraging art for social good.In 2023, Cesare Catania was honored as the sole ambassador for International Hugging Day, reflecting his influence and commitment to using Art as a vehicle for ethical and social engagement. His projects have not only captivated audiences with their aesthetic excellence but have also carried powerful messages of unity and inclusion, earning the endorsement of significant cultural institutions, including theSecretariat of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Winners .A Universal Platform for EngagementWith an established reputation among the top digital artists, as acknowledged by Forbes in 2022, Catania's work continues to resonate on a global scale. His latest project at the Venice Biennale is designed not only to showcase artistic mastery but to foster a playful and immersive interaction with art. "Making people play with art encourages a natural and unforced appreciation of the medium" Catania remarks, highlighting his objective to cultivate a deeper, more intuitive connection between the art and its viewers.Looking ForwardAs Cesare Catania continues to redefine the boundaries between art and audience, his work at the 60th Venice Biennale is just the latest chapter in an ongoing narrative of innovation and influence in contemporary art. His sculptures do not merely occupy space; they transform it, inviting viewers from around the world toexperience and interact with artin ways never before possible.About Cesare CataniaBorn in 1979, Cesare Catania is a painter, sculptor, and digital artist known for blending traditional techniques like oil on canvas with innovative materials such as silicone and steel. His work is marked by a fusion of realism and experimental art, bridging classical and modern influences. Educated in Civil Engineering at the Milan Polytechnic, Catania also incorporates elements of geometry and mathematics into his art. His projects, including the notable "Embrace Project", aim to connect communities and promote inclusivity through art. Cesare continues to explore the potential of digital platforms, including the creation of NFTs, to expand the accessibility and impact of his work.For more information, visit the Venice Biennale's website orCesare Catania's official website.This event marks a pivotal advancement in how art is created, experienced, and understood-a true revolution in the art world. Media Contacts:Cesare Catania ARTemail us here Press Officer:Sabrina+1 646 583 3355 press@ cesarecatania.eu SOURCE: Cesare Catania ART PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 21:48:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1039 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 /Rover Critical Minerals Corp. (TSXV:ROVR)(OTCQB:ROVMF)(FSE:4XO) ("Rover" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing for a minimum of $400,000 and a maximum of $800,000. The Company will issue $0.03 units. Each unit is priced at $0.03 and is comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (the "Units"). The warrants on the Units have an exercise price of $0.05 per warrant share, with a life of three years. Assuming the financing is fully subscribed, there will be up to 26,666,667 common shares and 26,666,667 common share purchase warrants issued in connection with this financing, plus any finder's commission warrants.Further to the above announcement, Rover has received orders for $327,344 and has also received approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") to close the first tranche of the Unit financing for gross proceeds of $$327,344 (the "First Closing"). The Company will issue of 10,911,467 common shares and 10,911,467 warrants. No finders' commissions will be paid connection with the First Closing. The shares and warrants issued under the First Closing will bear the minimum four-month regulatory hold period from the date of issuance. The financing is being led by a lithium investment portfolio managed by Gunnar Pedersen's family office. Mr. Pedersen is a Director of the Company.An updating release will be provided once the Company has completed any future closings of the Unit financing, including receipt of final acceptance from the TSXV for the financing.Use of ProceedsThe proceeds from the First Closing will be used to finance ongoing permitting and exploration work at the Company's Let's Go Lithium project located in the Amargosa Valley of Nevada, USA.Judson Culter, CEO at Rover, states: "Gunnar's commitment to financing the permitting process for our Let's Go Lithium ("LGL") project is huge for us. We have significantly reduced our burn rate to allow us to focus our working capital on the continued NEPA permitting process for the LGL project. Our last equity financing was in the summer of 2023. As a Company, we are positioned to ride-out this bear market in lithium exploration. Our valued partners at the UES, Reno office, have been out in the field since March of this year doing the work needed to move the LGL project to the next level. Management is satisfied with the UES fieldwork to date and feel confident that exploration drilling can be achieved in the area, with less than five acres of planned disturbance." Paddy Moylan, Rover's President comments: "What a great show of support to start this raise. The smart money is seeing the opportunity. We are set for the market turnaround. If anyone is keen to look at us please contact us directly at info@ rovermetals.com." Related Party TransactionThe private placement constitutes a "related party transaction" as such term is defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") as an investment by a company beneficially controlled by a director of the Company has participated in the financing, acquiring aggregate of 10,000,000 Units for aggregate consideration of $300,000. The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of related party participation in the private placement as the Company is not listed on a specified market and neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involved the related party, exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). The private placement was approved by the board of directors of the Company with the conflicted director abstaining.About Rover Critical MineralsRover is a publicly traded junior mining company that trades on the TSXV under symbol ROVR, on the OTCQB under symbol ROVMF, and on the FSE under symbol 4XO. The Company is focussed on the permitting and exploration of the LGL project, a claystone lithium project in the Amargosa Valley of Nevada, USA.You can follow Rover on its social media channels:Twitter: https://twitter.com/rovermetals LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rover-critical-minerals/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true for daily company updates and industry news, andYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsHsfag1GFyp4aLW5Ye-YQ?view_as=subscriber for corporate videos.Website: https://www.rovercriticalminerals.com/ ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS"Judson Culter" Chief Executive Officer and DirectorFor further information, please contact:Email: info@ rovermetals.com Phone: +1 (778) 754-2617Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause Rover's actual results, performance, achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. There can be no assurance that such statements prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any factor could cause actual results to differ materially from Rover's expectations. Rover undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates, opinions, or other factors, should change.THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS 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 AN PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 15:01:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 483 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Enhanced Efficiency and Streamlined Workflows Empower Healthcare ProfessionalsGRAND RAPIDS, MI / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / SpendMend, a leading provider of solutions to optimize the cost cycle for the healthcare industry, is thrilled to unveil the latest release of its Medical Device Warranty Tracking Software version 3.0. This update represents a significant advancement in healthcare administration, featuring enhanced efficiency and streamlined workflows to empower healthcare professionals.SpendMend SpendMendSpendMend Medical Device Warranty Tracking Software provides a comprehensive solution for hospitals to automate in-depth reviews of warranty credits for explanted medical devices, helping organizations avoid costly fines, penalties, and issues related to Medicare Fraud. The latest version features an advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system, now enhanced with cutting-edge AI capabilities, including deep learning and neural networks. These improvements ensure an unprecedented 99.5% accuracy rate in data extraction, transforming document handling with unparalleled precision and reliability.Key improvements in SpendMend's Medical Device Warranty Tracking Software version release include:Leveraging New AI Technology: Through the integration of cutting-edge AI technology, the software automates tasks and intelligently processes data, further enhancing efficiency and accuracy in warranty tracking processes.Reduced User Time Per Procedure: By integrating advanced OCR technology, the software significantly reduces user time per procedure, allowing healthcare professionals to optimize their workflows and dedicate more time to patient care.Simplified Data Input: The software has transitioned from requiring multiple fields to simply requesting two or three fields along with document uploads. This streamlined approach enhances user experience and eliminates unnecessary complexities."In this version release, we've embraced the transformative potential of generative AI to elevate the capabilities of our OCR technology," said Jeremy Toth, Chief Technology Officer at SpendMend. "Our software now goes beyond simple text recognition; it intelligently interprets and processes complex document structures, which greatly improves workflow efficiency and reduces the administrative load on healthcare professionals." SpendMend remains dedicated to driving innovation in the healthcare industry, and the version release of the Medical Device Warranty Tracking Software exemplifies this commitment. Theresa Truitt Supply Chain Manager at University of Rochester had this to say, "I love the new upgrade. I loved the software before as it got rid of my logbooks and spreadsheets, but this is 100% better." The new version is currently in production at healthcare system clients across the country and ready for general availability.About SpendMend:SpendMend is a leading provider of tech-enabled, cost-saving solutions in the healthcare industry. Combining the use of data, proprietary technology, and rigorous analytics with its healthcare focus and expertise, SpendMend partners with healthcare networks to expose dark data to improve and optimize their costs in meaningful and collaborative ways. SpendMend's mission is to help its clients improve their patient care through innovative cost-saving solutions.For media inquiries, please contact:Kylee SavageCommunications ManagerSpendMendksavage@ spendmend.com Contact InformationKylee SavageMarketing Managerksavage@ spendmend.com 616-257-8331SOURCE: SpendMendView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 14:02:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 786 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 /SPETZ INC. (the "Company" or "Spetz") (CSE:SPTZ)(OTC PINK:DBKSF) today reported its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 ("Q1 2024"). All figures are in US Dollars.Highlights :Revenue for Q1 2024 increased by 4.6% to US$543K compared to US$518K in the three months ended March 31, 2023 ("Q1 2023"), the revenue for the period represents referral service fee. Net Loss after income tax expenses decreased by 60% to US$418K for Q1 2024 compared to US$1,044K in Q1 2023. Adjusted EBITDA loss, as defined in the management discussion and analysis, decreased by 59.5% to US$166K for Q1 2024, compared to US$410K for Q1 2023."We are pleased to announce our financial results for Q1 2024, which continue the trend of efficiency and improvement," said Yossi Nevo, CEO of Spetz Inc. "Driven by our efficiency plan, we successfully reduced expenses, leading to a notable decrease of about 60% in adjusted EBITDA loss. Despite these significant expense reductions, we still achieved revenue growth. These measures, along with ongoing initiatives, demonstrate our commitment to operational excellence and profitability. Our dedicated teams are working diligently to strengthen Spetz's market position further." For full financial information, notes, and management commentary, please refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and the Consolidated Financial Statements as of March 31, 2024, posted on the Company's website and available on SEDAR. All financial information is provided in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. In addition, all financial information provided herein is unaudited unless otherwise stated.About Spetz Inc.Spetz Inc. is a multinational technology company that operates Spetz, a global online, AI-powered marketplace platform that dynamically connects consumers to nearby top-rated service providers in around 30 seconds. Spetz is available in the USA, United Kingdom, Australia, and Israel. The Spetz vision is to reinvent how people around the world connect to services in their moment of need. Connecting them immediately with the top-matched service provider for any need, anytime, anywhere.Spetz Website: www.spetz.app Spetz Investor information: https://investor.spetz.app/ Company Contacts:Ofir FriedmanDirector and Chief Marketing OfficerInvestor RelationsEmail:Investors@ spetz.app Email:ofir@ spetz.app Phone: 647-956-6033NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE, NOR THEIR REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking StatementsCertain information in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements under 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 and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "plans" "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or negatives of these terms and similar expressions. In this press release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the ability of Spetz to achieve cash-flow positivity and growth on a go-forward basis.Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies and they may prove to be incorrect. In this press release, such assumptions include, but are note limited to: the ability of Spetz to maintain its current growth trajectory.Forward-looking statements also necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including without limitation: risks associated with general economic conditions; the inability of Spetz to achieve growth; and increased competition in the mobile application and home-services market.Readers are cautioned that the foregoing is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The purpose of forward-looking information is to provide the reader with a description of management's expectations, and such forward-looking information may not be appropriate for any other purpose. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as to the date hereof and are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.SOURCE: Spetz Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 19:00:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 496 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Carriers can now save money at the diesel pump at more than 2,000 truck stops nationwide.MEMPHIS, TN / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / TransConnect Services (TCS), an industry leader in over-the-road fleet diesel fuel discounts and fuel expense management, proudly announces that Maverik, a popular fuel stop in 12 Western states such as Utah, Nevada, and Idaho, is joining the TCS Fuel Discount Network. With the addition of the Maverik network and select Kum & Go stores, TCS Fuel Card clients now have more than 2,000 locations to save on fuel.TCS Maverik Logos"We are excited to add Maverik and Kum & Go to the TCS Fuel Discount Network," says Chris Courts, TCS President and Managing Director. "Maverik locations are complementary to our existing network and will provide additional options for our clients who fuel in the western part of the country. This addition allows us to enhance our mission at TCS, which is to level the playing field between small-to-medium-size trucking companies and larger fleets." TCS remains committed to offering great discounts at the pump, exceptional customer service, and a complete digital experience for clients from setup to fueling:Top-notch discounts and service- TCS Fuel Card clients save an average of 47 cents* a gallon at more than 2,000 in-network locations, including TA, Petro Stopping Centers, TA Express, 7FLEET Diesel Network - 7 Eleven, Speedway, Stripes, AMBEST Fuel Stops, Kwik Trip Kwik Star, Roady's, Road Ranger, Sapp Bros., Casey's, Fuel City, Petroleum Wholesale L.P., and now Maverik. TCS also empowers clients with useful tools such as the TCS Fuel Finder, which allows them to locate in-network discount locations along their route, TCS Mobile App, TCS client website, and 24/7 customer service.Complete digital experience from setup to fueling- Our leading-edge technology ensures a hassle-free digital journey from setup to fueling. TCS Fuel Card clients enjoy the convenience of an online application, digital funding, and easy account management via web or app. With dynamic security PINs and an interactive discount locator map, TCS Fuel Card redefines safety and convenience.24/7 frictionless card funding- TCS fuel card clients can take advantage of real-time funding through Zelle 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to move money faster and avoid higher fees often associated with transferring funds. Carriers can also choose this cost-effective, just-in-time funding option to improve cash flow.*Average savings of 47 cents per gallon is based on actual in-network TCS client transactions for Q1 of 2024.About TransConnect Services Formed in 2014, TransConnect Services (TCS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex Capital Corp, is a fuel card platform for the trucking industry. The mission of TCS is to level the playing field between small-to-medium-sized carriers and the larger fleets. TCS wants each client to enjoy the advantages of exceptional customer service and receive the best savings possible. TCS is committed to responsive, personal service. For more information, visit the TCS website.Contact InformationMario TarradellSenior Bilingual Communications Specialistmario.tarradell@apexcapitalcorp.com 800-511-6022 ext. 5020SOURCE: TransConnect Services (TCS)View the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 16:20:28 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 474 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Top Five Conveyor Car Wash Company Expands Footprint in Indiana and GeorgiaTHOMASTON, GA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Tidal Wave Auto Spa, one of the nation's fastest-growing express car wash companies, celebrated the grand opening of two brand-new locations this week in Indianapolis, IN and Snellville, GA.To celebrate the Grand Openings, both new locations are offering eight days of free car washes from May 15-May 22. This limited-time promotion provides an opportunity for car owners to experience Tidal Wave's premium wash option, Graph-X4, at no cost. Additionally, any new customer that joins a Clean Club unlimited wash membership plan during Grand Opening week will enjoy their first month of unlimited washes for only $9.97 - saving up to $40."We're committed to delivering superior service and unparalleled convenience to our customers," said Tidal Wave CEO and Founder Scott Blackstock. "Both of these new locations represent our ongoing commitment to setting new standards in car care excellence and providing a truly exceptional experience for every customer who visits a Tidal Wave Auto Spa." Indianapolis, IN Location: 9106 Wesleyan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268Nearby locations: Fairfield Township, OH (Coming Soon)Snellville, GA Location: 3070 Stone Mountain Hwy, Snellville, GA 30078Nearby locations: Lawrenceville, BethlehemTidal Wave Auto Spa is committed to providing every customer with an exceptional car wash experience through industry-leading car care technology, clean and attractive locations, and friendly customer service at every location. Stop by for a single wash or join Tidal Wave's Clean Club for the ultimate experience. Members can wash every day of the month for one convenient monthly payment and save time with exclusive club member wash lanes - plus, memberships can be used at any Tidal Wave location. For those needing to wash multiple cars, Tidal Wave offers discounted monthly family plans and fleet plans for businesses with five or more vehicles.For additional information, including upcoming locations, fundraising, fleet plans, and more, please visit: https://www.tidalwaveautospa.com/ About Tidal Wave Auto SpaTidal Wave Auto Spa is an industry-leading conveyor car wash company founded in 1999 by Scott and Hope Blackstock in Thomaston, GA. Tidal Wave is committed to providing cutting-edge car care technology and exceptional customer service at each of their 261 locations sprawling 27 states across the South, Midwest, and Northern United States. In 2020, Tidal Wave partnered with Golden Gate Capital to facilitate their accelerated growth across the country. Tidal Wave is one of the top five conveyor car wash companies in the country and has been included in the Inc. 5000 list for America's Fastest Growing Companies since 2020. The company was recognized as a 2023 Champion of Charity Honoree by Professional Carwashing & Detailing and has raised over $3 million dollars for organizations in their communities.Contact InformationHeather ColemanMarketing Managermedia@ tidalwaveautospa.com Andrea TraylorSenior Director of Digital Marketingandrea.traylor@tidalwaveautospa.com 2058212220SOURCE: Tidal Wave Auto SpaView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 15:00:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 406 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Laura Goddard and Matthew Goddard Have Opened Title Agency Black Label Title LLCHOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / TitleEase, the leading franchisor in the real estate title and settlement services industry, proudly announces the addition of Black Label Title LLC as its newest franchisee, dedicated to serving the Texas market with distinction.Laura Goddard and Matthew Goddard, the dynamic duo behind Black Label Title, expressed their excitement about the partnership, stating, "Joining forces with TitleEase presents an exciting opportunity for us to open a company providing title services to the Texas market. Black Label Title is committed to delivering excellence and efficiency in every transaction, ensuring a seamless experience for our clients. We are honored to partner with TitleEase and look forward to making a positive impact in the real estate industry." Joe D'Urso, CEO of TitleEase, shared his enthusiasm for the expansion, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Black Label Title to the TitleEase family. Laura Goddard and Matthew Goddard bring not only expertise but also a strong commitment to service excellence. Their dedication to their business and the connections they bring will undoubtedly enhance our ability to deliver exceptional title services in Texas. We are proud to partner with Black Label Title and look forward to achieving great success together." TitleEase, known for offering a streamlined and compliant route for mortgage originators, servicers, and real estate professionals to own and operate their title agency, continues to empower entrepreneurs across the nation. This franchise opportunity allows individuals to possess a valuable asset with built-in enterprise value, eliminating the complexities of building a company from the ground up.For those in the real estate business looking to enhance their revenue streams, further insights into TitleEase and its exceptional franchise opportunities are available by contacting us at (877) 696-5462 or visiting www.titleeasefranchise.com About TitleEase: TitleEase LLC, a proud member of the Lincoln Family of Companies, stands as an innovative franchisor in the real estate title and settlement services sector. We provide franchisees with a turnkey title and closing business that is fully compliant and ready to operate efficiently. TitleEase offers a swift and efficient pathway for real estate-focused entrepreneurs to enter the title business while leveraging their expertise. For more information, contact TitleEase at (877) 696-5462 or visit www.titleeasefranchise.com Contact InformationJason BilbruckVice President of Business Developmentjbilbruck@ titleease.io 877-696-5462SOURCE: TitleEase LLCView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 13:00:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 590 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Partnership Offers Special Executive Search BenefitsBOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / #twiceasnice Recruiting , a leading permanent placement recruiting firm known for its industry-best value and success rates, announces a new strategic partnership withClub Capital , a business management services firm for small businesses. Through this partnership, Club Capital members will gain access to special pricing on #twiceasnice Recruiting's executive search services."This couldn't be more of a win-win for everyone. We're excited to partner with our long-time client, Club Capital, and extend our executive search services to help their members get the right candidates," saidPatrick Cahill , president of #twiceasnice Recruiting. "With #twiceasnice Recruiting's 18-month guarantee, commitment to building search from scratch, and highly experienced Senior Recruiters, we bring quality recruiting to Club Capital's extended member services." Starting in May 2024, Club Capital members can leverage the special #twiceasnice Recruiting pricing that's included in their subscription to grow their team with the talent they need. Focused specifically on higher-level role placement for Club Capital clients, this new partnership is geared to help businesses grow. Micah Cannon, CEO of Club Capital, is excited to offer their clients the same services they have used for management and executive-level recruiting."One of the most important parts of moving from the operator mindset to the owner mindset in a small business is the ability to identify and hire key talent that helps you run and scale the business," said Cannon. "We used #twiceasnice Recruiting for key positions that have helped us scale, and we want to make their services more available to our client base." The partnership came about after years of working together. Seeing #twiceasnice in action and knowing the value of executive search done right, Cannon wanted to extend the same great service to Club Capital members.Building Stronger Businesses Together:#twiceasnice Recruiting will be the executive search firm for Club Capital members. With #twiceasnice Recruiting's proven track record of success and expertise in securing top-tier talent, combined with Club Capital's comprehensive suite of back-office services, this new partnership will equip members with the tools and resources needed to build stronger, more efficient organizations.Club Capital offers a host of resources with partners for added benefit to clients. Adding #twiceasnice Recruiting to its roster of resources rounds out an exclusive business management toolkit for its members.For more information about #twiceasnice Recruiting, visittwonice.com To learn more about Club Capital's solutions, visitclub.capital ###About #twiceasnice Recruiting:Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Boston, #twiceasnice Recruiting is a premier permanent placement recruiting firm having served over 1,800 employers across North America. We specialize in custom-built searches, delivering interested, qualified candidates faster and specifically for each client. Our industry-best fee of 9.9% sets us apart, providing unmatched value with an 18-month placement guarantee. Learn more about our process and discover why we're #twiceasnice attwonice.com Follow #twiceasnice Recruiting:LinkedInFacebookYouTubeAbout Club Capital:Club Capital provides strategic accounting, tax, people advisory, & marketing services for small businesses and non-profits. We specialize in 3 industries: insurance, youth sports, fitness franchises. This allows us to focus on helping business owners grow their business faster with industry-specific accounting, tax, CFO, people, and marketing services. At Club Capital, get fast, responsive service from a dedicated Account Manager. Coupled with our tax team or CFO Advisors, we know the business and financials better than anyone. Monthly and quarterly reports include key financial metric dashboards compared to customized targets and benchmarked against other businesses within the industry that we work with.Media Contact:Megan Carthelmc@ twonice.com SOURCE: #twiceasnice Recruiting PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 21:25:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 336 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 KYIV, UKRAINE / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / Ukrlandfarming, an agricultural enterprise in Ukraine, has announced plans to expand its product reach in the European Union market. As part of its growth strategy, the company intends to cultivate 330,000 hectares of land for grain production and produce approximately 1.5 billion chicken eggs in the latter half of 2024.The expansion strategy reflects Ukrlandfarming's commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and its drive to deliver quality products to a broader customer base. The company's focus on technologies and sustainable farming practices underscores its dedication to growth and community impact.CEO and Founder Mr. Oleg Bakhmatyuk emphasizes the importance of aligning economic interests between Ukraine and the EU. He states, "As we move forward with our expansion plans, we are keen to build strong partnerships in the European Union. This collaboration is vital for our company's growth and fostering economic ties that benefit Ukraine and the EU.Ukrlandfarming's expansion strategy includes establishing multiple offices in the EU and strengthening its presence in the Middle East. Mr. Bakhmatyuk assures stakeholders of Ukrlandfarming's commitment to being a positive partner in these markets. He affirms, "We have a proven track record of delivering superior products and services.In addition to reinforcing its position in the Middle East, China, and the Far East, Ukrlandfarming is intensifying efforts to deepen trade relations with the European Union. The company sees this move as a significant step toward establishing a more extensive global presence.While focusing on its core markets, Ukrlandfarming remains committed to uplifting local communities and implementing continuous efforts that benefit both people and the environment.For more information about Ukrlandfarming, please visit theirwebsite .About Ukrlandfarming:Ukrlandfarming is a leading consortium of agricultural enterprises in Ukraine dedicated to sustainable farming practices and driving economic progress. With a focus on innovation and excellence, Ukrlandfarming aims to meet the evolving demands of global markets while fostering community growth and environmental responsibility.Contact DetailsUkrlandfarming Plc Vadim Tolpeco+380 67 223 4727tolpeco@ ulf.com.ua Company Website https://www.ulf.com.ua/ SOURCE: REV UP MARKETERS PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 13:17:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 870 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 THOMPSON FALLS, MT / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / United States Antimony Corporation ("USAC" or the "Company" or "U.S. Antimony Corporation"), (NYSE American:UAMY) reports today its first quarter 2024 financial and operational results. Revenues for the first quarter of 2024 increased 28%, or $621k, to $2.83 million, compared to the first quarter of 2023, while cost of sales only increased 11%, or $192k, during the same period. This in-turn allowed gross profit to increase 108%, or $428k, quarter over quarter. Operating expenses increased $577k, or 183%, quarter over quarter to $892k, of which $205k of the increase was non-cash stock compensation.Additionally, the company reported federal grant income in the first quarter of last year of $85k, however, no federal grant income was reported in the first quarter of 2024. The Company reported net income of $86k for the three months ended March 31, 2024.As the Company announced on March 11, 2024, all operational activities in Mexico have ceased and this subsidiary is now reported as a "Discontinued Operation". Overhead was substantially reduced, and business brokers are currently being interviewed to handle future disposition of these assets and/or entities. The historical drain of these operations on USAC have ceased with this decision.The cash position of the Company at March 31, 2024 was $11.94 million, up $42k from December 31, 2023.Commenting on the First Quarter 2024 operational and financial results, Mr. Gary C. Evans, Chairman and Co-CEO of U.S. Antimony Corporation stated, "We believe this first quarter of 2024 was truly a turning point for the Company. We discontinued the historical money losing operations in Mexico and continued to improve the operational performance of the U.S. based assets. The financial results reported today exemplify that occurrence. Most importantly, we have also protected our strong cash position and continue to maintain an extremely liquid balance sheet." While we are active in making necessary management and supervisor changes at Bear River Zeolite (three new hires since January 29, 2024) and continue to enhance operations with both mechanical and equipment changes having been made, we still experienced over 30 days of downtime during the first quarter of 2024. This is unacceptable. However, we are seeing a dramatic improvement in the overall operating environment at Bear River Zeolite which is leading to higher throughput, improved customer order delivery times, and safety. These necessary improvements will be further observed in future financial reports to our shareholders. The demand for this universally accepted hard mineral continues to expand with a wide diversity of customers. It is also noteworthy that the worldwide antimony metal market price has increased over 34% from $5.31 per pound on December 31, 2023 to $7.14 per pound as of May 10, 2024. Our Thompson Falls antimony processing facility continues to run seamlessly under the direction of Gus Gustavsen, the Divisional President.As mentioned in our most recent conference call held on April 17, 2024, management is actively pursuing potential acquisition(s) in addition to new mineral leasing activities for both antimony and zeolite within the United States. Due to confidentiality and competitive reasons surrounding these ongoing activities, the Company is not yet in a position to further disclose these various transactions.About USAC:United States Antimony Corporation and its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Mexico ("USAC", the "Company", "Our", "Us", or "We") sell processed antimony, zeolite, and precious metals products in the U.S. and Canada. The Company processes antimony ore primarily into antimony oxide, antimony metal, and antimony trisulfide. Our antimony oxide is used to form a flame-retardant system for plastics, rubber, fiberglass, textile goods, paints, coatings and paper, as a color fastener in paint, and as a phosphorescent agent in fluorescent light bulbs. Our antimony metal is used in bearings, storage batteries, and ordnance. Our antimony trisulfide is used as a primer in ammunition. In its operations in Idaho, the Company mines and processes zeolite, a group of industrial minerals used in soil amendment and fertilizer, water filtration, sewage treatment, nuclear waste and other environmental cleanup, odor control, gas separation, animal nutrition, and other miscellaneous applications. We recover certain amounts of precious metals, primarily gold and silver, at our plant in Montana from antimony concentrates.United States Antimony Corporation and SubsidiariesCondensed Consolidated Statements of Operations(Unaudited)For the three months endedMarch 31, 2024 March 31, 2023 REVENUES$ 2,831,390 $ 2,210,844COST OF REVENUES2,008,486 1,816,001GROSS PROFIT822,904 394,843OPERATING EXPENSES: General and administrative455,394 141,271Salaries and benefits241,605 127,692Professional fees177,157 46,004Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment17,494 -TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES891,650 314,967INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS(68,746 ) 79,876OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Interest and investment income150,851 122,372Trademark and licensing income6,368 7,525Other miscellaneous income (expense)(2,372 ) 83,608TOTAL OTHER INCOME154,847 213,505INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES86,101 293,381Income tax expense- -INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS86,101 293,381 Discontinued operations:Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes(408,869 ) (1,100,365 )Income tax expense- -Loss from discontinued operations(408,869 ) (1,100,365 )Net loss(322,768 ) (806,984 )Preferred dividends(1,875 ) (1,875 )Net loss available to common stockholders$ (324,643 ) $ (808,859 )Basic and diluted earnings per common share: Income from continuing operations$ nil $ nilLoss from discontinued operations$ nil $ (0.01 )Net loss$ nil $ (0.01 ) Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic107,908,306 107,260,472Diluted107,908,306 107,260,472United States Antimony Corporation and SubsidiariesCondensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(Unaudited)March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023ASSETSCURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents$ 11,941,298 $ 11,899,574Certificates of deposit22,216 72,898Accounts receivable, net1,057,742 625,256Inventories, net653,010 1,019,154Prepaid expenses and other current assets117,167 92,369Current assets held for sale215,110 366,955Total current assets14,006,543 14,076,206Properties, plants and equipment, net7,709,812 7,765,045Restricted cash for reclamation bonds55,060 55,061Other assets18 Photos from the scene in Queensland show the absolute havoc wreaked on the Ampol petrol station from the Army driver's shocking mistake. Not a great Tuesday at work for these guys. Source: Facebook An army truck has ploughed through the roof of a regional petrol station, crumbling much of the structure housing the bowsers and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. It's unclear exactly how the dangerous accident unfolded, but photos from the scene reveal the extraordinary damage that resulted. Emergency crews were called to the Ampol station on the Bruce Highway south of Mackay in Queensland at about 5.15pm yesterday, after the driver of the Australian Army vehicle apparently misjudged the height of the roof, slamming directly into it and toppling it over. Queensland Police said there's no ongoing threat to the public and while much of the facility was wrecked including two petrol pumps that suffered significant damage no injuries were recorded during the ordeal. Emergency services were called to the Ampol station on the Bruce Highway at Sarina, south of Mackay on Tuesday. Source: Facebook Nobody was injured in the crash, except maybe an ego or two. Source: Facebook Army truck's costly mistake Photos show the truck wedged beneath the crumpled roof, which can be seen resting on a significant slant following the accident. Pumps and beams were dented and damaged, having been barrelled over by the truck. A Department of Defence spokesperson said the vehicle was travelling from Brisbane to Townsville for Exercise Vigilant Scimitar. Defence is working with Queensland Police to secure the area and remove the vehicle from the site, they said. "Defence thanks the public for their understanding." The truck stayed in place overnight as authorities assessed the site. Power has been shut at the station and it will remain closed. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-15 01:35:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 613 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Roll into Confidence with Tone'd & Smooth'dNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2024 / VOESH New York, the leading clean and vegan body care and wellness brand, is excited to announce the upcoming launch of its innovative Body Roller Creme line, designed to revolutionize at-home body care routines. These groundbreaking products, Tone'd and Smooth'd, combine a clean formula with stimulating massage rollers for a superior DIY lymphatic massage experience. Created with 100% vegan ingredients, including 2% caffeine, proprietary vegan probiotics, and a powerful detoxifying blend, the Body Roller Cremes not only promote relaxation, but also address specific concerns like cellulite and aging skin."Our mission at VOESH New York has always been to provide ultimate body care solutions that prioritize both physical and mental well-being," shared Vera Oh, Co-Founder of VOESH New York. "Self-care is essential for body confidence, which is why we've designed our Body Roller Cremes to help consumers look and feel their best at any stage of life." With 2% caffeine, these formulas work together with the massage rollers to help reduce the appearance of cellulite by improving circulation and targeting the body's fat cells. Additionally, the proprietary vegan probiotics strengthen and protect the skin's barrier, while the detox blend eliminates impurities, resulting in smoother, firmer skin over time."We're excited to introduce this groundbreaking addition to our retailers," said Jeff Harper, Vice President at Harper Group. "VOESH has a reputation for delivering clean, vegan skincare solutions, and the Body Roller Creme line will undoubtedly enhance self-care routines for consumers." Monica Loving, Vice President at Ivystone Group, echoed this sentiment, stating, "VOESH is synonymous with clean, sustainable self-care. These innovative products will be a welcome addition to our retail partners, offering customers effective solutions with a conscious ethos." With a commitment to clean, sustainable, and ethically-sourced vegan spa care, VOESH New York continues to lead the industry in providing innovative solutions for better beauty. "Together, with our loyal customers and retail partners, we've transformed the spa and beauty sectors over the past decade," said Vera Oh. "With the Body Roller Creme line, we're taking our mission to innovate and elevate self-care even further, setting new standards for clean beauty." Professionals and consumers alike can purchase VOESH New York products online through various platforms and in select stores nationwide, experiencing the transformative benefits of clean, vegan body care firsthand.About VOESH New York: Founded in 2013, VOESH New York has emerged as a premier destination for clean and efficacious body care solutions catering to head-to-toe wellness. Noteworthy products include Pedi in a Box, Mani in a Box, the award-winning Shower & Empower Vitamin C Shower Filter, and Collagen Gloves and Socks. VOESH New York is committed to providing 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products because every body deserves better beauty!All VOESH New York products are certified by PETA and registered with the EU CPNP and UK SCPN, maintaining vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested standards. VOESH New York proudly excludes all 1,680+ EU-banned ingredients and an additional 400+ potentially harmful ingredients.For more information, visit VOESH New York's website at Voesh.com or contact press@ voesh.com ###All VOESH New York products are certified by PETA and registered with the EU CPNP, and UK SCPN. Always vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested, VOESH New York proudly excludes all 1,680+ EU-banned ingredients and an additional 400+ potentially harmful ingredients. VOESH New York products can be found at select Target, Rite Aid, and, Kroger stores nationwide, as well as on voesh.com walmart.com , and riteaid.com Contact Detailsabsolute R relations Colleen Mathis+1 917-690-5560Colleen@ absoluterrelations.com Company WebsiteSOURCE: VOESH NEW YORK The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele on charges of illegal printing of naira notes. He was arraigned on four counts before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court at Maitama in Abuja. The EFCC accused him of printing N684 million notes at the cost N18.96 billion without then President Muhammadu Buharis approval. Also, the agency accused the former CBN governor of illegally approving the withdrawal of about N124.8 billion from the consolidated revenue fund. But he pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him before the trial judge, Maryann Anenih. Thereafter, the prosecuting lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, asked for a date for trial. However, the defence lawyer urged the court to grant Mr Emefiele bail pending the determination of the case. 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 Emefiele has faced multiple corruption charges in Lagos and Abuja since his sack by President Bola Tinubu last June. He was incarcerated for several months by the State Security Service (SSS) which subsequently transferred him to EFCC in Abuja In the latest case,the prosecution said Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19 October 2022 and 5 March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007; by approving the printing of N375,520,000.00 pieces of colour swapped N1,000, at the total cost of N11,052, 068,062 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence. In another count, the EFCC said Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19 October 2022 and 5 March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 172,000,000 pieces of colour swapped N500 (Five Hundred Naira) Notes; at the total cost of N4, 471,066,040 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence. The other counts read: That you Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 137,070,000 pieces of colour swapped N200 (Two Hundred Naira) Noteat the total cost of N3, 441, 005, 280 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence. That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, on or about the 7th day of October 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 80 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended);by approving the withdrawal of the total sum of N124, 860, 227, 865.16 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation in a manner not prescribed by the National Assembly, which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has selected 11 pre-shipment monitoring and evaluation agents for overseeing oil and gas exports. The appointments, effective immediately, were disclosed in a circular dated 13 May, signed by Hassan Mahmud, the director of the Trade and Exchange Department at the apex bank. According to the circular, the appointments are divided into nine pre-shipment inspection agents and two monitoring and evaluation agents. The pre-shipment inspection agents listed in the circular include: 1. Neroli Technologies Limited 2. Holborn Oil and Gas Inter Ltd 3. Swede Control Intertek Ltd 4. Fel Tov Energy & Investment Ltd 5. JBIS Inter Resources Ltd 6. Patibon Services Ltd 7. Offshores Bulk Inspection Co Ltd 8. Candid Oil Services Ltd 9. Dakee Engineering and Construction Limited The monitoring and evaluation agents appointed are: 1. Arlington Securities Nigeria Limited 2. DV Howells Nigeria Limited The CBN also said the directive has been communicated to authorised dealers such as the Nigerian Customs Services, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). 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 Others are the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), all terminal operators, and all oil and gas companies. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On Wednesday, ace journalist Reuben Abati and his wife, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo, marked their fourth anniversary. Mr Abati unveiled Kikelomo, the CEO and Chief Consultant of Z-Edge Holdings, as his third wife in 2023. The former President Goodluck Jonathans adviser showed his romantic side as he vowed to pay a second bride price to Kikelomos family. He wrote on social media platforms: Its officially four years today, 15th May, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo. Guess what, Kiki! We have forever to spend in each others arms. On our fifth anniversary next year, Ill return to your family to pay another bride price as a renewed symbol of my devotion and dedication to your happiness. I may have a million truths to prove to you, but I need a lifetime to accomplish that. Keep being yourself, Kiki. As I tell you every day, I love you, Kiki! Heres to us, my wife. Mr Abati praised his wife, the chief host of RealTalkWithKike, a live TV/radio talk show on Inspiration FM and Silverbird TV, as resilient and possessing unparalleled determination. The 58-year-old highlighted that despite the ace broadcasters naughty side, her positivity and kindness shine through. Weve had three misunderstandings in four years, and they were all well handled your enterprising nature, hard work, and adorable spirit make you truly special, although sometimes too trusting, 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 former chairperson of The Guardian newspapers editorial board expressed that he married the alumna of Igbinedion University, Benin, not just envisioning a future with her but seeing much more. The alumnus of the University of Calabar described Kikelomo as his conscious choice, world of longing, closest companion on earth, owner of his heart, and haven. You are my ride-or-die, and Im 100% loyal to you. I gave your Dad my word, and I will keep it until the end of my time! Kiki, you made your choice against many odds, and Im always ready to take a million steps against those odds. This first slide is our first official intimate picture where we were both conscientious about our journey from working collaboratively to accepting my proposal to living in our purpose. Gracing your precious finger with that engagement ring that night reframed my world into another existence of possibilities, Mr Abati noted. He stated that his marriage to Kikelomo brought balance to his life and had been a source of significant healing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Despite its large population, Africa is a small global player. Its combined economy is less than 3 per cent of the world economy, and Africas political heterogeneity makes it difficult to stand united on contentious issues such as Chinas claim over Taiwan or the war in Ukraine. Although most African countries are not part of global value chains, external economic challenges and tensions affect them deeply. Africas most violent period since independence was in the years before the Berlin Wall collapse in 1989. At the time, tensions between the United States (US) and former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) led to intense proxy wars in the Horn of Africa and Angola. Based on that experience, a new era of competition between the US and China does not augur well for the continent. At its peak, the USSRs economy was only half that of the US, whereas the US and China will be roughly equivalent in the next decade. China is already larger when using purchasing power parity. By 2050, the Chinese economy will be almost 30 per cent bigger. China is the worlds factory, manufacturing cheaper and more than anyone else. It has flooded the world with affordable solar and wind products to fuel the green transition. China is the global trade destination for many and it builds much of Africas infrastructure. China and surrounding Asian countries are emerging as the most important source of economic growth globally. According to an in-depth study by The Economist in May 2022, No other country comes near the breadth and depth of Chinas engagement in Africa. In contrast, US trade and investment with Africa is declining. If the US wants to maintain its influence on the continent, it should find ways to collaborate rather than compete with China. The bill proposed in April by a bipartisan group of senators to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for another 16 years shows that influential US groups are willing to engage with Africa for the long haul. With its low levels of trade reciprocity, the AGOA trade model is well suited to Africas needs. The US should use AGOA as a carrot to boost Africas exports, not a stick for economic coercion to achieve political objectives. 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 rise of China in a crowded world means the future will be quite different to previous periods of competition and cohabitation. Many of Africas ruling elites cast longing eyes towards Chinas autocratic development model as a means to reduce poverty. Democracy and the free market havent delivered development, they argue. There is a sense of restlessness in Africa, where the median age is only 19. The youth bulge is expanding with limited prospects for formal employment, a healthy life or meaningful education. To analyse the impact of various global futures on Africas development, the Institute for Security Studies African Futures and Innovation programme has examined recent and likely global power shifts. For the past century, the US has been the most powerful country in the world. It has successfully presented a narrative that equates global development, stability and progress with American interests and values. Many Africans look to the US, given its freedoms and opportunities although positive views of the US are dropping in number. The image of a violent mob descending on the Capitol in January 2021 shattered the myth of American exceptionalism, exposing a country torn asunder by its political divisions. Rural Americas reaction to globalisation and the rise of domestic populism detracts from US soft power. At the same time, its declining ability to deter others is on display in the Middle East, which is on a knife edge. Instead of oil from Africa, the next commodities boom for the continent will come from minerals needed for the renewable energy transition. This is reflected in a recent United States Institute of Peace report exploring Africas role in diversifying US critical mineral supply chains and strengthening the rule of law, transparency and environmental and labour standards. The US faces an uphill struggle since China has already secured much of Africas known supply of critical minerals. Chinas dominant position regarding these resources reflects the extent to which it is in a different league to the former USSR. Instead of confronting China in Africa, the US must find ways to collaborate with it. Africa cannot again serve as an arena for proxy conflicts and competition, this time between the US and China. Plus, it is Russia, not China, that is now the spoiler in Africa. The extent to which Sahelian countries are experiencing a resurgence of military coups with regime protection provided by Russias Africa Corps (previously Wagner) augurs poorly for the continents future. The more significant challenge is that the West faces a much larger and more powerful cohort of detractors, perhaps most readily depicted as the G7 versus BRICS+. The impunity that the West has provided to Israel for its war in Gaza and further afield reinforces global south views that different standards apply to them compared to the developed north. Current indications point to China becoming more influential in Africa, with many countries turning eastward. Rather than a new unipolar or even bipolar order, the trend is towards a complex, multipolar global power configuration where ones allies and friends will determine the international pecking order. Learning to rely on them will be a new experience for the US. Jakkie Cilliers, Head, African Futures and Innovation, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Pretoria and Chair, ISS Board of Trustees (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday issued President Bola Tinubu a two-week ultimatum to reinstate the dissolved governing councils of Nigerian universities. Since Mr Tinubu dissolved the universities in June, they have operated without governing councils for close to a year. The dissolution affected all public institutions, including polytechnics and colleges of education. In a statement signed by the unions president, Emmanuel Osodeke, a professor of soil science, ASUU described the dissolution as illegal and contrary to the Universities Miscellaneous Act. The union said the illegal dissolution has paved the way for illegalities in the Nigerian university system. Therefore, ASUU asked Mr Tinubu to reinstate those whose tenure had yet to elapse and reconstitute those whose tenure had elapsed. ASUU noted that it would reconvene in two weeks to review the situation and take a decisive action to address the issues. Nigerians should hold the federal and state governments responsible if the matter of governing councils is allowed to snowball into an avoidable industrial crisis, it 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 ASUU also accused the Nigerian government of channelling funds accruable to Tertiary Education TrustFund (TETFund) to the Students Education Loan Scheme. This is antithetical to the original intent of the Law establishing the Education Tax Fund which now operates as TETFund, it said. ASUU said the TETfund grant should not replace adequate and regular budgetary allocations by federal and state governments for capital and recurrent expenditures in the public universities. NEC enjoins the federal government not to divert TETFund resources to funding loans so as not to water down the impact of its intervention. In addition, both Federal and State Governments should rise to their responsibility of adequate funding to arrest the emergent rot and decay that are becoming more noticeable on the campuses of Nigerias public universities in spite of the intervention efforts of TETFund, the union said. ASUU said there are no serious efforts by the Nigerian government to address the lingering issues that forced the union to embark on an eight-month nation wide strike in 2022. Other perennial issues Other grievances listed by the union are perennial issues that have pitted it against the Nigerian government in the last decade. They include the non-renegotiation of its 2009 agreement with the government, the proliferation of universities, underfunding of the universities, and the continuous use of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for payment of their salaries. ASUU has also rejected the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) developed by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Governing Councils The union noted that Mr Tinubus dissolution of the governing council is a continuation of erosion of university autonomy. University administrations now place advertisements for the appointment of Vice-Chancellor without authorisation from the appropriate quarters the Governing Councils, it said. It said outgoing vice-chancellors, working in cahoots with the ministry of education, are illegally running the universities on a daily basis. ASUU said: They routinely usurp the powers of Governing Councils to recruit and discipline staff as well as manage university finances in manners bereft of transparency and accountability. It is therefore stating the obvious to say that these and sundry activities that run contrary to the extant laws are compounding cases of corruption in our universities. ASUU condemns these anomalies in strong terms and calls on the federal government and the equally affected State Governments to respect the Laws establishing their universities. Universities are supposed to be the bastion of democratic ethos and practices. We cannot entrench sustainable democratic culture in Nigeria if universities are run by the whims and caprices of individuals no matter how knowledgeable. We therefore restate our demand for reinstating Governing Councils whose tenures are yet to lapse and reconstitute those whose tenures had lapsed so that our universities can run in accordance with their Laws. Renegotiation of agreements ASUU called on Mr Tinubu-led administration to immediately set in motion the process that will lead to the review and signing of the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiated draft agreement as a mark of goodwill and assured hope for Nigerias public universities. The union accused the former minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige, of truncating the renegotiation process that lasted more than four years. The union said: The reviewed agreement with the Briggs-led government team has remained in its draft form from 2021 till date. The last FGN/ASUU Agreement was in 2009. Consequent upon the unions advocacy spanning almost one decade, our union went into the renegotiation with the FGN as in 2017. We started with the Wale Babalakin-led Joint Renegotiation Committee. Emeritus Prof Munzali Jibril took over when negotiation broke down owing to Dr. Babalakins highhandedness and fixation to impose his unworkable anti-worker orientations as terms of agreement. Also, at some point, the Federal Government dropped Prof. Munzali Jibril and directed Emeritus Prof. Nimi Biggs to take over the negotiation. A draft Agreement was reached with the Professor Briggs-led Committee in 2021. Unfortunately, agents of the Buhari government refused to approve the draft Agreement for reasons best known to them IPPIS In December, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, a professor, announced that the government has exempted universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education from the use of the Integrated Personnel Payment System (IPPIS) for the payments of staff salaries and allowances. However, months after the declaration, ASUU said, the government has yet to implement it as its members are still being paid from what they described as New IPPIS. As at today, the salaries of our members are still whimsically withheld just as third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions, pension deductions and union check-off dues are not released. The platform, with all its encumbrances, is used to pay our members under the disguise of the New IPPIS contrary to the understanding reached at the 11th January, 2024 stakeholders meeting held at the National Universities Commission (NUC), ASUU said. ASUUs position remains unchanged: Government should revert to quarterly releases of university funds to enable the institutions design and implement their salary payment plans under the supervision of their governing councils, it said In the interest of industrial harmony, the government should direct the immediate release of all outstanding deductions, unpaid promotion arrears and salaries of university academics which were unjustly withheld by the corruption-ridden IPPIS regime. CCMAS ASUU also rejected the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) developed by the NUC for use in Nigerian universities. The union insisted that the university senates are the authorities recognised by university laws to initiate academic programmes and award degrees, diplomas and certificates. The regulatory function of the NUC is mainly to ensure that universities operate according to their laws, rules and regulations, not to breath down the necks of universities. Once again, ASUU calls on the NUC to join forces with ASUUs efforts to address challenges associated with underfunding, understaffing, academic staff turnover, and other more pressing problems affecting quality teaching, learning, research and community service in our universities, it added. Proliferation of Universities On the proliferation of universities, ASUU condemned the continuous establishment of public universities without adequate plans of funding them. The union said the continuous reliance on TETFund is stretched thin, the agencys intervention fund. ASUU noted that its joint committee with NUC submitted a draft bill to the last National Assembly over the proliferation of universities. However, that bill did not see the light of the day. The fallout from that is the reckless manner by which both the Federal and state governments have continued to pronounce universities without preparations for their funding. This recently came to a worrisome height when a sitting governor beastly declared that he would establish ten universities in his state before the end of his tenure, the statement added. READ ALSO: Nigerian university reacts to declaration of strike by ASUU However, rather than supporting our advocacy for adequate funding of public universities, each Senator is surreptitiously pushing for the establishment of a university as part of their constituency projects while visitors to state universities who could not fund existing universities are creating two or more purely for electoral gains. ASUU vowed to explore all legal means to resist the pervasive moves by politicians to keep proliferating crisis centres for the children of the poor in the name of universities. We urge the President Tinubu-led administration to refrain from further proliferation of universities and refocus the system. What we need are universities that are adequately empowered to address the challenges confronting Nigeria and stand shoulder-to- shoulder with their peers elsewhere in the world and mushroom glorified high schools, it added. Arrears of Earned Academic Allowances The union noted that the federal government has still not paid the backlog of the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) which was part of the allowances captured in the 2023 national budget for federal universities. The December 2020 MoA between federal government and ASUU reaffirmed our understanding on mainstreaming of EAA into lecturers salaries while the next tranche of the allowances was to be paid in 2021. However, the scheduled payment was not only aborted, the mainstreaming EAA as from 2022 has remained a mirage in federal and most state universities. In addition, the outstanding three and half months salaries withheld during the preventable 2022 nationwide strike action remains unpaid to our members in the federal universities. Similarly, our colleagues in many state universities are being owed arrears of EAA, withheld salaries, third-party deductions and other entitlements due to them. ASUU condemns this seemingly disinterested of concerned authorities about these issues of life and livelihood of our members across the campuses. It will be unfortunate if the union is forced to take some unpleasant decisions to address all these lingering issues. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has summoned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Commandant of the Presidential Air Fleet, Olayinka Oyesola, over the breakdown of planes in the presidential fleet. The Chairman of the Committee, Ahmad Satomi (APC, Borno), announced the summon after the plenary session on Wednesday. Mr Satomi said the committee will investigate the breakdown of aircraft in the presidential fleet, which reportedly forced President Bola Tinubu to use a chartered commercial plane from the Netherlands/ Saudi Arabia trip recently. PREMIUM TIMES also reported the cancellation of Mr Shettimas trip to the United States, where he was scheduled to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit, due to a fault with his aircraft. Mr Shettima was unable to make the trip due to a technical fault with his aircraft. Motion on the floor of the House Mr Satomi had, during plenary, moved a motion for the House to embark on the probe. However, the motion divided the House along party lines. Several opposition members opposed the motion, stating that the president and vice president should consider using commercial flight, while members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) highlighted the danger of using chartered flight by the president and vice president. 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 the motion, Mr Satomi said the use of chartered commercial flights by the president and vice president has security implications. These occurrences pose a clear present and imminent threat to the lives of the president, the vice president and other very important personalities who use the Fleet from time to time, he said. The legislator raised concerns over the poor management of the presidential fleet and its potential danger to the safety of the president and vice president. Any calamity which may arise if these aircraft are not immediately put into premium operational status has the potential not only to cause major upheaval to the stability of democracy in Nigeria but may also significantly affect the security and peace of the country, he said. The president should fly commercial PDP lawmakers Speaking on the motion, the Minority Whip, Ali Isa (PDP, Gombe), argued that it is not a must for the president or the vice president to use the presidential planes. He said the president should consider commercial flights or use the road. We love our president and others. Since an issue has been raised, I would advise that the president should suspend using the presidential aircraft; if there is a need, he could use chartered or commercial flight. There is another optionthat would help Nigerians because if the president could travel by road. Nigerians would have hope that our roads would be repaired, Mr Isa said. Also echoing the option of commercial flight, the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, said there is nothing wrong with public officials using commercial flights. He stated that it is inappropriate for the House to spend legislative hours discussing whether the vice president should use commercial flight or not. I have not seen anything wrong with public office holders using public aircraft. The Prime Minister of the UK uses British Airways. It is commercial. We should be thinking of how to resuscitate the Nigerian Airway. British Airways is not a British Air Force; it is a British private company. If we have planes in the presidential fleet, they should be maintained, and the president and vice president can use them. If, for any reason, we have failed to maintain them, it is not for it to be discussed on the floor of the House. What it means is that there is a failure in the system. If the president or presidency wants a new aircraft, it can be part of the budget. There is a budget around the corner. If they propose and we find it worthy, so be it. It is not an issue for us to discuss on the floor of the House that the VP fly commercial jet. In fact, it is not germane enough. We dont need to discuss the issue on the floor of the house, Mr Chinda said. In his contribution, Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) countered the comments made by Messrs Isa and Chinda, stating that the Prime Minister of the UK uses a special British Airways plane. Today is very sad for me to speak on this issue. The life and the security of our president and vice president are very important. What is going on in the Presidential Air Fleet? You know how much money this House budgeted for the presidents fleet. What is going on? The lawmaker maintained that the country cannot afford a situation where the president would be at the mercy of his hosts. Similarly, the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), maintained that because of security implications, the security of the president must not be left in the hands of commercial airlines. Dont take anything for granted. Mr Ihonvbere said. We must ensure that the officers leading the country are protected and given the dignity they deserve. Following the debate, the Deputy Speaker, Ben Kalu, who presided over the session, directed Mr Satomi to proceed with the investigation. Presidential fleet In 2015, when former President Muhammadu Buhari came on board, he promised Nigerians his administration would cut down on the number of aircraft (on the PAF) inherited from former President Goodluck Jonathan. According to the government, there were ten aircraft in the fleet. They included two each of Augusta 149, Augusta 101 and Falcon 7X, as well as one each of HS 4000, G500, G550 and 737 BBJ series. There was an attempt in the past by that administration to sell two of the aircraft a Falcon 7X executive jet and a Hawker 4000. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has commended the Joint Task Force for the renewed large-scale onslaught against bandits in the state. The military deployed more troops to Zamfara last weekend in its efforts to thwart the operations of bandits in volatile areas of the state. A statement by the spokesperson for the Zamfara governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, described the ongoing military onslaught as a necessary measure to disrupt the criminality of bandits in Zamfara. The statement sympathised with communities affected by recent bandit attacks in volatile areas while also giving assurance of full and continued support by the state government to the troops at the frontline. The statement read in parts: The ongoing military operation in the volatile areas of Zamfara is highly commendable, especially considering the successes recorded since the start of the onslaught last weekend. The operation has resulted in significant successes in Bungudu, Tsafe, Maru, and Zurmi local government areas, leading to the elimination of the bandit kingpin, Abu Dan Dunkwuifa, famous for terrorizing villages in Bungudu and Maru. In Magama Mai Rake of Dansadau area in Maru LGA, the troops have successfully neutralized scores of bandits. The renewed military onslaught in Nasarawan Burkullu in Bukkuyum LGA resulted in the rescue of many kidnapped victims in Kamaru, Tungar Rogo, and Matsare villages, as well as the recovery of many rustled cows. 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 rumor that over 500 people were kidnapped is false and peddled by individuals who do not want peace to return to Zamfara State. Most of the identified volatile areas in Zamfara are undergoing extensive military operations, yielding positive results. The governor further expresses sympathy for the communities that were recently attacked by bandits in the state. The Zamfara State Government wishes to express sympathy with communities recently attacked by bandits. We are fully committed to ensuring the safety of the lives and properties of the people. Our government will continue to support the troops fighting insecurity and extend all necessary emergency support to the victims of banditry in the state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate on Wednesday approved President Bola Tinubus request to obtain a loan of $500 million to finance the mass metering programme of the federal government. The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, announced the approval after a majority of the lawmakers supported it through a voice vote. The loan was considered and approved by the Committee of the Whole. The upper chamber approved the fund for the Bureau of Public Enterprises (PBE) after considering a report of its Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, presented by Haruna Manu, its vice chairman. The $500 million loan is part of the $7.94 billion loan and 100 million which President Tinubu requested permission from the National Assembly to obtain last November. In December, the Senate approved the request as part of the 2022-2024 external borrowing rolling plan of President Tinubu after it considered a report of the local and foreign debt committee. Report Mr Manu, the senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial District, who presented the committees report explained that the new approved $500 million ought to have been approved earlier but it was delayed because the officials of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) did not appear before the committee to defend the request. 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 lawmaker stressed that the terms and conditions of the loan will not allow any person to compromise the disbursement. He also assured that the loan would sustain Nigerias economic growth and strengthen the independence of Nigeria as a sovereign nation. Mr Manu therefore recommended the approval of the loan. The committee recommends that the Senate do approve the ongoing negotiations of the external borrowing in the sum of $500m for BPE and that the details be forwarded to the National Assembly before execution, Mr Manu added. After presenting the report, the deputy senate president put the passage to vote and a majority of the lawmakers supported it. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Diaspora umbrella body, the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk), has seen a dramatic surge in requests to join its member organisations on the back of two recent highly successful online seminars that attracted over 500 people. On 4 May, Canuk organised the first of the two seminars titled Support for New and Existing Nigerian Families in the UK: Preventing Child Safeguarding Breaches and Understanding UK Social Services Interventions. Put together by its membership committee chaired by Flora Njoku (Canuks vice chair, associations), the event attracted several prominent Nigerians in the UK Among those who spoke were Ekanem Robertson, who spoke on behalf of the charity Africans Against Child Abuse (Afruca); Tolulope Abegunde, the secretary of the Association of Nigerian Healthcare and Socialcare Workers (ANHCSCW); Juliet Benson of the British Nigerian Law Forum and Oluyemisi Jenkins of the Home Office. They delivered invaluable insights into navigating child safeguarding issues and social services interventions in the UK. Ms Njoku said: Attendees at the seminar gained practical knowledge to ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerian families. We had almost 300 people attend and they were so impressed with the quality of delivery that we have since been inundated with requests about how to join Canuk member organisations. Just a week later on Saturday 11 May, Canuks legal committee headed by its legal adviser Kayode Okenla held its own virtual summit. It was titled Legal Issues Affecting Nigerians in the UK Part One. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with legal experts and became more informed about how to navigate numerous challenges effectively. Esteemed solicitors who addressed the seminar include Elizabeth Eigbefoh, Jennifer Obaseki, Emmanuel Sodola and Jennifer Okafor. Their sessions covered a wide range of crucial topics, including employment issues in the care industry, UK immigration laws and general advice for settling into life in the UK. Mr Okenla said: Both events were well-attended and received positive feedback from participants, underscoring Canuks steadfast commitment to empowering and supporting the Nigerian community in the UK. By providing essential information and resources, Canuk continues to play a vital role in ensuring the well-being and success of Nigerians living in the UK. 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 Rose Graham, Canuks publicity secretary added: On the back of both seminars, our secretariat has been bombarded with emails from Nigerians wanting to know how they can participate in Canuks activities. Our vice chair, associations has been working flat out, trying to point all these people in the right direction as you have to join Canuk through an association. What we are doing is asking them for their states of origin, their professions and what part of the UK they live in. That way, we can find the appropriate member-organisation for them to join and become full participants in Canuks activities. Ms Njoku urged all those wanting to find out more about Canuk to visit the organisations website at www.canukonline.com/. She added that they can also send emails to info@canukonline.co.uk where the secretariat will respond to any queries. According to Ms Njoku, this surge in requests to join member organisations coincides with a growth in the number of associations registered with Canuk. She added that on 8 June, Canuk will hold its annual general meeting on the River Thames and about 140 organisations are registered to participate. The Central Association of Nigerians in the United Kingdom (Canuk) was formed by the Nigeria High Commission in the United Kingdom in 2005 in recognition of a need to unite the various Nigerian groups under one umbrella organisation. That arrangement ensures that the welfare, views, and community interests of Nigerians in the United Kingdom are represented in a harmonious and organised manner while also creating a forum through which their voices could be heard. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print If a La Nina event is formally declared in the coming months, it would be a significant moment in the history books. There is roughly a 50 per cent chance another La Nina weather event will occur for Australia this year. Source: Getty/BoM An unprecedented weather event is edging closer to becoming a reality as conditions ripen for yet another wet La Nina cycle, that will, if declared, see soggy conditions return across the nation's east coast later this year. The declaration would mark the first time in history Australia has seen an El Nino or La Nina weather event five years in a row. The BoM released its latest update this week revealing that there are "some early signs a La Nina" might form in the Pacific Ocean later in 2024, and, "a result, the ENSO Outlook has shifted to La Nina Watch". The official designation will have meteorologists and climatologists watching on closely. From here, according t the Bureau, there's about a 50 per cent chance the system will eventuate. If La Nina is declared, it would be the fourth in as many years and mark five consecutive years of either a La Nina or El Nino event. Source: Getty Set of criteria must be met before formal declaration Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Climate Professor Shayne McGregor from Monash University said there are a "couple of things" that have led us to this moment. The first being the history of El Nino events a cycle that's just wrapped up being more often than not followed by a La Nina. "This suggests there is an increased chance of a La Nina event occurring relative to a neutral/normal year," he earlier told Yahoo. As well, McGregor explained, there are "temperature signals in the subsurface ocean" that are consistent with the beginning of a La Nina event. "However, it is important to note that the signs of an ending El Nino event look like the beginning of a La Nina, so there is some ambiguity here." If La Nina were to be declared, it would mean an increased chance of wetter-than-normal conditions from July to November, when the "strongest impacts" of the weather events are felt. "There would also be a reduced chance of having particularly dry conditions during these months," he said. The strongest indicator yet a La Nina event is on its way has been announced. Source: Weatherzone According to the BoM's update on Tuesday, the ENSO Outlook will most likely remain in its neutral phase until at least July. "It is important to emphasise that early signs of La Nina are most relevant to the climate of the tropical Pacific, and that the long-range forecast for Australian rainfall and temperature provides better guidance for local climate," it said in a statement. Early indicators suggesting that La Nina could return in the second half of 2024 include the fact that sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the central Pacific have been steadily cooling since December 2023, supported by a significant amount of sub-surface cooling in the central and eastern Pacific. Emergency authorities warn Aussies to prepare In the wake of the announcement, authorities are urging Aussies to be aware of the outlook change, with those in flood-prone areas being told to prepare ahead of the potential declaration. NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan said now is the time to review emergency plans. While storms and flash flooding can happen at any time, if a La Nina weather pattern does return later this year it will be the fourth in as many years and we want the community to remain vigilant, she said. The NSW SES has urged Aussies to be prepared in the wake of of the ENSO Outlook change. Source: NSW SES La Nina weather events can bring above average rainfall, as we saw over the last couple of years with record flooding to many parts. It is important to know your storm and flooding risk, have a plan in place, get your home ready, be aware of what you will do if disaster strikes, and look out for one another. Clean your gutters, downpipes and drains, secure and put away any loose items around your backyard and balcony, and trim trees and branches that could fall onto your home." Australians were battered by La Nina cycles in 2021, 2022 and 2023. In April, the BoM formally declared the end of the 2023-24 El Nino event. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), on Tuesday, announced the commencement of the 2024 oil block licensing round. The Chief Executive of NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, announced this at the Miami, Florida International Roadshow for the 2024 licensing round, hosted by the NUPRC, in collaboration with Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN). The commission said the 2024 block licensing round would last for approximately nine months. Mr Komolafe, while unveiling the bidding round, said the exercise which was initially announced on 29 April, was a significant leap in the strategic hydrocarbons development initiative. He said the round would introduce 12 meticulously selected blocks across diverse geological spectra from the fertile onshore basins to the promising continental shelves and the untapped depths of Nigerias deep offshore territories. Each block has been chosen for its potential to bolster our national reserves and stimulate economic vitality. The NUPRC on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to conducting the licensing round in a fair, competitive and transparent manner, ensuring a level playing field for both indigenous and international investors. 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 Our approach is underpinned by the robust legal framework of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (PIA), which ensures compliance with best practices to boost investorsconfidence. In keeping with the provisions of the PIA and regulations made under the Act, the commission has issued a licensing round guideline and published a licensing round plan for the twelve blocks. The blocks are PPL 300-CS; PPL 301-CS, PPL 3008, PPL 3009, PPL 2001, PPL 2002, PML 51, PPL 267, PPL 268, PPL 269, PPL 270, and PPL 271, he said. He said the seven deep offshore blocks from the 2022 mini-bid round exercise which covered an area of approximately 6,700 km2 in water depths of 1,150m to 3,100m would be concluded along with this licensing round. He said rhe blocks on offer had extensive 2D and 3D seismic data coverage, including multi-beam and analogue data. Additionally, a 3D reprocessed Pre-stack Time Migration of remarkable quality is also available to prospective bidders. The availability of advanced seismic datasets and analytical tools via our dedicated portals exemplifies our commitment to excellence and technological advancement, he said. According to Mr Komolafe, the licencing round is indeed expected to be a huge success for Nigeria and is a big step towards growing the nations oil and gas reserves. This, he said, would be through aggressive exploration and development efforts, boosting production, expanding opportunities for gas utilisation and end-to-end development across the value chain. In addition, the licencing round presents us with the opportunity to reinforce Nigerias commitment to openness and transparency in line with the principles of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI), he said. On the global scale, Mr Komolafe said the licensing round would no doubt be beneficial to all stakeholders, adding that in the long run it would contribute to long-term global energy sufficiency. The implementation process will, in addition to technical and commercial considerations, pay requisite attention to strategies, processes and implementable plans consistent with net zero carbon emission targets, eliminating gas flares. He said competitive entry fees that were responsive to prevailing realities would be adopted in the 2024 block licensing round. Mr Komolafe said that considerations for the commerciality of projects would be made on a case-by-case basis for the determination of appropriate entry fees. The 2024 block licensing round is scheduled to last for approximately nine months and interested parties should visit the dedicated NUPRC portal for details on how to participate. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), on Tuesday, accused the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd, Karl Toriola, of evading service of court documents in an alleged copyright infringement suit. The NCCs lawyer, Gladys Ojo, made the allegation before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Ekwo had, on 29 April fixed Tuesday for Me Toriola and other co-defendants to take their plea following his failure to appear in court in the last adjourned date for their arraignment. NAN reports that the NCC had, in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024, sued MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd; Toriola; MTN Senior Executive Officer, Nkeakam Abhulimen; Fun Mobile Ltd, a telecommunications service provider; and Yahaya Maibe, its CEO as 1st to 5th defendants respectively. In the three count-count charge dated 19 March and filed 20 March by Emeka Ogbonna on NCCs behalf, the prosecution alleged that the defendants, between 2010 and 2017, offered for sale, sold and traded for business, infringed musical works of Maleke Moye, an artiste, without his consent and authorisation. The commission alleged that the defendants used Malekes musical works and sound recordings with subsisting copyright, known as caller ring back tunes without the authorisation of the artiste. The musical works and sound recordings of the musician allegedly infringed upon include 911, Minimini-Wana Wana, Stop Racism, Ewole, 911 instrumental, Radio, Low Waist, and No Bother. 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 defendants were also alleged to have illegally distributed the musical works to their subscribers, without authorisation, thereby infringing on the rights of the artiste. In the third count, the defendants were alleged of having in their possession, the musical works and sound recordings of the artiste, other than for their personal or domestic use. The copyright commission said the alleged offence is punishable under Section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. NAN reports that in the last adjourned date, Messrs Toriola and Abhulimen were neither in court nor represented by any counsel. When the case was called on Tuesday, Messrs Toriola and Abhulimen were again not in court. Speaking, Ms Ojo said although the matter was fixed for arraignment today, only Maibe (5th defendant) was in court. She said all efforts made to personally serve Toriola were unsuccessful. The lawyer said the MTN MD allegedly refused to be served. The last time, we told my lord that we were having issues serving the MTN CEO. We sent our officers to the MTN office in Lagos to serve them but we were denied access. We also sent the charge via DHL, she said. But Obafemi Agaba, who appeared for 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants (MTN Ltd, Toriola and Abhulimen), told the judge that the MD and Mr Abhulimen were yet to be served with the charges in the suit. He argued that the rules of the court is that the defendants be served personally in criminal matter, adding that the prosecution has not applied for substituted service. Mr Agaba also drew the attention of the court to his preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court and the competence of the suit. But Justice Ekwo advised the MTN lawyer to do everything to ensure that his clients are served with the processes. READ ALSO: Naira volatility throws MTN Nigeria into N393 billion quarterly loss The judge also told the NCC lawyer that she ought to know the necessary legal steps to take regarding service. Nobody can evade service except you dont know what to do, the judge told Ms Ojo. Justice Ekwo, who adjourned the matter until 27 June for arraignment, said: However, if the court becomes aware of any application that has been filed before that date, parties will receive hearing notices before that date. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has released the results of additional 36,540 candidates who sat the recently concluded 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) The total results released now now stands at 1,879,437, according to a Tuesday statement by the JAMB Spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin. Over 26,000 UTME results are still being withheld and under investigation over possible examination misconduct. Others found to be involved in any examination misconduct are still undergoing investigation as the Board would want to review all the footage of all CCTV cameras placed in all its accredited centres to ascertain the candidates culpability or otherwise, Mr Benjamin said. At the conclusion of this exercise, the Board would publish its findings. PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the board released 1,842,464 results withholding some 64,000 candidates results. The JAMB registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, a professor of Islamic Studies, had explained at the time that 78 of the withheld results are under investigation for alleged examination misconduct, 4,594 for procedural investigation of candidates, 2,896 under investigation on verification, and 57,056 for centre-based investigations. 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 year, more than 1.9 million candidates took the computer-based examination to assess candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. According to JAMB, 1,402,490, representing 76 per cent of candidates who sat the examination, scored below 200 from the maximum of 400 obtainable scores. Mr Oloyede said only 8,401, representing 0.5 per cent of candidates, scored 300 and above in the examination. He said 77,070, representing 4.2 per cent, scored 250 and above and that 439,974, representing 24 per cent, scored 200 and above. Disclaimer Meanwhile, the examination body has disclaimed reports that the outstanding 2024 UTME results had been compromised due to a cybersecurity breach. JAMB said a letter containing such information in circulation which is claimed to have emanated from the board did not emanate from the board. The statement reads in part: The attention of the Board was drawn to a fictitious letter concocted by a fraudster and circulated on social media purporting to emanate from the Board stating that the outstanding 2024 UTME results, currently being subjected to intense scrutiny by its team of experts, had been compromised on account of a cyber security breach and that it is considering rescheduling the examination. This is far from the truth as the said letter did not emanate from the Board. In fact, a closer look at the letter, which was not signed by any person, lacked every ingredient of a letter from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. The letter is, therefore, from those, who wish to destroy the integrity of the Board, by compromising its unassailable operational processes to mislead hapless candidates with the sole aim of extorting them. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police have arrested a man who allegedly detonated a bomb that killed a worshipper and injured 24 others in a mosque in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning when the worshippers were observing the Subh prayer at Gadan, a community in the LGA. The state commissioner of police, Usaini Gumel, told reporters that Shafiu Abubakar, 38, later told investigators that he targeted the worshippers over a family dispute on inheritance. On May 15, 2024, at about 5:20 a.m. the police received a report of an explosion at a mosque in Gadan Village during the dawn prayer, leaving several people injured. Promptly, a team of security personnel, including experts in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemical Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN), were deployed to the scene. Twenty-four victims, including 20 males and four children, who sustained various degrees of injuries, were rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano for treatment, the police commissioner said. The police chief said preliminary forensic analysis indicated that the explosion was caused by a petrol bomb. He said a detailed investigation was ongoing. 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 Meanwhile, one of the victims died while receiving treatment at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital. Umar Sanda, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police who visited the crime scene, confirmed the death of the victim to reporters. What happened is not associated with any act of terrorism but rather, it was a disagreement that arose as a result of inheritance distribution. Out of the 24 victims admitted at the hospital, one is dead, Mr Sanda said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The 2024 Hajj airlift of Nigerian pilgrims has commenced with the arrival of Flynas aircraft at Sir Ahmadu Bello Airport in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State on Tuesday. Flynas, a Saudi Arabian airline, is one of the three carriers selected to transport Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. The inaugural airlift began with the Chairperson of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jalal Arabi, inspection of the FlyNas aircraft. During the inspection, Mr Arabi advised airport management to provide additional boarding stairs for the aircrafts back door to facilitate quicker boarding. The Flynas aircraft, a modern vessel with 436 seats, is scheduled to depart SABIA between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to grace the inaugural flight ceremony as the Special Guest of Honor. Three flights are scheduled to depart Nigeria for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, including Air Peace and Max Air, carrying pilgrims from the FCT and Nasarawa 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 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday revealed that President Bola Tinubus administration had subsidised the cost of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage with N90 billion. Mr Shettima made this known at the inauguration of the 2024 National Hajj operation, held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State Capital. You may recall that this year, we had a major challenge in announcing the final hajj fare for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage due to fluctuation in foreign exchange rates. President Bola Tinubu also works round the clock to control the downwards spiral of our local currency to bring relief to our pilgrims and other Nigerians, a move that eventually succeeded in lowering the fare. The President approved the release of N90 billion to subsidise the pilgrimage cost for this years hajj, Mr Shettima said. He said the government of Renewed Hope, led by President Tinubu, attaches immense importance to religious pilgrimage due to its role in transforming the behavioural and social vices of the believers beyond performing the pilgrimage. Due to this high regard, the government took time to carefully select men of integrity with administrative acumen and records of selfless dedication to manage the affairs of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria in the interest of Nigerian pilgrims. Government at the highest level monitors all arrangements meant for the well-being of our pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and within the country before embarking on the journey. 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 are aware of the provision put in place for the safety, security and comfort of the Nigerian contingent to the 2024 hajj of our pilgrims. Mr Shettima urged the pilgrims not to relent in praying for the success of the Tinubu administration, peace and progress of the country that we are proud to call our motherland. Indeed, it is through our collective prayers and individual contributions that our country will prosper, Mr Shettima said. Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III, tasked Nigerian pilgrims with discipline in order to project the image of Nigeria positively. He thanked the Tinubu-led federal government for its effort to ensure that the 2024 hajj takes place. As you heard that NAHCON chairman said, when all hopes were lost, the light showed at one end, and today we are having the inaugural flight for the 2024 Hajj. We never lost hope that we will go for hajj. We are in an era of Renewed Hope. So tell Asiwaju that his real hope is still being expected to shine everywhere. We are looking for more; we want more of good leadership. We want to thank the president for his leadership. We thank the vice president and all governors of our states who have been standing by to help the common man to survive. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the reimbursement of over N15 billion to the Kebbi State Government for the construction of Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi. The president also sought the approval of N9 billion for Nasarawa State Government as a refund for the construction of Lafia Cargo Airport, Nasarawa. Mr Tinubus request was contained in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the plenary on Tuesday. In the letter, President Tinubu said the federal government had taken over the control and ownership of the two airports, which necessitated reimbursement to the state governments. The president explained that the decision was based on the fact that aviation, including airports, safety of aircraft and carriage of passengers and goods by air are owned and managed by the federal government as contained in item three of the second schedule of the 1999 constitution, as amended He noted that aviation is listed under the exclusive legislative list, which gives the federal government sole authority to take over the ownership. President Tinubu also said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had also approved the reimbursement of the funds at its meeting last May through the issuance of provisory laws. 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 letter reads: Establishment of promissory notes program in favour of Kebbi and Nasarawa State governments for the reimbursement of the respective cost of construction of newly built airports in those states which the federal government has taken over. The Senate is invited to note that at the Executive Council meeting of the Federal Executive Council FEC which was held on the 23rd day of May 2023, it was approved as follows; -That a promissory note in the sum of N9,000,542,651,786.11 only be issued to Nasarawa State government as a refund for the takeover of the newly constructed Nasarawa Airport. -That a promissory note in the sum of N15,137,336,95.88 only be issued to Kebbi state government as a refund for the takeover of Bernin Kebbi International Airport. The Senate may wish to note that by the provisions of item three of the second schedule of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, aviation, including airports, safety of aircraft and carriage of passengers and goods by air, fall under the exclusive legislative list. The impact of this is that ownership, regulation and control of airports in Nigeria are exclusive to the federal government. In light of the above, I urge the Senate to consider and grant concurrent approval for the establishment of the promissory notes program in favour of Kebbi and Nasarawa states governments, respectively, as prescribed in paragraph two above. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The controversy over a planned mass wedding in Niger State for girls who lost their parents to banditry has drawn mixed reactions from people in the North-central state. The wedding plan was a personal initiative of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji. Mr Sarkindaji announced last Friday the programme to marry off 100 girls who lost their parents in banditry attacks in Mariga Local Government Area. He revealed the plan in Minna, the state capital, saying he would pay the dowries of the brides and all other expenses for the mass wedding. He said the brides-to-be were chosen from a pool of 170 girls. The ceremony was set for May 24 in Bangi in Mariga LGA. The head of the Hisbah Board of Kano State, Aminu Daurawa, was scheduled to preside at the event, which was to be attended by Governor Mohammed Bago and the Emir of Minna, Mohammed Barau. However, Mr Sarkindaji announced his withdrawal from the ceremony following the intervention of the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye. 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 Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye had raised concerns about the legality of the wedding, demanding to know whether the girls have reached the age of consent and marriage, as defined by Nigerian laws, including the Child Rights Act. The minister said she had filed a complaint to the police and sought a court order to halt the plan while investigations were being conducted on it. I have filed for an injunction to prevent him from doing whatever he intends to do on May 24th, until a thorough investigation is conducted on those girls, to determine whether they gave their consent, their ages, and who is marrying them, she said. Speaker backtracks Responding to the ministers position on Tuesday in Minna, the speaker said he was withdrawing from the ceremony. However, he said the preparations he made for the wedding, including paying bride prices on behalf of the grooms, remained in place but the decision on whether to proceed with the wedding or not would be taken by traditional and religious leaders in the area. Mr Sarkindaji also defended the initiative, insisting that the minister had misunderstood it. He said his intention was humanitarian and the planned marriages would not violate the Child Rights Act, contrary to the fear expressed by the minister. On what inspired the initiative, Mr Sarkindaji said the girls, despite being ripe for marriage, do not have the means to wed because they are orphans or are from impoverished families. He urged the minister to visit his constituency to better understand the situation of the girls and to see how she could assist them directly. How we chose our grooms Following the suspension of the ceremony, there have been mixed reactions in the state. But the intended brides who spoke on a local television defended the programme. Hussaina Abdullshi, who said she was overjoyed by the arrangement, said her intended marriage to her suitor was borne of love. I am not forced to marry anyone. We had waited for this moment (which was delayed) for financial reasons. Another girl, Habiba Mohammed, said she chose her partner. I brought him for marriage; no one is forcing us on each other, she said. A parent, Amina Umar, said she and her late husband had looked forward to their daughters marriage. We wanted to marry our daughter off years ago, but financial constraints stopped our plans, she said. She applauded Mr Sarkindajis initiative. The district head of Mariga, Shehu Mariga, said banditry had caused tragedy for families in the area, with many victims leaving behind vulnerable children. Some of the children they left behind are ready for marriage but have nobody to marry them off to their suitors, he said, explaining while he supported the initiative. The traditional ruler said the decision by Mr Sarkindaji brought a ray of hope to the orphans. None of the girls is forced to marry a man; the marriage is with the consent of both the brides and the grooms, he stressed. Initiative borne out of sympathy Speaking on AIT News Hour on Sunday, the lawmaker said the initiative was not part of his constituency project. This initiative was borne out of sympathy. My local government is one of the most remote. We are so remote that farming and marriage are our peoples primary concerns. About two or three months ago, I received a call from a woman who was crying. I assisted her and the marriage was performed. When I returned, I sat and relaxed, thinking, okay, if this woman is fortunate enough to have contact with me, there must be other families who shared the same problem and experiences as her. So I immediately formed a committee and directed it to communicate with the village and district heads so that we could inform those families that their children are outside. Concerning the girls ages, he stated, My check is 18. There are some who are 22. There are some who are 23. There are even some who are 24.' On what he made of the responses to the initiative, Mr Sarkindaji said: Certainly, you see, now that I have started the initiative, a lot of philanthropists within the community, not necessarily from my local government, are offering their assistance; they said, look around; if there are more, we are ready to sponsor them. So I believe it is a very good initiative that is welcomed by the state. Niger Residents React Views expressed on the programme by residents of the state on social media were largely sympathetic. A Minna resident, Halima Sadiya Animals, said: In the face of adversity, it is admirable to promote good morals through marriage. She praised the governors plan to provide each of the brides N100,000 to start a business. Another resident of Minna, Gimba Evuti, said the girls were not being forced into marriage. It is a consent marriage that only requires financial assistance, and the speaker has offered to help. This is not the first time. It is similar to what the Kano government does in its efforts to promote marriage and discourage fornication. I believe the minister has only gotten in because of the name orphans, but the overall concept is not against our peoples culture, Mr Gimba added. Adamu Abubakar Kuta, also speaking in Minna, said the minister should have consulted the Speaker and local institutions before taking a position on the wedding plans. It was not immediately clear whether the ceremony would go on as planned for next week as the state government was yet to speak in the controversy. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The House of Representatives has resolved to end the practice of annual rent payment in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and replace it with a monthly system. Consequently, the House mandated its Committee on FCT to collaborate with players in the real estate sector in the territory to work out a modality for monthly rent payments. The committee will also review the real estate sector and recommend effective policies to regulate the activities of landlords. This resolution was a sequel to a motion moved on Wednesday by Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo (PDP, Akwa-Ibom) during plenary. The National Assembly serves as the lawmaking body for the FCT in line with section 299 of the Constitution. Moving the motion, Mr Ukpong-Udo noted that landlords in the territory adopt a strict annual rent payment system to the detriment of tenants. Within the Federal Capital Territory, monthly rent payments are uncommon, with landlords usually demanding a minimum of at least one years rent, while others require two years upfront. 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 Nigeria is ripe for an inclusive rental system that reduces housing burden on working-class families which will offer affordable monthly rentals for low- and middle-income earners, he said. The legislator also lamented the arbitrary increment of rent by landlords, pushing average civil servants to satellite towns. Mr Ukpong-Udo urged the government to intervene by building mass houses for civil servants. Government must come to the rescue of the residents and formulate policies that will regulate house rents and the activities of landlords in Abuja. There is a need to build affordable houses for civil servants in Abuja to reduce the burden of paying exorbitant rent in Abuja, the lawmaker said. When the motion was put to vote by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu, it was unanimously taken. The motion comes on the heels of complaints by Abuja residents of the high cost and mode of payment of rent. Some residents have decried the difficulty involved in getting accommodation due to the high cost and a few, who do, are asked to make advance payment of two or three years. The cost of rent ranges from hundreds of thousands to several millions depending on the size, location and other factors. This has made many opt for accommodation in satellite towns like Nyanya, Kubwa, Lugbe, and Kuje, among others. The Senate in the ninth Assembly considered a bill to regulate rent in the FCT. However, the bill did not complete the legislative cycle until the tenure of that assembly lapsed. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print inter-agency collaboration is the cornerstone of a robust national security strategy. By working together, security institutions can achieve a clearer threat picture, eliminate wasteful redundancy, optimise resource allocation, and ultimately keep the nation safer. Recently, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, hosted members of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA), during which he emphasised the pivotal role they play in adopting a proactive and strategic approach to engaging with the public and countering disinformation. This recognition of their importance made them feel valued and integral to the national security efforts. The meeting with the image makers of the military, law enforcement and other security services was convened under the umbrella of the Strategic Communication Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC). Notably, the NSA drew attention to the global menace of fake news and misinformation. He further stressed the pivotal role of spokespersons in strategic communication management on national security, underlining their responsibility in countering these threats. Ribadu emphasised that spokespersons must engage with citizens constructively and build trust to facilitate an easy flow of information between the involved parties. The urgency to prepare and be proactive in our national security strategic communication management is now, and the spokespersons have a critical role to play, Ribadu stressed, instilling a sense of immediate action in the audience and motivating them to respond promptly. Concerned about the preponderance of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation as threats to national security and public engagement, Ribadu charged the spokespersons to take charge of social media and push back on its weaponisation by extremists who share their ideologies there, which are capable of threatening national security. The NSA reiterated that social media has become a priority issue of national security in this era of digitisation, as its harmful usage constitutes both local and global threats. This emphasis on the gravity of the situation makes the audience more aware and cautious. 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 Ribadu said SCIPC members must proactively and strategically manage national security communication. He noted that, Upon the sweat and blood of service personnel and the men and women who protect us daily, we must build a narrative of resilience and mobilise our people. We must tell their stories and sing their praise as part of a broader national strategic communication programme. As spokespersons, you have a critical role in countering fake news by being ahead of the news and proactively updating the public. Ribadus revitalisation of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA) into the Strategic Communication Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC), has received commendation from the Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd). Speaking at the quarterly meeting of the CCC board, General Olukolade praised the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his commitment to harmonious relations and effective communication among critical stakeholders. He noted that the NSAs efforts in revitalising the Forum for effective public communication are crucial for transparency, trust-building, and crisis management. General Olukolade, chairman of the Enforcement Committee of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), urged spokespersons to embrace transparency and responsible stakeholder engagement. He emphasised that public communication enhances the effectiveness and reputation of security services, thereby promoting a safer and more informed society. The maiden engagement of the NSA with the spokespersons of critical stakeholders under the auspices of SCIPC highlighted the imperatives of healthy inter-agency collaboration in boosting and enhancing overall national security. The SCIPC is listed in the National Security Strategy (NSS) 2019, in a review of the maiden document of 2014, as a road map that defines national security interests. It is a vital document outlining the most significant threats and the tools to counter them. The strategy covers both military and non-military approaches. The document integrates operational aspects, including information operations, psychological operations, public diplomacy, and public relations, into strategic communication, to project the countrys national power and values. In particular, the work of the Strategic Communication Inter-Agency Policy Committee (SCIPC) will be strengthened to meet national security objectives. The document clearly states that the SCIPC will continuously identify, assess, and enhance government communication assets and ensure their mobilisation in support of national security interests. The committee will also strengthen the capacity of government communication staff to effectively align their tasks to national strategic goals and objectives through training and capacity building. In addition, it will develop and share content across MDAs that amplify positive narratives, while delegitimising negative themes, messages, and narratives. Similarly, the Committee will assist in utilising social media for positive ends, while countering negative voices online and identify opportunities for the government to partner with civil society, the private sector, research and academic institutions, media, international entities, alongside religious and cultural groups in the national security interest. Its main objectives are to promote security consciousness and education and also promote the annual report on mainstreaming strategic communication capabilities in ministries, departments, and agencies. Different security agencies have unique strengths and areas of focus. For example, police forces excel at street-level crime, intelligence agencies gather domestic and foreign intelligence, and militaries handle large-scale defence. They share information and insights by working together, creating a more comprehensive understanding of potential threats. This collaborative approach helps identify connections and patterns that might be missed by any single agency. Also, when security agencies operate in silos, they risk duplicating their efforts and wasting resources. Collaboration allows them to coordinate activities, ensuring everyone is on the same page, and there are no gaps in coverage. This streamlined approach frees up resources for other critical tasks. Similarly, national security endeavours often require various resources, from manpower to specialised equipment. Inter-agency collaboration allows for the pooling and sharing of resources, ensuring the right tools are available when and where they are needed. This maximises the effectiveness of resource allocation. Also, effective responses to security threats rely on clear communication and coordinated action. Collaboration fosters these aspects by establishing shared protocols, communication channels, and joint task forces. This ensures a swift and unified response when threats emerge. NSA Ribadus intervention in convening the forum was timely. Therefore, spokespersons of security agency should work together to build trust with the public and bolster a better understanding of the governments ability to safeguard national security. In a nutshell, inter-agency collaboration is the cornerstone of a robust national security strategy. By working together, security institutions can achieve a clearer threat picture, eliminate wasteful redundancy, optimise resource allocation, and ultimately keep the nation safer. Mukhtar Yau Madobi, an NDA research student, is the author of National Security Strategies: A Young Writers Perspective. Email: ymukhtar944@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A 'concerning' image has emerged in the wake of a crash that saw a 17-year-old Sydney driver arrested after a man in his 30s was killed. A pedestrian has been killed after allegedly being struck by a teenage P-plate driver. Photos which have emerged from the scene report to show a "very disturbing" bumper sticker adorning the vehicle before it was taken away overnight. Police say the 38-year-old died at the scene in Bexley in Sydney's south at 10.40pm on Tuesday, after allegedly being struck by a 17-year-old male driving a blue Ford sedan. The teen is alleged to have driven off after the crash before returning to the area, with police locating his vehicle parked on a nearby street. The collision occurred at the intersection of Preddys Road and John Street, with photos from the scene showing the Ford Falcon badly damaged, with a smashed windscreen and dented bonnet. A spokesperson for NSW Police said members of the public performed CPR on the pedestrian, however he was unable to be revived. A teenage red P-plater allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian in Bexley, in Sydney's southwest overnight. Source: 7News "Members of the public performed CPR until the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, the 38-year-old man died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified," they said. "The Ford driver and sole occupant a 17-year-old boy sustained minor injuries. He was arrested and taken to St George Hospital for treatment and to undergo mandatory testing." A crime scene has since been established while an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the crash. NSW Police confirmed to Yahoo News Australia that so far no charges have been laid. A report is being prepared for the coroner. 'Concerning' bumper sticker detail after pedestrian killed In a "very disturbing" twist, it's since emerged that the teenager was allegedly sporting a black and white bumper sticker that reportedly read: "I drive like a c**t". According to 2GB radio host Ben Fordham, the images were supplied to the station this morning by "one of our sources". He described them as "most concerning". "The driver, a red P-plater, lives nearby. He's alleged to have left the crash scene and gone home before returning later on," Fordam said on air. "The images of the vehicle ... display a sticker that was on the back of the car. The sticker contains a word that I cannot say on radio. The sticker says I drive like a C-word." Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi has flagged off the disbursement of $250,000 (about N370 million) in support of farmers groups in 10 rural farming communities in the state under the World Bank facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL). The ACReSAL project in the state entails the disbursement of $25,000 (about N37 million) each to Agufa, Hantsu, Gilima, Dabi, Gamsarka, Yandutse, Shafar, Safa Babba, and Gamafoi farming communities. The 10 communities were selected under the Hadejia and Ringim watersheds to pilot the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) loan initiatives. Flagging off the disbursement on Tuesday, the governor said the loan was designed to support rural communities and farmer groups in undertaking investments in agriculture. Mr Namadi expressed delight over the intervention by the World Bank stressing that the intervention aligned with his administrations 12-point agenda aimed at improving livelihood and addressing poverty in the state. He charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds and to repay back so that other residents of their immediate communities could also benefit. The states Commissioner of Environment, Nura Ibrahim, said the intervention was meant to enhance agricultural productivity, food security, and rural development. He stressed that it is further intended to educate farmers groups on climate-smart agriculture and access to markets. Mr Ibrahim said the project also aimed at increasing market linkages and value addition among community interest groups (CIGs). 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 These CIGs were selected under due diligence and guided by the CRF core principles as provided by the World Bank. On 6th April 2024, Jigawa State hosted the World Bank Team, the Federal project management unit of ACReSAL and seven piloting states for a CRF mission, to assess the preparedness of CRF implementation in the state. From field visits to Gamsarka and Dabi, assessments, the World Bank rated Jigawa 1st in CRF preparedness and granted an automatic NO OBJECTION to disburse the fund to CIGs with seven additional catchments which the ACReSAL project is about to kick start, Mr Ibrahim said. A beneficiary from Shafar community in Ringim Local Government Area, Zainab Mustapha who is a rice processor, described the intervention as deserving saying that she would utilise the opportunity to improve on her family living conditions. The intervention will go a long way for me to assist my children, help the entire family and address poverty in our midst, Mrs Mustapha said. Another female representative, Hajiya Wawu, promised to ensure repayment of the loans to enable other members of the community to benefit. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Alex Otti of Abia has inaugurated the 10.98 km Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo road which is expected to shore up economic activities in Rivers. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was executed at the cost of N6.7 billion. The inauguration is part of activities lined up to mark Governor Siminalayi Fubaras first year in office. At the inaugural ceremony in Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area on Tuesday, Mr Fubara explained that the road would serve as a bypass to ease off the pressure from the East-West road currently in bad shape. This bypass is an alternative route to some sections of the East-West road that are (not) motorable; this gesture is an indication that this government has the interest and support of the federal government. I will continue to identify with good governance; with people who want to make impact on the lives of our people. I will also join in giving them hope in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government, he said. Mr Fubara explained that the project, awarded on 14 August 2023 at the cost of N6.7 billion and completed in a record time of eight months, had been completely paid for. 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 lamented that his administration inherited a huge debt from his predecessor, adding that contractors of most of the projects inaugurated by the last administration had been coming for the payment of unpaid balances. He said the debts were in millions and billions of Naira. Mr Fubara also commended Governor Otti for delivering good governance to his people. He said that he decided to invite Mr Otti to inaugurate the road due to his integrity and high-level impact in Abia, even in the face of difficulties. On his part, Mr Otti congratulated Mr Fubara for his service to the people. For me, leadership is service to the people. We have collaborated for a very long time; clearly, the governor is very grounded having served in the corridors of power. He came prepared. I dont believe that any distraction is enough to take his focus away from the welfare and interest of the people. I can assure you, Rivers people, that the dividends of democracy that you are seeing now is an indication of delivery of more projects in no distance time, he said. Earlier, the paramount ruler of Eleme, Philip Obele, had commended the governor for the project, and on behalf of his domain, pledged to support the governor as he pioneers the affairs of the state. NAN reports that Uche Secondus, former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Orji Ngofa, former Nigeria Ambassador to Netherlands and traditional rulers were among the dignitaries at the occasion. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Two members of the Abia House of Assembly have defected to the Labour Party (LP) from the Young Progressives Party (YPP). The members- Iheanacho Nwogu and Fine Ahuama- announced their defection to the LP during a plenary on Tuesday, Speaker of the Assembly Emmanuel Emeruwa said in a post on his X handle Tuesday night. Mr Emeruwa, also a member of the LP, said Mr Nwogu, representing Osisioma North State Constituency, told the House that he was defecting to the LP because YPP expelled him from the party for alleged anti-party activities. The Speaker did not say why Mr Ahuama, who represents Osisioma South State Constituency, decided to switch to the LP. How Abia Assembly stands now Upon the inauguration of the Abia State Assembly on 14 June 2023, the PDP had the majority with 11 members. While the LP had ten members, the YPP had two members, and the APC had only one member. However, the LP dropped to nine members after the Court of Appeal in Lagos in November 2023 nullified the election of Destiny Nwangwu of the LP. The court declared Aaron Uzodike the winner of the 18 March 2023 House of Assembly election for Abia North State Constituency. 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 As a result, the PDP seats in the House increased to 12. With the latest development, the LP has 11 members, while the PDP retains its majority position with 12 members. Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that both the Speaker and the House have refused to inaugurate Mr Uzodike as a member of the assembly several months after the court ruling. Governor Alex Otti of Abia State is a member of the LP. He won the 18 March 2023 governorship election on the platform of the party. Defected lawmakers declare support for Gov Otti Shortly after their defection, the lawmakers were received into the party by the state Governor Otti at Government House, Umuahia. The lawmakers were led on the visit by the House Majority Leader, Uchenna Okoro, also a member of the LP representing Arochukwu State Constituency, according to a statement by the governors spokesperson, Kazie Uko. Speaking after being received by the governor, Messrs Nwogu and Ahuama said leaving their former party will enable them to support Mr Otti in deepening democracy at the grassroots for the benefit of their constituents. Receiving the lawmakers into the LP, Mr Otti said the two former members of the YPP have always supported his administration since its inauguration, despite their political affiliation. The governor argued that his administration has a different approach to governance, anchored on transparency, service and merit, as evident in the confirmation of a non-Abian as a permanent secretary in the Abia State Civil Service. One thing that I have assured members of the House of Assembly is that because we are running a transparent kind of leadership, we will never come to you with anything untoward. We dont have anything to hide because we are working for our people, he said. READ ALSO: Abia governor Otti inaugurates road construction in Rivers Mr Otti urged the lawmakers to work hard to get Osisioma people into the party for greater democracy dividends. So, I want to welcome you on behalf of our great party. I want to reassure you that this step is going to be one of the best decisions you have made. Our party has something peculiar; theres nothing different between the old and new members. You are going to enjoy the privilege every member is enjoying. The Labour Party provides a level playing field for everybody, so youve come to the right place, he assured them. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Get ready to "dough-minate" any pizza party with the new 7-Select Frozen Pizza and reimagined Ultimate Pepperoni Pizza IRVING, Texas, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As pizza lovers around the nation prepare to celebrate the cheesiest holiday of the year, 7-Eleven, Inc. is rolling out the dough for a mouthwatering celebration. To honor National Pizza Party Day on May 17, 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores are inviting customers to join in on the fun with its latest pizza creations and snacking deals. Get ready to dough-minate any pizza party with the new 7-Select Frozen Pizza and reimagined Ultimate Pepperoni Pizza 7-Select Frozen Pizza: Pick up the new 7-Select Frozen Pizza to bake at home whenever hunger strikes. Made with the same fan-favorite recipe and ingredients as 7-Eleven's in-store fresh pizza, 7-Select Frozen Pizza can be found in the freezer section at participating stores in two flavors: Cheese and Pepperoni. Pick up the new 7-Select Frozen Pizza to bake at home whenever hunger strikes. Made with the same fan-favorite recipe and ingredients as 7-Eleven's in-store fresh pizza, 7-Select Frozen Pizza can be found in the freezer section at participating stores in two flavors: Cheese and Pepperoni. Ultimate Pepperoni Pizza: The reimagined 14-inch pizza, freshly baked in store and served hot, has 30% more of 7-Eleven's signature sliced and diced pepperoni, topped with a mozzarella, parmesan and provolone cheese blend. Pizza lovers know that no pizza party is complete without wings! Luckily, 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members can purchase 8 boneless wings for just $3.99 and get 8 wings for free, every Fri, Sat, & Sun through June 25.* "From the mouthwatering taste of our new 7-Select Frozen Pizza and the revamped baked in store Ultimate Pepperoni Pizza to unbeatable deals on our delicious wings, 7-Eleven is the go-to spot for all of your pizza party needs," said Nikki Boyers, Vice President of Private & Emerging Brands at 7-Eleven, Inc. "With the rollout of the 7-Select Frozen Pizza, we are delighted to offer customers the same exceptional quality they get in stores, directly from the comfort of their own kitchens." Skip the hassle of running out to stock up before the party with 7NOW Delivery. 7NOW Delivery is available throughout the U.S. with real-time tracking that lets customers know when to expect their orders, typically in about 30 minutes. The 7NOW Delivery app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play, or by visiting 7Rewards.com. *Offer valid thru 6/25/24. Exclusive to loyalty members only. About 7-Eleven, Inc. 7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name in the U.S. convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 13,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to 7-Eleven stores, 7-Eleven, Inc. operates and franchises Speedway, Stripes, Laredo Taco Company and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits locations. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee, Big Bite and Big Gulp, 7-Eleven has expanded into high-quality sandwiches, salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings and mini beef tacos. 7-Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products at outstanding value. Customers can earn and redeem points on various items in stores nationwide through its 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards loyalty programs with more than 80 million members, place an order in the 7NOW delivery app in over 95% of the convenience retailer's footprint, or rely on 7-Eleven for other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7-eleven.com. SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc. Three magpies have been found with blow gun darts lodged into their heads. Magpies have been found shot with blow gun darts in Chisholm, NSW this week. Source: WIRES Magpies have been spotted with blow gun darts protruding from their bodies, leaving wildlife groups on high alert as they desperately offer residents advice to help the injured birds. So far three magpies have been sighted by residents in Chisholm, situated near the Hunter Valley region of NSW, with the birds all struck in the head by the prohibited projectiles one in its beak, neck and corner of the eye respectively. WIRES confirmed to Yahoo News residents first reported injured magpies on Tuesday. None of the birds have been captured but images show clear evidence they are indeed blow gun darts sticking out of the birds, leading rescuers to believe they were targeted attacks. "[A] wildlife vet has checked the photos and confirmed they are definitely not medical syringes," a WIRES spokesperson told Yahoo News. Wildlife previously targeted with 'awful little darts' It's not the first time NSW wildlife has been targeted with the projectiles. Water dragons and water birds in Sydney's northern beaches fell victim to blow gun dart attacks in 2022, with one rescuer referring to them as "awful little darts". "Someone's obviously sat there, scoped them out, and then shot them with these awful little darts," Sydney Wildlife Rescues reptile coordinator Lynleigh Greig told Yahoo News previously. Wildlife rescuers were shocked to find multiple lizards pierced with darts in Sydney's northern beaches in 2022. Source: Sydney Wildlife Rescue Under state laws blow gun darts are prohibited and require a permit for possession and use, with the only justifiable reason being for animal management. Since the magpies have been left to roam with the projectiles protruding out of their bodies, it's highly unlikely those who shot the birds complied with proper use laws. What should I do if I spot wildlife shot with a blow dart gun? WIRES are urging anyone who witnesses wildlife shot with a blow dart gun to call the WIRES hotline so assistance can be provided. The projectiles could pose deadly health implications for the birds but rescuers are hopeful the birds can "dislodge" them themselves before infection sets in. "We are hopeful they may be able to dislodge the darts themselves as the skin around the entry point becomes inflamed and softens," the WIRES spokesperson said. "It is likely that if infection sets in badly the birds will become ill and come to the ground. They will then be then able to be contained and taken to a vet." Magpies are native to Australia and were voted 'bird of the year' in 2017 by BirdLife Australia. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. MIAMISBURG, Ohio, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerobiotix, LLC, a leader in medical air decontamination technology, supports the recent updates to the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Sterile Technique Guidelines. Effective April 18, 2024, these changes emphasize the importance of managing air quality in surgical environments to reduce the risk of Surgical Site Infections (SSIs). Illuvia Sense is known for significantly reducing airborne contaminants without interrupting hospital workflows and aligns with the new AORN guidelines. Illuvia Sense is an FDA-registered Class II medical device from Aerobiotix. Paul Ciovacco, Vice President of Sales for Aerobiotix, says Aerobiotix is committed to helping healthcare facilities meet these new guidelines: "The latest recommendations from AORN reinforce the essential role of advanced air decontamination systems in today's operating rooms. Aerobiotix is dedicated to providing technologies like the Illuvia Sense, which meet and exceed these new standards, ensuring safer surgical environments for patients and healthcare professionals." Illuvia Sense, an FDA-registered Class II medical device from Aerobiotix, is known for significantly reducing airborne contaminants without interrupting hospital workflows. This system aligns with the new AORN guidelines, which recommend implementing air quality management strategies in environments where surgical and other invasive procedures are performed. In conjunction with these guideline updates, Aerobiotix is excited to host a Continuing Education (CE) event, "Mastering Modern Sterile Techniques: A Deep Dive into the New AORN Guidelines." Led by Dr. Hudson Garrett, this webinar is scheduled for May 23, 2024, from 1-2 p.m. (EDT) and will provide attendees with 1.0 hours of CE credits. Dr. Garrett will discuss the significant changes in the guidelines and offer insights on how healthcare professionals can apply these updates in various clinical settings. Dr. Garrett shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming event: "Continuing programs such as this represent the perfect opportunity for healthcare professionals to apply the evidence-based recommendations from AORN so that every patient and healthcare team member can benefit from their clinical benefit. The time to improve healthcare safety is now, and together, we can raise the bar for healthcare air quality." Healthcare professionals, including registered nurses, infection preventionists, and risk managers, are encouraged to register for the webinar to enhance their understanding of the new guidelines and learn about comprehensive air quality management programs. For more information or to register, please visit: https://aerobiotix.com/education/ About Aerobiotix, LLC Aerobiotix, LLC, specializes in air decontamination for medical settings. Our evidence-based solutions, such as Illuvia Sense, enhance environmental safety and reduce infection risks, improving healthcare facilities' outcomes worldwide. Contact: Paul Ciovacco Vice President of Sales Aerobiotix, LLC 888-978-7087 [email protected] www.Aerobiotix.com SOURCE Aerobiotix, LLC To Develop Airrow's Autonomous Dronehub For AFRL/AFWERX LOS ANGELES, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Airrow, Inc. announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase I contract in the amount of $74,616.00 focused on Airrow's Autonomous Dronehub to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now, on May, 14, 2024, Airrow will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America. Dronehub 2.0 "Recent world events have highlighted the importance of drones, but also the high cost paid by the daring and skilled pilots who have become high value targets," said Airrow's CEO David Kaye. "Airrow's Autonomous Drone Station addresses this directly by automating ground operations, and enabling robotic systems to do the perilous work done manually on the battlefield. The Dronehub is an asymmetrical force-multiplier, enabling persistent missions, enhancing situational awareness, and increasing a commander's ability to deploy drone assets, including swarms." The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government. About Airrow Airrow has developed and field-tested an autonomous drone station, enabling autonomous drone ground operations. Airrow's station is able to swap both batteries and payloads, and is agnostic and able to integrate with nearly any drone, sensor, or payload. Our goal is to enable safe, persistent and efficient drone operations. About Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com . About AFWERX As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 325 military, civilian and contractor personnel at six hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 4,697 contracts worth more than $2.6 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com . Media Contact: David Kaye 347-557-6152 [email protected] SOURCE Airrow Inc. Alteryx announces its 2024 Maveryx Award Winners at Annual Inspire Conference IRVINE, Calif., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alteryx, Inc., a leader in AI for enterprise analytics, today announced the recipients of its 2024 Maveryx Excellence Awards at the company's annual user conference, Inspire. The annual awards aim to showcase exceptional customers and partners in the Alteryx Maveryx community based on their remarkable achievements and determination to bring analytics to all. These standout organizations collaborate with Alteryx to empower mutual customers worldwide, helping them uncover crucial analytics that drive their business growth. Global Customer Award Category Winners Global Alteryx For Good Kurt Geiger , Gillian Rodger , for their innovative customer loyalty program, which awards customers with points redeemable for charitable donations. , , Global Alteryx Modeler Toyo Engineering, Jifeng Qiu and team, f or establishing an analytics CoE which has helped reduce an impressive 85% in manual data processing time. Toyo Engineering, and team, Global Alteryx MVP WestRock, LaShell Estes , for championing an enterprise-wide adoption of analytics at WestRock, leading to a staggering $350M in productivity gains. WestRock, , Global Analytics Cloud Doordash, Alex Barr , for the automation of 75 end-to-end financial processes with Designer Cloud. Doordash, , Global Analytics For All Suzano, Joao Zocca and team, f or the automation of over 76% of their financial processes with Alteryx Suzano, and team, Global Corporate Sustainability Chemours, Dianne Fields , for her work in improving water stewardship efforts with Alteryx analytics. Regional Customer Award Category Winners Regional Alteryx For Good "Cafe Com Alteryx," Nicolas Colombo , for his partnership with Alteryx SparkEd, a joint philanthropic effort to provide free Alteryx licenses to Brazilian youth and young professionals looking to upskill themselves with analytics. "Cafe Com Alteryx," , Regional Alteryx Modeler Reinsurance Group of America, Elsa Langenwalter , for the creation and execution of their Business Empowerment Center of Excellence creating a culture of data and analytics adoption in collaboration with RGA's IT function. Reinsurance Group of America, , Regional Alteryx MVP RSM UK, Marouf Malik , for empowering non-technical workers with analytics by way of an innovative keyword analyser app built with Alteryx AI capabilities RSM UK, , Regional Analytics for All Moody's, Doug Lazzara and team, for standardizing data access and analysis throughout the enterprise, driving impactful transformation and saving thousands of hours in manual work. Partner Award Category Winners The partner categories honor organizations that are key stakeholders in Alteryx's mission of bringing analytics to all. The awardees below have made significant contributions to the success of customers over the past year, providing them with impactful experiences through data insights. "We are incredibly honored to work alongside the recipients of the 2024 Maveryx Excellence Awards," stated Paula Hansen, President and Chief Revenue Officer at Alteryx. "Each of the awardees regularly pushes the status quo and fosters the democratization of analytics within both their organizations and broader communities. They have not only elevated their data strategies, but they have persistently motivated those in their sphere to utilize analytics and AI to solve key business challenges." For more information about the 2024 Maveryx Excellence Award winners, learn about Alteryx's inspiring customer use cases and partner ecosystem. About Alteryx Alteryx powers actionable insights with the AI Platform for Enterprise Analytics. With Alteryx, organizations can drive smarter, faster decisions with a secure platform deployable in on-prem, hybrid, and cloud environments. More than 8,000 customers globally rely on Alteryx to automate analytics to improve revenue performance, manage costs, and mitigate risks across their organizations. SOURCE Alteryx, Inc. TORONTO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - AmacaThera Inc, a clinical stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of advanced sustained release hydrogel formulations, has dosed its first human subject with AMT-143, the company's lead asset in non-opioid acute pain management. AMT-143 is a local slow-release non-opioid local anesthetic that would leverage the AmacaGel platform to provide long-acting post-operative pain relief and is the first therapeutic product formulated to be delivered via AmacaGel, the Company's patented technology platform. Previously, the Company had tested the AmacaGel platform without any active pharmaceutical agent. This trial will test the platform combined with a known anesthetic. The study will assess the tolerability, safety, pharmacokinetic and clinical activity of the AmacaGel platform with a known compound that has a long history of safety and efficacy. If approved, AMT-143 could one day be used to reduce post-operative pain without the need for opioids. AMT-143 would be applied in the incisional site at the time of surgery to control local pain. "A successful outcome will be data demonstrating safety of our asset, and release kinetics showing a sustained release longer than the competitive products," said Dr. Mike Cooke, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-Founder of AmacaThera, "There is a real need for products that provide longer relief than those currently available on the market." Dr. Molly Shoichet is the Company's Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of AmacaThera. The original technology was developed in her laboratory at the University of Toronto. "My laboratory has demonstrated compatibility of AmacaGel with a wide range of therapeutics from cells to biologics," said Shoichet, "With this study, our goal is to provide human data on our technology that will help advance AMT-143 to the clinic. At the same time, we are building out the platform technology so that it can be leveraged for other local-release therapeutics." About AmacaThera AmacaThera is a clinical stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of advanced sustained release hydrogel formulations to solve key therapeutics delivery challenges with both off-patent and proprietary payloads. AmacaThera is focused on developing an internal pipeline of pain management and oncology assets; and partnering to solve key delivery challenges with advanced proprietary therapeutic modalities. AmacaThera's platform technology, AmacaGel, is a fast-gelling physical hydrogel blend of two well-established medical-grade polymers. It has been designed to liquify under shear force to be delivered by a conventional syringe, rapidly forming a depot at the injection site as it warms to body temperature. AMT-143, the platform's lead asset, is a slow-release non-opioid local anesthetic that leverages the AmacaGel platform to provide long-acting post-operative pain relief. For more information, visit www.amacathera.ca SOURCE AmacaThera Inc. WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Anatomy IT, the leading platform for healthcare IT and cybersecurity solutions, today announced a partnership with renowned healthcare executive leader and entrepreneur Bob Glazer to advise on the rapidly evolving healthcare market, deepen its service offering specialization, and drive a better experience for current and future clients. To download a photo of Bob Glazer, click here. Initially, Glazer will offer guidance on a new companywide program designed to improve the efficiency and personalization of healthcare client engagement and services. Utilizing his nearly five decades of healthcare industry experience and demonstrated market expertise, Glazer will help Anatomy IT strategically identify and communicate with potential customers who would most benefit from its best-in-class solutions managed IT, cybersecurity, cloud, value-based care services, HIPAA compliance, and strategic IT planning that empower exceptional patient care. "Forging a partnership with such an accomplished and esteemed healthcare executive leader as Bob Glazer will certainly help us supercharge Anatomy IT's more targeted, personalized and effective healthcare strategy going forward," said Anatomy IT CEO Frank Forte. "For decades, Bob has grown successful physician practices and helped solve their most pressing challenges. He has an in-depth, first-hand understanding of the crucial role that IT plays in these organizations, and that insight will help us better share our unparalleled value proposition to providers who need our solutions now more than ever." Glazer brings a wealth of healthcare industry knowledge and expertise to Anatomy IT built on 48 years of exceptional accomplishments and leadership roles. For over 25 years, Glazer was CEO of ENT and Allergy Associates LLP, the largest otolaryngology, allergy and audiology practice in the U.S. Glazer grew the practice to over 250 physicians and 52 locations in New York and New Jersey by identifying and steering the organization's strategic path, emphasizing growth through physician recruitment, as well as mergers and acquisitions. In that time, Glazer also co-founded and was the CEO of Quality Medical Management Services USA, a healthcare consultancy firm; and OASIS, a self-funded and self-insured medical malpractice captive. Glazer began his healthcare career in the Office of the Controller for the NYU Langone Medical Center. Today, Glazer supports numerous practices and other healthcare companies across the U.S. as president of Glazer Business Advisors. "Anatomy IT's rapid growth to nearly 2,000 clients across the U.S. in only a few years demonstrates the enormous need for its unrivaled healthcare IT experience and expertise as well as its enterprise-level strength and stability," Glazer said. "Despite its already substantial customer footprint, Anatomy IT still has more opportunities that I am excited to help identify across the healthcare delivery middle market to expand its comprehensive and highly flexible array of best-in-class technology and cybersecurity solutions." About Anatomy IT Anatomy IT helps healthcare providers deliver exceptional patient care through technology and cybersecurity solutions. With 30+ years of experience, we understand healthcare organizations' unique risks, opportunities, and challenges. Anatomy IT is one of the largest and fastest-growing healthcare IT companies, partnering with over 1,950 clients serving 39,000 healthcare staff nationwide, including ASCs, physician groups, and hospitals. Media contact Philip Anast (Amendola for Anatomy IT) 312-576-6990 [email protected] SOURCE Anatomy IT NEW YORK, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Anchin, a premier accounting, tax and advisory firm, proudly announces that Russell B. Shinsky, Anchin's Managing Partner, has been named to the inaugural Forbes "America's Top 200 CPAs" list. Forbes recognizes CPAs who demonstrate outstanding expertise, innovation, thought leadership, and service to their community. Russell has been a visionary and transformative leader at Anchin. He has played a pivotal role in the strategic expansion of Anchin's practice areas and its geographic footprint. His commitment to excellence in client service and technical competency has solidified Anchin's reputation as one of the nation's premier accounting and advisory firms. Under Russell's leadership, Anchin has consistently elevated its standing and maintained its recognition as an employee-centered organization dedicated to fostering its employees' professional advancement, personal fulfillment, and well-being. This commitment to its employees has contributed to the firm's multiple consecutive placements on the prestigious Crain's Best Places to Work list. In addition to his focus on employee well-being, Russell has been a champion of strong core values across Environmental, Social, and Governance matters, including Diversity and Inclusion. "We are thrilled to see Russell recognized by Forbes for his outstanding leadership and contributions to the accounting profession," said Marc A. Newman, Associate Managing Partner. "His vision and dedication have been instrumental in Anchin's success, and this recognition is well-deserved." About Anchin Anchin is a leading accounting, tax and advisory firm, specializing in the needs of privately held companies, investment funds and high-net-worth individuals and families. Its highly focused industry specialization helps clients overcome challenges and achieve their financial objectives with exceptional confidence. Consistently recognized in respected "best of" lists for service, firm management and employee satisfaction, Anchin prioritizes partner-level engagement, and commitment to employee happiness. The full-service firm, with a team of 500, including more than 65 partners, provides a wide range of assurance, financial reporting, tax and advisory services, including tax strategies and compliance; tax credits and incentives; state and local and international tax strategies, family office strategies management and succession advisory; growth, transition and exit strategies; transaction advisory; client accounting advisory services; cybersecurity and digital risk solutions; and litigation support, forensic accounting and valuation services. Anchin has offices in New York City, Uniondale, New York, and in Boca Raton, Florida, and is an independent member of BKR International, a network of more than 160 firms with over 500 offices in over 80 countries around the world. Discover what's possible by visiting us online at www.anchin.com. For further information: Anne Rusinak 212.840.3456 [email protected] SOURCE Anchin ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MNEE announced today the upcoming launch of the first USD-backed stablecoin designed to transform the landscape of digital transactions through its use of the highly-scalable BSV blockchain, which features unmatched speed, low fees, and the ability to power microtransactions. Each MNEE token is redeemable for a value of $1.00 USD, fully collateralized by US T-bills, USD cash or stablecoin equivalents. MNEE is a licensed and regulated custodian and an issuer of digital assets in Antigua, ensuring full compliance and security in accordance with international standards. With rigorous AML/KYC compliance, risk management and treasury management, MNEE will be fully audited with an attestation of reserves, offering transparency and reliability to its users. "Sitting at approximately $160 billion today, the stablecoin sector is projected to reach nearly $3 trillion by 2028, clearly demonstrating market desire for the instant processing and high security of stablecoin payments, coupled with the volatility-free stable valuations of fiat currencies," said Savvas Rigas, CFO, MNEE. "With the launch of MNEE, we are proud to introduce the industry's fastest and most scalable stablecoin to date, truly establishing MNEE as the currency for tomorrow." As the first stablecoin of its kind issued on the Tokenized protocol on BSV blockchain, and also available on the ERC-20 protocol, MNEE will launch in June 2024 on Handcash and RockWallet, with key features including: Unmatched Speed: Instant transactions with zero confirmations. Instant transactions with zero confirmations. High Scalability: Capable of handling more than 1 million transactions per second. Capable of handling more than 1 million transactions per second. Cost-Effectiveness: Transaction fees are as low as 1/10th of a cent on the BSV Tokenized protocol. Transaction fees are as low as 1/10th of a cent on the BSV Tokenized protocol. Microtransaction Capability: MNEE can be divided to 1/1,000th of a cent ($0.00001) , making it perfect for a wide range of microtransaction uses in online gaming, social media AI, IoT, API, subscription services, tipping, advertising and more. MNEE's versatility provides for powerful use cases in numerous essential digital finance activities including: Peer-to-peer payments for instantaneous customer transactions for instantaneous customer transactions Remittances for instant and practically free cross-border money transfers for instant and practically free cross-border money transfers Payment settlement for retail, business, physical assets, and commodities for retail, business, physical assets, and commodities Web3 applications including online transactions, consumer applications and dApp integration "Handcash has consistently been recognized as the most user-friendly platform for streaming money across apps, games and websites, thanks to our Web3 ecosystem of connected apps," said Alex Agut, CEO and Co-Founder, Handcash. "We are thrilled to introduce MNEE to our community, thanks to its exceptional speed, stability and cutting-edge features that align perfectly with our commitment to enhancing user experience." "We are proud to facilitate the issuance of MNEE on BSV blockchain through our Tokenized platform, which has been designed to support a wide range of digital assets beyond traditional cryptocurrencies," said James Belding, CEO and Co-Founder, Tokenized. "The launch of MNEE showcases our commitment to innovation and vision of improving the value proposition of stablecoins in a comprehensive, user-empowered financial ecosystem." MNEE will soon be available for minting by non-US institutional clients, exchanges, and OTC desks. Retail users, merchants, traders, and dApp developers can buy/swap MNEE through platforms including Handcash and RockWallet, as well as RockWallet PRO for advanced exchange trading. The expanding ecosystem of partners promises to further enhance the accessibility and utility of MNEE in the near future. "We at Handcash aim to empower gamers and developers worldwide with the best platform for building fantastic economies," Alex Agut added. "With MNEE we finally can use a USD stablecoin as the main currency for our platform, making it more familiar for everyone while retaining all the benefits of using a blockchain." For additional information, please visit https://www.mnee.xyz. ABOUT MNEE: Headquartered in Antigua, MNEE is a pioneering financial technology organization dedicated to innovating in global finance. As the issuer of the MNEE stablecoin, the company leverages the robust capabilities of BSV blockchain to provide a stable, secure, and scalable digital currency solution. Each MNEE token is backed by US Treasury bills and USD cash equivalents, ensuring full collateralization and compliance. With a commitment to creating the future of money, MNEE focuses on delivering instant, low-cost, and efficient payment solutions across numerous platforms and industries. MEDIA CONTACT: Interdependence Public Relations [email protected] (917) 836-8204 SOURCE MNEE "As a masterful photographer and dedicated environmentalist, Ansel Adams allowed Americans from all corners of the nation to experience the wonders of our country in vivid detail," said Daniel Tangherlini, a member of the USPS Board of Governors. "There have been many advances in photographic technology in recent decades, but the clarity and character of an Ansel Adams image is timeless and unsurpassed, just like you see on these stamps unveiled here today." As an artist, Adams sought to imbue each of his black-and-white prints with the power and wonder he felt in the presence of nature. As an activist, he influenced U.S. environmental policy by employing his photographs as lobbying tools. Many of his images of the country's most beautiful places including the Yosemite Valley, the Tetons and Denali became icons of the environmental movement. Throughout a photographic career spanning seven decades, Adams received praise and recognition for his work. The University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard and Yale universities awarded him honorary doctorates. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York held a retrospective exhibition of his photography in 1974, as did the Museum of Modern Art, in 1979. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter awarded Adams the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "Ansel's passion for his craft, willingness to share his approach and technique, and dedication to both protecting and preserving the environment had a profound influence on how I approached my own journey as a photographer," said Alan Ross. "It's wonderful to see Ansel's artistry and love for natural wonders like Yosemite embodied on U.S. postage stamps." The first row of stamps, left to right, features "Half Dome, Merced River, Winter, Yosemite National Park, California" (1938); "Oak Tree, Sunset City, Sierra Foothills, California" (1962); "Thundercloud, Ellery Lake, High Sierra, Sierra Nevada, California" (1934); and "Denali and Wonder Lake, Denali National Park, Alaska" (1947). The second row, left to right, features "The Golden Gate and Bridge from Baker Beach, San Francisco, California" (c.1953); "Road and Fog, Del Monte Forest, Pebble Beach, California" (1964); "Rock and Grass, Moraine Lake, Sequoia National Park, California" (1936); and "Leaves, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington" (c.1942). The third row, left to right, features "Monument Valley, Arizona" (1958); "Tetons and Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming" (1942); "Jeffrey Pine, Sentinel Dome, Yosemite National Park, California" (1940); and "Mirror Lake, Mount Watkins, Spring, Yosemite National Park, California" (1935). The fourth row, left to right, features "Maroon Bells, near Aspen, Colorado" (1951); "Aspens, Dawn, Autumn, Dolores River Canyon, Colorado" (1937); "Road After Rain, Northern California" (1960); and "Dunes, Oceano, California" (1963). As evidenced by the striking images in this collection, Adams devoted much of his career to the advancement of photography as a fine art. He wrote and photographed extensively for the Sierra Club Bulletin, exhibited his prints at museums across the country, gave lectures on photography's artistic merit, taught thousands of students in workshops, and helped create the first museum photography department, at New York's Museum of Modern Art. "It's an incredible honor for Ansel," said Matthew Adams, his grandson. "It shows that his popularity continues 40 years after he passed. His work resonates across time. He would be excited and honored." Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using existing photographs. The Postal Service printed 20 million Ansel Adams stamps, which come in panes of 16. The stamps are issued as Forever stamps, which are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1ounce price. Postal Products Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, First Day of Issue Ceremonies and stamp inspired products can be found at StampsForever.com. Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 167 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America , to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com National contact: David P. Coleman Cell: 202-425-1476 [email protected] Local contact: Meiko Patton [email protected] usps.com/news SOURCE U.S. Postal Service WASHINGTON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A milestone was reached on Wednesday as Lithuania became the 40th nation to join NASA and the international coalition in pursuit of safer space exploration by signing the Artemis Accords. The ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu Lietuva hotel in Vilnius, Lithuania, and signifies a continued push toward transparency and peace as more nations traverse farther into space. Ausrine Armonaite, Lithuanian Minister of Economy and Innovation, signs the Artemis Accords in the presence of United States Ambassador Kara C. McDonald at a ceremony in conjunction with Vilnius Space Days. "Welcome to the Artemis Accords family, Lithuania," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "Our nations are strong partners and now we expand this partnership to the cosmos. In just four years, a remarkable 40 countries have signed the Artemis Accords. Together, as a global coalition, we will explore the stars openly, responsibly, and in peace." United States Ambassador Kara C. McDonald attended the ceremony to speak on behalf of the U.S., and Ausrine Armonaite, Lithuanian Minister of Economy and Innovation, signed the Accords. "The Lithuanian space sector has been growing steadily, with our innovative companies working in this field making significant strides," Armonaite said. "The Artemis Accords mark a new chapter and chart a course for future space exploration, underscoring our commitment to a responsible, sustainable, and cooperative presence in space." Remarks from NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy also played before the signing. "Today is a pivotal day for Lithuania," Melroy said. "We are living in the golden age of space. The days of one nation exploring the cosmos alone are gone. Today, we go together, and we go with international partners." The Artemis Accords align with NASA's Artemis campaign, that will send astronauts including the first woman, first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build the foundation for crewed missions to Mars. NASA, along with the Department of State and seven other nations, established the Artemis Accords in 2020 to lay out a set of principles grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and three related space treaties. With the commitment of now 40 nations, the accords community will facilitate a long-term and peaceful presence of deep space exploration for the benefit of humanity. To learn more about the Artemis Accords, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords/ SOURCE NASA PARIS, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As Artificial Intelligence sweeps across the planet like a tsunami, Artprice is pleased to announce new services and a new subscription (990/year) that uses AI Intuitive Artmarket. This service will be available for 2024/2025. Up until now Artprice subscriptions (including subscriptions with paid advertising fully integrated into our databases and services in Q4 2023 and Q1 2024) did not include Artprice's Intuitive Artmarket AI, which is currently being rolled out. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has now reached into all sectors of our daily lives, whether economic, scientific, professional or administrative, and the speed of its global spread has prompted Artprice to offer, as of May 2024, new tools that deploy Artprice's own proprietary AI baptized "Intuitive Artmarket". This offer is now available to our paying advertisers, but can also be subscribed to independently. This decision, leading to a slight delay of the targets in our business plan with regard to our new paying advertisers (a strategy we fully endorse), was carefully considered by Artmarket.com's Board of Directors in the light of the exponential growth of Artificial Intelligence in the global economy. Indeed, for Artprice by Artmarket it was a natural choice to inject Intuitive Artmarket into all of our products and services in order to be consistent with its AI service to its customers. Our Advertising Department has been strengthened by the arrival of new expert consultants who are already operational in Q2 2024, and we have now deployed our Intuitive Artmarket with new elements of AI languages formatted in UX Design (User Experience Design) and UI Design (User Interface Design) that allow Intuitive Artmarket paying advertisers a different approach to advertising. According to Les Echos/Solutions citing DOMO Inc., there is an important index in the service sector today that scores the ability of a company to integrate AI into its processes by counting how much data is processed per second by its employees. The average is currently 1.7 MB of data per second. After an IT audit by Mazars, Artprice by Artmarket was able to see for itself that each of its employees generates 35 MB/second, or 21 times more than the European average, which is perfectly consistent with Artprice's core business as a major global publisher of professional databases and proprietary algorithms, and world leader in art market information. Indeed, for 27 years now, Artprice by Artmarket has been designing and operating more than 180 proprietary vector metadata banks with more than 38 million indices and auction results covering more than 845,000 artists and 180 million images/engravings of artworks from 1700 to the present day. This work is of course fuelled by its extraordinary physical archive of sales catalogs and manuscripts (unique in the world) and its several billion user behavior logs from its 9.3 million customers and members, all anonymized in strict compliance with European (GDPR) and American PDP legislation. With its Intuitive Artmarket, Artprice can increase its search and results capacity tenfold over the coming years, taking it to a level that the art market has never seen before. Its customers and members will have access to new services and products which, in turn, will generate more sophisticated subscriptions for Artprice by Artmarket, with an increase in our annual recurring revenue (ARR). In 2024, Artprice's mastery of Artificial Intelligence is so advanced that it will be deploying a first subscription with extra-high added-value: the 'basic' Intuitive Artmarket subscription at the price of 990/year (82.50/month). Additional options are planned as our AI grows and develops. Artprice's vector databases play a vital role in numerous AI applications. They allow the storage, indexing and, above all, efficient search of complex art history and art market data in the form of vectors. They can be used for researching art market information, recommending content, recognising images of artworks as well as in other systems. We are for example, currently developing a tool that will be a powerful assistant in the appraisal of paintings and sculptures for valuation and insurance companies (Artprice Signatures & Monograms vector databank). Vector databases like ours have become an indispensable element of the AI ecosystem, facilitating the development of efficient and effective AI models like Artprice's Intuitive Artmarket. According to AI analysts, for a company that is already highly computerized, the implementation of standardization and vectorization of all of its data flows requires a minimum timeframe of 3 years and a very substantial budget; and that is before it can hope to tackle the development of its own proprietary AI, which would take an additional 2 years minimum. In total, it therefore takes an average time of 5 years for an IT department (with external consultants) to develop its own AI. For Artprice by Artmarket, this entire process was, along with the corresponding investment, completed in full more than a decade ago. In 2024, Artprice has an irrevocable lead in its sector and it represents one of the most interesting AI investment opportunities in Europe. To meet the needs of vector and algorithmic calculations on its latest generation servers with high volume capacities (via SAN/NAS as well as Cloud storage), Artprice owns all its Data Centers in full. This allows us to get closer to our customers in more than 80 countries. As part of our eco-responsible approach (see our Annual CSR Report) since 2011, Artprice by Artmarket has developed processes to optimize the use of its servers, by adapting the necessary power and reducing energy consumption of its data centers by 40%. This has been achieved by using the principle of micro-grids which allow better exploitation of production units, the use of multiple technologies, with a preponderant use of renewable energies. The annual objective is to raise our overall IT power by around 300%, in particular through AI, which is primarily ultra-secure data storage (SAN/NAS) but with an annual drop of 3% to 5% in energy consumption. Intuitive Artmarket will offer Artmarket.com shareholders and the financial markets spectacular growth for this decade, starting from this year. Artprice's headstart in Europe in terms of AI and it overall advance as regards the global art market, is such that the act of management, for Artprice by Artmarket, is to produce end-user subscriptions this year that will allow its customers and members to easily write 'prompts' (instructions given to an AI) that are simple and specific to the art market. Again, this facility is being developed using optimal UX and UI Design. As a reminder, Artprice by Artmarket has twice consecutively obtained the state label "Innovative Company", awarded by the Public Investment Bank (BPI), and it is pursuing its ambitions in this direction. To understand how our Intelligence Art Market application can be used to create a digital campaign for paying advertisers let's look at an example simulating the "Regards d'Orient art moderne & contemporain" sale on 27 October 2023 hosted by the Parisian auctioneer Cornette de Saint Cyr. The sale contained 100 lots signed by 54 artists. Artprice, at the request of its advertising client, will therefore produce, in a few minutes using AI mode, 54 paid campaigns by 'extracting', from its 9.3 million clients and members, 54 profiles corresponding to each artist, with auto-generation of their artistic portfolios, thereby forming the final sale of 100 lots. This technique generates the closest possible pairing of supply and demand and is the most successful digital campaign on the art market by including Artprice's AI Intelligence Art Market. It should be noted that for over 70 years, the standard economic model of auction houses allocates 34% of overall costs to advertising (announcing detailed public auction sales) regardless of the country or the size of the auction operator. In order to ensure the success of its sale, maintain or enhance its reputation and keep its registered sellers happy, the auction house is ready to deploy in a few hours ultra-targeted digital campaigns that only Artprice can produce thanks to the new deployment in 2024 of its Intuitive Artmarket AI. With its data centers, its exceptional data engineering skills and its highly sophisticated processes, Artprice can effectively respond to these types of requests 24 hours a day anywhere in the world. It is not a coincidence that the global volume of art market auction turnover (a totally opaque market until the 1990s) has grown by +3,600% in 22 years since 2000, the reference year. By delivering information akin to the financial markets Artprice, the historic pioneer of Art Market standardization (with more than 450 indices, traceability of artwork IDs, econometric analysis, floating, % country, auction turnover ID Artists, calculation of price evolutions using the 'repeated sales method', artists' biographies, signatures and monograms etc.) has transformed the art market from an opaque entity into one that grows steadily and exponentially, according to economists. Taken together, the global primary and secondary art markets are today worth over $70 billion compared with $5 billion in 1997. Intuitive Artmarket AI and its impact on annual recurring revenue (ARR) growth from Artprice by Artmarket subscriptions and sales of products and services. Drawing on the experience of its parent company Groupe Serveur an Internet pioneer since 1987 Artprice by Artmarket.com, has, over the decades, developed thousands of increasingly powerful and relevant proprietary algorithms with more of 180 meta-banks of vector data which allow the implementation of its own AI (Artificial Intelligence), in strict compliance with the different applicable legislations, notably regarding personal data protection and intellectual property rights. The three cornerstones of Artificial Intelligence are data, computing power and algorithms. The quality and scale of data, particularly standardized Big Data, significantly influence the effectiveness of AI models in learning and evolving, thus enhancing their "intelligence." This aligns precisely with the fundamental DNA of Artprice by Artmarket which masters both IT programming and the induction computing which defines AI. This was only possible through the targeted acquisition by Groupe Serveur as of 1999, then by Artprice, of innovative companies like Xylologie, a Swiss company composed of prestigious scientists (from CERN, WHO, etc.) who were considerably ahead of their time and who already prefigured the birth and development of Artificial Intelligence (see our reference document). In the world of major global publishers of professional databases, it is vital for the long-term development of industries to integrate proprietary AI into their core businesses. This is why Artprice by Armarket has taken a very significant lead since 1999 and made 2024/2025 the key period for the commercial launch of its proprietary algorithmic AI, Intuitive Artmarket. This 'cultural revolution' brings new elements of language, but the AI processes and tools were already scientifically at the heart of Artprice by Artmarket. Using the new semantics, Artprice's clients and partners discover the unexplored riches of Artprice, namely data of a magnitude they couldn't even imagine, perfectly aligned with their needs. It should also be noted that investors are looking for serious projects with a solid background in Artificial Intelligence on both sides of the Atlantic. Our algorithms harness billions of anonymized proprietary logs, text data, and tens of millions of artworks from Artprice's databases to identify new semantics encapsulating an artist's primary approach, their universe, inspirations, mediums, themes, forms, volumes, and more. This invaluable data forms a synergy, enriching the understanding of over 845,000 referenced artists with their certified biographies and data. It goes beyond conventional visual criteria thanks to the neural networks of the Intuitive Artmarket AI. Intuitive Artmarket will notably calculate the values of artworks based on an analysis of past sales that is specific to Artprice; but it will also be able to anticipate future fluctuations, including for totally unique works. It will make it possible to identify highly complex transversal artistic trends which largely escape the academic and institutional worlds. Of the many new service projects in 2024 for Artmarket's clients, we plan to link Intuitive Artmarket with our Standardized Marketplace that was created in 2005 and offers over 77,000 artworks at a fixed or bidable price. We also plan to link our Intuitive Artmarket to all Artprice by Artmarket's databases. Intuitive Artmarket will constantly assist Artmarket clients whether art enthusiasts or art market professionals or museum curators to build and/or manage their collections. With the analysis of billions of logs, 125 million collected and tokenized images of artworks, more than ten million auction results (word embedding), Intuitive Artmarket will be able to provide extremely relevant solutions for customers wishing to start, or manage, an art collection. To build the collection, Intuitive Artmarket will provide suggestions for works to acquire based on criteria the client has provided such as the budget allocated over time, the artistic movement(s) the customer is interested in, the preferred medium(s), the favorite artist(s) or similar artists, the preferred dimensions of the works, the favorite acquisition location(s) (in full compliance with the different legislative frameworks on personal data security). It will also be able to identify from the behavioral analysis of the client's searches certain preferences that neither the client nor an appointed expert might have been aware of. It goes without saying that this analysis via Intuitive Artmarket will be conducted with the consent of the client as part of his/her paid subscription (in accordance with the terms and conditions enumerated in the General Conditions of Sale attached to his or her subscription). As regards collection-management, Intuitive Artmarket will update the value of the collection in real time, not only taking into account the latest auction results but also by projecting trends with expected results, built on in-depth data analysis. Intuitive Artmarket will notify the collector and/or art market professional of sale and/or purchase opportunities, depending on the objectives identified by the collector or the professional over time. These may range from the desire to enhance the pecuniary value of a portfolio to the desire to enhance the artistic value of a collection; everything will be possible via an intuitive configuration. Contemporary artists will also be able to use this tool to offer their works for sale on our Standardized Marketplace with higher probabilities of reaching buyers, particularly artists producing NFTs. Bearing in mind all the underlying parameters and data, Artprice is the only platform on the global market that can deal effectively with the certification of primary issues of Art NFTs in an environment of cryptocurrencies alongside the major international currencies. With Intuitive Artmarket, it has never been so easy and intuitive to discover the parallel worlds of 'Online Art' and 'Auction House Art' (we are directly linked to 7,200 auction operators around the world). In today's extraordinarily busy world, every minute counts and Intuitive Artmarket will allow users to explore the Standardized Marketplace and monitor the global art market with infinitely better results and much more quickly. Less time spent also means less energy spent, which is perfectly in line with Artmarket.com's eco-responsible approach. Artmarket's AI (Intuitive Artmarket ) is based exclusively on its massive proprietary content which is protected under intellectual property law, thereby allowing us to overcome these obstacles and potential prohibitions. In other words, our Intuitive Artmarket has no need to look elsewhere for data or for responses to very specific searches from art market amateurs or professionals. It is therefore a guarantee of sustainability, but also of a considerable increase in performance for Artprice by Artmarket.com, with constant growth in turnover through high added-value subscriptions. Over the last two decades Artprice has recorded, observed and induced hundreds of millions of human decisions in relation to the art market. This market is of course infinitely complex due to the heterogeneous and singular nature of art on the one hand, and the abstract notion of beauty at the limits of human emotion on the other. This algorithmic learning has allowed Artprice to create AI models unique in the world, specific to the art market, which will constitute the 2024/2029 growth driver for Artprice by Artmarket. For over 20 years, Artprice by Artmarket has gradually stabilized its 'alignment problem', a key issue for the successful genesis then construction of its AI (Intuitive Artmarket). For the Artprice group, the so-called 'alignment problem' means all of the scientific and ethical questions raised by the relationship of its artificial intelligence system (and its induced results) with the values, expectations and human sensitivities specific to the Artprice by Artmarket group, its clients and the intangible and centuries-old rules of the art market. Artmarket's AI (Intuitive Artmarket ) will be supervised by 'prompt engineers', a new career that includes the programming and management of proprietary AI. The possibilities offered by properly managed AI are therefore immense, which explains its popularity: Microsoft Bing Chat now attracts more than 100 million active users per day with a commitment to responsible AI that respects copyright and copyright-related rights. Microsoft has already started rolling out Bing Chat for Business and Microsoft Copilot in paid subscription mode. The same is true for the paid versions of ChatGPT, IBM Watson, Google Cloud AI Platform, Amazon Web Services and Midjourney. 95% of the S&P 500 groups are planning to base their future growth on Artificial Intelligence. According to the best Anglo-Saxon financial analysts, who are one step ahead of Europe on this subject, the only economically viable model i.e. one that does not expose the economic entity (whatever its size) to incessant legal proceedings is an AI based on an extremely well-defined economic segment. The economic sector must have information which plays an absolutely vital role, full intellectual property of the entirety of Big Data (including Data Mining), of the copyright and related rights confirmed on all algorithms, databases, with machine learning (deep learning) and neural networks. In short, the AIs that will triumph with very substantial economic gain and without major industrial or legal risk, are the economic entities which own, in full intellectual property, all of the different stages of the proprietary AI in a defined market segment where expensive high added-value information plays a vital role. And this is exactly the case of the Intuitive Artmarket AI developed by Artprice by Artmarket.com, World Leader in Art Market Information. Artprice's Intuitive Artmarket AI is entirely in line with this postulate. Copyright 1987-2024 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com Don't hesitate to contact our Econometrics Department for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: [email protected] for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo Subscribe to our services: https://www.artprice.com/subscription About Artmarket: Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. France . Artprice is an active sponsor of the International Congress of Art History (CIHA) which this year will be attended by a thousand researchers from over 70 countries. Artmarket.com: CIHA Lyon 2024 -. Artprice is an active sponsor of the International Congress of Art History (CIHA) which this year will be attended by a thousand researchers from over 70 countries. https://www.actusnews.com/fr/artmarket/cp/2024/05/13/artmarket_com-ciha-lyon-2024-france_-artprice-is-an-active-sponsor-of-the-international-congress-of-art-history-ciha-which-this Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: www.artprice.com/video Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987. See certified biography in Who's who : https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2024/02/2024_Biographie_thierry_Ehrmann_WhosWhoInFrance.pdf Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information (the original documentary archives, codex manuscripts, annotated books and auction catalogs acquired over the years ) in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 850 000 artists. Artprice by Artmarket, the world leader in information on the art market, has set itself the ambition through its Global Standardized Marketplace to be the world's leading Fine Art NFT platform. Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 181 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians. Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 7200 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 9.3 million ('members log in'+social media) users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code). The Art Market's future is now brighter than ever with Artprice's Artmarket Intuitive AI Artmarket, with its Artprice department, has twice been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI), which has supported the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the art market. Artprice by Artmarket's Global Art Market Report, "The Art Market in 2023", published in March 2024: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2023 Artprice by Artmarket publishes its 2023 Contemporary Art Market Report: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2023 Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department: https://serveur.serveur.com/artmarket/press-release/en/ Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (over 6.5 million followers) twitter.com/artmarketdotcom twitter.com/artpricedotcom Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department https://www.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013 La Demeure du Chaos / Abode of Chaos GESAMTKUNSTWERK & SINGULAR ARCHITECTURE Confidential bilingual work now public: https://ftp1.serveur.com/abodeofchaos_singular_architecture.pdf L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 (over 4.1 million followers) https://vimeo.com/124643720 Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department - Contact: [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2260897/Artmarket_logo.jpg UPDATED: Conservationists have called the find 'disgraceful' and called on the state government's loggers to cease their operations. Blake Nisbet (right) was left devastated after finding an endangered greater glider at the base of a tree felled by the Victorian government. Source: Forest Conservation Victoria A grim prediction by conservationists has been realised inside an Australian national park this morning. For over a month, conservationists had warned a Victorian government plan to fell ancient hollow-bearing trees in the state's east to create fire breaks would kill endangered wildlife. Yahoo News has seen letters sent to the Federal and Victorian environment departments and their ministers, raising concerns about the welfare of over 20 threatened species living in the Yarra Ranges National Park. At the top of the list were southern greater gliders a species listed as endangered due to habitat loss. Worryingly greater gliders had been documented using hollows in trees earmarked for removal by Forest Fire Management Victoria, an arm of the Department of Environment. On Wednesday, conservation group Wildlife of the Central Highlands (WOTCH) found one squashed flat next to a tree they had documented them living inside. Related: Logging company responds after 'botching' simple greater glider rule 188 times The greater glider was found by investigators on Wednesday morning. Source: Forest Conservation Victoria Grainy video reveals investigator's heartbreak after greater glider death Reception is poor inside parts of Yarra Ranges and the video uploaded after the greater glider was discovered is grainy. But the heartbreak in the voice of the man who found it, WOTCHs Blake Nesbit, is clear. They are removing large hollow bearing trees including trees where community groups have reported endangered animals are living inside them. And regardless of those [reports] theyve come through and cut down the trees, he says while squatting beside the flattened glider," Blake says. "We specifically told the government that greater gliders were nesting in this tree... This is disgraceful, and has to stop. Even when notified of the presence of a federally listed threatened wildlife, the information was ignored with deadly consequences," he later added in a statement. Working together with WOTCH, the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) identified two greater gliders utilising the tree before it was felled by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) an arm of Victorias environment department (DEECA). VNPA's executive director Matt Ruchel declared the situation is now out of control and called for an immediate intervention by authorities to force FFMV to stop work. We are furious at this deadly failure to take the survival of threatened wildlife seriously, he said. Discover more of our environment coverage. Lawyers call for government to intervene in tree felling operation after greater glider death Environmental Justice Australia which sent letters to government on behalf of the conservationists responded to the greater glider's death, noting that killing an endangered species is illegal under federal and state laws. Forest Fire Management is acting with impunity and must be reigned in by the regulators, Special Counsel Danya Jacobs said. "This destruction of critical habitat of endangered species is clearly breaking federal environment laws designed to protect Greater Gliders and Leadbeaters Possums." Do Australian environment laws protecting endangered species? Australia's national environment protection laws are generally not able to regulate state bushfire prevention works, even if they impact species it lists as threatened with extinction. During a 2020 independent review commissioned by the Morrison Government the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act was described as Ineffective, weak and tokenistic. Labor was elected in 2022 promising to reform the EPBC, but this process is yet to be completed. That year Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the Commonwealth's current approach to combatting the crisis has not been working. If we keep doing what we've been doing, we'll keep getting the same results. Australia is the mammal extinction capital of the world, she said. The need for action has never been greater. Since then, reforms of the EPBC have been methodically rolled out in stages, frustrating conservationists who say the promised urgency to reform the Act has not eventuated. They are particularly concerned about state exemptions that do not prevent the destruction of species the Commonwealth has committed to protect. Conservationists have urged the Victorian government to cease its operations in the national park. Source: Forest Conservation Victoria Victorian authorities respond to greater glider death While the glider was found dead next to a felled tree, a necropsy is yet to be performed, so the cause of its death has not yet been determined. Yahoo understands DEECA staff are scheduled to attend the scene and an update will be sought once the body has been assessed. Responding to the greater glider's death, FFMV's chief fire officer Chris Hardman claimed his organisation makes "every effort to minimise impacts on flora and fauna" and that it follows "a rigorous planning and approvals process". "We are working within the footprint of existing fuel breaks and crews are only treating dangerous trees and clearing encroaching vegetation," he continued in a statement. "These fuel breaks are critical to enable firefighters to carry out backburning in the event of a major bushfire, protect Melbournes main water supply and prevent or lessen the impact of large scale bushfires that can lead to mass wildlife deaths." Federal environment department continuing enquiries into tree clearing Updated: Yahoo understands that as of May 16, the federal department of environment is continuing to investigate Victoria's tree clearing in Yarra Ranges National Park. This was first confirmed on April 23 when it told Yahoo, "The department is making enquiries to determine whether national environment law is being complied with. As enquiries are ongoing the department will not provide comment at this time". Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. DALLAS, May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT) ("Ashford Trust" or the "Company") is pleased to report estimated preliminary results of its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and noted that Blackwells Capital LLC's ("Blackwells") attempted withhold proxy campaign had no meaningful impact on its outcome. Based on estimated preliminary results, only 7% of outstanding shares voted on the Blackwells proxy card. At today's Annual Meeting of Stockholders, based on the estimated preliminary results, Ashford Trust's stockholders elected seven nominees to the Board of Directors for one-year terms including Amish Gupta, J. Robison Hays, III, David W. Johnson, Frederick J. Kleisner, Sheri L. Pantermuehl, Davinder "Sonny" Sra, and Alan L. Tallis. Additionally, based on the preliminary results and, due to ISS recommendations that the Company believes were unsupported by the facts, Monty J. Bennett and Kamal Jafarnia did not receive a majority of votes cast in favor of their election. Following the annual meeting, in accordance with the director resignation policy set forth in Section IX of the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, each of Mr. Bennett and Mr. Jafarnia tendered their resignation as a director for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company and for the ultimate decision of the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended, after due consideration, that the Board should not accept Mr. Bennett's and Mr. Jafarnia's tendered resignations, and the Board did not accept such resignations. As a result, Mr. Bennett and Mr. Jafarnia will continue serving on the Board. Blackwells' activist campaign had no meaningful effect on the election. Stockholders also approved an advisory resolution on executive compensation and ratified the appointment of appointment of BDO USA, P.C., a national public accounting firm, as the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. Ashford Hospitality Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing predominantly in upper upscale, full-service hotels. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements and assumptions in this press release contain or are based upon "forward-looking" information and are being made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements about the Company's strategy and future plans, including the Company's plan to pay down its strategic financing. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. When we use the words "will likely result," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "should," "expect," "believe," "intend," "could," "plan," or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside of Ashford Trust's control. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, without limitation: our ability to raise sufficient capital to pay off our strategic debt; our ability to repay, refinance, or restructure our debt and the debt of certain of our subsidiaries; anticipated or expected purchases or sales of assets; our projected operating results; completion of any pending transactions; our understanding of our competition; market trends; projected capital expenditures; the impact of technology on our operations and business; general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of our common stock and preferred stock; availability, terms and deployment of capital; availability of qualified personnel; changes in our industry and the markets in which we operate, interest rates or the general economy; and the degree and nature of our competition. These and other risk factors are more fully discussed in Ashford Trust's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future performance taking into account all information currently known to us. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations can change as a result of many potential events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, and other objectives may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider these risks when you make an investment decision concerning our securities. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company can give no assurance that these forward-looking statements will be attained or that any deviation will not occur. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, changes in expectations, or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. SOURCE Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. Record-setting tourism numbers, focus on sustainability, and a destination press conference among highlights from The Bahamas at prestigious event NASSAU, Bahamas, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With things looking up for tourism in The Bahamas, representatives of the country's Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) are set to build on their success at the 42nd edition of Caribbean Travel Marketplace. Hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and scheduled for 20 - 23 May 2024 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Jamaica, the Caribbean's largest tourism marketing event will offer opportunity for The Bahamas to shine as buyers and sellers of tourism products and services from countries across the region convening for business. In 2023, The Bahamas saw record-breaking tourism growth accounting for 9.6 million visitors, up 38% from 2022. While foreign air arrivals rose 17% to record 1.7 million in 2023, cruise arrivals surged 43.5% to record 7.9 million. The country's 16 islands all enjoyed significant increases, with visits to New Providence, for instance, up 36% in 2023, to Grand Bahama up 44%, and the Out Islands up 40%. The Bahamas delegation has a full agenda that will include hosting a destination press conference at the event, scheduled for Tuesday, 21 May, 11a.m. There will be much for Ministry representatives to reveal as The Bahamas has become a source for sustainable tourism solutions, with much of country's tourism success stemming from its commitment to uplifting lives, preserving environments and sustaining the economies of communities. For example, the BMOTIA recently unveiled new initiatives to restore and revitalise mangrove trees that are vital to the ecological balance of the oceans. Other tourism developments The Bahamas will be promoting at Caribbean Travel Marketplace are: BMOTIA's new Incubator Centre designed to boost local entrepreneurship in the tourism sector. Managed by the Tourism Development Corporation at a site overlooking Nassau Harbour, the Centre offers an affordable and attractive space for Bahamian micro-retailers to showcase their local products. New cruise industry developments including a private destination for Carnival Cruise Line at Celebration Key in Grand Bahama Island; a second private destination for Disney Cruise Line at Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in Eleuthera; and a new cruise port and water park on Grand Bahama through a partnership between Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and the ITM Group. Island; a second private destination for Disney Cruise Line at Lookout Cay at in Eleuthera; and a new cruise port and water park on through a partnership between Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and the ITM Group. Airline updates including American Airlines' new twice-weekly roundtrip nonstop service between Miami and Governor's Harbour in Eleuthera, and SouthWest new Orlando to Nassau service which further encourages visitors for destination exploration. "Every year, we look forward to being a part of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace and the opportunity it presents to grow tourism in our country and across the Caribbean," said the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. "Our participation is about so much more than sharing strategies that have helped The Bahamas to break tourism records. It is about reinvigorating connections with fellow professionals and polishing the image of the greater Caribbean as an inviting region for travel of all types." For more information on recent BMOTIA tourism efforts, please visit www.bahamas.com. About The Bahamas: The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida, it offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth's most spectacular beaches for families, couples and adventurers to explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram. Media Contacts: Anita Johnson-Patty Director Global Communications Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation [email protected] Bahamas USA FINN Bahamas [email protected] SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation Largest crypto exchange now offers more than 120,000 active trading strategies, and over 70% of active Spot Copy Trading Lead Traders have recorded positive P&L DUBAI, UAE, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Binance , the leading blockchain ecosystem behind the world's largest crypto exchange by trading volume, today announced the launch of Funding Rate Arbitrage Bot and the full roll out of Spot Copy Trading to all eligible users. Binance currently offers on its Trading Bots Marketplace over 120,000 active trading strategies and continues to enhance its diverse offering of automated trading strategy tools for users. Automated trading bots that are highly popular with users include Grid Trading for Spot and Futures, Rebalancing Bot, Auto-Invest, and Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA). Funding Rate Arbitrage Bot is Binance's first trading bot that automates a delta-neutral spot and futures arbitrage strategy, removing the need for users to manually execute two separate spot and perpetual futures trades. The Arbitrage Bot aims to allow traders to earn funding fees by opening a perpetual futures position and hedging it by taking an opposite position of the same size on the same symbol in the spot market. The benefit of the Arbitrage Bot over manually implementing an arbitrage strategy lies in its automated execution of both the spot and futures trades simultaneously once the user has entered their strategy parameters, so users no longer have to separately manage two trade orders on different trading interfaces. The Arbitrage Bot strategies are independently managed in users' trading bots wallet, also making it easy for users to monitor their performance. Funding fees are unique in crypto markets and are designed to help keep spot and perpetual futures prices aligned. Long traders pay short traders the funding fee when the funding rate is positive as a result of a bullish trend, and short traders pay long traders the funding fee when the funding rate is negative as a result of a bearish trend. The Arbitrage Bot allows users to deploy two types of strategies: Positive Carry: The bot buys assets on the spot market and shorts the corresponding perpetual futures contract, aiming for the user to collect funding fees from a positive funding rate. Reverse Carry: The bot sells assets on the spot market and goes long on perpetual contracts, aiming for the user to collect funding fees from a negative funding rate. The Arbitrage Bot is available on the Binance website and will be released on the Binance App on May 30. Rohit Wad, Chief Technology Officer of Binance, shared, "We believe in giving users more choices and we constantly review community feedback to understand what users want. Our Funding Rate Arbitrage Bot is a simple and effective tool to automate for users who already manually deploy arbitrage strategies. Its user-friendly interface means more users can try new strategies. We continue to build trading tools for our users and we are pleased that the community's reception to our Spot Copy Trading launch has been very positive with over 700 Lead Traders registrations so far." Copy Trading Fully Available to All Eligible Users Binance introduced Spot Copy Trading in response to user demand and first released the feature to Lead Traders in late April. More than 70% of active Lead Traders have recorded positive P&L since registering for Spot Copy Trading, against a market that was particularly volatile and which had seen overall crypto market capitalization drop by 11% in April. Following the successful introduction of Spot Copy Trading to Lead Traders in April, the feature will be fully available to all eligible users from May 15 onwards to follow Lead Traders and replicate their portfolios. Disclaimer: Digital asset prices can be volatile. The risk of utilizing an Arbitrage Bot includes, and is not limited to, that if the direction of the funding rate reverses while employing a futures arbitrage strategy, you may end up paying instead of earning a funding fee. If the price discrepancies between the Spot and Futures markets in respect of the relevant underlying Asset(s) becomes larger, and/or in scenarios where liquidity is insufficient on either side, there may be delays or difficulties in either opening or closing positions reflected in Arbitrage Transactions. Both may undermine the effectiveness of the intended Arbitrage Bot Strategy. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance is not liable for any losses you may incur. Use of Arbitrage Bots involves futures trading, which is subject to high market risk and all of your margin balance may be liquidated in the event of adverse price movement. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You should only invest in products you are familiar with and where you understand the risks. You should carefully consider your investment experience, financial situation, investment objectives and risk tolerance and consult an independent financial adviser prior to making any investment. Content on our platform does not contain advice or recommendations. This material should not be construed as financial advice. Unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used in this disclaimer shall have the meanings given to them in the Binance Trading Bots Terms . Arbitrage Bot is restricted in certain countries and to certain users. This content is not intended for users/countries to which restrictions apply. For more information, see the Binance Trading Bots Terms , our Terms of Use and Risk Warning . Trading by following and/or copying the trades of other traders involves a high level of risk, even when following and/or copying the top-performing traders. Such risks include the risk that you may be following/copying the trading decisions of possibly inexperienced/unprofessional traders, or traders whose ultimate purpose or intention, or financial status may differ from yours. Past performance is not a reliable predictor of future performance. Before trading, you should make an independent assessment of the appropriateness of the transaction in light of your own objectives and circumstances, including the risks and potential benefits. Consult your own advisers, where appropriate. This information should not be construed as financial or investment advice. To learn more about how to protect yourself, visit our Responsible Trading page. Copy trading is restricted in certain countries and to certain users. This content is not intended for users/countries to which restrictions apply. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning . About Binance.com Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 190 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com ENDS SOURCE Binance BOSTON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Bulletproof is proud to announce its partnership with ContraForce, another fellow Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) member. In response to the evolving threat landscape, we recognize that innovation is paramount. Together, we share a common goal of helping customers in leveraging Microsoft security services effectively. Ricardo Nicolini, Bulletproof Chief Technology Officer, noted, "Our partnership with ContraForce is founded in our common unwavering commitment to making organizations more secure by applying innovative technology to security incident investigation and response. Collaborating with the ContraForce team over the past six months has been an amazing experience, enriched by their the depth and breadth of their security expertise." Bulletproof's Bulletproof 365 Enterprise (B365E) offering is designed to provide Microsoft-powered organizations with a single cost-effective solution for security operations. Our partnership with ContraForce will improve and augment our incident investigation and response capabilities through a unified user experience designed for our SOC analysts. With ContraForce, we are co-creating a platform that will, through hyperautomation, allow our SOC analysts to fully investigate and respond to security incidents on the same user interface and experience. Analysts will no longer need to go to each platform to retrieve information required to investigate and respond to security incidents. The streamlined efficiency of this platform is a game-changertasks that once required significant time investments can now be accomplished with faster, more effective incident investigation. This innovative new feature will empower our SOC analysts to make our clients safer, more resilient, and more effective in staying ahead of the ever-evolving modern cyber threats. "Partnering with a fellow MISA member like Bulletproof has been a game-changer for us at ContraForce. Their dedication to elevating security operations for Microsoft customers aligns seamlessly with our mission to simplify and enhance threat response. Together, we've created a unified security workspace that not only streamlines investigations but also empowers analysts with unparalleled efficiency and insight. With the ability to seamlessly integrate with other solutions, we're not just offering a platform we're providing a pathway for clients to seamlessly transition to Bulletproof's superior security ecosystem. It's more than a partnership; it's a commitment to excellence in safeguarding businesses against evolving threats," stated Stan Golubchik, CEO at ContraForce For more information about Bulletproof 365 Enterprise, please visit our webpage. About ContactForce Member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA and winner of the MISA Excellence Award in 2023 and 2024, ContraForce aims to simplify and streamline security operations to efficiently manage incidents and effectively stop cyber threats. Their security operations workspace enables automated security engineering, AI-Remediation workflows, and threat response velocity at scale. About Bulletproof: With locations across North America and around the globe, Bulletproof has decades of IT, security, and compliance expertise. Bulletproof works with all industries of all sizes and leverages its extensive industry experience to mitigate risk and improve client processes, systems, and business infrastructure. Named Microsoft's global Security Partner of the Year in 2021 for delivering excellence and innovative end-to-end security solutions, Bulletproof is also a member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) and winner of the 2024 MISA Excellence Awards, Security Trailblazer. For more information on Bulletproof, please visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. SOURCE Bulletproof, A GLI Company BOEM & state discuss plans for leasing future California wind areas to reach ambitious 25 GW goal by 2045 SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Federal, state, and industry leaders on Day One of the 2024 Pacific Offshore Wind Summit joined in encouraging California to advance its plans to deploy 25 gigawatts (GW) from offshore wind by 2045, as the state sets a course to be a global leader on floating offshore wind power. Speakers at the Summit, hosted by Offshore Wind California (OWC), urged the state to move expeditiously on essential next steps to develop offshore wind at scale including investing in transmission and ports, procuring at scale, setting a permitting roadmap, engaging key stakeholders, building a supply chain and workforce training, and defining more lease areas to reach the state's goals. The California Energy Commission (CEC) is finalizing the state's draft AB 525 Strategic Plan, which was released in January and outlines California's next steps to responsibly develop offshore wind and achieve its planning goals for up to 5 GW by 2030 and 25 GW by 2045. Last fall, Governor Newsom signed AB 1373 enabling the state to procure offshore wind at scale. Last December, California also joined the Global Offshore Wind Alliance and has now signed agreements with Norway, Denmark, Japan, China, and Scotland to advance deployment of floating offshore wind. "25 GW of offshore wind is a landmark goal. We're all in on building this, bringing it to fruition, and doing it the right way," said David Hochschild, Chair, CEC, of the floating technology California is moving ahead to deploy 20 miles offshore. "That means a very inclusive process, it means a lot of dialogue, and it means really trying to do it in a way that supports and uplifts communities. We see offshore wind playing a fundamental role not just in our climate strategy but our economic future as well. We're going to be adopting, if all goes well, California's strategic plan for offshore wind at our Commission meeting next month," he said to 700+ federal and state officials, industry leaders, and stakeholders attending the Summit. "Now is the time to address climate change by supporting a thriving domestic offshore wind industry," said Liz Klein, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). "At BOEM, we are proud of the strong partnership we've built with California. We share your enthusiasm over the state's ambitious goals to reach 5 GW by 2030 and 25 GW by 2045. We held our first California lease sale in 2022. We're excited to continue our close partnership as you pursue the state's vision to be a leader in offshore wind, particularly floating offshore wind." In April, the Biden Administration announced its plan in the next five years for up to 12 rounds of offshore wind leasing, including California, to meet its national goals for 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030, 15 GW of floating wind by 2035, and a path to 110 GW by 2050. BOEM held its first federal auction for California offshore wind in December 2022, identifying five leaseholders to deploy an initial 7 to 10 GW off the state's Central and North Coast, according to industry estimates. "In a California for all, we are creating offshore wind for all," said Jana Ganion, Senior Advisor, Offshore Wind, Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom. "Offshore wind, if developed responsibly, is a cleaner energy solution at the scale we need to combat the climate emergency. Offshore wind also has the capacity factor and attributes to improve electric reliability and complement other clean energy resources such as solar. And because offshore wind requires supporting industry ports, transmission, ecosystem management, supply chains it has considerable promise to create high-quality jobs." "We are going to go big on offshore wind energy. We're going to go big on our climate goals. And we're going to go big on support for our local communities," said Assemblymember Dawn Addis, (D-San Luis Obispo) California State Assembly. "It's important that as we move offshore wind development forward we're founded in science and we duly engage local communities," said Addis who Chairs the Assembly Select Committee on Offshore Wind and authors legislation to ensure offshore wind co-exists with ocean life and habitat and also to create a capacity-building fund for local communities. "California is well positioned to be a global leader of floating offshore wind," said Ruth Perry, Board Chair, OWC, a trade group of offshore wind developers and technology firms. "To make it a reality, Offshore Wind California is encouraged by the state's AB 525 Strategic Plan. We urge California to move ahead on the key next steps to responsibly develop offshore wind which generates power night-and-day and help the state meet its climate, clean-energy, and grid-reliability goals." The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates California's offshore wind potential at 200 GW, with more than 25 GW in BOEM's two lease areas and the waters off the state's North Coast. Deeper West Coast waters require floating technologies already deployed in other world markets. Reports show that developing 25 GW of California offshore wind can support thousands of jobs, supply up to 15-20% of the state's planned new clean energy, save ratepayers billions of dollars, drive economies of scale, and generate enough competitively priced electricity to power up to 25 million homes. Offshore Wind California's more than 40 members include Burns & McDonnell, Crowley Wind Services, Fugro, General Dynamics NASSCO, Pacific Ocean Energy Trust, PG&E, Port of Long Beach, Shell, SSE Renewables, WSP, Vestas, and XODUS. About OWC Offshore Wind California is a coalition of industry partners with a shared interest in promoting policies and public support for responsible development of offshore wind power in California. Its members are dedicated to providing an independent voice and industry expertise to facilitate offshore wind deployment off California's coast. OWC undertakes public education and advocacy of this renewable resource as part of a comprehensive solution to California's energy needs. OWC is a nonprofit, 501(c)(6) organization. For more information, go to www.offshorewindCA.org. Follow us @offshorewindCA. SOURCE Offshore Wind California Health Issues, Caregiving and Schooling Acceptable Latest Results from The Harris Poll OKLAHOMA CITY, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Although sizable unexplained work gaps (36%) may deter some U.S. hiring managers from interviewing applicants, an overwhelming majority (95%) of decision-makers recognize valid reasons for such interruptions. This is according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey. "For even the most dedicated employee, life interruptions happen." Post this Examining Large Career Gaps On the other side of the situation, surveyed job seekers say they are worried about long-term employment but also believe there are acceptable reasons for candidates to have large gaps on resumes, including: Health Issues 73% hiring managers; 74% job seekers Staying Home with a Child 68% hiring managers; 66% job seekers Going to School 68% hiring managers; 65% job seekers Caring for an Elderly Parent 67% hiring managers; 67% job seekers Trying to Switch Careers 45% hiring managers; 41% job seekers Not Liking Working in Their Past Industry 23% hiring managers; 18% job seekers These reasons are more likely to be found to be acceptable by female job seekers compared to men, while sentiments are equal for female/male hiring managers. Re-Entering the Workforce After Caregiving "Hiring managers should be receptive to many of these real-life situations because they don't indicate complacency," said Neil McMillan, an Express franchise owner in California. "The candidate was doing something of value for themselves or others." One of the most common reasons for taking time away from careers is caregiving as 100 million U.S. adults "function as caregivers, providing care for a child, parent or other relative." How this gap is perceived by employers depends, according to Kim Sullivan, an Express franchise owner in Wisconsin. "Someone who did graphic design 15 years ago might be very out of touch with the technological advances in that field," she said. "On the other hand, I don't know that packaging, production or forklift driving has changed that much in the past decade. If it has been a long break, I think the candidate should expect a lower pay rate until they prove themselves a bit." McMillan seconds this. "Taking a step back from the workforce to be a caregiver is acceptable, as long as it doesn't result in eroded skills," he said. Sullivan adds that historically, caregiving duties that lead to time away from the workplace disproportionately affected mothers, but that seems to be evolving. "Many years ago, the 'norm' was for mothers to stay home, and the fathers worked," she said. "I think that is changing. Now, both caregivers are looking for more flexibility to share the responsibilities of earning money and raising children." Due to low unemployment levels and a big shortage of talent, having both parents work is critical to the success of the economy, McMillan added. "Where possible, employers should consider the challenges faced with regards to childcare and commutes," he said. "Managers could try to offer flexible schedules and hybrid or remote work opportunities where possible and as long as it makes business sense." It can be easy to overlook candidates without a linear work history, but that could be a mistake, according to Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller. "For even the most dedicated employee, life interruptions happen," he said. "Hiring managers might miss out on the ideal candidate by simply evaluating them on paper. If the applicant has the proper skills and appears to be a cultural fit, it's worth bringing them in for further evaluation and a possible employment offer." Survey Methodology The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between Oct. 31 and Nov. 10, 2023, among 1,007 U.S. hiring decision-makers. The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 9 to 26, 2023, among 1,002 adults ages 18 and older. For full survey methodologies, please contact [email protected], Director of Corporate Communications & PR. If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact [email protected], Director of Corporate Communications & PR. About Bill Stoller William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment International. Founded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing franchisor supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and related brands. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. About Express Employment Professionals At Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 492,000 people globally in 2023 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com. SOURCE Express Services dba Express Employment Professionals Massachusetts Commercial Businesses Can Save Money on their Utility Bills while Supporting Local Solar Growth WORCHESTER, Mass., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalyst Power Holdings LLC ("Catalyst Power"), an integrated provider of cleaner energy solutions, has opened more than 5 MW of community solar capacity for small commercial businesses across Massachusetts serviced by National Grid and Eversource. Community solar provides businesses with affordable, clean energy while supporting local jobs and economic development. Community solar requires no upfront investment, construction, or long-term contracts yet offers savings of as much as 10% of their electricity bills. "Community solar offers a fantastic opportunity for Massachusetts small commercial businesses to realize smart savings with little to no upfront investment or risk. Now, commercial businesses can tap into solar savings and environmental benefits, regardless of their business's suitability for panels," said Gabe Phillips, CEO and Founder of Catalyst Power. "We are pleased to be able to offer savings to Massachusetts businesses with this new community solar capacity". Community solar refers to a local solar power farm shared by multiple households and businesses within a community. Instead of installing solar panels on individual rooftops, participants subscribe to or purchase a share of a larger solar farm located offsite. The electricity generated by this community solar project is credited to the subscribers' utility bills, allowing subscribers to save up to 10% on their bills. Community solar enables people and businesses to benefit from solar energy and save on electricity costs. Massachusetts businesses interested in community solar with Catalyst Power can visit: https://info.catalystpower.com/community-solar-overview Phone: 1-888-789-7250 Email: [email protected] About Catalyst Power Holdings LLC: Catalyst Power Holdings LLC is an independent, integrated provider of cleaner energy solutions for the commercial and industrial sector through commercial energy, cogeneration, customized Connected Microgrid solutions, EV charging, demand response, and community solar to underserved middle-market commercial and industrial end-use customers, improving the overall efficiency and environmental impact of their supply. Catalyst Power is a portfolio company of BP Energy Partners, LLC. More info: www.catalystpower.com About BP Energy Partners, LLC: BP Energy Partners, LLC (BPEP), is a Dallas, Texas based growth-oriented private equity firm. Since its inception, BPEP has focused on a lower carbon future by establishing and growing sustainable and responsible companies in the natural gas value chain, including infrastructure, power, logistics, transportation, environmental services, renewable natural gas, midstream, and distribution. BPEP will also invest in low-carbon energy solutions and renewables. BPEP collaborates with entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, project developers, and experienced management teams to provide patient capital, financial and operating expertise, and deep industry relationships. BPEP currently manages over $560 million in committed capital and is actively investing in new opportunities. More information can be found at www.bpenergypartners.com. SOURCE Catalyst Power HOUSTON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CB&I, a wholly owned unrestricted subsidiary of McDermott, was presented three Tank of the Year awards by the Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI/SPFA) for projects completed in 2023. The awards were presented at the STI/SPFA annual meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 18-20, 2024. ASME Pressure Vessel of the Year Two 500,000-gallon Liquid Hydrogen Spheres for Plug Power located in Alabama, NY API 620 Low Pressure Liquid Storage Tank of the Year 12-million-gallon single-containment LNG Tank for WEC Energy Group located in Bluff Creek, WI API 650 Atmospheric Storage Tank of the Year Two Wet Seal Gasholders (both client and location are confidential) "I am proud of and grateful for all our employees who made this prestigious recognition possible," said Cesar Canals, President & CEO of CB&I. "Congratulations, and thank you for your constant focus during the design, fabrication, and construction of our steel plate tanks and high-pressure spheres." STI/SPFA is a non-profit trade association whose member companies fabricate steel tanks, pipe and pressure vessels for use across various industries. To view all winners and learn more, visit https://stispfa.org/about/awards/product-awards. About CB&I CB&I is the world's leading designer and builder of storage facilities, tanks, and terminals. With more than 60,000 structures completed throughout its 130-year history, CB&I has the global expertise and strategically located operations to provide its customers world-class storage solutions for even the most complex energy infrastructure projects. CB&I is a wholly owned unrestricted subsidiary of McDermott. To learn more, visit www.cbi.com. About McDermott McDermott is a premier, fully-integrated provider of engineering and construction solutions to the energy industry. Our customers trust our technology-driven approach engineered to responsibly harness and transform global energy resources into the products the world needs. From concept to commissioning, McDermott's innovative expertise and capabilities advance the next generation of global energy infrastructureempowering a brighter, more sustainable future for us all. Operating in over 54 countries, McDermott's locally-focused and globally-integrated resources include more than 30,000 employees, a diversified fleet of specialty marine construction vessels and fabrication facilities around the world. To learn more, visit www.mcdermott.com. For media inquiries, please use the contact information below: Reba Reid Global Media Relations +1 281 588 5636 [email protected] Kristi Krupala-Grove CB&I Media Relations +1 346 313 9636 [email protected] SOURCE McDermott International, Ltd NETANYA, Israel, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellcom Israel Ltd. (TASE: CEL) (the "Company") announces that the Meeting will convene on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 15:00 p.m. (Israel time), at the offices of the Company, 10 Ha'gavish Street, Netanya, Israel. An adjourned Meeting, if required, will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at the same time and at the same place. The record date for the Meeting is Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The Agenda of the Meeting Approval of a one-time special grant for the CEO of the Company. Voting Instructions The summon statement and the voting card published by the Company on May 15, 2024 regarding the convening of the Meeting (the "Meeting's Documents") may be viewed on the Magna distribution website at: www.magna.isa.gov.il and on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange Ltd. website at: www.maya.tase.co.il. Section 3.11 of the summon statement contains voting instructions for shareholders whose shares are not held via a member of the TASE Clearinghouse (for trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange) but instead via a member of the Depositary Trust Company (DTC) or Shareholders who are registered directly with the Company's U.S. transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. An Unregistered Shareholder is entitled to vote through the Electronic Voting System. Voting through an Electronic voting card shall be possible until six (6) hours before the assembly time of the General Meeting. In addition, an Unregistered Shareholder shall be entitled to deliver the certificate of ownership through the Electronic Voting System A shareholder is also entitled to vote at the General Meeting through a voting card. Voting in writing shall be made by way of the second part of the voting card, which is attached to the Report. The voting card and documents that must be attached thereto as set forth in the voting card, must be delivered to the Company's offices (including by registered mail) including the certificate of ownership (and with respect to a registered shareholder - including a photocopy of an identity card, passport, or certificate of incorporation, as applicable) until four (4) hours before the assembly time of the General Meeting. For this purpose, "time of delivery" is the time on which the voting card and the documents attached thereto arrived at the Company's offices. Company Contact Gadi Attias Chief Financial Officer [email protected] Tel: +972-52-998-4774 Investor Relations Contact Elad Levy Investor Relations Manager [email protected] Tel: +972-52-998-4774 SOURCE Cellcom Israel Ltd. Ahead of summer, lawyers representing three families urge parents to discuss delicate topic with little ones PFLUGERVILLE, Texas, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent child abuse allegations against a Central Texas YMCA were shocking to local parents who rely on childcare help. Now with summer fast approaching, and many children expected to spend longer days with caregivers at daycare centers and summer camps, notable Texas child injury lawyer Russell Button of The Button Law Firm, which is representing three of the families involved in the YMCA case, is urging parents to have ongoing conversations with their kids to help identify incidents of abuse. "Learning what a child is experiencing or what they are seeing happen to their friends or classmates while in the care of others can be very telling, even if kids are too young to grasp or process the abusive actions," says Button. Last year alone, there were 1,169 daycare abuse investigations involving children 4 years old and younger that were conducted by Texas Health and Human Services, according to a March 2024 report. With nearly 7% of Pflugerville's population younger than 5 years old, Button recommends that parents take an age-appropriate approach such as using simple words, telling a story, and remaining calm, even if a child informs you of physical or sexual abuse at the hands of a caregiver or even another child. Also, choosing a quiet and private time like bedtime is best to connect and allow a child to open up about this serious topic. "These types of conversations can be uncomfortable, but they are necessary to ensure the well-being of your child when they are away from you and if you need to intervene if abuse is suspected," says Button. Often, culpable caregivers or camp counselors tell young children not to share what happened to them or what abuse they witnessed. The caregiver may threaten children, telling them that they will get in trouble or that something bad will happen to them or a family member. "Taking a calm approach can help your little one confide in you and understand they will be safe no matter what they reveal," says Button. He encourages parents to seek out daycare centers, childcare programs, and summer camps that are equipped with surveillance cameras. He also wants to remind local centers of their responsibility to frequently monitor the footage to ensure children entrusted to the facility are safe. He warns that the technology can deter abuse but does not stop it from happening. However, it is a vital tool to identify the bad actors and hold them accountable. "Surveillance footage uncovered the extensive abuse happening at this Central Texas YMCA," he says. "It is hard to argue with video." The Button Law Firm has created a free guide to help parents find safe childcare help, including key questions to ask and what to look for on tours of local daycare centers. "Unfortunately, nothing is foolproof. There are times that parents do everything right: asking the right questions, seeking out referrals from other parents, and touring daycare centers. But there are still negligent facilities and bad caregivers. Sadly, what happened at the Central Texas YMCA can happen at daycare centers anywhere," says Button. About The Button Law Firm The Button Law Firm (buttonlawfirm.com) is a Texas-based personal injury law firm that advocates for children and their families in meaningful litigation to make local communities safer. The firm focuses on daycare and child-related injuries such as abuse and neglect cases, bottle warmer burns, traumatic brain injuries, and catastrophic injuries. With attorneys in Dallas, Houston, and Midland, The Button Law Firm helps families move forward across the Lone Star State. SOURCE The Button Law Firm It's the latest troubling 'list' scandal to emerge from a Melbourne school this month. A third last ranking female students has been made public, found scriblled on the back of a bathroom door at Brentwood Secondary College in Melbourne. Source: Brentwood Secondary College/7News Yet another Australian high school has come under fire after being caught up in a misogynistic scandal involving young male students, with parents left raging. A new degrading list that sexually "ranks" girls for their perceived promiscuity was found on the back of a bathroom door and has now been made public. Brentwood Secondary College in Glen Waverley, in Melbourne's southeast, is the latest school to attract criticism after the demeaning list surfaced. According to reports it ranked female students in order of who was the "biggest s**t" and was found scribbled on the back of a toilet stall this week. The school's principal John Ballagh said those identified as being involved will be "immediately" disciplined, 7News reported. Four students from Yarra Valley Grammar School have been suspended over this list. Picture: Google Maps/NCA Newswire Third 'disturbing' school list in just weeks rocks Melbourne It's the third list of its kind to be made public across the city in May. Now some parents are calling for immediate action to be taken against those responsible, with fears female students will flee coed colleges altogether. On Tuesday, students at McClelland Secondary College in Frankston were found to be in possession of another "ranking" list. Its understood this list was found on a computer and apparently written by a Year 10 boy. Speaking to media, shocked and appalled parents branded the worrying trend "disturbing". Fears female students will abandon schools involved The mother of a girl on the McClelland list told 7News her daughter "doesnt feel safe". "Its disturbing," she said. "I was told its a rape and murder list. Its unbelievable, the child was only suspended for a week. If he is to return, half of the girls in Year 10 wont." The student involved should face expulsion, another parent argued. Id expect theyd be expelled from the school, but then how does that fix it? she said. How does that help the child? McClelland College Year 12 student Sienna Parnacott said she "certainly wouldnt feel comfortable if that was me." "Hopefully (the school can) discipline them in the right way so they dont do it again," she told the network. A list ranking the appearance of female students was found on a boy's computer at McClelland College. Source: McClelland College Earlier this month, four boys from another Melbourne private school were suspended after a list was posted to social media, again rating their female classmates. The shocking list was posted by Year 11 students from Yarra Valley Grammar School in Ringwood onto the platform Discord and was later discovered by the school. It featured photos of female students and ranked them from best to worst as "wifeys", "cuties", "mid", "object", "get out" and "unrapeable". The school reported the matter to police. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. HSINCHU, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chatime, a leading global bubble tea and innovative beverage brand, today announced a brand refresh anchored on its new brand promise, "Cups of Joy." Since 2010, it has helped shape the global bubble tea drinking culture through its franchise partners in key markets, including in Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, and Mauritius, with the most recent expansion in India and Thailand. The brand refresh captures the vibrant, youthful spirit of the company and appeals to Gen Z around the world seeking opportunities to create and celebrate in their everyday lives. Chatime brand refresh captures the vibrant and youthful spirit that appeals to Gen Z around the world Chatime's values and beliefs emphasize the commitment to fostering inclusivity, creativity, and a sense of a global connected community for customers. From an updated logo and tagline to new menu choices, modernized packaging, and new store designs, all elements of the brand refresh are designed to engage new customers and longtime fans on an emotional level, forging deeper connections as it delivers the fun and flavorful experiences they crave. "In a changing and often challenging world, Chatime gives people a reason to come together and celebrate all the moments big and small that matter to them," said Henry Wang, Chairman of Chatime. "Our updated brand is designed to catch consumers' attention and inspire curiosity and excitement to reward yourself with a cup of joy." "Chatime's new brand reinforces that we are committed to delivering an inclusive customer experience in every cup. We embrace our customers' choices and create an atmosphere of community where they can express themselves freely, boldly, and confidently," said Teresa Wang, Co-Founder of Chatime. "Our beverages offer value and serve many purposes for today's consumer, whether they are looking for a moment to rest for their mental health, asocial outlet for spending time with loved ones, or simply a means to recharge for the day ahead. We're here to support our customers with cups of joy." Many Chatime establishments offer customizable options including sugar-free syrups and dairy-free or soy-based milk replacements that contribute to the drink's increasing popularity. And, with the continued addition of beverages to Chatime menus, the brand is well positioned to satisfy the preferences of more consumers and stay competitive in the broader beverage market. To learn more about Chatime and its franchise opportunities, visit Chatime.com.tw/en/. SOURCE Chatime Black & Hispanic Youth on Chicago's South & West Sides Suffering Most from 'Sustained Inequality' CHICAGO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation continues to emerge from the recession brought on by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, a new report on youth employment, Uneven Recovery and Sustained Inequality after the COVID-19 Recession: Employment for Chicago's Youth and Young Adults, shows that not all Chicago communities are recovering at the same rate and that Black teens especially are experiencing jobless rates higher than pre-pandemic levels, reinforcing existing inequalities. "It's devastating that in Chicago alone there are more than 45,000 16 to 24-year-olds who are out of school and out of work," said Jack Wuest, executive director of the Alternative Schools Network. "Statewide there are a total of 163,081 out of school and jobless youth that is more than Joliet or Naperville in population. The legislature has an opportunity right now by allocating $300 million for youth employment during this legislative session to make a difference in these young people's lives." The Data Brief conducted by the University of Illinois Chicago Great Cities Institute and commissioned by the Alternative Schools Network examines joblessness rates of young people aged 16-24 from 2019-2022 (the latest data available) in Chicago and Cook County. The report finds that young people in Chicago overall experience higher rates of unemployment than the national average and in the Cook County suburbs, but teens in primarily Black and Hispanic or Latino neighborhoods fare far worse than their white counterparts. Key findings include: Higher Youth Jobless Rates: Joblessness remains worse in Chicago than Illinois and the U.S especially for Black and Hispanic or Latino 16- to 19- and 20- to 24-year-olds, with 16- to 19-year-olds in the city having much higher jobless rates. Overall, there are more than 45,000 16-24-year-olds in Chicago who are both out of school and jobless. Joblessness remains worse in than and the U.S especially for Black and Hispanic or Latino 16- to 19- and 20- to 24-year-olds, with 16- to 19-year-olds in the city having much higher jobless rates. Increase in 16- to 19-Year Olds Jobless Rates: More than 100,000 16- to 19-year olds were jobless in Chicago in 2022, a 16,000-person increase from 2021. More than 100,000 16- to 19-year olds were jobless in in 2022, a 16,000-person increase from 2021. More 16- to 19-Year Olds Out-of-School & Jobless: The out-of-school and jobless rate for Black 16- to 19-year-olds in Chicago increased to 17.5 percent from 9.4 percent between 2021 and 2022, while the actual number more than doubled, to 6,527 from 3,197. The out-of-school and jobless rate for Black 16- to 19-year-olds in increased to 17.5 percent from 9.4 percent between 2021 and 2022, while the actual number more than doubled, to 6,527 from 3,197. Spatial Inequity Between City & Suburbs: There was, in some places, a 40 percent difference in jobless rates between Chicago and the suburbs; the highest rates of joblessness for both the 16- to 19-year-old and 20- to 24-year-old age range were clustered on the city's South and West Sides. There was, in some places, a 40 percent difference in jobless rates between and the suburbs; the highest rates of joblessness for both the 16- to 19-year-old and 20- to 24-year-old age range were clustered on the city's South and West Sides. Continued Disparity Between Black v. Hispanic & White Youth : While the rate of out-of-school and jobless Black 20- to 24-year olds in Chicago decreased between 2021 and 2022, from 39.2 percent to 29.6 percent, that level remains substantially higher than the rates among white and Latino or Hispanic people the same age, 7.9 percent and 15.6 percent in 2022, respectively. : While the rate of out-of-school and jobless Black 20- to 24-year olds in decreased between 2021 and 2022, from 39.2 percent to 29.6 percent, that level remains substantially higher than the rates among white and Latino or Hispanic people the same age, 7.9 percent and 15.6 percent in 2022, respectively. Large Number of Out-of-School & Jobless in Illinois : There were 163,081 out-of-school and jobless 16- to 24-year-olds in Illinois in 2022 . Although White 16- to 24-year olds had the lowest out-of-school and jobless rate in Illinois , followed by Hispanic or Latino and Black 16- to 24-year olds, the number of White 16- to 24-year olds that were out-of-school and jobless was higher because they make up a higher percentage of the state's population. The number of out-of-school and jobless 16- to 24-year-olds by race in 2022 were: 61,288 for White 16- to 24-year-olds 44,807 for Black 16- to 24-year-olds, and 42,990 for Hispanic or Latino 16- to 24-year-olds. There were . Although 16- to 24-year olds had the lowest out-of-school and jobless rate in , followed by Hispanic or Latino and Black 16- to 24-year olds, the number of 16- to 24-year olds that were out-of-school and jobless was higher because they make up a higher percentage of the state's population. The number of out-of-school and jobless 16- to 24-year-olds by race in 2022 were: "This report shows that despite an overall rebound in employment levels in Chicago since the pandemic, recovery has been uneven among different racial and ethnic groups in Chicago," said Matthew D. Wilson, Associate Director of Economic and Workforce Development at Great Cities Institute and one of the authors of the report. "Black and Latino teens and young adults continue to have high jobless and out-of-school jobless rates compared to white Chicagoans." The Importance of Youth Employment Younger people have several disadvantages when it comes to looking for work, especially when they're competing against older people for jobs: lack of experience and education, less training, and smaller social networks they can tap for opportunities and referrals. There are ways for the city to help provide more equitable employment opportunities for teens and young people. The report cites two pre-pandemic studies of summer work programs in Chicago and Boston that show the positive effects of jobs for disadvantaged young people. These programs give young people practical work experience, provide them with mentors and people they can use as references and give them confidence when it comes to starting a new job. The Chicago study showed a 43 percent decrease in arrests for violent crimes among the 1,634 disadvantaged teens who participated in the One Summer Chicago Plus summer work program in 2017. The program cost the city approximately $3,000 per participant (including wages and administrative costs), the benefit-cost ratio from reduced crime could be 11 to 1 for the year youth participate. In Boston, researchers surveyed 663 participants in the Boston Summer Youth Employment Program from 2015-2017 before and after their time in the program. The students showed dramatic increases in their levels of confidence and connectedness to their communities and that by the end of the program, nearly three-quarters had prepared a resume and cover letter, practiced interviewing skills and searched for jobs online. "The question is will we have the political will to create opportunities for this generation or will we falter and repeat the mistakes that are illustrated by the GCI report findings. Our children's futures are in our hands. Again, we call on the state legislature to provide $300 million to support programs that will not only pay off now but will offer generational dividends in the future." ABOUT ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS NETWORK The Alternative Schools Network is a not-for-profit organization based in Chicago that supports affiliated groups who operate education, employment and support service programs to provide quality education with a specific emphasis on former out of school inner-city children, youth and their families. To read the full report, please go to www.asnchicago.org . ABOUT GREAT CITIES INSTITUTE The UIC Great Cities Institute works to link its academic resources with a range of partners to address urban issues by providing research, policy analysis and program development. Tied to the University of Illinois Chicago Great Cities Commitment, GCI seeks to improve quality of life in Chicago, its metropolitan region and cities throughout the world. For more information go to www.greatcities.uic.edu . FOR MORE INFORMATION: CONTACT: LAURIE R. GLENN PHONE: 773.704.7246 EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE Alternative Schools Network MIAMI, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jazz in the Heights - Southern Soul Mother's Day Edition, hosted by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne McGhee on May 11, 2024, at Zoo Miami , attracted over 17,000 guests for a celebration of soulful music, delicious food, and local small businesses. Mothers were welcomed with a long-stem rose, and attendees enjoyed diverse food options and a cigar lounge at the Jazz in the Heights - Southern Soul Mother's Day Edition. Commissioner Kionne McGhee presented a proclamation to Grant Miller of Community Newspapers, declaring May 11, 2024, as Grant Miller Day, and awarded keys to the county to the evenings artists. The event attracted over 17,000 guests for a celebration of soulful music, delicious food, and local small businesses. Sponsored by Miami-Dade County, Zoo Miami, Miami-Dade Police Department, and Miami-Dade Parks, the event featured Southern Soul artists Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Ronnie Bell, TK Soul, and Sir Charles Jones. Local talent Gia Wyre and headliner Sir Charles Jones captivated the audience, with DJ DP from WHQT Hot 105 keeping the energy high. "We are thrilled with the success of this festival, which celebrates our community's rich cultural heritage and supports small businesses. I'm proud to support events that bring our residents together and that exemplify all that makes Miami-Dade County special," said Commissioner McGhee. "We look forward to the next edition in November 2024." Volunteers from organizations such as Goodwill Ambassadors, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity , and Black Lions Motorcycle Club were acknowledged for their significant contributions to the event's success. Their support helped create a memorable experience for all attendees, showcasing the strength and unity of the community. Jazz in the Heights not only entertained but also served as a platform for small businesses to thrive. By providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services, the event contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to the local economy. Commissioner McGhee's dedication to promoting small businesses has been instrumental in fostering economic growth and sustainability in Miami-Dade County. Small business owner Shameka Blount expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the event, highlighting the impact it has had on her business, Miami Kitchen Kreation Food Truck. "With the many opportunities you have afforded us to showcase our business, we believe we are destined to grow," Blount said. This sentiment reflects the broader impact of Jazz in the Heights on local businesses and the community. Commissioner McGhee's support for small businesses extends to his sponsorship of a resolution declaring August as Black Business Month in Miami-Dade County, emphasizing the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses and fostering economic empowerment. This initiative highlights his commitment to diversity and economic development, ensuring that Miami-Dade remains a vibrant hub for entrepreneurship and growth. Contact: Brandace Dean [email protected] SOURCE Miami-Dade County PANAMA CITY, Panama, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE: CPA), today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2024 (1Q24). The terms "Copa Holdings" and the "Company" refer to the consolidated entity. The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). See the accompanying reconciliation of non-IFRS financial information to IFRS financial information included in the financial tables section of this earnings release. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons with prior periods refer to the first quarter of 2023 (1Q23). OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Copa Holdings reported a net profit of US$176 .1 million for 1Q24 or US$4 .19 per share, a US$18 .3 million increase compared to 1Q23 on an adjusted basis. These results include a negative impact of approximately US$44.0 million related to the grounding of 21 of the Company's Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft in January and exclude any compensation received from Boeing. .1 million for 1Q24 or .19 per share, a .3 million increase compared to 1Q23 on an adjusted basis. These results include a negative impact of approximately related to the grounding of 21 of the Company's Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft in January and exclude any compensation received from Boeing. Copa Holdings reported an operating profit of US$216 .0 million and an operating margin of 24.2%, an increase of 11.8% and 1.9 percentage points, respectively, compared to 1Q23. .0 million and an operating margin of 24.2%, an increase of 11.8% and 1.9 percentage points, respectively, compared to 1Q23. Passenger traffic for 1Q24, measured in terms of revenue passenger miles (RPMs), increased by 7.1% compared to 1Q23 while capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), increased by 8.0%. As a result, the load factor for the quarter decreased by 0.7 percentage points to 86.0% compared to 1Q23. Total revenues for 1Q24 increased 3.0% to US$893 .5 million driven by an increase in passenger traffic. During the quarter, compared to 1Q23, passenger yields decreased by 3.8% to 14.0 cents , and revenue per available seat mile (RASM) decreased by 4.6% to 12.5 cents . .5 million driven by an increase in passenger traffic. During the quarter, compared to 1Q23, passenger yields decreased by 3.8% to , and revenue per available seat mile (RASM) decreased by 4.6% to . Operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) decreased by 6.9% from 10.2 cents in 1Q23 to 9.5 cents in 1Q24, mainly driven by a decrease of 13.9% in the price of jet fuel, a decrease in maintenance, materials and repairs costs, and lower sales and distribution costs. in 1Q23 to in 1Q24, mainly driven by a decrease of 13.9% in the price of jet fuel, a decrease in maintenance, materials and repairs costs, and lower sales and distribution costs. CASM excluding fuel (Ex-fuel CASM) decreased by 2.0% in the quarter to 6.1 cents, when compared to 1Q23. Excluding the negative impact on costs and capacity of the partial grounding of the Company's 737 MAX 9 fleet in January, Copa Holdings would have reported an Ex-fuel CASM of approximately 5.8 cents for the quarter. The Company ended the quarter with approximately US$1 .1 billion in cash, short-term and long-term investments, which represent 32% of the last twelve months' revenues. .1 billion in cash, short-term and long-term investments, which represent 32% of the last twelve months' revenues. By the end of 1Q24, the Company had executed approximately US$40 million of the US$200 million share repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors. of the US$200 million share repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors. The Company closed the quarter with total debt, including lease liabilities, of US$1 .7 billion, while our Adjusted Net Debt to EBITDA ratio ended at 0.5 times. .7 billion, while our Adjusted Net Debt to EBITDA ratio ended at 0.5 times. During the quarter, the Company purchased from lessors two Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, which were part of its current fleet as operating leases. The Company ended the quarter with a consolidated fleet of 106 aircraft 67 Boeing 737-800s, 29 Boeing 737 MAX 9s, 9 Boeing 737-700s, and 1 Boeing 737-800 freighter. During the first quarter, Cirium recognized Copa Airlines as the carrier with the highest on-time performance in Latin America . In fact, Copa Airlines' on-time performance averaging above 90% for the quarter was the highest amongst all airlines in the Americas and one of the highest in the world. Subsequent Events In April, the Company signed a confidential resolution with Boeing to cover the impact of the partial grounding of its Boeing 737 MAX 9 fleet in January. The value will be amortized through the depreciation and amortization line of our Income Statement. In May, the Company took delivery of two Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, increasing its total fleet to 108 aircraft. Copa Holdings will make its second dividend payment of the year of US$1.61 per share on June 14, 2024 , to all Class A and Class B shareholders on record as of May 31, 2024 . Consolidated Financial & Operating Highlights 1Q24 1Q23 Variance vs. 1Q23 4Q23 Variance vs. 4Q23 Revenue Passengers Carried (000s) 3,272 2,881 13.6 % 3,310 (1.1) % Revenue Passengers OnBoard (000s) 4,790 4,295 11.5 % 4,930 (2.8) % RPMs (millions) 6,127 5,723 7.1 % 6,263 (2.2) % ASMs (millions) 7,121 6,596 8.0 % 7,228 (1.5) % Load Factor 86.0 % 86.8 % -0.7 p.p 86.7 % -0.6 p.p Yield (US$ Cents) 14.0 14.6 (3.8) % 14.0 0.3 % PRASM (US$ Cents) 12.1 12.6 (4.6) % 12.1 (0.4) % RASM (US$ Cents) 12.5 13.1 (4.6) % 12.6 (0.7) % CASM (US$ Cents) 9.5 10.2 (6.9) % 9.7 (1.6) % CASM Excl. Fuel (US$ Cents) 6.1 6.2 (2.0) % 6.0 1.0 % Fuel Gallons Consumed (millions) 84.4 78.2 7.9 % 85.6 (1.5) % Avg. Price Per Fuel Gallon (US$) 2.90 3.36 (13.9) % 3.08 (5.8) % Average Length of Haul (miles) 1,873 1,987 (5.8) % 1,892 (1.0) % Average Stage Length (miles) 1,246 1,281 (2.8) % 1,229 1.4 % Departures 35,220 31,984 10.1 % 36,207 (2.7) % Block Hours 112,164 104,626 7.2 % 115,118 (2.6) % Average Aircraft Utilization (hours) 11.6 11.9 (2.1) % 11.9 (2.6) % Operating Revenues (US$ millions) 893.5 867.3 3.0 % 912.8 (2.1) % Operating Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) 216.0 193.2 11.8 % 214.3 0.8 % Operating Margin 24.2 % 22.3 % 1.9 p.p 23.5 % 0.7 p.p Net Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) 176.1 121.5 44.9 % 187.7 (6.2) % Adjusted Net Profit (Loss) (US$ millions)(1) 176.1 157.8 11.6 % 184.3 (4.5) % Basic EPS (US$) 4.19 3.07 36.3 % 4.45 (6.0) % Adjusted Basic EPS (US$) (1) 4.19 3.99 5.0 % 4.37 (4.3) % Shares for calculation of Basic EPS (000s) 42,052 39,565 6.3 % 42,150 (0.2) % (1) Excludes Special Items. This earnings release includes a reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures to the comparable IFRS measures. FULL 1Q24 EARNINGS RELEASE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT: https://copa.gcs-web.com/financial-information/quarterly-results 1Q24 EARNINGS RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST Date: May 16, 2024 Time: 11:00 AM US ET (11:00 AM Local Time) Join by phone: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIeac58d3f3e4f4841995aa07d6c718112 Webcast (listen-only): https://copa.gcs-web.com/events-and-presentations Speakers: Pedro Heilbron, Chief Executive Officer Jose Montero, Chief Financial Officer About Copa Holdings Copa Holdings is a leading Latin American provider of passenger and cargo services. The Company, through its operating subsidiaries, provides service to countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean. For more information visit: www.copaair.com. CONTACT: Copa Holdings S.A. Investor Relations: Ph: 011 507 304-2774 www.copaair.com (IR section) This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates, and expectations, and are not guarantees of future performance. They are based on management's expectations that involve several business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. The risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements in this release are among those disclosed in Copa Holdings' filed disclosure documents and are, therefore, subject to change without prior notice. CPA-G Copa Holdings, S. A. and Subsidiaries Consolidated statement of profit or loss (In US$ thousands) Unaudited Unaudited % Audited % 1Q24 1Q23 Change 4Q23 Change Operating Revenues Passenger revenue 858,725 834,018 3.0 % 875,257 (1.9 %) Cargo and mail revenue 21,910 23,252 (5.8 %) 26,534 (17.4 %) Other operating revenue 12,831 9,995 28.4 % 11,049 16.1 % Total Operating Revenue 893,467 867,264 3.0 % 912,840 (2.1 %) Operating Expenses Fuel 245,352 265,498 (7.6 %) 264,166 (7.1 %) Wages, salaries, benefits and other employees' expenses 114,314 102,652 11.4 % 119,669 (4.5 %) Passenger servicing 29,684 20,391 45.6 % 24,148 22.9 % Airport facilities and handling charges 60,347 50,479 19.5 % 59,010 2.3 % Sales and distribution 55,494 61,406 (9.6 %) 55,111 0.7 % Maintenance, materials and repairs 25,627 40,296 (36.4 %) 31,276 (18.1 %) Depreciation and amortization 83,365 72,677 14.7 % 80,261 3.9 % Flight operations 31,029 27,424 13.1 % 27,987 10.9 % Other operating and administrative expenses 32,270 33,228 (2.9 %) 36,875 (12.5 %) Total Operating Expense 677,482 674,053 0.5 % 698,504 (3.0 %) Operating Profit/(Loss) 215,985 193,212 11.8 % 214,335 0.8 % Non-operating Income (Expense): Finance cost (18,840) (24,365) (22.7 %) (20,408) (7.7 %) Finance income 13,746 8,842 55.5 % 14,289 (3.8 %) Gain (loss) on foreign currency fluctuations (3,914) 1,201 (425.8 %) (272) 1339.3 % Net change in fair value of derivatives (8) (37,933) (100.0 %) % Other non-operating income (expense) (112) 1,235 (109.1 %) 3,126 (103.6 %) Total Non-Operating Income/(Expense) (9,127) (51,020) (82.1 %) (3,264) 179.6 % Profit before taxes 206,858 142,192 45.5 % 211,071 (2.0 %) Income tax expense (30,792) (20,671) 49.0 % (23,378) 31.7 % Net Profit/(Loss) 176,066 121,521 44.9 % 187,693 (6.2 %) Copa Holdings, S. A. and Subsidiaries Consolidated statement of financial position (In US$ thousands) March 2024 December 2023 ASSETS (Unaudited) (Audited) Cash and cash equivalents 170,525 206,375 Short-term investments 630,640 708,809 Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments 801,165 915,184 Accounts receivable, net 192,486 156,720 Accounts receivable from related parties 2,433 2,527 Expendable parts and supplies, net 116,919 116,604 Prepaid expenses 55,495 44,635 Prepaid income tax 88 66 Other current assets 32,548 32,227 399,968 352,780 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,201,133 1,267,963 Long-term investments 301,192 258,934 Long-term prepaid expenses 9,471 9,633 Property and equipment, net 3,286,848 3,238,632 Right of use assets 259,283 281,146 Intangible, net 88,312 87,986 Net defined benefit assets 5,373 5,346 Deferred tax assets 20,999 30,148 Other Non-Current Assets 16,722 17,048 TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 3,988,199 3,928,872 TOTAL ASSETS 5,189,332 5,196,836 LIABILITIES Loans and borrowings 233,110 222,430 Current portion of lease liability 64,465 68,304 Accounts payable 204,237 182,303 Accounts payable to related parties 1,658 1,228 Air traffic liability 579,476 611,856 Frequent flyer deferred revenue 132,132 124,815 Taxes Payable 53,565 44,210 Accrued expenses payable 34,214 64,940 Income tax payable 16,365 26,741 Other Current Liabilities 1,468 1,403 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,320,689 1,348,229 Loans and borrowings long-term 1,198,017 1,240,261 Lease Liability 198,387 215,353 Deferred tax Liabilities 45,742 36,369 Other long - term liabilities 235,014 234,474 TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,677,161 1,726,457 TOTAL LIABILITIES 2,997,850 3,074,685 EQUITY Class A - 34,143,485 issued and 30,748,862 outstanding 23,238 23,201 Class B - 10,938,125 7,466 7,466 Additional Paid-In Capital 210,157 209,102 Treasury Stock (244,311) (204,130) Retained Earnings 2,028,194 1,581,739 Net profit 176,066 514,098 Other comprehensive loss (9,326) (9,326) TOTAL EQUITY 2,191,483 2,122,150 TOTAL EQUITY LIABILITIES 5,189,332 5,196,836 Copa Holdings, S. A. and Subsidiaries Consolidated statement of cash flows For the three months ended (In US$ thousands) 2024 2023 2022 (Unaudited) (Audited) (Audited) Cash flow from operating activities 200,998 203,419 169,336 Cash flow used in investing activities (78,334) (62,868) (120,515) Cash flow used in financing activities (158,514) (20,661) (10,888) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (35,850) 119,890 37,933 Cash and cash equivalents at January 1 206,375 122,424 211,081 Cash and cash equivalents at March 31 $ 170,525 $ 242,314 $ 249,014 Short-term investments 630,640 773,493 771,074 Long-term investments 301,192 166,481 204,810 Total cash and cash equivalents and investments at March 31 $ 1,102,357 $ 1,182,288 $ 1,224,898 Copa Holdings, S.A. NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURE RECONCILIATION This press release includes the following non-IFRS financial measures: Adjusted Net Profit, Adjusted Basic EPS, and Operating CASM Excluding Fuel. This supplemental information is presented because we believe it is a useful indicator of our operating performance and is useful in comparing our performance with other companies in the airline industry. These measures should not be considered in isolation and should be considered together with comparable IFRS measures, in particular operating profit, and net profit. The following is a reconciliation of these non-IFRS financial measures to the comparable IFRS measures: Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Profit 1Q24 1Q23 4Q23 Net Profit as Reported $ 176,066 $ 121,521 $ 187,693 Net change in fair value of derivatives $ $ 37,933 $ Net change in fair value of financial investments $ $ (1,655) $ (3,372) Adjusted Net Profit $ 176,066 $ 157,799 $ 184,321 Reconciliation of Adjusted Basic EPS 1Q24 1Q23 4Q23 Adjusted Net Profit $ 176,066 $ 157,799 $ 184,321 Shares used for calculation of Basic EPS 42,052 39,565 42,150 Adjusted Basic Earnings per share (Adjusted Basic EPS) $ 4.19 $ 3.99 $ 4.37 Reconciliation of Operating Costs per ASM Excluding Fuel (CASM Excl. Fuel) 1Q24 1Q23 4Q23 Operating Costs per ASM as Reported (in US$ Cents) 9.5 10.2 9.7 Aircraft Fuel Cost per ASM (in US$ Cents) 3.4 4.0 3.7 Operating Costs per ASM excluding fuel (in US$ Cents) 6.1 6.2 6.0 SOURCE Copa Holdings, S.A. HOUSTON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Core Group Resources, a leader in providing personnel to multiple industries by identifying, hiring, and growing the right talent, is pleased to announce the opening of Core Trinidad, Ltd. This strategic expansion is designed to better serve Core Group clients in the region, with a focus on serving energy, maritime, construction and related industries. The company will focus on maximizing Trinidadian content, meaning wherever possible, personnel will be local nationals supporting Trinidadian companies, contributing to a positive economic impact in Trinidad and Tobago. "We are excited to bring our decades of local experience and hiring expertise together with our network of skilled local professionals to meet the growing needs of our customers in the region," said Matt Fuhrman, CEO of Core Group. "Establishing local operations will not only support the Trinidadian economy but also ensure the best possible service to our clients, under the experienced direction of Dan O'Connor, and create lasting career opportunities for our candidates." Dan O'Connor, Vice President of Core Group Caribbean, will manage the new operation in Trinidad. O'Connor has more than 20 years' experience in corporate operations management and has established several companies in Trinidad since 2004, bringing deep relationships and expertise to Core Group's venture. As part of its global expansion strategy, Core Group is bringing its proprietary placement systems, software and processes to work closely with major E&P companies, independents, service contractors and locally owned businesses in the region to provide quality personnel in technical and non-technical, high-demand roles. In line with the company's commitment to safety and operational excellence, Core Trinidad, Ltd., will be STOW-TT Certified (Safe TO Work in Trinidad and Tobago) for high-risk environments. For candidates and customers interested in learning more about Core Trinidad's services, please visit https://www.coregroupresources.com/core-trinidad. About Core Group Resources: Core Group Resources is a dynamic company specializing in the provision of personnel via executive search, recruiting, staffing, consulting, and contracting. Dedicated to connecting passionate professionals with leading organizations, they excel in various sectors, including maritime, healthcare, technology, renewable energy and more. Their commitment to excellence and tailored services makes Core Group a trusted partner in achieving business success. For additional information, please visit www.coregroupresources.com. About Core Trinidad, Ltd. Core Trinidad, Ltd. was established in 2024 as a subsidiary of Core Group Resources, leveraging the parent company's depth of expertise and ability to provide quality personnel via executive search, recruiting, staffing, consulting, and contracting. Core's local operation serves major E&P companies, independents, service contractors and locally owned businesses in Trinidad and Tobago. For additional information, please visit: www.coregroupresources.com/core-trinidad. Contact: Lauren Blalock, on behalf of Core Group Resources [email protected] 713-627-2223 SOURCE Core Group Resources Shaun Higgins, President - Shaun joined Cousins Maine Lobster in 2014 as the Head of Franchise Development, charged with establishing the brands' capabilities to launch the franchise business. For more than ten years Shaun has taken on increasing responsibilities, driving various aspects of new unit development, franchise development, franchise operations, finance, and supply chain. His leadership has been integral to the brand, with his efforts enabling CML to drive the realization of many successful, long-term franchisees who have driven expansion of new units across new markets. Lomac shared, "Shaun has been an integral part of our CML family and leadership team from the signing of our very first franchisee. He has selflessly led the brand through years of sustained growth and demonstrates the passion and tenacity that will lead us through our continued expansion. We are appreciative of his partnership, and we are so excited for him as he takes on this expanded role." Marion Thomas, Senior Vice President of Marketing - Marion, a seasoned marketing and business executive with over twenty years of experience, joined CML in April 2024. Tasked with spearheading the company's marketing strategy, her focus lies in enhancing the customer experience and amplifying brand messages to fuel growth. With a history of driving transformation in diverse settings, including startups and industry disruptors like Wayfair, ZipCar and VistaPrint, Marion's mission is to drive measurable growth for new and existing units, anchored in customer success. Her leadership aims to capitalize on CML's momentum fueled by its high off-premise customer engagement and multi-faceted digital channels, ensuring a cohesive and impactful marketing approach that drives incremental reach with the brand's expanding customer base. Lindsay Herberger, Director of Franchise Development - As the brand has solidified growth plans, they've also been working to build further development capability, driving the hiring of Lindsay Herberger as Director, Franchise Development. Lindsay joins Cousins Maine Lobster with more than eight years of franchising acumen from The Wendy's Company. Lindsay's vast restaurant experiences have traversed Operations, Training, Franchising and Development. During her tenure, she played an integral role in driving and enabling net new unit growth through the recruitment of new franchisees in the US and abroad. In her new role, Lindsay will spearhead efforts to launch new franchise recruitment and onboarding programs that will further support CML's vast expansion plans. The appointment of Shaun Higgins was announced internally in the back half of 2023, following the hiring of CML's Head of Development, Angela Coppler. The executive team, also including CML Chief of Operations, Mike Carmody, and Head of Branding & Digital, Jameson Lyons, have been leading the charge to prepare the organization for an influx of new franchisees and increased new units. For more information, contact: Danielle Donovan, 360PR+ [email protected] 603-560-4303 About Cousins Maine Lobster: Cousins Maine Lobster is a leader in fast casual seafood, partnering with local entrepreneurs to bring the highest quality Maine lobster rolls to neighborhoods everywhere by way of their infamous food trucks, brick & mortar restaurants, and a shore-to-door gourmet online shop that delivers the highest quality live Maine lobsters directly to your home. In 2012, Cousins Maine Lobster was co-founded by cousins Sabin Lomac and Jim Tselikis with the desire to bring their local Maine family traditions to the West Coast masses. They later appeared on Shark Tank where they partnered with real estate mogul and shark, Barbara Corcoran. Since then, Cousins Maine Lobster has franchised to expand their footprint across the U.S. and has become one of the top Shark Tank investments of all time. For more information, visit: www.cousinsmainelobster.com and follow on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube @cousinsmainlobster and Twitter @cousinsmainlob. For information on new franchising opportunities, visit: www.cousinsmainelobster.com/franchise. DISCLAIMER: This information is not an offer to sell a franchise. An offer can only be made through the delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) registered with applicable state authorities. SOURCE Cousins Maine Lobster EVANSTON, Ill., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Curated Audio ( https://curatedaudio.com ) is bringing great music and audio quality to homes in the northern suburbs and Chicago so the music sounds exactly how the musicians intended when they recorded it. They serve as "audio concierges" providing the highest quality, customized home audio systems at a reasonable cost. Curated Audio located at 8214 McCormick Blvd. in Skokie opened in 2023 to fill a void. Today there is an abundance of high-tech audio equipment available that provides remarkable sound quality. There are many good choices. However, there is little personal service or guidance available to help people chose, design, install and maintain the audio systems. Curated Audio launched to fill that void by providing personalized and attentive "white glove" service to every customer. "We want to be your trusted guide and find the best match of equipment for you and install it properly so you get the sound quality and personalized music experience you want in your home for years to come," said Chris Pickering, President of Curated Audio. "Our talented staff members all have at least 25 years of experience in the field and are passionate about music. We create a home audio experience that is akin to sitting in the seventh-row center at the Chicago Symphony or seeing the Rolling Stones perform at a small, intimate club." Curated Audio staff members meet with customers to discuss their audio needs, desires and budget. They bring different pieces of equipment to people's homes so they can hear how it sounds in their own space. Then they design and install a custom audio system as well as help customers install the apps on their phone or tablets. They focus on making the installation, set up, and learning process as easy as possible. All of this is included in the equipment purchase price. Curated Audio hosts monthly open houses at its store in Skokie where people can test different audio options in the store. They want the store to be a gathering place for people who love and appreciate listening to music. Curated Audio was inspired by Pickering's experience working part time at Audio Consultants in downtown Evanston as a young man. The store provided audio equipment and outstanding customer service for more than 50 years but closed when owner, legendary Simon Zreczny retired. "The wonderful relationships the staff built with customers there lasted for decades. We all bonded over our shared love of music. This is what we are trying to recreate in 2024. Some of the people who worked there now work for Curated Audio," said Pickering. Curated Audio provides special purchase programs for professional musicians, music schools and music students as well as builders and designers. For more information, please go to the website at ( https://curatedaudio.com ) or call them at (847) 867-5309. SOURCE Curated Audio Launch of World's First Yield-Bearing Bitcoin (BTC) ETP: Valour Inc. and Core Foundation collaborate to introduce the world's first yield-bearing Bitcoin (BTC) ETP on the Nordic Growth Market (NGM) exchange with a 1.9% management fee, offering investors exposure to Bitcoin with a 5.65% yield. Valour Inc. and Core Foundation collaborate to introduce the world's first yield-bearing (BTC) ETP on the Nordic Growth Market (NGM) exchange with a 1.9% management fee, offering investors exposure to with a 5.65% yield. Powering Valour Bitcoin Staking (BTC) SEK ETP with Core Blockchain: The Core blockchain network, powered by Bitcoin , forms the foundation for Valour Bitcoin Staking (BTC) SEK ETP (ISIN: CH1213604536), providing Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility and the innovative Satoshi Plus consensus mechanism to enhance security and scalability. The Core blockchain network, powered by , forms the foundation for Valour Staking (BTC) SEK ETP (ISIN: CH1213604536), providing Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility and the innovative to enhance security and scalability. Simplified Investment with Valour Bitcoin Staking (BTC) SEK ETP: Valour Bitcoin Staking (BTC) SEK ETP streamlines Bitcoin investment by delegating Bitcoins to Core validators, the yield is attributed to the Net Asset Value (NAV) on a daily basis. This innovative product ensures custodial control and security while offering investors substantial yield without requiring them to sell or trade their Bitcoin holdings. TORONTO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - DeFi Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "DeFi Technologies") (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFTF), a financial technology company that pioneers the convergence of traditional capital markets with the world of decentralised finance ("DeFi"), is pleased to announce that its subsidiary Valour Inc. ("Valour"), a leading issuer of exchange traded products ("ETPs") that provide simplified access to digital assets, has launched the world's first yield-bearing Bitcoin (BTC) ETP in collaboration with the Core Foundation , an organization dedicated to the development of the Core blockchain network ("Core Chain"). This offering provides investors exposure to Bitcoin with a 5.65% yield on the Nordic Growth Market (NGM) exchange. Introducing the World's First Yield Bearing Bitcoin (BTC) ETP (CNW Group/DeFi Technologies Inc.) The Core blockchain network is a Bitcoin-powered layer-one blockchain for EVM-Compatible smart contracts. With 50% of Bitcoin mining hash power contributing to Core's security in exchange for unlocking Bitcoin utility and rewards, Core Chain is the most Bitcoin-aligned EVM blockchain (BTCfi, Bitcoin staking, and more). Trading of the Valour Bitcoin Staking ( BTC ) SEK ETP (ISIN: CH1213604536) commenced on May 10, 2024 with a 1.9% management fee, marking a historic moment as the world's first-of-its-kind Yield Bearing Bitcoin ETP. This innovative offering allows investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin while receiving a remarkable 5.65% yield, all without the need to sell or trade Bitcoin directly. Valour Bitcoin Staking (BTC) SEK ETP simplifies investment in the world's best-known digital asset, making it easier and more secure for investors to participate in Bitcoin's potential upside. The yield is attributed to the Net Asset Value (NAV) on a daily basis, providing investors with yield without needing to sell or trade their Bitcoin holdings. Valour Bitcoin Staking (BTC) SEK ETP generates yield by delegating Bitcoins to a validator on the Core Chain through non-custodial, native Bitcoin staking. Staked Bitcoins receive staking rewards in the form of CORE tokens, which are then reinvested into the product. Core Chain, the underlying blockchain, is a Bitcoin-powered, decentralized, secure, and scalable layer 1 blockchain compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). It is supported by Bitcoin's Proof of Work (PoW) through a unique consensus mechanism known as 'Satoshi Plus'. This mechanism enables Bitcoin miners to delegate their PoW (DPoW) to Core validators without impacting their future Bitcoin rewards, thereby unlocking the potential of Bitcoin-secured decentralized applications. Despite engaging in Bitcoin staking, security remains uncompromised. Custodial control is maintained while yield is generated. Bitcoins are staked through a specific type of native Bitcoin transaction called a 'stake transaction', which includes a lockup period and Core Chain staking details such as the Core Validator and the Core reward address. During the lockup period, the Bitcoins cannot be transferred or slashed. Only the owner can transfer the Bitcoins once the lockup period expires. "We are thrilled to introduce the world's first Yield Bearing Bitcoin ETP, offering investors an unprecedented opportunity to gain exposure to Bitcoin while earning a substantial yield," said Olivier Roussy Newton, CEO of DeFi Technologies. "Valour Bitcoin Staking (BTC) ETP embodies our commitment to innovation in the digital asset space, providing investors with a seamless and secure way to participate in Bitcoin's growth potential while offering a novel investment avenue for engaging with the world's premier cryptocurrency" "Core Foundation is excited to collaborate with Valour Inc. to launch the world's first yield-bearing Bitcoin ETP. This groundbreaking product brings BTCfi to a wider audience, and sustainable yield to Bitcoin holders. Investors can now earn yield while maintaining exposure to Bitcoin. This is enabled by non-custodial Bitcoin staking which helps secure the Core blockchain. Core Foundation is proud to be the first and most reliable ecosystem to power these new offerings, underscoring Core Chain's position as the most Bitcoin-aligned blockchain," said Core contributor Brendon Sedo. About DeFi Technologies DeFi Technologies Inc. ( CBOE CA: DEFI ) ( GR: R9B ) ( OTC: DEFTF ) is a financial technology company that pioneers the convergence of traditional capital markets with the world of decentralized finance (DeFi). With a dedicated focus on industry-leading Web3 technologies, DeFi Technologies aims to provide widespread investor access to the future of finance. Backed by an esteemed team of experts with extensive experience in financial markets and digital assets, we are committed to revolutionizing the way individuals and institutions interact with the evolving financial ecosystem. Join DeFi Technologies' digital community on Linkedin and Twitter , and for more details, visit https://defi.tech/ About Valour Valour Inc. and Valour Digital Securities Limited (together, "Valour") issues exchange traded products ("ETPs") that enable retail and institutional investors to access digital assets like Bitcoin in a simple and secure way via their traditional bank account. Valour is part of the asset management business line of DeFi Technologies Inc. ( CBOE CA: DEFI ) ( GR: R9B ) ( OTC: DEFTF ). In addition to their novel physical backed digital asset platform, which includes 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Carbon Neutral ETP, 1Valour Ethereum Physical Staking , and 1Valour Internet Computer Physical Staking , Valour offers fully hedged digital asset ETPs with low to zero management fees, with product listings across European exchanges, banks and broker platforms. Valour's existing product range includes Valour Uniswap ( UNI ), Cardano ( ADA ), Polkadot ( DOT ), Solana ( SOL ), Avalanche ( AVAX ), Cosmos ( ATOM ), Binance ( BNB ), Ripple ( XRP ), Toncoin ( TON ), Internet Computer ( ICP ), Chainlink ( LINK ) Enjin ( ENJ ), Valour Bitcoin Staking ( BTC ), Bitcoin Carbon Neutral ( BTCN ), Valour Digital Asset Basket 10 ( VDAB10 ) and 1Valour STOXX Bitcoin Suisse Digital Asset Blue Chip ETPs with low management fees. Valour's flagship products are Bitcoin Zero and Ethereum Zero, the first fully hedged, passive investment products with Bitcoin ( BTC ) and Ethereum ( ETH ) as underlyings which are completely fee free. For more information on Valour, to subscribe, or to receive updates and financial information, visit valour.com . About Reflexivity Research Reflexivity Research LLC is a leading research firm specializing in the creation of high-quality, in-depth research reports for the bitcoin and cryptocurrency industry, empowering investors with valuable insights. For more information please visit https://www.reflexivityresearch.com/ About Core Chain The Core blockchain network is a Bitcoin-powered layer-one blockchain for EVM-Compatible smart contracts. With 50% of Bitcoin mining hash power contributing to Core's security in exchange for unlocking Bitcoin utility and rewards, Core is the most Bitcoin-aligned EVM blockchain (BTCfi, Bitcoin staking, and more). This breakthrough has amassed a massive community of 2.2M Twitter followers and 250k Discord members which has translated into millions of Core adopters, over 15M unique addresses, and 230M transactions since its mainnet launch in January 2023. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information: This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to future development and listings of ETPs; staking of Bitcoin within the Core Chain; development and management of a validator node on the Core Chain; the regulatory environment with respect to the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the pursuit by DeFi Technologies and its subsidiaries of business opportunities; and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. 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, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but is not limited the acceptance of Valour ETPs by exchanges and regulatory authorities; growth and development of DeFi and cryptocurrency sector; rules and regulations with respect to DeFi and cryptocurrency; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Although 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 information 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 information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. THE CBOE CANADA EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE SOURCE DeFi Technologies Inc. HOUSTON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE: DO) today announced that it has executed a two-year contract extension with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Occidental, in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for the Ocean BlackHawk, commencing in November 2024 in direct continuation of the rig's current contract. This contract extension represents approximately $350 million dollars of additional backlog, excluding any managed pressure drilling services, and replaces the one-year priced option that was agreed in May 2023. Anadarko retains three one-year unpriced options. Bernie Wolford, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "This extension is a testament to the safe performance of our crews and provides further visibility to our earnings and cash flow streams for 2025 and 2026. Combined with our previous awards, this brings our total contract backlog to approximately $2.1 billion." ABOUT DIAMOND OFFSHORE Diamond Offshore is a leader in offshore drilling, providing innovation, thought leadership and contract drilling services to solve complex deepwater challenges around the globe. Additional information and access to the Company's SEC filings are available at http://www.diamondoffshore.com/ . FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, including statements relating to future financial results; expectations regarding the Company's plans, strategies and opportunities; expectations regarding the Company's business or financial outlook; expected utilization, dayrates, revenues, operating expenses, rig commitments and availability, cash flows, contract status, terms and duration, contract backlog, and customer drilling programs. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected by management of the Company. A discussion of certain of the risk factors and other considerations that could materially impact these matters as well as the Company's overall business and financial performance can be found in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and the Company's other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and readers of this press release are urged to review those reports carefully when considering these forward-looking statements. Copies of these reports are available through the Company's website at www.diamondoffshore.com. These risk factors include, among others, risks associated with worldwide demand for drilling services, levels of activity in the oil and gas industry, renewing or replacing expired or terminated contracts, contract cancellations and terminations, maintenance and realization of backlog, competition and industry fleet capacity, impairments and retirements, operating risks, litigation and disputes, permits and approvals for drilling operations, the COVID-19 pandemic and related disruptions to the global economy, supply chain and normal business operations across sectors and countries, changes in tax laws and rates, regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, casualty losses, and various other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Given these risk factors and other considerations, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based. Contact: Kevin Bordosky Senior Director Investor Relations (281) 647- 4035 SOURCE Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. announces the release of a market assessment report on the "Global Digital Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Software, Hardware), By Mode Of Delivery (Cloud-based, Web-based, and On -premises), By Software Modules (Software Modules Planning & Analytics, Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Inventory Management), Region, Market Outlook And Industry Analysis 2031". The Global Digital Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management Market is estimated to reach over USD 1,865. 3 Mn by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period. Download Free Report Sample Pages @ https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/request-sample/1911 In recent times, pharmaceutical companies have been exploring new approaches to meet the potential of novel therapies and gain a stronger competitive edge. The advent of data analytics solutions enables the shift from a reactive to a predictive supply chain, which has the potential to enhance the patient and caregiver experience. The demands of the supply chain are moving, shifting from a narrow focus on drug production and delivery to a more adaptable supply chain that meets the requirements of various stakeholders, such as caregivers, patients, and insurance companies. AI-based solutions have revolutionized the pharmaceutical supply chain by providing practical insights that improve visibility, service quality, and the overall customer experience. Fundamental advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) show the capacity to benefit the pharmaceutical industries greatly. Pharmaceutical firms can increase productivity, decrease expenses, and guarantee the accessibility of vital medications by implementing AI technologies. AI's capability to analyze immense quantities of data and generate real-time forecasts enables it to assist in the optimization of a variety of supply chain processes, including demand forecasting and inventory management. Across the pharmaceutical supply chain, AI can increase dependability and efficiency by optimizing schedules, enhancing decision-making, and relieving supply chain employees of tedious manual labour in favour of more value-added responsibilities. Government attempts to improve medical supplies, together with rising demand for operational efficiency and mobile solutions, are expected to boost digital pharmaceutical supply chain management market growth. The use of artificial intelligence and analytics, expanding demand for cloud-based solutions, and increased acceptance of process automation in pharmaceuticals are all expected to drive revenue-generating market development throughout the forecast period. List of Prominent Players in the Digital Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Market: McKesson Corporation Mediceo Corporation Palantir Technologies, Inc. Jump Technologies, Inc. InterSystems Corporation Tecsys Oracle SAP Infor Terso Solutions CenTrak (HALMA plc) Biolog-id TraceLink Other Prominent Players Digital Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Market Report Scope: Report Attribute Specifications Market Size Value In 2023 USD 1,016.1 Mn Revenue Forecast In 2031 USD 1,865.3 Mn Growth Rate CAGR CAGR of 8.1% from 2024 to 2031 Quantitative Units Representation of revenue in US$ Bn and CAGR from 2024 to 2031 Historic Year 2019 to 2023 Forecast Year 2024-2031 Report Coverage The forecast of revenue, the position of the company, the competitive market structure, growth prospects, and trends Segments Covered By Product And Mode of Delivery, Software Modules Regional Scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa Country Scope U.S.; Canada; U.K.; Germany; China; India; Japan; Brazil; Mexico; France; Italy; Spain; Southeast Asia; South Korea Order 180 Pages Full Report @ https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/buy-report/1911 Market Dynamics: Drivers- The rising usage of cutting-edge technologies such as digital-twins technology in the supply chain business drives growth. Furthermore, these digital technologies assist logistics organizations in cutting costs. The e-commerce industry has grown significantly as the number of people purchasing online and using the Internet has increased. The growth of e-commerce needs the development of speedier and more efficient transportation services. Customers who shop online expect accurate orders, prompt shipment, and simple return policies. Companies are looking for solutions to decrease order transportation costs and lead times. E-commerce makes products visible, affordable, simple to use, quick to deliver, and easy to return. To fulfill this need, new models and technologies must be created to automate distribution routes, digitize logistics planning, and simplify material transportation. Moreover, introduction of AI-enabled e-commerce solutions is further expected to witness significant growth prospects during the forecast period. Challenges: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the market's growth due to the increasing digitalization trend. Because of the extensive use of online purchasing, companies in the food and beverage, manufacturing, and logistics industries must increase their investments in automation, particularly supply chain automation and digitalization. As a result, the digital supply chain benefits from increased market growth. This outbreak has affected a large number of firms, making it more difficult for them to maintain their complex supply chains. This is expected to drive higher demand for digital supply chains. Regional Trends: The North America digital pharmaceutical supply chain management market is expected to have a considerable revenue share and develop swiftly in the near future. The regional market expansion is anticipated to grow most rapidly, owing to increased widespread adoption of digital technology and the deployment of various methods to improve pharmaceutical supply chain management. The integration of IoT, AI, and cloud technologies to support pharmaceutical product development, production, and distribution is contributing to market evolution. Curious about this latest version of the report? @ https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/enquiry-before-buying/1911 Recent Developments: I n April 2024 , SourceDay formed a strategic relationship with Infor to improve the effectiveness of direct spending purchase order (PO)lifecycle management. The partnership's focus will be to bridge the gap between ERPs and supplier networks, as well as to help joint clients manage direct material POs proactively and thoroughly from creation to receipt. As part of the partnership, the supply chain collaboration platform has become an Infor Certified Solution Partner, providing extensive, bi-directional technological integration across Infor's Discrete Manufacturing and Distribution ERPs. SourceDay formed a strategic relationship with Infor to improve the effectiveness of direct spending purchase order (PO)lifecycle management. The partnership's focus will be to bridge the gap between ERPs and supplier networks, as well as to help joint clients manage direct material POs proactively and thoroughly from creation to receipt. As part of the partnership, the supply chain collaboration platform has become an Infor Certified Solution Partner, providing extensive, bi-directional technological integration across Infor's Discrete Manufacturing and Distribution ERPs. In Oct 2023 , InterSystems recently introduced eight new companies to its Startup Program. InterSystems provides support to these businesses, enabling them to effectively change the digital health environment by improving patient care and transforming the sector. The InterSystems Startup Program offers assistance, technical integration, resources, and funding to firms that rely on data in important sectors like healthcare, financial services, logistics, and manufacturing. InterSystems recently introduced eight new companies to its Startup Program. InterSystems provides support to these businesses, enabling them to effectively change the digital health environment by improving patient care and transforming the sector. The InterSystems Startup Program offers assistance, technical integration, resources, and funding to firms that rely on data in important sectors like healthcare, financial services, logistics, and manufacturing. In Oct 2022 , Palantir Technologies Inc. and Concordance Healthcare Solutions LLC formed a partnership to create the first comprehensive medical supply chain ecosystem. This ecosystem will combine inventory and supply chain data from manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and providers into a unified and up-to-date system. Problems such as product back orders and replacements, which formerly required a significant amount of time and effort from frontline staff, can now be resolved in a matter of minutes. In the end, this enhances the quality of patient treatment and lessens the workload on healthcare providers. Palantir Technologies Inc. and Concordance Healthcare Solutions LLC formed a partnership to create the first comprehensive medical supply chain ecosystem. This ecosystem will combine inventory and supply chain data from manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and providers into a unified and up-to-date system. Problems such as product back orders and replacements, which formerly required a significant amount of time and effort from frontline staff, can now be resolved in a matter of minutes. In the end, this enhances the quality of patient treatment and lessens the workload on healthcare providers. In Feb 2022 , Oracle announced the addition of new capabilities for logistics management to Oracle Fusion Cloud Supply Chain & Manufacturing (SCM). The enhancements to Oracle Fusion Cloud Transportation Management and Oracle Fusion Cloud Global Trade Management enable businesses to reduce costs and risk, enhance customer experience, and become more resilient to business disruptions. Segmentation of Digital Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Market- By Product- Software Hardware Services By Delivery Insights- Cloud-based Web-based On -premises segments By Software Modules- Planning & Analytics Procurement Manufacturing Logistics Inventory Management By Region- North America- The US Canada Mexico Europe- Germany The UK France Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific- China Japan India South Korea Southeast Asia Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America- Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa- GCC Countries South Africa Rest of Middle East and Africa For More Customization @ https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/customisation/1911 Why should buy this report: To receive a comprehensive analysis of the prospects for global Digital Pharmaceutical Supply Chain market To receive industry overview and future trends of global Digital Pharmaceutical Supply Chain market To analyze the Digital Pharmaceutical Supply Chain market drivers and challenges To get information on the Digital Pharmaceutical Supply Chain market size value (US$ Mn) forecast till 2031 Major Investments, Mergers & Acquisition in global Digital Pharmaceutical Supply Chain market industry Other Related Reports Published by InsightAce Analytic: Digital Logistics Market Pharma 4.0 Market Digital Twins in Healthcare Market Healthcare Cold Chain Logistics Market AI in Medical Supplies/Inventory Management Market About Us: InsightAce Analytic is a market research and consulting firm that enables clients to make strategic decisions. Our qualitative and quantitative market intelligence solutions inform the need for market and competitive intelligence to expand businesses. We help clients gain competitive advantage by identifying untapped markets, exploring new and competing technologies, segmenting potential markets and repositioning products. Our expertise is in providing syndicated and custom market intelligence reports with an in-depth analysis with key market insights in a timely and cost-effective manner. Contact Us: InsightAce Analytic PVT. LTD Tel.: +1 551 226 6109 Email: [email protected] Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insightace-analytic-pvt-ltd/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1729637/InsightAce_Analytic_Logo.jpg SOURCE InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd The Canadian waitress called out the Aussie family after they paid for their $200 meal. Canadian waitress Zarya was left in disbelief after the Aussie family left no tip on Monday night. Source: TikTok and Instagram A Canadian waitress has vowed to never serve Australians again after a family paid for their restaurant bill without leaving her a tip, igniting debate around tipping culture when travelling and whether tourists are compelled to conform to local customs. On Monday night the Aussies in question visited a restaurant in Vancouver and paid $200 for a family meal. It was only once they left that waitress Zarya realised they hadn't considered her, leaving without offering her a tip. "Today I served this f**king Australian family, their bill was $200, no tip. [I'm] never serving Australians again," she said in an angry rant she posted online. "I get it you're not from this country but still, get with it." She explained if it weren't for her friend who later tipped her $30, her earnings for the shift would have been subpar. "Shout out to my friend for giving me money for that table that didn't tip," she said. Tourist tipping debate reignited There was a mixed response to Zarya's frustration with some Aussies jumping in to defend their fellow countrymen after her personal gripe was posted to TikTok. Some argued it's not custom to tip in Australia and the exchange rate between currencies made the meal an expensive one. Yet others chimed in saying it's a traveller's responsibility to follow along with what's expected in a foreign country. "As an Australian Im sorry, always tip when in the USA [or Canada]," one person commented. Canadian hospitality workers have a similar wage setup as those in the US, meaning their hourly rate is lower than that of the average Aussie waiter. However, it has become an expectation that all diners will tip when eating in hospitality venues in the country to boost the income on such service workers. To demonstrate her point, Zarya explained she was paid a total of $83 [CAD] for her five hours of work, but thanks to her $150 in tips her hourly rate was significantly increased from $16 to $46. Tipping cultures creeps into Australia With more hospitality venues now using QR codes to allow Aussies to order their food from their table, the expectation of tipping is increasingly hard to avoid as these apps give the diner the option to provide a tip with a percentage of the bill often coming up as the default option which diners have to opt out of. There has also been incidences in other industries where tipping has popped up, with one homeowner stunned back in November after an electrician asked him for a tip for a "quick fix" he carried out on his property. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Solution available in 170 Digital Realty data centers globally AUSTIN, Texas, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR), the largest global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions, today announced the availability of groundbreaking liquid-to-chip cooling technology, the next evolution in high-density deployment support. This innovative advancement represents a significant leap forward in addressing the evolving challenges of managing high-density workloads, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-intensive applications. The new offering from Digital Realty, which builds upon the company's standardized high-density colocation offering, introduces direct liquid cooling (DLC), bringing liquid directly to customers' infrastructure, allowing for greater relevance and versatility in meeting emerging AI demand. This approach enables businesses to deploy high-density configurations within a shared environment, in close proximity to the cloud, as well as network and AI service providers, while accommodating the distinct needs of individual setups, providing additional flexibility to customers. Furthermore, Digital Realty's recently announced Private AI Exchange (AIPx) allows for new data exchange options in support of these DLC-enabled solutions. Key highlights of Digital Realty's advanced high-density deployment support include the ability to leverage a wide range of mechanical solutions, such as rear door heat exchangers (RDHx) and DLC, enabling the efficient management of power densities ranging from 30 to 150 kilowatts per rack, and beyond. The combination of RDHx with DLC effectively doubles the power densities that can be supported, empowering businesses to tackle the escalating demands of modern IT infrastructure and accelerate the adoption of AI by enterprises, through private, cloud and hybrid solutions. Digital Realty's solution is designed to be both flexible and accessible. Deployment options are available in more than half of Digital Realty's data centers worldwide, with plans to expand support to additional sites and to leverage existing infrastructure to meet emerging AI requirements. "We're proud to align with our customers in evolving their infrastructure to support this cutting-edge liquid-to-chip technology, enabling them to land and expand their deployments efficiently and redefine what's possible in the digital age. With this cutting-edge liquid-to-chip cooling technology, we're not just setting a new standard for high-density deployment support, we're revolutionizing the digital infrastructure landscape," said Chris Sharp, Chief Technology Officer, Digital Realty. "AI is revolutionizing nearly every aspect of every industry. By working with great partners like Digital Realty, we're helping enterprises of any size on their AI journeys. The Lenovo-Digital Realty partnership forms a critical cornerstone of the hybrid AI vision, enabling organizations to harness the full potential of emerging technologies to deliver innovation faster," said Scott Tease, Vice President and General Manager of HPC and AI for Lenovo ISG. "Organizations are increasingly investing in generative AI and high-performance computing and need private, high-density environments. Digital Realty's HD Colocation offering is a strong response to the flourishing market need for high-density racks and presents an ideal solution to significantly accelerate time-to-value for these organizations, while avoiding the need for lengthy and costly capital projects to build or retrofit new capacity. This offering aligns with IDC's colocation provider recommendations for the gen AI market," said Sean Graham, IDC Research Director, Cloud to Edge Datacenter Trends. The deployment process for this high-density solution is streamlined and efficient, drawing on Digital Realty's extensive experience in designing and delivering bespoke colocation solutions for customers, helping to accelerate time-to-value. About Digital Realty Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. Digital Realty gives its customers access to the connected data communities that matter to them with a global data center footprint of 300+ facilities in 50+ metros across 25+ countries on six continents. To learn more about Digital Realty, please visit digitalrealty.com or follow us on LinkedIn and X . For Additional Information Media Contact Will Reynolds Digital Realty +44 7469 695775 [email protected] Investor Relations Jordan Sadler / Jim Huseby Digital Realty +1 737 281 0101 [email protected] Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially, including statements related to Digital Realty's growth prospects, strategy and customer demand for its products and services. For a list and description of Digital Realty's risks and uncertainties, see the reports and other filings by Digital Realty with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Digital Realty disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Digital Realty RADNOR, Pa., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP informs investors that the firm has filed a securities fraud class action lawsuit against Doximity, Inc. (NYSE: DOCS) ("Doximity" or the "Company") on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired Doximity common stock between February 9, 2022, and April 1, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action, captioned Kissler v. Doximity, Inc., et al., Case No. 3:24-cv-02281-JST was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Important Deadline Reminder: Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Doximity common stock during the Class Period may, no later than June 17, 2024, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class. If you suffered Doximity losses, you may CLICK HERE or go to: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/doximity-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=docs&mktm=r You can also contact attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. of Kessler Topaz by calling (484) 270-1453 or by email at [email protected]. CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERE or go to: https://youtu.be/sbkgMGltWR8 DEFENDANTS' MISCONDUCT Doximity operates a digital platform that provides connections between, medical information to, and patient scheduling tools for medical professionals. The Class Period begins on February 9, 2022, following the release of Doximity's quarterly financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, which ended December 31, 2021, after the market closed the night prior. During the February 8, 2022 quarterly investor earnings call, Defendant Anna Bryson, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, emphasized that "marketers have been able to witness the value of running these digital programs" and that it was this "value that's the main reason we're seeing this sustained demand from our customers and not new [COVID] variants." To this end, Defendant Bryson further assured investors that the Company was "focused on . . . really building a business that can provide years of sustainable growth with high margins." Throughout the Class Period, Defendants continued to tout the sustainability of the Company's business prospects while also downplaying the importance of customer upsell rates on the Company's financial performance. Notwithstanding Defendants' repeated claims regarding the sustainability of Doximity's growth and profitability, investors began to learn the truth about the Company on August 8, 2023, when, after the market closed, Doximity reported its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, which ended June 30, 2023. While the Company exceeded its quarterly revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance for the first quarter, the Company provided disappointing guidance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 and slashed its guidance for the full fiscal year 2024. In conjunction with the disappointing guidance, Doximity announced that it would reduce its workforce by approximately 10%. The Company further noted that the workforce reduction is expected to cost approximately $8 million to $10 million. In explaining this about-face, Defendant Bryson admitted that the Company's "major upsells have materially underperformed, and we expect this to continue in the near term." Defendant Tangney further explained that Doximity failed to close sales due, in part, to "fewer face-to-face meetings with our clients." On this news, the price of Doximity common stock declined $7.49 per share, or nearly 23%, from a close of $32.79 per share on August 8, 2023, to close at $25.30 per share on August 9, 2023. Investors learned more about the unsustainability of the Company's revenue growth on April 1, 2024, when Jehoshaphat Research published a report alleging, among other things, that "Doximity's underlying sales . . . are declining at a negative -3-6% rate, but that this decline has been masked through accelerated revenue recognition." On this news, the price of Doximity common stock declined $1.11 per share, or more than 4% over two trading-days, from a close of $26.91 per share on March 28, 2024, to close at $25.80 per share on April 2, 2024. WHAT CAN I DO? Doximity investors may, no later than June 17, 2024, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Doximity investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASE OR GO TO: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/doximity-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=docs&mktm=r WHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF? 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 affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com. CONTACT Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP Jonathan Naji, Esq. 280 King of Prussia Road Radnor, PA 19087 (844) 887-9500 (toll free) [email protected] May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP Technology Leader in End-of-Line Packaging Opens Machinery Center of Excellence & Customer Showroom at Facility Headquarters HAZLE TOWNSHIP, Pa., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 14, 2024, at 11 a.m., EAM-Mosca Corp. held the Grand Opening for its newly renovated building in Hazle Township, Pa. The remodeled complex becomes the second structure of a two-building campus that serves clients in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America. EAM-Mosca, along with State and Local officials celebrate the Grand Opening of their new building featuring a state-of-the-art Customer Showroom, and Machinery Center of Excellence at their Headquarters campus in Hazle Township, PA. The new building is at 525 Jaycee Drive, close to Interstate 81 and adjacent to the company's existing headquarters at 675 Jaycee Drive. EAM-Mosca acquired the land in December 2020 and broke ground on the $9 million renovation project in June of 2023 . Less than a year later, the strategic expansion is open for business. The newly unveiled corporate headquarters is part of a larger $20.6 million strategic initiative to expand EAM-Mosca's economic footprint in Pennsylvania. In addition, the state-focused investment was partly funded by a $250,000 Pennsylvania First grant provided by state governor Josh Shapiro. The project represents a positive step forward for both EAM-Mosca and the surrounding Hazle Township community. "This is not an isolated case," Christian Wiethuechter, President & CEO at EAM-Mosca Corp. said of the expansion. "If we look at the last five years, we've invested more than $50 million here in Pennsylvania actually to grow ourselves, to serve the market. But this is now a $20 million strategic initiative that we've embarked on." The reclaimed facility is a massive 118,000-square-foot addition to the original 165,000-square-foot headquarters. The combined two-building campus contains over 30,000 square feet of office space (15,000 of which are in the newly renovated addition). It also contains over a quarter of a million square feet of operational space, which will be used to expand operations and meet growing customer demand. This expansion effort includes the launch of the company's Machinery Center of Excellence, an initiative designed to improve product development and customization for end-of-line packaging equipment. The new structure also contains an innovative state-of-the-art showroom, which features EAM-Mosca's end-of-line packaging strappers and stretch wrappers. The Hazle Township location is the corporate headquarters for all of the Americas; handling machine assembly & customization, strapping production, spare parts, and service support for the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean. EAM-Mosca Canada Ltd., located in Whitby, Ontario, manufactures the company's unitizers, large strapping machines used to compress and strap pallet loads, and manages all machine, strapping, and parts sales in Canada. EAM-Mosca de Mexico, located in Monterrey, Mexico, manages all machines, strapping, and parts sales in Mexico. Mosca do Brasil, established in 2020, handles all business transactions in Brazil. The business model is the combination of the machine, the consumable, and the service. That has allowed the company to grow to the point where it has expanded beyond the United States' borders with operations in Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, employing more than 350 talented people in the Americas region, and over 30,000 equipment installations. About EAM-Mosca EAM-Mosca, founded in 1982, is an industrial equipment supplier of end-of-line packaging machines that is headquartered in Hazle Township, Pennsylvania with further operations in Canada, Mexico, and Brazil as a key member of globally present, Germany-based MOSCA Group. The international MOSCA brand was founded in 1966, giving it a track record of industrial excellence that stretches back over half a century. Learn more at eammosca.com . Contact Information Pam Kuzmak, Marketing Manager Press and Marketing Inquiries Phone: (570) 459-3426, Ext: 322 Email: [email protected] SOURCE EAM-Mosca Corp. Today, Epidemic Sound announces its partnership with renowned DJ, producer, and electronic music pioneer Richie Hawtin . . Hawtin will mentor four innovative, up-and-coming Epidemic Sound artists, offering feedback on their tracks, as well as guidance on their music careers, artistic development, and release tactics. Richie Hawtin and Epidemic Sound's shared roles as innovators in the music industry make this partnership a perfect fit to push boundaries for the betterment of emerging modern artists. STOCKHOLM, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Epidemic Sound, the soundtracking platform for content creation, announced today that it has partnered with renowned producer, DJ, and electronic music pioneer Richie Hawtin. Beginning in Q2 2024, Hawtin will mentor four Epidemic Sound artists: dreem, The Yard Woman, Hampus Naeselius, and Maya Lourenco. He will offer guidance to help grow their careers in the industry while providing feedback on their release strategies and music, which is distributed to music streaming platforms and the company's global community of content creators and brands. The partnership between Hawtin and Epidemic Sound is founded on a mutual respect for creative innovation. Described as "one of the electronic dance world's intellectual forces" by The New York Times, Hawtin has played a pivotal role in shaping the electronic music genre we know today. He was raised in Ontario, later moving to Detroit, and was at the forefront of the "minimal techno" movement in the 1990s, playing a vital role in driving the genre forward for over three decades through his music and his many technological innovations and accolades. "I've long been impressed by how Epidemic Sound solved the complexity of music licensing - the base provided by their innovative approach has helped create new avenues for artists to distribute their music at scale, make a living in the music industry, and get the creative freedom they need," said Richie Hawtin, British-Canadian electronic music producer and DJ. "The music industry desperately needs more alternatives for artists to thrive in the new music paradigm, and I'm excited to join forces with Epidemic Sound to support their talented artists in developing their sound and careers." Each of the artists Hawtin will mentor is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the electronic music world - experimenting with different genres and using innovative techniques to create different sounds. Mio Marberger, also known as dreem, is a versatile artist known for his eclectic blend of music genres like trap, pop, indie, and post-punk. An electronic prodigy in his own right, dreem's upcoming collaboration with Hawtin is poised to be a groundbreaking fusion of talent and innovation. Similarly, The Yard Woman, hailing from Greece and based in London, transforms the electronic landscape into her personal playground, drawing inspiration from unexpected sources like pop, rock, and world music. As classical music continues to rise in popularity and evolve as a genre, artist Hampus Naeselius marries electronic elements with classical music to create epic compositions for film, television, and advertising. With Richie Hawtin's background in cinematic storytelling, this collaboration promises to push the boundaries of the classical genre. Lastly, DJ and producer Maya Lourenco (Parallax Deep and Blue Saga) is celebrated for their experimental soundscapes and innovative use of technology, making Hawtin an ideal collaborator. "We are beyond excited to announce this partnership. Richie is an electronic music legend who has significantly impacted the global electronic music scene," said John Cleary, Epidemic Sound's Director of Americas and Global Music Recruitment. "By partnering with Richie, Epidemic Sound continues to fuel the next generation of artists and superstars and launch fantastic music to content creators, brands, listeners, and fans worldwide." After launching its music licensing solution in 2009, Epidemic Sound has seen the reach of its music grow exponentially, to the point where it now gains 2.5 billion daily views on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, providing a powerful distribution engine for its artists. Simultaneously, it has consistently developed its remuneration model - which now includes a 50/50 streaming royalty split, fixed fees per track, and a portion of a SEK 30 million soundtrack bonus - while offering freedom for artists to work non-exclusively on multiple projects at the same time, and facilitating creative collaborations with industry legends such as Hawtin. In tandem with its commitment to fair compensation and artist collaborations, Epidemic Sound has demonstrated continuous innovation by introducing a range of cutting-edge tools and features that enhance the content creation experience. Notable developments include the 'Music Recommender' (2020), the 'More of what you like' feature (2020), and the audio-based search tool, 'Epidemic Audio Reference (EAR)' (2022). Most recently, Epidemic Sound unveiled Soundmatch: an AI-powered music discovery tool designed to save creators' time and deliver vastly better results. These advancements showcase the company's dedication to adapting to the ever-changing landscape and delivering exceptional experiences for both artists and content creators. About Richie Hawtin Richie Hawtin aka Plastikman is a genuine original. His critical acclaim spans the creative realm of the fine art community to the technological vanguard. As a performing artist, he is constantly pushing conceptual frontiers, creating ideas and experiences that would have seemed pure science fiction when he began his career in the emerging techno scene in Detroit. Hawtin is British-born and Canadian-raised. He is the business mind behind the labels Plus 8, MINUS Records and now From Our Minds. And, of course, he is Plastikman, perhaps that most of all, electronic musician par excellence, maintaining an underground agenda of avant-garde electronica over six albums. The New York Times called him "one of the electronic dance world's intellectual forces,". Raf Simons, Co-Creative Director at Prada, says he listens "to Richie Hawtin's music like others listen to classical music", calling him "the Kraftwerk of today". In technology, it was Hawtin who led the shift from physical to digital DJing through the creation of Final Scratch; he was a co-founder of the pioneering Beatport digital store; head of his own music-technology fund Plus 8 Equities; and PLAYdifferently for innovative DJ and performance technologies with MODEL 1. About dreem Mio Marberger, known professionally as "dreem," is an accomplished artist whose musical journey spans across diverse genres including trap, pop, indie, and post-punk, with a current focus on electronic music. Dubbed "The Prodigy," Mio's remarkable talent shines through with an impressive portfolio. By the age of 21, Mio had already released 80 tracks across various electronic subgenres for Epidemic Sound. About Hampus Naeselius Hampus Naeselius is a versatile Swedish composer and producer renowned for crafting vivid sonic landscapes tailored for film, television, and advertising. With a keen ear for blending traditional orchestral elements with modern electronic textures, Naeselius has carved out a distinct niche in the contemporary music landscape. His music transcends boundaries, resonating deeply with audiences through its profound emotional depth. About Maya Lourenco Maya Lourenco, aka Parallax Deep and Blue Saga, is among Stockholm's most acclaimed DJs and producers, known for their passion in uncovering what lies "under the hood" both physically and sonically. They seamlessly blend various electronic music genres with a focus on the low-end punch. Maya also heads the labels '10YEARS' and 'Surfaced Trax,' the latter exploring deep sea concepts with a personal touch. About The Yard Woman The Yard Woman, a Greek-born, London-based DJ and producer, is a leading name in UK Melodic Techno. Known for her eclectic influences and hybrid melodic tracks, she invites listeners to immerse themselves in her rich sonic landscapes. With releases on labels like Running Clouds and Panda Lab Recs, and performances alongside industry giants like Mathame and Victor Ruiz, her trajectory in the electronic music scene is marked by undeniable talent and inevitable growth. For more information, please contact: Stephen Setchell Senior Global PR Manager [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com. https://news.cision.com/epidemic-sound/r/electronic-music-pioneer-richie-hawtin-partners-with-epidemic-sound-to-mentor-the-next-generation-of,c3981695 The following files are available for download: SOURCE Epidemic Sound NEW YORK, May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global electrophysiology market size is estimated to grow by USD 6.09 bn from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.71% during the forecast period. For more insights on the forecast market size and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download Free sample report in a minutes Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Electrophysiology Market 2024-2028 Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Product (Lab devices, Ablation catheters, Diagnostic catheters, and Access devices), End-user (Hospitals and cardiac centers and ASCs), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)) Region Covered North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Key companies profiled Abbott Laboratories, Acutus Medical Inc., APN Health LLC, Asahi Kasei Corp., BIOTRONIK SE and Co. KG, Boston Scientific Corp., CathRx Pty Ltd., EP Solutions SA, EPMap System GmbH, GE Healthcare Technologies Inc., Imricor Medical Systems Inc., Japan Lifeline Co. Ltd., Johnson and Johnson, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Medtronic Plc, Merit Medical Systems Inc., MicroPort Scientific Corp., OSYPKA AG, Siemens AG, and Stereotaxis Inc. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The electrophysiology market is revolutionized by technological advancements, offering enhanced customer interaction. Electrophysiology, a cardiology technology, effectively controls and treats arrhythmia, a major cardiac disorder causing 15%-20% of total deaths. EP ablation catheters, diagnostic catheters, and laboratory devices are essential for treating arrhythmias, including Atrial Fibrillation (AF). Advanced devices employ AI-powered mapping, 3D systems, and minimally invasive procedures. Hospitals, cardiac centers, ambulatory surgery centers, and reimbursement policies are significant market players. Next-gen devices leverage digital cloud technology, telemedicine, and digital health. Laws regulate the use of imaging modalities like CMR, CT, echocardiography, fluoroscopy, and electro-anatomic mapping in electrophysiological techniques, such as catheter ablation. Other applications include gastroenterology, neurology, pain management, and surgical interventions. Market Challenges The electrophysiology (EP) market faces challenges due to high product costs and limited reimbursements for arrhythmia procedures in many countries. Developed economies, like the US, offer reimbursements, boosting adoption in North America. In contrast, developing countries, such as India and China, lack government support, forcing patients to rely on private insurance or pay out-of-pocket. The competitive EP market prioritizes pricing, with specialized healthcare workers, including electrophysiologists and nurses, in high demand. Key technologies, such as ablation catheters, 3D mapping systems, and radio frequency generators, are essential for cardiac ablation procedures to treat abnormal heart rhythms, including atrial flutter, in chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and the geriatric population. Regulatory support and medical device licensing are crucial for market growth, addressing labor shortages through training programs and practical experience. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend, driver and challenges - Buy Report Segment Overview This electrophysiology market report extensively covers market segmentation by Product 1.1 Lab devices 1.2 Ablation catheters 1.3 Diagnostic catheters 1.4 Access devices End-user 2.1 Hospitals and cardiac centers 2.2 ASCs Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 Asia 3.4 Rest of World (ROW) 1.1 Lab devices- The Electrophysiology (EP) market represents a significant segment of medical care, driven by the growing prevalence of chronic diseases such as hypertension, high blood pressure, diabetes, and the increasing geriatric population. Patient outcomes depend on the availability of advanced EP laboratory facilities, equipped with expensive equipment including ablation catheters, 3D mapping systems, radio frequency generators, and access devices. Regulatory support and medical device licensing are crucial for the expansion of this market. Healthcare providers invest capital in establishing EP laboratories to offer specialized healthcare services for patients with abnormal heart rhythms, including atrial flutter and arrhythmia. Qualified electrophysiologists and specialized healthcare workers, including nurses and technicians, require practical experience, hands-on training, clinical shadowing, and mentoring to perform complex EP procedures, such as cardiac mapping and catheter-based ablation. Labor shortages in the EP field necessitate the development of training programs to enhance the abilities of healthcare professionals. Technological development in EP market devices, such as radiofrequency energy systems, enables more effective and less invasive treatments for various cardiac conditions. The economic impact of EP laboratories on healthcare spending is substantial, as they contribute to improved patient outcomes and reduced hospitalizations for conditions like heart failure and stroke. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The Electrophysiology (EP) market encompasses a range of devices and procedures used to diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases, particularly those related to abnormal heart rhythms such as arrhythmias, including Atrial Fibrillation. Minimally invasive procedures, like those utilizing EP market devices such as ablation catheters and 3D mapping systems, have revolutionized the field. These advanced electrophysiology devices employ radio frequency generators and access devices to precisely target and ablate the source of irregular heartbeats. Reimbursement policies play a crucial role in the market's growth, with next-gen devices like AI-powered mapping systems and telemedicine solutions leveraging digital cloud technology to enhance accessibility and efficiency. Hospitals continue to invest in these advanced technologies to improve patient outcomes. Market Research Overview The Electrophysiology market encompasses a range of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions that focus on the study and treatment of electrical activities in the body. This field is crucial in understanding various neurological and cardiac disorders. Key technologies in this market include mapping systems, ablation devices, and diagnostic tools. These technologies are used in procedures such as electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and electrocardiography (ECG). The market is driven by factors such as an aging population, rising prevalence of neurological and cardiac disorders, and technological advancements. Companies are investing in research and development to create more accurate and less invasive devices. The market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, with a focus on minimally invasive procedures and personalized medicine. Cardiac electrophysiology and neuroelectrophysiology are two major segments of this market, each with unique challenges and opportunities. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Lab Devices Ablation Catheters Diagnostic Catheters Access Devices End-user Hospitals And Cardiac Centers ASCs Geography North America Europe Asia Rest Of World (ROW) 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company 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 In the news release, Empowering the Next Generation: Oakton College Partners with WriteSea to Deliver AI-Driven Career Tools to Historically Marginalized Students, issued 14-May-2024 by WriteSea over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that the photo and caption were incorrect as originally issued inadvertently. The complete, corrected release, photo and caption follows: Empowering the Next Generation: Oakton College Partners with WriteSea to Deliver AI-Driven Career Tools to Historically Marginalized Students DES PLAINES, Ill., May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Oakton College is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with WriteSea , a leader in innovative AI-powered career services. This collaboration introduces the "Job Search Genius" tool to high school and first-year college students, from historically marginalized communities, thanks to a generous grant from the ICCB Trades School Grant program that aims to broaden AI and career education. Oakton College Partners with WriteSea to Deliver AI-Driven Career Tools to Historically Marginalized Students Post this Students can enroll in the Essential Applications of AI Certificate at Oakton in fall 2024 (PRNewsfoto/WriteSea) "We are committed to supporting students from historically underserved communities in our district with access to cutting-edge technologies that will create exciting new opportunities for their future. This partnership with WriteSea will help empower our students with the knowledge and skills related to Artificial Intelligence applications in business and industry that will prepare them for success and fulfillment in our rapidly evolving digital world," said James Rabchuk, Dean of the STEM Division. The partnership kicks off with the Essential Applications of AI Certificate program at Oakton, designed to empower students with a robust foundation in applied artificial intelligence without any coding requirements. This initiative marks a significant step towards integrating AI into early career development, providing students at Evanston Township High Schoolchosen for its diverse student bodywith free access to pioneering education and career development tools. "At WriteSea, we are passionate about proliferating AI education while advancing student success. Our collaboration with Oakton College is a testament to our commitment to making advanced educational tools accessible, thus ensuring that students from all backgrounds can realize their potential and thrive in their careers," declared Brandon Mitchell, C.E.O. of WriteSea. WriteSea seamlessly aligns with the National Association of Colleges and Employers ( NACE ) eight career readiness competencies, ensuring that students are equipped with the essential skills needed for professional success. Empowering Historically Marginalized Communities with Cutting-Edge AI Tools The Job Search Genius tool by WriteSea will be integrated into Oakton's curriculum to help students create compelling public personas and navigate the complexities of the job market with confidence. This tool is part of a broader effort to make state-of-the-art technology accessible to underrepresented populations, ensuring they have the necessary resources to kickstart their careers. Innovative Curriculum Focused on AI Applications and Ethics Oakton's Essential Applications of AI Certificate program covers critical areas such as foundational AI principles, AI ethics, prompt engineering, and no-code machine learning. The curriculum is designed to equip students with practical skills for problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and ethical considerations in AI applications across various industries. A Living Example of AI in Action Through this partnership, students will not only learn about AI but also experience its benefits firsthand. They will explore how AI can be used to enhance career opportunities and understand the ethical implications of technology. The program aims to inspire students to pursue careers in burgeoning fields like AI, where they can influence future developments. The Job Search Genius tool includes an AI Resume Builder, Cover Letter Generator, AI Mock Interview Prep, and an AI Salary Negotiation Assistant. These components are designed to streamline the job application process and enhance the employment prospects of students by providing them with personalized and efficient career tools. Advancing Careers from the Classroom to the Workforce Students participating in the Essential Applications of AI Certificate will also have opportunities for paid internships and service learning, further applying their knowledge in real-world settings. This hands-on experience is crucial in bridging the gap between academic learning and professional application. Oakton College is the latest institution to join WriteSea's growing list of higher education partners, bringing innovative AI tools into their student experience and workflows. About WriteSea: WriteSea is a minority-owned leader in the online recruitment marketplace dedicated to reshaping the future of personal branding in the job-seeking landscape. Through innovative solutions, WriteSea empowers job seekers from diverse backgrounds with affordable, AI-driven personal branding tools, ensuring a level playing field in the competitive world of online recruitment. For more information on bringing Job Search Genius AI to your institution, visit https://writesea.com/contact/ and https://jobsearchgenius.ai/contact-us About Oakton College: Founded in 1969, Oakton College is located in Illinois. The College serves 17 in-district communities from Des Plaines (west) to Evanston (east) on two campuses, Des Plaines and Skokie, as well as online. Students can choose from 130+ associate degree and certificate programs and 100+ short-term (completion in one semester or less) career-focused programs, including health careers, manufacturing and information technology. Oakton places great value on embracing diversity and advancing equity and there are 50+ languages spoken on Oakton's campuses. For more information about the Essential Applications of AI Certificate program, please visit Oakton's website . Media Contacts: Anthony Alegrete, WriteSea [email protected] SOURCE WriteSea ESET Research discovered two previously unknown backdoors which we named LunarWeb and LunarMail compromising a European ministry of foreign affairs and its diplomatic missions abroad, primarily in the Middle East . . ESET researchers attribute these compromises with medium confidence to the infamous Russia -aligned cyberespionage group Turla. The aim of the campaign is cyberespionage. -aligned cyberespionage group Turla. The aim of the campaign is cyberespionage. Turla, also known as Snake, has been active since at least 2004, possibly even dating back to the late 1990s. It is believed to be part of the Russian FSB. ESET believes that the Lunar toolset has been in use since at least 2020. Both backdoors employ steganography, a technique in which commands are hidden in images to avoid detection. BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ESET Research discovered two previously unknown backdoors which we named LunarWeb and LunarMail compromising a European ministry of foreign affairs and its diplomatic missions abroad, primarily in the Middle East. ESET believes that the Lunar toolset has been used since at least 2020 and, given the similarities between the tactics, techniques, and procedures and past activities, ESET researchers attribute these compromises with medium confidence to the infamous Russia-aligned cyberespionage group Turla. The aim of the campaign is cyberespionage. The ESET investigation began with the detection of a loader deployed on an unidentified server, which decrypts and loads a payload from a file. This led ESET researchers to the discovery of a previously unknown backdoor, which ESET named LunarWeb. Subsequently, a similar chain with LunarWeb deployed at a diplomatic mission was detected. Notably, the attacker also included a second backdoor which ESET named LunarMail that uses a different method for command and control (C&C) communications. During another attack, ESET observed simultaneous deployments of a chain with LunarWeb at three diplomatic missions of a European country in the Middle East, occurring within minutes of each other. The attacker probably had prior access to the domain controller of the ministry of foreign affairs and utilized it for lateral movement to machines of related institutions in the same network. LunarWeb, deployed on servers, uses HTTP(S) for its C&C communications and mimics legitimate requests, while LunarMail, deployed on workstations, persists as an Outlook add-in and uses email messages for its C&C communications. Both backdoors employ steganography, a technique in which commands are hidden in images to avoid detection. Their loaders can exist in various forms, including trojanized open-source software, demonstrating the advanced techniques used by the attackers. "We observed varying degrees of sophistication in the compromises for example, the careful installation on the compromised server to avoid scanning by security software contrasted with coding errors and different coding styles of the backdoors. This suggests multiple individuals were probably involved in the development and operation of these tools," says ESET researcher Filip Jurcacko, who discovered the Lunar toolset. Recovered installation-related components and attacker activity suggest that possible initial compromise happened via spearphishing and abuse of misconfigured network and application monitoring software Zabbix. Furthermore, the attacker already had network access, used stolen credentials for lateral movement, and took careful steps to compromise the server without raising suspicion. In another compromise, researchers found an older malicious Word document, likely from a spearphishing email. LunarWeb collects and exfiltrates information from the system, such as computer and operating system information, a list of running processes, a list of services, and a list of installed security products. LunarWeb supports common backdoor capabilities, including file and process operations, and running shell commands. On first run, the LunarMail backdoor collects information from recipients' sent email messages (email addresses). In terms of command capabilities, LunarMail is simpler and features a subset of the commands found in LunarWeb. It can write a file, create a new process, take a screenshot, and modify the C&C communication email address. Both backdoors have the unusual capability of being able to execute Lua scripts. Turla, also known as Snake, has been active since at least 2004, possibly even dating back to the late 1990s. Believed to be part of the Russian FSB, Turla mainly targets high-profile entities such as governments and diplomatic organizations in Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. The group is notorious for breaching major organizations, including the US Department of Defense in 2008 and the Swiss defense company RUAG in 2014. For more technical information about the Lunar toolset, read the blogpost "To the Moon and back(doors): Lunar landing in diplomatic missions." Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X) for the latest news. About ESET ESET provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of known and emerging cyberthreats securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it's endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. An ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security. ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Facebook , and X. SOURCE ESET New Terminations Deliver Unmatched Reliability and Precision Across Key Industries IRVINE, Calif., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairview Microwave, an Infinite Electronics brand and a leading provider of RF, microwave and millimeter-wave products, has announced the launch of its high-power RF terminations. They are designed to enhance signal integrity in demanding applications across telecommunications, aerospace and defense sectors. The newly unveiled terminations feature cutting-edge 4.3-10, 7/16 DIN and N-type connectorized designs, supporting a maximum frequency range up to 6 GHz and power levels up to 50 watts, setting a standard for reliability and performance. Fairview's new high-power RF terminations support frequencies up to 6 GHz and power levels to The high-power RF terminations are engineered for precision, offering an optimal solution for systems requiring robust and efficient signal termination. They are versatile enough to meet the diverse needs of engineers and designers across various industries. The product line boasts maximum power ratings of 5 watts, 10 watts and 50 watts (CW), ensuring compatibility with a wide range of power requirements for different applications. Key to the terminations' performance is their ability to operate at frequencies specified at 6 GHz, making them suitable for a variety of high-frequency applications. The excellent voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) performance, as low as 1.25:1, further ensures minimal signal reflection and maximized efficiency, which is essential for maintaining signal integrity in critical systems. "These new terminations meet the rigorous demands of today's telecommunication, aerospace and defense applications," said Product Line Manager Steven Pong. "With exceptional VSWR performance and versatile connectorized designs, we are confident they will exceed our customers' expectations." Fairview's new high-power RF terminations are in stock and available for same-day shipping. For inquiries, please call +1 (972) 649-6678. About Fairview Microwave: A leading supplier of on-demand RF and microwave products since 1992, Fairview offers immediate delivery of RF components including attenuators, adapters, coaxial cable assemblies, connectors, terminations and much more. All products are shipped same-day from the company's ISO 9001:2015-certified production facilities in Lewisville, Texas. Fairview Microwave is an Infinite Electronics brand. About Infinite Electronics: Infinite operates a global portfolio of leading in-stock connectivity solution brands. The brands help propel the world's innovators forward by working urgently to provide products, solutions and real-time support for their customers. Backed by Warburg Pincus, Infinite's brands serve customers across a wide range of industries with a broad inventory selection, same-day shipping and 24/7 customer service. Learn more at infiniteelectronics.com. Press Contact: Peter McNeil Fairview Microwave 17792 Fitch Irvine, Calif. 92614 +1 (978) 682-6936 SOURCE Fairview Microwave Complaint alleges man who killed Hector Vancini was overserved alcohol LONGVIEW, Texas, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The family of a man killed in a struggle outside a Longview restaurant earlier this year has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the restaurant. Attorneys with Houston-based Paranjpe Mahadass Ruemke LLP, or PMR Law, represent the family of Hector Francisco Vancini, who was killed following a violent brawl outside of the On the Border restaurant at the Longview Mall. "Although no amount of compensation can replace what this family lost, we hope to set a precedent for restaurants everywhere," said managing partner Tej Paranjpe. "This was a horrific situation that could have been prevented if the responsible parties had done their duty to paying customers." Mr. Vancini was dining with a friend at On the Border in January 2024 when, according to the lawsuit, another group of customers began making threats aimed at the men. Despite the verbal confrontation taking place in the dining room, the lawsuit accuses the restaurant of continuing to serve alcohol to the obviously intoxicated groups. The complaint alleges that as Mr. Vancini and his friend were leaving the restaurant, the other group followed them to the parking lot and began shoving and slapping them. Among the second group was Longview resident Treboria Wallace, who the lawsuit says punched Mr. Vancini in the head, causing him to fall, hit his head on the pavement and lose consciousness. Mr. Vancini later died from his injuries. The man accompanying Wallace filmed the altercation and posted video of the attack to social media. "This is a clear case of negligence," said Mr. Paranjpe. "The groups were showing obvious signs of intoxication, and restaurant management and mall security should have intervened and chose not to. As a result, a father was taken away from his family far too soon." Police later arrested Wallace in Harrison County on charges of aggravated assault in connection with the fight. He was released on bond the same day. The case is Hector Francisco Vancini, Jr. et al., v On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina et al. Paranjpe Mahadass Ruemke LLP or PMR Law is driven by compassion and focused on results. The firm has helped thousands of clients receive the compensation they deserve in personal injury litigation and business disputes. PMR Law's priority is to provide personalized attention, professionalism and tireless representation. Visit: www.pmrlaw.com. Media Contact: Alyssa Woulfe 800-559-4534 [email protected] SOURCE PMR Law CHICAGO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The extra amount of money that people facing hunger said they need to have enough food reached its highest point in the last 20 years, according to Feeding America's annual Map the Meal Gap study. People facing hunger said they need an additional $24.73 per week in 2022, a 9.5% increase after adjusting for increased prices. Nationally, the amount needed among all 44 million people facing hunger in 2022 hit a record high of $33.1 billion, up nearly 43%. This increase suggests that rising prices, especially food prices, likely contributed in part to the increase in need. Map the Meal Gap is the only study that provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district in the U.S. The study builds upon the USDA's latest report of national and state data, which showed a sharp increase in food insecurity in 2022 amidst historically high food prices and the expiration of many pandemic-era programs. Map the Meal Gap emphasizes the urgent call for all of us to take action. "The insights from this year's study confirm what we hear from people facing hunger: elevated food prices and the hard choice between other household expenses like electricity, childcare or medical bills is making hunger in America worse," said Linda Nageotte, Feeding America president and chief operating officer. "This powerful tool helps us understand the impact of food insecurity and underlines that we can choose to end hunger in America by coming together as a nation. That's why Feeding America is calling upon Congress to strengthen critical federal nutrition programs that help to feed millions of families, children and individuals." The national average cost per meal, which reflects how much money people who are food secure report spending on food, also reached its highest point in the last two decades, rising nearly 3% to $3.99 per meal in 2022. High food prices can strain a household's budget when balancing expenses like housing, utilities, transportation and other essentials. Other key findings of Map the Meal Gap include: Food insecurity by geography: Food insecurity exists in all 3,144 counties and county equivalents as well as all 435 congressional districts in all 50 states and the District of Columbia . Estimated food insecurity levels vary across regions, influenced by factors like unemployment and poverty as well as systems and policies that prevent certain households and communities from accessing the food they need. Child food insecurity rates reach almost 50% in some counties. Rural counties make up 62% of all U.S counties, but 9 out of 10 counties with high food insecurity are rural. 8 out of 10 high food insecurity counties are in the South, indicating regional disparities. Income, food spending and costs: Nearly 50% of individuals experiencing food insecurity may not qualify for SNAP benefits due to program eligibility restrictions based on household income. Meal costs vary significantly by county, ranging from $2.91 to $6.67 , showcasing the diverse economic challenges faced by communities. Food insecurity by race and ethnicity: While nearly 40% of the food insecure population in the U.S. is white, food insecurity rates among Black individuals and Latino individuals exceed those of white individuals in most counties. These disparities are an example of how historical, social, economic and environmental factors have held many communities of color back, creating barriers to food security. Racial disparities persist, with significant variations in food insecurity rates across different racial and ethnic groups and geographic locations. Data about additional racial and ethnic populations is not available through Map the Meal Gap, but other research shows that additional communities of color, including Native Americans and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, experience food insecurity at disproportionately high rates. The Map the Meal Gap study is supported by Conagra Brands Foundation and NielsenIQ/NIQ. "Conagra Brands Foundation is dedicated to nourishing communities and is proud to partner with Feeding America and its network of more than 200 food banks in our collective efforts to address the ongoing issue of food insecurity. Map the Meal Gap provides essential data and insights regarding the ongoing challenge of food insecurity in our nation, exposing the disproportionate impact that food insecurity has on people and communities of color. We hope this research encourages continued conversation, resulting in actions and solutions that champion equitable access to nutritious food for people in all communities," said Robert J. Rizzo, Senior Director, Community Investment, Conagra Brands and Conagra Brands Foundation. "NIQ recognizes the ongoing need to address food insecurity within our communities. Our partnership with Feeding America underscores our commitment to support their essential mission of ensuring access to nutritious food for people in need. Together, we are dedicated to building a more equitable and sustainable food system for all through our CPG retailer and manufacturer clients, so that our neighbors can access the food they say they need to thrive," said Kymberly Graham, Vice President and Head of Diversity Initiatives, NIQ, a global measurement and data analytics company. Additional key takeaways from the report can be found on the Map the Meal Gap website along with an interactive map that details food insecurity by geography, income, race and ethnicity. Methodology: Map the Meal Gap uses publicly available data from the USDA ERS, U.S. Census Bureau, and Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate local food insecurity at the county, congressional district and state levels. The study also estimates local meal costs and food budget shortfalls using food price data from NIQ based on the USDA Thrifty Food Plan, and grocery sales tax data for every county and state in the country. To learn how food insecurity impacts your community, visit FeedingAmerica.org/MaptheMealGap. Media Contact Emily James Feeding America About Feeding America Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit www.FeedingAmerica.org to learn more. About Conagra Brands Foundation Conagra Brands Foundation believes everyone has a right to healthy and nutritious food knowing that food insecurity exists in every U.S. county. The Foundation partners with exceptional national and local nonprofits with high-impact programs located in the communities where we live and work. By focusing our efforts within five areas: Direct Food Access, Cooking Skills, Nutrition Education, Healthy and Active Lifestyles and Urban Agriculture, we are able to be a leader in the fight against food insecurity in North America. For more information visit https://conagrabrands.com/communitygiving. About NielsenIQ/NIQ NIQ is the world's leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. NIQ combined with GfK in 2023, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. Today NIQ has operations in more than 90 countries covering 90% of the world's population. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insightsdelivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platformsNIQ delivers the Full View. SOURCE Feeding America IRVING, Texas, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fertility Specialists Network ("FSN"), a portfolio company of LongueVue Capital ("LVC") is pleased to announce the expansion of its leadership team with the addition of a Scientific Director, Dr. Sheela S. Ali, PhD, HCLD, CC, TS. The addition of Dr. Ali highlights FSN's continued commitment to advancing scientific and clinical excellence in in vitro fertilization ("IVF") and reproductive medicine. Dr. Sheela Ali Dr. Ali is a distinguished expert in the field of IVF, with a career spanning over a decade. She earned her master's degree in Clinical Embryology and Andrology from the Jones Institute of Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2013, followed by a PhD in Developmental Biology from the University of North Texas in 2018. Her groundbreaking work in utilizing artificial intelligence to identify critical thresholds in IVF promises to revolutionize the field by providing efficient, real-time support tools for clinical decision-making. Dr. Ali previously served as Vice President of Science and Innovation at Progenesis, where she spearheaded research, publications, and scientific presentations on preimplantation genetics. She serves as a scientific advisory board member for the College of Reproductive Biology ("CRB") and EmbryVu genetics laboratory, as well as a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Membership Committee, Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Quality Assurance Committee, and CRB Committee. Outside of her professional pursuits, Dr. Ali enjoys exploring different cultures through travel, enriching her perspectives and enhancing her holistic approach to reproductive healthcare. Dr. Ali was a panelist for NASA's space biology research program and an expert reviewer for proposals related to the procurement of PCR testing platforms for SARS-CoV-2, submitted to the United Nations. "We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ali into our esteemed network," said H. Ron Davidson, CEO of FSN. "With Dr. Ali's exceptional contributions to the field and her commitment to the continuous progression of reproductive science, she will add immense value and expertise to our growing network." "It is with great enthusiasm that I join the Fertility Specialists Network," said Dr. Ali. "I am eager to contribute to the expansion and enhancement of our IVF programs through innovative science and leadership. I look forward to representing our views on Reproductive Medicine and Embryology within the scientific community, advancing our mission to elevate fertility treatments and broaden access to these vital services for all families." FSN's network of premier fertility centers is led by physicians and scientists who have influenced some of the most prestigious advancements in IVF treatments and fertility care. FSN's proven operational framework has guided the expansion of numerous IVF laboratories throughout the network, garnering nationwide recognition for clinical and scientific excellence. Under the direction of Dr. Ali, FSN aims to maintain the growth momentum of its partner clinics, spearheading scientific research and collaboration across the network. For more information on Fertility Specialists Network, please visit www.fsnetwork.com. About LongueVue Capital Founded in 2001, LongueVue Capital is a New Orleans-based private equity firm focused on providing human and financial capital, leveraging a proven 20+ year track record of partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to drive value creation in middle-market companies. Having managed over $1 billion of committed capital spanning five funds, coupled with 200 years of combined operating and investing experience, the LVC team is an ideal partner for middle-market companies at inflection points and seeking to maximize value for all stakeholders. LVC has made successful investments in a wide variety of industries including healthcare, life sciences, transportation and logistics, precision manufacturing, food and beverage, specialty packaging, consumer, and industrial services. For more information, please visit www.lvcpartners.com, and for media inquiries, please contact [email protected] or call 504.293.3600. SOURCE Fertility Specialists Network Phase Two of Major Organizational Leadership Expansion Welcomes 12 FLCCC Senior Fellows WASHINGTON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The FLCCC Alliance today announced the launch of an expansive fellowship program designed to unify and amplify the powerful voices and scholarship of physicians, scientists and other leading health providers and researchers on a global stage. The first twelve senior fellowsall U.S basedhave been named. The FLCCC will be announcing the international members of the senior fellowship program in the coming days. FLCCC Fellowship Program The FLCCC's senior fellows are among a larger group of professionals who have taken highly public positions to defend the humanitarian values and medical integrity that are central to the Honest Medicine movement. They continue to demonstrate courage and scientific rigor in the face of censorship, threats of license revocation and even termination of employment in order to effect much needed change. "By uniting the FLCCC's powerful platform and resources with our senior fellows' unimpeachable credentials and forceful voices, together we will significantly impact worldwide conversations about medical freedom, ethics, integrity, rigorous science, and essential policy changes legislatively, both domestically and abroad. This is core to FLCCC's mission to restore the sacred doctor-patient relationship," said Dr. Joseph Varon, president and chief medical officer. FLCCC senior fellows will be participating in educational conferences, advocacy events, media appearances and political hearings on topics central to the Honest Medicine movement's mission. Their work will be disseminated through the FLCCC and partner channels worldwide, and in multiple languages. By unifying these brave professionals under the FLCCC Fellowship Program, we can achieve efficiency by having a "local presence" globally to propel high-impact coordination and execution. "Significantly, the FLCCC will support its senior fellows' travel and hotel costs in order to accelerate their ability to engage in broader advocacy work on every continent," said Kat Lindley, senior fellow, family medicine. "Donors will now be able to support the work of FLCCC senior fellows through their donations to the FLCCC. Until now, most of these courageous professionals have been standing alone, with little or no financial backing for travel that is essential to the movement. This program will unify and amplify many of the most powerful voices to drive crucial policy changes for the next generation." "Many FLCCC senior fellows will also continue to make scholarly contributions to their academic specialties on an ongoing basis," noted Dr. Ryan Cole, FLCCC senior fellow, pathology. "Many senior fellows are currently involved in critical medical and scientific research studies. Some are monitoring disease trends and developing treatment guides for numerous health conditions, while others will be engaged in international educational workshops for providers and patients and submit position papers of international medical significance." The FLCCC's U.S.-based senior fellows include the following (in alphabetical order). Please visit the new fellowship program page on our website to review their professional biographies. Dr. Kimberly Biss (MD), senior fellow, obstetrics & gynecology (MD), senior fellow, obstetrics & gynecology Dr. Mary Talley Bowden (MD), senior fellow, otolaryngology and sleep medicine (MD), senior fellow, otolaryngology and sleep medicine Dr. Kristina Carman (ND, NT, IFM), senior fellow, nutritional & holistic health (ND, NT, IFM), senior fellow, nutritional & holistic health Dr. Ryan Cole (MD), senior fellow, pathology (MD), senior fellow, pathology Dr. George Fareed (MD), senior fellow, family medicine (MD), senior fellow, family medicine Dr. Suzanne Gazda (MD), senior fellow, brain health (MD), senior fellow, brain health Dr. Katarina (Kat) Lindley (DO, FACOFP), senior fellow, family medicine Dr. Kirk Milhoan (MD, PhD, FACC, FAAP), senior fellow, pediatric cardiology (MD, PhD, FACC, FAAP), senior fellow, pediatric cardiology Dr. Elizabeth Mumper (MD, FAAP, IFMCP), senior fellow, pediatric education (MD, FAAP, IFMCP), senior fellow, pediatric education Dr. Yusuf (JP) Saleeby (MD), senior fellow, functional & integrative medicine Dr. Brian Tyson (MD, FHM), senior fellow, family medicine and urgent care (MD, FHM), senior fellow, family medicine and urgent care Dr. Jordan Vaughn (MD), senior fellow, microvascular disease This announcement comes on the heels of last week's press release announcing that four of the other founding FLCCC physician/scientists have stepped into expanded leadership roles pursuant to the organization's new strategic plan. "The FLCCC's strategic growth plan process began more than six months ago, initiated by the formation of an executive committee comprising three of the FLCCC's five independent directors those who possess significant entrepreneurial and public company organizational leadership experience," said Kelly Bumann, executive director. "This committee began serving last fall as the FLCCC's 'ad-hoc CEO' in order to marshal the management team and all organizational resources to collaboratively develop a high-impact expansion and growth plan. The committee will continue to partner with the FLCCC's executive management team and staff to execute the plan over the next several months." For media inquiries or further information, please contact Damon Elder at [email protected] About the FLCCC Alliance The FLCCC Alliance, a nonprofit, 501c(3) organization was formed in March 2020 by a group of highly published, world renowned critical care physicians and scholars with the academic support of allied physicians worldwide. Known for its lifesaving protocols for preventing and treating COVID-19 in all stages of illness including "long COVID" and post-vaccination syndrome, the FLCCC has since broadened its scope with the development of various treatment guides for several conditions and illnesses, including sepsis, metabolic disease, cancer, and depression. The organization's larger mission is one driven by Honest MedicineTM that prioritizes patients above profits and emphasizes long-term wellness via the prevention of disease and the empowerment of both physicians and their patients. For more information visit flccc.net. SOURCE FLCCC Alliance Perry Miele Adds Over 30 Years of Expertise to Restaurant Portfolio Company Amid Accelerated Development Efforts CHICAGO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Craveworthy Brands ("Craveworthy"), the innovative fast-casual restaurant platform company that is home to leading concepts such as Bd's Mongolian Grill, Dirty Dough, Flat Top Grill, Genghis Grill, Krafted Burger Bar + Tap, Lucky Cat Poke Co., Pastizza Pizza & Pasta, Scramblin' Ed's, Sigri Indian BBQ, Soom Soom Mediterranean, The Budlong Southern Chicken and Wing It On!, has proudly announced the addition of seasoned hospitality professional Perry Miele to its Board of Directors as an advisory Board member and stakeholder. This strategic decision aligns well with Craveworthy's ongoing focus on fostering growth through essential partnerships and ensuring operational excellence for its franchise partners. Perry Miele, newest addition to the Craveworthy Board of Directors as an advisory Board member and stakeholder. With over three decades of experience, Miele has held various senior positions internationally, driving vital initiatives at esteemed organizations like Nestle's Nestle Professional Out-of-Home (OOH) organization and years in the hospitality industry. Upon returning to North America from Nestle international assignments in 2009, he spearheaded transformative growth in OOH food service at Nestle Professional, highlighting his acumen by formulating and executing sustainable business strategies. Miele's collaborative approach and transformative leadership have solidified his reputation in the industry. He garnered recognition through his decade-long tenure on the Executive Board of the International Foodservice Manufacturing Association (IFMA), where he served as Vice Chair and Chair. Additionally, he has contributed seven-plus years as an executive Board member for the National Restaurant Association (NRA) and Education Foundation, serving as Chair of the Business Development Strategy Committee and sits on the Association's finance committee. Furthermore, as a founding member of the Prosper Forum, Miele has played a pivotal role in fostering diversity and talent development within the OOH industry, driving important change in the field. "Throughout my career, it's been an honor to positively impact numerous lives and foster sustainable growth for companies both domestically and internationally. This new chapter presents a unique chance to contribute to the legacy of Craveworthy Brands," said Miele. "With brand-business building ingrained in my DNA, I admire Craveworthy's remarkable achievements as a disruptive force in the industry." In his new capacity, Miele will serve as a crucial advisory Board member to the Craveworthy team and offer guidance to executive leadership, including Founder and CEO of Craveworthy Brands Gregg Majewski, as they navigate potential opportunities for long-term, sustained growth. "Perry's pivotal contributions in guiding brands toward positive momentum showcases his truly invaluable expertise in the space," stated Majewski. "His inclusion as an advisory Board member and stakeholder fortifies the Company with a proven history of exceptional leadership, industry foresight and unwavering dedication that will equip our rapidly growing restaurant portfolio for ongoing success." Miele's appointment to Craveworthy's Board of Directors arrives at a crucial time for the Company as it places emphasis on domestic expansion, including the pursuit of new brand acquisitions and beneficial partnerships such as its recent announcement with premier sustainability partner Budderfly, which signified a concerted effort to reduce energy consumption across Craveworthy's corporate and franchise-owned restaurants. As Craveworthy Brands continues to expand its presence nationally, it projects $1B in systemwide sales within approximately five years and plans to acquire additional brands, open nearly 17 corporate locations and open over 60 virtual restaurants throughout 2024. Along with its growing pipeline of emerging and legacy brands, Craveworthy is eager to welcome new owner-operator franchise partners under its umbrella of craveable brands. The Company is actively seeking growth-minded individuals who are hungry for success in the category and ready to plug into the platform's systems to ignite growth and opportunity. For more information about Craveworthy Brands and its concepts, please visit www.craveworthybrands.com . For more about the franchise opportunities, please visit www.craveworthybrands.com/franchising . About Craveworthy Brands Craveworthy Brands, the parent company of Bd's Mongolian Grill, Dirty Dough, Flat Top Grill, Genghis Grill, Krafted Burger Bar + Tap, Lucky Cat Poke Co., Pastizza Pizza & Pasta, Scramblin' Ed's, Sigri Indian BBQ, Soom Soom Mediterranean, The Budlong Southern Chicken and Wing It On!, is dedicated to invigorating and supercharging legacy brands while nurturing and growing emerging brands. The company brings together diverse, yet complementary brands and an accomplished, veteran leadership team in the growing culinary space. In addition to building and operating leading restaurant brands, Craveworthy Brands is active in the communities it serves and creates exciting career opportunities for its team members. Bridging the distinctive individuality of its concepts with a shared culture and spirit of collaboration, the Company's goal is to create truly unique and craveworthy experiences every day, every shift and at every turn. Learn more about Craveworthy and its brands at CraveworthyBrands.com . SOURCE Craveworthy Brands Information Office of Qingdao Municipal People's Government QINGDAO, China, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 11, the Forum on Disaster Prevention and Mitigation from the Grassroots Level was held in Qingdao, Shandong, co-hosted by the China Public Relations Association, China Association for Disaster Prevention, and China Society of Emergency Management. Forum Site The forum aims to enhance the public awareness of disaster risk prevention throughout society and strengthen the capacity for disaster prevention and mitigation at the grassroots level to contribute to the high-quality development of Chinese-style modernization, according to the Information Office of Qingdao Municipal People's Government. The forum believes that in recent years, global extreme weather events have shown an increasing and strengthening trend. With the rapid development of the economy and society, some issues of unbalanced and inadequate development have posed challenges to the disaster prevention and reduction capabilities at the grassroots level. China has made significant progress and achievements in disaster prevention and reduction since the reform and opening up, especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. However, in the face of natural disasters and accidents, the problems in grassroots construction have become apparent. Therefore, it is of great significance and an urgent task to do well in grassroots emergency management and to solidify the foundation for disaster prevention and reduction at the grassroots level. The forum highlights that disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief are crucial for safeguarding people's lives and property, as well as social harmony and stability. The best way to maintain public safety and mitigate disaster incidents is prevention, with the optimal timing being during peacetime. There are no bystanders in the prevention of disaster risks; everyone is responsible. It is important to enhance public education and awareness around key fields, improve people's disaster prevention and self-rescue capabilities, strengthen the reserve of emergency supplies at the grassroots level, and boost the development of grassroots emergency teams. It also calls for formulating contingency plans at the grassroots level, establishing and improving systems for early warning, prevention, and emergency response so as to advance grassroots emergency management to a new level. SOURCE Information Office of Qingdao Municipal People's Government COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the significant shortage of accountants and to address the 150-credit requirement for CPA licensure, Franklin University proudly announces a strategic partnership with Miles CPA Review. This collaboration introduces a pioneering educational initiative poised to revolutionize access to CPA licensure, combining Franklin University's century-long tradition of educational excellence with the cutting-edge training capabilities of Miles CPA Review. Franklin University & Miles CPA Review partner to bridge the CPA credit gap and solve for the accountant shortage. From left to right: Dr. Godfrey Mendes (SVP, Franklin University), Dr. David Decker (President, Franklin University), Varun Jain (CEO, Miles CPA Review). The newly launched program offers 30 credits at the highly competitive rate of $99 per credit hour, compared to typical costs ranging from $500 to $1000 per credit hour. Specifically designed for U.S. undergraduates who require these additional credits to fulfill the 150-credit requirement for CPA licensure, this initiative significantly lowers the financial barriers often associated with advancing in the accounting profession. Additionally, the program broadens the pathway for individuals aiming to transition into accounting careers. All participants will receive full access to extensive CPA review resources and study materials, ensuring they are thoroughly prepared for the CPA exam. This CPA Prep access is included with the microcredential at no additional charge. "Through our strategic partnership with Miles CPA Review, we're not merely meeting the academic requirements of our students; we're significantly boosting their career prospects," stated Dr. Godfrey Mendes, Senior Vice President, Franklin University. "By infusing practical, industry-relevant content into our curriculum, we're arming our graduates with the sophisticated skills necessary to thrive in today's dynamic accounting field." Varun Jain, CEO of Miles, shared, "By drastically reducing the costs associated with CPA preparation to nearly 80% below traditional programs, this partnership not only makes becoming a CPA more attainable but also streamlines the entire learning and preparation process. Our aligned courses and free review materials ensure that candidates are not just prepared but are set up for success." The new microcredential will be the latest addition to Franklin University's Marketplace catalog of in-demand subject areas that provide learners with the opportunity to match their ability levels and career paths with specific courses and credential pathways. For further details about this innovative micro-credential program, please visit www.milescpareview.com About Miles CPA Review Miles CPA Review, the flagbearer for accountants, boasts a network of over 55,000 alumni. Miles has partnered with the Big 4 and top public accounting firms to address their talent needs. Miles also partners with leading U.S. universities to integrate STEM courses into accounting programs which not only elevates the appeal of accounting as a career but also proactively combats the trend of declining enrollments. Learn more: www.milescpareview.com About Franklin University Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA. Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE). Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413905/Franklin_x_Miles_Bridge_CPA.jpg SOURCE Franklin University Hennessy Introduces The First Master Blender's Selection Release in Three Years, A Limited-Edition Blend Celebrating Craftsmanship and Innovation with 8th Generation Master Blender Renaud Fillioux de Gironde NEW YORK, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hennessy, the world's best-selling cognac, is proud to release its next installment of its Master Blender's Selection limited edition cognac Master Blender's Selection No 5. The latest iteration is a result of craftsmanship, tradition, and innovation, curated under the expert eye of Hennessy Master Blender Renaud Fillioux de Gironde. Renaud, the 8th generation Master Blender, continues to raise the bar in cognac-making, a tradition passed down from his revered uncle, Yann Fillioux. Hennessy Master Blender's Selection No 5 (PRNewsfoto/Hennessy) Hennessy Master Blender's Selection No 5 (PRNewsfoto/Hennessy) The Master Blender's Selection collection, often considered the best-kept secret of the Hennessy range, is composed of truly unique blends that will never be replicated. The first of the collection, Master Blender's Selection No 1, was released in 2016, and since then, only four of these small-batch blends have been produced, with No 4 debuting in 2021. This latest limited edition blend celebrates the passion and expertise of 18 exceptional distillers. Each distiller plays a crucial role in enhancing the wines' aromas, concentrating them in the heart of the selected eaux-de-vie which are specifically chosen by Renaud for their exceptional qualities. Says Renaud Fillioux de Gironde, "I wanted to pay tribute to the artisans behind the scenes - exclusive Hennessy distillers who are experts and share with us, year after year, first-rate eaux-de-vie remarkable for their purity, finesse and potential. Some have been with us almost since the Maison was founded over 200 years ago. It generally takes many years of training between generations for the son or daughter of the current distiller to take over. It's with these future generations that we'll continue to grow and offer cognacs rooted in our terroir yet deeply contemporary in nature." To craft the Master Blender's Selection No 5 requires an unprecedented eaux-de-vie selection process, followed by a maturing process of at least seven years in French oak barrels, lending to its aromatic complexity. Renaud has selected and combined different eaux-de-vie produced by these 18 unique families of distillers, merging their characters and personalities to create an unmatched cognac. On the nose is an invitation to a sophisticated world with notes of spice and candied orange. The palate is smooth, with delightful pastry notes of cocoa and sweet spices with a comforting creaminess. Then come notes of light tobacco and candied orange. It is perfect drunk neat, on the rocks, and with family and friends. Master Blender's Selection is Hennessy's only cognac bottled at 43%. Concludes Renaud, "Being the 8th generation Master Blender is a tremendous honor, and I feel privileged to be able to continue the craft that was passed down to me by my uncle Yann Fillioux. With Master Blender's Selection No 5, I opted for an innovative approach blend produced in a single batch that will never be replicated - this limited edition is a celebration of the collaborative spirit and expertise in the world of Cognac." Master Blender's Selection No 5 is available in limited quantities exclusively in select retailers in the U.S., retailing at $99 for the 750ml format. For more information, go to Hennessy.com. For further information and additional images, please contact hennessy@ledecompany.com . ABOUT HENNESSY The leader in cognac, the Maison Hennessy has shined around the world with its exceptional know-how for more than 250 years. Built on founder Richard Hennessy's spirit of conquest, the brand is present in more than 160 countries. Based in the heart of the Charente region, Hennessy is also a steadfast pillar of the regional economy. The Maison's success and longevity are rooted in the excellence of its cognacs, each of which is born of a unique process of transmission of know-how from generation to generation. The first spirits house to be certified ISO 14001, Hennessy unites its capacity for innovation and the support of all its partners to protect this exceptional area. As a crown jewel of the LVMH Group, Hennessy is a major contributor to French international trade, with 99% of production sold in export, and a worldwide ambassador for the French art de vivre. SOURCE Hennessy WASHINGTON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Friends of the Uniformed Services University (Friends of USU) will host a lunch and panel discussion on Wednesday, May 22, 12:00-2:30 p.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, DC., to discuss the history, present state, and future of military medicine, focusing on the importance of USU as the integral center of learning for those who are educated and trained to care for those who go into harm's way. The Defense Health Agency's recent stabilization effortsits pivot from a previous strategy to gut the capacity of military treatment facilities and reduce the number of military medical billets within the Department of Defense, illustrates the impact these cuts have had on the 9.4 million MHS beneficiaries and clinicians. "I know we have serious issues," said DoD Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs Martinez-Lopez, upon release of the new strategy to rebuild the MTF system. "We have a plan to fix our situation." But what if the nation had no military medical expertise? How confident would our service members and their families be to serve in combat if we had no military medical professionals who are trained for and practice to serve their unique medical needs? Panelists will include: Dr. Ronald Blanck, DO, LT Gen MC, USA (Ret), Former U. S, Army Surgeon General, former Chair of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) Board of Regents. Dr. Blanck is the moderator and coordinator of the panel and program; Dr. Jonathan Woodson, MD MSS MGEN, USA (Ret), President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, responsible for the academic, research and service mission of the university. Formerly, Dr. Woodson, a Vascular Surgeon, was the Sec of Defense for Health Affairs; Carol Romano, PhD, MS, RN, RADM, USN (Ret), the USUHS Dean and Professor of the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing. Dr. Romano is a former Assistant Surgeon General and Chief Nursing Officer for the US Public Health Service; Richard "Tom" Thomas, MD DDS MGEN, USA (Ret), former President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, currently the Associate Vice President and Dean of the West Virginia University School of Medicine Eastern Division and Chief Medical Officer for WVU Medicine Berkeley and Jefferson Medical Centers; and Tyrone Willis, Command Master Sergeant, MBA USA (Ret.), a senior enlisted leader, experienced medic and a Recruitment Specialist at USU. The event is free but requires an RSVP. Media wishing to attend the event or interview the panelists should contact Tammy Alvarez, President of the Friends of USU at (301) 502-1303 or [email protected] SOURCE Friends of the USU, Inc. NEW YORK, May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global industrial filtration market size is estimated to grow by USD 11400.65 mn from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.71% during the forecast period. For more insights on the forecast market size and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download Free sample report in a minutes Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Industrial Filtration Market 2024-2028 Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Product (Industrial liquid filtration and Industrial air filtration), Application (Food and beverage, Chemicals and petrochemicals, Power generation, and Others), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled 3M Co., Alfa Laval AB, Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc., Boll and Kirch Filterbau GmbH, Camfil AB, Danaher Corp., Donaldson Co. Inc., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Eaton Corp. Plc, Ecolab Inc., Entegris Inc., Filtration Group Corp., Freudenberg and Co. KG, GEA Group AG, Graver Technologies LLC, Hengst SE, Lenntech BV, MANN HUMMEL International GmbH and Co. KG, Parker Hannifin Corp., Pentair Plc, Russell Finex Ltd., Siemens AG, Synder Filtration Inc., and Xylem Inc. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The industrial filtration market encompasses various sectors, including air filtration, petrochemicals, oil and gas, cement, steel, textiles, fertilizers, paints and inks, chemicals, electronics, mines and minerals, water treatment, and wastewater treatment systems. Technological innovations play a pivotal role in enhancing product offerings within this domain. For instance, advancements in filtration technology have led to the development of optimized fluid purifier systems, such as Eaton Corporation Plc's IFPM 33 mobile purifier, which efficiently removes contaminants from a wide range of fluids in applications with high moisture content, like marine, offshore, pulp and paper, and hydroelectric power. Market Challenges The regulatory landscape of industrial filtration is intricate, encompassing a multitude of laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines at the national, regional, and international levels. Central to this environment are environmental regulations, which aim to minimize pollution and conserve natural resources. These regulations often impose restrictions on emissions, effluent discharge, and waste generation, necessitating the implementation of advanced filtration and treatment technologies for industries to adhere to established standards. Health and safety regulations are equally crucial, mandating the management of airborne contaminants and hazardous substances to safeguard workers and communities from potential exposure risks. The regulatory environment is continually evolving, with frequent updates and revisions in response to emerging risks, scientific advancements, and societal concerns. Compliance with these regulations entails substantial costs and operational complexities for industries, necessitating investments in sophisticated filtration technologies, monitoring systems, and regulatory reporting mechanisms. The regulatory landscape also varies by jurisdiction, with distinct standards, enforcement mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks, posing challenges for multinational corporations operating in multiple regions to ensure compliance, operational efficiency, and competitiveness. These factors will hinder the expansion of the global industrial filtration market during the forecast period. The research report provides comprehensive data on the impact of trends, drivers, and challenges - Buy Report Segment Overview This industrial filtration market report extensively covers market segmentation by Product 1.1 Industrial liquid filtration 1.2 Industrial air filtration Application 2.1 Food and beverage 2.2 Chemicals and petrochemicals 2.3 Power generation 2.4 Others Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Industrial liquid filtration- The industrial liquid filtration market is segmented into various product categories, including filter media and filtration equipment. Environmental concerns and the need to mitigate contaminants and pollution have driven the growth of this market. Industrial filtration plays a crucial role in various sectors, such as chemicals & petrochemicals, power generation, oil and gas, metals & mining, automotive, and water treatment. Filter media, including Activated Carbon/Charcoal, Fiberglass, Filter Paper, Metal, and Nonwoven Fabric, are essential components of filtration systems. These media help remove dust particles, airborne particles, and other impurities from liquids and gases. Technologies like Ultrafiltration, Centrifugal filtration, Surface filtration, Horizontal filtration, Cross-flow filtration, and Cake filtration are used to achieve optimal filtration results. The nonwoven segment and Activated carbon segment are gaining popularity due to their high efficiency in removing contaminants. Filtration equipment is used in various applications, such as electrical equipment, wastewater treatment, and water filtration systems. Air filtration is crucial in preventing airborne diseases and ensuring the quality of renewable energy sources and power plants. The Industrial Revolution led to the development of various filtration techniques and equipment, such as Activated carbon filters, air purifiers, water filters, and air conditioners. The market is expected to grow further due to the increasing demand for filtration systems in power plants, raw material processing, and the shift towards renewable energy sources. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The Industrial Filtration Market encompasses various filtration solutions designed to address emissions in petroleum refineries and petrochemical plants. Real-time monitoring systems ensure optimal performance of filtration equipment, which includes Filter media for removing Dust particles and Airborne particles. Ultrafiltration, Centrifugal filtration, Surface filtration, Horizontal filtration, Cross-flow filtration, and Cake filtration are among the techniques employed. Electrical equipment and Air filtration systems are integral components, ensuring the efficient operation of Separation systems. Water filtration systems are crucial for mitigating Airborne diseases and maintaining the quality of crude oil, gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemicals. Filtration equipment, such as Activated carbon filters, Air purifiers, Water filters, and Air conditioners, play a vital role in enhancing industrial processes and safeguarding the environment. The Industrial Revolution marked a significant shift towards advanced filtration technologies, revolutionizing industries and improving overall productivity. Market Research Overview The Industrial Filtration Market encompasses a wide range of technologies and applications used to separate and purify fluids and gases. These filtration systems play a crucial role in various industries such as oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and water treatment. The market is driven by the increasing demand for cleaner and more efficient production processes, stringent regulations, and the growing awareness of the importance of water and wastewater treatment. Technologies used in industrial filtration include microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis. The market is expected to grow significantly due to the rising adoption of these technologies in various end-use industries. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Industrial Liquid Filtration Industrial Air Filtration Application Food And Beverage Chemicals And Petrochemicals Power Generation Others Geography North America Europe APAC South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company 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 To help organizations drive revenue growth and enhance customer experience by leveraging Infosys Cobalt and Infosys Topaz BENGALURU, India, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced that it is collaborating with SAP Emarsys, a cloud-based, omnichannel customer engagement platform, to empower businesses to address the growing need for omnichannel customer engagement. The collaboration will help enterprises create high impact marketing campaigns to boost revenue growth and customer experience by leveraging Emarsys' customer engagement platform and Infosys Cobalt, a set of services, solutions, and platforms for enterprises to accelerate their cloud journey. Through this collaboration enterprises will be able to orchestrate complex industry-specific cross-channel marketing campaigns, reach customers in real-time, and drive customer loyalty through personalization. By harnessing AI capabilities of the platform and Infosys Topaz, an AI-first set of services, solutions and platforms using generative AI technologies, businesses can unlock the value of data from across organizational silos to enable data driven insights and predictive analytics to boost revenue growth. Additionally, the synergy between Infosys and SAP Emarsys will enable clients to get a 360-degree view of campaigns and blend digital channels with in-store experiences to create seamless customer experiences for an immersive and interactive brand experience. Aaron Bradley, Vice President Experience, Technology & GTM Innovation at Wella Company, commented, "We are pleased to be working with Infosys to create a superior, agile, and scalable digital capability using Emarsys to blend digital channels. This collaboration with Infosys has helped to accelerate our digital transformation in our Digital Marketing operations and facilitating our push towards innovation to deliver engaging shopping experiences across multiple touchpoints." Brian Falzone, Chief Operations Officer, SAP Emarsys, said, "Our collaboration with Infosys will supercharge customer engagement and the way our customers leverage data to make strategic decisions. With Infosys' expertise connecting integrated marketing solutions to maximize revenue through personalization, innovation will continue to remain at the forefront for our customers." Dinesh Rao, Executive Vice President, Co-Head of Delivery, Infosys, said, "We are delighted to collaborate with SAP Emarsys to bring groundbreaking omnichannel marketing solutions to our customers. We look forward to helping businesses streamline their marketing processes, seamlessly blending digital channels and creating a new era of customer engagement and generating faster insights across customer life cycle." 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 MANASSAS, Va., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American Microwave Corporation (AMC), an Ironwave Technologies company, and a leading provider of high-performance RF and microwave components, was awarded a $4 million contract from a major defense prime contractor for the supply of their advanced solid-state switches. Under the terms of the contract, AMC will provide its state-of-the-art 21 throw and 25 throw solid state switches, designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern communication and defense systems. These switches are renowned for their exceptional reliability, low insertion loss, and high isolation performance, making them ideal in a wide range of applications in aerospace and defense. AMC's solid-state switches play a critical role in radar systems, satellite communications, airborne applications, electronic warfare, and test and measurement equipment. "We are thrilled to partner with the prime to deliver our cutting-edge solid-state switches for their critical applications," said Anthony Lisuzzo, President/CEO of Ironwave Technologies. "This award underscores our commitment to providing high-quality, customized, and reliable solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers supporting mission-critical operations worldwide." For more information about American Microwave Corporation and its product offerings, visit www.americanmic.com. About American Microwave Corporation: AMC is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-performance RF and microwave components for aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and commercial applications. For over 46 years, AMC has dedicated itself to providing innovative solutions that meet the most demanding requirements. About Ironwave Technologies: Ironwave, www.iwtllc.com comprises Mu-Del Electronics LLC, www.mu-del.com, American Microwave Corporation, www.americanmic.com and Luff Research, www.luffresearch.com which are leaders in supplying active and passive RF components, as well as custom subsystems for military applications in the DC to 60 GHz bands since 1967. Syntonics www.syntonicscorp.com is a provider of innovative system solutions that enhance situational awareness, platform protection and enable cyber-secure communication environments. Contact: Anthony Lisuzzo Chief Executive Officer Ironwave Technologies www.iwtllc.com SOURCE Ironwave Technologies It may be too late, but a nonprofit group is making its pitch in a last-ditch attempt to help Wells College in Aurora avert closure. Dr. Jim Malatras, chief strategy officer and vice president of education for The Fedcap Group, told The Citizen that his organization contacted the college's leadership shortly after the 156-year-old Aurora institution announced it will close at the end of the spring semester. A formal request was sent on Friday, according to Malatras. So far, the college has not responded. The Fedcap Group is a nonprofit with links to dozens of affiliates and companies, including Apex Technical School. The organization has four practice areas: Economic development, education, health and workforce development. What the organization has been seeking, Malatras said, is to have an association with a college through an acquisition or partnership. FedCap pursued the acquisition of Paul Smith's College in northern New York, but there were regulatory hurdles and the school decided to end its collaboration with the group. Malatras thinks Fedcap's pipeline the organization serves 230,000 people annually could help Wells address declining enrollment, which is the main cause of the college's financial woes. From the 2016 fiscal year through 2022, enrollment fell by nearly 40%. With fewer students, the college relied on other sources of funding, such as contributions and grants. There are other resources Fedcap can offer, such as financial expertise, information technology and marketing services. "We think we can turn it around, frankly, and we're open to turning it around because it's not just helping the college that's good for them but in our interest, it opens the door for so many of the people we serve and other people in the communities that we're focused on," said Malatras, who previously served as SUNY chancellor. It's unlikely, though, the college will reverse its decision. In the letter announcing the closure, Wells College President Jonathan Gibralter and Marie Chapman Carroll, who chairs the college's board of trustees, said the board "spent years trying to find creative solutions to raise revenues in hopes of avoiding closure." Those ideas included "conversations with other academic partners," they added. But with revenues "not projected to be sufficient for Wells' long-term financial stability," the board voted to close the college. Malatras acknowledges it may be too late to save Wells. The college has already notified its accreditor, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and the state Education Department. Closure plans are being submitted and the college will lay off its workforce. MIAMI, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaho Partners, LLC ("Kaho"), a thesis-driven investment firm focused on building market-leading companies through organic and acquisition-driven growth, is pleased to announce the sale of Kenny's Great Pies, LLC ("Kenny's" or the "Company") to Dessert Holdings, a portfolio company of Bain Capital. Based in Smyrna, GA, Kenny's is a premier manufacturer of high quality, clean label, cream-based pies and pie fillings. The Company sells millions of branded and private label pies through grocery, club store, and foodservice channels. Kenny's signature product is its Key lime pie, which is made with 100% pure, freshly squeezed, authentic Key limes. Kaho acquired Kenny's from the Company's founder, Kenny Burts, in 2020 and partnered with the existing management team to significantly scale the business. Kaho led major investments in capacity and automation, implemented rigorous data tracking, instilled a culture of excellence and continuous improvement, and significantly expanded the sales organization. During Kaho's hold, the Company tripled revenue and quadrupled EBITDA. Griffin Horter, Chairman of Kenny's and Co-Founder of Kaho, stated, "We are very fortunate to have partnered with Gary Muter and the entire Kenny's team. Together, we dramatically grew the Company and significantly professionalized its operations, all while improving product quality, on time delivery, and safety. We thank the Kenny's team for their hard work and dedication to continuous improvement, which resulted in a fantastic outcome for everyone involved. We look forward to watching Kenny's continue to thrive in its new partnership with Dessert Holdings." Gary Muter, Chief Executive Officer of Kenny's, added, "Kenny's achieved great things during our partnership with Kaho Partners. We transformed the business by implementing a continuous improvement mindset rooted in the principles of Kaizen, instilling a culture of rigorous metric-based management, and professionalizing our operations - all of which paved the way for remarkable growth. As we embark on our next chapter, we are excited and confident that our partnership with Dessert Holdings will propel the company to even greater heights." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Kaho was represented in the transaction by Integris Partners as exclusive financial advisor and Holland & Knight, PLLC as legal counsel. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Griffin Horter ([email protected]) About Kaho Partners : Kaho is a thesis-driven investment firm focused on building market-leading companies through organic and acquisition-driven growth. For more information on Kaho Partners, please visit www.kahopartners.com . SOURCE Kaho Partners NEW YORK, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., a prominent middle market investment bank, is pleased to announce the appointment of Barry Steiner and Mike Gideon as co-Chief Executive Officers, effective immediately. This strategic decision underscores Ladenburg's commitment to capitalizing on current market opportunities and propelling its investment banking business to greater heights. Steiner is a long-standing member of the Ladenburg investment banking team, having served as its Chief Operating Officer for ten years. Steiner has been instrumental in driving growth and fostering enduring client relationships. Gideon has 16 years of experience in the industry and has overseen Ladenburg's operations since 2018. He is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the Equity Trading division and drives Ladenburg's business development efforts in all aspects of trading, operations, and compliance. "We are delighted to appoint Barry and Mike as co-CEOs," stated Jamie Price, CEO of parent company Osaic. "Their combined leadership and expertise will play a pivotal role in advancing Ladenburg's investment banking business. This move reflects our dedication to leveraging the dynamic opportunities within the middle market." "We are committed to collaborating with Ladenburg's talented investment banking team to unlock new opportunities and achieve even greater success," remarked Steiner and Gideon in a joint statement. "We are confident in Ladenburg's position to emerge as a leader in the middle market and are dedicated to building upon the company's legacy of delivering exceptional results for our clients." About Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. has been a member of the New York Stock Exchange since 1879 and offers a full suite of investment banking and capital markets products and services, including proprietary equity research. About Osaic Osaic, Inc. ("Osaic"), a portfolio company of Reverence Capital Partners, is one of the nation's largest providers of wealth management strategies, supporting approximately 11,600 financial professionals. Our mission is to support the strategic role that financial professionals can play in the lives of their clients. Cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence, Osaic champions the enduring value of financial professionals. For more information, visit www.osaic.com. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through the firms: Osaic Wealth, Inc., Triad Advisors, LLC, and Osaic Institutions, Inc., broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, and members of FINRA and SIPC. Securities are offered through Securities America, Inc., American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc., and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., broker-dealers and members of FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Arbor Point Advisors, LLC, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., and Triad Hybrid Solutions, LLC, registered investment advisers. Advisory programs offered by Osaic Wealth, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., and Triad Advisors, LLC., are sponsored by VISION2020 Wealth Management Corp., an affiliated registered investment adviser. Media Inquiries Prosek Partners for Osaic [email protected] 646-818-9038 SOURCE Osaic FAIRFIELD, N.J., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lamar Companies, in conjunction with Real Capital Solutions is pleased to announce the acquisition of Geneva Commons, a 440,370 SF open-air shopping center in Geneva, IL. The property is anchored by Dick's Sporting Goods and Barnes & Noble, with shadow anchors including The Fresh Market, Binny's, DSW, and HomeGoods. Geneva Commons is a premier hybrid open-air center with strong visibility along Randall Road featuring over 32,000 vehicles per day. Within the Property's trade area there are over 246,209 residents earning an impressive AAHI of $155,666 (43% higher than IL average). Geneva Commons features a dynamic mix of existing retail categories: casual & sit-down dining, fitness, beauty, jewelry, furniture, pet, apparel, and service based including Sephora, Athleta, Lovesac, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Bath and Body Works, J. Crew Factory, and First Watch. The Center can accommodate a range of prospective users and ownership looks forward to enhancing the shopping experience by building upon its best-in-class tenant mix. Lamar Companies Acquires Dominant Open-Air Shopping Center In Western Suburb Of Chicago Lamar Companies Acquires Dominant Open-Air Shopping Center In Western Suburb Of Chicago "Geneva Commons is well positioned as the most dominant and productive lifestyle center in Chicago's western suburbs. The Property enjoys a unique location and competitive positioning that insulates it from direct competition. We look forward to reinvesting in this premier asset to drive further leasing activity," said Frank Maresca with Lamar Companies. The acquisition builds upon Lamar's recent history of acquiring premier lifestyle centers with value-add potential including Shops at Valley Square in Warrington, PA and Cambridge Crossing in Mount Laurel, NJ. Website: www.lamarco.com About Lamar Companies Lamar Companies is a full-service, privately held, real estate investment company headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey. Since its founding in 1972, the Company has routinely been ranked in the top 100 largest owners of retail shopping centers in the US according to National Real Estate Investors rankings. Lamar primarily focuses on opportunities created by real estate economic cycles and underperforming assets across the United States and is a principal investor in projects for its own account and in partnership with major institutions. Throughout the years the firm has maintained its entrepreneurial roots as a hands-on operating partner with a deep expertise in retail space, and a unique ability to drive value for its investors. Media Contact: Frank Maresca (973)-867-0612 [email protected] Kyle Hayes (973)-302-5678 [email protected] SOURCE Lamar Companies Collaboration embodies Italian luxury and merges best-in-class technology and design. VICENZA, Italy, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Announced today, Lamborghini and Sonus faber's collaboration marks the beginning of a long-awaited partnership that stems from a deep appreciation for Italian artistry, high-quality craftsmanship, and rich traditions of audio excellence. Available for preorder starting in May 2024, the new Revuelto will be the first Lamborghini vehicle available to customize with Sonus faber's inimitable automotive audio system, which was born out of the joint efforts of Sonus faber's R&D and Design department headed by Livio Cucuzza and Lamborghini's team. "The collaboration with Lamborghini an icon of the automotive industry is an extremely important milestone for Sonus faber, further expanding the brand into the luxury car segment," said Fiore Cappelletto, Vice President and General Manager Automotive at McIntosh Group, which owns Sonus faber. "Transcending the ordinary, the audio system will encapsulate drivers in a symphony of design and natural sound in a way that only these two Italian legacy brands can." ABOUT THE LAMBORGHINI REVUELTO SOUND SYSTEM BY SONUS FABER The Lamborghini Revuelto sound system is a culmination of acoustical engineering and Sonus faber heritage, meticulously crafted to deliver natural, clear and detailed sound and give the listener the ability to experience audio in its purest form. The system features 7 speakers in total, with an exclusive phase plug and natural fiber composite material developed specifically for this spectacular vehicle. Each element was chosen to enhance the in-car experience and was meticulously crafted to deliver Sonus faber's unique, emotion-evoking sound. High-Res Renderings for Download: HERE ABOUT SONUS FABER Sonus faber is an Italian manufacturer of handcrafted speakers, and other high-end audio equipment, born from the idea of a man who loved music and its correct reproduction, but also from a person with a special sensibility about handcrafted wood products and a true reverence for beauty. Sonus faber brand tells a story by means of sound and materials. Each Sonus faber product, be it past, present or future, is able to take the listener into a world of long-lasting tradition, Italian culture and craftsmanship. Our handmade musical instruments are true to Italian expertise, with an unforgettable voice that immerses you in a natural sound experience. FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT: NIKE COMMUNICATIONS Annie Maines [email protected] SOURCE Sonus faber For over a century, Cahill has been recognized for innovation and excellence in helping traditional financial institutions resolve their thorniest legal and business challenges. Through its CahillNXT practice, the firm is now at the forefront of guiding the next generation of entrepreneurs and businesses in the burgeoning digital assets sector (sometimes known as "Web3") through the maze of opportunities and risks on the cutting edge of the intersection of digital assets, emerging technology, and finance. The combined practice will provide corporate governance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and litigation advice, from start-up formation, product structuring, fundraising, licensing, intellectual property, dealmaking and due diligence, to handling clients' internal investigations, regulatory compliance and enforcement matters, and bet-the-company civil and criminal litigation. Mr. Cohen, Mr. Strong, and Ms. Chen are true crypto natives, having long focused their practice on the adoption and use of blockchain technology and tokenization across a wide range of market-leading projects, along the way handling general corporate matters, venture financing, securities law compliance, and financial regulatory matters. Their clients have included some of the world's leading blockchain development companies, foundations, digital asset gaming platforms, trading firms, digital wallet-service providers, blockchain infrastructure providers, venture capital firms, and traditional financial institutions. "Lewis is a trailblazer and thought leader, having co-founded one of the very first law firms focusing on clients engaging with the digital asset space. Nearly six years ago, Lewis recognized the potential for this community to create new and groundbreaking commercial and economic models. Lewis and his colleagues built a leading Web3-focused legal brand through a singular focus on the needs of clients working in the blockchain space, while remaining true to the sector's open-source and community-oriented ethos," said Sam Enzer, Co-Chair of the CahillNXT practice. "By joining forces as CahillNXT, our combined team has the capacity to handle the most significant and complex legal and business challenges that the industry faces, from helping our clients structure, develop, and launch projects that involve the use of crypto assets, to defending them in civil and criminal litigation or regulatory enforcement matters." "In three short years, Cahill's practice in this space has grown from nascent to top-tier," said Herb Washer, Chair of Cahill's Executive Committee. "Last year, we unveiled a long-term plan to further diversify and grow Cahill, focusing on our most successful and profitable practices. With the addition of this remarkable team, our plan is right on schedule, reinforcing Cahill as the premier destination for both traditional financial institutions and emerging companies across the ever-evolving digital assets sector." "For more than a century, Cahill has been a leader in providing counsel to the financial services industry. Then, in the blink of an eye, Sam and Cahill built a remarkable and industry-leading digital asset practice," said Lewis Cohen, Co-Chair of the CahillNXT practice. "My colleagues and I couldn't be happier to join this team launched by Sam, who successfully led some of the government's earliest, groundbreaking cases in this field as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York." Prior to joining Cahill in 2021, Mr. Enzer served for eight years as a federal prosecutor for the Department of Justice in the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), where he rose to become a senior member of the SDNY Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force and spearheaded multiple groundbreaking cryptocurrency enforcement matters. He has been described as "one of the leading cryptocurrency enforcement attorneys to come out of government service in recent years" by The National Law Journal and as the "SDNY Crypto Ace" by Law360. Mr. Cohen, Mr. Strong and Ms. Chen were authors of a first-of-its-kind 2022 study of crypto assets analyzing why secondary market crypto asset transactions are not "securities" subject to the Securities Exchange Commission's enforcement jurisdiction. This seminal 180-page "open source" work, made available for free to market participants, regulators and others in the industry, summarizes all 266 appellate cases to have applied the Supreme Court's "Howey test" since 1946 and guides many industry players as they navigate the application of U.S. securities laws and rules to new, developing asset classes. This three-partner team joining Cahill will be augmented by a highly experienced coder and developer able to help clients bridge the gap between code and law. Full biographies of the new CahillNXT partners can be found here: Lewis Rinaudo Cohen Gregory Strong Sarah W. Chen About Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP Cahill is among the most successful law firms in the world. With a history of legal innovation dating back to the firm's founding in 1919, Cahill is trusted by market-leading financial institutions, companies and their boards to manage significant corporate transactions, litigation and regulatory matters. Based in New York, Cahill also has offices in London and Washington, D.C. SOURCE Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP BLOOMINGTON, Ill., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Association for Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp) welcomes Dawn Gannon, MBA, CAE, to its staff as Interim Executive Director. She brings her invaluable expertise and leadership with over 20 years of association management experience, including seven years in the eating disorders community. "The iaedp Board is excited to work with Dawn," said Dr. Charlynn Small, CEDS-C, iaedp Board President. "She will be working closely with both the board and staff to oversee all operational and administrative matters as we continue to advance our mission of promoting education and training among practitioners." In addition to her professional accomplishments, Gannon is a proud United States Naval Reserve veteran and an active contributor to the American Society for Association Executives (ASAE), where she serves on the Faculty Pool. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management from Trevecca Nazarene University and a Master of Business Administration with a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Management from American Public University. Gannon is also a certified Lean/Six-Sigma Green Belt and holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. "I am deeply honored to join the iaedp team," said Gannon. "This role presents an incredible opportunity to contribute to our vital mission of advancing the standards of practice and quality of care through our global members. I look forward to collaborating with the staff and board members to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by eating disorders." The iaedp Foundation, since 1985, has provided education and training standards to an international and multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professions. Its prestigious Foundation's President's Council members, who provide crucial organizational support, include Alsana: An Eating Recovery Community; Banyan Centers; Center for Change; Center for Discovery; Desert Marriage & Family Counseling | Mind Over Body; Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists; Eating Recovery Center; Laureate Eating Disorders Program; Monte Nido; Montecatini Eating Disorder Treatment Center; Moriah Health; My Clear Step; Rogers Behavioral Health; The Meadows Ranch; The Renfrew Center; Timberline Knolls; WD Recovery and Wellness Center; and Within Health. SOURCE iaedp Foundation RENO, Nev., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- While many companies are addressing economic headwinds by resorting to layoffs, LegalMatch.com , the leading online platform connecting consumers with qualified lawyers, is experiencing significant growth. Today, the company announced a strategic expansion across its sales, key account management, call center, and development teams. This expansion directly responds to a surge in demand for online legal services. LegalMatch has seen a rise in cases submitted across multiple legal practice areas, reflecting a broader shift towards digital solutions for a variety of legal needs. The company's growth trajectory stands in stark contrast to the national trend of layoffs, and leadership attributes the platform's success to creating a seamless experience for both consumers and lawyers. "At LegalMatch, we're proud to be bucking the trend and expanding our team to meet the increasing demand for online legal support. This growth reflects the trust consumers and lawyers have placed in our platform, and we're committed to building on that trust by providing a seamless legal experience for everyone," says Ken LaMance, LegalMatch's General Counsel. LegalMatch is actively recruiting for positions in: Sales: Experienced professionals to connect individuals, businesses and organizations with LegalMatch's comprehensive attorney network. Experienced professionals to connect individuals, businesses and organizations with LegalMatch's comprehensive attorney network. Key Account Management: Strategic thinkers who build and maintain strong relationships with key clients. Strategic thinkers who build and maintain strong relationships with key clients. Call Center: Dedicated representatives to provide exceptional customer service to both consumers and lawyers. Dedicated representatives to provide exceptional customer service to both consumers and lawyers. Development: Talented engineers to continue building and refining the LegalMatch platform. By strategically expanding its workforce, LegalMatch positions itself to meet the growing need for accessible legal resources. This commitment to growth ensures LegalMatch remains the go-to platform for both consumers seeking legal guidance and attorneys looking to connect with new clients. About Us LegalMatch is the nation's oldest and largest online legal lead-generation service. Headquartered in Reno, Nevada, LegalMatch helps people find the right lawyer and helps attorneys find new clients. LegalMatch's service is free to individuals and small businesses looking for legal help. For more information about LegalMatch, please visit our website or contact us directly. LegalMatch California is a California State Bar certified Lawyer Referral Service #0140 dedicated to improving the quality and affordability of legal services in all California counties. LegalMatch California is an innovative forum for lawyers and legal clients to meet. California attorneys interested in joining LegalMatch California must meet membership qualifications and carry malpractice insurance. LegalMatch California, like its parent organization LegalMatch.com, remains free to consumers. Media Contact Ken LaMance [email protected] (415) 946-0856 SOURCE LegalMatch NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LinkUnite Announces Its Highly Anticipated Women's Event in Nashville, Tennessee LinkUnite is thrilled to announce the next edition of its empowering women's event, LinkUnite IV , set to take place from June 26-28, 2024, at the prestigious Noelle Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Building on the success of its previous iterations, this year's event promises a comprehensive agenda crafted to address the most pressing needs and interests of women in the business world. The three-day event will feature an array of sessions designed to equip attendees with critical insights into compliance, business growth & strategy, artificial intelligence, self-advocacy, and critical thinking. The event provides a platform for attendees to engage with industry experts, apply their skills in practical scenarios, and network with peers in an inspiring setting. Get ready to dive deep into the heart of Nashville's vibrant music scene Post this Program Highlights Include: All things Compliance & Regulations: Michele Shuster will guide attendees through the latest updates in compliance regulations, including the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), equipping professionals with knowledge to maintain compliance in evolving regulatory landscapes. Tammy Glover Fowler , MS offers insights into the practical application of compliance laws in business operations, providing actionable strategies for those directly involved in compliance efforts. AI Workshop: The Women And I - AI in the Sky session on the Rare Bird rooftop will involve hands-on AI learning experiences, including live exercises and collaborative digital marketing projects, facilitated by seasoned mentors. Business Strategy Session: Jennifer Lau-Hatcher will discuss innovative strategies for integrating affordability and excellence into business models, crucial for fostering growth and enhancing operational efficiency. Self-Advocacy Workshop: Led by Emily Golden , this workshop aims to empower attendees, especially women, with effective self-advocacy techniques critical for professional growth and advancement. Critical Thinking Workshop: Ndala Booker 's session will delve into the application of critical thinking skills across various aspects of life, enhancing decision-making and personal resilience. In addition to these targeted sessions, LinkUnite IV will provide a platform for attendees to propose topics and engage with leaders in real time, ensuring the content remains dynamic and participant-focused. This inclusive approach invites women from all industries to shape the conversation, reflecting the event's commitment to addressing real-time, relevant issues impacting their careers and businesses. Get ready to dive deep into the heart of Nashville's vibrant music scene with an exclusive activity that sets LinkUnite IV apart from any other event. Imagine stepping inside a renowned Nashville recording studio, surrounded by the pulsing creativity that has launched countless careers in the music industry. This unique opportunity is not just a visitit's an immersion. Fly on the Wall - Recording Session: This extraordinary experience invites you to sit in on an actual recording session alongside a Grammy Award-winning producer. At one of Nashville's premier studios, you'll witness the magic of music production first-hand. This is your chance to observe the intricate process of crafting a hit song, from the initial chords to the final mix, in a setting that's usually closed to the public. Participants will get an authentic glimpse into the life of session players, talent, producers, and engineers as they work to create musical masterpieces. This unparalleled access is designed not just for observation but for real, engaging interaction with the pros. This experience is exclusive to LinkUnite IV attendees and provides true insider access that's not available to the general public. Along with this, attendees can enjoy a range of other group activities designed to foster networking and bonding, including explorations of downtown Nashville, custom food courses, and sessions focused on breathwork. Don't miss out on the chance to blend professional growth with an unforgettable Nashville adventure at LinkUnite IV. "We are excited to host LinkUnite IV in Music City, Nashville Tennessee this year and look forward to offering an environment where women can come together to gain valuable knowledge, network with peers, find mentorship, and create lifelong relationships. Our aim is to empower each participant with the tools they need to excel and inspire change in their respective fields" said the LinkUnite team. Registration Information: Early bird registration is currently open. For registration details please visit our website at https://www.linkunite.live/ and fill out our contact form, or reach out to Amanda Farris and Sara Malo directly for registration information. About LinkUnite : LinkUnite events are designed to support and inspire women across various sectors by providing them with the resources and network needed to succeed personally and professionally. Each event is tailored to the needs of its attendees, ensuring a relevant and impactful experience for all attendees. For further information, please contact: Amanda Farris CEO - LinkUnite IV Email: [email protected] Website: www.linkunite.live Sara Malo COO - LinkUnite IV Email: [email protected] Website: www.linkunite.live Join us in Nashville for an empowering experience designed to elevate your career to the next level! Contact: Amanda Farris CEO - LinkUnite IV Email: [email protected] Website: www.linkunite.live SOURCE LinkUnite, LLC INDIANAPOLIS, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RISE Commercial District is excited to share that it's been named one of the 25 Fastest Growing Companies by the Indiana Business Journal (IBJ) for the fourth year running. This recognition reflects RISE's ongoing commitment to helping local businesses thrive and succeed. For over ten years, RISE Commercial District has been working hard to make it easier for small businesses to find a place to operate. By offering a variety of commercial space options including office and warehouse space with a robust list of amenities specifically designed for businesses, RISE has become a go-to choice for entrepreneurs in the Midwest. Jim Sapp, CEO of RISE Commercial District, said, "We're so proud to be recognized by the Indiana Business Journal again. It's a big deal for us, and it's all thanks to our team and the local businesses we work with. We're here to help them succeed." RISE Commercial District has been growing fast, adding multiple new locations every year. The IBJ's recognition of RISE Commercial District as one of the state's 25 Fastest Growing Companies reaffirms the company's position as a leader in the commercial real estate market and highlights its ongoing contributions to the economic vitality of the Midwest region. For more information about RISE Commercial District and how they help small businesses, visit www.risecommercialdistrict.com or contact Pat Rodgers at 317-605-7686 or [email protected]. About RISE Commercial District: RISE Commercial District exists to make industrial warehouse space affordable and accessible for all businesses. RISE Commercial District offers warehouse, storage, and office space for lease and, RISE doesn't just offer these business spaces and leave tenants to grow on their own. RISE provides amenities, tools, and hands-on training to help businesses go from startup to scaleup. SOURCE RISE Commercial District The exclusive Abu Dhabi Limited Edition capsule, in partnership with Vilebrequin and Experience Abu Dhabi, debuted last night at L'Ondine & Vilebrequin La Plage during the 77th Cannes Film Festival's opening day. Among the star-studded guests were Nour Arida, Shanina Shaik, and Romee Striid. Adorned with hues of rich, refined blues and gold accents, the inspiration behind the limited-edition collection is the stunning landscape of Abu Dhabi's waters, with a touch of Saint-Tropez elegance. The house's iconic sea turtle motif encounters Abu Dhabi's palm trees, creating a joyful design reminiscent of beautiful moments in the sun with loved ones. Manufactured with respect to the environment, these crafted pieces are tailored from high-grade recycled polyamide and highlight a commitment to sustainability. Designed for men, women, and children, the capsule collection is a reflection of Abu Dhabi as a family-friendly summer destination. For men, a matching bowling shirt cut made from European linen and a classic swim trunk finished by hand promise quality and breathability. The women's collection encompasses an elegant one-piece with a timeless V-neck silhouette and an organic cotton shirt dress finished in fine embroidery. Young ones are spoiled for choice with a matching swim trunk and a one-piece that are both adorable and durable. Over on Saadiyat Island, the local shores meet French joie de vivre at Saadiyat Beach Club with a stylish takeover of Vilebrequin's vibrant range of Riviera-feel furnishings. Until September 2024, the collaboration will highlight bespoke sun loungers, umbrellas, and towels decorated with the house's signature colours and patterns. The Abu Dhabi Limited Edition capsule in collaboration with Vilebrequin and Experience Abu Dhabi will be available in France from May 2024 and in select Vilebrequin stores globally and online at vilebrequin.com from June 2024. About the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi: The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi's wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate's position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate's potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries. DCT Abu Dhabi's vision is defined by the emirate's people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi's status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought. For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413435/VBQ_X_ABU_DHABI_SUMMER_24_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413444/VBQ_X_ABU_DHABI__SUMMER_24_2.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413448/VBQ_X_ABU_DHABI_SUMMER_24_3.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413451/VBQ_X_ABU_DHABI_SUMMER_24_4.jpg SOURCE Experience Abu Dhabi WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED Marks the Company's 30th Location MILAN, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls , the largest brick-and-mortar franchise known for its indulgent yet accessible Maine-sourced seafood, will open its 30th location and first international location in Milan, Italy this week. Unlike the langostino lobster typically found in Europe, Mason's offers the unique and superior quality of Maine lobster in a casual setting. This new location in Milan caters to the increasing European demand for premium lobster, further broadening access to the authentic taste of a cherished U.S. luxury. Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls storefront located at Via Torino, 73 Milano MI, 20123 Photo: Mason's Mason's brings its mouthwatering lobster rolls to Italy. Photo: Mason's "Our entrance into the European market represents a significant milestone for Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls," said Dan Beck, founder and CEO of Mason's. "The response from our customers abroad has been incredible, and they specifically appreciate the unmatched quality of Maine lobster, celebrated for its fine texture and rich flavor. Our Milan location is just the beginning of our plans to expand throughout Europe." Located at Via Torino, 73, Mason's Milan is set in a fast-casual dining atmosphere, inviting guests to indulge in the simplicity and sophistication of its menu. While it features the classic lobster rolls that Mason's is celebrated for, the Milan menu boasts some local twists including While it features the classic lobster rolls that Mason's is celebrated for, the Milan menu boasts some local twists including Campari and a new lobster roll "Diavolo" with local 'Nduja sauce. Founded in 2014 by Dan Beck, a former seafood restaurant buyer who cultivated vital relationships with Maine lobstermen, Mason's continues to leverage these partnerships to ensure the highest standards of seafood quality and affordability. Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls in Milan is located at Via Torino, 73 and is open daily from 11 A.M. until 11 P.M. About Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls is the largest fast-casual, brick-and-mortar chain in the U.S. with the broadest variety of 100% Maine lobster rolls. The company was founded in 2014 and began franchising stores in 2016 with a focus on quality and authenticity. Today, you can find Mason's stores across the U.S. and can order online from anywhere in the contiguous U.S. with next-day delivery. To learn more about Mason's, visit https://www.masonslobster.com/ Contact: Alefiya Dhilla 646-246-6746 [email protected] SOURCE Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls Leading architecture firms announces merger in Washington state TACOMA, Wash., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- McGranahan Architects, a Washington-based, full-service architectural firm specializing in educational facilities, announced today that they have merged with PBK, a nationally-acclaimed architectural planning and design firm. The joint capabilities of PBK and McGranahan will allow the firm to meet the needs of a growing client base in the region by leveraging both the national exposure, experience, and evidence-based design practices of PBK and the regionally concentrated programming, design and construction administration services of McGranahan. "We are thrilled to welcome McGranahan into the PBK family," said Dan Boggio, Executive Chairman of PBK. "This acquisition is a strategic alignment that brings together two firms dedicated to excellence in educational design and innovation. Together, we will enhance our capabilities and expand our reach, delivering even greater value to our clients and communities. We look forward to a future where our combined expertise sets new standards in the industry." The newly acquired firm has one office in Tacoma, Washington. Christopher Lilley, Matthew Lane and the entire McGranahan leadership team will continue to lead the firm's Washington state operation. "We are excited to join forces with PBK, a move that marks a significant milestone in our journey," said Christopher Lilley. "This partnership will allow us to leverage PBK's national presence and resources to enhance our service offerings and reach. We remain deeply committed to our architectural vision and values, and we believe that with PBK, we can achieve even more impactful results for our clients and the broader community. We're looking forward to this new chapter of growth and innovation." PBK and McGranahan's combined team of experts will meet architectural design needs in the K-12 and higher education sector in the Pacific Northwest, as the region has been marked by an expansion in educational facilities and programs, aiming to accommodate the rising student population and evolving academic needs across the region. "Expanding into the Pacific Northwest represents a pivotal element of our growth strategy," said Roy Montalbano, President of Client Relations and Strategic Partnerships at PBK. "This region's dynamic economy and vibrant communities provide an ideal landscape for our company to introduce our innovative solutions and build lasting partnerships." The acquisition represents a significant development for PBK's continued growth nationally. PBK's national strategy of targeted partnerships including in the Pacific Northwestern U.S. has expanded the firm's presence into new regions and markets as a leader in architectural planning and design. About PBK For over four decades, PBK has served as an award-winning pioneer for architectural and engineering design solutions for clients in education, sports, and corporate business. With more than 800 professionals across 27 offices, the firm embraces a unique business culture that prioritizes customer service and approaches each project without preconceived notions to deliver custom solutions that effectively address the unique needs of each client. For more information: www.pbk.com . About McGranahan Architects For over 55 years, McGranahan has dedicated itself to the creation of inspiring learning environments. The firm holds the belief that education transforms individual lives and society, and that thoughtful architecture fosters meaningful learning. McGranahan's culture and design approach are built on a foundation of inspired individuals collaborating to create architecture that enlivens the educational context of the communities they serve. For more information: www.mcgranahan.com SOURCE PBK Completes Major Steps Towards Profitability with Best Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA in Over Three Years TORONTO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQB: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) ("MediPharm", "MediPharm Labs" or the "Company") a pharmaceutical company specialized in precision-based cannabinoids announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Select Highlights Revenue increased 67% to $9.8M during the three months ended March 31, 2024 ("Q1 2024") versus revenue for the same quarter in 2023 ("Q1 2023") of $5.8M . during the three months ended ("Q1 2024") versus revenue for the same quarter in 2023 ("Q1 2023") of . Q1 2024 gross profit was $2.7M or 27% which improved significantly versus Q1 2023 gross profit of 6.6% and versus the three months ended December 31, 2023 ("Q4 2023") of 24.3% or 27% which improved significantly versus Q1 2023 gross profit of 6.6% and versus the three months ended ("Q4 2023") of 24.3% Adjusted EBITDA (1) improved 70% to negative $0.9M in Q1 2024 from negative $3.1M in Q1 2023 and improved sequentially from negative $1.6M in Q4 2023. improved 70% to negative in Q1 2024 from negative in Q1 2023 and improved sequentially from negative in Q4 2023. MediPharm anticipates further improvement on profitability in 2024 with plans being implemented to improve Adjusted EBITDA (2) by a further $1M to $2M , which plans include the ongoing optimization of production and logistics facilities. by a further to , which plans include the ongoing optimization of production and logistics facilities. Strong balance sheet with $17M million of cash, and less than $3 million of debt as of March 31, 2023 . US Update and Strategy MediPharm is optimistic about recent Associated Press reports that the US Drug Enforcement Agency ("US DEA") will move cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. This is a solid step towards recognizing the medical benefits of cannabis and allow for the increased study of those benefits. Today, researchers face significant challenges in getting trial approvals and then dealing with the logistics of sourcing, and managing Clinical Trial Materials that may contain cannabis. The Company believes that the US Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") could regulate these cannabis activities, as they do with tobacco products, food, cosmetics, natural health products and drugs. (2) MediPharm is the only purpose-built cannabis facility that has been inspected by the FDA and holds a current Drug Establishment Licence. MediPharm has been referenced in FDA Investigational New Drug Applications, an Abbreviated New Drug Application and a Drug Master File. The Company has also sent multiple cannabis oil shipments for clinical trials which are DEA approved. In the short-term MediPharm will use this leading FDA and US DEA experience to position itself as the go-to partner for cannabis research in the US. Longer term, it is likely that any new US FDA regulations will raise the bar on manufacturing quality requirements. MediPharm intends to use its advanced GMP process validation and pharmaceutical product characterization to launch products into the future regulated US market. (2) Continued Growth in International Medical Cannabis in Q1 2024 Changes to the German legislation in removing cannabis from the narcotic lists has opened new commercial opportunities to streamline in-county operations and expand the addressable patient base. In Q1 2024, MediPharm's Beacon Medical GMBH hosted a successful audit at its German office for the continued import, manufacturing and release of cannabis products. This was followed by EU GMP renewal inspections at the Company's Canadian sites. This clears the path to increase branded product sales in the second half of 2024 (2) . MediPharm now has 14 product registrations under the Beacon brand in Germany , up from 5 in Q4 2023. . MediPharm now has 14 product registrations under the Beacon brand in , up from 5 in Q4 2023. Increase in German medical cannabis sales to $1.4M , a 36% increase versus Q4 2023. 70% of these sales were non-flower products including oil, CBD isolate and dronabinol, contributing to improved overall international margin profile. , a 36% increase versus Q4 2023. 70% of these sales were non-flower products including oil, CBD isolate and dronabinol, contributing to improved overall international margin profile. In Q1 2024, MediPharm medical cannabis sales in Australia were $1.8M a 64% increase from Q4 2023. The main contributor to the increase was both branded and white label GMP vape sales. New tighter rules requiring all products to meet GMP standards in Australia has opened many branded and B2B opportunities for the Company. Management Commentary David Pidduck, CEO, MediPharm Labs commented, "This quarter shows another quarter of growing revenue, stronger gross profit, decreasing costs and improving Adjusted EBITDA. MediPharm's balance sheet is in an excellent position to consider future investments in growth. With Adjusted EBITDA getting close to breakeven, the leadership team can now devote even more energy to growing our business. Regulatory changes in Germany and Australia and potential upcoming changes in the US are all very favourable for the Company." Greg Hunter, CFO, MediPharm Labs added, "Q1 2024 was another step in the right direction towards profitability and becoming cash flow positive. Our revenue and Adjusted EBITDA were both the highest in over 3 years. Revenue was $9.8 million or 67% higher than prior year and Adjusted EBITDA loss was $0.9 million which is $2.1 million better than prior year. Our cash burn was approximately $1 million resulting in an ending cash balance of $17 million with less than $3 million of debt. MediPharm is in a strong financial position to capitalize on our strong suite of licences, global customer contracts and assets as we strive for profitability in 2024." Financial Summary Three months ended 31-Mar-24 31-Dec-23 30-Sep-23 30-Jun-23 31-Mar-23 $'000s $'000s $'000s $'000s $'000s Revenue 9,771 9,131 8,505 9,583 5,843 Gross profit 2,651 2,196 2,417 855 387 Opex(1) (5,648) (5,020) (6,050) (7,516) (2,923) Adjusted EBITDA (2) (949) (1,579) (2,346) (3,191) (3,090) (1) Opex includes general administrative expense, marketing and selling expenses and R&D expenses. (2) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure. See "Non-IFRS Measures". Q1 2024 Financial Results Conference Call MediPharm's executive management team will also host a conference call and audio webcast on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. eastern time to discuss the Company's financial results. Conference Call: Toll-Free number: (888) 330-2454 International number: +1 (240) 789-2714 Conference ID: 4921762 Participants are asked to dial in approximately 15 minutes before the start of the call. Audio Webcast: An audio webcast will be available by visiting the following link here. For those who are unable to participate on the live conference call or webcast, a replay will be available at https://www.medipharmlabs.com/investors approximately one day after completion of the call. About MediPharm Labs Founded in 2015, MediPharm Labs specializes in the development and manufacture of purified, pharmaceutical-quality cannabis concentrates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and advanced derivative products utilizing a Good Manufacturing Practices certified facility with ISO standard-built clean rooms. MediPharm Labs has invested in an expert, research driven team, state-of-the-art technology, downstream purification methodologies and purpose built facilities with five primary extraction lines for delivery of pure, trusted and precision-dosed cannabis products for its customers. Through its wholesale and white label platforms, MediPharm Labs formulates, develops (including through sensory testing), processes, packages and distributes cannabis extracts and advanced cannabinoid-based products to domestic and international markets. In 2021, MediPharm Labs received a Pharmaceutical Drug Establishment Licence from Health Canada, becoming the only company in North America to hold a domestic Good Manufacturing Licence for the extraction of natural cannabinoids. The Company carries out its operations in compliance with all applicable laws in the countries in which it operates. In 2023, MediPharm acquired VIVO Cannabis Inc. which expanded MediPharm's reach to medical patients in Canada via Canna Farms medical ecommerce platform, and in Australia and Germany through Beacon Medical PTY and Beacon Medical GMBH. This acquisition also included Harvest Medical Clinics in Canada which provides medical cannabis patients with Physician consultations for medical cannabis education and prescriptions. Notes: (1) This is a non-IFRS reporting measure. See "Non-IFRS Measures" below. (2) This is a forward-looking statement and based on a number of assumptions. See "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" below. Non-IFRS Measures This press release contains references to "Adjusted EBITDA", which is a non-IFRS financial measure. Management believes that this supplementary non-IFRS financial measure provides useful additional information related to the operating results of the Company. This non-IFRS financial measure is not recognized under IFRS and, accordingly, users are cautioned that this measure should not be construed as an alternative to net income (loss) and gross profit determined in accordance with IFRS as measures of profitability or as alternatives to the Company's IFRS-based Financial Statements. The non-IFRS measure presented may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of the Company's overall financial performance and is used as an alternative to earnings or income in some circumstances. Adjusted EBITDA is essentially net income (loss) with interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-cash adjustments and other unusual or non-recurring items added back. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool as it does not include depreciation and amortization expense, interest income and expense, finance fees, gain in revaluation of derivative liabilities, taxes, government grants including rent and wage subsidies, one-off transactions, impairment losses on inventory and on fixed assets and intangibles, write down of deposits and share-based compensation. Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as the sole measure of the Company's performance and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, analysis of the Company's results as reported under IFRS. Adjusted EBITDA, as used within the Company's disclosure, may not be directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA used by other reporting issuers. Adjusted EBITDA does not have a standardized meaning and the Company's method of calculating such non-IFRS measure may not be comparable to calculations used by other companies bearing the same description. The following tables reconcile the Company's net operating income (loss) (as reported) and Adjusted EBITDA for the past eight quarters: Three months ended March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 September 30, 2023 June 30, 2023 $'000s $'000s $'000s $'000s Net operating loss (3,725) (2,935) (4,355) (7,629) Adjusted for: - - Share-based compensation expense 895 306 386 588 Depreciation and amortization 790 717 617 692 Restructuring related severance expenses 755 335 273 1,695 Impairment loss on remeasurement of assets held for sale - 23 17 - Transaction fees - - 46 304 Recovery of impaired receivables (1) - - - (464) Gain on disposition of assets (276) (174) - - Early lease termination cost 44 - - - Incremental cost of cannabis inventory acquired in a business combination (2) 327 372 2,055 - Terminal costs for closed facility (3) 323 - - - One-off derecognition of liabilities (130) - - - Write down of inventories (4) - - 168 1,036 Fair value adjustments in gross profit 48 (223) (1,553) 588 Other tax recovery - - - (1) Adjusted EBITDA (949) (1,579) (2,346) (3,191) Notes: (1) This relates to the reversal of a former impairment of a long outstanding receivable. (2) Incremental cost of cannabis inventory acquired in a business combination represents the fair value realized on sale of cannabis inventory acquired in a business combination. (3) This relates to employee compensation for terminated employees and write downs of the carrying value of inventory at the Company's Hope, British Columbia facility. (4) This adjustment is for unusual inventory write-downs only and not the total value of inventory written down. Three months ended March 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 September 30, 2022 June 30, 2022 $'000s $'000s $'000s $'000s Net operating loss (3,333) (6,390) (8,046) (9,069) Adjusted for: Share-based compensation expense 747 1,390 161 580 Depreciation and amortization 490 540 754 759 Restructuring related severance expenses - - - 952 Impairment loss on remeasurement of assets held for sale - 13 68 - Transaction fees 533 813 185 95 Recovery of impaired receivables (1) (1,546) - - - Write down of inventories (2) - - 428 338 Impairment loss on remeasurement of disposal group - - 1,476 - Adjusted EBITDA (3,090) (3,634) (4,974) (6,345) Notes: (1) This relates to the reversal of a former impairment of a long outstanding receivable. (2) This adjustment is for unusual inventory write-downs only and not the total value of inventory written down. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, statements regarding: the Company's progress toward profitability; potential improvements in gross margin and revenue, potential future and annualized savings to be realized as a result of Company's restructuring efforts, including the Company's ongoing plans to optimize its production and logistics facilities; the successful reclassification of cannabis as a Schedule III drug, including the approval by the White House Office of Management and Budget, and the publishing of the final rule by the US DEA; the US FDA beginning to regulate activities related to sourcing and managing Clinical Trial Materials that may contain cannabis; the Company having the necessary resources and approval requirements to launch products into any future cannabis-regulated US market; ongoing demand for continued and increased product sales into the German cannabis market; the Company's ability to increase deliveries to Germany in 2024 and the impact of such continued deliveries to the Company's sales and gross profit; Australian medical cannabis market size and growth potential; ability to optimize facility utilization; and ability to grow profitable sales. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the inability of MediPharm to obtain adequate financing; the delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; and other factors discussed in MediPharm's filings, available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, MediPharm assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change. SOURCE MediPharm Labs Corp. NEW YORK, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Monport, a distinguished leader in the laser engraving industry, today proudly announced the launch of Monport Canada , a dedicated extension focused on serving the growing demand for CO2 laser engraving machines and fiber laser engraving machines for metal across the country. This expansion marks a significant milestone for Monport, solidifying its commitment to providing high-quality laser engraving and cutting solutions to a broader audience. Canadian businesses and hobbyists can now experience the exceptional performance, reliability, and versatility of Monport's industry-leading CO2 laser engraving machines and fiber laser machines for metal. Register Now & Get Free Laser Files to Jumpstart Your Creativity To celebrate its Canadian launch, Monport is offering a special welcome gift to all early registrants. Simply sign up for a free Monport Canada account and receive a valuable email pack filled with free downloadable laser file templates, design guides, and project inspiration to get you started with your laser engraving journey. Don't miss out on this exclusive gift. Don't Miss Out on Father's Day Savings Mark your calendars for a laser-focused Father's Day celebration with Monport Canada! From May 23rd, celebrate Dad with incredible savings of up to $4,000 on selected CO2 laser and Fiber Laser engraving machines. This is the perfect opportunity to equip him with a powerful tool to unleash his creativity and personalize projects for years to come. Stay tuned for more details about the Father's Day promotion coming soon. Monport Canada Offers a Comprehensive Range of Laser Solutions Monport offers a comprehensive range of CO2 laser engraving machines and fiber laser engraving machines for metal, catering to diverse needs and applications. CO2 Laser Engraving Machines: Ideal for a wide variety of materials like wood, acrylic, plastic, leather, and fabric, Monport's CO2 laser engraving machines deliver precise and accurate engraving results. With varying laser power options, from desktop models to CO2 laser engraving machines with built-in chillers for larger projects, Monport ensures there's a CO2 laser engraving machine perfectly suited for any project. Ideal for a wide variety of materials like wood, acrylic, plastic, leather, and fabric, Monport's CO2 laser engraving machines deliver precise and accurate engraving results. With varying laser power options, from desktop models to CO2 laser engraving machines with built-in chillers for larger projects, Monport ensures there's a CO2 laser engraving machine perfectly suited for any project. Fiber Laser Engraving Machines for Metal: Monport's fiber laser engraving machines for metal are the perfect solution for applications requiring superior performance and the ability to mark and engrave on metals. These machines offer exceptional detail and precision, making them ideal for engraving on stainless steel, aluminum, and other metals. Monport Canada: Empowering Businesses and Hobbyists Monport Canada goes beyond just offering industry-leading machines. The company is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and support to its Canadian customers. This includes: Dedicated Sales and Support Team: A team of knowledgeable and friendly representatives will be available to answer questions, provide product recommendations, and guide customers through the buying process. A team of knowledgeable and friendly representatives will be available to answer questions, provide product recommendations, and guide customers through the buying process. Technical Support: Monport Canada offers comprehensive technical support to ensure customers get the most out of their laser engraving machines. This includes troubleshooting assistance, maintenance tips, and access to a wealth of online resources. Monport Canada offers comprehensive technical support to ensure customers get the most out of their laser engraving machines. This includes troubleshooting assistance, maintenance tips, and access to a wealth of online resources. Fast and Reliable Shipping: Monport understands the importance of timely delivery. The company offers fast and reliable shipping options to ensure customers receive their machines quickly and efficiently. About Monport Monport is a leading innovator in the laser engraving industry, offering a comprehensive range of CO2 laser engraving machines and fiber laser engraving machines for metal. Their commitment to quality, performance, and user experience has positioned them as a trusted brand for businesses and hobbyists worldwide. Contact: Company: MonportLaser Email: [email protected] SOURCE Monport Laser Al Capone's Life-Saving and Favorite Colt .45 Pistol With Valentine's Day Date Engraving, that he Nicknamed "The Sweetheart" Headed to Auction This Weekend, Saturday May 18th, at 3:00pm EST LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The world famous "Sweetheart," Al Capone's favorite Colt 1911 gun that saved his life many times, nicknamed "Sweetheart", is heading to auction this weekend, online, in person, and via telephone, on Saturday May 18th at 3:00 p.m EST, at RichmondAuctions.com. Highly sought-after firearms from famous historical figures have consistently sold for millions in recent auctions, such as Ulysses S. Grant's twin revolvers which sold for over $5 million, and Pat Garrett's Colt revolver that sold for over $6 million. With a similar estimate to Pat Garret's Colt revolver, Capone's "Sweetheart" Colt pistol, bearing the patent engraving date of Valentine's Day, that includes a package of pristine provenance, authenticity, and historical manufacturer's documentation, carries a pre-auction estimated value of $2-3 million, and is expected to command a premium price. Prospective buyers may register online at RichmondAuctions.com. Most valuable historic pistol of the 20th century headed to Auction this Saturday, May 18th. Al Capones Sweetheart, his favorite and life-saving Colt 1911 with Valentines Day date engraving is expected to sell for north of $3 million estimate. Capone is often credited for saying that you can do more with a smile and a gun than you can with just a smile alone. As reported in The Wall Street Journal, stories were even told that he had a gun in his hand right out of the womb. Capone's oldest granddaughter, Diane Capone, shares in interviews that The Sweetheart was a constant companion to one of the wealthiest men in the country, oftentimes described as the most shot at man in America, and that Capone called his Colt 1911 his favorite gun and "Sweetheart" for saving his life on many occasions. With multiple bounties on Capone's head by various rivals, the list of failed attempts on Capone's life was long and a source of public fascination. Notable among these are the September 1925 North Side Gang ambush and the November 1927 machine gun assassination attempt by Joe Aielllo's men. According to Harvard Business School researchers, Capone's intelligence made him a force to be reckoned with. Often referred to by friends and reporters as "The Big Shot", "The Big Guy", and "Big Al", Capone's personal style and tastes also contributed to his enduring legacy as the archetypal gangster and the most recognizable outlaw in popular culture. Considered an underdog from small beginnings, Capone started working at a candy store, then at the Harvard Inn for his mentor Frankie Yale, and later as a bodyguard and driver for Johnny Torrio. Capone's first business card read "Furniture Dealer". With operational efficiencies and brutal tactics, Capone built a vast enterprise with annual revenues topping $100 million. Capone famously stated, "this American system of ours, call it Americanism, call it capitalism, call it what you like, gives each and every one of us a great opportunity if we only seize it with both hands and make the most of it." As a gun of choice for the Delta Force and elite fighting units around the world, the Colt 1911's history in battle has earned it the reputation as a trusted friend in dangerous places. Often credited with winning two World Wars, the 1911 serves as a symbol and personification of courage and protection; in the words of Capone, "experience has taught me that there are two things that people will always pay for: protection and pleasure." The defensive firearm is also regarded as an asset on the competitive shooting circuit. The Sweetheart 1911 heirloom pistol was later modified by Capone's only son, Sonny, whom he referred to as "son of my heart," for competition shooting as a master-level marksman. The legendary 1911 Colt is regarded as a modern mechanical marvel and highly favored for its timeless design, accuracy, versatility, and reliability. "Pre-auction interest continues to mount with motivated buyers placing starting bids, currently at $825,000, long before the excitement of the auction begins. This is one of the most historically significant and valuable guns of the 20th century. The gravity of the gun in your hands gives you the goosebumps. If there is a gun with the demand and potential to set new world records, this is the one. The incomparable collectability of The Sweetheart paired with the rare opportunity to own it, is simply electrifying and has attracted interest from a wide range of buyers including, private equity managers, museums, and parties from all over the world, including Japan, Australia, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, India, Mexico, Israel, England, China, and Germany. This Colt 1911 gun is more than a celebrity historical firearm; its romantic nickname, absolutely stunning presentation, profound storytelling value, and unique connection to Capone, make this gun a must-have and centerpiece for the world-class collector." remarked Kim Williams, firearms specialist at Richmond Auctions, which recently set a world record for its sale of the most valuable antique advertising sign for $1.5 million, far exceeding the previous record of $400,000, and also recently sold several of the famed John Wayne's family-owned firearms. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Richmond Auctions CHICAGO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent national survey conducted by Action for Healthy Kids found that parents and caregivers of school-aged youth share worries about time spent on electronics, physical safety at school and their child's mental health. Parents surveyed overwhelmingly support the idea of schools providing resources to support their child's emotional and mental health and programs that promote inclusion. The Parent and Child Mental Health Survey asked more than 1,000 parents and caregivers from across the country what worries them most about their children's health and what would help resolve those concerns. The survey was designed to understand parents' perceptions of safe and supportive school environments and schools' role in providing support and resources for youth mental health. Survey: Nearly 80% of parents believe schools should provide an employed mental health professional at their school. Post this Key findings include: Nearly two-thirds of parents want training to better understand and support their child's mental health and well-being. Nearly 80% of parents believe schools should provide an employed mental health professional at their school. Nearly 70% of parents indicated that their child feels safe and supported at school when there is at least one trusted adult they can talk to. 95% of parents support schools including programs that promote diversity and inclusion and teach social skills, such as respect, cooperation, perseverance and empathy. The majority of parents responded that a safe and supportive school environment was associated with transparent communications, engaged school counselors and social workers, emotional social skills and physical safety. The biggest obstacle for kids getting help with mental health at school, according to parents, is the child themself thinking they do not need it. "It's clear from our latest survey that while parents are deeply concerned about their children's mental health and safety at school, there's a significant demand for more resources to address these issues," says Rob Bisceglie, Executive Officer & President at Action for Healthy Kids. "We must prioritize creating environments where all students feel safe, supported, and understood, and parents need to know that they're not alone." While a majority of the respondents shared top concerns about mental health, physical safety at school and time on electronics, there were some reported differences among ethnic and racial groups and across grade levels: Parents identifying as Black/African American and Hispanic were more likely to report being worried more about their child experiencing racism at school. Of the parents surveyed, 58% of those identifying as Black/African American and 45% of those identifying as Hispanic reported being worried about their child experiencing racism at school, whereas 22% of those identifying as White worried about their child experiencing racism at school. Parents of high school students were more likely to worry about school violence than parents of middle school and elementary students. Of the parents surveyed, 74% of high school parents reported being worried about a student or another individual bringing a weapon to school, compared to 64% of middle school parents and 63% of elementary school parents. Parents who identify as Black/African American and Hispanic were more likely than White parents to be concerned about their child being behind academically. Of the parents surveyed, 56% of parents identifying as Black/African American and 54% of parents identifying as Hispanic reported being concerned about their child being behind academically, compared to 40% of parents identifying as White. Parents of high school students were more likely to report being worried about their child struggling with mental health. Of the parents surveyed, 69% of high school parents reported being worried about their child struggling with mental health, whereas 63% of elementary school parents and 64% of middle school parents reported being worried about their child struggling with mental health. "We're seeing what parents are seeing. Despite the need, school-based mental health services are not always readily available. This is why it is critical that schools are increasing their focus on strategies that prevent mental and behavioral health problems," said Dr. Kathleen Ethier, CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health Director. This is the first in a series of surveys exploring parents' mindsets commissioned by Action for Healthy Kids in partnership with the CDC Foundation. Download the full Parent and Child Mental Health Survey. Action for Healthy Kids is using these findings to create free resources for parents, including fact sheets, conversation starters, videos, blog posts, targeted social media posts, webinars and a digital resource library. "Our kids need to feel safe and supported at home and at school," said Catherine Zilber, Vice President for Infectious Disease Programs at the CDC Foundation. "The findings from this survey highlight that parents want training so they can better understand and support their child's mental health and well-being. By providing parents and caregivers with free resources, they can acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to create a nurturing environment that promotes positive mental health for their children." ABOUT THE SURVEY Action for Healthy Kids conducted a 48-question online survey of 1,016 parents and guardians across the U.S., from both rural and non-rural areas, with children enrolled in public K-12 schools. The survey was fielded in English and Spanish in December 2023. This survey represents the first wave of the project. This project on Improving Mental, Behavioral and Academic Supports to Students and Families, Part 2 is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $434,555 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government. ABOUT ACTION FOR HEALTHY KIDS Action for Healthy Kids is dedicated to improving children's health and well-being by bringing together and mobilizing educators, families, and other key stakeholders to help children lead healthy lives. Through its core programming and family-school partnerships, Action for Healthy Kids has impacted more than 20 million children in 55,000 schools nationwide to address systemic challenges in underserved communities. To learn more about its growing network of volunteers and champions, visit actionforhealthykids.org. Media contact: Lynda Carlisle [email protected] SOURCE Action For Healthy Kids TORONTO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - New Gold Inc. ("New Gold" or the "Company") (TSX: NGD) (NYSE American: NGD) today announces the voting results from the election of its Board of Directors at New Gold's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") held on May 14, 2024, as set out below. Election of Directors Director Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Patrick Godin 361,329,329 99.53 % 1,717,797 0.47 % Nicholas Chirekos 290,253,990 79.95 % 72,793,135 20.05 % Gillian Davidson 341,491,337 94.06 % 21,555,788 5.94 % Thomas McCulley 361,301,870 99.52 % 1,745,255 0.48 % Margaret Mulligan 359,813,070 99.11 % 3,234,055 0.89 % Richard O'Brien 361,028,341 99.44 % 2,018,784 0.56 % Ian Pearce 340,842,205 93.88 % 22,204,920 6.12 % Marilyn Schonberner 356,463,339 98.19 % 6,583,788 1.81 % Appointment of Auditor Votes For Votes Against % For % Against 364,555,009 66,778,395 84.52 % 15.48 % Say on Pay Advisory Vote Votes For Votes Against % For % Against 358,842,014 4,205,111 98.84 % 1.16 % The results of the other matters considered at the Meeting are disclosed in the Report of Voting Results filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com on May 14, 2024. About New Gold New Gold is a Canadian-focused intermediate mining company with a portfolio of two core producing assets in Canada, the Rainy River gold mine and the New Afton copper-gold mine. The Company also holds other Canadian-focused investments. New Gold's vision is to build a leading diversified intermediate gold company based in Canada that is committed to the environment and social responsibility. For further information on the Company, visit www.newgold.com . SOURCE New Gold Inc. CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus, a global medical technology company committed to making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, announced today that it will highlight its algorithm-powered emphysema screening program along with two exciting bronchoscopes compatible with the EVIS X1 endoscopy system as part of the Olympus Hybrid Bronchoscopy Solution during the annual American Thoracic Society meeting May 17-22 in San Diego. During the annual American Thoracic Society meeting in San Diego, Olympus will highlight an AI-powered emphysema screening program and two recently launched bronchoscopes compatible with the EVIS X1 endoscopy system. SeleCT Screening, an algorithm-driven screening process, reviews existing chest CT scans to help identify patients who would benefit from bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR). BLVR with endobronchial valves such as the Spiration Valve may improve lung function by redirecting air away from hyperinflated portions of the lung to healthier portions.1 Study results show that patients treated with the Spiration Valve System experienced a significant improvement in lung function, respiratory symptoms and quality-of-life scores at 24 months. Now with the addition of SeleCT Screening, an algorithm can help healthcare providers find more appropriate patients, potentially bringing BLVR with the Spiration Valve to even more patients suffering with emphysema. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which includes emphysema, is a commonly undiagnosed lung disease with studies showing that as many as 80% of adults with COPD worldwide are undiagnosed. Early detection of COPD is important because properly managing the disease has shown to reduce the risk of future exacerbations and hospitalizations and to alleviate symptoms.2 Potential adverse events which may be associated with the use of the Spiration Valve System may include, but are not limited to, pneumothorax, worsening of COPD symptoms, pneumonia, and dyspnea. A full list of prescriptive information and additional information on indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and potential complications is available here. Compatible with the EVIS X1 endoscopy system, the BF-H1100 diagnostic bronchoscope and the BF-1TH1100 therapeutic bronchoscope each feature a compact outer diameter and large working channel, as well as high-definition imaging. Education will be a primary focus at this year's annual ATS meeting with Olympus hosting a series of workshops and peer-to-peer hands-on experiences on various topics, including: EVIS X1 endoscopy system with Prof. Felix Herth , MD Dr. Herth discusses how the imaging modalities available on the EVIS X1 endoscopy system can assist physicians in detecting, characterizing and sampling pulmonary disorders. Dr. Herth discusses how the imaging modalities available on the EVIS X1 endoscopy system can assist physicians in detecting, characterizing and sampling pulmonary disorders. The Role of Single-Use Bronchoscopes in the Bronch Lab Dr. Sonali Sethi will discuss her perception of single-use bronchoscopes and their role in the bronch lab in the future. 3 Dr. will discuss her perception of single-use bronchoscopes and their role in the bronch lab in the future. Postoperative Prolonged Air Leaks with the Spiration Valve System Dr. Roy Cho reviews a unique postoperative prolonged air leak case utilizing the Spiration Valve System.3 Spiration Valve is authorized by federal law as a Humanitarian Use Device for use in the control of prolonged air leaks of the lung or significant air leaks that are likely to become prolonged air leaks, following lobectomy, segmentectomy, or Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS). The effectiveness of this device for this use has not been demonstrated. Potential complications which may be associated with bronchoscopy and/or the Spiration Valve System may include, but are not limited to, pneumothorax, atelectasis, pneumonia, shortness of breath, and in rare cases, death. A full list of prescriptive information and additional information on indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and potential complications is available here. For more information about the pulmonology portfolio, visit the Olympus booth, #2543, during ATS or visit the pulmonology product page for more detail. About Olympus At Olympus, we are committed to our purpose of making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. Olympus Corporation of the Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs more than 4,500 employees throughout locations in North and South America. For more information, visit olympusamerica.com. 1 Criner GJ, Delage A, Voelker K, et al. Improving Lung Function in Severe Heterogenous Emphysema with the Spiration Valve System (EMPROVE). A Multicenter, Open-Label Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019;200(11):1354-1362. doi:10.1164/rccm.201902-0383OC 2 Lin CH, Cheng SL, Chen CZ, Chen CH, Lin SH, Wang HC. Current Progress of COPD Early Detection: Key Points and Novel Strategies. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2023;18:1511-1524. Published 2023 Jul 19. doi:10.2147/COPD.S413969 3 Drs. Sethi and Cho are paid consultants for Olympus Corp. of the Americas SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas Host Arlo Gilbert and Global Experts Have Dynamic, Thought-Provoking Conversations About the Imperative Issue of Data Privacy AUSTIN, Texas, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Osano, the leading data privacy platform, today launches a dynamic new podcast that puts a spotlight on one of the most important issues both businesses and consumers face in the age of ubiquitous technology: the privacy of personal data. In 2023, 93 percent of organizations surveyed identified data privacy as a Top 10 organizational risk.1 Hosted by Osano CEO and Founder Arlo Gilbert, "The Privacy Insider Podcast" features timely, engaging conversations with global thought leaders and newsmakers who share their expertise and their compelling personal stories about the critical importance of data privacy. "With this podcast, we hope to put a human face on the topic of data privacy," Gilbert said. "Our goal is to help listeners whether they are privacy professionals or others curious about the world of data privacy understand the dynamic global privacy landscape and successfully protect privacy in both business and their personal lives." The series kicks off with a two-part interview with Katharine Tomko, an Osano board member and the first Head of Privacy Programs at Facebook. Katharine is now a Partner at First Ascent Ventures, where she advises privacy and data protection organizations in the firm's portfolio. "I'm thrilled to have Katharine as our first guest. Her family's experience with data surveillance behind the Iron Curtain, an inspiration for her life's work as a privacy champion, reminds us that privacy is a basic human right," Gilbert said. The podcast rounds out Osano's Privacy Insider offerings. Gilbert is also the author of the recently published book, "The Privacy Insider: How to Embrace Data Privacy and Join the Next Wave of Trusted Brands," an essential guide to navigating the complex, rapidly changing world of data privacy and building a privacy-first business culture. In addition, Osano publishes the weekly Privacy Insider newsletter, a digest of current events, updates, and thought leadership in the data privacy world. As a certified B-Corp, Osano is dedicated to enhancing transparency and trust in the digital ecosystem. Starting today, listeners can find and subscribe to "The Privacy Insider Podcast" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else podcasts are available. Episodes are also available on Osano's website here: https://www.osano.com/articles/conversations-about-the-vital-issue-of-data-privacy. About Osano: Osano's platform of data privacy solutions empowers businesses to successfully navigate the complexities of privacy management by providing the necessary tools and insights for building, managing, and scaling holistic privacy programs. Designed with privacy professionals in mind, Osano's premier platform addresses the full spectrum of privacy needs, including assessments, vendor risk management, data mapping, and consent and subject rights management. Osano is dedicated emphasizing the critical role of privacy as a trust cornerstone, upholding the belief that embracing privacy principles propels organizations into the next wave of trusted brands. Learn how Osano can simplify data privacy for you at https://osano.com. Media Contact: Rich Miller Miller Strategic Communications 303-877-3966 [email protected] 1 KPMG/IAPP Survey SOURCE Osano TikTok Hosts Dozens of Scammers Peddling Ozempic and Other Weight Loss Drugs But the Only Thing Likely to Get Lighter is Americans' Bank Accounts WASHINGTON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Exploiting Americans' craving for Ozempic, online scammers are relying on TikTok to dangle easy access to prescription weight loss drugs to con Internet users and steal their money, a joint investigation by the Digital Citizens Alliance and the Coalition for a Safer Web has found. The three-month investigation uncovered at least sixty operators, some claiming to be pharmacies or medical professionals, active on TikTok. These operators offer to ship Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy. The sales pitch is enticing. Buyers can get the drugs without a prescription and can quickly complete the orders using services such as Zelle, Paypal, or Venmo. But once a would-be buyer shells out hundreds of dollars, the drugs are never shipped and the only thing lighter are Americans' bank accounts. "The moment is tailor-made for scammers to take advantage of American consumers," said Tom Galvin, executive director of the Digital Citizens Alliance. "An estimated one in six people say they take Ozempic or other weight loss drugs and just as many are considering it. That's a target-rich environment for criminals and other bad actors. It's alarming that TikTok allows these scammers to operate so freely." The investigation found all the hallmarks of a scam: easy access to hard-to-get prescription drugs. Quick payments via financial apps - but only if funds are listed as "friends and family" so it is more difficult to get refunds. Demands to see the payment information in hopes of collecting a target's banking information. And, finally, a ruse claiming that a "holdup in customs" requires an additional refundable payment. It's a safe bet that ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese owner, doesn't tolerate similar scams that target users in China using its version of the social media platform called Douyin. The differences in the experiences have been compared to "opium and spinach" due to the tight restrictions that ByteDance places on content that Chinese users see. The investigation also shines a light on TikTok's role in helping these scammers find potential victims. Once investigators searched for weight loss drug sellers on TikTok, the social media platform's algorithms drove even more sellers their way by suggesting to follow, or alerting them they were being followed by, TikTok Channels offering illegal weight loss products. "It starts with Americans searching on TikTok, then TikTok makes it so drug peddlers and scammers search and find them," said Eric Feinberg, Vice President of the Coalition for a Safer Web. "TikTok's algorithms make it all too easy for these bad actors to identify and connect to victims susceptible to the scams that our joint investigation found." While this investigation focused on scams, U.S. regulators should be alarmed by the number of Americans acquiring Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs without a prescription. A research survey conducted in conjunction with the investigation found that nearly half of Americans who acknowledged using these drugs acquired them without a prescription, either online or from a friend, family member, or colleague. TikTok is just the latest social media platform to be slow in addressing the risks of prescription drugs whether real or as a lure for a scam. Google paid $500 million to settle claims it helped illicit actors illegally market drugs in the United States. Digital Citizens and the Coalition for a Safer Web have uncovered numerous instances of drugs being illicitly marketed or sold on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. However, given its Chinese ownership, TikTok has faced unique scrutiny. President Biden, spurred by concerns about national security, recently signed legislation requiring ByteDance to divest of the platform or face a U.S. ban. Given its precarious position, it's shocking that TikTok would allow scammers to operate so freely. "Scams and other harmful activities happen right under the noses of large, publicly traded companies that operate the most influential social media platforms in the world," added Digital Citizens' Galvin. "Scamming Internet users shouldn't be easy. But in this case, TikTok's failure to oversee its platform has made it so." "As this report demonstrates, TikTok's conduct poses a threat to the health and welfare of the public. TikTok is an unregulated marketplace where illegal drugs are peddled either to be sold or used as a lure to scam users. Americans deserve better," said Ambassador Marc Ginsberg, President of the Coalition for a Safer Web. "As long as social media companies are unregulated and left to run wild, consumers will be exposed to the criminal web marketplace. Policymakers from Congress that makes the law to regulators that oversee conduct must take online illegal marketplaces seriously to protect the American people." To read the full report, go to https://reports.digitalcitizensalliance.org/ozempic-scams-tiktok. DCA and CSW shared the channels in the report with TikTok last week. Soon after sharing the information, the accounts appeared to be deactivated. However, the research team is tracking more than a dozen other channels offering weight loss drugs that are still working as of the publication of this release. Both organizations will monitor weight loss drug offers on TikTok to see if the platform addressed the wider problem or simply the accounts noted in the research. About Digital Citizens Alliance The Digital Citizens Alliance is a nonprofit, 501(c)(6) organization that is a consumer-oriented coalition focused on educating the public and policymakers on the threats that consumers face on the Internet. Digital Citizens wants to create a dialogue on the importance for Internet stakeholders individuals, government, and industryto make the Web a safer place. Based in Washington, DC, the Digital Citizens Alliance counts among its supporters: private citizens, the health, pharmaceutical, and creative industries as well as online safety experts and other communities focused on Internet safety. Visit us at www.digitalcitizensalliance.org. About The Coalition for a Safer Web The Coalition for a Safer Web is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) demanding accountability from social media platforms, government, and corporations, and bringing together a unified voice to foster a safer digital sphere. By countering the spread of dangerous rhetoric, The Coalition For A Safer Web strives to create real-world change and address the impact of online extremism on society. To learn more about the Coalition visit the website at www.coalitionsw.org. Contact: Adam Benson, [email protected], 2029999104 SOURCE Digital Citizens Alliance 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. Baidu considers collaboration with Tesla on Robotaxi service On May 15, Xu Baoqiang, general manager of Baidu's autonomous driving vehicle department, said in an interview that Baidu is considering potential collaboration opportunities with Tesla for the latters upcoming Robotaxi service. The decision will be based on Tesla's specific application models and the timing of their entry into the Chinese market. Photo credit: Baidu Volcano Engine forms automotive large model ecosystem alliance with major automakers in China ByteDance-backed Volcano Engine, during the VOLCANO ENGINE FORCE CONFERENCE SPRING 2024, declared the establishment of an automotive large model ecosystem alliance. In collaboration with the China EV100, this alliance includes over 20 manufacturers such as Geely, Great Wall Motor, JETOUR, SERES, and IM Motors. DEEPAL releases images of S05 SUV Changan Automobiles new energy vehicle brand DEEPAL released official images of its new compact SUV, the S05. The images show that the S05 adopts the brand's iconic design language. Renault Group, WeRide to launch autonomous shuttle service at 2024 French Open On May 15, 2024, global auto giant Renault Group unveiled its future autonomous driving strategy, highlighting a pivotal collaboration with Chinas autonomous driving solution developer WeRide. Baidu Apollo launches Apollo ADFM large model, sixth-gen unmanned Robotaxi at Apollo Day 2024 On May 15, Baidu Apollo held the Apollo Day 2024 event in Wuhan, showcasing a decade of significant advancements in autonomous driving. The event highlighted breakthroughs driven by large models, new passenger safety standards, and the world's largest autonomous unmanned vehicle operation network. Huawei-powered AITO starts delivering all-new M5 AITO, the premium new energy vehicle brand jointly developed by Huawei and SERES, officially announced the nationwide delivery of its all-new M5 model, starting on May 15. XPENG achieves 100% HD map-free intelligent driving in urban areas On May 14, XPENG announced that its XNGP urban intelligent driving system has achieved 100% HD map-free operation, significantly expanding its usable coverage. LONGMONT, Colo., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Parascript proudly announces the appointment of Emiliano Giacchetti as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Emiliano brings over 20 years of cross-industry experience in strategic and operational turnarounds. He will usher Parascript into its new chapter thanks to a broad knowledge in operational, leadership, and entrepreneurial excellence. He will fill the position vacated by Alexander Filatov who led Parascript since 2014. Emiliano Giacchetti, Chief Executive Officer of Parascript LLC "I am thrilled by the opportunity of joining a company with such a rich history, strong culture, deep technological edge, and I look forward to joining our incredible team to accelerate our innovation, relentlessly improve the value we generate for our customers and shareholders, and to take the company into the next decade of growth and evolution," says Emiliano. Martin Katz, former Chief Innovation Officer for University of Denver, former Dean and current professor at University of Denver Sturm College of Law, adds, "We are very excited for Emiliano's leadership in the next phase for Parascript. We are well positioned and see many opportunities. Emiliano is just the right person to help us achieve them." Hondo Katz, board member for Parascript, says, "Having worked with Emiliano on and off over the last 10 years, I've seen his leadership firsthand. I believe Parascript is in very adept hands and look forward to seeing what Emiliano and Parascript are capable of together." Before joining Parascript, Emiliano spent six years at McKinsey & Company, with a focus on strategy and operations. He held additional positions as Head of Operations at GLG - Gerson Lehrman Group and Chief Operating Officer at Civitas Learning, a Francisco Partners portfolio company. In both cases, he orchestrated and implemented successful performance transformations. Additionally, Emiliano has co-founded several companies and a growth equity fund. Emiliano holds a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, cum laude, from the University of Rome, and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with focus on Thermofluid Dynamics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. About Parascript Parascript software, driven by data science and powered by machine learning, configures and optimizes itself to automate simple and complex document-oriented tasks such as detecting counterfeit checks, signature forgery, check content alteration, and other discrepancies. Parascript's automated check fraud solutions enable banks to identify suspect checks in much less time to increase productivity for back and front office applications. Every year, over 100 billion documents in banking, government, and insurance are processed by Parascript software, saving companies over $1 billion annually. Parascript check fraud prevention solutions help identify and prevent check fraud for banks and financial institutions at the teller, ATM, RDC, and inter-bank. Parascript offers its technology both as software products and as software-enabled services to our partners. Our BPO, service provider, OEM, and value-added reseller network partners leverage, integrate and distribute Parascript software in the U.S. and across the world. Parascript has automated the postal industry, mortgage, payment processing, and hundreds of other processes. Visit Parascript. Press Contact Lindsey Wohlman [email protected] 720-731-3282 SOURCE Parascript LLC A leader in community service, PDS Health is honored as one of America's top 50 most community-minded companies and the recipient of this year's Strategic Volunteering Award. HENDERSON, Nev., May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PDS Health, a leading U.S. provider of integrated healthcare support services, proudly announces its recognition as one of The Civic 50 honorees of 2024 by Points of Light, the world's largest nonprofit dedicated to accelerating people-powered change. Each year, The Civic 50 program recognizes the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation and has established itself as the premier recognition program for corporate citizenship, social impact and community engagement. Additionally, PDS Health is the recipient of this year's Strategic Volunteering Award which recognizes companies driving impact by engaging team members through pro bono and skills-based volunteer initiatives. PDS Health has a strong culture of service, extending support to communities across the nation and around the world. Post this "We are honored to be recognized by Points of Light as one of the top community-minded companies in America. Serving others is a foundational part of our culture and a commitment that our team members live out daily," said Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of PDS Health. "Through decades of dedicated service, we've not only seen the positive impact of our efforts, but also their transformative effect on our team members. While we do not serve for recognition, we are grateful for this honor and remain committed to addressing the evolving needs of the communities we serve." PDS Health has a long tradition and culture of service, extending support to communities across the nation and around the world. Each year, the organization offers its team members paid volunteer time to support organizations of their choice. Its supported dental and primary care practices organize donation and blood drives, contribute to local food banks, engage in charitable partnerships through sponsorships, and provide donated dental services to those in greatest need throughout the year and on Smile Generation Serve Day. The company's national partnerships include the Pacific Dental Services Foundation, charity: water, Special Olympics, KABOOM!, Dental Lifeline Network and Human-I-T. Additionally, PDS Health is committed to driving positive change in the healthcare industry by improving lives through oral health and expanding access to oral healthcare for the nation's seniors. PDS Health has demonstrated extensive community impact and service, marking significant contributions over its 30-year history. In 2023 alone, its team members provided over 94,000 hours of volunteer time to local communities and charities. During Smile Generation Serve Day, they donated dental care valued at over $10.6 million to underserved patients, bringing the total to over $57.4 million in donated oral healthcare to more than 27,000 patients since its 2011 launch. The organization also raised and contributed over $1.2 million to charity: water, supporting clean water initiatives for approximately 31,200 people. Additionally, the company raised and contributed over $946,000 to the Pacific Dental Services Foundation for its special needs dentistry program, dental assisting scholarship program, and to support the PDS Foundation Clinica Dental in Guatemala. In partnership with KABOOM!, PDS Health sponsored and built its 18th playground to provide equitable access to vital playspace benefits for children. Finally, it completed its 40th international service trip, contributing to a cumulative total of over $11 million in donated dentistry worldwide. Now in its 12th year, The Civic 50 provides a national standard for corporate citizenship and showcases how leading companies are moving social impact, civic engagement and community to the core of their business. The Civic 50 honorees are companies with annual U.S. revenues of at least $1 billion and are selected based on four dimensions of their corporate citizenship and social impact programs: investment of resources and volunteerism, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems, and impact measurement. "Expectations for companies to be leaders in civic engagement continue to increase," said Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO, Points of Light. "PDS Health demonstrates how to maximize the full range of their assets from people power to policy to financial contributions to meet pressing needs and create thriving communities where they live and work. We're thrilled to uplift and celebrate them as an honoree of The Civic 50 2024." To view the full report and see the full list of The Civic 50 2024 honorees, visit pointsoflight.org/the-civic-50. About PDS Health PDS Health continues the journey started by Pacific Dental Services in 1994, with a vision to redefine health care through the integration of dental and medical services. Its approach, centered on the connection between oral health and overall health, aims to create healthier, happier patients and set new benchmarks in the healthcare industry. As a leading provider of integrated healthcare support, the company delivers a broad spectrum of services to dental, dental specialties, and medical providers, enhancing operations and care delivery for clinicians across the U.S. For more information about PDS Health and its vision, visit pdshealth.com. About Points of Light Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million people in 16.7 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it's needed most. For more information, visit pointsoflight.org. SOURCE PDS Health Entries must be submitted by midnight June 30, 2024 TYSONS, Va., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PenFed Credit Union, the nation's second-largest federal credit union, and the San Diego Wave FC have partnered to give away an exclusive VIP Fan experience including a team-signed jersey, pre-game pitch walk with San Diego Wave FC President Jill Ellis and a $10,000 cash prize. Fans are encouraged fill out the form here and submit their entries by midnight June 30, 2024. PenFed Credit Union and San Diego Wave FC Partner on $10,000 Giveaway and VIP Fan Experience As part of a multi-year partnership as the Official Credit Union of Wave FC, PenFed will once again serve as this year's presenting partner of the Wave's Military Appreciation Night on Sunday, September 1. Single game tickets for all matches, including Military Appreciation Night, are now on sale here. More details regarding Military Appreciation Night will be released. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited by law. PenFed San Diego Wave 10K Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of any of the 50 United States, DC, PR, and permanent legal residents of any of the 50 United States, DC, and PR currently residing on an overseas US military installation, age 18+. Limit one entry per person. One Prize, $10,000 value. Ends 6/30/24 at 11:59 PM ET. Winning name will be drawn on or about 7/8/24. Winner need not be present. Odds of winning depend on number of valid entries received. See Official Rules for complete details. Sponsor: Pentagon Federal Credit Union. About PenFed Credit Union Established in 1935, Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is America's second-largest federal credit union, serving 2.9 million members worldwide with nearly $35 billion in assets. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading certificates, checking, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and a wide range of other financial services with members' interests always in mind. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org, like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on X. Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on LinkedIn. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. SOURCE PenFed Credit Union OSLO, Norway, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Photocure ASA (OSE:PHO) today reported Hexvix/Cysview revenues of NOK 116.8 million in the first quarter of 2024 (Q1 2023: NOK 105.9 million), and EBITDA of NOK 7.9 million (NOK -1.2 million) following positive operational developments and cost control. The Company reiterates its business and financial guidance for 2024 with 40 to 70 new and upgraded Saphira blue light tower installations during the year, product revenue growth of 6% to 9% in constant currency, and positive EBITDA excluding business development expenses. "Photocure delivered positive results in the first quarter of 2024 with Hexvix/Cysview revenue growth of 10% year-over-year and EBITDA of NOK 7.9 million. Both our North American and European business segments had positive contributions in the quarter as we continue to grow revenues and contain expenses," says Dan Schneider, President & Chief Executive Officer of Photocure. Photocure reported total group revenues of NOK 118.0 million in the first quarter of 2024 (NOK 106.2 million) and EBITDA* of NOK 7.9 million (NOK -1.2 million), driven by a combination of unit volume and price increases and a benefit from foreign exchange. Hexvix/Cysview revenues ended at NOK 116.8 million in the quarter (Q1 2023: NOK 105.9 million). EBIT was NOK 0.7 million (NOK -7.7 million) and the cash balance at the end of the period was NOK 258.3 million. At the end of Q1 2024, the installed base of rigid BLC systems in the U.S. was 364, up 14% since Q1 2023. This includes 6 mobile towers owned by ForTec Medical. In the U.S., 27 flexible BLC towers remain active. "ForTec has decided to pursue a mobile BLC strategy, expanding on a pilot program that began in 2021. In addition to the 6 Saphira towers that it currently owns, ForTec intends to expand its portfolio of equipment and launch a mobile BLC program throughout the U.S. later this year. A national roll-out by ForTec's sales force would significantly increase the number of field-based account managers selling BLC with Cysview, and would also open the market to hospitals that currently do not have access to BLC equipment, particularly those in ForTec's vast customer network," Schneider adds. Photocure reiterates its business and financial guidance for 2024: The company anticipates new and upgraded Saphira blue light tower installations in the U.S. in the range of 40 to 70, consolidated product revenue growth of 6% to 9% in constant currency, and positive EBITDA excluding business development expenses. "Our first quarter results underscore that 2024 is off to a strong start as we remain focused on maximizing the growth and profitability of our Hexvix/Cysview franchise. We expect momentum to continue with the strong Saphira placements in the U.S., increasing penetration in Europe leveraging the recent image quality upgrades, the anticipated commercial expansion of Fortec's mobile tower strategy, and building upon the growing awareness of the benefits of blue light cystoscopy in light of the many new bladder cancer treatments coming to the market," Schneider says, and concludes: "Additionally, there are several initiatives and events that have potential to create a step change in the future growth of our business including potential reclassification of BLC equipment in the U.S., which is anticipated to open the market to multiple tower manufacturers, our plan to reintroduce a new flexible BLC solution globally through a partnership, and the anticipated market approvals of Asieris's candidates; Cevira and Hexvix in China. Given the many initiatives and activities in progress, we believe that 2024 is setting up to be an exciting year for the Company." Please find the full financial report and presentation enclosed. EBITDA* and other alternative performance measures (APMs) are defined and reconciled to the IFRS financial statements as a part of the APM section of the first quarter 2024 financial report on page 23. The quarterly report and presentation will be published at 08:00 CEST and will be publicly available at www.photocure.com. Dan Schneider, CEO and Erik Dahl, CFO, will host a live webcast at 14:00 CEST. The presentation will be held in English and questions can be submitted throughout the event. The streaming event is available through https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20240515_13/ The presentation is scheduled to conclude at 14:45 CEST. For further information, please contact: Dan Schneider President and CEO Photocure ASA Tel: + 1-609 759-6515 Email: [email protected] Erik Dahl Chief Financial Officer Tel: +47 450 55 000 Email: [email protected] David Moskowitz Vice President of Investor Relations Tel: +1 202 280 0888 Email: [email protected] Media and IR enquiries: Geir Bjrlo Corporate Communications (Norway) Tel: +47 91540000 Email: [email protected] About Photocure ASA Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at www.photocure.com, www.hexvix.com, www.cysview.com All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA. This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange announcement was published by Tolv Hillestad, Group Controller, Photocure ASA, on 15 May 2024 at 08:00 CEST. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/photocure/r/photocure-asa--results-for-the-first-quarter-of-2024,c3981581 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/17498/3981581/2797384.pdf Release https://mb.cision.com/Public/17498/3981581/91fe060b63df91ce.pdf PHO Q1 2024 PRESENTATION https://mb.cision.com/Public/17498/3981581/ac3cc3ceae8ae9f4.pdf PHO Q1 2024 ER OWASSO, Okla., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe, known for its mouthwatering array of toasted sandwiches, fresh chopped salads, tavern-style pizzas, savory soups, and irresistible handmade cookies, is thrilled to announce its expansion into Owasso, Oklahoma. The new location promises to bring the Pickleman's experience to the heart of Owasso, delighting locals with its signature flavors and commitment to quality. Doug Stritzel, CEO of Pickleman's, expressed his enthusiasm for the expansion, stating, "Pickleman's has been a staple at our Oklahoma universities and we are incredibly excited to bring our big flavors to Owasso. Our mission has always been to provide our customers with fresh, delicious meals made with the finest ingredients, and we cannot wait to share our passion for great food with the residents of Owasso." Store owners Brittany and Allen Wills echoed Doug's sentiments, emphasizing their dedication to delivering exceptional service and culinary excellence to their new patrons. Brittany shared, " From local team members to area support we know first hand the importance of getting things right. It's about our customers, our local team and the awesome product. If we can bring all these things together it's bound to be a winning concept. We've waited a long time to dive into the Tulsa market, we couldn't be more excited to start in Owasso." Allen added, "It's the flavor that won me over and continues to win over new markets. Our product quality, commitment to excellence and simple yet diverse menu all make this an attractive investment." Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe promises to deliver a memorable dining experience, but the drive thru and delivery options give customers the flexibility to get Pickleman's in the most convenient way for them. Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe in Owasso is scheduled to open its doors to the public on May 9, inviting customers to indulge in the flavors they know and love in a welcoming and inviting atmosphere. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements as the grand opening approaches. For more information about Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe, including menu offerings, locations, and franchising opportunities, please visit picklemans.com. SOURCE Pickleman's Powerhouse Harrison Street Joint Venture's Sixth Data Center Development Enters the Red-Hot DFW Market with a New 200-MW Campus: PowerHouse Irving IRVING, Texas, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Harrison Street, one of the leading investment management firms focused on alternative real assets and PowerHouse Data Centers ("Powerhouse"), a leading real estate partner for next-generation hyperscale data centers and division of American Real Estate Partners (AREP), announced the completed land purchase of 50 acres in Irving-Las Colinas, a thriving community located within the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the second largest data center market in the country. Rendering: PowerHouse Irving Harrison Street Capital Market Company (PRNewsfoto/PowerHouse Data Centers) The site, located at 111 Customer Way, will be home to PowerHouse Irving, a nearly one million square foot data center campus that will deliver 200 MW of power when completed. Demonstrating the company's continued expansion into key markets, PowerHouse Irving is the third multi-phased data center development to be announced this year, following PowerHouse Reno in Nevada and PowerHouse 95 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. The campus includes three powered shell data centers totaling over 946,000 square feet, with a total power load of 67 MW per building. The site has immediate access to permanent power from an existing adjacent substation, serviced by Oncor, the largest energy delivery company in Texas. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2025, with the first powered shell set to be delivered by late 2025. "I want to welcome PowerHouse and its partners to Irving. As we continue to demonstrate, our city is a prime destination for vital data infrastructure projects," said Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer. "Our skilled workforce, transportation links, central location, and ease of doing business attract companies ready to build the base for future high technology applications." "Location, speed to market, and power performance are critical to everything we do. Irving-Las Colinas has developed into a hugely important connectivity hub with major financial influence, and is an integral part of the Dallas market which has the fourth-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the nation and the 20th largest economy in the world," said PowerHouse CEO & Founder Doug Fleit. "We are excited to deliver the first of several planned projects to serve one of the most dynamic data center markets in the world and provide first-rate connectivity solutions for hyperscale customers." Centrally located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Irving-Las Colinas is known as Texas' "Headquarters of Headquarters," with more Fortune 500 corporate headquarters per capita than any city in Texas. The city boasts unmatched transportation links, with access to multiple highways and public transportation. Irving-Las Colinas companies have access to 4.4 million skilled workers, all within a 30-minute commute of the city. "Dallas is an established data center market that is seeing significant growth and serves as a major hyperscale compute cluster for the central region," said Michael Hochanadel, Managing Director & Head of Digital at Harrison Street. "We are leveraging our valued partnership with PowerHouse to deliver much-needed capacity to this high growth area, meeting escalating demand-driven cloud, AI, and other use cases." "On behalf of our member-investors and board of directors, we are excited to welcome PowerHouse home to our community," said Beth A. Bowman, President & CEO of the Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and Irving Economic Development Partnership. "CBRE recently confirmed Dallas-Fort Worth as the second largest market for data centers in the U.S. This is no surprise, as Irving continues to attract world-class data infrastructure projects, the backbone of the digital economy. Our unmatched local and global connectivity, central geographic location, quality of life, and pro-business mindset offer data center companies the opportunity to grow their presence right here in Irving-Las Colinas" The development of PowerHouse Irving is a pivotal step in Powerhouse's strategic expansion across key data center markets and its entrance into the country's second-largest data center market. The North Texas region is also one of the country's key tech hubs, hosting more than 40% of the advanced technology workers in Texas. The PowerHouse Harrison Street joint venture currently has three campus developments completed or underway in Northern Virginia, with an executed lease, pre-lease, or LOI for 100% of the buildable square feet. To learn more about PowerHouse Irving, follow PowerHouse Data Centers on LinkedIn here . About PowerHouse PowerHouse Data Centers, a wholly owned division of American Real Estate Partners (AREP) , is a developer and owner of next-generation data centers and provides technical real estate solutions for hyperscalers across the country. Starting in the world's largest data center market in the heart of Northern Virginia, before strategically expanding to key markets across the United States, PowerHouse Data Centers owns its land sites, offering unique fast-track approvals and zoning approvals. As a disruptor, PowerHouse Data Centers provides flexible next-generation data center models with the quickest speed to market of any data center while meeting hyperscalers' growing market, data, utility, and space demands. With a full suite of development services, the company has 30 buildings currently in planning or underway, representing over 10.49 million square feet of data center space and over 2.3 GW of power. Operating as a division of AREP, PowerHouse Data Centers is uniquely positioned as a leader in world-class data center development across the country. Backed by strategic joint venture partnerships, PowerHouse leverages its proven leadership and best-in-class technical expertise to deliver innovative real estate solutions. For more information, visit www.powerhousedata.com and follow us on LinkedIn , YouTube and X About Harrison Street Harrison Street is one of the leading investment management firms exclusively focused on alternative real estate assets. Since its inception in 2005, the firm has created a series of differentiated investment solutions focused on demographic-driven, needs-based assets. The firm has invested across senior housing, student housing, build-to-rent, healthcare delivery, life sciences and storage real estate as well as social, utility and digital infrastructure. Headquartered in Chicago and London, with offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia, the firm has more than 280-employees and approximately US $56 billion in assets under management on behalf of institutional investors across the globe. Harrison Street was awarded Best Places to Work by Pensions & Investments for nine years (2014-2020, 2022, 2023) and since 2019 has won 15 awards from PERE, including three for the 2023 Awards: Alternatives Investor of the Year Global, Data Centers Investor of the Year North America, and ESG Firm of the Year - North America. For more information, please visit www.harrisonst.com . (Assets under management ("AUM") reflects AUM for the Firm's investment advisory and asset management clients, and is inclusive of the Firm's regulatory AUM reported in its Form ADV.) About Irving Economic Development Partnership The Irving Economic Development Partnership's (IEDP) mission is to advance, create and promote economic development in Irving-Las Colinas, and IEDP serves as a support and information resource for any company wanting to grow, relocate or create business opportunity within the city. Led and managed by The Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, IEDP is a strategic public-private partnership between the Chamber, the City of Irving, the Irving Convention & Visitor's Bureau, the Las Colinas Association, and private investors and employers. Centrally located in North Texas, Irving-Las Colinas is one of the fastest-growing business centers in the country and recognized as the "Headquarters of Headquarters" in Texas with more Fortune 500 companies per capita than any other city in the state. SOURCE PowerHouse Data Centers CAMBRIDGE, England, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The modern world depends heavily on GPS satellites to navigate, but too often, access to them is lost or even jammed. This creates a significant risk to safety in multiple industries especially aerospace, but also automotive and consumer electronics. Following the world's first successful flight demonstration of quantum navigation technology in May 2024 by BAE, QinetiQ, and Infleqtion, this article outlines the power of quantum sensors. IDTechEx shows how quantum sensors and atomic clocks can add value for precision navigation and timing applications. Source: IDTechEx The quest for more reliable precision navigation and timing technology solutions is now driving significant interest in quantum sensors and atomic clock technology. This is just one of the many applications of this revolutionary technology covered in IDTechEx's Quantum Sensor Market report, in what is predicted to become a multi-billion-dollar industry within the decade. Quantum sensors offer more precision compared to incumbents Quantum sensors use quantum phenomena to enable highly sensitive measurements of many physical properties. They can measure time (atomic clocks), magnetic field and current, gravity, angular motion, single photons, and more. Emerging quantum technologies within the quantum sensors market are also benefitting from the growing hype around quantum computing and quantum communication technologies (particularly given their applications for cybersecurity). To date, the most common method to accurately determine one's position and the local time is via data from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), for example, the US military's global positioning system (GPS). However, there are environments where access to GNSS data is restricted. This can be a result of highly mountainous terrain blocking signals or spoofing by a third party. Precision navigation systems are under increasing pressure to remain reliable in GNSS denied environments. Continuing to navigate when triangulation capabilities are lost depends on accurate measurements of distance traveled, direction, speed, and time. Existing motion sensors, gyroscopes, and local oscillators (clocks) don't have sufficient accuracy for precision navigation. The promise of quantum sensors and atomic clocks is that they are fundamentally much more accurate than traditional approaches, so much so that they can provide local access to precise inertial navigation systems without depending on GNSS. Atomic clocks and cold atoms For example, all clocks measure time using some form of resonator or oscillator. For hundreds of years, clock technology has improved in accuracy, progressing from measuring how many hours have passed to minutes, seconds, milliseconds, and so on. This increase in sensitivity has depended on access to higher frequency oscillators; we have progressed from using cycles of sun-rises through pendulums and quartz and now to atomic transitions. There is now a range of atomic clocks that use high-frequency oscillations between atomic energy levels commercially available, as well as others under development aiming to offer even higher accuracy measurements of time- from players such as Microsemi, Teledyne, Infleqtion, and more. Similarly, quantum gyroscopes can use the sensitivity of quantum properties, such as spin, to determine rotation with a high degree of accuracy. Others are even investigating the potential of quantum gravimeters and quantum magnetic fields sensors for mapping and navigation applications. There are multiple hardware approaches to manufacturing quantum technology for a variety of sensing applications. In IDTechEx's quantum sensors market report, there is coverage of photonics, superconducting, alkali vapors, diamond, and more. The method championed by Infleqtion in the recent flight demonstration with BAE is 'ultra-cold atoms'. Lasers can be used to trap atoms which makes their energy levels so low it has a cooling effect. In this state, the quantum properties of the atoms can be manipulated to make precise measurements. With specialized magneto-optical traps, ultra-high vacuum cells, ion pumps, rubidium atom sources and optics Infleqtion have been able to decouple measurement of position from the environment completely and contribute to omitting the dependence on GPS to navigate within a plane. Market outlook To date, many quantum sensing technologies have remained too large or expensive to be adopted for mass-market navigational needs. For example, some cold-atom technology still requires a 'rack-mountable' form factor (still impressive for quantum but less competitive with classical technology). However, as well as showing progression towards readiness for the aerospace sector, quantum technology may also be on track to be miniaturized even further. Many applications, including precision navigation, are targeting chip-scale fabrication in the long term. This could coincide with the adoption of autonomous cars in the next 10 years, which would represent a key high-volume use case for such a product. Here, navigational precision of a few cm is essential but size, weight, power, and cost are also a high priority. Moreover, within dense urban environments, many smartphone and wearables users commonly struggle to navigate using apps, e.g., Google Maps, due to loss of GPS signal and many users may well value a higher precision solution in the future. Overall, while quantum sensors can seem somewhat niche today, their mass-market potential should not be overlooked. As early adopters in aerospace begin to demonstrate the value of quantum technology, other marketsparticularly automotive are likely to follow in the future. As quantum sensing innovations continue, perhaps in the future, we may all find ourselves with 'un-jammable Sat-Navs' in our cars and pockets, too. While this article has highlighted precision navigation as an example of the quantum sensing revolution quantum sensing technology more broadly has applications in remote current sensing for electric vehicles, medical diagnostics, underground mapping and much more. For more information on the commercial outlook for quantum sensor technology mentioned in this article, including twenty-year market forecasts, see IDTechEx's latest, "Quantum Sensors Market 2024-2044". Find coverage of related topics in IDTechEx reports on quantum computers, wearable technology and autonomous vehicles. Sample pages are available for all IDTechEx reports. Visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/Quantum for more on quantum related technologies. About IDTechEx IDTechEx provides trusted independent research on emerging technologies and their markets. Since 1999, we have been helping our clients to understand new technologies, their supply chains, market requirements, opportunities and forecasts. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.IDTechEx.com . Images download: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/9wklb14binqmq22qxg7o0/AJaiWjLblqoNs7nusIG3opQ?rlkey=4gx9fesrq2oms311z7i3xw3wh&st=kvfazi30&dl=0 Media Contact: Lucy Rogers Marketing and Sales Administrator [email protected] +44(0)1223 812300 Social Media Links: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/IDTechEx LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/idtechex/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413485/IDTechEx_Quantum_Sensors.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478371/IDTechEx_Logo.jpg SOURCE IDTechEx PARIS, May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ProLogium, a global leader in lithium ceramic battery technology, announced the choice of Paris-Saclay (Ile-de-France) as the location for its first R&D Center outside Taiwan. The initiative marks a pivotal milestone in ProLogium's commitment to facilitate local supply chain and technology development activities for next-generation batteries in Europe. At a press conference attended by guests including French minister of Transport Patrice Vergriete, Armand Ajdari, Chief Technology Officer, Arkema, and Yohan Souteyrand, Vice-President Industrial Partnerships, CEA-LITEN, ProLogium unveiled plans for a cutting-edge laboratory facility, designed to spearhead the development of lithium ceramic battery technologies tailored for the European market. Under the leadership of ProLogium Group Chief Scientist Dmitry Belov, both R&D centers in France and Taiwan will work together, leveraging synergies between them. Combined with ProLogium's original center in Taiwan, this new facility and its highly qualified scientific staff will allow ProLogium to ensure close cooperation with the battery industry and strategic partners in France and the EU to validate and smoothly transfer materials and technology for the Dunkirk factory and European market. These advancements will seamlessly integrate into the commercial production processes at ProLogium's future Dunkirk gigafactory. The R&D center will feature two laboratories: "L'Odyssee" slated to open in 2024, and "L'lliade", a large-scale lab center that is scheduled to open in early 2025. "ProLogium has persistently pursued the electrification transformation through cutting-edge lithium ceramic battery technologies. Our R&D efforts in front-end electrolyte exploration, battery cell structure innovation, and manufacturing process design have become our paramount strengths. This year, the gigawatt-scale production demonstration line we inaugurated in Taiwan stands as tangible proof of our successful transition from the laboratory to mass production. As we embark on the final stretch from production lines to the market, we aim to integrate the technological strengths of Taiwan and France." Vincent Yang, Founder and Chairman of ProLogium, remarked. "France hosts a world-leading cluster of enterprises and talent in advanced materials and simulation technology. Expanding ProLogium's R&D footprint to Paris-Saclay and deepening the cooperation with the local ecosystem are critical strategies as we commit to building a localized value chain for European customers, We appreciate the strong support spanning from central government and leading research institutions to local authorities in the Paris-Saclay region. We are looking forward to the innovative sparks that will emerge here." Recognized as one of the world's top 8 innovation clusters, Paris-Saclay stands as a beacon of innovation excellence in France and Europe. It not only houses top-tier universities and an innovative industrial ecosystem, but also provides comprehensive infrastructure and logistical support for businesses, enabling ProLogium to establish its laboratories faster and more efficiently. ProLogium's decision to establish its R&D presence here underscores the company's strategic vision to leverage top scientific talent and resources within this vibrant ecosystem. ProLogium will participate in the Paris-Saclay Spring 2024 event taking place on May 16th-17th. The annual event of the leading deep-tech ecosystem in Europe brings together startups and innovative companies, 2 globally recognized academic institutions and over 16,000 researchers for a rich program which in 2024 will spotlight the Cleantech sector. Meanwhile, ProLogium and Arkema, a global leader in specialty materials, have signed a LOI (Letter of Intent). The collaboration will initially focus on the development of advanced high-performance materials tailored for ProLogium's lithium ceramic batteries, with plans to take full advantage of Arkema's extensive suite of inside-the-cell technologies. Armand Ajdari, Chief Technology Officer at Arkema, stated, "We are committed to jointly driving technologies that offer higher energy density, enhanced safety, and sustainable development. ProLogium has chosen France, home to our headquarters and flagship R&D center, and we look forward to an exciting chapter built on collaboration and innovation." "The ProLogium R&D team is thrilled about the forthcoming interactions with the advanced materials industry and academia. We are poised to establish multidimensional, cross-border, and cross-disciplinary collaborations, collectively driving new international standards in lithium ceramic battery research and development." Dmitry Belov, Head of the R&D Center stated. "The new center signifies a monumental step towards recruiting top talent, devising strategic research cooperation plans, and advancing the frontiers of lithium ceramic battery technology. We are committed to fostering innovation and driving sustainable solutions for the European market." About ProLogium: Established in 2006, ProLogium is an energy innovation company specializing in the research and manufacturing of lithium ceramic battery solutions for electric vehicles, consumer markets, and industrial applications. The company's exclusive technologies encompass over 750 global patents (including pending and granted). ProLogium has delivered nearly 8,000 samples of next-generation batteries produced by fully automated pilot production lines for global automakers to test and develop modules. ProLogium's first gigafactory production line, located in Taoyuan, Taiwan, will begin supplying automakers in 2024, contributing to accelerate capacity expansion in key markets around the world. SOURCE ProLogium Accelerating efficient mass production and carbon footprint management schemes PARIS, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ProLogium, a global leader in lithium ceramic battery technology, and Schneider Electric, the worldwide leader in automated mass production solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) enabling ProLogium to leverage Schneider Electric's extensive automation expertise to establish its smart gigafactory in Dunkirk, France. Vincent Yang, the Founder and Chairman of ProLogium and Laurent Bataille, Executive Vice President of Schneider Electric France, signed the MOU between these two industry leaders in the presence of French Minister of Transport Patrice Vergriete. The partnership will be a critical driver in the expansion of next-generation battery solutions across Europe, in line with ProLogium's commitment to innovation and sustainable development. Schneider Electric, one of the largest energy management companies with a presence in over 100 countries, is a pioneer in industrial digitization, transformation and automation technology. It has assisted numerous renowned energy companies worldwide in establishing smart factories, reaching their sustainability and mass production goals. ProLogium opened the world's first giga-level lithium ceramic battery demonstration line in Taoyuan, Taiwan in January 2024, providing evidence of the feasibility of ProLogium's mass production capabilities and a prototype for the future Dunkirk gigafactory. The collaboration with Schneider Electric aims to achieve ProLogium's mass production goals while establishing an efficient and eco-friendly production line. This marks another significant milestone in the commercialization of lithium ceramic batteries. The partnership outlines the implementation of seven major workflow processes including power distributed systems, smart manufacturing, and carbon footprint management to establish a cutting-edge, sustainable, and intelligent gigafactory. Concept verification is scheduled to begin in the latter half of 2024, with plans to shape the automated manufacturing system for the Dunkirk plant before groundbreaking. Patrice Vergriete, Minister of Transports stated, "One year ago, the President of the French Republic honored us with his visit to Dunkirk to announce the establishment of ProLogium in our battery valley, which has become a symbol of French reindustrialization. Since then, the Dunkirk area has worked enthusiastically alongside ProLogium's teams, and we thank them once again for their confidence. Today, we are delighted to see ProLogium announce new partnerships that confirm our country's positive trajectory towards the decarbonized industry of the 21st century "Last May, we unveiled plans to establish a local production base in Dunkirk. These plans encompass not only plant construction but also industrial value chains. Over the past year, preparatory tasks for the Dunkirk gigafactory have proceeded smoothly, and the inauguration of our giga-level demonstration line in Taiwan marks our transition from the laboratory to mass production, demonstrating our scalability. Moving forward, we will leverage the technical strengths of Taiwan and France to jointly complete the last mile from production line to market," said Vincent Yang, the Founder and Chairman of ProLogium. "This will inject new energy into the "Battery Valley", accelerating the production of the world's most advanced lithium ceramic batteries and realizing our vision for transforming transportation energy." "This agreement represents our shared vision for a more sustainable, energy efficient and resilient future built on innovation and electrification. While demonstrating the pivotal role that both ProLogium and Schneider Electric play in the French government's green re-industrialization strategy." said Laurent Bataille, Executive Vice President, Schneider Electric France Operations. The phased construction preparation for the Dunkirk gigafactory is progressing. Public consultations and architectural concept designs were finalized in 2023, while environmental assessments and procedures to obtain the construction permit are currently underway concurrently, and the gigafactory's site is undergoing backfilling. This progress is paving the way for subsequent groundbreaking and completion anticipated by the end of 2026 or early 2027. By 2030, the factory is planned to provide approximately 3,000 direct job opportunities in the Dunkirk region. "With sincere gratitude to the local government and our esteemed partners for their unwavering support, we are pleased to announce the smooth progress of the initial preparations for the ProLogium Dunkirk gigafactory construction project. Moving forward, we are poised to collaborate with Schneider Electric to optimize the factory's electricity, energy usage and production lines. Leveraging their extensive expertise in energy management, particularly in power distribution design and equipment automation, we aim to establish a sustainable smart factory that is not only more automated but also environmentally friendly." said Calvin Hsieh, ProLogium Group Vice President of EU Manufacturing Center. On May 13th, ProLogium was invited for the third time to participate in Choose France, underpinning ProLogium's alignment with the French government's strategy in key areas such as "Green Industry" and "Reindustrialization" in industrial growth. About ProLogium: Established in 2006, ProLogium is an energy innovation company specializing in the research and manufacturing of lithium ceramic battery solutions for electric vehicles, consumer markets, and industrial applications. The company's exclusive technologies encompass over 750 global patents (including pending and granted). ProLogium has delivered nearly 8,000 samples of next-generation batteries produced by fully automated pilot production lines for global automakers to test and develop modules. ProLogium's first gigafactory production line, located in Taoyuan, Taiwan, will begin supplying automakers in 2024, contributing to accelerate capacity expansion in key markets around the world. SOURCE ProLogium SHANGHAI, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Queclink, a world-leading IoT device and solution provider, today announced the launch of its latest product, the GV500CG. This new OBD tracker, designed with cutting-edge LTE Cat 1 technology, is set to revolutionize the market with its compact size, robust safety features, and extensive adaptability. GV500CG: Queclink's New LTE Cat 1 Mini OBD Tracker The GV500CG is engineered for seamless integration across a broad spectrum of vehicles. Its small size, one of the smallest devices in its class, facilitates discreet and easy installation, an essential feature for covert tracking and security applications such as stolen vehicle recovery and general fleet management. One of the standout features of the GV500CG is its extensive adaptability to different scenarios. This flexibility allows the device to be used in a wide range of applications, from basic tracking to complex telematics solutions when paired with additional accessories or devices. With a second GL series product deployed as a backup device, the solution can ensure robust tracking even if the vehicle is stolen and the main device is discovered and detached. The GV500CG features geo-fences, allowing users to set borders for vehicle movement and receive alerts if these borders are crossed. This feature is invaluable for commercial fleet managers, corporates, or parents who need to ensure that vehicles stay within authorized areas. Virtual ignition detection, another innovative feature, enables the device to detect vehicle start and stop without a direct connection to the ignition system, enhancing its adaptability across different vehicle models. Equipped with BLE 5.2, the GV500CG can communicate with other BLE-enabled devices and systems, broadening its use case scenarios. The device also supports automated system updates via OTA, ensuring that it always operates on the latest firmware and is equipped with the newest features. The device supports crash detection, which helps in immediate response in case of an accident, and harsh driving behavior detection, which identifies patterns like harsh braking and rapid acceleration. These features are instrumental in improving road safety and can contribute to lowering insurance costs by providing insurers with accurate risk assessments. The launch of the GV500CG is expected to impact how businesses and individuals track and manage vehicle operations, providing a reliable and versatile solution. Whether for insurance companies, telematics service providers, car rental businesses, or individual users, the GV500CG is here to meet diverse needs efficiently and cost-effectively. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413353/GV500CG_Queclink_s_New_LTE_Cat_1_Mini_OBD_Tracker.jpg Beijing (Gasgoo)- On May 15, Baidu Apollo held the Apollo Day 2024 event in Wuhan, showcasing a decade of significant advancements in autonomous driving. The event highlighted breakthroughs driven by large models, new passenger safety standards, and the world's largest autonomous unmanned vehicle operation network. Photo credit: Baidu At the event, Baidu Apollo introduced the world's first Level 4 autonomous driving large model, the Apollo ADFM (Autonomous Driving Foundation Model). Additionally, the company launched the sixth-generation unmanned Apollo Go Robotaxi, priced at around just 200,000 yuan and equipped with Baidu's latest intelligent system. Photo credit: Baidu The Apollo ADFM represents a significant leap in autonomous driving technology. It enhances safety and generalization capabilities, surpassing human driving safety by over ten times and covering complex urban scenarios, said Baidu Apollo. Leveraging this model, Baidu's Apollo Go Robotaxi service has successfully navigated Wuhan's intricate road conditions, providing nearly half of the city's residents with convenient autonomous mobility service. In the Level 2+ intelligent driving domain, leveraging the Apollo ADFM, Baidu Apollo's visual-only urban navigation assistance product, the ANP3, will upgrade to ASD (Apollo Self-Driving). The ASD system will be firstly deployed onto Baidu-backed Ji Yues vehicles. This advancement enables intelligent driving wherever Baidu Maps is available. Photo credit: Baidu Baidu Apollo also launched the new Apollo Go self-driving vehicle equipped with the sixth-generation autonomous driving system. This vehicle integrates the Apollo ADFM model, hardware products, and a robust safety architecture, featuring ten layers of safety redundancy and six MRC safety strategies. Photo credit: Baidu By April, Baidu Apollo had accumulated over 100 million kilometers of autonomous driving distance without major accidents. The sixth-generation Apollo Go self-driving vehicle, costing 60% less than its predecessor, will see its first batch deployed in Wuhan immediately, with a fleet of 1,000 units expected by year-end. Photo credit: Baidu As the Apollo Go Robotaxi service completes its autonomous vehicle operation network, operating costs will drop by 30%, and service costs by 80%, thanks to ongoing efficiency optimizations, Baidu said. This cost management strategy, along with expanded service coverage, has driven a ninefold revenue increase and significantly reduced losses. Baidu Apollo aims for Apollo Go to achieve breakeven in Wuhan by the end of 2024 and profitability in 2025, positioning it as the world's first commercially viable autonomous ride-hailing platform. SUZHOU, China, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ractigen Therapeutics, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company committed to developing pioneering therapies, today announces that the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the initiation of Phase 1 clinical trials in China for RAG-17, targeting Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The IND-opening study is a Phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of RAG-17 in subjects with ALS carrying the Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1) mutation. Dr. Long-Cheng Li, Founder, President, and CEO of Ractigen, expressed enthusiasm about this significant milestone: "This marks a pivotal moment for our company, as RAG-17 is our first siRNA drug targeting the central nervous system to receive CDE approval. We are excited to advance this therapy into clinical trials for ALS patients and are optimistic about its potential to bring meaningful benefits to those with SOD1 mutation." Mr. Lei Cai, a prominent ALS advocate and fighter against the disease, who himself battles ALS in China, shared his hopeful perspective on RAG-17: "I hold a strong sense of optimism for RAG-17. Its innovative approach and promising preliminary results give me great confidence in its potential. I believe this drug could offer significant hope and tangible benefits to the ALS community, especially for those with the SOD1 mutation." RAG-17 previously received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2023 and has been cleared for clinical trials in the U.S. Additionally, an Investigator-Initiated Trial (IIT) study (NCT05903690) for RAG-17 is currently ongoing, with 6 patients recruited and treated, showing encouraging preliminary safety and efficacy results. About RAG-17 RAG-17 is a therapeutic siRNA specifically designed to suppress the SOD1 gene in ALS patients with pathogenic mutations. Utilizing Ractigen's proprietary SCAD delivery platform, RAG-17 combines siRNA with an accessory oligonucleotide (ACO) for enhanced effectiveness in central nervous system (CNS) tissues. Preclinical studies, including those using the hSOD1G93A mouse model, have demonstrated RAG-17's remarkable therapeutic efficacy in ameliorating motor function and prolonging survival. About ALS ALS, a severe neurodegenerative disease with no cure, significantly reduces life expectancy, with most patients succumbing to respiratory failure within 3-5 years of diagnosis. Initial symptoms typically include muscle cramps, twitching, and weakness. These symptoms progress to difficulties with movement and speech, the need for assisted breathing, paralysis, and ultimately death. Of the more than 50 genes associated to ALS, mutations in the SOD1 gene account for approximately 20% of the cases. About Ractigen Therapeutics Ractigen Therapeutics, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, is committed to developing innovative oligonucleotide drugs and therapeutic approaches. Ractigen has pioneered several globally leading oligonucleotide drug delivery platforms, including SCAD and LiCO, and boasts a highly diverse pipeline of oligonucleotide drugs. These drugs are aimed to target a wide variety of indications, from neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases to cancer, metabolic disorders, and hematological diseases. The company is dedicated to delivering innovative therapeutic solutions for previously undruggable targets and addressing incurable diseases across various fields. For more information, please visit our website at www.ractigen.com. SOURCE Ractigen Therapeutics PRINCETON, N.J. , May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Radiate Holdco, LLC ("Radiate") announced today that it released its First Quarter 2024 financial results on its secure investor website. The financial results were provided in accordance with the terms of the Indentures governing Radiate's 4.5% Senior Notes due 2026 and 6.5% Senior Notes due 2028 (together, the "Notes"). Radiate will hold a conference call to discuss its results at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 23, 2024. The dial-in information for the call will be posted to Radiate's secure investor website. During the conference call, representatives of Radiate will discuss the company's business and financial matters. The company will not be hosting a live Q&A session. After prepared remarks the company will answer selected questions, submitted in advance via email, from the investment community. Questions can be submitted to [email protected], and should be sent no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, May 21. Access to the financial results and conference call will be limited to holders and beneficial owners of the Notes, qualified prospective investors in the Notes, holders of Radiate's term loan, and certain security analysts and market makers. Radiate will post all of its reports required to be furnished pursuant to the Indenture governing the Notes on its secure investor website maintained by Intralinks. Reports will also be posted to Syndtrak for term loan holders. If you meet one or more of the criteria set forth above and would like to access, but have not yet been granted access to, the secure investor website, please contact Radiate's contact below. Contact details: Radiate Contact: Adam Siskind, SVP Finance Telephone: 609-681-2294 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Radiate Holdco, LLC RaeSedo's novel approach to asthma treatment is based on the body's own biological mechanisms mediated by surfactant protein-A (SP-A), a naturally occurring protein in the lung that offers multiple benefits for asthma patients, including a reduction in airway inflammation and regulation of key immune cells. The company has now successfully aerosolized its lead SP-A-derived peptidomimetic for inhalation, demonstrating the therapy's potential for effective delivery through an inexpensive and convenient to use inhaler device. RaeSedo has achieved significant milestones in its development, including preparation for toxicology studies in animals, thanks to collaborations with partners, including Lovelace Biomedical and Genscript. With a growing global addressable market for asthma therapeutics expected to reach $37.8 billion by 2032, RaeSedo's innovative approach addresses critical unmet needs in asthma treatment, potentially revolutionizing care for millions worldwide. TUCSON, Ariz., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RaeSedo, Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of asthma and other lung diseases, today announced that it will present its pioneering approach to asthma treatment as a showcase company at the 2024 American Thoracic Society (ATS) Respiratory Innovation Summit (RIS). RIS is an annual event that brings together thought leaders, innovators and decision-makers to discuss the latest advances in respiratory research and technology. RaeSedo Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder Monica Kraft, M.D., will present on May 18, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. PDT. "As a physician and researcher dedicated to respiratory health, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by my patients with asthma due to the lack of effective treatment options," said Kraft. "While many therapies are approved for the treatment of asthma, many patients remain symptomatic, and many current therapies are associated with short- and long-term side effects. As biologics are reserved for the most severe patients, there is an urgent need for innovative therapies that can provide better outcomes and improve the quality of life for the majority of patients with asthma." RaeSedo's breakthrough approach to asthma treatment is based on the body's own biological mechanisms mediated by surfactant protein-A (SP-A). SP-A is a large, naturally occurring protein in the lungs that helps remove pathogens, is anti-inflammatory, regulates key immune cells in asthma, reduces mucus production, and reduces airway hyperresponsiveness associated with asthma. This approach has potential application in other lung diseases such as COPD, cystic fibrosis, and treatment of viral infections, such as SARS-CoV-2. "Our approach using SP-A offers a promising new avenue for asthma treatment," said Kraft. "By leveraging the body's own biological processes, we aim to provide people with asthma with the first therapy that can reduce both inflammation and mucus, improving lung function." Because SP-A is a large protein, it cannot be delivered to the lungs as a treatment in its naturally occurring state. RaeSedo has identified and developed very small proteins known as SP-A-derived peptidomimetics that harness the active regions of SP-A to mimic its biological effects and also have enhanced stability. RaeSedo recently succeeded in aerosolizing C940, its lead SP-A-derived peptidomimetic candidate, demonstrating it can be delivered through an inhaler-type device that is inexpensive to produce and convenient for patients. In pre-clinical studies, C940 has been shown to be effective in human airway cells from asthma patients; it was also shown to be effective in pre-clinical animal models of asthma, including: Decreasing eosinophilic (60%) and neutrophilic (70%) inflammation Decreasing mucus production (70%) Decreasing airway hyperresponsiveness (75%) "As a physician committed to advancing respiratory care, I am excited about the potential of RaeSedo's asthma therapy to revolutionize treatment for patients" said Fernando D. Martinez, M.D., Regents' professor, director, and Swift-McNear Professor of Pediatrics, Asthma & Airway Disease Research Center at The University of Arizona, and RaeSedo scientific advisor. "With millions of individuals, including a significant number of children, suffering with this chronic condition in the United States alone, innovative approaches like this are crucial. RaeSedo's potential therapy could represent a step forward in our quest to provide better, more effective care for those living with asthma." With approximately 358 million individuals affected globally and 27 million children and adults impacted in the United States alone, asthma remains a pressing health concern. Despite advancements in treatment, the prevalence of this chronic respiratory condition continues to rise. As the market size for asthma therapeutics and management tools is projected to escalate from $25.7 billion in 2023 to an estimated $37.8 billion by 2032, the unmet need for effective asthma care becomes increasingly evident. This growth reflects not only the rising prevalence but also the demand for innovative approaches to address the complex challenges faced by patients and healthcare providers. RaeSedo has reached important milestones in developing its asthma therapy, thanks to key partnerships. Production is underway with contract manufacturer Genscript, ensuring scalability and quality. Working with Lovelace Biomedical, an aerosol formulation has been developed to optimize concentration and tissue dispersion, enhancing the likelihood of therapeutic effects. Toxicology studies in rats and large animals will begin in the coming months to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of C940. RaeSedo has filed a robust portfolio of U.S. and international patent applications, expects to file an Investigational New Drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the first half of 2025, and is currently seeking investors and development partners. About RaeSedo, Inc. RaeSedo, Inc. was founded by a team of women-led physician-scientists that brings together experience in clinical trials, patient care, and translational basic science research. Based on more than a decade of collaborative efforts, and continuous National Institutes of Health funding, RaeSedo has demonstrated that a previously unknown region of activity within surfactant protein A (SP-A), an endogenous lung protein with innate immune properties, is as efficacious as the full-length oligomeric SP-A in reducing airway inflammation associated with asthma. This approach has applications to other lung diseases such as COPD, cystic fibrosis, and treatment of viral infections, such as SARS-CoV-2. Thus, the mission of RaeSedo, Inc. is to generate and optimize new and improved structural peptidomimetics derived from active regions of SP-A in stable, inhaled forms that are as efficacious as endogenous SP-A in reducing inflammation in asthma and other lung diseases. About ATS Respiratory Innovation Summit The 2024 ATS Respiratory Innovation Summit, held May 17-18, 2024 in San Diego, CA, will bring together investors and healthcare professionals to witness the latest advancements in pulmonary, critical care and sleep technology. RaeSedo was among 25 companies chosen from a highly competitive applicant pool with innovations in all areas of pulmonary, critical care, or sleep. SOURCE RaeSedo, Inc. LOS ANGELES, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RemotePC , a high-performance and reward winning remote desktop access service, has announced enhancements to their RemotePC for Linux solution, providing customers with one of the fastest and most affordable ways to access and manage their Linux machines from anywhere. RemotePC's cutting-edge remote access for Linux solution empowers users to access Linux machines remotely from anywhere in the world, assisting users who have a demand for the flexibility to perform remote operations on their Linux machines. With these new enhancements, RemotePC is aiming to give users all the tools they need to seamlessly and securely access their Linux devices, manage files, and execute commands, all through a user-friendly interface. The new enhancements include: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.0 support Raspberry PI 5 hardware support Keyboard support for Swedish, Spanish, Switzerland , UK,and Irish , UK,and Irish Common build for GUI & Headless machines Added support for Remotely configuring a machine via SSH access Performance improvement for remote sessions Enhanced remote printer - a popup listing with multiple preference/printer options RemotePC's remote access solution for Linux provides users with the freedom to work from any location, ensuring productivity and efficiency are never compromised. By leveraging RemotePC's robust platform, users can take advantage of the following features: Remote access is secured with TLS v 1.2 / AES-256 encryption. Personal Key acts as a secondary password to access each machine. Track activities with remote access and web activity logs. Platform Independent - Access the remote machine from any PC, Mac, or Linux machine, iOS and Android device, or via the web. Connect to remote computers via web browser via Viewer Lite, without the hassle of any additional software installation. Remotely open log files, send key combinations, send error reports, and enter or exit full screen of the remote computer. RemotePC for Linux is included in all of RemotePC's plans at no extra cost including Consumer, SOHO, Team, and Enterprise. Pricing for RemotePC starts at $29.50/year for access to a single computer, with more plans to meet the needs for users of any size. For more pricing information visit: https://www.remotedesktop.com/pricing About IDrive IDrive Inc. is a privately held company specializing in cloud storage, online backup, file sharing, remote access, compliance and related technologies. Core services include IDrive, IDrive e2, RemotePC and IBackup. The company's services help over 4 million customers back up over 500 Petabytes of data. SOURCE IDrive Inc. Latest raise to support continued sales growth, product innovation, and acquisitions. IRVINE, Calif., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Restaurant365, the leading all-in-one restaurant enterprise management platform, today announced a $175 million funding round led by long-term partner ICONIQ Growth with participation from current investors, including KKR and L Catterton. The funding comes on the heels of 12 consecutive quarters exceeding sales targets, which drives confidence in future growth potential. "Restaurant365's growth is a testament to their ability to create powerful solutions that bolster operations, improve margins and empower the workforce at restaurant companies of all sizes," said Will Griffith, Founding Partner of ICONIQ Growth. "We're honored to participate in this incredible opportunity to help the restaurant industry succeed in a way that once seemed impossible." Proceeds from the round will be invested in expanding enterprise features and growing the workforce and payroll product suite to continue supporting the world's largest, most notable hospitality brands. Funds will also strengthen the company's balance sheet to facilitate future acquisitions and support continued organic growth. "We're grateful our investors continue to value the business and its upward trajectory as demonstrated by this most recent vote of confidence," said Restaurant365 CEO and Co-founder Tony Smith. "We take that trust from them seriously as well as the trust placed in us by our customers and the industry at large. We will continue our relentless pursuit of developing products that add value in new ways to this great industry." This latest round follows Restaurant365's recent acquisition of ExpandShare, an AI-powered learning management system built to deliver and track impactful restaurant training content. In addition to adding employee training to its offerings, Restaurant365 expanded its all-in-one platform over the past year with tip automation, task management, restaurant intelligence dashboards, and Capture AI, which brings the power of machine learning to invoice management. About Restaurant365 Restaurant365 is the industry's leading all-in-one, cloud-based accounting, inventory, scheduling, payroll, and HR solution developed specifically for restaurants. R365's restaurant enterprise management software simplifies day-to-day management for operators, allowing them to control food costs and optimize labor. Integrations and open APIs enable Restaurant365 to connect with other systems, including POS providers, vendors, and banks. The result is accurate, timely reporting that provides a clear and complete view of their businesses. Restaurant365 is based in Irvine, California with an office in Austin, Texas. The company is backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, ICONIQ, KKR, L Catterton, and Serent Capital. Additional information is available at restaurant365.com. About ICONIQ Growth ICONIQ Growth partners with visionaries defining the future of their industries to transform the world. Our investment platform and unique ecosystem helps amplify our portfolio companies' success from early growth stage to IPO and beyond. Our portfolio includes Adyen, AirBnB, Alibaba, Alteryx, Automattic, BambooHR, Braze, Chime, Collibra, Coupa, Datadog, Docusign, Gitlab, Marqeta, Miro, Procore, Red Ventures, Relativity, ServiceTitan, Snowflake, Sprinklr, Truckstop, Uber, Wolt, and Zoom, among others. For more information, please visit ICONIQGrowth.com. Media contact: [email protected] SOURCE Restaurant365 Total operating revenues in Q1 2024 amounted to $6.4M , compared to $4.3M in Q1 2023. As of May 9, 2024 , Ryvu's cash position was $59.0M , inclusive of the first tranche of 8M in venture debt from the EIB, obtained in March. This cash position, and other secured funding sources, provide a runway through Q1 2026. In Q1 2024, Ryvu announced the initiation of two Phase II studies of RVU120 in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (r/r AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS). Updated clinical data on RVU120 in patients with r/r AML/HR-MDS as well as preclinical data in myelofibrosis (MF) will be presented at the upcoming 2024 EHA Congress, June 13-16 . Additionally, a webinar highlighting RVU120's potential in myelofibrosis (MF) will take place on Friday, May 17 , at 3:00 PM (CEST) . In February 2024 , Ryvu announced that it had achieved the second milestone under the license agreement with Exelixis and received $2.0M . In March 2024 , Ryvu announced that it would receive a approximately $6.6M (26 million PLN) in grant funding over five years from the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) to support Ryvu's proprietary ONCO Prime discovery platform. KRAKOW, Poland, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryvu Therapeutics (WSE: RVU), a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company focusing on novel small molecule therapies that address emerging targets in oncology, today reported financial results for the first quarter, ended March 31, 2024, and provided a corporate update. Pawel Przewiezlikowski, co-founder, largest shareholder, and Chief Executive Officer of Ryvu Therapeutics, said: "We are progressing rapidly with our clinical and preclinical pipeline programs and expect several key milestones in 2024. With RVU120 now in Phase II, we have achieved our development goals established last year. By the end of this year, we anticipate RVU120, our first-in-class CDK8/19 inhibitor, enrolling patients across four independent and potentially high-value development paths. We are well-positioned with a cash runway through Q1 2026 and numerous potential non-dilutive capital sources ahead of us." Q1 2024 SUMMARY AND RECENT CORPORATE EVENTS RVU120 clinical development plan progress In early 2024, Ryvu launched two Phase II studies with RVU120: the RIVER-52 study investigating RVU120 as monotherapy in two genetically defined cohorts of patients with r/r AML or HR-MDS, and the RIVER-81 study investigating RVU120 in combination with venetoclax in patients with AML. POTAMI-61, a Phase II study evaluating the efficacy of RVU120 in patients with myelofibrosis (MF), is expected to initiate in Q3 2024. On March 28 , Ryvu signed an agreement with Fortrea for the operational execution of POTAMI-61 clinical study. , Ryvu signed an agreement with Fortrea for the operational execution of POTAMI-61 clinical study. REMARK, a Phase II study of RVU120 in patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS), is expected to initiate in mid-2024. REMARK will be conducted as an investigator-initiated study through the EMSCO network with Prof. Uwe Platzbecker , a globally renowned expert in the field of LR-MDS, as the Coordinating Principal Investigator. , a globally renowned expert in the field of LR-MDS, as the Coordinating Principal Investigator. The company plans to enroll approximately 100 patients across all RVU120 Phase II studies this year and aims to present initial Phase II data by the end of 2024. Preclinical updates At the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting ( April 5-10 , San Diego, California ), Ryvu presented preclinical data from its synthetic lethality pipeline and RVU120: , ), Ryvu presented preclinical data from its synthetic lethality pipeline and RVU120: Ryvu's PRMT5 inhibitors have potentially best-in-class profiles and favorable drug-like, oral administration properties, including a solid antiproliferative effect on MTAP-deleted cell lines and a good safety window for MTAP WT cells. Ryvu anticipates nominating a PRMT5 clinical candidate and initiation of IND-enabling studies in 2024. Ryvu's WRN inhibitor program demonstrates target engagement and selective potency with a synthetic lethal effect, providing pharmacological proof-of-concept; in vivo efficacy studies showed pronounced tumor growth inhibition in an MSI-H colorectal cancer xenograft model and supported WRN inhibition as a new, targeted oncological therapy. efficacy studies showed pronounced tumor growth inhibition in an MSI-H colorectal cancer xenograft model and supported WRN inhibition as a new, targeted oncological therapy. RVU120 shows efficacy both as a monotherapy and synergistically in combination with ruxolitinib in preclinical myeloproliferative neoplasms models (MPN), including myelofibrosis (MF) and polycythemia vera. UPCOMING INDUSTRY AND INVESTOR EVENTS Myelofibrosis Webinar, Friday, May 17 at 3:00 PM CEST : Ryvu will host a webinar discussing RVU120 and spotlighting MF. Registration is available at: https://ryvu.clickmeeting.com/pre-eha2024-webinar-rvu120-progress-and-opportunity-in-mf/register at : Ryvu will host a webinar discussing RVU120 and spotlighting MF. Registration is available at: https://ryvu.clickmeeting.com/pre-eha2024-webinar-rvu120-progress-and-opportunity-in-mf/register 10 th Annual Oncology Innovation Forum, Chicago , May 31 : Ryvu will give a corporate presentation and conduct investor/partner meetings. Annual Oncology Innovation Forum, , : Ryvu will give a corporate presentation and conduct investor/partner meetings. Pekao I Technology & Consumer Conference, Warsaw , June 3 : Ryvu will conduct investor meetings , : Ryvu will conduct investor meetings Erste | CEE Consumer & Technology Conference 2024, Warsaw , June 4 : Ryvu will conduct investor meetings , : Ryvu will conduct investor meetings EHA Congress, Madrid , June 13-16 : Ryvu will present clinical and preclinical data from RVU120 and host an exhibition booth; three posters will be presented on RVU120: Updated data from the Phase Ib trial of RVU120 in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (r/r AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) demonstrate promising clinical activity. Preclinical data support the synergistic combination of RVU120 and venetoclax in patients with AML, including RVU120's potential to overcome resistance to venetoclax treatment. In vivo data further supported CDK8 inhibition as a potential novel therapeutic strategy in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), focusing on myelofibrosis (MF). , : Ryvu will present clinical and preclinical data from RVU120 and host an exhibition booth; three posters will be presented on RVU120: Q1 2024 FINANCIAL UPDATE Cash Position On March 31, 2024, Ryvu Therapeutics held $62.7M in cash, cash equivalents, and bonds, compared to $63.7M on December 31, 2023. On May 9, 2024, Ryvu Therapeutics held $59.0M in cash, cash equivalents, and bonds, including 8M of venture debt from the EIB, received on March 13. 2023. Operating Revenues In Q1 2024, Ryvu recognized total operating revenues (including grants) of $6.4M, compared to $4.3M in Q1 2023. Operating costs, related primarily to research and development expenditures, excluding the valuation of NodThera shares and non-cash cost of valuation of the Incentive Program ($0.3M) in Q1 2024, amounted to $11.7M, compared to $7.5M in Q1 2023. Net Loss Attributable to Common Shareholders In Q1 2024, the net loss attributable to common shareholders, excluding the non-cash cost of valuation of the Incentive Program, amounted to $4.6M compared to $3.3M in the same period last year. About Ryvu Therapeutics Ryvu Therapeutics is a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company focused on novel small-molecule therapies that address emerging targets in oncology. Internally discovered pipeline candidates use diverse therapeutic mechanisms driven by emerging knowledge of cancer biology, including small molecules directed at kinase, synthetic lethality, and immuno-oncology targets. Ryvu's most advanced programs include RVU120, a selective CDK8/CDK19 kinase inhibitor with the potential to treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors, currently in Phase II development (i) as a monotherapy for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (r/r AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) as well as (ii) in combination with venetoclax for the treatment of patients with r/r AML. Another clinical program, SEL24 (MEN1703), is a dual PIM/FLT3 kinase inhibitor licensed to the Menarini Group. Ryvu Therapeutics has signed multiple partnering and licensing deals with global companies, including BioNTech and Exelixis. The Company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Krakow, Poland. Ryvu is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and is a component of the mWIG40 index. For more information, please see www.ryvu.com. SOURCE Ryvu Therapeutics HOUSTON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 15th, SEG Solar ("SEG"), a leading U.S. producer of photovoltaic (PV) modules, and Kawasan Industri Terpadu Batang (Grand Batang City), the largest SOE industrial estate in Indonesia, held a signing ceremony to execute a Land Utilization Agreement for the development and operation of a photovoltaic industrial park in the Batang Regency, Java, Indonesia. The park is anticipated to include factories for the production and assembly of silicon ingots, wafers, cells, and modules and is set to become Southeast Asia's largest photovoltaic industrial park to date. SEG's Founder and COO, Jun Zhuge, and Ngurah Wirawan, President Director of Grand Batang City, attended the ceremony. Aerial Rendering of SEG Solar PV Industrial Park in Batang, Central Java, Indonesia Located within Grand Batang City, in Central Java Province, Indonesia, the SEG Indonesia PV industrial park project will have an investment exceeding $500 million USD and will cover over 40 hectares. The overall plan for the park includes a vertical integration capacity of 5GW for silicon wafers, 5GW for solar cells, and 5GW for modules. Pursuant to the first phase of the project, SEG will construct facilities with a production capacity of 5GW for solar cells and 3GW for modules, with an expected completion date in Q2 2025. The cells produced at this park will supply SEG's global module factory, ensuring the traceability of the supply chain and guaranteeing the reliability and stability of core material supply for modules. "Integrated layout across the entire industry chain is crucial for SEG to adhere to legally compliant supply chain standards. Through upstream and downstream coordination, SEG ensures the provision of clean, traceable green products for the markets in the United States, Europe, and Indonesia, thereby facilitating the global transition towards green, low-carbon energy." said Jun Zhuge, Founder and COO of SEG. The SEG Indonesia PV industrial park is expected to create over 3,000 job opportunities, providing more employment prospects and economic vitality for the local community. About SEG Solar Founded in 2016, SEG is a leading vertically integrated PV manufacturer headquartered in Houston, Texas, U.S., and is dedicated to delivering reliable and cost-effective solar modules to the utility, commercial and residential markets. By the end of 2023, SEG has shipped over 5 GW of solar modules worldwide. The company is expected to exceed a production capacity of 5.5 GW by the end of 2024. About Grand Batang City Grand Batang City is the largest state-owned enterprise industrial estate supported by the Indonesian government and is devoted as National Strategic Project. Located on 4,300 Ha area in Central Java, Indonesia, Grand Batang City offers highly competitive industrial land in Southeast Asia. The estate consists of industries, housing, retails & commercial areas and is going to be fully operational by the end of 2024. CONTACT: [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2412140/Photo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2412141/SEG__logo__2024_Logo.jpg 6% of All US Teens Have Reviewed Sendit on the App Store CULVER CITY, Calif., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconic Hearts, the company behind popular social networking app Sendit, has surpassed 1.5 million ratings on the US App Store. While maintaining an overall rating of 4.8 of 5 stars, an estimated 6% of all teenagers in the United States have now taken the time to rate the platform, making it the top rated Gen Alpha social networking application. Sendit Surpasses 1,500,000 App Store Ratings Achieving over 1.5 million US app ratings is a testament to Sendit's great user experience and the company's commitment to meeting the needs of its community. Sendit has become the next gen way to understand the people we care about through interactive Q&As. By sharing simple prompts like, "Ask Me Anything," millions of Sendit users each day are diving deep into the minds of their friends, unlocking insights into who they are and what they like. "Of course we get excited about reaching a big milestone like 1.5 million app reviews, but more importantly our team lives for the process. That's our super power," said Hunter Rice, founder and CEO of Iconic Hearts. "We genuinely love working with our Sendit community and hearing about what they love, hate, and need every day, and we're not going to stop innovating and working hard to make them happy." Now in its sixth year of business, Sendit has continuously innovated to provide users with unique social experiences, focusing on Q&A interactions, starting with its signature Augmented Reality icebreakers and now venturing into AI. These features have not only driven user engagement by allowing more personalized and interactive communication, but have also set Sendit apart in a competitive market. As Gen Alpha navigates their most formative years, Sendit and the Iconic Hearts company are providing a home to meet, laugh, tell secrets, celebrate, and keep friendships for a lifetime. About Sendit: Sendit is a product developed by Iconic Hearts, Inc., the leading Gen Alpha app developer behind prominent social apps including Noteit, Starmatch and Locksmith. Currently the app has over 1.5M reviews on the App Store with a 4.8 rating and over 5M downloads on Google Play , making it the top Gen Alpha social networking app. The company is based in Culver City, California, and was founded by Hunter Rice in 2019. The company's mission is to become the primary destination where every social interaction for Gen Alpha can happen. For more information visit: https://iconichearts.com/ Contact: Anna Thornton [email protected] 3605848354 SOURCE Iconic Hearts "Through our partnership with The DeGood Foundation, we're able to continue expanding literacy access to all children." Post this "It's no secret that reading at an early age can have a profound impact on a child's life and future success," said Steve Evans, vice president, community development for Smithfield Foods. "Through our partnership with The DeGood Foundation, we're able to continue expanding literacy access to all children and deepening the program impact in Isle of Wight County, bolstering our commitment to do good work in our communities." Recent legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly supports continued expansion of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library book gifting program in Virginia. Virginia State expansion monies were approved in 2022 and renewed for the next two years. Smithfield's $12,000 donation together with the Commonwealth's $12,000 funding match would provide $24,000 to Isle of Wight County, which will help distribute books to more children, supporting early literacy development, knowledge and fundamental skills. This is the second year of Smithfield's support for The DeGood Foundation, following a $6,675 donation in 2023. Smithfield and the Foundation held a kick-off event in February 2023 at the Smithfield Center to celebrate and enroll local children in the program. To date, 45% of eligible children in Isle of Wight County have been enrolled, with more than 7,600 books distributed to over 600 children in the county. "We couldn't be more excited to continue to partner with our friends at Smithfield Foods to get more free books into the hands of more children," said Kyle DeGood, founder and executive director for The DeGood Foundation. "Our expansion to Isle of Wight County, made possible by Smithfield, was one of our best performing expansions to date. We're so grateful to be working with a corporate partner that cares so much for the communities where their associates live and work." Enrolled children will receive a free brand-new, age-appropriate book in the mail every month from the time they are born to age five. Parents and guardians can register at their local library branch or online at www.degoodfoundation.org or www.imaginationlibrary.com. Smithfield is committed to developing the next generation of leaders through donations to schools and education programs and providing scholarship assistance for 1,500 students globally by 2025. Last year, the company funded more than $2.5 million in education programs and awarded scholarships of more than $740,000 to 13 schools in seven states for the 20232024 school year. For more information, visit https://smithfieldfoods.com/sustainability/helping-communities/. About Smithfield Foods, Inc. Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is a U.S. food company that employs more than 54,000 people in seven countries and partners with thousands of American farmers. As one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies, we are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly." to feed a growing world population. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in our U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30% across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to food banks, disaster relief efforts and community outreach programs in all 50 U.S. states. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield, Eckrich, Gwaltney and Nathan's Famous, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Threads. About The DeGood Foundation Founded by Kyle DeGood in 2017, The DeGood Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, ensures that all children on the Virginia Peninsula have equitable access to positive early childhood experiences that nurture, grow, and inspire through programs such as Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Bags of Hope. The foundation believes that children can achieve by inspiring them to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More. Since 2019, the foundation has mailed over 40,000 books to children through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and has become one of the fastest growing affiliates of the Imagination Library in the state of Virginia. For more information, visit www.degoodfoundation.org, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. About Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to enrolled children from birth to age five. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to dream more, learn more, care more and be more. The program has been widely researched and results demonstrate the positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com. SOURCE Smithfield Foods, Inc. DALLAS, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) President Captain Casey Murray issued the following statement regarding the final passage of the bipartisan Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, which reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years. "SWAPA congratulates U.S. House and Senate leaders for working together and passing a bipartisan, bicameral FAA reauthorization. The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act contains a host of SWAPA-supported measures that reflect the priorities of SWAPA pilots. This bill maintains the highest level of safety on our flight decks and in our cabins, begins long-overdue reforms of FAA's aeromedical processes, and expands aviation workforce development. We applaud today's final passage of the bill, which addresses aviation industry safety issues, improves rulemaking and certification processes, strengthens the FAA's international effectiveness, and fosters innovation. SWAPA also commends House and Senate leadership, including Senators Maria Cantwell, Ted Cruz, Tammy Duckworth, and Jerry Moran, along with Representatives Sam Graves, Rick Larsen, Garret Graves, and Steve Cohen. SWAPA thanks these congressional leaders and their hard-working staffs for their bipartisan efforts on this legislation that provides long-term direction and stability to the FAA and supports the industry's prioritization of increasing levels of safety and innovation." About SWAPA Located in Dallas, Texas, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) is a non-profit employee organization representing the more than 11,000 pilots of Southwest Airlines. SWAPA works to provide a secure and rewarding career for Southwest pilots and their families through negotiating contracts, defending contractual rights, and actively promoting professionalism and safety. For more information on the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, visit www.swapa.org. SOURCE Southwest Airlines Pilots Association Beijing (Gasgoo)- On May 15, 2024, global auto giant Renault Group unveiled its future autonomous driving strategy, highlighting a pivotal collaboration with Chinas autonomous driving solution developer WeRide. Photo credit: WeRide As part of this strategic initiative, WeRide will contribute significantly to Renault's efforts in public transportation and low-carbon mobility. The two companies plan to launch an autonomous shuttle service during the French Open (May 26 to June 9, 2024), providing transportation between the event venues and parking areas. Photo credit: WeRide Renault Group, a staunch advocate of Europe's public transportation sector, believes in the transformative power of autonomous driving technology for public transport. As a major driver and participant in Europe's transition to green, driverless public transportation, Renault is also a key strategic investor in WeRide. WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, is dedicated to promoting low-carbon, safe, and efficient autonomous driving solutions. It is the only company worldwide with autonomous driving licenses in China, the US, the UAE, and Singapore. WeRide operates in 30 cities across seven countries, offering a range of services including ride-hailing, on-demand buses, urban freight, intelligent sanitation, and advanced intelligent driving solutions. Gilles Le Borgne, CTO of Renault Group, stated, "Renault Group is advancing its future autonomous driving strategy by partnering with the best in the fieldWeRide. We look forward to launching a series of low-carbon autonomous shuttles by 2030 to meet the growing demand for green public transport across Europe." This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both Renault and WeRide. It represents WeRide's debut in the European market with its autonomous driving products. The partnership aims to accelerate the introduction of proven autonomous driving products and business models to the European market, expanding their scope and impact. Resources help you be "water smart" WASHINGTON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross encourages families to prepare for the fast-approaching summer swim season by learning to be "water smart." Research shows that participation in formal water safety and swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% for one to four-year-olds. "With pools and parks opening in just a couple weeks, it's important for families to take time to learn and review critical water safety skills with their children," said Angela Beale-Tawfeeq, PhD, MPH, member of the Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council and associate professor at Rowan University. "These fundamental Red Cross water safety skills will help you feel more prepared for everyday scenarios and fun outings in, on and around the water, and most importantly, help save lives." Each year, more than 2.5 million people learn to swim through Red Cross lifesaving aquatics programs. These programs incorporate the latest science-based curriculum and industry best practices, helping to keep individuals and families safer while enjoying water activities. Through this work, over the last century, the Red Cross has helped to reduce accidental drownings by nearly 90% nationwide. "Preventing unsupervised access to water, providing constant, active adult supervision and knowing how to swim are critical layers of protection to help prevent drowning," said Connie Harvey, director of Aquatics Centennial and Survival Programs for the Red Cross. IMPORTANT WATER SAFETY TIPS This summer, remember these four water safety tips. Nobody should ever swim alone adults and teens as well as children. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child's life to another child. It's best to always designate a "water watcher" who will keep a close eye and constant attention on children and weaker swimmers in, on and around water until the next water watcher takes over. Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone. Reach or throw, don't go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on. Don't go in! You could be in danger of drowning yourself. "We encourage families to educate themselves on safer water habits, to learn to swim and know how to handle emergencies," said Harvey. "Our aquatic training providers offer swim education and classes for both children and adults. We recommend that you also learn first aid and CPR, so you'll know what to do until help arrives." WHALE TALES FOR CHILDREN The Red Cross recently revamped its Longfellow's WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children program. The no-cost program is designed to help children from all backgrounds in kindergarten through 5th grade learn vital water safety behaviors without having to be in or near the water. Educators, swim instructors, parents, caregivers and others can teach critical water safety lessons to children before the swim season kicks off. WHALE Tales are short, engaging and age-appropriate lessons that cover important water safety topics in different environments such as pools, waterparks, oceans, lakes and rivers. The free downloadable resources include lesson plans, course presentations and engaging materials such as videos and activity sheets and can be accessed at redcross.org/WHALEtales. If you're a parent or caregiver teaching your own children, visit redcross.org.watersafetyforkids. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Our Aquatics Centennial Campaign, launched in 2014 to recognize 100 years of Red Cross leadership in swimming and water safety, is active in nearly 100 communities across the country. The program works to reduce drowning rates in locations where drowning rates are above the national average alongside valued community partners. Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Swim Seattle Initiative recently joined the Centennial Campaign to help remove barriers to learning to swim and eradicate disproportionate drownings among youth of color. "This partnership will enable us to provide more quality swim lessons, water safety education and lifeguard training to the community than ever before," said Mike Plympton, aquatic manager for Seattle Parks and Recreation. To date, the campaign has delivered more than 131,000 sets of swim lessons and certified 5,400 junior lifeguards, lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors. We've also armed nearly 19,000 parents and caregivers with water safety knowledge and/or CPR skills. "We want to make the water a safer place for everyone and, as a community, we all play an important role in helping to achieve that goal," said Harvey." Learn more at redcross.org/centennialswim. GET STARTED TODAY Go to redcross.org/watersafety for swim program information and a variety of resources. The Red Cross Swim app can help children and adults learn with kid-friendly video and activities on mobile devices. Do your part. Be "water smart." About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media. SOURCE American Red Cross STAVANGER, Norway, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampnet, the foremost provider of offshore high-capacity networks, is excited to announce the establishment of a Point of Presence (PoP) at NJFX's carrier-neutral cable landing station in Wall, New Jersey. NJFX was strategically selected as the connectivity HUB and 4G/5G core site to enable low-latency communications to the emerging windfarms along the East Coast of America. This new PoP at NJFX further enhances Tampnet Carrier's position to deliver connectivity to the US market and customers transmitting data between US and European sites. Tampnet announces our new Point of Presence (PoP), established at NJFX's carrier-neutral cable landing station in Wall, New Jersey. NJFX was strategically selected as the connectivity HUB and 4G/5G core site to enable low-latency communications to the emerging wind farms along the East Coast of America. This collaboration further underscores Tampnet's commitment to delivering top-tier connectivity solutions to NJFX customers spanning industries such as Oil & Gas, Wind Energy, Maritime, and the Carrier market. Tampnet's unwavering dedication to innovation and sustainability is reflected in its efforts towards a carbon-neutral future. By transitioning to energy-efficient 4G and 5G technology, Tampnet is spearheading the digital transformation in the offshore industry, ensuring safer and more efficient operations through advanced wireless sensors for condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote operations. Cato Lammenes, VP and Head of Tampnet Carrier said: "With the addition of NJFX to our American footprint, this new connection hub supports our strategy for increased diversity within our 4G/5G core as well as providing additional services and routes for our global clients transmitting data between the European regions and the USA." Establishing a PoP within NJFX's dynamic ecosystem grants Tampnet and its clientele direct, on-demand access to key submarine cable systems including Havfrue/AEC-2, Seabras-1, TGN1, and TGN2. This translates to unparalleled connectivity across the Americas, Europe, and the Caribbean. "We are delighted by this strategic collaboration with Tampnet, solidifying their presence within our thriving ecosystem," comments Felix Seda, General Manager at NJFX. "Tampnet's choice of NJFX as their core US connectivity hub is testament to our commitment to providing unmatched connectivity solutions on the East Coast." By establishing a foothold at the NJFX facility, Tampnet aims to fortify its network capabilities and meet the evolving connectivity needs of its clientele. This symbiotic partnership promises enhanced connectivity options, further catalyzing the digital evolution across global industries. About Tampnet: Tampnet, founded in 2001 in Stavanger, Norway, operates the world's largest offshore high-capacity communication network, serving clients in Oil & Gas, Wind Energy, Maritime, and Carrier sectors. Tampnet Carrier's unique network routes traverse 8 countries, connecting over 40 core data centres across 12 markets throughout Europe and the United States. Dual-path capability between Norway, Europe and UK is their key differentiator, providing diverse routing through Great Britain and via Sweden and Denmark. This high-speed terrestrial and subsea network enables low latency, reliability, redundancy and secure connectivity solutions for the most demanding industries. The NORFEST subsea route brings greater resiliency, flexibility and scalability to Nordic infrastructure, with direct connectivity to 10 key cities along the Norwegian coast, and Nordic data centre hubs powered by renewable energy along. With a steadfast commitment to sustainability, Tampnet upgrades infrastructure to energy-efficient 4G and 5G technology, striving towards a carbon-neutral future. For more information and media inquiries: Cato Lammenes Email: [email protected] Website: www.tampnet.com About NJFX: Located in Wall, New Jersey, NJFX is the innovative leader in carrier-neutral colocation and subsea infrastructure, setting a new standard for interconnecting carrier-grade networks outside any major U.S. city. Our campus hosts over 35 global and U.S. operators, including multinational banks that rely on us for their "never down" network strategies. The NJFX campus is also where the major cloud operators have their global backbones physically connecting to transatlantic cables to Europe and South America. NJFX customers requiring transparency and true diversity can interconnect at a layer one level with their preferred network connectivity partners. For more information and media inquiries: Emily Newman Email: [email protected] Website: njfx.net SOURCE NJFX FLORENCE, Italy, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CiaoFlorence is pleased to present a new project devoted to local Food and Wine culture and to food lovers in Florence : Pasta Lovers Class, T-Bone cooking lesson and Food Tour with tastings at local Market are only a few examples of food experiences proposed by CiaoFlorence. Leveraging the vast experience gained in the food and wine sector over the years, this innovative project represents the company's desire to adhere to emerging trends in the tourism market. Florence food tours Florence food tours Specializing in organizing customized activities, CiaoFlorence devotes its attention to devising experiential activities for small groups, aiming to maximize customers' enjoyment of the experience. Through anecdotes, curiosities and tastings of typical Tuscan dishes, participants will embark on a gastronomic journey guided by an expert local chef, who will provide detailed explanations of culinary preparations. Check out our bestsellers. Pasta Lovers cooking class and market, an exclusive culinary session will take place at a renowned historical trattoria in the center of Florence, offering participants the opportunity to acquire skills in the art of preparing homemade pasta. Using simple ingredients, carefully selected by the participants with the assistance of our expert chef, clients will have the opportunity to manually prepare some of Italy's internationally renowned dishes, such as tagliatelle, ravioli and tiramisu. MasterSteak: Learn to cook the perfect Florentine style steak, this tour is a must-do for foodies. It is highly recommended for enthusiasts of fine cuisine. An original experience offering clients the opportunity to learn the art of preparing the renowned Florentine steak according to its authentic recipe. This master class provides a unique opportunity to explore the culinary secrets behind one of Italy's most famous dishes, allowing also the participants to bake and taste the most famed Florentine sweeties: cantuccini. Food tour to discover Sant'Ambrogio grocery market, an unforgettable dining experience that enhances the distinctive aromas and flavors of Tuscan cuisine. Our chef will share the secrets of an age-old culinary tradition among the stalls of the Sant'Ambrogio food market. Participants will have the opportunity to sample a selection of cured meats, prosciutto, cheeses and lampredotto, all accompanied by fine Tuscan wines, ending with a delicious gelato. An unmissable culinary journey that will delight the senses and leave an indelible imprint on memories. CiaoFlorence Tours & Travels is a leading Italian tour operator specialized in organizing group and private excursions from all the main Italian cities. Aiming at providing tailor-made food and wine experiences for everyone, CiaoFlorence for foodies is specially designed to enable everyone to fully enjoy the culinary delights of Florence . If you want to know more about our catalog, do not hesitate to reach out to us at +39 055 354 044, for personalized advice and requests. Our team will be happy to assist you in designing the perfect day, according to all your needs. For personalized quotes, you can write directly to [email protected] and our team will assist you in making your dream holiday come true! Media Contact: Veronica Migliorini +39055354044 [email protected] SOURCE CiaoFlorence Tours and Travel Dick Gutman, DINERMAN opens May 25 in new Collections Gallery DEARBORN, Mich., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Henry Ford dives into the rich history of the American diner and its leading expert, Richard (Dick) Gutman with its new exhibition, Dick Gutman, DINERMAN, opening May 25 in the new Collections Gallery located in Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. No one has been more immersed in the origins, designs and operations of diners in America than Dick Gutman. Dick Gutman, Dinerman In 2019, The Henry Ford acquired Gutman's collection of diner materials, the largest of its kind in the country. Portions of that collectionwhich ranges from the 1870s to the 1990swill be on display for the first time in DINERMAN, including memorabilia, scale models, and furniture. The exhibit showcases the history of diner architecture and design in the United States and honors the preservation that keeps diners relevant today. Gutman's fascination with these informal restaurants began while he was studying architecture at Cornell University in the late-1960s. He has contributed to virtually every published media piece on diners and was instrumental in the move and restoration of The Henry Ford's own Lamy's Diner and the reconstruction of the Owl Night Lunch Wagon, the last surviving lunch wagon in existence, located in Greenfield Village. Dick Gutman, DINERMAN, is free for members and included with admission to Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. For more information, visit thf.org. About The Henry Ford Located in Dearborn, Michigan, The Henry Ford is a globally recognized destination that fosters inspiration and learning from hands-on encounters with artifacts representing the most comprehensive collection anywhere focusing on innovation, ingenuity, and resourcefulness. Its unique venues include Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Benson Ford Research Center, Giant Screen Experience and Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school. The Henry Ford inspires every individual to unlock their potential and help shape a better future through a variety of channels, including its online presence thehenryford.org, its Emmy-winning national television series, The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation, and The Henry Ford's Invention Convention Worldwide, a global K-12 invention education curricular program that teaches students problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and creativity skills. With the support of a growing community of affiliates and supporters, The Henry Ford is the home of Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention U.S. Nationals, Invention Convention Globals and Invention Convention Michigan SOURCE The Henry Ford Experienced Counterterrorism Expert and Former FBI Agent Lara Burns Joins GWU's Program on Extremism to Advance Global Security Research and Education WASHINGTON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Program on Extremism at The George Washington University is proud to announce the appointment of Lara Burns as Head of Terrorism Research. Bringing over two decades of expertise in international terrorism, risk management, and law enforcement, Lara will contribute significantly to the Program's research and educational initiatives. Lara Burns comes to the Program on Extremism after an illustrious career at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where she served as a Supervisory Special Agent. Over her 23 years with the FBI, she notably directed the International Terrorism Program in the agency's 12th largest field division, received the FBI Director's Medal of Excellence and the Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award for her impact on international terrorism. Her tenure included managing the United States v. Holy Land Foundation, a charity funneling funds to Hamas and the largest terrorism financing prosecution in the history of the Department of Justice. Experienced Counterterrorism Expert and Former FBI Agent Lara Burns Joins GWU's Program on Extremism Post this "Lara's exceptional track record in handling complex terrorism cases and her profound understanding of international security dynamics make her a stellar addition to our team," said Dr. Lorenzo Vidino, Director of the Program on Extremism. "Her insights will be invaluable in expanding our efforts to study and counter extremist threats." In addition to her investigative prowess, Lara has been a leading educator in her field, instructing both domestic and international law enforcement personnel on critical issues including interview and interrogation Techniques, terrorism financing, and money laundering. Reflecting on her new role, Burns stated, "Joining the Program on Extremism at George Washington University offers an exciting opportunity to apply my experience in a new context. I am eager to contribute to the understanding of terrorism and extremism in today's complex global environment. My goal is to help develop strategies that not only address current security challenges but also strengthen our collective resilience against future threats." Lara's commitment to fostering educational initiatives and her extensive field experience will support the Program on Extremism's mission to provide in-depth analysis of terrorism and extremist ideologies. Her role will involve leading research projects, engaging with policymakers and the public, and mentoring the next generation of scholars in the field. For further information please contact the Program on Extremism at George Washington University: Email: [email protected] Phone: (202) 994-9056 About The Program on Extremism at George Washington University: The George Washington University Program on Extremism is a leading academic initiative housed within the George Washington University. The program aims to provide analysis of and solutions to contemporary issues of extremism and terrorism. For more information visit: https://extremism.gwu.edu/ SOURCE The George Washington University The Sister Accord Foundation Founder Sonia Jackson Myles and Business Leader Jean Freeman and her firm, Zambezi, team up to continue support of women-owned businesses in the U.S. CINCINNATI, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sister Accord Foundation, an organization founded by Sonia Jackson Myles that is changing the way girls and women treat, support, and interact with each other, announced today that applications are now open for funding through The Sister Accord Accelerator, a program that helps female entrepreneurs rapidly grow and scale their businesses through a combination of grants, education, and mentorship. This program is made possible with the support of Jean Freeman, CEO and Principal of advertising agency Zambezi, which is giving $50,000 in funding. Jackson Myles will provide $10,000 to fund a sixth grant. The Sister Accord Accelerator is designed to fuel the growth of existing women-owned businesses by providing monetary support, business education, and mentorship the tangible tools needed to scale a business. Six women entrepreneurs will be given a $10,000 grant, ongoing mentorship from Jackson Myles and Freeman, and additional guidance from a number of noted business leaders. Over the course of five months, Accelerator participants will have ongoing mentorship meetings and will also attend a number of educational sessions focused on sales, marketing, operations, and growth. The program invites applicants who meet the following criteria: Participants must have started an official registered business in the U.S. Participants must attend all sessions that will be held over a five-month period in order to receive the full $10,000 business grant. business grant. Company must have 51% ownership by a woman who is also the strategic leader in the operations of the business. To be considered, applications must be completed by 11:59 PM EST on May 31, 2024. Interested applicants can apply at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflmlCoMcAy9TWikRYQljGSjGfdG3uSHRk8cOoX9OhJojw7JQ/viewform?usp=sf_link Prior to The Accord Group LLC, Jackson Myles spent her 20+ year career managing over $20 billion for global companies: Procter & Gamble, Ford Motor Company, and The Gillette Company. Freeman is Principal and CEO at Zambezi, a women-owned and creatively led advertising agency. Zambezi has been recognized as a six-time Honoree of the Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Privately Owned Companies and one of the "100 Fast Growing Companies in LA" by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Participants from the first cohort reported the grants and mentorship having many positive impacts on their businesses. Dr. Susan Lovelle, Founder & CEO, Balanced Performance, shared that the program delivered "unprecedented clarity and strategic focus, was pivotal in shaping my approach to growth, and the funding received through the Accelerator enabled me to leverage new opportunities effectively and maximize my business' potential." "The Sister Accord Accelerator is a masterclass that you won't find anywhere else. The investment, empowerment, belief system, expertise, and genuine dedication to small businesses like mine has kept us in business after a five-year drought and has caused our revenue and capacity to increase exponentially," said Kimberly Huckleby, Owner & President, Whistle Clean Service Inc. "Studies continue to show that women are still not receiving the funding they need for their businessesless than 3% of venture capital funds are given to women-owned businesses," said Sonia Jackson Myles, Founder of The Sister Accord Foundation and The Sister Accord Accelerator. "I often see women business owners turn their passions into a business and get stuck not knowing how to scale. This program will help ensure that they have the necessary tools and knowledge to help get them to where they want to be in addition to receiving a financial grant. I am honored that Jean has seen the potential in this program and agreed to partner with me again to create the curriculum and help lead. The generous support of Zambezi has made this second class possible." "Our purpose with The Sister Accord Accelerator is to see more women entrepreneurs succeed in growing and scaling their businesses," said Jean Freeman, Principal and CEO at Zambezi. "Women-owned businesses are a primary driver for the US economy, they are known for their innovation and for promoting greater diversity within their organizations, which will lead us to a more equitable workforce, and beyond." About The Sister Accord Foundation: The Sister Accord Foundation ( https://thesisteraccordfoundation.org/) is a 501c3 organization focused on enabling girls and women to establish and nurture positive, supportive, and loving relationships with each other. The Sister Accord LLC's 'Sisterhood & Brotherhood in The Workplace' Platform has made a significant, positive difference in corporate America and around the globe. For questions, please contact: Amanda Cosindas, Director of Communications, Zambezi, at [email protected]. SOURCE The Sister Accord Foundation SHEBOYGAN, Wis., May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vollrath Company, a leading manufacturer of foodservice equipment and solutions, will showcase highlights of its comprehensive product offering at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago from May 18-21. With a focus on delivering enhanced performance, durability and user-friendly features, Vollrath will display its newly redesigned Chicken Rotisserie Oven, along with a comprehensive range of countertop equipment, serving systems, cook- and smallwares tailored to meet the evolving needs of foodservice operators. The Vollrath Company to Showcase Product Highlights at the National Restaurant Association Show 2024 The Chicken Rotisserie Oven has been redesigned based on more than a decade of customer feedback and analysis. The updated oven features separate cook-and-hold heating modes, a removable carousel, doors for easy cleaning and heavy-duty adjustable legs for stability and convenience. Other notable enhancements include improved cooking performance, more power and an additional customer-facing glass panel for an enticing display of food products. Vollrath will also highlight its customization options for smallwares and countertop equipment, designed to solve problems for end users and operators like locking in the preferred temperature. Its extensive capabilities allow Vollrath to meet specific needs, from custom utensils that reduce food prep times and labor needs to modified equipment that offers easy cleaning and convenience. Vollrath's full line of Manual Food Processors will also be on display. Recent testing results demonstrate impressive labor, time and cost savings of Vollrath's Insta Cut 5.1 compared to traditional cutting methods. These manual processors provide consistent results, reduce food waste and offer operators a reliable solution for food preparation tasks. Christina Wegner, vice president of Marketing at Vollrath, expressed excitement about the upcoming Show: "We are happy to be back in Chicago and present a curated selection of our best products. We look forward to connecting with industry professionals and demonstrating how our products can help them succeed in today's competitive foodservice landscape." The company's countertop induction warming and cooking products lineup will be in the booth, including Induction Soup Rethermalizers and Dual Cooking Ranges. The highlight will be the latest 4-Series technology, which combines gas and induction technology for enhanced cooking flexibility and efficiency. The Vollrath booth will also feature Stoelting frozen treat equipment, offering attendees a glimpse into the latest innovations in frozen dessert technology. Attendees can also explore Vollrath's full line of countertop warmers and conveyor toasters, known for their durability, reliability, and versatility in toasting bread, bagels, melting cheese, and warming sandwiches. The Vollrath Company booth, #4420, will be located in the South Building of McCormick Place. About The Vollrath Company Founded in 1874 and based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, The Vollrath Company is a privately held, family-owned and, today, a six- and seventh-generation woman-owned company. It has nine factories spread across the United States, Europe and China that manufacture products to exacting quality standards globally, backed by outstanding customer service. The company focuses on quality design, engineering and manufacturing across its business divisions for foodservice and custom and specialty products. For more information, visit vollrathcompany.com. Press Contact: Mirjam Lippuner 920-395-8998 https://vollrathcompany.com/ SOURCE The Vollrath Company Grand Opening Celebration Comes with Fun and Great Prizes for Guests LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thorntons is proud to announce the opening of its newest Chicagoland store and its 93rd location in the state of Illinois. The store will open Friday, May 17 at 6:00 a.m. at 2520 East Main Street. The company now operates a total of 73 stores in the Chicagoland area. This new 4,400 square foot facility is set on 3.5 acres and features a number of amenities to serve on-the-go Guests including: Self-checkout to drive a faster and more efficient Guest experience LED lighting for Guest and Team Member safety and energy efficiency Freshly made burritos and sandwiches prepared throughout the day in the store's onsite kitchen Variety of top-of-the-line beverages, including fresh bean to cup coffee and ice-cold fountain beverages with nugget ice 16 auto fueling positions Thorntons invites the community to be part of our grand opening celebration on May 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. During this time and while supplies last, Guests who enter the new store will receive a Thorntons gift card which they can immediately scan at the register to determine the value1. One lucky Guest will win a $1,000 gift card. In addition, there will be music, games and giveaways. During the Ribbon Cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m., Thorntons leadership will present Northern Illinois Food Bank with a $2,500 donation. This contribution is in honor of the new store opening and is part of Thorntons' ongoing commitment to help feed the hungry in all of the communities where it operates. About Thorntons Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Thorntons, part of the bp portfolio, operates more than 200 stores that provide high quality fresh foods, beverages, and fuel in six states: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida. Thorntons' mission is to be people's favorite place to stop when they are on-the-go and people's favorite place to work. Thorntons has its own transportation fleet and food commissary. Thorntons has a passion for giving back to the communities where Guests and Team Members live and work. Thorntons volunteers make their communities better through community service, humanitarian day events and fundraising projects. Learn more about Thorntons by visiting www.mythorntons.com. Connect with Thorntons on Facebook www.facebook.com/thorntonsllc, Instagram @thorntons_llc and Twitter @ThorntonsLLC. 1 This promotion is offered by Thorntons, which is located at 2600 James Thornton Way, Louisville, KY 40245. No purchase necessary to receive prize. Must be at least 16 years old to receive prize. Promotion will continue while supplies last. Gift card value is either $2, $5, $10, $20, $100 or $1,000. There will only be 1 $1,000 Thorntons gift card. MEDIA CONTACT Pierce Feltner Corporate Communications [email protected] Media Hotline: 844.945.3321 SOURCE BP "After a six-month search, and thoughtful consideration of highly qualified candidates, the Board is proud to appoint Tricia Keith to serve as our company's next president and CEO," said Gregory A. Sudderth, chairman of the BCBSM Board. "No one is more ready to lead our great company into the future. Tricia Keith is a Michigan native, whose depth of knowledge and experience, her broad and accomplished track record of executive leadership, and abiding commitment to Blue Cross' mission make her the clear choice to take our company forward in service to our members and communities." Daniel J. Loepp, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan until January 1, 2025, will retire as the longest-serving chief executive in the company's history. Among his many achievements during his more than two decades of leadership at BCBSM, Mr. Loepp transformed the company from a large single-state health insurance plan to a diversified multi-company enterprise of national scale. "Transformational is the word that best describes Dan Loepp's legacy of leadership over more than 20 years," Mr. Sudderth said. "We have had two great leaders in the last 40 years and now we are adding a third. Dick Whitmer restored our company's financial strength and integrity during a time of trouble. Dan Loepp transformed the company to succeed in this century. Now, Tricia Keith will provide the energy and vision to accelerate our success into the future." "There are powerful forces of change impacting health care at this moment technology, drug and medical cost growth, industry consolidation and others," Ms. Keith said. "The role that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan plays as a champion of our members' health, and the affordability of their coverage and care, puts enormous responsibility on the shoulders of our company's CEO. I am humbled by the Board's confidence, and I'm excited and honored to assume this responsibility in January." "Our company, our thousands of employees and our millions of health insurance members in Michigan and around the nation will be in the best of hands with Tricia Keith," Mr. Loepp said. "She has the energy, experience, and innovative spirit our company needs as health care continues to change. She is the right leader at the right time for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan." About Tricia A. Keith A Michigan native and lifelong resident, she earned her Bachelor of Arts from Central Michigan University in 1993 and her M.B.A. from Michigan State University in 2009. native and lifelong resident, she earned her Bachelor of Arts from in 1993 and her M.B.A. from in 2009. As executive vice president and president of Emerging Markets since 2020, she leads a $22 billion division of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan that includes AF Group, a workers compensation and specialty insurance company based in Lansing, Mich. ; Blue Cross Complete, the company's Medicaid managed care subsidiary; and the company's Medicare business, including its subsidiary, Emergient, which maintains Medicare Advantage joint venture agreements with Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensed health plans in five other states. division of Blue Cross Blue Shield of that includes AF Group, a workers compensation and specialty insurance company based in ; Blue Cross Complete, the company's Medicaid managed care subsidiary; and the company's Medicare business, including its subsidiary, Emergient, which maintains Medicare Advantage joint venture agreements with Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensed health plans in five other states. Her steadily progressive executive career at BCBSM began in 2006. She has served as vice president, Corporate Secretary and Services (2006-2012); senior vice president, Corporate Secretary and Services (2012-2016); executive vice president, Chief of Staff, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary (2016-2020); and executive vice president, president of Emerging Markets since 2020. She added her chief operating officer responsibilities in 2022. She has served as chair of Central Michigan University's board; chair of the Michigan Economic Development Foundation board; chair of the Detroit Business Improvement Zone board; and has served on the boards of the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Parade Company, and Downtown Detroit Partnership. board; chair of the Michigan Economic Development Foundation board; chair of the Detroit Business Improvement Zone board; and has served on the boards of the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Parade Company, and Downtown Detroit Partnership. In 2012, she became the first woman in the 40-year history of the National Management Association to be recognized with the organization's Executive of the Year award. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, provides health benefits to nearly 5.2 million members. The company is committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses and individuals. Based in Detroit since 1939, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care across Michigan. BCBSM is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBluesPerspectives.com. SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED ABU DHABI, UAE, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) has announced the recipient of the inaugural PAM Global Humanitarian Personality Award at the 18th Plenary Session held in Braga, Portugal. For the first time, this prestigious recognition is bestowed upon His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, for his decades-long exemplary contributions to humanitarian efforts around the world. Each year, PAM recognises significant contributions of organisations and individuals who build bridges of communication and foster mutual understanding among the region's peoples and nations. This year, the inaugural PAM Global Humanitarian Personality Award is dedicated to those who have showcased extraordinary efforts in providing political mediation or life-saving humanitarian assistance, alleviating the suffering of people facing catastrophic events. Although this is the first time that PAM has handed the Global Humanitarian Personality Award, the organisation has recognised numerous dignitaries in the past, including H.E. Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of Algeria, H.E. Mr. Jorge Fernando Branco de Sampaio, Former President of Portugal and H.E. Mr. Ilir Rexhep Meta, Former President of Albania. The award recognises Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed's decades-long humanitarian work as well as his recent announcement of the creation of the Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Initiative that will allocate AED 20 billion for humanitarian causes in the world's most vulnerable regions. Created on the 20th anniversary of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's passing and on Zayed Humanitarian Day, this major initiative will aim to greatly improve the quality of life and sustainable development for vulnerable communities around the world, underscoring Sheikh Zayed's legacy of generosity and support. In addition, under Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed's leadership, the UAE has supported numerous other humanitarian causes over the years, including the global distribution of billions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines to countries in need through its "Hope Consortium" initiative. In the region, His Highness has been instrumental in supporting refugees and providing medical aid to those affected by conflict, including in Syria and Yemen, to which the UAE has donated over USD 6 billion since 2015. H.E. Hon. Enaam Mayara, President of PAM, said: "It is with great honour that we announce Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed as the first recipient of the PAM Global Humanitarian Personality Award. For decades, His Highness has been a champion of humanitarian causes worldwide, having personally been involved in numerous activities that have safeguarded peace, human life, and prosperity. His commitment to promoting global stability has set a remarkable example for leaders everywhere, raising the standard for future recipients of this prestigious recognition." Ambassador Dr Abdulsalam Al Madani, PAM Roving Ambassador for the GCC Region, said: "PAM is delighted to honour His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the inaugural PAM Global Humanitarian Personality Award. Throughout his outstanding tenure as leader and President of the UAE, His Highness has tirelessly contributed to various humanitarian causes, positively affecting countless lives across the world. His unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives has not only provided critical support but has also inspired a new generation of global leaders to follow his example. This award is a testament to the continuation of his and the UAE's vision for a more harmonious and prosperous world." Founded in 2005, PAM is an international organisation that brings together the national parliaments of the Mediterranean and Gulf regions. Since its foundation, the organisation has served as the legal successor of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in the Mediterranean (CSCM), established in the early 1990s. PAM's primary objective is to cultivate strong political, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation among its member states, addressing all regional challenges, and promoting peace and stability across the Mediterranean and beyond. Since its inception, PAM has distinguished itself as the preeminent institution for fostering inter-regional parliamentary diplomacy among its 31 Euro-Mediterranean, Gulf and North African member states which are represented on an equal footing through a balanced organisational bureau, alternating presidency and numerous working committees. Currently, the organisation is led by H.E. Hon. Enaam Mayara of Morocco. For more information about PAM and its initiatives, please visit www.pam.int. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On May 14, 2024, GAC Energy Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. ("GAC Energy Thailand") was officially incorporated in Bangkok, focusing on the new energy vehicle charging business, GAC Energy, a subsidiary of GAC Group, announced via its WeChat account. GAC Energy Thailand features a business scope including charging station operation, as well as import and export of charging piles, energy storage, and photovoltaic products. It will offer installation services for residential charging stations. Besides, the company plans to expand its services gradually across Thailand. Currently, the global shift towards electrification is unstoppable. Southeast Asia is at a critical juncture in its automotive energy transition, rapidly advancing the adoption of new energy vehicles. In Thailand, the growth of new energy vehicles significantly exceeds the volume of available charging infrastructures, leading to increasing demand-supply challenges in charging. According to the latest data from China's National Development and Reform Commission, China's production and sales of new energy vehicles account for more than 60% of the global market's volume, maintaining the world's leading position for nine consecutive years. In August 2023, GAC Group's new energy vehicle manufacturer, GAC AION, announced that 100 units of its AION Y Plus model were ready for export from Nansha Port in Guangzhou, with the first batch shipped to Laem Chabang Port in Thailand. At the beginning of 2024, GAC AION officially initiated a dual-factory strategy in Thailand and Indonesia to enhance its international supply chain for new energy vehicles. Photo credit: GAC Energy Following this development, GAC Energy has started investment and construction planning to provide charging services globally, in a bid to share China's smart home charging and ultra-fast charging technologies with users worldwide. In the future, guided by GAC Group's '1551' strategy for global business expansion, GAC Energy will continue to expand its service network in more countries and regions globally. DUBLIN, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Uniken, a leading provider of security, authentication, and identity verification, announces at the Temenos Community Forum 2024 the release of Palm Vein Authentication for in-branch, rural and inclusive banking on its REL-ID platform. Financial institutions have the need for certainty not only in internet and mobile banking, but also in the physical channel. Now, the same certainty provided by REL-ID on electronic channels, is available in person, without the burden of the consumer needing a device with them. In emerging markets smartphone adoption can be a hurdle and in rural and inclusive banking there is a much larger challenge to deliver banking services with safety, security, and convenience. With the release of palm vein authentication on the REL-ID platform, consumers only need to place their hand above a sensor to authenticate themselves in a full contactless solution. Uniken's mission is to provide certainty in every interaction, and we are once again raising the bar by providing a solution that has the highest level of efficacy and takes fraud to zero with lightning speed and convenience. Uniken has partnered over the last few years with Fulcrum Biometrics, Inc., a Fujitsu company, to deliver REL-ID Palm Vein Authentication based on Fujitsu's market proven PalmSecure technology. The accuracy levels that Uniken customers will achieve in authenticating individuals' identities far exceed what's available with other biometrics like fingerprints, face, and even the newcomers to the palm-scanning field. With a False Acceptance Rate (FAR) of 0.000001% - that's 1 in 100 million - the solution offers unmatched levels of trust in authentication use cases. Privacy characteristics are amazing and are highly resistant to spoofing methods like impersonation or deepfakes. Fraudsters won't be able to take a photo of the internal vein structure and replicate it with liveness to execute a fraudulent transaction like they may be able to in other palm deployments. Ken Nosker, CEO of Fulcrum Biometrics, Inc. comments "PalmVein authentication, unlike most other biometrics, is extremely protective of user privacy as it relies on internal biological structures that can only be captured by using specially designed imaging systems. The highly accurate and contactless nature of PalmVein authentication makes it especially attractive in high traffic environments such as financial services, healthcare, and e-government initiatives. We are very excited to partner with Uniken in offering PalmSecure to the global banking community." Palm vein authentication will be included as part of any full REL-ID license and Uniken is making it available to our global partners, including Temenos, Finacle and NTT Data Solutions for deployment. Customers that have modularized licenses may upgrade to a full license to gain the capability immediately. Bimal Gandhi, CEO, Uniken, shares "I believe biometrics is clearly the key to authentication in the future palm vein is another modality we feel is critical to have on the platform. Your clients' identities are in their hands with or without their devices. Our mission is zero fraud and certainty in identity I am delighted to deliver that in electronic and physical channels with zero friction. Look for more news about Palm Vein Authentication in the next few months as some of our partners, in stealth mode, are working with us on amazing use cases in other verticals." About Uniken Uniken accelerates possibilities for client-centric organizations by creating certainty in identity and security while delivering amazing customer experiences. Uniken serves customers of all sizes, worldwide, across a variety of industries. To date, Uniken has secured over $39 trillion in transaction value across over 45 billion client interactions with zero financial or identity loss. With Uniken, organizations grow their businesses and deliver amazing client experiences in a world where identity is a certainty, not a vulnerability. About Fulcrum Biometrics, Inc. Fulcrum Biometrics, Inc. is a leading provider of biometric identification technologies and custom software applications for enhancing identity authentication and management. Fulcrum provides hardware and software solutions for non-profits, commercial organizations, local and national governments and military customers in more than 100 countries worldwide. Fulcrum is headquartered with operations and product development at 16108 University Oak, San Antonio, TX 78249. Fulcrum Biometrics, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc. PR Contact: Nancy Jones, Uniken [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107571/UNKLogo_LtBlue_Logo.jpg WASHINGTON, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day, the United States Senate Federal Credit Union (USSFCU) is proud to honor the dedication and service of the United States Capitol Police by hosting a special breakfast for the 1,250 officers on duty today. Established in 1828, the U.S. Capitol Police have served as guardians of the Capitol complex for nearly two centuries, embodying a legacy of sacrifice and commitment. Milton Aguilar-Bolanos (USSFCU), Tier Bush (U.S. Capitol Police), Eduardo Villanueva (USSFCU) & DK Kang (Chick-fil-A). USSFCU Celebrates National Peace Officers Memorial Day with Special Recognition of United States Capitol Police Milton Aguilar-Bolanos, USSFCU Membership Development Officer, remarked, "Providing breakfast for the Capitol Police on this important day is more than a tradition; it's a reflection of the unique bond that exists between our organizations. Their commitment to safeguarding the Capitol and everyone within it has been unwavering. We are privileged to serve those who protect us, recognizing the sacrifices made by these officers daily." Decades of Partnership USSFCU has served the U.S. Capitol Police for decades and considers them, next to the U.S. Senate, one of their core member groups. USSFCU has more than 100 employee groups they have partnered with over the years but the relationship with the U.S. Capitol Police is a unique one. It goes beyond a business-to-business relationship. There is a level of trust and togetherness from both sides that you see more in community or family. National Police Week 2024 As we enter National Police Week, USSFCU joins the nation in honoring law enforcement officers across the country. The week's events, including the 36th Annual Candlelight Vigil, serve as a poignant reminder of the valor and sacrifices of our police forces. Special Thanks Special thanks go to Deeben "DK" Kang, a retired U.S. Capitol Police officer and owner/operator of Chick-fil-A 7th Street in Chinatown, along with his team, for their role in providing today's meal. About USSFCU Since 1935, USSFCU has provided the Senate and Capitol Hill communities with world-class financial stability, security, and service. Now a $1.6 billion financial institution with 100 plus paths to membership, access to the same financial resources provided exclusively to the Senate community is at your fingertips. Call, click or tap to learn more at www.ussfcu.org. View this press release on our website at ussfcu.org/press. SOURCE U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union Vantagepoint A.I. has clinched a ninth consecutive title as a 'Best Place to Work' in the Tampa Bay area by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantagepoint A.I. (www.vantagepointsoftware.com) proudly announces its ninth consecutive recognition as a 'Best Place to Work' in the Tampa Bay area by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Securing its place in the "larger company" category (50-99 employees), Vantagepoint A.I. celebrates its 14th year on the prestigious list, marking an exceptional milestone in its commitment to fostering a positive workplace environment and corporate culture. In a region renowned for rapid growth and economic dynamism, Vantagepoint A.I. has distinguished itself as both a leading innovator in artificial intelligence technology and a pillar of the local business community. As a family-owned and operated enterprise, Vantagepoint A.I. takes pride in its deep-rooted values and its role in empowering traders worldwide. Lane Mendelsohn, President of Vantagepoint A.I., expressed gratitude for the team's unwavering dedication and shared vision: "Our team's feedback has been the cornerstone of our success, and this recognition is a testament to their commitment to excellence. We are honored to receive this accolade for the ninth consecutive year." Since its inception, Vantagepoint A.I. has revolutionized the trading landscape with its patented neural network processes, empowering traders to harness the power of artificial intelligence from the comfort of their homes. Able to forecast stock market movements 1 3 days in advance with a proven accuracy of up to 87.4%, VantagePoint's innovative software continues to lead the way for advancements in the FinTech industry, setting new standards for predictive analysis and market forecasting. Mendelsohn emphasized Vantagepoint A.I.'s enduring commitment to the Tampa Bay community: "As a longstanding member of the Tampa Bay business community, we take great pride in our contributions to the region's growth and prosperity." About Vantagepoint AI, LLC. Vantagepoint A.I., makers of VantagePoint AI software, forecasts Stocks, Futures, Forex, Cryptocurrencies, and ETFs. Second-generation, family owned, Vantagepoint employs over 80 team members and is actively committed to giving back in the Tampa Bay community including regularly donating a portion of revenue to Shriners Hospitals for Children and The Children's Cancer Center. To see artificial intelligence in action, schedule a demonstration at www.vantagepointsoftware.com/demo MEDIA CONTACT: Jordan Youtz [email protected] SOURCE VantagePoint Software SHENZHEN, China, May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- vivo today announced the release of the Android 15 Beta Program for X100 and iQOO 12 smartphones in selected countries and regions. Starting from May 15, 2024, vivo developers will get early access to test and adapt their applications for the next Android version. Android 15 introduces a range of changes and features for a smoother overall experience, enhanced privacy and security protection, and optimized battery life. Enhanced application performance and smoother experiences Android 15 introduces several new features and improvements that enhance application performance, including advanced PDF rendering capabilities, a new way to process media files, and optimized database operations. The PdfRenderer API in Android 15 boasts significant improvements, allowing developers to incorporate advanced features such as rendering password-protected files, annotations, form editing, search, and selection with copy. The update also supports linear PDF optimization, which speeds up the viewing of native PDFs and reduces resource usage. These enhancements will enable developers to create applications that offer seamless and efficient PDF viewing, editing, and searching. Furthermore, Android 15 introduces a new foreground service type called mediaProcessing, specifically designed for operations like transcoding media files. Developers can use a mediaProcessing foreground service to ensure that the conversion continues even while the app is in the background. For instance, a media application may download an audio file that requires conversion to an alternative format for playback. This service can ensure an uninterrupted conversion process even when the app is not in use, providing a seamless user experience. Android 15 also introduces new SQLite APIs that provide advanced features to address specific performance issues that may manifest in applications. These high-performance APIs will help developers maintain optimal performance as the app data grows, with options to troubleshoot performance problems. Robust security and privacy protection Android 15 prioritizes user privacy and security by introducing new APIs aimed at safeguarding files from tampering and corruption, strengthening overall system security. With Android 15, the FileIntegrityManager brings new APIs that leverage the fs-verity feature in the Linux kernel. This allows developers to protect files with custom cryptographic signatures. By preventing potential malware or unauthorized file modifications, the system enhances application functionality and data integrity. These security measures provide users with peace of mind, knowing that their data and applications are well-protected against potential threats. Optimized battery life and performance Android 15 introduces new features and improvements in the way apps interact with the device's power and thermal systems, resulting in an improved battery life and performance for games and performance-intensive apps. Android 15 continues to enhance the Android Dynamic Performance Framework (ADPF), a set of APIs that facilitate direct interaction between games and performance-intensive apps with the devices' power and thermal systems. On X100 and iQOO 12, Android 15 will introduce new ADPF features, including a power-efficiency mode that prioritizes energy efficiency over performance, ideal for long-running background tasks. The update also allows for reporting GPU and CPU runtimes in a prompt session, enabling the system to adjust CPU and GPU frequencies simultaneously to effectively meet workload needs. This optimization ensures that the device delivers the necessary performance while conserving energy whenever possible. Furthermore, thermal headroom thresholds are added to Android 15 to interpret possible thermal throttling status based on headroom prediction. This helps the application anticipate and manage thermal constraints, ensuring a consistent user experience even under demanding conditions. Partnering to deliver superior user experience vivo continues to work with and support developers to ensure a smooth transition to Android 15 and an uninterrupted experience for vivo users. Starting from May 15, 2024, the Android 15 Beta Program will be available on vivo X100 in countries and regions including India, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Kazakhstan, and on iQOO 12 in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India. For more information about the Android 15 Beta Program and how to participate, please visit the vivo Developers website. About vivo vivo is a technology company that creates great products based on a design-driven value, with smart devices and intelligent services as its core. The company aims to build a bridge between humans and the digital world. Through unique creativity, vivo provides users with an increasingly convenient mobile and digital life. Following the company's core values, which include Benfen*, user-orientation, design-driven value, continuous learning and team spirit, vivo has implemented a sustainable development strategy with the vision of developing into a healthier, more sustainable world-class corporation. While bringing together and developing the best local talents to deliver excellence, vivo is supported by a network of R&D centers in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Xi'an, focusing on the development of state-of-the-art consumer technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence, industrial design, imaging system and other up-and-coming technologies. vivo has also set up an intelligent manufacturing network (including those authorized by vivo), with an annual production capacity of nearly 200 million smartphones. As of now, vivo has branched out its sales network across more than 60 countries and regions, and is loved by more than 400 million users worldwide. *"Benfen" is a term describing the attitude on doing the right things and doing things right which is the ideal description of vivo's mission to create value for society. Stay informed of latest vivo news at https://www.vivo.com/en/about-vivo/news SOURCE vivo Wise Guys Heating & Cooling, a family-owned business serving the Northwest Houston area for 45 years, is celebrating their anniversary. They provide various services, including repair and installation of HVAC systems, indoor air quality services, and maintenance plans. CYPRESS, Texas, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wise Guys Heating & Cooling, a leading air conditioning repair, installation, and maintenance service provider in the NW Houston area, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. This family-owned and operated business has been dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and ensuring the comfort of homes and businesses throughout the region. Over the years, Wise Guys has solidified its reputation as a trusted provider of HVAC and air duct cleaning spring tx solutions, catering to the unique needs of residential and commercial clients. "We are extremely proud to reach this milestone," says Jim Wolf, owner of Wise Guys Heating & Cooling. "For 45 years, we have been committed to providing our customers with the highest quality service and expertise. We are grateful for the trust our community has placed in us and look forward to continuing to serve them for many years to come." This HVAC company was founded in 1979 by Jerry Wolf, who was driven by a desire to improve indoor air quality for his family. Over the years, the company has expanded its services to include heating and ac repair spring tx , installation, and maintenance. "We are passionate about what we do," says Wolf. "We believe that everyone deserves to have a comfortable and healthy home environment." Wise Guys Heating & Cooling offers a comprehensive range of services, including: Air Conditioning Repair and Installation: The company's technicians are highly skilled in repairing and installing all types of AC units, ensuring optimal performance and comfort. The company's technicians are highly skilled in repairing and installing all types of AC units, ensuring optimal performance and comfort. Heating Repair and Installation: This heating company offers expert repair and installation services for heat pumps, furnaces, central AC units, and hybrid systems. This heating company offers expert repair and installation services for heat pumps, furnaces, central AC units, and hybrid systems. Indoor Air Quality Services: The company provides advanced filtration units to keep indoor air free of particles, germs, and harmful microbes. The company provides advanced filtration units to keep indoor air free of particles, germs, and harmful microbes. Maintenance Services: The company understands the importance of preventative maintenance and offers comprehensive plans to keep your HVAC system running smoothly and efficiently. In addition to their commitment to customer service, Wise Guys is a proud supporter of the fight against Huntington's Disease. The company donates to organizations working towards a cure and raises awareness through its "Blue Crew" initiative. Wise Guys Heating & Cooling is the trusted choice for heating and ac service cypress tx . Contact them today for a free estimate. About Wise Guys Heating & Cooling: Wise Guys Heating & Cooling is a family-owned and operated business providing air conditioning repair, installation, and maintenance services to the Houston area since 1979. Wise Guys is a proud supporter of the fight against Huntington's Disease. Contact Information: Organization: Wise Guys Heating and Cooling Contact Person: Jim Wolf Phone Number: 713-360-2413 Address: 18002 Mueschke Rd Cypress, TX 77433 Website: https://wiseguyscooling.com/ SOURCE Wise Guys Heating and Cooling GUADALAJARA, Spain, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- XCMG Machinery ("XCMG", SHE:000425), consistently refining its product range to satisfy the diverse lifting requirements across the globe, delivered one of its latest 120-tonne all-terrain cranes, the XCA120_E, to Gruas Fraile in Spain. The delivery was facilitated by XCMG's Spanish dealer, DYM Impleparts, in Guadalajara. Demonstrating XCMG's commitment to the local market, with further expanded the reach of the XCA120_E, adding Spain to the list of countries where it performs efficient lifting operations. Gruas Fraile takes delivery of the XCA120_E crane at their plant in Spain. The delivery ceremony was attended by Hu Yuan, Deputy General Manager of XCMG Crane Overseas Marketing, Ren Yinmei, Director of Technical Support of XCMG Crane Overseas Marketing, Rafael Romao, Sales Manager of XCMG Crane for Europe, Daniel Mendez, Sales Manager of XCMG Crane for Spain, and Gunjan Keshwani, Director of DYM Impleparts. Gruas Fraile relies on XCMG cranes to facilitate the timely and efficient completion of their work projects, while adhering strictly to the utmost safety standards. Mario Fraile, Chief Operating Officer of Gruas Fraile, expressed his satisfaction with the XCMG crane, highlighting its superior quality and ease of use. He remarked that the crane was delivered on time with seamless communication, making the whole process an exceptional experience. "We are dedicated to maintaining a robust business relationship with our customers by consistently delivering services that meet the highest standards and providing them with the optimal crane equipment to ensure unparalleled safety and productivity," said Mr. Romao. The XCA120_E, launched by XCMG in 2023 specifically for the European market, is a high-end intelligent all-terrain crane that excels in mobility, safety, and reliability. The over 100-tonne-level, four-axle crane is equipped with a seven-section, 66-meter main boom, that can reach a maximum tip height of 94 meters. Standard features include a variable folding independent jib head, flexible maneuverability at small angles and variable support, making it highly adaptable to diverse working conditions and aligned with the lifting preferences of European crane users. Additionally, its applicability extends to the Australian and South Korean markets, having already been successfully delivered to local customers. "For both XCMG and DYM Impleparts, technical support stands as a cornerstone of our operations. Ever since we became the dealer of the XCMG brand last year, we have stationed two resident mechanics in Spain. In addition, we have a team of five mechanics, two of whom are dedicated to the crane section," commented Gunjan Keshwani, Director of DYM Impleparts. XCMG and DYM Impleparts are poised to offer not just premium-quality cranes but also top-notch service and training for every subsequent delivery, as Gruas Fraile, DYM Impleparts, and XCMG collaborate towards the smooth completion of infrastructure and other construction projects across Spain. For more information, please visit: https://www.xcmgglobal.com/solution/hoisting-machinery.htm Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413396/1.jpg CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- XtalPi Inc. (XtalPi), a leading global technology company in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to advance the discovery of medicines and innovative materials, announced it will host XtalPi Tech Talks, a one-day symposium on June 6, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts. The event is dedicated to unraveling the intricate dynamics of AI, automation, and digitalization within the realm of drug discovery. The symposium, themed Accelerating Drug Discovery through AI, Automation, & Digitalization, will feature speakers from Merck & Co., Pfizer, Novartis, Sail Biomedicines & Harbinger Health (Flagship Pioneering Companies), Psivant, MIT, and XtalPi, followed by a networking reception for all attendees. XtalPi plans to make this symposium an annual event, providing a collaborative brainstorming space for the scientific community in the Boston area and beyond, while also celebrating advancements in AI, automation, and digitalization. "XtalPi has always embraced the power of AI and automation to enhance drug discovery, and we're very excited to engage in dialogue with other likeminded trailblazers," Sarah Trice, US COO of XtalPi, commented on the event. "We believe the most innovative ideas often arise from organic interactions and hope the symposium will serve as a gathering for those conversations to take place. We're also revealing a new lab location in Cambridge soon, and look forward to hosting several events there in the coming years to continue to build this community." To learn more about the event, please visit the link below. Event Details: Date: June 6, 2024 June 6, 2024 Time : 12:30PM - 7:00PM EST : Location : Merck Research Laboratories, 33 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115 : Merck Research Laboratories, 33 Avenue Louis Pasteur, 02115 Registration Link: https://info.xtalpi.com/xtalpi-techtalks About XtalPi XtalPi is an innovative technology company powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. Founded in 2015 on the MIT campus, XtalPi is dedicated to driving intelligent and digital transformation in the life science and new materials industries. With tightly interwoven quantum physics, AI, cloud computing, and large-scale clusters of robotic workstations, XtalPi offers a range of technology solutions, services, and products to accelerate and empower innovation for biopharmaceutical and new materials companies worldwide. Media Contact Vivienne Shen Brand Communications & Marketing Manager [email protected] SOURCE XtalPi, Inc. GUANGZHOU, China, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yatsen Holding Limited ("Yatsen" or the "Company") (NYSE: YSG), a leading China-based beauty group, today announced that it will release its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2024, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, before the open of the U.S. markets. The Company's management will hold a conference call on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 7:30 A.M. U.S. Eastern Time (7:30 P.M. Beijing/Hong Kong Time) to discuss the financial results. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers: United States (toll free): +1-888-346-8982 International: +1-412-902-4272 Mainland China (toll free): 400-120-1203 Hong Kong (toll free): 800-905-945 Hong Kong: +852-3018-4992 Conference ID: 6585471 A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.yatsenglobal.com/. A replay of the conference call will be accessible by phone one hour after the conclusion of the live call at the following numbers, until May 29, 2024: United States: +1-877-344-7529 International: +1-412-317-0088 Replay Access Code: 6585471 About Yatsen Holding Limited Yatsen Holding Limited (NYSE: YSG) is a leading China-based beauty group with the mission of creating an exciting new journey of beauty discovery for consumers around the world. Founded in 2016, the Company has launched and acquired numerous color cosmetics and skincare brands including Perfect Diary, Little Ondine, Pink Bear, Galenic, DR.WU (its mainland China business), Eve Lom and EANTiM. The Company's flagship brand, Perfect Diary, is one of the leading color cosmetics brands in China in terms of retail sales value. The Company primarily reaches and engages with customers directly both online and offline, with expansive presence across all major e-commerce, social and content platforms in China. For more information, please visit http://ir.yatsenglobal.com/. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: Yatsen Holding Limited Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected] Piacente Financial Communications Hui Fan Tel: +86-10-6508-0677 E-mail: [email protected] In the United States: Piacente Financial Communications Brandi Piacente Tel: +1-212-481-2050 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Yatsen Holding Limited BYD Chinese automotive juggernaut and the world's biggest EV maker BYD has unveiled a plug-in hybrid pickup truck called the Shark destined for Mexico. The unveiling was even held in Mexico, marking the first time the company has ever done such a thing outside of China, and, coincidentally or not, the reveal came mere hours after President Biden announced big tariffs on Chinese goods , notably a quadrupling on tariffs on Chinese EVs from 25% to 100%. In any case, the Shark is a midsize truckthat is, similar in size to the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder aided by two electric motors making 430 total horsepower. Torque is TBD. Zero to 62 mph happens in a claimed 5.7 seconds and coincidentally, 62 miles happens to be the Shark's EV-only driving range. With a full tank and battery, total driving range is 528 miles, which would be a class-leading figure in the U.S. It'll tow up to 5,511 pounds and boasts a payload capacity of 1,841 pounds. Just like the electrified Ford F-150s, the Shark features V2L capability, essentially allowing it to serve as a portable generator. Inside, a 12.8-inch touchscreen can rotate, which means you can choose between portrait and landscape nav directions, and packs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. ADVERTISEMENT As for the possibility of stateside availability, BYD is reiterating its stance of not caring about the U.S. market. Speaking to Reuters , BYD boss Stella Li said, "We don't have plans to go to the U.S. market, so [Biden's tariffs] announcement does not impact us at all. When we build a Mexican plant, we only consider the Mexican market and other countries' markets, we have not considered the U.S." When the 2024 BYD Shark goes on sale in Mexico, it'll cost the equivalent of about $53,000. Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach him here: chris.tsui@thedrive.com Tesla CEO Elon Musk is looking to get his $55 billion pay package reapproved. Sebastian Gollnow/Getty Images Tesla is spending money on ads to promote Elon Musk's $55 billion pay plan. The company aims to reapprove Musk's compensation package after it was voided by a judge. Shareholders vote on July 13 to determine whether the package will be reinstated. Tesla is going all in on efforts to push through an approval of Elon Musk's $55 billion pay package. The automaker, which has traditionally avoided advertising, has even spent some money on ads calling for Tesla investors to vote in favor of the compensation plan. Tesla showed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it had paid for some ads on Google and on Musk's social-media site, X. ADVERTISEMENT "You deserve the final say on matters affecting your investment in Tesla," an ad on X read. "Vote FOR the protection of stockholder rights and to preserve present and future value creation by supporting Tesla proposals 3 and 4." A screenshot of some of the ads Tesla ran in support of Musk's pay-package proposal. SEC The company aims to pass two separate proposals: One moving its state of incorporation from Delaware to Texas and another reapproving Musk's pay, which was struck down by a Delaware judge earlier this year. In January, when the pay plan was voided, Kathleen McCormick, a Delaware Court of Chancery judge, said that Musk had undue influence over the package because of his close ties to several board members and that Musk's sway over Tesla's board resulted in an "unfair price." A spokesperson for Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Musk does not receive a salary from Tesla and his pay package centered on a series of goalposts around the carmaker's financial growth. The compensation plan was initially set in place in 2018. It involves a 10-year grant of 12 tranches of stock options that are vested when Tesla hits specific targets. When the company hits each milestone, Musk gets stock equal to 1% of outstanding shares at the time of the grant. Tesla says it has hit all of the 12 targets as of 2023. Story continues The package was valued at around $55 billion at the time it was struck down by the judge. The ad spend is one of several methods Tesla is using to push shareholders to vote in favor of the proposal. On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Robyn Denholm, Tesla's board chair, is planning to spend the weeks leading up to the June 13 shareholder vote traveling in order to drum up support for the initiative. Bloomberg also reported on Wednesday that Tesla had brought on a strategic advisor to promote the agenda. Earlier in May, Denholm even sat down for a video promoting the pay plan. "We don't believe one judge's opinion should void the will of millions of votes cast by all of the owners of the company," the Tesla chair said in the video. "So once again, we're asking you to make your voices heard by voting for the ratification of the 2018 performance award." Do you work for Tesla or have a tip? Reach out to the reporter via a non-work email and device at gkay@businessinsider.com or 248-894-6012 Read the original article on Business Insider 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 Jaipur, May 15 : At least 14 people were trapped after a lift used for transportation of personnel at Hindustan Copper Limited's Kolihan mine in Rajasthan's Neem Ka Thana district collapsed on Tuesday night. According to initial reports, a vigilance team along with senior officials of the company had gone down for an inspection of the site. When they were coming back after conducting the inspection, the rope of the lift broke, due to which they stuck at a depth of several hundred metres. Police said that efforts are on to safely rescue everyone struck in the mine. Also, several ambulances along with doctors have been called to the spot to ensure immediate medical assistance. Further details are awaited. Guwahati, May 15 : Assam BJP has issued a show cause notice to its former MLA Ashok Sarma for criticising the party leadership. Sarma was an MLA from Nalbari and according to show cause notice, he spoke before the media against the party leadership and also made the party's internal matter public. Assam BJP General Secretary and MP Pallab Lochan Das wrote to Sarma that the party's Nalbari district unit conducted a meeting and complained to state BJP President Bhabesh Kalita against the former MLA. Das mentioned that Sarma demeaned the partyas position before the public and also tried to provoke voters against the party on polling day. As per the notice, the former MLAas behaviour was a "clear violation of the partyas discipline". Earlier, Sarma was accused of engaging in anti-party activities during the Lok Sabha poll campaign. BJP MP Dilip Saikia had launched a sharp attack against Sarma, claiming that the former MLA has worked against him in the Darrang-Udalguri Lok Sabha seat. Assam minister Jayanta Mallabaruah has also criticised Sarmaas stand against the party without taking his name and hinted about a possible strict against him. In the 2016 state Assembly polls, both Sarma and Mallabaruah were strong contenders for the BJP ticket from the Nalbari seat. The party leadership gave ticket to Sarma and he became an MLA from Nalbari. However, in the 2021 elections, Mallabaruah was chosen over Sarma and the former became the minister in the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led cabinet after winning the Nalbari assembly constituency. Jerusalem, May 15 : An Israeli civilian was killed and five soldiers were wounded in an anti-tank guided missile attack launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and media. Throughout Tuesday, several anti-tank missile launches were identified from Lebanon toward the area of Adamit in western Galilee, northern Israel, and an IDF soldier was moderately wounded and four other soldiers were lightly injured, said a statement released by the IDF in the evening. Israeli media later reported that an Israeli civilian was killed as a result of an anti-tank missile hitting Adamit, Xinhua news agency reported. The injured soldiers were evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment, the IDF statement noted, adding that Israeli fighter jets struck a Hezbollah military structure in the area of Ayta ash Shab and Kfarkela in southern Lebanon. Tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border have escalated since October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah, in solidarity with Hamas, launched a barrage of rockets toward Israel. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. Halle : , May 15 (IANS/DPA) A leading member of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Bjorn Hocke, has been fined for using a prohibited Nazi slogan, a regional court has ruled. The regional court in the eastern German city of Halle on Tuesday evening sentenced Hocke to a fine for using symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations. The court imposed a fine of 13,000 euros ($14,000) to be paid in 100 daily instalments. The public prosecutor's office had accused the leader of the Thuringian state AfD of having knowingly used a banned slogan of the Sturmabteilung (SA), or Storm Troopers, a Nazi paramilitary group commonly referred to as the "brownshirts." The case was sparked by a speech delivered by Hocke in Merseburg in May 2021, during which he employed the phrase "Everything for Germany!" (Alles fur Deutschland!) which is banned in Germany. A former history teacher, Hocke denied that he had knowingly used the slogan. The defence had called for Hocke to be acquitted of the charge on the grounds that he did not know it was forbidden. The prosecution had earlier called for a suspended six-month sentence and asserted that he was aware of its historical origin. The presiding judge agreed and stated in the judgement that the court was convinced that Hocke knew that the SA slogan was banned but used it anyway. "You are an eloquent, intelligent man who knows what he is saying," the judge said. After the judgement was handed down, the public prosecutor's office said that it would consider an appeal. If the judgement is upheld, Hocke will have a criminal record. The Thuringian AfD is categorized and monitored by the state's domestic intelligence service as a confirmed right-wing extremist party, and Hocke is its state leader. The AfD's signature issue is a hard-line anti-immigration stance, and the party is profiting from increased concern among many German voters over the rising numbers of people seeking asylum in the country. The current verdict is not expected to have any direct consequences for HAcke's candidacy for the upcoming state election in Thuringia on September 1. --IANS/DPA sha/ Lucknow, May 15 : The emails with bomb threats to four private schools in Lucknow allegedly originated from Russia, police said on Wednesday. The FIR also mentioned that the emails are not solely focused on threats to schools and the sender also discussed drawing inspiration from Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who is accused of orchestrating terror attacks in Paris in 2015. The sender also expressed opposition towards the Indian government. The FIR was lodged in Gomti Nagar police station based on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Dharmendra Kumar against two websites, one originating from Russia and another from Gmail. The case has been registered under IPC sections 505 (2) (causing rumours), 507 (intimidation by anonymous communication), and 120 B (criminal conspiracy). Kumar, stated in his FIR, that on May 12 at 6.46 p.m., an email was sent from the email ID ashuashuashuashu90@gmail.com to the Gomti Nagar-based private school's email ID, threatening an explosion. Another email was received on May 13 at 7.58 a.m., from the email ID instrumenttt@inbox.ru to the same school email ID, mentioning the threat of a bomb explosion while claiming inspiration from Abdelhamid Abaaoud and referencing incidents in Paris and Gujarat. The email also warned the Government of India. Similar threatening emails were reported to be received by other schools in Lucknow, including a school in Vrindavan Colony, another in Viraj Khand 2, and various schools in Vastu Khand, Vibhuti Khand police station. "All the threats have been included in one FIR only," said Kumar. Prabal Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (east zone), Lucknow, stated that they were collaborating with their counterparts in Delhi to probe the case. "Prima facie, we have learned that similar emails were used to issue threats to schools in Delhi as well as Lucknow," he said. Meanwhile, units of the UPATS and the STF are working on the case. On Monday, four private schools received bomb threats but teams of Bomb Disposal Detection Squads (BDDS) and anti-sabotage teams found no suspicious items. The entire school premises were thoroughly checked, and parents who wished to take their children home were allowed to do so. Photo: Sean Gallup (Getty Images) Parking lots full of Tesla vehicles are becoming impossible to ignore as the electric automaker seemingly cant sell enough cars and trucks to match its rate of production. According to its own figures, the electric automaker produced 46,561 more vehicles than it delivered to customers during the first quarter of 2024. Where are all these cars going? Parking lots at its factories, malls and airports. The Chesterfield Mall, about 20 miles west of St. Louis, has become an overflow lot for Tesla. Emblematic of American retails current state, the mall is slated to be demolished and replaced with a $2 billion mixed-use project. The Staenberg Group, the malls owner, is eking out the last drops of revenue before the malls remaining tenants have to move out on August 31. Tim Lowe, a Staenberg Group senior vice president, told KTVI: We put a plan together to try and create alternate uses that would kind be able to use some of the remaining life left in the mall before we tear it down. One of those uses was allowing people to use the parking lot for different things. One of our users happens to be Tesla, who does have a dealership in the [Chesterfield] Valley, but does not have enough capacity at the dealership to park all of the cars they are bringing in. So they are renting space within the parking lot to store their cars. Lowe estimates that there are at least 300 Tesla vehicles parked at the Chesterfield Mall. However, Tesla isnt slowing down production, Recent drone footage from the automakers Fremont, California factory shows that cars are still rolling off the assembly lines at a high rate to fill the sites lots. Things arent different on the other side of the Atlantic. Neuhardenberg, a small town in Germany of less than 3,000 residents, is complaining about the noise Tesla transporters are making as the company parks cars at the nearby regional airport. ADVERTISEMENT Along with having to store ten percent of the vehicles it builds, Tesla also laid off ten percent of its workforce. The Cybertruck is also proving to be a nightmare for many of the owners who decided to take the plunge on the divisive electric pickup, including a warrant that covers coolant leaks for the first 35 miles. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Tel Aviv, May 15 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is bracing up for a multi-pronged attack against the Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. On Tuesday, the 99 division of the Israel army conducted raids and attacks in the Jebalya region of northern Gaza killing several Hamas operatives. The IDF had earlier claimed that it had eliminated the entire Hamas battalions in northern Gaza. However, sources in IDF told IANS that some groups of militants have regrouped and are carrying out attacks including minor rocket attacks on southern Israel. This has led IDF to carry out operations in the Jebalya region of northern Gaza. Sources in the Israel Defense Ministry told IANS that more than 25 Hamas members were killed in the operations at Jebalya on Tuesday and the 99 division of IDF will be conducting more ground operations in the coming days to flush out the remaining Hamas men. After the March 2023 attack on Al-Shifa hospital in which IDF killed many Hamas men, the Tuesday attack is considered one of the major operations carried out by IDF in the region. Meanwhile, the 162 battalion of IDF is conducting attacks in the Rafah region of southern Gaza. Sources in IDF told IANS that the army is focusing more on ground operations. The U.S. and other Western allies of Israel have asked Israel not to indulge in attacks in the Rafah region, leading to civilian casualties. New Delhi, May 15 : Apple prevented over $7 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions on its App Store in the last four years, the company has informed. In the same period, Apple blocked over 14 million stolen credit cards and over 3.3 million accounts from transacting again. "From 2020 through 2023, Apple prevented a combined total of over $7 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions, including more than $1.8 billion in 2023 alone," the iPhone maker said in a statement. The company said that as digital threats have evolved in scope and complexity over the years, "Apple has expanded its antifraud initiatives to address these challenges and help protect its users". Last year, the company rejected more than 1.7 million app submissions for failing to meet the App Store's stringent standards for privacy, security, and content. "In addition, Apple's persistent efforts to stop and reduce fraud on the App Store resulted in the termination of nearly 374 million developer and customer accounts, and removal of close to 152 million ratings and reviews over fraud concerns," the company noted. In 2023 alone, Apple terminated close to 118,000 developer accounts, a decrease from 428,000 terminations from the prior year. "Blocking apps from pirate storefronts is also beneficial to developers, whose apps could be modified or used to disguise malicious software for distribution on these platforms," said the company. Last month, Apple stopped nearly 3.8 million attempts to install or launch apps distributed illicitly through the 'Developer Enterprise Programme'. "Last year alone, over 375,000 app submissions were rejected for privacy violations," Apple added. Tel Aviv, May 15 : Palestinians are set to commemorate the loss of their homeland on Wednesday by observing Nakba Day (Catastrophe Day), which marks the flight of more than 7,00,000 Palestinians during the 1948 war that led to the establishment of the state of Israel. Every year, the Nakba Memorial Day is held on May 15, marked with marches and demonstrations. The state of Israel was declared on May 14, 1948. This year, the central event is planned in Ramallah in the West Bank, where sirens are expected to sound for 76 seconds to mark the 76 years since the Nakba. Given the situation in the Gaza Strip, observers are predicting clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank. The United Nations puts the number of Palestinian refugees and their descendants at currently around 6 million. Establishing a permanent home for the refugees, along with the status of Jerusalem, is seen as among the most complex problems in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to the Palestinian statistical office, there are about 14 million Palestinians around the world, with half of them living in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and Israel. Around 20 per cent of Israel's population of almost 10 million are Arabs. --IANS/DPA sd/dan Thiruvananthapuram, May 15 : The now controversial private visit of Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan and his family was cut short and on Wednesday morning they reached Dubai, UAE. CM Vijayan had left India on May 6 for a three-nation tour of Indonesia, Singapore and UAE and was scheduled to return to the country on May 22. However, on Wednesday while chairing the online weekly Cabinet meeting from Dubai, he informed his colleagues that he would reach Kerala on May 20. It was the Singapore leg of his private trip that he cut short and flew into Dubai in the wee hours of Wednesday. The visit came as a surprise as it was only after he left from Kochi that the state came to know of it as there was no official intimation regarding it. The trip became mired in controversy after Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan thanked the media for informing him that CM Vijayan was on a private visit to three countries, and said he had no clue about it. Mumbai, May 15 : The makers of 'The Great Indian Kapil Show' (TGIKS) on Wednesday shared the new promo of the show, featuring the Grammy-winning pop star Ed Sheeran. The celebrity talk show is hosted by stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma. The promo begins with Kapil saying, "Please welcome the man, who has sold more than 150 million recordsEd Sheeran." Krushna Abhishek continues, saying, "These people say that there's no 'Ad' on Netflix, guess what, Ed Sheeran has come." Kapil further says to Ed: "You're younger than me in age. But I am younger than you in English." The global pop icon goes desi, and sings a Bhangra remix of his famous track 'Shape of You'. The video further shows a girl from the audience shouting, "I love you Ed", to which Ed replies: "Love you too". Kapil then says, "I am watching your videos. You went to Shahrukh Khan's house. You met him, wow." Ed then tries to speak SRK's iconic dialogue in Hindi "Bade bade shehron mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hain", from the 1995 musical romantic drama 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (DDLJ) starring SRK and Kajol. Ed wins the heart as he poses in SRK's signature DDLJ pose. The four-time Grammy winner then sings a random Hindi and Bhojpuri song for Sunil Grover which he created on the stage: "aayo aayo Lakhanpal nu janamdin aayo." Sunil, who is dressed as a rockstar, says to Ed, "We have a program in Rajasthan, so you're hired." The video ends with Kapil saying, "He has specially come to meet me". To which Ed replies in Hindi, "nahi nahi mere show hai Mumbai me". The post is captioned as: "The perfect collaboration doesn't exis" The episode will air on Saturday at 8 pm on Netflix. Mumbai, May 15 : Actor Babil Khan, who is known for 'Qala', 'Friday Night Plan', 'The Railway Men' and others, is celebrating his birthday on Wednesday. The actor doesn't intend to spend his birthday chilling or taking a day off from his schedule rather he is busy working on his birthday. The actor headed to a studio in the Khar area of Mumbai to dub for his upcoming project. However, the specifics of this new project are under wraps. The actor, who is the son of the late acting legend Irrfan Khan, turned 26 on Wednesday. Babil was last seen in the streaming series 'The Railway Men' which is based on the monumental contribution of the railway employees in Bhopal and neighbouring areas in saving lives during the Bhopal gas tragedy. Babil essayed the role of Imad Khan in the series who is the primary source of the lethal effects of the methyl-isocyanate. New Delhi, May 15 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea seeking to extend the May 14 deadline for filing nominations for Varanasi constituency. Terming the plea as "publicity interest litigation", a Bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath refused to entertain the petition filed by P Ayyakannu, Tamil Nadu unit President of the National South Indian River Interlinking Farmers' Association, alleging that he and his associates were "illegally, deliberately and arrogantly" prevented from proceeding to Varanasi constituency for filing their nominations. The plea, filed through advocate S Mahendran alleged that Ayyakannu and other farmers were illegally deboarded from the train and detained by the police on May 10. The plea said that they were only released in the evening, for the sole reason that the Prime Minister was contesting from the same constituency. The plea added that the group of about 100 farmers, proceeding to Banaras from Tiruchi in Kashi Tamil Express to contest against PM Modi in the Lok Sabha elections, was deboarded from the train at Chengalpattu and sent back to Tiruchi. "The association had announced that 111 farmers would contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in protest against 'failure' to fulfil promises to farmers and to press for its demands, including remunerative prices for all agricultural produce and waiver of all crop loans," the petition stated. Kanpur, May 15 : At least 10 schools in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur have received bomb threats through emails, said officials on Wednesday. This comes amid a spate of such emails threatening schools and hospitals in several cities across India, including Delhi. Threats were received by 10 schools of Kanpur, including Sanatan Dharam Mandir School of Nazirabad, Barra KDMA School and the prestigious Dr Virendra Swaroop Memorial School. The police initiated late-night checking of school premises along with bomb disposal squads after a few principals informed them about the emails. Joint Commissioner of Police Harish Chandra said the security of all schools was being beefed up and the police were checking to see if there was a particular pattern in the threats received. At present nothing has been found in the investigation yet, he said, adding that the exercise was continuing. Meanwhile, in most of these schools, children stayed away. On May 13 several schools in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar received bomb threat emails, triggering panic among the school authorities and children. After thorough searches, the threat turned out to be a hoax. Tel Aviv/Beirut, May 15 : The Israeli army says it has killed a senior commander of the Hezbollah militia in an airstrike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday evening. The pro-Iranian militia confirmed the death of one of its fighters without naming the rank. According to the Israeli military on Wednesday morning, the man is said to have been responsible for planning and carrying out numerous attacks against Israeli civilians and Israeli territory. Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported that a car had been hit in an Israeli drone attack on Tuesday evening. Two people were killed in the attack. Since the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip, there have been daily military confrontations between Israel's army and the Hezbollah militia and other groups in the border area between Israel and Lebanon. There have been casualties on both sides. The mutual shelling has caused severe destruction in villages on both sides of the border. Around 150,000 people have been evacuated from or have left the combat zone. --IANS/DPA sd/dan New Zealand looking into presence of cancer-causing agent in certain MDH & Everest spices. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, May 15 : New Zealand has joined the growing list of countries monitoring spice products manufactured by Indian spice giants MDH and Everest over the alleged presence of a 'cancer-causing' agent. Last month, Food regulators in Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia warned against using certain products from MDH and Everest over the presence of ethylene oxide at "levels exceeding the permissible limit". Now, New Zealand Food Safety has joined their concerns, according to reports. "We are aware of the issue. As MDH and Everest spices are also available in New Zealand, we are looking into it," Vincent Arbuckle, deputy director-general of New Zealand Food Safety, a government body in the Ministry of Primary Industries, was quoted as saying in local media. Ethylene oxide may raise the risk of breast cancer, as well as cause damage to the DNA, the brain, and the nervous system. Although some countries still use ethylene oxide, a 2001 study in New Zealand found the "residues of ethylene oxide in spices did not represent a significant human health risk because of the low concentrations," Arbuckle was quoted as saying in a report in Radio New Zealand (RNZ). Last month, Spices Board, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, issued a statement, saying that as a proactive measure to address the concerns regarding Ethylene Oxide (ETO) contamination in spice products, "Spices Board, in consultation with the spice industry, has decided to commence mandatory ETO testing in spice consignments exported for Singapore and Hong Kong". It added that all spice consignments, including ready-to-eat products destined to Singapore and Hong Kong, shall be accompanied with a cleared analytical report for ETO issued by the Spices Board. According to earlier reports, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was also monitoring the Indian spice recalls. Both MDH and Everest have said their products are safe for consumption. --IANS na/dan Autoweek The timing of the market debut of the VW ID. Buzz California camper now depends on "customer response," Auto Express reports, citing VWCV CEO. The base VW ID. Buzz is headed stateside this fall in several trims, with pricing to be disclosed closer to the start of sales. VW had greenlit the California camper in 2021, at least the planning for it, and is now carrying out development work on a greater lineup of variants while timing and market availability remains uncertain. Those who have been waiting for the VW ID. Buzz to materialize since it was first revealed in concept form in 2017 have aged noticeably between that time and now. Entire new wars and a pandemic have started in the time we've been waiting for it to appear, a new VW Group CEOs has assumed the post, and the blockchain bubble has been replaced by the crypto bubble, which has now given way to AI revolution (which is definitely not a bubble). ADVERTISEMENT And as Apple reminded us just days ago, your phones and tablets have gotten thinner in the span of time that the VW ID. Buzz has been in development. The good news is that the long-promised electric minivan is headed stateside later this fall, barring some unforeseen event like an asteroid impact or some other global cataclysmwe can't rule these things out. But what about one other long-awaited version of the ID. Buzzthe California camper? Back in 2021 VW confirmed that such a model had been approved for production. In fact, we even remember what it said. "Another vehicle derivative, the ID. California, has likewise been approved for the (Hanover, Germany) site," VW said back in 2021. But that statement also didn't say when such a model would arrive, or which markets could receive it. Of course, we didn't expect the California to land at the exact moment that the base ID. Buzz would make its way stateside, which is now scheduled for the fall of 2024 (once again, barring some unforeseen celestial events, fingers crossed). Story continues Volkswagen Now a report by Auto Express suggests that its timingif not production chancesnow hinge on enough customer demand materializing. This is a different forecast than we remember. "We did not announce a specific date [for the Buzz] yet, because we are waiting for the customer response on it," VW Commercial Vehicles CEO Carsten Intra told Auto Express. "Today we don't have this push for an all-electric camper." Intra also indicated to Auto Express that several types of accessories are in the works and are being tested, and that based on the response the timelines could shift. The VWCV CEO indicated that every model in the California range of campers will be electric, at least eventually, and that the new generation would be called Space. "In the Space we are going to have the all-electric campervansfrom the Grand California down to the smaller ones; the next generation will be a really huge step," Intra told Auto Express. This bit of news is encouraging, if a little light on timing and market availability, but at least VW isn't backtracking on the whole concept. It is also worth noting that electric powertrains aside, VW has not offered a straight-from-the-factory van-based camper stateside since the T4 of 2003. (It's a separate discussion whether it's fair for VW to use the name California if they don't offer the model in the Golden State). And in those 20 years, VW hasn't brought its subsequent generations stateside either, with the current T7 Multivan-based California and its future PHEV variant not offered in the state of Californiaor any other US state or territory. Of course, this hasn't stopped people from (theoretically) buying a Routan and having it converted with a pop-up tent for the roof for an ungodly sum. But let's just say it hasn't been easy in the past 20 years to get an off-the-shelf VW camper with some light camping amenities. Hearst Owned From VW's perspective, before the base ID. Buzz arrives (with pricing still TBA), the entire category of electric minivans, camper or not, remains completely untested in North America. This suggests the automaker will likely want to see at least a couple of years of ID. Buzz sales before a decision to bring the certainly more expensive California here is made. There is also the issue of such campers being traditionally purchased forand used onlong road trips that could take them... quite far from a DC fast-charger. Or electricity for that matter. Infrastructure is certainly a concern, even on the Pacific Coast Highway. Could the lack of a large range prevent VW from offering a camper version of the ID. Buzz, or will price matter more than range in this segment? Let us know in the comments below. New Delhi, May 15 : Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Wednesday announced its plans to invest 7.8 billion euros ($8.4 billion ) in its European Sovereign Cloud in Germany through 2040, which reflects the company's long-term commitment to meeting Europe's digital sovereignty needs. New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Wednesday announced its plans to invest 7.8 billion euros ($8.4 billion ) in its European Sovereign Cloud in Germany through 2040, which reflects the companyas long-term commitment to meeting Europeas digital sovereignty needs. The AWS European Sovereign Cloud intends to build its first AWS Region in Brandenburg, Germany, for all customers by the end of 2025. aThis investment reinforces our commitment to offer customers the most advanced set of sovereignty controls, privacy safeguards, and security features available in the cloud," Max Peterson, VP of Sovereign Cloud at AWS, said in a statement. "We're investing heavily in new local talent and infrastructure, which will help provide the operational sovereignty our customers require," he added. According to the company, AWSas planned investment is estimated to contribute a17.2 billion (about $18.6 billion) to Germanyas total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through 2040 and support an average of 2,800 full-time equivalent jobs in local German businesses each year. "These positions - including construction, facility maintenance, engineering, telecommunications, and other jobs within the broader local economy - are part of the AWS data centre supply chain," the company said. As per Professor Jorg Steinbach, Brandenburgas Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Energy, state-of-the-art data centres for secure cloud computing are the basis for a strong digital economy. "I am pleased AWS has chosen Brandenburg for a long-term investment in its cloud computing infrastructure for the AWS European Sovereign Cloud," he said. In addition, the company mentioned that the AWS European Sovereign Cloud will provide customers the capability to meet strict operational autonomy and data residency requirements within the European Union (EU). Mumbai, May 15 : As they clock 15 years in the world of filmmaking, director duo Raj and DK shared that they started off as Indie filmmakers and blew up all their savings. However, the two are happy that years later, they stuck to the stories they always wanted to make. It was in 2009 when Raj and DK released their first film '99' starring Kunal Kemu and Soha Ali Khan. Talking about their journey, the duo went on social media, where they shared a collage of all the projects they have worked on. They captioned it: "When we wanted to turn filmmakers, the first thing we did was make business cards. We debated for a long time (like we still do) what should we call ourselves? Writers? Directors? Producers? Storytellers? Guerilla something... Finally we decided 'Filmmakers' described us best. "Next. What do we name our company? Very self-explanatorily, we named it Dreams2Reality Films. Cheesy much? Thankfully, it soon became D2R Films... representing a 'detour' from the norm." "We started off as Indie filmmakers and blew up all our savings. But we are glad, years later, that we stuck to the stories we always wanted to make, however hard they have been." They shared that they are proud of their journey. "For that, we would not take the easy route. For just that, we are proud. And for everything else, we are so very grateful! From dreams to screens, all these years of storytelling, experiences and countless memories have made us who we are!" They said that they are grateful to all the incredible actors, their talented crews and the audience who made all these years unforgettable. They concluded: "Congratulations for 15 years of Sita R. Menon too... our long-term creative partner. Here's to us! Thank you everyone for 15 incredible years of support and collaboration! ' The duo are known for their work in projects such as 'The Family Man', 'Shor In The City', 'Go Goa Gone', 'Happy Ending' and 'Stree'. Their upcoming work includes 'Citadel: Honey Bunny' and 'Gulkanda Tales'. Brussels, May 15 : Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell urged Israel to "immediately" end its military operation in Rafah in a statement on Wednesday. The EU foreign policy chief said the Israeli offensive in Gaza's southernmost city is disrupting deliveries of humanitarian aid and "leading to more internal displacement, exposure to famine and human suffering." Borrell said the European Union called on Israel to "refrain from further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza." He warned that continuing the assault will strain EU-Israel relations. While the EU recognises Israel's right to defend itself, "Israel must do so in line with International Humanitarian Law and provide safety to civilians," Borrell said. Israel's allies, including its main backer, the United States, have been warning Israel for weeks against a ground offensive into Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians had been sheltering from fighting elsewhere in the coastal strip. The Israeli army advanced on Rafah from the east at the beginning of last week and has since also taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing to Egypt. On Tuesday, Israeli troops advanced deeper into central Rafah, according to eyewitnesses in the overcrowded city. Borrell said the EU called for "all parties to redouble their efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire" and for the unconditional release of all hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attacks. Around 1,200 people were killed and 250 others taken hostage in the unprecedented massacre by Hamas and other Islamist groups in Israel. The terrorist attack triggered the Gaza war, and around 35,000 Palestinians have since been killed in Israeli airstrikes and fighting on the ground. --IANS/DPA sd/ New Delhi: Delhi Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand addresses media after resigning from the Aam Aadmi Party. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, May 15 : Raaj Kumar Anand, a former minister in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, described the assault of Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal inside Delhi CM's residence as condemnable, shameful and a black spot on politics. Swati Maliwal, former Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) chief and AAP Rajya Sabha member, was allegedly assaulted inside the CM's residence by Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar on Monday. She also made a PCR call and complained about the physical assault. Anand, a former minister in the Kejriwal cabinet, demanded that the Delhi Chief Minister come clean on the issue, given the gravity of the incident. "Maliwal was attacked inside the drawing room of the Chief Minister's residence. Arvind Kejriwal must speak on the issue," he demanded. "It is Chief Minister's responsibility to set the records straight on the issue and not by someone who is sitting kilometres away," he further stated, in a jibe at Sanjay Singh's statement that the perpetrator will be punished. Anand also told IANS that Swati Maliwal is being 'pressurised' to not lodge a formal complaint. "If a Rajya Sabha member is not safe in the capital, then who else would be safe," he said. Notably, the woman MP had gone to the police station, soon after making a PCR call. But, she told the police that she would come later to file a complaint. Eyewitnesses claimed that she decided to defer a formal police complaint, after receiving some phone calls. Raaj Kumar Anand also said that he and his supporters will raise their voices against the assault and oppression under the Kejriwal government. Anand, who recently joined BSP, is contesting Lok Sabha elections from New Delhi. Earlier in the day, party workers led by Delhi BJP President Virender Sachdeva held a demonstration outside Arvind Kejriwal's residence and demanded a thorough probe into Maliwal's assault. Srinagar, May 15 : Former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) candidate for Baramulla Lok Sabha seat Omar Abdullah on Wednesday blamed his opponent political parties for the problems faced by the people. While campaigning in the constituency, Omar Abdullah told poll meetings in Uri and Wagoora areas that he is deeply concerned about the tumultuous period gripping J&K. He expressed anguish over the displacement of people from their lands and the incessant assault on religious sentiments. Omar vehemently attributed these challenges to the BJP's self-serving political motives, urging accountability from parties symbolised by the apple, batball, and bucket. Criticising the People's Conference (PC) headed by his rival candidate, Sajad Gani Lone, Omar said: "These people talk about 'dignity' and 'development', meaning self-respect and development, but I fail to understand why don't PC people have their founding father's picture on their flags and posters? A person who doesn't respect his father, how can an ordinary person expect respect from him. "Has he spoken when injustice was done to Uri when cross-border trade was stopped here when border tourism was stopped here, did he this apple man speak at that time? He pretends to be the younger brother of the Prime Minister, couldn't he talk to his elder brother at that time and bring relief to the people of Uri? How is he asking you for votes today?" Omar said that the PDP candidate, who is also his other opponent in the constituency, as a Rajya Sabha member, was absent every day when a vote against a BJP bill was to be voted on. "Nothing will be gained by tearing clothes and pretending, will the electricity come here by tearing clothes? Will tearing clothes get a job? Ask the person what did he do apart from tearing his clothes. Did they vote against the election of the Vice President and bills like triple talaq of the BJP?" He made passionate appeals to people to vote for him. --IANS sq/dan Amaravati, May 15 : Andhra Pradesh recorded 81.86 per cent polling in simultaneous elections to the state Assembly and Lok Sabha conducted on Monday, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) M. K. Meena announced on Wednesday. Announcing the final polling figures at a news conference, he said 80.66 per cent of voters cast their votes in polling stations while 1.2 per cent polled their votes through postal ballot. The CEO said that compared to previous elections, the polling figure has gone up by 2.09 per cent. In 2019, the state had recorded a voter turnout of 79.77 per cent while in 2014, it was 78.41 per cent. He revealed that polling in 3,500 polling stations continued even after 6 p.m. as those standing in queues were allowed to cast votes. The last polling station completed the process at 2 a.m. Meena said polling in some places was delayed due to rains. He said observers analysed the polling process and all the reports and they have not taken any decision to conduct re-polling anywhere. More than 4.14 crore voters were eligible to cast their votes in the elections for 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in the single-phase polling. The Darsi Assembly segment received the highest polling at 90.91 per cent while the lowest, at 63.32 per cent, was recorded in Tirupati. Among Lok Sabha constituencies, Ongole saw the highest turnout of 87.06 per cent while Visakhapatnam recorded the lowest, at 71.11 per cent. The Election Commission had Tuesday put the overall polling figure at 78.36%. Enthusiasm among voters marked the polling in the southern state as an estimated six lakh people living in neighbouring states of Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and other parts of the country came to their native places to cast their votes. Some even came from abroad to participate in the polling process. Election authorities had set up 46,389 polling centres across the state. The voters decided the political fortunes of 2,841 candidates. Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Jana Sena leader and actor Pawan Kalyan were among 2,387 candidates for 175 Assembly seats. For 25 Lok Sabha seats, 454 contestants are in the fray and the prominent among them were state BJP chief and former Union Minister D. Purandeswari (Rajahmundry), state Congress President Y. S. Sharmila Reddy (Kadapa), and former Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy (BJP, Rajampet). The CEO said that the EVMs have been kept under tight security at 350 strong rooms across the state. Counting of votes will be taken up on June 4. New Delhi, May 15 : The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday announced that it has prequalified Japanese drug maker Takeda's dengue vaccine. The live-attenuated TAK-003 vaccine is the second dengue jab to be prequalified by the WHO. It contains weakened versions of the four serotypes of the virus that cause dengue, the WHO said. Previously, the WHO prequalified the CYD-TDV vaccine for dengue developed by Sanofi Pasteur. The UN health body recommended the use of TAK-003 in children aged 6-16 years in areas with high dengue burden and transmission intensity. The vaccine should be administered in a 2-dose schedule with a 3-month interval between doses, it noted. "The prequalification of TAK-003 is an important step in the expansion of global access to dengue vaccines, as it is now eligible for procurement by UN agencies including UNICEF and PAHO," said Dr Rogerio Gaspar, WHO Director for Regulation and Prequalification, in a statement. He called for more vaccine developers to come forward for assessment to "ensure vaccines reach all communities who need it". Earlier this year, Takeda partnered with Hyderabad-based Biological E to accelerate the manufacture of TAK-003 in India. According to the companies, Biological E will scale up the production capacity to potentially reach 50 million doses annually. It will also accelerate Takeda's efforts to manufacture 100 million doses annually within the decade, they said. As per Takeda's Phase 3 trial, published in The Lancet Global Health, TAK-003 continues protection against dengue fever through four and a half years (54 months) after vaccination. Dengue is a vector-borne disease transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Global estimates show that there are over 100-400 million cases of dengue each year and 3.8 billion people living in dengue-endemic countries, most of which are in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Bengaluru, May 15 : Demanding that the Chief Minister ensure the immediate arrest of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda's grandson Prajwal Revanna, 107 authors and thinkers from Karnataka have written an open letter to Siddaramaiah. The letter lists 16 points and states that the "mass rape scandal is utterly shameful and has caused civil society to hang its head in shame. It is a criminal offense to sadistically record and store about 2,900 videos and photos, threaten victims and kidnap" They have expressed concern over the politicisation of the alleged sex video scandal involving JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna that is downplaying the original crime of rape and its consequences. "The irresponsible behaviour of political forces is downplaying the original crime and its consequences. Members of Prajwal Revanna's family, including his grandfather, father, mother, brother, uncle, and aunt, have held various positions such as Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and members of the state legislature. The scandal involving this family has regressed us to a 19th-century feudal set-up that is against women. The scandal has revealed that the Prajwal Revanna family has carried out an autocratic rule under the guise of democracy," the letter charges. "It is an insult to democracy that despite this scandal coming to light, the election for the Hassan Lok Sabha seat was not halted, and the accused was allowed to contest. Even after the scandal came to light, the accused was allowed to go scot free between April 22 and April 26. The failure of agencies to track his movements has raised questions about the safety of women in society," the letter states. "It is even more shocking that the biggest scandal of this magnitude is being used for political mileage during elections by political parties and leaders," the letter mentions. "The statements and counter-statements, caste-based remarks, and gender-insensitive comments by politicians, as well as reports projecting victims as criminals, have shattered society and peace of mind. This development is demeaning the honour of victims, who are further finding themselves in a difficult position and are hesitant to lodge complaints," the letter observes. "The families of the victims who have been exposed are subjected to severe mental harassment. Family members and children of those families are unable to find solutions and are under great stress. Reports suggest that three to four victims have attempted suicide," the letter underlines. "In this context, we demand the immediate arrest of Prajwal Revanna and the creation of a fearless atmosphere for lodging complaints. We also urge you, CM, to address the victims and provide them with strength and release video statements," the authors demand. "The enquiry must be conducted within a timeframe, and Prajwal Revanna's former car driver, Karthik Gowda, who claimed that the videos were with him, must be immediately arrested. Cases must be lodged for attempting to sabotage the election. Prajwal Revanna's mother should also be questioned, and she should be treated as an accomplice. "Intelligence and home department officials who allowed Prajwal Revanna to flee must be sacked and probed," the intellectuals state. "About 1.6 years ago, Prajwal Revanna obtained injunction orders not to telecast or report defamatory content against him. Obtaining stay orders for such a long duration as a representative of the people is a violation of the people's right to know the truth. The government should lodge a case in this regard," the letter adds. The authors also demand the transfer of all government officials recommended by Prajwal Revanna and HD Revanna in Hassan District and the withdrawal of all government facilities given to the family. "Former CM Kumaraswamy, on one hand, obtains injunction orders from the court not to connect him or his father, former PM HD Deve Gowda, to the scandal. On the other hand, Kumaraswamy holds press conferences on this matter. The government should vacate the stay order," the letter demands. Veteran authors Dr Vijaya, Dr G Ramakrishna, Dr Vasundhara Bhupathi, K Shareefa, Sabiha Bhumi Gowda, Kale Gowda Nagawara, Nagesh Hegde, Meenakshi Baali, and others have written the letter. Mahoba/Hamirpur : , May 15 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the people of Bundelkhand to ensure that the deposits of candidates belonging to opposition parties are forfeited as they are "responsible" for creating mafia and dacoits in the region. Mahoba/Hamirpur (UP), May 15 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the people of Bundelkhand to ensure that the deposits of candidates belonging to opposition parties are forfeited as they are "responsible" for creating mafia and dacoits in the region. "Bundelkhand was kept thirsty for water. The deposits of such people should be confiscated," he said while addressing meetings in Mahoba and Hamirpur. The Chief Minister said that his government is giving new heights to tourism in the region. While paying tribute to the land of 'Alha-Udal' and 'Veer Chandelas', the Chief Minister said that to him Mahoba seems to be his own land. "Baba Gorakhnath had performed penance here in Gorakhgiri and Alha Udal had received the blessing of immortality here. The previous governments had done a lot of injustice to Bundelkhand. The area is blessed with abundant natural resources, rivers, streams, mining and tourism potential. The SP government exploited the people by creating mafia and dacoits here," he said. Yogi Adityanath said that the elections are being held between Ram devotees and "Ramdrohis". "Only two people are opposing BJP, one who is a traitor to Ram and the other who sings the praises of Pakistan. Pakistan lovers should go there and beg with a bowl," he said. The Chief Minister said that since the BJP government was formed in the country under the leadership of Modi 10 years ago, huge development works and changes have taken place. "The BJP government was formed in UP in 2017. When I came to Bundelkhand for the first time, the leaders here told me that something should be done for Bundelkhand. It feels good to see Bundelkhand Express today. The work of providing RO water to every home is being done through Har Ghar Nal Yojana. Arjun Sahayak Project, Ratauli Dam Project, Bhavani Dam Project and Mazgaon Chilli Sprinkler Irrigation Project were also inaugurated by the Prime Minister," he said. He added that when the cannon made in Bundelkhand thunder on the border, the people of Pakistan wet their pants. "Before 2017, there was the terror of dacoits here, there were big mafias. SP, BSP, and Congress helped the mafia. Today, action has been started to develop Bundelkhand on the lines of Noida. Now our youth will not migrate from Bundelkhand. The whole world will come to you begging for a job," the Chief Minister said. Brussels, May 15 : European Commission and NATO officials, on Wednesday, criticised Georgia's adoption of a law requiring foreign-funded organisations to register as "foreign agents". "The spirit and content of the law are not in line with EU core norms and values," said a statement by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell and Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi. On Tuesday, Georgia's Parliament passed the controversial legislation despite angry protests in Tbilisi and urging by the EU and the United States not to adopt it. Thousands of people once again took to the streets of the capital on Tuesday evening. One of their chief concerns is that the law threatens Georgia's path to European Union membership. Many also fear that in the former Soviet republic - as in neighbouring Russia - critical organisations and media will be silenced. "Despite large protests and unequivocal calls by the international community, the Georgian government ruling majority adopted the law 'on transparency of foreign influence' in Parliament," the statement by Borrell and Varhelyi said. The two commission officials also condemned attacks on Georgian activists and journalists. "The intimidation, threats, and physical assaults on civil society representatives, political leaders, and journalists, as well as their families is unacceptable. We call on the Georgian authorities to investigate these documented acts." In a post on X, NATO spokeswoman Farah Dakhlallah said that the law's passage "is a step in the wrong direction and takes Georgia further away from European and Euro-Atlantic integration. We urge Georgia to change course and to respect the right to peaceful protest." Later on Wednesday, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili plans to meet with the foreign ministers from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Iceland who had travelled to the country. Unlike the ruling Georgian Dream party, Zourabichvili is seen as pro-European. She has already announced that she will veto the law - but Parliament has the votes to overturn it. --IANS/DPA sd/arm LOS ANGELESThe Free Speech Coalition and a slate of co-plaintiffs filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen. Here is the FSC's statement: Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has filed a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief against the Attorney General of Montana over the states age-verification law, SB544, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana. FSC and the other plaintiffs, including journalists, sex educators, therapists, book publishers, and sexual wellness retailers, are asking a district court to block enforcement of the law pending resolution of the case. The Montana law is dangerous, ineffective and deeply unconstitutional, says Alison Boden, executive director of Free Speech Coalition. Laws like SB544 reach far beyond adult sites, restricting the right of journalists, educators, healthcare professionals and consumers to access the internet free of government interference. These laws, while nominally about age-verification, are so dangerous to consumer privacy that their practical effect is to censor constitutionally-protected expression. We are fully committed to fighting these attacks on free speech. Free Speech Coalition's co-plaintiffs in the suit are O.school, a sex education platform; Lynsey Griswold, a Montana journalist and publisher at Oneshi Press; Ryn Pfeuffer, a journalist and sex worker; Dr. Anna Louise Petersen, a psychotherapist in Missoula; PHE, Inc., a national sexual wellness retailer; Convergence Holdings, Inc., a retailer doing business as Adam and Eve Montana; and JustFor.Fans, an adult content platform. Montanans pride themselves on their self-reliance, independence and willingness to stand up for individual liberty, says co-counsel Natasha Prinzing Jones of Boone Kalberg in Missoula. While keeping minors from accessing age-inappropriate content is a worthy goal, the law is overbroad and impermissibly vague, violates Montanans constitutional protections under the First and Fourteenth Amendments and has a significant chilling effect on legal speech on the internet. I look forward to standing up for individual rights in the face of government overreach. The parties are represented by Jeffrey Sandman of Webb Daniel Friedlander LLP, D. Gill Sperlein of the Law Office of D. Gill Sperlein, and Natasha Prinzing Jones of Boone Karlberg. Read the complaint here. Wellington, May 15 : At least two people have died in the riots rocking New Caledonia after France's National Assembly approved contentious voting reforms to the Pacific territory that angered independence supporters. French media, citing New Caledonia High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, gave the death toll on Wednesday. Several hundred people have been injured during the unrest. Earlier, the French High Commission said more than 130 have been arrested after a second night of protests, looting and vandalism. The riots began on Monday as France debated a bill which would give thousands of French citizens in the archipelago in the South Pacific the right to vote in provincial polls. New Caledonia's pro-independence movement fears that change will result in a weakening of political influence among the Indigenous Kanak people. The National Assembly in Paris adopted the reform overnight, by 351 votes to 153. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on RTL television that one of the deaths was caused by a bullet but not by a police officer. The exact circumstances would have to be clarified, he said. There was initially no information on the second death. "There must be no violence in a democracy. There must be absolute calm," Darmanin declared. He said there had been attacks on police stations with axes and heavy ammunition. Several French lawmakers have called for a state of emergency to be declared. On Wednesday, the High Commission said that about 60 police officers had been injured in the riots. Numerous buildings, including schools, had been set alight. A planned escape at the prison in the capital of Noumea had been thwarted, it added. An overnight curfew is in place, and people are asked to limit their movements during the day, the commission said. There is also a ban on gatherings, selling alcohol and carrying weapons. The airport had been closed. For Paris, New Caledonia is important geopolitically, militarily and also because of its nickel deposits. The territory, with about 270,000 residents, has gained extensive autonomy through the Noumea Agreement. The island is located some 1,200 kilometres east of Australia. Residents voted to remain part of France in each of the three referendums on independence in 2018, 2020 and 2021. However, the independence movement boycotted the last vote and announced that it would not accept the result. --IANS/DPA sd/dan Bareilly : , May 15 (IANS) A youth has been arrested here for posting false news of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's 'death', an official said on Wednesday. The arrested individual has been identified as Saqib Shamsi. On Tuesday night, he posted the 'false news', and made it viral. Saqib is a resident of Gulab Nagar area in Bareilly. It has been mentioned in the FIR that he posted a picture of Yogi Adityanath in his status, and wrote: "Yogiji passed away at 12.30 midnight." Meanwhile, a senior police officer said that Saqib would be booked under stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code since his post was designed to create unrest during elections. Kochi, May 15 : Leading Malayalam film producer Johny Sagarika was detained at the immigration counter of the Kochi airport while en route Dubai, before being handed over to the Kovai police on Wednesday. Sagarika was taken into custody after a resident of Kovai named Dwarak Udaykumar lodged a complaint with the police accusing the former of deceiving him of Rs 2.75 crore under the guise of producing a film. After Sagarika failed to return the money despite reminders, Udaykumar approached the Kovai police with the complaint. Despite repeated summonses from the Kovai police, Sagarika failed to appear before them, and as a result, all the airports in the region were alerted to ensure that the producer didn't leave the country. When Sagarika reached the airport on Wednesday, he was stopped by the immigration officials who informed the Kovai police. Some of the popular films produced by Sagarika include 'Thaandavam', 'Bodyguard', 'Chakram', 'Muppathu Vellikkaasu', and 'Orkut Oru Ormmakkoottu', among others. Baghdad, May 15 : A Shiite militia in Iraq on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a site in Eilat in southern Israel. The militia, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, said in an online statement that its fighters launched a drone attack "on a military site in Eilat on Tuesday" without providing additional details about the specific location targeted or any resulting casualties, Xinhua news agency reported. The statement stressed that the attack was carried out "in solidarity with the people of Gaza," and the militia pledged to persist in targeting "the enemy's strongholds." Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has launched multiple attacks on Israeli and US bases in the region. Russian troops compared to ISIS for demanding ransom from mother of captured Ukrainian soldier. Image Source: IANS News Kyiv, May 15 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has cancelled all trips abroad in the coming days in light of the advancing Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region, his spokesman Serhiy Nykyforov said on Wednesday. Zelensky was to visit Spain and Portugal at the end of the week. Russia began a ground and air assault on Ukraine's second city Kharkiv, in the north-east and the surrounding region last week. In what analyst describe as one of the most perilous moments for Kyiv in the war, Moscow's forces have been able to capture several villages as they continue to bombard Kharkiv with missiles. Worries are mounting that Russia is using the wave of attacks on the city to possibly lay the groundwork to capture Kharkiv. The military leadership in Kyiv - struggling with a lack of weapons, ammunition and soldiers - said earlier on Wednesday that troops were being withdrawn from some Kharkiv positions. --IANS/DPA sd/dan New Delhi, May 15 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday reeled out data to slam the erstwhile Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for having "wasted India's economic growth potential between 2004-14 and leaving it among the 'Fragile Five' economies without focusing on effective infrastructure development". She cited reports of the CAG, IMF and Cabinet Secretary to highlight the policy paralysis of the Congress-led government that led to inordinate delays in implementing projects in the highways, ports and railway sectors. "Every km of road, every railway track, and every bridge built paves the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for all," she said. "Under the UPA, almost all aspects of India's economic needs were mismanaged or ignored. The Congress-led UPA Govtas noticeable and deliberate neglect of infrastructure creation not only denied India much-needed roads, railways, power, etc., but it also compromised India's long-term economic potential," the Finance Minister said in a post on X. A more glaring outcome of this neglect was the development of border roads and defence capital expenditure, which left India vulnerable to external threats. Then Defence Minister AK Antony remarked in 2013, "an undeveloped border is safer than a developed border", Nirmala Sitharaman pointed out. "In contrast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly believes that the village on the border is not Indiaas last village, it is the country's first village. Through the 'Vibrant Villages Programme', we are developing the border villages and strengthening their infrastructure. "The UPA government's term was replete with examples of decision stasis. Cost overruns, stalled projects and lack of timely approvals were common between 2004-14," FM Sitharaman said. The Union Minister further said that the Cabinet Secretary noted in 2013 that "many large projects both in the public sector as well as the private sector, especially in infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, have been held up for investment on account of delays in obtaining various approvals/clearances". She said that the IMF working paper (March 2014) highlighted three main reasons for the investment slowdown in India -- policy uncertainty, delayed project approvals, implementation and supply bottlenecks. And, the Finance Minister, also referred to the CAG Report 2014 that stated "Railway Board took an average of 43 months to sanction rehabilitation of bridgeworks, and they were completed with an average delay of 41 months". Nirmala Sitharaman said that in contrast, PM Modi's active role has made the infrastructure turnaround possible. "PM Modi has personally monitored the progress of projects, even those launched earlier, through the PRAGATI platform. This led to the successful completion of long-delayed projects. Through 43 PRAGATI meetings, PM Modi has reviewed projects worth Rs 17.36 lakh crore," the Finance Minister said. The Union Minister said that the share of capex in total expenditure dropped sharply under the UPA. "From 23 per cent in 2003-04, it dropped quickly to an average of 12 per cent from 2005-2014. Imagine the opportunity cost lost due to the Congress-led government not investing adequately in capital expenditure," she added. "Our government significantly increased the outlay for capex. As a proportion of total expenditure, capex rose to over 21 per cent in 2023-24, compared to just 12 per cent in 2013-14," the Finance Minister observed. "Since 2014, our government has allocated a total of Rs 43.53 lakh crore in Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) capital expenditure, an increase of 3.72 times compared to 2004-14," she added. Kochi, May 15 : A day after a recently-married woman's harrowing tale of physical abuse at the hands of her husband over dowry and blame at the police for not acting on time on her complaint was flashed on TV channels, Kerala Police on Wednesday issued a look-out notice for the bridegroom. The woman and Rahul, 29, an aeronautical engineer hailing from Kozhikode and working in Germany, got married on May 5, but she alleged that she faced a terrifying time at his hands at his house on the night of May 11. When her family came to her in-laws on May 12, her travails surfaced and after persuasion, she told her mother how she was beaten and strangulated with a mobile charger by Rahul. With the media taking up this in a big way from Tuesday and after the victim complained to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the State Womenas Commission, a new police investigation team was formed and the look-out notice was issued. Meanwhile, Rahul's mother denied that they demanded more dowry and said she was not aware of where Rahul was as he left the home on Tuesday evening and had not returned. On the other hand, the father of the victim has alleged that there are reports that Rahul had, in the past, cheated other girls in the name of marriage promising them that they will be taken to Germany. "The police have to probe this aspect and also if he was in the habit of taking drugs," he said. However, it is suspected that Rahul, fearing arrest, flew out of the country on Tuesday midnight. Mumbai, May 15 : The iconic Japanese film 'Seven Samurai' was screened in its restored version at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday in the Cannes Classic section. The 4K restored version of the film, directed by legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, was screened at the Debussy Theatre in the French Riviera. The film, which was released in 1954, is set in the Sengoku period of Japanese history. The official X, handle of the Cannes Film Festival, wrote: "Focus #CannesClassics Discover the 4K restored version of Akira Kurosawa's The Seven Samurai, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its first Japanese release. The tranquillity of a small Japanese village is disturbed by repeated attacks from a band of looters. Seven masterless samurai agree to defend the helpless peasants. In the presence of Shion Komatsu." It follows the story of a village of desperate farmers who hire samurai in order to fight bandits who will return after the harvest to steal their crops. The film was the most expensive film of its time and took a year to film. The film has left an indelible mark on the audience. The Hindi film 'Sholay', which is considered a landmark in Hindi cinema, is said to be inspired by the Japanese film. The Cannes Classic section will also screen the restored version of Shyam Benegal's film 'Manthan'. New Delhi, May 15 : Zamir Kabulov, the Russian President's Special Representative for Afghanistan, held talks with J.P. Singh, Joint Secretary for Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran in the Ministry of External Affairs, here on Wednesday. Kabulov is the Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan and also the Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Second Asian Department. Interestingly, his visit to the national capital comes just two days after India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement on Chabahar port which the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to include in the framework of the multilateral International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project. Late last month, Kabulov travelled to Kabul to hold meetings with the interim senior leadership of Afghanistan, including Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Kabir, Foreign Affairs Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Acting Minister of Interior Affairs, Sirajuddin Haqqani. A seasoned diplomat with a firm grip over the affairs in the region, Singh too was in Kabul in the first week of March to hold talks with Muttaqi, including on India-Afghanistan relations and economic transit matters. It is pertinent to mention that besides working on maintaining peace in the region, India remains keen to expand trade with the Central Asian countries, Russia, and beyond through the Chabahar port in Iran which has played a key role in enhancing regional connectivity. India has also used the port to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, especially to Afghanistan during the Covid-19 pandemic by shipping tonnes of wheat and pulses to Kabul via the Shahid Beheshti Terminal. Hyderabad, May 15 : With no Telugu or Hindi blockbusters slated for release this summer, single-screen theatres across Telangana have decided to shut down for 10 days. The managements of these theatres have decided to stop screening the movies from Friday to mitigate financial losses. Vijayender Reddy, President of the Fim Exhibitors Association, said there has been a significant decline in audience turnout. The occupancy in theatres has come down this season because of the absence of any big-budget movies. Easy availability of content on OTT platforms, Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, and interest in the ongoing elections are cited as the other reasons for the drop in occupancy in single-screen theatres. Reddy said the single-screen theatre owners are incurring huge losses. The expenses incurred on screening the movies are said to be higher than box-office collections. Telangana has around 250 single-screen theatres. About 100 of them are in Hyderabad. Several multiplexes, incidentally, have also reduced the number of shows, but smaller theatres had no option but to stop the screenings altogether. After 10 days, the theatre managements will take stock of the situation and decide on reopening the theatres. The majority of them are not likely to reopen even after 10 days as the situation may not improve for them this month. The movies of major stars are under production and the owners will have to wait longer. Reddy said if the producers come forward to help the owners in running the theatres, these can be re-opened early. NEW YORKIn a new day of testimony, Manhattan prosecutors concluded their direct examination of Michael Cohen, Donald Trumps former personal lawyer and fixer, in the high-profile case alleging that the former president falsified business records to cover up a hush money payment to adult star Stormy Daniels. In New York, falsifying business records is a criminal offense. Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney, indicted Donald Trump on 34 felony counts. During the final round of direct examination, Cohen went into further detail about how the Trump Organization paid him for his services related to the hush money agreement with Daniels. The famed X-rated writer/director/performer, who has already gone into detail about her alleged affair with Trump at Lake Tahoe in 2006, was paid $130,000 by Cohen through a payment sent to her lawyer at the time, Los Angeles-based attorney Keith Davidson. Davidson also testified earlier in the trial. Then, trying to corroborate the claim that he was compensated for that service in the amount of $420,000, Cohen explained once more how he was paid to reclassify the payment as a retainer, not a reimbursement. Cohen was reimbursed, awarded a bonus for his work, received a technical fee, and was given income to cover potential tax obligations on the sum. Each payment was to be made over 12 months at $35,000 per month to look like legal services. Cohen corroborated Keith Davidsons testimony that the two coordinated on enforcing agreements, such as the arrangement between Daniels and Trump. He testified that he lied out of loyalty to Trump. Prosecutors directed the testimony to his indictments and felony convictions in 2018. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided Cohens office and seized documents pertaining to the Stormy Daniels arrangement and bank records. He pleaded guilty to eight counts, including campaign finance violations, tax evasion, and lying to U.S. Congress. Cohen explained he spoke to Trump about the FBI raid. He recollects Trump saying, Dont worry. Im the president of the United States. Cohen was reassured and maintained his support for Trump for a time. A criminal defense attorney, Robert Costello, reportedly met with Cohen, who offered to set up a back-channel to Trump through Rudy Guiliani, Trumps personal attorney. Reportedly, Costellos communications to Cohen were a pressure campaign to keep him quiet during Robert Muellers criminal inquiry. Mueller investigated Russian influence and other unlawful electioneering during the 2016 election, which resulted in the indictment of 34 people and the conviction of 8 of those peopleincluding Michael Cohen. Cohen added in his direct testimony that he would not lie for President Trump anymore when he conferred with his family to take guilty pleas related to his actions on behalf of Trump. Trumps defense attorney, Todd Blanche, took over on cross-examination, which was a very heated exchange. Blanche began his questioning of Cohen by inferring that the witness was biased against him personally. The witness posted on TikTok a few weeks ago commenting about Blanche and the state of the trial. Blanche asked: You called me a crying little shit, didnt you? Cohen replied, "Sounds like something I would say," according to reporting on the trial day by Vanity Fair. Judge Juan Merchan struck the question and held a sidebar that the court reporter recorded. Merchan asked Blanche, Why are you making this about yourself? Trumps attorney responded by saying he wanted to establish that Cohen was biased toward the defendant. It doesnt matter if he has bias towards you; it doesnt matter, Merchan said. The issue is whether he has bias towards the defendant. ... Just dont make it about yourself. Other elements of the cross-examination included pressing Cohen on his testimony to Robert Mueller and U.S. Department of Justice investigators during the inquiry as to potential criminal conduct. Cohen told Blanche that he initially lied to protect Trump but eventually agreed to cooperate with federal investigators and prosecutors for the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. Cohen also testified that hes made over $3 million in recent years for writing two books, Disloyal: A Memoir and Revenge: How Donald Trump Weaponized the US Department of Justice Against His Critics. All of this is pertinent to the defense because their goal is to destroy Cohens credibility as the prosecutions chief witness to Trumps crimes and portray him as a disgruntled, disbarred former felon with an axe to grind against a former boss. Cross-examination is expected to last until Thursday. Also today, Trump was denied an appeal of a gag order placed on him by Judge Juan Merchan. Before the Appellate Division of the First Judicial Department of the New York Supreme Court, a panel of judges blocked Trumps bid to amend or lift the gag order, saying that such an order doesnt violate the former presidents First Amendment rights. The gag order placed on Trump has caused him significant distress throughout the trial. Running for the 2024 Republican Party nomination for the presidency again, Trump argues that he should be able to speak critically of the trial, Judge Merchan, the witnesses, and the jurors. Already, Trump has been found in contempt of court 10 times for violating the gag order and paid a $1,000 fine per violation. Merchan has warned Trump that if he continues to violate the gag order, he could be jaileda historical first for a former U.S. president. Dindori : , May 15 (IANS) Labelling them as 'fake' parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that it is certain that Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar's NCP will merge with the Congress. Addressing a public meeting in Dindori, PM Modi said: "When the fake Shiv Sena merges with Congress, I will miss Balasaheb Thackeray the most. The fake Shiv Sena has shattered his every dream. His vision included building a grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and abolishing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. While these dreams have been fulfilled, the fake Shiv Sena is showing the most disgust. Just like Congress, they rejected the invitation for the temple's consecration. While Congress members are spewing hate about Ram Mandir, the fake Shiv Sena remains silent. Their sinful partnership has been exposed to the entire state of Maharashtra." PM Modi said this while speaking at a poll rally for BJP nominee from Dindori -- Union Minister Bharati Pawar -- and Shiv Sena (Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led faction) candidate Hemant Godse from Nashik constituency. PM Modi's remarks came against the backdrop of Sharad Pawar's recent statement that the regional parties could merge with Congress after the poll results. "They know that Congress, which is the main party of the INDIA bloc, is losing so badly that it will be difficult for it even to become a valid opposition. Therefore, a leader of the INDIA bloc of Maharashtra says that small parties should be merged with Congress," PM Modi said. Addressing the issues faced by the onion-growing farmers, which has become a major poll plank in Dindori and Nashik constituencies, PM Modi said that onion exports have increased by 35 per cent during his government's rule. "Our government lifted a ban on onion exports about 10 days ago. Nearly 22,000 metric tonnes of onions have been exported in the last 10 days. The government has decided to create a buffer stock of onions. During the last season, the government procured seven lakh metric tonnes from the onion-growing farmers. The government has also decided to store five lakh metric tonnes of onions," he said. PM Modi further stated that a subsidy is being provided to the onion-growing farmers through 'Operation Green'. "You have seen my work in the last 10 years, and now I have come to seek your blessings for my third term, to seek blessings for building a developed India," he said. "Today, Modi is giving concrete houses to the poor, electricity connection, water to every home, gas connection under the Ujjwala scheme. We have never looked at anyone's religion. The government has made plans for everyone and given benefits of the schemes to everyone," said PM Modi. Jaipur, May 15 : Former Gujarat Governor and veteran Congress leader Kamla Beniwal, who also served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, breathed her last at the Fortis Hospital in Jaipur on Wednesday. She was 97. The funeral of Beniwal -- who was admitted to the hospital after her health condition suddenly deteriorated -- will take place in Jaipur on Thursday. Beniwal was the first woman state minister in Rajasthan. Her son Alok Beniwal has been an Independent MLA from Shahpura. Mourning her demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a condolence message on X: "Saddened by the passing away of Dr. Kamla Beniwal Ji. She had a long political career in Rajasthan, where she served the people with diligence. I had countless interactions with her when she was the Governor of Gujarat and I was the Chief Minister. Condolences to her family and friends. Om Shanti." Senior Congress leaders in Rajasthan, including Ashok Gehlot, Govind Singh Dotasra, and Sachin Pilot, have expressed grief over the demise of Beniwal. Bratislava, May 15 : Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has taken his central European country to a neutral stance on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, was shot and wounded on Wednesday as he interacted with the public after a government meeting, reports said. The incident occurred in Handlova town, around 180 km northeast of Bratislava, as per local media reports. Multiple shots were fired at him and at least one hit him, RT reported, citing Slovakiaas TA3 News. Fico collapsed and was carried to a car by his security detail, it said. He was taken to a nearby hospital and his condition is unclear. The suspect was restrained by police and arrested, Slovakian newspaper Dennik N reported. Video footage purportedly showed officers pinning the attacker to the ground after the shooting. A witness told Dennik N that she heard three or four shots, saw the PM fall to the ground, and claimed he suffered wounds on his head and chest, the BBC reported. President Zuzana Caputova, who has clashed with the PM over his Ukraine policy, condemned the "brutal and reckless" attack on Fico, and wished him "a lot of strength at this critical moment". Fico, who returned to office after serving two stints as Prime Minister from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018, halted the previous policy of military aid to Kiev and called for a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine. New Delhi, May 15 : Days after the recovery of mounds of cash, amounting to more than Rs 35 crore, Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam was on Wednesday arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Congress minister was arrested after two consecutive days of questioning by the ED sleuths in Ranchi -- for nine hours on Tuesday and for six hours on Wednesday -- in connection with the recovery of mountain of cash from the domestic help of his personal assistant. After the cash seizure on May 6, the ED raids were also conducted at the residence of Alamgir Alam's personal assistant Sanjeev Lal and his other associates. During the raids, the ED also seized damning documents related to transfer-posting of bureaucrats. Both Sanjeev Lal, PS to Alamgir Alam and his domestic help Jehangir Alam were arrested by the ED after recovery of whopping Rs 35.23 crore in cash from their premises in Ranchi. The duo were subsequently booked under the provisions of Prevention of Money laundering Act (PMLA) and arrested. The seizure of staggering amount of cash, early this month, not just hogged national headlines but also spotlighted the 'rampant' corruption and loot of public wealth under JMM-Congress combine government. Notably, Prime Minister Narnendra Modi also, in a public rally in state's Koderma district on Tuesday, took a veiled dig at INDIA bloc government in the state and thundered from the rally that looters of public wealth will neither be spared nor will they be allowed to have a sound sleep. Sanaa, May 15 : Yemen's Houthi group claimed on Wednesday that they had attacked a U.S. warship and another cargo vessel in the Red Sea, said a statement by Houthi military spokesman. The group carried out a military operation targeting the U.S. destroyer Mason in the Red Sea "with a number of naval missiles, and the hit was accurate," said Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea in a statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, reported Xinhua News Agency. He added that his group also carried out another joint missile and drone attack, targeting a U.S. cargo vessel DESTINY in the Red Sea, and "the hit was accurate." The statement provided no details about the date or casualties of the attacks. According to the U.S. Central Command on social media platform X, the U.S.-British naval coalition in the waters intercepted and destroyed on Monday two drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile launched by what it said "Iranian-backed Houthis" from northern Yemen towards ships in the Red Sea. "There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels," the U.S. Central Command added. Since last November, the Houthis began to launch anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones targeting what they said were Israeli-linked ships transiting the Red Sea to show solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, which has been under relentless Israeli attacks for nearly seven months. In January, the United States and Britain launched a military operation by carrying out airstrikes on Houthi military sites to deter the group. However, the Houthis, in retaliation, have subsequently expanded their attacks to include U.S. and British ships. Early in May, the group announced the expansion of its ballistic missile attacks to include all Israeli-linked commercial vessels transiting the Mediterranean. Berlin, May 15 : The German Ministry of Finance says Russian assets totalling 3.9 billion euro ($4.2 billion) are currently frozen in Germany. A ministry spokeswoman told journalists in Berlin on Wednesday that the assets include money, shareholdings, and yachts belonging to sanctioned individuals, organizations or companies. Last June, the government put the value at a5.2 billion in an answer to a parliamentary question. The spokeswoman explained that the sum is subject to market fluctuations and is also influenced by individual delistings by the EU when individuals or organizations are removed from the sanctions list. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently announced that proceeds from the safekeeping of frozen Russian funds in the EU could be used in the future to buy arms for Ukraine from around the world. There is an agreement to use around 90% of these funds for Ukrainian defence purposes. Several billion euros a year are involved. The European Commission says around a210 billion from the Russian central bank are frozen in the EU. The interest accruing from the funds is steadily increasing. The Brussels-based financial institution Euroclear recently announced that it had made around a4.4 billion in interest income in connection with Russia sanctions in 2023. --IANS/DPA int/as Tel Aviv, May 15 : The Israeli government has unanimously rejected a recommendation adopted last week by the UN General Assembly calling for greater rights within the assembly for Palestine. "We will not reward the terrible massacre of October 7," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday following his cabinet's decision to reject the resolution. "We will not allow them to establish a terrorist state from which they will be able to vigorously attack us," he added. Neither the General Assembly nor any other organization can prevent Israel from exercising its right to self-defence, Netanyahu said. On Friday, the General Assembly in New York voted 143-9 for the UN Security Council to give "favourable consideration" to a resolution granting Palestine, which already has UN observer state status, further rights without offering full voting rights. A total of 25 countries abstained, including Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Netanyahu said the resolution "will not constitute a basis for future negotiations, and does not advance a peaceful solution." --IANS/DPA int/as Amsterdam, May 15 : The far-right Dutch populist Geert Wilders says he has agreed on a coalition government with three other right-wing parties nearly six months after the Netherlands held parliamentary elections. "We have an agreement," Wilders said in The Hague on Wednesday as last-minute coalition talks continued ahead of a midnight (2200 GMT Wednesday) deadline. No candidate for prime minister has yet been agreed on, Wilders said. The controversial politician's Party for Freedom (PVV) won a clear victory in November's election, taking 37 of 150 seats, but Wilders proved unable to secure enough support to replace Mark Rutte as prime minister. The coalition is set to include Rutte's liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, Pieter Omtzigt's conservative New Social Contract (NSC) and the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB). The content of the agreement was not yet available on Wednesday afternoon. The coalition's parliamentary groupings have to give their approval of the deal before the midnight deadline. --IANS/DPA int/as Bangkok/Seoul, May 15 : Thailand plans to request South Korea hand over a suspect in the murder of a South Korean tourist and disposal of the body in Pattaya, a local media report said on Wednesday. Thai authorities are seeking the extradition of one of the three suspects, who was arrested in a provincial county in South Korea on Monday, the Khaosod daily reported quoting a local police official. Thai police are investigating the brutal murder case, in which the body of the 34-year-old victim was found in a plastic container filled with cement in a reservoir in Pattaya, reports Yonhap News Agency. A Bangkok court has also issued arrest warrants for the three suspects on charges of abduction and murder, the news outlet said. An official from the South Korean Embassy in Thailand said it has received no formal request on the extradition. "Thai police officials have mentioned the possibility of seeking an extradition but we have received no such request yet," the embassy official said. "We are in the process of confirming the arrest warrants," the official said. South Korean police arrested the suspect in his 20s in Jeongeup, some 217 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Sunday, and transferred him to Changwon in accordance with jurisdiction rules. On Wednesday, a regional court in Changwon issued an arrest warrant to keep him under further custody for investigation, citing a flight risk and concerns of destroying evidence although the suspect denied having been directly involved in the murder. The second suspect, also in his 20s, was caught and arrested in Cambodia on Tuesday, with the police tracking down the last suspect, who is believed to have fled to a neighboring country from Thailand. Police were also looking into possible motives of the crime, including involvement of illegal drugs or gambling. New Delhi, May 15 : Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Radha Raturi on Wednesday convened a high-level meeting of officials and area in-charges and reviewed the arrangements for smooth vehicular traffic on the yatra route. She also directed officials to plug the gaps and not refrain from taking strict measures for ensuring smooth and hassle-free yatra for the pilgrims. Legal action against those spreading fake news or videos to defame the Char Yatra was another crucial decision at the high-level meet. The officials have been directed to lodge FIR if anyone is found spreading fake pictures or videos. This apparently comes in light of the heavy rush of devotees for the Char Dham Yatra this year, which is seemingly enormous as compared to previous years. Instructions have been issued to stop and send back unregistered buses and vehicles. The Chief Secretary directed the Transport Department to hold a meeting with the tour operators on the issue of vehicles without registration, without trip card or post-dated registration. Vehicles without registration will be identified at the check points established at various places and appropriate action will be taken. The officials have also been instructed to take due action on any complaint of any devotee received on their mobile. Officials have been asked to keep their mobile phones on 'switch on' mode for 24 hours and record all the complaints related to Yatra. Rishikesh Municipal Corporation has been asked to ensure satisfactory arrangements for food, drinking water, toilets on the Yatra route and also arrange the best possible facilities for the pilgrims, including the LIVE telecast of dhams. According to the state government's health secretary, 184 doctors have been deployed on the Yatra route this time, out of which 44 are specialists. The Health Department is providing all facilities to the pilgrims, from health checkups to other facilities. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) related to the Yatra has also been issued in a total of 11 languages. Apr 1, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Charlotte Flair during Wrestlemania Night 1 at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports WWE superstar Charlotte Flair is primed to make her motion picture debut soon. Deadline Hollywood reported Tuesday that Flair, real name Ashley Elizabeth Fliehr, is set to star in a new indie horror movie production from Averted Vision Pictures entitled You Lose You Die. Carlos Spiff TV Suarez, who Deadline Hollywood notes as a multihyphenate, will make his directorial debut for this film. Freddy Rodriguez of Six Feet Under fame will also star in the movie. Freddy Rodriguez & Ashley Elizabeth Fliehr To Lead Indie Horror Feature You Lose You Die From Carlos Spiff TV Suarez https://t.co/KtOEfsFvb9 Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 14, 2024 You Lose You Die follows sociopathic tech expert, Mr. Fantastik (Rodriguez), who runs a popular show on the dark web with two other sociopathic tech experts, Ms. Perfect (Fliehr) and Mr. Creep (Anthony Alvarez), reads the plot description from Deadline. On the show, thousands of viewers vote on games and challenges for prisoners to participate in. If the prisoners lose, viewers vote on the weapons the sociopaths use to kill them. Flair is the latest WWE superstar to enter the film world. Along with celebrated stars making the crossover to films like Dwayne The Rock Johnson, John Cena, and Dave Bautista, many others have recently found their way into the industry as well. Liv Morgan was featured in The Kill Room alongside Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson. A movie entitled Queen of the Ring began filming last year that features All Elite Wrestling Womens World Champion Toni Storm. And there have been many other recent crossovers as well. With WWEs transition under TKO, you can probably expect more crossover opportunities for pro wrestlings biggest stars. Charlotte Flair is just the latest in a list of wrestlers-turned-actors that continues to grow. [Deadline Hollywood] Agartala, May 15 : Two prison officials in Tripura's central jail were arrested on Wednesday for their alleged role in the escape of a militant belonging to the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) serving life sentence from the prison located in Sepahijala district on Tuesday. Agartala, May 15 (IANS) Two prison officials in Tripuraas central jail were arrested on Wednesday for their alleged role in the escape of a militant belonging to the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) serving life sentence from the prison located in Sepahijala district on Tuesday. The police said that warden Tapan Rupini and guard commander Mafiz Mia were arrested on suspicion of helping the NLFT militant -- Swarna Kumar Tripura -- flee from the jail on Tuesday. An officer said that an intensive search operation has been launched to nab Swarna Kumar. The Border Security Force (BSF) has also been put on high alert to prevent the convict from crossing over to neighbouring Bangladesh. The police earlier said the inmate was found missing during routine checking on Tuesday morning. Based in Bangladesh, the NLFT cadre was sentenced to life imprisonment after he was found guilty in multiple cases, including for murder and kidnapping. Swarna Kumar had escaped twice before -- from the central jail in 2016 and from the Kanchanpur sub-jail in 2022. He was re-arrested in 2023 and since then he was lodged at the central jail. There are around 650 inmates in the central jail located around 30 km from here. Washington, May 15 : The 2024 version of the presidential debate, a key element of US politics, will be significantly different and fewer, if President Joe Biden's proposal sent on Wednesday is accepted by the body that organises them and, more importantly, by former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee. Washington, May 15 (IANS) The 2024 version of the presidential debate, a key element of US politics, will be significantly different and fewer, if President Joe Bidenas proposal sent on Wednesday is accepted by the body that organises them and, more importantly, by former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee. In a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates, which has organised these debates for decades now, the Biden campaign has proposed two debates, instead of the three scheduled by the body as before, and to be held in June and September, instead of in September and October, without live audiences, and with a provision to automatically switch off the microphone when the candidateas time elapsed. The letter, signed by Biden campaign chair Jennifer OaMalley Dillon, which was first reported by The New York Times, also stated that the President will only participate in the debates if they are hosted by a news organisation. Also, the Biden campaign wants the debates to take place between him and Trump, no third person, who is not named but is clearly Robert Kennedy Jr. "Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020," Biden said in a video released by his campaign. "Since then he hasnat shown up for a debate. Now heas acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal, Iall even do it twice. So letas pick the dates, Donald a" I hear youare free on Wednesdays," he added, referring to the ongoing trial in New York, which takes a break on Wednesdays. In a post on X, Biden went on to say: "Iave received and accepted an invitation from @CNN for a debate on June 27th. Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place." Trump accepted the offer and said in an earlier post on Truth Social, his social media platform, that he accepted the offer. "I am Ready and Willing to debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times, June and September." He added that he would prefer a "large venue" for "excitement purposes". But his real intent may become clear when the two campaigns actually get down to negotiating the details. He did not participate in the Republican primary debates despite repeated calls from his rivals. The changes proposed by the Biden campaign seek to prevent a repeat of the 2020 debates. In the first, Trump had repeatedly interrupted Biden and spoke over him which forced an exasperated Biden to say: "Will you shut up, man? This is so unpresidential." Trump had also famously shown up ill and had shortly after announced he had contracted coronavirus. The Biden campaign was furious that the commission, which is an independent and non-partisan body, failed to ensure adherence to its rules. The Trump family members had taken off their masks before sitting. The debate was held at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which had gone on to take the heaviest toll in the United States. Chandigarh, May 15 : A day ahead of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal's visit to Punjab for campaigning, former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress candidate from Jalandhar (Reserved), Charanjit Singh Channi, said on Wednesday that the Delhi Chief Minister's visit should be opposed because of his involvement in the liquor policy scam. "Kejriwal, who is involved in the liquor scam and is out of jail on bail, can't be trusted. A big liquor scam took place in Delhi and the same happened in Punjab also. We demand an inquiry into it. Instead of welcoming Kejriwal, his visit should be opposed by all," Channi said. Kejriwal is expected to take part in a roadshow in Amritsar on Thursday evening in support of AAP candidate Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will also accompany him in the roadshow. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), an INDIA bloc ally of the Congress, is contesting all the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab which will go to the polls in the final phase on June 1. However, in neighbouring Haryana, state AAP chief Sushil Gupta is contesting from Kurukshetra in an alliance with the Congress. The main opposition Congress is contesting the remaining nine seats in Haryana. In Chandigarh, the twin capital of Punjab and Haryana, Congress' Manish Tewari is the INDIA bloc nominee who is backed by the AAP. Kejriwal's arrival is expected to strengthen the party's campaign besides boosting the morale of the party workers, the AAP said in a statement. Despite being in jail, Kejriwal is aware of the political situation in the state because Bhagwant Mann met him twice in prison and informed him about the political atmosphere in the other states, including Punjab, the statement said. "Ever since Kejriwal came out of jail, there is a new enthusiasm among the leaders and workers of AAP in Punjab. On hearing the news of Kejriwal's Punjab visit, all the party leaders have intensified their political activities," it added. Hyderabad, May 15 : The Telangana government will take over the buildings allotted to Andhra Pradesh in Hyderabad after June 2 when the city will cease to be the joint capital of the two states. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday directed the officials to take over the buildings like the Lake View Guest House which were allotted to Andhra Pradesh for 10 years. Telangana completes 10 years of its formation on June 2. Under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014, Hyderabad was declared joint capital for a period of 10 years. The Chief Minister has decided to place special focus on solving pending issues with Andhra Pradesh under the AP Reorganisation Act. He has convened a meeting of the state Cabinet on May 18, which will discuss the pending issues in the Reorganisation Act and the contentious issues pending with Andhra Pradesh. At a meeting with ministers and officials on Wednesday, the Chief Minister ordered the officials concerned to prepare a report on all the pending issues related to the division of assets and payment of the debts between the two states after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The division and distribution of assets of the organisations and corporations under Schedules 9 and 10 has not yet been completed as the two states did not reach a consensus on some issues. The issue of payment of power dues was also pending. The CM enquired with the officials about the status of the division of the assets and the efforts made by the state government to resolve these issues so far. He instructed the officials to resolve amicably the pending transfer and repatriation of the employees with the Andhra counterparts. He also asked the officials to resolve the issues after reconciliation between the two states and also take further action to protect the interests of Telangana on the pending issues. The CM instructed the officials to submit a comprehensive report on the matters pending under the Reorganisation Act and the details of those which have so far been resolved through consensus between the two states. As the Lok Sabha elections have concluded, the Chief Minister started focusing on public administration. He, along with his cabinet colleagues N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, held a meeting with the officials of various departments at the BR Ambedkar Secretariat. The CM inquired about the progress in the paddy procurement and directed the officials to take measures to ensure smooth procurement without any trouble to the farmers. Srinagar, May 15 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive here on Thursday evening, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said on Wednesday. BJP leader Altaf Thakur said that HM Shah would spend the night in Srinagar after arriving here. On Friday, the Home Minister will meet some civil society delegations and BJP workers before flying back to Delhi. HM Shah's visit to Kashmir Valley assumes significance as he has taken time out of his busy campaigning schedule even as the BJP has not fielded its candidate in any of the three Lok Sabha seats in the Valley -- Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri. Srinagar has already gone to polls on May 13. Amaravati, May 15 : Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress has accused the Election Commission of bias in the conduct of elections in the state and also in dealing with complaints about violence during and after polling. YSRCP General Secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy alleged that the police were not acting to stop ongoing violence and attacks by anti-social elements against YSRCP members. Raising doubts over the impartiality and responsiveness of the Election Commission, he appealed for restoration of peace and security in the state. He told media persons that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is targeting poor and vulnerable segments of society, and police acted with negligence in addressing complaints about the violence resorted to by it to disrupt polling and obstruct votes for the YSRCP. The YSRCP leader referred to reports of riots in various places including Macharla, Tirupati, Tadipatri, and Palnadu and that his party lodged complaints with the Election Commission and the Director General of Police. He also voiced concern over the transfer of 29 officers, predominantly police personnel, before polling, without adequate inquiry. He claimed that instances of violence coincided with complaints made by state BJP President D. Purandareshwari. Ramakrishna Reddy also made allegations of improper conduct by the Election Commissionas Police Observer, Deepak Mishra. He demanded an independent investigation into Mishra's actions and their alleged impact on violent incidents. Alleging that TDP President Chandrababu Naidu instigated unrest and spread false propaganda, he also voiced the apprehension that the opposition may resort to violence during the vote-counting process. Meanwhile, ministers Ambati Rambabu, Merugu Nagarjuna, and Jogi Ramesh, along with YSRCP MLAs Perninani and Namburu Shankara Rao met Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena and Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta, demanding a thorough investigation and appropriate action concerning violence by the TDP on the polling day and the day after in many parts of the state. In another development, the YSRCP wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner, raising concerns over the Special Police Observer's "biased" conduct during the elections. In the letter, YSRCP General Secretary Lella Appi Reddy voiced grave concerns regarding the actions of Mishra, a retired IPS officer, citing several incidents "indicating a clear bias" towards the TDP and a disregard for neutrality and fairness in the electoral process. It alleged that since the arrival of the Special Police Observer in the state, multiple complaints had been lodged by both the YSRCP and the TDP, but the district police chiefs have consistently favoured the TDP's complaints, while neglecting those submitted by the YSRCP, even responding sarcastically to YSRCP representatives. "Implicit instructions and actions have led TDP activists to believe they have assurances from the police, resulting in compromised law enforcement during polling and post-polling, leading to law and order issues. These actions suggest that Deepak Mishra may be favouring the TDP at the behest of Vishnu Vardhan Rao, a retired IPS officer associated with the TDP," the YSRCP leader said, urging the Election Commission to promptly appoint a new Special Police Observer known for honesty and integrity, to ensure a level playing field for all parties involved. New Delhi, May 15 : The Common University Entrance Test (UG) was held on Wednesday across the country except in Delhi, where the exam has been postponed to May 19. The exams are being held for admission in the first year in more than 260 universities across the country, including all Central universities. On Wednesday, exams were conducted for chemistry, biology, English and general studies at 2,157 centres across the country. As many as 6,43,752 aspirants appeared for the chemistry test at 1,640 centres, 3,63,067 candidates took the biology test, 8,62,209 candidates appeared for the English exam, while general studies saw 7,21,986 candidates across 1,892 centres. UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar said the first day of CUET-UG went off successfully across India. Since students write multiple tests, the above is equivalent to handling 25,91,014 students on a single day, he said, which constitutes 44.71 per cent of the total scheduled slots for students registered in the pen-and-paper mode. "It is a landmark achievement by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct CUET-UG in such large numbers on a single day. The NTA deserves kudos for its meticulous planning and for making sure that the test went off well today at such a large scale in the pen-and-paper mode," Kumar said. The tests in the four papers scheduled at 258 centres across Delhi on Wednesday were postponed to May 29 on Tuesday. The postponement was necessitated due to some logistical issues beyond the control of NTA. Accordingly, fresh admit cards will be issued to the students in Delhi. Bratislava, May 15 : Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has committed his central European country to a neutral stance on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, suffered "life-threatening" injuries after an assassination bid on Wednesday as he was interacting with the public after a government meeting and "is fighting for his life" in a hospital. As per footage of the incident that occurred in Handlova town, around 180 km northeast of Bratislava, Fico was shaking hands with supporters across a metal barrier, before a gunman fired at him around five times. As he collapsed and was hurried to his car, the attacker was wrestled down to the ground by his security guards and bystanders. Multiple shots were fired at Fico, 59, RT reported, citing Slovakia's TA3 News. Fico was shot "multiple times" and his condition is "life-threatening," the Prime Minister's office announced on Facebook. He was airlifted from Handlova to a hospital in the nearby city of Banska Bystrica as flying him to Bratislava would take too long, it added. Addressing reporters late on Wednesday, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak said that the PM was still in surgery and fighting for his life. His condition is "really serious" and the "situation is bad", he added, the BBC reported. Kalinak said that any detailed medical information will be available later on as "the situation is really complicated now" and the surgery has been going on for three and a half hours. Earlier, Labour Minister Erik Tomas told local channel TV Markiza that Fico was still being operated upon and the process would take a long time as several of the Prime Minister's organs were damaged, RT reported. A Slovak Interior Ministry spokesman termed it an assassination attempt. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said that the assassination attempt was politically motivated and the decision was "born right after the presidential election". He blamed "social media hate" for the attack. Slovak media identified the attacker as Juraj Cintula, 71, reportedly a poet and founder of the Slovak Association of Writers, and a supporter of the opposition Progressive Slovakia party, and he used his licensed gun for the crime. President Zuzana Caputova, who has clashed with the PM over his Ukraine policy, condemned the "brutal and reckless" attack on Fico, and wished him "a lot of strength at this critical moment". President-elect Peter Pellegrini, who will succeed Caputova next month and is an ally of Fico, termed the attempt on the PM's life "an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy". "If we express differing political views with guns in the squares, and not in the polling stations, we threaten everything that we have built together during the 31 years of Slovak sovereignty," he said in a statement. Other global leaders expressed shock at the news. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he is "deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico". His Czech counterpart Petr Fiala said the shooting was "shocking" and wished Fico a quick recovery. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he was "indignant" to hear of the "heinous" attempt on Fico's life. "I know Robert Fico to be a courageous and strong-spirited man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to withstand this difficult situation," Putin said in a statement, RT reported. US President Joe Biden condemned the "horrific act of violence" and offered Slovakia all assistance. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also strongly condemned the shocking attack, his spokesperson said. The head of the left-wing Smer-SD party, Fico returned to office in October last year after serving two stints as Prime Minister from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018. He halted the previous policy of military aid to Kiev and called for a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine. This had put him at odds with other European countries, save Hungary, which follows a similar course. Hyderabad, May 15 : Election authorities in Telangana on Wednesday clarified that a video clip being circulated on social media with the claim of rigging during the Lok Sabha elections is from 2022 and also does not pertain to the state. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has clarified that the polling process in the state was conducted in a free and fair manner. His clarification came after a video was circulated on social media claiming that it pertains to a polling booth in the Bahadurpura Assembly segment in Hyderabad during the Lok Sabha elections held on Monday. The video clips show people going into the voter compartment one after the other, while the presiding officer and another poll official facilitate this alleged rigging. A beep sound, like that of an EVM, is heard every time a person exits the compartment. The CEO said that this is an old video not linked to the Parliamentary election in Telangana or to any other election in Telangana. "Our attempts to go into the history of the video revealed that this video was shared on the YouTube channel TV9 Bangla, on 27th February 2022," said a statement from the CEO's office. "If one listens to the audio carefully, it is clear that the language being spoken in the video is not Telugu. The poll process in the state was conducted in a free and fair manner," it said. Hubballi, May 16 : Congress corporator Niranjan Hiremath -- the father of an MCA student Neha who was stabbed to death last month in Karnataka's Hubballi city -- criticised state home minister G. Parameshwara over the latest incident of murder in the city in which a 20-year-old woman Anjali Ambigera was killed at her residence by a jilted lover. Speaking to reporters after visiting Anjali's family members in Hubballi, he said: "I want to convey to the state government and the Home Department that Minister for Home G. Parameshwara is a failure. If you (Parameshwara) are not capable, you had better resign and go home. If you can't transfer the Hubballi-Dharwad Commissioner Renuka Sukumar, large-scale protests will be staged." "The state government should convene a meeting and appoint an efficient police officer in response to Anjalias murder, which occurred due to the police department's failure in Hubballi. Even as the police were informed of the accused's threats, they have shown utter negligence and are responsible for the incident," he said. Niranjan Hiremath said that Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar was not responding and "I strongly insisted that she should be transferred when my daughter was stabbed to death". "Now, another incident has occurred," he said. "The killer had threatened Anjali a week ago and stabbed her in front of family members, showing a total failure of police and no fear of the law," Niranjan said. Responding to a question by the media, he said: "To date, Home Minister Parameshwara has not bothered to call me once after my daughter's murder. He came to a nearby town to campaign but did not visit my house. However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met me and my family. "I have informed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that the Hubballi-Dharwad Commissioner Renuka Sukumar is not capable of running the system. How many days do they want to keep her in power and destroy our city?" In a shocking incident, Vishwa -- also known as Girish -- barged into Anjali's house and stabbed her to death. The incident happened in the early hours of Wednesday in Hubballi city. The accused had previously threatened Anjali, warning her that she would meet the same fate as Neha Hiremath, who was brutally stabbed to death on a college campus recently in Hubballi. Vishwa escaped from the scene and is currently at large. Bhopal, May 16 : Madhya Pradesh unit Congress chief Jitu Patwari on Wednesday criticised Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, saying that the state government has failed to control the incidents of crime. Patwari said almost six months have passed since Mohan Yadav assumed the office of CM but he did not chair even a single meeting with top police officers regarding the law and order situation. The Congress leader said he had written as many as five letters to CM Mohan Yadav pointing towards the rise in incidents of crime in different parts of the state. "CM Mohan Yadav, who is also the state's home minister, has failed to control crime. Forget about the entire state, over a dozen serious crimes were reported in his home district of Ujjain in the last three-four months," Patwari said during a press conference at party headquarters here on Wednesday. Responding to Patwari's statements, Madhya Pradesh BJP unit media cell head Ashish Agrawal said: "CM Mohan Yadav-led BJP government is working restlessly to fulfill the promises made to the people. People of Madhya Pradesh have witnessed the corruption during the Congress-led government." Panaji, May 16 : A Nigerian woman has been arrested in Goa for allegedly possessing drugs valued at Rs 15 lakh, the police said on Wednesday. The woman has been identified as Faith Chiemerie, 24. She came to Goa from Bengaluru by bus, the police said. The police have seized 150 grams of amphetamine and 100 grams of ganja from her possession. Police said that the accused had come to India on a 'Student Visa' intending to study at Lucknow University. However, she never visited the Uttar Pradesh capital city. "We arrested her at Mapusa in North Goa and found drugs in her possession valued at Rs 15 lakh. We are investigating to whom she was supplying the drugs in Goa and the source of procuring them," a police officer said. "Initial questioning revealed that she had come to Goa along with the contraband for further sale and distribution," the official added. Itanagar, May 16 : As inter-state prostitution racket continues to haunt Arunachal Pradesh, six more accused, including a state police official and three pimps, have been arrested and one more minor girl rescued from the clutches of the traffickers, police said on Wednesday. Police said that with this, so far five minors have been rescued and 21 accused arrested in the inter-state prostitution racket involving human traffickers from the state and neighbouring Assam. A police official said that after interrogating the earlier 15 detainees, six more persons, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Bulang Marik, posted with the first battalion of Arunachal Armed Police, a police constable, three pimps, and one more were arrested on Tuesday. The fifth minor girl (15 years old) was rescued from a lodge at Zoo Road in Chimpu. As part of the ongoing probe, the police identified a couple -- Dulal Basumatary, 52, and Dipali Basumatary, 44 -- who run the City Hotel at Zoo Road in Itanagar, along with its manager Deepak Parajuli, 24, who had pushed minor girls into the flesh trade. The Basumatarys are residents of Udalguri and Parajuli hails from Assam's Narayanpur. Police, on May 1, busted the inter-state prostitution and human trafficking racket, rescued four minors, and arrested 15 persons, including six government servants, in connection with the case. According to police, the minor girls, aged 10 to 15 years, were trafficked into Arunachal Pradesh from Dhemaji in neighbouring Assam by two sisters, who allegedly ran a brothel in Itanagar. The rescued girls told the police that they were brought to Itanagar from Dhemaji by the sisters, identified as Pushpanjali and Purnima Mili. Subsequently, two more minor girls trafficked from Dhemaji were rescued from the clutches of Pushpanjali Mili. The girls were forced into prostitution by the sisters along with two other women. The police also identified two hotels and a beauty parlour involved in the crime. Arunachal Pradesh Women Commission Chairperson Kenjum Pakam urged the state government to take stern action against those involved in the child trafficking and sexual exploitation racket. The Commission, in a statement, said that it was deeply shocked and anguished by the heinous crime of sex trafficking of minor girls from the neighbouring state. It is also shameful to know that women and learned persons are involved in the case, it said. It urged the police to keep vigil on hotels, parlours, or any other suspicious places in and around the Itanagar Capital Region so that no immoral activities take place. The Apatani Women Association Ziro (AWAZ) in the Lower Subansiri district has strongly condemned the racket, while the Arunachal Pradesh Womenas Welfare Society (APWWS) has demanded the cancellation of the licence of hotels and beauty parlours involved in the case. In a petition to Itanagar Capital Region Deputy Commissioner Shweta Nagarkoti Mehta, it said that the gravity of the situation necessitates immediate and decisive action to address the root causes and prevent further exploitation of vulnerable girls from poor families. APWWS President Kani Nada Maling said: "The fast action would serve as a deterrent and indicate the zero-tolerance policy of the state government towards such reprehensible practices." The NGO said that as part of the stringent measures, all the guests must produce valid ID cards, and a daily guest list must be submitted to the local administration and the police for thorough scrutiny and verification. Hyderabad, May 16 : The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) called for protests across Telangana on Thursday against the "anti-farmer" approach of the Congress government in the state. Alleging that the Congress has once again betrayed farmers, BRS President K. Chandrasekhar Rao appealed to the party cadres to organise protests in all constituencies. The former Chief Minister recalled the promise of the Congress government that after the Parliamentary elections, it will pay a Rs 500 bonus per quintal for paddy but now Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is saying that the bonus will be paid only for fine quality paddy, terming it a "betrayal of farmers". KCR, as Chandrasekhar Rao is called popularly, said 90 per cent of farmers who donat grow fine quality paddy will be deprived of bonuses and after the polling, the Congress has again cheated the farmers. He said if the government had made this announcement before the elections, the farmers would have taught it a lesson. He said the Congress government has failed to provide investment support to farmers under the Rythu Bandhu scheme which was implemented by the previous BRS government. The Congress government has also failed to implement the Rythu Bharosa scheme, under which it promised enhanced investment support. Earlier, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao demanded that the Congress set aside politics and focus on administration as the Lok Sabha elections have ended. He demanded that the state government expedite paddy procurement as farmers had commenced harvesting around 25-30 days ago and were waiting for procurement. The government should also initiate measures to procure paddy without removing wastage of 3-3.5 kg per quintal and to ensure justice to farmers for their produce, he said, adding that his BRS would stand with the farmers until the state government procures the entire produce including rain-soaked paddy. Bengaluru, May 16 : Karnataka BJP General Secretary V. Sunil Kumar has said that his party will not be making any attempts to destabilise the Congress government in the state and will only come into the picture only when the government falls on its own. Kumar made the remarks on Wednesday reacting to developments surrounding Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's statement that the Congress government in Karnataka will collapse after the Lok Sabha election results. "Many legislators are speaking against CM Siddaramaiah. Congress MLAs are openly claiming that Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar should become the CM. Let us see how the government will collapse. We will wait and see whether it will collapse due to CM Siddaramaiah or Deputy CM Shivakumar," he said. "Should we sit idly if the Congress government collapses on its own? We can't remain passive in that situation as an opposition party," Kumar said. The BJP MLA claimed that the Congress government has achieved no development even as it completes one year in power. "The entire cabinet is inefficient. The CM is governing without having a hold on cabinet ministers. The Home Minister is ineffective in ensuring law and order in the state. Brand Bengaluru has lost its significance," he added. Kumar further said that the BJP will initiate large-scale protests against the Congress government. "The inefficient governance has led to a situation where government employees are not receiving salaries every month. Governance in Karnataka is being dominated by members of a family and event management company," he said. Patna, May 16 : Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh has said that he will not withdraw his candidature from Bihar's Karakat Lok Sabha seat at any cost. The actor-politician made the remarks on Wednesday after senior BJP leader and Bihar minister Prem Kumar said that Singh should withdraw his nomination otherwise the party will take action against him. Interacting with media persons in Karakat, Singh said: "I will not withdraw my nomination... there is no point in returning from here. I am an artist, not a criminal against whom the BJP will take action against me. This is India and everyone here has the right to live a free life... No matter what anyone says, Pawan Singh will contest elections from Karakat at any cost." Singh is contesting as an independent candidate from the Karakat parliamentary constituency. His mother Pratima Singh has also filed the nomination paper from the same seat as an independent candidate. About his mother's nomination from the same seat, the actor-politician said it is just part of a strategy. "I will contest the Lok Sabha election... and will win because the people of Karakat have made up their mind," he said. The presence of Pawan Singh has made the Karakat contest triangular. The NDA has fielded Upendra Kushwaha from the Karakat seat while Mahagathbandhan has nominated CPI-ML's Rajaram Singh Kushwaha. The BJP had given the ticket to Pawan Singh to contest from Asansol in West Bengal but he refused. Later, the Bhojpuri star filed his nomination from Karakat on May 9. The polling in Karakat will be held in the seventh phase on June 1. Javascript Fehler: Javascript ist in Ihrem Browser deaktiviert. Um alle Funktionen z.B. das Login nutzen zu konnen, muss Javascript aktiv sein. Bitte aktivieren Sie Javascript in Ihrem Browser. "With the growing demand for our special cask strength releases, we are excited to release our flagship Southern Bourbon at cask strength for maximum flavor," said Maxwell Darby, president of 13th Colony Distilleries, one of the fastest growing distilleries in Georgia. Post this "With the growing demand for our special cask strength releases, we are excited to release our flagship Southern Bourbon at cask strength for maximum flavor," said Maxwell Darby, president of 13th Colony Distilleries, one of the fastest growing distilleries in Georgia. 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The Bachelor alum Victoria Fuller has broken her silence on her breakup with alum Greg Grippo Amid breakup speculation, multiple sources told Page Six in late April that Victoria and Greg had called it quits on their relationship "months ago," and then Greg confirmed their split on Jason Tartick 's "Trading Secrets" podcast.Greg noted how his breakup with Victoria was "really sad" and is still "hard," and now Victoria has finally addressed the end of their relationship."Not really sure where to start here but I haven't felt up to talking [about] my break up to put it bluntly," Victoria, 30, wrote via Instagram Stories on Thursday, May 9, according to Us Weekly."Break ups are never easy and especially so publicly. I absolutely LOVE sharing my life with you guys but some moments are meant to be private."Victoria also encouraged people to "be kind" because everyone goes through struggles and hardships."Everyone handles breakups differently, I'm choosing to process mine in peace," Victoria explained, adding that she's thankful for those who have "reached out and been supportive" since she and Greg parted ways."I wish him nothing but the best and can't wait to see where life takes us."On Jason's podcast, Greg also shared how he's "really not" thinking about dating again any time soon."I'm not. I really am in repair mode," Greg revealed, adding how he's emotionally unavailable right now.When asked if he'd like to meet -- or even just have a coffee with -- any of the women in Bachelor Nation, Greg replied, "No. I'm just getting out of this [with Victoria]. This was heavy for the both of us."Fans had assumed for months that Greg and Victoria had ended their romance.Not only did Victoria and Greg recently unfollow each other on Instagram, but they also haven't posted photos of one another on social media since December 2023.And leading up to Greg's breakup announcement, Victoria and Greg had been ignoring questions from fans on Instagram about the current status of their relationship.Greg, however, said on "Trading Secrets" that he doesn't have "anything bad to say" about Victoria."She's amazing," he said of his ex-girlfriend, "and I know that she's going to continue to do amazing things... She has a really good heart."Greg now has a part-time place in Chicago until September, and he said he's about to sign a lease in Williamsburg, VA, come June. Victoria, meanwhile, still resides in Nashville, TN."I'm really excited about it," Greg said of what's to come for him. "I'm really happy about it. This is the lightest I've felt in I don't know how long."Last summer, Victoria and Greg had been house hunting in Nashville together, but Greg apparently never made the move.Victoria and Greg also dealt with split rumors last summer.When rumors had swirled that Victoria was single again -- mainly because she and Greg hadn't posted about each other on social media for a month -- she shut down breakup speculation by sharing some photos of herself cuddling with Greg in her home.In June 2023, Victoria explained in a Q&A session via Instagram Stories why she and Greg hadn't gotten engaged yet . After all, Greg had said only a few months earlier that he could picture himself marrying Victoria and having kids with her within five years."LMFAOOOOOOO. [Questioning about our engagement] is nuts!! You guys, if you don't remember, one year ago I was engaged Johnny. When it happens, it will not be rushed or for anyone but us. But y'all will be the first to know, trust," Victoria said.Greg and Victoria first met at Governors Ball Music Festival in Summer 2021 and remained friends for nearly a year.The couple told Nick Viall in December 2022 on "The Viall Files" podcast that they had mutual interest in each other but never acted on those feelings, especially since Victoria wanted to appear on Bachelor in Paradise that year and Greg was in a relationship with a woman overseas at that point.Victoria therefore looked for love on Paradise, and she fell hard and fast for Johnny, who initially competed for Gabby Windey 's heart on 's nineteenth season.Victoria and Johnny got engaged on Bachelor in Paradise's eighth season in 2022, but the couple split shortly after filming the finale.Victoria alleged Johnny had called her terrible names -- including a "f-cking c-nt" and "homewrecker," which Johnny denied and called "low blows" -- and Johnny claimed Victoria was jealous and "heartbroken" over his stint, which was airing on television while they were secretly engaged.Johnny also said Victoria demanded a lifestyle he wasn't ready for yet and their differences were glaring.According to Victoria, she and Johnny ended their engagement three weeks after Johnny's marriage proposal because their dynamic was "toxic." But Johnny claimed his relationship with Victoria didn't officially end until mid-September 2022 considering they were allegedly still speaking and had been going to therapy before Victoria enjoyed a surprising European getaway with Greg in late October of that year.Fans first spotted Victoria and Greg, and suspected a romance, when they were spotted in Italy together.Because of how quickly Victoria moved on from Johnny, the brunette beauty was accused of cheating on her then-fiance with Greg.Victoria and Greg also flirted on social media as reports swirled about Victoria and Johnny's split.Victoria said that Greg had officially asked her to be his girlfriend on Halloween in 2022, and then Victoria went public with her new relationship on November 4 of that year, when the Bachelor in Paradise reunion special taped.Bachelor in Paradise's reunion aired in late November 2022, and fans were shocked to see Victoria and Greg so affectionate and carefree about their relationship. Victoria claimed she didn't care what anyone thought of her because she was so happy with Greg."I'm completely in love with her, like, head over heels in love with her," Greg said on Nick's podcast.Nick therefore playfully asked Greg if he was ready to propose marriage to Victoria."Stay tuned!" Victoria teased."I mean, we both want that in life," Greg interjected, "she's my person."Victoria had agreed that Greg was her "person," and then Greg added, "I haven't felt -- I don't want to say 'content,' that's not the right word because it sounds boring. But I think there's a certain beauty with being content with someone."Greg said he could just sit in a room with Victoria for days on end and they wouldn't get sick of each other."We're growing day by day, and I see it going that route," Greg gushed. "I want that and I know that that's important to her, and I want to be able to take that step with her."Victoria was clearly getting choked up during the interview and she said, "I'm going to cry."Prior to appearing on Paradise, Victoria competed for Peter Weber on The Bachelor's 24th season and finished in third place after Fantasy Suites.Greg initially competed on Katie Thurston 's season of . He quit the show following his hometown date because Katie was reluctant to express her love for him and it made Greg question if their romance was real.Greg's decision infuriated Katie and resulted in her bashing him in the media Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group If Pitroda's blunder cost him his office, what should the BJP's unrepentant attitude cost it? asks Shyam G Menon. IMAGE: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi holds a roadshow for the Lok Sabha elections in Patna, May 12, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Early May 2024, the full weight of consequences visited Sam Pitroda. Twice in the news in the weeks preceding his resignation from heading the Congress's overseas unit, the first occasion was when the 82-year-old technocrat spoke of wealth redistribution and mentioned in that context, the prevalence of a hefty inheritance tax in the US. The second occasion was, when in a conversation with a newspaper, he portrayed India's diversity and inclusiveness in a questionable fashion. Pitroda should have been careful, speaking on subjects that aren't exactly his area of expertise. Successful people with swollen fortunes may have genuine worries about inheritance tax. In the deeply polarised economic context of India, wealth redistribution is a touchy subject; one that is so not for its underlying appropriateness but for the fact that the one per cent credited with a lion's share of the country's wealth wields disproportionate influence in policy making. The last one decade of rule by the Bharatiya Janata Party has served as poster boy for this one per cent and predictably enough, the cash-rich BJP, reputed for its proximity to big business, milked Pitroda's gaffe for political mileage. A scrutiny of Pitroda's comments on wealth redistribution as originally reported would show that he merely cited the US inheritance tax as an example of wealth redistribution; nowhere was it reported that he said the same was intended for India by the Congress. But Narendra Modi, during his election campaigns, was quick to highlight the tax as a Congress plan. Better still, a Congress conspiracy. Days later, mainstream media was publishing interviews with scholars and influential types about the negative impact inheritance tax could have on India's wealthy and thereby its industry. Questions were being raised -- what if Ambani, Adani, Tata and Mahindra left the country? Only those who watched things more closely noticed the falsehood (the original sin of citing a conspiracy where there was none) and further, picked out the irony in the falsehood. The very same wealthy from India look to America's capitalism as the dominant road map for India. But on America's inheritance tax, they hit a road block. Isn't that an irony? Politics -- especially politics spawned in an election year -- has no appetite for scrutiny. It runs with what gains traction and so, as regards Pitroda's reference to an inheritance tax, it was Modi's demagoguery versus the Congress manifesto. As if that first taste of misinterpretation wasn't enough, Pitroda continued his misadventures. Apparently illustrating India's diversity, the technocrat spoke of the people of North India looking like whites, those of the East resembling the Chinese, the West looking like Arabs and people from the South looking like Africans. In principle, I fail to see how Pitroda is guilty of a greater crime than say Americans talking of Irish Americans, Italian Americans, African Americans or Indian Americans in the US. Besides, he wouldn't be the first to leverage appearance for an over-simplified and distinctly shallow take on India's diversity. For years, the Hindi film industry unapologetically painted South Indians in stereotyped shades. Similarly, people from the North East have often complained of being called Chinese in other parts of India, particularly North India. Sitting in Kerala (let me restrict these specific observations of mine, to the state I was born in) where there has been a mixing of people from various parts of India, Asia and the Indian Ocean rim countries, one disagrees with Pitroda to the same degree one disagrees with Bollywood. IMAGE: Sam Pitroda, second from right, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and others at an event organised by the Indian Overseas Congress in New York, June 5, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Whether we like it or not, people's faces and their general appearance and behavior make a first impression. To remember however, is that an individual is much, much more than his /her face or appearance. A great example for this is to ask oneself how many of the one per cent owning a giant share of India's wealth, come across as genuinely interesting when they talk. We all know -- money isn't a measure of everything. Often, money is unidimensional, boring. Pitroda's biggest blunder was in choosing words rooted in appearance when we live in times of the individual. An ever more complex individual. More importantly, hearing such casual choice of words from a person educated and experienced enough to be a leading technocrat was utterly disappointing. Finally, his timing was pathetic; this is an election year in India. Not to mention -- gone are the days when a perch in the US promised insulation from backlash. To his credit, unlike in Bollywood or the continuing industry of cultural and geographical ignorance/insensitivity in India, Pitroda resigned from his position as chief of the Congress's overseas unit. Unfortunately, such nuances don't count. What matters is that we pick up on this sudden display of 'racism' by a Congress technocrat and run with it to get votes in 2024, ignoring totally the many earlier incidents still begging apology or at the very least, correction. Senior politicians who stayed silent when caste-based injustices were perpetrated and women were treated unjustly (remember the case of women wrestlers?), woke up to the 'racism' in Pitroda's comment. They were correct to do so but evidently, they were not being equitable in response. Is it alright to be angry at Pitroda's 'racist' remarks and be blind to caste and gender insensitivity back home? Perhaps it is -= who cares for equity when there are votes at stake? For the BJP, Pitroda's gaffes was manna from heaven. Modi and his cohorts jumped on it to capitalise. Which is why, for a sane mind, Pitroda's gaffes and its fallout are more about the poverty of imagination within the BJP than cracks in the Congress. The best indication of it has been the steadily lowering palatability of comments from the BJP's lead campaigner, Narendra Modi. From the boast of securing 400 plus seats in the ongoing polls, the narrative slid to communalism and polarisation using religion. Now, there is the pouncing on Pitroda's abjectly poor choice of words and spinning it into a controversy. IMAGE: Gathering at a Modi election meeting in Hooghly, May 12, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Introspection is always a distant second once the title of Vishwaguru is embraced. Much the same way a finger pointed at someone overlooks three fingers pointed back at oneself, the allegations of racism levelled against Pitroda by the BJP, conveniently forget how India's richest and biggest party grew by exploiting stereotyped, over-simplified profiling of people within this country. The othering of Muslims and heaping all faults in this country at their doorstep, owes a lot to the BJP's weakness for distortion and over-simplified labelling. And unlike Pitroda's case, wherein over-simplification was adjunct to illustrate the country's unity in diversity, the BJP and its over-simplification have blamed others/minorities for political mileage. From such repeated othering to its willingness to shape Pitroda's comments into vote-yielding spins, the BJP is, in the Indian context, more guilty than Pitroda. If Pitroda's blunder cost him his office, what should the BJP's unrepentant attitude cost it? Not just that, in the Pitroda affair, the BJP has actually shot itself in the foot. As a close friend asked me: "If a simple mention of white, Chinese, Arab and African are automatically construed by the BJP as racist, what does it speak of the BJP's own idea of racism? "For example, if you equate the word African with racism, it betrays an innate dislike for whatever is contained in that reference -- doesn't it? "What does all this speak of the party's depth of understanding of the subject?" Shyam G Menon is a freelance journalist based in Mumbai. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'If we want real democracy, the economy itself will need to be democratised.' IMAGE: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra D Modi holds a roadshow for the Lok Sabha elections in Varanasi, May 13, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Are economic disparity, poverty and unemployment the real issues confronting India this election? "The growth of wealth disparities is not new, but it was almost certainly reinforced in the last ten years by economic policies favourable to big business, such as corporate subsidies, loan waivers, land concessions, protective tariffs, stimulus packages and relaxation of environmental norms." "Gautam Adani's meteoric rise under Modi is just the tip of that iceberg. All this is being done in the name of employment and poverty removal, but that's just a fig leaf," Professor Jean Dreze, the eminent Belgian born Indian economist and social scientist, tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier. You have closely watched India for more than four decades. What is the biggest problem India faces now: Unemployment, poverty, inequality between the rich and the poor, or corruption? These problems are all interconnected. If you force me to choose one, I might say poverty, because it ruins the lives of so many people. An impression is often created that India is now a prosperous country, but nothing is further from the truth. It may be one of the largest economise in the world, but that's mainly because the population is so large. In per-capita terms, it is still a very poor country. On top of that, income disparities are humongous. So, life at the bottom is really miserable. But if we want to do something about poverty, we have to ask why it is so resilient, and that leads us to other problems you have mentioned, such as unemployment, inequality and corruption. We can add others, including caste discrimination and the dismal state of the schooling system. I would even add the collapse of democracy, because that deprives people of any say in public policies. The collapse of democracy in India is also a huge concern in its own right. So, we are not short of problems that compete for the top spot. The BJP is using the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya as the trump card in this election. Do you think even when people have no job and there is no food on the table, the feeling of being a 'proud Hindu' will make them forget all their problems and vote for the BJP to bring it back to power? I am not convinced that the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya is the BJP's trump card. In fact, we don't hear much about it these days. The BJP knows better than to count on a mandir to win elections. Poor people tend to very practical in their voting decisions. They want to know what they are likely to get from different parties. Sometimes, they may also think in terms of larger issues, such as democracy or India's standing in the world. But the main issue is whether this or that party is likely to do something for them. The answer begins with the caste or community of the candidates, because people know that a leader from their own community is more likely to do something for them. The anti-incumbency factor is also driven by frustration with the ruling party's record in this regard. One qualification, however, is that the means of propaganda are more powerful than ever today. This makes it possible to distract people from their real problems and create artificial issues. Even then, however, I doubt very much that something as nebulous as Hindu pride can sway many voters. IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at an election meeting in Raebareli, May 13, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Modi's reaction to the Congress manifesto was, it had the imprint of the Indian Muslim League. Do you think people are divided on religious and caste lines like never before? This reaction was as pathetic as it was ominous. If you have a sound argument, you don't need to make this kind of silly allegation. I wish we could laugh about it, alas this silly comment is just one of a series of communal statements from the prime minister that have given the elections a very ugly turn. The prime minister, who is also the BJP's star campaigner, sets the tone for other BJP campaigners, and he knows it. His repeated communal statements, therefore, are extremely worrying. They indicate a deliberate attempt to incite people against Muslims as an election tactic. Nothing could be more revolting. So, it is not so much that people are divided, but that they are being divided. IMAGE: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with Kalpana Soren at an election rally in Chatra, Jharkhand, May 14, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo How do you compare the manifestos of the BJP which relies totally on Modi ki Guarantee, and the Congress which talks about some real issues haunting the country now? I think that both manifestos talk about real issues, but their approach is different. The Congress manifesto includes many specific promises of social benefits. For instance, it promises cash transfers of Rs 1 lakh per year for every poor family, an urban employment guarantee programme, free healthcare at all public health centres, and other things of this sort. You may or may not believe the promises, but they are there, and some at least have credibility. The BJP manifesto is much more restrained in this regard. It is high on rhetoric, but low on specifics. For instance, it promises quality education for all, which sounds great, but it doesn't say how this lofty goal is to be realised. We must read this contrast in light of the fact that the BJP has explicit reservations about social benefits or what it calls revdis (freebies). The BJP is not promising freebies, it is promising that India will be a developed country by 2047 with everyone on board. This promise might cut some ice if the NDA government had a good development record, but that is not the case. Compared with the preceding ten years, GDP growth slowed down under the NDA, the growth of household expenditure slowed down even more, and the growth of real wages came to a virtual standstill. The latest poverty estimates suggest that the headcount ratio, that is, the proportion of the population below the poverty line, was declining by two percentage points per year between 2004-2005 and 2011-2012, but less than half a percentage point per year after that. The monumental blunder the NDA made in 2016 with wholesale demonetisation is not a very good precedent either. In short, there is no reason to bet on the NDA for faster development. IMAGE: Voters gather for a Modi roadshow in Ayodhya. Photograph: ANI Photo 22.6% of the country's income has gone to the top 1% which is the highest proportion in the last 100 years. And the top 1% owns 40.1% of wealth. While India has the world's third highest number of billionaires, India ranks 111 out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index. Do you think India's wealth is being transferred to the big corporates in the last 10 years? Your figures seem to be based on the recent work by Anmol Somanchi and his colleagues, including Thomas Piketty. That is indeed the most authoritative source as things stand. It shows that income and wealth disparities have shot up in the post-liberalisation period, as one might expect. During the last ten years, wealth disparities have shot up further, reaching their highest level since independence. The growth of wealth disparities is not new, but it was almost certainly reinforced in the last ten years by economic policies favourable to big business, such as corporate subsidies, loan waivers, land concessions, protective tariffs, stimulus packages and relaxation of environmental norms. Gautam Adani's meteoric rise under Modi is just the tip of that iceberg. All this is being done in the name of employment and poverty removal, but that's just a fig leaf. The truth is that corporate interests have a big influence on public policy. IMAGE: Professor Jean Dreze IMAGE: Professor Jean Dreze With the Electoral Bond scam out in the open, do you think, not just the country's wealth, democracy is also controlled by the big corporates? How dangerous is this for the country's future? I would not say that democracy is entirely controlled by big business, but big business certainly has an enormous influence. Further, most of that influence is of an illegitimate or objectionable kind, even when it is not illegal. For instance, business is grossly overrepresented in all sorts of advisory boards and consultation processes. On top of that, there are plenty of illegal influences by means of bribes, kickbacks, quid pro quo, and so on. None of this, of course, is restricted to India. Around the world, big business is a threat to democracy. In fact, it is more than a threat. Concentration of power is the anti-thesis of democracy. I don't see how democracy can flourish when a privileged minority has so much power. So, if we want to real democracy, the economy itself will need to be democratised. This may sound like a pipedream, but there have been many inspiring efforts to democratise the workplace around the world. In India itself, initiatives like the AMUL cooperative, Lijjat Papad, India Coffee House and the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society have shown that many enterprises can be run in the interest of workers and the public instead of enriching a boss. The challenge is to create an enabling environment that promotes the growth of democratic enterprises. Taxing billionaires is not a bad idea, but dispensing with them would be even better. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'Why is the Congress not tendering an unconditional apology to the citizens of India?' IMAGE: Devendra Fadnavis, the Bharatiya Janata Party's senior Maharashtra leader, third from right, with the BJP candidates from Mumbai, Mihir Kotecha (North East), second from right, Piyush Goyal (Mumbai North), left, and Ujjwal Nikam (North Central), second from left, at a rally on Maharashtra Foundation Day. At right is Ashish Shelar, president of the BJP's Mumbai unit. Photograph: ANI Photo Ujjwal Nikam, who was the special public prosecutor at Pakistan terrorist Ajmal Kasab's trial, is the Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate from the Mumbai North Central constituency. "Ujjwal Nikam is known for his truthful ways, outspokenness, and audacity when he fights for seeking justice for those who have been victims of heinous crimes," Nikam tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com in the first of a two-part interview. How do you find the transformation from being a special public prosecutor, some would say a controversial one, to someone, who is now contesting the Lok Sabha election as a BJP candidate from the Mumbai North Central seat? During the initial period when baseless, nasty and false allegations were levelled at me I felt very disappointed. I couldn't believe how one could make such nonsensical allegations against me by someone who is a supposedly responsible leader of the Opposition and a senior Congressman. How could Vijay Waddetiwar call me a traitor, anti-national and so many wild things without having any evidence about it? During my 45-year legal career I fought cases only against criminals, anti-social elements and terrorists and the whole state and country was appreciating me. The moment my candidature was declared, the leader of the Opposition (Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar) not only made these wild and unsubstantiated allegations against me, but also insulted the 166 departed souls who were brutally massacred by Pakistani terrorists in the November 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai. Ajmal Kasab in his judicial confession admitted that when he and Abu Ismail came outside the Cama Hospital they saw one police jeep was coming from the opposite direction in a deserted lane next to it. Kasab and Ismail then opened fire on the jeep and there was exchange of fire. After some time the firing stopped from the police jeep. So they (Kasab and Ismail) went near the police jeep and found that two police officers sitting on the front seat were dead and on the rear seat (then Anti-Terror Squad chief Hemant Karkare and another police constable) were dead. The two police officers on the front seats were Senior PI (police inspector) Mr (Vijay) Salaskar, who was driving that jeep, and IPS officer Ashok Kamte. This is not only the judicial confession of Ajmal Kasab, but this story was reiterated by other eyewitnesses and also Constable Arun Jadhav, who was also present inside that jeep and whom the two Pakistani terrorists thought was also dead. This story was completely accepted by Pakistan. What political mileage do you think your opponents are getting by raking up such controversies? And how do you look at the Congress saying that it was Vijay Waddetiwar's personal belief and that it did not support it? This is again a big drama of the Congress party. If they are really unhappy with this statement, then they should have tendered an apology to the country as well as an apology to all the people who died and were injured in the 26/11 terror attack. By disowning Wadettiwar's statement, the Congress cannot shirk off their duty of apologising to the nation. Insulting 166 departed souls will backfire on the Congress on May 20 (the day Mumbai votes). Wadettiwar and the Congress not only insulted Ujjwal Nikam, but also insulted every citizen of India by making such foolish allegations. On the very next day he (Wadettiwar) took a U-turn when he clarified that he said what he had said based on a book by (retired IPS officer) S M Mushrif (Who Killed Karkare?: The Real face of Terrorism in India), who was not present on the where spot Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar were killed. He (S M Mushrif) was not in the investigation team and was also not present in Mumbai when these 10 Pakistani terrorists attacked Mumbai. So, his book is based only on conjectures, surmises and guesses. I am not taking any cognisance of what Mr Mushrif said in his book because no Indian is going to believe his statement. But still the leader of the Opposition makes such a reckless statement which shows that his homework is poor. He wanted some cheap popularity by making such frivolous allegation. But this will backfire on the Congress party and its allies in the May 20 election. The Congress and Wadettiwar only gained bad name and bad publicity. Wherever I'm moving in m constituency the people are condemning his statement and the Congress. Why is the Congress not tendering an unconditional apology to the citizens of India? The first set of citizenship certificates under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was issued Wednesday in New Delhi to 14 people, nearly two months after rules under the contentious law were notified to grant Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from three neighbouring countries. IMAGES: Applicants pose for a picture with their citizenship certificates handed over by Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), in New Delhi on May 15, 2024. Photographs: ANI Photo Sources said 14 people were handed over the certificates symbolically at a special function held in New Delhi while digitally signed certificates are also being sent to a "few hundred" other applicants through email. Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed it a "historic day", saying the decades-long wait of those who faced religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan is over. Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla handed over the certificates to the 14 people after their applications were processed online through a designated portal, an official spokesperson said. This comes in the midst of the general elections which started on April 19. The last phase of polling will be held on June 1 while the counting will take place on June 4. The CAA was enacted in December 2019 for granting Indian nationality to persecuted Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. After the enactment, the CAA got the president's assent but the rules under which the Indian citizenship was granted were issued on March 11 after over a delay of four years. "It is a great feeling to be an Indian. It has given a new life to me," 24-year-old Bharat Kumar, who had come from Sindh in Pakistan 11 years ago, told PTI minutes after he received the citizenship certificate. Shah said the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian brothers and sisters who fled religious persecution in the three countries have started getting Indian citizenship and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled the promise made at the time of the country's independence. "I express my gratitude to Modiji for giving justice and rights to these people who suffered for decades. I also assure all my refugee brothers and sisters that the Modi government will give citizenship to all of them through the CAA," he said on X in Hindi. "Modi's guarantee...the guarantee of fulfilling promises." While granting the citizenship certificates, the home secretary congratulated the 14 applicants and highlighted the salient features of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. Secretary Posts, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Registrar General of India and senior officers were also present during the interactive session when the certificates were issued. The CAA rules envisage the manner of application form, procedure for processing applications by the District Level Committee (DLC), scrutiny and grant of citizenship by State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC). "In pursuance of these rules, applications have been received from persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have entered into India up to December 31, 2014 on account of persecution on grounds of religion or fear of such persecution," the spokesperson said. The DLCs chaired by Senior Superintendents of Post or Superintendents of Post as designated officers, on successful verification of documents, have administered the oath of allegiance to the applicants. After processing as per rules, the DLCs have forwarded the applications to SLEC headed by Director (Census Operation). Processing of application is completely done through the online portal. The empowered committee, Delhi, headed by Director (Census Operation), Delhi, after due scrutiny, has decided to grant citizenship to 14 applicants. Accordingly, Director (Census operation) granted certificates to these applicants, the spokesperson said. The passing of the CAA in 2019 sparked protests in different parts of the country with agitators terming it "discriminatory". Over a hundred people lost their lives during the anti-CAA protests or police action in various parts of the country. Shah has been maintaining that no one can stop the implementation of the CAA as it is the law of the land. He accused opposition of misleading the people on the issue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday alleged the Congress during its previous rule wanted to allocate 15 percent of the government budget for Muslims and vowed not to allow splitting of budget or reservation in jobs and education on the basis of religion. Photograph: / Rediff.com IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the gathering during a roadshow for the Lok Sabha elections, at Ghatkopar in Mumbai, May 15, 2024. Addressing an election rally at Pimpalgaon Baswant in north Maharashtra's Nashik district in support of Mahayuti candidates -- Union minister Bharati Pawar and Hemant Godse (Shiv Sena) -- the PM said splitting budget on religious lines was dangerous. The BJP's star campaigner maintained Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution, was firmly against religion-based reservation in jobs and education. Modi claimed the Congress, when in power at the Centre, had drawn up plans to allocate 15 percent of the total budget to minorities. "When I was the chief minister (of Gujarat), the Congress had brought up this proposal to earmark 15 percent of budget for Muslims. The BJP opposed this move strongly and hence it could not be implemented. But the Congress wants to bring this proposal again," he told the gathering. The PM asserted Ambedkar was against religion-based quota, but the Congress wants to take away reservation rights of SCs/STs/OBCs and give them to Muslims. "Modi is the chowkidar (watchman) of rights of deprived sections of society and will never let the Congress take away their rights," the BJP stalwart declared. Modi said the ongoing Lok Sabha polls are about electing a prime minister who takes strong decisions for the country. In the last 10 years, the PM said, his government has provided free ration, water, electricity, houses and gas connections irrespective of religion. "Welfare schemes are made for every one," he maintained. Without naming NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, Modi said, "An INDI alliance leader from Maharashtra knows the Congress is losing badly (in elections). So, he has suggested that small parties merge with the Congress so that it at least stands as an opposition party." "When the duplicate Shiv Sena (referring to Sena UBT) merges with the Congress, I will remember Balasaheb Thackeray because the late leader dreamt of a grand Ram mandir in Ayodhya and abolishing Article 370," he added. Taking cognisance of post-poll violence in Andhra Pradesh, the Election Commission of India has summoned the state's chief secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) on Thursday to 'personally explain' the administration's failure to contain the incidents, sources said. IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard as voters wait in queues to cast their votes for the Andhra Pradesh Assembly polls and Lok Sabha elections 2024, at a polling booth, at Sullurupeta in Tirupati on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Reminding the state government that the Model Code of Conduct is still in force, the EC also asked the chief secretary and the police chief to ensure such incidents are not repeated. The Commission has repeatedly emphasised that there is no place for violence in a democracy and since the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has been personally monitoring the election space to ensure peaceful and violence-free conduct of polls, officials pointed out. When they appear at the EC headquarters here on Thursday, the top Andhra Pradesh officials will be asked to 'personally explain' the reasons for the administration's failure to contain the post-poll violence, the sources said. They will also be asked about preemptive steps being taken to avoid any such incidents in the future, the sources said. Post-poll violence was reported in parts of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday where Lok Sabha and assembly polls were held together on Monday. The leaders of the ruling Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party and opposition Telugu Desam Party have levelled allegations against each other for the incidents. India has asked Iran to release nearly 40 Indian seafarers who were detained from four different merchant ships seized by the Persian Gulf country over the past eight months on different charges, sources said on Wednesday. IMAGE: Ann Tessa Joseph (left), the sole woman cadet among the 17 Indian crew members of the MSC Aries was released on April 18, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal made the request during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran on Monday. Sonowal was in Tehran where India signed a 10-year contract to operate the strategic Iranian port of Chabahar that will help expand the trade with Central Asia. Following a request of Iranian side, a meeting was held between Sonowal and Abdollahian where bilateral issues were discussed, sources privy to the development said. During the meeting, Sonowal requested Abdollahian to release all Indian seafarers who are in Iranian custody. Abdollahian said Tehran is positive on the release of the Indian seafarers but it is getting delayed as legal procedures have to be followed, the sources said. The sources said the Indian seafarers were working in four ships -- Steven, Global Cherylyn, Margol and MSC Aries -- which were seized by Iran over the past eight months on different charges. According to the sources, Steven was seized by the lranian Coast Guard on September 12, 2023, for "smuggling" and the crew were also detained. There were nine Indian crew members on board and it has come down to six now after three of them, along side two other nationals, were taken away by Iranian authorities on April 24 and their whereabouts are still unknown. Iran is yet to give consular access to the Indian seafarers of the ship and the Indian Embassy in Tehran is in regular touch with Iranian authorities, the sources said. Another ship, Global Cherylyn, was seized on December 11, 2023 at Bandar Abbas with 20 Indian crew members and one Bangladeshi. Consular access to the crew was given on March 12, 2024. The vessel was seized on charges of "fuel smuggling". The issue was raised with the Iranian Embassy and authorities in Tehran. According to the latest update, the release orders of the seafarers have been signed by a local court but final release depends on the approval of a court in Tehran. Another vessel, Margol, was seized on January 22, 2024. It has currently one Indian, the vessel's captain Sujeet Singh. So far, consular access has not been given. The vessel was seized on charges of "fuel smuggling". The ship's 12 Indian crew were already released and they reached Delhi on February 14, 2024. A penalty of Rs 20 crore was imposed on the captain by the Iranian authorities. Shipping company RPSL is in touch with the Iranian authorities and they have assured the release of the captain by this month. Merchant ship MSC Aries was seized on April 13, 2024 by Iran for its alleged links with Israel. There were 17 Indian crew. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart on April 14 for the release of Indian crew members. Following the conversation, Indian female deck cadet Ann Tessa Joseph was released and she landed in Kochi on April 18, 2024. On May 9, five more Indian sailors of MSC Aries were released by Iran. India has requested the Iranian side for the early release of the remaining Indian crew members of the ship. The Indian embassy is in touch with Iranian authorities and has requested for second consular access, the sources said. He is not just under attack from his opponent Shiv Chandra Ram of the RJD, but also by his uncle Paras. IMAGE: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra D Modi with Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas candidate Chirag Paswan during an election meeting in Hajipur, May 13, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Bihar's Hajipur seat was once synonymous with Ram Vilas Paswan, who entered Parliament for eight times from the constituency and made an entry into the Guinness World Records by getting 89 per cent votes in 1977. Fast forward to 2024, his son Chirag Paswan is contesting from this seat. After Ram Vilas's death in 2020, a fight to claim his legacy broke out between Chirag and uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras. While Paras represents this seat, Chirag -- a two-time MP from Jamui and head of the Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-RV) -- struck a deal with the Bharatiya Janata Party. As part of the alliance, Chirag is now contesting from Hajipur while his uncle, also an ally of the BJP, has been left high and dry. In protest, Paras quit the Union cabinet and is not even taking part in election campaigning. It's a two-front war for Chirag. As he is not just under attack from his opponent Shiv Chandra Ram of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, but also by his uncle Paras. Election to this seat will be held in the fifth phase on May 20. Addressing a public meeting in Hajipur on Monday, May 13, Narendra Modi reminisced about his association with the late Paswan, his former Cabinet colleague, and urged the electorate to ensure that Chirag's victory margin beat that of his father's record-breaking wins. Ram Vilas first won from Hajipur in 1977, securing 89.3 per cent of the votes polled, and again on seven more occasions. In 1989, he cornered 84 per cent of the votes polled. By the 2004 Lok Sabha, Ram Vilas had exited the Janata Dal to contest on the symbol of his Lok Janshakti Party. He lost the seat in 1984 to the Congress's Ram Ratan Ram in the wake of the Congress wave. And also in 2009, when he lost to the Janata Dal-United's Ram Sundar Das. In that election, Paswan's LJP and the RJD had an alliance against the JD-U-BJP alliance. In the subsequent elections in 2014, Ram Vilas won the seat in alliance with the BJP, later crediting son Chirag for convincing him to ally with that party. He vacated the seat in 2019 for his younger brother Paras while Chirag contested and won from the Jamui seat in 2014 and 2019. Incidentally, the Raghopur assembly seat, represented by the RJD's Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi successively since 1995, barring 2010, and now by their son Tejashwi Yadav in 2015 and 2020, falls within the Hajipur Lok Sabha seat in Vaishali district. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Chabahar port would benefit the entire region and a narrow view should not be taken of it, after the United States warned that any country having business dealings with Iran runs the 'potential risk of sanctions'. IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addresses a media conference. Photograph: ANI Photo Speaking at a programme in Kolkata on Tuesday night, he said that in the past, even the US has been appreciative of the fact that the Chabahar port has a larger relevance. India on Monday signed a 10-year contract to operate the strategic Iranian port of Chabahar that will help New Delhi expand trade with Central Asia. "We had a long association with the Chabahar port but we could never sign a long-term agreement. The reason was there were various problems... Finally, we were able to sort this out and we were able to get the long-term agreement done. A long-term agreement is necessary because without it we cannot improve the port operations. And, the port operations, we believe, will benefit the entire region," Jaishankar said. "I did see some remarks which were made, but I think it's a question of communicating and convincing and getting people to understand that this is actually for everybody's benefit. I don't think people should take a narrow view of it. And, they have not done so in the past. "If you look at even the US's own attitude to Chabahar in the past, the US has been appreciative of the fact that Chabahar has a larger relevance. We will work at it," he said. Located in Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich Iran's southern coast, the Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman -- which New Delhi had proposed to develop way back in 2003 -- will provide Indian goods a gateway to reach landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia using a road and rail project called International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), bypassing Pakistan. US sanctions on Iran over its suspected nuclear programme had slowed the development of the port. "We're aware of these reports that Iran and India have signed a deal concerning the Chabahar port. I will let the government of India speak to its own foreign policy goals vis-a-vis the Chabahar port as well as its bilateral relationship with Iran," US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters at his daily news conference on Monday. "I will just say, as it relates to the United States, US sanctions on Iran remain in place and we'll continue to enforce them," he said in response to a question on the Chabahar port deal. "You've heard us say this in several instances, that any entity, anyone considering business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risk that they are opening themselves up to and the potential risk of sanctions," Patel said. India and Iran have projected the port as a key hub for the 7,200-km-long INSTC -- a multi-mode transport project for moving freight among India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe. The long-term agreement was signed by Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) and the Port and Maritime Organisation of Iran, an official statement said. Bharat Kumar's protracted struggle to call India home after escaping religious persecution in Pakistan ended following an 11-year wait as he was among the 14 people who were granted Indian nationality under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on Wednesday. IMAGE: Applicants pose for a picture with their citizenship certificates handed over by Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla under the CAA, in New Delhi, May 15, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo "It is a great feeling to be an Indian. It has given a new life to me," the 24-year-old told PTI minutes after he received the citizenship certificate from Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla at a special function held in New Delhi. Kumar said his family came to India to escape religious persecution in the Sindh province of Pakistan. "When we came here, I was just 13 years old. We had to leave Pakistan as it was difficult to live there under constant fear," he said about the life across the border. In Delhi, Kumar's family lives in the Majnu Ka Tila area and they are engaged in small-time business. He said a total of five people got Indian citizenship in his locality on Wednesday. Over a hundred had applied for it, he said. "We were told that the rest of the applicants will also get the citizenship in due course," he said, adding that getting Indian citizenship is a "dream come true" for him. He said they were grateful to the government for ending the uncertainty and their woes. Seetal Das, who also lives in Majnu Ka Tila and sells mobile phone covers for a living, said his family of 19 too came from Sindh in Pakistan in 2013 and three of them got citizenship on Wednesday. "I am very happy. The government has fulfilled our desire. Now I can live a dignified life in India." Asked about the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, Kumar said he would miss exercising his franchise this time as the deadline to include his name in the voters' list is already over. "I will definitely vote in next election as an Indian," he told PTI. Yoshoda, who too came from Sindh in Pakistan and received the Indian citizenship on Wednesday, said she can now live a dignified life as an Indian. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said that with her Indian nationality, the future of her family and children would be secured now. "My long wait for getting Indian citizenship is over now. I am really happy." The first set of citizenship certificates under the CAA was issued Wednesday in New Delhi to 14 people, nearly two months after rules under the contentious law were notified to grant Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from three neighbouring countries. The Union home secretary handed over the certificates to the 14 people after their applications were processed online through a designated portal. The CAA was enacted in December 2019 for granting Indian nationality to persecuted Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. After the enactment, the CAA got the president's assent but the rules under which the Indian citizenship was granted were issued on March 11 this year after over a delay of four years. Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed it a "historic day", saying the decades-long wait of those who faced religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan is over. Dayal Das, a 47-year-old resident of Majnu Ka Tila, said, "Our kids' future is secure now as we have received the Indian citizenship certificate after struggling a lot to flee Pakistan. We came to India from Hyderabad in Sindh, Pakistan, in 2013. We felt unsafe there and came to our country. Today, our struggle has paid off and we can call ourselves Indians. I am really thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for implementing CAA and giving us citizenship." Das' two children -- Bharat and Yashoda (25) -- have also been granted citizenship along with him. "My children will have access to education and other facilities. After our other family members also get citizenship, we will visit the Ram temple in Ayodhya to offer prayers. It is due to the blessings of the almighty that we have got citizenship of our country," he said. Das said that now he will apply for a voter card. "It will be the first document that I will get. Then we will get other identity cards made. I will get to vote and I plan to exercise my franchise in the Delhi Assembly elections next year," he said. Das runs a cold drink shop in Majnu Ka Tila. Six persons were charred to death when a private travels bus hit a dumper truck near Chilakaluripeta in Palnadu district, resulting in a fire, a police official said on Wednesday. IMAGE: According to police, the passengers belonged to Chinnaganjam area and were returning to Hyderabad after casting their votes in the elections in the state. Photograph: Screen grab The mishap occurred around 1 am on Wednesday when the bus veered towards the truck to its extreme right and hit it at Pasumarru, police said. "Four men including the drivers of the bus and the truck, a woman and a minor girl died," the official told PTI. Among the dead were an eight-year-old girl, her grandmother and grandfather and another passenger while 20 injured passengers were admitted to a hospital. "We got the information through some people about the incident. We alerted ambulances and fire tenders. When we reached the spot, the bus was engulfed in flames," a police official told TV channels. According to police, the passengers belonged to Chinnaganjam area and were returning to Hyderabad after casting their votes in the elections in the state. Meanwhile, police registered a case under IPC Sections 304 A and 337 A, the official added. Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer and state BJP chief D Purandeswari expressed their condolences over the loss of lives in the accident. "Nazeer has expressed profound grief and anguish over the road accident that took place near Pasumarru village in Palnadu district, in which six people were killed," a press release from the Raj Bhavan said. The Governor offered his condolences to the bereaved family members of the deceased and instructed officials to provide better treatment for the injured persons. Prime Minister Narendra Modi possesses assets amounting to a little over Rs 3 crore, most of it in bank fixed deposits, according to his election affidavit. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi accompanied by renowned astrology and Vedic scholar Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid (right) files his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections, at the DM office, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, May 14, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo As required, Modi submitted the affidavit while filing his nomination papers Tuesday as an election candidate from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency, a seat he has held twice earlier. According to the affidavit displayed on the Election Commission website, his movable assets are worth Rs 3,02,06,889. Most of this amount is in the form of fixed deposits with the State Bank of India that total over 2.85 crore. Other assets include four gold rings weighing 45 grams valued at Rs 2.67 lakh, cash in hand totalling Rs 52,920, National Savings Certificates worth Rs 9.12 lakh and income tax deduction of Rs 3.33 lakh for the past financial year. Under immovable assets, the affidavit says "Nil". Typically, land and houses fall under this category. Jashodaben is mentioned as Modi's spouse. On assets held by her, the document says "Not known". The two live apart. No criminal case is pending against Modi, nor has he been convicted of any crime, according to the document. There are no liabilities due to the government. The prime minister is described as a resident of Ahmedabad, and his profession as public life and political activity. He did his SSC in 1967, got a BA degree from Delhi University in 1978 and an MA from Gujarat University in 1983. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Modi had declared assets worth Rs 2.5 crore including a residential plot in Gujarat's Gandhinagar, fixed deposits of Rs 1.27 crore and Rs 38,750 cash in hand. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he disclosed total assets of Rs 1.65 crore. The PM has a website and is on Facebook, microblogging site X, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp, according to the affidavit. In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned visits to Mumbai, the police have banned the use of drones, paragliders, balloons, kites and remote-controlled microlight aircraft in the city, an official said on Wednesday. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a roadshow for the Lok Sabha polls, in Koderma on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Modi is scheduled to hold a campaign roadshow in Ghatkopar in eastern Mumbai on Wednesday and address a public meeting in the city on Friday. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) has issued prohibitory orders banning the flying objects under section 144 of CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) from 00.01 hrs till 24.00 hrs of May 15 (Wednesday) and May 17 (Friday), the official said. According to the orders, it is apprehended that during PM Modi's visits to Mumbai, 'terrorist/anti-social elements might launch attack using drones, paragliders, remote-controlled microlight aircraft and there is a likelihood breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity'. There is a grave danger to human life, health, safety and injury to public property on that account, as per the orders. A large number of VIPs and officials are expected to attend PM's programmes on Wednesday and Friday. "As it is necessary to put some checks and immediate action on terrorists and anti-social elements," the orders were issued banning the flying of drones, paragliders, all types of balloons, kites, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, the official said. According to the orders, the curbs will be in force under the jurisdiction of Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg, Parksite, Ghatkopar, Pant Nagar, Tilak Nagar, Chembur, Chunabhatti, BKC, Kherwadi, Vakola, Vile Parle, Sahar, Airport, Bandra, Worli, Mahim, Dadar and Shivaji Park police stations in Mumbai. Those not following the orders will be punished under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 188 (disobeying a lawful order given by a public servant), he said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday referred to protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and said "PoK is part of India and we will take it". IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses a rally in West Bengal's Serampor. Photograph: @AmitShahOffice/X Addressing a rally in Serampore, Shah said while peace has returned to once trouble-torn Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir "now echoes with slogans of Azaadi and protests. "After the abrogation of article 370 by the government in 2019 peace has returned to Kashmir. But now we witness protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Earlier slogans of Azaadi were heard here, now the same slogans are heard in PoK. Earlier stones were pelted here, now stones are pelted in PoK," he said. Hitting out at Congress leaders for not supporting the demand of taking over PoK, Shah said, "Congress leaders like Mani Shankar Aiyar say it should not be done as they have an atom bomb. But let me say this Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is part of India and we will take it." Shah said the present Lok Sabha elections are about "choosing between corrupt leaders of INDI alliance and honest politician Narendra Modi, who despite being Chief Minister and then Prime Minister never had an allegation of single paisa against him." "Bengal has to decide whether it wants infiltrators or CAA for refugees. Bengal has to decide whether it wants to vote for jihad or vote for Vikas," he said. Shah slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for opposing the CAA and "taking out rallies in support of infiltrators" to appease her vote bank. China on Wednesday asked Pakistan to do its "utmost" to protect thousands of Chinese workers involved in the CPEC projects as the two countries held strategic dialogue here amid serious economic crisis in Pakistan and Beijing's concerns over increasing attacks on its citizens in the country. IMAGE: Vehicles pass through Abbottabad Tunnel No 1, which is part of China Pakistan Economic Corridor along Hazara Motorway in Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan on October 15, 2023. Photograph: / Rediff.com Pakistan's deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who is in China on a four-day visit, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the fifth round of the foreign minister-level China-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. Wang told Dar that China hopes that Pakistan will continue to do its utmost to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in the country and eliminate the worries of Chinese enterprises and personnel, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The recurring attacks on the Chinese personnel working in the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects by militant groups in Pakistan have become a major concern for China. In March, five Chinese and one Pakistani nationals were killed in a terrorist attack on their vehicle of the Dasu Hydropower Project undertaken by a Chinese company in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. Dar said Pakistan is fully committed to bring the planners, financiers and perpetrators of this heinous attack to justice. He added that Pakistan will do its utmost to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in the country. Pakistan says it has constituted a 12,000-strong para military force to protect the Chinese workers. Wang has assured support to cash-strapped Pakistan, saying China will not waver in its determination to deepen cooperation with the all-weather ally. The two sides pledged to enhance pragmatic cooperation in various fields, the Xinhua report said, without providing details. Wang noted that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Over the years, Pakistan has firmly adhered to the one-China principle and offered China valuable support without reservation on issues concerning China's core interests, he said. China also firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs, he said. China is willing to pool efforts to promote the construction of an upgraded version of the CPEC, he said. India has protested to China over the construction of the CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Dar said Pakistan-China friendship is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy and added that Islamabad abides by the one-China principle, firmly supports China without hesitation on all issues concerning China's core interests, and looks forward to further deepening bilateral practical cooperation in various fields. Addressing a joint news conference with Wang in Beijing at the conclusion of talks, Dar said the two sides agreed to accelerate the implementation of ML-1 railway line project, the Gwadar Port Development and the realignment of Phase-2 of the Karakoram Highway. He said it was also agreed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, mining, minerals, energy, IT, and industrial sectors. Talking about Afghanistan, he said both Pakistan and China are unanimous that a peaceful, stable, united, safe and secure Afghanistan is fundamental for the development, connectivity and prosperity of the region. "We are concerned about the continued presence of terrorist entities operating in Afghanistan and call upon the Afghan-interim government to take credible and verifiable actions against such elements, using Afghan soil to threaten peace and stability of the neighbouring countries," he said. Earlier reports said in the Strategic Dialogue the two sides will comprehensively review bilateral relations including economic and trade cooperation; high-level exchanges and visits; upgradation of the CPEC future connectivity initiatives and the geopolitical situation. Dar also held talks with Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, and discussed accelerating the CPEC projects. They discussed plans for the realignment of Karakorum Highway connecting both the countries besides accelerating the progress of CPEC projects hit by tardy progress, upgradation of the Karachi-Peshawar railway project and improvement of the Gwadar Port managed by Chinese a firm. The United Nations condoled and expressed apologies to India over the killing of a former Indian Army officer, who died in war-torn Rafah in Gaza when the vehicle he was travelling in was attacked by shots fired from what it believes was an Israeli tank. IMAGE: Armed men walk at what Israeli military said was a UN logistics base in eastern Rafah, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on May 14, 2024. Photograph: Israel Defence Forces/Handout via Reuters Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale, 46, who retired prematurely from the Indian Army in 2022, joined the world body as a Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) two months ago. He was killed, and another DSS staffer from Jordan was injured when their UN-marked vehicle was struck when they were travelling to the European Hospital in war-torn Rafah in Gaza on Monday morning. Kale, who had commanded the 11 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in Kashmir, is the 'first international casualty' for the world body since the Israel-Hamas conflict started last year. "We also express our apologies and our condolences to the Government and people of India," Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said at the daily press briefing on Tuesday in response to a question by PTI. "We appreciate the contribution that India has made," he said. Haq said the UN has established a fact-finding panel to look into the deadly attack. "It's very early in the investigation, and details of the incident are still being verified with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF)," Haq said. The fact-finding mission is being set up by the Department of Safety and Security. Haq said that a weapon appears to have impacted the back of the white UN vehicle that was carrying the two UN staff members, killing Kale and injuring the other DSS female staff member who is receiving medical attention and 'we believe that she will make it through'. "The deceased staff member has been identified. He is Waibhav Anil Kale of India, and we send our condolences to his family," he said. Haq confirmed that this was the 'first international casualty' for the UN in Gaza and added that currently, the world body has 71 international staff in Gaza. When asked if the UN is in contact with Israeli officials regarding the attack, Haq replied in the affirmative and said, "I think the point is we are in discussion with Israel to determine exactly how this incident happened and the nature of what happened." "I don't think at this stage we are in doubt about where the shots came from as much as what the circumstances were," he added. Haq said the UN believes the shots came from a tank in the area. When asked that only the IDF have tanks in the region, Haq said, "I think that's a safe assumption to make, yes." He said the convoy was going to the European hospital as 'there's regular work that's going on in terms of bringing people to different sites and this was part of that'. When asked if Israel apologised to the UN and if the world body sees this as a deliberate attack, Haq said the case is 'still under review'. "We'll see what the review results in," he said, adding that 'as the review proceeds, we'll need to see what the precise nature of the circumstances were'. The Permanent Mission of India to the UN had said in a post on X that it is 'deeply saddened' by the loss of Col Waibhav Kale. 'Our deepest condolences are with the family during this difficult time,' it said. UN chief Guterres expressed sadness to learn of Kale's death and injury to the other DSS staffer and condemned all attacks on UN personnel, calling for a full investigation. Guterres sent his condolences to the family of the fallen staff member. 'With the conflict in Gaza continuing to take a heavy toll -- not only on civilians but also on humanitarian workers -- the Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages,' Guterres said. He said that more than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza. 'Humanitarian workers must be protected. I condemn all attacks on UN personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire & the release of all hostages,' he said. Slamming the Uttarakhand government for its "lackadaisical" approach to controlling forest fires, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the state's chief secretary to personally present himself before it on May 17 to give explanation, including on utilisation of funds and vacancies in forest department. IMAGE: An IAF helicopter fills Bambi Bucket to douse the raging forest fire in the forests of Advani by taking water from the Alaknanda River in Srinagar, Uttarakhand, May 8, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Terming it a "very sorry state of affairs", the apex court said the state was just trying to find some excuse or the other. A bench headed by Justice BR Gavai directed that the staff and vehicles of the forest departments of states shall not be requisitioned for election purposes or any other purposes like the 'Char Dham Yatra'. "We are at pains to say that the approach of state of Uttarakhand in controlling the fires is, to say the least, lackadaisical. Though action plans have been prepared and finalised, no steps are being taken for implementation of the same," said the bench, also comprising Justices SVN Bhatti and Sandeep Mehta. The top court was hearing a plea on raging forest fires in Uttarakhand. The bench said when funds from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) were available and also sanctioned by the central authority, it saw no reason as to why only Rs 3.41 crore out of the Rs 9.12 crore was utilised for forest related activity in Uttarakhand in 2023-24. The bench observed it also saw no reason as to why the balance amount was not utilised for forestry. "Another issue that needs to be addressed is with regard to huge vacancies in the forest department of the State of Uttarakhand," it said. The bench noted that one of the grievances raised by the state was regarding failure of timely disbursement of the national disaster management fund or state disaster management fund. "We fail to understand as to how the state could have grievance with regard to the disbursal of state disaster management fund in as much as it is within the domain of the state to disburse the said funds," it said. "It is further pertinent to note that at one hand, the state contends that the resources, that is, manpower and vehicles are not available, and on the other hand, keeps large number of vacancies...," the bench observed. It said taking into consideration the importance of controlling forest fires in Uttarakhand, the apex court had requested additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to take instructions with regard to disbursement of funds for financial year 2023-2024. The bench said that so far as CAMPA funds are concerned, it has been submitted that these funds are lying with the state and it was for the state to release them for works undertaken by the forest department. It noted that as far as the exemption of field officials of the forest department from election duty, Char Dham yatra and other related activities was concerned, the Election Commission by various orders has already exempted its staff and vehicles from elections and allied purposes. "Be that as it may, we direct that in all the states, the forest staffs as well as the forest vehicles shall not be requisitioned for election purposes or any other purposes like 'Char Dham Yatra'," the bench said. It also directed the Centre to explain its position with regard to the timely disbursement of the national disaster management fund and funds under centrally sponsored schemes. "We direct the chief secretary of state of Uttarakhand to personally remain present in this court on May 17," it said. The bench said the chief secretary should explain why CAMPA fund of only Rs 3.4 crore was released for financial year 2023-24 when the Centre had sanctioned Rs 9.12 crore. "It shall also be explained as to whether the said fund is being utilised for some other purposes which are not related to forest activities," it said. The bench said he shall also explain what steps were being taken for releasing state disaster management fund and how many vacancies were yet to be filled. It said the chief secretary will explain within how much time the vacancies in the forest department would be filled and also the measures that the state proposes to take for preventing fires on account of highly flammable pine needles. The bench said he would explain whether forest personnel were deployed for election duty in spite of the specific exemption granted by the poll panel. It also noted that senior advocate Rajiv Dutta, who has filed an application on forest fires in Uttarakhand, has submitted that the Army was using pine needles in Ranikhet for power generation. Advocate Neha Singh is assisting Dutta in the matter. "We find that the state needs to take some concrete decisions in that regard," the bench said. During the hearing, the state's counsel apprised the court about forest fires and action taken to control them. "On the last date (of hearing), the rosy picture you depicted was not correct," the bench observed. The state's counsel said the apex court can constitute a committee comprising representatives of the Central Empowered Committee, the Centre, state and others which can suggest a holistic approach to deal with the issue. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that many people feel the Supreme Court's decision granting interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case is akin to him getting special treatment. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks during an interview in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo In an interview with ANI, Shah said that the judgement in the case was not a routine judicial order. "The Supreme Court has the right to interpret the law, I believe this is not a routine judgement. A lot of people in this country believe that special treatment has been given," Shah said. Responding to a query about Kejriwal campaigning for the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the home minister took a dig at the Delhi Chief Minister. "Right now he (Arvind Kejriwal) is stuck in another issue (alleged assault on Swati Maliwal by CM's aide), let him get free from that then let's see what happens," Shah said. Dismissing Kejriwal's claims that the central government installed cameras in Tihar jail to keep a watch on him, Shah said that the Tihar jail administration is with the Delhi government. "Tihar is with them (Delhi government), not with us. They are lying continuously. Jail administration is with the Delhi government, it's with Kejriwal. Not with the Home Ministry," Shah said. The Supreme Court on May 10 granted interim bail to the Aam Aadmi Party supremo in the alleged money laundering case linked to Delhi's excise policy. The Delhi CM spent over 50 days in Tihar Jail after he was arrested on March 21 this year by the Enforcement Directorate. As per court order, the bail is applicable till June 1 and Kejriwal has to surrender to the jail authorities on June 2. The Delhi CM can participate in poll campaigning but cannot attend office as Chief Minister. Responding to Arvind Kejriwal's recent announcement of ten guarantees to the people, Amit Shah said the AAP leader's comments need not be taken seriously as the party is contesting only 22 Lok Sabha seats. "Don't take him so seriously, he (AAP) is only fighting 22 seats. And he is giving the guarantee for the entire country...I will waive off the electricity bill of people etc... You are only contesting on 22 seats, where will your government come from?" the Home Minister asked. Speaking on Kejriwal's allegation that the BJP would go in for a change of leadership within a few months of the 2024 election results Amit Shah said PM Modi would remain the leader till 2029 and beyond. "I want to make it clear again, Modiji will remain till 2029. And Kejriwal ji, there is no good news for you. Even after 2029, Modiji is our leader. We will contest elections under his leadership," Amit Shah said. Four phases of Lok Sabha polls have been held and the voting will conclude on June 1 with results on June 4. Voting for Delhi's seven seats is scheduled to be held on May 25. Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress are fighting the elections in alliance in the national capital with the AAP contesting four and the Congress three seats. Aam Aadmi Party national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said he will have to go back to jail, if people vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party, as he urged the electorate to choose INDIA bloc candidates. IMAGE: Delhi CM and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal holds a roadshow to support the Congress and AAP joint candidate for Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency, Jai Prakash Aggarwal ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, in New Delhi, May 15, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo INDIA bloc parties AAP and Congress are contesting the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi in an alliance. While holding a roadshow in Model Town in support of Congress' Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha poll candidate JP Agarwal, Kejriwal gave the slogan Jo kare Kejriwal ko pyaar woh kare Modi ko inkaar (those who love Kejriwal reject Modi)". "I have come straight from jail to be amongst you. These people (BJP) put me behind bars and I missed you a lot. I love you a lot. I know that even you love me a lot. I am a small person. Ours is a small party with governments in Delhi and Punjab," Kejriwal said. "I was wondering why I was put in jail. What is my fault? These people are quite powerful," he said. The chief minister said his "fault" was providing good education to children, building good schools for them, opening Mohalla Clinics and arranging for free medicines for people. "Now, they are saying I will have to go to jail again. It is in your hands whether I go to jail. If you choose lotus (the BJP's symbol), I will have to return to jail. If you choose INDIA bloc candidate, I won't have to go to jail," the AAP national convener said. "When you go to vote, you have to think whether Kejriwal should go to jail. Jo kare Kejriwal ko pyaar woh kare Modi ko inkaar," he said. He sought support for Agarwal and said this time, the AAP and the Congress are contesting in an alliance. Kejriwal alleged that efforts were made to break him while he was in jail "but because of the blessings of Lord Hanuman, I stayed strong". The chief minister, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi liquor policy case, was released from Tihar Jail on interim bail granted by the Supreme Court. West Bengal Chief Minister on Wednesday labeled the Election Commission (EC) as a "puppet" operating under the directives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses an election campaign in Hooghly. Photograph: ANI Photo Addressing an election rally at Chinsurah, Hooghly district, Banerjee criticised the EC for scheduling the polls over a period of two months, alleging that this decision favoured the saffron party while disregarding the hardships faced by the common people due to excessive heat. "The Election Commission is a puppet and operates according to Modi's directions. Poll is being held for two-and-half months, have you (poll officials) ever realised the struggle of the common people," Banerjee said. Accompanying the party's Hooghly nominee actress Rachana Banerjee, the CM accused Modi of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by allegedly announcing plans to expand the Ayushman Bharat Yojana to cover senior citizens over 70 years of age during the ongoing elections. "Why are you saying this now when the elections are on? You should have announced this earlier... Modi babu, you are violating the MCC," she said. Banerjee expressed skepticism about the BJP's ambitious target of achieving 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. "BJP is claiming of winning 400 seats, but people are saying it will not happen this time. We (TMC) will support the INDIA bloc from outside to form a government at the Centre," she said. Banerjee declared her party's unwavering stance against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), and Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Bengal. MANCHESTER The Wilburton Inn, that bastion of Northshire hospitality, innovative professional theatre and sanctuary for all matters canine including Jetson, its very own Canine Concierge appears to be at it again, merging all three into a fun-filled weekend, and spreading the wealth evenly for its guests, and the surrounding community. The historic Manchester destination will host two concert presentations of the Off-Broadway musical romantic comedy, A Dog Story, with music and lyrics by Gayla D. Morgan and book by Eric H. Weinberger, and directed by Frank Galgano, with musical direction by Matt Castle. Family innkeeper Melissa Levis, a longtime New York City performing artist herself, said one performance will be tied to a special weekend package, for this Friday through Sunday, named Spring Doggie Slumber Paw-ty, which will be for hotel guests only. The second show will be open to the general public. A Dog Story is such a heartwarming show, and the weekend package will include admission to the Saturday show at 4 p.m., where hotel guests can also bring their pet pooches, Levis said. Following the show, we will also offer guests a wine reception, and an exclusive Q and A with author Gayla Morgan, as well as members of the productions cast and crew. Other events which are included in the weekend package include a Saturday morning doggie stroll, a birthday party for the Wilburtons own Jetson, a campfire/pajama party, and a doggie fashion show. We have a woman whos already arrived from West Virginia, Levis said. She drives 10 hours each way to celebrate our Canine Christmas Doggies Slumber Party weekends, and this is the first time shes come to Vermont in the summer. But shes here for a full 10 days to celebrate with us, and she is going to be our party planner, making the amazing costumes and prizes for all the dogs. Then, on Sunday, the public as well as their pet canines will be able to take in the shows performance at 1 p.m. General admission seating tickets are $30 per person and are available at MourningDovesRising.Square.Site and SeaglassTheatrical.com, as well as before the performance at the venue. Each pups price of admission is a happy tail wag, Levis said. A Dog Story will be produced by Francine Gordon of Mourning Doves Rising LLC, a New York City performing arts firm, who will also make tickets for the Sunday public showing available on its website. Lyricist and composer Morgan said that A Dog Story connects viscerally with audiences, and since its 2014 world premiere, she and co-creator Weinberger have been able to help it evolve and mature, while still staying true to the story. The premiere was already funny and charming, but on its way to off-Broadway, the dramaturgical input we received as writers, during readings and New York rehearsals and the preview process, translated into more three-dimensional characters than existed in the premiere script and score, Morgan said. Each role developed an arc, Morgan continued, as songs were tossed, songs were added, jokes were improved, dialogue was sharpened. By its opening off-Broadway in late 2016, the show was tighter, funnier, and even better able to make audiences care about the four people in it, and of course, the puppy, Morgan said. Ah yes, Cupid, the puppy! The story itself involves Roland, an ambitious attorney, who believes he must be married to get the partnership he badly desires. So he follows the advice of his best buddy, Guy, and gets a puppy named Cupid as a chick magnet for his Hamptons vacation. The plan worked! Roland is ecstatic when Cupid leads him to gorgeous businesswoman Blair, but not quite as excited when Cupid leads him to Miranda, a dog trainer who is patient with puppies but not their owners. But through first dates, angry tangos, and a sudden vanishing, Roland ends up realizing theres so much more to life when you get a dog! The cast include Jack Dossett as Roland Newman, Lucia Padilla Katz as Miranda Kunkel, Trey Forsyth as Guy Lassiter III and Erin McMillen as Blair Beaumont. The show is recommended for ages 12 and up, but Morgan added that the Manchester production will be pared down for costuming and be acted very informally, so there should be little to no concern about the adult suggestiveness that the fully staged production engenders. There are a couple of scenes with innuendo, all implied, nothing graphic, Morgan said. But since we wont be costuming to any extent and staging is very limited, the scenes that have the greatest spice in fully staged productions will be less spicy during these concert presentations. More than anything, though, Morgan said the emotional connection between audience members and their canine companions should reign supreme. I want everyone to be smiling, after wiping a tear or two from their eyes, humming one of the songs from the show, and hugging their pooches extra tightly, she said. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Plentiful sunshine. High 68F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 34F. Winds light and variable. You are the owner of this article. The security bloc that dominates the Politburo views everything through the lens of security and regime survival. Much attention has been focused on Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam, who has weaponized anti-corruption investigations to systematically eliminate his political rivals as he maneuvers to be the next general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Lams potential rise raises questions about how a career policeman would shape the ruling partys personnel and policies. But often lost in discussions of elite politics is the dominant position of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). Vietnams sprawling security bureaucracy is responsible for everything from beat policing, to national investigations, to economic crimes, to border security, to firefighting, to intelligence and counterintelligence and so much more. Six Politburo members had been forced to resign since December 2022, leaving only 12 members, with the reported resignation of Truong Thi Mai. The loss of several economic technocrats has made the securitization of the Politburo, even more palpable. In addition to Lam, four other Politburo members came out of the MPS, making it the largest block on the Politburo with five of 12, or almost 42% of the seats. If one includes Generals Luong Cuong and Pham Van Giang of the Peoples Army, which after all is a party-army that is duty-bound to defend the socialist system and CPV, then seven of 12 (58%) Politburo members hail from the security sector. There are two things to take away from that. First, it is a reflection of the regimes concerns about color revolutions and peaceful evolution. The senior echelon of the party is dominated by people whose instinctive response to anything is control. Newly elected politburo member Gen. To Lam, right, poses with other members of the Vietnam Communist Party's Central Committee at the 12th National Congress in Hanoi, Jan. 28, 2016. (Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP) The second takeaway is the importance of the MPS as a means of political advancement. The Peoples Security University, which is governed by the MPS, is arguably the leading producer of Politburo members; three incumbent members are alumni. Many senior officials had long careers in the MPS before being transferred to government and party positions. Their formative experiences were in the security sector, which shapes how they view the world. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was a career policeman, who from 2006 to 2009 was the deputy head of the MPS General Intelligence Department, and then briefly the head of the General Department of Logistics and Technology. From 2010-2011, Chinh served as a deputy minister, retiring with the rank of lt. general. From there he moved into the party apparatus in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh. Soviet Unions lesson Nguyen Van Nen, who is currently the Ho Chi Minh City party secretary and a member of the CPV Secretariat, served as a policeman in the southern province of Tay Ninh for 17-years, before moving into that provinces government and party positions. In part due to his MPS experience, in 2011, Nen became a member of the Central Highland Steering Committee, which is responsible for oversight and policies in the region that continues to face unrest from ethnic minorities. Phan Dinh Trac, who now serves as the head of the Central Committees Internal Affairs Commission and member of the CPV Secretariat, was also a career policeman. Having graduated from the Peoples Security University, he served in the MPS from 1980 to 2005. From 2005 to 2010, Trac served as the deputy party chief in north-central Nghe An province and as the party chief from 2010-2013. Trac then took up a series of senior party positions on the Central Committees Internal Affairs Commission, as well as on the Central Inspection Commission, which investigates corruption of mid- to senior-level officials. A police officer directs traffic outside the 13th National Congress of the ruling communist party of Vietnam in Hanoi, Jan. 26, 2021. (Kham/Reuters) Nguyen Hoa Binh is the chief justice of the Supreme Court and a member of the CPV Secretariat. Binh is from the southern province of Quang Ngai, but is a red seed, whose family moved to the north after the 1954 division of the country. Binh also graduated from the Peoples Security University and then spent four years, from 1987 to 1991, as a fellow at the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Soviet Union. There he had a front row seat to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the implosion of its Communist Party. This experience has, no doubt, shaped his world view. Binhs career in MPS largely focused on covering economic crimes, which has given him a unique perspective on the scope and scale of corruption in the country. Binhs MPS career culminated in 2007 to 2009 when he was promoted to Major General and Deputy Director General of the General Department of Police. He also served as the Deputy Head of the Investigation Agency. After a stint in Quang Ngais party apparatus, culminating as the provinces party chief, Binh took over the Supreme Procuracy, in 2011, making him the countrys top prosecutor. Binh became the chief justice of the Supreme Court in 2016, giving him an unusually long tenure. Chinese thinking and tactics Since the Doi Moi (Renovation) era began in 1986, and due to the five forced resignations since December 2022, Vietnam has never had a less diverse Politburo, though it is expected to be expanded soon. Under existing party rules, Politburo members have to retire at the age of 65 unless they receive a waiver. Ten of the 12 members should be forced to step down at the 14th Congress. But this goes against the historical norm of no more than 50 percent of Politburo members retiring at a party congress. It looks like at least three members are likely to be given waivers, unless the Central Committee makes the unlikely decision to really clean house. That could concentrate the MPS bloc even more. If Lam is elevated to be general secretary, his replacement would also be elevated to the Politburo. In the 12th Congress, elected in 2016, four of 19 members had backgrounds in the MPS. So this security bloc is likely to be an enduring feature of Vietnamese politics. Six of the 200 elected Central Committee members hail from the MPS, second only to the Ministry of National Defense and the uniformed services. While not quite institutional capture, its clearly institutional dominance. This will have profound implications on the Vietnamese public and shape the Internet and social media, civil society and the economy. These men view everything through the lens of security and regime survival. Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, center, and Public Security Minister Tran Dai Quang, left, wave next to Chief Administrator of the Government Office Nguyen Van Nen, right, after a meeting at the Government Office in Hanoi, Dec. 26, 2013. (Kham/Reuters) We saw just how insecure the regime is with Politburo Directive 24, issued in July 2023. It not only had warnings about peaceful evolution and color revolutions, but adopted current Chinese thinking on the threat posed by international investors and the donor community who could foment them. Authorities recently arrested Nguyen Van Binh, an official at the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, and former trade unionist and expert at the International Labor Organization who had been pushing for the passage of a convention that would allow for the establishment of independent labor unions. They are also utilizing more Chinese-style tactics: Binh was charged under Article 337, which criminalizes the illegal disclosure of classified information. Regime security and economic development should go hand in hand. Economic growth does provide the CPV with performance legitimacy. But in practice its hard to get both running at the same time, and ultimately the need for security will trump economic pragmatism. 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. A view of the gold-mining operations of China's Late Cheng Mining Development Co., Ltd., in Cambodia's Kampong Thom province, in an undated photo. A recent directive issued by the Cambodian government to crack down on illegal gold mining has not prevented a Chinese mining company from moving ahead with its project inside a protected forest, according to local residents and activists. On May 4, the Ministry of Mines issued a statement saying it would end illegal anarchic mining activities, in order to promote legal mining. The statement underscores the danger of illegal mines that use chemicals and explosives and rely on deep wells dug without proper techniques. But residents living near the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary in Kratie and Kampong Thom provinces in central Cambodia said large scale mines continue to operate unimpeded, though their impact on the protected forest has been long recorded. Residents who visited gold mines this week said security guards continued to patrol the area and the mines were running as usual. "More and more Chinese are building roads everywhere, not just on a small scale, but on a large scale, said Chan Sorya who lives in Kampong Thom province's Sochet commune. Late Cheng Mining Development Co., Ltd., a Chinese company, received a license from the Cambodian government in March 2020 to explore more than 15,100 hectares (37,300 acres) in Sochet commune of Sandan district in Kampong Thom province for gold deposits. The area lies partly inside the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary and near Phnom Chi, a mountain tourist area. Report questions legality A report published late last year by international environmental watchdog Bruno Manser Fonds questioned the general legality of gold mining development in wildlife sanctuaries. It highlighted a number of environmentally-destructive activities taking place in and around the Late Cheng mine, including the use of cyanide which has well known environmental and human health risks. The Bruno Manser study found that no Environmental Impact Assessment was ever made public, despite being legally required. A report from Mongabay noted villagers said the company had been mining gold long before their extraction license was granted in 2022, while CamboJA detailed polluted streams, dead fish and a badly damaged ecosystem surrounding the mine. Svay Song, a Prey Lang activist, told RFA that his community had long been petitioning for greater transparency on the impact of the mines. The villagers learned about companies through their actions but they dont know what they are doing here. There is no transparency about the company for any of the villagers in the area. They dont know who authorized them to explore the mines, he said. Pen Bonnar, an officer for local rights group Adhoc, said the government should do more to go after large companies that damage the environment "Where there is gold and gems, there are illegal acts, corrupt officials and corrupt tycoons destroying natural resources, he said. Company representatives could not be reached for comment, nor could Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rattanak and Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth. Protected forests imperiled elsewhere Meanwhile, in southern Cambodia, about 300 kilometers (190 miles) away, residents living in a pair of community forests in Kampong Speu province have called on the authorities to do more to protect illegal land clearance. Chea Hean, an independent investigator, said unknown individuals had illegally logged more than 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) of protected land inside Udom Sre Puos Community Forest and Ko Dauntey Community Forest in Trapeang Cho Commune. Hean, who heads the Anti-Corruption Organization for the Prevention of Natural Resources and the Protection of Civil Rights, said he filed a complaint with police and was waiting to see the result of their investigation. RFA could not reach Kampong Speu Provincial Department of Environment Director Chan Thet Thanarak and Kampong Speu Provincial Governor Vei Samnang for comment on May 13. Neth Mary, the head of the Ko Dauntey community forest, said much of the 5000-hectare forest had been lost to illegal logging and accused authorities of conspiring with traders to encroach and clear the community forest land and then sell it off. "We request the Minister of Environment to help return the land in the Ko Dauntey Natural Area to the community so that they can use the land as collective land, she asked. Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Abby Seiff and Malcolm Foster. The former secretary of state sat down with RFA to discuss Hong Kong, Taiwan and the war in Ukraine. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testifies during a House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party hearing on Chinese government support for American adversaries, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Amid ongoing repression of political freedoms in Hong Kong, the upcoming Taiwanese presidential inauguration and a planned meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sat down with Radio Free Asias Cantonese service for an interview. The following has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity. Radio Free Asia: In your time as U.S. secretary of state, Hong Kong witnessed mass protests, and you informed Congress that Hong Kong was no longer autonomous from China. Four years later, how do you evaluate the situation there? Mike Pompeo: Unfortunately, the situation in Hong Kong continues to deteriorate. This was such a special place for so long, and there were agreements in place that its autonomy was supposed to last for much longer and the Chinese Communist Party viciously violated that by attacking young people and by beating protesters. Ultimately, by just breaking down the rule of law, the right to the court system that for so long made Hong Kong a place where the financial community came and business flourished, that no longer exists, and it continues to deteriorate. The freedom for the people that live there is decreasing and it breaks my heart because had the West done more, we might have extended the period of freedom and autonomy for the people of Hong Kong. Sadly, that's no longer the case. RFA: Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit China tomorrow. How big of a threat do you think the China-Russia alliance poses to the world today? MP: Well, you have two dictators working together. If you're a Ukrainian mother, this is tragic because the Chinese Communist Party is providing material assistance to the Russian invasion in Europe. And so the risk of these two working together is great. There are strategic responses that could be taken to diminish their capacity to do that, but if you think about the money that underwrites the Russian war effort, the aggressive barbaric war effort in Ukraine, much of that money is coming from China today. They're buying Russian energy. They're providing them with both military tools and commercial benefits that allow Putin to continue his assault in Europe. RFA: Taiwan will formally welcome a new president on May 20. What importance do you assign to the inauguration of Taiwan's fresh leadership, especially concerning regional stability? MP: First of all, its exciting when another democracy holds an election, and it's free and fair, and they compete really hard, and there's a new leader. It's a glorious thing to send a message to the world of the freedom and independence of the people of Taiwan. I'm thrilled that I'm getting a chance to be at the inauguration to celebrate alongside this new leadership team. The new leadership will put Taiwan first, just as we put America first, and that's wholly appropriate. I hope that they'll work to grow their economy. I hope they will continue to take seriously the obligation that the Taiwanese people have to protect themselves from the Chinese Communist Party threat. Then I hope that American leadership will continue to recognize the important role of Taiwanese independence in the global strategic order. It benefits every American family, benefits every family in Japan and South Korea to have the Taiwanese as a great partner in security in the Pacific. RFA: Im going to return to Hong Kong. Some economists argue Hong Kong is over, due to the two national security laws. Do you believe there is potential for Hong Kong to be revived? MP: We always pray and hope. But there's no reason to believe that Xi Jinping is going to release his death grip and instead will ultimately destroy the economic and political well being of the people that live in Hong Kong. You can see that's his intention. He can't tolerate any freedom. He can't tolerate the risk that somebody will say something that will put him in the position we know to be true, which is that hes totally disconnected from the Chinese people. Xi Jinping no more represents the Chinese people and their will and certainly not the people of Hong Kong, and so I, too, think Hong Kong is from an era gone by. It breaks my heart that it is so, but you can see politics driving Xi Jinping to continue to increase the pressure and restrict freedoms in Hong Kong and what will follow from that is that there's no rule of law. Then Hong Kong is no different than the rest of mainland China in terms of taking economic risk, and you will see economic activity reflect that all the time. RFA: Google and YouTube decided yesterday to honor a Hong Kong courts decision to remove a protest song from the internet. What do you think the U.S. government can or should do? MP: From a business perspective, I understand that if they're going to participate in those economies American companies have got to comply with the law that's in those places. But the United States government has a role here too, and our response should not be to permit the Chinese Communist Party to dictate to these institutions that are providers of information to people all across the globe. When the Chinese Communist Party behaves that way, the United States government should take responses, whether that comes in the form of sanctions, whether that comes in the form of laws we've done this with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, we often tell American businesses the ways that they can behave around the world. When the U.S. government does that, I'm confident these businesses whether it's a big American company or a small one will comply with the U.S. laws. We have a lot of capacity to shape how these companies operate inside of China, including inside of Hong Kong. The decision follows a long standing precedent, the White House said. Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, left, celebrates his victory with running mate Bi-khim Hsiao in Taipei, Taiwan, Jan. 13, 2024. UPDATED on May 15, 2024 at 6:50 p.m. ET. U.S. President Joe Biden will send an unofficial delegation of former government officials to Mondays inauguration of incoming Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, the White House announced Wednesday. A senior Biden administration official said the delegation would comprise former National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Brookings Institute fellow and former government adviser Richard Bush. Laura Rosenberger, the current director of the American Institute in Taiwan, will also attend the inauguration, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity according to pre-set rules. The American Institute serves as the de facto U.S. Embassy on the self-governing island that China claims as its inalienable territory. National Economic Council director Brian Deese speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (Susan Walsh/AP) The White House official called Taiwan a model for democracy not only in the region, but also globally and said that the decision to send an unofficial delegation to the close U.S. ally was not unusual. For over 20 years, the United States has sent delegations comprised of former government officials to Taipei after the election, the official said. It is in keeping with our One China policy, consistent with the status quo and [there is] a long standing precedent to do so. The official noted Biden had sent similar delegations in April 2021, February 2022 and again following Taiwans election in January. Lai, who has served as the term-limited Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens vice president for the past four years, won the islands Jan. 13 presidential election, defeating two rival pro-Beijing candidates. Beijing will be the provocateur Lais inauguration comes at a time when the United States and China strive to keep alive a now nearly year-old thawing of relations that had threatened to spiral out of control following then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis controversial trip to Taiwan in August 2022. A Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter flies with Taiwan's flag and with two Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters during a preview of the presidential inauguration on May 20 in Taoyuan, northern Taiwan, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Chiang Ying-ying/AP) Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told Radio Free Asia that China opposed the delegation and said the United States should exercise extreme prudence on Taiwan. The elections in Taiwan are the affairs of a region in China. China firmly opposes the U.S. having any form of official interaction with Taiwan and interfering in Taiwan affairs in any way or under any pretext, Liu said. We urge the U.S. to have a clear understanding of the extreme complexity and sensitivity of the Taiwan question. But the White House official said Beijing had nothing to fear. The inauguration is part of a normal routine democratic process, as is our sending of this delegation. Beijing will be the provocateur should it choose to respond with additional military pressure or coercion, the official said. This is all part of a normal, routine process. The United States stood by its neutral stance on the ultimate sovereignty of Taiwan, the official added, maintaining only that Beijing and Taipei should work out their differences without conflict. We do not take a position on the ultimate resolution of cross-strait differences provided they are resolved peacefully, the official said. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Updated to include comments from the Chinese Embassy. Daniel Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, testifies to a full committee hearing about China of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on Feb. 28, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The United States has been left with no option but to double down on the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea due to its rejection of dialogue, a senior U.S. diplomat said. I think weve had no choice but to double down on our security arrangements, particularly with the Republic of Korea and Japan, and no one should doubt the ironclad nature of our security commitments to those allies, Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs said Tuesday during a forum hosted by the Washington-based Brookings Institution. Weve also doubled down with a large international coalition of partners who continue to enforce sanctions against North Korea. I think given North Korea's unwillingness to respond to our offer of diplomacy, weve been left with no choice but to focus on these harder elements of our strategy, he added. His remarks came as critics questioned President Joe Bidens approach to North Korea in this election year due to the lack of progress in re-engaging with it , and its relentless pursuit of advanced weapons programs and military cooperation with Russia. Kritenbrink added that the U.S. has pursued dialogue with the North without preconditions while highlighting its security commitment to its allies. Unfortunately, the only response weve received thus far from the DPRK has been more missile launches, he said, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. The senior diplomat also pointed out progress among South Korea, or the the Republic of Korea as it is officially known, the U.S. and Japan in bilateral and trilateral efforts to stand up to North Korean threats Our trilateral cooperation has also really reached unprecedented levels. And we have to be candid that a lot of that cooperation is designed to counter this growing threat from North Korea, he said. Leaders of the three countries held a summit at Camp David in Maryland in August last year, where they agreed on a commitment to consult each other in the event of a shared threat. There are many challenges across the Indo-Pacific. This [North Korea] remains one of the most significant and we are certainly focused on it on a daily basis, Kritenbrink added. Kritenbrink on Taiwan Apart from North Korea, Kritenbrink also cited preserving the status quo in the Taiwan Strait along with broader regional peace and stability as U.S. priorities. He highlighted the increasing Chinese coercion toward Taiwan and said the U.S. must use the Taiwan Relations Act to its advantage and cooperate with regional partners to contain Chinese aggression. Kritenbrink added that Taiwan plays a significant role in the U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly with regard to the global transport and semiconductor industries, stressing that any threat to the Taiwan Strait would have significant regional and international implications. Edited by Mike Firn. Foreign nationals have six months to leave, during which their businesses will be subject to inspection. Scam centers have plagued the border areas of Thailand, Myanmar and China as nationals from all three countries are tricked into and subsequently enslaved in online fraud. Typically, the businesses force trafficked workers to call people across Asia and convince them to deposit money in fake or fraudulent investments. Tens of thousands involved in the criminal schemes were deported from Myanmar in 2023 by both junta and rebel army officials. Many are linked to forced labor, human trafficking and money laundering, which proliferated after COVID-19 shut down casinos across Southeast Asia. In March, more than 800 Chinese nationals were deported from Myawaddy townships infamous gambling and scam center, Shwe Kokko, in Myanmars Kayin state, in relation to online fraud. An investigation by RFA found that up to 3,000 foreign nationals are being held at the casino, including people from Thailand, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Ethiopia and Uganda. RFA Burmese recently spoke with Major Naing Maung Zaw, spokesperson for the ethnic Karen Border Guard Force, or BGF, which controls Myawaddy township. He said that the BGF is cooperating with China to eradicate money laundering and online scam operations in Kayin state and has vowed to evict foreign nationals involved in the activities from Myawaddy by the end of October. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. RFA: The Karen BGF has issued a notice to foreigners engaged in online business in the vicinity, including Myawaddy in Karen state, mandating their departure within six months. Why did you make this announcement? Major Naing Maung Zaw: The intent is to gradually resolve the issue by prompting the departure of these people, thereby mitigating the prominence of this particular locale in the illicit [online fraud] business sector ... While the problem has recently surfaced in Myawaddy, its roots stretch both domestically and internationally over an extended period of time So far, the situation hasnt reached a critical level, but theres increased pressure. Arrested Chinese nationals were transferred to Chinese authorities by Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army forces on Feb. 5, 2024. (The Kokang) RFA: Since the BGF issued the notice, have any foreigners left? Major Naing Maung Zaw: Yes, some foreigners went home. Those who came here via agents, they are secretly leaving the region. RFA: Why is the BGF giving them six months to leave? Major Naing Maung Zaw: Many critics [are] dismissing this plan as mere theatrics, [since the BGF is] stretching it out to six months. While there may be some truth to their assertions, we must also consider the social implications. We called on these companies and they came to negotiate. I have already told them that whether [their business] is legal or illegal, they must vacate the premises on their own terms They must remove all relevant equipment from their workplaces. These factors necessitate careful consideration. We dont accept this willingly RFA: How many foreigners are working in these online businesses? Major Naing Maung Zaw: That's hard to say. I prefer to have an exact number if Im going to answer something. Currently, I think there are a few thousand. RFA: When did these foreigners come to Kayin state? Major Naing Maung Zaw: They arrived relatively recently. To be frank, the issue arose here not too long ago. Myawaddy is the most recent center for the [online fraud] business in Myanmar. Chinese police arrest Chinese nationals allegedly involved in online scamming operations in Myanmar, Dec. 10, 2023. (The Kokang) RFA: When they first came to Kayin state, did you try to stop them? Major Naing Maung Zaw: We only became aware of the matter regarding [online fraud] when others drew attention to it. Our primary focus is on land leasing. Our goal is singular and simple to embark on a new city project. We will develop our region. We have started to implement it in order to provide employment opportunities to residents. We do not accept this [scam] situation willingly In the past, we had restrictions on this [kind of business], and contracts were already in place. We are prepared to provide proof of the timing and terms of our contractual agreements at any time. A gradual exodus RFA: Now that the [BGF] commanders have given them six months, they will continue to operate their businesses. What are you going to do about continued illicit activities? Major Naing Maung Zaw: Since we made the announcement, we established a supervisory team to monitor and inspect the businesses for possible closure. It is already being implemented. Its important to remember that when there are thousands of people in one place, it is impossible to send all of them home in a short time ... Were not giving them time to run their businesses. They have to pack their belongings to leave, making it logistically difficult for large groups to depart all at once. Instead, they are trickling out gradually just a few individuals initially, gradually increasing over time. Our approach aims to facilitate a gradual exodus of these people. Myanmar hands over 1,207 online scam suspects, including 41 on the wanted list by the Chinese police, to China on Sept 6, 2023. (Chinese Ministry of Public Security) RFA: The Thai and Chinese governments, as well as the U.S. government, are trying to crack down on these money scamming gangs. Are you in communication with these countries? Major Naing Maung Zaw: We have maintained regular communication with the Chinese embassy and have been engaged in ongoing efforts. Now, the Chinese news media has also started talking about it. We have a history of facilitating the repatriation process for foreigners, coordinating closely with the Chinese, Thai, and American embassies upon their requests via official letters ... They give us locations and we find their people. There have been a lot of cases where we have returned the concerned to the embassies with the assistance of the Myanmar police force. Our commitment moving forward is to continue to address [the issue of scam operators] domestically, ensuring the well-being of all involved parties. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. A Myanmar migrant works in a Taiwan-owned garment factory in the northwestern Thai town of Mae Sot May 24, 2007. A Myanmar ban on young men going abroad to work, aimed at replenishing its armed forces, could trigger a labor crunch in Thailand where many Myanmar workers, who have for years helped sustain growth, are wondering how long theyll be able to stay in their jobs, workers rights and industry groups said. There are about a quarter of a million Myanmar citizens working legally in Thailand, the largest contingent of Thailands 3.3 million foreign workers. Most of the Myanmar workers are employed in factories, the service sector, agriculture and some 25,000 of them in the fishing industry. Myanmar announced on May 2 the suspension of new permits for conscription-age men hoping to find jobs abroad as it seeks to enforce conscription in the face of battlefield setbacks at the hands of allied insurgent groups fighting to end military rule. Now about half the Myanmar workers in Thailand find themselves in legal limbo as work permits issued by their government expire with no indication Myanmar will renew them, said Roisai Wongsuban, an adviser for the Thailand-based Migrant Working Group. There are some 150,000 Myanmar workers ending their tenures, as per the MOUs, who have to renew necessary documents with the home government, said Roisai, referring to memorandums of understanding on migrant workers between the neighbors. It is unclear whether they are subject to the ban. Some are afraid to go back home to renew their paperwork They fear they wont be allowed to come back. The founder of a charity helping Myanmar migrants in Thailand said he had no doubt young men going back to renew their overseas work permits would be pressed to join the military. Theyre afraid to go back to Myanmar because the government wont allow them to go abroad, Htoo Chit of the Foundation for Education and Development told Radio Free Asia. As soon as theyre back in Myanmar, they have to work for the military. Southeast Asias second-largest economy needs an additional half a million foreign workers and it has been looking to Myanmar as the source for most of them, said a senior official at Thailands Department of Employment. Were running short of a work force and those youngsters need jobs, Somchai Morakotsriwan, the departments director general, told RFA. The Thai government had yet to draft a plan for how to deal with the new circumstances but Somchai said he expected there would be an impact, though the extent was not clear. Much could depend on whether young Myanmar men could get across their border, he said. I think there will be some impact [We] have to look at any border checkpoints, whether or not they can come back. At the moment, we dont have information, he said. The president of the National Fisheries Association of Thailand, Mongkol Sukcharoenkana, said Thailand should accept Myanmar workers no matter what their official status was. One way Thailand could help them is to issue work permits regardless of illegal entry or the lack of passport, Mongkol told BenarNews, an RFA affiliate. Theyve fled war, dodged conscription, we give them jobs, they help our business. As a result of Myanmars enforcement of its conscription law, which requires men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 to serve in the armed forces for two years, more than 100,000 people have fled abroad to avoid war, the Burmese Affairs and Conflict Study found last month. Htoo Chit said many young Myanmar men had been slipping into Thailand to join an unknown number already working illegally. They hope Thailand will issue them pink cards, he said, referring to a temporary identification card allowing foreigners to stay. Thailand and Myanmars other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) neighbors have been trying to promote dialogue in Myanmar with a five-point peace plan but Myanmars generals, who overthrew an elected government in a 2021 coup, have largely ignored the effort. Roisai said it is imperative for Thailand to revise its cooperation with a Myanmar regime whose grip on power appears to be increasingly tenuous. This is the big question for the government to tackle, she said. Edited by Mike Firn. Aerial bombings and gunfire on three villages destroyed homes and cars, and critically wounded many. Myanmar junta forces battling ethnic minority insurgents in three townships in the west have killed 15 people in strikes on villages, residents told Radio Free Asia Wednesday. The junta artillery fire and airstrikes on Tuesday also wounded 16 people in Rakhine States Thandwe, Kyauktaw and Maungdaw townships, they said. Junta troops frequently retaliate against civilians across Rakhine State following offensives by the Arakan Army ethnic minority insurgent group, witnesses say. Residents told Radio Free Asia that 12 people were killed in an attack and another person was critically wounded when troops shelled Thandwe townships Lin Thi village on Tuesday evening. Seven people were killed in the artillery strikes while five died in the hospital, according to Lin Thi residents. Three people were killed in junta airstrikes further to the north on Tuesday, near the border with Bangladesh, residents there said. RFA telephoned Rakhine States junta spokesperson, Hla Thein, but he did not respond. The military junta and the Arakan Army have been fighting in Rakhine State since a year-long ceasefire ended in November. More than 200 civilians have been killed and nearly 600 have been wounded by air raids, land mines and small and heavy weapons in the six months since November, according to data compiled by RFA from accounts from residents and the Arakan Army. The junta-controlled Myanma Alinn Daily newspaper reported on Monday that 60 civilians had been killed and 113 wounded by artillery fired into villages by the Arakan Army. A witness who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals told RFA that junta forces fired heavy weapons from a junta camp strategically positioned on a hill on Tuesday. When fighting erupted with the Arakan Army, junta troops in the Bardan Hill camp shelled the village, he said. A family of five died in the first round, two more were killed in the second and the rest of the injured were brought to the hospital by boat. Three more died in the hospital last night and two died this morning. Most villagers fled to safety, but shelling could still be heard on Wednesday morning, he added. Ngapali beach, a tourist town in Thandwe, has faced increasing economic difficulties as the conflict has escalated in the region, scaring off visitors. Junta targeting hospital and school To Thandwe's north, Arakan Army troops captured Kyauktaw townships regional junta headquarters in February. The military has responded with targeted attacks on civilians, residents say. The juntas air force bombed a hospital and school on Tuesday in Wea Gyi Daunt village, injuring as many as 20 patients and healthcare workers. A villager who declined to be identified for security reasons told RFA that unlike in Thandwe, where fighting instigated the attack, three bombs were dropped apparently for no reason, hitting only civilians. They dropped a bomb last night. The hospital was also destroyed. Two health workers were injured initially, then seven more were injured, he said. The Arakan Army reported that as many as 20 patients and healthcare workers were wounded, five of them critically. Some victims had died from their wounds, the insurgents said, but did not say how many. Junta troops also bombed the Kyauktaw-based Infantry Battalion 374 base, which the Arakan Army recently captured, residents said. Junta airtrikes further north, near Myanmars border with Bangladesh, killed three civilians and wounded six in Kin Chaung village in Maungdaw township, residents said. One man who witnessed the attack said two jets bombed the area even though there had been no clashes. Two elderly women and a man died. Six people were injured. Six or seven cars were destroyed, said the man, who declined to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the information. A religious building in a monastery compound collapsed and two houses burned down. Rakhine State is one of several Mynamar regions where fighters trying to end military rule have made advances recently against the junta that seized power from an elected government in early 2021. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn. Filipino fishermen aboard small wooden boats join the first part of the civilian convoy from Masinloc port in Zambales province, Philippines, May 15, 2024. A convoy of Filipino civilian boats set sail on Wednesday in a show of defiance to assert Manilas claim over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, amid reports that Beijing had deployed dozens of ships to the area. More than 100 small wooden boats accompanied the convoy of several slightly larger boats, which were loaded with fuel and food as they departed for Scarborough Shoal, a rock within the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that China has effectively controlled since 2012. The voyage is being led by Atin Ito! (This Is Ours!), a broad coalition of nationalist and civilian organizations. The Philippines is ours, China leave, some volunteers chanted as they carried posters with the same message. Catholic volunteers brought figurines of the Virgin Mary aboard the boats. The flotilla set sail after 7 a.m. from a port in Masinloc, a town on the west coast of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines. Later in the day, the small boats returned to shore while four of the main boats continued with their voyage to Scarborough Shoal, known as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines. A few hours after their morning departure, the flotilla conducted what organizers called a peace and solidarity regatta about 20 nautical miles off Masinloc. At around 11 a.m., participants placed 12 symbolic buoys to assert Manilas sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, Manilas name for South China Sea waters within its EEZ. They also distributed food and fuel supplies to some fishers in the area before the small boats returned to shore and the larger ones continued with their journey. At least, we are now showing the world that Filipinos are fighting back, Agustin Bustillo, 55, captain of one of the bigger fishing boats, told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated news service. But I hope the problem will be settled through peaceful means. One of the five main fishing boats used in the Filipino civilian convoy prepares to depart for Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, May 15, 2024. (Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews) A BenarNews reporter was among a group of journalists aboard one of the civilian boats heading to the shoal. At around 6 p.m., two China Coast Guard (CCG) ships were seen shadowing and trying to block the civilian boats, which were still far from their destination. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which had sent three ships to protect the civilians, said one of the CCG ships was about 1,800 yards (1,650 meters) from the convoy, while the other was a mile away as of early evening. The two coast guards exchanged radio challenges, both insisting their countries jurisdiction over the area even as the civilian convoy decided to continue its course to the shoal. They are trying to divide the contingent. Our boats are exercising evasive maneuvers while the PCG continues to maintain its close distance to the convoy to thwart any further attempt from CCG vessels, Emman Hizon, one of the convoys organizers, told reporters. Volunteer Aira Villamil, 21, said she felt mixed emotions while witnessing Chinas actions at sea. While defiant, she said she feared what might happen. Its scary because they are deliberately trying to block us while we are passing. It is super scary because we dont know what theyll do to us, she told BenarNews in an interview aboard one of the fishing boats. Asked about the civilian convoy on Wednesday, China asserted its sovereignty over the shoal, which it calls Huangyan Dao. It also warned the Philippines against violating Beijings jurisdiction. If the Philippines abuses Chinas goodwill and infringes upon Chinas territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction, we will defend our rights and take countermeasures in accordance with the law. Relevant responsibilities and consequences shall be borne solely by the Philippines, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing. Expected standoff The resource-rich Scarborough Shoal lies within Manilas 200-nautical mile EEZ, as mandated under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). But it has been under Beijings de facto control since 2012, when China wrested control from the Philippines after a weeks-long standoff. China claims almost the entire South China Sea. In 2016, after Manila sued Beijing, an international court invalidated Chinas expansive claims and ruled that the shoal is a traditional fishing ground for the Philippines, Vietnam, and China. Beijing has refused to acknowledge the ruling, asserting what it calls historical claims over the waters. Wednesdays voyage is Atin Ito!s second supply mission to the West Philippine Sea. In December 2023, it set out to deliver supplies and Christmas gifts to Filipino troops stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal, but the convoy was forced to turn back after consistent shadowing by Chinese ships. Filipino fishermen place symbolic buoys carrying the message 'WPS, Atin Ito!' ('West Philippine Sea, this is ours!') in waters within the nations 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, May 15, 2024. (Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews) The convoy is expected to arrive near the shoal early Thursday to distribute supplies to Filipino fishermen operating in waters around the shoal. Because of the expected presence of Chinese ships, organizers do not know if they will be able to reach their destination. Days before the convoy set sail, Beijing sent ships to the area, with Chinese state media reporting on Monday that the CCG was conducting training in Huangyan Dao. This was on top of the constant presence of two or three Chinese ships. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Ray Powell, who heads Stanford Universitys Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and monitors activities in the South China Sea, said a Chinese force of 43 ships was stationed near the shoal, seemingly ready to face the civilian flotilla. Two weeks ago, on April 30, CCG ships fired water cannon at Manilas government ships near the shoal, causing damage. The Philippine government summoned Zhou Zhiyong, the deputy chief of mission at the Chinese embassy in Manila, and demanded that Chinese vessels leave Bajo de Masinloc and its vicinity immediately. China claimed those operations were professional, standardized and legal, saying the Philippines actions infringed on Beijings sovereignty over the area and violated international law and basic norms of international relations. The Philippine civilians remained unfazed despite the risks. Rafaela David, one of the Atin Ito! organizers, said the convoy was seeking to normalize access to the West Philippine Sea. If China is militarizing our own EEZ, were there to civilianize our own seas because at the end of the day, we stand by the belief that the West Philippine Sea should be accessible to ordinary citizens, David told reporters in Botolan, a town in Zambales province, on the even of the trip. Days before the mission, Global Times, the Chinese Communist Partys official mouthpiece, accused the group of being funded by the United States and planning to provoke China. The group denied it. We have our own minds, Edicio dela Torre, 80, a former priest turned activist and one of the coalitions leaders, said during the same briefing on Tuesday. China does not believe in civilian actions because they think all these are part of the government. David said Chinas reaction shows it was rattled by the civilian movement. Ordinary Filipinos are coming hand-in-hand in peaceful means, showing they are not intimidated by someone as big as China, he said. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service. The new cooperation between Manila, Washington came amid heightened South China Sea tensions. China Coast Guard ships deploy water cannons at the Philippine military chartered Unaizah May 4 boat during its supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, March 5, 2024. The United States and the Philippines agreed to boost cooperation on space technology to track ships within Manilas territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, or EEZ, officials from both nations said in a statement released Tuesday. The announcement came amid heightened tensions over the South China Sea. The U.S.-Philippines Space Dialogue is a platform designed to strengthen cooperation and advance bilateral exchanges in civil space matters including the use of space for maritime domain awareness and space situational awareness, the two countries said in the statement released two weeks after their meeting in Washington. Officials discussed a range of programs that use satellites to better forecast weather patterns; support agricultural and infrastructure planning; help monitor and combat climate change and pollution; prepare for and respond to disasters; improve natural resource use; and provide vital telecommunications services, it said. The Bilateral Space Dialogue program will be useful in monitoring and documenting vessels in the Philippines territorial waters and [EEZ], ensure the safety of mariners at sea, monitor and help protect the environment, [as well] help combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, the statement said. Officials did not explain why the announcement came weeks after what has been called the first bilateral Space Dialogue on May 2. Rahima Kandahari, deputy assistant secretary, State Department Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, led the U.S. delegation while Gay Jane Perez, deputy director general for space science and technology of PhilSA, led the Philippine team. The new agreement came out just after Manila accused Beijing of building an artificial island in the disputed Sabina Shoal, known as Escoda Shoal in the Philippines. China denied the allegation, calling it irresponsible and an attempt to mislead the international community. Sabina Shoal, a low-tide elevation in the Spratly islands, is within the Philippines EEZ but is also claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. This is Ours! The announcement came on the eve of a Wednesday voyage by a civilian coalition, Atin Ito! (This Is Ours!), to Scarborough Shoal, known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines. Atin Ito! is leading a convoy of boats to deliver supplies to Filipino fishermen at the shoal, located 125 nautical miles (232 km) from the west coast of Luzon, the Philippines largest island. Scarborough Shoal has effectively been under Chinas control since 2012, despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling dismissing Beijings sweeping claims to most of the South China Sea. Amid fears that a large Chinese flotilla could block or harass the convoy, Philippine security officials on Tuesday said they would closely monitor the trip. The Philippine Coast Guard was in close contact with organizers to ensure their safety, said Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, Manilas name for South China Sea waters within its EEZ. Fishermen arrive at dawn in the bay of Masinloc in Zambales province in the northern Philippines fronting the South China Sea, Feb. 27, 2024. [Jason Gutierrez/BenarNews] Trinidad said the Philippine Navy would also be following the convoy, but he did not provide details. He commended Atin Ito! for organizing such a mission, which is expected to include up to five large fishing boats and 100 smaller boats. This is civil society showing that they understand the issue. It is not only a government approach but a whole-of-nation approach. China should respect civil society in exercising Philippine rights, Trinidad said. Earlier, maritime analyst and retired U.S. Col. Ray Powell said China was sending a huge force to block the sea convoy. At least four China Coast Guard ships and 26 large Chinese maritime militia vessels have been tapped for the blockade, said Powell, founder and director of SeaLight, a maritime transparency project of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University. That number, Powell said, did not include dark vessels ships that have turned off their tracking systems. Jeoffrey Maitem in Manila, and Jojo Rinoza in Masinloc, Philippines, contributed to this report. BenarNews is an online news outlet affiliated with Radio Free Asia. She eked out a living on less than 2 acres of land. Belikiz, a Uyghur from Astana village in Kumul, northwestern China's Xinjiang region, in a screenshot from an undated Douyin video. A Uyghur woman was arrested last month after she posted a video on social media complaining that authorities had seized her land in Xinjiang, leaving her without means to eke out a living, the security director of her village said. The woman, identified only as Belikiz, 35, from Astana village in Kumul, called Hami in Chinese, said authorities confiscated her land at the end of 2023 to implement a policy of concentrating lands in the hands of authorities. She expressed despair over the Chinese governments unwillingness to resolve the issue in the video on Douyin, a Chinese video-sharing platform. Even if the land was allocated to us by the government, weve invested 3-4 years cultivating it, she says in the video. Why wont the government advocate for us farmers? If you doubt my words, just look at those machines tearing up our farmlands. How are we supposed to sustain our livelihoods and send our children to school? she asked. Isnt there a country that can support us? Is there no organization we can turn to for help? Systematic confiscation For years, authorities in Xinjiang have seized land and property from Uyghurs to make way for development projects run by Han Chinese migrants. Those who lose land often have little or no recourse for adequate compensation or justice because of high levels of collusion between local officials and developers. Uyghurs complain that the migrants have displaced them from their traditional homeland and deprived them of financial opportunities under harsh Beijing rule. Police quickly deleted the video from Douyin not long after it was uploaded and arrested Belikiz on April 15, said Astana villages security director, who declined to be named out of fear of retribution. He said he learned of the womans arrest about 20 days later and that authorities apprehended her because of a complaint letter she previously submitted to the government about the issue. It was unclear whether her arrest was directly related to the video addressing the land seizure, he added. The systematic confiscation of land from Uyghurs has been an ongoing issue for a long time, said a Uyghur former police officer who now lives Sweden. We owe our insight into these injustices to the courage of individuals who bravely share their stories through videos like these. Keep tormenting us Belikiz initially set up two bookstores after graduating from high school because she failed the national college entrance examination, the village security director said. But when business endeavors were unsuccessful, she turned to farming, he said. Belikiz had farmed on about 7-8 mu of land for the past 1-2 years. The Chinese unit of land measurement varies with location but is commonly equal to 0.165 acre, so she had less than two acres. After area officials confiscated the land, which constituted all her capital, Belikiz recorded the video on Douyin about the issues she and other Uyghur farmers in Kumul and the rest of Xinjiang faced. Are they going to keep tormenting us just because the government is powerful? she asked. Wouldn't it be better if we were spared from all this suffering? The Uyghur former police officer who lives in Sweden noted that no land is safe from seizure. The Chinese government can seize land from individuals at any given moment, under any pretext, he said, declining to be named for fear of retaliation. Individuals cannot privately own land and natural resources, according to Chinas constitution and land laws. The Constitution specifies that land in urban areas must be owned by the state, while land in rural and suburban areas must be owned by the state or by local collectives. The video depicting the anguish of a farmer woman in Kumul following the loss of her land is a stark reminder of this reality, the former policeman said. Other locations Similar land-grab incidents also have occurred in Ghulja, a county-level city in northwestern Xinjiang, called Yining in Chinese. Since the 2000s, Chinese authorities in Xinjiang have carried out development measures by concentrating lands in the hands of authorities. The policy allowed Han Chinese migrants to seize Uyghur farmland and force Uyghurs to work as laborers on the same plots. Regardless of the reason, openly voicing complaints against the Chinese oppressors or making any form of complaint is considered a violation of the law, the former policeman said. While [Belikiz] managed to upload a video discussing her hardships, millions of others in our homeland cannot, he said. Zumrat Dawut, a former Uyghur internment camp detainee who was forcibly sterilized but now lives in the United States, said she managed to downloaded Belikizs video to her phone even though it had been removed from Douyin. Dawut resorted to alternative methods to download the video and then uploaded it to Facebook so more people could view it. Reporters and media outlets following my feed inquired about the woman in the video, asking why she was crying and what had occurred, Dawut told Radio Free Asia. She expressed admiration for Belikizs courage, but voiced concern about potential consequences she might face. Dawut urged human rights groups and Uyghur advocacy groups to monitor Belikizs situation and the repercussions she might face for speaking out. This woman has taken a tremendous risk to raise her voice, she said. Translated by RFA Uyghur. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. Province wants to build a new school but parishioners say the land belongs to their church. Parishioners of a Catholic church in southern Vietnam are protesting the local governments plan to build a school on land that they say belongs to the church, igniting a dispute that dates back to 1975, the parishioners told Radio Free Asia. Two school buildings at the Thanh Hai Church in Thanh Hai ward, Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan province were lent to the government in 1975 to be used as public schools. Now the government plans to return one of the buildings to the church and will raze the other to build a more modern 10-classroom school building. Similar land disputes between local governments and religious institutions regarding land use are very common in Vietnam. Key to the Thanh Hai dispute is that the authorities are not officially using the term return to describe the process, implying that the land does not belong to the church. The parishioners, however, oppose the plan for the new school, saying they want all of the land returned to them. When the province began measuring the land surrounding the schools on May 8, hundreds of parishioners came to the churchyard to stop them. We demanded that the authorities stop measuring the land of the two educational facilities that used to be the parishs Catholic primary and middle schools, a member of the churchs Pastoral Council, who like all unnamed sources in this report requested anonymity for security reasons, told RFA Vietnamese. He said that the council told the local authorities not to take action on church land without prior notification, and since then nothing has happened at the site. RFA contacted Thanh Hai Peoples Committee for more information about the incident, but a staff member who answered the phone said the information should be requested in person, directly to the leaders of the ward No one, from the authorities to the priests, can take away our land, she said. [This is] the land our parents put a lot of effort and hard work to claim since they migrated to the South. Claim rooted in history The Thanh Hai Parish was established in 1955 and its first parishioners were those who migrated south from the northern provinces of Thanh Hoa, Hai Phong, and Quang Binh following the signing of the Geneva Accords, which divided Vietnam into the communist North and anti-communist South. Today there are 8,000 parishioners and they make up 75% of the population in Thanh Hai ward, according to a 2015 survey. Before the North defeated the South and unified Vietnam in 1975, the schools on the church land were run by the parish and only the children of parishioners could attend. But that changed when the new government requisitioned the schools and ordered that they serve all children in the ward. Thanh Hai parishioners protested local authorities' plan to build schools on land borrowed from Thanh Hai church, May 8, 2024. (Nam Chiec Banh via YouTube) Due to the increasing number of parishioners in recent years, the parish has found it necessary to build some additional facilities, including a parking area, a pastoral service house, and a place for children and young peoples religious activities. As a result, in 2014, the parish started to request the authorities to return the two schools to them. According to a copy of the document named 1996 Land Use Declaration, the Thanh Hai Parish, represented by Priest Vu Ngoc Dang, lent the local authority the school facilities with a total area of 6,136.8 square meters (1.5 acres). The document was signed and sealed by the then Chairman of Thanh Hai Ward Peoples Committee. However, according to a document posted on the Binh Thuan province website, authorities said that the province had never borrowed the parishs land to house the two schools. They say the establishment of the two schools followed Circular No. 409 of the People's Revolutionary Committee of the Middle Central Region, which said that "starting from the school year 1975-1976, all types of private schools (run by individuals, and religious and social organizations) will be converted into public schools." Land extension When the parishioners learned of the plan on Feb. 16, they gathered at the Episcopal See to protest. Video footage of the incident shows a woman named Toan explaining why she feels so strongly about the dispute. The plan to return one building to the church and to build the new school on the site of the other building was announced in a governmental meeting on March 1. All references to returning the land to the church were avoided, in favor of the term land extension. According to the pastoral council member, the Phan Thiet Episcopal See and the Thanh Hai Parish priest agreed with the plan, but the parishioners disagreed, because they want to get back all the land that their parents and grandparents lent to the government nearly 70 years ago. RFA attempted to contact Duong Nguyen Kha, the priest of Thanh Hai Parish for comment, but he did not respond. The Phan Thiet Episcopal See also did not respond to email queries. Translated by Chau Vu. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. Afghanistans northern province of Badakhshan has been the scene of violent protests against the Taliban in recent weeks. The rare demonstrations have been fueled by the militant groups forceful enforcement of its ban on illicit drugs, a lifeline for tens of thousands of impoverished farmers. The Taliban has violently clamped down on the rallies, shooting and killing several protesters and rounding up dozens of locals. The anti-Taliban rallies, observers say, reveal the anger at the hard-line Islamist groups unpopular policies and its use of heavy-handed tactics to crush dissent. This is an alarm bell for the ruling Taliban, said Nazifa Haqpal, a British-based Afghan researcher. The Talibans despotic governance based on brute force is not working." Nearly three years after the Taliban seized power, the group has shown little interest in understanding [Afghans] issues or adopting appropriate policies to address them, said Haqpal. 'Anger And Protests' Protests broke out on May 3-4 in Badakhshans Darayim and Argo districts after Taliban forces tasked with clearing poppy crops clashed with farmers. Locals said the Taliban opened fire and killed two people. The Taliban sent a delegation to negotiate with the farmers and later said calm had been restored. But on May 13, protests again erupted in the Argo district. The Taliban responded with brute force, killing two people and wounding more than a dozen others, locals said. People did not want their crops to be destroyed, Shamsuddin Mubarez, a resident of the Argo district, told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi. When locals protested, Mubarez said, the Taliban responded by using force. That created more troubles, he said. Kalimullah Humsukhan, a resident of the Darayim district, told Radio Azadi that the Talibans forced eradication of poppy fields triggered anger and protests in the district earlier in May. He said locals resented the militants violent tactics. 'Little Or Nothing' Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women, waged a brutal crackdown on dissent, and monopolized power. The groups extremist policies have angered Afghans and made its unrecognized government an international pariah. The Talibans 2022 drug ban has significantly reduced the production of opium. But the group has failed to provide farmers with alternative livelihoods and crops, pushing many deeper into poverty amid a devastating economic and humanitarian crisis. Graeme Smith, a senior Afghanistan analyst at the International Crisis Group, said the Talibans ban on narcotics has hit farmers in mountainous areas such as Badakhshan particularly hard, because they have smaller and less productive farms. Farmers do not have large stockpiles and little or nothing in reserve to sell, he said. Smith said the only answer [for farmers] now will be nonfarm employment because alternative crops cannot replace opium, whose price has skyrocketed in recent years. 'Afghan Spring' The deadly protests in Badakhshan are not isolated. On May 9, the Taliban killed at least four people after a rally in the eastern province of Nangarhar, which borders Pakistan. The militants ordered locals to vacate their homes to make way for the construction of a customs clearing facility. Locals resisted the demolition and blocked a major highway. The Taliban responded by firing on the crowd. Smith said it was not a coincidence that there has been unrest in Nangarhar and Badakhshan, which contributed significantly to the ranks of the armed forces of the former Western-backed Afghan government. Now the survivors from those defeated forces are suffering high levels of unemployment, he said. Badakhshan is also a predominately ethnic Tajik region and was once a bastion of resistance to the Taliban in the 1990s. The Taliban is mostly made up of Pashtuns. Haqpal said the protests are evidence of the political and legal consciousness that was formed in Afghanistan after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 toppled the Talibans first regime. The Taliban could face an Afghan Spring if such protests get organized and spread, she said. "If the U.S. diplomats are against visiting Susa, then [to] hell with them, announced Caliber.az on May 5. The media outlet is widely seen as a mouthpiece for Azerbaijans authoritarian government. One day later, Mark Libby, the U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan, was on his way to Susa, a major city of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is known as Shushi in Armenian. An embassy spokesperson told RFE/RL that Libby's trip was made as part of his regular travel throughout Azerbaijan. But many have questioned the timing of the visit. On May 3, during a roundtable meeting with Azerbaijani journalists, Libby was asked whether he would visit territory that Baku recently recaptured from ethnic Armenian forces. The ambassador replied that Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions were "a little different" from the rest of Azerbaijan and asserted he did not want to "play a part in a propaganda show." The ambassador added that, when the time comes to [visit the retaken territories], thats what Ill do. But Libby's apparent hesitancy to enter Nagorno-Karabakh, which was populated by ethnic Armenians for centuries but is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani land, appeared to enrage Baku. A series of articles, including the Caliber article mentioned above -- High Time To Declare U.S. Ambassador Persona Non Grata -- hinted that Azerbaijan may expel the diplomat, who took his post in January this year. At the time of Libbys controversial May 6 visit, news was circulating that a historic church in Susa had been erased and an entire village previously populated by Christian Armenians had been wiped out, with a mosque being built on the site. In e-mailed responses to RFE/RL's questions on whether the ambassador had asked local officials about the apparent cultural destruction taking place in Susa or whether Libby's trip was approved in Washington, Vanessa Schulz Zenji, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Baku, said that they "do not comment on the Ambassadors private diplomatic conversations with the host government." "The United States supports the preservation of Armenian and Azerbaijani cultural heritage in the South Caucasus and calls on countries to protect cultural heritage in line with international obligations," she said. "The United States supports creating the conditions for a just and dignified peace in the region, where the rights of all no matter their ethnicity or country of origin - are respected." Schulz Zenji added that the ambassador had said while touring the Nagorno-Karabakh region that the trip had been planned for "almost two months." However, Azerbaijan's government-linked website Caliber.az claimed after the visit that its article had "accelerated" the trip to Nagorno-Karabakh, and Libby's excursion also ignited a storm on social media, with many alleging it could be seen as a green light from Washington for Baku to continue erasing Armenian heritage in the region. David Sarkisian, a 26-year-old native of Susa who lived in an apartment just a short walk from where Libby posed for photos on May 6, told RFE/RL, "I don't think any countrys ambassador should visit [Nagorno-Karabakh] as long as the issue remains unsolved. The fact it was the U.S. ambassador who went there is especially unpleasant for me." Shulz Zenji, the U.S. Embassy spokeswoman, suggested the visit may be linked to efforts at a peace deal between Baku and Yerevan. "We have been encouraged by recent steps toward concluding an agreement and are committed to supporting a durable and dignified peace in the region," she said. Russian President Vladimir Putin used a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Masud Pezeshkian, to cement their growing bilateral ties that have raised concern in the West as war rages in Ukraine and the Middle East. The two leaders met in Ashgabat on the sidelines of a conference in the capital of the tightly controlled Central Asian country of Turkmenistan on October 11. It was the first of two meetings between the men, with another scheduled at the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan that runs on October 22-24. It was the first of two meetings between the two, with another scheduled at the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan that runs on October 22-24. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters ahead of the meeting that while the talks will focus on bilateral relations, "the situation in the Middle East definitely will not be ignored and will also be on the agenda." The meeting was the first between the two since Pezeshkian assumed office on July 30 after winning an election to succeed his hard-line predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May. Relations between Moscow and Tehran have strengthened since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. "Pezeshkian is trying to gauge to what extent Iran can rely on Russia for help," Touraj Atabaki, professor emeritus of Middle East and Central Asia social history at Leiden University in the Netherlands, told Radio Farda. "Russia wants to stand with Iran due to Iran's support in its war on Ukraine but Moscow doesn't want to darken its relationship with Israel further and cut all ties," he added. Since the early months of the Ukraine war, Russia has been accused of using Iranian-made Shahed and Mohajer-6 drones, many of which have been found after being shot down over Ukrainian cities and battlefields. Iran initially denied arming Russia before relenting and admitting that it had supplied a "limited number of drones" to Moscow before the war. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Tehran continues to deny that its drones are being used by Russia against Ukraine. That has not stopped the United States and the European Union from imposing sanctions on Iran for helping Moscow. Last month, the EU said it had "credible" information provided by allies suggesting that Iran has supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia to help Moscow wage war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East have been heightened since Tehran launched some 200 missiles at Israel on October 1, saying the attack was in response to the killing of Tehran-backed militant leaders and a general from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Israel has vowed to launch a "deadly, precise, and surprising" attack on Iran in retaliation, while it continues to pound targets in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip that it says are aimed at Iran-backed proxies. At least 30 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded on October 11 by Israeli strikes in Jabalia in northern Gaza, according to the territory's civil-defense agency. The recent spiral of violence was sparked by the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas that killed around 1,200 people and saw some 250 taken hostage. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. The fighting in Gaza prompted another Iran-backed group, Hezbollah, to fire missiles into Israel in support of Hamas. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the EU blacklists its armed wing but not its political party. The Israeli military has launched massive air strikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon in response, as well as a ground incursion into southern Lebanon intended to destroy the Iran-allied militant group, whose political party has seats in the Lebanese parliament. Israel faced condemnation on October 11 after its forces fired at what it said was a threat near a UN peacekeeping position in Lebanon. Israeli soldiers had responded to "an immediate threat" around 50 meters from the UNIFIL post, the military said. "An initial examination indicates that during the incident, a hit was identified on a UNIFIL post...resulting in the injury of two UNIFIL personnel," the statement added. The army pledged to carry out a "thorough review." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the firing as "intolerable" and "a violation of international humanitarian law," while the British government said it was "appalled" by reports of the injuries. U.S. President Joe Biden said he was "absolutely" asking Israel to stop firing at UN peacekeepers, while the French, Spanish, and Italian leaders issued a joint statement expressing "outrage." French President Emmanuel Macron renewed his call for an end to exports of weapons used by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon, while saying the UN peacekeepers had been "deliberately targeted." In Iran, more than three dozen hard-line lawmakers on October 10 demanded the government revise its nuclear doctrine to pursue atomic weapons. In a letter to the Supreme National Security Council, they said Western powers could not control Israel, thus making nuclear weapons "Iran's option to create deterrence." Iran has been hit with waves of crippling economic sanctions for its nuclear program, which has seen a sharp increase in its uranium enrichment capacity after the United States under former President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 landmark deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that restricted Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from sanctions. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful civilian purposes, but government officials caused alarm recently by saying it could change its "nuclear doctrine" if it is attacked or its existence is threatened by Israel. With reporting by Reuters and AFP A leading expert on Georgia, Professor Stephen Jones is the director of the Program on Georgian Studies at Harvard University's Davis Center. His books include Georgia: A Political History Since Independence and The Birth of Modern Georgia: The First Georgian Republic And Its Successors, 1918-2010." In an interview with Joshua Kucera, Jones discusses the reasons why the ruling Georgian Dream party introduced the controversial "foreign agent" law, which lawmakers in the country's parliament approved on May 14, the huge protests that have broken out as a result, and the potential political and geopolitical consequences. RFE/RL: In a recent analysis piece you wrote that Georgian Dream's turn toward authoritarianism is following global trends but also represents a very Georgian domestic political tradition that has been followed by every regime that's ruled here since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Can you explain more what this Georgian political tradition is? Stephen Jones: When you look at Georgian political history over the last three decades, we've had these cycles of breakthrough, democratic hope, disappointment, disillusion, growing authoritarianism, popular protest, renewal, and then the whole cycle begins again.... That's the pattern that we've seen and the interesting thing is to think about why this is the case, what explains this pattern, because for the last 30 years or so, Georgia has not been able to escape it. And we're seeing this process again. Georgian Dream, from being quite a progressive coalition in 2012...it's now become deeply unpopular yet again and the only solution, as far as the population is concerned, is not through institutional change, through elections. It seems that the best way that the population -- as usual -- seems to think it can deal with this is by coming out on the streets and challenging the government directly. This is the pattern.... Structurally, it's partly to do with the way the system has been built, with particularly the role of very powerful personalities who tend to concentrate power in their hands. We have very weak political parties that are disconnected from the population at large. And we have a political and economic system where there's a great deal of poverty and economic inequality, where people really don't have the opportunities to engage with the political system. It's not a level playing field. People feel disengaged because much of their time is focused on trying to gain some sort of economic sustainability for themselves and their families. The economic aspect of this is very important: The mass poverty, the very large amount of unemployment, and the inequalities that make it difficult for people to engage with a political system that they feel doesn't represent their interests. RFE/RL: Knowing that pattern and those cycles and that history, what does that tell you about how we got into this crisis today and the possible ways that it's going to get resolved? Jones: Part of the problem is that Georgian institutions don't work like they should. Political parties don't work like they should.... Political parties in Georgia are generally not representative and they're not connected with the population, particularly in the regions. They do have networks, they do have organizations in the regions, but these are parties that generally revolve around large political personalities and they're built from the top. They're not representative of popular interests. And elections have not resolved the issue. They are events that occur once every four years in which people participate -- or don't participate as the case may be. In many cases, the turnout is very low. Between elections there's no sustained attempt to stimulate popular participation in any way. The elections are usually in the hands of government, which has the most political and economic resources to shape the elections in a way that supports their own position. The opposition happens to be rather weak and unable to challenge effectively the incumbent political party. That again has been the trend and what we have seen is the growth of these dominant one-party systems...that accumulate economic and political power and exclude effective opposition. This could be resolved in some ways by changing the political structure of the system so that it's not a one-party-takes-all system, in which there are mechanisms in place to ensure that the opposition, even if it loses, gets some opportunity to participate in the system. For example, there was a proposal by the European Union a couple years back to allow opposition members to chair parliamentary commissions even though they weren't in power. It would give them some link, some sense that they weren't simply excluded and could continue to have relevance. So, there are ways that I think the structure could be changed, the ways in which participation can be stimulated and broadened. And the focus on elections is not an adequate way of dealing with this problem. RFE/RL: So the law now that everyone is talking about, that's the center of these protests, is taking aim at these Western-funded NGOs and media, which the government has decided are preventing it from doing what it wants to do. But you argue in your recent piece that they've been ineffective. You wrote: "Despite 30 years of political and economic reform, financial support and expert advice from the EU and millions of U.S. dollars spent on democracy-building programs, nothing has undone the Georgian pattern of state control and resurgent authoritarianism." So why haven't these programs worked? Jones: That's a good question. I think in part perhaps because they're not directed at the needs of the Georgian population. They're very often driven by donors -- whatever focus the government that provides the aid believes is necessary, that's generally what the focus is -- and there's not enough understanding or consultation with the Georgian population more broadly and the needs that they have. That's one issue. They also very often come in for a very short period of time. They deal with an issue -- let's take for example, democratizing political parties. They work on it for three or four years. They can report some results at the end of their presence and their cooperation with the political party, and then they leave. The changes that have to take place in Georgia to ensure the sustainability of greater transparency or greater participation or greater power sharing, I think these are really deeper systemic problems that have to be dealt with. It can't be done simply by foreign experts coming in and providing money to reform particular parts of the system. I think the time of focusing on elections as the source of change, as has been demonstrated by Georgian Dream, which is now coming up to its fourth term in power, through an electoral system that [it] has been effectively able to manage. This is not the way that you're going to open up the system and encourage citizen participation. People are disillusioned with the elections. They don't participate, they don't know which party they want to vote for. They don't believe...that if they vote that is going to change anything in their lives.... There has to be some more thoughtful way of encouraging grassroots participation, some way to open up the system and encourage connections between political parties and the population. That's not what we're seeing right now. RFE/RL: There is an obvious tension between the ideas that the government sees these [NGOs] as a big threat, and yet they're ineffective. How do you resolve that seeming contradiction? Jones: There has to be some form of counterpower, some alternative in place. There has to be some method of resistance, of monitoring, of examining the government in power. Those methods are relatively weak in the system. Where is the countervailing power in Georgia? It's not in the opposition, not in the political parties. The president has the power of veto over certain legislation but very weak power [overall].... Right now [the power is] in the streets, because there's no other mechanism in place through which people can express their opposition or effectively express their opposition to government policies. So, if we want to prevent this cycle of popular revolt every four or five years, we have to find ways in which we can guarantee some sort of diffusion of power or some sort of citizen engagement. And it has to be sustainable. Civil society has certainly made some gains and it's very important in terms of revealing and resisting government malfeasance. This is partly why Georgian Dream wants to crush it with this new bill it's introduced. But there are other ways. One could think of perhaps a second house [of parliament] as a way of providing mechanisms that can share the legislative process in a more diffuse way so that one party just doesn't dominate one chamber; there [would be] a second chamber that has the possibility of discussing and moderating legislation. It could [also] be by enhancing local government, which is very weak in Georgia. It could be by creating some sort of citizen fora or mini-parliaments that would focus on particular issues that come up, which would give citizens some degree of control over the debate and maybe, particularly in local areas, the ability to actually implement legislative change. I'm not saying that we dispense with elections, I'm just arguing that there has to be some other supplemental mechanisms in place to ensure the diffusion of power and the sharing of power, along with institutions that effectively check and monitor political power. RFE/RL: The big question people are asking now is, why does Georgian Dream think that it needs this law on foreign agents, not just once but twice. After it failed badly last year, now they're trying again. What is it that makes it so important for them to do this? Jones: Well, I can understand the first time that they did this, obviously it would be a mechanism to ensure greater control over the political process. Civil society doesn't have much power, but it can expose the government.... It encourages transparency. And Georgian Dream has effectively controlled other sources of political opposition, so civil society was a sort of outstanding political space where they didn't have control. What this all suggests is that Georgian Dream is not really interested in democracy. It's more interested in managed democracy that we see in Hungary, for example. It's a political party that has significantly moved ideologically, from a party that was interested in civic engagement to one that has become increasingly isolated and focused on traditional conservative values that exclude diversity in society. It's a way to maintain their power because they are increasingly isolated from the rest of society. The political and social base of Georgian Dream is getting narrower and narrower and now we get this very small group of people in parliament that are surrounded by a tremendous wave of popular resistance and how are they going to control that? They have to close down the political challenges that they face and this is one way of doing it. [There's also] a fear of what getting close to the European Union might do in terms of creating greater opportunities for political challenge to their power. Those demands will no doubt come from the European Union in one way or another. And that's something that, if they want to retain power, which obviously they do, would be a significant challenge. RFE/RL: So I understand the logic of doing this last year, but then to do it again, this I think is the question to which I have not heard a satisfactory answer. Obviously it seems to have already backfired, but why might they have tried again? Jones: This isn't happening in isolation, this is happening in the context of increasing polarization between the West and Russia. We've seen attempts elsewhere to introduce laws like this in Hungary, for example, in Kyrgyzstan, in Abkhazia, Russia of course in 2012, arguably the model for Georgian Dream's own version. If one was thinking in conspiratorial terms, though I generally don't do that, this might be a reflection of Russian pressure and attempts to reestablish its control while it's doing well in Ukraine at least.... Maybe this is something that is pushing Georgian Dream into adopting this law a second time. I know that there was some resistance within Georgian Dream to doing this. There was some concern that exactly this would happen. The strands that are holding Georgia to Europe are weaker and weaker and so maybe they have less to lose. They are becoming less dependent economically on Europe and European investment. Russia is increasingly the bigger market for Georgian business.... It could be something in preparation for the [parliamentary] elections in October. They want to get things in place [and] thought they would exhaust the opposition through a process like this, [and that] it would make the October elections easier for them to manage and manipulate. There are multiple potential explanations, but it's curious and, as you say, it's backfired. RFE/RL: So, taking into account what you've said about elections, now of course we have elections coming up in October. Do you see these as potentially exacerbating the crisis or potentially resolving it? Or how do you see these in terms of Georgian political history? Jones: Ultimately, I believe Georgian Dream is doomed because it doesn't have political or social support. It's alienated much of its support. It [does] have some support in the regions if it promotes this idea of keeping the peace and stability, it might gain some support through those ideas. Georgians don't want instability, they don't want war. This is the thing that Georgian Dream has been focusing on, and maybe they believe that this will win them the election. That probably means some sort of provocation might occur that will highlight the danger of instability. This might be part of the deal that Georgian Dream has with Russia, I don't know, that something will happen and the danger of war will be highlighted and people will vote for Georgian Dream as a party of stability. Ultimately, we have a party that really does not have the support it needs to win the election fairly. They have to cheat in some way to win this election. RFE/RL: Even though Georgian Dream is quite unpopular, the opposition parties are even less popular, and opinion polls show that pretty regularly. So my sense going into this was that, had everything stayed the same, they would have won easily in October. Jones: I agree with you, I would have taken that position before these events, these popular demonstrations. I don't think that's the case now. I can't imagine people turning out and voting for Georgian Dream.... It's hard to imagine that they could win this election fairly, but you're absolutely right about the opposition. Unless the opposition can form some sort of, not necessarily coalition, but some sort of agreement that would encourage people to think that it's not an opposition that's going to be dominated by the UNM [the United National Movement, the former ruling party led by Mikheil Saakashvili]. The UNM is still sort of a bogeyman.... But the other issue here is, if they do somehow manage to win the election, which of course is a possibility through their control of electoral resources, then traditionally this is the way that revolutions occur in Georgia. They very often occur after a corrupt election.... The other issue is the changed electoral system. Now we have popular proportional representation, we don't have single-majority systems. It's not exactly a winner-take-all system now. So this is going to be an interesting development because the reason proportional representation was introduced was, at some level, to introduce the possibility of smaller parties getting into parliament and, in some way, preventing Georgian Dream or the dominant party, whatever it is, from gaining a constitutional majority in parliament. So, it's more of an open electoral system, and we'll have to see what that means in terms of outcomes. It gives the opposition more opportunities. RFE/RL: The geopolitical element of this is something that has led to a lot of speculation. Georgian Dream came into office promising that it would maintain the course toward the West, toward Europe, while also reducing the temperature in relations with Russia. Do you think that that's still the case? You've alluded a couple of times to deals that you think that Georgian Dream might be having with Russia. Do you think that we are in the beginnings of some more profound shift in their geopolitical orientation? Jones: I think this is possible. All the indications are clearly that Georgian Dream is distancing itself from the European Union and integration into the European Union, precisely for those reasons that I mentioned before: that in order to integrate with the European Union, they're going to have to open up the political system and create vulnerabilities in terms of their own political power. It's not a system in which Georgian Dream is going to be victorious. So, there are anxieties and fears about what getting closer to the European Union means. If they want to gain some sort of popular support in Georgia, one way to do it would be to create some sort of deal with Russia. Of course you can never trust deals with Russia, but it might be a system in which Russia promises some improvement in terms of Georgian control over [the breakaway regions of] Abkhazia or South Ossetia, some form of confederation. These are the sort of ideas that have been passed around, that this might be a way that Georgian Dream could appeal to its population by appealing to this idea of territorial integrity. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. TBILISI -- President Salome Zurabishvili warned that Georgia's survival as a state is in danger after parliament approved a contentious "foreign agent" law despite weeks of popular protests and warnings from the West that the move endangers Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Speaking at a news conference in Tbilisi with the visiting foreign ministers of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Iceland on May 15, Zurabishvili reiterated she would veto the legislation approved a day earlier, as the government "did not listen to the voice of its people, nor to the advice of its friends, nor to anyone's warning, and went its own way." "The issue of Georgia's survival is at stake today," she said. "I told our friends about our plans for the future, about what should be a European platform that I have been working on for several weeks now and which I will officially present to our people," Zurabishvili said, adding that her platform is meant to mobilize Georgians ahead of elections later this year. "Our immediate plan is mobilization for elections, a peaceful path on which we will all undoubtedly win together, in order to bring our motherland onto a peaceful and European path," she said. The law has been condemned by the United States, the European Union, and rights watchdogs for emulating a similar piece of Russian legislation used by President Vladimir Putin to crush dissent and stifle independent institutions. A NATO spokesperson on May 15 called the legislation "a step in the wrong direction" that takes Georgia "further away from European and Euro-Atlantic integration." Zurabishvili, who is at odds with the ruling Georgian Dream party that pushed the legislation through parliament, has 10 days to exercise her veto powers. However, the dominant position of Georgian Dream and its partners in parliament is strong enough to override a presidential veto. Zurabishvili spoke shortly after thousands of Georgian demonstrators continued their protest into the early hours of May 15 in Tbilisi against the bill. After nightfall, protesters marched from the parliament building some 2 kilometers to Heroes' Square, a main intersection in the Georgian capital, where riot police violently arrested at least 10 people, RFE/RL correspondents on the ground reported. On May 14, in the third and final reading, lawmakers voted 84 to 30 in favor of the law initiated by the Georgian Dream party, which has used its control over security forces to violently crack down on protesters over the past weeks using water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Thousands of protesters, mainly young people, massed in front of parliament ahead of the vote. As word got out that final approval had been given to the bill, angry protesters outside parliament tried to break metal barriers near the building and were attacked violently by masked riot police. At least 13 people were arrested, some of whom were being violently snatched from the crowd by police. TV and social media footage showed activist Davit Katsarava being violently detained outside parliament. He was later pictured with serious injuries to his face. Doctors at a Tbilisi clinic said he had suffered a broken clavicle and fractured jaw and undergone surgery. Lazare Grigoriadis, a young protester, who was arrested during the police crackdown, was beaten while in custory, his lawyer, Eka Kobesashvili, told RFE/RL. "His face is damaged, his head is also injured, his hands are cut from the handcuffs, his head and sides hurt," Kobesashvili said. "The police beat him on the head, physically assaulted him and kept him in the courtyard of the parliament for several hours after his arrest, until he was taken first to the division and then to the isolation ward." Another young protester told RFE/RL in English, "I'm Georgian and therefore I'm European," adding, "we want freedom, that's all. My name is Irakli Beradze, I am a student of Ilia State University, and I'm here protesting against the Russian law, against the Russian[-style] regime and I'm fighting for freedom." Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the protesters of "following the agenda of the political minority" and charged that they were showing a "great irresponsibility" toward their country. Kobakhidze has also criticized the United States, one of Georgia's biggest backers, for making "false" statements about the legislation. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien, who was in Tbilisi on May 14, said Washington's relationship with the South Caucasus country would be at risk and U.S. aid for Georgia would come under review if the bill officially becomes law. "If the law goes forward without conforming to EU norms and this kind of rhetoric and aspersions against the U.S. and other partners continue, I think the relationship is at risk," O'Brien said. "This is a dark day for Georgian democracy," a group of 11 U.S. senators said in a statement issued after the vote. The massive rallies against the bill are some of the largest protests since Georgia became independent in 1991. Under the terms of the proposed legislation, media outlets, NGOs, and other nonprofits would be required to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if more than 20 percent of their funding comes from abroad. Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China for a two-day state visit where hes set to press Chinese leader Xi Jinping for more support to sustain his countrys sanctions-hit economy and war machine in Ukraine. The May 16-17 visit is Putins first foreign trip since he was sworn in for a fifth presidential term one week ago and comes as Beijing continues to extend a key economic lifeline to Moscow to help soften the blow of Western economic sanctions that have limited Russian access to global supply chains and international markets. The United States has increased its warnings in recent months about Chinas crucial role in helping Russia on the battlefield by aiding its defense industry through the supply of nonlethal but militarily useful dual-use products. Analysts say a main objective for Putins trip will be to find ways to circumvent U.S. restrictions that have driven down Chinese exports to Russia in March and April following a boom in consumer products and dual-use goods since Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Beijing during visits to China in April that Chinese companies -- and financial institutions -- could face secondary sanctions for supplying Moscows defense industry. There are clear signals that the economic component of the war will be a crucial piece of [the visit], Nathaniel Sher, a senior research analyst at Carnegie China, told RFE/RL. Every month, China is exporting more than $300 million worth of dual-use products to Russia and isnt hiding it. There [are] few reasons to see why theyd stop now. An analysis of Chinese customs data by Sher shows that Chinese exports to Russia have risen by more than 60 percent since the invasion of Ukraine and that in 2023 some 90 percent of high-priority dual-use goods used in Russian weapons production was imported from China. Chinas total trade volume with Russia also rose by 26 percent in 2023 to a record $240 billion. Underscoring the importance of Russias defense sector to Putins China trip is a Kremlin reshuffle that saw him appoint technocrat economist Andrei Belousov as defense minister on May 12. Defense spending in Russia has been ratcheted up and experts say Belousovs appointment is part of an effort to raise military production for the war in Ukraine in preparation for a yearslong campaign. Belousov, who has held several top economic roles over the last decade, also has extensive experience dealing with China. Both Xi and Putin will meet with policy teams specializing in trade, energy, and security cooperation during the visit and Alexander Gabuev, the director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, says that since Xis state visit to Moscow in 2023 both Beijing and Moscow have invested serious effortto get senior officials on both sides to know each other well. As Beijing and Moscow expand their defense industrial cooperation, Putin has elevated high-caliber professionals with China experience, Gabuev wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Meeting An 'Old Friend' Since the announcement of a Russia-China no limits partnership in February 2022, which was followed by Russias invasion of Ukraine just days later, the countries have moved closer together despite sanctions and political pressure from the West. In previewing the visit, the Kremlin said Putin and Xi would discuss the whole range of issues in detail in their all-encompassing partnership and strategic relationship. The two leaders will also sign a joint statement and take part in an event celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Soviet Union, the Kremlin added. Putin will also meet Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang to discuss trade and humanitarian issues, the Kremlin said, and then visit the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin to open two bilateral trade events. The state visit will mark the 43rd time that Putin and Xi have met. In an interview with Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency on May 15, the Russian leader praised Xi as an old friend and said China-Russia ties have reached new heights as both countries strengthen foreign policy coordination in the interests of building a just multipolar world order. Alicja Bachulska, a China policy expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations, says the timing of the visit is key, as it follows a high-profile European tour by Xi to France, Serbia, and Hungary. The optics suggest that the two leaders will talk about Chinas key takeaways from Xis meetings in Europe, many of which concerned the situation in Ukraine, she said. Both countries serve as important geopolitical counterweights for each other in their rivalries with the United States. Moscow has stepped up military drills in the East China Sea with Beijing and U.S. intelligence officials warning in May that Russia and China are working closely together on military issues, including any potential invasion of Taiwan. Meanwhile, amid Russias isolation from the West, China has displaced the European Union as Russias largest trading partner and become the biggest market for Russian oil and gas. But this has also raised the risk of Russia becoming economically reliant on China, which has left it with less leverage in negotiations over its vital energy sector. Russia is hoping China will replace Europe as the major market for its gas exports, but the two countries are yet to reach a deal on the Power of Siberia-2 pipeline, which would supply China with gas from fields previously serving European markets. Testing A 'No Limits' Partnership This risk of overreliance is also a factor in the flow of dual-use products from China to Russia, says Dennis Wilder, a former director for China on the U.S. National Security Council. Putin seems happy with what hes getting from the Chinese defense industry, Wilder told RFE/RL. I don't think he feels he needs to get lethal weapons from them because he wants Russia to build these weapons. It's less costly to do it that way. Wilder, a research fellow at Georgetown University, says the Kremlin is hoping to sustain the flow of dual-use goods to refurbish its defense industry, which is currently looking to boost the production of weapons and ammunition as the war in Ukraine grinds into its third year. North Korea has also supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells for the Ukraine war and transferred ballistic missiles and other weapons in exchange for food and raw materials to manufacture weapons. South Korea and the United States have since accused North Korea and Russia of trading arms in violation of UN sanctions and expressed concern that Moscow could supply Pyongyang with more advanced military technology. While no visit has been confirmed, Putin expressed his willingness to visit North Korea in January after an invitation from leader Kim Jong Un and some experts have speculated that Putin could visit Pyongyang following his trip to China. The North Korea element is an important wrinkle in this relationship and I imagine it will also be discussed in Beijing, Wilder said. North Korea can help Russia militarily where China cant, but this new relationship with Putin and Kim is worrisome to the Chinese as it could further destabilize things in the [Korean] Peninsula. 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. The job recruitment ad, sent via WhatsApp, was short and sweet, aimed at a potential recruit: apply for a position with the national railway company and end up fighting in the special military operation, the Kremlins euphemism for the war in Ukraine. Recruitment for the SMO continues, from Russian Railways + St. Petersburg + the Defense Ministry. This is 1 million rubles. That Russian military commanders and political officials are rushing to bolster troop numbers is no secret. More than 315,000 men have been killed or wounded since the start of the all-out invasion in February 2022, according to U.S. estimates. British officials put the tally at over 400,000. And its no secret that the Kremlin has gone out of its way to avoid a second mobilization and a repeat of the shock that Russian society experienced in September 2022, when President Vladimir Putin issued that order. But exactly how military recruiters have managed to keep troop numbers up in the face of withering casualty figures -- more than the Soviet Union suffered in the entirety of the 10-year war in Afghanistan -- while avoiding an unpopular new mobilization has perplexed outside observers. Private-sector companies are playing a crucial, and little-understood, role in making this happen, according to new findings by Systema, RFE/RLs Russian investigative unit. 'I Know Them All By Their Surnames' Through the early months of the invasion, military commanders relied on an improvised system of recruitment to attract volunteers to fight in Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhins private mercenary company Wagner pioneered a series of creative campaigns, calling its units an orchestra and its soldiers musicians. Wagner, which was incorporated into the Defense Ministry following Prigozhins failed mutiny in June 2023 and his death two months later, also recruited heavily among prison inmates, something that continues today. Putins 2022 mobilization decree aimed at recruiting 300,000 new troops, using a mix of enticements as well as direct draft orders for military reservists. The order stunned Russian society, prompting an exodus of hundreds of thousands of people to places like Armenia, Georgia, and Central Asia, putting a strain on the domestic labor pool for highly skilled, specialized workers. Loath to use a mandatory draft, authorities also began offering high wages, bonuses, and perks to attract soldiers. In many poorer regions, signing bonuses, plus benefits for war widows and survivors, dwarfed total annual salaries for many people, in what experts said amounted to a massive transfer of wealth by the Kremlin. But authorities have also relied on, and pressured, private-sector companies to help bolster troop numbers. Large state-run or state-owned companies like Russian Railways, the national railroad company, have used internal and external headhunter companies to recruit people to fight in Ukraine, Systema found. The recruitment aims to meet quotas set by regional and federal authorities, while also avoiding sending more qualified specialists, like engineers. After contacting a dozen recruiters in several cities and inquiring about the terms for signing a military contract, an RFE/RL correspondent received a recruiting message from a Russian Railways representative, promising a mix of payments and bonuses coming from the company, along with the Defense Ministry. After making contact with a recruiter -- a 55-year-old woman named Alla Pronina -- the correspondent was directed to the railroad companys internal security division, where the fictitious job position would be housed. In St. Petersburg, billboards and websites are filled with advertisements for contract soldiers. The main webpage of the website of a major St. Petersburg energy company, Yugo-Zapadnaya CHPP, greets readers with a large pop-up banner, inviting applicants to register as an employee and then go on to fight in Ukraine. The company promises an additional 405,000 rubles ($4,440), on top of the regular amount provided by the Defense Ministry. Road maintenance companies and construction companies are also actively recruiting. One recruiter told RFE/RL that a 400,000-ruble bonus would be coming from the St. Petersburg Construction Committee, a city department. Another recruiter appearing to represent Vozrozhdeniye, a St. Petersburg road and building company controlled by billionaire businessman Igor Bukato, tried to reassure the target audience that a recruitment scheme overseen by the company was 100 percent clean. Just like the first 1,000 people who came before you, you will receive the payment without issue, the recruiter, who gave his name as Dmitry, said in a voice message to RFE/RL. I have 20 people from Vozrozhdeniye [who went to fight in Ukraine], Marina, another human resources officer from the company, also reassured RFE/RL in a phone conversation. I know them all by their surnames. The company did not respond to written questions submitted by RFE/RL seeking further comment. The St. Petersburg Construction Committee, and city administration authorities also did not respond to RFE/RL requests for comment. 'Bring A Friend!' Wagners legal existence has been in limbo since the Prigozhin mutiny, though experts believe its business operations and military hierarchy has been incorporated into the Defense Ministry. Still, Wagner, or people posing as former Wagner mercenaries, have utilized the companys brand name and marketing logos, and continued to advertise and recruit heavily, using names like The Orchestra or The Order. Advertisements for The Order first started appearing on Russian social media networks in August 2023, about a month after the mutiny. Advertisements for The Orchestra, which appeared in February 2024, seem to be targeting foreigners for recruitment. Photos posted to social media suggest that Indians are among the largest non-Russian groups that have been recruited. One recruiter for The Orchestra told RFE/RL that foreign recruits are trained directly by officers from the 810th Separate Marine Infantry Brigade, a unit that suffered heavily in the early months of the war. In the central city of Volzhsk, in February 2024, leaflets began circulating inviting people to apply for employment with the Nizhne-Volzhsky Pipe Factory. In addition to payments from the regional authorities, and the Defense Ministry, the potential employee is also promised a one-time bonus of 250,000 rubles ($2,740) from the factory itself. Moreover, anyone who brings a friend for employment, and deployment to Ukraine, gets an additional 50,000-ruble ($550) bonus. The promotion is really good, sell your friend for 50,000, a commentator remarked in a post on a Volzhsk social media chat. In other regions, local governments and private companies have rolled out similar schemes, luring recruits with extra payments. The government of the central region of Tatarstan offers signing bonuses of 205,000 rubles ($2,240) from local companies. In the Yaroslavl region, northeast of Moscow, local business reportedly doubled the amount of signing bonuses in February 2024. A recruiter from the Samara region told RFE/RL that it was possible to go to war as an employee of Avtovaz, a major automobile manufacturer and important employer in central Russia. In Vologda, another region northeast of Moscow, a veterans organization affiliated with the space agency, Roskosmos, announced it was paying 300,000-ruble ($3,285) signing bonuses. Even though the job vacancies being filled by potential applicants are fictional, the system is strictly organized. Upon signing a contract with a private company, a potential recruit is immediately directed to local military registration office to sign Defense Ministry contracts. If a person changes his mind, he receives no payment and possibly other punishment. 'No Long-Term Planning' The bulk of companies participating in these military recruitment schemes appear to be large, private industrial companies or state-owned enterprises. IT companies, or banks, do not appear to be part of the effort. The motivation for participating appears to be various, experts and recruiters said. Some businesses receive tax breaks and grants for recruiting people for the Ukraine war. Pronina, the Russian Railways recruiter, told RFE/RL that by participating in the effort, the company is able to avoid having to send its own qualified specialists to fight. Companies have engineers who take a long time to train. Companies must provide a certain number of volunteers for the war, she said. And instead of these volunteers, theyll take you. So its a nice bonus for you, and they dont have to send their engineers. Pavel Luzin, an expert on Russias military currently teaching at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the United States, said the recruitment system has likely been improvised under pressure from regional elites, regional governors. There is no long-term planning in this, he said. Recruitment with the promise of additional benefits, according to Luzin, is designed for not the smartest people, those without clear moral principles. With reporting by RFE/RL correspondent Mike Eckel Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was rushed to a hospital after a shooting attack by a lone gunman in the town of Handlova on May 15. A government statement said he was in a "life-threatening" condition, but few details about his health have been made available. European leaders quickly condemned the violence, which Slovak President Zuzana Caputova called "an attack on democracy." 107-year-old Michael Coyne from Fairymount, Castlerea was recently presented with a copy of Powering the West, A History of Bord na Mona and ESB in North Mayo. Michael worked on the construction of the famous Bellacorick power station during the 1950s and was employed by the John Waldron construction company. While working on the project he stayed in digs with a local family in Bellacorick. Michael was presented with a copy of Powering the West by PJ Lynn, who was a member of the Crossmolina-based committee behind the publication of the history. Michael was delighted to see his name recorded in the book as one of the many workers employed in the construction. The Bellacorick power station was a joint partnership between Bord na Mona and the ESB and a large number of workers were employed in the construction phase. The construction of the power station was one of the biggest infrastructural projects in the West of Ireland at that time. The power station closed in 2005 and the cooling tower was demolished in a controlled explosion in 2007. The HSE is unable to give a timeline on when the new psychiatric unit at Roscommon Hospital will be developed. A HSE spokesperson made the comments when responding to queries from the Roscommon Herald on when a long awaited new unit would be delivered at the hospital. The construction of a new, specialised facility is needed to address the issues identified in a number of annual inspection reports carried out by the Mental Health Commission. The latest report painted a damning picture of the patient environment at the existing unit, which has been officially acknowledged as not being fit for purpose. A HSE spokesperson told the Roscommon Herald that a business case to develop a new 35 bedded unit was now complete. The business case was escalated. Local HSE Estates are aware of this and are supportive of the proposal. The service is seeking a standalone purpose-built unit connected to/adjacent to Roscommon University Hospital (RUH) in order to better meet the needs of the population of the catchment area, said the spokesperson. When asked what the next stage of the process would now be following the completion of the business case, the spokesperson said: Mental Health Services will need the assistance of local HSE Estates to get the project through the various steps for approval for capital projects. Locally, we would see the next major milestone as the appointment of a design team to progress the development. The proposed development is fully supported by Saolta University Healthcare Group and RUH. However, the HSE spokesperson said that at this point we are unable to provide a timeline on when the new facility will be developed. Cramped conditions, televisions awaiting anti-ligature casing, potentially hazardous radiator pipes, bed curtains held together with Sellotape and ripped arm rests on couches were among some of the issues identified at the unit in the recent Mental Health Commissions inspection report. The report found that the unit was non-compliant in six out of 29 regulations, and the commission recommended a corrective and preventative action plan with a series of timelines. The Old Stone House restaurant in Ballinlough has scooped the Rising Star of the Year award for Connacht at the YesChef awards. It also won Connacht Local Restaurant of the Year. Held in Dundalk last night, the annual awards are organised by YesChef, a food magazine for the hospitality industry. In a social media message following the win, the Ballinlough restaurant thanked our brilliant and hardworking front of house and kitchen teams plus our suppliers. The restaurant was among a number of other local winners: Irish Culinary Experience of the Year Kilronan Castle. Connacht Chef of the Year Daniel Willimont, Kilronan Castle. Connacht Steakhouse of the Year Buffalo Boy, Carrick-on-Shannon. World Food Restaurant of the Year - My Kitchen, Cortober. Fiona Ferguson A convicted sex offender who believed he was meeting an 11-year-old girl but instead found an adult decoy livestreaming to Facebook has been jailed. Paul Lynch (56), who has another conviction for a similar offence, had sent a picture of his genitals to the decoy. He had asked her for a naked photo, but she responded that her phone was broken. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Lynch said he was meeting the girl to give her a phone. Lynch, formerly of Beauvale Park, Artane, Dublin, but originally from Derry, pleaded guilty to attempted meeting of a child for the purposes of sexual exploitation in March 2018. Lynch has a previous conviction from Northern Ireland in 2019 for sexual communication with a child, for which he was imprisoned for four months. He also has a conviction for a breach of a sex offences prevention order in 2023. Seven older convictions relate to theft and fraud. There was no victim impact statement presented to the court as there was no victim in this case. Decoy Passing sentence on Wednesday, Judge Orla Crowe described the offence as the most serious kind. She said it was clear to Lynch from his very first contact with the decoy that the child was 11 years old, and yet he maintained contact for four weeks. He sent a photo of his genitals and he went to meet the child for the purpose of sexual exploitation, Judge Crowe said. She acknowledged Lynchs co-operation with the Garda investigation and accepted that he had shown genuine remorse. She further noted that he is willing to engage with appropriate therapies. Judge Crowe said the case warranted a headline sentence of three years. She then imposed a sentence of two years and three months, having taken the mitigation into account and backdated the term to when Lynch first went into custody last February. At an earlier sentence hearing, Detective Garda Pamela Dunne told Jane Murphy BL, prosecuting, that an adult member of a child protection awareness group set up a social media profile on a particular platform in the name of 'Cassie', using a child's image and purporting to be an 11-year-old girl. Lynch sent a friend request and followed up with a message. 'Cassie' responded and said she was 11 years old. Lynch said she was too young for the app but continued to chat. They exchanged phone numbers and switched to WhatsApp. The chat became sexually explicit, and he sent 'Cassie' a photo of his genitals. He asked for a video chat but 'Cassie' said her mother was home and she could not chat. Lynch persistently asked 'Cassie' to send a naked photograph, but she told him her camera was broken, so he asked her if would she like a new phone. Live steam Gda Dunne said Lynch made a plan to meet with 'Cassie' at a shopping centre so she could pick up the phone. Lynch texted details of his clothing to 'Cassie', who was actually the woman from the child protection awareness group and a number of other people posing as security guards. The group started a live stream on Facebook prior to confronting Lynch. They said this was so the suspect could not lie about being attacked, and the footage cannot be edited. Lynch was asked who he was there to meet, to which he said no one. The group rang the phone number they had, and the phone began ringing in Lynchs pocket. He then acknowledged he was there to meet a girl called 'Cassie'. Gardai were contacted and found Lynch surrounded by a large crowd. The group gave gardai a print-off of the messages that had been exchanged and the decoy phone they had used. Lynch agreed to go with gardai, and handed over his phones and passwords. He told gardai all he had been doing was giving the girl a phone. His home was searched and nothing of evidential interest was found. The court heard Lynch was arrested earlier this year in Northern Ireland and has been in custody since February. Fiona Murphy SC, defending, said Lynch fully accepts his guilt and is disgusted and ashamed. She said he had a difficult time prior to this offence due to the death of his father and brother. His own longstanding relationship had also run into difficulties. She said none of this excuses his actions which have destroyed his life. He no longer has contact with his family, the court heard. Counsel said Lynch has been a working man throughout his life and had a difficult time in various institutions in which he was placed as a child. She highlighted her client has cognitive issues which are outlined in a report before the court. Counsel asked the court to take into account his guilty plea, cooperation in handing over devices and said there had been no suggestion he was making efforts to abscond. She added he is taking classes in custody and will engage with suitable services available to him. Gordon Deegan Supermacs boss Pat McDonagh has said his group has spent between 6 million and 7 million on houses for staff. In an interview, Mr McDonagh said the recruitment of staff was the biggest challenge facing his fast food and hospitality business today. He said currently there are between 200 to 250 Supermacs staff in mainly houses specifically purchased to accommodate staff. Asked how much Supermacs has spent on purchasing properties to accommodate staff, Mr McDonagh said: It is a guesstimate, but you are talking between 6 million to 7 million. In a lot of areas, we are accommodating staff where it is difficult to get accommodation. It is not always possible but where we can we do. He added: You need to have a stable workforce and if you can provide accommodation at a reasonable rate then it is beneficial to both parties. The Supermacs group today employs well in excess of 2,000 with 45 different nationalities among the workforce. He said: It is difficult to get staff, especially Irish staff at the minute. Mr McDonagh made his comments on new accounts for Supermacs (Holdings) Ltd showing pre-tax profits increased by 15 per cent to 34.02 million in 2022. This followed revenues increasing by 80.6 million, or 41 per cent, from 195.69 million to 276.2 million in 2022. Mr McDonagh said 2022 was a recovery year and a pretty good year. He said revenues increased by another 15 per cent in 2023. He said: Turnover is one thing, but margins is another thing and margins are getting eroded with extra costs including wage costs, food costs, recruitment costs, while energy costs have more doubled since 2019. Mr McDonagh said 2024 is more challenging because of the rising costs and people tightening their belts in certain quarters. The accounts show that the group recorded a post-tax profit of 28.95 million last year after incurring a corporation tax charge of 5.07 million. The profits for 2022 further strengthened the group balance sheet with accumulated profits of 216.85 million at the end of 2022. Cash funds increased from 61.58 million to 85.97 million. Mr McDonagh said the group now operates 116 Supermacs outlets and is planning to open two to three this year. Staff costs in 2022 increased from 38.99 million to 52.98 million as numbers employed increased from 1,503 to 1,711. The profit for 2022 takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of 6.3 million. The accounts disclose that the group repaid 777,359 to Mr McDonagh from outstanding loans owed to the MD leaving a balance owing of 4.99 million to Mr McDonagh at year end. Romania a key partner supporting NATOs deterrence and defense efforts An overview of Romania's latest contributions to strengthen NATO's Eastern Flank and security in the Black Sea region Etat-major des armees/France Agentia Media a Armatei, 15.05.2024, 14:00 Stepping up NATOs military presence on the Eastern Flank is a key element of Allied deterrence. Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its subsequent invasion of Ukraine in 2022 are events that have prompted NATO leaders to rethink their defense strategies. Romania holds an important place within the Alliance, a true anchor in the southern part of the allied eastern flank and a riparian of the Black Sea, a region with strategic relevance for European and Euro-Atlantic security. At the NATO summits of Madrid and Vilnius, in 2022 and 2023 respectively, Romania raised the issue of consolidating NATOs presence in the Black Sea region. NATOs advanced posture currently includes 8 multinational battle groups, provided by framework nations and supplemented by other allies. They are deployed in the 3 Baltic States, in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania, thus covering the entire eastern flank. In Romania, the battle group is led by France, whereas the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg are contributing troops. Currently, the group is at battalion level, but it is expected that, starting next year, it will grow to a brigade totaling 4,000 soldiers. Also in Romania, NATO also has several command structures: the South-East Multinational Corps in Sibiu (center) and the South-East Multinational Division in Bucharest, but also the South-East Multinational Brigade in Craiova (south) and the NATO Forces Integration Unit in Bucharest. Romania is a key partner in the development of the Alliances deterrence and defense efforts on the Eastern Flank by operationalizing the anti-missile shield at Deveselu (south) and by strengthening security in the Black Sea, jointly with its allies. A good example in that regard is the beginning of construction works for the expansion of the Mihail Kogalniceanu military base in Constanta County (southeast), which will be able to accommodate 10,000 NATO soldiers. The Romanian government pledged to invest 2.5 bln EUR in this project. Romania currently hosts around 5,000 foreign troops. The need to establish a permanent NATO naval group in the Black Sea region has been increasingly discussed of late. Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey must identify a common solution for ensuring security in the Black Sea. The model of the Baltic Sea, which practically became a so-called NATO lake after the accession of Sweden and Finland, can be a good example in that respect. Strengthening relations between NATO and Ukraine or even accepting Ukraine as a NATO member can open up new possibilities for strengthening the Black Sea region. The fact that our country has the largest land border with Ukraine has impacted Romanias role and position at NATO level. With respect to support for the neighboring country, Romania might offer Ukraine one of its Patriot air defense systems. It is a hypothesis advanced by president Klaus Iohannis following his visit to the USA. The decision can only be taken after consulting the Supreme Defense Council. Romania has four such Patriot systems, one of which has already been field-tested, and the other three are in advanced stages of operationalization. Should Romania press forward in that direction, it would be on these three systems that would reach Ukraine. It is a rather intense discussion about who can provide Ukraine with Patriot systems. Romania has such systems at its disposal and Ukraine has approached us. President Joe Biden brought this up and I said Im open to it. I will have to further discuss this back home, in the Supreme Defense Council, to see how we can solve the problem, what we can offer and, obviously, what we can receive in return because it is unacceptable that Romania remains without anti-aircraft defense, president Iohannis said. (VP) Australia will on Wednesday release Q1 figures for its wage price index, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In the three months prior, wage prices rose 0.9 percent on quarter and 4.2 percent on year. South Korea is scheduled to provide April data for imports, exports and trade balance. In March, imports were up 5.4 percent on year and exports jumped an annual 13.8 percent for a trade surplus of $1.53 billion. Indonesia will see April numbers for imports, exports and trade balance. In March, imports were down 12.76 percent on year and exports slumped an annual 4.19 percent for a trade surplus of $4.47 billion. Thailand is scheduled to release Q1 data for gross domestic product; in the previous three months, GDP sank 0.6 percent on quarter and rose 1.7 percent on year. Finally, the in South Korea and Hong Kong are closed on Wednesday for Buddha's birthday and will re-open on Thursday. 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. Marshalls plc (MSLH.L), in its trading update for the four months to 30 April 2024, group revenue for the period was down by 10 percent on a like-for-like basis at 199 million pounds, reflecting the expected continuation of weak demand in the Group's key end of new build housing and private housing RMI. Landscape Products revenue was down by 15 percent on a like-for-like basis at 89 million pounds. Building Products contracted by three per cent to 54 million pounds. Revenue in the civils and drainage increased year-on-year supported by increased infrastructure work, and more recently by some improvement in housing groundwork activity. Roofing Products revenue was eight per cent lower at 56 million pounds. The company continues to expect a modest recovery in the second half of the year predicated on a progressive improvement in the macro-economic environment. It remains confident that profit in 2024 will be in-line with its previous expectations and at similar levels to 2023. Simon Bourne, previously the Group's Chief Operating Officer, has moved into the role of Chief Commercial Officer, responsible for the Group's commercial strategy and the financial performance of the Group's business divisions. Simon will continue in his role as a member of the Marshalls Board. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News ESCONDIDO The Escondido City Council agreed Wednesday night to pay $550,000 to the American Civil Liberties Union to settle a lawsuit the group filed over the citys 2014 refusal to approve a shelter for unauthorized immigrant children. The federal lawsuit which the ACLU pursued on behalf of government contractor Southwest Key Programs Inc. claimed the council illegally rejected a permit for the center, which the nonprofit company hoped to open in a former nursing home in southwest Escondido. The ACLU alleged the citys actions werent based on solid land-use criteria, as the law requires, but were motivated by hate and anti-immigrant sentiment in violation of the U.S. Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, gender or other protected classes. The terms of the settlement were tentatively reached during a closed-door meeting in a judges chambers on May 15, then approved by the City Council during a closed-session meeting Wednesday night. Both sides claimed the settlement was a vindication of their arguments. We filed this action to send a message that discrimination and xenophobia will not go unchallenged and we think the message was delivered, said ACLU Legal Director David Loy. Loy said the case was originally filed to pursue the right of all people to get fair housing, but as events developed the need for such housing in Escondido changed. The federal government no longer needed the center to house unaccompanied minors and so the lawsuit became only about cash. Escondido Mayor Sam Abed said the $550,000 represents a victory for the City of Escondido because he said it doesnt cover a fraction of the ACLUs attorney fees. I believe they accepted this amount because the city had a solid case against them, Abed said. We didnt do anything wrong. Abed and Escondido City Attorney Mike McGuinness said the ACLU was at one time seeking more than $7 million through the lawsuit, including roughly $3 million in attorney fees. We are going to make a stand against the ACLU, Abed said. It was a victory. I would have liked to go all the way but we have to make sure we protect the interest of the taxpayers. This proves the city made its decision based on land use, and the ACLU has targeted Escondido because of past policies and not on the merit of the case. The ACLU has taken a special interest in Escondido politics for the past decade, beginning in 2006-2007 when the council tried to enact an ordinance that would have punished landlords who knowingly rented to undocumented immigrants. The courts quickly shot the ordinance down, costing the city more than $200,000 in attorney fees. Since then the ACLU has questioned numerous other actions in Escondido, including driver-license checkpoints. Escondido has a history of unjust bias against immigrants, Loy said in a statement released Wednesday by the ACLU. With this settlement, Escondido is on notice that such discriminatory practices will not go unchallenged. During the hearings concerning the proposed shelter first before the citys Planning Commission and then the council a number of public speakers attacked what they felt was the federal governments inadequate stance against illegal immigration. Abed and others on the council added fuel to the fire by making inflammatory statements on radio talk shows and in print that seemed to extend the argument past traditional land-use issues such as traffic generation and public safety. McGuinness said Escondido is out only $500,000 for the settlement because insurance picks up any other costs including the citys attorney fees. He did not say how much the city has spent defending the lawsuit. Loy agreed that at one time the ACLU was seeking $7 million, but declined to say how much the group spent litigating the case. Alexia Rodriguez, Southwest Keys Vice President of immigrant Childrens Services and Legal Counsel, said in the ACLUs statment that the organization is grateful to the lawyers involved in the case. We will continue to work to educate others so that one day no children are left to fend for themselves due to ignorance and fear in their communities, Rodriguez said. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones chula vista The parents of a Chula Vista elementary school student are suing the district, alleging their son was sexually assaulted by a classmate. Both of the boys were in the third grade and the victim was 8 years old at the time of the incidents, said Anna Yum, the lawyer who filed the suit for the family. The district, which is accused of failing to supervise the children and not communicating with the parents, said it disagrees with the allegations that are being made, but does not feel it is appropriate to discuss these types of allegations involving minors with the media. Two assaults are alleged to have happened in a bathroom at Enrique Camarena Elementary School after lunch on July 25 and July 27, according to the complaint, which uses fictitious names to protect the privacy of both minors. It says that one boy followed the other into the bathroom on the 25th, asked if he wanted to have sex, shoved him to the ground and forced him to perform oral sex. Afterwards, the victim threw up and the other boy said, dont tell anyone or I wont be your friend or Ill beat you up, according to the complaint. The boy told his parents about throwing up but not about the assault, the suit says, and two days later, he was assaulted again. That night, the victim told his parents and showed them a hickey on his chest. The following morning, the parents reported the incidents to the schools principal and vice principal. The victim was taken to Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center and the Chula Vista Police Department was notified, according to the lawsuit. The schools principal, Jonathan Strout, wrote a letter to parents last week after the Union-Tribune asked the district to comment. Please be assured that the parents of the involved students were immediately notified of the incident and there is no information that any other students were involved, Strout wrote in the letter, a copy of which was posted on a Facebook group last week. Strout encouraged parents to talk to their children about personal space and personal safety. Specifically, he said, Your child can and should provide important information that may prevent harm to him or her, or to another student. He emphasized that schools are safe spaces where local law enforcement agencies help keep students safe, according to the letter. The complaint alleges that in both cases, school staff noted that the two boys were alone, unsupervised, for 15 minutes and late for class and that the school did not notify the parents or investigate. My clients perspective was that if she had known the first time around that they were left alone together, maybe the second time it wouldnt have happened, Yum said. The District disputes many of the allegations in the lawsuit, but takes these matters very seriously, Anthony Millican, the districts spokesperson, wrote in a statement. Student privacy laws prohibit the District from sharing specifics regarding this particular situation. However, we can confirm that the District was made aware of the allegations at the time they occurred and responded appropriately by immediately notifying law enforcement and Child Protective Services. Millican did not answer follow-up questions about what policies the school has in place to keep children from being left alone and unsupervised during school hours. After the schools principal and vice principal met with the victims mother, the alleged perpetrator had an expulsion hearing. The victims family never found out if the boy was expelled. When Yum asked the district, their lawyer said he could not disclose that information because of privacy rules. The school district cited student privacy laws in declining to say if the student was ever disciplined. The victim no longer goes to Enrique Camarena Elementary School, according to the lawsuit. Yum seeks unspecified damages for her client, including all legal costs, civil penalties, and possible medical costs for the alleged victim. Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or Twitter A 45-year-old man from Omaha, Nebraska, suffered serious injuries when his pickup truck collided with a train in eastern North Dakota's Cass County. John Bauer failed to yield to the BNSF Railway train at a crossing a mile west of Casselton around 7 a.m. Wednesday, the Highway Patrol reported. The train struck the front of the pickup, causing it to spin and strike a sign. Bauer was taken to a Fargo hospital. Ultracool dwarf stars are widespread in the solar neighborhood. Nevertheless, their extremely low brightness has left their planetary population largely unexplored, and only one of them, TRAPPIST-1, has been found to host a transiting planetary system, until now. Astronomers with the SPECULOOS (Search for Planets EClipsing ULtra-cOOl Stars) project have now detected an Earth-sized planet in a 17-hour orbit around the nearby ultracool dwarf star SPECULOOS-3. SPECULOOS-3 is an M6.5 spectral type dwarf star located 16.8 parsecs (55 light-years) away in the constellation of Cygnus. Also known as LSPM J2049+3336 and TIC 230741378, the star is more than twice as cold as our Sun, as well as ten times less massive and a hundred times less luminous. We designed SPECULOOS specifically to observe nearby ultracool dwarf stars in search of rocky planets that lend themselves well to detailed studies, said Dr. Michael Gillon, an astronomer at the University of Liege. In 2017, our SPECULOOS prototype using the TRAPPIST telescope discovered the famous TRAPPIST-1 system made up of seven Earth-sized planets, several of them potentially habitable. This was an excellent start! The newfound exoplanet, dubbed SPECULOOS-3b, orbits its parent star once every 17 hours. The alien world is likely to be tidally locked, so its dayside always faces the star, which has an average temperature of around 2,600 degrees Celsius. Due to its short orbit, SPECULOOS-3b receives almost times more energy per second than the Earth does from the Sun and is therefore literally bombarded with high-energy radiation. SPECULOOS-3b is practically the same size as our home planet, Dr. Gillon said. A year, i.e. an orbit around the star, lasts around 17 hours. Days and nights, on the other hand, should never end. We believe that the planet rotates synchronously, so that the same side, called the dayside, always faces the star, just like the Moon does for the Earth. On the other hand, the nightside would be locked in endless darkness. The discovery of SPECULOOS-3b shows our worldwide network functions well and is ready to detect yet more rocky worlds orbiting very low mass stars, said University of Birminghams Professor Amaury Triaud. While ultracool dwarf stars are cooler and smaller than our Sun, their lifespan is over a hundred times longer around 100 billion years and they are expected to be the last stars still shining in the Universe. This long life span could offer opportunities for extraterrestrial life on orbiting planets to develop. The small size of ultracool dwarfs makes it easier to detect small planets, said Dr. Georgina Dransfield, an astronomer at the University of Birmingham. SPECULOOS-3b is special in that its stellar and planetary properties make it an optimal target for Webb, which is capable to get information about the composition of the rocks that make its surface. The study was published in the journal Nature Astronomy. _____ M. Gillon et al. Detection of an Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting the nearby ultracool dwarf star SPECULOOS-3. Nat Astron, published online April 10, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41550-024-02271-2 Scientists from the University of Nottingham and artists from Blast Theory have created Cat Royale, a multispecies world centered around a bespoke enclosure in which three cats and a robot arm coexist for six hours a day during a twelve-day installation. From cleaning our homes, to mowing our lawns, to delivering shopping and couriering items around hospitals, robots are finding their place in daily life, said University of Nottinghams Professor Steve Benford and colleagues. As they do so, they will inevitably interact with and be encountered by animals. These might be companion animals, the pets who share our homes or the guide dogs who help us navigate public places, but they might also be wildlife. Often these encounters will be unplanned and secondary to the robots intended task, for example cats riding Roombas, guide dogs being confused by delivery robots, or hedgehogs having to navigate in a world inhabited by lawn mowing robots. However, they could also be intentional. We could design robots to serve animals too. Despite the inevitability of such encounters, planned or otherwise, little is known about how to design robots for animals. Can we even trust them with each other? We present Cat Royale, a creative exploration of designing a domestic robot to enrich the lives of cats through play. Cat Royale was launched in 2023 at the World Science Festival in Brisbane, Australia and has been touring since, it has just won a Webby award for its creative experience. The installation centered around a robot arm offering activities to make the cats happier, these included dragging a mouse toy along the floor, raising a feather bird into the air, and even offering them treats to eat. The team then trained an AI to learn what games the cats liked best so that it could personalize their experiences. At first glance, the project is about designing a robot to enrich the lives of a family of cats by playing with them, Professor Benford said. Under the surface, however, it explores the question of what it takes to trust a robot to look after our loved ones and potentially ourselves. Working with Blast Theory to develop and then study Cat Royale, the researchers gained important insights into the design of robots and its interactions with the cats. They had to design the robot to pick up toys, deploy them in ways that excited the cats, while it learned which games each cat liked. They also designed the entire world in which the cats and the robot lived, providing safe spaces for the cats to observe the robot and from which to sneak up on it, and decorating it so that the robot had the best chance of spotting the approaching cats. The implication is designing robots involves interior design as well as engineering and AI. If you want to introduce robots into your home to look after your loved ones, then you will likely need to redesign your home. As we learned through Cat Royale, creating a multispecies system where cats, robots, and humans are all accounted for takes more than just designing the robot, said Dr. Eike Schneiders, a researcher at the University of Nottingham. We had to ensure animal wellbeing at all times, while simultaneously ensuring that the interactive installation engaged the (human) audiences around the world. This involved consideration of many elements, including the design of the enclosure, the robot and its underlying systems, the various roles of the humans-in-the-loop, and, of course, the selection of the cats. The authors presented their results at the CHI 2024 conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. _____ Eike Schneiders et al. Designing Multispecies Worlds for Robots, Cats, and Humans. CHI 24: Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, article #593; doi: 10.1145/3613904.3642115 Photo by Shandra Martinez The library has a device that magnify images. Photo by Shandra Martinez Librarian Sax Mahoney displays a digital player for the Talking Books program. Photo by Shandra Martinez The library carries a large collection of braille books. Photo by Shandra Martinez Library Assistant Syarifah Alhasni demonstrates Tovertafel (Dutch for Magic Table), an accessible library feature. Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on energy giant Shell from 2,950.0p to 3,400.0p on Wednesday, stating the group was "still on the right track". Berenberg noted that Shell reported "a strong set of Q1 results" on 2 May, demonstrating the progress that the company was making on its strategy under a new management team, with better operational performance, combined with a focus on cost and capital discipline, driving strong earnings and cash flow. "Its integrated gas business delivered another strong quarter, helped by lower operating costs, higher volumes and solid trading results. Cash flow before working capital was $16.1bn, the highest since Q3 2022, enabling another $3.5bn buyback and a $2bn reduction in net debt alongside a $2.8bn working capital build," pointed out the German bank, which reiterated its 'buy' rating on the stock. Berenberg stated that despite the strong performance so far this year, the valuation remains attractive, in its view, with a 12% free cash flow yield underpinning the anticipated 10% total cash return to shareholders, with the stock trading on 8.8x price-to-earnings ratio. Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com Eurozone economic growth ticked higher in the first quarter of 2024, official data showed on Wednesday. According to flash estimates from Eurostat, the official statistics office of the European Union, seasonally-adjusted GDP increased by 0.3% in both the Eurozone and wider bloc. That compares to a 0.1% decline in the previous quarter in the Eurozone. Year-on-year, GDP rose by 0.4% in both regions. Among individual countries, Germany saw GDP tick up by 0.2%, Spain by 0.7%, France by 0.2% and Italy by 0.3% quarter-on-quarter. The update coincided with improving industrial production and employment data, also released by Eurostat on Wednesday. The number of employed persons increased by 0.3% in the Eurozone, and by 0.2% in the EU in the first quarter, while industrial production in March was marginally better-than-expected. It increased by 0.6% across single currency states, ahead of the 0.5% analysts had forecast, and by 0.2% in the wider EU. Year-on-year industrial production was down 1.0% in both blocs, less than the 1.2% expected. The biggest increase in industrial production was in capital goods, up 1%. The data received a boost from Ireland, which saw industrial production surge 12.8%. However, Irish data is known to be extremely volatile. In contrast, Germany and France the Eurozones two largest economies saw industrial production fall 0.7% and 0.3% respectively. Bert Colijn, senior economist, Eurozone, at ING, said: Production seems to be tentatively bottoming out at the moment, with a modest recovery expected in the second half of the year. Consumer spending shout get a boost from higher real wage growth, with the goods cycle starting to turn. Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at Scope Markets, said: With the Eurozone economy clearly showing tentative signs of resurgent strength, todays comments from European Central Bank [economist] Georg Muller, that a June cut is very likely, provides a welcome scenario where we could see them easing rates as the economy takes on an upwards trajectory. Global engineer Hunting said full-year earnings would be at the upper end of expectations after winning a $145m order with the Kuwait Oil Company. The company on Wednesday said it now expects core earnings to be towards the top end of its current guidance of $125m - $135m for 2024. Including the new order, the Hunting's sales order book surged to a record $665m providing "strong earnings visibility for the group's Asia Pacific operating segment and OCTG product group into 2025", it added. "Given the timing of revenue recognition and working capital movements, more detailed guidance for full year 2024 will be provided in the company's first-half 2024 trading statement. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com Landscaping and building products supplier Marshalls said revenues fell 10% in the four months to April 30 as weak demand in the housing and maintenance market continued, adding that it still expected flat profits for 2024. Revenue came in at 199m for the period, down from 227 a year earlier. Marshalls stuck to its forecast of a modest recovery in the second half of the year predicated on a progressive improvement in the macro-economic environment. Against this backdrop and given the decisive management actions taken to reduce capacity and the cost base in 2023, the Board remains confident that profit in 2024 will be in-line with its previous expectations and at similar levels to 2023. The company added that Simon Bourne, previously chief operating officer, had moved into the role of chief commercial officer, responsible for commercial strategy and the financial performance of the group's business divisions. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com Lorries carrying perishable food and plants from the EU are being held for up to 20 hours at the UKs busiest Brexit border post as failures with the governments IT systems delay imports entering Britain. Businesses have described the governments new border control checks as a disaster after IT outages led to lorries carrying meat, cheese and cut flowers being held for long periods, reducing the shelf life of their goods and prompting retailers to reject some orders. Guardian Boeing has violated a settlement that allowed the company to avoid criminal prosecution after two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft, the US justice department told a federal judge on Tuesday. It is now up to the justice department to decide whether to file charges against the aircraft maker amid increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes. Prosecutors will tell the court no later than 7 July how they plan to proceed, the justice department said. Guardian The owner of Vauxhall is to sell cheap Chinese electric cars in Britain as it hit out at a decision by Joe Biden to impose tariffs on cars imported from China to the US. As part of a joint venture with Chinese carmaker Leapmotor, Stellantis will launch the Leapmotor T03 supermini and the C10 SUV in mainland Europe from September and in the UK from March next year. Telegraph About 1,650 British jobs are hanging in the balance after Anglo Americans decision to drastically curtail and delay the completion of its ambitious Woodsmith fertiliser mine under the North York Moors. While Duncan Wanblad, Anglos chief executive, insisted that it was still going to be a stonking business one day, he has slashed capital spending on the project from a planned $3 billion over the next three years to only $1 billion. The Times Taxpayers spent a total of almost 800 years last year waiting on the phone to speak to HM Revenue & Customs amid a declining spiral of customer service, according to the governments spending watchdog. In a damning report, it said that HMRC failed to answer up to 45 per cent of calls to its tax helpline. People who did manage to speak to an adviser waited 23 minutes on average, up from five minutes in 2019. The Times Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled its ambitious plan to invest a staggering 7.8 billion euros (equivalent to $8.4 billion) in its European Sovereign Cloud based in Germany, spanning until 2040. This strategic move underscores AWS's steadfast dedication to catering to Europe's burgeoning digital sovereignty demands. The focal point of this initiative is the establishment of the inaugural AWS Region in Brandenburg, Germany, set to be operational by the culmination of 2025. Max Peterson, the Vice President of Sovereign Cloud at AWS, emphasized the company's unwavering commitment to furnishing clients with state-of-the-art sovereignty controls, privacy fortifications, and top-notch security features within the cloud infrastructure. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2040. This financial injection is projected to catalyze the creation of an average of 2,800 full-time equivalent positions annually within various sectors, ranging from construction to engineering, fostering a robust local economy. Peterson further elaborated on the significance of this substantial investment, accentuating the infusion of 17.2 billion (approximately $18.6 billion) into Germany'sby 2040. This financial injection is projected to catalyze the creation of an average of 2,800 full-time equivalent positions annually within various sectors, ranging from construction to engineering, fostering a robust local economy. The decision to anchor the AWS European Sovereign Cloud in Brandenburg garnered acclaim from Professor Jorg Steinbach, Brandenburg's Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour, and Energy. Steinbach underscored the pivotal role of cutting-edge data centers in fortifying the bedrock of a thriving digital economy, expressing satisfaction that AWS has elected Brandenburg as the nucleus for its long-term investment in cloud computing infrastructure. Moreover, AWS elucidated that the European Sovereign Cloud will furnish customers with the requisite capability to adhere to stringent operational autonomy and data residency stipulations within the European Union (EU). This delineates AWS's concerted effort to empower European businesses and organizations with the tools and infrastructure indispensable for navigating the evolving regulatory landscape while safeguarding data sovereignty. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is seeking the publics assistance in identifying an individual sought for questioning in connection to an incident of grand larceny in Bulls Head. It was reported to police that on Tuesday, April 23, a 63-year-old male victim was alerted that an unauthorized transaction was made to his bank account. Further investigation revealed that an unidentified individual entered the Citibank, located at 1310 Amsterdam Ave., at approximately 12:10 p.m., allegedly using a cloned debit card to withdraw $600 from the victims account, police said. The individual fled the location on foot in an unknown direction and no injuries were reported, police said. The individual is described as a male with a light complexion, gray beard and short gray hair, approximately 40 to 50 years old. 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 tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ , on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Port Richmond High School teacher Elizabeth Guallpa received the Experitas Grant and trophy from The Metropolitan N.Y. Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese at the 51st Congreso Educativo at Mercy Universitys Manhattan campus. The award was presented by chapter president and Staten Islander Bernard A. Lopez. The grant is to be used by Guallpa for the purchase of classroom supplies that will enhance her daily teaching. The annual conference is a celebration of Portugese-Hispanic culture in and out of the classroom. The presentations typically revolve around a Hispanic country and its culture, much of which can be applied in the classroom. This years conference boasted more than 70 attendees. Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese from throughout the area arrived for an early breakfast, followed by several cultural and educational presentations. The keynote speaker was Dr. Reynolds Andujar, the director of Dominican Culture for the New York Consulate office, who discussed the history and culture of the Dominican Republic. Professor Francisco Garcia Quezada discussed music as a tool in the world language classroom STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Its been two years since New York state approved its Gaming Commission to issue licenses for three full-service casinos in the downstate region, and dozens of firms and developers have pitched plans for elaborate, billion-dollar venues since: A Hard Rock near Citi Field, Caesars in Time Square even a Wynn Resorts in Hudson Yards. But whats the backup plan? There are a limited number of licenses, so when several of the projects dont get the green light, is there a Plan B? According to several reports, many New York City-area casino contenders are currently mum on alternatives. Las Vegas Sands CEO Rob Goldstein and Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen told CNBC that given the multi-billion investments required in New York, itd be difficult to impossible to generate adequate return on investment without gaming venues, Casino.org reported. And the Real Deal also recently noted that Silverstein Properties hasnt publicly mentioned alternatives for a proposed casino site at 41st Street and 11th Avenue -- though its possible that property would be suitable for residential development. Likewise, Thor Equities, which is eyeing Coney Island for a gaming venue, could opt to develop or sell that land if it doesnt win one of the three permits, Real Deal reported. New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, who is partnering with Hard Rock International on the $8 billion Metropolitan Park plan, which includes a gaming venue across from Citi Field, has also not released a secondary option. But not all the entities competing for the three casino licenses lack alternatives, Casino.org noted. Its possible that if MGM Resorts Internationals Empire City Casino and Gentings Resorts World New York in Queens dont win traditional casino permits, those properties will continue operating as slots-only venues. And Related Cos., which is working with Wynn Resorts to potentially bring a casino hotel to Hudson Yards, could produce cost-effective residential housing there without a gaming venue. But New York regulators recently announced they are unlikely to make final decisions on the downstate casino licenses until late 2025 or even early 2026, which will place NYC casino plans on hold for at least another year. Were very disappointed by New York, Rob Goldstein, CEO of Sands, told investors on a first-quarter earnings call, venting his frustrations about the $4 billion casino complex his company pitched for the Nassau Coliseum site on Long Island. I dont think we have any clarity, to be honest with you. Its confusing and disappointing I just dont know about New York STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis awarded medals to Staten Island students who received the Congressional Award and the Maverick Foundation Scholarship. The presentation took place on Monday in Malliotakis Staten Island District Office. The Congressional Award was established in 1979 and recognizes students for their achievements in volunteerism, character development, physical fitness and exploration. Its the highest honor bestowed upon civilian youth by Congress. It began as a bipartisan effort in both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. The original bill was sponsored by Senator Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming and Congressman James Howard of New Jersey and the legislation was originally signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald J. Trump have each signed continuing legislation. The Congressional Award provides opportunities for young people to reach their potential by achieving personal goals focused on volunteerism, character development, and fitness. The program is open to all youth in the United States between the ages of 14 and 24 regardless of ability, circumstance, or socioeconomic status. Participants earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates and Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Participants are eligible to register with the award at 13 1/2. Participants are eligible to submit completed rapplications at 14. The Congressional Award has no minimum grade point average requirements. It accommodates young people with special needs or disabilities. Its not an award for past accomplishments, but rather honored for setting goals, creating an action plan, and meeting the challenge. THE MAVERICK FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP Some of the students recognized received the Maverick Foundation Scholarship, established in 2002 for eighth graders entering high school who accept the challenge of the Congressional Award program. Scholarship recipients are required to achieve the Congressional Award Gold Medal prior to graduating from high school, which requires them to perform 400 hours of community service, 200 hours of personal development, and 200 hours of physical activity. MAVERICK FOUNDATION RECIPIENTS: Cassandra Fitzpatrick Congressional Award Gold Medal. Freshman at Marist College; Graduated from Moore Catholic High School in 2023 Victoria DOvidio Congressional Award Gold Medal. Senior at St. Joseph Hill Academy Ryan Leonard Congressional Award Gold Medal. Junior at Monsignor Farrell High School Jenna Ruiz Congressional Award Bronze Medal & Silver Medal. Junior at Staten Island Academy Logan Kielty Congressional Award Bronze Medal. Junior at St. Peters Boys High School Annie Falcon Congressional Award Bronze Medal. Sophomore at Moore Catholic High School Elle Barrera Congressional Award Bronze Medal. Senior at Gaynor McCowan Expeditionary Learning School CONGRESSIONAL AWARD RECIPIENTS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE MAVERICK FOUNDATION Youwei Zhen Congressional Award Gold Medal. Staten Island Technical High School. Lillianna Cognato - Congressional Award Gold Medal. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City will host a September summit on urban rat control, Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday. The inaugural National Urban Rat Summit, from Sept. 18 to 19, will feature experts from cities like Boston, New Orleans and Seattle, along with rat researchers from across the nation to discuss best practices on rodent mitigation, and advance the science of urban rat management. Adams has made rat mitigation a cornerstone of his administration launching a series of anti-rat initiatives, including the hiring of the citys first rat czar and the implementation of rat mitigation zones in particularly problematic areas in Manhattan, the Bronx and Brooklyn. New Yorkers may not know this about me but I hate rats, and Im confident most of our citys residents do as well, Adams said. With rat sightings down nearly 14% in our citys Rat Mitigation Zones year over year, we continue to make progress, but were not stopping there. The best way to defeat our enemy is to know our enemy. Thats why were holding this inaugural summit, to bring experts and leaders from across the country together to better understand urban rats and how to manage their populations. Septembers summit will be held in partnership with the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University. Other rat-combatting efforts have included Adams push to containerize all city trash for the first time and a Parks Department campaign targeting city parks with high rat populations. When containerization rules go into effect later this year for small residential buildings those with one to nine units about 70% of all trash in the city will be containerized, according to Adams office. The city has also developed new side-loading garbage trucks that will allow high-density buildings to use stationary on-street containers for their trash, and next year, Manhattans Community Board 9 will be the first district with 100% of its trash containerized. Under Mayor Adams leadership, New York City is taking the fight to the rats, enacting proven strategies that have been delayed by inertia for too long and getting results, with rat sightings down 12 of the 13 months since we began the Herculean task of getting all 44 million daily pounds of rat-attracting trash off the streets, New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. The Urban Rat Summit is an opportunity to share best practices as the Trash Revolution marches forward. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Child poverty has long been a major issue in New York, with the state routinely having one of the highest rates in the country. But some areas are much more severely impacted than others. In October 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul launched the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, a group responsible for developing a plan to cut child poverty in New York in half over the next decade. Alleviating poverty for all New Yorkers - especially our youngest - is a key priority for my administration, Hochul said at the time. This talented and diverse group of policy experts, service providers, advocates, and community members will examine both proven strategies and new approaches to further this goal and address the broad and systemic inequities that perpetuate cycles of poverty in communities throughout New York state. The groups most recent annual update, which is publicly available online, outlined numerous negative outcomes related to child poverty, including adverse health effects, poor educational performance, lower earnings, toxic stress and shorter life spans. The Staten Island Advance/SILive.com recently analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates to see which New York counties have the highest percentage of children living in poverty. Poverty status is determined by comparing annual income to a set of dollar values (poverty thresholds) that vary by family size, number of children and the age of the householder, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Across New York state, 18.1% of children, defined as residents under the age of 18, are living below poverty level, the data shows. Two of the four counties with the highest child poverty rates are located in New York City, with Bronx County having, by far, the highest rate at 34.9%, and Kings County, or Brooklyn, having the fourth-highest rate at 25.8%. The lowest child poverty rates are in Putnam, Nassau and Saratoga counties, which boasted rates of 5.8%, 6% and 7%, respectively. Here are the child poverty rates for each New York county, from highest to lowest, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates. BHP boss Mike Henry has challenged Anglo Americans shareholders to decide the best team to maximise returns after Anglo unveiled a new strategy to sell mines and focus on three key materials a plan Henry described as a variant of BHPs own takeover proposal. Less than 24 hours after BHP revealed it had put a revised bid to Anglos board, the London-based miners chief executive, Duncan Wanblad, revealed a massive restructure. The worlds largest miner BHP is proposing to swap each Anglo share for 0.8132 of its shares. Credit: Bloomberg Anglo plans to sell its Queensland metallurgical coal mines, offload De Beers diamonds and its platinum business, and focus purely on copper, iron ore and crop nutrients. Wanblad on Monday accelerated decisions the company has been considering for years to engineer a turnaround in an attempt to thwart BHPs second takeover offer. The worlds largest miner is proposing to swap each Anglo share for 0.8132 of its shares. Mondays bid is worth $64.4 billion, but Anglo says that undervalues its business and BHPs plans to demerge its iron ore and platinum business before the takeover are too complicated. Yet the simplicity of the overarching narrative formula does constrain, and dilute, broader social critique, and the action feels a bit unbalanced, dramatically. Just how annoying it would be to live with full-wattage optimism all the time is sort of squashed in at the end. Still, Share House is much funnier than the last musical I saw that tackled property ownership, Eddie Perfects Vivid White, and the vocal and comedic talents of the cast make for a droll evening. Anyone whos ever lived in share-housing will laugh in recognition at the human foibles on display. Reviewed by Cameron Woodhead MUSIC Macklemore Rod Laver Arena, May 15 The screens start to play footage of oceans and clouds; the cymbals and trombone players commence, spurring the packed stadium to cheer with fervour. Macklemore appears under a white spotlight and launches into the opening verse of the gospel-inspired Chant, his track with Australian singer-songwriter Tones and I from his latest studio album Ben. Macklemore at the Rod Laver Arena: maintains infectious, upbeat energy throughout his show. Credit: Richard Clifford Following a seven-year hiatus, the Grammy award-winning 40-year-old rapper from Seattle returns to Australia and New Zealand with a sold-out tour. Due to unexpected demand, shows were added to the Sydney and Perth leg, and his Melbourne venue was upgraded from John Cain to Rod Laver Arena. He encourages Melbourne audiences at the all-ages gig to be present by minimising phone usage, even asking seated audiences to stand to heighten their participation. Conscious of his privilege and platform, Macklemore is unafraid to channel his music into advocacy. In 2017, he performed his single Same Love an anthem about LGBTQIA+ rights at the NRL grand final pre-game show during the peak of the Australian marriage equality campaign. At the concert, footage from a pride march played during this track, accompanied by rhetoric on allowing people to love who they want to love and be who they want to be. More recently, the performer has been vocal on the pro-Palestine movement, releasing the single Hinds Hall this month in support of American student protests. He even joined a campaign at the University of Sydney while touring. Macklemore connects with the local audience. Credit: Richard Clifford Before performing the song, he leans into didactic ideologies: The Palestinians struggle has woken up my spirit in the last seven months I stand up here today in solidarity and strength. Lighting up the stage in green, red and white to symbolise the Palestinian flag, he concludes the song with the cry free free Palestine, which the crowd repeats supportively in unison. Macklemore maintains an infectious, upbeat energy throughout his show. He skilfully jumps, bounds, claps his hands and busts a move across the stage, encouraging audiences to mimic him. The musicians and backup singers join in the fun, performing choreographed moves alongside the two onstage dancers. Sporadic pyrotechnics fire up the crowd. Loading After Dance Off, he gets two audience volunteers on stage to improvise a routine, applauding them for their willingness to be vulnerable. He dons a giant brown fur coat for hit Thrift Shop and even jumps on the drums during the rendition of Downtown, while he travels into the crowd for Cant Hold Us, with the front rows holding him up so he remains visible. He slows things down for Otherside to complement its serious message on the synonymity of drug use and rap culture. His crowd engagement demonstrates an understanding of the local audience, agreeing to do a shoey with coconut water (given his sobriety) and even wearing a Matildas jersey at one point. Macklemore brought the club atmosphere, leaving patrons on a high by the end. He shows gratitude to fans, stating thank you for being a part of my story. He states enthusiastically: This one goes down in the history books we did that shit! Reviewed by Vyshnavee Wijekumar DANCE Homo Pentecostus Malthouse Theatre, until May 25 The most interesting thing about choreographer Joel Brays rather scrappy exploration of his relationship with the charismatic religious movement known as Pentecostalism is the way it shows his earlier and perhaps more successful dance-theatre experiments in a new light. Joel Bray and Peter Paltos in Homo Pentecostus: intimate exchanges and joyful celebrations. Credit: Gianna Rizzo Looking back, the affinities between his distinctive participatory aesthetic and the sensational appeals of modern Pentecostalism seem obvious. Intimate exchanges, joyful celebrations and a sort of touchy-feely sentimentality: this is the stuff of a Joel Bray performance. In this show, we learn that Bray was in fact a member of a Pentecostal church but walked away when he was 18. Hes joined on stage by actor Peter Paltos, who was attracted to Pentecostalism later in life, although he too became disillusioned. At issue is the movements intolerance of homosexuality and other expressions of queerness, as well as the controversial practice of deliverance, in which prayers and rituals are used to expel demons that influence behaviour. Much of the show is a shifting bricolage of reminiscences about being young and gay and discovering what that means. There are also some thin descriptions of life in a modern Pentecostal church, combined with a discussion of how religion affects family relationships. Homo Pentecostus: reminiscent of a Pentecostal service. Credit: Gianna Rizzo The talking is juxtaposed with physical expressions of queerness and homosexual desire: poses and explicit pantomimes and extroverted dancing. Bray strips and is naked or half-naked for much of the performance. Is this an act of affirmation? To me it felt like a substitute for genuine confession: a literal unveiling of the self in place of a genuine engagement with problems of the spirit. At 1 hours, the show is also much too long. The last 30 minutes is almost a complete write-off, with the two performers literally flailing about, searching for an image of closure. Pretty soon the happy-clappy vibe goes sour and it all starts to feel like hard work. Actually, this is another way in which Joel Brays work is reminiscent of a Pentecostal service. It just goes on and on. It makes one yearn for the structure and concision of the Catholic Mass and its preference for symbolism over narrative. A breezy 60 minutes and youre done. Homo Pentecostus raises intriguing questions about the interplay of spirit and flesh. Its enigmatic, fragmentary structure is appealing, yet too much remains hidden, and whats visible feels insubstantial. It fascinates, like a rough draft or provisional sketch, but is too limited to really enjoy. Reviewed by Andrew Fuhrmann MUSIC Esme Quartet Musica Viva, Melbourne Recital Centre, May 14 Formed originally as a kind of Korean, classical-music girl band during student days in Cologne, the Esme Quartet is now a seriously impressive voice in the string quartet world, as this final concert in its first Musica Viva tour amply demonstrated. With Belgian-American violist Dimitri Murrath joining violinists Wonhee Bae, Yuna Ha and cellist Yeeun Heo in April 2023, the lineup is no longer exclusively female or Korean, but the dynamism, exactitude and homogeneity of sound that propelled the group to notoriety is still very much alive and well. Such qualities were well exploited in a rewarding program, beginning with Anton Weberns early Langsamer Satz (Slow Movement); the quartet spinning long lines of richly inventive material that cohered into a captivating, harmonically decadent whole. Esme Quartet: dynamism and exactitude. Credit: Tony McDonough If Weberns work recalled Brahms, Felix Mendelssohns String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13 paid homage to Beethoven; the quartet both nimbly negotiating the works various textures with aplomb and delivering the celebrated Intermezzo with feeling and crystalline clarity. Spiral Sequences by Australian-born, American-based composer Jack Frerer was a welcome discovery. Its two movements (the first quasi-minimalist, the second unwinding the tension of the first with slow-moving romantic gestures) proved an ideal vehicle for demonstrating the quartets stylistic versatility. Esme Quartet displayed their stylistic versatility. Credit: Tony McDonough A taut, vibrant account of Debussys String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10 crowned the program. Digging into the rhythms and textures of the first two movements, the players once again delivered carefully calibrated textures and dynamics to animate the score. During the final two movements, there were times when the listener might have hoped for a little less polish and a greater sense of abandonment to the musics passionate outbursts. Hopefully, such greater spontaneity will be something audiences can enjoy should we be fortunate enough to hear the Esme on a return visit. Reviewed by Tony Way MUSIC Mahlers Song Of The Earth Australian Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne Recital Centre, May 13 A rare chance to hear two distinguished Australian operatic voices with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in an intriguing program resulted in a packed house for the first of three Melbourne performances of Gustav Mahlers Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth). It was ingeniously but empathetically arranged by fellow composer and admirer Arnold Schoenberg in 1920, and later completed by German composer Rainer Riehn. Preceding this profound, exotically flavoured meditation on life, love and death came other amorous declarations. Wagners Siegfried Idyll, a birthday present for his wife, Cosima, was given an ardently romantic account in its original version for 13 players. Three songs by Mahlers wife, Alma Mahler-Werfel, revealed a gifted and evocative compositional talent. While singing with dedication and textual insight, these songs challenged mezzo-soprano Catherine Carby as they predominantly sat low in her range, where the orchestration (by British composer David Matthews) did not always aid the projection of the colour and clarity that were an attractive feature of the higher reaches of her instrument. An exotically flavoured meditation on life, love and death: the Australian Chamber Orchestra with tenor Stuart Skelton. Credit: Nic Walker Happily, the range and orchestration of the Mahler suited Carby very well indeed. This was not so true of Carbys collaborator, tenor Stuart Skelton, who did his valiant best to cover signs of apparent vocal strain throughout his three quite demanding songs. In this, he could have been better served by ACO director Richard Tognetti, who had the ability to rein in his exuberant players, most notably in the opening song. Carbys contributions, however, were of stellar quality. Deeply inhabiting text and mood, especially in the long, final farewell, she radiated all the intense emotions of the human condition with disarming, heart-rending candour. Complemented by a fine ensemble that included flautist Sally Walker, pianist Stefan Cassomenos, cellist Timo-Veikko Valve and hornist Timothy Jones, this was a moving, if imperfect, night to remember. Reviewed by Tony Way MUSIC/THEATRE/DANCE The Bridal Lament Arts House, until May 19 In the culture of Weitou, the earliest settlers of Hong Kong from southern China, marriage was akin to a kind of spiritual death for women. As a final act of defiance before they were sent off to live with their arranged husbands, the women developed a ritual known as the bridal lament. The woman would go up to a loft for three days, and there, suspended above her world, she would sing songs to her family and friends describing what she was leaving behind. The Bridal Lament, starring Rainbow Chan, at Arts House. Credit: Sarah Walker Multidisciplinary artist and musician Rainbow Chan, whose mother is Weitou, reimagines this world in an ambitious one-woman show, directed by Tessa Leong. After making its debut at Sydneys Liveworks last year and heading to Adelaides OzAsia festival, and now playing in Melbourne, The Bridal Lament is a tender, poignant and cinematic vision of Chans place between cultures. The Bridal Lament is many things at once. It has elements of music, both contemporary and ancient, as Chans thudding electro-pop melds with traditional Weitou laments in a song cycle form; visual art, with abstract, swirling video projections designed by Rel Pham; and spoken-word, with Chan (and her mother, Irene, via voiceover in Weitou and Cantonese) narrating the story of the rituals, and the story of their familys migration to Australia. The backdrop is an elaborate, beaded archway, animated by dazzling colours. As well as her gorgeous voice, Rainbow Chans gliding movement is a big part of The Bridal Lament. Credit: Sarah Walker Chans gorgeous voice is the backbone of the show: soft when singing the folksy laments, and furiously commanding on the more modern pop-driven music, where it is sometimes distorted with autotune. The single Seven Sisters is a particular highlight as the archway pulses with colour. Other pieces flirt with ambient styles, adding to the haunting atmosphere. Choreography also plays a part: Chans body contorts as she glides across the stage, or writhes on the floor. The language of the laments is translated via video, and it is stunningly poetic, with vivid imagery of fruit and animals illustrating the brides plight. The meta-narration is the shows weakest point, as Chan breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience about what she experienced and learnt. While informative, it disrupts the flow of the piece, and jolts the viewer out of the liminal world of the laments. Loading The Bridal Lament is a rich and layered third-culture meditation on ritual, heritage and loss. When it ends, Chan is in tears. Its a privilege to go on this emotional journey with her. Reviewed by Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen MUSIC Adrian Sherriffs Kalachakra Ensemble Mark Street Hall, May 10 Kalachakra is a Sanskrit word meaning cycles of time a multidimensional concept that lies at the heart of Adrian Sherriffs marvellous new ensemble. The groups music is based on Carnatic (south Indian) traditions, including its complex rhythmic cycles. And the groups formation was inspired by a decades-long connection between two of its members Sherriff and Sandy Evans and the late Indian percussionist, Karaikudi R. Mani. Adrian Sherriff leads the Kalachakra Ensemble. Credit: Ian Spence The debut performance by Kalachakra on Friday night (presented by The Boite) also marked a significant anniversary: one year since Manis passing. Sherriff opened the concert by acknowledging Manis profound influence on his own musical growth, having studied and performed with the Indian master since the late 1990s. But while Sherriff has a deep understanding of Carnatic music, hes also a jazz artist, and this concert was an enthralling amalgam of cultures and traditions. Sherriff, an immensely gifted multi-instrumentalist, performed on the double-headed mridangam, the instrument Mani played throughout his life. Together with the remarkable Jay Dabgar on tabla, Sherriff created elaborate rhythmic patterns that underpinned each composition. Enthralling amalgam: Adrian Sherriff was joined by the remarkable Jay Dabgar on tabla. Credit: Jessica Nicholas Melodies based on south Indian ragas were brought to life by Evans saxophone, Peggy Lees cello and Rohan Dasikas double bass. It was fascinating to watch these three instrumentalists articulating intricate rhythmic and melodic motifs with breathtaking unison, while also weaving in contrapuntal lines or breaking off into spirited improvisations. Dasika and Lee switched nimbly between arco and pizzicato, adding subtle harmonics, richly resonant undertones or an undulating pulse to echo the two percussionists. Evans was frequently locked in sync with the bass and cello, but also produced some mesmerising solos, darting from note to note with astonishing agility or sinking into slow, sustained phrases with prayerful reverence. This was a compelling tribute not just to Manis legacy, but to the creative processes that can carry ancient traditions into the future. Reviewed by Jessica Nicholas MUSIC Jaime Conducts Debussy and Strauss Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Hamer Hall, May 9 Jaime Martin and the MSO offered a night of high drama exactly as planned with two virtuoso works by Claude Debussy and Richard Strauss, plus a rarely played overture. The ambitious program of Debussys La Mer (The Sea) and Strauss Ein Heldenleben (A Heros Life) require on the podium both a fine colourist and a master musical architect, and chief conductor Martin is both. He balanced the shape, line and proportion of each work, energetically combining both the sweep and the detail. The MSO was augmented by one or two Australian National Academy of Music students in each section, and it must have been thrilling for them to take part in such an explosive concert before a fully appreciative audience. First came the overture to The Wreckers, an opera about Cornish villagers who lure ships to their doom. By Dame Ethel Smyth, a suffragette whose protests meant she was jailed, it was lively and attractive. A contemporary critic said La Mer should be titled La Mal de Mer (seasickness), while composer Erik Satie said of the movement Dawn to Noon on the Sea that he liked the bit about a quarter to 11. So did I, but I also enjoyed the rest a subtle and characterful reading. Jaime Martin and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra provided a night of high drama. Credit: Mark Gambino The highlight was the Strauss, rather immodestly based on the composers own life. I find myself quite as interesting as Napoleon (the original dedicatee of Beethovens Eroica symphony), he said. Martin opened lickety-split, at the cost of some blurred detail, but built irresistible momentum. This tempo in the second section, the heros enemies (unsympathetic critics), with carping woodwinds and grumbling bass, made the critics all the more shrill. Next, the heros companion, captured Strauss wife, Pauline, in a tender and flirtatious account distinguished by sumptuous playing by associate concertmaster Tair Khisambeev in the challenging extended solo. In summary, a formidable feat of physical fitness and concentration by all involved. Reviewed by Barney Zwartz THEATRE World Problems Emma Mary Hall, Melbourne Theatre Company, until May 22 How does knowledge of the global including catastrophes from nuclear war to climate change affect our experience at a personal level? How might the smallest corners of our lives be connected, through some butterfly effect, to outcomes much bigger than ourselves? World Problems invites the audience to consider such questions, in an hour-long monologue featuring historical disasters and speculative futures, all nestled within the ephemera of childhood memory. Carly Sheppards performance in World Problems is filled with wry wit. Credit: Tiffany Garvie A lone woman (Carly Sheppard) scrambles through what looks like a wrecked fuselage to take the stage. Concrete fragments of recollection build a vivid, culturally precise portrait of growing up as a Gen X queer girl in the Adelaide suburbs, but the dramatic structure is quite poetic and abstract and free-associative, with a universalising impulse. It reminded me, oddly enough, of the text in Nature Theatre of Oklahomas Life and Times a masterpiece of avant-garde verbatim theatre that used recordings of a woman recalling her childhood in pedestrian detail, complete with ums and ahs and it shares the same creative leaps, lacunae and unbidden thoughts of a person compelled to relate memories in real time. World Problems is an hour-long monologue featuring historical disasters and speculative futures. Credit: Tiffany Garvie Sheppard wrestles the chaos of experience into narrative (or the suggestion of it) with wry wit and a coiled presence that embodies the struggle posed by self-reflection. Observations on gender and sexuality are especially sharp, but Sheppard also shows how the characters personal and social identity are shaped by cultural trends and world events, including all the touchstones of the last generation to grow up without the internet. As the woman remembers her young adulthood, middle age and begins to approach her present, a twist replaces memory with futuristic intimations: apocalyptic dystopias where birds fall out of the sky, or transhuman ones where technology transforms social norms, and people start marrying their own fridges or what have you. Loading These speculative incursions feel underdeveloped on their own terms. 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, Youtube), 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. In other international news, Indonesian authorities have seeded clouds, trying to prevent further rain and flash floods after deluges that hit Sumatra Island over the weekend left at least 67 people dead and another 20 missing. Monsoon rains triggered a landslide of mud and cold lava from Mount Marapi, eventually causing rivers to breach their banks. The deluge tore through mountainside villages in four districts in West Sumatra province just before midnight on Saturday. People inspect the damage in Tanah Datar, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Credit: AP The floods swept away people and dozens of homes and submerged hundreds of houses and buildings, forcing more than 1500 families to flee to temporary government shelters, according to National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari. He said 67 bodies had been pulled from mud and rivers by Wednesday, mostly in the worst-hit Agam and Tanah Datar districts, while rescuers are searching for 20 people reported missing. About 44 villagers were injured. Cloud seeding involves dispersing particles into clouds to create precipitation, thereby modifying the weather. National Disaster Management Agency chief Suharyanto said the aim was to redirect the rain elsewhere and keep the search operation free of downpours, which could hamper the rescuers progress. Suharyanto, who goes by a single name like many Indonesians, said the emergency response would last until May 25. Authorities were evaluating which areas were no longer inhabitable and which residents need to be relocated from the danger zone. Continue reading about the plan here. Teachers are being offered almost $30,000 bonuses in a bid to lure educators to hard-to-staff schools as the state grapples with shortages six months after announcing historic wage rises. The NSW government will expand an intensive recruitment program to 110 public schools struggling with chronic teacher vacancies in the core subjects of English, maths and science. The NSW government will expand an intensive recruitment program to more than 100 schools. Credit: Simon Schluter Data obtained under freedom of information laws shows there were about 2000 unfilled positions in April, including about 680 empty executive and principal roles, down slightly on the same time last year. Even offering bonuses of $20,000 for physics teachers, Ive had very few applicants, said one principal, speaking anonymously because they are not authorised to talk publicly. And if we cant offer those high-end, difficult subjects, then parents pull their kids out and send them to private schools. Councillor Steve Christou is now speaking about his colleague Paul Garrards motion. Hes getting increasingly agitated about the issue and is attacking Labor councillor Ola Hamed, who didnt vote at the last meeting because she says she received death threats. Christou says two-year-olds should not be reading this book, even though the debate has moved on to a motion that focuses on the booking being made available in the junior non-fiction or adult section. Im sick of hearing the educators know best, [that] the librarians know best, says Christou. All were saying is let parents decide. And with that, Garrards amendment is lost and were back to the original motion of reversing the full ban and making the book available in the junior non-fiction section in line with Australian library guidelines. Councillor Mohamad Hussein, who had left the chamber to abstain from the vote, walked outside to his supporters. He said he thought the final vote may take place in five more minutes. We can only hope ... A 17-year-old P-plater is in police custody after a pedestrian was allegedly hit and killed in Sydneys south, with the teens Ford Falcon later found parked in a nearby street, sporting a vulgar bumper sticker. Around 10.40pm on Tuesday police were called to an intersection at Bexley in Sydneys south after the 38-year-old male pedestrian was allegedly hit by the blue sedan. Police discovered a vulgar bumper sticker on the teens Ford Falcon. Credit: Nine News Members of the public performed CPR until paramedics arrived, however the man could not be saved. He died at the scene and is yet to be formally identified. Police arrived and found the blue Ford Falcon parked on nearby Downey Street with the windshield smashed in, and a white bumper sticker on the back with the offensive text I drive like a c---. I have noted the broad-brush criticism of university chancellors and vice chancellors, and by extension the governing councils and the management teams. I was an undergraduate at Monash University. I was a postgraduate at Monash University. I was a chancellor at Monash University. Unsurprisingly, I have followed the events at Monash University more intensely than I have followed the Gaza protests elsewhere, but I am well aware of the acute tensions and conflicts at universities across Australia. Students have a right to protest. Peacefully. On campus. Free speech is central to the ethos of a university. The right to gather and protest is protected in Victoria under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act. Further, under the Victorian Racial and Religious Tolerance Act, offensive words and actions are permitted unless they incite hatred or abuse of racial or religious groups. That is, words cannot be allowed to cause harm. Fourth-year design student Khalid Abbas, 21, takes part in the pro-Palestine encampment at the University of Melbourne. Credit: Eamon Gallagher At Monash University, the vice chancellor and the management team have made it clear that while the protests by students will be tolerated, there is no excuse for occupying buildings, blocking research or disrupting lectures. Antisemitism will not be tolerated. For example, the university ruled that statements such as Zionists are not welcome on campus cross the allowable threshold and demanded their retraction. Islamophobia will not be tolerated. The university acted against students whose counter-protesting threatened pro-Palestinian protesters. Incitements to violence will not be tolerated. The university is working closely with Victoria Police to ensure safety and security for all. There are lines that ought not be crossed, and some of these are at the centre of the discussion. Some argue otherwise, but it is clear to me that calls for intifada are calls for violence and deadly attacks against Israeli civilians. The cry of From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free is a call to destroy Israel and eliminate its Jewish inhabitants. Those are explicit incitements to violence that cross the red line of common decency and the law. Phew, a bit to get through today. Did you manage to keep up? If not, scroll through the news of the day below. Among the headlines we brought you was Andrew Twiggy Forrests reaction to last nights federal budget, which included a sweetener for green hydrogen producers and critical minerals miners. In welcoming the tax breaks, Forrest said Australia had the potential to become the Saudi Arabia of energy production. Speaking of the budget, WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti has fired yet another GST warning shot at opponents of the GST deal that has blown the federal governments books by a further $12 billion. She urged critics to read about the states other contributions to the budget. Meanwhile, police are on the hunt for two crooks who tried to hold up a petrol station in Carine with a machete. However, CCTV from about 10.50pm on April 26 at the servo on the corner of Duffy and Beach roads showed the staffer fleeing to the backroom and activating an emergency alarm, which locked the would-be robbers in the store. They managed to smash through the front doors and fled with a few snacks and a bottle of milk. To federal politics, and WA Labor Senator Fatima Payman accused Israel of conducting a genocide in Gaza in the most strident criticism of Israel by a government MP since the war in Gaza began. Payman also deployed the phrase from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, a slogan that has been criticised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as provocative and that Jewish groups say calls for the destruction of the state of Israel. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said the industry could do more to help past players following the tragic death of Cam McCarthy at the age of 29. Longmuirs comments came as close friends of McCarthy, including West Coast defender Tom Barrass, posted touching tributes to the young footballer. And, this afternoon, there was news oil and gas giant Santos was going to cut positions at its Perth office by more than a third. Thanks again for joining us, see you tomorrow. The war cry of NSW Labor warriors has long been that they love a brawl. I like to fight Tories, thats what I do, Anthony Albanese famously said in 2012 when he declared he would be backing Kevin Rudd over Julia Gillard. But the battle lines have shifted in the nations most populous state. It is not Labor versus the Coalition in NSW right now. It is Labor on Labor. The schism has been spectacularly exposed through a range of funding disputes, including over health and education, but none more significant than the carve-up of GST payments. NSW has every reason to be ropeable with its federal cousins and Tuesdays federal budget exposed exactly why. NSW has been dudded. In fact, even more so than we originally thought. Mate v mate, state v Canberra Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will lock horns over the GST. Credit: AP Earlier this year, when the Commonwealth Grants Commission released its review into how the GST should be divvied up, the NSW government threatened to go to war. The commissions review meant that NSW, which accounts for about 31 per cent of the countrys population, was facing a big drop in payments to the tune of $1.65 billion next financial year. At the same time, Victoria had its GST share pumped up by a whopping $3.7 billion. In even worse news for NSW, those early figures were out. Revised numbers in Tuesdays budget show the states loss is even bigger at $1.9 billion. Talented Carlton forward Jack Martin has injured a calf and will miss Friday nights huge game against premiership favourites Sydney. Carlton confirmed on Wednesday that Martin had strained his calf at training and would miss the clash at the SCG. Luckless Blues forward Jack Martin (left) has injured his calf. Credit: Getty Images Martin was injured in the days following the teams one-point win against Melbourne last week in what was his first game of the season. He is the third Carlton player to be sidelined from the Blues team from that match. Key midfielder Adam Cerra strained a hamstring against Melbourne and the Blues hope he will return for their blockbuster game against Essendon on Kings Birthday eve. Former Canterbury and Wests Tigers playmaker Brandon Wakeham has been charged with drug supply offences as part of a wider sting in which police say they seized one kilogram of MDMA. Wakeham, 25, who now plays for Manlys feeder club Blacktown, was arrested in the Brookvale Oval car park about 1.20pm on Wednesday after an eight-month investigation into the supply of illicit drugs. The Fijian internationals Bexley apartment was also raided and he was taken to Manly police station, where he was charged with taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug, greater than a large commercial quantity; taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug, greater than an indictable and less than a commercial quantity; and participating in a criminal group. On Thursday, he was granted bail in Manly Local Court. Magistrate Robyn Denes said his role was that of a mid- or lower-tier member of the alleged syndicate. Aaron, an international student studying in Sydney, knows all too well that the industrial-scale surveillance deployed by the Chinese government on its citizens doesnt stop at the border. In March, ahead of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yis visit to Australia, Aaron received a flurry of missed calls from his parents in China. When he answered, their voices were strange and unusually monotonous. Chinese international student Aaron dressed as Winnie the Pooh as part of his protest against Chinese President Xi Jinping at a bus stop outside the entrance to the University of Sydney in February 2023. Credit: It was like they were reading a script. They told me not to attend any protests or organise any protest, and dont use Twitter from Monday to Friday, said Aaron, a University of Sydney student who prefers to be known only by his Western pseudonym. He suspects that a Chinese police officer was standing over his parents while they gave him the instructions. I know Christians around the world will be inspired by his story and his example of trusting God no matter their circumstances, said Pence who has refused to endorse Trumps new bid for the presidency due to the Capitol riot of January 6, 2021. Loading After 16 years in politics, Morrison left parliament earlier this year to join a defence company with Pompeo. He plans to use his American visit for various business meetings and to promote his book through interviews, Christian podcasts, a church visit in Dallas and a pitstop in Oklahoma. Speaking to this masthead before his embassy event, Morrison reflected on the way his evangelical Christian faith wasnt always embraced by voters in Australia, and noted the cultural differences with the US, where religion is a core part of the nations social fabric. He recalled, for example, the puzzling backlash he received when he allowed cameras into his Pentecostal church while celebrating Easter in 2019. I think we live in a society where theres a lack of real awareness around religious issues, he said. Im not suggesting people should have my faith or any other, but there was a time when there was at least a knowledge and awareness... Thats what I try to demystify in all of this. Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak at an AUKUS announcement in San Diego in March last year. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen News of Trumps apparent support for AUKUS is likely to assuage concerns about what might happen to the contentious submarine deal if he returns to office. Trump is polling ahead of Joe Biden in most battleground states ahead of the November election, but the pair on Wednesday agreed to two debates, which could change the contours of the campaign. The first debate will be on June 27 hosted by CNN and the second on September 10 hosted by the American ABC. Trump is known for being sceptical of global security alliances, particularly if he thinks other nations are not paying their fair share, and has repeatedly said he does not want America embroiled in endless wars. Trump is often accused of being isolationist, but he just doesnt like the US being taken for a ride and we cannot be accused of that, said Morrison a reference to the billions of dollars Australia will spend to help prop up the US industrial navy base as part of the AUKUS deal. The future of the US-Australia alliance was briefly thrown into doubt in March after the incendiary Republican launched a brutal attack on Rudd, who previously described the former president as nuts, a traitor to the West and the most destructive president in history. He wont be there long if thats the case, Trump said, when presented with those comments in an interview with former Brexit party leader Nigel Farage on Britains right-leaning GB News. I dont know much about him. I heard he was a little bit nasty. I hear hes not the brightest bulb, he added. Loading Morrison said he did not discuss Rudd during his meeting with Trump, but noted: All I know is that when I worked with him, he was a passionate believer in the alliance, and he was fully cognisant of the threats that are posed in the Indo-Pacific. I cant see the obstacles to the support [in future]. Morrison met Trump shortly after the hush money trial adjourned for the day, following hours of testimony by his former attorney Michael Cohen about a $US130,000 payment he made to bury news of an affair with porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. According to Cohen, the payment was made at Trumps direction and part of a broader scheme to suppress damaging stories that could have derailed his chances of becoming president. PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- This week marks Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week from May 13-17. The theme for the week is Small Bite, Big Threat! Stop Disease Transmission, Start Source Reduction. At the 17th Special Session of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government on public health threats held in November 2014, the Heads approved a proposal for the establishment of an annual Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week. The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) says the burden of vector-borne diseases in the Caribbean remains a significant challenge. Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week (CAMAW) is vital to addressing this issue by ensuring that you, the public, are informed and empowered to make a difference. CARPHA says that in the past year, communities have faced daunting challenges with dengue outbreaks in several member states. 2,307 suspected and 927 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported to CARPHA from 15 of its Member States. Additionally, in 2024, there have been cases of Zika, Chikungunya, and malaria, among others. There is a great risk of hospitalizations and tragic loss of lives with Zika and malaria. CARPHA adds that the theme, "Small bite, big threat," alongside this years slogan, Stop disease transmission, start source reduction, serves as a powerful reminder of the critical need for proactive measures against these arboviral vectors. By destroying mosquito breeding sites, we prevent them from multiplying and potentially limit the spread of these terrible diseases. The objective of such a week is to strengthen existing initiatives and mobilize the public to eliminate mosquito breeding sites from public and private places. The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) has registered 216 confirmed dengue cases from 2023 to the present and is committed to keeping the public informed and making frequent calls to action to the community to take action and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. CPS supports the CARPHA campaign this week and appeals to the community to always be on alert to act right after a rainfall event to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a half-inch of water. This is not a lot of water, and plant saucers are one of those unassuming places that can gather a small amount and still be a huge breeding site for your backyard mosquito. Source reduction is the key to decreasing the mosquito population. Due to the tropical nature of our climate, breeding habitats are in abundance, and many of them are, unfortunately, man-made. For issues surrounding mosquito breeding sites, contact CPS vector control team by calling 542-1222/1570 or 914. Ask to be connected to the vector control team. You can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with supporting pictures and contact information to report a mosquito nuisance or request assistance. Eradicating mosquito breeding sites should become a habitual lifestyle for each citizen. Let us minimize the mosquito population at its source! Infosys and SAP Emarsys Collaborate to Deliver Enhanced Personalized Omnichannel Experience for Clients To help organizations drive revenue growth and enhance customer experience by leveraging Infosys Cobalt and Infosys Topaz Infosys (https://www.infosys.com/) (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced that it is collaborating with SAP Emarsys (https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femarsys.com%2Femarsys-sap%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmelvin.alex%40infosys.com%7C53e78223a2bd4d32d00008dc6b476f29%7C63ce7d592f3e42cda8ccbe764cff5eb6%7C0%7C0%7C638503201787946732%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=G99QlL6QK7twLgdNFJrY%2BKN0rbuvWX9W4iT86n2S0K0%3D&reserved=0), a cloud-based, omnichannel customer engagement platform, to empower businesses to address the growing need for omnichannel customer engagement. The collaboration will help enterprises create high impact marketing campaigns to boost revenue growth and customer experience by leveraging Emarsys customer engagement platform and Infosys Cobalt (https://www.infosys.com/services/cloud-cobalt.html), a set of services, solutions, and platforms for enterprises to accelerate their cloud journey. Through this collaboration enterprises will be able to orchestrate complex industry-specific cross-channel marketing campaigns, reach customers in real-time, and drive customer loyalty through personalization. By harnessing AI capabilities of the platform and Infosys Topaz (https://www.infosys.com/services/data-ai-topaz.html), an AI-first set of services, solutions and platforms using generative AI technologies, businesses can unlock the value of data from across organizational silos to enable data driven insights and predictive analytics to boost revenue growth. Additionally, the synergy between Infosys and SAP Emarsys will enable clients to get a 360-degree view of campaigns and blend digital channels with in-store experiences to create seamless customer experiences for an immersive and interactive brand experience. Aaron Bradley, Vice President Experience, Technology & GTM Innovation at Wella Company, commented, We are pleased to be working with Infosys to create a superior, agile, and scalable digital capability using Emarsys to blend digital channels. This collaboration with Infosys has helped to accelerate our digital transformation in our Digital Marketing operations and facilitating our push towards innovation to deliver engaging shopping experiences across multiple touchpoints. Brian Falzone, Chief Operations Officer, SAP Emarsys, said, Our collaboration with Infosys will supercharge customer engagement and the way our customers leverage data to make strategic decisions. With Infosys expertise connecting integrated marketing solutions to maximize revenue through personalization, innovation will continue to remain at the forefront for our customers. Dinesh Rao, Executive Vice President, Co-Head of Delivery, Infosys, said, We are delighted to collaborate with SAP Emarsys to bring groundbreaking omnichannel marketing solutions to our customers. We look forward to helping businesses streamline their marketing processes, seamlessly blending digital channels and creating a new era of customer engagement and generating faster insights across customer life cycle. 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-and-sap-emarsys-collaborate-to-deliver-enhanced-personalized-omnichannel-experience-for-clients-302146153.html Contact: PR_Global@Infosys.com Original-Content von: INFOSYS, ubermittelt durch news aktuell Over the past decade, Southeast Asia has become a major breeding ground for transnational criminal networks emanating predominantly from China. These organizations target millions of victims around the world with illegal and unregulated online gambling and sophisticated scamming operations. As of the end of 2023, a conservative estimate of the annual value of funds stolen worldwide by these syndicates approached $64 billion, states a new report from the U.S. Institute of Peace. Here are some key takeaways from the report; The scamming operations proliferating in the region today have their roots in a regional network of loosely regulated casinos and online gambling that, beginning in the 1990s and accelerating in the 2000s, some governments promoted as a legitimate contribution to economic development. Chinese nationals were the main target of the overseas gambling business due to a complete ban on gambling in China, where the annual market for gaming is estimated at $40 billion to $80 billion. The scamming operations are powered by hundreds of thousands of people, many duped by fraudulent online ads for lucrative high-tech jobs and trafficked illegally into scam compounds, where they are held by armed gangs in prisonlike conditions and forced to run online scams. These victims of forced labour (along with a small number of workers who willingly participate) come from more than 60 countries around the world. The scam compounds in Myanmar have an additional perimeter of armed protection provided by border guard forces under the authority of the Myanmar military or its proxies. In Cambodia, speculative real estate investmentscasinos and hotels left empty by the COVID pandemics suppression of tourismhave been fortified and repurposed for online scamming in a vast web of elite-protected criminality spread across the country. In Laos, SEZs such as Zhao Weis notorious Golden Triangle SEZ are the dominant mode of criminal operation. A move by Chinas law enforcement in late 2023 to close down the scam compounds on Myanmars border with China led many of them to relocate to the south in Myanmars Karen State, on the border with Thailand, as well as to Cambodia and Laos. Ample evidence suggests that protection of the scamming industry is now of strategic interest to the ruling elites in Myanmar, Cambodia, and other countries in the region due to the industrys profitability and the nature of state involvement. In Cambodia, the return on cyber scamming is estimated to exceed $12.5 billion annuallyhalf the countrys formal GDPwith many compounds owned by local elites. More broadly, the study group calculates that the funds stolen by these criminal syndicates based in Mekong countries likely exceeds $43.8 billion a yearnearly 40 percent of the combined formal GDP of Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. A significant share of these profits is reported to flow to the Myanmar military and to ruling elites in Cambodia and Laos. The criminal groups masterminding these scams have set up complex money-laundering operations to move funds into the formal economy, risking corruption of major international financial institutions. The criminal networks methods have evolved over the past decade as they have sought to launder deposits made to online gambling accounts from China. Such industrial-scale laundering is prolific throughout Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam and in financial hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai, where criminal groups take advantage of strategic vulnerabilities in financial systems and invest heavily in cutting-edge financial technologies that are not well understood by law enforcement. Investigative reporting has also exposed many examples of how laundered funds move into real estate across the globe, including in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, in Canada, and in the United States. The U.S.-based body observed: As the criminal networks have become more powerful, the Chinese state, recognising that it can no longer control them, has become more concerned about the threat their activity poses to its citizens, who are major victims of the criminal scamming and the capture of forced labour through fraudulent trafficking. Some of the illegal activity in Southeast Asia was hidden by a veneer of apparent legitimacy, such as casinos, resorts, hotels, and special economic zones, with the dispersal of these networks into the region strongly correlated with the areas of weakest governance, said the U.S. Institute of Peace. While China had some success with enforcement against online gambling aimed at its people, as well as against general fraud and scam operations via cooperation with other countries there had also seen some displacement of the problem, rather than outright eradication, suggested the institute. The networks are able to evade occasional crackdowns by law enforcement by transferring their scamming operations between compounds within a country or between countries, depending on the circumstances, stated the report. It added: A move by Chinas law enforcement in late 2023 to close down the scam compounds on Myanmars border with China led many of them to relocate to the south in Myanmars Karen State, on the border with Thailand, as well as to Cambodia and Laos. The United Nations also recently warned that criminal networks in Southeast Asia are growing their illegal operations in through the innovative use of technology. The trafficking of people and drugs as well as money laundering and fraudulent scam activities are being boosted by the use of cryptocurrencies, the dark web, artificial intelligence and social media platforms, as criminals continue to base their operations in parts of the region where the rule of law is weak or non-existent. In big change, Google to use AI-generated answers in search results Mountain View, United States, May 14 (AFP) May 14, 2024 Google on Tuesday said it would introduce AI-generated answers to online queries, in one of the biggest changes to its search engine in 25 years. "I'm excited to announce that we will begin launching this fully revamped experience, 'AI overviews,' to everyone in the US this week," Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said at an event in California. The feature would soon be available in other countries, he added, and accessible to more than a billion people. With the change, Google's search results will feature an AI summary at the top of the page before the more typical unfurling of links and features. These AI answers, generated by Google's Gemini technology, offer succinct summaries of its findings with links to the online sources that supplied the information. "You can ask whatever's on your mind or whatever you need to get done - from researching to planning to brainstorming - and Google will take care of the legwork," said Google Search team boss Liz Reid. The change seems to be an answer to growing pressure from AI-powered search engines like Perplexity, and the repeated rumors that OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is building its own AI search tool. Searches through AI chats have also become a feature of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, with users able to get information from the web without resorting to Google. These alternatives are praised by some for providing a much cleaner experience to search users than the often cluttered results of a classic search query. Creators and small publishers are nervous about the change, fearing users will no longer click through to websites to find information. Research firm Gartner predicts traffic to the web from search engines will fall 25 percent by 2026 because of the introduction of AI bots. Google pushed back at the suggestion that ChatGPT-style AI interactions could impact its business, which depends almost exclusively on advertising sales from its search engine. "We've found that with AI Overviews, people use Search more, and are more satisfied with their results," Reid said. "Rather than breaking your question into multiple searches, you can ask your most complex questions, with all the nuances and caveats you have in mind, all in one go." The company said such generative AI tools are making life easier for users, whether they're looking for a yoga studio, planning a trip or preparing a meal. The company will also soon start testing applying AI to searches based on video content as the query source, according to Reid. As an example, this would allow users to ask Google to diagnose a broken appliance by filming it with a smartphone and get tips for getting it fixed. - 'Intuitive and helpful' - Such multimodal queries were among the highlights of OpenAI's release on Monday of GPT-4o, an update to OpenAI's flagship model. GPT-4o can generate content or understand commands in voice, text, or images. OpenAI's update to its technology proved to be extremely conversational -- able to crack jokes, write songs and help tutor a student in algebra. Google, like OpenAI, also showed demos of staff members asking its AI to recognize the surroundings via a smartphone camera and demonstrate other assistant-like skills. These new abilities are designed to be "conversational, intuitive and helpful," according to Gemini Experiences and Google Assistant general manager Sissie Hsiao. "You can collaborate with the most intelligent and personalized Gemini yet." Making digital assistants even smarter and human-like is seen as the next battleground for generative AI, with Apple close to an agreement with OpenAI to use the powers of ChatGPT on the iPhone, according to US media reports. That deal could be part of the major AI announcements expected from the iPhone maker at an event in California next month. AWS to build EU 'sovereign cloud' in Germany Washington, May 15 (AFP) May 15, 2024 Amazon's cloud computing division will invest 7.8 billion euros ($8.5 billion) towards building a "sovereign cloud" center in Germany, the company announced Wednesday, as the EU seeks to harbor the European data on domestic servers. The company said that the first sovereign cloud complex will be set up in the German state of Brandenburg, and will be operational by the end of 2025. Some European companies and public agencies have been reluctant to resort to cloud computing, worried that the data of Europeans would transfer to other jurisdictions, notably the United States. The new cloud system is intended to address these concerns and obey Europe's strict data privacy rules. Amazon Web Services' European Sovereign Cloud project, announced last year, will allow customers to maintain data residency within the EU, with infrastructure wholly located within Europe and operated independently from other regions in the world. "This investment reinforces our commitment to offer customers the most advanced set of sovereignty controls, privacy safeguards, and security features available in the cloud," said Max Peterson, vice president of Sovereign Cloud at AWS. European leaders have been pushing for so-called "digital sovereignty," the idea the EU should be in control of its own data and technology in a sector that is dominated by US tech giants AWS, Microsoft and Google. Those three companies still account for almost 80 percent of the public cloud market on the old continent, according to European Commission data. The concern for independence has only grown with the advent of AI, with the mass processing of data becoming a crucial component of providing ChatGPT-style technology to companies worldwide. Google's AI search revamp puts publishers in a quandary San Francisco, May 15 (AFP) May 15, 2024 Google's use of artificial intelligence to sum up answers to search queries has publishers wondering if traffic to their websites will wither. The internet titan announced Tuesday it is introducing AI-generated answers to online queries in the United States, in one of the biggest changes to its world-leading search engine in 25 years. The change will soon spread to other countries, arguably reducing the importance of links and web pages for more than a billion people. And bloggers, news outlets and others who benefit from people clicking on their links via Google's search results could see audiences dwindle if people are sated by what its "AI Overview" serves up. "It's going to create a negative impact on brands and publishers who rely on organic search traffic for sure," Marketing AI Institute CEO Paul Roetzer said of such a scenario. "We just have no idea how much, and we don't really know what you can do about it." AI blurbs generated by Google's Gemini technology will offer succinct summaries of what it found on the internet with only a few links to the online sources that supplied the information. Research firm Gartner predicts traffic to the web from search engines will fall 25 percent by 2026 because of increased reliance on AI in general. Roetzer noted that Google has not provided much information about how the change might affect advertisers or publishers, essentially asking them to have faith. "It's just going to be a grand experiment happening in real time that will move people's businesses one way or the other, depending on how it plays out," Roetzer told AFP. For now, marketers and publishers have little choice but to keep doing what they are doing, and diversify where they appear online to get noticed in places other than Google searches, he added. But online audiences have already been splintering as people spend time on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and other venues -- so opportunities exist to connect with people there, Roetzer added. Aware of the negative reactions from publishers and content creators, Google executives insisted on Tuesday that the new formula would encourage users to click on a wider variety of websites, not the other way around. "We're committed to ensuring a vibrant ecosystem," promised Hema Budaraju, a Google search director, at a press roundtable. In the new version, "sites receive more traffic" than before, she said. - AI-journalism opportunity? - Roetzer said news outlets and other media creators rich with fresh information could strike deals with Google to make money from licensing the data used in AI models. "There's a chance that AI in a weird way saves journalism, because these (AI) model companies need real-time data," Roetzer said. "What if these AI companies just fund journalism because they need it?" CUNY Graduate School of Journalism professor Jeff Jarvis said he didn't blame Google for trying to improve an online search experience that had become "a mess." He was leery of AI being used in search, however, because "it has no sense of fact." Jarvis also advocated news outlets make deals with AI titans to provide credible current information, saying "there's an opportunity here for our industry." "If you have unique and credible authoritative information, you might benefit," he told AFP. The advertising industry, meanwhile, could take a hit of billions of dollars, according to Jeff Ragovin, chief executive of Semasio. His company specializes in using semantics for the better targeting of ads. "For businesses dependent on search rankings, the uncertainty surrounding AI Overview is alarming," Ragovin said. Still, Google relies on ads for its revenue, so it's not likely to undermine that part of its business to win the AI race against Microsoft and OpenAI, said Media Growth Partners consultant David Clinch. "They have to bake advertising into it," Clinch insisted. "Otherwise, they're creating AI just to kill themselves." Google pushed back at the suggestion that ChatGPT-style AI interactions could impact its business, saying it has found that people use Search more, and are more satisfied with their results when using Overview. 45 Chinese aircraft detected around Taiwan Taipei, May 15 (AFP) May 15, 2024 Taipei said Wednesday it had detected 45 Chinese military aircraft around Taiwan, the highest single-day number this year and coming less than a week before the self-ruled island inaugurates its new president who China regards as a "dangerous separatist". China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it would never renounce the use of force to bring it under Beijing's control. It has warned that Lai Ching-te, the current vice president who will be sworn into Taiwan's top post on May 20, would bring "war and decline" to the island, and tensions have soared since he won the January poll. On Wednesday, Taipei's defence ministry said it had detected 45 Chinese aircraft and six naval vessels operating around Taiwan during the 24-hour period leading up to 6:00 am (2200 GMT). "26 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait," the ministry said in a statement, referring to a line bisecting the 180-kilometre (110-mile) waterway that separates Taiwan from China. The ministry added that it had "monitored the situation and responded accordingly". On Tuesday evening, the ministry said 23 Chinese aircraft -- including fighter jets and drones -- were detected around Taiwan during a two-hour period. Beijing has in recent years upped military pressure on Taiwan, maintaining a near-daily presence of warplanes, drones and naval vessels around the island. The largest ever seen around Taiwan was last September, when Beijing sent in 103 warplanes and aircraft -- 40 of which crossed the median line. Experts say these are "grey zone tactics", which stop short of outright acts of war but serve to exhaust Taipei's military. Besides deploying a military show of force, China has also sent in coast guard ships and other official fishery vessels around Taiwan's outlying island of Kinmen since February. The most recent sighting was Tuesday, when five Chinese coast guard ships sailed through Kinmen's "restricted waters" for three hours before leaving, Taiwan's coast guard said. Tuesday's sighting was the fifth formation seen in May, which the Taiwanese coast guard said "seriously affect navigation safety and undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait". "We urge the Chinese side to exercise self-restraint and immediately cease this irrational behaviour," it said. Lai, like outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, rejects Beijing's claim over Taiwan. China has condemned him and his deputy Hsiao Bi-khim -- who was Taiwan's former representative to the United States -- as an "independence duo". Burkina calls national meetings to set next steps in transition Ouagadougou, May 15 (AFP) May 15, 2024 Burkina Faso's military rulers have announced they will hold national consultations at the end of this month to determine the next steps in the country's transition to civilian rule. The landlocked West African nation has been run by a military regime since mutinying soldiers deposed elected president Roch Marc Christian Kabore in 2022. Junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore then seized power in another coup on September 30, 2022. He established a transitional government and legislative assembly for 21 months, a period set to expire on July 1. "National meetings have been called for May 25 and 26 in Ouagadougou," according to a press release signed by Minister of Territorial Administration Emile Zerbo and read on national television Tuesday night. "These meetings will enable representatives of the nation's active forces to deliberate on the next steps to be taken in the transition, which will run until July 1, 2024, as stipulated in the October 14, 2022 charter," the announcement said. The meetings will bring together representatives from civil society, political parties and the military to "take stock of the past months ... decide whether to continue the transition and what that continuation will be," according to the minister's statement. Last month, all 71 members of the legislative assembly for transition (ALT) approved a plan for a transition forum, leaving "it to the sovereign people who will meet during the national forum to decide the development of the transition". Since 2015, Burkina's forces have been struggling to combat jihadist insurgencies that have killed thousands of people and forced around two million from their homes -- violence that army leaders used to justify their coups. Traore initially promised a return to civilian rule with elections in 2024 but has since insisted that national security would take precedence over any vote. Myanmar air strike wounds around 20 at clinic: media, armed group Bangkok, Thailand, May 15 (AFP) May 15, 2024 A Myanmar military air strike on a medical clinic wounded around 20 people in western Rakhine state, according to an ethnic armed group, a resident and local media on Wednesday. Clashes have rocked Rakhine since the Arakan Army (AA) attacked security forces in November, ending a ceasefire that had largely held since a military junta's coup in 2021. AA fighters have seized territory, including along the border with India and Bangladesh, piling further pressure on the junta as it battles opponents elsewhere across the Southeast Asian country. "I heard a very loud sound of jet fighters flying last night then I heard explosions around midnight," a resident of Wea Gyi Htaunt village, near the town of Kyauktaw, told AFP. "As soon as I knew it was an air strike, our family fled our house and hid in the woods," she said, requesting anonymity for security reasons. "I heard that tens of people who were outpatients, medical staff, and local villagers, got injured." At least 20 people, including outpatients, carers and staff were wounded in the attack that came shortly after midnight, the AA said on its Telegram account. Five of those were seriously wounded and the clinic had been almost entirely destroyed, it said. Local media also reported the strike and said 15 people had been wounded. The resident said the AA had previously taken over the running of the clinic, located near Wea Gyi Htaunt. The military had shelled the area repeatedly in recent days, she said. Communication with Rakhine is extremely difficult, with most mobile networks down. AFP has asked the junta for comment. The AA is one of several armed ethnic minority groups in Myanmar's border regions, many of whom have battled the military since independence from Britain in 1948 over autonomy and control of lucrative resources. The AA claims to be fighting for more autonomy for the state's ethnic Rakhine population. Fighting had spread to 15 of Rakhine state's 17 townships since the November outbreak, the UN's human rights chief said last month. Hundreds of people have been killed or wounded and more than 300,000 displaced, it said. Clashes between the AA and the military in 2019 roiled the region and displaced around 200,000 people. The military launched a crackdown on the Rohingya minority there in 2017 which is now the subject of a United Nations genocide court case. Japan, US sign agreement to develop hypersonic missile interceptor Tokyo, May 15 (AFP) May 15, 2024 Japan and the United States are planning to develop interceptors to shoot down hypersonic missiles by the 2030s under a contract signed by the two countries on Wednesday. The plan, which will reportedly cost more than $3 billion, was first announced in August when the nations' leaders met at a summit with South Korea in Camp David outside Washington. "In recent years, around Japan, missile-related technologies such as hypersonic weapons have improved dramatically," the defence ministry said in a statement about the agreement to jointly develop the so-called Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI). "Strengthening interception capabilities against them is an urgent issue." The Japanese government has already included 75 billion yen ($480 million) in its 2024 budget for development of the interceptors. Hypersonic missiles fly at more than five times the speed of sound and have irregular trajectories, making them difficult to intercept. The 75 billion yen is part of a record defence budget of 7.95 trillion yen approved last year, as tensions rise with China and North Korea. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has pledged to double defence spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027. Japan has a pacifist post-war constitution, which limits its military capacity to ostensibly defensive measures. But it updated key security and defence policies in 2022, explicitly outlining the challenge posed by China. Israel PM says no humanitarian crisis as hundreds of thousands flee Rafah Rafah, Palestinian Territories, May 15 (AFP) May 15, 2024 Israel's prime minister on Wednesday insisted there was no "humanitarian catastrophe" in Rafah as he announced nearly 500,000 people had been evacuated from the south Gaza city amid intense fighting. It came as Palestinians commemorated the 76th anniversary of the "Nakba", when around 760,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes during the 1948 wartime creation of Israel. Israeli forces have battled and bombed Hamas militants around Gaza's far-southern city of Rafah, but clashes have also flared again in northern and central areas which Israeli troops first entered months ago. The upsurge in urban combat in besieged Gaza has fuelled US warnings that Israel risks being bogged down in a counterinsurgency operation for years. But despite previous threats by US President Joe Biden to withhold some arms deliveries over Netanyahu's insistence on attacking Rafah, his administration informed Congress on Tuesday of a new $1 billion weapons package for Israel, official sources told AFP. The European Union urged Israel to end its military operation in Rafah "immediately", warning that failure to do so would "inevitably put a heavy strain" on ties with the bloc. But even as he announced that hundreds of thousands had been "evacuated", Netanyahu insisted there was no humanitarian crisis in Rafah. "Our responsible efforts are bearing fruit. So far, in Rafah, close to half a million people have been evacuated from the combat zones. The humanitarian catastrophe that was spoken about did not materialise, nor will it," the premier said in a statement. - 'Harder than the Nakba' - The sight of desperate families carrying their scant belongings through the ruins of war-scarred cities has evoked for many the events of the 1948 Nakba which translates from Arabic as "catastrophe". Hamas declared in a Nakba Day statement that "the ongoing suffering of millions of refugees inside Palestine and in the diaspora is directly attributed to the Zionist occupation". The Islamist militant group said "their legitimate right to return to their homes from which they were displaced cannot be compromised or relinquished". One displaced Gaza man, Mohammed al-Farra, whose family fled their home in Khan Yunis for the coastal area of Al-Mawasi, said: "Our 'Nakba'... is the worst ever. "It is much harder than the Nakba of 1948." Thousands marched to mark the day in cities across the Israeli-occupied West Bank, waving Palestinian flags, wearing keffiyeh scarves and holding up symbolic keys as reminders of long-lost family homes. Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and bring home the hostages still held in Gaza. An ardent supporter of Israel, Biden has clashed with right-wing hawk Netanyahu as a wave of pro-Palestinian campus protests have heightened election-year political pressure on the Democratic president. In a Wednesday interview with CNBC, Netanyahu addressed the tensions, saying: "Yes, we do have a disagreement on Gaza. Rather, on Rafah. But we have to do what we have to do." Washington has also repeatedly urged Israel to work on a post-war plan for Gaza and supports the goal of a two-state solution, which Netanyahu and his far-right allies strongly oppose. US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said that, without a political plan for the future, Palestinian militants "will keep coming back" trapping all sides in "this continued cycle of violence". Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday said he would "not agree to the establishment of an Israeli military administration in Gaza, Israel must not have civilian control over the Gaza Strip." The war broke out after Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. The militants also seized about 250 hostages, 128 of whom Israel estimates remain in Gaza, including 36 the military says are dead. Israel's military retaliation has killed at least 35,233 people, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and an Israeli siege has brought dire food shortages and the threat of famine. - 'Civilians are starving' - The Israeli military said Wednesday its aircraft had "struck and eliminated approximately 80 terror targets" including military compounds, missile launchers and weapons depots. It also reported battles in eastern Rafah and in Jabalia in northern Gaza, where it said it had killed militants, adding troops were also fighting in the Zeitun area. Hamas's armed wing also reported its fighters were clashing with troops in the Jabalia area, much of which has been reduced to rubble. At least five people were killed, including a woman and her child, in two Israeli air strikes on Gaza City overnight, Gaza's civil defence agency said. At the city's Al-Ahli hospital, a wounded man, his bare chest smeared with blood, lay on a cot while outside several men placed a shrouded corpse in the shade of a tree. Air raid sirens blared in areas of southern Israel near the Gaza border before the army gave the all-clear, saying it had intercepted a projectile fired from the Jabalia area. US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators have pushed for a truce and hostage release deal for months, but the talks are now close to "a stalemate", said Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Sporadic aid deliveries into Gaza by truck have slowed to a trickle since Israeli forces took control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt last week. Another convoy carrying humanitarian relief goods was ransacked by Israeli right-wing activists on Monday after it had crossed from Jordan through the occupied West Bank. Washington and London condemned the attack, and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he was "outraged" about the assault at a time "hundreds of thousands of civilians are starving". US delegation discusses troop withdrawal in Niger Niamey, Niger, May 15 (AFP) May 15, 2024 A high-level US delegation held talks in Niger Wednesday to discuss the withdrawal of US troops demanded by the West African country's military leaders, the defence ministry said. The Pentagon delegation, headed by Christopher Maier, assistant secretary of defence for special operations, was received by Nigerien defence minister General Salifou Modi, said a ministry communique. About 650 American troops, and several hundred contract workers, are in the central African state as part of regional efforts to suppress jihadist groups. The military government has increasingly turned to Russia for security backing. Niger said it aims for an "orderly" and "safe withdrawal as soon as possible" of American soldiers, whose presence the regime has declared to be "illegal". Niger's military leaders, who came to power in coup last July, have already expelled French troops that have traditionally provided security in the former colony. Niamey said it was the first official meeting since Niger in March pulled out of a military cooperation agreement with the United States. Washington accepted in April to withdraw its forces, most of whom are on a drone base near Agadez in the north that cost a reported $100 million to build. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine said Niger severed its military cooperation due to "threats" made by US officials. According to Zeine, Washington threatened to impose sanctions if Niger signed an agreement to sell uranium to Iran, though he insisted no such deal had been signed. The United States has a development aid accord with Niger worth about $500 million over three years, according to the foreign ministry, which said it would continue. After a long buildup since the show's debut, "The Rookie" finally delivered on its promise of an epic showdown with the long-teased Big Bad. This episode proved once again that doubting the writers is often a mistake. Every twist and turn this season has been a deliberate step towards this climax. The episode was not only satisfying but also chock-full of action, introducing numerous new characters and juggling multiple storylines. It was a whirlwind that might require a second (or third) viewing to fully understand the complex plot. The episode resumed right where the previous one ended, with Mad Dog leaping from the roof. At the scene, Tim informed Grey about Mad Dog's admission of corruption. Investigator Pearson arrived on the scene and right from the jump, it appeared that he was ready to pin Mad Dogs death on Tim. Grey insisted that Bradford should have a union representative and an attorney by his side before any questioning begins. Angela informed Lucy of Tims situation, immediately causing Lucy to be on edge. Regardless of the situation between her and Tim, she still loves him and cares about him deeply. It was good that Angela understood that Lucy should be informed. Lucy's concern for Tim reached its peak when she joined him in the station elevator, deliberately stopping it to offer him a hug. Although she began by asserting that she was still upset with him, in that moment, she recognized his need for comfort and willingly provided it. When she inquired about his well-being, his tender response, "I am now," was exactly what Chenford fans needed to hear. It reassured them of his enduring love for Lucy and hinted that despite the challenges, they would find their way back to each other, somehow. It was also great character growth to see Lucy assert boundaries with Tim and be honest with her feelings. Yes, she loves him, but what he did was not okay and she is letting him know that that instead of hiding behind her feelings as she typically would. "The Squeeze THE ROOKIE, Pictured: Melissa ONeil as Lucy Chen and Eric Winter as Tim Bradford. Photo: Raymond Liu/Disney 2024 All Rights Reserved. The plot intensified as Monica engaged in a revealing conversation with Blair London, solidifying suspicions that they are both involved with the Big Bad's schemes. Monica is clearly more deeply entrenched, while Blair showed signs of unraveling over Mad Dog's death, seeming on the verge of a breakdown. Additionally, Monica hired a security guard for her protection and was resolved to uncover the identity of the person who sent an assailant to her home. Meanwhile, Angela and Nyla were closing in on Monica, but they required more evidence before they could proceed with charges. Tim, knowing that he had been painted as the fall guy, handed over his investigation of Blair London to Nolan. This led to a series of clandestine meetings and uneasy alliances, with Blair pushing Pearson to frame Tim to cover her own tracks. Grey, under threat of being reported for conflict of interest, reluctantly put Tim on administrative leave. Alongside the main plot involving the Big Bad, a subplot unfolded as Wesley and Angela's nanny found herself entangled in her own criminal web, which may or may not be connected. The situation escalated when an armed man arrived at the Evers' residence, intent on returning the nanny to her former employer. Under pressure from Angela and Nyla, she confessed to previously working for the infamous money launderer, Christian Batista. This revelation propelled Lucy into an undercover role, potentially exposing the entire conspiracy. While undercover as the Batista family's new nanny, an unexpected visit from Monica threatened to expose Lucy. Monica asked Christian who orchestrated her attack, but he offered no assistance. Meanwhile, Lucy risked her cover when an iPad fell and triggered music, nearly exposing her. This close call could spell the end of Lucy's undercover work, potentially removing this obstacle in her relationship with Tim. Angela and Lucy want her to continue with the operation with more back-up, which could potentially mean her life will be in danger in the final episode. Hopefully that wont be the case. The episode casted Nolan in a new light, highlighting his adept detective abilities. In collaboration with Celina, he successfully pressured Blair into cooperation using clever strategies and leveraging Smittys insights from his many breaks spent in the psychiatry office. Blair agreed to divulge her knowledge to Nolan, but only if she received immunity and a new identity, insisting on seeing the agreement before revealing any specifics. It remains uncertain whether she will fulfill her promise, given the powerful forces she is involved with. The consequences of aligning with the LAPD could make her reconsider her decision. Now that Blair London is confirmed to be part of the plot with the Big Bad, the question remains, why would a young psychiatrist, at the onset of her career, involve herself in such a significant conspiracy against the LAPD? What could her motive possibly be? Hopefully this question will be answered in the second part of the finale. "The Squeeze THE ROOKIE, Pictured: Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers and Chloe Wepper. Photo: Raymond Liu/Disney 2024 All Rights Reserved. The drama escalated further when Monica, flanked by her security detail, approached a clearly influential man, seeking his assistance to identify the employer of her attacker in return for incriminating information she holds on the LAPD. This episode introduced a few new characters, making the plot somewhat difficult to follow. "The Rookie '' frequently introduces characters abruptly, without prior context, which can be jarring. Using established characters would have a bigger impact and would definitely create a more vested interest with viewers. Meanwhile, Angela and Nyla tracked down the men behind Monicas attack, culminating in a high-stakes showdown at a motel. The confrontation escalated to gunfire, a direct result of Pearson tipping off someone about their arrival. The hour culminated in a series of desperate moves. Nolan convinced Blair to consider turning herself in for protection and Pearsons betrayal was exposed to Angela, Nyla and Grey and he was placed on administrative leave. Two pins have now been taken down, the question remains, how many more are part of this intricate plot to take down the LAPD? The cliffhanger was Monica asking Oscar for help in taking down Eric Ramsey, the man who paid to have her attacked, yet another unknown character. Oscar agreed to do so, as long as she helped break him out of jail which she agreed to do. "The Squeeze THE ROOKIE, Pictured: Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, Daniel Bonjour as Pearson and Lisseth Chavez as Celina Suarez. Photo: Raymond Liu/Disney 2024 All Rights Reserved. Each plot thread in this episode was meticulously crafted, weaving a complex web of loyalty, betrayal, and duty. The stakes have never been higher for the characters as they scramble to figure out everyone involved with the nefarious plot, and work to take them down before any more damage is done. The second part of the finale is set to be a wild ride. Viewers should buckle up, it is definitely going to be a good one! Over to you, Rookie fans. What are your thoughts on the episode? Were you able to follow the plot? Who do you think the mastermind is behind the plot to take down the LAPD? 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SIGN IN By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The cap will apply from the three months from 1 July, and is down from 1,690 for the April-June period. The cap itself is set per unit of energy, and the figure used for the cap refers to the amount an average household would spend in a year with bills at that level. This means that some households annual bills will be higher than the cap figure. But something is wrong. Those pension funds are shunning our UK stock market. Compared with 25 years ago, our UK pension funds are pulling out of UK equities as portfolio managers put their money elsewhere in the world instead. The weighting of UK shares has dropped from 44% to just 4% over that time. Our money managers are experts at creating global portfolios for our savers, but other countries dont seem to be doing the same. We are very good at exporting our capital, but were not getting the benefits of other countries sending their own funds in our direction. In one online essay from 2020, during the Black Lives Matter movement, the author Lisa V. Betty debated whether we should expect activism from celebrities such as Beyonce. I think we, as the public, must realise that Beyonce is a capitalist enterprise, she wrote. Continuing: I think we must invest in artists that centre human rights, not as a catchy anthem, but as an embodiment of their practice and artistry. This does not mean we should not push for Black celebrities and billionaires to do and be better, but it also means that we should lower our expectations and divest from the concept of celebrity all together. Ms Caulfield said: Well, the shadow minister fails to mention the Help to Grow portal which has been developed, which has a menopause resource hub, which enables employers to be able to use that information to better support women in the workplace, whether thats with flexible working with laws that we have introduced as a Conservative Government, or whether thats simple measures like even the uniform women wear makes a difference in the workplace. 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"I wish the Slovak leader a speedy recovery. Anyone who planned this shows that he/she is desperate and will lose," George Simion told AGERPRES. Slovakia's PM Robert Fico has been shot earlier today after a government meeting held in the city of Handlova, according to Reuters and TASR news agencies. On his first European tour in five years, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited European leaders in France, Serbia and Hungary. While relations with Belgrade and Budapest are blossoming, Paris - and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen - failed to persuade the Chinese leader to soothe the EU's concerns over global trade and Russia's war in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron (L), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (R), and China's President Xi Jinping (C) leave after attending a meeting at the Elysee presidential palace. Chinese President Xi Jinping departed from Budapest on Friday, completing his first European tour since 2019, which also took him to France and Serbia. The Chinese leader sought to bridge gaps with France and the European Union, but has juggled this goal with trying to strengthen its trade alliances with Serbia - one of the most pro-Russian countries in Europe - and Hungary, which is one of the most fractious states within the EU. Serbia and Hungary are both seen as among the most sympathetic to Moscow in Europe. While not having made major breakthroughs with France or the EU, China significantly strengthened its ties with Budapest and Belgrade. Xi is travelling at a time when the continent is divided over how to deal with Beijing's growing power and the rivalry between the United States and China, although there are efforts to deepen relations in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The EU is also carrying out several investigations into alleged illegal Chinese subsidies to companies operating in the EU bloc. One issue is a recent investigation into suspected unfair trade in biofuel from China in the single market, with Brussels ready to impose retaliatory measures, such as tariffs, if dumping is found. Alleged illegal subsidies to Chinese wind turbine manufacturers in Spain, Greece, France, Romania and Bulgaria are also being analysed. Beijing has slammed the moves as 'protectionism'. No breakthrough on Ukraine and EU trade issues The Chinese leader kicked off his tour in Paris on May 5, where he was welcomed with pomp, but also had to deal with uncomfortable questions about the Ukraine war and global trade rules. Analysts said Xi made an impression but no real breakthroughs on trade and Ukraine tensions. 'There was no breakthrough,' said analyst Ja Ian Chong from the University of Singapore, even though French President Emmanuel Macron had invited European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Paris to press the Chinese leader over imbalances in global trade. On the war in Ukraine, Macron and von der Leyen urged Xi not to allow the export of any technology that could be used by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine and asked Beijing to do all it could to end the war. Xi, for his part, warned the West not to 'smear' China over the conflict. During his three days in France, Xi avoided focusing the responsibility for the war in Ukraine on Russia. On trade, von der Leyen stressed the problem of Chinese overcapacity and the way that was leading to Chinese goods entering the European Union at prices too low for EU firms to compete with. 'Europe cannot accept such market distorting practices that could lead to de-industrialisation in Europe.' European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen At the talks in Paris, Xi hit back at accusations that Chinese overcapacity was causing global trade imbalances. He denied there was any problem of Chinese overcapacity in global trade and said China and Europe should address differences on trade through 'dialogue and consultation, and accommodate each other's legitimate concerns,' according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Serbia: sealing deals and backing territorial claims Xi's second stop was in the Serbian capital Belgrade, where China and Serbia signed a number of important agreements to seal the bilateral relationship. The visit coincided with the 25th anniversary of the 1999 US bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, which killed three people. The embassy was hit during a months-long, US-led NATO campaign targeting Serbian security forces who were at war with ethnic-Albanian insurgents in Kosovo. The US later apologised, saying outdated maps had led the pilot to strike the wrong target. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Serbia would have China's firm support on all issues raised in the UN. A joint statement signed by him and the Chinese president raised the level of bilateral relations from strategic ties to a community with a shared future in the new era as the highest form of cooperation between Serbia and China, he added. 'I am proud to have been able to sign such a statement with Xi. We have enormous respect for China,' Vucic said at a joint press conference. China has poured billions into Serbia and neighbouring Balkan countries, particularly into mining and manufacturing, and last year Beijing and Belgrade signed a free trade agreement. Serbia has also repeatedly supported China's claims over Taiwan and, in turn, Beijing has long backed Serbia's territorial claims over the breakaway province of Kosovo. Along with Russia, China has prevented Kosovo's recognition at the United Nations. At the meeting in Belgrade, Vucic declared that 'Taiwan is China' and asked for Beijing's support in the face of the 'pressures that Belgrade is facing due to its 'autonomous policy', without specifying the origin of these pressures. Orban's Hungary: China's door into the EU The last stop of the tour took place in Hungary, where the president was received by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, with a view to intensifying cooperation on all fronts and strengthening the influence of the Asian giant in the region. China and Hungary signed a slew of intergovernmental agreements on the sidelines of the visit, though no details were provided by Hungarian state television, the only Hungarian broadcaster allowed to attend the ceremony. Even the outlines of the agreed 'comprehensive strategic partnership' are vague. Orban said the two countries wanted to work together in the nuclear industry, too. 'This has not been the case so far,' he said. Beijing sees Budapest as one of China's entry doors into the EU to distribute its products in the bloc, including batteries for electric vehicles. That is why it has invested billions in a country that, with constant friction with Brussels, has become the largest recipient of Chinese investment in the area. Chinese car battery manufacturer CATL is building its second European factory near the eastern Hungarian city of Debrecen, while Chinese carmaker BYD is due to manufacture passenger cars in southern Szeged as early as next year. China has also helped finance a new railway line between Belgrade and Budapest as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the New Silk Road left by Italy in December. Hungary is the only EU country participating in China's Belt and Road infrastructure and investment initiative. Orban, criticised for his authoritarian posture, is the EU leader most favourable to Russia and is inclined to align himself more with Beijing and Moscow, even at the cost of undermining the unity of the EU and NATO. The Chinese leader Xi called on Hungary, which takes over the EU's rotating presidency in the second half of the year, to 'play a bigger role in the EU and push for new and greater development of China-EU relations'. Russian President Putin to visit BeijingWith Xi Jinping's European tour at an end, he will soon have a high-profile visitor back at home. Following the start of his fifth term in office, Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China this week for his first foreign visit. The Kremlin leader is expected to arrive in Beijing on Thursday at the invitation of Xi and stay until Friday, China's state news agency Xinhua reported. Putin's last official state visit to Russia's eastern neighbour was almost six years ago. The choice of China as his first destination after his re-election in March underscores the close ties between the two nuclear powers and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the imposition of Western sanctions, Russia has been largely internationally isolated. However, China has not condemned the attack and has adopted a neutral stance towards the outside world, while continuing to back its long-standing partner. The content of this article is based on news by agencies participating in the enr, namely: AFP, ANSA, dpa, EFE, Lusa, Tanjug. GLOBALink | Chinese market a pillar for the company: Kenya Airways CCO Pub Date:24-05-15 09:41 Source:Xinhua Speaking during a recent interview with Xinhua, Julius Thairu, chief commercial and customer officer at Kenya Airways has said that China is a competitive market with a promising future. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Editor:Zheng Chen Related News GLOBALink | Chinese company turns straw in... Industrial scale of Sino-German cooperatio... China to hold expo to boost trade, investm... Role of digitalization in business grows The Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Mircea Geoana, said he was shocked by the armed attack committed on Wednesday on the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico. "What happened today in Slovakia is shocking! I am shocked by the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico and worried about his state of health. I wish to convey my best thoughts to my loved ones and strength to the Slovak people to overcome this terrible moment", Geoana wrote on Facebook. Prime Minister Robert Fico's condition is extremely serious and he is still undergoing surgery at Roosevelt Hospital in Banska Bystrica, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Robert Kalinak announced. Fico was shot several times in the street on Wednesday, around 13.00 GMT, while leaving a government meeting in Handlova, a small town in the center of the country. The leadership of the Ministry of Investments and European Projects (MIPE) held discussions with the members of the trade union "MIPE Normalitate" in order to find directions of action to solve the demands coming from the union, the institution informs. "Preserving the professional human resources in the ministry and increasing the level of satisfaction at work are objectives that are taken seriously at the MIPE level. Given that the salary policy is a public policy carried out by the Government, in a unitary and non-discriminatory manner, but also in accordance with the provisions of the PNRR, the dialogue will continue for the establishment of the legislation in such a way that it meets the needs of fair remuneration of the performance and responsibilities of the MIPE staff without affecting the stability of the state budget," reads MIPE briefing sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday. The Ministry's reaction came after the trade union "MIPE Normalitate" of the employees of the Ministry of Investments and European Projects (MIPE), announced that it will organise, on Thursday and Friday, a protest rally in front of the institution, demanding salaries at the maximum level existing within the professional category and granting a special status to the specialised staff managing non-reimbursable European funds. The National Trade Union Bloc (BNS) also points out that the salaries of MIPE employees are mostly supported from external sources, "through an effort by the European Commission to keep well-paid staff in the system." The protest will take place on Thursday 16 May 2024 from 15:00 to 17:00 and on Friday 17 May 2024 from 12:00 to 14:30. The trade union "MIPE Normalitate" is affiliated to the Publisind Federation and BNS Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu on Wednesday informs that he will pay a visit to Turkey next week during which, based on the strategic partnership existing between the two states, a joint meeting of the Governments from Bucharest and Ankara will take place. "On May 21, at the invitation of president Erdogan [I will go to Turkey - editor's note]. (...) Romania and Turkey have a strategic partnership in place. In any strategic partnership there is a component of joint government meetings. Moreover, Turkey is our most important non-EU trade partner. I am firmly convinced, on the occasion of this visit, after a very long time since we have the Strategic Partnership with Turkey, we will also have the first meeting between our government," stated Ciolacu, when asked, in a press conference in Constanta, about his upcoming visit to perform it in Turkey. Victoria Tori Harwell has been selected as a Rhodes Scholar, the 30th winner in university history. Harwell was among the 32 students nationwide selected Saturday, Nov. 11, to receive the prestigious honor that provides scholars the opportunity to earn an advanced degree at Oxford University. Harwell plans to pursue sequential degrees in nature, society and environmental governance and in African studies at Oxford. Harwell, who uses both they/them and she/her pronouns, wants to use her education to empower grassroots leaders to address climate change in their local communities. Harwells empathy Harwells profound empathy coupled with their courage to upend entrenched systems makes Harwell a changemaker, said Jodi Allemeier, one of Harwells instructors in Cape Town, South Africa. Harwell, of Denver, is majoring in African and African American studies and in environmental analysis, both in Arts & Sciences, at WashU and is both a Udall and a Mellon Mays scholar. They also are a member of the esteemed John B. Ervin Scholars Program, which has produced four university Rhodes Scholars since 2013. Chancellor Andrew D. Martin praised Harwell for her intellectual curiosity and global commitment to a more sustainable future. Tori is an exceptional scholar who believes in lifting up the voices of the marginalized, Martin said. Im proud of all Tori has already accomplished at Washington University, and I am confident that she will thrive at Oxford. Creating a grassroots movement To address todays climate crisis, Harwell studies its roots. We talk a lot about carbon footprints and our own individual behaviors like the cars we drive or using plastic straws, but the problem is a much deeper one, one that has been forming over the course of 500 years, Harwell said. My research looks at how colonization has dramatically changed the landscape and how we interacted with the land. Decisions made by colonial administrators hundreds of years ago continue to impact political and geographical landscapes today. Harwell has studied sustainable design in South Africa, supported Black farmers as a Gephardt Institute St. Louis Fellow and served as a volunteer teacher for the Organization for Black Struggle. She also has become an expert in the unlikely but illustrative subject of the Cadbury chocolate company, traveling to both Birmingham, England, where the company is based, and Ghana, where its cocoa has been harvested for more than a century. Harwell recently discovered an early Cadbury document by employee E.J. Organ that captures the prevailing attitude that colonized lands are there to be exploited. Organ dehumanized the people and conceptualized land as this virgin body that had never been touched. He was just one man, but he informed an entire company, Harwell said. We cant have the E.J. Organs of the world telling communities how to work. Its not right and its not ethical. So, to me, the best way to make sure people dont get left behind is to create a grassroots movement that is bottom up and not top down. Harwells profound empathy coupled with their courage to upend entrenched systems makes Harwell a changemaker, said Jodi Allemeier, one of Harwells instructors in Cape Town, South Africa. Tori stands out not just for her academic prowess, but also for her authentic character, Allemeier wrote in her recommendation. Her ability to comprehend and untangle the complexities of unfamiliar urban landscapes demonstrated her unique intellectual and social curiosity and ability to derive meaningful insight from classroom and field experiences. Ultimately, Harwell wants to help nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) leverage local wisdom to develop effective policies, whether that be in Africa, South America or Asia. Harwell plans to earn a law degree to help local people protect their lands, and believes the cumulative effect of local efforts will lead to global change. There is so much to learn by understanding how people not just Black people are engaging with the land and reacting to climate change, Harwell said. Im just one person, but I want to be part of a network of people that shifts how we think about land and our future. Diane Keaggy is the senior news director for campus life in Washington University Marketing and Communications Kirkwood-raised saxophonist David Sanborn, a multiple Grammy Award-winning solo artist and sideman who performed with David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, James Taylor and many others, has died. He was 78. His death was announced Monday on his social media accounts. It is with sad and heavy hearts that we convey to you the loss of internationally renowned, 6 time Grammy Award-winning, saxophonist, David Sanborn, the statement read. Mr. Sanborn passed Sunday afternoon, May 12th, after an extended battle with prostate cancer with complications. In March, Sanborn was honored by Jazz St. Louis with the inaugural Steward Center Lifetime Achievement Award in Excellence in a ceremony at the Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza Hotel. Im so glad I am alive to receive this, Sanborn said. I am deeply grateful and amazingly honored to receive this award in my hometown of St. Louis. Sanborn was born in Tampa, Florida, on July 30, 1945, and grew up in Kirkwood. He contracted polio at age 3 and was advised by doctors to take up a wind instrument to strengthen his lungs. Inspired by concerts he saw at Kiel Auditorium by the likes of Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Ray Charles (whose sideman Hank Crawford became a major influence), Sanborn took up the saxophone and as a teenager sat in with blues musicians Little Milton Campbell and Albert King, among others. He soaked up the music at various locations around town, including clubs in Gaslight Square and along Delmar Boulevard. During an interview with the Post-Dispatch in 2022, Sanborn said that when he returned to St. Louis periodically, he would recall the past and visit the locales of some of his old haunts. Theres a feel in the air, an ambiance, an atmosphere that is just so familiar, he said. And theres enough left from the old days that are touchstones for me and for anybody whos from St. Louis. (Ferguson native) Michael McDonald and I talk about this; the street names: DeBaliviere, Laclede, Skinker, Olive. Sanborn studied music at Northwestern University and the University of Iowa, then left for California, where he joined the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, with whom he played at the 1969 Woodstock festival. Two of his most famous saxophone solos are on records by David Bowie Young Americans and James Taylor How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You). Sanborn began his solo career in 1975 with the album Taking Off. Critics and the nascent Quiet Storm radio format tried to relegate his music to the smooth jazz category, but Sanborn regarded that term as something of a pejorative. In fact, his playing had more of an R&B edge, and he was a versatile performer whose work defied easy categorization. He recorded over two dozen albums. Among them are Voyeur, As We Speak, Backstreet, Straight to the Heart and Double Vision with Bob James all No. 1 jazz hits. More recent efforts included another collaboration with James, Quartette Humaine and Time and the River. On television, Sanborn was a member of the Saturday Night Live band in 1980 and frequently sat in with Paul Shaffer and the Worlds Most Dangerous Band on Late Night with David Letterman. From 1988 to 1990, he co-hosted (with Jools Holland) Sunday Night, later retitled Michelob Presents Night Music. Its dazzling, eclectic guest list Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen, Sonny Rollins, Curtis Mayfield, Todd Rundgren, Pat Metheny, etc. and informal style the musicians often sat in with one another made it one of the greatest (but unfortunately, largely unseen) music television shows ever. In the 90s, Sanborn hosted a syndicated radio program, The Jazz Show with David Sanborn and more recently hosted the virtual web series, The Sanborn Sessions, which recalled the spirit of Night Music. He also hosted a podcast, As We Speak. Speaking of his hometown again during a 2019 interview with the Post-Dispatch, Sanborn said, (St. Louis) was a real music town, and Im so grateful for that. ST. LOUIS COUNTY A St. Louis County man faces multiple felony charges after police say he shot a toddler while robbing the toddlers father. Deshaun Harlan, 24, was shooting at the man May 9 when a bullet went through the mans car and hit his 2-year-old son, according to charging documents. Harlan was on parole for a previous felony robbery conviction in 2018 at the time of the shooting, police say. Harlan had met his robbery victim three days earlier, when the man dropped off a food delivery order to an address in the 1900 block of Chambers Road, in unincorporated St. Louis County, according to a probable cause document. While there, the man discussed selling marijuana to Harlan, charges say. The two men exchanged phone numbers and arranged to meet again on May 9. Harlan texted the man that he wanted to exchange a gun for the marijuana instead of buying it, and texted him a photo of a black AR-15 with a distinct blue and yellow cartridge, charges say. But when the two men met up outside a home in the 9800 block of Winkler Drive, in unincorporated north St. Louis County, Harlan pointed the gun at the mans head and ordered him to hand over the marijuana, charges say. The robbery victim then picked up his wife and children in his vehicle before receiving another food delivery order to the same address on Chambers where he had met Harlan, charges say. He went to make the delivery and parked his car, with his wife and children inside, in an alley near the home. But when he went to the door, Harlan started shooting at him with the AR-15, charges say. Several shots hit the car, blowing out the windshield, and one bullet hit the mans son. The man was able to drive away and call police about 7 p.m. His toddler was taken to a hospital for treatment. The man gave his phone to officers, who used it to track a phone number Harlan had been using and obtain search warrants for the phone number and the address on Chambers. The phone number belonged to Harlans girlfriend. The two lived at the address on Chambers, charges say. Police searched the home and found the same gun Harlan had texted pictures of to the robbery victim days earlier. The six shots Harlan fired May 9 were also recorded on ShotSpotter technology nearby, police said. Harlan was charged May 11 with first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm. He was on parole for a 10-year prison sentence in 2019 after pleading guilty to second-degree robbery. Harlan had also pleaded guilty in 2017 to misdemeanor counts of tampering with a motor vehicle and resisting arrest by an officer. Harlan was being held in custody Tuesday with a $500,000 bond. ST. LOUIS A St. Louis police detective says his colleagues repeatedly harassed and discriminated against him for reporting an assault on a Black suspect by a white officer, according to a lawsuit filed last week. Brandon Clark was one of three Black detectives who worked in the 26-person bureau in November 2020 when he saw a white officer assaulting a Black man on the job. Multiple officers were disciplined, and that's when the discrimination began, the lawsuit says. Clark's colleagues and supervisors repeatedly filed complaints, ignored him in the office, called him a "snitch" and pointed a surveillance camera above his desk, the suit says. They forced him to shave his beard even though he had a skin condition diagnosed by a doctor and documented in his employee file that was exacerbated by shaving, the lawsuit says. "The conditions were so unbearable that a reasonable person would not continue to work there," Clark's lawyer, Kevin Kasper, wrote in the lawsuit. "(Clark) sought a transfer to a different department because of the discrimination and retaliation he suffered." Clark is seeking an unspecified amount of damages A city spokesman declined to comment on a pending lawsuit. RIVERVIEW Pearlie Howland has heard gunfire before near the Ja-Te Apartments here, where she lives. But nothing like the ruckus on Mothers Day. Dozens of shots nearby Sunday night startled her. On Monday morning, crime-scene tape still stretched across the lot in the back, where a junk car shared space with stained mattresses heaped next to old tires. I couldnt help but hear it, Howland said. It was loud. At least 30 shots. Four teenage boys were shot one fatally about 10 p.m. Sunday in the 10000 block of Toelle Lane. Authorities havent said if the boys were shot on the lot or at a home next to it. Police identified the dead boy as 15-year-old Corian Edwards. He lived on Balboa Drive in unincorporated north St. Louis County, about 3 miles from the killing. Riverview, a city of 2,400 residents in North County, counts Corians death Sunday as its fourth homicide of the year, according to Riverview Mayor Mike Cornell. One of the boys who survived Sundays attack was critically injured, and two were seriously hurt. The boys were between 15 and 17 years old. St. Louis County detectives have taken over the investigation for the police force of Riverview, which has just nine officers. So far, police have not released a motive for the attack or said if the gunman was among the four boys shot. Police have been to the Ja-Te Apartments seven times this year, Cornell said. Officers typically respond there for domestic disturbances or shots fired into the air, he said. But the quadruple shooting, Cornell said, was likely gang-related. Its very unfortunate for a mother to lose a child on Mothers Day, the mayor said. Were trying to find out if they were residents of Riverview or somewhere else. Riverview borders Glasgow Village, Bellefontaine Neighbors and St. Louis city. On Sunday, someone called 911 to report the shooting, asking for two ambulances, then hung up. Medics arrived to find two victims described as walking wounded. Then they found the critically injured boy and the boy who died. Howland, the tenant, has lived in the complex for years and cant remember such an incident. Weve never had anything like that, she said. Its scary, she said. But its just like it became a normal thing in St. Louis, she continued. It happens so much. Its sad. Sundays fatal shooting marked the second in as many days involving a teenager in the St. Louis region. A 17-year-old girl is accused of shooting and killing a woman Saturday afternoon on a crowded MetroLink platform just north of Forest Park. Work has begun to replace a stretch of I-39/90/94 that bridges the Wisconsin River in Columbia County between Madison and Wisconsin Dells. The cost of the project is about $151.5 million. An $80 million federal grant is being used along with about $37 million in additional federal funds and about $34.6 million in state dollars to remove and replace the original structures, built in 1961, with two new bridge spans. No driving lanes will be closed during peak travel periods. One new bridge will be located to the east of the existing spans, and the other will be located at approximately the same location as the existing bridges. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. D-Madison, and Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson attended a ground-breaking ceremony Monday. The project is expected to be completed in late 2027. Much of the work will take place within the town of Dekorra, affecting the area from Oak Knoll Drive to St. Lawrence Bluff Road. Crews will also repair about a mile and a half of the interstate in either direction of the bridges, said Daniel Schave, Department of Transportation Southwest Region director. Baldwin announced in 2022 that the state would receive federal funds through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the project, which also will include replacing two bridges for County Roads U and V that cross over the interstate north and south of the river. Replacing the County Road U and V bridges over I-39/90/94 will accommodate an alignment shift and widening on the interstate below. About half a mile of County Road U will include shifting the alignment to the north. And about half a mile of County Road V will include shifting the alignment to the south slightly. The alignment shift will allow County V to remain open to a single lane of traffic during the reconstruction. Thompson said $100 billion in goods cross the bridges over the Wisconsin River annually, and traffic volume goes from 60,000 cars per day to 90,000 cars per day during the summer months and on weekends. We are committed to improving this vital section of the interstate to keep Wisconsinites and our visitors safe, and to keep our economy moving efficiently, said Thompson. Baldwin said rebuilding the bridges could not be put off any longer after more than 60 years of wear and tear. For the past six decades, these bridges have been a vital artery for businesses, families and tourists, said Baldwin. Replacing these bridges will help ensure that billions of dollars worth of products can get to market efficiently. This means that mom and pop shops will have products on their shelves the next day, families traveling to their summer vacation can get to their destination on time and safely, and means that if you live in Poynette but work in Baraboo, you can get to work on time. Thompson said the Transportation Department will strive to conclude the project efficiently with as little impact on traffic as possible. We ask drivers to be patient, said Thompson, because the results will be worth it. JEFFERSON CITY Amtrak could soon be making a stop in the small Missouri town of De Soto, marking the return of passenger rail service after a 53-year absence. As part of the budget approved by state lawmakers last week, the Missouri Department of Transportation received a $1 million earmark designed to partially pay for a train platform serving passengers for two stops a day. I think it will be a great asset to the community and to the region, said Rep. Cindy Buchheit-Courtway, R-Festus, who represents the Jefferson County community. Its really exciting. The funding, which must be approved by Gov. Mike Parson and matched with local funds, marks the latest step in a yearslong process to restore rail service along Amtraks Texas Eagle route. In August, Amtrak said the rail line would consider adding the stop if the city works out an agreement with Union Pacific, the freight railroad that owns the tracks. In addition, the community must demonstrate it can sustain passenger ridership numbers to justify a stop. Backers of the project hope to add twice-daily De Soto stops to Amtraks Texas Eagle line, which links Chicago to St. Louis and San Antonio, Texas. A northbound Amtrak train now comes through De Soto at about 6:05 a.m. and a southbound train about 9:10 p.m. The nearest current stops are about 40 miles north in downtown St. Louis and about 50 miles south in Arcadia, Missouri. The platform is set to be across from the De Soto Public Library on Main Street. The stop will likely have a ticket kiosk, a roof with solar panels and charging stations for electric cars. Union Pacific for many years has had a rail repair facility in De Soto. De Soto hasnt had a regular passenger train stop since 1971. Buchheit-Courtway said the stop would likely draw riders from a wide swath of the area. I think people will go all over. There are a lot of people who want to ride the train but they are scared to go to St. Louis and park their car in St. Louis, she said. I think its going to be huge for the community. Buchheit-Courtway acknowledged the current stopping times are not convenient to many travelers, but said she hopes high demand will result in another train being able to stop at some point in the future. The MoDOT budget proposal also includes a $16 million subsidy to continue twice-a-day service on the Missouri River Runner train, which runs from St. Louis to Kansas City. SANTA ANA, Philippines The far-flung coastal town of Santa Ana in the northeastern tip of the Philippine mainland has long been known to tourists mostly for its beaches, waterfalls, fireflies and a few casinos. But thats changing after the laid-back town of about 35,000 people, which still has no traffic light, became strategically important to the United States. The United States and the Philippines, which are longtime treaty allies, have identified Santa Ana in northern Cagayan province as one of nine mostly rural areas where rotating batches of American forces could encamp indefinitely and store their weapons and equipment on local military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. Thousands of U.S. forces withdrew from two huge Navy and Air Force bases in the Philippines in the early 1990s at the end of the Cold War, ending nearly a century of American military presence in the country. In recent years, Washington has been reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia to counter an increasingly assertive China, which it now regards as its greatest security challenge. That dovetails with Philippine efforts to bolster its external defenses after an alarming spate of territorial hostilities with Beijing in the South China Sea that started last year. The high seas confrontations have injured several Filipino navy personnel, damaged their boats and strained diplomatic ties. The remote town of Santa Ana is caught in the geopolitical rivalry between Washington and Beijing because of its strategic location. It lies across a sea border from Taiwan, the self-governing island that China regards as a renegade province to be reclaimed by force if necessary. The U.S. has vowed to defend the territory. Some villagers in Santa Ana have expressed apprehension over the prospect of living near U.S. forces. Their governor, Manuel Mamba, has vehemently opposed the looming U.S. military presence, saying it would turn Cagayan into a military target of China. Other villagers say the Philippines needs the Americans as a crucial counterweight to China, which they say has been using its military might to threaten Manilas territorial interests in the South China Sea. Theres no choice. If you compare the number of our forces with that of China, they have much, much more, Romeo Asuncion, a planning and economic development officer in Santa Ana, told The Associated Press. If the Americans are here, they would protect us whatever happens. Theres also the prospect of economic benefits and aid from the U.S. military presence. If they donate a school that will be good, Asuncion said. Rowena Castillo, a consultant to the towns mayor, expressed hope the wider attention on Santa Ana would boost tourism. She recently handed out brochures promoting the towns beach resorts, waterfalls, a historic lighthouse, a crocodile-shaped island and an area that teems with fireflies. Some villagers acknowledged that even without the U.S. forces, the town would likely be affected in any major-power military showdown due to Santa Anas relative proximity to Taiwan. Authorities and village leaders recently met at the initiative of the local military to discuss contingency plans, including the possibility of setting up emergency shelters for refugees, in case tensions between China and Taiwan flare into an armed conflict, Marion Miranda, Santa Anas disaster-mitigating officer, told The AP. One problem is where we could bring potential refugees and the budget for that, Miranda said. In another rural Cagayan town southwest of Santa Ana called Lal-lo, part of the airport was designated as a possible encampment site for American forces. Unlike the two massive military bases that American forces used to occupy, including a Navy base at Subic Bay that was about the size of Singapore and had a vibrant red-light district, the U.S. military is building a new presence in a much smaller area within Philippine camps. During recent large-scale combat drills called Balikatan Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters carrying allied forces, their weapons and other supplies landed and took off at the Lal-lo airport and the navy camp in Santa Ana. A few journalists, including from The AP, were invited to witness the combat maneuvers. Its an important location. Its critical because it is an EDCA site so its a very big deal to both the United States and to the Philippines, U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Matthew Schultz told journalists at Lal-lo airport. One of the challenges that we have in this airfield now is there is not a lot of parking space or taxiways or additional apron space in order to facilitate a lot of aircraft, Schultz said. The EDCA accord, which was signed in 2014, had an initial term of 10 years and has been automatically extended with both sides in agreement, Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said by telephone from Washington. The agreement allows rotating batches of U.S. forces to stay rent-free at the military sites and store their defense equipment except nuclear weapons there. The U.S. has allocated more than $82 million for the construction of ammunition and fuel storage, an urban combat training facility, aircraft parking, runway repairs and warehouses for humanitarian response items in the first five EDCA sites. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed to add four more EDCA sites where U.S. forces could stay, including the Philippine navy camp in Santa Ana and the Lal-lo airport, last year. Photos: US rebuilding military presence in Philippines Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Return Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military Philippines US Military From providing treatment and comfort to welcoming new life, hospitals play a central role in a healthy and optimistic community. Thats the message Columbus Community Hospital wants to share with the community during National Hospital Week. National Hospital Week highlights hospitals and health systems and the innovative ways they support and connect to their community. The theme of this years recognition is We are health care. Caring for patients; strengthening communities. This nationwide recognition also serves as an opportunity to thank everyone who works in the medical field. National Hospital Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people, said Mike Hansen, president and CEO of the hospital. Were extremely proud of each staff member, and recognize their important role in extending a sense of trust to our patients and communities. CCH is a community-owned, not-for-profit hospital that is led by a local board of directors and guided by the mission to improve the health and wellness of the communities it serves. The hospital staff includes more than 950 employees and 65 active medical staff members representing 16 medical specialties. More than 320 volunteers also support the hospital. Integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence are the values we hold high, said Amy Blaser, vice president of physician relations and business development for the hospital. They serve as a guide for us as we live out our hospitals mission and vision daily. Were very thankful for all our staff members, doctors and volunteers who work together to make our hospital the best place to receive care. Its an honor to celebrate them and their dedication to our values during National Hospital Week. For more information on Columbus Community Hospital and its work to support the health and well-being of the community, visit columbushosp.org. The F-16 Viper Demonstration Team aircraft sits on Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 9, 2024. The new paint scheme pays homage to the YF-16 prototype that first flew at Edwards AFB in 1974. (Meghan Hutton/U.S. Air Force) The U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team unveiled a 50th-anniversary paint scheme at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., that honors the original aircraft. The red, white and blue paint scheme was the original style for the YF-16 prototype first flown in 1974, the Air Force said Wednesday in a news release. The team worked alongside the 412th Test Wing to complete the paint scheme in less than eight weeks. U.S. Air Force Capt. Taylor FEMA Hiester, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot, performs a flyby at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 13, 2024. (Meghan Hutton/U.S. Air Force) When I was hired to be the commander and pilot in the summer of last year, I had made it known that I hoped to find a way to get our airplane painted in the prototype scheme to take America back to the beginning of the story that started 50 years ago, said Capt. Taylor FEMA Hiester, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot. The YF-16 prototype first flew accidentally on Jan. 20, 1974, after a mechanical mishap during a high-speed taxi test. Phil Oestricher, the YF-16 test pilot, decided to take off and fly for six minutes to avoid crashing the jet. The official 90-minute maiden flight was conducted Feb. 2, 1974. The F-16 Viper Demonstration Team was combined from the Viper East and West teams in 2015. Employing "fly-by-wire" technology, the prototype General Dynamics YF-16 completed its first flight over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Feb. 2, 1974. (U.S. Air Force) The team decided to make slight changes to differentiate the new aircraft, including swapping out the term General Dynamics for 20th Fighter Wing and adding Viper Demo to the tip of the vertical stabilizer. In 2024, the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team will represent Air Combat Command and the Air Force at 25 shows in four countries, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Carter Pals, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team (VDT) dedicated crew chief; Senior Airman Grayson Reams, F-16 VDT electrical and environmental specialist; Staff Sgt. Austin Denny, F-16 VDT avionics specialist; Tech. Sgt. Joshua Butcher, F-16 VDT non-commissioned officer in charge; and Senior Airman Elias Sanchez, F-16 VDT dedicated crew chief, perform maintenance troubleshooting at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 13, 2024. (Meghan Hutton/U.S. Air Force) U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Colton McMicken, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team dedicated crew chief, performs maintenance at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 13, 2024. (Meghan Hutton/U.S. Air Force) U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Elias Sanchez, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team dedicated crew chief, conducts pre-flight preparations at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 13, 2024. (Meghan Hutton/U.S. Air Force) U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Carter Pals, left, Senior Airman Elias Sanchez, center, and Capt. Taylor FEMA Hiester, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot, right, conduct pre-flight checks at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 13, 2024. (Meghan Hutton/U.S. Air Force) U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Elias Sanchez, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team dedicated crew chief, performs a show launch at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 13, 2024. (Meghan Hutton/U.S. Air Force) The ruins of the North Hangar at the former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin soon after the Nov. 7 fire. The metal doors have since been lowered to the ground, but the concrete pillars still stand. (City of Tustin) The Navy could pay up to $137 million to clean up the site of a World War II blimp hangar in Southern California destroyed in a fire in November, local officials estimate. What started as a Navy commitment of $1 million to allow the nearby city of Tustin to begin work on cleanup and remediation has been amended four times in the five months since the fire to reach $61 million. But Tustin officials have said the city has spent $90 million the equivalent of a years municipal budget. A resolution in the California legislature put the local spending at $100 million. Christopher Dunne, spokesman for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Washington, D.C., said the Navy knows it is not done paying to abate the damage from the hangar fire at the Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, which closed in 1999. It is working on another amendment to commit more money for the city. The Navy fully supports the citys hangar fire response efforts within the limits of its authorities and responsibilities, he said. Tustin Mayor Austin Lumbard said city analysts believe what the Navy will owe Tustin and what the service will spend directly on carting away the debris and tearing down the remaining pieces of the structure will push the total price tag to more than $137 million. And that is just for now it doesnt count any problems we find later on, he said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ruled soon after the fire that the Navy was responsible for the damages from the fire and toxic emissions. The key reason was the North Hangar that burned was one of two World War II-era, anti-submarine blimp sheds built with 1 million board feet of Douglas fir. The Navy built them in 1942 and still owns the sites. The hangars were a rare holdover of the days when the military operated several bases throughout Southern California in the early days following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The hangars were obsolete by the end of World War II but remained icons on the landscape, even as the population of Orange County ballooned from 200,000 in 1950 to 2.8 million by 2000. The South Hangar at the former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin was used for local events, such as this 2015 Veterans Day commemoration. (U.S. Marine Corps) The Tustin base closed as part of the post-Cold War cutbacks on domestic military installations. The 5,000 Marines and their CH-53E Super Stallions, CH-46 Sea Knights and C-130 Hercules moved a few dozen miles south to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Camp Pendleton and Naval Air Station North Island all in San Diego County. The Navy conveyed 1,300 acres of the 1,600-acre Tustin base to the local government to be used for parks, schools, homes, businesses and other civic uses. But the Navy held on to the oldest part of the base the two 17-story blimp hangars. They were on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Navy wanted to make certain that it had a say in how the structures would be used in the future. Plans came and went museums, a waterpark and repair shops for a new wave of lighter airships. Though the Marines had been gone for nearly 25 years, the hangars remained Navy property at the end of 2023 when the North Hangar caught fire on Nov. 7, burned for a week and smoldered for 24 days. The agreement with the Navy allowed Tustin to sign contracts and hire workers to clean up the area around the hangar. However, as the amounts increased, Tustin officials worried the gap between costs and reimbursements would wreak havoc on the citys ability to pay for police, fire, schools and other services. With California facing a $45 billion budget deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom slammed the door on state help early, saying the problem was one for the Navy and local government to solve. Dunne said the Navy has no specific cutoff point for monetary aid to Tustin. However, the funds for the Tustin base are dispersed through the Navys Base Realignment and Closure Program Management Office, which handles 28 Navy and Marine Corps properties from Alaska to Puerto Rico and Maine to Southern California. Sometimes the wheels of government turn slowly, Dunne said. Orange Countys congressional delegation has called for supplemental funding from the Pentagon that could go more directly to Tustin than through the BRAC process. In my meetings with the Navy, I have made it clear that delays to this process are unacceptable, said Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., whose district includes the hangar fire site. However, no additional federal dollars have been set aside yet in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, an annual must-pass bill that sets priorities for the Pentagon now being drafted by Congress. The Navy also has worked to remove debris and take down the four concrete pillars that once held the massive metal doors of the North Hangar. Soon after the fire, the Navy signed a $6 million contract with ECC Environmental to handle the final deconstruction. However, the plan has had to snake through federal and state environmental, air quality and health care agencies, and local governments. Field work is expected to begin this summer, Dunne said. Until then, the ruin of the 1,000-foot-long hangar sits like a long scar across the city, with a tarp spread over the debris. Lumbard, the Tustin mayor, laments that for the approximately 90,000 veterans living in Orange County, its a sad reminder of what was once a proud symbol of the areas military role. Six months later and it still looks like a disaster area, he said. A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler from the Electronic Attack Squadron 135 from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island stops at Lajes Field Air Base Wing for a refueling mission on May 5, 2012. (Lucas Silva/U.S. Air Force) (Tribune News Service) More than 74,000 people on Whidbey Island could face long-term health impacts from the U.S. Navy jet noise thats blasted over residents several days a week for over a decade, new research shows. A study from the University of Washington, published last week in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, reports the noise from the Boeing EA-18G Growlers and their training drills present a substantial risk to two-thirds of Island County residents. For everyone living in Oak Harbor and Coupeville and 85% of the Swinomish Reservation, the noise measured over 100 decibels as loud as a rock concert, said lead author Gio Jacuzzi, a graduate student in the UW College of Environment. The effects could expose communities to high levels of sleep disturbance, hearing impairment, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and delays in childhood learning, as well as annoyance and stress, the study says. The jets are based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, whose noise has sparked various community and legal debates over the past decade. There is very little literature and comparatively few scientific studies that look at impacts of military aircraft noise, Jacuzzi said in an interview this week. This is not an Alaska Airlines jet coming in every 10 minutes into Sea-Tac [ International Airport]. These are sporadic events that can happen at any hour of the day or night. A spokesperson for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island declined to comment on the UW report, though Jacuzzi confirmed his team has been in communication with the air station throughout the research process. The spokesperson instead cited Navy policy not to respond to matters pending litigation, as the station is involved in an ongoing lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the Citizens of Ebeys Reserve in 2019, after the station increased the number of jet flights by about 33%. A U.S. District Court judge ruled last September the station could keep its number of flights, though because it failed to accurately quantify overall noise impacts, it had to redo its environmental impact survey which remains ongoing. In the past, the noise from the islands air station has shown to be so loud it travels underwater and can disrupt the habitats and lives of endangered southern resident orcas. The latest UW study again draws attention to the flight racket, this time honing in on its serious risks for public health, Jacuzzi said. According to the paper, about 74,300 people were at risk of adverse health effects, including annoyance and stress. Of those, about 41,000 had trouble sleeping, while about 8,000, most of whom lived near the aircraft landing strips, were at risk of hearing impairment over time, the study showed. The researchers measured potential impacts by analyzing four weeks of acoustic and flight operations data collected by the Navy in 2020 and 2021, in addition to data collected by a private acoustics company and the National Park Service. The team then mapped noise exposure across the region to estimate how much noise specific communities were exposed to in an average year, and later brought in exposure-response models recommended by the World Health Organization to predict health outcomes, Jacuzzi said. Our bodies produce a lot of stress hormone response to noise in general, it doesnt matter what kind of noise it is, co-author Edmund Seto, a UW professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, said in a post. But particularly if its this repeated acute noise, you might expect that stress hormone response to be exacerbated. What was really interesting, he said, was that researchers measured noise exposure levels that are actually harmful for hearing. Usually I only think of hearing in the context of working in factories or other really, really loud occupational settings, Seto said. But here, were reaching those levels for the community. In a video posted by UW, Whidbey Island resident Bob Wilbur describes the noise reverberating through the trees and shaking the windows in this home. It interrupts your day, Wilbur, current chair of the Citizens of Ebeys Reserve group, said in the post. Youre unable to have a pleasant evening at home. You cant communicate. You constantly try to organize your day around being gone when the jets are flying. Another island resident, Jane Monson, described in the video the noise feeling like youre in a war, like youre about to get bombed. Despite years of disputes over the noise, the trainings at the station which has been around since 1942 and received the Navys first Growler production aircraft in 2008 are crucial, Navy spokesperson Michael Welding has said in the past. As of 2020, the military embarked on about 2,300 flights per year over Olympic or 6.3 flights per day when averaged over a full year, Welding confirmed this week, noting flights generally happen during the workweek, not the weekend. Since then, the Navy has launched a new transit route between the air station and the Olympic training areas, which Welding said is outside the boundaries of Olympic National Park and has reduced the level of military aircraft noise over it. Its still too loud, UW researchers contended in their report and a recent op-ed in The Seattle Times. In the op-ed, Jacuzzi and other study authors aimed to draw more attention to the sound of military aviation in general, which is unlike any other source of noise, they wrote. In a separate UW paper from 2020, researchers found military flights were the largest cause of noise pollution on the Olympic Peninsula, also affected by the increase in training flights at the Whidbey Island station. Its intense, Jacuzzi said. It has this rumbling, low-frequency energy, and that is a kind of sound that penetrates windows and shakes walls. In the op-ed, Jacuzzi and study co-authors urged the Navy to consider changes to its training operations and schedules and by doing so, it could demonstrate that the interests of national security need not come at the expense of protecting the public at home. This isnt a zero-sum game, Jacuzzi said. Theres a range of solutions to these public health impacts that could be anything from altered flight paths to more strategic operational schedules to potentially avoiding sensitive periods or locations, like school hours and sleeping hours. Past research has shown noise pollution is a growing concern among environmental and public health experts, contributing to both accelerating effects of climate change and a range of worsening health impacts. According to the World Health Association, consistent evidence has confirmed noise exposure can harm childrens cognitive performance and long-term academic achievement. One 2013 paper concluded noise can have worse long-term impacts on children than adults when it comes to speech perception, listening comprehension, short-term memory, reading and writing. More research has emerged that also links exposure to traffic noise to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, such as ischemic heart disease and heart failure largely due to the increase in stress hormone levels, blood pressure and other changes brought on by the commotion. Jacuzzi plans to continue his own research this year with a follow-up study that includes door-to-door interviews with Whidbey Island residents to collect details from their personal experiences, he said. We hope that the Navy will take the next step in building on top of the science and engaging in open conversations with the communities that are affected, and use those two things together to be able to devise effective mitigation actions moving forward, Jacuzzi said. (c)2024 The Seattle Times Visit www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Members of Ghana's armed forces prepare for a range training exercise May 13, 2024, during Flintlock 24 in Daboya, Ghana. Nearly 30 countries, including the U.S., are participating this year in the annual exercise. (Kevin Brown/U.S. Army National Guard) U.S. Special Operations Command Africas largest annual exercise is underway, as Washington grapples with rising extremist violence in West Africa, tension with former counterterrorism partner Niger and a growing Russian presence on the continent. Flintlock 24, which began Monday and runs through May 24, features nearly 30 countries and approximately 1,300 personnel. For the second year in a row, Ghana and Ivory Coast are hosting. The training is meant to foster collaboration and strengthen African nations ability to battle violent extremist organizations. The partnerships that we forge here will allow us to address the threats on the continent, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Ronald Foy, who heads U.S. special operations in Africa, said in a statement Tuesday. Its a collective group effort. Cooperation in Africa is more important than ever to the U.S. because of recent democratic backsliding and rising extremism. The number of fatalities linked to militant Islamic violence increased by 20% in 2023, hitting record levels, according to a report from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, a Defense Department research group. More than 80% of those deaths were in the west African Sahel region and Somalia. Members of Chadian special operations forces pull security at a simulated rural village while training with the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) during Flintlock 24 near Jacqueville, Ivory Coast, on May 13, 2024. (Kyle Brasier/U.S. Air Force) In the past, Niger has been a crucial partner for the United States. The country participated in Flintlock last year and hosted the exercise in 2014. But after a military coup in July 2023, the U.S. froze security support, as required by law, and paused counterterrorism activities, including intelligence gathering via drone flights. The U.S. agreed in April to remove troops, putting the future of the $110 million U.S. drone base in Agadez in doubt. And this month, Nigers ruling group revoked an accord in place since 2012 that allowed U.S. military personnel in the country. Niger expelled French troops in December. Mali and Burkina Faso have also ended their military cooperation with France. The rifts have created opportunities for Russia, which has dispatched troops to train Nigerien forces. Russian troops are currently occupying one end of the same air base occupied by U.S. troops. The juntas in Mali and Burkina Faso are also getting military support from Russia, and Mali is also working with the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group, according to the State Department. U.S. Air Force Maj. Chantul Fischer, a nurse assigned to the 193rd Special Operations Medical Group, oversees members of Ghana's armed forces May 13, 2024, as they show how to apply a tourniquet during exercise Flintlock 24 in Daboya, Ghana. (Kevin Brown/U.S. Army National Guard) Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder was asked Tuesday about the deteriorating relationship with Niger and whether the previous training the countrys military received from the U.S. poses a risk. As you know, were in a different position now, Ryder said. And were going to continue to consult with the Nigeriens in terms of the orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces. Were going to continue to stay engaged with the partners in the region when it comes to terrorism and countering the terrorist threat. The U.S. also temporarily withdrew forces in Chad early this month, but Ryder did not rule out future cooperation. Were going to continue to have conversations about what types of support they require and where we can work together, Ryder said. While its very understandable to focus on these two countries, and theyre important countries in the region, its also important to look at our efforts more broadly when it comes to counterterrorism, and to working with countries throughout Africa on regional security and stability issues. Nigerien and American flags are raised at the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2018 at Agadez, Niger on 11 April, 2018. Flintlock is U.S. Africa Command's premier and largest annual Special Operations Forces exercise. (Eric Smith/U.S. Army) A U.S. delegation will present the government of Niger this week with detailed plans for shuttering two key American bases and withdrawing all troops, officials said, as the Biden administration moves after months of strained negotiations to comply with the African nations decision to terminate a valued counterterrorism mission. Senior Defense Department officials, including Chris Maier, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, and Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, who oversees force development on the Pentagons Joint Staff, began talks with Nigerien officials Wednesday. The discussions represent a significant development in the months-long standoff over the U.S. military presence there and the nature of the two countries broader relationship. It comes as Nigers prime minister, installed following a 2023 military coup, accuses the United States of seeking to dictate his countrys foreign dealings and blames Washington for the breakdown of what had been an important security partnership. Several senior U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive bilateral discussions, discussed the ongoing effort to prepare for the departure from two American bases, which have been the sites of regional drone operations for more than a decade, and the exit of about 1,000 U.S. personnel, including members of the military, civilians and contractors. While U.S. officials had held out hope for months that a full withdrawal could be avoided in the wake of the Biden administrations decision to suspend most military aid due to the coup, they are now moving ahead with that plan. Whether cooperation can resume in earnest in the future remains unknown. The time for us to address future partnership with the CNSP will be after they see and understand our clear plan to fully withdraw, a senior defense official said, using an acronym for Nigers new government. The burden of proof is on us. The official declined to disclose how long it would take the U.S. military to complete its withdrawal once that process begins, saying that the government of Niger must be informed of the timeline first. He noted that once a withdrawal order is given, it will take several weeks before the first shipments of equipment will be ready to be flown out, but said that the military can begin immediately to rotate out troops who have been stationed in Niger, some whose tours have been extended as negotiations have dragged on, and replace them with specialized personnel needed for base closure. Nigers government, in a social media post Wednesday, said the talks with Maier and Anderson, who were joined by U.S. Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon, represented an important step following Niameys decision this spring to end the U.S. troop presence, which in turn was a turning point in relations between the two countries. The government said the plans presented by the U.S. side would be discussed by Nigerien officials with the goal of ensuring the American departure would occur under the best possible conditions, guaranteeing order, security and compliance with set deadlines. A second U.S. official said remaining American troops are focused on assessing what equipment must be transported out of Niger when forces depart and what can be left behind. He said those decisions will depend partly on the value and sensitivity of individual items - weapons, ammunition and communications gear must go, for example, but things like vehicles or construction equipment might stay - and the volume of transport aircraft that will be available to ferry out people and gear. In the meantime, U.S. forces have had little interaction with a contingent of Russian troops who are occupying the same air base where some U.S. personnel are stationed. Nigers decision to invite in Kremlin troops as military ties with Washington have faltered has been another point of friction with the United States, which is locked in a major confrontation with Moscow over its war in Ukraine. Obviously, there was a little angst with that news in and amongst the troops themselves, but since then, its settled and I think everybodys resorted to being professional about it, the second official said of the arrival of Russian forces. No issue from either side. American officials do plan to ask Nigerien officials to help them ensure that sensitive items or facilities dont fall into Russian hands after the expected U.S. departure. The officials also said they are working to troubleshoot issues with Nigers government, which had prohibited some inbound flights carrying medical supplies - although a shipment of medicine arrived recently and the pharmacy at the air base is now fully stocked - and made it difficult for new personnel to arrive. Officials have noted that the CNSP government has granted all requests to fly out troops requiring medical treatment outside Niger. As we encounter these challenges, were finding the way like everyone else, to be creative and work around it, the second official said. He said it had been a trying situation for troops grappling with months of uncertainty about the future of their mission and deployments, but commanders were trying to provide mental health and other support. The Biden administration is also working to line up an alternate platform for the U.S. effort to address a growing Islamist extremist movement in the Sahel. Without their bases in Niger, American officials will no longer be able to contain the threat posed by groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State from the inside out, as the first official put it. Now, we are transitioning to going outside-in to the Sahel, the official said, because we have lost some of our access to the Sahel for now. American officials are looking for willing partners, he said, focusing on Ivory Coast and Benin as potential possibilities. U.S. Africa Commands commander, Marine Gen. Michael Langley, made visits to those countries in the past month. Chason reported from Dakar, Senegal. John Hudson contributed to this report. U.S. airmen and soldiers parachute off an MC-130J Commando II above Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, April 24, 2017. (John Linzmeier/U.S. Air Force) Okinawas governor has asked for a halt to parachute training at the Air Force base on the prefectures main island and for a range of other measures aimed at curbing the impact of U.S. forces stationed there. Parachute training should not be conducted at Kadena Air Base, Gov. Denny Tamaki wrote in a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other members of his cabinet that was posted Tuesday on the Okinawa prefectures official website. Kadena is home to the Air Forces 18th Wing and numerous aircraft, including fighter jets, cargo planes, helicopters and drones. Parachute training should happen outside of Okinawa or abroad until the completion of runway maintenance at Ie Shima, a 9-square-mile island northwest of the main island, Tamaki wrote in his letter. Ministry officials responded that parachute training must take place regularly, a spokeswoman for the prefectures Military Base Affairs Division told Stars and Stripes by phone Tuesday. Some Japanese government officials may speak to the press only on condition of anonymity. Troops conducting parachute training at Kadena are responsible for emergency deployments and search and rescue missions, which require a high level of readiness, said a ministry statement provided by the division spokeswoman. As the Ministry of Defense, we have no intention of requesting the U.S. to halt this training, the statement said. The 18th Wing, in an unsigned statement emailed Monday to Stars and Stripes, said Ie Shima Auxiliary Airfield, managed by the III Marine Expeditionary Force, remains the U.S. militarys primary drop zone in the prefecture. The Ridout drop zone at Kadena is an alternate location, the statement said. Relying solely on Ie Shima for jump training is insufficient for meeting our teams requirements, which impacts our readiness to meet our treaty obligation to support the defense of Japan, the statement said. Factors at Ie Shima, to include weather, winds, sea state, airfield conditions and other potential factors cause exceptional circumstances that will drive 18th Wing to occasionally use RIDOUT in accordance with bilateral agreements to ensure our readiness. Since December the wing has conducted jump operations at Ridout about once a month due to enduring exceptional conditions at Ie Shima, the wing said. In that same time, more than half of Kadena-based personnel jumps have occurred outside of Japan during off-station training opportunities, the statement said. All RIDOUT DZ jumps occur in full accordance with bi-lateral agreements, based on critical training requirements that ensure the defense of Japan. Tamakis letter made other requests, including limits to the number of foreign aircraft visiting Kadena and strict measures to limit base noise and to prevent aircraft flying over homes and at night. Officials should reconsider the deployment of Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones to Kadena, he wrote of the aircraft that arrived at the base late last year. Sites on base should be sampled for PFOS and an investigation begun on the origin of the contaminants, Tamaki wrote in his letter, which marks the sixth time he has complained about the U.S. military presence this year. PFOS is a component of PFAS, short for poly and perfluoroalkyl substances, a class of chemicals linked to an increased risk of certain tumors of the liver, testicles, breasts and pancreas, according to the American Cancer Society. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency updated its health advisories last year to say no level of PFAS chemicals, which include PFOS and PFOA, is safe in drinking water. Gen. Charles Flynn, commander of U.S. Army Pacific, speaks to reporters during a news conference at the LANPAC Symposium on Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, May 14, 2024. (Wyatt Olson/Stars and Stripes) HONOLULU The commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific stood before hundreds of soldiers from armed forces around the region Tuesday and continually returned to one topic: peace. Through our unity and collective commitment to each other, we must achieve a lasting peace, Gen. Charles Flynn said during the keynote speech kicking off the three-day Land Forces Pacific, or LANPAC, symposium on Waikiki Beach. And well do so by mobilizing the collective capabilities and strengths of our strategic land power network, he said. We have to make the sum greater than its parts. Mobilizing our strategic land power network for the greater good is vital to our security and prosperity for each of our nations and for the region. The annual international symposium in Hawaii, organized by the Association of the U.S. Army, focuses on the role and use of land forces in the Indo-Pacific region. As head of U.S. Army Pacific, Flynn oversees about 107,000 soldiers and civilian workers stationed over a vast area that includes Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, South Korea, Guam, American Samoa and Saipan. The importance of land forces has been a central topic in most of Flynns public speaking engagements since he took command of Army Pacific three years ago. Gen. Charles Flynn, commander of U.S. Army Pacific, addresses the audience at the LANPAC Symposium on Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, May 14, 2024. (Wyatt Olson/Stars and Stripes) Well, just to beat that drum once more, heres my view, he said. Land power is the security architecture that binds this region together. Armies exist to defend their nations, to secure our territorial integrity and to guarantee our sovereignty, he said. We do so by holding ground and by defending key terrain. Throughout the speech, Flynn focused his comments on soldiers in the audience representing armies from 30 countries. Among them were 13 chiefs of armies. Only through partnerships with the armies of those nations can peace be maintained in the region by deterring aggression by China, Russia and North Korea, Flynn said. Each of us bears a responsibility to maintain peace, safety and stability for our people, so that they may thrive, he said. Land forces are central to keeping that peace and helping mobilize a joint, international force in the event of conflict, Flynn said. All branches of our militaries are dependent on land and will always return to land, he said. Ships require ports. Planes need airfields. Satellite communications with ground terminals and even cyber effects demand terrestrial based infrastructure. Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the conflict within the Gaza Strip in the Middle East have made the global security situation more perilous, Flynn said. The last thing humanity could afford is another war, especially in this region and especially since the geostrategic weight of this century exists right here in Asia, he said. Our foremost task must be to preserve the peace. At a news conference following his talk, Flynn returned to the subject of maintaining peace through defending territorial integrity and protecting national sovereignty. [A]ll of that is going to prevent a war from going on, he said. And, ultimately, thats the goal here. But we have to do that from a position of strength. We have to do that from a position of advantage, and that advantage is by being forward and being persistent partners together. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Amador, center, poses with his Project Weapon team at the Aether Sprint innovation competition in St. Louis, March 28, 2024. (Airman 1st Class Sydney Franklin) OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea The Air Force recently chose two grassroots projects to streamline bomb-loading and weapons system maintenance on warplanes across the service. MustangWERX, the innovation workshop formed at Osan in November, sponsored one team member from each project during a premier Air Force pitch event in St. Louis in March. Project Weapon and Project CLAWS were primarily developed by teams at air bases in Germany and New Mexico that contributed to pitching the ideas in St. Louis, according to their team leaders. Although the Air Force eventually rewarded their efforts, both leaders said their paths to innovation were strung with red tape and resistance. It was not a smooth ride through this whole three years, Staff Sgt. Ryan Amador of Project Weapon said by phone April 25. We really had our struggles and sometimes it would die off for a couple of months, and then we would end up talking to the next person in line to see if we can get to a yes. The projects simplify the work of loading and maintaining armaments and armament systems on two types of Air Force warplanes. They were among 37 entries at Aether Sprint, the annual pitch session for Air Force innovators, according to an April 18 news release from Osans 51st Fighter Wing. The event gives airmen a chance to put their ideas in front of senior leaders in Air Force logistics. Project Weapon provides a more efficient method for testing weapon systems on F-16 Fighting Falcons, Amador said. It started in late 2020 at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, where he serves as the 52nd Fighter Wings innovation cell officer. The team created an adapter that simplifies and improves power transfer from a generator to the Store System Tester, equipment maintainers use to troubleshoot and diagnose problems in F-16 weapon systems. Project Weapon replaces nine individual pieces of equipment with the single adapter, Amador said. Our team was so persistent in making sure that this innovation was pushed through to the Air Force that thats why we are where we are at now, he said. Col. Jason Purdy, 52nd Maintenance Group commander, left, receives a Project Weapon demonstration from Airman 1st Class Joel Martinez at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Jan. 23, 2024. (Sydney Franklin/U.S. Air Force) Project CLAWS started in 2022 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., with ordnance crews looking for a streamlined method of loading bombs onto the wings of AC-130 Hercules gunships, said Master Sgt. Kahlil Bashir. The CLAWS team, led by Bashir, now a section chief with Osans 51st Munitions Squadron, brainstormed ways to reduce the equipment involved and simplify the process. CLAWS, or Compact Loading Adapter Wench System, was first pitched during an innovation competition, or Spark Tank, at Cannon, Bashir told Stars and Stripes at Osan on April 25. The Navy shared its experience using hoists for loading munitions, which led to prototypes and more competition, like Dragons Lair 8, an event hosted by U.S. Special Operations Command, and the 18th Airborne Corps in March 2023 in Tampa, Fla., Bashir said. Like Amador, Bashir said the way forward for his team was not easy. Theres a lot of red tape we encounter in the military, he said. Every single one of those hurdles has the potential to just cut the whole project. U.S. military personnel construct a floating pier in the Mediterranean Sea off the Gaza Strip in April 2024. (U.S. Army Central Command) The U.S. military has begun moving parts of a floating temporary pier toward Gaza to help deliver more humanitarian aid to the war-torn territory, a defense official said Wednesday. The pier, which troops finished assembling last week, has been staged at the Israeli port of Ashdod, about 20 miles north of Gaza. Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the top Pentagon spokesman, told reporters Tuesday that the pier would be ready to use in the coming days. However, U.S. officials said the pier is moving now into the waters off Gaza, and they expect the docking system to be installed in the next 24 hours, according to an NBC News report. Once it is ready, the delivery of food and other aid could begin in the first 24 to 48 hours after installation. Hundreds of tons of needed aid is waiting on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus and thousands more will follow for distribution to Gaza once the pier is ready, senior U.S. officials said Wednesday. We expect this flow to continue as more international donors contribute, said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East. The aid will be inspected and placed on pallets before leaving Cyprus on military or commercial ships for delivery to the Joint-Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, floating pier several miles off the Gaza shore. From the pier, it will be loaded onto trucks and transported on smaller U.S. military ships capable of near-shore operations to an 1,800-foot-long causeway. Each vessel would be capable of carrying five to 15 truckloads of aid, Cooper said. The trucks would roll down the causeway onto land, he said. Non-U.S. civilian contractors would drive the trucks, Ryder said last week. After the aid is delivered on shore, the United Nations and World Food Program will receive the aid for onward distribution into Gaza, Cooper said. The U.S. military had been waiting until weather conditions in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea improved before pushing the pier onto the beach in northern Gaza, officials said. In the last several weeks, U.S. and Israeli officials have developed an integrated security plan designed to protect personnel working at the JLOTS project and surrounding shore area, Cooper said. We are confident in this security arrangement to protect all those involved, he said, adding the plan was comprehensive but did not offer details. Once in Gaza, humanitarian organizations would determine who gets assistance, who is prioritized and what that assistance is, said Dan Dieckhaus, director of response for the U.S. Agency for International Development. Those organizations have several processes in place to ensure the aid wont be destroyed or stolen, he said. We would not deny that there is heightened risk in Gaza for a variety of reasons, Dieckhaus said. But we have not received substantial reports of widespread diversion of our own assistance. Mirwais Jalali, a recruiter for aviation contractor Unifi, poses for a portrait at Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta on Friday, April 19, 2024. (Arvin Temkar, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Mirwais Nawab Jalali was a military officer in Afghanistan, assisting the U.S. government there for years in Americas longest war, before he left the country in the middle of the night with just some documents and his clothes. He has a degree in biomedical engineering and other advanced education, and speaks six languages. But in 2021, after Kabul fell and the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan, I just came and started from zero, Jalali said. He eventually ended up in Georgia, with a special immigrant visa for Afghans who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, living in Decatur while using his English language skills to help other refugees, and working in construction. Later, a friend here who was an old classmate from Afghanistan told Jalali about a job at Unifi, an Atlanta-based aviation contractor. Unifi does ground handling, security, aircraft cabin cleaning and wheelchair assistance at Hartsfield-Jackson International and other airports around the country. Jalali started working for Unifi in 2023, and as a recruiter for the company he helps hire employees and get them started on the job. With his deep connections to the Afghan community in metro Atlanta, Jalali is also helping Unifi with its recently announced goal to hire 500 refugees by 2027. We find a way In 2021, President Joe Biden launched an effort to support vulnerable Afghans resettling in the United States, including those who worked alongside Americans in Afghanistan over two decades. In 2022, Biden announced a process for Ukrainian citizens to come to the United States and be considered for eligibility for work authorization. In other cities such as Seattle, Unifi is working with a Ukrainian church to reach out to refugees, displaced by Russias invasion. In Atlanta, Jalali shares job opportunities with multiple refugee communities in metro Atlanta through WhatsApp groups, and helps recruits throughout the hiring process, going through background checks to get airport badges, and even arranging carpools to help those without vehicles and drivers licenses get to work. When I started, it was very hard to bring a single refugee. But now we find a way, Jalali said. Mirwais Jalali, a recruiter for aviation contractor Unifi, helps candidate Nametulah Sultani begin a computer training program at Unifi offices in Hapeville on Friday, April 19, 2024. (Arvin Temkar, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS) He said many of the refugees he connects with live in Stone Mountain, Decatur and Clarkston, where the nonprofit Clarkston Community Center offers English as a Second Language classes, connections to legal help for refugees and other services. Unifi has already hired more than 200 refugees since 2022, particularly at airports in Atlanta, Houston and Seattle. It is one of more than 200 companies across the country that are members of the Tent Partnership for Refugees to help refugees find jobs in the United States. They include Delta Air Lines, which is a part-owner of Unifi; Accenture, IHG Hotels & Resorts, UPS, Amazon, Google and others. Refugees are looking for jobs. Companies are in short supply, whether its at a Starbucks or a McDonalds or a Target, said Archana Arcot, Unifis chief people officer. The post-pandemic travel surge has motivated Unifi to find more workers and decide to start having a formal structure to go out and hire refugees, Arcot said. Programs like this take a lot more effort to set up (and) establish, but once you have the right structure then it creates a multiplier effect, Arcot said. She said the company is trying to build more ecosystems for refugee hiring, such as in Minneapolis. Refugees have the advantage of coming with eligibility to work in the United States so the employer doesnt need to sponsor a work visa, Arcot noted. And airports have long been attractive to people coming into the country looking for jobs, especially in cities like Minneapolis, Detroit and in cities in border states such as New York and Seattle, she said. Airports also often have public transit to easily get to work. Mirwais Jalali, a recruiter for aviation contractor Unifi, gives new employees a tour of the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta on Friday, April 19, 2024. (Arvin Temkar, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS) Jobs at Unifi and at airlines typically offer flight benefits, which are valuable to those who want to fly back overseas to visit family members. Airports also tend to have jobs that require physical labor, and where language skills are not as large a barrier, Arcot said. Many of the jobs start at $15 an hour, she said. Where you can place them is limited, she said. But she also sees higher retention rates because those workers are not trying to go and work at three different employers. Those who speak languages other than English can do well in jobs such as loading snack carts for in-flight catering and janitorial work, especially working on teams together, she said. Those with English language skills can qualify for customer service roles, according to Arcot. There may be some restrictions in the kind of work some are comfortable doing, she said. With loading beverage carts, they may not be comfortable touching liquor, Arcot said. Knowing the culture and recognizing what in that culture works and where you can assign them work is important. In Atlanta, Arcot said Jalali is a key part of that strategy as a high-touch recruiter. Jalali said with some recruits, they may not speak English, have never used a computer and dont have an email address. He completes applications for them and helps them set up an email address. Youre making these commitments and investments for the long term, Arcot said. The long-term goal is for the workers to advance to different jobs, use their language skills, and help with appealing to a multicultural customer passenger base, which will always be the topography of large international airports, she said. Hogai Nassery, CEO of the Afghan American Alliance of Georgia, said upward mobility is important. We have some folks who are pretty well educated and speak pretty good English, Nassery said. The jobs themselves are great people need to land on their feet. She also said whatever theyre doing now, I hope its geared towards jobs that definitely have some legs. Jobs at the airport such as with Unifi are seen as better than work in warehouses, chicken factories and manufacturing plants, said Shaista Amani, program manager at the Afghan American Alliance of Georgia. But she added that workers also need a way to move up, by gaining certified skills such as ServSafe certification for food handling. But it is difficult for even well-educated Afghan refugees to find professional jobs if they dont have U.S. job experience or personal connections, she said. Jalali also said he knows some workers who are highly educated and, like when he first arrived, are starting out all over again. We have doctors. We have a minister, Jalali said. Its up to you how you want to build your future. 2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy speaks during a hearing by the Senate Commerce and Transportation Committee on April 10. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for The Washington Post) Seven weeks after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, leaders of federal agencies responding to the disaster told Congress on Wednesday that the country needs to take steps to address the risks large ships pose to the countrys essential infrastructure. Vice Adm. Peter Gautier, deputy commandant for operations of the U.S. Coast Guard, said that even as investigations continue, it is already clear that because of how much the size and complexity of ships has grown over the years, regulatory systems may not have kept pace with the increased risks these vessels pose. A national board of inquiry is being convened to assess the risk-management tools to keep port operations safe, Gautier said, with the goal of developing a holistic, national approach to reduce the risk of major incidents. Gautier testified before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure alongside Maj. Gen. William Butch H. Graham of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Shailen Bhatt of the Federal Highway Administration; and Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board. The questioning, growing heated at times as lawmakers grilled the four officials about investigations into the accident and funding sources for rebuilding, came a day after the NTSB released its first report on the March 26 tragedy - outlining the agencys initial findings from its investigation into the cause of the crash that killed six people and crippled the local economy by cutting off access to Baltimores port. Investigators wrote in the report, published Tuesday afternoon, that the Dali - the Singapore-flagged cargo ship that destroyed the bridge - suffered repeated electrical failures before the crash. The vessel had two electrical blackouts while docked in the Port of Baltimore 10 hours before setting sail, then had two more blackouts that disabled critical equipment in the moments before hitting the bridge. The agency did not indicate whether its investigators thought crew members or the ships owners had done anything wrong that led to the bridge strike and said the ongoing inquiry will examine whether the first blackouts in port had anything to do with those that occurred just before the Dali took down the bridge. Homendy told lawmakers at the hearing that NTSB investigators are concentrating on what happened with the electrical systems before the crash and are trying to replicate some of the electrical problems that were seen that day. Investigators, working with the system manufacturer, Hyundai, are examining and testing various components, she said. A mistake by a crew member working on part of a diesel engine caused the initial in-port blackout, the investigation found, and a second blackout in port was related to insufficient fuel pressure. The Dali then left port and set sail on the Patapsco River, experiencing another blackout about half a mile from the Key Bridge. That power outage stopped the vessels steering pumps, according to the investigation, leaving the rudder immovable. NTSB experts are still investigating when an emergency generator started up, which would have been able to power an emergency steering pump, allowing the rudder to move again. Even with emergency power after the blackouts, Homendy said Wednesday, the rudder was less effective for steering because the generator powered the radio communications and the ships lights - but not the propeller. They were essentially drifting, she said. The investigation is sprawling and complex, she told lawmakers, and the NTSB team has been on the scene of the Dali crash in Baltimore since the Key Bridge collapsed seven weeks ago - an unusually long time for on-scene fact-finding. It is unprecedented, to be on board that long, she said. Bhatt also emphasized the immensity of the effort. I have never seen anything at this scale, he said. It is a monumental task to clean up this site and rebuild. The Coast Guard is responsible for overseeing the safety of U.S. waterways and risks related to shipping. But questions have been raised, including on Wednesday, about whether it has acted aggressively enough. The move to launch a nationwide board of inquiry is an indication that the country has not been fully prepared for all the changes - and dangers - ever-larger container ships have brought to U.S. waterways. Its time for us to more broadly understand these risks, Gautier said. The inquiry - spurred by the Dali crash - will assess the efficacy of the Coast Guards suite of risk management tools, evaluate how recently theyve been used within major ports, and establish a holistic, national-level approach to develop risk profiles, identify ways to address vulnerabilities and propose actions to reduce the risk of major incidents, Gautier said. Homendy noted that back in 1988, her agency had pushed for the Coast Guard and federal highways officials to evaluate the adequacy of pier protections on bridges over navigable waterways in U.S. ports and harbors. But according to Homendy, the Coast Guard said at the time it did not have the authority to take action. Gautier noted that an overall risk assessment was performed in the Port of Baltimore but that was more than 20 years ago. The Coast Guard meets with stakeholders at ports around the country to evaluate the totality of the risk when things change, such as when a channel becomes deeper or a new bridge gets built, Gautier said. The new national inquiry will look at how the Coast Guard conducts these assessments and how recent they are in the ports around the country, he said. It will also examine the 10 biggest ports for lessons that have been learned on bridge protection systems, hazards to navigation and other factors so we can draw some conclusions and then move out with a refined toolkit to other ports around the country, Gautier said. Homendy said that while she is very encouraged by the Coast Guards new inquiry, she is urging states to conduct expedient risk assessments of their own and and not wait for the full NTSB investigation or for new nationwide recommendations. This could happen in any of your districts, she told the members of Congress. The Key Bridge was ordered closed swiftly after authorities received a warning call from the ship, Homendy noted, but she said other bridge structures have advanced warning systems that Baltimore did not, something the NTSB is examining as part of its investigation. Homendy and Gautier said they did not know whether the Dali collision could have been avoided if the vessel had been guided by a tug boat at the time of the blackouts. Homendy said NTSB investigators are also looking into that question. The FBI has launched its own criminal investigation into the Dali, including whether the crew knew of serious system problems before setting out in the early morning darkness on March 26. Dozens of law enforcement officials boarded the Dali on April 15 to search for evidence. Attorneys representing the city of Baltimore and a local business executive have filed separate complaints in federal court in Maryland against the Dalis owner and manager, alleging negligence before the crash. In court, the Dalis owner, Grace Ocean Private Ltd., and its manager, Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., both based in Singapore, have asked a federal judge to limit their liability in the tragedy to about $43.6 million. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), chair of the transportation committee, indicated that some Republicans are not in a hurry to pass legislation ensuring that the federal government fully reimburse Maryland for the cost of rebuilding the bridge. He noted that actions by the Federal Highway Administration so far mean Maryland will have 90 percent of costs recovered over roughly the next six months. Graves said an early estimate put the price tag for replacing the bridge at $1.2 billion, but later estimates came in at between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion. Its important we have a very firm estimate before we take any further action on the cost sharing, Graves said. Federal and Maryland state officials are eager for Congress to move quickly to commit to the full reimbursement. The Dali, which was trapped under part of the bridge until Monday, is expected to be moved back to shore in Baltimore early next week. So far, more than 6,000 tons of steel and concrete have been removed from the collapse site, Gautier said, and limited access to the port has been restored. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives a briefing on Hurricane Ian recovery with FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, USCG Liaison Captain Paul Rooney and FEMA Region 4 Administrator Gracia Szczech in September 2022. (Robert Kaufmann/FEMA) Florida will eliminate climate change as a priority in making energy policy decisions, despite the threats it faces from powerful hurricanes, extreme heat and worsening toxic algae blooms. On Wednesday, the states governor, Ron DeSantis, signed the legislation, which is set to go into effect on July 1. The measure also removes most references to climate change in state law, bans offshore wind turbines in state waters and weakens regulations on natural gas pipelines. The legislation I signed today [will] keep windmills off our beaches, gas in our tanks, and China out of our state, the governor said, according to the DeSantis-friendly outlet Floridas Voice, which was the first to report that he had signed the bill. Were restoring sanity in our approach to energy and rejecting the agenda of the radical green zealots. Supporters say the new law helps the state prioritize a concern of Floridians energy affordability, which they say is threatened by excessive regulation. But some climate advocates said the measure is largely symbolic and would have little effect on the Floridas shift toward renewable energy. Solar power is booming in the state and, despite Republican lawmakers desire to curb construction of wind turbines, Florida isnt windy enough to have piqued the wind industrys interest. Rather, environmentalists said the new law is the latest example of DeSantiss eagerness to use climate change as a culture war issue such as abortion and transgender rights to bring national attention to himself and hit the right notes with right-wing voters. Earlier this month, he signed a bill banning lab-grown meat from the state, though the product isnt commercially available. In a post on X accompanying the announcement, the governor said the law would protect Florida from global elites at the World Economic Forum, falsely claiming that the annual gathering of political leaders in Davos harbors plans to force the world to eat fake meat and bugs. Greg Knecht, director of The Nature Conservancy in Florida, said the new measure removing most mentions of climate change is very much out of line with public opinion. The latest survey by Florida Atlantic University found that 90 percent of Floridians accept that climate change is happening and 69 percent support state action to address it. Many of the surveys respondents also reported negative experiences with flooding and high winds from tornadoes and hurricanes, which may explain why Floridians report being more concerned than Americans nationally. To Knecht, the new law highlights a growing disconnect in the state. Republican lawmakers, who control the states Legislature, have voted for major spending to address the effects of climate change, including pouring millions of dollars into flood control projects and efforts to fortify drinking water and wastewater infrastructure threatened by rising sea levels. Last year, the governor gave the states Department of Environmental Protection more than $28 million to update flooding vulnerability studies for each county. At the same time, DeSantis and other Republicans have portrayed climate solutions like reducing carbon pollution as radical and part of a left-wing agenda. On one hand, we recognize that were seeing flooding and were seeing property damage and were seeing hurricanes, and were conveying to the public that we can build our way out of these problems, Knecht said. And then on the other hand, were turning around and saying, Yeah, but climate change isnt really real, and we dont need to do anything about it. In addition to removing the term climate change, the new law would make affordability and reliability the focus of the states energy policy an echo of conservative talking points that seek to portray renewable power as too expensive and untrustworthy. It feels like weve taken a major step backward and are no longer recognizing the dangers of greenhouse gases, said Raymer Maguire, director of campaigns and policy for the Miami-based CLEO Institute, a climate activism nonprofit that supports clean energy. The measure also removes language giving state officials the authority to set goals for increasing renewable energy in Florida. It ends requirements that government agencies consult a climate-friendly products list before making purchases, hold meetings in hotels that meet the states green lodging requirements or that agencies prioritize fuel efficiency when buying new vehicles. Florida remains heavily dependent on natural gas for power generation, and the science is clear that burning more of it will contribute to climate change, potentially worsening the states flooding and heat problems. Overheating ocean waters are fueling stronger hurricanes, and when they hit, rising sea levels make storm surge more destructive. The states summers have always been sizzling, but its now experiencing more days of extreme heat. Miami had a 34-day run of 90-degree weather last year its fourth-longest on record. DeSantis has responded to these challenges by dismissing their causes. Im not in the pews of the church of the global warming leftists. Im just not, he said on the 2018 campaign trail. As a presidential candidate, his economic plan called for weakening permitting requirements and ending emissions regulations to speed up oil and gas production. He staged the announcement at an oil rig site in Texas where he described the Biden administrations climate policies as part of an agenda to control you and to control our behavior. He has also taken aim at local efforts to protect people from the effects of climate, signing a law last month that bars cities and counties from writing regulations to protect outdoor workers from extreme heat. This is a growing problem in a state where construction and agriculture are huge industries. Addressing climate change wasnt always a polarizing issue in Florida. Former governor Charlie Crist, who was elected in 2006 as a Republican, used his first State of the State address to call climate change one of the most important issues that we will face this century. He helped persuade the Legislature to pass a popular energy and climate bill that allowed the state to create a cap-and-trade program to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power companies. But much of what Crist put in place didnt survive the administration of Floridas next governor, and now U.S. senator, Rick Scott. According to reporting by the Miami Herald, under Scott, state officials in charge of environmental protection were barred from using the terms climate change or global warming in official communication. The Trump administration borrowed this tactic in 2017, when it took down much of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys online material explaining global warming and why it is worth fighting. Biden reversed the move four years later. Lenese Rogers reads a story to children at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., in November 2023. The military needs to better track the effectiveness of efforts to retain workers at base child care facilities, the Government Accountability Office said in a report released May 14, 2024. (Justin Todd/U.S. Space Force) The military doesnt track the effectiveness of recruiting and retention at its day care centers despite employee turnover as high as 50%, a federal watchdog agency study found. The Government Accountability Office said the Defense Department services need to better assess whether year-round recruitment and financial incentives for new hires and existing staff are working. The services at the end of 2022 reported about 6,200 child care vacancies, shortages that the Pentagon says can mean longer wait times for families struggling to get care for their children. By developing metrics to track the results of their retention efforts, the military services can identify which are most effective at retaining child care workers, said the report, which was released Tuesday. The Senate Armed Services Committee directed the review as part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. All four military services calculate child care worker turnover the same way, the GAO report said, with turnover rates ranging from 34% in the Marine Corps to 50% at Army child care centers in 2022, citing the most recent data available. The highest demand for care continues to be for infants and toddlers, the GAO report said. In 2022, the DOD served nearly 163,000 children, which includes after-school care for children up to age 12. At the time, it employed about 17,500 workers, according to the report. GAO for its review conducted in-person and virtual site visits at eight installations in Hawaii, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. They were chosen because of their large waitlists and unmet child care need, according to the report. Military officials told investigators that onboarding can take up to six months and that the work environment is stressful. Limited career progression and competition from other employers also harm retention, they added. The Navy said its speeding up health screenings to onboard staff, while the Marines are considering delayed screening. The services also offer incentives beyond the starting pay of $18.21 per hour, which was approved for entry-level DOD child care workers in the United States as of January. The Army conducted a pilot program that offered all stateside child care workers access to base commissaries. It plans to expand commissary access to child and youth program employees on all Army installations in fiscal year 2025. But the services wont know which incentives are effective without tracking results, the study said. The services generally agreed with the GAOs findings. Air Force officials told the GAO that their branch is working on a data collection system for its initiatives, but the timeline is indefinite. The Marine Corps, meanwhile, said it doesnt have the resources for a tracking system. The Navy is looking at adopting metrics on how long it takes to onboard child care workers, according to the report. The Army said it has conducted several surveys to gauge why employees leave but hasnt collected data on the effectiveness of its incentives. DOD said in its response to the report that it will direct the services to develop the metrics called for by the GAO. In March, James McKinney, 65, a veteran who was homeless for many years, moved into a two-bedroom apartment in Vancouver, Wash. McKinney was the first graduate from Kiggins Village, the city of Vancouvers fourth Safe Stay shelter, which consists of 20 sheds enclosed by a fence in the Lincoln neighborhood. (Do Good Multnomah/Facebook) (Tribune News Service) When James McKinney walked into Kiggins Village for the first time, he told staff, This is not going to work. Program manager Dale Smith told McKinney to give the place a week. Turns out, the transitional shelter was the right fit for McKinney. In March, McKinney, 65, a veteran who was homeless for many years, moved into a two-bedroom apartment in Vancouver. McKinney was the first graduate from Kiggins Village, the city of Vancouvers fourth Safe Stay shelter, which consists of 20 sheds enclosed by a fence in the Lincoln neighborhood. Kiggins Village is overseen by nonprofit Do Good Multnomah. I want to show others that you can move on, it can be done, and you can have a brand-new life, McKinney said. Breaking the mold McKinney grew up in the small town of Ashford, which sits at the foot of Mount Rainier. He was one of 10 siblings. He joined the U.S. Army after high school. In 1978, he became a timber logger and was in the profession for 38 years. In the fifth grade, the other kids would say I wasnt big enough to be a logger. But then guess who was asking me for a job years later, he said. McKinney lived in several states over the years, from Montana to Florida. But as he aged, he became too old to keep up with his profession. He eventually found his way to the Pacific Northwest, where he became homeless. McKinney said he slept in the woods with only a blanket. He eventually met with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs staff who helped McKinney get into shelter. I had to get my head out of my rear-end and ask somebody for some help, McKinney said. I met the right people, and Im telling you: They broke the mold with me when I met them. Allen Martinez, a veterans outreach coordinator for the VA, introduced McKinney to Smith, the program manager at Do Good Multnomah, at last years Stand Down event, an annual resource event for veterans and their families. Do Good Multnomah was able to get him into WyEast, a Portland-based shelter for veterans. He then stayed in a VA shelter for a few days before moving into Kiggins Village. Everybody that works here is wonderful. I couldnt have done it as quickly as I did, alone, McKinney said. They got everything you need right now. New beginnings At Kiggins Village, McKinney was known for his great sense of humor, helping other residents and keeping his home extra tidy. Hes just a solid person, Smith said. Kiggins Village staff helped McKinney finish the necessary steps to move into housing. He already had a veterans housing voucher, and 2 1/2 months later, he moved into his new apartment. McKinney returns to Kiggins Village once a week to visit, and he volunteers to pick up litter around the property. McKinney said he is thankful for the staff at Kiggins Village for giving him the opportunity to progress in life. These people donated their lives to me for a couple of months, now I can donate a little time to them. Im really thankful and grateful for all of them, McKinney said. Inside McKinneys new apartment, he pointed to a cluster of vintage concert posters hes collected. Each holds nostalgia. One is a multicolored The Beatles poster, dated Feb. 9, 1964. I watched this concert debut on the television as a kid, he said. McKinney has decorated window sills and bookshelves with various knickknacks, Army memorabilia and treasures he found in his favorite rivers. He spoke proudly of his space and gushed about his neighborhood as he drifted through the various rooms. Hes still on the hunt for a queen-size bed for his guest bedroom. Then, his grandchildren can visit him, something that wasnt possible before. McKinney said he is still getting used to living in the big city. But he knows he is finally home. This is going to be my last house, I love it here. Its beautiful, McKinney said. This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj. (c)2024 The Columbian (Vancouver, Wash.) Visit www.columbian.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Evan Moore (19) appeared in court today An apprentice electrician has been accused of rioting and burning a Luas tram during last Novembers violence in central Dublin. Evan Moore (19), who appeared in court today, is charged with arson and causing damage to a tram on O'Connell Street. He is the latest person to be charged after what has been described as one of the largest scenes of public disorder in the history of the state. The unrest broke out after a girl (5) was severely wounded in a stabbing at Parnell Square, where two other children and a creche worker were also injured. Mr Moore, of Grangemore Road, Donaghmede, Dublin is charged with committing a riot, criminal damage and arson on November 23. Judge Monika Leech granted him bail and adjourned the case for 12 weeks for DPP directions. Detective Garda Aisling Gralton told Dublin District Court she arrested the accused at 7.10am yesterday and brought him to Store Street station, where he was charged at 7.37pm. Mr Moore made no reply to any of the three charges after caution and was handed copies of the charge sheets. Gda Gralton said she had no objection to bail subject to conditions. Judge Leech granted bail in Mr Moores own bond of 200 with no cash lodgement required. Under conditions, he is to provide gardai with a contact phone number, sign on at Raheny garda station once a week, be of good behaviour and not come to adverse garda attention. Defence solicitor Paddy McGarry consented to the adjournment and applied for free legal aid, saying the accused was working as an apprentice electrician. Judge Leech granted this and remanded Mr Moore on bail to appear in court again on July 30. The accused was not required to address the court and has not yet indicated how he intends to plead to the charges which are under the Public Order and Criminal Damage Acts. Dozens of other people have been before the courts on a range of charges arising from the November 23 unrest, including rioting, arson, criminal damage to a luas tram, garda vehicles and a Dublin Fire Brigade tender, theft and possession of weapons. A court heard he went to use the toilet when he saw passengers queuing at the gate, but when he returned the gate was closed Drini Abduramani was travelling home to see his dying father. Photo: Collins Courts A desperate man arrested for trying to climb onto an airplane on the tarmac at Dublin Airport had missed out on boarding a flight home by making a quick dash to the toilet. He was travelling home to be at his terminally ill fathers bedside. Airline staff refused to let Drini Abduramani board when he breached the gate and ran out onto the ramp in an emotional state. He was chased by airport police. A court heard he went to use the toilet when he saw passengers queuing at the gate, but when he returned the gate was closed. Judge Treasa Kelly applied the Probation Act, sparing him a criminal record after he made a 400 charity donation. Abduramani (41), from Bakers Place, Main Street, Newbliss, Co Monaghan, pleaded guilty to trespassing at the airport in a manner likely to cause fear in others. Dublin District Court heard the incident happened on April 21 last year. Garda sergeant Derek Spain said the accused breached the boarding gate for a Ryanair flight and was chased out onto the ramp where he attempted to climb onto the aircraft. He was restrained and brought to the airport garda station where he was charged. The accused had no previous convictions. Abduramanis father was very sick. He planned to travel home to Albania to be by his bedside, defence barrister Tara McLoughlin said. His father has since died. The flight he was booked to travel on had been delayed. When it landed and he saw other passengers boarding, Abduramani went to use the bathroom. When he returned, the gate was closed. He asked staff to let him on, but he was refused and this sent him into an emotional state. These were the actions of a desperate man, Ms McLoughlin said. That plane was his only possible way of getting to his father at that time. The accused had been living in Monaghan for 12 years and was leading a pro-social life. There are procedures in place to be followed when it comes to the airport and its in relation to safety, Judge Kelly said. You couldnt let yourself onto a plane. She dismissed the charge under the Probation Act after the accused donated 400 to the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin. Judge McColgan said that as Stalford has admitted a "very serious charge", the consequences were "inevitable" An east Belfast taxi driver has admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Former Fonacab driver Brian Stalford was initially charged with three offences arising from an incident in his taxi which was captured on a dashcam and went viral last June. At a previous court hearing, Stalford, from Park Avenue in east Belfast, denied the three offences and a trial was due to start on Wednesday. Watch: East Belfast taxi driver who pointed imitation gun at passenger admits charge However, he appeared in court today where his solicitor Mark Austin asked that Stalford be re-arraigned on a charge of possessing an imitation firearm. He was then charged that on a date between March 1 and June 2, 2023 he possessed a handgun resembling a 'Desert Eagle' self-loading pistol with intent to cause fear of violence. When the offence was put to him, he was asked how he pleaded, and he replied: "Guilty." Following this, Crown barrister Natalie Pinkerton told Judge Donna McColgan KC that the prosecution was leaving two remaining counts 'on the books' and they were not being proceeded with. These counts were assaulting a front seat passenger and threatening to kill the same male, on a date between March 1 and June 2, 2023. Judge McColgan said that as Stalford has admitted a "very serious charge", the consequences were "inevitable" and he was to be remanded into custody ahead of sentencing. Mr Austin then addressed the judge and asked that his client be granted continuing bail. Brian Stalford This, he said, was to allow Stalford to be examined by defence experts including a psychologist which the solicitor said "can often prove to be extremely difficult" for defendants remanded in custody. Mr Austin added that Stalford "has been on bail for a somewhat significant period of time" and has abided by all conditions. When asked what the Crown's view was regarding bail, Ms Pinkerton said "the prosecution would not be applying to revoke his bail" pending sentence - but agreed that the consequences of his plea were "inevitable." Judge McColgan released Stalford on continuing bail and he was told to return to court on Tuesday, July 2, for sentencing. Judge Alex Owens dismissed arguments that she needed more time to sort out repairs through the insurance company. The home at the centre of the CAB case THE former partner of showbiz drug dealer Adam Keatinge has been ordered to leave the family home two years after it was declared the proceeds of crime. Hungarian national Veronika Saly had been named in a Criminal Assets Bureau case against Keatinge who has been described as a significant player in a gang lead by a Kinahan-linked criminal. The notorious Dublin gang figure, who is serving a life sentence, cannot be named as he is currently facing serious charges. It emerged at a High Court hearing today that Ms Saly had not been living in the property when the order was made to declare the Co Kildare house the proceeds of crime. However, she had since moved back in with her children into the house which suffered storm damage in August 2023. Judge Alex Owens dismissed arguments that Ms Saly needed more time to sort out repairs through the insurance company. He said the hearing was about taking possession of the property and asked what has this got to do with it? Judge Owens said that the house at Ellistown, Rathangan is no longer her property and CAB are looking to have a receiver appointed to sell it. He said the position is that the house is the proceeds of crime and its going to be sold and that the case cant be diverted into arguments about insurance. Counsel for CAB said she has had a de facto stay on quitting the property as the case went through the Court of Appeal and to the Supreme Court since 2022. The home at the centre of the CAB case Counsel for Saly said that CAB must also take into account it is a family home which is inviolable under the constitution. Judge Owens said that protection has to be in accordance with the law and that there is nothing I can do for you in these arguments. He ordered the house be vacated by 10am on 20 August which would give time for the children to settle in if they had to go to new schools. At previous hearings it emerged music DJ and promoter Adam Keatinge had denied any criminality despite being previously arrested and convicted in relation to a seizure of one kilo of cocaine. Before his 2012 drugs conviction, one of his roles in the Kinahan cartel-linked gang had been to rent properties which were then used by known criminals, it was given in evidence. Keatinge, also known as Marcus Lane and Michael Keating, was caught in Northern Ireland in June 2016 with 60,000 in a van on his way to Belfast airport for a flight to Amsterdam with two other men. The arrests in Northern Ireland and the evidence found on the phones kickstarted the investigation by CAB, who had previously probed the Dubliners financial dealings. Judge Alex Owens ruled in November 2022 that the gold, cash and the Co. Kildare property were the proceeds of crime. Also named in the case was Keatinges then partner with whom he has two children Ms Saly, along with Abu Jaber, from Jordan, and Dario Simoes, from Portugal, who had been in the van that was stopped in Northern Ireland. In the case against him, a detective inspector said Keatinge was a player of significance in a gang lead by a notorious criminal. While the DJ had denied the claim, in a replying affidavit to the High Court the officer said Keatinge did not contest the evidence on his connections with the crime gang and stood over his assertions. Keatinge and his then partner Saly claimed that money used to acquire assets, including his home, came from legitimate sources. Keatinge, a music events co-ordinator and DJ, and Ms Saly, a former dancer who had worked in a Dublin hairdressing salon, had claimed that CABs investigation was incomplete. In his 2020 judgement, Judge Owens described Keatinge as a person who was heavily involved in criminal operations including the planned importation and supply of cocaine. He said the evidence gathered following the arrest of the three men in Northern Ireland showed they were all heavily involved in criminal operations from late 2015 and had planned to test, import and supply cocaine. He also found that CAB had established that Keatinge was involved in the drugs trade. There was no explanation for large sums of money that went through his bank accounts or the accounts of entities linked to him other than the monies were from the proceeds of crime. CAB claimed for many years that large sums of money were received by Keatinge which he used to buy a home in Knocklyon, Dublin. That property was sold and used to acquire his home in Ellistown, Co. Kildare for 300,000 in 2014, which was funded with a mortgage. Stonemason and father of two TJ OHerlihy from Castleisland, Co Kerry was only 36 when he and his colleague Bryan Whelan (29) drowned The scene at Thomond Bridge, Limerick, in August 2015 where Bryan Whelan and TJ OHerlihy drowned when the cable holding their cage broke and fell into the water as the men worked on the bridge. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22 The family of a man who plunged to his death and drowned in the River Shannon after the steel cage carrying him and his colleagues as they worked on a Limerick bridge suddenly dropped into the water has settled for a High Court action over his death for 1.1million. Stonemason and father of two TJ OHerlihy from Castleisland, Co Kerry was only 36 when he and his colleague Bryan Whelan (29) , OBriensbridge , Co Clare were trapped in the cage which fell into the river nine years ago and the two men drowned. Their co-worker, Paul Murphy, from Askeaton, Co Limerick, managed to free his harness and was rescued by emergency first responders after he was swept out along the Shannon estuary. The stonemasons had been harnessed into the cage and were wearing life jackets while they carried out specialised repair works on the south side of Thomond Bridge, Limerick City when the tragedy occurred on August 29, 2015. In the High Court on Tuesday, Mr OHerlihys partner, Therese Wigsten and children settled a High Court action over his death. Ms Wigsten attended the hearing by remote link from her home in Sweden and Mr OHerlihys father Tim OHerlihy from Castleisland, Co Kerry attended at the Four Courts for the settlement ruling. The family's counsel Maura McNally SC instructed by solicitor Andrew OConnell told the court that a cable holding the steel cage had snapped as the men worked on Thomond Bridge, Limerick. She said it had been Mr OHerlihys first day on the job as he had recently returned to Ireland and his partner and children Conor then age four and baby Katherine were due to join him in Ireland from Sweden . The scene at Thomond Bridge, Limerick, in August 2015 where Bryan Whelan and TJ OHerlihy drowned when the cable holding their cage broke and fell into the water as the men worked on the bridge. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22 Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told that the settlement which was reached after mediation was without an admission of liability. Ms Wigsten from Sodertalje, Sweden had sued Gaelach Droichead Ltd trading as Irish Bridge with registered offices at Ballyengland, Askeaton, Co Limerick and his employer, Paul Mulcair Ltd of the same address, She also sued Nationwide Crane Hire Ltd trading as NCG Crane with registered offices at Dock Road, Limerick City; Palfinger Ireland Ltd with registered offices at Cloncollig Industrial Estate, Tullamore, Co Offaly; Limerick City and County Council and Malachy Walsh and Co Ltd with registered offices at Park House, Mahon Technology Park, Bessboro Road, Blackrock, Co Cork. It was claimed that Mr OHerlihy was in the man cage being raised by a crane when suddenly and without warning it dropped into the river. It was further claimed there was a failure to provide a safe place of work and a safe system of work and Mr OHerlihy had been allegedly required to work in circumstances and conditions where it was allegedly known or ought to have been known were unsafe and dangerous. All the claims were denied by all the defendants. Mr Justice Coffey noted the settlement which he said was fair and reasonable and the division of the 35,000 statutory mental distress payment. The judge also extended his deepest sympathy to Mr OHerlihys family in Sweden and Kerry. Two of the companies in 2022 were fined a total of 225,000 after pleading guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act in relation to the incident. Judge Tom ODonnell imposed a fine of 200,000 on Nationwide Crane Hire Ltd, Dock Road, Limerick, and a 25,000 fine on Palfinger Ireland Ltd, Tullamore, Co Offaly. The former republican paramilitary hitman is serving a life sentence for the murder of a British soldier Convicted INLA killer Declan Whacker Duffy has lost a High Court challenge to being denied early release from prison. The former republican paramilitary hitman is serving a life sentence for the murder of a British soldier in Derby, England 32 years ago. Sergeant Michael Newman, 34, was shot dead outside an army recruitment office in Dery, England in April, 1992. Duffy, 49, received a minimum 24-year jail term after pleading guilty to the assassination in 2010, but was initially freed on licence in March 2013 under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. In 2015 he was arrested again by gardai and subsequently convicted of the false imprisonment of a man in Co Dublin. With his licence revoked, he was extradited to Northern Ireland in 2020 on completing the six-year sentence imposed in the Republic of Ireland. Duffy is currently behind bars at HMP Maghaberry, where his tariff for murdering Sergeant Newman is not due to expire until 2034. He mounted a judicial review challenge at the High Court in Belfast after the Sentence Review Commissioners refused to declare him eligible for early release under provisions in the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. The decision, taken in December last year, was based on an assessment of the potential risk of harm to the public. Lawyers for Duffy claimed the panel who turned him down acted unlawfully and failed to properly consider his efforts at rehabilitation. But Mr Justice McAlinden stressed the legal test is that Commissioners can only grant release if they are satisfied a prisoner would not pose a danger to the public. The Act, which allowed those convicted of terrorist offences committed before 1998 to get out of prison after serving two years, makes no reference to rehabilitation, according to the judge. He said: The primary purpose of the legislation is to give effect to the political agreement entered into by the various parties in Northern Ireland (as part of) a settlement following the cessation of violence in 1998. The issue of rehabilitation is not one that can be injected into the statutory framework of the 1998 legislation. Mr Justice McAlinden added that if Duffy had received the same sentence for a non-political murder, he could not have sought release until the 24-year tariff had expired. The core central issue the Commissioners have to determine is public safety, he stated. To argue that the imposed an unlawful and impossibly high standard for release is simply without foundation. Further grounds of challenge related to allegations that the decision was procedurally unfair, breached human rights and appeared to be biased. Rejecting all arguments, the judge cited an identified minimisation and lack of insight by Duffy into his previous offending. Thats what gives rise to the risk that cannot be ignored by the panel (of Commissioners), he said. I have no hesitation in refusing leave to apply for judicial review in this case. ends The court heard that when the charge was put to him by gardai, Andy Mayuma replied: I am sorry for what happened. A man in his 30s who stands charged with assaulting a woman in Athlone at the weekend told gardai at the time of his arrest: I am sorry for what happened. Thirty-seven-year-old Andy Mayuma, of North Circular Road, Dublin 7 was brought before a sitting of Longford District Court charged with assault causing harm to his alleged female victim on May 11 at Cornamaddy Drive, Ballymahon Road, Athlone, Westmeath. Mayuma, who was ushered into court wearing a high vis jacket and dark trousers, stood quietly in the custody suite as details surrounding the section 3 assault charge were relayed to Judge Bernadette Owens. The court heard that when the charge was put to him by gardai, Mayuma replied: I am sorry for what happened. Sgt Enda Daly for the State, said gardai were not objecting to bail subject to conditions being imposed by the court. They comprised of orders for Mayuma to have no contact with the alleged injured party either directly or indirectly, to have no contact with any witnesses linked to the case and to stay out of Athlone except for court appearances. The court was also told directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were still awaited as to whether the case should remain in the District Court or its higher Circuit Court equivalent. Defence solicitor Brid Mimnagh applied for legal aid, an application which was granted after she told the court Mayuma had only commenced employment the week previously. She also asked the court and gardai to assist her client to return to Athlone temporarily to retrieve his car, a request Judge Owens said was beyond her remit. Mayuma was remanded on bail to a sitting of Athlone District Court on June 12. James Murphy attempted to appeal the severity of the verdict but failed to win any sympathy from Judge Alice Doyle A man who repeatedly sexually assaulted the children of murdered Wexford woman Rebecca French has been jailed for 20 months. James Murphy of Cromwellsfort Avenue, Wexford attempted to appeal the severity of the verdict but failed to win any sympathy from Judge Alice Doyle in the Circuit Court. Garda Derek Campion gave a summary of his investigations into the matter which led to 29 charges of sexual assault. The complainant in all but one of the 29 was Kayah Anderson who had her nipples and breasts pinched or squeezed time after time. Wexford Courthouse It was estimated that the abuse began when she was aged ten and continued until she was 17 in the year 2021. The second complainant was Tia Arkion who reported that the man who was in loco parentis put his hands down her pants when she was somewhere in the aged range ten to twelve. She said that she had been smacked on the bum countless times by Murphy. The two girls, explained the plain clothes garda, are daughters of the late Rebecca French who was murdered in 2009. They were then cared for by Rebeccas sister Rachel, whose partner was James Murphy. When arrested the accused told investigators: Id be a messer and tried to persuade them that his messing had no sexual intent. It emerged that he had suffered in the past with a drink problem and spent some time in rehab at Ais Eiri. Judge Doyle made it clear that she had no intention of reducing the decision of her District Court colleague two sentences of ten months each, consecutive. State Solicitor Brendan Curran stated that the two young women wished to waive their right to anonymity. Christie and Michael McDonagh and James Connors are accused of stealing 1 million worth of cash and jewellery during a burglary spree in Australia. Three Irish men have been charged with more than 60 burglaries in Melbourne. Photo: HANDOUT/VICTORIA POLICE. Three Irish men have appeared in court charged with allegedly stealing 1 million worth of cash and jewellery during a burglary spree in Australia. The men - named as Christie and Michael McDonagh and James Connors - are accused of breaking into 60 homes in Melbourne in a sophisticated criminal operation. Niall speaks to Eamon Dillon about how Irish burglary gangs operate and how they are working across borders. . MORE EPISODES Move is first step towards full release for notorious gangland killer ONE of the nations most notorious gangland killers has been moved from the Midlands Prison to minimum security Shelton Abbey and is now on the path to securing his eventual release from prison. McCarthy-Dundon gang member Christopher Smokie Costello (41) who is serving life in prison for the murder of rival gang boss Kieran Keane in Limerick was moved to the open prison in Co Wicklow on Wednesday. Prisoners in Shelton Abbey are subject to few if any security measures but face a return to a closed prison if they abscond or misbehave. It has been 21 years since Costello and four other men were convicted of the gruesome gangland murder of Keane, and the attempted murder of his nephew Owen Treacy, at Drombanna, Co Limerick, on January 29, 2003. Kieran Keane Keane (36), of Garryowen, Limerick, had his hands tied behind his back and was shot once in the head in an execution-style killing. There was evidence that he was tortured at or before the time of death. Owen Treacy was stabbed 17 times after he was abducted alongside his uncle but miraculously survived and went on to testify against his killers. His evidence led to the convictions of Costello, Dessie Dundon, David Frog Eyes Stanners, James McCarthy and Anthony Noddy McCarthy for murder. Treacy gave evidence of how his uncle was pushed to the ground and shot with his hands tied behind his back. He said Costello came at him with a knife and stabbed him in the neck, before Stanners almost stabbed him to death. Shelton Abbey Prison, Arklow Pic by Robert Mullan He heard James McCarthy saying come on, hes dead and the three men left the scene. At the trial for the attempted murder of Owen Treacy, Judge Carney warned they were likely to never be released. I want to say primarily to the friends and supporters of the accused on the outside, that each of them will die in prison unless in the fullness of time there is an intervention in their cases by the Parole Board, he said. Each man received a life sentence for the killing followed up by sentences of 15 years each for the attempted murder and seven years each for the false imprisonment of Mr Treacy. Stanners was found unresponsive in his cell in Mountjoy Prison on October 24 last year and was pronounced dead a short time later. The 51-year-olds death was not regarded as suspicious and was believed to have been due to natural causes. In the wake of Stanners death, friends of Kieran Keanes toasted his demise by celebrating with champagne at the gang bosss graveside. Anthony Noddy McCarthy had until January this year been accommodated in the Grove area of Castlerea Prison. However, he was moved back into the main prison after getting into a fight with another prisoner. Dessie Dundon remains locked up in Mountjoy Prison. Prison sources expressed dismay at the decision to move Costello (41) to an open prison. Christopher Costello is an extremely significant figure in terms of gangland criminality in Limerick, a source said. It was strongly suspected in the Midlands Prison that he remained involved in the smuggling of contraband. There is a sense of shock and anger that he is now being accommodated by being moved to an open prison with an eye towards preparing him for an eventual release from prison. Costello and fellow Limerick killers John Coughlan and James Dillon who were housed on the D3 landing in the Midlands were suspected of involvement after 33 phones were seized in 2023. No evidence was discovered to substantiate these suspicions. The Irish Prison Service declined to comment on Costellos move. The two prison officers were said to have been slaughtered like dogs in the horrific attack in Normandy Two guards were machine gunned to death and three others critically wounded by armed gangsters who busted out an inmate identified as Mohammed Amra, known as the Fly, from a prison van in France on Tuesday morning. The two prison officers were said to have been slaughtered like dogs in the horrific attack in Normandy. French politicians have said an unprecedented nationwide manhunt is underway to find the killers and the escaped The Fly. The search is currently entering its second day. Suspected drug boss Mohamed Amra (30) was being transported from a court hearing in Rouen to a secure jail in Evreux when his prison van was ambushed by four gunmen shortly after 11am yesterday morning. He had only been locked up last week. Beginning of the attack. Photo: YouTube Fabrice Moello, a 52-year-old father of two, and Arnaud Garcia, a 35-year-old whose wife was five months pregnant, were massacred on the A154 motorway in Val-de-Reuil in Normandy. Three more guards received gunshot wounds described as critical. Terrifying CCTV footage, like something from Hollywood movie Heat, shows a black car pull up in front of the prison van, before four gunmen emerge and begin firing rapidly. The driver of the van was targeted with numerous shots and bullet holes were visible directly above the steering wheel. The van was attacked by a motorway toll booth. Passing motorists were seen fleeing as the dramatic violence unfolded. The attack unfolds. Photo: YouTube "There were so many bangs, said one onlooker. Naming the victims for the first time on Wednesday, French justice minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said the two prison officers who both came from Caen were slaughtered like dogs by men for whom life means nothing. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said unprecedented efforts were deployed, with hundreds of officers mobilised in the search for the escaped convict Mohamed Amra and the assailants who ambushed the convoy transporting him on Tuesday. 'The Fly' Prison workers held moments of silence Wednesday outside prisons in Paris and elsewhere to commemorate the officers who were killed. Mr Darmanin, speaking on RTL radio, expressed hope that Amra could be caught in the coming days. We are progressing a lot, he said. Bullet holes in windscreen. Photo: YouTube "Absolutely everything will be done. They will be arrested, tried and punished with the same degree of seriousness for the crimes they have committed. The getaway car involved has been found burned out on Wednesday. The sprung drug dealer got his nickname The Fly because he was said to be everywhere. He added that this was not far from where the Kill Shiners one was sprayed The well-known radio host Damien Tiernan has highlighted sinister graffiti that has appeared in Waterford which features the words hang traitors alongside a hate symbol. The Waterford Radio jock posted images of the graffiti sprayed on walls, along with (the) white supremacist symbol in Waterford city this evening. He added that this was not far from where the Kill Shiners one was sprayed. In an update Tiernan said the graffiti in Waterford is expected to be removed today but this is just the latest similar attack aimed at Sinn Fein and other politicians. Yesterday, gardai were alerted to hateful slogans that appeared next to Mary Lou McDonalds Sinn Fein constituency office in Dublin. 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 "Mary Lou is a traitor," said one of pieces of yellow graffiti daubed on the site of the old Cabra House pub at Fassaugh Avenue in Cabra. Other prominent messages, believed to have been spray-painted on Sunday night, read: "Sinn Fein is scum" and "Irish Lives Matter". Ms McDonald has increasingly been targeted by far-right protesters. When the Dail came back from its last summer recess, she was one of those threatened by a mock gallows. Gardai then wrote to her to see whether she wanted to press charges, but no prosecution took place. In 2023, the Sinn Fein leader was confronted by apparent anti-immigration protesters after attending a meeting in her Dublin Central constituency. It was one of two incidents that evening where opposition politicians were targeted by protesters, with an attempt also made to disrupt a People Before Profit (PBP) meeting in Clondalkin. One of its TDs, Paul Murphy, accused far-right agitators of being behind both incidents. Ms McDonald was also targeted by protesters in East Wall. A video on social media showed some among a crowd outside a community centre asking Ms McDonald about illegal aliens and shouting traitor as she exited and made her way to a car. Other left-wing TDs have also been attacked and harassed by the far right, in particular Mr Murphy. But the "traitor label" appears particularly aimed at Sinn Fein for political purposes. Another effort in the latest sloganeering attack appeared to say "Ireland is Ful" (sic). Graffiti targeting Paul Murphy In April, a death threat to People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy was spray-painted on a wall only minutes away from his home. The words Paul Murphy RIP appeared on a wall near his house in Tallaght. The graffiti was later removed as Mr Murphy said he will be contacting gardai. He spoke of his frustration that people on the far right intimidate politicians with abuse and threatening behaviour. It is frustrating that now when were going out canvassing, we know this can happen, when were doing a public meeting, or having a protest, that this can happen, he said. It is frustrating. But if we decided to stop doing those things then basically youre allowing them to win. Protests outside the homes of politicians are becoming more common, with a protest outside Equality Minister Roderic OGormans home recently branded disgraceful and chilling due to the presence of masked men. Gardai are currently investigating a number of threats to the security of Justice Minister Helen McEntee, one of which prompted the evacuation of Ms McEntees home. Politicians both in the Government and opposition are increasingly being targeted near their homes and in public, with video footage circulating on social media in recent days of insults hurled at former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as he sat outside a shop with a friend. Mr Murphy has previously had protesters outside his home, where he lives with his young family. Both of these kind of threats, but also the camera in your face when youre out doing something it aims to discourage people from being out and about, engaging in democracy, in all its different forms, he said. Mr Murphy said there is no question that a campaign of terror is being waged by certain racist, far-right elements that is against public representatives that they disagree with. Crucially its also against migrants, those who are standing up for refugees, LGBTQ+ people. It isnt just public representatives who are in the front line of this, he said, adding there is a big majority in Irish society who do not like to see politicians threatened, buildings burned down or migrants attacked. I think that big majority needs to express itself thats what will push these people back, they will realise that theyre a very small minority, he said. His party colleague Dublin South Central TD Brid Smith, who is running to be an MEP in Dublin, also condemned the graffiti outside of his house. Paul and People Before Profit will not be intimidated by the far right, she said. We will redouble our efforts to mobilise broad campaigns against the far right. We will also continue to oppose the neoliberal housing, health and care policies of this and successive governments that do so much damage to our society and create the fear and despair that feeds the far right. Far-right agitators are intimidating people at their homes. It should be clear to everyone by now that were facing a sustained and escalating far-right terror campaign. "I just wanted my potatoes to be international," An OnlyFand model who closed down the Dublin-New York portal by flashing her breasts has said that Dubliners deserved to see her international potatoes. TikToker Ava Louise took credit this week for shutting down the webcam art installation opposite the Spire on OConnell Street. The "portal sculpture" previously connected New York City to Dublin via a silent video livestream and was intended to be "a bridge to cultures from around the world." I just thought the people of Dublin deserved to see my two New York homegrown potatoes, Ava said on social media this week. After the flashing incident and images of Sept 11 being displayed on the Dublin side amongst other strange behaviours, the portal was disconnected. Flashing incident (Instagram) Louise (25) visited the portal's New York location and decided to put on a sexy show for Dubs over the weekend. The influencer, whose TikTok bio reads "New Jersey trash," told the story in a video this week that showed her from behind as she stood in front of the portal with her shirt lifted up. "So I just got the portal from New York City to Dubiln shut down," she said in the video, going on to explain that she "thought the people of Dublin deserved to see" what she called her "two New York homegrown potatoes." OnlyFans model Ava "And then this happened," she added, as the video cut to an interaction at the scene in New York, where Louise had apparently enlisted her boyfriend to "distract" security so that she could "run away." Louise also shared the video on Instagram and wrote in the post caption, "I just wanted my potatos (sic) to be international," followed by crying emojis. Ava Louise's Instagram post It has also been reported that people were seeing taking drugs on camera, as well as grinding. The project's founder, Benediktas Glylys, came up with the idea in 2016 and launched the first portals in 2021, connecting Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, to Lublin, Poland. Glylys is quoted on the project website recalling the "mystical experience" that led him to see the world "with different eyes," inspiring his effort to "counter polarising ideas and to communicate that the only way for us to continue our journey on this beautiful spaceship called Earth is together." A Dublin City Council statement on Tuesday night said: The team behind the portal art sculpture, Portals.org, has been investigating possible technical solutions to inappropriate behaviour by a small minority of people in front of the portal. Unfortunately the preferred solution, which would have involved blurring, was not satisfactory. As a result the portal will be switched off at 10pm tonight and the team at Portals.org have told us they expect it will be switched back on later this week. We are delighted by how many people have been enjoying the portal since it was launched last week. It has become a global phenomenon and it is important to note that the overwhelming majority of people interacting with the Dublin portal have behaved appropriately. Footage of him being brought out alive from his hiding place after police raided a house near to his old family home is now going viral Omar Bin Omran as a teen and at the moment of his rescue (right) A MAN who vanished aged 17 has been rescued from the cellar of a neighbours home following an alleged kidnapping that lasted nearly 30 years. The victim, named only as Omar Bin Omran, disappeared in the Algerian city of Djelfa 27 years ago and his family assumed he had died during the civil war between the North African countrys government and various Islamist rebel groups. Footage of him being brought out alive from his hiding place after police raided a house near to his old family home is now going viral after officials confirmed they had arrested a 61-year-old man suspected of holding him prisoner. Public prosecutors in Djelfa, a mountain town in Algeria with a population of just under 500,000 people a three-hour drive south of the capital Algiers, said in a statement: The Djelfa Attorney Generals Office informs the public that on May 12 at 8pm local time it found victim Omar B, aged 45, in the case of his neighbour, B.A., aged 61. A young Omar Bin Omran The man held is understood to work as a civil servant and lived alone. A neighbour of the man abducted told Algerian TV station Bilad: His poor mum died while he was in captivity, without knowing what had happened to him, without knowing that all this time he was really right beside her. A video of the moment bearded Omar B was discovered, in what has been described locally as a covered well under haystacks at a sheep farm, was broadcast by Algerian media. A court official in Djelfa was quoted as saying: Two days ago, on 12 May 2024, the Public Prosecutor's Office received, through the regional department of the National Gendarmerie in El Jadid, a complaint against an anonymous person claiming that the complainant's brother, Omar bin Omran, who has been missing for about 30 years, is in the house of one of his neighbours, inside a sheepfold. Following this report the General Prosecutor of the Court of Idrisiya in the province of Djelfa ordered the National Gendarmerie to open an in-depth investigation and officers went to the house in question. He added: The Public Prosecutor's Office ordered that the victim receive medical and psychological treatment, and the suspect will be presented to the Public Prosecutor's Office immediately after the completion of the investigation. Officials have promised the perpetrator of this heinous crime will be tried with severity. Unconfirmed local reports said the victims family had been tipped off about Omars whereabouts after the alleged captors brother aired grievances on social media during an inheritance dispute. Algerian media have reported Omar said he had been unable to call out for help because of a spell his alleged abductor had cast on him. In a gesture of outstanding arts philanthropy, $30,000 in awards, spanning three categories, will be granted to artists at this years NZ Art Show, highlighting the shows ongoing dedication to backing the arts community. Carla Russell, the Executive Director of the NZ Art Show, emphasizes the shows core mission of bolstering the arts: giving back to the artists and providing an exceptional experience for art lovers. The NZ Art Show operates under a charitable trust, and we take pride in supporting thousands of artists over the shows 21 history, says Carla. With the added support of our awards sponsors, the NZ Art Show community is well-positioned as a leader in arts philanthropy. "Since its inception, the NZ Art Show has contributed over $200,000 to New Zealand artists. We are truly grateful to the generosity of our supporters, who help us sustain the arts in Aotearoa." Forty Year 13 secondary school students across the Wellington region are vying for the inaugural Hyundai Emerging Artist Award, supported by Hyundai NZ and Brendan Foot Supersite. This award aims to encourage and empower emerging artists as they embark on their creative journeys. The People's Choice Art Award, proudly sponsored by Brendan Foot Supersite since 2018, offers a $3,000 prize. Ten standout pieces will be selected by a jury and curated in a dedicated gallery: the artwork that garners the highest number of votes from attendees will be awarded. This award underscores the importance of public engagement and appreciation in the art world. The R.T. Nelson Awards for Sculpture, established by arts philanthropist Richard T. Nelson in 2021, will present an extraordinary $25,000 in recognition of exceptional talent and craftsmanship in the field of sculpture. With a premier prize of $15,000, two Highly Commended awards of $1,000 each, a People's Choice prize of $2,000, and Finalist awards of $250 each, these awards honour the dedication and skill of sculptors across New Zealand. Thanks to the sponsors, these awards champion the arts, nurture the creative endeavours of both established and emerging artists and serve as a testament to the vibrant and thriving art scene in New Zealand, providing invaluable opportunities for recognition and advancement within the industry. The 2024 NZ Art Show will be held over King's Birthday Weekend, May 31 to June 2, with a VIP Preview and Gala Evening on May 30 for Sponsors and Friends of the show. More info about the show and tickets can be found on the website here - www.artshow.co.nz Among the contestants for the Hyundai Emerging Artist Award are: Harrison Smith from Aotea College, whose photorealistic paintings serve as a means of expressing emotions and storytelling. Sean de Ocampo from Bishop Viard College is passionate about science and photography. Tessa Thornley from Onslow College, whose art focuses on the natural world and the impact of human activity on it, particularly highlighting insects and arthropods. Lily Kalasih from Tawa College, who finds joy in expressing her personality and opinions through her art, relishing the journey of each piece as it unfolds. Among the contestants for the R.T Nelson Awards for Sculpture are: Emma Camden (Whanganui) multi-award-winning Emma creates stunning glass sculptures that juxtapose light and shadow, frosted and glossy surfaces, geometric and organic forms with architectural qualities Evelyn Hodowany (Wellington) her ceramic pieces playfully transform overlooked objects into meticulously crafted, realistic pieces in porcelain and stoneware, blurring the line between art and reality. Sam Duckor-Jones (Greymouth) his mixed-media works are vibrant and playful - they are not subtle: anthropomorphic shapes burst with psychedelic colours. Zena Elliott (Hamilton) their contemporary treatment of traditional Maori designs utilizes vibrant colours and diverse techniques, and explores themes of cultural identity, gender fluidity, and popular culture. 2023 Peoples Choice Award Winner New research, led by the University of Auckland, shows AI can help solve problems for patients, doctors and the health system. You may not think artificial intelligence could have a role in surgery, but new research shows AI can help solve problems for patients, doctors and the health system. A group of researchers led by surgery researcher Dr Chris Varghese at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland has just had an article on artificial intelligence in surgery published in leading journal, Nature Medicine. I think AI has a role in every part of a patients surgical journey, before surgery, during surgery and, most interestingly, after surgery, says Chris. Each time that we leave hospital, we are at increased risk of having complications from surgery. AI has got a real potential to provide monitoring and safety-netting to ensure that we can mitigate and prevent some of these complications and enhance the recovery that you're able to achieve at home. Another application for AI is already being used in New Zealand, where automated algorithms can process very long waiting lists and prioritise them based on need, so the right patients are seen at the right time. An emerging area is the use of AI during surgery using computer vision. AI is trying to learn what surgeons see, what the surgical instruments look like, what different organs look like, says Chris. And the potential there is to identify abnormal anatomy and [determine] what the safest approach to an operation might be. Using virtual reality and augmented reality to plan ahead of surgeries can be really useful for cutting out cancers and more. However, there are limitations, especially overcoming issues of data privacy and ethics. AI is based on building models from lots and lots of data and ensuring that the data we feed into these algorithms are unbiased and are not perpetuating existing inequities in our data sets and our research is essential. So, really ensuring that what we feed into these models and train these models on, is really robust and achieving the best outcomes for our patients. In terms of what's next for New Zealand, I think there needs to be a big focus on investing in our digital infrastructure. Right now we have hospitals across the country using different healthcare systems that don't communicate with each other. It is a real potential to unify our healthcare data systems with Te Whatu Ora and bring in everyone's data in a safe and robust manner to ensure that we can keep abreast and be leaders in the field as we integrate AI technologies into healthcare. A group of Canterbury doctors opposed to waste-to-energy plants being built in New Zealand is warning of major potential human health risks if one goes ahead in Kaipara, Northland. The mooted Kaipara plant would be New Zealands biggest, burning about 730,000 tonnes of rubbish annually. Almost all of the rubbish would come from Auckland. Another, near the small south Canterbury town of Waimate, would be about half the size. Waimate Doctors, representing the towns half a dozen GPs, is to speak at an upcoming Environment Court hearing opposing the construction of a waste-to-energy plant about 15km from their settlement. The groups spokesperson Dr Crispin Langston says the doctors had major concerns about the technology. The health impacts from Waimate are significant, but these would potentially be dwarfed by those from the much bigger Kaipara plant, Crispin says. He says waste to energy plant health concerns included around toxins such as dioxins, heavy metals and gases. Waste to energy plant technology has moved on, but it still produces large amounts of associated toxic discharges of things like dioxins, Crispin says. These issues affect even modern waste incinerators and every year there are new deaths and disease directly linked to these plants. Many of the toxic discharges are not listed, not recognised and do not yet have to be monitored. That does not mean no risk, simply that protective legislation lags behind discoveries of harm, Crispin says. Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson says in response the doctors were overcooking the technologys health risks. Jepson has just returned from Vietnam where he toured a newly opened WtE plant in Hanoi. He says WtE plants globally now had to meet strict EU emissions limits, and these were measured. Jepson says when it came to dioxins, modern WtE plants destroyed rather than discharged them as toxic emissions. He says the air discharged from French WtE plants was cleaner than the surrounding receiving air around the plant. Waimates Crispin disagreed that worries about major health risks like dioxins were no longer of concern. Mayor Craig Jepson says WtE plants globally now had to meet strict EU emissions limits, and these were measured. Photo / Michael Cunningham. The doctor says the Resource Management Act did not include a requirement for health monitoring and many of the associated problems such as neurological diseases including Alzheimers and Parkinsons and cancers did not appear until 10 to 20 years down the track. Some conditions take years to develop, so its impossible to say it is safe straight away. Until proven otherwise its like blind overtaking just not worth the risk, Crispin says. Ashburton-based South Island Resource Recovery Ltd is working with councils on both proposed plants in Waimate and Kaipara. The Vietnam WtE plant Jepson visited is run by SIRRL joint venture partner China Tianying Incorporated (China) (CNTY). Jepson is working on the Kaipara plant with SIRRL. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Bay of Plenty Police are urging young people, parents, and guardians to educate themselves about safe online practices, as reports of sextortion continue. In one very recent incident, a Bay of Plenty teenager paid money to a New Zealand based account after they were blackmailed into sending money or a sexualised photo of them would be released," says Tauranga South Response Manager, Acting Senior Sergeant Timothy Bonner. The offending generally begins with a direct message sent to the victim on social media from an unknown person, where they are then asked to continue chatting on a different app, and the conversation often becomes highly sexualised. From there the victim is coerced into sharing intimate photos and/or videos of themselves where the victim can be identified, i.e. showing their face or identifying features, which are used to blackmail them, with threats to share it to their social media contacts list unless they pay." In some instances, photos are reportedly doctored by the offender to make the victim appear to be in even more compromising positions. Offenders can also capture naked or sexual images of the young person while theyre on live stream or video, which is often then part of extortion. Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support have counsellors, social workers, nurses and doctors available to help support people. If you are a victim to Sextortion: Avoid sending any more images or videos - even if they are threatening you. Remember - once you have complied with their demands there is nothing preventing them targeting you again. Save all the online chat, immediately take screenshots. This is important for making a report to the police, we need all the evidence that you can gather. Block the profile. Report the content to the platform i.e. the social media or website they contacted you on, or the content has been sent or posted on and request the content is removed. Make a report to Police (via 105) or Netsafe to find out what other options are available to you. Where to report offending: New Zealand Police 105 (non-Emergency) 111 (Emergency) Netsafe Text Netsafe' to 4282 Email: help@netsafe.org.nz (link sends e-mail) Call Netsafe toll free on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723) Online report form at netsafe.org.nz/report Netsafe helpline is open from 8am 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am 5pm on weekends. If you need support contact Tautoko Mai on 0800 227233. Businesses have been forced to pay more than half a million dollars in health and safety cases in the past two months after workers had fingers amputated in workplace accidents. WorkSafe says the pattern of accidents and heavy fines indicate a persistent problem in the manufacturing sector. Three cases have seen companies penalised by the courts since mid-March, WorkSafe says. One involved a worker having two fingers amputated by a punch and shear machine. A third finger was degloved - a large piece of skin was ripped from the underlying muscles and tissues. WorkSafe says the injuries could have been avoided. Businesses must manage their risks to keep workers safe, says WorkSafe principal inspector Mark Donaghue. In each of these cases, there was a failure to follow basic machine safety standards. WorkSafe investigated and prosecuted the cases as part of our role to hold businesses to account when they fall short on health and safety. All three cases are from the manufacturing sector which has a persistent problem with machine safeguarding and is one of the countrys high-risk industries. WorkSafe released more information about all three cases on Wednesday morning. The case where a worker had two fingers amputated and a third degloved involved a punch and shear machine which WorkSafe said was out of order at a Timaru engineering company. The incident happened in 2022. Earlier this year the company was fined $247,500 and ordered to pay reparations of $35,000. Another worker had three fingers partially amputated while using a punch and forming press at an Auckland engineering company in March 2022. WorkSafe says that in sentencing, Judge Lisa Tremewan referred to an unintended complacency and that it is critical that robust practices are employed by those within the relevant industries. A fine of $200,000 was imposed, and reparations of $35,337 were ordered. In August 2022, another worker had two fingers amputated and a third degloved while cleaning a machine at an Auckland plastics plant. WorkSafe says the machines on/off switch had been knocked into operation because the interlock wasnt functioning. A fine of $74,392 was imposed, and reparations of $33,000 ordered. If you are unsure whether your safeguarding is up to scratch, engage a qualified expert as soon as possible, says Donaghue. These sorts of incidents are avoidable. Workers should not be suffering harm like this in 2024, and businesses have no excuse. WorkSafe is notified of machine guarding incidents from across the country every week, and is regularly prohibiting dangerous machinery as part of its proactive and targeted assessments. WorkSafe has a role to influence business to make sure they keep people healthy and safe - thats why were speaking out on this issue. Workplaces have been required to safeguard machinery since the Machinery Act 1950 took effect. But WorkSafe says workplaces still arent getting it right, adding that too many workers in New Zealand are being injured and killed from unsafe machinery. -NZ Herald. Pepe Ortega Cadiz Wednesday, 15 May 2024, 15:53 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Cadiz. Miles and miles of beaches with fine white sand bathed by the sea. A paradise that nobody wants to miss. According to data from the Junta de Andalucia, 5.8 million tourists visited Cadiz in 2023. However, since 2015, the province has been facing an problem difficult to solve, at least until now: the appearance on many of its beaches of Asian algae, an invasive species of seaweed that is calling checkmate on the local authorities. "The first time it was detected was in 2015 in Ceuta," said Prof Juan Jose Vergara from UCA (Cadiz University). From then on its growth has been unstoppable. Right now it is the beaches in the Campo de Gibraltar area and La Janda that are suffering the most. Nevertheless, the state of La Caleta beach in Cadiz city is increasingly worrying. "In the last few days we have been in La Caleta and right now Asian algae (Rugulopteryx okamurae) is there. It has also become established; it is growing in the rockpools on the beach," said Vergara. Despite the fact that its spread along Cadiz city's coastline is increasing compared to previous years, "it still has not reached worrying levels in terms of it displacing local fauna and flora". This differs greatly with the situation in Tarifa and on beaches close to the Strait of Gibraltar where the effects of this invader are greater, both ecologically and socio-economically. Zoom Shore full of Asian seaweed Antonio vazquez It has come to stay. The main hypothesis for its arrival in Spain is believed to have been via the ballast water from cargo ships arriving from Asia. "This does not mean that it came on a ship as a specimen. Moreover, the fact that it also resembled other species of seaweed meant that the arrival of this newbie went unnoticed by researchers," explained Vergara. Now listed in the Spanish catalogue of invasive, non-native species, Rugulopteryx okamurae grows in southern Spanish waters because of "the ideal conditions of water temperature, light and nutrients". Although it is present all year round, spring and summer are the periods of greatest growth, because this is when there is more sunlight, longer days and temperatures are higher. It is also, unfortunately, when they cause the most inconvenience on the social level for beach visitors. Asian algae tends to live in quite deep water. "It is rare to see it at the surface. It usually appears at a depth of one metre. If you're already seeing it in the intertidal zone [where the sea meets the shoreline between high and low tides], you can be sure that it's in the subtidal [the zone where there is shallow water even at low tide], in the submerged rocks." Environmental and socio-economic impact "We need all levels of government to get involved because this is a major problem. There is even talk of it being a catastrophe," said Dr Ivan Franco, researcher in the Structure and Dynamics of Aquatic Ecosystems group at UCA. The environmental impact is devastating. "It affects biodiversity because it is growing a lot and is eliminating other algae communities. The large deposits of algae that are formed not only kill flora but also fauna such as invertebrates," added Vergara. Moreover, large accumulations of such algae cause a loss of oxygen in the water. Invasive algae also affects tourism for Cadiz province. A shoreline full of algae gets a bad press from those who visit from abroad. "To have it talked about that the beaches of Cadiz have been invaded by seaweed is very bad news," said Antonio de Maria Ceballos, president of Horeca (an association and branding for the hospitality sector in Spain), although he cannot say whether in previous years the seaweed's presence has been detrimental to the sector. It does mean bathing is practically impossible and unpleasant, despite the fact that these large deposits of algae "in principle are not toxic for people". "If they keep up with the collection and removal of the algae, then that's a different matter, but if for economic or logistical reasons the days go by and it's not removed, it would be disastrous," said Ceballos. To cover the cost of cleaning and removing the large quantities of Asian algae along the beaches that can reach almost a metre in height, the provincial government of Cadiz has increased the budget for the aid programme going to the local councils of Tarifa, Barbate, La Linea, Algeciras and Conil by a further 25%. The subsidy totalling 340,000 euros is shared out according to "the estimated cost of cleaning and removing algae deposits on the beaches". Thus, Tarifa will receive 140,000 euros, Barbate 92,000, La Linea 70,000, Algeciras 20,000 and, finally, Conil will receive 18,000 euros. This is the first time that Conil has been included in the aid programme. The situation in Conil is getting worse and worse. One of the sectors that is suffering the most is the fishing industry. "I have fleets in the tuna fishing area and every now and then they come back laden with algae," said Nicolas Fernandez, president of the Federation of Fishermen Guilds of Cadiz. Furthermore, the fact that it is not possible to fish in Barbate means that the fleet has to move to waters where this invasive species is less present. "For our boats from Barbate it is impossible for them to go out fishing and not return loaded with seaweed; therefore, they move to Conil and both fleets occupy, thanks to the efforts of our fellow fishermen, 25% of an entire fishing ground that was previously only used by the local fleet." Fernandez also flags up that fish species have been lost. "There are species that have disappeared: sablefish (aka black cod), jack mackerel, redfish and grouper. "The fleet that covered the Strait, Conil, Barbate, Tarifa and Algeciras landed 800 tonnes of sablefish in 2015, 600 kilos in 2019, and from 2020, zero." The solution? Adapt Faced with a problem of this magnitude, the first question that comes to mind is what is the solution. "Invasive species are very complicated. The solution is to adapt: often invasive species, after a period of time and an explosion of growth and development, will level out and adapt to the habitat; but there are times when it invades everything and may be here to stay," explained Ivan Franco. Along the same lines, Juan Jose Vergara argued that "over the years this problem will end up being resolved, but almost in a natural way". In an attempt to mitigate the impact of this invasive species, researchers are studying what use(s) it can be put to. "They are trying to make compost with it or use it as biofuel." Regarding the possibility of the sea urchin feeding on this organism: there are different views and contradictory research on this option. "Several research groups say that the sea urchin can eat it up, but another group has asserted that the seaweed is toxic to the sea urchin, causing it harm. Besides, how many sea urchins would you have to have to bring this invasion under control? There aren't enough of them to eat it all. Biological control by consumption is difficult with this algae because it has a certain toxicity," said Vergara. Prevention and control in ports is vital to avoid future invasions of other species. "What needs to be done to control invasive species is early detection. And that means monitoring and surveillance of those places where an invasive species is most likely to enter. The solution started 15 years ago, because in order to find solutions you need data," concluded Ivan Franco. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. The Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard police blotter of arrests from police agencies around Central New York was updated today The 269 arrests added this week have dates between March 19 and May 13, but most of the new arrests are from the last couple of weeks. Those charged were 18 to 89 years old. Forget the idea that celebrities with alcohol brands do little more than lend their name and image to the marketing campaign. And ignore the notion that national alcohol brands succeed when they base their marketing on images of sandy beaches, swaying palms and ocean breezes. This is Lake Hour, a line of canned vodka and tequila cocktails created by actor Wyatt Russell and film producer Richard Peete. While they are known for their Hollywood success, they are hands-on in all phases of the company, from production to distribution and marketing. And instead of the ocean, this brand, as the name implies, is anchored on the lakeshore. Specifically, the Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes, definitely, thats the home of this drink, said Russell, 37, a star of the Marvel Universe series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the Godzilla-themed Monarch: Legacy of Monsters series and other roles. He is also the son of Hollywood royalty Kurt Russell (who co-stars with him in Legacy of Monsters) and Goldie Hawn. Im just in awe of the lake culture here, Russell said. The clean waters, the shore lines and just the relaxed, low key vibe you find. Maybe its not the best known place in the world, but thats one of its charms. The hour in the name refers to those moments on the lake when you can relax, not think of your troubles and enjoy the people youre with, said Peete, who has a home on Conesus Lake at the western end of the region. It serves as company headquarters. Each can and package displays the letters FLX USA. A bit of marketing on the Lake Hour web site even calls out a specific lake (though locals will quibble over the order of the name): We came up with four unique, easy-to-drink flavors made with real fruit juices and premium spirits as smooth as the weekday waters of Lake Cayuga. Lake Hour fits in the drinks category that includes such brands as Cutwater Spirits, Nutrl and High Noon. All use real distilled spirits like vodka, not alcohol derived from malt (like beer) or sugar (like many hard seltzers). Lake Hours flavors include Watermelon Cucumber, made with tequila, and Rosemary Yuzu, Peach Jasmine and Honeysuckle Ginger, all made with vodka. All are 5% alcohol and contain natural flavoring ingredients. Because theyre made with distilled liquor, Lake Hour can be sold only at liquor stores, and not grocery or convenience stores, in New York. It can also be sold at bars and restaurants. In Onondaga County, its currently available at Liquor City next to the Wegmans store in DeWitt, at the Tuscarora Country Club in Marcellus and at A.W. Wander in Manlius. The companys location finder shows dozens more across the state, with a heavy concentration in the Fingers Lakes and Rochester areas. The brand officially launched in the summer of 2023, and can now be found in stores and bars in seven states, with more markets coming. Its available online in 45 states. The initial product offerings include a 4-pack of single flavors as well as an 8-pack varietal. In stores, the 4-pack typically sells for $12.99-13.99 and the 8-pack for $22.99-25.99. Embracing lake culture So whats the connection between these two film guys and the Finger Lakes? It starts with Peete, who is a New York City-based producer and art director but has a house on Conesus Lake and family in the Geneseo area. His wife, Traci, and Russells wife, Meredith, are good friends Theyd been urging us to get together as friends for a while, Peete said. It finally happened during the Covid shutdown, when movie people, like many others, had a lot of downtime. Peete, known for work on such films as The Place Beyond the Pines, Winters Bone, and Blue Ruin, had spent time during the shutdown drinking IPAs on the lake, but found them a bit too heavy. Peete and Russell and their wives then spent time together in California, where they sat in hot tubs and drank ranch water, a cocktail that originated in Texas and consists of tequila, mineral water and lime. Most of our friends, like us, were not just not interested in hard seltzers or spiked seltzers because they were too sweet, Peete said. But the ranch water I found had flavors that are pretty subtle, a little spicy, without that heaviness from malt. That gave him the idea to start a brand of similar drinks. He pitched the idea to Russell. I said, Lets do something, we could call it Lake Hour, " Peete said. And Wyatt said, Im in. " It was like he said it as a joke, Russell said. Hed been thinking about it for one second. Russell said he typically declines endorsement deals. Ive been asked to do commercials, but Ive never done it because if I cant get behind the product, I cant do it, he said. But Peetes pitch appealed to him because of the lake connection. Russell was raised in California, but his family has a lot of lakeside history. From the time he was about five years old, he spent many of his summers with family in the Lake Muskoka region north of Toronto in Ontario. The Russell family also had a long affiliation with lakes in Maine, where Wyatts great-grandfather and grandfather flew float planes. As a kid in Muskoka I did everything on the lake, Russell said. With so many products, its always beaches on the ocean. But when you think about, more people live inland, near to lakes in Wyoming and Minnesota and places like that. Its a lot more rural in character. And the Finger Lakes really represents that. The whole thing was still just an idea until one December day when Peete called Russell, who was in Vancouver shooting the Godzilla project. Thats when they made definite plans. I didnt know what I was I was getting into but I thought, Im sure we can figure it out, Russell said. Lake Hour is a new line of canned cocktails headquartered in the Finger Lakes. The letters "FLX USA" appear near the bottom of each can.Lake Hour photo Launching the brand Once the project got underway, Peete and Russell had to find time to work on it. They started with the branding and marketing, and thats when they developed the idea of tying it the Finger Lakes. We even put FLX on the design of the can, Peete said. At one initial tasting, in Brooklyn, half the people would say What is FLX? and the other half would be really excited about it. It was a real IYKYK type of thing. Both Peete, who was already familiar with the Finger Lakes, and Russell, who was just getting to know it, were impressed by the pride in the region. Russell, who played professional hockey before turning to an acting career, compared the feeling to the support that the Buffalo Bills have in the region. Ive been overwhelmed by the Bills Mafia, and how strong and loyal that fan base is, Russell said. And I say that as a Denver Broncos fan. That pride and loyalty extends to everything about the whole region, western New York and the Finger Lakes. Its awesome. Once they had their concept, they went to work on the drinks themselves. The initial effort to develop flavors was a little hit and miss, Peete said. Some of it was really terrible. But through a lot of trials and tasting, they came up with the current lineup. Peete said his favorite is the Rosemary Yuzu (yuzu is a small Asian citrus fruit). For Russell, its Honeysuckle Ginger all the way. The Watermelon Cucumber is the best-selling overall. Peete adds that his mom and Russells dad (thats Kurt) like the Peach Jasmine. They also continued to work on the package design. That illustrates how they had to work around their busy film schedules. We were on the phone like 10 hours a day, Peete said. When we were coming up with the logo, Wyatt was in California filming Night Swim (a horror film set largely in a swimming pool and released this year). He would be in the tank and I would send an image of the red can, and hed have do a take, get out and look at it, give the OK, and go back into the tank. Peete recalls thinking we were done after developing the flavors and nailing the design. But my wife said, Oh youre so naive, now you have to do operations and distribution. Central New York connections Lake Hour caught a big break courtesy of a Central New Yorker, Ben Reilley of Cazenovia, Peete and Russell said. Reilly runs a beverage consulting firm called Life of Reilley. His experience includes working at Owera Vineyards in Cazenovia and later creating Disco Lemonade, the first canned cocktail ever produced in New York state. Many of his clients are celebrities seeking to get into the beverage business. So a contact was made, and Reilley helped Peete and Russell link up with a beverage producer where Lake Hour is now manufactured. (They prefer not to identify the company). Rich and Wyatt really impressed me because they were involved in everything and knew exactly what they wanted, so it all came together really fast, Reilley said. And I really liked the concept. Everybody who spends time on a lake knows theres no time like when its 9:30 in the morning and someone opens a can of beer and nobody cares. With distribution, they made another strong Central New York contact: Premium sales manager Kevin Flip Pilipczak of TJ Sheehan Distributing of Liverpool. We distribute it up and down (Interstate) 81 and everything west of Syracuse to Buffalo, Pilipczak said in an email to syracuse.com. So all the Finger Lakes. Big push this summer to get lake accounts on board. Bolder flavors and cool alternative to just the normal seltzers. ... Rochester/Canandaigua market has been very successful for us. That has helped make the Buffalo-to-Syracuse corridor Lake Hours biggest market so far, Peete said. Sales in in that area are twice as much as anywhere else. Now, theyre looking to expand the market for Lake Hour to new states and regions. Again, that means more hands-on work for them. You might think Wyatt is like this big star, but hes still on the phone with license compliance people in places like Wisconsin, Peete said. All the time. Yeah theres nothing looking a stack of licensing forms at 11 p.m., Russell said. Russell and Peete started the company with their own money and no outside investors, and only recently started adding employees to the payroll. They plan to grow the business, but not too fast. Weve learned not to look too far ahead in the future, but yeah we want to grow, but one step at a time, Russell said. And that means staying grounded in the Finger Lakes. Everything we do in marketing is based on the Finger Lakes and that lake culture, Russell said. Its just a great place to be part of and to call home. Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. One of the Walt Disney Co.s most iconic characters has been removed from park meet-and-greets with the public, reportedly because the character was flagged as potentially problematic by a Disney committee. Disney confirmed in February that Tinker Bell, a Disney icon since making her first appearance in 1953s Peter Pan, had been removed from the parks meet and greet rotation, but could still be seen flying over the park at the conclusion of the nighttime fireworks show, as well as in park parades. Legendary rock and roll drummer John Barbata is dead at age 79, official social media pages for Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship announced Monday. We are saddened to hear of the passing of the great John Barbata, Jefferson Starships original drummer, a statement said. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and fans. Rock in peace, Johnny! Barbata died May 8 in Oklahoma, Deadline reports. A cause of death has not been announced. Barbata was a prolific session and touring drummer, performing with The Turtles (including on the 1967 hit song Happy Together) and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (drumming on Ohio and appearing on CSNYs platinum live album 4 Way Street). He then joined Jefferson Airplane, playing on the rock bands final studio album (1972s Long John Silver) and touring with them. He was also the original drummer for JAs new direction as Jefferson Starship, performing alongside Airplane alumni like Grace Slick and Paul Kantner. According to The New York Times, Barbata was a self-taught drummer who joined The Turtles shortly after leaving his high school surf-rock band, The Sentinals, in San Luis Obispo, California. Happy Together was the first song he recorded with The Turtles when they were looking for a session drummer; the bubbly tune became one of the most enduring hits of the 60s and landed the band on The Ed Sullivan Show. The Turtles was the first and last group I was in where the kids were still screaming and going crazy, Barbata wrote in his memoir, Johny Barbata: The Legendary Life of a Rock Star Drummer. In that same book, Barbata said he had roots in Upstate New York. He was born April 1, 1945, in New Jersey and moved to Saranac Lake at a young age, spending half of his childhood in the Adirondacks region. When he was 16, his family relocated to California, where he got his start in local bands, including the Velvatones and the Ambassadors. Barbata said he went on to work on more than 100 albums, including works with Linda Ronstadt, The Byrds, John Sebastian, the Everly Brothers, and solo albums for CSNY band members David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young. According to the Times, David Geffen once recruited Barbata to join The Eagles, but he opted to stay with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young at the time. Barbatas life and career dramatically changed when he was badly injured in a 1978 car crash, ending his time with Jefferson Starship. He became a born-again Christian and dabbled in Christian music, according to the Times, before eventually settling on a ranch in rural Oklahoma with his wife and daughter, making and selling redwood coffee tables. I was very fortunate, Barbata said, according to the book Great Rock Drummers of the Sixties by Bob Cianci. I had a great career. Most drummers only go around once. I went around three times and played with the best musicians in the world. Drummer John Barbata performing with American rock group Jefferson Starship, New York, USA, September 1978. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)Getty Images Summer concerts in Upstate NY: A huge list of shows for 2024 (tickets, info) David Sanborn dies; saxophone legend played Syracuse Jazz Fest and Woodstock Syracuses Greatest Hits: A playlist of songs by famous artists with Central NY ties Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and Upstate NY native Duane Eddy dies BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) -- China-Europe freight train services saw solid growth from January to April this year, with continuous improvements to the transport capacity, efficiency and service quality. The number of China-Europe freight train services increased by 10 percent year on year to 6,184 trips in the first four months of 2024, the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway) said on Monday. About 675,000 20-foot equivalent units (TEU) of goods were transported through the freight trains during this period, up 11 percent from a year ago, according to the company. By the end of April, some 89,000 China-Europe freight train trips had been completed in total, serving 223 cities across 25 European countries, according to China Railway. Pro-Palestinian protesters at Syracuse University took down their tent encampment Wednesday from the Shaw Quad in front of Hendricks Chapel.Jon Moss | jmoss@syracuse.com Troy, N.Y. The president of a college in Upstate New York has been accused of sexual harassment, according to reports. Hudson Valley Community College has hired outside investigators to look into a complaint filed against President Roger A. Ramsammy, the Times Union reported on Tuesday. The woman who made the complaint works for the Troy college, the newspaper reported. In a statement sent to WNYT, Ramsammys attorney denied the accusations. Dr. Roger Ramsammy has dedicated himself to elevating Hudson Valley Community College both locally and globally during the past six years. He has always, without exception, conducted himself professionally and respectfully with all employees at all times, Kevin Luibrand, the presidents personal attorney, wrote. Any allegation otherwise is completely baseless and without merit. More information about the sexual harassment complaint has not yet been released. Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) trustees are expected to meet soon to vote about placing Ramsammy on paid administration leave while the investigation takes place, the Times Union reported. HVCC, housed at 80 Vandenburgh Ave. in Troy, is a public community college in the Capital Region and is part of the SUNY system. Ramsammy has been HVCCs president since July 2018 and has over 30 years of experience in higher education, according to the colleges website. He previously served as the president of the West Campus of Miami Dade College in Florida and currently serves on multiple boards, including the New York State Economic Development Council and the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics. LYON, France An American accused of sexually assaulting a Gettysburg College student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, So I raped you, has been detained in France after a three-year search. A prosecutor in Metz, France, confirmed Tuesday that Ian Thomas Cleary, 31, of Saratoga, California, had been taken into custody last month and will be held pending extradition proceedings. Cleary had been the subject of an international search since authorities in Pennsylvania issued a 2021 felony warrant in the case weeks after an Associated Press story detailed the reluctance of local prosecutors to pursue campus sex crimes. The arrest warrant accuses Cleary of stalking an 18-year-old Gettysburg College student at a party, sneaking into her dorm and sexually assaulting her while she texted friends for help. He was a 20-year-old Gettysburg student at the time, but did not return to campus. According to a French judicial official, Cleary was detained on the street in Metz on April 24 as part of a police check. He told a magistrate that he had arrived in France two or three years ago from Albania and had only recently come to Metz, but did not have housing there, the official said. A French lawyer appointed to represent him did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment Tuesday. Cleary, according to his online posts, had previously spent time in France and also has ties to California and Maryland. His father is a tech executive in Silicon Valley, while his mother has lived in Baltimore. Neither he nor his parents have returned repeated phone and email messages left by the AP, including calls to his parents on Tuesday. The Gettysburg accuser, Shannon Keeler, had a rape exam done the same day she was assaulted in 2013. She gathered witnesses and evidence and spent years urging officials to file charges. She went to authorities again in 2021 after discovering the Facebook messages that seemed to come from Clearys account. So I raped you, the sender had written in a string of messages. Ill never do it to anyone ever again. I need to hear your voice. Ill pray for you. According to the June 2021 warrant, police verified that the Facebook account used to send the messages belonged to Ian Cleary. Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett, who filed it, did not immediately return a call Tuesday. The AP does not typically name people who say they are sexual assault victims without their permission, which Keeler has granted. Her lawyer, reached Tuesday, had no immediate comment on Clearys detention. After leaving Gettysburg, Cleary earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Santa Clara University, near his family home in California, worked for Tesla, then moved to France for several years, according to his website, which describes his self-published medieval fiction. Keeler, originally from Moorestown, New Jersey, stayed on to graduate from Gettysburg and help lead the womens lacrosse team to a national title. By 2023, two years after the warrant was filed, Keeler and her lawyers wondered how he was avoiding capture in the age of digital tracking. The U.S. Marshals Service thought he was likely overseas and on the move, even as he was the subject of an Interpol alert called a red notice. Across the U.S., very few campus rapes are prosecuted, both because victims fear going to police and prosecutors hesitate to bring cases that can be hard to win, the AP investigation found. Keeler, when the warrant was issued, said she was grateful, but knew it only happened because I went public with my story, which no survivor should have to do in order to obtain justice. GKR9900 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Kerala Posts: 648 Thanked: 3,226 Times re: A 1000 kms round-trip to buy a Hyundai Kona | EDIT: 10000 km review on page 5 10,000 kms UPDATE It has been 5 months since I bought the Kona in December 2023. It has been an enjoyable experience no doubt. The 10000 kms were up and it was time to take the car for service. Service was scheduled for 9 am at Popular Hyundai, Kochi on 10th May. Reached the dealership by around 9.15 am. Inspite of making a booking via the Hyundai app and later confirming via call, it took a good 45 mins to get a service advisor allotted to me though. Guess they were short on staff that day. Anyway, once the service advisor did take up my car, he was courteous and tried to make up for lost time. The routine checks were done, fluids were topped up, the car was washed, and a BMS update was also done. They also looked into a few minor things that I had mentioned. While waiting, briefly checked out the Ioniq 5 too. These CKD Hyundais ooze some terrific quality. Theres no denying that. I also managed to talk with a senior service head about the probable plans Hyundai India has lined up for the Indian EV space. The Kona was never intended to be a seller. It was more of an R&D exercise for Hyundai to test the waters in India. Ioniq 5 was sort of like a halo product. It seems the Creta EV is going to be their next major product, most likely as a replacement for the diesel Creta with the ever-tightening emission norms. Unlike the Kona, the Creta EV is expected to be a volume seller. So they are in the process of upgrading the Maharashtra plant and various service centres across the country to better handle that demand. The next in line is the Exter EV. He also mentioned how Hyundai is considering bringing in the new Kona EV (at a price of ~35L) and Genesis to India. But these might take some time. We also talked about how Marutis entry into the EV space is going to shake up the entire Indian landscape. Looks like EV fanatics are in for some juicy products in the near future. After the service, I took the car to the nearby tyre shop the get a wheel balancing, rotation and alignment done. While doing this, there was a small screw that was found piercing the front left tyre. No warnings had popped up in the TPMS though. They fixed the tyre. The tyre pressure was set at 36 psi using nitrogen. This was later reduced to around 34 as 36 made the car unnecessarily bouncy. 34 seemed to offer a good balance between ride and handling. So how does the car hold up after 10,000 kms? Simply magical! Truth be told, this car is turning out to be an all-time favourite. I have said this before: The smooth, silent and explosive EV powertrain has made sure that it is next to impossible for me to consider another ICE car for purchase, but the low centre of gravity, the steering feel (I know I am talking about a Hyundai), the confident brakes, the paddle based regen, the 350 km realistic range, the way the car sticks on to tarmac - except for the times when you unleash all 400Nm of torque in a split second - have made sure that even if I am to consider another EV, its going to be a very hard exercise upgrading from all this. And I am not even mentioning about the fuel cost savings so far! A few things I have noticed: - Efficiency changes with outside temperature: The recent heat waves have demonstrated exactly this. When outside temperatures were soaring high, my efficiency for work-home commutes hovered around 6.5-7.5 km/kwh. Earlier I used to get around 8-9km/kwh even with spirited driving. Do note that I was driving mostly in comfort mode so the AC performance was not reduced. However, in the Kona, you can customise the AC to be in a higher setting even while driving in eco mode. - Efficiency changes with tyre pressure: The recommended 36 psi on all tyres delivers more efficiency. But on a hot summer day, a bit of driving around takes the indicated tyre pressure to ~38 psi which makes the ride too firm and uncomfortable over poor road surfaces. I played around and have found that 34 is the sweet spot for tyre pressure in the Kona. - Utility mode is Godsent: With peak summer scorching the living hell out of our bodies, the utility mode in the Kona - where you can use the car as a giant power bank while the motor is turned off - has come off as a lifesaver on more than one occasion. On a few occasions when our local transformer had gone caput, I did manage to get a few hours of sleep inside the car with the AC turned on in utility mode. A little bit of music adds a pleasant ambience inside the cabin. All said and done, its pretty sad that Hyundai never promoted the Kona to its fullest potential. This is a no-nonsense, semi-aspirational, enthusiast-pampering car while being the first proper fully electric one in the mass-market segment. The car was initially launched in 2018 and there are so many things in the car that still feels well ahead of time. Anyways, I am happy to have lapped one up just in time. This ones a keeper! What just happened? As soon as Google became heavily involved in generative AI, it was only a matter of time before the company began using the technology to display responses to search engine queries. That day has arrived, as Google will now attempt to organize and contextualize results using its Gemini AI. Unfortunately, typical issues involving hallucinations and other AI-related concerns emerged on day one. Google searches in the US will now begin displaying AI-generated summaries of results, which will help the search engine answer complex questions. The company plans to roll out the feature to other countries in the coming months, with the goal of reaching a billion users by the end of 2024. AI Overviews leverage Google's Gemini AI, formerly called Bard, to create detailed responses to multi-layered questions. The company's presentation (above) shows users looking for certain kinds of businesses in specific locations or asking for guides to various tasks. The search engine replies with multi-step answers sourced from the top search results, which might reduce the number of individual searches users need to make. After receiving an initial result, users can make small changes to queries to continue conversing with Gemini and refine their results. A future update will add the ability to ask the search engine for simpler or more detailed answers. Addressing concerns that AI Overview will steal website traffic by copying their information into the results page, similar to Google search excerpts, the company claims that the new feature drives users toward a wider variety of sites. Testing supposedly indicated that sites referenced in AI Overview received more clicks which sounds counterintuitive (and simply not true). It doesn't address Google's use of websites' content without their permission either. Using the example in your blog post - which I presume someone at Google must have looked at before putting in a blog post - we have AI answers leading to AI answers. What a weird timeline. pic.twitter.com/CKG3kX3PDD Glen Allsopp i'i (@ViperChill) May 14, 2024 However, soon after Google unveiled the new search functionality, users pointed out that the AI often pulls information from Quora, which also uses AI. Thus, whenever a human asks Google a question, there's a good chance the AI will simply ask another AI, creating a potentially alarming feedback loop and casting further doubt on the integrity of the results. Furthermore, The Verge spotted a critical error that Gemini made in one of the Google presentation demos. The new Gemini search function tries to analyze user-uploaded videos as context for search queries, and the presentation used a video and question about a broken camera as an example. Unfortunately, one of the AI's suggestions involved opening the camera's back door and removing the film. What Gemini neglected to mention is that this should only be done in a dark room; otherwise, light exposure would ruin the film. This indicates that Google has yet to solve the hallucination problem that has plagued generative AI since its inception. Sweet: Astronomers led by a team at MIT have discovered a gas giant in our own galaxy that's unlike anything observed to date. The new planet, named WASP-193b (WASP being short for the Wide Angle Search for Planets consortium), is located more than 1,200 light years from Earth in the Milky Way galaxy. The planet completes an orbit around its host star every 6.25 days but what makes it a true outlier is its size and mass. WASP-193b is roughly 50 percent bigger than nearby gas giant Jupiter, but its mass is calculated to be just 0.14 that of Jupiter. What's more, the planet's density is estimated to be about 0.059 grams per cubic centimeter. For comparison, Jupiter is closer to 1.33 grams per cubic centimeter and Earth is 5.51 grams per cubic centimeter. Astronomers said the planet's density is comparable to cotton candy, which measures around 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter. WASP-193b slots into a category of planets known as puffy Jupiters, and is the second-lightest planet to date behind the Neptune-like Kepler 51d. Among the 5,400+ planets discovered to date, it is certainly an oddball. Francisco Pozuelos, a senior researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalucia, in Spain, and co-lead author on a paper about the discovery, said they cannot explain how the planet was formed based on classical evolution models. The team believes the gas giant is largely comprised of helium and hydrogen, which forms a massive atmosphere that stretches tens of thousands of kilometers further out than Jupiter's atmosphere. A closer look at the planet's atmosphere should yield additional clues that could help narrow down its evolutionary path, and they may get their chance. The astronomers believe WASP-193b is an ideal target for the James Webb Space Telescope, the cutting-edge space observatory that started returning science data in mid-2022. The team's research has been published in the journal Nature in a paper titled, An extended low-density atmosphere around the Jupiter-sized planet WASP-192b. Image credit: Daniel Menakhovsky, Rose Foos What just happened? IT giant Broadcom is increasing its efforts to turn the majority of its business into a subscription-only model. After taking over virtualization specialist VMware, the sprawling multinational conglomerate is now giving away VMware desktop applications to end customers and lone professionals. While the company was still busy assimilating VMware's virtualization business, Broadcom confirmed in 2023 that the line of Workstation desktop virtualization software wasn't going anywhere. Workstation will be part of VMware even after the Broadcom acquisition, although license conditions will change. As announced by VMware product manager Michael Roy, the "Pro" editions of the Workstation desktop hypervisors are now free for personal use for owners of Windows, Linux, and Mac systems. Workstation Pro and Workstation Fusion Pro for Mac will essentially replace the previously available free editions of VMware desktop hypervisors for PC (Workstation Player) and Mac (Fusion Player). Shortcuts: Download VMware Player | Download VMware Workstation Workstation and Fusion provide an easy way to create and manage virtual machines from a desktop PC for testing different operating systems and applications with potential security risks. Roy said that the desktop hypervisors are the first VMware products that many professionals have ever used, and they remain important tools for practicing virtualization as well as learning the fundamentals of the vSphere platform. While end users will be able to employ the unrestricted Workstation Pro applications to create and manage virtualized operating systems, professional users will still need to pay their fair share to get the same results. Broadcom is now offering a single, subscription-based option for using the hypervisors in a commercial environment. This eliminates the more than 40 Workstation products that were previously available through VMware resellers, Roy said. The new subscription can be purchased from any Broadcom Advantage partner. A new reseller, Digital River, has been brought to support customers that don't have a pre-existing commercial account. Workstation Pro subscriptions will cost $120 per year; previously available perpetual licenses cost $195. Downloads for free editions of Workstation hypervisors are available through Broadcom's new support portal, which requires user registration (or just use TechSpot downloads). Workstation and Fusion brought an "immeasurable value" to the virtualization community over the past 25 years, VMware said, and they will keep providing one of the most powerful VM platform out there for the foreseeable future. Workstation heritage can be dated back to the very first product VMware ever shipped, which was simply called "VMware 1.0" back in 1999. A hot potato: We tend to think of return-to-office mandates as something that only really affects rank-and-file workers, with managers pushing for the in-person status quo. But a new study has found that many senior employees, including those at Microsoft, Apple, and SpaceX, left their positions after their companies implemented RTO rules. Researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago carried out the study by analyzing 260 million resumes from People Data Labs, looking for the impact that forced RTO policies had on workers. A correlation was discovered between the departures of senior-level employees and the implementation of RTO mandates. Some left several months sooner than they might have without the policies, and many of them went to work for direct competitors, usually those that still allowed full-time remote work. Now Read: Are return-to-office mandates actually masquerading as "quiet firing"? Microsoft's RTO order came into effect during April 2022, requiring workers to spend at least three days per week in the office. It led to the share of senior employees as a portion of the company's overall workforce declining by more than 5%. At Apple, which required workers to come in just one day per week, that figure fell by 4%. SpaceX, meanwhile, abolished remote work altogether, causing the share of senior employees to drop 15%. We've heard CEOs argue on numerous occasions that in-person work means a more productive and therefore more financially successful company. But the study suggests this might not be the case. "Senior employees and those that have been at a company for a long time possess invaluable human capital and tend to have elevated productivity levels, which they take with them when leaving the company," wrote Austin Wright, an assistant professor of public policy at the University of Chicago who co-authored the study. "They also represent a significant investment in terms of hiring and training costs." Microsoft, Apple, and SpaceX were not only among the first tech giants to end the work-from-home policies implemented during the lockdowns, but they also represent more than 2% of the overall tech workforce and 30% of the industry's revenue. Microsoft told The Washington Post that its internal data does not align with the study's findings, adding that calling its hybrid work policy an RTO mandate was "inaccurate." Apple said the study drew "inaccurate conclusions," while SpaceX never responded to a request for comment. Back in January, a study claimed that it was controlling, narcissistic bosses driving RTO policies, and that companies weren't showing an increase in productivity after implementing them. According to a recent survey of over 8,400 workers, 63% of US employees would take a pay cut to work remotely, 17% of whom said they'd sacrifice up to 20% of their paycheck to do so Elon Musk's Tesla is encountering some hurdles with the adoption of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. Despite offering a free trial, only 2% of users have opted to subscribe, raising questions about the future viability of this technology. What Gary Black Says About Low Subscription Rate of Tesla FSD Service Gary Black of Future Fund recently voiced his concerns on social media platform X regarding the disappointing subscription rates for Tesla's FSD service. Citing data from credit card data provider Yipit, Black noted that a mere 2% of Tesla owners who received a 30-day free trial of the FSD service decided to subscribe once the trial ended. This figure starkly contrasts with the 6% subscription rate Black had initially assumed in his financial models for Tesla. Yipit credit card data showed that just 2% of $TSLA owners with free FSD 30-day trials actually subscribed to it after the 30-day trial expired. My assumption in my $TSLA model was that 6% of trial users would subscribe. If just 2% subscribed after a month, that would be Gary Black (@garyblack00) May 13, 2024 Related Article: U.S. Prosecutors Investigate Tesla's Claims on Self-Driving Technology Potential Bias in Sample Size As per Benzinga, Black pointed out that the data sample size was relatively small, involving only 3,500 users out of the 1.8 million trials conducted. This sample might not accurately represent the entire population of Tesla owners. He emphasized the need for the American automaker to determine whether the low subscription rate is due to the perceived low value added by the FSD service or the $99 per month subscription fee. Electrek's journalist Fred Lambert also shared his insights regarding the low number of subscribers of Tesla's FSD service. According to him, 3,500 owners is considered a limited dataset. However, it is better than nothing, and 2% sounds about right to him. Escalating Doubts About Latest FSD Version Further amplifying Black's concerns, a community feedback forum hosted by Moomoo Technology questioned the market expectations for Tesla's FSD service in light of the low subscription rates. The forum highlighted growing doubts about whether the latest version, FSD v12.3, could meet consumer expectations and justify its cost. Importance of FSD to Tesla's Future The low adoption rate of Tesla's FSD subscription service poses as a business obstacle for the company, especially given the high expectations surrounding its latest version. The lukewarm reception reported by YipitData spits some questions about the market's confidence in Tesla's autonomous driving technology. This issue comes just days after Musk claimed that Tesla's FSD technology is "half a decade ahead or more" of competitors like Mercedes, despite ongoing debates over its effectiveness and safety. Impact on Tesla's Strategic Decisions These concerns emerge as Tesla has decided to delay the deployment of its FSD driver assistance software on Cybertruck vehicles, suggesting potential acceptance issues among consumers. Black's observations indicate that the EV giant needs to address these hurdles to enhance the appeal and perceived value of its FSD service. The low uptake of Tesla's Full Self-Driving subscription service is a pressing issue for the company. Despite the high expectations and Musk's bold claims about the technology's superiority, the actual subscription rates tell a different story. Tesla must investigate and address the reasons behind the low adoption rates to ensure the future success and acceptance of its FSD technology. Things were headed differently when Microsoft finalized its colossal $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, marking the biggest deal in gaming history. One of Microsoft's primary motivations for this purchase was to gain control of Activision Blizzard's mobile division, King, renowned for the immensely popular Candy Crush series. With this, we expect to see more about Xbox mobile gaming a few months from now. Could this be the new project to rival Apple and Google? Microsoft Solidifies Mobile Gaming Ambitions Microsoft has long been vocal about its plans to introduce a mobile gaming app that allows users to play Xbox first-party games on the go. This vision is set to become a reality soon. Xbox President Sarah Bond told The Verge that Microsoft will debut its first mobile offering this year, enabling mobile players to find deals on in-game items and discover new games. This initiative will begin as a web-based store accessible from any device. Launch of the Xbox Web-Based Store Bond announced that the web-based store will launch in July 2024. This store represents the initial phase in Microsoft's strategy to build a trusted app store rooted in gaming. The company plans to transition from the web-based version to a full-fledged mobile app in the future. A New Competitor in the Mobile App Market During the Bloomberg Technology Summit, Bond elaborated on Microsoft's plans, stating, "We're going to start by bringing our own first-party portfolio to [the Xbox mobile store], so you're going to see games like Candy Crush and Minecraft in that experience." This new storefront aims to rival giants like Apple's App Store and Google Play by focusing exclusively on mobile games. Microsoft Aims to Attract More Mobile Gamers in the Future Microsoft's entry into the mobile gaming app market indicates that Xbox will adjust to the changes in the new platform. By leveraging the popularity of games like Candy Crush and Minecraft, the Redmond giant is poised to attract a substantial user base. Of course, the launch of the web-based store is just the beginning, with the full mobile app expected to follow, offering gamers a comprehensive platform to enjoy their favorite titles on the go. What Can Xbox Consider on Mobile Gaming According to Gizchina, Microsoft might prioritize some aspects to catch up with popular mobile gaming stores. As such, Microsoft can focus on cross-platform gaming to lure more gamers who also play on other consoles. The company should also think of a way for how developers can benefit from this transition. More games mean more profit for the organization. Furthermore, the console maker can also keep up with Apple and Google by launching better pricing structures and exciting features designed for mobile players. A new report from Apple claims that it blocked over $7 billion in fraudulent transactions in the App Store from 2020 to 2023, touting its efforts for its app marketplace. This is despite the massive antitrust cases against Apple in the country and other regions, one of which compels the company to allow third-party platforms for app distribution in addition to the exclusive App Store. It is known that the EU region, thanks to the DMA law, already allowed third-party platforms and sideloading, but is the App Store still the safest for Apple devices? Apple Blocked $7B in App Store Fraud Through 2023 In a news update, Apple claimed that it blocked as much as $7 billion in fraudulent transactions in the App Store, including apps, services, fake payments, and more, from 2020 through 2023. The company said that since 2008, it has invested in developing the App Store to bring the best for Apple users, calling it the "safest and most secure experience." Over $7 billion was stopped by the company from happening on the App Store and victimizing users, but in 2023, it saw as much as $1.8 billion alone. During this time, as many as 14 million stolen credit cards and 3.3 million accounts were banned for transactions on the platform. As many as 1.7 million app submissions were rejected after failing to meet Apple's App Store requirements and standards. Also, around 374 million developer and customer accounts, as well as 152 million ratings and reviews, were removed due to fraud. Is the Apple App Store the Safest for Its Devices? This new report shared Apple's efforts to keep the App Store upholding its standards and value as the only platform to download apps and transact on iPhones, iPads, and other devices. The company claimed that it is the safest, justifying its decision to keep the exclusive app platform on its devices amidst massive protests for third-party platforms. Apple App Store and the Antitrust Last March, Apple faced a US Department of Justice lawsuit behind its alleged monopoly on the iPhone, pointing to various aspects, including the App Store, iMessage, and third-party wallets and smartwatches. Furthermore, Apple's renowned adversaries regarding the App Store, Spotify, along with the likes of Deezer, Coalition for App Fairness, Epic Games, and more, showed support for the case against Cupertino. The suit is known for claiming that Apple impedes the competition and the market by hindering app development, as well as other products and services. With that, Apple still pushes for the App Store to be the center of everything as it presents itself to bring the safest experiences for users, including its block of around $7 billion in possible fraudulent transactions in the past and present. The Google One VPN will shut down this June, as confirmed by the company in an update on its support page. Previously, it only said it would happen in "the coming months." However, for users on the Pixel, this does not spell "the end" for the service per se, as Google will soon launch a dedicated service called VPN. Google One VPN Shut Down Coming This June A new update on Google One's support page revealed the shutdown date for its soon-to-be-defunct VPN service, saying it will no longer be available starting June 20. Initially, Google only said an unspecific shutdown for the service. Still, it clarified now that it will no longer see the other half of 2024, with users given suggestions of other VPN services from Google. Moreover, Google is also asking users to VPN using Google One from their devices before the service ends, depending on the device. For mobile, go to your device's Settings and click on Connection & sharing (for Android) or VPN & Device Management (for iOS). Then, delete your VPN profile and go to the Google One app to turn it off via Benefits > View Details. Read Also : Google One Approaches 100 Million Subscribers Milestone, Highlighting Strong User Growth Pixel to Get 'VPN by Google' in The Future That being said, Google's One VPN is the only service getting the chop, as it would still be available for those under the Google Fi Wireless plans with the free private network. On the other hand, Pixel 8 users need not worry as it is already built-in, but the Pixel 7 series and the Pixel Fold will have it available by June 3's system update. Google One's VPN Service Back in 2021, Google One's VPN service rolled out for its users worldwide, initially available for ten countries in its debut, under the subscription-based service that also offers other of what the internet company has to offer. It was an add-on service for those who purchased 2TB and higher cloud storage on the Google Drive platform. After first debuting to Android, Google has branched out to other devices to use the Google One VPN under the monthly paid service for the iOS platform, specifically for iPhones. Later, it was also made available to access Mac platforms, offering the VPN service to Apple computer users as long as they were subscribed to the service. Google canceled various services along the way that offer significant features, including last year's cancellation of the Pixel Pass, which combines different services, amidst other subscriptions facing price hikes. Now, Google One's VPN is facing closure as not many users are utilizing it, but this does not mean the end for Pixel and Google Fi users who need the company's private network service. New findings from InfluenceMap's Automakers and Climate Policy Advocacy report show that Toyota is the worst automaker in the world, being a prime force against climate rules. Conversely, Tesla is the industry leader in automakers' advocacy for favorable climate policies. InfluenceMap reportedly regularly ranks automakers and car industry associations according to the extent to which they advocate against climate policy goals. These rankings indicate not only automakers' electric vehicle (EV) ambitions but also the extent to which each carmaker is attempting to thwart government efforts to safeguard the public from pollution. Automakers lobby on their behalf and through their membership in trade associations, which pool the positions of multiple businesses to strengthen their clout. InfluenceMap examines the activities of global trade groups and assigns automakers a ranking based on the number of associations they belong to, the number of briefs they have filed supporting or opposing different climate policy objectives, and their future production plans. This is divided into four categories: the amount of lobbying the organization does on its own, the manufacturer's total electric vehicle manufacturing plans, membership in trade associations and the effectiveness of those organizations' lobbying efforts, and "engagement intensity" or the level of corporate lobbying. Read Also: Republican Lawmakers Launch Attack on Biden's 'Delusional' EV Tax Credits, EPA Emissions Rule Tesla's Climate Policies Despite topping the list, Tesla's low involvement intensity earned it only a "B" rating. Tesla does not advocate as much as other organizations do, despite supporting positive climate policy and generally being a member of groups fighting for positive rather than negative climate policy (a position that could have been made harder by the departure of Tesla's policy head in April). The group discovered that all of those automakers except Tesla actively opposed at least one law that supported electric cars. The most troubling thing is that the majority of these automakers are actively pushing against electric vehicles in addition to their little anti-EV initiatives. Based on InfluenceMap's approach, ten of the fifteen received a final grade of D or D+ due to their exceptionally high negative engagement levels. Toyota is ranked lowest in this research due to its strong opposition to climate legislation that supports rechargeable electric cars in the US, UK, and Australia, among other regions. EV Against Climate Change Research released in April 2022 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that electric automobiles are assisting in the global slowdown of climate damage by slowing the rise of emissions. The research highlighted specific factors that contributed to the generally positive news, including falling production costs for EV batteries and renewable energy and significant legislative changes from international governments. All of these have helped to slow down the rate of climate change over the past ten years, but scientists contend that more work remains. According to the 2-year-old report, if everyone chooses to develop EVs "more aggressively," global greenhouse gas emissions should drop by an absurd 80-90% by 2050. Related Article : Elon Musk Rehires Tesla Supercharger Employees After Layoffs as Part of $500M Plan (Photo: Tech Times) Bumble has apologized for its recent misstep in an ad campaign targeting celibacy. The dating app company has decided to remove the controversial billboards and allocate the ad space to organizations supporting women's causes. Facing Criticism for Ad Campaign Bumble underwent a significant transformation in April, updating its app and brand design to cater to individuals feeling disillusioned with the dating scene. Following this update, the company launched a series of billboard advertisements with provocative messages suggesting that celibacy was not a suitable alternative to dating. However, the campaign received immediate backlash on social media platforms, where users expressed outrage over what they perceived as the ads' invalidation of celibacy as a valid personal choice. Online critics slammed the advertising campaign, arguing that it contradicted Bumble's principles established in 2014, which aimed to foster a more inclusive dating space for women. Users criticized the campaign for disregarding individuals who opt for celibacy, including Bumble's asexual users and those abstaining from sex due to past trauma. Additionally, critics highlighted racial disparities in the ads, particularly in those featuring Black women, noting the use of potentially discriminatory language. Women are increasingly adopting celibacy as a form of protest against entrenched gender norms, sexism, and instances of sexual violence. For instance, The Cut reported the 4B feminist movement in South Korea, which advocates abstaining from sexual relations with men, rejecting traditional marriage, and foregoing parenthood as a means of resistance. Addressing Backlash In a move to address the backlash, Bumble issued a formal apology on Instagram on Monday, owning up to their error. The company admitted fault and expressed remorse for any unintended offense caused. The apology comes after Bumble faced criticism for ads that appeared to shame individuals for choosing celibacy over dating. Although the controversial ads aimed to connect with those disenchanted with modern dating norms, they ended up stirring controversy instead, necessitating a public apology and reevaluating their marketing approach. The company announced plans to remove the controversial ads and donate to charitable causes such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline and other women-centric organizations. Furthermore, they have decided to allocate the billboard spaces to these organizations, allowing them to showcase "an ad of their choice" for the duration initially reserved by Bumble. Bumble finds itself in further turmoil during a challenging period. In February, the company revealed intentions to lay off 350 employees. Additionally, its stock value has plummeted by approximately 45% since last July. This decline coincides with a shift among young adults, who increasingly prefer to forge connections through in-person interactions or social media platforms rather than relying solely on dating apps. New plans for Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold6 foldable smartphone are coming this year, and a report suggested that it will no longer have additional variants. Fold6 would be a single model release for its arrival later this year, contrary to the earlier reports that Samsung is developing additional options for the device, including premium and cheaper variants. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6: Single Model Release For 2024 South Korean news agency, The Elec, brought out new details about what to expect for this year's Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, suggesting that the company has already stepped back from its plans for a multi-variant release this year. This means that the Galaxy Z Fold6 will only feature a single model for this year's release, going against earlier rumors about three variants coming. There are two main reasons why Samsung is taking a step back, and the first one says the company feels like there would be not much distinction between the three variants and its competition in the market. Next, Samsung is considering the "market conditions," especially as to how one Fold6 variant would cast a shadow against the other versions and trump its sales. Read Also : Samsung to Use Inkjet Printing for Bezels on Upcoming Foldables to Save Money Ultra and FE Variants Temporarily Canceled With these being said, Samsung would stick with a solo release of a mainline Galaxy Fold6 for this year's round of new foldables, going back-to-back with its Galaxy Flip6, also expected for its 2024 update. It is unknown when Samsung will bring these two other variants in the future, but in this Summer's Unpacked, it will bank yet again on the Galaxy AI which helped Galaxy S24's success in the market. Samsung's Foldable Smartphones Massive reports behind Samsung's foldable arrived several months after last year, suggesting that the South Korean tech giant is looking to bring new entry-level variants for its flagship Fold. There have been debates as to what it will be called but it went down to the Galaxy Fold6 FE, a.k.a. the Fan Edition variant which were the designated budget devices across its lineup. Other leaks and rumors focused on a redesign and additional features for the Fold6 lineup that is expected later this year, particularly with thinner bezels and bigger batteries for the book-like folding phones. However, it would not only be two Fold6 variants, but another one called the Galaxy Fold6 UItra will be the far superior smartphone in terms of performance and size, similar to other Ultra variants. These early reports are now disputed by a renowned analyst and insider for Samsung's developments, suggesting that the company will cut back on its plans this year. Instead of the supposed Ultra and FE variants, 2024 would only see one Galaxy Fold6 release, similar to the previous years when it was released, especially during this time of growing foldable competition, including its own. The Dallas Police Department (DPD) will use artificial intelligence-powered facial recognition technology to increase the speed of criminal suspect identification. The police will be using an AI program called "Clearview AI" that mines billions of images, including those from social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, to pinpoint the individuals the police are searching for with the use of AI. Eddie Garcia, the police chief, told the committee that the program would be implemented in six months and that it had already been applied to some instances. Specifically when the AI program helped identify a possible child pornographer after he was photographed in the background of a trade event. Police frequently rely on tipsters to identify the suspect's image from the news or matching physical descriptors previously stored in the police database when a crime is caught on camera. Garcia stated that Dallas would have a "robust" policy and that his department waited to see what problems other cities were having with the technology. The police will not be permitted to go fishing. As per department procedure, a supervisor in the city's Real Time Crime Center will peer-review detectives' searches for specific suspects charged with specific offenses. Read Also : Police Says Latest Technology Key to Recent Successful UK Murder Investigation Clearview AI The AI software is reportedly explained by criminologist Alex Del Carmen of Tarleton State University, who noted that specific identifying characteristics such as an individual's ear shape, nose shape, distance between nose and ear, eyes, and pupils of eyes are used to determine the suspect. Utilizing each of these elements in a manner akin to fingerprints. According to Major Stephen Williams, it will assist law enforcement in apprehending suspects at huge gatherings such as stadiums and concerts. However, according to DPD, the technology will not be utilized to identify individuals in real-time video feeds or streamed live events. Major Williams asserts that since there must be a criminal infraction before people "start doing things," the program will not be utilized as a "license plate reader" for humans. Microsoft on Police Use of AI Even though this latest development demonstrates how police use of AI-powered face recognition technology is growing, Microsoft recently barred US Police from using Azure OpenAI's AI-powered facial recognition technology. The recently modified terms of service for the Azure OpenAI Service specifically ban US law enforcement agencies from using Azure OpenAI Service integrations in facial recognition technologies. This covers interfaces with the image-analyzing algorithms that OpenAI currently has and may develop in the future. Real-time face recognition technology to identify persons in unpredictable, strange situations is expressly forbidden by a new bullet point. Since the only authorities impacted by the complete ban on utilizing Azure OpenAI Services are US police, Microsoft has some leeway under the new rules. Moreover, facial recognition with stationary cameras in regulated environments, such as a back office, is not included. (Photo: Tech Times) Unlocking the mysteries of the Red Planet, Intuitive Machines plans to aid NASA in the ambitious endeavor of returning samples from Mars. Intuitive Machines Eyes Mars During a quarterly earnings call on Tuesday, executives at Intuitive Machines revealed their plans to contribute to the Mars Sample Return mission architecture using their lunar technology. Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus expressed the company's intention to offer a solution based on their lunar material return technology. NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) program aims to collect and retrieve samples from Mars. With an $11 billion budget over 15 years, NASA acknowledged last month that the current architecture had become overly complex and costly. As a result, the agency announced plans to seek proposals from the commercial industry to revise the mission, aiming to reduce both risk and expenses. It's expected that Intuitive Machines would seek involvement in the program given its recent historic achievement as the first private company to land a spacecraft on the moon earlier this year. Leveraging their lunar technology for Mars seems a logical step forward. With potential contracts associated with the MSR program reaching billions of dollars, TechCrunch reported that the endeavor holds significant financial promise for the company. Expanding Lunar Ventures Following its successful inaugural mission in January, Intuitive Machines is gearing up for its second lunar venture, slated for launch later this year, targeting the lunar south pole. While the third mission is earmarked for 2025, the exact landing date hinges on NASA, the mission's primary client. Additionally, the company is anticipating a verdict on the contract for another mission, CP-22, which could see liftoff around 2027. Yet, Altemus highlighted that the deferred timeline for CP-22 "presents an opportunity" for Intuitive Machines to execute its maiden fully commercial lunar mission to deliver payloads to the moon. While the company currently has three missions under contract, including the January mission and the subsequent two, they are part of NASA awards within its Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. During the call, interim CFO Steven Vontur expressed optimism about the increasing commercial and international engagement, citing signed contracts for lunar missions. He anticipates this interest will continue to expand in the coming years. Executives highlighted the achievement of securing one of three study contracts within NASA's Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services program, which has an overall value of $4.6 billion over 15 years. Although NASA is expected to select at least two providers to develop the lunar buggy, this win marks a significant milestone for the company. Intuitive Machines closed the quarter with $73 million in revenue, marking a 300% increase compared to the previous year's first quarter. The surge in revenue was largely attributed to the company's realization of earnings from an engineering services contract with NASA. Despite the revenue growth, Intuitive Machines reported a net loss of $5.4 million, with $55.2 million in cash. A journey of a thousands steps (or rockets) to the moon starts in the desert. But why? NASA is gearing up for lunar exploration under its Artemis campaign by conducting a week-long field test in the San Francisco Volcanic Field near Flagstaff, Arizona. NASA Gears Up for the Moon on the Arizona Desert The Arizona desert's lunar-like landscape provides an ideal setting to practice moonwalk scenarios, a crucial component of preparing for future missions to the Moon. The field test involves NASA astronauts Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas, who are simulating moonwalks while wearing mockup spacesuit systems. Throughout the test, they are engaged in various activities, including technology tests, hardware checkouts, and Artemis science operations in the desert terrain, according to NASA. The testing process is designed to simulate end-to-end lunar operations, involving integrated teams working together across different locations. The field team will comprise astronauts, NASA engineers, and field experts to conduct simulated moonwalks in Arizona. Meanwhile, a team of flight controllers and scientists from the space agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston will track and guide their activities remotely. The field test encompasses four simulated moonwalks aligned with Artemis III mission operations and six advanced technology demonstrations. These advanced runs showcase technology that could be deployed in future Artemis missions, such as heads-up displays leveraging augmented reality for navigation and lighting beacons to ensure the crew could return to the lander. Before the field test, the science team at Johnson, responsible for establishing science objectives, undertook a rigorous planning process akin to Artemis missions. This preparation will encompass generating geologic maps, identifying science questions, and prioritizing moonwalk locations for primary and backup landing sites. Read Also : China Looks to be the First Nation to Retrieve Samples from Moon's Previously Unexplored Areas Lunar South Pole Operations NASA notes that the test ultimately aims to address gaps and challenges that could arise with lunar South Pole operations. The tests will focus on data collection, communication protocols, and rapid decision-making between Houston's flight control and science teams. Following each simulated moonwalk, the teams involved in the test will gather to discuss lessons learned and record observations. These insights will inform operational strategies for NASA's Artemis missions, commercial vendor development, and ongoing technology advancements. This field test is the fifth in a series led by the Joint Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Test Team at Johnson. According to NASA, it builds upon previous simulations and marks the high-fidelity Artemis moonwalk mission simulation to date. The Arizona desert has served as a training ground for lunar exploration since the Apollo era due to its resemblance to lunar terrain, featuring craters, faults, and volcanic features. The insights gained from these field tests contribute to NASA's preparations for deep space missions. As part of the Artemis program, NASA plans to send the first female astronaut, the first astronaut of color, and its first international partner astronaut to the Moon, laying the groundwork for sustained lunar exploration and facilitating future missions to Mars. According to confidential findings by United Nations sanctions monitors and reported by Reuters, North Korea funneled $147.5 million through the Tornado Cash virtual currency platform in March this year, allegedly after stealing it from a cryptocurrency exchange in 2023. 97 Suspected Cyberattacks by North Korea on Crypto Firms These monitors disclosed to a U.N. Security Council sanctions committee in a recent document that they have been probing 97 suspected cyberattacks by North Korea on cryptocurrency firms between 2017 and 2024, amounting to approximately $3.6 billion. Among their investigations was an incident late last year where $147.5 million was taken from the HTX cryptocurrency exchange and then laundered in March, based on information from crypto analytics firm PeckShield and blockchain research firm Elliptic. This year alone, the monitors stated they looked into around 11 cryptocurrency thefts worth $54.7 million. They noted that many of these may have been operated by North Korean IT workers inadvertently employed by small crypto firms. According to reports from U.N. member states and private companies, the monitors underscored that North Korean IT workers operating abroad generate significant income for the country. North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006, with these measures progressively intensified over the years to curtail funding for its controversial ballistic missile and nuclear programs. However, it must be noted that North Korea's U.N. mission in New York has not provided an official comment on these allegations. Additionally, Reuters notes that Tornado Cash was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 over allegations of aiding North Korea. In 2023, two of its co-founders were charged with facilitating over $1 billion in money laundering, including for a cybercrime group with a purported connection to North Korea. Surge in Cyberattacks by North Korean Hackers In a related development, blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis recently reported an unexpected surge in cyberattacks orchestrated by North Korea-linked hackers against cryptocurrency platforms in 2023. Last year, hackers were reported to have infiltrated 20 cryptocurrency platforms, marking the highest number within this timeframe based on data from 2016 to 2023. Although the number decreased from the record $1.7 billion stolen in 2022, North Korea-linked hackers still managed to steal slightly more than $1 billion in cryptocurrency assets in 2023. Chainalysis said there has been a notable rise in North Korea-linked hacks over recent years, with cyber-espionage groups like Kimsuky and Lazarus Group employing various malicious tactics to steal substantial amounts of crypto assets. Read more about this story here. Related Article : US DOJ Claims North Korean Workers Are Working Remotely on IT Firms to Finance Weapons Programs Google I/O 2024 unveiled "Ask Photos," a new feature that enhances image search capabilities within Google Photos using the company's latest AI model, Gemini. This experimental feature will be gradually rolled out over the coming months. It promises to simplify the process of searching for specific memories and information within users' photo galleries. Google Unveils Ask Photos to Enhance Image Search The Ask Photos feature addresses the challenge posed by the massive volume of photos and videos uploaded daily to Google Photos -more than 6 billion images. According to Google, as users accumulate more content, searching for specific items can become cumbersome, often requiring extensive scrolling through galleries. In addition to simplifying content discovery, Ask Photos leverages the Gemini AI model's multimodal capabilities to uncover information embedded within photos. This feature assists users in retrieving specific details or memories. By understanding contextual elements within photos, Google promises that Ask Photos will provide insightful answers to user queries. Beyond search, Ask Photos is expected to assist users in completing tasks more effectively within Google Photos. For example, users can request assistance in curating and sharing trip highlights, with the AI suggesting top photos and generating personalized captions for social media sharing. How Ask Photos Works Google also explained the mechanics behind Ask Photos involve sophisticated AI processes. Firstly, the feature comprehends user queries and formulates search strategies to locate relevant content, focusing on keywords, locations, people, and natural language concepts. Subsequently, the AI evaluates search results to identify the most pertinent information and crafts a tailored response. To enhance accuracy, the Gemini model's capabilities extend to analyzing image content, including text recognition within photos. Google emphasizes privacy and safety in Ask Photos. The tech giants said that personal data within Google Photos remains confidential and is not utilized for advertising purposes. Additionally, conversations and personal data related to 'Ask Photos' are not accessed by individuals, except in rare instances to address potential misuse. It is worth noting that Ask Photos is still an experimental feature that is expected to roll out gradually in the coming months. Google invites users to try the feature and provide feedback to enhance its functionality further, potentially leading to its wider rollout. Google's Generative AI Offerings In related news, Google I/O 2024 also unveiled new generative AI offerings to improve its overall search engine ecosystem. For instance, it revealed the AI Overviews and other features powered by a new Gemini model to improve Google Search. Read more about this development here. Related Article : Google CEO Sundar Pichai and OpenAI Lock Horns over YouTube Misuse in AI Training-Company Promises Action Facebook Marketplace, boasting over one billion monthly users, is the largest online resale platform today. But is it really safe? A new comprehensive study conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) delved into the multifaceted landscape of trust, privacy, and safety within this expansive platform. Is Facebook Marketplace? The study, led by Dr. Konstantin Beznosov, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at UBC, sought to unravel the intricate web of factors shaping the experiences of Facebook Marketplace users across the United States and Canada. In interviews with 42 buyers and sellers, participants revealed concerns regarding physical safety, financial security, and overall well-being. A prevailing theme among users was the inherent risks associated with trading goods with strangers, particularly given the nature of in-person exchanges facilitated by the platform. Participants expressed reservations about rating sellers, often citing fears about physical safety and maintaining anonymity while leaving feedback. Moreover, the study shed light on users' discomfort with the fusion of Facebook's social networking platform with Marketplace activities, sparking privacy concerns as personal details intertwined with trading activities. Facebook Marketplace's Appeal Despite these reservations, participants highlighted the platform's appeal in its simplicity of use, expansive audience reach, and effectiveness in facilitating sales. Dr. Beznosov underscored that many users continued to leverage Facebook Marketplace despite persistent trust concerns. Following the study's findings, researchers proposed approaches to enhance user safety and privacy on the platform. These suggestions involved raising user awareness about the consequences of sharing personal information and introducing features that carefully manage privacy and trust, such as profile verification tools. Dr. Beznosov stressed the significance of Facebook implementing transparent communication channels for user feedback. He advocated continuous efforts to foster a safer and more trustworthy trading atmosphere within Facebook Marketplace. The study's findings contribute to a broader understanding of decision-making processes within social networking-based marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace. By uncovering challenges related to trust, privacy, and safety, the research aims to inform future design enhancements for such platforms. "At the end of the day, every market-even online platforms-carries an element of 'buyer beware.' But it's always possible to create a safer, more trustworthy trading environment on Facebook Marketplace," Beznosov said in a press release statement. "We should be helping users to make more informed choices about the tradeoffs between benefits and risks in any online marketplace, particularly those in which goods are exchanged in person." The study's findings were presented in the Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. .Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek has recently launched Dimensity 8250, a next-generation chipset tailored for mid-range smartphones, showcasing a leap in performance and functionality. MediaTek Dimensity 8250 Features 8 Cores The Dimensity 8250 boasts a robust build, featuring eight cores strategically designed to optimize performance and power efficiency. With a configuration comprising 1x Arm Cortex-A78 clocked at 3.1GHz, 3x Arm Cortex-A78 clocked at 3.0GHz, and 4x Arm Cortex-A55 clocked at 2.0GHz, the chipset promises seamless multitasking and smooth user experiences. Improved Gaming Performance One of the Dimensity 8250's standout features is its enhanced gaming performance. Leveraging MediaTek Adaptive Gaming Technologies, built on the MediaTek HyperEngine, the chipset collaborated with game developers to deliver high frame rates and extended battery life, ensuring immersive gaming experiences without compromising efficiency. This improvement caters to the growing demand for gaming-centric smartphones in the mid-range segment. AI Processing An AI (artificial intelligence) logo is pictured at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the telecom industry's biggest annual gathering, in Barcelona on February 27, 2024. In addition to its gaming prowess, the Dimensity 8250 excels in AI processing, thanks to the integration of the MediaTek APU 580. This dedicated AI processing unit optimizes task efficiency for AI-driven applications, enhancing device performance and user experiences across various scenarios. Whether it is optimizing photography, enhancing gaming experiences, or improving everyday tasks, the Dimensity 8250 harnesses the power of AI to deliver unparalleled performance. Read Also : Chipmaker SMIC Warns Global Chip Oversupply Looms Amid Intensifying Price War in China Market A New Standard for Mid-range Smartphones With its advanced features and capabilities, the Dimensity 8250 sets a new standard for mid-range smartphones, offering a compelling blend of performance, efficiency, and innovation. MediaTek has positioned the Dimensity 8250 as a formidable contender in the fiercely competitive chipset market. With impressive specifications, including support for camera sensors of up to 320MP, 4K60 video capture resolution, and display support for high refresh rates, the Dimensity 8250 promises to elevate the smartphone experience to new heights. The launch of the Dimensity 8250 comes at a time when consumers increasingly demand more from their smartphones, whether for gaming, photography, or AI-driven applications. MediaTek's latest chipset addresses these evolving needs, providing smartphone manufacturers with a powerful platform to create devices that meet the demands of today's discerning consumers. While MediaTek has not disclosed specific details about the availability of smartphones powered by the Dimensity 8250, industry insiders anticipate that devices equipped with the new chipset will hit the market shortly. PhoneArena reports that Oppo Reno12 is expected to be one of the first phones to use Dimensity 8250. With its performance, efficiency, and advanced features, the Dimensity 8250 is poised to significantly impact the mid-range smartphone segment. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Dell is preparing to unveil an Arm-powered version of its famous XPS 13 notebook, and a leaked document has revealed further specifics. VideoCardz discovered and published a 311-page document detailing the upcoming XPS 13 and Qualcomm's next-generation Windows on Arm CPUs. Leaked Dell documents indicate that next week will see the release of Snapdragon X Elite laptops powered by Qualcomm, per The Verge. Previous leaks revealed Dell's XPS 13 with Snapdragon X Elite will come in FHD, QHD+, and OLED screens. What's in the Dell Leaked Document? Dell plans a 2022 XPS 13 Plus update. The update will include a touch bar on the top row of the keyboard and two USB-C I/O ports. The FHD+ display can be used for 13 hours, the QHD+ for 12 hours, and the OLED for 9 hours. Local movie playback on the FHD+ version is over 29 hours, better than on Windows laptops. Moreover, the XPS 13 will employ LG Display's new "tandem OLED" display, according to the leaked doc. It also indicates LG Display's 2019 tandem OLED panels for vehicle displays now feature 17-inch foldable screens, and Apple introducing a new iPad Pro with a dual OLED display for brightness and durability. The report includes specifics on the anticipated battery life of the Qualcomm-powered XPS 13 variants. Dell is set to introduce the XPS 13 Qualcomm in June 2024, coinciding with rumored Surface device launch dates. Microsoft may use tandem OLED displays for its Arm-powered Surface Pro 10. Futhermore, the Dell leak reveals the schedule for Qualcomm's next-generation laptop Snapdragon processors. Dell mentions "QC Oryon V2" for the second half of 2025, with "QC" referring to Qualcomm and "Oryon" to Nuvia's 2021 CPU technology. A V3 version of these chips is expected in late 2027, implying a long gap between updates. Dell Downplays Earlier Massive Data Leak The latest incident follows a recent Dell announcement that a data breach affected millions of customer names and addresses, as previously reported by TechTimes. The earlier Dell data leak compromised customer names, addresses, Dell hardware specifications, and order information such as service tags, item descriptions, purchase dates, and warranties. Dell did not specify whether foreign aggression or internal incompetence caused the breach that reportedly impacted "49 million customer and information systems" purchased from the company "between 2017 and 2024." The firm assured clients that the exposure of no email addresses, phone numbers, bank information, or other critical data reduced risk. Dell warned consumers about phishing and other cyber threats involving exposed data. Cybercriminals may use physical mailings with malicious URLs or devices like DVDs or flash drives to implant malware, despite not exposing email addresses. Instagram's Threads has unveiled plans to launch its proprietary fact-checking tool to tackle misinformation on its platform. The move comes amid growing concerns over the spread of false information ahead of major elections in the US and India, as well as ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Threads to Get Its Own Fact-Checking Program Instagram's Head, Adam Mosseri, who is also in charge at Threads, announced the launch of the new fact-checking program. Mosseri revealed that Threads recently introduced the ability for third-party fact-checkers to review and rate false content directly on the platform. "Previously, we matched near-identical false content on Threads based on what was fact-checked on Facebook and Instagram. Now fact-checkers can rate Threads content on its own," Mosseri said in the announcement. The initiative follows Meta's initial plans, announced in December 2023, to implement direct fact-checking for Threads. This highlights the company's commitment to curbing misinformation within its ecosystem. Can It Perform Better Than X's Community Notes? However, the effectiveness of the new tool remains to be seen, especially in light of past challenges faced by similar initiatives, such as X's Community Notes. X's Community Notes, introduced in 2021 as part of its efforts to combat misinformation, faced criticism for its limited visibility and effectiveness in addressing false information. Reports tell us that despite being a part of X's tools against misinformation, Community Notes struggled to achieve consensus across ideological lines, limiting their impact in combating false narratives. X's Community Notes even faced criticism from Elon Musk himself, who recently noted its failure to effectively address misinformation. Musk's criticism of X's system originated from his dissatisfaction with a Windows PC laptop's requirement to create a Microsoft account. The launch of Threads' fact-checking tool raises questions about its potential to outperform X's Community Notes. While Threads' direct approach to fact-checking aims to address misinformation more effectively on its platform, concerns linger about the tool's global reach and its ability to handle the influx of false information, especially during critical periods like elections. It is worth noting that Instagram's parent company, Meta, has faced numerous allegations of aiding the spread of fake news. Recently, the European Union announced potential sanctions against Meta for its inadequate efforts in combating Russian misinformation ahead of the June EU elections. As Threads forges ahead with its fact-checking initiative, attention also turns to the ongoing national elections in countries like India, where Facebook and Instagram hold massive user bases. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Researchers at the University of Barcelona have discovered a highly efficient use for volcanic ash in the field of renewable energy storage. This natural material has shown promise in outperforming traditional molten salts used in solar plants for heat storage. Volcanic Ash Has Potential to Store Energy A group of scientists decided to explore volcanic ash's potential as an energy storage medium when a volcanic eruption on La Palam in the Canary Islands took place almost three years ago. It resulted in 7.6 billion cubic feet (200 million cubic meters) of rock and ash waste. Related Article : Researchers Boost Energy Output by 4.5% with Reflective Surface Innovation Current Challenges with Molten Salts in Solar Plants Unlike solar farms that directly convert sunlight into electricity, concentrated solar power (CSP) plants use a field of mirrors to focus solar energy onto a single point, generating immense heat. This heat, often exceeding 1,800F (1,000C), is used to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity, according to Interesting Engineering. Traditionally, CSP plants store excess heat in tanks of molten salts. These salts can retain and release heat when needed, ensuring continuous operation even when the sun isn't shining. However, molten salts have significant drawbacks, notably their high corrosiveness, which can damage storage tanks and pipes. For instance, a leak at the world's largest CSP in Morocco resulted in $47 million in damages and a temporary shutdown. Volcanic Ash as a Solution to Corrosion The University of Barcelona researchers propose that mixing volcanic ash with molten salts can mitigate corrosion issues. Volcanic ash can also help prevent the solidification of salts at lower temperatures. In their experiments, the researchers converted volcanic ash into pellets and subjected them to over a thousand heating and cooling cycles, ranging from 480F to 1,380F (250C to 750C). They discovered that volcanic ash has excellent thermal conductivity and heat capacity, and it remains stable even after numerous cycles. This stability suggests that volcanic ash can effectively work alongside molten salts to store heat in CSP plants. Advantages and Economic Benefits While volcanic ash does not have the same energy storage capacity as molten salts, its stability and non-corrosive nature make it a valuable addition to CSP systems. The material is also inexpensive and repurposes waste, adding to its appeal. The researchers highlighted that other materials, such as bricks, sand, and concrete, could also be utilized alongside molten salts for solar energy storage, providing further options for sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions. Implications for Renewable Energy Goals This research comes at a crucial time as G7 countries aim to expand renewable energy storage capacity to 1,500 GW by the end of the decade-a sixfold increase from current levels. Such advancements are essential for accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. The findings for the research titled Evaluation of volcanic ash as a low-cost high-temperature thermal energy storage material for concentrated solar power were published in the Journal of Energy Storage. With this endeavor, the Europe-based researchers marked a big progress in the quest for more efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions. As the world moves towards a greener future, innovative approaches like the use of volcanic ash could play a vital role in overcoming current limitations and enhancing the viability of renewable energy systems. With the US Election Day months away, the Senate Rules Committee passed three bills to protect the polls from the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). As deepfake audio and video become simpler, authorities worry about campaigns using AI technology to deceive voters in the upcoming elections. The committee voted as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and three bipartisan colleagues released an AI regulation roadmap. According to The Verge, the three bills must pass the House and Senate to become law, placing urgency on election-related deepfake restrictions before November's elections. Fighting AI-Powered Misinformation Three Senate Rules Committee legislations were passed on Wednesday to target the risk of AI misuse in federal elections. Chair Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who sponsored the proposals, stated that other states have enacted election procedures. Klobuchar notes that 14 states have AI content labeling legislation. The Preparing Election Administrators for AI Act passed 11-0. It requires the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and NIST to produce a report for election offices on AI-related disinformation, cybersecurity, and election administration risks. A 2024 election report on AI's influence is required under an amendment. Meanwhile, the committee passed the Protect Elections from the Deceptive AI Act and AI Transparency in Elections Act 9-2. The former prohibits AI deepfakes of federal candidates for fundraising or election-influencing purposes. While the latter measure will notify voters about AI-generated satirical advertising. Ranking Member Deb Fischer (R-NE) rejected the latter two proposals as "over-inclusive" and regulating speech beyond deepfakes. Fischer argued that The Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act would limit unpaid political speech and that state legislators should regulate elections rather than the federal government. FBI Issues Warning on AI's Threat on 2024 US Elections Last week, a top FBI official warned that foreign enemies may use artificial intelligence to influence US elections and disseminate disinformation, calling the technology "likely to see growth over the coming years." According to the officials, AI technology lowers protection against criminals and gives more sophisticated foreign governments the capacity to meddle in elections. In January, robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden encouraged New Hampshire voters to skip the primary election. Authorities traced the calls to a political consultant who said he made the calls to warn about AI deepfakes. Russia, Iran, and China are the FBI's top concerns in the election year. Officials have attributed a variety of motivations and intentions to these nations' influence on US elections. Russia hacked and leaked Democratic emails to support Republican Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020, per intelligence officials. Russia sought to damage the Democratic Party in the 2022 midterm elections to reduce US support for Ukraine and voter confidence, according to a recent intelligence community analysis. The investigation also stated China sought to influence many contests involving both major political parties by targeting anti-China candidates and subtly criticizing a US senator. The investigation accused Iran of using societal divides for clandestine activities. FBI officials expect China to stir divisiveness in the 2024 elections and are examining whether the Ukraine crisis would affect Russia. A separate report from CNN stated that US rivals utilized AI to influence the previous polls. According to the information, Chinese and Iranian intelligence agents created bogus, AI-generated content to sway US voters in the last weeks of the 2020 election. Hactivist collective Anonymous, Antisec division, declared a cyber-war against Hong Kong for the treatment of protestors there. The group has already defaced several Hong Kong-based websites, and that dozens more would be affected over the next few days. This added tension comes amidst massive protests in Hong Kong, where citizens has amassed in the thousands to fight for democracy. While Anonymouss actions are pro-democracy, they may renew fears of cyberwar between the United States and China. Many websites that are shut down are down because they are financed by US. Among them Global Voices and e-voting platform. As a response, new voting platform is launched, this time for mobile voting (m-voting) . [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFO0hN9Ptdc] To the protestors in Hong Kong, we have heard your plea for help. Take heart and take to your streets. You are not alone in this fight. Anonymous members all over the world stand with you, and will help in your fight for democracy. To the Hong Kong police and any others that are called to the protests, we are watching you very closely and have already begun to wage war on you for your inhumane actions against your own citizens. If you continue to abuse, harass or harm protestors, we will continue to deface and take every web-based asset of your government off line. That Is not a threat. It is a promise. Attacking protestors will result in releasing personal information of all of your government officials. We will seize all your databases and e-mail pools and dump them on the Internet. This is your first and only warning. The time has come for Democracy for the citizens of Hong Kong. The line has been drawn in the sand. The police are to protect, not trample on, the freedoms and democracy of their citizens. Until justice prevails hack and protest will replace it. The cause of security and democracy will be grounds for the assault on your virtual infrastructure. Take this opportunity to stand down while we give it to you, or it will get a lot worse. Operation Hong Kong engaged. We Are Anonymous. We Are Legion. We do Not Forgive. We do Not Forget. Government of Hong Kong, expect us. #OpHK engaged While BBC is reporting on effects of the protests on tourism of HongKong, people in the streets are disrupted by teargas and police trying to shiver them away. Umbrella Revolution got its name for umbrellas used to shield protesters from police tear gas. The rousing Do you hear the people sing? from the revolutionary-themed musical Les Miserables has been adopted as an anthem of the protesters and DJs are playing Rihannas Umbrella for the executives in the Hyatt bar. Umbrella symbol of Hong Kongs protests emerged out of necessity both due to the weather, and as a form of defence against teargas. According to Chinaworker.info the vicious police onslaught of Sunday 28 September produced shock and anger throughout society on a scale not seen before. This is the most serious political crisis in Hong Kong since its reversion to Chinese rule in 1997. There are some features of a pre-revolutionary situation, with a government in deep crisis having suffered a loss of control and authority. The state institutions especially the police are now widely distrusted and despised. The territorys tenuous autonomy as a special region of China is now distrusted or rejected as a fake by a majority of Hong Kong people. A crucial issue is the need to spread the movement across the border, by issuing appeals to workers and youth in mainland China to join the struggle against Chinas one-party (CCP) dictatorship October 1st is Chinas National Day and a public holiday in Hong Kongpresages what will undoubtedly be a crucial moment in the protests. Already, both sides are anticipating record turnoutand nobody expects the tension to diminish in the next 48 hours. Incredible Drone Footage Shows Thousands of Protesters in HongKong in Umbrella Movement: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q919bQOThvM?list=UU_AFL88oKJgUJb0jK_LiOrQ] Anonymous hacktivist group DDoSes nine more banks in OpIcarus campaign to protest against corruption The hacktivists collective, Anonymous had launched a 30-day operation called OpIcarus, against all central banks and major financial institutions, claiming that it would be one of the biggest attacks in its history. The hacktivist group, who have collaborated with fellow hackers Ghost Squad Attackers, are targeting bank websites worldwide. It started with the Bank of Greece with Anonymous successfully being able to bring the website down. However, a Bank of Greece official said: The attack lasted for a few minutes and was successfully tackled by the banks security systems. The only thing that was affected by the denial-of-service attack was our website. The hacking collective has no structured organization and members take part in different operations whenever they like. According to a YouTube video, Anonymous said that its attack on banks is an extension of Operation Icarus, a campaign the collective previously launched against Wall Street. Its now bringing it back over the next month. In a later video, Anonymous extended its proposed targets to include MasterCard and Visa, Bank for International Settlements, all central banks, the IMF and the London Stock Exchange and every major banking system. Our message is clear. We will not let the banks win. We will be attacking the banks with one of the most massive attacks ever seen in the history of Anonymous, the group said. Originated in 2003, Anonymous adopted the Guy Fawkes mask as their symbol for online hacking. In a statement to AnonHQ.com, the cyber attackers said: This is just the beginning. We wont stop until all focus is back on the banks where it belongs and all to big to jail institutions are held accountable for their crimes. Now that we are uniting our groups, it will only be a matter of time before the whole international banking cartel who are responsible for worldwide economic terrorism, can expect to expect us. The banks that have been attacked recently under the Operation OpIcarus include: The Central Bank of Cyprus, The Central Bank of New Zealand, Central Bank Montenegro, The Central Bank of France and the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. Tthe hacktivists have posted online how-to instructions, targets, dates and downloadable tools to carry out the attacks in an effort to get as many people possible behind the campaign. DDoSing seems to be the method of choice which, in the simplest explanation, overloads a website with traffic to cause it to successfully seize up and shut down. The last 12 months have seen two thirds of large British businesses coming under cyberattacks or breach. Outcomes from the Cyber Security Breaches Survey, undertaken by Ipsos Mori for the Government, show a quarter of large firms experiencing a cyber breach did so at least once a month. As a result, businesses are now been requested to better protect themselves. Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said: The UK is a world-leading digital economy and this Government has made cyber security a top priority. Too many firms are losing money, data and consumer confidence with the vast number of cyber attacks. Its absolutely crucial businesses are secure and can protect data. It was also disclosed that seven out of 10 attacks on all firms involved viruses, spyware or malware, which could have been averted, and how only a fifth of businesses have a clear view of the dangers of sharing information with third parties. The Government has pledged to invest 1.9billion over the next five years to confront and prevent the crime, as well as a new National Cyber Security Centre that will provide security support. Steve Jewell, cyber security expert and technical director at S-IA, a company that provides software used by Government departments including the Treasury and the Ministry of Defence against cyber-attacks said the danger from cyber attackers continues to progress. Mr Jewell said: The threat is growing, the threat is evolving. You need to make sure you get the best out of your protection and dont just rely on the technology. Its also about the people that use it and their training. In terms of organised crime, it is still on the increase but there are things companies can do to combat these threats. There are holes in peoples security. Its an ever-evolving threat and no-one that stands still and thinks they have something that is protecting them, it is a question of how many days that will last until something circumvents it. The FBI seized BreachForums, a website infamous for publishing breached data. The seizure was made on Wednesday morning as part of an ongoing investigation into BreachForums and Raidforums. This comes days after the Europol Platform for Experts (EPE) portals data was breached. As the FBI goes through the backend data, netizens can contact the agency if they have information about cybercriminal activity on BreachForums. The FBI has pulled off the seizure with the help of the Department of Justice and international partners. BreachForums Website Seized The website reads that the FBI now has control over the websites backend data. This means that the investigation bureau has access to all the transactions conducted through the hacking forum. The BreachForum website now displays logos of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the DOJ, New Zealand Police, Australian Federal Police, National Crime Agency, etc. It has also used the profile picture of the websites two admins, Baphomet and ShinyHunters, to allude to the fact that they will soon be behind bars. The FBI has also gained access to the Telegram channel, and the seizure message is being sent from the admins account. The FBI investigation page also contains a contact form that victims can use. The law enforcement agency has also asked internet users to provide any information to help the investigation against BreachForums v2, BreachForums v1, or Raidforums. About BreachForums According to the FBI, BreachForums was operational from June 2023 to May 2024. This black hat-hacking forum was home to numerous cybercrime activities, including selling breached databases, illegal services, hacking tools, and other stolen access devices. BreachForums and associated websites have previously published, among other things, tons of leaked corporate data. These breaches included data from AT&T, Home Depot, Dell, and 23andMe. Even though the black hat-hacking crime forum has been active for years, the sudden decision to seize it was due to a specific activity last week. BreachForums had published leaked information from a Europol law enforcement portal last week. It seems to have crossed the limits, as the Platform for Experts (EPE) portal data was compromised. Microsoft on Tuesday released its May 2024 Patch Tuesday, which includes fixes for 61 vulnerabilities. This Patch Tuesday fixes two zero-day vulnerabilities affecting Windows MSHTML (CVE-2024-30040) and Desktop Window Manager (DWM) Core Library (CVE-2024-30051). It also patches one critical Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability affecting the Microsoft SharePoint Server (CVE-2024-30044). The two actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities that Microsoft addresses in the May 2024 Patch Tuesday update are: CVE-2024-30040 Windows MSHTML Platform Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability According to the Microsoft advisory, this security feature vulnerability bypasses OLE mitigations in Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Office that protect users from vulnerable COM/OLE controls. An attacker would have to convince the user to load a malicious file onto a vulnerable system, typically by way of an enticement in an Email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince the user to manipulate the specially crafted file, but not necessarily click or open the malicious file, Microsoft explains in the advisory. An unauthenticated attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain code execution through convincing a user to open a malicious document at which point the attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the user, Microsoft added. CVE-2024-30051 Windows DWM Core Library Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability CVE-2024-30051 is a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) vulnerability in the Windows Desktop Windows Manager (DWM) Core Library. An attacker can successfully exploit this vulnerability to gain SYSTEM privileges on a target system. It is not known, and neither has the Redmond giant shared any information about the attacks exploiting the above vulnerabilities or who discovered them. You can check out the comprehensive list of vulnerabilities addressed by Microsoft in the May 2024 Patch Tuesday security updates here. The list offers explanations of each vulnerability and the systems it affects. It is part of Microsofts routine to acknowledge and solve errors in Windows 11 release builds. Microsoft on Tuesday released Windows 11 KB5037771 update for Windows 11, version 22H2/23H2 (OS Builds 22621.3593 and 22631.3593) and KB5037770 for version 21H2 (OS Build 22000.2960), which mentioned to have fixed several issues including VPN failure. However, Windows 11 KB5037770 and KB5037771 are still affected by at least two bugs, as reported by users on forums. One bug causes VPN connections to fail, whereas the other bug has caused the Start Menu to break. There is also an issue preventing users from changing the user account photo. Interestingly, the VPN-based issue was raised as early as the second week of April. The bug appeared after users installed the update released on 9 April 2024. In the usual fashion, KB5037770 and KB5037771 claimed to fix the VPN error. However, many users have commented on a Reddit post that the VPN issue has not been fixed. In addition, the KB5037771 introduced a problem where users cannot change the user account profile picture. When one attempts to change the profile picture from Start > Settings > Accounts > Your info, an error will appear with the code 0x80070520. Microsoft has acknowledged this issue, saying it will be fixed through an upcoming release. Many users have added that KB5037771 and KB5037770 have broken the Search function from the Start menu. This issue is mainly found on 23H2. You can uninstall the update to fix this issue for now. However, it must be noted that Microsoft has not acknowledged the Search function issue in the release. In addition, users have highlighted issues with the download/install process. KB5037771 and KB5037770 tend to get stuck at 70% download point for a long time, causing anxiety. Similarly, users had to wait for a long time for the update to continue after restart. We will update this article as we come to know of any fixes. The case of the so-called Market Street murder, the 2023 Charlottesville shooting that took the life of a father of 10, appears headed toward a guilty plea on a lesser charge in Charlottesville Circuit Court later this month. The suspected killer of Danny OBrien Hall, Reginald Eugene Lindsay Jr., waived his right to a preliminary hearing on March 7. Im going to send this on to the circuit court, at which time the case will be set for arraignment, said Judge Robert Downer at the close of that proceeding. Downers decision capped a brief hearing at which Commonwealths Attorney Joe Platania let Lindsay see the downgrade of the charge against him, second-degree murder, and waive his right to a preliminary hearing on the reduced charge, voluntary manslaughter. Lindsay, a 28-year-old Gordonsville resident, stands accused of inserting himself into an argument on Oct. 14 of last year and firing a fatal salvo of bullets at the 48-year-old Hall on Market Street in downtown Charlottesville. Hall, who went by Dae Dae, grew up in Fluvanna County. In addition to his 10 children, he was survived by his wife, Karen Hall, according to his obituary. According to a search warrant affidavit filed in Charlottesville Circuit Court, the evening of Halls slaying was one of tumult, with allegations of multiple altercations at various locations. The tumult ended outside of a restaurant called the Soul Food Joint, then located on Market Street, a few minutes before 3 a.m. During Lindsays Feb. 1 preliminary hearing, Platania alleged that surveillance video captured a person doing the shooting and that a witness could tie Lindsay to the scene. He inserts himself into an altercation between two other people, Platania said at the earlier hearing. He takes out a weapon and shoots the victim. Platania did not tell the judge in March why the charge was getting downgraded, but a Charlottesville legal analyst says that any investigation that might initially appear airtight can be hampered when witnesses waffle. If the commonwealths attorney doesnt have solid witnesses in a case where the defendant hasnt confessed, then its a weak case, longtime lawyer Scott Goodman told The Daily Progress. While any conviction can provide some closure to a victims friends and family, Goodman said, he noted that a manslaughter conviction is Virginias least severe criminal conviction for a homicide. Im sure that neither side is happy, said Goodman. But both sides are taking this compromise rather than lose the whole thing. Neither the defense attorney R. Shannon Kite nor Platania would explain their reasoning for entering the plea arrangement, but Platania said the reason would come soon. I will address the reasons that the charge was downgraded to manslaughter at his guilty plea, Platania told the Daily Progress. Unlike some people charged with serious crimes who look out on an empty courtroom, Lindsay was greeted at his most recent hearing by a nearly full gallery of friends and family. And although shackled, Lindsay seemed relaxed in his striped jail jumpsuit and made frequent eye contact and exchanged smiles with his supporters. Lindsay has had a difficult time steering clear of legal trouble of late, not even including the alleged murder. In January, he was convicted of breaking and entering an occupied house in Orange County, an offense that took place six weeks before he allegedly shot Hall. And when he was arrested at his mothers house on Oct. 24 for Halls slaying, Lindsay was allegedly in possession of illegal drugs. That brought him a pending felony charge in Louisa County. Love you, son, came a voice from the gallery at the close of the hearing. Lindsays plea is expected May 21 in Charlottesville Circuit Court. He faces a maximum sentence on the manslaughter charge of 10 years in a state penitentiary. Bratislava, May 15 (TASR) - The attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday has been classified as an assassination, with the perpetrator firing five shots, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) has reported, adding that Fico's condition is critical. Initial information, the minister said, show that the act was clearly politically motivated. The perpetrator made the decision shortly after the most recent general election. Sutaj Estok noted that the investigation is still ongoing. "We are doing everything possible to investigate this heinous act," he stated. At the same time, the minister added that he'll call for the convening of a special session of the Security Council. The minister also called for a halt to the spread of politically motivated hatred in society and aggression against political opponents. "Let hatred not be the answer, let's not go around killing each other just because we have a different opinion," the minister stressed. According to him, Wednesday has been the saddest day for democracy in Slovakia in its modern history. More money pledged for flood-stricken Brazil Lajeado, Brazil, May 15 (AFP) May 15, 2024 The BRICS group of nations pledged a billion dollars for storm-ravaged southern Brazil Tuesday as slowly receding floodwaters started to reveal the full extent of the devastation. An unprecedented days-long deluge has claimed at least 149 lives in the stricken Rio Grande do Sul state, with 124 people still missing, according to official data. More than 600,000 people have had to leave their homes due to flooding in more than 400 cities and towns. Some 80,000 have found refuge in shelters. The bank of the BRICS -- a group including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- said Tuesday it would free the equivalent of more than a billion dollars to help the affected state. The money will help "rebuild urban and rural infrastructure," New Development Bank chief Dilma Rousseff, a former president of Brazil, said on X. Tons of donations continued to arrive in Rio Grande do Sul Tuesday, where a massive rescue and humanitarian effort has been underway for nearly two weeks -- the largest logistics operation in the state's history. Brazil's federal government has also vowed some $10 billion for reconstruction of the area, with roads, bridges, schools and hospitals ruined and thousands of residents relying on handouts for food, drinking water, medicine, clothing and mattresses. In the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul, which has about 11,600 inhabitants, the water "passed above the roof of our house," Silvio Kehl, a 40-year-old painter, told AFP. After experiencing their third flood there, Kehl, his wife and four-month-old daughter are now leaving, "before something worse happens." Nearby, 61-year-old Nelson Xavier contemplated the ruins of his devastated concrete factory. "It was 30 years of work, of struggle and now we lost everything," he said. "I would like to open again and have employees... but it is impossible, I no longer have the strength." - Climate change 'has already arrived' - The Guaiba, an estuary bordering the state capital of Porto Alegre which overflows when its level reaches three meters (about 9.8 feet), hit a historic high of 5.3 meters last week, and stood at 5.2 meters Tuesday. President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to visit the region Wednesday for the third time. On Monday, his government sent a proposal to Congress to suspend the state's debt repayments for a period of three years. The floods are the latest extreme weather event to hit Brazil, following record-breaking forest fires, unprecedented heat waves and drought. The government and experts have blamed the El Nino weather phenomenon, exacerbated by climate change. Environment Minister Marina Silva told AFP on Tuesday the tragedy underlined the need to build cities resilient to climate change. "We will have to adapt because climate change has already arrived... (to) create resilient cities, plans to manage risks and not just disasters," she said. This could entail relocating communities in areas at risk and planting protective vegetation in flood zones. Turning to Lula's comments that Brazil was not prepared for the disaster, Silva said: "Brazil is part of the world, which is not prepared. "For more than 30 years it has been said that the problem is the use of fossil fuel, deforestation. And unfortunately, as humanity we did not do the work" necessary to slow planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Floods have also displaced over 3,000 people in neighboring Uruguay. 'Calling from humanity': Indonesia rescuers search for flood missing Tanah Datar, Indonesia, May 15 (AFP) May 15, 2024 Along debris-filled rivers and mud-caked roads, rescuers dig with tools and their bare hands through the wreckage after frightening flash floods and volcanic debris deluged areas near one of Indonesia's most active volcanos. In Sumatra island's Tanah Datar district, hundreds of workers raced to find 35 people still unaccounted for after houses were swept away at the foot of Mount Marapi in the dark of night as the clock ticked on the complex rescue mission. Deli Marlina watched on as they searched for her brother-in-law Rusdi after the bodies of her mother and sister were found in the days before. "If he is found like my mother and sister, we will feel a little relief at least," the 47-year-old, who travelled to the site from Sumatran city Medan, told AFP. "Please pray for us." Not only professional search teams were getting involved in the rescue effort, but also soldiers, marines, police and volunteers armed with rubber boats. "We have been scouring the areas that cannot be reached with cars. The currents in the river are extreme, so the search is quite dangerous," said Ritno Kurniawan, a 38-year-old member of the local rafting community. "We usually found the bodies along the riverbanks, buried under volcanic material or rocks." The search -- now in its fourth day -- has been made more difficult by the prospect of further heavy rains and transport access being cut on several key roads by collapsed bridges or mud that had solidified. The floods killed at least 58 people across six districts in West Sumatra province, injuring dozens and forcing more than 3,300 people to evacuate to temporary shelters. Authorities have turned to heavy machinery and technology to aid the rescue effort -- using cloud seeding to ease rainfall, as well as calling on K-9 dogs and thermal drones to find bodies. Provincial search and rescue official Hendri, who goes by one name, told AFP rain, stacks of logs and large volcanic rocks in rivers were hindering the search. Rescuers were also worried about another flash flood or cold lava flow known as a lahar, where volcanic material is swept down from a volcano's slopes by heavy rains. - 'This is fate' - Survivors were still in shock from the disaster, including some who lost their relatives and friends when large volcanic rocks and muddy waves suddenly crashed into their neighbourhoods. Some tried to clear their houses of mud and collect their belongings, while others appeared stunned at what had happened to their properties and were enduring the agonising wait for any news about their loved ones. Martias, 64, lost his 101-year-old mother and three children of his nieces -- two who were teenagers and one five years old, he said. "The rescuers have sent dogs bloodhounds and drones but they still have not been found," he said. "I still have hope, but if they are no longer alive, I will accept it. I will let God handle it. This is fate, I can't deny it." At his mother's home, most of the windows and doors were blown out while large logs piled up against the house, which had been flooded by mud. The lack of visibility was stopping the multi-pronged search effort during the night. That was lowering survival hopes for those missing before a "golden period" of seven days runs out by the weekend. But volunteer rescuers like Ritno remained unfazed despite the challenges. "I am exhausted, but it is our responsibility," he said. "It's a calling from humanity to help." Man pleads not guilty to chopping down one of UK's most famous trees Newcastle, United Kingdom, May 15 (AFP) May 15, 2024 A 38-year-old man on Wednesday denied criminal damage, after one of the UK's most-loved and photographed trees was found cut down next to the Hadrian's Wall UNESCO World Heritage site. Daniel Graham entered a not guilty plea to causing pound622,191 ($786,657) worth of damage to the sycamore tree at Sycamore Gap, which had stood for more than 200 years in the Northumberland National Park. The tree, located in a dramatic dip in the landscape and which featured in the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves", was found felled in September last year, causing national outrage. Graham also denied causing pound1,144 worth of damage to Hadrian's Wall, the ancient Roman fortification which stretches 73 miles (118 kilometres from northwest to northeast England. He appeared before a court in Newcastle upon Tyne with Adam Carruthers, 31, who did not enter pleas to the same charges. Both wore balaclavas to hide their identities as they arrived and left court. Both were released on unconditional bail until a further hearing on June 12. The tree, which was a symbol of northeast England, won the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year in 2016 and was a key attraction photographed by millions of visitors over the years. It was found felled after storms, with white paint marks on its stump, as if cleanly cut, AFP reporters at the scene said at the time. Efforts are now under way to see if the tree can be regrown from its stump or saplings from its seeds. Hadrian's Wall was begun in 122 AD during the reign of emperor Hadrian, and marked the boundary between Roman Britannia and unconquered Caledonia to the north. The most visible scars from the Mountain Valley Pipeline are gone now from the pastoral property that Anne and Steve Bernard call home. But the Bernards remain troubled by what they cant see. Bottom line: Im scared to death of that pipe sitting out there, Steve Bernard said of the buried steel pipe, through which highly pressurized natural gas could soon begin flowing along a route that passes about 150 feet from the couples white frame house and adjacent art studio. Fears of a pipe failure and fiery explosion, long held by the Bernards and other residents along the controversial projects 303-mile path, have intensified with a series of recent events. On the morning of May 1, a section of the pipe on nearby Bent Mountain ruptured during hydrostatic testing, a process that entails running water at high pressure through the 42-inch diameter pipe to detect any leaks or flaws before it goes into service. Nine days earlier, Mountain Valley sought permission from federal regulators to begin operations by June 1, a request that remains pending. Mountain Valley sought final approval for the project even as it worked to complete inspections and repairs required by the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which last year expressed concerns about the pipes integrity. And at the beginning of this year, Mountain Valley submitted a report to PHMSA that details the first round of testing. The report contains inadequate information about what criteria the company used in deciding which sections of the pipe needed repairs, according to the Pipeline Safety Trust, a nonprofit watchdog group of the industry and its regulators. The report, obtained by The Roanoke Times through a Freedom of Information Act request, shows that tests run by Mountain Valley revealed about 70 indications, or signs of possible flaws with the pipe. The tests were conducted last October, November and December. Most of them were on sections of the pipeline in West Virginia. Of the 70-some indications, further inspection found a need for about 15 cutouts, or the removal and replacement of part of the pipe. Other repairs included reapplying a protective coating on the pipes exterior. Bill Caram, executive director of Pipeline Safety Trust, wrote in an April 11 letter to PHMSA that he hoped steps had been taken to determine how Mountain Valley decided which anomalies needed to be remediated or cut out, and which were determined to be acceptable. If not, he wrote, that raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the consent order in keeping communities along the pipeline safe from leaks and failures. PHMSA had not responded to the letter by May 10, the Pipeline Safety Trust said. It just gives me chills For the Bernards, theres yet another concern. In July 2018, not long after construction of Mountain Valley began, crews showed up on their property off Grassy Hill Road, a stretch of open land at the foot of Cahas Mountain. Workers dug a trench, placed a section of pipe in it, and left without covering the pipe with dirt. The next day, the Bernards saw part of the pipe floating in water that had filled the trench in a low-lying pasture. One end of the pipe remained welded to a section that had been buried. The other end emerged from the water at an angle. For about a year, the pipe remained in suspended animation, rising and falling as much as 2 feet as the water level fluctuated. Eventually, crews returned to pump water from the trench, remove the pipe, reapply a coating designed to prevent corrosion, and bury it again, the Bernards say. They wonder if that could have weakened the pipe. Opponents of Mountain Valley say such incidents were not uncommon, as work was stalled repeatedly by lawsuits that successfully challenged government permits issued for a pipeline that starts in West Virginia and passes through the Virginia counties of Giles, Craig, Montgomery, Roanoke, Franklin and Pittsylvania. The concern is that as sections of uninstalled pipe sat for years along the right-of-way or in storage yards, exposure to the elements weakened a protective coating designed to prevent corrosion of the steel once the pipe was buried. In a consent order last October, PHMSA directed Mountain Valley to test the pipe, reapply the coating and make other repairs as needed to ensure that the public, property and the environment are protected from the potential risk. At their home last week, the Benards talked about how peaceful life has become, after construction crews finally packed up and moved out. The noise, dust and distractions are gone. And grass is growing along the pipeline right-of-way, which for years had been marked by bare earth and broken ground. Theyre done and gone, Steve Bernard said. But as for the buried pipe, we know its there and its always on our minds that something might happen. And what that might be, it could be catastrophic. It would be, Anne Bernard interjected. And it just gives me chills. The pipe fails during tests At the top of Bent Mountain, where the pipeline crosses under U.S. 221 and the Blue Ridge Parkway, the unsettling event happened at about 10 a.m. May 1. A section of the pipe ruptured during pressure testing, releasing water that was being pumped through it to test for leaks or weaknesses before it begins to carry natural gas. The failure quickly became the latest rallying cry of pipeline opponents, who for the past six years have raised concerns about environmental issues such as erosion caused by digging trenches for the pipe along steep mountain slopes and the pollution to be emitted by the natural gas it will transport to markets along the East Coast. Mountain Valley says it was an isolated incident. The breach happened when water was being pumped through the pipe at pressures higher than what will be used to transport natural gas, according to Todd Normane, senior vice president of Equitrans Midstream Corp., the lead partner in a joint venture of five energy companies building the pipeline, now estimated to cost $7.85 billion. Mountain Valley assumed full accountability for the water release and any environmental disruption, Normane wrote in a letter posted Friday to the online docket of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the lead agency overseeing the project. Sediment-laden water that made its way to nearby streams dissipated within 24 hours, he said. Since the incident, hydrotesting on additional sections of the pipe including a replaced segment where the rupture occurred has been performed successfully, Mountain Valley says. The company is investigating what it says is the first such issue during pressure testing of about 269 miles of the pipelines route. No cause has been disclosed. Pipeline Safety Trust, in a recent letter to FERC, wrote that the failure is disturbing, given the explosive risk of such a large-diameter, high pressure pipeline. It is too early to tell if this is a sign of a larger problem on the pipeline or an isolated point of weakness, Erin Sutherland, a lawyer for the organization, wrote. However, Pipeline Safety Trust believes that FERC should be on notice about this failure. A FERC spokeswoman declined to say whether the incident will be considered in the agencys decision on whether to grant Mountain Valleys request to begin operations. We cannot and do not project what the Commission will say or when the Commission will act on any matter before it, Mary ODriscoll wrote in an email. The company has portrayed the incident as an example of how its inspections and tests are working to protect the environment and the public. Spokeswoman Natalie Cox wrote in an email Friday: Mountain Valley is committed to the safe and responsible construction and operation of the MVP project and is moving forward, in coordination with appropriate state and federal agencies, to complete testing and satisfy all legal and regulatory requirements necessary for the project to enter service in the coming weeks. A dearth of details Since federal safety officials first raised concerns about the integrity of Mountain Valleys pipe last summer, few details about the tests required by PHMSA have been released to the public. In November, the agency declined to share information with The Roanoke Times, suggesting the newspaper make an open records request. It took PHMSA nearly five months before it provided a 45-page report it had received from Mountain Valley. Portions of the document were redacted. Some of the withheld records had been deemed confidential by Mountain Valley. A PHMSA official wrote in an April 3 letter to the newspaper that the company had been notified of the FOIA request and been given an opportunity to comment. The companys first quarterly report, dated Jan. 3, documented the results of two types of tests: one performed by a whats called a caliper tool that runs along the inside of the buried pipe to check for dents and other weaknesses, the other a direct current voltage gradient survey that examines the pipe from ground level. Most of the information contained in the report dealt with tests run last year, almost all of them in West Virginia. Asked for details about more recent inspections and repairs in Virginia, neither PHMSA nor Mountain Valley had offered any information by Friday. The safety agency and the company also did not respond to e-mailed questions that sought reaction to Pipeline Safety Trusts concerns about the report, such as its failure to provide the criteria used for Mountain Valleys decisions. As for what has been released highly technical descriptions of about 70 indications of possible flaws with the pipe pipeline opponents expressed both concern and a desire for more explanation. Im alarmed by the number of indications, and would hope for more information in terms of public transparency about what they mean, how they were resolved and what PHMSA is doing about them, said Jessica Sims, Virginia field director of Appalachian Voices. In a letter to FERC, Pipeline Safety Trust raised concerns about the dearth of data released to date. Much distrust and apprehension about this project has arisen from the lack of transparency to the public, Sutherland wrote. FERC should not take MVPs word that it has reached full compliance with the consent agreement, and instead solicit direct and public input from PHMSA on the matter. Caram, the head of the group, said it was difficult to compare the number of indications to those found with other pipelines. Thats because the consent order required Mountain Valley to conduct more testing than what is normally required. We are grateful for those requirements, he said. I hate to think what could have happened without this remedial action. After repeated requests, PHMSA officials agreed to attend a community meeting in March with residents of the Bent Mountain community. But no details about test results were provided, according to Roberta Bondurant of Preserve Bent Mountain. We felt pretty jerked around by this agency, Bondurant said. It certainly raised concerns, and it didnt go a long way in building trust. Our whole world was blown up For the past 44 years, the Bernards have lived a tranquil life of being artists and enjoying the nature that surrounds them. We had this Eden here for decades, Anne Bernard said We had this view. No neighbors. It was quiet. Then all of a sudden, this war of the worlds type situation happened. You can see the equipment coming in, its like some kind of dinosaur or alien creature coming in here and making a lot of noise and tearing stuff up. All of a sudden our whole world was blown up. With the commotion too close to ignore, they turned to their work as a way of coping. Steve drew a series of abstract pieces of construction workers, depicted as the pipers at the gate. Anne painted a self-portrait of herself screaming in despair at what was happening around her. I tell people I feel like a whipped dog, she said. For years, she hoped that strong opposition and legal action would stop Mountain Valley from intruding into her home. Even after the company used its power of eminent domain to take the Bernards land, and after construction began, they watched closely as the project struggled with rising costs and delays. Then came a law passed by Congress last year, which found the project in the national interest and fast-tracked its completion. I feel like my hope has been exhausted, after all these years, that anything is going to stop it, Anne said. Just as the Bernards were beginning to accept that reality, news broke earlier this month of the ruptured pipeline not far from their home. That makes it even scarier, she said. The more you know, the worse it is. By Gan Tian (ECNS) --I traveled on the train connecting Belgrade and Novi Sad. And it was a very pleasant experience because it took only 28 minutes to reach Novi Sad. Otherwise, you should take a car or a bus, and it would take more than one hour,said Ivona Ladjevac, deputy director at the Institute of International Politics and Economics in Belgrade,during an interview with China News Network recently. TheBudapest-Belgraderailway, connecting Serbia and Hungary, is a 350-kilometer high-speed rail line project, and a landmark project jointly built by China and Central and Eastern European countries within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Its Belgrade-Novi Sad segment started operation on March 19, 2022. Ladjevac pointed out that Serbia and China have worked together to build several infrastructure projects within the BRI in recent years, which has greatlycontributedto the well-being of the Serbian people and regional development. Thanks to China, we have the Pupin Bridge over the Danube River,said the expert. In another example, she added that 5000 workers at the Smederevo Steel Mill have kept their jobs after Chinese investments revitalized the factory on the verge of a shutdown. During the past few years, economic and trade cooperation between Serbia and China has yielded fruitful results, with bilateral trade soaring from 596 million U.S. dollars in 2016 to 4.35 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. In 2022, China became the largest source of direct investment for Serbia. In Ladjevacs opinion, what connects the two countries isdecades of good friendshipthat dates back to Chinas establishment of diplomatic relations with Serbias predecessor, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The relationship has later grown into something stronger when China extended timely help to Serbia as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across the world, providing the latter with protectiveequipmentand medical assistance. The living standards in Serbia started to grow thanks to the ironclad friendship (between Serbia and China),statedLadjevac. Ladjevacalso emphasized the importance of expanding cultural and people-to-people exchanges,particularlythose between studentsand academicians. She expects more cooperation to be implemented in the fields of agriculture, artificial intelligence, as well as tourism in the future. Ladjevacalsosaid that she believes Serbia-China relations willhave a brighter future. In Serbia, for the (description of) some friendships or relationships, there is a saying thatonly sky is the limit. But I think in Serbia-China relations, it wouldn't be the case (the sky isnt the limit). Our cooperation will flourish like it used to do in the previous decades,said Ladjevac. After signing a new state spending plan on Monday, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin must appoint a director for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by July 1 or risk losing money for the office, whose title he renamed by replacing equity with opportunity, a move which Democrats criticized as contrary to state code. If the governor is not going to follow the laws, then there are consequences for it, said Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, a Fairfax Democrat. Sometimes following a law you dont agree with is uncomfortable, but when you raise your right hand and swear to God that you are going to follow the laws of the of the Constitution of the Commonwealth, it was my understanding he took that stuff pretty seriously, but that doesnt always seem to be the case if he doesnt agree with the law. Martin Brown currently serves as the cabinets chief officer. Christian Martinez, a spokesperson for the governor, when asked if the governor would return the word equity back into the office title, did not directly answer the question. Martinez instead said the administration has been in compliance with the law and will continue to do so. Budget provision spells out DEI director requirement Surovell proposed budget language in an effort to have the word equity put back in the office title. According to the budget, if the governor has not appointed a director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by July 1, 2024 following Virginia Code 2.2-435.12, the director for the Department of Planning and Budget shall transfer the appropriation to the Virginia Cannabis Equity Business Loan Fund. The fund provides no- and low-interest loans to qualified, licensed cannabis business owners to help promote business ownership and economic growth in communities that were disproportionately impacted by cannabis when it was fully prohibited in the state. The state budget also includes $3.6 million in funding for the DEI office over the next two years, a $1 million increase compared to the governors initial budget he unveiled in December. Last April, the states DEI office was thrust into the national spotlight after Brown, the director, remarked that DEI is dead at the Virginia Military Institute. Lets take a moment right now to kill that cow. DEI is dead, Brown said. Were not going to bring that cow up anymore. Its dead. It was mandated by the General Assembly, but this governor has a different philosophy of civil discourse, civility living the golden rule, right? Last year, Democrats asked Attorney General Jason Miyares whether the governor was following the law when he changed the name of the position. Surovell wrote that the DEI title mandated by the state didnt appear on the official state website and uses an incorrect name and refers to Mr. Brown as the Commonwealth of Virginias Chief Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion Officer. Miyares responded that if the governor makes sure the states laws relating to the DEI office are faithfully executed, he may include within his cabinet a Chief Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion Officer who is charged with performing duties supplemental to those of the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The attorney general also pointed out in his response that equity is not defined in the statute. With no statutory or judicially imposed definition, the governor, in fulfilling his duty to faithfully execute the statute, is afforded some degree of discretion in affording its terms a workable meaning, Miyares wrote. This story was originally published in the Virginia Mercury. Xavier University President Reynold Verret is a part of all conversations and planning for major events on campus, especially when they involve prominent, high-profile people. He thought it was important for Xavier students to hear from one of the nation's most prominent leaders -- even if they disagree with her and her boss. China is considering a proposal to have local governments across the country buy millions of unsold homes, people familiar with the matter said, in what would be one of its most ambitious attempts yet to salvage the beleaguered property market. The State Council is seeking feedback from several provinces and government entities on the preliminary plan, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing a private matter. While China has already experimented with several pilot programs to clear excess housing inventory with the help of state funding, the latest plan would be much larger in scale. The worlds largest economy has struggled to deal with a property crisis that has seen some of its biggest developers default on their debts. Credit: Bloomberg Local state-owned enterprises would be asked to help purchase unsold homes from distressed developers at steep discounts using loans provided by state banks, according to two of the people. Many of the properties would then be converted into affordable housing. Officials are still debating details of the plan and its feasibility, the people said, adding that it could take months to be finalised if Chinas leaders decide to go ahead. The housing ministry didnt respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Eating outSpecials board These bars are handing out free snacks most days. Heres when to stop by Say ciao to Melbournes best aperitivo hours, when complimentary canapes are served with your drink. Heres where to find them. Tomas Telegramma May 16, 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 Italys pre-dinner aperitivo ritual means spritzes and complimentary snacks blanket piazzas countrywide. Every time you order a drink, they send something out [to eat], says Anthony Scutella, owner of treasured Melbourne Italian restaurant Scopri and newly opened sibling Bar Olo. Its rare here, he continues. Rare. But not impossible. For our new series, Specials Board, aimed to help you get more bang for your dining buck, weve rounded up eight of Melbournes best aperitivo hours for free snacking. Carlton Norths Bar Olo dishes out nuggets of fine aged parmesan with drinks during aperitivo hour. Simon Schluter Bar Olo, Carlton Bar Olo is certainly suave. But that doesnt mean snacking here has to cost a small fortune. The Piedmont-inspired, barolo-specialising wine bar runs a daily aperitivo hour (or, more accurately, two hours), where your drink comes with a complimentary bite. That could mean a nugget of parmigiano reggiano or a zeppola, a deep-fried dough ball. Aperitivo is Wednesday to Saturday 4pm-6pm; 165 Nicholson Street, Carlton, barolocarlton.com.au Advertisement Enoteca Zingara, Fitzroy Free snacks such as pizza fritta (fried pizza), potato-and-rosemary focaccia, and giardiniera (pickled Italian vegetables) arent the only reason for you to knock off early and make a beeline for Enoteca Zingara at aperitivo hour, from 4pm. The just-opened Brunswick Street wine bar from hatted trattoria Alta, right around the corner, also has some wallet-friendly drinks specials to lure you in: $6 Peronis and $6 Camparis. Aperitivo is Wednesday to Monday 4pm-5pm, 334 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, enotecazingara.com Torino Aperitivo, where the clue is in the name. Kim Jane Torino Aperitivo, CBD Tucked down a little city laneway, this charming Italian-style bar takes aperitivo culture so seriously thats it literally named after it. Take a trip to Torino Aperitivo and be rewarded with an on-the-house bite with your first round, as long as youre there before 6pm. The drinks specials are a bonus: expect $6 schooners and house wines, $12 Venetian spritzes and $14 Negronis and espresso martinis. Bargains all round. Aperitivo is Tuesday to Thursday 4pm-6pm and Friday-Saturday 3pm-6pm, 2 Driver Lane, Melbourne, torinoaperitivo.com.au Advertisement Wagyu and bone marrow on a sourdough cracker at Neighbourhood Wine. Supplied Neighbourhood Wine, Fitzroy North Sip outside, snack for free. Thats the gist of Patio Aperitivo at Neighbourhood Wine, one of the northsides ride-or-die wine bars. Every drink ordered on the (heated, umbrella-covered) patio gets you a fancy snack from head chef Almay Jordaans seasonally rotating menu free of charge. Maybe itll be Black Opal wagyu and bone marrow on a sourdough cracker, or a spelt tart with smoked salmon roe, creme fraiche and bottarga. Patio Aperitivo is daily 4pm-6pm, 1 Reid Street, Fitzroy North, neighbourhoodwine.com Aperitivo hour at Ombra. Supplied Ombra, CBD Afternoons at Ombra the classy Bourke Street salumi bar from leading Italian chef-restaurateur Guy Grossi are all about cicchetti, or small Venetian-style snacks. The best part? Theyre on the house. The offering usually includes some type of pizzette (small pizzas), tramezzini (triangular-cut sandwiches) and crostini (slices of crunchy grilled bread) topped with anything from pate to pickles to parmigiano reggiano. Aperitivo is Wednesday to Sunday 5pm-7pm, 76 Bourke Street, Melbourne ombrabar.com.au Negroni sbagliatos and snacks at Bianchetto. Kristoffer Paulsen Advertisement Bianchetto, Kew There are plenty of reasons Kew locals cant get enough of Joe Vargettos recently relocated Sicilian restaurant Mister Bianco and new companion cocktail bar Bianchetto, in the next-door space. The latest is Bianchettos three-nights-a-week aperitivo hour, which has just launched. Your drink perhaps an Americano made tableside will arrive alongside a complimentary platter of bite-sized snacks. There could be classics like arancini or bruschetta, or Vargettos Sicilian take on the humble sausage roll. Aperitivo is Thursday to Saturday 5pm-6pm, 26-28 Cotham Road, Kew misterbianco.com.au/bianchetto Take a seat at the Rossi bar for free chips and olives with your drink. Supplied Rossi, Prahran Where Ladro TAP once was on Greville Street, Rossi keeps the good times rolling, thanks to owner Good Company, also behind nearby party spots Electric and The Emerson. Pizza remains a massive drawcard at Rossi, but its worth timing your visit around the daily aperitivo special. The free snacks are simple yet satisfyingly salty chips and olives, a classic aperitivo offering across Italy and select cocktails are $9. Aperitivo Hour runs every day until 6pm. Opening hours from 4pm Monday to Thursday, and from 12pm Friday - Sunday, 162 Greville Street, Prahran, rossi.bar Aperitivo is available only from the flagship Carlton Brunetti Classico. Supplied Advertisement Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size It was the building that refused to fall down despite dodgy construction, combined with the mould, slugs and termites that thrived for centuries in the damp, dark nether regions of todays NSW State Parliament. This month, a $22 million restoration project, funded by taxpayers, completed on budget and two months ahead of schedule, is expected to result in a sounder and healthier home for NSWs politicians and staff. The most extensive renovation to the site in its history required experts in old crafts, including wallpaper makers and a Victorian who made 14,000 buttons, has addressed many problems identified by early colonial architect Francis Greenway nearly 200 years ago. Completed in 1816, and funded by the import of rum, the NSW Parliament was once part of the Rum Hospital for Sydneys poor. It was converted to house Australias first legislature in 1829. It was once a hospital for the poor, now the NSW Parliament on Macquarie Street has had $22 million in repairs. Credit: Kate Geraghty Soon after its completion, Greenway predicted the grand Georgian structure built with convict labour would soon rot and its foundations crumble. It was so bad that historian Paul Brunton, emeritus curator at the State Library of NSW, said a rival of Greenway had concluded that the builders neglect and inattention to durability was so great that one would imagine it had been built for the very purpose of exhibiting the striking effect that such a structure would produce when in ruins. Advertisement Defying predictions it would never last, it did. Greg Piper MP, the speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly, said the new project would ensure that NSW Parliament House can continue to be the peoples house for generations to come. The public has been invited for free tours of the building. Lyndall Smith, an architect and senior manager, strategy, at NSW Parliament said the project included critical maintenance, repair and restoration to the old Rum Hospital, and conservation of the Legislative Council, which was covered in unhealthy mould. It also included three facades of the building, the north and south atriums, and the glass roof. It also fixed a set of internal stairs that had been propped up for years used by the premier and his cabinet to get to the chamber. Its facade has been updated in custom paints, similar to the original white lime. The walls are white rum, and the timber columns of the upper floor are divisional sand, references to its history and current use. Advertisement Like many buildings constructed by those new to the colony and unaccustomed to Sydneys extreme weather, the hospitals three buildings rapidly began mouldering away within a few years of completion. The hospital originally consisted of three wings. Only two survive today, the Mint on Macquarie St and the Rum Hospital part of the NSW Parliament precinct. A section of the eastern wall. Credit: Kate Geraghty Ryan Panton, the project manager, said multiple changes to the facade, which had been altered and painted repeatedly, had been removed to reunite the facade of the Mint with the exterior of NSW Parliament. Greenway had noted the poor quality of the timber, and said supporting beams were too short, which Smith and Panton confirmed during the work. Panton and Smith said the work revealed floors where the wood had rotted, and the replacement of structural elements that was thin and made from unmilled wood. It was simply cut logs with the bark, said Panton. Advertisement Mould had spread throughout the Legislative Council, including the leather of the vice-regal chair where King Charles may sit if his rumoured visit to Australia later this year goes ahead. The mould was under the floor, in the curtains, it had affected the wallpaper, and the upholstery of the chairs, as well, Smith said. Everything was replaced, and they had to hunt to find a button maker to produce 14,000 buttons for the leather benches made from 290 cowhides. The speakers chair in the Legislative Council. Credit: Kate Geraghty During the renovations, Panton said they removed 20 cubic metres of spoil, rubbish that had collected below the chambers that had allowed mould to flourish. The pillars that Greenway thought lacked classical proportions were collapsing in parts. A wood pillar had been hollowed out by termites and slugs. Late last year, Brunton gave a talk about the project called The Rum Hospital: The building that refuses to fall down. That is literally true, Brunton said late last year. It is nice to have a building that refuses to fall down in contrast to those that refuse to stay up, he said in a dig at the demolition of old buildings. The project was by architects Purcell, TZG and Brewster Murray with builders Gartner Rose, AJ Bristow and HBS. Advertisement Fungal disease: hard to treat and on the rise Earlier this year, Denning estimated in The Lancet that global deaths caused by fungal disease had almost doubled within a decade to 3.8 million annually thats 6.8 per cent of all deaths, a little more than smoke-related lung disease. All of us have probably inhaled Aspergillus spores theyre ubiquitous from cities to farms. But fungal infection takes hold only in the immunocompromised. As lifespans lengthen and there are more of us who are older and sicker, these infections are becoming increasingly common. Some scientists think its also becoming easier for fungal infections to thrive within human bodies because fungi are evolving to suit a world growing hotter due to the burning of fossil fuels. (That includes that guy in the first scene of The Last of Us. Yikes.) And fungal infections are tough to treat. Fungi cells are more similar to human cells than bacteria or viruses, so whats toxic to fungi is often toxic to us. That restricts the number of medicines we can make to kill infectious fungi in the body; there are only four major classes of antifungal drugs compared to more than a dozen classes of antibiotics. Loading Olorofim is unusual in that its a completely new drug class, says Beardsley, an associate professor at the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute at the University of Sydney. Which is why its even more critical that we should try to protect it. Storm in a petri dish A recent lab study proved the fears around olorofim well-founded. Researchers took Apsergillus, exposed it to the fungicide ipflufenoquin, and watched as the fungus quickly mutated to resist olorofim a drug that cost at least 250 million ($476 million) and 20 years to develop. The drug and the fungicide both target the same enzyme within fungal cells, which is why Aspergillus strains that evolve to become resistant to the crop spray also become immune to olorofim. When we found out that regulatory approval was sought for ipflufenoquin and its mode of action was the same as olorofim, we immediately felt alarmed, says the lead author of the Nature Microbiology research, Dr Norman van Rhijn,. Australia was one of the first countries to approve ipflufenoquin. Consultation on the fungicide was over and done with before van Rhijns study, and the potential impact of the crop spray on antifungal drugs was never raised with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). The art and the artist; Aspergillus grown from samples gathered in Vietnam and Associate Professor Justin Beardsley, an expert in infectious diseases and fungi. Credit: Associate Professor Justin Beardsley Ideally, we would like to see a pause on the registration until the risk can be properly assessed, Beardsley says. Its not like there arent other agricultural antifungals that can be used to make sure your berries are pristine. A spokesperson for the APVMA said: Should evidence emerge in relation to a role for a substance to contribute to antifungal resistance, the APVMA would take that into consideration in determining appropriate regulatory action. Beardsley feels like hes seen this all before. He is studying the rise of resistance to azoles another precious class of antifungal medicines driven by agricultural fungicides. Ten years ago, there was no resistance. Now, in places such as Vietnam, 90 per cent of the Aspergillus strains sampled from rice paddies, fruit farms and even urban areas are resistant to azoles. And the bad news is, a drug-resistant fungus can be twice as deadly if it infects a human. More resistance, less drug research This saga highlights a deeper problem. Drug resistance renders antibiotics and antifungals less profitable so big pharmaceutical companies are backing away from making new ones. Most of the big pharmaceutical companies have massively reduced their investments in antibiotics and antifungals of all types, Beardsley says. Loading For drug companies to spend the millions and millions on development for an agent that may become obsolete within a year or two because of the emergence of resistance is not a good business model. The World Health Organisation has labelled the lack of new antibiotics and antifungals a crisis. Along with other agencies, it is campaigning for new ways of funding drug discovery because, as Beardsley says, the old model is broken. They have invited people who are not students and staff of the university onto our campus to occupy a building and theyve caused considerable damage. My message to them is that they should peacefully end the occupation so that our students and staff can go about their studies and their work in peace and unmolested. Wesley said all students and staff who had contravened the universitys code of conduct would face disciplinary action, including police action. We are in ongoing discussions with the police, he said. They are advising us about how we keep this situation under control, and they are giving us advice about how we might move forward to end the protests and the occupation. The National Tertiary Education Unions branch for the University of Melbourne backed the student protesters, voting on Thursday to demand the protection of freedom of speech and academic expression. A second motion was passed supporting the encampment and called on the university to protect the right and safety of students and staff to express their views without fear or outside interference. Students occupying the University of Melbournes Arts West building on Thursday morning. Credit: Justin McManus Branch president David Gonzalez attended the sit-in on Wednesday and said: It was a very safe feeling and well-organised environment. Andrew Stapleton, from the unions Deakin branch, said Deakin University should live up to its stated aim to be Australias most progressive and responsive university. The encampment poses no threat to student or staff safety and should continue, he said. Anything less from Deakin would risk our universitys reputation as a place of debate, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly all essential for a place of higher learning. A state government spokesperson said universities were doing what they could to keep campuses safe and inclusive. Were calling for calm on campuses, the spokesperson said. A university can be a place of protest, but it should never be a place of violence and it should never be a place of antisemitism. At the Monash University encampment, nine pro-Palestine students said they had been threatened with misconduct, suspension and expulsion as a result of their involvement in the protests. Seven members of the Monash nine. Credit: Joe Armao Draped in Palestinian keffiyeh scarves, the group calling themselves the Monash nine said they had been contacted by the head of the universitys security, requesting they stop using terms and phrases such as intifada and From the river to the sea. The meaning of the two slogans is contested on both sides of the conflict. To Palestinian supporters, they represent demands for the end of occupation; for some Israelis, the chants are an antisemitic call for their destruction. The Monash protest organisers said they had been told any student using the two phrases could face disciplinary action. We see this as our Iraq or our Vietnam, said one of the organisers, student Josiah Downey. As students at this university, we have a moral obligation to stand up. Science and history student Madeline Curkovic said she was facing suspension for yelling at a pro-Israel supporter who she alleges attacked her during an altercation at the camp. Whats happened here is an outrageous attack on students freedom of speech nine of us have been prevented from being at the encampment behind us, she said. In a statement on Thursday, Monash University said it was considering investigating all formal reports of general misconduct related to protest activity. Students inside the Arts West building at the University of Melbourne on Thursday. Credit: Justin McManus The university takes all complaints seriously, the statement read. We are reviewing and investigating the complaints in line with our policies and procedures, which has resulted in a number of formal notices of student misconduct being issued. Dozens of tents remained on the lawn at Monash University on Thursday afternoon. There was a makeshift kitchen at the front of the camp, stocked with canned food, coffee and cereal. A handwritten sign said, no drugs or alcohol allowed. Black and white images of Palestinian children killed in the war were plastered to a billboard. Outside the camp, a notice warned that only staff or students were permitted to enter and that any breach would be referred to police. Deakin University deputy vice-chancellor Kerrie Parker said the university was issuing a second directive to protesting students after the first order to remove the camp had been ignored. No attempt to comply with the universitys request has been made, the letter read. Furthermore, you have made public statements to the effect that you do not intend to comply with the request. You are therefore being directed by the university to attend to the immediate dismantling and removal of the current encampment. Protest organiser Jasmine Duff said the group would once again refuse to comply. We refuse to obey the directives of a university which is profiting from weapons research during a genocide, said Duff. On Wednesday, protesters at the University of Melbourne unfurled a large banner unofficially renaming the Arts West building Mahmouds Hall in honour of Mahmoud Alnaouq, a Palestinian killed in an air strike in Gaza along with 23 family members in October. Alnaouq was planning to study at Melbourne University, according to the protesters. The protest is aimed at the universitys longstanding research agreement with aerospace and defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin. This is indefinite. This is about disclosing and divesting and nothing will change until the demands are met, said Gemma OToole, an arts student involved in the occupation. A police spokesperson said it was monitoring the protest and would respond to any public order issues if required. Melbourne University is presently managing the situation and has not asked Victoria Police to intervene or to remove these protesters, they said. Loading Victoria Police is liaising with Melbourne University to provide assistance when and if that is required. The long-running pro-Palestine protests and university encampments have triggered a national debate about free speech and discrimination on campuses, and prompted counterprotests by supporters of Israel. More than 35,000 people have died in Gaza since the war began in October, according to Hamas officials. The conflict started after the militant groups October 7 terror attacks in Israel, which led to 1200 deaths. Executive Council of Australian Jewry CEO Alex Ryvchin said the protest camps should be disbanded. Loading Its time for all encampments to go. The time for indulging and appeasing insolent children running amok has passed, he said. If the university cant ensure the immediate safety and security of all students and staff, the police need to. The federal government recently broke with some of Australias closest security partners by voting in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution that declared the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations under its charter rules. The federal government will launch a probe into racism at universities after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said antisemitism was the worst he had seen. The University of Melbourne on Wednesday night described the sit-in as unacceptable and said it would be investigated. Tensions on university campuses around the country have been mounting in recent weeks as tent cities of students protesting against Israels military action in Gaza grow. On some occasions, the encampments have attracted counterprotesters supportive of Israels action in response to the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7. Deakin University on Monday became the first Victorian university to order those in the pro-Palestinian encampment to leave its campus, citing safety and security amid allegations of antisemitism against some within the protest movement. The Melbourne University protest is aimed at the universitys long-standing research agreement with aerospace and defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Loading OToole said students would continue their occupation until the university severed its research agreement with companies that supplied defence technology to Israel. She said the protest was timed to coincide with Nakba Day, a date that commemorates the mass displacement of Palestinians during the Arab-Israeli war 76 years ago. OToole, who has been camping on the universitys south lawn since Anzac Day, said the building occupation was a planned escalation by some protesters who had split from the wider Uni Melb for Palestine encampment. The demands have been the same for seven months, she said. Of course, people are ready to escalate. We have been outside freezing. This university clearly holds their students in contempt. OToole said that about 1.30pm, shortly after the occupation began, acting provost Nicholson came into the Arts West building to tell students that if they did not move on within the hour, she would involve the police. We have garnered a lot of support from the community. There are a lot of people who care deeply. So right now, Im looking around at hundreds of people I have never seen before, OToole said. The University of Melbourne said it welcomed debate and peaceful protest on campus provided it did not extend to violence, threat or intimidation. It said many involved in the sit in were independent of the encampment. Loading Todays behaviour, including the refusal to leave the building, was unacceptable and will be investigated, it said in a statement on Wednesday night. The university said it had cancelled Wednesday classes in the Arts West building. Nicholson, a deputy vice-chancellor who has become the universitys troubleshooter on a series of complex issues, is considered a leading candidate to replace Duncan Maskell as the universitys most senior administrator. The day before students moved into the Arts West building, Nicholson sent a lengthy message to all staff and students reiterating the universitys commitment to free speech but warning against disruptive protests. We firmly believe that respectful and non-disruptive protests on our campuses must allow all members of our community to participate fully and freely in university life, without fear, threat or intimidation, she wrote. We are mindful of the effect of the ongoing encampment on our South Lawn, one of the universitys major communal open spaces in Parkville, on all members of our university community. At all times, the safety of our staff and students is paramount and this includes those encamped. A clash developed at a pro-Palestinian encampment at Monash University earlier this month when pro-Israel supporters attempted to storm a stage where speeches were being conducted. Credit: Justin McManus As the grounds of the university are public open spaces, we also are deeply concerned about the disruptive intent of some external visitors to our Parkville campus. Where there are instances of unacceptable behaviour, we will investigate and take appropriate action, which may involve referral to the police. Loading Deakin University issued a ban on its encampment on Monday, citing the safety, security and amenity of all campus users. On Wednesday night, there was a small peaceful protest of about 100 people at Deakins Burwood campus, with security and some police monitoring. The students vowed to continue fighting the universitys order to leave. Jasmine Duff, an encampment organiser, said protesters had camped out at the campus on Tuesday night, ignoring the universitys order that they immediately dismantle and remove the encampment. Nothings happened, Duff said. Its been very peaceful. Security hasnt been acting differently to usual and there arent more police. Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters took to city streets on Wednesday afternoon, Nine News reported, gathering at RMITs student encampment before marching to Melbourne Central. There was a strong police presence at the shopping centre and some traders closed their doors while the rally took place, but the gathering was largely peaceful. The activists also staged a brief sit-in at a city intersection before dispersing. People gather at Deakin Universitys Burwood campus on Wednesday evening. Credit: Eddie Jim The long-running pro-Palestine protests and university encampments have triggered a national debate about free speech and discrimination on campuses, and prompted counterprotests by supporters of Israel. More than 35,000 people have died in Gaza since the war began in October, according to Hamas officials. Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler called on other universities to order protesters to leave, but lawyer Greg Barns said that heavy-handed enforcement should be the very last resort when it came to freedom of speech and the right to protest. Leibler said the decision by the Deakin encampment to defy university instructions is a line in the sand, dividing rule-of-law society and anarchic protesters. Student protesters at Melbourne University on Wednesday afternoon. Credit: Joe Armao We are confident that the state and federal governments will strongly encourage law-enforcement authorities to ensure that universities are fully supported if protesters dont comply with university rules. Monash University is now doing student identification checks on protesters at its Clayton campus following Mondays clash between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel supporters. RMIT said it was implementing pre-emptive and proactive measures while members of the RMIT community exercise their right to protest. Duff said the Deakin protesters had received advice that their camp was legal. Barns is the spokesman for the Australian Lawyers Alliance and was behind a letter signed by hundreds of lawyers in November urging a ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank. He said Deakins order for the disbandment of the students camp appears to run contrary to its policy that freedom of speech by students is a paramount value and its exercise not unnecessarily burdened by restrictions or other burdens other than those imposed by law. So, the decision to undermine that paramount value is very serious and could only be done if there was a proven threat to health, safety and wellbeing which the university claims is the reason. Barns said if Deakin had simply acted on complaints and not investigated them, or sought to negotiate with the protesters, then this was arguably unlawful. One might add that such heavy-handed tactics by university administrations using their legal powers are counterproductive. When it comes to freedom of speech and the right to protest, censoring it through heavy-handed enforcement should be the very last resort. Announcing the ban, Deakins deputy vice chancellor of university services, Kerrie Parker, said protesters had engaged in unacceptable behaviour that created an impediment to the normal use and function of the campus. The right to freedom of speech does not extend to the establishment of unauthorised camps which pose hygiene and safety risks and restrict the access, availability and use of Deakin premises and facilities for the benefit of the Deakin community of users, she said on Monday. Police arrested two people on Wednesday morning after offices of the ABC in Southbank, Seven Network in Docklands and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll in Niddrie were vandalised. Protesters sprayed the ABC with fake blood and wrote: The ABC enables genocide. In response, Carroll said hate had no place in Victoria and his staff were entitled to stay safe at work. Premier Jacinta Allan said: There is so much loss of life, there is so much grief, as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. A woman accused of luring a Colombian man to his death, days after he allegedly burgled her home, has been granted bail after a judge found the case against her was relatively weak. Sarah Monique Tilley, 23, sought release in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Wednesday after she was charged with murdering Sergio Cuesta Posada. Sergio Cuesta Posada was last seen in September 2023. Police allege he was killed in Melbournes south-eastern suburbs on September 16, 2023, by Tilleys co-accused, Jared Stuart Baker, Michael Jeffrey Frankland and Hubba Albe Paul. Cuesta Posadas body has not been found. WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam has vowed to have a chat with her federal counterparts after a rift emerged over tax breaks for green hydrogen and critical minerals companies in the Albanese governments federal budget. Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor lashed the $14 billion worth of incentives on Wednesday, telling ABC it amounted to handing out billions to billionaires. Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Those comments put Mettam in an awkward position as a political leader in a resources-reliant state which would benefit from the tax measures. It has also opened up both levels of the party to criticism from Labor, with WA Premier Roger Cook describing Taylor as anti-Western Australian. The Palestinian keffiyeh scarf cannot be worn on the floor of the Victorian parliament, Speaker Maree Edwards has effectively ruled. The decision prevents Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri from continuing to wear the chequered scarf in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza during parliamentary debates and question time. Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri was asked to leave the floor of parliament last week for wearing the keffiyeh. Credit: Getty The development comes a week after de Vietri, the first-term MP for Richmond, was asked to leave the lower house chamber for refusing to take off her scarf following a complaint from deputy Liberal leader David Southwick, who is Jewish. State parliament has strict rules on what politicians can wear and bring into the chamber. Its been days now since dozens of unruly masked students were cleared from University of Virginia Grounds. The school and the surrounding Charlottesville community are still coming to terms with what happened, how and why. Partisan newspapers across the country have blown the story out of proportion, claiming without evidence there was more violence and destruction than eyewitnesses remember. Politicians in Richmond and Washington have openly questioned the universitys direction. Some blame a weak-willed administration, others blame professors instructing students in thoroughly un-American studies and others blame the students themselves, too young, too spoiled, too choleric to control their baser instincts. All eyes have turned to the universitys leader, waiting for what else leadership. It might surprise you, but I am not describing the late student unrest at UVa, but rather the student unrest of 1825. Unrest is probably too gentle a word; it was a riot. The school had not been open a year, when in October of 1825, students were in active rebellion. Thomas Jefferson, the schools founder and first rector, called it the most painful event of his entire life. Over the course of a wild night, students, wearing masks to disguise themselves, attacked professors and each other on Grounds. Unlike the students of 2024, the students of 1825 were wildly violent and destructive. This riot had taken the form of one student throwing a bottle of urine through the window of one of the pavilions, as recounted by Andrew OShaughnessy, professor of history at UVa and the former vice president of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. They proceeded to get into fist fights. The students were indignant indeed at the professors for even daring to confront them. Unlike the students of 2024, the students of 1825 had no concrete list of demands for the administration they rebelled against. The protesters who established an encampment by the University Chapel earlier this month were very clear about what they wanted: that the university disclose and divest from its financial ties with arms manufacturers contributing to Israels ongoing war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Historians today still cant pinpoint an exact cause for the riot of 1825, but the gist has always been the rioters were more petty than principled. What we do know is that UVa had the longest semesters and shortest breaks of any college in America, and the students hated it. We know the school was among the first, if not the first, to institute mandatory final examinations, and the students hated it. We know drinking, gambling and smoking were banned on Grounds, and students hated it. Moreover, almost all of the university faculty at the time was of European birth. Those first students at UVa chafed under the instruction of these relics of the Old World from which their parents and grandparents had fought a war to liberate themselves. One striking similarity among the students of 2024 and the students of 1825 is the use of masks. The reasons for those masks also bear a striking resemblance. Todays students, raised in a digital age when any real-world action can be broadcast to millions worldwide, have an understandable fear of being implicated in anything that could threaten their livelihoods or, indeed, their lives. They have principles, yes, but they also have futures they are desperate to protect from online mobs. It wasnt so different in 1825, as noted by OShaughnessy. See, at the time, honor and integrity were not the synonyms they are today. Honor was about reputation. The main thing with honor was not necessarily that you be a good, chivalrous individual, but that you should appear to behave in a very civilized way. And if you did indeed not do so, you should disguise yourself and not get caught. Honor was all about maintaining your reputation. Seeing as how no state troopers were called in 1825 to subdue the riot, those masks almost protected the students from any damage to their reputations. Hearing what had happened, and surely reading newspaper reports that blew the entire thing out of proportion (some newspapers at the time erroneously claimed students had torn down entire houses in Charlottesville), Mr. Jefferson called a meeting of the universitys students, faculty and Board of Visitors on Oct. 3 of that year. Unlike the virtual town hall that followed our late unpleasantness, this meeting was live, in-person and on time in the freshly painted Rotunda. The Thomas Jefferson that students saw in 1825 bore little resemblance to the portraits they would have seen, and we know so well, of the canonized Founding Father. His red hair had grayed, his 6-foot-2 stature had diminished and he showed every bit of his 82 years in a time when the life expectancy wasnt much more than 64. They had no way of knowing, but he would be dead in less than a year. Mr. Jefferson had every intention of addressing the crowd, to demand answers for what he called the vicious irregularities on Grounds. But standing before them, he could not speak. His lips moved he essayed to speak burst into tears & sank back into his seat! The shock was electric! Margaret Bayard Smith, a visitor to Charlottesville, wrote in a summary of student accounts at the time. So moved were the students that 14 organizers of the riot stepped forward and identified themselves then and there. Mr. Jeffersons tears, Ms. Smith wrote, melted their stubborn purpose. It was an act of humility and not a show of force that quelled student unrest in 1825. Students would not be so fortunate in later years without Mr. Jefferson. After his death, riots would break out in 1832, 1833, 1836 and 1845, and university leaders shed few tears as they aggressively cracked down on the student body. Perhaps it is my North Carolina roots or my Methodist upbringing, but I have always prized humility as the noblest virtue. The humorist Garrison Keillor once joked that Methodists are most known for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed. And for their singing, but only in four-part harmonies, too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. North Carolinas state motto is translated as To be rather than to seem, and Civil War Gov. Zebulon Baird Vance famously called the state a vale of humility between two mountains of conceit. One of those mountains was South Carolina; Ill let you guess the other. Im a Virginian now, and an Episcopalian, following a trail blazed by one of Mr. Jeffersons closest friends, Dolley Madison. But much like Mrs. Madison, no matter how many years I call these red hills of Virginia home, this damned Virginian pride is still foreign to me. As I sit here reflecting on it, I realize that in a commonwealth as great and storied as Virginia, pride must be easy to come by: Virginias history is legend, Virginias men are heroes, Virginias founders are gods. In a place such as this, it is only natural that humility is a rare virtue. But I will remind my readers (and the UVa administrators who may be among you), those who possess it are remembered for it: George Washingtons voluntary resignation from the office of the president, Booker T. Washington (no relation) chopping wood for his neighbors in Tuskegee, Nancy Astor dropping in on her poorer relations and hometown neighbors even after she took a seat in Parliament, Anne Spencer (my favorite Virginia poet) using her home as a salon and launchpad for the Harlem Renaissance instead of promoting her own work and, of course, Mr. Jeffersons tears. CENTENNIAL, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Westwater Resources, Inc. (NYSE American: WWR), an energy technology and battery-grade natural graphite company (Westwater Resources), today acknowledged its support of the recent actions taken by the United States Trade Representative and the White House, related to electric vehicle (EV) and critical mineral tariffs. On May 14, 2024, the White House announced the results of its four-year review of Section 301 tariffs on Chinese products. Notably, the announcement includes an increase from 25% to 100% on imported Chinese EVs in 2024, and a 25% tariff on natural graphite imports from China beginning in 2026. As Westwater is 100% focused on producing battery-grade natural graphite anode material in the United States for use in non-Chinese EVs, we support actions that continue to aid in establishing a domestic supply chain, said Terence J. Cryan, Executive Chairmen of Westwater Resources. We believe these actions send a strong signal that the US is committed to on-shoring its supply chain for critical minerals such as graphite and supporting the domestic production of batteries and EVs. These tariffs are just what the new and critically important U.S.-based natural graphite industry needed to compete with the monopoly that exists in China today and only strengthen Westwaters value proposition as we move to secure additional customers, said Jon Jacobs, Chief Commercial Officer of Westwater. ABOUT WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC. Westwater Resources is an energy technology company that is focused on developing battery-grade natural graphite. Westwater Resources primary project is the Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant that is under construction in east-central Alabama. In addition, Westwater Resources Coosa Graphite Deposit is the most advanced natural flake graphite deposit in the contiguous United States and is located across 41,965 acres (~17,000 hectares) in Coosa County, Alabama. For more information, visit www.westwaterresources.net. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words such as actions, believe, signal, strengthen, and other similar words. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among other things, statements concerning Westwaters activities and schedules regarding its Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant and Coosa Graphite Deposit, the supply chain for critical minerals such as graphite, competition within the natural graphite industry, our value proposition, and our efforts to secure customers. Westwater cautions that there are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Westwater; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. Additional risks facing Westwaters future prospects are discussed in the Westwaters Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequent securities filings. Suntory Global Spirits renews RSPB partnership for peatlands project Suntory Global Spirits (which recently rebranded from Beam Suntory ) has partnered with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland, the second partnership between the two organisations since 2022. Under the current partnership, Suntory Global Spirits and the RSPB Scotland have restored 80 hectares of peatland at the Oa reserve on Islay. The work falls under Suntory Global Spirits Peatland Water Sanctuary programme. The drinks company has also contributed 250,000 to revive the peatlands natural ecosystem. The work follows Suntory Global Spirits March announcement of its partnership with Northern Peat & Moss to restore the peatland on Craigculter Moss. Alistair Longwell, head of distillation & environment, Suntory Global Spirits commented: The restoration at the Oa is not only integral to sustaining its resilience to climate change, but also in promoting a protected nature reserve on our special island of Islay, home to our Laphroaig and Bowmore distilleries and a thriving local community. Jack Fleming, RSPB Scotland area manager for Argyll, Arran and Ardnamurchan, added: Were thrilled to have taken this latest step in our partnership with Suntory Global Spirits. As well as trapping carbon, healthy peatlands provide homes for iconic wildlife such as curlews and hen harriers. They are among the most effective tools we have for tackling the nature and climate crisis, so to have restored 80 hectares at the Oa, on top of the previous work at Airds Moss, is an achievement well worth raising a glass to. 15 May 2024 - Lucy Schofield 3 killed in firing, teargas shelling by security forces in PoK ISLAMABAD : AT LEAST three people were killed and six others injured when security forces opened fire on protesters who attacked paramilitary Rangers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which has been rocked by protests against high prices of wheat flour and inflated electricity bills, media reports said on Tuesday. The paramilitary Rangers, which were called in to maintain law and order in the disputed region, came under attack in the regional capital Muzaffarabad while moving out of the town, the Dawn newspaper reported. Instead of exiting via Brarkot, the village bordering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the 19-vehicle convoy, including five trucks, chose to exit the region from Kohala, it said. As the convoy reached Muzaffarabad in a charged atmosphere, it was pelted with rocks near Shorran da Nakka village, to which they responded with teargas and firing, the report said. A social media clip verified by Dawn showed 3 Rangers vehicles ablaze on the Muzaffarabad-Brarkot road. After entering the city through the Western Bypass, the Rangers were welcomed with rocks again, prompting them to use teargas and bullets. The shelling was so intense that the entire neighbourhood reeled from it, the report said. Divisional Commissioner Muzaffarabad Sardar Adnan Khurshid said that at least three persons had died in firing by Rangers and another six had suffered wounds. On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had approved a Rs 23 billion subsidy for immediate release to the region after the negotiations between the protesters and the regional government ended in a deadlock. However, the Governments decision to dole out the subsidy failed to pacify the region, the report said. The disputed region also witnessed clashes on Saturday between the police and activists of a rights movement, leaving at least one police officer dead and injuring over 100 people, mostly policemen. A complete strike has also been observed in the territory since Friday, bringing life to a halt. Shortly before the violence, Prime Minister Sharif and the disputed regions Prime Minister Anwarul Haq after a meeting had approved the release of Pakistani Rs 23 billion for the region on account of power and wheat subsidies. The subsidised rate for 40kg flour will be Pakistani Rs 2,000, down from Pakistani Rs 3,100. The electricity tariff was reduced to Pakistani Rs 3, Rs 5 and Rs 6 per unit for up to 100, 300, and more than 300 units, respectively, the Dawn reported. The protest is led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has traders at the forefront in most parts of the region, who have been seeking the provision of electricity as per hydropower generation cost in the region, subsidised wheat flour and an end to the privileges of the elite class. After the subsidy was announced by the Government, the movement leaders said they would decide about it after the issuance of notifications. The notifications immediately went viral on social media. 7 Delhi hospitals, Tihar jail get bomb threat emails, nothing suspicious found NEW DELHI, SEVEN Delhi hospitals and Tihar Jail received bomb threats by email on Tuesday, two days after similar messages were sent to 20 hospitals, the airport and the office of the Northern Railways CPRO in the capital, officials said. Nothing suspicious has been found as of now, officials said. While the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said that they received bomb threat calls from four hospitals, the Delhi Police said that they received calls from seven hospitals and Tihar Jail. According to police, the emails were sent from beeble.Com, a Europe-based mailing service company, with the same content sent to hospitals on Sunday. The officer said on Tuesday the email had come from the ID [email protected] . The content of the letter read, I have placed explosive devices inside your building. They will explode in the following hour. This isnt a threat, you have a few hours to disarm the bomb or else the blood of innocent people inside the building will be on your hands. The group called Court is behind this massacre, it said. The officer said the e-mail was sent to one hospital with copies marked to others and Tihar Jail. According to a DFS official, the spate of calls began at 10.45 am. The first hospital to call was Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital in north Delhis Ashok Vihar at 9.45 am. The second call came at 10.55 am from Dada Dev Hospital in Dabri in southwest Delhi, the third at 11.01 am from Hedgewar Hospital in east Delhis Farsh Bazar and the fourth at 11.12 am from GTB Hospital in Shahdara, also in east Delhi. The other hospitals, Attar Sain Jain Hospital in Keshavpuram, Chacha Nehru Hospital in Geeta Colony and DDU Hospital in Hari Nagar also received the same mail, they said. The police officials said that they had received some calls directly at their respective police stations from the hospitals. A senior police officer said they received a call from Tihar jail about a similar email threat at 1 pm. A thorough check was conducted. The bomb disposal squad, bomb detection team, fire department and local police rushed to the spot to conduct searches, the officials said. Police and the bomb disposal squad have conducted the checking. We have also conducted checks twice. Nothing suspicious has been found so far, said V K Sharma, security officer at Hedgewar Hospital. Dr Vatsala Agarwal, Medical Superintendent of Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital, told PTI Videos, We got to know around 10 a.M. When we received an email on our official mail about a bomb threat. Right after, we informed the local SHO, who reached with his team within 5 minutes. The crowded areas were evacuated, but we kept the admitted patients inside. However, the emergency treatment was not halted while the checks were ongoing, but everyone was alert. After the bomb squad came and checked the premises, we restarted the OPD, Dr Agarwal said. Similarly, GTB officials also confirmed receiving the email, stating, At noon, we received the same email. Doctor Ravinder Singh, Joint Director of Delhi State Cancer Institute, said, Like other hospitals, we also received the bomb threat. During this time, to ensure safety, we shifted the maximum number of patients from the OPD who could be moved out, so that the bomb squad could check the area properly. Even though the staff and doctors were on high alert, there was no panic and the situation was handled calmly, an official from the Dada Dev hospital said. This is the fourth time in two weeks that various places, including schools, have received such threats in Delhi. Before Sunday, when the airport and the 20 hospitals got bomb threats, Delhis Chacha Nehru Hospital received a bomb threat on April 30. On May 1, about 150 schools got email threats generated from a Russia-based mailing service company. After 13 days: School principal held for rape of minor girl Staff Reporter The residents of Bhopal were left shell-shocked when news emerged that a school Principal, identified as Miniraj Modi, has been apprehended for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl. The accused was taken into custody by the Misrod police personnel 13 days after the victims mother filed an FIR. The accused, Miniraj Modi, was arrested 13 days after the victims mother lodged the FIR. The incident came to light during a counselling session conducted by the Child Welfare Committee, however, the courageous young girl reiterated her allegations. Encouraged by her daughters bravery, the mother made no delay in approaching the authorities and formally complained about the accused. Late on Monday night, the police swiftly took Modi into custody. Additionally, a dedicated Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to delve deeper into the case and seek justice for the young girl. As per the reports, the minor girl was allegedly raped at the boarding school hostel in Misrod within the days of admission. The incident came into the notice after a few days when she started crying on the call with her mother. The mother got worried and immediately went to meet her and the minor complained of the pain in her private parts. After that the mother went to report the matter to the police. The mother alleged the police did not file the report or give permission for a medical test saying it was late at night. Then, the complaint was filed on the night of May 2 under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code, and under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act after a medical test which proved the sexual assault. In the aftermath of the arrest, a comprehensive medical examination of the victim was conducted to gather evidence and ensure her well-being. Sadly, that victim was taken for the medical test three times. The officials said there was a problem with the previous reports and at the request of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) another medical test was done. An 8-year-old minor had to go through the pain of a medical test. According to the law, if proven guilty, this crime carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, extendable to life imprisonment. Parents and students alike are grappling with the horrifying revelation, questioning how such a heinous incident could occur within the supposedly safe confines of a school environment. As the case unfolds, the Bhopal community confronts the disturbing reality of child abuse, emphasising the need for heightened vigilance to another level and protection for vulnerable individuals. Miniraj Modis arrest serves as a stark reminder that perpetrators of such reprehensible acts will be held accountable, regardless of their position or societal status. Army illuminates border village with solar lights in J-K's Poonch Mendhar/Jammu, May 15 (PTI) Located just 600 meters from the Line of Control (LoC), the Dabbi village in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district comes alive after dusk, thanks to the army which has installed solar-powered lights to provide succour to the villagers. The project was undertaken under operation Sadhbhavana' (goodwill) and was completed in a short period, an army official said. Dabbi village in Balakote tehsil of Mendhar Sub-division is one of the worst affected villages by the cross-border shelling over the years and lacked street lights. To improve the living conditions in Dabbi village, solar-powered lights were installed in areas frequented by locals to further augment the electrification process of their village, the official said. He said that the initiative of the Army to illuminate Dabbi village with solar lights to alleviate living conditions has resulted in 19 households and 129 villagers getting access to reliable street lights. The residents now have uninterrupted lighting in the majority of the area including near the local masjid, a shrine, a school and a track leading to their animal dhoks' (sheds). Moreover, the provision of lights has allowed for the establishment of community spaces, fostering social cohesion, the official said. He said the effort by the Army allows families to function efficiently at night. This project under military civic action has yielded dividends to the people illuminating hope, paving the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for the village. The villagers praised the army for the initiative and said the solar lights had not only illuminated their village but also lit up their lives. It was very difficult for the people to move around during night hours, especially when it was raining. We are very thankful to the army for installing solar lights and illuminating the village to make it easy for the people to attend prayers without any trouble, Imam Mohd Sarfaraz told PTI. He said the village also needs proper road connectivity as it becomes very difficult at times to shift a patient to the hospital for treatment. Kazim Iqbal Khan, a resident of Lamberdar village said their village is one of the last villages in the country. They were not provided with street lights by the Power Development Department. Army has always been helpful to us and by providing solar lights, the mobility during the night hours has become easy now, he said. The army officer said the Sadhbhavana is a flagship program of the Army to address the aspirations and to improve the quality of life of the people of border villages. Key areas for placing of solar lights were identified in consultation with locals which included visiting houses in the village, transportation of apparatus of solar lights, batteries to remote locations including the farthest house of the village at 400 meters from the LoC and also spreading awareness of the use of sustainable energy at the village level, he said. He said the initiative also places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability by leveraging the potential of solar energy to address reliable lighting. Citys son Col Kale, the braveheart of Pathankot operation, killed in Gaza Staff Reporter The battle field, either in peace or in war-time, was always a preferred work station for him. He never liked to do a desk job even after hanging his boots from Indian Army. Even at the time of the supreme sacrifice, he bravely faced death on the battle field. Col Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), the brave-heart, who was working as Security Co-ordination Officer of United Nation Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS),was killed in Gaza when the vehicle he was travelling in came under attack in strife-torn Rafah recently. He was killed while going to a hospital in Rafah region of Gaza. Col Kales death has become the first international casualty in the world since the Israel-Hamas conflict commenced last year. He was the man who led the first cordon-off and sanitisation operation group of 11 JAK Rifles after the infamous Pathankot terror attack on January 2, in 2016. Col Kale was the Commanding Officer (CO) of 11 JAK Rifles and his team was the first responder after that attack. He was a true infantry man. He was always ready to serve his country. He served a long infantry tenure in Kargil and also added a feather in his cap when he served on Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, Col Kales first cousin Chinmay Kale told The Hitavada. Waibhav took voluntary retirement from the Indian Army in 2022 and he worked with Amazon and one more corporate company for a while. But he was not made for desk job. So he left the lucrative salary and corporate world and joined UN to pursue his career one month ago and also because he was keen in humanitarian mission work, said Chinmay Kale. Col Kale did his schooling from Pranjape High School in Nagpur and did his Class X from Bhavans BP Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines in early 90s. He was in Bhavans BP Vidya Mandir from Class VIII to X. Col Kale, was a Swayamsevak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from Laxmi Nagar Shakha during his school time and he was the resident of Laxmi Nagar as well. After his schooling, Col Kale joined National Defence Academy (NDA). He and his family left Nagpur and settled in Pune by then. While in the Indian Army, Col Kale had participated in a UN peacekeeping mission in Congo in 2009-10 on deputation. In fact, that posting was a motivation for undertaking the latest UN mission which proved fatal for the braveheart. Col Kale was an instructor at the armys Infantry School in Mhow. Waibhav, who joined the army in 1998 and served more than two decades, also served in the north-east and became an instructor at the Indian Armys Infantry School in Mhow. As a CO of Rashtriya Rifles in Kashmir, he was a part of counter intelligence and counter-terrorism operations in the valley, Chinmay Kale said. CJI to take call on listing of plea seeking SIT probe NEW DELHI : TWO NGOs on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to consider listing their PIL seeking a court-monitored probe by a Special Investigation Team into alleged instances of apparent quid pro quo involving political parties, corporate entities and officials of investigative agencies in the electoral bonds scheme. A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta took note of the submissions of lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGOs Common Cause and the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), that the plea needed to be listed for hearing at the earliest. The CJIs office is seized of it. It will be listed, Justice Khanna told Bhushan. A five-judge Constitution bench had on February 15 scrapped the electoral bonds scheme of anonymous political funding introduced by the BJP government. Terming it a scam, the plea filed by the NGOs has sought a direction to the authorities to investigate the source of funding of shell companies and loss-making companies which made donations to various political parties, as has been disclosed by the data released by the EC. The petition has also sought a direction to the authorities to recover the money donated by companies as part of quid pro quo arrangements where these are found to be proceeds of crime. Following the top courts judgement, the State Bank of India, the authorised financial institution under the scheme, had shared the data with the Election Commission (EC), which later made them public. The electoral bonds scheme, which was notified by the Government on January 2, 2018, was pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of its efforts to bring in transparency in political funding. The electoral bond scam has a money trail unlike the 2G scam or the coal scam, where allocations of spectrum and coal mining leases were arbitrarily made, but there was no evidence of a money trail. Yet this court ordered court-monitored investigations in both those cases, appointed special public prosecutors and formed special courts to deal with those cases, the plea said. The plea said in the electoral bond scam, some of the countrys main investigative agencies such as the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department appear to have become accessories to corruption. It claimed that several firms which were under investigation by these agencies have donated large sums of money to the ruling party, to potentially influence outcome of probes. Thus, the investigation in this case would not only need to unravel the entire conspiracy in each instance, which would involve officers of the company, officials of the government and functionaries of political parties but also the officers concerned of agencies like the ED/IT and CBI etc, who appear to have become part of this conspiracy, it alleged. The plea said this scam needs to be investigated by an SIT of sitting/retired investigating officers of impeccable integrity chosen by the apex court and working under the supervision of a retired judge of the top court. It has sought a direction for a court-monitored investigation by an SIT into the instances of apparent quid pro quo between public servants, political parties, commercial organisations, companies, officials of investigation agencies and others, and other offences as highlighted in the present petition, as have been disclosed from the electoral bond data published by the Election Commission of India. The petition has also sought a direction for investigating alleged violation of section 182(1) of the Companies Act, 2013 by companies which donated to political parties through electoral bonds within three years of their incorporation and for penalty to be imposed on such firms in terms of section 182(4) of the Act. The plea claimed the electoral bond data showed that the bulk of the bonds purchased by corporate entities appeared to have been donated as quid pro quo arrangements by corporates to political parties for getting contracts, licences, leases, clearances and approvals worth crores of rupees and securing other benefits from governments or authorities controlled by governments which were in turn controlled by political parties. It alleged that electoral bonds were given in close proximity to action by agencies like the ED, IT or CBI, raising suspicion about the donations being protection money to avoid or stall action by or in exchange for regulatory inaction by various regulators like the drug controller etc and as a consideration for favourable policy changes. Though these apparent pay offs amount to several thousand crores, they appear to have influenced contracts worth lakhs of crores and regulatory inaction by agencies worth of thousands of crores and also appear to have allowed substandard or dangerous drugs to be sold in the market, endangering the lives of millions of people in the country, it said. That is why the electoral bonds scam has been called by many astute observers as the largest scam in India so far, and perhaps in the world, it claimed. It said data also showed that various loss-making companies and shell companies were donating huge sums to political parties through electoral bonds. Data suggests that the introduction of electoral bonds led to the mushrooming of shell companies, which were used by corporate houses as conduits to launder illicit money, the plea alleged. Cleanliness drive: JMCs rally at ISBT premises Staff Reporter In order to inculcate the habit of maintaining cleanliness in and outside the residence amongst citizens, the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation is carrying out a special cleanliness and awareness campaign in the city. In the series of events, the civic body conducted a rally at ISBT premises in Damohnaka. On the occasion, senior officials of health department stated that the beauty of the city is reflected from cleanliness. Therefore, by adopting cleanliness in our lives, we not only stay healthy ourselves but also inspire people living in nearby areas to stay healthy. Deputy Commissioner, Vidyanand Bajpai also addressed the citizens and sanitation workers present during the grand cleanliness campaign. He stressed that a clean environment should be visible all around the city and for this purpose, the municipal corporation has prepared a calendar for conducting cleanliness campaigns ward-wise and engaging the community in voluntary sanitation activities. He urged everyone to work with full dedication and honesty in their role as responsible citizens for cleanliness, so that the beauty of the city can be acknowledged by visitors and the city can achieve national recognition. Bajpai said that a special cleanliness campaign was conducted in Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay ward. A cleanliness rally and street play were organized in various parts of the ward. He informed that through cleanliness rally and street play in the premises of the Deendayal Bus Stand and various streets of the ward, citizens were made aware and motivated towards cleanliness. Likewise, the JMC officials, employees also highlighted the dangers of single-use plastics and diseases associated with them to the general public, shopkeepers and pedestrians in commercial and residential areas. Bajpai urged citizens to dispose of waste generated from their homes and shops only in the municipal corporations garbage collection vehicles and also appealed for their responsibility towards nature by promoting tree plantation. The government of Tonga is reportedly deliberating whether or not to grant an operator licence to SpaceXs LEO satellite operator Starlink, which a number of people in the country are already using, albeit not legally. According to Matangi Tonga Online, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said the government has received Starlinks application and is taking it into consideration. Among other things, Sovaleni said, the government has to evaluate the impact of Starlink on existing network operators. That said, another issue is that some people who live in areas of Tonga with poor or no internet coverage are using Starlink services anyway by purchasing Starlink subscriptions in other countries and using its roaming feature to access the service in Tonga. Sovaleni warned that until Starlink receives a licence to operate in Tonga, importing Starlink terminal kits for use in Tonga is illegal, the report said. Tongas internet services have been criticised for being expensive and slow. According to the Broadband Speedchecker website, the average downlink speed in Tonga is 3.5 Mbps, with Digicel Tonga at the top range with 8.59 Mbps. Datareportal says that Tongas internet penetration rate was just over 71% at the start of 2023. The islands vulnerability to internet disruptions was graphically illustrated in January 2022, when the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano damaged the only subsea fibre cable connecting Tonga to the global internet. Ironically, Starlink was one of several telecoms companies who came to Tongas rescue after the eruption, setting up a gateway station in Fiji and sending Starlink terminals to Tonga. Modi prays at Dashashwamedh Ghat, visits Kaal Bhairav temple VARANASI, PRIME Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Dashashwamedh Ghat on the banks of the Ganga and visited the Kaal Bhairav temple here on Tuesday morning before his nomination filing from the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. He also performed aarti at the ghat amid chanting of Vedic mantras. From the Dashashwamedh Ghat, the Prime Minister took a cruise ride to the Namo Ghat and then reached the Kaal Bhairav temple. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accompanied Modi during his visit to the temple where the Prime Minister offered his prayers. In a post in Hindi on X, Modi said, My relationship with my Kashi is amazing, inseparable and incomparable... All I can say is that it cannot be expressed in words! He is eyeing a hattrick in the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, which he had won for the first time in 2014. The Prime Minister held a dazzling roadshow in Varanasi a day ago and vowed to do a lot more to serve the holy city in his third term. A day later, he posted a clip from his Mondays roadshow on X and said, The love and blessings that my family members of Kashi showered on me during the road show has become an unforgettable moment in my life. Several BJP leaders, Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of BJP and NDA-ruled States, including Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh and Eknath Shinde of Maharashtra have arrived in Varanasi to accompany Modi to the Collectorate here for his nomination filing. Following the nomination process, Modi held a meeting with BJP workers at the Rudraksha Convention Centre. Voting in Varanasi will take place in the seventh phase on June 1. Nagpur Central Jail earns Rs 2.5 cr revenue by selling products made by inmates Staff Reporter The remarkable efforts of inmates at Central Jail Nagpur have been highlighted by their staggering production output over the past year. The prison administration has witnessed a surge in productivity which resulted in a major financial contribution of nearly Rs 2.5 crore by the inmates. Under the theme of Reformation and Rehabilitation, the prison administration has consistently engaged to enhance the lives of inmates. Through skill-based training programs, inmates are equipped with the necessary skills to reintegrate into society upon completion of their sentences. The items produced by inmates not only serve as a means of personal development but also as a source of financial support for their families which even covers their daily needs and legal fees. Last year, a record-breaking achievement was witnessed, the Jail administration earned a substantial income through theskilled work of 166 jail inmates. In addition to manufacturing, the prison also engages in agriculture. From April 2023 to March 2024, the institution generated an impressive income of Rs 29.50 lakh from agriculture. The quality and durability of goods manufactured within the prison walls have not gone unnoticed, especially within judicial circles. Annually, during Diwali, a sale and exhibition of prison-produced goods is organized which attracts many for their superior craftsmanship. Peoples partial verdict out, rest will be announced on June 4 By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla As the Lok Sabha elections concluded in the State on Monday, with voting in the final eight of the 29 seats, State has witnessed two remarkable developments; dip in voting percentage and very lesser participation of women candidates. Debates over which party is going to suffer most with the drop in voting percentage are going on. Without indulging in game of certain partys advantage or disadvantage due to dip in voter turn out, Most important factor is peoples lackadaisical response to elections. Despite the Election Commissions several initiatives e.g. lucky draw etc., overall voting pattern and percentage presents dismal picture. For that the Election Commission cant be held responsible since it is an instrumental to spread awareness and facilitated voters to participate in democratic exercise seamlessly. Soaring temperature cant be prominent reason if voters did not turn up as per expectations. There are several instances in past when people ignored the extreme weather conditions are came out in large numbers to elect their leader. It seems that nature of elections from bipolar to unipolar is the prime cause behind such a action by people. The beginning of campaigning, after the result of Assembly elections held in the month of December 2023, gave glimpse of upbeat BJP and a demoralised Congress. From mass exodus from the opposition to mass fund-raising by congress party to contest elections as its accounts were freezed, all these issues presented a picture of one-sided contest. Moreover, Indore episode has aggravated the situation thats why Indore which is known for its civic society registered lower voter turnout in the fourth phase. Even if compare with rest of rounds of voting in the State, this commercial capital is among the constituencies with drop in percentage. Political parties are working beyond the ideology and there is little difference people find between them. Influx of turncoats can be seen as a major factor. People are left with almost no option neither party nor candidates selection is appealing to them. Second disappointing point in this elections is very less women candidature. It can be understood with the fact that five out of eight constituencies that went for voting in last round, there were no women candidate in the election fray. Despite the eligible female voters are As per the information from the Election Commission (EC), 74 candidates were in the race in this phase among which 69 are male and remaining (only five) are female. PM files nomination from Varanasi LS seat VARANASI : Show of STRength: Several NDA leaders, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers attend the event PRIME Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination here on Tuesday, an event attended by several NDA leaders including Union Ministers and Chief Ministers in a show of strength as he seeks a third term from the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. Sporting a white kurta-pajama and a blue sadri, Modi reached the District Collectorate after a busy morning, which included an aarti on the banks of the Ganga at Dashashwamedh ghat and prayers at the citys Kaal Bhairav temple. Immediately after filing his papers, the PM headed for the Rudraksha Convention Centre to address local party leaders and workers. BJP President J P Nadda and Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Hardeep Singh Puri, Anupriya Patel and Ramdas Athawale were among the leaders who flanked Modi as he emerged from the Collectorate after filing his papers. Before he filed his nomination, Modi posted in Hindi on X, My relationship with Kashi is amazing, inseparable and incomparable... All I can say is that it cannot be expressed in words! Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma, NCP leader Praful Patel, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, Jana Sena Party President Pawan Kalyan, Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular founder Jitan Ram Manjhi and Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha among others accompanied Modi to the collectorate. Uttar Pradesh Minister and NISHAD party chief Sanjay Nishad, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Omprakash Rajbhar, RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary, LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, Tamil Maanila Congress chief G K Vasan, BJP leader Devanathan Yadav, BDJS president Thushar Vellappally and Asom Gana Parishad President Atul Bora were also there. Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) President Nitish Kumar did not attend the event due to health reasons. According to the BJPs Varanasi unit media co-in-charge Arvind Mishra, there were four proposers for Modis nomination -- Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri, long-time RSS functionary Baijnath Patel, Lalchand Kushwaha and Sanjay Sonkar. All four, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, were present at the Collectors office when Modi submitted his nomination papers. The Prime Minister held a dazzling roadshow in Varanasi a day ago and vowed to do a lot more to serve the holy city in his third term. He spent the night in the city and filed his nomination on Tuesday. Modi posted a clip from Mondays roadshow on X and said, The love and blessings that my family members of Kashi showered on me during the road show has become an unforgettable moment in my life. Voting in Varanasi will take place in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha election on June 1. The Congress has fielded its state unit president Ajay Rai from the seat and the BSP has nominated Athar Jamal Lari. PoK is part of India, we will take it: Amit Shah Serampore (WB), May 15 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday referred to protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and said "PoK is part of India and we will take it". Addressing a rally in Serampore, Shah said while peace has returned to once trouble-torn Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir "now echoes with slogans of Azadi and protests. "After the abrogation of Article 370 by the government in 2019 peace has returned to Kashmir. But now we witness protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Earlier slogans of Azadi were heard here, now the same slogans are heard in PoK. Earlier stones were pelted here, now stones are pelted in PoK," he said. Hitting out at Congress leaders for not supporting the demand of taking over PoK, Shah said, "Congress leaders like Mani Shankar Aiyar say it should not be done as they have an atom bomb. But let me say this Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is part of India and we will take it." Shah said the present Lok Sabha elections are about "choosing between corrupt leaders of INDI alliance and honest politician Narendra Modi, who despite being Chief Minister and then Prime Minister never had an allegation of single paisa against him." "It's a fight between the 'Chinese guarantee' of the INDI Alliance and the concrete promises of Modi Ji. It's a fight between infiltration and the guarantee of citizenship under the CAA. It's a fight between 'Vote for Vikas' and 'Vote for Jihad'! The choice is yours," he said. Dubbing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as "Hirak Rani" in an apparent reference to the film "Hirak Rajar Deshe" by Oscar-awarded filmmaker Satyajit Ray, Shah said, "Satyajit Ray was a great artist and filmmaker. He made a movie - Hirak Rajar Deshe. It was quite a famous movie." "But when Mamata ji came to power, Satyajit Ray was not there, otherwise, he would have made a movie named 'Hirak Rani', instead of 'Hirak Rajar Deshe'. Mamata Banerjee is the Hirak Rani," he said. "Bengal is the land which gave us Vande Mataram and the national anthem Jana Gana Mana and played a key role in Bengal's freedom struggle. Both the communists and the TMC tried to end nationalism and patriotism in Bengal," he said. Hitting out at the TMC over various scams, Shah said "No one will be spared even if Mamata Banerjee tries to protect them." "Those involved in corruption and scams and looting common people of Bengal should be prepared to go to jail. No one will be spared," he added. Shah slammed Banerjee for opposing the CAA and "taking out rallies in support of infiltrators" to appease her vote bank. "Mamata Banerjee is spreading lies and canards about CAA. Why is she against refugees obtaining citizenship? She is supporting infiltration in Bengal but opposes Hindu refugees getting citizenship. She is taking of supporting infiltrators and Mullahs," he said. The Centre in March implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, notifying the rules four years after the law was passed by Parliament to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. Referring to politics of appeasement by the TMC in Bengal, Shah said invitations for the consecration ceremony were sent to both Mamata Didi and her nephew (Abhishek Banerjee), but they chose not to attend it, "as they are afraid that infiltrators, who are TMC's vote bank, might get offended." Hitting out at TMC candidate and sitting MP from Serampore Kalyan Banerjee for mimicking Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Shah said Mamata Banerjee and TMC leaders are known for flouting the constitution. "Mamata Banerjee and TMC continue to flout the Constitution. Mamata's 'representative' and the TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee's ridiculous act of mocking the vice president has been a shameful case of insulting a high constitutional position in the country," he said. A political row unfolded last year after Kalyan Banerjee mimicked Dhankhar during the opposition's protest on the Parliament stairs, condemning the suspension of opposition MPs. Criticising the TMC's resistance to central projects in Bengal, Shah said during the Congress-led UPA regime Bengal received around Rs 2 lakh crore in a period spanning 10 years from 2004-2014. "On the other hand, the Modi government in the last 10 years have provided a whopping Rs 9.25 lakh crore. But this money did not benefit the common people as this fund was siphoned by TMC goons...," he said. PoK ON THE BOIL THE general strike in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir is becoming a serious issue that the Pakistani authorities are not able to handle. True, the Pakistan Government has granted an immediate allocation of Rs. 23 billion to the region to sort out its problems. Yet, that aid does not seem to be good enough for the common people to feel assured of the governmental goodwill. Signs are available that the people there are no longer in a mood to listen to the Pakistani appeals for calm. It is likely that the current total strike across the region will result into a stronger-than-ever demand for liberation of that part of Kashmir from Pakistans control. This was expected to happen -- for long. For, the region under Pakistans illegal and immoral control has been asking for independence and showing a clear tilt towards India. In India, too, a vigorous thought is being promoted if India can take back the region -- through whatever means and channels -- so much so that even some top functionaries of the Government have stated time and again that the region under Pakistans illegal control belongs to India and that some day the region will be snatched back. If this is the mood in India, Pakistans power machine appears almost certain that in some more time, the country may have to lose Occupied Kashmir -- to India. This scare is growing in Pakistans power elite -- making them lose their sense of balance. The tone and tenor of their treatment to common people in the occupied Kashmir indicates a great frustration on the part of Pakistans power elite. The current strike is in protest of shockingly high prices of everything, very highly increased power bills -- plus other materials and services. The life of common man in occupied-Kashmir, thus, has become unbearable in every sense. A serious discontentment is reigning in the region as the demand for liberation from Pakistani control. Pakistans own economic condition has gone down so much that experts wonder if Islamabad would really be able to give the occupied Kashmir its due. The real issue, however, is not Pakistans ability to pump in so much money into the region. The real issue is if the common people in the region are willing to continue to live under Pakistani occupation. And it is this point that comes up in national discourse in India time and again. Most Indians feel that it is their moral duty to make PoK become and integral part of India as early as possible. Occasionally, Pakistan accuses India of fanning trouble in occupied Kashmir. Indias stance is clear: When essentials of life are not available to people, they protest, ask for better life, and agitate when the administration fails to deliver, there is no need for anybody to fan trouble in any region. The trouble in occupied Kashmir is due to terrible shortages and horrible absence of good governance. In such a situation, India does not have to do anything specially to fan trouble in occupied Kashmir. The region is sufficiently on the boil for many years and the current situation is the result of all the trouble brewing for long. Pakistans real problem is that it does not know how to govern itself. Its ruling class always belonged to filthy rich people (in most cases) who do not know how to help people understand reality without losing cool. Over time, the Pakistani economy, too, has been dwindling dangerously. In such conditions, it is not expected that the Pakistani authorities will pay special attention to occupied Kashmir and accommodate the peoples needs in an efficient manner. The people from PoK have seen the dramatic and positive change in Kashmir on the other side of the border. They also crave for similar life. That is the root of the trouble there. Priyanka Gandhi "non-serious, tourist" politician: Piyush Goyal Mumbai, May 15 (PTI) Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday described Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as a "non-serious" and "tourist" politician who disappear after elections and cannot understand the real India. Goyal also said that he respected the role of the Nehru-Gandhi family in the freedom struggle and claimed that the "personal ambition of an individual prevailed over the will of the people of India" post-Independence. "I don't think so. These are non-serious politicians. They don't seem to connect with the real India. They live in an utopian world. Occasionally, they come out into the field during elections and disappear after that," Goyal said in response to a question by PTI during his campaign trail in Mumbai on whether Priyanka Gandhi would emerge as a formidable politician in the future. "They can't really serve the people, understand the real India as a tourist politician." Asked whether Priyanka's statements on martyrdom experienced by the Nehru-Gandhi family will resonate with the people, the senior BJP leader said the Congress, after Independence, preferred to encash the work of many freedom fighters for an individual family. "Well, we respect the fact that their family has played a role in India's Independence struggle, but we should not forget the fact that Sardar Patel was chosen to lead the Congress by almost everybody in the Congress at that time. But, it was the personal ambition of an individual that prevailed over the will of the people of India," Goyal said in an apparent reference to the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. In an emotional speech during the Congress campaign in Madhya Pradesh early this month, Priyanka had asserted that her father Rajiv Gandhi had inherited "martyrdom" from his mother and not wealth and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will never understand the sacrifices made by her family. Priyanka's remarks came after Modi alleged that Rajiv Gandhi abolished inheritance tax in 1985 after coming to power so that the wealth he had inherited from his mother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi would not be taxed. Goyal, who is contesting from Mumbai North, also referred to Mahatma Gandhi's advice on disbanding the Congress after Independence and forming a new political party. "Despite Mahatma Gandhiji's advice that the purpose of Congress to get Independence is over and now there should be a new political party they preferred to encash the work that was done by so many freedom fighters. But, the encashment was not for a party but an individual family," the Union Commerce Minister said. He said over the past 75-77 years, the Congress has institutionalised that everything in the party will be for one family. Goyal also claimed that the deputy leader of Congress in the Rajya Sabha had even demanded a separate law for the Gandhi family after Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from the Lok Sabha following his conviction and sentencing in a criminal defamation case. "A separate law for one family in the country and then he (Pramod Tiwari) goes on to make it even worse saying in convicting it may not be required, but in sentencing there should be a separate law," he said. "No matter how many crimes you commit, you will not be sentenced because you are from the Gandhi-Nehru family," the BJP leader said. "This is the kind of politics that Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi represent. I think the people of India will make sure that Mahatma Gandhi's desire that the Congress should wind up will be fulfilled by the Gandhi family today," he added. Sushil Modi cremated with full State honours PATNA, SENIOR BJP leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi was cremated with full state honours in Patna on Tuesday evening. The air reverberated with chants of Sushil Modi Amar Rahein, as surging crowds broke down barricades when the mortal remains of former Bihar DyCM of the State were consigned to flames at Digha Ghat crematorium in Patna. The last rites were performed by his sons Uttarkash Modi and Akshay Modi, who lit the pyre in an emotionally surcharged atmosphere. BJP President J P Nadda, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Chaudhary and several other ministers also attended the funeral. The body of the former BJP leader was kept at the partys State office in Patna before it was taken out in a procession to the crematorium. During the procession, people chanted slogans like Sushil Modi Amar Rahein as the cortege made its way from the BJP headquarters to the cremation ground. Russia says it downed 10 US-supplied missiles over Crimea as Blinken visits Kyiv Kyiv, May 15 (AP) Russia's Defence Ministry said air defences shot down 10 US-supplied Ukrainian missiles targeting Crimea early Wednesday just as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Kyiv. The ministry said 10 US-supplied Ukrainian ATACMS missiles were destroyed over the Black Sea over Crimea. Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev said air defences shot down several Ukrainian missiles over the Black Sea and near the Belbek air base. The fragments of downed missiles fell into residential areas but caused no casualties, Razvozhayev said. The Defence Ministry said that in other Ukrainian attacks, Russian air defences also shot down nine Ukrainian drones, two Vilha rockets, two anti-radar HARM missiles and two Hammer guided bombs over the Belgorod region early Wednesday. Belgorod Gov. Vuacheslav Gladkov said two people were injured in the village of Dubovoye when a Ukrainian rocket set their house ablaze. The military said five other Ukrainian drones were downed over the Kursk region and three drones were shot down over the Bryansk region. The Defence Ministry also said that another Ukrainian drone was downed over the Tatarstan region. Tatarstan is located more than 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) east of the border with Ukraine. Vasily Golubev, the governor of the Rostov region, said two drones attacked a fuel depot. He said there were no casualties or fire. Ukraine has launched a steady series of drone attacks on oil refineries and fuel depots across Russia over the past months, causing significant damage. The Ukrainian attacks came as Russian troops pressed their offensive in northeast Ukraine that began last week, which marked the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began. In just two days, Moscow has captured from 100 to 125 square kilometres (38 to 47 square miles) that include at least seven villages, most of them already depopulated, according to two analysts who monitor the fighting using public sources of information. Blinken, who arrived Tuesday on a two-day visit, sought to rally Ukrainians' spirits during the new Russian offensive, assuring them that they are not alone and that billions of dollars in American military aid that is on the way after months of political delays will make a real difference on the battlefield. Hundreds of obscure, down-ballot primary election races for neighborhood-level political positions are drawing intense competition in Idaho and have the potential to shake up party leadership particularly within the dominant Republican Party. The problem according to officials on both sides of the fight for control and influence of the Republican Party is that many voters have no idea what precinct committeemen are and likely dont recognize the names of candidates running for these positions because they arent high profile offices like a congressional representative, state legislator or even a county commissioner or city councilor. I would say 99% of people dont know and dont know who their precinct committeeman is, former Idaho Lt. Gov. Jack Riggs said in a telephone interview. But your neighborhood precinct is the foundation of the party, and in our case, the Republican Party. The stakes are so high that Riggs wrote in an April 26 opinion piece for the North Idaho Republicans that This May, precinct committeeman will be the most important race on the ballot. Riggs, a Republican physician who served as lieutenant governor from 2001 to 2003, is the co-founder of a group called North Idaho Republicans. The group is one of at least two groups of established, traditional Idaho Republicans who are engaging heavily in the precinct committee elections this year as part of an effort to take the Republican Party back from its current leadership team that includes Chairperson Dorothy Moon. The other group is called Gem State Conservatives, and it includes former Idaho Republican Party chairpersons Trent Clark and Tom Luna. Moon defeated Luna to become chairperson of the Idaho Republican Party in 2022. Some conservatives dont feel like the Idaho Republican Party is on the right track Sandy Patano, who is married to Riggs and also active with the North Idaho Republicans, said she is getting involved because she no longer recognizes the Republican Party she has supported her whole life. Between bills in the Idaho Legislature attacking libraries, a plank in the Republican Party platform that calls for repealing the 17th Amendment that allows U.S. senators to be elected by voters and not the state legislature, controversies surrounding the North Idaho College board of trustees and what she describes as a rise in extremism, Patano said its time to take the Republican Party back. It came to the point where everyone became so frustrated with the direction of the central committee and people elected to public office who are leading our community, Patano said. We dont feel like we are on the right track. But Brent Regan, chairperson of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee and an ally of Moons, doesnt think North Idaho Republicans and Gem State Conservatives will be successful. Regan, who is also chairperson of the Idaho Freedom Foundation board of directors, called their efforts astroturfing on behalf of special interest groups. In a political context, astroturfing is an expression that means presenting something as coming from the people at the grassroots level when in fact it is not. There is a statewide effort to take over the party at the precinct level, Regan said in a telephone interview. That is not what precinct committeemen are supposed to be; its not supposed to be the elites and the higher ups, its supposed to be the grassroots, the ma and pa, Regan added. Its supposed to represent the voters and the people, not a bunch of special interests. When Tom Luna lost in a landslide and his faction of the party was no longer in charge of the party, they set aside their prior calls for unity at the convention when they lost and a bunch got up and left. Multiple efforts to reach Moon, the chairperson of the Idaho Republican Party, were unsuccessful. Additionally, Moon did not respond to a list of questions about precinct committee races that a reporter from the Sun emailed to Moon and another Idaho GOP official on April 22. What is a precinct committeeman and what do they do in Idaho? There are only a few requirements to run for precinct committeeman. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen and have been a registered voter in the precinct for at least six months before the election. Idaho law refers to the position as precinct committeeman, but anyone can run for the office, not just men. Although they are obscure, the precinct committeemen are important because they make up the grassroots level of political parties and help determine the parties leaders and rules. For example, the precinct committeeman elected in the May 21 Republican primary will play a big role in who is elected chairperson of the Idaho Republican Party during the coming GOP state convention this summer. Precinct committeemen essentially make up the county central committees for political parties in Idaho. Under state law, within 10 days of the primary election, the precinct committeemen who are elected are required to meet, organize their county central committees and elect a county chairperson and officers. Once the county central committees are organized, they select the delegates that will attend the 2024 Idaho GOP State Convention that begins June 13 in Coeur dAlene. At the convention, delegates will vote on who to elect as chairperson of the Idaho Republican Party and will help write and pass any changes to party rules or the party platform, which lists the partys core beliefs and policies it supports. In Idaho, it is basically impossible to track how much money is going into precinct committeeman campaigns. Unlike other offices, there are no campaign finance reporting requirements for precinct committeemen with the county or the state, and there is no limit to what they can raise or spend, said Chelsea Carattini, a spokesperson for the Idaho Secretary of States office. Precinct committeemen are required to disclose a paid for by designation on any materials, Carattini said. Campaign finance information gives the public a transparent look at money funding political campaigns and candidates, according to the Idaho Secretary of States Office. OLYMPIA Drama that ensued last week when three people named Bob Ferguson all filed to run for Washingtons governorship appeared to have settled down Monday when two of the trio of Bobs dropped out of the race. On Monday, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued a public statement in which he threatened to take legal action if the other two people by the same name did not withdraw their candidacies by the deadline later that day. In the final hours of filing week, anti-democracy Republicans orchestrated a cynical, deceptive attack on election integrity, Ferguson said. To be clear: I do not want these two individuals to be prosecuted so long as they do what is right and withdraw by todays 5 p.m. deadline. At a campaign event Monday in Seattle, the attorney general told supporters he had sent cease-and-desist letters to the other Bobs over the weekend. Later on Monday, the secretary of states office released a statement confirming two of the three people named Bob Ferguson had formally dropped out of the race. Voters deserve good-faith candidates who are running on the strength of their ideas to make Washington a better place to live and work, not people who pay a filing fee just to manipulate elections, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. Washingtons long history of free and fair elections must be protected and preserved in every year and campaign cycle. A state law makes it a felony to declare as a candidate for public office under the same name of a fictitious person, a false name or in using the name of an incumbent or candidate who has already filed with intent to confuse and mislead the voting public. Ferguson formally filed his campaign paperwork to run for governor May 6. Four days later, with hours to spare before the states filing deadline, two other men named Bob Ferguson threw their hats into the ring in the governors race. One of the Bobs who entered the election Friday is a military veteran in Graham, and the other is a retired state employee who lives in Yakima. All three Bobs filed as Democratic candidates. The cost to file campaign paperwork for governor is almost $2,000. A statement posted on the website titled Neighbors for Bob Ferguson PAC on Monday announced that the man named Bob Ferguson who is a military veteran from Graham was dropping out of the race. This editorial first appeared in the Lewiston Tribune and was written by Tribune editorial editor Marty Trillhaase. Idaho women and the health care providers they rely upon are far from the only ones who are suffering the effects of the Idaho Legislatures war on reproductive rights. Everyone in the Gem State who works here and depends on a healthy, vibrant economy could lose as well. The fact is that the kind of draconian anti-abortion laws found in Idaho and in the South are so unpopular that a lot of people would prefer to live elsewhere. Idahos law makes it a felony punishable by a prison sentence for any doctor to perform an abortion unless its required to save the womans life. Its also permitted in those rare cases of rape and incest where the victim is willing to fill out a police report. Compounding the effects is the lack of a health exception, empowering doctors not prosecutors to practice medicine. Its up to prosecutors and the courts to decide if a womans crisis pregnancy has deteriorated to the point where her life is in danger. Women who would prefer not to wait that long opt to get help in other states. Doctors who act too soon for a prosecutors taste could wind up explaining themselves to a jury. And this is about a spectrum of care. What about a woman who is told carrying a crisis pregnancy to term may permanently damage an organ or leave her incapable of having other children? If death is not imminent, where does she turn for help? So far, since Idahos abortion ban took effect in 2022, the effects have been felt most keenly in the health care community. Its one thing to say that Idaho has lost 22% of its practicing obstetricians in that time. Its another thing to look at the raw numbers. Between August 2022 and November 2023, 40 to 60 Idaho obstetricians quit practicing, left the Gem State or retired. And how many people were recruited to replace them? Two. So a state that began the period with one obstetrician serving 6,668 Idahoans ended with one obstetrician serving 8,510 people. Thats the view from 35,000 feet up. On the ground, youre seeing a growing number of maternal health care deserts, including communities served by hospitals that are closing their birthing centers for lack of staff. Idahos maternal and infant health is worsening, Dr. Kylie Cooper, a maternal-fetal medicine physician told the Idaho Capital Sun as she left the state. The loss of health care providers due to the criminalization of medicine will only further these health disparities. Walk, dont drive Imagine yourself walking through a beautiful neighborhood, smelling the fresh smell of blooming flowers. Now imagine that wonderful fragrance being destroyed by the foul smell of fossil fuels. In my view, our community would be much better if the people who can would try to walk or bike more because usually, the gas from cars contain fossil fuel, which can be deadly to our environment. I believe that people should try walking instead of using a car. One reason is that almost every car needs gas to work and about every type of car gas contains fossil fuel, which is horrible for the environment. Another reason is that fossil fuels can stop many plants from growing and that would mean the amount of resources we have would decrease significantly. Fossil fuel may be bad for human beings as well. The fossil fuels change fresh air into nauseating air. That nauseating air may do damage to our patients lungs that would be out of our medicines reach with todays technology. To summarize, we need to try using cars much less. I think that if people try to walk or bike more our community would be much healthier. Walking or biking is much healthier than driving since youre burning calories. To start with, since fossil fuels mostly come from gas that are for cars, try to walk, jog or bike whenever you can. Another way to solve this problem would be to use electric cars, since electric cars dont use gas. As you can see, there are many reasons to not use cars. All in all, I think our community would benefit from not driving cars because most cars contain fossil fuels which are horrible to the environment, fossil fuels are bad for human beings as well, and walking has many benefits for us and our beautiful planet. Thank you for your time and consideration. Ruth Udekwu Moscow Ready to vote Before my family moved to Idaho, we were first in Wisconsin, right off of Lake Michigan. I grew up in the sort of town where parents let their kids roller-blade to the local library, where on the weekends, we went digging for crawfish. In the summers, we looked forward to the Fourth of July almost as much as we anticipated Christmas. You never saw so much red, white and blue in your entire life. The best part about the Fourth of July was the parade, which ran right past our familys house. Wed sit out on the front porch as the parade went by, making sure to empty our garbage bags regularly to make it look like we hadnt gotten any candy. Maybe it was the sugar rush, or maybe it was the impending fireworks, but the Fourth of July had a little bit of religious fervor to it. Look, Im proud to be an American. The sentiment may be taboo and outdated in our age of apologies, where national pride has become some kind of sin, but its true nonetheless. Im proud to be an American. Im not sure when voting became a chore, because every time theres an election, I feel like that 7-year-old kid again, sitting on my parents front porch, excited and happy and just a little bit mischievous. Ill be voting in the primaries for honest, Republican candidates, like Colton Bennett and I hope you will too, no matter your party affiliation. Support for Bennett As our community prepares for the upcoming Republican primary, I urge my fellow residents to join me in supporting Colton Bennett as the clear choice for true conservative values. In a field of candidates, Bennett stands out as the only unwavering advocate for the sanctity of life, believing firmly that life begins at conception and must be protected at all costs. True conservatism is rooted in principles that uphold limited government, the family as the cornerstone of society, and lower taxes, particularly property taxes. Bennett understands that a thriving society is built upon the foundation of strong families. His commitment to preserving the authority of parents resonates with voters who value the importance of family in shaping our communities. Moreover, Bennetts stance on taxation reflects a genuine concern for the financial wellbeing of hardworking Americans. By advocating for a permanent property tax cut, he aims to alleviate the burden on homeowners and promote economic growth at the local level. In a political landscape often clouded by ambiguity and compromise, Colton Bennett offers a refreshing clarity of vision and unwavering commitment to conservative principles. I urge my fellow Republicans to cast their vote for Bennett in the upcoming primary, ensuring that our values and beliefs are represented with integrity and conviction. Cody Barr Moscow Wind farm not welcome Regarding the puff piece in the May 10 edition of the Daily News titled, Wind firm to county: Were listening, nothing could be further from the truth. Steelhead Americas (Vestas American Wind Technology) knows there is strong opposition to their project at Kamiak Butte within the region, and especially from many living in the proposed site zone. If they were good neighbors, they would politely leave when they know theyre not welcome, but thats not the case. They have Whitman County between a rock and a hard place; either play with us and let the project proceed or we entirely bypass you and go to EFSEC, which is Energy Facility Site Exploration Council. EFSEC rarely alters plans for clean energy projects and they will run it the way they see fit. Seems like bullying to me. The article quotes the project developer that the location was chosen because of wind generation and land owners willing to partner. What was left out is that Shawnee Substation has to be one of the primary driving factors because thats where the entire Industrial wind project will tie into the grid. This is what anchors it to Kamiak Butte. One fact that Whitman County residents should note, after completion of the project, per KQQQs interview with the project developer, Steelhead Americas will sell the entire project to another company. So, its wham-bam, thank you Whitman County, were out of here. Theyve made their hefty profit from the federal subsidies generously splashed about, so now its someone elses project to maintain. For reference, the Palouse Wind Farm at Oakesdale, initiated in 2012, is currently on its third owner. Steelhead Americas and Vestas, if you really are listening, please take your unsightly and unwelcome project to another location and spare our beautiful Palouse region. Tom Thompson Pullman McCann does her homework A customer buying gold at a store on Hanoi's Tran Nhan Tong Street on May 10, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy Prohibiting people from buying gold with cash is difficult to implement, and no other country has ever had such a policy, analysts said. Tax authorities recently proposed that the State Bank of Vietnam should consider mandating non-cash payments for gold to better monitor the market and prevent tax losses. It would undoubtedly improve the gold markets transparency, but analysts argued that a ban on cash purchases would be nearly impossible to implement. Huynh Trung Khanh, vice president of the Gold Trading Association and advisor to the World Gold Council in Vietnam, told VnExpress such a policy is unheard of in other countries. "Even a gold market as large as China does not prohibit the use of cash in gold transactions. They only encourage electronic payments, such as digital wallets and QR codes, which are very common there." Other Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia and Indonesia have the same approach as China, he said. Economist Ngo Tri Long said gold buyers include elderly and rural people, who often buy small quantities of the precious metal either for risk hedging or gifting. "These individuals often do not have a good grasp of technology nor do they possess smartphones for electronic bank transfers, and so banning cash transactions would create difficulties for them." Mandating cashless payments for transactions involving more than one tael of gold would be more feasible, he said. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces. "This would work for investors who purchase large quantities." Khanh said banning cash payments for gold would not have much impact on the market or stabilize prices, and might even give rise to illegal transactions, he warned. The tax authorities need to conduct a survey on gold trading to see how transactions are carried out, and an immediate cash ban would only be feasible if 90% of them are done without cash, he said. Otherwise, it would have to be done gradually in several phases. But other analysts said mandating non-cash payments would help with tax collection and market oversight. Nguyen Van Duoc, CEO of Trong Tin Accounting and Tax Consulting Company, said the ban is necessary since regulators are unable to keep tabs on gold trading. Most people buy gold without invoices, meaning tax authorities have difficulty keeping tabs on the market, he said. Gold price has been shooting up in recent weeks and repeatedly reached new historic peaks. Last Friday it soared to VND92.4 million per tael as shops ran out of inventory. It has fallen 2.6% since. Trinamul Congress today urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and refrain him from constantly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during his speeches. These speeches are communal and can create tension among the religious communities, Trinamul leaders said. Trinamul Congress Rajya Sabha MPs, Saket Gokhale and Sagarika Ghosh went to the ECI office in New Delhi and submitted the letter. Advertisement Addressing the media, Mr Gokhale said, It is unfortunate that the ECI is not taking any action against Mr Modi, who continues to flout the MCC by speaking religious and hate speeches. He alleged that after his communal speech in Rajasthan, nearly 20,000 people had written a letter to the ERCI asking it to take action against Modi. Unfortunately ECI did not take any action and has virtually become the Modi Code of Conduct, he maintained. Sagarika Ghosh said Modi was constantly announcing new schemes that involve finance. He cannot do this. He said that BJP will give Lakshmir Bhandar worth Rs 3,000 to women. This is a clear violation of MCC. She said Trinamul Congress requested the ECI that in the remaining three phases, it should caution Mr Modi. It seems that the ECI has exempted the BJP from maintaining MCC, the Trinamul leaders remarked. In a major breakthrough, the Pune zonal unit of the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) has busted a multi-state fake input tax credit (ITC) racket worth over Rs 145 crore and arrested one person from Rajasthan, official sources said here on Tuesday. The operation was carried out by the Pune zonal unit over the weekend after starting a probe involving some firms in Pune and Goa, and finding that the tentacles spread across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, with the possibility of other states not ruled out. The sources said that the scam involved at least 50 bogus firms which used fake/morphed/amended copies of documents and then claimed huge amounts of ITC without any actual supply of goods. Advertisement The sleuths of the zonal unit probed the CDRs, CAFs, and pattern of filing returns and analysed bank accounts to conclude that the syndicate, operating from different cities/states in the country, was creating bogus firms using aliases or fake identities using forged legal documents and even by-passing the unique biometric requirements for issuing SIM cards. After chasing the culprits in several cities in different states, the GST sleuths got a tip-off that Rahul Kumar, the alleged mastermind of the bogus firms and the whole racket, was operating from Jaipur. We finally traced his exact location based on some e-commerce deliveries and SIM operators inputs. The team raided his home on Friday, found incriminating evidence and arrested Kumar, said a DGGI Pune zonal unit official. The GST sleuths also uncovered his unique modus operandi whereby they created many fake identities of proprietors/authorised signatories, using SIM cards based on forged Aadhar cards to have full control of filing the GST registrations, returns, payments, cancellations, getting OTPs, etc at any time as per their convenience. Kumar was produced before a Jaipur court, which granted transit remand, and was brought to Pune where a Chief Judicial Magistrates Court sent him to 14 days remand on Monday. The sources said that further investigations are underway to trace out more fake firms that may have been created for committing fraud, the involvement of other associates/scamsters in this racket, mapping the end beneficiaries and recovering the cheated amount. The Delhi BJP on Wednesday protested outside the residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the alleged mistreatment of Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. Women activists of BJPs Mahila Morcha led by its Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva demanded strict action against Bibhav Kumar, the personal assistant of Kejriwal, for misbehaving with Maliwal. The sisters of Delhi have come here to fight for the respect of another sister Swati Malliwal, who has been the former chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), and has always spoken of women safety and advocated the concerns of women, and if she is herself not safe, that too in the CMs residence then you can clearly understand the situation of Delhi, Sachdeva said. Advertisement Sachdeva, hitting out at Arvind Kejriwal, said that the Delhi CM is silent on the issue. Referring to AAP leader Sanjay Singhs statement on the issue, the BJP leader said that he had accepted that an incident of misconduct took place at the CM house, and further questioned as to why there was a delay in taking action and why was Delhi CM not getting a formal complaint registered with the police in this regard. Sachdeva alleged that there was a bigger conspiracy behind the entire episode, and claimed that if the police itself takes up the matter for investigation then a lot of things will be unearthed in this regard. Meanwhile, BJPs candidate from New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency Bansuri Swaraj has also condemned the incident and said that if Delhi CM is not able to ensure the security of his own party leader and MP at his residence, then how will he ensure security of women in the city. On Tuesday, addressing the reporters, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said that what happened was highly condemnable and Delhi CM has taken cognizance of the matter and will take a strict action in this regard. Singh had further said that it was on Monday morning that Swati Maliwal had come to meet Delhi CM at his residence, and while she was waiting in the drawing room, Bibhav Kumar also entered the place and allegedly misbehaved with her. Singh added that the entire information regarding the incident was given to the police by Swati Maliwal as she called on 112 (Emergency Response Support System). Launching a scathing attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over an alleged assault incident of sitting Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, the BJP on Wednesday questioned the silence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor in the matter. Addressing a press conference here, BJP national spokesperson Shazia Ilmi said: Shockingly, Kejriwal is quiet on this issue. And, sadly, this isnt the first time that such a thing has happened at his residence. Earlier also, cases of misbehaviour and physical assaults have been reported in his house. Arvind Kejriwal should tell the people of the country the truth behind the incident which happened at the CM house on 13th May. For the past 48 hours, women have been asking Arvind Kejriwal this questionWhy is Arvind Kejriwal silent till now? What action has he taken against Bibhav Kumar? Did Bibhav Kumar beat up Swati Maliwal at the behest of Arvind Kejriwal? Is that the reason for which Arvind Kejriwal is trying to not take action against Bibhav Kumar?, the BJP national spokesperson said. Advertisement She further questioned the silence of the Opposition INDIA bloc over the matter. Why are the leaders of the INDI Alliance silent on this issue? From Priyanka Gandhi to Atishi, even the women of this alliance havent condemned the issue, Ilmi said. The BJP national spokesperson said people want to knowis Swati Maliwal safe? Is she being threatened to remain silent? Why hasnt anyone lodged an FIR for the incident yet? Can Arvind Kejriwal not be held responsible for what happens in the CM House? Ilmi said. The BJP national spokesperson said there are two entries on Swati Maliwals phone which lead to the contact of CM House in Delhi. After that, Swati Maliwal marks her presence in the police station. 32 hours later, Sanjay Singh (AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP) gave a statement that inside the CM House, someone misbehaved with Swati Maliwal, Ilmi said. The BJP national spokesperson said Maliwal has not made any public appearances since then. It is concerning why and how a sitting Rajya Sabha member has absconded, she said It is daunting that the former Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women is not safe in the house of Delhis Chief Minister. What can the women of Delhi expect from this government?, Ilmi added. In an appeal to the voters of Delhi, Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal said if they do not want him to remain behind bars, they must vote for the INDIA bloc candidates who are in the fray for the Lok Sabha elections. Holding a roadshow in support of Congress partys Jai Prakash Agarwal, the INDIA candidate from the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency, the chief minister gave the slogan Jo kare Kejriwal ko pyaar woh kare Modi ka inkaar (those who love Kejriwal will reject Modi). He told the people that Congress and the AAP together are contesting the elections from all seven seats of Delhi under the INDIA. While the AAP is contesting seats, Congress is contesting three. Advertisement He appealed to the AAP supporters of the Chandni Chowk constituency to vote for J P Agarwal and press the button Panja (hand), the election symbol of the Congress party. Later, he held the roadshow in the North-West Delhi constituency for Congress candidate Udit Raj and addressing the public, he alleged that the ruling dispensation at the Centre, which is claiming to secure over 400 hundred seats, wants such a heavy mandate to put an end to the reservations. He urged the voters to go and cast their vote despite the scorching heat saying this duty to vote holds a lot of patriotic significance. The AAP and Congress are contesting the Lok Sabha elections together on the seven seats of Delhi, with a seat-sharing ratio of 4: 3, where AAP is contending on four seats including New Delhi, West Delhi, South Delhi, and East Delhi, while Congress has fielded candidates from the Chandni Chowk, North- West and North East Delhi LS seats. Kejriwal alleged that there have been efforts to break him inside the jail, but with the blessings of Lord Hanuman, he stayed strong. The Delhi CM is out on an interim bail granted to him by the Supreme Court on May 10 till June 1 in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. He was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement on March 21. A labourer was charred to death in a fire that broke out at a building in East Delhis Shakarpur area, the fire department said on Wednesday. According to the Delhi Fire Services, the incident took place in Shakarpurs School block at around 2.05 am, as per the call received by them. The deceased was identified as Satender Paswan, whose charred body was recovered from the building. Advertisement A total of ten fire department vehicles were rushed to the spot for the fire fighting operation, and the blaze was brought under control at 5.25 am and was completely doused by 8.55 am, a fire official said. The building constructed at a 100 square yards plot had a ground floor and first floor, and a paper godown was being operated at the premises. As per police, the 45-year-old deceased, who was originally from Nalanda, Bihar was working here as a labourer and used to sleep in the godown, and his body was recovered near the stairs of the building. BSES and Chief Electrical Inspector are being called to inspect the site while the site inspection is being done by the forensics and crime investigation team. However, the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, the police said. An FIR is being registered in the incident against the man who is the registered owner of the property and also ran the paper godown. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a fire that broke out at an office in the Central Revenue building at the ITO, also claimed the life of an Office Superintendent. The Income Tax Department, taking to platform X had written that, The fire broke out in room no. 325 and adjoining room, primarily used for administrative purposes. Immediate evacuation was carried out and fire brigades were promptly called in. It further said that, Unfortunately, an Office Superintendent was trapped due to smoke and lost his life, despite best efforts to save him. The Income Tax Department extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the departed soul and is extending every assistance to his family in this hour of grief, the IT department added. On May 10, the 193-member United Nations General Assembly voted on a resolution to grant new rights and privileges of a member state to Palestine, an observer state. The Assembly also voted to recommend that the Security Council take another look at Palestines request for UN membership. By passing the resolution, the UN General Assembly determined that Palestine is qualified for membership. The resolution passed with 143 votes, well over the 118 necessary for approval. The United States was one of 9 member states that voted against it. Thats because the adoption of the resolution will not bring about a tangible change for Palestinians. Sustainable peace in the region can be achieved only through a two-state solution, with Israels security guaranteed, where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side with equal measures of freedom and dignity, said Robert Wood, United States Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs. It remains the U.S. view that unilateral measures at the UN and on the ground will not advance this goal. Our vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood; we have been very clear that we support it and seek to advance it meaningfully. Instead, it is an acknowledgement that statehood will come only from a process that involves direct negotiations between the parties, he said. There is no other path that guarantees Israels security and future as a democratic Jewish state, said Ambassador Wood. There is no other path that guarantees Palestinians can live in peace and with dignity in a state of their own. And there is no other path that leads to regional integration between Israel and all its Arab neighbors. The United States is committed to intensifying its engagement with the Palestinians and the rest of the region to advance a political settlement that will create a path to Palestinian statehood and subsequent membership in the United Nations, he said. The United States will continue to oppose measures that undermine the prospect of a two-state solution, said Ambassador Wood. We believe a two-state solution is the best way to achieve a durable peace in the region, along with security for Israelis and Palestinians. It remains the U.S. view that the most expeditious path toward statehood and UN membership for the Palestinian people is through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with the support of the United States and other partners. Veteran Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff has initiated legal proceedings against entities exploiting his personality and bhidu persona for commercial purposes without his authorization. Shroff lodged a lawsuit before the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, seeking protection for his infringed personality and publicity rights. These entities have been utilizing the name, voice, photographs, and his trademarked term bhidu, which colloquially translates to friend in Mumbais parlance, without the consent of Jackie Shroff. These actions aim to deceive the public by implying Shroffs endorsement and promotion of the products, illicitly capitalizing on the actors public image for financial gain. The value of these products would diminish if Shroffs unauthorized association were removed, underscoring the commercial exploitation of his persona. Advertisement On Wednesday, May 15th, the court scheduled a hearing for Shroffs plea, and Justice Sanjeev Narula, presiding over a single-judge bench, issued summons to the defendant entities named in the actors lawsuit. His lawyer, advocate Pravin Anand, emphasized in the plea, He (Shroff) is so well-known that people will assume the products are endorsed by him. He has the right to use his name due to its marketability I can understand if you are showcasing a film in which he has acted, with his consent or proper licensing. But this goes beyond nominative fair use. Anand also informed the court that they have issued advance notices to all defendants, with six confirming the removal of the material. Citing precedents from Indian and foreign courts, Anand argued that Jackie Shroff possessed rights under common law and intellectual property law to safeguard his personality. Prior to Shroff, actors Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan pursued legal avenues to protect their personality rights. In a similar instance involving actor Anil Kapoor last year, the Delhi High Court issued an interim order to safeguard his rights, restraining entities from exploiting his name, photograph, voice, and other persona elements for commercial gain without consent. Kapoor sought to prohibit the use of his name alongside the acronym AK, his voice, image, photographs, as well as his iconic characters like Mr. India, Lakhan, Nayak, and his catchphrase jhakaas without his authorization. His legal team also identified and blocked 44 links as ordered by the court. Earlier, actor Amitabh Bachchan also sought an injunction to prevent a jeweler from misusing his public image and celebrity status to promote their products, citing his publicity rights. These legal actions arise amidst ongoing discussions surrounding celebrity rights in the digital age. In Shroffs case, Justice Sanjeev Narula reserved judgment on the plea, indicating a potential swift resolution. Esha Deol was in the news because of her divorce with Bharat Takhtani after 11 years of marriage. The actress, who is busy shooting for upcoming projects, revealed that she is happy to be working again. Deol was present at a tree plantation drive In Mumbai when she spoke about her upcoming projects. The actress, who was last seen last year with Suniel Shetty in the OTT series, Hunter Tootega Nahi Todega, said, I am busy shooting for upcoming films. Announcements will be made very soon for them. I can only say I am very happy to be working. Advertisement The No Entry actress also spoke about the importance of planting trees.It is a wonderful feeling to plant a tree as this is not for us but for our future generations, Deol said. Yesterday, we saw a terrible storm in Mumbai; earlier, Dubai got flooded because of freak rains. All these are wake up calls from Mother Nature to preserve her beauty, the actress added. Staying on the subject of trees, Deol said, Nowadays, more and more trees are being cut and new buildings are being constructed on the pretext of city life. It is our responsibility, however, to plant more and more trees for our future generations. I was really struck by a recent local news item here in New York. Some young people vandalised an equestrian statue of General William Tecumseh Sherman in Grand Army Plaza in midtown Manhattan. They yelled slurs and slogans that suggest they believed Sherman to be a racist oppressor and a KKK sympathiser. But General Sherman was a hero of the American Civil War, leading Union troops in decisive battles which defeated the breakaway southern Confederate States and helped end slavery. Similar incidents have taken place all over the city as political protests have given way to vengeful destruction of many of the symbols of Americas heritage. The widely beloved World War I soldiers memorial at Fifth Avenue, for example, was defaced with demeaning graffiti, festooned with a foreign banner while the American flag was thrown on the ground and set on fire. Its hard to imagine what the men honoured by this monument could have done to earn this treatment. They were the 107th Regiment, local New York boys, who fought for their country over a century ago, many of them gave their lives. People are understandably incensed. So much of these attacks on historical sites is utterly incoherent as well as being deeply hurtful to those who understand these artefacts, which have nothing to do with any issues underlying the current agitations. What motivates people to do this? Im starting to have a theory. And its related to something else Ive been preoccupied with lately: the old adage might makes right. Ill explain what I mean Let me start by saying: nobody ever says might makes right and means it. Many people BEHAVE like they mean it. Tyrants, thugs, bullies, and crime bosses, who force their will on others because they can. But even they dont go around claiming that might makes right. They invent justifications after the fact, or they dont bother making moral arguments of any kind. They just do what suits them. Advertisement So, when we say might makes right its an accusation or an attempt at objective description. Either way, we say it to ascribe a worldview to others, not ourselves. Millennia before the modern aphorism was coined, Thucydides suggested that moral questions are only meaningful between people of equal strength, recognising that the weak have no way to enforce a moral proposition. But his was an empirical observation, not a normative or prescriptive one. Plato wrote stories with characters who said that strength is synonymous with virtue, only to be shown the error of their thinking by Socrates, the perennial hero of Platos stories. Still, might makes right does seem to touch on something fundamental reflected in long standing behavioural codes. Most traditional concepts of legitimate authority are essentially allocations of force, ritualised threats of violence by the strong and the corresponding ritualised surrender by the weak, to avoid further injury. Not surprisingly, this behaviour is prevalent throughout the animal kingdom, and we are animals, after all. But for us, it didnt remain a mere practical arrangement. At some point, we bought into the myth of legitimacy in what are just assertions of power. Questions of honour were settled by duelling or other ritual combat. Religions used punishment to enforce their notions of piousness. Kings and emperors ruled by right of conquest and victory in battle, yet accepting their authority and pledging fealty to them became considered virtuous. Even now, democratic governments assert their power over citizens, and most of us consider it not just necessary and expedient, but RIGHT, to comply with the legitimately constituted authorities. Ah, but thats different! you say. In a democracy, the strong dont force their will on the weak. We all partake in the process! The majority rules, but we all have a chance to be in the majority. But is it really so different? If the electoral victors get to gang up on the electoral losers, and enforce their will through the literal threat of violence and imprisonment, is it not functionally the same as the strong enforcing their will? Only, in this case, the strong and weak are defined collectively. When modern constitutional republics were established, their founders (having recently overthrown monarchy and/or imperialism) anticipated this problem. There is even a term for it: tyranny of the majority. To protect against this, many constitutions have large areas of personal freedom and self-ownership that are never supposed to be violated, even by the democratic will. But, over time, we seem to have lost sight of those safeguards and caveats, as more and more encroachments of the collective will against individual freedoms seem to be accepted, even advocated, in the name of some common good and sometimes, perversely, even in the name of defending specialised concepts of freedom against some perceived oppression. But in this new version of might makes right theres a twist: it is informed and animated by the assumption that might makes WRONG, or more precisely, that WEAKNESS makes right. Perhaps its because weve all been taught that its bad to think might makes right (and for the record, I do think its bad!), that many people have adopted the extreme opposite position, even though its patently absurd. This is a common fallacy, this habit of thinking that X is false necessarily means negative-X is true. I like to call it the whatever-is-not-forbidden-is-required mindset (as if it doesnt occur to us that we could possibly choose from the vast spectrum of options in-between the two polar opposites). While current trends in idealism and social activism tend to tolerate (even demand) the use of collective force against individuals or groups perceived to be in the wrong, the underlying moral presumption is that whoever is stronger or more successful is inherently evil and wrong and whoever is weaker or less fortunate is inherently morally superior. And the stronger/weaker assessment isnt just about the people directly involved, but derived from their membership in demographic groups. History, usually a very distorted reading of history, is called upon to decide which among the various demographic characteristics you possess is associated with a group that is the most oppressed or unfortunate, and your moral standing is determined by weighing that against countervailing elements in your group-identity profile. Your moral competencyand even your moral worthis judged by that. Friedrich Nietzsche sort of keyed into this when he said that all morality is an attempt by the weak to subjugate the strong. Its a tantalising insight, though I disagree with his ultimate position. Yes, morality is an attempt to get people to moderate their impulses and to refrain from certain uses of their strengths, but it applies universally. We ALL must refrain from aggression, abuse, or subjugation of others, even if we have the abilitythe strengthto do so. In other words, for moral purposes, its important not to assume strong and weak as absolute traits, but recognise that they are contextual; we can all potentially take on the role of the strong and morality helps navigate that. For instance, I may be poorer than you, but if Im using greater physical strength to beat you up, then clearly, it no longer makes sense to treat me as the disadvantaged party. Or I may be physically weaker than you, but if I bring a gun and an entourage, then suddenly Im stronger. There are a lot of social and political upheavals in the world right now where people are (hopefully) grappling with these questions. But incidents like the monument vandalisms strike me as salient. Similar antics played out during the BLM protests of 2020, when statues of Union commander in chief Ulysses S. Grant and President Abraham Lincolntwo men almost universally credited with the biggest contributions to ending slavery in the United Stateswere defaced, ostensibly to protest the legacy of slavery! Demands were made to remove or destroy the monument, in Columbus Circle, to Christopher Columbus, the first European explorer to reach the New World, who is regularly the target of stunningly anachronistic bouts of moral outrage. Perhaps the saddest of this type of incident during the 2020 riots was the depraved and sustained assault (complete with blood, faeces, and a noose) on a statue of the 19th Century abolitionist Matthias Baldwin, who dedicated his life to fighting slavery and improving life for Black Americans, and advocating racial integration in American society as early as the 1840s! Black lives actually mattered to him and he put his time and money where his mouth was. But he was a white man, and that was enough to make him evil, apparently. Matthias Baldwin used his wealth and influencehis might if you willto pursue what was right. And thats the key. Might doesnt make right. It also doesnt make wrong. Right is the moral value we want to achieve or preserve. Might is just a tool we use, either to defend or to destroy that value. The author is a lawyer, writer and editor based in Manhattan, New York. (Photographs taken by the author) Predicting that Congress wont be able to secure a single seat in Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath advised Mallikarjun Kharge, the partys national president, to prioritise honesty in his statements. The chief minister made the remark during a media interview at his official residence here on Wednesday. Yogi accused Congress of perpetuating divisions based on various factors, such as ideology, religion, geography, and language. He specifically criticised Kharge for his unsavoury remarks on revered deities like Lord Shiva and Lord Shri Ram, calling them indicative of their narrow-minded approach. Advertisement Yogi Adityanath also directed his criticism at Akhilesh Yadav, accusing him of showing disregard to Babasaheb and proponents of social justice. He also emphasised the growing dissent within the Opposition coalition regarding Prime Minister Modis vision for Indias development. He said, With the conclusion of the four phases of the Lok Sabha elections Modi wave has turned into a tsunami, while the Opposition has lost its steam. The electorate has rejected them, thwarting the Indi alliances attempts to damage the nation irreparably. Now, they will never be able to ascend to power in the country. CM Yogi highlighted the Congress partys disrespect towards Babasaheb and the SPs disregard for other champions of social justice. He cited instances of SP President Akhilesh Yadavs remarks about demolishing memorials of Dalit leaders and the removal of Babasahebs name from the Kannauj Medical College to prove his point. He said changes were made in institutions like the Kanshiram Medical College and Language University. Yogi condemned the Indi alliance for allegedly engaging in divisive caste politics disregarding the principles of the Indian Constitution. Furthermore, Yogi underscored the remarkable journey of New India under Prime Minister Modis leadership, which has transformed our nation into a beacon of respect and efficient governance. Taking a jab at the Opposition, he said, This vision of a developed India is unsettling for the Indi alliance, which hovers between advocating Pakistan and pushing for caste-based census. He criticised Congress for its extensive history of constitutional amendments and alterations. Now, they aim to undermine the reservation system for the SC, ST, and OBC communities, he added. Yogi predicted that the public would reject them in the upcoming phases of the Lok Sabha polls. He labeled the Indi alliance Anti-Ram, Anti-Indian values, and Anti-reservation. Referring to past attempts under the UPA government to dilute reservations through committees like Ranganath Mishra and Sachar, Yogi cautioned people saying, Their intentions liken them to Aurangzebs oppressive taxes. He stressed the imperative of rejecting such propositions outright. Yogi recounted the consistent support Modi received from the people of Uttar Pradesh in 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2022. In 2024, the public is again with Modi ji, with slogans like Fir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar and Abki Baar 400 Paar resonating across the country. The Election Commission has summoned Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary KS Jawahar Reddy and DGP Harish Kumar Gupta to Delhi to provide explanations regarding their inability to control post-poll violence and initiate pre-emptive measures in the wake of clashes between the TDP and the YSRCP. APs special observer Rammohan Mishra visited the violence-hit Palnadu and submitted a report to CEC Rajiv Kumar, who is personally monitoring the situation. The chief secretary and the DGP were huddled together along with ADG (intelligence) Kumar Vishwajeet on Wednesday ahead of their visit to Delhi. Incidentally, both the ADG (intelligence) and the DGP were appointed a few days back by the EC after the TDP complained that their predecessors were being partisan. The administration has now imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in Palnadu district and Tadipatri in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Section 144 of the CrPc was imposed in Narasaraopet, Macherla, Vinukonda, Sattenapalli, Pedakurapadu and Gurazala constituencies in Palnadu. Advertisement Collector and District Magistrate of Palnadu, Siva Sankar Lotheti, issued prohibitory orders following directives from the Election Commission of India banning unlawful assemblies, flying of drones and holding public meetings until further orders. Besides, gatherings of more than three people were also prohibited from moving around together. In Sattenapalli, police directed traders to shut down their shops for two days. Three YSRCP MLAs were also placed under house arrest to restore law and order in the district. They include Macherla MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy and his brother Venkata Rami Reddy, Narasaraopet MLA Gopireddy Srinivasa Reddy and Gurazala MLA Kasu Mahesh Reddy. Additional forces have been deployed in areas that witnessed violence. Tadipatri in Anantapur was also placed under Section 144 after followers of TDP leader JC Prabhakar and his son Ashmith Reddy hoisted the TDP flag on the residence of sitting YSRCP MLA Kethireddy Pedda Reddy on Tuesday. In the ensuing melee, the circle inspector was injured and a police vehicle was damaged. Video clips showed TDP activists assembling at the rooftop of the YSRCP MLAs residence and hoisting the flag while crackers were being burst. Asmith Reddy is in the fray with the TDP nominating him for the Assembly seat. The police have now escorted the three leaders elsewhere and imposed Section 144 to restore law and order. AP CEO Mukesh Kumar Meena pinpointed four areas where violence erupted Tadipatri, Macherla, Chandragiri and Narasaraopet. He said 715 police pickets have been set up, and in consultation with the DGP, special measures, including the imposition of Section 144, were initiated to restore law and order. Further investigations will be carried out and legal actions will be taken against the guilty. Meanwhile in AP, the final poll percentage, including postal ballots, was announced as 81.86 per cent. The highest voting percentage was recorded in the Ongole LS seat (87.06 per cent) and the lowest in Vizag LS (71.11 per cent) seat. In the Assembly elections, the highest voting percentage was recorded at Darsi (90.91 per cent) and lowest in Tirupati (63.32 per cent). This is the highest voting percentage recorded compared to other states during the four phases of elections, Meena said. The Centre on Wednesday issued the first set of citizenship certificates to 14 applicants under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). The Union government had notified the CAA rules for implementation on March 11. The CAA, seeking to give Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighbouring nations including Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh was passed by the Parliament in 2019. Advertisement The first set of citizenship certificates after notification of Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 were issued today. Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla handed over citizenship certificates to some applicants in the national capital, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement. Bhalla congratulated the applicants and highlighted salient features of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. Secretary Posts, Director (IB), Registrar General of India and senior officers were also present during the interactive session. The Government of India had notified Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 on 11th March 2024. The Rules envisage manner of application form, procedure for processing applications by District Level Committee (DLC) and scrutiny and grant of citizenship by State Level Empowered Committee (EC). In pursuance of these rules, applications have been received from persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have entered into India up to 31.12.2014 on account of persecution on grounds of religion or fear of such persecution, the statement said. The District Level Committees (DLCs) chaired by Senior Superintendents of Post/Superintendents of Post as designated officers, on successful verification of documents, have administered oath of allegiance to the applicants. After processing as per rules, DLCs have forwarded the applications to the State Level Empowered Committee headed by Director (Census operation). Processing of applications is completely done through the online portal. The Empowered Committee, Delhi headed by Director (Census Operation), Delhi, after due scrutiny, have decided to grant citizenship to 14 applicants. Accordingly, the Director (Census operation) granted certificates to these applicants, the statement added. Congress leader and former Delhi minister Haroon Yusuf hit out at the ruling dispensation at the Centre over the law and order situation in the national capital and demanded fresh recruitment to fill the vacancies in the Delhi Police. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, the Congress leader lamented that no effort has been made to strengthen the understaffed Delhi Police force despite the manifold increase in the population of the city over time. The Congress leader appealed to the Union home minister and the lieutenant governor of Delhi to fill the 13,500 vacant posts in the Delhi Police so that the police force could carry out its policing duties in the national capital effectively and check rising crimes. Advertisement He said the law and order situation is worse in the city with a 45 per cent rise in crimes against women and a 41 per cent rise in crimes against children. The politician claimed a spike in crimes against the elderly and also cyber crimes as well. He said crimes like murder, attempt to murder, snatching, robbery, abduction, assault on women and children have become frequent because of the alleged ineptitude of the ruling party at the Centre. Referring to the Congress manifesto, he said it promises an effective crime prevention mechanism. Accusing the BJP of protecting criminals who commit crimes against women, Yusuf said womens safety and security have become a serious issue across the country. The former Delhi minister also claimed that the crime rate in the country has witnessed a sharp rise during the past ten years, while Delhi topped the chart when it comes to crime despite being the national capital under the nose of the Union Home Ministry, he added. Congress was concerned about Delhis law and order situation, he said and assured that the party would address this issue on a priority basis when the INDIA alliance comes to power at the Centre, as the promises in the Congress manifesto have assured that Haath Badlega Halath, and protect women and children from criminals, Yusuf added. India on Wednesday underlined its commitment to SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), which has been lying dormant for eight years now, describing it as an important regional grouping for cooperation in South Asia. Visiting SAARC Secretary General Md Golam Sarwar today held meetings with Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Secretary (East) in MEA Jaideep Majumdar. The two sides had detailed discussions on various issues of regional cooperation within SAARC. During the discussions, India reiterated its commitment towards regional cooperation for growth and prosperity of the people of South Asia through SAARC. It was also underlined that India considers SAARC as an important regional association for cooperation in South Asia and has been taking several efforts and initiatives to bring the peoples of South Asia closer to each other, the MEA said in a press release. Advertisement The visit of the SAARC Secretary General is being seen as a step towards reviving the eight-member grouping, comprising India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan and the Maldives. The regional body has failed to make much headway due to the differences between India and Pakistan. Pakistan was scheduled to hold its last summit in November 2016 but that meet could not take place because India, followed by Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, declined to attend. India had refused to attend the summit because of the Uri attack by Pakistan based terror outfits in September 2018. Since then, there has been no forward movement with regard to the grouping. India has, meanwhile, been promoting sub regional cooperation with countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar and Sri Lanka so as to keep Pakistan out of any economic arrangements in the region. A 10-year-old girl sleeping in her house at Padannakkad near Kanhangad in Keralas Kasargod district was abducted, sexually assaulted and abandoned one kilometre away in the early hours of Wednesday. The incident occurred when her grandfather briefly stepped out to milk the cow. The rest of the members of the family were asleep. It is suspected that the assailant entered the house when the grandfather went out after opening the front door. The perpetrators stole the childs gold earrings and abandoned her around one kilometre away from her home. The child sought assistance from a nearby household and reported the incident. Advertisement She had injuries on her eyes and neck. She is now undergoing treatment at the District Hospital in Kanhangad The minor girl stated that she was abducted by someone who spoke Malayalam. Fingerprint experts and a dog squad arrived at the scene to conduct investigations. The Hosdurg police are actively searching for the accused. Initially, the police were investigating the incident as a case of abduction and robbery. Now the police have added charges of sexual assault in the FIR after getting the girls medical report. National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah while addressing election rallies at Teetwal and Tangdhar along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmirs Kupwara said that the ongoing Lok Sabha election is an opportunity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to express their disapproval of abrogation of Article 370. Dr Abdullah was addressing the rallies in support of his son Omar Abdullah who is contesting the election from Baramulla. Addressing another rally at Shangus in south Kashmir in support of NC candidate Mian Altaf on Wednesday, Dr. Abdullah said BJP has always played communal card to get votes and that is why we dont see any harmony in the country. Advertisement He said, These Lok Sabha elections are the first major polls to be held here after 5 August 2019 when the Article 370 was abrogated by the BJP government and it is a great opportunity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to express their displeasure against the decisions of the central government. Therefore, it is important that we use our right to vote wisely and convey the message to the country as well as the whole world that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have not accepted the decisions of 5 August 2019. Apart from this, people have also got an opportunity to reject those parties and self-styled leaders who brought BJP here in 2015 and destroyed this historic state and caused suffering, difficulties and problems to the people of every section. He was perhaps referring to the PDP that formed a coalition government with BJP. His reference was also towards the Peoples Conference of Sajad Lone who is also a candidate, Apni Party of Altaf Bukhari and DPAP of Ghulam Nabi Azad, whom the NC, PDP and Congress accuse of being the B-teams of BJP. Jammu and Kashmir has had no democracy over the last five years and the absence of an elected government has deprived people of their daily necessities as major institutions stand paralysed, Dr Abdullah said. He said that with the conclusion of the parliamentary elections, the assembly election is going to be held and we have to prepare for this election from today. Dr Abdullah said, The National Conference wishes for complete peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir and our party will continue to fight for restoration of constitutional and democratic rights of the people here. He said that ending uncertainty and anxiety in Jammu and Kashmir was the most important need of the hour. He said that those who brought guns and killed the innocent people here and went and sat in the lap of RSS, how can they be sympathetic to the people. He said that the NC will work for restoration and development of peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir and will take the lead for the relief of the people at all levels. Serving the people in all circumstances has been the basic principle of the National Conference and the party adheres to its golden principles, he stressed. A newly-married woman from North Paravoor was allegedly assaulted and tortured at her husbands house at Pantheerankavu in Kozhikode city in Kerala following an argument over poor dowry. The woman faced brutal torture from her husband, Rahul, shortly after their marriage on May 5. The domestic violence came to light when her family paid a visit to her husband Rahul P Gopals residence on Sunday and noticed bruises on her body. She revealed that Rahul attacked her and even attempted to strangle her with a mobile charging cable. Following this, the womans family took her to the police station at Patheeramkavu and filed a complaint against Rahul. She also announced her decision to end her week-long marriage and returned her Thali to Rahul. Advertisement Haridasan, the womans father, alleged that the police didnt register a case against Rahul promptly. Meanwhile, a special investigation team (SIT) led by Assistant Commissioner Saju K Abraham has been constituted to probe the case. The SIT was constituted following the womans complaint to the Kerala chief minister and other senior police officers that the petition she had filed earlier with the Pantheerankavu police was cold-shouldered by some of the officers. Rahul P Gopal, the victims husband, is the first accused in the case. In the preliminary investigation, the special team found that the 29-year-old accused had been married twice and had not revealed the details to anyone while attempting to marry the third time. He had also not secured legal divorce in one of the marriages, it has been reported. In this connection, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) ordered an investigation into the alleged laxity on the part of the Pantheerankavu police. The Kozhikode city police commissioner has been asked to submit a report on the issue in 15 days. The case is set to be considered at the next sitting of the commission in June. The woman, in her complaint, said it was the argument related to dowry that led to the alleged physical assault by her husband and his family members. The woman also claimed that she had been taken to a hospital at Feroke after she fell unconscious following the assault and that she sustained injuries on her neck, forehead and lips. However, the family of the accused said there were no incidents of assaults as alleged by the complainant and her family in the name of dowry. They said the alleged incidents took place over the source of some unknown telephone conversations and messages received by Rahuls wife. The probe team said the police would issue a lookout notice against the accused who was found absconding after he was booked on charges of domestic violence and murder attempt. Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (Northern Zone) has suspended A S Sarin, SHO of Pantheerankavu police station in connection with the dowry abuse case, for failing to discharge his duties properly. Rae Bareli, a Nehru-Gandhi bastion, has turned into one of the hottest Lok Sabha seats in the country where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is trying his luck for the first time after his mother Sonia Gandhi left the seat. With barely three days left for campaigning, both Congress and BJP are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to win this prestigious seat, which has been mostly won by the Nehru-Gandhi family since independence. Polling in the constituency is scheduled to be held on May 20 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Advertisement Rahul Gandhi, who is also contesting from Wayanad in Kerala where polling was held on April 26, opted to nominate from Rae Bareli as well after suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of Union Minister Smriti Irani from Amethi in 2019. Rahul is the third generation of the Gandhi family to contest elections from Rae Bareli. Sonia Gandhi entered the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan two months ago leaving the seat open for her children. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been camping in the constituency since May 6 to campaign for Rahul Gandhi. She is holding street meetings to seek support for her brother. On the other, the BJP has fielded UP Horticulture Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh from the Rae Bareli seat. The saffron party is trying its level best ensure victory for its candidate by upsetting the Congress applecart. Rahul and Priyanka were already striking an emotional chord with people of the constituency by continuously raking up their time-tested relationship with the Nehru-Gandhi family. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with a host of leaders of the BJP and the NDA are regularly visiting the constituency to campaign for Dinesh Pratap Singh. The importance of the seat can be gauged from the fact that the Union home minister, who arrived in Rae Bareli two days ago, said at a public meeting, If the meaning of crossing 400 is achieved by winning one seat, it should be Rae Bareli. Hence, five lotus flowers to Rae Bareli, you will cross the 400 mark automatically. For Mission 400, Amit Shah did not limit himself to speeches only. To make things difficult for Rahul Gandhi and get the support of 11 per cent of Brahmin voters in the area, he visited SP MLA Manoj Pandey at his house. Manoj is considered a prominent figure in the Brahmin community not only in Rae Bareli but also across the surrounding districts. Shah also tried to break the ice with disgruntled BJP MLAs including Aditi Singh, who were reportedly not lending adequate support to the BJP candidate. Political experts were feeling it very difficult for the BJP to win the Nehru-Gandhi bastion. But after the intervention of Amit Shah, the contest is evenly poised with both sides having an equal chance of success. Many people here say they would choose the Gandhi family that way they would be in effect choosing a prime minister or a contender for the post of prime minister. The ground situation is such that neither the election is one-sided in favour of Rahul Gandhi, nor is the path easy for Dinesh. Going by the chronology, out of a total of 20 elections held in the Rae Bareli constituency since 1952, Congress won 17 times. Feroze Gandhi won the seat two times, late prime minister Indira Gandhi was elected from here three times while Sonia Gandhi was elected MP from the constituency for as many as five consecutive terms. The history of the Rae Bareli seat is interesting. Here, great political warriors were defeated. Indira Gandhi lost the 1977 elections from the constituency. Apart from this, Bhim Rao Ambedkars wife Savita Ambedkar, Vijaya Raje Scindia, Janeshwar Mishra, and Vinay Katiyar lost their elections here. The biggest factor in favour of Rahul Gandhi is that there is still a section of the region that dreams of seeing Rahul becoming the prime minister as a successor of the Gandhi family. Nevertheless, many people can be heard asking what the guarantee is that he wont leave Rae Bareli after winning the elections as he is contesting from Wayanad too. BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh, though lost the last election to Sonia Gandhi, was successful in reducing her victory margin. The factor that goes in his favour this time is that he is accessible to the locals even though he is a minister. For the last five years, he has been active with the hope of contesting the next election. Being a ruling party member, the network of all the heads and BDC members is coming in handy to him. However, there is resentment against him at many places owing to the behaviour of his family members. The BSP has fielded Thakur Prasad Yadav, who in the past was unsuccessful twice from the Sareni segment in the assembly polls. Since no SP candidate is in the fray on this seat, which has about 23 per cent of OBC voters, the BSP has opted for a Yadav candidate. The SP and Congress are contesting the elections in alliance. There are five assembly constituencies in the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituency of which the SP had won four in 2022. The assembly segments are Bachhrawa, Sareni, Rae Bareli Sadar, Unchahar and Harchandpur. In the 2022 assembly polls, except for Rae Bareli Sadar, all seats were won by the SP. The Sadar seat was won by BJPs Aditi Singh. There are around 23% OBC voters, of them around 9 per cent are Yadavs. This mathematics can prove helpful in easing the path of Congress. SP organization is also working shoulder-to-shoulder with Congress in the elections. In the 2019 polls, BJPs Dinesh Pratap Singh received over 3.67 lakh votes but lost to Sonia Gandhi by a margin of over 1.55 lakh votes when the SP-BSP alliance left the seat for Congress. In 2014, Sonia Gandhi won by a margin of over 3.50 lakh votes against BJPs Ajay Agarwal Hitting out at the BJP in the backdrop of its leaders making statements on changing the Constitution if they come to power in 2024, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday warned the saffron party of dire consequences saying that no force in the world can touch this book (Indias Constitution). Addressing a poll rally at Bolangir parliamentary constituency, the Gandhi scion said BJP Leaders are saying if they win elections, they will tear apart the Constitution. I would like to tell all workers and leaders of the BJP no force in the world can touch this book (Indias Constitution). If you try to tear and throw away this book (Constitution), watch what the country and Congress party do to you, he stressed throwing a challenge at the BJP. Advertisement Whatever the backward classes, the Adivasis, dalits, poor people from the general caste and the minorities, farmers and labourers have got, is due to the Constitution, he said. The big leaders of BJP are saying they will do away with reservation if they win and come to power. The power and strength that constitutional rights have given to them, these people are trying to snatch it (constitutional rights), he said. People are giving GST, then it is used by 2-3 per cent people. We have to change it (the system). The first revolutionary step is the caste census which has figured in Congresss manifesto, which will throw open the exact number of Adivasis, dalits, backward classes and minorities and their population share. Everything will be crystal clear, the engagement of these sections in both the government and private sectors will come out, he said. Thereafter the krantikari (revolutionary) politics will begin in the country, Gandhi said adding that The entire public sector has been sold off to the capitalists by them (Modi Government), they have done all the work for 22 billionaires. They have waived off loans to the tune of Rs 16 lakh crore of this select group of people that means they have gifted 24 years of MGNREGA funds to these billionaires. The Congress leader said they did not give people anything, did not waive off loans of farmers, students. Small traders were not given loans. But the richest people in the country enjoyed loan waiving at the cost of the people. People have been cornered as the Government is working for 22-25 rich people not for them, he said addressing the gathering amid scorching heat. In India, around 50 per cent people are from the backward classes, 15 per cent Adivasis, 8 per cent dalits, 15 per cent minorities, 5 per cent poor general caste. More than 90 per cent people are from these sections. But they do not have any bhagidari (participation) in the country, Gandhi said. Targeting the media, he said the media does not have representatives from backward classes, thats why they never show real public issues, farmers problems. Instead they show Narendra Modis face round-the-clock and marriage in the Ambani family. In all the industrial and corporate houses, there is no representation of 90 per cent of people. In bureaucracy also, backward representation is similar, he pointed out. Alleging that PM Modi made 22-25 billionaires, he said the Congress was committed to making crores of lakhpatis if voted to power and providing Rs 8,500 every month to poor women. Besides, he promised to provide one-year apprenticeship to unemployed diploma holders and graduates while appealing voters to throw out the Modi government and vote for Congress for krantikari governance. Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Jitu Patwari on Wednesday asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent statement that he never does politics of Hindu-Muslim is totally false and a lie. Addressing media persons at the party headquarters here, Patwari maintained that the Congress does not believe in what the PM said in his recent interview. The PMs statement is a total lie and we contradict it, he asserted. Advertisement The Congress leader also claimed that the BJP-led NDA would be reduced to around 150-200 seats in the country in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. The people of the country have understood the BJPs gimmicks and that will reflect in the general election results, Patwari stated. He said the ongoing polls are a means to save democracy and the Constitution of the country. The MP Congress president also accused the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh of rampant corruption, rising crimes and failure on all fronts. The crimes against SC/ST and women in MP have increased by 25 per cent and middlemen are running the government in all departments, he alleged. We demand that CM Dr Mohan Yadav, who is also the states home minister, release a white paper on the law and order situation in MP, Patwari said. The MP government has become a government of mafias and middlemen, he alleged. In the near future, I will release a detailed list of the names of middlemen who are involved with the CM and other ministers, he declared. Patwari also emphasised the need to strengthen the Congress in MP and underscored the importance of establishing an effective system to facilitate this. He indicated towards carrying out certain changes in the partys organisational structure in the state in the near future to achieve this objective. Patwari remarked that it wouldnt be surprising if the Congress reaches the double-digit mark in Madhya Pradesh in the Lok Sabha polls. Currently, the Congress holds only one seat in Chhindwara, while the BJP has the remaining 28 of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Public Works Minister and Congress candidate from Mandi parliamentary constituency, Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday targeted BJP candidate and Bollywood actress Kangna Ranaut, saying politics is not a part-time job, one has to give full time for it. He said this while addressing the election meetings in Doharnala of Maharaja Valley, Bhuti Dojak of Lag Valley, Shot of Manikarna Valley and Bari Padhru of Kharhal Bailey of Kullu district. There is a need to save the Dev culture of the Kullu region and for this we need to be wary of such people who try to hurt our religious beliefs and traditions. Especially those people who are eaters of Beef, he said, making a veiled attack on Kangna for consuming Beef. Advertisement Singh further said that he is completely dedicated to the development of Mandi parliamentary constituency. Today Kullu -Manali is famous all over the world for tourism. Whatever development work has been done in the entire state today is the contribution of the Congress government. Six-time former Chief Minister Late Virbhadra Singh has made a huge contribution in it, said Singh. Underlining the need for further progress and development of the area in other sectors, Singh son of Virbhadra Singh and incumbent MP of Mandi PC and State Congress president Pratibha Singh said that like other districts, there is a dire need for a medical college in Kullu district as well. The increasing prevalence of serious diseases like cancer among youth in our state is deeply concerning. There is an urgent need to enhance and expand modern health services to address the growing health challenge, he said. Singh stated that he plans to prioritize the establishment of a medical college once elected as a MP and he is committed to make every effort to achieve this goal. He further said that his second major priority is the construction of Bhrigu Jot Tunnel in Lag Valley, which he is determined to complete. Earlier, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sundar Singh Thakur said that the Congress Party has made a young and educated experienced leader its candidate from Mandi parliamentary constituency, who will become a strong voice of the state at the Centre. Beef eaters have no place in the divine culture and politics of the state. Consuming Beef is a big stigma for the Dev Samaj and people should refrain from such things, he claimed. Thakur expressed confidence in Singhs victory from the Mandi parliamentary seat by a huge margin as Congress has the support of the public. Congress government in the state is united and strong under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and will complete its full tenure, he said. Amid backlash over his remarks perceived to target Muslims during an election rally in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday clarified that he didnt mean Muslims when he said those with more children and asserted that people should have as many children as they can take care of. In an interview with a news channel, Modi said, I am shocked. Who told you that whenever one talks of people with more children, the inference is they are Muslims? Why are you so unjust towards Muslims? This is the situation in poor families too. Where there is poverty, there are more children, irrespective of their social circle. I didnt mention either Hindu or Muslim. I have said that one should have as many children as you can take care of. Dont let a situation arise where the government has to take care of your children. When asked whether Muslims should vote for him in this general election, the Prime Minister refrained from directly seeking the communitys votes and said, I believe that the people of the country will vote for me. Advertisement He added, The day I start doing Hindu-Muslim, I wont be fit to live in public life. I will not do Hindu-Muslim divide, this is my resolve. The prime minister was under constant attack from the Opposition ever since he made the controversial remarks during a public rally in Rajasthan on April 21. Speaking at a crowded rally in the western state, Modi has said if the opposition led by the Congress party came to power, it would distribute the countrys wealth among those who have more children, in an apparent reference to Muslims, whom he had spoken about just before. The Congress had moved the Election Commission alleging his remarks violated the Model Code of Conduct. Following the Congress partys objections, the poll panel had issued a notice to the BJP, asking them to submit their response by April 29. The response of the saffron party has not been disclosed yet. In recent discussions between India and the United States, the topic of alleged assassination plots against separatist activists has emerged as a point of contention. While India denies any involvement of state actors, the gravity of these allegations cannot be overlooked. However, in navigating this delicate situation, it is imperative to tread carefully to avoid straining bilateral relations. The backdrop against which these allegations unfold is the longstanding issue of separatism, with some factions still advocating for Khalistan. While the movement has largely died within India, its echoes persist on foreign soil, particularly in the United States and Canada. The recent allegations of assassination plots against separatists, allegedly linked to Indian state actors, highlight the complexity of addressing such transnational challenges. In light of these developments, there is pressing need for constructive dialogue and proactive measures to prevent the escalation of tensions between India and its international partners. One avenue for addressing these concerns is through the establishment of legally enforceable bilateral treaties between India, the United States, and Canada. Such treaties could encompass provisions that prohibit the harbouring or support of separatist activities aimed at destabilising Indias territorial integrity. Additionally, they could outline mechanisms for cooperation in investigating and prosecuting individuals involved in such activities under the jurisdiction of the respective countries legal systems. By formalising these commitments through bilateral agreements, India, the United States and Canada can demonstrate their collective resolve to uphold the principles of sovereignty, security, and mutual respect. Moreover, such treaties would serve as a safeguard against allegations targeting India resurfacing. These strain diplomatic relations and undermine trust between nations. Furthermore, the establishment of robust diplomatic channels for communication and coordination would facilitate the swift resolution of any emerging issues. Through sustained dialogue and cooperation, India and its international partners can address shared concerns while fostering a climate of trust and mutual understanding. Amid the complexities of international relations, it is essential to recognise the shared commitment to upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity. As India navigates its relationship with North American countries, it must remain steadfast in its adherence to the rule of law and respect for sovereignty while these countries must be treaty bound to respect Indias territorial integrity. By fostering a climate of transparency and cooperation, all three countries can work together to address the underlying problem of separatist movements and promote dialogue and reconciliation between them. This commitment to constructive engagement is crucial in charting a path forward. The recent allegations surrounding assassination plots against separatists underscore the need for proactive measures to prevent the escalation of tensions and uphold the principles of justice and accountability. By pursuing legally enforceable instruments, India, the United States, and Canada can mitigate the risk of future incidents and strengthen their cooperation in addressing transnational challenges. Through constructive dialogue and collaboration, they can chart a path towards a more stable and secure future for all. Advertisement Only once in his life, said Rabindranath Tagore, did he feel like prostrating himself before an image, and that was when he saw the Buddha at Gaya. Through the mighty pen of Tagore, his homage to the Buddha, the living image of Indian culture in Java, Bali, Siam, Burma, Japan, China and other places abroad, has been eternal undimmed by the lapse of time. The festival of Buddha Purnima falls on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month, in the month of Vaishakha(May). Though it is celebrated mainly as the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, it is on this particular day that he attained Bodhi (Enlightenment) on the banks of the river Niranjana, Bodh Gaya, Bihar, under a pipal tree which has since been called the Bodhi Tree. He was neither in favour of extreme austerity in religion nor extreme enjoyment of worldly life. His was a Middle Path which could be followed by householders. On the eve of his death, Buddha in his last exhortation to his disciples pointed out that decay was inherent in things and one has to strive for salvation with diligence. Working for salvation requires observance of moralities such as non-violence, continence, non-lying, non-stealing and abandonment of luxury, hankering after wealth, animal sacrifice and similar other practices. Practicing what he preached, he worked incessantly for 45 long years for the good and happiness of all to his last moment. The most notable characteristic of the Buddha was his absolute purity and perfect holiness. He was so pure and so holy that he should be called the Holiest of Holies. He was the perfect model of all the virtues he preached. Among religions, Buddhism is the only one that breathes a spirit of unbounded generosity and compassion for all beings. It has always shrunk from inflicting pain, even in self-defence. Not only did it teach that knowledge without benevolence is barren, but it carried out this teaching so consistently in practice as even to endanger its own existence. It has always deprecated war between nation and nation. It has constantly discouraged capital punishment. Advertisement It sought everywhere to abolish bloody sacrifices. Without the aid of the sword, Buddhism carried its message of peace and goodwill to barbarous hordes of the most populous parts of Asia and civilized them. How a religion which taught, says Max Muller, the annihilation of all existence, of all individuality and personality as the highest object of all endeavors, could have laid hold of the minds of millions of human beings is a riddle which no one has been able to solve. But the riddle is by no means insolvable if due regard is paid to the spirit of tolerance that characterizes the religion of the Blessed Teacher. Of Buddhism alone can it be affirmed that it is free from all fanaticism. Its aim being to produce in every man a thorough internal transformation by self-culture and self-conquest, how can it have recourse to might or money or even persuasion for effecting conversion? The Tathagata has only shown the way to salvation, and it is left to each individual to decide for himself if he would follow it. Accordingly, the Buddhist kings of the world have been the most tolerant and benign. Emperor Asoka, though an ardent Buddhist himself, showered his gift on the Brahmins, the Jains as well as the Buddhists. The Buddhist kings of Ceylon in the Middle Ages were kind and considerate to the followers of the other faiths that prevailed then in their country. The Pala kings of Bengal, who were zealous Buddhists, bestowed gifts also upon the Brahmins. A tangible way in which a religion manifests its actual influence upon civilization is art. Wherever Buddhism has prevailed, artistic pagodas, vast viharas and beautiful stupas have come into existence. The finest buildings in Japan are the Buddhist temples. The beauty and charm of the frescoes of Ajanta caves serve as monumental proof of the wonderful inspiration which the religion of the Tathagata imparted to art. Not only for the arts, such as architecture and sculpture, painting and engraving, is India indebted to Buddhism, but also for science and culture in general. The best era of Indian medicine was contemporary with the ascendancy of Buddhism. The ancient Brahmins might have derived the rudiments of anatomy from the dissection of animals in sacrifices. But the true school of Indian medicine rose in public hospitals established by Asoka and other Buddhist kings in many cities. In the spirit of a true Buddhist,Nagarjuna (the fourteenth patriarch) popularized the science of Ayurveda by teaching it without reserve to all classes without distinction of caste. All sciences and arts were studied in the chief centres of Buddhist civilization, such as the great Buddhist university of Nalanda. According to the great orientalist Theodore Benfey, the very bloom of the intellectual life of India, whether it found expression in Buddhist or Brahminical works, proceeded substantially from the Dharma, and it was contemporaneous with the period in which Buddhism flourished. When Buddhism took root in China, it started a new development and gave a great impetus to Confucianism. Wherever Buddhism entered the life of a people, it always gave them refinement and embellishment. In his book Things Japanese Prof. Basil Hall Chamberlain says All education was for centuries in Buddhist hands, as was the care of the poor and sick. Buddhism introduced art, introduced medicine, moulded the folklore of the country, created the dramatic poetry, deeply influenced politics and every sphere of social and intellectual activity. In a word, Buddhism was the teacher under whose instruction the Japanese nation grew up. Buddhas will, wisdom, compassion, service, renunciation, perfect purity, exemplary personal life, the blameless methods that were employed to propagate his religious belief all these factors have contributed to hail the Buddha asa great religious teacher. In this connection the remark of S.N. Dasgupta is worth-noting. Referring to the Buddhist thought he says that it is impossible to overestimate the debt that the philosophy, culture and civilization of India owe to it in all her developments for many succeeding centuries. Although modern Hindu culture has a great many elements of the Buddhist culture, the two are not identical. The Hindus consider the Buddha as a maker of Hinduism and worship him as an avatar of God. Hinduism has accepted all the great and noble elements of Buddhism. These facts, however, do not alter the historical truth that Buddhism is different from Hinduism and Hinduism is different from Buddhism. The Hindus may worship the Buddha, because their religion is largely based on the teachings of the Buddha. The Buddhists, however, do not worship either Visnu or Siva. The Buddha distinguished his doctrine by disregarding the Vedas, animal sacrifice and caste barriers. He did not belong to the culture of the Indo-Aryans. The Vedic or Brahmanical strands in Hindu culture have given it the aspect of a national culture. The Buddhist culture, on the other hand, has been throughout an international and universal culture. The Hindu culture, in spite of its modern official version presented by influential men like Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Radhakrishnan, is still peculiar to India, whereas the Buddhist culture has been widely shared and cherished by a large section of humanity beyond the borders of India. It is true that certain elements of Brahmanical Hinduism had travelled to some south-eastern Asian lands in early medieval centuries. But these elements could not retain their characteristic Brahmanical form and were almost lost in the traditions of those lands. The Buddhist culture is, however, still flourishing, albeit slowly, in all those countries of Asia where it had penetrated and where it could not be suppressed by the sword of Islam. While it will be absurd to describe the culture of Sri Lanka, Burma, Korea, Tibet and Japan as the Hindu culture, it is quite reasonable to describe the culture of these countries as Buddhistic. The wide rift thus created between Brahmins, who were the custodians of the Vedas, and the later devotees of Buddha turned India intrinsically weak. Swami Vivekananda believed: This separation is the cause of the downfall of India. He thought it was the reason why India has been the slave of conquerors for the last thousand years. ASHIM KUMAR GHOSH The writer is a former UGC Teacher Fellow and Head of the Department of Political Science, Maharaja Sris Chandra College, Kolkata. Views expressed are personal It was a normal sunny day on the 5th of May in Manipur. But by 2 in the afternoon, the skies had darkened, and half an hour later, Mother Nature broke its fury. Be it climate change or what, the state had not seen anything like it in the last 50 years or so. Heavy rain with high-speed winds soon swept across. The clang sound on tin roofs began to be heard as hail started pouring down from the sky, and the grounds and streets were soon covered in sheets of white. The hail came down in various sizes, ranging from pebbles to pears. Transmissions were destroyed by the heavy gale, and lightning struck in a couple of places, killing one and injuring 10 others in the process. The devastation all around was so immense that the State Cabinet the next day realised that over 15,425 houses were damaged, with all of them having their tin roofs punctured by the hundreds. A few houses were also toppled. Soon it was declared that the state had sanctioned a sum of Rs 6.90 crore from the disaster relief fund and had empowered the Deputy Commissioners to make the distribution once an assessment had been done. The damage district-wise was put at Imphal West district 6,053, Imphal East district 3,600, Bishenpur district 1,179, Thoubal district 800, Kakching district 120,200 in Ukhrul district, 130 in Tengnoupal district 120 in Noney district, 100 in Kamjong district, 540 in Churachandpur district, 292 in Kangpokpi district, 16 in Chandel district, and 256 in Tamenglong district. The distribution was pegged at 5 lakhs for the valley districts and 4 lakhs for the hill districts each. But the next day, long queues of lines were seen outside shops selling CGI sheets, with people lining up from pre-dawn. Soon rumours that the shops have run out of stocks did the rounds, and news that prices have been jacked up by five hundred rupees per bundle. Soon, student groups had fanned out and forced the shop owners to return the excess amount that they had charged the customers. Soon, the Deputy Commissioners came to the scene and declared that the prices that had last stood one month ago could not be changed and warned of dire consequences if found otherwise. Advertisement But when the assessment began, it was mixed up with politics. The first group to fan out were the workers of the local BJP MLAs. Keeping in mind that the elections to the Parliament were just over, the BJP workers thought of revenge on their opponents in politics. For instance, when BJP strongman and minister Th. Biswajit reigned, his workers reportedly told a known Congress-supporting family to get their relief from Bimol, meaning the Congress candidate in the last parliamentary elections. And the next day, when the official team from the office of the Deputy Commissioner came, this particular person and a few others in the locality were skipped from the inspection and assessment. So much for fair play. The Manipur Pradesh Committee President, K. K. Meghachandra, also demanded that financial assistance be meted out to families who are victims of the calamity and also said that when contacted, the officials did not know how to make the assessments. He also demanded that the calamity be declared a national disaster. He also added that the sum of Rs 6.9 crore was too little and wrote to the Prime Minister demanding a relief package of Rs 200 crore. Soon, chief minister N. Biren Singh began touring the affected areas, making a personal assessment of the problem first hand.It was also soon discovered that more than 500 hectares of standing horticultural crops have been damaged, affecting more than 1000 farmers, according to K. Devdutta Sharma, director of Horticulture and Soil Conservation. And on the ongoing ethnic war between the Kukis and the Meiteis, which began on 3 May 2023, and has been ongoing for more than a year, the three Member Commissions of Inquiry instituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India have so far received 11,000 affidavits. This was stated to a section of the media by a senior officer of the MHA recently. The Court of Inquiry was established in November 2023 by the Government of India and asked members of the public to submit statements, allegations, or complaints in the form of an affidavit. The majority of the complaints were filed by individuals, while a few were from civil society organisations. The affidavits were made before oath commissioners or notary officers, for which the complainants do not have to pay a single rupee. The Court of Inquiry is being headed by Ajai Lamba, former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, along with Himangshu Shekar Das IAS (Retd) and Alokar Prabhakar (IPS Retd). It has also examined all the affidavits and said that soon responses would be sought from the Government of Manipur and the Government of India. The main office is located in Delhi, with a field office in Imphal. It is also questionable if adequate administrative measures were taken to prevent the violence and riots, and the historical aspects are also being examined. At least 221 people were killed, and more than 50,000 were displaced. And at least 36 Meiteis have not been traced till now, and their relatives are seeking closure for their missing cases. In the meantime, a total of 5,457 illegal immigrants from Myanmar have been detected in Kamjong District, bordering Myanmar, and their biometric readings have been taken, according to Chief Minister N.Biren Singh. Taking it to X, he said that the detection was as of 7 May 2024. He also added that 77 illegal immigrants have already been deported back to Myanmar.Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the complete boundary between India and Myanmar will be fenced up and the Free Movement Regime that has been existing since independence will be scrapped. All this is with a view to curbing illegal immigrants entering the country from that country, CM Biren Singh also added. And also, a heavy exchange of fire took place yesterday across the border in Myanmar at Myo Thit, near the international border in Kamjong. The firefight was suspected between members of the anti-Myanmarese government, the Peoples Defence Force and the Kuki National Front on one side, and the Manipur-based Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), now stationed there. The PF-KNF side is reported to have sustained high casualties, with over 30 killed and many injured, and a huge cache of arms recovered from their side. The writer is a senior journalist at The Statesman The Canadian government has fined approximately Rs 82 lakh (134,000 Canadian dollars) on the IT giant Infosys for allegedly failing to fulfil the complete employee health tax obligation for the financial year ending December 31, 2020. Penalty imposed on alleged underpayment of Employee Health Tax for the year ended December 31, 2020, Infosys stated in the filing. The company said it received notification from Canadas Finance Ministry on May 9, informing it about the penalty. The precise penalty amount specified in the filing is 134,822.38 Canadian dollars. Advertisement The company said the imposition of the fine would not significantly impact its financials, operations, or other commitments. In January this year, Infosys faced a penalty of $225 for the alleged violation of short payment of modified business tax for two quarters by the US taxation authority. Short payment refers to partial or reduced payment made that is lesser than the invoiced amount. In August last year, the Florida Department of Revenue imposed a similar penalty worth $76.92 for Infosyss tax payment shortfall. Further in October, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts imposed another fine of $1,101.96 on Infosys for rejecting the family and medical paid leave returns for the first and second quarters of 2023. The Indian Commercial Taxes Department has also taken action against the company. In September, the assistant commissioner of the Kelambakkam assessment circle in Chennai, sent a demand notice of Rs 26.5 lakh for integrated goods and services tax (IGST), along with penalty and interest charges. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, speaks at a video conference on young people's employment and entrepreneurship, in Beijing, capital of China, May 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Tuesday urged efforts to enhance the employment of college graduates and ensure stable employment among young people. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a video conference on young people's employment and entrepreneurship. He said more jobs need to be generated by promoting massive projects and key programs and launching measures for domestic demand expansion. The government should also directly create as many new jobs as possible, Ding said. Such jobs are usually in Party and government bodies, public institutions, state-owned enterprises, research institutions, and other public service organizations. More jobs should be created in fields such as rural revitalization, social work, elderly services, and emergency response at the community level, Ding said, highlighting the importance of encouraging graduates to join grassroots organizations. Ding also stressed the importance of proper guidance for college graduates regarding their career and job choices. Concerning graduates planning for entrepreneurship, Ding called for measures to assist them in tackling shortages of finance, venues and experience. According to the government work report, China aims to add more than 12 million urban jobs this year. Editor: ZAD In a sharp attack on the Congress, the SP and the BSP, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remarked on Wednesday that the previous governments had fostered mafia and dacoits in the Bundelkhand region. He emphasised that Bundelkhand had long remained parched and urged voters to ensure that such individuals lose their deposits in the current elections. Addressing an election rally for Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat at Dak Bungalow ground here, the Chief Minister said, Both the central and state governments have prioritised development of the Bundelkhand region. We envision its transformation akin to Noida, where the youth will find ample opportunities, preventing migration and attracting global talent for jobs and employment. He urged the public to support the party candidate Kunwar Pushpendra Singh Chandel. Paying tribute to the land of Alha-Udal and the brave Chandelas, the CM expressed a deep connection to Mahoba, stating, To me, Mahoba feels like my own land. He highlighted the significance of Gorakhgiri, where Baba Gorakhnath had undertaken penance and where Alha-Udal had received the boon of immortality. The CM underscored BJP governments commitment to enhancing tourism in Gorakhgiri, aiming to elevate its prominence. Reflecting on past injustices, he criticised previous administrations for neglecting Bundelkhand, a region rich in natural resources, rivers, streams, mining, and tourism potential. He pointed out that the SP government had exploited the area by fostering mafia and dacoits, causing harm to its people. Quoting the renowned saying about Mahoba, the Chief Minister remarked, Mahoba wale bade ladaiyya, inki maar sahi na jaaye (People of Mahoba are big fighters, their strike cant be tolerated). He asserted that the current elections symbolize a battle between Ram Bhakts and Ram drohis (those who oppose Lord Ram). He emphasised that only two entities oppose the BJP one who opposes Lord Ram and the other who praises Pakistan. He remarked, Those who love Pakistan should go there with a begging bowl. The CM cautioned people against voting for those who have attacked devotees of Lord Ram, urging people not to become complicit in sin. Highlighting the developmental strides made under the BJP government, the Chief Minister underscored the significant changes since the party came to power ten years ago, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that the BJP government was established in the state in 2017, and upon his first visit to Bundelkhand, local leaders expressed the need for development. Promising to leave a lasting impact, he vowed to uplift Bundelkhand to a level that future generations would remember. It feels good to see the Bundelkhand Expressway today. Our Bundelkhand is now touching new heights of development, Yogi said. Furthermore, he highlighted government initiatives such as the Har Ghar Nal Yojana, aimed at providing RO water to every household. Additionally, he mentioned landmark projects including the Arjun Sahayak Project, Ratauli Dam Project, Bhavani Dam Project, and Madgaon-Chilli Sprinkler Irrigation Project, inaugurated by the Prime Minister. These initiatives have quenched the thirst of Bundelkhands fields, signifying progress and prosperity for the region, he said. CM Adityanath emphasised that the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas has been upheld without any bias towards individuals, villages, or regions. He remarked, Today, when cannons manufactured in Bundelkhand thunder on the border, it sends shivers down the spines of those in Pakistan. He continued, Before 2017, the region was plagued by the terror of dacoits and dominated by powerful mafias. The SP, BSP and Congress nurtured these criminal elements, leading to rampant looting and endangering the safety of our daughters and businessmen. However, now weve initiated action to develop Bundelkhand akin to Noida. Our youth will no longer need to migrate. Instead, the global community will come to Bundelkhand seeking employment opportunities. The Chief Minister highlighted that today, 80 crore people in the country receive free ration, contrasting this with the situation in Pakistan, where even a kilo of flour sparks fights despite its smaller population compared to Uttar Pradesh. He credited Prime Minister Modi with lifting a larger population out of poverty in the last decade than the entire population of Pakistan. Those who sing paeans to Pakistan, should go there with a begging bowl. If they have an atom bomb, should our atom bomb be kept in the fridge? The bravery of Bundelkhands youth joining the army consistently leaves our enemies stunned. The CM criticised the Congress, noting their opposition to the construction of the Ram temple in India. In a sarcastic manner, he asked if the temple is not built in India then should it be constructed in Italy ? CM Adityanath emphasised the power of each individual vote, stating that both Prime Minister Modi and he, himself draw strength from the support of the people. He announced that in two days, Prime Minister Modi would visit the Samadhi of Swami Brahmanand in Rath, Hamirpur, to pay respect and engage with the public. He described the upcoming election as crucial for building a self-reliant and developed India under Modis leadership. He urged voters to hold accountable those responsible for keeping Bundelkhand thirsty for water and endangering national security, ensuring forfeiture of their security with their votes. He underscored the significance of the election for the nations future. Russian oil is still ending up in the United Kingdom despite sanctions, a committee heard. The import, acquisition, and supply of Russian oil and oil products into the UK was banned in December 2022. G7 countries also agreed to cap the price of Russian oil and petroleum products, more generally, to reduce Vladimir Putins ability to finance his war in Ukraine. Richard Bronze, head of geopolitics at Energy Aspects, a research company focused on global energy markets, gave evidence about the success of the sanctions to the Treasury Committee on Tuesday. Advertisement He was asked if, despite the sanctions, it was likely Russian oil was still ending up in the UK. Once it has been processed, or transformed by a refinery, yes, he said. He was asked to estimate how much. Probably not significant, these refineries, particularly in India, are a long distance from UK markets, he said. So, just from an economic perspective, we import far more of our oil from European countries, far more from the US, so most of it will be going to other destinations. It will probably be well below 5% of our total imports, but there will be some. He added it would be technically quite complex to prevent it. He said his organisation does not take policy positions, so he could not recommend anything. But in the question, are there refineries that are importing crude oil, processing it, and are those same refineries exporting to countries that are part of the price cap coalition yes, it appears so, he said. However, he said it was trickier to say if the molecules of Russian oil remain the same after they have been refined. It is trickier to say are the molecules of Russian oil the same ones, once processed, that are loaded onto tankers and coming back in, he said. He added that if the molecules are refined or processed, then that flow is permitted under the rules as they have been set by the UK and other G7 countries. Bronze was also asked if the oil price cap was working. In a short answer, no, he said. If we take the big picture, what are sanctions intended to do deter or prevent Russias activities and invasion of Ukraine. They failed to deter, and theyre failing to stop or seriously hinder. That doesnt mean theyre not having any impact at all. He said there had been a significant impact on many parts of the Russian economy due to the sanctions in total. I think even within the energy sector there is a substantial loss of revenue, he said. Russian oil sells at much greater discounts than it did historically, Russia is selling less gas than it did by pipeline, and those are affecting Russian private sector and government revenues. But I think the amount of that we can attribute to the price cap, and the mechanism that was intended to drive those prices down, feels very limited. I think much more of that impact has come from the EU import ban, and from the ban on imports by the UK, the US, and by the Western financial sanctions more broadly. He was asked if he would agree that the oil price cap was being breached very frequently. There is certainly indications of that, he said. We just started over the turn of the year to see a bit of enforcement by the US authorities, a little bit, and very limited, enforcement by UK authorities. He said there was circumstantial evidence that a lot of oil was moving above the price cap particularly last year with potentially forged or misstated documents provided by the maritime serviced providers. But I think more significantly were seeing less and less of Russias oil exports relying on Western vessels or Western financial services, he said. Adam Selipsky, head of Amazon's AWS cloud computing business, has reportedly informed his colleagues on Tuesday that he will be stepping down next month after three years in office. AWS Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Matt Garman will be his successor, Amazon confirmed. In a memo to staff, said "...given the state of the business and the leadership team, now is an appropriate moment for me to make this transition." The man who was at the forefront of the comapny's sexpansion into Artificial Intelligence (AI) said he was leaving with "mixed emotions," Economic Times said in a report. June 3, 2024, will be Adam Selipsky's last day in office, news agency Reuters said in a report. The 57-year-old Selipsky spent 14 years at AWS (Amazon Web Services) over two stints. He was the CEO of Tableau Software, a unit of Salesforce, from 2016 to 2021, when he was tapped to take over the division from Jassy who had been appointed Amazon CEO. It was in 2021 that Selipsky replaced then-AWS chief Andy Jassy. Under Selipsky's leadership, AWS saw rapid growth, doubling sales of $45.4 billion from the year before his appointment to $90.8 billion in 2023 and nearly doubling operating income to $24.6 billion over that period. Still, AWS has faced criticism that it has not been fast enough to roll out competitive generative artificial intelligence services to meet the challenge presented by competitors, including OpenAI. While AWS has the largest share in the U.S. cloud market, its dominance is under pressure from Microsoft's fast-growing Azure service that is benefiting from AI offerings powered by its tie-up with OpenAI. And Alphabet's Google is expected to roll out new AI services on Tuesday at its annual developer conference. AWS, Amazon's second-biggest business unit after e-commerce, is widely regarded as the company's growth engine, contributing about 40% to its top line. Who is Matt Garman? Garman started at Amazon as an intern during the summer of 2005 and joined the company full-time the next year as one of its first product managers. Selipsky also led AWS through several rounds of layoffs, including a few hundred jobs in April in the unit overseeing sales and marketing for physical stores technology. AWS was among the hardest hit divisions in 2023 when Amazon trimmed around 27,000 jobs across the company. Amazon Bedrock comes ri Asia Pacific Meanwhile, AWS on Wednesday announced the general availability of its managed service Amazon Bedrock in the Asia Pacific (Mumbai) region. The general availability of Bedrock in the region will support customers across the country, including public sector organisations and companies in regulated industries, to innovate and scale with generative AI applications, the Amazon subsidiary said. "We want to provide organisations in India with the performant, cost-effective infrastructure they need to build with generative AI, the availability of Amazon Bedrock in India will further spur innovation that large enterprises, startups, independent software vendors, and public sector organisations are building in India, and complement their efforts to upskill their talent in generative AI," Shalini Kapoor, Chief Technologist, APJ Public Sector, Director AWS India and South Asia, said Equity benchmark indices climbed in early trade on Wednesday, rallying for the fourth day running, amid buying in Reliance Industries and ITC along with a firm trend in the US markets. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 138.53 points to 73,243.14 in early trade. The NSE Nifty went up by 60.7 points to 22,278.55. From the Sensex pack, NTPC, Tata Steel, Bharti Airtel, ITC, Reliance Industries, Power Grid, State Bank of India, Tata Motors, Bajaj Finserv and Bajaj Finance were the major gainers. HDFC Bank, JSW Steel, UltraTech Cement and Hindustan Unilever were among the laggards. In Asian markets, Tokyo traded in the positive territory while Shanghai quoted lower. Wall Street ended with gains on Tuesday. Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.72 per cent to USD 82.96 a barrel. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 4,065.52 crore on Tuesday, according to exchange data. The BSE benchmark climbed 328.48 points or 0.45 per cent to settle at 73,104.61 on Tuesday. The NSE Nifty went up 113.80 points, or 0.51 per cent, to 22,217.85. Life, it is said, is stranger than fiction! Some real-life stories that we see around or read about are so unbelievable and inspiring that they leave us with a sense of wonder and admiration for the people who lived through them. Some such incidents have been turned into movies, offering the audience a chance to learn more about the incident and the people involved and feel empathetic. Here we look look at 5 Malayalam films that have used real-life incidents as inspiration. Pada (2022) Set in the 90s, the film revolves around an incident in which four men, Rakesh Kanhangad (Kunchako Boban), Aravindan Mannur (Joju George), Balu Kallar (Vinayakan) and Narayankutty (Dileesh Pothan) hold the then Palakkad collector, Ajay Shripad Dange (played by Arjun Radhakrishnan), hostage for nine hours, demanding the repeal of the controversial Adivasi Land Amendment Bill of 1996. The movie highlights the issue of displacement of Adivasi communities in Kerala. Directed by Kamal K.M., this compelling, thought-provoking movie is a masterful portrayal of the fight for land, justice and dignity. Virus (2019) Virus, directed by Ashiq Abu, is a medical thriller that pays a fitting tribute to men and women who displayed extraordinary courage to contain the Nipah Virus outbreak in the state in 2018. The director perfectly blends elements of drama, suspense and real-life heroism to craft an entertaining movie that also boasts some fantastic performances. The non-linearity that the director employed to tell the story adds to the suspense in the proceedings. The ensemble cast, Kunchacko Boban, Indrajith Sukumaran, Asif Ali, Tovino Thomas, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Rima Kallingal, and Sreenath Bhasi, came up with some layered, fine performances to make the movie highly engaging. The film also highlights the importance of dispelling misinformation in times of health hazard. Ennu Ninte Moideen (2015) Ennu Ninte Moideen, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Parvathy Thiruvothu in the lead, narrates the real love story of Moideen and Kanchanamala set against the backdrop of the river Iravanjippuzha and Mukkam village in Kozhikode in the 1960s. Moideen belongs to a Muslim family and Kanchanamala hails from a traditional Hindu family. As inter-religious marriages were taboo then, the couple was forced to part ways as their families objected to their union. Determined to be together, they decide to shift to America where they can live out their dream. But tragedy strikes as Moideen dies in a boat accident, destroying their plans and devastating Kanchanamala. She tries to commit suicide but Moideens mother stops her. She decides to live as Moideen's unmarried widow. 2018: Everyone is a Hero (2023) Directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, 2018 is a disaster thriller based on the Kerala floods of 2018. The movie follows the lives of multiple individuals, giving us an all-round perspective of difficulties faced by people belonging to different social strata due to the flood. The film shows how the whole state came together to rescue those affected by the catastrophic consequences of torrential downpours and floods. The film has been celebrated for its exploration of resilience and the enduring spirit of Kerala in times of absolute chaos. The movie was chosen as India's entry into the Oscars in the international feature film category. Manjummel Boys (2024) Based on an incident that happened in 2006, this survival thriller, directed by Chidambaram follows a group of friends who go on a trip to Kodaikanal and a fateful tragedy that follows. When one of them falls into the Guna Caves, the group comes together against all odds to save him. The cast of Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Basi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi, Lal Jr, Deepak Parambol, Abhiram Radhakrishnan and Arun Kurien breathe life into the characters, portraying them as men with flaws and vulnerabilities. The film also focuses on the psychological toll the tragedy takes on the characters. A must-watch, the movie is a testament to the undying, unyielding human will in the face of the harshest adversities. Popular actor Rashmika Mandanna appeared to be campaigning for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as she asked people to vote for vikas and development. Speaking to news agency ANI, Rashmika Mandanna couldn't contain her disbelief over the fact that a construction like Atal Setu in Mumbai happened in a matter of a few years. "The journey of two hours can be done in 20 minutes. As in, you wouldn't even believe it! Who would have thought that something like this would have been possible?" The Atal Setu, which is the longest bridge and seabridge in the country, is 21.8 kilometre long, including a 16.5 portion over sea, and will reduce the distance from Navi Mumbai International Airport and also cut travel time to major areas like Pune, and further to Goa and the rest of south India. Rashmika Mandanna said India is not going to stop anywhere now as nobody is now saying things are not possible in India. Look at our country; it is freaking brilliant, and in the last 10 years, our country has grown, and its infrastructure today, the planning in our country, road planningeverything is just brilliant. It is 'Haan' time," she said. She said she just got to know that the construction of Atal Setu was done in seven years and added that she was left speechless when she heard it. "The young India is growing at such a fast speed, and it's the young generation. India is the smartest country, and I take pride in it. It's something that the young Bharatiya has to vote for, and they are being responsible now," Rashmika Mandanna. The actor said youngsters in India are not influenced by whatever people say as they are very smart and responsible. "People are seeing them as being very smart, very responsible, and headed in the right direction. As a young Bharatiya to all of you from this majestic artistic infrastructure at Atal Setu, Vikas and Development should not stop. Vote for Vikas and development," Rashmika Mandanna said. Rekha Patra, the BJP candidate in West Bengals Basirhat, demanded the disqualification of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate in Basirhat, Haji Nurul Islam, on Wednesday. At a press conference in Kolkata, the saffron party claimed that he did not submit his No Due Certificate while filing his nomination. A candidate who has been in occupation of accommodation provided by the Government, at any time during the last 10 years, has to give details of the government dues accrued to him on the date of notification of the election. The candidate needs to inform that he has cleared all dues for the government services he received. Under section 33A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, along with an affidavit in Form 26, the candidate has to submit the No Dues Certificate by 3 pm on the last date of making nominations in the constituency they plan to contest. Jagannath Chattopadhyay, one of the general secretaries of West Bengal BJP, said, Haji Nurul Islam was an MP in the 15thLok Sabha which ended on May 18, 2014. He filed his nomination [for the ongoing General Elections] on May 7, 2024, that is 12 days prior to the conclusion of the 10-year period from his final day as an MP. But Haji Nurul has not submitted his No Dues Certificate. Thats why our candidate [in Basirhat] Rekha Patra has appealed to the Election Commission to cancel Haji Nurul Islams candidacy, he added. Basirhat will go to the polls in the last phase on June 1. The last day to file nominations for the final phase of elections was Tuesday. Earlier, former IPS officer and the BJPs initial candidate in Birbhum, Debashish Dhar, was also disqualified after he failed to provide the certificate. Debtanu Bhattacharya was fielded as the partys alternative candidate in Birbhum. Citing Dhars example, the BJP said Islams candidacy should also be scrapped. Chattopadhyay said, We will fight till the end. If necessary, we will go to the High Court and Supreme Court. The BJP also demanded the disqualification of TMCs Kolkata South candidate Mala Roy. The BJP spokesperson said that Roy is Kolkata Municipal Corporations Chairperson which is considered an Office of Profit. Before filing her nomination for the Lok Sabha polls, she was required to resign from her corporation post which she failed to do, said Chattopadhyay. Meanwhile, BJPs Basirhat candidate approached the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday. She sought the number of cases that have been registered against her name. Patra requested the court that no strict action be taken against her by the police. Protesters in Sandeshkhali [part of Basirhat constituency] are being arrested by the police by branding them as BJP workers. I was there since the beginning of this movement. There was no political colour to it, said Patra. But since I have been made the BJP candidate, the police are asking protesters if they do BJP. Can the police even talk like that? The central government on Wednesday handed over the first set of citizenship certificates under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Starting the process of granting nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, the certificates were given to 14 people. According to the Home Ministry, the certificates were handed over by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla after the applications were processed online through a designated portal. The CAA was enacted in December 2019 to grant Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. These include Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians. The BJP-led central government notified the CAA rules in March this year. After the enactment, the CAA got the president's assent but the rules under which the Indian citizenship was granted were issued only on March 11 this year. "The first set of citizenship certificates after notification of Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 were issued today. Union Home Secretary Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla handed over citizenship certificates to some applicants in New Delhi today. The Home Secretary congratulated the applicants and highlighted salient features of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. Secretary Posts, Director (IB), Registrar General of India and senior officers were also present during the interactive session," the home ministry said in a statement. The CAA rules authorise the District Level Committees (DLC) to accept applications of eligible people for Indian citizenship. The ministry said in its statement that the authorities have been receiving applications from people belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who were persecuted on religious grounds and entered India by December 31 th, 2014. "After processing as per rules, DLCs have forwarded the applications to the State Level Empowered Committee headed by the Director (Census operation). Processing of applications is completely done through the online portal The Empowered Committee, Delhi headed by Director (Census Operation), Delhi, after due scrutiny, have decided to grant citizenship to 14 applicants," the central government added. Opposition leaders including West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan vowed that they would not implement the law in their respective states. (With agencies input) As the Union government started granting citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act, Congress ally the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) announced it will approach the Supreme Court and the Election Commission against the move. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday granted citizenship certificates to more than 300 applicants. The IUML first filed a petition in the Supreme Court a day after it was passed in Parliamemt in 2019. It challenged the controversial bill arguing that excluding Muslims from the law goes against the right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution. Later when many others submitted petitions challenging CAA, the IUML became the lead petitioner in the batch of writ petitions in front of the Supreme Court challenging the CAA. In March, a day after the Centre notified the rules to implement the controversial Act, the IUML filed an interlocutory application in the pending writ petition seeking an immediate stay of the implementation of the CAA. In its written submission filed before the Supreme Court seeking stay of the Act, the party had called the Union government's claim that the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA), 2019 offers protection to persecuted minorities from the neighbouring countries as "baseless". The IUML is the second largest party in the principal opposition in Kerala, the Congress-led United Democratic Front. ALSO READ | Centre hands over first set of citizenship certificates under CAA The Centre on Wednesday handed over the first set of citizenship certificates under the CAA. Starting the process of granting nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, the certificates were given to 14 people. According to the Home Ministry, the certificates were handed over by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla after the applications were processed online through a designated portal. The Enforcement Directorate Wednesday arrested Congress leader and Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam here in a money laundering case days after a massive cash seizure from premises linked to his aide, official sources said. The 70-year-old leader was taken into custody at the agency's zonal office here under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He was interrogated for about six hours on the second day of questioning, the sources said. He was grilled by the federal agency on Tuesday for over nine hours and his statement was also recorded. Alam represents the Pakur seat in Jharkhand assembly and is also the parliamentary affairs minister. He came under the ED radar following the recent arrest of his personal secretary and state administrative service officer Sanjeev Kumar Lal (52) and the latter's domestic help Jahangir Alam (42) who were raided by the agency on May 6. The agency seized more than Rs 32 crore cash from a flat linked to them. The minister had earlier told reporters that he was a "law-abiding" citizen as he sought to distance himself from the activities of Lal, saying he had worked with other ministers of the state government too in the past. The money laundering investigation pertains to alleged irregularities and payment of "bribes" in the state rural development department. While seeking the remand of the two arrested persons, the ED had informed a special PMLA court here that Lal collected "commission" on behalf of some influential people and that government officials from "top to bottom" in the rural department are involved in the alleged illegal cash payments nexus. The total seizure of cash by the ED in this case has been recorded at around Rs 36.75 crore as the agency seized about Rs 3 crore from other locations including Rs 10.05 lakh from Lal's place and Rs 1.5 crore from a contractor's place. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is visiting the state as part of the Lok Sabha poll campaign, reacted to the instant case and told reporters that the BJP government will not allow people's money to be devoured by Alamgir Alam. The ED has said that the names of "senior bureaucrats and politicians" have emerged in the case and this was being investigated. It had conducted searches at the rural development ministry in Ranchi too with Lal accompanying ED officials. The money laundering case of September 2020 is based on an anti-corruption branch (Jamshedpur) case of Jharkhand Police and a March 2023 FIR filed by the economic offences wing of the Delhi Police against former chief engineer of the state rural works department Veerendra Kumar Ram and some others. Ram was arrested by the ED last year. Ram, the ED claimed, used to "collect commissions" in allocation of tender and execution of work and this commission of 1.5 per cent was "distributed" among his seniors and politicians. It was alleged by the ED before the court that one such commission was handed over by Ram to Lal in September 2022. The ED has been investigating multiple money laundering cases involving high-profile people of the state and it has arrested former chief minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren, IAS officers Chhavi Ranjan and Pooja Singhal apart from other politically linked persons over the last 2-3 years. Raising the Lok Sabha elections campaign polls rhetoric to a new derisive high, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a fierce attack against opposition leaders who are singing for Pakistan. Addressing a public meeting Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh, the UP CM said, "Those who are singing for Pakistan, ask them if they love Pakistan this much then why they are a burden on this country, go there and beg. INDI alliance leaders are threatening and saying Pakistan has atom bombs, if Pakistan has atom bombs, do we have atom bombs to keep in the fridge?" He was referring to the recent remarks of Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar in an interview where he said it is important to respect Pakistan as it is a sovereign nation. "You can talk tough with them (Pakistan). But start the dialogue. You are walking with a gun which yielded you nothing. Tensions are escalating. And if a mad person comes there, what will happen to the country? They have an atom bomb. We also possess the atomic bomb. But if an insane person detonates a bomb at Lahore station, within eight seconds, its radioactivity will reach Amritsar, the Congress leader said, attracting widespread criticism from the BJP. CM Adityanath further said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has uplifted 25 crore people from poverty and has made their lives better in the last 10 years. This is more than the population of Pakistan, he observed. On Monday during an election rally, the UP CM had dubbed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav "Ram-haters." "Ram-haters are unhappy. They say that the Ram Mandir is useless. They used to open fire at Ram devotees. During their time, there used to be terrorist attacks on the Janmabhoomi and the cases filed against terrorists were withdrawn," he had said. The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the arrest of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha under UAPA is "invalid", directing his immediate release from custody. The apex court bench, comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Sandeep Mehta, observed that the remand application or the reason for his arrest was not supplied to him or his lawyer before his custody application was decided by the trial court. "There is no hesitation in the mind of the court that the grounds of arrest were not provided, which vitiates the arrest. The appellant is entitled to release from custody after the Pankaj Bansal case. The remand order is invalid," said Justice Mehta. Last month, the top court had questioned the Delhi police for producing Purkayastha before the magistrate without informing his lawyer after his arrest. The FIR against NewsClick alleged that the news portal received funds from China to "disrupt the sovereignty of India" and cause disaffection against the country. It also claimed that the NewsClick founder conspired with People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to sabotage the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has reacted to the US warning of "potential risks of sanction" against India after a pact with Iran on Chabahar Port, stating that the project will benefit the entire region and people should not take a "narrow view" of it. He added that the United States had previously acknowledged the broader significance of Chabahar. Jaishankar's statement came as India signed a 10-year contract with Iran on Monday to develop and operate the Iranian port of Chabahar. The US had then warned India, stating that "anyone considering business deals with Iran should need to be aware of the potential risks that they are opening themselves up to and the potential risk of sanctions." When asked about the US reaction to the Indo-Iranian deal, the EAM said: "I did see some of the remarks which were made, but I think its a question of communicating, convincing and getting people to understand, that this is actually for everyones benefit. I dont think people should take a narrow view of it." "They (US) have not done so in the past. So, if you look at the US own attitude towards the port in Chabahar, the US has been appreciative of the fact that Chabahar has a larger relevancewe will work at it," he added. The EAM said though India had a longstanding involvement with the project, it had not been able to formalise a long-term agreement until now. However, New Delhi managed to successfully address outstanding issues, paving the way for the signing of the long-term agreement. "We have had a long association with the Chabahar Port, but we could never sign a long-term agreement. The reason wasthere were various problems on the Iranian endthe joint-venture partner changes, the condition changed," Jaishankar said. "Finally, we were able to sort this out and we were able to get the long-term agreement done. The long-term agreement is necessary because without it you cannot really improve the port operation. And the port operation we believe, will benefit the entire region," he added. The latest development can also be seen as Indias answer to the strategically-located port of Gwadar in Pakistan that has been built with Chinese help providing the latter with an important sphere of influence in the region. Chabahar is located in the Sistan-Baluchistan province on Irans southwestern coast and only 550 nautical miles (NM) from Gujarats Kandla port and 786 NM from Mumbai. Its immense strategic importance lies in the fact that it offers an alternative transit from the Strait of Hormuz for cargo traffic between Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. On Monday, the economic advisor to Nepal's President Ram Chandra Paudel resigned from his post. Chiranjivi Nepal's resignation came after he termed 'inappropriate' the government's decision to print the new map on the notes as an inappropriate move'. His sudden resignation suggests that even Nepal isn't willing to downplay or backtrack from its decision to claim the territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani as its own. The border row was ignited a week ago when Nepal announced a new currency note featuring a map that shows Kalapani, Lipu Lekh and Limpiyadhura, which are currently under India's control. Nepal has claimed the 335 square kilometres (130 square miles) of land. India reacted to it, stating that Nepals unilateral actions will not change the ground reality. But, this isn't the first time that Nepal has come out with a currency note showing the Limpiyadhura-Kalapani-Lipulekh area within its territorial boundary. On June 18, 2020, Nepal updated its new political map with these three strategic regions, which was disregarded by India, which called it an 'artificial enlargement' and 'untenable'. Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura The 370-square-kilometre strip is located at the north-western corner of the country at the trijunction between India, Nepal, and China. The land has been under Indian administration for a long time. The territorial boundary of modern Nepal was defined by the Sugauli Treaty signed with the British East India Company in 1815. It said that the course of the Kali River ( also known as the Sharda in India) marked Nepals boundary on its western side while River Mechi marked its border on the eastern side. The treaty was the result of a battle between the Gorkha Kingdom and the British East India Company. The borders were not marked on a map and even if it was, it has not been found. The Kali River has two tributariesone starting at Lipukekh and the other at Limpiyadhura. The treaty did not specify which of these two tributaries would be considered the Kali to delineate the boundary. While Nepal argues that the Kali begins further west in Limpiyadhura, India claims the Kali starts at Lipulekh, which lies east of the pass that Nepal claims as its own. India's claim is based on the 1879 map handed down to it during Independence. The British East India Company shifted the boundaries to the east of Kalapani. The monarch who ruled Nepal didnt object, and this continued after India's Independence too. In the early 1960s, King Mahendra gave consent to Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to continue the use of the Lipulekh-Kalapani area. The Lipulekh Pass is one of the trading routes between India and Tibet and holds historical and cultural significance. During the Sino-Indian War, this trade route was under scrutiny as they feared that it could be used as a secret passage for incursions by Chinese troops during wartime. In 1962, Indians closed this trade route as an aftermath of the Sino-Indian war. Nepal raised the issue with India in 1991 after the country shifted from a monarchy to a democratic government. The newly elected government raised objections regarding this trijunction with India, leading to the formation of a committee. Several claims were resolved, but the Limpiyadhura-Kalapani-Lipulekh region remained untouched. Recent boundary dispute The boundary dispute between the two countries escalated after New Delhi issued a political map in November 2019 that placed the contested area within India's territory. Relations became more strained when India inaugurated an 80-kilometre-long roadway that passes through Lipu Lekh, a disputed area that lies at the strategic Nepal-India-China tri-border. The new road links Darchula to Pithorograh in Uttarakhand which Nepal claims as part of their region as per historical records. The Nepal government reacted to this. The road also holds strategic significance as it will provide a link to the Indian troops assigned at the Line of Actual Control. In 2020, Nepals Parliament cleared a Constitution Amendment Bill that endorses the countrys new map that includes territories with India Limpiadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani. Weeks earlier, Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli declared those areas would be brought within Nepals map and possession. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that his "those with more children" remark was aimed at "every poor family" and not at Muslims. The Prime Minister added that the day he starts "doing Hindu-Muslim, he will be unworthy of public life." He cleared the air about his statement in an interview with News 18. Adding that he does not market love towards Muslims, Modi said: "I do not work for a vote bank. I believe in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas." "I am shocked. Who told you that whenever one talks of people with more children, the inference is they are Muslims? Why are you so unjust towards Muslims? This is the situation in poor families too. Where there is poverty, there are more children, irrespective of their social circle. I didn't mention either Hindu or Muslim. I have said that one should have as many children as you can take care of. Don't let a situation arise where the government has to take care of your children," the Prime Minister said on Tuesday. Modi said he was targetted by his opponent, who tarnished his name among Muslims, after the 2022 Godhra riots. "This issue is not about Muslims. Irrespective of how supportive individual Muslims are of Modi, there is a wave of thought that dictates to them, 'do this, do that'. In my house, there are all Muslim families around me. Eid was also celebrated in our house, and there were other festivals in our house. Food was not cooked in our house on the day of Eid. Food used to come to my place from all the Muslim families. When Muharram started, we needed to come out from under the Tajiya, we were taught. I grew up in that world. Even today, many of my friends are Muslims. After 2002 (Godhra), my image was tarnished," he added. On whether Muslims would vote for him in this Lok Sabha election, Modi said that the people of the country would vote for me. "The day I start doing Hindu-Muslims, I won't be entitled to live in the public domain. I won't do Hindu-Muslim. This is my pledge," PM Modi said. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi However, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarification, asking him why it took him so long to issue a "false clarification" over his 'infiltrators' and "those with more children" remarks. Owaisi also accused the Prime Minister and the BJP of spreading countless lies and "immense hatred" against Muslims in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. "In his speech, Modi had called Muslims infiltrators and those with too many children. Now he is saying that he was not talking about Muslims, he never used the Hindu-Muslim angle. Why did it take so long to give this false clarification? Modi's political journey has been based solely on anti-Muslim politics," Owaisi said in a post on X. "In this election, Modi and the BJP have spread countless lies and immense hatred against Muslims. It's not just Modi who is in the dock, but every voter who voted for the BJP despite these speeches," Owaisi added. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested an accused in an espionage case involving a Sri Lankan and a Pakistani national. The accused, Nuruddin alias Rafi, had absconded after jumping bail. Rafi was carrying a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh. He was arrested from the Rajiv Nagar area of Mysuru, Karnataka by the NIA team. A house search was also conducted after his arrest and several "incriminating materials", including mobile phones, laptop, pen drives and a drone, were recovered, said the agency in an official statement. When Rafi failed to appear before the NIA Special Court, Chennai, after being released on bail, a non-bailable warrant was issued against him. The court had declared him a proclaimed offender on May 7 this year. The case is related to a terror conspiracy to carry out explosions at the US Consulate in Chennai and the Israel Embassy in Bengaluru in 2014. According to the NIA, the conspiracy was by Sri Lankan national Muhammed Sakir Hussain and Amir Zubair Siddique, a Pakistani national National employed at the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka. NIA investigations have revealed that Nuruddin was involved in financing the anti-national espionage activities through high-quality fake Indian currency notes at the behest of the accused Pakistani national. The trial against Nuruddin, which was stalled after he had absconded, will now resume, the probe agency added. When the Congress announced its candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's name did not figure for either of the two seats that are known as the Gandhi family stronghold, it came as a surprise to many. However, since May 8, Priyanka has dominated the electioneering in the two seats, her campaign marked by her emotional outreach to the people and a constant reminder of the Gandhi's family's old ties with the constituencies. Priyanka has taken charge of the campaign in the two seats, overseeing the grassroot-level outreach while dominating the optics with her numerous public meetings that start in the morning and go on till late in the evening. She has in the past too taken up a similar role, looking after the campaign in Amethi and Rae Bareli for her brother Rahul and mother Sonia, respectively. However, what is different this time is that Amethi is no longer with the Congress, Sonia has moved to the Rajya Sabha, and Rahul is contesting from Rae Bareli. Family loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma is the candidate from Amethi. The BJP has fielded UP minister Dinesh Pratap Singh, who has influence in certain pockets in Rae Bareli, as its candidate from the seat. Sharma is up against the high-profile Smriti Irani, who had handed Rahul a shock defeat in Amethi in 2014. The AICC General Secretary has made an emotional appeal to the people of the two seats, reminding them about the century-old ties of the Nehru-Gandhi family with the area. She visited the memorial in Munshiganj, Rae Bareli, dedicated to the farmers who had a century ago lost their lives while carrying out a non-cooperation agitation against the British rule. The visit to the memorial was meant to highlight the connection that the incident has with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's evolution as a leader. When the incident had happened in 1920-21, Nehru had rushed to Rae Bareli along with his father Motilal Nehru, and they had been arrested. Priyanka has alluded to this incident in her speeches during the campaign. Priyanka's speeches in the two constituencies are also a reminder to the people of her grandmother Indira Gandhi, who had contested from Rae Bareli, her father Rajiv Gandhi, who got elected to the Lok Sabha from Amethi, and also the work done by Rahul and Sonia as MPs from the two seats. She has made an emotional pitch to take on the BJP's aggressive campaign that is centred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She has steered clear of getting into a war of words with Amethi's sitting MP, only referring to her as 'Aap Ki Sansad' while making her speeches in the constituency, and stressing that Irani's purpose of coming to contest from there was merely political and not to serve the people of the area. In her interactions with the people of the two constituencies, she has recounted her visits with her parents when she was a child, talked about her father's assassination and the pain that her mother has endured. She has made an effort to come across as a daughter of Amethi and Rae Bareli, as someone with a strong sense of belonging to the area. Party leaders say her campaign has effectively countered the high octane, aggressive electioneering of the BJP with a family-oriented approach, intended to convey that the Gandhi family cares for the people of the two constituencies. This was evident when late at night, after her campaigning was over, when she came to know that a person who had come to attend one of her public meetings had met with an accident, she rushed to the hospital to see him. Her interactions with the people have showcased her as a family person who cares for the people at a personal level. The image sought to be conveyed is that of a leader who is not distant but right there amongst the people. For example, she made a surprise visit to the family of a party supporter in Rae Bareli, where she sat chatting with the women and children of the household much like a relative who has come visiting. She recalled her own childhood, spoke about her children, recounting how difficult it was for her to send her son Raihan to a boarding school and how her daughter Miraya has stressed over her studies. In the same interaction, she was asked why she was not contesting in the Lok Sabha elections. She laughed and said someone has to take care of the electioneering, and she is the one doing that. If both Rahul and I had contested, then he would not have been able to go and campaign in other parts of the country. Now, I am taking care of the campaign for him, she said. In response to queries whether she would consider contesting elections in the future, Priyanka has not ruled it out. However, even if she is not contesting this time, the onus of the party's fate in Amethi and Rae Bareli is clearly on her. All 14 officials of Hindustan Copper Limited, who were trapped in a mine in Rajasthan's Neem ka Thana district after a lift collapsed on Tuesday night, have been rescued. Everybody is safe, said reports. The rescue operations began immediately after the vertical shaft used for the transportation of personnel collapsed. The trapped men were members of a vigilance team of the PSU. Dr Pravin Sharma of Jhunjhunu Government Hospital told ANI: "All people trapped in the mine have been rescued safely. Three of them were in serious condition and have been referred to Jaipur." #WATCH | Rajasthan | Jhunjhunu's Kolihan mine lift collapse: Nursing Staff of Jhunjhunu Government Hospital, Shishram says "Some people have suffered fractures in hands and some in legs. Everyone is safe. Three people are seriously injured, the rest are safe. The rescue operation pic.twitter.com/GugXMoxvac ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2024 The report added that some people suffered fractures in their hands and some in their legs and the rescue operation was done with the help of a ladder. According to preliminary information, the incident occurred when the vigilance team along with senior officials of the state-owned company went inside the mine for an inspection. When they were about to come up, a rope of the shaft or 'cage' broke due to which around 14 people were stuck, the police said. A rescue operation was launched immediately and the rescue team could establish contact with the trapped personnel. Neem ka Thana district is around 108 km from the state capital Jaipur. West Bengal CM and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said her party will extend support to the opposition INDIA bloc from outside to form the government at the Centre. People will reject the BJP totally, she said while addressing an election rally at Chinsurah, Hooghly district. "BJP is claiming that it will win 400 seats, but people are saying it will not happen. The entire country has understood that the BJP is a party full of thieves. We (TMC) will support the INDIA bloc from outside to form a government at the Centre. We will extend our support so that in (West) Bengal, our mothers and sisters never face a problem... and those who work in the 100 days' job scheme, also do not face problems," Banerjee said. The West Bengal CM also added that her party will not support the Congress and CPI(M) in the country. Banerjee alleged that both the parties, who are part of the INDIA alliance, have joined hands and are helping the BJP in the state. "Do not count on the CPI(M) and the Congress in Bengal. They are not with us, they are with the BJP here. I am talking about that (INDIA bloc) in Delhi," she said. Banerjee pointed out the Atal Bihari Vajpayee's defeat in the 2004 elections, despite BJP's 'India Shining' slogan. "They (BJP) are desperate to win. But the country's voice is also united in calling for their defeat. Nobody was able to predict Atal Bihari Vajpayee's defeat in 2004. He gave the slogan 'India Shining' but the winds changed and the people didn't vote for him," she added. Slamming the Election Commission, Banerjee said that the delay in scheduling the polls over a period of two months favoured the saffron party. "The Election Commission is a puppet and operates according to Modi's directions. The poll is being held for two-and-half months, have you (poll officials) ever realised the struggle of the common people," Banerjee said. As the Centre issued the first set of citizenship certificates under CAA on Wednesday, Banerjee declared her party's unwavering stance against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens (NRC), and Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Bengal. Banerjee also participated in a roadshow from Ichapur Water Tank to Pilkhana More in Howrah in support of the party's Howrah Lok Sabha candidate Prasun Banerjee. (With PTI inputs) French President Emmanuel Macron is considering imposing state of emergency in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia to curb spiraling violence, the presidency said Wednesday. At least three people were killed and four others, including a gendarme, were seriously injured, according to officials in the territory and French media reports on Wednesday. More than 130 people have been arrested and more than 300 have been injured since Monday, when protests over a constitutional voting reform pushed by Paris turned violent in the archipelago, which has long sought independence. Speaking at parliament, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who attended a two-hour meeting with top ministers at the Elysee, said the aim of the state of emergency would be to restore order in the shortest time possible. A decree on the methods to impose the state of emergency is to be presented to the French Cabinet on Wednesday afternoon. In a statement, Macron emphasized the need for a resumption of political dialogue and asked the prime minister and the minister of the interior and overseas territories to invite New Caledonian delegations to Paris. All violence is intolerable and will be the subject of a relentless response to ensure the return of order, the statement said. There have been decades of tensions on the archipelago between Indigenous Kanaks seeking independence and descendants of colonizers who want to remain part of France. French Minister of Interior and Overseas Territories Grald Darmanin said that 100 gendarmes were evacuated during violence overnight following an attack on their station with an ax and live ammunition. Calm must absolutely be restored," Darmanin said in an interview with French broadcaster RTL. On Tuesday, the French Interior Ministry sent police reinforcements to New Caledonia, which long served as a prison colony and now hosts a French military base. About 1,000 gendarmes and 700 police officers have been deployed and a dozen professionals from a specialized police intervention and riot control unit have also been mobilized, the territory's top French official, High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, said at a news conference in New Caledonia. The territory's political parties appealed for calm and reason with people who support independence and those who want the island to remain part of France. We have to continue to live together, the rival parties said in a joint statement on Wednesday. "Only with dialogue and resilience (we will) get through this situation. Three people were killed and four were seriously injured in the unrest overnight and on Wednesday, French officials said. A fourth person, a member of the gendarmes, was also seriously injured near the southern town of Plum, according to France Info. He was evacuated in critical condition to the medical unit of the Pacific Marine Infantry Regiment, French broadcaster BFM reported. Le Franc warned that if calm isn't restored, there will be many deaths in the area of the capital, Noumea, where protests over the voting rights turned violent on Tuesday. Local authorities extended a curfew until Thursday morning. Clashes between police and protesters have continued in and around Noumea despite the curfew and a ban on gatherings. Schools have been closed until further notice and the main airport, La Tontoura, remains closed to commercial flights, Le Franc said. The situation is not serious, it is very serious," Le Franc said. We have entered a dangerous spiral, a deadly spiral. He said some residents in the capital and neighbouring municipalities have formed self-defence groups to protect their homes and businesses. The unrest started on Monday with a protest over France's efforts to expand voter lists that would benefit pro-France politicians on New Caledonia and further marginalize the Kanak people, who once suffered from strict segregation policies and widespread discrimination. Early Wednesday, France's National Assembly adopted a constitutional revision reforming the electoral body in the territory in a 351-153 vote. Pro-independence representatives appealed to supporters for calm and condemned the vote in the National Assembly, France's most influential house of parliament. Macron also appealed for calm after the vote and condemned unworthy violence in a letter to Caledonian representatives and political parties. He called on all local politicians to engage in dialogue and submit suggestions for changes to the bill. Macron said he would convene the Congress, a joint session of lawmakers from both houses of the French parliament, by the end of June to amend the constitution and make it law in the absence of a meaningful dialogue with local representatives. The bill would allow residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to cast ballots in provincial elections. People of European descent in New Caledonia distinguish between descendants of colonizers and descendants of the many prisoners sent to the territory by force. The vast archipelago of about 270,000 people east of Australia is 10 time zones ahead of Paris. New Caledonia became French in 1853 under Emperor Napoleon III, Napoleon's nephew and heir. It became an overseas territory after World War II, with French citizenship granted to all Kanaks in 1957. A peace deal between rival factions was reached in 1988. A decade later, France promised to grant New Caledonia political power and broad autonomy and hold up to three successive referendums. The three referendums were organized between 2018 to 2021 and a majority of voters chose to remain part of France instead of backing independence. The pro-independence Kanak people rejected the results of the last referendum in 2021, which they boycotted because it was held at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The prime minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, has been taken to hospital following a shooting incident. Fico is in life-threatening condition after being injured, said officials. One suspect was detained by the police, said reports. A message posted on his Facebook account said that Fico "has been shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition. At this moment he is transported by helicopter to Bansk Bystrica, because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute procedure. The next few hours will decide." Reportedly, the PM was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova. The leader was set to address a rally in Handlova, reported TA3, a Slovakian TV station. The Police sealed off the scene. Peter Pellegrini, Slovakias president-elect said that "an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister is a threat to everything that has adorned Slovak democracy so far. I am horrified by where the hatred towards another political opinion can lead. We dont have to agree on everything, but there are plenty of ways to express our disagreement democratically and legally, he added. Many world leaders expressed their shock relating to the incident. Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, The attack on Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico is appalling. We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighbouring partner states head of government. The attack on Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico is appalling. We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighboring partner state's head of government. Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere. Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) May 15, 2024 Hungary PM Viktor Orban also expressed his shock. "I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country!" he wrote on X. "Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family," said UK PM Rishi Sunak. As Russian troops advance towards Kharkiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday postponed all his foreign travel due to the worsening battle situation. The Russian infantry had entered the northeastern border of Vovchansk in Kharkiv region. Russia's advancement to Kharkiv is seen as one of the significant gains for the Kremlin lately. "The situation is extremely difficult. The enemy is taking positions on the streets of the town of Vovchansk," Oleksiy Kharkivskiy, Vovchansk's patrol police chief, said on Facebook. The Ukrainian military on Tuesday had said that the troops pulled back to "more advantageous" positions in two areas of the Kharkiv region, including the Vovchansk area. Sergiy Nykyforov, Zelenskyy's spokesperson confirmed that the president is postponing all the events scheduled for the coming days and the new dates will be coordinated accordingly. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed that all international events scheduled for the coming days be postponed and new dates coordinated," Nykyforov wrote on Facebook. Meanwhile, Dmytro Lazutkin, spokesman for the defence ministry, said "some" Russian infantry groups had entered the town, which military analysts reckon Moscow needs to capture to continue its offensive thrust in that direction. The Russians were trying to regroup and dig in and had not taken any more "active" action on Wednesday, it added. Around 8,000 civilians have been evacuated from Vovchansk amid worsening battle. China's peace plan Ahead of Putins visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview on Wednesday said he backed China's plan for peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Putin also added that Russia remained open to dialogue and talks to solve the conflict. The Ukraine peace plan was made public by President Xi last month. Putin said that China's plan took account of factors behind the conflict. "We are positive in our assessment of China's approach to solving the Ukrainian crisis," added Putin. "In Beijing, they truly understand its root causes and its global geopolitical meaning." A 12-point paper put forward by Beijing over a year ago had set out general principles for ending the war. However, it did not get a very warm response from Russia and Ukraine. The additional principles by Xi include a call for "cooling down" of the situation. Kolkata, May 15 (PTI) L&T Finance Ltd is aiming at a 25-per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next few years, with focus on consolidating its retail lending business, a top company official said on Wednesday. The financial services arm of Larsen & Toubro plans to completely exit the wholesale segment by 2026, transforming itself into a 100 per cent retail non-banking financial company (NBFC) from nearly 94 per cent at present. The companys new offering Complete Home Loan signifies a fresh impetus to its mortgage business, he said. The lender also expects this product to surpass microfinance in terms of book size in the near future. "Fueled by the revival in credit offtake, we will maintain our robust growth trajectory of 25-per cent CAGR over the next few years. With the larger ticket size of home loans, this portfolio is expected to surpass microfinance assets in the coming years," MD & CEO of L&T Finance Sudipta Roy said. "However, even if the mortgage book size surpasses microfinance, micro-lending will likely remain our most profitable segment due to its inherent nature," Roy said. He also maintained that L&T Finance will consolidate its existing lines of financial services for at least the next two years, as there remains a strong growth potential in its current offerings. At present, micro-credit lending accounts for 31 per cent of the company's total book size of Rs 80,000 crore, followed by mortgage and loans against property, which contribute 23 per cent . The home loan business focuses on tier-I and tier-II cities, with a minimum ticket size of Rs 30 lakh. L&T Finance actively collaborates with large builders, and it also operates in segments of tractor finance, two-wheeler finance and personal loans as well as the SME sector, the official said. "Kolkata is a key market for us," said Sanjay Garyali, Chief Executive - Urban Finance. "We expect to achieve stronger growth in the eastern region through the branding of our new home loan product," Garyali added. Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 15: Mumbai based BSE listed company Growington Ventures India Limited (BSE 539222) promoted by CA Vikram Bajaj aims for a strong growth momentum in the time to come. Company has posted excellent results for the Q3 & Nine months of FY24 ended December 2023 is expected to continue the growth momentum going forward. Highlights:- In November 2023, Company was migrated to main board of BSE Ltd from SME Platform of BSE. Company has sub-divided equity share with Rs. 10 face value in to 10 shares of Rs. 1 face value Company has recently incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary - Elementures Foodstuff Trading L.L.C, Dubai, U.A.E. Company is engaged in the business of supply chain from import of Fresh Fruits and distribution to corporate in hospitality and E-commerce with brand named as GROWFAMIO For Nine months of FY24, company posted total revenue of Rs. 23.81 crore, 163% growth Y-o-Y as compared to revenue of Rs. 9.04 crore in nine months of FY23. Net Profit during nine months of FY24 surged 328% to Rs. 1.75 crore as against net profit of Rs. 40.88 lakh in the corresponding period last year. In November 2023, Company was migrated to main board of BSE Ltd from SME Platform of BSE. Company also received the shareholders approval for the same. Company in the board meeting dated July 15 had approved the migration of listing/trading of equity shares of the company from SME platform of BSE to main board of BSE Ltd. The resolution was passed through postal ballot by the shareholders. Company has sub-divided its equity share having face value of Rs. 10 each, fully paid-up into 10 equity shares having face value of Rs. 1 each fully paid-up, as approved by the shareholders through Postal Ballot on January 17, 2024. Company had fixed January 31, 2024 as the Record Date for the stock split. Growington Ventures Ltd is engaged in the business of supply chain from import of Fresh Fruits and distribution to corporate in hospitality and E-commerce. The Company is professional managed with the vision to serves the fresh fruits in pan India market by sourcing of fruits from farms with tie up in Turkey, Vietnam, South Africa, Greece, Chile etc. Companys USP is to source the fresh fruits from farm with quality check with international standard packaging and quick logistic facility to deliver finest of quality fruits to valued customers. We have developed the goodwill and brand for quality fruits. The Company has established a brand named as GROWFAMIO Company has wide portfolio of fruits like Apple, Orange, Mandarin, Pear, Kiwi, Dragon Fruit, Avocado, Red Globe Grapes, Plum, Nectarines, Peaches, Cherries, Blueberries, Grape Fruit, Mangosteen, Ram Bhutan, Longan, Dates, Tamarind, Dates and so on. Considering the health awareness and life style of Indian public, demand for variety of imported fruits has increased such as avocado, blueberry & dragon fruits. Company has created a highly Competent, Strong Procurement & Distribution Support team within and outside the India. Company in the current financial year has incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary - Elementures Foodstuff Trading L.L.C, Dubai, U.A.E. Company is engaged in sourcing of fresh fruits from Turkey, Vietnam and South Africa, has made arrangement and tie up with agri Commodity Company based in Vietnam for regular supply of Dragon fruits, Coconut, Guava, Lime and other agri product from 1st quarter of Calendar year 2024. Company has tied up with Vietnam & Turkey based company to source fresh fruits on long term basis. It is also planning to do a long-term business in Joint Venture with Company of Vietnam. It has developed the regular customers in India to provide regular supply in Wholesale Market, Retail Stores, Hotels, Chain of Restaurant and online distributors of fresh fruits. Considering the growth in business, management has plans for business expansion by having leased cold storage facility and setting up of Fruit Processing and Packaging nearin MIDC, Navi Mumbai. It has plans to become supply chain partner to cater company like Reliance, Big Basket, Godrej Fresh, More, Amazon and others for fruits, spices powder under own brand name. For the FY23, company has reported multi-fold growth in the business. Sales for FY23 grew to Rs. 19.63 crore as compared to sales of Rs. 1.23 crore in FY22. Company earned net profit of Rs. 1.26 crore as compared to loss of Rs. 3 lakh in FY22. Company has performed well post covid and also declared bonus shares (24:100) in March 2023. In January 2024, Company has issued the resolution and has given his consent to its Debtor Yaduka Agrotech Private Limited for the Scheme of Amalgamation of Yaduka Agrotech Private Limited with Deboshmita Constructions Private Limited, Fastwheel Roadlines Private Limited, Forward Carriers Private Limited, Srijita Constructions Private Limited, Karunanjali Transports Private Ltd. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Global robotics leaders Universal Robots (UR) and Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), both Teradyne Robotics companies, will share headquarters to increase synergies and accelerate innovation within advanced robotics. ODENSE, Denmark, May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Robots, the Danish collaborative robot (cobot) company, and MiR, the Danish manufacturer of AMRs (autonomous mobile robots), today celebrated the Grand Opening of their new 20,000 sqm headquarters in Odense, Denmark. Partners from UR and MiR's global ecosystems attended the event, including NVIDIA and Siemens, with whom Teradyne Robotics and its companies have recently announced several collaborations. "The launch of this new headquarters marks a significant milestone for Teradyne Robotics as we bring together two leading companies in robotics innovation," says Ujjwal Kumar, Group President of Teradyne Robotics. "We will now have the optimal environment to evolve our technological capabilities, which are already in high demand." On the new robotics hub, Jean-Pierre Hathout, President of MiR, said: "Our new headquarters is designed to foster innovation, providing the perfect setting for our teams to develop leading-edge solutions that will revolutionize automation. MiR is committed to being a one-stop-shop for material handling, continuously advancing our technology to meet the evolving needs of our large, global customers. Our recently launched AI-powered MiR1200 Pallet Jack exemplifies this dedication. I'm thrilled to witness the transformative impact of our endeavors and to showcase MiR's and UR's offerings to our customers and partners at this state-of-the-art facility." Kim Povlsen, President of Universal Robots, added: "Since our foundation, UR has become a platform of choice for thousands of customers and hundreds of ecosystem partners. This beautiful building reflects our strong design philosophy and provides the perfect location for us to continue our mission to deliver automation for anyone, anywhere." Transformative power of advanced automation The opening included a panel discussion featuring Deepu Talla, Vice President of Robotics and Edge Computing of NVIDIA, Rainer Brehm, CEO of Siemens Factory Automation, and Ujjwal Kumar, Group President of Teradyne Robotics. The panelists discussed the use of physical AI across industries, underscoring the transformative power of advanced automation for businesses and workplaces. Photos from the Grand Opening and a recording of the panel discussion can be viewed on UR and MiR social media channels and will soon be available here. New HQ facts Pictures About UR About MiR About Teradyne Robotics Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2333087/4701507/UniversalRobotsLogo.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR The 12-week programme by ISB Executive Education integrates MS Project, RISK training, and PMP Certification preparation equipping participants to excel as Project Managers Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Business Wire India The digital revolution has brought about a surge in complex IT projects. Traditional approaches often fall short in meeting the needs of today's dynamic business environment and evolving customer expectations. To navigate this landscape effectively, businesses require skilled professionals with strong IT project management capabilities. These skills, coupled with methodologies such as Agile is crucial for reshaping business tactics, fostering adaptability, and optimising alignment, value, and overall performance. Recognising this growing industry demand for professionals equipped with these skills, ISB Executive Education, ranked number one B-school in India in FT Global MBA Ranking 2024 commenced its 15th batch of Certificate Programme in IT Project Management, along with Emeritus, the global leader in making high-quality education accessible and affordable to individuals and organisations. The 12-week online Certificate Programme in IT Project Management is thoughtfully designed for professionals who aspire to embrace digital disruption, adopt lean techniques, and utilise tools adaptable to increasingly agile environments. This programme is tailored for early-career professionals aiming to elevate their roles within their organisations by refining IT operations management systems, processes, and best practices. Additionally, mid-level professionals aspiring to transition into project management roles and lead teams will also benefit by developing expertise in managing projects, mitigating risks, and optimising project outcomes. Furthermore, it will also enable consultants to assist organisations and clients in formulating effective IT operations strategies, analytics, and process management. Announcing the commencement of the programme, Mr. Mohan Kannegal, CEO, India and APAC, Emeritus, said, Amidst the relentless pace of technological advancement, the need for proficient IT project management skills has become crucial. The Certificate Programme in IT Project Management aims to address this pressing demand by equipping participants with the expertise required to master the intricacies of modern IT environments. By offering a comprehensive blend of theoretical insights and practical applications, this programme is poised to empower professionals to refine operational systems and ascend to leadership roles within their organisations. According to the report by Project Management Institute titled Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap 20172027 report, the demand over the next 10 years for project managers is growing faster than the demand for workers in other occupations and by 2027, employers will need nearly 88 million individuals in project management-oriented roles. It further highlights that project managers are important contributors to productivity and China & India will represent more than 75 percent of the total project management-oriented employment. In response to this burgeoning demand, the Certificate Programme in IT Project Management by ISB Executive Education aims to equip participants with the expertise to master software project management, mitigate risks, enhance project value, and excel in other crucial aspects of project management. The Certificate Programme in IT Project Management designed by the globally renowned ISB Executive Education faculty, includes pre-recorded videos for self-paced learning by top ISB Executive Education faculty and industry experts, industry relevant project management tools & hands-on learning, real world case-studies, a Capstone project, practice quizzes and PMP certification training. The programme includes modules such as introduction to project management, project initiation, project planning (risk planning), and project execution among others. The eligibility for this programme includes Graduates (10+2+3) and Diploma holders (10+2+3) from a recognised university (UGC/AICTE/DEC/AIU/State/Government/recognised international universities). The programme starts on June 20, 2024, with a fee of INR 1,10,000 + GST. On successful completion of the programme, participants will receive a certificate of completion from ISB Executive Education. Visit the programme page for more details. About ISB Executive Education ISB Executive Education empowers participants with the skills, mindsets and networks required to manage and lead in this new world and achieve their distinctive personal and professional goals. ISB Executive Education, recognised as #1 in India and #29 globally in the Financial Times (FT) Executive Education Custom Rankings 2023 and #3 in India, #65 globally in the FT Executive Education Open Ranking 2023, is dedicated to equipping working professionals to lead in the new global business environment, by fostering engaging exchanges between renowned industry leaders and academia, and drawing globally renowned faculty from the world's top business schools. Through its meticulously designed programmes, participants gain from both advanced management research and the vast experiences of their peers, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape. About Emeritus Emeritus offers customised and open programs in India, Singapore, Dubai and other global locations in collaboration with IIM Lucknow Executive Education, IIM Calcutta Executive Education, ISB Executive Education, Harvard Business School (HBS), MIT Sloan, Columbia Business School, Kellogg Executive Education, Berkeley Executive Education, and Wharton Executive Education, amongst other leading Institutions. Our world-class executive education programs, facilitated by eminent program experts, provide an immersive learning experience integrated with actionable insights and practical business applications and are delivered in a range of formats; in-class, online, as well as blended programs. The Emeritus Group has more than 1,750 employees globally and offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Shanghai, Singapore, Palo Alto, Mexico City, New York, Boston, London, and Dubai. The company is backed by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Leeds Illuminate, Prosus Ventures, GSV Ventures, Peak XV, Bertelsmann, CPPIB, Accel and SoftBank Vision Fund 2. For more information, please visit https://emeritus.org/. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], May 15: Apex Professional University (APU), situated in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, marked its twelfth Foundation Day with great enthusiasm and participation from esteemed guests and students alike. The week-long celebration, spanning from May 4th to May 10th, 2024, witnessed a variety of cultural, sports, and literary events, engaging many students. Sri Tayi Taggu, Deputy Commissioner East Siang, and Revered Acharya Dhanwant Singh, the Chancellor of APU, graced the inauguration ceremony on May 4th. The University's Honorable Vice-Chancellor, Prof. N A Khan, delivered a warm welcome speech, highlighting the University's achievements in the past year, including noteworthy collaborations and funded research projects. Padma Shri Smt. Yanung Jamoh Lego honoured the valedictory function on May 10th, emphasising the importance of time and one's cultural heritage, Guest of Honor Smt. Aishwarya Sharma, IPS, Commandant 5th IRBn, Pasighat, congratulated the University on its achievements and urged students to strive for brilliance in their chosen fields. In his closing remarks, Chancellor Acharya Dhanwant Singh reiterated the University's mission to foster critical thinking among students and expressed gratitude to all attendees. The inauguration of the APU Blood Donors Club, attended by dignitaries, including the Chief Guest and Guest of Honor, marked a significant moment during the ceremony. Awards were presented to students excelling in sports, literary, and cultural activities across various faculties of the University. Dr. Tayek Talom, Director of the School of Liberal Studies, outlined prospects for the University, including plans for a Medical College and the introduction of new programs such as Forensic Science, MBA, M.Pharm, Nursing, and BA with preparation for Civil Services. The Registrar, Mr Vijay Kumar Tilak, expressed gratitude to all present and those involved in the successful event, concluding with singing the national anthem. For further inquiries, contact Mr Tilak via email at: registrar@apexuniversity.edu.in or by phone at 8884920000 or visit http://www.apexuniversity.edu.in (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR DALLAS and NOIDA, India, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Solvio stands on the cusp of transforming the Salesforce consulting industry with its innovative approach and unwavering commitment to customer success. Backed by a rich history of success and a forward-thinking vision, the company is all set to redefine the face of Salesforce adoption on a global scale. With over 140 Salesforce certifications and a team of more than 100 experts, Solvio stands as a formidable leader in Salesforce consulting and services, offering a comprehensive suite of capabilities and offerings tailored to meet the diverse needs of clients. Solvio's consulting-led approach encompasses management consulting, business consulting, and solution consulting, aimed at catalyzing strategic transformation and driving growth for businesses of all sizes. With a focus on Salesforce Data Cloud and Marketing Cloud implementations, along with the Sales and Service Cloud, Solvio is committed to becoming a trusted advisor for enterprise clients, helping them achieve their business goals with efficiency and precision. Shashin Shah, Founder and CEO of Solvio, expressed his enthusiasm about the strides the company is taking in building a future where technology transforms the business process and productivity for the enterprises worldwide. He also seems hopeful in terms of what the strategic and delivery partnership could potentially yield. He remarked, "My vision for Solvio is to become a Trusted Partner for our customers. We are not in the volume business. We are striving to create a mark for ourselves by providing the most effective Salesforce solutions by using consulting led approach. At Solvio, we are poised to introduce a suite of innovative solutions that will transform customer experiences and drive future readiness across their enterprise." For further information about Solvio and its cutting-edge services, visit www.solvio.com or contact info@solvio.com About Solvio Solvio is a leader in Salesforce consulting and implementation, dedicated to transforming customer experiences through innovative future-ready technology solutions. With clients in over 7 countries, Solvio focuses on exceptional implementation of Data Cloud, Commerce Cloud, and Marketing Cloud on Salesforce. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2413465/SolvioCustomerexperience.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR New Delhi, May 15 (PTI) India's merchandise exports in April 2024 marginally rose to USD 34.99 billion from USD 34.62 billion in the year-ago month, according to government data released on Wednesday. Imports too increased to USD 54.09 billion from USD 49.06 billion in April 2023. Trade deficit, or the gap between imports and exports, during the month stood at USD 19.1 billion. Briefing media on the data, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said the figures show that the new fiscal year started on a good note and hoped that it continues. In March 2024, the outbound shipments dipped to USD 41.68 billion from USD 41.96 billion a year ago. New Delhi/ Mumbai, May 15 (PTI) Air India Express cancelled some flights on Wednesday as the airline grapples with crew rostering system issues, according to sources. The Tata Group-owned carrier, which generally operates around 380 flights daily, has moved to a new rostering system. Since there are some issues with the system, it is impacting the scheduling for cabin crew and pilots, the sources said. At the Delhi airport, seven Air India Express flights -- four departures and three arrivals -- for the period between 1.50 am and 8 pm have been cancelled for Wednesday, sources said. There were also flight cancellations at a few other airports, the sources added. However, the total number of flight cancellations could not be immediately ascertained. There was no comment from Air India Express. The latest development comes a week after the airline witnessed disruptions due to a section of cabin crew reporting sick to protest against the alleged mismanagement at the carrier. The strike was called off on May 9 and the crew members who were on strike joined back duty by May 11. On Tuesday, an official in the know had said the airline operated around 345 flights and no flights were cancelled. On May 8, the strike was called off and the carrier also withdrew termination letters issued to 25 cabin crew following a conciliation meeting convened by the chief labour commissioner in the national capital. The meeting was attended by representatives of the airline and Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU). In a release on May 12, the union said all the cabin crew who had reported sick have joined back and "as such there is no delay on the part of the cabin crew". "All the cabin crew members who reported sick have joined their duty by May 11, 2024. However, due to a glitch in the company's scheduling software as it was recently introduced, it is still showing that staff are reported sick," it had said. New Delhi, May 15 (PTI) Growing up, she wanted to be a Kabbadi player and then the dream shifted to opening a gym. Chhaya Kadam, who is winning hearts with her stellar performances as Manju Mai in "Laapataa Ladies" and gangster Kanchan Kombdi in "Madgaon Express", says she came to acting late and by chance. Kadam is now looking forward to attending the 77th Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine As Light", which is part of the main competition. She is also excited about "Sister Midnight", a film to be screened in the film gala's sidebar section Director's Fortnight. "I am very happy. This is a beautiful moment in my life and I am enjoying it without thinking too much about what's next," she said about the audience appreciation for "Laapataa Ladies" and "Madgaon Express" as well as the Cannes selection of her two movies. Kadam said she grew up in a Mumbai suburb called Kalina in a housing board colony and had different dreams at different points of time. "I was a state-level Kabbadi player, so I thought about going in that direction. After some time, it shifted to owning a gym or joining the police force because I had the physique... People start their journeys in schools and college by doing theatre, but I entered the profession quite late," Kadam told PTI in an interview. The actor credits a workshop she did with theatre veteran and former National School of Drama director Waman Kendre in 2001 for changing the course of her life. "I started enjoying the process while doing the workshop. That was the beginning for me. People think it is easy to break into acting but it took me six years to do my first play. It wasn't easy even after that but whatever came my way, I worked on it with complete honesty." After becoming an actor, Kadam said she dreamed about getting a National Film Award and featuring in a variety of roles but a festival like Cannes was not even on her wish list. Manju Mai, a fiercely independent teaseller with a soft corner for one of the two heroines who gets lost in Kiran Rao's "Laapataa Ladies", has become something of a social media sensation with viewers sharing screenshots and dialogues on X and in reels on Instagram. Kadam said she is surprised the character has resonated with not just the youth but also women of different age groups. "I recently spoke to Sneha Desai, the writer of 'Laapataa Ladies', when the film released on OTT. She asked me, 'Kaisa lag raha hai? (how do you feel?)' I told her that whenever I receive any praise, she comes to my mind because Manju Mai's thoughts were shaped by her and Kiran," she added. Rao had seen Kadam in Nagraj Manjule's 2013 film "Fandry" and the director remembered her during 'Laapataa Ladies'. Similarly, "Madgaon Express" director Kunal Kemmu spotted Kadam in a role in the 2022 Marathi film "Kaun Pravin Tambe?" starring Shreyas Talpade. "Kiran really liked 'Fandry' and wanted to work with me. Kunal told me that when he saw me in 'Pravin Tambe', he felt he had found his Kanchan Kombdi. He reached out to Shreyas Talpade to ask about me. I am grateful to both the directors because people are connecting to these roles." While Manju Mai was a well-formed character, Kadam said Rao left it on her actors to improvise and bring something of their own to the characters. Kadam said she picked up one of the character traits of Manju Mai from a Uttar Pradesh woman who lived next door. "Characters come ready-made to an actor. You have a sense of costume, status and nature by the script but you have to find its soul. It is easy but also difficult because you have to put yourself in their shoes and at the same time, make it truthful to the audience," said the actor, who has also featured in films such as "Andhadhun" and "Gangubai Kathiawadi". Manju Mai from "Laapataa Ladies" and her first major role in "Fandry", a film on caste discrimination, are characters that left a mark on her, said Kadam. "Sometimes, I feel Manju Mai was written for me. I have that woman inside me. I didn't marry, somehow never got around to it and now I am enjoying living on my own. I felt Manju Mai was also teaching me. I receive so many calls from women who were confused but now feel inspired by Manju Mai. "Similarly, 'Fandry' was a film that shook me from inside and gave me a sense of what's right and wrong," she said. Kanchan Kombdi, a scorned wife who one-ups her gangster husband by running a bigger, all-women smuggling cartel in Goa, was, however, the other end of the spectrum and fun to play, she said. "Generally, I get to play women who have suffered a lot in life or had abusive/drunkard husbands. They are essentially the victims but Kanchan Komdi gave me a chance to play a 'dabang' character." After "Fandry", Kadam has featured in most of Manjule's films, including "Sairat" and "Jhund". And it is a friendship that she cherishes. She revealed initially there was another actor who was supposed to star in "Fandry" but Manjule always wanted Kadam to do the role. When the other actor pulled out, Manjule cast her. "Some things are destined for you and 'Fandry' was that role for me.... When the other actor pulled out, Nagraj called me and introduced himself. I was busy with a play but he insisted that we meet. 'Fandry' changed everything for me." After she comes back from Cannes, Kadam plans to take a small break and spend time in her village in Dhamapur in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. "I am still hungry (for work) but when I will spend time there, I will empty out all the praise that has come to me and start from scratch. I don't want to forget my initial hunger as an actor. People in my village are simple. For them, I am not Chhaya Kadam, the actor, but their 'Chhaya'," she said. Mumbai, May 15 (PTI) Actor Sharad Kelkar, who lent his voice to Telugu star Prabhas in the Hindi dubbed version of the popular "Baahubali" films, says he was initially unsure whether filmmaker SS Rajamouli would approve of him for the role. In "Baahubali: The Beginning" (2015) and "Baahubali: The Conclusion" (2017), the 47-year-old actor voiced the double roles of Amarendra Baahubali and Mahendra Baahubali (Shivudu), played on screen by Prabhas. Kelkar said he was working on the 2016 Telugu-language action comedy "Sardaar Gabbar Singh", fronted by Pawan Kalyan, when a crew member recommended his name to Rajamouli. Up north, his acting credits include films such as "Ram-Leela", "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior" and Prime Video series "The Family Man". "I was not sure whether he would approve it (voice) or not, it (approval) came as a pleasant surprise. Somebody suggested that in Pawan Kalyan's film there's a villain who has a good voice, 'Please test him'. So, he (Rajamouli) asked, 'Does he speak Hindi?' and they said, 'He is from Gwalior and he is good at Hindi'," the actor told PTI in an interview. Soon, the makers of "Baahubali" called him for a voice test. "I had no idea about 'Baahubali' but I had seen 'Magadheera' and 'Makkhi' ('Eega')," said Kelkar, referring to Rajamouli's previous films. "As an actor, I wanted to meet the creator of this masterpiece. So, I gave my voice test, took the tape and met him (Rajamouli) at the studio. Next day, he said, 'You're doing the dubbing for 'Baahubali'," he recalled. Kelkar has now collaborated with Rajamouli on the upcoming animated series "Baahubali: Crown of Blood", a prequel to the blockbuster movies. According to the makers, the Disney+ Hotstar show promises to take the audiences into an animated world of "Baahubali" to experience an untold story of epic adventure, brotherhood, betrayal, conflict and heroism. Rajamouli and Sharad Devarajan of "The Legend of Hanuman" fame serve as series creators. It was a nostalgic feeling, said Kelkar about reteaming with the "RRR" director, whom he credited for his popularity. "That character is close to my heart. I got a huge fan base because of 'Baahubali'. It was a new high in my career. People started calling me, 'the voice of Baahubali, the voice of India'. It brought about many changes in those two-three years. Now that we are coming back with 'Baahubali: Crown of Blood', I am excited," he said. This time around, the actor said, the animation was created after he finished dubbing for the series in Hindi. "It was tougher to understand what kind of visuals or scene it would have or how far the other character is from you. Or, how loud or sharp you can be. At that point, the creator and director come (for your help). It was a different process. But it was fun as well." Kelkar, who also lent his voice to Prabhas for his outing as Lord Ram in 2023's "Adipurush", also opened up about the on-screen depiction of the Hindu deity while dubbing for the modern retelling of Ramayana. Directed by Om Raut, the film was panned on social media for its poor quality of VFX and colloquial dialogues. "The subject is very sentimental. As a Hindu, I have read or heard it (Ramayana) so many times, so there were a few things which I felt I had not heard about or maybe it was a different version. So, it was odd for me. But it's a film, it's fiction, so we should watch it as a film. "But it's Lord Ram, if we have hurt anybody's sentiments then we are sorry for that. But we should move on, and look forward to a bigger and honest product, which he (Raut) is going to make, and I'm 100 per cent sure about it," the actor said. A Graphic India and Arka Mediaworks production, "Baahubali: Crown of Blood" is produced by Rajamouli, Devarajan and Shobu Yarlagadda. It is directed by Jeevan J Kang and Navin John. The animated series will start streaming on Disney+ Hotstar from May 17. Kyiv, May 15 (AP) Russia's Defence Ministry said air defences shot down 10 US-supplied Ukrainian missiles targeting Crimea early Wednesday just as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Kyiv. The ministry said 10 US-supplied Ukrainian ATACMS missiles were destroyed over the Black Sea over Crimea. Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev said air defences shot down several Ukrainian missiles over the Black Sea and near the Belbek air base. The fragments of downed missiles fell into residential areas but caused no casualties, Razvozhayev said. The Defence Ministry said that in other Ukrainian attacks, Russian air defences also shot down nine Ukrainian drones, two Vilha rockets, two anti-radar HARM missiles and two Hammer guided bombs over the Belgorod region early Wednesday. Belgorod Gov. Vuacheslav Gladkov said two people were injured in the village of Dubovoye when a Ukrainian rocket set their house ablaze. The military said five other Ukrainian drones were downed over the Kursk region and three drones were shot down over the Bryansk region. The Defence Ministry also said that another Ukrainian drone was downed over the Tatarstan region. Tatarstan is located more than 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) east of the border with Ukraine. Vasily Golubev, the governor of the Rostov region, said two drones attacked a fuel depot. He said there were no casualties or fire. Ukraine has launched a steady series of drone attacks on oil refineries and fuel depots across Russia over the past months, causing significant damage. The Ukrainian attacks came as Russian troops pressed their offensive in northeast Ukraine that began last week, which marked the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began. In just two days, Moscow has captured from 100 to 125 square kilometres (38 to 47 square miles) that include at least seven villages, most of them already depopulated, according to two analysts who monitor the fighting using public sources of information. Blinken, who arrived Tuesday on a two-day visit, sought to rally Ukrainians' spirits during the new Russian offensive, assuring them that they are not alone and that billions of dollars in American military aid that is on the way after months of political delays will make a real difference on the battlefield. (AP) AS Washington, May 15 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established a strong relationship with the Sikhs, a prominent Indian American leader has said while asserting that the free and fair general elections being held in India show the vibrancy and strength of the countrys democratic system. In an interview with PTI, Sikhs for America leader Jasdeep Singh Jassee said the reporting by a section of the Western media questioning the democratic traditions of India is far away from the truth. Look at whats happening in the US (opposition candidate and former president Donald) Trump is being dragged to court and he is not being allowed to speak in his campaign. Compared to that, India has a vibrant democracy and is working very effectively, Singh said, adding India has set an example in conducting free and fair elections. Singh is scheduled to visit India later this month to support BJP candidate from Amritsar Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the former Indian ambassador to the US. Singh said the national mood is increasingly in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India has made remarkable progress and seen unprecedented development under his leadership in the last 10 years. I am confident that he will be re-elected for the third consecutive term based on his track record, developmental agenda, and vision for a developed world, he said. The Punjabi expatriate community was enthusiastic about the candidature of Sandhu and is eager to work with the former diplomat to make Amritsar a world-class city in the coming years, he said. Amritsar, he said, has the potential to be the hub of cultural, religious, and economic development of the world. Successive elected representatives have neglected the city. With Sandhu, the Punjabi American community believes that Amritsar is headed for its golden period, Singh said. A group of Indian Americans has already announced USD 100 million in investment for the city. This is just the beginning, there is more to come, Singh, who is leading a high-powered delegation of influential Sikh Americans to campaign for Sandhu in his elections, said. Applauding Modi for the work that he has done for the Sikh community, he said it was unprecedented and no other prime minister could match his accomplishments. He is the best friend of the Sikhs, Singh said, hoping that in his third term, he would be able to address the other issues as well for the development of Punjab. Sikhs are very happy with him, he said. Responding to a question, Singh said the killing of separatist Sikh leader Nijjar in Canada last year was a result of a gang war. The Canadian government needs to make public any evidence that it has against India. Till today Canada has not given any proof of it. The four people who have been arrested, are said to be Indian nationals, but they were living in Canada, the Canadian government gave them the visa, but they ignored their criminal track record, if any in India, he said. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations in September last year of the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. India dismissed Trudeaus charges as absurd and motivated. Nijjar was a Khalistani separatist and he was wanted in India on various terror charges. Kyiv, May 15 (AP) Russia's Defence Ministry said that air defences shot down 10 US-supplied Ukrainian missiles targeting the Crimean Peninsula early Wednesday, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spent a second day visiting Kyiv, and Ukraine's army battled to contain a front-line push by the Kremlin's forces. The ATACMS long-range ballistic missiles were destroyed over the Black Sea, the ministry said. The US included the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, in a military aid package in March. The Ukrainian attack came as Russian troops pressed their offensive in northeast Ukraine's Kharkiv region that began last week, marking the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began and forcing almost 8,000 local people to flee their homes. Together with Moscow's weekslong effort to build on its recent gains in the eastern Donetsk region, the more than two-year war has entered a critical stage for Ukraine's depleted army. Against that grim backdrop, with thousands of Ukrainian troops locked in fierce battles in towns and villages, Blinken on Tuesday pledged unceasing US support for the country, during and beyond the war. He also tried to lift spirits in Kyiv, performing on guitar with a band at a city bar and eating pizza at a veteran-run restaurant. Russia is opening new fronts in order to stretch Ukraine's army, which is short of ammunition and manpower, along the about 1,000-kilometre front line, hoping defences will crumble. Russian artillery and sabotage raids have also been menacing Ukraine's northern Chernihiv and Sumy regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Tuesday that the army has sent reinforcements to the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. It is too early to draw conclusions, but the situation is under control, he said. Even so, Zelenskyy cancelled a planned trip to Spain later this week, according to the Spanish government. It gave no reason for the cancellation. The pace of Russia's advance in the Kharkiv border region, where it launched an offensive late last week and has made significant progress, has slowed, the Institute for the Study of War said late Tuesday. The Washington-based think tank said Moscow's main aim there is to create a buffer zone that will prevent Ukrainian cross-border strikes on Russia's Belgorod region. Blinken on Wednesday visited a drone manufacturer on the outskirts of Kyiv and toured a grain transshipment facility where Ukrainian grain is loaded into containers for export by rail. Blinken praised the ingenuity of the process, which local companies adopted after traditional shipping routes were interrupted by Russia's full-scale invasion, which began on February 24, 2022. Ukraine has had to adapt and adjust to this and it's done so remarkably, Blinken said. Meanwhile, Russian air defences shot down several Ukrainian missiles over the Black Sea and near the Belbek air base, Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev said. Sevastopol is where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is headquartered. The fragments of downed missiles fell into residential areas but caused no casualties, Razvozhayev said. Russian air defences also shot down nine Ukrainian drones, two Vilha rockets, two anti-radar HARM missiles and two Hammer guided bombs over the Belgorod region early Wednesday, the Defence Ministry said. Two people were injured in the village of Dubovoye when a Ukranian rocket set their house ablaze, according to Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov. The military said five other Ukrainian drones were downed over the Kursk region and three drones were shot down over the Bryansk region. The Defence Ministry also said that another Ukrainian drone was downed over the Tatarstan region. Tatarstan is located more than 1,000 kilometres east of the border with Ukraine. Vasily Golubev, the governor of the Rostov region, said two drones attacked a fuel depot. He said there were no casualties or fire. Ukraine has launched a steady series of drone attacks on oil refineries and fuel depots across Russia over the past months, causing significant damage. (AP) GRS GRS Bangkok, May 15 (AP) Thailand's prime minister on Wednesday offered his condolences to the family of a young activist who died in detention after a monthslong hunger strike, amid a public debate on the country's justice system. Netiporn Bung Sanesangkhom, 28, died on Tuesday after suffering cardiac arrest while she was being detained at Bangkok's Central Women's Correctional Institution on charges that included defaming the monarchy. She had been on a hunger strike to protest the revocation of her bail in January. Her death has prompted calls for reviewing a judicial process that allows people accused of politically-motivated, nonviolent offenses to be held for extended periods ahead of trial. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told reporters that Netiporn's death was a loss that no one wanted, and said he has ordered the Justice Ministry to investigate. Officials from the Corrections Department said during a press conference on Wednesday that while Netiporn appeared fatigued following her prolonged hunger strike, she had been well and there was no sign that she would develop such critical conditions, and that they had done everything to try to save her life. They also said the activist had already resumed eating, but refused to take other supplements that could help her body take nutrients better after fasting for so long. They declined to speculate on the possible cause of death until the autopsy results are released. An autopsy was carried out on Wednesday morning and the initial results are expected on Thursday, said Netiporn's lawyer Kritsadang Nutcharat. But Kritsadang told reporters that he doesn't believe the Corrections Department's version of events. She died in your arms. If she had been well, she wouldn't have died, he said, adding that the public should focus on the fact that Netiporn died while being detained, not whether she had been eating. Netiporn was a member of the activist group Thaluwang, loosely translated as breaking through the palace. Its members are known for aggressive campaigns demanding reform of the monarchy and abolition of the law that makes it illegal to defame members of the royal family. Until recent years, criticism of Thailand's monarchy was taboo, and insulting or defaming key royal family members remains punishable by up to 15 years in prison under a law usually referred to as Article 112 of Thailand's Criminal Code. But student-led pro-democracy protests began to challenge that taboo in 2020, openly criticizing the monarchy. That led to vigorous prosecutions under what was previously a little-used law. Critics say the law is often wielded as a tool to quash political dissent. Netiporn was one of more than 270 activists, many university students, charged under the royal defamation law following those protests. Their supporters say that the authorities have violated their rights by holding them in prolonged pretrial detention and denying their release on bail. She was originally detained in May 2022, and released on bail in August 2022 after a previous hunger strike. She was rearrested in January for breaking the terms of her bail by participating in a political rally in 2023. Netiporn was facing several charges stemming from political activities, including two charges of defaming the monarchy. Both involved conducting polls in public spaces in 2022 to ask people's opinions about the royal family, according to the group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said they had requested bail 45 times for 27 political prisoners from January to April. None of those requests were granted, it said. Another activist who is facing lese mejeste charges and had been detained several times, Panusaya Rung Sitthijirawattanakul, expressed disappointment in Srettha's government, which took office in August following an election that ended nearly a decade of military rule. Before the election, they said that after they became a government they would ask the court to release political prisoners, and they would amend Article 112, she said during a candlelight vigil for Netiporn on Tuesday night, None of that ever came true. When asked about growing calls for young political detainees to be released, Prime Minister Srettha said I believe the Justice Minister has heard these calls. It is under consideration and there will be discussions regarding all processes of justice. Everyone must be treated fairly. The UN's human rights office in Southeast Asia, in a Tuesday post on the social network X, said it was deeply disturbed by Netiporn's death and called for a transparent investigation. It also emphasized that freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights. Kritsadang, the lawyer, also called for the prime minister to take serious action on problems in the system of justice before making an official visit to France and Italy this week, noting the government's bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council's for the 2025-2027 term. Netiporn's funeral service will be held at a Buddhist temple in Bangkok from Thursday to Sunday, the Thaluwang group said. (AP) AS (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI) Kyiv, May 15 (AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office said Wednesday that he has postponed all his upcoming foreign visits amid a new Russian offensive. Zelenskyy cancelled all foreign visits that were planned for the coming days, his office said Wednesday on Telegram. The head of state instructed his team to reschedule the visits. We are grateful to our partners for understanding, the announcement said. Zelenskyy had been expected to visit Spain, and perhaps Portugal, later this week. (AP) GRS GRS Washington, May 15 (AP) The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it would send more than USD 1 billion in additional arms and ammunition to Israel, three congressional aides have said. But it was not immediately known how soon the weapons would be delivered. It's the first arms shipment to Israel to be revealed since the administration put another arms transfer, consisting of 3,500 bombs of up to 2,000 pounds each, on hold this month. The Biden administration, citing concern for civilian casualties in Gaza, has said it paused that bomb transfer to keep Israel from using those particular munitions in its offensive in the crowded southern Gaza city of Rafah. The package disclosed Tuesday includes about USD 700 million for tank ammunition, USD 500 million in tactical vehicles, and USD 60 million in mortar rounds, the congressional aides said. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an arms transfer that has not yet been made public. There was no immediate indication of when the arms would be sent. Two congressional aides said the shipment is not part of the long-delayed foreign aid package that Congress passed and Biden signed last month. It wasn't known if the shipment was the latest tranche from an existing arms sale or something new. The Biden administration has come under criticism from both sides of the political spectrum over its military support for Israel's now seven-month-old war against Hamas in Gaza at a time when Biden is battling for reelection against former President Donald Trump. Some of Biden's fellow Democrats have pushed him to limit transfers of offensive weapons to Israel to pressure the US ally to do more to protect Palestinian civilians. Protests on college campuses around the US have driven home the message this spring. Republican lawmakers have seized on the administration's pause on the bomb transfers, saying any lessening of US support for Israel its closest ally in the Middle East weakens that country as it fights Hamas and other Iran-backed groups. In the House, they are planning to advance a bill this week to mandate the delivery of offensive weaponry for Israel. Despite the one-time suspension of a bomb shipment, Biden and administration officials have made clear they will continue other weapons deliveries and overall military support to Israel, which is the largest recipient of US military aid. Biden will see to it that Israel has all of the military means it needs to defend itself against all of its enemies, including Hamas, national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters Monday. For him, this is very straightforward: He's going to continue to provide Israel with all of the capabilities it needs, but he does not want certain categories of American weapons used in a particular type of operation in a particular place. And again, he has been clear and consistent with that. The Wall Street Journal first reported the plans for the USD 1 billion weapons package to Israel. In response to House Republicans' plan to move forward with a bill to mandate the delivery of offensive weapons for Israel, the White House said on Tuesday that Biden would veto the bill if it were to pass Congress. The bill has practically no chance in the Democratic-controlled Senate. But House Democrats are somewhat divided on the issue, and roughly two dozen have signed onto a letter to the Biden administration saying they were deeply concerned about the message sent by pausing the bomb shipment. One of the letter's signers, New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, said he would likely vote for the bill, despite the White House's opposition. I have a general rule of supporting pro-Israel legislation unless it includes a poison pill like cuts to domestic policy, he said. In addition to the written veto threat, the White House has been in touch with various lawmakers and congressional aides about the legislation, according to an administration official. We strongly, strongly oppose attempts to constrain the President's ability to deploy US security assistance consistent with US foreign policy and national security objectives, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said this week, adding that the administration plans to spend every last cent appropriated by Congress in the national security supplemental package that was signed into law by Biden last month. (AP) RHL Singapore, May 15 (PTI) Economist Lawrence Wong was on Wednesday sworn in as Singapore's fourth prime minister in a planned political transition for the island state. Wong, 51, succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, 72, who relinquished his position after two decades; both belong to the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) that has been driving Singapore's economic progress for more than five decades. Wong, who was the deputy prime minister, will be leading the fourth generation PAP politicians government as the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 67, administered the oath to Wong, described by the local media as a low-key leadership transition. Wong cited continuity, stability and the need to avoid disruptions as reasons for not making major changes at the minister (cabinet) level. "With all other ministers holding on to their portfolios across the leadership transition from Lee Hsien Loongs government to Wongs, it also testifies to the consistency in Wongs decision-making, a Channel News Asia report said. Washington, May 15 (AP) The White House will send an unofficial delegation to Taiwan this weekend for the inauguration of the island's democratically elected president, the Biden administration announced Wednesday, in a move that is certain to upset China but unlikely to draw excessive responses from Beijing as the two countries try to stabilise relations. A senior White House official said the move is in line with longstanding US practice to send the delegation which includes two former senior officials and a scholar to the inauguration ceremony Monday. Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party will take office, succeeding Tsai Ing-wen of the same party. Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of Chinese territory and vows to seize the island by force if necessary to achieve unification, sees Lai as a supporter of Taiwan's independence and has long opposed any official contact between Washington and Taipei. In what ways the US deals with the new Taiwan authorities on May 20 and afterwards will affect (the) cross-Strait situation and also the China-US relations in the future, Liu Pengyu, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said Tuesday before the announcement, referring to the Taiwan Strait. So we urge the US side to act on President Biden's commitment of not supporting Taiwan independence, he said. The US delegation will be in Taipei to represent the American people," the White House official told reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the trip before it was announced. The official called Taiwan a model for democracy not only in the region but also globally." Despite an absence of formal relations with Taiwan, the US is the island's strongest ally and is obligated under a 1979 law to help Taiwan protect itself from invasion. It's unclear how Beijing would respond to an unofficial US delegation at the Taiwanese inauguration, but "Beijing will be the provocateur should it choose to respond with additional military pressure or coercion, the US official said, adding that the administration is not predicting how China would respond. Beijing has repeatedly warned Washington not to meddle with Taiwan's affairs, which it says are a core interest for China because it is a matter of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Beijing sees Washington's support for Taiwan as provocative. The US insists any differences be resolved peacefully and opposes any unilateral changes by either side to the status quo. We do not support Taiwan independence," the administration official said. We support cross-Strait dialogue. Taiwan has topped the agenda in US-China relations, which have soured over issues ranging from trade, cybersecurity and human rights to spying. The Biden administration, in its competition with China, has engaged in intense diplomacy aimed at preventing tensions from spiraling out of control. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have recently visited China in the administration's latest effort to keep communications open and minimize misunderstanding. Shortly after Lai was elected in January, President Joe Biden sent an unofficial delegation to Taipei to meet Lai, drawing protests from Beijing. Members of Congress also have travelled to Taiwan to meet the president-elect. Plans are underway for a congressional delegation to visit Taiwan shortly after the inauguration. Beijing reiterated its claim over Taiwan immediately after Lai was elected and said the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China will not change." Days later, Nauru, a tiny Pacific nation, severed its diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which now is recognized by 12 governments, including the Vatican. Since then, Beijing has criticized a US destroyer's passage through the Taiwan Strait. The US Navy's 7th Fleet said the USS Halsey conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on May 8 through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law. Navy Senior Capt. Li Xi, speaking for China's Eastern Theater Command, accused the US of having publicly hyped the passage of the ship and said the command organized naval and air forces to monitor the ship's transit. Meanwhile, in a push to avoid Taiwan's global recognition, Beijing said this week that it would not agree to Taiwan's participation in this year's World Health Assembly, an annual meeting by the World Health Organization that could boost Taiwan's visibility on the world stage. China's Taiwan region, unless given approval by the central government, has no basis, reason or right to participate in the World Health Assembly, said Wang Wenbin, speaking for the Chinese foreign ministry. Wang also said Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, which came into power in 2016, has been hellbent on the separatist stance of Taiwan's independence and that Beijing has sufficient reason and a solid legal basis to bar Taiwan from the global organization. (AP) AS Panaji, May 15 (PTI) The Goa police on Wednesday arrested a 24-year-old Nigerian woman for possessing drugs worth Rs 15 lakh in Mapusa town, an official said. The woman, identified as Faith Chiemerie, was nabbed at the Mapusa bus stand soon after she arrived there from Bengaluru. She was found carrying 150 grams of amphetamine, Superintendent of Police (Anti-Narcotics Cell) Akshat Kaushal told reporters. The accused was apprehended after the ANC sleuths laid a trap after getting intelligence inputs, he said. "Initial investigation revealed that she had come to Goa from Bengaluru along with the contraband for its sale and distribution," Kaushal said. The woman had arrived in India on a student visa for an academic course in the University of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. However, she never went to the campus, but instead worked in Bengaluru, the official said. Ahmedabad, May 15 (PTI) Six villages in Gujarats Rajkot district that were affected by pollution due to a landfill will collectively get Rs 25 lakh compensation following a recent order of the Supreme Court, an NGO said on Wednesday. The company responsible for the pollution had been directed by the top court to deposit the money as per a 2013 order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The NGO, Paryavaran Mitra, said they will now follow up with the authorities to get the amount released. As per the case details, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation had signed an agreement with Hanjer Biotech Energies Private Limited (HBEPL) in 2003 to set up and run a solid waste disposal site at Nakrawadi village near Rajkot city. However, due to improper handling of solid waste and dispersion of untreated garbage in nearby areas, people from six villages in the vicinity faced health issues and other problems like groundwater contamination and degradation of farmland, said NGO director Mahesh Pandya. About 7,500 people live in these villages Nakrawadi, Pialiya, Nagalpar, Hadmatiya, Khijadiya and Rajgadh. We had filed a petition with the NGT, which found merit in our case. Through an order in December 2013, the NGT had asked the company to deposit Rs 25 lakh with the collector for disbursement as compensation to these five village panchayats, said Pandya. While the company challenged the NGT order in the Supreme Court, which directed it to first deposit Rs 25 lakh with the collector, it became bankrupt during the pendency of the appeal, he said. We are of the opinion that during the rainy season the air and water pollution is caused on account of water slippage from the landfill site because of untreated solid waste which flows along with rainy water from the slope of a small hillock towards the village side, the NGT had said in its order 2013 order. We also find that HBEPL failed to take proper precaution for maintenance of landfill site, the green court had added. In its order dated May 7, the SC disposed of the appeal of HBEPL and directed the Rajkot collector to distribute Rs 25 lakh to the affected villages. It has come over a decade after the NGT passed its order about compensation, said Pandya. Our team will soon meet the Rajkot collector and municipal commissioner with the demand that the interest on Rs 25 lakh be included in the final amount. Moreover, we will also ask RMC (Rajkot Municipal Corporation) to give separate compensation to the villagers, said Pandya. After HBEPL became bankrupt, the Rajkot civic body signed an agreement with another company to manage the landfill. The new company is managing solid waste at the site systematically, he added. Kolkata, May 15 (PTI) Following the implementation of a semester-based education system at the plus two level in educational institutions across the state, the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education on Wednesday announced plans to conduct camps to familiarise headmasters and principals with the features of the system and evaluation strategies. Council president Chiranjib Bhattacharya emphasised the importance of attendance at these workshops in a notice addressed to the headmaster/principals. The workshops for schools in the city are scheduled for May 16 for north Kolkata and May 17 for south Kolkata, while similar camps will be held across the rest of the state, including Darjeeling district, between May 18 and June 19. The council had previously announced the adoption of the semester system for classes 11 and 12 in all state-run and state-aided schools, with implementation commencing from the academic session 2024-25 for class 11 and 2025-26 for class 12. Under the new system, the 10+2 course comprises four parts - semester 1, 2, 3, and 4, with class 11 restructured as semester 1 and 2, and class 12 as semester 3 and 4. Furthermore, the council encouraged schools to provide guidance and opportunities for students to undertake challenging coursework, participate in extracurricular activities, and engage in summer projects with higher educational institutions. The draft of the new state education policy, unveiled in August last year, outlines that board exams will be conducted after the completion of the third and fourth semesters. The existing 4+4+2+2 structure, where students spend four years in the foundation stage, followed by four years in upper primary (preparatory stage), and two years (classes 9 and 10) in secondary education, will be retained according to a higher secondary department official. New Delhi, May 15 (PTI) Taking cognisance of post-poll violence in Andhra Pradesh, the Election Commission of India has summoned the state's chief secretary and the DGP on Thursday to "personally explain" the administration's failure to contain the incidents, sources said. Reminding the state government that the Model Code of Conduct is still in force, the EC also asked the chief secretary and the police chief to ensure such incidents are not repeated. The Commission has repeatedly emphasised that there is no place for violence in a democracy and since the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has been personally monitoring the election space to ensure peaceful and violence-free conduct of polls, officials pointed out. When they appear at the EC headquarters here on Thursday, the top Andhra Pradesh officials will be asked to "personally explain" the reasons for the administration's failure to contain the post-poll violence, the sources said. They will also be asked about preemptive steps being taken to avoid any such incidents in the future, the sources said. Post-poll violence was reported in parts of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday where Lok Sabha and assembly polls were held together on Monday. The leaders of the ruling YSRCP and opposition TDP have levelled allegations against each other for the incidents. New Delhi, May 15 (PTI) AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh on Wednesday met party colleague Swati Maliwal, a day after the party accepted that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's personal assistant Bibhav Kumar "misbehaved" with her. Sanjay Singh was accompanied by Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) member Vandana Singh during his meeting with Maliwal, sources said. The meeting took place at Maliwal's residence, they added. Calls and messages to Maliwal, who is an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member and a former chief of the DCW, did not elicit any response. Maliwal on Monday went to the Civil Lines police station and alleged that a member of the Delhi chief minister's personal staff "assaulted" her at the chief minister's official residence, police officials had said. She is yet to file a formal complaint in the matter. On Tuesday, Sanjay Singh addressed a press conference and said the incident with Maliwal was a "highly condemnable" one. Police had also visited her residence on Minto Road on Tuesday. PTI SLB SLB ANB ANB Srinagar, May 15 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to arrive on a two-day visit to Kashmir on Thursday, a local BJP leader said here. "The Home Minister will arrive here tomorrow evening and meet several delegations," BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur told PTI. He said Shah is also likely to chair a security review meeting during his overnight stay in the valley. "Our local party leaders, delegations from the Pahari community, trade bodies and civil society are scheduled to meet the Home Minister," Thakur added. The BJP has not fielded its candidates for the three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir but has unofficially extended support to some of the new political parties formed after the abrogation of Article 370. Jaipur, May 14 (PTI) Rajasthan police on Tuesday warned its personnel of strict departmental action if they post on social media videos, reels or stories that are not connected to police work but show them in uniform. Instructions in this regard have been given to police officers of all the districts by Rajasthan Director General of Police UR Sahu. Sahu said that it is against the rules for police personnel to post or upload their videos, reels and stories in uniform that have no connection with police work. "This has an adverse effect on the dignity and image of the department," he said. The controlling officer should ensure strict action against the personnel who post such posts, he said. Sahu has directed all the Superintendents of Police, Commandants and other police officers of the state that in future, any policeman should not post "any type of video, reel, story other than the work related to police on social media platforms". "Police uniform is a symbol of commitment, dedication and accountability towards the public. We should take utmost care and seriousness while using it. Broadcasting inappropriate content in uniform is not only a sign of indiscipline, but it also undermines trust among the public," he said in the instructions. Kanpur (UP), May 15 (PTI) Seven schools including two run by the government, received bomb threat emails which were found to be a hoax, officials said on Wednesday. "Most schools reported the threat emails to police on Tuesday after it came to their knowledge, as the schools were closed on Sunday and Monday," Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chandra said. Five private schools and two government schools have received bomb threats through an email in the last 72 hours, he said. The schools that received the bomb threat include Gulmohar Vihar Public School in Hanumant Vihar, KDMA school in Gujaini, Sanatan Dharm Education Centre in Kaushalpuri, the Chintals school in Singhpur Kachar, Virendra Swaroop School in Civil Lines Kendriya Vidyalaya Cantt and Kendriya Vidyalaya in Armapore estate. The officer claimed that following a preliminary investigation it was found that the threats were a hoax. "The Cyber Crime officials have been alerted and the instructions were issued to launch the investigation into the matter after registering the FIR," the ACP said. "We are also trying to ascertain patterns between the hoax bomb threats received by schools in Lucknow, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Delhi-NCR," he said. Similar "hoax" threats were received in schools of Lucknow, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Delhi-NCR earlier this month, said police. New Delhi, May 14 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the vice president should take suo motu cognisance of the incident with AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence. "There was an earlier allegation that a Delhi chief secretary was beaten by Kejriwal. Yesterday, he also thrashed a Rajya Sabha MP. I think the vice president, who is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, should take suo motu cognisance of how a chief minister can beat a Rajya Sabha MP," Sarma told reporters. Maliwal on Monday went to the Civil Lines Police Station and alleged that a member of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's personal staff "assaulted' her at the chief minister's official residence, police officials said. The Assam chief minister also addressed a public meeting in support of BJP candidate Harsh Malhotra in Laxmi Nagar. Sarma said, "The BJP government had promised the Ram temple (in Ayodhya) and the government kept the promise. The BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled all the promises." He said that a magnificent temple will also be built in Mathura, and a grand temple of Baba Vishwanath will be built after winning 400 seats. Attacking the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Sarma said, "The Lal Qila (Red Fort) and the Qutub Minar are the main attractions of the capital, but the CM of Delhi invites people to show Mohalla Clinics, which are in bad conditions." He further said that medical colleges are being built in every district of Assam, and if the BJP is voted to power again, the government will build super-specialty hospitals and medical colleges in the national capital. Local MLA Abhay Verma, deputy president of Delhi BJP Lata Gupta and many other BJP leaders and workers were present during the meeting. Chandigarh, May 15 (PTI) At least 225 more companies of central forces will arrive in Punjab in view of Lok Sabha polls, a senior Punjab police officer said on Wednesday. Polling for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be held on June 1 and 25 companies (around 100 personnel each) of the central forces have already been deployed in the state. Special Director General of Police Arpit Shukla said 80 per cent of police force is being mobilised and at least 225 more companies of central forces will be arriving soon in the state to "instil confidence among the general public as well as to dominate sensitive and hyper-sensitive areas". The Special DGP was on a tour of Amritsar and Jalandhar to hold range-level meetings with senior police officers to review the security arrangements and take stock of preparations for general elections. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Border Range Rakesh Kumar Kaushal and Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar were present in the Amritsar meeting, while, the meeting of Jalandhar range was attended by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jalandhar range S Boopathi and CP Jalandhar Swapan Sharma. Emphasising the need to build a positive environment in the state, Shukla directed all police officers to do "professional policing and not let anyone disturb the hard-earned peace and harmony in the state". He ordered officers to intensify the checking of vehicles, especially commercial vehicles, entering and exiting the state to check the influx of narcotics and illicit liquor. He also directed all officers to make special efforts to nab the accused involved in heinous crimes, drug smuggling and bootlegging, besides, expediting the investigation and prosecution of cases of election-related offences. Punjab Police has recovered Rs 5.45 crore of unaccounted cash, 11.49 lakh litres of liquor and 99.62 kg of drugs since the model code of conduct came into force. Mumbai, May 15 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's poll campaign after his release on interim bail will constantly remind people about the liquor scam and his broken promises which will only add to the BJP's votes, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday. Goyal, in an interview to PTI during his roadshow in Mumbai, also noted that the Supreme Court had clarified that the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) chief has been granted interim bail without going into the merits of the liquor scam case against him. The Supreme Court last Friday granted interim bail to Kejriwal, who has been arrested in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam involving several AAP leaders, to allow him to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. "He(Kejriwal) has only been allowed to come out and campaign, which is fine by us. In fact, it will only add a few more votes to the BJP because people will keep being reminded of the liquor scam and the huge corruption and broken promises of Kejriwal," the Union Commerce Minister said in response to a question on whether the Delhi Chief Minister joining the campaign trail will have in impact on the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls. Goyal is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North and is pitted against Bhushan Patil of the Congress. "People will be reminded of Sheesh Mahal, corruption in (Delhi) liquor scam. It is good (for us)," the senior BJP leader said, adding that Kejriwal would never have got bail on the merits of the case against him. One of Europes most notorious human smugglers was arrested Monday in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, security officials said. The regional governments security agency said it had arrested Barzan Majeed, known as the Scorpion, in the area of Sulaymaniyah, upon a request from Interpol and after the exchange of intelligence information. He was handed over to the regional justice department, it said. The U.K.s National Crime Agency announced Majeeds arrest on the X social media platform. The crime agency had issued an appeal for assistance in tracking Majeed down in 2022, after he was convicted in absentia in Belgium of people smuggling crimes, following a joint U.K.-Belgian investigation. The agency said he had attempted to smuggle 100 migrants to the U.K. in small boats and trucks. The number of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats has soared in recent years as individuals fleeing war, the effects of climate change, and economic uncertainty have sought a better life in Britain. They pay smugglers thousands of dollars for the crossing, hoping to reunite with family members or find work in a country where immigration enforcement is seen as weak and where migrant groups from all over the world can easily blend into society. Last month, the U.K. Parliament approved controversial legislation allowing the government to deport to Rwanda those who enter the country illegally. Hours later, five people, including a 7-year-old girl, died while crossing the English Channel in an overloaded inflatable boat. Many of the would-be migrants hail from Iraqis northern Kurdish region. While the region is relatively more prosperous and stable than other parts of the country, increasing unemployment and corruption issues are driving many young Kurds to undertake the dangerous journey. In November 2021, 16 Iraqi Kurds were among a group of 27 people who died while attempting to cross the channel. (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is planning to raise money for former President Donald Trump in the coming weeks, putting into action the commitment he made at a meeting with Trump last month to help his former rival for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, according to two people familiar with the matter. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the details have not been finalized and plans could still shift in the weeks ahead. Still, DeSantis is making calls to donors while his finance team works quickly to put together a schedule that would include stops in Florida and Texas, the people said. DeSantis is taking concrete steps toward a political reconciliation with Trump, who for months taunted his GOP opponent as DeSanctimonious as the Florida governor argued Trumps time had come and gone. The developments also show DeSantis effort to offer among his most prized assets his prolific fundraising network in a gesture that could pay dividends if he runs for president again in 2028, when Trump would be ineligible to run if he wins this November due to constitutional term limits. Hes shown his commitment to the president and thats why I say well follow his lead, and why I think donors will follow his lead, said Roy Bailey, a Dallas investor who was a co-chairman of DeSantis national finance committee during his presidential campaign, but was not among those to confirm the planning. We will be focused on past DeSantis donors who have yet to donate to President Trump. Were going to try to mine those donors for him. That will create a lot of value. DeSantis aides did not immediately respond to requests for comment. DeSantis, viewed after his dominant reelection in 2022 as a potentially viable Trump rival, raised more than $183 million toward his ultimately unsuccessful Republican presidential primary campaign. The vast majority, more than $145 million, was raised for the super PAC Never Back Down, which could take unlimited sums. DeSantis also raised more than $200 million toward his 2022 Florida campaign. (AP) Standing in his dress uniform in the back of his Aurus convertible, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was driven around Red Square to review the troops during last weeks Victory Day parade. It was to be his last inspection in that role. Over the weekend, President Vladimir Putin replaced Shoigu the 68-year-old was the longest serving member of his Cabinet in a rare Kremlin shake-up that took place even as a Russian offensive in northeastern Ukraine was making gains. Just as stunning was the choice to replace Shoigu Andrei Belousov, a 65-year-old economics expert who has never dealt with the military or other law enforcement agencies. Putting Belousov in charge of the Defense Ministry was seen as a way to tighten control over military spending and put the burgeoning defense sector in sync with the rest of the economy, hit hard by Western sanctions. The reshuffle caught more than a few pundits by surprise, and some mysteries are yet to unfold. SHOIGUS WOES Shoigus job seemed to be in jeopardy early in the 2022 invasion as Russia suffered battlefield setbacks that drew the ire of Russias hawks. He and the chief of the militarys General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, were widely blamed for the failure to capture Kyiv as well as a hasty retreat by Russian troops from northeastern and southern Ukraine amid a stiff counteroffensive. Last year, Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin unleashed a blistering and profane verbal attack on Shoigu and Gerasimov, accusing them of incompetence and corruption. In June, Prigozhin launched a mutiny to demand their ouster, seizing the military headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and sending his soldiers-for-hire on a march on Moscow that he called off hours later. Two months later, Prigozhin and his top lieutenants died in a suspicious plane crash widely seen as Kremlin payback, while Shoigu seemed to shore up his position. The Kremlin denied involvement. Even though he has held the defense ministers job for 11 1/2 years, Shoigus fortunes seemed to take a further downturn last month. His deputy, Timur Ivanov, was arrested on bribery charges and hauled into court still in his military uniform. Ivanov had been Shoigus top associate since before becoming defense minister, and Kremlin watchers saw it as a serious blow. A SOFT LANDING But Putin is known to abhor firings under pressure, and the staunchly loyal Shoigu who has accompanied the president on vacations in the Siberian mountains over the years was no exception. Shoigu got a soft landing, shifted to heading the presidential Security Council and replacing Nikolai Patrushev. The role is roughly similar to the U.S. national security adviser. Patrushev, a longtime hawkish and powerful member of Putins inner circle, will get a new appointment to be announced soon, the Kremlin said, leaving another unanswered question. Shoigu is moving into a respectable and powerful position because he is loyal, and he and Putin are friends, Dara Massicot, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowments Russia and Eurasia Program, said on the social media platform X. AN ECONOMIST AS DEFENSE MINISTER While Shoigu gets a dignified exit from the Defense Ministry, Belousov will probably make organizational changes, Massicot said. Putting an economist in charge of the Defense Ministry was seen as a way of better managing what is an increasing drain on Russias wealth as the wars third year drags on. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the need to integrate the military sector more closely with the economy to put it in sync with the current dynamics. Belousov graduated from the economics faculty of Moscow State University and held a succession of senior government jobs before serving as Putins economic adviser in 2013-20. Since then, he was a deputy prime minister in charge of economic strategies, advocating stronger state controls. Deeply religious, Belousov has talked repeatedly about needing to uphold traditional family values putting him in line with Putins conservative agenda. When Moscow illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, Belousov reportedly was the only member of Putins economic team who immediately supported the move. Belousov isnt Russias first civilian defense minister. Although Shoigu loved wearing the uniform, he had no military background; before becoming the minister, he had led the Emergency Situations Ministry, responsible for civil defense and addressing natural disasters. Previous defense ministers were Anatoly Serdyukov, the head of tax police, and Sergei Ivanov, the former foreign intelligence chief. But Belousovs predecessors all got the job in peacetime while he takes over in what many military analysts see as a decisive moment in the war when Russia is trying to take advantage of a slowdown in the West sending weapons to Ukraine. EASING HAWKS CONCERNS The Kremlin sought to ease the widespread bewilderment over choosing Belousov as defense minister by emphasizing that Gerasimov the chief of the General Staff actually directs the fighting in Ukraine. The chief of the General Staff is in many ways the key person who reports directly to the commander-in-chief, Putin, and the minister is really just to ensure that the military have what they need, said Mark Galeotti, head of the Mayak Intelligence consultancy. Having an economist, someone who has been speaking about the need to basically subordinate much of the economy to the needs of the defense sector, actually makes a certain amount of sense. Its now essentially a financial administrators job, he said in a commentary. Galeotti said Putin could still replace Gerasimov, describing him as unimaginative, prone to truly wasteful operations, and absolutely unwilling to actually tell the commander-in-chief, to tell Putin, some of the realities of war. The Ukrainians must be hoping that he stays. Belousov is widely expected to purge the ministry of Shoigus top associates - a move that would hardly encourage stability at a key moment in the conflict. Still, Massicot and other observers believe that some popular commanders whom Shoigu saw as rivals and tried to sideline including Gen. Sergei Surovikin, known to have longtime links to Prigozhin and credited for building multilayered defenses that stymied Ukraines botched counteroffensive last summer could again get senior positions. Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst, said Putins key motive was to rein in graft in the top brass, embodied by figures like Ivanov, who was arrested in April and accused of taking massive bribes. The situation with Timur Ivanov has shown that corruption has exceeded all limits, Markov said. Another task for Belousov will be to work more closely with industries to modernize the military quickly, he added. GIRDING FOR A LONG WAR Putin likely expects Belousov to better integrate the Defense Ministrys agenda with broader economic policies, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think-tank. This effort sets conditions for a fuller economic mobilization, suggesting that the Kremlin continues to prepare for a protracted war in Ukraine, it said. Alexandra Prokopenko of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center also sees Belousovs appointment as a sign the Kremlin envisions a long war. Putins priority is war; war of attrition is won by economics, she wrote. Belousov is in favor of stimulating demand from the budget, which means that military spending will at least not decrease but rather increase. (AP) A Financial Times/Michell Ross poll has revealed that a majority of voters (51%) believe their financial position has deteriorated under President Joe Bidens economic policies. This sentiment is likely to be a significant concern for Bidens reelection chances, as the economy is the top issue for voters in the 2024 election. According to the Republican National Committee, the average family has lost $21,981 due to the increased cost of living under Biden. The cost of everyday items has skyrocketed, with a McDonalds Big Mac meal now costing $18 in some locations, up $10 from 2018 when former President Donald Trump was in office. The poll results paint a bleak picture for Bidens economic policies, with: Only 28% of voters saying his economy has helped their financial situation 71% describing economic conditions as negative 80% citing soaring prices as one of their biggest challenges Furthermore, voters trust Trump over Biden on the economy, with 43% preferring Trump and 35% preferring Biden. Among blue-collar voters, a demographic traditionally associated with Democrats, Trump and Biden are evenly divided at 40%. The poll suggests that Bidens economic policies, dubbed Bidenomics, are unpopular with voters, who are still blaming him for high consumer prices despite a booming economy and strong jobs market. Additionally, 49% of voters are concerned about income levels, and 32% are worried about housing costs. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Google on Tuesday rolled out a retooled search engine that will frequently favor responses crafted by artificial intelligence over website links, a shift promising to quicken the quest for information while also potentially disrupting the flow of money-making internet traffic. The makeover announced at Googles annual developers conference will begin this week in the U.S. when hundreds of millions of people will start to periodically see conversational summaries generated by the companys AI technology at the top of the search engines results page. The AI overviews are supposed to only crop up when Googles technology determines they will be the quickest and most effective way to satisfy a users curiosity a solution mostly likely to happen with complex subjects or when people are brainstorming, or planning. People will likely still see Googles traditional website links and ads for simple searches for things like a store recommendation or weather forecasts. Google began testing AI overviews with a small subset of selected users a year ago, but the company is now making it one of the staples in its search results in the U.S. before introducing the feature in other parts of the world. By the end of the year, Google expects the recurring AI overviews to be part of its search results for about 1 billion people. Besides infusing more AI into its dominant search engine, Google also used the packed conference held at a Mountain View, California, amphitheater near its headquarters to showcase advances in a technology that is reshaping business and society. The next AI steps included more sophisticated analysis powered by Gemini a technology unveiled five months ago and smarter assistants, or agents, including a still-nascent version dubbed Astra that will be able to understand, explain and remember things it is shown through a smartphones camera lens. Google underscored its commitment to AI by bringing in Demis Hassabis, the executive who oversees the technology, to appear on stage at its marquee conference for the first time. The injection of more AI into Googles search engine marks one of the most dramatic changes that the company has made in its foundation since its inception in the late 1990s. Its a move that opens the door for more growth and innovation but also threatens to trigger a sea change in web surfing habits. This bold and responsible approach is fundamental to delivering on our mission and making AI more helpful for everyone, Google CEO Sundar Pichai told a group of reporters. It also will bring new risks to an internet ecosystem that depends heavily on digital advertising as its financial lifeblood. Google stands to suffer if the AI overviews undercuts ads tied to its search engine a business that reeled in $175 billion in revenue last year alone. And website publishers ranging from major media outlets to entrepreneurs and startups that focus on more narrow subjects will be hurt if the AI overviews are so informative that they result in fewer clicks on the website links that will still appear lower on the results page. Based on habits that emerged during the past years testing phase of Googles AI overviews, about 25% of the traffic could be negatively affected by the de-emphasis on website links, said Marc McCollum, chief innovation officer at Raptive, which helps about 5,000 website publishers make money from their content. A decline in traffic of that magnitude could translate into billions of dollars in lost ad revenue, a devastating blow that would be delivered by a form of AI technology that culls information plucked from many of the websites that stand to lose revenue. The relationship between Google and publishers has been pretty symbiotic, but enter AI, and what has essentially happened is the Big Tech companies have taken this creative content and used it to train their AI models, McCollum said. We are now seeing that being used for their own commercial purposes in what is effectively a transfer of wealth from small, independent businesses to Big Tech. But Google found the AI overviews resulted in people in conducting even more searches during the technologys testing because they suddenly can ask questions that were too hard before, said Liz Reid, who oversees the companys search operations, told The Associated Press during an interview. She declined to provide any specific numbers about link-clicking volume during the tests of AI overviews. In reality, people do want to click to the web, even when they have an AI overview, Reid said. They start with the AI overview and then they want to dig in deeper. We will continue to innovate on the AI overview and also on how do we send the most useful traffic to the web. The increasing use of AI technology to summarize information in chatbots such as Googles Gemini and OpenAIs ChatGPT during the past 18 months already has been raising legal questions about whether the companies behind the services are illegally pulling from copyrighted material to advance their services. Its an allegation at the heart of a high-profile lawsuit that The New York Times filed late last year against OpenAI and its biggest backer, Microsoft. Googles AI overviews could provoke lawsuits too, especially if they siphon away traffic and ad sales from websites that believe the company is unfairly profiting from their content. But its a risk that the company had to take as the technology advances and is used in rival services such as ChatGPT and upstart search engines such as Perplexity, said Jim Yu, executive chairman of BrightEdge, which helps websites rank higher in Googles search results. This is definitely the next chapter in search, Yu said. Its almost like they are tuning three major variables at once: the search quality, the flow of traffic in the ecosystem and then the monetization of that traffic. There hasnt been a moment in search that is bigger than this for a long time. (AP) Eight TikTok content creators sued the U.S. government on Tuesday, issuing another challenge to the new federal law that would ban the popular social media platform nationwide if its China-based parent company doesnt sell its stakes within a year. Attorneys for the creators argued in the lawsuit that the law violates users First Amendment rights to free speech, echoing legal arguments made by TikTok in a separate lawsuit filed by the company last week. The legal challenge could end up before the Supreme Court. The lawsuit said the creators rely on TikTok to express themselves, learn, advocate for causes, share opinions, create communities, and even make a living. They have found their voices, amassed significant audiences, made new friends, and encountered new and different ways of thinkingall because of TikToks novel way of hosting, curating, and disseminating speech, it added, arguing the new law would deprive them and the rest of the country of this distinctive means of expression and communication. A spokesperson for TikTok said the company was covering the legal costs for the lawsuit, which was filed in a Washington appeals court. It is being led by the same law firm that represented creators who challenged Montanas state-wide ban on the platform last year. In November, a judge blocked that law from going into effect. The federal law comes at a time of intense strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China on a host of issues and as the two have continued to butt heads over sensitive geopolitical topics like Chinas support for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. U.S. lawmakers and other administration officials have aired concerns about how well TikTok can protect users data from Chinese authorities and have argued its algorithm could be used to spread pro-China propaganda, which TikTok disputes. Under the law, TikToks parent company ByteDance would be required to sell the platform to an approved buyer within nine months. If a sale is in progress, the company will get a three-month extension to complete the deal. However, TikTok and ByteDance said in their lawsuit last week that they would still have no choice but to shut down by next Jan. 19 because continuing to operate in the U.S. wouldnt be commercially, technologically or legally possible. They asserted it would be impossible for ByteDance to divest its U.S. TikTok platform as a separate entity from the rest of TikTok, which has 1 billion users worldwide most of them outside of the United States. A U.S.-only TikTok would operate as an island thats detached from the rest of the world, the lawsuit argues. It also said the Chinese government which would need to approve such a sale has made clear it would not permit a sale of the recommendation algorithm that populates users feeds and has been the key to the success of TikTok in the United States. In an interview, Brian Firebaugh, the Hubbard, Texas-based rancher who is part of the creator lawsuit, said he started his TikTok account in 2020 to help establish his brand and market the cattle-related products that he sells online. That decision allowed him to quit his full-time job and live off the income he was making from TikTok, where he currently has more than 430,000 followers. Firebaugh, 44, said TikTok has also helped him build an online community with other ranchers and gave him the opportunity to participate in a Netflix reality show where his winnings allowed him and his wife to afford the adoption process for their son. Losing TikTok, he said, would disrupt everything. One hundred percent of our customers come from TikTok, Firebaugh said. For that to go away, youre now stealing money out of my familys mouths. Chloe Joy Sexton, a 29-year-old content creator who lives in Memphis, Tennessee, and runs a cookie business called Chloes Giant Cookies, said she started experimenting with TikTok four years ago after losing her prior job. Sexton said she had been posting content on other social media platforms, but only TikTok created a viral trajectory for her baking. Today, she has more than 2 million followers on the app, where she has also shared more intimate details about her life, such as losing her mother to brain cancer and subsequently adopting her little sister. There has been no evidence whatsoever that my information is in danger or anybody elses, said Sexton, who is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Nobody has provided that not the government, not anybody else. And to base this purchase, this tug of war that changes my life off of a hypothetical is so hurtful to me personally, because my government at that point is not protecting me. The creators are asking the court to issue a declaration saying the law is unconstitutional and an order that would prevent Attorney General Merrick Garland from enforcing it. (AP) An Air Force instructor pilot was killed when the ejection seat activated while the jet was still on the ground at a Texas military base, the Air Force said Tuesday. The instructor pilot was in a T-6A Texan II at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, when the seat activated during ground operations on Monday. The pilot was taken to a hospital and died Tuesday, the Air Force said. The pilots name was being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The T-6A Texan II is a single-engine two-seater aircraft that serves as a primary trainer for Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps pilots. In a training flight an instructor can sit in the front or back seat; both have lightweight Martin-Baker ejection seats that are activated by a handle on the seat. In 2022, the T-6 fleet and hundreds of other Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps jets were grounded after inspections revealed a potential defect with one component of the ejection seats cartridge actuated devices, or CADs. The fleet was inspected and in some instances the CADs were replaced. When activated the cartridge explodes and starts the ejection sequence. Ejection seats have been credited with saving pilots lives, but they also have failed at critical moments in aircraft accidents. Investigators identified ejection seat failure as a partial cause of an F-16 crash that killed 1st Lt. David Schmitz, 32, in June 2020. In 2018, four members of a B-1 bomber crew earned the Distinguished Flying Cross when, with their aircraft on fire, they discovered one of the four ejection seats was indicating failure. Instead of bailing out, all of the crew decided to remain in the burning aircraft and land it so they all would have the best chance of surviving. All of the crew survived. (AP) New York City Mayor Eric Adams suggested allowing migrants to work as lifeguards to address the citys shortage of lifeguards, citing many migrants excellent swimming skills. At a press conference, Adams said, How do we have a large body of people that are in our city, and country, that are excellent swimmers and, at the same time, we need lifeguards and the only obstacle is that we wont give them the right to work to become a lifeguard? That just doesnt make sense. Adams also highlighted shortages in other occupations, such as food service workers and nurses, and emphasized the need to expedite work permits for migrants. We have all these eligible people waiting to work with the skills we need to fill the jobs, but we are unable to allow them to work because bureaucracy is in the way. That just does not make sense. The city has been grappling with a migrant crisis, with over 195,000 migrants entering the shelter system since 2022 and 65,000 still in the shelters. Adams, along with other blue city mayors, has called for additional funding and expedited work permits from the federal government. However, Adams comments drew criticism from conservatives, who compared them to New York Gov. Kathy Hochuls recent statement about black children in the Bronx not knowing the word computer. Commentator Dana Loesch said, The GOP should be making ads off these insane elements. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson assailed the hush money case against Donald Trump Tuesday as an illegitimate sham, becoming the highest-ranking Republican to show up at court, embrace the former presidents claims of political persecution and attack the U.S. system of justice. It was a remarkable moment in modern American politics: The House speaker amplifying Trumps defense and turning the Republican Party against the federal and state legal systems that are foundational to the U.S. government and a cornerstone of democracy. Johnson, who is second in line for the presidency, called the court system corrupt. Outside the New York courthouse, he decried this ridiculous prosecution that is not about justice. He said, Its all about politics. The speaker is leading a growing list of Republican lawmakers who are criticizing the American judicial system as they rally to Trumps side, appearing at the courthouse to defend the partys presumptive presidential nominee. Trump is accused of having arranged secret payments to a porn actress to hide negative stories during his successful 2016 campaign for president. With Trump stuck in court and barred by a judges gag order from criticizing witnesses or certain elements of the case, Johnson and the lawmakers are taking it upon themselves to attack the proceedings, now in a fourth week of witness testimony. Theyre using the trial as a de facto campaign stop as they work to return the former president to the White House. In portraying the case against Trump as politically motivated, the Republicans are also laying the groundwork to dismiss its significance should the jury convict, and for potential challenges to the fall election, a rematch with President Joe Biden, a Democrat. Johnson was a chief architect of Trumps efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential results ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, mob assault on the U.S. Capitol, and last week he called the hush money trial and the other election-year cases against Trump a borderline criminal conspiracy. It is election interference, Johnson said Tuesday, insisting he was appearing on his own to back Trump, whom he called a friend. And the American people are not going to let this stand. Unlike other Republicans showing up to show their support, Johnson did not enter the courtroom where Trump is on trial, departing the scene following his remarks to reporters as he dashed back to Washington to open the House chamber for the day. Also with Trump on Tuesday were U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum both considered possible vice presidential candidates as well as former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, one of Trumps current top surrogates. U.S. Sens. JD Vance of Ohio and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama were among those who attended court on Monday. Trumps campaign has lined up allies in recent days to appear at the New York courthouse to attack witnesses and others whom Trump is barred by a judges gag order from criticizing himself. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said Monday that he appeared last week at the invitation of Trump senior advisor Susie Wiles. The campaign has said others volunteered to come to New York. The Democrats are using the court system to go after and prosecute, criminally, a political opponent thats a crime, Scott said over the weekend on Fox News. Theyre just thugs trying to stop Trump from being able to run for president. In the short term, the Republicans presence at the courthouse and comments critical of the process have let Trump and his allies amplify their message without risking another explicit violation of the gag order. Trumps attorneys have challenged the gag order as unconstitutional, but an appeals court upheld it on Tuesday. Johnson specifically attacked the credibility of Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer and fixer who began his second day of testimony in the former presidents hush money trial. And others, too. He criticized Cohen as a man who is clearly on a mission for personal revenge, said lead prosecutor Matthew Colangelo recently received over $10,000 in payments from the Democratic National Committee and said the daughter of Judge Juan M. Merchan has made millions of dollars doing online fundraising for Democrats. Colangelo, who joined the Manhattan District Attorneys Office in 2022 and previously worked in the U.S. Justice Department in the Biden administration, did paid political consulting work for the DNC in 2018, according to federal campaign finance records. The Republican speaker, who is wholly dependent on support from Trump to keep the gavel, has aimed to strengthen their alliance, particularly as Johnson has come under fire from his own caucus in the House, including a failed effort at his removal by a fellow Trump backer, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. Johnson made an appearance with the former president at his Mar-a-Lago club last month to announce new House legislation to require proof of citizenship for voting, echoing Trumps baseless claims that Democrats are abetting immigrants entering the U.S. illegally to swing elections another potential route for Republican challenges to the 2024 election. There isnt any indication that noncitizens vote in significant numbers in federal elections or that they will in the future. And Johnson joined Trump on stage for the Republican National Committees gala at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month, praising the presumptive presidential nominee and saying House Republicans fully expect to ride Trumps coattails to their own re-elections to keep the majority hold on the chamber. Johnson has been using the pulpit of the speakers office in Washington to attack the U.S. judicial system, criticizing the courts as biased against the former president, claiming the case is politically motivated by Democrats and insisting Trump has done nothing wrong. The speaker has demurred when asked if the 2020 election was legitimate, and in a departure from the tradition of trust and adherence in U.S. election systems, Johnson and other Republicans have hedged when asked if they will accept the election results of 2024. (AP) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman One of my Rebbeim, Rav Dovid Kviat zatzal, was a student of Rav Chatzkel Levenstein zatzal. Rav Levenstein had a different explanation of the words in Shmoneh Esreh, Mechalkel Chaim bChessed. Rather than explaining it as through His Midah of Chessed He sustains the world, or He sustains us with more than mere mecaroni buth with steak, Rav Levenstein explained it that Chessed is what sustains the world. Doing Chessed can do remarkable things especially for the safety of our brethren in Eretz Yisroel and fighting in Gaza. Chessed, and the love of it, forms the very blueprint of the world. Hashem is the essence of Chessed itself, and He created the world so that He can reward us for doing Mitzvos (Derech Hashem Chapter one). Thus, the Mitzvos involved in the performance of Chessed form a large part of the reason why Hashem created the world. Performing Chessed gives our life meaning. Since Chessed plays such a crucial role in life, it is important to understand what Chazal tell us about this most important subject. This article should be utilized to help inspire our daily Chessed, and to help us understand the significance of it. SOURCE What is the source for the Mitzvah of performing Chessed? The Gemorah (Bava Kamma 100a) identifies a posuk in Shmos (18:20) as the source, And inform them of the path that they should walk.. The Rambam in Sefer HaMitzvos (Shoresh 2) cites this as a biblical requirement. There is another Pasuk which one fulfill when performing Chessed, Vahavta lrayacha kamocha. Love thy neighbor as yourself. The Rambam in Hilchos Aveilus (14:1) cites this as a biblical fulfillment, although the Rabbis provided illustrations as to how to fulfill it.. FURTHER SOURCES AND THREE OBLIGATIONS OF CHESSED 1. WALKING IN HIS WAYS a. The major obligation of Chessed stems from walking in Hashems ways. The Gemorah (Sotah 14a) discusses the pasuk which says, Acharei Hashem Elokecha taylechu you shall walk after Hashem your G-d (Dvarim 13:5). The Gemorah poses a question. It asks, How is it possible to physically walk after the Divine Presence? b. The Gemorah answers that it means to follow after the Chessed traits, kavyachol, of Hashem. Just as He provides for the unclothed, so too must you provide clothing to them. The Sefer Mitzvos Gedolos states that this verse is part of the related Pasuk of vhalachta bdrachav and you shall walk in his ways. In other words, the verse of Acharei Hashem Elokecha Taylechu is referencing the verse of vhalachta bdrachav. It could very well be that the aforementioned verse in Shmos (18:20) is also referencing this. 2. UNDERSTANDING THAT CHESSED CONNECTS US TO HASHEM a. The Gemorah in Shabbos (133b) discusses another entirely different pasuk, Zeh Kaili Vanveihu.. The Gemorah in Shabbos understands it to mean that we must attempt to liken ourselves to Him. Just as He is kind and merciful, so too must you be kind and merciful. Rav Yitzchok Isaac Sherr zatzal explains (Leket Sichos Mussar p.76) that the pasuk of Zeh Kaili vAnveihu teaches us the obligation of feeling and understanding that the performance of Chessed brings us closer to Hashem. This is on account of the Gemorahs understanding of the word Anvehu to mean Ani vhu I and Him. The meaning of this Pasuk is therefore, This is my G-d, and I shall bind myself to Him. I know that I can accomplish this binding through the notion of performing acts of Chessed. The consequences of this Pasuk are an obligation of thought, not practice. It is something that we must think Chessed binds us to Hashem Ani VeHu. One means of achieving this is the further obligation that the sages placed on people to say (Tana DBei Eliyahu chapter 25), When will my actions reach the level of those of our forefathers? The forefathers personified these principles of Chessed and wholesomeness. They also are the paradigns of relationship with Hashem. The Avos were so close to Hashem that they established the Tefilos. Chessed can bring us to such a high Madreigah, spiritual level, that it can bring us to the level of the Avos! And a person is obligated to view Chessed as the means of bringing us closer to Hashem and constantly ask, when will my actions of chessed bring me up to that level of spirituality? 3. LOVING CHESSED a. The posuk in Micha (6:8) states, ..What does Hashem require of you? Merely to do justice and love Chessed.. The idea is that we must foster and develop a love of Chessed. Rav Sherr explains that there are three elements to this love: 1] To love doing acts of Chessed ourselves. 2] To love and appreciate a situation where Chessed is being performed by others either for another or for others. 3] To love the existence of opportunities for Chessed in the world. The Chofetz Chaim writes (Ahavas Chessed 2:1) that not only must one love Chessed but one must stick to this character trait and always go beyond the measure of what is required. He give the analogy of a parent. A loving parent gives more food and clothing than the child requires, so too must we do likewise in sticking to the Midah of Chessed. OLAM CHESSED YIBANEH The Alter of Slabodka writes that the notion of Olam Chessed Yibaneh tells us that just as Hashem built the world with Chessed, so too must we build the world with Chessed. Everyone in the world needs Chessed. When we are born as babies we require the chessed of others. When we become elderly and sick, we also need the Chessed of others. There is no other way. Chessed is necessary for the world to be built. Hashem built this into the nature of the world in order to show us the very necessity of Chessed. There is another element in Chessed too. It is a natural tendency for people to become miserable and crabby as we age. Living a life committed to Chessed changes that it stops us from declining in this respect. Thus, Chessed not only builds the world it builds ourselves as well. There are other benefits of Chessed too. The Chofetz Chaim writes (Ahavas Chessed 2:4) that when the performance of Chessed saves a person from difficulties in life. It also ensures that Hashem will continue to maintain His love. It also awakens the Divine Middah of Chessed above. The Gemorah in Bava Kamma (17a) also explains that ones enemies fall away when one is committed to the performance of Chessed. WHO IT APPLIES TO The Mitzvah of Chessed applies equally to men and to women. It should also be taught to ones children. There is no better way to inculcate this most precious of traits than by example and by performing the Chessed with family members. CONSTANT CHESSED Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky ztl was the Gadol HaDor in the early twentieth century. After he had passed away, his notes to himself were found. He had a note that stated he should always make sure to perform at least two chassadim per day. The Chofetz Chaim (Ahavas Chessed 2:12) writes that one cannot allow one day to go by without having performed Chessed. He cites Rav Chaim Vital (a student of the Arizal) that one must spend time to consider every day to do Chessed and by doing so one achieves atonement for ones sins. We must also look for opportunities for Chessed. Hashem in His tremendous love for us has created new mediums and technologies for us to be able to better perform Chessed. Most people nowadays have a cell phone. The ability to store vast numbers and to call anyone no matter where we are are actually Divinely ordained developments for the purpose of our performing Chessed for others. Chessed is such a remarkable Mitzvah, it is even greater than Charity, Tzedakah. How so? The Gemorah in Sukkah (49b) explains that it is greater than Tzedakah in three ways: Tzedaka is only with money Chessed can be done with money or with ones physical body. Tzedakah can only be done for the poor. Chessed can be done for the poor and the wealthy. Tzedakah can only benefit the living. Chessed can benefit either the living or the dead. OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHESSED The opportunities for Chessed are indeed quite numerous. To name just a few: There are: 1. Our brethren in Eretz Yisroel 2. The forgotten elderly in nursing homes 3. People in hospitals 4. Family members of people in hospitals 5. Children who need extra attention 6. The poor who need clothing 7. The developmentally disabled 8. Foreigners in a strange land that need assistance 9. Loaning items or money to others 10. The Avos DeRav Nosson (Chapter 13) says that if one greets a person with a smile it is as if he has given him all of the greatest gifts in the world. POWER OF CHESSED The Midrash (Introduction to Aicha #24) tells us that all the Avos listed their own merits to Hashem in order that the nation of Israel should ultimately be redeemed. Avrohom Avinu mentioned his mesiras Nefesh involved in Akeidas Yitzchok. Yitzchok too cried out and responded that he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. Yet, Hashem only responded to Rachel because her merits involved the notion of Chessed. She gave the simanim to her sisters so that she not be embarrassed. This is why the Pasuk in Yirmiyahu (31:14-16) states, A voice is heard on High Rachel is crying for her children.. We should also be aware that there is no limit to the heights and growth we can accomplish in our chessed. This can be seen from a passage of the Targum Yonasan on Sefer Rus. Boaz tells Rus that he is aware of both how she came and joined up the nation of Israel, and also of all the Chessed that she had performed with her mother-in-law. The Targum Yonasan on this Pasuk explains that because they were written next to each other and said in the same breath, these two Mitzvos were equal to each other. This is somewhat mind-boggling. Rus was a princess of Moav, a very powerful nation. It is a remarkable notion that one of the top women in society would give it all up to become a lowly member of the Jewish nation that must take Tzedakah. Is this lofty Mitzvah equal to the mere Chessed that she does with her mother-in-law? The answer, according to Rav Henoch Leibowitz ztl. is that there is no spiritual limit to any Mitzvah that we perform. If we do a Chessed, any Chessed, with the right intentions and Kavannah it can be equal to the greatest of Mitzvos. IF CHESSED IS NOT DONE The Gemorah in Avodah Zarah (17b) explains that one who engages in Torah but does not perform Chessed alongside it, it is as if he has no Elokah as if he has no G-d. The Midrash (Koheles Rabbah 7:4) tells us that whomsoever denies Gmilas Chasadim, it is as if he has denied Hashem kilu kofer bikkar. The Yalkut Shimoni (Parshas Shoftim #64) states that whoever performs Chessed acknowledges all the Chessed that Hashem has performed since the exodus from Mitzrayim, and whoever does not perform Chessed it is as if he denies all the Chessed that Hashem has perfomed since the exodus from Mitzrayim. KAVANA IN CHESSED The Mitzvah of Chessed is a fulfillment of the Torah commandment of Vahavta lrayacha kamocha love your neighbor as yourself. Generally speaking, we rule that when a person fulfills a Torah Mitzvah, Kavana is required in order for it to count. Kavana means that a person must have in mind that he is fulfilling the Mitzvah of hashem as found in the Torah. This would seem to be the case in regard to Chessed as well (See Ahavas Chessed 2:23). However, many Poskim have written that although it is required ideally, if one did not have the correct Kavana, the Mitzvah still counts, post facto. The Chazon Ish was of the opinion that this concept of not receiving credit for a Mitzvah when one does it by rote without intent does not apply in regard to Mitzvos that are between man and man (Toraso yehge, Miluim #10). WHEN IT TURNS OUT THE RECIPIENT ENDED UP NOT NEEDING IT What happens when it turns out that the recipient ended up not using or not needing the Chessed? The Maharsha in Sukkah (49b) indicates clearly that the person who performed the Chessed still receives full schar, credit. Thus, there is no need to feel disappointment when it turns out that the Chessed may not have been necessary. One still receives full credit. OTHER ASPECTS OF CHESSED Ideally, one should stand when doing the Mitzvah of Gmilas Chessed, just like the performance of any Mitzvah (OC 8, Bais Yoseph, Eliyahu Rabbah and Mishna Brurah). The rationale is that it is giving respect for the Mitzvah. Here too, of course, if one did not stand one still fulfills the Mitzvah. One does not recite a blessing when performing the Mitzvah of Chessed. There are a few reasons that are given. The Rashba explains (Vol. I #254) that any Mitzvah involving the benefit of other human beings, and when they refuse to accept it there will be no Mitzvah, does not receive a blessing. Rabbeinu Bachya in his Kad Hakemach (Tzitzis) writes that any intellectual Mitzvah that one would have performed anyway without a commandment from the Torah does not receive a blessing. The Ohr Zaruah (#140) explains that Mitzvos that apply all of the time do not receive a blessing. WITH A SMILE When performing the Mitzvah of Gemilas Chassadim one should do so cheerfully and with a smile (Chofetz Chaim in his Sefer Ahavas Chessed Vol. II #23). This is predicated upon the same halacha in Shulchan Aruch regarding the giving of charity (Yore Deah 249:3). At the opposite extreme, it is stated in Avos DRav Nosson (13) that if one gives someone enormous gift but greets him with a sour expression, it is as if he has done nothing. The same would apply to the Mitzvah of Chessed. DIVINE SOURCE FOR JOY OF CHESSED There are two Mitzvos in the Torah that imbue an individual with their own unique feeling of joy they are the love of Torah learning and the joy of a Chessed. These special joys, in fact, have a Divine source to them. They emanate from the Ohr Panim kaveyachol of Hashem the Divine light of Hashem. In the Tefilah of Shmoneh Esreh written by the Anshei Knesses HaGedolah we say, Ki bor panecha nasata lanu toras chaim vahavas Chesed. The Divine source for the origin of the joy we feel when we perform Chessed explains why Chessed can be so life-changing. It can save us from depression, it can save us from the crabbiness that comes with old age, and so much more. VIGNETTES OF CHESSED There was an older woman who had lost her desire to eat and said, Hashem just wants me to die now. A young woman visited her, engaged her in conversation, empathized with her struggles, and gently offered her some ice cream. This little chessed snowballed and eventually the woman regained her desire to eat. AVOID YETZER HARAH IN CHESSED It is important not to allow the Yetzer Harah to enter into the performance of this wonderful Mitzvah. The Mesilas Yesharim describes the Yetzer Harah as ish milchama hu umelumad barmimus he is a man of war and skilled in the art of deceipt. Thus, the Yetzer Harah can easily convince us to get angry at someone else involved in the Chessed. It is so upsetting, the Chessed leader does not know what they are doing! Other Midos that the Yetzer HaRah can trip us up in, are: Gaavah, taking things that do not belong to us, etc. In short, there may be other temptations that the Yetzer HaRah will bring to us while we perform acts of Chessed in order to try to make the Chessed less pure. ENCOURAGING CHESSED IN OTHERS We must also realize that encouraging others to perform Chessed is in and of itself the fulfillment of Chessed. It should therefore also be done cheerfully and with a smile. The problem is that if one is encountering resistance, then it is likely that the second persons Chessed will not be performed in the cheerful loving manner that it requires. This area is one that is fraught with difficulty since doing Chessed is actually an obligation, just as other positive Mitzvos are obligations. The halacha is that if there is a good chance that you can change someones mind to do the Chessed then one is obligated to give Tochacha. The obligation of Tochacha for doing a Mitzvah is found in Parshas Kedoshim (VaYikrah 19:17), Hochayach Tochiyach es amisecha You shall surely rebuke your peer.. The obligation is discussed in Shulchan Aruch (Orech Chaim 608:2). The suggestion therefore, is to keep the Tochacha as positive as possible. Guilting a person into performing Chessed or mildly chastising them will not necessarily result in a happy performance of it. The Chazon Ish has written that the art of giving Tochacha has been lost in the current generation. If this was true in the Chazon Ishs time, it is certainly true in our times. Therefore, one should try to encourage others as much as possible in doing Chessed, but one should avoid the harsher forms of Tochacha. TZNIUS IN CHESSED It is important to keep the Chessed as pure and pristine as possible and not to show off the Chessed. This is the fulfillment of Vhatzneya leches im elokecha (Michah 6:8). Such a person is described as an vyikarah Ish Emunim. It is also the understanding of the Pasuk in Mishlei (6:14) Matan bsaiser yikveh af. Just like in Torah, where Chazal tell us in Pirkei Avos (4:3) that we not make Torah a crown to show off in, the great Roshei Yeshiva have said the same thing in regard to the performance of Chessed. At the same time, it is also important to spread the notion of doing Chessed and getting others involved in the Chessed. This is something that takes work to make sure that the Chessed is done Lishma with a purity, yet at the same time to help spread the notion of Chessed. The Tefilah that we say in the Shmoneh Esreh of Shabbos morning Vetaher libeinu lavdecha bemes and purify our hearts to serve you in truth is very instructive here. The author can be reached at [email protected] British Foreign Secretary David Cameron earlier this week criticized the BBC for its refusal to call Hamas terrorists. In an interview with BBC on Sunday, Cameron said that the broadcasting organization should reconsider its guidelines. Speaking a day after Hamas released a video of British-Israeli hostage Nadav Popplewell, Cameron said; Like everyone else, I watched the video on Twitter, X, last night, put out by Hamas of Nadav answering a question as to who he was. And I watched that video and you just think, what callous people they are to do that, to play with the familys emotions in that way. Cameron added that he met Popplewells family and knows what heartbreak theyve been going through for over 200 days. And when you see what Hamas are prepared to do, you just realize the terrible, dreadful, inhuman people, frankly, that we are dealing with. Maybe its a moment actually for the BBC to ask itself again, should we describe these people as terrorists? They are terrorists. If you kidnap grandmothers, if you kidnap babies, if you rape people, if you shoot children in front of their parents what more do they need to do for the BBC to say look, these are terrorists? They really are. Cameron was also interviewed by Sky News on Sunday and said that an Israeli arms embargo would only strengthen Hamas. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Biala Rebbe, ztl, who was niftar on Friday had a dream that something terrible was happening to Am Yisrael prior to the start of the October 7th assault, BChadrei Chareidim reported. HaGaon HaRav Yechiel Michel Weiner, a Biala Rav in Beit Shemesh who is known as a tremendous talmid chacham, said at the Rebbes shiva that the Rebbes health began to deteriorate on the morning of Simchas Torah, when the October 7th assault began and he continued to suffer from ill health until his petirah. The Rebbe woke up early that morning, even before the Hamas terrorists infiltrated the Israeli border, and told his Gabbai that he had a very bad dream about something terrible happening to Am Yisrael. The Rebbe felt too ill to leave the house for the tefillos and hakafos. He stayed home that morning and didnt leave the home again until he was brought to the hospital before his petirah. The Rebbes tzaavah was revealed on Monday in which he appointed his third son, HaRav Yitzchak Yosef Dov Rabinowitz, as his successor. The Rebbe, ztl, wrote in the tzaava: Thanks to Hashem, all my dear sons are loved, all of them are clearly blessed by Hashem and all are equally good. But to be appointed for leadership, special qualities are needed as it is a difficult avodah, like the Gemara explains: , ( ) And with this, I appoint my son HaRav Yitzchak Yosef Dov. I very much hope that my sons and grandsons will not be makpid on me as Im doing this, as I know them well, for their benefit. But we need to appoint someone in charge who is capable and can suffer the yissurim of leadership and he, Baruch Hashem, is capable in all respects. The Rebbe beseeched his children, grandchildren and chassidim to avoid any machlokes over the issue. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) In a precision airstrike, Israeli fighter jets targeted a Hamas command center situated in a UNRWA school in Nuseirat, central Gaza, killing more than 15 terrorists, including 10 Hamas members and terrorists from the elite Nukhba force who participated in the October 7 attack. According to the IDF, the strike was carried out following accurate intelligence provided by the Shin Bet security agency and Military Intelligence Directorate. The military emphasized that the strike was carefully planned and carried out using precise munitions while avoiding harming civilians as much as possible. The IDF and Shin Bet revealed that the command center was used by Hamas to plan attacks against Israeli troops operating in central Gaza in recent weeks. This is not the first time Israel has accused UNRWA of enabling Hamas to use its facilities for terror purposes. Previously, Israel has provided evidence that several UNRWA employees are members of terror groups and were involved in the October 7 attack. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The Biden administration has notified Congress of its intention to proceed with a massive $1 billion arms package for Israel, despite recent tensions over the planned assault on Rafah. The deal includes $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds, aimed at replenishing Israels depleted stockpiles. The decision comes less than a week after the White House paused a shipment of bombs over concerns about civilian casualties in Rafah. While the administration has expressed opposition to a full-scale attack on the city, it has only withheld a single shipment of 2,000-pound bombs, with President Biden stating that he would consider withholding additional weapons if Israel targets population centers. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has emphasized that the US will continue to provide military assistance for self-defense, but has paused the bomb shipment due to concerns about densely populated areas. Israel has carried out airstrikes and sent forces into Rafah, and the US has sent tens of thousands of bombs, ammunition, and equipment since the war began. The new arms deal, which has been under consideration since spring, is a rare instance of new weapons deals with Israel since last October. The notification to Congress starts a review period, during which lawmakers can seek to block the transfers. Almost simultaneously as the report coming out revealing the new arms sales to Israel, the White House released a statement saying that President Biden would veto a bill to prevent the administration from withholding arms sales or weapons transfers to Israel. The White Houses budget office expressed strong opposition to the bill, calling it a misguided reaction to a deliberate distortion of the Administrations approach to Israel. The statement emphasized that Bidens commitment to Israel remains ironclad and that the country is already receiving what it needs to defend itself. The GOP-led bill, which is likely to pass in the Republican-controlled House but face opposition in the Democrat-controlled Senate, aims to freeze the budgets of the secretary of state, defense secretary, and National Security Council until the arms Israel is expecting from the US are released. The bill is primarily aimed at forcing Biden to release a shipment of high-payload bombs for Israel that he withheld earlier this month due to concerns about their potential use in a major Rafah offensive. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Hezbollah announced early Wednesday that one of its commanders, Hussein Ibrahim Makki, was killed in fighting with Israel, following an alleged Israeli airstrike on a car in southern Lebanons Tyre. Makki, a resident of the southern Lebanese town of Beit Yahoun, was in his mid-50s. According to Lebanese security sources, the airstrike targeted one of the terror groups field commanders. Emergency responders reported that two others were wounded in the strike. Hezbollahs statement did not disclose Makkis rank or role within the terrorist organization. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The IDF early Wednesday morning announced the death of Sgt. Ira Yair Gispan HYD, 19, from Petach Tikva. Gispan, zl, who served in the Armored Brigades 75th Battalion, fell in battle on Tuesday in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. His death increases the death toll of the ground war in Gaza to 273. The IDF cleared for publication on Tuesday that three Paratrooper soldiers were seriously injured in a battle in the northern Gaza Strip and a Givati soldier was seriously injured in a battle in the southern Gaza Strip. Also, five soldiers were wounded in northern Israel on Tuesday from an anti-tank missile fired by Hezbollah in Lebanon. A civilian who ran to their aid was killed when Hezbollah launched another anti-tank missile at the area immediately afterward. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Hamas terror group fired five rockets at Sderot on Wednesday morning. One rocket scored a direct hit on an unoccupied building, causing extensive damage. Three rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system and one fell in an open area. Two women were injured while running to a protected space and were evacuated to the hospital in light condition. The video below shows security camera footage from a Chabad house in the city where mispallelim were davening Shacharis when the siren blared. On Tuesday, thousands of Israelis participating in a march calling for the resettlement of the Gaza Strip by Jews were caught outside when rocket siren alerts went off, forcing them to lie on the ground. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Hezbollah terror group fired about 60 rockets at the air traffic control base in Meron and the Galil early Wednesday afternoon. Some of the rockets fell on Har Meron near houses of residents who hadnt evacuated the area and others were intercepted by the Iron Dome. BChasdei Hashem, there are no reports of injuries. At the same time, Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at Kiryat Shmona. Hezbollah claimed that it also fired Burkan short-range ballistic missiles at the IDF Biranit base in the western Galil and caused damage to infrastructure. The IDF later confirmed that at least one Burkan rocket was fired at the Biranit base, causing light damage. Lebanese media reports say that the barrage is in retaliation for the elimination of a senior Hezbollah commander who was killed in an IDF drone attack overnight Tuesday. IDF forces are attacking Hezbollah terror targets in return. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday held a press briefing from the Kirya in Tel Aviv, during which he expressed harsh and unprecedented criticism against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Gallants main message was that Israel should not plan to have civilian and military control over the Gaza Strip after the war and demanded that Netanyahu announce that Israel will not control the Gaza Strip and hold a discussion on an alternative to Hamas. Gallant said that without an alternative governing power, there are only two poor options: Hamas rule in Gaza or Israeli military rule in Gaza. I wont agree to the establishment of Israeli military rule in Gaza. Israel must not establish civilian rule in Gaza. Gallant then claimed that the ones that should rule Gaza are Palestinian elements with the backing of Arab countries. The responses slamming Gallant were fast and furious. MK Gideon Saar said: Israel has never excelled in determining for its neighbors who will rule over them. To be honest it is quite clear that even if there was such a Palestinian element (spoiler: there is none, for now) there is no chance it would accept governance as part of an Israeli move. In addition, the Palestinian Authority conditions its entry into Gaza as part of a broader process of establishing a Palestinian state in Shomron and Gaza something that is a strategic danger to Israel. There is no alternative to the elimination of Hamas as a governmental and military entity in Gaza. We are still a long way from there. Regarding this issue, we didnt hear from the Defense Minister how were progressing toward achieving these goals. We also didnt hear from him when the residents of the north will be returned to their homes. The role of the security establishment is to lead to the restoration of security in the south and north and not to seek excuses for not achieving the goals of the war. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: From Gallants point of view, there is no difference between whether Gaza will be controlled by IDF soldiers or by Hamas murderers. This is the essence of the concept of a defense minister who failed on October 7th and continues to fail even now. Such a defense minister must be replaced in order to achieve the goals of the war. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said: A little modesty from the Defense Minister towards those who warned all these years about his and his friends mistaken world view. I can agree with him on one thing: as long as he is the Minister of Defense, military rule is definitely a bad option that can be fixed. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) And there are concerns the fraudsters are taking the most vulnerable Research by No1 Currency shows they are paying to advertise online Fraudsters are brazenly advertising counterfeit banknotes on social media, even offering 'bulk buy' discounts for their fake cash, to the most vulnerable, a major currency firm warns. Social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram and X are awash with carefully targeted adverts offering free postage and discounts on counterfeit notes. The adverts show wads of 10 and 20 notes as well as high-denomination Euro notes, claiming the fake cash is realistic enough to pass security checks. Flash the fake cash: Criminals are using social media to sell counterfeit bank notes Criminals are selling fake notes online at a fraction of the face value of what real notes are worth, according to exclusive research for This is Money by No1 Currency. One criminal was selling 14,000 of counterfeit notes for 1,200, and 150,000 of the fake cash for 10,000. This is Money's own research shows one criminal with wads of 'top quality polymer bank notes' advertising on Facebook in recent weeks, while another had been posting since February. In 2023, typically less than 1 in 40,000 banknotes were counterfeit, according to the Bank of England. However, research by travel money firm No1 Currency found that some scammers are paying for sponsored posts to appear on the social media timelines of vulnerable people. The cookies which record which websites you use help to deliver the adverts you see on social media, so those struggling to make ends meet are especially likely to be targeted. The firm says that those behind the ads are committing an offence, while the unwary who part with their money to buy the fake notes risk either being scammed if their notes don't arrive, or committing an offence themselves. An Instagram account offers 'bulk buy' discounts for counterfeit notes Even if the banknotes do arrive, they are worthless and any shop or bank which receives one is obliged to confiscate it and notify the authorities. Simon Phillips, managing director at No1 Currency said: 'It is worrying to see organised criminals advertising so brazenly on social media. 'Their slick ads offer a dangerous fantasy - the chance to buy supposedly realistic looking banknotes for a fraction of their face value. 'The reality is that modern banknotes are bristling with security features - from holograms and precision printing to distinctive metal inserts placed within the multi-layer polymer construction. 'The social media companies must do more to tackle such blatantly fraudulent activity. If criminals are able to pay to advertise their services so openly, it suggests there is something seriously rotten in the approvals process at these tech giants.' Tech companies have come under increased scrutiny for the role they play in how criminals target their victims. Our sister title Money Mail has been campaigning for the Government to force tech companies to step in and stop the scammers. Last year, we revealed a new recruitment scam circulating on Whatsapp and how Facebook Marketplace had become a hotbed of scammers. While big tech firms, including Meta, eBay, Google and Amazon, have signed a voluntary 'Online Fraud Charter', scams are still rife online. A spokesman for Meta told This Is Money: 'Fraudulent activity is not allowed on our platforms and we remove this content as soon as it is identified. 'We are continually investing in new technologies to tackle this industry-wide issue, and encourage people to report activity like this to us and the police, so we can take action.' Have you spotted dodgy ads for fake banknotes on social media? Get in touch editor@thisismoney.co.uk The UK may be running out of interest in heat pumps, with just one in ten people wanting to get one installed in place of their gas boiler. Instead, around half want to use greener hydrogen power to replace part of their existing gas supply, according to a new survey. Heat pumps use electricity to remove energy from the environment, and come in air, water or ground heat varieties. The Government wants to see 600,000 a year fitted from 2028 - an elevenfold increase from just 55,000 in 2023. But only one in 10 homes has a heat pump or is planning to get one, according to the YouGov survey commissioned by the Energy and Utilities Alliance trade body. Off the boil: Most households do not want a heat pump under any circumstances, according to new research - but that doesn't mean they don't support Government green initiatives There are currently 200,000 heat pumps in the UK in total, meaning around 0.74 per cent of the country's 27 million homes has one fitted. If the YouGov survey accurately reflects wider public sentiment, only 2.7 million homes will get a heat pump before demand tails off, with most of the remaining 24.3 million relying on gas boilers for heating and hot water. The Government is promoting heat pumps as part of its net zero drive to help lower the UK's carbon emissions. The YouGov survey found that 69 per cent of people think it is important to reach net zero by 2050, but that 45 per cent are not even considering switching their gas boiler to a heat pump. A remarkable 69 per cent of people believe it is important the UK reaches its goal of achieving net zero by 2050, but only ten per cent of those surveyed said they either have a heat pump or want to get one. In fact, 45 per cent of people said they have not even considered switching to a heat pump. However, more than half (51 per cent) of people said they would support blending natural gas with hydrogen to cut carbon emissions from home heating. This would enable homes to keep their gas boilers, with most needing no alterations. Government and industry studies have shown that households can keep using gas appliances as normal so long as the hydrogen level does not exceed 20 per cent. The Government was consulting on plans to start putting hydrogen into gas supplies from 2025, but has now delayed this until at least 2026. Energy efficiency minister Martin Callanan said: 'Heat pumps and heat networks will be the main route to cutting household emissions for the foreseeable future.' Two-thirds (66 per cent) of people said they want their current boilers to be converted for use with a zero-carbon gas in the future, such as hydrogen. The high cost of installing heat pumps was criticised by the Government's spending watchdog earlier this year. At the moment a heat pump costs four times more to fit than a like-for-like gas boiler. The National Audit Office said that the high cost of heat pumps and a lack of consumer understanding were holding back more households choosing to fit heat pumps. The watchdog said that 'a key issue behind lower-than-expected heat pump uptake is their cost to use and install' and that the Government has no 'long-term plan to address the low levels of awareness' about moving away from gas-powered heating. The Government's main tool for encouraging households to pick heat pumps is its Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers grants of up to 7,500 to fit air and ground source heat pumps. EUA chief executive Mike Foster said: 'Heat pumps have a role to play in decarbonising our homes, but the upfront and running costs make them a privilege for the well-off. 'What is crystal clear is the support for keeping boilers and decarbonising the gas used with blending hydrogen into the network supported by a margin of five-to-one, leaving no doubt what the public want. 'Achieving net zero will require people to make fundamental changes to the way they live their lives and we have to present them with a choice in how best to do that.' The YouGov polling was conducted among 2,035 adults. Anglo American has dug deep and come up with a convincing plan to preserve independence. Word is that much of its strategy divestment of De Beers and Anglo American Platinum was in place as part of a strategic review before Mike Henry of BHP arrived on the scene with his twice-repelled deal. The intention of Anglo chief executive Duncan Wanblad was to hold back until the South African elections scheduled for May 29. With its long and deep heritage before and post-apartheid, Anglo was sensitive not to be drawn directly into a toxic political debate. What is plain is that Anglos relatively swift and remarkably detailed and cogent response reflected the determination of chairman Stuart Chambers to dispel the idea that he has never received a takeover approach he doesnt like. No deal: Anglo American has turned down two takeover offers from rival BHP which is keen to get its hands on the UK mining giants copper assets BHP will be discouraged by the ice cold response to what it regarded as a sensibly pitched second offer. Henry recognises the potential dangers of becoming embroiled in a lengthy and complex takeover battle. He has a disciplined approach to deal-making and knows that without Anglos board and big investors on side it could become messy. BHP covets the copper assets which will be at the heart of a slimmed-down Anglo American. No one should rule out a return to the fray in six months. This would be especially the case if Wanblads self-help plan should tumble down a mine shaft. As with BHPs offer, there are several moving parts to Anglos strategy. The headline catcher is the proposed sale of De Beers, for so long the sparking core in the Oppenheimer family era. The highest price might come from a Gulf wealth fund fascinated by a luxury asset, albeit one with mines attached. There is a real opportunity here for London Stock Exchange and investors to show their keen support for a City listing. An initial public offering, putting a potential value on the diamond interests of as much as 4billion, would reassert the UKs strength as a centre for natural resource companies. Wanblad, his executives and advisers now face the challenge of execution. There is a great deal of risk but perhaps less than for BHP. Divesting platinum to existing Anglo shareholders in South Africa will be possible without anti-trust and other regulatory flak. There should be buyers for the coking coal steel operations. Glencore has been doubling down. It argues that better a known quoted firm is in charge of coal assets than an unknown entity. Anglo has staked a great deal on Woodsmith, the vast British fertilizer project. It wants to remain engaged, will cut back on immediate capital investment, complete a feasibility exercise and then decide on next steps. Ideally, it would bring in partners to share development costs. There is a determination not to let go. Too often when faced with a bid, UK-quoted companies fall at the first fence. Many find themselves exposed because of disinvestment by UK pension funds leaving assorted global investors, with little interest in heritage or the public interest, in control of the share register. Anglo is showing resistance and its radical streamlining, an alternative to taking the money and running, is refreshing. California dreaming Full marks for the ambition of Jeremy Hunt who tells the FT that he would like to see Britain create a home-grown company valued at $1 trillion as part of his goal to create the next Silicon Valley. Think again, Chancellor. At present the nearest thing we have is AstraZeneca, valued at $239billion (191billion) and if Theresa Mays government had its way, it would now nestle on the other side of the Atlantic as Pfizers plaything. Each time the UK has a tech company of promise, it ends up in overseas or private equity hands. Cambridge brainpower is a particular target with Arm, Aveva and Darktrace among exits from London listings. AI pioneer Deep Mind left for Google a long time ago and self-driving trailblazer Wayve now has Softbank as its biggest financier. Good luck with that if the Arm experience is a blueprint. At 58 years-old, Eddie Buglass had been drawing down on his Scottish Widows pension on an irregular basis for two years. Originally from Newcastle upon Tyne, he had relocated to the Hague in the Netherlands and was working at Swedish furniture giant Ikea. Last May he asked for another 8,000 to be paid out to his bank account to go towards an investment. But what should have been a simple transaction turned into a situation that, for many divorcees, would be a total nightmare. The father of three initially received confirmation from Scottish Widows that the payment would be made within two weeks. However, unlike previously, the money never showed up in his account. Latest blunder: Scottish Widows sent 8,000 from a customer's pension to his ex-wife after failing to cancel an old joint account (file picture) Eddie called Scottish Widows repeatedly but was told the transfer had been made and despite telling them he had not received it, he could not find out what had happened. During one phone call, a staff member told Eddie that the money had been sent to one of his accounts. He says: 'That's when it clicked. I realised that the money might have gone into my ex-wife's account.' The account in question was a joint bank account Eddie and his then wife had used while they were married. Following the split, she kept sole control of the account and his name was removed. The account had previously been registered on Eddie's Scottish Widows profile. He had asked for it to be removed long before this transfer, but perhaps it had not been. A spokesman at the company says its records 'did not hold any instruction sent from Mr Buglass to confirm that the joint account now was in the sole name of his ex-wife'. HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP What you need to know about money every week: This is Money podcast Exasperated by the lack of assistance from Scottish Widows, Eddie took matters into his own hands and called his former partner. 'It's lucky we are on good terms as it meant I could just call her to ask if she had received any unusual payments,' he says. 'She happened to be cashing in a number of her own pension pots at the same time so she had money coming in left right and centre. 'When she saw it, she originally thought it was one of her pensions, but after I explained what had happened she realised it was mine.' Eddie's ex-wife confirmed she had received the money eight weeks after he instructed the payment to be made. She agreed to transfer it directly into Eddie's account, which he received at the end of July almost three months after he first requested the money. Eddie acknowledges the mix-up could easily have turned into a drawn-out battle had they not been on good terms. 'She could have denied it or run away and gone on holiday with it,' he adds. Martyn James, a leading consumer rights champion, says: 'This is a major error from Scottish Widows and could easily have got messy. It absolutely should never have happened.' Mr James identified several major mistakes in the way Scottish widows acted, all of which had high potential to create complications. The first error making the payment to the wrong account should not have happened as the name on the Scottish Widows policy and the name on the recipient bank account did not match. Sloppy widows: Customers have been caught up in a series of disastrous data breaches at Scottish Widows that have exposed their personal details and left their savings at risk The second mistake was failing to track down the money itself, Mr James says. 'There should have been no reason for Eddie to have had to contact his ex-wife at any point,' he says. 'It should not have become his problem. Scottish Widows knew where the money had gone and should have asked the receiving bank to return it.' Scottish Widows should also have made a second payment to transfer the full amount to Eddie's bank account while they tried to recover the incorrect transaction, Mr James adds. By sending 8,000 to Eddie's ex-wife's account, the payment gives her the information that he does have a pension with them and has a certain amount in it. With this information, she could, for example, have said that Eddie had promised her that money in the divorce and it was outstanding, so she wanted to keep it. 'In that case it can be difficult for the company to recall the money and it would have been a court issue, which in itself is a nightmare,' he says. Scottish Widows could also have become liable for the court fees. Mr James adds: 'If she turned around and said you told me you had no money and I'm suing you, the company could find itself liable.' Similarly, the former partner could claim that her confidentiality has been breached as Eddie now has her banking information and knows that she still uses that account, he says. 'It all gets very complicated and messy.' Eddie has received 633.13 from Scottish Widows in compensation to acknowledge the initial error and the time taken to put it right, as well as to cover the international call costs and interest. A spokesman for Scottish Widows says: 'We're sorry that Mr Buglass's withdrawal request was paid into a previous account of his in error and could have been sorted immediately if we'd gone over the details more clearly the first time that we spoke to him. 'We made a payment in October to acknowledge the time it took to get to the bottom of it, which he accepted, and have updated his details.' Last week, Money Mail revealed that customers have been caught up in a series of disastrous data breaches at Scottish Widows that have exposed customers' personal details and left their savings at risk. In the worst case seen by this newspaper, a reader's pension was stolen after Scottish Widows sent all the details necessary to cash it in to a stranger. Mark Radin, who has helped hundreds of frustrated Scottish Widows customers deal with their complaints via a Facebook group he set up, called Scottish Widows Complaint Platform, says Eddie's case is symptomatic of its customer service woes. 'Scottish Widows' sloppiness in managing the pension of Mr Buglass is all too common and extremely concerning,' he says. 'I strongly encourage all investors with Scottish Widows to monitor their pension fund transactions and growth.' Scottish Widows said it would not respond to this particular case but a spokesman said: 'We take our data protection responsibilities seriously and are sorry that in the individual cases raised by Money Mail we shared some information with the wrong customers by mistake. We are working hard behind the scenes to ensure this won't happen again.' Daniel Kretinsky known as the Czech Sphinx has until 5pm today to walk away or make a bid for Royal Mails parent company IDS The future of Royal Mail hangs in the balance as the deadline looms for a Czech billionaire to make a takeover offer. Daniel Kretinsky known as the Czech Sphinx has until 5pm today to walk away or make a bid for Royal Mails parent company International Distributions Services (IDS). Last month IDS snubbed a 3.2billion or 320p per share offer from the tycoon, The postal service said the offer undervalued the company, deeming it opportunistic. Kretinsky, 48, already owns 27.5 per cent of IDS and co-owns West Ham United and holds a stake in Sainsburys. But his firm EP Group has been working on an alternative offer to win over IDS. A deal with EP Group would see Royal Mail taken into foreign ownership for the first time since it was established by Henry VIII in 1516. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt last month voiced concerns over the offer, saying there were lessons to be learned from the crisis at Thames Water. IDS shares lost 4.4 per cent yesterday. Hundreds of jobs are at risk in North Yorkshire after the future of the UKs most ambitious mining project in a generation was thrown into doubt. Anglo American said it would slash funding at the Woodsmith fertiliser mine as part of a radical strategy to convince shareholders it was right to reject two takeover bids from rival miner BHP. Chief executive Duncan Wanblad has spent weeks plotting a survival plan that includes breaking up the company, including hiving off its diamond arm De Beers and platinum mines. Wanblad has constantly lavished praise on Woodsmith, which was previously known as Sirius Minerals. He told The Mail on Sunday in February he believes it could be the cornerstone of the entire company one day. Job cuts: Anglo American said it would slash funding at the Woodsmith fertiliser mine near Sneatonthorpe in North Yorkshire (pictured) Anglo still insists it is committed to Woodsmith but the cuts are brutal. The group was initially planning to spend 800million a year on Woodsmith between 2024 and 2026. But it will now pump in just 160million in 2025 and nothing at all in 2026. The first extraction of the fertiliser polyhalite from the mine was due in 2027 but will almost certainly be delayed, possibly by a couple of years. Anglo wants to wait until it makes a final investment decision on the project next year before ploughing in more cash. It has been following the opposite strategy until now, to the chagrin of institutional investors who have been sceptical about the vast cost overruns for a mine that will be digging up an unusual type of fertiliser that does not yet have a market. Even when Anglo makes a final decision, it also wants to find a partner in the form of another investor who can share the cost in the future. The cuts to Woodsmith were a surprise to investors but also to those working in the Woodsmith business, which is officially known as Crop Nutrients at Anglo. The company is in uproar, with bosses stunned about the dramatic plans. Redundancies are expected, recruitment and new contracts frozen, and international travel will also be limited, the Mail understands. Little is known about what specific activities will stop, though presumably there will be a pause at some point in the construction of the mine shafts. Nothing is confirmed, however. Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Sir Simon Clarke said he was very concerned and that it will have significant implications for the dedicated workforce. He claims there was no hint of what was afoot when he had a call with Anglo last week to discuss the companys position following the BHP takeover offers. As well as hitting Woodsmiths 1,600-strong workforce, small businesses in the area who supply the mine also face uncertainty. But sadly for locals, this is just the latest disappointing turn for a mine that was promised to transform the area and its economy. Sirius Minerals bought the mine area in 2011. The businesss boss Chris Fraser and his team spent years negotiating mineral rights with farmers and drumming up support in the community. The scale of the mine and their ambition saw thousands of locals plough savings and pensions into the project once it listed on the stock market, where it fast became a retail favourite. It counted 85,000 individual investors at one point and was in the FTSE 250 from 2017 to 2019. But the scale of funding needed became the companys undoing. The infrastructure required is huge including two shafts that are both a mile deep as well as a 23-mile tunnel, which is longer than the Channel Tunnel. The plan was to dig up polyhalite from under the North York Moors National Park, then transport it underground to be processed to Teesside and shipped abroad. Raising the cash for this gargantuan construction effort proved too difficult after the Government refused to underwrite a huge funding package. The company almost folded but was rescued by Anglo American in a cut-price 405million takeover in 2020. The deal wiped out the investments of many retail shareholders who snapped up stock when it was booming. Many of these were Yorkshire locals who felt emotionally invested in the project, which promised to bring jobs and money to a deprived area of the North East that was previously an industrial heartland. I think the locals will feel cheated again, a resident who has worked at Woodsmith told the Mail yesterday. We could never see this mine being completed. The amount of money wasted is horrendous. Cliff Weight, an adviser to shareholder advocacy group ShareSoc, said the community would feel very confused by Anglos mixed messages about the mine. Its a tragedy, Weight added yesterday. It is hugely emotive locally for that area this is similar to the Post Office scandal. Flutters boss who is moving the companys main stock market listing to New York said axing stamp duty on share trading would make London more competitive. Peter Jackson, chief executive of the gambling company behind Paddy Power and Betfair, said more could be done to bolster the stock market and stop firms fleeing over the Atlantic. Flutter is ditching its primary listing in London this month and after investors backed its plan to move its main share trading hub to New York. The move on May 31 will see it leave the FTSE 100. When asked could be done to reignite enthusiasm in the London stock market, Jackson said: How much time do you have? He explained that cutting stamp duty on share trading would be a game-changer and make the UK more appealing. Flutter chief exec Peter Jackson (pictured) said more could be done to bolster the stock market and stop firms fleeing over the Atlantic. Critics argue it is deterring investment in London-listed companies. Jackson said abolishing stamp duty on share trading would have big impact on the volume of shares traded. He said: Weve seen a considerable uplift in the number of our shares that are traded daily as a result of our secondary listing in New York, and we expect that to step up when we get our primary listing shift at end of month. And the more shares that are traded, if youre an investor looking to take a position in a company, youre more confident to take a bigger position as you know you can get in and out without disturbing the share price. Investors pay 0.5 per cent in stamp duty on the price of UK-listed shares they buy but the tax does not apply to the purchase of shares in foreign companies. It means a saver who buys 10,000 of shares in FTSE 100 giants such as Rolls-Royce or Marks & Spencer pays 50 in tax but they pay nothing at all to make the same investment in New York-listed Tesla or Amazon. This has meant a growing number of firms are looking towards the US. Stephen Bird, chief executive of asset manager Abrdn, recently branded the tax as unpatriotic as it is economically destructive and argued its removal could be the single biggest boost to UK share ownership. Flutter shares fell 2 per cent yesterday. Raspberry Pi has confirmed it plans to list on the main market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE), in a move which could value the tech firm at 500million. Details about the pricing range for the shares or the size or the stake offered are yet to emerge, but the proposals spell good news for the capital's financial hub. Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'There is now an end in sight to the IPO drought, which has been sending fissures of doubt and disappointment through Londons financial centre.' Ambitious: Raspberry Pi was founded by computer scientist Eben Upton in 2008 Recent years have seen a torrent of bad news for the strength and size of the London market. Paddy Power owner Flutter has moved its main stock market listing to New York, while German-owned Tui approved a plan to delist from London in February. UK chip maker Arm Holdings chose Wall Street over London for its stock market return. Building supplies firm CRH also recently moved its main listing to the US. Shein, however, is considering switching its upcoming 53billion listing from New York to London amid tensions between the US and China. In a regulatory filing announcing its intention to float, Raspberry Pi, which is based in Cambridge and builds low-cost computers, said it sold 7.4million of its single-board computers last year. The group generated revenue of 211million and an operating profit of nearly 30million in 2023. A fundraising round led by UK chip maker Arm Holdings in 2023 valued Raspberry Pi at around 444million. Raspberry Pi has hired Peel Hunt and Jefferies ahead of the possible float and plans to publish a registration document. If the IPO goes ahead, it would be a boost to London's flagging stock market, which has been hit by a swathe of UK-listed firms being bought out or defecting abroad. Raspberry Pi was founded by computer scientist Eben Upton in 2008, before releasing its first product in 2012. It has since sold more than 60million of its single board computers worldwide. This week, Upton, said: 'Raspberry Pi enthusiasts will see the next phase of our development offer unprecedented opportunities for creativity and innovation. 'Our commitment to low-cost computing, a fundamental part of what is special about Raspberry Pi, is unchanged. 'In an ever-more-connected world, the market for Raspberry Pi's high-performance, low-cost computing platforms continues to expand. 'We have the technology roadmap to play an increasingly significant role, and we are excited to embark on the next stage of our growth.' The group is a subsidiary of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a UK charity founded when the company was set up in 2008, with the goal of promoting interest in computer science among young people. As a major shareholder in Raspberry Pi, the foundation has received around 39.7million in dividends since 2013, which has been used to advance its educational mission globally, according to the group. Upton said: 'For the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a patient and supportive shareholder, this IPO brings the opportunity to double down on their outstanding work to enable young people to realise their potential through the power of computing. 'We've hugely appreciated their support on our journey so far and are delighted that the Foundation will remain a major shareholder.' Raspberry Pi said that, on listing, it expects to receive the LSE's Green Economy Mark, which identifies companies and funds that derive 50 per cent or more of revenues from products and services that contribute to the global green economy. Streeter, of Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'The focus now will be on which companies could be next, with the fast fashion giant Shein rumoured to be mulling a listing. 'While New York still holds immense draw, plans for a Shein listing there look set to be blocked by regulators over its ties to China and questions raised over its supply chain. London looks set to be the second-choice destination and, while this would be boost for the City, is likely to present deep ethical issues for investors to navigate. 'Shein has come under significant criticism for the huge volumes of cheap clothes it produces, the lack of transparency in its supply chain and its appropriation of other designers work. Given these concerns, there may well be wariness among investors who put ESG in their priority list, if the firm does list in London.' She added: 'Speculation has also been swirling about a potential Boots IPO but recent rumours have focused on the potential for a private sale instead.' Together, we Britons hold more than 900billion in easy access accounts, ideal for dipping into when we need to plunder our savings. If were listening to financial advisers, its where we stash around three to six months salary. Now an easy access account with a twist is surging in popularity: the limited access deal. Last week Paragon came out with a new version that propelled it to the top of the easy access savings best buy tables. > Get 5.78% with this 365-day notice account that beats top one-year fixes Popular: With limited access accounts you can withdraw money between two and four times a year. You can go over the limit but then your rate will plummet for the rest of the year With limited access accounts you can withdraw money between two and four times a year. You can go over this limit but your rate will plummet for the rest of the year. Or you must close the account to get hold of more of your money. You can, for example, keep 5,000 in an ordinary easy access account which you can dip into as you see fit (shoes! theatre! paddleboard!). But for the rest, including planned expenditure such as on flights and holidays or a new car, these limited access accounts can serve you well. Providers also benefit because the money is more likely to stay in the account than in an ordinary easy access account. The Paragon Double Access Account Issue 7 pays 5.05 per cent, available online with a minimum 1,000, and lets you make two withdrawals every 12 months. Its way ahead of the average ordinary easy access account at 3.11 per cent, say data scrutineers at Moneyfactscompare. You can make more withdrawals but you pay a hefty price if you do. Your rate drops to 1.5 per cent for the rest of the year. Once the 12 months is up, your rate resets at the higher rate on the anniversary of your opening your account. Yorkshire BS pays 5 per cent on its Rainy Day Saver account on balances up to 10,000. You can make as many withdrawals as you like but only on two days a year. If you need to make more you can close the account. Some of the best ordinary easy access savings accounts pay over 5 per cent. The new Oxbury Bank Easy Access Limited Edition stands at 5.02 per cent but you need to keep at least 20,000 in the account. Savers can expect these rates to fall when the Bank of England base rate goes down from its current 5.25 per cent which could be as early as June 20. Supermarket banks ready to check out When Tesco Bank and Sainsburys Bank came on the scene nearly 30 years ago, they threatened the big banks. Suddenly you could open savings accounts online, by phone or even doing the weekly shop. But they stopped operating in store years ago and are set to retreat further. Sainsburys Bank meted out huge cuts this week in the fixed rate bonds it offers new customers. Its two-year rate is down from 4.2 per cent to 2.5 per cent for new savers. Its variable rates for new accounts are also down by 0.9 percentage points. Its cash Isa rate has fallen from 4.4 per cent to 3.5 per cent. The Bank of England held the base rate at 5.25 per cent so its hard to see the cuts as anything other than a winding down of its savings arm. Meanwhile, Barclays is in the throes of buying Tesco Bank and plans to offer Tesco-branded savings products. People in New York have reacted to the behaviour of those on the Dublin side of the global phenomenon interactive portal installation. The world-famous portal which illuminates Dublins OConnell Street and North Earl Street directly into Manhattan was temporarily paused for the second time this Tuesday, following more improper behaviour was reported from both sides. Some New Yorkers have said that they feel pretty disrespected by the behaviour of some people in Dublin, in particular, those who have been displaying footage of the 9/11 disaster. Its New York and Dublin - some crazy things are going to happen, one person said. When asked if those in Dublin should tone down their antics, they responded: Maybe a little bit - we dont want Dublin to get a bad reputation here. Another said that showing the likes of the burning Twin Towers crumbling to the ground was rubbing salt in the wound for many. These reactions come after Lithuanian artist, founder of The Portal and entrepreneur, Benediktas Gylys, says there should be limits and that people should be aware that children could be present. I am all in for having fun but also, we have families coming close to The Portal, so there needs to be some boundaries, he said. Blurred technology has been trialled but has caused technical difficulties. In New York, security guards and barricades have been implemented in attempts to defer inappropriate behaviour, but in one particular instance, it failed. Recently there was a female who, apparently, has an Only Fans page, and she was here [in New York] and flashed her breasts, a security man said. Additionally, multiple TikToks of people taking drugs and showing Nazi images and pornography have been circulated online. Despite this, Dublin City Council have called for the groundbreaking portal to reopen, as they vow to have the way it has been operating to change. While we cannot control all of these actions, we are implementing some technical solutions to address this and these will go live in the next 24 hours. We will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days with our partners in New York to ensure that Portals continue to deliver a positive experience for both cities and the world, they said. However, Dublin City Council has not specified what technical changes will be made. A man who threatened to post intimate images of his former partner on Facebook and send them to her mother has been jailed. The 45-year-old, who can't be named to protect the anonymity of his victim, pleaded guilty to threatening to publish or distribute an intimate image with intent to cause harm on a date in December 2021. The maximum sentence for this charge is seven years. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the man and the woman were in a brief relationship, which she ended in November 2021. The victim, who was aged in her 20s, knew the man had a number of intimate images and videos of her in his possession. A few weeks after the break up, on December 8, 2021, the man sent the woman a series of voice recordings on Snapchat in which he threatened to send the material to people she knew including her mother and social worker, as well as post it on Facebook. An investigating garda told prosecuting counsel that the woman went immediately to a garda station to make a complaint. Gardai located the man a short time later in a Dublin pub. When interviewed by gardai, the man said he was annoyed and had been drinking. He also apologised for his actions. A victim impact statement was handed to the court, but not read aloud. After hearing the facts of the case, Judge Martin Nolan described it as a serious matter. People are entitled to their privacy, it's as simple as that, he said. He handed the man a prison sentence of 20 months, with the final 10 months suspended to incentivise his rehabilitation. The man has 10 previous convictions including public order, road traffic offences and criminal damage. He was also homeless for a number of years. The garda agreed with Gerardine Small SC, prosecuting, that the relationship between the parties was quite brief and the guilty plea was of value to the prosecution. A number of documents were handed to the court. The man has a good work history, but his alcohol and drugs addiction issues got the better of him, counsel told the court. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Israeli businessmen are showing keen interest in collaborating with Azerbaijan across all sectors, Elina Bardach-Yalov, Research Fellow at Hadassah Academic College and Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, told Trend in an exclusive interview. "Every Israeli businessperson I've spoken to across various industries, from high-tech to healthcare, is eager to explore partnerships with Azerbaijani counterparts. What's more, those aware of my recent trip to Azerbaijan for a conference have been asking me to scope out opportunities in specific fields. I can confirm that there's a common interest in expanding operations, be it in cutting-edge technology or the medical sector, and everyone is eyeing the Azerbaijani market," she shared. According to her, Israeli companies face stiff competition in Azerbaijan. "Major Israeli players have been successfully operating here for years. I'm aware of companies with longstanding presence, like Aeronautics, specializing in unmanned aerial vehicles." Discussing potential collaboration areas between Baku and Tel Aviv, she highlighted agriculture, ICT, and medicine as particularly attractive to Israeli entrepreneurs. "I've personally participated in talks on agricultural development, including in Karabakh. We've explored cultivation and irrigation strategies for arid and mountainous regions. Israel's IT sector is also keen on tapping into the Azerbaijani market. Many Israeli IT firms I've engaged with are eager to enter Azerbaijan and integrate Azerbaijani partners into the Israeli market. Water resource discussions have also been abundant, with high interest in projects across Azerbaijan, including Karabakh. Major renovations are underway there, presenting opportunities for Israeli firms. So, these sectors are drawing interest from both public and private sectors," she explained. "Israeli companies are particularly eager to collaborate in healthcare. Numerous hospitals are interested not only in medical equipment but also in training Azerbaijani students. Azerbaijan, too, is keen on this, given our advanced tech and skilled workforce. We're actively attracting doctors from other countries due to staff shortages, generating interest from both Israeli and Azerbaijani sides," she added. Elina Bardach-Yalov emphasized the significance of the Azerbaijani Embassy's opening in Tel Aviv for bilateral relations. "As former head of the Israel-Azerbaijan friendship group, I can attest to our thriving relations. I recall negotiations with Azerbaijan regarding the embassy opening, which was a landmark event for Israel and underscored Azerbaijan's strategic importance. This spurred Israel to intensify bilateral talks with Baku. Meetings I've attended have seen active participation from businessmen on both sides, driving cooperation and accelerating bilateral ties," she noted. "In recent times, we've faced challenges with air travel due to companies exiting and re-entering the market. Despite this, my recent flight with an Azerbaijani airline was seamless, highlighting a positive moment in our relations," she shared. In conclusion, Elina Bardach-Yalov stressed the importance of ongoing negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on border delimitation. "We trust Azerbaijan's judgment in its actions and stand by it as a crucial ally in the region. Given our shared interests, Azerbaijan is not just a friend but a vital geopolitical ally, and we fully support it," she affirmed. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and Tatneft PJSC signed a new roadmap for cooperation in Kazan, SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf wrote on his page on X, Trend reports. Within the framework of the XV International Economic Forum Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024 we held a fruitful meeting with the General Director of Tatneft Nail Maganov. During the meeting, a new roadmap for cooperation was signed and an exchange of views took place on various issues of mutual interest, - he wrote. Again, the "progress" against the local homicide count is quickly fading . . . Last week local leaders were touting the 25% reduction in local killing. At this date on the calendar in 2023 the homicide total was #60 . . . Here's a glimpse at the latest killing that puts us halfway to the century mark well ahead of the year's halfway point . . . Homicide 11800 blk of Blue Ridge Yesterday evening at 10:41 PM officers were dispatched to the 11800 block of Blue Ridge on a reported shooting. Upon arrival officers located an adult male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers performed life saving measures and summoned EMS to the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. An interaction occurred between the victim and suspect that led to the victim to being shot. This is being investigated as a homicide. Detectives and crime scene investigators are obtaining witness statements and gathering evidence to determine what led up to the incident. If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline. We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency. We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents. ######## Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . One dead after shooting at Kansas City hotel Police have not identified the shooter For our closest TKC readers . . . We take a quick journey through some EXCELLENT local crime reporting, updates on court cases, legislative moves and more police community outreach as everyone hopes this Spring/Summer will be less violent than last time around. Check TKC news gathering . . . New technology and revamped training push to improve KC 911 wait times and response Wait times have been frustrating for many in KCMO when trying to get ahold of 911, the department is going through many changes right now to try and improve. Man critically injured in Northland shooting late Tuesday night A man was critically injured in a shooting late Tuesday night in the Northland, police said. The shooting happened just before 10:30 p.m. in the 8600 block North Boardwalk Avenue. Amazon greenlights Chiefsaholic true-crime documentary Truth is often stranger than fiction. Kelly signs 'good Samaritan' law meant to mitigate drug overdose deaths in Kansas * Kansas Reflector Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law a "good Samaritan" drug overdose prevention measure to help stem overdose deaths in-state. Missouri man pleads guilty in White House attack attempt (KOAM) -- A Missouri man pleads guilty in an attempted attack on the White House. Platte County Sheriff's Office says at least 20 victims reported theft from vehicles Tuesday morning Thieves in Platte County targeted an apartment complex and several subdivisions in the southern part of the county Tuesday morning. Independence moves forward with proposing 1/4-cent police sales tax for officer wages KSHB 41's Megan Abundis spoke with Independence voters, who weighed in on a sales tax that would help fund officer wages and equipments. City leaders say the funding is well-needed. Amazon greenlights Chiefsaholic true-crime documentary Truth is often stranger than fiction. Wrongly branded as a felon for decades, Kansas City great-grandmother secures court victory Phyllis Henderson says she's paying a big price for an error made decades ago. She was labeled a felon, but it's not true. Honoring fallen officers, looking to future with Lenexa police during National Police Week Communities across the country are honoring fallen police officers for National Police Week. In Lenexa, police said this week hits close to home. Murdered while still alive: How a victim's daughter remembers Robert Courtney Meckenzie Hayes has spent her adulthood trying to understand what happened to her mother. Overcoming the odds: Double lung transplant recipient becomes Merriam police officer KSHB 41's Caitlin Knute spoke with Merriam police officer Dalton Peavler, who overcame two lung transplants to join the department. 'SAVE KC,' the newest initiative to tackle gun violence in Kansas City 'Stand Against Violence Kansas City', or SAVE KC is the latest initiative launched by KCPD and others to address violent crimes and gun violence in the city. Developing . . . Lots of things to consider this evening as we share quite a bit of news for late night & early morning denizens of our blog community. Check TKC news gathering . . . Baller Pride Era Cont'd Taylor Swift wears Kansas City Chiefs colors during European Eras tour Taylor Swift showed off several new looks for the European leg of her Eras tour. More Deets On Cowtown Cheddar Biscuit Crisis Two Kansas City-area Red Lobster restaurants among dozens closing nationwide The restaurant chain has been struggling to keep up with lease and labor costs, according to a report from Bloomberg in April. Family Tribute After Tragedy Family has message after Kansas City mother of six dies on Mother's Day Six kids in Kansas City are mourning the death of their mother. She died on Mother's Day. Her husband says they're simply just hurt. Aftermath ID . . . Missing kayaker from Overland Park found dead in Minnesota lake A Minnesota sheriff's office has identified an Overland Park man as a missing kayaker. Super Majority Suffers Loss Kansas Republicans furious with Kelly over tax cut vetoes. But GOP votes blocked override Ahead of a special session on taxes, Kansas Republican leaders must contend with three GOP senators who stopped a veto override of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Show-Me Filibuster Frustration Governor calls situation in Missouri Senate 'ridiculous' It's the last week of the legislative session and Democrats continue to hold the floor in the Senate, demanding that the so-called "ballot candy" be removed from the initiative petition legislation. Building Up Old Kansas City Controlled implosion moves SomeraRoad project forward in West Bottoms Developers want people in and around the West Bottoms to know that if they hear a series of small explosions, it's all part of the plan. Champ Pupper Custody Clash Legal battle continues over ownership of Kansas City-area championship show dog At the heart of Oscar's more than 1,200-day absence is an unprecedented legal battle over who legally owns the award-winning dog. Real Estate Season Arrives Amid Economic Harsh Times Selling Sunset star Emma Hernan wears a string bikini The reality TV maven and real estate agent made a pitch in her caption: she wants to star on a Selling Sunset spinoff called Selling Islands. 'Spin off: Selling Islands,' she wrote. White House Rips Competition 'That loser': Biden steps up personal insults of Trump President Joe Biden dialed up his personal insults of Donald Trump, calling his GOP rival a "loser" while making fun of his handling of the Covid pandemic. MAGA Fights Double Battle Trump unleashes on 'fascists' in Dem party after 'very good day' of trial Former President Donald Trump slammed members of the Democrat Party as "fascists" following his 17th day in court as part of the NY v. Trump case. Comedy Legend Confronts Democratic Party Probs Jon Stewart calls out Nancy Pelosi, Hunter Biden and Bob Menendez in segment on political corruption Comedian Jon Stewart took aim at Sen. Bob Menendez, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Hunter Biden and Republicans on Monday during a segment focused on political corruption. Diplomat Hits Sour Note Ukraine supporters blast Blinken's 'tone-deaf' rock performance at Kyiv bar amid Russian offensive Supporters of Ukraine blasted Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday for rocking out in a Kyiv basement bar as fierce fighting gripped the northeastern part of the war-torn country. EPIC Cash For Holy Land Coming Soon . . . US State Dept moves $1 bln weapons aid for Israel to congressional review, officials say The U.S. State Department has moved a $1 billion package of weapons aid for Israel into the congressional review process, two U.S. officials said on Tuesday. Constitutional Protects For Tech Legal experts say a TikTok ban without specific evidence violates the First Amendment The Justice Department is expected to argue that its clamp down on TikTok is about national security, but Constitutional lawyers say there is no way around grappling with the free speech implications. On Second Thought, This Conversation Is Actually Pretty Great Bill Maher & Bill Burr square off on cancel culture, Israel-Hamas protests: Watch Briahna Joy Gray and Niall Stanage discuss a debate between Bill Maher and Bill Burr about the Israel-Hamas war and college protests. Medical Fix Results In Flapjacks 'Ozempic breasts' are the latest side effect of the popular drug, leaving users feeling 'deflated' "Ozempic breasts" are the latest side effect of the weekly injection, with some women complaining about sagging and tender breasts. Meet Meth Town House Guests 'I screamed': Rodents are woman's first houseguests in new Independence rental house Keeley Gannaway is glad she's gone from a home on East 14th Street in Independence. Home Team Triumph Nelly Nukes leads the way in 4-2 win over Seattle Snap outta that power slump! Cowtown Creative Considerations Confluence | Kevin Demery and Andrew Mcilvaine 'Threshold II: Migration Patterns' - KC STUDIO Language is never fixed. Words swirl and wander, syntax shifts and churns, etymologies intermix and marry. Meanings affix, and then loosen. Golden Ghetto Redux New plans finally move forward for old Sears site in Overland Park, vacant for years This Johnson County development clears a hurdle, despite some neighbors' objections: "You're trying to put 10 pounds of flour in a two-pound sack. It just doesn't fit." Baller Reunion Slated Date and time reportedly set for Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl rematch Kansas City will travel to play San Francisco in Week 7 in the late-afternoon window on FOX. Fleeting Summer Tastes Shared Kansas City has one final chance to eat at this burger chain Back Yard Burgers will close its final Kansas City location, this one in Blue Springs, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Colder Temps Tonight . . . Lows will dip into the 50s overnight Kansas City can expect a few showers this evening with more clouds and lows in the mid-50s. And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. No bank should be allowed to pass on the cost of its own bad management to the taxpayer The harmonization of national systems for the guarantee of bank deposits must move forward, Bank of Greece (BoG) Governor Yannis Stournaras told the conference "Banking Resolution at Ten: Experiences and Open Issues" on Wednesday, ANA reports. As the Greek central banker said, "No bank should be allowed to pass on the cost of its own bad management to the taxpayer just because it is considered 'too big to fail'. However, the exit of a bank from the banking market should be carried out in a coordinated manner, should not disrupt the provision of critical functions, should not jeopardize the financial stability of the banking system overall, and should prevent an unnecessary loss of value." RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: FlickreviewR 2 BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Organizations such as the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) have an active role in the fight against colonialism, Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group, told Trend in an exclusive interview. Lets start from the recent escalations in New Caledonia. Proposed illegal constitutional amendments by the French government on election legislation caused the incidents and arrests in Noumea city and beyond. What are the key reasons of escalations in New Caledonia? The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has already expressed its deep concern regarding the recent arrests and the curfew imposed by French authorities in New Caledonia in its statement. One of the key reasons for these incidents is the illegal constitutional amendments which aim to enlarge the electorate at the expense of non-Kanaks in a purposeful manner. This has rightly caused people's dissatisfaction including the protests and demonstrations. During ongoing escalations, unfortunately, 82 Kanak civilians were arrested, and one person was killed. Recent proposed Constitutional amendments without considering the opinion of the Kanak people, violence, and arrest against civilians who participated in peaceful strikes and in protests have been accompanied by gross violations of various laws, including human rights, freedom of expression, in particular, international commitments of France. The French government has to understand that banning public gatherings and arresting pro-independence supporters are not the lasting solution. We demand the French Government to take into account the decision of the Kanak people. BIG advocates for peaceful dialogue, respect for human rights, and a fair resolution to the underlying issues. As well is known, since 1986, the United Nations Committee on Decolonization has included New Caledonia on the UN list of non-self-governing territories and this list aims to decolonize the 17 non-self-governing territories. The right to self-determination is fundamental, and we support those who seek a better and decent future for their own people, the BIG will continue to support Kanak peoples fair struggle for their independency. What prompted the formation of the BIG and what are its primary goals? As is well known, Azerbaijan was elected as a chair of the Non-Aligned Movement in 2019 and the country chaired the non-aligned movement for the last four years. The support to the struggling nations for independence under international law and in its fundamental principles constitutes a sacred duty of the Non-Aligned Movement which is the second largest international organization after the UN. Azerbaijan in its chairmanship has respected fundamental principles of the non-aligned movement, which means respect for nations sovereignty, their territorial integrity, security, recognition and respect for national movements that fought to gain their independence. In 2023, July the 6th, within the framework of coordination bureau of the ministerial meeting on the Non-Aligned Movement, the decision was made to establish Baku Initiative Group which one of the main activities is supporting colonized regions struggle against neo-colonialism and colonialism. As I mentioned above, one of our missions is to support fight against neo-colonialism and colonialism under international norm and principles. Can you give us an update on Baku Initiative Group's past accomplishments and its future plans? The BIG successfully conducted nine international conferences for last eight months. The first conference themed Decolonization: Peaceful Revolution was held during the high week of the General Assembly at the main headquarters of the United Nations in New York. Then, BIG held effective international conferences covering various issues each time in the context of decolonization. BIG held several international conferences in 2023-2024 and some of these international conferences held at the UN headquarters (New York, Geneva and Vienna), where discussed political, economic and cultural consequences of the colonialism and violations of human rights in New-Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Corsica. where BIG is represented. Our organization involved foreign experts, academicians, representatives of international NGOs on decolonization and human rights, which was fairly effective and fruitful. The key purpose here by holding those events and inviting experts is to provide international community about real situation of affected regions that could not afford before the Baku Initiative Group. Although our organization has witnessed passive, more exactly stagnation and weak support in this direction in the recent years, there have been certain outcomes of our activities and will surely be results of this organization. Whether to what extent international law and international organizations are effective or ineffective, countries like Azerbaijan with exemplary chairmanship of such organizations including BIG claim struggle against colonialism. BIG has provided and still continue to update world community correct and accurate information about those regions that gives strong prediction to have more achievements in the near future on this line. Why does colonialism still persist in the 21st century, and what are the latest trends in colonial practices that we often hear about? When we go back to history, colonialism experienced a traditional way of direct control of territories and resource exploitation. However, due to global shifts in political ideologies, decolonization movements in colonized territories in the mid-20th century turned down the process. Unfortunately, some areas still suffer from colonialism and neocolonialism and several reasons can be listed for the persistence in the 21st century. Economic exploitation such as extraction of resources by powerful nations or multinational corporations, unequal trade relationships, debt burdens still trigger poverty, and dependency and maintain a form of economic neo-colonialism. Political impact by colonial powers over colonies through diplomatic relations, military presence, and even involvement in local conflicts undermines those nations sovereignty and self-determination. Cultural hegemony as a continuation of colonial cultural imperialism still stands among the top influences over colonies, existing in cultural norms, values, social hierarchy, languages, and institutions in many parts of the world. As we constantly hear, indigenous people in colonies are facing injustices and inequalities caused by colonialism. For example, colonies frequently complain about unequal access to resources, land dispossession, and racial discrimination that shape social and economic structures. Powerful nations hide geopolitical interests under the name of promoting democracy, human rights, or security interests that may grab the attention of ordinary people. In addition, history has witnessed the involvement of military interventions, regime changes, or support for proxy governments over colonies several times. At the same time, how can countries involved in colonial activities project a democratic image for themselves? First of all, we are seeing from experiences that French government intentionally emphasize rhetoric of freedom, equality and human rights to justify their actions and present themselves as pioneers of democracy. Indeed, French pioneers of democracy violates human rights in colonized regions, and the BIG has effectively delivered the reality in above-mentioned regions through international events to the global community. Another key aspect here is, the implementation of institutional reforms in those regions, and organizing controlled elections by colonial authorities in order to form puppet governments in colonized territories with the image of democratic governance aiming at never-ending dominance of colonial powers or their preferred political elites. As I mentioned in the first question, nowadays we are observing that the French Senate and National Assembly proposed illegal constitutional amendments in New Caledonia, and the French government by way of implementing such illegal constitutional amendments strives to sustain their neocolonialism policy in colonized regions. How are Azerbaijan's calls for anti-colonialism being received by international organizations, Western institutions, and major powers? And why aren't these calls receiving efficient responses? This depends on several factors, largely geopolitical interests and historical context. Azerbaijan's calls for anti-colonialism may receive support from certain international organizations, particularly those that advocate for decolonization, sovereignty, and self-determination, namely the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), or the United Nations (UN) may express solidarity with Azerbaijan's position and condemn colonial practices. When it comes to responses from Western institutions, several Western governments and institutions may express support for Azerbaijan's anti-colonial policy or position that aligns with principles of democracy, human rights, and territorial integrity. Moreover, a fair assessment of the struggle against colonialism by relevant international organizations and the international community is important, unfortunately, they dont do yet, but there is hope for the future on this path. Countries such as Azerbaijan, international organizations should actively be involved in the process of decolonization. Organizations such as Baku Initiative Group have an active role in the fight against colonialism with growing support to these regions. Our opinion is, if they work in this direction there will surely be positive results. Q I have a friend who makes friends wherever she goes. Its incredible to watch her in action. Shes so friendly and kind, and talks to anyone and everyone. It amazes me how she can be so open with strangers, turning them quickly into friends. We have a mutual friend who doesnt agree with me. She thinks its weird that wherever we go, our friend makes friends. And she makes fun of her, calling all her new people strays. Our friend just smiles, but I know that its hurtful to her. The strange thing is that the one who makes fun of her moved away and has made new friends in her travels. For whatever reason, her new friends are legit, but the friends our friend makes are not. Sometimes I just want to yell at the one who makes fun. Who gave her the right to sit in judgment? But I feel I should keep quiet. Whats your take? Middle man A: Youre only in the middle because you put yourself there. Get out. If youre all old enough to move away, then Im going to assume youre all adults. Start acting as such. Your friendly friend sounds warm, kind and open. Dont squash her superpower. The other one sounds jealous. Tell her to keep her thoughts to herself because theyre hurtful to your mutual friend. If she continues, ask her flat out what makes it OK for her to make new friends. She wont be able to answer. If she continues with her negative narrative, you may have to walk away. Your friend needs to speak up for herself. Q While I was on a much-needed weeklong holiday, my mother fell and ended up in hospital. I was at a retreat with no internet connection my choice as I desperately needed to unplug and therefore my family couldnt contact me. But only my father knew that, as my sister and I arent that close. My father was so busy with my mother that he asked my sister to contact me but forgot to give her the appropriate information. My mother had the details of where I was staying, in case of emergency, but she was the one in hospital. By the time I got on the plane, my phone was lighting up with the numerous texts and missed calls from my frantic sister. Her texts became increasingly angry and mean. Granted she didnt know why I wasnt responding, but she didnt give me any benefit of the doubt. As soon as I landed, I went straight to the hospital where my parents welcomed me warmly. They were both just happy I was there. When my sister arrived, she started screaming at me and insisted I leave. She wouldnt hear any of the reasoning behind my absence, wouldnt let my mother speak or hear my father out. Everyone was getting so upset that I just left, for my mothers benefit mainly. Now my sister has banned me from the hospital, against my parents wishes. Should I defy her, or wait until my mom comes home and deal with it then? Sibling ire A Call your sister and explain the situation. Tell her the facts that your mom knew how to contact you in case of emergency; that your dad knew you had gone off the grid and explain how sorry you are for not having been there for everyone, especially to support your sister during this scary time. Give her a day to calm down. But your priority now is your mom. Focus on her. FEEDBACK Regarding the mother trying to get her adult daughter out of the house (April 9): Reader: Advising a mother to remove her daughter from her home although the circumstances regarding the daughter and her boyfriend are not revealed sounds pretty mean-spirited to me. Was the daughter not paying rent? Was she expected to help with expenses and/or housekeeping? It sounds like the daughter and her friend have nowhere to go. Of course, they could become part of the homeless people in their city while the mother enjoys the comforts of a home. I was brought up to believe that you take care of your family, no matter the circumstances. Lisi: Thats very noble of you. I, too, believe that family comes first and we should do our best to look after our own. But when situations become toxic, and people take advantage, we must remember to protect ourselves first. Lisi Tesher is an advice columnist for the Star based in Toronto. Send your relationship questions via email: lisi@thestar.ca. Zoe Whittall began her literary career writing poetry. Before her 2007 fiction debut, "Bottle Rocket Hearts," there were two collections of verse: "The Best Ten Minutes of Your Life" (2001) and "The Emily Valentine Poems" (2006). A third volume of poetry, "Precordial Thump," appeared in 2008. (There is another on the way this fall.) This may at first glance seem to have little to do with her latest book, a debut short-story collection called "Wild Failure" that comes out Wednesday, but that is actually far from the case. Many writers of short fiction will acknowledge that while it, like the novel, is written in prose, thats about where the relationship ends. In its narrative compression, linguistic concision and tight focus, the short story has much more in common with poetry. Its an affinity Whittall readily embraces. Theres definitely more of a relationship between my poetry and short fiction in terms of the specific things Im interested in on the line level, she said. I feel like theres so much room in a novel, but a novel is a whole ballet and a story is just one pirouette. As a beginning writer, Whittall had produced short stories with the hope of selling them to magazines or journals, but she never really felt comfortable with the form. Indeed, "Bottle Rocket Hearts" began life as a story collection, with one story getting longer and longer until Whittalls publisher, Marc Cote of Cormorant Books, suggested that it wanted to be at least a novella. While Whittall admits that the expansiveness of a novel initially worried her, she became comfortable with the form, eventually producing several well-received books, including 2016s "The Best Kind of People," which was shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. She never stopped writing short stories but realized that their formal properties carried with them a whole different set of concerns for a writer. The constraint of the short story, in a lot of different ways even just how much a sentence matters, how much a word matters was overwhelming, she said. The revelation came when she composed Half-Pipe and Wild Failure, the first two stories in the new collection. With those stories, she felt as though she had figured out a way to work in a form that had previously intimidated her or seemed too technically unapproachable. It was almost like I was a musician who had been noodling around, improvising for years, and then I finally wrote something someone could sing along to, she said. The stories in "Wild Failure" do feel like the work of a writer entirely comfortable with the form, while also cleaving to Whittalls core concerns: sexuality, queerness, anxiety and pop culture. Sandy knows how to be a girl, reads one of the opening lines in Half-Pipe, about a woman whose performative heterosexuality gets her in trouble with a group of skateboarders at a skate park. While some people have suggested this piece is a sexual assault story, Whittall has a somewhat different take on it. She acknowledged that the assault in the story forms a major plot point, but for her it is in the service of a specific take on queerness. Theres often a coming out story that says, I knew when I was three, Whittall said. But sometimes, especially when people are young, queerness can look like ambivalence or detachment, or not wanting to participate in the rituals that are all around you. I was interested in a character who was in that space of radical detachment from her life. As it happens, Half-Pipe was one of those serendipitous occasions in which the story appeared almost fully formed. Whittall compares the writing process to that of Dolly Parton, who is said to have written Jolene in nine minutes. I wrote (Half-Pipe) in a coffee shop on a day when I was avoiding writing a script that was due, Whittall said. It came out of the box nearly perfect. She compares this to the composition of Wild Failure, another favourite of hers from the new collection, which began life as an essay about agoraphobia. (The story traces the relationship between an agoraphobe and a mountain hiker.) That story, Whittall said, required much revision and many rounds of edits before it emerged in anything close to its finished form. I rewrote it for two years before I ever showed it to anyone, she said. Elsewhere in the collection, I Need a Miracle focuses on a group of young people in the early 1990s following the Grateful Dead on tour; Murder at the Elm Street Collective House examines the current pop cultures obsession with true crime podcasts; and The Sex Castle Lunch Buffet finds a woman who briefly worked as a stripper reminiscing about this time in her life after reading about the death of a creepy former customer. One aspect that crops up in a number of stories is sex, which, in typical fashion for Whittall, is dealt with frankly and without timidity. I like writing sex scenes, because it is difficult to do well on a language and syntax level, she said. Its difficult to make truly hot and I like that challenge. Whittall is also addressing what she views as a cultural drift toward a kind of neopuritanism, which shies away from direct confrontation with subjects like desire and perversion in favour of a kind of smoothed-over presentation of characters erotic lives. She points approvingly to a recent essay by Jen Silverman in the New York Times praising the virtues of difficult art and complex, even unlikeable characters. Theres a dangerous inclination to confuse art with moral instruction, Whittall said, echoing Silverman. I dont think anything creatively good comes from puritanism or hesitancy or denial, unless you are trying to explore those things specifically. This is perhaps more acute because Whittall so frequently writes from a queer perspective. When she writes heterosexual sex scenes, she said, no one bats an eye. When she starts to dramatize queer sexuality, by contrast, critics most specifically straight male critics tend to suggest shes verging into pornography. This, Whittall believes, is a vestigial after-effect of a culture that, until recently, did not allow for the blunt discussion of queer sexuality in popular culture. Theres a typical kind of review I get when work talks about queerness and sexuality, she said ruefully. They talk about the author or the work as though a horse learned to play the violin. Im kind of gearing myself up for that reception. Taylor Swift has been shaking up the world in more ways than one with her blockbuster "Taylor Swift Eras Tour." This multi-continent extravaganza is making waves not just in music but also in travel. Wherever Taylor goes, she brings a tidal wave of fans who boost local economies and pack hotels to the brim. Cities on her tour route are seeing record-breaking hotel bookings and skyrocketing demand. Airlines are adding extra flights, and local businesses are jumping on the Swiftie bandwagon with special promotions and events. From Buenos Aires to Pittsburgh, Taylor Swift Eras Tour is turning up tourism like never before. But how is she turning up tourism everywhere she goes like a cruel summer? Record-Breaking Hotel Bookings Cities on Taylor's tour route are witnessing a surge in hotel bookings. Hotels are reporting full occupancy rates, sometimes even months before the concert date. This rush has led to increased prices, with fans willing to pay a premium to be close to the action. Many hotels are also creating special Swift-themed packages to attract her fans. These packages often include exclusive merchandise and pre-concert events, making the stay even more memorable for the Swifties. Economic Boom for Local Businesses Local businesses are thriving thanks to the influx of fans. Restaurants, cafes, and shops near concert venues see a significant increase in customers. Many businesses are also getting creative, offering Taylor Swift-themed products and experiences. This not only attracts fans but also boosts the local economy. The Taylor Swift Eras Tour has proven to be a boon for small businesses looking to capitalize on the excitement. Special Promotions and Events The tour has inspired a wave of special promotions and events in every city it visits. Airlines are adding extra flights to accommodate the increased demand. Some flights are even named after Taylor's albums, like NZ1989, which adds a fun twist for fans. Local tourism boards are also getting in on the action, organizing Swift-themed tours and activities. As Taylor sings, "It's a love story," these efforts ensure that fans have a unique and unforgettable experience during their visit. Related Article : The Taylor Swift Brand Of Restaurants Fan Travel Experiences Swifties are traveling from all corners of the globe to catch a glimpse of their idol. This is not just a concert for many. But, it is a pilgrimage. Fans are planning elaborate trips, sometimes even visiting multiple cities to see Taylor perform. This has led to the creation of "Swift-cations," where the concert is the centerpiece of a larger travel adventure. These experiences are creating lifelong memories for fans and transforming how people travel for music. Global Travel Trends The Taylor Swift Eras Tour is setting new trends in global travel. Fans are more willing than ever to travel long distances for a concert. This has led to increased demand for flights, hotels, and local services in tour cities. The tour is also promoting cultural exchange, as fans explore new places and meet fellow Swifties from around the world. This global movement is reshaping the travel industry and emphasizing the power of music to bring people together. Long-Lasting Impact The impact of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour goes beyond the concert dates. Cities that host her shows often see a continued boost in tourism even after the tour has moved on. Fans who have had a positive experience are more likely to return and explore the city further. This creates a long-lasting economic benefit for the local community. The tour is a game-changer for tourism, proving that music and travel are a powerful combination. Creating Unique Fan Experiences Hotels and businesses are going the extra mile to create unforgettable experiences for Swifties. From Swift-inspired cocktails to themed decorations, every detail is designed to make fans feel special. Some hotels even host pre-concert events with live music and fan activities. These efforts are paying off, with fans sharing their experiences on social media and driving even more interest. The Taylor Swift Eras Tour is redefining what it means to be a fan and a traveler. In the early hours of Sunday morning, a sailing yacht named Alboran Cognac sank in the Strait of Gibraltar after being struck by orcas. The incident occurred at 0900 local time (0800 BST). Two passengers were on board when the yacht began to take on water following sudden, violent impacts to its hull and rudder. They were subsequently rescued by a nearby oil tanker and safely transported to Gibraltar. Orcas Sink Yacht in Busy Strait of Gibraltar This event adds to a growing list of similar incidents involving orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar and the surrounding Atlantic waters off Portugal and north-western Spain. Over the last four years, interactions between orcas and vessels have been increasingly noted, with nearly 700 such incidents documented since May 2020 by the research group GTOA, which monitors the Iberian orca sub-species. According to BBC, the subpopulation responsible for these interactions is believed to consist of about 15 orcas, known as the "Gladis" group. Initially, these interactions were thought to be aggressive, with speculation on social media suggesting the orcas were seeking revenge for a supposed incident involving a boat and a whale called White Gladis. However, experts like neuroscientist Lori Marino, president of the Whale Sanctuary Project, argue against this theory, stating there is no evidence supporting the idea of orca revenge. Marino explains that the orcas' actions likely began as playful behavior, a theory supported by their known high intelligence and capacity for social learning. The ongoing incidents, which have never resulted in human injury, suggest that these marine mammals may be engaging with boats more out of curiosity and learned behavior rather than aggression. This raises important questions about how humans and these endangered creatures can coexist in busy maritime areas like the Strait of Gibraltar. Related Article : St. Vincent To Ban Whaling After Tourists Witnessed The Killing Of Two Orcas By Local Fishermen Spain Morocco Plan Rail Tunnel under Gibraltar Spain and Morocco are renewing efforts to construct a rail tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar, linking the two nations. This initiative, which first emerged in 1979, has been reactivated with the Spanish government directing Ineco, a state-owned engineering firm, to update feasibility studies and cost evaluations originally drafted in 2007. These revisions will examine various alignment options and assess construction safety and viability, considering the challenging depth of the sea, which reaches about 1000m, as reported by the International Railway Journal. The proposed tunnel, potentially stretching up to 28km, aims to facilitate both passenger and freight train travel. This project, estimated to cost between 5bn and 10bn, might receive funding from European and African financial institutions. Recent discussions in Rabat between Spain's transport minister, Oscar Puente, and Morocco's ministers of infrastructure and water, and transport and logistics, have underscored the tunnel's strategic importance. Additionally, Ineco has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Moroccan consultancy CID to collaborate on rail and urban transport projects across Africa, leveraging Spain's expertise in high-speed rail development. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. The Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Belarus - Jeyhun Bayramov and Sergei Aleinik - have met in Baku, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The meeting between Jeyhun Bayramov and Bularusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik was continued in an enlarged format with the participation of delegations from both sides. "The meeting discussed issues arising from the existing relations of strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Belarus, preparations for the planned state visit of the President of Belarus to Azerbaijan, as well as the regional situation. The sides noted with satisfaction the formation of an agenda of mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, processing industry, agriculture, transportation, tourism, pharmaceuticals, high technologies, humanitarian, and other areas for more than 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Particularly, it was noted that an important role in expanding cooperation in the economic sphere is played by the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, the next meeting of which will be held in the coming days. Talking about the exceptional role of intensive contacts between the leaders of the two countries in the development of the current political dialog, Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized the importance of the state visit of the President of Belarus to Azerbaijan, as well as the signing of documents in various areas within the framework of the visit. Additionally, it was noted that bilateral relations, which have the character of strategic partnership, are successfully continued within the framework of regional and international multilateral platforms, including the UN, OSCE, and CIS. The Belarusian side was also informed in detail about the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, the large-scale reconstruction and construction works carried out in the territories liberated from occupation, and the possibilities of cooperation in this direction. Touching upon Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the negotiation process within its framework, and the organizational measures undertaken, Jeyhun Bayramov mentioned that during the chairmanship Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the support and active participation of partners. The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest during the meeting. 13:17 An expanded meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Belarus - Jeyhun Bayramov and Sergei Aleinik - has taken place in Baku, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The meeting discussed the prospects for a strategic partnership between the two countries in the fields of economy, transport, industry, agriculture, and other areas. Additionally, the meeting saw an exchange of views on initiatives to strengthen the bilateral and multilateral cooperation agenda, and the post-conflict situation in the region, including the holding of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). 13:01 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has met with his Belarusian counterpart Sergei Aleinik at the administrative building of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Trend reports via the ministry's X account. Currently, the ministers meet one-on-one. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Through gradual and coordinated efforts by the Government of Azerbaijan, on May 14, 2024, eight Azerbaijani citizens (five children and three women) who were in conflict zones in the Syrian Arab Republic were successfully repatriated to Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend. The ministry stated that the initial steps involved confirming the location, identity, and citizenship of the Azerbaijani repatriates. After that, arrangements were made for their transfer to the territory of Turkiye. "Representatives from relevant state agencies tasked with repatriating Azerbaijani citizens from Iraq and Syria were dispatched to Turkiye, where primary medical and psychological examinations were held on the repatriates. The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Turkiye facilitated the necessary coordination efforts, issuing return certificates to our citizens and overseeing their transport back to Azerbaijan. Plans are in place for the social rehabilitation and reintegration of the returnees into society. The Government of Azerbaijan remains committed to taking the necessary steps for repatriating citizens affected by armed conflicts in foreign territories, the ministry said. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Please, if you have information, just share it. It's the plea of the mother of missing teen, By Janice Phelan, May 15, 2024 UCM staff members presenting in Jefferson City included (from left, front row) David Pearce, Clarinda Dir, Stan Elliott and Dr. Laurel Hogue. Missouri General Assembly leaders recently heard how the University of Central Missouri is preparing students to excel in todays work environment by collaborating with business partners and accelerating degree completion all while maintaining academic rigor and providing well-qualified workers for Missouri companies. A group of UCM officials presented information to the Missouri House Workforce and Infrastructure Development Committee May 8 in Jefferson City. UCM representatives involved in the discussion included Clarinda Dir, Workforce and Professional Education manager; Stan Elliott, Missouri Innovation Campus program director; Dr. Laurel Hogue, vice provost for Online and Learning Engagement; and David Pearce, UCM director for governmental relations. Also attending the meeting was Cade Tremain, a 2023 UCM graduate who is currently public relations coordinator on the Outreach Team for the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD). This was a great opportunity for the UCM Lee's Summit campus to showcase their successful programs in meeting workforce needs for the state of Missouri, Pearce said. We appreciate the chance to appear before the House Workforce and Infrastructure Development Committee. Highlights of the well-received presentation included the Missouri Innovation Campus program, a unique partnership involving both industry and students from area high schools; UCMs Aerospace Academy; the universitys School of Nursing, with classrooms and state-of-the- art simulation labs located at UCMs Lees Summit campus; and the Center for Workforce and Professional Education, a non-credit and certificate training program also located at the Lees Summit facility. The team is super appreciative of Rep. Riggs and the committee for their invitation to share our programs and engage in dialogue about the importance of working with K-12 school districts to reduce the overall cost of college and time to degree, Hogue said. We are thankful for the Lees Summit R-7 School District who are invaluable partners in the Missouri Innovation Campus. During the presentation, General Assembly members learned how UCM has successfully addressed the areas need for a highly skilled workforce while helping keep top talent in our state. The team also discussed the universitys effective use of partnerships with businesses to provide impactful internship opportunities as well as the innovative way UCM joined with the Lees Summit R-7 School District to share space and resources at the Missouri Innovation Campus in Lees Summit. The state officials were especially interested in UCMs efforts to train workers for high-needs areas such as healthcare, information technology and cybersecurity while also offering certificate programs designed to help students begin a new career or advance in their current job. I love that we are creating options for people who are incredibly smart and talented but the regular school schedule is not for them, said Missouri Rep. Bridget Walsh Moore (D-93) about UCMs industry-recognized certificate programs. The UCM team was invited to speak to the House committee by Missouri Rep. Louis Riggs (R-5), committee chairman. To view the complete UCM presentation, select this link and then click on the May 8 meeting. For more information about UCMs programs, select these links: Missouri Innovation Campus programWorkforce and Professional EducationSchool of Nursing and Department of Aviation. The situation at the front in the area of Lukyantsi and Vovchansk in Kharkiv region remains difficult, but under Ukraines control. Thats according to Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Khortytsia Grouping of Troops, who spoke on the air of the national telethon, Ukrinform reports. "In the war zone manned by the Khortytsia operational-strategic grouping of troops, the situation on the eastern front remains aggravated, but our defense forces are fighting intense defensive battles. Attempts by the Russian occupiers to break through our defenses have been thwarted. The situation has been stabilized, in particular on the Kharkiv axis," Voloshyn informed. According to the official, the situation is dynamically changing as fierce defensive battles continue. "On a significant part of our border strip there are settlements where the enemy is trying to gain a foothold and use them for further advance. Over the past day, our units repelled 11 enemy assaults, including in Hlyboke, Lyptsi, Lukianivka, Borysivka, Neskuchne, Shebekino, and Vovchansk," the spokesman said. According to Voloshyn, fighting continues in Lukyantsi and Vovchansk in Kharkiv region as the invaders are trying to gain a certain tactical edge in areas where they are aiming to seize better positions. "By their actions, the enemy attempted to ensure favorable conditions for further advance, in particular to occupy more advantageous positions in the area, but our defense units do not allow Russian invaders to gain a foothold there. We are counterattacking, striking with artillery, and a large number of UAV units are involved," added Voloshyn. Amid intense fire pressure and Russias air support for its ground troops, the Ukrainian forces carried out maneuvers in order to preserve the lives of Ukrainian servicemen and avoid losses in certain areas near Lukyantsi and Vovchansk. The enemy remains under constant fire pressure as well. As Ukrinform reported earlier, Ukraines defense intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov assumes that after the offensive effort in Kharkiv region, Russia is also planning an offensive move toward the city of Sumy. Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine The experience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in conducting modern warfare will be very useful for NATO's security, so important steps will be taken at the NATO summit in Washington to bring Ukraine's membership in the military alliance closer. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this in his speech at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute on Tuesday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "Ukraine is much more than a recipient of advice and assistance. Your warriors are confronting the greatest threat to transatlantic security since the end of the Cold War," he said. Blinken added that the Ukrainian Defense Forces have a lot of combat experience in modern warfare. "You have a lot to teach the alliance, and NATO will be more secure with your military by our side," he said. Blinken also stressed that during the NATO Washington Summit in July "tangible steps" will be taken to strengthen NATO's role in building a resilient and capable Ukrainian force, supporting its ongoing reforms and better integrating Ukraine into the alliance. "We are bringing Ukraine closer to and then into NATO. We'll make sure that Ukraine's bridge to NATO is strong and well-lit," Blinken said. In this context, he noted that Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration would be bolstered by a series of mutually reinforcing bilateral security agreements. "We now have 32 countries who are negotiating these agreements with Ukraine, nine of which have already been completed. These agreements send a clear message that Ukraine can count on its partners for sustainable long-term support," Blinken said. He paid particular attention to the upcoming bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and the U.S., under which, according to him, the United States "will support Ukraine's defense and security across a range of essential capabilities from its Air Force to its air defense, from drones to demining." "Our bilateral security agreement will accelerate our joint efforts to build and build up Ukraine's defense industrial base so that you can produce artillery, ammunition, air defenses and other crucial weapons you need here in Ukraine," Blinken added. He said that even now efforts are being made at the bilateral level to increase defense production in Ukraine, attract private investments, and maintain interaction between Ukrainian and American defense industry companies. "All of these measures -- Ukraine's increased integration with and support from NATO, a growing network of security agreements with individual countries, a booming defense industrial base -- all of these will ensure that the moment conditions are met and allies agree, Ukraine's invitation and accession to the alliance will be swift and smooth," Blinken added. 05/14/2024 By Ed Brennen Even if she hadnt joined the River Hawk Experience Distinction (RHED) program, Madison Rowley 24 would have worked at a Lowell preschool and volunteered with a community organization while earning a bachelors degree in psychology. But since she was gaining those experiences outside of the classroom anyway, it only made sense to apply them to a community engagement distinction from RHED, which is now on her official transcript and resume. I figured it was a good way to connect what I learn about in class to what I want to do in the future, which is work as a school counselor or psychologist, says Rowley, a native of Townsend, Massachusetts, who double-minored in education and Spanish. Image by Ed Brennen Launched in 2018, RHED is a way for students to take a deep dive into a personal interest that connects with their academics in one of five topic areas: leadership, entrepreneurship, global engagement, community engagement or sustainability. By completing two preapproved courses and two preapproved experiences, along with guided reflections for each, students receive the RHED credential and a red braided cord to wear at Commencement. This year, a record 47 students graduated with RHED distinctions, nearly double the programs total over its first five years. Youve pushed yourself to take your learning to another level, above and beyond whats required of you, Dean of Student Affairs & Experiential Learning James Kohl told students at the inaugural RHED cording ceremony, held recently at the Allen House. You chose to intertwine the knowledge gained in the classroom with experience in the real world, and in doing so, youve forged deeper, more vibrant meaning for both. Image by Ed Brennen RHED also aligns with the UML Guarantee, which ensures that every first-time, first-year UMass Lowell student will have the opportunity to pursue at least one career connected experience during their undergraduate career, earning pay, credits or both before they graduate. Business grad Alexa Gaton Hernandez 24 earned a RHED distinction for global engagement after taking part in three study abroad programs with the Honors College. Through these experiences, I was able to broaden my views beyond the classroom, communicate better, adapt to my environment and collaborate with others, which helped me perform better in my classes, the Lawrence, Massachusetts, native says. Most importantly, they helped me decide what I want to do post-grad, which is to pursue a masters degree in Spain. Fellow business grad Mike Nasr 24 of Stoneham, Massachusetts, earned a RHED distinction for entrepreneurship after participating in the Rist DifferenceMaker Institutes Innovation Contest and completing a class project. It gave me a reason to reflect on courses Ive taken and experiences Ive had, which was worthwhile, says Nasr, whose concentrations were in marketing and entrepreneurship. Julian Viviescas Mejia 24 graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English and minors in digital media and Italian studies. He says his RHED distinction in global engagement meant everything to his college experience. Image by Ed Brennen After studying abroad in Modena, Italy, for a semester in 2022, Viviescas Mejia returned to campus and continued research on Italian immigration, which was the topic of his honors thesis. Because of (RHED), I feel prepared for the real world, says Viviescas Mejia, who moved to the U.S. from Colombia nine years ago. I know how to work hard to achieve better things. Viviescas Mejia plans to continue traveling after completing a digital marketing internship at Mass General Brigham hospital in June. The following students received RHED distinctions this year: Leadership: Gavin Alexander, Justin Baez, Chris Bonney, Stella Cortese, Karina Diaz, Alex Hutchinson, Abdullah Jasim, Angelina Khiem, Jason McKeon, Olivera Nedeljkovic, Scott Phillips, Natasha Roberts, Jacob Villeneuve and Andrew Whitcomb. Entrepreneurship: Arlo Blanchard, Michael Nasr, Cameron Famiglietti, Celine Quezada, Matthew Hayes, Medhanit Woldemichael and Val Heath. Community Engagement: Ricky Canales, Stephanie Chavarria, Jessica DAntona, Jena Jean Jacques, Madison Rowley and Emily Vandoros. Global Engagement: Stephanie Ayeboafo, Sarah Curley, Cassidy DeMalia, Amy Desjardins, Charles DiSciullo, Michael Feinblatt, Alexa Gaton Hernandez, Warsame Hassan, Jacob Lang, Alessia Pari-di-Monriva, Jess Stevens, Julian Viviescas Mejia, Lisaidy Zabala and Isabella De Souza. Sustainability: Julianne Gath, Mariah Giberson, David Gilblair, Haley Green, Gabriel Muniz and Sama Schofield. KHOJALY, Azerbaijan, May 15. Khojaly city hosted a ceremony commemorating the withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping contingent from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. The event was attended by high-ranking military personnel from the defense ministries of Azerbaijan and Russia, a peacekeeping contingent, representatives of the Russian Embassy in Azerbaijan, military personnel, and media representatives. After viewing a photo exhibition showcasing the activities of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the Karabakh Economic Zone, the guests were invited to the honorary podium, and the program of the ceremony was announced. The event began with a minute of silence in honor of the fallen servicemen. Accompanied by a military orchestra, the national anthems of the two countries were performed. The Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijani Army, Lieutenant General Karim Valiyev, briefed on the activities of the contingent temporarily stationed in Karabakh, in accordance with the statement signed between the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia on November 10, 2020. He expressed gratitude to all members of the peacekeeping contingent, which, having prematurely completed its mission, is being withdrawn from the country in accordance with the agreement reached between the heads of state of Azerbaijan and Russia, for their contributions to peace and stability, and wished them success in their future endeavors. Then, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Evgeny Nikiforov delivered a speech. Following the speeches, military personnel, who were awarded medals by the defense ministers of Azerbaijan and Russia, were presented with their medals, and there was an exchange of gifts between the official guests. The event concluded with a concert program featuring creative groups from the defense ministries of Azerbaijan and Russia. To note, the Russian peacekeeping contingent was deployed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in accordance with the third point of the joint statement of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia and the Prime Minister of Armenia dated November 10, 2020. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel KHOJALY, Azerbaijan, May 15. The need for a peacekeeping mission in Azerbaijan's Karabakh disappeared after local anti-terror measures carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in September last year, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry's spokesman, Colonel Anar Eyvazov said, Trend reports. He made the remark at an event on the withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping contingent from Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, held in Khojaly city on May 15. The official pointed out that, based on an agreement reached between the top leadership of Azerbaijan and Russia, a decision was made to terminate the peacekeeping mission ahead of schedule. "The large-scale counterterrorism operation, initiated on September 27, 2020, in response to the latest provocations by the Armenian armed forces, was successfully completed within 44 days under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. A contingent of Russian peacekeeping forces was temporarily deployed in Azerbaijan after the 2020 second Karabakh war, in accordance with the relevant clause of the trilateral statement signed by the heads of state of Azerbaijan, Russia, and the Armenian prime minister. This activity lasted all the way into September 2023. As of September 2023, after the Azerbaijani Armed Forces successfully implemented localized anti-terror measures, the existence of the mission became unnecessary. Based on the agreement reached by the heads of state of Azerbaijan and Russia, a decision was made on the early completion of the peacekeeping contingents mission and its withdrawal from the territory of Azerbaijan. Immediately after the decision was made, in accordance with the relevant instructions of the minister of defense of Azerbaijan Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the necessary technical and logistical support was provided for the withdrawal of weapons and equipment, personnel, and material of the contingent from the territory of Azerbaijan, Eyvazov added. To note, the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, scheduled termination of Russian peacekeeping contingent's deployment in Azerbaijan in 2025. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. The Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Belarus - Jeyhun Bayramov and Sergei Aleinik - have met in Baku, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The meeting between Jeyhun Bayramov and Bularusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik was continued in an enlarged format with the participation of delegations from both sides. "The meeting discussed issues arising from the existing relations of strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Belarus, preparations for the planned state visit of the President of Belarus to Azerbaijan, as well as the regional situation. The sides noted with satisfaction the formation of an agenda of mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, processing industry, agriculture, transportation, tourism, pharmaceuticals, high technologies, humanitarian, and other areas for more than 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Particularly, it was noted that an important role in expanding cooperation in the economic sphere is played by the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, the next meeting of which will be held in the coming days. Talking about the exceptional role of intensive contacts between the leaders of the two countries in the development of the current political dialog, Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized the importance of the state visit of the President of Belarus to Azerbaijan, as well as the signing of documents in various areas within the framework of the visit. Additionally, it was noted that bilateral relations, which have the character of strategic partnership, are successfully continued within the framework of regional and international multilateral platforms, including the UN, OSCE, and CIS. The Belarusian side was also informed in detail about the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, the large-scale reconstruction and construction works carried out in the territories liberated from occupation, and the possibilities of cooperation in this direction. Touching upon Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the negotiation process within its framework, and the organizational measures undertaken, Jeyhun Bayramov mentioned that during the chairmanship Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the support and active participation of partners. The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest during the meeting. 13:17 An expanded meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Belarus - Jeyhun Bayramov and Sergei Aleinik - has taken place in Baku, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The meeting discussed the prospects for a strategic partnership between the two countries in the fields of economy, transport, industry, agriculture, and other areas. Additionally, the meeting saw an exchange of views on initiatives to strengthen the bilateral and multilateral cooperation agenda, and the post-conflict situation in the region, including the holding of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). 13:01 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has met with his Belarusian counterpart Sergei Aleinik at the administrative building of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Trend reports via the ministry's X account. Currently, the ministers meet one-on-one. KHOJALY, Azerbaijan, May 15. The Russian peacekeeping contingent made efforts to ensure peace and stability in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region during the period of the mission, Chief of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Karim Valiyev said, Trend reports. He made the remark at an event on the withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping contingent from Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, held in Khojaly city on May 15. Let me convey to you the sincere greetings of the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, on the occasion of the event dedicated to the completion of the mission of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. Today, on this significant day, I would like to remind you that more than three years ago, under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, our country ended the 44-day second Karabakh war with complete victory and restoration of territorial integrity, the official said. Valiyev also reminded that, as a result of the trilateral statement signed on November 10, 2020, by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the President of Russia, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, a ceasefire regime was achieved, putting an end to the Karabakh conflict that had lasted for about 30 years. "During the mission, the peacekeeping contingent fulfilled its tasks and responsibilities and made efforts to ensure peace and stability in the Karabakh economic region. In order to stop the ongoing provocations by illegal Armenian armed formations against the civilian population and to establish full control of Azerbaijan over the Karabakh economic region, local anti-terror measures were carried out in September 2023. As a result of these measures, the activities of the separatist regime were completely terminated, and the remnants of the Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed formations were fully withdrawn from the country's territory. Considering the current situation, the top leadership of Azerbaijan and Russia made a decision to terminate the peacekeeping mission ahead of schedule. Dear friends, todays event is dedicated to the completion of your peacekeeping mission. I congratulate you on this occasion and express my gratitude for your courageous service for the benefit of peace and stability in the Karabakh economic region. I wish you success in your future activities, he concluded. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's recent decision to reallocate $2.3 million from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programming to fund university police has sparked intense debate and criticism. The move, approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees, reflects a broader trend of universities reevaluating their approaches to DEI initiatives amidst growing concerns about their effectiveness and impact. Controversial Decision Sparks Backlash The decision to redirect funds from DEI to the police budget has drawn sharp criticism from students, faculty, and advocacy groups. Many view the move as a step backward in the university's efforts to promote diversity and inclusion on campus. Beth Moracco, chair of the faculty at Chapel Hill, expressed surprise and concern over the decision, particularly given the upcoming discussion at the system Board of Governors about DEI funding statewide. She highlighted the lack of evidence presented by the trustees to justify their decision and questioned the timing of the vote. Critics argue that the reallocation of funds undermines the university's commitment to addressing systemic inequalities and promoting a diverse and inclusive campus environment. They point out that DEI initiatives are essential for fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring that all members of the university community have equal opportunities for success. By diverting funds away from these programs, the university risks alienating marginalized groups and perpetuating existing disparities. Rationale Behind the Decision Dave Boliek, chair of the board's budget and finance committee, defended the decision, citing concerns about the effectiveness of DEI programming and the need to prioritize public safety on campus. Boliek expressed skepticism about the impact of DEI initiatives, describing them as "cultural indoctrination" that is divisive. He argued that the university police need additional resources to address safety concerns, pointing to incidents such as the fatal shooting of a faculty member and the clearing of a pro-Palestinian encampment as examples of the need for increased police presence. Boliek's comments reflect a broader debate about the role of police on college campuses and the allocation of resources to support their activities. Some argue that investing in police forces is essential for maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, and staff. Others, however, question the reliance on policing as a solution to social and behavioral issues, advocating for alternative approaches that prioritize community engagement and support services. Impact on DEI Efforts and Campus Climate The decision to reallocate funds from DEI to the police budget raises concerns about the future of diversity and inclusion efforts at UNC-Chapel Hill. DEI initiatives play a crucial role in addressing systemic inequalities and promoting a more inclusive campus climate. By diverting funds away from these programs, the university risks eroding the progress that has been made in recent years. Furthermore, the decision could have a chilling effect on marginalized groups on campus, who may feel that their concerns are not being prioritized by university leadership. This, in turn, could undermine efforts to recruit and retain a diverse student body and faculty, as well as hinder the university's ability to create an inclusive learning environment for all. UNC-Chapel Hill's decision to reallocate funds from DEI programming to fund university police has sparked controversy and raised questions about the university's commitment to diversity and inclusion. While supporters argue that the move is necessary to ensure public safety on campus, critics contend that it undermines efforts to address systemic inequalities and promote a more inclusive campus climate. The debate highlights the complex challenges universities face in balancing competing priorities and the importance of thoughtful and inclusive decision-making in addressing these issues. A recent report from the Daily Mail has shed light on troubling practices at student loan servicer Mohela. According to an anonymous former employee, call center workers were trained to keep customers on hold for at least 15 minutes before transferring them to someone who could assist with issues other than paying their loan or changing a repayment plan. This revelation raises serious questions about Mohela's customer service practices and its treatment of borrowers. Call Center Scripting and Training The former Mohela employee described a frustrating work environment where adherence to strict scripts was mandatory. Workers were prohibited from admitting if they couldn't find information or were unsure, and were instead instructed to sound confident and knowledgeable. This approach, while common in call center settings, raises concerns about transparency and the quality of assistance provided to borrowers. In addition to scripting, the employee also highlighted the pressure to keep customers on hold for a minimum of 15 minutes before transferring them to another representative. This tactic, according to the employee, was designed to reduce the number of direct interactions with customers, particularly for issues beyond basic loan payments or repayment plan changes. Such practices could contribute to borrower frustration and hinder timely resolution of complex issues. Allegations of Overwork and Threats The former employee also alleged that workers at Mohela were overworked and frequently faced threats from customers. The combination of stringent scripting requirements, long hold times, and the high volume of calls could create a stressful environment for employees, potentially impacting the quality of customer service provided. Furthermore, the employee suggested that there was "incompetency" within the higher-ups at Mohela and the U.S. Department of Education. This allegation raises concerns about the management practices within Mohela and its ability to effectively oversee the servicing of student loans. Senator Elizabeth Warren's Involvement The revelations about Mohela's call center practices have caught the attention of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren. In a letter to Mohela CEO Scott Giles, Senator Warren invited him to testify before Congress at a hearing titled "MOHELA's Performance as a Student Loan Servicer." The hearing aimed to address concerns about Mohela's handling of student loan repayment processes. Senator Warren accused Mohela of mishandling borrowers' return to repayment following the COVID-19 pandemic-related pause on payments, interest, and collections. She also highlighted a report alleging that Mohela used a "call deflection" scheme to redirect borrowers to its website instead of speaking to a customer service representative directly. These actions, according to Senator Warren, contributed to delays in over 800,000 public service workers receiving federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Defense and Response Despite the accusations leveled against Mohela, Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, defended Mohela's actions during the congressional hearing. Buchanan denied that Mohela used a "call deflection" scheme to harm borrowers, stating that it was a strategy mandated by the Federal Student Aid office. Buchanan also shifted blame onto the Federal Student Aid office, suggesting that the backlog of Public Service Loan Forgiveness applications was due to FSA's mishandling. This response raises questions about the relationship between student loan servicers like Mohela and the oversight provided by government agencies. Consequences and Legal Action Mohela's actions have not gone unnoticed, as the U.S. Department of Education penalized the company in October for failing to issue timely billing statements to 2.5 million borrowers. This failure resulted in 800,000 borrowers becoming delinquent on their loans, leading the department to withhold $7.2 million in payments to Mohela. Additionally, Mohela is currently facing two class-action lawsuits over its alleged failure to timely process and render decisions for student loan borrowers enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. These legal challenges highlight the potential consequences of mishandling student loans and call into question Mohela's practices and oversight mechanisms. The revelations from a former Mohela employee regarding the company's call center tactics raise serious concerns about transparency, customer service, and management practices within the student loan servicer. As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that more oversight and accountability are needed to ensure that student loan borrowers receive the assistance and support they need. Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome on Wednesday agreed to enhance cooperation in the IT and Telecommunication sector ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th May, 2024) Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome on Wednesday agreed to enhance cooperation in the IT and Telecommunication sector. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest related to IT and Telecommunication, the digitalisation of Pakistan's judicial system and the promotion of the gaming industry were discussed, said a news release. While talking to US Ambassador, Shaza Fatima said that the IT and Telecom sector of Pakistan is progressing. She said that Pakistan wanted to enhance its relations with the US in the field of IT and Telecom. The minister said that Pakistan wanted to work on the promotion of gaming industry with the collaboration of the United States. She also emphasised increasing business-to-business relations between Pakistan and US. Pakistan aspired to benefit from the experiences of America in the field of technology and exchange of IT experts between the two countries. The minister of State for IT said that the present government is focusing on digitalisation in the country. Economy, governance and society are being digitalised under the Prime Minister's National Digitalisation Plan, she maintained. Shaza Fatima noted that connectivity is the foundation of digitalisation, adding that steps are on for the provision of connectivity and quality broadband services in the country. Shaza said that the private sector has a very important role in the uplift of the economy, adding that the private sector is being fully supported under the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. US Ambassador Donald Blome said that the US will fully cooperate with Pakistan in the field of IT and Telecommunication. The meeting was also attended by Additional Secretary MoITT, Aisha Humera Moriani, Member IT Syed Junaid Imam and Member Telecom Muhammad Jahanzeb Rahim. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed for removal of issues and concerns of the Sindh government with regard to development ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th May, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed for removal of issues and concerns of the Sindh government with regard to development. He also directed for expediting work on the ongoing federal funded uplift projects in the province. The prime minister issued these directives during a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah who called on him. Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema and Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Jehanzeb Khan and relevant senior officials also attended the meeting, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. During the meeting, the prime minister said that for the revival of economy, the cooperation among the federation and the provinces was imperative, stressing that economic stability was their main objective. The prime minister directed the federal ministers to seek permanent resolution to the financial, economic and other issues of the Sindh province. He also asked for taking of all the provinces on board and including them in the consultation process during the preparation of the upcoming development budget. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Samir Nuriyev, the Head of the Presidential Administration and the head of the Coordination Headquarters for addressing issues in Azerbaijans liberated territories in a centralized manner, met with Igor Petrishenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, on May 15, Trend reports. During the meeting, both sides hailed the current state of relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus. The parties underlined that the relationship of sincere friendship between the two countries presidents played an important role in the establishment and development of strategic partnership relations between the two countries. The pair also underscored that in recent years, relations between the two countries have been successfully developing in a variety of areas, including political, economic, and humanitarian spheres, and the two countries have been maintaining fruitful cooperation within international and regional organizations. Samir Nuriyev said that, under the leadership of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, large-scale reconstruction works had been carried out in the territories liberated from occupation in a short period of time. The Head of the Presidential Administration emphasized that, as a result of the work carried out in accordance with the "First State Program on the Great Return to the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan liberated from the occupation", former internally displaced persons had already started to return to their native lands, adding that this process would be further intensified in the coming period. The parties pointed out the great opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the liberated territories and exchanged views in this regard. Samir Nuriyev also presented the "Karabakh before and after the occupation" book to Igor Petrishenko. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday called for establishing an all-weather road infrastructure in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) to boost trade, economic and tourism activities in the region ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th May, 2024) President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday called for establishing an all-weather road infrastructure in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) to boost trade, economic and tourism activities in the region. He said that an all-season transport infrastructure, particularly between Gilgit and Skardu, would help ensure continuous and reliable transportation in different weather conditions, besides facilitating goods movement and enhancing connectivity. The president expressed these views while talking to a delegation led by President of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians GB, Amjad Hussain Advocate at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release. The delegation apprised the president about the problems being faced by the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan, besides highlighting the need to focus on the development of health and education infrastructure, mitigating the impacts of climate change, promoting tourism and economic activities, and providing uninterrupted power supply in GB. Talking to the delegation, the president stressed the need to accelerate the development activities in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), saying that it was his lifes mission and dream to see the GB as a developed and prosperous region. He remarked that constructing all-weather roads and tunnels between Skardu and Gilgit would not only improve logistics and transportation for businesses but also enhance the peoples access to public services such as healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. He also highlighted the need to improve the airport in Gilgit, which would help promote tourism in GB. The president informed the delegation that steps would be taken to establish a cardiology hospital and nursing college in the GB on a priority basis to provide high-quality health services to people of the area at their doorsteps. He said that the provision of health and education facilities in the GB was essential for ensuring socio-economic uplift and prosperity. The president maintained that the GB had great potential for economic development and commercial activities, especially in tourism, which if fully capitalized upon, could prove to be an engine of growth for the entire country. He said that the GBs hydroelectric potential should be harnessed to fulfill the local and national energy requirements. The delegation apprised the president about the environmental issues of GB and suggested that promoting afforestation in Gilgit-Baltistan, especially the plantation of walnut trees, could help save melting glaciers. The president assured the delegation of his cooperation for the development of Gilgit-Baltistan. (@ChaudhryMAli88) As Israel keeps up its campaign against Hamas, Arab leaders are mapping out ways to support post-war Gaza, placing one major condition on their involvement: a pathway to Palestinian statehood Dubai, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th May, 2024) As Israel keeps up its campaign against Hamas, Arab leaders are mapping out ways to support post-war Gaza, placing one major condition on their involvement: a pathway to Palestinian statehood. Major obstacles lie ahead in gaining the support of both US President Joe Biden and the Israeli government, which is currently led by hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a staunch opponent of the two-state solution. But the Arab quintet of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt have made clear that their financial and political support, which would be crucial to the future of the shattered Gaza Strip, comes at a cost. "We have coordinated on this closely with the Palestinians. It needs to be truly a pathway to a Palestinian state," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told a World Economic Forum meeting in Riyadh last month. "Without a real political pathway... it would be very difficult for Arab countries to discuss how we are going to govern." It is not the first time Arab leaders have come together to chart a path towards a two-state solution, the cherished goal that they believe could defuse Middle East tensions and help usher in a period of prosperity. But with the Israel-Hamas war hobbling regional economies and spilling over into neighbouring countries, there is both urgency and opportunity. Last month, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, European and Arab foreign ministers met to discuss how to advance the two-state solution. Gaza will also be top of the agenda when leaders from the 22-strong Arab League meet in Bahrain on Thursday. - 'Process of reform' - Arab countries are "pressuring the United States to achieve two things: establish a Palestinian state and recognising it in the United Nations", said an Arab diplomat who is familiar with the talks. "What is currently hindering these intensive efforts is the continuation of the war and Netanyahu's intransigent rejection," said the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. Arab leaders "have been trying to work with the Biden administration to mutually support the so-called day after" plan, said Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at Britain's Chatham House think tank. Central to their plan is the reform of the Palestinian Authority to clear the way for a reunified administration in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The PA has had almost no influence over Gaza since Hamas militants wrestled control of the territory from the Fatah movement of president Mahmud Abbas in 2007. "We believe in one Palestinian government that should be in charge of the West Bank and Gaza," Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said on Tuesday. The transition should "not affect the Palestinian cause" or "undermine the Palestinian Authority", he told the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha. In March, the Palestinian president approved a government led by newly appointed prime minister Mohammed Mustafa, who wants it to play a role in post-war Gaza. (@ChaudhryMAli88) As the Gaza war raged on, Palestinians on Wednesday marked the anniversary of the Nakba, or "catastrophe", of mass displacement during the creation of the state of Israel 76 years ago Rafah, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th May, 2024) As the Gaza war raged on, Palestinians on Wednesday marked the anniversary of the Nakba, or "catastrophe", of mass displacement during the creation of the state of Israel 76 years ago. Thousands marched in cities across the Israeli-occupied West Bank, waving Palestinian flags, wearing keffiyeh scarves and holding up symbolic keys as reminders of long-lost family homes. Inside the besieged Gaza Strip, where the Israel-Hamas war has ground on for more than seven months, scores more died in the fighting sparked by the Hamas attack of October 7. "Our 'Nakba' in 2023 is the worst ever," said one displaced Gaza man, Mohammed al-Farra, whose family fled their home in Khan Yunis for the coastal area of Al-Mawasi. "It is much harder than the Nakba of 1948." Palestinians everywhere have long mourned the events of that year when, during the war that led to the establishment of Israel, around 760,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes. But 42-year-old Farra, whose family was then displaced from Jaffa near Tel Aviv, said the current war is even harder. "When your child is accustomed to all the comforts and luxuries, and suddenly, overnight, everything is taken away from him... it is a big shock." - West Bank rallies - Thousands marched in the West Bank city of Ramallah, as well as in Nablus, Hebron and elsewhere, carrying banners denouncing the occupation and protesting the war in Gaza. "There's pain for us, but of course more pain for Gazans," said one protester, Manal Sarhan, 53, who has relatives in Israeli jails that have not been heard from since October 7. "We're living the Nakba a second time." Wednesday's commemorations and marches -- held a day after Israel's Independence Day -- come as the Gaza war has brought a massive death toll and the forced displaced of most of the territory's 2.4 million people. A devastating humanitarian crisis has plagued the territory, with the United Nations warning of looming famine in the north. Ahmed al-Akhras, 50, who was displaced from central Gaza to Rafah in the far south, also said the war was worse than anything Palestinians have endured before. "Through my experience and conversations with those who lived through the Nakba... the bombings, destruction, displacement, killing and annihilation occurring in this war are unprecedented throughout history," he said. By comparison, he said, back in 1948 -- when his own family fled the destroyed village of Wadi Hunayn in what is now Israel -- for most people "the suffering was limited to forced displacement". - 'We're not free' - The bloodiest-ever Gaza war erupted after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, which killed more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Militants also seized about 250 hostages, 128 of whom Israel estimates remain in Gaza, including 36 the military says are dead. Israel's relentless bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza have since killed at least 35,233 people, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. With the Middle East peace process stalled for many years already, enmity between Israel's leadership and Palestinian factions has reached fever pitch, while the conflict has also sparked a global wave of pro-Palestinian demonstrations. At the Ramallah rally, 16-year-old Ahmed Nomas said: "We want the world to stop seeing Palestinians as terrorists and to realise that we have no rights." "We are not free to move," said Nomas, whose family has lived in the West Bank refugee camp of Qalandia since they were ousted from their village near Jerusalem in 1948. "The Israeli soldiers are always checking or monitoring our movements. It's not a life." The West Bank has been occupied by Israel since 1967 and is home to about 490,000 Israeli settlers who live in communities considered illegal under international law. Violence has surged since October 7, with at least 499 Palestinians killed, according to the health ministry, and at least 20 Israelis dead according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. As on many others days, Palestinians mourned a violent death on Wednesday -- a young man officials said was shot dead by Israeli forces during an altercation following the Nakba rally in Ramallah. The army did not immediately comment on the death of the man, identified as Ayser Muhammad Safi, 20, a student at Birzeit University, by the Palestinian news agency Wafa. As his bloodied body, wrapped in a blue sheet, was taken to a morgue, tearful onlookers screamed and chanted "Allahu akbar", or God is greatest, and one young woman fainted. str-al-ysm/jd/fz/dv (@FahadShabbir) A Tunisian court on Wednesday ordered two journalists to be remanded in custody until the completion of investigations into critical comments, a spokesman for the tribunal said Tunis, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th May, 2024) A Tunisian court on Wednesday ordered two journalists to be remanded in custody until the completion of investigations into critical comments, a spokesman for the tribunal said. Broadcaster Borhen Bssais and political commentator Mourad Zeghidi were arrested Saturday under a decree criminalising "spreading false information", among other charges, spokesman Mohamed Zitouna said. Zeghidi is being investigated over social media statements last February and a post in support of Mohamed Boughalleb, another journalist and critic of President Kais Saied who has been detained separately. Bssais was arrested on accusations of "having harmed President Kais Saied through radio broadcasts and statements" online between 2019 and 2022, according to his lawyer Nizar Ayed. Their trial is set to begin on May 22, according to their lawyers. Both media figures are prosecuted under a law ratified by Saied in September 2022. The law punishes people with up to five years in prison for the use of social media to "produce, spread (or) disseminate... false news" and "slander others, tarnish their reputation, financially or morally harm them". Journalists and opposition figures have said it has been used to stifle dissent. Since the decree came into force, more than 60 journalists, lawyers and opposition figures have been prosecuted under it, according to the National Union of Tunisian Journalists. On the night Bssais and Zeghidi were taken into police custody, masked police acting under the same law raided the Tunisian bar association and arrested lawyer and political commentator Sonia Dahmani. On Monday, another lawyer was forcibly arrested at the association's headquarters. The president of the bar, Hatem Meziou, on Tuesday called for an end to "the abuse of power" and "violence" targeting the lawyers. The journalists' union, in a statement on Wednesday, condemned the arrests, saying they were "a violation of the right to freedom of expression, press and publication, (and) a violation of the rules of criminal procedure". It also said the use of Decree 54 to prosecute journalists was "a deliberate attack on the essence of press freedom and a vain attempt to intimidate journalists and media employees and sabotage public debate". The private radio channel IFM, where Zeghidi and Bssais hosted a show, said it was suspending the programme until their release. The European Union had expressed concern on Tuesday over a string of arrests of civil society figures in Tunisia -- the latest sign of a tightening clampdown on freedoms under Saied. Non-governmental organisations have decried a rollback of freedoms in Tunisia since Saied began ruling by decree after a sweeping power grab in 2021. Geneva, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th May, 2024) UN human rights chief Volker Turk called Wednesday on Georgia to shelve its controversial "foreign influence" law that has sparked weeks of protests in the former Soviet republic. The law was widely denounced as mirroring repressive Russian legislation used to silence dissent, with the United States and the European Union also calling on Georgia to withdraw it. Turk said he "deeply regrets" the adoption of a law which means NGOs or media who get a fifth or more of their funding from abroad having to register as agents of "foreign influence". "Authorities and lawmakers have chosen to disregard the many warnings by human rights defenders and civil society organisations," Turk said in a statement. "The impacts on the rights to freedom of expression and association in Georgia unfortunately now risk being significant." Turk said the law was "over broad" and risks stigmatising NGOs who may "face an atmosphere of mistrust, fear and hostility". "The registration requirement may also have a chilling effect on them, significantly curtailing their activities," the UN high commissioner for human rights added. "Stifling diverse voices on matters of serious public interest will only complicate the government's ability to respond effectively to the many challenges facing the country with sound legislative and policy measures." Protesters skirmished with riot police outside the parliament building in the centre of the capital Tbilisi, where demonstrations have raged for the last month. Weeks of mass rallies against the bill in the Caucasus country culminated on Saturday, when up to 100,000 people took to the streets of the capital in the largest anti-government rally in Georgia's recent history. The UN Human Rights Office has previously expressed concern about unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against demonstrators. "Authorities need to promptly investigate allegations of violence and ill-treatment in the context of the protests, including reported assaults on protesters and their families," said Turk. "I call on the authorities in Georgia to build on recent important human rights achievements and to work with the country's vibrant civil society to resolve the current challenges through an inclusive and rights-centred process." San Francisco, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th May, 2024) The US Justice Department on Tuesday said Boeing can be prosecuted for two subsequent 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people approximately five years ago. Boeing breached obligations under an agreement that had shielded it against legal proceedings for the accidents, department officials said in a letter to a Federal court in Texas. Boeing told AFP "we believe that we have honored the terms of that agreement" and said that it plans to defend itself. US officials said in their letter that Boeing breached its obligations under a deferred prosecution agreement (DFA) by "failing to design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the US fraud laws throughout its operations. " Such a breach would mean Boeing can be prosecuted for any violation of federal law related to the crashes, according to US justice officials. The government is evaluating how to proceed in the matter and has directed Boeing to respond by June 13. US officials also plan to confer with families of people who died in the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashes. "This is a positive first step, and for the families, a long time coming," said attorney Paul Cassell, who represents crash victim families. Khojaly, Azerbaijan, May 15. During the peace settlement process in Karabakh, sappers cleared hectares of territory of mines and disarmed 30,000 explosives, First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces Yevgeny Nikiforov, said, Trend reports. He made the remark during the ceremony on the occasion of the completion of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the Karabakh economic region. He noted that three and a half years ago, the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia signed a trilateral joint statement on ending the war in Karabakh. Almost the very next day, the deployment of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the region began, posts were established in Karabakh, and the foundations were laid for the formation of sustainable peace in the region. During the peace process, sappers demolished thousands of hectares of territory and disarmed 30,000 units of explosives. More than 90,000 people received humanitarian aid, and more than 1,000 civilians received qualified medical assistance," Nikiforov said. He stressed that after Armenia officially recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the leadership of Azerbaijan and Russia decided to withdraw the peacekeeping contingent from the territory of Azerbaijan. Russian servicemen have fulfilled the tasks set by the military-political leadership of our state at a high level. On behalf of the Minister of Defense, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, and on my own behalf, I express my gratitude to the Russian peacekeepers for the worthy performance of their duties and to the Azerbaijani servicemen for fruitful cooperation, Nikiforov said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel There is little that the presidential campaigns of Donald Trump and Joe Biden agree on. One is the presidential candidacy of an activist lawyer with a famous political pedigree: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. VOAs chief national correspondent Steve Herman at the White House reports both the Biden and Trump camps see Kennedy as a potential spoiler in this Novembers election. VOA footage and video editing by Adam Greenbaum. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with Chinese media Wednesday that Russia is ready to negotiate on the war in Ukraine. Russia has "never refused to negotiate," Chinas state-run Xinhua News Agency quoted Putin as saying. Russia seeks a "comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of this conflict through peaceful means." Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Putin arrived in Beijing on Thursday for two days at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. Xi and Putin will "have a detailed discussion on the entire range of issues related to the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation and determine the new directions for further development of cooperation between Russia and China, the Kremlin said in a statement. They will also have a detailed exchange of opinions on the most acute international and regional issues," the Kremlin added. Russia has intensified its attacks on the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine in the past week, forcing nearly 8,000 people to leave their homes. China says it is a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict. But it has economically, politically and rhetorically backed Russia and refuses to condemn Moscows offensive. I don't think Xi is going to be 100% supportive of Russia's continuing hostilities, Lyle Morris, a senior fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis, told VOA. I think Putin knows that. So, his hand is getting weaker. Putin said that China understands the origins of the crisis in Ukraine and has a sincere desire to stabilize the situation, according to Xinhua. Just weeks before Russian troops invaded Ukraine in 2022, Xi and Putin signed a pledge declaring their no-limits bilateral partnership. Beijing has since become Moscows most reliable economic and diplomatic partner as Western nations have imposed strict economic sanctions in response to the invasion. Putin will be trying to make sure that China supports Russia in any sort of international negotiations or basically finds a way to get around U.S. sanctions, William Pomeranz, director of the Wilson Centers Kennan Institute, said in an interview with VOA. China is becoming steadily more important in Russia and China's relationship, Edward Lucas, senior adviser at the Center for European Policy Analysis, told VOA. Putins No. 1 issue is help on Ukraine, he said. He wants diplomatic help. He wants help with breaking sanctions. He would like more weapons. Lucas said Xi's interest is slightly different. Xi doesn't want Russia to lose, but he also doesn't want Russia to escalate going up the nuclear ladder, he said. Putins trip to China will be his first foreign visit since he was reelected in March for a fifth term in office. The trip is his second visit to China in six months. He traveled to Beijing in October to attend a forum on China's Belt and Road Initiative, a project launched by Xi a decade ago to build global infrastructure and energy networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa. VOA Mandarin Service reporter John Xie and VOA Ukrainian Service reporter Tatiana Vorozhko contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on the creation of the Center for Accreditation and Quality Control of Medical Institutions, Trend reports. According to the decree of the head of state, a "Center for Accreditation and Quality Control of Medical Institutions" public legal entity will be created under the Ministry of Health. Under the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan On Protection of Public Health," it is defined that the Center is a legal entity under public law, carrying out activities on accreditation of medical institutions, taking measures to improve the quality and accessibility of medical services, as well as providing support services related to the establishment and development of internal quality assurance systems in medical institutions. The authority of the founder of the Center is granted to the President of Azerbaijan. According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers must submit proposals to the President of Azerbaijan to improve the legislation on accreditation of medical institutions, taking into account the best international practices, within six months. In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers must approve the charter of the Center and inform the President of Azerbaijan of it within two months. America's foreign adversaries will again seek to influence the upcoming U.S. elections, top security officials warned members of the Senate on Wednesday, harnessing the latest innovations in artificial intelligence to spread online disinformation, mislead voters and undermine trust in democracy. But the U.S. has greatly improved its ability to safeguard election security and identify and combat foreign disinformation campaigns since 2016, when Russia sought to influence the election, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines testified to the Senate Intelligence Committee. The latest warning from security officials came as advances in AI make it easier and cheaper than ever to create lifelike images, video and audio that can fool even the most discerning voter. Other tools of disinformation include state media, online influencers, and networks of fake accounts that can quickly amplify false and misleading content. Russia, China and Iran remain the main actors looking to interfere with the 2024 election, security officials said, but because of advances in technology, other nations or even domestic groups could try to mount their own sophisticated disinformation campaigns. Russia remains "the most active foreign threat to our elections," Haines said, using its state media and online influencers to try to erode trust in democratic institutions and U.S. support for Ukraine. In recent months, Russia has seized on America's debate over immigration, spreading posts that exaggerate the impact of migration in an apparent effort to stoke outrage among American voters. China did not directly try to influence the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, mostly because of concerns about blowback, Haines said. China's ties to TikTok were one of the things cited by members of Congress who recently voted to force TikTok's Beijing-based owner to sell the platform. "Needless to say, we will continue to monitor their activity," Haines said of China. Iran, meanwhile, has used social media platforms to issue threats and try to confuse voters, Haines said. She cited a 2020 episode in which U.S. officials accused Tehran of distributing false content and being behind a flurry of emails sent to Democratic voters in multiple battleground states that appeared to be aimed at intimidating them into voting for President Donald Trump. Wednesday's hearing on foreign threats to the election also covered the risk that an adversary could hack into state or local election systems, either to change the vote or to create the perception that the outcome can't be trusted. Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said the federal government has worked closely with state and local election officials to ensure the 2024 election is the most secure ever. "Election infrastructure has never been more secure," Easterly said. U.S. President Joe Biden and his challenger in the November 5 election, former President Donald Trump, agreed Wednesday to two debates, one on June 27 and another on September 10. CNN said the two campaigns agreed to hold the first faceoff in six weeks at its studios in Atlanta without an audience. The second debate is being hosted by ABC News. The announcement for the pair of debates came together quickly on Wednesday. Trump, a Republican who lost his reelection bid to Biden in 2020 although he still falsely claims he was cheated out of a new term in the White House, has for several weeks called for a series of debates leading up to the 2024 national vote. Biden, a Democrat, recently agreed to debate him. On Wednesday, Bidens campaign suggested the June and September dates, while saying he would not participate in the three debates proposed for September and October by the nonpartisan presidential debate commission that has organized the quadrennial debates for three decades. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social site, said he was ready and willing to debate Biden next month and in September. CNN, the 24-hour cable news network, announced the first debate date a short time later and said two of its veteran anchors, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, would moderate it. Both candidates immediately taunted each other, leaving decisions on parameters of the debate for another day, such as to what extent the two candidates would have their microphones shut off when the other is speaking and how long each debate would be. "Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020, since then, he hasn't shown up for a debate, Biden said in a post on the X social media platform. "Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal." Trump, for his part, said Biden was the "WORST debater I have ever faced - He can't put two sentences together!" Before June 27, a Thursday, was picked for the first encounter, Bidens camp taunted Trump, saying the Republican was free on Wednesdays, the usual midweek day off for Trumps ongoing hush money criminal trial in New York. In any event, testimony in the case, in which Trump is accused of falsifying business records at his Trump Organization real estate conglomerate to hide a hush money payment to a porn star just before his successful 2016 campaign, is nearing the end, with jury deliberations to follow. The trial most likely will be over in the next two weeks or so. As it stands, the CNN debate will be between Biden and Trump only, although the network left open the possibility that an independent candidate, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., or another third-party candidate, could meet a 15% polling threshold and ballot access requirements to join the debate stage. Both Biden and Trump have been wary about Kennedys candidacy, fearing he could capture enough votes in key political battleground states to tip the national outcome. In the U.S., the national popular vote does not determine who becomes president. Rather, the election is essentially a state-by-state vote, with the winner in each of the 50 states winning electoral votes to determine the overall outcome. The most populous states have the most electoral votes and thus hold the most sway in determining who wins the White House for a new four-year term that starts January 20. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday $2 billion in funding to finance Ukraines military efforts as he concluded his two-day visit to Kyiv. The announcement comes as Ukrainian troops retreated in parts of the countrys northeast following heavy fighting with Russian forces. On Wednesday, Russia said it seized two more settlements in the Kharkiv region, where Russian forces have been intensifying their offensive. The Russian military also bombed Shevchenkivsky, the central district of Kharkiv, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov, who posted on Telegram that the attack injured two people and damaged a five-story building. The offensive prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to postpone upcoming foreign visits. Blinken also said Wednesday the United States knows the urgency of the situation in Ukraine, and that Ukrainian forces will be getting the support they need. During a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv, Blinken said U.S. President Joe Biden is working to deliver as quickly as possible a new round of aid authorized in late April. The $2 billion arms deal will mostly draw from the U.S.s $61 billion aid package for Ukraine, which was approved last month by Biden and Congress, a U.S. official said. Im here in part as a show of support, but much more important than a trip or a visit is the fact that that support in very concrete terms is very much on the way, Blinken said. Kuleba said his country sees the U.S. stands by Ukraine, and that Ukraine will be able to endure any hardships that Russia will try to impose on us. This is a very timely visit, because it sends a message of encouragement not only to the people of Ukraine but most importantly to the troops, to our soldiers who are heroically defending Ukraine in the south, in the east, in the northeast near Kharkiv where Russia tries to expand the war zone, Kuleba said. Before their talks, Kuleba and Blinken laid wreaths at the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv. Russias defense ministry reported Wednesday destroying 10 missiles over Russia-occupied Crimea, as well as nine drones and multiple missiles over the western Russian region of Belgorod and several drones over both the Kursk and Bryansk regions. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional governor of Belgorod, reported two people were injured and seven homes were damaged as a result of Ukrainian attacks. Energy infrastructure targeted The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Tuesday that several waves of attacks in the Kharkiv region over the past few days have killed and injured numerous civilians, including children. These attacks have triggered yet more displacement from border and front-line communities, OCHAs Lisa Doughten told the U.N. Security Council. As of today, authorities report that over 7,000 civilians were evacuated from border areas of the Kharkiv region. She said that since March, Russia has targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, with the Kharkiv and Dnipro regions particularly affected. In April alone, the United Nations recorded 50 attacks that destroyed or damaged power generation plants and electricity substations, leaving millions across the country without power, water or cooking gas. Doughten also expressed concern about what she said appears to be a new pattern of deadly attacks on railway infrastructure in Ukraines east and south, with 10 such attacks in April in government-controlled areas. And we are alarmed by reports of attacks damaging energy infrastructure and oil refineries in the Russian Federation, Doughten added. Such attacks risk inflaming the war further and worsening its humanitarian impacts. Moscows envoy dismissed the accusations, saying Russias air force carries out high precision strikes only on facilities related to Kyivs military capabilities. Vassily Nebenzia said life in Ukrainian cities is proceeding normally, on the whole. VOAs United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. A large wildfire is slowly approaching the major Canadian oil sands city of Fort McMurray, and around 6,000 people in four suburbs have been told to evacuate, local officials said on Tuesday. The fire, fueled by tinder-dry conditions and high winds, has been threatening the city in the western province of Alberta since last week. It is now about 13 km (8 miles) away to the southwest. Alberta Wildfire information officer Josee St-Onge said the blaze grew significantly on Tuesday and noted winds from the southwest were gusting as high as 40 km/hr (24.8 mph). "Unfortunately, these are not favorable winds for us, and the fire will continue to advance towards the town until we see a wind shift," she told an online media briefing. "We're seeing extreme fire behavior. Smoke columns are developing, and the skies are covered in smoke. ... Firefighters have been pulled from the fire line for safety reasons." The fire has grown in size and is now more than 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres), officials said. In a statement, the local authority said residents in the suburbs of Abasand, Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek and Grayling had to leave by 4 p.m. Mountain Time. In 2016, a huge wildfire in Fort McMurray forced the evacuation of 90,000 residents and shut in more than a million barrels per day of oil output. People in other parts of Fort McMurray not under evacuation orders are also starting to leave, said resident Elsie Knister, as she prepared to depart her downtown neighborhood Tuesday afternoon. "People aren't waiting for an order, they're just going already," Knister, who also evacuated in 2016, said in a phone interview. "I feel sunk. I'm 71, and I don't want to go through this again. It's horrible." Officials said Fort McMurray is better prepared to fight the fire than it was in 2016. Much of the boreal forest surrounding the city burned in the 2016 fire, meaning there is less fuel available to the blaze now. "This fire activity is very different than (in) 2016. ... We have an abundance of resources, and we are well-positioned to respond to this situation," said regional fire chief Jody Butz. He said evacuees were encouraged to leave Fort McMurray but could remain in other neighborhoods in the city if they wished. The city has 250 to 300 firefighters available to help protect structures, Butz added. Fort McMurray is the hub for Canada's oil sands industry, which produces roughly 3.3 million barrels per day, two-thirds of Canada's total output. Companies including Suncor Energy, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd and Imperial Oil have oil sands projects within 150 km of the city, and many workers live in Fort McMurray. "This will put more people on edge. We'll have to see if the actual production sites themselves come under threat," said Martin King, an analyst at RBN Energy. "Back in 2016, the fires themselves were getting close, so the companies evacuated people for safety. And of course, the people that worked in these sites were evacuated and had nowhere to go, so they ended up shutting down production." In neighboring British Columbia, a wildfire burning near Fort Nelson in the province's northeast grew in size but is moving away from the town, offering some relief to around 3,000 residents who were forced to evacuate, the provincial wildfire service said on Tuesday. The 23 crew members of MV Abdullah, which was released on April 14 after 33 days of captivity by Somali pirates, met their families Tuesday afternoon as the vessel reached the Chattogram Port in Bangladesh. The crew members received a warm welcome when vessel MV Jahan Moni-3, carrying them from Kutubdia in Cox's Bazar, reached New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT)-1. Relatives waiting for the sailors' safe return had gathered at the port jetty with flowers. Abdun Nur Khan Asif, younger brother of the chief officer, Atiqullah Khan, said, "I can't express in words how happy we are that my elder brother is back. The whole family was waiting for this day." Ibrahim Khalilullah, a sailor, thanked the Bangladeshi people and the authorities for ensuring their safe return. State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury told VOA that all the sailors on the ship are in sound health. "After being freed, they went to Dubai, from there they came to Bangladesh with the goods. The sailors are physically and mentally healthy and very well," he said. Mizanul Islam, media adviser of KSRM, owner of the hijacked vessel, said the crew members will go to their respective homes and that care was taken to send them to their destinations safely. The ordeal began on March 12 when the MV Abdullah was seized by Somali pirates about 600 nautical miles off the Somali coast en route from Mozambique to Dubai. The pirates took control of the vessel and its crew, holding them until a ransom of $5 million facilitated their release on the night of April 13. The vessel, which was hijacked for 33 days, first arrived at the outer anchorage of the Al-Hamriya Port in the United Arab Emirates on April 21 and anchored at the UAE port on the evening of April 22. It departed for Bangladesh on April 28 after unloading 55,000 metric tons of coal. When asked about the process of rescuing the ship, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said, "We are an international maritime country. We have friendly relations with everyone, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the European Union. When a ship using an international route falls under the hands of pirates, all kinds of agencies and countries, including maritime, cooperate." The state minister added, "And the pirates of the country that hijacked it also have a security issue. So, the pressure that was created by combining everything was of great help in saving the ship. Our dialogues, the pressure of the international community contributed to the rescue of the ship." On behalf of Deputy Managing Director of KSRM Group Shahriar Jahan, Mizanul Islam told VOA, "It was a challenge for us to bring back the ship and the sailors safely and soundly. ... We had past experience. In 2010, one of our ships was captured by Somali pirates. Using this experience, we were able to bring the sailors back unharmed." New crew members took charge of the MV Abdullah on Tuesday and sailed for the United Arab Emirates. This story originated in VOA's Bangla Service. Some information for this report came from UNB Wires. Defiance and grief poured out Tuesday after a 28-year-old democracy activist in pretrial detention for allegedly defaming Thailand's powerful monarchy died from heart failure after a two-month hunger strike. Netiporn Sanesangkhom, better known by her nickname Bung, was a prominent youth leader of pro-democracy group Thaluwang, which emerged during anti-government protests in 2020-22 and was strident in its calls for reform of the monarchy, an institution seen as untouchable before those rallies rocked the country. She was detained and denied bail in January on charges including royal defamation after she was accused of conducting two public polls on the monarchy as protests raged across Thailand, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. She spent nearly four months in detention awaiting trial, entering a hunger strike for the last two months of that period, her lawyers said. The Corrections Department released a statement saying she went into cardiac arrest Tuesday morning and wasnt responsive to the treatment, which led her to die peacefully at 11:22 a.m. It promised a thorough autopsy. Candlelit memorials were held in Bangkok and the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Lampang on Tuesday night as a stunned democracy movement digested the news of the young woman's death. Outside the Criminal Court in Bangkok several dozen mourners gathered around a large candle memorial in the shape of Bung's name. "Nobody should die because of the unjust Thai justice system," 19-year-old Noppasin Treelayapewat told VOA, noting he was a minor some two and a half years ago when he was charged with violating Section 112, or royal defamation. "Today, I believe many can see that someone has died because of Section 112 of the criminal code," said Noppasin, who faces up to 15 years if convicted. U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec was among several Western envoys to swiftly express their condolences over the activist's passing, saying in a post on X he was "saddened by the tragic death of Bung," highlighting the diplomatic questions likely to face the government in Bangkok over coming days. Irene Khan, U.N. Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression, added her voice to the mounting outcry. "Saddened & distressed at death of detained political activist Bung Thaluwang," Khan said in a post on X. She also urged Thailand to "abolish lese majeste & detention/prosecution for exercising" freedom of expression. Royal defamation carries up to 15 years in jail for each conviction. It has been used against 270 mainly young pro-democracy activists who rocked Thailand with massive rallies calling for systemic reforms of the country's economy, politics and most controversially the role of the monarchy in one of Asia's least equal countries. Many of them have been denied bail automatically by the courts, as the establishment ties up key protest leaders in legal cases. There are believed to be at least two other women activists on hunger strikes while in detention for charges including royal defamation. "Her [Bung's] death is a shocking reminder that Thai authorities are denying activists their right to temporary release on bail and using detention to silence the peaceful expression of dissent," Amnesty International Thailand said in a statement. Reform and division Reform of the royal defamation law is now a clear dividing line between many young Thais who voted in the millions for the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) and older conservatives, many of whom revere the monarchy and the status quo. The monarchy is backed up by business tycoons, politicians and Thailand's army, which has carried out 13 coups in under a century. MFP stunned the establishment by winning an election a year ago with a radical reform agenda, including reform of the 112 law. But MFP was blocked from forming a government by the conservative Senate. Now, over the coming weeks the MFP faces a court ruling that may see it dissolved for its campaign pledge to reform the law. In its place, and leading the government, is a coalition of conservatives patched together by the poll runners-up Pheu Thai party, founded by billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The ruling coalition vowed not to touch the royal defamation law. Experts say that was part of a pact with the royalist establishment to help it elbow aside the MFP in exchange for a royal pardon for Thaksin, who returned to Thailand last year after a 15-year self-exile to serve a reduced sentence for corruption convictions but did not sleep one night in jail before being released on parole. Pheu Thai's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a real estate mogul and Shinawatra ally, last September told the United Nations General Assembly in New York that Thailand was ready to join the Human Rights Council as Southeast Asia's candidate for 2025-2027, reaffirming his government's "sincere commitment to the advancement of human rights at home and abroad." But free speech advocates say Bung's death while in pretrial detention is an example of why Thailand is not ready to join the global rights forum. "We will continue campaigning for our demands to be met and one of them is that Thailand should not be allowed to stand for election to the U.N. Human Rights Council," a tearful Kittitach Sriamrung, a friend of Bung's, told reporters. The issue is likely to be awkward for Srettha's government, as the 112 law comes back under scrutiny just as he seeks to drive through his government's economic plans and put distance between his administration and the political troubles caused by last year's divisive election. New rounds of protests may also be possible in Thailand's messy politics. "Bung died, but her quest to see the change hasn't. we will continue our work to see it through for her," pro-democracy leader Panusaya 'Rung' Sithijirawattanakul, who gave the first monarchy reform speech in 2020 and also faces royal defamation charges, said in a video post on social media. Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse. The implications of the U.S. military withdrawal from Niger increasingly backfilled with Russian troops have become the subject of a heated public discussion in the West African region. In March, Nigers junta announced it was breaking off its decades-long military alliance with the U.S. with immediate effect and demanded the withdrawal of nearly 1,000 U.S. troops stationed in the country. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed on May 3 that Russian military personnel have installed themselves at the American airbase in Niger. The Kremlin rebranded the notorious Wagner Group as the Africa Corps after the failed rebellion and death of its funder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, last August. Some West Africa watchers, like Colin P. Clarke, the director of research at the Soufan Group, a global intelligence and security consultancy, expressed worry that the growing Russian presence in the Sahel, invited in by the military juntas that have ousted several democratically-elected governments, will only worsen the violence that is surging throughout the region. My concern is that if the Russians come in they continue to make the terrorism problem worse, not better, and then when theyre done extracting what they want to extract, theyre going to pack up and go home, and this place is going to look like a nightmare, Clark told Foreign Policy magazine. Others, like Nigerian investigative journalist and filmmaker David Hundeyin, say the U.S. never cared about protecting Africans from violent extremists but placed its troops in the Sahel to ensure the flow of Africas natural resources, the same as the old colonial military bases. In a viral debate on X, on May 5, Hundeyin argued that: American foreign policy sees the Uranium in Niger the oil in Escravos and the lithium in Kogi as valuable assets A U.S. military base anywhere in Africa serves EXACTLY the same purpose that the old colonial military bases did - to protect the flow of African resources, and not the lives of African people which America considers to be less than worthless. That is false. Far from robbing the Sahel region of its natural resources, the United States has invested in strengthening its security more than any other foreign nation. Between 2001 and 2020, the U.S. dedicated $3.3 billion to the Sahel and trained at least 86,000 counterterrorism troops in the region, including nearly 18,000 in Niger. That is more than all other foreign nations combined. U.S. long- and short-term civilian assistance in the region remains a significant source of food security, energy, agriculture, and transportation. In 2022 alone the U.S. spent about $11 billion in the African region, including $1 billion aid in humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflicts, floods, droughts, famine, and other disasters in the Sahel region, which includes Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. Niger is also one of the biggest beneficiaries of USAIDs programs through the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance. As for the U.S.s role in extracting Africas natural resources: China, France, Japan, and Spain are the largest extractors of uranium in Niger. China is also the single largest harvester of Nigerias lithium. Two private U.S. companies, Chevron and Exxon Mobile, are involved in Nigerias oil production through local subsidiaries. Nigerian oil The Nigerian government controls all sectors of the nations oil and gas industries through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, the largest oil producer in Nigeria that operates under joint ventures with about 50 gas and oil companies. The Escaravos GTL (gas to liquids) plant that Hundeyin named in his X post is a local subsidiary of the U.S. private firm Chevron and has a 75% share of that plants production in partnership with NNPC, which controls the remaining 25%. Apart from Chevron, the top five oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria include a Nigerian government-controlled subsidiary of the British Shell Energy Nigeria; a Nigerian government-controlled local subsidiary of the U.S. Exxon Mobil; a Nigerian government-controlled subsidiary of French firm Total Energies and Italian Eni Spa; and Equinor ASA, another Chevron subsidiary, co-owned by a local firm, Prime 127 Nigeria Ltd. Nigeria lost to corruption and mismanagement an estimated $35 billion in oil revenues between 2019 and 2022. Eni Spa, Exxon, Shell, and TotalEnergies have all sought to exit Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta in recent years, citing security concerns, including theft and sabotage, to focus instead on deep-water drilling. Nigerian lithium According to public records, the U.S. government has zero involvement in the mining of Nigerias lithium. When Tesla, a private U.S. company that manufactures electric vehicles, expressed interest in forming a trade relationship with the Nigerian government to mine lithium, Nigeria declined the offer, conditioning the agreement on Teslas establishment of a battery factory in Nigeria. In February 2023, the Nigerian government awarded a contract to build the countrys first lithium-processing plant to Chinas Ming Xin Mineral Separation Nig Ltd. (MXMS), making it the single-largest lithium harvester in the country. China proposed a plan to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) in Kaduna, a state in northwestern Nigeria, projected to yield 18,000 metric tons of lithium daily. Nigeria's Minister of Solid Materials Dele Alake said that "no company would be allowed to mine and export raw lithium unless they set up processing and refining plants in Nigeria." As of January 2021, the Nigerian government had licensed 185 local companies to commence extraction of lithium in Nassarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Ekiti, and Cross River States. Nigerien uranium Hundeyins suggestion that the U.S. government has stakes in Nigers uranium is also false. Nigers Ministry of Mines has on its website a list of five companies licensed by the Nigerien government to mine uranium. The list does not include any U.S. firms. Instead, the Nigerien government is the major shareholder, partnering with Chinese, French, Spanish, Japanese, and South African companies. French police Wednesday were hunting for a group of gunmen who killed two prison officers in an attack at a motorway toll booth that freed a convict linked to gangland drug killings. The killings and dramatic getaway by the perpetrators have shocked France, with authorities under pressure to catch those responsible, who all remain at large. "We have put a lot of resources into finding not only the person who escaped", but also "the gang that released him under such despicable circumstances," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told the RTL broadcaster. "We are putting in considerable resources, we are making a lot of progress," he added. On Tuesday, more than 450 police officers and gendarmes were mobilized just for the search in the northern department of Eure where the attack took place, he said. 'We will be uncompromising' Two prison officers were killed in the attack and three others wounded, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said late on Tuesday. One of the injured men was fighting for his life in hospital and two more were receiving critical care, she said. The incident took place late on Tuesday morning at a road toll in Incarville in the Eure region of northern France. The inmate was being transported back to his prison in the town of Evreux after he was questioned by a judge in the regional center of Rouen in Normandy. The prosecutor said the prison van was rammed head-on by a stolen Peugeot vehicle as it went through the toll crossing. But the van and another vehicle in the prison convoy were also followed by an Audi. Gunman emerged from the two cars and shot at both prison vehicles. "We will be uncompromising," President Emmanuel Macron said on X, describing the attack as a "shock." French television channels broadcast footage of the attack taken by surveillance cameras at the toll, showing the Peugeot colliding head on with the prison van. In the video, several gunmen dressed in black emerge from both attack vehicles. A firefight ensues and one individual appears to be guided away from the van by the gunmen. A vehicle believed to have been used by the attackers was later found as a burned-out wreck at a different location. 'Never have imagined ' The prison officers who died, both men, were the first to be killed in the line of duty since 1992, according to Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti. One of them was married and had twin children while the other "left a wife who is five months pregnant," he said. Prison officer unions announced a day of minimum service on Wednesday and asked for urgent measures to improve the safety of staff. Dupond-Moretti said he would meet union representatives on Wednesday. "We are in mourning," Vanessa Lefaivre, of the FO union at the Fleury-Merogis prison outside Paris told AFP. "We would never have imagined that prison staff would be killed like this." 'Kills more than terrorism' Prosecutor Beccuau named the inmate as Mohamed Amra, born in 1994, saying that last week he had been convicted of aggravated robbery and charged in a case of abduction leading to death. But a source close to the case said that Amra was suspected of involvement in drug trafficking and of ordering gangland killings. Another source said he is suspected of being at the head of a criminal network. Some media said he had the nickname "La Mouche" (the fly). His lawyer Hugues Vigier said Amra had already made an escape attempt at the weekend by sawing the bars of his cell and said he was shocked by the "inexcusable" and "insane" violence. "This does not correspond to the impression that I had of him," the lawyer told BFMTV. The incident came on the same day as the French Senate published a damning report warning that government measures had been unable to prevent the flourishing of the narcotics industry in France. "Narco-banditry kills many people, much more than terrorism," said Darmanin, also pointing to the responsibility of drug users. "One cannot at the same time cry for the widows and orphans of the Eure toll booth attack and then smoke a joint... this is called schizophrenia." Law and order is a major issue in French politics ahead of next month's European elections and the prison van ambush sparked fierce reactions from politicians, especially the far right. "It is real savagery that hits France every day," said Jordan Bardella, the top candidate for the far-right National Rally (RN), which is leading opinion polls for the elections. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, in protest of the parliament's passage Tuesday of what critics call a Russian-style foreign agent law. The ruling party approved the legislation despite warnings from Washington and Brussels that such a move might threaten Georgias partnership with the West. VOA Georgian Services Ani Chkhikvadze has more details from Tbilisi. Republican voters advanced strong Senate contenders in Maryland and West Virginia on Tuesday, giving the party a big boost in its push to claim control of Congress' upper chamber. Former Governor Larry Hogan claimed the Republican nomination in what will be a marquee race in Maryland against Angela Alsobrooks, a top local official who could become the fourth Black woman in U.S. history to serve in the Senate. Meanwhile, another popular Republican, Governor Jim Justice, won the Senate nomination in deep-red West Virginia, becoming the overwhelming favorite in the race that represents the Republicans' best pickup opportunity in the nation. In both states, which share a border but feature antithetical politics, the Republican nominees represent a serious challenge for Democrats in the general election as they cling to a 51-49 Senate majority and defend seats in other states that former President Donald Trump won four years ago. At the same time, Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden sought to project strength in low-stakes presidential primaries. And further down the ballot, two people who were on opposite sides of the Jan. 6 insurrection lost their U.S. House bids a former Capitol Police officer running in Maryland and a former West Virginia state lawmaker who participated in the riot. In all, three states hosted statewide primary elections Tuesday Maryland, Nebraska and West Virginia as Republicans and Democrats picked their nominees for a slate of November elections that will decide the presidency and control of Congress. Maryland In Maryland, Hogan gives Republicans a legitimate chance at picking up a Senate seat in the deep-blue state for the first time in more than four decades. Hogan overcame his years-long criticism of Trump, a position that put him at odds with many Republican primary voters but will undoubtedly help him in the general election this fall. Maryland voters gave Biden a 33-point victory over Trump four years ago. On the other side in the Senate contest, Democratic voters nominated Alsobrooks, the top official in Prince George's County outside of Washington. The 53-year-old African American county executive had been endorsed by many of the states top officials, including Governor Wes Moore, Senator Chris Van Hollen and U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer. Alsobrooks prevailed after a contentious and expensive primary against U.S. Representative David Trone, a liquor store magnate who had invested more than $61 million into his unsuccessful bid. Race was an issue in the Democratic primary and may be in the general election in the months ahead. Alsobrooks is trying to become the first Black senator from a state in which roughly one in three residents identifies as African American. On the social media site X, Hogan congratulated Alsobrooks and said, Voters have a clear and stark choice: more of the dysfunctional partisan status quo or real independent and bipartisan leadership. Alsobrooks, also posting on X, promised to defeat Larry Hogan, keep Maryland blue, and keep our Senate under Democratic control. West Virginia Justice won his primary against U.S. Representative Alex Mooney in the race to replace Senator Joe Manchin. With Manchin gone, the seat is almost guaranteed to turn red come November. Justice, a former billionaire with a folksy personality, is wildly popular in the state. He also earned Trump's endorsement. A former Democrat, Justice switched to the Republican Party in 2017, announcing the change at a Trump rally. Mooney had tried to win over conservatives by labeling Justice as someone who would support Democratic policies. Justice did support Biden's bipartisan infrastructure law, saying West Virginia couldn't afford to turn away the money offered in the bill. West Virginia is also deciding its candidates for governor. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, the Republican nominee in the 2018 Senate race against Manchin, is running for the Republican nomination. He's up against former state Representative Moore Capito, whose mother is Senator Shelley Moore Capito. Presidential primary Biden and Trump have already amassed enough delegates to claim the presidential nominations at their respective national conventions this summer. Yet voters on both sides hope to register a significant protest vote Tuesday that will demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the Biden-Trump rematch. Both Biden and Trump won their primaries in West Virginia and Maryland. Still, Maryland progressives especially unhappy with the Biden administration's support for Israel in its war against Hamas had encouraged voters to select "uncommitted to any presidential candidate" instead of Biden. There was no uncommitted option in West Virginia or Nebraska. Everett Bellamy, a Democrat who voted early in Annapolis, said he voted "uncommitted" instead of Biden as a protest against the killing of women and children and noncombatants in Gaza. Meanwhile, Trump's Republican critics cannot choose "uncommitted," but they can choose his former Republican rival Nikki Haley, who will appear on the ballot in Maryland, Nebraska and West Virginia despite formally suspending her campaign more than two months ago. Derek Faux, an independent voter from Charleston, West Virginia, said he supported Haley, and in other Republican races, he said he voted for the candidates he believed were least like Trump. Capitol attack Tuesday's elections also included two candidates who were intimately involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. In Maryland, former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn was among nearly two dozen Democrats running in the states 3rd Congressional District. The 40-year-old Democrat lost to State Senator Sarah Elfreth. In West Virginia, a former member of the House of Delegates, Derrick Evans, lost his bid to oust incumbent Republican Representative Carol Miller in the 1st Congressional District. The 39-year-old Evans served a three-month jail sentence after livestreaming himself participating in the storming of the U.S. Capitol. Other key races In Nebraska, Republican Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts both face nominal opposition in their primaries, one of the rare occasions when both senators in a state are on the ballot at the same time. And in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, Republican U.S. Representative Don Bacon faces a challenge from his right flank. In North Carolina, voters finalized their pick of the Trump-endorsed Brad Knott in what had become a one-person Republican primary in the state's 13th Congressional District. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. A thorough exchange of views on cooperation in the military and military-technical sphere between Azerbaijan and Slovakia has taken place, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. The delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Director General Agil Gurbanov is attending IDEB 2024 international exhibition held in Bratislava, Slovakia. At the exhibition, A.Gurbanov met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Slovakia Robert Kalinak. The meeting discussed cooperation between Azerbaijan and Slovakia in military and military-technical field, as well as other issues of mutual interest. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Iran's parliament approved changes to the working week for all government employees on Wednesday that would establish a 40-hour work week with a Friday-Saturday weekend. The legislation, which still requires a green light from constitutional watchdog the Guardian Council, would replace the existing 44-hour work week with a half-day Thursday and Friday the Muslim day of prayer and rest the only full day off. The change had been hotly debated, and 136 lawmakers voted in favor, with 66 against and three abstentions, the official IRNA news agency said. Economists had warned that the alternative of a Thursday-Friday weekend risked deepening Iran's isolation by limiting most international transactions to three days per week. But some clerics accused supporters of a Friday-Saturday weekend of taking their lead from the Judeo-Christian traditions of the Western world. However, lawmaker Mohsen Pirhadi told parliament Wednesday that leading Shiite cleric Ayatollah Javadi Amoli had raised no objection to Saturday as a weekend day. Film director Mohammad Rasoulof, who has secretly fled Iran for an undisclosed location in Europe, urged the world film community on Tuesday to provide "strong support" to his colleagues. Rasoulof, who was sentenced to jail on national security charges, and whose latest movie will compete at this month's Cannes film festival, said he fears for the "safety and well-being" of fellow filmmakers still in Iran. "The global film community must provide strong support to the makers of these films," Rasoulof said in a statement to Agence France-Presse. Rasoulof announced on Monday he had escaped clandestinely from Iran, just days after it emerged that he had been sentenced to eight years in prison for "collusion against national security." Rasoulof had been under pressure from Iranian authorities to withdraw his latest film, "The Seed of the Sacred Fig," from Cannes, where it will compete for the prestigious event's top prize, the Palme d'Or. Cannes director Thierry Fremaux said the festival was working with the French Foreign Ministry in the hope of ensuring that Rasoulof, 51, can attend his premiere next week. Rasoulof's statement said he did not yet know if he could attend the premiere. "I arrived in Europe a few days ago after a long and complicated journey," said Rasoulof, who won the Berlin International Film Festival's Golden Bear in 2020 for "There Is No Evil." He said his latest movie set out to portray a version of Iran "that is far from the narrative dominated by censorship in the Islamic Republic and is closer to reality." After he and his filmmaking colleagues came under pressure from the authorities, Rasoulof learned that his "unfair" eight-year sentence would be enforced imminently, and he felt he had no choice but to flee. "I had to choose between prison and leaving Iran," he wrote. "With a heavy heart, I chose exile." While some colleagues involved in the film were also able to leave the country, others remain there. "My thoughts go to every single one of them, and I fear for their safety and well-being," he said. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant assailed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday for failing to devise a plan to govern Gaza after the end of Israels war with Hamas. But the Israeli leader said it was pointless to do so until the militants are defeated. In an unusual rift between the two leaders, Gallant said in a televised statement that he is opposed to the establishment of either Israeli military or civilian control of the narrow Gaza Strip along the Mediterranean Sea that is home to about 2.3 million Palestinians. Since October, I have been raising this issue consistently in the Cabinet, and have received no response," Gallant said. "I call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a decision and declare that Israel will not establish civilian control over the Gaza Strip," Gallant said, calling for an immediate "governing alternative to Hamas. With the shock October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and Israels subsequent ongoing counteroffensive on Hamas militants in Gaza, Netanyahu has repeatedly declined to lay out a post-war plan for governance in Gaza. The United States, Israels chief arms supplier, has called for a revitalized Palestinian Authority to govern both Gaza and the West Bank in a two-state solution, Palestine alongside Israel. But Netanyahu and his right-wing governing coalition adamantly oppose such a solution. The prime minister said any discussion of how Gaza should be ruled after the seven-month war was just "empty talk" if Hamas remains in the territory. "The first condition for preparing the ground for another entity is to destroy Hamas, and to do so without making excuses," Netanyahu said in the statement posted on his Telegram channel. Gallant said the current military action in Gaza needed to be followed by political action. "The day after Hamas will only be achieved with Palestinian entities taking control of Gaza, accompanied by international actors, establishing a governing alternative to Hamas' rule," he said. "This, above all, is an interest of the State of Israel, Gallant said. Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a member of Netanyahu's ruling coalition, attacked Gallant over his views. Ben-Gvir characterized Gallant as the minister of defense who failed on October 7 and continues to fail today. Such a minister of defense must be replaced in order to achieve the goals of the war, he said. Operation in Rafah Meanwhile, the European Union called on Israel to immediately end its military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, saying Wednesday that the operation is disrupting humanitarian aid operations and bringing more displacement, famine and human suffering. The statement from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell recognized Israels right to defend itself but said Israel must follow international law and protect civilians. The European Union is calling on Israel to refrain from further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and reopen the crossing point of Rafah, Borrell said. Should Israel continue its military operation in Rafah, it would inevitably put a heavy strain on the EUs relationship with Israel, he said. Borrell also called on Hamas to unconditionally release the 100 or so hostages it is holding in Gaza. Israels military said Wednesday its forces conducted airstrikes on roughly 80 targets throughout the Gaza Strip during the past day, while ground units fought on the east side of Rafah. Israeli forces were also battling Hamas in several areas in northern Gaza, four months after the military said it had dismantled the militant groups infrastructure in the area. The war was triggered by the October Hamas terror attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials. Israels subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which includes civilians and combatants in its count, but says most of the dead are women and children. Israel says it has killed more than 14,000 militants and around 16,000 civilians. VOA United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The European Union called on Israel to immediately end its military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, saying Wednesday that the operation is disrupting humanitarian aid operations and bringing more displacement, famine and human suffering. The statement from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell notes Israels right to defend itself but says Israel must follow international law and protect civilians. The European Union is calling on Israel to refrain from further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and reopen the crossing point of Rafah, Borrell said. Should Israel continue its military operation in Rafah, it would inevitably put a heavy strain on the EUs relationship with Israel. Borrell also called on Hamas to unconditionally release all of the hostages it is holding in Gaza. Israels military said Wednesday its forces conducted airstrikes on roughly 80 targets throughout the Gaza Strip during the past day, while ground units fought on the east side of Rafah. Israeli forces were also battling Hamas in several areas in northern Gaza, four months after the military said it had dismantled the militant groups infrastructure in the area. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday he was appalled by the escalation of military activity in and around Rafah by the Israel Defense Forces, as nearly 450,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from the area in the past week. These developments are further impeding humanitarian access and worsening an already dire situation, his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, told reporters at United Nations headquarters. At the same time, Hamas goes on firing rockets indiscriminately. Civilians must be respected and protected at all times, in Rafah and elsewhere in Gaza." For the past week, the Israeli military has intensified bombardment and other operations in Rafah while ordering the population to evacuate parts of the city. Israel says it is carrying out a limited operation to destroy the militant infrastructure along Gazas border with Egypt. Haq said nowhere is safe now in Gaza, and that the U.N. chief reiterates his appeal for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire and the release of all hostages. He calls for the Rafah crossing to be re-opened immediately and we must have unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza, Haq added. More than half of Gazas population had been sheltering in Rafah, with many of the Palestinians going there after fleeing the Israel-Hamas war in other parts of Gaza. Haq said the displaced are arriving at sites that lack shelter, latrines and clean water. With key crossing points to Gaza closed, fuel critically low, and aid movement at a near standstill, humanitarian workers cannot alleviate their situation. As we have said repeatedly, all parties must respect international humanitarian law at all times, Haq noted. This means that civilians must be protected, and their essential needs including food, shelter, water and health must be met wherever they are in Gaza and whether they move or stay. The United States, the United Nations and others have called on Israel to avoid a full-scale offensive in Rafah, warning of a humanitarian disaster there. But Israeli leaders say an offensive is necessary to achieve the goal of eliminating Hamas as a threat in Gaza. UN investigating staffers death On Monday in Gaza, an Indian national working for the U.N.s Department of Safety and Security (DSS) was killed, and another staffer was injured, when their marked U.N. vehicle was hit with fire on the way to the European Hospital of Rafah. Haq identified the deceased staffer Tuesday as Waibhav Anil Kale. A female Jordanian security officer was also injured and is being treated outside Gaza, he said. The U.N. has established a fact-finding panel, Haq said. Its very early in the investigation and details of the incident are still being verified with the Israeli Defense Forces." He said what they know so far indicates that a weapon appears to have impacted the back of their vehicle. He said the U.N. believes it came from Israeli tank fire in the area. The war was triggered by the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials. Israels subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which includes civilians and combatants in its count, but says most of the dead are women and children. Israel says it has killed more than 14,000 militants and around 16,000 civilians. VOA United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Nearly half of master's degrees have a negative financial return, according to new research by the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, an economic research organization. The study indicates that many graduate degree programs do not increase lifetime earnings enough to be worth it. While 23% of bachelors degree programs yield a negative financial return on investment, 43% of two-year degrees and masters degrees fail to deliver a return, according to the study by Preston Cooper, a senior fellow at FREOPP. Cooper assessed the return on investment for 53,000 degree and certificate programs to determine whether a students lifetime earnings outweigh program costs and the risk of not completing their degree. His findings show that a students field of study was the overriding indicator of return on investment at the undergraduate and graduate level. Engineering, computer science and nursing bachelors degrees have high financial returns on investment, while programs in education, fine arts, psychology and English usually have low returns. Graduate degrees in medicine and law tend to have strong payoffs. But a large share of masters programs, including the MBA, frequently have low payoffs, according to Cooper. Although workers with masters degrees earn 16% more than those with only bachelors degrees, Cooper says the figure fails to account for students who had higher preexisting earnings potential. MBA students typically have high preexisting earnings potential, having often chosen high-ROI undergraduate majors such as finance and economics, Cooper writes. So the MBA adds little value on top of that. The study indicates that high starting salaries are predictors of high returns on investment. Degrees with starting salaries of $57,000 a year or more deliver the best lifetime returns. But the return on investment of a degree can vary depending on the educational institution. Students interested in fields with low average pay can still find some schools that do well transforming those fields of study into high-paying careers, Cooper writes. The quality of an institution also matters, said William Tierney, professor emeritus of higher education at the University of Southern California. An MBA from Harvard is a likely ticket to a good job, Tierney told VOA. An MBA from the University of Phoenix, less so. But students pursue graduate programs for more than just financial reasons. Some degrees open up careers in fields that students may enjoy, such as in the performing arts, Robert Kelchen, head of educational leadership at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, told VOA. Others can help gain access to social networks or simply help students learn about a topic that is of interest, Kelchen added. Cooper told VOA that it might make sense for students in degree programs with low returns on investment to switch majors if they can still graduate on time. He found the worst outcome for a students return on investment is dropping out of college because they must pay for one or more years tuition and spend time out of the labor force. Lawmakers who fund higher education have a responsibility in ensuring higher education delivers on its promise of economic mobility, Cooper said. Nearly a third of federal funding, including Pell grants and student loans, pays for higher education programs that fail to provide students with a return on investment, according to the study. Coopers view is that some schools should shut down low-ROI programs and reallocate institutional resources to programs with a better return. There's definitely this narrative out there that higher education is always worth it, and you should always try to get that extra degree because it will increase your earnings, he told VOA. That's reinforced by colleges who make lofty promises regarding their graduate degree programs' outcomes, which all too often fall short. Hundreds of protesters donning gas masks and protective goggles shut down streets in Tbilisi on Tuesday after Georgias parliament passed a so-called foreign influence law that critics call a copy of Russias foreign agent law, heavily relied upon by the Kremlin to suppress dissent. Ruling Georgian Dream party lawmakers approved the legislation despite warnings from Washington and Brussels that such a move might threaten Georgias partnership with the West. For over a month, tens of thousands of Georgians have flooded the streets to protest the legislation in the largest rallies the country has seen since the nation's independence from the Soviet Union. Protester Giorgi Iashvili was just 20 when he was called up as a reservist in 2008 to fight in the war that Russian military and Moscow-backed-separatist forces launched against his country. Sixteen years later he finds himself once again rallying against Russia's ongoing efforts to subjugate his country, this time, he says, with tacit assistance of the Georgian government itself. As a young cybersecurity professional, Iashvili firmly believes enactment of the foreign agent law is inexorably pushing the country, a fifth of which is already occupied by Russia, deeper into Russia's orbit. "In 2008, Russia attacked Georgia directly and conventionally. In recent years, however, it has resorted to hybrid methods disinformation, influence operations, borderization [creeping annexation], infiltration, and cyber campaigns, he told VOAs Georgian Service. Both this law and recent events are evidently part of this hybrid warfare." Like many of his young fellow protesters in Georgias capital Tuesday, Iashvili appeared hopeful amid unsettling circumstances. "I believe that a significant part of our society remains vigilant against these threats and refuses to fall victim to these information operations, he said. The current wave of protests serves as confirmation." Targets foreign funding Georgias foreign influence law requires civil society organizations, media and others that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign interests. The law primarily targets U.S. and European Union democracy assistance programs. The public's discontent with the government has been simmering gradually. The Georgian Dream-led government, now in its third term, is said to be controlled by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire who amassed his wealth in 1990s Moscow and has since strategically appointed loyalists to key government positions. Ivanishvili rejects that accusation, as do the Georgian Dream officials who also deny that theyre quietly working to support Russian efforts to undermine Georgian democracy. The government has long conducted a two-pronged foreign policy, working with Western partners to appease its overwhelmingly pro-European population while simultaneously warming up to Moscow under the pretext of preventing another conflict. It has claimed publicly to be moving the country in a westward direction while fomenting anti-Western sentiment domestically. While Georgias ruling government has allowed a large number Russian men fleeing the military draft to enter the country, it has refused entry to members of Russias military opposition and failed to join Western countries imposing sanctions on Russia. Georgian Dream leaders blame the war in Ukraine on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, putting their government at odds with the West. Georgian authorities have criticized their Ukrainian counterparts and repeatedly accused Ukraine and its Western supporters of attempting to embroil Georgia in the conflict, labeling them the "global war party." The protests are not merely about a Russian law, Helen Khoshtaria, the leader of the Droa opposition party, told VOA. It's about the survival of Georgia and its aspiration to remain a free, European nation, which Ivanishvili has jeopardized. He openly stated that the enemies of this country are not Russia, its actual enemy ... but the U.S. and the EU, when the overwhelming majority of this country, the entire nation, holds the opposite belief. Giorgi Vashadze, the leader of the Strategy Agmashenebeli opposition party, told VOA: "We aspire to be part of the European Union. We envision a Georgia without Russia, without Russian oligarchs." US anti-Nazi law cited The Georgian government has staunchly defended the law, calling it similar to the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA a comparison U.S. officials reject. Enacted in 1938 to unmask Nazi propaganda in the United States, FARA requires people to disclose to the Justice Department when they advocate, lobby or perform public relations work in the United States on behalf of a foreign government or political entity. Our appeal to the U.S. is to think about partnership and not take counterproductive steps, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said after meeting with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien in Tbilisi on Wednesday. The protests have taken place almost every day since the beginning of April. For the first time in years, those taking to the streets are self-organized grassroots activists without a leader or political party behind them. Georgian authorities have arrested dozens of demonstrators over the past few days. Dozens have been assaulted or intimidated by riot police, prompting widespread condemnation by local watchdogs and Georgias Western partners. "They have detained scores of youth and representatives of civil society, former State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Buka Petriashvili told VOA. We are witnessing the establishment of Ivanishvili's autocratic regime and obstruction of Georgia's path toward the European Union. Georgia will never accept the blocking of its path toward the European Union and will fight until we prevail." A new report finds that gaps in family laws in most African countries are fueling discrimination of women and girls. The report from the international NGO Equality Now says laws that favor men in matters of sex, marriage and inheritance, among other issues, leave many women in despair. The study, released to coincide with the United Nations-declared International Day of the Family on Wednesday, highlights how legal frameworks and customary practices in 20 African countries have fueled discrimination in marriage, divorce, custody and property rights. Esther Waweru is a senior legal adviser at Equality Now and co-author of the report. She spoke with VOA from Kenya on how gaps in family laws have affected the lives of women in Africa. Take a case of Sudan for instance, where women cannot initiate divorce, unlike men. So, it therefore means that the woman will be trapped in a marriage that they dont want to live [in], just because they cant initiate a divorce, she said. Waweru said in some countries where women initiate a divorce, they are not allowed to take custody of the children from a previous marriage when they remarry. In Malawi, the report notes that courts have ruled rape does not extend to marriage. It says customary law in Malawi presumes perpetual consent to sex within marriage and that a wife can deny her husband sex only when she is sick or legally separated. While in Tanzania, the report says marital rape is only criminalized upon separation. It also says customary and religious laws in countries like Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Nigeria undermine women and girls in matters of inheritance, as they receive less than men and boys. Hala Alkarib is the executive director for Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa. She told VOA from Ethiopia that the legal imbalance in many African countries leaves women feeling helpless. Imagine that you are not treated equally and discriminated against. It automatically goes without saying you are typically poor. You are exposed to violence systematically. You are dehumanized and undermined. You dont have equal access to opportunities. You are subjected to different forms of sexual violence, and your dignity is compromised, said Alkarib. Francis Selasini is the executive director for Network Against Female Genital Mutilation in Tanzania. He said communities also play a role in undermining or sidestepping laws meant to protect women. He cited issues of genital mutilation in northern parts of Tanzania, where he said communities have changed tactics to protect their traditional norms. For example, initially they were mutilating girls from 10 and above, for the reason of preparing her for marriage. But nowadays, they are mutilating even babies. They are doing so because they would like to defeat the legal process. Because they know if they mutilate babies, babies will not be able to take them to court. They will not be able to report, he said. Waweru of Equality Now says although many countries have ratified key international treaties that protect womens rights, existing domestic laws make implementation and enforcement of these treaties difficult. She calls upon African states to fully align their family laws and their practices with international human rights standards. Researchers in New Zealand say that artificial intelligence, or AI, can help solve problems for patients and doctors. A new study from the University of Auckland says that an emerging area is the use of AI during operations using so-called "computer vision." The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, says that artificial intelligence has the potential to identify abnormalities during operations and to unburden overloaded hospitals by enhancing the monitoring of patients to help them recover after surgery at home. The New Zealand research details how AI tools are rapidly maturing for medical applications. It asserts that medicine is entering an exciting phase of digital innovation. The New Zealand team is investigating computer vision, which describes a machines understanding of videos and images. Dr. Chris Varghese, a doctoral researcher in the Department of Surgery at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland, led the AI research team. He told VOA the technology has great potential. The use of AI in surgery is a really emerging field. We are seeing a lot of exciting research looking at what we call computer vision, where AI is trying to learn what surgeons see, what the surgical instruments look like, what the different organs look like, and the potential there is to identify abnormal anatomy or what the safest approach to an operation might be using virtual reality and augmented reality to plan ahead of surgeries, which could be really useful in cutting out cancers and things like that. Varghese said doctors in New Zealand are already using AI to help sort through patient backlogs. We are using automated algorithms to triage really long waiting lists," he said. "So, getting people prioritized and into clinics ahead of time, based on need, so the right patients are seen at the right time. The researchers said there are limitations to the use of artificial intelligence because of concerns about data privacy and ethics. The report concludes that numerous apprehensions remain with regard to the integration of AI into surgical practice, with many clinicians perceiving limited scope in a field dominated by experiential technology. The study also says that autonomous robotic surgeons. is the most distant of the realizable goals of surgical AI systems. Human rights activists in Nigeria are criticizing a new bid put forward by Nigerian lawmakers to punish drug trafficking with the death penalty. The proposed measure is part of authorities' efforts to escalate a crackdown on drug abuse and trafficking. The law, if passed, would allow judges to issue the death sentence to people convicted of producing, supplying or selling narcotics. Currently, the maximum sentence is life in prison. The Nigerian Senate adopted the bill on Thursday, despite opposition by some lawmakers who raised concerns about the possibility of wrongly sentencing and executing an innocent person. Human rights group Amnesty International also criticized the new measure. Aminu Hayatu is a researcher for the human rights group. "It's a regressive legislative attempt by the Nigerian lawmakers. Once someone's life has ended, they have lost the opportunity to live to tell the truth. We also need to look at the history of our prosecutions over time. There have been quite a number of mistakes. In Nigeria, Amnesty International has had a persistent call against [the] death penalty. And apart from that, the worldwide campaign against that is actually in line with the promotion of human rights," said Hayatu. But not every voice is against the bill. Supporters say the law could prove to be a more effective deterrent compared to a life sentence. Ibrahim Abdullahi is the founder of Muslim Media Watch Group, one of the organizations supporting the bill. "It seems as if the punishment as contained in the law that we have presently [has] not served as deterrent enough. Luckily, over 20 countries across the whole world made [the] death penalty as the punishment for drug trafficking. So, if Nigeria follows suit, it's not too much. So, I see it as a very good step to serve as [a] deterrent to peddlers of drugs," he said. The Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives must approve the amendment before it can be sent to the president to sign into law. The country is seeing an increasing trend of drug abuse and has in recent years gone from being a transit country to a hub of the drug trade. Nigerias National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says over 14 million Nigerians use illegal drugs. The majority use locally-grown cannabis, but many others use cocaine, heroin, or amphetamine-type stimulants. The drug trade is often fueled by lack of legitimate economic opportunities. Abdullahi said besides adding the death penalty, corruption should also be addressed. "You can't fight drug addiction without fighting corruption. Now that this law is about to be promulgated, more stringent laws should be made to fight corruption in Nigeria so that officers who are guilty of taking bribes to conceal crimes or not to prosecute diligently will also be dealt with seriously. So, as we fight drug trafficking, we should fight the attendant corruption," he said. More than 3,000 Nigerians are on death row for various offenses the highest number in the world. Rights activists have been campaigning to change that and compel authorities to abolish the death penalty. But they say proposing the death penalty for more offenses only makes matters worse. A makeshift fleet of hundreds of fishing boats sailed from the Philippines towards a small island at the heart of a bitter territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea. Hundreds of fishermen and members of the Atin Ito activist group boarded small wooden boats with stabilizing beams known as outriggers and set sail for the Scarborough Shoal, a fisheries-rich atoll that was seized by China in 2012, despite it being inside the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. A lone Philippine Coast Guard boat accompanied the convoy during a journey that was organized to drop small territorial buoys along the route and deliver food and fuel to Filipino fishermen working near the shoal. The trip comes two weeks after a Philippine coast guard vessel was hit by water cannons from Chinese coast guard vessels near Scarborough Shoal. The Philippine ship sustained damage to its railing and canopy during the confrontation. The two sides have previously confronted each other near the Scarborough Shoal and the Second Thomas Shoal, another disputed territory where a Philippine warship was intentionally grounded to maintain the archipelagos claims on the submerged reef. China has claimed sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, ignoring competing claims by its regional neighbors, including the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. An international arbitration tribunal in The Hague said in 2016 that China's claims had no legal basis - a decision Beijing has rejected. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. European Parliament member Javier Nart, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, visited Shusha city on May 15, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Parliament. The European Parliament member who arrived in Shusha city was informed about the history of the city, its condition during the occupation, construction works carried out in Shusha under the direct control of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, restoration of historical monuments in the city, planned measures, and the and the beginning of the process of returning residents to their native city. Javier Nart visited the administrative building of the representative office, the town square, the Vagif Mausoleum, Jidir Duzu, and the fortress walls of the city. He was informed that heroic servicemen of the Azerbaijani army liberated Shusha from occupation at the cost of their lives and blood. Nowadays, Jidir Duzu, as before the occupation, has become a place of grandiose events. The European Parliament member was accompanied by the head of the delegation of the European Union-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Tural Ganjaliyev, and other officials. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel In a move that contrasts with the United States, South Korea had its ambassador in Moscow attend Russian President Vladimir Putin's inauguration, seemingly leaving its options open for maintaining diplomatic relations with Russia amid Moscow's deepening ties with Pyongyang. Seoul said it based its decision for Ambassador Lee Do-hoon to attend Putin's inauguration "after considering all circumstances surrounding South Korean-Russian bilateral relations." A South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson made the remark to VOA's Korean Service on Friday. The U.S. and most European Union countries boycotted Putin's inauguration held May 7 at the Grand Kremlin Palace. He was reelected in March for his fifth term in office as Russia's war in Ukraine raged on for more than two years since its invasion in 2022. Moscow has turned to Pyongyang to replenish its stockpile of arms to fight Ukraine. "The U.S. directed our embassy not to attend the inauguration in protest of Russia's war against Ukraine," a State Department spokesperson said Thursday in an email sent to VOA's Korean Service. Japan also did not send a representative to the ceremony. Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kobayashi Maki said during a news briefing held in Tokyo the day after the inauguration that its decision was "based upon comprehensive consideration of Russia's aggression against Ukraine." VOA contacted the Russian Embassy in Seoul for comment on Lee's attendance. Its spokesperson, Mira Dzhamalidinova, emailed that it has "no comments for VOA." Robert Rapson, who served as charge d'affaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul from 2018 to 2021, said, "Ambassador Lee's attendance at Putin's inauguration was a small but symbolically significant step by Seoul to signal to Moscow its interest in improving, or at least more effectively managing, deteriorating bilateral relations." He continued, "It put [South] Korea clearly out of a public messaging step with the U.S. and its like-minded partners," and demonstrated "adjustments to its 'signature value-based' foreign policy." Relations between South Korea and Russia have declined as military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang deepened since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia in September. In April, South Korea sanctioned two Russian vessels involved in delivering military supplies from North Korea to Russia. In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called Seoul's move "an unfriendly step" that "will affect South Korea-Russia relations in a negative way." [[ https://www.voanews.com/a/us-pushes-back-at-russia-s-protest-over-south-korean-sanctions/7563881.html ]] "Washington was likely displeased with South Korea's decision to send a representative to Putin's inauguration," said Dan DePetris, a fellow at Defense Priorities, a Washington-based think tank. "This is a subtle, low-cost way for the Yoon government [of South Korea] to signal to Moscow that differences over Ukraine and North Korea notwithstanding, it's not going to mimic the U.S. policy of diplomatic isolation" toward Russia, he continued. DePetris added that Seoul likely allowed its representative to attend Putin's inauguration "precisely because North Korea-Russia bilateral ties have strengthened over the last two years" and wants to "keep all options on the table." Pyongyang-Moscow ties have expanded to include several visits to Russia by North Korean delegations recently. On Tuesday, North Korea sent a science and technology delegation to Russia to attend a meeting on trade, economy and science to be held in Moscow, according to North Korea's state-run KCNA. Also, passenger train services between the two countries resumed since they were suspended after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap, citing Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of Russia's northeastern region of Primorsky Krai, bordering North Korea. Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center's Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Project, said, "Moscow's new partnership with North Korea may have been a factor" that prompted Seoul to make its representation at Putin's inauguration. He continued, however, "I doubt Seoul has illusions about its ability to restrain Russia's ties with Pyongyang" but is "perhaps focused on maintaining economic ties" with Moscow. South Korea's exports to Russia totaled $6.33 billion in 2022, while its imports from Russia amounted to $12.8 billion in the same year, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, an online platform for data collection and distribution. South Korea's investment in Russia reached $4.16 billion in the same year, according to the South Korean Foreign Ministry. Residents of Aqtau, a Kazakhstani port city located on the northeastern shore of the Caspian Sea, are on edge these days. For more than two decades, they have watched the Caspian Sea shrink and the local economy wither. As the sea receded, the city's population, estimated at 250,000, saw disruptions in trade and experienced difficulties with the supply of drinking water. Aqtau city officials declared a state of emergency over declining water levels in June 2023. The Kazakh Ministry of Environment said the situation was "critical." With its coastline stretching 6,819 kilometers (4,237 miles), the Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water and is shared by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Russia and Turkmenistan. The sea plays a key role in the economies of these countries, supporting such industries as fishing, agriculture and tourism. Azamat Sarsenbayev, a documentary maker and environmental activist who grew up in Aqtau, said the drop in sea level has been most noticeable on the Kazakhstani segment of the coast, which is the shallowest. "I remember as a kid, I and my friends would be afraid to swim 10 meters from the shore. These days, the sea has become so shallow that we can walk for 200 meters on the rocks, which once used to be deep under water," he said in an interview with VOA. Severe drop in level Kazakhstan's Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology estimates that the Caspian Sea has reached the level of 29 meters (95 feet) below the level of the oceans and open seas. (Scientists use the Baltic Sea as a reference point to measure fluctuations in the Caspian Sea level.) By comparison, in 1995, the sea level was 26 meters (85 feet) below the Baltic Sea level. Early signs of the Caspian Seas shrinkage appeared in the mid-2000s, but in the past years, the rate at which the level is dropping has accelerated, according to this institute, which estimates the loss rate at 23 centimeters (9 inches) per year. Scientists are still debating the causes for the declining water levels in the Caspian. Some Kazakhstani environmental experts say that changes in climate and intensive human use of the Volga and the Ural, two main rivers that originate in Russia and flow into the sea, are affecting the Caspian. Kirill Osin, director of a Kazakh environmental nonprofit organization Eco Mangystau, told VOA, "The first factor is global climate change is at work. The days are becoming hotter, and the volume of precipitation is going down, Osin said. Accordingly, the level of water evaporation is not compensated by precipitation. The second factor has to do with what is happening with the [tributary] rivers. More than 140 rivers flow into the Caspian Sea, but the two rivers the Volga and the Ural are the two main arteries, and they are degrading like never before. Look at the condition of the Ural River. The river has practically dried up. The level of the Volga is also declining." Osin added, "Russia is building its own water reservoirs, taking up a significant amount of water for agricultural and industrial needs. Against the backdrop of changing climate and decrease in precipitations, the rivers are not able to replenish the volume of water." In an analysis paper published in October 2023, Vali Kaleji, an Iranian researcher, wrote: "In recent years, Russia has built 40 dams on the Volga River and 18 more dams are under study and construction. This has reduced the flow of water entering the Caspian Sea. A cyclical problem? Some scientists dispute the claim that the reduced flow of water is at play behind the shrinking of the Caspian Sea. In a 2022 interview with Azerji journalists, Telman Zeinalov, director of the Azerbaijani Center for Ecological Forecasting, said that changes with the Caspian Sea volume were cyclical in nature. It is proven that the rise or decline of the Caspian has exclusively cyclical nature, he said. The rise in the temperature definitely affects the level of the Caspian, but it is not a sufficient cause for the shrinking of the sea." Pyotr Bukharitsyn, a Russian oceanologist working for the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, also posits that the Caspian Sea's fluctuations are natural and cyclical. Data from Kazakhstan's Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology provides evidence that the level of water in the Caspian Sea has been fluctuating over time. In the mid-1970s, the water level decreased to 29 meters (95 feet) and then rose to 26 meters (85 feet) in the 1990s, the institute documented. The causes are not the only thing in dispute. Environmental activists and scientists hold differing views on the potential repercussions from the shrinking sea, too. A 2020 study projected that if the trend continues, by 2100, the sea level would decline by 18 meters (59 feet), losing approximately a quarter of its current size, a scenario that would have devastating impacts for humans and the environment alike. Just like the Aral Sea? For environmental activists such as Sarsenbayev, such scenarios evoke strong memories of the Aral Sea tragedy. "The Caspian Sea can repeat the fate of the Aral Sea," Sarsenbayev said. Soviet agricultural policies that diverted the Aral Sea's tributary rivers (the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya) to feed cotton fields in Uzbekistan resulted in a mostly dried-up lake, which is now split into Kazakh and Uzbek sections. As the Aral Sea shrank to one-tenth of its original volume, thousands of residents lost jobs associated with the fishing industry. Many more departed from the region to avoid chronic diseases caused by desertification of the region and frequent sandstorms carrying pesticides and harmful chemicals. Eco Mangystaus Osin disagrees with this gloomy scenario. "I would not give such pessimistic forecasts as I believe that water levels will rise with time. Testimonies from local fishermen who experienced numerous fluctuations in the level of the Caspian in their lifetime attest to this," he said. "The situation has not reached a critical point. At the same time, we should not ignore the problem. We need to closely monitor the situation," he said. Residents already feel impact The causes and long-term impacts might not be clear, but in some settlements and towns along the Caspian shore, people are already feeling the immediate impact from the receding waters. In Turkmenistan, for example, ferries that carried residents and tourists have reportedly stopped operating between some towns because the sea level has dropped. According to Sarsenbayev, the receding of the sea has made it difficult for vessels entering Aqtau, Kazakhstan's only port, to operate with full loads of cargo. Declining water levels have also reportedly disrupted the work of the Aqtau water desalination plant, the only facility supplying drinking water to the city's population. It is not just Kazakh and Turkmens who are paying the price. Russian cities and settlements along the Volga and the Ural are struggling, too. A former Kyrgyzstani journalist who covered environmental issues told VOA that "Russian cities located on the Volga have been grappling with decrease in the volume of the river for the past five years. As the river is drying up, this affected river navigation and trade." The receding sea level has also affected the natural habitat for seals, crustaceans and sturgeons. The population of Caspian seals has reportedly shrunk from 1 million at the start of the 20th century to 110,000 by 2024. Whats being done Regional governments are paying some attention to the Caspian Sea problem. In late June 2022, the shrinking of the sea was discussed during the Summit of the Caspian Littoral States held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. In his September 2023 address before the U.N. General Assembly, Kazakh President Kasymzhomart Tokayev said, "The saving of the Caspian Sea must become a top priority issue, which requires long-term international collaboration." The subject of preserving the sea was also discussed during Tokayev's visit to Russia in November 2023. Following the meeting, Putin said, "Russia and Kazakhstan are paying significant attention to saving the ecosystem of the Caspian Sea." In January 2024, the Kazakh government created the Caspian Sea Research Institute, a government-funded group to study the problems of the Caspian Sea. For environmental activists, such responses by the regional governments are not enough. Osin said, "As of now, I haven't seen that any significant measures were taken [by the government]. At the level of the president and the government, there are some words and declarations, but no concrete decisions are adopted. The water diplomacy with the Russian side on the River Volga should have started yesterday." The Kazakh government has refuted claims that the government is not doing enough. In a June 2023 interview with Kazakh journalists, Zulfiya Suleimenova, the minister of ecology and natural resources of Kazakhstan, said, "Without solving these issues, without effective measures of all the Caspian states, it would be hard to talk about the saving [of the sea]. The real issue is not about shouting [about the problem], it is about solving the problem effectively. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot Wednesday afternoon following a Cabinet meeting in the central town of Handlova. Fico was shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition, government officials said. He was transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica, the regional capital, where he underwent several hours of surgery. "I was very shocked. ... Fortunately, as far as I know, the operation went well, and I guess in the end. he will survive. ... He's not in a life-threatening situation at this moment," Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC's Newshour. Another news outlet said Fico was in stable condition. The 59-year-old prime minister was hit in the abdomen after five shots were fired outside Handlovas House of Culture, where Fico was meeting with supporters, local media reports said. Police have detained a suspect, according to TA3, a local media TV station. A helicopter was sent for the leader, emergency services said. The left-wing populist prime minister returned to power for the fourth time last year after his party won the parliamentary election on a pro-Russian, anti-American platform. Slovak President Zuzana Caputova denounced the attack. "I'm shocked," she said. "I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack." In a telegram to Caputova, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the shooting monstrous. U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement Wednesday, "We condemn this horrific act of violence. Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemns the shocking attack, Farhan Haq, a spokesperson for the secretary-general, said at a briefing. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The U.S. is planning on sending over one billion dollars' worth of military aid to Israel even as Israel is planning on military action in Rafah. This comes as aid trucks headed to Gaza were looted in the West Bank and Israel released a video they say shows Hamas militants in a UN compound. A look at Secretary of State Antony Blinkens visit to Kyiv, including his stint on stage as a guitar player in a rock band in a Kyiv bar. A conversation about Irans nuclear program amid conflict with Israel and a look at the plight of internally displaced people. Ukraine's military said on Tuesday it was moving troops to new positions in the north of Kharkiv region in response to heavy Russian fire and advances. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Ukraine saying Russia should pay for rebuilding Ukraine. After his diplomatic duties he sang and played the guitar at a night club in Kyiv on Tuesday. U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday unveiled steep tariff increases on an array of Chinese imports including electric vehicles. We talk to Kyle Handley, an economist who specializes in international trade at the University of California San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy. And robots are taking to the seas performing jobs that are dangerous and mundane. The United States on Wednesday imposed visa restrictions on more than 250 members of the Nicaraguan government and levied sanctions on three Nicaraguan entities in retaliation for "repressive actions" and a failure to stem migrant smuggling through the Central American country. Senior administration officials told reporters that the officials subject to visa restrictions included police and paramilitary officials, prosecutors, judges and public higher education officials. At the same time, the Departments of State, Homeland Security, and the Treasury issued a joint alert to notify airlines and travel agents about the ways smuggling and human trafficking networks are exploiting legitimate transportation services to facilitate illegal migration to the United States through Nicaragua. "Actions by the Nicaraguan government are of grave concern. President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo have put in place permissive-by-design migration policies," the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. The Nicaraguan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Increasingly migrants have been flying into Nicaragua and then heading north overland to the U.S.-Mexico border as some smugglers have promoted the route through social networks. Many migrants in recent years have started their journeys in Brazil or other South American countries, but flying into Nicaragua avoids the often perilous journey through the jungle region known as the Darien Gap on the Colombia-Panama border. The administration of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has struggled with record numbers of migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border and, as he runs for reelection in November, voters have increasingly said that immigration is a top concern. Senior Biden administration officials told reporters on a Wednesday conference call that sanctions would be levied against a Russian training center operating in Managua since October 2017 that enabled anti-democratic behavior and repression. A press release from the Treasury Department said Nicaragua was one of Russia's "main partners" in Central America and the training center provided specialized courts to the Nicaraguan National Police (NNP), which the statement called "a repressive state apparatus, carrying out extrajudicial killings, using live ammunition against peaceful protests, and even participating in death squads." In addition, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two gold companies it said were "government affiliated." Gold is Nicaragua's top commodity export, the Treasury announcement said, and "this action aims to degrade the ability of the Ortega-Murillo regime to manipulate the sector and profit." Reuters was not immediately able to reach the companies for comment. Migrant apprehensions on the border halved from December to March, according to U.S. government data, in part because of increased enforcement by Mexican authorities, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has said. The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on two commanders of Sudan's paramilitary force, vowing pressure to stop the unit from an offensive on the Darfur city of el-Fasher. The Treasury Department said it was freezing any U.S. assets and criminalizing transactions with Ali Yagoub Gibril, Central Darfur commander of the Rapid Support Forces, and an RSF major general involved in operational planning, Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed. "The RSF military operation to encircle and besiege el-Fasher, North Darfur, has endangered the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. "We stand ready to take additional measures against those individuals and institutions that actively escalate the war including any offensive actions on el-Fasher," he said. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday also voiced alarm over reports of heavy fighting in densely populated areas as the RSF seeks control of el-Fasher, the last major city in Darfur not under its control. Tens of thousands of people have died, and millions have been displaced since war broke out in April 2023 between Sudan's army and the RSF after their head generals refused a plan to integrate. The United States has led diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting but has seen limited success and leverage, with RSF commanders unlikely to hold major assets in the West affected by sanctions. The RSF and Sudan's armed forces are seen as both wanting to secure a battleground victory, and each side has received support from outside players. The U.S. special envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, is again traveling around the Middle East and Africa this week in hopes of making progress. The United States has accused both sides of war crimes and charged that the RSF has carried out ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity against the indigenous African-origin people of Darfur. The RSF's predecessor, the Janjaweed militia, carried out a scorched-earth campaign in the arid western region that the United States at the time described as genocide. At least three people are dead in the South Pacific islands of New Caledonia after three consecutive days of rioting in the French territory. The violence was sparked by a bill under debate in the French parliament that would allow French-born residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in local elections. Leaders of the islands pro-independence movement say the measure would dilute the voting power of the Indigenous Kanak people. Scores of homes and businesses have been looted and burned in the capital Noumea, despite the increased presence of security forces. Authorities have imposed a nighttime curfew and a ban on public gatherings, while at least 130 people have been arrested. The violence has also prompted the closure of schools and businesses, as well as the islands airport. French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting of key ministers in Paris Wednesday to address the situation in New Caledonia. He called for an end to the violence in a letter to the islands leaders, and offered to hold talks with both pro- and anti-independence factions before the election reform bill comes up for a final vote in a special session of both houses of the French parliament next month. The measure was approved Wednesday by Frances National Assembly by a vote of 351-153. Pro-independence leader Daniel Goa condemned the looting Tuesday and called for calm. But he said the situation reveals the determination of our young people to no longer let France rule them. France agreed in 1998 to grant New Caledonia more political power and autonomy and to hold three referendums over the islands status. Voters have rejected independence in all three referendums. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse. (Reuters) - The death toll from a building collapse in the South African city of George last week edged up to 33 on Tuesday, as rescuers continued to comb through the rubble with 19 people still unaccounted for more than a week after the incident. Municipal officials said in a statement that only six of those who had been killed on the construction site had been identified so far, as authorities were struggling to get accurate names. The last person to be rescued was pulled from the wreckage at the weekend, in what the Western Cape province's premier described as "nothing short of a miracle" coming five days after the disaster. The death toll stood at 32 on Monday. It has been steadily rising over the past week as more bodies have been retrieved. It is not clear why the five-story building in the city east of Cape Town collapsed on May 6. Investigations are under way. Rescuers have used cranes, drills and their bare hands to try to reach those trapped. Municipal officials said fluent speakers of the Chewa, Portuguese and Shona languages had been at the scene providing support. It is believed that migrants from other southern African countries such as Malawi and Zimbabwe were working on the construction site. (Reporting by Tannur Anders and Bhargav AcharyaEditing by Alexander Winning and Alison Williams) South Africans will vote in a national election on May 29 with an unprecedented sense of uncertainty about the outcome, as polls suggest the African National Congress will lose its majority after 30 years in power. Alice Rizzo of Reuters has more. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Azerbaijan prolonged the detention of Arayik Harutyunyan and other Armenian separatists, Trend reports. The petitions from the Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan were reviewed regarding the former so-called "presidents" of the separatist regime in Karabakh, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, and former so-called "foreign minister" David Babayan, who were detained by Azerbaijani law enforcement. Additionally, the cases of former so-called "chairman of the parliament" Davit Ishkhanyan and generals Leva Mnatsakanyan and David Manukyan, also arrested by Azerbaijani authorities, were considered for extending the chosen preventive measures against them. The petitions were reviewed by the Binagadi District Court. The court satisfied the petitions and extended the term of arrest for each of them for another five months. To note, a total of 15 members of the separatist regime are under prosecution in a criminal case investigated by a joint team from the Prosecutor General's Office and the State Security Service. Over the years, the Prosecutor General's Office initiated criminal cases against these individuals, who were subsequently placed on the international wanted list. Following last year's anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh, law enforcement agencies apprehended and brought to Baku former so-called "presidents" Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, and former so-called "foreign minister" David Babayan, so-called "chairman of the parliament" Davit Ishkhanyan, and generals Leva Mnatsakanyan and David Manukyan, and former so-called "State Minister" Ruben Vardanyan. At present, these separatists are incarcerated at the State Security Service of Azerbaijan's detention center on charges ranging from crimes against humanity and war crimes to terrorism and the funding of terrorism as well as murder and the unlawful formation of armed formations. Regarding Arkadi Ghukasyan, who remains under investigation by the State Security Service, the Binagadi District Court has ruled to extend his arrest for another 5 months. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. As Russia pushed into northern Ukraine this week, the U.S. presidential race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump remained focused on another foreign policy crisis the war in Gaza. As VOAs congressional correspondent, Katherine Gypson reports Photo: Paul Stephen Pearson/Fairfax Media via Getty Images Its not that the men are so special. They are not the best-looking or the smartest. And it does not take long for the protagonists, the women, to see this. Because Alice Munro wrote these women, their perception is as merciless as hers. In Munros 1997 short story The Children Stay, a young mother, Pauline, who is married to Brian, meets a man named Jeffrey at a party. She had thought he was older than she was, writes Munro, at least as old as Brian who was thirty, though people were apt to say he didnt act it but as soon as he started talking to her, in this offhand, dismissive way, never quite meeting her eyes, she suspected that he was younger than hed like to appear. Now, with that flush, she was sure of it. Jeffrey casts Pauline in a play; she soon learns hes bullish and pretentious too. Because Alice Munro wrote her, Pauline runs off with him anyway. A running off with, an abandoning for, a void leapt into. A flirt, a fuck, a disaster. In Munros stories, sex changes women like a downed line changes a puddle. They are charged with dangerous, unpredictable energy. Although Munro, who died Monday at 92, rarely depicted the sex explicitly a man lowers onto a woman, a man pushes off of her she wrote with such definite shading of looks and sound and erotically registered detail that you feel the shape of the sex more than you read it. And this gives it strength. In The Children Stay, Jeffrey tells Pauline its time for sex by crossing the room, bolting the door, then walking back toward her with the whole story of the afternoons labor draining out of his face. In the 1980 story Dulse, a man who the protagonist has just met beckons her to his bed with an open door and a wordless moan and she considers it. Munro, a writer in total control of her instrument, spent seven decades building stories in which the most consequential moments of a life could be decided by a look that lasts just a second too long. Something to know about repressed societies: Its whats not said that is powerful. Its important Munro was Canadian, and Anglophone, and born poor in rural Wingham, Ontario, in 1931. Canada can still be uptight, but there was a real starchy colonial residue to the place then, an irrelevant clung-to Britishness, and a severe case of tall-poppy syndrome. As is now obvious from Ontarian artists who came after Munro (David Cronenberg comes to mind), these would prove to be great conditions for ripening perverts and freaks. Two years in university were all her scholarship would cover, so Munro got an Mrs. degree at 20 and popped out some kids soon after. She and her first husband, Jim Munro, moved to suburban Vancouver, which she didnt know till arriving was social hell. Men didnt really want to talk to her. Most women didnt either. At parties with other couples, she told The Paris Review in 1994, There was a lot of competitive talk about vacuuming and washing the woolies, and I got quite frantic The only outlet, I thought, was flirting with other peoples husbands at parties; that was really the only time anything came up that you could feel was real, because the only contact you could have with men, that had any reality to it, seemed to me to be sexual. She wasnt stuck in that place, not entombed there. She and Jim moved neighborhoods, then cities; she met cooler women; the Munros opened a bookstore in Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Shed been writing since she was a kid, publishing a bit at university and in very tiny Canadian literary magazines. Now between vacuuming and woolies she wrote fiction, desperately. Short stories were a matter of housewifely convenience and then a matter of preference. (Munro never published a novel something her supporters always seemed more sheepish about than she did.) In the manner of a lot of women artists in her generation and older, she only really emerged publicly once her children were teenagers, when she was 37: Her first collection, 1968s Dance of the Happy Shades, included 15 years of stories. Shed publish 13 more original collections, plus compilations, as well as dozens of stories in The New Yorker, which became her most lasting editorial home. But her characters arent writers usually. They might be unenthused editors or spinster librarians. (I wonder why I wrote about aging spinsters, Munro told The Paris Review. I didnt know any. I think I knew that at heart I was an aging spinster.) Some of her women have children to corral, some are young and feckless, some old and lonely, some young and lonely, some divorced. Many are poor or grew up that way. What they share is a hypersensitivity to sexual possibility. Munros stories are some of the smartest about being an idiot in lust. When a man is beautiful, her sentences run a hand along his face and fix eyes on the muscles in his back. When a man is awful, when he is petty, hes so familiar it is sickening. In Dulse, protagonist Lydia (a Munro divorcee) shares first impressions of a boyfriends apartment: No attempt had been made to arrange things to make a setting; nothing was in relation to anything else. Various special requirements had been attended to. A certain sculpture was in a corner behind some filing cabinets because he liked to lie on the floor and look at it in shadow. Books were in piles beside the bed, which was crossway in the room in order to catch the breeze from the window. All disorder was order, carefully thought out and not to be interfered with. You cant convince me this man isnt living down the street from me now. And of course Lydia goes for him anyway. She knows hes absurd, she knows hes not nice to her. She thinks of herself as a reasonable person But I am stupid and helpless when contemplating the collision of myself and Alex. In the 1991 story Carried Away, a married man contemplates a spinster librarian who hes realizing hes attracted to. He could no more describe the feeling he got from her than you can describe a smell, writes Munro from inside the mans head. Its like the scorch of electricity. Its like burnt kernels of wheat. No, its like a bitter orange. I give up. Since the story is written in close third person, that last sentence (rendered without the italics of thought) reroutes it. Is that Munro speaking? Is it the man? Is it us? The sexual I give up is the Alice Munro experience. It can be pleasurable or it can be painful, this giving-over to what you cant explain or excuse. Attraction just puts you in a headlock. As she got older, her stories roamed through time, moving backward and forward. Knowing how a characters love affair shook out never made it seem simpler or less inevitable. Munros life loop-de-looped as well: After her divorce, she moved back to Ontario and ended up reconnecting with someone shed known in university, Gerald Fremlin. They married and stayed together until he died in 2013, the year Munro won the Nobel Prize. Of their courtship, she would say shed always had a crush on him, but he hadnt noticed her when they were younger. When they finally went on a date in their 40s, she recalled, I think we were talking about living together by the end of the afternoon. When you know, you know. And when you dont know, do it anyway. Last week, Loot ended with a bit of a shock to Mollys system: Her plans to take Space for Everyone national would be hindered by one minor detail she doesnt have enough money for that. It sounds wild, but its true! Nicholas assumes this means theyre closing up shop at the Wells Foundation effective immediately, but only in his dreams. When Molly tells him they arent giving up just yet, he addresses the group: Fine, but could you at least all try to be a little more interesting? Is that too much to ask? He remains the meanest sweetheart on TV. Regardless, for the first time in decades, Molly has a money problem! Sofia and Molly come up with one solution, perhaps the only solution: Theyre going to need to recruit other billionaires to the cause. After a slideshow of some elderly-men billionaires as potential targets that will haunt your nightmares for as long as you walk this earth, Sofia brings up a picture of a familiar face both to Molly (its her old friend Grace) and to us (its Ana Gasteyer!). I mean, how lucky are we to watch two comedy icons, SNL royalty, goof around as divorced billionaires in fabulous caftans for a half-hour? The luckiest. Once Molly learns that Grace has gotten $110 billion in the divorce from her husband, Spencer, she suggests paying her a visit. Grace has apparently gone dark in the month since her divorce went public, but Molly assures Sofia its fine to just show up because Molly knows that if youre worth over $10 billion, legally, youre allowed to show up wherever you want. (She is dead wrong.) When Molly and Sofia arrive at Graces mansion, they find a grisly scene. Well, grisly in the sense that Grace is still deep in the blow it all to hell and get drunk, stay drunk and hook up with a DJ in a panda suit portion of her post-divorce life. She is throwing a never-ending party with people she doesnt know and who are definitely taking whatever they want out of the money bucket. She is handing out $50,000 bottles of Champers as party favors. Its bleak. It is also pretty unhygienic. It doesnt take much convincing for Grace to agree to give the Wells Foundation billions of dollars, but it doesnt sit right with Molly Grace is not in the right frame of mind to be making decisions like this; it wouldnt be right to just take her money. Instead, Molly wants to spend some time with Grace and help her through these early days of her divorce. There are very few people on the planet who understand what shes going through as closely as Molly does its actually quite lovely. And then, suddenly, theyre on Graces private jet (PJ to you peasants) tossing back shots made of a cute lil Robitussin, DayQuil, and NyQuil cocktail headed to Reykjavik. Also quite lovely, in a demented kind of way. We know why Grace is grinding up on DJ Panda Head at 30,000 feet, but what brings on the change of heart for Molly? Well, she gets a text from Sofia complaining about seeing Arthur making out with Willa outside of the office. Molly has it bad for the guy, and if youre reminded that the guy you want is unavailable and cough-syrup shots are readily available to you? Youre gonna take those bad boys. The Iceland partying is fun for a little bit fuck water, am I right? but it doesnt take long for the good times to come to a halt. Learning that the DJ in the animal costume youve been making out with has actually been several different guys DJ Panda Head is more of a symbol, you see will do that to you. Also, the Robitussin/DayQuil/NyQuil hangover looks pretty intense. As it so often happens, the post-party, hung-over heart-to-heart takes place with Grace fully clothed in her hotel bathtub. Molly finally gets to talk to the real Grace. She knows how scary this is, how confused and unsure Grace must be as far as what comes next. Molly doesnt sugarcoat it; it isnt easy, and shes still figuring it out herself, but Graces life isnt over. Molly tells her how this divorce has led her to her work with the Wells Foundation, and this work has helped her realize things about herself she never knew she can lead and build something for herself. Its nice to be reminded just how far Molly Wells has come since we first met her. When Grace asks if Molly means it when she says she owes so much of this growth to John, Molly replies with a resounding: Of course not! Fuck that motherfucker. A rallying cry if I ever heard one. The ladies spend the day ice-skating and laughing together, reminding each other that there is life after their deadbeat husbands. Back in the office, Sofia tells Molly that Grace is in she wants to donate all of her money to Space for Everything. And even better, the word is spreading: They have three other billionaire donors onboard. Space for Everyone is going national, baby. Something that has absolutely nothing to do with John Wells. Notes From a Group Talk Session Howard tries to help Nicholas prep for an audition for a Korean drama, My Handsome Lawyer, when Nicholas admits he doesnt know the language at all (he was adopted as a baby). It stirs up all of these emotions in Nicholas about never exploring his Korean background in any meaningful way. Im not white, thank God, but Im not Asian enough either, and its like, sometimes I feel like I dont know where I fit, he tells Howard. Nicholas being so vulnerable? What a sight! Howard remains the sweetest man. He tells Nicholas that hell be there for him whether he wants to talk about it more or not because theyre best friends. Now, is there any way in hell Nicholas would label their friendship that way? Probably not, but its still a nice gesture, and Nicholas gets that. The running joke that Howard keeps pitching the gayest trips for him and Nicholas to go on together made me laugh and laugh. Howards earnest, frustrated Okay, now all of a sudden Miamis gay? was the perfect button. Howard to Nicholas when he comes upon him reading his sides for the audition: Oh, Im sorry, did I interrupt your metamorphosis? Ainsley thinks Arthur is the funniest person in the office; hes just like Ellen! Even Arthur knows that might not actually be the compliment she thinks it is. The qualities Molly is looking for in potential billionaire donors are simple: Recruit other billionaire donors who are as generous, relatable, and hot but they dont know it as me. You make me want to love again. To feel the need. To lose control. To become obsessed. Photo: Christophe Simon/AFP via Getty Images Meryl Streep and Juliette Binoche have never acted in a movie together, even though one is the Juliette Binoche of America and the other is the Meryl Streep of France. Why is that? I do feel like the CIA is probably responsible. Perhaps the respective governments in question fear these womens combined actorly energies would be far too powerful for the everyday cinemagoer, blown back as he might be in his hypothetical seat, radicalized and subsequently refusing to go to work, eventually dismantling the decaying infrastructure that barely hoists up the western world. Id like to imagine that the movie Juliette and Meryl would make would be like Heat, except with far more facial expressions and only marginally less abject death (this is a French film, after all; Juliette doesnt often do Hollywood). Juliette is a French assassin hired to kill renowned architect Meryl Streeps husband (played by Martin Short), and Meryl agrees its probably sensible (he deals arms), and afterwards they team up and expose the sinister goings-on at an international croissant factory. Or Meryl is a famous American actress who comes to town on a book tour and Juliette, who has been fired from her job as a journalist for making up fake movies in articles, becomes obsessed with her and stalks her across the French countryside. Anyway. We may never know for sure whats been going on vis-a-vis this non-pairing, but we got a small preview of a possible better world at the opening ceremony of Cannes, where Juliette presented Meryl with the Honorary Palme dOr and both eventually ended up weeping and holding each other. (This was after and I cannot stress this enough a French pop star named Zaho de Sagazan sashayed across the Palais and personally serenaded jury president Greta Gerwig with David Bowies Modern Love in tribute to her street-dancing scene in Frances Ha, and before we all watched the opening-night film, Quentin Dupieuxs The Second Act, in which the interminably rich vein of cancel culture is skewered in a movie about the artifice of filmmaking that uses various narrative devices like breaking the fourth wall to vaguely gesture at fears about AI and political correctness destroying the industry and ends with a several-minute tracking shot of the dolly that was used to film said tracking shot.) meryl streep and juliette binoche onstage at cannes tonight opened some kind of interdimensional portal pic.twitter.com/lAgT8G3HWQ rachel handler (@rachel_handler) May 14, 2024 Back to Meryl and Juliette. Juliette, hair slicked back and wearing a red gown, kicked off the interaction with a long, visibly emotional speech about how Meryl has nourished us. She stared Meryl in the face as she complimented her for many minutes: When I see you on the screen, I dont see you. I see your movement that is passing through you that we call acting, but in fact is something else. Its a connection you make by your presence. Letting beauty come to you. A place where intention, though, energy, love, and truth are flowing through you all at once. Where does it come from? Loss? Love? Were you born like this? What was your dream? Juliette directed these questions at Meryl with an intensity that did not feel rhetorical. I dont know, she finally conceded, but what I know is that theres a believer in you. A believer that allows me to believe. Juliette went on to specifically compliment Meryls various roles, calling her an international treasure, then took a fascinating swerve into something resembling lust. In falling in love, I fall in love with you, she said, giggling charmingly. You make me want to love again. To feel the need. To lose control. To become obsessed. She referenced Sophies Choice, then Out of Africa and its dont move scene, one of the sexiest moments in cinema history. Meryl stood next to her throughout, wearing a calming white gown and glasses, making a series of grateful and stunned and moved and chuffed and bashful facial expressions and occasionally fanning herself, which is to say, being Meryl Streep. Midway through, Juliette got so choked up that she had to pause and collect herself. You changed the way we look at women in the cinema world, she said, as Meryl reached out and held her hand. And also helping us to look at ourselves differently. The audience went wild. Meryl touched Juliettes shoulder, comforting her during her own award speech. Juliette turned bright again and brought up Mamma Mia and called Meryl Mama. Love conquers all. You have conquered us, she finished, beaming. Then she began to yell passionately. Congratulations to the Super Trooper herself, the Dancing Queen, and now the winner of the honorary Palme dOr, Meryl Streep! They hugged for a long time, but not too long, lest they chemically merge. Meryl took the mic. Juliette Binoche. La Belle Binoche. You dont know now Meryl had to pause and collect herself. When I found out you were going to present this to me, I went crazy. Because for the last two weeks, I have been immersed in your great artistry. To be specific, Meryl was binging Juliettes Coco Chanel series The New Look and watching The Taste of Things, which sent her straight to bed, because I was crying so hard when you died. This was all completely coincidental at the time, Meryl explained; she didnt yet know Juliette would soon be onstage holding her. I know what it takes to come out and do this, and Im very grateful, she added. Meryl then turned to the audience and thanked the festival (which she last attended 35 years ago, and where she won Best Actress for Evil Angels) and her agent and her makeup and hairstylist, then proceeded to debate the correct pronunciation of Cannes. Cannes, Cannes, Cannes. Americans, we say Cannes. We think its fancy to say Cannes. But thats wrong. Anyway, I dont know what I was saying. Same. Meryl concluded by likening the experience of watching her own career montage to looking out the window of a bullet train, watching my youth fly into my middle age right on to where I am, standing on the stage tonight. Three decades ago at her first Cannes, she explained, I was already a mother of three and I was about to turn 40, and I felt that my career was over. That was not an unrealistic expectation for actresses at that time. The only reason Im here tonight is because of the very gifted artists with whom Ive worked, including Madame La President. She pointed at Gerwig. Incidentally, that was my daughter she was beating up in Frances Ha in the first clip, she said, referring to Grace Gummer. Ill speak to you about that later. Meryl thanked the audience for not getting sick of my face, and she and Juliette hugged again then officially opened the festival while holding hands. They both immediately left to do a heist. Im beginning to think that Janet might be evil. I dont mean in a real evil way, but more in a fun, campy Ursula the Sea Witch kind of way. In fact, I couldnt picture anything else but our tentacled icon when she was on the phone with Zack and her two little hench-eels were in the closet with her flipping birds and silently tittering so that the other toxic gay in this shows orbit doesnt hear them. I think what Im spending too many words saying is that Janet is terrible, and we cant help but stan. But theres also something about her maneuver to keep Kristen, Luke, and Zack (who I would call an innocent bi-stander if he werent so damn LGBTQ+) off of what is clearly a cast trip feel a little bit like someone playing dress-up. Janet has been friends with the Pump Rules crew for a long time and is obviously a student of the show, as evidenced by her giving Jax a shirt depicting his near drowning in Big Bear five years ago when Scheanas boyfriend Rob had to rescue him and then put a television on the wall in seven minutes or less. It seems like she has been waiting to have this kind of power, knows the levers to pull, and is exercising her rights before she fully understands what shes doing. The episode starts, and everyone is still crying at Kristens James Mae T-shirt launch event. They are crying because of Kristens outfit, a knotted T-shirt on top of a sequined diaper that is covered by a floor-length diaphanous skirt. I have never seen anything uglier, and I have looked into so many Fire Island house drag bags and seen so many little dresses destroyed by mens big shoulders. Theyre not really crying about the outfit; theyre crying because Janet didnt invite Kristen or Zack to Big Bear for her babymoon. I totally get why Janet didnt invite Kristen after everything that shes done this whole season, but it seems like Janet is getting ahead of herself. Shes trying to ice out Kristen, who there wouldnt even be a show without. Shes telling Zack, Its not a friend trip, its my babymoon. No, sister. Production paid for this, you have to invite everyone. Thats the way it works. But somehow, Janet got her way. Do you think a producer lost their voice and now has legs because of it? Probably. But the scene where Janet calls Zack from her house with Simon and Jared in the background is hilariously unhinged. So is Janet having Simon text her from Kristens party so she knows what is going on. Jasmine called him Harriet the Spy, and that is the funniest thing I have seen on Bravo since a plane flew over James Kennedys house every time we visited it. Janet is evil, her gays are evil, and I am here for it. (This brings me back, once again, to why we cant have a reality show about messy gays. Get Zacks gaggle and Simon and Jareds gaggle to go to war. That shit will be better than Squid Game and will have twice as much Kacey Musgraves and ten times as many jockstraps.) When Zack calls, hes coming in hot and Janet says that hes being a little aggressive for someone who is looking for an invitation from her. She has a tiny bit of sway, and she is wielding it, honey. He knows he shouldnt have to ask her for an invite cause hes on the show, but she is going to make him beg for it. Then Janet tells him that her phone is about to die, so she hangs up with him. Thats such a great move. Im going to start answering my phone with that. Sorry, Im at one percent, so if the call drops, then , but the call doesnt drop; I just hang up because if youre calling and youre not my mother, my husband, a lost delivery driver, or the ghost of Ed McMahon with a $1 million giant check, I want nothing to do with you. Zack doesnt get to go; neither do Kristen and Luke, who have a marriage counselor over to their kennel. Guys, I have never seen two people more ill-matched in my entire life than these two, and I remember all of Britney Spearss marriages. Luke wants to live in Colorado, but Kristen does not; Luke likes to be uncomfortable, and Kristen has stock in Vuori; Luke hasnt told a lie since he said he doesnt own ten Caterpillar trucker hats, and Kristen wouldnt be able to find the truth with two hands and a flashlight. They should just break up, but, hey, The Valley is renewed for season two with the whole cast, so these crazy kids are going to try to make it work for TVs sake. Yes, that means both Jesse and Michelle will be back, even though they clearly hate each other and are already broken up. Jesse returns from his plant medicine journey wearing a slouchy knit cap. If you see a middle-aged man wearing one of those in public, it means hes going through something: unemployment, custody battle, addiction issues, Axe Body Spray withdrawals. You should avoid at all costs. Jesse opens up to Michelle about his trip, and the editors do a great job making his description as psychedelic as possible, with Jesse describing how he was fighting a demon and he thinks that he died, but it is really an ego death. Like gaslighting and weaponizing, he has no idea what ego death means, but he heard Machine Gun Kelly say it once, so it must be cool. Jesse is talking about how hes a changed person. I hate to tell you, bro, but that is just the comedown. That is the drugs. Youre still an asshole, and your wife is still yawning at you while you tell your tale of psychedelics. So everyone piles into some cars and drives to Big Bear on a Monday, which is something that people with normal jobs definitely do. When they arrive, Janet tells everyone that if they say Kristens name or talk shit, they have to put $20 in a jar, and whoever talks the least amount of shit gets the money at the end of the weekend. Janet then immediately starts talking shit about Kristen. Shes like Kramer with the Im out in that infamous episode of Seinfeld. The girls all go on a pontoon boat and talk about nothing except Zack and Kristen, and the guys go to the beach where they all strip down to their swimsuits except for Jax Taylor, who is so vain he doesnt want anyone playing Where are the abs? on his middle-aged torso. Everyone else is looking damn fine, though. Not as fine as Jason, who should have the drool emoji tattooed on his ass, but what were they expecting? Speaking of tattoos, I am dying to know what the bad tattoo on Jesses neck is. I bet its a Hootie and the Blowfish logo. As Jesse floats away on an inflatable raft, the guys all talk about how Kristen has been telling people that Michelle has been sexting with a guy for a year. Wait, I thought Kristen said that she heard it from Jax, who heard it from Brittany? Or did Brittany hear it from Jax, who heard it from Kristen? I dont know how this game of telephone works, but this is exactly how youre supposed to play reality TV, so good work from three of Lisa Vanderpumps darkest disciples. They decide that someone has to take Michelle aside and let her know what is being said. When the women arrive at the beach, Nia asks the women if they remember the self-defense training she gave them a couple episodes back and they start sparring a little bit, with Jesse and Michelle really going after each other. God, they hate each other. Their marriage is like a sandcastle at low tide. Its standing now, but give it a couple hours and that thing will be completely dissolved. The only other people who might hate each other more than Jesse and Michelle are Jax and Brittany. She gets a video from the nanny of Cruz crying at his swimming lesson, and Jax treats Brittany like shes playing a video of a pod of baby sea lions being chainsawed in half. Its your child, Jax, and hes crying. Arent you the least bit concerned? Then Brittany pukes from being carsick on the way back home and tells the women not to tell Jax because hell be a dick about it. Im sorry, but this is not a healthy relationship. (Did we ever think Jax would have a healthy relationship? Does James Kennedy shit in the woods after too many bumps of pasta?) I only tell you this because it will be important in the next episode, but the most important thing for the next episode happens at the end of this one. It is also the most shocking thing weve seen this hour, even more shocking than Jaxs naked money grab by wearing a #1 Guy in the Group sweatshirt on national television. (Sorry, but Im not clicking on that swag until you get a font as good as Send It to Darrell.) He tells Michelle that they need to have a little chat about what Kristen has been saying about her. He takes her on the deck and says that Kristen told everyone that Michelle has been texting some guy dirty pictures for about a year. We all know Kristen, and we all know that her relationship with the truth is as tentative and hedging as Lindsay Lohans comeback. Were waiting for Michelle to say that Kristen is absurd, that shes making things up, that she has the story all wrong. But then Michelle says, Shes right. I have texted multiple people. Gagged. Gooped. Galumphed. Other made-up words starting with G. I dont know whats crazier, that Michelle admitted this on television or that Kristen was actually somehow right about something. No one can believe it, not me, not Jax, not the needles on the pine trees of Big Bear, not the gnats cavorting in the lake, not the pontoon boats or the bait shops, not Scheanas ex, Rob, or his giant television. No one, and now we have to wait for next week to find out how many janky tears Jesse will shed when he hears this. Hurt people hurt people. If youre a fan of the film Hustlers, an Oprah Winfrey acolyte, or a student of self-help books, you may have heard this phrase before. Its pretty self-explanatory: People who have unresolved psychic pain from relationships with others tend to send that negativity outward. We all do this to varying degrees. On bad days, you might get snippy with a friend or significant other, or you might be short with a person in the service industry. Or, sometimes, the exorcism of demons comes in a totally different package. The sixth episode of Under the Bridge, titled In Water They Sink As the Same, is very interested in the ripple effects of unresolved psychic pain. It opens with a way-back flashback to 1982. We peek in on Cam, Rebecca, and Gabe on the day he died. Even though shes Gabes younger sister, Rebecca is relentlessly nasty to Gabe. In the few short moments that we know him, Gabe is painted as a sensitive kid whos something of an outcast in his own peer group. Cam probably also an outcast due to her Native heritage and the fact that her dad is the chief of police (and a total ass-bag) is his buddy, though. As Rebecca puts some cookies in the oven, Cam and Gabe arrive at the house. Theyre getting ready to go to a dance, but Gabe isnt so sure he wants to go. Rebecca is much more concerned about spending some time alone behind closed doors with her crush, Cam, than she is about her fragile brother, and so she whisks Cam away to try on one of her dresses. Unless shes got a closetful of magical-Traveling-Pants-like garments, I dont think any of her stuff is going to fit Cam there are two years and about four inches of difference between them but hey, its an excuse to get naked in front of each other. But Gabe keeps trying to come in. He needs help with his tie and he wants support from his friend. Rebecca shouts at him, calling him a loser, and he leaves the house. Minutes later, a helicopter flies over, and two small boys come to the door. He fell, they say. The addition of the cookie timer to this sequence is kind of absurd cookies only take about 15 minutes to bake but it serves to underscore how everything can change in a matter of minutes. Rebecca lashed out at Gabe, causing a chain of events that led to his untimely death. Whether or not Gabes drowning was intentional or not is left ambiguous, possibly because Rebecca blames herself for the incident either way. Was it her fault? Technically, no. But she feels responsible all the same. So, when she starts to bond with Warren, she doesnt want to let him go. When they wake up on the floor of the Crip lair, she encourages him to come with her, scooping him up like a lost puppy. She takes him home, feeds him breakfast, and makes him into a mini-Gabe, complete with the suit he was trying on the day that he died. Throughout this process, Warren gets comfortable enough with Rebecca to share the rest of his story. Well, some of it. He tells her that he was there when Kelly drowned Reena and that he did kick her once. Rebecca wants to believe, and she wants to save this kids life as repentance for killing Gabe. The two share the mutual feeling of taking rage out on people who dont deserve it only in Rebeccas case, she hurled insults at her older brother, and in Warrens case, he helped Kelly murder a girl he didnt even know. Aside from exorcising some pent-up rage, Warrens motive is unclear, but the fact that his life is in chaos has been firmly established. His parents have both abandoned him, and the only person he has in his life is his girlfriend, Samara. Rebecca can see this, and she can also see that Warrens lack of adult support might just allow Kelly Ellard to get away with murder. She calls Cam and begs her to listen, invoking what seems to be general knowledge that Cams dad is a grade-A asshole, saying, Your dad is not going to do it the right way, Cam. Hes going to go for the easy target. Warren has nothing. If you arrest Warren, Kellys going to get away with this. And, honestly, Kelly definitely thinks that shes going to get away with it. She makes her mom bring her and Jo and Dusty to the grocery store to get snacks for after the dance (a.k.a. food for the trip to Mexico, a.k.a. poison to kill Dusty), and she flies through the aisles like a carefree bat out of hell. They bump into Suman and her son, and Kelly tries to put on a show for them. She expresses her regret at Reenas death and says she wishes she could have stopped it. Suman already knows that Kelly was part of the beating, so Kelly should have really just cut the shit and kept her mouth shut. But Kelly cant help herself; she somehow thinks shes invincible. Somehow, Kelly and Jo convince themselves that as long as they kill Dusty, theyll be in the clear. Theyre completely forgetting about, um, all the other kids involved in the beating? And all the kids who have heard the gossip that Kelly seems so eager to spread? What about them, geniuses? Yet theyre only focused on Dusty. They catch a break when a regretful Dusty shows up to take pictures at Kellys house and shes already drunk. As far as Dusty knows, the girls are going to pretend to go to the dance and just drive south with a trunk full o snacks instead. Jo and Kelly have other plans. What follows is a tense sequence in which Jos gangsta ethic is pushed to its limit. She encourages Dusty to drink out of the bottle with the poison in it, but then Dustys body does her a solid by immediately throwing it up. Undeterred, Jo brings them to the train tracks. This scene is absolutely brutal. In a hypervicious example of bullying culture, Jo and Kelly rally around their distraught and intoxicated friend, urging her to kill herself. They tell her how terrible her life is, how she would be better just ending it, and how easy it would be. Dusty takes the bait and walks into the path of an oncoming train, but at the very last minute, Jo cant stand by and let it happen. As the train barrels down on them, she yanks Dusty off the tracks, and Kelly glares at her with the fire of a thousand suns. Kelly killed for Jo, but Jo wouldnt (or couldnt) kill for Kelly. It turns out that Dusty should have been the least of Kellys worries. As Cam and her dad canvass the school dance, they find Samara. At this point, the dad only has eyes for Warren. (Rebecca was right!) But as Samara starts to talk, it becomes chillingly clear that both Kelly and Warren took part in Reenas murder. She shares that Kelly made Reena take off her Steve Madden boots and that Warren helped Kelly drag Reenas body into the water. Despite being terrified, Samara is compliant throughout this process, and she seems to even surprise herself when she remembers the true implications of what Warren told her. Again, why Warren by all accounts a sweet, polite kid would take part in such horror is beyond the scope of comprehension. It feels like he doesnt even understand it himself. But hes ready to take responsibility for his actions. He heads down to the dance, knowing that hes going to get arrested, but he shares a moment with Samara before Cam closes in on him. He apologizes to her, and they get to embrace one final time. Its a singular moment of love in an episode thats otherwise devoted to people callously throwing one another under the bus to ensure their own success in the investigation. And its heartbreaking to watch. Warren is loaded into the cop car, and the red and blue lights bathe his unmoving face as they take him away. The needle drop here is apt and haunting. As the car drives past the bridge, Elliot Smiths Between the Bars begins playing, his whisper-soft voice entreating the listener to consider the potential youll see, that youll never be. Just as Rebecca predicted, this impulsive mistake is set to ruin Warrens life forever. The focus lingers on Warren just long enough for us to wonder when Kelly is going to be arrested. Unlike Warrens devastating arrest, the Schadenfreude part of my brain was very much looking forward to watching her get taken away in handcuffs. Finally, she does. As they drive back from the train tracks, Kelly and Jo get stopped by the police and taken into custody, screaming and crying. The cops find Dusty, too. All of these lives, gone in an instant. The kicker? Reenas boots are found in Kellys closet, with her parents looking on in horror. Random Thoughts Titled In Water They Sink As the Same, this episode also focuses on the idea of revenge. The quote is taken from the South Korean film Oldboy, and the full quote is, Be it a rock or a grain of sand, in water they sink as the same. Any act of vengeance can bring a person down, it doesnt matter what the motive is. The road to Reenas murder was paved with an act of revenge. That revenge led to more revenge, which led to murder. So, when Suman deduces that Kelly did, indeed, kill her daughter, she and Raj head out to exact revenge. Yet, when they realize that theyre just perpetuating the cycle, they resign themselves to grief and head home. Suman and Raj probably just would have caught up with Susan at the Ellards house anyway. I hate Susan. She hasnt been onscreen much, but I hate her for enabling her sociopath daughters behavior and for being so terrible to the Virks. She literally ushers the girls away from Suman at the store! Does she know Kelly did it? Methinks yes. That perv comment that Rebecca makes to Gabe when hes trying to come in her room while Cam is changing is eerily similar to the comment Jo made when Manjit was hanging out with the girls at the ill-fated dinner. Mean Girl recognize Mean Girl. Book Club Corner: Samaras real-life counterpart didnt get a chance to say good-bye to Warren before he was arrested. She tried, but her friends father prevented her from running to the cop car as they were taking him away. This episode tries to rectify that by rewriting history a bit, allowing the two young lovers a sweet, suspended moment in time before everything descends into chaos. KHOJALY, Azerbaijan, May 15. Khojaly city hosted a ceremony commemorating the withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping contingent from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. The event was attended by high-ranking military personnel from the defense ministries of Azerbaijan and Russia, peacekeeping contingent, representatives of the Russian Embassy in Azerbaijan, military personnel, and media representatives. After viewing a photo exhibition showcasing the activities of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the Karabakh Economic Zone, the guests were invited to the honorary podium, and the program of the ceremony was announced. The event began with a minute of silence in honor of the fallen servicemen. Accompanied by a military orchestra, the national anthems of the two countries were performed. The Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijani Army, Lieutenant General Karim Valiyev, briefed on the activities of the contingent temporarily stationed in Karabakh, in accordance with the statement signed between the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia on November 10, 2020. He expressed gratitude to all members of the peacekeeping contingent, which, having prematurely completed its mission, is being withdrawn from the country in accordance with the agreement reached between the heads of state of Azerbaijan and Russia, for their contributions to peace and stability, and wished them success in their future endeavors. Then, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Evgeny Nikiforov delivered a speech. Following the speeches, military personnel, who were awarded medals by the defense ministers of Azerbaijan and Russia, were presented with their medals, and there was an exchange of gifts between the official guests. The event concluded with a concert program featuring creative groups from the defense ministries of Azerbaijan and Russia. To note, the Russian peacekeeping contingent was deployed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in accordance with the third point of the joint statement of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia and the Prime Minister of Armenia dated November 10, 2020. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev shared a post on his official X account vehemently condemning the attempted assassination of Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico, Trend reports. The attempted assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico has deeply shocked me. I strongly condemn this attack. We stand with Prime Minister Robert Fico, his family, and the people of Slovakia. I wish him a swift recovery, the post said. By Jonathan McCambridge, PA Claims made during a tribunal hearing that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) carried out surveillance of the phone data of journalists is undermining confidence in policing, two human rights organisations have said. Amnesty International and the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) have written to the Northern Ireland Policing Board, the oversight body of the PSNI, making a fresh call for an inquiry into the claims. A hearing of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) in London last week heard claims that 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. It came during a hearing of a case examining allegations that investigative reporters Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney were subject to unlawful covert intelligence by the police. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher is to hold a private meeting with the boards leadership on Wednesday. The letter from the two organisations said the IPT case has now revealed that covert surveillance has been deployed against journalists on multiple occasions over the period of at least a decade. It continues: It now appears that there was routine surveillance of the phone data of journalists, and possible surveillance of the spouse of one journalist as well as their lawyer. Further, we understand that the limited disclosure of information to date by the Chief Constable to the Policing Board points to multiple instances of covert surveillance by the PSNI of journalists and lawyers. Public disquiet at the intrusive, covert and possibly unlawful use of surveillance powers by the PSNI is considerable. The partial and drip feed disclosure of relevant information by the PSNI, both to the IPT and to the Policing Board is further undermining public confidence in policing here. The two organisations urge the board to establish an inquiry under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher is to meet with the Policing Board leadership on Wednesday. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. Following last weeks tribunal claims, the Policing Board said an urgent meeting had been sought with Mr Boutcher. Board chairman Mukesh Sharma and vice chairman Brendan Mullan said they wanted to seek further clarification and assurance around whether surveillance powers have been used lawfully, proportionately and appropriately in the past. Mr Boutcher said the PSNI would co-operate fully with the IPT hearing but said he wanted to wait until that process concludes before speculating about what might or might not have happened in the past. The removal of a sign outside Dunmore East promoting Eddie Punchs European election candidacy has been described by the Independent Ireland candidate as very disappointing. Mr Punch, the former General Secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA), took to his Twitter/X feed on Wednesday morning and stated: My election billboard on Waterfords Dunmore Road. Lasted a few hours and thendisappeared. Somebody must be getting worried Im gonna get elected. I realise that other candidates may well have the same experience as myself between now and June 7, but I would appeal to whoever has removed and dumped election signage over the past week to think twice before doing so again, added Mr Punch in his post. He went on to state: For all candidates, especially in a vast 10-county constituency like Ireland South, signage plays an important role in establishing recognition with voters, all the more so when youre a first-time candidate like I am. Logistical considerations and time management make posters essential for a European election campaign and I have been as strategic as I can in placing my signage, adhering to regulations and the permission of landowners where applicable, as was the case when it came to the swiped sign near Dunmore East. European election candidate Eddie Punch Highlighting his election slogan, theres more to Ireland than Dublin, which is features on his posters, Mr Punch said its a message that will resonate deeply with the people of Waterford, who have been disregarded by the political establishment for far too long. I passionately believe that our country needs to be successful in every county and that balanced regional development is more critical now than ever, he stated. For example, instead of Dublin Airport further expanding, I would like to see a counterbalance created by increasing traffic into and out of Shannon, Cork and Farranfore Airports, he added. With regard to Waterford Airport, he posted: Repeated calls to restore Waterford Airport as a regional gateway for commercial flights, a campaign which has been waged locally for almost 20 years, should also be fully supported. Waterford and the South East deserves better. Tom Tuite A 19-year-old trainee electrician accused of criminal damage and arson of a Luas tram and rioting during a large-scale public order incident on Dublin's O'Connell Street last November has been released on bail. Evan Moore was charged with three offences in connection with the unrest on November 23rd and appeared before Monika Leech at Dublin District Court on Wednesday. He is the latest person accused of committing serious criminal acts during a series of incidents that broke out in reaction to the stabbing of three children at Parnell Square. Detective Garda Aisling Gralton told Judge Leech that she arrested the teenager at 7.10am on Tuesday in relation to offences allegedly committed on November 23rd. She said she brought him to Store Street station, where he "made no reply to each charge after caution and was handed true copies of each charge". The offences are under the Criminal Damage and Public Order Acts. Mr Moore, of Grangemore Road, Donaghmede, Dublin 13, did not address the court and is yet to indicate a plea. Judge Leech granted bail with a numberer of conditions, to which Mr Moore, represented by solicitor Paddy McGarry, did not object. Judge Leech noted that gardai must obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions, and ordered the teenager to appear in court again on July 30th. She set his bond at 200 and warned him that the bail terms stated he must be contactable 24/7, sign on every Saturday at Raheny Garda station and "be of good behaviour and not come to adverse Garda attention". Legal aid was granted after Mr McGarry informed the court his client was an apprentice electrician earning 400 a week. Gardai have already brought dozens of people before the courts on charges connected to the rioting in Dublin city centre last year, including for alleged criminal damage, burglary and public order offences. The unrest in the city erupted after a number of children and a woman were injured in a stabbing incident at Parnell Square on the afternoon of November 23rd. Riad Bouchaker (50, of no fixed abode, was charged on December 21st with the attempted murders of two girls and a boy, as well as assault and production of a 36-centimetre knife. He remains in custody on remand pending trial. A former board director of failed superannuation fintech venture Sargon said he was assured the companys founder, Phillip Kingston, could find $31 million to complete its purchase of a trustee service business even after a critical capital raising was deemed dead. Stephen Conroy, a former minister in the Rudd and Gillard Labor governments and a one-time Sargon director, and Fiona Borelli, the former company secretary, gave evidence about the ventures finances in the Federal Court on Tuesday morning. The Federal Court is examining the finances of Sargon, founded by Phillip Kingston (pictured in 2019). Credit: Arsineh Houspian Kingston was bankrupted in December over a $154 million debt to financier China Insurance Group Finance Company, a lending arm of state-backed China Taiping. The matter is back before the Federal Court as liquidators question witnesses about Sargons finances, including allegations of potentially trading while insolvent. Conroy, who joined Sargon in April 2019, was questioned about his knowledge of the companys acquisition of Diversa, a trustee service business. The court heard that in October 2019, Kingston emailed Conroy and other board members about the best-, worst- and middle-case scenarios to raise capital from stockbroker Wilsons for the Diversa transaction the following month. A senior royal from the United Arab Emirates and a leading international curator in her own right will direct the next Biennale of Sydney. The youngest daughter of the Emir of Sharjah, London-educated Hoor Al Qasimi is the first Arab curator to be appointed to the role, and only the eighth woman to oversee Australias largest arts festival, established in 1973. Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, the next artistic director of the Biennale of Sydney. Credit: Louise Kennerley Technically, Im not a princess, she says dispensing with the first of many misconceptions around her curatorial skills, wealth, and status. Sorry to disappoint. The Emirates are a sheikhdom, not a kingdom. A long-running legal brawl between strip club owner Maxine Fensom the Melbourne sex industry stalwart most famous for her Maxines strip club in Brunswick and bitterly estranged former business partner Geoffrey Williams has had the Federal Court transfixed for years. Fensom sued Williams, alleging his industry awards night, the Adult Industry Choice Awards, was passing itself off as the original night of nights, the Australian Adult Industry Awards just like the Logie Awards, only very different which remains under her control. Fensom says the acronym AAIA is trademarked and alleges Williams was engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct. After several false starts and changes of legal counsel by Fensom, the whole thing was thrown out of court this month after she failed on three occasions to comply with court orders to file evidence that would allow the case to be heard next month. Justice Helen Rofe made clear in her judgment dismissing the case that she was not impressed by the conduct of the matter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan Anar Guliyev received a delegation from Belarus headed by Minister of Architecture and Construction Ruslan Parkhamovich on May 14, 2024, Trend reports. Welcoming the guests, Anar Guliyev expressed his satisfaction with the close cooperation and exchange of experience between institutions in the fields of city planning, architecture, and construction. These collaborations have been fostered over the past years due to the Memorandum of Intent to intensify cooperation between the Ministry of Architecture and Construction of the Republic of Belarus and the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani chair also provided detailed information about the reforms implemented by President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan in urban development, particularly the large-scale construction projects in the territories liberated from occupation under the I State Program on the Great Return to the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. Expressing gratitude for the information provided, Ruslan Parkhamovich shared updates on the reforms and innovations in the construction sector in Belarus in recent years. He also discussed the potential for strengthening bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus in various spheres. During the meeting, the sides actively discussed opportunities to expand cooperation and relations in urban planning, public administration, settlement design, and the construction of facilities in both countries. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Tenants receiving the to-be-expanded Commonwealth Rent Assistance payment will have scant options when looking for affordable properties, even after the payment goes up later this year. The expanded payment will mean its recipients will be able to afford rent for a typical home in just two suburbs around the country, but only if they spend 40 per cent of their income on rent. The two towns Cobar, 700 kilometres from Sydney, and Millicent, 400 kilometres from Adelaide have median asking rents for units of $200 a week, on Domain data. They are the two cheapest analysed suburbs for renters in the country. The federal government on Tuesday announced it would increase rent assistance by 10 per cent, as a cost-of-living relief measure in its 2024-25 budget. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Media representatives visited the small hydroelectric power plant (SHPP) "Zabukh" of Azerenerji OJSC within the framework of a media tour, which was inaugurated a few days ago in the Lachin district with the participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. Representatives of the mass media were informed about Zabukh SHPP. Deputy Head of the Technical Production Department of Azerenerji Mukhtar Mahmudov noted that 89 million kilowatt-hours of "green" energy will be produced at Zabukh SHPP with a capacity of 2.8 MW per year. "The right Hakari River tributary Zabukh river hosts the power plant. This electricity is used for Lachin district energy usage. The country's energy grid will receive the rest. To link the facility into the energy system, additional substations and a 35 kV power transmission line were installed. The station joined the country's energy system's centralized SCADA system with a new optical cable line. Besides digital connection and disconnection, intelligent control, operational monitoring, and analysis, Baku supplied station administration. Given that the Zabukh river originates in the highlands and forms entirely in Azerbaijan, this station can be productive even in low-water seasons," he said. The Azerenerji OJSC representative also shared information regarding the Zabukh River hydroelectric power project known as Garygishlag. "The potential of electricity production here is 1112 million kilowatt-hours. The generated electricity is transmitted to the energy system of the country. It is also consumed for the internal needs of the Lachin district. Ecoturbines are installed at both power plants, which regulate the norm of ecological flow in the river, and, in general, create conditions for maintaining 1.4 times more ecological flow. And if the river level drops, the ecoturbine automatically stops. Furthermore, due to the construction of new fish passages, as well as silt collection plants, the impact of these stations on the ecology is minimized," Mahmudov said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The WCO is pleased to launch newly translated editions of the Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT), now available in Arabic, Portuguese, and Spanish. Initially launched in 2014, this self-assessment tool aims to assist Customs and Revenue Administrations in assessing their policies and practices internally (related to, for instance, human resource management) and externally (in their border operations and stakeholder relations) to identify how gender equality and diversity can be further enhanced on a cross-cutting basis within their administrations. The 2023 updates, a significant milestone in our commitment to gender equality and diversity, were completed under the West Africa Security Project (WASP) framework. This collaboration between the WCO and the Central German Customs Authority, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, has enriched the GEOAT with new indicators on communication, integrity, cross-cutting policies, recruitment and hiring, and health benefits. A new standalone chapter on security and safety has been added, covering indicators on risk profiling, collaboration with other border agencies and conduct and safety of employees. A new template has also been added, aimed at helping Members conduct an assessment with the help of the GEOAT indicators and prepare the elaboration of a dedicated GED action plan as a result of the findings. The translation into Arabic, Portuguese, and Spanish of the 2023 edition of the GEOAT was made possible through the generous funding from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) via the WCO Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme. The WCO strongly encourages the use of the newly launched translations of the tool, as it will enable more Members to make assessments of their Administrations. For questions regarding the update of the GEOAT, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org A National Workshop on cross-border e-commerce for Thai Customs was delivered from 7 to 9 May 2024 at the Regional Training Centre of the World Customs Organization (WCO) in Bangkok. The workshop that gathered 20 Thai Customs officers was organized with the financial support of the Customs Cooperation Fund of Japan (CCF Japan). The objective of this capacity-building event was to raise awareness of the WCO Framework of Standards on Cross-Border E-Commerce (E-Commerce FoS) with a focus on practical aspect of implementation. This contributed to the overarching goal of enhancing Thai Customs capabilities to ensure fast clearance of the growing volumes of small, low-value shipments ordered online, while handling safety risks and managing efficient revenue collection. Following a scene-setting presentation by Thai Customs, the Workshop facilitators provided detailed explanations on the main e-commerce business models, the various stakeholders roles and responsibilities, as well as the WCO standards on advance electronic data and risk management, facilitation and simplification, and fair and efficient revenue collection. In addition to exploring the guidance provided by the E-Commerce FoS and the tools supporting its implementation, the various workshop sessions delved into the WCO Immediate Release Guidelines and Risk Management Compendium. Challenges in revenue collection and risk management for express consignments were discussed in break-out groups, yielding actionable ideas for the way forward. At the end of the Workshop, participants emphasized the importance of establishing cooperative relationships with key e-commerce stakeholders and other government agencies to obtain electronic data and utilize it for conducting effective risk management of e-commerce shipments. AGHDAM, Azerbaijan, May 15. Fires in the liberated territories pose the greatest danger as these territories have not yet been completely cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance, Deputy Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Aghdam, Fuzuli and Khojavand districts Bashir Hajiyev said, Trend reports. He made the statement during the regional meeting in Aghdam on improving the effectiveness of preventive measures. "In this regard, fires in liberated lands can have great consequences and may even be accompanied by explosions. This is the reason why preventing fires in these areas becomes difficult. Citizens should be more vigilant and inform the relevant authorities in case of fire. Each of us should realize our responsibility in this matter," Hajiyev said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, May 15. Media representatives visited the Turshsu settlement of Shusha district, the foundation stone of which was laid by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev a few days ago, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. Media representatives were provided with information about the settlement. Project manager Elnur Abdullayev stated that 50 families - 202 people will be resettled in the settlement at the initial stage. Turshsu settlement, which is part of the administrative territory of Shusha district, is located at an altitude of 1938 meters above sea level, on the 16th km of Shusha-Lachin road. The construction of 353 houses is envisaged on the territory of the settlement. The construction of a house for 50 families (202 people) will be completed by the end of October, and its occupancy is scheduled for the beginning of November. The issues regarding the number of rooms according to the number of families and their composition have been resolved. At the initial stage, the construction of 3 two-room houses, 29 three-room houses, 12 four-room houses, and 6 five-room houses is envisaged on the territory of the settlement," he noted. Will be updated BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. The latest data indicates that 2.6 billion people remain without internet access, Regional Director of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) office, Natalia Mochu said at the international GSMA M360 Eurasia 2024 conference, Trend reports. "We often hear about the promising future of the digital economy. Our Secretary General highlighted at the Mobile World Congress that the digital economy has outpaced physical GDP growth by 2.5 times over the past decade," she emphasized. The regional director noted that the telecom industry is closely monitoring the opportunities presented by the digital economy. "We're particularly attentive to transformative technologies like 5G, the space economy, and the anticipated benefits and expansion of these sectors within the global GDP," she added. To note, the GSMA M360 Eurasia 2024 international conference is taking place in Baku, spanning from May 15 through May 16. This event gathers leading experts, regulators, heads of mobile operators, IT corporations, high-ranking politicians, and other participants. Baku is hosting the M360 Eurasia conference for the second time. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. There are extensive cooperation ties between Belarus and Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan exports high-quality fruits and vegetables, as well as olive oil, to Belarus, and these products are welcomed by the population, Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Igor Petrishenko said, Trend reports. He made the statement during the opening ceremony of the 17th Azerbaijan International Agricultural Exhibition, "Caspian Agro" and the 29th Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition, "InterFood Azerbaijan". He noted that 42 companies representing all sectors of agriculture in Belarus are taking part in the exhibition. "These are companies producing crop, livestock, veterinary, and agricultural machinery. Belarus exports tractors widely used in agriculture to Azerbaijan. About 70 percent of the tractors used by Azerbaijan in agriculture are Belarusian-made. Belarus exports meat and meat products, milk, and dairy products to Azerbaijan. There are six Belarusian-branded stores in Baku. Meat and dairy products sold in these stores are gladly bought by residents. We have reached an agreement with the relevant structures of Azerbaijan to open Belarusian stores in the regions of Azerbaijan soon," the deputy minister said, emphasizing that he would come to Baku once again to participate in the opening of new stores. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel By Jonathan McCambridge, PA A call for the British government to allow independent access to all documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in 1974 will not go away, the Tanaiste has said. Micheal Martin told the Dail that the loss and pain suffered in the atrocities 50 years ago has been compounded by the frustration and hurt of unanswered questions. On May 17th, 1974, three no-warning bombs went off across Dublin city centre and one exploded in Monaghan town. Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin (Brian Lawless/PA) No-one has ever been convicted over the bombings but the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) admitted responsibility in 1993. An official memorial in Dublin honours the 35 victims of the bombings, which included two unborn babies. It remains the greatest loss of life on any single day of the Troubles. The Government supported an all-party motion on Tuesday which called on it to press the British government to provide access to relevant material. Mr Martin told TDs that on three previous occasions, in 2008, 2011 and 2016, the Dail had urged the British government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to these atrocities. He added: Today, we have the opportunity to repeat that call with one voice. This is a demand I have personally made to the British government in various roles throughout my career in public service, and which I continue to make now in my role as Tanaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr Martin said he had also raised the issue with Northern Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris. He added: This British government can have no doubt of the strength of feelings in this House and, more importantly, the salience of the issue for so many families. That, half a century on from the atrocities of 17th May 1974, 21 years after the Barron Inquiry, and 17 years after the final McEntee report, we are still asking for co-operation is a matter of profound regret and disappointment. I know from my own engagement with many of those affected that the loss and pain suffered on 17th May 1974 has been compounded by the frustration and hurt of unanswered questions. The motion passed today will be sent to the British parliament. I hope that lawmakers there take to heart the message that the demand for access to these documents by an independent figure is not going away. Our shared determination to pursue this issue, as a Government and as an Oireachtas, is undiminished. By Jonathan McCambridge, PA A livestream portal between Dublin and New York is to be temporarily switched off as efforts continue to find solutions to address inappropriate behaviour in front of the installation. Dublin City Council said a preferred solution involving blurring proved to be unsatisfactory and added that the portal would be switched off at 10pm on Tuesday. The council said a small minority of people have engaged in inappropriate behaviour which has been amplified on social media. Thousands of people have visited the two-way livestream portal, which gives a real-time view of New York. The 24/7 portal is in north Dublin, facing OConnell Street, while the American installation is at the busy Manhattan junction of Broadway, Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street. A portal was temporarily closed in Dublin earlier this week as changes in how the visual link operates were introduced. A new city council statement on Tuesday night said: The team behind the portal art sculpture, Portals.org, has been investigating possible technical solutions to inappropriate behaviour by a small minority of people in front of the portal. Unfortunately the preferred solution, which would have involved blurring, was not satisfactory. Thousands of people have visited the two-way livestream portal (Niall Carson/PA) As a result the portal will be switched off at 10pm tonight and the team at Portals.org have told us they expect it will be switched back on later this week. We are delighted by how many people have been enjoying the portal since it was launched last week. It has become a global phenomenon and it is important to note that the overwhelming majority of people interacting with the Dublin portal have behaved appropriately. Videos on social media have shown some on the Irish side flashing body parts, displaying swear words on phone screens and showing images of the Twin Towers on 9/11. Another woman was escorted away by gardai after she was seen grinding against the portal. High Court reporters A man whose wife died by suicide and whose seven-month-old baby son died has told a High Court judge that the mental health system in Ireland is broken. Darren Coleman was speaking in the High Court as he settled an action over the care received by his 34-year-old wife, Nicola Keane, who had post-natal depression and psychosis after the birth of their baby boy, Henry. Nicolas body was discovered at Lower Rd Strawberry Beds in West Dublin on October 22nd, 2020, at 3.45am. When gardai called to her home in Lucan, Co Dublin, to inform her husband of her death, Darren Coleman, who had been asleep, found his son Henry lifeless in the back bedroom. Counsel Bruce Antoniotti SC, instructed by Rachael Liston solicitor, said the facts were both harrowing and distressing, adding that Mr Coleman has been living a nightmare since October 2020. Darren Coleman with his wife Nicola Keane. Photo: Collins Counsel said on October 21st, 2020, Ms Keane, who was a paediatric nurse, had offered to go to the spare room with Baby Henry, who had become unsettled late at night. Counsel said before Ms Keane left the house, she administered a lethal level of medication to the baby. Mr Coleman, from Lucan, Dublin, sued Childrens Health Ireland and the HSE over the circumstances leading to the death of his wife and the aftermath. It was claimed the mother and baby were owed a duty of care in and about the investigation, diagnosis, management, treatment and care of the mothers severe mental illness and the identification of the risk of the mother committing infanticide and the risk of suicide. Childrens Health Ireland denied all claims, but the HSE admitted a breach of duty by failing to appreciate that Ms Keane had suffered from psychotic depression, failing to communicate this to her husband, and failing to ensure she received patient treatment before October 13th, 2020. Mental health is not a priority in this country. An apology on behalf of the Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow Mental Health Services was read to the court. Mr Coleman, who settled his action after mediation, told the judge : "I am Henry Coleman's father and Nicola Keanes husband. I'm a widower and a father of a deceased seven-month-old baby boy. "Nicola had post-partum psychosis after our son Henry's birth. She never hid her illness from her medical team. She repeatedly told them she wasn't getting better and spoke about the concerning thoughts she had." He described his son as beautiful and inquisitive, and said people complimented that he was gorgeous. He told Mr Justice Coffey: "The mental health system in Ireland is broken. Mental health is not a priority in this country. "Investment in mental health is a necessity. People with mental health issues don't receive the same level of care as those who have a physical condition." He also told those involved in his wifes care not to blame themselves. "I'm not here to blame any individual involved in Nicola and Henry's care in the HSE. You are not to blame yourselves," he said. Counsel told the court that in August 2020, when Mr Coleman informed the care team that he was going back to work, he was told everything was fine and his wifes post-natal depression had improved. Counsel said Mr Coleman completely trusted his care team, but between September and October 2020, Ms Keanes medication was increased twice as her mental state deteriorated. Counsel said if Mr Coleman had been told of his wifes condition he would not have gone back to work. "She was deteriorating unbeknownst to her husband," Counsel said. Noting the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was a tragic and distressing case, and extended his deepest sympathy to Mr Coleman and the extended families. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can freephone the Samaritans 24 hours a day for confidential support at 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. Alternatively, the contact information for a range of mental health supports is available at mentalhealthireland.ie/get-support. In the case of an emergency, or if you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or self-harm, dial 999/112. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Azerbaijan holds a strategic geographical position for implementing land transit projects spanning North-South and West-East directions, Director General of the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC) Alexei Borodin said at the GSMA 360 Eurasia 2024 conference in Baku, Trend reports. He emphasized the significance of the project to lay fiber-optic cable along the Caspian Sea bed, highlighting its potential contribution to the region's development and benefiting countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. "Azerbaijan currently holds prominent positions in numerous global rankings. The country's communication infrastructure is rapidly evolving. Azerbaijan is represented in the Council of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU); the country also has a representative in the Radio Regulations Committee of the ITU," Borodin added. According to him, the primary focus currently lies in the advancement of artificial intelligence technologies. Borodin also addressed the proliferation of global satellite internet and its importance in the development of CIS countries. To note, the GSMA M360 Eurasia 2024 international conference is taking place in Baku, spanning from May 15 through May 16. This event gathers leading experts, regulators, heads of mobile operators, IT corporations, high-ranking politicians, and other participants. Baku is hosting the M360 Eurasia conference for the second time. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Cillian Sherlock, PA Ireland will recognise Palestinian statehood by the end of the month, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said. Ireland and Spain have been in discussions with other European countries about making a joint recognition of the state of Palestine. While May 21st had been floated as a potential date, Mr Martin said the specific day remains fluid. Speaking on Wednesday, he said: We will be recognising the state of Palestine before the end of the month. The specific date is still fluid because were still in discussions with some countries in respect of a joint recognition of a Palestinian state. It will become clear in the next few days as to the specific date, but it certainly will be before the end of this month and I will look forward to consultations today with some foreign ministers in respect of the final specific detail of this. Speaking on Newstalk radio, he added: Were doing it in the context of the Arab Peace Initiative to track towards a two-state solution and to extend the signal to the Palestinian population at large that we support their right to self-determination and the idea of a two-state solution as the ultimate, only way that Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side in peace. Asked if he supported a call to fly the Palestinian flag over the Dail, Mr Martin said: What is important here is we focus on the substantive issues of an immediate ceasefire. It is quite shocking that Israel is moving into Rafah and there is now a military operation under way in Rafah. The suffering is immense. The death and destruction is immense, and people want it to stop and the international community want it to stop. A call to fly the flag over the parliament building in Dublin for Nakba Day was rejected by the Ceann Comhairle. The Nakba refers to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the war surrounding the creation of Israel in 1948. Michael Bolton A man has been arrested and charged after a woman was seriously assaulted in Dublin on Friday. The incident happened outside a residence in the Waterville area of Dublin 15. A woman in her 40s was taken to Connolly Hospital, where her condition has been described as stable. A man in his 30s was arrested as part of the investigation. He was detained at a Garda station in the Dublin Region under provisions of section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, and has since been charged. He is due to appear before Blanchardstown District Court on Wednesday. By Jonathan McCambridge, PA Minutes from a fractious meeting of the Stormont Executive in 2020 show then first minister Arlene Foster saying she cant stand on the same platform as Michelle ONeill after the Sinn Fein ministers attendance at the funeral of Bobby Storey. The minutes show Ms ONeill defending her attendance at the funeral, claiming there was no dilution of the public health message at the height of the pandemic. The handwritten notes relate to a meeting of the Executive on July 2nd, 2020, which was the first gathering of ministers after the funeral. Michelle ONeill apologised for her attendance at the Bobby Storey funeral (Liam McBurney/PA) The event sparked political controversy after then deputy first minister Ms ONeill and other Sinn Fein ministers attended, despite lockdown restrictions limiting gatherings. She apologised for her attendance during her appearance at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on Tuesday. The inquiry had originally been told the notes from the Executive meeting were not held. However, last week the inquiry was informed by the Executive Office (TEO) that the notes had been located, and an extract has been uploaded on the inquirys website. The minutes record Ms ONeill referring to the Storey funeral and saying she acted within regulations. The handwritten notes of her remarks continue: Invited by family, honoured to do so Huge figure, knew thousands wd (would) wish to attend. The minutes show Arlene Foster saying the controversy over the Storey funeral had caused huge damage (Liam McBurney/PA) The minutes record Ms ONeill saying there were 30 people in the funeral cortege and adding: Stewards lined route to prevent people joining cortege. The note of Ms ONeills comments to the meeting continued: No dilution in my mind of public message. Not out of woods yet. Throughout crisis, have led from front, will continue. No offence intended. According to the minutes, former infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon of the SDLP said there needed to be an Executive response to the crisis. She said: We have all lost people. The minutes record that former economy minister Diane Dodds of the DUP said there was a clear breach of regs (regulations) at B Storey funeral. The note continued: Undermining work of Exec absolutely disgraceful. dfm need to express remorse for rule break at funeral. The minutes show Nichola Mallon saying there needed to be an Executive response after the funeral controversy (Niall Carson/PA) Sinn Feins Conor Murphy, then the finance minister, said he had attended the funeral on basis of regs (regulations). The minutes record former DUP first minister Mrs Foster saying the controversy had caused huge damage. She wrote: dFM and I are leaders of Exec. More than 30 at funeral cortege not same as funeral. The minutes continued: Huge moment for Exec. Cant stand on platform today with dfm and give out public message. Wont just disappear. Baroness Foster is due to give evidence to the inquiry on Wednesday. There were warm tributes to two Mayo councillors who are retiring from politics after 25 years. Fine Gael councillor John Cribbin and Independent councillor Seamus Weir recently attended their final meeting of Mayo County Council. Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Loftus led the tributes to both men. He described Cllr Cribbin as an "absolute gentleman". Since I started here in 2014, I got to meet a man who I have admired so much when he would get up to speak in the council and what he said and what he did for his community. I would have loved to be one of his constituents because he cared so much for them, he said. Cllr Loftus said Cllr Weir left a lasting legacy in Mayo and his beloved Knockmore. I want to acknowledge Seamus and the 25 years of service he has given to Mayo County Council." Fine Gael councillor Michael Burke said Cllr Cribbin was "a great colleague, a great councillor and a fantastic representative. He said Cllr Weir was an honourable councillor whose commitment to his community never wavered. Fianna Fails Damien Ryan praised the retiring councillors for the commitment they gave. Their contributions to the council has always been in the interest of the communities they serve and they have done that famously well. Both have held of the office of Cathaoirleach and represented this council with distinction. Fine Gael Cllr John Cribbin has been a member of Mayo Co Council since 1999. Cllr Al McDonnell said the council will feel their departures. Its a sad occasion, we are losing two special people. Two honest genuine people who spoke passionatately and not very often. But when they spoke, they spoke with passion, said Cllr McDonnell. Ill never forget the contributions of Cllr Weir when those famous pylons were on the way. He felt very passionately about that and so did is constutuents, and they rewarded him, he added. He said Cllr Cribbin and Cllr Weir can look back on their time in the chamber with great pride". There were humourous asides as tributes were paid to both men. References were made to Cllr Cribbins love of "simple food" and Cllr Weirs horror when a "bowl of cooked cheese" was served up to him and Cllr John OMalley in Austria. Cllr Gerry Coyle joked of Cllr Cribbins "vice-like handshake". Cllr John OMalley recalled Cllr Cribbin telling constituents upon his election as Cathaoirleach that nothing would change. He told them, Just because I have the chain, things wont change. Ill still be doing the same things, the wellingtons and the stick will still be in the car with me! Vivienne Clarke Tanaiste Micheal Martin has questioned the wisdom of tents being given to international protection applicants. My own view, tents are not a good idea, he told Newstalk Breakfast. Mr Martin said that many homeless organisations were not in favour of giving out tents because it led to other challenges. "Tents were also unsafe and there was the fundamental issue of the lack of sanitation and safety around the pitching of tents in any kind of location within a city or a town." Minister for Integration Roderic O'Gorman confirmed they are supporting a number of homeless charities to supply tents, washing facilities and food to international protection applicants who cannot be provided with State accommodation. Hundreds of tents were destroyed when two encampments were removed from Mount Street and the Grand Canal in Dublin. The short term solution was for the State to find sites where tents with proper sanitation and basic supplies could be provided. That is what we have been doing. But we need to create more because the numbers that have come in the first three months at the moment is nearly double what came in the last three months. Mr Martin said that the Government would have to consult with NGOs in relation to the giving out of tents. Get ahead of the issue Catherine Day, the chair of the advocacy group on direct provision of accommodation, said the State needs to get ahead of the issue of providing accommodation for international protection applicants rather than coming from behind. Recent scenes of people in tents in Dublin underlined the challenge, she told RTE radios Today with Claire Byrne show. I think it underlines the challenge, which is to get ahead, to get out in front of what's happening and not to be always having to respond to, overnight or very immediate consequences. And what we have been advocating for some time is that the State needs to get away from the private sector model of desperately trying to find a few beds here and there, and to provide State owned accommodation, probably on State land. And we know that with the unsettled state of the world that desperate people are going to be coming to Europe, including to Ireland, trying just to survive and build a new life, to run away from the situations that they're in, which are life threatening. So what we have been advocating and, as a group, we're pleased that just before Easter, the Government adopted a new accommodation policy, in which they do accept that now they need to provide accommodation that's State owned, State controlled, and to use State land to do it. When asked if the situation of people in tents on Mount Street had been avoidable, Ms Day responded that if the White Paper (from the advocacy group she chaired) adopted in 2021, had been implemented, we would have been in a better position. What we are saying now is that the State has to deal with two challenges at the same time. One is very short, immediate, to take people out of unsafe situations in tents on the street, but also to really crack on with producing longer-term permanent accommodation. Because if we don't do that, we will continue to see a repeat of those problems because desperate new people are arriving all the time. One of the recommendations we have been making is that the State should use its powers to waive planning permission and to use quick build, quick accommodation, to put it on State land. These would be buildings through which people will pass. They will not stay there long term. So these are not homes for people. These are centres in which people would stay while their applications are being processed. Ms Day acknowledged that there could be concern from the public about the waiving of planning and centres being situated in their area, but her position was that there must be early engagement with communities. Almost from the moment when a suitable site is identified, long before people are moved into it. I think it would be natural for people to want to understand what's going to happen in their locality. People are concerned will this put extra pressure on local services, maybe on schools, maybe on health care. These are not rocket science issues. It's possible to have an open discussion with the local community and to agree solutions if there are going to be extra pressures. The Government would have to ensure a fairly even distribution of people across the country, she added, taking into account available sites, numbers of asylum seekers already in each county. We haven't seen the detail on that yet, but we think that, that would help and it should be built in then to the local planning and service provision projections for the future so that it is possible for us to have a better solution. And the point we are making is that we have to deal with the emergency, but we also have to now make sure that we get into a situation where we can avoid the emergencies happening. I think it should be feasible to begin to show some results by the end of the year, and that we need to see that because I think the majority of the population understand, that this is, not just, the situation that Ireland is dealing with. All of the developed and prosperous and safe world is dealing with. So we have to make accommodations for it. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. The first day of the Fintex Summit 2024 concluded in Baku, Trend reports. "New Trends in Banking and Finance Ecosystem: Innovative Solutions, FinTex, and Security" is the theme of this year's summit. Heads of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan Banks Association, Visa, the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, as well as the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency of Turkiye, made an opening speech at the event. First Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) Rashad Orujov addressed the participants and emphasized that Azerbaijan is witnessing growth in e-payment systems presented by banks. "Online payment systems offered by financial institutions are expanding. First quarter 2024 online banking transactions topped 59 billion manat ($34.7 million), an increase of 18 percent year-on-year, while mobile banking transactions topped 15 billion manat ($8.8 million)," he noted. In turn, Chairperson of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency of Azerbaijan Inara Valiyeva noted that the country provides support to local startups to enter international markets. Facilitating local startups' access to international markets is paramount. To achieve this goal, we are establishing conditions for showcasing these startups at various international forums, she mentioned. President of the Azerbaijan Banks Association Zakir Nuriyev claimed that Azerbaijan needs to deepen the integration of payment ecosystems with neighboring countries. "Strengthening the ties between Turkic states in their payment systems' integration could mark the beginning of this journey," he emphasized. Eight panel talks will be held during the summit. Over the course of the two days, the event will attract 1,500 attendees from around the world, including 300 partners and participating firms. During the summit, participants will hold eight panel discussions. Overall, around 300 partners and participating companies, as well as 1,500 local and foreign participants, will attend the event over the course of two days. On the first day of the summit, there was an exchange of views on the digitization processes in Azerbaijan, the future of the payment industry, the application of artificial intelligence, the development of cashless payments, the development of the fintech sector in the region, and digital currencies. In their speeches, speakers touched upon issues related to the development of payment systems in countries, open banking, the pros and cons of using artificial intelligence, accelerating the transition to cashless payments, and the future of digital currencies. The summit will last until May 16. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Hugh Riddell has been appointed as the World Bank Country Manager for Kyrgyzstan, as announced today by the World Bank, Trend reports. Based in Bishkek, Riddell will oversee the World Bank's activities in the country, which include engaging in policy dialogues with government officials, civil society, the private sector, and development partners. Additionally, he will be responsible for managing the World Bank country team and ensuring the successful implementation of the Country Partnership Framework. Prior to his appointment, Riddell, a UK national, served in various roles within the World Bank since 2007, including positions in Washington, D.C., Afghanistan, and East Africa. He most recently served as the Country Manager for Malawi from July 2020 to April 2024. Before joining the World Bank, Riddell gained experience working with the United Nations, the European Commission, as well as in investment banking and journalism. "I am excited to begin my role as the new World Bank Country Manager for the Kyrgyz Republic. I look forward to continuing our constructive dialogue regarding critical reforms, especially in the energy, water, and agriculture sectors. I will also focus on enhancing the World Banks robust partnerships with the government of the Kyrgyz Republic, development partners, and key stakeholders to implement our new five-year Country Partnership Framework and help the country achieve its ambitious development goals," said Hugh Riddell. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. The working group of the Commission on Business Environment and International Ratings has held a meeting presenting a roadmap for 2024 and new initiatives for implementing improvements and communication for the 'Business Bankruptcy' indicator under the World Bank Group's Business Ready project, Trend reports. Representatives of the Secretariat of the Business Environment and International Ratings Commission, the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, and the State Tax Service under the Ministry, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, the head and members of the working group, as well as experts engaged by the World Bank, participated in the event. The event speakers, head of the Secretariat of the Commission Vusal Shikhaliyev and head of the 'Business Bankruptcy' working group Ramin Garagurbanli, briefed on the latest reforms in the discussed area. Garagurbanli stated that throughout the meetings, there was a unanimous agreement on the necessity of producing a new draft law because the old legislation does not adequately meet modern challenges. According to him, the new law should cover not only bankruptcy issues but also restructuring. "Among the recommendations given by our experts, it was important that the title of the law be changed, and it should directly reflect the state's priority direction in this area, because today our state not only regulates the bankruptcy sphere but also creates necessary conditions for the restructuring of business entities," said Garagurbanli. During the event, Deputy Head of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Economy Nurana Abbasova, addressing the new "Assessment Activity Law", highlighted its positive impact on the business environment. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Delighted to co-chair with COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev the 1st COP29-IEA High-Level Energy Transition Dialogue, at IEA HQ, said IEA Director General Fatih Birol, Trend reports. Thank you to energy and climate leaders from around the world for the excellent discussion as we work to ensure ambitious outcomes in Baku, he wrote on his page on X. 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. Press Release May 15, 2024 Enhanced NFA, Rice Fund Among Proposed Amendments to Rice Tariffication Law in Robin Bill Enhancing the National Food Authority (NFA) powers to manage the country's rice supply chain and enhancing the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) are the keys to stabilizing the price and supply of rice - and ultimately, giving Filipinos access to cheaper rice. This was the gist of Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla's Senate Bill 2672, which also sought the creation of a Rice Industry Development-Program Management Office (RID-PMO) to ensure a holistic approach and improve collaboration of rice-concerned agencies and industry players. "The present amendatory bill seeks to restore the NFA's role in managing the country's supply chain. With the renewed and strengthened mandate of NFA in the amendatory bill, the stabilization of the price of rice will be guaranteed and supply functions will be regulated. Ultimately, access to cheaper rice will be more feasible for poor Filipinos," Padilla said in his bill, which proposes amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203). He added the bill seeks to increase the RCEF and extend its validity for another six years, to further improve Filipino farmers' competitiveness and income. Under the bill, Padilla proposed that the NFA exercise its authority to oversee and ensure compliance with all pertinent standards and regulations, "leveraging its established expertise and nationwide network to uphold the national interest in rice buffer stocking and food security." Also, the NFA is empowered to: Require the registration of all grains warehouses and maintain a national database of such registrations; Inspect warehouses as necessary to ensure compliance with standards related to rice quality and supply; Collect and analyze data on rice trade activities for informed policy and operational decisions The Agriculture Secretary may declare an emergency upon the recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council or Local Price Coordinating Council, due to the following conditions: Shortage in the supply of rice; Sustained increase in the price of rice; Extraordinary increase in the price of rice The NFA may use existing inventory to supply areas where extraordinary price increases or acute shortages of rice occur; and replenish the inventory used from available sources. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Plant Industry shall impose appropriate fees and measures for low and non-utilization of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) to ensure the timely arrival of imported rice. BPI shall be authorized to inspect warehouses where local market players and importers store or keep milled rice. The DA Inspectorate and Enforcement shall be authorized to assist BPI in conducting regular and unscheduled inspections. On the other hand, the NFA is authorized to purchase local milled rice - or purchase a percentage of the rice brought in by accredited importers - as necessary. As a final recourse, the NFA shall be granted authority to directly import rice subject to explicit authorization from the President - "solely in circumstances where domestic supply deficits necessitate such imports to stabilize the national rice supply and maintain optimal buffer stock." Meanwhile, the RCEF shall be extended for another six years, with an annual appropriation of P15 billion. The bill expands the RCEF's mechanization component to include the construction and enhancement of postharvest and processing facilities, including warehouses, grain storage facilities, and drying facilities. RCEF's credit assistance component shall operate as a revolving fund to ensure loans to eligible beneficiaries. Also under the bill, the Crop Diversification Program may use a portion of excess tariff revenues for rice-based crop diversification trainings, postharvest machineries and facilities, seeds and fertilizers assistance program, solar power irrigation, and small water impounding system. Robin Bill, Palalakasin ang NFA at Rice Fund sa Rice Tariffication Law Ang pagpapalakas sa kapangyarihan ng National Food Authority (NFA) para pangasiwaan ang suplay ng bigas, at ang pagpapaganda ng Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) ang susi sa pagpapatatag ng presyo at suplay ng bigas, at gawing mas abot-kaya ang bigas para sa mga Pilipino. Ito ang layunin ng Senate Bill 2672 ni Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla, na nagmumungkahi rin ng Rice Industry Development-Program Management Office (RID-PMO) para sa "holistic approach" ng mga ahensya at taong may kinalaman sa suplay ng bigas. "The present amendatory bill seeks to restore the NFA's role in managing the country's supply chain. With the renewed and strengthened mandate of NFA in the amendatory bill, the stabilization of the price of rice will be guaranteed and supply functions will be regulated. Ultimately, access to cheaper rice will be more feasible for poor Filipinos," ani Padilla sa kanyang panukalang batas na nagmungkahi ng pagbabago sa Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203). Mungkahi rin ni Padilla na palakasin ang RCEF at i-extend ang validity nito ng anim na taon, para pagandahin ang competitiveness at kita ng mga magsasaka. Sa panukalang batas, mungkahi ni Padilla na ang NFA ay bigyan ng kapangyarihan na tiyaking masunod ang regulasyon, gamit ang "expertise and nationwide network" nito para panindigan ang "national interest in rice buffer stocking and food security." Ilan sa kapangyarihan ng NFA ay: Pag-require ng registration ng grains warehouses at paggawa ng national database ng ganitong registrations; Pag-inspect sa warehouses mga bodega para tiyakin ang pagsunod sa mga pamantayan sa kalidad at suplay ng bigas; Pangolekta at pag-analyze ng datos sa rice trade activities para gumawa ng wastong polisiya. Maaaring magdeklara ang kalihim ng agrikultura ng emergency sa rekomendasyon ng National Price Coordinating Council o Local Price Coordinating Council, sa mga sumusunod na kondisyon: Pagkukulang sa suplay ng bigas; Patuloy na pagtaas sa presyo ng bigas; Pambihirang pagtaas sa presyo ng bigas Maaaring gamitin ng NFA ang inventory para sa mga lugar na may "extraordinary price increases or acute shortages." Ang Bureau of Plant Industry naman ay maaaring maningil ng bayad para sa "low" at "non-utilization" ng Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) para tiyakin ang napapanahong pagdating ng imported na bigas. Maaaring inspeksyunin ng BPI ang bodega kung saan nakaimbak ang milled rice. Tutulungan ng DA Inspectorate and Enforcement ang BPI sa "regular and unscheduled inspections." Ang NFA naman ay maaaring bumili ng local milled rice - o bumili ng porsyento ng bigas na pinasok ng accredited importers. Bilang "final recourse," maaaring mag direct import ang NFA basta may "explicit authorization" mula sa Pangulo. Ito ay "solely in circumstances where domestic supply deficits necessitate such imports to stabilize the national rice supply and maintain optimal buffer stock." Ang RCEF naman ay ie-extend ng anim na taon, at may annual appropriation na P15 bilyon. Makakasama sa mechanization component ng RCEF ang pagtayo at pagpapaganda ng postharvest at processing facilities, kasama ang mga bodega, grain storage facilities, at drying facilities. Gagawing revolving fund ang credit assistance component ng RCEF para tiyaking may pondo para sa utang sa "eligible beneficiaries." Ang Crop Diversification Program naman ay maaaring gumamit ng bahagi ng sobrang tariff revenues para sa rice-based crop diversification trainings, postharvest machineries and facilities, seeds and fertilizers assistance program, solar power irrigation, at small water impounding system. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. A Sustainable Construction Summit jointly organized by PMD Projects and the Azerbaijan Industrial Safety Association (AISA) has started in Baku, Trend reports. Over 300 representatives from Azerbaijan's construction sector are participating in the event, themed "TowardsCOP29" and organized into two main panels. Speaking at the summit's opening ceremony, Chief Executive Officer at PMD Projects LLC, Nariman Topchibashev, highlighted that the summit's concept emerged before Azerbaijan was selected to host COP29. Nonetheless, Azerbaijan's preparations for this significant UN event necessitate engagement from the construction sector. "Sustainable development should be a national ethos within the construction sector, with the profession itself remaining in tune with contemporary trends. Azerbaijan's construction industry must shed old stereotypes and recognize the pivotal importance of civil engineering," noted Topchibashev. He stressed the need for additional educational programs to ensure construction safety and to keep pace with evolving standards. "PMD Projects actively engages in career fairs and maintains regular interactions with the University of Architecture and Construction. We prioritize hiring graduates through our employment program, which has been running for four years," he added. Chief of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) State Agency for Control over Construction Safety, Jabrayil Khanlarov, highlighted that the majority of new constructions in Azerbaijan adhere to international standards. "Recently, Japanese specialists visited Azerbaijan and noted that more than 90 percent of all new buildings in Azerbaijan meet Japanese construction and safety standards. Older buildings undergoing renovations will be gradually replaced. Ensuring longevity and sustainability, both in construction objectives and safety, is a priority, with strengthened oversight in Azerbaijan," stated the official. The meeting explored global innovations, modern practices, and their potential application in Azerbaijan. Discussions will encompass sustainable construction solutions, modern methods, construction safety, and intelligent systems, all vital for achieving the country's economic Sustainable Development Goals. 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 BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. The Azerbaijan Trade House has opened in Nanjing city with the support of the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, Trend reports via AZPROMO. The opening ceremony, attended by Ambassador of Azerbaijan to China Bunyad Huseynov, Deputy Secretary-General of the People's Government of Nanjing Chen Yumin, Trade Representative of Azerbaijan in China Teymur Nadiroghlu, and other officials, stressed high-level trade and economic cooperation and expanding trade turnover between the two nations. "This business partnership led to the May 15 start of operations of the 6th Azerbaijan Trade House in China," AZPROMO said. The 340-square-meter Azerbaijan Trade House in Nanjing displayed 60 products, including carpets, wine, vodka, brandy, fruit juices, pickles, and candies, where retail and wholesale sales of products will be carried out. In addition, product tastings will be regularly organized in the trade house. "The Trade House will showcase Azerbaijani-made items and provide information about our country's commercial, investment, transportation, and tourism potential," AZPROMO added. To note, China hosts Azerbaijani trade houses in Qingdao, Zhangjiajie, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Beijing, four trade divisions in Shanghai, Harbin, Jinan, and Wuhan, as well as three wine houses in Urumqi and Shanghai. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Guests pose for a group photo during the inaugural meeting of the technical committee on cultural heritage protection of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) at the Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China, May 13, 2024. Proposed by China and officially approved in March 2024, the committee is the first technical committee established by the ISO in the field of global cultural heritage protection since its inception. The secretariat of the committee has been set up at the Palace Museum. [Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai] BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Interest for the Trans Adriatic Pipelines (TAP) short-term capacity is has increased significantly, Vugar Veysalov, TAPs Head of External Affairs, said addressing the Belgrade Energy Forum, Trend reports. TAP has been safely transporting natural gas from Azerbaijan to Greece, Bulgaria and Italy in a sustainably reliable way for almost three and half years now. Since the start of our commercial operations, we have been recognised as an integral energy infrastructure for Europe bringing gas from a new source and from an alternative route in a period, when the continent has faced significant energy supply challenges. To address Europes increased energy security needs during the past couple of years, we have proactively maximised the capacity and the volumes transported to the markets. TAPs initial capacity approximately 10 bcm per year (bcm/a) has been allocated to shippers and booked for 25 years, in line with the long-term gas transportation contracts signed in 2013. However, we also offer short-term bookings through the PRISMA capacity booking platform and in line with the ENTSOG Auction Calendar. Since the start of our commercial operations at the end of 2020, the interest for our short-term capacity has been significantly increasing, he said. Veysalov noted that TAP has positioned itself as a proactive operator, leveraging the operating conditions of the pipeline to maximise the capacity offered and volumes transported to the market. We have also developed commercial products in line with international best practice capturing all the market interests and increasing the use of short-term capacity on top of long-term commitments and short term regulatory obligations. The pipeline is being used as a network and gas is being shipped not only westwards towards Greece, Bulgaria and Italy, but also from Italy to Greece and Bulgaria, and through the trades on the TAP virtual trading point, gas through TAP and thereafter IGB reached Western Balkans markets, he said. Veysalov noted that since the start of operations, TAP has transported over 35 billion cubic meters (bcm), of which 2.14 bcm were to Bulgaria, 3.37 to Greece and 29.22 to Italy. In 2023 alone, TAP transported 11.50 bcm. The gas transported via TAP accounted for 16% of the total gas imported in Italy and 18% in Greece. These are significant accomplishments, but in the future, we can further contribute to Europes security of energy supply and decarbonisation objectives, if we progressively double the pipelines capacity. TAPs expansion capacity is offered to the market through regular Market Tests organised every odd year. The 2021 Market Test, which was completed in January 2024, resulted in binding commitments which will add an extra 1.2 bcm/a to the pipeline capacity by December 31, 2025. The works necessary for achieving the first level of expansion are progressing smoothly. This first level of expansion could pave the way for further expansions, which can be achieved in steps through participation in the next Market Tests, provided there is interest from the market. TAPs 2023 Market Test is still ongoing, with the binding bidding phase expected in mid-2025. The results of these Market Tests are a matter of market demand, he added. Veysalov went on to add that natural gas will undoubtedly remain an important part of Europes energy mix and has a key role to play in the energy transition. Gas-fired power plants offer the on-demand power needed to compliment intermittent renewables. Combined with the application of innovative technologies, natural gas can help achieving EUs 2050 carbon neutrality goal. In the long-term, existing gas infrastructure could be retrofitted for the transportation of decarbonised or renewable gases. As Europe transitions to a low carbon future, it still requires a diverse, secure, reliable and affordable energy supply to develop its economy, warm its homes and remain competitive. At TAP, we are focused on making sure the transition happens in a sustainable manner, especially in South-East Europe and the Western Balkans, a region overly reliant on heavy fossil fuels. At a regional level, TAP supports the EUs objective of supplying gas to Southeast Europe and has been recognized by the EUs Directorate General for Neighbourhood & Enlargement as a flagship project for the decarbonisation of the Western Balkans, as it fosters access to cleaner and affordable energy in the region and reduces dependency on a single source gas supplier, he said. TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy. TAP facilitates gas supplies to South Eastern European countries through existing and prospective interconnectors. TAP is connected to Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB) which started its commercial operations in October 2022, providing Caspian gas to Bulgaria, enhancing security of energy supplies in one more European country. TAPs exits in Greece and Albania, together with the landfall in Italy provide multiple opportunities for further transport of gas from Azerbaijan to the wider European markets. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Yang Wei helps critically endangered birds survive harsh winter in Harbin Yang Wei operates a drone to observe two Oriental white storks along the Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. [China Daily] Despite being reluctant to see them go, Yang Wei still felt quite happy watching the two young birds she had cared for soar into the sky with their migratory flock that had returned for spring. Yang, a 51-year-old photographer, had helped an injured Oriental white stork and its companion safely endure the extremely cold winter in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the Oriental white stork as critically endangered, with only about 9,000 remaining. On December 2, Yang was taking photos of the sunrise near the Binbei Bridge of the Songhua River. "There is a wastewater discharge outlet near this water area, and the treated wastewater maintains a relatively high temperature, so it does not freeze in winter," she said. "Wild ducks and other birds are always found on the unfrozen water surface, so I went there twice a week to capture photos of the birds." As she was shooting, Yang saw a large bird fly out of the mist and land on the riverbank. Another bird arrived a moment later. "I failed to take clear photos of them before they flew away," she said. "From that day on, I went to the area every day to search for them, but I only found some bird footprints on the shore." It wasn't until December 10 that Yang and her photography friends finally got a clear view of the birds using a drone. "I determined that they were Oriental white storks because I had photographed some that were migrating before," she said. "Then I asked experts for further confirmation, and they agreed with me, which made us very excited. We had never seen Oriental white storks that should have migrated south wintering in Harbin." Yang soon discovered that the smaller of the two storks had a gash on its right wing, and she reasoned that the injury, coupled with exhaustion, were why the birds were stranded in Harbin. Experts told Yang that the two birds were probably born only several months before and had likely just learned to fly. As temperatures continued to drop, the water surface grew increasingly smaller, with no fish visible. "I thought it must be very difficult for the storks to survive the cold winter, so we decided to help them," Yang said. The two storks feed on fish in the Songhua River in Harbin. [China Daily] Feeding Troubles After doing research on the internet and consulting with experts, she learned a lot about the birds. "Each stork needs about 2 to 4 kilograms of fish every day, and for young storks, the length of fish should be shorter than 10 centimeters," she said. "They don't eat sea fish, so we chose crucian carp to feed them." However, during winter in Harbin, it's not easy to buy a large quantity of specific types of fish with the right length. Yang and her friends had to visit different markets across the city. "We would scatter the fish at the edge of the flowing water, but I fell into the icy water three times because the thin ice suddenly broke," she said. "Furthermore, when the area with flowing water grew too large, we couldn't get close to the storks." Yang used devices to help her throw the fish near the storks, and on the occasions when they were further away, she used a drone to carry fish to them. Because the drone could only carry 0.4 kg of fish at a time, Yang had to repeat the process more than 10 times to feed the birds. The task was especially difficult because of the frigid cold. "Temperatures could drop to nearly minus 30 degrees Celsius near the river, and even five batteries weren't enough for the drone to fly back and forth," she said. Yang also tried other methods, including hiring a boat to get near the storks. "The villager who rowed the boat refused to take money when he found out we wanted to feed the Oriental white storks," she said. "We also received help from the Blue Sky Rescue Team, who used a kayak to scatter over a dozen kilograms of fish along the river." Staff members from the city's forestry and grassland bureau brought live loaches, which the birds enjoyed. "We reached an agreement to take turns feeding to ensure that the stork babies had sufficient food every day," said Yang. "When the storks discovered that there was an abundant food supply, they settled down peacefully." A bond of trust was gradually established between the storks and Yang. "Initially, they were skeptical, but eventually, they treated the drone as a dinner bell," she said. "As soon as the drone approached them, they would actively fly over to eat. Later, I could feed them from a distance of 4 or 5 meters, and they were no longer afraid of me." Saying Goodbye Thanks to Yang and her friends, the two birds survived the severe winter and welcomed the arrival of March, when the ice and snow began to melt and the migratory birds returned from the south. After disappearing for nearly two weeks, the two birds returned to the river area on March 15, accompanied by an even larger Oriental white stork. On the afternoon of March 19, Yang was astonished to find around 50 Oriental white storks soaring and circling above the river. Two hours later, the flock departed, along with the two birds. "I was crying and searching for them among the stork flock, forgetting even to take photos," she said. "Despite coming there every day the following week, I haven't seen them again." On March 23, China News Service reported that the first group of Oriental white storks of the year had arrived at the Honghe National Nature Reserve in Heilongjiang. "I believe that they must be there," Yang said. "After spending 109 days together, I felt very reluctant to part ways, but more than that, I am happy. This has been a remarkable encounter in my life." Wu Bingyi, an expert from the city's forestry and grassland bureau, said Yang's experience marked the first time Oriental white storks were found to have successfully wintered in Harbin. "The city experienced a week of extreme cold, with temperatures continuously dropping to minus 31 degrees Celsius," Wu said. "During the coldest days when their activities decreased, we also considered intervening, but we found that there was abundant food, and the citizens protected them very well," he said. "In recent years, the water area has continuously seen teal, pochard and mandarin ducks spending the winter there due to the suitable environment." With the arrival of spring, Yang also has new hopes. "I want to hold a photo exhibition to tell the story between me and the two birds," she said. "I also want to tell everyone that Harbin is not only blessed with natural beauty, but also with sincere and kind-hearted people." (Source: China Daily) BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is ready to contribute to creating framework for facilitating biomethane transport, Vugar Veysalov, TAPs Head of External Affairs, said addressing the Belgrade Energy Forum, Trend reports. He pointed out that TAP's potential full expansion will not only address security of supply challenges but also could contribute to advancing the EU's decarbonisation targets by facilitating the transportation of new volumes of hydrogen and other renewable gases in the future. Our ambition is to develop the asset for hydrogen transportation, initially in the form of a blend with natural gas. In 2021, an initial study on hydrogen readiness verified TAPs capability to transport hydrogen blend in the future. Having invested in developing the necessary test facilities, we will conduct tests on our pipeline materials in an internationally recognized laboratory in 2024. We are working closely with our shareholders, key vendors, and the industry, as the investment in facility upgrades and the percentage of hydrogen to be transported will likely be developed incrementally over time to align with hydrogen market demands and comply with related market regulations, noted Veysalov. He noted that while hydrogen is distinctively different from natural gas, biomethane, classified as a biofuel, is similar to natural gas. We're very much involved with the national TSOs in Greece and in Italy to see, from an industry perspective, how to contribute to developing regulations and creating the framework that will facilitate transport of biomethane, added Veysalov. TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy. TAP facilitates gas supplies to South Eastern European countries through existing and prospective interconnectors. TAP is connected to Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB) which started its commercial operations in October 2022, providing Caspian gas to Bulgaria, enhancing security of energy supplies in one more European country. TAPs exits in Greece and Albania, together with the landfall in Italy provide multiple opportunities for further transport of gas from Azerbaijan to the wider European markets. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Netanyahu fends off criticism at home and abroad over his lack of a postwar plan for Gaza Major council tax shake-up pushed back to after next Senedd election This article is old - Published: Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 A major council tax shake-up will be pushed back until 2028, beyond the next Senedd election, Wales finance secretary announced. Rebecca Evans confirmed Welsh Government plans to redesign council tax, which were initially pencilled in for as early as April 2025, will be delayed to 2028. Under the plans, which aim to make council tax fairer, bands could change and Wales 1.5 million homes would be revalued for the first time since 2003. While bills for 70% of people would fall or stay the same, and the total amount raised would be unchanged, 30% of households about 450,000 homes could face higher taxes. In a written ministerial statement, Ms Evans said consultation responses showed a clear appetite for reform but over a slower timeline. Big Brother She said the local government finance bill will be amended to include revaluations every five years from 2028 to keep council tax fair and responsive to economic circumstances. During finance questions on May 15, Ms Evans told the Senedd a further consultation will be held nearer to 2028 about the scale of the reforms. She said: I recognise the concerns about the impact on households during the cost-of-living crisis, and that was very central to our considerations as we looked at the pace of reform. She told the chamber adding council tax bands at the higher end and a band at the lower end to help people in the least expensive properties will be part of the thinking. Peter Fox raised reports from The Daily Telegraph that satellites will be used to assess changes to property values in Wales, drawing a parallel to George Orwells 1984. Pearl-clutching Ms Evans described the article as poorly informed, to be generous, pointing out that the Valuation Office Agency carries out valuations independently of the Welsh Government. She said: I just dont understand this clutching of pearls because were using publicly available information and the latest technology to accurately ensure that households are paying the right council tax. Mr Fox, the Conservatives shadow finance secretary, suggested cynics would say council tax and farming reforms are being pushed back with an eye on the 2026 Senedd election. The Monmouth MS warned the reforms could have a massive impact on cash-poor families who live in larger, rural houses, perhaps in a state of disrepair. Those are very vulnerable and worried people, he said. Discounts Welcoming a commitment to the 25% single-person council tax discount, Mr Fox raised concerns about proposed powers for councils to disapply or reduce council tax discounts. Ms Evans acknowledged some people living in high-value homes may have a low income. She said the Welsh Government is undertaking a review of the 53 different categories of discounts and exemptions to ensure they are fit for purpose. The finance minister told the chamber the Welsh Government will look at other groups who should benefit from a council tax discount or exemption. Asked about a transition fund to support people, Ms Evans recognised a consensus that transitional arrangements came too late after the previous revaluation. Perfect hurricane Vikki Howells, a Labour backbencher, who represents Cynon Valley, raised constituents concerns about too long a gap between revaluations for business rates. Ms Evans confirmed that three-yearly rolling revaluations for business rates would be introduced by the local government finance bill. She said: We think that three years does give that balance between certainty for business, but then also reflecting more up-to-date and current market conditions. Altaf Hussain, the Tory MS for South Wales West, warned that hospitality businesses are facing a perfect hurricane, calling for an exemption until a fairer system is introduced. Ms Evans said she could not exempt a very large sector of Wales economy from business rates because it provides vital funding for public services. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, May 15. Turkmenistan has introduced the Hydro Plus diesel fuel production technology into the production of the Turkmenbashi Oil Processing Complex, Trend reports. According to the official source, this technology allows the production of diesel fuel with improved characteristics and hydrotreating. In the production of diesel fuel using the developed technology, the output of products increases by 15 percent, and its quality improves. The product is improved for use at any time of the year, and such fuel extends the service life of the internal combustion engines of the equipment in which it is used. Furthermore, the improved fuel composition and quality characteristics meet the requirements of the state quality standard for such goods. Meanwhile, recently, Deputy Chairman of the Government of Turkmenistan, Batyr Amanov, said that from January through April of this year, the Turkmen Turkmennebit State Concern fulfilled the plan for the production of diesel fuel by 100.6 percent. Record 10,524 emergency food parcels provided by food banks in Wrexham over past 12 months This article is old - Published: Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 New figures, released today, reveal that more than 187,000 emergency food parcels were provided by food banks in the Trussell Trust network to people facing hardship across Wales in the past 12 months. The Trussell Trust say, Alarmingly, 65% of the support provided in the last year was for families with children. This is the most parcels the network has ever distributed in a single year and a dramatic increase compared to five years ago (61%+). In 2017-2018 saw 2,977 parcels distributed to adults and 1,301 to children. Now in the latest stats for 2023-24 that has reached 6,923 parcels for adults and 3,601 parcels for children. That is a record total of 10,524 parcels in Wrexham. They also note that the annual statistics also indicate that an increasing number of people are struggling to afford the essentials, with more than 47,700 people in Wales using a Trussell Trust food bank for the first time. Trussell Trust say, These figures demonstrate why the Welsh Government must prioritise support for people facing hardship. With a new First Minister in place, the Trussell Trust is urging the Welsh Government to focus on the issues driving people to food banks in Wales by: Delivering a plan to reduce and prevent the need for food banks in Wales; Streamlining and simplifying Welsh benefits; Setting clear targets and accountability measures to eliminate child poverty in Wales; Increasing the Discretionary Assistance Fund to ensure crisis support meets peoples needs. These efforts need to be supported by the UK Government, and the Trussell Trust is calling for a social security system that is fit for purpose, so that everyones income covers the cost of the essentials we all need in life. Alongside many other organisations, the anti-poverty charity is urging the UK Government to introduce an Essentials Guarantee into Universal Credit to ensure everyone has a protected minimum amount of support to afford the essentials. In comments contrary to the remarks last week where Wrexham Councils Lead Member for Anti-Poverty said Weve got the cost of living crisis, which is coming down as energy prices are coming down, Jo Harry, Network Lead for Wales at the Trussell Trust, said: Wales is seeing more and more people, particularly families with children, unable to afford the essentials needed to get by. This is forcing more people through the doors of food banks than ever before. Everyone in Wales should be able to afford the essentials to buy their own food and heat their homes. This has got harder in the last year, as has been shown by the 47,700 people needing an emergency food parcel for the first time. This is not right. Something has to change. The new First Minister must work to end the need for food banks in Wales. With a new child poverty strategy in place and a commitment to streamline Welsh benefits, the Welsh Government has levers to turn the tide of hardship facing our communities. Without action, we will be faced with another generation of children who are growing up believing that food banks are a normal part of life instead of an extraordinary measure to mitigate the failings of our social security system. Alongside change needed in Wales, the next UK Government cannot afford to ignore this issue and they need to introduce an Essentials Guarantee as a matter of urgency. We live in one of the richest collective of nations in the world but despite this our society leaves so many people behind. In this election year, this is the issue the that we cant afford to ignore. All political parties must set out how they will build a future where no one needs a food bank to survive. We know what needs to change to help people who cant afford the essentials and we need parties to act. Unpleasant times ahead as council look for more cuts to bring in balanced budget with future 28m hole This article is old - Published: Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 The Council Leader is dreading this year as cuts are made, with a warning future years could be as bad as a further 28m needs to be saved through 25-26 and 26-27. In what feels like a darker repeat of recent years, Council Leader Mark Pritchard said, Lead Members are working with senior officers, and all staff across Wrexham Council, the Change Board, all to make savings. As I have said in the past, and will continue to say, no stone will be left unturned. There will be work with support from ourselves, politicians, and the officers, and well see what comes forward in proposals. I think its important that we understand here that these are very difficult times, not just for us, not just for local authorities across Wales. Whatever we do now, we have to future proof this authority because there isnt any extra money coming forward. Weve done some extremely difficult things in the past, this will be the third time that Ive had to sit through this process. We will continue to find the savings. But truthfully, theyre not savings are they? They are cuts. They are cuts to service areas. This will have an implication with regards to staffing, it is very difficult. We will be meticulous in what we do and we will work through it. Chief Executive Ian Bancroft said, We will track very, very tightly all the proposals, and monitor them very, very tightly. Our plan for last year when we monitored the budget was to make sure we didnt need to use unplanned use of reserves. Thats still the case. We have gone past the end of year and we still think that last years budget is at a decent position with that priority. That is exactly the same priority for this year, that we dont need to use reserves in an unplanned way. Mr Bancroft pointed to the change work taking place, and the 1.8m remaining from the budget yet to find, which should come back before the summer to the Executive Board in public. At that point there should be indications on the scope of the big areas where huge savings will be made for the following two years, 25-26 26-27 , budgets We asked for details around Education, if there were any positives on the horizon or uplifts in budgets, pointing to several schools that appear to have deep concerns over budgets and deficits. Cllr Pritchard said , No. Theres no positives here. We are working with not just education in schools, were working with social services, and social care, childrens services, we are working with the environment department we are working with every department across Wrexham Council. It is important to note we have protected schools for a long time, we have been very generous with them, weve worked hard to give them what they want. Unfortunately, the cuts are that severe that weve had to incorporate education within that process. I cant see any way through this other than every department, including education, having to work with us to find these savings. I know the Executive Board members didnt really want to go into certain areas, but weve had to go into into these areas which in the past have been protected. Nobody is immune from savings anymore. Nobody. No service, delivery area, education or social care. Nobody is. It us just the the climate that we live in now. I am dreading this year, and 25-26 could be as difficult. These are unpleasant times for all of us, I can assure you. The Chief Executive confirmed the figures, and scale of savings / cuts that are expected, Roughly 28 million over the years 25-26 and 26-27, on top of what weve taken this year. That is a very difficult outlook for local government and public services as a whole. Scenes of brutal police violence have taken place in recent days on German university campuses. A woman is carried away by police officers during a pro-Palestinians demonstration by Student Coalition Berlin in the theater courtyard of Freie Universitat Berlin in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. [AP Photo/Markus Schreiber] On May 3, following talks with university administration, police violently broke up a peaceful sit-in at Humboldt University in Berlin and initiated criminal proceedings against 37 persons. Last Tuesday, the Berlin police then besieged the Free University of Berlin (FU) on the instructions of the university management in order to break up a peaceful Palestine camp. Seventy-nine people were arrested and criminal charges laid against 80 protesters. In the following days, pro-Palestine camps at the universities of Leipzig (more than 30 criminal proceedings) and Bremen were also broken up by the police. Germanys ruling class is returning to the methods of the Nazis: police terror, the suppression of peaceful protests and the besieging of universities. It is slandering, censoring and suppressing any criticism of its genocidal foreign policy. Against this background hundreds of Berlin lecturers have published an open letter condemning the brutal police operations. They wrote that their understanding of their role as teachers at Berlins universities obliged them to treat their students on an equal footing, but also protect them and never yield them up to police violence. In view of the bombing of Rafah and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the urgency of the protesters concerns should also be understandable for all those who do not share all of their specific demands, the open letter continues. The right to peaceful protest also includes the occupation of the university grounds. The university management has a duty to strive for a dialogue-based and nonviolent solution for as long as possible. This duty was violated by the executive of the FU Berlin by having the protest camp cleared by the police without any prior offer of dialogue. The letter ends with the demand that the Berlin university managements refrain from police operations against their own students as well as from further criminal prosecution. The letter quickly received broad support. By Monday, 374 lecturers from Berlin and over 950 other lecturers from all over Germany and other countries had signed the open letter. Among the signatories are the now retired Humboldt historian Prof. Michael Wildt; Ulrike Freitag, director of the Leibnitz Centre for Modern Oriental Studies; Florian Zemmin, director of the Institute for Islamic Studies at Humboldt University; philosopher Rahel Jaeggi; and sociologist Linus Westheuser. At the same time, numerous student organisations have also condemned the police action. The students union (AStA) of FU Berlin published a statement on the day of the police operation strongly condemning the repressive and escalating behaviour of the university against its own students and called on the FU executive to resign immediately. A petition calling for the resignation of FU President Gunter Ziegler received over 2,000 signatures within the space of a few days. The open letter from Berlin lecturers is an expression of growing opposition among academics to the genocide in Gaza and the transformation of universities into military training centres. Commencing in the US, pro-Palestinian protest camps have spread throughout Europe. In recent days, camps have been set up at universities in 15 different European countries. In many countries, lecturers and academic staff also support the protests. Politicians and the media have reacted hysterically and aggressively to the open letter. German Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (Free Democratic Party, FDP) told the Bild tabloid that the statement left her bewildered. The university occupiers were being victimised and violence trivialised. The fact that the supporters are lecturers represents a new quality. Berlin Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) told Bild that he had absolutely no sympathy for the open letter. Antisemitism and hatred of Israel are not expressions of opinion, but criminal offences. Christian Social Union internal affairs spokesperson and deputy chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group Andrea Lindholz went so far as to describe the letter as a low point for German academia. She had no sympathy for professors and lecturers defending a mob of antisemites and Israel-haters. The vicious smear campaign against the lecturers culminated in an article in the Bild newspaper. Under the headline The Culprits at the UniversitiesIsrael-Hatred at Berlin Universities, Teaching Staff Support the Student-Mob, the tabloid published by the Axel Springer press listed the names and portraits of 12 of the signatories. The online edition published a complete list of all the Berlin signatories. This vile campaign has a reactionary and transparent goal: lecturers and professors are being publicly pilloried in order to incite a right-wing mob against them, intimidate any opposition to the genocide and step up the suppression of protests. The Bild article recalls the Springer press smear campaign against Rudi Dutschke and other student leaders at the height of the 1960s student movement. In February 1968, Bild published an article titled Stop the terror of the Young Reds now! A few weeks later, the right-wing extremist Josef Bachmann, incited by the article, shot Dutschke three times with a firearm. Dutschke survived the shooting seriously injured, but died some years later as a result of the attack. The agitation by politicians and the media, the fuelling of a pogrom atmosphere against professors who dare to protect their students against brutal police violence and defend the right to free expression, underlines that it is not possible to persuade those in power to change their policies through pressure. The greater the opposition to the prevailing imperialist war policy, the more aggressively the government lashes out. Anyone who rejects their policies is declared fair game for right-wing extremist thugs and police. The growing wave of opposition at the universities is significant. The protesting students and the lecturers who defend them are showing great courage in the face of massive repression. The success of this movement, however, depends on a turn to the working class and the adoption of a clear international socialist perspective. This is the perspective of the Socialist Equality Party (SGP) and its youth and student organisation IYSSE. As a recent WSWS Perspective states: The working classwhose labor is the source of all wealth, united across national borders by global production, and whose interests are diametrically opposed to imperialist waris the most powerful social and political force in the world. It must be brought to bear to end the wars, connected with its struggle against capitalist exploitation. ... The ruling class is so terrified of the peaceful student protests because it knows they can arouse the working class. Recent testimony by Dr. Robert Califf, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, on the spillover of the current strain of the avian influenza virus into US dairy cattle, brings to the fore the wider threat posed by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 virus (popularly known as bird flu). Califf appeared May 8 before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Currently, 42 herds across nine states have been impacted. The states include Texas, where the virus was first detected in cows, as well as Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio and South Dakota. H5N1 genetic material has been found in one out of five test samples of commercial milk sold in the US. At least one person has been infected, which is believed to be the first recorded mammal to human transmission of H5N1. Califf began his remarks to the Senate panel cautiously by asserting the threat posed by the virus to humans remains low (but higher for animal handlers) and assured senators that milk products are safe for consumption. But he warned, [We] got to have testing, got to 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. The FDA commissioner specifically noted the potential public health threat posed should the virus become transmissible through [our] airways, which would be really bad. Given the low level of immunity against H5N1 viruses in the human population and the notable disease severity among people infected with H5N1, the remarks by Dr. Califf to senators are chilling. The lethality of COVID, which has killed close to 30 million people, is far lower than that observed with H5N1. A cattle auction barn [Photo: Tri-State Livestock News] The FDA commissioner then declared, 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. This statement belies the critical fact that the real state of the H5N1 infection among dairy cattle and agricultural livestock remains largely unknown, while the governments dismantling of the public health infrastructure in response to the COVID pandemic has left the country and the international community less prepared to address future pathogens with pandemic potential. Addressing this inaction and failure on the part of government and health authorities, virologist Marion Koopmans of the Erasmus Medical Center told Science, The reason why this is not a big human health problem is because the virus is not that transmissible. Its not because of our actions in response to this new situation. Echoing these sentiments, Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona and lead author of critical studies of the origins of SARS-CoV-2, establishing that it is a zoonotic spillover from the wildlife trade, agreed. If were going to be serious in the US and as a global community about trying to prevent pandemics that we can prevent, then this is not the way to do it, he told Science. How bird flu migrated to cows Using molecular techniques for assessing the most recent common ancestor of the HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b genotype B3.13 that were obtained from infected cattle, Worobey and colleagues estimated there was a single jump from birds into cattle in Texas in December of 2023, at least four months before the USDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first reported the presence of the virus among dairy cows. These dates were corroborated by observations made in late January 2024 by production veterinarians on dairy cattle displaying unexplained (at the time) reduction in their milk supplies, thickening in the quality of the milk, and decreased feed intake. The members of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network conducted preliminary work sampling milk and nasal passages of the affected animals, identifying influenza A. The samples were then forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, which confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus among the cows. In conjunction with these observations, recent wastewater data analysis conducted by the WastewaterSCAN network, an affiliation between scientists from Stanford, Emory University and Verily Life Sciences, found traces of the bird flu as early as February 25, 2024, a month before confirmatory tests were done on the sickened animals. This underscores the importance of wastewater as a sentinel warning in the public health domain. Significantly, in regions where there were high rates of H5N1 infection among cattle, there was a corresponding high concentration of influenza A genetic material in wastewater. Near one treatment facility in Texas, an area with confirmed cases of bird flu in dairy cows, the levels of influenza A material in the wastewater were the highest ever recorded. The authors concluded, Our findings demonstrate wastewater monitoring can detect animal-associated influenza contributions and highlight the need to consider industrial and agricultural inputs into wastewater. This work illustrates the value of wastewater monitoring for comprehensive influenza surveillance for diseases with zoonotic potential across human and animal populations. The CDC dismisses wastewater testing However, Dr. Marc Johnson, a virologist at the University of Missouri, who with colleagues developed tests that can specifically track H5N1 in wastewater samples more than a year ago, speaking with Reuters, said that in discussions with the CDC, the agency discouraged the use of such work. CDC wastewater team lead Amy Kirby told him that although tests on wastewater could identify H5N1 subtypes of influenza A, they do not indicate the source of the virus and therefore could be a drain on resources, although it is the most economical tool available to conduct such sleuth work. The baffled Johnson responded, Im not worried about the cows. Im not worried about the milk. But Im worried that there are lots of other animals that it can jump to, and eventually its going to find a combination that can make it into humans if were not careful. Denis Nash, distinguished professor of epidemiology and executive director of City University of New Yorks Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, spoke with the Los Angeles Times on the CDCs reluctance to deploy wastewater techniques to track H5N1. She said, It has been consistently demonstrated that wastewater surveillance only enhances traditional surveillance, and often outperforms it when it comes to early/timely outbreak or surge detection. In this case, since traditional surveillance is not systematically occurring, and wastewater surveillance is relatively low-cost and easy to implement, it makes a lot of sense to me to go ahead and deploy it strategically. Indeed, wastewater testing, if implemented at agricultural outlets, hospitals and community-based facilities, could not only locate where such viral genetic material is being shed into wastewater, it could also track viral evolution in real-time, which is urgently required. Clearly the CDCs reluctance has more to do with the political climate rather than any ambiguity and confusion the deployment of such measures would create. As Johnson said succinctly, I always think the more information we have, the better. The science of the bird flu spillover Perhaps one of the most significant contributions made to understanding the recent spillover of the bird flu into bovines was an international collaboration led by Worobey and colleagues that include Kristian Andersen of the Scripps Institute, a colleague on the SARS-CoV-2 Origin paper, Thomas Peacock from Pirbright Institute at Imperial College London, Angela Rasmussen from University of Saskatchewan and Andrew Rambaut of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution at University of Edinburgh. Many of these principled scientists were instrumental in providing important truths behind the origins of the COVID pandemic, in opposition to the US governments continuing attempt to use the lab-leak lie as a political and ideological weapon against China. Diagram shows how cattle have the potential to act as a mixing vessel for new flu viruses. In a paper published in two parts (Part 1 and Part 2) on the website virological.org, the authors first provide recent historical context for the H5N1 pandemic, underscoring that the reassortant genotypes of the virus (produced by mixing segments of RNA from different species to produce a new form) have shown an extraordinary propensity to infect mammals. There is some evidence for sustained mammal-to-mammal transmission, especially outbreaks at mink farms and among sea lions and fur seals in South America. However, dairy cattle were thought to be resistant to infections with influenza A viruses, which had perplexed scientists. In their analysis of the genomic datasets (See methods section of the paper), the paper concluded: 1. A reassortment event within North American avian H5N1 2.3.4.4b viruses occurred shortly before the start of the cattle outbreak. 2. The cattle outbreak likely had a single origin from the avian H5N1 reservoir. 3. The H5N1 outbreak in cattle likely went undetected and unidentified for an extended period and is now several months old. 4. The cattle outbreak may have originated in Texas. 5. Multiple putatively adaptive substitutions have arisen in the cattle H5N1 clade [strain] 6. The original cattle H5N1 viruss hemagglutinin (HA)a protein that must bind to the hosts surface sialic acid residues for the virus to gain entrywas not adapted to a human-like receptor. [See explanation below] 7. H5N1 is transmitting from cattle back into wild birds, poultry, cats, and other species. 8. A virus closely related to, but distinct from, those sampled from cattle was sampled from an individual who was reportedly a dairy farm worker. 9. Mutational signatures support sustained transmission within cattle. In their final remarks the scientists warned it was imperative that a comprehensive genomic and serological surveillance strategy for this and future outbreaks be established. This would include transparency and timely sharing of data. Such integrated data, they added, would help the scientific and animal/public health community best understand the dynamics of these viruses among hosts, and through time and space, and may thereby lead to timely interventions to mitigate its spread, not just among cattle and cattle operations but also more broadly. How H5N1 concentrates in milk Another important paper, a microbiology study of bovine tissue, released in preprint form, attempted to understand why the milk from an infected cow had such high concentrations of virus. In surveying the cows anatomy, researchers in Denmark made a striking discovery that the mammary glands of dairy cows possessed sialic acid surface receptors like those in humans and ducks. The influenza A virus (IAV) is an RNA virus. There are two proteins on the surface of the viral particle. HA allows the virus to bind to sialic acid and enter the cell. Sialic acids are widely distributed in animal tissues and are part of glycoproteins and are often important membrane proteins that regulate the cells functions. A viruss sialic acid receptor type determines the tissue the virus can infect. When different animals have similar surface receptors that a virus can latch on to, it means that it is able to jump into multiple different species. As described by the authors of a 2021 study published in the journal Viruses, An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of viral emergence and zoonotic spillover is still lacking. Receptors are major determinants of host susceptibility to viruses. Animal species sharing host cell receptors that support the binding of multiple viruses can play a key role in virus spillover and the emergence of novel viruses and their variants. Sialic acids (SAs), which are linked to glycoproteins and gangliosides serve as receptors for several human and animal viruses. In particular, influenza and coronaviruses, which represent two of the most important zoonotic threats, use SAs as cellular entry receptors. With regard to infected dairy cattle, the location of their infection is in the alveoli of the upper part of the mammary glands that are located above the udder. Large concentrations of viral material are then shed into the raw milk produced by the infected cows. These specific human and duck receptors were not found in the cows brains and were only located deep in the respiratory tracts. What the study cannot answer is how the infection got to the mammary glands and how the sustained transmission between animals is taking place. They wrote: The transmission route(s) and the pathogenesis of H5N1 in cows remain unclear, and its not known if the virus enters the mammary gland by an ascending infection or systemically by the blood supply. Interestingly, neither the human-, chicken-, nor the duck receptors were expressed in the ducts of the mammary gland, making an ascending mammary gland infection more challenging. It is not clear to which degree the HPAIV-infected cows develop viremia, however, even a very low degree of viremia may be adequate for the virus to enter the mammary gland and establish infection because the blood flow in the lactation period is around 400 liter per hour. Perhaps the most concerning conclusions they made were as follows: The co-expression of both human and avian receptors in the mammary glands indicate susceptibility for viruses of both swine/human and avian origin. This is worrying from a zoonotic perspective, because bovines may act as a mixing vessel for new Influenza A Viruses (IAV) with increased zoonotic potential. Additional research is very much needed to better understand the pathogenesis and epidemiology of IAV infections of cattle and other ruminants to elucidate if these species can act as a mixing vessel for new IAVs. The implication here is that if the disease becomes endemic in these animals, their proximity to farm workers who do not routinely follow infection control practices nor use personnel protective equipment poses a considerable risk for the viruss evolutionary development into new forms that could directly infect humans or even develop the capacity for airborne human-to-human transmission, as the SARS-CoV-2 virus did. This would represent a real existential threat for which no government in its present form is prepared to respond. The urgency for action which serious scientists advocate and the dire conclusions they are reaching require an immediate response to avert the potential of a another global calamity. Two medical missions that include upwards of 20 American physicians and healthcare workers have been trapped in the European Hospital in the Khan Younis, Gaza area near Rafah since Israel closed off the border crossing into Egypt last week to stop any food, water, fuel or supplies from entering the besieged enclave, as part of Israels US-backed genocide. The ruins of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Monday, April 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammed Hajjar) [AP Photo/Mohammed Hajjar] According to a May 13, 2024 report by Ryan Grim and Hind Khoudary in the Intercept on the plight of these healthcare workers, the actions by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have made the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis an immediate threat and danger to the lives of nearly 1.4 million starving and injured people who are trapped in Rafah, an area measuring just 25 square miles (65 square kilometers). Grim wrote on his social media platform that the situation looked grim for the doctors and medical workers, who are rationing water under conditions where they face extreme dehydration and at least one member is on an IV drip. Monica Johnston, a volunteer burn trauma nurse from Oregon who arrived on May 1, told the Washington Post they were stuck in Gaza [with] no safe way to get out and no new help or supplies coming in. The dire situation facing the medical mission was made particularly evident when former Indian Army officer Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale, 46, a staff member of the United Nations (UN) Department of Safety and Security (DSS), was killed Monday when the UN vehicle, identified by its UN logo and flag, in which he was traveling through Rafah to the European Hospital, was fired upon by the IDF. On the incident, a family member of one of the doctors told the Intercept: We are aware that a car that is similarly supposed to be their rescue passage was shot at, and UN employees were killed and injured. [And] we fear for their ability to have a safe passage and exit. We are aware that there is active shelling around the hospital and that staff has been told to stay away from windows. At a press briefing on Monday, following questioning by a Washington Post reporter on the medical workers desperate situation, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said: Im not sure of the operational or logistical specifics of what was involved in the efforts, but I can say that we are aware of these US citizensdoctors and medical professionalswho are currently unable to leave Gaza. As I have said before, we dont control these border crossings, and this is an incredibly complex situation that has very serious implications for the safety and security of US citizens. He then added the usual banal disclaimer: But were continuing to work around the clock with the government of Israel and with the government of Egypt on this issue. The killing of Kale is the first of an international UN worker in Gaza. However, it raises the fundamental issue that in its genocide in Gaza, carried out with the unflinching support of the US and EU, Israel cannot tolerate even the most limited support for the population of Gaza, which is being exterminated wholesale. The coordinated airstrikes in early April that killed seven international aid workers from World Central Kitchen, and which were defended by President Joe Biden, were not mistakes or misidentifications. Even doctors, nurses and medical workers, regardless of their nationality, are deemed by the IDF as aiders and abettors and therefore legitimate military targets. Under these conditions, the comments by Patel are simply calculated and disingenuous. Like the deliberate starvation of the population of Gaza, the systematic targeting of Gazas healthcare infrastructure is not an incidental consequence of war, but a key pillar of Israels genocidal campaign. In the span of the seven-month onslaught, doctors and healthcare workers have been systematically targeted. Nearly 500 physicians and first aid responders have been killed. Over 1,500 have been wounded and more than 300 detained by Israel. According to the Palestinian Authority more than 80 percent of Gazas healthcare centers are now out of service and the rest partially function with a scarcity of the essentials needed to treat the ongoing mass casualty event. There is nothing hyperbolic about UNICEFs recent description of the European Hospital as Rafahs last lifeline. The disclosure of the death of noted Palestinian surgeon Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh, 50, who died on April 19 while detained by Israeli authorities at Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank, only confirms the monstrous trajectory of Israels campaign. Dr. Al-Bursh, head of orthopedics at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, was arrested by the IDF in December along with colleagues while he was treating patients at Al-Awda Hospital during the ground invasion of the Jabalya refugee camp. He had been detained for more than four months when he died. According to CNN, his body has still not been released and the cause of death is undisclosed. However, one of Al-Burshs fellow prisoners who was released said that the doctor had been tortured and killed. Systematic torture of Palestinians detained by Israeli forces has been amply affirmed and documented by various sources, to which the Biden White House has turned a blind eye. Many are stripped naked, blindfolded, handcuffed with zip ties and bound to their beds. Many have had their hands amputated from injuries sustained from prolonged periods in handcuffs. Physical and mental torture is rampant. Beatings, as one whistleblower told CNN, were not done to gather intelligence. They were done out of revenge. On the death of Al-Bursh, Dr. Marwan Abu Saada, his friend and director of Al-Shifa Hospital, said: [This is] heartbreaking news for everyone, for his family, the medical staff at Al-Shifa Hospital, and for Dr. Adnans patients. This is the last thing we expected, and its difficult for the human soul to bear this news. Nurse Monica Johnston, who can be seen with an intravenous line in her arm, provided a harrowing account on the current situation on the ground: As a human being, you cant discount the unimaginable suffering that is happening here to children, to women, to everybody. For example, I helped a young boy in the operating room who was apparently opening a can of tuna. He lost one hand, part of another, and his legs needed to be amputated. This is not okay. On top of that, there is an increased level of trauma that I have ever seen in my life. Working at a level one burn and trauma center I can count maybe a handful of injuries of this magnitude that I have dealt with in a year. Here I am dealing with a handful of fresh tragedies of this magnitude in a day. Now think of the resources it takes to take care of just one of these patients. In America, sometimes we are running short on that. Here, with no new aid-supplies coming in, you just cant do it. You cant keep these people alive. And now, with the border closed and Rafah being invaded, staff arent coming to work for fear of their own safety and their familys safety. So, you have an ICU staffed with less than half of the nurses and doctors. I saw two physicians the other day rounding on three ICUs. The nurses, doctors and cleaning staff, everybody is exhausted we dont have the supplies; we dont have the human beings to maintain it. She concluded: I am begging anybody to reach out to their local governments to beg for a ceasefire so we can get more aid in, more supplies, more people and we can safely exit when its time to leave our mission. These people need our help. Please help. Given the financial and material backing of Israels military campaign by Biden and companyinfused with an additional $26.4 billion in a bipartisan vote by the US Congresssuch appeals will only fall on the deaf ears of the imperialists, who see the campaign in Israel as a broader geopolitical maneuver in the Middle East. Indeed, the appeal must go to the international working class to oppose the ongoing genocide and bring an end to the war drive that is being escalated by the entire ruling class. The working class that produces the entire accumulated wealth on the planet is the only force with the material means to end the wholesale slaughter of the Palestinian people and prevent a further descent into barbarism. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Azerbaijan plays a globally significant role in the climate change fight as the host country of COP29, EU Ambassador Peter Michalko said at an event dedicated to Europe Day, Trend reports. Speaking about the country hosting such a significant event as COP29, he noted that it also demonstrates the great respect of the international community for Azerbaijan and its actions in the field of green energy. Michalko emphasized that Azerbaijan and the EU, which is a global leader in climate action, can use this event to better care for the environment and the future of the planet. "We welcome Azerbaijan's commitment to developing the potential of renewable energy sources, which is an important part of the country's plan to reduce greenhouse gas and methane emissions," added the ambassador. 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 Canadas trade union-backed Liberal government issued a defence policy update last month that pledged tens of billions of dollars in increased military spending and outlined plans to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has the means to wage war anywhere in the world. Central to the policy update is the modernization of NORADthe joint Canada-US aerospace and maritime defence command established at the height of the Cold Warand the further militarization of the Arctic. NORAD is viewed by both Washington and Ottawa as central to waging strategic conflict and all-out war, including nuclear war, against its great-power rivals, above all Russia and China, in what amounts to a redivision of the world. Since its founding in 1958, NORAD has been a cornerstone of the now eight-decade-old military-strategic alliance between US and Canadian imperialism. Underscoring its importance, US President Joe Biden proclaimed during a visit to Ottawa last year: NORAD is the only binational military command in the world, yet another way in which our partnership is exceptional. Canada, the Liberal government defence policy update declares, is committed to defending North America against aerospace threats in partnership with the United States. But it quickly makes clear that NORADs defence mission is inseparable from, and the foundation, for the aggressive pursuit of Canadian and American imperialist interests the world over. To complement and build on investments already made under our NORAD modernization plan, we will further explore Canadas integrated air and missile defence capabilities, states the update. This more robust approach to integrated air and missile defence will have significant benefits across all theatres in which Canada operates and strengthen our contribution to collective security. (emphasis added) If this were not a clear enough statement of NORADs role in asserting North American imperialist hegemony across the globe, the update further declares, When we are strong and secure at home, we can support our allies without fear of retaliation. Tens of billions for imperialist war The Trudeau government formally committed to NORAD modernization in a joint Canada-US statement signed, so as to avoid press coverage and public debate, in August 2021, the day before parliament was dissolved and the campaign for the Sept. 20, 2021 election launched. Ten months later, in June 2022, the Trudeau government pledged Can. $39 billion over the next 20 years to upgrade and expand NORADs reach and capabilities. As an initial down payment, it allotted $4.9 billion to be spent over the next six years to modernize NORAD, including its early warning surveillance capabilities and infrastructure in the far north. Military analysts have warned that the real cost of NORAD modernization will likely be much higher than the announced $39 billion due to technological improvements and changing parameters. A key feature of Canadas NORAD modernization program is the purchase of 88 F-35 stealth fighter jets from the US. Washington and Ottawa will also introduce an Over-the-Horizon radar system designed for the early detection of ballistic missile prelaunch activity, and develop new radar and sensor systems under the Crossbow program aimed at detecting and destroying ballistic missile launch sites thousands of kilometres away. There is nothing defensive about the NORAD modernization project. The imperialists goals are aggressive and predatory: creating the infrastructure for US and Canadian imperialism to be able to wage a winnable nuclear conflict with Russia and China, and secure geostrategic hegemony in the Arctic. US imperialism has long been pressing the Trudeau Liberal government to do more in this regard. In April of last year, the Washington Post published a leaked document bearing the seal of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff which characterized the Canadian military as inadequately prepared and complained that significant Arctic capabilities and modernization plans have not materialized. These tensions burst into the open last year, when US Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) grilled Lieutenant-General Gregory Guillot during the latters confirmation hearing as NORAD Commander. After chastising the Canadian government for failing to pull their weight, Sullivan asked, Can you commit to us to have those tough conversations with your Canadian counterparts. Yes, senator, replied Guillot, you can count on me to do that. The new NORAD commander has since publicly pressed for US troops to conduct more joint training exercises in the Canadian Arctic. Behind these tensions lie definite conflicts between North Americas two imperialist powers. Canadian imperialism views its military-strategic partnership with Washington as critical to advancing its interests around the world, Moreover, under conditions where there has been an enormous erosion in Americas world position, above all its economic predominance, Canadas ruling elite has cleaved still more to its US ally. However, Canadas ruling class has long resisted any attempt to encroach on its territorial claims and geostrategic interests in the Arctic. The most well-known example of disputes in this region with its US ally is Canadas claim that the Northwest Passage is part of its territorial waters. Washington considers this increasingly important trade route to be international waters. The competition between the great powers in the Arctic is being exacerbated by the impact of climate change. A dramatic militarization of the region is well underway as the states with Arctic borders or economic interests seek to take advantage of the regions rich resources and strategic trade routes. The Arctic can therefore quickly emerge as a new northern front in the rapidly escalating third world war, which began with US imperialisms incitementwith the full support of the Canadian ruling classof war with Russia over Ukraine. It has since expanded to the Middle East with the imperialist powers unconditional backing of Israels genocidal onslaught on the Palestinians; and it is inextricably bound up, as even Biden and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have forthrightly stated, with the ever-intensifying economic, diplomatic and military pressure that Washington and its allies are placing on China. Canadian imperialism has historically been reluctant to formalize a NATO presence in the Arctic, preferring to jointly manage what the defence policy update calls NATOs western flank with the US under NORAD. But under conditions of NATO and Canadas ongoing war against Russia, and the highly provocative entry of Sweden and Finland into the Western alliance, Ottawa has changed course. It now welcomes greater NATO involvement, a shift that was underscored by a joint 2022 visit by Trudeau and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to NORAD facilities in Cold Lake, Alberta and at Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Former Defence Minister Anita Anand declared in a 2022 speech that the chaotic state of the world means that Canada must take a more bold and aggressive approach to defending its interests. We do live in a world at the present time that appears to be growing darker, she remarked. In this new world, Canadas geographic position no longer provides the same protection that it once did. And in this new world, the security environment facing Canada is less secure, less predictable and more chaotic. Canadas Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre has echoed these remarks, adding the question of civil defencei.e., the militarization of Canadian society itself. Part of [defence] is the ability to intercept, he stated. The other piece is denial by resiliencenational resilienceso were going to have to explore that more as part of our policy update. There is unanimous support within Canadas political establishment for NORAD modernization and the defence policy updates assertion that the Canadian military must have the means to wage war around the world, from the Russian Arctic to the South China Sea, in space and cyberspace. However, the Conservative official opposition, the trade union-sponsored NDP, the corporate media, and the military-security establishment have all criticised the government for not procuring new weapons and weapons systems more quickly and in even greater numbers. As for the pro-Quebec independence Bloc Quebecois, its only concern is that Quebec must get its juste part (fair share) of the tens of billions to be squandered on waging and preparing for war. The militarization of the Arctic and the imperialist redivision of the world The militarization of the Arctic is but one component of a global resurgence of competition and outright conflict between the great powers over markets, spheres of influence, and raw materials. It finds its sharpest expression in the US-led war against Russia in Ukraine, which is aimed at subordinating Russia to the status of a semi-colony so that the Western powers can seize its vast natural resources, and in the imperialist powers advanced preparations for war with China. The Arctic plays an increasingly important role in the imperialist powers redivision of the world for several reasons. First, it is a region rich in key raw materials, including oil and gas, and rare earths that are crucial for the rapidly expanding clean energy economy. Territorial claims are decisive in determining which power can lay claim to these natural resources. Secondly, the Northwest Passage on Canadas northern coast and the Northern Sea Route along Russias Arctic coast are quickly becoming viable trade routes that would massively reduce freight transport times and costs between Europe and Asia. Thirdly, control over the Arctic and its approaches would offer crucial military advantages during a third world war. Missiles fired by North Americas imperialist powers against Russia and China could swiftly reach their targets by traversing the Arctic. The 2022 US National Defense Strategywhich is soon to be supplemented by a new Pentagon Arctic Strategyexplained how US imperialism intends to pursue its interests in the region: Climate change is creating new corridors of strategic interaction, particularly in the Arctic region. It will increase demands, including on the Joint Force, for disaster response and defense support of civil authorities, and affect security relationships with some Allies and partners. Insecurity and instability related to climate change may tax governance capacity in some countries while heightening tensions between others, risking new armed conflicts and increasing demands for stabilization activities. The report declared that Washington favours a stable Arctic region characterized by adherence to internationally agreed upon rules and norms. The Department will deter threats to the US homeland from and through the Arctic region by improving early warning and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) capabilities, partnering with Canada to enhance North American Aerospace Defense Command capabilities, and working with Allies and partners to increase shared maritime domain awareness. NORAD training mission 2017 [Photo: Government of Canada] The Institute for Peace and Diplomacy, a euphemistically named think tank of the Canadian ruling class, published a report last year titled, The Arctic: A Primary Canadian National Interest. The report began by noting comments made in 2022 by Vince Rigby, a former national security and intelligence adviser to Trudeau. Speaking at the University of Ottawa Task Force on National Security, Rigby declared that a serious review by Canada of its presence in the Arctic is needed, including its military footprint and capabilities, which have received scant attention over the decades despite considerable government rhetoric to the contrary. The report argued NORAD modernization was of critical importance to achieving the aims of Canadian imperialism in the Arctic and beyond: If Canadian-American relations are Canadas number one priority, then the place to start is to ensure that we use our vast Arctic territory to enhance American military security by jointly managing and contributing to the common defence through NORAD. Upgrading the North Warning System is an indication that common sense has at last prevailed in Ottawa. There is a troubling precedent, however, if Ottawa had continued to dither . . . Being a laggard in northern defence could adversely affect Canadian independence and our standing with the United States and other allies, but if the opposite were trueif Canada was a leader in Arctic capabilitiesit would benefit greatly our relations with the United States. The report pointed to the end of the unipolar world, i.e., the unchallenged world hegemony of US imperialism. It argued that Canada should respond to this development by re-asserting itself as a middle power in order to prevent becoming a marginal state. The report argued in particular that beefing up Canadas military presence in the Arctic would solidify Canada as a pivot state against China: Strategic minerals, like lithium and cobalt, are the key components to drive the low carbon and digital economy and the competition for strategic minerals is fierce. China, which describes itself as a near-Arctic power is currently the dominant player across critical minerals supply chains. In December 2022, Canada launched its Critical Minerals Strategy and half of the 31 minerals listed are to be found in the Northwest Territories. Indeed, the indigenous-led Nechalacho rare earths project is the first rare earths mine in Canada and only the second in North America. ... If Canada can become a major supplier of critical minerals, it will both produce great wealth ... and establish itself as an important hub or pivot state in the strategic competition with China. The report goes on to describe the potential wealth offshore. Citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the report notes that coastal states receive a 12 nautical mile territorial sea with full sovereignty rights, and a 200 nautical mile continental shelf exclusive economic zone. While the surface waters in such an economic zone are considered international waters, all rights to anything below the surfacefrom fish to oil, natural gas and mineralsare the exclusive preserve of the coastal state. UNCLOS provides an additional stipulation for assessing further claims in the event that the continental shelf extends beyond 200 nautical miles. Because the true extent of the North American and Eurasian continental shelves in the Arctic are relatively poorly understood, there has been a race between the Arctic states to conduct underwater geological surveys to produce data favourable to claiming as much of the Arctic Ocean as possible. This has led to a border dispute between Russia and Canada, who have submitted conflicting claims. The US is not a signatory to UNCLOS, though it has cynically used its provisions to bully China and incite its neighbours in the South China Sea. To secure Canadian imperialisms Arctic interests, the report proposes that Ottawa should further integrate its Arctic military operations with NATO. It might be time again for Canada to have a formal mission in support of NATOs now greatly expanded northern flank, the report noted, referring to Finland and Sweden becoming alliance members following the US-provoked Russian invasion of Ukraine. Defending North America, not just Europe, is part and parcel of defending NATOthere are two geographic components to the transatlantic alliance. In order to achieve its predatory aims, Canadian imperialism aims to enlist the support of the Far Norths tiny indigenous elite. With utter cynicism, the report states, The Arctic provides scope for the Canadian commitments to environmental sustainability and reconciliation with indigenous peoples. Like Brazil with the rainforest, Canada is in possession of a wide expanse of the Arctic ... stewardship must be an essential component of Canadas Arctic Strategy. This is best done in collaboration with the Inuit and other aboriginal peoples who have lived in this harsh climate for many millennia. The militarization drive in the Arctic will most certainly involve the continuation of the brutal oppression of the indigenous populationthe violation of land rights, the ramping up of the exploitation of indigenous workers, widespread environmental pollution, not to mention placing the entire population in the line of fire. The collaboration to which the report refers means the use of the tiny Indigenous elite promoted through the cynical use of identity politics as a battering ram against the general population, the vast majority of which will oppose the war drive in the region. The only force within society capable of halting a global conflagrationwhich now poses an existential threat to the survival of humanity itselfis the international working class united around a genuine socialist program. The struggle against NORAD modernization and the militarization of the Arctic must be combined with opposition to imperialist war around the world, from the US-led war to subjugate Russia to the ongoing horrific imperialist-backed genocide in Gaza. This requires the building of an international anti-war movement led by the working class to fight imperialist aggression and all forms of oppression. In a chilling attack on democratic rights, David McBride was sentenced to five years and eight months imprisonment yesterday for blowing the whistle on Australian war crimes in Afghanistan. McBride was hit with a non-parole period of two years and three months. David McBride addressing Sydney rally demanding the release of Julian Assange, 24 May, 2023. The sentence means that the cumulative period during which he has been hounded by the authorities, subjected to secretive national-security trials and now imprisoned, will cost McBride almost two decades of his life. A former army lawyer, McBride is the first person to be prosecuted over the war crimes in Afghanistan and to be sentenced to prison. He is being punished, not for committing the crimes, but for providing information to journalists documenting gross violations of international law, including extrajudicial murders. In handing down the punishment, Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court Justice David Mossop noted that it was a lengthy sentence and that he had the option of a more lenient penalty. Mossop, however, declared that a substantial term of imprisonment was necessary to deter others from such conduct. They must know that breaching their legal obligations will be met by significant punishment. Mossop said this was all the more important when questions of national security were involved. That is a clear declaration that exposures of war crimes, including contraventions of international law, must be suppressed to keep the population in the dark and deter others. The persecution of McBride is all the more striking given that his exposures have been fully vindicated. After his attempts to raise complaints through internal military channels were rebuffed in 2014, McBride contacted Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) journalists and provided them with military documents over the next two years related to the occupation of Afghanistan. The resulting 2017 Afghan Files series by the ABC documented the alleged murder of Afghan prisoners by Australian Special Forces, the killing of children and the retrospective green light given to such actions by military investigators. The exposures, adding to earlier media reports, cut across a protracted cover up of the war crimes, the majority of which were reportedly committed between 2009 and 2013. A belated and highly limited official investigation, dubbed the Brereton Inquiry, concluded in 2020 that there was credible evidence that Australian Special Forces soldiers murdered at least 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners between 2009 and 2013. The inquiry was a damage control exercise, with its chief aim being to clear governments and the military command of any knowledge or direct responsibility for the war crimes. Since the Brereton report was handed down, only one relatively lowly Special Forces soldier has been charged with an offence. The prosecution was almost unavoidable, given that footage of the soldier shooting a prone and unarmed Afghan teenager dead had been broadcast nationally. That trial has been repeatedly delayed, and no one else has been charged. Senior representatives of the federal Labor government and military command have insisted that it is necessary to move on from the Afghan war crimes, lest they dent army morale and obstruct current military operations, including the US-led build up directed against China. There has been no such reticence in the persecution of McBride, which has rolled on relentlessly. He was charged with five national security offences, including unlawfully disclosing classified information under the Defence Act and divulging information in breach of the Crimes Act. The trial was held with national security secrecy provisions and restrictions on reporting in force. Last November, McBride was effectively compelled to plead guilty to three of the charges. The court sided with prosecutors in barring one of his main lines of defence. McBride had planned to argue that he was legally obligated to disobey orders aimed at suppressing the war crimes, because they were in violation of international law. The court upheld the prosecution line, which was essentially that members of the military must follow whatever orders they are given. That authoritarian position was central to Mossops sentencing remarks. McBride was condemned for having gone against military command and for showing no contrition, while the contents of what he exposed were scarcely mentioned. The imprisonment of McBride is another demonstration of the anti-democratic and militarist program of the federal Labor government. In the first instance, many of its leading figures, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, were prominent members of the 20072013 Labor administrations of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. Those Labor governments oversaw Australian participation in the US-led, neo-colonial occupation of Afghanistan throughout the period of the war crimes documented in the Brereton Report. Gillards government participated in US President Obamas troop surge, including greater Australian Special Forces involvement in kill or capture raids. Those were assassination operations, targeting Afghans placed on intelligence lists without a semblance of due process. McBride is going to prison because the Albanese Labor government has put him there. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus rejected calls to use his powers to order a termination of the prosecution. The prosecutions case, including barring McBrides defence arguments, was undoubtedly worked out in collaboration with the government. In addition to exacting retribution and covering up past crimes, the clear aim is to send a chilling message to whistleblowers and opponents of war more broadly. That is a component of Labors support for US-led wars today, which are increasingly metastasising into a new global conflict. Labor has aggressively backed Israels genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza. It is a party to the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine having added to more than a billion dollars of aid to Washingtons puppet regime in Kiev, most of it military. In the Indo-Pacific, Labor is completing Australias transformation into a frontline state for a US-led war against China, including through the $368 billion purchase of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact, a vast expansion of missile and strike capabilities, expanded US basing arrangements and a continuous diplomatic offensive to involve nations throughout the region in the campaign against Beijing. The government and the national security establishment have insisted this must be a whole of nation war effort, subordinating every aspect of society to the war drive. As part of this, Labor joined hands with the then Liberal-National Coalition government in 2017 to pass sweeping foreign interference laws. In addition to stoking a McCarthyite anti-China hysteria, the legislation potentially outlaws internationally-coordinated political activity, including anti-war campaigning, and increases penalties for whistleblowing and national security exposures. The crackdown on opposition to war is currently taking the form of a vitriolic campaign against protesters opposing the genocide in Gaza. Every day they are slandered by government and opposition leaders and the corporate media as dangerous, terrorist sympathisers and antisemites, as part of a lying global campaign to conflate opposition to the Israeli war crimes with anti-Jewish bigotry. The McBride sentence further exposes Labors phony posturing over the persecution of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange. The Australian citizen faces imminent extradition from Britain to the US, where he would be prosecuted on 17 Espionage Act charges carrying a total maximum sentence of 175 years imprisonment, for exposing war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as global diplomatic conspiracies, spying and human rights abuses by the US and its allies. Labor has occasionally feigned concern for Assanges plight, with Albanese and others vaguely declaring enough is enough and the case should be brought to a close. At the same time, Labor has rejected demands that it use its diplomatic and legal powers to secure his freedom. Last October, Albanese confirmed that his government had not and would not request that US President Joe Biden intervene to end the prosecution of Assange. Labor has presented the US-led frame-up of the WikiLeaks publisher as a legal process involving America and Britain that must be respected and to which Australia is not a formal party. As phony as these evasions are, in the McBride case there are no such excuses. This is a prosecution, with striking similarities to the persecution of Assange, directly overseen by the Labor government itself. McBrides sentence and the ongoing assault on Assange underscore the need for a fight against the onslaught on democratic rights and the imperialist war drive with which it is inseparably connected. That includes the global campaign of the Socialist Equality Party and the International Committee of the Fourth International to free the courageous Ukrainian socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk. He has been jailed by the fascistic Zelensky regime for fighting to unite Ukrainian and Russian workers on a socialist program against the US-NATO war and all the governments involved, as part of the struggle by the Young Guard of Bolshevik Leninists organisation. The defence of democratic rights cannot be taken forward through impotent appeals to the governments or through the corporatised trade unions, which have done nothing to oppose war or authoritarianism. Instead, it requires the independent mobilisation of the social and political power of the working class. Such a mobilisation must be based on an international socialist perspective directed against the capitalist system itself, which is tobogganing toward world war and dictatorship, as it did in the 1930s. This perspective will be discussed at a May 26 public meeting of the Socialist Equality Party in Sydney and online, Free Julian Assange, Fight Imperialist War. At a press conference in London Wednesday, supporters of imprisoned WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange warned that a High Court ruling on Monday could see him extradited to the United States within 24 hours. Stella Assange told a Foreign Press Association (FPA) briefing that if Britains High Court ruled against her husband next week, there will be no further avenues for appeal in the UK. Stella Assange speaking at the protest outside London's High Court, February 20, 2024 She was joined by WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson, Reporters Without Borders campaign director Rebecca Vincent, and lawyer Jennifer Robinson who appeared via video-link from Australia. Stella reminded journalists that Assange has been in one form of detention or another since December 2010, when he was placed under house arrest just seven days after WikiLeaks started publishing leaked US diplomatic cables. Since British police seized him from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, he has spent five years without charge in the UKs most notorious prison. Assange is the victim of a political and judicial witch-hunt led by the US and Britain, in retribution for WikiLeaks courageous journalism exposing war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. Britains High Court will hear a final appeal from Assange on the narrowest grounds: whether to accept worthless US assurances that a man they tried to assassinate will receive First Amendment protections if he is extradited. Julian Assange [Photo by David G. Silvers, Cancilleria del Ecuador / CC BY-SA 2.0 Arguments have been submitted to the High Court by US government lawyers and by Assanges legal team. Both sides will argue their case on Monday morning, with a decision likely later that day. Stella explained, The timing is uncertain, but we know that in other national security extradition cases, the person has been extradited within 24-hours of a decision. Hrafnsson told the assembled media, It is abundantly clear that the process in the courts in the United Kingdom are corrupt. The case is rigged against Julian. He continued: I know these are harsh words, and words that we usually have for courts in non-European countries, non-Western countries, but Ive come to the opinion that that is absolutely the case. This is institutional corruption on a judicial level. Julian Assange is a political prisoner. Its abundantly clear. He appealed to the assembled journalists: I hope that you can look into the details of the case where the evidence is basically screaming at you. He pointed by way of example to paragraph 210 of the High Courts most recent ruling, responding to arguments by Assanges lawyers that you cannot extradite an individual to a country whose secret service has drawn up plots to kidnap or assassinate them. Hrafnsson explained: Im referring to the CIA plot to kidnap or assassinate Julian in 2017, at the time when Mike Pompeo was director of the agency. He described the High Courts response as something out of Alice in Wonderland, paraphrasing its argument that even if it were credible that the CIA plotted to kidnap or kill Assange, his extradition through a lawful process meant the need to kidnap or assassinate him falls away, thereby it is not an argument for an appeal. Can you believe this? This is something you read in papers in the Royal Court of Justice. Its unbelievable. The judicial process is rigged. Rebecca Vincent told the media, If Assange is prosecuted under the Espionage Act, the precedent is set for the same sort of case to be applied to any publisher, any journalist, any source. Any media organization that works with leaked classified information could find themselves in the same situation at Julian Assange. Our hope for justice here in the UK is not completely diminished. At each stage that space for hope shrinks, but a small glimmer of hope is still there, and that is what were hoping for on Monday. Jennifer Robinson told journalists: The Australian government has put their support behind Julian Assange. We are working closely with our Prime Minister and our Attorney General and the Australian government to try to seek a resolution of this case and we continue to demand that Julian be released, the case be brought to an end, and he be brought home to Australia. Robinson added, there is bipartisan political support for Julian Assange here in Australia and just recently we had a parliamentary resolution go through our parliament with two-thirds of the parliaments support calling on the UK and the US to drop this case and to allow Julian to return home to Australia. There is overwhelming support among millions of Australians for Assanges release, but Robinsons portrayal of the Labor government as championing Assanges freedom is a political cover-up. Successive Labor and Liberal-National governments have backed the US vendetta against the WikiLeaks editor. Shamefully, Robinson made no mention of Labors escalating war against whistleblowers and journalists, including the vicious five-year prison sentence handed down this week against former Australian Army lawyer and whistleblower David McBride who exposed war crimes in Afghanistan. In the Q&A which followed, journalists asked whether the British or US election outcomes would have any bearing on Assanges case. Stella replied that her husbands case was all politics and said that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had not acted in good faith toward Assange since his arrest in 2010, There is correspondence from the CPS evidencing that they were colluding to keep him in a legal limbo and to keep him in in some form of detention and from being able to defend himself and be free. The head of the CPS during that time was Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer. Rebecca Vincent said: We dont know how the US elections will play into this case either. I agree with Stella and Kristinns assessment that this is a political case, weve talked about this quite a lot. We dont know what will happen in the event of a return of Trump whose DoJ [Department of Justice] brought this case in the first place. President Biden has the chance still to be the president who put an end to this, who acted in the interest of press freedom and journalism, rather than enabling this very dangerous prosecution that will tarnish the reputation forever of the country of the First Amendment. No faith can be placed in the war mongers in Washington or London. Democrats and Republicans, Labour and Tory, are at one in their backing of genocide in Gaza and military confrontation against Russia. Imperialist war abroad is being accompanied by a crackdown on democratic rights, with the mass arrest of student protesters across the US and a frontal assault in Britain on the right to protest and free speech. The fight for Assanges freedom must be taken up by the working class internationally as part of the fight against war and dictatorship produced by capitalism. Toward the end of the FPAs press briefing Vincent reported that journalists who are not based in the UK are being barred from remote audio access to Mondays High Court hearing. A journalist reported she had been told to pay for remote access. The World Socialist Web Site has received notice that our reporter must pay 303 and submit an Application Notice (Pursuant to the Extradition Act 2003). Such is the level of political censorship and secrecy surrounding the final stages of extra-judicial proceedings against Assange in the UK. More than half a million Palestinians have been forced to flee the southern city of Rafah and areas of northern Gaza over the past week, according to the UN, as the Israeli military dramatically escalates its war of extermination. Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike on a school run by UNRWA, the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. [AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana] The UN relief agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) reported that around 450,000 people have been driven out of Rafaha city whose population had been swollen to 1.3 million by a huge influx of people escaping the Israeli military onslaught elsewhere in Gaza. In a Twitter/X post yesterday, the UNRWA underscored the desperate situation facing men, women, and children who have been pushed from one war zone to another. People face constant exhaustion, hunger, and fear. Nowhere is safe. An immediate #ceasefire is the only hope, it declared. Israeli forces have seized control of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and blocked the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel, effectively cutting off aid convoys into southern Gaza. No food has entered via these crossings over the past week, and only a trickle is coming into Gaza via newly opened crossings in the north. According to the UN, some 1.1 million Palestinians face catastrophic levels of hungerthat is, they are on the brink of starvation. Last week, the head of the UN World Food Program (WFP) Cindy McCain confirmed that northern Gaza had already entered a full-blown famine as judged by an extreme lack of food, acute malnutrition among children, and daily deaths from hunger. Now the Israeli military has issued evacuation orders for northern Gaza, where it has renewed operations in areas that it had previously claimed to have cleared. UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters Monday that at least 100,000 people have been forced to leave so far. In other words, in the last week alone, more than half a million people, nearly a quarter of Gazas population of 2.3 million, have been displaced. In a statement released yesterday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was appalled by the escalation of military activity in and around Rafah by the Israel Defense Forces, adding that it was impeding aid supplies and worsening an already dire situation. He called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the reopening of the Rafah border crossing. UN spokesman Haq said: The families being displaced from Rafah are arriving at sites that lack shelter, latrines, and water points. However, it is impossible to improve the situation at displacement sites if supplies cant enter Gazaand if we lack the fuel to transport them inside Gaza to the families who need them. Abeer Etefa, a spokeswoman for the World Food Program, said it was distributing food from its remaining stocks in the areas of Khan Younis in the south and Deir al-Balah farther north, where many of those escaping Rafah had fled. Inside Rafah itself, only two organizations partnering with WFP were still able to distribute food. No bakeries were operating. The majority of distributions have stopped due to the evacuation orders, displacement, and running out of food, she said. The hostility of the Zionist regime and the military to the United Nations and aid workers is epitomized by the killing of a UN security officer and the wounding of another when an Israeli tank fired on a UN vehicle near Rafah on Monday. Despite denials by the Israeli military, the white UN vehicle was clearly marked, and Israeli authorities had been informed of its route to the European hospital in Rafah in advance. The UN staff member killed was Waibhav Anil Kale, a retired Indian army colonel. The injured staffer was Yara Dababneh, from Jordan. The incident marks the first time that a UN international staff member has been killed in the US-backed Israeli war in Gaza since October 7. The UNRWA says that at least 188 of its local employees have been killed since the start of the conflict. In a report issued yesterday, US-based Human Rights Watch said the Israeli military has carried out at least eight strikes on aid workers and their convoys, killing at least 15 people, including two children, since October 7. In each case, aid groups had provided details of their routes in advance to Israeli authorities. The most widely known case was the killing of seven aid workers with World Central Kitchen in April in multiple Israeli airstrikes on a convoy of clearly marked vehicles whose route was known. Amid widespread international outrage, Israel dismissed two officers and reprimanded three more, claiming they had breached military rules of engagement. In another incident on Monday, Israeli police reportedly stood by while Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank attacked aid trucks bound for Gaza. The settlers offloaded and vandalized the vehicles at the Tarqumiya checkpoint and near the barrier by Beit 'Awwa, UN spokesman Haq said. Only later were several of those involved arrested. The horrific living conditions in Gaza continue to worsen. Oxfam has warned of widespread disease outbreaks in Gaza due to an estimated $210 million worth of damage to water and sanitation infrastructure, mass displacement and the onset of summer. The organization said in a statement: Oxfam staff in Gaza have described piles of human waste and rivers of sewage in the streets, which people are having to jump between. They also reported people having to drink dirty water and children being bitten by insects swarming around the sewage. Doctors Without Borders announced on Tuesday that a field hospital it was supplying in Rafah has been forced to shut down due to Israeli military operations. The 60-bed Rafah Indonesian Field Hospital, which had been treating the wounded since December, pulled out its 180 staff. The 22 patients have been moved to other facilities or sent home. According to the UN, 24 of Gazas 36 hospitals have shut down, with the rest only partially operating. Nine field hospitals had been set up, including six in Rafah. However, as Doctors Without Borders explained, field hospitals cannot cope with a massive influx of wounded civilians, on top of overwhelming medical needs. They can in no way replace a functional health system. According to local health officials in Gaza yesterday, at least 35,173 people have been killed and 79,061 wounded in Israeli attacks since October 7. In the previous 24 hours, at least 82 Palestinians had been killedthe highest death toll in a single day in many weeks. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka are holding an online meeting entitled Oppose imperialist war! on Thursday, May 23, at 7pm. In announcing the recent International May Day Rally, David North, chairman of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site, warned, A third world war is not a distant possibility. The opening stages of this war are already underway. Israels genocide in Gaza against Palestinians and its US-backed attacks against Iran are just one front in a rapidly emerging world war involving nuclear armed powers. US imperialism and its allies are already engaged in a war against Russia in Ukraine and are making advanced preparations for a catastrophic conflict with China. The imperialist leaders as well as various media pundits now casually refer to a nuclear war as an acceptable strategic option, despite the grave threat it poses to the existence of humanity. The Biden administration, along with other NATO powers, have repeatedly crossed the red lines in Ukraine which they previously accepted as necessary to prevent nuclear war. One might consider that the imperialist leadersBiden, Sunak, Macron and Scholzare criminally insane as they drag the planet towards nuclear conflagration. However, their policies are not simply the product of deranged individuals but of the profound crisis of world capitalism for which they have no rational, progressive solution and see a global war for domination as the only way out. War is being accompanied by savage repression against any opposition as the terrible, continued persecution of Julian Assange for exposing the crimes of US imperialism graphically demonstrates. Our comrade Bogdan Syrotiuk of the Young Guard of Bolshevik Leninists has been detained by the fascistic Zelensky government in Ukraine earlier this month on false accusations of being a Russian agent. Bogdan has courageously opposed the war in Ukraine, along with his comrades in Russia, denounced both the Ukrainian and Russian regimes and fought for the unity of the Ukrainian and Russian working class. In the US and other imperialist countries, brutal police crackdowns are taking place against protesters opposing the Gaza genocide with thousands of arrests including of students. The ongoing anti-war protests in universities and cities are significant, but on their own are incapable of halting the bloodbath. For seven months, the Zionist regime and its imperialist backers have not only ignored protests by millions around the world, but they are also turning to police repression. The only social force capable of halting the drive to world war is the international working class which is coming into struggle in Sri Lanka and around the world in opposition to the austerity program of the ruling classes. As governments engage in, support and prepare for war, it is workers who are forced to bear the burden. A struggle against war requires the building of a unified anti-war movement of the working class based on a socialist program, exposing the futility of protest politics and all the apologists for imperialism. Appeals to capitalist governments are bankrupt. The independent mobilisation of workers on this basis needs to take up the fight to free Assange and Syrotiuk as well. The burning need is for a new revolutionary leadership in the working class based on socialist internationalism to abolish the source of militarism, austerity, authoritarianism and all sorts of social miserythe capitalist system. We invite you to participate in this important meeting. You can register for the online Zoom meeting using the link below. https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/register/upYrfuGgrzovHdwsh0kw_cmGXQh_D1H27Gwi The following speech was given by Tom Peters, a leading member of the Socialist Equality Group in New Zealand, at the International May Day 2024 Online Rally, held Saturday, May 4. International May Day 2024 Online Rally On behalf of the Socialist Equality Group in New Zealand, I extend revolutionary greetings to workers and young people throughout the Pacific region, who are facing increasingly imminent dangers as a result of the warmongering by US imperialism and its regional allies, Australia and New Zealand. Impoverished countries such as Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, which saw some of the bloodiest fighting of the Second World War, are now being drawn into plans for a catastrophic war with China. No island is too small to avoid the militarisation of the Pacific. The recent agreement between Australia and Tuvalu, which has just over 11,000 people, has effectively turned this tiny country into a colony, giving Canberra the power to dictate defence, security and foreign policy. Governments that try to maintain security ties with China and fail to bow to US dictates face the threat of violent regime change. This was the message sent to the Solomon Islands government when it experienced a US-backed coup attempt in 2021. Australian Army soldiers talk with local citizens in Honiara, Solomon Islands, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, during the coup attempt. [AP Photo/Cpl. Brandon Grey/Forsvarsdepartementet] New Zealand, as a member of the Five Eyes spy network and an imperialist power in the Pacific, is fully integrated into US war plans. Last August, the then Labour governments Defence Minister Andrew Little openly declared that military spending had to double so that the armed forces were equipped and prepared to play a role should war break out in the South China Sea. The Labour-led government, which included the Green Party, also sent troops to Britain to assist in training Ukrainian conscripts to fight in the US-NATO war against Russia. Labour suffered a devastating defeat in last Octobers election after six years in which it oversaw increased poverty, inequality and homelessness, and a closer alliance with the United States. Jacinda Ardern resigned as prime minister in the lead-up to the election, followed by several of her ministers, like rats leaving a sinking ship. In its final days, the Labour government endorsed Israels genocidal assault on Gaza, calling it an act of self-defence. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meets with US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office on 31 May 2022. [Photo: Adam Schultz] The current deeply unpopular government, a coalition of the National Party and the far-right ACT and New Zealand First parties, is picking up where Labour left off. It has sent troops to assist in the bombing of Yemen, to defend supply routes for the Zionist regime. It intends to bring New Zealand into the anti-China AUKUS alliance; and it recently established military ties with the authoritarian Marcos regime in the Philippines, which plays a major role in US war plans. The Labour Party does not fundamentally disagree with any of this. Speaking for the entire ruling class, a prominent New Zealand Herald columnist recently wrote that full-scale war in Europe and Asia [is] now a real possibility and for New Zealand to remain part of the Western defence network, that comes with a pricefirst in money and treasure, and perhaps later in blood. In the working class, however, there is widespread anti-war sentiment. Tens of thousands continue to join protests against the genocide in Gaza. When the organisers invited Labour MPs to speak at the demonstrations, these pro-imperialist politicians have been booed and shouted down. A recent survey found 68 percent of New Zealand residents oppose increased military spending, and nearly two thirds agree that the economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful. To fund the expansion of the military and cut taxes for the rich, the government is imposing brutal austerity measures. Thousands of public sector jobs have been destroyed, including in education, child welfare and the ministry of health, and 30,000 people across the country could lose their jobs in the next year. School lunches and disability services are being cut; public hospitals, already grossly understaffed, are being forced to make further cuts. Meanwhile, dozens of people continue to die every month from COVID-19, due to the murderous policy of mass infection imposed by Labour in late 2021. The Socialist Equality Group stands alone in warning that none of the capitalist parties represents a progressive alternative. The only way forward is to build a socialist movement that unites working people in New Zealand and internationally, to stop World War III by abolishing its root cause: the capitalist system. Teachers on strike outside the New Zealand parliament in Wellington, March 16, 2023. [Photo: NZEI Te Riu Roa Facebook] This requires a political struggle against middle-class pseudo-left groups, like the International Socialist Organisation (ISO), which fraudulently pose as socialists while doing everything they can to prevent the movement against austerity and war from getting out of the straitjacket of parliament and the union bureaucracy. The ISO campaigned in the election for Labour and its allies the Greens and Te Pati Maori. It calls on these capitalist parties, with their record of imposing savage cuts to essential services, to lead protests against austerity along with the unions. It glorifies the unions for issuing press statements calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. This covers up the role of the corporatist trade unions, which are an industrial police force for the ruling class. They enforce attacks on jobs and living standards, and are preventing any action by workers to stop the production and supply of weapons for Israel and the US. Like their counterparts in other countries, the pseudo-left in this country represents an upper-middle-class layer, including union officials, whose privileges depend on New Zealand being part of the imperialist alliance that is seeking to carve up the world. That is why the ISO has cheered NATOs aggressive war in Ukraine and glorified the extreme right-wing regime in Kiev. The pseudo-lefts promote the absurd lie that the same imperialist powers supporting genocide in Gaza are defending freedom and democracy against Russia. We call on workers listening in New Zealand and throughout this region to take up the fight for a genuine socialist, anti-war movement. This will require new organisationsrank-and-file committees, independent of the unionsto mobilise the working class to stop this developing Third World War. Most importantly, I urge you to contact the Socialist Equality Group and join our fight to build the New Zealand section of the International Committee of Fourth International. The following speech was given by Dilaxshan Mahalingam, an IYSSE member in Sri Lanka, at the International May Day 2024 Online Rally, held Saturday, May 4. International May Day 2024 Online Rally The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), in close collaboration with our comrades in the ICFI, is fighting to build an international mass anti-war movement of workers and youth. This movement must be based on the international working class, the only social force which is capable of stopping imperialist war and a disastrous nuclear World War III, and guided by the principles of international socialism. Our campaign is directed at stopping Israels genocidal war in Gaza, the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and US war preparations against China. We strongly condemn the brutal police repression unleashed by the Biden administration on student protests at universities across the US against the Gaza genocide. We call for the mobilization of the working class in the US and internationally in defense of all those protesting against the genocide. In our struggle to mobilize youth and students against imperialist war, the IYSSE combats the political influence of various student organizations, including the Inter-University Student Federation (IUSF) and the Jaffna University Student Union (JUSU). The IUSF and the JUSU are working to block students turning to the working class in their struggle to defend basic rights, including free education, and to confine them within the reactionary bourgeois political framework. The IUSF, which is politically controlled by the pseudo-left Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), keeps students in the dark on the Gaza genocide and the growing danger of imperialist world war. IUSF activists have violently intervened to block IYSSE campaigns among university students. A group of KUSU-IUSF representatives try to disrupt IYSSE anti-war campaign Amid the growing opposition of students to attacks carried out by the government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on free education, the IUSF is organizing futile protests to contain their anger and limit them to exerting pressure on the government, spreading the illusion that such moves will compel the government to change course. Contrary to the IUSFs claims, the Wickremesinghe governments attacks on free education are part of harsh austerity measures dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in return for its $3 billion bailout loan. Neither the Wickremesinghe government nor any other regime which may replace it following future elections can deviate from the IMF program. The IUSF is utterly hostile to the political struggle waged by the IYSSE among students to turn them towards the working class, and our fight to build a workers-led joint political movement, rallying students against the government and for socialist policies. Free education can be defended only through such a working class-led movement to overthrow bourgeois rule and establish a government of workers and peasants, which is committed to socialist policies. Part of the SEP and IYSSE protest outside the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation in Colombo on 15 June 2023. The JUSU also keeps silent on the Gaza genocide. In response to an inquiry by the WSWS, JUSU leader K. Thuvarkan said: We do not care about international developments. We care only about our problems, Tamil peoples problems. JUSUs silence on Israels genocide in Gaza is based on reactionary Tamil nationalism and flows from the pro-imperialist politics of the Tamil bourgeois nationalist parties, including the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), with whom they have close ties. These parties are fully lined up with the US-India military-strategic offensive against China, and plead with the international community, i.e., US and western imperialist powers, to pressure Colombo for a power-sharing arrangement in which the Tamil elite can secure some privileges. The Tamil bourgeois parties, as with all other parties of the bourgeois political establishment, are fully committed to IMF-dictated austerity measures. Under conditions of a possible presidential election to be held by the end of this year, they are contemplating which candidate they can support to secure the privileges of the Tamil elite. C.V. Vigneshwaran, the leader of Tamil Peoples Alliance, is advocating fielding a Tamil candidate to express to the people and other nations Tamil political issues and also to bargain with other candidates on what they will give us. R. Sambandan and M.A. Sumanthiran of the TNA are advocating support for a candidate from the major parties, but have not decided whom. Whether fielding a Tamil candidate or supporting a candidate from a major party, the calculation of various Tamil bourgeois parties is on what is the best way to secure the privileges of the Tamil elite. Workers, youth and students must reject the reactionary politics of all those parties of the bourgeois political establishment and their pseudo-left hangers on. They need to fight for a united revolutionary movement of the working class, cutting across Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communal lines, rallying youth, students and rural poor, to overthrow bourgeois rule and establish a government of workers and peasants, which is committed to socialist policies. The IYSSE is fighting among youth and students to mobilize them along that revolutionary path. Our call to youth and students is to join with the IYSSE to bring forward this struggle for socialism. A banner displayed at the anti-genocide protest reads: "UCLA Faculty and Staff WE STAND WITH OUR STUDENTS" April 29, 2024. Send in your statement supporting the UC graduate students! Fill out the form below; all submissions will be kept anonymous. The strike vote by 48,000 University of California academic workers and members of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 4811 continued into its second day Tuesday. This weeks vote is a result of the extreme anger over the response by the University of California Los Angeles administration and police, which allowed armed right-wing and Zionist counter-protesters to brutally attack the peaceful UCLA Gaza Solidarity encampment for over three hours with metal pipes, fireworks and pepper spray. These attacks were followed up with more violence by police, who used rubber bullets and flash bangs and arrested 132 protesters. One academic worker, who wished to remain anonymous, told the WSWS, I voted in favor of the strike. I think people want to do what they can to bring some visibility to the protests and the movement for divestment. Theres certainly a leftover feeling of ineffectiveness toward the union from the last strike and a lot of that has to do with its bureaucracy for sure. Others have also said that the current union management used this call for action as a way to get reelected during last weeks elections. I can speak for myself and say that as students we believe in what were doing and want to do something in reaction to the retaliation from authorities faced by our colleagues in other campuses and to make institutions accountable, but I also expect the union management to pull out a number at any moment. In an interview with the WSWS on Tuesday, Sarah, a UC Irvine student involved in the Peoples University for Gaza, expressed support for the UAW grad student workers voting for strike action to defend the anti-genocide protesters. That's how you stop it. That's how it is in all wars. It's with the working class and with the students ... Academic workers must cast the widest possible yes vote. This must be connected with the expansion of the struggle to the entire 400,000 active UAW members, including in the auto industry and defense plants. The immense potential for connecting the fight against war with the fight against inequality and exploitation was shown by the start of a strike Monday by 6,000 University of Washington educators. Opposition to crackdown at UC Regents meeting The enormous public support for the students was shown yesterday at a meeting of the UC Regents, who oversee all aspects of the expansive 10-campus and six-hospital UC system. In preparation for the meeting, which took place in Merced, police barricades and fencing were constructed around the meeting room where a discussion on the systems investments was a central agenda item for Tuesday. The meeting began with an open threat that any disruption would be met with police escort and arrest. While only a dozen or so got to speak in person or via phone, the main sentiment was in support of the student protesters. One man stated, Ive just been very disappointed with the way my alma mater has treated the protesters. These people have been protesting nonviolently peacefully and have very strong views. One woman, who identified herself as a UCLA alumni, noted, Im kind of disgusted how UCLAs response has been to everything thats been going on. And Im actually a little worried and sad, because I have a lot of mentees that are starting in the class of 2028, and I am terrified for them, just seeing how the school is handling everything. And Im not proud to say that I went there. Darlene Lee, a UCLA faculty and alumni, said, I wanted to call to emphasize my support for the encampment students and faculty and to strongly support their call for divestment from all investments in the military-industrial complex. Educational funds should go towards education and community rather than war. And I also condemn the involvement of police and the police brutality that was subjected to students and faculty on my campus. And I support amnesty for all students, faculty and staff in the encampment protests. In an attempt to whip up anger and turn the local population against the UC Merced student demonstrators and encampment, the Merced County Sheriffs Office closed all access to Lake Yosemite on Monday, ridiculously citing concerns of the demonstration growing, when a single portion of the lake is a half mile away from the campus. The arbitrary closure only further emphasizes the cozy atmosphere between law enforcement and campus administration. Workers versus the UAW bureaucracy Only through the mobilization of the working class, which creates all of societys wealth, can the genocide in Gaza and other criminal wars be stopped. At the same time, the broadening of the struggle will also give grad students the strongest possible position to resist attempts by the UAW bureaucracy to limit or prevent a strike. In 2022, the same UAW bureaucracy carried out a massive betrayal of a six-week strike by 48,000 UC grad student workers. COLA and other critical demands, including sufficient child care reimbursement, high quality and affordable medical coverage for dependents, the waiver of international student fees, significant improvements for disability access, COVID-19 protection and the defunding of police departments were all among the demands which were dropped entirely. UAW Local 4811 has made clear that should they call a strike, it will be patterned after the standup strike last year in the auto industry. What this means is that only a fraction of grad students would be called out, limiting the strikes impact and paving the way for a sellout. The strategy of the standup strike was widely opposed by autoworkers, and it was followed by a contract which enabled the auto companies to lay off thousands. Meanwhile, the UAW has made no attempt to even inform its members in the auto and defense plants that the vote is happening. This is because the vote would be widely supported by industrial workers, who would take it as a call to prepare action themselves. Academic workers must begin organizing independent rank-and-file committees to ensure the will of the majority is carried out and to spread the strike to other sections of the working class. A founding member of the Academic Workers Rank-and-File Committee at San Diego State University also condemned with the UAWs betrayal last fall. He sent the following message to UC academic workers: In solidarity with the rank-and-file workers of UAW 4811 at the University of California, I urge them to take proactive measures to form independent rank-and-file committees to unleash the power of their labor without limitations. Workers at UC must fight against the trade union bureaucracy of the UAW, which is openly aligned with the sitting president genocide Joe Biden. He has reiterated his unwavering support for the right of the state of Israel to pursue its criminal and genocidal national security policies. The UAW is the leading supporter of the Joe Bidens reelection and therefore will seek to defuse opposition to the genocide by any means possible. It has already announced its opposition to an indefinite and broader strike that involves workers in other critical industries. If a strike is authorized, why should there be any such limitations to the strike action? The enforcement of a duration upon the strike only puts workers at a disadvantage against the administration. The end date of a strike should not be negotiated prior, rather the end of strike should only come when the demands of the rank-and-file have been met. Similarly, a stand up strike means leaving portions of discontented workers on the job during strike action. Effectively this forces workers who voted to strike, to continue making profits for the administration and reduce the strikes impact by remaining on the job. Workers must organize independently and in solidarity with all laborers from all divisions on campus, from staff, to students, to facultythe strike movements that arise from these independent committees will be indefinite, enacted across all divisions, and exacted to the maximum capabilities of the workers labor power. Only through the organization of democratically formed independent rank-and-file committees, can workers truly wage a successful struggle in opposition to university administration, the trade union bureaucracy, and the current genocide of Palestinians! Workers are angry that the vote was already delayed by nearly two weeks after the brutal attack by counter-protesters and police at UCLA. This was for the purpose of buying time. A UC Santa Cruz alumnus told the WSWS that while he supports the protests, he is suspicious of the UAW vote. A ULP (Unfair Labor Practice) was used to defuse COLA back in 2020 by halting the wildcats (see: 2020 wildcat strikes). Without this legal process UCLA would already be striking. He also noted, The stand-up model also seems flawed. A strike now that involves grades would be very effective against the UC. Like 2022 the UAW refuses to use grades as leverage. The 60,000 electronic ballots sent out yesterday to members also say that, The strike will end on all campuses no later than June 30, 2024. The vast majority of schools are out in a month and have commencement ceremonies mid-June. UAW electronic ballot makes clear that the strike will end "no later than June 30th, 2024." It goes without saying, however, that the threat of police violence and the brutal acts being carried out on the Palestinian population will not cease at the end of June. Identities of Zionist attackers revealed Meanwhile, details are coming to light about the far-right Zionist forces that attacked the UCLA encampment. The online publication The Grayzone has obtained and published a list identifying many who played a leading role in assaulting the anti-genocide student protesters. Despite the fact that they confirmed the information had been sent to Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), no arrests have been made. With disturbing parallels to the January 6, 2021 coup attempt, neither the LAPD nor the UCLA administration have released any details as to why the police stood down during the mob attack. One of the demands which graduate students should take up is that the far-right Zionists who attacked the camp must be charged and arrested. Just as in 2020 and 2022, students and workers are once again finding themselves confronted with the entire state apparatusthe Democratic Party, the UC Regents, the trade union bureaucracy, and the pseudo-left organizations such as the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), who occupy numerous positions of leadership within the UAW and whose purpose is to provide political cover for the Democratic Party and union bureaucracy. But the power of the working class is greater than the apparatus, as long as workers have organizations which they democratically control and a genuine program around which they can fight. Autoworkers in the Detroit area are expressing support for the 48,000 University of California academic workers who are voting this week to authorize a strike at the public university system. The UC workers are demanding a halt to the police crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrations and the protection of free speech for undergraduate students and union members. The student employees, graduate students, and academic and postdoctoral researchers are members of United Auto Workers Local 4811. The UAW apparatus, which has endorsed the reelection campaign of President Joe Biden, has done virtually nothing to inform other union members about the UC workers strike vote and the political demands they are fighting for. The UAW was forced to call the strike vote after the eruption of opposition following the police-abetted April 30 attack by Zionist counter-protesters on a Palestine Solidarity encampment at University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA). Socialist Equality Party vice-presidential candidate Jerry White at Warren Truck plant on March 13, 2024 The Socialist Equality Partys candidate for US president Joseph Kishore has publicly called for the largest yes vote for a strike. In a statement published on the Socialism 2024 campaign site, Kishore said the police crackdown had been clearly timed in the run-up to the Israeli invasion of Rafah, which began last week, and was the latest and most brutal act in a genocide that has killed more than 45,000 people, the majority women and children. Biden is overseeing the attack on protests, which has the support of both the Democratic and Republican parties, Kishore said. Both the Democrats and Republicans fully back Israel in carrying out the genocide. SEP vice presidential candidate Jerry White went to two auto factories in the Detroit area Monday to discuss the UC workers strike vote. He said the strike should be spread to all UAW organized facilities, including defense industry plants that were supplying Israel with weapons. According to a report on the SEP campaign web site, many workers supported strike action to defend First Amendment rights. They say we have freedom of speech until we use it, and they persecute us, one veteran worker at the Stellantis Warren Truck plant told White. Another Warren Truck worker urged the UC academic workers to keep your heads up because youre fighting for the right cause, to stop genocide. A Ford worker at the Dearborn Truck Plant said the massacre of Palestinians affected people in my neighborhood, referring to the large Arab-American population in Dearborn. I am very proud of them [UC students], and I stand behind them, she added. Several workers condemned the Biden administration and Congress for providing Israel with billions in military and financial support while teachers were being laid off and other social services slashed. [Y]ou see more of our taxes going for war instead of our hospitals and schools, one Warren Truck worker commented. Plus, look at our streets and our bridges collapsing. A Ford worker added: Money that is funding a lot of these wars could go to help our own people, homeless people. They say there is no money for us, but next thing you are reading is that $95 billion is going to somewhere else. You read that and you look confused and say, I thought we had no money for our own people? After the campaign, White issued a statement, saying: We urge UC workers to vote to strike. This will send a powerful message to all workers that they can fight to defend democratic rights against both big business parties and halt these wars. It will be the workers that pay for these wars, with the lives of their children and through massive cuts in social programs. But this fight requires the building a powerful network of rank-and-file committees because the UAW President Shawn Fain and the UAW apparatus back Biden and his imperialist wars. The working class must use its power to shut down the war machine and unify with workers and young people around the world to put an end to the capitalism, the source of war. University of Washington teaching assistants and research assistants picketing for better wages amid skyrocketing costs of living. [Photo: UAW 4121] UPDATE: As of 9:58 pm local time Tuesday night, United Auto Workers 4121 announced a tentative agreement (TA) with the University of Washington. In addition, it has unilaterally agreed with campus administration to pause striking pending the ratification vote period. Workers must insist there can be no end to the strike until the TA is actually voted on by the rank-and-file! The agreement must be presented in full, with adequate time for workers to study the language in the contract and ensure their demands have been met. The momentum of the strike must not be lost, especially in the midst of the strike vote of UC workers against the police crackdown against anti-genocide protests. The fight must be expanded, with the rank-and-file, not the bureaucrats, in charge of ensuring the democratic will of the membership is carried out. * * * A strike of 6,000 teaching assistants (TAs) and research assistants (RAs) at the University of Washington (UW) in Washington state began on Tuesday, in response to the universitys refusal for any significant wage increase for the academic workers. The TAs and RAs are members of UAW Local 4121, which also includes postdocs and research scientists at UW. A strike vote was held between April 23-25 and passed nearly unanimously, with more than 99 percent voting in favor of a strike. The contract formally expired May 1. The strike takes place as the 48,000 academic workers of UAW Local 4811 in the University of California system are voting on strike action against police repression of anti-genocide protests. Campuses across California, especially UCLA and UC San Diego, have been turned into militarized zones. At UCLA in particular, peaceful protesters were arrested after a five-hour assault in a police-abetted Zionist attack on the Palestine Solidarity Encampment. The strike at UW is an important development. It points to the immense potential for the growing movement against war to unite with the massive opposition in the working class to exploitation and inequality. The strike also comes only a week after autoworkers at Stellantis Warren Stamping plant near Detroit voted to authorize strike action over health and safety issues. The World Socialist Web Site calls for the broadest possible mobilization in the working class in support of the graduate students, including further industrial action to end the Gaza genocide and the police state measures being implemented to suppress opposition. A strike at UC must be expanded to all 400,000 members of the UAW, including all 8,000 members of Local 4121 in Washington state, the unions 150,000 autoworker members and thousands more in defense plants. The fact that the vote at the University of Washington was passed so decisively reflects the enormous and growing anger in the working class, driven by intolerable conditions. In the Seattle area, the average rent is a little over $2,000 a month, while the base salary for this section of workers is just $2,664. The university is only offering an increase to $2,850 a month, while at the same time insisting that the workers pay a new premium of $1,100 per year for their health insurance. The WSWS spoke with a member of UWs staff, who discussed their support for the UW strikers. Whats different in this round of contract talks is just how militant the RAs and TAs have been. There was a practice picket a few days ago and they seemed very energetic. A lot of them wanted to strike sooner because they were concerned that the strike would happen during finals, which would really hurt the undergraduates more than the administration. The contract ended on May 1 and I think the UAW was trying to buy time with the negotiations that happened after. They really dont want to upset management. Its similar in my own union, the SEIU, where there is never any discussion of political issues, like the Gaza genocide. We essentially run the university, but the demands of the union are always just appealing to management. I once brought up calling a strike at a union meeting, but all the officials dismissed it out of hand. What are these bureaucrats even for, if they wont even threaten to withhold labor? A section of a rally called by UAW 4121 on the first day of the strike. When asked about a way forward for the striking workers, the UW worker responded, The union heads just work to impose no-strike pledges on their members. Thats why there has to be a turn to the rank and file, for them to run the strike. He urged rank-and-file strikers to mobilize in defense of the strike against the inevitable sellout attempt by UAW bureaucrats. Ive read the WSWS for many years and its perspective is always borne out. When push comes to shove, these unions always betray their workers. The UW worker also called for a broader struggle among the working class to fight alongside both struggles. What would happen if the longshoremen in Los Angeles and San Diego walked out to defend students on campuses? The Biden administration wouldnt be able to build its arsenal of democracy. The term arsenal of democracy is a propaganda term employed by Biden which refers to the World War-II era conversion of industrial plants, including those in the auto industry, to military production. UAW President Shawn Fain, who along with the UAW bureaucracy has endorsed Genocide Joe against overwhelming rank-and-file opposition, has adopted this rhetoric wholesale. At ever public appearance, Fain wears a shirt displaying this slogan as well as a picture of a B-24 bomber. Weapons production in the US today would be better termed Arsenal of Genocide. In Gaza, the US-backed Zionist regime is currently carrying out a massive bombing campaign against Rafah, where 1.5 million Palestinians are huddled after being forced there by successive advances of the Israeli invasion. The northern sections of Gaza are suffering famine and the southern sections, where Rafah is located, are not far behind. In Ukraine, US imperialism has provided more than $100 billion to the fascistic Zelensky regime in a war that threatens to explode into a nuclear World War III. Biden is relying on the UAW bureaucracy, as well as their counterparts in the Teamsters, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and every other trade union bureaucracy to prevent disruption of the production and flow of war materiel to the developing fronts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. This is why UAW Local 4811, having delayed the strike vote at UC by two weeks, has made clear that it will only call a strike if circumstances permit, patterned after the so-called standup strike last year in the auto industry. These were toothless rolling strikes that did nothing to dent production. The UAW shut them down to impose a contractwith the personal backing of Biden, who appeared onstage alongside Fain at a pro-contract rally while genocide protesters demonstrated outsidewhich is being used to lay off thousands. But the growth of the class struggle is undermining the ability of the bureaucracy to keep control of the rank and file. There is enormous anger in particular over the UAW bureaucracys close ties to the Biden White House and the Democratic Party. Academic workers at UW must strive for the maximum possible unity of their struggle with those of grad students in California and in the auto industry. The political and economic demands being raised separately are, objectively, only two sides of the same coin. They must be brought together and fought for together. To achieve this unity, workers cannot wait on the union bureaucracy, but must begin taking action themselves. Grad students, autoworkers and others across the country must form rank-and-file committees to open lines of communication between different sections of workers, plan joint actions and organize to enforce their democratic will against any attempt by union officials to violate it. For more information about rank-and-file committees, fill out the form below: TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 15. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) proposed to allocate 270 million for climate-resilient water and sanitation services projects in Uzbekistan, Trend reports. According to ADB, the project will assist Uzbekistan in addressing climate vulnerabilities and enhancing public health and economic conditions by ensuring inclusive access to safe, reliable, climate-resilient, and sustainable water and sanitation services for the residents of Andijan, Jizzakh, Fergana, and Karakalpakstan. The project will help upgrade and expand the water and sanitation infrastructure in the project regions, as well as support regional stakeholders in implementing transformational changes. Meanwhile, the ADB's current sovereign portfolio in Uzbekistan was worth $5.06 billion as of January 2024. The bank's current sovereign portfolio comprises 32 loans, one grant, and one sovereign guarantee. The ADB has contributed $11.5 billion in public sector loans, grants, and technical support to Uzbekistan so far, according to the bank's records. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. On May 15, the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Konstantinos Kombos, Trend reports. The discussion centered on the current state of Uzbek-Cypriot relations, as well as support for strengthening cooperation between the business communities of both countries. Positive dynamics of economic interaction were noted, reflected in the growth in the volume of mutual trade and the number of joint ventures in recent years. Mutual readiness was expressed to stimulate the expansion of investment partnerships and industrial cooperation. At the end of 2023, the volume of Uzbek-Cypriot trade turnover increased 8 times. Currently, there are 80 enterprises with Cypriot investments operating in Uzbekistan, including 54 with 100% Cypriot capital. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Half of the remaining outstanding problems between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been resolved, Iranian Vice President and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami told reporters on May 15 after the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers in Tehran, Trend reports. According to him, there are only two outstanding issues between Iran and the IAEA. These issues are currently in the process of being resolved. Eslami noted that negotiations are underway at the level of deputies on both sides to resolve these two unknown issues. Additionally, it should be noted that an agreement between Iran and the IAEA was reached in March 2023, and a statement on the agreement was issued. According to the agreement, Iran's cooperation with the IAEA is within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Convention (NPT) and safeguards, and the parties are to cooperate regarding the allegations made about the existence of enriched nuclear weapons and uranium substances related to Iran's nuclear program. To note, the Comprehensive Plan of Joint Action on Iran's nuclear program was implemented between Iran and the P5+1 group (the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany) in January 2016. The US announced in May 2018 that it was withdrawing from the plan and imposed sanctions on Iran in November of the same year. Iran has announced that there will be no restrictions on the Iran nuclear deal in 2020. In late 2020, the Iranian parliament adopted a strategic plan to counter the sanctions, citing the non-fulfillment of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between Iran and six countries and the imposition of sanctions on Iran. Based on the decision of the Iranian parliament, as of February 23, Iran stopped the implementation of additional measures and an additional protocol included in the nuclear deal. As a consequence, the monitoring mechanism of the IAEA was reduced by 2030 percent. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Poe: PPP the way to go for PH airports Sen. Grace Poe underscored that public-private partnership (PPP) is the viable option to develop Philippine airports and make them attractive to tourists. "Ang aviation sector natin ay parang isang eroplanong hindi maka-take off dahil sa delays, cancellations, at kung ano-ano pang aberya. Handa na ang mga pasahero, naisakay na ang mga bagahe, pero ang piloto, hindi makapag-desisyon kung lilipad na ba," the chairperson of the Senate committee on public services said in a hearing on the state of the country's airports. Poe said PPPs can support the upgrading projects of airports, which can be present and future drivers of economic growth. A number of private groups have expressed interest in rehabilitating Philippine airports, but Poe said "regulatory and procedural delays threaten our opportunity to have airports at world-class standards." "Year on year, we are presented with never-ending catch-up plans to improve the operations and maintenance of existing airports, or build new ones to address accessibility and demand," she said. For 2024 alone, Poe said the government allocated P7.5 billion for the construction, upgrade, expansion or rehabilitation of 22 airports across the country. On top of this, she said the government has also granted budgetary support to government corporations under the aviation sector: P1.03 billion to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and P121 million to the Davao International Airport Authority to increase its capacity to accommodate more international flights. "Sa kabila ng regular na paglalaan ng pondo, hindi pa rin ramdam ng mga pasahero ang improvements sa ating mga paliparan. Bagkus, patong-patong na problema sa operasyon at maintenance ng mga airports ang kinakaharap ng mga mananakay," she said. "As frustrating and disappointing as it is, I think this comes as no surprise to us. Hindi nga nila matapos-tapos ang mga airport na ilang taon nang nakabinbin, may budget naman. Hindi tuloy mapakinabangan ng mga mananakay," she added. Poe continued, "Ang tanong ng nakararami - paano at saan ginastos ang budget na nakalaan sa pagsasaayos at pagpapagawa ng mga airports? We have fought hard for the budget and we want to make sure its benefits trickle down to the people." Poe also sought an update on the rehabilitation of the Iloilo airport, which received a P190-million funding from the 2024 national budget. She asked the CAAP to submit a timeline in writing on the completion of the airport upgrade. "I would like to have a copy so I can report to our constituents in Iloilo," Poe said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. No plans to ease sanctions against Iran have been discussed between the Iranian government and the IAEA, Iranian Vice President and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami told reporters on May 15 after the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers in Tehran, Trend reports. According to him, sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program are a political issue. The Iranian Foreign Ministry is paying attention to this issue. Commenting on the first International Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology held in Isfahan, the Iranian Vice President noted that the reality of Iran's nuclear program was first brought to the world through this conference. Some parties are always trying to create a negative image of Iran's nuclear program. Meanwhile, the 3-day 1st International Conference on Nuclear and Technology was held on May 68 in Isfahan, Iran. The conference was attended by high-ranking Iranian officials. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also visited Iran to attend the conference. Additionally, it should be noted that an agreement between Iran and the IAEA was reached in March, 2023, and a statement on the agreement was issued. According to the agreement, Iran's cooperation with the IAEA is within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Convention (NPT) and safeguards, and the parties are to cooperate regarding the allegations made about the existence of enriched nuclear weapons. uranium substances related to Iran's nuclear program. To note, the Comprehensive Plan of Joint Action on Iran's nuclear program was implemented between Iran and the P5+1 group (the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany) in January 2016. The US announced in May 2018 that it was withdrawing from the plan and imposed sanctions on Iran in November of the same year. Iran has announced that there will be no restrictions on the Iran nuclear deal in 2020. In late 2020, the Iranian parliament adopted a strategic plan to counter the sanctions, citing the non-fulfillment of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between Iran and six countries and the imposition of sanctions on Iran. According to the decision of the Iranian parliament, as of February 23, Iran stopped the implementation of additional measures and an additional protocol included in the nuclear deal. As a consequence, the monitoring mechanism of the IAEA was reduced by 2030 percent. the US imposed new sanctions against Iran in November 2018 in connection with Iran's nuclear program. Over the past period, more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals exporting Iranian oil have fallen under the 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 BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. In Gilan Province, the Iranian Rasht-Astara railroad line is being built to contribute to the North-South International Corridor, Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash told reporters on May 15 after the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers in Tehran, Trend reports. He cites the purchase of territory from the community where the railroad line passes. The Iranian minister added that Iranian and Russian companies have already been announced for the construction of the Rasht-Astara railroad and the minimum payment has already been made. Research on the geotechnical issues of the area is underway. Bazrpash noted that serious steps will be taken in the current Iranian year (from March 20, 2024, through March 20, 2025) for the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway line. He emphasized that, in addition, the construction of the Rasht-Caspian railroad line in Iran's Gilan province has already been completed and is scheduled to be put into operation soon. To note, Russia and Iran signed an agreement on May 17, 2023, to build the Rasht-Astara railroad line in Gilan province in northern Iran. A total of 9 stations will be built on the Rasht-Astara railroad line, which is about 163 kilometers long. With the finalization of this railroad, the North-South international corridor will be improved, and Iran's railway network will be integrated with the Caucasus countries, Russia, and Northern European countries. According to the agreement, the Russian side is expected to spend 1.6 billion euros on the construction of this railroad. This railroad will be built and completed within 48 months. Meanwhile, the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway line will be carried out by the Russian company Caspian Services and the Iranian Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructures Company. Additionally, it should be noted that the intergovernmental agreement signed on September 12, 2000, between Russia, Iran, and India laid the foundation for the North-South Transport Corridor. In general, several countries have ratified the agreement. (Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Bulgaria, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Sultanate of Oman, Russian Federation, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Turkiye, Ukraine). The purpose of the corridor is to reduce the time of cargo delivery from India to Russia, as well as to Northern and Western Europe (the delivery time along the current route is more than 6 weeks, and through "North-South" is expected to be 3 weeks). In order to connect Azerbaijan Railways with the Iranian railroad network within the corridor, the Qazvin-Rasht railroad (175 km) was put into operation on March 6, 2019. The Rasht-Astara railroad is to be built on the territory of Iran. The north-south corridor has 3 directions in the territory of Iran. Eastern direction-Turkmenistan and Central Asian countries, Middle direction: other countries across the Caspian Sea, Western direction: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern European countries. The length of the Rasht-Caspian railway line is 35 kilometers. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. Most people in the WHO European Region consume far too much salt, and more than one in three adults aged 30-79 has hypertension - high blood pressure, say WHO/Europe report titled Action on salt and hypertension, Trend reports. According to the research, high salt intake raises blood pressure, which is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. "Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the predominant cause of disability and premature death in the European Region, causing over 42.5% of all deaths annually. That means 10,000 deaths every day. Men in the Region are almost 2.5 times more likely to die from CVDs than women. There is also a geographic divide the probability of dying young (30-69 years) from a CVD is nearly five times as high in Eastern Europe and Central Asia compared to Western Europe," says the report. As Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe pointed out, CVDs and hypertension are largely preventable and controllable. "Four million, a staggering figure, is the number of deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases every single year primarily in men, particularly in the eastern part of our WHO region. These are the facts, but this is something we can change. We know what works, but time and time again, we fall short of implementing evidence-based approaches, resulting in unacceptably high levels of avoidable deaths. Implementing targeted policies to reduce salt intake by 25% could save an estimated 900 000 lives from CVDs by 2030," he explained. Moreover, the research noted that almost all countries in the European Region (51 of 53) have an average daily salt intake above the WHO-recommended maximum level of 5 g (around one teaspoon) per day. "High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for death and disability in the European Region, causing almost a quarter of deaths and 13% of disability. It usually has no symptoms, and if it remains uncontrolled it can have potentially devastating consequences such as heart attacks and strokes. The European Region has the highest blood pressure prevalence in the world," the WHO noted. As such, the new WHO/Europe report suggests that mandatory policies should set limits on salt in foods and require clear labeling alongside public awareness campaigns to reduce salt intake. Despite opposition from the food industry, which profits from high-salt foods, these measures are crucial for public health and can save lives. At the same time, effective hypertension management requires standardized treatment protocols, better access to essential medications, and user-friendly guidelines tailored to local contexts. Enhancing patient knowledge and prioritizing patient-centered care can improve medication adherence. Implementing gender-responsive policies can address inequalities in hypertension detection and control. Strengthening supply chain resilience ensures continuous treatment during emergencies. EXCLUSIVE: Activist Artists Management has signed Chilean actress Renata Gonzalez Spralja (The Wave) for representation, with Bernie Cahill and Justin Deanda to run point for the new client. Most recently, Spralja wrapped production on The Wave (La Ola), a musical feature directed by Oscar and Goya winner Sebastian Lelio (A Fantastic Woman). Produced by Pablo Larrains Fabula, the film inspired by a true story from 2018 tells the story of a Chilean student who gets involved in a feminist movement on her university. Suddenly, she finds herself becoming a central figure in the movement. More from Deadline Previously, Spralja worked with Larrain and Fabula on Llevame al Cielo (Take Me to Heaven), the first Chilean Disney+ series, which is slated for release worldwide this year. She made her screen debut opposite Giancarlo Esposito in Blackbird, a four-episode English-language marketing miniseries produced by Fabula for Nissan, and continues to be represented by Constanza Arena of Agencia La Luz in Chile. A full-service management firm founded on the belief that artists, actors, and brands can create positive change in the world, Activist Artists Managements other notable clients include actors Ken Watanabe and David Alan Grier, screenwriter Terry Rossio (Godzilla vs. Kong), White Collar creator Jeff Eastin, Oscar-winning media company Lion Forge Animation (Hair Love), and Human Rights Watch, to name just a few. On the music side, the company reps the likes of The Lumineers, the Grateful Dead, Dead & Company (co-manager Azoff/Moir), Bobby Weir, Dwight Yoakam, Weyes Blood, The Pretty Reckless, Brittney Spencer and Michael Franti & Spearhead. Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Jean-Michel Jarre on the left, and Brian May with his signature red guitar on the right, performing on stage. On Sunday, Brian May and Jean-Michel Jarre dazzled audiences with a surprise collaboration at Bridge from the Future, the opening concert of the seventh edition of STARMUS Festival in Bratislava, Slovakia. More than 100,000 people attended the free concert and witnessed the Queen guitarist and Jarre interpret Antonin Dvoraks New World Symphony, as well as newly-adapted works Bratislava Time and Rendez-vous Bratislava. Before the concert, May expressed how anxious he felt and how challenging the rehearsals were in a public Instagram post: I've put a lot of passion and work into preparing this little adventure ... but this is not easy for an old soldier like me. In fact it's probably one of the most challenging things I've taken on for a long time. I felt very dissatisfied with what I came up with at last night's dress rehearsal - so doing a lot of rethinking today while we all wait for showtime to come around. Why do I spend all these precious days away from home? Pursuing ... what? And self-doubt rears its scary head to the point where I wonder who the Hell I think I am. These are the kind of thoughts which beset performers, probably especially at my time of life. This is the inner reality. But I'm also conscious I'm incredibly lucky to have an opportunity like this - to work in a completely unfamiliar environment with an extraordinarily talented man with his highly skilled team. Among it all I'm very grateful. For this special occasion, May brandished his Red Special and delivered his signature soaring guitar solos, complemented by Jarre's backing band, the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, and a 19-piece chorus from the Slovak Philharmonic Choir. After the show, May expressed his relief that the performance was well received and gratitude for the experience, I'm lost for words this morning ... but found this informal clip - from an iPhone in the audience I guess - and it looks like we kinda hit it OK !!! Thanks to all last night who came and rocked! A post shared by Brian Harold May (@brianmayforreal) A photo posted by on It's not the first time Brian May one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time has conceded he has difficulty playing a part. In an interview with Total Guitar earlier this year, he revealed he still finds the Bohemian Rhapsody riff difficult to perform and points the blame at riffmeister Freddie Mercury. When it comes to being a concierge at one of the worlds great hotels, Wes Anderson and The Grand Budapest Hotel got it (mostly) right. Of course, its a movie, so not everything is true, says Maxime Nerkowski, chief concierge at the Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, about Andersons 2014 Oscar winner in which Ralph Fiennes plays Monsieur Gustave H., concierge extraordinaire of a fictional Eastern European resort. But the work, a lot of it, is like that. Doing whatever you can to fulfill your guests requests, however strange or unusual. More from The Hollywood Reporter The scene from the film where Gustave calls in a favor from the society of the crossed keys, a secret association of the best-of-the-best concierges from around the world, has its own real-life precedent. Its called Les Clefs dOr (The Golden Keys), and you can spot them by their lapel pins featuring, of course, a pair of gold keys. Maxime it is always just Maxime, he says brightly is a member. That scene where [Gustave] calls one of his concierge friends in another country and they call another in another country, it really works exactly like that, he says, recalling a similar scene a few years back when a French actor staying at the Carlton Cannes asked him whether he could send fresh flowers to a friend in Greece. A quick call to the Clefs dOr in Athens, and the deed was done. Now we use WhatsApp, so its quicker, but its the same thing. Over the years, hes had his share of strange requests. One Arab businessman asked to ship about 45 pounds of ice cream from his favorite shop in Saint-Tropez. He didnt remember the name, so we had to go to all of them, sending photos of the different flavors, he recalls. An American requested that a box of sand be sent home from a beach on the Cote dAzur. I had that request twice in one year, he says. I always think: You must have sand in the U.S.? Not that hed say that. The guest comes first is one of the core values of the Clefs dOr. Others include: serve through friendship and strive for excellence. Says Maxime: The only line is: Is it illegal? Then I politely say no. Other than that, Ill try and find a solution. Nerkowski has been a concierge at Cannes most iconic luxury hotel, for more than two decades, but he retains the sense of the star-struck awe he felt when he first laid eyes on the Carlton Cannes as a teen while celebrity-spotting at the film festival. I was passing by [the hotel] and stopped in my tracks and looked up, he recalls. The physical building, the architecture, is so amazing. I never imagined itd be my home. The lobby of the Carlton Cannes. I never imagined it would be my home, says Nerkowski. Born and raised in the South of France, not far from Cannes, Nerkowski caught the hotelier bug after a summer job as a bellhop in a small resort in the country. His first full-time luxury gig was at the famed Four Seasons George V in Paris. In 2002, after completing training as a concierge, he came to Cannes. I remember my first festival very well because I was very, very, very stressed, he says. But I also remember after the awards ceremony, the director who won arrived at the hotel. He came right up to me and the other concierges and asked if we wanted to hold [the award]. It was just a few seconds, but I can say I held a Palme dOr. Nerkowski keeps most of his celebrity stories to himself. Discretion is another one of those Clefs dOr core values. But he remembers in 2018 helping a frantic Spike Lee find his cellphone before the red carpet premiere of BlacKkKlansman. We looked everywhere, he says. Finally, I opened the drawer of a desk in the lobby, and there it was. I looked at him like you would a little kid and said, Why did you leave it there? It became our little story. And then theres Pierce Brosnan. He stayed here for the full two weeks of the festival because he was shooting a film here right afterward, says Nerkowski, who adds that the actor inexplicably addressed him with a stereotypically French name. The whole time he was calling me Louis. It was Louis this, Louis that. Even though my name is right there on the tag. One day I arrived early. He comes up to me in the lobby and says, Maxime, please, I want you to be in my movie. Thats how the Clef dOr of the Carlton Cannes ended up playing himself alongside Brosnan and Emma Thompson in 2013s The Love Punch. During production, he was professional and discreet, making sure the stars always came first. Gustave would be proud. The exterior of the Carlton Cannes Best of The Hollywood Reporter Daily Show correspondent Desi Lydic said the courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial in the Stormy Daniels hush money case has become a pilgrimage site for GOP figures hoping to snag the vice presidential slot. Its like the Met Gala for people who dont believe in womens rights, said Lydic, who is hosting this week. But of all the people who came out to support Trump, nobody and I mean nobody did it weirder than Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville, she said. Tuberville complained that the courtroom was depressing and causing Trump mental aguish as a result. Mental anguish? Lydic repeated in disbelief. This dude spends every day whining about how Gen Z is too woke with their safe spaces and now hes out here like, the wallpaper is giving the president trauma. These fluorescent lights are literal violence. She also took issue with Tubervilles claim that the courtroom is depressing, at least by New York standards. Check it out on her Tuesday night monologue: The neighborhood shook Monday morning around 3 a.m., dislodging wall paintings and jolting residents awake. A permitted pyrotechnics crew had just ignited a collection of fireworks, but to some, it felt like Greenville was under attack. Monica Goulds oldest child, age 10, didnt go back to sleep and ended up missing the next day of school. The horse and pony she keeps on the property were also thoroughly spooked. Gould, who works as an administrative assistant at the local East Carolina University hospital, recalled a separate MrBeast night-time blast in December as actually being more intense. We thought our house was falling down, she said. There are certain perks to living near the worlds most famous YouTuber. Across an expansive field in north Greenville, neighbors can glimpse stunts in real time months before millions watch them online. Gould, 44, said her three children are all big fans of MrBeast, the professional moniker of 26-year-old Jimmy Donaldson who has built an empire filming inventive, lucrative and invariably viral videos from his Eastern North Carolina hometown. Only one other YouTube account has more subscribers than Donaldsons 258 million subscribers, an Indian music label, and they are poised to soon swap spots. But this success is of little comfort to neighbors on certain nights. No one is saying he needs to go or any of that stuff, said Dawn Wilkins, a business owner in her 50s who lives in the surrounding community. Everyone seems to enjoy and has watched him for years. What were saying is we need him to be a little more courteous of his neighbors. Wilkins and her husband recently installed black-out curtains in one room that faces MrBeasts operations. In 2021, Donaldsons team purchased land in a northern section of the city, on which they built a $14 million-studio and keep an additional 28-acre field clear for filming. Last year, Donaldson acquired 95 more acres around the complex, Pitt County property records show, through a connected entity called Creative Grid LLC. During the past two weeks, MrBeasts team has worked through the night constructing just beyond Goulds backyard. She took to posting videos of bright stadium lights and truck beeps on her Facebook page, adding sarcastic captions like Another exciting night ahead. Now taking reservations for tomorrow nights show and Another peaceful early morning here at 1am. Before setting off fireworks or other explosions, MrBeast representatives must obtain permits from the city of Greenville. For its project last week, the Austin, Texas-based firm Big Dog Pyro received a permit from the local fire marshal to ignite pyrotechnics including traditional fireworks, mortal hits, and a controlled theatrical fireball, during a firing window from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Big Dogs explosion schedule was approved for May 6 to May 12, with additional days allowed in case of weather or scheduling delays. It is quite tricky when it comes to balancing the requirements of MrBeasts team with consideration of residents, city spokesperson Brock Letchworth wrote in an email. One complication is that the land is not within the city limits; Greenville handles permitting and inspections at the site, but that areas noise ordinance is enforced by surrounding Pitt County, specifically the Pitt County Sheriffs Office. The ordinance limits overnight sounds to 50 decibels in residential areas and 75 decibels in industrial areas. Fireworks typically reach between 140 to 160 decibels according to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Under the Pitt noise ordinance, violators may be changed with a misdemeanor and fined up to $400. Pitt County Sheriffs Office said its department responds to noise concerns by taking decimal readings at the locations where complaints are made. So if homeowners call, decimal readings will occur on their properties, not at the sources of the noise. However, the office said sheriffs will only generally take action when complaints are made. And there is no guarantee a fireworks barrage will still be going when they arrive. Letchworth said the city of Greenville regularly meets with MrBeast representatives to coordinate future projects. Ahead of large explosion events, Greenville will send out community alerts. Before this weeks shoot, the city posted a public safety notice that read As part of film production in the Sugg Parkway industrial area, residents of Pitt and surrounding counties may hear explosives throughout the week of May 6th 10th. Yet the notice didnt mention what time of day the explosions might occur, nor did it note that the explosions might take place in the early morning of May 13.) Under an agreement with the city, MrBeasts team is ultimately responsible for notifying neighbors before setting off pyrotechnics, something the crew has done with some regularity since Donaldson broke through in 2017,. According to Gould, a MrBeast representative went door-to-door in their quiet, laid-back community to warn of coming construction and explosions. But she said the representative didnt mention what time the fireworks would be set off. Wilkins said it has been a challenge to get in touch with anyone from Donaldsons team, with calls and emails in recent months going unanswered.MrBeast representatives did not respond to a request to speak with The News & Observer about how it considers neighbors when planning out large-scale construction and pyrotechnic events. The booms heard and felt early Monday morning appeared to cap off a large competition. The overnight construction and fireworks have stopped at least until the next video. Prince William and Prince Harry have not seen each other during the Duke of Sussex's recent visits to the UK - AP These days, even Tories like myself are finding it hard to defend the hereditary principle. Personally, I have no taste for republicanism, something which is due to my incapacity for envy. That emotion or weakness is quite absent from my makeup. In the face of other peoples good fortune, I am as inert as a deaf person at a recital. But a Starmer government will find the fact that the Royal Family has more money and more privilege than the rest of us interesting. I increasingly feel that the future of the Royal Family may depend on its ability to cheer the public and what it lacks now is the requisite joyfulness. The King and the Princess of Wales are effectively hors de combat, poor Camilla is 76, life bears heavily on William, and no one fancies a Pizza Express. The Windsors are in grave need of some pizazz. Readers may succumb to the screaming abdabs, but the royal left standing who has most star power is Harry. It is easy to blame him and his puerile book for the continuing rift with his father and brother, but some courtiers of my acquaintance hold William equally liable. Recently, I spoke to a former palace official who used to work for both princes before the good times stopped rolling. There is a public misconception about William and Harry, he told me. It is William who was often the difficult one, and it is William who is preventing his father from having a proper reconciliation with Harry. He continued, This isnt helpful at a point in time when the country would be buoyed up by seeing them together again, as would the King. It wasnt helpful last week when the only family member to greet Harry with warmth was Earl Spencer. When it comes to his brother, Williams disgruntlement can at times seem mildly pathological. I do not think there is any superior rationality in being discontented with ones relatives. Take myself. My mother once sold disobliging stories about me to the tabloids, but after an impulse to do her bodily harm, I forgave her. Yet where William is concerned, Byronic unhappiness has taken hold. I realise Harry has at times taken joy out of Williams life, and that he and Meghan can be a cause of irritation. It remains tempting to call the pair one trick phoneys. But isnt that what most royalling is all about? Phoney good will and faked enjoyment? Moreover, the Sussexes have youth and glamour, and the young regard them as a religion with no dilution of agnosticism. To many, Charles and Williams continued coldness towards Harry is beginning to look inhuman. It is important to remember that the Royal Family is a microcosm for every family in Britain, and that a divided family, like a divided political party, has an intrinsic weakness. Affection of parents for children, and of children for parents and siblings is capable of being one of the greatest sources of stability, as well as happiness. This is taken for granted in almost all literature before the present age. Hecuba cares more for her children than for Priam. MacDuff cares more for his children than for his wife. In the Old Testament, men are passionately concerned to leave fraternally inclined descendants. It is a pity, of course, that Harry has wagged his fingers at the media. I remember one occasion when a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex accused the press of causing irreversible damage to families, and journalists were advised to engage in reflection. At the time, I reflected. I tossed and turned and delved into the pockets of my soul and came out with this: in the history of the Sussexes gall, this took the first prize. But most of the royals I have known have not been plaster saints. (William, in the past, has also castigated the media.) Many of them are sanctimonious, hypocritical and clueless. Besides, things change. Whether we like it or not, the Sussexes Nigerian tour has been a triumph and I cannot help but feel that a visible reconciliation between William and Harry would strengthen the unity of the House of Windsor and reassure the public of its commitment. The legacy of the Royal Family is deeply intertwined with personal relationships. Entente would not only honour the past but also pave the way for a consolidated future, ensuring that the familys values and traditions are preserved for generations. Harry and Meghan, moreover, are now reaching another tricky crossroad. Where now for two people who have absolutely no talent? The only thing they have is their titles, which is why Harry recently said he would like to step into a royal role while his father is recovering from cancer. He knows that there is only one job in which a moronic egomaniac will feel at home, and that is shaking hands with adoring people in the rain. By nature, I think the King would be reunion friendly. According to royal sources, he comprehends that reconciliation is the best solution for both of them and that everyone likes an MGM happy ending that would jerk tears from Caligulas eyes. As for being unkind about the family; isnt it time to see that as water under Tower Bridge, as the late Queen might have done? The wisest of birds, she fought for reconciliation all her life, ignoring her husbands flirtations and her childrens Addams Family peccadilloes. I thought Id never say this, but it may be time to bring Harry home on probation, and for William to clasp his prodigal brother to his bosom, even if he has been a bit of an asp. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. The National Council of the Slovak Republic (unicameral parliament) will suspend meetings and take additional measures to ensure the safety of deputies in connection with the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico, Trend reports. This decision was made by the acting chairman of the highest legislative body of the republic, Peter Ziga. Parliamentary sessions are suspended until May 21. In addition, until further notice, visiting the building of the National Council will be prohibited, and security at associated facilities will be strengthened. Additional measures will be taken to ensure the safety of parliamentarians. The Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico was shot several times after he left the building where the Cabinet meeting was taking place. The wounded prime minister was taken to hospital. The shooter has been detained. Royal Rules of Ohio Season 1: How Many Episodes & When Do New Episodes Come Out? Viewers of Royal Rules of Ohio Season 1 are wondering how many episodes are in the series and when each new episode comes out. The reality series introduces audiences to the fascinating lives of three Ghanaian sisters in Columbus. They learn the ropes of developing themselves as strong-headed persons in their 20s in Columbus, Ohio. While the sisters live a lavish life as children of the two most affluent royal kingdoms in Ghana, even then the royal life has to be handled with a razor-sharp sense of right and wrong. Heres how many episodes are in Royal Rules of Ohio Season 1 and on what day new episodes come out. How many episodes are in Royal Rules of Ohio Season 1? Royal Rules of Ohio Season 1 reportedly has 7 episodes. The debut season premiered on May 15, 2024, and is slated to conclude on June 26, 2024. Brenda, Akili, and Thelma, are three sisters who belong to the Agyekum royal family from Ghana. In this unique reality show, we follow them as they start living their lives in Columbus, Ohio, by obeying the rules of their royal Ghanaian community. Over the first season, the trio navigates multiple challenges. For instance, despite successfully handling the vigilant eyes of people at Brendas graduation party, Akili and Thelma get into trouble at the afterparty. Meanwhile, an unexpected arrival at the baby-naming ceremony spoils the event by stirring up stale drama. In addition, in another episode of the series, Thelma has to choose between the expectations of her father versus her passion. The cast of Royal Rules of Ohio Season 1 includes Brenda Agyekum, Akili Bobo Agyekum, Thelma Agyekum, Nana Agyekum, and Delali Agyekum, among others. When do new Royal Rules of Ohio Season 1 episodes come out? New episodes of Royal Rules of Ohio Season 1 typically come every Wednesday on Hulu. The Only Murders in the Building Season 4 teaser trailer has been released, setting the Hulu release date for later TV Tyler Treese 10 hours ago Marvel announced new Disney+ release date windows for Daredevil: Born Again and Ironheart. As announced at Disneys upfront presentation, Daredevil: TV Tyler Treese 10 hours ago The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD release date has been set, with the new Guy Ritchie movie Movies Anthony Nash 10 hours ago Republic Pictures has released a Reunion trailer, previewing the upcoming comedy mystery movie starring Lil Rel Howery and more. Reunion Movies Anthony Nash 10 hours ago The post Royal Rules of Ohio Season 1: How Many Episodes & When Do New Episodes Come Out? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Soy Luna Season 2 is a Mexican-Argentine telenovela about a girl named Luna who lives in Cancun, Mexico, with her family and has to move to Argentina. The series is created by Jorge Edelstein and directed by Jorge Nisco and Martin Saban. The show first aired in March 2016 and its second season aired in April 2017. Heres how you can watch and stream Soy Luna Season 2 via streaming services such as Disney Plus. Is Soy Luna Season 2 available to watch via streaming? Yes, Soy Luna Season 2 is available to watch via streaming on Disney Plus. Luna Valente is a 16-year-old girl and roller skating enthusiast who also has a job to support her parents, who work and live at a mansion. Living in Cancun, Mexico, Luna loves her life, but everything comes to a halt when the mansions owner offers Lunas parents double pay to work in their manor in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This means she will have to uproot her life, including her love for roller skating, and move to a new place she knows nothing about. Soy Luna Season 2 stars Karol Sevilla, Ruggero Pasquarelli, Valentina Zenere, Michael Ronda, Carolina Kopelioff, Malena Ratner, and others. Watch Soy Luna Season 2 streaming via Disney Plus Soy Luna Season 2 is available to watch on Disney Plus. The Disney-owned streaming service features a wide range of telenovelas and movies by Latin American creators, such as Violetta, Flamin Hot, It Was Always Me, Love, Victor, Bia, and many more. You can watch via Disney Plus by following these steps: Visit DisneyPlus.com Select Sign Up Now Enter your email and password Select a subscription plan $7.99 per month (Basic) $13.99 per month or $139.99 per year (Premium) Enter your payment information The Disney Plus Basic plan allows users to stream the services content with ads, while the Premium plan lets users stream with no ads and download content to supported devices. There are also a variety of bundle packages, scaling from Bundle Duo Basic, which pairs Disney Plus with Hulu for $9.99 per month, to the Disney Bundle Trio Premium for $19.99 per month, which bundles Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus. Soy Lunas synopsis is as follows: Luna Valente lives with her family in Cancun, Mexico. She goes to school, has her own group of friends, has a job, and loves to skate. However, her life changes when her parents are given a job offer that moves them to Buenos Aires, Argentina. There she finds a new skating rink (named Jam & Roller), learns freestyling, makes new friends, and even falls in love. NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing. The Only Murders in the Building Season 4 teaser trailer has been released, setting the Hulu release date for later TV Tyler Treese 12 hours ago Marvel announced new Disney+ release date windows for Daredevil: Born Again and Ironheart. As announced at Disneys upfront presentation, Daredevil: TV Tyler Treese 12 hours ago The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD release date has been set, with the new Guy Ritchie movie Movies Anthony Nash 12 hours ago Republic Pictures has released a Reunion trailer, previewing the upcoming comedy mystery movie starring Lil Rel Howery and more. Reunion Movies Anthony Nash 12 hours ago Read more The post Soy Luna Season 2 Streaming: Watch & Stream Online via Disney Plus appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. From the Vine (2019) Streaming: Watch & Stream Online via Amazon Prime Video and Peacock From the Vine (2019) is a Canadian drama film directed by Sean Cisterna. It follows a business executive from Toronto who is fed up with his mundane and soulless corporate life and looks for respite. He then decides to move away from the hustles of the big city and visit his rural hometown in Italy, to rejuvenate himself. Heres how you can watch and stream From the Vine (2019) via streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video and Peacock. Is From the Vine (2019) available to watch via streaming? Yes, From the Vine (2019) is available to watch via streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Peacock. Directed by Sean Cisterna, the movie is based on the novel Finding Marco, written by Kenneth Canio Cancellara. In the story, Marco Gentile is searching for a fresher perspective on life after moving to his grandfathers vineyard in Acerenza, in rural Italy, where he plans to bring the vineyard back to business. From the Vine stars Joe Pantoliano as Marco Gentile, Wendy Crewson as Marina Gentile, Paula Brancati as Laura Gentile, Marco Leonardi as Luca, and many more. Watch From the Vine (2019) streaming via Amazon Prime Video From the Vine (2019) is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video. Watch the hottest new releases such as The Idea of You and Mr. and Mrs Smith, simply by getting a Prime subscription. read the instructions given below to find out how you can do so. You can watch via Amazon Prime Video by following these steps: Go to Amazon Prime Video Select Sign in and Create your Amazon account Sign up for a Prime Video membership: $14.99 per month or $139 per year with an Amazon Prime membership $8.99 per month for a standalone Prime Video membership Amazon Prime is the online retailers paid service that provides fast shipping and exclusive sales on products, so the membership that includes both this service and Prime Video is the companys most popular offering. However, you can also opt to subscribe to Prime Video separately. Watch From the Vine streaming via Peacock From the Vine is available to watch on Peacock. Peacock is your go-to streaming service if you want to enjoy your favorite sitcoms such as Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine to name a few. You can watch via Peacock by following these steps: Go to PeacockTV.com Click Get Started Choose your payment plan $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year (premium) $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year (premium plus Create your account Enter your payment details Peacocks Premium account provides access to over 80,000+ hours of TV, movies, and sports, including current NBC and Bravo Shows, along with 50 always-on channels. Premium Plus is the same plan but with no ads (save for limited exclusions), along with allowing users to download select titles and watch them offline and providing access to your local NBC channel live 24/7. From the Vines (2019) official synopsis is as follows: A downtrodden man experiences an ethical crisis and travels back to his hometown in rural Italy to recalibrate his moral compass. There he finds new purpose in reviving his grandfathers old vineyard, offering the small town of Acerenza a sustainable future, and reconnecting with his estranged family in the process. NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing. The Only Murders in the Building Season 4 teaser trailer has been released, setting the Hulu release date for later TV Tyler Treese 11 hours ago Marvel announced new Disney+ release date windows for Daredevil: Born Again and Ironheart. As announced at Disneys upfront presentation, Daredevil: TV Tyler Treese 11 hours ago The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD release date has been set, with the new Guy Ritchie movie Movies Anthony Nash 11 hours ago Republic Pictures has released a Reunion trailer, previewing the upcoming comedy mystery movie starring Lil Rel Howery and more. Reunion Movies Anthony Nash 11 hours ago Read more The post From the Vine (2019) Streaming: Watch & Stream Online via Amazon Prime Video and Peacock appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. This Argentinian malbec will have you asking, 'Where's the beef?' | Phil Your Glass Wapisa malbec is a wine from Argentina that will have you asking, "Where's the beef?" Word spreads fast thanks to the internet. My new friend Maria Ailen Tula, who works at the Argentinian Embassy, came across a couple Phil Your Glass articles and reached out to me on Instagram with an invitation to celebrate Malbec World Day with her, and 200 of her closest friends, on Embassy Row in our nations capital. April 17 was Malbec World Day. After attending this food and wine experience at the embassy, I vote that the 17th of every month be Malbec World Day. Quality beef and outstanding malbec wines are a dynamic duo that is the heart and soul of this South American country. Argentina produces 75% of all the malbec grapes grown in the world and is currently the fourth-largest beef producer in the world. I was pretty wide-eyed and giddy (and not because I drank too much) with all of the great food and wine at this event. Wapisa malbec was one of the stellar wines I tasted that clearly stood out from a selection of over sixty wines. Wapisa, which is an indigenous Patagonian world for whale, is coastal Patagonias only winery. Their malbec is grown in the Finca Los Acantilados vineyard, which is caressed by the cooling winds of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. If I am lucky enough to be invited back, I will definitely bring Tupperware to take home all of the beef empanadas I can fit into my carry-on luggage. They were unbelievably delicious with the $19.99 Wapisa malbec, as was the Argentinian beef stroganoff with malbec reduction. Me gusta! I was on the phone early the next morning calling my distributor friends trying to locate my favorite wines from the event that might be available for purchase in Ohio, so stay tuned for more amazing wines. In the meantime, I was happy to find this wine was available locally. The following week, I spotted a bottle in the wine room at Crave in downtown Akron. I immediately ordered the $14.50 steak skewer appetizer. The intense black raspberry and currant flavors of this wine complemented the chimichuri rub and spicy sriracha drizzle. The creamy and gooey manchego fondue was the cherry on top. This bottle is a definite keeper. You can find this wine at both Mustard Seed Market locations in Akron, Krieger's Market in Cuyahoga Falls, Beau's Market in Copley, Cornerstone Market in Munroe Falls, Fishers Foods in Canton, and Home Buys in North Canton. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Phil Your Glass discovers Wapisa malbec wine at Argentinian Embassy A former journalist looking for a fresh start. A social worker thinking about next steps in retirement. A carpenter wanting to make extra cash on the side. A single father seeking a better schedule to care for his daughter. These are the kinds of people that come to Rae Desrosiers for help. In a week, with diligent instruction and hard work, she turns them into mixologists. Desrosiers runs the Rhode Island Bartending School in Johnston, which according to her is the only mixology instructional institution in the state. In the nine years she has run it, she reckons about 5,000 pupils have come through. Weve had lawyers, doctors, nurses, policemen. Weve had detectives. Weve had all walks of life in here. I mean, theres literally not an industry that we havent had yet, Desrosiers said. Rae Desrosiers of the Rhode Island Bartending School leads a mixology class in Johnston recently. The profession is attracting people because of its low barrier to entry, convenient scheduling and opportunity to make quick cash. Mixology is one of Rhode Island's fastest-growing occupations, according to data from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. Like many of Desrosiers' students, people seem attracted to it because of its low barrier to entry, convenient scheduling and opportunity to make quick cash. Raising the bar Bartending is on the upswing in Rhode Island. Between 2022 and 2023 the industry added over 1,000 jobs, a nearly 50% increase, according to data from the Department of Labor and Training. There are several likely reasons for the spike. One is the service industrys post-pandemic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many restaurants to close and furlough employees. But the food and hospitality industry has rebounded since. According to the Department of Revenue, at the end of fiscal 2023 Rhode Island had recovered more than 90% of the jobs in the sector lost during the pandemic years though bartending hasnt fully returned to pre-pandemic levels: in 2023 there were 3,280 bartenders in Rhode Island, down from a high of 4,040 in 2018. Another reason is that bartending wages have been steadily growing. The hourly mean wage, according to the Department of Labor and Training, has risen from $10.69 in 2013 to $18.38 in 2023. That is likely not fully counting tips, which can increase a bartenders salary significantly. Jen Davis, beverage director at The Eddy and Durks Bar-B-Q, estimates that her bartenders make about $25 to $35 hourly, on average, through tips over their $5.50 base rate. Tips, however, can vary widely depending on the bar or restaurant where the bartender works. There are other, less quantifiable reasons for bartendings popularity. Bartending is one of those jobs where the interest will always be there because its a job that you can get trained for. You dont have to go to college for it. You dont need any sort of degree. You dont even need a high school degree to get it. Its a very obtainable job, Davis said. Many also are attracted to the flexibility the job offers or at least the opportunity to work a late shift. For example, Dennis Christie, one of Desrosiers students, said he is switching from working at a print job to bartending because it will allow him to take care of his 2-year-old daughter. Davis, too, said that the hours allow her to spend time with her son, especially during the summer, while she works at night. Dennis Christie of Providence measures out just the right amount of liquid as he mixes a drink during class at the Rhode Island Bartending School recently. Christie is switching to bartending to have a better schedule for his daughter. Schools of thought Not all agree on what is the best way to become a bartender. Some advocate formal training, while others argue that the best training is on the job. I think a great bartender comes from a kitchen, said Chris Annunziato, a 20-year veteran bartender who pours spirits at The Royal Bobcat on Atwells Avenue. When hiring bartenders, Davis favors people who have worked as servers, cooks or in some other capacity in the hospitality industry. I do prefer people who havent been bartending for a long time, mostly because theyre easier to train, Davis said. When hiring bartenders, Jen Davis of Durk's Bar-B-Q favors people who have worked as servers, cooks or in some other capacity in the hospitality industry, not people who've spent a long time tending bar. What all seem to agree on is that a good personality is essential to succeed as a bartender. Eighty five percent of it is personality. You definitely need a good personality. Anybody can make a good drink. Thats easy to teach, Desrosiers said. Annunziato explained that a good personality is how bartenders keep regulars. You gotta have that little charisma to make people come back, Annunziato said. That doesnt mean skill is optional. Bartenders need to know dozens of recipes and mixology details, such as the difference between liquor and liqueur the latter has more sugar and how to calculate the ounces of alcohol to pour in a collins versus a highball glass depending on the choice of spirit. You are not learning just recipes. You are learning bar science, Desrosiers told a group of eager students at a recent class. But there is a performance aspect to the job that seems to draw people in. The bar is a stage, Annunziato said, and the bartender is the main event. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Bartending is a fast-growing occupation in Rhode Island, DLT reports You might know less than you think about this classic American soda pop. bhofack2 / Getty Images When I was growing up, my grandmother would pick my brother and me up from school on Fridays and take us straight to a diner where she and my grandfather had gone on some of their first dates. Our order was always the same: a burger, cheese fries, and a kid-sized root beer in a frosted mug. Once, when my brother brought a school friend along, we watched his eyes widen into saucers as we placed our orders. My parents dont let kids drink beer, he whispered. Hes not the first or the last to get confused. For many, root beer is something of a mystery. Beloved in certain regions of the United States, particularly in parts of the South and, oddly, Utah (more on that later), you could argue that root beer is an underdog American icon. It conjures images of drug store counters, jukeboxes, and good, clean fun. Its also syrupy sweet, carbonated, and a relief to childhood friends everywhere non-alcoholic. Whats not to love? Related: A New Wave of Drinks Are Taking on Big Soda and Winning What is root beer? Root beer is a soda (or pop, or soda pop, depending on your region) invented in North America, likely in the 18th century. At first, it was served hot, but by the 1850s enterprising cold beverage fans began combining root beer syrup with soda water for a refreshing twist. Initially, Americans used root beer medicinally. Its unique flavor came from the American sassafras root, a perennial tree once used by the Eastern Cherokee (and later European settlers) to treat conditions including colds, fevers, and rheumatism. Even modern root beer as we know it (carbonated, cold, sweet) was initially marketed as a medicinal beverage by drug stores. Hires Root Beer, for example, was invented by a pharmacist who first sold it as Hires Root Tea. Today, no two root beer brands are alike in flavor or ingredient list. In 1976, after a study on rats revealed that sassafras root extract was carcinogenic, the FDA banned its use. As a result, root beer brands had to develop alternative recipes to maintain the same (or at least similar) flavor that drinkers had come to love. While theres no standard recipe for modern root beer, most brands now use alternative roots and barks instead of sassafras, such as birch bark or dandelion, licorice, or sarsaparilla roots. Depending on the ingredients used, root beer can taste sweet, spicy, and ever-so-slightly like an herbal tincture. Additions like vanilla and molasses give root beer a creamy mouthfeel, not unlike cream soda, while spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger imbue a subtle kick, similar to Dr. Pepper. Root and bark extracts add the top notes that set root beer apart from other soft drinks like vanilla-forward Coca-Cola or cream soda. Some detractors, particularly those across the Atlantic, where root beer never made much headway, liken root beer to medicinal items like mouthwash or cough syrup. Does root beer have alcohol? Despite its name, almost all root beer is, and has always been, alcohol-free. However, in recent years, hard root beer brands with names like Not Your Fathers Root Beer have appeared on the market. The beer in root beer comes instead from its original brewing process, which was similar to standard beer brewing. The first root beer was carbonated by fermentation using yeast, which resulted in a foam head similar to what youd get when ordering an IPA on tap. Todays canned root beer uses carbonated water instead no party-trick foam and far easier to produce at scale. Related: How to Use Soda to Upgrade Your Cocktail Game Does root beer have caffeine? Root beer is also naturally caffeine-free, although some brands, like Barqs, add caffeine; each 12-ounce serving of Barqs contains 22.5 mg, roughly the equivalent of a cup of green tea. Where is root beer most popular? No pun intended, root beer has deep roots in specific corners of the United States. In 2022, Eat This, Not That used Google Trends data to identify the most popular soda brands by state, and root beer topped the list in Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina (a betrayal given that its Pepsi's home state), and South Dakota. And then theres Utah. The state is well-known for its soda consumption, mainly because of its high population of members of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, known informally as Mormons, who follow religious doctrine that requires them to abstain from alcohol and hot drinks like coffee or tea. Historically, LDS Church leaders interpreted that to mean no caffeine, full stop. On menus across the state, caffeine-free soft drinks abound, and Utah is credited with starting the TikTok-famous dirty soda trend. But root beer has long been integral to LDS culture, celebrations, and lore. Long before the religion found its permanent home in Utah, LDS founder Joseph Smith supposedly made root beer on his farm in Palmyra, New York, selling it at a cake and beer shop in town to support his family and followers. Today, LDS families serve homemade root beer, typically made with root beer syrup and dry ice, at Fourth of July barbecues and in punch bowls at Halloween gatherings. They also often include root beer syrup in care packages for LDS missionaries who long for a familiar flavor far from home. "We have long speculated about why root beer and root beer floats are so popular among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, says Alexander Foster, a family representative of Hires Big H, a historic diner chain in Salt Lake City. [Root beer became] part of our culture early on, so its part of the community fabric. Many of our social interactions focus on gathering around sweet treats and ice cream instead of alcohol, tea, or coffee. Hires Big H gets its name from Hires Root Beer, which the restaurant has sold in ice-cold mugs since owner (and LDS member) Don Hale opened the first location in 1959. Don enjoyed a good glass of root beer and because of its popularity [in Utah], thought it would be a fun addition to the menu and the restaurant, says Foster. He was right. Even as root beers popularity has declined elsewhere in the U.S. in favor of other soft drinks, Hires Big H holds tight to its, well, roots. Pop in six days a week (theyre closed on Sundays), and youll see frosted mugs at every other table. The restaurant group even negotiated a special deal with Coca-Cola to allow them to continue serving root beer in addition to Coke products. Theres also something a little, dare we say, debaucherous about root beer, which lends it heightened appeal among Utahns. I think theres a slight thrill for some LDS members when they order a drink that has beer in the name, says Foster. Its the beverage equivalent of using darn when youd like to swear, but dont want to break the Ten Commandments. Root beer may not have spread far abroad, but in small pockets of the U.S., its a darn fine soft drink. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. Rescue dog enjoys first look at blue whale, footage is priceless A San Diego whale-watching captain this week shared a short but wonderful video clip showing a dog intently observing a surfacing blue whale. First Mate Fin reporting for whale-spotting duty! Capt. Dom Biagini, owner of Gone Whale Watching San Diego, stated via Instagram. Biagini added: This is the first time Ive taken Fin with me on a filming expedition, and he had a blast searching for all the wildlife. Blue whales, which can measure nearly 100 feet and weigh 200 tons, are the largest creatures on the planet. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Domenic Biagini (@dolphindronedom) The footage was captured by Erica Sackrison, also with Gone Whale Watching, and one cant help but wonder what was going through Fins mind as the majestic leviathan revealed its massive fluke befor a deep dive. Several Instagram followers chimed in with comments, including this from Sackrison: 1. You can swim under me any time now. 2. I wonder if you taste like chicken. Other observations: So freaking cool. Go Fin!!! This is everything! Priceless. What they must think as they slip back under. I wonder if he can hear them singing underwater. Biagini told FTW Outdoors that Fin is a 5-year-old mixed yellow lab/golden retriever that he rescued near the U.S.-San Diego border. On Instagram, Biagini reflected on the evolution of Fin as a whale-watching companion: The first time I took Fin on the boat was when he was a puppy, and he promptly sprinted to the front of the boat and jumped off into the bay! Weve come a long way since then! Story originally appeared on For The Win One of the most popular hikes in the Santiam Canyon will look a lot different when it reopens Friday. The Shellburg Falls Recreation Area has been closed since the 2020 Labor Day Fires burned across it, torching almost 75% of its forest north of Mehama and closing access to a site beloved by Salem residents. Those who return this weekend will find a place that feels both familiar and entirely new. To start, the location of the trailhead has been moved into a more remote location that requires a longer and bumpier drive. And while the waterfall remains beautiful, you can no longer hike behind it. The upside is the area feels more like an outdoor destination, with multiple hiking and mountain bike trails branching out from a new day-use picnic area. Heres a breakdown of what to expect and what to know. 'Tells the story of the Santiam Fires' The most obvious change around Shellburg Falls is from the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire, which burned across the area during the Labor Day Fires. Half of the trails are completely burned with little shade, open canopy and lots of direct sunlight. Another 25% are in a partly burned forest with some shade and 25% remain in mostly intact forest. "A visit here really tells the story of the Santiam Fires," said Joe Offer, recreation program manager for Oregon state forests. "It shows how wildfire doesn't burn in a uniform way. It burns at different rates, different severity, and this is a great place to see that." Popular Fern Ridge Trailhead closed for good The Fern Ridge Trailhead, which once allowed hikers to reach Shellburg Falls, is no longer open. Before the fires, one of the biggest appeals of Shellburg Falls was quick and easy access off Fern Ridge Road, a short jaunt from Highway 22 and Mehama. That is no longer the case. That trailhead was closed by the private owners frustrated with the overwhelming crowds of people visiting and sometimes creating problems before the fire. The old hike up the road and through pasture is closed for good and anyone attempting to access the falls that way can be cited for trespassing. So, where is the new trailhead at Shellburg Falls? The Shellburg Falls Recreation Area will reopen for the first time since the 2020 Labor Day Fires, showcasing trails, picnic areas and more. The new trailhead is reached on a six mile drive from Highway 22, following a collection of mostly gravel and sometimes bumpy roads. The new trailhead and day-use area are located at what was previously a small campground. The drive will be well-marked with signs pointing the correct direction, following Wagner, Ayers Creek and Shellburg roads. The new route has nice views of the Santiam Canyon, along with a mixture of burned and mature forest. It has the feeling of driving to a more remote Forest Service trailhead. It takes longer than before, and while most cars will probably be OK, its not ideal for, say, a Prius or other low riding passenger cars. New access crates more of a destination feel Shellburg Falls Trail Map by Zach Urness on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. There are two main trailheads in the recreation area along Shellburg Road: one for hiking and the other for mountain biking. The hiking trailhead, which also hosts a large picnic shelter and day-use area, has five trails branching out from it, offering a host of loops and adventures. In all, there are about seven miles of hiking trails. In the same area on the same road is the mountain bike trailhead, which is well-signed and features multiple trails dropping downhill to the road below. There are six different biking trails running about four miles. And, anyone following the Lost Creek Trail can travel into Silver Falls State Park for more mountain biking. Big changes for hike to Shellburg Falls Joe Offer, recreation program manager for the Oregon Department of Forestry, looks down at Shellburg Falls from an upper viewpoint. From the new trailhead, there are now two different routes to get a view of Shellburg Falls. The first is Upper Shellburg Falls Trail, which showcases the falls from above and drops to a viewpoint on a hike of 0.7 miles one-way (or 1.4 miles round-trip). The second is Lower Shellburg Falls Trail, which can be reached from the August Mountain, Shellburg Creek or Vine Maple trails to access the lower and then the upper falls. Those routes are around 2 miles one way or (4 miles round-trip). The two trails, coming in from different sides, now meet at the base of Shellburg Falls. Closure of behind-the-waterfall trail, limits on loop The 2020 Beachie Creek Fire impacted the previous trail under the waterfall, which is no longer accessible. In the past, you could follow the trail behind the waterfall and continue on a longer loop. But the trail behind the waterfall is closed and wont reopen, officials said, because the ground behind the falls is unstable and not safe. There are plans to eventually build a bridge that connects the two sides, but that is likely to take a while. We recognize that situation isnt perfect, but we wanted to open what we have done and figure out the rest as we go, Offer said. Those up for a adventure are allowed to scramble across Shellburg Creek to connect the two sides of the trail, but it would be steep and tricky. Mountain bike trails The Oregon Department of Forestry management and volunteers work to get the mountain bike trails ready to open. The same road to the hiking trail also accesses the mountain bike trails theyre maybe a mile or two apart. Over the years, volunteers have crafted multiple downhill routes with names such as Bobblehead, Pusher, Payback and a flow trail called Barnubien. Riders will typically ride from the mountain bike trailhead, down the trails and then follow the road back to the top. Some of the trails are steep, challenging and only made for experienced riders so make sure youre prepared before heading out. Just up the road, bikers can follow Lost Creek Trail into Silver Falls State Park to access that areas many mountain biking trails. Volunteers lead the way Offer was quick to point out the amount of volunteer time and effort that went into the reopening of the Shellburg Falls area. In particular, he highlighted the work of the Salem Area Trail Alliance, Cascade Trail Crew and Trailkeepers of Oregon. A group gathers at the lower viewpoint below Shellburg Falls. Directions to new Shellburg Falls Recreation Area From Highway 22 in Mehama, follow Wager, Ayers Creek and eventually Shellburg roads which should have pointers at all major junctions to the mountain bike or hiking trailheads. Download map for details. Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Hiking Southern Oregon. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Shellburg Falls reopens with changes after 2020 Labor Day wildfires As summer approaches and many part-time residents flee the state to escape the heat, All Faiths Food Bank is facing a critical volunteer shortage. From May through September, AFFB needs nearly 800 volunteers to cover approximately 12,000 volunteer hours for its 60 planned outdoor mobile food distributions. All Faiths Food Bank is honored and grateful to have one of the most robust volunteer bases in the region, AFFB president and CEO Nelle Miller said. Our volunteers are essential in helping us to maximize our reach and impact, ensuring that we can carry out activities at a level that our professional team couldnt achieve without their support. We are concerned about our ability to meet the need this summer, though, and hope those with time and a desire to help others will consider volunteering with us. Sarasota resident Wendy Lachaunce and her spouse Bonnie Alberti have been volunteering for AFFB since 2019, collectively contributing around 50 hours each month. Lachaunce says that, as a child growing up with a single mom and two sisters, We knew what it was like not to have enough food to eat and, at times, just having to go without. Volunteer Cullen Cully Pfanmiller was recognized as one of AFFBs Outstanding Youth Volunteers during the 2024 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon for his dedication to the organization. The 18-year-old senior at Sarasota High School was introduced to AFFB through Temple Emanu-Els annual day of service, Mitzvah Day, during which he and his family sorted and packed food. Two years ago, he became a teen leader at the Emma E. Booker Elementary School mobile pantry. I would say that giving back to your community does as much for you as it does for your community, he said. After a volunteer shift, I feel like I have done something important for the families in my community. My heart is full knowing that I have helped in some way to put food on their tables. Lachaunce, 70, admits that volunteering during the summer can be physically rigorous. Last summer, we had 45 days in a row of heat advisories. The volunteers that are working these pantries do it because of their beautiful service hearts, she said. We all have our personal stories and we care deeply for our friends and neighbors. No person should go hungry when I/we can do something about it. Making a difference for others Fifty-somethings Kelly and Sean Jennings began volunteering with AFFB earlier this year, soon after moving to Sarasota from Michigan. Sean volunteers twice weekly at the warehouse, while Kelly volunteers to help sort and pack food, and assist at mobile pantries. When asked how she feels after a typical volunteer shift, Jennings says, I usually feel like I had a great workout! But I also feel so good about helping others and making a difference in someone's life. I especially like working at the mobile pantries, where I get to interact with the people who come to get food. It is a blessing to get to say hello to them and see how happy they are to get the supplies that they need. It is also nice to work with the other volunteers and get to know them. In 2023, AFFBs volunteers contributed more than 52,300 hours to help make a positive impact on the lives of their neighbors facing hunger. Jennings encourages others to consider volunteering. I would say that they really should give it a try because it is such a blessing to help others. There is a job for everyone, whether you can lift heavy things or not, she said. For more about All Faiths Food Bank or to learn how you can be a hands-on Hunger Hero this summer, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org/volunteer. Submitted by Sharon Kunkel This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: All Faiths Food Bank seeks 'hunger heros' for summer volunteer service Food truck season starts this month. Here's where you can find them | Streetwise Zack Cookle hands off an order to Daniel Lehman on May 8 at Consign It! in Green Bay. Cookle owns and operates the Rollin Cubanos food truck. GREEN BAY Summer starts next month, but temperatures are warm enough to eat outside and for food truck owners, that means business. For food truck fans it's time to plan where you can find your favorites, whether its hamburgers, tacos, sandwiches or another specialized dish that hits the spot. Food trucks can be found during the summer at rallies, farmers markets or live music events. To help you narrow it down, the Green Bay Press-Gazette has put together a list of the events where you can find them. Here is a rundown of all the events that will feature food trucks in greater Green Bay. Green Bay's food truck rallies start in June on the east side Riverside Ballroom, 1560 Main St., will have food trucks on site at 4 p.m. June 16. On Broadway business district hosts a weekly farmers market on Wednesdays, starting May 22, that always draws several food trucks. There will also be food trucks at the igNight Markets in June and August and on July 4 at Fire Over the Fox. Similarly, Downtown Green Bay will have food trucks during the Saturday farmers markets, which start on May 25. ArtFest on July 20 and 21 will also bring in up to 15 trucks. Brown County Library will have one or two foods truck from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Friday from June 7 to Aug. 30 at 515 Pine St., in the parking lot. Ashwaubenon's food truck rallies start this month Badger State Brewing, 990 Tony Canadeo Run, will host food truck rallies on weekends at 7 p.m. from May 24 to Oct. 19. The village will hold a series of four food truck rallies at Ashwaubomay Park, 2881 S. Broadway Drive, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 16, June 20, July 18 and Sept. 12. In De Pere you can attend a food truck event this week Jack Schroeder and Associates will have a Food Truck Thursday with Humana from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16, at 3450 Packerland Drive. Definitely De Pere will hold food truck rallies from 4 to 8 p.m. June 23 and July 21 at Nicolet Square parking lot, 340 Reid St., and on Aug. 18 at Voyageur Park, 100 William St. Bellevue will have two rallies this year Food trucks will gather from 4 to 8 p.m. June 2 and Aug. 4 at Josten Park, 2280 Town Hall Road. This event will include live music from local artists and other activities for families to enjoy. Suamico will hold a food truck rally as a fundraiser Idlewild Park, 1500 Cotton Drive, will host a rally from 4 to 8 p.m. June 23 courtesy of the Green Bay Food Truck Coalition. This event will raise funds for the Suamico Parks Department. Town of Lawrence will hold its annual food rally in June Food trucks will operate from 4 to 8 p.m. June 30 at Quarry Park, 1625 Quarry Park Drive. This list will be updated as more information becomes available. Ariel Perez is a business reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach him at APerez1@gannett.com or view his Twitter profile at @Ariel_Perez85. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Food truck season kicks off this week. Here is where you can find them GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) This week, Grand Rapids Public Schools students are learning about the Grand River as they paddle canoes down it. The city says more than 800 GRPS students are taking part in the program, known as Canoemobile. The experience kicked off Monday and wraps up Friday. Students are learning about the history and quality of the Grand River, cultural history and nature hiking in a hands-on way, participating in a variety of outdoor activities. Our city is fortunate to have such treasured waterways, GRPS Superintendent Leadriane Roby said in a statement. This event gives our scholars the opportunity to experience firsthand the role that the Grand River plays in what it means to be a part of the Grand Rapids community. Leaders say this year marks the sixth time that Minnesota-based nonprofit Wilderness Inquiry, which travels the country offering water-based activities to students, has brought the Canoemobile program to Grand Rapids. Were just getting anybody we can out on their natural waterways, experiencing canoeing and kind of understanding that these are spaces we all share and can take advantage of, Ragen Hanton, primary outdoor leader with Wilderness Inquiry, told News 8. The week will culminate in a free Family Paddle Night, scheduled for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Community members are invited to Riverside Park, located at 2001 Monroe Ave. NE, to paddle canoes in the lagoon and enjoy snacks from the on-site food trucks. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. The healing waters of Excelsior Springs didnt stop this hotel from burning downtwice Inside Look is a Star series that takes our readers behind the scenes of some of the most well-known and not-so-well-known places and events in Kansas City. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at InsideLook@kcstar.com. Third time was the charm for the Elms Hotel in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. The first version, completed in 1888, suffered a major fire (with no fatalities) just ten years later. The elegant wooden structure was rebuilt soon after, but that one went up in flames as well. So in 1912, native limestone was chosen to insure that the hotel (as this postcard says) would remain fire-proof. But why build such a majestic lodge in the first place? It was all because of the water. The mineral springs from which the city took its name. During the late nineteenth century, the healing powers of mineral springs were sought by many to alleviate all kinds of pains and illness. The Elms guest list included plenty of notables--celebrities, politicians, maybe even a few mobsters (especially during Prohibition) and on election night in 1948, one Harry S. Truman. Eventually though, the allure of taking the waters declined. And years of wear and tear on the building and grounds led to a cycle of closures and re-openings. But Excelsior Springs and its residents refused to give up. In 2018, after another round of remodeling, the Elms Hotel & Spa opened as part of the Hyatt Destination hotel chain--offering century-old charm, modern hydrotherapy and paranormal tours too. Having trouble seeing the video? Watch it here. Looking for more Kansas City history? So who was who in this wide open town of the 20s and 30s? Heres another hotel fire that made history in KC KCs old downtown airport was a pretty hospitable place too I live in one of the worlds smallest homes theres no window, but its so cheap This man lives in a small 100-square-foot apartment due to its very low cost. In a glimpse into minimalist living, so to speak, one adventurous soul is giving the world a tour of what its like to dwell in a space barely larger than a parking spot. That said, its the shortest tour anyone could ever experience. Meet Ryan, a globetrotter currently calling a snug 100-square-foot apartment in South Korea his home. Its not the mere size thats unusual, or even the cost at roughly $120 per week. Its also that this pad doesnt come with the luxury of a window. Ryan, known as @nomadicallyryan on TikTok, recently shared a peek into his micro-living quarters, which sent the internet into a frenzy. The bathroom is divided by a single see-through panel of glass. nomadicallyryan/Tiktok With a single bed tucked in one corner, and a bathroom crammed in the other, this space certainly redefines cozy living. But heres the kicker the bathroom and bedroom are separated by a flimsy sheet of glass, meaning theres zero privacy if Ryan ever decides to host a guest. And speaking of the bathroom, its a tight squeeze. Want to wash your hands? Forget about it if youre planning to take a shower because theres only room for one activity at a time. You can either wash your hands or shower, you cant do both, he said. Another feature that catches eyes is a very, very small window, or what appears to be one. That tiny window? It looks into the hallway of the apartment building, offering nothing in the way of natural light. The home is only 100 square feet. nomadicallyryan/Tiktok But fear not, oxygen enthusiasts, because attached to the ceiling is an air vent to keep Ryan breathing easy, even in the tiniest of spaces. In terns of storage, and in what can only be described as a magicians act, Ryan reveals a walk-in wardrobe thats barely big enough to fit a few shirts. Theres even a mini-fridge hidden beneath. Now, you might be wondering why anyone would willingly choose to live in what feels like a glorified shoebox. Well, according to Ryan, its all about the savings, which is crucial while traveling abroad. I think for $120 with an entire apartment to myself with a bathroom and a shower, its not that bad, he added. And while some might scoff at the idea of living in such close quarters, Ryan sees it as a small price to pay for having his own space, bathroom included. Ryans video tour has gone viral, racking up more than 1.2 million views and leaving TikTok users in awe. Some cant believe its legal, while others are itching to cozy up in such a snug space. But for those who need a little more breathing room, Ryans micro-living might just be the stuff of nightmares. No sunlight, no outside view. I would go into deep depression, one viewer wrote. My life is so much happier and richer now, Christa Hayes told me, quickly noting that she means richer in the philosophical not financial sense. Running a small school is not usually a path to wealth, nor was that her goal when she officially launched Peak Academy in 2021 in Bozeman, Montana. Like so many of the microschool founders I visit across the U.S. and interview on my semiweekly LiberatED podcast, Hayes never expected to run a school. She had been a mathematics professor at Montana State University for more than a decade, fully intending to stay in that role until retirement. I couldnt imagine doing anything else, said Hayes. Covid was the catalyst. When her childrens schools shut down in the spring of 2020, and her college classes went online, Hayes began hearing from parents who wanted tutoring services. She also wanted to help her own three children stay on track academically, and find a way for them to have small, safe social interactions. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter In fall 2020, Hayes leased a gym downtown with large garage doors that opened wide, providing for maximum ventilation. She spaced children six feet apart, enabling them to meet in person while working through their remote public school curriculum. In addition, Hayes offered all kinds of enrichment activities, focused on project-based learning and frequent outside expeditions. Parents and learners loved it. So did Hayes, who connected with some experienced educators who were also passionate about outdoor, experiential learning mixed with core academics. Covid offered a moment to reflect on what was important to me and how I spent my days, said Hayes, who realized that the abundant time outside in nature working on meaningful educational projects was just as important for her as an educator as it was for the children in her programincluding her own kids. In early 2021, several parents approached Hayes, saying that if she created a full-time school, they would pull their kids out of public school and send them there. Hayes was in. She resigned from the university and established Peak Academy as a nonprofit private school. Teaching at the university was a great experience, but my world opened up when I started this school, Hayes told me when I visited Peak Academy earlier this week as part of my trip to survey the growth of Montana microschools, or small schools and spaces that are typically less expensive and more individualized than traditional private schools. Located in a pastel green-painted home on a quiet residential corner just a couple of blocks from Bozemans quaint downtown, Peak Academy currently serves 16 middle school students who spend their days learning academics, doing projects, and enjoying frequent field study with two full-time teachers, in addition to Hayes and other part-time instructors from the community. Related A Surge of Parents Seeking Child-Centered Schooling Alternatives in Philadelphia For high school, many of Peaks students attend the nearby Bozeman Field School, one of the areas first schools to focus on project-based, outside experiential learning along with high-quality academic instruction. It launched in 2017 and has become an inspiration for new Bozeman-area microschool founders who share a similar educational vision. In the nearby town of Belgrade, Lindsey Vose also plans to recommend the Bozeman Field School as a high school option for her microschool students. Vose worked as a California public school teacher for eight years before leaving that job in 2018 to be an instructor for a secular hybrid homeschool program. It was her first exposure to homeschooling and alternative education, as well as the hybrid homeschool model in which homeschooled children attend a full-day, drop-off program several days a week for academics and enrichment while working through the programs curriculum at home with their families on the remaining days. She pulled her kindergartener out of public elementary school and enrolled her in the hybrid homeschool as well, appreciating its smaller, more personalized learning model. Her preschooler also came along. During Covid, the Vose family moved to Montana seeking a different, more farm-based lifestyle. Her husband worked remotely for his California-based engineering firm, and Vose began to search for hybrid homeschool programs. When we came here, I knew we werent going to go to public school, and there were no outdoor, nature-based, academic-focused, secular hybrid homeschools here. It didnt exist, so I had to do it, said Vose, who began running her program, Wild Wonders, out of her garage in 2022 with four children, including her two children. Founder Lindsey Vose with learners at Montanas Wild Wonders school. (Kerry McDonald) Today, Wild Wonders is located on a leased, five-acre farmstead property near Voses home. It has 22 K-6 students who attend the mixed-age, drop-off program Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vose currently employs two full-time teachers, but with 35 students registered for this fall, and a future middle school expansion in the works, she will be hiring additional staff. Vose says the local demand for her program has been enormous. I get inquiries every day. I cant keep up with the growth, she said, adding that she plans to retain the micro aspect of her microschool. Staying small is really important to me. I value the small classes and the strong sense of community here. Everybody knows each other. Im not willing to give that up, she said. Another former public school teacher, Rusty Bowers, was also attracted to the microschooling model and its focus on individualized learning. A high school math teacher and principal in Montana public schools for over 10 years, Bowers launched Bozeman Innovation Academy, a K-8 Acton Academy affiliate, in fall 2023. Acton Academy is a fast-growing microschool network focused on learner-driven education. Founded in 2009, the Acton network now includes over 300 independently-operated schools, serving thousands of learners. I started an Acton Academy because I left the public education sector as a discouraged educator. After being out, I kept asking myself what the best education environment would look like if I could truly inspire each student to become the best they could be. In that search, I found Acton and fell in love with their model and high standards of excellence, said Bowers, whose two children, ages 10 and 5, attend his school. East of Bozeman, Emily Post has a similar commitment to high standards and student-empowered learning. She launched Educatio as a recognized K-8 private school in fall 2020 in a storefront location in downtown Livingston. It currently enrolls about 20 students, including Posts two children. Access is a key priority for Post, who told me that the schools $10,000 annual tuition is financially out-of-reach for many local families. She used part of the grant she received from VELA, an education philanthropic nonprofit and entrepreneur network, to fund scholarships for students, and is also a partner with ACE Scholarships that offers partial scholarships for low-income students to attend a private school of their choice. These scholarships help but they are not enough to meet the overall demand she sees from local parents who want new and different educational options. Last year, Post applied to open a tuition-free public charter school, Yellowstone Experiential School, under Montanas new charter school legislation. Of 26 applicants, she was the only one who wasnt a public school district and the only one who was rejected because she didnt receive local school district permission before applying to the state to be a provider, as the charter law requires. I tried to get local approval first but I could never get on the local school board agenda, said Post, frustrated by the bureaucratic barriers. She plans to try again, but is also hoping that Montana expands its new education savings account (ESA) program to include more students. Currently, this limited school choice program applies only to special needs students in the state. Since 2021, 11 states have passed universal or near-universal education choice policies that enable all or most K-12 students to access a portion of state-allocated education funding to use on a variety of approved learning options, including innovative schools like Educatio. It absolutely makes sense for funding to follow students, said Post. Nearly a week after it first opened to the public, the portal art installation connecting New York City and Dublin, Ireland, via a 24/7 video livestream has temporarily shut down. "Instances of inappropriate behavior have come from a very small minority of Portal visitors and have been amplified on social media," a Flatiron NoMad Partnership spokesperson said in a statement to USA TODAY. Teams in New York City and Dublin are working to prevent inappropriate behavior that has appeared on both sides of the massive circular livestream portals since its opening, according to the Flatiron NoMad Partnership statement, despite New York having 24/7 on-site security and barriers since its launch. There were two identical "portals", or art instillations, that connected the two cities separated by an ocean and more than 3,000 miles with a 24/7 live video link. The New York City portal is located in Manhattan's Flatiron District, while Dublin's is located near O'Connell Street, the city's main street. Mispronunciation mishap: Thomas Jefferson University goes viral after announcer mispronounces names at graduation When will the New York City/Dublin portal come back on? The Portal in Dublin is turned on May 8, 2024 by the Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithi de Roiste. People there see those in New York City where another new Portal had been installed and turned on. The portals connecting New York City and Dublin will be shut down for a few days, according to an Instagram Story post from the Flatiron NoMad Partnership, which began Tuesday at 5 p.m. New York time/10 p.m. Dublin time and will be back on "by the end of this week." The New York City and Dublin portals will run through fall of this year, Flatiron NoMad Partnership said in a May 8 press release. What are the portals? The organization behind the installations, Portals.org, previously set up portals in Vilnius, Lithuana, and Lublin, Poland, in May 2021. Portals founder Benediktas Gylys, a Lithuanian artist, author and entrepreneur, funded the initial project, but local groups have collaborated around Portal installations. Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Portal connecting NYC, Dublin shut down after 'inappropriate behavior' With spring migration peaking in the Milwaukee area, here are seven top birding spots Bird migration is synonymous with spring in Wisconsin. It starts with early migrators including waterfowl and continues with species such as red-winged blackbirds that travel perhaps a few hundred miles. It climaxes in May with with the arrival of the neotropical migrants, birds such as Baltimore orioles, great-crested flycatchers and bay-breasted warblers that have traveled from Central and South America to their northern breeding grounds. "Right now is prime time for bird viewing in Milwaukee and really all of Wisconsin," Carl Schwartz of Fox Point, past president of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, said on Sunday as he led a bird hike in Wauwatosa. "With the influx of migrants, the variety of species and the number of birds is as good as it gets." Modern technology is in agreement with Schwartz's decades of experience. May 15 is the annual peak of spring migration in Milwaukee, according to BirdCast, a radar-based forecast of bird movements run by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, Colorado State University and University of Massachusetts Amherst. The BirdCast network estimated 490.8 million birds were in flight early Wednesday morning, among the largest flights this spring. BirdCast estimated 490.8 million birds were in flight over the U.S. in the early hours of May 15. And when it comes to areas to see birds during spring migration, the shoreline of Lake Michigan is among the best in the country. As the birds use south and southwest winds to assist their spring migratory flights, they set down or travel along the Wisconsin shore rather than get pushed over the expanse of the inland sea. This creates an unusually high concentration of birds in lakeshore habitat, including in Milwaukee. "The areas within a couple miles of the lake are typically loaded with many more migrants than you find in most other places in the Midwest," said Tom Prestby of Green Bay, Audubon Great Lakes conservation manager. Prestby and Schwartz encouraged birders of all experience levels, and perhaps especially those new to the hobby, to get out in the coming days to look for birds. Remember to observe from a respectable distance through binoculars and don't stress the birds by causing them to flush or otherwise change their behavior. Here are seven top sites in and around Milwaukee for bird viewing during spring migration. A bird watching group walks on a trail May 12 at the Forest Exploration Center, a state-owned property in Wauwatosa. Lake Park in Milwaukee Lake Park in Milwaukee was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places but its woods and fields also provide critical stopover habitat for migrating birds. The 137-acre property is part of the Milwaukee County Parks system. The Lake Park Friends group organizes a free, informal "Warbler Walk" from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays in May. The park is located at 3233 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee. Warnimont Park Warnimont Park, also part of Milwaukee County Parks, spans 248 acres of bluffs, woods and fields on the Lake Michigan shore in Cudahy. It also includes Warnimont Bluff Fens, a State Natural Area. The green space is a magnet for spring migrants. It is located at 5400 S. Lake Drive, Cudahy. Forest Exploration Center Forest Exploration Center is a 67-acre, mature hardwood forest in Wauwatosa owned and managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The property has a mix of large trees, including maple, oak and basswood, that offer nesting and stopover habitat for a documented 158 species of birds. A trail system winds through the woods and allows easy access. It is located at 1800 Forest Exploration Drive, Wauwatosa. Schlitz Audubon Nature Center Schlitz Audubon Nature Center was cleared for farming many years ago, including to house Schlitz Brewery draft horses, but over the last 40 years the 185-acre site on Lake Michigan in northern Milwaukee County has been transformed into prairies, wetlands and woodlands. It features six miles of trails and access to the Lake Michigan beach. It is located at 1111 E. Brown Deer Road. Milwaukee. Wehr Nature Center Wehr Nature Center is a 220-acre nature preserve in Whitnall Park in Franklin. It was named for philanthropist Todd Wehr whose foundation donated funds to help build the center. The nature center features 6.5 miles of hiking trails through woods and prairies as well as a 20-acre lake. The Wehr Birders group meets for a bird hike from 8 to 10 a.m. Sundays. The nature center is located at 9701 W. College Ave., Franklin. Vernon Wildlife Area Vernon Wildlife Area is a 5,967-acre, state-owned tract in Waukesha County managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Fox River runs through the property; it includes grasslands, oak savanna, lowland forest and wetlands. A 5.1-mile trail including boardwalks over marshy areas is being constructed and is scheduled to be completed by August, according to the DNR. Vernon Wildlife Area is located at S67W28435 River Road, Mukwonago. Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is a 73-acre public park along the Lake Michigan shore in Ozaukee County. It features grassland, wet meadow, woodland, wetland and bluff habitats as well as a network of trails. Similar to the other lakefront green spaces, Lion's Den provides critical stopover habitat for spring migrants. On May 4 a varied bunting was sighted at the park, the first record of the species in state history. The park is located at 511 High Bluff Drive, Grafton. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Seven top birding spots in Milwaukee area for spring migration STOYSTOWN For the first time in six months, the Godin family can take showers or do a load of laundry without leaving home, nor will they have to fill and take home 30 to 40 jugs of water twice a week for drinking, cooking and other basic needs of daily life. On May 8, a group of helpers came to the Godins home along Route 30 to dig a 500-foot well, install a well liner, new piping, pumps and a motor, and help with some landscaping work around the property. Golf for good: Golf scrambles help to raise funds for area organizations The Godins stand with the volunteers that came to drill a deeper well and help with landscaping around their home. The well drilling project was a combined effort among several national organizations that give back by correcting water scarcity issues for families across the United States: The Chris Long Foundation and its Waterboys/HometownH2O program, Xylem Watermark and the Water Well Trust. Additional support was provided by Aquaflow Pump and Supply, Sperry Well Drilling, of Berlin, and the Talking Rain Beverage Co. What happened to the Godins' well? The Godins well stopped producing in November, about nine years after Jamey Godin and his wife, Brandy, bought the property for their growing family. The Godins have five children, aged 11 to 18. Jamey works in retail for a cell phone company, and Brandy manages the family home and the children's daily activities. Jamey and Brandy Godin stand in front of their Stoystown home with their dog, Truffles. When we first bought the place, the well was awesome, we had no problems with it, Jamey Godin said. Everything was going good, we were fine with everything, it just eventually got to the point (where it stopped working). Local artists: Where to see a new mural by Shanksville students promoting Somerset County The Godins have a freshwater spring on their property, as well, but it was not sufficient for the familys needs and was unreliable in the winter, Jamey said. As he called around the area for professional advice and estimates to resolve the issue, Jamey was told about the Water Well Trust, a national nonprofit that works to provide a clean water supply to American families living without access to a precious resource most of us take for granted, according to its website. He said he filled out an application with the Water Well Trust, hoping to qualify for a low-interest loan. Who helped the Godins dig the new well? The Godins then learned they were eligible for assistance through the Chris Long Foundations Waterboys initiative/HometownH2O program, which works with partners like Xylem Watermark to provide clean water for minority, low-income and rural families across the U.S. Theres a lot of different organizations, I guess, that are out there, Jamey said. They use the Water Well Trust to help them find people. So we went through them (Waterboys/HometownH2O), and theyre the ones who are providing help with getting the well done and everything, and then Water Well Trust got a hold of Xylem. Chris Herron from Xylem Inc. said the companys philanthropic arm, Xylem Watermark, partners with several organizations, including the Water Well Trust and the Chris Long Foundation, to determine if and how they can help a family like the Godins resolve their water supply issues. Our slogan is Solve Water, so we want to be able to build products and supply products for people around the world, to help them get clean water and sustain water supplies, he said. So in a situation like this, its something were already passionate about. But to be able to come here and help a family with five children ... to be able to provide them with water so they dont have to worry about that anymore, thats my favorite part of my job. Xylem Watermark also coordinated volunteers to help do landscaping work around the yard, Herron said. A crew from Sperry Drilling Inc., in Berlin, drilled the Godin's well to a new depth of 500 feet to restore the home's water supply. What is the HometownH2O program? The work on the Godins well was fully funded through the Waterboys/HometownH2O program and the partnering businesses and organizations involved, said Cain Turner of the Chris Long Foundation. Shiny and bright: New gym floor brings a shine to Meyersdale Community Center He said this was the 19th project completed since 2019 through the HometownH2O program, which focuses on providing clean water to American communities, households and schools, according to its website. Chris Long is a two-time Super Bowl champion who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Turner said. Hes deeply passionate about doing (this) work in Pennsylvania; thats why were here, but we do work all over, really. The HometownH2O program is also looking for another project in Pennsylvania, one that would help the family of a veteran resolve a water supply problem. Anyone who is interested should complete the application at waterwelltrust.org, call 833-539-8200 or send an email to info@waterwelltrust.org. We encourage people to apply at waterwelltrust.org. You might get a low-interest loan, or in some cases, a partner might step in, Turner said. This family did not know that we were going to be stepping in and funding the project, so it ended up working out and they were thrilled. Its wonderful when things work out this way and it can be fully funded. This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Stoystown PA family's well restored by water-related charities Taking a road trip? These Western NC places voted among top 10 in US to stay. What to know. Several Western North Carolina locations have been voted as top choices in the country for road trip lodging this summer, according to USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice. From vintage trailers by the river to midcentury roadside motels, the choices in WNC alone have a little something for everyone. It isn't the first time WNC has topped a 10Best list. Methodology provides locations chosen by an expert panel to voters in the community, who choose their favorite options to add to the lists. Here's what to know about the WNC options chosen by readers for the 2024 10Best road trip roundup. More: Asheville, WNC communities earn multiple 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for beer, breweries Sky Ridge Yurts Coming in at first place on this list is Sky Ridge Yurts. Located at 200 Sky Ridge Drive in Bryson City, Sky Ridge Yurts has eight structures available for booking. 10Best praised the three-person Santeelah and six-person Fontana, and mentioned the cooking areas, full baths, heating and air conditioning available in each that make the yurts a true glamping experience. 10Best glamping spots Sky Ridge Yurts (Bryson City, North Carolina) Beaver Island Retreat (Beaver Island, Michigan) Piney River Ranch (Vail, Colorado) Treebones Resort (Big Sur, California) Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo (River Ranch, Florida) Nomad Ridge at The Wilds (Cumberland, Ohio) Little Arrow Outdoor Resort (Townsend, Tennessee) The Destination (Dadeville, Alabama) The Resort at Paws Up (Greenough, Montana) Borealis Basecamp (Fairbanks, Alaska) More: WNC city voted among 10 Best Small Towns in the South: Here's why Two WNC options made the 2024 10Best list of best roadside motels. First was the Sunset Motel at third place. Located at 523 S Broad St. in Brevard, the motel has a wide range of rooms including a separate cottage on the property available to reserve. Rooms feature midcentury modern themes. Rhodes Motor Lodge was the other WNC choice on the list, coming in at seventh place. The lodge at 1377 Blowing Rock Road in Boone features two stories of rooms all facing the Blue Ridge Mountains. In fact, the views were among the specific features praised by 10Best. Their house bar and restaurant, Canteen, serves homestyle meals and a rotating selection of local craft beer and ciders, plus wine and cocktails. 10Best roadside motels The Groovy Nomad (Trenton, Georgia) Sugarloaf Mountain Motel (Virginia City, Nevada) The Sunset Motel (Brevard, North Carolina) Roadrunner Lodge Motel (Tucumcari, New Mexico) Bear Cove Inn (St Ignace, Michigan) The Local - St. Augustine (St. Augustine, Florida) Rhode's Motor Lodge (Boone, North Carolina) The Starlite Motel (Kerhonkson, New York) Americana Motor Hotel (Flagstaff, Arizona) The Ozarker Lodge (Branson, Missouri) More: West Asheville eatery is No. 2 on national Best New Restaurants list: What's on the menu From left: D.J. Rodell, Julia Hudgins and Dylan Lossiah, all of Sylva, enjoy takeout on chairs overlooking the mountains at the Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway on July 13, 2020. Pisgah Inn, located at 408 Blue Ridge Parkway near Canton, was sixth on the list. The inn, located on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Pisgah National Forest, has a rich history beginning in 1919, when it first opened, and is one of only two remaining park lodges on the 469 miles of the parkway. At an elevation of 5,000 feet, Pisgah Inn features views of the forested mountains and plenty of nearby hiking trails. 10Best also mentioned the quality of the meals served at the inn's dining room. 10Best national park lodges Jackson Lake Lodge (Grand Teton National Park) Paradise Inn (Mount Rainier National Park) Old Faithful Inn (Yellowstone National Park) Skyland (Shenandoah National Park) El Tovar Hotel (Grand Canyon National Park) Pisgah Inn (Blue Ridge Parkway) The Ahwahnee (Yosemite National Park) Many Glacier Hotel (Glacier National Park) The Inn at Death Valley (Death Valley National Park) Glacier Park Lodge (Glacier National Park) More: This NC amusement park ranked in the top 10 countrywide; Coaster, entertainment praised Asheville River Cabins was fourth on the list of best vintage trailer hotels of 2024. At 318 Wanderlust Ridge in Arden, Asheville River Cabins offers reservations for private cabins and vintage Airstream trailers. Its website suggests hiking the property's river trail or tubing down the river. Currently, riverfront Airstream rentals start at $159 per night. Airstreams are equipped with full kitchens and private fire pits. 10Best vintage trailer hotels The Vintages Trailer Resort (Dayton, Oregon) Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground (Buellton, California) SkyStream Resort at SkyPark Camp + RV Resort (Skyforest, California) Asheville River Cabins (Arden, North Carolina) Sou'wester Historic Lodge & Vintage Trailer Resort (Seaview, Washington) Hart's Camp (Pacific City, Oregon) AutoCamp Yosemite (Midpines, California) AutoCamp Cape Cod (Falmouth, Massachusetts) Lake Bastrop North Shore Park (Bastrop, Texas) Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort (Gatlinburg, Tennessee) 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: USA TODAY 10Best NC road trip places to stop: Pisgah Inn, Sunset Motel NewJeansNim, a comedian and a DJ, whose real name is Youn Sung Ho, performs at an annual lantern-lighting festival dressed up as a monk, in Seoul, South Korea, on May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Juwon Park) SEOUL (AP) A South Korean deejay dressed as a Buddhist monk bounced up and down on stage while playing electronic music and shouting: This too shall pass! The performance brought cheers from a crowd of thousands at an annual lantern-lighting festival over the weekend to celebrate the Buddha's birthday. Religious belief in South Korea has been on the decline for years. In 2021, just 22% of South Koreans in their 20s identified as religious, compared to 45% in 2004, according to a Gallup poll. But that might be changing as social media fuels an uptick in interest in Buddhism among young people. The festival DJ, Youn Sung Ho, is a significant contributor to this trend. Youn, who is also a comedian, said he has received much support from the younger generations, especially Millennials and Gen Z, for his Buddhist monk alter ego, whom he calls NewJeansNim. Youn said he created the persona last year when he was deejaying at the lantern-lighting ceremony. I wasnt NewJeansNim at the time. I was the comedian Youn Sung Ho. It was just my authentic self." But he wore a hanbok, the traditional Korean clothing that resembles a monk's robe, and said the performance video drew millions of views on social media. Thats when I thought, Oh, I need to make a character quickly, he said. He carefully built his alter ego while seeking support from Buddhist leaders in South Korea, trying to balance popular culture with authentic Buddhist teachings. NewJeansNim is a hybrid moniker of Sunim, a Korean title for Buddhist monks, and NewJean, a Dharma name that a senior monk gave him, Youn said. Youns DJ-monk persona has attracted many young South Korean adults to Buddhism, including Kwon Dohyun, a university student who attended the lantern-lighting festival with two friends and was excited to see NewJeansNim perform. Isnt the hairstyle really hip? Kwon told The Associated Press, adding that his interest in Buddhism also stemmed from the perceived inclusivity and openness of the faith. Youns popularity especially among young adults was apparent at the weekends performance as they cheered while he sang lyrics from his latest song: Suffering because your paycheck didnt go up My stocks are down; Monday cant come soon enough." Youn believes his attempts to break the traditional mold have struck a chord with young South Koreans. It was so new and exciting to people for someone to make electronic music and make people jump, jump, in this serious, solemn religion of Buddhism," he said. Youn said most people associate Buddhism with quiet temples in the mountains, wind chimes, chanting, quiet meditation and sitting still. People think these are Buddhism, but what I am doing now is the opposite, he said. Another Buddhist who has been garnering young followers on social media is Venerable Beomjeong, who is also known as Kkotsnim, which means flower monk in Korean. He is active on Instagram where he communicates with Buddhists and non-believers alike. Beomjeong frequently uploads photos of himself with captions featuring Buddhist teachings and his thoughts. People think monks are supposed to be noble, they are supposed to be in the mountains, they are supposed to be purer than anyone else," he said, adding he hopes to dispel such notions about monks and Buddhism in Korean society through social media. He said he receives many messages asking him basic questions about Buddhism such as: Are monks not supposed to eat meat? Are monks allowed to marry? He's also been asked: "Will you marry me?" He said aims for his answers to be straightforward but carefully worded. I tell it like it is. I dont want to be too mystical or conservative, but I think I speak on behalf of the precepts and many monks in the Jogye Order, not just myself," he said. Beomjeong and NewJeansNim both say their efforts to draw younger generations to Buddhism have left them open to criticism. Korean Buddhist monks had a perception of: How dare he flaunt his looks and does Instagram as someone who became monastic, Beomjeong said. Theres feedback like: Oh, youre a fallen monk, and youre tarnishing Buddhism, Youn said. But Youn said such criticisms come from people who resist change and that young MZs (Millennials and Gen Z) who want and like new things are so welcoming and love it. Beomjeong said he is happy to be considered an influencer if it means sharing messages about Buddhism with the public. I dont know what it means to be an influencer, but if I can get many people to see and hear what I say, I want to be an influencer, Beomjeong said. It would be very good for me to spread the Dharma and help many people remove some prejudices about Buddhism through me. Then I think Ive done my job. UPDATE: A 21-year-old man is dead after a shooting in East El Paso Tuesday night. According to El Paso Police, the shooting happened at 7:16 p.m. at the 10000 block of Montwood Dr. Police say when they arrived on scene, they located the 21-year-old man who had been shot. The man was taken to the hospital where he later died. El Paso Police say there were two separate groups of people who were involved in an altercation which led to the shooting but did not say what else led up to the incident. No arrests have been made, anyone with information is asked to call Crime stoppers of El Paso or El Paso Police. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person was injured in a shooting in East El Paso on Tuesday evening, May 14, police and fire dispatch said. The shooting happened at about 7:15 p.m. along the 2100 block of Cumbre Negra, which is right off of Montwood Drive. Unconscious female found in desert area in Sunland Park Police said one person was been transported for treatment of their injuries. Fire dispatch said the person was transported Code 3 (serious injuries). Field of Dreams dispensary closes in apparent dispute between partners Police have not said what led up to the shooting or if there are any suspects at this time. This is a developing story and we will update it as soon as we learn more. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. An $11 million dilemma: City of Daytona has to quickly spend millions or lose the money DAYTONA BEACH The city of Daytona Beach has been under state audit since 2021 because its permits and license fund level has climbed too high, and the city could be forced to forfeit some of those funds to the state government if they're not used soon, The News-Journal has learned. Mobile command units provide functional office space just about anywhere since they can run on generators and have satellite dishes. They can provide services and help to people in crisis after a hurricane, tornado, wildfire, flood or other types of emergencies. State law says governments in Florida can't let too much of their permits and license revenue go unspent year after year, and the city has found itself in that situation. The fund currently has a balance of about $22 million. Top city staffers have come up with an $11 million plan to draw down the revenue. But at least some city commissioners have been unaware of the accumulated permits and licensing funds, the state laws governing their use, the ongoing audit, and the constraints of buying a nearly $1 million mobile command vehicle with permits and licensing funds. In a May 8 email sent to several top city employees including the fire chief, police chief and chief building official, City Manager Deric Feacher wrote that the mobile command vehicle could "be beneficial" for both permits and licensing and city operations dealing with "Code, Building, Fire Inspectors and during major disasters/events for Police and Fire." But state law indicates permits and licensing fund dollars have to be used for permits and licensing functions. The proposed $11 million solution The state auditor general and Joint Legislative Auditing Committee have been involved in an effort to bring the fund into compliance. An audit report for the 2021-22 fiscal year concluded that the city's unexpended building permit funds at the end of the budget year exceeded the city's average operating budget for the previous four fiscal years by $10.97 million. In early December last year, the 11-member Joint Legislative Auditing Committee made up of state senators and state representatives directed the city of Daytona Beach to provide a written update explaining the status of its corrective actions. The city's response was due by March 29. Daytona Beach's mayor and six city commissioners have some decisions to make on accumulated permits and license fee funds that have exceeded allowable limits and drawn a state government audit. Pictured standing from left to right are City Commissioners Quanita May, Stacy Cantu, Paula Reed and Ken Strickland. Seated from left to right are City Commissioner Monica Paris, Mayor Derrick Henry and City Commissioner Dannette Henry. On March 25, Feacher sent a letter to the committee's chairman and vice chairman detailing the city's updated plan to reduce the amount of unexpended fund balance. Feacher's letter said the growth in Daytona Beach has created a need to expand the city's permits and licensing staff, acquire additional workspace and buy new equipment. The letter shows the city plans to spend $4 million acquiring property in Daytona Beach for a new permits and licensing office; $1.5 million to renovate a new permits and licensing facility; $500,000 for IT setup and rewiring of a facility; $200,000 for new furniture and equipment; and $160,000 for IT equipment. The list of projects contains several more items, and tallies just over $11 million. Also listed is $1 million for a mobile command center vehicle, $750,000 for renovation of a permits and license training facility, $750,000 for acquisition of a marine unit staging platform, $660,000 to buy 11 Ford F-250 trucks to perform building inspections, and $600,000 for construction of a permits and license coordination center. Two new $175,000 staff positions are also included for a fire inspector for new buildings and a building code enforcement staff liaison officer. Back to the mobile command vehicle The mobile command vehicle acquisition had been slated to appear on the May 15 City Commission agenda, but Feacher said in the May 8 email that he thought commissioners needed to huddle in a separate workshop meeting so the proposal could be fully discussed. The workshop, which will be held next month, could also include discussion of how commissioners want to spend the permits and license revenue that has risen above allowable limits. Feacher's suggestion for the workshop appears to be a reaction to questions being raised by at least one city commissioner. Daytona Beach City Manager Deric Feacher has been overseeing a challenging dilemma: Quickly spending down millions of dollars in accumulated permits and licensing funds that triggered a multi-year state government audit of the city. "It appears there is confusion on how these funds can be expended as well as the need to provide more detailed information to the elected officials," Feacher wrote in the email. "It is not my desire ever for an elected official to denote the appearance of impropriety in the work we do. Our goal is to always provide the facts for the elected officials to be able to make the best decision for the residents of Daytona Beach." Feacher agreed last week to talk to the News-Journal about the permits and license mobile command vehicle purchase, but then said he was requesting more information and didn't believe it was "prudent to have an interview." In his May 8 email to 11 city staffers including a deputy city manager, the city attorney, fire chief and police chief he instructed that any media inquiries should be directed to city Communications Manager Susan Cerbone, who would respond in writing. Cerbone has responded to the News-Journal's questions. Residents could get permits and license fee rebate Mayor Derrick Henry said he has been aware of the need to spend more permits and licensing funds, but he's not sold on using some of the money for a permits and licensing mobile command vehicle. "I'm not hunky-dory on this project to buy a vehicle for $1 million," Henry said. City Commissioner Stacy Cantu said state law makes it clear permits and licensing funds can only be used for permits and licensing functions. So if a mobile command vehicle funded by permits and licensing was also used by other city departments, it appears that would violate the statute. A law passed in 2019 also says the permits and licensing funds have to be spent within four years of being collected. Cantu said she would like to see the money used to give residents a break on permit fees. Read more: Should Daytona Beach spend close to $1 million on a mobile command vehicle? Since property insurance companies are threatening to drop Floridians with roofs 10 or more years old, Cantu suggests the city rebate residents on their permit fees when they complete those roof replacements. Her idea is to only offer the rebates for new projects, not for roofs replaced anytime before this month. "We might be able to give rebates for a few years," she said. At Wednesday night's City Commission meeting, Cantu said she was "very surprised" to find out this month that the city had an audit of permits and licensing funds that's been going on for three years. And she added that she only found out about it by chance when she was digging around for other information. All of the commissioners should have been told about the audit, she said. Feacher responded that the information has been available online for the past few years, but Cantu said she wants "more communication next time." Cantu has been asking Feacher since the end of last week how much the city has to spend each year to come into compliance with the audit. She asked Feacher again at this week's commission meeting, and he said she would get the information when the rest of the commission does at the workshop. Cantu also said commissioners, not the city manager, should have been the ones deciding how the $11 million in permits and license fees will be spent. "I'm in agreement with that," the mayor said. You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach city permits and license fund under state audit 14-year-old boy arrested for pointing gun at, threatening 2 people during dispute in DC WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a 14-year-old boy was arrested after he pointed a gun and threatened two people during an argument on April 7. Police said that at about 12:55 p.m., the boy and the victims were in the car when they began having an argument. The suspect, two victims and another passenger then got out of the car at the 600 block of Morton Place. Man stabbed in Northeast DC The suspect then went into a home and came out with a rifle. He pointed the rifle at one of the victims while threatening them, and then broke the window of the car with the rifle. He then pointed the rifle at the other victim. The victims were able to leave the scene. Police later found the rifle. On Wednesday, the 14-year-old boy from Northeast, D.C., turned himself in to police. He was arrested and charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun), Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device, Possession of Unregistered Ammunition, Unlawful Discarding of a Firearm, Threats to Injure or Kidnap and Destruction of Property. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Serial killers and their gruesome crimes have sparked terror and intrigue for centuries. From Hungarian countess Elizabeth Bathory in the 1600s to more recent examples such as Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy, these murderers have confounded investigators and the morbidly curious. Their shocking acts are the subject of movies, music, and academic study, as researchers have tried to piece together an explanation. In some cases, the true toll of their violent outbursts remains unknown. Here are 15 of the most infamous serial killers who left their bloody mark on history. Elizabeth Bathory 1560-1614 Although the true extent of Elizabeth Bathorys crimes is debated, she now holds the dreadful nickname of the Blood Countess. A wealthy Hungarian noblewoman, Bathory was believed to have tortured or killed scores of female servants and minor noblewomen prior to her 1610 arrest. Although she wasnt convicted of a crimeand much of her alleged blood lust stems from questionable witness testimonythe Guinness Book of World Records cites Bathory as the most prolific female murderer in history with 600 victims. Bathory might have even helped inspire Bram Stokers 1897 vampire novel Dracula. Learn More About Elizabeth Bathory Getty Images Belle Gunness 1859-c. 1930 Almost as shocking as Belle Gunness reported crimesauthorities found the remains of more than 40 victims on her property in 1908was her unsolved disappearance. Born Brynhild Paulsdatter Strseth in Norway, Gunness moved to the United States in 1881. She was soon connected to several mysterious deaths, including those of two husbands, many of which were related to insurance payments. She also wrote a column to lure unsuspecting men to her farm, with many never seen again. Gunness was thought to have died when her farm house burned down in 1908, but a hired hand later confessed she orchestrated the fire and fled. Her eventual location and death were never confirmed. Learn More About Belle Gunness Getty Images H.H. Holmes 1861-1896 Born Herman Webster Mudgett in New Hampshire, H.H. Holmes became known as one of Americas first serial killersresponsible for anywhere from 20 to 200 deaths. He admitted to 27 in custody. Holmes, an alias from his pharmacy job, constructed a three-floor building in Chicago known as the Murder Castle, where he tortured and killed victims. The Beast of Chicago was finally apprehended in 1894 and hanged for the murder of Benjamin Pietzel two years later. His crimes inspired author Erik Larsons 2003 book The Devil in the White City. Learn More About H.H. Holmes Getty Images Jack the Ripper Unknown The true identity of Jack the Ripper, who killed at least five prostitutes in Londons East End in 1888 and mutilated their bodies, remains a perplexing mystery. More than 100 suspects have been named in the almost 140 years since. Although no one has yet to identify Jack, that hasnt stopped expert and amateur sleuths from trying. A 2023 book alleged cigar maker Hyam Hyams committed the crimes, while a recent viral Tiktok theory posited that painter and sculptor Edgar Degas was the killer. Learn More About Jack the Ripper Related: Two Case-Shattering Clues Point to Jack the Rippers Real Name Popular Mechanics; Getty Images Albert DeSalvo 1931-1973 Albert DeSalvo, who grew up with an abusive father, showed a penchant for crime from an early age. He learned to shoplift at age 6, later spending time in and out of prison for petty crime and other violations. Those paled in comparison to DeSalvos 1965 confession that he was the Boston Strangler responsible for the murders of 13 women during the 1960s. Although there wereand still aredoubts about the validity of his admission, DeSalvos reputation as a vicious, hardened criminal was sealed. Well likely never know the full truth of DeSalvos actions. He died in a prison stabbing attack in November 1973. Fifty years later, Hulu released the movie Boston Strangler about the case. Learn More About Albert DeSalvo Getty Images John Wayne Gacy 1942-1994 Although John Wayne Gacy was known for entertaining children at parades and hospitals as Pogo or Patches the clown, there was nothing cheerful about his horrific crimes. During the 1970s, he murdered at least 33 young men and teenage boys at his home in Norwood Park, Illinois, often torturing and then strangling victims. In March 1980, a jury required less than two hours to find Gacy guilty of the killings, for which he received the death penalty. Gacy was executed via lethal injection on May 10, 1994. His last meal included fried chicken, shrimp, fries, and strawberries. Learn More About John Wayne Gacy Getty Images Rodney Alcala 1943-2021 Before he was convicted of murder, Rodney Alcala was a prospective bachelor on a 1978 episode of the television game show The Dating Game. However, contestant Cheryl Bradshaw declined their date after he acted really creepy face-to-face. Ultimately, Alcala is known to have killed nine women and girls during the 1970s, though other estimates pen his victim count anywhere from around 50 to as many as 130. Alcala was eventually sentenced to death in March 2010. He died in July 2021 at age 77 while awaiting his execution at a California prison. Learn More About Rodney Alcala Getty Images Dennis Rader 1945-present Dennis Rader, a family and company man by day, harbored a sinister side, killing 10 people around Wichita, Kansas, from 1974 through 1991. He taunted authorities for years with written clues, which referred to his method of binding, torturing, and killing victims. This led to his infamous moniker as the BTK Killer. Rader wasnt arrested until February 2005 and pleaded guilty to 10 counts of first-degree murder. Now serving 10 life sentences, Rader regularly corresponds from prison through letters. He notably compared himself to Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann in 2023. Learn More About Dennis Rader Getty Images Ted Bundy 1946-1989 Ted Bundy became a quasi-celebrity during his 1979 trial for the murder of two Florida State University college students. But beneath his charming personality was something much more sinister. Bundy was ultimately convicted for the murdersand executed in January 1989but his violent outbursts were much more widespread. He confessed to 36 killings across the country, but some experts believe the actual number might be 100 or more. The killer has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and dramatizations, most notably 2019s Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile starring Zac Efron as Bundy and and Lily Collins as his real-life girlfriend Elizabeth Kloepfer. Learn More About Ted Bundy Getty Images Peter Sutcliffe 1946-2020 Peter Sutcliffe, now known as the Yorkshire Ripper, terrorized northern England from 1975 through 1980, killing at least 13 women during this time. Police spent an estimated 2.5 million hours pursuing Sutcliffe, whom they interviewed nine times prior to his arrest in 1981. It was just a miracle they did not apprehend me earlierthey had all the facts, he said at his trial. He was found guilty of 13 murders and seven attempted murders and sentenced to 20 life terms in prison. The investigation of Sutcliffes crimes and their aftermath served as the basis for the 2023 ITV true crime series The Long Shadow. Learn More About Peter Sutcliffe Getty Images David Berkowitz 1953-present After serving in the U.S. Army, David Berkowitz returned to New York City in 1974 and began working for the U.S. Postal Service. No one had any idea the reserved Berkowtiz would become the Son of Sam killer, who pleaded guilty to six murders from 1976 through 1977. Berkowitz claimed he was instructed to commit the murders through his neighbors dog, a demon-possessed Labrador Retriever named Harvey, though he later retracted this admission. He is currently imprisoned at the Shawangunk Correctional Facility in New York. Learn More About David Berkowitz Getty Images Joel Rifkin 1959-present Joel Rifkin fixated on prostitutes, at least partially because of his obsession with the 1972 Alfred Hitchcock movie Frenzy. His urges turned deadly in March 1989, when he brutally killed and dismembered his first victim. Ultimately, Rifkin killed 17 women before police finally apprehended him in June 1993with a corpse in the trunk of his car. By 1996, Rifkin was sentenced to serve at least 183 years in prison for his various crimes. Rifkin is now incarcerated at the Clinton Correctional Facility in New York and eligible for parole in 2197, when he would turn 238 years old. Learn More About Joel Rifkin Getty Images Jeffrey Dahmer 1960-1994 Jeffrey Dahmer, who murdered 17 men between 1978 and 1991, became known as the Milwaukee Cannibal for the grisly nature of his crimesoften keeping body parts as souvenirs. He even claimed he planned to build an altar using the skulls of his victims. A prison inmate named Christopher Scarver killed Dahmer in November 1994, reportedly saying to a guard, God told me to do it. Dahmers crimes inspired the Golden Globewinning 2022 miniseries DahmerMonster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, with Evan Peters playing the killer. Learn More About Jeffrey Dahmer Getty Images Richard Ramirez 1960-2013 Richard Ramirez became known as the Night Stalker for his crime spree throughout California that resulted in the murders of at least 14 people from 1984 through 1985. He committed at least 30 violent crimes, including rape and torture. Known for neglecting his personal hygiene, Ramirez had nine decayed teeth and was missing several othersa distinct feature identified by multiple survivors of his attacks. He was convicted of 43 charges in 1989 and later sentenced to death. Hey, big deal, death always comes with the territory. Ill see you in Disneyland, he memorably said leaving the courtroom. Ramirez died on death row on June 7, 2013 from complications of B-cell lymphoma. Learn More About Richard Ramirez Getty Images Alexander Pichushkin 1974-present Alexander Pichushkin terrorized Moscow in the early 2000s by luring victims to the citys Bittsevsky Park before beating them and, at least initially, disposing of their bodies. He was finally arrested in 2006 after killing his supermarket co-worker. Pichushkin received his nickname, The Chessboard Killer, after police discovered a chessboard he kept with dates for each of his crimes. He had filled nearly all of the 64 squares. Despite this, police were only able to charge him with 51 counts of murder and attempted murder. Pichushkin confessed to the killings and was convicted in October 2007. For me, a life without murder is like a life without food for you, said Pichushkin, who is currently serving life in prison. Learn More About Alexander Pichushkin Getty Images You Might Also Like South Carolina police charged a 15-year-old boy with murder and 10 counts of attempted murder after a York shooting that left a North Carolina man dead, prosecutors said. The teen has not been identified because of his age. He remains in the custody of the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice on the 11 charges, said Kevin Brackett, 16th Circuit Solicitor. JaiShaun Young, 21, of Gastonia, N.C., died in the May 4 shooting on Galilean Road in York, the York County Coroner said. Police said they responded to a shots fired call around 9:30 p.m. that night. Officials have not said how many other people were at the scene or shot at. York Police Department Lt. Kevin Hoffman confirmed the teens arrest, but declined further comment because the investigation remains ongoing. York is a city of about 9,000 people west of Rock Hill. The killing was the first homicide in York since 2022. What happens now? The case remains in York County Family Court, prosecutors said. No hearings have been scheduled. York County Public Defender B.J. Barrowclough said the juvenile has been assigned a lawyer from his office, but defense attorneys declined to comment on the case. In Family Court, a conviction for any crime committed by a juvenile ends at age 22, South Carolina law shows. It remains unclear if prosecutors will seek to prosecute the teen as an adult, where potential punishments for the charges carry as much as 30 years in prison. State law allows prosecutors to try to move juveniles to adult court for some violent crimes, including murder and attempted murder. For that to happen, a Family Court Judge would have to hold hearings and order the case moved to adult court. About 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, a small group of University of Texas students, staff and community members gathered in front of the warmly lit UT Tower. Unlike many other recent gatherings on campus, the group wasn't carrying signs, it wasn't chanting, and those in attendance weren't all from the same organizations. But they were all set on the same mission: to march to the Texas Capitol ahead of the long-awaited 9 a.m. Senate Higher Education Subcommittee hearing on Senate Bill 17, antisemitism on college campuses and free speech, to express to lawmakers their experiences with what's happening at their institutions. "Its being used in ways that I think even the legislators didnt expect, Anne Lewis, a UT professor who was at the Tower with the Texas State Employees Union's executive board, said about SB 17, a bill that went into effect in January and banned diversity, equity and inclusion offices and initiatives at all Texas public universities and colleges. On the ground here, of course, they don't see what happens when they enforce these things," Lewis added. More than 200 people signed up to give public testimony at the Senate subcommittee hearing, and 148 people did. The majority spoke about SB 17's consequences, but many also discussed their concern with the massive police response to the pro-Palestinian protests held at UT over the past few weeks and their worries over free speech. From left, Aman Odeh, Jessica and Gracie I. in the overflow room Tuesday to watch the Texas Senate Higher Education Subcommittee discuss campus free speech and the implementation of the Senate Bill 17 ban on diversity initiatives. The testimony was a stark difference from the subcommittee's agenda which included invited panelists, including a Jewish UT student and a representative from the Anti-Defamation League, both of whom spoke about how the pro-Palestinian protests had antisemitic qualities and were threatening to Jewish students, and university chancellors who affirmed their full commitment to enforcing SB 17. In his opening remarks and in a statement sent after the hearing, Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, who authored SB 17 and chairs the subcommittee, connected the pro-Palestinian protests which in part called on universities to divest from Israeli weapons manufacturers to the activism seen across the country in the summer of 2020 after George Floyd, a Black man who was murdered by a white cop in Philadelphia, when demonstrators advocated for more equity and improvements to DEI resources on campus. He said Texas would not stand to be told what to do. "The rise of DEI and the actions of outside agitators are both examples of small groups of individuals who believe they can control Texas higher education and force institutions to bend to their demands," Creighton said. "But we will not tolerate this in Texas." Creighton also said he supports equality and a merit-based system in higher education and that he is "encouraged" by creative programs that reach "students that reflect the diversity of our state." Hanna Barakat leaves the lectern after speaking during the public comment section of Tuesday's Senate Higher Education Subcommittee meeting. Texas university students, staff testify to Senate panel on SB 17? Several UT staff members who had complied with SB 17 but had formerly worked in DEI positions and suddenly lost their jobs April 2 also gave public testimony of their losses to the subcommittee, as did several people who were arrested at the UT protests, some crying and explaining how difficult it was to return to campus. One person, who spoke in the last hour of the 11-hour hearing, asked Creighton why no Palestinian or Pro-Palestinian person involved in the protests was invited to speak at the earlier panel about campus free speech. The subcommittee was not required to answer questions from those participating in the public comment portion of the hearing, and Creighton did not respond to the speaker. "There was no representation from those who have really been impacted by these anti-free speech movements, which really has been the Palestinian community and their allies on campus," said Noor Saleh, a UT Law School student and a member of the new group Parents for Peace, who did not testify but attended the hearing and spoke to the American-Statesman. She said the panel felt "one-sided," which felt "irresponsible." Saleh said it is devastating to hear about antisemitism at the protests, but she said it does not reflect the broader movement. At UT, she said, organizers "have been very clear that we do not endorse, nor do we support any sort of antisemitic behavior." Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, the author of SB 17, listens to speakers Tuesday. Creighton said, "The rise of DEI and the actions of outside agitators are both examples of small groups of individuals who believe they can control Texas higher education and force institutions to bend to their demands." Several Jewish individuals who are supportive of the protests also testified about the "weaponization" of antisemitism to suppress anti-Israel speech. Sam Law, a UT graduate student, said in his testimony that he has not faced antisemitism at the protests. He said one of the most impactful moments for him over the past month was attending a Shabbat service on the South Lawn with Palestinian, Muslim, Christian and Jewish students praying for the people in Gaza, where more than 34,000 people have been reportedly killed as Israel continues bombarding the region in response to a deadly Oct. 7 attack on the Jewish state by Hamas, a militant Palestinian group. Many students, professors, staff members and alums spoke about how SB 17 has been used in ways the law did not intend, such as affecting their ability to get grants or student support programs at UT like the Monarch Program, which helped immigrant students and those without documentation as well as confusing the grant application process for professors. "Everything we told y'all we were scared of has happened," said Izabella de la Garza, a UT alum involved in Texas Students for DEI who testified against SB 17 at the Legislature last year when she was a senior. Alicia Moreno, a UT staff member and UT alum who was laid off April 2, called on lawmakers to further clarify SB 17 to prevent overcompliance by universities and the unnecessary closing of programs, like those at UT. "The bill has caused our students to feel unwanted and unsupported," Moreno said in her written testimony. "It has taken away our centers, programs, and necessary critical services." Members of the UT campus community, including students, faculty and alumni, begin a march Tuesday from the UT Tower to the Capitol to attend the Texas Senate Higher Education Subcommittee hearing on campus free speech and SB 17. How will SB 17 testimony be considered? Creighton thanked everyone who spoke for their testimony and said the hearing "will lay the groundwork" for the next legislative session, set to begin in January. He expressed gratitude that he is able to hear from everyone, and other committee members thanked him for holding the hearing. But Maria Unda and Jenna Doane, both of whom have doctorates in education policy from UT and marched from the Tower to the Capitol and stayed all day to testify about SB 17's far-reaching effects, said they don't know if the subcommittee will listen. Unda and Doane have studied diversity within UT, and said they believe SB 17 will hurt recruitment and graduation rates. Doane also said there is a connection between SB 17 and the reaction to the protests in its impact on free speech. "I think a lot of this centers around the suppression of freedom of speech, of academic freedom," Doane told the Statesman. "Now, faculty, staff are extremely afraid to share just about anything that they might get reported or fired for." People march from the UT campus to the Capitol to attend Tuesday's hearing. Unda said her hope is that grassroots organizing will give power to student voices and bring awareness to what's going on. Kamyia Gibbs, who just finished her fourth year at UT, drove from Houston to the Capitol for the hearing. She said she wished the lawmakers had asked more questions of the students to help improve SB 17. Sandra Isiguzo, who just graduated in neuroscience from UT, said she thinks the hearing date being held after UT's commencement ceremony, made it more difficult for people to testify. "At the student level, (SB 17) is just a mess," Isiguzo said. "Because this bill is so vague that people are just closing things and not supporting students because they don't want to get in trouble." Isiguzo attended Black Graduation, a UT cultural graduation that previously was funded by the university but now is paid for with money raised by students due to SB 17, which she said was incredibly emotional. "The messaging is that they don't want us here," Isiguzo said. Saleh said she went to law school to connect marginalized communities to lawmakers. Yesterday, she said, the significant public testimony felt like an embodiment of that goal. "To see that happen yesterday was incredible," Saleh said, adding that she wants lawmakers to know that students will not stop advocating and organizing for what they believe in. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas anti-DEI law draws testimony from people fearful of SB 17 effect 16-year-old boy arrested for murder of 14-year-old in rural GA A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with the murder of a 14-year-old Georgia boy. Earlier this week, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced that Israel Lee Williams, 16, was charged with murder in the shooting death of Michael Jmai Palmer, 14. On Friday, May 10, Pembroke police officers responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive child at an apartment in Miller Homes off Dubois Street. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When officers arrived, they found Palmer had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Pembroke police requested that GBI handle the investigation. Williams was taken into custody on Sunday, May 12, and booked into the Savannah Regional Youth Detention Center. Palmers family started a GoFundMe campaign to collect funds to help with his funeral expenses. TRENDING STORIES: The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Statesboro at 912-871-1121. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-8477. Once the GBI investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Atlantic District Attorneys Office for review and potential prosecution. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Baylee Carver, 17, was found dead on Tuesday, May 14, four days after her boyfriend, Joshua Biles, 20, allegedly told police he disposed of her body Baylee Carver/Facebook Baylee Carver A North Carolina man who reported the death of his missing 17-year-old girlfriend has been arrested and charged in connection with the case, authorities said. Joshua Biles, 20, was charged with felony obstruction and concealment of a death after Albemarle police claimed he called 911 around 4:30 a.m. on Friday, May 10, to report the death of his girlfriend Baylee Carver and that he disposed of her body using a red Honda Civic, according to local stations WSOC-TV, WBTV and WCNC-TV. "[Biles] spent some time with SBI investigators as well as our detectives," Albemarle Police Chief Jason Bollhorst said, according to WCNC. "There is some information thats included in the investigation that provided us with detailed areas to search." Investigators from several law enforcement agencies then spent the next four days searching for Baylee Carver's remains in the surrounding region, WBTV reports, citing police. It wasnt until around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, that authorities recovered remains confirmed to be Carvers in Cabarrus County, per the outlet. An autopsy is reportedly pending. We offer our deepest condolences to the loved ones of Baylee Carver. As they mourn their loss, our hearts are with them during this difficult time, Chief Bollhorst said, per WBTV. The Albemarle Police Department is grateful for all of the assistance and resources provided throughout the course of this search. The investigation is still ongoing. Unspecified court documents obtained by WCNC-TV state that Biles allegedly moved Carvers body from his home to another location. Investigators also found evidence at the home that led them to believe the 17-year-old had obvious wounds to the body indicating an unnatural death, according to the documents cited by the outlet. Baylee Carver/Facebook Baylee Carver However, police said, Biles did not admit to killing Carver, WSOC-TV reports. He reportedly remains in jail with a $250,000 bond. Its unclear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf. Meanwhile, Carvers relatives are grieving the unexpected death of their loved one, including her father, Justin Carver, who pleaded for the publics help during the search, according to WSOC-TV. 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. I wish I couldve done more, he told the outlet. Bennie Carver, the victims grandfather, added, Its hard but Im glad its over with. The hunt and everything. We prayed justice be done, WSOC-TV reports. Emily Lowery, a longtime friend of Carvers, told WCNC that she was hoping for the best. I dont think anybody wanted to think that was real, she told the outlet. Shes a very uplifting person. Ive never heard her talk bad about anyone. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. King Charles III of Great Britain has unveiled his first official portrait after his coronation at Buckingham Palace. Fans of the royal family were quick to share their thoughts. ADVERTISIMENT The painting by British artist Jonathan Yeo depicts the monarch in the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was appointed colonel back in 1975, HELLO writes. The red hue of the outfit prevailed in most of the portrait. On the canvas, you can also see a butterfly hovering over the king's shoulder, added by the artist at Charles's suggestion. The picture caused different reactions from royal fans in comments on social media. One user wrote: "I think it's beautiful and such a departure from traditional portraits." Another agreed: "Love the artistry! Innovative! I like the focus on his face... as it shows the strength of the king's character but also shows compassion and love." A third added: "Great portrait of King Charles! I love how the muted background draws attention to his face!" ADVERTISIMENT Others were less convinced by the dramatic red hue, commenting: "I would have liked it if it was any color other than red. It accentuated his face, but the harshness of the red doesn't match the softness of his expression." Another joked: "From now on, the painting will be known as: "Portrait with Strawberry Jam". ADVERTISIMENT Speaking about his inspiration for the painting, Jonathan Yeo said that he felt that this portrait should have more of a "dynamic and contemporary reflection". The work was first commissioned in 2020 in honor of the 50th birthday of the then Prince of Wales. When the king saw the painting for the first time, he said: "This is really beautiful." Speaking at the event, Jonathan said they discussed how it would be "beautiful to have a narrative element that reflects the monarch's passion for nature and the environment." The artist described how Charles "made changes to the work in the middle of the process" and the butterfly became "a symbol of metamorphosis." Then the king joked: "It's good to know that I was a chrysalis when you first met me." ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A 19-year-old who mysteriously went missing in 2021 was shot and killed before his body was burned in a bathtub, Missouri authorities say. Recent witness testimony involving the disappearance of John Paul Parton has now led to a murder charge against Thomas Gamble, 21, Missouri State Highway Patrol investigators said. Gamble was arrested in Louisiana on May 1. Parton was last seen in Jefferson County, Missouri, on May 16, 2021, according to the highway patrol. In a phone call that night, he told his parents he and three friends were involved in a burglary and had stolen $2,000, among other valuables, family members told KTVI. But Parton told his parents he and his friends had a disagreement about the stolen money an argument the Partons believe could have led to the death of their son, KSDK reported in 2023. A witness said Parton and Gamble were both involved in the burglary, according to a probable cause statement. Authorities received a break in the 3-year-old case in March, when Jefferson County detectives received information from a witness that Gamble confessed to killing Parton. The alleged killing happened May 18, 2021, two days after Parton was last heard from. The witness said in an April interview, according to court documents, that he was driving when Gamble shot Parton, who was sitting in the front passenger seat. Parton died shortly after he was shot, according to the witness testimony. In a second interview two weeks later, the witness said they initially dumped Partons body into a creek, highway patrol said. They switched vehicles to a pickup truck, then went back to retrieve the body and wrap it in carpet. The witness said they put the body in the truck, but he did not know what Gamble eventually did with the body, according to the court documents. A second witness said Gamble entered her home and admitted to the killing, authorities said. The witness never saw Partons body, investigators said, but she said she saw blood in the vehicle and Gamble cleaning the interior with bleach. Investigators said the second witness indicated she believed Gamble had burnt Partons body on her property in St. Francois County. Recorded by a witness, Gamble admitted to burning Partons body in a bathtub, according to the probable cause statement. The Toyota Camry was sold, authorities said, but investigators located it in April. The current owner had replaced the front passenger seat. When investigators later found the seat, it had evidence of blood and an obvious hole in it, consistent with being from a bullet, state troopers said. Charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering and abandonment of a corpse were issued to Gamble on April 26, court records show. Authorities in Port Allen, Louisiana, arrested him May 1, according to the highway patrol. Partons remains have never been found, state troopers said. Gamble was being held in a Louisiana jail and was awaiting his extradition to Missouri. 17-year-old vanished a year ago, Oklahoma cops say. Now, man charged in his killing Cigarette butt in dead mans car leads to accused killer 35 years later, Florida cops say Deathbed confession leads to bodies of mom and daughter missing for 24 years, cops say OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) Ogden City is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest or prosecution of any individuals deemed responsible for recent vandalism, according to a social media post from the Ogden Police Department. Vandalism comes in many forms, right now graffiti and damage done to our public restrooms in our parks are hurting our city, Ogden police said. READ NEXT: Your kids can ride unlimited public transportation all summer for $50 heres how Police said vandalism can sometimes bring permanent damage, and repairing that damage is often an expensive, time-consuming effort. We are asking you to help us combat the alarming uptick in tagging and vandalism throughout Ogden City parks, police said. The $1,000 reward being offered by the city of Ogden will be given to people whose information leads to the prosecution or arrest of any individual involved in graffiti or vandalism throughout Ogden City parks, specifically pertaining to public restrooms, according to officials. Individuals with information about vandalism at any parks in Ogden City boundaries have been asked to contact Ogden Police Investigations at (801) 629-8228. We need your eyes and ears to help combat graffiti and vandalism in our beloved parks, police said. Ogden police are also urging residents who live near parks and notice suspicious activity, graffiti, or vandalism to reach out. Furthermore, residents are encouraged to confront or apprehend individuals engaged in suspicious activity. If residents are calling to inform police of previous vandalism that is not currently in progress, they are asked to contact the Community Policing Bureau at (801) 629-8035. Your vigilance and cooperation can play a crucial role in maintaining the beauty and safety of our community spaces, police said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. 2 former USPS workers indicted for stealing mail, Kansas district attorney says WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A federal grand jury in Wichita indicted two former United States Postal Service workers in separate cases for stealing mail, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Court documents state 36-year-old Alexa Garner-Cavender from Wichita is charged with four counts of theft by mail by a postal employee. She is accused of stealing checks from the mail on multiple occasions in 2023, totaling approximately $4,800. Man accused in shooting at Goddard Walmart charged In another case, court documents state that 30-year-old Dylan Ellis from Andale is charged with one count of delay or destruction of mail by a postal employee. Between January and February 2024, he is accused of stealing cash from the mail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. 2 hospitalized in ambush attack by large group of teens in San Bernardino County Two people were hospitalized after an ambush attack by a large group of teenagers in San Bernardino County. The suspects were identified on Tuesday as Kessler Pelfrey, 18, from Yucaipa and a 15-year-old male, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. On May 3, two teens were walking past Center Park near 1st Street and Avenue B in Yucaipa when they were suddenly confronted by a group of 10-15 teens and a large fight broke out. The two victims were attacked by the group and stabbed multiple times before they fell to the ground, authorities said. While lying on the ground, an unidentified teen girl stomped on the head of one of the victims. As the victims stood back up, they began running away from the park but the large group of teens continued chasing after them. 5 arrested for ransacking San Bernardino County mall At around 10:30 p.m., deputies responded to a gas station where one victim was found with multiple lacerations and a stab wound. As paramedics transported that victim to the hospital, authorities learned a second teen victim had checked into a nearby hospital, also with multiple stab wounds. Investigators discovered several video recordings of the assault and were able to identify two primary suspects in the ambush. On May 9, detectives served a search warrant at the Beaumont home of the 15-year-old male suspect. Two additional search warrants were served at two homes related to Pelfrey, the 18-year-old suspect. The 15-year-old was arrested and booked into San Bernardino Juvenile Hall. Pelfrey was arrested and booked at Central Detention Center in San Bernardino. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective E. Perez at 909-918-2305. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Sen. Brian Lenney (left), a first-term senator, is part of the Idaho Freedom Caucus. Jeff Agenbroad (Right), a former state senator, served as co-chair of the Legislatures powerful budget-setting panel, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. (Photos courtesy of Idaho Legislature) In the Republican primary for District 13, state senator, both candidates have served as Republican state lawmakers. But they come from different factions of the GOP: Hardline and establishment. Sen. Brian Lenney, a first-term senator, is part of the Idaho Freedom Caucus. Jeff Agenbroad, a former state senator, served as co-chair of the Legislatures powerful budget-setting panel, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. The race has drawn endorsements from top state Republican elected officials. Lenney was endorsed by Attorney General Raul Labrador, and Agenbroad was endorsed by Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield, as reported by Idaho Education News. Need more 2024 Idaho primary election information? Check out IdahoVotes.gov for information on polling places, voter registration, early voting locations, candidate filings, campaign finance records and more. In 2022, Lenney defeated Agenbroad. Agenbroad was first elected as District 13s senator in 2016. Lenney and Agenbroad, combined, have raised more than $114,000. Idaho legislative candidates this year have surpassed funds raised during previous primary elections, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. Agenbroad has raised $62,522 with $20,000 in loans with about $48,000 in his campaign fund by May 10, according to the Idaho Secretary of States campaign finance database. More than $30,000 of Agenbroads contributions came from individuals, while $19,050 came from companies and $8,100 came from political committees. Lenney has raised $52,317, with about $31,000 in his campaign fund by May 10, the Secretary of States Office data shows. Over $42,000 of Lenneys donations came from individuals, with $6,600 coming from companies and $1,750 from political committees. Agenbroads campaign funds include nearly $5,600 in out-of-state contributions. Agenbroads top donors include Crookham Company in Caldwell and Ball Ventures in Idaho Falls which each donated $1,000. Bayerpac in Sacramento, California, donated $1,000 to Agenbroad, along with Clearwater Paper in Spokane, Washington, and Carl Crabtree, a former Republican state senator in Grangeville. Lenney received $7,323 in out-of-state contributions and reported no loans, the Idaho Secretary of State Offices data shows. Lenneys top donors include Boise Black Rifle in Meridian and Think Liberty Idaho Pac in Caldwell which contributed $2,000 each. Lenney also received $1,000 donations from several contributors including Doyle Beck, the legislative District 32 chairman for the Idaho Republican Party. Here are Lenney and Agenbroads responses to the Idaho Capital Suns legislative primary questionnaire. We asked candidates to limit responses to 100 words. Question 1: What are the top three issues that inspired you to run for office? Lenney: Health Freedom, Education Freedom, Economic Freedom Agenbroad: Improve and preserve public safety, properly fund Idaho education, minimize the tax burden on Idaho taxpayers Question 2: Idahos abortion law is one of the strictest in the nation, and many doctors and hospital administrators have said it has made recruitment and retention of OB-GYNs and maternal-fetal medicine specialists even more difficult, especially in rural areas. Do you support any legislation, such as health exceptions, that would amend or clarify Idahos abortion law? Lenney: No Agenbroad: I am pro life and support the exceptions in the existing law, including the health and life of the mother. The law is currently before the Supreme Court. If the court rules the exception for the health of the mother is too vague, I would support clarifying the exceptions for the health of the mother consistent with the original intent of the law. Question 3: Do you support public dollars being used for private education, including through tax credits or education savings accounts available to parents, or any other means? Why or why or not? Idaho state Sen. Brian Lenney, R-Nampa, Lenney: Taxpayer money should directly benefit students and families, ensuring they have the freedom to choose the best educational path, rather than being locked into one-size-fits-all government institutions. In Idaho, were already doing this with programs like Idaho Launch, and other programs which fund tuition for private religious schools. This is just the beginning. We need to expand these opportunities, giving Idaho families the power to choose schools that align with their values and meet their childrens specific needs. Its time to fully embrace school choice and open the doors to a tailored, effective education for every student in Idaho. Sen. Jeff Agenbroad Agenbroad: I support school choice, however I do not support reducing Idahos financial commitment to funding public education. I would consider supporting Idaho education outside of the public school arena if we address the Blaine amendment in our Constitution, are willing to increase total education funding to cover these additional costs, and provide accountability for the use of Idaho tax dollars. Question 4: Transgender people and LGBTQ+ advocates in Idaho have testified that policies, such as redefining sex and gender, criminalizing doctors for providing gender-affirming care to youth, among others, are harmful to the transgender community and undermine their existence. Do you agree? Why or why not? Lenney: I disagree. Because, science. Agenbroad: We are all created equally and with our own uniqueness. I oppose creating special classes that drive wedges in society. I oppose providing gender affirming care that will permanently alter the bodies of our youth and oppose the use of public dollars for these procedures. Question 5: According to the 2024 Boise State University Idaho public policy survey, Idahoans continue to be concerned about a range of issues surrounding growth, housing and economic security. As a legislator, what specific steps would you take to address those concerns? Lenney: Id love to get rid of the grocery tax and income tax for starters. Agenbroad: As a legislator I recognize the majority of issues surrounding growth are governed by our local municipalities. I support policies that encourage the local municipalities to manage growth in their community appropriately and allow growth to pay for itself. As a state, Idaho provides very little support for workforce housing. During the 2022 legislative session I sponsored legislation that established a $50 million revolving loan fund available to private and nonprofit developers to develop workforce housing in communities throughout Idaho. I support free market solutions to these issues and will continue to govern in a manner that places the least reliance on government possible. I will also continue Idahos efforts to remove and revise the regulator burdens that may hinder free market solutions to properly managing Idahos growth. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post 2024 primaries to watch: Lenney, Agenbroad vie for Idahos District 13 Senate GOP nomination appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun. The Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry has received $21.5 million in Georgias latest budget to build a barn and arena for sheep and pigs, the facility announced Tuesday morning. Gov. Brian Kemp allocated the money in the 2025 state budget for the design and development to help with growing demand for livestock stalls, the fairgrounds said in a news release. The money will also help enhance the accessibility of competitive livestock-showing activities that have sparked popularity among young people. Public schools in Georgia have helped accommodate the interest in the activity by lending county barns to those who want to house small animals like goats, sheep and swine, according to the news release. Those animals dont require much investment, they said. Greater exhibitor participation at the fair has led to less stall space for livestock and created difficulty to find available arenas for the livestock competitions. With the addition of a new barn and arena, we will be able to accommodate more youth exhibitors and competitions, said, Kelley Owen, Georgia National Fairgrounds youth livestock director. We never want to be in a position where we are having to turn kids away from livestock competitions, potentially dulling their interest in agriculture. Agriculture provides 15% of Georgia jobs, the most of any industry in Georgia, the news release said. But the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that the average Georgian farmer is 59 years old, up 1.1 years from 2017. Many kids are several generations removed from a farm and often lack the knowledge of where their food, clothes, and shelter come from, said Foster Rhodes, chairman of the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority, which oversees the fairgrounds. This is why it is so vital that we take an active role in educating and fostering an interest in agriculture in our students. We are very grateful to Governor Kemp and legislators for being passionate supporters of Georgia agriculture and our facility, he said. The design phase for the barn and arena will start in July, the facility said. Theyll provide a project timeline when the design is complete. Those interested can visit the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter website at gnfa.com. 21-year-old stabs Cobb man to death after being afraid, running away from fight A 21-year-old has pleaded guilty to murdering a man outside a Cobb County restaurant. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Monday, Nelson Diaz-Chicas, 21, pled guilty to malice murder. The conviction stemmed back to June 30, 2022, when Cobb County officers were called to El Velero Seafood and Mexican Restaurant on Sandtown Road. When police arrived, they found Sergio Luis Ortega Quiera bleeding outside the restaurant. Officials said Quiera was stabbed four times and died from his injuries at the hospital. TRENDING STORIES: Witnesses told authorities that Quiera walked inside El Velero and sat down with two men eating dinner. Neither man knew Quiera but described him as being afraid. Diaz-Chicas walked into the restaurant shortly after Quiera, holding both a small knife and a piece of wood. Witnesses told Cobb County officers, that Diaz-Chicas pressed the victim on going outside to fight him multiple times but Quiera was hesitant. Diaz-Chicas then hit the victim with a wooden object, as the fight spilled into the parking lot, where Quiera was stabbed multiple times. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Days later, officers found Diaz-Chicas at his home. He tried running away but was quickly caught. Diaz-Chicas was sentenced to life in prison. The sentencing of Nelson Diaz-Chicas reflects the consequences of senseless violence. Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Sergio Luis Ortega Quiera, said District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. IN OTHER NEWS: Cristian Gutierrez allegedly "inflicted great bodily injury" during the May 9 attack, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Duluth Police Department Stock image of court gavel A 24-year-old California man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing his 7-year-old brother. According to a Tuesday, May 14, news release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Cristian Gutierrez is accused of stabbing his younger brother at their home on the 9500 block of Ben Hur Avenue in Whittier, Calif., on the night of Thursday, May 9. "It is further alleged that Gutierrez inflicted great bodily injury and used a knife during the commission of the crime," the news release adds. Related: North Carolina Man Accused of Stabbing Girlfriend, Pouring Gasoline on Her and Lighting Home on Fire Getty Stock image of yellow crime tape During the incident, Guitierrez was allegedly "having withdrawals from his psych medication and stabbed his brother seven times", reported KABC-TV, citing the Norwalk Sheriff's Station. PEOPLE has reached out to the sheriff's department for comment. "This is tragic. I mean, it's his little brother...I'm sure nobody would intentionally do that unless they had an episode, right? So let's get him the help he needs," neighbor Michael Yanatovic told KABC-TV. After the attack, Gutierrez's brother was taken to the hospital in critical condition, per the district attorney's office news release. Related: Man Who Killed His Baby and Woman Over Paternity Test Is Sentenced to Prison Duluth Police Department Stock image of court gavel "The People recommend that Gutierrez be held on $1,075,000 bail. If convicted as charged, Gutierrez faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison," the news release adds. District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement, "My heart goes out to this innocent child and his family during this incredibly challenging time." "The trauma and emotional impact of such an incident is immeasurable, especially when it involves a member of your own family. Our offices goal is to ensure that the responsible individual is held accountable for their actions and also to ensure that the vulnerable among us are protected from such harm," Gascon continued. 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 court documents reviewed by PEOPLE, Gutierrez appeared at the Downey Courthouse for his arrangement and plea on Tuesday and was remanded to custody. He is expected to appear in court again on Wednesday, May 15. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Father, 2 siblings set to graduate from college killed after small plane crashes in Tennessee Three people have died after a small plane appears to have broken up in-flight before crashing in Tennessee, authorities said. The victims were a Louisiana doctor and his two children, who were set to graduate from college this week, colleagues and school officials confirmed. PHOTO: Authorities respond to a small plane crash in Willimanson County, Tennessee, May 15, 2024. (WKRN) The aircraft -- a 1966 Beech V35 -- crashed near Franklin around noon Wednesday, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the incident. Witnesses reported seeing both wings go backward and the plane "going violently out of control" before the crash, NTSB aviation accident investigator Aaron McCarter told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday. Registration records show the plane was owned by Dr. Lucius Doucet III of Baton Rouge, a plastic surgeon who was identified as a victim of the crash by his employer, Williamson Cosmetic Team. The surgery center remembered him as an "exceptional surgeon" and "compassionate man who touched the lives of countless individuals" in a statement. His biography on the practice's website said he had three children and that aviation was his "favorite hobby." Two of his children -- Giselle and Jean-Luc Doucet, seniors at Lousiana State University in Baton Rouge -- were also killed in the plane crash, the school confirmed. The siblings were set to graduate on Friday. "This is heartbreaking for the LSU community, but especially for those who know and love these two students, and those who were expecting to share graduation with them," LSU said in a statement, adding that both students will be honored at their respective commencement ceremonies. PHOTO: Authorities respond to a small plane crash in Willimanson County, Tennessee, May 15, 2024. (WKRN) The plane had left Gonzales, Louisiana, Wednesday morning and was en route to Louisville, Kentucky, when it crashed in an area about 40 miles southwest of Nashville, authorities said. A 911 caller reported an explosion that was believed to have been a possible plane crash, authorities said. MORE: 2 dead in single-engine plane crash in Truckee, California The debris field is quite large -- over a half-mile radius -- which is "very indicative of an in-flight break-up," McCarter said. It is unclear what caused the crash but it "does appear that the plane did break up in the air," Chief Deputy Mark Elrod with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office also said during a press briefing Wednesday evening. "This is a tragic scene," Elrod said. There was no damage to any structures but people reported plane debris on their property, including yards and driveways, Elrod said. PHOTO: Authorities respond to a small plane crash in Willimanson County, Tennessee, May 15, 2024. (WKRN) McCarter said investigators have recovered approximately 75% of the wreckage, including the tail, both wings and a majority of the fuselage, and are looking to recover all of it. "Having all those parts in the immediate vicinity of the wreckage is gonna yield a lot of clues as to what happened," he said. An NTSB team of 15 to 20 people will be on the scene over the next day or so to recover the debris. Investigators will then attempt to reconstruct the plane to determine how it came apart, McCarter said. He added that weather, which included heavy rain showers near the time of the incident, may have played a factor in the accident. NTSB is seeking to speak with any witnesses or those with doorbell cameras or vehicle cameras that captured the incident. A preliminary report on the crash is expected in 10 days from when they the scene, McCarter said. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct Chief Deputy Mark Elrod's title. Father, 2 siblings set to graduate from college killed after small plane crashes in Tennessee originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Ukrainian delegation was fined at Eurovision Song Contest 2024, which took place in Malmo, Sweden, for violating the rules. The Ukrainians hid T-shirts with the inscription "Free Azovstal defenders" under jackets to be allowed into the green room by security guards. ADVERTISIMENT Later, when the grand final was being broadcast live, the team members took off their clothes so that the call could be seen by the whole world. This was reported by rapper alyona alyona, Ukraine's representative at Eurovision 2024, on her Instagram page. The artist noted that the security carefully checked everyone. Any brand or inscription was covered with black tape, or they asked to remove the item altogether. According to the star, the team went around several printing houses, some of which simply refused to make the print. However, they did manage to reach an agreement with one: the Ukrainians called the employees five times and tearfully asked for help. ADVERTISIMENT "We knew that when they would show replays of all the artists' performances, they would also show the delegation itself. So when the camera came up to us, our team quickly opened up and showed our appeal to the whole world," the performer says. "We took a big risk, but it worked out. We just got off with a financial fine." Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! All three people on board were killed Wednesday when a small plane crashed in the area of Franklin, Tennessee, authorities said. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the single-engine Beechcraft V35 crashed at around noon, local time. The plane had departed Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and was en route to Kentucky when the crash occurred, Williamson County Sheriff Mark Elrod told reporters in a news briefing Wednesday evening. "It was quickly evident that this would be a search-and-recovery operation, not a search-and-rescue operation," Elrod said. According to Elrod, first responders arrived to find a "rather large debris field." Williamson County Fire and Rescue Chief Bob Galoppi disclosed the debris field is estimated to be about a half-mile long. Officials are "unsure where the crash started or where it ended," Elrod said. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash. "It does appear that the plane did break up in the air, unsure what caused that," Elrod said. The names of the victims were not immediately released. Franklin is located about 20 miles south of Nashville. Man becomes first person with Down syndrome to complete 6 top marathons Minneapolis police face officer shortage nearly 4 years after George Floyd's murder How the Supreme Court's Louisiana map decision could impact 2024 races Is it worth 30 seconds to save lives and stem traffic crashes? Thats the simple question the Clearwater City Council should consider on Thursday when it votes on safety improvements for a section of Drew Street. This issue has been studied for years. Now, Clearwater has a chance to fix a dangerous street. From 2020 through 2022, a 2.3-mile section of the road from Osceola Avenue to Keene Road had more than 500 crashes. Sixty people were hurt and one died, according to Pinellas County data. Since 2015, seven have been killed. Something needs to be done. The Florida Department of Transportation has a safety plan. It would convert the current four lanes to three. There would be one lane in each direction, with a center turn lane for most of the distance and new crosswalks, a bike lane and wider sidewalks. Crashes are projected to decrease by 57%. The design would greatly reduce mayhem. Whats the downside? The states study shows that the lane changes on Drew would increase travel time from Osceola Avenue to Keene Road by less than 30 seconds. Compare the two numbers: Add 30 seconds to cut crashes by 57%. Who wouldnt accept that deal? Maybe not the Clearwater City Council. There is a new mayor and council and new skepticism of the plan. They will vote on the proposal this Thursday, but at a workshop on Monday, its members peppered Florida Department of Transportation officials with a barrage of critical questions. In short, several of them just dont believe that the design will work and assert that the residents dont want it. Overwhelmingly, our citizens do not support this, Mayor Bruce Rector said bluntly. He cited his own recent election as evidence. But citizens arent typically voting on a single issue, anecdotes arent statistics, and its the job of city leaders to, well, lead. Whit Blanton, executive director of Forward Pinellas, the countys transportation planning agency, told the Editorial Board that Clearwater residents have voiced support for, even demanded, these changes in public meetings over the years. Some opponents have trouble believing that the state could eliminate a lane in each direction without significantly slowing down cars. But that fails to take into account how a dedicated center turn lane keeps traffic moving smoothly and safely. Blanton elaborated to the Editorial Board on this major point, which did not even come up at the workshop. To turn left, a driver who leaves his home on Drew Street currently has to cross two lanes of oncoming traffic and then accelerate to merge into a third lane going the other way. Thats obviously dangerous. Under the Drew Street proposal, that same driver would cross only one lane of traffic, then take refuge in the quiet center turn lane before merging with traffic going the other way. A center turn lane also eliminates the bottlenecks of cars stopped in a travel lane while attempting to turn left. Study after study shows that is safer, more efficient and also almost as fast, in particular with roads that match Drews traffic volume. Other critics fear that traffic will simply shift to nearby roads. But the study shows that not really to be true. Those who oppose the project are putting up barriers based on what they fear or what they guess will happen versus what the states studies show will actually happen. Some even argued that rejecting the plan is really about safety; they claim that the reduced lanes would impede firetrucks and ambulances. But the state officials said the designs could easily accommodate those worries. The state transportation officials were clear that Drew Street is Clearwaters decision, that they are simply looking at traffic numbers and crashes and suggesting solutions that work. At Clearwaters request, they have studied the issue for years. If the City Council rejects this project, the millions of dollars, mostly federal money, will go elsewhere in Pinellas County to make other roads better and safer. Viewed that way, perhaps Clearwaters elected officials should reframe the question. If they vote this money down, crashes wont magically decrease on their own. Those who claim they want a safer Drew Street, except that they dont like this version, should have to explain how they expect to achieve that goal. And when someone is hurt or killed on Drew Street thats a when, not an if what will they say when asked why they did nothing to make the road safer when they had the chance? Thats a fair question. Editorials are the institutional voice of the Tampa Bay Times. The members of the Editorial Board are Editor of Editorials Graham Brink, Sherri Day, Sebastian Dortch, John Hill, Jim Verhulst and Chairman and CEO Conan Gallaty. Follow @TBTimes_Opinion on Twitter for more opinion news. Austin State Hospital patient rooms include a bed, desk and private bathroom, seen during a media tour on May 15, 2024 in Austin. Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune State leaders on Wednesday unveiled a new $305 million hospital, part of an $2.5 billion overhaul of the states aging psychiatric hospital system. Austin State Hospital is a new 240-bed facility that has been built on the existing 80-acre campus located about three miles north of downtown Austin. The Old Main Building, which opened 1861 has been designated a historic landmark. It will continue to be used for offices, when the hospital opens its doors later this summer. The sleek new building resembles a luxurious apartment complex, with 11 secure courtyards and screened porches, single-person patient rooms, each with its own bathroom, and plenty of recreational options, including a gym, salon, barber shop, chapel, general store, and more. This is going to simulate real-life situations so people can work their way through their recovery journey in a place that is here for their healing, said Austin State Hospital Superintendent Stacey Thompson. The building features tall windows and intricate modern designs that starkly contrast with the old brick buildings that have stood on the grounds for over a century. This is a good thing not only for our patients but our staff as well, Scott Schalchlin, Texas Health and Human Services deputy executive commissioner. Schalchlin, who oversees the operations of 10 state hospitals and 13 state-supported living centers, the residential facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, said the more modern facility will help with employee recruiting efforts. I think its also going to attract other professionals and other staff to want to come and work here, he said. Austin State Hospital, which has operated since 1861, is the oldest psychiatric hospital in Texas. It was constructed before railroads had even reached the city, said Schalchlin. DSHS Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young cuts a ribbon during the Austin State Hospital grand opening. Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune State hospitals history Wednesdays ribbon-cutting is the latest renovation to the state psychiatric hospital system, which has 12 facilities or campuses in 11 cities across the state. When first designed in the late 19th century, the systems facilities, then called asylums, treated the most mentally ill Texans. But with the introduction of psychotropic drugs in the 1960s, a national movement took hold to do away with the institutionalization of the mentally ill. Like many state hospitals across Texas, the one in Austin fell into disrepair by the early 2000s. A 2015 state study identified the Austin campus as one of five facilities that should be replaced. Today, state hospitals treat mostly forensic patients, that is, those individuals transferred from county jails or the state prison system because they were determined to be incompetent to stand trial or because a jury found them not guilty by reason of insanity. In 2023, a little over 60% of adults treated inside state hospitals came from the criminal justice system, either from county jails or the prison system. At the urging of county jail officials, state lawmakers undertook a massive funding operation to repair or build new state psychiatric facilities. The Rusk State Hospital added a new maximum security unit with 100 beds; the Kerrville State Hospital renovation added 70 maximum security beds; the San Antonio State Hospital will renovate an existing 40-bed forensic unit to a 40-bed maximum security unit, and a new 50-bed maximum security hospital is being planned in Lubbock. A map of Texas showing various psychiatric hospitals in Texas inside the Austin State Hospital. Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune State hospitals role Austin State Hospitals three-floor, 381,687-square-foot building is expected to serve over 600 people per year on average, including criminal competency and civil commitment cases when space allows. The new Austin facility does not increase the number of beds available to patients and the number of counties this hospital will serve has decreased from 38 to 26 due to new hospitals being built or renovated in Central Texas, including the grand opening of a new 300-bed replacement hospital in San Antonio that occurred in April. Schalchlin acknowledged this might not be the answer to stemming the demand for mental health services in the community but pointed out that the state hospital system is currently considered the last stop, not the first option. He said partnerships with private hospitals and local mental health organizations are the key to addressing the demand. There is always going to be a need for mental health services, and youre going to see in the upcoming session, as always, the need for more funds, Schalchlin said. Andy Keller, president and CEO of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, said the opening of the Austin State Hospital marks an important milestone in the creation of a modernized hospital system for Central Texas. This is more than the opening of a brick-and-mortar building; its the latest and most exciting chapter of a new system that represents state-of-the-art in care, beginning with intake, continuing throughout treatment, and extending into aftercare, he said. 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. 37 Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast recorded in one day, with one person killed and one wounded The Russian army fired 37 times at the border of Sumy Oblast on 15 May, with a total of 183 explosions recorded. One person was injured and one was killed. Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration Details: The Russians fired mortars (11 explosions) and tubed artillery (10 explosions) in Bilopillia hromada [an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.]. In Esman hromada, the Russians fired mortars (23 explosions), MLRS (8 explosions), and tubed artillery (23 explosions). A civilian woman lost her life in the attack with an MLRS. In Znob-Novhorodske hromada, mortar (7 explosions) and artillery attacks (5 explosions) were recorded. Russians dropped 6 mines in Novoslobidska hromada. In Velyka Pysarivka hromada, the Russians carried out mortar attacks (3 explosions), artillery attacks (7 explosions) and dropped a rocket-propelled grenade from a UAV (1 explosion). In Seredyna-Buda hromada, there were mortar attacks (7 explosions) and artillery strikes (15 explosions). In Krasnopillia hromada, there were FPV drone attacks (3 explosions) and mortar attacks (11 explosions). In addition, there was an FPV drone attack (4 explosions). In Druzhba hromada, Russians attacked with MLRS (28 explosions). One person was injured in the attack. In Khotin hromada, the Russian invaders opened fire from MLRS (6 explosions) and delivered mortar strikes (3 explosions). An FPV drone strike was carried out in Shalyhyne hromada (1 explosion). Support UP or become our patron! Michelle Parks, Donice Bryant, Kim L. Jenkins and Daniel Angelo are running for the Macon-Bibb County Commission District 8 seat thats up for grabs in Tuesdays election The winner will replace the current commissioner, Virgil Watkins Jr., who has been in office since 2014 and has hit his term limit. The four candidates mentioned public safety, economic development and affordable housing as major issues they want to address. Michele Parks is a case manager for Benchmark Human Services and also serves on the Middle Georgia Regional Council and the Macon-Bibb Board of Elections. Donice Bryant has a background in law enforcement with the Bibb County Sheriffs Office. Daniel Angelo is a retired firefighter who continues to support first responders through his work on the Fire and Police Pension Board. Kim L. Jenkins is a retired educator and ordained minister. Early voting ends Friday, and Election Day takes place Tuesday. Because the race is non-partisan, it will be decided in May instead of during the General Election in November. The winners term will begin Jan. 1. The answers below are from the candidates in their own words, but slight edits have been made for clarity and writing style. Michelle Parks What makes you qualified to run for office? I am motivated to run for office because I am disgusted by the increasing crime rates, rampant poverty, lack of affordable housing and the politicians who prioritize their financial gain over the needs of their constituents. It is high time for a change. We need to rethink how we elect our officials and move away from voting based on popularity, and away from following what the masses of people are saying because its not getting us anywhere. We must learn to think independently and not keep electing candidates who do not keep their word or look out for their constituents. If elected, I will focus on strengthening our community and economy by researching ways to improve economic development, infrastructure, affordable housing and public safety. I have created a plan to reduce poverty, improve infrastructure (including improving jail maintenance and community relationships), and ensure public safety. I am in the process of collaborating with local gang members to tackle violent crimes and promote positive awareness among our youth in Macon. How do you plan to engage with the residents of Macon during your campaign and while in office? I plan to connect with the community by maintaining integrity, being transparent, keeping my promises and promoting my agenda for a stronger, wealthier community. I will reach out to citizens through canvassing and promoting my platform via social media, flyers and word of mouth. What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County? Infrastructure, public safety and affordable housing are the three biggest issues I see. Addressing these critical issues is essential for the well-being and prosperity of our community. I want to work together to find solutions that enhance the safety, livability and economic vitality of Macon-Bibb County. How do you plan to solve those issues while in office? I am currently working with gang leaders in my community to find ways to stop violence and crime. By working with gang members in communities, we can significantly reduce crime rates, better understand the root causes of their behavior and work together to develop solutions that address those issues. I feel this approach not only helps to prevent crime but also contributes to creating safer communities, lower incarceration rates and more cohesive communities. As part of my plan to improve economic development and affordable housing by reducing poverty in our neighborhoods, I have developed a proposal that includes an action plan to provide cash assistance for every resident in Macon-Bibb. I have devised a plan that aims to enhance our environment, promote fairness and empower the individuals in our society. Through my research, I have come across a government initiative known as Universal Basic Income that has been widely debated for years. Its a working program that has been around for years. I would like to partner with Macon Housing, public housing and private landlords to find ways to better serve our community. For infrastructure, I want to work with officials to improve transportation, reduce traffic congestion and ensure safe roads. Additionally, I thing we need to focus on modernizing the citys water and sewer systems and enhancing public safety. These measures can help improve the overall quality of life for residents and make Macon a better place to live, work and visit. Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know? I have more than 32 years of experience in the social services field. I bring a wealth of experience to working with families and individuals to improve their lives. I am dedicated to my community. Macon is rising so should the people that live in Macon. Daniel Angelo What makes you qualified to run for office? I served for 34 years in the Macon-Bibb Fire Department, and am a retired fire suppression captain. Ive spent the last 18 years on the Fire and Police Pension Board, the last 10 of those 18 years as chairman. Ive also spent 12 years at the Firemens Credit Union, and am the owner and operator of Angelo Plumbing and Irrigation. How do you plan on connecting with Macon residents on the campaign trail and while in office? Ive been riding in Bloomfield and West Macon-Bibb picking up tires and talking to residents reporting issues. I want to be a boots-on-the-ground commissioner for the people in my district. What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County? Crime, infrastructure and the homeless population. How do you plan to solve these issues while in office? By supporting law enforcement and Macon Violence Prevention programs. I also plan on allocating more money for road improvement and finding new, innovative solutions for the homeless population. Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know? I believe in a safe, clean community that we all can be proud to call home, and believe in responsible spending without raising taxes Donice Bryant What makes you qualified to run for office? As a resident of the Bloomfield/Heath Road area for 25 years, I have had the privilege of working closely with the community. My experience has given me a unique understanding of the needs and concerns of the residents, allowing me to better serve and protect them. With two and a half decades in law enforcement, I have dedicated my career to serving the public. I have been in different departments where I was responsible for overseeing all operations and activities within my district. How do you plan on connecting with Macon residents on the campaign trail and while in office? My plans are to remain active as I currently am now boots on the ground, knocking on doors, attending community events and proactively addressing residents issues. In addition, I will schedule regular town hall meetings every quarter, while welcoming an open door policy to foster ongoing community events and collaborations. What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County? I am concerned about youth development and senior citizens assistance, community safety and affordable housing. How do you plan to solve these issues while in office? For our youth development, I want to implement a committee of youths to hear about them and their concerns and issues. For our Seniors, I want to put a plan in action to provide accessibility to things such as transportation to and from senior centers, doctors appointments and pharmacies. I want to work closely with public service agencies to get funding and address issues within the community. I want to partner with housing agencies and landlords to see about offering grants and/or programs to help with home ownership. Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know? Im committed to getting this commissioner seat and serving my community. I am not only passionate about my community, but I am sacrificing my family and livelihood by taking a leave of absence from my job without pay to dedicate myself to this election. At this time, I believe I am the only candidate who has done this. I would like to bridge the gap and CHANGE OUR MINDSET as I will Do-Nice for our community. Kim L. Jenkins Jenkins did not respond to requests for comment, but according to her campaign website, she wants to improve infrastructure, tackle public safety, increase affordable housing and support local businesses. Jenkins is a retired educator and an ordained minister. She is currently involved with the Neighborhood Watch Sheriff Program, the Macon Bibb Recreation Center, Macon Black Voices, Triad Senior Citizen Program and Keeping Macon Bibb Beautiful. How 4 Fond du Lac businesses and organizations are readying the next generation of workers while they're still in school FOND DU LAC With graduation season comes thoughts of the future, and not just for outgoing high school seniors. Many students don't know what they want to do after graduation, and some who do don't know where to start. Several local businesses and organizations have developed youth apprenticeships, internships and other programs to get them started before they graduate. For example, CESA 6's Youth Apprenticeship Program is available to students across 12 Wisconsin counties, including Fond du Lac. Here are some ways Fond du Lac businesses and organizations are supporting teens looking to get into the workforce. Sign up for local business news with our new Fond du Lac Streetwise newsletter J.F. Ahern hosted signing day to transition youth apprentices to full-time roles J.F. Ahern Co. hosted a signing day in May for its high school youth apprentices to transition to full-time employees in its shops, a similar event to high school students signing on to be collegiate athletes. Five Fond du Lac youth apprentices participate in J. F. Ahern's signing day to move to full-time employment May 8, 2024. The day included five apprentices from the Fond du Lac area signing on to full-time roles in Aherns plumbing, fire protection and sheet metal shops, and three apprentices from the Appleton area converting to full-time roles in the company's industrial services and pipe fabrication shops. In the past year, the number of high school students interested in youth apprenticeship opportunities with Ahern has more than doubled, according to the company. Ahern has invested in recruitment with local high schools and community programs to offer hands-on training, mentorship and industry exposure to the next generation of skilled workers as a way to combat workforce shortages in the construction industry. Farmers' market opens for season: Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers Market returns May 18 with fresh produce, baked goods, crafts and more. SSM Health offers paid apprenticeships for juniors and seniors SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac has long worked locally to welcome youth apprenticeship students, and as of May 1, SSM Health is now recruiting statewide for a paid apprenticeship program. With the Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Program, SSM Health hospitals and clinics in Wisconsin will offer hands-on experiences to high school juniors and seniors in one of eight health care career roles: medical assistant, medical imaging assistant, medical lab assistant, medical office assistant, nursing assistant, pharmacy assistant, phlebotomy assistant and physical therapy aide. "Health care offers many rewarding career paths, and we are delighted to welcome these young people into our hospitals and clinics to experience these important roles for themselves as we seek to help train a new generation of exceptional caregivers in the communities we are privileged to serve," Program Coordinator Sandy Riley said. As of May 14, a local opening includes a medical assistant role at the Fond du Lac Clinic in Mt. Calvary for students accepted into a Youth Apprenticeship program through their local high school. Fond du Lac Public Library introduces teen intern role Christopher Jackson checks out a new book series to read while visiting the Fond du Lac Public Library. Christopher was at the library with his mother Stephanie and sister Mary. The Fond du Lac Public Library announced at the end of April its first-ever teen internship role for this summer, created with support from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The position is available to applicants age 16 to 19 who have not yet started college, and a librarian mentor team will work closely with the intern as they learn about library work and develop a program or service based on their interests, background and talents. The grant-funded role is based on the Public Library Associations Inclusive Internship Initiative. Previous grant recipients in other communities have created programs such as an intergenerational LGBTQ+ roundtable, a library resource booklet for at-risk youth, a Latinx teen book club and salsa dance lessons for elementary-aged summer reading participants. Others have produced a music video to promote their library and digitized local history materials. Big Brothers Big Sisters on the move: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County is growing, so what's next? A bigger building is in the works. Project G.R.I.L.L. and other programs highlight local careers Envision Greater Fond du Lac's Fond du Lac Retention Opportunity Community Knowledge (R.O.C.K.) Program assists high school juniors and seniors in exploring careers through company tours and job shadowing. Its purpose is to highlight job opportunities in Fond du Lac County for students who aren't sure what they will do after they graduate high school. Project G.R.I.L.L 2023 participants represented area high schools as they unveil grills they made while learning about local manufacturing businesses and how to take a project from idea to completion. To highlight the manufacturing sector of the Fond du Lac area, Envision also engages students in Project G.R.I.L.L., which stands for Growing Readiness in Learning and Leading. The program was developed in Sheboygan County, and Envision introduced the idea to school districts in 2008. The goal of Project G.R.I.L.L. is to teach participants the steps of taking an idea from concept through production by having them design and fabricate a physical grill throughout the school year. Each student group is mentored by their technical educational teacher and a manufacturing partner, such as J.F. Ahern, Fives, Kondex, Manowske Welding Corp., Mercury Marine, Mayville Engineering Company or Wabash. Project G.R.I.L.L 2023 participants represented area high schools as they unveil grills they made while learning about local manufacturing businesses and how to take a project from idea to completion. "One of the many valuable aspects of this program is students get to tour all partner manufacturers, as well as the 'friends of GRILL' partners, to learn about what they do, and all of the entry level positions these companies have," Envision's Vice President of Economic Development Lisa McArthur said. "Before they graduate, many of the GRILL students have job offers from these manufacturing partners." Project G.R.I.L.L 2023 participants represented area high schools as they unveil grills they made while learning about local manufacturing businesses and how to take a project from idea to completion. Students create a portfolio and formal presentation on their process, team roles, timeline, budget and schematics, as well as what they learned in their journey to create the grill. They also have to identify a customer or end user, and work with them throughout the school year to ensure the grill is meeting their expectations. This year, there are 59 participating students representing six area schools. They will unveil their grills at 11 a.m. May 17 in the parking lot of Festival Foods, 1125 E. Johnson St. The event includes the announcement of Best in Show and Community Choice awards, as well as the winners of two available academic scholarships. Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac businesses give students a path to jobs after graduation NEW YORK (PIX11) A call for metal detectors to be installed at all New York City Public Schools after four students were slashed or stabbed inside and outside schools in three boroughs on Tuesday. Whether people like it or not, there should be metal detectors in the schools. Metal detectors are a proven way of making schools safer than they are, Gregory Floyd, the president of Teamsters Local 237, which represents School Safety Agents, told PIX11 News. Floyd said two of the three schools where there were slashings do not scan students for weapons. In Queens, police said an 18-year-old was stabbed in the back and arm while outside Queens High School of Teaching on Commonwealth Boulevard. In Manhattan, police said two students, ages 15 and 17, stabbed each other at the High School of Graphic Communication Arts on West 49th Street. One male was stabbed in the torso, and the other was slashed in the face. Police said at one in the afternoon, at the Evander Childs Campus in the Bronx, a 15-year-old student was slashed by a 17-year-old student. A source told PIX11 News the teen used a scalpel to cut the other teens neck in an incident that was gang-related. The 17-year-old was taken into custody. We contacted the New York City Department of Education and Mayor Eric Adams Office for a response to the demand for metal detectors but did not hear back. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. "Every time you put on that shield and walk out of the house, your family wonders if that call will come or if they'll get that terrible call somewhere during the day or night," U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI May 15 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden on Wednesday was on Capitol Hill to deliver remarks at the 43rd National Peace Officers' Memorial Service as he outlined his efforts to aid American law enforcement while calling on Congress to do more to help. "Every time you put on that shield and walk out of the house, your family wonders if that call will come or if they'll get that terrible call somewhere during the day or night," the president said as he referenced a recent North Carolina shooting that left four law enforcement officers dead. The day's event was put on by the National Fraternal Order of Police to honor the 222 American police officers who died in the line of duty last year. Also in attendance were Attorney General Merrick Garland, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and FBI Director Christopher Wray. Biden relayed the story of when he lost his first wife and young daughter, and how his late son Beau had returned from serving overseas in Iraq and developed the cancer that ultimately took his life and the aftermath of dealing with his death. "For all the families of our fallen officers, I know hearing the name of your husband, wife, father, mother, son or daughter, brother, sister, brings it all back as you got that news just 10 minutes ago," he said as he spoke of "that black hole in the middle of your chest you feel like you're being sucked into. It's like losing a part of your soul." Patrick Yoes (L), President of the Fraternal Order of Police, shakes hands on Wednesday with President Joe Biden (R) during the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI The 109-year-old National Fraternal Order of Police says in 2023 there were 48 police officer deaths by gunfire. But this year alone, a total 58 police officers so far have died while 25 of those deaths happened just in the last month. "I know the one thing that helped," Biden said about his own experiences with the death of loved ones. President Joe Biden arrives on Wednesday at the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. President John F. Kennedy in Oct. 1962 had designated May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. And in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day, flags across the United States on Wednesday are flown at half-staff. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI "Family. If you have family, hold them tight. Hold on to each other." "The day will come" when thoughts of lost loved ones "will bring a smile to lift you before it brings a tear to your eye," Biden told the crowd as he said he hopes it comes sooner to them but that it takes time. (L-R) Attorney General Merrick Garland, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and FBI Director Christopher Wray look on during Wednesday's National Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI President John F. Kennedy in October 1962 designated May 15 as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day. To honor Peace Officers Memorial Day, flags across the United States on Wednesday are flown at half-staff. Ahead of Wednesday morning's event, the Fraternal Order of Police said on X that the "solemn occasion reminds us of the courage, dedication and selflessness of our law enforcement officers." Attendees listen to the pledge of allegiance on Wednesday during the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol. During his speech, Biden took note of his February White House meeting with the police chiefs of Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Miami, Milwaukee and Dekalb County, Ga. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI "Being a police officer is not just what you do, it's who you are," Biden said as he told the crowd he "admired" their courage to be there and how their loved ones' "sacrifices will never be forgotten." "And just like all the women and men in law enforcement I grew up with in Scranton and Claymont, you always run toward danger as others run away from it," he said, referencing his Pennsylvania birthplace and Delaware home. The 109-year-old FOP says in 2023 there were 48 police officer deaths by gunfire. But this year alone, 58 police officers so far have died while 25 of those deaths happened just in last month. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI The president said police officers have it in "their DNA" as he told them "most of you even when you were kids you did it long before you became an officer." "You run toward the cries for help knowing you could be a help," he said. Connie Moyer (C), National President of the National Concerns of Police Survivors, hugs a member of law enforcement on Wednesday during the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI Biden took note of his February White House meeting with the police chiefs of Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Miami, Milwaukee and Dekalb County, Ga. "Being a cop is one [expletive] of a lot harder than its ever been," the president said Wednesday. "We expect everything of you" as he said police are now expected to also be "drug counselors, social workers to kids who have been abandoned, guardians to communities flooded with weapons of fear." At Wednesday's National Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S. President Joe Biden said he is laser-focused on providing you with the mental health and wellness resources you need and deserve as he talked about his efforts to expand police officer benefits for officers and their families. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI He touted his administration's effort to aid law enforcement in their efforts with the American Rescue Plan Act, which he says gave $350 billion to cities and states "to keep communities safe, retain and hire more police officers, pay overtime and bonuses, expand benefits for disabled first responders" and put more police officers on the streets and to crack down on illegal gun sales. Biden also mentioned his $37 billion Safer America Plan to improve police hires and fight crime. The U.S. Capitol color guard participates in the 43rd National Peace Officers' Memorial Service in Washington, DC on Wednesday. Attending with President Joe Biden were Attorney General Merrick Garland, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and FBI Director Christopher Wray. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI "It's no accident that violent crime is at a 50 year low," he said. The Biden administration "is laser-focused on providing you with the mental health and wellness resources you need and deserve," he said as he talked about his efforts to expand police officer benefits for officers and their families. Connie Moyer (C), National President of the National Concerns of Police Survivors, hugs Andrew Hatlee, a deputy sheriff for the Ventura County, Calif. Sheriffs Department on Wednesday at the 43rd National Peace Officers' Memorial Service in Washington, DC. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI The likely 2024 Democratic nominee urged congress to pass the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act -- introduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Kevin Cramer, R-ND -- which would expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and first responders who pass away from cancer caused by carcinogenic exposure during their service. "I know so many who still carry the physical and visible wounds of your service," he stated. "We've made a lot of progress but there's still much more to be done," Biden said at the end of his speech. "We can never thank you enough for your courage, your service and your sacrifice" he said "for people you don't even know." The Tennessee-headquartered Fraternal Order of Police which boasts of having more than 355,000 members and 2,100 chapters, endorsed Trump's re-election campaign in September 2020 but has so far not endorsed either of expected candidate for this year's election. But later Wednesday morning, the National Fraternal Order of Police on social media shared a post by House Republicans that blamed Democrats for "this uptick in violence," which they claim "is the direct result of the radical Democrats, soft-on-crime policies and the defund the police movement." Aurora Masters was playing in her backyard when the accident occurred, according to authorities GoFundMe Aurora Masters A five-year-old Colorado girl died following a backyard accident involving a swing set, authorities said. Aurora Masters was playing outside her home in Fort Collins last week when she became entangled in the swing, her great aunt told Fox affiliate KDVR-TV. She pulled her little plastic slide over to where her swing was and somehow got caught up in the swing, and the swing strangled her, Brenda Kennedy said. Officers with the City of Fort Collins Police Department arrived on the scene and rendered aid before EMS arrived, and the girl was transported to Childrens Hospital Colorado in Aurora, USA Today and KDVR reported. Police said she received treatment until she died on May 11. Related: 4-Year-Old's Heart Stopped Beating for 14 Hours, Then Restarted: Incredible Thing That Occurred The child's death an accident and police will not be investigating any further, USA Today reported. A representative with the City of Fort Collins Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for a comment. 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. Masters family made the decision to donate her organs, Kennedy wrote in a message on a GoFundMe page. We have also begun to discuss and organize our thoughts for a memorial service and celebration of life, Kennedy wrote. The celebration will be for Aurora and her friends to sing, dance and live their best lives! Once that is complete, extra funds will be donated to agencies and/or organizations that help Aurora's memory continue. Nineteen family members from Wyoming and Nebraska traveled to Colorado in the wake of Masters accident, per KDVR. Related: Dad of 10-Year-Old Boy Who Was Swept Into Storm Drain Says to Keep the Prayers Coming Now, family and friends are left to grieve the joyful ray of sunshine who loved to laugh, dress up in costumes and give hugs to babies. Thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers, and shares for our sweet baby girl, Kennedy wrote in a message on the GoFundMe page, which has raised over $26,000 as of Wednesday, May 15. She added, referencing the northern lights last weekend: If you looked up last night, or you look up tonight, you will see our Miss Aurora putting on a beautiful show for you with the borealis. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A shortage of air traffic controllers in the US has long plagued the aviation industry, often resulting in flight delays and cancellations. Despite a surge in hiring last year, new data from the FAA shows air traffic control stations nationwide are still about 3,000 controllers short. Heres what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. 1. Trump trial Former President Donald Trumps ex-attorney and fixer Michael Cohen continued his fiery testimony Tuesday in Trumps criminal hush money trial. Cohen detailed the hush money scheme involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election and walked the jury through the $130,000 he says he paid at Trumps direction all of which Trump denies. Meanwhile, Tuesday saw the biggest group of Republican politicians appearing outside the Manhattan courthouse to show their support for the former president. The list included House Speaker Mike Johnson, Trumps onetime presidential-rival-turned-VP-hopeful North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, Florida Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills, and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. 2. Israel The Biden administration on Tuesday began the process to move ahead with a new $1 billion weapons deal for Israel. The potential arms sale comes as the administration has paused the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs and 500-pound bombs to Israel, citing opposition to the weapons being used in the densely populated areas of Rafah where more than 1 million people are sheltering. The move, however, signals the Biden administration will continue to make sure that Israel has the military capacity to defend itself, indicating that longer-term weapons deals are not going to be halted at this time. 3. Bus crash Eight farm workers are dead and 45 others were injured in a bus crash in north-central Florida on Tuesday. The bus carrying approximately 53 farm workers and a pickup truck sideswiped each other about 15 miles west of Ocala, the Florida Highway Patrol said in a statement. The driver of the pickup truck has been charged with eight counts of Driving Under the Influence manslaughter, local officials said. In a news conference Tuesday evening, Juan Sabines, the Mexican consul in Orlando, said the victims were all from Mexico and were in the US on temporary agricultural worker visas. Emergency workers at the scene of a bus carrying laborers that overturned on Tuesday, killing eight workers. - Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner/USA Today Network 4. Tariffs President Joe Biden is increasing tariffs on $18 billion in Chinese imports across a handful of sectors deemed strategic to national security an attempt to cripple Beijings development of critical technologies and instead prioritize US production. The increases will apply to imported steel and aluminum, legacy semiconductors, electric vehicles, battery components, critical minerals, solar cells, cranes and medical products. The new tariff rates will take place over the next two years. This follows other recent attempts by Washington to limit Chinese companies influence on US consumers and national security, especially ahead of the presidential election in November. 5. Canadian wildfires More than 100 raging wildfires in Canada are forcing thousands to evacuate as flames encroach on communities. Roads out of Fort McMurray in Alberta were crammed with evacuating cars Tuesday as an out-of-control 51,000-acre wildfire creeps toward the citys edge. The approaching flames are worrying residents who lived through the 2016 fires, which forced 90,000 people to evacuate and wrought billions of dollars in damage on homes and businesses. Despite wet weather on the horizon, firefighting will remain a challenge in several provinces through midweek due to gusty winds. Hazardous smoke from the blazes has also been wafting into the US and reducing air quality. BREAKFAST BROWSE Little dog wins big at Westminster Dog Show This adorable fluff ball won best in show at the 2024 Westminster Dog Show. Golden Bachelorette identity revealed Its never too late to fall in love! Meet the next star of the senior-focused dating show The Golden Bachelorette. George Clooney is coming to Broadway The Oscar-winning actor has been cast in a stage adaption of his 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck. Read more about Clooneys Broadway debut. King Charles first official portrait since coronation proves divisive An artists depiction of the British monarch is proving to be quite divisive with its fiery red background. Recap of Caitlin Clarks first WNBA game Caitlin Clark scored 20 points and committed 10 turnovers in her first WNBA game as the Indiana Fever lost to the Connecticut Sun. TODAYS NUMBER $61 million Thats how much Maryland Democrat Rep. David Trone spent on his self-funded Senate primary campaign but lost the race Tuesday to Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. Following her stunning win, Alsobrooks will face Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan, whose entrance into the race earlier this year shook up the Senate battlefield. TODAYS QUOTE We could not continue this charade. Barbara Srivastava, the mother of former Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, sharing a scathing statement Tuesday about the Miss USA organization. The mothers of former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA allege their daughters were ill-treated, abused, bullied and cornered, and therefore decided to relinquish their crowns last week. TODAYS WEATHER Check your local forecast here>>> AND FINALLY Hear graduation announcer badly miss the mark on name pronunciations. - Thomas Jefferson University Graduation announcers horrible pronunciations go viral Click here to watch this graduation speaker butcher name after name during a ceremony! For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The flow of people and vehicles leaving Ukraine has increased at the Ukrainian-Polish border. The accumulation of vehicles is observed in front of several checkpoints, and about 25 thousand people are trying to leave the country every day. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the State Border Guard Service. The reasons for the situation are not specified. "The flow of people and vehicles on the Ukrainian-Polish border to leave Ukraine has increased. In recent days, the number of people and vehicles crossing the Ukrainian-Polish border daily is about 25 thousand people and more than 5 thousand vehicles," the statement said. It is emphasized that the largest accumulation of vehicles is observed in front of several checkpoints. In particular: Shehyni; Ustyluh; Krakivets; Rava-Ruska. "The lowest passenger traffic is observed at Smilnytsia, Hrushev, and Uhryniv. To reduce the waiting time in queues, we recommend that citizens choose these checkpoints to cross the border," the border guards said. ADVERTISIMENT De-blockade of the border with Poland has already affected the economy After the unblocking of the Polish-Ukrainian border, the cargo flow of agricultural products from Ukraine increased by 20%. This has led to a UAH 2.5 billion replenishment of the state budget. On April 29, Polish farmers unblocked all checkpoints on the border with Ukraine. They also resumed truck traffic, although restrictions are in place for vehicles carrying grain. "While in the second decade of April 2024, the average volume of transportation was 13 thousand tons per day, on April 28-29, this figure increased to 16 thousand tons," said Taras Vysotskyi, First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy. For his part, MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak ("Voice") noted that "only one week without the blockade of the border with Poland brought in UAH 2.5 billion." At the same time, the European Business Association estimates that companies' losses due to the border blockade amounted to at least EUR 24.8 million. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! icon Semafor Signals Supported by Microsoft logo Insights from The Baltimore Sun, The Associated Press, and The Washington Post Arrow Down Title icon The News Seven weeks after a container ship crashed into Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge, the ships nearly two dozen crew members are still trapped aboard. Six people on the bridge were killed in the March 26 collision, which essentially destroyed the iconic structure. The toll could have been higher, investigators said at the time, but the crew issued an emergency alert that allowed authorities to close the bridge to cars minutes before impact. The crew, made up of 20 Indian nationals and one Sri Lankan, are stuck due to both visa issues and the ongoing investigations by the US National Transportation Safety Board and FBI, the BBC reported. They also have to keep the ship operable as it is extracted from the debris. Authorities began demolishing the remaining parts of the bridge this week in an effort to free the ship, though it remains unclear when or if the crew will be allowed to disembark while the investigations continue. The crew members have been one of our top priorities, said Darrell Wilson, a spokesperson for the ships management company, Synergy Marine. He said members of the embassies of India and Sri Lanka have visited them, as well as seafarer assistance groups. icon SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Unions concerned about potential criminalisation of crew members Source icon Sources: The Evening Standard, The Baltimore Sun, The Associated Press The FBI has launched a criminal investigation into the circumstances leading up to the collapse, and crew members are reportedly experiencing emotional distress and the unfounded fear of personal criminal liability for the incident, two seafarers unions said in a statement. The criminalisation of seafarers based solely on their position on board a vessel during an incident is a growing concern, said Mary Liew, general secretary for the Singapore Maritime Officers Union. The crewmen have also raised concerns that being detained on the ship could imperil future efforts to secure US visas for themselves or their children. Seafarers unions call for the return of confiscated cell phones Source icon Source: The Baltimore Sun Investigators confiscated the crew members cell phones, and although theyve received replacements, advocates say they were left without important contacts and are unable to transfer money home or pay bills online. However long the investigation takes, the crews rights and welfare should not be infringed upon during its course, said David Heindel, president of the Seafarers International Union, calling on authorities to return their phones. Several other unions that advocate for seafarers and other transportation workers have issued the same call. Action is needed to prevent future disasters, Coast Guard says Source icon Source: The Washington Post The federal agencies that responded to the disaster told Congress on Wednesday the country needs to take steps to address the risks large ships pose to the countrys essential infrastructure, The Washington Post reported. As part of that effort, the US Coast Guard is helping convene a national board of inquiry to assess the risk-management tools and regulatory systems to keep ports safe. The day before the bridge collision, the ship suffered two electrical blackouts, and then experienced two more blackouts just before the crash. The losses of electricity disabled critical equipment, federal safety investigators said in a preliminary report released this week. The report did not indicate whether investigators thought the crew or the ships owners had done anything wrong. Semafor Logo 6 members of violent street gang arrested for murder, racketeering in DMV WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Six members of a violent street gang called 18 Street were found guilty of multiple charges including racketeering, kidnapping and murder. The U.S. Attorneys Office for D.C. said the investigation of looking into the criminal activity of 18th Street in the DMV started back in 2019. As police continued to investigate, they found the gang to be involved in series of murders, attempted murders and kidnappings of members of rival gangs and members of their own gang who they thought were not being loyal to the organization. Bethesda Wine Shop robbed at gunpoint twice One of the acts includes the murder of C.H. on May 21, 2021. Evidence at the trial showed that Jexon Madrid-Flores and another 18th Street member threatened C.H. with a gun as he stopped by a convenience store in Columbia Heights. Madrid-Flores and the other member then followed C.H. and pulled up on their car on C.H as he was riding his bike in the bike lane. The other gang member then shot at C.H., hitting him in the leg. The investigation also went into the July 14, 2021, murder of Carlos Ramos Martinez, who was killed in a wooded area near Elkton. Ramos Martinez who was known as FIRE, was a member of a rival group of 18th Street called the Revolucionarios. Angela Alsobrooks says she will beat Larry Hogan in Maryland Senate general election Jose Santos Alvarado-Velasquez and Gerlin Neptali Diaz-Lopez killed Ramos Martinez. Carlos Rolando Martinez-Mora and Jose Anselmo Ibarra-Cristales were also involved as they planned and helped in the killing. Officials said Alvarado-Velasquez, Diaz-Lopez, and Ibarra-Cristales were in the U.S. illegally at the time. The investigation also involved a second murder that took place in Rockville on Dec. 19, 2021. According to the indictment, Rolando Martinez-Mora arranged for Danis Alcides Salgado Mata, who was a suspected member of MS-13 to be killed. Mata was shot and killed soon after his mothers wedding celebration. Matas mother and dad were also shot but survived. US Capitol Police: Bag with white powdery substance found in USCP headquarters tested positive for cocaine A dozen members of 18th Street were arrested and charged in this incident. The first trial against six of the members started on April 10, 2024, and ended last week. A second group of 18th Street gang members will be tried in July 2024. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. HILLSBORO, Ore. (KOIN) After surviving a 300-foot fall on a hike in Washington over the weekend, a Hillsboro woman is sharing her cautionary tale every outdoor enthusiast should hear. The only thing that came to mind was, God, youre gonna have to stop me, because I could tell I had momentum, 63-year-old Rebecca Halley told KOIN 6 News. Drawn to the wildflowers and warm weather, Halley said it was her dream to return to Dog Mountain Trail five years after she visited with her daughter. Returning with friends last Friday, Halley said she found the trail much harder this time around, despite being an avid hiker. Got to the top, had lunch, rehydrated, and headed down. And things kind of went sideways after that, Halley said. Portland WinCo shoppers could receive $200 due to class action suit The path is known to be narrow and steep. Even still, she was caught off guard by what happened next. I remember stumbling a little bit, not hugely, and then just kind of going over the side, Halley said. Miraculously, she only suffered minor injuries after a fall on her back from 300 feet. She said she tried to stay awake as she called friends for help. Im just laying there thinking, I dont want to move, cause I dont want to go any further, Halley said. Profound sadness: Fentanyl kills gifted athlete at 24 A woman was rescued after a 300-foot fall while hiking at Dog Mountain Trail. May 14, 2024 (courtesy Skamania County Sheriffs Office). The rescue began around 1:30 p.m. Friday, the Skamania County Sheriffs Office said on their Facebook page. A search and rescue began immediately, and rescuers found the Halley unconscious and unresponsive. Because of the steep terrain where the hiker fell, a U.S. Army medical helicopter was brought in to hoist and recover the hiker, who was flown to PeaceHealth Southwest in Vancouver for treatment. KOIN 6 News talked to local hikers and rescue experts for their tips to stay safe on the trails. I hope that shes going to be OK and that it doesnt discourage anyone from getting off the screens and enjoying the beautiful outdoors, said Kevin Spaeth, a local hiker. When it comes to safety tips: Hiking with people rather than alone, Ive got good footwear on, extra water, Spaeth said. Portland State University shares damage estimate following library occupation Liam Kean is a volunteer with Multnomah County Sheriffs Office Search and Rescue. He said its important to stay put and dont go anywhere if you get lost on the trail. Other safety tips for hiking include going slow, letting people pass you, packing flashlights and bringing lots of food and water. For more information, check MCSO SARs website for their list of 10 essentials for hiking safety. Kean said what motivates him is being able to change someones life. If someones out there and theyre not going to make it unless they get found, being able to be that person to find them is probably the most gratifying, satisfying, and motivating emotion to have, he said. The Dog Mountain Trail is about 6 miles long with the summit around 2900 feet. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. ALABAMA (WHNT) Governor Kay Ivey announced on Wednesday that 64 new classrooms would be funded for the 2024-25 school year, including seven schools in North Alabama. The classrooms will be funded through the Pre-K through 3rd Grade Integrated Approach to Early Learning (P-3). Gov. Ivey signs bill approving Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences This funding will bring the number of classrooms that are impacted by the P-3 approach to 413 in 29 counties. The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) and the Alabama State Department of Education will work together to coordinate instructional practices, assessments and leadership from pre-k to 3rd grade. Now moving into its eighth year, the goal of the P-3 approach is to expand the early learning continuum from First Class Pre-K through 3rd grade. What started in 2017 with 35 classrooms has now grown into a seamless learning continuum for students from pre-k to third grade, said Governor Ivey. As part of my Strong Start, Strong Finish initiative, this program ensures a comprehensive educational approach that aligns and integrates with student learning during the crucial years when children experience the greatest growth potential. The seven schools in North Alabama that will receive this funding are: New Bethel Elementary School in Colbert County Howell Graves Preschool in Colbert County G. W. Trenholm Primary School in Colbert County Lauderdale Elementary School in Lauderdale County Underwood Elementary School in Lauderdale County Boaz Elementary School in Marshall County Barkley Bridge Elementary School in Morgan County Huntsvilles Office of DEI to host 5K race to shed light on Mental Health Jan Hume, acting secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, says this program is a prime example of the work being done for early education across the state. This successful partnership with local school systems and the Alabama State Department of Education is one of the many examples of the great work going on around the state to ensure that more children have access to high-quality, age-appropriate learning that provides a solid foundation for the long-term success of Alabamas young learners, Hume said. State officials say the P-3 approach builds on student success and helps to narrow the achievement gap by expanding Alabamas access to high-quality pre-k model. P-3 is funded by the ADECE through the Strong Start, Strong Finish initiative. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. 72-year-old serial rapist on the run for 24 years caught in Missouri, feds say A serial rapist who has been on the run for 24 years was caught in Missouri, federal law enforcement agents said. Herman Carroll, 72, was arrested in Branson on May 11, according to a May 13 news release from the U.S. Marshals Service. McClatchy News was unable to locate attorney information for Carroll. Carroll was arrested in 2000 after being accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl, the agency said. He posted bail, failed to appear in Moultrie County court and has been on the run ever since, according to law enforcement. A warrant was issued for Carroll in 2001, charging him with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, federal agents said. The investigation into Carrolls whereabouts involved numerous agencies in six states, including Missouri, Illinois, Texas, Alaska, Arkansas and Maryland, according to the agency. On May 8, the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force received a tip that Carroll was likely in Branson, the agency said. He was taken into custody three days later and booked at the Taney County Jail, U.S. Marshals said. Carroll was convicted of child sex offenses in 1983 and 1993, according to the agency. Branson, near the Arkansas border, is about a 210-mile drive southeast from Kansas City. Hazing left student with brain damage, attorneys say. Now pledge dad pleads guilty High school grad stabbed at go-kart track at Ozarks graduation event, Missouri cops say Retired Air Force general accused of child sex abuse after traffic stop, TX cops say Herman Carroll was arrested in Branson, Missouri on May 11 after being on the run since 2000, reported the U.S. Marshall's Service Getty Stock image of police car A 72-year-old man suspected of multiple sexual assaults has been arrested after 24 years on the run. In a release shared Monday, May 13, Justin Hamrock, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Illinois, confirmed that Herman Carroll was arrested in Branson, Missouri, on May 11. Described as a serial rapist, authorities said that Carroll had been on the run since he posted bail in 2000 and failed to appear for a court hearing" in Moultrie County, Illinois. "Herman Carroll, 72, was wanted on a 2001 failure to appear charge out of Moultrie County stemming from a 2000 Moultrie County warrant issued for Carroll," the press release added. Within the 2000 warrant, Caroll had been charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and criminal sexual assault. 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 Stock image of police lights Related: DJ Akademiks Sued for Rape and Defamation On July 3, 2000, Carroll was arrested for the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl. He had also been convicted of child sex offenses in both 1983 and 1993, according to the release. The investigation into his whereabouts was taken over by the U.S. Marshall's Service in the Central District of Illinois in June 2022. On May 8, 2024, its detectives discovered that there was a high chance Carroll was living in Branson via "a collateral lead." "Carroll was taken safely into custody three days later and transported to the Taney County Jail, Missouri, to await extradition," added the release. Related: Nickelodeon Alum Lori Beth Denberg Claims Dan Schneider Showed Her Porn, Initiated Phone Sex amid 'Abusive Friendship' In June 2022, the U.S. Marshals Service offered a $10,000 reward for information on Carroll. At the time, he was described as a white male, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, with brown hair and hazel eyes. It added that he was a carpenter by trade and had a "birthmark/discoloration on his abdomen and scars on his right finger and his left wrist." "On his left shoulder, Carroll has a tattoo of a red heart with the name "JOANNE" in the center," it continued. "On his right shoulder, he has a tattoo of a family tree with the initials of family members on two branches." 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. The driver of the truck was charged with eight counts of Driving Under the Influence Manslaughter abc Overhead view of the crash site Eight farmworkers are dead and 40 others have been hospitalized after a bus collided with a pickup truck in Florida on Tuesday, May 14. Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Patrick Riordan said in a press conference streamed by Fox affiliate WOFL that the crash occurred at approximately 6:35 a.m. on State Road 40. "We had a 2010 International retired school bus that was traveling west on Stage Road 40 here in Marion County on the outskirts of Dunnellon. That vehicle was traveling west," explained Riordan. "We had a 2001 Ford pickup, it was a Ranger model that was traveling east. That vehicle, for unknown reasons, traveled towards the center line, and the vehicles had a collision of a side swipe-type manner." According to Riordan, after the two vehicles collided, "the school bus traveled off the roadway onto the grass shoulder, where it went through a fence, struck a tree, and overturned." Related: 1 Teen Arrested, 2 Others Wanted In Connection with Murder of 11-Year-Old Georgia Boy "At this point, we have eight confirmed fatalities. We've had approximately 40 people transported to local area hospitals. Some of those are also in very serious condition so there's a high probability this may be beyond eight fatalities. And the driver of the Ford pickup was also transported to the hospital with serious injuries," he continued. abc Overhead view of the crash site According to WESH, the farmworkers were on their way to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon, Fla., when the accident occurred. The farm shared on Facebook that it would be closed out of respect to the losses and injuries endured early this morning in the accident that took place to the Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp." Getty Stock image of an ambulance Related: 3 Killed, 15 Injured in Shooting at May Day Event in Alabama "Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident. We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time," the update continued. They shared in a follow-up post that they would "remain closed through tomorrow." The Florida Highway Patrol identified the driver of the truck as Bryan Maclean Howard, who was arrested and charged with eight counts of Driving Under the Influence Manslaughter in a follow-up news release. 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 identities of the deceased will be released pending next of kin notification. Our sympathies and prayers are with the families of the deceased. Consistent with our duties, the Florida Highway Patrol will conduct both a thorough and exhaustive traffic crash and criminal investigation," the news release added. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. At least eight migrant farm workers were killed and dozens more were hospitalized after the bus their were aboard crashed Tuesday in central Florida. Photo courtesy of Marion County Fire Rescue/Facebook May 15 (UPI) -- At least eight migrant workers were killed and several others were seriously injured Tuesday morning when the bus they were aboard was sideswiped by a pickup truck on a central Florida highway. Authorities told reporters during a press conference that the bus with 53 people aboard was taking the documented workers to a farm when at about 6:35 a.m. EDT a Ford pickup truck traveled toward the center line on Florida's Highway 40 in Marion County, causing the two vehicles to collide. Lt. Pat Riordan, public affairs officer for Florida Highway Patrol, said the vehicles crashed in a "sideswipe-type manner." The bus was forced off the road, down the grass shoulder, through a fence and into a tree, which caused it to flip, he said. Marion County Fire Rescue said in a statement that 34 patients had been hospitalized, with eight in critical condition. Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, was arrested and charged with eight counts of driving under the influence resulting in manslaughter over a crash in central Florida that killed eight migrant workers. Photo courtesy of Marion County Sheriff's Office/Jail records Riordan warned that some had suffered "very serious injuries," and that there was a "high probability" the death toll of eight would rise. The driver of the truck has been identified as 41-year-old Bryan Maclean Howard. He was arrested at about 1:47 p.m. and charged with eight counts of driving under the influence resulting in manslaughter, Florida Highway Patrol said in a statement. Authorities said the bus was sideswiped by a truck, causing the vehicle with more than 50 on board to drive off the road and into a tree, which caused it to overturn. Photo courtesy of Marion County Fire Rescue/Facebook Riordan had originally said the pickup truck had traveled to toward the center for "unknown reasons" and a "massive" homicide investigation had been launched that would take at least six months before all the facts are known. "At this point, we are conducting a massive traffic homicide investigation," Riordan said. "This will be a very lengthy and thorough investigation. I can tell you that it's going to be probably six months, at least, before we can conclude factually what transpired here today." The crash occurred on Florida's Highway 40 in Marion County at about 6:35 a.m. Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Marion County Fire Rescue/Facebook The identities of the victims were being held pending next-of-kin notification, authorities said. Alicia Barcena, Mexico's foreign affairs secretary, said in a statement that some of the farm workers in the crash were Mexican citizens. Authorities said the migrants involved in the crash were in the United States legally. Photo courtesy of Marion County Fire Rescue/Facebook The Mexican consulate in Orlando was on the scene to support nationals and provide consular protection, she said. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said his agency was assisting in providing Spanish-language translators. Woods told reporters that all migrants involved in the crash had the right to work in the United States. "Everything I have been told at this point, they all have what they need to be here. There's no reason for me to be involved with these individuals," he said. "They're hard working individuals. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with them being here." Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., has filed a package of nine bills to reverse parts of a new agreement that he sees as the de facto breaching of the lower Snake River dams and to remind the White House who has authority over the dams. I have consistently reminded the Biden administration that the authority over the lower Snake River dams remains in the hands of Congress, Newhouse said. This package is not only a staunch reinforcement of that fact, but a testament to our commitment to protect these critical pieces of infrastructure, he said. The package would prohibit breaching the four Snake River hydroelectric dams in Eastern Washington if certain power production replacement goals, including for reliability and consumer costs, could not be met or if breaching would make the river less navigable for barging or increase the cost of moving products on the river. It also would give the Bonneville Power Administration authority over changes to how much water is spilled over the dams rather than used to produce electricity, require acoustic deterrence of sea lions feeding on salmon near the Bonneville Dam and find alternate ways to pay for fish and wildlife programs now paid for by users of electricity from the dams. Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River, seen from the air near Pasco. The agreement announced by the Biden administration in December halts mediation over the Columbia River System Operations, including the lower Snake River dams for up to a decade and provides more than $1 billion for wild fish restoration. The agreement was negotiated behind closed doors by the White House Council on Environmental Quality with the states of Washington and Oregon and four Northwest tribes. The agreement does not call for breaching the four Eastern Washington dams from from Ice Harbor Dam near Pasco to Lower Granite Dam near Lewiston, Idaho. But it mentions breaching 68 times, Newhouse pointed out. That makes clear the goal of the administration, despite Congress holding authority over the dams, he said. Newhouse also is concerned that requiring more water to be spilled over the dams could make the dams functionally useless and cause energy prices to skyrocket. Spill helps juvenile salmon pass the dams unless so much water is spilled that gases in the water including oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen kill the fish. The package of bills proposed by Newhouse has cosponsors from several Republican representatives in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. Four hydroelectric dams on the Snake River in Eastern Washington are proposed to be removed or breached to improve salmon runs. Various bills in the package also have support from organizations that include the Public Power Council, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Port of Benton, Cowlitz PUD and the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association. Should Newhouse succeed in moving the bills through the House, they could face a tough road in the Democrat-majority Senate. 9 Newhouse bills Here are what the bills proposed to protect the lower Snake River dams would do: Prohibit breaching of federal hydroelectric dams if replacement energy production, such as wind or solar farms, would require additional acreage of more than 5%. Prohibit breaching federal dams if it would result in carbon emissions increasing by more than 10% such as by shipping by truck rather than barge; if it would make the river less navigable for commercial interests, such as barging companies; or it would increase the price of products currently barged on rivers by at least 10%. Empty barges and a tugboat sat idle on the Snake River near Pasco while the navigation locks on the Snake and Columbia rivers were shut down in 2011 for maintenance and a replacement lock gate at Lower Monumental Dam. Direct the Department of Energy to develop fish and wildlife program funding alternatives to mitigate the cost to Bonneville Power Administration ratepayers. The BPA Fish and Wildlife Program now improves habitat, builds hatcheries and boosts hatchery fish production and improves scientific knowledge through research. Require the Army Corps of Engineers to acquire acoustic sound technology to deter sea lions that feast on endangered salmon above and below the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. Prohibit the Corps from retiring an energy generation source, such as a hydroelectric dam, if it would raise electric rates and decrease regional energy reliability by more than 10%. Direct the U.S. comptroller general to prepare a report to Congress on the responsibilities and practices of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Require BPA approval for the amount of water to be spilled over the dams, rather than used to produce electricity. Water from the Snake River rushes down a fish ladder at Lower Monumental Dam. The other two bills are resolutions saying that hydropower is vital to energy development and disapproving of the agreement negotiated by the Biden administration. Republican cosponsors for some or all of the bills include Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington; Cliff Bentz of Oregon; Russ Fulcher of Idaho; and Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke, both of Montana. DENVER (KDVR) If youre one of the millions of Americans hitting the road for Memorial Day weekend, AAA has published its estimates for how the increased traffic could affect metro area drive times. We havent seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years, said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, in a release. Were projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means were exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead. See the latest traffic conditions in Denver on FOX31 AAA is projecting that 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday travel period, which AAA defines as Thursday, May 23 through Monday, May 27. Those millions of travelers represent a 4% increase over 2023s travel numbers and come close to the record set for Memorial Day travel in 2005, when 44 million travelers were recorded. AAA says most Americans (87.6%) traveling during Memorial Day will drive, while only 8% will fly. The last category of other has grown significantly from 2023, although it still represents only 4.3% of the total travelers during the five days. However, AAA predicts that 1.9 million Americans will travel by some method other than plane or car, up from 1.8 million in 2023 a 5.6% growth. This category took the biggest hit during the pandemic with fewer people taking public transportation or not cruising at all, Twidale said in AAAs Memorial Day number announcement. Now five years later were back to 2019 numbers. Travel demand has been soaring, and long holiday weekends create the perfect windows for getaways. However, auto travelers are also up by 4% from 2023 and air travel is projected to increase by 4.8% over 2023. AAA said that airports are bracing for the incoming wave of travelers, and said this will likely be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005. When should Colorado drivers hit the road? According to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights that AAA uses, drivers leaving Thursday or Friday should hit the road early that way they avoid commuters. Travelers heading back on Sunday or Monday should avoid the afternoon hours, when return trips are projected to peak. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Travel times are expected to be up to 90% longer than normal. Travelers should stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services, and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic longer than necessary, Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, told AAA. Denvers metro congestion is far from the worst projected, with a 72% longer drive time projected in Washington, D.C., and an 88% longer drive time projected in Tampa. That might be because of the top travel destinations Americans are choosing, according to AAA. The organization found that the top domestic destinations this year are: Orlando, Florida Seattle New York City Las Vegas Anaheim/Los Angeles Denver Anchorage, Alaska Fort Lauderdale, Florida Miami Boston Hertz, AAAs car rental partner, said Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston and Las Vegas are the cities displaying the highest rental demand, with the busiest pick-up days projected to be Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24. Bustang will provide rides to Estes Park for 5th consecutive year, adds Juneteenth AAA is projecting the peak Memorial Day congestion on Interstate 25 on Sunday, May 26 at about 4:15 p.m. The business looked at the I-25 corridor between Fort Collins and Denver and is projecting the drive will take about an hour and 24 minutes. Thats a 56% longer drive time than typical, according to AAA. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has once again tried to shift the blame for the failure of the 2022 peace talks to Ukraine. He cynically claimed that Russia had never refused to negotiate and had even fulfilled the "necessary conditions." ADVERTISIMENT Putin said this in an interview with the Chinese news agency Xinhua. The text of the interview was published on the Kremlin's website and disseminated by Russian propaganda media. "Our Western partners convinced us that conditions must be created for the finalization and signing of this agreement. And the main thing is to withdraw Russian troops from the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. We did that. However, instead of signing a peace agreement, the Ukrainian side unexpectedly announced the termination of negotiations. As Ukrainian officials later stated, this was also because their Western allies recommended that they continue fighting and, together with them, achieve Russia's strategic defeat," the Kremlin leader said. Putin did not stop there and said that Russia allegedly wants "a comprehensive, sustainable and fair settlement of this conflict by peaceful means" and is ready for a dialogue "on Ukraine." At the same time, he said, the negotiations should take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict. It is about global stability, about security guarantees "for both the opposing side" and for the Russian Federation itself. ADVERTISIMENT "The main problem is the reliability of any guarantees because we are dealing with states whose ruling circles prefer a world order not based on international law, but on a 'rule-based order' that they constantly talk about, but which no one has seen, with which no one has agreed, and which change depending on the current political situation and the interests of those who invent them," the dictator said, once again criticizing the West. In his opinion, democratic Western states are allegedly trying to "impose an order based on lies and hypocrisy, on mythical rules invented by someone unknown." Russia "rejects these attempts," Putin said. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Former President Trump speaks to media as he returns to his trial at the Manhattan Criminal Court this month. (Charly Triballeau / Associated Press) The political ascendance and staying power of Donald Trump have forced this country to confront so many existential questions: Can our democracy survive another Trump administration? Can an American president really and truly be above the law? And: Do real men wear diapers? We wont know the answers to the first two questions for a while yet. But thanks to Trumps more rabid supporters, we can say with assurance that yes, real men do wear diapers. (And astronauts, of course, who call them maximum absorbency garments.) Let me stipulate that I know nothing about Trumps bladder, bowels or personal hygiene. I have never been close enough to the man to sniff out anything about that, nor would I ever hope to. However, the Diaper Don meme, which got its start on an entirely different basis, has become unavoidable lately on social media, and a running gag among his more puerile critics, who believe or desperately want to believe that Trump is incontinent. The virulently anti-Trump Lincoln Project, predictably, has had a field day with the rumor, putting out a fake commercial and a blog item that begins, Are you incontinent? Does your family hate you? Is your lawyer testifying against you? Do you face decades in jail? Then is there ever a product for you! Read more: Abcarian: The porn star with a well-deserved place in American history This jab would seem to be designed to strike hard at the vanity of a man who admits to no failings, weaknesses or physical infirmities. I mean, next to throwing up on the Japanese prime minister, pooping your pants is about as undignified as it gets. The need to seem infallible a hallmark of dictators throughout history is an important part of Trumps I alone can fix it self-mythologizing. Remember his return to the White House after being treated for a serious bout of COVID-19 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in 2020? In her 2022 book, Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America, New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman revealed that the president told aides he wanted to tear off his shirt on the White House balcony and reveal a Superman shirt underneath. He was talked out of it, but not before hed instructed one of his aides to buy the costume. Read more: Abcarian: How many ways can a political memoir backfire? Ask Kristi Noem. I must say, there is something transgressive about the reaction to Trumps possible incontinence among his believers: They think its funny. In fact, they seem positively joyful about the possibility: They have taken to wearing large disposable diapers over their pants at campaign rallies. They sport T-shirts and hats that say Real Men Wear Diapers and Diapers over Dems. Somehow, on Planet MAGA, the diaper rumor has turned into a challenge that must be used to own the libs. Just like the way his base has taken back the former Presidents legal troubles by embracing his mug shot photo, they seem to be accepting Trumps rumored diaper wearing with shirts, hats and even adult diapers worn outside their clothes, wrote the author of the blog Dispatches from Trumpland in April. (Stories in the British press, of course, report that Trump fans are wearing nappies.) At an April rally in rural Pennsylvania, one man was photographed holding a six-foot black banner with the slogan in stark white. It was eerily reminiscent of those POW/MIA flags. Read more: Abcarian: The women of Trump's GOP try to answer the question, Who's the most macho? With Trump's legendary love for absurd opulence in mind, some of his fans have taken the diaper thing to the extreme. Last weekend, a woman at Trumps rally at the South Jersey shore was photographed holding a humongous diaper made of gold lame against her shorts. The twist on the diaper rumor is reminiscent of the way Bidens supporters have co-opted the phrase Lets go, Brandon, and turned it into the Dark Brandon meme. (That phrase was accidentally coined in 2021 by a reporter at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, who incorrectly described what race fans were chanting in the background.) This is not the first time weve been treated to yucky anecdotes about the alleged gross behavior of presidential candidates: In 2020, Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar was accused by unnamed staff of eating her salad with a comb. Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was captured by cameras wiping his nose before touching supporters. Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio was lampooned for his dry mouth when he dove for a water bottle during his response to President Obamas State of the Union speech in 2013. (Two years later, on the campaign trail, Trump would mock Rubio: He sweats more than any young person I've ever seen in my life.) And of course, President Biden has had the cringey tendency to squeeze the shoulders of any female within striking range. Jokes aside, I wonder if its possible that this silly campaign moment might actually help destigmatize adult diapers. For the many people who need them, possibly including Trump, they are no laughing matter. Or shouldn't be, anyway. @robinkabcarian 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. Accion, a global nonprofit, announced on Tuesday the launch of the Accion Digital Transformation Fund, a $152.5 million fund for large financial institutions, including microfinance serving small businesses currently excluded from the worlds financial system. The firm said in a statement that it will provide growth capital and strategic support to these companies for digital transformation. For over six decades, the nonprofit has been active in the financial services sector: first, by developing and scaling solutions tailored to small business orders, smallholder farmers, and women; second, by providing investments and advisory services to traditional financial institutions and microfinance companies, which in turn create accessible products. Over the years, Accion has helped build 230 financial service providers serving low-income consumers and businesses in 75 countries. In 2019, Accion took a bold step into early-stage fintech investments with the launch of the Accion Venture Lab, a $23 million inclusive fintech startup fund. This venture arm has backed over 65 seed and Series A companies operating in more than 30 countries across Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Notable investments include Konfio, Lulalend, Fairbanc and Khazna. https://techcrunch.com/2019/12/03/softbank-pours-100-million-into-mexicos-konfio These startups, some of which have become large fintechs in their respective markets, not only leverage technology to increase the reach and affordability of their products for the underserved at scale but also use technology to drive customer engagement, an area in which Accion thinks traditional financial institutions are playing catch-up. Over the years working on financial inclusion, we realized that in rural parts of the world and people who have been left behind by traditional financial institutions, they were not getting more digitally inclusive, said Abhishek Agrawal, managing partner at Accion Digital Transformation Fund, on a call with TechCrunch. And the challenge was twofold. One is because rural customers or digitally late customers dont have enough trust in digital technology. And then the second piece of it was the institutions (traditional banks and financial services institutions, not having enough knowledge about or having enough support internally to invest in real digital customer engagement. Agrawal said the pandemic highlighted the severity of the digital inclusion gap. Though Accion was advising banks and microfinance institutions on ways to engage customers digitally, the nonprofit knew it had to put money where its mouth was, and thats what it did by launching this fund. Accion Digital Transformation Fund investments will focus on companies serving micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across South and Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa. Accion Impact Management manages the Accion Digital Transformation Fund and the Accion Venture Lab. https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/03/accion-venture-lab-launches-23m-inclusive-fintech-startup-fund While the Venture Lab focuses on early-stage fintech companies and newer models, the Digital Transformation Fund targets larger financial services companies that have yet to pivot or significantly invest in digital customer engagement. Its approach involves deploying equity investments ranging from $12 million to $15 million, along with contributions from its limited partners, to support these companies in their journey toward digital transformation and enhanced customer engagement. This way, fintechs and traditional financial services companies in the nonprofits portfolios across both funds can help underserved customer segments digitally. Our preference in this case would be traditional microfinance, affordable housing companies, and microfinance institutions converting to banks. For us, its not about digitizing their processes or helping them implement core banking systems. Thats not where we will come in, Agrawal said. We want these banks or these traditional financial services institutions to think about how to engage with their customer more digitally, so the customer has more choices in the future. This strategy also helps the traditional financial services companies to be ready from a future perspective of what is seen because, so far, they have been lagging and putting up a competitive as well as collaborative, boldface in the fintech world. Accion Digital Transformation Fund will not make follow-on investments in fintechs from the Venture Lab. Instead, the fund will focus solely on new investments in traditional financial companies. The firm expects to make between 10 and 12 investments with flexibility in allocating capital between regions of interest. Theres no hard cap allocated to each region, as it will depend on the specific needs and potential of each company in the different regions, Agrawal said. However, the firm intends to make three to four investments in Asia, two to three investments in Africa, and two to three investments in Latin America, building a balanced portfolio across the board, the managing partner added. With that in mind, the fund will also construct its portfolio considering differentiated models. For instance, in India, where it has already made two investments, theres Annapurna Finance, which provides small, unsecured loans to underserved women averaging around $400 without collateral, and IKF Finance, which primarily operates as an asset financing company and offers secured loans with higher ticket sizes ranging from $3,000 to $5,000. What will digital transformation and engagement look like in a company providing unsecured, very small ticket sizes compared to another offering secured, slightly bigger ticket sizes in India? Accion hopes to answer these sorts of questions with the digital transformation fund, demonstrating examples with commercial returns on these models for the rest of the markets to follow, Agrawal said. Limited partners in the fund include British International Investment (BII), the U.K.s development finance institution and impact investor; the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank FMO; IDB Invest; International Finance Corporation (IFC); Mastercard; OeEB the Development Bank of Austria; and Swedfund, Swedens development finance institution. Accions other investment strategies over the years, in addition to the Digital Transformation Fund and Venture Lab, include Accion Emerge, which backs growth-stage companies innovating in embedded finance, agtech, and the future of work, and its relationship with spin-off Quona Capital, a venture firm focused on financial inclusion in emerging markets. https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/08/quona-capital-332m-financial-inclusion NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) Investigators are searching for a group of suspects accused of stealing phones and over $15,000 in cash during Facebook Marketplace sales throughout New York City. The most recent armed robbery occurred on May 7 at 2:25 p.m. in the Bronx, according to the NYPD. A 28-year-old man arranged to meet on Dyre Avenue to purchase a car when two assailants pulled a knife and stole the victims items, police said. More Crime News At least nine incidents have been reported to police, with the first occurring on Dec. 29, 2023, according to the NYPD. In most of the incidents, the victims meet up with the suspects to buy a car through Facebook Marketplace, police said. Then the suspects pull out a weapon, either a gun, knife or stick with nails, to threaten the suspect into handing over cash and their property, authorities said. Investigators have released the identities of two Facebook accounts accused of being involved in the robbery pattern. The accounts George Smith and Akeem Brown are allegedly connected to the incidents. 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). Charline Charles is a digital journalist from Brooklyn who has covered local news along with culture and arts in the New York City area since 2019. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Fact checked by Nick Blackmer A new study found an association between acid reflux medications and an increased risk of migraines and severe headaches. People who took proton pump inhibitors, the most commonly used acid reflux medications, had the highest odds of developing migraine. The study adds to growing research showing a connection between antacids and migraines. About 20% of Americans contend with acid reflux, a condition that causes burning and irritation in the chest due to stomach acid moving into the esophagus. Now, a new study suggests that taking medications to ease symptoms may increase the risk of another painful condition: migraines. The study, published in late April in the journal Neurology Clinical Practice, found the strongest association between higher migraine risk and the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), the most common and effective acid reflux medication. The research adds to growing evidence suggesting that acid-suppressing medications have a connection to migraines and severe headaches. A study from 2022, for example, found that PPI use was potentially associated with migraines irrespective of the elapsed time since use and the duration of use. Praveen Guntipalli, MD, who is board-certified in internal medicine and obesity medicine and wasnt involved with the study, told Health that the new study highlights the need for careful evaluation of these medications in patients prone to migraines. South_agency / Getty Images Finding a Link Between Antacids and Migraine Risk Researchers pulled data from 1,818 adults who participated between 1999 and 2004 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, an ongoing study run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies to assess the health and nutritional status of the nations residents. Participants reported whether they took PPIs, H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), and generic antacids. (The study focused on prescription medications, but PPIs such as esomeprazole and omeprazole are also available over the counter, though at lower dosages.) The surveys also asked participants whether they had developed a migraine or severe headache within three months of taking the drug. Researchers discovered that, compared to people who didnt take acid reflux medications, those taking H2RAs and generic antacids had a respective 40% and 30% higher chance of developing a migraine or severe headache within three months. Participants who used PPIs had an increased migraine risk of 70%. Guntipalli noted that one of the studys limitations is that it relies on self-reported information. Furthermore, it only shows an association between the medications and increased migraine risk and does not establish causation. Whats Behind the Migraine and Acid Reflux Connection? Researchers are still learning about the connection between acid reflux and migraines. Medhat Mikhael, MD, a pain management specialist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, suggested that PPIs might cause migraine because their acid-suppressing effect interferes with the absorption of nutrients such as magnesiumlow levels of which have been linked to headaches. Its also possible that people who need acid reflux medication are simply more prone to migraines, whether or not they take antacids, experts said. According to Mikhael, acid reflux may spur a migraine through an inflammatory cascade reaction that starts at the GI level and triggers the central nervous system to facilitate the release of the calcitonin gene-related peptides. Stress may also account for a potential link between the conditions, Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, told Health. Patients with increased life stress would be expected to produce more acid as a stress response, which is what I see in clinical practice, he explained. Patients with increased life stress would also be expected to have more frequent headaches. Therefore, he continued, I am not surprised to see the treatment group requiring the strongest acid-decreasing family of medications, PPIs, to have the most frequent headaches as a comorbidity. What's apparent, Guntipalli said, is that the connection between acid reflux medications and migraines clearly warrants further investigation." For more Health.com news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Health.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada is intervening again on behalf of students who are being banned from wearing cultural graduation regalia. According to the letter sent on Monday, the ACLU has received complaints from students at Palo Verde and Centennial high schools. Nevada lawmakers passed a bill last year barring schools from doing this. A student at Palo Verde was prohibited from wearing a stole showing her Mexican heritage, according to the ACLU. The students mother Wendy Flores told 8 News Now the school reversed its decision on Tuesday after the ACLU was involved. Parent claims Las Vegas-area school barred student from wearing cultural grad regalia, then reversed decision In a statement sent out last week, CCSD stated students can wear these items in according to the new law. Last week, Eldorado High School reversed its decision on banning a student from wearing a stole with the Mexican and Guatemalan flags. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. CHICAGO Andrew Holmes, the activist and Dolton trustee embattled in sexual assault allegations, was fired by Chicago Survivors last month. Chicago Survivors began in 2010 as a non-profit to help families of victims of gun violence. Holmes, who has been a prominent crime victim advocate for years, was terminated last month by the group, WGN News learned Wednesday. Our mission is to provide crime victim services to family members of homicide victims so our relationships with those families and our community is paramount. Without compromise, there needs to be strong mutual trust and an assumed high level of safety for the adults and children we serve. For those reasons, we terminated his employment in April upon learning of the serious allegations, said executive director JaShawn Hill. Allegations surfaced last month accusing Holmes of alleged sexual assault while on a trip to Las Vegas. Holmes, a Dolton trustee, was on the taxpayer-funded trip with mayor Tiffany Heynard and others. The woman accusing Holmes, Fenia Dukes of Dolton, released a video on May 6 detailing the allegations against him. I at least knew I got a man with me. Im going to make it home, Dukes said. I dont have to worry about going out on The Strip by myself. I legitimately thought I was going to make it home until my last memory was waking up in his room. Woman accusing community activist Andrew Holmes of assault releases video statement Her claims mirrored a civil lawsuit also filed by Dukes. Holmes denies wrongdoing but has declined to comment. He has not been charged and continues to serve on the Dolton village board. Police have said their investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma Attorney General is asking Oklahomans to remain vigilant in protecting themselves against phone scams involving customers of OG&E. More details of Oklahoma Deputy Warden accused of prison contraband smuggling operation Fraudsters are always finding new ways to separate unsuspecting individuals from their money, and this latest phone scam is no exception, he said. Oklahomans should be cautious with high-pressure tactics in phone or door-to-door solicitations, even when they purport to be connected to a reputable company. Always verify. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond OG&E says customers have alerted the electric company to a recent increase in automated phone calls. According to OG&E, one call promises thousands of dollars in rebates for customers in the wake of new energy policy and mandates. The caller then asks customers to sign-up for a solar energy program saying it will support our new mandate. The other call features someone claiming to be with OG&E and threatening to cut off the customers service if they dont pay their bill immediately over the phone. Customers also have reported to OG&E an increase in door-to-door salespeople trying to sell solar equipment and falsely claiming to be partnering or working with OG&E. We never call our customers and ask them to pay their bills, nor do we go door-to-door to enroll them in special programs or services. Despite any claims, OG&E does not have any solar panel installation partners, nor do we recommend or partner with any company selling solar generation equipment, said Aaron Cooper, manager of corporate communications. We understand the frustrations and impact of scams, and we want our customers to be aware and protect themselves from falling victim to the latest scam. We appreciate the Attorney General and his team for their work to protect Oklahomans from these types of scams. OG&E The Consumer Protection Unit of the Attorney Generals office offers tips to avoid falling victim to this scam: No reputable company will pressure you to sign up immediately; No reputable company will demand payment upfront or in a certain format (e.g. wire, Venmo/CashApp/Zelle, gift cards, cryptocurrency); Ignore numbers you dont recognize; If you believe the offer might be real, go to the OG&E website and call the customer assistance line to verify; If you miss a call from an unknown number, do not call back; and Remind elderly friends and neighbors who may be vulnerable to these types of scams about ways to avoid becoming a victim. If you believe you may be victimized by a phone scam should contact the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General at consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov or (833) 681-1895. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Ahead of final day, Alaska lawmakers settle on PFD near $1,655 per recipient Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, passes the conference committee gavel to Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, after examining it Monday, May 13, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, passes the conference committee gavel to Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, after examining it Monday, May 13, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) The Alaska Legislature is close to a final vote on the annual state budget, which includes a Permanent Fund dividend of about $1,655 per recipient. The exact figure will depend on the number of approved recipients. On Tuesday, members of a joint House-Senate conference committee completed work on a multibillion-dollar compromise state spending plan that pays for services in the 12 months beginning July 1. House and Senate are scheduled to vote on the plan Wednesday, the last day of the regular legislative session, and advance it to Gov. Mike Dunleavys desk. The governor may veto or reduce individual line items. Included in the spending plan is $175 million in bonus funding for K-12 public schools, enough to boost the base student allocation core to the states per-student funding formula by $680 per student. On education, theres also additional money for student transportation and $5.2 million to help K-3 students learn to read at grade level. Among the hundreds of pages in the state budget, theres $10 million for Alaska seafood marketing, more security for Dunleavy, and additional funding for statehood defense, the states effort to file lawsuits against the federal government on natural resource issues. The members of the Alaska Legislatures budget conference committee talk after approving the final document on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) As has been the case for the past several years, the value of the annual Permanent Fund dividend was debated at length. Last year, senators who wrote the budget said that if oil prices exceeded a specific target, some of that extra revenue would be reserved for an energy relief payment attached to the 2024 dividend. $1,360 is the base dividend and $295 is the energy relief dividend target, for a total of $1,655, said Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka. For the second straight year, the base dividend amount is based on 25% of the states annual draw from the Permanent Fund, while the energy relief is based on the state raising more in oil and other revenue than forecast. That total figure is lower than the dividend proposed in the Houses draft budget, but Rep. DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer and this years lead House budget negotiator, said the final result shouldnt be considered a lower dividend. I wouldnt say this is a lower dividend. This was over $400 higher than last year, Johnson said. She said its also important to consider that even with a 2024 dividend bigger than the 2023 figure of $1,312, lawmakers were still able to find $550 million for construction and renovation projects in the states capital budget, and about $100 million will flow into savings on June 30, the last day of the current fiscal year. We have a solid capital budget, we have money going into savings, Johnson said. For several years, the state budget and the dividend size in particular has been the most acrimonious issue in the Legislature, frequently driving the state to the brink of a government shutdown, but that acrimony was in short supply this year. The difference, lawmakers said, has roots in what happened last year, when divisions between members of the House caused lawmakers for only the second time since statehood to vote for the Senates budget rather than try to negotiate a compromise. Last year was definitely not an easy budget, Johnson said. I think there was a concerted effort to make sure that that didnt happen this year. And that started from Day One, she said. Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, looks at the other members of the Senate budget conference committee on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) House and Senate leaders negotiated a detailed schedule of budget work and an agreement that lawmakers would not try to combine various budget bills into a single document. They kept to that schedule throughout the legislative session. Rep. Dan Ortiz, I-Ketchikan and a member of the minority caucus, was a member of the conference committee that negotiated the final version of the budget. Early on, he said, there was a recognition that lawmakers werent willing to overspend from the Permanent Fund or spend the states Constitutional Budget Reserve in order to boost spending. That constrained the amount of money available to lawmakers, and it means that only 21 votes are needed to pass the budget in the House. I think as much as some people in the House would have liked to have seen a higher PFD, the reality was, the money just wasnt there, Ortiz said. The post Ahead of final day, Alaska lawmakers settle on PFD near $1,655 per recipient appeared first on Alaska Beacon. Making its second intervention into a contested GOP primary, the AIPAC-linked United Democracy Project super PAC is starting an ad campaign against Brandon Herrera, the social media influencer challenging moderate Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) in a Republican primary runoff. The campaign against Herrera, a $1 million, two-week ad buy, is reflective of UDPs increasing involvement against GOP candidates it views as potentially damaging to the U.S.-Israel relationship. Herrera is the third Republican candidate UDP has targeted in recent weeks. UDPs anti-Herrera adcondemns a joke that Herrera made on a podcast appearance about veteran suicide, and states that he glorifies Nazis and mocks the Holocaust, highlighting a video first reported by JI. Now, Brandon Herrera is running for Congress? the ads narrator says, over the sound of laughter from the podcast appearance. That joke would be on all of us. Herrera has posted videos replete with Nazi and Holocaust imagery, songs and jokes as well as other controversial content. He also said he would have voted against supplemental aid to Israel and other U.S. allies. I would absolutely vote AGAINST the new proposed spending package for $95+ billion for foreign conflicts, while spending $0 on our southern border, Herrera said in one recent post on X. Any Republican who claims to be America first CANNOT vote for America last legislation. Why is it the US responsibility to pay? Asked by another user whether he would pledge to end foreign aid, including to Israel, Herrera reiterated that position. We cant claim to be America First while pushing spending bills like the most recent foreign aid package that gave almost $100 billion to every country except the US, he said. We have massive problems here we HAVE to address before we spend another dime trying to fix the world. The latter post came in response to a question posed by a follower of white supremacist influencer Nick Fuentes. Recent posts and re-posts by the user are almost exclusively by and about Fuentes. This is a race between an incumbent with a strong record on Israel and Brandon Herrera, who has clearly out-of-the-mainstream views on the U.S.-Israel relationship, UDP spokesperson Patrick Dorton told Jewish Insider. Gonzales, a moderate Republican and military veteran, has been a strong supporter of Israel. View comments Press Release May 15, 2024 OPENING STATEMENT OF SEN. GRACE POE Hearing on the Revised Animal Welfare Act May 15, 2024 Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat! Madam Chairperson, I would like to personally thank you for scheduling a hearing on the topic of animal welfare. Alam nyo si Senator Cynthia, napakalawak ng kanyang binabantayan - ang sektor ng agrikultura, and as you know this is a very crucial concern for our country, so I thank her for the time that she has allotted, especially for animal welfare. There are two advocacies closest to my heart - the welfare of children and the welfare of animals - parehong hindi botante pero napakahalaga sa atin. Despite animals' worth and value to human society, many animals are neglected, deliberately abandoned, starved to death in animal pounds, or fall victim to animal cruelty. On the other hand, some irresponsible pet owners have permitted their unvaccinated pets to cause nuisance, fear, or harm to their communities. One of the issues that has been the cause and effect of this maltreatment is the overpopulation of homeless animals. According to the Mars Petcare Pet Homelessness Project report, there are a total of 13.11 million stray cats and dogs in the Philippines today. Because strays lack proper care or vaccinations, rabies is most common in countries where stray dogs are present in large numbers. The Philippines is, in fact, ranked 6th among countries with the highest rabies incidence in the world. Just last month, Jamaica Star Seraspe, a 13-year-old girl from Tondo died after contracting rabies from a dog bite she got months before. This could have been prevented. An important question to ask therefore, is whether we have sufficient animal welfare programs in place and whether our communities--especially in rural areas--have adequate access to quality veterinary healthcare services. On the national level, the responsibility of ensuring animal welfare falls under the purview of the Bureau of Animal Industry or BAI, a staff bureau of the Department of Agriculture. However, we know this is underfunded and understaffed. Under Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code, the delivery of veterinary services to the communities has been devolved to LGUs. However, the Local Government Code mandates that only provinces and cities should have their own veterinarian officer. Hence, there is a reported shortage of veterinary personnel in smaller municipalities. And even cities that have veterinarians have to contend with inadequate resources. Ideally, the Department of Agriculture should be able to train and deputize animal welfare enforcement officers from the communities, the police for law enforcement, and members of animal welfare organizations such as those present here today, so that issues can be immediately taken cared of at the barangay level, in an effective but humane manner. In light of these matters, I introduced Senate Bill No. 2458, which seeks to improve the capacity of the Department of Agriculture in addressing animal welfare issues through a proper bureau which will be given sufficient budget and permanent personnel. It will firmly establish standards geared towards engendering responsible pet ownership, as well as ethical behavior and accountability from all those who have control over or provide care to animals. As such, the bill has more stringent penalties for violations of the Act. But also more importantly, funding. Perhaps this bill can spark a discussion whose time has come. With the help of all stakeholders, I am sure we can come up with a law enabling the creation of a society where we can co-exist harmoniously. I would like to personally thank our selfless advocates, the closest to true human altruism, spending your own time and money with little or no government support. I think it's high time that you'll be supported and listened to. We in the legislative sector, we're not perfect. We don't know all the details, but you have lived through this, you're continuing to provide support. So your insights are valuable. You can tell us, "No, this section will not work, because A, B and C. This is our experience on the ground." So help us craft a law that is truly pragmatic, that is truly something that can address the challenges that you're facing here today. Again, Ma'am, thank you very much for your time. I know you've been really very busy and to all of you, present here, for your tireless efforts to protect our pets and, of course, our animals in general. The good old five-second rule goes like this: if food that accidentally falls on the floor is picked up within this short period of time, it does not have time to become contaminated with bacteria. This statement has always been the subject of both domestic disputes and countless scientific projects. ADVERTISIMENT Some say the rule exists, while others have called it nonsense. Fortunately, modern researchers are finally unraveling the nuances behind the five-second rule, National Geographic writes. How fast can bacteria settle on food? The key to the five-second rule is to understand how quickly bacteria are transferred from the floor surface to the food. Many people get this measurement wrong, food scientist Donald Schaffner of Rutgers University says. Amateur scientific studies and television "investigations" have confused the issue by relying on experiments that are not scientifically validated. In fact, until 2016, there was only one thorough justification for the five-second rule: a peer-reviewed study by Paul Dawson, a nutritionist at Clemson University, in 2007. Dawson and his colleagues reported that food can pick up bacteria immediately after contact with a surface, but this study focused more on how long bacteria can survive on surfaces to contaminate food. ADVERTISIMENT That's why Schaffner and his student Robin Miranda decided to test more different products under more varied conditions. The experiments, which they reported in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology in 2016, showed that the five-second rule is not a rule at all. They found that the longer the food lies on a surface covered with bacteria, the more bacteria sticks to it. But a large number of microorganisms are picked up as soon as the food falls to the ground. But it's not time that's to blame, it's another factor. Wet foods (such as watermelon) absorb more bacteria than dry foods such as bread or chewing candy. Carpeting has fewer pests than tile or stainless steel because it has absorbed the bacterial solution that scientists used. ADVERTISIMENT Since then, new research has confirmed how easy it is to transfer bacteria in the kitchen, whether on your fingers or simply by using the same board to cut meat and vegetables (even if it is washed between uses). And in 2021, scientists in Indonesia were inspired to disprove the five-second rule and its Indonesian counterpart, known as belum lima menit, or the five-minute rule. But is it safe to eat food from the ground? If science has so thoroughly debunked the five-second rule, does this mean that eating food that has fallen to the floor is dangerous? It depends on the surface and what bacteria you might pick up. "If you're in the hospital and you drop something, you probably don't want to eat it. Likewise, you definitely don't want to catch salmonella from a kitchen floor covered in chicken juice," Dawson says. ADVERTISIMENT But in most cases, eating a cookie that has picked up some dust and bacteria from the floor is unlikely to harm you if you have a healthy immune system. "Ninety-nine percent of the time, it's probably safe. Good sanitation, keeping floors and surfaces clean are the most important factors," he says. The five-second rule is likely to remain popular. "People really want it to be true. Everybody does it, we all eat food off the floor," Schaffner says. Perhaps the value of the five-second rule (or the three-second rule, if you're more scrupulous) lies more in the realm of psychology than microbiology. At the very least, having a rule provides a socially acceptable excuse for our unattractive behavior. Just shout out "Five second rule!" before picking up a cookie from the floor and putting it in your mouth, and everyone can have a good laugh. ADVERTISIMENT And that leaves us with one more way to decide whether to eat the candy you dropped: just look to see if anyone is looking. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! Air Force pilot dies after aircraft ejection seat goes off while on the ground Air Force pilot dies after aircraft ejection seat goes off while on the ground An Air Force instructor pilot has died after the ejection seat on his aircraft activated while the plane was operating on the ground, officials said. The incident occurred on Monday at Sheppard Air Force Base near Wichita Falls, Texas, when Capt. John Robertson of the 80th Operations Support Squadron was in a T-6A Texan II aircraft during ground operations and he was suddenly ejected from the plane, causing him severe injuries, according to a statement from Sheppard Air Force Base released on Tuesday describing the incident. MORE: Body of man traveling down Colorado River on wooden raft with dog found in Grand Canyon National Park Robertson died early Tuesday morning from the injuries he suffered in the accident, Air Force officials said. "This is a devastating loss for Captain Robertson's family and loved ones, and for the entire 80th Flying Training Wing," said Col. Mitchell J. Cok, the acting wing commander. "Captain Robertson was a highly valued Airman and instructor pilot. Our deepest condolences go with all who knew and loved him." An interim safety board investigation was convened immediately following the incident, according to Sheppard Air Force Base, and a full Air Force Safety Investigation Board is expected to be in place later this week. MORE: 1 dead after shooting inside Regal Cinemas theater in Ohio The board will release its report when the investigation is complete but they did not disclose when they expected this to happen. "We are thankful for the M1 maintenance team who immediately provided live-sustaining care, and for the heroic efforts of the security forces, fire and medical personnel here on base and at United Regional Hospital, Cok said. Their efforts allowed time for Captain Robertson's family to be at his side when he passed." Air Force pilot dies after aircraft ejection seat goes off while on the ground originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A US Air Force pilot instructor has died from injuries sustained when their ejection seat activated in a training plane that was still on the ground. The accidental ejection took place at 1.55pm on Monday at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, and injured a member of the 80th Flying Training Wing, which trains pilots. The individual later succumbed to their injuries. The accident took place when the ejection seat in the aviators T-6A Texan II training plane activated during ground operations, according to the military branch. The Air Force is not identifying the individual until their next of kin can be identified. The branch is conducting an investigation into the accident. The accident is the latest in a string of incidents in the single-engine, two-seat class of planes, Military.com reports. Last month, an Air Force T-6 with the 559th Training Squadron had an emergency landing at a different base in Texas. During the summer of 2022, the Air Force temporarily grounded 76 of its Texan II aircraft, over concerns of a potentially defective ejection seat part. Breaking Defense later reported that two months after the planes were grounded in July, no faulty cartridges had been found. Between 2000 and 2021, a total of seven mishaps occurred in T-6s, killing two T-6 pilots, according to Air Force data. The aircraft, produced by Raytheon, has a turbo-prop engine with 1,100 horsepower and is used in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training programme, which trains NATO combat pilots. Six bases will test the Air Forces new approach to deployments in its latest effort to adapt to the challenges of modern warfare, the service said Wednesday. New command teams are slated to arrive at installations across the U.S. this summer, as the Air Force launches so-called air task forces that it hopes will better prepare airmen for combat than in decades past. Bases chosen to pilot the initiative include Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona; Scott AFB, Illinois; Joint Base San Antonio and Dyess AFB, Texas; Fairchild AFB, Washington; and Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina. Here's how the Air Force's new task forces will reshape deployments The bases whose squadrons span the breadth of many core Air Force missions, from fighters and bombers to airlifters and refueling tankers will each receive about 50 airmen to run each task force, an Air Force official told reporters. Task forces will train together over the next several months before starting to head overseas next year. The first three task forces will deploy in October 2025, including two to the Middle East and one to the Pacific. Another three groups will rotate in to replace those task forces in April 2026. Its a departure from the piecemeal approach thats prevailed in the post-9/11 wars, during which the Air Force has scrambled to make as many troops available as possible amid an often unrelenting pace of operations. Airmen are often plucked from various bases and combined into combat units overseas, without first knowing or training alongside wingmen outside their own squadron. This is walking us back toward the model that we had during the Cold War, where we know each other, we train together, youre building the team [in] peacetime in preparation for deployment, the Air Force official said. The Air Force has said it expects the task forces, led by colonels, to sit alongside existing wing commanders at each base. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin has handpicked each new commander based on their experience and ability to lead airmen through a fundamental shift, a service spokesperson said. Each task force will include commanders and an executive staff to handle matters like personnel and logistics; aircrews and maintainers to run combat missions; and support squadrons to keep airfields running smoothly. Smaller teams will number hundreds of airmen; larger ones may span thousands, the service said. In the coming weeks, the Air Force will select which squadrons will come together to form the combat support units attached to each task force. Those airmen in jobs like civil engineering, communications and security forces would coalesce into a single team while deployed, the service said. Because those support staff would no longer be siloed in different squadrons based on their jobs, the Air Force said, theyd be expected to take on a wider range of responsibilities as needed downrange. The Air Force has encouraged units to train as multicapable airmen who can chip in on protecting a bases perimeter or moving cargo in addition to their main job. Lessons learned from the air task force experiment will inform how the service adopts other pieces of its deployment overhaul. The task forces are eventually expected to give way to deployable combat wings that can be dispatched for missions overseas, separate from other wings whose job will be to keep their base running at home. Right now, those functions typically fall to one host wing in charge of preparing for war as well as protecting and supporting its home station. Col. Morgan Lohse, commander of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson, told airmen Monday that most wont see a difference in their daily operations as the changes unfold. In some cases, your organization may report to a new leader, but the typical tasks will continue, Lohse said in a release Monday. The [deployed combat wing] will continue to generate and employ air power and prepare for deployments. The [air base wing] will continue to support the base and now have a new emphasis on preparing for and fighting through a contested environment at home. For months, Air Force leaders have previewed their plans to overhaul how airmen deploy around the world. Various exercises, like Mobility Guardian and Agile Flag, have explored iterations of the idea while officials continued to hash out the minutiae of how those changes might work. The service got its first real-world taste of how better acquainted combat forces might function in the future as the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October. An Air Force leadership team that had worked together before deploying to U.S. Central Command in the fall more easily reacted to the crisis because the trust they had built allowed them to move faster, the service official told reporters. Fast forward to April of this year, and pretty soon after this rotation of leaders deployed, the mass salvo of Iranian cruise missiles and attack drones occurred, the official told reporters. Many of those combat forces showed up that morning and executed that night to shoot down a bunch of those drones, but the leadership knew each other and made a difference in how they were able to lead. An Air Force spokesperson declined to say which unit has helped pilot the new expeditionary model in the Middle East, citing security concerns. Officials also hope the overhaul will make its teams more nimble and intuitive when competing for dominance with China, Russia and others whose military technologies could force the U.S. to move faster and with fewer resources on hand than in the war on terrorism. We need these changes now, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said. We are out of time to reoptimize our forces to meet the strategic challenges. Air quality in several US states threatened by growing Canada wildfires: See map Canadian wildfires triggered air quality alerts in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, parts of Wisconsin and Iowa Sunday and Monday, and experts say there won't be much improvement in the coming months as more states could possibly be affected this summer. "I do expect more air quality issues," said Paul Pastelok, a senior meteorologist and U.S. long-range forecaster at AccuWeather. "There'll be breaks, but the breaks will be few and in between at times in areas that are being affected even now." According to Pastelok, the fires could keep burning until September or October. However, predicting when it will improve is difficult. "Predicting if the air quality will improve or worsen can be difficult because of the unpredictable behavior of wildfires and factors such as wind, weather, and terrain," said the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Media Relations and Risk Communications in a statement sent to USA TODAY. "For example, a wind that usually clears out a valley could also blow more smoke in or fan the flames, intensifying the fire and worsening smoke." Path of smoky skies, according to AccuWeather According to Pastelok, weather patterns are still "very active" in the regions being affected by the smoke, and that will help improve the quality of air, but it can change. Like the EPA, Pastelok said the same system that can help improve air quality could also blow smoke back into the U.S. "So it's good and bad," said Pastelok. "It can clear for a little bit and then pick back up again on the backside of it." States impacted by air quality from wildfires The following states saw air quality alerts: Iowa: Monday morning, parts of the state saw air quality drop to the "unhealthy" range, reports WHO 13 Minnesota - Saw air quality alerts from Sunday to Monday night, according to a press release. Montana - Air quality dropped on Monday, but saw improvement later in the day as surface winds began to shift, states a different press release from Montana's Department of Environmental Quality. North Dakota - The state was put on alert Monday as smoke from the neighboring country impacted the air. South Dakota -On Monday, South Dakota announced the alert that would stay in effect until Tuesday. It stated that the smoke could cause low visibility and increased fine particulate matter, in a press release. Wisconsin- Parts of Wisconsin were placed on an air quality advisory on Monday, which was set to end at midnight the same day, according to previous reporting from USA TODAY. Smoke could grow with fires Pastelok said the smoke could get much worse going into June and July if fires start to grow. Alberta, British Columbia, and parts of Manitoba, Ontario and Southern Ontario are "pretty dry," he said. So, if fires do grow in those areas, the Great Lakes area and parts of the far northeastern U.S. could be affected. The wildfire season is more active than usual because of the lack of snow depth and Canada's drought situation. Because of that, "there'll be a lot of smoke in the air across Canada, and it doesn't take much to pull that smoke down. So I think we're still looking at problems here through the summer, in the northern tier in the nation, especially," said Pastelok. However, the meteorologist doesn't believe things will be as bad as they were last year. Side-effects of inhaling wildfire smoke Wildfire smoke can irritate one's eyes, nose, and throat and cause: Coughing Chest tightness, Shortness of breath Dizziness Fatigue Particulate matter, a type of air pollutant that is made of small particles of solids or liquids that are suspended in the air, is one of the main components of wildfire smoke, as USA TODAY previously reported. According to Yale Medicine, the particles can be 10 micrometers, PM 10, or as small as 2.5 micrometers, PM 2.5, and the smaller one poses a lot of health risks. PM2.5 is so tiny it can easily pass people's usual defense mechanisms and dive deep into their lungs. Not only can it damage lung function, but it can also pass into the bloodstream and travel to other organs. The following is linked to exposure to the PM 2.5: Heart attack Stroke, Lung cancer Decline in cognitive function Wearing masks can protect one's lungs "I think you should have masks handy if you have conditions, especially if you're very sensitive to bad air quality," said Pastelok. The meteorologist says it's better to get masks early so stores won't be out of stock when more people need them. "Make sure you're buying them ahead of time here because you never know when the stores might run out," he said. He adds that folks should be paying attention to weather alerts and checking air quality. "I recommend people look at that closely," advised Pastelok. "Especially in the northern tier, northern plains states, upper midwest, upper Great Lakes and far northern Northeast." He adds that people should have an air purifier handy if they can afford it and to make sure their AC and ventilation systems are working before the smoke reaches them or their air quality decreases. "Make sure they're working efficiently because you can't open the windows up because that will bring everything inside," said Pastelok. Contributing: Karina Zaiets, Ramon Padilla, Cecilia Garzella, Yoonserk Pyun; USA TODAY Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Canadian wildfires 2024: See map of air quality impacting US states A T-6A Texan II waits for another T-6A to pass before taxing onto the runway Nov. 1, 2017, at Sheppard Air Force Base. The 80th Flying Training Wing hosts the worlds only internationally manned and managed pilot training program in addition to operating the Air Forces second busiest joint-use airfield outside of a combat zone. An Air Force Base instructor-pilot died in Texas on Tuesday morning, just a day after the ejection seat was activated during ground operations, according to base officials. The pilot at the Sheppard Air Force Base was injured when the ejection seat of the trainer aircraft, the T-6A Texan II, was activated at about 2 p.m. on Monday, public affairs officials said. The aircrew member was transported to the United Regional Health Care System in Wichita Falls for treatment after the incident. Per Air Force policy, the base is withholding the name of the pilot until 24 hours after the notification of next of kin. Investigation into cause is underway An investigation into the cause of the ejection is underway, 82nd Training Wing public affairs officials said in statements. The pilot was part of the 80th Training Flying Wing, which conducts the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program at the Sheppard base, according to the its website. Combat pilots for NATO are trained in the multinational program, the only such program in the world. The T-6A Texan II is primarily used for entry-level training, and it is equipped for a crew of two, a student-pilot and an instructor-pilot seated one in front of the other, the base website states. Their positions are interchangeable. But an air crewmember can also pilot the plane alone from the front seat. The single-engine aircraft was designed to train students in basic flying skills for Air Force and Navy pilots. Public affairs officials with the 82nd Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base have released statements about an ejection that occurred Monday. Ejection seats intended to save lives Ejection seats are a safety mechanism for pilots who need to exit the plane in immediate danger. Over 8,000 pilot lives have been rescued with the use of their ejection seats, according to aircrew training group AMST Group. However, ejection seats have previously failed. Officials identified the failure of one as a partial cause for the death of Lt. David Schmitz, a 32-year-old pilot who was killed in an F-16 crash at South Carolinas Shaw Air Force Base in June 2020. Trish Choate reports for the Times Record News and Anthony Robledo reports for USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Air Force pilot dies after ejection seat goes off on the ground For the past decade, Stand Your Ground laws have been invoked time and time again by gun owners who claim self-defense after carrying out shootings. Critics have denounced them as shoot first laws that have created a climate of vigilantism in which gun owners operate with impunity in killing largely Black people. The concept resurfaced again last week following the killing of Senior Airman Roger Fortson in Florida, but the dynamics were different. Air Force IDs airman fatally shot by Florida sheriffs officer This time, the victim was a young Black service member who carried his legally owned handgun to the door of his apartment after hearing banging noises that ended up being a sheriffs deputy. The officer and not Fortson opened fire within seconds. His supervisors say he acted in self-defense. Fortsons legal team was quick to remind the world of his Second Amendment rights in a state that helped popularize Stand Your Ground laws after the killing of Trayvon Martin more than a decade ago. They teach us in law school about the sanctity of the home, in the United States of America, and how that is your safe haven. That is your castle, civil rights attorney Ben Crump said at a press conference with Fortsons relatives last week. Every one of us, if someone we dont know comes into our house, are going to defend ourselves, Brian Barr, Crumps co-counsel, added. We have things like Stand Your Ground, the castle doctrine and very strong believers in the Second Amendment in the state of Florida. He has the right to protect his home. Fortsons killing sparked a complicated debate about race, gun laws and self-defense namely, who is typically afforded deference when it comes to the use of guns in self-defense and who is not. Lauren Krasnoff, president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Miami chapter, said Fortsons race cannot be disentangled from discussion of the case when invoking the castle doctrine and Stand Your Ground. I think the point is that the law is being used as both a sword and a shield by law enforcement against Black and brown people, Krasnoff said. Bodycam footage shows deputy shot airman seconds after opening door I dont even know that Id have to say that the airman was standing his ground, she added. I think he was just acting lawfully. And if a person is acting lawfully and not committing a forcible felony, then you dont have a right to stand your ground. Floridas Stand Your Ground law protects individuals from prosecution for homicide if they can prove that they perceived an imminent threat of harm or death to themselves or another person, regardless of whether or not they were in their home. The law does not require someone to retreat if they believe that force will be used against them. The castle doctrine, a common law principle often associated with such laws, allows a person to use force equal to the force being used against them after attempting to retreat in an attack on their home, said David Weinstein, a criminal defense attorney at Jones Walker LLP in Miami. It doesnt matter whos on the other side, Weinstein said. A sheriffs deputy on May 3 shot Fortson after responding to a call about a domestic disturbance at an apartment complex in Fort Walton Beach. Sheriffs officials say the deputy, whose name and race havent been released, acted in self-defense. Body camera footage shows the deputy banged on Fortsons door, paused, then knocked again, yelling that hes from the sheriffs office. Fortson eventually answered the door while holding what appeared to be a gun by his side, pointed at the ground. Within a few seconds, the deputy shoots Fortson six times, only then yelling for him to drop his weapon. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating. Fortsons death quickly drew comparisons to those of other Black people killed in recent years by police in their homes, in circumstances involving officers arriving at the wrong address or responding to service calls with wanton uses of deadly force. Questions, grief linger at apartment where deputy killed US airman MaCharie Dunbar, an Air Force retiree who serves on the board of the Black Veterans Project, feels Fortsons death surfaces an uncomfortable reality faced by Black Americans who serve their country. Many of us are just saddened and angered by the continued unnecessary loss of Black lives at the hands of police, Dunbar said. And we want to know how many times do police officers have to get it wrong before they do something collectively to get it right? The Fortson case also highlighted the dissonance between a Black persons constitutional right to bear arms and law enforcement officers right to defend themselves against a perceived threat. The second amendment afforded Roger the right to own a gun and wield it as protection when he was unsure who was on the other side of his door, Crump said last week. For Danielle Campbell, the southeast regional director of the National African American Gun Association, what happened to Fortson is the worst-case scenario for Black and brown law-abiding gun owners. Campbell said she felt Fortson was essentially murdered in his own home without so much as being given a command and his death reiterated that for all Black gun owners, were just at a high risk, period. Still, she said striking laws like Stand Your Ground, as Crump has advocated, isnt the answer because they can support gun owners who rightfully discharged their weapons. There have been cases where Black and brown people have successfully been able to utilize Stand Your Ground or the castle doctrine to get off, she said. Its more so that when people of color have interactions with police and theyre armed, were automatically seen as a threat and treated as such. Some Black Lives Matter activists echoed those sentiments. Fortsons death is more about how people see Black and then shoot than Stand Your Ground laws, said Chelsea Fuller, a communications leader for the Movement for Black Lives, a national coalition of racial justice organizations. I dont know how many more research reports have to come out to show there is an innate fear of Blackness in this country, she said. Fortson, 23, was originally from Georgia and enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from high school. His remains have since been transferred back to Atlanta where he will be eulogized on Friday. AP writer Terry Tang in Phoenix contributed. She and Aaron Morrison are members of APs Race and Ethnicity team. Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speaks Tuesday, May 14, 2024, on the floor of the Alaska House. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speaks Tuesday on the floor of the Alaska House in favor of legislation that revamps the transmission system that Railbelt utilities use to ship energy. Rauscher is the bill's sponsor. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) The Alaska House on Tuesday approved a bill that would overhaul the way electricity is transmitted along the most heavily populated region of the state. The bill, originally introduced by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, is one of the highlights in a part of a broader effort to address impending shortages of deliverable natural gas used to fuel electricity and produce heat. The measure, House Bill 307, seeks to unify the transmission system that runs along the corridor from Fairbanks to the Kenai Peninsula that is referred to as the Railbelt. The system is currently used by four separate utilities located in different geographic regions along the line. Each utility is a cooperative owned by the residents they serve. Key provisions in the bill eliminate practices known as wheeling and pancaking, which refer to the added charges imposed on utilities for energy that runs through different segments of the system. Other provisions set up a new state-run system for managing the transmission line in its entirety. Additionally, the bill would allow independent power producers a category including new solar farms and other producers of renewable energy to be exempted from local property and other taxes, as utilities already are. The bill represents a significant step forward in aligning Alaskas energy framework and aligning standards by enhancing competition, ensuring equitable recovery, promoting grid reliability and helping secure efficient and affordable energy, said the prime sponsor, Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton. While the bill passed by a wide margin, 36-4, getting it to the floor required much work and compromise, members said. Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, called it probably the most complicated legislation being considered by lawmakers, and he thanked Rauscher for what he said was very diligent and bipartisan and bicameral work on the bill. Supporters used a variety of metaphors to describe the problems of a transmission system they characterized as antiquated. Fields said the bill would end the balkanization of the energy transmission up and down the Railbelt. Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake, likened the current system to not a grid but a flimsy and vulnerable extension cord. Problem is, its not an extension cord. Its four different cords right now that are all plugged in together, he said. The utilities that use the different cords fight each other, though in a gentlemanly way, he said. It is a system that needs the overhaul provided by the bill, he said. We need a transmission line that is owned by somebody. And the only somebody that can possibly own that transmission line and buy the power from the co-ops is us, is the state, McCabe said. Rep. Alyse Galvin, D-Anchorage, said that while the bill may not be perfect, this is a unique opportunity, where we are sending a message that we would like to see all of the utilities which, by the way, are co-ops to play any sandbox together, she said. Members of the Alaska House look at the tally board following a vote on House Bill 307 on Tuesday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) Additionally, the bill is timely because of the large sums of federal infrastructure money coming into Alaska to supply renewable energy and make other energy modernizations, she said. We may never see the kind of funds that are going to be coming into the state like this . And I dont want to lose that opportunity, she said. All three Kenai Peninsula members were opposed, along with Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla. The systems restructuring, as planned in the bill, affects each of the four utilities differently. Those on the northern end of the system have been more supportive, the two more southern utilities have expressed concerns about potential increases in costs of the energy they use. In floor comments, Rauscher conceded that the Homer Electric Association, a Homer-based utility at the southern end of the Kenai Peninsula, could be negatively affected by the new system, at least in the short term. Thats because it would no longer enjoy a cost advantage from being close to the Bradley Lake hydropower plant. But in the long term, he said, the new system is expected to be fairer and more efficient. Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, said her opposition to the bill was reluctant. But I have to represent my constituents who have a lot of hesitation about the provisions, she said. Electric rates have already increased in her district because of natural gas supply problems, she said. She also objected to the way the unified transmission line would be managed. Instead of having it run by the state, she said, it should be owned by the utilities. Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, also objected to what he said was a monumental change in the way the electrical system is operated. I cant help but point out that the way that we are approaching the solution of this problem is a very, very socialist concept. Its state-owned, state-run, state-directed. And I would challenge you to find where that actually has worked out well for the state of Alaska, he said. Also voting against the bill was Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, who said his opposition was reluctant. He objected to the property tax exemption for independent power producers and the new organization that will essentially create a third level of bureaucracy for the transmission of electricity in our state, he said. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration in that body. Wednesday is the scheduled last day of the legislative session. The post Alaska House approves bill designed to unify Railbelt electric transmission system appeared first on Alaska Beacon. Albania could be the next big Mediterranean destination, the boss of Europes biggest holiday company has said. Its a great country, Sebastian Ebel, chief executive of Tui, told The Independent. Im a big fan of Albania and I think we should and could do more. Its on our agenda to look at it. I think the prospect is huge and I wouldnt be surprised if we start a significant programme there. Mr Ebel revealed that 10 years ago, when he joined the executive board at Tui, he had raised the prospect of launching holidays to Albania. I couldnt convince people to invest there, he said. At present the only Tui operation to Albania is a twice-weekly flight by the companys Belgian offshoot from Brussels to the capital, Tirana. In comparison, the budget airlines now have a massive programme from the UK. Ryanair and Wizz Air each have three daily flights to Tirana from their London hubs, Stansted and Luton respectively. Ryanair also flies from Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh to the capitals Mother Teresa International Airport. Marlene and Bernard Kayley, from Preston, have just returned from a trip to Albania, saying they had a marvellous five days. They split their time between the capital and the main resort, Durres. In the latter, Ms Kayley said: Our hotel, Vila One Beach, was, as its name suggests, on the lovely clean beach. The excellent hotel chef provided us with traditional Albanian cuisine each night not from the menu, he just asked what we liked. We are definitely returning to Albania. In December the nations tourism minister, Mirela Kumbaro, told The Independent: We are aiming for high-end tourism in Albania. The minister, whose brief also includes the environment, said she is pushing for four- and five-star hotels with international brand names. Of all the eastern European nations, Albania endured the longest and most oppressive spell under state communism in the latter part of the 20th century. Almost no tourists were allowed to visit during the 40-year Stalinist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. But a then-small company, Regent Holidays, started bringing in visitors from the UK in the 1970s. Former director Neil Taylor recalls: In most years through the 1970s and 1980s we sent about 12 groups a year there. The diversity of the clientele was the great appeal. We, perhaps rather naughtily, advertised in the Daily Telegraph and in the Morning Star to ensure that people who would normally have not given the time of day to each other, suddenly had to behave in a closely-knit group for 10 days. We had the idle rich, vaguely feeling they ought to see what communism was about, we had the academics noting every word that was said and buying every publication in English, and we had the wild revolutionaries determined to find paradise in Albania and to impose it on Britain when they returned. Another nation bordering the Mediterranean could also soon be welcoming British package holidaymakers. The Tui boss also revealed to The Independent that he had just discussed opening up Algeria for beach holidays. There was a very clear message that the security situation is not as bad as you might think from what you hear in Europe. But its not in a way that we could send customers to. I would hesitate to do something before the overall situation improves. Algeria, the largest country in Africa, has a vast range of almost empty classical sites as well as a long, mostly empty, Mediterranean coastline. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Two Albuquerque Public Schools leaders are heading to a White House summit to talk about chronic absenteeism within the school district. A spokesperson for APS says for the 2022-2023 school year, 38% of students were chronically absent. That is defined as students missing 10% or more school days since the beginning of the school year. NM judge puts five-day school week rule from the Public Education Department on hold On Wednesday, APS Associate Superintendent of Leadership and the districts Development Specialist will share what APS has been doing to reverse the trend. The summit will be from 7:30-9:15 a.m. in Washington D.C. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. France and the Netherlands are demanding that the European Union impose sanctions on any financial institutions that help the Russian armed forces pay for goods or technology for weapons production. This initiative will be another step in efforts to deter Russia from further military aggression and sanctions circumvention. ADVERTISIMENT Reuters writes about it. The essence of the initiative is to put an end to the financing of Russian military actions through international financial mechanisms. In particular, the EU seeks to prevent the circumvention of existing sanctions that were imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These sanctions, which include a ban on the sale of dual-use goods and technologies, are intended to prevent Russia from obtaining resources for warfare. A preliminary step in this strategy will be the inclusion of financial institutions that openly or covertly finance Russia's military actions on the sanctions list. The European Commission will oversee this agreement, working with American partners to make this mechanism even more effective. This initiative is expected to have broad support in the EU, but there may be difficulties due to some differences of opinion among member states. For example, Hungary may oppose the introduction of such sanctions because they have certain economic and political interests that do not correspond to the pan-European strategy. ADVERTISIMENT Germany may do the same, as it prefers not to jeopardize its close business ties with China. Last month, the European Commission announced that there were signs that Beijing was supplying Russia with components that could be used for weapons production. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Aldi recalls cream cheese spread sold in 28 states for possible salmonella contamination PHILADELPHIA (CBS) A string of cream cheese recalls for possible salmonella contamination has expanded to include Aldi stores in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Aldi said it is recalling four varieties of cream cheese spread that may have been contaminated by salmonella at a third-party supplier Schreiber Foods, Inc., the store chain said in a news release. Aldi says the following eight-ounce cups of cream cheese spread are impacted by the recall: Whipped cream cheese spread with UPC code 4099100101881, and sell by dates of 08/30/2024, 08/31/2024, 09/01/2024, 09/03/2024 and 09/04/2024;Chive & onion cream cheese spread with UPC code 4099100101751 and sell by dates of 09/13/2024 and 09/22/2024;Cream cheese spread with UPC code 4099100101737 and sell by dates of 09/01/2024, 09/08/2024 and 09/15/2024;Strawberry cream cheese spread with UPC code 4099100101744 and sell by dates of 09/08/2024 and 09/15/2024. The FDA says salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Infections can be serious and sometimes fatal for young children, the elderly or immunocompromised people. Where Aldi cream cheese recalled for possible salmonella contamination was sold The recalled products were sold at Aldi stores across 28 states and the District of Columbia. Those states are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. What do I do if I bought this recalled product? Aldi says anyone who bought the products should immediately throw it away, or return it to their local store for a full refund. Aldi says anyone who wants more information should contact Schreiber Foods at 1-800-644-5473 or email consumer.relations@schreiberfoods.com. Hy-Vee, Schnucks grocery chains recall cream cheese from same supplier Aldi's recall comes after three regional grocery chains Hornbacher's, Hy-Vee and Schnucks recalled cream cheese supplied by Schreiber's, of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Schreiber was alerted by one of its suppliers that a whey protein concentrate used in the cream cheese may have been tainted with salmonella, a spokesperson for Schnucks told CBS News. Schreiber Foods did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CBS News Philadelphia. Cuban Spycraft | Sunday on 60 Minutes Woman attacked by bull on Mexico beach after ignoring warnings John Krasinski: "IF" movie inspired by pandemic's toll on daughters' spirits As annual spending on cloud computing surges toward the $1 trillion mark, were seeing a wave of enterprise startups gaining traction with customers and investors as they build tools to help manage that usage. In the latest development, a startup called Alkira has raised $100 million for its network infrastructure as a service, which lets users virtualize and orchestrate hybrid cloud assets, and manage them as a whole. Tiger Global Management, a new investor in the startup, is leading this Series C. Other new investors, NextEquity Partners and Geodesic Capital, as well as previous backers Dallas Venture Capital, Sequoia Capital, Kleiner Perkins and KDT (Koch Disruptive Technologies) also participated in the round. Alkiras CEO, Amir Khan, did not disclose the startups valuation, but said that its certainly an up-round. PitchBook estimates that Alkira was last valued at $234 million, although that dates from a funding round back in 2020, and the company has grown since then. Its customers come from a range of verticals like industry (Koch is a strategic investor in the firm), financial services (S&P) and media (Warner Music), and the company has raised $176 million to date. Alkira is addressing one of the thornier aspects of the cloud revolution. Customers typically adopt a hybrid approach to cloud networking to hedge their bets, get the most competitive pricing by region, and lean into flexible arrangements, using multiple vendors, and in many cases, running private, public and on-premises servers in tandem depending on their needs. The problem with that, though, is that buying, implementing and managing that plate of spaghetti can prove to be an indigestible nightmare. The spike in the popularity of AI-based applications, which might require even more compute and resources, is certainly exacerbating this issue, but this is a problem that has persisted for years and will continue to, regardless of whether AI is here to stay. As Khan described it to me, with Alkira, end-users can negotiate and manage their own compute deals, but they can hand over the designing of those deals to Alkira. The company essentially integrates all those disparate services behind the scenes so that they can be managed and viewed as a single service kind of orchestrating and virtualizing an organizations infrastructure on a grand scale. Alkira can support integration with all major cloud providers, Khan told me. The startup offers a range of services around that integrated, network-as-a-service experience: Cloud backbone as a service (aimed at hyperscalers and heavy activity); extranet as a service (end-to-end connectivity for customers and third parties, created when needed to interface with an organizations core network); cloud insights (visibility services for ops personnel); and secure connectivity (secure remote VPN access). Khan claims that running a companys network assets through Alkira can cut down years of integration and management work into hours. One customer, he said, faced a mess of day-to-day troubleshooting, visibility, and routing controls. "Everything was so tedious, and it took them two years to build that system In our first meeting with them, sitting in a conference room with them in Reno, Nevada, we were able to replicate all that work in four hours. Out of that meeting, they won not just the business pitch, but an investor: The end user was Koch Industries. Khan co-founded Alkira with his brother Atif (the CTO). The two have years of experience working in the world of telecoms a wonderful training ground, it turns out, for the incredible fragmentation of todays cloud computing landscape. (Alkira is an Aboriginal word roughly meaning bright, blue sky, a reference to clearing up the darkness of todays clouds.) They previously founded another startup that was closer to that legacy networking space: Viptela, which specializes in software-defined wide area networking, and was acquired by Cisco for $610 million in 2017. This new turn into cloud computing puts Alkira up against a completely different wave of would-be competitors, though the very biggest players, like AWS, Azure and Google, are yet to make significant progress in working together. That leaves a wide opening for third-party players to do the stitching and virtualizing for them. Its interesting to see Tiger Global leading this round. The firm is still investing, although as you can see by the table below that its activity has really dropped off a cliff in the last two years. That context makes this deal all the more significant. Tiger's investments by year. Image Credits: PitchBook The combination of a proven track record and obvious market opportunity seemingly got Tiger over the line on this one. "Increasing cloud and AI use is also increasing the complexity, velocity, and scale requirements of network infrastructure, said Rohit Iragavarapu, an investor at Tiger Global, in a statement. We believe Alkira is well-positioned to unlock the growing potential of this rapidly evolving space with its visionary approach, market traction and cutting-edge technology. Already historic Senate race gets more so, as Alsobrooks gets nod to take on Hogan Maryland Democrats appeared to make history Tuesday by nominating a Black woman to be their standard-bearer in the U.S. Senate race against Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan in November. With 97% of precincts reporting, Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks had 54% of the vote to 42% for Rep. David Trone (D-6th), ending a bitter campaign and the most expensive Senate primary in state history. Alsobrooks will face off against Hogan in November, a rare Senate general election of consequence in Maryland. In unofficial returns, the former governor defeated his closest opponent, former state delegate and frequent candidate Robin Ficker, 62% to 30%. The GOP primary was called for Hogan less than an hour after polls closed. Hogan and Alsobrooks will battle for the right to replace three-term Sen. Ben Cardin (D), who is stepping down after a 58-year career in politics. Democrats expected that holding the seat would be easy; Republicans last won a Maryland Senate election in 1980. But Hogans entry in the race on Feb. 9, the candidate filing deadline transformed the states general election political landscape, and made electability in November a major part of Trones and Alsobrooks pitches to Democratic voters. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee wasted no time, announcing a campaign Tuesday night targeting Hogan as a lifelong Republican whose election could give control of the Senate to the GOP. The lifelong Republican phrase was echoed by Alsobrooks during her victory speech, in which she said a Hogan victory could give Republicans the majority they need in the Senate to pass national abortion restrictions and appoint anti-choice judges. And Hogan wasted no time making his pitch to Democrats and independent voters. Standing on a stage at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Annapolis, Hogan appealed to the coalition that helped him win two elections in a state where registered Democrats hold a roughly 2-1 advantage. Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) greets supporters in Annapolis Tuesday night before declaring victory in the 2024 Republican U.S. Senate primary. Photo by Bryan P. Sears. To my Democratic and independent friends tonight, you know me. You know my proven track record of reaching across the aisle to find common ground for the common good, Hogan said. You know that Im not going to be just one more Capitol Hill Republican. You know that I have the courage to put people over politics and to put country over party, he said. And you know that I will stand up to the current president, the former president, to the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. Hogan is sure to face an onslaught of attacks from Democrats in a year when both abortion and Donald Trump are on the November ballot, along with control of the Senate. In the Democratic campaign, Alsobrooks rode the strength of support from the party establishment to her victory over Trones millions of self-funded campaign spending. Money cant buy love, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D) told an enthusiastic crowd of Alsobrooks supporters at an election night watch party at Martins Crosswinds in Greenbelt. The Maryland Senate race is already the most expensive election in the states history, shaped mainly by Trones ability to self-fund his campaign almost without limitation. Trone has spent at least $61.77 million of his own money on the race, according to campaign finance records. Alsobrooks raised a healthy $7.8 million, helped in the last 10 days of the campaign by a $2.5 million ad buy from Women Vote, a political action committee affiliated with EMILYs List. But it was no match for Trones unusual financial advantage. Trone was on the airwaves months earlier than Alsobrooks, and was able to target his message on TV and radio, in digital ads and in slick campaign mailers to distinct segments of the Democratic electorate. But Trones enormous cash advantage was not enough. While the crowd at Trones election night party at the Baltimore Museum of Industry was buzzing after polls closed, things started to quiet down around 10 p.m. as returns began to break in Alsobrooks favor. By 10:45, Trone was delivering a quick concession speech, in which he told his supporters to come together as a party and back Alsobrooks, without mentioning her by name. I called my opponent. We had a chat. I conceded and I wished her best of luck. Offered our support, Trone said. And I need all of you to come together to support the Democratic Party so we can hold the U.S. Senate. He left without taking questions after his three-minute speech. Alsobrooks said she spoke to Trone and we are united in our focus to keep the Senate blue and I am grateful to have his support. Experts say she will need it: Despite a nearly 2-to-1 Democratic voter registration advantage in Maryland, Alsobrooks will again bank on the support of the Democratic establishment to beat Hogan, who was twice elected to statewide office. U.S. Rep. David Trone (D) concedes to Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate on May 14, 2024. Photo by Danielle J. Brown. Todd Eberly, a political science professor at St. Marys College of Maryland, said Tuesday afternoon that Hogan won two terms as governor by picking up Democratic votes, and he had a message for Democrats who supported Trone. Theyve got a choice: Either reunify and do it sincerely, or look to Maryland perhaps deciding control of the Senate for Republicans by electing Larry Hogan, Eberly said. I mean, the price of not unifying is pretty darn high. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-5th), who easily won his primary for reelection Tuesday, said either Trone or Alsobrooks could beat Hogan, but Angela was the strongest candidate we could run to hold this seat. The people today said about her being the strong candidate, they said Amen. Amen. Amen. Outside the polling place at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Upper Marlboro, where Alsobrooks began her day, Brandi Petway said one of the reasons she voted for the county executive was the looming fight over abortion rights. What better person to speak on womens issues than a woman? asked Petway, a human resources worker for Giant Food in Jessup. Shes a strong woman. She has a very strong personality and is not afraid to speak out on the issues that we all feel strongly about. Hogan is sure to face questions about access to abortion in a year when Maryland voters will be asked to approve a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a womans right to the procedure. There is also concern that Republican control of the House and Senate could lead to a national law limiting access. Hogan, a lifelong Republican, has repeatedly repudiated former President Donald Trump, the presumed 2024 Republican nominee. But hes also said he would caucus with his own party if elected. A Catholic, Hogan has said he personally opposes abortion but won the governors office twice, deftly avoiding the topic, saying it was settled law and that he would not try to change the states abortion laws passed more than 30 years ago. But he also vetoed legislation that would have expanded abortion provider training. When that veto was overridden, he withheld $3.5 million in state funding for the training. Gov. Wes Moore (D) released the money as one of his first acts after being sworn in. Hogan took on the issue Tuesday night. Let me once again, set the record straight tonight, for the women of Maryland, you have my word that I will continue to protect your right to make your own reproductive health decisions, he said. Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks is joined on stage by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) and other members of the states federal delegation May 14, 2024. Photo by William J. Ford. Hogans victory in a seven-candidate primary field was not unexpected. During the campaign, Hogan all but ignored his six opponents, including Ficker, who put more than $4 million of his own money into the race. Ficker, whose loss Tuesday was his 22nd failed campaign, had emphasized his support of Trump while Hogan focused on emphasizing his own brand of Republican politics. Hogan reached out repeatedly to the more than 113,000 Republicans who requested mail-in ballots. In videos and social media messages, Hogan encouraged those voters to return their ballots before the polls closed Tuesday. Eberly, the political science professor, said that ran counter to Trumps insistence in 2020 on the nonsense that mail-in voting cant be trusted. As a result, MAGA voters tend to vote on Election Day. Well, Larry Hogan isnt looking for their vote. Larry Hogan is looking for the moderate, mainstream Republican people who dont spend their days sort of lost in conspiracy theories about voter fraud and what have you, Eberly said. A senior Hogan campaign official downplayed the idea that they were seeking to appeal to an anti-Trump wing of the party with vote-by-mail appeals, saying mail-in voters are more likely to return their ballots and represent more of a captive audience. I feel pretty confident that were going to do just fine with early voting and on Election Day voting, the campaign official told reporters. Meanwhile, Yvette Lewis, former Maryland Democratic Party chair and an Alsobrooks supporter, said Democrats with hurt feelings need to pick up the phone tomorrow morning and start making calls and mending fences. Thats what I always did the day after the election, she said shortly after the polls closed Tuesday night. The ultimate thing for us to do is to win in November, Lewis said. This [primary] was a battle. This wasnt the war. The war is coming. Disclosure: The David and June Trone Family Foundation was a financial supporter of Maryland Matters in 2017 and 2018. The post Already historic Senate race gets more so, as Alsobrooks gets nod to take on Hogan appeared first on Maryland Matters. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (DC News Now) Angela Alsobrooks defeated fellow Democrat David Trone in the primary race for U.S. Senate Tuesday, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ and one from the Associated Press. The Prince Georges County executive and U.S. representative, respectively, hoped to fill the seat held by Democrat Ben Cardin, who said in 2023 that he would retire from the U.S. Senate at the end of his third term. The results of an Emerson College Polling/DC News Now/The Hill survey released on May 9 showed that 42% of voters supported Alsobrooks in the Democratic Primary, while 41% said they would choose Trone. Alsobrooks will face Larry Hogan in November after the former Maryland governor won the Republican U.S. Senate Primary on Tuesday. (Images courtesy of the Angela Alsobrooks and Larry Hogan campaigns) Cardin issued a statement following Alsobrooks victory Tuesday: Congratulations to Angela Alsobrooks, who will be the next senator from Maryland. She will make the difference in keeping a Democratic majority in the Senate and restoring reproductive rights, said U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. Both Angela Alsobrooks and David Trone ran strong campaigns that upheld Democratic values. I am confident that Marylanders will come together now to protect womens rights, increase public safety, and maintain a Democratic majority that will hold the line against Republican extremists. A vote for any Republican candidate for senator is a vote for a Republican-controlled Senate, and the country cannot afford for that to happen. Lets do this! U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) Alsobrooks leads Trone in Senate race, DC News Now poll finds; either would beat Hogan Gov. Wes Moore, who appeared on the campaign trail with Alsobrooks, as well as in her politcal advertising, also provided a statement that said, in part: Ive been so proud to be on Angela Alsobrooks team since day one because I know she is the leader we need in this moment, said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. During her time as States Attorney Prince Georges County saw a 50% reduction in violent crime, they built 10 news schools, and we brought the new FBI Headquarters to her countythose are the real results we can expect to see when she becomes Marylands next Senator. Around 10:45 p.m., Trone addressed people at his watch party, letting them know that he talked to Alsobrooks, wishing her the best of luck, and offering his support. Weve got to hold the Senate, Trone told the crowd. We cannot let the party of Trump take our Senate. It was after 11 p.m. that Alsobrooks took to the stage to cheers of her supporters to give her victory speech. The same Emerson College Polling/DC News Now/The Hill poll that showed Alsobrooks ahead of Trone looked at the potential matchup between her and Hogan in November. The results showed Alsobrooks leading Hogan, 48% to 38%, with 14% undecided. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. BALTIMORE Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, backed by Marylands governor and other leading Democrats, defeated wealthy, self-funded Democrat David Trone for a chance to become the states first Black U.S. senator. If she defeats the Republican nominee, former Gov. Larry Hogan, in November, she would also become only the fourth Black woman in U.S. Senate history and join Marylands currently all-male congressional delegation. Alsobrook beat Trone on Tuesday despite the fact that he massively outspent her in what became the costliest Senate primary in state history. Our race here proved once and for all that the power of money does not outweigh the power of people, she said in an email to supporters in which she claimed victory. Democrats will count on Alsobrooks to help them retain their narrow control of the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, Hogan is vying to become Marylands first Republican U.S. senator in 44 years. Alsobrooks led Trone in the count of all early voting returns statewide. Alsobrooks also led in returns from primary day itself and was rolling up big numbers in her home county of Prince Georges, which has more registered Democrats than any county in the state. In early returns as of 10 p.m., she was winning more than 70% of the Prince Georges vote. Trone held a very slight lead in Montgomery County as of 10 p.m., where he lives and which has the second-largest amount of Democratic voters. Trone performed well in Western Maryland and most of the Eastern Shore, as he had predicted. Trone, 68, a third-term congressman and the co-founder of the Total Wine & More retail chain, lent his campaign more than $60 million, making him the nations largest self-funder of the 2023-24 election cycle, according to Open Secrets, a nonpartisan research group. Trone and Alsobrooks, 53, each sought to present themselves as their partys best chance to beat Hogan in the fall. President Joe Biden easily won Marylands Democratic primary, as expected, while former President Donald Trump won the states Republican nomination. Trone, who represents Western Maryland in the U.S. House, wallpapered the state with ads. He held double-digit leads in independent polls in February and April, but a May 6-8 survey by Emerson College Polling/The Hill/DC News Now found the candidates in a close race. The campaign of Alsobrooks, the Prince Georges County executive who, like Trone, had never sought statewide office produced a late string of ads, including one depicting her with Gov. Wes Moore, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen and other members of the states congressional delegation. Her campaign counted on broad turnout and support in her home county of Prince Georges to counteract early support Trone may have received from ballots mailed in while he was dominating the airwaves in early April. Since neither candidate is from Baltimore, the city and Baltimore County were considered wild cards. Trone targeted Baltimore, which has had at least one senator for 47 years, but has no hometown candidate in this race. After voting Tuesday near his Potomac home, Trone spent the rest of the day seeking votes in the Baltimore area. Alsobrooks also campaigned Tuesday in Baltimore, where she graduated from the University of Maryland law school, but began and ended the day in Prince Georges trying to mobilize her base. In the returns as of 10:10 p.m., Alsobrooks led in Trone led in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. The candidates vied for the seat held by Democrat Ben Cardin, a Baltimorean who will retire in January. Voter Mary Badinelli, 76, of Columbia, said the Senate race was a toss-up for her, but she picked Alsobrooks on Tuesday because Badinelli thinks she had the best chance of defeating Hogan. Badinelli has no problem with Hogan, she said, but its important to her that Democrats control the Senate. Democrats hold a more than 2-1 voter registration advantage in Maryland. It was the first election for BJ King, 19, of West Friendship, a Washington College student and registered Democrat. King said the Senate race was the most important to him, and he voted for Trone. For Senate, its definitely about who do I think can beat Hogan in November, King said. In Carroll County, Susanne Arthur, 76, of Westminster, said that although she would like to see another woman in the Senate, she voted for Trone over Alsobrooks because he was more likely to get elected in November. Voter Anthony Scott, 49, of West Baltimore, went to the Westside Skill Center in Baltimore but found out he had to go to a different polling place. Still, he said was going to vote no matter what. Scott said he was going with Trone: He does whats right, Scott said. Democrats hold a 51-49 U.S. Senate majority. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is retiring, and Democrats must defend a handful of seats in November in states that Democratic President Joe Biden narrowly won in 2020. ___ Baltimore Sun reporter Dan Belson and Baltimore Sun Media reporters Sherry Greenfield and Thomas Goodwin Smith contributed to this article. ____ BALTIMORE Marylands Democratic U.S. Senate primary for a rare open seat was virtually deadlocked in early returns Tuesday following a wildly expensive campaign that pitted self-funded congressman David Trone against Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who was backed by the governor and other leading lawmakers. Alsobrooks led Trone in the count of all early voting returns statewide, and Trone held a similar advantage in the mail-in ballots counted so far, making the candidates all but even as of 9:10 p.m. ET, when the Associated Press estimated 25% of all primary votes had been counted. In returns from primary day itself, Alsobrooks led by a 3-2 margin. The winner will face former two-term Gov. Larry Hogan, who won the Republican nomination over a field of a half-dozen other candidates. Hogan is vying to become Marylands first Republican U.S. senator in 44 years in a November election that will help determine whether Democrats retain their narrow control of the Senate. Trone, 68, a third-term congressman from Montgomery County and the co-founder of the Total Wine & More retail chain, lent his campaign more than $60 million, making him the nations largest self-funder of the 2023-24 election cycle, according to Open Secrets, a nonpartisan research group. Trone and Alsobrooks, 53, who would be Marylands first Black senator and the only woman in the states currently all-male congressional delegation, each sought to present themselves as their partys best chance to beat Hogan in the fall. President Joe Biden easily won Marylands Democratic primary, as expected, while former President Donald Trump won the states Republican nomination. Trone, who represents Western Maryland in the U.S. House, wallpapered the state with ads. He held double-digit leads in independent polls in February and April, but a May 6-8 survey by Emerson College Polling/The Hill/DC News Now found the candidates in a close race. The campaign of Alsobrooks, the Prince Georges County executive who, like Trone, had never sought statewide office produced a late string of ads, including one depicting her with Gov. Wes Moore, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen and other members of the states congressional delegation. Her campaign counted on broad turnout and support in her home county of Prince Georges to counteract early support Trone may have received from ballots mailed in while he was dominating the airwaves in early April. Since neither candidate is from Baltimore, the city and Baltimore County were considered wild cards. Trone targeted Baltimore, which has had at least one senator for 47 years, but has no hometown candidate in this race. After voting Tuesday near his Potomac home, Trone spent the rest of the day seeking votes in the Baltimore area. Alsobrooks also campaigned Tuesday in Baltimore, where she graduated from the University of Maryland law school, but began and ended the day in Prince Georges trying to mobilize her base. In the early returns as of 9:10 p.m., Trone led in Baltimore County, while Alsobrooks was the leader in Baltimore City. Trone was also performing well in Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as he had predicted. Each led in their home counties, Alsobrooks in Prince Georges and Trone in Montgomery. The candidates vied for the seat held by Democrat Ben Cardin, a Baltimorean who will retire in January. Voter Mary Badinelli, 76, of Columbia, said the Senate race was a toss-up for her, but she picked Alsobrooks on Tuesday because Badinelli thinks she had the best chance of defeating Hogan. Badinelli has no problem with Hogan, she said, but its important to her that Democrats control the Senate. Democrats hold a more than 2-1 voter registration advantage in Maryland. It was the first election for BJ King, 19, of West Friendship, a Washington College student and registered Democrat. King said the Senate race was the most important to him, and he voted for Trone. For Senate, its definitely about who do I think can beat Hogan in November, King said. In Carroll County, Susanne Arthur, 76, of Westminster, said that although she would like to see another woman in the Senate, she voted for Trone over Alsobrooks because he was more likely to get elected in November. Voter Anthony Scott, 49, of West Baltimore, went to the Westside Skill Center in Baltimore but found out he had to go to a different polling place. Still, he said was going to vote no matter what. Scott said he was going with Trone: He does whats right, Scott said. Democrats hold a 51-49 U.S. Senate majority. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is retiring, and Democrats must defend a handful of seats in November in states that Democratic President Joe Biden narrowly won in 2020. ___ Baltimore Sun reporter Dan Belson and Baltimore Sun Media reporters Sherry Greenfield and Thomas Goodwin Smith contributed to this article. This article will be updated. ____ (Bloomberg) -- Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks won the Maryland Democratic primary for Senate, according to the Associated Press, defeating US Representative David Trone, one of the richest members of Congress, in a race in which he heavily outspent his rival. Most Read from Bloomberg Trone, the co-owner of Total Wine & More, an alcohol retail empire worth an estimated $2.4 billion, relied on his personal fortune to bankroll his campaign, spending $48 million on advertisements to $4 million from Alsobrooks, according to AdImpact, which tracks ad spending. Alsobrooks, though, held the backing of much of her state party, including endorsements from Maryland Governor Wes Moore, as well as Emilys List, a group which supports Democratic women candidates. If elected, she would be the first Black senator in Marylands history. She is now headed to a general election contest against former Governor Larry Hogan in what is expected to be a competitive race that could tip the balance of power in the Senate. Hogan won Marylands Republican primary on Tuesday. Alsobrooks will defend the Democratic seat held by three-term incumbent Ben Cardin, who is retiring and not seeking reelection. Republicans need to flip just two seats to obtain a Senate majority. Trone took in $54.9 million for his campaign through April 24, all but $795,000 of which has come in the form of loans from his personal fortune, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Without his deep pockets, Democrats may be forced to spend more money to keep the seat from Hogan, a moderate Republican who was twice elected governor in the state, instead of on other competitive races. Late Tuesday night, Hogan congratulated Alsobrooks in a post on X, saying: I know Angela well, and I value our respectful relationship. I look forward to a real debate on what this campaign is about: who can actually help fix the mess in Washington. --With assistance from Bill Allison. (Updates with Hogan congratulating Alsobrooks, in final two paragraphs.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The American Red Cross is warning residents in Oregon and Washington to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season now. The best defense during an emergency is to be prepared, the Red Cross stated in a public announcement on May 15. Vancouver apartment building evacuated after car crash ruptures gas line The Red Cross reminds residents that in 2020, Oregon suffered its worst wildfire season on record, which consumed more than 1 million acres of land and displaced thousands of people for months. In 2024, we are anticipating warmer summer temperatures which can intensify wildfire activity, the Ross Cross said. Washington snow drought causes wildfire concerns as summer approaches The nonprofit is also seeking more local volunteers for the 2024 wildfire season. Those interested in volunteering with the Red Cross can sign up through the organizations website. Comprising 90% of the Red Cross workforce, volunteers are continuously providing shelter, comfort, hot meals, health services and recovery support to families in need across the country, the Red Cross said. We need you! The Red Cross provides the following tips for preparing your household for wildfire season: Build an emergency kit with bottled water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and a battery-powered radio. Also include medications, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers and emergency contact information. Make an evacuation plan with what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and if you must evacuate. Make sure to coordinate with your childs school, your work and your communitys emergency plans and dont forget your pets. Know how to stay informed by finding out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The wanted former Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine Mykola Zlochevsky owns two luxury apartments in one of the elite residential complexes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He bought the property for $11 million almost immediately after the Revolution of Dignity. ADVERTISIMENT This is evidenced by a data leak from the Dubai Land Department and UAE utilities (Dubai Unlocked), Radio Svoboda reports. Using the transactions, journalists verified some of the data and found many former and current officials among the owners of luxury real estate in Dubai: ministers, MPs, judges, prosecutors, heads of state-owned enterprises and their relatives. Among the owners of the luxury property was the former Yanukovych-era minister Mykola Zlochevsky. He owns two apartments in the elite residential complex W Residences Dubai - The Palm, located on the artificial palm island - Palm Jumeirah. ADVERTISIMENT The area of the apartments is over 1.7 thousand square meters. According to the transactions, they cost the former minister almost $11 million (UAH 435.46 million at the exchange rate as of May 15). Zlochevsky purchased the property in July 2019, when he had already been removed from office and put on the wanted list on suspicion of embezzling a loan that the National Bank had granted to the then-operating Real Bank. Because of this, Mykola Zlochevsky transferred the Dubai property to his daughter Anna, who remains the owner to this day. The Zlochevsky family used passports of Cypriot citizens in real estate transactions. Subsequently, their father's gas production company Burisma was also re-registered to Anna and her sister Karina Zlochevska. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that in 2021, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) documented an attempt by Mykola Zlochevsky to bribe the leadership of anti-corruption agencies for $6 million. However, in 2023, he reached a deal with the investigation and actually paid off the charges - the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office closed the proceedings after the former minister pleaded guilty to bribery and donated more than UAH 660 million to the army. However, he remains on the wanted list in other criminal cases. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! LYON, France (AP) An American accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, So I raped you, has been detained in France after a three-year search. This wanted poster provided by the U.S. Marshals shows Ian Cleary, of Saratoga, Calif. U.S. marshals have been leading the two-year search for Cleary since prosecutors charged him with sexually assaulting a young woman in 2013 at Gettysburg College. Cleary, accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, So I raped you, has been detained in France after a three-year search. (U.S. Marshals via AP) A prosecutor in Metz, France, confirmed Tuesday that Ian Thomas Cleary, 31, of Saratoga, California, had been taken into custody last month and will be held pending extradition proceedings. Cleary had been the subject of an international search since authorities in Pennsylvania issued a 2021 felony warrant in the case weeks after an Associated Press story detailed the reluctance of local prosecutors to pursue campus sex crimes. So I raped you: Woman hopes Facebook message will finally lead to arrest 8 years after reporting college sex assault The arrest warrant accuses Cleary of stalking an 18-year-old Gettysburg College student at a party, sneaking into her dorm and sexually assaulting her while she texted friends for help. He was a 20-year-old Gettysburg student at the time, but did not return to campus. According to a French judicial official, Cleary was detained on the street in Metz on April 24 as part of a police check. He told a magistrate that he had arrived in France two or three years ago from Albania and had only recently come to Metz, but did not have housing there, the official said. A French lawyer appointed to represent him did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment Tuesday. Cleary, according to his online posts, had previously spent time in France and also has ties to California and Maryland. His father is a tech executive in Silicon Valley, while his mother has lived in Baltimore. Neither he nor his parents have returned repeated phone and email messages left by the AP, including calls to his parents on Tuesday. The Gettysburg accuser, Shannon Keeler, had a rape exam done the same day she was assaulted in 2013. She gathered witnesses and evidence and spent years urging officials to file charges. She went to authorities again in 2021 after discovering the Facebook messages that seemed to come from Clearys account. So I raped you, the sender had written in a string of messages. Ill never do it to anyone ever again. I need to hear your voice. Ill pray for you. According to the June 2021 warrant, police verified that the Facebook account used to send the messages belonged to Ian Cleary. Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett, who filed it, did not immediately return a call Tuesday. Shannon Keeler poses for a portrait in the United States on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. An American accused of sexually assaulting Keeler at a Pennsylvania college in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, So I raped you, has been detained in France after a three-year search. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File) The AP does not typically name people who say they are sexual assault victims without their permission, which Keeler has granted. Her lawyer, reached Tuesday, had no immediate comment on Clearys detention. After leaving Gettysburg, Cleary earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Santa Clara University, near his family home in California, worked for Tesla, then moved to France for several years, according to his website, which describes his self-published medieval fiction. Keeler, originally from Moorestown, New Jersey, stayed on to graduate from Gettysburg and help lead the womens lacrosse team to a national title. By 2023, two years after the warrant was filed, Keeler and her lawyers wondered how he was avoiding capture in the age of digital tracking. The U.S. Marshals Service thought he was likely overseas and on the move, even as he was the subject of an Interpol alert called a red notice. Across the U.S., very few campus rapes are prosecuted, both because victims fear going to police and prosecutors hesitate to bring cases that can be hard to win, the AP investigation found. Keeler, when the warrant was issued, said she was grateful, but knew it only happened because I went public with my story, which no survivor should have to do in order to obtain justice. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. American woman charged after ammunition found in baggage in Turks and Caicos on Mother's Day trip: Police Police in Turks and Caicos have charged an American woman with ammunition possession -- a crime that carries a minimum penalty of 12 years -- after airport officials alleged they found illegal ammunition in her luggage. Sharitta Shinise Grier, 45, of Orlando, was visiting Turks and Caicos with her daughter for Mother's Day when, during a routine search at the Howard Hamilton International Airport Monday, officials claim to have found two rounds of ammunition in her bag, police said. Grier and her daughter were both arrested, though the daughter was later released. Officials confirmed Wednesday the mother had been charged. She is expected in court on Thursday, officials said. Attorney information for the defendant wasn't immediately available. PHOTO: Turks and Caicos officers stand outside a police station. (ABC News/Nightline) Two years ago, the Turks and Caicos government tightened their gun laws and prohibited civilian firearms or ammunition. If convicted, offenders are sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison. MORE: Video Americans held in Turks and Caicos over ammunition charge speak out It is illegal to transport firearms or ammunition to or from any of the Caribbean countries without a license, according to U.S. laws. PHOTO: Turks and Caicos officers stand outside a police station. (ABC News/Nightline) She is the fifth American to be charged under Turks and Caicos' gun laws this year. Grier's arrest and charging comes as several U.S. governors released a letter asking the Caribbean island's governor to release three men who have been jailed for weeks over similar charges. Ryan and Valerie Watson of Oklahoma were arrested on April 24 after hunting ammunition was found in Ryan Watson's carry-on bag before they flew home. Valerie Watson's charges were dropped, and she was allowed to fly back to the U.S. Her husband was released on $15,000 bond but remains on the island as his court case continues. MORE: Video Oklahoma man makes bail after arrest in Turks and Caicos Ryan Watson told ABC News he didn't know the ammunition was in the bag. Bryan Hagerich, of Pennsylvania, is awaiting sentencing on the island after pleading guilty to possession of 20 rounds of ammunition. PHOTO: Bryan Hagerich heads to his mandated police check in at a Turks and Caicos police station. (ABC News/Nightline) Hagerich, who was arrested in February, told ABC News he forgot hunting ammunition was in his bag while he was traveling. "I'm a man of character, integrity. I did not have intent in this," Hagerich previously said. Michael Lee Evans, 72, of Texas, also pleaded guilty to possession of seven 9mm rounds of ammunition in his luggage and is awaiting sentencing. Tyler Scott Wenrich, 31, was charged on April 23 when officials found illegal ammunition during a checkpoint on Turks and Caicos while he was traveling on a cruise, investigators said. The incidents have sparked calls from the defendants' families and U.S. officials who allege the island's laws and penalties are too strict. On Wednesday, Governors Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia sent a joint letter to Turks and Caicos Gov. Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam to release Watson, Hagerich and Wenrich. "This action will create the necessary recognition of your laws that will impact the future actions of travelers and continue our mutual interest in justice and goodwill between our jurisdictions," the letter read. American woman charged after ammunition found in baggage in Turks and Caicos on Mother's Day trip: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A 2024 Buick Envision Sport Touring. GM-DESIGN Chinese car brands are missing from the US market, but Chinese-made cars are still sold in the US. Americans bought 104,000 Chinese-made cars in 2023 and nearly 28,000 in the first quarter of 2024. Buick, Lincoln, Polestar, and Volvo all sell cars in the US that are made in China. Of the more than 15 million cars sold in the US last year, none wore the badge of a Chinese car brand. Chinese electric-vehicle heavy hitters such as BYD and SAIC are conspicuously missing from US showrooms. With the government's existing 27.5% tariffs on Chinese-made cars and Tuesday's new 100% tariffs on Chinese-made EVs imported to the US, the situation isn't likely to change anytime soon. ADVERTISEMENT What some people may not realize, however, is that tens of thousands of cars manufactured in China are sold in the US every year. Volvo's S60L sedan was one of the first Chinese-made cars to be sold in the US starting in 2016, followed by Buick's Envision SUV and Cadillac's CT6 hybrid. Automotive News data shows US consumers purchased more than 104,000 Chinese-made vehicles in 2023, up 45% from 2022. Americans bought another 28,000 Chinese-made cars during the first quarter of 2024. Buick, Lincoln, Polestar, and Volvo sell Chinese-made vehicles in the US. Of those, the only Chinese-made EVs come from Polestar, a brand co-owned by Volvo and its parent company, Geely. The EV brand imported just 2,217 cars in the first three months of 2024. It is unclear how the new tariffs will affect Polestar's future production plans. The company eventually plans to move some of its car production to South Carolina in 2024. In a statement to Business Insider, a Polestar spokesperson said the company was evaluating the Biden Administration's announcement. Here's a closer look at the Chinese-made cars on sale in the US. Buick Envision A 2024 Buick Envision Avenir. GM When it launched in 2016, the Buick Envision compact SUV was one of the first Chinese-made vehicles sold in the US. The second-generation Envision, which arrived in 2021, continues to be made in China at one of the plants GM operates in a joint venture with SAIC. The Envision was Buick's second-best-selling model in 2023, with more than 44,000 vehicles sold. Story continues Last year, Buick sold 167,000 vehicles across its entire lineup in the US, an impressive 61% increase over the previous year. But this number pales in comparison with Buick's sales in China, which totaled 517,000 units last year. Lincoln Nautilus A 2024 Lincoln Nautilus SUV. Lincoln The Lincoln Nautilus midsize luxury SUV was originally launched in 2019 as a mid-cycle refresh of the existing MKX model. This year, Lincoln launched the all-new second-generation 2024 Nautilus made at Ford's Hangzhou factory operated in a joint venture with China's Changan Automobile. In past years, the Hangzhou plant produced the Nautilus for the Chinese market, with Ford's Oakville, Ontario, facility handling US versions. But Hangzhou took on US market production when Ford decided to repurpose the Oakville facility to focus on EVs, CNN reported. Polestar 2 A 2024 Polestar 2. Polestar The Polestar 2 debuted in the US back in 2019. It was the first EV offering from Polestar, previously Volvo's performance division that was spun off by its Chinese parent company, Geely, and turned into a stand-alone company. While designed in Sweden, the Polestar 2 is produced at its factory in Chengdu, China. Polestar 3 The Polestar 3. Polestar The Polestar 3 EV is all-new for 2024 and the brand's first SUV. The new Polestar 3 began production in late 2023 at the company's factory in Chengdu alongside the Polestar 2. Initial US market vehicles are set to be Chinese-made, but production for US and European market Polestar 3s is expected to switch over to Volvo's Ridgeway, South Carolina, factory this summer. There's also a Polestar 4 coming to the US, but Renault Korea is set to make US-market versions of that vehicle at its factory in Busan, South Korea. Volvo S90 A Volvo S90 Recharge T8 AWD in platinum gray. Volvo The S90, Volvo's flagship luxury sedan, is produced at its Daqing factory in northern China. Volvo decided shortly after its launch in 2016 to move S90 production from its factory in Torslanda, Sweden, to China. The wagon variant of the S90, the V90, is still made in Sweden. Read the original article on Business Insider CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) Its hospital week across the nation and Chesapeake Regional Healthcare chose this time to focus on a growing issue for those in healthcare workplace violence. We have had healthcare professionals that had their injuries [be] so severe that theyve been out of work for a long term, said Stella McClain, director of workforce health and well-being at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare. Healthcare workers are five times more likely to be injured in the workplace than in other industries. Whether its patients lashing out, or loved ones of patients aggressive behavior, incidents are increasing. Chesapeake Regional gathered its employees Wednesday for a Violence Prevention Fair to focus on stopping the violence. I always tell our workforce that your priority is looking out for the patient, but any event youre injured, whos going to look out for you, McClain said. Speakers included Chesapeake Commonwealth Attorney Matt Hamel, who vowed to prosecute those who come after healthcare workers, and local law enforcement who offered self-defense classes to healthcare workers. [Its] so you can feel more confident walking from the parking lot to here, said Undersheriff David Rosado. The hospital has now has a sheriffs deputy in the building 24/7. That, along with special staff training to deescalate emotional situations, has helped crate a safer workplace over the last year. The number of incidents that have resulted in harm have dropped like a rock so, theyve gone from like 40 to 10, said Chesapeake Regional Healthcare President & CEO Reese Jackson. Campaigns like Help Us Help You, from the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, use a series of public service announcements to educate the public. Behave appropriately in clinical settings, said VHHA Vice President of Communications Julian Walker. It is in your best interest. The hope is that through education of the public and hospital staff, the violence will stop completely. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. This column has been amended to correct the date of the county's final urban services meeting. I felt a little optimistic after attending the first of a series of meetings on future development in Indian River County. Emphasis on a little. It was the day after St. Lucie County commissioners continued to let developers run rampant just south of the Indian River County line. In one instance, they let developers build apartments in a once-rural and historic area of eastern Indrio Road. In another, they began gutting a longtime plan to avoid cookie-cutter subdivisions and urban sprawl on the western end of the road near where a Buc-ees could end up. That came days after Martin County commissioners wrecked their comprehensive plan and allowed developers to seemingly build willy-nilly in rural land once reserved for agriculture and homes on large tracts. Developers 'lining up at the door' An aerial drone photograph shows the Fed Ex distribution center in Port St. Lucie, located within the Southern Grove "jobs corridor" acquired by the city in 2018. Meetings kick off: With MLB stadium full of folks moving here, widen urban area around Vero Beach, Sebastian? See what happened: Indian River County consultants showed this presentation about the urban services boundary May 8, 2024 Growth pressures: As growth wave, ag loss, possible Buc-ee's head north, will leaders have guts to say no? Expand urban services boundary? Giddy over I-95-Oslo work south of Vero Beach? Don't be: Jobs, industry, growth big issues The southern Treasure Coast, thanks in part to rampant growth in Port St. Lucie, is becoming another example of South Florida urban sprawl and problems related to traffic, the environment, water supply, stormwater and the like. Drive north on Interstate 95 to see seemingly uncontrolled development choking once rural parts of south Brevard County (before the sprawling Viera farther north). The good news is thats not what dozens of residents attending Indian River Countys first urban services boundary workshop want to see. The bad news is there is major pressure on the county to expand like its growth-happy neighbors. In fact, developers are lining up at the door every morning asking to build outside the area where the county provides services such as water, sewer and paved roads, according to Andy Sobczak, the countys planning & development services director. Enough capacity for future population? Andy Sobczak, Indian River County's planning & development services director, addresses a crowd gathered to learn about the county's urban services area Wednesday May 9, 2024, at the North County Library in Sebastian. The peach areas show most areas where urban services can be provided in Indian River County. The shaded area south of County Road 510, on the north side of the white box surrounded by peach, is where Sebastian annexed about 2,000 acres for development. The white areas are for more rural zoning, where a maximum of only one unit per five acres can be developed. This image was presented as part of a county meeting May 8, 2024. Its one reason the county is holding workshops to help residents understand where and what the urban services boundary is and whether it should be expanded. Outside the boundary, mostly to the west, a maximum of one unit per five acres can be built. Part of the discussion is about state requirements the county have enough developable land to accommodate the 37,100 additional people projected to move here by 2050. The other day, county consultants said studies show there is enough capacity inside the unincorporated county to handle 51,049 additional people. Based on estimates made after Sebastian and Fellsmere expanded their boundaries the past 15 years or so, those cities potentially could accommodate nearly 100,000 additional new residents. Whats more, Vero Beach is looking at allowing more housing including having a developer build up to 240 units with rents as low as $900 a month on 14 acres of the old city nursery near the railroad tracks to help revitalize downtown. Thus, handling projected population is no justification to expand the urban services area. I heard only three potentially legitimate reasons to tweak it. To make the delivery of urban services more efficient by rounding off jagged boundaries adjacent to current areas. To make land available in so-called doughnut holes, two huge areas surrounded by urban services east of I-95, solely for affordable housing. For "economic development" near the I-95 and Oslo Road interchange expected to be completed in 2027. Require high bar for Indian River County changes Eric Raasch, principal with Inspire Placemaking Collective, an Indian River County consultant, points to developable land in the city of Fellsmere during a meeting on the county's urban services boundary Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the North County Library in Sebastian. The first option makes the most sense. provided the county requires such development to be affordable housing. In a survey done as part of the study you can take it at inspire-engagement.com/indian-river-usb residents so far have said that impacts on the environment, traffic, water and other infrastructure are their biggest concerns about the future. As some speakers at the May 8 meeting noted, the more workers landscapers, tradespeople, service industry employees, teachers, nurses, etc. who can afford to live in Indian River County, the fewer who will have to commute from other counties. That could reduce impacts on employee shortages and traffic and ensure we can keep businesses open. Each of the three aforementioned urban expansion ideas should face high hurdles before being seriously considered. The doughnut holes and other areas outside the boundary are inhabited by folks who might have their own farms or want acreage for pets, hobbies, etc. They dont want to be encroached upon by development. Such conflicts already occur inside our urban boundary. As for heading west, including the Oslo Road interchange, Indian River County residents should not suffer the same plight as much of the rest of Florida: distribution centers, housing developments, interchange gasoline station-restaurant-hotel ugliness. Just look at what the entryways to our community have become on State Road 60 and County Road 512. The reasons not to expand the urban services area are compelling, including one in particular. One reader who read a recent column of mine highlighted what to her is the bottom line: "There's no reason to expand urban services when they cannot be delivered efficiently to people inside the urban area (now). Although the county is doing a utilities study, it has no solid plan to extend sewer service to tens of thousands of residents inside the urban area in the unincorporated county and Sebastian, which it serves who now use septic tanks. Such tanks are blamed for contributing to Indian River Lagoon pollution. Work with Sebastian, Fellsmere Dave Fuss, director of land stewardship at the Indian River Land Trust, suggests Indian River County create an ordinance to allow conservation subdivisions at a county meeting on its urban services area Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the North County Library in Sebastian. Whats more, theres only so much drinking water available. Before he left the County Commission in 2022, Peter OBryan warned of a time when county residents might have to get from their taps well-treated wastewater. And, as we learned during COVID, its important we protect local agriculture. Local food supply chains are critical, from protein to produce. Graham Cox, an ecological economist and leader with the Pelican Island Audubon Society, said the county needs to have a natural resources plan before it decides to expand the urban services area. That makes sense. What would make sense, too, is if the commission having begun meetings with municipalities last year under the leadership of Joe Earman, then its chairman continue such conversations. In the end, regardless of how prudent the county is, places like Sebastian and Fellsmere can continue to gobble up land for development. An interlocal agreement where everyone commits to healthy and predictable growth patterns and land-use rules would be in everyones best interest. LAURENCE REISMAN Whats most important now is residents take the survey and attend future meetings 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. May 22 at the Intergenerational Center, 1590 Ninth Street SW, Vero Beach; and May 29 at the County Commission chambers, Building A, 1801 27th St., Vero Beach. Now is the time to ensure we dont replicate mistakes of the past. This column reflects the opinion of Laurence Reisman. Contact him via email at larry.reisman@tcpalm.com, phone at 772-978-2223, Facebook.com/larryreisman or Twitter @LaurenceReisman. If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the latest local news on the Treasure Coast. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Study says a lot as Indian River County considers urban expansion A man was killed early Wednesday morning when he was hit by an Amtrak train, according to the Florence Police Department. At about 3:30 a.m., officers responded to report of a pedestrian being hit by a train, police said in a news release. The crash happened near the intersection of Pamplico Highway and Church Street, according to the release. Thats an area of Florence which is densely packed with fast food restaurants and retail businesses. Officers found a victim near where the train stopped, and he had died at the scene, police said. The Florence County Coroners Office has not identified the victim, and said he might be homeless, WBTW reported. No other injuries were reported among the trains passengers or anyone else near the intersection. Both the coroners office and the CSX Police Department are continuing to investigate the death, according to the release. Anderson County service to honor fallen officers, 'We often forget to thank our officers' Anderson County will host an FOP Fallen Officer Memorial service at 6 p.m. on May 15 at the Courthouse, 100 S Main St. There will be 23 names read out during the memorial service. These are officers, deputies, troopers, and wardens from multiple agencies in the Anderson County area. General Robert Maxwell, the first sheriff of Anderson County and the Washington District, is amongst the fallen officers who will be recognized. He was ambushed and killed while crossing the Saluda River on his way to the Washington District Court in Pickensville. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls as Police Week. According to policeweek.org, The Memorial Service started in 1982 as a gathering of around 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement in Senate Park. Decades later, National Police Week has grown into a series of events celebrated worldwide and a memorial service that attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to Washington, D.C., each year to honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. A line of law enforcement vehicles and motorcyclists with the Order of Service for Peace Officers Memorial Day Service, remembering "fallen heroes" in the Historic Anderson County Courthouse in Anderson, S.C. Wednesday, May 17, 2023. The service included roll call for 26 fallen officers, troopers, deputies, K-9, game warden, and a US Marshal from Anderson County dating back to 1892. Maxwell became the first law enforcement officer killed in the history of Greenville County and in the state of South Carolina and one of the first killed in the history of the United States. Blue light procession in Anderson Before the service, a blue light procession will begin to show support for law enforcement. The service is open to the public and will include a tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, as well as prayers for their families. During the service, a few officers' names will also be mentioned who were not engraved on the monument. These officers died in the line of duty in other counties or states, but they are buried in Anderson County. A line of law enforcement vehicles and motorcyclists with the Order of Service for Peace Officers Memorial Day Service, remembering "fallen heroes" in the Historic Anderson County Courthouse in Anderson, S.C. Wednesday, May 17, 2023. The service included roll call for 26 fallen officers, troopers, deputies, K-9, game warden, and a US Marshal from Anderson County dating back to 1892. The most recent addition to the monument is Deputy Devin Hodges, from the Anderson County Sheriff's Office, who died in the line of duty in 2017. There will also be a fallen K9 memorial for the K9s who died in the line of duty, and those K9s will also be called during the service. K9 Roscoe, from the Anderson County Sheriff's Office, is the latest addition to the fallen K9 monument. 'We often forget to thank our officers' Police Chief Jim Stewart said that the City of Anderson's core values are teamwork, professionalism, and integrity. He emphasized that these values apply to the police department and all city divisions. "Being part of something greater can bring fulfillment and motivation," Stewart said. "We often forget to thank our officers until a tragic circumstance occurs that reminds us how important and dangerous their profession is." "When a police officer is killed in the line of duty, the community takes notice," he said. "It impacts and affects the entire community." This occasion pays tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, honoring their dedication and service to our community. Participating officers are encouraged to assemble at the Anderson Mall at 3131 N. Main St. by 5:30 p.m. List of officers killed in the line of duty in Anderson County 1797 Robert Maxwell, Sheriff of the Washington District 1909 J. B. McAdams, Anderson County Sheriffs Office 1920 Arthur Hughes, Honea Path Police Department 1924 William Gibson, Anderson City Police Department 1926 James R. Wilson, Anderson County Sheriffs Office 1928 Luther A. Martin, Anderson County Sheriffs Office 1947 - Willis Edwin Sanders, Sr., Anderson County Sheriffs Office 1956 William L. Acker, Anderson City Police Department 1957 James Tillotson, Anderson County Sheriffs Office 1965 Levis T. Sexton, Anderson County Sheriffs Office 1967 Earl Dean Compton, Iva Police Department 1969 - A.C. Campbell, SC Wildlife Department 1972 Berry Creamer, Anderson County Sheriffs Office 1973 Edgar Cooley, Honea Path Police Department 1975 Charles G. Sheppard, Anderson City Police Department 1992 Chris Taylor, Anderson County Sheriffs Office 1994 Randall Hester, SC Highway Patrol 2005 Alex Burdette, Anderson County Sheriffs Office 2017 Devin Hodges, Anderson County Sheriffs Office 2020 Ethan Kaskin, Anderson City Police Department Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Fallen officer memorial service in Anderson County, what to know After clinching the Democratic nomination against David Trone, Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks will face ex-GOP Gov. Larry Hogan in November. Bill Clark via Getty Images Angela Alsobrooks, a county executive from the Washington, D.C., suburbs, is projected to win Marylands Democratic U.S. Senate nomination against Rep. David Trone, a liquor store magnate who spent more than $61 million of his fortune trying to beat her. The outcome is stunning considering that Trone, the founder of Total Wine & More, outspent the Prince Georges County executive 7 to 1, blanketing the TV airwaves with more than two dozen unique ads in the months leading up to the primary. If elected in November, Alsobrooks would be the first Black woman to join the U.S. Senate from Maryland. The Senate currently has only one Black woman, Democrat Laphonza Butler of California, who is serving out the remainder of the late Sen. Dianne Feinsteins term and leaving Washington at the end of the year. Democrats have the chance to add two Black women to the Senate with Novembers election Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, who is running unopposed for the nomination to succeed retiring Democrat Tom Carper in a safely blue seat. But Alsobrooks, who is running to replace retiring Democrat Ben Cardin, doesnt have the same easy route to Congress. Shell face former GOP Gov. Larry Hogan, a moderate who was twice elected in deep-blue Maryland thanks to Democratic crossover votes. Hogan easily won the Republican nomination Tuesday, giving Republicans their best shot at expanding their Senate map to Maryland and flipping control of the chamber. Hogans entry into the race just before the February filing deadline complicated things for Democrats. Practically overnight, Marylands Senate contest went from virtually noncompetitive to another endangered seat on the partys treacherous Senate map. The contrast in this race could not be clearer, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Senate GOPs campaign arm, said in a statement immediately following the results that signaled the beginning of the intense general election. Angela Alsobrooks underfunded law enforcement while crime is skyrocketing in her county. For eight years, Governor Hogan delivered results for Maryland by reaching across the aisle. Marylanders know they can trust Governor Hogan to keep their communities safe and achieve results in Washington. Alsobrooks wrote on X: On November 5, 2024, we are going to defeat Larry Hogan, keep Maryland blue, and keep our Senate under Democratic control spread the word. Had he won, Trone had vowed to continue spending his fortune to help Democrats keep the seat so the party would be less pressured to redirect resources from key races in Arizona, Montana and Ohio. But its not clear what his plans are now that hes not the nominee and has already spent $74 million to lose this and another Democratic primary in 2016. Rep. David Trone spent $61 million but still ended up without the Democratic nomination. Trone had argued he would be a stronger opponent for Republican Larry Hogan. via Associated Press Trone ran on his record supporting bipartisan measures addressing mental health and substance abuse treatment and criminal justice reform, and had argued hed be able to hit the ground running in the Senate. Alsobrooks, meanwhile, cited her work addressing the economy, public safety and the pandemic as the top elected official in Marylands second-largest county. The primary tested Democrats commitment to diversity in a state where nearly a third of the population is Black. Trone argued that while representation is fantastic, voters needed to leave color behind and choose the best person for the job. It also sharply divided Democrats. Trone claimed he was the outsider against Alsobrooks since most of Marylands Democratic establishment was behind her, an argument that rubbed some of her supporters the wrong way in light of the primarys financial and racial dynamics. Alsobrooks had Gov. Wes Moore and Sen. Chris Van Hollen in her corner, while Trone won the endorsement of the nations largest teachers union, the National Education Association. Trones language became its own liability after he accidentally used a racial slur in a congressional hearing and referred to Alsobrooks supporters as low-level folks. Earlier this month, Trone removed a portion of an attack ad following backlash from Black women over the inclusion of an official saying voters needed to choose a senator who didnt need training wheels. Alsobrooks didnt mention the slur or other controversial incidents at a rally last month in Oxon Hill, Maryland, but she swiped at Trone for pandering to voters with talk about second chances. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, who endorsed Alsobrooks in the primary, summed up the dynamics of the race for Capitol Hill reporters earlier this month. If [Trone] wins, it will demonstrate the awesome power of that much money, he said. If she wins, it will demonstrate the awesome power of her organizing and her ability to overcome a huge financial disadvantage. Related... Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks won the Democratic Senate primary in Maryland, beating an adult beverage chain mogul who had made the race a staggering display of his own wealth. The race was called shortly before 10pm, when Ms Alsobrooks was leading by more than 20,000 votes. It was an impressive showing for a local state official against a congressman with more resources and a history of running in competitive Democratic primaries. We are going to defeat Larry Hogan, keep Maryland blue, and keep our Senate under Democratic control spread the word, the victor declared on Twitter shortly after the race was called. Rep David Trone, the billionaire owner of the Total Wine & More chain, broke open the casks for this race and his election-night event was no exception. A modestly-attended bash (possibly a sign of the weather and generally low turnout of the primary) was thrown at Baltimores Museum of Industry, a quaint collection of relics from the citys manufacturing past located a stones throw away from the towering red neon Domino Sugars sign which has illuminated Charm Citys skyline for nearly a century. Partygoers including electeds from around Maryland said they expected the race to be close a squeaker and they were right. Mr Trones staggering cash advantage had come up against a sizable chunk of the Maryland Democratic machine. More than an hour after voting had ended, it was clear that it had not been the race-defining advantage his supporters hoped it would be. Money was one factor that played heavily into this primary. Race was another. As attendees slowly trickled into Mr Trones event, a clear theme emerged: the candidates strength with both Latino and Asian-American Democratic electeds was evident. A southern state which is made up partly of the suburbs of Washington DC, the nations federal workforce has counted many Marylanders (and in particular many Black residents of Prince Georges and Montgomery counties) as members for decades. Alsobrooks consolidated the Black political class of the state, concentrated in Baltimore, at what some of her detractors said was the expense of other key parts of the so-called Obama coalition. I knew that I was not going to support Alsobrooks from the very start, Briana Urbina, a city council member from New Carrollton, told The Independent. (New Carrollton is located within Alsobrookss jurisdiction of Prince Georges County).Based on her lack of inclusion of Latinos in her cabinet and her lack of response to many Latinos trying to engage her. Mr Trone, she noted, vigorously pursued the support of Latinos in the state and had engaged her more than a year out from the primary, repeatedly, wearing down her resistance and skepticism. Ms Urbina also pointed to one other point in the congressmans favour: even a year ago, when Larry Hogan had been adamant about not seeking a Senate seat, Mr Trone had been clear-eyed about the likelihood of the ex-governor jumping into the race. State Delegate Deni Taveras echoed those same concerns about Alsobrooks locking up Black allies like Wes Moore and Brandon Scott while leaders from other communities felt as if they fell by the wayside. She also said that Mr Trone had moved on from his hiccup of uttering a racial slur unintentionally during a House hearing with all available grace. Ms Taveras likened the strategy pursued by Ms Alsobrooks to focus on Black voters to divide-and-conquer tactics. Attendees of David Trones election night watch event are reflected in the glass protecting an exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Industry (John Bowden) Both Ms Taveras and Ms Urbina were quick to say, however, that the Maryland Democratic coalition would be reformed in time for November both pointed to keeping the Senate seat currently held by retiring Ben Cardin as the top priority of the election season. A short (depending on traffic) trip down I-97, Larry Hogan was rallying supporters in Annapolis, where his campaign was always going to find its strongest base: Marylands yacht club Republicans. The Republican nominee was crowned shortly after votes started coming in, the field having been essentially cleared for the former governor who did not even face a Trump-backed primary opponent. Tonight, the campaign for Maryland, and Marylands future, begins, a triumphant Hogan declared to fans at his event. Mr Hogan will need all the help he can get from those Republicans in Annapolis, as well as down the road in Washington. While early polling of the race upon his entrance earlier this spring pointed to the possibility that his name recognition would put him at an advantage over both Ms Alsobrooks and Mr Trone, a poll released in the final days of the race by Emerson indicated that either Democrat could pull out a victory. Democrats who spoke to The Independent as well as countless other news outlets pointed to a difference between sending Mr Hogan, who was a popular Republican governor, to the Senate over the governors mansion given the delicate 51-49 balance in the upper chamber. The race now pivots to November, where Mr Hogan continues to present one of if not the GOPs best chance at picking up a seat in the upper chamber this cycle. Democrats, conversely, will need to spend resources to protect a seat which they would otherwise not need to expend. Mr Trone spoke for a few minutes after 1030pm on Tuesday, after calling to concede the race. He thanked supporters and called on Democrats to help the party defeat Mr Hogan in November. The congressman was then promptly rushed out of the event, with aides refusing to allow any questions. Those potential questions for Mr Trone were obvious: will his supposedly bottomless coffers dry up as his party works to keep the Cardin seat blue? And what lessons, if any, does he take from spending the most money in Marylands senatorial primary history, only to come away the loser? As he strolled out into the dark parking lot, the answers remained unclear. U.S. Rep. Angie Craig unveiled a bill Wednesday that would make it easier for local police departments to purchase armored vehicles. The Minnesota Democrat's legislation comes on the heels of a shooting earlier this year in Burnsville that killed police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and paramedic Adam Finseth, who were responding to a domestic abuse call. First responders used an armored vehicle in the standoff to help rescue injured officers. The vehicle sustained 41 shots from a rifle that day while first responders went in to save other officers as well as the two officers and paramedic who had been fatally shot, according to Craig's office. "We may have had even more injury, and God forbid death that day, without this vehicle," Craig said on the House floor Wednesday. "Three months ago I stood on the House floor and pledged to honor Matthew, Paul and Adam's lives by giving the first responders who keep our community safe the support they need on the ground," Craig said of the three first responders who died in the shooting. "That's why today I'm introducing the Protect Local Law Enforcement Act, a bill that would allow local law enforcement to purchase vehicles like the one used in Burnsville with federal funds, which is currently restricted by the federal government." Currently, law enforcement agencies that receive federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) cannot purchase armored vehicles unless they certify the vehicles will be used exclusively for one of the following purposes: disaster-related emergencies, hostage and active shooter situations, search and rescue missions or anti-terrorism missions. Once departments receive armored vehicles using federal funding, they can only be used for the sole purpose they specified, making it illegal for the vehicles to be used for another type of emergency. Craig's bill would broaden law enforcement's ability to buy armored vehicles using federal funding by removing restrictions in a recent executive order from the White House. Her bill introduction coincides with National Police Week. House Republican lawmakers introduced a package of law enforcement-related bills Wednesday morning, including a resolution from former police officer and Minnesota GOP Rep. Pete Stauber that condemns violence against cops and recognizes their work. Craig's office worked on the legislation with local law enforcement and the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the state's largest trade association representing more than 10,000 rank-and-file police officers, correctional officers, dispatchers and firefighters. "Violence in communities and against those in law enforcement is increasing and beyond unacceptable," Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association Executive Director Brian Peters said in a statement. "Legislation like this helps to keep our communities and law enforcement more safe." Police officers have experienced a surge in assaults over the last decade, most commonly during responses to domestic disturbance calls like the one that precipitated the death of the first responders in Burnsville, according to data from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Since 2021, officers have reported at least 3,400 assaults in Minnesota, with a 10% increase last year. Craig is running for re-election this fall and her seat is again targeted by national Republicans hoping to expand their majority in Congress. Crime has been a major issue in several of her races, but Craig's work on policing issues has helped her secure the endorsement of law enforcement groups such as the MPPOA in the last election cycle. The group has endorsed her again in 2024. Despite the fact that the Kupiansk area is considered "hot" and the enemy attacks here constantly, Ukrainian defenders not only did not lose any positions but also made some progress. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, citing data as of 23:00 on May 14. ADVERTISIMENT In total, the enemy stormed the positions of our troops in the Kupiansk sector 16 times, and in some places "the fighting continues." In particular, the Russians attacked in the areas of Lyman Pershyi - Synkivka, Vilshanka - Synkivka, Vilshanka - Petropavlivka, Kyslivka - Ivanivka, Krokhmalne - Berestove, Kolomyichyha - Stelmakhivka, Kolomyichyha - Miasozharivka, Kovalivka - Novoiehorivka, and Ploshchanka - Makiivka. "The enemy has no success. In addition, our troops have regained previously lost positions and improved their tactical position in certain areas," the General Staff noted. Also, in the Lyman and Kramatorsk sectors, "no losses of positions were allowed," and in the latter our troops "took measures to improve the tactical situation and were successful." The situation is under control in the Siversk sector, where 4 combat engagements are still ongoing. ADVERTISIMENT In the Kurakhove sector, 2 combat engagements are still ongoing. In the Vremivsk sector, our troops also took measures to improve the tactical situation and were successful. In the Pokrovsk sector, our troops repelled 33 attacks, and 7 more combat engagements are ongoing. In some areas, our units changed their positions to save lives and improve the tactical situation. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Angie Craig wants to make it easier for cops to get armored vehicles Bullet marks are visible on the armored police vehicle present at Burnsville standoff on February 18, 2024. (Handout photo via office of Angie Craig) U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, Democrat of the 2nd Congressional District, has introduced legislation to make it easier for police departments to obtain armored, military-style vehicles. The bill, which would roll back some of the Biden administrations modest restrictions on armored vehicle acquisition, is a response to the fatal February shootings of three first responders in Burnsville. One armored vehicle was present at that standoff. Forty-one shots from a gunmans rifle hit this vehicle as officers from Rosemount and Apple Valley tried to help their brothers, Craig said in a floor speech on Wednesday. We may have had even more injury and God forbid death that day, without this vehicle. But the death of three first responders despite the presence of an armored vehicle also underscores what the research shows about the effects of militarization on officer and community safety: Military-grade equipment doesnt necessarily make officers or civilians safer, nor does it deter crime. In fact, it may drive a wedge between police and the communities they serve and escalate violent conflicts, increasing the odds of officer-involved shootings, the data show. The issue came under intense scrutiny in the wake of the militarized response to the unrest following the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014. Researchers soon found that police departments receiving more military surplus gear were more likely to kill not just criminal suspects, but also civilians and dogs. A widely cited 2018 study in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, meanwhile, found that militarized police units are most often deployed in minority communities, and that militarized policing fails to enhance officer safety or reduce local crime. A survey experiment conducted as part of that study found that seeing media reports of militarized police responses reduced the publics favorability toward law enforcement. Not all of the post-Ferguson studies were in agreement. A pair of economics papers published in 2017, for instance, found evidence that the presence of military gear does deter some types of crime. However, those findings could not be replicated several years later, when researchers found that the 2017 studies used faulty, imprecise and incomplete data that ultimately didnt support the authors conclusions. Contrary to the claims of those who support the transfer of [military] equipment, these data do not support the conclusion that militarization saves lives, researchers concluded. Nevertheless, military surplus equipment like armored vehicles have proliferated in community police departments in the years since Ferguson. In Minnesota alone, the U.S. Defense Department sent dozens of mine-resistant vehicles to local police agencies including sheriffs offices in rural counties where armed standoffs are virtually unheard of between 2013 and 2020. As Craigs bill demonstrates, military gear remains popular among some law enforcement groups as well as the legislators who rely on their support regardless of what the research says. The bill would provide peace officers and communities across Minnesota access to critical lifesaving equipment and save lives, said Brian Peters, executive director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association. The group, which has supported mostly Republicans in recent years, has endorsed Craig in her bid for a fourth term in her highly competitive district. The post Angie Craig wants to make it easier for cops to get armored vehicles appeared first on Minnesota Reformer. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a message for the audience Tuesday as he joined a local band in a Kyiv bar during his surprise trip to the Ukrainian capital. Your soldiers, your citizensparticularly in the northeast, in Kharkivare suffering tremendously. But they need to know, you need to know, the United States is with you, so much of the world is with you and theyre fighting not just for a free Ukraine, but for the free world. And the free world is with you, too, Blinken said, according to Reuters, before he grabbed a red guitar and performed a rendition of Neil Youngs Rockin in the Free World at the local basement bar, called Barman Diktat. Blinken played the guitar and sang the chorus of the song alongside a band called 19.99, whose frontman Dmitry Temnyi told Reuters that he played well. The 62-year-old reportedly had watched the bands set before he was introduced on stage as a great friend of Ukraine. The bar confirmed Blinkens appearance with The Kyiv Independent, but would not provide further details, citing security concerns. The song is an interesting choiceit was released in 1989 by Young just before the fall of the Berlin Wall and after a planned concert in the Soviet Union, struggling with protests, was cancelled. Guitarist Frank Poncho' Sampedro told Rolling Stone in 2013 that he coined the phrase while on tour with Young in Feb. 1989 after finding out that a cultural exchange program had been canned. There was a lot of Hate America demonstrations and we were supposed to do this exchange, Sempedro explained. We were going to Russia for the first time. It was a cultural exchange. They were getting us in exchange for the Russian Ballet. [Laughs] And it just fell through. Neil was like, Damn, I really wanted to go. I said, Me too. I guess well have to keep on rockin in the free world. He was like, Wow, thats a cool line. Then I said it again later and he said, Thats a really good phrase. I wanna use it. I couldnt pass up tonights opportunity to combine music and diplomacy. Was a pleasure to launch @StateDepts new Global Music Diplomacy Initiative. pic.twitter.com/6MUfTXO9xK Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 28, 2023 Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday as Russia ramps up attacks against the war-weary country. Blinken has pledged U.S. support during his appearance, despite huge roadblocks by Republicans to pass a $61 billion military aid bill to help aid in the fight against Putin, who is clawing his way back to an advantage on the battlefield. Blinkens appearance is the first by a U.S. official since the bill was passed by Congress last month. Blinkens passion for music is no secret. In 2021 he told Rolling Stone that the thread that runs throughout my life is probably music. In Oct. 2023, at a State Department music diplomacy initiative event, he joined a band for a rendition of Muddy Waters Hoochie Coochie Man. 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. Antony Blinken says U.S. will provide Ukraine an additional $2 billion in defense funding Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday in Ukraine the U.S. will provide an additional $2 billion in defense funding as Russians attack on multiple fronts. Photo by Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA-EFE May 15 (UPI) -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that the U.S. will provide an additional $2 billion in defense funding to Ukraine. In a joint news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Blinken also said military supplies from the $62 billion supplemental defense bill are arriving as Russia aggressively attacks on multiple fronts in its continuing invasion of Ukraine. "We will provide an additional $2 billion in foreign military financing for Ukraine. And we put this together in a first of its kind defense enterprise fund," Blinken said. "We're working to ensure that Ukraine can deliver on the battlefield today as it continues to protect the country from Russian aggression. But also put itself in a position where it can deter and defend against future attacks and fundamentally secure or the Ukrainian people the right to decide their own future." Blinken said the military assistance from the supplemental $62 billion dollar Ukraine aid package is on its way and some of it has already been delivered. He said it will provide weapons today, invest in Ukraine's defense industrial base and will help Ukraine buy military equipment from other countries, not just the United States. Blinken said the world is focused on what's happening as Russia aggressively attacks in Ukraine's north and northeast, in Kharkiv in particular, where Ukrainian forces were conducting a "strategic" drawback. "Ukraine is facing this renewed brutal Russian onslaught and we see again senseless strikes at civilians, residential buildings," Blinken said. "We're rushing ammunition, armored vehicles, missiles, air defenses. Rushing them to get to the frontlines, to protect soldiers, to protect civilians." Blinken said air defenses are a top and urgent priority. He said there are 32 nations that have completed or are near completing bilateral security agreements with Ukraine. Blinken said this work is demonstrating not only to Ukraine but also to Russian President Vladimir Putin that many countries are continuing to support Ukraine for a long time to make sure that it can deter aggression and defend against it. Blinken said Ukraine continues to demonstrate remarkable economic resilience under extremely difficult conditions. He said by pushing the Russian Navy back in the Black Sea, Ukrainian Black Sea exports are not nearly equal to what they were before the Russian invasion. "It's been truly extraordinary," Blinken said. "The constant examples of bravery, determination, courage, resilience are here in every corner of society." He said it is evident among soldiers and from a dynamic civil society. Blinken said efforts to carry out reforms that will lead to Ukraine's eventual entry into the European Union and NATO remain critical. "For anyone who's tempted to bet against Ukraine, don't, " Blinken said. "I have every confidence that together we will get through these difficult moments and together help build a country that is free, that's prosperous, that's secure, that writes its own future." Blinken is in Ukraine for top-level meetings with senior Ukrainian officials to highlight "the United States' enduring support for Ukraine," according to a State Department statement. Greg Turner, Thomas E. Hudson and Renoalda L. Scott are running against incumbent Brendalyn C. Bailey for the District 9 seat on the Macon-Bibb County Commission. Bailey was appointed to office earlier this year after former District 9 Commissioner Al Tillman resigned. Bailey previously ran against Tillman in 2020, and is seeking a full four-year term. Major issues for the four candidates include improving infrastructure, reducing crime and creating opportunities for young people. Turner is a Vietnam veteran and currently serves as the associate pastor and Sunday School teacher at Greater Zion Hill Baptist Church. Hudson was a part of the Bibb County School District and Macon Transit Authority boards. Scott is the family self-sufficiency coordinator for Macon Housing Authority in addition to working as a certified housing specialist and tax preparer with VIVA TAX through the IRS. Bailey is a retired educator who continues to teach at Central Georgia Technical College. Early voting ends Friday, and Election Day takes place on Tuesday. Because the race is non-partisan, it will be decided in May instead of during the General Election in November. The winners term will begin Jan. 1. The answers below are from the candidates in their own words, but slight edits have been made for clarity and writing style. Greg Turner What makes you qualified to run for office? I believe my diverse background and experience uniquely qualifies me to serve as county commissioner. I have developed a unique understanding of the challenges facing our county and the skills needed to address them effectively. How do you plan on connecting with Macon residents on the campaign trail and while in office? Connecting with Macon residents is one of my top priorities as a candidate for commissioner. I believe that effective representation begins with listening to the concerns and priorities of our community members. To that end, I plan to implement several strategies to ensure that every resident has a voice in our community government. What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County? The first is economic development and job creation. One of the most significant challenges facing our county is the need to stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities for our residents. Too many families are struggling to make ends meet. The second issue is infrastructure and public services. Our countys infrastructure is in need of critical repairs and upgrades, ranging from road maintenance to wastewater management. Additionally, access to essential public services such as health care, education and transportation remains a concern for many residents, particularly in underserved communities. Finally, public safety and crime prevention is a concern. Like many urban areas, Macon-Bibb County faces persistent issues related to crime and public safety. Ensuring the safety and security of our residents must be a top priority for county leadership. How do you plan to solve these issues while in office? These are just a few of the pressing issues facing Macon-Bibb County, and addressing them will require strategic planning, effective leadership and community engagement. Addressing public safety requires implementing comprehensive crime strategies, investing in community community policing initiatives and addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty and substance abuse. To stimulate economic development, we must prioritize initiatives that attract businesses, support local entrepreneurs and invest in workforce development programs. Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know? I am committed to tackling these challenges head-on and working tirelessly to build a brighter future for all of our residents of Macon-Bibb County. Our community is a vibrant community. Every voice matters. Your vote is your voice. As a candidate for commissioner, I understand the importance of your vote. Its not just about choosing a name, its about choosing the direction of our community. Join me on May 21 as we make history together. Your vote is your power to create change and build a better community for all of us. Mark your calendars, remember May 21 is your chance to make a difference. Thomas E. Hudson What makes you qualified to run for office? I am uniquely qualified to represent District 9 as a county commissioner because of my previous experience as a member of the Bibb County Board of Education. During my tenure, we rebuilt Southwest High School, Ballard Hudson Middle School and John R. Lewis Elementary. We increased minority vendors for public schools. I served as chair for the Macon Transit Authority. During my tenure, we received federal funding to expand routes, and moved into the terminal station which is handicapped accessible. I am a graduate of both Leadership Macon and Fort Valley State. How do you plan on connecting with Macon residents on the campaign trail and while in office? I have lived in District 9 since 1976. I am well known in Macon and Bibb County. I intend to engage with the residents of District 9 in schools, churches and public functions. I will also be accessible via phone, text and email. I also intend to engage in the district through political forums and electronic media. What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County? The three major issues that Id address in Macon-Bibb County are poverty, public safety and juvenile delinquency and unemployment. How do you plan to solve these issues while in office? I plan to work with the mayor and other commissioners to determine the underlying causes and contributing factors of our issues. That way, we can implement research-based programs to address poverty, crime and barriers to employment. I strongly recommend process and outcome evaluations to determine the effectiveness of programs. Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know? In closing, Id like to say that Im very committed to the betterment of District 9 and Macon-Bibb County. I am a dedicated public servant with over 40 years of experience. I plan to continue to be equally as dedicated and successful for District 9 in the future. Renoalda L. Scott What makes you qualified to run for office? I am well-qualified to run for office due to a robust blend of my educational background, professional experience and community involvement. Though I did not complete my degree programs at Clark Atlanta University and Mercer University due to unforeseen life circumstances, I have consistently demonstrated resilience and a commitment to professional growth. This is evidenced by my pursuit and achievement of various certifications that are directly relevant to the role I seek. Professionally, I am a certified district manager with extensive experience in project management. I have successfully led multiple projects ensuring property maintenance and financial efficiency, skills that are vital for effective governance and fiscal responsibility. My role allowed me to impact and improve property operations directly, ensuring they thrived while maintaining budget discipline, an experience that translates well into managing public resources effectively. Beyond my professional life, I have a strong track record of community service. As a certified tax professional, I have been actively involved with the IRSs VITA program for over five years, assisting community members with tax preparation. This role not only showcases my financial acumen but also my dedication to empowering community members by helping them understand and manage their finances, an essential skill for any public servant. Overall, my educational pursuits, despite the setbacks, combined with my professional experience and community service, equip me with a unique perspective and the necessary skills to serve effectively in office. I am committed to leveraging my knowledge and experience for the betterment of our community. How do you plan on connecting with Macon residents on the campaign trail and while in office? My connection to the residents of Macon-Bibb County, particularly those in District 9, is deeply rooted in my lifelong residency and extensive service to the community. Over the past 15 years, I have dedicated myself to improving the lives of our citizens through various impactful programs targeting youth, seniors and families in need. My efforts range from providing housing assistance that helps transition individuals from homelessness to homeownership, to implementing nourishment programs that ensure our community members receive essential meals. During my campaign, I plan to deepen these connections by engaging directly with residents through neighbor watch meetings, listening tours with one-on-one home visits and increasing presence in local and faith based events. These platforms will not only allow me to share my vision, but more importantly listen to the concerns and suggestions from the community, ensuring their voices are heard and reflected in policies. Once elected, I will continue to be an accessible and responsive representative. Our office will maintain an open-door policy, and we will implement regular community check-ins and updates to keep residents informed and involved in the legislative process. I am committed to not just being a voice for our community, but also an ear to every concern, big or small. Renoalda L. Scott is about giving Bibb County a new voice and a new shift, focusing on education and empowerment so that every resident not only understands the policies affecting them but also feel they have a direct line to influence these decisions. This approach will not only ensure sustained engagement with the community during my tenure but also strengthen our collective ability to face challenges and seize opportunities together. What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County? In my view, the three most pressing issues facing Macon-Bibb County today are blight and housing, food scarcity and economic development for the youth. Each of these challenges not only impacts the quality of life for our residents but also the overall health and future of our community. By addressing these issues comprehensively, I believe we can create a stronger, more vibrant Macon-Bibb County. My commitment is to not only propose effective solutions but to actively engage with the community to implement these changes effectively, ensuring a brighter future for all our residents. How do you plan to solve these issues while in office? To effectively address the critical challenges in Macon-Bibb County, I plan to adopt a multifaceted approach that leverages partnerships, enhances educational opportunities and maximizes the utility of existing but underutilized services. My commitment is to level the playing field by ensuring that all residents, regardless of their background, have access to the services and opportunities they need to thrive. By optimizing the use of existing resources and forging strong partnerships, we can address these pressing issues more effectively and create a more prosperous future for Macon-Bibb County. Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know? As we approach this pivotal election, I want the voters of Macon-Bibb County to know that it is time for a new voice and a new shift in our local government. Our community deserves leaders who do more than just speak leaders who will take decisive action to improve our living conditions and enhance our quality of life. We are at a crucial juncture where the status quo is no longer acceptable. The challenges we face from blight and housing shortages to food scarcity and the need for better economic opportunities for our youth demand real solutions and real commitment. I am dedicated to transforming our discussions into concrete actions that will bring visible and meaningful changes to our community. Moreover, I am committed to fostering a government that values transparency, one that holds itself accountable to the people it serves. It is essential that every resident of Macon-Bibb County feels empowered and involved in the decisions that affect them. My office will always be open to you, ensuring that your voice is not only heard but also acted upon. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for Macon-Bibb County. A vote for me is a vote for action, accountability and a proactive approach to the challenges we face. Let us embrace this opportunity for change and make our county a model of good governance and community collaboration. New voice, new shift! Brendalyn C. Bailey What makes you qualified to run for office? I have a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Mercer University in Macon, a Masters of Business Administration from Wesleyan College and Im a veteran of the United States Army, where I was a 91B medic and 91Q pharmacy specialist. I graduated from Minnie Butler Elementary School in District 9, and I also attended and received a diploma from Central High School, also in District 9. I worked for several years at the Bibb County Board of Education in various capacities, and then for the Boeing Company as the administrator for its learning center services over certified training. I recently retired from Central Georgia Technical College where I taught Business Administrative Technology and Computer Sciences. My family was among the first families to live in this area. I grew up knowing the people that I now serve. I played with them as a child. I taught their children in elementary school, high school and then college. This makes me the prime candidate for this position. This is where me and my family have always called home. My sisters, aunts, cousins, in-laws, friends and my church are all in District 9. I am firmly invested in seeing this area evolve and prosper. How do you plan on connecting with Macon residents on the campaign trail and while in office? The best way to connect with Macon residents is to meet them where they are: online, on social media, in local stores, by email, at functions, in the office setting and by simply serving the community. What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County? A big issue does not need to be negative. However, I find that there are such rich talents in community leadership that we simply must be elected for the next two cycles. Finally, we have a network of individuals that are dedicated to solving problems and not just litigating, building networks and not just working, and fostering positive new ideas and not just brainstorming. It will take time to change what a lack in these efficiencies have done from the previous administrations, but Macon is well on its way. How do you plan to solve those issues while in office? I plan to continue to think out of the box and support the citizens of our county by respecting their needs and ideas for a brighter future where citizens and future generations can thrive holistically. Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know? Minus the education and career paths that I have taken with my life and minus the fact that I have lived in District 9 for the vast majority of my life what binds me to this position as incumbent county commissioner is my desire to make certain that every child, every adult and every person Ive touched with my life have the same opportunities to excel as I have had. The earliest court hearings in Attorney General Kris Mayes' criminal case alleging a plot to subvert the result of the 2020 presidential election may be missing two high-profile allies of former President Donald Trump. Three weeks after the indictment was issued by a grand jury, the Arizona Attorney General's Office has been unable to serve former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani notice that he must appear in court May 21. The former mayor of New York City is one of 18 people charged with nine felony counts in Arizona, and to date, his name has not been formally released by prosecutors. Meanwhile, Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn's lawyer asked to delay his client's first court appearance until June, because Epshteyn is "advising in a court proceeding ongoing in another state" through May, court documents say. Epshteyn has been repeatedly spotted in the New York City courtroom where Trump is on trial over charges he falsified business records. The first criminal trial of a former president alleges Trump sought to hide payments and other efforts to prevent stories of sexual encounters with women from becoming public during his 2016 campaign. Epshteyn's lawyer did not respond to a call or email seeking comment Tuesday. Boris Epshteyn of the Trump inaugural committee at the Washington, DC offices of the Presidential Inaugural Committee on Dec. 19, 2016. That amounts to an unpredictable start of a unprecedented criminal case, one that levies criminal charges against seven former top aides to Trump as he seeks a second term in the White House. Trump is not charged in Arizona. Former Trump attorney John Eastman is expected to be arraigned Friday morning, while most of the others charged including Arizona Republicans who claimed to be legitimate electors for Trump four years ago are due to be arraigned on May 21. Some have asked to appear remotely, court records show. Catch up: Grand jury indicts fake electors who falsely certified Donald Trump as 2020 winner in Arizona It is unclear if the apparently elusive Giuliani will be among them. Agents from Mayes' office spent two days in New York City trying to serve Giuliani notice of the charges against him, according to Mayes spokesperson Richie Taylor. The doorman at the building confirmed he lived there, but would not contact him on the agents' behalf, Taylor said. The office called multiple phone numbers for Giuliani, and sent the summons via certified mail, with no luck. Rudy Giuliani, the former personal lawyer for former U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives to the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. District Courthouse on December 15, 2023 in Washington, DC. A jury will continue deliberating over the money owed by Giuliani for the defamation of the Fulton County election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. Taylor said what comes next is to be determined. "It will be up to the court to decide whether this merits a continuation for the defendant or if other methods need to be taken," Taylor said. Typically defendants in white-collar cases are cooperative and accept the summons, said Mark Kokanovich, a former federal prosecutor who now practices law at the firm Ballard Spahr. The alternatives are a public notification, or potentially, an arrest warrant, he said. Trump trial: Michael Cohen's testimony against Donald Trump delivered for prosecution, if jury believes him "Usually they would be cooperative because they don't want to be, you know, hounded at a restaurant," he said, adding: "They would rather get it over with." Mayes' office could request the court issue an arrest warrant for Giuliani, which would mean cooperation with New York law enforcement to bring him to Arizona while in custody, Kokanovich said. The difficulty Arizona officials had reaching Giuliani stands in contrast to his very public persona, including a steady stream of radio and webcast appearances since the indictment was issued. The former mayor has continued his false claims the 2020 election was stolen, and was fired from a talk radio station on Friday for continuing to make those claims. On social media, Giuliani denied that he made an agreement not to discuss the election on the show. The Trump ally has continued his social media-based evening show. A spokesperson for Giuliani did not answer questions about the difficulties contacting him, instead advising a reporter to start watching the show. On Tuesday, Giuliani suggested that because prosecutors could not find him, they couldn't accurately count votes. It was an apparently broad complaint, though against whom wasn't quite clear. The Attorney General's Office does not count votes in Arizona. Giuliani was a key figure in Trump's pressure campaign on Arizona Republican leaders, urging them to take various efforts to stand in the way of Democrat Joe Biden's win. He led a meeting in Phoenix after the 2020 election planting claims of voter fraud, and met with GOP legislative leaders in Arizona to discuss a gambit to alter the election results. Giuliani's continued claims may become fodder for Mayes' deputies as they continue investigating their case. Kokanovich has previously compared the case, which is built in part on the defendants' own statements on social media about their claims to be electors, to the HBO hit show "The Wire." Specifically, he referenced character Stringer Bell's explicative-laden advice against taking notes on a criminal conspiracy. Giuliani is going against that advice in a new way: By continuing to record podcasts and radio shows after the indictment, Kokanovich said. "Don't take notes on a conspiracy, and don't podcast about it afterwards," he added. Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona fake electors: Giuliani taunts prosecutors, Epshteyn asks for delay FILE - Arizona Sen. Shawnna Bolick, R-District 2, speaks, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the state Capitol in Phoenix. Bolick joined Democrats in the Arizona Senate on Wednesday to vote to repeal an 1864 ban on almost all abortions that her husband, Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick, helped reinstate. (AP Photo/Matt York, File) When it was Shawnna Bolicks turn to speak, the words tumbled out of her. The conservative lawmaker was in the middle of a heated debate in the Republican-led Arizona Senate on a bill to repeal an 1864 law banning nearly all abortions, and Democrats needed at least one more vote from the right to advance the bill. Bolick, head hung low and tripping over her words for 20 minutes, described her three difficult pregnancies, including one that ended in miscarriage. She said she wouldn't have got through it "without the moral support of my husband. Her husband, Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick, was part of the majority that voted in April to restore the near-total ban, a ruling that shocked the state and upended the political landscape. And he was a big part of the reason that she now stood on the Senate floor, absorbing jeers from her allies in the anti-abortion movement as she declared herself pro-life and struggled to explain what she was about to do. Only in the final moments of her speech did her intention become clear: I am here to protect more babies, she said. I vote aye. Her support pushed the bill over the finish line, and a day later on May 2, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs signed it into law. Shawnna Bolicks vote to nullify her spouses ruling underscores the increasingly chaotic philosophical and legal landscape surrounding abortion access in Arizona, and it reflects national Republicans struggle to navigate the politics of abortion during a presidential election year. This could spell trouble for the judge and the senator, both of whom face a reckoning with voters this year. Both declined interview requests from The Associated Press. Shawnna and Clint Bolick met in Washington at an event hosted by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative research institute. They have long been friends with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas a godfather to one of Clint Bolicks sons and his conservative political activist wife, Ginni. Clarence Thomas was part of the majority that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, something he had sought for more than 30 years, and he has also pressed his colleagues to reverse rulings protecting same-sex marriage, gay sex and the use of contraceptives. After the 2020 presidential election, Ginni Thomas sent emails urging Republican lawmakers in Arizona including Shawnna Bolick to choose their own electors to undo Joe Biden's victory in the state. Bolick, then a state representative, introduced a bill the following year that would give state lawmakers the power to reject election results at any time before the presidential inauguration. Her proposal died before coming to a vote. Their conservative credentials are long but havent shielded them from criticism as Clint Bolick seeks another six-year term on the bench, and his wife faces a primary challenge on July 30 in the northern Phoenix district she was appointed last year to represent. After the high court published its ruling, calls surfaced from the left and right to repeal the near-total ban. On social media, U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, a Republican, said the court legislated from the bench." Former Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who appointed Clint Bolick to the high court, said the ruling didn't reflect the will of the people. A progressive group also launched a campaign targeting the two justices up for retention election in November who were part of the majority vote Clint Bolick and Kathryn King. Arizonans have a constitutional right to hold judges and justices accountable, said Abigail Jackson, a spokesperson for Progress Arizona. So we want to let Arizonans know that these two particular justices will be on the ballot in November and to direct some of their energy towards unseating them. Voters rarely deny a sitting judge another term; only six have been unseated since Arizona adopted its judicial retention election system in 1974. Democrats, meanwhile, have put the abortion ruling at the center of their quest to take control of the state Legislature for the first time in decades. Sen. Bolick, representing one of the most competitive districts in the state, is among their top targets. Bolick appeared to argue on the floor that a repeal would guard against extreme ballot initiatives to enshrine abortion rights, saying she wanted to protect our state constitution from unlimited abortions. But the Center for Arizona Policy, an anti-abortion advocacy group, blasted her for voting with pro-abortion activist lawmakers." Some Republican colleagues agreed. She has confused the pro-life community, Sen. Jake Hoffman said on the floor after Shawnna Bolick's vote. Make no mistake, to everybody watching this and hearing my voice right now, and everyone who will hear it, she voted for abortions. The repeal bill wont take effect until 90 days after the states legislative session ends, typically in June or July. The Civil War-era ban could meanwhile be enforced, but the high court issued a stay on its decision, making a 2022 statute banning abortions after 15 weeks Arizonas prevailing abortion law. But the legal landscape could change yet again if Arizona voters approve a ballot measure in November to enshrine abortion access up to 24 weeks of pregnancy in the state constitution. Organizers say theyll submit more than enough signatures by the July 3 deadline. ___ Yamat reported from Las Vegas. Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper and Anita Snow in Phoenix contributed to this report. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A series of important discoveries by Arkansas Childrens Research Institute will be able to continue thanks to grant funding. An ACRI representative announced Wednesday that the institute has received $2.3 million from the National Institute of Health to continue its research into food allergies. The seven-year funding is directed to the institutes Arkansas Center for Food Allergy Research. A new kind of hospital is coming to rural America. To qualify, facilities must close their beds Officials said the grant would allow the center to continue hosting therapeutic trials, longitudinal studies and research design concepts, all intended to improve the lives of children who have allergies to foods such as peanuts, milk, eggs, wheat and tree nuts. Earlier this year, research conducted at the center led to the first FDA-approved biologic treatment for children and adults with an allergy to peanuts and multiple food allergies. New UAMS program provides patients with treatment at home Center leader and principal investigator Dr. Stacie Jones said the grant expands capabilities. We have seen astounding advancements for families affected by food allergies over the last 20 years, but our work is far from done, Jones said. The next phase of funding will help us create better opportunities for global implementation of the most effective therapeutic and prevention options. Arkansas Childrens plans record expansion, construction in Little Rock and Springdale The Arkansas Childrens Research Institute was established in 1992 to provide an on-site research environment for UAMS faculty and scientists and opened on the Arkansas Childrens Hospital campus in 1992. The institutes Arkansas Center for Food Allergy Research is part of a nationwide network of 10 hospitals or medical centers evaluating new therapies for food allergies. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. After several months of slow advancement of the Russian army on the battlefield and a significant delay in the US military aid to Ukraine, Joe Biden's administration is increasingly concerned that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is gaining enough power to change the trajectory of the war in his favor. The White House believes that the next few months could be decisive in the war. ADVERTISIMENT The situation at the front may provoke a scenario where at some point both sides may start negotiating a ceasefire and truce according to the "Korean scenario". The New York Times reports this with reference to Western officials who commented on the situation on condition of anonymity. "There is a growing realization in the Biden administration that the next few months could be crucial, as at some point the two sides could finally move to a negotiated ceasefire, a truce like the one that ended active hostilities in Korea in 1953 or simply a frozen conflict," the newspaper notes. Russian troops have launched a new offensive near Kharkiv. Some experts warn that the real strategic goal of the Russian Federation is to force the Ukrainian defense forces to pull back their already exhausted troops to defend the Kharkiv region, weakening the front line elsewhere. This could create an opportunity for another Russian offensive in June in Donbas. ADVERTISIMENT According to the newspaper, in interviews, U.S. officials have expressed confidence that many of these Russian gains on the front can be reversed once Ukraine begins to receive new weapons in full. This is likely to happen in July, according to the NYT. The NYT emphasizes that Russia's current advantages on the battlefield are "ephemeral," and the war "could look very different 18 months from now than it did 18 months ago." What is the "Korean" scenario? It arose as a result of the war between North and South Korea, which lasted from 1950 to 1953. Back then, the USSR supported North Korea, and the United States helped South Korea. The war between the two countries ended with an armistice in July 1953, which resulted in the creation of a demilitarized zone. However, formally, the two countries are still at war, as no official peace treaty has been signed between them. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Russian Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that their troops had allegedly captured the village of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia Oblast), but the Ukrainian military denied this claim. Source: Lieutenant Serhii Skibchyk, 65th Brigade spokesperson, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda; BBC News Ukrainian; DeepState Quote from Skibchyk: "In fact, they are only on the outskirts, our positions are still in the village, and the Russians are being driven out of there every day. And they come back and try to gain a foothold every day. Both Ukrainian and Russian troops have fire advantage over the village simultaneously. But the majority of the village is still our position." Details: This information is confirmed by the DeepState project. Its map of the combat actions clearly shows that the village is under the control of Ukraine's Defence Forces. Why it matters: Robotyne is an important settlement that was heavily fought over for several months. Ukrainian troops managed to liberate the village in August 2023. Since then, the Russian military has been trying to recapture it. Support UP or become our patron! We asked for your opinions on the Wisconsin state flag. Here's what you told us Over the weekend, Minnesota unveiled its new state flag. It features a stylized outline of the state with an eight-pointed star and a field of light blue. Minnesota joins other states that have made changes to their flags in recent years. Meanwhile, Wisconsin hasn't updated its flag in decades. So we decided to ask Wisconsinites what they think about the state flag and whether it's time for a change. Since Monday, we've received more than 200 responses. Here's a sampling of what readers told us. Wisconsin State Patrol members participate in the 72nd Appleton Flag Day Parade on Saturday, June 10, 2023, in Appleton, Wis. Do you think the Wisconsin state flag should be redesigned? Slightly under half of respondents said the Wisconsin state flag should not be changed, while about 45% said it should be changed. Only about 5% weren't sure. The last time any changes were made to the flag was in 1979. Here's what readers said about how the Wisconsin state flag should be redesigned The flags of the United States, Enphase Energy and Wisconsin, hanging in the multipurpose building in Mount Pleasant. Readers were asked to tell the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel how they think the Wisconsin state flag should be redesigned. Here's what they said (with small tweaks made for punctuation and capitalization). "Similar to Minnesota, make it a symbol in itself rather than a seal on the background," said Adam in Columbus. "It should be dramatically changed and modernized," said Jeff in Milwaukee. "Simplify and modernize. Like the flags of TX and now MN, our flag should be easily recognizable and reflect the unique identity of WI," said Tim in Madison. "Updated professions and technology, and more simplicity. Include the Great Lake Michigan reference or color blue and add a reference to honest and fair government and keep the state of Wisconsin wording on the flag," said Mary Jo in Milwaukee. "I would like a complete overhaul. Redesign the flag from scratch," said Stephen in Madison. "It should be unique and interesting instead of a seal on a blue background," said Garth in Milwaukee. "It's too cluttered. It needs to be simplified. There should be some meaning behind this simplification. The best flags are simple, yet somehow make a statement in terms of color, design or some combination. Most people are totally unaware of what the objects and people on the current flag are. You know there is a problem when the actual name of the state has to be placed on the flag," said Andy in Prairie du Sac. Some readers believe the state flag should not be changed or weren't sure "No change. We spend enough money for our legislators to bicker back and forth about main issues. Spending money to have them bicker about a change is useless," said Rich in Milwaukee. "I am of the admittedly rare opinion that our flag is alright as it is, and that this flag reform movement is mostly a fad. I wouldn't mind a change to the flag that would retain the coat of arms, which I quite like, however," said Jason in Milwaukee. "It's ugly but not offensive. It can certainly be improved but trying to will further antagonize people who are scared of changed and push them toward Trump," said Derek in Milwaukee. "If we have a pictorial including people removed from their property like MN, my answer would be yes, replace. There is nothing offensive I'm aware of with the current flag," said Paul in Eagle River, and a former Milwaukee resident. What do you think of the Wisconsin state flag? You can still share your thoughts below: RELATED: There's a story behind Milwaukee's city flag. All three of them. RELATED: The state flag for all 50 states: See the state flags (plus D.C.) and the meaning behind each. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What do Wisconsinites think of the Wisconsin state flag? When Stephany Janette Hernandez was in eighth grade, she and her family embarked on a journey that would change the course of her educational future. Five years later, on Monday, Stephany and her twin brother, Michael Damian, were celebrated among hundreds of other students and their families who, thanks to an Arizona State University program, were supported from an early age so that they may receive a college education. The Hispanic Mothers and Daughters Program is an initiative by ASU Access that provides college readiness resources and support to Arizona families that help students in grades 8-12 prepare and be admitted into college through family engagement. On the 40th anniversary of the program, 252 high school students walked through a room to receive their certificates accompanied by their parents, who were equally recognized for their time and commitment. The purpose of this program is to serve the family, regardless of culture or sociocultural level, according to the deputy director of the program, Ingrid Estrada. What the leadership of this program seeks is to be able to increase the number of Hispanic students. Our goal is to increase the number of seniors who come to ASU and not just ASU, any university, Estrada told The Arizona Republic. The long-term vision is to continue helping and welcoming more families. The Hernandez family was among those recognized. 40 years of paving the way for Latinas, students of color Established in 1984, the program has supported nearly 2,500 families. Starting in seventh grade, ASU recruiters begin connecting with families across various school districts to identify those interested in receiving resources and training. The program features online and in-person courses, with visits to the ASU Tempe campus every six months over five years, and all courses are offered in English and Spanish. Additionally, high schoolers attend workshops focused on college admissions and financial aid to prepare them during the application process. Stephany Hernandez speaks at ASU's Hispanic Mothers and Daughters Program graduation in Tempe on May 13, 2024. Stephany started with the Hispanic Mothers and Daughters Program in middle school. She and her mother, Armida Hernandez, have attended each and every session since 2019. At first it was quite intimidating because university felt so far away. We joined the program right before the pandemic shut everything down, but it was still like four or five years away, and I was like, 'Why do I need to prepare now?' Stephanie told La Voz Arizona. Having finished the program, she now understands just how impactful the sessions are. Stephany and Michael will graduate high school in May to continue their higher education at the end of the summer. Upon graduating from Franklin Police and Fire Department High School in Phoenix, where she had a perfect attendance record all four years, Stephany will participate in an internship with the Arizona Department of Public Safety as part of the criminal records team during the summer. Upon completion, she is enrolled to begin her bachelor's degree at ASU's West Valley Campus, majoring in criminology and criminal justice. HMDP showed us the importance of several things that concern admissions, Stephany said during her speech at Monday's ceremony, representing the program's graduates. Without these things, we probably wouldn't be here today or be able to graduate. Before the program, Stephany's parents were unfamiliar with the U.S. educational system. Having been born and raised in Colima, Mexico, her mother did not understand what accessing higher education entailed. Her participation in the program represented a before and after for her and her entire family. The program has helped us a lot to get us on track to go straight to university, Hernandez said. It has been a great experience for us because now we know the requirements, we know a little more about the system, and in fact, we have been able to help other students." Hernandez works directly with her community through her Estrella Super Moms Facebook account and for 12 years she has provided information and resources to families who, having immigrated to the U.S. from other countries, want to know how to navigate the education system. A new focus for the Hispanic Mothers and Daughters Program Although the Hispanic Mothers and Daughters Program was originally designed to serve Latina mothers and their daughters exclusively, as well as support first-generation students, today any interested student and family is considered, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender, according to Estrada. More than 50% of freshmen enrolled at ASU in 2017 came from underrepresented communities. The pandemic changed the focus of the Hispanic Mothers and Daughters Program and, since then, barriers have been reduced and access has been expanded for all types of families to enter the program, according to Estrada, who also highlighted the importance of parent participation, who are often the ones encouraging their children. Of the more than 200 high school students who received their certificates on Monday, 121 will begin their college careers at ASU this fall. Also recognized during the ceremony were 18 ASU bachelor's graduates who were program participants in the previous decade. Alicia Skupin, chief magistrate of Chandler Superior Court, gives a speech at ASU's Hispanic Mothers and Daughters Program graduation on May 13, 2024, in Tempe. Chandler Municipal Court Presiding Magistrate Alicia Skupin, who participated in the Hispanic Mothers and Daughters Program more than 35 years ago, offered words of motivation to students and families on Monday who, like her, have experienced challenges and obstacles on her path toward higher education. My family didn't know engineers, doctors, accountants, lawyers, scientists or computer programmers. My parents knew college was important, but they didn't know the path or how to get me there except to do well in school. That's where HMPD came in, during my eighth grade. Turn an obstacle into an opportunity, Skupin, whose mother is originally from Sonora, Mexico, told the audience. For parents in the room, there are so many examples of how we can change what we see as an obstacle into an opportunity. So many lessons for our children to learn. Reach La Voz reporter Silvia Solis at silvia.solisgarza@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU's Hispanic Mothers and Daughters Program MEMPHIS, Tenn. On Tuesday, a representative for the embattled Serenity Towers appeared in Court, claiming that there could be a potential buyer of the senior high rise. The City of Memphis recently filed a petition to have Serenity Towers declared a chronic nuisance, but today in court, an attorney said there could be a potential buyer for the property. City of Memphis files lawsuit against Serenity Towers and Millennia Outside Shelby County Environmental Court this afternoon, the attorney for Serenity Towers did not answer our repeated request for a statement to address those living in the taxpayer-funded dilapidated high rise. But in open court, he told a judge, that property owners are doing what they can to remedy the laundry list of issues from not working elevators, bed bugs, and trash accumulating in stairwells. Extensive reporting by the WREG investigators has highlighted and exposed those ongoing problems. According to the city of Memphis, police have been called to the senior living facility more than 2,000 times in the past two years. On Tuesday, Serenitys attorney filed a motion to withdraw from the case. He did not say why in open court. This would be at least the second attorney to bow out from the case in recent months. Millennia to sell off Memphis apartments complexes He also said there is a possible buyer for not just Serenity Towers, but all properties owned by its parent company Millenia. Were not going to stop until we get what we need for the tenants because its for them, not for me. Theyre citizens of this city just like all of us are and they deserve the best, said Marcus Ward, an attorney serving as a court-ordered special master between the city and Millenia. The citys chronic nuisance petition is set to be addressed in court in June. Serenity is also set to be back before a judge next week to discuss more maintenance issues Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) Auburn Universitys Veterans Resource Center will be hosting a Memorial Day ceremony on May 24, at 11:30 a.m. CT on Cater Lawn. The ceremony will mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings during World War II. To honor service members who died, 2,501 flags will be placed on the Cater Lawn. The ceremony will feature a series of honors and activities designed to remember those who served during the war, including: Presentation of Colors by the Auburn Naval ROTC National Anthem performed by an Auburn student veteran Invocation delivered by Chaplain (CPT) Gary Riddle of the Alabama Army National Guard Guest Speech by Brigadier General Jeffrey L. Newton, U.S. Army (Retired) Wreath Laying Ceremony to honor fallen servicemembers, with a special tribute to the local Gold Star family of Billy Stelpflug The ceremony is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend to pay their respects and learn more about the significance veterans have played in the nations military history. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. AUSTIN (KXAN) Austin is losing a piece of its history. Wednesday marked the last day in business for the 40-year-old Austin Antique Mall. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin Antique Mall closes after 40 years in business The owner of the space is making room for an extension of the Playland Skate Center next door, according to vendors. The Austin Antique Mall announced its imminent closure earlier this year, saying its final day for sales is Wednesday, May 15. We have had an amazing run, but we have reached the end. Thanks to Austin and all of our amazing customers and friends for making us a very successful, locally owned and operated business. Please stop by and shop for last minute treasures, or just to say hello and goodbye. Thank you Austin, Texas for carrying us for so many wonderful years. Austin Antique Mall via Facebook The Austin Antique Mall opened back in 1984. (Photo: KXAN) The Austin Antique Mall opened back in 1984. (Photo: KXAN) The Austin Antique Mall opened back in 1984. (Photo: KXAN) The Austin Antique Mall opened back in 1984. (Photo: KXAN) The Austin Antique Mall opened back in 1984. (Photo: KXAN) Austin Antique Mall to close after 40 years (KXAN photo/Abigail Jones) Austin Antique Mall to close after 40 years (KXAN photo/Abigail Jones) Austin Antique Mall to close after 40 years (KXAN photo/Abigail Jones) Austin Antique Mall to close after 40 years (KXAN photo/Abigail Jones) It is part of my life Walking into the Austin Antique Mall is like taking a step back in time. Draven Fried said it was her home away from home. Everything is old. Everything has character. Draven Fried, Austin Antique Mall Worker Her mom was one of the nearly 90 vendors at the mall. Fried said she spent most of her childhood there. This mall is like a fundamental part of my being, Fried said. I grew up around here. It is part of my life. Now, theyre left packing up decades of history. On Wednesday, they tried to empty shelves and sell what they could. The Austin Antique Mall opened back in 1984. (Photo: KXAN) Theres a lot of the history here thats going to end up being thrown in a storage container somewhere, or some things are just going to be thrown in the trash, which is really sad, Fried said. Fried said some are preparing to move their business elsewhere. Some of them are moving to Vintique Collective in Taylor, Fried said. Some vendors I think are going to Round Rock. Some are moving into all the little shops around Austin. Ive been going decades Since announcing the closure, thousands have shown up to support. We have had lines going all the way down the hallway of people ready to check out. Its been really great to see things going out the door, Fried said. We know theyre going somewhere theyll be cared for. Longtime customer Juliana Colbert is sad to see it go. Ive been going decades. Juliana Colbert, Austin Antique Mall Customer Its a place that made her feel at home and reminded her of family. Makes me think of my grandparents, Colbert said. Its an escape into another world. Its very sad that this is not going to be here anymore. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. AUSTIN (KXAN) The City of Austin is using a $75,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to hire a local artist for its upcoming Our Future 35 highway coverings program. The NEA revealed more than 1,000 recipients had been selected for the awards on Wednesday, with more than $37 million in grant funding available through the second round of its Fiscal Year 2024 grants, per a city news release. The City of Austins Transportation and Public Works Department, Cultural Arts Division and Economic Development Department will oversee the Our Future 35 Cap and Stitch Programs Artist in Residence program. That program will select either a local artist or local artist group to oversee artistic elements for the highway caps. The Artist in Residence will work closely with the Our Future 35 planning team over the course of two years, producing and integrating art into public engagement events and culminating with a capstone or showcase event, the release read in part. The artist will also potentially generate temporary installations or activations along construction corridors, pending the programs status in Spring 2026. The Citys Our Future 35 program comes as the Texas Department of Transportation gears up for its Interstate 35 expansion project near downtown Austin later this year. That $4.5 billion, eight-mile project will revamp the interstate from U.S Hwy. 290 East to State Hwy. 71 and Ben White Boulevard. Updates regarding the Artist in Residence program will be posted online. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, has reacted to the situation with concrete tetrahedrons (triangles ed.) in Kharkiv Oblast and reported that the works planned for 2023 had been fully completed. Source: Syniehubov on social media Quote: "All works on the installation of tetrahedrons with barbed wire were planned for 2023-2024. The tasks set by the military for 2023 have been completed by 100%. This is confirmed by the relevant conclusions of the controlling authorities. A part of the work was started in 2024 in accordance with the plan, but the works were put on hold in some areas due to constant Russian attacks. They will be completed once it is physically possible." Details: Syniehubov stated that the photos, which are being spread on social media, show the remaining materials that were removed by the contractor at the request of one of the brigades for further installation. Syniehubov says that these materials account for 0.4% of the total construction work of the fortifications of this type. Photo: Deepstate Quote: "So this is far from being the quantity of tetrahedrons, which, according to some bloggers, could potentially affect the course of combat action. Spreading such disinformation discredits the troops and those who conduct defensive works." Details: Syniehubov notes that all the fake information, which emerged right on the day of Russian occupying troops invasion of the city of Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, is being spread deliberately and is sometimes backed by the media. Background: Earlier, photos were shared on social media, which allegedly showed tetrahedrons dropped in one place on the outskirts of Liptsy. On 13 May, Syniehubov stated that, on his orders, a meeting is to be held at which all those involved in building fortifications in the oblast will report on the work that has been done. Support UP or become our patron! On May 15, Ukrainian defenders in the Kharkiv sector moved to more favorable positions in certain areas near Lukiantsi and Vovchansk as a result of enemy fire and assault operations to save the lives of our servicemen. The fighting continues. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, describing the situation as of 23:00 on Tuesday, May 15. The agency reported 11 repulsed attacks by the invaders, in particular, in the areas of Hlyboke - Lyptsi, Lukiansti - Lyptsi, Borysivka - Neskuchne, Shebekino (RF) - Vovchansk. As of 23:00, three combat clashes were still ongoing. "Ukrainian units are not allowing the Russian occupants to gain a foothold. Counterattacks are underway, the enemy is under constant fire control of artillery and UAV units of the Defense Forces," the press service assured. ADVERTISIMENT In the course of combat operations in the Kharkiv sector, Russian Armed Forces had 162 losses in manpower over the last day. Twenty-six pieces of enemy weapons and military equipment were destroyed and damaged. At the same time, in the north of Ukraine, in Chernihiv and Sumy regions, there were no changes in the status and position of troops. As previously reported, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that the engineer troops would constantly equip defensive lines along the entire line of contact with the enemy, and in particular along the border between Ukraine and Russia. Since the beginning of 2024, "tens of thousands of mines have been laid in Kharkiv region alone." ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The backlog to complete drivers ed in Wake has worsened. Can anything fix it? Some Wake County teenagers are still waiting as long as five months to complete their drivers education training to get their drivers license. Backlogs in the Wake County school systems driver education program that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic are still significant. School administrators said Tuesday theyre not making as much progress as theyd like to reduce the wait time down to two-to-three months. Folks are working really, really hard both on the district side and our schools and also our partners at Jordan Driving School, Drew Cook, assistant superintendent for academics, told the school boards student achievement committee on Tuesday. But quite frankly, we just havent seen the forward progress with the challenges that are out there with hiring new drivers and seeing that wait time being drawn down. Wake is hoping to hire additional driving schools to help reduce the backlog. Drivers ed backlog has increased Under North Carolinas graduated licensing program, drivers education is mandatory for anyone younger than 18 who applies to get a limited learners permit. Under a new law that went into effect Jan. 1, teens who get a limited learners permit now have to wait nine months before getting a limited provisional drivers license, The News & Observer previously reported. State law requires school systems to offer drivers education to students in public, private and home schools in their districts who want the program. Wake County charges students $65 for the service. Students get 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours behind the wheel before taking the test to get their permit. Wakes target is to get students behind the wheel within 8-to-12-weeks of completing the classroom time. But the wait is 20 weeks at five schools, 16 weeks at 15 schools and 12 weeks at five schools. Asher Philips, 15, runs through a driving checklist alongside instructor Curtis Wilson during the behind-the-wheel portion of the drivers education program run by Jordan Driving School on Aug. 19, 2015. More driving instructors needed Wake has used Jordan Driving School for many years. But Cook said Jordan still hasnt recovered from losing a third of its driving instructors during the pandemic. Wake now has 73 driver instructors. The goal is to get to 100 instructors, according to Devin Tanner, senior administrator for driver education. We dont have enough instructors to meet the demand, Cook said. Administrators will ask the school board in June to renew Jordans contract for the 2024-25 school year. Cook said theyll also seek additional vendors to help reduce the backlog. But Cook said one of their concerns is that any new companies might recruit people away from Jordan, resulting in no net gain of driving instructors. Theyre all essentially competing for the same pool of drivers, Cook said. Drivers ed an equity issue Reducing the backlog is an equity issue, Cook added. Some families have turned to paying for drivers ed out of their own pocket to speed up the process. Families that have the means potentially dont have to wait in line because they can go find other private vendors to provide instruction right at the cost of $400+ or more dollars and essentially get into an express lane to move around the long lines, Cook said. Thats something that continues to be a concern. Tanner said schools can now hold five behind-the-wheel slots that they can use to manually register families for extenuating circumstances. Wake is also partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wake County to help provide virtual drivers classroom instruction to underserved students. Nebraska voters in the state's 2nd Congressional District will face a rematch between Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas, left, and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. (Courtesy of the candidates; Capitol photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) OMAHA After months of sound and fury from an active group of partisans, GOP primary voters in Nebraskas most competitive congressional district sided with the man they know, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, over one promising a more combative style, Dan Frei. While some early votes returned on Election Day remain to be counted on Friday, Bacon, of Papillion, led Frei, of Omaha 62%-38% by 12:10 a.m. Wednesday. The margin was closer than the 50-point edge Bacons campaign polling indicated, but wider than Freis last run. In 2014, Frei mounted an upstart bid from the tea party right against then-U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., losing by six percentage points. Some Terry supporters said the primary weakened Terry in the general election. He lost that year to the late U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford, D-Neb. This time, Frei had institutional help and endorsements from the new-look Nebraska Republican Party and the populists they encouraged to take over the leadership committees of all three county parties in the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District. It was not enough. In a year when the state GOP endorsed none of the five GOP members of the states congressional delegation and when none sought the partys endorsement, all five incumbents won their races by significant margins. The majority of our party in Nebraska (District) 2 are conservatives who want to govern, Bacon said. Theyre rational. I think negative campaigning to the degree that we saw, it backfired. We campaigned on our record as the most effective Republican in the House. We delivered results. GOP division could cost Bacon Bacon said it was time for some reflection by the state GOP and county GOP leaders who he said had weakened the party and weakened the conservative movement in Nebraska. Party officials had no immediate comment. We had a big win tonight, he said. Burn it all down, we demand 100 percent it doesnt work. Political observers who spoke with the Examiner in recent weeks expected Frei to notch a final result between 25% and 35% of the vote. Some said he could get more support, which they said would indicate some unhappiness with Bacon and the status quo. The most recent protest vote against Bacon came in 2022, after former President Donald Trump criticized Bacon during a visit to the state and mentioned an alternative Republican Steve Kuehl, a first-time candidate who garnered 23% of the vote. Others also said a low-turnout race could help energize Freis candidacy. Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said 26% of registered voters participated in Tuesdays election. while Sarpy County had 22% turnout. Both counties were running below pre-election projections. Saunders County finished with nearly 30% turnout. Paul Landow, a retired University of Nebraska at Omaha political scientist who has worked with Democratic campaigns, said the Frei numbers indicate a little bit of risk to Bacon in a district where a handful of percentage points could spur a loss. Theres a lot of people who are dissatisfied with the system, the election, Trump, Bacon, whatever they are dissatisfied with, Landow said. But most of those people will come home to Don Bacon in November. Bacon treated Frei like threat Bacon and his campaign made clear that they took the Frei challenge seriously, knocking on tens of thousands of doors and spending more on advertising than the typical brand-building efforts before a general election with a lesser opponent. Awaiting Bacon in the fall is State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha, in a rematch of their 2022 race, which Bacon won by about three percentage points, but under different conditions. A presidential race will be on the ballot this year, too, which will affect who turns out at the polls. I dont think people are saying they are energized by the rematch, Vargas said. Theyre energized because this is an opportunity to have different leadership for this district. Frei said he had not yet formally conceded or heard from Bacon late Tuesday. He said it remained to be seen whether he would endorse Bacon in the general election. For now, he said, he wants to see the final results of his race. Change doesnt always look and feel like what you want it to look and feel like, but change is happening, Frei told his supporters. Change is taking place right now in your Republican Party, and you need to be proud of that. Several attendees at Freis election night party said they hope Bacon loses to Vargas. A handful of the hardest-line conservatives who helped power Freis bid have said they might seek a different candidate to help beat Bacon in the fall. Vargas said party dysfunction is a feature of the modern GOP and of the House GOP in particular. He said Republicans cant find unity amongst themselves, let alone lead. On abortion, on Social Security and more, Vargas said, the GOP is out of step. If they cant figure out how to govern right now in Congress, Vargas said, then they shouldnt be the ones in leadership right now. Bacon and his allies have made clear that they intend to paint Vargas as the one who is out of step with the 2nd District. Bacon has called Vargas soft on crime, silent on immigration enforcement and wrong on abortion. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Bacon beats back Frei in GOP primary test; Vargas awaits appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. Baltimore City Council races in three districts still too close to call Several Baltimore City Council races were still too close to call Wednesday morning, a stark contrast from the definite victories that came Tuesday night as races were called for mayor, the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House, and the presidential primary. Competitive races in districts 8, 11, and 12 were undecided as of 5 a.m. Wednesday, with provisional and many mail-in ballots still uncounted. Incumbents in districts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, and 14 either ran unopposed or coasted to victory in the primary. District 1, in southeastern Baltimore, also appeared to be decided, with Mark Parker ahead in the three-way matchup. In District 11, incumbent Eric Costello is clinging to a 25-vote lead over challenger Zac Blanchard. Costello had not claimed victory as of Wednesday morning. Blanchard, a Marine veteran, was the first city candidate in the 2024 cycle to access the maximum $125,000 amount of public financing. Much of that went toward billboards and digital advertisements. Blanchard spent close to $65,000 on mailers, which he used to criticize Costellos developer and business-heavy donor base. Costello first won his South Baltimore district in 2014, and has consolidated power during his decade on the council, rising to become the chair of the Ways and Means Committee. The district covers the South Baltimore Peninsula and the Inner Harbor, and runs north to Bolton Hill. Parker won in District 1, an East Baltimore district that includes neighborhoods like Canton, Fells Point, and Highlandtown. The Lutheran pastor won an early nod from outgoing Councilman Zeke Cohen against challengers Liam Davis, who boasted endorsements from seven other councilmembers, and Joseph Koehler. Cohen claimed victory as Council President Tuesday night; incumbent Nick J. Mosby conceded Wednesday morning. Parker framed his win alongside Cohens and Scotts as a victory for voters who wanted to keep moving the city forward in a pragmatic and progressive way. Theres a group of big donors who are used to throwing their money around and calling the shots, said Parker, alluding to donors who backed Dixon and Mosby. The bigger picture is, last night, the city said overall, thats not the direction we want to go. Councilmembers facing challengers in two other races, District 8 and District 12, are also facing paper-thin margins as of Wednesday morning. In District 8, which covers West Baltimore, Paris Gray led Bilal Ali by 53 votes as of Wednesday morning. The two are the top contenders to claim the seat of outgoing Councilman Kristerfer Burnett, who endorsed Gray as his preferred successor. Jermaine Jones has a 140-vote lead over Councilman Robert Stokes in District 12, which represents central and east Baltimore. The district absorbed the affluent Harbor East neighborhood after the city redistricted last fall. Stokes is a two-term councilman whose low profile on the council belied his fundraising prowess. He previously beat two well-funded opponents in 2016 and 2020. But Jones, an official with the Baltimore-DC Metro Building Trades Council, garnered support from powerful labor unions like the Metropolitan Baltimore AFL-CIO and AFSCME Maryland, making him a formidable opponent. The citywide district races attracted less fanfare than the mayoral race, which featured a fierce matchup between incumbent Brandon Scott and his chief opponent, former Mayor Sheila Dixon. Scott declared victory Tuesday night. The Democratic primary often decides the outcome of political races in Baltimore, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a nearly 10-1 margin. All 14 councilmembers, the at-large Council president, and mayor are Democrats. Danielle McCray, Phylicia Porter, Odette Ramos, Mark Conway, Ryan Dorsey, Isaac Yitzy Schleifer, John T. Bullock, Antonio Glover, Council Vice President Sharon Green Middleton, and James Torrence all either ran unopposed or easily claimed victory in the primary. Mail-in ballots will continue to be counted starting Thursday. Would a ban on the sale of puppies & kittens in Lexington force pet stores to close? A ban on the sale of dogs and cats in Lexington pet stores moved forward Tuesday despite concerns from two pet stores that claimed the restriction would mean they would have to close. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council voted 13-1 Tuesday to move the ban forward to the council meeting agenda. The ordinance will get its first reading during Thursday nights council meeting. A final vote will likely come in June. Multiple cities have enacted similar local ordinances aimed at stopping puppy mills, or prolific commercial breeders who sell to some pet stores. In Kentucky, Louisville, Elizabethtown and Radcliff have enacted similar sales bans. Those Kentucky cities are among 492 cities nationwide which have ordinances halting the retail sale of cats and dogs. The Humane Society of the United States has pushed the commercial sales ban. It would not affect the sale of other types of pets including reptiles, fish and birds, according to the ordinance. It also would not prohibit dog and cat breeders from selling directly to customers. People would still be able to adopt from rescue organizations such as the Lexington Humane Society. If passed, stores in violation of the ordinance would face a $500 fine. Pet stores would have until Nov. 1 to come into compliance. Lexington Animal Control would enforce the ordinance. Animal Control already inspects pet stores if there is a complaint. The ordinance would also prohibit the sales of cats and dogs at flea markets, public streets or parking lots. Vice Mayor Dan Wu said he supported the ordinance because of testimony showing conditions of many puppy mills and because of pet overpopulation. As a former small business owner, he said he also understands that it will cost some small business owners. Councilwoman Denise Gray made a motion to table the ordinance because there were some questions about enforcement. That motion ultimately failed 8-6. Councilman Fred Brown was the council member who voted against the ordinance. Brown had made a motion to remove the prohibition of sale of cats and dogs in flea markets, parking lots or public spaces. That motion ultimately failed. Stores say ban would have dire consequences Two Lexington pet stores that sell cats and dogs urged the council Tuesday not to move the ordinance forward. Richard Getty, a lawyer who represents Petland, asked the council to delay passage of the ordinance so they could talk to the council more about implementing regulations of breeders rather than an outright ban. Petland only does business with breeders with the highest standards, Getty said. Elizabeth Kunzelman, vice president of legislative affairs for the company, said Petland would likely have to close its Lexington location if the ban takes effect. This would force another small business that is following all local, state and federal laws to shut down, Kunzelman said in an email. We respect local control and request that you allow our small business to operate so long as they are following all the applicable laws. Petlands store on Richmond Road opened two years ago and employs 30 people. Its a puppy-only location, Kunzelman said. Kunzelman said instead of banning the sale of cats and dogs at pet stores, Lexington should look at stepping up requirements on sourcing standards for where those puppies come from. The other Lexington pet store that sells puppies is Most Valuable Pets in Beaumont Centre. Officials with MVP also said Tuesday they would also likely have to close if the ban moves forward. Other Lexington pet stores work with rescue groups to offer animals for adoption. Todd Blevins, state director of the Humane Society of the United States, said pet stores frequently threaten that they will have to close when faced with sales bans. They wont have to close, he said. They would just have to stop selling cats and dogs, he said during an April council committee meeting. Blevins said Tuesday more than 80 animal welfare and other groups in Kentucky have signed on in support of the ordinance. Only two pet stores have lobbied to stop the bill. The vast majority of people support the ban, Blevins said. Blevins also dismissed Petlands request for the council to delay passage of the ordinance. The council began talking about the sales ban in December, he said. Petland pushed a bill in the Kentucky General Assembly during the legislative session that prohibited local governments from enacting pet store sales bans and required pet stores to sell cats and dogs from qualified breeders or rescue groups, Blevins said. It had few regulations, he said, and the bill did not pass. A barge caused an oil spill after slamming into a bridge in Galveston, Texas on Wednesday, according to local officials. The Pelican Island Bridge has been closed to all traffic since about 10 a.m. local time, according to the city of Galvestons website. The city reported that there were no injuries from the incident. The city said that the collision resulted in an oil spill in Galveston Bay, which the U.S. Coast Guard is responding to. The city added that the Coast Guard will determine the extent of the spill, as well as initiate the containment and cleanup processes. Emergency management officials from Galveston, the state and Texas A&M Universitys Galveston campus are also responding to the incident, as well as the local fire and police departments and the Texas Department of Transportation, according to the city. Engineers from the Texas Department of Transportation will be inspecting the roadway to determine whether there is damage, it added. Texas A&M University at Galveston said in an online statement that the bridge is closed to all traffic at this time due to a barge strike. Power has been restored to campus. However, the bridge remains out and is closed to all vehicular traffic. The Galveston Campus Incident Command Team has been established, and we are working with city, county, and state officials to determine impacts to campus, the alert said. Ronnie Varela, who works with Galvestons Office of Emergency Management, said the barge struck the bridge at around 9:30 a.m. local time, according to The Associated Press. The collision comes more than a month after a shipping vessel slammed into the Baltimore Key Bridge in late March, causing the entire structure to collapse. Six of the eight construction workers on the bridge that night were killed in the collapse. The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing Wednesday morning to hear from federal officials regarding the Baltimore bridge collapse. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. GALVESTON, Texas (KIAH) A barge slammed into a bridge pillar in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, spilling oil into surrounding waters and closing the only road to a smaller and separate island that is home to a university, officials said. The bridge that leads to Pelican Island, north of Galveston, was struck by the barge around 9:50 a.m. when a tugboat backing out of Texas International Terminals, a fuel storage operator located next to the bridge, lost control of two barges it was pushing, said David Flores, a bridge superintendent with the Galveston County Navigation District. The current was very bad, and the tide was high. He lost it, Flores said. One of the barges hit the bridge and two telephone poles, he said. Ship lost power hours before leaving port, hitting Baltimore bridge: NTSB There were no immediate reports of injuries, although officials said one person on the barge was knocked into the water and quickly rescued. The tugboat was pushing what are called bunker barges, which are fuel barges for ships, Flores said. The collision sent oil spilling into the surrounding waters. The barge, which is owned by Martin Petroleum, has a 30,000-gallon capacity, but its not clear how much leaked into the bay, said Galveston County spokesperson Spencer Lewis. Lewis said about 6.5 miles of the waterway were shut down because of the spill. The U.S. Coast Guard was determining the extent of the spill. They will also initiate the containment and cleanup process. The bridge, which is the only way on and off Pelican Island, was closed off to all vehicular travel after the collision. The bridge will remain closed until it is deemed safe to use, a statement posted on the City of Galvestons Facebook page said. A tugboat works to maneuver a barge away from the Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, after the barge crashed into the bridge shutting down the only road access to and from the island. (Jennifer Reynolds/The Galveston County Daily News via AP) Transportation officials started allowing vehicles to exit Pelican Island on Wednesday afternoon, but the bridge remained closed to all other vehicular traffic. Texas A&M directed all non-essential employees at its Galveston campus to leave as soon as possible and said it plans to remain closed until at least Friday. Students who live on campus were allowed to remain there, but university officials warned those who live on campus and leave should be prepared to remain off campus for an unknown period of time. One business, Baywatch Dolphin Tours, said they were seeking the universitys approval to shuttle people off the island and were planning how to provide a long-term service while bridge repairs are underway. Aerial video showed portions of a rail line that runs parallel to the bridge on top of the barge. Flores said the rail line only serves as protection for the structure and has never been used. Pelican Island, which is connected to Galveston by the bridge, is home to a large shipyard, Texas A&M University of Galveston, and Seawolf Park, a former immigration station that now attracts tourists to its iconic fishing pier and decommissioned U.S. Navy vessels. Opened in 1960, the Pelican Island Causeway Bridge was rated as Poor according to the Federal Highway Administrations 2023 National Bridge Inventory released last June. The overall rating of a bridge is based on whether the condition of any of its individual components the deck, superstructure, substructure or culvert, if present is deemed to be poor or below. In the case of the Pelican Island Causeway Bridge, inspectors rated the deck in Satisfactory Condition, the substructure in Fair Condition and the superstructure or the component that absorbs the live traffic load in Poor Condition. The bridge has one main steel span that measures 164 feet (50 meters), and federal data shows it was last inspected in December 2021. However, its unclear from the data if a state inspection took place after the Federal Highway Administration compiled the data. The bridge had an average daily traffic figure of about 9,100, according to a 2011 estimate. The accident came weeks after a cargo ship crashed into a support column of the Francis Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, killing six construction workers. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. A cleanup operation has begun after a barge struck a bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, spilling oil into the bay. The Seawolf Parkway bridge, which provides the only road connecting Pelican Island and Galveston Island within the city of Galveston, was struck by the ship around 9:50 a.m. There were no initial reports of injuries, according to a statement posted on the citys Facebook page. ABC13 reported two crew members on the barge were rescued after either being thrown from the vesselor jumping off themselves. The city added evacuations from the island would be likely amid reports that workers were still trapped on the island. The collision was caused when a tugboat lost control of two barges it was pushing while backing out of a fuel storage terminal. A barge that came loose crashed into a pillar supporting the unused railroad side of the bridge, spilling oil into surrounding waters. Its not clear how much oil the barge was carrying. Oil spills into the surrounding waters after a barge hit a bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 15. via AP The road remains closed while officials assess the damage to the bridge, which was built in the 1960s. The closure is causing major disruption since Pelican Island is home to a large shipyard, Texas A&M University of Galveston and Seawolf Park, a former immigration station that now attracts tourists to its fishing pier and decommissioned U.S. Navy vessels. The citys statement said the U.S. Coast Guard is determining the extent of the oil spill and will initiate the containment and cleanup processes. The statement said: Engineers from the Texas Department of Transportation are also enroute to inspect the roadway and determine if there is damage. The bridge will remain closed until it is deemed safe to use. A tugboat works to maneuver a barge away from the Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston, Texas. Jennifer Reynolds via AP The incident comes just weeks after a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Key Bridge in Baltimore, killing six construction workers. David Flores, a bridge superintendent with the Galveston County Navigation District, told The Associated Press that the barges hit the bridge and two telephone poles. The current was very bad, and the tide was high. He lost it, Flores said. He added the tugboat was pushing what are called bunker barges, which are fuel barges for ships. Oil spills into the surrounding waters after a barge hit a bridge in Galveston, Texas. via AP Related... Palestinians inspect the damages at Zeitoun neighborhood after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, in Gaza City Palestinians inspect the damages at Zeitoun neighborhood after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, in Gaza City By Nidal al-Mughrabi and James Mackenzie CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli troops battled militants across Gaza on Wednesday, including in the southern city of Rafah that had been a refuge for civilians, in an upsurge of the more than seven-month-old war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. Antagonism between Israel and the United Nations worsened as the Israeli army sought an explanation for footage showing armed men next to U.N. Palestinian relief agency vehicles. Separately, India was working to bring home the body of a U.N. staffer killed in Rafah by what the global body said was tank fire. Israeli forces have in recent days pressed into the east of Rafah in pursuit of what they say are four Hamas battalions despite warnings by Israel's main ally, the United States, to hold off to avoid mass civilian casualties. The U.S. also wants Israel to produce a clear plan for Gaza's future, a position that Secretary of State Antony Blinken underlined by saying neither Israeli occupation nor Hamas governance were acceptable. "We also can't have anarchy and a vacuum that's likely to be filled by chaos," Blinken said during a visit to Ukraine. The remarks drew an apparent Israeli riposte, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying post-war planning was impossible without first completing the demolition of Hamas. Netanyahu was later publicly challenged over post-war plans for Gaza by his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, who said he had tried to promote a blueprint for an alternative Gaza administration made up of Palestinians, but "got no response" from various decision-making cabinet forums under Netanyahu. "I call on the prime minister to announce that Israel willnot rule over Gaza militarily," Gallant said. "An alternative toHamas governance should be established" In an apparent response, Netanyahu said any move to establish an alternative to Hamas as the government of Gaza required that the Palestinian Islamist group first be eliminated, and demanded this goal be pursued "without excuses". RISING DEATH TOLL Since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, Israel's Gaza offensive has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, with at least 82 killed on Tuesday in the highest single-day toll for weeks. Hamas-led gunmen killed some 1,200 people and abducted 253 in their Oct. 7 raid into Israel, according to Israeli tallies. With fighting picking up across Gaza, residents said Israeli tanks had destroyed clusters of homes in the northern Jabalia district but faced heavy resistance from Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad. Islamic Jihad said it had killed some foot soldiers in Jabalia. Israel's military said it had eliminated many gunmen in the area, where it declared major operations over months ago. Israeli tanks have been massed around the eastern edges of Rafah and in recent days have been probing into built-up areas of the city, where hundreds of thousands of displaced people have been sheltering from fighting elsewhere. Residents said Israeli forces had pushed into three neighbourhoods and Palestinian gunmen were trying to prevent soldiers and tanks moving towards the centre. Israel reported one death in southern Gaza which public broadcaster Kan said was the first such fatality since the start of the Rafah ground operation last week. Netanyahu told the broadcaster CNBC that the operation could last weeks. In the north, Israel said it had concluded an operation in the Zeitoun area, killing "dozens of terrorists". Residents said tanks had pulled back from the area, with dozens of homes destroyed or damaged, while Palestinian medics said dozens of civilians had been killed and wounded. An Israeli strike hit a gathering of people outside a Gaza City shop that provides an internet signal for customers to call and check on relatives and friends, killing at least three people and wounding more than 20, medics said. An Israeli air strike killed a local journalist, Hayel Al-Najar, and three of his family in his house in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, medics and fellow journalists said. INVESTIGATION INTO U.N. FATALITY Israel said its troops had identified fighters in the central logistics compound of the U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA east of Rafah, demanding an explanation. Reuters verified the location of video released by the Israeli army but could not verify when it was filmed or the identity of the men. "The U.N. has in part become a terrorist entity in itself because it cooperates with Hamas and covers for it," Israel's ambassador to the U.N. Gilad Erdan told Army Radio. UNRWA has denied cooperating with Hamas. An UNRWA spokesperson said the agency could not verify the authenticity or content of the video or the exact timing or location, but it was likely that the video showed an UNRWA warehouse in Rafah that staff left in the week of May 6. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters the men were there to protect aid distribution. "These are false allegations and lies. This is a police force tasked with securing aid centres against acts of theft and looting," Abu Zuhri told Reuters. The U.N. is investigating a strike on a car in Rafah this week that killed its first international staff member since Oct. 7, a retired Indian army officer en route to the European Hospital. It blamed tank fire in an area where only Israeli tanks were present. The Israeli military said an initial inquiry had concluded the vehicle, whose route it was unaware of, had been hit in an active combat zone and the incident was under review. Some 254 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the war began, including 191 U.N. staff, according to the U.N.. As the fighting intensifies, ceasefire talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt are at a stalemate, with Hamas demanding a permanent end to attacks and Netanyahu's government saying it will not stop until the group is annihilated. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo, Clauda Tanios in Dubai, James Mackenzie, Henriette Chacar and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem; Writing by Andrew Cawthorne and Timothy Heritage; Editing by Philippa Fletcher and William Maclean) Russia has begun to roll out the theme of"negotiations" with Ukraine. And the Kremlin wants to "negotiate" by leaving behind the already captured territories of Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT To strengthen its "negotiating" position, Russia has launched an offensive in the Kharkiv region as a "concession" Moscow may offer to leave the border of this region alone. This opinion was expressed by Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, which operates under the National Security and Defense Council. "Russia is predictably starting to use the topic of "negotiations". Putin's statement that they are possible without the withdrawal of Russian troops is a bargaining, and he is ready to put the border of the Kharkiv region on the table, as well as signal that if you don't want to, I will go to other regions," Kovalenko said. However, in the case of such threats, he added, it is important to understand how much substance they have. And Moscow's hints about its readiness to occupy Sumy and Kharkiv are pure bluff. ADVERTISIMENT "The truth is that the Russians lack men and equipment. An offensive on Kharkiv and Sumy is a bluff, it is impossible, only actions in the border regions. And the main hope of the Russians is that by stretching our forces, they will advance in the east. Our key task is to survive. This is the task for this year. It is clear that there will be no negotiations. Russia needs negotiations only to pause and accumulate forces," Kovalenko emphasized. Earlier it was reported that Putin issued a cynical statement about negotiations with Ukraine. He said that Russia had allegedly never refused to negotiate and even fulfilled the "necessary conditions": in particular, it "withdrew its troops from Kyiv." ADVERTISIMENT According to the dictator, Russia allegedly wants "a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of this conflict by peaceful means" and is ready for a dialogue "on Ukraine." At the same time, he said, the negotiations should take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict. It is about global stability, about security guarantees "for both the opposing side" and for the Russian Federation itself. In addition, Putin rejects the option of withdrawing Russian troops from the occupied Ukrainian regions. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Whats described as a large rally arrived at the UC Merced campus on Wednesday to ask the UC to withdraw investments from Israel and enterprises of US militarism implicated in the ongoing atrocities perpetrated against the Palestinian people in Gaza. The group, said to be made up of hundreds of students, faculty, and Bay Area community, is set to rally at the UC Regents meeting, which is also taking place at UC Merced. The UC Board of Regents is meeting on the UC Merced campus until May 16. Over 100 people were counted at the demonstration on Wednesday, approximately twice as many who were present at the demonstration on Tuesday, reporters told YourCentralValley.com. UC Merced encampment: What are their demands? The rally follows a pro-Palestine encampment set up at UC Merced earlier this week. The protest group, UC Merced Gaza Solidarity Encampment led by Students for Justice in Palestine has been posted at UC Merceds campus since May 12. We are demanding that the UC Regents heed the call of their students, faculty, and alumni, as they did in 1985 when they made the historic decision to divest from South African apartheid. Kassem Hamideh, a student at the University of California, Berkeley UC Alumni for Palestine say they have collected over 13,000 signatures demanding the University of California divest from Israel immediately. According to the group, Wednesday marks the 76th anniversary of the Nakba or catastrophe in Arabic. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. (KRON) Theres controversy in the North Bay after the president of a Northern California state university put forth an agreement with protesters and members of Students for Justice in Palestine. The school president laying out a detailed plan to look at divestment and ending an exchange program. But now, a state lawmaker is speaking out, calling the agreement awful. This is horrific and wrong, my jaw dropped when I read the letter, said State Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat. Oakland restaurant burglarized twice in one day asks community for help Sen. Wiener is talking about a letter sent out Tuesday evening to the Sonoma State campus community detailing an agreement the state school struck an agreement with students protesting the war in Gaza. Photo: KRON4.com More than 19 days ago, protestors set up encampments at Sonoma State. The university president, Mike Lee said he has listened to their demands. In the letter, Lee said in part: None of us should be on the sidelines when human beings are subject to mass killing and destruction. I have said this before and it merits repeating; this is no political, religious or cultural principle that merits the murder of innocent and the one battle we should all be engaged in is the fight for inclusion, respect, and freedom of all people regardless of their background or identity. Lee then laid out a series of agreements struck with the protestors, including: Reviewing the schools investments Declaring an academic boycott with Israeli universities Recognizing a Palestinian curriculum Calling on a permanent cease-fire in Gaza He is basically blacklisting Israel, Wiener said. On social media, protesters at Sonoma State applauded the agreement, calling it a win and saying their demands were met. KRON4.com reached out to Sonoma State University and they responded, saying they have received many requests for comment about the presidents letter and will be issuing a statement. We also reached out to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Francisco Bay Area. We have not yet heard back. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. On the Today programme, Nick Robinson referred to Hamas as 'the group he [Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel] calls terrorists' Why is the BBC still being so stubborn? On Sunday, Lord Cameron urged it to stop beating around the bush, and start calling Hamas what they are: terrorists. Thats how theyre officially classified, under the law of this land. Yet the BBC ignored him. The very next morning, on Radio 4s Today programme, Nick Robinson instead referred to Hamas as the group he [Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel] calls terrorists. I dont mean to blame Mr Robinson himself. He was only following orders from BBC bosses. But his phrasing made it sound as though calling Hamas terrorists is somehow questionable, controversial, dubious. Or a mere matter of taste, as if the group were the geopolitical equivalent of Marmite. Murderous anti-Semites: you either love em or hate em! Of course, the BBC claims to have its reasons. Deborah Turness, the head of BBC News, says its reporting must always be scrupulously objective. And John Simpson, its world affairs editor, has said that the broadcaster doesnt use loaded words. This argument, however, simply doesnt stack up. Because, if the BBC is so painstakingly objective and hostile to loaded words, why doesnt it seem to take this nobly impartial approach to certain other issues? For example, the BBC often uses the term far-Right. Take the following headlines from the BBC News website: Going to the extreme: Inside Germanys far Right, Germany spying: Far-right party aide held in China spy probe, Dublin riots: Immigrations complicated role in growing Irelands far right and Far-right parties on the rise across Europe. Plainly, though, far-Right is a loaded word. After all, few people or parties describe themselves as far-Right. Almost invariably, its a description used by those who disapprove of them. So no wonder Richard Tice, the leader of Reform UK, was appalled in March when the BBC described his party as such. The BBC duly apologised. It has never apologised, however, for its approach to gender identity. Look how it treated Justin Webb Mr Robinsons colleague on the Today programme after he told listeners in August 2023 that trans women are males. Mr Webb was not expressing a personal opinion. He was making a statement of indisputable scientific fact. Because, if trans women werent males, they wouldnt be trans they would be cisgender (the term that trans activists use to describe biological women). Yet, the BBC upheld a complaint against Mr Webb for a breach of impartiality rules. That doesnt strike me as terribly balanced, impartial or objective. So if the BBC continues to insist on not calling Hamas terrorists, it had better become more consistent or find a new excuse. 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. After being shot in head in VB home, Landyn Davis discharged from hospital VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) The 8-year-old Virginia Beach boy who was shot in the head while playing video games in his Peele Court home in February has been discharged from the hospital. Child shot in Virginia Beach in critical condition Landyn Davis was discharged Tuesday after spending more than 90 days in the hospital. His mother, Emily Rigsby, said on Facebook that her son was finally discharged and is back home. She thanked everyone for their prayers and support. She sent WAVY these images of Landyn leaving the hospital and of his welcome home sign. Landyn said in a previous interview with 10 On Your Side that he was looking forward to resuming play of his favorite video game, Sonic, and taking a special trip to LEGOLAND. He had been spending three hours per day in rehab, and is able to move his fingers and toes and can speak in full sentences. The bullet that struck him was still in his brain. Hes doing great, his mom said in a previous interview with 10 On Your Side. Hes working really hard in rehab. Getting stronger every day. Hes talking really good and holding his own head up, moving his fingers and his toes and his legs. Hes just doing great. On the day Landyn was shot inside his home, he was playing video games on his dads computer in a second-floor bedroom. About 24 hours later, he was in a medically-induced coma at the Childrens Hospital of the Kings Daughters after one of about 20 bullets that went through their home also went into his head. Doctors did not remove the bullet, as it could have caused more damage, his mom said. Four people were arrested in connection to the shooting. Landyns release from the hospital comes in time for his 9th birthday, which falls on Memorial Day. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Belleville man sentenced for role in rash of armed robberies across the metro-east One of a trio of confessed armed robbers, who targeted gas stations in the metro-east in 2021, was sentenced in the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois for his role in the crimes. Treveon J. Ramsey, 21, of Belleville, pleaded guilty in January to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The judge handed him a sentence Tuesday of 20 years in federal prison. Dylan Harrington, 21, of Fairview Heights, already had been sentenced to 127 months in federal prison in July 2023 after pleading guilty to similar charges. Javeon Dowell, 21, of Fairview Heights, pleaded guilty to his charges and is scheduled to be sentenced at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis on June 5. According to court documents, the three planned and committed three armed robberies at businesses around the metro east from October through December 2021. Ramsey and Dowell brandished a gun and demanded money from a clerk at a Circle K gas station in Belleville on Oct. 29, 2021. On Nov. 30, Ramsey and Harrington took money and a box of cigars from a Circle K in Shiloh. Then, on Dec. 1, Ramsey and Dowell returned to the Circle K in Belleville and again displayed a gun and demanded money from the clerk. In order to protect business patrons and employees simply trying to do their jobs, the U.S. Attorneys Office is committed to prosecuting individuals who instill fear in gas station clerks by using firearms to demand money from cash registers, said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. I applaud this multijurisdictional investigation by local police and federal law enforcement officers to arrest the trio of dangerous criminals and help to improve public safety throughout the region. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fairview Heights Police Department, Shiloh Police Department and Belleville Police Department officials contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura V. Reppert prosecuted the case. Biden on second debate with Trump: Ill bring my plane I plan on keeping it for another four years President Biden and former President Trump agreed to hold a second debate Sept. 10 hosted by ABC News. The two candidates had already accepted an invitation earlier Wednesday to attend a CNN debate on June 27, and both confirmed later in the day on social media that they plan to attend the ABC debate in September. Ive also received and accepted an invitation to a debate hosted by ABC on Tuesday, September 10th, Biden posted on the social platform X. Trump says hell arrange his own transportation. Ill bring my plane, too. I plan on keeping it for another four years. Biden, of course, is referring to the presidential jet, Air Force One. It is my great honor to accept the CNN Debate against Crooked Joe Biden, the WORST PRESIDENT in the History of the United States and a true Threat to Democracy, on June 27th, Trump posted on Truth Social. Likewise, I accept the ABC News Debate against Crooked Joe on September 10th. It marked a whirlwind few hours that started with Bidens campaign publicly proposing two deabtes in June and September and ended with both candidates agreeing to a date and host. ABC News had planned to host a GOP primary debate in New Hampshire, but it was canceled after Trump and Nikki Haley said they would not attend. Martha Raddatz of ABC co-moderated one of the 2016 presidential debates; the network did not host a debate in 2020. The candidates have chosen to go around the Commission on Presidential Debates, the organization that has arranged the showdowns dating back to 1988. Biden campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon suggested working with outlets that hosted GOP primary debates in 2016 and Democratic primary debates in 2020 to avoid any perceptions of bias. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Biden administration on Tuesday began the early stages of a process to move ahead with a new $1 billion arms deal for Israel, according to two congressional sources. The State Department has now opened discussions with the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees about the possible sale due to the informal notification on Tuesday. There is no set timeline for when Congress would officially be notified of the sale, setting into motion a clock for its approval. The decision to get the wheels in motion for this new weapons deal comes as the Biden administration has paused the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs and 500-pound bombs to Israel, citing opposition to the weapons being used in the densely populated areas of Rafah. The potential new $1 billion arms sale would include the potential transfer of $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds, one of the congressional sources confirmed. The Wall Street Journal was first to report on the administrations discussions with Congress about this sale. The weapons under discussion would not arrive in Israel imminently. The sale would still need to be officially notified to Congress and receive congressional approval, which could be a lengthy process, potentially drawn out by congressional objections. While US officials have said that other cases of weapons shipments to Israel would be under review, they have also said that the US will continue to make sure that Israel has the military capacity to defend itself, indicating that longer-term weapons deals are not going to be halted at this time. We are continuing to send military assistance, and we will ensure that Israel receives the full amount provided in the supplemental. We have paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs because we do not believe they should be dropped in densely populated cities. We are talking to the Israeli government about this, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Monday. The State Department did not comment on the informal notification other than to point to Sullivans remarks. The Pentagon also declined to comment. This story has been updated with additional reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it plans to move forward on a new $1 billion sale of arms and ammunition to Israel, three congressional aides say. It's the first weapons shipment to Israel to be pushed ahead since the administration put another arms transfer, consisting of 3,500 bombs of up to 2,000 pounds each, on hold this month. The Biden administration, citing concern for civilian casualties in Gaza, has said it paused that bomb transfer to keep Israel from using those particular munitions in its offensive in the crowded southern Gaza city of Rafah. The new package disclosed Tuesday includes about $700 million for tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds, the congressional aides said. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an arms transfer that has not yet been made public. Rep. Greg Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Wednesday that the package notified to lawmakers this week was in the works for some time and does not use money from the national security spending package signed into law by Biden last month, which included roughly $26 billion in aid to Israel and humanitarian relief for people in Gaza. Meeks said if allowed to go forward, the arms would be transferred in the next two to three years. The Biden administration has come under criticism from both parties over its handling of Israel's now seven-month-old war against Hamas in Gaza, with President Joe Biden's stewardship of the conflict threatening to sap support from Democrats as he runs for reelection against former president Donald Trump. Some of Biden's fellow Democrats have pushed him to limit transfers of offensive weapons to Israel to pressure the U.S. ally to do more to protect Palestinian civilians. Protests on college campuses around the U.S. this spring have only amplified the anger from progressives and young voters against Biden and his handling of the war in Gaza. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have said any lessening of U.S. support for Israel its closest ally in the Middle East weakens it as the country fights Hamas and other Iran-backed groups. Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., the GOP whip, told reporters Wednesday that initiating the process for this round of arms sales doesnt make up for the Biden administration withholding the bomb transfers last week. The GOP-controlled House was preparing a vote this week that would force Biden to deliver offensive weaponry for Israel, an effort that will not be signed into law but could further divide Democrats. The White House has said it would veto that bill, but it could still pick up support from some of the two dozen House Democrats who sent a letter to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan last week, saying they were deeply concerned about the message sent by pausing the bomb shipment. In addition to the veto threat, the White House has been in touch with various lawmakers and congressional aides about the legislation, according to an administration official. Still, Democrats were anticipating some defections from their own party. One of the letters signers, New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, said he would likely vote for the bill, despite the White Houses opposition. I have a general rule of supporting pro-Israel legislation unless it includes a poison pill like cuts to domestic policy, he said. Despite the one-time suspension of a bomb shipment, Biden and administration officials have made clear they will continue other weapons deliveries and overall military support to Israel, which is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed any notion that the two efforts pausing one shipment of bombs yet advancing another package of weapons were sending a mixed message. Two things can be true. We can have tough conversations with our friends and allies, Jean-Pierre told reporters during the daily press briefing on Wednesday. She added: And we can say to our ally that look, we want to make sure that you're able to defend yourself. Meeks also defended the Biden administrations approach. I think that its consistent with the president wanting to stop the 2,000 pound bombs that indiscriminately killed innocents, but hes not turning his back away from going after Hamas utilizing different types of weapons, he said. The Wall Street Journal first reported on this week's notification of the $1 billion weapons package. That notice was not the final and formal notification before a sale occurs, one of the congressional aides said. The process can be lengthy and Congress has some power to block arms transfers, such as the leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee or the Senate Foreign Relations Committee placing a hold on the package. The State Department generally will not proceed if that occurs. ___ Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Lisa Mascaro and Aamer Madhani contributed. The Russian invaders who took part in the offensive in the Kharkiv region refused to storm the village of Ohirtseve. They explained their refusal by the fact that their company commander was behaving crazy and did not take into account their losses. ADVERTISIMENT The occupiers wrote about this in explanatory notes to their battalion commander. They were found on the already eliminated Russian soldiers near the village of Starytsia, Kharkiv region, Unian reports. "The reason for the refusal of this order is that the company commander was in an inadequate state, did not report the real situation, did not assess the risks," the aggressor country's military wrote. He added that their company commander did not pay attention to the fact that the 1st and 4th platoons, which had earlier stormed the Ukrainian postitions, were unsuccessful and "most likely killed." The invaders' explanations are dated May 11, 2024. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT The Biden administration is planning more changes to quicken asylum processing for new migrants President Joe Biden speaks during a memorial service to honor law enforcement officers who've lost their lives in the past year, during National Police Week ceremonies at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration is preparing more changes to the nations asylum system meant to speed up processing and potential removal of migrants who continue to arrive at the southern border, an interim step as President Joe Biden continues to mull a broader executive order to crack down on border crossings that may come later this year. The change under consideration would allow certain migrants who are arriving at the border now to be processed first through the asylum system rather than going to the back of the line, according to four people familiar with the proposal. The people were granted anonymity to speak about an administration policy before it is made final. The announcement, expected to come from the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department, could come as early as Thursday, although the people cautioned that it could be delayed. The broader goal of the administration with this change is to process recent arrivals swiftly, within six months, rather than the numerous years it would take under the current backlog in the nations asylum system. The new rules would apply to people who cross between ports of entry and turn themselves in to immigration authorities. The Biden administration is taking increasingly restrictive measures to dissuade people from coming to the U.S.-Mexico border. Right now, when a migrant arrives, particularly a family, they are almost always released into the country where they wait out their asylum court dates in a process that takes years. By quickly processing migrants who have just arrived, it could stop others from trying to make the trip. A record 3 million cases right now are clogging the nations immigration court. The average caseload for a judge is 5,000 and these changes wont help diminish their workload. There are roughly 600 judges. The administration has tried for years to move more new arrivals to the front of the line for asylum decisions, hoping to deport those whose claims are denied within months instead of years. Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump administrations also tried to accelerate the process, going back to 2014. In 2022, the Biden administration introduced a plan to have asylum officers, not immigration judges, decide a limited number of family claims in nine cities. Michael Knowles, spokesman for the National Citizenship and Immigration Services Council, a union that represents asylum officers, said in a February interview that the 2022 plan was a very important program that got very little support. Last year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement began an effort in 45 cities to speed up initial asylum screenings for families and deport those who fail within a month. ICE has not released data on how many families have gone through the expedited screenings and how many have been deported. A bipartisan border agreement drafted by three senators and endorsed by Biden earlier this year offered funding for 100 new immigration judges and aides. But that legislation never advanced after Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, urged fellow Republicans to kill the deal. Meanwhile, advocates for immigrants have generally expressed concern about changes that would expedite already-fraught proceedings for migrants, who arrive at the U.S. border after what is often a harrowing journey north. ___ Associated Press Writer Elliot Spagat contributed to this report from San Diego. WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it would send more than $1 billion in additional arms and ammunition to Israel, three congressional aides said Tuesday. But it was not immediately known how soon the weapons would be delivered. Its the first arms shipment to Israel to be revealed since the administration put another arms transfer, consisting of 3,500 bombs of up to 2,000 pounds each, on hold this month. The Biden administration, citing concern for civilian casualties in Gaza, has said it paused that bomb transfer to keep Israel from using those particular munitions in its offensive in the crowded southern Gaza city of Rafah. The package disclosed Tuesday includes about $700 million for tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds, the congressional aides said. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an arms transfer that has not yet been made public. There was no immediate indication when the arms would be sent. Two congressional aides said the shipment is not part of the long-delayed foreign aid package that Congress passed and President Joe Biden signed last month. It wasnt known if the shipment was the latest tranche from an existing arms sale or something new. The Biden administration has come under criticism from both sides of the political spectrum over its military support for Israels now seven-month-old war against Hamas in Gaza at a time when Biden is battling for reelection against former President Donald Trump. Some of Bidens fellow Democrats have pushed him to limit transfers of offensive weapons to Israel to pressure the U.S. ally to do more to protect Palestinian civilians. Protests on college campuses around the U.S. have driven home the message this spring. Republican lawmakers have seized on the administrations pause on the bomb transfers, saying any lessening of U.S. support for Israel its closest ally in the Middle East weakens that country as it fights Hamas and other Iran-backed groups. In the House, they are planning to advance a bill this week to mandate the delivery of offensive weaponry for Israel. Despite the onetime suspension of a bomb shipment, Biden and administration officials have made clear they will continue other weapons deliveries and overall military support to Israel, which is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid. Biden will see to it that Israel has all of the military means it needs to defend itself against all of its enemies, including Hamas, national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters Monday. For him, this is very straightforward: Hes going to continue to provide Israel with all of capabilities it needs, but he does not want certain categories of American weapons used in a particular type of operation in a particular place. And again, he has been clear and consistent with that. The Wall Street Journal first reported the plans for the $1 billion weapons package to Israel. In response to House Republicans plan to move forward with a bill to mandate the delivery of offensive weapons for Israel, the White House said Tuesday that Biden would veto the bill if it were to pass Congress. The bill has practically no chance in the Democratic-controlled Senate. But House Democrats are somewhat divided on the issue, and roughly two dozen have signed onto a letter to the Biden administration saying they were deeply concerned about the message sent by pausing the bomb shipment. One of the letters signers, New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, said he would likely vote for the bill, despite the White Houses opposition. I have a general rule of supporting pro-Israel legislation unless it includes a poison pill like cuts to domestic policy, he said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Today, the Biden administration suspended federal funding to the scientific nonprofit whose research is at the center of credible theories that the COVID-19 pandemic was started via a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. This morning, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it was immediately suspending three grants provided to the New York-based nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance (EHA) as it starts the process of debarring the organization from receiving any federal funds. "The immediate suspension of [EcoHealth Alliance] is necessary to protect the public interest and due to a cause of so serious or compelling a nature that it affects EHA's present responsibility," wrote HHS Deputy Secretary for Acquisitions Henrietta Brisbon in a memorandum signed this morning. For years now, EcoHealth has generated immense controversy for its use of federal grant money to support gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan lab. In a memo justifying its funding suspension, HHS said that EcoHealth had failed to properly monitor the work it was supporting at Wuhan. It also failed to properly report on the results of experiments showing that the hybrid viruses it was creating there had an improved ability to infect human cells. Congressional Republicans leading an investigation into EcoHealth's research in Wuhan, and the role it may have played in starting the pandemic via a lab leak, cheered HHS's decision. "EcoHealth facilitated gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China without proper oversight, willingly violated multiple requirements of its multimillion-dollar National Institutes of Health [NIH] grant, and apparently made false statements to the NIH," said Rep. Brad Wenstrup (ROhio), chair of the House's Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in a statement. "These actions are wholly abhorrent, indefensible, and must be addressed with swift action." Beginning in 2014, EcoHealth received a grant from NIH's National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to study bat coronavirus in China. Its initial scope of work involved collecting and cataloging viruses in the wild and studying them in the lab to spot which ones might be primed to "spillover" into humans and cause a pandemic. Soon enough, EcoHealth used some of the viruses they'd collected to create "chimeric" or hybrid viruses that might be better able to infect human lung cells in genetically engineered (humanized) mice. This so-called "gain-of-function" research has long been controversial for its potential to create deadly pandemic pathogens. In 2014, the Obama administration paused federal funding of gain-of-function research that might turn SARS, MERS, or flu viruses into more transmissible respiratory diseases in mammals. In 2016, NIH flagged EcoHealth's work as likely violating the 2014 pause. EcoHealth President Peter Daszak argued to NIH at the time that the viruses his outfit was creating had not been proven to infect human cells and were genetically different enough from past pandemic viruses that they didn't fall under the Obama administration pause. NIH accepted this argument under the condition that EcoHealth immediately stop its work and notify the agency if any of its hybrid viruses did show increased viral growth in humanized mice. But when these hybrid viruses did show increased viral growth in mice, EcoHealth did not immediately stop work or notify NIH. It instead waited until it submitted an annual progress report in 2018 to disclose the results of its experiments. A second progress report that EcoHealth submitted in 2021, two years after its due date, also showed its hybrid viruses were demonstrating increased viral growth and enhanced lethality in humanized mice. In testimony to the House's coronavirus subcommittee earlier this month, Daszak claimed that EcoHealth attempted to report the results of its gain-of-function experiments on time in 2019, but was frozen out of NIH's reporting system. The HHS memo released today says a forensic investigation found no evidence that EcoHealth was locked out of NIH's reporting system. The department also said that EcoHealth had failed to produce requested lab notes and other materials from the Wuhan lab detailing the work being done there and the lab's biosafety conditions. These all amount to violations of EcoHealth's grant agreement and NIH grant policy, thus warranting debarment from future federal funds, reads the HHS memo. That EcoHealth would be stripped of its federal funding shouldn't come as too great a shock to anyone who watched Daszak's congressional testimony from earlier this month. Even Democrats on the committee openly accused Daszak of being misleading about EcoHealth's work and manipulating facts. Rep. Raul Ruiz (DCalif.), the ranking Democrat on the House's coronavirus subcommittee, welcomed EcoHealth's suspension, saying in a press release that the nonprofit failed its "obligation to meet the utmost standards of transparency and accountability to the American public." An HHS Office of the Inspector General report from last year had already found that EcoHealth had failed to submit progress reports on time or effectively monitor its subgrantee, the Wuhan Institute of Virology. When grilling Daszak, Democrats on the Coronavirus Subcommittee went to great lengths to not criticize NIH's oversight of EcoHealth's work. The HHS debarment memo likewise focuses only on EcoHealth's failures to abide by NIH policy and its grant conditions. Nevertheless, it seems pretty obvious that NIH was failing to abide by the 2014 pause on gain-of-function funding when it allowed EcoHealth to go ahead with creating hybrid coronaviruses under the condition that they stop if the viruses did prove more virulent. NIH compounded that oversight failure by not stopping EcoHealth's funding when the nonprofit did, in fact, create more virulent viruses, and not following up on a never-submitted progress report detailing more gain-of-function research until two years later. The House Subcommittee's investigation into NIH's role in gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab is ongoing. Tomorrow it will interview NIH Principal Deputy Director Lawerence Tabak. In June, it will interview former NIAID Director Anthony Fauci. The post Biden Administration Strips Federal Funding From Nonprofit at Center of COVID Lab Leak Controversy appeared first on Reason.com. By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Wednesday urged a U.S. appeals court to rule that Texas cannot keep a 1,000-foot-long floating barrier in the Rio Grande, one in a series of measures taken by the Republican-led state to deter illegal border crossings. The full New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments for about an hour in an appeal by Texas of a judge's ruling that said the state needed the federal government's permission before installing the buoys last July. The case is part of a larger battle between the administration of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and Republican officials in Texas and other states who say the federal government has failed to address a recent increase in illegal border crossings from Mexico. Wednesday's arguments focused not on immigration policy but on whether the area of the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Texas where the barrier was placed is under state or federal control. Under a U.S. environmental law called the Rivers and Harbors Act, the federal government would have the authority if the area were navigable for commercial purposes. Lanora Pettit, a lawyer for Texas, told the 5th Circuit that the river, which forms the U.S. border with Mexico, is as little as 18 inches deep in that area and there is no history of commercial use of the waterway. "The Rio Grande is little more than a creek with an excellent publicist," Pettit said. Michael Gray of the U.S. Department of Justice countered that small border patrol boats, kayaks and ferries all operate in the area, showing its potential for other commercial uses. It was not clear how the court was leaning, though a few of the judges seemed skeptical of Gray's arguments. Circuit Judge Kyle Duncan, an appointee of Republican former President Donald Trump, said that other courts have treated waterways as navigable only when they can be "used as a highway" by boats moving up or down the waterway. Ferries, by contrast, cross rivers, he said. Gray responded that ferry traffic "establishes a highway for commerce" and that because the Rio Grande forms an international border, its use necessarily affects foreign commerce. Another Trump appointee, Circuit Judge Don Willett, said it could not be the case that the federal government controls every waterway along the border. "I could imagine a lot of border streams and creeks where you could have friends ferrying Girl Scout cookies in a small rowboat," he said. The full court agreed to hear the case after a divided three-judge panel sided with the Biden administration in December. Twelve of the court's 17 active judges are appointees of Republican presidents, but two of the three judges on that panel were appointed by Democrats. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi) The candidates have agreed to a June 27 debate on CNN, with a second to follow Sept. 10 on ABC. The last time either President Biden or former President Donald Trump participated in a presidential debate was nearly four years ago, when they tangled in Tennessee at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now Biden and Trump are finally set to meet again. Heres what will be different this time and why it matters. Biden throws down the gauntlet On Wednesday, Biden posted a video on social media challenging Trump to make my day, pal and debate him twice before the November election. So lets pick the dates, Donald, the president said, adding that I hear youre free on Wednesdays the only time Trump is not required to be in court for his hush money trial. Trump punches back Trump immediately responded on his Truth Social network, calling Biden the WORST debater I have ever faced. Just tell me when, Trump wrote. Ill be there. The networks issue invitations, and the candidates accept Within hours, Biden and Trump had tentatively agreed to two debates: one on June 27 in Atlanta, hosted by CNN, and one on Sept. 10, hosted by ABC News. Dates and details will be finalized after further negotiations. Whats different this time and why In a letter released Wednesday morning, Bidens campaign chair laid out her bosss terms for debating which, for now, all parties seem to have accepted. They include several big breaks with tradition: Biden declined to take part in the usual schedule of three general election clashes sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates, which had already been penciled in for Sept. 16, Oct. 1 and Oct. 9, and instead proposed that the candidates negotiate directly with each other and news organizations to plan two debates of their own. Biden said the debates should start sooner than usual, in June, because the commissions timetable was too late to influence the growing number of Americans who participate in early voting. And Biden insisted that the debates occur inside a television studio with just the candidates and moderators and microphones that cut off when a candidate's allotted time is up rather than with an in-person audience [of] raucous or disruptive partisans and donors. The strategy behind Bidens demands The Biden campaign's official position is that it has upended debate tradition simply because the Presidential Commission model is out of step with changes in the structure of our elections and the interests of voters. But early voters are particularly important for Democrats and the further the debates are from Election Day, the more time Biden might have to recover from any missteps onstage. Why Trump was so eager to accept At first, Trump quibbled with Bidens conditions, writing on Truth Social that he would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue. But Trump staffers have also been complaining about the commission for months, calling for earlier, independent debates and they unanimously believe that Mr. Biden has declined significantly since 2020 and would be exposed in a debate against Mr. Trump, according to the New York Times. What about RFK Jr. and other 3rd-party candidates? One reason for circumventing the commission is that even if independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reaches 15% in the national polls one of the usual thresholds to qualify Biden and Trump can potentially block him from appearing. They are trying to exclude me from their debate because they are afraid I would win, Kennedy said in a statement. Keeping viable candidates off the debate stage undermines democracy. The risks ahead Both candidates are likely to be rusty when they take the stage in June. Trump skipped all five 2024 GOP primary debates; as president, Biden has done far fewer interviews than his predecessors. But by setting expectations for Biden so low He cant put two sentences together! Trump said Wednesday the former president could be setting himself up for a repeat of 2020, when voters seemed to prefer Bidens steady demeanor to Trumps constant interruptions. Biden, in turn, hopes that by controlling the terms of the debate he can assuage concerns about his age and leadership while reminding voters why they rejected Trump in 2020. President Biden Wednesday called for two high-profile presidential debates starting with a clash on CNN in the networks Atlanta studios on June 27 and former President Trump quickly agreed. Ill be there, Trump told Fox News. Look forward to being in beautiful Atlanta. The two rivals quickly agreed to the first debate after feisty Biden issued a challenge to square off against Trump next month in an early morning video posted on social media. (Trumps) acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. Ill even do it twice, Biden said. The president even included a dig at Trump over his ongoing Manhattan criminal trial, which is dark on Wednesdays. Lets pick a date, Biden said. I hear youre free on Wednesdays. Trump, who has said he is also eager to debate, wasted no time responding positively to his rivals challenge. I am ready and willing to debate (Biden), he wrote on his social media site. Lets get ready to rumble. It remains to be seen if the two antagonistic campaigns can reach a final agreement on a format, although there seemed to be no major immediate disputes. Bidens campaign wants the debates to be one-on-one clashes with a moderator held in a television studio, without a live crowd and with the microphones only turned on for the candidate who is speaking. That tweaks designed to prevent a repeat of the chaotic 2020 debates when Trump repeatedly interrupted Biden. Trump initially countered by calling for them to be held in a very large venue, citing excitement purposes. He also called for more than two debates. But Trumps campaign later accepted the offer from CNN for a clash to be held in the networks Atlanta studio without a live audience. Neither candidate mentioned the possibility of independent candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being included. They are trying to exclude me from the debate because they are afraid I would win, Kennedy said in a statement. The campaigns have apparently both decided not to work with the Commission on Presidential Debates, the bipartisan group that has organized debates for the past several elections. Neither Biden nor Trump even mentioned the commission, which had planned a slate of three presidential debates starting with a mid-September clash in San Marcos, Texas. The group also planned one vice-presidential debate. Presidential debates have never been held before Labor Day, the traditional start of the fall campaign season, much less prior to the two parties summer conventions. The Republican National Convention is set for mid-July in Milwaukee while Democrats will gather in August in Chicago. The earlier debates would reflect the major changes to how and when Americans vote for president. Tens of millions of people are expected to cast ballots before Election Day on Nov. 5, either by mail or early in-person voting, with some states sending ballots to voters in early September. NEW YORK President Joe Biden on Wednesday called for two high-profile presidential debates starting with a clash on CNN in the networks Atlanta studios on June 27 and former President Donald Trump quickly agreed. Ill be there, Trump told Fox News. Look forward to being in beautiful Atlanta. Both candidates also accepted invitations for a second debate hosted by ABC News on Sept. 10. The two rivals quickly agreed to debate after feisty Biden issued a challenge to square off against Trump next month in an early morning video posted on social media. (Trumps) acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. Ill even do it twice, Biden said. The president even included a dig at Trump over his ongoing Manhattan criminal trial, which is dark on Wednesdays. Lets pick a date, Biden said. I hear youre free on Wednesdays. Trump, who has said he is also eager to debate, wasted no time responding positively to his rivals challenge. I am ready and willing to debate (Biden), he wrote on his social media site. Lets get ready to rumble. It remains to be seen if the two antagonistic campaigns can reach a final agreement on formats, although there seemed to be no major immediate disputes. Bidens campaign wants the debates to be one-on-one clashes with a moderator held in a television studio, without a live crowd and with the microphones only turned on for the candidate who is speaking. That tweaks designed to prevent a repeat of the chaotic 2020 debates when Trump repeatedly interrupted Biden. Trump initially countered by calling for them to be held in a very large venue, citing excitement purposes. His campaign also called for a total of four debates, including additional face-offs in July and August. But Trumps campaign accepted the offer from CNN for a clash to be held in the networks Atlanta studio without a live audience. There was no immediate word on the format for the second debate on ABC or who would moderate either debate. Neither candidate mentioned the possibility of independent candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being included. They are trying to exclude me from the debate because they are afraid I would win, Kennedy said in a statement. The campaigns have apparently both decided not to work with the Commission on Presidential Debates, the bipartisan group that has organized debates for the past several elections. Neither Biden nor Trump even mentioned the commission, which had planned a slate of three presidential debates starting with a mid-September clash in San Marcos, Texas. The group also planned one vice-presidential debate. Presidential debates have never been held before Labor Day, the traditional start of the fall campaign season, much less prior to the two parties summer conventions. The Republican National Convention is set for mid-July in Milwaukee while Democrats will gather in August in Chicago. The earlier debates would reflect the major changes to how and when Americans vote for president. Tens of millions of people are expected to cast ballots before Election Day on Nov. 5, either by mail or early in-person voting, with some states sending ballots to voters in early September. That bipartisan bill has majority support in the House and Senate. But I was told, that other guy, that loser I think hes having trouble. Trump called Republicans to block that Senate bill, got on the phone and said itd be a win for Biden and a loser for him, so they have to make sure you dont allow it to get to a vote. Trending on NextShark: Korean ramen reaches record $100 million export revenue in a month The United States is providing Ukraine with additional military assistance worth two billion dollars. Some of this aid has already arrived in Ukraine, while others are on the way. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at a briefing at the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. Among the priorities, he named not only ammunition, armored vehicles and missiles, but also the defense of Ukraine from Russian air attacks. "We have additional help on the way. In fact, some aid has already arrived. But today I want to add to that by announcing that we will provide an additional two billion dollars in financial and military assistance to Ukraine," Blinken said. According to the official, this assistance will include a first-of-its-kind fund for defense companies. It has three areas: providing weapons now, investing in the Ukrainian defense industry, and purchasing weapons for Ukraine and outside the United States. Blinken added that the United States is currently focused on the Kharkiv region, where the Russians have launched an offensive. To help Ukrainian soldiers, Washington is doing everything possible to ensure that the pledged aid arrives on the battlefield as soon as possible. ADVERTISIMENT "We are in a hurry with ammunition, armored vehicles, missiles, air defense systems. We are trying to speed up their delivery to the front to protect soldiers and civilians. Air defense systems are, of course, a top priority. We are focused in our conversations on the details of what we are doing to find more air defense systems and deliver them to Ukraine. I can tell you that this is an urgent and priority issue for us," the US Secretary of State said. Earlier, Bloomberg shared insights that the United States is considering providing Ukraine with an additional battery of Patriot air defense systems. Meanwhile, during a meeting with Blinken in Kyiv on May 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine needs more air defense systems to protect its cities. In particular, he noted that two Patriot air defense systems are currently needed to protect the Kharkiv region. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! (Bloomberg) -- US President Joe Bidens plan to hike tariffs on Beijings green technology leaves room for companies to avoid duties on solar manufacturing equipment an exemption that speaks to US reliance on Chinese-made machines to swiftly build out factories, potentially benefitting a small group of niche producers. Most Read from Bloomberg While so-called 301 tariffs on solar cells and modules from China will double, from 25% to 50%, the administration is also looking to exclude some machinery altogether in response to pleas from some US manufacturers. They argued tariffs on solar ingot and wafer-making equipment undermined Bidens goal of establishing a broad domestic supply chain. Under the plans announced Tuesday, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai acknowledged this, beginning a process that would include 19 possible exclusions for gear used to make solar components. The approach like one used after former President Donald Trump first imposed the 301 tariffs gives companies and industries a chance to petition the government to win exemptions. That process is likely to play out over months. You cannot just flip a switch to have the resilience that you need to build towards, Tai said on Bloomberg Television. That exclusions process is very much a recognition of the need to send a strong signal and to provide our producers with the ability to transition to manufacturing more here at home. She added that there would be further announcements regarding separate exclusions set to expire at the end of this month. The carve-out in a headline-grabbing list of measures and in the throes of a presidential election campaign underscores how years of dominating solar manufacturing has solidified Chinas role in the supply chain. Not only is it home to factories that produce more than 80% of global panels, but its companies also produce the most advanced equipment to outfit those plants. Companies including Wuxi Autowell Technology Co., Suzhou Maxwell Technologies Co. and Shenzhen SC New Energy Technology Corp. build machines such as crucibles needed to form polysilicon ingots, diamond wire saws that slice them into ultra-thin wafers and laminators that bind modules together. That kind of equipment accounts for at least 55% of the capital expenses of building a new solar factory, according to BloombergNEF. Slapping 25% Section 301 tariffs on such goods coming from China would have made the equipment 50% to 100% more expensive once logistics and transport costs are added in, BNEF estimates. Were glad to see the Biden administration take a step to strategically re-align 301 tariffs to help onshore US solar manufacturing and support solar manufacturing workers, said Mike Carr, executive director of Solar Energy Manufacturers for America. As America works to build out manufacturing in key clean energy supply chains to reduce the countrys reliance on Chinas supply chains, we need to use every tool at our disposal to boost the US solar manufacturing industry. Read More: China Vows Resolute Measures After Bidens New Tariffs Canadian Solar Inc. rose 7.5% in New York on Tuesday, the most in a month. First Solar Inc. fell 1.4%. The administrations plan also differentiates between lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles slated for tariff hikes and those used in solar and wind power projects, where existing tariff levels are set to be maintained. Solar power developers had argued that distinction was necessary to ensure swift development of emission-free power in the US, while domestic battery manufacturing ramps up. Todays decision recognizes the value of battery energy storage and its importance to the reliability of our electric grid, said Jason Grumet, chief executive officer of the American Clean Power Association. As energy demand grows, battery energy storage is lowering costs for American families and businesses. Chinese solar manufacturers have been looking to shift some of their manufacturing capacity overseas, in part to get around growing trade barriers. Firms such as Trina Solar Co. and Longi Green Energy Technology Co. and Jinko Solar Co. are all building or have recently opened plants in the US. China has hinted it understands the need to let its companies bring their technology abroad. In January 2023, the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology sought out public comment on adding some advanced solar manufacturing methods to its list of technologies it prohibits exporting but when that list was finally published in December, solar technology wasnt included. Tariffs on Chinese equipment may just further slow down investment plans that are already under pressure from economics and other challenges,said Yali Jiang, an analyst with BloombergNEF. The availability both in terms of scale and economics from Chinese equipment suppliers could help the US on its local supply chain ambitions. --With assistance from Mark Chediak, Kailey Leinz, Joe Mathieu and Luz Ding. (Updates with details, comment from Tai in paragraph 4) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. President Biden and first lady Jill Biden will host Kenyas President William Ruto and first lady Rachel Ruto next week at the White House. The May 23 visit will mark the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relations, according to the White House. It comes after Biden broke his promise to visit Africa last year. Biden will hold a bilateral meeting with Ruto, and the pair will talk trade and investment, technological innovation, climate and clean energy, health, and security, according to a release. A joint press conference and a state dinner will be held later that day. The visit will affirm our strategic partnership with Kenya and further the vision set forth at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit: African leadership is essential to addressing global priorities, read a release. Biden has committed to a closer relationship with African countries as his administration stresses its global leadership, and the state visit may appear as an alternative outreach to an in-person trip. The first lady has visited Namibia and Kenya, and Vice President Kamala Harris has made stops in Zambia, Ghana and Tanzania. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Joe Biden took several pot shots at his predecessor at a dinner in Washington DC - AP/Mariam Zuhaib Joe Biden called Donald Trump a loser during a speech in which he appeared to reference his presidential election opponents legal woes saying: I think hes having trouble. At an annual awards dinner in Washington, the president criticised his predecessor for his handling of the pandemic and for his role in killing a bipartisan border agreement earlier this year. This bill had majority support in the House and Senate. But I was told, that other guy, that loser, Trump called Republicans to block that Senate bill, Mr Biden said. [He] got on the phone and said itd be a win for Biden and a [loss] for him, so they have to make sure you dont allow it to get to a vote. But hes wrong. The president paused briefly as the insult was met with laughter from the crowd before adding: I think hes having trouble. The legislation, dubbed the most comprehensive reform bill in decades, was the first Mr Biden introduced when he took office in 2020 and initially had the support of some of the staunchest conservatives. Biden gets under Trumps skin more than anyone Continuing his attack on Mr Trump, he said: Look, Ill never forget him lying about the pandemic, telling Americans to inject bleach into their skin. I wonder if he did it. It might explain something. The president has increasingly turned to insulting Mr Trump as part of a new campaign strategy. Multiple aides and advisers to the president recently told NBC News that Mr Biden thinks getting under Mr Trumps skin will help him to defeat the presumptive nominee in November. The strategy, which is largely driven by Mr Biden himself, is in full swing with the president taking jabs at Mr Trumps physical stamina, financial woes and even his weight. Theres just something about Joe Biden that gets under Donald Trumps skin more than anybody, and I think Joe Biden knows that, an aide familiar with the approach told NBC. 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 (NEXSTAR) President Joe Biden honored fallen officers in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday. The National Peace Officers Memorial Service is part of Police Week which brings thousands of law enforcement officers from around the country to the nations capital. The service was a moment to thank police officers but also a chance to address the issue of their safety on the job. We owe you, as a nation, said Biden. In an address to police officers outside the Capitol, President Biden honored their colleagues who have died. Every time you put on that shield and walk out of the house, your family wonders if that call will come, said Biden. According to the FBI, 60 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2023, down from previous years. We can never thank you enough for your courage, your service, and your sacrifice, said Biden. On Capitol Hill lawmakers took the opportunity to appeal to officers. California Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu says Democrats have done more to secure funding for law enforcement than Republicans. Democrats believe in actions and our actions send a strong signal that we honor those who protect and who serve, said Lieu. New York Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik criticized Democrats for what she called a pro-criminal agenda. Republicans recognize the need to fight for our police and against the far-left extremists anti-police movement, said Stefanik. House Speaker Mike Johnson promised Congress will do more to defend police officers like expanding concealed carry for officers and supporting mental health resources. We will be passing legislation on the floor to make that clear and to do everything we possibly can to celebrate those officers and to protect those who protect all of us, said Johnson. Johnson said they will also address anti-police attacks and vote to deport illegal immigrants who assault police officers this week. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. A political appointee in the Interior Department announced her resignation Wednesday in opposition to President Bidens policy toward Israel in its war against Hamas that has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis for Palestinians. Lily Greenberg Call, a political appointee serving in the Office of the Secretary of Interior, issued her resignation in protest, joining a handful of other mid- to senior-level officials expressing opposition to U.S. support for Israel in the war. I can no longer in good conscience continue to represent this administration amidst President Bidens disastrous, continued support for Israels genocide in Gaza, Call wrote in her resignation letter, which was shared by the activist group IfNotNow. IfNotNow describes itself as a movement of American Jews that works to end what it views as U.S. involvement with the Israeli government over the systematic displacement of Palestinians. Calls resignation follows that of a handful of public departures from the Biden administration in protest of the presidents handling of Israels war, but she is the first Jewish official to quit the administration over the matter. She accused the president of making Jews less safe for portraying them as the face of the American war machine. Calls resignation, making her the fifth official to resign in protest, according to a tally by the Associated Press, comes seven months since Hamas launched an attack against Israel on Oct. 7, triggering a wider war against the U.S.-designated terrorist group in the Gaza Strip. Biden has held firm on U.S. policy to support Israels right to self-defense after Hamas killed an estimated 1,200 people and took more than 250 people hostage, with approximately 133 people still being held in Gaza. The administration, criticized for not pushing Israel to an immediate cease-fire, has worked to negotiate a hostage release in exchange for a pause in fighting, but that has yet to succeed since a week-long cease-fire in November. The president has sought to balance his frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the scale of destruction in Gaza the high civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis with supporting Israels defense against Hamass continued threats and those from Iran, Hezbollah. While Biden held back a shipment of heavy bombs for Israel as leverage to stave off an Israeli military operation on the southern Gazan city of Rafah, the administration said it is fulfilling Congresss appropriation of more than $14 billion in security assistance for Israel. And the president transmitted notification to Congress on Tuesday for a $1 billion proposed arms sales to Israel. Bidens decision to hold back the heavy bombs for Israel bought the president some political cover from Democrats critical of Israel for using U.S. weapons in ways likely in violation of international humanitarian law. But Republicans have seized on the presidents actions as an unacceptable policy of conditioning aid to Israel. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Joe Biden awards the Presidential Citizens Medal to U.S. Capitol Police officer Caroline Edwards during a ceremony to mark the second anniversary of the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. via Associated Press WASHINGTON President Joe Biden at a police officers memorial ceremony Wednesday again honored the officers who died as a result of the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol, part of his predecessors coup attempt. We remember all of our law enforcement who defended our Capitol and our democracy on that terrible day, Biden said at the annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service on the Capitol buildings west lawn. Biden did not mention former president Donald Trump by name, but by praising police for their work on Jan. 6 was able to draw a clear contrast nevertheless. Trump, whose weeks of lies about the 2020 election having been stolen from him, culminating with a pre-coup rally near the White House, never praises the 140 Capitol and Washington, D.C., police officers who were injured by his mob that day, nor the five who died in the coming days and weeks, four of them by suicide. Instead, Trump regularly glorifies those who assaulted police on his behalf on Jan. 6, and hes offered convicted rioters pardons if he wins. The presumptive GOP nominee often opens his campaign events by standing at attention and saluting as he plays a recording of incarcerated Jan. 6 attackers as they sing the national anthem, interspersed with Trumps reading of the Pledge of Allegiance. Biden has previously honored officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6. He gave a number of them the Presidential Citizens Medal in a White House ceremony on the second anniversary of that day. In speeches, he has frequently thanked them for saving American democracy. As president-elect, he attended a memorial service for officer Brian Sicknick, who died hours after being assaulted at the Capitol. And as president, he signed legislation extending death benefits to the families of the four who died by suicide in the weeks that followed the attack. Trump, who was on Jan. 6, 2021, still the sitting president, neither attended Sicknicks service nor contacted his family members. Despite this, a number of police unions around the country have endorsed Trump as he runs for the White House again even though Trump faces criminal charges for his actions leading up to and on Jan. 6. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing Trumps claim that he cannot be prosecuted on federal charges for his coup attempt because he was president at the time and his conduct that day was part of his official duties. Trump faces a second prosecution based on his post-election actions in Georgia for his efforts to overturn his election loss there. An unrelated federal case against him is based on his refusal to turn over secret documents he took with him when he left the White House to his South Florida country club. And he is currently on trial in New York City. Trump is charged there for falsifying business records in an effort to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to a porn star in the days ahead of the 2016 election. Should Trump win the presidency back, he would almost certainly order the Department of Justice to dismiss the federal cases against him, and could likely force Georgia prosecutors to put their case on hold until he is no longer in office. Related... On May 15, an assassination attempt was made against Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. He sustained a gunshot wound in Handlove. ADVERTISIMENT The official is currently hospitalized, and the attacker has been detained. This was reported by the Slovak media. According to Dennika N, the shots were fired in front of the House of Culture, where the government meeting was taking place when the prime minister came out to the people. The reporter of this publication did not see it happen but heard several shots. "Then he saw the guards lift the prime minister off the ground, load him into a car, and drive away. According to witnesses who were at the scene, Fico approached the people who were greeting him, after which several shots were fired. Fico then fell to the ground," the report said. The media reported that Robert Fico was wounded in the chest and stomach. He was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in Bratislava. ADVERTISIMENT "There was a crowd of people outside, and one of them started shooting. He was immediately subdued and detained, and the prime minister was taken away by bodyguards. According to our information, the shooter was aiming at the prime minister himself," said another eyewitness, a journalist from HN. Dennika N adds that the alleged attacker was neutralized and detained by police. The police cordoned off the area and evacuated the cultural center. Security guards took care of the safety of other members of the government. Biden says he is alarmed after Slovakian prime ministers shooting President Biden said he was alarmed after the Wednesday shooting of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico put the European leader in critical condition. We condemn this horrific act of violence, Biden said in a statement. Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist. Fico was shot multiple times after a meeting in the town of Handlova in central Slovakia while the prime minister was greeting supporters. A post on Ficos Facebook account said the prime minister was in life-threatening condition, and he was transported to the hospital via helicopter. The next few hours will decide, the post reads. Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini, a close ally of Fico, called the shooting an assassination attempt that was a threat to everything that has adorned Slovak democracy so far. An assassination attempt on one of the highest constitutional officials is an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy, he wrote on the social platform X. If we express different political opinions with guns in the squares, and not in polling stations, we endanger everything we have built together in 31 years of Slovak sovereignty. Slovak media outlet Dennik N reported that a 71-year-old man was detained in connection with the shooting and that he had used a legally purchased gun. Several world leaders have condemned the attack, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close friend, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, along with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined those condemning the attack in a statement Wednesday. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good, she said. Fico is a pro-Russian politician who won his fourth term in office last year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. US President Joe Biden attends the 48th G7 Summit. China has accused US President Joe Biden of slapping new tariffs on Beijing as part of his re-election campaign and threatened retaliation. Peter Kneffel/dpa US President Joe Biden has condemned the shooting of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico as a "horrific act of violence." He and his wife Jill were praying for Fico's speedy recovery, Biden wrote in a statement released by the White House on Wednesday. "Our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia," the statement continued. Fico was shot after a Cabinet meeting and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to a hospital in Banska Bystrica. Fico was shot and injured after a cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Jan Kroslak/TASR/dpa Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to hospital. Jan Kroslak/TASR/dpa President Joe Biden and Republican challenger Donald Trump traded barbs after the two candidates agreed to debates ahead of Novembers election. Biden threw the first jab when in the morning he released a video challenging Trump to a debate and made reference to the former presidents ongoing trial over alleged huh-money payments - which takes breaks in the middle of the week. I hear youre free on Wednesdays, the president said. After a rapid back-and-forth between Mr Biden and the former president, the two men agreed to face-off on stage for the first time since 2020, on June 27. Just tell me when, Ill be there. Lets get ready to Rumble!!!, Trump said in response to Bidens challenge. Trump and Biden face-off during the 2020 presidential debate (Reuters) Mr Bidens initial video shows the president declaring that Mr Trump lost both of the debates they participated in during the 2020 election cycle. He went on to mock the former president for his refusal to show up for a single debate during the 2024 Republican primary, claiming that Mr Trump keeps accusing him of being unwilling to debate with him. Now hes acting like he wants to debate me again? Well, make my day, pal Ill even do it twice, he said. So lets pick the dates, Donald. I hear youre free on Wednesdays. Mr Trump fired back at the challenge in a characteristic rant on his social-media platform, Truth Social. Crooked Joe Biden is the WORST debater I have ever faced He cant put two sentences together! Crooked is also the WORST President in the history of the United States, by far, he wrote. Its time for a debate so that he can explain to the American People his highly destructive Open Border Policy, new and ridiculous EV Mandates, the allowance of Crushing Inflation, High Taxes, and his really WEAK Foreign Policy, which is allowing the World to Catch on Fire. Mr Trump said that he was Ready and Willing to agree to the two debates in June and September, and claimed that he would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds Thats only because he doesnt get them. Joe Biden challenges Donald Trump to debate him in June (Biden campaign) Soon after, Mr Biden took Mr Trump at his word for being willing to debate him anywhere, any time, any place and revealed that he had accepted an invitation from CNN to take part in a debate at 9pm ET on 27 June in Atlanta. Ive received and accepted an invitation from @CNN for a debate on June 27th. Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place, Mr Biden posted on X. In turn, Donald Trump told Fox News Digital that he had accepted the invitation and is looking forward to being in beautiful Atlanta. In a post on Twitter/X, Mr Biden said his and Mr Trumps campaign teams have also agreed to a second debate on September 10, to be hosted by ABC. Trump says hell arrange his own transportation. Ill bring my plane, too. I plan on keeping it for another four years, he wrote. Mr. Trump, not to be bested, also took to Truth Social to claim a debate had been arranged with Fox News. Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that I hereby accept debating Crooked Joe Biden on FoxNews. The date will be Wednesday, October 2nd. The Hosts will be Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. Thank you, DJT! Its unclear whether Fox had agreed to host the extra debate before Mr Trump issued his social media post, and its unlikely that the Biden campaign will be amenable to the amended request for more debates, particularly on networks that did not host Democratic primary debates during the 2020 cycle. But Jen OMalley Dillon, the Biden campaign chair, hit back against the ex-presidents demand in a statement noting that Mr Trump has a long history of playing games with debates: complaining about the rules, breaking those rules, pulling out at the last minute, or not showing up at all which hes done repeatedly in all three cycles hes run for president. He said he would debate President Biden anytime, anywhere, anyplace. In fact, hes said and posted it dozens of times with varying degrees of comprehension and basic grammar. President Biden made his terms clear for two one-on-one debates, and Donald Trump accepted those terms. No more games. No more chaos, no more debate about debates. Well see Donald Trump on June 27th in Atlanta if he shows up, she said. Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during a campaign rally at the Forum River Center in Rome, Georgia, on March 9 (REUTERS) The first debate will now take place before either candidate has even officially been named as their partys presidential nominee, with the Republican National Convention taking place in July and the Democratic National Convention in August. Mr Bidens proposal for the first debate to take place in June bypasses the nonpartisan commission that has organised and hosted a trio of general election presidential debates for decades in favour of a pair of sessions to be held under terms negotiated directly between his campaign and that of Mr Trump. In a letter to the debate commission, obtained by The Independent, OMalley Dillon said the debates should take place in a television studio with both candidates and a moderator sans audience, just like the first groundbreaking 1960 debate between the then senator John F Kennedy and the then-vice president Richard Nixon. The Commissions model of building huge spectacles with large audiences at great expense simply isnt necessary or conducive to good debates, she wrote. The debates should be conducted for the benefit of the American voters, watching on television and at home not as entertainment for an in-person audience with raucous or disruptive partisans and donors, who consume valuable debate time with noisy spectacles of approval or jeering. She added the decision was influenced by failures of the nonpartisan group in past years, including the commissions inability to enforce the rules to keep the candidates within their allotted speaking time. The outcome of that failure, she said, was far from indeed entirely inconsistent with the orderly and informative process the voters deserved in 2020 and should be able to expect in 2024. The Biden campaign has also suggested the debates be split between two broadcast networks that also participated in both Republican and Democratic primary debates in 2016 and 2020, limiting the choices to CNN, ABC News, Telemundo and CBS News, with moderators chosen from the host networks regular personnel. That last point is expected to be contested by Mr Trump, who has frequently complained about debate moderators. But the timing of the two debates might be amenable to Mr Trump, who has often groused about the late timing of the 2020 debates, citing the increased prevalence of postal balloting and early voting in modern elections. Last month, his two senior campaign advisers, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, said the timing of this years debates as proposed was unacceptable. We are committed to making this happen with or without the presidential debate commission, they said. We extend an invitation to every television network in America that wishes to host a debate, and we once again call on Joe Bidens team to work with us to set one up as soon as possible. Ms OMalley Dillon appeared to echo Mr Trumps criticisms in her letter, writing that the schedule has debates that begin after the American people have a chance to cast their vote early, and doesnt conclude until after tens of millions of Americans will have already voted. The commissions failure, yet again, to schedule debates that will be meaningful to all voters not just those who cast their ballots late in the fall or on election day underscores the serious limitations of its outdated approach, she added. A source familiar with the former presidents thinking told The Independent that Mr Trump genuinely believes he can best Mr Biden in head-to-head sessions because he has internalised his frequent claim that the 46th president suffers from dementia. There is no evidence that Mr Biden has such a condition. But Mr Trump, the source said, believes the debates will give him a chance to make his successor look addled and aged. Biden will send more than $1bn in new weapons to Israel, despite Netanyahus Rafah plans The Biden administration has told Congress that it wants to send more than $1bn in new weapons to Israel despite its opposition to the invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza by the Israeli military. The US announced this month that it had paused a bomb shipment to Israel, concerned that civilians may be killed if they were put to use in densely populated areas. The new package of weapons, which would include $700m in tank ammunition, $500m of tactical vehicles, and $60m of mortar rounds has been sent for approval to Congress. It remains unclear when the arms will be sent. Two congressional aides have said that the shipment is not part of the foreign aid package signed by Mr Biden last month. The Biden administration has faced criticism from the left and the right for its handling of Israels war in Gaza, which is now in its seventh month. Several members of Mr Bidens own party have argued that he should restrict the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel to push the country to take stronger measures to limit the harm to Palestinian civilians. The war has prompted widespread pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses across the US. Benjamin Netanyahu and Joe Biden (Getty) Republicans have used the pause in the bomb transfer to slam the Biden administration, arguing that a lack of American support will weaken Israel in its fight against Hamas and other terrorist groups. House Republicans will vote on a bill this week that would mandate delivering offensive weapons to Israel. The White House said on Tuesday that Mr Biden would veto the bill if it reaches his desk, though its unlikely to pass the Democratic Senate. House Democrats have been divided on the matter, with about two dozen signing onto a letter stating their concerns about the message sent by the pause in the bomb shipments. New York Representative Ritchie Torres said he would probably back the bill in the House. I have a general rule of supporting pro-Israel legislation unless it includes a poison pill like cuts to domestic policy, he said. We strongly, strongly oppose attempts to constrain the Presidents ability to deploy US security assistance consistent with US foreign policy and national security objectives, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said this week. She added that the administration plans to spend all funds appropriated by Congress in the national security package signed by Mr Biden last month. The Biden administration has said that it will continue other arms shipments as well as general military support for Israel the largest recipient of US military support. The plans to send more than $1bn of weapons to Israel were initially reported by The Wall Street Journal. On Monday, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told the press that Mr Biden will make sure that Israel has all of the military means it needs to defend itself against all of its enemies, including Hamas. For [Biden], this is very straightforward hes going to continue to provide Israel with all of [the] capabilities it needs, but he does not want certain categories of American weapons used in a particular type of operation in a particular place. And again, he has been clear and consistent with that, he added. The Associated Press contributed to this report Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump stands next to a podium placed next to him to challenge President Biden to a debate as he speaks at a rally outside Schnecksville Fire Hall on April 13, 2024 in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania. Credit - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to meet for a pair of televised debates before the Nov. 5 election. The first debate will be on June 27 hosted by CNN, the network announced Wednesday, giving voters an opportunity to hear from both candidates before casting their ballots. The second will be hosted by ABC on Sept. 10. Both candidates accepted invitations to the debates, they said. "Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then he hasn't shown up for a debate," Biden said in a video message posted earlier in the day on X. "Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again. Make my day pal. I'll even do it twice." Biden referenced Trumps ongoing New York hush-money trial by joking that he is free on Wednesdays, the usual day off in the trial. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee who refused to debate his rivals in the primary race, responded to a proposal by the Biden campaign by saying he is ready and willing to debate. He has in recent weeks been challenging Biden to engage in a one-on-one matchup with him, offering to debate the President anytime, anywhere, anyplace. Read More: How Far Trump Would Go Crooked Joe Biden is the WORST debater I have ever faced - He cant put two sentences together! Trump wrote on Truth Social. I am Ready and Willing to Debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September. Trump said he accepted an invitation for a third debate on Oct. 2 hosted by Fox News, though its unclear if Biden will agree. Trump's campaign also proposed holding two additional debates in July and August. Biden campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon said in a letter that Biden would not take part in the traditional televised showdowns organized by the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, citing the commissions late schedule and past struggles to keep candidates from violating the debate rules. Trump has also leveled criticisms against the commission, arguing that it is biased against him and begins too late in the campaign season. The Biden campaign proposed several criteria for how the debates should be structured, calling on the debates to be hosted by a broadcast organization that moderated a Republican primary debate in 2016 as well as one that did so in the Democratic primary in 2020, so neither campaign can assert that the sponsoring organization is obviously unacceptable. Moderators for the debate, the Biden campaign argued, should be selected by the broadcast host from among their regular personnel, so as to avoid a ringer or partisan. Read More: Bidens Campaign Is In Trouble. Will the Turnaround Plan Work? There should be firm time limits for answers, and alternate turns to speak so that the time is evenly divided and we have an exchange of views, not a spectacle of mutual interruption, OMalley Dillon wrote in the letter. She also argued that the debates should be conducted for voters to watch on television from their homes instead of in front of live audiences with raucous or disruptive partisans and donors, who consume valuable debate time with noisy spectacles of approval or jeering. Trump said he disagreed with Bidens call not to debate in front of a crowd. I would strongly recommend more than two debates, Trump wrote on Truth Social. And, for excitement purposes, a very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds - Thats only because he doesnt get them. Just tell me when, Ill be there. Lets get ready to Rumble!!! While both candidates have agreed to at least two debates, Biden's team is signaling skepticism that Trump will stick to the plan. "Donald Trump has a long history of playing games with debates: complaining about the rules, breaking those rules, pulling out at the last minute, or not showing up at all," O'Malley Dillon said in a statement. "No more games. No more chaos, no more debate about debates. Well see Donald Trump on June 27th in Atlanta if he shows up. Biden also called for a vice presidential debate to take place in late July after the Republican National Convention. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. Biden, Trump Agree to First Presidential Debate of 2024 Election Season Find Out When & Where President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have both agreed to their first debate of the 2024 election cycle, to be held on the historically early side Thursday, June 27 and air on CNN. Biden accepted CNNs invite on Wednesday morning, sharing on social media, Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place. Trump responded in kind not long after, telling Fox News, Ill be there. More from TVLine According to CNN, the debate will be held in the networks Atlanta studios with no audience present. CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate. Both presumptive candidates later said that they have also agreed to a second debate, to be held Sept. 10 and air on ABC. David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC News will moderate that event, our sister site Deadline reports. Election Day this year is Tuesday, Nov. 5. It was a month ago that major broadcast and cable news networks released a joint statement urging the presumptive presidential nominees to commit to general election debates. The letter was signed by CNN as well as ABC News, The Associated Press, CBS News, C-SPAN, Fox News Media, NBCUniversal News Group, NewsNation, Noticias Univision (Univision Network News), NPR, PBS NewsHour and USA Today. That petition outlined the importance of debates, calling them a rich tradition in our American democracy and a vital component in elections since 1976. In each of those elections, tens of millions have tuned in to watch the candidates debating side by side, in a competition of ideas for the votes of American citizens, the letter stated. If there is one thing Americans can agree on during this polarized time, it is that the stakes of this election are exceptionally high, the letter concluded. Amidst that backdrop, there is simply no substitute for the candidates debating with each other, and before the American people, their visions for the future of our nation. Best of TVLine Get more from TVLine.com : Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Newsletter Biden/Trump presidential debate may not be coming to University of Utah after all SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump may not be coming to Salt Lake City after all. In November of last year, it was announced the University of Utah would be the stage for one of three presidential debates hosted by the Commission on Presidential Debates. However, a letter from Biden campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon sent to the Commission said Biden would not be participating in its announced debates. According to the Associated Press, the Biden campaign rejected the Commissions three debates slated for September through October. The letter argued the selected dates come too late as many Americans will have already started to vote in the 2024 election. Bidens campaign instead proposed two debates one held in June and the other held in September hosted by news organizations. University of Utah Hinkley Institute of Politics Director Jason Perry told ABC4 they learned of the news earlier this morning and are working to learn what the ramifications of the announcement are. He said they found the news disappointing which would have a big impact. Bathroom monitor Dougall drops video in latest attack on transgender bathroom bill Over the last couple of weeks, both campaigns have talked about their willingness to do the debates. We even saw postings on social media where President Trump, in fact, said he would do a debate sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates, said Perry. There are a lot of conversations about the timing of these debates, the locations, the moderators, etc. But this is one of those issues where we have been working very closely with the Commission and they will try to work out some kind of agreement or some kind of understanding, today going forward. Everything is in flux right now. The complaint from the Biden campaign echoed a similar argument from the Trump campaign earlier in the month, according to the AP. The Trump campaign issued a statement in early May that objected to the Commissions schedule saying the debates dont start until after early voting begins. ABC4 reached out to the Commission on Presidential Debates and is currently awaiting a response. Previously, the CPD addressed the early voting concerns in a statement saying it had considered multiple factors when selecting its debate dates in order to make them accessible to the American public. Those factors include holidays, early voting, and dates for when individual states close their ballots. Both Biden and Trump took to social media on Wednesday prodding one another to debate on the two new proposed dates. Both statements appear to accept one anothers challenge. Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasnt shown up for a debate. Now hes acting like he wants to debate me again, posted Biden. Well, make my day, pal. I am ready and willing to debate crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September, Trump posted adding he strongly recommends additional debates at large venues. Just tell me when Ill be there. Lets get ready to rumble! The two both agreed a few hours later to debate on June 27, 2024, on CNN and again on Sept. 10, 2024, on ABC. Perry said he hopes Utah has a debate in the future. There is a case to be made for the importance of debates, said Perry. We stand ready even now to have these debates if we are able to get to that particular point. The debates are critical. Theyre not going away. The Associated Press has contributed to this story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. President Biden has won the Maryland Democratic presidential primary, according to Decision Desk HQ. While Biden was not expected to face any stiff competition for the state, protesters angry over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war are urging Democratic primary voters to cast ballots for uncommitted to any presidential candidate. Similar votes voicing outrage over the White Houses handling of the international conflict have been seen in other states, including Michigan and Minnesota. Maryland has 95 delegates up for grabs on the Democratic side. Its unlikely to play a pivotal role at the presidential level. Biden beat former President Trump in the Old Line State by 33 points in 2020. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Biden's move to send $1 billion in weapons to Israel could backfire The US is set to send more than $1 billion in additional arms to Israel. President Joe Biden last week withheld a shipment of bombs to Israel. Experts say the deal sends mixed messages and undermines Biden's influence. The US plans to send more than $1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel despite growing tensions between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Officials said the weapons package would consist of about $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million worth of military vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds, The Wall Street Journal reported. Getting the weapons to Israel could be a lengthy process. As CNN noted, Congress needs to be officially notified of the sale and approve it. It comes days after Biden withheld a shipment of bombs to Israel amid rising concerns that the country was gearing up for a major military operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. Biden later said he would withhold additional weaponry if Israel went ahead with a widespread ground assault on the city. President Joe Biden. Nathan Howard/Getty Images Biden's decision to pursue the deal could be viewed as an attempt to heal his rift with Netanyahu and to halt accusations that the US is emboldening Iran. But it could backfire. Seth Binder, an expert on US weapons sales with the Middle East Democracy Center, told the Journal that Biden's apparent U-turn weakened his influence over Netanyahu. "This is just another example of them muddying their message and undermining any real strength behind the hold," he said. Sen. Chris Van Hollen told The Washington Post that the deal "undercuts the president's earlier decision and should not go forward." The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Biden has long faced a dilemma with Israel On the one hand, Biden pledged "ironclad" support for Israel in the wake of the October 7 terrorist attacks, in which Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped 240. The US sent warships to the Israeli coast that month to deter attacks by the Hamas allies Iran and Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militant group. And when Iran in April retaliated after an Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus, Syria, with the first direct attack on Israel in its history, US forces helped shoot down hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles. Biden and Netanyahu embrace. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/Getty Images The US has provided huge sums of military aid to Israel since the start of the conflict, including weapons sales passed by Congress valued at about $250 million. But Biden has also been desperate to prevent the war in Gaza from spiraling into a broader regional conflict that could pull in US energy and military resources at a time when they're already stretched. As the war in Gaza drags on and the civilian death toll mounts, he's also facing escalating domestic and political costs for his support for Israel. Protests against Israel's Gaza campaign have swept across US campuses, and Biden is attracting declining support among the younger voters who helped propel him to victory in 2020. Analysts say that Biden's handling of the Gaza war is among the issues corroding his support among them. The Biden administration is seeking to help wind the conflict down. US officials want to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and secure a deal for the release of the surviving Israeli hostages. But Netanyahu has his own political priorities, with hard-line members of his Cabinet pushing him not to accept a cease-fire and press on with the mission to destroy Hamas. Meanwhile, any sign of Biden backing away from his support for Israel leads to accusations from conservatives that he's emboldening Iran, long the US's main enemy in the region. So whichever way Biden turns, the choices are grim. Experts agree on one thing: The president's authority is waning. Dave Harden, a former mission director at the US Agency for International Development in the West Bank and Gaza, told the BBC in March that Netanyahu "almost treats Biden as some kind of inconsequential second secretary of a low-ranked European power." "The gap between Israel and the US," he said, "just deepens." Read the original article on Business Insider Press Release May 15, 2024 Opening Statement of Senator Cynthia A.Villar during the Public Hearing of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform (CAFAR) Joint with the Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation; Finance; and Ways and Means 15 May 2024, Wednesday, 10:30 A.M. Sen. Laurel Room, 2nd Floor, Senate of the Philippines, Pasay City The Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (amended by RA 10631) aims to protect animals from abuse and maltreatment. In these rules and regulations, five basic freedoms for animals have been identified: 1. Freedom from hunger or thirst 2. Freedom from discomfort 3. Freedom from pain, injury, or disease 4. Freedom to express normal behavior 5. Freedom from fear and distress The main problem that our country face with regards to animal are stray, and neglect, with countless dogs and cats left to fend for themselves, often succumbing to hunger, disease, or accidents, overpopulation, the lack of education in terms of animal welfare, and responsible pet ownership. Another issue is the trading and eating of dog meat. According to the proposed bills, there is a need to amend the law on animal welfare and effectively enforcing the same. The Philippines has in 2022, reported that there are around 13 million strays - dogs and cats. Stray animals are mainly a human health hazard, because of the spread of diseases such as rabies, leptospirosis, and other parasites. Strays and rescued dogs that are put in animal shelters and are not adopted or claimed after a week are often put to sleep due to lack of space and resources at local pounds. Accordingly, animal homelessness has reached a crisis point in the as countless dogs and cats are euthanized every month in municipal pounds after given a week and no one claims for them. Under the local government code, LGUs have the power to impound stray animals, and regulate the keeping of animals in homes or as part of a business. NGOs and some LGUs conduct free kapon or spay, ligate and neuter--activities. Including their anti-rabies shots and adoption drives. There have been calls from animal advocates, that, there must be increase public awareness on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. Educational campaigns can help shift cultural perceptions and encourage empathy towards animals. Under Republic Act No. 8485, as amended by R.A. 10631, or the Animal Welfare Act, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) is tasked to supervise the implementation of the law and its rules and regulations. BAI being a staff bureau that primarily performs policy, program development, and advisory functions; and is without control over regional and local veterinary services, animal production, and animal welfare which significantly impairs its implementation and enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act. This legislation criminalizes various forms of animal cruelty, such as maltreatment, negligence, and abandonment. However, despite the existence of this law, there are still individuals who evade appropriate punishment for their acts of animal abuse and cruelty. Animal cruelty remains an ongoing problem that impacts vulnerable animals that are unable to protect themselves. Animal cruelty leads to a criminal complaint. The Senate Bill of Senators Poe, Binay and Villanueva seeks to repeal RA 8485, as amended by R.A.10631, or the Animal Welfare Act to fortify the animal provisions of the law and to create an Animal Welfare Bureau for the effective implementation and enforcement of the law. It aims to strengthen the country's animal welfare standards, policies, rules and regulations, implementation, and enforcement. Suggested Questions Can we now hear from the Bureau of Animal Industry on the status of the implementation of the Animal Welfare Act? Can we hear from the representatives of the Local Government Units who are here? Can we hear on the Private Sectors who are here to share and give their comments? The ground underpinning a portion of Highway 1 in Big Sur fell away in March, forcing a closure of the roadway. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Along an almost 40-mile stretch of Highway 1, Big Sur has been isolated from the rest of the state for weeks with limited access for residents and essential workers after a massive chunk of the roadway fell into the ocean in late March. But on Friday ahead of schedule the damaged section of the scenic highway will reopen to the public, via an alternating single lane, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday at a news conference. The reopening, following major repairs and remediation completed under arduous conditions, restores access to several tourism hot spots along the roadway. Caltrans is working overtime," Newsom said. "Subject to an act of God, extreme winds, unlikely rain well be able to achieve that: 6:30 [a.m.] this Friday, Highway 1 will be reopened." The California Department of Transportation had previously committed to reopening the section of damaged highway by Memorial Day. Read more: Highway 1 collapse in Big Sur was caused by weather, waves, gravity. That's the good news The iconic route has been closed to the public since March 30, when torrential rains pounded the coast and a section of the southbound lane near the Rocky Creek Bridge collapsed, about 12 miles south of Carmel. Officials have been working to confirm stability and restore access to the area using only the northbound lane, as it wasn't damaged when the rockfall took a bite out of the southbound lane. Caltrans plans to use traffic signals to alternate vehicles traveling in both directions across the single lane, allowing for 24/7 traffic. Newsom on Tuesday acknowledged the "deep anxiety" that residents and business owners had felt the last few weeks, coming and going only through twice-a-day convoys, which were canceled a few times due to weather concerns. The local chamber of commerce had urged expedited repairs to help avoid further losses during one of Big Surs peak seasons for tourism, the area's largest industry. The closure from the March slip-out was particularly challenging because access to much of Highway 1 had already been limited to travelers coming from the north, as a different stretch of the roadway has been closed since January 2023. About 30 miles south of the Rocky Creek slip-out, a string of landslides including one this winter closed about 12 miles of the roadway near Lucia. That closure begins near Limekiln State Park in the south. Repairs there remain ongoing, and officials have said they hope to reopen that stretch sometime this summer. Read more: Big Sur tourism 'on standstill' after its connecting roadway crumbles into the sea -- again At the Rocky Creek closure, crews have been working since March often suspended in a basket from a crane above the 200-foot ocean-side cliff to improve stability, safety and drainage in the area. Caltrans contractors also started work on more long-term stabilization efforts, aimed at eventually reopening two-lane traffic. Soon after the slip-out occurred, engineers and work crews assessed the damage and made sure the precipitous coastal geology technically referred to as a scarp would not threaten the northbound lane as well. Once confident of its stability, the team began a series of steps to shore up the eroded cliff. The goal was to stabilize and reinforce, said Ryan Turner, a geotechnical engineer with Caltrans who headed the construction work. We did not want to let the scarp advance across the highway and take out the other lane. The work required drilling 40 vertical holes, all about 5 feet apart, in the existing roadbed, each 6 inches in diameter and 25 feet deep. Then, steel dowels were placed into the holes and encased with grout, essentially creating a steel curtain inside the rocky cliff. Then crews drilled an additional series of holes in five rows that extended into the cliff almost horizontally. Steel rods and grout were also placed in these holes, further supporting the cliff, Turner said. Their repair work, known as rock doweling, has been used to stabilize rock faces by increasing shear resistance across failure planes, Turner said. The effectiveness of this repair is in the grouted steel bars, he said. In order for the rock mass to shear, it would have to shear through these steel bars. To further stabilize the scarp, wire mesh was placed over the eroded cliff and sprayed with shotcrete a form of concrete that will affix to the vertical wall of rock to prevent loose rocks from sloughing off. The challenging work was able to continue only during fair weather and was halted several times during storms and high winds. A recent analysis of the slip-out near Rocky Creek Bridge determined that it was most likely caused by routine weather, erosion and water common challenges along the Big Sur coast, which has repeatedly suffered through highway closures and unforeseen land movement, according to a new analysis by federal geologists. Although such events are almost impossible to predict, officials said it's good that a more precarious, deep-seated landslide doesn't appear to be the cause of the March slip-out. That could result in ongoing and repeated issues. 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 Iowa State Capitol on Feb. 13, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) A bill adopted by the Iowa Legislature this year that is meant to more harshly penalize open meetings violations might also enable city councils, school boards and others to deliberate in secret, according to the Iowa Public Information Board. House File 2539 would increase the penalties for violating a state law that generally requires governmental bodies to operate transparently. That includes providing sufficient notice and agendas for their meetings and deliberating and voting in public. Purposeful violations of that law could result in fines of up to $12,500 for each board or council member who participated up from $2,500 according to the bill. It would further require repeat offenders to be expelled from office. However, a late amendment to the bill might have undercut those provisions. Under current law, its permissible for a majority of a boards or councils members to attend the same social event when there is no discussion of policy or no intent to avoid open meetings requirements. With the amendment, lawmakers sought to emphasize that includes gatherings that are hosted or organized by a political party, political candidate or civic organization. Theres some concerns in some smaller counties in Iowa that have, say, three (county) supervisors, that if theyre attending a social event for a political party or a civic gathering, that they would be in violation of the open meetings law, Sen. Scott Webster, R-Bettendorf, said last month in support of the amendment during debate in the Senate. This clarifies thats not a meeting. The problem is that the additional text was placed in a way that fully exempts those gatherings from open meeting requirements, said Erika Eckley, executive director of the Iowa Public Information Board, which is charged with deciding whether government officials violate open meetings and records law. This language is in direct conflict with the transparency requirements of Iowas sunshine laws and will create an enormous loophole for government bodies to allow for decisions to be made in secret, avoiding public consideration and disclosure, which is contrary to ensuring accountability of government to Iowans and the legislative intent behind the legislation, Eckley wrote in a letter to Gov. Kim Reynolds this month. Eckley sent that letter at the direction of IPIBs legislative committee, which sought to notify Reynolds of their interpretation of the bill before Reynolds potentially signs it into law. Its so poorly drafted you could drive a truck through it, Barry Lindahl, an IPIB member who is part of the legislative committee, said during a meeting early this month. Lindahl is a longtime attorney for the City of Dubuque. A spokesperson for Reynolds did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article. Eckley said Wednesday she has not received a response from the governors office to her letter, which was dated May 3. Reynolds should veto the bill, said Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, which advocates for open government. Evans supports increasing the fines for violations but said the apparently errant amendment has negative implications that far outweigh the bills benefits. This is an example of what happens when there are last-minute amendments and there is not the opportunity to fully vet them, he said. Lawmakers believe they know what the intent is, but when you sort of look at the language in the bright light of the morning, you sometimes realize that the intent and what the language says are not the same thing. The bill was amended and adopted unanimously in the Senate in the waning hours of this years legislative session on April 18. The change was then approved by the House. Webster, who managed the bill in the Senate, did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article. The post Bill that awaits governors signature has enormous loophole for open meetings appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. Bill introduced to allow lakeside cabins to remain at two southwest Nebraska reservoirs Congressional delegation comes to the rescue of mobile homes in this area at Swanson Reservoir near Trenton, on land currently owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the lake. (Courtesy of Jason Frederick/Hitchcock County News) LINCOLN Nebraskas congressional delegation is coming to the rescue of a group of cabin owners at two reservoirs near McCook. On Wednesday, U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts, along with U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, introduced legislation to allow the transfer of cabin areas at Swanson and Red Willow Reservoirs to Hitchcock County and Frontier County, respectively. Controversy had erupted after the current owner of the cabin areas, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, had sought to remove the privately owned cabins and trailers by November 2024 to make way for a proposed slate of campground improvements. The order didnt sit well with the cabin owners, who had enjoyed a lakeside retreat for decades, and with concessionaires who operated at the two lakes. There are 110 cabins on Swanson Reservoir near Trenton and 71 cabins at Red Willow north of McCook, and concession businesses at both lakes. Under the bills introduced in Congress, Hitchcock and Frontier Counties would have three years to purchase the two cabin sites. Then they would manage the two areas and benefit from the lease payments and concession fees paid. Swanson Reservoir is a 5,000-acre lake popular with fishermen and boaters near Trenton, in southwest Nebraska (Courtesy of Dawna Vap) Local leaders had expressed concern that losing the two summertime communities would hurt local businesses and tax revenue in a section of southwest Nebraska that has seen a decline in permanent residents. Fischer said the legislation charts a better path forward for the local community and the federal government. I encourage both the House and Senate to move quickly on our legislation, Fischer said in a press release. Both Ricketts and Smith echoed those sentiments. Paul Nichols, chairman of the Hitchcock County Board, said local residents heavily supported the land transfer. These areas have been in place and operating for decades allowing residents to build businesses and support families, not to mention the tax dollars Hitchcock County relies on for this small community, Nichols said. The cabin owners and concessionaires, he said, have pledged to raise the funds to purchase the two plots so there will be no cost to local taxpayers. Nichols added that once the land is transferred, both counties will reap yearly lease income from the cabins along with a percentage of sales at the two concession businesses. Its not a big amount of money. But you have to have a penny before you have a dollar, he said. Steven Hall of the Frontier County Board thanked the Nebraska politicians for working out an agreement to facilitate a transfer to the local counties, which will assume all responsibilities and liabilities. Over the past year, the three officials worked with the Bureau of Reclamation and the local counties to craft a bill all could agree with. Frontier County does not want to lose tax base by losing the concessions or the privately owned cabins, Hall said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Bill introduced to allow lakeside cabins to remain at two southwest Nebraska reservoirs appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. NEW YORK (PIX11) A new bill proposed by Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives would send protesters convicted of illegal activity on college campuses to Gaza for six months of community service. It was introduced last week by Republican leaders from Tennessee and Texas. Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles, who introduced the bill, was under fire back in February after telling pro-Palestinian protesters I think we should kill them all, according to reporting from Al Jazeera. Mayor Adams under fire for suggesting migrants are excellent swimmers Ogles later said that the comments were directed at Hamas, not Palestinians, according to reporting from The Tennessean. The bill will likely not pass in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Another bill proposed by lawmakers would revoke the visas of protesters arrested on college campuses who are not citizens of the U.S. 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Roundups manufacturer, the multinational Bayer, has faced myriad lawsuits related to the weed killer (Scott Olson/Getty Images). Time is running out for legislation that would make it harder to sue pesticide manufacturers over claims their products cause cancer, with an unusual coalition of opponents working to ensure theyve stalled the bills progress. The bill, critics argue, shields large corporations at the expense of everyday Missourians who have developed non-Hodgkins lymphoma they attribute to the use of pesticides formulated with glyphosate most prominently, Roundup. Supporters, including Roundups manufacturer, Bayer, say the lawsuits are unfair because glyphosate has been approved by environmental regulators who have determined it is unlikely to cause cancer in humans. Going through that litigation process and having this patchwork of labeling requirements has cost this company billions of dollars, said Catherine Hanaway, an attorney for Bayer and former Missouri House speaker, even when theres consistent scientific consensus that glyphosate does not cause cancer. The legislation cleared the House and has until 6 p.m. Friday to pass the Senate, which has been marked this year by gridlock and dysfunction and is currently bogged down in a multi-day filibuster. It pits powerful agriculture and business organizations against trial attorneys that have built an alliance with GOP lawmakers known for bringing the state Senate to a halt: the Missouri Freedom Caucus. Its not a traditional alliance, said Amy Gunn, president of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, but I appreciatethat there are people on both sides of the aisle that can recognize the importance of not limiting our rights. The legislation, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Dane Diehl of Butler, would protect Roundup manufacturer Bayer from lawsuits by plaintiffs who claim the company failed to warn them that glyphosate might be carcinogenic. Bayer maintains that its safe, though it has paid billions to settle Roundup claims or pay out jury judgments. Specifically, the legislation would dictate that pesticides that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and carry an approved label consistent with the EPAs opinion on whether the ingredients are carcinogenic satisfies its duty to warn customers, insulating Bayer from failure to warn cases. Bayer argues We believe anything thats gone through the full regulatory processand has been deemed safe through multiple studies, multiple endeavors over time of about 50 years on certain products that they have fulfilled their duties to warn of the dangers associated with the product, Diehl said in a Senate committee hearing last month. This bill is about protecting a corporation over the citizens of our state Bayer said it has set aside about $16 billion to deal with Roundup lawsuits, including more than $10 billion it has already paid out in settlements. It has lost other cases at trial. Earlier this year, a jury in Philadelphia awarded a plaintiff $2.25 billion. Last year in Cole County, three plaintiffs were awarded $1.56 billion, though a judge later reduced that to $622 million. Bayer says the settlements it has paid out dont represent an admission of wrongdoing. It stands behind the product and says it has won in cases where the court allowed it to present studies that deem glyphosate safe. But its looking at several options for the future of Roundup, said Jessica Christiansen, head of sustainability and stewardship for crop science at Bayer. Weve been pretty clear that the cost and the burden of the lawsuits is not sustainable, she said in an interview with The Independent when asked if Bayer would pull Roundup from shelves. Missouri farm groups have backed the pesticide labeling legislation, saying farmers need assurance Roundup will be available for the long term. We feel strongly that pesticides are an essential crop protection tool that provide many environmental benefits by enabling conservation practices, Jacob Knaebel, a lobbyist for the Missouri Corn Growers Association, told a Missouri Senate committee last month. Christiansen, however, said it was simply not true that the legislation would provide blanket immunity for Bayer from litigation. She wouldnt say whether it would shield the company from liability in failure to warn cases, but its sponsor and other supporters say thats the idea. Bayer says there are other means by which people can sue, including product failures and warranty claims. Theres other ways that people can still file lawsuits, and they have the right to do that, but on this particular issue, we support the science and the labeling should be supported by science as well, she said. Gunn panned that argument. Thats been a talking point for the Bayer people, which sort of begs the question okay, well then why do you want (the legislation)? she said. And the answer is clearly that the vast majority of the successful claims are based on a failure to warn cause of action. Melissa Vatterott, policy director for the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, said the legislation is not the right thing for Missouris people. The fact that Bayer has lobbied not only legislators in Missouri but in three other statesshows that this bill is about protecting a corporation over the citizens of our state, she said. Prospects for passage If the Senate does manage to take up the pesticide labeling bill before Fridays adjournment, Vatterott said she doesnt think the bill has enough support to make it to the governors desk. Efforts to make it harder for Missourians to file litigation against businesses have historically had the support of Republicans, who hold super majorities in both the House and Senate. But in more recent years, those bills have run into GOP opposition. This year, that resistance is led by the Freedom Caucus. The rise of Republican criticism of these bills comes as trial attorneys have shifted their strategy from supporting Democratic candidates with donations to cutting big checks to Republicans aligned with the Freedom Caucus. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry says trial attorneys donations have helped slow down the momentum on tort reform. There is no doubt that the plaintiffs bar has taken a very, very active interest in lobbying and attempting to fund campaigns and candidates who are anti-tort reform, said Brendan Cossette, the chambers chief of operations. Between 2005 when Republicans took control of the Missouri General Assembly until 2019, Cossette said, the legislature routinely passed tort reform legislation. Cossette said the chamber still has some hope the pesticide bill might pass. Theres always a chance, he said. The bills never really dead until the end of sessionand you never know what dam might break and what bills might start going through. Gunn doesnt see certain conservative lawmakers opposition to the pesticide bill as a product of campaign donations. If you look back over the last number of years, there has beenan alliance based on a mutual respect for the Seventh Amendment, Gunn said. The Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the right to a jury trial in civil cases. Should the legislation pass, Gunn said, people who develop cancer they believe was caused by Roundup will call plaintiff attorneys like her. And Im going to say, You know what? You have no cause of action, she said, but heres who you need to call who voted for it, who voted to take away your Seventh Amendment right to have a cause of action. The post Bill to shield pesticide makers from cancer lawsuits faces long odds in Missouri Senate appeared first on Missouri Independent. The downtown Anchorage skyline is seen on June 3, 2022, from Earthquake Park. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) The downtown Anchorage skyline is seen on June 3, 2022, nestled between the Cook Inlet coast and the Chugach Mountains. Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, and the wider Southcentral region depend on Cook Inlet natural gas as the source of energy for electricity and heat. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) With a Wednesday adjournment deadline looming, Alaska legislators moved forward with some legislation aimed at ensuring reliable energy deliveries from the Cook Inlet basin while continuing to debate other bills. The House late Monday passed a measure, House Bill 223, that reduces royalties for new production of natural gas and oil from the Cook Inlet basin. Under the bill, state royalties that are normally 12.5% would be reduced to 3% for new Cook Inlet natural gas and 6.5% for new Cook Inlet oil. The bill is one of the legislative responses to a looming shortage of deliverable Cook Inlet natural gas to the states most heavily populated region, which has depended on it for decades to produce electricity and heat. At stake, supporters argued, is the welfare of the Southcentral region, which includes Anchorage, and the entire Railbelt, the corridor running from Fairbanks to the Kenai Peninsula. The bills main sponsor, Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, described Cook Inlet natural gas situation as dire. The predicted shortfall presents a direct risk to our energy security, economic stability, quality of life, he said in floor comments prior to the 34-5 vote to pass the bill. Cook Inlet natural gas is critical not only to the 70% of Alaskans who are directly dependent on it for electricity and heat but also to the rural residents whose electricity rates are pegged to urban Alaska rates through the states Power Cost Equalization program, he said. Without change, Cook Inlet gas and oil fields will eventually be left, possibly abandoned, leaving residents with reliance on costly imported liquefied natural gas as their only option, he said. Im asking everybody to support this bill. It affects Alaska all over, whether its PCE, whether its in your community, whether its not in your community, whether its on the Railbelt. This is a big one. The original version of the bill proposed a full elimination of royalties on new Cook Inlet gas. The revised version, in addition to putting that royalty at 3%, folds in the contents of a separate bill seeking to allow reserves-based lending. Under that measure, House Bill 388, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority would be able to help finance Cook Inlet natural gas development, with hydrocarbon reserves used as collateral. The bill is largely aimed at a field, the Cosmopolitan Unit, that is believed to contain abundant but yet-unproduced natural gas. It is operated by a small company with little access to capital, Texas-based BlueCrest Energy. The revised version of the bill strikes a balance, said Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, who signed on as a cosponsor. I think our constituents in southcentral Alaska want to see us do something. And this is somewhat modest, but its not terribly risky, Josephson said in floor debate. The costs to the state in reduced revenue from royalties would likely be in the tens of millions of dollars over decades, he said. That compares favorably to Alaskas previous experience with cash credits paid to oil and gas producers that wound up costing the state about $1 billion, he said. Though the vote was overwhelmingly in favor, there were misgivings. Rep. Donna Mears, D-Anchorage, said she feared that it might be the only significant Cook Inlet energy bill to win passage, as we are in the 11th hour here. The legislative session is due to end at midnight on Wednesday night. Mears lamented what she said was lack of progress on renewable energy, as well as what she considered to be a lack of reliable information about its effects. We also dont have a lot of information on how this will be implemented and actually affect us. We dont know the costs on utility rates that would happen in other scenarios. And we dont have any promises or forecasts on how much new gas this will get us, she said. Im supporting this bill because we need an answer, but were over a barrel. On the Senate side, where a similar measure is pending, members have expressed skepticism about whether reduced royalties would spur new natural gas production. Last week, in two days of hearings on that measure, Senate Bill 194, members of the Senate Resources Committee heard from a hired consultant about Cook Inlet basin challenges. Those include the isolated market, aged infrastructure and a difficult physical environment, among other conditions. Nicholas Fulford, a senior director and energy specialist with GaffneyCline, told lawmakers that royalty reductions could make Cook Inlet investment more attractive but that other factors were much more important. The House bills inclusion of new oil production in the bills royalty reduction was controversial. Cook Inlet oil production is relatively small, expected by state officials to average 8,300 barrels per day over the 12 months to end on June 30, and continue dwindling in future years. That compares to peak production of 230,000 barrels per day in 1970. The bill must pass the Senate to become law, and key senators have echoed Mears concerns and asked for more independent analysis. Other Cook Inlet-focused energy bills were in various stages of approval. A bill allowing an expansion of net metering a practice by which utility customers get credits for producing their own renewable energy that is fed into the power grid was headed for apparent final approval. The measure, Senate Bill 152, would allow communities or utility users collectively to benefit from net metering; currently, only individuals may use the practice to reduce their energy bills. The bill passed the Senate unanimously on April 22 and passed the House late Monday by a 24-15 vote, though there is a possibility of a reconsideration vote in that body. Still being debated are complex bills that would revamp the energy transmission system that serves the Railbelt. The measures, Senate Bill 217 and House Bill 307, were both introduced by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The House version was due for a floor vote on Tuesday, while the Senate version was still being considered in that bodys finance committee. The post Bill slashing royalties for Cook Inlet gas and oil wins approval in Alaska House appeared first on Alaska Beacon. Billions from EU taxpayers damage nature heres how it can stop Billions from EU taxpayers damage nature heres how it can stop In recent months, tractors have rolled through European cities as farmers protested against the EUs agricultural policy. The EU's rapid response, which involved rolling back environmental regulations on agricultural subsidies, misses the mark. This approach is a superficial fix that fails to address the underlying problems: aggressive lobbying by extreme right groups manipulating the narrative and the misuse of EU agricultural funds by member states. A new WWF report highlights an uncomfortable truth amidst the growing cost-of-living crisis: EU member states allocate between 34 billion and 48 billion of EU subsidies annually to initiatives that damage nature. While these destructive subsidies span all major sectors of the economy, the bulk of them are allocated to agriculture. Billions spent on unsustainable practices European countries use up to 60% of the funding from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which amounts to 32.1bn each year, to promote large-scale, unsustainable farming practices. This sum is on par with the total yearly expenditures of nations like Croatia and Luxembourg. The CAP incentivises industrial farming practices, overuse of fertilisers and pesticides, and monocultures, which leads to water pollution and over-extraction, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and the decline of pollinators. From the Netherlands to Spain ... the subsidies have dramatic consequences in every corner of Europe. They jeopardise our economy, our food system, and our very survival. A man holds a European Union flag as he walks outside the European Commission building during Europe Day celebrations in Brussels, 4 May 2024 - AP Photo/Virginia Mayo From the Netherlands, where the iconic black-tailed godwits habitats are threatened, to Spain, where EU funds are draining wetlands and escalating the risk of water scarcity and wildfires, the subsidies have dramatic consequences in every corner of Europe. They jeopardise our economy, our food system, and our very survival. These harmful subsidies not only devastate natural habitats but also offer scant support for farmers transitioning to sustainable and climate-resilient methods. The recent farmers protests across Europe clearly indicate that the current system is failing. However, the solution is not as simple as (environmental) deregulation, which doesnt address the root of the issues at all. But why is "cutting the red tape" such a big part of what seems like the farmers narrative? A third of the budget, a big debate in Brussels The EUs Common Agricultural Policy and its impressive funds 31% of the EUs budget have always been at the centre of discussions in Brussels. Yet, one must question how many of these discussions have occurred in a genuinely open, democratic forum. The significant influence of agro-industry lobbyists on political and public debate is well-documented, illustrating a skewed dialogue. The only way Europe can move forward is by redirecting destructive subsidies towards activities that protect and restore nature and supporting greater citizen participation in policy development. Protestors light fires next to their tractors during a demonstration of farmers near the European Council building in Brussels, March 2024 - Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP Photo Over the last months, farmers protests across Europe have made headlines. The outcry ultimately led the European Commission to scrap key environmental measures under the CAP, a cowardly move that set back this policy decades in time. These demonstrations have been politically motivated: a recent investigation by DeSmog has exposed how far-right groups and politicians, backed by oil-funded think tanks, are manipulating the narrative of farmer protests across Europe and peddling fake news and conspiracy theories. This interference, which aims to undermine the EUs flagship European Green Deal, highlights the critical need to reevaluate how subsidies are allocated and who influences these decisions. Voters are about to shape Europe's future The only way Europe can move forward is by redirecting destructive subsidies towards activities that protect and restore nature and supporting greater citizen participation in policy development. This shift would not only fortify our food system making it more sustainable and resilient to climate impacts such as droughts and floods but could also bridge the financing gap needed to meet the international and EU biodiversity goals. To ensure the effectiveness of this transition, national governments and the EU must establish a legally binding framework to phase out harmful subsidies in a timely and socially equitable manner. We must pivot towards nature-based solutions that shield European citizens from the adverse effects of climate change while providing them with access to healthy, sustainable food. In less than a month, Europeans will head to the polls. While the EU may often seem complex and bureaucratic, these elections are a direct opportunity for citizens to shape the future of Europe. They have the power to direct how their tax money is used and to champion policies that preserve our environment, guiding the continent towards a more sustainable, democratic and affordable future. Ester Asin serves as Director at the WWF European Policy Office. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation. Shannon McKenney Shubert, with the Michigan Breastfeeding Network, and Tameka White, a Certified Lactation Counselor, with their kids, testifying to the House Judiciary Committee, May 15, 2024. | Screenshot A five-bill package that would prevent landlords from denying renters based on their source of income passed through the Michigan House Judiciary Committee Wednesday, with testimony also taken on legislation to expand the rights for those breastfeeding their children. The rent-related package, which is comprised of Senate Bills 205, 206 and 207, along with House Bills 4062 and 4063, would prohibit landlords with five or more rental units from denying prospective renters because of their use of housing vouchers or other subsidies to pay rent, with options to file for damages as well as a discrimination complaint. When the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee took testimony last year on the bills, state Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Beverly Hills), the lead sponsor of SB 206, said that the issue of rent discrimination was surprisingly pervasive in Michigan and noted a pair of rental complexes in her district decided to stop renting to people with housing subsidies after a change in ownership, ultimately displacing several residents. Wednesdays testimony included that from state Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), sponsor of HB 4063, which would add source of income to the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) so that a complaint could then be filed with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. We have seen folks denied from housing based on their source of income over and over again, he told the committee. As chair of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, weve been working really hard to ensure that every veteran has a safe place to live in our state. In this effort, the department has shared on more than one occasion that our veterans are facing discrimination due to their source of income in our state. Let me emphasize this again. Today in Michigan, there are currently veterans facing discrimination in housing. We need to end that. Veterans, the elderly [and] hardworking families should know that their basic right to housing in their community is being affected. This package would ensure that we are able to do that for those folks. The only question from the panel came from Rep. Andrew Fink (R-Adams Twp.), a former U.S. Marine Captain, who asked Morgan to what extent veterans were affected by income discrimination. Its a small percentage, responded Morgan. I dont know the exact number but the point is any veteran that faces housing discrimination because theyre receiving their rightful veteran benefits for housing should not face discrimination. When Fink asked if there would be interest in tailoring the legislation to veterans, Morgan declined. No, only because I think that veterans are a critically important component of folks who gain protection, but also so do other folks who receive their rental income from a voucher or a public benefit or anything else, so I would like to protect everyone at the same time rather than just one group of folks who are facing discrimination, he said. So it seems we agree that these bills are not really about veterans housing, but theyre a general topic, responded Fink at which point committee chair, state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), stepped in. Representative, Im going to say youre mischaracterizing what Representative Morgan is saying, Breen asserted. That is not what he said. As usual, Im accused of mischaracterization. I invite everybody to review the tape. Thank you, Madam Chair, Fink replied. At that point, all five bills were voted out of the Judiciary Committee along party lines, with the Democratic majority providing the 7-5 margin. The Senate bills were already approved by that chamber, but they are tie-barred to the two House bills, which further define the extent to which the laws could be utilized and in what circumstances. Afterward, Fink, who is planning to seek the GOP nomination to replace Michigan Supreme Court Justice David Viviano, said his opposition is based on a fundamental disagreement with the premise. I think that putting source of income as a protected class on the same level as racial discrimination or religious discrimination or what have you is frankly ridiculous, he said. I think it also ignores the legitimate economic reasons why people might not think that their rental units are a good fit for subsidized housing. And I think that those issues are reasonable, and theres nothing inherently wrong with saying Im not a good fit for subsidized housing. As to the dispute with Morgan and Breen over how much veterans were really affected, Fink stood firm in what he said. Its a tiny percentage, he said. I just think its, at best, obfuscatory to make this bill about veterans when it applies to all kinds of subsidized housing, and its a tiny percentage of that thats about veterans. It would be a different conversation if it was really about that. Morgan told the Advance that Fink was absolutely wrong. He said as the subcommittee chair, hes taken a deep dive into figuring out how I can ensure that no veteran is homeless in our state. In that process, we have been told explicitly from the Department of Veterans Affairs that veterans are facing housing discrimination today. Breastfeeding discrimination The committee also took testimony on a bill seeking to expand rights for those who breastfeed their children. Senate Bill 351, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), would amend the Breastfeeding Antidiscrimination Act to prohibit discrimination in places of public accommodation or public service against an individual because the individual was expressing human milk. Passed in 2014, the act allowed breastfeeding in public spaces, whereas previously state public indecency laws didnt specifically exempt breastfeeding from indecent exposure and the corresponding criminal penalties. However, the current law does not apply to the pumping or expressing of breastmilk, something many working mothers must do while away from their children. SB 351 would address that by simply adding expressing human milk to the statute. When you are breastfeeding, you frequently need to pump several times a day if youre not with your child or if your child isnt able to breastfeed directly, said Alexi Chapin-Smith, Irwins legislative director. You may need to do this in a place where there is not a facility available for you to do it, or with more modern breast pumps, theres a way to wear them under your clothes in public and we just dont want people to feel that they are going to be in any way discriminated against for doing what they need to feed their child. Shannon McKenney Shubert is the executive director of the Michigan Breastfeeding Network and attended Wednesdays hearing with two of her children, 10-year-old Samantha and 1-year-old Josephine, whose names she mixed up much to the exasperation of Samantha. I thought I said Samantha? she said when her oldest protested. It happens, laughed Breen. The moment of levity over, Shubert told the committee that in Michigan, 86% of families will start to feed their children breastmilk, but within a few weeks, sometimes even just a few days, those rates plummet. And one of the reasons is because it is so hard to exist in public as someone who pumps, she said. Ninety percent of Michigan families express their milk at some point during their breastfeeding journey, and without the protection to do so in a public space, a lot of times people will say, I can no longer breastfeed because I have to exist in public in order to feed my other children. Shubert offered some examples of when an individual who wants to provide human milk for their baby cant do so through breastfeeding, such as when a baby is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and cant be with their mother, or a child in the foster care system whose only connection to their biological family is through the human milk provided by a courier service or even victims of sexual assault who decide against briging a baby to their breast directly. Human milk, we call it liquid gold, is foundational to the health of the individual, to the community, and to society, and we all really need to work together to make sure that any family can feed their baby in the way that they want to, in the way that they need to, she said. We believe that expanding this law will make it so that so many more families are able to continue forward and feed their babies for the duration that they desire, which, as you know, most health organizations recommend two years of breastfeeding, and its just not possible for so many families if they cant do it in public. Also speaking was Tameka White, a Certified Lactation Counselor, who was joined by her 18-month-old son, Nasir. For many Black and Brown women and people living in poverty, the ability to freely express breast milk is a pre-contemplation issue, she said. Going back to work is at the forefront of many marginalized womens minds as they are deciding how they will feed their child. White said her first experience with breastfeeding 22 years ago was when she was in a welfare-to-work program, and there were no breastfeeding laws and she had no place to pump. So I sat with engorgement all day, and once I did return to the workforce, I pumped in a health care at home setting next to my clients litter box, said White, who added that often employers ask mothers to pump in bathrooms. They are telling mothers that, We cannot tolerate that here, they cannot even have the ability to bond with their child after birth because at the forefront of their mind is returning to work. The bill has already passed the Michigan Senate, but will have to be moved by the House Judiciary Committee before making its way to the floor for a vote. The post Bills prohibiting landlords from income-based discrimination pass House committee appeared first on Michigan Advance. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday that No technology offers more promise to our modern world than artificial intelligence." Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI May 15 (UPI) -- A small bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday unveiled "roadmap" for regulating the growing artificial intelligence industry which calls for a $32 billion investment. "After talking to advocates, critics, academics, labor groups, civil rights leaders, stakeholders, developers, and more, our working group was able to identify key areas of policy that have bipartisan consensus," Schumer, D-N.Y., had said in a statement, adding how work now continues "with urgency and humility." Working with Schumer on the Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group to create the AI "roadmap" were Sens. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. and Todd Young, R-Ind. "No technology offers more promise to our modern world than artificial intelligence," Schumer said Wednesday. "But AI also presents a host of new policy challenges," Schumer said, adding how "harnessing the potential of AI demands an all-hands-on-deck approach and that's exactly what our bipartisan AI working group has been leading." Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., said Wednesday on social media the senate's AI "roadmap" is "the most comprehensive and impactful bipartisan recommendations" on AI "ever issued" by the United States government's legislative branch. File photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI The roadmap touches on areas like supporting innovation, AI's use in the workforce, in securing elections, privacy and transparency to national security. It also outlines a series of steps the government can or should be taking for the United States to get up-to-speed with the latest AI technological developments and calls for congressional action to be taken at several levels. On social media, Young called it "the most comprehensive and impactful bipartisan recommendations" on AI "ever issued" by the United States government's legislative branch. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (L), D-N.Y., and Sen. Todd Young (R), R-Ind., and Sen. Martin Heinrich (C), D-N.M., leave the Kennedy Caucus Room for a press conference after a Senate Artificial Intelligence Insight Forum at the U.S. Capitol, Sept. 2023. File photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI The unveiling of the Senate's AI roadmap came the day after representatives of the United States and China got together in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday for the first high-level discussion on artificial intelligence between the two economic superpowers, Biden administration officials had previously confirmed. At a January congressional hearing, several lawmakers had urged caution in using the technology. On Wednesday, Heinrich had called the measures "necessary guardrails to better ensure AI comes as a benefit to Americans -- not a threat," he wrote on X. "In the midst of rapid AI advancements, the Senate can lead or be led," Heinrich, co-chair and co-founder of the Senate's Artificial Intelligence Caucus, said in a news release as he called on his senate colleagues to act on new legislation. The "roadmap," he said, "positions us to unlock AI innovation that will deliver major scientific and medical advancements and help maintain our global leadership." In March, the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved its landmark Artificial Intelligence Act which was designed to place restrictions on and ban some applications of AI it deems "high-risk." The release of the senate's AI "roadmap" came the same day the Senate Rules Committee was to discuss other AI-related legislation. "Transparency is a core tenet of our ethics code and our members are concerned that news companies are attempting to implement AI to juice profit and cut costs," NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss said at a November senate hearing about the use of AI in the news industry. "We have a long history of bargaining over the implementation of new technology and we join other unions calling on Congress to support the right of workers to bargain over AI and its use in the workplace," said the head of the largest journalist union in North America. Black Lives Matter co-founder Melina Abdullah, shown last July, said she and her three children feared for their lives when LAPD officers aggressively approached their home during the 2020 "swatting" call. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of a lawsuit brought by Black Lives Matter L.A. co-founder Melina Abdullah against the city of Los Angeles, with an L.A. police sergeant telling a jury that he ordered officers to approach the activists home in tactical gear even though he was 70% certain they were responding to a fake hostage situation. The sergeant, James Mankey, one of the defendants in the case, told jurors he didnt want to take the chance of not sending the officers if the 911 report of hostages inside the home turned out to be true. Police later determined that Abdullah had been the victim of a swatting prank; she sued the city over the LAPDs response to the incident, saying she and her three children were left fearing for their lives when officers aggressively approached their home. Her attorneys have alleged police targeted her because of her activism. In August 2020, the LAPD received an emergency call from a person who demanded $1 million or he would shoot the three people hed taken hostage. He gave police the address to Abdullahs home. Police dispatched more than a dozen officers and a helicopter to the scene, one of Abdullahs attorneys, Erin Darling, said in his opening statement, but ignored evidence suggesting the call was a prank and continued with their armed response. Read more: Family demands answers after LAPD officers fatally shoot mentally ill man in Koreatown Mankey, Darling said, had made remarks about similar swatting incidents targeting the owners of mansions in wealthy enclaves up north of Los Angeles, yet he wouldnt order his officers to stand down. Instead, on his command, they proceeded with firearms at the ready as a fearful Abdullah walked outside with her hands in the air, Darling told jurors. But the officers dont see a mother, they dont see a professor, they dont see a neighbor. They see a chick living in a shack, Darling said, referencing what he said was a dismissive tone with which Mankey referred to Abdullah and to her home. Assistant City Atty. Irving Estrada, who is defending the city in the case, countered that Mankey and the other officers did things by the book while responding to what they perceived at the time to be a genuine threat. He also accused Abdullah of trying to get favorable treatment. The officers, they dont get to say, You know what, not this time, give it to somebody else. Its not an option, he said. Dr. Abdullah can have any opinion she wants, she just cant sue over her opinion. Estrada also played for jurors a recording of the prank emergency call, in which the caller told the operator he would shoot three people unless he received$1 million within an hour. At one point, the caller said, My name is Dale Brooks and I approve this message, and seemingly grew angry when the operator pressed him for more information. The caller said he wished to send a message that BLM is a bunch of retards. Read more: 'Never happened before': Key oversight officials leave as LAPD searches for chief Darling pointed to what he says were several missteps in Mankeys handling of the situation, starting with his failure to look up Abdullahs phone number to contact her. He pointed out that several members of the departments command staff had Abdullahs number from her involvement in BLM, saying theyve called, theyve texted. Mankey testified he had no way of obtaining Abdullahs cellphone number. Darling also questioned why, if Mankey believed that there were hostages inside the home, he didnt call the SWAT team. The sergeant testified that based on his experience the bar for summoning SWAT to a scene is a high one. I have tried to call SWAT numerous times and there is a huge criteria that they demand, he said. Darling played for jurors video from Mankeys body-worn camera, which captured him ducking into his police squad car to pull up Abdullahs Facebook account. He is later heard telling a police colleague that shes some kind of organizer with Black Lives Matter. Mankey testified that prior to the incident he did not recognize Abdullah, despite her reputation as one of the most prominent critics of the LAPD. At some point during the incident, a detective is heard informing Mankey that Abdullah was a leader of Black Lives Matter. So you hear that and you still think its a real emergency? Darling asked. Its possible, Mankey said. Im not going to rule it out until I can make contact with residents inside. Read more: L.A. tests program to send unarmed civilians instead of cops to people in crisis On questioning from Darling, Mankey said that he repeated Abdullahs position with BLM to his fellow officers so that they could stay informed, but acknowledged that the detail wasnt necessarily relevant to their tactical operation. As officers surrounded her home, Darling said that Adbullah was inside with her three children, who were 16, 13 and 10 at the time. Concerned with their safety, Abdullah ordered them to huddle together in a room near the back of the house as she went outside to speak with police, he said. As she did, she began livestreaming the encounter on social media, encouraging her followers to show up to the scene. But while her role as one of the most visible members of Blacks Lives Matter hangs over the trial, Superior Court Judge Rupert Byrdsong instructed the lawyers to avoid putting the politics of defunding the police on trial. Before court on Monday, Abdullah gathered in a prayer circle with supporters outside the third-floor courtroom, ending their worship with Ase a saying popular among activists that loosely translates to amen and power to the people. Her lawsuit alleges the LAPDs actions constituted unlawful seizure , false imprisonment, excessive force, assault and negligence, among other rights violations. The department had previously refused to release audio of the calls . Multiple city officials, including members of the City Council, called for an investigation. Abdullah has been the target of numerous swatting calls . Authorities have said that a group of teenagers, motivated by racial hatred , were responsible for two previous swatting incidents at Abdullahs home. Abdullahs lawsuit said she was not aware of any investigation or findings, but still lives in fear of another similar police incident. Her defense team has argued that the presence of a police helicopter hovering overhead and scores of armed police officers outside her home was a brazen show of intimidation rather than an attempt to come to her rescue. Earlier this year, police searched the home of another of Abdullah's attorneys, Dermot Givens, while serving a search warrant. Givens called the search unjustified and accused the officers of "ransacking" his home and photographing privileged attorney-client records. A police spokeswoman later said the search is now the subject of an internal affairs investigation. 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. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday announced the U.S. was sending another $2 billion to Ukraine as Washington seeks to bolster Ukrainian troops on the front line against a major Russian offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Blinken said at a press conference in Kyiv that the new package would include money through the foreign military financing program, which allows Ukraine to purchase weapons directly from the U.S. industry before delivery. Those types of shipments can take longer to reach Ukraine than a presidential drawdown authority, which takes existing weapons from U.S. stocks. But the latest package comes off the heels of two separate tranches that used the drawdown authority, which were announced in previous weeks and are worth nearly $1.5 billion. Russias Kharkiv pressure creates new challenge for Ukraine Blinken said weapons from those two packages have already arrived on the battlefield or are on the way, and the new foreign military financing assistance will help to boost Ukraines industrial defense base along with giving them more weapons. The newest support that I just announced, but particularly the $60 billion supplemental, we know is coming at a critical time, he said, referencing the April national security bill that included $61 billion for Ukraine. Ukraine is facing this renewed brutal Russian onslaught and we see, again, senseless strikes at civilians, residential buildings. The U.S. last month also announced a $6 billion package for Ukraine through the foreign military finance program. The announcement comes as Ukraine is struggling to fend off a major Russian attack in Kharkiv, which has forced the evacuation of thousands of civilians. Russian forces have pressed Ukrainian troops on a new front, which could endanger Ukraines defenses in other critical areas across the eastern frontline. Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other top officials in Kyiv after he landed Tuesday. On Wednesday, he spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba about several issues, including bilateral security agreements that will see countries support Ukraine over the next decade. Blinken said he expected those agreements to be finalized soon and emphasized that they signal the U.S. and other countries are ready to support Ukraine for a long time. The heavy lifting has been done, he said of the agreements. For anyone whos tempted to bet against Ukraine, dont. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, has announced that the United States will provide an additional US$2 billion in contributions to a newly created fund to develop Ukraine's defence industry and finance weapons purchases. Source: European Pravda; Blinken at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv Details: Blinken said that the US would provide an additional US$2 billion in foreign military funding for Ukraine. "And we put this together in a first of its kind the Defence Enterprise Fund and it has three components," he stated. The first area will be assistance in acquiring what Ukraine needs, the second will be investments in Ukraine's military-industrial complex so that this industry can be strengthened and Ukraine can produce more weapons "for itself and for others", and the third will be financing the purchase of weapons not only from the United States but also from other partners. Background: Earlier during the visit, Blinken said that the future US bilateral security agreement with Ukraine would provide military assistance in various areas and help bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership. He also emphasised the contribution of US allies to economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, which is three times higher than that of the US. Support UP or become our patron! Blinken gets blowback over Rockin in the Free World performance in Kyiv Secretary of State Antony Blinken is facing backlash over his musical performance at a bar in Kyiv, with some arguing it was inappropriate given Ukraines ongoing war against Russia. Blinken, during a surprise visit Tuesday, performed a cover of Rockin in the Free World by Neil Young with a band at the Barman Dictat, a well-known cocktail basement bar. Upon getting up on stage with the Ukrainian band 19.99, the crowd erupted in cheers and Blinken said, Your soldiers, your citizens particularly in the northeast, in Kharkiv are suffering tremendously. But they need to know, you need to know, the United States is with you, so much of the world is with you, and theyre fighting not just for a free Ukraine, but for the free world. And the free world is with you, too, he continued. Some Ukrainians, however, criticized the top U.S. diplomat for what they thought was poor judgement given Russias recent advancements into northwestern Ukraine. One word is enough to describe US Secretary of State Antony Blinkens evening in Kyiv yesterday: inappropriate, Svitlana Matviyenko, the head of the Agency for Legislative Initiatives NGO, said on Facebook. Kharkiv region is being wiped from the Earth, people are leaving their homes, Kharkiv is under strike from air bombs. Sumy region is preparing, and a US top official is singing songs in a Kyiv bar, she added. Oleh Symoroz, a Ukrainian veteran who lost both his legs in combat, called the performance as inappropriate as possible. Not the right time, not the right time at all. So many people die every day because we dont have enough weapons and enough support from our allies, he wrote on the social platform X, adding later, Therefore, such concerts, Im sorry, are simply tactless and inappropriate. I advise the Secretary of State to visit a military cemetery instead of a bar Blinken, 62, arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday to meet with senior officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a show of support for the embattled nation. It marked the first official talks since Congress passed its massive foreign aid bill that included $60 billion for Ukraines artillery and air defense. Ukrainian lawmaker and former diplomat Bogdan Yaremenko said that while the country is grateful for the U.S. support, the performance was poorly timed given how long it took for Congress to pass further aid for the nation. Yes, we are very grateful for the vital help of the United States. Without her, we would probably have lost this war. Were getting the hang of this, he wrote in a translated post on Facebook. But we also cant unsee all that makes the impression that the United States performs for the free world is not rock and roll, but some other music similar to Russian chanson. Jimmy Rushton, a Kyiv-based foreign policy and security analyst, said the performance was astonishingly tone-deaf. This isnt supposed to be a [fing] vacation; Ukrainian soldiers are fighting and dying in large numbers right now along the frontline and Blinken is in a bar in Kyiv pretending to be a rockstar, he wrote on X. Blinken also faced domestic scrutiny over the performance from the Republican National Committee, which wrote, This is not a serious administration. The Hill reached out to the State Department for further comment. During his trip to Ukraine, Blinken also visited students at Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, where he reassured they are not alone. We meet at a critical moment, he said, per The Associated Press. The coming weeks and months will demand a great deal of Ukrainians, who have already sacrificed so much. Ive come to Ukraine with a message: You are not alone. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. On his latest visit to Ukraine this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a surprise appearance at a bar in Kyiv, where he took the stage to perform a cover of a Neil Young song. Listen, I know this is a really, really difficult time, Blinken told the crowd at Barman Dictat on Tuesday night, a red guitar slung over his body. Your soldiers, your citizens, particularly in the northeast in Kharkiv, are suffering tremendously. But they need to know, you need to know, the United States is with you, so much of the world is with you, he said. And theyre fighting not just for a free Ukraine but for the free world, and the free world is with you, too. So maybe we can try something? With the band behind him, Blinken then jammed out to "Rockin' In the Free World." Now, politicians have long misunderstood or opted to ignore the meaning of songs that on the surface seem like flag-waving anthems. Rockin' In the Free World is a less than patriotic song about the bleak malaise of American society and it doesn't even have anything to do with foreign policy. Blinken is not the first U.S. government official to show off his musical skills, and he probably wont be the last. But one has to wonder how much thought was given to the optics of this photo op: Blinken is role-playing as a rock star as Ukraine struggles to withstand Russian troops' latest offensive on Kharkiv a kind of "Nero fiddling as Rome burns" vibe that some critics have chided as "inappropriate." Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and to assuage concerns about the delivery of U.S. aid to the besieged country. Its probably unwise to try to make too much of a stunt like this, good or bad. But if you're a U.S. secretary of state trying to give the people of an allied country a pick-me-up, maybe next time choose a song that isnt about America's failings. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Blinken: Washington has not encouraged Ukraine to strike inside Russia with US weapons, but decision up to Kyiv Ukraine "has to make decisions for itself" when deciding how to use U.S.-supplied weapons that could strike targets inside Russian territory, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on May 15. Speaking in Kyiv during a press conference, Blinken was asked about recent Ukrainian complaints that a Washington ban meant Ukraine was unable to attack Russian forces as they were building up before crossing the border into Kharkiv Oblast. "We've not enabled or encouraged strikes outside of Ukraine, but ultimately, Ukraine has to make decisions for itself about how it's going to conduct this war," he said. The U.S. has supplied Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine reportedly used to strike Russian targets in occupied Crimea. Washington's restrictions, as described by Ukrainian officials, would prevent the replication of such an attack inside Russian territory. "The main problem right now is the White House policy to limit our capability" to strike military targets inside Russia, said David Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of President Volodymyr Zelensky's party, the Servant of the People. "We saw their military sitting one or two kilometers from the border inside Russia, and there was nothing we could do about that," Oleksandra Ustinova, the head of the Ukraine's parliamentary commission on arms and ammunition, told Politico. "(T)hey (Russia) know there is a restriction for Ukrainians to shoot at the Russian territory. And we saw all of their military equipment sitting one or two kilometers from the border (near Kharkiv), and there was nothing we could do," Ustinova noted. Blinken also said Washington will provide Ukraine with an additional $2 billion in foreign military financing. Read also: 48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraines most-bombed major city Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Blinken: Zelensky, Biden may meet to sign security agreement in 'coming weeks' President Volodymyr Zelensky could meet with U.S. President Joe Biden to sign a bilateral security agreement in the "coming weeks," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on May 15. Over 30 countries have joined the Group of Seven (G7) Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine so far. The U.K., Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Finland, and Latvia have already signed bilateral agreements with Kyiv. Apart from the U.S., negotiations with Estonia, Spain, and the Czech Republic are reportedly underway. The fourth round of talks with Washington was held on May 6, the Presidential Office reported. During a joint press briefing with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Blinken said the bilateral agreement terms are "almost approved." Kuleba added that a "trusting dialogue" has been established between Zelensky and Biden. The minister also hopes that the parties will have an opportunity to discuss necessary issues and sign the agreement. Kuleba did not yet reveal the potential date of the presidents' meeting. Sign up for our newsletter Ukraine Weekly By Olga Rudenko Sign up Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak said earlier that Ukraine expected to finalize the agreement with the U.S. in May. G7 members presented their plan for long-term security commitments for Ukraine at the NATO summit in Vilnius in early July last year. Under this plan, individual countries would provide bilateral support to help Kyiv repel the ongoing Russian invasion and deter any future aggression. The security guarantees would entail explicit and long-lasting obligations, as well as bolster Ukraine's ability to resist Russian aggression. The guarantees would also cover sanctions, financial aid, and post-war reconstruction. Read also: Zelensky: Ukraine preparing 7 more bilateral security agreements Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Bloomberg: US considers sending additional Patriot battery to Ukraine, sources say U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is working to supply Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense battery to help the country repel Russian aerial attacks, Bloomberg reported on May 15, citing undisclosed sources. Washington aims to send a single battery along with radars, with the costs likely to be covered by the recently passed $61-billion aid package, the outlet wrote. Kyiv has been urging its partners to send additional air defense systems as Russia intensifies its strikes against Ukrainian population centers and infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine would need 25 Patriot systems or their equivalents to protect the whole country. Read also: Skynex: The German drone destroyer reinforcing Ukraines air defense When U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv on May 14, Zelensky told him that his country requires two Patriots to protect only Kharkiv Oblast, which has been a target of a renewed onslaught by Russian forces. Kyiv is believed to operate at least three Patriot systems and associated equipment provided by the U.S., Germany, and the Netherlands. Berlin pledged in April to send one additional system. Ukraine should receive another IRIS-T system from Germany in May. European allies are also working on plans to send additional air defenses to Ukraine, Bloomberg's sources said. The Italian news outlet La Repubblica reported on May 2 that Italy is preparing to supply Ukraine with an additional SAMP/T air defense system as part of its upcoming package. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. While President Joe Biden has promised that the federal government will cover 100% of the costs to replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Gov. Wes Moore (D) said that the state will not leave taxpayers footing the whole bill. The three-member Board of Public Works, chaired by Moore, unanimously approved contracts Wednesday to hire five firms that will represent the state in what is likely to be a protracted and complicated legal fight as it seeks compensation for the collapsed span. But we also know that a core part of what needs to happen, what actually needs to get done, is making sure that the responsible parties are actually held responsible, Moore said. And so since we have every full intention of making sure that the American taxpayers are whole. We want to also do that by ensuring that everything owed to the state through insurance payouts and litigation is going to happen. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) said five law firms hired by his office are the right mix to handle the complex litigation expected from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Photo by Bryan P. Sears. The center portion of the 1.6-mile span over the Patapsco River collapsed into the water in the early morning of March 26 after the cargo ship Dali collided with a pier that supported the bridge. Six construction workers on the bridge died. One crew member on board the Singapore-flagged was injured. Lloyds of London projects that the incident could result in the most expensive maritime insurance payout in history. The insurer said total claims could approach $4 billion. But there is no final estimate on the cost to replace the bridge. Hours after the collision and bridge collapse, Biden vowed the federal government would fund the cost of replacement. To keep that promise, however, Congress would need to pass legislation changing the current 90/10 cost split between state and federal governments. That legislation is currently stalled. Weve been pushing significantly for a 100% cost share on this with the federal government, Moore said. And I do want to be clear with everybody, 100% cost share does not mean that were just asking the taxpayers to pay for it. Thats not what I want. Five firms will represent the state in what is expected to be complicated and protracted litigation. Attorney General Anthony Brown said the firms are the right mix of maritime insurance, complex litigation and other expertise and experience that we need to pursue and protect the states interest in this critical matter. The firms include Hunt Valley-based Downs Ward Bender Herzog & Kintigh PA; Kelley Drye & Warren LLP and Liskow & Lewis APLC, both of Houston; The Lanier Law Firm of New York; and Partridge LLC of New Orleans. The firms, which will be assistant counsel to the attorney general, are hired on a contingency basis. They are paid only if the state recovers monetary damages. Fees range from 2% to 18% . The amount excludes the first $350 million, the amount of insurance payout to which the state is entitled. It goes without saying that this will be an exceedingly complex and potentially lengthy litigation, Brown said. Board approves Pimlico master agreement The board also unanimously approved a five-part master agreement that moves the state closer to owning the Preakness Stakes and controlling horse racing in the state, and the promise of community improvements to the Park Heights Community surrounding Pimlico Race Course. We cannot have a thriving industry. We cannot have a singular celebratory day, while the community that surrounds that day, continues to be divested in, continues to be ignored and continues to fall, Moore said. That was not going to stand. And so were thankful for the partnership to say that we believe in the industry. We believe in supporting the business community. We believe in Park Heights. And you cannot have success in one without having success in the other. Belinda Stronach, CEO of Stronach Group, has agreed to a deal that lets the state control thoroughbred racing and the Preakness and revitalize Pimlico Race Course and the surrounding Park Heights community. Photo by Bryan P. Sears. The unanimous approval comes four days before the 149th running of the Preakness Stakes. The plan, known as the Pimlico Plus Plan, will eventually concentrate all thoroughbred horse racing at Pimlico. We believe that with the approval and signing of these agreements, that we will put Maryland horse racing on a solid floor for the future, said Greg Cross, chair of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority. The agreements approved by the board Wednesday cover five aspects of track and racing operations: The master agreement itself transfers control of all thoroughbred horse races to the state as of Jan. 1 of this year. It also transfers related memorabilia and trophies and the Maryland Jockey Club to the state. 1/ST Racing, owned by the Stronach Group, agrees to transfer Pimlico Race Course to the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority for $1 on July 1. A lease agreement between the operating authority and 1/ST to lease the Laurel park facility for up to four years. Horse races, including and the Preakness Stakes, are expected to temporarily move to the Laurel facility while Pimlico is razed and rebuilt. The state would pay $1 per year for the first year and up to $3.5 million for a fourth year. An exclusive and perpetual license to the Preakness, the second leg of horse racings Triple Crown, begining July 2026 for an intial 10-year term that automatically extends for additional five-year terms unless the operating authority gives notice of non-renewal. Stronach will receive a $3 million base fee that increases by 2% annually. Stronach will also receive 2% of the handle from races. Stronach also agrees to provide the Woodlawn Vase trophy, awarded to the winner of the Preakness, on permanent loan to the operating authority. The vase, valued at an estimated $7 million, is considered one of the most valuable in sports. The agreements are part of years of negotiations, as well as a late-filed legislative effort to save and revitalize the historic race track. In addition to $400 million in state bonds, the state also plans to invest in housing, job training and workforce development in Park Heights. Moore signed the bill into law last week. Its not enough to create winners on a field or on a track, Moore said. Youve got to create winners off the field and outside of the track, as well. So when it comes to projects like this of generational impact, were not just focused on closing deals. Were focusing on driving opportunity. The post Board approves hiring outside attorneys for Key Bridge litigation appeared first on Maryland Matters. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) One of the more outspoken Boeing whistleblowers and an aviation advocacy group are launching an online safety reporting system to track flight issues around the globe. Ed Pierson first sat down with KOIN 6 News in early April to discuss what he says are quality control and safety issues with the plane manufacturer and the larger aviation industry. Prolific graffiti vandal faces 8 felonies in Portland Now, the Foundation for Aviation Safety has launched its own reporting system where anyone from the flying public, or even flight crews or manufacturer employees , can log complaints or raise red flags when it comes to a flight issue. A passenger, if theyre on a flight and it gets diverted or theres some report of an equipment malfunction, or an air crew member, anyone that sees something aviation safety related thats concerning, can submit this report, said Pierson. Were going to collect this information, compile it, and they well use it to go back to the airlines, the FAA, and say Hey, did this actually happen and what are you doing about it? The foundation is concerned that current logs of Service Difficulty Reports, or SDRs, reported to the FAA arent being updated regularly following months of negative headlines for airlines and Boeing. That includes the now infamous door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight that departed Portland in early January. Last summer, the FAA announced a modernization effort to improve the reports. Pierson said anyone submitting reports through their system can do so anonymously, or by name. Weve even had airline mechanics reach out to us, telling us things, said Pierson. The only way we fix these problems is if we know about them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Police arrested four people Tuesday on suspicion of stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise from a local store. According to a Boise Police Department news release, the group is suspected of similar thefts across the West Coast. All of the suspects, who police said are from Los Angeles, face felony charges of burglary and grand theft. According to the news release, police began investigating a reported retail theft at a store on the 500 block of North Milwaukee Street at around 1 p.m. Officials said the suspects worked together to steal about $4,700 worth of merchandise before heading to a second location of the same franchise on the 2300 block of North Eagle Road in Meridian. Ulta Beauty, a cosmetics chain, has stores at both locations. A police photograph of merchandise recovered from the suspects showed dozens of makeup items and perfume bottles from high-end brands. Boise Police Departments organized retail crime unit anticipated that the suspects would go to the second Ulta location, the news release said. Employees at the Meridian store called police before the group took any merchandise, according to the release, and Boise and Meridian police arrested the four suspects after the group split up in the parking lot. It wasnt immediately clear why police suspected the two men and two women of being part of an organized ring. In the release, Boise Police Cpl. Marshall Plaisted, of the organized retail crime unit, said the group has been traveling through several West Coast states for the last several weeks committing multiple thefts surpassing $20,000. Sen. Bob Menendez's federal corruption trial is underway. Here's what to know about the case involving gold bars, a jacket lined with cash and a Mercedes. While former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial continues in Manhattan criminal court, a criminal trial involving another elected U.S. official is happening just a few blocks away in Manhattan federal court. Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, is facing bribery and corruption charges for allegedly using his influence on the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee to help the governments of Egypt and Qatar and to provide political favors to three New Jersey businessmen running a halal meat company, who in turn showered him and his wife with gifts. According to federal prosecutors, those gifts included gold bars, cash and a Mercedes-Benz. Opening arguments in the trial got underway Wednesday, with testimony expected to begin later this week. Menendez has pleaded not guilty. Who is Bob Menendez? Menendez at a Senate hearing on Capitol Hill in March. (Mariam Zuhaib/AP) Menendez, 70, is a three-term senator who lives in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. He served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 2013 to 2015 and from 2021 to 2023, when he was indicted on federal bribery and corruption charges. What are the charges against him, exactly? Wael Hana, one of Menendezs co-defendants, arrives at Manhattan federal court on Wednesday. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters) Menendez was indicted on more than a dozen criminal charges, including bribery, obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent. He is standing trial with two of the businessmen Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, who have ties to Egypt and Qatar. The third, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty and has been cooperating with federal prosecutors. Menendezs wife, Nadine, was also charged but will stand trial separately. If convicted on all counts, Menendez faces a maximum sentence of 222 years in prison. What were the gifts he and his wife allegedly received? Menendez and his wife, Nadine, arrive at Manhattan federal court in September. (Jeenah Moon/AP) According to the federal indictment, Menendez and his wife were the recipients of numerous lavish gifts, including: Gold bars Prosecutors say Hana and Daibes gave Menendez and his wife gold bars, which were seized by the FBI from their home. After returning from a trip to Egypt, prosecutors say, Menendez searched online for the price of a gold bar. Envelopes full of cash Menendez and his wife received over $480,000 in cash, which was found in their home stuffed into bags, boots and clothes, including the senators embroidered congressional jacket. A Mercedes-Benz convertible The 2019 Mercedes, valued at $60,000, was bought for Nadine Menendez by Uribe, according to prosecutors. It was parked in the couples driveway when FBI agents raided their home. An engagement ring In the indictment, prosecutors say Hana received $150,000 from an unidentified man to purchase the car and an engagement ring for Nadine Menendez in exchange for the senator giving a push in a New Jersey criminal case. Basement carpeting and furniture Prosecutors say Nadine Menendez arranged for carpeting to be installed in her basement in exchange for dinners she set up between the senator and officials, as well as unspecified furniture. Formula One tickets According to prosecutors, Menendez received tickets from Qatari officials to the Miami Grand Prix Formula One race. Menendez gave the tickets to relatives. Whats next? Menendez at Manhattan federal court on March 11. (Jeenah Moon/AP) The trial is expected to last until early July. Menendez, whose current term is up in January, has until June to decide whether to seek reelection. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Diocese of Venice priest charged with sexually abusing altar boys in the 1980s went before a judge in Iowa where the allegations stem from. Father Leo Riley had been serving in Port Charlotte since the early 2000s. Riley was released from a Florida jail on a $100,000 bond. He went before a judge in Iowa who set his new bond five times higher at $500,000. VIDEO: Bullets barely miss 9-year-old boy sitting on couch in drive-by shooting Riley is charged with five counts of sexual abuse. He was ordained a priest in 1982 and was assigned to 17 different Parishes within the Archdiocese of Dubuque until 2002. He then requested a transfer to Florida. The criminal complaint alleges Riley abused four altar boys in the 1980s while he served at the Resurrection Church in Dubuque. It also details how the alleged victims, then-altar boys in Iowa, were forced to drink wine and endure sexual assaults, sometimes forcing them to assault one another. Riley was arrested at his Port Charlotte home last month. In Charlotte County, he was a Priest at Saint Charles Borromeo and San Antonio Catholic Church. Attorney Guy Cook is arguing Rileys innocence. Appreciate that these charges, no matter how salacious, are proof of nothing. Father Leo Riley is, to those people who know him well, a person of upstanding moral character, an honest man, and a person who would not commit these kinds of acts, Cook said. Riley has denied the allegations. One man, who wants to publicly share his story but not his name, said he, too, is a victim of abuse by Riley abuse that he alleges happened after Riley transferred to Florida. DUI driver arrested in Florida bus crash that killed 8 people, hospitalized dozens: FHP As a child, I attended Saint Charles school in Port Charlotte, where Father Leo Riley repeatedly abused me for years, the alleged victim said. Now the Charlotte County Sheriffs Office is investigating. If the accusations are true, then we have had a sexual predator living among us in Charlotte County that was trusted by far too many people simply because of his position, Sheriff Bill Prummell said. It is likely that there are more victims, and I encourage them to come forward so that we can make sure this type of heinous thing does not happen to anyone else here. It doesnt matter when it happened; but what does matter is that the truth needs to be shared and justice needs to be served. We stand with you. If you were abused by this man, you are not alone there is help available to you, the alleged victim said. Rileys bond had been set at $500,000. If he were to bond out of jail, the judge set conditions, which include being placed into the custody of the Department of Corrections, and would be required to stay at a halfway house in Iowa. He would also have a strict no contact order with all of his alleged victims. Riley is expected to be back in court on May 22. Anyone with information about Riley or anyone who has been a victim is asked to call the Charlotte County Sheriffs Office at 941-639-2101. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Josep Borrell broke his silence on Wednesday and denounced Georgia for approving the so-called "Russian law" in a third and final reading. In a statement co-signed with the European Commission, Borrell says the legislation goes against Georgia's EU membership ambitions and should be removed in its entirety. "The adoption of this law negatively impacts Georgia's progress on the EU path. The choice on the way forward is in Georgia's hands," they write. "We urge the Georgian authorities to withdraw the law, uphold their commitment to the EU path and advance the necessary reforms." The statement, however, does not outline any explicit reprisals or consequences for the accession process, which began in December after Georgia was declared an EU candidate country, fulfilling a long-coveted yet elusive goal. "The EU stands ready to continue supporting Georgians working towards a European future," the statement says. The foreign policy chief initially intended to release a collective communique to denounce the legislation signed by the 27 member states right after the third reading on Tuesday afternoon. But according to diplomats in Brussels, the plan was hijacked by Hungary and Slovakia, whose prime ministers have adopted Russian-friendly policies and tend to resist overly critical statements against the Kremlin and its international allies. "One was hiding behind the other," a diplomat told Euronews. With a lack of unanimity, the idea shifted to have Borrell release a joint statement with Oliver Varhelyi, the European Commissioner for neighbourhood and enlargement, as both did when the Georgian parliament approved the law in the second reading. But that further delayed the initiative due to reported disagreements between the two. In the end, the publication was done on Wednesday at 11:00 CET, almost 24 hours after the conclusion of the third reading. Instead of with Varhelyi, it was co-signed with the European Commission as a whole. The delay was noteworthy given the serious situation on the ground and the fast condemnation voiced by the United States. The fact that Borrell sent messages on social media about his trip to Washington and the Israel-Hamas war only added to frustration over his protracted silence. "The EU has clearly and repeatedly stated that the spirit and content of the law are not in line with EU core norms and values," the statement says. "It will undermine the work of civil society and independent media while freedom of association and freedom of expression are fundamental rights at the core of Georgia's commitments as part of the Association Agreement and of any EU accession path." In the meantime, the foreign affairs ministers of Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Iceland landed in Tbilisi to show support with protesters and meet with President Salome Zourabichvili, who has vowed to veto the law. "The 'foreign agents' law is incompatible with EU standards. This law can't be fixed, because it is fundamentally broken," said Lithuania's Gabrielius Landsbergis. 'Unacceptable' police action Under the new law, media outlets and non-profit organisations in Georgia would be required to be publicly registered as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if they receive more than 20% of their funds from abroad. They would also be obliged to declare the income received and submit an annual financial statement. Georgia's justice ministry would be empowered to monitor compliance with the obligations and slap fines for violations. Since the text was tabled, the opposition and civil society had said the law's provisions would be exploited to expose, target and eventually muzzle independent voices that refuse to toe the government's official line. Many NGOs that operate in the country receive Western donations, a trend that dates back to the Soviet republic's transition to democracy. Well-known groups such as Transparency International and Amnesty International would be labelled "foreign agents." Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze argues the law "creates strong guarantees of long-term peace and tranquillity" and will help overcome political polarisation. Controversially, Kobakhidze has linked foreign-funded NGOs to revolutionary attempts between 2020 and 2023, a point widely discredited by Brussels and Washington. The text has been dubbed the "Russian law" as it has similarities with a bill that the Kremlin introduced a decade ago to silence critical voices. Besides the legislative substance, the Georgian government has been criticised for its heavy-handed repression of protesters, who have taken to the streets en masse to demand the reversal of the project and the continuation of European integration. A poll released last year showed that 89% of the Georgian population support EU membership and 80% support NATO membership. In the same survey, 87% of respondents named Russia the greatest political and economic threat. "The EU stands with the Georgian people and their choice in favour of democracy and of Georgia's European future," Borrell and the Commission said. "The intimidation, threats and physical assaults on civil society representatives, political leaders and journalists, as well as their families is unacceptable. We call on the Georgian authorities to investigate these documented acts." Before the third reading, a cross-party group of MEPs penned a joint letter asking Borrell to prepare sanctions against Kobakhidze and the lawmakers who supported the bill. They also asked Varhelyi to channel additional funding into Georgia's civil society and refrain from opening accession talks as long as the contentious legislation is in place. Boyfriend seen dodging SUV before woman fatally runs him over, Michigan officials say A Michigan woman is accused of murder after investigators say she fatally ran over her boyfriend with an SUV. William Clemons III, 42, was walking near a Speedway gas station in Flint when an SUV hit and killed him, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said at a May 14 news briefing shared by WNEM. Police received a call at 6:17 a.m., May 5, from the manager of Speedway, Leyton said. Clemons was already dead by the time first responders arrived at the scene, and the vehicle that hit him was gone. Investigators accessed the mans phone and saw numerous recent calls, all from the same number, and angry text messages back and forth with a woman that Clemons had a romantic relationship with, according to Leyton. Officials didnt share exactly what was said, but the messages were inflammatory and it was clear the relationship had gone south. Surveillance video captured the moments leading up to Clemons death, which Leyton showed at the briefing. In the video, a silver Chevy Traverse is seen pulling up near Clemons, and he appears to talk with the driver before the SUV suddenly veers left to hit him. He dodges the vehicle at first, but the driver takes another pass and runs him down, dragging him across an empty lot and into the street. Investigators identified the owner of the vehicle as 36-year-old Candice Marie Patton, of Flint, WEYI reported. Leyton said Clemons family also recognized the vehicle and told investigators it belonged to Patton, whom Clemons had been seeing. Human skin was found stuck to the wheel wells of Pattons Chevy, and fibers that matched Clemons clothing clung to the exhaust, according to Leyton. Patton was arrested and faces a charge of first-degree murder, he said. Flint is a roughly 70-mile drive northwest of Detroit. Man is fishing with woman when acquaintance approaches, beats him to death, IN cops say Mysterious skeletal remains in music stores chimney IDd 34 years later: WI officials Boyfriend smashes window, kills man he says tried to assault girlfriend, IN cops say Strong foul odor leads to discovery of three bodies in Texas apartment, cops say (Bloomberg) -- Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva shook up the leadership of the nations state-owned oil company, firing the chief executive officer and one of his top deputies after months of sparring. Most Read from Bloomberg Petroleo Brasileiro SA CEO Jean Paul Prates, who had fought with the president over dividend payments, was formally dismissed at a board meeting Wednesday. The companys chief financial officer, Sergio Caetano Leite, was also terminated. Lula, as the president is known, plans to nominate Magda Chambriard, the former head of Brazils oil and gas regulator, to replace Prates. Clarice Coppetti, the executive director of corporate affairs, will fill in as temporary CEO, Petrobras said. Reaction in markets was swift and negative as investors braced for a new CEO who analysts warn could be more willing than her predecessor to put the presidents priorities above those of shareholders. Petrobras preferred shares dropped as much as 8.3% in Sao Paulo, the biggest intraday slump since March 8, when the announcement of a lower-than-expected dividend payout disappointed markets and drove a widespread rout across Brazilian assets. The sudden change in management adds significant uncertainty, Regis Cardoso, an analyst at XP Investimentos, wrote in a note to clients. Also See: Petrobrass Next CEO Is an Oil Veteran Who Champions Exploration Pratess departure ends months of speculation that his days at Petrobras were numbered. Tensions escalated earlier this year when he refused to align himself with government-appointed board members who voted to withhold the payout of extraordinary dividends to shareholders whod grown used to steady returns. Prates was applauded by employees on Wednesday afternoon in Rio de Janeiro when he left the companys downtown headquarters. Im sad, thats all, he said, while also defending his track record on fuel pricing and investments. The companys future is on track with the energy transition, good projects in the portfolio to be analyzed. The firing may add to concern that Petrobras is coming under increasing pressure from the ruling Workers Party to help revive Brazilian industry and create jobs, at the expense of shareholders. The dividend drama shocked some investors who viewed it as a sign of growing political interference in Latin Americas top oil-producing nation. After weeks of debate, Petrobras ultimately approved returning half its available cash to investors through a special dividend, as Pratess executive board had initially proposed. The government is the biggest shareholder, and the dividends have helped shore up a fiscal deficit at a time spending is on the rise. Prates told the executive board before the official announcement that Lula had asked for his position back. In a message seen by Bloomberg, he said that his mission was prematurely cut short, blaming Alexandre Silveira, the energy and mines minister, and Rui Costa, Lulas chief of staff, with whom he had clashed. A former senator for Lulas left-wing party with a history of working in the oil industry, Prates became chief executive in January 2023, shortly after Lula resumed the presidency. Petrobras had burned through six CEOs, including interim ones, from 2019 until Pratess appointment. Under his leadership, Petrobras changed direction, halting asset sales, shielding consumers from sharp fluctuations in global oil prices and earmarking billions of dollars for energy transition investments. The company recently boosted the budget for its five-year business plan to $102 billion, its biggest spending plan since 2015. Petrobras said it received a notice from the Energy Ministry late on Tuesday confirming that it would propose Chambriard to replace Prates. The engineer started her career at Petrobras in 1980, working at the company for 22 years, before moving to Brazilian oil regulator Agencia Nacional de Petroleo, Gas natural e Biocombustiveis, known as ANP. She was appointed head of the agency by former Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff in 2012 and held the position until 2016. Like Prates, Chambriard was part of Lulas transition team for energy in 2022. At that time, she had already been identified as a possible candidate for Petrobrass top job. The former ANP head has defended the need for Brazil to explore for oil in new areas, including the Equatorial Margin and the Pelotas Basin. The pre-salt boom is over. Its time to look for new frontiers, so Brazil can keep producing oil, she told Bloomberg in an interview in December. Chambriard also backs more investment in domestic oil refining, and wants to see more commodities processed in Brazil rather than exported as raw materials. The ousting of Prates marks a deterioration in Petrobrass governance, and Chambriards mission wont be easy, Citigroup Inc. said in a note. She arrives with the pressure to fulfill the investment plan and accelerate Petrobrass capex expansion and this may result in lower dividend payments, it said. --With assistance from Rachel Gamarski, Peter Millard and Leda Alvim. (Updates to include CFO departure in second paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Breaking up the Department of Human Services: From skeptic to convert The author writes, "The creation of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families is a long overdue, and will bring a stronger focus on childrens needs and issues to state government." Photo by Getty Images. Up until 1959, the Minnesota Department of Public Welfare renamed the Department of Human Services in 1983 oversaw Minnesotas prisons. The Legislature created the Department of Corrections that year. It might be hard to fathom how DHS and DOC could share a common history. The answer is institutions the prisons and state hospitals that were spread across the state. The most significant duty of the predecessor agencies starting with the State Board of Corrections and Charities in 1883 was to oversee these institutions. Running prisons remains a primary responsibility for DOC, but the state hospitals DHS oversaw 65 years ago no longer exist. The DHS of 1959 has little in common with the DHS of 2024. The human services system has changed dramatically since 1959. The federal government began expanding human services programs in the 1960s and 1970s with the Great Society programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. States began more fully engaging in human services policy about 50 years ago. And DHS grew and changed, as well. And, of course, gradual change often goes unnoticed. But after controversy focused on DHS overpayments a few years ago, policymakers started raising the question of whether DHS was too big. In 2023, the Legislature decided the time had come to reorganize state human services. Starting in July, with planned completion in 2025, DHS will be split into three agencies: The Department of Children, Youth, and Families; the Department of Direct Care and Treatment; and the Department of Human Services. I worked at DHS for 33 years, retiring in 2022. I came back to DHS post-retirement to focus on reorganization, and ended up working on the proposal that passed in 2023. I believe the benefits of the plan go well beyond making DHS smaller and more manageable well have a state government that can better meet Minnesotas evolving human service needs. Lets start where DHS began: the state hospitals. While the old system of state hospitals is gone, what remains in its place Direct Care and Treatment is a critical part of the states human services system. DCT is a specialized behavioral health system, mostly serving civilly committed people. It operates in over 200 sites across the state, including facilities such as the Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center, the State Hospital in St. Peter and the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. But within the pre-breakup DHS, Direct Care and Service is another service, another division. It sits inside a massive agency largely focused on policy and management of programs administered by counties and tribes. Separating DCT also serves to relieve DHS of day-to-day management of a 24/7, highly specialized behavioral health system. The management skill and experience needed to run such a system has little overlap with the rest of DHS, which is focused on policy and oversight of counties, tribal nations, and thousands of private service providers. A separate agency also provides more transparency for policymakers as they debate improvements to Minnesotas mental health system, such as the question of whether Minnesota needs more state-run psychiatric beds. The creation of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families is a long overdue, and will bring a stronger focus on childrens needs and issues to state government. Services for children and families are scattered across multiple agencies, including a core of services in DHS (child protection, public assistance programs like MFIP and SNAP, child support, and child care assistance). This is not the first time Minnesota has created an agency focused on children. The Department of Children, Families and Learning was created in the administration Gov. Arne Carlson and disbanded by the administration of Gov. Tim Pawlenty. That model moved a somewhat random selection of childrens services from various agencies into the Department of Education. Based on conversations over the years, I believe a central problem with the CFL model was that MDE already had a full-time job: Overseeing K-12 education. It was impossible for the childrens services added to MDE to compete for attention, and difficult for MDE to effectively adapt to a broader role. Over the past 20 to 30 years, the same dynamic has grown within DHS. In the case of DHS, the childrens services were competing with the uber-program Medical Assistance, Minnesotas Medicaid program. MA started as a health care coverage program for low-income families. But over the past 40 years, MA has been transformed into a behemoth that spends over $20 billion a year, funding health care for roughly 25% of Minnesotans, long-term care for seniors and people with disabilities and behavioral health services for many Minnesotans. This transformation was the result of federal changes in the 1980s that created options for states to leverage federal funding for a variety of new services. This expansion has been wonderful for people across Minnesota and has allowed us to create a system of community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities. But as we have funded more services through MA, we have also expanded the administrative footprint of the program. When I started at DHS in 1989, one of the four major program areas was devoted to MA. Now, three of the four program areas administer services that are largely funded by MA. The fourth program area is Children and Family Services. I dont want to imply that childrens programs at DHS are overlooked, either internally or externally; they remain a vital part of DHS, and the past two administrations have made substantial investments in these programs. But the nexus of services funded by MA are expanding and complex to administer. A slimmed-down but still very large DHS can better focus on these critical services. At the same time, weve also learned that consolidating childrens services from across state government can alleviate some of the barriers that make it difficult to deliver coordinated early childhood services and reach the families and children most in need. When I came back to DHS to focus on agency reorganization proposals, I had mixed feelings about the narrative that DHS was too big. After spending time examining the agencys history and reflecting on my own time at DHS, I did reach one clear conclusion: It is a lot bigger than it was 40, 30 or even 20 years ago. It was time to look at other options. I believe the direction we are now going is a win-win-win. This wont be a smooth road; reorganizing services across agencies and creating new agencies is challenging work. But it is the right thing to do. The post Breaking up the Department of Human Services: From skeptic to convert appeared first on Minnesota Reformer. The Indianapolis police union is a malignant force. It capitalizes on tragedies to warn of more, escalating tragedies unless the union gets what it wants. Every year, the city gives the union what it wants. The union's response? It trashes Indianapolis as an uninhabitable wasteland where criminals rule, aided by sympathetic judges, and where police are helpless to intervene. That's the message of a billboard the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police erected last month along Interstate 70. The billboard reads: "We can't help if we're not there." It's a spiteful, disingenuous gambit by the police union to make an issue of understaffing during a contract year. Yes, it's true, Indianapolis has fallen hundreds of officers short of the city's hiring target. As the Indianapolis FOP well knows, it's also a national problem with no apparent solution. As CNBC reported, officer resignations in 2022 were 47% higher than they were in 2019. That's the year before COVID-19, the murder of George Floyd and anti-police protests, some of which turned violent. Indianapolis pays first-year officers $72,000 a year, which is about in line with the national median police salary. Staffing is not just a problem in big cities. Small towns are disbanding their police departments because of the officer shortage, CNBC reported. Policing, as a profession, is in decline. Indianapolis can't hire people who don't exist or retain people who've resolved to move on with their lives. The city is trying, though. Indianapolis last year raised first-year officer pay to $72,000. To put that into perspective, the national median wage for patrol officers is $72,280, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An entry-level officer in Indianapolis is already earning more than about half of all police in America. That isn't enough to meet full staffing. Indianapolis as of last month was 266 officers below the budgeted staff of 1,743, IndyStar reported. That's why the city announced it was rerouting American Rescue Plan Act money to retention bonuses. Indianapolis is not only bending over backwards on money and quality-of-life measures, but also wish-list items bordering on frivolity. For years, the Indianapolis FOP called for adding a gunshot detection system in Indianapolis despite research showing it's ineffective and local police officials saying it wasn't a good use of money. Guess what? Mayor Joe Hogsett in 2021 announced a million-dollar-plus investment in a gunshot detection pilot despite already knowing what the program would reveal. Indianapolis in March decided it would not move forward with a gunshot detection program (after, oddly, having sought a contract with ShotSpotter) because the pilot proved ineffective and unreliable. Rather than accepting the city's findings, Rick Snyder, president of the Indianapolis FOP, called the decision to avoid wasting millions more "short-sighted and flawed." Indianapolis has shown it will put its officers among the best-compensated in the nation and light money on fire to appease the union. It's never enough. Snyder sits at his keyboard not touting his victories, but rather sharing hyperbolic social media posts about the latest shootings and stabbings as more proof of "#SurgingViolence," as he puts it. Except, the violence is not surging. Not anymore. Homicides are plummeting by 20% across the U.S., the fastest pace in decades, The Wall Street Journal reported. Just like Indianapolis homicides rocketed with the tide during the pandemic, homicides are now falling here with the national tide. It's unsettling how much we still don't understand about why violent crime soared in 2020 and then started falling for no apparent reason. It's hard to give Hogsett much credit for fixing anything when Indianapolis is more or less bobbing along with other cities across the U.S. The national trends call into question whether any of Hogsett's policies have mattered. Hogsett over the years has introduced a series of new tactics and initiatives and buzzwords. Most of all, though, he's backed trucks full of money up to the police department. Indianapolis police spending has risen by more than 42% to $324 million since Hogsett took office in 2016. With so little to show for all those millions, perhaps it's time for the city to slow down and negotiate a little harder on the next FOP contract. The FOP would frame anything other than another colossal expansion of the police budget in apocalyptic terms, arguing that officers are going to walk away en masse and the streets will flow with blood. But the union has been saying those things, anyway, even as it has repeatedly gotten everything it's sought and more, in some cases. If Snyder wants to shout from the interstates that Indianapolis is a terrible place to live or visit, let him. Just don't reward him for it. 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: Indianapolis FOP's contract gambit hypes tragedy to get more money Britons warned to boil water on concern over parasite contamination in Devon areas LONDON (Reuters) - Residents in part of Devon in southwestern England were warned on Wednesday to boil water before consuming it after the region's water utility found traces of an intestinal parasite that can cause diarrhoea and vomiting. South West Water issued the notice to its customers in Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham, and said it was urgently investigating the source of the contamination. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Regular dumping of raw sewage in rivers and seas has sparked anger in Britain, with privatised water companies accused of failing to invest in infrastructure and of routinely dumping sewage in waterways. BY THE NUMBERS The lawmaker for the area said health, water and local authorities were investigating 16 confirmed cases among residents of sickness involving the cryptosporidium parasite, and around 70 further reported cases of diarrhoea and vomiting. The areas affected have a combined population of around 26,000. CONTEXT Cryptosporidium can cause diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea or vomiting, low-grade fever and loss of appetite. The organism can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals and may contaminate lakes, streams and rivers, swimming pools, untreated or poorly treated water, and food, according to the National Health Service (NHS) website. (Reporting by Muvija M; Editing by Bernadette Baum) A Florida woman adopted a young boy from Haiti in 2023. He died after just a year of being in her custody, and the details behind his death are almost too sickening to read. Authorities of the Polk County Sheriffs Office said they received notice from the Orlando Health hospital that a young boy died under suspicious circumstances. That boy turned out to be the 4-year-old son of Patricia Saintizaire, who already had a 16-year-old adopted son, per ABC7. When the medical examiners office performed the boys autopsy, they found exactly what made his death suspicious: an irreparable abdominal bleed and evidence of blunt force trauma. His death was ruled a homicide, per the report. Investigators said they interviewed Saintizaire to find answers, but she denied using physical force as a form of punishment and discipline. However, interviews from her family spilled the beans on what was really going on in that house before the 4-year-old died. Read more from ABC7 News: During initial interviews with the childs older teenaged brother, he denied being abused or witnessing abuse. However, after placing that child into DCF custody, he then told detectives that Patricia told him when they ask you something, say nothing so I dont get in trouble, and that she threatened to kill him with a gun. Detectives also learned that when the victim got home from school, the older brother went to another room for approximately two hours, and did not see or hear what happened to the victim. Patricia then told the brother to bring food to the victim. At that time, he noted that the victim was unable to walk on his own, and struggled to sit up on his own. Patricia told the older brother that the victim was faking it and to feed him. The victim then became unresponsive. The older brother began performing CPR on the child and then told Patricia they needed to take him to the hospital. Thats not even all of it. Police said upon searching Saintizaires phone, they recovered two surveillance videos: one in which she is seen hitting the boy with an electrical cord and another in which she tosses him into a pool with his hands tied behind his back. Saintizaire was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and tampering with a witness, the report says. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A newly re-examined word puzzle sent to a Kansas City TV station in 2004 could strengthen leads in a cold-case investigation into the disappearance of a 16-year-old girl in Oklahoma and link it to the convicted serial killer Dennis Rader, nicknamed BTK for bind, torture, kill. At a news conference on Tuesday, Osage county sheriff Eddie Virden said he had received a package from a woman in April containing a crossword puzzle Rader allegedly used to taunt investigators. The words Rader used identified places, names or fantasies connected to the serial killer who murdered at least 10 people in Wichita and Park City, Kansas, between 1974 and 1991. Related: BTK serial killer is prime suspect in two more unsolved murders, police say Rader was arrested in 2005, 13 years after the murders ceased, when he sent another clue a floppy disk to a TV station that contained data investigators used to uncover him as the killer. The words Rader used in the crossword included Wichita, prowl, fantasies, ruse, spot victim. But a new examination of the document reveals Cindy, Kinney, but also Kihekah, the name of the street where 16-year-old Cynthia Kinney disappeared from the Osage Laundry in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, in June 1976. Investigators were unable to pin Kinneys disappearance on Rader. He admitted to killing 10 victims but has never confessed to any involvement in the disappearance of the 16-year-old cheerleader. Sheriff Virden, however, said he believes he may have come close to conclusively tying Rader to Kinney. One piece of the puzzle, he told Oklahomas KFOR, was that generally Rader acted mid-morning, at about the same time that Kinney disappeared. A second clue is the name of victim and the street the laundromat was on. A letter that came with the crossword puzzle Virden received last month advised: Dont view it as a puzzle. View the puzzle as a map that Rader created to plot his victims. Theres hints all the way through that cant be overlooked, Virden told KFOR. Its up to us to figure out everything he gave us and put those together, connect the dots, and then get the answers were looking for, he added. Were still in the process of trying to evaluate that and sending them out, trying to get some expert opinions on it to see what we can get. But its pretty hard to get around the fact that Cindy Kinneys name is in there. Virden said there were a total of eight markings on the map-puzzle that referenced Oklahoma. Criminal psychologists have reasoned that Rader wanted his murders to be cataloged by authorities. We know [BTK] refers to his murders as factor X that in some of his journals and other stuff he marked murders with Xs. In this particular case, everything is marked with a X. The clues go on and on, Virden said. We have searched many locations. Weve found items that we believe are evidence, and weve found carvings, markings in barns, things that we believe are 100% proof that hes operated within our area. Last month, the Osage and Pawnee county district attorney Mike Fisher addressed mounting speculation that authorities were coming close to linking Rader to Kinneys disappearance. Fisher said there was still insufficient evidence to file charges against Rader but said he had directed the Oklahoma state bureau of investigation to open a formal investigation into Kinneys disappearance. But he added the things he had seen conducted by the Osage county sheriffs office had given him pause and concern, and that it was not appropriate for the sheriff to conduct a dig at Raders previous residence before using proper investigative techniques. One of Sheriff Virdens digs at a Kansas property in Park City had apparently found items of interest including tangled pantyhose. Raders daughter Kerri Rawson has said she believes her father may have taken more lives. Steve Davis wants to make sure the person who killed Whitey Bulger in prison is living his best life from here on out. The notorious Boston gangland boss was accused of killing Davis sister Debra in 1981, after which her body remained missing for almost two decades. Bless the man who did it, Davis told The Daily Beast. Im going to send him $500 for his canteen, and a letter thanking him Because I live every day thinking of my sisterand that piece of shit. On Oct. 30, 2018, prosecutors allege, convicted Mafia hitman Fotios Geas and Massachusetts gangster Paul DeCologero beat the 89-year-old Bulger to death with a padlock while Sean McKinnon, a third inmate at USP Hazelton in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, acted as a lookout. DeCologero believed Bulger was a snitch, and said he wanted him dead, according to another inmate-turned-states-witness. Prosecutors said in a court filing on Monday that the three have agreed to plead guilty and proceed to sentencing; details of the deal have not yet been made public. Davis, 67, has an idea as to which of the trio orchestrated the assassination and struck the fatal blow, and has a special place in his heart for him, he said on Wednesday. He said he didnt want to name any names before the plea deal is completed because that would be like me pointing the finger at him. Still, Davis continued, He is a hero. He is a hero to all. He did the world justice. And does he deserve any additional time on what hes done? I dont think so. Debra Davis. Courtesy of Steve Davis Davis described himself and his sister, who were very close in age, as Irish twins. He said hes glad everything turned out the way it did, and that Bulgers violent demise was nothing that I would really frown on. Those guys who did what they did, they couldnt be honored or blessed as anything better than the hero of heroes, he went on. Ive had old ladies say the same thing: he got what he had coming to him, that sonofabitch. He was an evil sonofabitch, and I tip my hat to the guys who did what they did They should be given a Medal of Honor. Tony Cardinale, an attorney who represented big-time crime bosses Bulger ratted out to the feds but never Bulger himself, also said on Wednesday that hes ecstatic that hes dead, and he is also ecstatic that Geas, DeCologero, and McKinnon were offered a plea bargain. As far as theyre concerned, Ill be making regular deposits into their commissary, Cardinale told The Daily Beast, almost exactly echoing Davis sentiments. Theyll definitely be on my Christmas list If anybody deserved what happened, and how it happened, its [Bulger]. I just wish it was worse, they did it too fast. They did a good job, dont get me wrong. But [the suffering] should have been longer. Cardinale said he helped bring to light the fact that Bulger was a top-echelon informant for the FBI, and, accordingly, was given nearly free rein to commit crimes with impunity. He was a psychopath anyway, but when he knew he could go after anyone and get it squashed, he became the devil personified, Cardinale explained. They were killing innocent people, left and right. Steve Davis, brother of alleged James Whitey Bulger victim Debra Davis, stands outside the federal courthouse in Boston, Massachusetts, August 8, 2013. Brian Snyder/Reuters Davis, too, recalled Bulger and his crews wanton brutality, becoming emotional as he remembered his sister. They were killing women, they didnt give a fuck, Davis said. They werent gangsters. They were shitbags, you know what I mean? They thrived off the weak, took from anybody they could. I did not fear this guy, Davis said of Bulger. Everybody feared him. I did not fear him. I would have killed him in a second, myself, [but] you know, I dont have that in me. But I wouldve. When they took my sister, it was no holds barred. Debra Davis was 26 years old when Bulger allegedly strangled her to death and then dragged her down a flight of stairs before making Davis boyfriend, an area gangster and Bulger associate named Stephen The Rifleman Flemmi, dig her grave. Flemmi, who was an FBI informant for years, testified about the killing during Bulgers 2013 trial. He said Bulger believed Debra knew too much about his crews dealings with corrupt law enforcement officials, and that she needed to be permanently silenced. But when Flemmi was unable to carry out the murder himself, Bulger stepped in and fatally throttled Debra with his bare hands, according to Flemmi, who at that point was a decade into a life sentence for 10 murders. Whitey Bulgers 2011 mugshot. Handout At the time, Steve Davis said listening to Flemmi testify about his sisters death was like throwing salt on an open wound. Some 19 years after her death, Debras corpse was found just below the waterline of the Neponset River in the Boston suburb of Quincy. Bulger, who spent 16 years as a fugitive before FBI agents arrested him in Santa Monica, California in 2011, was later convicted on 31 federal counts, including 11 murders. He was tried but never convicted of killing Debra Davis. From the age of 19, 20, I carried a pistol all the time, Steve Davis told The Daily Beast. I looked over my shoulder my whole life. It wasnt any way to live. But I lived the way I lived. And Im still here. 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. Doug Burgum has emerged unexpectedly as a top choice to serve as former President Trumps running mate, a development that comes after the North Dakota governor failed to gain traction against the former president in his White House bid. Burgum was little known outside of his home state when he started his presidential run last year. But since endorsing Trump after suspending his campaign, he has been a top ally and close adviser to the former president. In a sign of the governors growing clout, he appeared alongside Trump at a recent rally in New Jersey and attended his New York trial on Tuesday. The former president has hinted that Burgum whose net worth has been estimated to run in the tens of millions should expect a future in his administration regardless of whom he ultimately chooses. [Trump] obviously wants a partner, wants somebody he can trust, somebody who can be effective in helping him advance his agenda, somebody who can help him win, and I think Burgum checks a lot of boxes, said Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak. Burgum during his own presidential run in August had initially rejected the idea of serving as Trumps running mate or in his potential Cabinet, telling CNN that hes happy to do lots of other things. But after declining to seek a third term as governor and joining Trumps team as an adviser on energy policy, he has received growing attention and been included on reported shortlists of candidates Trump is considering. Not coincidentally, he has also become a more frequent presence in Trumps orbit in recent weeks. Burgum addressed the crowd Saturday ahead of Trumps rally in Wildwood, N.J., leading a chant in which he repeatedly asked, Who are we gonna send back to the White House? with the crowd yelling back, Trump. And the former president praised him during his speech and gave a signal that Burgum would play some role in his administration. You wont find anybody better than this gentleman in terms of his knowledge He made his money in technology, but he probably knows more about energy than anybody I know, so get ready for something, Trump said, addressing Burgum. OK, just get ready. One Republican strategist said Burgum performed well at the rally as he warmed up the crowd ahead of Trump. He took the stage, and he didnt just sound but he looked like a VP, and the president cares about you looking like youre from central casting, the strategist said. The governor continued his association with Trump on Tuesday as one of several surrogates in attendance at his trial for the hush-money case in which the former president is accused of falsifying business records related to an alleged payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The strategist said many may be overlooking Burgum, but he would provide balance to the ticket with Trump because he is practical and can get the job done without ruffling feathers. The core Republican principles I think is what Burgum represents, of limited government, of strong national security, of having a great energy policy so that we can continue to move our economy forward, the same strategist said. Burgum had never held office before first being elected governor of North Dakota in 2016. Prior to that, he led a technology company called Great Plains Software before selling it to Microsoft for more than $1 billion. Accordingly, he has a large personal wealth, with Forbes estimating his net worth to be at least $100 million something that could prove useful to Trumps campaign as he struggles with considerable legal bills. Trumps fundraising committees spent nearly $50 million on legal expenses last year, and his leadership PAC has spent millions more already this year. As the Biden campaign outpaces Trumps fundraising totals, getting some greater financial assistance would be a boon to the former presidents campaign. Mackowiak said Burgums personal wealth is a strength for him as a choice because the trial that Trump is facing has taken up time he could otherwise spend fundraising. He said that factor may not be as meaningful once the trial ends in a few weeks and Trump potentially has more time to raise money. GOP strategist Tyler Glick noted that Burgum loaned his own campaign millions of dollars, and his net worth would allow him to be able to spend some of his money on a Trump-Burgum campaign. Obviously with all these legal bills, you also have to fund the campaign apparatus, so I think that part of the cake has moved up the priority list, he said. Observers said Trump is looking for someone he gets along with well, as he has appeared to be doing with Burgum. Republican donor Dan Eberhart who serves as the CEO of Canary, LLC, a drilling services company with business in North Dakota said Burgum and Trump get along really well while traveling and being together. Trump respects the fact that hes a very successful businessman-turned-politician. And I also think he hits the hidden criteria of wont overshadow Trump, he said. Burgum and Trump are also in line on abortion, an issue that has been difficult territory for Republicans to navigate since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Both have said they supported the Supreme Courts decision and allowing states to decide their abortion policies for themselves, but they would not support a national abortion ban. The Republican strategist noted Burgum declared his support for states rights on abortion early in the presidential campaign, even before Trump did just last month. Thats what our whole push as a party has been for 50-odd years, and now that is the position that the president, our nominee, has taken, the strategist said. And so hopefully, even if he isnt the vice-presidential nominee, the president will continue to use some of his policy positions that I think resonate a lot with a large chunk of the Republican Party. Strategists said even if Trump does not choose Burgum, the governor seems to be in a strong position to be a key part of his administration. I think its highly likely that if hes not the VP, then hell be Energy secretary or Interior secretary, Mackowiak said. Highly likely. Glick said Trumps picks following his 2016 victory were a bit of a wild card because those chosen didnt necessarily have backgrounds in the departments they led, which could happen again. Who knows? You could see [Burgum] in any number of Cabinet positions if last time was an indicator, he said. Brett Samuels contributed reporting. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Update at 4 p.m. Sav-Mor Pharmacys Pat Karnes and Neva Thode presented a $5,000 check to go toward Operation Honor Guard. The pharmacy is a longtime sponsor of the organization given its close connection with many veterans in the community. My dad was a vet in the Navy. He was in the Korean conflict, so its very close to me, too, Thode said. Operation Honor Guard Founder Rich Darby praised Sav-More Owner David Falk for his continuous commitment to veterans in the Central Illinois community and beyond. We love Sav-More, we love Dave Falk, and we know we can count on him, Darby said. Update at 10 a.m. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) Eric Jordan with Lanz Heating and Cooling presented a $5,000 donation to Rich Darby and the Operation Honor Guard. Just being a part of this organization that gives back to those that have given so much is really an honor, Jordan said. Last year, someone reached out to the businesses as being a sponsor of the show. Her son was a veteran, and she lost his flag somewhere over the course of a couple of moves. Through a collaborative help with Darby and an Honor Guard member, they were able to present a new flag to her. It was one of the most powerful things I have ever experienced in-person, to watch these guys that have already given so much give again, it meant the world to that lady that day. Update at 9:30 a.m. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) Jim Hampton with Tatmans Towing a longtime sponsor for Operation Honor Guard presents a $5,000 check to Rich Darby and the Operation Honor Guard. We look forward to this every year, Hampton said. This is a great opportunity to be able to help our veterans and those who are there for the ones who have fallen. To make them look good and to honor our veterans, another way for us to respect them. Hampton added that since he has never served in the military, this is just another way that he can thank those who have served. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) Alex Huber with the Richard Group LLC presented a $5,000 check donation to Rich Darby and the Operation Honor Guard. Richard Group LLC is a veteran-owned small business, predominantly providing many upgrades to veteran affairs hospitals, as well as doing work at the National Cemetery. WATCH: Operation Honor Guard 2024 The business is based out of Chicago and made the trip down to Central Illinois for the donation. We just outfitted four more honor guard members right here Darby said. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg heavily criticized a recent lawsuit by major airlines over a new rule that requires airline companies to reveal extra fees on purchases. We just issued a rule requiring airlines to inform you, before you buy a ticket, of fees they will charge you, Buttigieg said Tuesday in a post on the social platform X. Now, the airline lobby is suing us, saying that if you have the right to that information it will confuse you. For once, I am speechless. The lawsuit was filed last Friday by trade group Airlines for America, as well as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways Corp., Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines. In a statement, Airlines for America said the rule will greatly confuse consumers who will be inundated with information that will only serve to complicate the buying process. Airlines go to great lengths to make their customers knowledgeable about these fees. In addition to the disclosures required by existing DOT (Department of Transportation) regulations, airlines engage in competitive advertising and emphasize ancillary fee discounts and benefits when they promote their loyalty programs, the group wrote. The Department of Transportation said in a statement to The Hill that they will vigorously defend our rule protecting people from hidden junk fees and ensuring travelers can see the full price of a flight before they purchase a ticket. Many air travelers will be disappointed to learn that the airline lobby is suing to stop these common-sense protections, the statement continues. The Biden administration finalized the rule late last month, with Buttigieg saying in a statement at the time that airlines should compete with one another to secure passengers business not to see who can charge the most in surprise fees. DOTs new rule will save passengers over half a billion dollars a year in unnecessary or unexpected fees by holding airlines accountable for being transparent with their customers, he continued. The Hill has reached out to Airlines for America for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A variety of books and resources are available at the Cabell County Public Library Main Branch in Huntington, West Virginia, on Thursday, July 27, 2023. In addition to the Main Branch, the Cabell County Library system has seven branches serving the communities of Barboursville, Cox Landing, Gallaher Village, Guyandotte, Milton, Salt Rock, and West Huntington. (Lexi Browning | West Virginia Watch) Voters in Cabell County on Tuesday rejected an excess levy to provide funding to the county schools as well as, in small part, parks and libraries. With all precincts reporting according to WSAZ, 64% of Cabell County voters rejected the levy. The levy would have totaled about $30.5 million for the school district over the next five years. Of that $30.5 million, nearly $1.6 million about 4.5% of the total levy amount would have gone to the Cabell County Public Library ($1.4 million) and the Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District ($200,000). The levys failure was, at least in part, the result of community organizing by residents angered by the Cabell County Board of Educations move to severely cut funding for both the parks and libraries and what they saw as a rushed negotiation process. Those organizers have said they hope that by failing the levy, they can buy time to come up with a better solution to support the schools as well as the parks and libraries. Cabell County Superintendent Ryan Saxe, however, said in March that there is no guarantee a different levy will appear on the ballot in November, which is the last time the levy can be brought up until the 2026 election. The current levy expires in 2025. Organizers in Cabell County, however, were not impressed with the changes that resulted from negotiations with the school board, saying the proposal was rushed, the funding was not enough and, if approved, would lead to inevitable cuts to both library and park services. To buy time, community members began organizing against the levy, urging voters to reject the proposal in hopes of getting a better option up for a vote in November. In August, board members unanimously approved a proposal for 2025 that zeroed out funding for the Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District while severely cutting funds for the Cabell County Public Library system. The funding changes came in the face of a $4.5 million budget shortfall for the school district, which leaders have said is the result of enrollment declines as well as the expiration of one-time COVID-19 relief dollars. Both organizations filed suit against the school district upon the school boards approval of the proposed levy, with the goal of keeping the levy at its current funding level for the next several years on the grounds that school board members cannot undo the will of voters. Cabell County Circuit Court Judge Gregory Howard ruled in favor of the parks and libraries, which meant the school district would have had to fund both entities under policies passed by voters via the 2018 excess school levy. The case, however, was appealed to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, where justices sided with the school board in saying it had no obligation to provide funding for either the parks or libraries. Through negotiations with members of both organizations, the school district increased allocations to the levels that appeared on Tuesdays ballot. The Cabell County library system serves more than 90,000 people the third largest reach for libraries in West Virginia. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Cabell County voters reject education excess levy appeared first on West Virginia Watch. California Democrats worried about deeper child care and social safety net cuts in Gov. Gavin Newsoms revised budget want the state to instead close more prisons. That way, they argue, there would be more funding for the programs in jeopardy. Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles, and Assemblyman Corey Jackson, D-Moreno Valley, have concerns about Newsoms plan to cut money from programs that provide food assistance, help foster youth and subsidize child care, among others. The assemblymen are joining with organizations urging leaders to find ways to preserve funding for those priorities. Whether theyll be heard as the legislature considers the state budget is uncertain. The Bee reached out to Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, for a comment on the prison closure proposal, but had not received a response by deadline. Advocates for more safety net funding said one approach to get more money would be to close five more prisons, as the Legislative Analysts Office suggested in February. The LAO reported California prisons would operate with 15,000 empty beds during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which would reach 19,000 by 2028. The five prison closures could save the state $1 billion annually, according to the LAO. Newsoms revised budget proposes deactivating 46 prison housing units with 4,600 beds, which would result in $80.6 million in savings. Bryan said thats not enough. The state is literally running a 15,000-person empty hotel through the state prisons, Bryan said. Thats expected to grow in vacancies. And were not looking at closing it. In fact, were looking at the need to maintain it because of the structural poverty were creating throughout California that might result in more people going to prison. Prison closures are also a Legislative Black Caucus priority, said Chair Lori Wilson, a Democratic assemblywoman from Suisun City. Wilson said the caucus brought it up to the governor when they met with him to discuss their budget priorities. When you look at the (Democratic) caucus, its something that the majority of our caucus members actually support, Wilson said. Prison closures as a way to not just save revenue, but in a sense of a value statement of the direction that California is moving, in terms of doing more things to provide programs to prevent people from going in prison in the first place. Wilson said the conversation is less focused on whether to close prisons and more on how to make it happen in a way that everyone supports, taking into account those work at the facilities. Newsom has begun the process of closing three prisons during his time in office, as well as several prison yards. But lawmakers in recent years have pushed him to close more, citing the cost savings and empty beds. We have to be mindful that our prison population is not static, said Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a Newsom spokeswoman, in a statement. As the governor said at last Fridays press conference, none of these solutions were made easily or lightly. The administration seeks to close the shortfall while maintaining core programs and base benefits. Social safety net cuts Andrew Cheyne of End Child Poverty in California said his organization worries about additional cuts to state welfare program CalWORKs and multiple food assistance initiatives. The governors revised budget includes more than $170 million in cuts to two CalWORKS programs that support impoverished families with infant children and help those with mental health and substance abuse issues. That builds on $293 million in CalWORKS cuts he proposed in his January budget, according to the LAO. Fabiola Hercules and Leticia Arenas, members of community organization Hayward Promise Neighborhoods, hold signs and listen to speakers at a rally at the state Capitol on Wednesday with SEIU members and anti-poverty advocates asking for legislative support for those harmed by cuts proposed by Gov. Newsoms May budget revision to address the states deficit. In addition to delaying a food assistance expansion for undocumented Californians 55 and older, Newsoms spending proposal would cut $15 million from CalFresh, the states food stamp program. That funding would have enacted a pilot initiative to increase participants minimum monthly assistance from $23 per month to $50. Cheyne also cited the pause on a subsidized child care program that was to add 200,000 slots. The governors revised budget would pause the expansion indefinitely at 119,000 new slots until economic conditions improve. When these resources go away, it is life and death, Cheyne said. It pushes families past the brink. And we know from the Great Recession that it could take years to restore some of these vital services. And so that underscores the urgency of our message to adopt a budget that prevents these cuts this year. Jackson, who chairs the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services, said maintaining foster care programs and CalWORKS is important, as those are the programs that are designed to keep people out of homelessness, to make sure that they have their food that they need. The governor in January proposed more than $50 million in cuts to programs providing a hotline and rental housing assistance for foster youth. Jackson said his main priority is to ensure that we do not cut programs that begin to destabilize our population. Our No. 1 priority as a state should be to keep our population stable and to save programs that will continue to bring people out of a state of crisis or survival mode, he said. More than $3 billion will be available in July to build or refurbish mental health treatment centers as part of an accelerated release of money from a voter-approved bond measure, a step California Gov. Gavin Newsom is taking as part of his strategy to curb homelessness and address mental health. Standing at a podium with a sign that read Treatment not tents outside a mental health facility tucked in a hillside in Redwood City, Newsom announced the availability of the money and promised quick decisions on development applications, saying that the state is at a hinge moment. Ive never been more enthusiastic about our prospects to actually make a dent and address the issues of whats happening on the streets and sidewalks in the state than I am today, the governor said during a mid-afternoon Tuesday press conference., adding that the next two to three years will be transformational. Weve addressed a lot of the barriers, a lot of the issues we have struggled with for decades in the state of California, Newsom said., adding that No one reform will achieve the results that people demand and we all expect. While Newsom promised quick evaluation of applications by an internal strike team for the needed housing under Proposition 1, the governor did not specify how soon that housing would come on line saying, those dollars will be out the door around the new year. The move fast tracks use of money for Proposition 1, the measure slated to pump nearly $6.4 billion toward developing more such facilities. Newsom also announced that launch of a new website, MentalHealth.ca.gov, to serve as a one-stop source for people in need of mental health services. Another version of the website will show how counties are faring and to serve as a transparency dashboard for the public. He chose San Mateo County as his backdrop for Tuesdays announcement because the county is an early adopter of the CARE Act, which Newsom championed. The bond money will provide housing that would allow CARE Court a statewide system of county mental health courts meant to compel treatment for those with severe mental illnesses to work. Newsom exhorted other counties to move and demonstrate the same urgency on homelessness reforms and initiatives, also touting conservatorship changes that his administration has worked to advance. He noted that the states Mental Health Services Act was passed two decades ago for a world that no longer exists. We cant do this alone, the governor said. The states vision is realized at the local level. The money from Proposition 1, approved by voters by only a narrow margin of 50.2% to 49.8%, will target those who are in crisis or experiencing chronic homelessness and for veteran housing. Budget revisions Tuesdays announcement came on the heels of the governor unveiling his revised budget Friday and a day before his trip to the Vatican to speak at a papal summit on climate change. During his budget revision, the governor proposed trimming $260 million from the next round of Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program, or HHAP, funding. Its unclear if lawmakers and the governor will provide funding for another round of the program. The proposal drew immediate backlash. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, who chairs the Big City Mayors coalition, said in a statement that homelessness in California would only worsen if the program is cut. If the state wants to reverse the trend of more people falling into homelessness, cutting off funding for programs that are keeping tens of thousands of people indoors and off the streets isnt the way to do it, Gloria said.. More than 181,000 Californians experienced homelessness on a given night in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. However, the state Legislative Analysts Office, which among other functions provides nonpartisan analysis of the budget for the Legislature, has estimated the Proposition 1 bond would build up to 4,350 housing units, with 2,350 set aside for veterans, helping a sliver of the states overall homeless population. The number of housing units built by the bond would reduce statewide homelessness by only a small amount, the LAO noted in its analysis of Proposition 1. While the governors revised budget calls for trimming millions in supplemental funding from HHAP, $1 billion is still in an ongoing round of funding with no further commitment to another round. When asked by the Sacramento Bee about the small subset of population that the proposition funding is aimed at and whether he expects to continue HHAP funding, the governor said in an ideal world, hed love to and would work with legislators. The Legislature in their wisdom will make that determination on the basis of what they believe should be prioritized in this budget, he said. And they can make a determination if they want to continue to appropriate levels that we have seen in the past. Among those speaking out after the governor proposed the $260 million cut on Friday was San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, who chairs the Big City Mayors coalition, who said Californias homelessness problem will only get worse if the program is cut. The governors homelessness agenda Just weeks ago, Newsom in a virtual announcement renewed his call for accountability from cities and counties that receive homelessness funding after an audit showed the state is not adequately tracking the effectiveness of programs meant to help the unhoused. Newsom has banked his years-long homelessness and mental health care reform strategy on Proposition 1, which reconfigures the California Mental Health Services Act to redirect the majority of its funding from the counties to the state. Opponents of Proposition 1 have included not only Republican lawmakers and conservative-leaning county boards of supervisors, but also disability rights activists and some mental health groups. Critics warned that the measure would lead to a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach to mental health care in the state. An overwhelming majority 96% of Californians believe homelessness to be at least somewhat of a problem in the state, according to a recent survey from the Public Policy Institute of California. Planned behavioral health milestones Last October, Newsom stood at a podium with a Treatment Not Tents sign after having signed a pair of bills that paved the way for funding and policy changes on the primary election ballot under Proposition 1. Today is about holding ourselves to a high level of accountability, a higher level of expectation, the governor said then. This ballot measure was part of a broader plan by the governor to address Californias homeless crisis by removing encampments and getting the homeless who were diagnosed with mental illness or substance abuse into treatment programs. According to the California Health and Human Services Agency, heres how the $6.38 billion from the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act passage of which put Proposition 1 before voters will be spent: All of the money will be used to construct, acquire, and rehabilitate more than an estimated 6,800 treatment beds and 26,700 out-patient treatment slots; 4,350 permanent supportive housing units, with 2,350 of those set-aside for veterans $4.4 billion will go toward grants to public or private entities for behavioral health treatment and residential settings, including $1.5 billion to be awarded only to counties, cities and tribal entities, with $30 million set aside for tribes $1.065 billion in housing investments for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness who have behavioral health challenges; $922 million for housing investments for persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness who have behavioral health challenges. Modeled after the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), which the Department of Health Care Services was authorized through 2021 legislation to establish with $2.2 billion to construct, acquire, and rehabilitate real estate assets or to invest in needed mobile crisis infrastructure to expand the community continuum of behavioral health treatment resources. The state Department of Health Care Services is holding listening sessions to hear from the public and others, with bond funding availability starting in the summer. Starting in early 2025 policy and guidance will be released in phases, with fiscal transparency and data reporting requirements going live in July 2026. State auditors will take a close look at Huntington Beachs decision to pay operators of the Pacific Air Show $5.4 million after an offshore oil spill caused the show to end early in 2021. On Tuesday, California State Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine), a member of the Joint Committee on Legislative Audit, successfully lobbied for the probe, the Voice of OC reported. Min wants to know if the settlement was an appropriate amount or constitutes a gift to Code Four, the for-profit company that produces the air show. Like hundreds of businesses along the Huntington Beach coastline, there is no doubt the Pacific Airshow lost revenue during the beach closures that followed the 2021 oil spill but it is unclear that they were owed any damages from the city for its decision, made in conjunction with the State and the County of Orange, to shut down its beach, and it is also unclear whether their lost revenues were close to the amount provided by the Citys settlement, Min said in a news release. In an aerial view, a containment boom blocks oil-contaminated water (L) in the area of the Talbert Marsh wetlands after a 25,000-gallon oil spill from an offshore oil platform on Oct. 4, 2021 in Huntington Beach, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Cleanup workers search for contaminated sand and seaweed on a mostly empty Huntington Beach about one week after an oil spill from an offshore oil platform on Oct. 9, 2021. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Workers in protective suits continue to clean the contaminated beach with a platform in the background in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Oct. 11, 2021. A pipeline operator and two subsidiaries have agreed to plead guilty to negligently discharging oil off the Southern California coast in connection with a pipeline break that covered beaches with blobs of crude. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu, File) FILE In this aerial photo taken with a drone, workers in protective suits continue to clean an oil-contaminated beach in Huntington Beach, Calif., Oct. 11, 2021. According to a federal report released Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, oil and natural gas spills from tanker ships and pipelines in U.S. waters dropped dramatically from the last decade of the 1990s to the one from 2010 through 2019. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu, File) This aerial picture taken on Oct. 4, 2021 shows environmental response crews cleaning up oil that flowed near the Talbert marsh after an oil spill in the Pacific Ocean near Huntington Beach. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) Aircraft demonstrations and performances at the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach. (Pacific Airshow) The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flying Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons at the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach. (Pacific Airshow) The October 2021 spill of 25,000 gallons of crude oil created a large sheen that killed wildlife, shuttered fisheries for more than a month and closed beaches as blobs of tar washed ashore. Federal regulators determined that Amplify Energy, the pipelines owner, ignored dozens of alarms that indicated a leak was occurring and ordered a fine of $3.4 million. Amplify said the spill was caused by two ships that dragged their anchors, striking the pipeline during a January 2021 storm. In an emailed statement to Voice of OC, Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates said the state is overstepping its bounds in pursuing an audit. Teens sickened after ingesting cannabis edibles on field trip to La Brea Tar Pits The State has no clear legal authority to inspect or investigate what the California Supreme Court has repeatedly described as a quintessential municipal affair, that is, the spending of local monies and the local decision-making that goes with it, by a Charter City, Gates said. He added that the settlement would be paid over 6 years and guarantee the return of the air show, which he said brings in millions of dollars of economic benefit. Democrat City Councilman Dan Kalmick, who is in the minority, said he welcomes the audit. As an elected city council member who was on council during the oil spill and the settlement negotiation by the new council majority, I have serious questions about this settlement. Why was this case settled and why for so much money? Kalmick said in a news release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Minimum wage violations have more than doubled in California cities like Los Angeles, costing workers billions. California workers lose up to $4,000 per year in major metro areas that include San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose, according to a study by Rutgers University. This is the time to be strengthening not weakening labor enforcement, said Professor Janice Fine, director of the Workplace Justice Lab at Rutgers University. The study was conducted by the School of Management and Labor Relations (SMLR), a research center dedicated to analyzing labor standards enforcement in the U.S. California is leading the way nationally in terms of strong state and local minimum wage laws, but our study shows that too many low-wage workers are not receiving the pay they are entitled to, Fine said. This November, a vote could come in the form of a California ballot initiative to repeal the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) act, revoking the ability to file class-action lawsuits over certain violations. Instead of raising prices, California fast food restaurants should do this, franchisee says Enacted in 2004, the California law empowers employees to file lawsuits for labor code violations on behalf of themselves, other workers, and the state. The center took federal data collected from 2014 to 2023 and found that last year saw a 56% increase in violations, affecting nearly 1.5 million workers. The study also found that mostly Black and Latino workers, and young people from the ages of 16-24 were more likely to experience minimum wage theft. The most noticeable violation involved groups such as childcare workers, nannies, and home health care professionals. On April 1, Californians experienced the fast-food minimum wage hike from $16 to $20 as the state continues to have one of the highest minimum wages in the country. Business and labor groups would need to arrive at a deal before the end-of-June deadline to remove the measure. If no deal is reached, the issue will be presented to California voters in November. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A soldier from California who fought and died as a prisoner of war during World War II has been accounted for, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. The agency announced that U.S. Army Private First Class Marcus Engesser, 21, from Vallejo was accounted for last September. However, the announcement came Tuesday after his family just recently learned of his identification, the agency said. Where to go on Memorial Day weekend in San Diego? In 1942, Engesser was a member of Company L, 31st Infantry Regiment in the Philippines when Japanese forces invaded the country in December. (See the photos of Engesser below, courtesy of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency). U.S. Army Private First Class Marcus Engesser, 21, from Vallejo, Calif. was captured and died as a prisoner of war during WWII. (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) U.S. Army Private First Class Marcus Engesser, 21, from Vallejo, Calif. was captured and died as a prisoner of war during WWII. (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) U.S. Army Private First Class Marcus Engesser, 21, from Vallejo, Calif. was captured and died as a prisoner of war during WWII. (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) During WWII, U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur had planned to keep troops in the Philippines Bataan peninsula and Corregidor Island until the Navy could bring in reinforcements. However, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, there were no ships available to bring in the reinforcements, according to the U.S. Army. After military forces in the Bataan peninsula surrendered to the Japanese on April 9, 1942, thousands of U.S. and Filipino service members were captured, including Engesser, the agency said. According to the U.S. Armys website, this was the largest surrender in U.S. military history, leading to 12,000 Americans and 63,000 Filipinos becoming prisoners of war who were later subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March toward the Cabanatuan POW camp. More than 2,500 POWs died at the camp during the war, according to the agency. According to historical records, Engesser died Sept. 23, 1942 and was buried alongside other POWs in the Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery in Common Grave 707. The remains from the grave were sent to the agencys laboratory for analysis in 2018. After analyzing DNA as well as dental and anthropological evidence, scientists were able to identify Engessers remains. The agency said Engesser will be buried in his hometown of Vallejo. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) Mica Millers sister in November called 911 after receiving threatening texts from Micas estranged husband John-Paul Miller, according to the phone call obtained by NewsNation. The call was made by Micas sister when Mica was staying with her. She made the call after receiving threatening texts from John-Paul, quoting him in it as saying you better drive down the road now or there is going to be hell to pay. Timeline: Whats happened so far in the death of Myrtle Beach woman Mica Miller Mica, 30, was found dead April 27 at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County. Authorities ruled her death a suicide last week. In the call, Micas sister told the dispatcher that John-Paul was threatening suicide and that he texted blood is going to be on your hands. The sister asked for a police officer to check the roads to ensure John-Paul did not show up. Call the cops, I dont care, John-Paul allegedly told Micas sister. Im armed and ready. According to Horry County and Myrtle Beach police records, Mica reported four instances of GPS trackers being placed on vehicles she was driving. Horry County police investigated the first incident on March 11 after Miller filed two complaints. She said a tire on her vehicle was slashed while she was at the Springmaid Pier. Mechanics at East Coast Honda on Highway 17 Bypass found the tracking device while repairing the tire. John-Paul admitted in text messages with NewsNations Rich McHugh to putting the GPS trackers on her vehicles. He also apologized for the damage he caused her vehicles. John-Paul, who was released from his ministerial duties at Solid Rock Church in the Market Common on May 5, also admitted in an email exclusively obtained by NewsNation to posting a topless photo of Mica online. Im sorry for putting a picture of you on the internet, the email reads. It was for less than one hour and immediately taken down. I was hurt that you are telling everyone horrible intimate details of my past sin, and I just wanted to try and hurt you. Please forgive me. It was evil of me to do that. In an April 8 report Mica filed with Myrtle Beach police about the incident, she told officers that John-Paul posted the photo she had sent him six months earlier on Facebook and tagged her old Facebook account, which he had access to. Officers told her there was no way to prove who actually posted the photo. Download the News13 app to stay updated on the go Sign up for WBTW email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WBTW.com for the Grand Strand and Pee Dee. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Canadian government officials said samples of commercially sold milk as of May 14 have shown "no evidence" of H5N1 bird flu after enhanced testing aimed at alleviating Canadians concerns following the virus' detection in some U.S. dairy cattle. Dairy cattle in nine U.S. states have been found to have the virus, prompting warnings to dairy workers even as the threat to the general population is considered low. WHY ITS IMPORTANT Canadian inspectors already tightened import requirements on U.S. breeding cattle this month after the first confirmed case of the H5N1 virus in a dairy herd in March and only the second human case in two years was identified in a dairy farm worker in April, raising concerns about the spread of the virus to animals and people. KEY QUOTE "We understand that Canadians may be concerned about the safety of milk and milk products... The method used to test foods for (H5N1) is very sensitive and will detect fragments of the virus, even if the virus is not infectious," the Canadian government said in a notice posted on Tuesday. CONTEXT As of Tuesday, Canadian Food Inspection Agency laboratories found no evidence of disease after testing 142 retail milk samples from across the country, the government of Canada said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also tested milk samples and said it found no signs of live virus but cautioned against drinking unpasteurized raw milk. (Reporting by Susan Heavey; editing by Caroline Humer and Bill Berkrot) Cannabis is about to be re-scheduled by feds. What does that mean for FL Amendment 3 prospects? Screenshot from new ad from Safe & Smart Florida Quality Journalism for Critical Times The Biden administrations announcement last month that it plans to reclassify cannabis as a lower-risk substance nationwide is being embraced as a positive development for advocates working to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana in Florida. But critics say that decision cant obscure the concerns that have surfaced in recent years stemming from its high potency. Still, the news on the federal front was a significant development in the ongoing official governmental embrace of cannabis. On the state level, 24 states are now legal for recreational purposes and 14 are authorized for medical marijuana. Florida has had medical marijuana since 2016, and recreational weed will be on the ballot for voters to decide in November. Smart & Safe Florida, the advocacy group working to pass what will be known as Amendment 3, said in late April: This move will help destigmatize cannabis use and help usher in a future in which cannabis products can be safely and properly regulated with further federal reform, the organization said in a statement. In a follow-up interview, an official with the campaign said that they will definitely reference the issue of federal reclassification as part of their messaging for the Florida ballot initiative. I also think its a very science-backed approach that the government has taken, said spokesperson Morgan Hill, who labeled the announcement a historical moment in that its the first time a federal agency has studied and relied upon scientific research about cannabis in order to reach a determination in its scheduling. But Robert Mikos, professor of Law at Vanderbilt University Law School, and a leading expert on federalism and drug law, cautioned that the federal rule change on cannabis only affects the Controlled Substance Act and doesnt change any of the rules that applies to a separate federal drug law, the Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act. Its still clear from the documents that the FDA released as part of this whole scheduling process that it was not declaring that marijuana was somehow approved under the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act, he said. It hasnt been determined that its safe and effective. Under that statute it continues to require these randomized controlled trials, these really big clinical studies and nobody has done those for marijuana. High potency? As the ballot initiative on weed plays out in Florida, an argument that critics are likely to deploy revolves around the high potency of todays cannabis. And theyll also likely lean on reports that have emerged in recent years that show its deleterious effect on certain young males, specifically when it comes to psychosis and cognitive impairment. The Biden Administrations rescheduling recommendation doesnt change the fact that todays THC products, often marketed as candies, vapes and other kid-friendly products, have been medically connected to depression, psychosis, schizophrenia, IQ loss, and suicidality, among other consequences, said Kevin Sabet, who served as a senior advisor in President Barack Obamas drug policy office, in an email to the Phoenix. Its unquestionably that the industry will continue to downplay the risks of these dangerous drugs, regardless of marijuanas schedule. In addition, a comprehensive study of over 6.9 million Danish citizens between 1972 and 2021 published a year ago concluded that young males between the ages of 16-25 were particularly susceptible to schizophrenia. The report said that for younger males, the proportion of preventable CUD (cannabis use disorder) associated cases may be as high as 25% or even 30%. To address such concerns, the Yale School of Medicine announced in January that it will soon establish a research center to study the acute and chronic effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on neurodevelopment and mental health. Johannes Thrul, an associate professor in the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said there have been some studies looking at the perceived benefits of cannabis, but not many. Thats because theres been little incentive to do so because of the bureaucracy involved when marijuana has been classified as whats called a Schedule I substance. The Biden administration is now pursuing the case to move it to Schedule III. You have to produce findings. You have to produce research, Thrul said. For a junior person it can be quite the risk to do research that maybe wont produce anything for years because you have to go through all of these administrative hoops and then you can see how that structurally might then lead people to work in other areas, maybe with substances that are easier to study where those regulations are maybe not quite as cumbersome. Political advantage? So does the federal news about rescheduling cannabis have the potential to move the dial on how the Florida electorate will vote on Amendment 3 this fall? Its a little early to reach any conclusions about the viability of the amendment as many Floridians have yet to focus on the election and the campaign has not really begun in earnest, said Florida Atlantic University political science professor Kevin Wagner. With that said, I do believe that the change in the schedule may help as it provides an argument for supporters to use in persuading voters. However, in Florida, where you need 60% to get passage, any amendment faces an uphill battle. Supporters of Amendment 3 are going to need strong turnout along with a message that can reach moderates and people that otherwise might be reluctant to vote yes. Julie Gunnigle is the legal director for the Arizona chapter of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). She was a candidate for Maricopa County Attorney (which encompasses Phoenix) in 2020, when her name was on the same ballot as a measure to legalize recreational cannabis, which Arizona voters passed that year with more than 60% support. She disagrees with the notion that because Florida is a red state that Republican voters wont support the measure. Keep in mind, when I lost in 2020 in the County Attorney race, we were there every single night when there was another ballot drop and what we saw was fascinating, she said. Take for example, Mohave County. Those voters were rolling in 60%-70% for Trump, even in the late ballots that were arriving at the polling stations. They were still voting 60%-40% for cannabis. So I think that it would be a mistake and a misnomer to look at what happened in Arizona and be like, Well, Arizonas trending purple, marijuanas really a Democratic issue. I think its a little bit more complicated than that. The Republican Party of Florida announced earlier this month that it was coming out against Amendment 3, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has blasted the measure on multiple occasions and has said hell campaign against the measure. Will that move the needle? Several Republicans told the Phoenix that they were skeptical about the Florida GOPs stance on the issue. Most people trust adults to make adult decisions, said former Pinellas County Republican state Senator Jeff Brandes. I think that amongst Republicans which is supposed to be a party of limited government and personal responsibility the Republican Party of Florida took the absolute opposite approach in this case, and wanted to be the nanny-state that still tells people what they can and cant do. At some juncture, we need to let adults be adults and I think that this is a symbol of that. Jake Hoffman, the executive director for the Tampa Bay Young Republicans, said he wasnt surprised to see the state party come out officially against the amendment after decades and decades of having the same stance. But he said that in his own personal opinion the GOP-controlled Legislature needs to open up the cannabis industry right now, which he labels a cartel of four or five companies that have the entire industry under their wing in Tallahassee. (In fact, four medical marijuana companies in the state Trulieve, MUV, Ayr Cannabis Dispensary and Curaleaf represent more than half of the states 635 dispensaries, as listed by the states Office of Medical Marijuana Use). While organized opposition has yet to emerge, Smart & Smart Florida is exploiting the vacuum by announcing this week that they are placing an initial ad buy of $5 million to air four ads promoting the amendment that will air across broadcast, cable, streaming, radio and digital platforms. Brandes said he wont lay down a prediction about whether the measure will get 60% support this year, the threshold required for approval for constitutional amendments. But he says it ultimately will happen. Whether its in November or in 2028 or in 2030, the trajectory of the country and the trajectory of the electorate is to support adult use and the Legislature has fought it and is trying to fight it, clearly now the RPOF has taken a position against it, but they are at odds with the direction of the country. And whether it gets 57% or 61%, it will show that overall the electorate overwhelmingly supports adult use in Florida, he said. The post Cannabis is about to be re-scheduled by feds. What does that mean for FL Amendment 3 prospects? appeared first on Florida Phoenix. Capitol Rioter Loses His Bid to Return as a Member of Congress Derrick Evans filmed himself strolling the halls of Congress as a member of the pro-Trump mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021. Three years later, the ultraconservative West Virginian hoped to return to Capitol Hill as a full-fledged congressman. On Tuesday, however, those dreams were dashed. The Associated Press projected that his opponent, three-term Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) clinched the GOP nomination with over 60 percent of the vote. Evansalongside his far-right supporters House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-VA) and former President Donald Trump crony Roger Stonebet that running to the right of the MAGA sympathetic Rep. Miller might pave the road back to Capitol Hill. For his role on Jan. 6, Evans resigned from the West Virginia legislature and served a three month prison stint in 2022. Though Evans pleaded guilty to felony civil disorder, he has continued to parrot the baseless claim that the 2020 general election was stolen. Evans conservative cred extends beyond participating in the insurrection. He made a name for himself harassing women as an anti-abortion protester and hired the far-right publisher of National File, Noel Fristch, as a campaign consultant. Despite his hard-right bona fides, Evans gambit failed to move the needle. But another term for Millerwho will now almost certainly win the general election in Novemberdoesnt mean West Virginians will lack MAGA representation. The conservative think tank Heritage Action reported Miller voted with their agenda 92 percent of the time. 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. Crews pulled a car from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh Wednesday. Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said River Rescue was standing by as McGann & Chester Towing retrieved a vehicle from just off the shoreline between Doerr Street and the Duquesne Light building. Officials said the car was submerged, but was within 20 to 25 feet of the shoreline. Channel 11 was there when the sedan was recovered from the river. Our crew saw the upside down car being pulled from the water. Public Safety officials said the car was unoccupied and the plates were removed. It will be turned over to Pittsburgh police for further investigation. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Minivan with dad, 3 kids inside caught in crossfire during Squirrel Hill shooting Pittsburghs Anthrocon 2024 expected to be biggest furry convention yet Pittsburghs Sudden Little Thrills music fest canceled by producers VIDEO: New Feeding America report says more people than ever deal with food insecurity DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Still from an animation showing the close Earth flyby of the asteroid 2024 JN16 on May 14, 2024. A small asteroid flew very close to Earth Tuesday morning (May 14), just two days after it was discovered by astronomers. The asteroid 2024 JN16 is less than 15 feet (4 meters) wide about the size of a car. It did not hit Earth but came within a mere 11,500 miles (18,500 kilometers) of our planets surface when it zipped by at 5:50 a.m. EDT (0950 GMT) on Tuesday, according to The Virtual Telescope Project . 2024 JN16 was discovered by amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov two days ago using the MARGO Observatory in Nauchnij, Crimea. Related: Facts about asteroids diagram showing earth with an asteroid near it, with the sun in the background The space rock belongs to the Apollo asteroid group, whose orbits intersect with that of Earth. A famous asteroid from this group was the Chelyabinsk meteor , which was as large as a six-story building when it broke up over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk in 2013, causing a blast stronger than a nuclear explosion. Because the orbits of such objects put them at a risk of colliding with a planet or other asteroids, astronomers estimate that they survive for fairly short periods in our solar system perhaps just 10 million years or so. During its brush with Earth, 2024 JN16 was well within the orbit of the moon and half as distant as the shell of geostationary satellites, which circle our planet at an altitude of 22,236 miles (35,785 km). Because it flew so close to Earth, the asteroid appeared to shine at magnitude 13 at its brightest and was therefore visible to telescopes. It is now more than 186,400 miles (300,000 kilometers) from Earth in the constellation Serpens, however, and can only be seen using long-exposure photography, according to The Sky Live . telescope photo of the sky, showing white streaks that represent stars and a small white dot that's an asteroid RELATED STORIES Curious asteroid Selam, spotted by NASA's Lucy spacecraft, is a cosmic toddler AI discovers over 27,000 overlooked asteroids in old telescope images Asteroid Ryugu holds secrets of our solar system's past, present and future This year alone, astronomers have found over 40 asteroids whose paths bring them closer to Earth than the moon's orbit, the Watchers reported. Four more asteroids two of them as big as a house, the third as large as an airplane and the fourth the size of a building are expected to approach Earth closely but safely on Tuesday, according to estimates from Asteroid Watch, a dashboard of near-Earth asteroids and comets managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. (Getty Images) Washingtons Paid Family and Medical Leave program has a popularity problem. More people are applying for its benefits, but the state is running short of money to pay for them. The program, launched in 2020, allows people to take paid time off from work if they have a serious health condition, if theyre caring for family members, or if they have a new child. A tax that workers and employers each pay a share of covers the programs cost. In 2022, a financial analysis showed that the program would run a deficit by the end of that year without more state funding or a premium increase. At the time, the tax rate was 0.6%. The state upped the rate to 0.8% in 2023. But it lowered it again in January this year to 0.74% in part because of $200 million the Legislature shifted into the program. The states Employment Security Department says the programs finances will likely stabilize in the next few years. But this years premium decrease could slow progress. Perhaps reducing the rate this year couldve been avoided, and we wouldve been in a better place, Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, told the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Tuesday. In the programs first year, 112,737 people were approved for benefits, according to data from the Employment Security Department. Since then, the number of people receiving benefits nearly doubled to 210,268 people in 2023. Last year, the program paid out about $1.5 billion, up 24% from the previous year. Alison Eldridge, leave and care assistant director at the Employment Security Department, told the committee that a deficit could happen as soon as October of this year, and it may be more severe than was previously projected. The tax rate was on track to increase slightly this year. But the rate is set using a formula that factors in the programs financial balance the lower the balance, the higher the rate has to go, and vice versa. When the Legislature plopped $200 million into the account it artificially pushed the tax rate lower, explained Caitlyn Jekel, the departments government affairs director. This will likely lead to a slower stabilization of the programs finances, Jekel said. We do expect this to normalize and even out, but dropping that rate in 2024 is going to result in greater volatility as we build up to the 2025 rate increase, she added. Senators expressed concerns about why the programs cost keeps rising. Department officials blamed higher benefit costs on an increase in approved applicants and an increase in wages, which determine how much money a person may get from the program. From 2022 to 2023, approved applications increased by 14% and the average weekly payment to eligible workers increased by 7%. Keiser suggested theres a disconnect between growth in what the states paying and the increase in how many people are receiving the benefits. She encouraged the department to look closer at what is driving up costs. As lawmakers seek ways to stabilize the programs finances more quickly, Sen. Steve Conway, D-Tacoma, pointed out that other similar programs in other states, like California and Oregon, have a higher premium rate, closer to 1%, and said the state should consider finding a way to keep a reserve within the program in case of future deficits. Its a very popular program, and I wonder if we have structured it properly to make sure we dont have these funding crises every other year, he said. The post Cash crunch persists for WAs paid family leave program appeared first on Washington State Standard. Castletop land was slated for nearly 900 homes. It's becoming a Travis Co. park instead. Construction wasnt imminent. But the Topfer brothers, Alan and Richard, werent looking to sell the land, either. In fact, they had all of the entitlements in place to build 895 homes on the 475-acre Castletop tract abutting Milton Reimers Ranch Park in southwestern Travis County, whenever they wanted to start turning dirt. Then, more than a year ago, they got a call from Jeff Francell with The Nature Conservancy, asking if they would consider selling the site if Travis County voters approved a large parks bond that provided money for land acquisition. Jeff was persistent, Alan Topfer told me this week. Francell emphasized the benefits of adding onto Reimers Ranch a popular destination for rock climbers, mountain bikers and anglers enjoying the Pedernales River as Travis County tries to preserve some of the large natural spaces that are becoming increasingly scarce. The brothers agreed to sell. The $40 million deal with Travis County Parks closed last month. April Rose, Travis County Parks land stewardship manager, and Craig Bowen, senior land stewardship specialist, on Tuesday visit the newly acquired Castletop property. Travis County recently purchased the 475-acre tract property for $40 million with money from the parks bond approved by voters last year. We made a decision to support the community and leave some sites undeveloped, as consideration for all of the benefits that we've realized through the development activity that we've done in Austin over the last 20 years, said Topfer, whose Castletop Capital provides the backing for MileStone Community Builders. We gave up quite a bit of upside profits by selling the site, Topfer added. But my family is very active, philanthropically, in town, and so this was another way that we felt we could support the community. The quest to preserve land for generations to come is often a race against time. Were always competing with what else a landowner could do, said Francell, the associate director of land protection for the Nature Conservancy in Texas, which helps Travis County acquire open spaces. So he uses the tools he has: a persuasive environmental case for preserving the land. And the county's ability to offer cash now to property owners who might otherwise wait years to see the profits from development. RGK_ranch_map By the time voters approved the $276 million Travis County parks bond last November, Francell was helping negotiate two marquee purchases: the Castletop tract and the nearby 1,506-acre RGK Ranch, which the county is buying this month. In southwestern Travis County, Francell told me, These were the two significant properties that we could protect. Piecing together the parkland Castletop offers a natural continuation of what you find in Reimers Ranch: wooded areas, hilltop vistas, a burbling creek. Importantly, Francell said, the tract is at the top of the watersheds for Hamilton Pool, Bee Creek and another sensitive area that runs into the neighboring park. Not building nearly 900 homes at Castletop means the water quality going into those water resources is going to remain pristine, he said. It also means nearly 900 fewer homes drawing drinking water from that area. Lick Creek flows in the Castletop property. The tract in southwestern Travis County is at the top of the watershed for Hamilton Pool. Most noticeably to the public, though, the Castletop acquisition will bring a sizable expansion of the 2,427-acre Reimers Ranch Park. Charles Bergh, the longtime director of Travis County Parks, expects to add trails into the 475-acre Castletop tract in the near future. He said the county will also craft a master plan to eventually make another area accessible to Reimers Ranch visitors: a roughly 760-acre area sandwiched between the south end of the park and the 232-acre Hamilton Pool Preserve. The county acquired that tract in 2011 from Eugene Reimer (cousin of the parks namesake), with the understanding that he and his wife (now widow) could live there as long as they like. In time, all those pieces will make for a nearly 3,900-acre stretch of contiguous parkland, a crown jewel for Travis County Parks. A place to rejuvenate Pulling these pieces together is also a culminating achievement for Bergh, who retires next month after three decades as county parks director. Bergh and Francell have spent years developing relationships with key landowners, hoping that someday those talks could become negotiations. It was around the maps in Berghs office that they showed Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard and others the tracts they hoped to acquire, if voters last year agreed to provide the money. The timing was right, said Howard, who became one of the champions of last years bond package. The stars aligned for these projects. April Rose of Travis County Parks walks in the Castletop property. The land had been slated for 895 homes, but it will instead become part of Milton Reimers Ranch Park. Between Castletop and RGK Ranch, Travis County has spent all the bond money allocated for the western half of the county. Officials are still scoping out potential acquisitions with the $100 million earmarked for eastern Travis County. Nothing is finalized yet, but there are a few serious contenders. There's one property in particular thats absolutely amazing, if we can get it, County Judge Andy Brown told me. Perhaps its no surprise that voters approved the 2023 parks bond with the highest level of support the county had ever seen (77%). We just came out of a pandemic in which stressed-out, cooped-up residents turned to parks in droves, fueling renewed appreciation for natural spaces. Being outdoors rejuvenates people, said Bergh, who enjoys hiking and letting his golden retrievers splash around in the Pedernales. People get rebooted, so to speak, and see whats valuable in their lives. And thanks to the vision of a few and the votes of many, Travis County residents will get more of these places to enjoy. Grumet is the Statesmans Metro columnist. Her column, ATX in Context, contains her opinions. Share yours via email at bgrumet@statesman.com or on X at @bgrumet. Find her previous work at statesman.com/opinion/columns. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Reimers Ranch Park to grow with Travis County's purchase of 475 acres Catastrophic flood destruction in Brazil could worsen with more rain on the way AccuWeather meteorologists say that massive flooding that has plagued southern Brazil for weeks could worsen as additional storms enter the flood-ravaged area. Heavy rain has repeatedly doused southern Brazil and Uruguay since late April, causing both short-term creek and long-term river flooding. The death toll has risen to 149, with 124 still missing, ABC News reported Tuesday. Over 30,000 soldiers and police have been deployed to rescue nearly 70,000 people and 10,000 animals, but the spread of disinformation is slowing rescue and recovery, according to the Associated Press. A flood at the beginning of May devastated the city of Rio Grande do Sul when the Taquari River reached a new 150-year record height -- by 12 feet (4 meters). MetSul Meteorologia, a weather media organization in Brazil, said that in 30 years of covering weather, they had never observed such catastrophic destruction. Aerial view of Cruzeiro do Sul following the devastating floods that hit the region, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on May 14, 2024. Rivers in south Brazil rose anew on the eve, as flood rescue efforts intensified. Up to now, heavy rains, flooding and mudslides that have ravaged the southern Rio Grande do Sul state for about two weeks have left 147 people killed, about 600,000 people displaced, more than 800 injured and 127 people reported missing. (NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty Images) Aerial view of Cruzeiro do Sul following the devastating floods that hit the region, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on May 14, 2024. Rivers in south Brazil rose anew on the eve, as flood rescue efforts intensified. Up to now, heavy rains, flooding and mudslides that have ravaged the southern Rio Grande do Sul state for about two weeks have left 147 people killed, about 600,000 people displaced, more than 800 injured and 127 people reported missing. (NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty Images) Unfortunately, more rain is in the forecast next week. "A slow-moving cold front will drift from Uruguay to Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil next week, Wednesday and Thursday, but will stall on Friday with additional rain, some heavy, and thunderstorms across the region." AccuWeather Lead International Forecaster Jason Nicholls explained. Nicholls added that widespread rainfall of 2-4 inches (mm) is likely in northern Rio Grande do Sul into Santa Catarina next Thursday afternoon and Friday. This could quickly become a problem in the Porto Alegre area, where the airport flooded last week. Localized amounts could reach 8 inches. Porto Alegre, Brazil reported 13.03 inches (331 mm) of rain in four days, more than their historical average rainfall for all of May in the city of 4.53 inches. NOAA-21 captured imagery of the devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. pic.twitter.com/WiQJ59nMpQ CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) May 15, 2024 Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. Caught between China and the US, asylum seekers live in limbo in New York City A simple act of walking into a mosque with his wife and two children in New York City is what made the past six months of struggle worth it for Ye Chengxiang even if not everyone is celebrating his arrival. Its only been over two months here, but we can feel the spirit of freedom, inclusiveness , and equality, he said over a bowl of noodles. It was his only day off from working 12-hour shifts at a Chinese restaurant in New York City. The slim former restaurant owner left China last October. The ruling Communist Partys crackdown on his Hui Muslim ethnic group and growing restrictions on personal life gave his family no choice, he says. When I was in China, I had a pent-up feeling in my heart, he said of living as a Muslim in China, where his children were banned from entering a mosque. Ye and his wife drained $40,000 of their life savings and illegally crossed the United States southern border in December after an exhausting weeks-long journey that saw the family take a hazardous boat journey from Colombia to the edge of the Darien Gap, a mountainous rainforest region that connects South and Central America. His anxieties melted away as Ye crossed into the US, which he described as entering a warm embrace. I felt like I was home, and that feeling was very real, he said. Their destination was New York Citys Flushing neighborhood, home to a Chinese community going back generations. The city has integrated millions of migrants over the decades, and it continues to inspire newcomers like Ye even as the arrival of such migrants has turned into a flashpoint in US politics ahead of the November elections. Ye Chengxiang smiles from Flushing house, which was set up for Muslim migrants from China. - Evelio Contreras/CNN After arriving in New York, Ye spent a week in a Manhattan shelter. Then, with the help of a group of other Chinese Muslim asylum seekers, he found a place to live and a job making noodles as his family proceeded through the religious asylum claim process. Their first court date is in October He is exhausted, barely having time to learn English or explore the new city. But he is happy. The first time that he walked to a mosque in Flushing with his wife and daughters, I immediately felt that rock, that lump in my heart, dissolve away, he told CNN. On downtown Flushings Main Street, people hand out fliers offering help, for a fee, for the undocumented to secure drivers licenses. Alongside the street vendors hawking vegetables, undocumented migrants walk into buildings with employment agencies offering restaurant and sales jobs. This is what draws Chinese migrants toward enclaves like Flushing and Sunset Park, where immigrant networks, legal service centers, job markets and nonprofits form a vital support system. For Chinese asylum seekers like Ye, there is a well-trodden route to residency in the US. Chinese nationals have the highest number of asylum claims granted in the US compared to other nationalities, because their pathway to claiming political asylum [for Chinese nationals] is more codified, said Amy Hsin, a sociology professor at Queens College in New York, who specializes in immigration and social inequality. The US expanded asylum pathways for Chinese citizens in the past due to geopolitical events and policies, like the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre and the one-child policy, she explained. Recently, growing restrictions on freedoms in China and its stuttering economy have led to this new influx of disillusioned Chinese citizens. More than 37,000 Chinese citizens were picked up by law enforcement crossing illegally from Mexico in 2023, US government data shows. Thats up from around 3,800 people the year before, and many of them were headed to New York City, according to experts. In a statement to CNN, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it is on a human rights development path suited to its national conditions, emphasizing the countrys stunning economic transformation over the past few decades. As a country under the rule of law, the Chinese government protects its peoples freedom of speech and freedom of religious belief in accordance with the law, it also said. America is better On the fourth floor of an old mall, migrant workers walk into a legal service center. They say they have lost their passports, or had them confiscated, in the melee of voluntarily turning themselves in for asylum with the Customs and Border Protection. The office, which helps them in their asylum applications, also connects them with the Chinese Embassy to apply for new travel documents. In the waiting room, migrants told CNN how videos on social media, providing detailed instructions on how to cross Central America to the US, inspired them to make the journey. They spoke of the socio-economic pressures back in China, made worse by pandemic restrictions and its lack of economic rebound, forcing them to leave the country. Jiang Zhen cleans dishes at a Chinese restaurant in Queens. - Yong Xiong/CNN The centers owner, who declined to be named in this story because he does not have a license to practice law in the US, has helped more than 100 Chinese nationals since opening the office two years ago. The burden of proof for asylum claims in the US is high and the owner said many of his clients have struggled to provide concrete evidence of political and religious repression they faced in China. Many go on to protest against the Chinese government once in the US, freed from Chinese authorities and its censors, he said. Dressed simply in jeans and a black jacket, Jiang Zhen said the sweeping crackdown on free speech, civil society and religion was suffocating him in China. He believes he was blacklisted for criticizing Chinas government on social media sites, his accounts banned or suspended. Poverty in rural China, like in his hometown in Hunan province, had become unbearable, with relatives and parents of friends drinking pesticides, drowning themselves in rivers, or hanging themselves especially when they are suffering from diseases like cancer and have no money for treatment, he said, adding that the Chinese government ignores the living conditions of the lower classes. As he waits for his work permit, which can take up to 18 months to approve, the 33-year-old now works illegally cleaning dishes at a Cantonese restaurant in Queens. He earns $4,000 a month, slightly more than what he earned as a business owner in the coastal Chinese province of Guangdong. Next to him, a woman in a pearl-colored puffer jacket, who asked to remain anonymous because she works illegally in the country, said the US was not what she had imagined. She joked that Chinas infrastructure bests what she has seen in New York. From movies I watched when I was younger, I remembered Chinatowns being bustling and beautiful, she said. But after coming here, I found that Chinatown is in a state of disrepair. Its broken and dirty. I was so surprised, she said as the room burst out in laughter. When asked why she has chosen to remain in the US, she replied: Because the US is actually more powerful, despite sometimes the broken appearance, she said. I am not starving in China, but everyone wants a better life. Obviously, America is better. Chinese migrants pass a bowl of soup in a shared apartment for refugees in Flushing, New York. - Evelio Contreras/CNN Anti-China measures Both China and US authorities have been concerned with the uptick in migration to the southern border but for entirely different reasons. A Chinese government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to comment publicly, told CNN that they believed some new Chinese migrants are participating in violent anti-China demonstrations in the US to help with their asylum cases. The official pointed to clashes between anti-China protesters and pro-China supporters in San Francisco in November, when Chinese leader Xi Jinping was attending a forum in the city. In the US, a record number of migrants at the southern border has been seized upon by Republicans who claim it as proof of the Biden administrations impotence, pushing immigration control to a top election issue. While most migrants at the southern border hail from Latin American countries, some politicians have focused on Chinese migration as a security concern; Republican Rep. Mark Green of Tennessee, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, claimed last May that some Chinese migrants at the border had military experience, according to his blog, though he did not offer evidence. Wan Yanhai, a human rights activist based in New York, said the implication that the Chinese asylum seekers could be soldiers or spies was discriminatory. There would be little reason for the Chinese government to embed spies among southern border arrivals, he pointed out, considering migrants are not the demographic that would gain access to state secrets in the US. These migrants in the US are doing low-level jobs and dont speak the language, so they cant do this kind of work. Its impossible for them to be spies. But the rhetoric around the rise of undocumented Chinese migrants highlights growing tensions between the US and Chinese governments. Geopolitical and security concerns have led an increasingly hawkish Biden administration to unravel years of technological and economic integration with its chief rival in the Pacific. But Jiang, the asylum seeker who believes he was blacklisted by Beijing, is unfazed by the growing intergovernmental tensions. Its not really anti-China, its anti-Communist Party. Im also against the Communist Party, I dont have a good impression of them either, right? Signs in Mandarin cover buildings on Main Street in Flushing, in the borough of Queens. - Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor/AP Deportation cant stop me from embracing freedom Wan, a prominent former HIV activist in China, had to leave the country in 2010 due to harassment by Chinese authorities, he says. He received permanent US residence a year later and has gone on to help Chinese migrants in Flushing. Many of the new arrivals head to the enclaves unlicensed hostels, he said. He worries that rising hostel prices upwards of $20 per night could lead to a rise in homelessness, especially for the low-income elderly population in Flushing. Li Jiada lives in one of those hostels, sharing a cramped room with five other men, sparsely decorated except for a calendar hanging above his single bed. Life has not been easy for the 26-year-old, soft-spoken former fashion photographer since he arrived in the US on January 2023. He had spent three months in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center after failing an initial screening for asylum when he crossed the southern border. He was released this year pending deportation proceedings expected within the next year. He initially struggled to find a job in New York. When he found one, he says, he was sexually harassed by a client and has since found a new role as a manicurist, earning $2,000 a month. His costs are higher than what he earns, but he says, Theres no regret because coming here has given me more options. Li Jiada sits on his bed in a room he shares with five other men in Flushing, Queens. - Yong Xiong/CNN He is desperate to stay in the US and thinks Christianity, which he discovered while in detention, will save him from deportation. The Communist Party sees any large group outside its dominion as a threat, has banned the online sale of Bibles, and has arrested Christians for inciting subversion of state power. Maybe my only way forward is through Jesus, he said. Li plans on filing a new asylum application based on his new-found religion. Sitting in a Baptist church in Flushing, Li spoke about the stress of the looming deportation and thinks back about the first thing he did when he arrived in New York: seeing the Statue of Liberty, a sculpture that has become a symbol of hope for millions of immigrants before him. After the treacherous journey to get here, I needed to see the embodiment of my beliefs: democracy, freedom, equality, and rule of law, he said. The US has yet to accept me, but deportation cant stop me from embracing freedom. The ethnic enclave has largely shielded the migrants CNN spoke to from a recent rise in anti-Asian crimes in the city. Still, Li thinks he may have been targeted for being Chinese: Someone threw a full can of soda at him as he waited for a train back to Flushing from Manhattan, he said. And like a true New Yorker, he gave the assailant a piece of his mind. At that moment, I felt like I could suddenly speak English fluently, he joked. My talent was unleashed, and I said: What the f**k? CNNs David Culver contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Cause of Death Revealed for Woman Whose Final Moments Were Revealed When She Called 911 Saying Ex Was Chasing Her Authorities announced last week that the remains of Jamilla Smith, 30, had been found. She was reported missing in December 2023 Aiken County Sheriffas Office Daniel G. Harmon, left, and Jamilla Smith The cause of death of a South Carolina mother who was found dead after calling 911 claiming her ex was chasing her has been revealed. Aiken County Coroner Darryl M. Ables confirmed to PEOPLE on Wednesday, May 15, that Jamilla Smith died of gunshot wounds to the head. The Aiken County Sheriffs Office announced on Friday, May 10, that the remains of Smith, 30, were found after a months-long investigation, according to WLTX. Prior to the discovery, three people, including Smiths ex-boyfriend Daniel G. Harmon, 34, were arrested and charged in connection with the case. The mother of two was first reported missing by family on Dec. 2, 2023, along with Harmon, who faces charges of murder and kidnapping, USA Today reports, citing authorities. It's not immediately clear if Harmon has entered a plea or retained an attorney. Related: Missing Woman Called 911 and Said Her Ex Was Chasing Her Down the Road. Now He's Charged with Murder The Aiken County Sheriffs Office said in a statement at the time that both have a history of domestic violence incidents. An arrest affidavit for Harmon obtained by WACH, WLTX and the Augusta Press states that Smith called emergency services on Dec. 2, 2023, saying that her ex later identified as Harmon had broken into her house and was chasing her. The dispatcher reported that Smith sounded short of breath, and a car engine could be heard revving in the background, according to WACH and WLTX. Jamilla is heard screaming and the phone appears to drop, the affidavit continues, per the Augusta Press. A male voice could then be heard telling Smith to get in the car so he could take her to the emergency room, the affidavit alleges. Jamilla continues to scream and can be heard yelling no, dont touch me, dont hurt me please, and you hit me, the affidavit states. The 911 call and evidence including blood allegedly found in the trunk of the Harmons 2023 black Dodge Charger led to the murder and kidnapping charges, per WACH. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter On April 19, a second person was charged in connection with the case. Bryan Alexander Hampton Jr., 35, turned himself in to authorities that day and was charged with accessory after the fact of murder, WLTX reports, citing authorities. Authorities allege in an arrest affidavit that Hampton helped Harmon dispose of Smiths remains, according to FOX 28. Soon after, the sheriffs office announced that a third man, 46-year-old Clyde James Hendley II, had been arrested on charges of accessory after the fact to murder, according to WLTX. Its unclear if Hampton and Hendley had entered pleas or retained attorneys to speak on their behalf. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Cause of Key Bridge crash becoming clearer, NTSB says WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Top transportation officials shared new details Wednesday about the Baltimore bridge collapse to a committee of House lawmakers, who are now grappling with how to fund the new bridge. The crash in late March left six people dead and shuttered a key waterway. In its preliminary report, the National Transportation Safety Board now has some answers about what happened to cause a ship to crash into Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge. The Dali experienced four total power outages, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy told the House Transportation Committee. Homendy told lawmakers the cargo ship Dali experienced blackouts the day before the crash, but the focus is on an unexpected tripping of a breaker moments before the crash. They were essentially drifting, Homendy said. The state of Maryland estimates a new bridge will cost up to $1.9 billion, which President Biden has said the federal government will fully fund. However, some Republicans say taxpayers shouldnt be on the hook. My constituents are not wanting to pay for this thing, Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas.) said. Texas Congressman Brian Babin said the cargo ship company should pay before Congress does. The country responsible for this incident should be footing the bill, not the U.S. taxpayer, Babin said. Others on the committee voiced support for having bridge tolls repay the federal funds that go toward the rebuild. As lawmakers grapple with funding, Homendy urged states to examine their own bridges right now. Do a risk assessment. You can do that now. You dont have to wait until we issue an urgent recommendation or come to the conclusion of our investigation, Homendy said. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the full channel will be opened by the end of the month. A new bridge is projected to be ready by 2028. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Clark County School District leaders are rolling out new safety measures next year, including requiring students in sixth through twelfth grades to wear an ID badge. Classroom phone pouch to be required for students at select CCSD schools Those initiatives were discussed Tuesday at a summer break and school safety news conference. CCSD is also planning to introduce cellphone signal-blocking pouches. Middle and high school students will be required to place their phones inside the pouches. So students will have access to their phones during a crisis situation but the focus will be that they wont have access to them while theyre learning. Our focus is on learning, CCSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell said. School police also discussed the number of guns seized on campus Tuesday. District data showed officers seized a total of 46 guns and that includes both on and off-campus. The agency credits the use of K9s which can detect firearms for the confiscations. CCSDPD Chief Mike Blackeye said canines have done 1,800 sniffs so far this school year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. CDC: U.S. drug overdose deaths fall for first time since 2018 Overall, fatal drug overdoses fell slightly in 2023. That included overdoses linked to opioids, which declined from 84,181 in 2022 to 81,083 in 2023, the CDC said. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News The relentless rise in deaths from drug overdose in the United States may finally have stalled: New data from 2023 show the first decline in such deaths since 2018. "Statistics indicate there were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2023 - a decrease of 3% from the 111,029 deaths estimated in 2022," CDC statisticians wrote. They released the new numbers Wednesday as a data presentation from the CDC's National Vital Statistics System. An epidemic of addiction to prescription opioids like Oxycontin, along with the introduction of lethal additives to street drugs such as fentanyl or xylazine has spurred a steady rise in drug-related deaths. But the new 2023 numbers, though still incomplete, could give Americans a glimmer of hope. Overall, fatal drug overdoses fell slightly in 2023. That included overdoses linked to opioids, which declined from 84,181 in 2022 to 81,083 in 2023, the CDC said. But the good news wasn't spread equally. Some states (Nebraska, Kansas, Indiana and Maine) saw declines in fatal ODs of 15% or more in 2023, while others (Alaska, Washington, and Oregon ) charted big increases. And while fewer people died in overdoses involving synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl), the rate of fatal overdoses involving cocaine and psychostimulants (such as methamphetamine) actually rose in 2023, the CDC said. However, overall, "this is the first annual decrease in drug overdose deaths since 2018," the CDC noted. Still, the agency stressed that the 2023 data is "incomplete and subject to change as more 2023 data are submitted to the National Vital Statistics System." More information Find out more about resources to help fight drug abuse at USA.gov. Copyright 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Central IL communities getting more than $56M for water infrastructure projects SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) More than $56 million out of $205 million from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is getting distributed to several Central Illinois communities to upgrade water infrastructure. Two low-interest loan programs make up the Illinois EPAs State Revolving Fund Program: the Water Pollution Control Loan Program for waste and storm water projects, and the Public Water Supply Loan Program for drinking water projects. Funds for such projects will go to 17 Illinois locations, including areas of Champaign, Vermilion, Douglas and Christian Counties. Pritzker awards 10 grants to economic development agencies Recipients meeting loan rules for the Small Community Rate or Hardship Rate also received loan forgiveness. More than $20.6 million was forgiven within the $205 million investment. The Illinois EPA State Revolving Fund continues to provide vital financial assistance to communities and water districts throughout Illinois, said Director John J. Kim. Illinois EPA remains committed to helping to remedy deteriorating and failing infrastructure across our state by being a solid funding resource for communities in need of long-term, low-interest, and subsidized funding. Here are the Central Illinois recipients and what their funds will to towards: County Recipient Description Amount Principal Forgiveness Champaign Sangamon Valley Public Water District The District project includes several wastewater treatment plant improvements include construction of a new screening building, constructing a new chemical building, and replacing the disinfection structure. This project also includes the replacement of the Lake of the Woods lift station and rerouting its force main to a larger interceptor. $10,513,832 Champaign Village of Rantoul The Village will conduct wastewater treatment plant improvements including construction of a northwest lift station, a northwest overflow lift station, and an Evans Road lift station. $17,932,603 $5,000,000 Christian Christian County Water Reclamation District The District will replace existing headworks, install mechanical grit removal systems, and reconfigure the existing activated sludge tanks to anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic to allow for biological removal of phosphorus and total nitrogen. The project also includes construction of a new blower building, rehabilitation of existing clarifiers, rehabilitation and modification of existing pump stations, and installation of a chemical feed system to be used for backup phosphorus removal. $25,000,000 $5,000,000 Douglas City of Newman The City will rehabilitate the 150,000-gallon elevated water storage tower and replace the iron filter media and water diffuser at the Citys water treatment plant. $463,323 $226,512 Vermilion City of Hoopeston The City will make improvements at the water treatment plant. The proposed improvements will allow the City to upgrade/improve aging system infrastructure and address operational deficiencies while continuing to provide drinking water to customers and maintain compliance. $2,654,918 $1,327,459 For more information about this fund program, visit the Illinois EPAs website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Utah Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Lily Mardsen was the states first witness on Tuesday in the case against Chad Daybell during his trial in Boise. Mardsen was working as a fellow at the medical examiners office when they were contacted by the Fremont Idaho County Law Enforcement regarding Daybells late wife, Tammy Daybell. Chad Daybell is being accused of killing Tammy as well as Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua Jaxon JJ Vallow, 7. Tylee and JJ are the children of Lori Daybell, previously Lori Vallow, whom Chad married soon after the death of Tammy. Lori Vallow was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of conspiracy in the deaths of Tylee, JJ and Tammy, last year. She was given five life sentences without the possibility of parole. Mardsen was present during the exhumation of Tammy Daybell and worked alongside forensic pathologist Eric Christensen in the autopsy. She explained that suspicious circumstances was the reason for Tammy Daybells exhumation and there were specific procedures she and Christensen took during the autopsy. After a thorough review, they found that Tammy Daybell had died from asphyxia, and her death was deemed a homicide. Asphyxia is what happens to the body when it is deprived of oxygen, resulting in unconsciousness or death. Prosecutor Lindsey Blake asked if there was anything that caught her attention initially about the state of Daybells body, to which Mardsen said that she had bruises on her chest and arms. Mardsen also responded yes when Blake asked if the bruises could be consistent with someone being restrained or having pressure applied to them. Mardsen said that she and her colleague tried to determine the time at which Daybell received those bruises. We took samples of the bruises to look at under the microscope, and when we did this, were looking for, you know, what causes the color of the bruise, which is hemorrhage or bleeding into the skin from the ruptured blood vessels. And then were looking at any type of inflammatory response the body is mounting to try to clean up all of the hemorrhage, she said. All of the bruises on Ms. Daybell were what we would call acute, she added. Which meant that under the microscope, the only thing there was bleeding into the soft tissues under the skin, meaning the body had not responded to try to clean up the injury. She determined Tammy Daybells bruises to be perimortem bruises,meaning that they occurred a couple of hours before her death or possibly a few minutes after her death. She noted that the bruising could have possibly been by one or two people. FBIs location history of Alex Cox The remainder of court time on Tuesday was filled with the testimony of FBI Special Investigator Rick Wright. Wright said that the first time the FBI was notified by the Rexburg Police Department regarding JJ Vallows disappearance was on November 27, 2019. He added that he quickly became aware that JJ had an older sister but did not know she was missing at the time. Soon after the call from the police department, they opened an investigation, and it became a classified kidnapping investigation. In his testimony, he told the court that he used the location history of Alex Cox via cellular data during his investigation. Cox is the brother of Lori Daybell who died in December 2019 from natural causes. On Monday, Blake showed the court satellite images of the Daybell property with data points showing Coxs phones location. FBI agent Nick Ballance provided Wright with a file of Coxs location history. He said the investigation looked at Coxs location on Sept. 8, 2019, in Yellowstone National Park. Wright said this was the last known location where they knew Tylee Ryan to be alive due to a photo taken of Tylee, JJ, and Alex that was shown to the court. Wright discovered that Cox drove to and from Rexburg, Idaho, where he and Lori had apartments, and Salem, Idaho, where the Daybell property is, on multiple occasions. Two dates in particular stood out Sept. 9 and Sept. 23, 2019. Wright said Coxs phone was near Chad Daybells home in the early morning of Sept. 9, where Tylees remains were eventually found. And on the morning of Sept. 23, Coxs location showed he was near the Daybell property again. That day happened to be the first day JJ was absent from school. Blake asked Wright why the location points became more significant later on in the investigation to which he responded that they seemed to indicate the last time the children were known to be alive. He also mentioned other locations that caught the investigators attention, including multiple trips to a variety of gun ranges and being near the Daybell property on Oct. 9, the day a masked person pointed a gun at Tammy Daybell. Man accused of leaving wife for dead in a blizzard is going back to court Hannah Lynch at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Dec. 24, 2022, two days after she was found shot in front of her home in Brookville, Indiana. Charges were refiled this week against Gregory Guilfoyle, the Brookville, Indiana man accused of shooting his wife in head, running off with their daughter and then shooting a sheriff's deputy. Guilfoyle's wife, Hannah Lynch, was left for dead in her own front yard during a blizzard just a few days before Christmas in 2022. She survived, but has yet to see Guilfoyle go to trial. The case against Guilfoyle has been unusual. First, after his arrest, he was released to go live with his parents because he, too, had been shot that night. Investigators said he shot a Franklin County sheriff's deputy while he was holding his own daughter in the other hand, but that deputy returned fired and struck Guilfoyle. The deputy was struck in his body armor and survived. Guilfoyle was left a paraplegic, according to his lawyer Judson McMillin. The Franklin County Sheriff said the jail could not care for him, and he was released to await trial at his parents' home. Next, his parents sought custody of their granddaughter, the child of Lynch and Guilfoyle. The court sided against them, but the process took about 10 months. Charges dropped In February, about 14 months after the shootings, Guilfoyle was set to go to trial. However, both McMillin and Franklin County Prosecutor Chris Huerkamp asked Circuit Court Judge Steven Cox for more time to prepare for the trial. Cox denied the motions for a continuance. Without the trial looming, Huerkamp decided to drop the charges. "Unfortunately, I was compelled to make the decision to dismiss the charges for now in order to preserve the opportunity to put the State's best case forward at trial, because I don't get a second chance," Huerkamp said. Charges refiled, new judge requested On Tuesday, Huerkamp refiled the charges: two counts of attempted murder, two counts of neglect of a dependant, aggravated battery, domestic battery and five other weapons charges. Huerkamp also requested that Judge Cox recuse himself from the case and that a special judge be appointed. Huerkamp wrote in his motion that Judge Cox personally visited Guilfoyle at his parents' house after the charges were filed to personally observe Guilfoyle's medical and mental condition. The prosecutor said Cox also had discussions with psychological evaluators outside the courtroom and without the prosecution or defense present. Huerkamp said Guilfoyle only appeared in court once via Zoom during the year of proceedings. He said Indiana law requires judges to disqualify themselves if their impartiality might be reasonably questioned, an example of which would be personal knowledge of the facts that are in dispute in the case. Huerkamp argues that Guilfoyle's mental health and sanity are critical issues in the case. Guilfoyle's lawyer has said he plans to show the jury his client is not guilty, in part, by reason of insanity. Franklin County has two elected Circuit Court judges and the cases are divided among them by the level of charge, so the refiled charges would default back to Judge Cox without this request for a new judge. What's next Huerkamp has asked for an initial hearing in the case to be held on May 22, but no official court dates have been scheduled. The prosecutor said discovery between the prosecution and defense has continued, but it is unclear how much of the work done during the initial hearings will have to take place again. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man accused of leaving wife for dead in blizzard back in court (KRON) The San Francisco Police Department is seeking the publics help in investigating a Bayview District homicide case that occurred on April 29. SF man who spent 340 days in jail found not guilty At about 9:30 p.m., police answered calls for a shot spotter activation at 3rd and Quesada Streets in San Francisco. Police arrived on the scene and located a man, later identified as Charles CeCe Lawrence, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, Lawrence was pronounced dead at a nearby local hospital, police said. A photo of Lawrence is also attached below. Photo Courtesy: SFPD The SFPD Homicide Unit is currently leading the investigation. Investigators are seeking information about anyone who could be associated with this homicide. Anyone with helpful information regarding this case is encouraged to contact SFPD Homicide Detail at 415-553-1145. You may also Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. Police said callers can remain anonymous. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Cheetah and cubs cross river in rare video; I was holding my breath Most African cat species avoid entering water, making this sighting of a mother cheetah and its 4-month-old cubs crossing the Bushmans River in South Africa an extremely rare sighting indeed. Jonathan and Abigal Nottingham provided the amazing footage to the Kariega Game Reserve, which posted the video on its Instagram page. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kariega Game Reserve (@kariega.game.reserve) Guide Richard and his guests had an amazing sighting recently, as a female cheetah and her two cubs swam across the Bushmans River, the post stated. Most African cat species are very hesitant to enter the water so this is extremely rare to witness, especially considering the age of the cubs. Viewers of the video expressed concern about the safety of the cheetahs crossing a river, fearing crocodiles. I was so nervous for them, one viewer wrote. My whole body tensed up!! I feel it is dangerous to swim in the river, another wrote. What an awesome sighting! another wrote. I was holding my breath there for a while. The Kariega Game Reserve had an answer for those worried viewers, responding with, no crocs here! More from the Kariega Game Reserve: South Africa is home to the third largest wild cheetah population in the world. The species has been eradicated from 91% of their historical range, according to the Endangered Wildlife Trust. They are currently listed as vulnerable. Story originally appeared on For The Win TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (KFOR) Cherokee Nation leaders came together on Monday to break ground on the new 61,500-square-foot public safety building located in Tahlequah near the EMS and Marshal Service facilities. Construction will now begin on the new facility which is set to provide support through the tribes emergency medical services, emergency management, emergency dispatch and offers comprehensive training initiatives. OK Tourism & Recreation Dept. launches Find Yourself in Oklahoma campaign The new Cherokee Nation public safety building is being funded through American Rescue Plan Act funding and marks a crucial investment through their emergency relief efforts. This is a bright moment in the Cherokee Nation as we celebrate this capital investment. Taking the resources we have and investing them into the future for generational impact, you would be hard pressed to find a more critical need for the Cherokee people than to expand our public safety operations, said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. Our original EMS facility has served us well, but the facility that we are going to build is going to be worthy of the men and women that work here and certainly worthy of the great services which they provide. The new state-of-the-art building will provide a 24-hour hub for emergency operations and will accommodate over 90 employees which includes personnel from EMS, emergency management, and emergency dispatch operations. Cherokee Nation breaking ground on new public safety building. Cherokee Nation breaking ground on new public safety building. Included in the project is a training center which will provide comprehensive emergency medical training programs for both first responders and community members. Deputy Chief Bryan Warner says there is a lot of work to be done, but is ready to get the project moving on the new public safety building. The women and men who protect and serve our Cherokee communities deserve to have a state-of-the-art operations hub. I know its a busy time at the Cherokee Nation, a time of new beginnings and transition, and this facility is a great part of our efforts, said Warner. Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner announced the $54 million investment into the tribes EMS program back in 2022. After listening to feedback from its EMS department and having discussed the plans to strengthen the facilities and fleet services, the Council of the Cherokee Nation approved of the proposal. Laughable: OK Senate shuts down the idea of a personal income tax cut happening this year Public safety is something that our administration has been focusing on for the last several years, from public safety grants to donating car tag compact money back to police departments, said Speaker of the Council Mike Shambaugh. The well-being and prosperity of our people is very important to us. The tribe will also be purchasing a fleet of new ambulances which are set to arrive later this year. Childers Architects and Foreman Manhattan Construction will be operating the project of the new public safety building with an expected completion date planned for early 2026. Rendering of the new Cherokee Nation public safety building. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Childrens Grief Center of El Paso (CGC) will host its annual Memorial 5K Run/1 Mile Walk event at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 19 at Ascarate Park. The event, which is themed Hope and Hula, seeks to raise funds for and promote awareness of the CGC. Since 1995, CGC has been the regions only childhood bereavement center serving youth who have experienced the death of a loved ones. Funds raised at this community event directly support grief support groups and other vital services, read a press release sent by CGC. CGC says registration is open for individuals as well as teams, with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more and youth under age 18. Early registration closed Monday, April 29, but late registration is available online and including the morning of the race at 7-7:45am. To register as an individual or a team click here. CGC says the first 200 registrants will receive a race t-shirt and a goodie bag. Medals are provided for top age-group finishers and trophies for overall top male and female. Given CGCs mission, participants have the option to register and participate in memory of a loved one who has died. CGC says these participants are invited to wear a memorial name card on their shirt while running or walking. Those memorialized will be honored on the centers event webpage. Additionally, the event will also include a Family Fun Festival featuring booths, food trucks and hula-hoop themed games. We are very excited to invite the community to join us in uplifting the needs around childhood bereavement in our community. This is a meaningful and fun opportunity to make an impact in the life of a bereaved child. Your presence and your donation sends the important message that no one should grieve alone, and that CGC is here to provide comfort, care, and support, said Executive Director Kathy Revtyak of the upcoming event. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, according to CGC. For details or to become a sponsor, contact Revtyak at (915) 532-6004 or visit here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. (Reuters) -China is considering a plan for local governments nationwide to buy millions of unsold homes, Bloomberg News said on Wednesday, after a meeting of leaders of the ruling Communist Party called for efforts to clear mounting housing inventory. The State Council is gathering feedback on the preliminary plan from various provinces and government bodies, the report added, citing people familiar with the matter. China's blue-chip CSI 300 real estate index climbed as much as 6% at one point following the report, before paring gains, while the yuan firmed. China's property sector has been in a deep slump for years, hit by a debt crisis among developers. Since 2022, waves of policy measures have failed to turn around the sector that represents around a fifth of the economy and remains a major drag on consumer spending and confidence. Banks have been reluctant to heed Beijing's repeated nudges to bolster credit to the embattled sector given the risks of more bad loans and continued weak sales. Home sales value of top 100 developers in April slid 45% from a year earlier, according to recent surveys published by CRIC, a major real estate information provider. The Politburo of the Communist Party held a meeting on April 30, saying it would improve policies to clear mounting housing inventories. Dozens of cities have offered subsidies to encourage residents to replace their old apartments with new ones, in order to sell their growing stock of new apartments and provide crucial cash-flow to ailing developers. Local state-owned enterprises would be asked to help purchase unsold homes from distressed developers at steep discounts using loans provided by state banks, according to the report, adding that many of these homes would then be converted into affordable housing. Officials in China are debating the plan's details and feasibility, and it could take months for it to be finalised, if the country's leaders decide to go ahead, the report said. Linan district in the eastern city of Hangzhou issued a notice on Tuesday that the local government will purchase new apartments from private developers for public rental housing. The district, which has 650,000 residents, said the total area of the flats purchased does not exceed 10,000 square metres. The homes will be existing houses or pre-sold homes available for delivery within one year. China's housing ministry did not respond to Reuters request for comment. One of the biggest drags on property demand is that cash-strapped private developers have halted construction on a large number of new homes that were pre-sold but now cannot be delivered on time. The buyers of these homes, meanwhile, are continuing to pay off their mortgages. Estimates vary widely, but analysts agree there are tens of millions of uncompleted apartments across China after a building boom turned to bust. "It's been our view that Beijing will eventually have to address concerns about homes being delivered," economists from Nomura said in a recent research note. "Beijing should reach into its own pockets, even with printed money from the People's Bank of China, to support the completion of new homes that were pre-sold by developers," noting such a move made more sense than building public housing from scratch. Nomura expects that eventually Beijing will set up a special agency and set aside a special fund for such a rescue. (Reporting by Liangping Gao in Beijing and Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim Coghill and Jacqueline Wong) By Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) - China's military has sailed and flown closer to Taiwan in recent weeks than it has before, and staged mock attacks on foreign vessels ahead of the inauguration of the island's next president on Monday, according to Taiwanese government reports. Taiwan will inaugurate its new president, Lai Ching-te, as Beijing ramps up military and political pressure to assert its sovereignty over democratically governed Taiwan - a claim Taipei strongly rejects. Since late April an increasing number of Chinese military planes and vessels have staged drills that have alarmed Taiwan, including close approaches to the island's contiguous zone, which is 24 nautical miles (44 km) off its coast, according to two Taiwan officials and internal reports reviewed by Reuters. Taiwan had anticipated intensified Chinese military activity, Deputy Defence Minister Po Horng-huei told reporters last week. Reuters reported exclusively on Monday that Taiwan and the U.S. Navy held unpublicised drills in April. On Tuesday evening, 15 Chinese planes, including Su-30 jets, crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's air defence identification zone, carrying out "joint combat readiness patrols" in conjunction with warships, according to Taiwan's defence ministry. Some of the planes simulated attacks on foreign vessels entering the southern Taiwan Strait or the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines, said one of them, a senior security official, citing intelligence gathered by Taiwan. "They are like flies buzzing us everyday," the official said, noting changes in the flight patterns, scale and frequency. China's defence ministry and its Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to requests for comment. On May 11-12, about 10 Chinese vessels, including frigates and coast guard boats, were spotted near Taiwan and some approached Taiwan's contiguous zone, according to the government reports. China usually dispatches only four or so ships at a time near to the island, the two Taiwan officials told Reuters. Both declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter. "Since late April they have become more and more provocative," the senior security official said. Dozens of Chinese fighter jets, including J-16s and J-10s, have crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait since late April, and some circled near Taiwan's contiguous zone; they were tracked by air defence radars and driven away by Taiwanese aircraft, the government reports show. Taiwan's defence ministry referred Reuters to comments it made at a news conference this week, during which officials said Taiwan has a "full grasp" of the situation. "The national military is not the troublemaker of the Taiwan Strait. We will not engage in any provocation, and we must make it clear that any provocative behaviour is unhelpful to regional peace and stability," said defence ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang. China has for years staged almost daily incursions into Taiwan's air defence identification zone, including fighter jets briefly crossing the median line, the strait's unofficial boundary, which Beijing says does not exist. Taiwan's defence ministry releases daily reports on Chinese military activities near Taiwan but does not disclose detailed information. Lai is particularly disliked by Beijing, which views him as a "dangerous separatist" and has rebuffed Lai's repeated offers of talks with China. He has been vice president for the past four years and will take over from President Tsai Ing-wen. On Tuesday, Lai again offered talks with Beijing and vowed to safeguard peace across the strait. "The irony is that when the new president vowed to ensure the status quo, Beijing responded with destroying the status quo," the senior security official said. (Reporting by Yimou Lee. Editing by Gerry Doyle) (Bloomberg) -- China said it would sanction five Taiwanese political commentators and roll out a law to punish separatists, moves aimed at piling pressure on incoming president Lai Ching-te just days before he takes office. Most Read from Bloomberg The pundits remarks deceived some people on the island, incited hostility and confrontation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and hurt the feelings of compatriots on both sides, Chen Binhua, spokesman for the government department in Beijing that handles affairs related to Taiwan, said at a press briefing on Wednesday. The five are regulars on political talk shows on the island of 23 million people that Beijing has pledged to bring under its control someday, by force if necessary. The moves by Beijing are an early signal that its relations with Lai, the current vice president who will be sworn in as the new leader on Monday, are likely to be as fraught as they have been under President Tsai Ing-wen for the past eight years. China castigates the ruling Democratic Progressive Party as separatists who are pushing the two sides toward war. It has refused to hold high-level talks with Tsai because she wont acknowledge its stance that Taiwan is part of China. Instead, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on her administration. The most high-profile example of that was when the Peoples Liberation Army held unprecedented exercises around Taiwan in 2022 after Tsai met with then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Read More: Taiwans Lai Warns of Severe Challenges for New Security Team Chen also took aim at Lai, saying he had to choose between peace or the evil path of provocation and confrontation. He didnt give details on the new sanctions but said theyd be similar to ones leveled in 2021 against three top leaders. Back then, the premier, foreign minister, and speaker of the legislature and their relatives were barred from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. They were also prohibited from working with mainland-based organizations and individuals, and companies linked to them were barred from making profits there. The sanctions are mostly symbolic since the commentators are unlikely to travel to China or do business there. One of them, Lee Cheng-hao, started his show Wednesday with a long laugh over the sanctions, saying My phone exploded with messages when I was on my way into the studio this morning. This is unbelievable! Lee is a former member of the Kuomintang who was kicked out of the main opposition party for remarks critical of a former presidential candidate. He once suggested removing the word Chinese from the KMTs name. Sanctions from China have become something of a status symbol within the DPP. Congratulations! party spokesman Wu Cheng said on social media to the five pundits. Chen, the Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman, didnt provide details on any new legislation to deal with individuals who he said severely damage national sovereignty, security and development interests. The laws would only target a small number of individuals, he added. (Updates with details of Lee Cheng-haos response.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Iranetta Wright submitted her resignation, effective Monday, following votes of no confidence from the district's six unions. School board president Eve Bolton announced Wright's resignation during a special meeting Wednesday afternoon. Wright did not attend the public meeting. The school board will meet again Monday to finalize a settlement with Wright. "What the board is doing today is a terrible, terrible mistake," school board member Ben Lindy said at Wednesday's meeting. "The slimmest of majorities is forcing out a talented superintendent from outside Cincinnati who is generating progress for children, and theyre doing this with no plan for what happens next. These are not responsible, adult decisions, and we are headed for a very difficult next chapter." Lindy made a motion to not accept Wright's resignation. Kendra Mapp was the only other school board member to support the motion. "We are being reactionary with our decisions instead of responsive," Mapp said. "We do not have a closed budget. We do not have a succession plan. We're not considering what's in the best interest of our students." Earlier on Wednesday, Wright told The Enquirer she was not sure what her future would hold. She said she is committed to improving outcomes for kids, but that she isn't convinced Cincinnati is ready for change. "I want to be where I'm wanted," Wright said. "I want to be where what I bring is valued." The district's union leaders said Wright created a culture of fear and intimidation during her tenure, that she added to administrative bloat, mismanaged the district's budget, micromanaged workers and violated union contracts while making herself the face of the district. "It's all about her," Fannie Carradine, an administrative secretary in the district's central office and president of the Cincinnati Federation of Office Professionals, told The Enquirer. Leadership changes can be unsettling, Bolton said. But ultimately, the district needs a leader who can collaborate effectively. Bolton told The Enquirer that Wright, who was hired to bring change to the district, "helped us figure out the things we love and want to maintain." There are 20 people currently working in the district who are licensed to work as a superintendent, Bolton said. The board will interview two candidates for the interim superintendent position and make their decision at Monday's meeting. "The board of education would like to express our gratitude to Superintendent Iranetta Wright for her efforts to move our district forward and to improve our student outcomes," Bolton said. "We wish her well in her future endeavors." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: CPS Superintendent Iranetta Wright resigns before board meeting Cincinnati Public Schools' Board of Education is divided on whether or not to keep on Superintendent Iranetta Wright after all six of the district's unions voted no confidence in her. Wright, who met with The Enquirer's editorial board Wednesday afternoon, said she's willing to stay on but doesn't know whether her broken relationship with the district's unions is salvageable. She said she "didn't know that it was this bad" ahead of the unions' votes. Iranetta Rayburn Wright, Cincinnati Public Schools superintendent and CEO, talks with the Cincinnati Enquirer editorial board Wednesday in The Enquirer offices Downtown. Wright is committed to improving outcomes for kids, she said. And she was brought to Cincinnati to make changes. But Wright said it doesn't seem like Cincinnati is ready for change, and all of this division is taking away from the work that needs to be done. "I want to be where I'm wanted," Wright said. "I want to be where what I bring is valued." More: Complaints mount against Cincinnati Superintendent Iranetta Wright: 'It's all about her' School board president Eve Bolton told The Enquirer on Wednesday that the board is "in discussion" regarding the superintendent's future. Ben Lindy, a board member who has been an unwavering supporter of Wright since she was hired in the spring of 2022, said Wednesday the board is "very divided." He said he thinks a board majority is working too quickly to oust Wright without consulting other board members who are in Wright's corner. Lindy said ousting Wright is an irresponsible way to address employees' complaints. He said he's concerned with the damage an unplanned transition would cause at a time when the district's students are making academic gains under Wright's leadership. "It doesn't appear to me that there is a clear plan," Lindy said. Wright's contract as it stands now goes through July 2025, with a possible year extension depending on her evaluation this December. The school board will meet in executive session at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, and then hold a special public meeting at 4 p.m. at the Mary A. Ronan Education Center at 2651 Burnet Ave. The board is expected to make a statement regarding the superintendent's future at Wednesday's public meeting. The Enquirer will update this story. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Will Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Iranetta Wright resign? KANSAS CITY, Mo. In honor of National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day, the City of Fairway is remembering fallen Fairway Officer Jonah Oswald on Wednesday. Family has message after Kansas City mother of six dies on Mothers Day On Monday, Mayor Melanie Hepperly proclaimed this week as Police Week and acknowledged Wednesday as Peace Officers Memorial Day in the city. This year is especially solemn as Fairway remembers Officer Oswald, who was tragically killed in the line of duty last August. The proclamation read: It is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards and sacrifices of their law enforcement agency, and that members of our law enforcement agency recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, buy protecting them against violence and disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression. In honor of Officer Oswald, the city is encouraged to remember his courage, selflessness and dedication to protecting the community, as he embodied the ideals of sacrifice and service. The Chief of Police at the Fairway Police Department said, With every call answered, every danger faced, and every life protected, he displayed remarkable bravery and commitment. His loss is deeply felt, not just by his colleagues in uniform, but by an entire community grateful for his service. KC Wheel to host Waggin On the Wheel adoption event this weekend Although friends, family, colleagues and the City of Fairway continue to mourn his passing, the community is encouraged to celebrate his life and legacy and let his acts of service be a source of inspiration that encourages people to be kind and show compassion to all. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. City manager to Hopewell council: Collective bargaining too 'risky' to implement right now HOPEWELL There is one hurdle standing between Hopewell city staff and collective bargaining, and it is one the city manager says is unscalable for the foreseeable future. Simply put, the city cannot afford to do it now. And if it were to be enacted right now, citizens could see major tax increases to foot the bill. That was the synopsis of City Manager Dr. Concetta Mankers presentation to City Council Tuesday night. Despite its positives increased communication among department management and staff, a sense of making a difference in working conditions, and so forth collective bargaining is not a bargain for a city treading water financially with barely any money socked away for rainy days. To do it correctly, Hopewell would have to spend $1.3-$1.5 million, mostly to cover more staff to run the process. To do it correctly and right now, the citys financial advisor said that the real-estate tax rate, for example, would have to go up 10 cents and that is on top of the 4-cent hike council approved last month. Collective bargaining is considered extremely risky when we do not have a healthy savings account, Manker told council. The concept is not completely off the table, though. Manker gave council a draft resolution that could take effect no earlier than 2027. In the meantime, Manker suggested council consider a Meet and Confer process to address workplace concerns. Under Meet and Confer, the city manager or even councilors themselves would sit down with the employees and have conversations without the need for any labor intervention. You meet the employees where they are, Manker said. A 'cloud'-y fiscal forecast Fifteen localities across Virginia allow collective bargaining with their employees. All are larger than Hopewell, and most are either in Northern Virginia or the Tidewater area. In Central Virginia, only Charlottesville and Richmond take part in the process. Hopewell would also have been the first Virginia city under 25,000 population to offer collective bargaining. Manker Manker said collective bargaining for Hopewell would require the hiring of five more full-time staff dedicated solely to the process: a deputy city attorney, a labor relations officer, a financial and budget analyst; and a labor relations administrator, labor relations officer and labor relations specialist. Estimated salaries range from $150,000 for the labor relations administrator to $70,000 for the labor relations specialist. In addition, the city would have to hire an outside legal firm specializing in labor law. That could have a price tag as high as $850,000 annually. This estimate is conservative because variable costs are unable to be captured, Manker said. James Sanderson, of Davenport & Company, told council that collective bargaining in a financially strapped city like Hopewell also dims efforts for building a municipalitys credit and bond ratings. Right now, Hopewell ranks poorly on both fronts. We dont have our credit ratings back, Sanderson said. Were going to be in a position to go back to rating agencies and arguing to get our credit ratings back in place, and this in my mind is one more cloud of that flexibility that you may have. While cautioning that is not a definite issue to keep the ratings downgraded, Sanderson said the rating agencies are going to look at collective bargaining as a hindrance in your ability to make decisions going forward. Debt service is always a major budget expenditure, and Sanderson warned that if collective bargaining is in that budget, that increases the probability of cutting other areas or even passing the increased cost to citizens. I would just suggest as you think through this, as we start to re-engage with the rating agencies, [collective bargaining] is certainly going to be something theyre going to ask questions about, he said. A history of the issue Four years ago, the General Assembly agreed to bring collective bargaining to local municipal workers. The process is like the private sector with the exception of not allowing the public-sector workers to strike. Collective bargaining was brought to Hopewells forefront last fall as an issue to retain Hopewell police officers. The department had problems with keeping officers on board due to lower pay than that of surrounding localities. The officers who left meant that the ones left behind were being stretched thin to cover the shortages. Last November, the Virginia Police Benevolent Association approached Hopewell with a boiler-plate resolution setting up the practice in Hopewell. At the time, council gave Manker 120 days to tailor a proposal for Hopewell that also would include all eligible city personnel, not just police officers. More: Police union pushes for Hopewell citizens to demand immediate action on collective bargaining More: Hopewell adopts plan to introduce collective bargaining to the city; police union 'frustrated' with it Tuesday nights presentation was the result of that study period. Who can and can't bargain? Under the draft resolution, any Hopewell worker who does not fall under the following employment criteria could take part in collective bargaining: elected/appointed officials and members of boards and commissions, and state employees working at local level; constitutional officer employees managerial and supervisory personnel; so-called confidential employees, such as those in the city attorneys office and human resources who have access to personnel records; temporary, intermittent, or probationary employees; and Interns and volunteers. Councilors react to the presentation The consensus among those councilors who spoke on the issue even those who initially supported the idea last November was an agreement that now was not the right time to enact collective bargaining. Vice Mayor Jasmine Gore noted that of the 15 Virginia localities who allow collective bargaining, "none of them are comparible to Hopewell." "We're clearly not in a position at this point in time," Ward 1 Councilor Rita Joyner said. "A lot of things have changed in the last few months in terms of where we are and where we know we are." "I don't like the words, 'fiscal distress,'" Ward 5 Councilor Janice Denton said, "but we've gotten kind of used to that over the past year. And until we get out of that and we get this bond rating back ... and our city is strong, then I thing we can certainly move in this direction." Ward 6 Councilor Brenda Pelham was quite blunt in her assessment. "I'm not willing to raise taxes for anything," she said. 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: No collective bargaining in Hopewell right now GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Documents have been submitted in a plan to put the rapids back in Grand Rapids. The city and nonprofit Grand Rapids Whitewater submitted a permit application Wednesday to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy for a plan that would create fast-moving parts of the Grand River. Its a modified design for the Grand River restoration project. State and federal regulators opposed a plan last year that would have brought back the whitewater rapids. The new plan was tweaked after a series of design iterations by the city and the nonprofit along with feedback from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and EGLE. City floats new plan to restore the Grand River rapids In the new proposal, crews would restore the rapids to the lower reach of the river, from 300 feet upstream of Bridge Street down to Fulton Street, by removing four dams and putting rocks and boulders in the river. Advocates have argued that rapids would boost tourism and allow for recreation, like casual whitewater paddling, tubing and floating. They also argue it would make for better fishing, with the faster waters allowing more fish to come through. Last week, city commission accepted a $7 million state grant for the river revitalization project as well as a $1.55 million contract with a group that will help relocate the areas endangered mussel population to a another part of the river. Following Wednesdays submission, the formal review process begins. If the permit is approved the city expects main construction in the river would start in the summer of 2025 and wrap up by that October. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Clark County School District teachers union says trustee Katie Williams votes should be vacated if she has moved LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The fallout continues from the 8 News Now story questioning whether a school board trustee still lives in Clark County, or 1,200 miles away. Where is Clark County School District Trustee Katie Williams? It centers around Clark County School District Board of Trustee Katie Williams, who has missed attending more than a dozen meetings in person. Williams has provided critical votes during her nearly four years on CCSDs school board, from negotiating the payout for the previous superintendent to picking a new interim superintendent. Those were votes where at times she was the tie-breaker that advanced an item. However, John Vellardita, the executive director of Clark County Education Association, said her votes should be vacated if Williams doesnt live in the area, which could upend nearly a years worth of work. I think there should be a review of those issues and the role her votes have taken place if, in fact, shes no longer a resident for the state of Nevada, Vellardita said. Hes previously called out Trustee Williams, claiming shes part of a gang of four members who control the board. We would argue that those votes or those motions that she made, or acted on, should be vacated, and we would call upon the president of the board [Evelyn] Garcia Morales to look into this matter, Vellardita said. How confident are you that [Garcia Morales] would even investigate this? 8 News Now education reporter Joshua Peguero asked. Vellardita responded, Well, Im not confident at all. Williams represents schools from the far northwest valley to rural Clark County. Since January of last year, Williams has not attended at least 15 board meetings in person, mostly calling in. Her chair sat empty at last Thursdays meeting. CCSD trustee misses 14 in-person school board meetings In a text message, Williams previously told me, I work remotely for a company in Utah, Nebraska, and California and travel between the three. Williams is active on social media, and looking through her accounts, she has made several posts about Nebraska. In a TikTok video, Williams uses the past tense when mentioning Las Vegas. I lived in big cities. Like Springfield, Illinois is not super big, but I lived in Las Vegas, she said. After several emails were ignored, 8 News Now asked CCSDs interim superintendent about this issue at a school safety news conference held on Tuesday. Im sorry to have to ask this at a school safety press conference, but I havent gotten a response from the communications department. Its regarding trustee Katie Williams she may not be living here. What happens if a complaint is filed with the [Clark County] District Attorneys office against Katie Williams? Education Reporter Joshua Peguero said, to which Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell responded: Thank you so much for the question, were here to focus today on student and staff safety, the interim superintendent said. Under Nevada statute, a district attorney could bring a proceeding to vacate an elected official, including a trustee, if they no longer reside in the community they represent. According to property records, Williams believed-to-be fiancee bought a house in La Vista, Nebraska, which is a suburb of Omaha, back in March. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Climate change is central to both Pope Francis and Newsom. But do Catholic voters care? California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to people at an event supporting SB 1137, a law intended to protect residents from the dangerous effects of oil wells. A ballot measure to determine the fate of the law is on the November ballot. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's speech on climate change at the Vatican this week gives him an opportunity to align himself and his party with Pope Francis, an influential figure among American Catholics and a leader in the fight against global warming. But the California governor and the pope's messages about reducing emissions may not sway American Catholics voting in the 2024 election, especially a monumental presidential contest that could alter national and global climate policies for generations. Despite the high importance of elections to their shared climate concerns, the issue doesn't historically drive the pope's Catholic flock or typical U.S. voters to the polls. Catholics appear poised to back Donald Trump, a president who denies global warming and has threatened to reverse environmental protections, over a climate advocate in President Biden, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. Its not really a top tier issue, said John K. White, an emeritus professor of politics at Catholic University of America. But sometimes you have to put what you see as the interests of the country, and in this case, the world, ahead of how you think it's going to play politically. Shortly before the governor boarded a plane bound to Rome on Tuesday, Newsom told reporters he plans to discuss the leading initiatives California has taken to address the crisis. No state has more to lose, not just more to gain, in terms of addressing climate change, Newsom said at a news conference on mental health and homelessness in San Mateo County. Pope Francis is the first pontiff to make climate change central to his papacy, and wrote a 2015 encyclical that relied on scientific facts about global warming to deliver a moral call to preserve the planet for future generations. He offered a second, more-aggressive decree last fall with another paper, called Laudate Deum," or Praise God, that challenged countries to protect Gods creation and commit to end the use of fossil fuels before its too late. Pope Francis waves as he leaves after a meeting with elderly priests at the San Giuseppe al Trionfale Parish Church in Rome on Tuesday. (Alessandra Tarantino / Associated Press) The popes climate advocacy, however, has not been fully embraced by deeply divided Catholic voters in the U.S., who vote more like the general electorate than strictly theological voters. "They have concerns about climate, but that doesn't rank nearly as high as the economy and they tend to be much more ethnic voters certainly than theological voters," said Mike Madrid, a Republican political consultant based in California. Though the pope has been critical of Trump's U.S.-Mexico border policies, he does not formally endorse one presidential candidate over another and avoids directly meddling in U.S. elections. He influences policy through his own advocacy, such as gathering governors and mayors from around the globe to the climate summit at the Vatican this week to testify about how climate change has affected their own communities. Read more: Saying the stakes could not be higher, Newsom to speak at Vatican climate summit American bishops, as a group, are more conservative than the pope and have been active in elections. Bishops voted last year to make abortion the church's political priority in the 2024 election. Some bishops have embraced Trump, who made good on a campaign promise to overturn Roe v. Wade. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops considered voting in 2021 to refuse communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights, including Biden. The Vatican warned the conference against doing so and the bishops ultimately stopped short of a ban. A pro-Trump faction of white Catholics feels threatened by the growing power of more liberal Latino Catholics within the church and resists the pope's more-progressive policies, White said. They also tend to care more about abortion rights. Latino Catholics, who favor Biden by a slim margin, are more concerned about the environment than their white peers, though the economy and immigration typically rank higher than climate change, according to White, Madrid and Pew data. "They care about feeding their kids more than they are worried about these larger global issues," Madrid said. The views of Catholic voters are similar to the overall electorate. In a New York Times Poll conducted in late April and early May, U.S. registered voters ranked the economy as the most important single issue in the 2024 election, followed by immigration and abortion. Aides to the governor say Newsom's trip is focused on the existential worldwide environmental threat and isn't a political calculation. The governor is going to the Vatican as an evangelist on climate change and to testify about California's experience and leadership, said Sean Clegg, a senior political advisor to Newsom. "To be seen as a leader, and California is not just a national leader, but it's really truly a global leader, you have to stand up and tell your story," Clegg said. Newsom's predecessor, Gov. Jerry Brown, blasted former President Trump's climate policies during a speech at the Vatican in 2017 that intentionally exposed the divide between California and the White House to the world. Newsom is expected to call out climate skeptics and oil and gas companies that profit off the burning of fossil fuels, and demand that world leaders consider the grave implications of elections in the U.S. and abroad this year. But he is not expected to mention Trump by name in his address to the pope and international leaders. Newsom will undoubtedly hype the state's climate policies, including efforts to meet the goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2045 and ambitions to phase out new gas-powered vehicles, and reference his own battles with oil companies. The governor will also offer testimony about the historic wildfires that have decimated California rural towns, floods that have ravaged picturesque coastal communities and years of drought that altered the state's farmlands. Read more: What to know about Gov. Newsoms plan to offset Californias $45-billion deficit Outside the conference, Newsom is expected to sit down with the president of Italy and the mayor of Rome and travel to Bologna to sign a memorandum of understanding on addressing climate change. On a trip to Asia last fall, the California governor reached similar agreements with China, the provinces of Guangdong and Jiangsu, and the municipalities of Beijing and Shanghai. For Newsom, meeting with the leader of the Catholic Church will almost assuredly enhance his national and worldwide political profile. California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference Tuesday in San Mateo. Under mounting pressure to address the growing homelessness crisis in California, Newsom announced that his administration will make $3.3 billion available ahead of schedule for counties and private developers to start building more behavioral health treatment centers as part of his efforts to fund housing and drug use programs. (Haven Daley / Associated Press) The pope enjoys a 75% approval rating among U.S. Catholics and whether its discussing Gaza, Ukraine or the environment his voice extends beyond the church. Pope Francis called out the U.S. in his "Laudate Deum" letter last fall, pointing out that its emissions per individual are about two times greater than China's and about seven times greater than the average of the poorest countries in the world, said Mary Novak, executive director of the nonprofit NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. Newsoms trip to the Vatican also gives him a chance to promote the states environmental agenda just days after he announced a proposal to reduce spending on climate change in California by $3.6 billion to close a budget deficit. Being seen as a leader on climate in a country that the pope has criticized could benefit the governor. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu are also attending the conference. "These are leaders who have been fighting climate change and [for] the transition to a clean energy economy for a very long time," Novak said. She added that it's smart for the Pontifical Academy of Sciences to invite leaders who can address climate change in their own states and communities to the conference, which is geared around slowing global warming and reducing emissions but also adapting to the reality of rising seas and hotter temperatures. Newsoms visit could deepen his standing with climate activists and young people, who care more about the environment than their parents. "Being seen with the pope is still beneficial," White said. "The Holy See is an important player on the world stage, not only in climate change, but also in diplomacy." Times Staff Writer Anabel Sosa 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. President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump have both agreed to a debate hosted by CNN on June 27, the network announced Wednesday. The debate will be held in CNNs Atlanta studios without an audience present. Moderators will be announced at a later date. Biden challenged Trump to two debates on Wednesday morning, in an effort to bypass the bipartisan Presidential Debate Commission, accepting CNNs invitation shortly after. Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place, Biden wrote on social media. Trump reportedly accepted the invitation shortly after Biden, telling Fox News Brooke Singman, Ill be there. After the debate was announced, CNN CEO Mark Thompson took the stage at Warner Bros. Discovery upfronts, saying, I wrote to President Biden and former President Donald Trump inviting both of them to take part in a presidential debate. Weve received word from both candidates that theyve accepted the invitation. In order to qualify for the CNN debate, candidates must fulfill the requirements, including filing a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, the candidates name appearing on a sufficient number of state ballots, agreeing to accept the rules and format of the debate and receiving at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters that meet CNNs standards for reporting. The polling window to determine eligibility for the debate opened March 13, and closes seven days before the date of the debate. A second presidential debate hosted by ABC News has also been scheduled for Sept. 10, according to both Biden and Trump, who posted to social media that they have agreed to participate. Trump says hell arrange his own transportation, Biden wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Ill bring my plane, too. I plan on keeping it for another four years. Trump accepted the proposal with a post on his Truth Social platform, writing, Likewise, I accept the ABC News Debate against Crooked Joe on September 10th. Thank you, DJT! The ABC News debate will also air on streaming services ABC News Live and Hulu. The live event will also be simulcast on additional broadcast and streaming networks in the U.S., according to ABC News. Moderators, format and location will be provided at a later date. Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020, and since then he hasnt shown up for a debate, Biden said in a Wednesday video message. Now he is acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. Ill even do it twice. Trump responded almost immediately with a post to Truth Social accepting the debate proposal. Just tell me when, Ill be there, he wrote. Lets get ready to Rumble!!! The bipartisan debate commission has organized presidential debates since the 1988 election and has already scheduled three presidential debates for this year and one vice presidential debate. In April, major broadcast and cable networks collaborated on a joint open letter urging Biden and Trump to participate in televised debates ahead of the 2024 election. We, the undersigned national news organizations, urge the presumptive presidential nominees to publicly commit to participating in general election debates before Novembers election, an excerpt read. There is simply no substitute for the candidates debating with each other, and before the American people, their visions for the future of the nation, the news organizations said. The post CNN to Host Biden-Trump Debate on June 27 appeared first on TheWrap. Just hours after Donald Trump and Joe Biden agreed to debate each other on CNN in June, the cable news network announced that the debate will be moderated by its anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. The debate will take place in Atlanta at 9 p.m. on June 27, and will air live on CNN. It will be the first of at least two agreed upon presidential debates, with the second slated to be hosted by ABC on Sept. 10. Both Tapper and Bash have experience as debate moderators together, having hosted the GOP presidential primary debate in Iowa in Januarya fiery spectacle that Trump declined to attend as he had a stranglehold on his partys nomination. Tapper hosts The Lead on CNN on during the week and has become known for his pointed questioning of subjects, particularly politicians. He also hosts CNNs popular public affairs show, State of the Union, which airs on Sundays. Bash hosts CNNs Inside Politics and regularly contributes elsewhere on the network. RFK Jr. Accuses Trump and Biden of Colluding to Exclude Him From Debates Both in office and out, Trump has regularly gone nuclear on CNN for any negative story published about him. Railing against CNN journalists, including Bash and Tapper themselves, has become part of Trumps modus operandi, and hes sure to do more of the same when he comes face to face with them in six weeks. Trump wont be able to feed off a crowds energy during Junes debate, however, as CNN announced the event will be hosted without a crowd. Having any debates at all appears to be a positive for the 2024 campaign, however, after both Biden and Trump previously indicated they would not participate in the Commission on Presidential Debates proposed schedule. 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. President Volodymyr Zelensky has canceled a planned visit to Spain and Portugal due to the worsening situation on Ukraine's battlefields, CNN Portugal reported on May 15. Zelensky had been due to make the trip in the coming days, partly to sign a bilateral security agreement with Spain, the El Pais newspaper reported on May 13. According to CNN Portugal, the change in plans was forced by the "serious internal situation in Ukraine at the moment." Moscow's troops launched a new offensive into northeastern Kharkiv Oblast through the Russo-Ukrainian border on May 10, with 30,000 troops reportedly involved in the operation. An offensive in Sumy Oblast is also expected, Ukraine's military intelligence said. Ukrainian officials are trying to convince Washington to allow Kyiv to strike at Russian territory with U.S.-supplied weapons, saying the ban prevented them from attacking Russian troops amassing near Kharkiv Oblast, Politico reported on May 14. The U.S. has supplied Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine reportedly used to strike Russian targets in occupied Crimea. Washington's restrictions do not allow to replicate such an attack inside Russia's own territory. "The main problem right now is the White House policy to limit our capability" to strike military targets inside Russia, said David Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of President Volodymyr Zelensky's party, the Servant of the People. Read also: Ukraine asks US to lift ban on using American arms to strike at Russian territory Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. This Coast casino ranks in Top 10 in the nation, best casino outside of Las Vegas A Coast casino made it onto the Top 10 list of best casinos in the country and is rated best casino outside of Las Vegas. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino is the tallest building in Mississippi and a surprise when first-time visitors see this Vegas-style casino on the shores of Biloxi. Many of those who visit leave reviews on Tripadvisor and other websites, which helped propel it onto the Top 10 list. The study by local newspaper Hudson Reporter reviewed 850 casinos nationwide to decide the best. The study used six criteria: Tripadvisor rating, total Tripadvisor rating count, Google rating, total Google review count, Instagram hashtag count and average monthly search volume. Coming out on top of the scoring is Venetian Resort Las Vegas, which receives nearly 250,000 Google searches each month. Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas comes in second. Both Bellagio and Beau Rivage are owned by MGM Resorts International. Beau Rivage had a 4.4-star review on Google from 22,520 people and a 4.5-star review on Tripadvisor, the report shows. A band plays through the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi for the 25th anniversary in March. A new report ranks he Beau Rivage as the favorite casino outside of Las Vegas. Tripadvisor reviews emphasize that people stay there for more than the casino action. Our stay was great. Our room was clean. We requested a room close to the elevator. We received it. Our drive back to the airport was very pleasant. The bus driver was the sweetest, one reviewer said. Beau Rivage is celebrating its 25th anniversary year and continues to receive accolades. The initial $750 million investment was a huge gamble, a casino resort built to be a national destination in a regional sized market, said Mary Cracchiolo, Beau Rivage director of communications. It is nice to receive this recognition, and to know that 25 years later, we are doing better than ever. Its a lot of people making that vision come to life. A player from Florida hits the bonus round at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi. The casino is ranked as the best outside of Las Vegas, according to a new report. This is how the best casinos across America are ranked: 1. The Venetian Resort, Las Vegas 2. Bellagio Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas 3. Wynn, Las Vegas 4. Red Rock Casino, Las Vegas, NV 5. ARIA Resort & Casino, Las Vegas 6. Encore, Las Vegas 7. The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas 8. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi 9. M Resort Spa Casino, Henderson, Nevada 10. Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida At least one Centre County establishment was found out of compliance following food safety inspections conducted throughout April. The countys lone failed inspection came from a Japanese restaurant in downtown State College that produced violations concerning cleanliness, food temperatures and food safety. More than 90 other Centre County establishments appear alphabetically in this story after passing inspections with few or no violations. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, no restaurants or establishments in the county failed their inspections in March. Information regarding county establishments and their violations appears below in an alphabetical list with a summary of the problems inspectors noted in their respective reports. More details are available upon request by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of Agricultures online database. Business owners who wish to clarify or comment on inspection results can contact Centre Daily Times reporter Matt DiSanto by emailing mdisanto@centredaily.com. About food safety inspections In accordance with Pennsylvania law, eating and drinking establishments are inspected at least once per year. Some schools, including the State College Area School District, receive biannual inspections. Pennsylvanias Department of Agriculture may conduct additional inspections if complaints are received or if initial inspections are not up to code. Most observed violations are minor in scope and are corrected during inspections, but some establishments may temporarily close if too many violations are found. Closures may occur as a result of other issues, including risks for foodborne illnesses or violations that take time to address, such as broken plumbing or pest infestations. Most inspections in Centre County are conducted at the state level through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. More than 100 municipalities directly conduct their health inspections through certified officials who fall under their jurisdiction. State College, for example, is responsible for performing inspections in the borough and in Ferguson, Patton and College townships, a borough official said. Once inspections are complete and reports are published, you can browse them online by visiting pafoodsafety.state.pa.us/web/inspection/publicinspectionsearch.aspx. You can look up establishments by name or filter results to specific cities, counties and ZIP codes. Out-of-compliance inspections Kokoro and Su Ji Chang Fen Dian, 404 E. Calder Way in State College An April 11 routine inspection resulted in six total violations for this restaurant, most of which concerned food temperature control and cleanliness. According to borough sanitarian Brian ODonnell, the restaurant did not have hand sanitizer present and available for use in the establishment. ODonnells report also claims he observed a cockroach on a refrigeration unit, prompting an order to start a pest control contract with a licensed pest management company. Temperature checks during ODonnells inspection found chicken held at 108 degrees Fahrenheit in a hot well, far below the 135-degree minimum as required by food safety guidelines. Partially cooked eggs were held at 70 degrees rather than 41 degrees or below, again as required by food safety regulations. ODonnell observed beef thawing at room temperature in a sink, requiring the meat to be thrown away following prolonged exposure. ODonnells report claims an employee with proper food safety knowledge must be present in the restaurant during all hours of operation. No such person was present at the time of the inspection. A follow-up inspection conducted April 12 returned Kokoro to compliance. How to complain about conditions If you see a problem at a retail food or lodging establishment, you can file a complaint to catch officials attention. To notify the commonwealth about questionable conditions anywhere food is served or sold to the public, call 1-866-366-3723 or fill out the Pennsylvania Department of Agricultures food safety complaint form, available online at pda.pa.gov/FoodSafetyComplaint/. The form asks for consumer information, facility details and a full description of each complaint. You can also contact the commonwealths Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services directly by calling 717-787-4315 or emailing RA-FoodSafety@pa.gov. Locally, you can report concerns to State College officials by calling 814-234-7100 or emailing healthdept@statecollegepa.us. These establishments passed inspections in April Aldi , 780 Benner Pike in State College American Legion Post No. 867 , 435 S. Main St. in Pleasant Gap Bald Eagle Area Junior/Senior High School , 751 S. Eagle Valley Road in Wingate Bartlebaugh Cotton Candy (MFF3) , 104 Madisonburg Pike in Madisonburg Bartlebaughs Amusements/Rosies Cantina (MFF3) , 104 Madisonburg Pike in Madisonburg Belle Mercantile , 135 S. Spring St. in Bellefonte Big Ds , 509 Dell St. in Bellefonte Big Lots No. 228 , 503 Benner Pike in State College BRGR , 122 W. College Ave. in State College Brothers Pizza of Howard , 102 E. Main St. in Howard Burgundy Rose Bakery @ Titan Market , 2042 Axemann Road in Bellefonte Centre Learning Charter School , 2643 W. College Ave. in State College Centre Markets , 2901 E. College Ave., Suite 506 in State College Centre Region Active Adult Center , 2901 E. College Ave. in State College Chipotle , 1850 N. Atherton St. in State College Corl Street Elementary School , 235 Corl St. in State College Dairy Barn , 5561 Jacksonville Road in Howard Delhi Junction Indian Cuisine , 128 Locust Lane in State College Dollar General No. 10435 , 124 Walton St. in Philipsburg Dominos Pizza , 540 Westerly Parkway in State College Duffys Tavern , 113 E. Main St. in Boalsburg Easterly Parkway Elementary School , 234 Easterly Parkway in State College Edible Arrangements , 337 Benner Pike in State College Elixr Coffee , 123 W. Beaver Ave. in State College Fasta Pasta (MFF3) , 157 W. College Ave. in Bellefonte Ferguson Township Elementary School , 215 W. Pine Grove Road in State College Fishers Market , 100 Turnpike St., P.O. Box 813 in Milesburg Flo Bros Pizza (MFF3) , 325 Nittany Valley Drive in Bellefonte Frosty Hook Hotel , 113 W. Firehall Road in Spring Mills Fujisan Sushi , 381 Benner Pike in State College Global Market , 240 W. Hamilton Ave. in State College Goot Essa LLC , 351 Wise Road in Howard Gourmet Griddle Company (MFF4) , 2086 Barns Lane in Bellefonte Hoags Catering , 3500 E. College Ave. in State College Hosss Steak & Sea House , 1450 N. Atherton St. in State College Idou Coffee Co. (MFF3) , 209 N. Church St. in Boalsburg Jodons Country Place , 112 W. Firehall Road, P.O. Box 23 in Spring Mills Kanagys Custom Meats , 2042 Axemann Road in Bellefonte Marin Eats (MFF3) , 163 Bel Air Hills Road in Bellefonte McDonalds No. 16198 , 802 Eagle Valley Road in Milesburg Millers Hoagies , 304 Turnpike St., P.O. Box 662 in Milesburg Mount Nittany Elementary School , 700 Brandywine Drive in State College Mount Nittany Middle School , 656 Brandywine Drive in State College Mountain Top Catering , 2870 Port Matilda Highway in Philipsburg Old Pops Corny Village Emporium , 1374 Troy Hawk Run Highway in Philipsburg Panera Bread , Zoller Visual Arts Building 114 in University Park Penn Kebab , 418 E. College Ave. in State College Penn State Halal Guys , 417 E. Calder Way in State College Perkins Restaurant , 525 Benner Pike in State College Pollock Dining Commons , 215 Pollock Commons in University Park RJs Pub & Grill , 615 N. Ninth St. in Philipsburg Sams Club No. 6533 , 381 Benner Pike in State College Sauly Boys , 124 S. Allen St. in State College Sharkies Bar & Thrifty Bottle Shop , 110 Sowers St. in State College Sheetz No. 64 , 808 N. Front St. in Philipsburg Sheetz No. 715 , 3261 W. College Ave. in State College Snyders Concessions Funnel Cakes (MFF3 XFW-8396) , 2219 Jacksonville Road in Bellefonte Snyders Concessions Funnel Cakes (MFF3 XFW-8398) , 2219 Jacksonville Road in Bellefonte Snyders Concessions Funnel Cakes (MFF3 XK-36498) , 2219 Jacksonville Road in Bellefonte Snyders Concessions Pizza No. 3 (MFF3 XFX-1131) , 2234 Jacksonville Road in Bellefonte Snyders Concessions Pizza No. 1 (MFF3 XFW-8394) , 2234 Jacksonville Road in Bellefonte Snyders Concessions Pizza No. 2, (MFF3 XFW-8395) , 2234 Jacksonville Road in Bellefonte Snyders Funnel Cakes No. 3 (MFF3 XFW-8399) , 2219 Jacksonville Road in Bellefonte Snyders Funnel Cakes No. 4 (MFF3 XFW-8397) , 2219 Jacksonville Road in Bellefonte Sowers Market , 670 Tyrone Pike in Philipsburg Spring Creek Elementary School , 217 Scholl St. in State College State College Halal Gyro , 137 E. Beaver Ave. in State College State College Little League Sichler Field , 245 Villa Crest Drive in State College Subway No. 15538 , 875 N. Eagle Valley Road in Milesburg Subway , 1718 S. Atherton St. in State College Subway , 2790 W. College Ave. in State College Sweets of Gold , 200-1 Mill St. in Milesburg That Oriental Store , 451 Railroad Ave. in State College The Handy Pantry , 114 Cottontail Lane in Howard The Meandering Mallard Coffee House , 106 E. Main St. in Millheim The Naked Egg , 320 Pine Grove Road in State College Tokyo Sushi and Hibachi , 428 E. College Ave. in State College Troys Philadelphia-Style Hoagies , 2932 Benner Pike in Bellefonte Uni-Mart No. 4094 , 280 Walnut St. in Howard Ville Billys , 2901 E. College Ave., Suite 974 in State College Wingate Elementary School , Box 4 Route 220 in Wingate Yogurt Express , 430 E. College Ave. in State College Young Scholars of Central PA, 1530 Westerly Parkway in State College Note: Occasionally, a listed address especially for mobile vendors and food trucks is not where food is actually served to the public. Contact those establishments for specific service locations. It would be no surprise if the jury in Donald Trumps first criminal trial now sees his former fixer, Michael Cohen, as a profane social media troll and vengeful liar who dreams of seeing the boss he once worshipped behind bars. But jurors dont have to like Cohen. They just have to believe him. Trumps self-described former thug came under a sustained attack from defense attorney Todd Blanche Tuesday in a cross-examination meant to shatter his credibility as the star witness to the ex-presidents allegedly criminal behavior. But critically, he didnt lose his composure on the stand. So far, hes avoided traps that would fatally undermine the case. Cohen will get time to take stock on Wednesday, on the trials regular day off, which will also give Trumps team a chance to sharpen its approach. The presumptive GOP nominee, meanwhile, is due to take the opportunity to launch a fundraising swing through Ohio and Kentucky before court resumes Thursday. Cohen has already directly implicated Trump in making payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels to cover-up their alleged affair and apparently corroborated prosecution evidence that the scheme was meant to influence the 2016 election. (Trump has denied an affair and pleaded not guilty). The task of the defense in cross-examination was, therefore, to so undermine Cohens credibility that they sowed reasonable doubt in the minds of at least one juror about the wider case. Blanche took Cohen through a long list of the insults hes unleashed at Trump since becoming estranged from his former mentor, highlighting his penchant for serial lying. He drew jurors attention to a social media post in which Cohen wore a T-shirt that depicted Trump in jail, as he spun a narrative of bias and obsession. Blanche also got the witness to say that hed built up a lucrative business, especially in books focused on his criticism of the former president. He asked if Cohen had called Trump a boorish cartoon misogynist. Cohen replied, Sounds like something I would say. Then Trumps attorney inquired if hed mocked the ex-president as a Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain. Blanche also sought to draw out Cohens grudge against Trump, which he can later highlight to the jury in closing arguments, by asking him about a TikTok post in April in which he said Trump belonged in a f**king cage like an animal and asked him to confirm that hed also called the presumptive GOP nominee a dictator douchebag. Michael Moore, a former US attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, said that the defense had made some progress in impeaching Cohens credibility. I really took away that the jury is probably seeing and thinking right now that Cohen is a grifter and a waffler, said Moore, a CNN legal analyst. He clearly is making money off this, he clearly is somebody who has got his hand in the till to sell his books. Big questions in the trial coming into focus But notably, Blanche mostly concentrated on his effort to tarnish Cohens character, motives and credibility rather than the core question of the case whether Trump falsified the business records as part of a cover up expressly designed to mislead voters in 2016 in an early instance of election interference. As always, when a Trump subordinate performs in front of the boss, there was a sense Blanches histrionics were as much for the benefit of his client as the case. And in a curious debut of the cross-examination, Blanche earned an admonition from Judge Juan Merchan for making it all about him, when he noted Cohen had called him a crying little sh*t on TikTok. Questions hanging over the case with the court dark on Wednesday start with how badly Blanche managed to damage Cohens testimony and the prosecution case with his full-frontal assault. Given that the prosecution has already signaled it plans no further witnesses after Cohens testimony, attention is turning to the approach the defense will take. Will Trumps lawyers bring in a number of witnesses? Or could they adopt a bold gambit by simply arguing that the prosecution has fallen woefully short of proving their case beyond a reasonable doubt and dramatically rest? Then there is Trumps initial indication that hed like to testify in his own defense. The former president loves a stage and considers himself his best advocate even if history often suggests the opposite. But many lawyers believe that given his volatile temperament and trouble telling the truth, putting him on the stand would represent a potential disaster for the defense. A key legal conundrum is whether prosecutors have so far succeeded in validating the legal theory behind the case. I think the misdemeanor of falsification of business records has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt, Shira Scheindlin, a retired US district court judge, told CNNs Jake Tapper on Tuesday. The felony is a little tougher because you have to say that Trump knowingly and willfully intended to violate the election law in the state of New York by unlawful means and the unlawful means is to violate the federal campaign finance law. Scheindlin added: Cohen went a long way toward making that case. As the prosecution case nears its end, there is also a growing sense that the fateful moment when Trump must wait for a jury to decide whether he will become the first president convicted of a crime is approaching. That foreboding realization was exacerbated by a new posse of Trump supporters at the courthouse on Tuesday, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. The Louisiana Republican brought the full symbolic heft of his office to bear in an apparent attempt to delegitimize the trial, to bolster Trumps claim that hes a victim of weaponized justice and to potentially hedge against a potential conviction with an early round of political spin. These are politically motivated trials, and they are a disgrace, Johnson said Tuesday outside the courthouse. It is election interference, he said. Defense tactics raise eyebrows Its impossible to know how a jury interprets testimony until a verdict is delivered and even then, jurors often opt not to explain their verdicts in detail in media interviews in high-profile cases like this one. Some legal experts on Tuesday questioned the tone and tactics adopted by Blanche in the court. While Cohens reluctance to offer yes-and-no answers came across at times as flippant and confrontational, he did not appear to say or do anything to torpedo the prosecution case. He did not blow up at Blanche, despite the attorneys incessant goading and an attempt to put him off his game by erratically jumping from topic to topic. No massive disasters yet, former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe told CNN. But Moore, the CNN legal analyst, defended Blanches approach of mixing up the evidential timeline to try to shake Cohens pre-trial prep. You want to make them tell the story on your terms and not to follow the script, Moore said. The prosecution knew that Blanches attack was coming and worked all morning on Tuesday to nail down a narrative about the payment to Daniels and its purpose. Manhattan prosecutor Susan Hoffinger tried to undermine a defense claim that Trumps reimbursements to Cohen were part of a retainer for legal services and not to pay him back for the Daniels hush money payment. In a key moment in the trial, which resonated outside the courtroom given the obligations that Trump places on many of his aides and subordinates, Cohen described the moment when he broke from his former boss. My family, my wife, my daughter, my son all said to me, Why are you holding onto this loyalty, what are you doing? Cohen said, adding that he came to a point when it was time to listen. I would not lie for President Trump any longer. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Cohen Says Trump Knew Checks Were for Hush-Money and Not Legal Work (Bloomberg) -- Michael Cohen came under cross-examination Tuesday by Donald Trumps lawyer, who sought to undermine his earlier testimony that he participated in a hush money scheme to help the former president influence the 2016 election. Most Read from Bloomberg Trump attorney Todd Blanche questioned Cohen at Trumps hush money trial for about two hours, focusing on how his decade-long devotion to Trump soured after he pleaded guilty to federal crimes in 2018 and went to prison. Blanche depicted Cohen as a fawning acolyte who turned into a vengeful media hound and made $3.4 million on two books, along with profits from a podcast and merchandise sales all devoted to condemning Trump as a criminal who should go to jail. Blanche asked Cohen if he was obsessed with Trump, serving as his fixer and lawyer for a decade until after the 2016 election. Admired Him Tremendously I wouldnt use the word obsessed, I admired him tremendously, Cohen told a Manhattan state jury. But Cohen added: At the time, I was knee-deep into the cult of Donald Trump. Blanche sought to undermine the credibility of Cohen, who paid $130,000 in October 2016 to adult film star Stormy Daniels after she claimed she had a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier. Cohen said Trump directed him to make the payment to influence the election. Cohen, 57, is the star witness in a case accusing Trump of falsifying business records to conceal the nature of the payments one of four criminal prosecutions Trump faces as he campaigns to return to the White House. The trial is off Wednesday and resumes Thursday with more testimony by Cohen, who is expected to be the governments final witness. The trial will be off again Friday so Trump can attend his sons high school graduation. Trump hasnt said if hell take the stand. False Premise Cohen testified Tuesday that Trumps reimbursements to him in 2017 were all based on the false premise that he provided legal services, not a reimbursement. Trump is accused of knowingly allowing invoices, checks and other Trump Organization documents to be falsified as he reimbursed Cohen for the payment. Blanche reviewed some of Cohens social media posts and podcast statements that belittled Trump, sometimes in crude terms. He called his former boss a Cheetos-dusted cartoon villain and a dictator d_____bag. Earlier, as prosecutor Susan Hoffinger ended her questioning of Cohen, she asked him about what Trump told him after FBI agents raided his home, office and hotel suite in April 2018. Cohen said Trump told him: Dont worry, Im the president of the United States. Theres nothing here. Everything is going to be OK. Stay tough. Everything is going to be OK. In August 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to tax evasion, lying to a bank and campaign finance violations. He told the jury that was the worst day of my life. Cohen later pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about a Trump hotel project in Moscow. He returned to Congress in February 2019, and apologized for his earlier false testimony. Lying to Them He said he apologized to the American people for lying to them, for acting in a way that suppressed information that the citizenry had a right to know in order to make the determination of the individual who was seeking the highest office in the land. Cohen was also shown a series of checks, invoices and other Trump Organization documents that are central to the trial. He testified that he sent bogus invoices for legal services to get repaid, as part of an agreement with Trumps company. Was this invoice a false record? Hoffinger asked. Yes, maam, he said. Did each of those monthly invoices you submitted make the same false representation? Yes, maam. National Enquirer The testimony buttressed earlier witness accounts and documents outlining an alleged hush money scheme that began with an August 2015 meeting at Trump Tower involving Trump, Cohen and former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Pecker agreed to publish positive stories about Trump, attack his rivals, and alert Cohen to any salacious stories about Trump and women that could hurt his campaign, Cohen and Pecker both testified. Cohen gave extensive testimony about his efforts to stay in Trumps good graces as the hush money plan was playing out. The former lawyer said he knew all along that paying Daniels off was part of a plan to influence the election. Why, in fact, did you pay that money to Stormy Daniels? Hoffinger asked. To ensure that story did not come out, did not affect Mr. Trumps chances of becoming president of the United States, Cohen said. On whose direction did you commit that crime? Hoffinger asked. On behalf of Mr. Trump, he said. --With assistance from Erik Larson. (Updates with trial schedule details in second section.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) are large, voracious predators. Measuring anywhere from 7 to 11 feet from tail to snout, with dark gray skin and a white underbelly, bull sharks eat everything from fishes and dolphins to other sharks and even the occasional human. It is for that last reason that it takes a lot of gumption to attach electronic tags to wild bull sharks yet that is precisely what scientists did in a recent study for the journal Nature. Their findings proved, tragically, that there is a newly-discovered way in which climate change makes life more difficult for both bull sharks and other undersea life. Specifically, the study found that climate change is making both more frequent and more intense a phenomenon known as extremely cold upwelling events. Those refer to when pockets of cold water replacer warm water at the surface after being brought there by strong winds and ocean currents. Led by researcher Nicolas Lubitz from James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, the scientists learned that the sharks chose shallower water during upwelling events because they needed to avoid the newly-colder water. In a related study, the researchers also analyzed 41 years of sea surface temperature data and 33 years of wind records to learn about the history of upwelling events in the Indian Oceans Agulhas Current and the East Australian Current particularly when they had a large death toll in animals like sharks, squid and manta rays. The researchers concluded that the cold upwelling events turn lethal depending on how fast they cause the temperature to drop. Additionally, when an event lasts for a long time such as multiple days, marine animals like fish species and turtles are more likely to die or suffer serious health problems from issues like hypothermia. An increasing number of killer cold upwellings might also cause a sort of "bait and switch" to occur in certain ecosystems, with species that reside in the subtropics expanding their territorial range while those closer to the poles suffer an increased risk of dying from the cold. Finally, these events will almost certainly impact humans, particularly those who rely on the fishing industry for survival. Were seeing changes in how often the upwelling occurs, how intense it is, which might impact the fishing communities in these areas, Lubitz told CNN. Its really an economic thing as well as the biodiversity thing. More broadly, the study reveals that climate change is not only about the planet warming, but in a seeming paradox can also trigger catastrophic cooling events. "This shows the potential impacts of increased cold events, an understudied aspect of climate change research, and highlights the complexities of climate change effects on marine ecosystems," the authors write. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. Studies of climate change and ocean temperatures usually focus on heating rather than cooling. For example, a recent report by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority found that more than half of 1,000 reefs analyzed out of more than 2,900 in total suffered from significant levels of bleaching, with a mere quarter being unaffected. Coral bleaching occurs when coral become stressed due to high temperatures or lack of nutrients and expel the algae that live symbiotically within it. This is the fifth mass bleaching event to occur on that reef in the last eight years. Climate change is causing ocean temperatures to spike in unprecedented ways, with temperature records shattered every single day in 2023. In a similar development, in 2022 the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences published a study measuring ocean temperatures by studying ocean heat content (OHC), a catch-all term referring to the saltiness (or salinity), different layers of temperatures and other factors that culminate to determine global oceanic temperatures. The group found that as of that year, 2022 had been the hottest in the historical record, surpassing the previous maximum record set in 2021. The authors speculated that the increase in OHC could have factored into extreme weather events like the increased number of wildfires and floods. In the future, if the oceans warm too much, it could further destabilize the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), a conveyor belt of ocean currents essential to the fishing industry and maintaining stable weather. AMOC has already shown signs of weakening, and if it is drastically altered, the result could be even more extreme weather changes. In short, climate change has a complex relationship with ocean temperatures, sometimes raising them to dangerous levels and on other occasions causing them to drop precipitously for ocean animals that depend on stability. At least one of those species, however, was able to shed light on the terrible toll being taken for the humans causing the problem: sharks. That was really the key in this study in that we could see when the sharks migrate, Lubitz told CNN. We could see how the temperature profiles change, and how the sharks were swimming shallower when they were in upwelling areas because they were trying to avoid the colder water from the depths. Gene Meyer, 68, listens as his trial begins regarding charges of first-degree murder and first-degree sexual assault with use of a dangerous weapon in Outagamie County Circuit Court on Tuesday in Appleton. Meyer is charged in the death of 60-year-old Betty Rolf in 1988. Editor's note: This story contains some content that readers may find disturbing. APPLETON The 1988 homicide of Betty Rolf has remained an unsolved mystery in the Fox Valley for over 35 years. As the trial for a man accused of sexually assaulting and killing Rolf commenced Tuesday, prosecutors say that mystery will finally be solved. Defense attorneys say they disagree. Gene Meyer, 68, faces one charge of first-degree murder and one charge of first-degree sexual assault with use of a dangerous weapon. The trial is scheduled to last two weeks. Jury selection took place all day Monday, and opening statements and the prosecution's first five witnesses testified Tuesday. Outagamie County DA opening statement During the prosecution's opening statement, Outagamie County District Attorney Melinda Tempelis said Rolf's family has waited for 12,972 days or 35 years, six months and seven days to get to this moment. Rolf was a beloved mother and grandmother who lived a quiet life in Appleton when she was brutally sexually assaulted and murdered the morning of Nov. 6, 1988, during her walk to work, Tempelis said. Rolf worked multiple jobs, including doing laundry at Country Aire Banquet Room, 2311 W. Spencer St., in the town of Grand Chute. She enjoyed walking, and often chose to walk to work than drive particularly in the winter, because she feared the dangers of black ice. Her home in the 1300 block of West Spencer Street was less than a mile away. It was as she crossed the bridge on Spencer Street over the railroad tracks that snowy morning, Tempelis said, that Meyer "ripped" her from the street and dragged her beneath the bridge near the railroad tracks, out of view from anyone who might have passed by. While specifics on how the assault unfolded are unknown, Tempelis said the evidence at trial will show Meyer sexually assaulted Rolf, physically assaulted her and strangled her, either leaving after she died or leaving her to die. Outagamie County District Attorney Melinda Tempelis delivers an opening statement during the trial of Gene Meyer, 68, who is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual assault with use of a dangerous weapon in the 1988 death of 60-year-old Betty Rolf. Rolf's body was found the following morning after her family called police. She was found partially clothed, lying behind a concrete abutment by the railroad tracks. She had been strangled by her purse straps. Some contents of Rolf's opened purse were strewn around, including $30 and a document she planned to send to The Post-Crescent about her and her husband's upcoming anniversary, Tempelis said. Tempelis said Meyer then fled Wisconsin, and lived in Washington for most of the following 3 decades, until a familial DNA search in 2022 narrowed him down as the primary suspect. Opening statement by Gene Meyer's attorney Defense attorney Ian Mevis argued in his opening statements that Rolf was actually killed by her husband. "The state wants you to believe that they have solved the mystery. ... They want you to think that they have an answer to the question 'who killed Betty Rolf?'" Mevis said. "You'll be left with very few answers. In fact, you'll be left with more questions." The DNA evidence, Mevis said, only shows that Meyer and Rolf had sexual contact at some point in the days or weeks before her murder. There's no way to prove through DNA evidence that sexual contact was non-consensual. Rolf's husband had been abusive to his wife throughout their marriage, particularly when he drank. He was also unfaithful something that was widely known, both by his own family and the community, Mevis said. Mevis reminded the jury what he explained in detail during the jury selection process Monday that the defense has no burden to prove Meyer's innocence. The burden lies solely on the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Meyer was Rolf's killer. Defense attorney Ian Mevis delivers an opening statement during the trial of Gene Meyer, 68, who is charged with sexually assaulting and killing Betty Rolf in 1988, in Outagamie County Circuit Court on Tuesday in Appleton. Prosecution begins case Among the prosecution's witnesses to testify Tuesday were two of Rolf's children, who were 28 and 32 at the time of their mother's death. Both of them testified that their father became "mean" when he drank, and was verbally abusive to their mother. They both said they had never seen their father hit their mother, but remembered their mother having injuries on her face at times when they were young. Rolf's son testified that he asked their father before his death in 1999 if he was responsible for Rolf's murder. However, Rolf's son and daughter who testified Tuesday both said they do not believe their father was responsible for killing their mother. Other testimony discussed Rolf's autopsy. The forensic pathologist who conducted Rolf's autopsy has since died, but a forensic pathologist who studied under him, Dr. Robert Corliss, took to the witness stand to answer questions about Rolf's injuries in detail. The autopsy found Rolf died of blunt force trauma to her head and strangulation. Rolf also had abrasions on other parts around her body, Corliss testified, some consistent with lying on a bed of rocks and brush. The jury was shown relevant photographs of Rolf's injuries taken during the autopsy. Corliss said the autopsy did not find evidence of injuries associated with sexual assault, but the lack of injuries does not mean a sexual assault did not occur. If the jury finds Meyer guilty of killing Rolf, he faces life in prison. On the sexual assault charge alone, Rolf faces a maximum of 60 years in prison. DNA sample led to arrest Over the last 35 years, investigators revisited Rolf's homicide case on multiple occasions, as advances in technology allowed for more tests to be conducted. Still, there were few leads for finding Rolf's killer until the Outagamie County Sheriff's Office began to revisit the cold case in 2019. In 2022, a familial DNA test narrowed the suspects down to two people: Meyer and his brother. Police interviewed Meyer's brother, who said he believed Meyer was dead. The brother provided a DNA sample, which ruled him out as a suspect. Investigators determined that in the '80s, Meyer had lived at an address about a mile from where Rolf's body was found and had also worked for a time at a nearby canning factory. They tracked Meyer to Washington, where he was living on land belonging to someone else, in a trailer with no electricity or running water, Tempelis said during opening statements. FBI agents obtained a DNA sample from the handle of Meyer's truck. An analysis determined there was a one-in-a- quadrillion chance that Meyer was not the contributor of the male DNA found on Rolf, Tempelis said. In December 2022, Meyer was arrested in Washington. He was then extradited to Wisconsin and charged in Outagamie County Circuit Court in February 2023. A trial was previously scheduled to begin in April, but was pushed back due to Meyer receiving treatment for health issues. RELATED: Trial begins Monday for man accused in cold case sexual assault and murder of Betty Rolf Contact Kelli Arseneau at 920-213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @ArseneauKelli. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Cold case trial begins for man accused of 1988 murder of Betty Rolf DENVER (KDVR) After entering a guilty plea in February, a man was sentenced Tuesday to serve eight years to life in prison for sexually assaulting two intellectually and developmentally disabled adults who were in his care. Eugene Gene Gillespie, 72, had previously been employed as a volunteer caregiver to individuals with disabilities since 1992 and worked in at least three different volunteer programs across the Denver metro region, according to the First Judicial District Attorneys Office. Second suspect in deadly rock-throwing case pleads guilty As part of his plea, Gillespie admitted to sexually assaulting a victim multiple times in 2013 on overnight and day trips. He also admitted to sexually assaulting a second victim multiple times in program vehicles and the program facility during 2022-2023, according to the First DAs Office. Gillespie pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault on an at-risk person, with a stipulation that the charge names both victims. The potential legal penalty ranged from work release or probation to 24 years to life in prison. According to the First DAs Office, many day programs for adults with disabilities rely on the efforts of volunteers to ensure there are people to drive, supervise and spend time with the adult clients. Prosecutors argued that in this case, Gillespie was one of these volunteers for over 30 years, availing himself of one-on-one opportunities with adults who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. At sentencing, prosecutors argued that Gillespie had a history of grooming and predatory behavior. The People feel that it is critical for the Court to be aware of the magnitude of the opportunity of abuse and the complete shattering of trust that his actions have had on the victims, their families, and the IDD [intellectually and developmentally disabled] community at large. Gillespie was deeply entwined in the IDD community, always in a significant position of trust, where he created an environment where he was trusted and relied on and was needed, and then, as he begins to sexually assault them, he creates fear and separation from their family and loved ones and makes them feel like theyre trapped. Deputy District Attorney Sarah Masterson, according to a release. According to victims letters that were sent to the court, at least two victims were afraid to tell anyone about the events, and asked that Gillespie be imprisoned. Im a monster, Gillespie told the court, according to the First DAs Office release. Ive hurt so many people. Public hearing planned over proposed oil, gas wells near Aurora Reservoir The prosecution also said that Gillespie attended a bowling event with individuals with disabilities while out on bond in this case. Gillespie allegedly said in his statement to the court that he was hoping for a sentence of community corrections, so he could get intense therapy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Columbia students boo as graduation speakers mic cuts off when she starts to scolds college on Gaza A Columbia University graduation speakers microphone briefly cut out as she criticised the schools stance on Gaza this week. At the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health graduation ceremony on Tuesday, student Saham David Ahmed Ali gave a speech calling for the school to take action on Israels continued bombardment of Gaza. Saham David Ahmed Ali, pictured speaking at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health graduation ceremony, had her microphone cut out twice during her speech (Columbia University) However, minutes into her remarks, Ms Alis microphone began cutting out. Is it not clear whether technical issues or another factor caused the audio cut. Ms Ali began to criticise the silence on Columbia Universitys campus about Israels war in Gaza when her microphone appeared to glitch before turning off. The crowd booed as she took a brief pause. She resumed her speech, but moments later the microphone cut out again. The crowd chanted: Let her speak. After the second interruption, the microphone continued working and Ms Ali completed her speech. The Independent has contacted Columbia University for comment. Throughout the rest of her speech, Ms Ali called on Columbia to disclose their financial records and divest from institutions profiting off of Palestinian genocide. She also asked the school to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Her call comes as Israels offensive in Gaza has killed at least 35,000 people, most of them women and children. Israels 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. Now, Gaza is suffering a man-made famine, according to the United Nations and other international agencies. At least 32 people, 28 of whom were children, have died of malnutrition and dehydration in Gaza, according to Human Rights Watch. Volunteers deliver food to families in Gaza in April 2024. At least 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023 (Reuters) Ms Ali gave her speech in the wake of Columbia University cancelling its commencement ceremony in the wake of anti-war protests on its campus. The college is only hosting school-specific graduation ceremonies after hundreds of protesters were arrested in April. Protests against Israels war in Gaza began at Columbia on 17 April after school president Minouche Shafik testified to Congress about alleged antisemitism on the campus. After protesters erected an encampment on school property, Ms Shafik called the New York Police Department to campus on 18 April. Officers arrested 109 protesters. More than 100 additional protesters were arrested on 30 April after they occupied Columbias Hamilton Hall, renaming it Hinds Hall in honour of a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli tanks in Gaza. Gaza protesters hang a banner that reads Hinds Hall as they barricade themselves inside Columbia Universitys Hamilton Hall (AP) Columbias protests sparked dozens of similar demonstrations on campuses across the US, resulting in thousands of arrests. The public health student also called on the school to end expansion into the surrounding New York City neighbourhoods. Columbia University Apartheid Divest has been asking Columbia University for multiple things throughout this year, Ms Ali told the audience. Their asks include rights in Palestine and in Harlem and also in Washington Heights. Columbia University students have a long history of protesting against the schools expansion in Harlem. In 1968, students protested against the universitys plan to construct a gym near Morningside Park, fighting against racist policies that would have dictated separate and unequal access to its facilities. Criticisms of the schools impact on the surrounding community continue, with students now arguing further expansion into Harlem displaces low-income residents in the neighbourhood. Columbus Airport set to receive $1.1 million in federal funding COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock announced to federal funding to upgrade Georgias airports through a bipartisan infrastructure law. Columbus Airport will receive $1,195,165 from the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) because of the infrastructure law. The grant allows the airport to upgrade runways, taxiways, airport safety, airport-transit connections, and roadways. Georgias airports are a key driver of job creation and economic competitiveness, Sen. Ossoff said. Our bipartisan infrastructure law will continue to deliver long-overdue upgrades to Georgias infrastructure for years to come. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) A man wanted in connection to the shooting of a 6-year-old earlier this month died in a local hospital after Columbus police say they found him with a self-inflicted gunshot wound on early Wednesday morning. Police responded to a shooting in the 2100 block of Wellborn Drive at 4:30 a.m. Robert Walker, 20, was found at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Columbus Police Department. Walker was pronounced dead at 6:51 a.m. at Piedmont Columbus Regional. On May 6, Columbus police issued an aggravated assault warrant for Walkers arrest in connection to the shooting of a child on Tracey Street. According to police, the child is still hospitalized in Atlanta, but is stable and making positive improvement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) There has been a major development in a murder investigation involving father and son. The Columbus Police Department confirmed to WRBL on Wednesday Samuel Haynes was arrested in Chicago in connection to his father, Billy Haynes, death in 2023. The investigation stems back to Nov. 19 when Billy Haynes was found dead in a bedroom on Lawyers Lane. His case was classified as a homicide after an autopsy revealed he died from stab/puncture wounds. Samuel Haynes was developed as a suspect and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He is currently waiting extradition from Chicago back to Columbus. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. ARVADA, Colo (KDVR) Colorado Parks and Wildlife removed more than a dozen invasive fish, each weighing more than 40 pounds, from an Arvada pond. Acting on a tip from a community member, Kara Van Hoose and a team of CPW aquatic biologists found 14 invasive bighead carp in the pond at Jack B. Tomlinson Park. Deadly, invasive disease found in second Colorado bat species in Longmont These are some of the biggest fish Ive ever seen, Van Hoose said. It felt like deep-sea fishing. CPW removed the fish by using electrofishing methods which send electricity into the water temporarily stunning fish. It makes it easier to find out whats going on underneath the water, Van Hoose said. Carp normally dont get this big, but thats what can happen when you have a species without a natural predator, with unlimited food resources in this pond, without anything to compete with. These fish just kept growing and growing. CPW said the bighead carp were first introduced to the pond in 1992 as part of a national study to see if the species would reduce the algal plaguing the ponds. The fish were removed after the study ended in 1995, or so they thought. Its a testament to how smart some fish are that they can evade capture for that long, Van Hoose said. These fish, we think, were part of the original study, so over 30 years old. And we didnt find any smaller-sized fish, which means they probably didnt reproduce naturally. Van Hoose said CPW will continue to check the pond in the future to make sure they didnt miss any fish that dont belong. Anyone who observes suspicious aquatic species in state waters is encouraged to file a report with CPW. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Better Business Bureau advises consumers not to pay for services using Venmo or Zelle in the wake of the 8 News Now Investigators reporting into missing pet remains. Dozens of Las Vegas-area pets meant for cremation ended up dumped more than 100 miles away in rural Utah as the Nevada Attorney Generals Office appears to be looking into the now-closed business, the 8 News Now Investigators reported Monday. Last fall, the 8 News Now Investigators spoke to several people who paid 1st Call Pet Cremation to handle their dogs remains, saying they did not believe the remains given to them were their beloved animals. As of Monday, at least one business contracted with 1st Call Pet Cremation to cremate animals was told to keep everything including pets stored in freezers as a state-led investigation gets underway. 1st Call Pet Cremation officially closed on Oct. 31, 2023, records said. The company contracted with Angel Hutchings, owner of Forever Friends Pet Cremation outside St. George, Utah, to cremate some animals. She cremated more than 1,300 pounds of pet remains found at several dump sites in Utah and in a Las Vegas freezer, she said, and the Washington County Sheriffs Office confirmed. As the 8 News Now Investigators reported last year, the companys website, which was wiped, said it was Better Business Bureau accredited, though the businesss BBB profile had an F rating and said, This business is not BBB accredited. A spokesperson for BBBs Mountain West region said the organization will go after businesses that deceive consumers. The BBB began receiving complaints about 1st Call Pet Cremation in June 2023 with an uptick starting that August. The BBB has received 20 complaints over the past three years, with 19 of them reported within the last year alone, according to its website. BBB continues to receive complaints from consumers that have not received their pets and are concerned that the remains they do receive may not actually be their pet, a post on its website said Tuesday. To date, the company has not addressed any of these recent complaints. Angel Hutchings cremated about 1,300 pounds of pet remains found at several dump sites in Utah and in a Las Vegas freezer, she said, and the Washington County Sheriffs Office confirmed. (KLAS) Several complaints involve a lack of communication. If you cant get a hold of anybody, and not just youre on hold for 10 minutes, but if youre weeks and weeks of emails and texts and phone calls and you just dont hear anything youre likely not going to, Melani Fox, director of marketing and communications for BBB Mountain West, said. Several consumers told the 8 News Now Investigators that they paid for the cremation services with Venmo or Zelle. Fox advised always paying with a credit or debit card to ensure protection from your bank. A representative from 1st Call Pet Cremation said they would provide a statement for the 8 News Now Investigators initial story but never did. That representative did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Investigator David Charns can be reached at dcharns@8newsnow.com. Complaints can be filed on the BBBs website. The Nevada Attorney Generals Office can be reached at ag.nv.gov/Complaints/File_Complaint/. Fox also advised filing reports with your local police department. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) A San Angelo man who launched a fundraiser after his car was totaled by a tornado in Robert Lee has received thousands of dollars in financial support thanks to help from the Concho Valley community. According to the fundraisers GoFundMe webpage, Shawn Sutton and his family were traveling in Robert Lee on May 3 when a tornado touched down in the area. The severe weather conditions would eventually be too much for their truck, causing it to flip. A YouTube video published by storm chaser Reed Timmer captured the familys dire circumstances during the tornado. Timmer and another man can be seen driving through the severe thunderstorm when they see Suttons truck flipped on the side of the road. Timmer and his passenger rescue Sutton and his family from the storm, after which Sutton confirms that they were outside of the truck before it was totaled. The tornado, which the National Weather Service of San Angelo gave an EF1 rating, left the family with a mountain of financial burdens as it tried to recover from the storm and purchase another vehicle. Sutton started the fundraiser in the hopes that the residents of the Concho Valley would help him in his familys time of need. I am trying to raise the funds to cover the upside amount, which is a lot, Sutton said on the GoFundMe webpage. I normally dont ask for handouts, but I am also in the process of trying to get another vehicle. Anything helps, and it will mean more than you think. And help they did. As of the time of publication, the fundraiser has raised $6,889 of its $10,000 goal over the course of a single day. The thousands of dollars are spread across 195 donations, including $1,000 from Timmer. With a massive outpouring from the community and a hefty sum of money at their disposal, the Sutton family can rest easy knowing that the people of the Concho Valley have cared for their own. If youd like to contribute to Suttons cause, you can visit his online GoFundMe fundraiser. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. The "Foreign Agents" law was swiftly adopted by the Georgian Parliament in its third and final reading at the plenary session, with 84 deputies in favor and 30 against. Concurrently, an ongoing protest rally titled "No to the Foreign Agents law!" took place near the parliament building.According to information from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 13 people were arrested for refusing to comply with police orders and engaging in petty hooliganism at the rally near the Parliament.The draft law, having passed through three readings, will be sent to the President for signature within ten days. The President then has two weeks to decide whether to sign or veto the document.The President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili held a meeting with the chairmen of the foreign affairs committees from Germany, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Finland.The President's administration statement revealed that the delegation condemned "Foreign Agents" law troubling and stated that it will significantly impede Georgia's European integration.Zourabichvili emphasized Georgia's expectation of clarity and support from Europe to reassure the population, who are dedicatedly striving for a European future, that they are not abandoned."The delegation described the draft law as disturbing and noted that it will significantly damage and hinder Georgia's European integration.The President emphasized that Georgia expects clarity and support from Europe so that the population, which is fighting so selflessly for a European future, does not feel abandoned.The President also highlighted the importance of conducting high-level visits at this stage. The delegation emphasized that their visit today is proof of their support for Georgia," the statement reads. Having a high income can reduce the possibility of death after a stroke by a third, according to a new study presented on Thursday at the European Stroke Organization Conference. The study analyzed data from 6,901 stroke patients in Gothenburg, Sweden, between November 2014 and December 2019, and examined the impact of four social determinants of health (SDoH): residence, country of birth, education and income. The results leave no room for doubt: people with a high income have a 32% lower risk of mortality after a stroke. In addition, people with higher education have a 26% lower risk of death after such a brain attack. Our findings underscore a stark reality an individuals socioeconomic status can be a matter of life or death in the context of stroke, Katharina Sunnerhagen, head of the Rehabilitation Medicine research group at the University of Gothenburg and lead author of the study, explains in an email exchange. Stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen. The incidence of these strokes has doubled in the last 30 years and is expected to continue growing, according to a recent study published in The Lancet Neurology. It was warned that the rising incidence would affect countries unevenly, with developing nations expected to be the hardest hit. But why is money so decisive when it comes to strokes? We know that wealthier people go to their family doctor more often, explains Sunnerhagen. Perhaps people who have a lower income cannot afford to take a leave of absence and lose their salary. In addition, higher income and more education usually mean better eating habits, more physical activity, fewer addictions and less smoking. All of these are, along with age, the main risk factors for suffering a stroke. Once a person has a stroke, the risk of having another skyrockets. The study was carried out in Sweden, but the author believes that the results can be extrapolated to the rest of Europe, where there are similar health structures and levels of social vulnerability. This, she explains, highlights a widespread problem across the continent. Mari Mar Freijo, coordinator of the SEN Cerebrovascular Diseases Study Group, agrees with this reading. She points to the latest Annual Report of the Spanish National Health System, where it is noted that for cerebrovascular disease, a social gradient is observed with an increase in prevalence as the level of income decreases. Social context and economic and educational level are determining factors when it comes to the risk of having a stroke. The same thing happens once you have suffered a stroke, she adds by phone. Controlling risk factors is very important to prevent these events from recurring. Freijo believes that the Swedish study provides more evidence to support an idea that has been gaining traction in recent years. Cerebrovascular events are, in large part, caused by lifestyle. This has a negative side: it makes inequalities and poverty a determining factor. But it has a positive side, because these diseases are largely preventable. Policies aimed at health promotion and primary prevention, so that a vascular event does not occur, are very important, says the neurologist. In addition to identifying a significant connection between income and risk of mortality after stroke, the study points to a worrying trend regarding the cumulative impact of SDoH. These determinants, according to the WHO, are the circumstances in which people are born, grow, work, live and age. Their social context. In the present study, patients with one unfavorable SDoH had an 18% higher risk of mortality compared to patients without any unfavorable SDoH factors. This risk increased to 24% in patients with between two and four SDoH factors. When analyzing risk factors, it is not only cholesterol, alcohol consumption or smoking that must be taken into account, but also a persons zip code. When examining gender differences and the potential impact of SDoH factors, it was seen that the proportion of women increased with the number of unfavorable SDoH factors; 41% of the group with no unfavorable SDoH factors were women, while 59% of the group with two to four unfavorable SDoH factors were women. It increased considerably, says Sunnerhagen, which is one of the most interesting findings. A social inequality that translates into greater health risk. The study also points out that it is essential to have specific strategies. Policymakers, for instance, must tailor legislation and approaches to account for the specific circumstances and needs of diverse communities, states Sunnerhagen, in the press release to announce the findings. While clinicians should consider identifying patients with unfavorable SDoH factors to prevent post-stroke mortality. In Sweden, the incidence of ischemic stroke has decreased, meaning the number of strokes is lower despite the population being older. This has to do with prevention, with the low level of smoking in the country, controlled hypertension, good diabetes care... And also with reducing the number of sedentary people, explains Dr. Sunnerhagen. According to the expert, the only risk factor that cannot be controlled is age, and that despite the impact of social conditions and external factors, the disease must begin to be treated through prevention. The best stroke is the one you dont have. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Concorde made its final flight over 20 years ago and supersonic air travel has yet to return. Here's a look back at its incredible history. Co-developed by Britain and France, Concorde was the first and only supersonic commercial airliner. British Airways operated its final commercial Concorde flight in 2003, ending its 27-year career. The supersonic jet remains an icon of modern aviation and a technological marvel. For a fleeting 30 years during the 20th century, supersonic commercial air travel was a reality. But on October 24, 2003, that era came to an abrupt end. That day, British Airways operated its last commercial Concorde service from JFK International Airport to London Heathrow. Air France pulled its Concordes from service a few months earlier. Thus, it would be the Concorde's last ever commercial flight in a career that started in January 1976. The Anglo-French Concorde was co-developed by BAC, a forerunner of BAE Systems, and Aerospatiale, now a part of Airbus. The supersonic jet has a storied history. The Concorde was never the commercial success for which its creators had hoped. Environmental and operational limitations of the Concorde hampered its commercial appeal among airline customers. Only 20 of the planes were ever built, and just 14 of them were production aircraft. The Concorde saw service with only two airlines Air France and British Airways on just two routes. However, its lack of commercial success doesn't diminish its role as an icon of modern aviation and as a technological marvel, one which plane makers and aerospace startups still talk about replicating. Over 20 years after its last flight for British Airways, the world is still without a viable form of supersonic passenger service. Here's a look back at the awesome history of the Aerospatiale-BAC Concorde supersonic airliner. This article was originally published by Benjamin Zhang in October 2018. It was updated by David Slotnick in March 2020 and Talia Lakritz in May 2024. As soon as Chuck Yeager crossed the sound barrier in 1947, commercial aviation companies began planning to take passengers past Mach 1. Air Force pilot Chuck Yeager. REUTERS "Mach 1" is the speed of sound, or about 670 miles per hour at 30,000 feet, according to the US Air Force. On November 29, 1962, the governments of France and Great Britain signed a concord agreement to build a supersonic jetliner, hence the name of the plane that resulted: Concorde. Julian Amery, the British minister of aviation (right), and Geoffroy de Courcel, the French ambassador in London, sign an Anglo-French agreement for the development of the Concorde. AP France and Great Britain each agreed to spend between 75 million and 85 million for the development of the plane, the Associated Press reported. Together, Aerospatiale and the British Aircraft Corporation predecessors of today's Airbus and BAE Systems agreed to produce a four-engine, delta-wing supersonic airliner. At the same time, engineers in the US and the Soviet Union were working on supersonic airliners of their own. The Soviet TU-144. REUTERS/Viktor Korotayev The American Boeing 2707 never made it past the drawing board, while the Soviets' Tupolev TU-144 made it into service but was quickly retired because of performance and safety problems. As part of the agreement, the Concorde was built in the UK and France. Concorde under construction. AP The above photo shows the Concorde being constructed at a British Aircraft Corporation factory in Bristol, UK, in 1967. The engine selected to power the Concorde was the Olympus 593 turbojet. A Concorde engine. AP The engine was developed by Rolls-Royce/Bristol Siddeley and Snecma. The Olympus engine's afterburners gave the Concorde its signature smoky takeoffs. A Concorde jet flies through the air. AP Each engine produced 38,000 pounds of thrust. The Concorde had features found on no other Western commercial airliner, such as the double delta wing. The wings of a Concorde jet. AP Delta wings get their name from the Greek letter delta, which is shaped like a triangle. Concorde planes also featured an adjustable drooping nose that gave pilots better visibility on takeoffs and landings. A Concorde with a downturned nose. AP In normal flight, the nose and visor were raised. The Concorde was operated by a crew of three: two pilots and a flight engineer. The flight deck of a Concorde. AP Flight engineers helped maintain the aircraft's center of gravity, cooling systems, fuel transfers, and other crucial tasks. In 1967, the Concorde was presented to the public for the first time in Toulouse, France. The Concorde's official presentation in Toulouse, France. Peter Kem, File/AP Members of the French Army band and Royal Air Force band played for the occasion. The first Concorde prototype made its maiden flight on March 2, 1969. The Concorde gets airborne for the first time. AP The maiden flight lasted 27 minutes, the BBC reported. Its first supersonic flight followed on October 1, 1969. More than a dozen airlines from around the world placed orders for the jet. A sheet detailing airlines that ordered Concorde planes. AP The sleek supersonic jet captivated the public immediately. But the Concorde soon encountered opposition due to the loud sonic booms that resulted from breaking the sound barrier. A Concorde flies over the ocean. Air France/AP One of the byproducts of supersonic flight is the sonic boom, which can be unpleasant or distressing to those on the ground. As a result, the Concorde was limited to routes over water, with minimal time spent soaring over land. In addition, residents near airports that were home to the Concorde fleet protested the amount of noise generated by the plane's four massive turbojet engines. Andre Liblin, who advocated for banning Concorde, protests at the Paris airport. ROQ/AP As a result, Concorde flights were further curbed. Because of environmental and economic concerns stemming from the 1973 oil crisis, most of the Concorde's customers dropped their orders. Concorde planes at an airport. AP This left British Airways and Air France as the plane's only operators. In total, 20 Concordes were produced, six of which were prototype test planes. Concorde planes. AP Of the 14 production Concordes, seven entered service with Air France and seven entered service with British Airways. On January 21, 1976, two Concordes one from each airline took off simultaneously to mark the plane's first supersonic passenger flight. France's first Concorde supersonic jetliner prepares for its first commercial flight. AP The Air France flight flew to Rio de Janeiro by way of Senegal, while the British Airways plane flew to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf. Later that year, British Airways started scheduling transatlantic flights between London and New York. A British Airways Concorde plane. AP Cruising at more than twice the speed of sound and an altitude of up to 60,000 feet, the Concorde could cross the Atlantic in just three hours a major improvement over the seven hours it took for a conventional jumbo jet to make the crossing. In the beginning, the 100-passenger interior was simple and a bit austere. The cabin of a Concorde plane. AP A display on the jetliner's left bulkhead showed when the plane reached the speed of Mach 2, or twice the speed of sound. As the clientele became more posh, so did the decor. A Concorde flight. AP Soon, the Concorde became the preferred airborne choice of the rich and famous. In the 1990s, the Concorde transported celebrities and royal family members. Frank Sinatra and his wife, Barbara Sinatra, arrive at Heathrow Airport. Press Association/AP Frank Sinatra took a Concorde flight to London in 1984 on his way to a charity concert in Monaco. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, explored Concorde's flight deck in 1987. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, sits on Concorde's flight deck. Press Association/AP Ferguson earned her private pilot's license in 1987, and was the first woman in the royal family to do so, UPI reported. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair flew to New York aboard a Concorde in 1997. Tony Blair flies on a Concorde. Stringer/Reuters Blair flew to New York to attend a special session of the UN General Assembly. Rock legend Sting served Champagne to Piers Morgan on a Concorde flight. Sting and Piers Morgan on a Concorde flight. Stefan Rousseau/Pool/Reuters The two rubbed shoulders on a 2001 press flight. The Concorde even served as the Queen Elizabeth II's royal transport. Queen Elizabeth II waves from the Concorde. AP Queen Elizabeth traveled on Concorde planes for trips to Kuwait, Barbados, Saudi Arabia, and the United States from the late 1970s until the Concorde was retired in 2003, according to the Royal Collection Trust. Every day, the Concorde fleet was stocked with fine Champagne and Beluga caviar. Empty bottles of Champagne and a rack of glasses sit on the ground in front of a Concorde supersonic aircraft. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Concorde also had its own special sets of branded china. The Concorde had a sparkling safety record until July 25, 2000, when an Air France Concorde burst into flames and crashed shortly after taking off. A Concorde jet bursts into flames after taking off. AP The plane caught fire after a blown tire ruptured the Concorde's fuel tanks, and 113 people died in the crash. All 12 remaining Concordes were immediately grounded. Concorde planes on a tarmac. AP The planes were retrofitted with stronger fuel tanks. Though the Concorde fleet returned to service in late 2001, the business never recovered. A Concorde jet flies through the air. AP By spring of 2003, Air France and British Airways announced their intention to permanently retire the Concorde fleet. British Airways executives blamed cuts to Wall Street's travel budgets post-9/11 and skyrocketing maintenance costs for its decision to ground the plane, The Guardian reported. Air France operated its last commercial Concorde flight from New York to Paris on May 31, 2003. Air France's final Concorde flight. AP Onlookers waved goodbye to the Concorde as it climbed out of JFK Airport. British Airways operated its last commercial Concorde flight on October 24, 2003, after it completed a farewell tour of the US. The captain and first officer wave from the cockpit British Airways Concorde after its last flight. Max Nash/AP Over the skies of London, the flight out of New York joined up with two other Concordes. Together, the three supersonic jets celebrated the occasion by landing in succession at Heathrow Airport. In 27 years of service, British Airways' fleet of Concordes made 50,000 flights and carried more than 2.5 million passengers, according to British Airways. Now, the Concordes have become museum pieces. A British Airways Concorde on display at he Museum of Flight in Seattle. Timothy E. Black/AP There are three places to see a Concorde on display in the United States: the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum in New York City, the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, and The Museum of Flight in Seattle. For many, the end of the Concorde represented not just the end of an era, but also a step backward for mankind. Crowds watch a Concorde in flight. REUTERS Despite being a financial flop, the Concorde's status as a technological marvel remains unblemished. We no longer cross the Atlantic at twice the speed of sound. And we may never again. Read the original article on Business Insider Congress extends funding for the Federal Aviation Administration. Here's what to know. Congress passed a new long-term funding bill for the Federal Aviation Administration Wednesday afternoon, ensuring the agency's continued operation for the next five years. President Biden is expected to sign the legislation into law imminently. The previous five-year funding bill expired on Sept. 30, and Congress has been supporting the agency with short-term measures in the interim. The latest stopgap funding was set to expire on Friday. The new FAA authorization brings multiple safety improvements with it, including a requirement for 25-hour cockpit voice recorders. Previous regulations required only two hours of recording capacity, the limits of which were highlighted by Januarys Alaska Airlines explosive decompression incident. The voice recordings from the incident had already been overwritten by the time investigators retrieved the devices. The American people expect and deserve the safest, most reliable and modern aerospace system in the world and this landmark bill is intended to deliver just that,'' Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee chair Maria Cantwell said in a statement after her chamber passed the legislation Thursday. "Our bipartisan legislation sets clear priorities to strengthen aviation safety standards, implement new safety technology, hire more air traffic controllers and safety inspectors, give passengers a guaranteed right to a refund, advance innovation and modernize our air travel infrastructure nationwide." The legislation also establishes refund standards for non-refundable tickets and bars airlines from charging additional fees to families that want to sit together onboard. A Southwest Airlines take off past the control tower at Burbank Hollywood Airport on September 25, 2023 in Burbank, California. Here are some key issues the draft legislation is looking to address: Ensuring passenger refunds: The Department of Transportations recently announced rules require airlines to issue automatic cash refunds for flight cancellations and significant delays. The proposed law seeks to codify these requirements, establishing thresholds for refunds and mandating reimbursement policies for passengers affected by cancellations or delays. Air traffic controller shortages: The legislation aims to tackle the persistent shortage of air traffic controllers, which has led to mandatory overtime and fatigue-related incidents. The proposed law mandates the FAA to study the issue and enhance training facilities to address staffing shortages. Extending cockpit recordings: Investigative bodies like the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have long advocated for extending cockpit voice recording times to 25 hours to aid crash investigations. However, the legislation only requires the FAA to consider this recommendation, citing cost concerns as a potential hurdle. Flight simulator training: Pilots will not be allowed to substitute more time in flight simulators for time at the controls of an actual aircraft when qualifying for licenses. Enhancing protections for airline workers: The legislation strengthens rules against attacks on aviation workers and expands legal protections to ground-based employees like gate and check-in agents. It also enhances self-defense training for flight attendants to better respond to unruly passengers. Notably missing from the draft is a mandate on minimum airline seat size. Instead, the bill directs the FAA to revisit seating and evacuation standards. It also doesnt require raising pilots retirement age, a provision some legislators and advocates had proposed. Instead, it calls for a study on the impact of the pilot shortage on regional and commuter carriers, a decision applauded by pilot unions. This FAA Reauthorization is a true bipartisan win for our entire economy as well as a landmark improvement for aviation safety that will benefit the flying public and consumers across this country, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said in a statement. "Not only does this package include so many of my prioritiesincluding my EVAC Act to ensure emergency evacuation testing reflects realistic situations, a provision upholding strong pilot certification standards and another increasing aviation workforce development funding by six-fold each yearit also represents the most significant effort by Congress in over a decade to make flying safer, easier and more accessible for passengers with disabilities. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Congress passes new FAA legislation, updates rules for aviation Debris is cleared from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge as efforts begin to reopen the Port of Baltimore on March 31, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. The bridge, which was used by roughly 30,000 vehicles each day, fell into the Patapsco River after being struck by the Dali, a cargo ship leaving the port at around 1:30 a.m. on March 26. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Conservative members of Congress at a hearing on Wednesday raised questions about using federal dollars to pay for rebuilding a state tollway, as the head of the Federal Highway Administration reiterated that the Biden administration is seeking congressional approval to reimburse 100% of the costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Congress has about six months left to adjust the federal share of costs to reconstruct the bridge before an automatic rate of 90% reimbursement kicks in, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, said at a hearing on the federal response to the March 26 collapse. Early that morning, the container ship Dali lost power and struck the bridge, which collapsed into the Patapsco River and blocked access to the busy Port of Baltimore. Six people died. Under the FHWAs Emergency Relief Program, the federal government covers the first nine months of costs from a disaster. Graves did not indicate whether he thought Congress should increase the federal cost-share. But Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt repeated President Joe Bidens pledge that the federal government would cover all costs. The administration is asking Congress to join in demonstrating a commitment to aid in recovery efforts by authorizing a 100% federal cost-share for rebuilding the bridge, consistent with past catastrophic bridge collapses, Bhatt told the panel. The federal government reimbursed all the costs to rebuild the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis after it collapsed in 2007, Bhatt said. The estimated cost of a rebuild for the Baltimore bridge is $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion. The FHWA has asked permitting agencies to speed up approvals for a new bridge, noting that environmental and other reviews should consider that a bridge with a similar footprint was previously in the same location, Bhatt said. Conservatives on the panel drew attention to the fact that the bridge, which was a toll facility on Marylands highway system, had never received federal funding. Revenue from the tolls go to the state, Pennsylvania Republican Scott Perry, noted. Perry, a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, said the comparison to the Minneapolis bridge collapse was not apt because it had not been a toll bridge. He asked if the federal government could recoup toll money collected on the bridge when it reopens. I hope you would consider a plan to reimburse the taxpayer under horrific debt right now, who cant afford their groceries, their gas bills, their day care bills, for the cost of this bridge, for which one state has been receiving all the money for its entire existence, and apparently is going to receive all the money from the tolls for the rest of its existence, Perry said. Interstate system Bhatt and some Democrats on the panel said that an intact interstate system benefits the entire country. Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson asked Bhatt to explain the bridges connection to interstate commerce, noting that there may be people in the country who are not inside the state of Maryland who resent having to pay for this bridge reconstruction. What is so critically important for a transportation system is that you can drive from New York to Los Angeles across a system that is completely uniform, Bhatt responded. The highway system is connected to ports, which are also economic drivers, Bhatt said. This is not just an issue for Maryland, he said. Its an issue for the Northeast Corridor and for our national economy. Legal action Florida Republican Brian Mast asked Bhatt if the government was seeking reimbursement from any insurance policies or the Grace Ocean Private Ltd., which owned the ship, or shipping company Maersk, which chartered it. Bhatt responded that the U.S. Justice Department was leading efforts to seek to recover those types of funds. California Democrat John Garamendi said he supported 100% of costs being reimbursed by the federal government, but that the committee should carefully structure legislation so that any funds from insurance payments or legal judgments against the shipping company would flow back to the federal government. Rebuilding issues Reconstruction plans will be written and updated as the project progresses in the coming years, Bhatt said. The most recent timeline estimates construction could be finished in 2028 and traffic could resume that year or in 2029. The bridge should be rebuilt to comply with current standards, Bhatt told ranking Democrat Rick Larsen of Washington. The original bridge, constructed during the 1970s, was a truss design, which has been replaced in recent years by cable-stayed bridges. But federal law does not allow for betterments that did not exist on the original bridge to be added to the rebuild, Bhatt added. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Congressional panel debates who should foot the bill for rebuilding Baltimore bridge appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Debris is cleared from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge as efforts begin to reopen the Port of Baltimore on March 31, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. The bridge, which was used by roughly 30,000 vehicles each day, fell into the Patapsco River after being struck by the Dali, a cargo ship leaving the port about 1:30 a.m. March 26. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Conservative members of Congress at a hearing on Wednesday raised questions about using federal dollars to pay for rebuilding a state tollway, as the head of the Federal Highway Administration reiterated that the Biden administration is seeking congressional approval to reimburse 100% of the costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Congress has about six months left to adjust the federal share of costs to reconstruct the bridge before an automatic rate of 90% reimbursement kicks in, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, said at a hearing on the federal response to the March 26 collapse. Early that morning, the container ship Dali lost power and struck the bridge, which collapsed into the Patapsco River and blocked access to the busy Port of Baltimore. Six people died. Under the FHWAs Emergency Relief Program, the federal government covers the first nine months of costs from a disaster. Graves did not indicate whether he thought Congress should increase the federal cost-share. But Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt repeated President Joe Bidens pledge that the federal government would cover all costs. The administration is asking Congress to join in demonstrating a commitment to aid in recovery efforts by authorizing a 100% federal cost-share for rebuilding the bridge, consistent with past catastrophic bridge collapses, Bhatt told the panel. The federal government reimbursed all the costs to rebuild the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis after it collapsed in 2007, Bhatt said. The estimated cost of a rebuild for the Baltimore bridge is $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion. The FHWA has asked permitting agencies to speed up approvals for a new bridge, noting that environmental and other reviews should consider that a bridge with a similar footprint was previously in the same location, Bhatt said. Toll revenues go to the state Conservatives on the panel drew attention to the fact that the bridge, which was a toll facility on Marylands highway system, had never received federal funding. Revenue from the tolls go to the state, Pennsylvania Republican Scott Perry, noted. Perry, a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, said the comparison to the Minneapolis bridge collapse was not apt because it had not been a toll bridge. He asked if the federal government could recoup toll money collected on the bridge when it reopens. I hope you would consider a plan to reimburse the taxpayer under horrific debt right now, who cant afford their groceries, their gas bills, their day care bills, for the cost of this bridge, for which one state has been receiving all the money for its entire existence, and apparently is going to receive all the money from the tolls for the rest of its existence, Perry said. Interstate system Bhatt and some Democrats on the panel said that an intact Interstate system benefits the entire country. Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson asked Bhatt to explain the bridges connection to interstate commerce, noting that there may be people in the country who are not inside the state of Maryland who resent having to pay for this bridge reconstruction. What is so critically important for a transportation system is that you can drive from New York to Los Angeles across a system that is completely uniform, Bhatt responded. The highway system is connected to ports, which are also economic drivers, Bhatt said. This is not just an issue for Maryland, he said. Its an issue for the Northeast Corridor and for our national economy. Legal action Florida Republican Brian Mast asked Bhatt if the government was seeking reimbursement from any insurance policies or the Grace Ocean Private Ltd., which owned the ship, or shipping company Maersk, which chartered it. Bhatt responded that the U.S. Justice Department was leading efforts to seek to recover those types of funds. California Democrat John Garamendi said he supported 100% of costs being reimbursed by the federal government, but that the committee should carefully structure legislation so that any funds from insurance payments or legal judgments against the shipping company would flow back to the federal government. Rebuilding issues Reconstruction plans will be written and updated as the project progresses in the coming years, Bhatt said. The most recent timeline estimates construction could be finished in 2028 and traffic could resume that year or in 2029. The bridge should be rebuilt to comply with current standards, Bhatt told ranking Democrat Rick Larsen of Washington. The original bridge, constructed during the 1970s, was a truss design, which has been replaced in recent years by cable-stayed bridges. But federal law does not allow for betterments that did not exist on the original bridge to be added to the rebuild, Bhatt added. The post Congressional panel debates who should foot the bill for rebuilding Baltimore bridge appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. Debris is cleared from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge as efforts begin to reopen the Port of Baltimore on March 31, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. The bridge, which was used by roughly 30,000 vehicles each day, fell into the Patapsco River after being struck by the Dali, a cargo ship leaving the port at around 1:30 a.m. on March 26. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Conservative members of Congress at a hearing on Wednesday raised questions about using federal dollars to pay for rebuilding a state tollway, as the head of the Federal Highway Administration reiterated that the Biden administration is seeking congressional approval to reimburse 100% of the costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Congress has about six months left to adjust the federal share of costs to reconstruct the bridge before an automatic rate of 90% reimbursement kicks in, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, said at a hearing on the federal response to the March 26 collapse. Early that morning, the container ship Dali lost power and struck the bridge, which collapsed into the Patapsco River and blocked access to the busy Port of Baltimore. Six people died. Under the FHWAs Emergency Relief Program, the federal government covers the first nine months of costs from a disaster. Graves did not indicate whether he thought Congress should increase the federal cost-share. But Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt repeated President Joe Bidens pledge that the federal government would cover all costs. The administration is asking Congress to join in demonstrating a commitment to aid in recovery efforts by authorizing a 100% federal cost-share for rebuilding the bridge, consistent with past catastrophic bridge collapses, Bhatt told the panel. The federal government reimbursed all the costs to rebuild the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis after it collapsed in 2007, Bhatt said. The estimated cost of a rebuild for the Baltimore bridge is $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion. The FHWA has asked permitting agencies to speed up approvals for a new bridge, noting that environmental and other reviews should consider that a bridge with a similar footprint was previously in the same location, Bhatt said. Conservatives on the panel drew attention to the fact that the bridge, which was a toll facility on Marylands highway system, had never received federal funding. Revenue from the tolls go to the state, Pennsylvania Republican Scott Perry, noted. Perry, a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, said the comparison to the Minneapolis bridge collapse was not apt because it had not been a toll bridge. He asked if the federal government could recoup toll money collected on the bridge when it reopens. I hope you would consider a plan to reimburse the taxpayer under horrific debt right now, who cant afford their groceries, their gas bills, their day care bills, for the cost of this bridge, for which one state has been receiving all the money for its entire existence, and apparently is going to receive all the money from the tolls for the rest of its existence, Perry said. Interstate system Bhatt and some Democrats on the panel said that an intact interstate system benefits the entire country. Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson asked Bhatt to explain the bridges connection to interstate commerce, noting that there may be people in the country who are not inside the state of Maryland who resent having to pay for this bridge reconstruction. What is so critically important for a transportation system is that you can drive from New York to Los Angeles across a system that is completely uniform, Bhatt responded. The highway system is connected to ports, which are also economic drivers, Bhatt said. This is not just an issue for Maryland, he said. Its an issue for the Northeast Corridor and for our national economy. Legal action Florida Republican Brian Mast asked Bhatt if the government was seeking reimbursement from any insurance policies or the Grace Ocean Private Ltd., which owned the ship, or shipping company Maersk, which chartered it. Bhatt responded that the U.S. Justice Department was leading efforts to seek to recover those types of funds. California Democrat John Garamendi said he supported 100% of costs being reimbursed by the federal government, but that the committee should carefully structure legislation so that any funds from insurance payments or legal judgments against the shipping company would flow back to the federal government. Rebuilding issues Reconstruction plans will be written and updated as the project progresses in the coming years, Bhatt said. The most recent timeline estimates construction could be finished in 2028 and traffic could resume that year or in 2029. The bridge should be rebuilt to comply with current standards, Bhatt told ranking Democrat Rick Larsen of Washington. The original bridge, constructed during the 1970s, was a truss design, which has been replaced in recent years by cable-stayed bridges. But federal law does not allow for betterments that did not exist on the original bridge to be added to the rebuild, Bhatt added. The post Congressional panel debates who should foot the bill for rebuilding Baltimore bridge appeared first on Rhode Island Current. U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, is chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (photo submitted). Conservative members of Congress at a hearing on Wednesday raised questions about using federal dollars to pay for rebuilding a state tollway, as the head of the Federal Highway Administration reiterated that the Biden administration is seeking congressional approval to reimburse 100% of the costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Congress has about six months left to adjust the federal share of costs to reconstruct the bridge before an automatic rate of 90% reimbursement kicks in, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, said at a hearing on the federal response to the March 26 collapse. Early that morning, the container ship Dali lost power and struck the bridge, which collapsed into the Patapsco River and blocked access to the busy Port of Baltimore. Six people died. Under the FHWAs Emergency Relief Program, the federal government covers the first nine months of costs from a disaster. Graves did not indicate whether he thought Congress should increase the federal cost-share. But Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt repeated President Joe Bidens pledge that the federal government would cover all costs. The administration is asking Congress to join in demonstrating a commitment to aid in recovery efforts by authorizing a 100% federal cost-share for rebuilding the bridge, consistent with past catastrophic bridge collapses, Bhatt told the panel. The federal government reimbursed all the costs to rebuild the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis after it collapsed in 2007, Bhatt said. The estimated cost of a rebuild for the Baltimore bridge is $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion. The FHWA has asked permitting agencies to speed up approvals for a new bridge, noting that environmental and other reviews should consider that a bridge with a similar footprint was previously in the same location, Bhatt said. Conservatives on the panel drew attention to the fact that the bridge, which was a toll facility on Marylands highway system, had never received federal funding. Revenue from the tolls go to the state, Pennsylvania Republican Scott Perry, noted. Perry, a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, said the comparison to the Minneapolis bridge collapse was not apt because it had not been a toll bridge. He asked if the federal government could recoup toll money collected on the bridge when it reopens. I hope you would consider a plan to reimburse the taxpayer under horrific debt right now, who cant afford their groceries, their gas bills, their day care bills, for the cost of this bridge, for which one state has been receiving all the money for its entire existence, and apparently is going to receive all the money from the tolls for the rest of its existence, Perry said. Interstate system Bhatt and some Democrats on the panel said that an intact interstate system benefits the entire country. Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson asked Bhatt to explain the bridges connection to interstate commerce, noting that there may be people in the country who are not inside the state of Maryland who resent having to pay for this bridge reconstruction. What is so critically important for a transportation system is that you can drive from New York to Los Angeles across a system that is completely uniform, Bhatt responded. The highway system is connected to ports, which are also economic drivers, Bhatt said. This is not just an issue for Maryland, he said. Its an issue for the Northeast Corridor and for our national economy. Legal action Florida Republican Brian Mast asked Bhatt if the government was seeking reimbursement from any insurance policies or the Grace Ocean Private Ltd., which owned the ship, or shipping company Maersk, which chartered it. Bhatt responded that the U.S. Justice Department was leading efforts to seek to recover those types of funds. California Democrat John Garamendi said he supported 100% of costs being reimbursed by the federal government, but that the committee should carefully structure legislation so that any funds from insurance payments or legal judgments against the shipping company would flow back to the federal government. Rebuilding issues Reconstruction plans will be written and updated as the project progresses in the coming years, Bhatt said. The most recent timeline estimates construction could be finished in 2028 and traffic could resume that year or in 2029. The bridge should be rebuilt to comply with current standards, Bhatt told ranking Democrat Rick Larsen of Washington. The original bridge, constructed during the 1970s, was a truss design, which has been replaced in recent years by cable-stayed bridges. But federal law does not allow for betterments that did not exist on the original bridge to be added to the rebuild, Bhatt added. The post Congressional panel debates who should foot the bill for rebuilding Baltimore bridge appeared first on Missouri Independent. Debris is cleared from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge as efforts begin to reopen the Port of Baltimore on March 31, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. Debris is cleared from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge as efforts begin to reopen the Port of Baltimore on March 31, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. The bridge fell into the Patapsco River after being struck by the Dali, a cargo ship leaving the port at around 1:30am on Tuesday. The bodies of six construction workers who were on the bridge at the time of the accident have been recovered from the water. Two others were rescued and treated for injuries shortly after the accident. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Conservative members of Congress at a hearing on Wednesday raised questions about using federal dollars to pay for rebuilding a state tollway, as the head of the Federal Highway Administration reiterated that the Biden administration is seeking congressional approval to reimburse 100% of the costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Congress has about six months left to adjust the federal share of costs to reconstruct the bridge before an automatic rate of 90% reimbursement kicks in, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, said at a hearing on the federal response to the March 26 collapse. Early that morning, the container ship Dali lost power and struck the bridge, which collapsed into the Patapsco River and blocked access to the busy Port of Baltimore. Six people died. Under the FHWAs Emergency Relief Program, the federal government covers the first nine months of costs from a disaster. Graves did not indicate whether he thought Congress should increase the federal cost-share. But Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt repeated President Joe Bidens pledge that the federal government would cover all costs. The administration is asking Congress to join in demonstrating a commitment to aid in recovery efforts by authorizing a 100% federal cost-share for rebuilding the bridge, consistent with past catastrophic bridge collapses, Bhatt told the panel. The federal government reimbursed all the costs to rebuild the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis after it collapsed in 2007, Bhatt said. The estimated cost of a rebuild for the Baltimore bridge is $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion. The FHWA has asked permitting agencies to speed up approvals for a new bridge, noting that environmental and other reviews should consider that a bridge with a similar footprint was previously in the same location, Bhatt said. Conservatives on the panel drew attention to the fact that the bridge, which was a toll facility on Marylands highway system, had never received federal funding. Revenue from the tolls go to the state, Pennsylvania Republican Scott Perry, noted. Perry, a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, said the comparison to the Minneapolis bridge collapse was not apt because it had not been a toll bridge. He asked if the federal government could recoup toll money collected on the bridge when it reopens. I hope you would consider a plan to reimburse the taxpayer under horrific debt right now, who cant afford their groceries, their gas bills, their day care bills, for the cost of this bridge, for which one state has been receiving all the money for its entire existence, and apparently is going to receive all the money from the tolls for the rest of its existence, Perry said. Interstate system Bhatt and some Democrats on the panel said that an intact interstate system benefits the entire country. Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson asked Bhatt to explain the bridges connection to interstate commerce, noting that there may be people in the country who are not inside the state of Maryland who resent having to pay for this bridge reconstruction. What is so critically important for a transportation system is that you can drive from New York to Los Angeles across a system that is completely uniform, Bhatt responded. The highway system is connected to ports, which are also economic drivers, Bhatt said. This is not just an issue for Maryland, he said. Its an issue for the Northeast Corridor and for our national economy. Legal action Florida Republican Brian Mast asked Bhatt if the government was seeking reimbursement from any insurance policies or the Grace Ocean Private Ltd., which owned the ship, or shipping company Maersk, which chartered it. Bhatt responded that the U.S. Justice Department was leading efforts to seek to recover those types of funds. California Democrat John Garamendi said he supported 100% of costs being reimbursed by the federal government, but that the committee should carefully structure legislation so that any funds from insurance payments or legal judgments against the shipping company would flow back to the federal government. Rebuilding issues Reconstruction plans will be written and updated as the project progresses in the coming years, Bhatt said. The most recent timeline estimates construction could be finished in 2028 and traffic could resume that year or in 2029. The bridge should be rebuilt to comply with current standards, Bhatt told ranking Democrat Rick Larsen of Washington. The original bridge, constructed during the 1970s, was a truss design, which has been replaced in recent years by cable-stayed bridges. But federal law does not allow for betterments that did not exist on the original bridge to be added to the rebuild, Bhatt added. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Congressional panel debates who should foot the bill for rebuilding Baltimore bridge appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. ICE office sign Image: Adobe Stock On Wednesday, the North Carolina House rejected the Senate version of House Bill 10, a controversial measure that requires cooperation between all North Carolina sheriffs and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The House took issue with an amendment on the proposed bill that would have allowed anyone to file a complaint with the state attorney general if a sheriff fails to comply with the potential law. Were working on the language on this. We need to do that through a conference report, of course, because we cant amend it the way it is right now, said primary sponsor Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell). Hall said he expects to take up a conference report next week with the amended language. So with that, Id ask you to not concur with the changes of the Senate. Id just like to say this time were on the same side of the vote on this not to concur, said Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham) to Hall, in a rare show of bipartisanship. I am concerned about the provision where any citizen can report to the attorney general and sue a sheriff, which I think we really need to rework in the conference committee. So, I appreciate that. The House voted 108-3, in what some immigrant rights advocates see as a win, albeit a small one. HB10 does not move to the Governor today. Our efforts have paid off, our community has called, emailed, shown up to offices, spoken out in committees and in rallies, to show our lawmakers that HB10 is a threat to our families and our states economy, said a statement released by the immigrant advocacy group El Pueblo. North Carolina sheriffs are already required under current state law to try and determine the legal status of people they arrest and inform ICE. However, current law doesnt require them to honor ICE detainer requests, which ask local authorities to hold someone believed to be in the country illegally for up to 48 hours while federal agents pick them up. But if this bill becomes law, it will require all 100 sheriffs in the state to notify ICE if they are unable to determine the legal status of a person charged with certain high-level offenses. It would compel sheriffs to honor ICE requests to detain individuals suspected of being in the country illegally for up to 48 hours. The lawmakers that have been pushing HB10 forward have claimed that it will improve the safety of our state and only target those who have committed crimes, but we know that in practice, bills like these target Black and Brown, immigrant communities, unnecessarily placing innocent lives at risk for deportation and separating hardworking families for minor incidents such as traffic violations, said Iliana Santillan, executive director of El Pueblo. What happened today is the result of the efforts of our community. We have to keep up the pressure, we are going to keep pushing for HB10 not to become law. The post Controversial bill requiring sheriffs to cooperate with ICE hits a snag in NC House appeared first on NC Newsline. NEW PHILADELPHIA, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A controversy is unfolding in a Schuylkill County community over a proposed memorial for two murdered teens. 16-year-old Angelito Caraballo and 18-year-old Hunter Mock from New Philadelphia were murdered last year. Their mothers want to honor the teens with a memorial, but they say their effort is being rejected by borough officials. The controversy centers on a black granite bench. Hunter Mock and Angelito Caraballo were murdered near New Philadelphia last October. Their families say theyre getting some pushback from community leaders, at least, at this point in time in placing this bench in the community. I just want them to be recognized. It was a very tragic event. They were victims in a horrible murder, said Angelito Caraballos mother Tanya Evans. Evans says borough officials told her the bench cannot be placed at a public park while the state police investigation into the murders is ongoing. The bodies of her son, 16-year-old Angelito Caraballo, and 18-year-old Hunter Mock were found in a wooded area near New Philadelphia last October. Jury finds Justin Schuback guilty of first-degree murder No one has been charged in their deaths. Evans says she feels she and her sons memory are being disrespected. I totally disagree. My son was not the type of person to do anything remotely close to harming anybody. He always tried. When there were arguments, he would always try to be the middle man and step in and try to settle things, Evans explained. The memorial controversy has people in this small close-knit community talking. We talk about community, we talk about family, right? If this is a small town small community we are family. I think this reminds if that we should be looking out for each other and our kids right? said New Philadelphia resident Waleisha Moat. Borough leaders in New Philadelphia are expected to talk about this memorial bench at their next meeting in early June. 28/22 News reached out to New Philadelphia Borough Officials for comment. We have not yet heard back. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. The company controlled by Lavinia Valbonesi, the wife of the president of Ecuador, has backed down and suspended a real estate development project that involved erecting four luxury buildings that would have encroached on Esterillo de Oloncito, a forest surrounded by mangroves that are protected under Ecuadorian law. The nature reserve is located on the shores of the Pacific. News of the decision taken by the company Vinazin S.A. has emerged five days after Oloncito community members took action to prevent workers from cutting down the forest to make way for the resort. The company said in a statement that we cannot allow the company to be used to sow chaos in the sector and as a banner for political interests. President Daniel Noboa himself has resorted to these same arguments, saying that his opponents want to harm him by publicizing the first ladys business dealings. The project was only withdrawn when it became public knowledge and the residents of the area began organizing themselves. After criticism about the felling of 21 carob trees and the presence of police and military tanks, operators withdrew from the site on Wednesday. The Secretary of Communication of the Presidency, Irene Velez, used similar arguments as the company to explain the decision to drop the plans. This was always going to be maintained as a political flag by certain political groups. Keeping this alive didnt make much sense, she said on Teleamazonas. The statement released by Vinazin S.A., a company that was founded by Noboa in 2016, adds that the cancellation of the project also entails withdrawing job offers for about 2,783 local people who will no longer be able to access this opportunity. Construction had been estimated to take place over a period of two years. The land where the sea-facing complex was to be built has belonged to the Noboa family for many years, according to Andrea Fiallos, director of the Iguana Foundation, which works on environmental conservation. With the passage of time and the impact of the El Nino phenomenon of 1983, there has been erosion of the mangrove, and the limits of the land have changed. The family was intending to recover that lost land by filling in the estuary. The population of Oloncito relies on the revenue generated by tourism and was concerned that the project involved filling in part of the estuary, which is one of the tourist attractions that they have managed to recover since the declaration of a protective forest 23 years ago. The inhabitants were also concerned that filling the estuary would reduce the flow through which the rainwater drains, which in the winter creates a strong current throughout the Chongon-Colonche mountain range that ends in Oloncito. Without the estuary, the commune could flood and even disappear, as has happened in many other areas of the country. President Noboa has confirmed that public prosecutors have opened an inquiry into the case, but the prosecution has not provided details as it always does in other cases nor has it specified what crime is being investigated. In addition to the presidents wife, several government officials were also involved in the project, including Environment Minister Sade Fritschi a 26-year-old minister who has been questioned over her lack of experience who was called to a parliamentary committee to provide explanations about the way the permit was granted. However, committee president Guido Vargas prevented lawmakers and reporters from asking Fritschi any questions. As a result, the National Assembly has refused to close the case as the executive had intended. A group of lawmakers, most of them from the opposition, traveled to Oloncito to ask the local authorities for explanations. The mayor of Santa Elena, Maria del Carmen Aquino, explained that Vinazin S.A. had requested a local permit in June 2023 to enclose the property, an essential step before starting any construction work. However, authorization was not granted because, according to municipal records, Esterillo de Oloncito is in a protected natural area, the mayor said. The company responded by saying it would go to the Ministry of the Environment, but it was not until December 2023, when Daniel Noboa was already in power, that the permit was immediately obtained. In January the company returned to Oloncito with its permit, but it still needed to meet other requirements such as environmental impact studies and provincial licenses. According to Mayor Aquino, they still do not have them and therefore the permit cannot be granted. But in the statement, the company Vinazin S.A. assures that it has all the environmental permits, forest inventory and other documents required by law, although it has not provided evidence of this. This newspaper unsuccessfully tried to contact the company for comment. The luxury beachfront real estate project planned to cover 6,300 square meters and included a set of four buildings with 24 homes, green areas, parking spaces and a boardwalk. The land where the building complex was going to be built has belonged to the Noboa family since 1989. Noboa, a 36-year-old businessman who comes from Ecuadors wealthiest family, is serving the final months of a presidential term left vacant when fellow conservative Guillermo Lasso resigned amid an investigation into alleged corruption. Dunkin Donuts and Illinois law enforcement are teaming up to support Special Olympics Illinois! On May 17, stop by any participating Illinois Dunkin Donuts location from 5:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Law enforcement officers will be rallying support for Special Olympics athletes and the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois with Cop on a Rooftop. Anyone who makes a donation to the Torch Run will receive a coupon for a free donut. Those who donate $10 or more will receive a tumbler (while supplies last) and a coupon for a free medium hot or iced coffee. Help support Special Olympics Illinois at these participating QCA Dunkin Donuts locations Friday, May 17 for Cop on a Rooftop: 2711 18th Ave., Rock Island 3501 Avenue of the Cities, Moline 1220 18th St., Silvis To donate directly, click here. For more information, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Coroner identifies man shot while sitting in vehicle in Middletown The coroner has identified the man killed in a Middletown shooting early Sunday morning. >>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 1 dead, 2 injured after being shot while sitting in vehicle in Middletown Devonte Beverly, 19, died from a gunshot wound just before 7 a.m. on May 12 at the intersection of Sheffield Street and Seldon Avenue, according to the Butler County Coroners Office. News Center 7 previously reported that the shooting happened at 3:25 a.m. at the 1700 block of Sheffield Street on Sunday morning. When officers arrived at the scene, they found three people who had been shot while sitting in their vehicle. Medics transported two of the people to Atrium Medic Center. Their condition is unknown. No arrests have been made, according to our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mynheir 513-425-7720 or 513-425-7700. TOPEKA (KSNT) Topeka firefighters responded to a house fire in the downtown area on Wednesday morning. Around 11:10 a.m., fire crews arrived in the 1100 block of Southwest Eighth Avenue to find smoke and flames coming from the home. According to a supervisor on the scene, two individuals escaped the fire but firefighters are still checking for pets. The spokesman told 27 News the cause of the fire was under investigation. State BOE changes high school graduation requirements 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Curbside memorial for FSU student stands strong: 'That's our Ellie, stronger than a tornado' The rain came. Next, the wind. Then the tornadoes. Friday's storms cleared, unveiling mass destruction around Tallahassee. But the memorial for Florida State University student Elizabeth "Ellie" Sims remained intact. "That's our Ellie. Stronger than a tornado," said her mom, Kristen Sims. The memorial for Ellie Sims on Pensacola Street was left untouched during the tornadoes and severe storms that passed through Tallahassee on Friday, May 10, 2024. The memorial stands at the intersection of Lorene and West Pensacola streets; a mound of flowers encircles a pedestrian crossing sign, beside the crosswalk where a driver struck and killed Ellie last month. A portrait of the 20-year-old sophomore is taped on the pole rising from those flowers, right below the button that prompts flashing lights warning that someone is walking across. "I think it's a beautiful, poetic moment when they press the light and are able to think of Ellie for a moment," said Anna Sims, her older sister, who was on the Tuesday evening phone interview with her mom. "When I woke up and heard about the tornadoes, I was really nervous that the whole memorial would have just been thrown down the street. But it looks almost identical to when we were there." Leaving flowers before leaving On Tuesday morning, recent FSU graduates Addison Sailer and Parker Apple placed fresh flowers on the memorial. They didn't know Ellie, but it was their last day in Tallahassee, and the two friends wanted to pay their respects before leaving. Recent Florida State University graduates Addison Sailer and Parker Apple after putting fresh flowers on Elizabeth "Ellie" Sims' memorial. "As FSU students, when one of us passes, it affects everyone. I feel like we're all family here," said Apple, who was headed for Tampa. "She seemed like a great girl." "We're all so deeply affected by it, even weeks after," added Sailer, whose destination was Arizona. "We pass this every day." "All of us use this crosswalk," Apple added. "It could have been any of us." That's why Ellie's family is pushing for a stoplight to be put in at that intersection and speedbumps placed before it. "They have developed that College Town area so much," Kristen Sims said. "They have not put in the infrastructure to handle all of the students that take that route." "I just feel like the students deserve better than that," said Anna Sims, a recent graduate herself of West Kentucky University. "Ellie deserved better than that." A petition for a stoplight on Change.org has nearly 25,000 signatures. It was made on April 29, the same day Ellie died. A framed photo of Florida State University sophomore Ellie Sims is placed above dozens of bouquets, candles and cards at the crosswalk sign located at the intersection of Lorene and Pensacola Streets on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Sims was struck and killed by a driver on April 29, 2024. Commissioner says more needs to be done: Tallahassee City Commissioner Jack Porter calls for more pedestrian, bicyclist safety Driver who killed Ellie arrested: FSU student killed in crosswalk after hit-and-run; TPD arrests 18-year-old Community support 'means so much' Ellie Sims was born in Tallahassee but raised in St. Augustine and Franklin, Tennessee. "She always wanted to come back to Florida," said her mom, a special education teacher who is also working on getting a graduate degree in education. They did a tour of state universities. FSU offered a good scholarship and a spot in its Honors College. "We visited it a second time and saw how beautiful it was," Kristen Sims continued. "The fact that it was in Tallahassee, where she was born, was just kind of a coincidence." She became a member of FSU's Alpha Chi Omega sorority and studied abroad during the 2023 spring semester. "You were truly the epitome of an Alpha Chi Omega: involved with FSU Honors College, FSU (Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness), an avid runner, an entrepreneurship student, and a fashionista," the sorority wrote in a Facebook post. "We will forever miss your infectious smile, jamming out while meal prepping in the kitchenette and (your) positive presence that lit up every room." FSU sophomore and Tennessee native Elizabeth "Ellie" Sims, 20, is remembered for her infectious smile and positive presence. When Ellie's family came to Tallahassee after her death, Kristen said they were "broken, hurting and so scared." Then came the support from the FSU community. "It means everything," Kristen said. "It's really what's keeping us going, the support and the love." Hearing about the recent graduates leaving flowers "means so much" to her. "We felt very drawn to that memorial," she said. "We wanted to be there. And when we were there, people would gather around. People were already sitting there when we got there ... It was a beautiful thing in a time of absolute sorrow and pain." Anna Sims said the fact it still stood was a huge weight off her shoulders. But she and her mom weren't necessarily surprised. "She just had a fiery spirit," Kristen said. "She had a fierceness about her. You know, she was not a shy little wallflower. And we loved her for that." This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA TODAY Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU student memorial stands strong despite Tallahassee tornadoes ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) Bicyclists in the Star City and around the world are gearing up to pedal together for the 2024 Ride of Silence. On May 15, the international event honors cyclists who have been killed or injured while riding on public roads. The event seeks to raise awareness that cyclists have a right to use the road and that all road users have an obligation to prioritize safety. To bring the event to Roanoke, the city teamed up with the PedalSafe ROA. Bicyclists will meet at the Cardinal Bicycle and Cafe in Grandin Village at 6:30 p.m. and the ride will start at 7 p.m. The path takes riders on a 5.2-mile journey through the city. Steven Jones, the Sales Manager of Cardinal Bicycles says the goal of this event is to encourage driver safety. Flags fly at half-staff in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day We want people to be more aware. Less looking at the phone and more in touch with whats going on around them. Cyclists are small and easy to forget because we are off the side typically, he added. Jones says with the new traffic patterns and more riders in the Star City, he wants to make sure riders are safe. However, with all of these changes, he says he is seeing a shift within the community. We are seeing better work on greenways and safe places for people to ride. Every year I get out there, there are new demographics, there are new groups of people who are coming together and making their own smaller community of riders. It is really inspiring to me, as someone who has been rising for 20 years, said Jones. In Virginia, drivers must approach and pass a bicycle at a reasonable speed and be at least three feet to the left of the bicyclist. For more safety driving tips, visit the Virginia Department of Transportation website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Czech President Petr Pavel believes it is naive to think that Ukraine will be able to regain the occupied territories from Russia "in the foreseeable future." After all, Russia will not just give them back. Source: Pavel in an interview with Sky News, reported by Ceske Noviny Details: Pavel called for a realistic view of the situation. "I think it would be naive to say that Ukraine can liberate the occupied territories in the foreseeable future. Russia is not going to give up the occupied territories just like that. We need to stop the war and then start discussing future agreements. This may be a compromise, but not without the consent of Ukraine, Russia and the countries that will guarantee this agreement," he said. Later, Pavel added on Twitter (X) that he has long emphasised the need to support Ukraine by all possible means in accordance with international law. "Part of this legitimate support is also increasing the supply of ammunition and military equipment to Ukraine among other things through the Czech ammunition initiative," he wrote. Russia could end the conflict immediately, but it is not interested in doing so as long as it hopes to achieve its goals of invading Ukraine, removing its democratically elected government and demilitarising a sovereign country, he added. However, Pavel said that military support for Ukraine did not rule out finding a solution to end the conflict. "On the contrary, this should happen simultaneously. At the same time, it must be true that any future peace agreement necessarily involves the consent of Ukraine, taking into account its basic interests," he wrote. That is why he accepted an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a conference in Switzerland in June on peace in Ukraine. Pavel's words were interpreted by Lubomir Metnar, the chairman of the Czech parliamentary defence committee, as a call for an end to the war and at the same time an admission that Ukraine might have to make territorial compromises. Andrej Babis, the head of the opposition ANO movement, said that he had been arguing for a year and a half that it was necessary to try to stop the fighting and act diplomatically. Deputy Prime Minister Vit Rakusan said that Pavel is consistent in his position that it is necessary to stop the fighting and negotiate peace in Ukraine. "There is no need to artificially divide the world into those who want peace and those who want war because we all want peace. But not peace on Moscow's terms," he said. He added that the inviolability of Ukraine's territorial integrity and Czechia's determination to help Ukraine diplomatically and militarily remain unchanged. Background: Czech President Petr Pavel does not believe that Western countries have lost hope that Ukraine will win the war. He also said that Europe is at the beginning of a long confrontation with Russia, but it will not necessarily be a military one. Support UP or become our patron! TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of a Visalia man at an apartment complex in 2020, the Tulare County District Attorneys Office announced. According to the DA, on Nov. 28, 2020, the 33-year-old victim and 31-year-old Curtis Williams were arguing in the victims apartment. Surveillance video showed 29-year-old Andrew Hernandez who lived in the neighboring apartment enter the residence holding his waistband. DA: 2 convicted for 2020 Visalia shooting death Through witness testimony, court records state Hernandez gave Williams the gun who then shot the victim in the chest. Both men fled the apartment and the victim was not discovered until he had not been heard from for several days. Attorneys say Hernandez was arrested in early December but Williams fled to the Sacramento area. Williams was eventually arrested on Feb. 9, 2021, after fleeing from authorities on a rooftop and through a Visalia neighborhood. Court documents reveal both men were convicted of first-degree murder on April 23, 2024. The jury found true special allegations that Williams personally used a firearm and personally discharged a firearm causing death. Williams is set to be sentenced in July 2024. The DA states Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison and must serve 26 years, not including CDCR credits, before parole consideration. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The district attorney says a Wichita pawnbroker will have to pay more than $23,000 for engaging in deceptive and unconscionable acts. District Attorney Marc Bennett says a customer complained about Ethan Ma, who was doing business as 1st Gold at Hillside and Pawnee. This embedded content is not available in your region. The customer said she pawned jewelry in August of 2022 to get a $300 loan. She said she made the appropriate payments. When she contacted Ma to get the jewelry back, he allegedly told her he no longer had the jewelry. The DAs Consumer Protection Division says the customer had receipts. Oklahoma sheriff finds name of 1976 missing teen in old BTK crossword puzzle The investigators allegedly found that 1st Gold failed to provide a contract to the customer, had no record of the transaction, and that 1st Golds pawnbroker license expired in December 2021. Court documents say the customer estimated her jewelry was valued at up to $2,000. The DAs office says it demanded that Ma refund the customer, but Ma refused. The Consumer Protection Division says Ma violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. Judge Stephen Ternes signed a default judgment against Ma. It calls for him to pay $23,197. $2,000 of that is for the customer. The rest is for civil penalties, court costs and investigation fees. The court also ordered Ma to refrain from engaging in consumer transactions in Kansas until he is properly licensed and has paid the restitution, costs and fees. Ark City mother dies saving son from drowning; family remembers her passion The district attorneys office advises people to be careful when pawning valuable items, especially those with sentimental value. In the City of Wichita, all pawnbrokers must be licensed, and the license must be posted in a conspicuous place near the entrance. Also, each loan must have a written contract, and the borrower must get a copy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. The Jewish people have an exclusive and inalienable right to all parts of the Land of Israel. The government will promote and develop the settlement of all parts of the Land of Israel in the Galilee, the Negev, the Golan and Judea and Samaria. The phrase using the biblical concept that includes at least the area covering modern-day Israel and Palestine and is included in the policy guidelines of the coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes on different forms today, a year and a half after the administration was sworn in, in the deserted hills of the West Bank where every inhospitable hectare of land ends up as a battlefield amid a settlement drive that Israel has quietly accelerated, taking advantage of attention being focused on the invasion of Gaza. Look, this one is new. It wasnt here a few weeks ago. That makes 14 since October alone, says Dror Etkes, an Israeli activist with unparalelled knowledge of settlement expansion, during a tour of the area. Since February, the Israeli government has declared more than 1,097 hectares state territory, which makes it easier to build or expand Jewish settlements. The figure already makes 2024 a record year over the past three decades. Settlement in the West Bank has been steadily rising for years but the war in Gaza and a government in which religious nationalism closely linked to the promotion of settlements occupies a key place have created a perfect mix for it to explode. Our right to the Land of Israel is anchored in the Bible, Netanyahu, a secular Jew who increasingly offers gestures to the religious right in the form of biblical references, stated Tuesday. Etkes himself, who has been following the colonization effort for three decades and heads the NGO Kerem Navot, finds it hard to keep up with new developments. It is increasingly common to see a handful of caravans at a strategic halt. They are secretly assembled by religious ultranationalists who often say that they do not need any other document of ownership than the Bible, in which God bestows these lands to the Jewish people. These groups of young Israelis today know three things: that their own people are installed in the government; that their new settlement will survive, even if it violates Israeli law; and that they only need to exercise patience. Mini-settlements often end up receiving protection and more-or-less covert institutional and private support. Genuine dormitory towns were also just a handful of houses decades ago. Barriers next to a military base painted with the phrases "revenge" and "death to the Arabs," in the West Bank. Antonio Pita In February, the Israeli Civil Administration, the Defense Ministry agency that manages the day-to-day running of the military occupation of the West Bank, declared 264 hectares of state land between the settlements of Maale Adumim and Kedar, east of Jerusalem. A month later, it added another 800 hectares in the Jordan Valley, to which a few dozen more have since been tacked on. To understand the dimension of the recent expansion, the total is slightly less than half of the 2,400 hectares declared state land between 2018 and 2023. The declaration of state land is based on a self-serving Israeli interpretation of a 19th-century Ottoman-era law to take advantage of crops. Since international law prevents Israel as an occupying power from confiscating land for its own benefit, it revived the Ottoman law at its convenience to appropriate lands in the West Bank that had been uncultivated for years. The reason for this is that the original owners became refugees, because the Israeli army prohibited access to the lands, because they feared attacks by settlers. The second government of Yitzhak Rabin (1992-1995) ordered a halt to the establishment of new settlements when it was negotiating the Oslo Accords, but Netanyahu resumed them that same decade in his first term in office. Through this legal interpretation, Israel has declared 16% of the West Bank state land which it has occupied militarily since it seized it during the 1967 Six-Day War according to data from Peace Now, the countrys leading peace NGO. Dror Etkes, in his vehicle, with a map of the West Bank. Patricia Martinez (EFE) Abandoned villages A long black pipe runs from a military base to Malajei Hashalom, providing water, even though it is forbidden in theory as Israel considers the settlement illegal. Just above the ruins of Ein Ar Rashash, a Bedouin village whose inhabitants left for fear of settler aggression, another settlement has sprung up: Gal Yosef. Etkes estimates that between 15,000 and 20,000 hectares have been inaccessible to Palestinians since October. A barrier of stones and sand prevents the more than 3,000 inhabitants of Duma from going out onto the road. It is, along with the smaller Mughayir, the only Palestinian town standing between Ramum, to the west, the city of Jericho, near the Jordanian border, and the settlement of Maale Efraim. A year ago, you could see Bedouin shepherds here, and now its deserted, Etkes says. Only the remnants of their former shanty towns, which were removed to less dangerous parts of the West Bank, or new attempts at settlements, can be seen. On the Alon road, which crosses the West Bank perpendicularly, and between signs and barriers in Hebrew painted with phrases such as revenge or death to the Arabs, there are no cars with green or white license plates those of Palestinians without permission to access Israel or other areas of the West Bank under its control, such as East Jerusalem. Partly this is out of fear following the murder a month ago of an Israeli teenager, which sparked a wave of attacks on Palestinians, Etkes explains. Last month with the embers of the Iran-Israel escalation and the focus on protests on U.S. university campuses over an invasion that has left more than 35,000 Palestinians dead Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ordered ministries to connect infrastructure, provide municipal services, and construct public buildings in some 60 small settlements that the country itself considers illegal. It is the implementation of a decision from last year in which the government urged the necessary measures be taken to connect to essential infrastructure and construct public and educational buildings in certain settlements that the government intends to act to regulate. Some were already connected, but through nearby settlements or to infrastructures considered temporary. An Israeli military vehicle at the entrance to the Malajei Hashalom settlement, in the West Bank. Antonio Pita Although less loud and popular than Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is next on the electoral list, Smotrich is the most powerful ultra-nationalist in the government. Not only because his hand controls the purse strings but also because, during negotiations with a Netanyahu desperate to return to power, he snatched a post in the Defense Ministry that gives him broad command over civilian affairs in the West Bank. The NGO Peace Now defined Smotrichs decision as legalization by the back door. The measure sidesteps international condemnation and legal issues and protects settlements from demolition, which the current government has virtually stopped enforcing but the next one might resume. According to local media, the ministers document includes instructions such as the establishment of educational institutions, the construction of roads, and related to day-to-day matters such as health insurance funds. The decision de facto equates 500 small outposts to settlements. Although all settlements in which some 700,000 people live are illegal under international law, Israeli political vocabulary usually distinguishes between neighborhoods (the large, residential areas in East Jerusalem), settlements (those in the West Bank that it considers legal, generally established decades ago) and outposts, smaller and considered illegal by Israel. These began to be established in the 1990s, after the signing of the Oslo Accords. An Israeli man tends cattle along a West Bank road. Antonio Pita The departure of Palestinians for fear of aggression by settlers who have become increasingly indistinguishable from soldiers have also skyrocketed since October, following the massive mobilization of reservists. Nearly 20 localities, with more than 1,000 inhabitants (generally Bedouins belonging to the same family clan and living on agriculture and livestock), have dismantled their homes and set out in search of a less exposed site. It is a phenomenon often with the connivance or passivity of the military closely linked to the expansion of the settlements in the form of farms, which allow for the control of a lot of territory with little effort. The increase in attacks on Palestinians and left-wing activists, the settlers growing sense of impunity and, in general, the atmosphere that has prevailed since the Hamas attacks on October 7 leads Etkes to take precautions. He does not own a vehicle, to avoid the settlers becoming familiar with him, and he does not want the one he rents or his face to appear in photos, to make it difficult for him to be identified. The stops are short. At one, two armed security guards ask what he is doing. There is tension and they insult him as he gets back in the car, but things dont escalate. I have the right accent and skin color, he says of being an Israeli Jew. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Rutherford County Schools Director James "Jimmy" Sullivan has taken to social media again to ask for the community's help, but it isn't for his son, Asher. Sullivan's post is for the family of Yousuf Ayesh, the 11-year-old Murfreesboro boy who died Tuesday from incurable brain cancer. "Yousuf was down the hall from us this week at Vandy (Vanderbilt children's hospital)," Sullivan wrote in a Tuesday night post. "His dad and I shared a devastating hug (Tuesday morning) that only the two of us can understand. Please help his family if you can." Sullivan's post included a link that shows a photo of Yousuf in his favorite red shirt to promote a gofundme.com account, set up to help the boy's family. Murfreesboro Muslim Youth, a group that seeks to help people in need in the community, organized the fund-raising account. Asher and Yousuf: Tennessee community mourns Yousuf, prays for Asher after tornadoes Yousuf Ayesh a student at Black Fox Elementary has died after battling brain cancer at Vanderbilt Children's hospital. Official condolences, known as "Azza," to show support for Yousuf's family, are planned for 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15 at the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, 2605 Veals Road, a congregation official announced after the boy's funeral Tuesday night. A candle vigil "in loving memory of Yousuf Ayesh" is also scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Murfreesboro's Black Fox Elementary, where he was enrolled as a fifth-grader. He has a younger sister who attends the school and an older sister at Rutherford County's Central Magnet School in downtown Murfreesboro. Sullivan's 10-year-old son, Asher, remains in critical condition Wednesday. The boy suffered severe brain damage after getting caught in a storm drain on May 8. He was swept under neighborhood streets where his family lives in the Christiana community on the southside of Rutherford County. 'Asher needs a miracle': Middle Tennessee prayer vigil sees 500+ after storm injures boy In addition to the post about Yousuf, Sullivan gave a brief update about Asher earlier on Tuesday. "Had some issues with blood pressure, but his brain stem was able to control his temperature," Sullivan wrote. "Asher's brain is severely damaged. The reality is that the things Asher could do before, he will not be able to do if he recovers (without unexplainable healing). "We will love and cherish any version of Asher we are blessed to keep if that is what is best for Asher." A prayer vigil was held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, for Asher Sullivan, seen here in a family photo, the son of Superintendent/Director of Schools at Rutherford County Schools James "Jimmy" Sullivan, who was involved in a tragic accident last night after the storm, on Wednesday. Community response for Asher: Helmet stickers for Tennessee storm-injured Asher Sullivan 'show love towards the family' The director then went on to outline specific prayer requests for his son: "swelling of his brain subsides and the brain herniation resolves;" "Asher starts to take some breaths on his own again;" "no new negative changes" "pupils show more responses." "We love you Asher," Sullivan said to conclude the Tuesday post. No changes had been observed in the boy overnight Tuesday, Sullivan noted in a separate post. "We are reaching a point where we really are needing some positive signs," he wrote. James "Jimmy" Sullivan 'Damage is substantial': Rutherford Schools director shares details about injured 10-year-old son, Asher Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Middle Tennessee dad asks for support for child who died of cancer The state purchased Hampstead Hospital in 2022 with $15.5 million in federal pandemic aid to expand the states treatment for children and young adults. (Annmarie Timmins | New Hampshire Bulletin) Over the objections of mental health advocates and others two years ago, the state chose a private company that primarily works with incarcerated adults to provide psychiatric treatment to children at Hampstead Hospital. With that $52.5 million contract up, the Department of Health and Human Services is replacing Wellpath Recovery Services with Dartmouth Health, which has provided behavioral health treatment at New Hampshire Hospital and the Glencliff Home, a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities, for nearly 30 years. The department did not return a message asking why it wants to part ways with Wellpath, which has been criticized for its care of inmates by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Disability Law Center. It was all also unclear whether Wellpath was one of the two organizations that submitted a bid for the two-year contract. A message to Wellpath, which is based in Nashville, was not returned. The state purchased Hampstead Hospital in 2022 with $15.5 million in federal pandemic aid to expand the states treatment for children and young adults. At the time, prior DHHS Commissioner Lori Shibinette said the state chose Wellpath without seeking bids from other providers because there was not time to go through an extensive bidding process. The department put the new contract out to bid in November. Shibinettes successor, Commissioner Lori Weaver, told the Executive Council Wednesday that Dartmouth scored highest. As of Tuesday, approximately 30 of Hampsteads 74 beds were full, with five children waiting for admission, according to the departments tracker. Weaver said she hopes to open up the additional beds by recruiting more staff. The council unanimously approved Weavers $9.5 million request to expand its partnership with Dartmouth. Doing so will bring the states existing two-year contract with Dartmouth for behavioral health care in all three locations from $61.5 million to $71.1 million. The existing 170 Hampstead staff members have been asked to stay on as state employees. We hope that they all stay, Weaver said. We want them to continue to provide the care and not miss a beat with the work that theyve been doing. Theyre great staff, and were lucky to have them. Weaver told councilors that partnering with Dartmouth at Hampstead makes sense for a number of reasons. Dartmouth will continue the treatment model its offering at New Hampshire Hospital and the Glencliff Home, which mental health advocates like NAMI New Hampshire have supported, Weaver wrote in her request to the council. Dartmouth can leverage positions in the other locations, and monitoring the work of just a single provider would be easier than overseeing two, she told the council. The $9.5 million for Hampstead Hospital would cover the annual cost of a chief medical officer, medical director, psychiatrists, advanced practice registered nurses, and a behavioral analyst for about 890 people ages 5 to 25, according Weavers request. Weaver told councilors the department will seek to repurpose additional funding for several other positions, including counselors, nurses, social workers, and pharmacists. Susan Stearns, executive director at NAMI New Hampshire, said Monday she supports expanding Dartmouths treatment to Hampstead because her community has been so pleased with the care family members have received at the state hospital. She experienced the same, she said, when her family member was hospitalized. This (existing partnership) between the state and Dartmouth has really ensured that Granite Staters who need that level of care have access to some of the highest quality care in the country, she said. We know this has worked well for people in our state. Building upon that makes sense. Audra Burns, spokesperson for Dartmouth Health, said that level of care will continue at Hampstead. We are proud of the health care innovations and compassionate care we provide in communities throughout New Hampshire, including the specialized clinical leadership and psychiatric services at state-run facilities such as New Hampshire Hospital, she said. The post Dartmouth takes over psychiatric treatment for children at Hampstead Hospital appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin. The Holy Land and its syzygy of faiths has no natives, only interlopers. Nobody calls holiness homealthough, ironically, doing so is an all-too-human habit. Of the millions of interlopers over millennia in what is today Israel-Palestine, two matter most to me: a pair of 12th-century brothers who lived a days trek from Venice and pilgrimagedcrusaded even, since it was during the Third Crusadeall the way to Bethlehem to serve as tarajmeh (interpreters) between priests and pilgrims at the Church of the Nativity. Those brothers, their names lost to time, began my Palestinian family line: the Dabdoubs. For centuries, they were dutiful students of languages until the latter 1800s, when they flexed their polyglot powers and became internationally acclaimed merchants. Their journeys began on the backs of camels or donkeys and ended on the gangplanks of steamships in Hong Kong, Kingston, Manila, Melbourne, Merida, New York, Port au Prince, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, and Singapore. They exhibited at the U.S. Centennial in Philadelphia in 1876 and won a medal as exhibitors at the 1893 Worlds Fair in Chicago. They had a mother-of-pearl Bible cover commissioned by Czar Nicholas II. They owned shops on six continents. They had a word (Amerka)that, yes, meant America but became a stand-in for the exotic possibilities of the far-flung world. When my great-grandfather visited New York for a few years starting in 1907, he saw construction of the worlds tallest building and Wilbur Wright showcasing his Flyer by zooming around the still-bronze Statue of Liberty. To be a Dabdoub in those days was a wondrous adventure. A British historian chronicling my familys ascent was inspired to render his storytelling through magical realism. Back home, Bethlehem built family palaces to rival Beirut. My grandfather became the founding director of a new childrens hospital. It was an amazing time to be Palestinian. Then came the Nakba. Suddenly, the backyard of my mothers childhood homeonce a brimming orchardwas a refugee camp. A zaarour shrub in the front garden is the lone survivor. I sorely miss the taste of its jam. Nakba commonly refers to what is known in English as the Arab-Israeli War of 1947, which ended with Israels declaring its statehood on May 14, 1948, the day after which is recognized by Arabs as Nakba Day. After Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped more than 200 hostages, the fallout of Oct. 7 has surpassed Hanukkah, Christmas, Rosh Hashanah, Ramadan, Easter, and Passover. Now it meets the most sacred of secular days for Palestinians: Nakba, at once the most vital and least understood aspect of Israeli-Palestinian relations. Because Nakba and Shoah, the Hebrew word for the Holocaust, both mean catastrophe in English, and because both are rooted in the 1940s, they are often equated or conflated. More than 700,000 Palestinians lost their homes and were displaced in the Nakba, and its estimated that 15,000 were killed (less than half of the 35,000 Palestinian deaths since Oct. 7). Of course, death-toll matchups are a grim matter. The Holocausts 6 million deaths are dwarfed by Josef Stalins 20 million or Mao Zedongs 45 million to 65 million. That doesnt make them any less horrific or important. The authors family in Paris in 1927 (his great-grandfather stands in the back row, center, holding the baby); a family portrait painted in 1900. Courtesy of Richard Morgan Though the death toll of the Holocaust was far greater in number than that of the Nakba, the proportion of victimsand the weight of collective painis very similar. The U.N. counts nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees. Nearly 80 percent of Palestinian land was taken over by Israel in the conflict in 194749 alone. That percentage has only risen since. Hamas hostages from Oct. 7 have been held for 221 days. Their families and many the world over have been understandably heartbroken and tortured by witnessing innocent people ripped from their homes and are uncertain if they will ever return. Hostages and other political prisoners are never justified. Many of the Nakbas victims and their families have felt something similar for 27,759 days. As a matter of pride and resilience, many still keep the keys to their old homes. But there is another crucial difference between Nakba and the Holocaust: The Holocaust ended. The Nakba continues to this day because, in another divergence from the Holocaust, nobody was ever put on trial for the Nakbas crimes. For all the sanctity of Holocaust remembrance and never again, every day of Israels existence has been a remembrance for Palestinians of Nakba and its forever again trauma. There is no war in Gaza. There is no occupation. There is only Nakba. Nakba today. Nakba tomorrow. Nakba forever. Nakba all the way down. Literally. The first thing we encounter in most digs in Israel is a Palestinian village, said Raphael Greenberg, of Tel Aviv University, to Israeli press in September 2023. Greenberg led the first archaeological dig dedicated to the Nakba. The Nakba is the most important thing to understand if you hope to understand the current conflict. It is commemorated every year on May 15, today, coinciding with Israeli Independence Day, and its centrality to Palestinian life weighs enormously heavy this year, the first of the latest brutal war. Nakba is more than a historical event; for the Palestinian people, its a lived reality and generational trauma every day. For whatever military, terrorist, and political acts and errors by both sides of this conflict since 1948, Palestinians have been denied the right to call their home their home. If a cease-fire begins today without a broader solution to that problem, the conflict will go on interminably. Until this reality is redressed in some way that satisfies most Palestinians, the Nakba will go on forever, and so will the bloody conflicts in the land. Israel, unfortunately, seems uninterested in change. Its leaders say they are fighting Hamas by bombing hospitals and universities, shooting at bread lines and journalists, and firing rockets into vans of aid workers and a civilian population thats 50 percent children. The Western press reports this as a crisis in Gaza even as it acknowledges an uptick of Israeli mob violence against Palestinians in the West Bank too, including Israeli military agents who disguised themselves as doctors to infiltrate a hospital for an assassination. The reality is that Israel is fighting what it has always fought: Palestinian existence. Right now, one goal: Nakba! A Nakba that will overshadow the Nakba of 48, trumpeted an October tweet by Ariel Kallner, a member of Israels Knesset within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud party. In November, Avi Dichter, Netanyahus agriculture minister and a member of his security Cabinet, proudly said Israel was rolling out what he called Nakba 2023. Netanyahus most radical Cabinet ministers have openly called for mass Israeli settlement of the Gaza Strip. Israels champions crow about its right to defend itself or its right to exist without ever completing the thought: Theyre talking about Israel defending itself against Palestinian existence and political power and claiming a right to exist on Palestinian land. Ask them about sumud, the Palestinian concept of steadfastness that dares to assert our own right to exist. Anti-Palestinian critics flag that there has never been a nation called Palestine. Thats true. But it intentionally ignores many other truths, the foremost being that nation-states are a relatively new concept. For centuries, as occurred in a lot of the world, Palestinians were passed from empire to empire. (Fun fact: The originator of an independent Jewish state was Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799, fresh from colonizing Egypt and eager to leverage Jewish allies in his quest to control Jerusalem). So what if Palestine has never been a nation? Neither has Puerto Rico; does that deny its people their right to independence or self-determination? (If you think this is an imperfect comparison, there are several other examples to choose from.) Regardless, this doesnt erase the fact and pain of dispossession and disempowerment since the Nakba. It hardly needs to be said that for millennia, Israel was not a nation either. For Jews and Israelis, of all people, to argue that Palestinians history of statelessness means they dont deserve statehood requires a scale of hypocrisy that strains imagination. The great sweep of the Nakbas catastrophe is that when national identity finally came to Greater Jerusalem, lets call it, it arrived without regard for empathy or equality for most of the people who were already there. The Nakba forced Palestinians to wake up one day in a state that denied their existence. But the pain, then and now, is not merely about displacement; what happened in the 1940s was gruesomely violent. Survivors hadnt just gotten kicked out of their homesPrime Minister Golda Meir, who infamously said The Palestinian people do not exist, lived in oneor had their prized possessions stolen. Their homes had been bombed at night by the Haganah, the terrorist group that became the Israel Defense Forces. Haganah militants raped children. They tied together elders, shot them, and dumped them into mass graves. They severed fingers to loot jewelry. Its not only Palestinians who mourn this history. Prominent Jewish Israelis at the time were horrified by it too, and Jewish Israeli reporters have uncovered much of it. What happened in Galileethose are Nazi acts! read a 1948 report about a briefing given by Israel Galili, the former Haganah chief. The report, held in the Yad Yaari archive at Givat Haviva, the national education center of the Kibbutz Federation, was written by Aharon Cohen, a committee member of Israels left-wing Mapam party. So vile was the Nakba that David Ben-Gurion, Israels founding leader, bemoaned, just two months into Israels existence: It turned out that most of the Jews are thieves. Nakba survivors witnessed what kind of Israelis its founders chose to be and asked themselves what kind of Palestinians they would strive to become in response. They saw how overnight statehood ruined a stateless people, their leaders and many of their followers mission curdling Israels Jewish nationalism into a selfishness so systemic that Amnesty International has outed it as apartheid, the U.N. Human Rights Council has found reasonable grounds for genocide, and even a recent White House report concluded that it was reasonable to assess that Israel has operated since Oct. 7 in instances inconsistent with its [international humanitarian law] obligations or with established best practices for mitigating civilian harm. Palestinian statelessness is just a part of Israeli leaders soullessness. Some Palestinians have chosen violence in response, and thats tragica moral error, in my opinionjust as its a tragedy and moral error that some Jewish Israelis have turned their pain and fear into ethnic violence and hatred. But many others have responded with less vengeful and less vindictive forms of sumud. In the pro-Palestinian protests that have electrified college studentsand facultynationwide, a whole generation of Americans is experiencing Nakba by proxy. Protesters wanted solidarity with Palestinians and have endured weeks of surveillance, threats of expulsion, accusations of terrorism, goading by antagonists, lockdowns and checkpoints, police raids, arrests for exercising their rights, demonization in the presseven strictures on food, medicine, housing, and access to libraries. Palestinian solidarity doesnt get more solid than that. Similarly, the Irish prime minister resigned under political pressure after saying, of Israels overwhelmingly disproportionate response to the Oct. 7 attacks, What Im seeing unfolding at the moment isnt just self-defense. It resembles something more approaching revenge. If there is any silver lining to Israels atrocities since October, its that the world is now seeing the daily Nakba that Palestinians have always known. On my most recent trip to Bethlehem, in December 2019, I went on a date. We mostly sat in his car and talked. And kissed. Promise me, he said, gesturing at the separation wall, that you will do everything out there that I cannot do in here. I promised. Im living that promise now. I wonder how many of Octobers I Stand With Israel folks are still standing. They dont stand with Martin Luther King Jr., who said in 1967: I think for the ultimate peace and security of the situation it will probably be necessary for Israel to give up this conquered territory because to hold on to it will only exacerbate the tensions and deepen the bitterness of the Arabs. And they dont stand with Nelson Mandela, who said in 1990: We identify with the PLO because, just like ourselves, they are fighting for the right of self-determination. We do not mean that Israel has the right to retain the territories they conquered from the Arab world, like the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank. We dont agree with that. Those territories should be returned to the Arab people. Peace cannot come from choosing sides. But it can come from choosing empathy and embracing the new truths that reveals. Thats the only way out of the Sykes-Picot peace to end all peace, which formed the Middle East more than a century ago. The cure to the crisis is not the recognition of Palestine and the dignities that come with it. And its not the displacement of as many Israelis in a mass act of vengeance. That would just be a counter-Nakba. The fix is the undoing of the Nakba, not merely the mourning of it. Anything less is as unhelpful as Black History Month and Juneteenth without real policies toward racial equity, or drivers licenses for unauthorized immigrants without fixing our immigration systems doom loop. One-state or two-state, what matters is Palestinians right to self-determination. Palestinian self-determination requires dismantling the status quonot a destruction but a do-over. Israelis have a right to self-determination too, but Israel does not have a right to whatever existence it chooses. Last year, Israels finance minister gloated: I may be a far-right persona homophobe, racist, fascistbut my word is my bond. Israels leaders and their supporters have chosen to exist as an apartheid, racist, theocratic military occupation; all the weaponry in the world cannot secure moral defense for itthough they keep trying. The world must now answer a question it has avoided for 76 years: How much will it let Israel push the Nakba toward its ultimate conclusion? President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump agreed on Wednesday to meet for presidential debates in June and September, after Biden posted a video challenging the presumptive GOP nominee to square off and make my day, pal. Their plans include a CNN debate on June 27 and an ABC debate on Sept. 10. Those are the only details on the events so far. Trump also suggested a third debate in October on Fox News, but Bidens team said they only agreed to two. President Biden made his terms clear for two one-on-one debates, and Donald Trump accepted those terms. No more games. No more chaos, no more debate about debates, said Jen OMalley Dillon, chair of the 2024 Biden-Harris campaign. Trump, in a post to Truth Social on Wednesday morning, said he was ready and willing to face off against Biden at least twice. Lets get ready to Rumble!!! Trump wrote. The two presumptive major-party nominees agreed on the dates themselves, circumventing the Commission on Presidential Debates. The nonpartisan commission, the group that normally handles organizing the events, had wanted to set them for after the start of early voting in the fall, which both campaigns objected to. Now, one of the debates is slated to happen before either Biden or Trump officially becomes their respective partys presidential nominee at conventions over the summer. Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasnt shown up for a debate. Now hes acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. pic.twitter.com/AkPmvs2q4u Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 15, 2024 Biden taunted Trump in a video posted on X: Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020 and since then he hasnt shown up to debate. Now hes acting like he wants to debate me again, Biden said, referring to their two fiery pandemic-era meetings, including one in Cleveland that sparked a COVID outbreak. I hear youre free on Wednesdays, Biden teased, referring to the day that Trump has off from his hush money trial in New York City. Trumps legal troubles have prevented him from campaigning as intensely as he has in past elections. In a matter of hours and with little back and forth on social media, the two candidates reached a quick consensus. But their posts underscored whats expected to be a series of nasty meetings ahead of a bitterly contested election. I would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds Thats only because he doesnt get them, Trump wrote. Republican senators suggested that Biden asked for the debate because polls show Biden trailing Trump. They see that their numbers are not improving and their strategy of keeping Trump bottled up in courtrooms is not working for them, Cynthia Lummis (R-Wy.) told HuffPost. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), a Trump critic who is retiring at the end of the year, says the debates should be entertaining and informative. Like the two old guys on the Muppets, he said. Crooked Joe Biden is the WORST debater I have ever faced - He cant put two sentences together! Crooked is also the WORST President in the history of the United States, by far. Its time for a debate so that he can explain to the American People his highly destructive Open Border Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 15, 2024 Trump refused one of the 2020 presidential debates when organizers announced it would be held virtually amid the pandemic, though he and Biden still faced each other twice prior to the last election. The former president also skipped the 2024 GOP primary debates. But in recent months, Trump has been taunting Biden on the campaign trail, calling for more debates than usual and placing an empty lectern on the stage at his rallies to represent where Biden could stand. Trump also suggested a presidential debate at the courthouse in New York City, where he is on trial for falsifying business records related to hush money paid to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels. Anytime, anyplace, Trump said of debating Biden at a rally earlier this year. A Day Without Childcare in NC seeks to stress the importance funding needs Child care centers are facing a financial cliff when stabilization grants expire June 30, 2024. (Photo: SDI Productions/ Getty Image) Losing childcare triggers a mad scramble for parents. It may mean missing some work while trying to patch together temporary childcare arrangements with family or friends. Childcare providers are warning that what is a tremor shaking individual households is about to be felt statewide as federal COVID-19 relief money runs out and more childcare businesses have to shut down or raise their fees to stay afloat. Childcare providers, workers, parents, and officials with Gov. Roy Coopers administration have been warning for months that the childcare system is sliding down a financial cliff. They have been pleading with the state legislature to help fill the funding gap. About one-third of childcare programs that responded to a North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral Council survey in February said they would have to close within a year after the federal money runs out. Bipartisan House and Senate bills that proposed spending $300 million to compensate for the end of the federal support did not make it into the final budget last year. To help get a taste of life without childcare, centers around the state are closing Thursday while parents and childcare workers gather in Raleigh to talk to legislators about the funding needs. At least 47 childcare centers around the state plan to close as part of A Day Without Childcare, according to the National Domestic Workers Alliance. Seventy-one centers that could not close are sending representatives to the gathering. The alliance is expecting hundreds of people to meet on Halifax Mall behind the Legislative Building. Dee Dee Fields is closing her center in Durham on Thursday as she worries about the trajectory of her own business and others like hers, as well as the working parents who struggle to pay to have professionals watch over their children. Fields, the owner of Landeeingdam Dosland Daycare in Durham, started her business 32 years ago when she had trouble finding reliable care for her young daughter. The daycare has the capacity to care for 17 children, but enrollment is down to five children. Fields can no longer afford to pay employees she hired with COVID relief money. The inability to pay teachers means childcare centers must close classrooms. That means fewer children are being served, Fields said. Thats wrong. Thats so wrong on every level. At the same time, low-income working parents are struggling to make up the difference between the subsidies they receive and the cost of tuition. Fields said legislators just dont want to spend enough on education. The money is there, she said. You have the expectation of us being high-quality providers without providing the support. It just doesnt make sense. As for falling over the financial cliff, Fields said thats already happened, with childcare centers having already shuttered and more expected to close. Childcare operators are passionate about quality care and education, Fields said. While the passion may fuel our mission, she said, it doesnt pay our bills. The post A Day Without Childcare in NC seeks to stress the importance funding needs appeared first on NC Newsline. DC police: Man arrested in connection to burglary of Southeast business WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man was arrested for burglarizing a business in Southeast D.C. on Tuesday night. Police said that at about 11:40 p.m., a man forced his way into a business in the 1100 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, stole some items and left. OAG: Calvert County police chase ends in fatal crash; Independent Investigations Division to investigate Officers found the man hiding in a nearby shed with the stolen items. The man was identified as 57-year-old Warren Lewis of Southeast D.C. He was arrested and charged with Burglary Two. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. A DCPS school police officer has been arrested and a security guard was terminated at Mandarin Middle School earlier today. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Principal Julie Humphreys addressed developments regarding two staff members in an official statement released to Mandarin Middle School families involving two staff members, Officer Curtis Omarr Williams and security guard Nathan David Behar. Regarding the first incident, Principal Humphreys announced that Williams had been reportedly arrested on a battery charge, touching or striking, with no injury. The alleged incident occurred within the school premises on November 15th, involving an adult victim. Williams was promptly removed from the school following the incident. After a thorough investigation, Duval County School Police obtained approval from the State Attorneys Office for his arrest, which took place off-campus. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office has confirmed that Williams is currently in custody. In a separate incident, security guard Behar is facing termination proceedings due to allegations of making inappropriate statements of a sexual nature directed toward middle school students. Principal Humphreys revealed that an investigation started on May 3rd following a report from a concerned parent. The allegations were immediately reported to the Department of Children and Families for further action. Expressing disappointment at the turn of events, Principal Humphreys stated: While this is all disappointing news, I hope this assures you that we have high standards for employee conduct and will take appropriate action to ensure that we are providing students and families with a safe and appropriate learning environment. Officer Curtis O. Williams, hired in September 2022 as a School Safety Officer, had been assigned to Mandarin Middle School at the time of the incident. However, details of his previous assignments remain undisclosed pending the release of a redacted arrest report. Similarly, Nathan D. Behar, who joined the staff on March 28, 2024, had been exclusively serving at Mandarin Middle School. Action News Jax has sought to obtain arrest reports and mugshots of both individuals to provide further clarity on the situation. As this story develops, updates will be provided as additional details emerge. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Little Rock attorney Ali Noland, at lectern, tells Arkansas Board of Education members on May 5, 2023, that they do not have the authority to grant the Marvell-Elaine School District permission to enter into a transformation contract with the Friendship Education Foundation. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate) Today is the final day to submit public comments on rules governing transformation contracts between struggling Arkansas school districts and a third party, like a charter management organization. The LEARNS Act, a 2023 law that made sweeping changes to Arkansas education system, allows a public school with a D or F-rating or one classified as in need of Level 5 Intensive Support to partner with an open-enrollment public charter school or another state-approved entity to create a transformation campus. The draft rule defines a transformation campus as a public school or district thats led by a transformation campus operator with the intent to return management to a traditional public school or district after accelerated, meaningful, and sustainable increases in student achievement have been achieved. The Marvell-Elaine School District last year entered into the states first transformation contract with Friendship Education Foundation, a charter management organization based in Washington, D.C., that operates charter schools around the country, including seven in Arkansas, according to state data. When the Arkansas Board of Education assumed authority of Marvell-Elaine last July, the eastern Arkansas district had a Level 5 classification and both of its schools had an F-rating. The district had previously been in fiscal distress from April 2019 to September 2021. Under the transformation contract, Friendship manages day-to-day operations, but Marvell-Elaine remains a public school district and maintains core pieces of its identity like the school mascot and colors. According to the draft rule, districts that enter into a transformation contract would also maintain ownership of facilities, buildings and land that belonged to the district prior to the contract. Marvell-Elaine superintendent Phong Tran said the state has been a great partner and provided assistance when needed. Tran said the community has also been supportive as Friendship has focused on educating students and reintroducing events that generate parental engagement. The initial term of Marvell-Elaines transformation contract with Friendship runs from Aug. 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. Under the contract, Friendship has full oversight, management and operation of the district during the initial term, and the contract can be extended. Likewise, the contract can be terminated prior to its expiration date. The district is scheduled to pay $650,012, including an $83,334 initial payment, to Friendship during the first three years of the contract. Friendship is no stranger to taking the reins at struggling schools. In Arkansas, Friendship has taken over campuses that belonged to Covenant Keepers College Preparatory Charter School, Southeast Arkansas Preparatory High School and Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools. Based on those experiences, Tran said it can take three to five years to transform a school. It always takes time, I mean just coming into a school and expecting a miracle doesnt always happen like that, he said. You need to come in, see where the school is at, see where kids [are] at, see where the communitys at and then work your plan there. When the state board approved the draft rules for public comment in April, Arkansas Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Stacy Smith told board members that Marvell-Elaines contract falls under the proposed rules. Weve operated under what the law has allowed us to operate, Smith said. These rules are now giving us more clarity as we move forward with future transformation contracts. The draft rules would require the transformation campus operator during the first two years of the contract to provide quarterly reports that include information to allow the monitoring of academic performance and educational efficiency. During this two-year period, the school will receive an alternate letter grade and the state education board wouldnt take additional action for failure to satisfy academic performance standards. Smith said the rules provide an alternate accountability period so districts can try different things without being penalized by the states accountability system. This is like a shot in the arm, she said. Were doing something drastic and major to get this going because were failing kids and weve got to do something drastic. Under the draft rules, a transformation contract for a school or district under state authority (like Marvell-Elaine) cannot extend beyond the time the district is under state authority. Let us know what you think... State education officials would review annually the required reports, and if they determine sufficient growth hasnt been made, the education commissioner can immediately terminate the contract and request the state board to consider other options available for a district under state authority. The rules also permit a district thats not under state authority to enter into a transformation contract; however, it will become void if the state board assumes authority during the term of the contract. To be eligible to participate in a transformation contract, the draft rule would require charter organizations like Friendship to maintain at least a C rating at all of its public charter schools for the three previous school years, and to have no significant findings on the prior years annual financial audit. The rule would also prohibit organizations from participating if they have operated a school with a charter that was revoked, surrendered or expired. Additionally, the draft rule would require that the contract identify annual goals, milestones and performance targets, and include a provision by which it can be terminated if the contract leads to worse student outcomes than prior to the contract. Feedback collected during the 30-day comment period, as well as from a public hearing in April, may be used to craft the final version of the rule, which must receive final approval from the state education board and a legislative committee. Public comments on the draft rule can be emailed to ADE.RulesComments@ade.arkansas.gov. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Deadline approaching for public input on Arkansas transformation contract rule appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. Fighting between the Sudanese Army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group and allied militias has intensified in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan's North Darfur state. In a dramatic escalation of violence, fighting has broken out in the north and east of El Fasher -- also commonly known as Al Fashir -- with the sound of airstrikes, artillery fire and heavy weapons ringing from mid-morning on Friday into the weekend. At least 27 people have been killed in the renewed fighting and at least 130 people injured, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. PHOTO: An internally displaced woman carries aids in sacks after collecting from a group at a camp in Gedaref, Sudan, on May 12, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Militants have committed crimes against humanity in Sudan, Human Rights Watch report warns An estimated 850 people across various locations in El Fasher have also been displaced by the most recent clashes, with many people fleeing southward, the U.N. said in an alert. The violence comes as the U.S. warned of a looming offensive on El Fasher -- one of the only remaining cities in the Sudanese Army's control -- by the RSF Paramilitary group and allied militias. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said he is "gravely concerned" by the escalating violence in El Fasher, expressing alarm at the "use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas" that have resulted in dozens of civilian casualties and "significant" displacement and destruction of infrastructure. Around 800,000 civilians are believed to be trapped in the besieged city -- which was a key humanitarian hub and safe refuge to hundreds of thousands already displaced by the conflict. As militants encircle the city, U.N. Relief Chief Martin Griffiths warned the situation is at a "tipping point": "Countless lives are at stake." An airstrike by the SAF over the weekend near the Babiker Nahar Paediatric Hospital's Intensive Care Unit caused the hospital's roof to collapse, killing three people, including two children, according to a statement from Medecins Sans Frontieres, which is known as Doctors Without Borders or MSF. PHOTO: Newly arrived refugees from Darfur in Sudan sit on a vehicle before being taken to a new camp on April 24, 2024 in Adre, Chad. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) The incident came after 160 wounded people recently arrived at the hospital, 25 of whom were in terminal condition upon arrival, and have since died. "This must not happen again," said MSF in a statement. "We remind the warring parties with the utmost gravity that hospitals and health facilities must not be targeted or become collateral damage in a conflict." Fighting between the SAF, RSF and allied militias plunged Sudan into chaos in April 15, 2023, following weeks of tensions linked to a planned transition to civilian rule, SAF's Commander General Abdel-Fattah Burhan and Head of RSF General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo -- known as Hemedti -- engaged in a vicious power struggle. The conflict has precipitated "one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history," with a new report finding at least 9.1 million people have been displaced, the most ever recorded in a single country since the IMDC began taking records in 2008. PHOTO: Newly arrived Sudanese refugees arrive to set up makeshift shelters at twilight close to a relocation camp on April 24, 2024 near Adre, Chad. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) At least 14,000 people have been killed according to the U.N. Local groups, however, warned the true toll is likely much higher. United States Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello this week begun a regional tour, departing Washington for Uganda, Kenya, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Perriello is due to meet with "key regional partners" and Sudanese civilians as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Sudan continue, the State Department has announced. "The RSF must lift its siege of the city. The SAF must protect critical infrastructure," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Greenfield said. "There will be direct and immediate consequences for those responsible for an offensive on El Fasher." Deadly clashes intensify in El Fasher, Darfur, amid international calls for end to Sudan civil war originally appeared on abcnews.go.com ST. LOUIS Mental health challenges facing our homeless population were highlighted this morning at an event in downtown St. Louis. It comes days after a deadly shooting in the heart of downtown involving two homeless men and St. Louis city police. The incident took place at Market and 14th last Friday in broad daylight, very close to City Hall about 7:30 a.m. Police say one man was chasing another man and shot and killed him. A St. Louis police officer then shot and killed the gunman. Longtime homeless advocate Larry Rice organized this mornings event. He says the two men involved in the chase were both homeless and had serious mental health issues. They were apparently known on the streets as Cowboy and Rabbit. Search for Calhoun County teen and his dogs focuses on Illinois River Rice says Cowboy shot and killed Rabbit and was then killed by police. Rice tells us that Cowboy had expressed days before the shooting that he wanted to die. Rice explained this morning that Cowboy had accused Rabbit of taking something from him then started chasing him and shot him. Rice believes that Cowboy committed suicide by cop because he did not drop his gun when police told him to. At a news conference this morning, Rice and others highlighted what they call the growing mental health crisis among the homeless. Rice and others at the event called the mental health issue among the homeless a regional problem and said that all politicians need to step up and do more. Rice and others were critical of city leaders, saying putting up fencing around areas like City Hall does not address or solve the problem of mentally ill homeless people. City officials removed a homeless encampment that had stood for some time last Friday right after the shooting. The incident took place very close to the homeless encampment. Rice says Rabbit stayed at the encampment and Cowboy came and went from the area. Fencing now stands where that homeless encampment used to be very close to City Hall. Rice says putting up fences amounts to the city just pushing the homeless problem somewhere else and not trying to solve it. Rice says he would like to see a cabinet position created in the Mayors office to focus on homeless issue. He also believes more needs to be done to expand the continuum of care for the homeless. For their part, city officials have said for a while that they are doing all they can to connect the homeless with services to help them. In fact, city officials have told us in the past that they have reached out to those in homeless encampments to try and get them assistance to get off the streets. After this mornings news conference, there was a brief memorial service for Cowboy and Rabbit. Rice and others planted a cross for the men and then prayed for them. The city of St. Louis released this statement: There is no question that our region needs to be doing more to support the unhoused. In 2024, the Affordable Housing Commission tripled its annual awards, supporting 2,030 affordable housing units, including 345 new homes for low and moderate-income families. The City under Mayor Jones leadership has expanded shelter capacity and available wraparound services, and worked with local providers to stand up St. Louis first low-barrier Safe Haven, and expanded the Jefferson Spaces tiny home transitional housing project from 50 to 100. But we know more needs to be done. Fencing is an essential public safety measure, but not a long term solution. After successfully getting the Green Line Metrolink expansion and Save Lives Now! initiative approved as chair of the East West Gateway Council of Governments, the Mayor is turning her attention to finding a regional approach to provide more support for our unhoused population. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. A protester lights candles at an altar installed at the door of the pension where the four attacked women lived, in Buenos Aires, on May 13. More than 200 people demonstrated on Monday night in front of Plaza Colombia in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Two blocks away from there, a humble family-run hotel had been the scene of a multiple crime. In the early hours of Monday, May 6, a man threw a bottle full of flammable liquid into Room 14 and set it on fire, according to a witness reconstruction. Inside there were four women, only one of whom survived the attack. Pamela Cobbas, 52, died hours later. Her partner, Mercedes Roxana Figueroa, 52, died on Wednesday, after sustaining burns on 90% of her body. Doctors tried unsuccessfully to save the life of Andrea Amarante, 42, for one week. She died on Sunday. The only victim who is still alive is Amarantes partner, Sofia Castro Riglos, 49. She is out of danger and has already testified in court, but remains hospitalized. They were set on fire for being lesbians. They were set on fire for being poor lesbians. They were set on fire for being poor lesbians creating a community, said a member of a neighborhood association called the Barracas Lesbian Assembly, addressing other demonstrators on Monday. This spokesperson said the crime was aggravated by the precarious housing conditions of the women. All four of them shared a room without a bathroom, for which they paid 50,000 pesos (about $50). A small altar has been improvised outside the hotel, where flowers and candles pay tribute to the victims. The multiple crime has caused a great commotion in the LGBTQI+ community in Argentina, which lamented the limited media coverage. Three women hold up the names of the victims in Plaza Colombia, in Buenos Aires, on May 13. Mariana Nedelcu The main suspect is Justo Fernando Barrientos, 67, who rented a room near the one occupied by his alleged victims. According to the testimony of other tenants, the womens screams woke everyone up after midnight. When they saw them engulfed in flames they tried to put them out with a fire extinguisher. Since that did not work, they took them to the nearest shower. The intentional fire spread through part of the building and around 30 people had to be evacuated. Barrientos was arrested after trying to commit suicide with a saw. He was treated for neck injuries at a hospital, and was arrested after he was discharged. He has not yet testified before the judge, who is seeking to determine if he can be held accountable for the crime or if he suffers from a mental disorder. A man holds flowers and a sign demanding justice and care for the survivor of the attack. Mariana Nedelcu Hate crime Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International said that crimes committed against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans and intersex people are hate crimes. They are motivated by hatred towards the sexual orientation of the victims, who belong to a group that is structurally violated and discriminated against, it said Monday in a statement, demanding a full investigation with a gender perspective that considers the identity of the victims and the motivation for the attack. The Huesped Foundation warned that statements that deny the consequences of attacks on people from the LGBTQI+ community enable and promote impunity that accepts violence in all its forms, including that which threatens life. The government of President Javier Milei says that every act of violence is equally reprehensible. It seems very unfair to me to only talk about this event, when violence is something much more comprehensive than simply an issue against a certain group, the presidential spokesman, Manuel Adorni, said on Monday at a news conference. There are many women and men who are suffering violence and these are things that cannot continue to happen. A woman raises a flag of the LGBTQI+ community during the mobilization called after the triple lesbicide. Mariana Nedelcu On Tuesday, Milei uploaded a post to Instagram that said: No my friend telling the truth is not generating hate. Whether you hate the truth is another matter. The message was interpreted as Milei taking a position against those who criticize his government for refusing to classify the attack as a hate crime and for enabling the dissemination of messages against the LGBTQI+ community by people such as his official biographer, Nicolas Marquez. In conversation with EL PAIS, Marquez opposed adoption by homosexual couples, a possibility contemplated by Argentine laws, considering that it causes psychological consequences such as suicide attempts, a higher tendency towards homosexuality, and drug addiction. In November, in the final stretch of the election campaign, Milei said he had no qualms about peoples sexual choices, but he made a controversial comparison: If you want to be with an elephant... If you have the elephants consent, then it is your problem and the elephants. I am not opposed to two people of the same sex getting married. Former president Alberto Fernandez has also weighed in on the crime. Such an atrocity cannot be silenced. It challenges us as a society, he posted on X, formerly Twitter. The facts must be investigated and judged with a gender perspective. We must all repudiate what happened for what it was: a hate crime in times in which a rhetoric of discrimination and hate is emanating from the national government itself. According to the annual report of the National Observatory of LGBTQI+ Hate Crimes, last year in Argentina 133 crimes were recorded in which the sexual orientation, identity and/or gender expression of the victims were used as a pretext for the attacks. In 2022, 129 hate crimes were recorded and in 2021, there were 120. A protester places protest signs in Plaza Colombia, in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Barracas, on May 13. Mariana Nedelcu Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition [Source] The suicide of a young Chinese gamer, known online as "Fat Cat," has triggered an outpouring of grief and anger among netizens. Key points: Liu Jie, 20, took his own life last month after a breakup with his online girlfriend, Tan Zhu. Liu's family revealed chat records and money transfer proofs showing his financial sacrifices and his girlfriend's demands. Netizens recently gathered at the site of Liu's death to pay their respects. Tan has received criticism on social media for her role in the tragedy. The details: Trending on NextShark: Vivek Ramaswamy acquires activist stake in BuzzFeed, says stay tuned Liu earned his living through "game boosting," which entails playing video games on behalf of others. Liu reportedly met Tan through the mobile game "Honor of Kings" in 2022 before they met in person in late 2023. He reportedly lived frugally to support his girlfriends financial needs and business dreams. While Tan promised to marry Liu by the end of 2024, she broke up with him in April, stating he could not provide her with emotional value. In a bid to win her back, Liu traveled to Chongqing from central Hunan province and asked her to live with him. When she declined, he reportedly transferred 66,000 yuan ($1,147) to her account. Liu then jumped to his death off the Shibanpo Yangtze River Bridge in Chongqing on April 11. His body was found 12 days later. Lius sister claims her brother transferred a total of 510,000 yuan ($70,635) to Tan over the course of their two-year relationship. Tan apologized online for her role in Liu's death but has been accused of lacking sincerity. After details of his suicide emerged, netizens started sending food and flowers to the bridge where Liu died. Tangent: Lius suicide has drawn comparisons to the 2017 suicide of WePhone founder Su Xiangmao, who also took his own life after alleged extortion by his ex-wife. Whats next: The Hunan police are investigating Tan's actions to determine if they constitute a scam. If you or anyone you know is at risk of self-harm, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24-hour support at 1-800-273-8255. Trending on NextShark: Young people in China are buying up scratch lottery tickets Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Small Russian infantry units had entered Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast and are trying to gain a foothold in the northern part of town, Defense Ministry spokesperson Dmytro Lazutkin said on air on May 15. Russia launched new offensive actions on May 10 in the north of Kharkiv Oblast toward Lyptsi and Vovchansk, a town located less than 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Russian border and around 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the city of Kharkiv. "(Russian forces) are trying to gain a foothold in the northern part of the town with small infantry units," Lazutkin said. "Our task is to destroy the enemy, to prevent them from gathering more forces and gaining a foothold," he added. Read also: Russias new Kharkiv offensive pushes Vovchansk to the brink of annihilation Ukrainian forces are fighting off Russian troops using drones and artillery and destroying Russian equipment, according to the spokesperson. "But yes, some (Russian) infantry groups did enter the town," Lazutkin added. Vovchansk Police Chief Oleksii Kharkivskyi said on the morning of May 15 that Russian forces are taking up "positions on the streets of the town" amid ongoing battles. The Presidential Office announced the same day that Ukraine is sending additional reinforcements to Kharkiv Oblast. Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson of the Khortytsia group of forces, said on air on May 15 that the situation in the region has somewhat stabilized. Ukrainian forces repelled 11 Russian attacks in the area over the past day, Voloshyn said. "Fighting continues in the Lukiantsi and Vovchansk sectors... (Russian forces) are trying to gain a foothold there, but Ukrainian troops are not allowing them to do so," Voloshyn reported. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Delaware beaches reinstate meter, permit parking on May 15. How much will it cost? Metered beach parking is back in effect this month, and itll cost you more, too. Free offseason parking has ended for Delaware beaches, and beach towns have now reinstated pay-to-park fees through meters and permits. Prices for beach parking also have increased from last years rates, so take note of new costs to avoid any surprises at the parking kiosk or in the ParkMobile app. Dewey Beach parking Dewey Beach Watersports also offers paddleboard and kayak rentals. (Photo provided by Dewey Beach Watersports) Dewey offers paid parking on all public streets from May 15 to Sept. 15. Hourly metered parking costs $3.50, a 50-cent increase from 2023. Seasonal permits are available for 175$ for property and business owners and $300 for general visitors. Free parking is available every Monday, excluding federal holidays, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. For those with a handicapped placard or license plate, accessible parking is available for free in any zone. Your placard or plate serves as your permit. Rehoboth Beach parking Cars are parked along Rehoboth Avenue on Memorial Day weekend at Rehoboth Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023. Paid parking by meter or permit in Rehoboth is enforced from May 15 to Sept. 15. Permits are required from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and metered spaces are required from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parking meters are $4 per hour throughout the city, a dollar more than last year, and require payment from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Head-in parking is required in all angled or perpendicular parking spaces within the city. Beach makeover: Delaware's bay beaches to be replenished with nearly $60 million in federal funds Fenwick Island parking Fenwick Island State Park sits mostly empty on a breezy November day in 2019. Parking permits and paid spots are required from May 15 through Sept. 15 between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. in Fenwick. Hourly parking is $3. Daily permits are $25, weekly permits are $150 and seasonal permits are $500. Beach end parking requires a special permit. Signage throughout the city indicates parking areas designated only for residents. Bethany Beach parking A man trying to coax his young sons into the ocean at Monday's Hair of the Dog Walk/Run/Plunge event at Bethany Beach in January of 2024. Public parking in Bethany requires payment or a permit from May 15 to Sept. 15. Parking costs $3 for all vehicles, a 50-cent increase from last year. Parking rates are enforced from Hollywood Street to First Street from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on all other streets from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Parking spaces on east and west streets require either a resident or business parking permit, available to town property and business owners. All angled or perpendicular parking is head-in only. Beach brews: 12 breweries to visit at the Delaware beaches or on the way Lewes Beach parking An aerial view of Lewes beach at Savanah Road on Thursday April 20, 2023. Lewes enforces paid parking from May 1 to Sept. 30 at the beaches and until Oct. 14 downtown. Hourly parking costs $1.50 at metered spots downtown and $2.50 at metered spots at the beach from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free parking is available in several areas. Some have time restrictions. Electric vehicle charging stations can be found in some free lots. Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Pay-to-park begins on May 15 at Delaware beaches, beach parking rates Traffic is loaded onto the Washington State Ferry Kittitas at the Southworth ferry dock on Monday, March 1, 2021. Two of the four lanes at the Southworth ferry terminal will be closed for construction for approximately three weeks, starting Monday, May 20. Construction crews will replace the wooden decking of the walkway along the south side of the pier that is "badly in need of repair," according to WSF, ahead of the busy summer travel season. Crews have started setting up this week. Washington State Ferries cautions that there may be possible delays on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route during the construction period, and encourages riders arrive early or take alternate routes, if possible. In addition, oversized vehicles that require a travel request form won't be able to travel to Vashon Island out of Southworth during the time. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Southworth ferry terminal construction work scheduled to start May 20 After a fleetwide Osprey stand-down, the Navy continues to rely on its remaining C-2 Greyhound squadron 15 planes based at Naval Station Norfolk to fill in the gaps for cargo and personnel deliveries to aircraft carriers across the globe. Theres more demand on us than ever. There is a clearly defined need for us to continue this role in carrier onboard delivery, said Cmdr. Andrew Tweedle Dumm, commanding officer of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40, also known as the Rawhides. The squadron had to pivot from a downshift in operations to what Dumm described as an unprecedented demand in December when the Department of Defense grounded hundreds of V-22 Ospreys after a part failure led to the deaths of eight service members in a crash in Japan. The Osprey, which can fly like an airplane and then convert to a helicopter, was approved to return to flight in March but enhanced maintenance requirements mean the need for the Rawhides has not let up, according to Naval Air Force Atlantic. A return to flight isnt the same as a return to mission, a spokesperson said. The stand-down came as the Navy nears the end of a multiyear effort to replace the services aging C-2 Greyhounds with the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. The Navy began disestablishing the Rawhides sister squadrons in 2019. West Coast-based aircraft carriers were the first to make the transition to Ospreys, with the last of the sister squadrons, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30, shuttered on Dec. 8 two days after the Osprey stand-down. The Rawhides squadron, established in 1960 in Norfolk, had slowed its operational tempo in preparation for a 2026 decommissioning, but quickly deployed detachments to support the Navy fleet while the Ospreys remained on the ground. One detachment is made up of two planes and about 50 sailors. We would split the world in half, effectively, Dumm said. But now, we have taken on that entire role. ___ Historic round-the-globe deployment One detachment deployed with just three weeks notice to support San Diego-based carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. Typically, Dumm said, sailors have around six months to plan for a deployment. The entire squadron saw what happened and they understood the mission, Dumm said. They understood the focus, and they are seeing how they fit in. It is one line removed from a direct impact. It is when I bring this, I am helping protect freedom of navigation. I am helping to protect civilian traffic. I am helping to protect the world.' As of May, four Norfolk-based detachments had deployed to Bahrain, Singapore, Japan and San Diego to support carrier strike groups for the Roosevelt, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, USS Ronald Reagan and USS Abraham Lincoln. A fifth detachment is scheduled to deploy later this year to support the USS Harry S. Trumans upcoming deployment. It will be the first time in the history of the Rawhides, Dumm said, that five detachments will have deployed from the squadron in the span of one year a significant uptick from two to three detachments per year. With 200 sailors deployed and another 50 preparing to depart, it means the bulk of the squadrons 400-person unit will be spread across the globe. And we are waiting to see what else is next; what else will be tasked, Dumm said. The remaining 200 sailors and five planes will support aircraft carriers training off the East Coast. The squadron can also be tasked with responding to humanitarian crises, such as earthquakes and hurricanes. The demand, Dumm said, has increased the perceived pressure to perform to maintain the aging aircraft, to prepare for deployments and to respond to each task. It is the maintainer, it is the sailor, it is the people that continue to inject life into this aircraft, Dumm said. Without them, its just a piece of cold steel and aluminum. Recently, the squadrons hangar bay was occupied with five planes in various states of repair as civilian contractors and sailors worked on them. Two planes were undergoing a 30-day planned maintenance interval while others were undergoing faster routine maintenance. ___ We will do whatever it takes Chief Veronica Deck, 34, an aviation maintenance administrator, said the increased operational tempo has meant sailors work longer hours and may even sacrifice a weekend to ensure aircraft are fit to fly. She said she has pushed through the demanding workload by considering the big picture. We might have to work a weekend, but we have people out there that dont have a weekend off, period, that we are supporting providing them assistance and supplies, Deck said. Deck reported to the Rawhides in March after deploying with a helicopter squadron aboard the Eisenhower. The Eisenhower, deployed to the Red Sea, is supported by a Rawhides detachment based in Bahrain. Petty Officer 1st Class Phillip Nigbur, 39, a mechanical aircrewman and crew chief, said switching from a divestment mindset to readying all aircraft for the mission has challenged the procurement of replacement parts. Units that previously supplied the Rawhides were disestablished, he said, and planes from sister squadrons were retired from service and sent to the Davis-Monthan Air Force Bases aircraft boneyard. But wherever there is a will, there is a way and we always find a way to get it done, Nigbur said. Nigbur has been assigned to the Rawhides squadron for nine years. He will deploy with the Truman later this year as part of a detachment. There is pressure, but at the same time there is pride for us as a whole to say that, yes, we were called upon and we will do whatever it takes in a safe way to get these birds out the door so we can provide support and pick up for our brothers, the Osprey community, Nigbur said. The timeline for the squadrons disestablishment in 2026 has not changed, but Dumm said the planned divestment of detachments is not occurring as scheduled. We were in the mindset of preparing for a sundown of this platform, he said. We are still working toward that end, but its a little less certain right now. The accelerated workload is expected to persist through the end of the year, Dumm said. A vibrant mural depicting a C-2 Greyhound flying over the ocean stretches across a hallway wall in the squadron building. Displayed at the bottom right corner is the Rawhides orange-scripted motto: We deliver. When something breaks on the carrier and there is not a replacement, there is not a spare. It just stays broken until someone brings it, Dumm said. We are that lifeline, and we will continue to rise to the challenge. Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com The race to be the next lieutenant governor of North Carolina is finally underway, two months after other statewide races were decided in the primary. Republicans had a runoff election Tuesday and chose Hal Weatherman as their nominee for lieutenant governor, running against Democratic state Sen. Rachel Hunt. The day after the runoff, Hunt framed the contest in terms of abortion rights, and what she would do compared to Weatherman, who is endorsed by current Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor. State Senator Rachel Hunt, the Democratic candidate for North Carolina Lieutenant Governor, talks abortion rights during a press conference at the North Carolina Democratic Party headquarters on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in Raleigh, N.C. Hunt, who is serving out her term in the Senate, filed Senate Bill 909, Protect Womens Healthcare, which would amend the North Carolina Constitution. The amendment says the state shall not restrict a womans right to decide to have an abortion. Additionally, the amendment says, the State shall not restrict access to contraception, fertility treatment, continuing ones own pregnancy, or miscarriage care. The State may restrict the ability of a woman to choose whether or not to terminate a pregnancy after fetal viability, unless such a termination is necessary to preserve the life or health of the woman, or enact laws, rules, or regulations, as applicable, to further the health or safety of a woman seeking to terminate a pregnancy. Status of amendment, legislation on abortion The bill doesnt have much of a chance of moving ahead, as the state constitution requires a three-fifths majority, or supermajority, in both the House and the Senate to pass a bill putting an amendment on ballots for voters to decide whether or not to ratify it. Republicans have a supermajority in both chambers of the General Assembly. Republicans worked out a compromise among themselves last year to pass a law banning abortion, with exceptions, after 12 weeks gestation. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill, but the Republican supermajority overturned his veto. Republican leaders have said repeatedly that they do not want to pass new abortion legislation this session. All 170 state lawmakers are on ballots this fall. For years, we have seen (Republicans) attempts both in North Carolina and across the country to try to restrict our access to abortion at all costs. Decisions around pregnancy, including abortion, birth control and miscarriage care are personal and should be left up to women and their families, Hunt said. Constituents both supporting and protesting a vote to overturn Gov. Roy Coopers veto of an abortion restriction bill demonstrate Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C. Depending on the makeup of the General Assembly for the 2025 session, if a new abortion bill passes the General Assembly, it would go to a new governor to sign or veto: Robinson or Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, the Democrats nominee for governor. Both Robinson and Weatherman say they want to see a heartbeat bill pass the legislature, which would ban abortion after cardiac activity is detected, which is around five or six weeks into pregnancy. The role of the lieutenant governor is to preside over the Senate, but she or he would only vote to break a tie. On Weathermans campaign website, describes himself as pro-life and says he will advocate the General Assembly for a heartbeat bill. He said if he wins, he will also work to streamline the cumbersome adoption process and push for tax breaks and financial resources for families who adopt. I will support emergency pregnancy health clinics where love and compassion can be shown to women in a time of crisis. Hal Weatherman, Republican candidate for North Carolina lieutenant governor in the March 5, 2024 primary. Hunt is worried that North Carolina could end up like other states, which have stricter abortion laws. This is about womens fundamental health care rights. Its about womens rights, and it goes way beyond abortion, she said. This is your rights while youre pregnant. I have been pregnant. I have two children. I had some issues while I was pregnant. I cannot imagine not being able to get care because youre afraid, or the doctors are afraid, and they leave you to bleed out in the parking lot. NC lieutenant governor campaigning Weatherman told The News & Observer in an interview before the runoff that he plans to run a compare and contrast, but not negative campaign against Hunt. He plans to campaign in all 100 counties, as he did in the primary, he said. We will force our opponent to compete for every ounce of ground in the state, every county, and I think that clearly theres going to be some some worldview differences, cultural differences, value differences, belief differences between Rachel and me, Weatherman said. BALTIMORE Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. will be the Democratic nominee in the race to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, setting up a November election between him and Republican Kim Klacik, who also won in Tuesdays primary. The Baltimore County-focused 2nd Congressional District was one of a few competitive primary races for congressional seats in the Baltimore region and in Western Maryland on the ballot Tuesday. Olszewski was winning the five-way Democratic primary with about 82% of the vote as the race was called shortly after results started coming in. About 120 people gathered in a room at Union Craft Brewing in Hampden to celebrate Olszewskis victory when The Associated Press called the race around 8:45 p.m. Among those in attendance were Ruppersberger and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, who were introduced by Olszewskis father, former Baltimore County Councilman John Olszewski Sr. I want to say something to Johnny Senior you did a good job raising your son, Cardin said to roars from the crowd. Johnny [Jr.] has done a fabulous job. He has been a great leader for the region. He delivered every day for the people of Baltimore County. Cardin then introduced Olszewski Jr., who took to the stage with his family as Chuck Berrys Johnny B. Goode pounded through the speakers. Olszewski thanked both Ruppersberger and Cardin for their service. This win isnt mine, its ours, he said, thanking his wife, Marisa, and daughter, Daria. He declined to comment to a Baltimore Sun reporter on the coming matchup against Klacik, saying the night was for celebrating the primary win with supporters. It has been an honor to serve as Baltimore County executive. I think what weve done and what well continue to do can serve as a model of what we can do to bring people together to face hard challenges, he said. We dont hold back from tackling the hard challenges: housing, health care and everything in between. All eight of Marylands U.S. House districts have elections this year for new two-year terms. Five incumbents were running for reelection and were expected to win their partys primaries Tuesday Andy Harris, an Eastern Shore Republican, and Democrats Glenn Ivey, a Democrat representing most of Prince Georges County; Steny Hoyer, representing Charles, St. Marys and Calvert counties; Kweisi Mfume, representing Baltimore City and parts of Baltimore County; and Jamie Raskin, representing Montgomery County. A trio of other Democrats were not running again Ruppersberger, who represents Baltimore County; John Sarbanes, who represents Howard County and parts of Anne Arundel and Carroll counties; and David Trone, who is running for U.S. Senate instead of reelection in the district covering Garrett, Allegany, Frederick, Washington and parts of Montgomery counties. The three open seats are rare in Maryland as members usually win reelection easily, often for decades. Ruppersberger will have held his seat for 22 years when he retires in January. For Sarbanes, it will be 18 years. And for both, the primary is expected to be the deciding moment in picking their replacements. Democrats are widely favored in both districts in November a reality that led to a massive, 22-person field in the Democratic primary for the 3rd Congressional District. State Sens. Sarah Elfreth and Clarence Lam, and Dels. Terri Hill, Mike Rogers and Mark Chang were among the highest-profile and most well-funded candidates in that district. Juan Dominguez, an Anne Arundel County businessman who originally launched a U.S. Senate campaign, was also running. But the entrance of Harry Dunn created another wild card. A former U.S. Capitol Police officer who gained a national profile after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, Dunn raised more than $4.6 million roughly three times his closest fundraising competitor, Elfreth and got the backing of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin signaled his support for Elfreth, in her second term representing Anne Arundel County, last week but did not formally endorse her. Elizabeth Nidiritu, 52, took her 18-year-old daughter with her to cast a vote for Elfreth at Howard High School in Ellicott City. As I told [my daughter], every vote counts, and if you dont vote, you cant complain. And if [your candidate] loses, at least you voted, Ndiritu said. Jana Castle, 69, and Johnny Castle, 74, a couple who live in Columbia, said they were most excited to vote for Dunn and Prince Georges County Angela Alsobrooks in the U.S. Senate race. They stand for more of what we believe in, whats important, Jana Castle said. We need to get somebody that has a better view, not a politicians view. We need to get them in, to get some fresh blood in. A similarly crowded field of 15 Democrats and seven Republicans were vying for their respective partys nomination in the Western Maryland district Trone is vacating. The list of Democrats included Dels. Lesley Lopez and Joe Vogel; April McClain Delaney, who served in the Biden administration; and Tekesha Martinez, the mayor of Hagerstown. Delaney, whose husband is former U.S. Rep. John Delaney, raised the most money about $2 million as of late April and then another $825,000 in self-funding in recent days, according to her last campaign finance filing and won the backing of officials like Pelosi, Raskin and Hoyer. Republicans running in the district included former delegate and 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee Dan Cox, and former Del. Neil Parrott, who was the Republican nominee for the same seat in 2022 and 2020. The open seat with the least amount of competition in Tuesdays primary was Ruppersbergers, for which Olszewski had started building a campaign even before the incumbents announcement to retire. Ruppersberger endorsed Olszewski in February, handing the two-term county executive the advantage of being backed by an incumbent with deep pockets to represent the district, which covers Baltimore and Carroll counties, and part of Baltimore City. In that district, Olszewski faced Del. Harry Bhandari, who touted his humble background as an American success story; Baltimore City high school arts teacher Sia Kyriakakos; medical assistant Jessica Sjoberg; insurance agent Clint Spellman; and HR specialist Sharron Reed-Burns. Olszewski was winning with about 82% of the vote when the race was called. If he wins in November, he would step down as county executive and the Baltimore County Council will appoint someone to serve the remainder of his term, which ends in 2026. On the Republican side, Klacik, Army veteran John Thormann, and Carroll County businessman Dave Wallace were running. A Middle River radio host, Klacik last ran in the 7th Congressional District in 2020. Though she lost overwhelmingly to Mfume, her campaign raised an eye-popping $7 million after former President Donald Trump promoted her campaign on social media. She has so far not managed to replicate that fundraising feat. ____ (Baltimore Sun reporter Jonathan M. Pitts and Baltimore Sun Media reporters Sherry Greenfield, Allana Haynes and Thomas Goodwin Smith contributed to this article.) ____ Democrats demoralized by President Bidens poll numbers cheered his aggressive move Wednesday to push for an early debate against former President Trump, saying its an effective way to shake up a race that needs shaking. They say they were pleased to see Biden take on Trump, particularly in light of a string of polls showing him trailing Trump in key swing states. The two presidents on Wednesday agreed to debate twice, in June the earliest debate during a general election and September, marking the first time they will meet since their face-off during the 2020 race. Its a good way to show his aggressiveness and kick off the summer with a reminder to most normal people who havent tuned into the election yet and everything they hate about Trump and why Biden is the choice to beat him, said Democratic strategist Eddie Vale. Sources close to the Biden campaign say the debate decision was a strategic move to ensure voters see the difference between the two candidates for themselves before they start to make their decisions. The willingness to debate Trump, those close to the campaign said, showed Biden is taking a combative approach to give a much-needed boost to a campaign that has struggled to lure voters to its column. Another Democratic strategist who has been an aide on recent presidential campaigns said the narrative surrounding Biden did not paint the president in the best light, and the move by the president is a good way to change the storyline. It puts the president and his team on the offensive, the strategist said. Its a good way to control the narrative but its also a good way to rev up his own people. He is clearly seeing that he has not been able to bring Dem constituencies home yet and this is a good way to do that. A New York Times/Siena College/Philadelphia Inquirer poll earlier this week showed Trump ahead among registered voters in head-to-head match-ups in the battleground states of Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Other numbers also have been poor for Biden. The strategist pointed to recent polls that show Biden is losing support across Democratic voting blocs, including Black, Hispanic and young voters. Theyre not just behind, theyre behind with Democrats, the strategist said. And theyre aware of this. In a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates on Wednesday, Biden campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon told those involved that Biden would not be participating in the usual three general election debates in September and October, which are sponsored by the commission. OMalley Dillon said Biden instead would take part in debates hosted and organized by news organizations. Basil Smikle, the Democratic strategist who served as the executive director of the New York State Democratic Party, also said it was a bold move for Biden. The move is seen as unconventional for Biden but its a good tactic for him, especially since this is an unconventional campaign, Smikle said. Details of the debates were still being ironed out, and aides to both sides say they likely will continue to discuss stipulations between the campaigns and with the television networks CNN and ABC News. But Bidens campaign put forward a list of requests on Wednesday, including the desire to have the debate be just Trump and Biden with a moderator. They do not want Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or other third-party candidates involved. They also do not want in-person audiences, which the former president tends to prefer. Throughout the campaign, Democrats have been urging Biden to take on a pugnacious approach with Trump, who has taken to calling Biden crooked. They say its the only way they can go toe-to-toe with the former president, who doesnt like to play by conventional rules. They have wanted him to bluntly remind voters of the rash of criminal charges against Trump, but until recently, Biden has all but avoided the topic. But in recent weeks including in the video Wednesday Biden has jabbed Trump and his legal woes, pleasing Democrats. A fired-up Biden also goaded Trump during the State of the Union to Congress earlier this year, accusing Trump of seeking to overturn his victory in 2020. My predecessor and some of you here seek to bury the truth about Jan. 6. I will not do that, he said, underscoring a key message of protecting democracy during his 2024 reelection bid. You cant love your country only when you win. Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons said during these debates, Biden can use the spotlight to showcase his strengths. People underestimate Joe Bidens ability to perform and particularly during these big events he does really well, Simmons said. People forget that. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Extreme situations such as earthquakes, floods or terrorist attacks require more resistant buildings. These events cause severe damage to structures and can cause a building to collapse like a house of cards. To address the challenge of minimizing human and material losses, science and engineering have come together in a work carried out by researchers from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) in Spain. The authors sought inspiration in the animal world, and their project imitates the ability of lizards to detach their tails to escape from predators. We released a part to save 10, explains Jose Adam, engineer and leader of the research. On Wednesday, the researchers published their results in the Nature. Whats more, the work made the front cover of the prestigious journal a historical milestone, since it is the first time that research in the field of building design and construction has made the cover of Nature. The team has devised a new construction system that can prevent the collapse of an entire building by ensuring that, in the event of a catastrophe, the failure is localized to the damaged region without spreading. The method is intended for application in critical buildings such as hospitals, shopping malls and bus terminals, where there are large concentrations of people. In addition, this technique does not increase construction costs. The project, called Endure, has been funded by the European Research Council with a Consolidator Grant of more than 2.5 million ($2.72 million). It initially came about thanks to a Leonardo Grant that Spains BBVA Foundation awarded to Adam in 2017. When a building is affected by severe weather conditions or accidents, the impacted part causes a domino effect that ends up affecting the rest of the building. Current designs attempt to prevent the collapse from spreading by connecting the structure to compensate for the damage. However, this idea, although effective in the first instance, can end up causing the entire structure to completely collapse. But what if there was a way to stop the domino effect? This is the question that the researchers asked themselves. A unique opportunity to test the results The team of scientists and engineers has devised a hierarchy-based collapse isolation system, the key to which lies in the implementation of structural fuses, which allow the building to be segmented in the event of a failure. According to Adam, this design philosophy is similar to fuse-based protection of electrical networks. His technique has been validated by a test on a real building 15 by 12 meters in plan, with two 2.6-meter-high floors using prefabricated reinforced concrete. It is the first solution of its kind to be tested and verified at full scale. To do this, they put the building through two phases of testing in June 2023. In the first, they removed two columns that were not adjacent to each other at the same time. In the second phase, they removed a corner column that was among those removed in the first phase. This initiated a collapse in all areas directly supported by the missing columns, but not in the rest of the building. In other words, they successfully prevented the entire structure from collapsing. Its like preparing for the Olympic Games, says Adam regarding the tests, comparing the long preparation stage required for a single test that only lasts a few moments: Four years of work are summed up in two seconds. The collapse of a building lasts only that, two seconds, he explains. The team will be able to carry out two more tests to test the systems effectiveness with other materials such as in situ concrete and steel. ENDURE ENDURE ENDURE ENDURE ENDUre eNDURE ENDURE Antoni Cladera, professor of Construction Engineering at the University of the Balearic Islands in Spain, has celebrated the results. It seems simple and logical, but it means turning around the usual practices in construction, says Cladera, who did not take part in the study. There is research that is not as visible as others, but it also helps save lives. The challenges ahead While celebrating his teams achievements, Adam is aware of the long road ahead. The technique is far from being implemented, since construction is a highly regulated sector and modifying regulations is complex. Cladera agrees: A lot of work awaits them to convince researchers and construction companies. However, both engineers remain positive about the future and argue that the method could even go further: Surely the same principle can be applied to other structures such as bridges. We all need and want to feel safe, reflects Cladera. Now, seven years after the start of the project, it will continue to develop in the structures laboratory of the Institute of Concrete Science and Technology of the UPV until 2026. The research represents a significant step forward towards building safer buildings and saving human lives in extreme situations. Nature says that the approach will make buildings more resilient and therefore meets the primary goal of structural engineering, which is to protect the safety of the public. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition House Democrats are lining up to oppose a Republican proposal to reverse President Bidens recent pause on the delivery of certain weapons to Israel, saying its merely a messaging stunt designed to divide Democrats without actually helping Israel defend itself. Its just another political stunt to try to go after Joe Biden, said Rep. Gregory Meeks (N.Y.), the senior Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Wednesday morning as he emerged from a closed-door meeting in the Capitol basement. Thats all it really is. GOP leaders have bashed Bidens weapons freeze, framing it as a dangerous setback to Israels ability to root out Hamas militants in the wake of the groups deadly attack on Oct. 7. Their bill, which requires the delivery of the weapons affected by the freeze within 15 days of enactment, is set to hit the House floor Thursday. But Democrats are balking, arguing the bill would, in fact, undermine Israels standing in the United States by turning the traditionally bipartisan issue of Israeli defense into a partisan affair. The list of opponents includes some of Congresss most prominent Jewish lawmakers and Israel allies, who are framing the GOP proposal as a cynical effort to appear to support Israel without actually doing so. The bill is an attack on Israel at its weakest point, said Rep. Brad Sherman (Calif.), a Jewish Democrat and vocal Israel proponent. Israel has the weapons it needs to carry out everything its doing in Gaza. Sherman, a senior member of the Foreign Affairs panel, said Israels strength hinges largely on two factors: Bipartisan support in the United States and its image around the world. The GOP bill, he said, would damage both. I may be more willing to criticize the Biden administration than others, Sherman said, but Im not willing to attack Israel on its two most vulnerable points. Providing Democrats with plenty of political cover, the Biden administration has vowed to veto the bill if it reaches the presidents desk. The GOP measure comes in response to Bidens announcement last week that hes prepared to withhold certain offensive weapons systems from Israel if Washingtons ally proceeds with its plan to advance on Rafah, a final Hamas stronghold where more than 1 million Palestinians have sought refuge after months of Israeli strikes across other parts of Gaza. The move was designed, at least in part, to quell the outcry from liberals in Bidens party that Israel, in its hunt for Hamas militants, has done far too little to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza, where roughly 35,000 people have already been killed since Oct. 7. Simultaneously, however, the administration is readying roughly $1 billion in new military help for Tel Aviv, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. But GOP leaders have continued to focus on the weapons freeze, rather than the planned release of more help. Its important for us to express, again, the will of Congress on the matter. And so I dont think well be changing what we do on the legislation, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters in the Capitol on Tuesday evening. Meeks, who spoke against the Republicans bill in the Democratic Caucus meeting Wednesday morning, said the proposal violates existing laws designed to prevent the transfer of weapons to a foreign country even a close ally if the administration deems there to be credible evidence that that country has committed gross human rights violations. In a report delivered to Congress last week, State Department officials said it was reasonable to assess that Israel has violated international human rights laws, though they stopped short of accusing Israel of clear wrongdoing, citing the difficulty in reaching conclusive findings on individual incidents amid the fog of war. When it comes to the use of weapons, concerns about incidents where given the totality of the damage thats been done to children, women, men, it was reasonable to assess that, in certain instances, Israel acted in ways that are not consistent with international humanitarian law, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation. Still, a number of Democrats have opposed Bidens weapons freeze, and 26 of them wrote to the president last week with warnings that Congress has a duty to continue to equip Israel with the resources she needs to defend herself. With democracy under assault around the world, we cannot undermine our ally Israel, especially in her greatest hour of need, they wrote. Some of Israels staunchest Democratic allies are expected to break with the party and back the GOP bill. Others, however, bashed Republican leaders for pushing partisan legislation with no chance of becoming law. Its an unserious piece of legislation, one that is cynically designed to divide people, said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), a prominent Jewish Democrat who endorsed last weeks letter to Biden. Democratic leaders have acknowledged Thursdays vote might be a tough one for some in their party. Still, theyre predicting that a vast majority of the caucus will support Biden when the bill hits the floor. Overwhelmingly, House Democrats will reject this bill, said Rep. Pete Aguilar (Calif.), chair of the House Democratic Caucus. Mychael Schnell contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Boeing has violated a 2021 agreement that shielded it from criminal prosecution after two 737 Max disasters killed 346 people overseas, the Justice Department told a federal judge in a court filing Tuesday. According to the Justice Department, Boeing failed to "design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the U.S. fraud laws throughout its operations." The government has not yet decided whether it will pursue prosecution of Boeing, but lawyers representing families of the victims who died in the crash said they hope to see further action. This is a positive first step, and for the families, a long time coming. But we need to see further action from DOJ to hold Boeing accountable, and plan to use our meeting on May 31 to explain in more detail what we believe would be a satisfactory remedy to Boeings ongoing criminal conduct, Paul Cassell, attorney for the victims families and a professor of law at the University of Utah College of Law, said in a statement. An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 plane sits at a gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on January 6, 2024. Alaska Airlines grounded its 737 MAX 9 planes after part of a fuselage blew off during a flight from Portland Oregon to Ontario, California. Boeing acknowledged receiving notice of the decision and said it planned to respond. We can confirm that we received a communication today from the Justice Department, stating that the Department has made a determination that we have not met our obligations under our 2021 deferred prosecution agreement, and requesting the company's response," Boeing told USA TODAY in a statement. "We believe that we have honored the terms of that agreement and look forward to the opportunity to respond to the Department on this issue. As we do so, we will engage with the Department with the utmost transparency, as we have throughout the entire term of the agreement, including in response to their questions following the Alaska Airlines 1282 accident. Cruising Altitude: Understanding what's going on at Boeing Government officials plan to meet May 31 with victims of the crash and directed Boeing to reply to the filing by June 13. The department will inform the court by July 7 how it plans to proceed, which could lead to criminal charges against the company. The jetliner manufacturer has been under increased scrutiny by regulators and lawmakers this year after the latest grounding of its 737 Max jets. In January, an Alaska Airlines 737 Max lost a door plug during a flight. Though the incident caused no serious injuries or deaths, the Federal Aviation Administration quickly grounded the fleet of 737 Max jets that had the same kind of door plug, and regulators began new inquiries into Boeing's production practices. Passengers on the Alaska Airlines flight later received letters from the FBI informing them they may be victims of a crime. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DOJ says Boeing may be criminally liable for 737 Max deaths Deputies searching for two people accused of stealing vehicle in Morgan County MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Morgan County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) is searching for two people accused of stealing a vehicle from a home in Morgan County. According to MCSO, deputies took a report for a stolen vehicle in the Eva area on Wednesday, May 8. Deputies were told that two weeks before the incident on May 8th, a 1965 short-wheelbase Chevrolet truck, a 1998 17ft Fisher Dominator bass boat with a 75 Mercury motor, and a 2014 Jeep Patriot were all stolen from the home. Morgan County Sheriffs Office arrests 18 accused of fraud, losses total over $2 million On Friday, May 10, the Oneonta Police Department responded to an identity theft and forgery in progress at a car dealership in Oneonta. The suspects then left the scene in what is believed to be a Jeep Patriot with a switched tag #47AMWNR. Photo of Jeep Patriot (Courtesy: Morgan Co. Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Morgan Co. Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Morgan Co. Sheriffs Office) MCSO says that the Jeep Patriot is believed to have been stolen from Eva, Alabama. If you have any information about the stolen vehicles or the identity of those pictured please contact Morgan County Investigator Delgado at (256)-560-6198 or Oneonta Detective Stephens at (205)-237-6135. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Derek Schmidt, the Republican nominee for governor, received $46,000 in campaign donations from law firms that also received contracts from Schmidt for legal services. Some of the same law firms also donated to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Derek Schmidt, who lost the 2022 election for governor, is now running for the GOP nominee in the 2nd District congressional race. He has thrown his support behind a federal proposal to impose unconstitutional restrictions on prospective voters. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Congressional candidate Derek Schmidt says proposed changes in federal law that would require voters to prove their citizenship would help safeguard our elections, even though he failed to prove that claim in court while trying to defend a Kansas law that disenfranchised tens of thousands of voters. Schmidt, who is seeking the Republican nomination in the 2nd District, backed legislation introduced by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other U.S. House Republicans. The law closely resembles a Kansas law that required people to show a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship before registering to vote. Federal courts determined the law was unconstitutional following a years-long legal battle. Then-Secretary of State and current Attorney General Kris Kobach failed to prove his bogus claims about widespread voter fraud or show how the proof of citizenship requirement would solve a hypothetical problem. Instead, the law blocked more than 35,000 eligible voters from registering. Schmidt, who was attorney general at the time, oversaw appeals in the case and also failed to prove the law effectively addressed a real problem. The U.S. Supreme Court including former President Donald Trumps appointees refused to consider Schmidts final appeal. Schmidts office agreed to pay opposing attorneys $1.9 million in legal fees. But in a series of X posts this week, Schmidt said he would strongly support commonsense bills like this to safeguard our elections nationwide, restore confidence in our voting system, and represent the strongly held views of Kansans who supported our state law. In a statement for this story, Schmidt said the requirement that only citizens can vote needs strong enforcement and that the state law decision only applies in the 10th Circuit, which covers a six-state area. There is, indeed, a strong constitutional argument that the U.S. Supreme Court would uphold a federal law of this sort, Schmidt said. Jeff Kahrs, his GOP opponent in the race, said only U.S. citizens should be voting in our elections, but he stopped short of saying whether he supports the specific law that Schmidt referenced in his tweets. We must be prepared to secure elections and know the outcomes properly reflect the will of the voters, Kahrs said. Mark Johnson, Kansas Supreme Court redistricting Blocking voters Mark Johnson, an attorney from Kansas City, Missouri, said the proposed federal law would be unconstitutional because, like the Kansas law, it violates the fundamental right to vote. Johnson proved that point when he represented a University of Kansas student who was blocked from voting because he couldnt readily retrieve his birth certificate from his parents house in Texas. His case was joined with a challenge brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, which successfully argued that the federal National Voter Registration Act preempted the Kansas law. Schmidt supports changes in the NVRA, which would sidestep the ACLU arguments but wouldnt resolve the problem of denying lawful voters the constitutional right to participate in elections. It would result in significant numbers of people who are eligible to vote not being allowed to vote, Johnson said. I have to assume that they know what the consequences of these laws will probably be. And yet they go ahead and do it anyway. So are you going to get any of them to say that its going to result in people not being allowed to vote, who should be allowed to vote? Theyre not going to say that. But I think they know thats going to be the result. And if they know thats the result, why are they proposing the bill? You dont have to be a genius to figure it out. The restriction would impact young adults who are trying to register for the first time, the elderly and anybody who moves. Some individuals didnt have a birth certificate because they were born on a farm or military base, and married women had to provide additional documentation if they had changed their name. Others, Johnson said, just didnt have the time or money to obtain a certified copy of their birth certificate. Some people say, Its too much of a pain in the ass. Im not going to do it, Johnson said. And so on balance, they would see it as a benefit for their candidates. The proposal backed by Schmidt actually goes further than the Kansas law by criminalizing election workers who mistakenly register someone who isnt eligible to vote. There is no penalty for refusing to register someone who has a right to vote. So what do you think the default is going to be for most election officials? Theyll say no, Johnson said. The easiest thing will be to say no, because that way they know they arent committing a crime. If they say yes, and they turned out to be wrong, theyve committed a federal crime. Micah Kubic, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, appears Jan. 9, 2023, for a podcast recording in the Kansas Reflector office in Topeka The ultra-mega lie The push by congressional Republicans to require proof of citizenship is tied to baseless claims of voter fraud surrounding the 2020 presidential election. No evidence has been presented in court to support conspiracy theories surrounding former President Donald Trumps defeat. Micah Kubic, executive director of the ACLU of Kansas, said the proof of citizenship description was a triumph of branding. The law is actually a papers, please requirement, he said. And the requirement remains as illegal, unconstitutional and wrong now as it was 10 years ago when it was instituted in Kansas, Kubic said. All of these lies that are told about our election systems are tied together, Kubic said. You know, back then, when Kris Kobach was railing about non-citizen voting, that was a big lie. And then we got the big lie about the 2020 elections. And now weve got the ultra-mega lie where these two things have been wrapped up together in one, and made inextricable from each other. They were a lie then, and theyre a lie now. In the Kansas case, Kobach could identify only a few examples of non-citizens who had registered to vote. They were the result of administrative errors made by Department of Motor Vehicle staff. Kobach had insisted the handful of known cases were just the tip of the iceberg, but U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson said his evidence was flawed and untrustworthy. The court draws the more obvious conclusion that there is no iceberg; only an icicle, largely created by confusion and administrative error, Robinson wrote in her ruling. In his X posts this week, Schmidt said the need to protect election integrity and confidence in voting system is vital to democracy. He said it makes sense to have a federal requirement to prove citizenship. His point of view seems to have evolved since 2022, when he asked during a campaign event about whether mail-in ballots could be used to cheat. At the time, Schmidt was running for governor. Heres kind of my perspective on it, Schmidt said. I think, on the whole, Kansas elections are solid. I really believe that. Im not saying theres no problems. Im saying we dont have the types of widespread institutional problems at least Ive never seen the evidence that I think some other states do. The post Derek Schmidt backs federal version of papers, please law that disenfranchised Kansas voters appeared first on Kansas Reflector. UC Merced officials celebrated a milestone moment as the university held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new medical education building on campus on Tuesday evening. The $300 million dollar project will house the universitys medical education pathway that was developed in partnership with UC San Francisco and UCSF Fresno. It will be a four-story building containing 203,500 square feet of academic office, research and community-facing space, as well as common and instructional space. The funding for the project came from the campus budget, donor gifts and state general funds. The new building will also house the universitys departments of psychology and public health, the Health Sciences Research Institute and a range of general assignment learning environments. Ground is broken on the University of California, Merced Medical Education Building during a ceremony on the universitys campus in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Construction of the $300 million 203,500 square foot facility, is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sanchez Munoz told the crowd of more than 250 people who attended the ceremony that there was no way to overstate the importance of this building. A medical education program at UC Merced has been a goal since the university opened in 2005, he said. The urgency of medical education was driven by a lack of healthcare professionals in the Central Valley, which has only been exasperated in the intervening decades since the founding of the campus, Sanchez Munoz said. The ability for families who help grow the food, extract it from the fields cant often afford or find healthcare to care for themselves and they help feed our country, Sanchez Munoz added. According to a survey of Central Valley residents by the California Health Care Foundation, Central Valley residents (78%) are less likely to have a regular doctor or health care provider than residents in the rest of the state (85%). Renderings of the University of California, Merced Medical Education Building on display during a groundbreaking ceremony on the universitys campus in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Construction of the $300 million 203,500 square foot facility, is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. According to the foundation, in 2020 the Central Valley has only 47 primary care physicians for every 100,000 residents. The California total is 60 primary care physicians for every 100,000 residents. The hope is a new medical school in the Central Valley will change that. We know from research literature that medical professionals are far more likely to establish practices in places where they are educated and undertook their residency, Sanchez Munoz said. This is part of what we hope to create here an ecosystem that is inviting for healthcare professionals. Renderings of the University of California, Merced Medical Education Building on display during a groundbreaking ceremony on the universitys campus in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Construction of the $300 million 203,500 square foot facility, is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. Sanchez Munoz said the new facility will provide a training ground for students and faculty. Last fall, UC Merced welcomed its first cohort of B.S. to the M.D. SJVPrime+ students, all recruited from the Central Valley. One member of the first cohort, Sanmeet Deol, spoke at Tuesdays groundbreaking. On behalf of my fellow classmates in the inaugural BS-MD Pathway, we want you to know how excited we are to be the future doctors of the San Joaquin Valley, she said. We are all fromv the Valley and for the Valley and committed to serving those in need of quality health care in our respective communities throughout the San Joaquin Valley for generations to come. University of California President Michael Drake, M.D., speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the University of California, Merced Medical Education Building on the universitys campus in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Construction of the $300 million 203,500 square foot facility, is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. UC President Michael Drake said the PRIME program began 20 years ago to train students with special expertise to provide medical care to people from challenging backgrounds. He said these programs have immediate and lasting effects on the campuses and surrounding areas. This kind of an impact will last for years, Drake said. Construction is expected be completed by fall of 2026, according to UC Merced and . the facility is expected to serve about 2,220 undergraduate students by the year 2030. Before today, if you were born or raised in one of our many Central Valley communities and have a dream of becoming a doctor and serving your community, sadly you were forced to look elsewhere, said Assemblywoman Esmerelda Soria, D-Fresno. Soria said the medical education building will be transformative for the Central Valley in terms of meeting the need for more physicians and also training people from the Valley. Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the University of California, Merced Medical Education Building on the universitys campus in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Construction of the $300 million 203,500 square foot facility, is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. We already saw the effects of this staffing shortage just down the street at Madera Community Hospital, when it was forced to close its doors, Soria said. So we know that what were doing today is ensuring were preparing to have a better and a brighter and a healthier future for our entire region. We deserve this, Soria added. We deserve to have these types of investments come to our community. Attendees have their photo taken with a ceremonial shovel during a groundbreaking ceremony for the University of California, Merced Medical Education Building on the universitys campus in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Construction of the $300 million 203,500 square foot facility, is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. Shovels with a UC Merced logo during a groundbreaking ceremony for the University of California, Merced Medical Education Building on the universitys campus in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Construction of the $300 million 203,500 square foot facility, is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. A University of California, Merced Medical Education Building coat on display during a groundbreaking ceremony on the universitys campus in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Construction of the $300 million 203,500 square foot facility, is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. Since the earliest days of the pandemic, health officials have gauged the threat of COVID-19 by comparing it to the flu. At first, it wasn't even close. People hospitalized in 2020 with the then-novel respiratory disease were five times more likely to die of their illness than were patients who had been hospitalized with influenza during the preceding flu seasons. Immunity from vaccines and past coronavirus infections has helped tame COVID-19 to the point that when researchers compared the mortality rates of hospitalized COVID-19 and seasonal influenza patients during the height of the 2022-23 flu season, they found that the pandemic disease was only 61% more likely to result in death. Now the same researchers have analyzed data for the the fall and winter of 2023 and 2024. Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, director of the Clinical Epidemiology Center at the VA St. Louis Health Care System, and his colleagues expected to find that the two respiratory diseases had finally equalized. Theres a narrative out there that the pandemic is over, that its a nothingburger, Al-Aly said. We came into this thinking we would do this rematch and find it would be like the flu from now on. The VA team examined electronic health records of patients treated in Veterans Affairs hospitals in all 50 states between Oct. 1 and March 27. They zeroed in on patients who were admitted because they had fevers, shortness of breath or other symptoms due to either COVID-19 or influenza. (People who were admitted for another reason, such as a heart attack, and were then found to have a coronavirus infection weren't included in the analysis.) The COVID-19 patients were a little older, on average, than the flu patients (73.9 versus 70.2 years old), and they were less likely to be current or former smokers. They were also more likely to have received at least three doses of COVID-19 vaccine and less likely to have shunned the shots altogether. Read more: Older Californians now eligible for another COVID-19 vaccine dose Yet after Al-Aly and his colleagues accounted for these differences and a host of other factors, they found that 5.7% of the COVID-19 patients died of their disease, compared with 4.2% of the influenza patients. In other words, the risk of death from COVID-19 was still 35% greater than it was for the flu. The findings were published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. There is undeniably an impression out there that [COVID-19] is no longer a major threat to human health, Al-Aly said. I think its largely driven by opinion and an emotional itch to move beyond the pandemic, to put it all behind us. We want to believe that its like the flu, and we did until we saw the data. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious diseases specialist at UC San Francisco, said the study results are right in line with what he sees in his hospital. "COVID continues to make some people in our community very ill and die even in 2024," he said. "Although most will not get seriously ill from COVID, for some people it is like 2020 all over again." That's particularly true for people who are older, who haven't received their most recent recommended COVID-19 booster, and who haven't taken full advantage of antivirals such as Paxlovid. Chin-Hong noted that only 5% of the COVID-19 patients in the study had been treated with antivirals before they were hospitalized. Even if the mortality rates for the COVID-19 and flu patients had been equal, COVID-19 would still be the bigger health threat because it is sending more people to the hospital, Al-Aly said. Between Oct. 1 and the end of March, 75.5 out of every 100,000 Americans had been hospitalized with influenza, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During that same period, the hospitalization rate for COVID-19 was 122.9 per 100,000 Americans, the CDC says. COVID still carries a higher risk of hospitalization, Al-Aly said. And among those hospitalized, more will die as a result. Read more: Mistrust, fights and blood sport: How COVID-19 trauma is shaping the 2024 election Yet Al-Aly noted with frustration that while 48% of adults in the U.S. received a flu shot this year, only 21% of adults are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, according to the CDC. Chin-Hong added that more than 95% of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 this past fall and winter had not received the latest booster shot, according to the CDC. Considering all the tools available to prevent hospitalizations and deaths and especially the fact that they are readily available to patients in the VA system the 35% relative risk of death from COVID-19 compared with the flu was "surprisingly high," Chin-Hong said. And it's not like the flu is a trivial health threat, especially for senior citizens and people who are immunocompromised. It routinely kills tens of thousands of Americans each year, CDC data show. Influenza is a consequential infection, Al-Aly said. Even when COVID becomes equal to the flu, its still sobering and significant." The researchers also compared the mortality rates of VA COVID-19 patients before and after Dec. 24, when the Omicron subvariant known as JN.1 became the dominant strain in the United States. The difference was not statistically significant. Read more: There's a new highly transmissible COVID-19 variant. Could FLiRT lead to a summer uptick? In just the last two weeks, JN.1 appears to have been overtaken by one of its descendants, a subvariant known as KP.2. It's part of a family of subvariants that's taken on the nickname "FLiRT," a moniker that references some of the mutations that have cropped up on the viruses' spike proteins. So far, there's no indication that KP.2 is any more dangerous than JN.1, Al-Aly said. "Are the hospitals filling up? No," he said. "Are ER rooms all over the country flooded with respiratory illness? No." Nor are there worrying changes in the amount of coronavirus detected in wastewater. "When you look at all these data streams, we're not seeing ominous signs that KP.2 is something the general public should worry about," Al-Aly said. It's also too early to tell whether KP.2 or whatever comes after it will finally erase the mortality gap between COVID-19 and the flu, he added. Maybe when we do a rematch in 2025, that will be the case," he said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Despite restrictions and bans, abortions rose across the U.S. according to new data Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade nearly two years ago, eliminating the constitutional right to access abortion, 14 states have nearly totally banned abortions. The implications have varied from forcing women to carry unwanted or unviable pregnancies to term to women being forced to spend thousands of dollars to travel out of state to influencing where medical students attend their residency programs. But one thing the restrictive landscape hasnt done? Reduce the number of abortions happening nationwide. According to a new report released this week by the Society of Family Planning's WeCount project, the number of abortions in the U.S. has continued to rise slightly since Roe was overturned. In 2023, there were on average 86,000 abortions per month compared to 2022 when there were about 82,000 abortions per month. While the researchers dont have their own data from pre-Dobbs, a previous study estimated that in 2020 slightly more than 930,000 abortions occurred in the United States in 2020, averaging about 77,500 per month. The same study estimated that abortion numbers had increased between 2017 and 2020 after decades of the annual number of abortions declining. WeCount collected their data thanks to their database of all clinics, private medical offices, hospitals and virtual clinic-abortion providers in the United States. Leveraging this database, providers submit the monthly number of abortions. WeCount synthesizes the data and creates imputations for the clinics that don't send their data. We're finding that there were a slightly higher number of abortions in 2023 compared to the data we collected in 2022, Ushma Upadhyay, a professor and public health scientist at the University of California, San Francisco who co-led the research, told Salon in a phone interview. Were also able to look at the loss in states with either total abortion bans or six-week bans, and we found that there are about 180,000 fewer abortions in the 18 months since the Dobbs decision in those states. These cumulative declines were most notable in Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana and Alabama. Notably, the data found that accessing abortion care via telehealth has been a game changer, Upadhyay emphasized. In a telehealth medication abortion, a patient typically talks to a provider over video or a secured chat platform. If the patient is less than 10 weeks pregnant and found to be eligible, the provider can prescribe the patient mifepristone, which blocks pregnancy hormones, and then misoprostol, which causes uterine contractions. The medicines can be delivered via a mail-order pharmacy even to those in states where abortions are nearly completely banned. According to the report, more than 40,000 people in states with abortion bans and telehealth restrictions received medication abortion through providers in states protected by shield laws between July and December 2023. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. Telehealth has really opened up access for people living in ban states who previously didn't have many other options, Upadhyay said. This is an option that their state may not see as legal, but the states providing the care see these as a fully legal option. Telehealth can help patients from having to travel many hours to access care, take time off or find childcare and its also less expensive than in-person care. This care often does not even require an appointment. Some providers offer it in an asynchronous way, meaning that when the patient comes to the website, completes their medical history information and then any questions, a provider will review it, Upadhyay said. Patients that are able to do the entire process from the comfort of their home or even at their work. They don't actually have to take time off of work to communicate with their providers. Elisa Wells, co-founder and co-director of Plan C, a non-profit abortion access group, told Salon in a phone interview that she wasnt surprised to see the increase in abortion numbers in the #WeCount report. Abortion is a common health need and as there is more information about abortion and abortion access available through the press and in part because of these bans I think people are considering how abortion fits into their lives and utilizing the service that they know is right for them," Wells told Salon. So we're not at all surprised, and we also know that the WeCount numbers are an undercount because they do not account for the self-managed abortion option. At the same time, this is happening as anti-abortion legislators are targeting medication abortion and trying to restrict access. In Louisiana, a bill proposed by a Republican state senator would classify mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV "controlled dangerous substances," essentially lumping it in the same category as sedatives like Xanax and Ambien. Meanwhile, the country is still waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to make a decision on a case that would restrict access to mifepristone nationwide, and eliminate access to mifepristone by telehealth and by mail. In other words and in spite of the fact that self-managed abortions are safer than ever the future of abortion access is not guaranteed. Even if telehealth access is not eroded, Upadhyay emphasized this data shouldnt be interpreted as all of the demand in states with abortion bans is being met. Our biggest concern is that it will be overlooked that there are many, thousands of people living in states with bans who are unable to access abortion that are being forced to carry their unwanted pregnancies to term, she said. It's so important that people have healthcare in the communities where they live. The Biden administration is moving ahead with plans to send another $1 billion in weapons and ammo to Israel, according to numerous reports citing congressional officials. The move comes just days after the White House paused a shipment of bombs, citing concerns for civilians in the Gaza city of Rafah. The new package reportedly includes about $700 million for tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds. It was not immediately clear when the shipment would be sent, but officials cited by The Wall Street Journal said additional steps would need to be taken before the weapons shipment could be approved. President Joe Biden threatened last week to withhold arms shipments to Israel if its military attacks certain areas of Rafah, where thousands of Palestinian civilians have moved to seek shelter from Israels war against Hamas. I made it clear that if they go into Rafahthey havent gone in Rafah yetif they go into Rafah, Im not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the citiesthat deal with that problem, Biden told CNN last week. He added at the time that his administration was still committed to Israels security but wanted to protect civilians. Were not walking away from Israels security. Were walking away from Israels ability to wage war in those areas, he said. With National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan due to visit Israel and Saudi Arabia this weekend, one U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Reuters on Tuesday that Israel had apparently been responsive to Bidens concerns, promising not to take any drastic actions in Rafah without notifying Washington. 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. Boil your water warning as parasite causes outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea in South Devon The outbreak of illness linked to cryptosporidium is centred on Brixham - Ian Woolcock/ Alamy Stock Photo Residents in south Devon have been told to boil water before drinking it after dozens of suspected cases of sickness and diarrhoea caused by a microscopic parasite. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said 22 cases of illness caused by cryptosporidium had been confirmed in Brixham. Other reported cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in residents and visitors to the south coast town are also under investigation and more confirmed cases are expected, the UKHSA added. South West Water issued a boil water notice for Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham after water tests showed small traces of the parasites. Order is a precaution The water company said data from tests on Tuesday had shown treated water leaving its treatment works was not contaminated, but further tests taken overnight found small traces of cryptosporidium, and it had issued the warning to boil water as a precaution. Residents are being urged to boil water and let it cool before drinking it, preparing or cooking food or cleaning their teeth, though the company said water can continue to be used as normal for washing, bathing and flushing the toilet. In a statement, South West Water said: We are working with public health partners to urgently investigate the source. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will continue to keep customers and businesses updated. The company said bottled water stations will be set up in the affected areas as soon as possible, while vulnerable customers would get deliveries of bottled water to their homes. UKHSA South West said it was working with Torbay council, South West Water, NHS Devon and the Environment Agency to investigate. Illness most common in under-fives Sarah Bird, a consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West, said: We advise people in the affected areas to follow the advice from South West Water and boil their drinking water and allow to cool before use. Anyone with a diarrhoeal illness should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and if they have severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea, they should contact NHS 111 or their GP surgery. Symptoms include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever, which can last for two to three weeks. Ms Bird warned that anyone can get the disease but it is most common in young children between one and five years old. Most healthy people will recover fully. People who catch the disease should stay off school or work for 48 hours after they stop being ill, and away from swimming pools for 14 days, she said. The disease can be picked up directly from the faeces of another person or animal, from swimming in or drinking contaminated water, or even by eating contaminated food such as unwashed vegetables. Cryptosporidium in manure can contaminate fields, rivers and crops, officials warn. 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. Political challengers Chris Barfield and Michael McKeever will face incumbent Bill Howell for the Macon-Bibb County District 7 seat in Tuesdays election. Howell has been in office since 2020 and is seeking a second four-year term. Barfield previously served as a union representative with the Georgia Division Train Dispatchers. McKeever is a program manager at Warner Robins Air Force Base, and has degrees from Georgia State University and Middle Georgia State University. Howell is the founder and former operator of Billy Bobs towing, and previously worked as a general contractor. Early voting ends Friday, and Election Day takes place on Tuesday. Because the race is non-partisan, it will be decided in May instead of during the General Election in November. In the event of a runoff, an election will be held on June 18. The winners term will begin Jan. 1. The answers below are from the candidates in their own words, but slight edits have been made for clarity and writing style. Chris Barfield What makes you qualified to run for office? I have more than 23 years management experience with a working knowledge of organizational leadership and relationship building with clients and team members alike. I utilize excellent organizational and interpersonal skills to communicate on various levels. I adapt quickly to changing environments and processes. Additionally, I hold two degrees. How do you plan on connecting with Macon residents on the campaign trail and while in office? I plan on being truthful and transparent with all the citizens of Macon-Bibb County while out on the campaign trail and once I am in office. I will respect the voters of Macon-Bibb County, understanding that they are my boss, I will be managing their money, and I cant pass any law, build any structure, or purchase any piece of land or property without first asking their consent in the form of a yes or no vote. I will never go along with the mayor on any major spending decision without first making sure the citizens of my district want their tax dollars spent in such a manner. I will restore the role of commissioner to that of a true REPRESENTATIVE of the people What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County? Crime due to lack of sheriff deputies is an issue. Together, we will find a way to make being a Bibb County Deputy a respectable occupation again while ensuring these officers are paid an acceptable wage with a retirement pension that will allow them to live comfortably in their later years. If a person risks their lives keeping us safe everyday, they deserve a competitive wage. When much smaller governments can afford to pay their deputies a decent living and we decide to spend money on unnecessary items first, we risk turning Macon-Bibb into a place where no one feels safe. The majority of streets and roads in Macon-Bibb County are in need of repair. Yet we still pay for legacy projects, such as a building named after a mayor, first. We should focus on obvious issues first and focus leftover money on these kinds of projects. Storm water drainage and the required $4.99 fee are issues. If you ask the citizens to pay a fee or another tax then they should see results. Draining one ditch here and there is not showing citizens that their extra five dollars a month is being put to good use. With how many households in Macon-Bibb County pay the $4.99 a month, we should see a lot more progress than we are seeing. How do you plan to solve these issues while in office? Reduce wasteful spending and stop putting the cart before the horse. Every dime that we as a city and/or county take in must be spent wisely. Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know? If elected, I promise to always be your representative. If you come to me with a problem and I dont know the answer, I promise I will not rest until I find someone that can provide an answer. I will always be transparent, accountable for how I spend your money, and respectful of constituents. I work for you. You tell me what we need and together we will work on getting just that. I will focus on what citizens need first, not what I want or think would be best. Michael McKeever What makes you qualified to run for office? I am qualified to run for office because I was born and raised here in Macon-Bibb County. I have a masters degree in business administration, and being a program manager at Robins Air Force Base I have experience eliminating wasteful spending and reducing costs. I will ultimately do the same as it pertains to the budget of Macon-Bibb County to ensure all tax dollars are spent with the utmost efficiency while having a full investment into public safety for Macon-Bibb County. I want to provide public safety an increased budget, which will in turn provide them with more resources to serve our citizens when they have an emergency. How do you plan on connecting with Macon residents on the campaign trail and while in office? While in office I will I will be readily available for my constituents and have open forums in my district where I will communicate key issues that will affect District 7 and Macon-Bibb County as a whole. Also, I will be available for any of my constituents to send me a message via text or Facebook Messenger to discuss key issues. What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County? Public safety is the biggest issue facing Macon-Bibb County as we have deputies whose salaries arent on-par with our neighbors, including the Warner Robins Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff Department. Both of those departments are responsible for serving and protecting fewer citizens than the Macon-Bibb County Sheriffs Office. Smaller salaries is the key reason the Macon-Bibb County Sheriffs Office continues to operate with a shortage of deputies and cant retain its current deputies as well. Bringing more industry and jobs to Macon-Bibb County is important. That will increase the citizens of Bibb countys household income, reduce the county poverty rate and reduce the crime rate as well. Specifically in District 7 in South-Bibb County, infrastructure is an issue including stormwater drainage issues and a need for road repairs. How do you plan to solve these issues while in office? I want to give the Macon-Bibb County Sheriffs Office a salary increase to over $50,000 a year starting salary. With this, the Macon-Bibb County Sheriff Department will at least have a salary equal to that of our neighbors at the Warner Robins Police Department. I want to create industry initiatives for companies who are looking to set up headquarters, manufacturing plants and business hubs across Georgia. This will give us an opportunity to pitch why Macon-Bibb County will be attractive for job creation. I will also give companies incentives for creating new jobs and employing individuals who reside in Macon-Bibb County. I want to install more storm water drains in South Bibb County and get storm drains cleaned to prevent flooding when it rains. Also, I want to ensure roads get repaired. There are roads across South Bibb that are driven on everyday that are in poor condition with potholes. Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know? I just wanted everyone to know I am the candidate focused on our future and having a better Macon-Bibb County. I hope to earn the vote of the citizens of District 7 to serve Macon-Bibb County. Bill Howell Bill Howell is the incumbent candidate for District 7. He did not respond to requests for comment from The Telegraph. He was first elected in 2020 on a platform seeking to tackle public safety, crime and infrastructure. Howell was especially committed to solving staffing issues at the sheriffs office, not raising taxes and cutting excess spending in the county budget. Howell has been endorsed by Mayor Lester Millerwho is also running for re-election. While in office, Howell hosted forums to find solutions to drainage issues in the county, helped expand the airport and worked to increase public safety investments. If he wins a second term, Howell said he plans to continue improving infrastructure, with a focus on stormwater flooding in South Bibb. The Joe Biden administration has informally notified Congress that it will send Israel a new shipment of weapons worth more than $1 billion. The move comes just a week after it confirmed that it had paused a shipment of thousands of 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs due to the possibility that they could be used to attack the city of Rafah, in the Gaza Strip, and cause more civilian deaths. The new shipment includes ammunition for tanks, mortars and military vehicles. The confirmation of the shipment advanced by The Wall Street Journal comes as Republicans prepare to present a bill in the House of Representatives that would force President Biden to guarantee the supply of weapons to Israel. The White House is trying to stop House Democrats from supporting the measure, titled the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, which calls on the Biden administration to utilize all congressionally appropriated funds for security assistance for Israel as Congress intended. The White Houses announcement last week that it had paused a shipment of bombs was met with fierce criticism among Republicans, who are trying to present themselves as the party that most supports Israel ahead of the November election, when many pro-Israel voters will cast their ballot. Democrats, and the partys powerful pro-Israel donors, also criticized the move, especially after Biden told CNN that he would stop sending weapons if Israel launched a major operation against Rafah. On Monday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a press conference that the United States had paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs because Washington believes that they should not be dropped in densely populated cities. Rafah, on Gazas southern border, is home to more than a million Palestinians, most of whom have been displaced from other areas of the Gaza Strip. The senior official clarified that the Biden government would continue to provide military assistance as part of the $100 billion foreign aid package approved last month, to help Israel, Ukraine and other U.S. allies. The State Department announced the new shipment to the congressional committees as a prior step to formal notification to the Capitol, within the established procedure for this type of operation. Biden and his administration have warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against attacking Rafah, the last city in Gaza that Israeli forces have not fully invaded, without putting in place measures to protect civilians and guarantee the supply of humanitarian aid to a population which is already on the brink of famine. The border town plays a key role in the distribution of aid that enters the border crossing with Egypt, which Israeli troops have closed since taking control of the area last week. Incredibly high cost to civilians The U.S. government fears that the Israeli operation in Rafah will cause a huge number of civilian deaths in a war that has already killed more than 35,000 Palestinians and injured more than 70,000. It believes a ground offensive in Rafah will not help achieve the Netanyahu governments goal of eradicating Hamas. Last Sunday, in an interview with the CBS television network, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the Israeli offensive in Rafah would come at an incredibly high cost to civilians, while failing to clear the city of the terrorists. A lot of armed Hamas will be left no matter what they do in Rafah, he said. On Wednesday, from Kyiv, Blinken also urged Israel to develop a plan for the future of Gaza after the war. We do not support and will not support an Israeli Occupation. We also, of course, do not support Hamas governance in Gaza [] Weve seen where thats led all too many times for the people of Gaza and for Israel. And we also cant have anarchy and a vacuum thats likely to be filled by chaos, he said at a press conference. The new shipment of weapons to Israel has sparked criticism among Democratic lawmakers, who are demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire and guarantees that the weapons will be used in accordance with international humanitarian law. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen said Washington should not be proceeding with any additional offensive arms transfers until the United States receives clear assurances from the Netanyahu government that the presidents concerns regarding Rafah have been addressed and his demands for the delivery of humanitarian assistance have been met. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Concern about the fate of the Belle Isle Boat House has resurfaced after an annual report presentation on Belle Isle during a Detroit City Council meeting on Tuesday. The boathouse, built in 1902 and used to house the Detroit Rowing Club, has stood dilapidated and empty since August 2022, when sections of the ceiling, floor, and exterior stucco collapsed. After architects estimated the cost of restoration efforts at around $54 million, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which acquired the boathouse when it acquired Belle Isle in 2014, has searched for solution after solution to make use of its limited funding. The DNR has toyed with the idea of demolition, and although it's still not off the table, they are now attempting to partner with a private company to save the building and possibly reimagine the boathouse. The front entrance to Detroit's Belle Isle Boat House on Belle Isle in Detroit on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The boat house that has been in disrepair for years needs restoration costing $54 million architects estimate. "We did send out a public survey to ask folks what they would like to see, and obviously, the majority of the public's sentiment was to save it. ... But that doesn't mean that the funding is there to do so," said Thomas Bissett, the urban district supervisor for the parks and recreation division of the Michigan DNR. "I don't think that (the DNR) wants to demolish it ... What we want is that if it's something that's going to be restored, for it be restored appropriately but then also for it to be funded in the future." Earlier this year, the DNR began accepting proposals from private companies to redevelop the boathouse, hoping for proposals from people with backgrounds in development and historical rehabilitation with financial backing to submit a viable proposal. More: Belle Isles transformation under state control: What's changed, what's still coming By the March 31 deadline, the DNR had received five letters of intent, three of which were selected to move forward in the process. They now have until July 31 to submit a formal proposal to the DNR. "At that point, we would sit down and review them and see if any of them are viable, as far as being able to first fund it but continue to operate it through their plan," said Bissett. "It'd be great to fix it, but it has to fund the facility, and most importantly we want a key aspect of that to remain open to the public. The last thing we want is it to be a building on Belle Isle that's not open to the public. "We can do lots of improvements, but if we restore the building so it just sits there, that doesn't make any sense for the public." More: Belle Isle Boat House needs $54M renovation as demolition remains an option Bissett said that the DNR does not know the extent or viability of the proposals. "No decision has been made yet to whether one of these proposals would be accepted or whether (the boathouse) would be demolished. ... What they gave us in that letter of intent was just a skeleton. They identified a potential use and potential funding but nothing was set in stone," said Bissett. A look at some of the dilapidation going on at Detroit's Belle Isle Boat House on Belle Isle in Detroit on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The boat house that has been in disrepair for years needs restoration costing $54 million architects estimate. What's more, the DNR is on a time crunch. Bissett said the $23 million in funding for the park that the DNR has from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) must be allocated and signed in a construction contract by the end of this year. In the meantime, Bissett and the DNR have been taking the people behind the proposals, as well as any engineers, financiers, and other experts, to view the site and assist them in creating their formal submissions at the end of July. "The main thing is that we've done exactly what we said we were going to do: We said we were going to ask the public and we did so, we said we were going to put out a request for letters of intent and we did so, and now we're working with those three groups to help them develop their proposal going forward," said Bissett. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Belle Isle Boat House: 3 private companies to submit formal proposals Dr Salam Al-Sam, who founded Justice for Doctors in 2019, is the medics' equivalent of Alan Bates For the past five years, a group of NHS doctors has been meeting once a fortnight on Zoom to swap stories, seek advice and reassure each other that they are not alone. What they all have in common is raising concerns about patient safety as is their duty and they have all paid a heavy price for trying to protect the public, often with the loss of their careers. Justice for Doctors (JFD), as the group is called, bears striking similarities with the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance (JFSA) that took on the Post Office over the Horizon IT scandal, even though neither knew of the others existence. In both cases, a small number of people doing the same job joined forces after discovering they were not the only ones who have been wronged, and in both cases their number has steadily swelled as membership has grown through word of mouth alone. In the case of the sub-postmasters, the meetings were held in a village hall in Warwickshire, whereas the doctors have been meeting online. This week, Justice for Doctors will hold its first in-person conference, where its members will discuss how they can stop the targeting of whistleblowers by NHS managers who put reputations before patient safety. Grassroots movements Dr Salam Al-Sam, who founded JFD in 2019, is the doctors equivalent of Alan Bates, the sub-postmaster memorably played by Toby Jones in the ITV drama about the Post Office scandal. Dr Al-Sam sees many similarities between the two grassroots movements. Much like the sub-postmasters who blamed themselves for Horizon IT accounting errors and hid their debts for fear of judgment, many of the doctors who make up JFD speak of feeling ashamed. Dr Al-Sam sees similarities between Doctors for Justice and the Subpostmasters Alliance lead by Alan Bates, pictured - Peter Nicholls But once they started to compare stories at the meetings, they realised they were not alone, and saw such striking similarities in the way they had been treated that they decided the targeting of whistleblowers was a systemic problem in the NHS. Doctors, especially the caring ones, raise concerns, said Dr Al-Sam. They become targets of bullying, harassment, and dismissal. Many simply disappear because its too much to bear, some have even committed suicide. Our group is just the tip of the iceberg. He is clear that the health of the nation is at risk if speaking up freely about poor practices makes doctors a target for reprisals. The clinicians at Justice for Doctors say they are turning to the media after official channels were exhausted. Dr Al-Sam said: We tried to raise this through the normal channels, the NHS, the chief executive, the Care Quality Commission. Nobody responded or replied to our letters. By opening their first in-person meeting to the press, the doctors hope to start telling the public about the scale of the problem in the NHS. Sleepless nights Dr Al-Sam, a consultant pathologist, found his career and his life turned upside down after he raised patient safety concerns only to face unfounded counter-allegations and exclusion from work pending an investigation. He has since been cleared of wrongdoing. For three months I barely got two hours of sleep a night, he said. He woke every night at 2am and was unable to get back to sleep. His sense of reality was so shaken that he literally lost his balance while walking towards his computer in the early hours of every day. He would spend hours at the computer, trying to gather more documents to prove that the allegations raised against me were truly unfounded and fake. After three years off work, and still under investigation at that point, he formed Justice for Doctors to support others subjected to the same abuse. Dr Azhar Ansari, a consultant gastroenterologist, was an early recruit. He describes the groups members as a very conservative bunch. Most are senior consultants who like all doctors had a professional duty to raise concerns. He said: Were very proud people, us doctors of a certain age. We walk with our heads tall, because its taken a long time to build up our reputations. You can lose everything. In a divorce, you split up your assets, but when your career breaks down when you have dedicated your life to patients and to the NHS you walk away with nothing and a damaged reputation. You cant even get a job to feed your family when your reputation is damaged, he said. While the doctors have tried to raise public awareness of the issue with the help of campaigners including former BBC journalist Anna Brees, they feel their concerns are still being ignored. Dr Al-Sam said: This story must come out because the waste of NHS money which should go to patient care is in the millions. The membership of this not-for-profit alliance is now over 140 doctors and is on the rise. When you face adversity, you have two choices: give up and hide, or stand firm and turn the loss into a win. We aim for safer services for our patients and for the protection of taxpayers funds. 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. DOJ: Former 2nd-grade teacher in Milford sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for child porn possession A former teacher was sentenced in federal court on Wednesday for possessing thousands of pictures depicting child sexual abuse. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman sentenced 36-year-old Vincent Kiejzo to 42 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, according to Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. Kiejzo was also ordered to pay $43,500 in restitution to the victims. During a search of Kiejzos Milford home in September 2020, investigators found a USB drive in his bedroom that authorities say contained well over 6,000 images of child pornography, including images involving infants. At the time of the arrest, Kiejzo was working as a second-grade teacher. It is unclear if any of the images found on his flash drive involved any of his students. Kiejzo pleaded guilty in December 2024 to one count of possession of child pornography. He will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. Milford Police, Homeland Security, and Project Safe Childhood all assisted with the investigation. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW May 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Justice is conducting a civil rights investigation at eight Kentucky youth detention centers and one youth development center, the DOJ announced Wednesday. Allegations of excessive force, prolonged isolation and threats of violence and sexual abuse prompted the investigation. "Confinement in the juvenile justice system should help children avoid future contact with law enforcement and mature into law-abiding, productive members of society," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said. "Too often, juvenile justice facilities break our children, exposing them to dangerous and traumatic conditions," Clarke added. The investigation will focus on "systemic violations of the rights of young people" in detention centers that primarily hold children and teens while they await court hearings in Kentucky, according to the DOJ. The Civil Rights Division's Special Litigation Section and the U.S. attorneys' offices for the western and eastern districts of Kentucky jointly are conducting the investigation. The civil rights investigation was announced less than a week after a Kentucky newspaper reported on the conditions teenagers experienced at four detention centers run by the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice. Those detention centers are located in Kentucky's Adair, Campbell, Fayette and McCracken counties, where riots, attacks and escapes have occurred in recent years. Teenage inmates submitted 87 handwritten grievances from January 2023 through March of this year, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported Thursday. Department employees reviewed and determined the grievances are legitimate complaints and commonly involved poor sanitation, safety issues, staff behavior and unclean or bad food. The grievances say inmates were fed spoiled milk and burned or uncooked food served in dirty cups and eating utensils. The inmates also complained that guards withheld showers, didn't conduct safety checks and didn't provide prescription medicines. They also say bed sheets were not washed for weeks and inmates threatened other inmates with sexual violence. Cells sometimes had no running water, lacked hot water and had no air conditioning. Another grievance said guards wouldn't provide cleaning supplies after an inmate vomited on a cell floor. Kentucky's Juvenile Justice Department operates 14 juvenile detention centers and development centers throughout the commonwealth. Several juvenile inmates have filed federal lawsuits against the Juvenile Justice Department. Recently appointed Kentucky Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White, in a prepared statement, said he is "instating a new process" to respond to legitimate grievances by youth inmates and ensure consistency among each detention and development center and department programs. The DOJ asks anyone with relevant information to contact the department by calling (888) 392-8241 or by sending an email toKentucky.Kids@usdoj.gov. 'Dont make it about yourself': Michael Cohen faces grilling from defense. What you missed on Day 17 of Trump's hush money trial. Defense attorney Todd Blanche grew annoyed and raised his voice as he tried to press Michael Cohen into calling himself a liar and Donald Trumps former fixer tried to skirt the question it wasn't quite the fireworks many had expected for the Tuesday cross-examination, but it did illustrate the tense questioning. Cohen already testified that he had lied repeatedly for Trump. I regret doing things for him that I should not have lying, bullying people in order to effectuate a goal, Cohen said. I violated my moral compass. But on cross-examination, Cohen became more recalcitrant. Was it a lie? Blanche asked. It wasnt a lie. It wasnt truthful. If you want to call it a lie, we can call it a lie. I believe the information I gave them is inaccurate," Cohen dodged. But you are not testifying its a lie? Blanche responded. Sure, Ill say its a lie," he finally conceded, still keeping his cool and defying his well-earned reputation as a hothead. Heres what else you missed during Day 17 of Trumps state hush money trial in New York City: Cross-examination gets off to a bumpy start Blanche drew an immediate objection as he launched his cross-examination and was quickly admonished by the judge. Mr. Cohen, my name is Todd Blanche, Blanche told Cohen and then added, You went on TikTok and called me a crying little s---. Judge Juan Merchan called the lawyers to the bench to for a discussion out of earshot of the jury and others in the courtroom. Why are you making this about yourself? Merchan began. Blanche tried to argue he was seeking to show Cohen is biased. It doesnt matter if he has bias towards you; it doesnt matter, Merchan said. The issue is whether he has bias towards the defendant. He added, Just dont make it about yourself. Blanche resumed his questioning which for about two hours bounced among topics and didn't once address any of Cohen's testimony during the direct examination by prosecutors. Cohen can't recall Following hours of detailed, dispassionate testimony, Cohen became more combative on cross-examination. Cohen couldnt recall being asked by his attorneys to stop talking about the case or his conversations with the Manhattan district attorneys office would end up in the media. Asked about a 2021 television appearance in which he Cohen discussed the investigation, he responded, I go on TV often. What was I talking about? I dont know, he added. After initially having sidestepped a question about whether he talks to the media, upon further questioning, Cohen responded, It sounds correct, then it is correct. Let me get this straight, you had very specific recollections yesterday, including about telephone calls with Trump dating to 2016, Blanche said. Yet Cohen cant remember conversations with his own attorney last year, Blanche said, incredulously. Defense probes Cohen's motive In a sprawling cross-examination, Blanche tore through many of the probes and public investigations that came to define Trumps time in office: the Trump Moscow project, the Mueller report and the Steele dossier. Even Anthony Scaramucci, who was Trump's White House communications director for a week and a half in 2017, made an appearance, as Blanche asked Cohen about a visit in which Scaramucci said Cohen told him that he was seeking to get out of jail early. Earlier Blanche insinuated that Cohen began to change his story as he sought a path out of federal prison and began meeting with federal prosecutors. Blanche worked to establish Cohens interest in cooperating with the prosecution as he sought an early release from his sentence and wanted the district attorneys office to publicly announce that he was cooperating. I was looking for a reduction in the home confinement portion, not just in this but in the work I was doing, Cohen said. I did want to be released, yes. Pressured to stay in the fold Before cross-examination, Cohen spent the morning under direct examination by prosecutors. Cohen recalled the FBI raid of his home and office in 2018, when it packed up his tax books and other documents and seized his phones, including one that included the audio recording of Trump. Asked by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger how he felt, Cohen said he was frightened and despondent. How to understand your life being turned upside down? he said, turning to face the jury. I was scared. I wanted some reassurance that Mr. Trump had my back, especially with issues that related to him. He felt reassured by Trumps response, he said: Dont worry; Im the president of the United States. Theres nothing here. Stay tough. Youre going to be OK. I had the president of the United States protecting me. ... I remained in the camp, Cohen said. He was still part of a joint defense agreement as Trump tweeted about Cohens being a fine lawyer with a wonderful family. But Trump was also musing publicly that most people will flip if the government lets them out of trouble. The message was Stay loyal. Dont flip, Cohen told the court. He said he understood the tweet as meaning Trump didnt want him to cooperate with the government. But that sentiment seemed to evaporate quickly. Cohen said he was inundated with calls from a lawyer with ties to Rudy Giuliani, who was then representing Trump. Cohen told him he was considering hiring a different lawyer, who wouldnt be part of the joint defense agreement. "He was angry that I would sit down with the other attorney and not sit down with him, and Id had enough and I told him," Cohen testified. Cohen soon decided to cooperate with prosecutors, saying he made a decision with his family not to lie for Trump anymore. My family "said to me: 'Why are you holding on to this loyalty? What are you doing? Were supposed to be your first loyalty.' Cohen testified. He added that he decided it was about time to listen to them. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] is investigating a wing-clip incident that occurred on Sunday, May 12, with Donald Trump's private jet. Although it is unclear if he was aboard the aircraft at the time, a Boeing 757 belonging to the former president was reported to have been involved in the incident. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the collision. The FAA Wants To Know What Happened With Donald Trump's Private Jet MEGA Boeing 757 bearing the prominent "Trump" insignia touched down at West Palm Beach International Airport early Sunday morning. According to the FAA, the incident occurred as the aircraft was taxiing on the tarmac. Its winglet made contact with a stationary and unoccupied corporate jet. Pictures acquired by TMZ showed Trump's plane parked at the airport with one wing missing its winglet, which is used to reduce aerodynamic drag. Other images featured a significant gash in the elevator of the Vistajet's tail. While the FAA did not explicitly name the former US president's plane, it provided media outlets with the tail number, N757AF, registered to DJT Operations I LLC, one of his businesses. The incident follows Trump's campaign rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, on Saturday. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the collision. What Is Inside Trump's Stunning Private Jet? MEGA The Republican presidential nominee was most recently seen getting off the private jet at New York's LaGuardia Airport in April ahead of his hush-money trial that same month. Around that time Business Insider Africa reported that Trump bought the jet for a whopping $100 million in 2011. He has since lavishly outfitted it with luxury features, including gold-plated seatbelts, a private bedroom, and a master bathroom. Upon entering from the back of the jet, visitors will encounter the galley which forms a compact kitchen thanks to being outfitted with glassware, a sink, and coffee makers. Additionally, the headrests and pillows have been adorned with the Trump family crest. Continuing through the jet, passengers will discover the main lounge, complete with seating arrangements, a couch, and the SkyTheater equipped with a 57" television set. It also has a sound system designed to emulate a "Hollywood screening room," as described by Amanda Miller, the Trump Organization's SVP of marketing & corporate communications. The 77-Year-Old's Wife Slammed Him For This Challenge MEGA Just days ago, Trump made headlines when he told a story about a past event at his recently held rally in New Jersey. Per The Blast, the media personality recalled criticizing media distortion regarding his comments on President Joe Biden's speaking abilities, which he thought would earn him praise from his wife, Melania, afterward. Unfortunately, all he got was a blunt remark about his stage exit difficulty. Reflecting on the moment, he stated: "I called my wife [Melania Trump], the great first lady...I called our first lady - I said, 'First Lady, how great a speech was that? 'She said, 'You were OK.' I said, 'What's wrong? '. She said, 'Well, you couldn't find your way off stage.'" Trump Doubled Down In His Fight Against Joe Biden MEGA During the same rally, Trump delved into his familiar notion that the current administration is leading the country into decline. "We have enemies on the outside, and we have enemies from within. The enemies from within are more dangerous to me than the enemies on the outside," he began. The Queens native added, "Russia and China we can handle, but these lunatics within our government that are gonna destroy our country, and probably want to, we have to get it stopped." Further asserting that Biden is "surrounded by fascists," Trump alleged: "I talk about him differently now because now the gloves are off. He's a bad guy, should've never done that because it's so bad for our country." Donald Trump Forgot His Son's Age By A Year MEGA Trump became a victim of his attacks against Biden's mental sharpness when he had a memory lapse of his own earlier this month. As it turned out, the University of Pennsylvania graduate stumbled over his son, Barron's age while discussing the teenager's selection as a Florida delegate for the Republican National Convention. Singing the praises of the 18-year-old, Trump gushed, "Well, to me, that's very cute because it's a very young guy, and he's graduating from high school this year. He's a very good student, very smart." He continued: "And I think that's great. I think it's very interesting too. But he's pretty young. I will say. He's 17, but if they can do that, I'm all for it. I think I'm all for it. And he probably would be, knowing him. He would probably be for it, too." More than two months after ending her presidential bid, Nikki Haley did not directly address the topic of Donald Trump or her political future during a two-day gathering of some of her key donors in Charleston, South Carolina, this week. Instead, the former South Carolina governor and her top political aides answered questions about policy from those donors and ran through the numbers of how her now-suspended 2024 campaign raised and spent its money. Since leaving the race, she has kept a relatively low profile, conspicuously refraining from endorsing Trump or encouraging her Republican supporters who continue to show up to the primary polls, even with the former president set to win the nomination to oppose him. The donor retreat was one of the biggest signals Haley has given since dropping out of the race that she hopes to keep some presence in national politics. The former governor, according to multiple attendees, opted against weighing in on any of the larger questions concerning what comes next for her, but she did discuss policy related questions and thank some of her top donors for fueling her campaign. The retreat was described as similar to an investor conference, according to one attendee. Haley did not say at any point whether she would endorse Trump, be willing to run as Trumps vice presidential nominee if offered, or run for president in the future, according to multiple attendees of the donor retreat. But those attendees came away from the event with the impression that Haley herself did not have a firm answer to any of those questions. The discussion also veered at one point to Haley backers who are still voting for her in the primary even though shes dropped out of the race. On Tuesday night, for example, during the second day of the donor retreat, Trump won the Maryland Republican primary with 80% of the vote; almost 20% of GOP voters chose Haley. Haley didnt directly say whether she wanted her backers to keep voting for her or to just vote for Trump. Shes deliberately not saying that, one attendee said, but she indicated that she wanted her supporters and attendees at the retreat to vote your conscience, vote however you want to vote. Its for you to decide, Haley said, according to one attendee. During the event, Haley did not directly address her ongoing support in the primary or offer any direct plans about her political future or running again, according to Eric J. Tanenblatt, a top donor who attended the conference. I dont think shes made any decisions about her future, Tanenblatt said. Also during the retreat, longtime Haley adviser Jon Lerner and Haley campaign manager Betsy Ankney gave a presentation about how the campaign raised and spent money while the former governor and UN ambassador was running. [Ankney and Lerner] walked through how the money was spent and how they did what they did. There was obviously a lot of talk about what people would like her to do. But again she hasnt made any decisions. I think its fair to say, though, that shes 52 years old, so shes got some years ahead of her, Tanenblatt said. Haley also fielded questions from donors on specific issues, including abortion, the state of American democracy and the national debt, according to multiple attendees. She reiterated her support for Israel in the ongoing war in Gaza when asked during the retreat about the conflict. Well, shes been an ardent supporter of Israel and has not wavered at all. Remember at one of the debates when she said finish them referring to Hamas. I think she still feels very strongly about that, Tanenblatt said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com KYODO NEWS - May 16, 2024 - 16:24 | World, All French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said Wednesday that the government has decided to deploy the military to New Caledonia to ensure the safety of ports and airports as riots continue in its Pacific territory, French media reported. Paris declared an emergency for New Caledonia at 5 a.m. Thursday local time. Attal also said the government has banned the use of the short-video app TikTok in an apparent bid to prevent calls for further demonstrations or other acts from spreading in the territory east of Australia, according to the reports. A total of four people have been killed and hundreds more injured in conflicts that have rocked the island since earlier this week, local media reported, as protests over changes to voter eligibility in the territory turned violent. The riots broke out in the capital Noumea on Monday night as lawmakers in Paris debated constitutional changes that would expand the electorate in New Caledonia's provincial elections to French residents who have lived in the archipelago for 10 years. Separatists fear the move would strengthen the position of pro-France politicians by diluting the vote of the indigenous Kanak Melanesian population. The unrest has so far resulted in numerous fires and widespread looting of businesses and public property, including schools, the High Commission of the Republic of New Caledonia said in a statement Wednesday. Nearly 200 rioters have been arrested, and 64 gendarmes and police officers have been injured in the clashes, according to a separate statement Thursday by France's representative in the territory. A curfew between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. imposed on Tuesday night has been extended and a ban on all gatherings in the capital imposed, as well as a territory-wide embargo on alcohol sales and the carrying and transport of weapons. The international airport in Noumea has been closed and all commercial flights are canceled until further notice, its operator said Wednesday. According to French media, the constitutional reforms were adopted by the National Assembly in Paris shortly after midnight Tuesday by 351 votes to 153, following lengthy debate. However, it still has to pass a second round of voting before becoming law, according to reports. New Caledonia, with a population of some 270,000, has gained considerable autonomy from France under the 1998 Noumea Accord, which vowed to gradually give more political power to the territory. Under the agreement, New Caledonia has held three referendums on its ties with France, with independence being rejected each time. However, pro-independence parties did not accept the result of the third referendum in 2021 after boycotting the vote over France's refusal to postpone the referendum amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Related coverage: Kishida, Macron agree to start negotiations on new security pact Japan, France to agree to start negotiations on new security pact Japan, Pacific islands oppose change of status quo amid China clout DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A Houston County Judge has ordered an 18-year-old Dothan woman whose baby died after police say she placed him in a dumpster with a trash compactor in the Alabama summer heat will go to trial as an adult. Jakayla Williams, 18, is charged with one count of Capital Murder in the death of her baby boy. She was indicted on the charge on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Williams applied for youthful offender status at the end of March. District Attorney Russ Goodman tells WDHN Judge Butch Binford denied her plea for youthful offender during a hearing Wednesday afternoon. This means Williams will be tried as an adult, and her court case will be public. Goodman says his office is considering seeking the death penalty if Williams is convicted. Williams was arrested in late August 2023 after Dothan Police Investigator said she threw her newborn baby in a dumpster with a trash compactor after secretly giving birth in her Dothan home. Dothan Investigators were alerted to the case when staff at Southeast Health said that Williams and her mother were at the hospital looking for a baby. According to Police, Williams initially told responding officers at the hospital that she had the baby at her home on August 13 before secretly giving him to a Southeast Health nurse; however, Williams description of the nurse was vague, so police pulled surveillance footage, and Williams was not seen at the hospital, contradicting the story she told investigators. Officers pulled Williams back in for questioning, and after hours of interviewing, she told them what had happened to the baby. Police say instead of taking her baby boy to the hospital, Williams took him to an apartment complex on the West side of Dothan and placed him in a dumpster with a trash compactor attached. The babys remains were later found by officers wrapped in a mattress protector inside a zipped-up duffel bag at the Dothan dump. Investigators say the baby was alive when put in the compactor, but during a preliminary hearing in late 2023, Williams defense team asked if there is evidence proving this. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. ASHEVILLE - City Council approved a downtown Business Improvement District May 14, which would leverage a special tax on property owners to fund additional services for the city's central business district. It is the first of two votes required to establish the BID, and despite vocal opposition at both the night's meeting and a previous public hearing, it found strong conceptual support among council members. The vote passed 5-1, with council member Kim Roney the sole holdout. Council member Sheneika Smith was not present. The second, and final, reading is June 11. "I think a BID can be a really powerful collaboration for a downtown, for our economic health as a community and ultimately as a region," said council member Maggie Ullman. Pick a city (in North Carolina). They probably have a BID. It is such a common best practice right now for downtown health. There is clear agreement that right now we need more funds to support downtown. People walk up Patton Avenue in Asheville, May 14, 2024. Where did the BID come from? The initial BID proposal was brought by the Asheville Downtown Association and Chamber of Commerce, with "clean and safe" the slogan at its center. The Chamber contracted with an outside firm, Progressive Urban Management Associates, to conduct a feasibility study and to prepare the statutorily required BID operational plan. It imagines uniformed hospitality ambassadors" to engage with visitors, business owners and the city's homeless population by directing them to services, as well as enhanced cleaning, like litter removal, street sweeping and pressure washing. Supporters argue a BID holds the ability to nimbly respond to downtown's needs. The initial ordinance, voted on May 14, is limited to establishing the BID boundaries and setting the tax rate. The most contested details, like governance structure, management and services to be delivered, are not included in this vote. A view of the Flat Iron Building, now The Flat Iron Hotel, from College Street in Asheville, May 14, 2024. City staff said this guidance could come at a later date, but before implementation of BID service delivery. Council members said they would discuss crafting a resolution at its June meeting to create some of these guardrails. The intent was to pass the resolution along with the second vote. Ullman said it could detail, for example, the makeup of the BID's governance board. It would serve as direction for a future request for proposals, which would be issued by the city to hire an outside organization to manage the BID. Each year, City Council would set the tax rate, approve any new service contracts and an annual budget. In the initial plan, the Chamber and ADA said they intend to respond to the citys RFP. "I do believe downtown should have a BID," said council member Sage Turner. "But it is how it is managed and by whom and what for that I have concerns lingering. That's where this idea of a resolution could help resolve some of that." Turner said she was ready to say "yes" that night, but her second "yes" in June was contingent on the resolution. But what teeth would that resolution have? City Attorney Brad Branham answered that question in a May 9 virtual council meeting: "Generally speaking, I anticipate that the items that would be included in that would be more of a reflection of intent from council, as opposed to a binding statement," he said. Pedestrians cross College Street in downtown Asheville, May 14, 2024. Concerns around the BID While the proposal has found backing among some business and property owners in the central business district, others worry it will serve only to privatize public spaces, pushing out the city's unhoused or sending people without the right training to respond to mental health crises. Rather than result in better service, they fear it will mean more calls to police, community paramedics and other providers, many of which are strapped for resources and staff. "Common practice is not best practice," said Rachel Stark at the night's public comment. She's an artist with a studio in the South Slope, within the BID boundaries, she said, and even as she described it, "miraculously affordable," it's still a struggle to afford. People walk along Broadway Street in Asheville, May 14, 2024. Speaker Grace Barron said the increased property tax will be passed on to tenants, further impacting people's ability to maintain housing. "I feel like this BID process, for the general public, feels extremely rushed," said another speaker, Nina Tovish. "Now you all are scrambling to create a non-binding resolution in a few weeks in the hopes that will help people swallow this pill." Roney argued that a BID was the wrong tool for the job. The "true solution" for enhanced safety and hospitality, she said, is to partner with Buncombe County to expand its community paramedics program, with "uniquely qualified behavioral health and peer support specialists." Begin with a dedicated unit for downtown, she said, and then grow it citywide. Of maintenance, she said the solution would be found in securing living wages for the city's public works and sanitation staff. Third party management, instead of in-house services, in both cases she said would be more expensive. With further tax increases on the horizon, "we will have tied up all of our resources in taxing downtown and leaving a gap. And I'm not OK with that." A petition with 949 signatures as of 11 p.m., May 14, is calling for council to oppose the BID, with concerns around "private security," additional tax burdens and lack of public oversight. Among organizations that have signed on are BeLoved Asheville, Asheville Food and Beverage United, Sow True Seed, The Steady Collective and more. A split vote from the city's Downtown Commission failed to send an affirmative recommendation forward to City Council April 26. They sought additional input on the request for proposals, confirmation of an open board application process and further clarity around the role and powers of ambassadors. The Flat Iron Building, now The Flat Iron Hotel, is seen from College Street in downtown Asheville, May 14, 2024. What is a BID? A Business Improvement District, or Municipal Service District, as it is defined by state statute, is used to provide enhanced "services, facilities or functions" within a specific geographic area in Asheville's case, its downtown. It is not intended to replace city services, but to supplement them. The tax rate set by the ordinance is 9 cents per $100 of assessed value. It would be levied against property owners within the BID's downtown boundaries. It encompasses much, but not all, of the central business district. The assessment would generate a $1.25 million operating budget. There are 66 BIDs with a "placemaking focus" in North Carolina, according to Jason Epley, executive director of the N.C. Downtown Development Association. He uses tax rate data from the N.C. Department of Revenue to make the tally, discounting watershed and sewage districts, and other exceptions. The current push echoes a similar effort more than a decade earlier. In 2012, a district was created, but the BID stalled for lack of funding. Mayor Esther Manheimer, who was on council during the 2012 push, said she felt the current effort was more comprehensive. "I hope that it helps us establish a better and more robust partnership so that we have these entities to operate through, to work with the city, to make sure the concerns around downtown are being addressed," she said. More: Split BID vote at Asheville Downtown Commission sends council muddled message; What now? More: 'Clean and safe' for who? Asheville council hears anxieties around proposed BID Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Downtown Asheville BID passes 1st City Council vote 5-1 Authorities in Florida arrested the driver of a pickup truck that slammed into a bus carrying dozens of migrant workers early Tuesday, killing eight and sending more than 40 others to area hospitals. Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, was charged with eight counts of D.U.I. manslaughter, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The bus, carrying roughly 53 farm workers, was traveling down a highway in north-central Florida when an approaching 2001 Ford Ranger for unknown reasons, traveled toward the center line of the road around 6:30 a.m., Lt. Patrick Riordan said at a news conference. The vehicles collided in a sideswipe manner, according to Riordan. The bus left the road, went through a fence, hit a tree, and overturned. Eight people were pronounced dead shortly after, while another 45 injured were hospitalized, including eight in critical condition. Theres a high probability this may be beyond eight fatalities, Riordan said. Howard was among the injured, but his condition on Tuesday night was not immediately clear. Florida authorities did not immediately release the identities of the victims pending next-of-kin notification, which they said was complicated by the workers international identities. Some of the people aboard the bus were identified as Mexican nationals on social media by Mexicos foreign affairs secretary, Alicia Barcena. After being asked by a reporter if the workers were undocumented, Marion County Sheriff Billy Gates said they were legally permitted to be in the United States. They are hard-working individuals and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them being here, he said, explaining it was common for migrants to travel to the county in the spring to harvest produce. Local station WCJB reported, citing Florida state troopers, that the bus passengers were being ferried to a watermelon farm to begin the working day. Cannon Farms, a family-owned farm operating about an hour south of Gainesville, said that it would close its doors on Tuesday out of respect to the losses and injuries enduring early this morning. Mandatory safety provisions for the transport of laborers, including seatbelt regulations, often go unenforced, sometimes with deadly consequences. Transport accidents were the leading cause of death for agricultural workers in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It was not immediately clear if the Florida bus passengers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. A GoFundMe started by the Farmworker Association of Florida to raise funds for the victims and their families had raised more than $20,000 of a $50,000 goal by Tuesday night. Farmworkers tend to be forgotten, but its important not to forget farmworkers, especially during such difficult times, the fundraising page read. 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. Booking photo of Bryan Maclean Howard. Photo courtesy of Marion County Sheriff's Office, Florida May 15 (UPI) -- The driver of a Florida pickup truck that allegedly sideswiped a bus carrying farmworkers Tuesday morning, killing eight, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence Wednesday. Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, made his initial appearance in front of a judge in Marion County, Fla. on eight charges of DUI manslaughter. He was ordered held without bond. Florida Highway Patrol took Howard into custody Tuesday afternoon after he was questioned by investigators. The pickup truck Howard was driving collided with the bus carrying 53 farmworkers on State Route 40 just after dawn on Tuesday morning. The collision forced the bus off the roadway, through a fence and into a tree before overturning. Eight of the injured were listed in critical condition. Authorities said the bus was transporting the workers to a watermelon farm located in Dunnellon, Fla. "Identities of the deceased will be released pending next to kin notification," said Daver Kerner, executive director of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in a statement. "Our sympathies and prayers are with the families of the deceased. The Florida Highway Patrol will conduct both a thorough and exhaustive traffic crash and criminal investigation." Prosecutors said that Howard was allegedly involved in another vehicle crash three days earlier while records show that he has a long history of multiple arrests for vehicular mishaps, according to media reports. In an arrest report viewed by WESH-TV, troopers said Howard allegedly admitted to the earlier accident and was observed with bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. He allegedly told troopers that's he smoked marijuana oil and took prescription medication the night but "driving very carefully" at the time of the crash. CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) A driver was killed in a crash on a major freeway Monday in the Chula Vista area, authorities said. The collision occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Interstate 5 southbound, located north of Palomar Street, Salvador Castro with the California Highway Patrol said in a news release Tuesday. The driver of a Volkswagen Passat was traveling at a high rate of speed on I-5 southbound when he veered right and crashed into a tree off the roadway, according to authorities. San Diego restaurants react to new state law outlawing surcharges CHP confirmed the unidentified Volkswagen driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The San Diego County Medical Examiners Office is determining if driving under the influence played a role in the crash. Authorities did not shut down I-5 southbound lanes during the investigation. If anyone witnessed the crash, they are asked to contact the CHP San Diego Area at 858-293-6000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. CONCOURSE, the Bronx (PIX11) A driver who killed a 69-year-old woman in a car crash while fleeing from police near Yankee Stadium two years ago is heading to prison, authorities said Wednesday. Carlos Hernandez, 24, was sentenced to two to six years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter last month, according to the Bronx District Attorneys Office. Hernandez was speeding in a BMW X6 when he ran a red light and T-boned another driver, Cathy Garcia, near East 161st Street and River Avenue at around 5:20 a.m. on Aug. 25, 2022, then fleeing the scene, prosecutors said. Garcia, a Bronx resident, died at the scene. She stabbed me: Woman accused of killing boyfriend in his Harlem apartment Its a sucky situation. Youre barely even getting a slap on the wrist, I feel like, for taking a life, Garcias daughter, Nubia Garcia, told PIX11 News. She said the family was consulted by the Bronx District Attorneys Office about the plea deal and told Hernandez likely wouldnt have gotten more time at trial because he had no prior convictions. Nubia also said a trial would have probably been even more painful. We were able to get some type of justice; of course, you always wish for more. Authorities found the defendants DNA on the drivers side airbag and recovered a dozen stolen catalytic converters, according to court records. More Crime News Bronx DA Darcel D. Clark said Hernandez killed a beloved sister and aunt. It is outrageous that we lost a vibrant member of the community because of the defendants reckless actions, Clark said. Two other men were passengers in Hernandezs vehicle at the time of the fatal wreck. The three men allegedly ran off after the collision, leaving behind the BMW, which had no license plates and about a dozen stolen catalytic converters in the trunk, along with a jack used to boost the parts, according to police. The men even left behind their shoes, according to authorities. Catalytic converters are a popular target for thieves due to the valuable precious metals inside and the relative ease with which they can be stolen. 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Two explosions have been heard at an oil depot in Russia's Rostov Oblast. Source: Rostov Oblast Governor Vasily Golubev Details: Golubev reported that two drones had attacked the oil depot. There was allegedly no fuel on fire. The governor also stated that no casualties had been recorded. Background: Drones attacked the Pervyy Zavod (First Plant) oil refinery in Russia's Kaluga Oblast on the night of 9-10 May. A freight train carrying fuel in tankers derailed and caught fire in Russia's Volgograd Oblast. A possible cause of the derailment was a drone attack. Support UP or become our patron! Canyon County voters will soon select a new prosecuting attorney. Candidates Christopher Boyd and Greg Chaney, one a prosecutor and the other a defense attorney, come from different sides of their courtroom and they represent different factions in the Republican Party. Boyd, 43, said he has spent most of his career preparing a run for Canyon County prosecutor. Chaney, 42, a former state lawmaker, said he has always felt called to public service. Both candidates said they will be tough on criminals. But Chaney, of Caldwell, has emphasized rehabilitation, arguing that the criminal justice system should help low-level offenders be a better version of themselves moving forward. Boyd, on the other hand, has pushed for justice for crime victims. His mother was a victim of child abuse and never truly recovered, he said. The local prosecutors race has become more high-profile than the two candidates had imagined, or hoped for, they said in separate interviews with the Idaho Statesman. Each received endorsements from Idaho attorneys general, and both have been targeted by negative advertising. Chaney speculated that the race has broader implications for the Republican Party. He represents the more moderate wing of the Idaho GOP, while Boyd is the preferred candidate of hard-right politicians, including Attorney General Raul Labrador. Boyd has raised more than twice as much campaign money as Chaney, filings show. Boyd moves to Nampa, still prosecutes Adams County cases Boyd said, I went to law school to become a prosecutor. And after graduating from University of Idaho College of Law he became one, first as a deputy prosecutor in Canyon County for four years in Prosecutor Bryan Taylors office starting in 2013, then as prosecuting attorney for Adams County starting in 2018. Boyd said he left Canyon County for Adams County home to Council, New Meadows and the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway to learn more about the municipal and civil law responsibilities of an elected prosecutor. He said he never wanted to run for election against Taylor but wanted to be prepared for when the time came. Boyd, who moved to Nampa in January, said he is still prosecuting cases for Adams County on a contract basis until the county finds a new prosecutor. Ive always loved Canyon County, Boyd said. Taylor decided not to seek reelection this year. He told the Statesman in an email that it was the best decision for him and his family. He said he briefly considered resigning mid-term but decided against it. He declined to comment further on his choice, saying he wanted voters to focus on the two candidates. When Boyd got a call from Taylor in October encouraging him to run, he said, he was interested, but it was Sheriff Kieran Donahue who helped him decide. Donahue later endorsed Boyd. Taylor said he also spoke to Chaney when he was considering a run for the office. Taylor has not endorsed either candidate. Boyd said he worked closely with Donahue on a 2017 murder and hate crime, where Jayson Woods organized the murder of Steven Nelson, a gay man. (Donahue and I) have a good connection going back to that (trial), Boyd said. He just knows that I fight for cases and that I really truly care. It was his encouragement that made me come down (to run). Boyd said he hopes to repair the relationship between Taylors office and the Canyon County Commission. The county made headlines in recent weeks when the commissioners said they lost trust in the prosecutor over an outside investigation into an open meeting law violation that Taylor alleged they committed. Boyd hopes to rebuild that trust and loyalty. My commitment is that they wont have someone politically sniping at them, he said. He added that he would be fair if there are allegations of wrongdoing in the commissioners offices, and he would turn over any cases involving elected officials to outside prosecutors, as Taylor did in the open meeting law case. I would work well with the county commissioners, whoever they are, and have a good relationship with them and try to keep them out of trouble, he said. Boyd has raised over $20,000 in campaign donations, according to the Idaho SOS campaign finance portal. The largest donations came from the Idaho Families Political Action Committee, which is run by Emily McClure, a charter school lobbyist; and Think Liberty Idaho PAC, run by John Heida, a Canyon County precinct committeeman, and which supports individual freedom, limited government, fiscal responsibility, the rule of law, according to its website. Both donated $1,000. He also received $1,000 donations from individual donors. Chaney represented Caldwell in Legislature Chaney Law Firm, in Caldwell, is busy these days, Chaney said, and winning the prosecutors race would mean a pay cut, but he wants to serve Canyon County residents and ensure the prosecutors office remains an apolitical body that treats everyone fairly no matter what. There are more contested prosecuting attorney races than normal around the state, and I think theres a concerted effort to politicize the PAs office, he said. He said Taylor has done a good job keeping the office apolitical. During his eight years in the Idaho Legislature, Chaney was known for his willingness to depart from of his own party, like former Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, who protested Gov. Brad Littles stay-home order in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He represented Caldwell in the Idaho House of Representatives until he ran for a Senate seat in 2022 and lost the GOP primary to Chris Trakel, who went on to win the November election. Chaney said he built his career on the pursuit of justice and hopes to continue it in the prosecutors office. He sees Canyon County as a place that takes crime seriously while also looking at each other like neighbors. He recognizes that low level offenders may need rehabilitation over criminalization, in order to return and be successful in society. Unless youre a murderer or a child molester, youre going to be reentering the community, Chaney said. While the immediate priority is protecting the safety of the crime victim, long term care needs to be used to solve some of the issue. Supporters of Boyd have criticized Chaneys lack of experience prosecuting crimes. But he says his experience managing other attorneys case loads and his law firm and his time as chairman of the Legislatures Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee have prepared him to ovesee the prosecutors 93 employees. Where Boyd hopes to repair the relationship between the commissioners and prosecutors office, Chaney sees the more important relationship as the one between the prosecutor and the public. Prosecuting attorneys have a special code of ethics, Chaney said, that requires they first and foremost seek justice, irrespective of where that goes, irrespective of who needs to be prosecuted or who needs to have charges dropped. Justice is No. 1. He said that means fighting for crime victims and law enforcement, but at the core the obligation has to be to justice. When it comes to county elected officials, Chaney said the prosecutors job is to say what the law is, not necessarily help find a path around the law to accomplish any policy preference. Chaney raised over $9,500 in campaign donations, with large checks from Crookham Co.; Idaho Chooses Life, a PAC that supports pro-life candidates, and himself. Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney 2024 Primary Election candidates Chris Boyd and Greg Chaney. Labrador backs one candidate, Wasden the other Boyd is backed by at least two county commissioners. Brad Holton and Zach Brooks signed his petition for candidacy, and Brooks donated to his campaign, according to the Idaho secretary of states campaign finance portal. Boyd said he is most proud of his endorsements from law enforcement, like the Nampa Police Department. What I love about it are those professional endorsements, he said. Theyre not about politics. Im really proud of having law enforcement endorsements, because those are people that have worked with me. Boyd also has an endorsement from Labrador, who wrote in a statement: Chris is the only candidate with prosecuting experience in this race. Chris has an unblemished record of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with law enforcement for crime victims. By contrast his opponent has never prosecuted a single case, has a criminal record, and is completely unqualified for the position. Chaney was endorsed by former Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, who is also his campaign finance chair. Greg is committed to the rule of law above all else, Wasden said in a statement. I have seen him stand up for truth and the law even in the face of fierce political opposition. I have no doubt that as a prosecuting attorney, he will make justice his top priority and wont let politics interfere with doing whats right. Negative ads from new local PAC target Chaney Labradors statement is the tip of the iceberg of negativity in the prosecutors race. On Sunday, a group called the Idaho Citizens Against Foolish Politics ran an advertisement in the Idaho Press with Chaneys mugshot from an arrest stemming from an alteracation with his former wife in 2009 and called him a mistake waiting to happen. The Idaho Citizens Against Foolish Politics PAC is a new PAC run by Kevin E. Dinius, an employment lawyer who runs Dinius and Associates in Nampa. Dinius made headlines in 2016 when he signed onto a case to defend two Adams County deputies who shot a 62-year old rancher in Council. The Idaho Citizens Against Foolish Politics PAC spent over $6,000 on negative advertising against Chaney in the Idaho Press and with two radio-station operators, Townsquare Media and Iliad Media Group. The PAC has run negative advertising only against Chaney, according to campaign finance documents. The PAC is funded mostly through a $6,170 loan from David P. Ford of Nampa and $100 from Dinius. Chaney was arrested and convicted of disturbing the peace and malicious injury to property in 2009. The charges stemmed from an argument between Chaney and his then-girlfriend, now-ex wife. Chaney said he grabbed her phone, which slightly cut one of her fingers. He also said he punched a hole in the wall. Chaney had little money at the time and drank heavily to try to fall asleep, he told the Statesman. He denies that he pushed his ex-wife, but police reports from the time say he pushed and shoved her. The couple later divorced, and Chaney eventually got custody of their child. In a 2014 interview with the Statesman, Chaney said, I was not being the person I was created to be, the person I wanted to be. He said his experience in the criminal justice system informed the way he practices law now, but that doesnt mean he gives offenders more leeway. As long as the consequences are severe enough to communicate the need for a change, that the goal of criminal justice, to create people who are the better versions of themselves, Chaney said. Chaney also filed for bankruptcy in 2003 and again in 2012 after he and his then-wife divorced, and he racked up hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt. It was overwhelming, he said. He said the appointments were for medical treatment for his then-wife. Boyd said it is fair to question a candidates qualifications and criminal history, but he doesnt like the tone of negativity in the campaigns. Ive been subjected to some of the same treatment by my opponent, Boyd said. Hes actually said quite a few negative things about me that are not even true. And I dont want to dwell on that. Boyd rejected Littles pandemic stay-home order The Canyon County prosecutors race has similarities to the 2022 Idaho Republican primary for attorney general, when Labrador beat Wasden, Idahos longest-serving attorney general and later won the general election. In the primary, Labrador criticized Wasdens relationship with the Idaho Legislature, which disagreed with some of his legal opinions, and Wasdens refusal to join other states lawsuits over the 2020 presidential election. Labrador also criticized Littles response to the coronavirus pandemic and his stay-home order. Boyd made similar criticisms at the time. He sent a letter to Little in April 2020 refusing to issue citations for people who were out of compliance with the order. While I genuinely believe your intent is to safeguard the lives of Idahoans, the order infringes upon sacred First Amendment rights, most particularly the right to peacefully assemble as well as the free exercise of religion, Boyd wrote. Boyd stands by his statement and said he hopes no one has to experience the consequences of the pandemic again. Chaney sees the prosecutors race as a fight for the heart of the Republican Party. Its become symbolic to a certain degree of the intra-party struggle, he said. Did all 3 Canyon County commissioners break Idahos open meeting law? What prosecutors say Whos got your vote for Canyon County commissioner? See the candidates and what they say EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) State police announced DUI checkpoints will be placed across various roadways in Pennsylvania for Memorial Day weekend. According to Pennsylvania State Police, sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols aim to deter drinking and driving. Police say they are operating with a zero-tolerance enforcement policy. Police say checkpoints and roving patrols will be placed on roadways for Memorial Day weekend from May 24-27 that are experiencing high rates of DUI-related traffic violations and DUI-related crashes. The counties participating in the DUI checkpoints are as follows: Snyder County PSP did not give details on the areas where the patrols will be conducted. DUI checkpoint set in Luzerne County State police encourage those who are out during the weekend and choose to consume alcohol to not drive a car. Officials warn drivers Pennsylvanias DUI laws issue a legal limit of .08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC). DUI offenses can range from a $300 fine with six months of probation, all the way up to fines of $5,000 with prison sentences of up to 5 years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. KYODO NEWS - May 15, 2024 - 10:32 | World, All, Japan A Japanese company is providing ground penetrating radar technology free of charge to help the quake-hit city of Hualien in eastern Taiwan detect sinkholes under roads during reconstruction. Tokyo-based Geo Search Co. will survey 50 kilometers of road in Hualien, which was struck by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake in April, over four days through Thursday and analyze the collected data for up to three weeks for subsurface anomalies that could develop into sinkholes or cause other disastrous collapses. The data will then be provided to the authorities for reference as they repair roads, Geo Search said. The company also volunteered to conduct similar surveys after a deadly magnitude 6.4 quake struck eastern Taiwan in February 2018. Masatoshi Okamura, a senior Geo Search official, said the company is providing the service free of charge to thank Taiwan for offering assistance when Japan is impacted by earthquakes. The Japanese firm opened a Taipei office in 2019. "I think there is a very important connection between Taiwan and Japan, because we have a good relationship just like a family," Okamura told Kyodo News. The April 3 temblor, the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years, claimed 18 lives and injured more than 1,100 people. Hualien Mayor Wei Chia-yen thanked Geo Search for offering its assistance for the second time to reduce potential road disasters, saying city residents will "remember the warmth in their hearts." "A friend in need is a friend indeed," the mayor added. Related coverage: Strong aftershocks rattle Taiwan but no casualties reported Taiwan quake death toll rises to 16, Tsai vows speedy recovery CHARMCO, WV (WVNS) An upcoming DUI checkpoint will be performed by the West Virginia State Police in Greenbrier County. The checkpoint will occur on Thursday, May 23, 2024 and go into Friday, May 24, 2024. It will be on US Rt. 60, Midland Trail W in Charmco at the intersection with WV Route 20, Coalfield Trail, and be between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 2:00 A.M. National Prevention Week recognized by the West Virginia Department of Human Services The purpose of this checkpoint is to catch drivers who may be under the influence and to help educate residents about the dangers of driving impaired by either drugs and/or alcohol. The West Virginia State Police urge anyone driving to report drivers who may be under the influence. Stick with 59News for more traffic updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. (Bloomberg) -- Dutch election winner Geert Wilders said he sealed a tentative agreement to form a right-wing coalition government after months of talks but hasnt yet named a prime minister. Most Read from Bloomberg We have a negotiating agreement. But the factions will also discuss it later, so there may be adjustments and amendments, Wilders said Wednesday after concluding negotiations with three rightleaning parties the liberal VVD of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the center-right NSC and the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement. After that we may reach a final agreement, he added. Wilders far-right Freedom Party comfortably captured the most seats in the election almost six months ago, but the controversial politician had been unable until now to assemble an administration. In March, he was forced to renounce his own bid to become premier in order to break a deadlock in the talks. Wilders said the parties discussed possible candidates for prime minister but will resume that conversation at a later time. Pieter Omtzigt, the leader of the center-right New Social Contract, said the new prime minister may be announced on Thursday. Policy differences among the four parties could still hamper a final agreement, as well as the functioning of the government, and could become a source of instability for the euro regions fifth-biggest economy. The four party leaders have said they dont plan to take up positions in the cabinet, which is expected to include a mix of political appointees as well as technocrats. As leader of the largest bloc in parliament, Wilders will wield power behind the scenes, along with his three coalition partners. He has been resolute about his demands for less immigration to the Netherlands and any new government is expected to take a hard line on asylum seekers. Wilders plans to name a lead negotiator who will take up the premier role and spearhead the cabinet formation, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg last week. Ronald Plasterk, a former education and interior minister and currently a conservative columnist for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, is one name being touted as Wilders pick. Though a member of the Labor Party, Plasterk was chosen by Wilders as the lead negotiator in the first round of formation talks after elections concluded in November. The fact that Plasterk is from another party and his prior experience in government is likely to appease the three right-leaning parties. Read More: Wilders May Tap Next Dutch Prime Minister as Soon as Next Week Wilders, known for his anti-Islamic ideology, has been working to push through a consensus after facing multiple setbacks in recent months. He adopted a milder stance during coalition talks, withdrawing some controversial proposals like a ban on the Koran. In the Nov. 22 election, his party won around a quarter of seats, more than any opinion polls predicted. The most recent surveys indicate that support for him and his party has since grown stronger. Its unclear what the scope of the coalition deal entails. The four parties plan to cancel a 15% tax on share buybacks that was adopted last year, people familiar with the matter said this week. They have also agreed to undo a decision to shrink tax breaks for expatriates. Several Dutch companies have in recent months railed against the buyback tax and expatriate tax benefit cuts saying it would impact Dutch competitiveness. --With assistance from Katharina Rosskopf. (Updates with details from eighth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Sen. Thomas Pressly authored multiple bills looking to tackle dyslexia diagnoses in students. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator) Two proposals aimed at better identifying dyslexia in Louisiana students and relieving them of standardized testing requirements advanced Tuesday from a legislative committee. The bills aim to improve state efforts at diagnosing students with dyslexia early, which started last year with screenings. Sen. Thomas Pressly, R-Shreveport, authored both bills. Former state Rep. Joe Marino, I-Gretna, presented the bills Tuesday to the House Committee on Education in place of Pressly alongside Dr. Laura Cassidy, co-founder of Louisiana Key Academy. The charter school for students with dyslexia has campuses in Baton Rouge, Covington, Ruston and Shreveport. Senate Bill 336 would require the state to for additional testing after an initial dyslexia screening thats already required. Multiple tests, performance reviews and interviews with the students parents would be covered under the legislation. Vendors to perform the additional testing must have approval from the Louisiana Department of Education. Parents would also have the option to choose a different approved vendor than the one assigned to their childs school and be reimbursed by the state. Senate Bill 72 would exempt students with dyslexia from the literacy screening given to students twice a year in kindergarten through third grade. Instead, these students would take a different test to determine their speech skills and oral reading fluency. This bill will only go into effect if Louisiana receives federal approval to exclude students with dyslexia from its state literacy screenings. Money for additional dyslexia testing will come out of a fund established in Senate Bill 440, also authored by Pressly. Marino said that he was told $2 million would be put into the fund for the first year, then adjusted based on need. The proposal awaits a hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations. Marino said only 1.5% of students in Louisiana schools have been diagnosed with dyslexia, but national data estimates one in every five students has the learning disorder. While in the Legislature, Marino authored a bill requiring LDOE to choose a screener to determine if students were at risk for dyslexia. It also required future teachers to take a class on instructing dyslexic students. It became law last year. The post Dyslexic students could see changes in state testing requirements appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Voters gave Bonnie Hauser a second term Tuesday on the Orange County Board of Education after a contested runoff against a former fellow board member. Hauser finished the second election with 2,512 votes while Jennifer Moore received 1,428 votes, according to unofficial results from the state Board of Elections. All 17 precincts reported results. Moore resigned her board seat in mid-April after questions were raised about whether she has a doctorate. But her name remained on the May 14 runoff ballot, which already had been printed and mailed to absentee voters. Early results Tuesday showed Moore won the absentee vote by a 3-1 margin. Hauser surged ahead in early voting results and early returns from Tuesdays runoff election. Just under 6% of the 71,927 registered voters in the Orange County Schools district cast ballots. Last month, Moore cited medical concerns for her decision to resign in her April 17 email to board and district officials. The email was sent after The News & Observer called Moore about her reported doctorate from Bellevue University in Nebraska. Bellevue University officials told The N&O they did not have a record of a student named Jennifer Denise Moore. Moore posted a letter on her campaign website April 23 accepting responsibility for not clarifying that I do not have a Ph.D. Jennifer Moore submitted her resignation to the Orange County Board of Education. Why was a runoff necessary? A state law enacted in 1977 set a threshold for victory by dividing the total number of votes cast by the number of open seats, and then dividing that number by two. The required threshold in the March election was 6,588 votes. Moore came in third after incumbent board member Carrie Doyle and newcomer Wendy Padilla in the race for three seats, but she was 60 votes short of the threshold to win under state law. Hauser, who came in fourth place with 482 fewer votes than Moore, sought a runoff. Hauser will be sworn in to serve a four-year term in July, along with Doyle and Padilla. This could be the last Orange County school board election held under those rules. Democratic state Sen. Graig Meyer, who lives in Orange County, filed a bill this month that would change how winners are chosen in the nonpartisan Orange County Schools Board of Education race. If Meyers bill becomes law, winners would be determined starting in 2026 by who gets the most votes. If Moore had won Tuesday, she said on her now-defunct campaign website that she would not return to the board. A teacher at Mason Clark Middle School in East St. Louis School District 189 has been charged with a felony for allegedly threatening to shoot students while talking to another teacher on school grounds. Terry Moran, a 59-year-old Belleville resident, faces one charge of threatening a school building or person, a class four criminal felony. He was talking to the other teacher on May 9 when he said that he ought to bring a gun to school and shoot them all in the name of God, referring to the schools students, according to the charging document filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court on May 11. Moran was visibly angry at the time of the statement, which was made in a classroom while school was in session, according to the pre-trial release order. The order also says that Moran later denied he had actual intent and said he does not own any guns. He also scored a zero out of 14 on a risk assessment tool. Sydney Stigge-Kaufman, executive director of communications and strategic partnerships, provided the following statement on behalf of East St. Louis 189: The safety of our students and staff is our utmost priority. We take any threat seriously and in this situation, we responded promptly and comprehensively, working closely with law enforcement. Our commitment remains unwavering in ensuring a secure and supportive environment for all members of our school community. When asked if Moran is still employed by the district, Stigge-Kaufman said the district does not publicly discuss personnel matters. Moran is listed as a science teacher at Mason Clark in the districts online staff directory. According to the pre-trial release order, Moran is prohibited from going to the school. The school community was informed about the threat in a May 10 communication from Principal Renaldo Jackson saying that the district takes threats seriously and was working with law enforcement to ensure the safety of everyone on campus. Last week, the White House unveiled new rules to more quickly reach asylum denials for people considered national security and public safety threats, something of a prelude for more expansive expected restrictions. Ultimately, this policy will have limited impact, and its sure not to satisfy anyone, neither the hawks calling on President Joe Biden to more fully adopt his predecessors extreme stance, nor the advocates who have been disappointed by the presidents refusal to fully step back from the Trump-era dynamics. Whatever the outcome, it should not be a system run through the whims of the current executive. Congress, having tried and failed to pass a limited border bill earlier this year, seems content to abdicate this responsibility, only to be pulled out as an electoral cudgel, never to be fixed. Meanwhile were squandering time and talent, as businesses clamor for labor and innovation and migrants find their way to costly city shelters as opposed to being integrated into the economy and reversing population declines in towns and cities across the country. The can gets kicked down further, and everyone loses. The most damaging thing is the persistent myth that this has to be all or nothing. Either we have some sort of immoral and illegal absolute border closure, abandoning our principles and obligations to the people so aptly described by the Statue of Liberty, or we have no process, no restrictions, no standards. This belief is both wrong and incredibly persistent, poisoning the dialogue and standing in the way of meaningful reform, which all parties claim to want. We do not have to remake the wheel. The bipartisan border deal that collapsed in Congress in February had had a lot not to like, including the reinstatement of a version of the always misguided Title 42 restriction. However, there were worthwhile elements that should be resuscitated, notably an effort to take many new asylum claims out of the slow and confrontational setting of the immigration courts and place them in an internal agency process, where trained government personnel would evaluate the applications like they already do for countless other immigration matters. Applicants would either quickly get approvals or quickly get denials, which could then be appealed to another panel of experts. Faster resolutions help everyone: those who qualify for protections can receive them expeditiously, giving them runway to begin their new lines in the United States without the unstable limbo of drawn-out removal proceedings. Those who do not arent left to start building lives here only to, in a year or two, have the rug pulled out from under them. There are real questions to be hammered out around how to speed things up without infringing on due process, and there are structural obstacles like a widespread shortage of attorneys who can take on these often complicated cases. These considerations must be taken into account in order for us to avoid the worst-case scenario of sending people back to danger. But these are not insurmountable obstacles, certainly not for a nation with the resources, breadth and ingenuity of the United States the very qualities that many immigrants are both seeking and have contributed to. In all but giving up, Congress shows they have less grit than the immigrants theyre failing. ___ The Los Angeles City Council showed its true self-interested colors Tuesday when it gutted key reforms to reduce corruption in City Hall and strengthen independent ethics oversight. Bowing to special interests and unwilling to relinquish power, the council instead voted to put a watered-down package of ethics policies on the November ballot. This should have been an important turning point for L.A. City Hall, where a culture of corruption has been allowed to thrive. Half a dozen politicians and public officials have been sentenced to prison in corruption cases in the last four years. Two current council members face accusations of ethics violations. Instead, it was a show of arrogance highlighting why it's so important that some power be wrested from the 15 council members. Read more: Fixing City Hall Last month the councils Ad Hoc Committee on Governance Reform recommended a set of policies to strengthen the Ethics Commission, which is the citys watchdog over elected officials and charged with enforcing campaign finance, contracting, lobbying and conflict of interest laws. Though not as ambitious as good government advocates urged, it was a worthwhile package that included changes to make the commission more independent from the politicians it regulates. That included adding two new commissioners appointed by people other than elected officials and thus not beholden to them. It also proposed giving the commission the authority to put proposals directly before voters when the City Council disagrees with the policy or refuses to act, though the council still would have retained enormous power to block ballot measures. Ironically, Tuesday's action shows why bypassing the council is necessary to enact meaningful political reform in Los Angeles. Read more: Opinion: Is the Los Angeles City Council serious about ethics reform or wasting an opportunity? But even those modest changes proved too much for council members and some special interests. After a last-minute lobbying campaign led by the powerful Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, the council voted 13-2 to strip those two reforms from the November ballot measure. Council President Paul Krekorian and Councilmember Nithya Raman, who led the ad hoc committee on reform, voted against weakening the ethics package. Good for them. It's disappointing if not surprising that Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, a former labor organizer, pushed to remove the key reforms. He said he didnt want to delegate the council's policy making responsibility to unelected, unaccountable Ethics Commission members. But if not them, then who? City Council members have been unwilling to pass meaningful anti-corruption reforms on their own. What could be more accountable to the public than allowing the Ethics Commission to sidestep an obstinate council and take reforms directly to voters? Read more: Editorial: Why is the ethically challenged L.A. City Council obstructing the Ethics Commission? The remaining ethics reforms include raising fines for the first time in decades and setting a minimum budget for the Ethics Commission, so staff aren't dependent on the goodwill of the people they regulate for funding. Those are positive changes, but voters deserve the chance to pass major reforms. And they probably would. Eight in 10 voters surveyed last year said the level of corruption on the City Council is concerning, and 9 in 10 believe ethics rules should be stronger. It really looked like the City Council might agree to major changes to the city's political system after a secret audio recording leaked in October 2022 revealing three council members, including current Councilmember Kevin de Leon, making deplorable and racially divisive comments. On the recording, they plotted for political power with the former federation of labor chief the same federation that successfully lobbied this week to gut ethics reforms. In the wake of the scandal council members introduced motion after motion proposing long-overdue fixes. Independent redistricting! A bigger City Council! Ethics reforms! Diluting council members' power over land use! Academics and good government advocates joined the cause, producing reports , holding town halls and conducting polls. The message was loud and clear L.A. residents want a less corrupt, more transparent and representative government. Read more: Editorial: To reach climate goals, L.A. needs action on its Green New Deal not excuses And what have they gotten instead? The bare minimum. The lowest of the low hanging fruit of fixes. As of now, the November ballot will have two reform measures a watered-down version of the ethics package, and an independent redistricting commission similar to what the state and county already have, so City Council members cant draw their own districts. Proposals to expand the City Council to provide better representation and fix the city's broken development approval process have been punted to a charter reform commission, the creation of which was approved this week by the council. The commission will spend the next two years coming up with recommendations to improve city governance with eye toward putting charter changes on the 2026 ballot. But that commission will run into the same roadblock as ethics reformers: The City Council will ultimately decide what gets on the ballot. And you can bet there will be plenty of lobbying by interest groups to influence what changes voters are allowed to make. The Tuesday vote proved that City Hall cannot be trusted to fix itself. If Angelenos want major change in their city government, it will take continued outside pressure and possibly a citizen-driven initiative, to make it happen. 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. Getty Images You might have noticed Gov. Jeff Landry on television commercials recently seeking support for an education savings account (ESAs) proposal currently before the Louisiana Legislature. He will also attend two town hall events Thursday to discuss the proposal just ahead of a possible vote in the state Senate. What you might not know is that these events and the language of the ESA bill itself are the work of conservative kingmakers at the national and state level. As much as proponents of the legislation would have you believe this debate is between parents and politicians, the real battle is between deep-pocketed campaign donors and public education one of many institutions the far right has repeatedly undermined. Landry has called on citizens to tell their state senators to vote for Senate Bill 313 by Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge. It would create the LA GATOR program to establish education savings accounts in Louisiana. They would allow families to use public money for a private education, starting first with low-income students at poor performing schools. Edmonds bill shares a lot in common with the ESA legislation template the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has made available to lawmakers around the country. The organization has been instrumental in crafting legislation for school vouchers, education savings accounts and other efforts to put public money into private schools. Edmonds has sat on ALECs education task force. The American Legislative Exchange Council is a corporate-backed group that identifies as a charity yet operates as a lobbying group, calling into question its tax-exempt nonprofit status. Its also one of the lead organizations in the Education Freedom Alliance, a coalition of groups that supports school choice paid for with public dollars. Among the partners in the alliance is Americans for Prosperity, whose Louisiana chapter is hosting the two town halls where Gov. Landry is scheduled to appear Thursday morning. One takes place at Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, and the other is at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic School in Mandeville. Both institutions stand to benefit from the enactment of ESAs. ALEC and Americans for Prosperity are both favorite causes of the Koch family. They have long provided money to a wide variety of conservative causes and candidates. These are the same Kochs who supported former Gov. John Bel Edwards criminal justice reform package, then backed his opponent Eddie Rispone in the 2019 governors race. In its social media campaign in support of education savings accounts, the Louisiana chapter of Americans for Prosperity has posted video interviews of citizens being asked who they would prefer in charge of their childrens education parents or politicians? Not surprisingly, all of the respondents choose parents, seemingly oblivious of the irony that the powers behind politicians are leading the push for ESAs. Excluded from the question is whether teachers and school administrators should be in charge of education policy. You know, the professionals who are actually trained and best qualified to determine how and what children are taught. When it comes to education savings accounts, Landry and legislative backers arent highlighting the involvement of Americans for Prosperity or other groups behind their cause. They also cant point to a lengthy track record of ESA success to explain why Louisiana should follow. What they can and do stress is that a public education system that serves 85% of Louisiana K-12 public school students has faltered for generations. But they leave out the roots of the problem, found in segregation and subsequent poor fiscal policy choices that have depleted the revenue base for property tax-dependent school systems. Instead, parental choice advocates rely on cultural weapons, such as a Dont Say Gay proposal and transgender bathrooms, that have no tangible impact on students ability to learn or teachers ability to teach. Measures such as these actually take away parental choice, divide school communities and target marginalized children, frequently pitting families against educators at a time when they need to be allies. ESAs would drive another wedge into a fractured public education system, rather than offer a unifying solution. Remember, the Trump agenda is about further compromising institutions rather than ensuring their survival. Louisianas systemic educational problems the governor harps upon are ones that politicians, both Republicans and Democrats, created long ago but have repeatedly failed or refused to repair. In all of their arguments for education savings accounts, proponents have offered few suggestions to address the deficiencies in K-12 public schools that necessitate such options. An amendment to Edmonds bill that requires high-stakes testing for ESA students, and thus accountability for the schools that accept them, has split the camps that support the LA GATOR program. Many of the same voices that have cried for public school accountability are bafflingly not willing to hold private education to the same standards. Fiscal conservatives arent keen on the projected cost of education savings accounts. An independent projection says the public could be on the hook annually for more than $500 million once theyre made available to any student regardless of household income. Given the uncertain return on investment, lawmakers are appropriately skeptical that ESAs they are the long-awaited fix for Louisiana schools. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post The education savings account debate isnt parents vs. politicians appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. The Los Angeles County Probation Department has announced that 66 officers have been put on administrative leave this year in a series of cases that include allegations of sexual misconduct and the use of excessive force. The announcement was billed as an effort to "regain public trust" in an agency roiled by scandal in recent years amid staffing shortages and the intense scrutiny of its facilities by a state oversight board. "We are releasing this information in the spirit of greater transparency and to assure our stakeholders especially the families of youths in our juvenile facilities that we will not tolerate anything that impedes our mission to provide a safe, nurturing and structured environment for those entrusted to our care," Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa said in a prepared statement. Despite the transparency pledge, officials offered scant details about each investigation. But some cases have been well-documented by The Times. Read more: Video shows L.A. probation officers letting group beat teen in Los Padrinos juvenile hall In one, youths took turns beating a 17-year-old inside Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey while officers stood by, some apparently laughing and shaking hands with the assailants during the attack. The Times published video of the attack and previously reported that eight officers were suspended for failing to intervene in a fight. Video of the incident raised questions about whether the assault was orchestrated. The cases related to youth-on-youth violence which includes the Los Padrinos case are under investigation by the California attorney general, the department said. Another 18 officers put on leave were accused of sexual misconduct. A spokesperson refused to provide more information Tuesday about these cases. In March, a probation officer was arrested on suspicion of sexual misconduct involving a minor who was being held in a juvenile facility. Investigators found a cellphone from a youth in custody at the Dorothy Kirby Center in Commerce that contained intimate texts and photos between the youth and the officer, the department previously said. Read more: L.A. County probation officer accused of sex with jailed youth Other cases involved allegations of child endangerment or abuse, possession of contraband and negligent supervision, the department said. Los Angeles County supervisors at their Tuesday board meeting appeared pleased with Viera Rosas efforts to root out problematic officers. That Im certain sends a message to all employees that we mean business, Supervisor Hilda Solis said to Viera Rosa, who was there to report on improvements he was making to the agency. Times staff writers Rebecca Ellis and James Queally 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. Eglin Air Force Base to conduct more night flying next week, officials say OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) The Eglin Air Force Base is warning residents that they may experience aircraft noise ahead of night flying operations. The aircraft noise may be noticed from May 20 through May 22 as the 58th Fighter Squadron conducts night flying operations in the area, according to a release. Flying operations are set to occur between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. during that time. UPDATE: Mobile mayor responds to ACCEL Academys statement on Kenyen Brown report This training comes after the squadron conducted night flying from May 13 16. According to the release, Night flying is required for 58th FS training operations. For more information, contact the Team Eglin Public Affairs Office at 850-882-3931. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. By Siti Rahil, KYODO NEWS - May 15, 2024 - 09:26 | World, All Skyrocketing prices and an aging population are among the challenges facing Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, who will become the country's new premier on Wednesday. The affluent city-state is seeing its first leadership change in nearly 20 years, with outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong having designated Wong to succeed him as chief of the ruling People's Action Party in 2022. The PAP has led Singapore uninterrupted since Lee's father, Lee Kuan Yew, became its first prime minister in 1959, following the attainment of self-government from British colonial rule. The senior Lee continued to lead the country after its full independence in 1965 until he stepped down in 1990. The junior Lee has served five terms as premier since 2004, during which time Singapore has become the world's third most competitive financial center after New York and London, successfully attracting foreign businesses. Wong, the son of a salesman and a schoolteacher, was a bureaucrat and the junior Lee's principal private secretary before he was first elected to parliament in 2011. He served in such posts as education minister and national development minister. The 51-year-old was catapulted into the spotlight when he was appointed in 2020 as the co-chair for the multi-ministry task force to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the government's announcement last month about the leadership change slated for May 15, Wong said Lee will assume the role of senior minister in the next Cabinet even after stepping down from the premiership, just as the senior Lee did from 1990-2004. Observers say Wong will continue most of the policies of the outgoing administration, particularly in regard to economic and foreign affairs. "This is a handover within the ruling People's Action Party, so it's not significant in terms of democratic or political change. But it is significant in terms of the passing of an era," said Donald Low, a lecturer at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Singapore's gross domestic product per capita, which was $27,610 in 2004, grew to $82,450 in 2024, which is over 2.6 times that of Japan and 1.6 times Hong Kong's, according to International Monetary Fund data. "Economically, Singapore is now at the frontier, so there are no more role models that Singapore needs to catch up with. It means that Singapore will now have to chart its own path," Low said. However, the economic success has come at a cost. According to an Economist Intelligence Unit report in 2023, Singapore maintained its pole position as the world's most expensive city for the ninth time in the last 11 years. The price or the rent of an apartment more than doubled in nearly two decades, according to housing authorities. About 80 percent of Singaporeans live in public housing and many use money from their compulsory government-run retirement savings fund to buy property, even while this may deplete their retirement funds. Many young couples are finding it difficult to secure housing. The high cost of living makes lives difficult especially for senior citizens. Many of them continue to work because savings from the retirement savings fund are not enough to make ends meet. Wong has indicated his government will tackle concerns around jobs and the cost of living, while providing greater assurance to families, seniors and vulnerable groups. Ryoichi Hisasue, deputy chief researcher at the Japan External Trade Organization's Institute of Developing Economies, said although Singapore is growing to a mature nation, it is aging and there is an increasing pressure from the public for redistribution of wealth. "Economic growth also has the side effects of widening inequality and rising prices. The new prime minister has to strike a balance between maintaining economic vitality, openness and the people's will." Since the 2010s under the Lee Hsien Loong administration, Singapore's authoritarianism has shifted to a stance that emphasizes dialogue with the people, Hisasue said, while noting there are still restrictions on freedom of expression and opposition parties. Lee admitted last year that his party had "taken a hit" after the series of scandals. The PAP saw a decline in support in the 2020 general election, with its share of votes falling from nearly 70 percent in the previous poll in 2015 to 61 percent. Low said Lee Hsien Loong did not bring about much political reform, noting many Singaporeans want more voices to be heard and more accountability and diverse representation in politics. "The style of leadership, the style of governance is still paternalistic, top-down, somewhat condescending," Low said. "I think the style has to change." Another issue Wong as the new premier must address is the country's fertility rate that has declined in recent decades, reaching a historic low of 0.97 in 2023. The proportion of citizens aged 65 and above has increased from 11.7 percent in 2013 to 19.1 percent in 2023. In an address to parliament in February, Indranee Rajah, a minister in the Prime Minister's Office, warned that the decline in the country's labor force due to the low fertility rate will make it difficult to maintain economic vitality and attract global companies. Some experts say the heavy financial burden of education expenses caused by soaring prices is behind the falling fertility rate. Although the government has been expanding support measures, such as subsidies for child-rearing, effects have been negligible. Regarding foreign policy, Wong must navigate Singapore's delicate balancing act between maintaining strong economic ties with China and its security partnership with the United States, a task similar to what Lee has handled. Mustafa Izzuddin, senior analyst at Solaris Strategies Singapore Pte Ltd, said, "I think he will continue the position that Singapore has taken vis-a-vis the great powers," adding Singaporeans commonly do not want to choose sides. "They want economics to take precedence over politics," Izzuddin said. Inderjit Singh, an entrepreneur and a former PAP lawmaker, said he expects Lee, as senior minister in Wong's Cabinet, to play a "global ambassador role" on his behalf of him as Lee has built personal relationships with leaders of both China and the United States. In the meantime, he said, "Wong's challenge is to build his own relationships (with the two major powers) as soon as possible." Related coverage: FEATURE: Singapore introduces AI in classrooms, caters to individual need Singaporean diplomat under probe for alleged voyeurism in Tokyo Editors Note: A version of this story appears in CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the regions biggest stories. Sign up here. Egypt could consider downgrading relations with Israel if it presses on with a military operation in Gazas southernmost city of Rafah on the Egyptian border, an Egyptian official told CNN. Everything is possible and is on the table, including the downgrade of the relations. But we are not there yet. We are talking to the Israelis, trying to explain and reach a consensus, the official said. The official said that coordination between the two countries on the Rafah operation, which Egypt has publicly opposed, didnt go well. And thats why we warned Israel of dire repercussions. CNN has reached out to the Israeli foreign ministry for comment. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that Egypt was considering downgrading ties with Israel. The two countries had been at loggerheads this week after Israel began a limited military operation in Rafah last week and seized the Palestinian side of the border with Egypt. Egypt subsequently refused to coordinate aid deliveries into Gaza with Israel. The official told CNN earlier that aid deliveries to Palestinians could be halted because Egypt cant guarantee the safety of its trucks, as they may come under attack by Palestinian militants targeting Israeli troops. The top diplomats in both countries traded blame over the closure of the Rafah crossing as aid deliveries through the key land crossing halted. Rafah had been the entry point for nearly a quarter of the relief entering the Gaza Strip before Israels operation. On Tuesday, the US State Department warned that only 50 humanitarian aid trucks made it through to Gaza on Sunday, down from hundreds per day in previous weeks, adding that the number is not nearly enough. Israel placed the blame for the crossings closure on Egypt. In a statement on X, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday said he had spoken to UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock about the need to persuade Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing to allow the continued delivery of international humanitarian aid to Gaza. Boys watch smoke billowing during Israeli strikes east of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday. - AFP/Getty Images The Israeli ministers comments drew backlash from Egypts foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, who rejected Katz statement, calling it a policy of distorting the facts. Shoukry stated Egypts categorical rejection of the policy of distorting the facts and disavowing responsibility followed by the Israeli side, adding that Katzs remarks are desperate attempts by Israel to hold Egypt responsible for the unprecedented humanitarian crisis facing the Gaza Strip. The crisis, Shoukry said, is a direct result of indiscriminate Israeli attacks against the Palestinians for more than seven months. Israel has said that it will never let Hamas take control of the border crossing. The Egyptian official told CNN that Egypt didnt want Hamas to be in control either, but that Israeli control is also unacceptable. It needs to be in the hands of the Palestinians, the official said, adding that the crossing could be placed under the control of the Palestinian civil defense. These are neither Hamas nor Fatah (a rival party to Hamas). Israeli troops at the Egyptian border Adding to tensions are Israeli military movements that have seen the Jewish states tanks and soldiers operating on Egypts doorstep, causing outrage in Egyptian media for alleged violations of the 1979 peace treaty signed between the two countries. Israeli troops have crossed into an area that was demilitarized in that treaty four decades ago including parts of a border zone known as the Philadelphi Corridor, where the Rafah crossing lies. Videos released by the Israeli military last week showed Israeli flags raised on the Palestinian side of the frontier. The Philadelphi Corridor is a 14-kilometer (about 8.7 mile) long and 100-meter-wide strip of land running along the border between Gaza and Egypt. The corridor is key to the 1979 treaty, a pact that saw Egypt and Israel end their enmity and which restricted the number of troops each side can place near the others territory. Changes to the security presence in the area must be made with mutual agreement. Over the years, amendments to security agreements between Egypt and Israel have allowed Cairo to boost its security presence in the Sinai Peninsula, which borders Israel. Palestinians displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip walk through a makeshift tent camp in Rafah on the border with Egypt, in Gaza on May 10. - Abdel Kareem Hana/AP Israel has not disclosed the scale of its military presence in Rafah. But according to the 1979 peace treaty, which was drawn up before Israel unilaterally withdrew troops from Gaza in 2005, Israel is allowed a limited force of four infantry battalions in Zone D where the Philadelphi Corridor lies. These battalions may consist of up to 180 armored personnel vehicles and a total of four thousand personnel. The presence of tanks, artillery and anti-aircraft missiles, except individual surface-to-air missiles, isnt allowed, the treaty says. It is unclear how many troops Israel now has stationed across the border in Rafah. Asked by CNN about the scale of its military operation in the city, and whether it was coordinated with the Egyptians, the IDF declined to comment. CNNs Hamdi Alkhshali, Michael Conte, Michael Schwartz, Mostafa Salem, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Tim Lister Abeer Salman and Richard Roth contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Sign for the Wisconsin Elections Comission. (Wisconsin Examiner photo) The Wisconsin Elections Commission on Tuesday discussed how its going to help election clerks across the state implement a constitutional amendment passed this spring that limits who is allowed to work with election materials. The amendment, passed in April, states that no one other than an election official may help in the administration of an election. Commissioners said during the meeting that theyve received questions from clerks about how that applies to election functions such as the printing of ballots which is generally done by outside printing companies. The state Department of Justice is also in the process of gathering public comments for an Attorney Generals opinion on the issue, but commissioners said they want to be able to help clerks know how to follow the law this fall. Commission Chair Don Millis suggested instructing staff to create a scope statement to begin the process of creating an administrative rule guiding the implementation of the amendment. But the rulemaking process can take more than a year. Commissioner Robert Spindell said that if clerks arent clear on what they should do in November, the 1,850 clerks across the state will make varying decisions, which could invite complaints following the election. I think we need to start thinking about some of the guidance that were probably going to have to put forward prior to the election if were going to have any effect on the election, Spindell said. Because Im afraid that clerks are going to come up with different thoughts and their city attorneys different thoughts, in terms of what they cant do. Commissioner Ann Jacobs called the rulemaking process byzantine and also said clerks will need guidance this year. Ultimately, the body unanimously voted for agency staff to begin the rulemaking process and begin drafting guidance for clerks to use in this years elections. On Tuesday, the commission also moved forward a number of proposed new administrative rules. The rules will guide the procedures on challenges to nomination papers and declarations of candidacy, requiring polling places to have emergency plans and the instructions given to absentee voters. The commission also scheduled its meetings for deciding which candidates will gain access to the ballot this summer and approved ballot designs for elections this fall. But the commission almost immediately had to reconsider those ballot designs after Gov. Tony Evers scheduled special elections for the vacant 8th Congressional District and 4th state Senate District. In the 4th District, the special election will be held July 30. If a primary is needed that election will be held July 2. Voters in the 8th District, where a U.S. House seat was left vacant after the resignation of U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, will be voting in a special election for someone to serve the remainder of Gallaghers term in November, on the same day theyre voting for who will hold the seat in the next congressional session. Those ballots will need to have the 8th district on the ballot twice, and the candidates running for the seat will also have to collect two sets of signatures for nomination papers. The post Elections Commission weighs how to implement constitutional amendment appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner. Elementary School Principal Accused of Whipping Student with Charging Cable, Choking and Slapping Him: Police Dontay Akeem Prophet is charged with aggravated child abuse Marion County Sheriff's Office Dontay Akeem Prophet An elementary school principal in Florida was charged with child abuse after police say he put a student in a chokehold. The Marion County Sheriffs Office says in a release that Dontay Akeem Prophet, 33, principal at Destiny Leadership Academy in Ocala, was arrested May 11, one day after officers responded to a report of an altercation at the school. Deputies say they obtained surveillance footage of the incident, which allegedly showed Prophet not allowing the student to leave a room for 40 minutes. The footage also allegedly caught the principal grabbing the victim, restraining him on the ground before using a chokehold as well as striking the child with a charging cable, which caused the student to fall and sustain an injury, police say. Deputies also claim that Prophet twisted the students ankle and slapped him in the face. When Prophet was questioned by a responding deputy, he allegedly told the officer that he had been attempting to prevent the child from harm, a claim which police say in the release is contradicted by the evidence. Prophet was charged with aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment of a child under 13 years of age. It is not immediately clear if Prophet has retained an attorney or entered a plea. Jail records indicate that he is being held on $25,000 bond for each count. WESH reports that the school says they have fired Prophet. 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. WCJB, WSVN and Fox 35 report that Prophet was previously accused of molesting a child he met in the summer of 2017, charged with lewd lascivious molestation of a child and an attempt to commit interfering with child custody. He reportedly resigned from a job in a different school district in 2019. Fox 35 reports that one charge related to that alleged incident was dropped while the court withheld adjudication on another. 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. Buttressed by a stunning $4.4 million in spending from a super PAC affiliated with a pro-Israel organization, state Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-Anne Arundel) won a hard-fought congressional primary in the 3rd District Tuesday, topping former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn by a wider margin than expected. Elfreth stopped short of declaring victory when she spoke to her jubilant supporters in Annapolis around 10:15 p.m., saying she wanted to wait until every vote is counted. But she also made it clear that she expects to be the nominee and will help end the eight-year drought of Maryland having no women in its congressional delegation. Its been a while since Maryland has sent a woman to the House of Representatives in D.C., she said. Tonight, with your help, we are a step closer. Elfreth will be the heavy favorite in the general election against Republican Rob Steinberger, an attorney and businessman. With all Election Day precincts reporting in Howard, Anne Arundel and Carroll counties, along with early voting tallies and a count of some mailed-in ballots, Elfreth had 35% of the vote Tuesday to just under 25% for Dunn. The primary featured 22 Democrats who were seeking to replace nine-term Rep. John Sarbanes (D), each offering a little something for everyone. Sarbanes announced in late October that he would not seek another term. Elfreth was one of five state lawmakers in the Democratic field, and based on her record of service, a loyal following in her legislative district, robust fundraising and political moxie, the 35-year-old senator was destined to be one of the frontrunners in the primary. But her stature changed once a group known as United Democracy Project, which is affiliated with the pro-Israel lobbying powerhouse American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, invested heavily in the race, airing TV ads, printing mailers and running phone banks on her behalf. AIPACs decision to play heavily in the 3rd District remains one of the great mysteries of this election cycle, because Elfreth and Dunn did not differ significantly in their public pronouncements on the conflict in Gaza. But the PACs investment was enough to offset Dunns initial financial advantage. Both the United Democracy Project and AIPAC issued statements Tuesday night hailing Elfreths win. Sarah Elfreths victory underscores that it is entirely consistent with progressive values to stand with the Jewish state as it battles aggression from the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies, AIPAC said in its statement. Activists from the pro-Israel community were actively engaged in supporting her campaign. We are proud to support both Democrats and Republicans who understand that a strong Israel is in Americas interest. The outcome in this race once again shows that the pro-Israel position is both good policy and good politics for both parties. Dunns entry into the race in early January, later than most of his rivals, was also a seismic event and one most political professionals in the state hadnt anticipated. A national hero to progressives after battling insurrectionists at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, he had raised almost $4.6 million by late April and spent almost $3.9 million on the race, according to the Federal Election Commission. In fact, before Dunn got into the race, it was reasonable to assume that one of the state lawmakers in the primary Elfreth, Sen. Clarence K. Lam (D-Howard and Anne Arundel) or Dels. Mark S. Chang (D-Anne Arundel), Terri L. Hill (D-Howard) or Mike Rogers (D-Anne Arundel) would prevail. But Dunns quick burst of fundraising and national publicity, even though he did not live in the district and wasnt well known there when he started, instantly changed the calculus. And in the end, only Elfreth could keep up. Apart from the AIPAC support, Elfreth ran a meat-and-potatoes campaign, emphasizing issues like abortion rights, climate change and the health of the Chesapeake Bay, and touting her effectiveness in Annapolis. Her campaign also spotlighted her familiarity with local issues, while Dunn portrayed himself as a defender of democracy and worked to introduce himself to the voters. Sarah ran a great campaign, said state Sen. Pamela Beidle (D-Anne Arundel), who endorsed her Senate colleague even though Chang and Rogers represent the same legislative district as Beidle. She was really positive throughout. Lam wound up third in the race, with about 11.4%. Hill was fourth with almost 7%, followed by Chang at 5% and Rogers with just under 3%. Elfreths supporters gathered at a new airy, high-ceilinged event venue in Annapolis. The crowd of 200 supporters included half a dozen of her fellow state lawmakers, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman (D), other current and former elected officials, and close to a dozen State House lobbyists. Elfreths supporters cheered wildly every time a TV report showed her ahead. Beidle and state Sen. Dawn Gile (D-Anne Arundel) first spoke to the crowd about 9:30 p.m. Were not going to call it yet, but its looking good, Gile said. Harry Dunn pays tribute to his campaign manager, Taylor Doggett, on primary evening Tuesday. Photo by Nene Narh-Mensah. Speaking to supporters at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7472 in Ellicott City, Dunn conceded defeat around 10:40 p.m. Dunn said he had just spoken to Elfreth on the phone, and told her that he was available as an asset. Dunn praised the other Democrats in the race, saying he didnt consider any of them opponents. Im not sad, Dunn said. I gave it everything I had and yall did too. Dunn said he had also spoken Tuesday evening to U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-8th), another hero of the movement to preserve democracy in the wake of Jan. 6. He said he was humbled and grateful that people voted for him, and spoke with urgency about democracy, which he said was potentially one election away from destruction. Everybody has a role to defend democracy right now, Dunn said. I encourage you all to stay in this arena with me cause Im not going nowhere. Elfreth was the youngest woman ever elected to the Maryland Senate, in 2018. Shes now poised to become one of the youngest women serving in the House of Representatives. According to the website oldest.org, shed be the fifth-youngest woman ever elected to the House if she wins in November. In her speech Tuesday night, Elfreth was quick to deflect the attention from herself and spoke of other races on the ballot, including school board contests in Anne Arundel County and the U.S. Senate primary. Campaigns are not about the candidates. Its about the community, she said. This campaign was not won in the last 6 1/2 months. It was won over the last decade, and it all comes down to you. Elfreth ended her speech by thanking her supporters and exhorting, Lets get to work. The post Elfreth tops Dunn in hard-fought 3rd District House primary appeared first on Maryland Matters. In the high-stakes criminal case against former President Donald Trump in Georgia, the defendant isnt the only one campaigning. In an election year oddity, both the prosecutor, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, and the judge presiding over the case, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, are fighting to keep their seats. They probably a little nervous, Willis said with a nod to her team as she took the stage at a recent Democratic Party awards dinner. They write all these speeches and then I say what I wanna say. Such is the high-wire act for the district attorney and the judge as they juggle their campaigns with their court calendars. Even though both incumbents are favored to win, their upcoming elections add a layer of uncertainty to the election interference case against Trump and his remaining co-defendants. The case is effectively at a standstill. It was sidetracked for months over whether Willis should be disqualified from the case after she had a romantic relationship with her lead prosecutor. She managed to stay on while he resigned. But now an appeals court said it will revisit the question of whether Willis should have been removed from the case. A legal argument before the Supreme Court over whether Trump has immunity from prosecution also remains an issue in the Georgia case and may not be decided until this summer. Willis is facing off in the Democratic primary against Christian Wise Smith, an attorney who failed to gain traction in his two previous bids for public office. And while the disqualification issue has been fodder for Willis critics on the right, she remains the favorite among Democrat voters. Wise Smith, meantime, has faced some skepticism from voters worried that if he ousts Willis it could endanger the Trump case. McAfee is up against criminal defense attorney and talk radio host Robert Patillo in the nonpartisan judicial race. If Patillo prevails, hes expected to take over the cases on McAfees docket, which could include the Trump election interference case. Both races are on the Fulton County ballot May 21. Whoever prevails in the primary fight for district attorney is set to take on GOP attorney Courtney Kramer, who served in the Trump White House, in November. But she faces steep odds in deep blue Fulton County. I wasnt surprised to see candidates come out against both, said Michael J. Moore, former US attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, noting how politicized the Trump case has become. That sometimes happens when they smell blood in the water. Willis defiant on the campaign trail Willis has sought to keep up a public presence in the community, as she wages her first reelection campaign since being elected in 2020. But at nearly every stop shes peppered with questions about the Trump case. And every remark is potential fodder for the defendants. Aint no one above the law, either, Willis said at a recent campaign stop where she was endorsed by faith leaders. I dont care how rich you are, how powerful you think you are, who your daddy is, what your political party might be, how much money you think you got and how evil your supporters are. She added: I will gladly leave this place knowing that I did Gods work. Despite Willis defiant tone, shes dodged specific questions about the Trump case at public events and backed out of an April debate with Wise Smith, noting that she would be unable to talk about the highest-profile case on her plate. The disqualification drama surrounding Willis hasnt spared Wise Smith from skepticism from some Democrats who believe Willis will most aggressively prosecute the Trump case. Some folks were worried that me jumping in the race, you know, might mean we lose that case, Wise Smith said in an interview with CNN. His counter: electing a prosecutor with less personal baggage would be beneficial to the case and the county. But Wise Smith who has campaigned on breaking the school-to-prison pipeline and tapping more community resources to drive down crime has also raised concerns about the resources devoted to sprawling, high-profile cases, such as the election interference case. Would I drop the case? Let me say this, I think the case is in grave jeopardy right now, Wise Smith said of the Trump case. Im not dropping it if its there when I get there, but we are going to look at the best way to go forward with it. McAfee runs first campaign McAfee, who was appointed to his job in December 2022 to fill a retirement vacancy, has also been hitting the trail for his first campaign, appearing at local rotary clubs, churches and marching in the local Inman Park festival parade. In a rarity for a sitting judge, McAfee has also been granting interviews to local media. He offered one interviewer insight into his process of drafting the opinion he would eventually release declining to disqualify Willis from the case, as the judge insisted his rulings wouldnt be swayed by pressure from the campaign. Ive had a rough draft in an outline before I ever heard a rumor that someone wanted to run for this position, so the result is not going to change because of politics, McAfee told WSB radio in March. His opponent, Patillo, is primarily running on criminal justice reform and has taken aim at the pace of cases, particularly given the violence and overcrowding at the local jail. Patillos suggested McAfee isnt moving aggressively enough on the Trump case and critiqued the way the judge handled the hearings on the Willis disqualification matter, suggesting some of the more explosive testimony shouldnt have played out in open court. In my courtroom and from my judicial philosophy, there would have a been a lot more things done in camera where we could have had these discussions behind closed doors, Patillo told CNN in an interview. At a recent candidates forum, McAfee spent the evening glad-handing and defending his record of moving cases along without addressing the Trump case specifically. Its not as simple as just setting a trial date, McAfee said of docket management. Theres so many things that go into it pretrial and theres working in the case actively. Willis, McAfee way ahead in fundraising Both Willis and McAfee have outraised their opponents, according to the latest campaign finance reports. Willis has raised more than $550,000 compared to nearly $78,000 from Wise Smith. McAfee has raised more than $325,000 for his reelection bid, including a $100,000 loan he provided for his campaign. Patillo has raised just shy of $12,000. McAfees coffers have been helped along by several players in the Trump case. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, and former Gov. Roy Barnes, a Democrat, were the marquee guests at a recent fundraising event for McAfee. Kemp could wind up being a witness in the Trump case. And Barnes was already a witness in the Willis disqualification issue. Ray Smith III, a Georgia lawyer and a defendant in the case, also donated to McAfee before Smith was indicted. The donations arent barred under ethics rules, but Patillo slammed them, saying it creates the appearance of impropriety and it makes it seem like were running a kangaroo court. McAfee told CNN that his opponent is running to raise his profile. He said Patillos comments about the recent fundraiser miss the point of bringing together two persons from both sides of the aisle, which is to show support from across the political spectrum. I believe it reflects a bi-partisan appreciation for fairness. As for the $150 donation from Smith, McAfee said - and campaign filings confirm- he donated that contribution to the Boy Scouts. The politicking, its kind of unseemly that they have to do it, Moore said of the increasingly acrimonious judicial race. But thats just the nature of the beast down there. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The emergency declaration for an invasive algae found in the San Diego Bay has been renewed, the Port of San Diego announced Wednesday. This comes two weeks after FOX 5/KUSI previously reported that someones decision to pour aquarium water into the bay is what led to the spread, causing the Port to spend nearly $100,000 in efforts to reverse the damage. According to the Port, the seaweed, known as Caulerpa prolifera, was first discovered last September and has since then been found within and around the Coronado Cays. RELATED: Aquarium water may have caused invasive seaweed in San Diego Bay Since then, nearly 11,200 square feet of Caulerpa prolifera have been found in the area. Divers have been working to eliminate the invasive algae by covering them with a sealed barrier, blocking it from light, oxygen and tidal circulation, according to the Port. Caulerpa seaweed is illegal to possess, sell or transport under California law. Experts said the primary concerns are to protect marine life in San Diego Bay. The body of water has nearly 2,600 acres of eelgrass, including 1,900 in the South Bay, the Port said. Fish, birds and green sea turtles rely on eelgrass for food and shelter, and it is also a natural filter that enhances water and air quality, according to the Port. The Port said if you have or sell saltwater aquariums, do not use Caulerpa or dump the water into places that could lead to the bay or ocean, including streets or storm drains. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Emergency power outages implemented in Kyiv and number of oblasts Emergency blackouts have been implemented in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk oblasts, as well as in the capital, due to the challenging situation in the power grid. Source: press service of DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine Quote: "The extremely difficult situation in the power system continues. Therefore, following the instructions of Ukrenergo [Ukraine's national energy company], emergency shutdowns are being implemented," the report said. The company urged Ukrainians to limit electricity consumption. "Today's experience highlights the need for implementing blackout schedules. Therefore, Ukrenergo has calculated and demonstrated to the Distribution System Operators (DSOs) the consumption restrictions for tomorrow from 00:00 to 09:00 and from 16:00 to 00:00," said Serhii Kovalenko, general director of the electricity supplier Yasno. He said that if these restrictions are exceeded, stabilisation shutdowns (also known as schedules) will be implemented. Background: On 14 May, Yasno, an electricity supplier, announced that there would be emergency blackouts in Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, as ordered by Ukrenergo. Ukrenergo subsequently declared that it had been compelled to implement controlled emergency shutdowns in all oblasts of Ukraine. The emergency shutdowns in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv, Odesa, Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts were cancelled early on 15 May. Support UP or become our patron! The Governments announcement this week that it will proactively encourage police to use stop and search is welcome. In London, where Sadiq Khan has called for the Met to reduce the use of stop and search, the consequences have been desperate for levels of violent crime, the number of dangerous weapons on our streets, and the rate of young people tragically murdered. The effects are too devastating to be playing politics over, and my aim here is not to simply criticise the Mayor of London or his record on crime. Instead, we need to come together and be clear on a simple point: done right, stop and search works. It is not the only tool we have, but it is an effective one. There is, of course, work to do police services need to make a proactive effort to bring every community with them. People of all backgrounds must feel that stop and search is an asset to help keep their community safe, rather than a method of harassment used to target them. We must address concerns that stop and search is used to discriminate and over-police, demonstrating that it is a positive force for good. The case for stop and search has never been clearer. Having effectively removed it as a tool from police in London, we are now seeing the consequences play out on our streets. Statistics show that knife crime has reached a record high in London, increasing by 20 per cent in the last year alone. At the same time, the use of stop and search across the capital has dropped by 44 per cent in the past two years, and is now at its lowest level since 2018. The Met themselves now recognise this reduction was a mistake, with Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley suggesting in an interview last month that stop and search does work, and that the force will look to increase its use over coming months. We must also back our police services on this if an officer has a reasonable suspicion that someone may be carrying a dangerous weapon, they must be able to have the confidence to search that individual, without fear of being reprimanded. We have found ourselves in a dangerous situation which sees officers who are following their training, doing the right thing and lawfully checking for weapons ending up plastered across social media, lambasted by armchair critics and potentially facing disciplinary action. Those who believe that reducing the use of stop and search has benefitted black communities are fundamentally wrong. When it is predominantly young black men being murdered as a result of the violence that follows, how can black communities possibly be better off? Black men are now nine times more likely to be murdered. When you dont have stop and search as a tool for removal, alongside other measures, increasingly dangerous weapons are going to stay on our streets. When you dont have the risk of being caught carrying a dangerous weapon and being punished, young men will be emboldened to carry them. When you have more weapons on the street and more young men carrying them, you will see more crime, more gang violence and more senseless deaths. Tragically, that is exactly what we are seeing across London, and something has to change. This increase in violence and gang activity will ultimately send more young black men down the wrong path in life, creating a vicious cycle of crime and heartbreak for the families of victims. As a youth worker, I saw first-hand how easily this can happen. Through my work in this area, every week I am contacted by grieving parents who have lost their child to knife crime. Every single one asks me why we are not taking these weapons off the streets. The reality is that we can do this, and we can stop these weapons from being carried in the first place. Stop and search is as much about a deterrent as its use in practice those who are tempted to carry a knife or weapon on our streets and in our communities must know that they will be stopped, they will be searched and they will be caught. By working hard to build trust between police and local communities of all backgrounds, we can show that stop and search, when used properly, is a powerful force for good. 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. Russian attacks and unseasonably cold weather have caused a "significant capacity deficit" in Ukraine's power system, leading to blackouts and energy restrictions for consumers across the country, the Energy Ministry reported on May 15. Since the start of 2024, Russia has launched five large-scale attacks against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing over $1 billion worth of damage. The Energy Ministry said that the shortage, which is expected to continue during the evening, caused emergency power cuts on the morning of May 15 and the previous evening. Ukraine received an emergency supply of electricity over the past day from neighboring Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, the Energy Ministry said. The ministry asked consumers to reduce the use of energy-intensive appliances during the peak evening hours. Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state-owned energy operator, warned on the evening of May 14 that restrictions on energy supply had been introduced due to a "significant power shortage." Ukrenergo said that the restrictions on industrial energy consumers will continue for the rest of the day, but added that the supply of power to critical infrastructure will not be restricted. Russia carried out its latest large-scale attack overnight on May 8, targeting energy infrastructure in central and western regions. An attack in April destroyed the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant, the main electricity supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko warned on May 13 that as a result of the attacks, Ukraine may not only face a "difficult winter," but also issues with the electricity supply this summer. "To date, we have already lost about 8 gigawatts of capacity in the system. If this had happened in any other country, there would have been a total blackout," Halushchenko said. Read also: 48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraines most-bombed major city Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. KYODO NEWS - May 15, 2024 - 13:29 | All, Japan Police plan to refer to prosecutors an 18-year-old man for allegedly using camera-equipped smart glasses to cheat on an entrance exam at Tokyo's prestigious Waseda University, investigative sources said Wednesday. The Tokyo resident, who was a senior high school student at the time of the alleged offense, could be charged with "obstructing operations" of the private university by taking images of exam papers and posting them on social media with his smartphone on Feb. 16 during the entrance test for the School of Creative Science and Engineering. The suspect allegedly sought assistance from people on X, formerly known as Twitter, and answered questions based on their responses, according to the sources. The man said during voluntary questioning that he was worried he may not get into a university after performing poorly on standardized tests and being rejected by national universities, they said. The case came to light after a person who responded to one of his questions online contacted Waseda University. The university consulted the police after he appeared for another exam for a different faculty on Feb. 21 and an official noticed a small camera in the frame of his glasses. Neither of the faculties has admitted the man. "Since the student was found to have cheated, we have invalidated his exam results," a university spokesperson said. Waseda University's entrance exam guidelines require examinees to turn off communications-capable electronic devices and store them in bags, including mobile phones and wearable devices. The latest case is a part of a broader issue of examinees' attempting to cheat on university entrance examinations. In January 2022, a female student was referred to prosecutors for allegedly sending an image of a world history question in a unified university entrance exam to members of a tutoring site in hopes of receiving help. A Chinese national who passed an entrance exam for Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo the same month was later found guilty of business obstruction after recording math exam questions with a micro camera and posting them on social media to solicit answers. Related coverage: Woman turns herself in over alleged Japan univ. exam cheating New environmental study on Northern Corridor says contested highway could lead to more wildfires, invasive weeds ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) Last week, the saga over the contested Northern Corridor highway project in St. George entered its latest chapter. On May 9, the Bureau of Land Management released its draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed four-lane highway through the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. Government at its worst: Local officials express frustration with feds at field hearing in southwestern Utah The document, which adds to the original Environmental Impact Statement, notes that the proposed roadway could increase the spread of invasive weeds, lead to more damaging and frequent wildfires, and potentially harm the threatened Mojave desert tortoise. Now, a public comment period is underway until June 24. Both those for and against the highway are urging Utahns to submit comments, as a final decision on the project could come later this year. Background For years, local officials have argued that the Northern Corridor is needed to alleviate traffic congestion in booming Washington County, one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation. In 2021, during the waning days of the Trump administration, the BLM granted UDOT a right-of-way to the highway. However, an alliance of Utah-based and other environmental groups sued, claiming that the highway would violate federal law and set a dangerous precedent for other conservation areas. As part of a settlement reached last year, the right-of-way for the Northern Corridor was put on hold and the federal agencies were tasked with re-evaluating the original Environmental Impact Statement. Reaction Local officials in Washington County are fuming, as one of the alternatives listed in the draft document is terminating Utahs right-of-way to the highway. The Northern Corridor is absolutely critical to our county. It must be built and it must be built the right way, said Washington County Commissioner Adam Snow, in a statement released last week. He and other county leaders say that the Biden administration has taken over the role of traffic planner in their community, ignoring the voices of locals who live in St. George. Yet, Conserve Southwest Utah, one of the groups opposed to the project, says that many St. George residents dont want the highway built, as it would ruin scenic vistas of the red desert landscape and degrade the experience for those who recreate on the land. There are alternatives that exist that are better in many cases, cheaper and dont impact as many resources, Holly Snow Canada, the groups executive director, told ABC4. Those are all options that are outside the national conservation area. Whats on the table The draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement lists five alternatives to the original version of the Northern Corridor, which aimed to link areas of northwestern and northeastern St. George. Two of the alternative routes would also have a 50-mph highway cutting through part of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. County officials have said that only one of these, dubbed the T-Bone Mesa Alignment, is viable. Two of the other alternatives would change already existing roads in St. George to accommodate more traffic. The roads in question are Red Hills Parkway, St. George Boulevard, and 100 South. This graphic shows the initial Northern Corridor route and alternatives discussed in the draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. (credit: BLM/USFWS) Lisa Belenky, senior counsel at the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the opposed environmental groups, said that BLM shouldnt be considering any new highway through the conservation area. Were committed to keeping it whole and wild, she said, in a statement. Moes Valley, renowned climbing area, at risk amid review of St. George highway project On the other side, Washington County Attorney Eric Clark said in a news release last week that the BLMs newly released environmental study is promoting half-baked concepts that will end up harming Uthans quality of life. The Biden-led BLM`s approach on this important issue has been beyond frustrating, he said. The ongoing public comment period on the draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement is scheduled to last until June 24. The BLM will also host a public meeting on the topic, but the time and place have yet to be announced. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. An Olympic marmot. (Photo by Kiley Barbero, courtesy of Center for Biological Diversity) Olympic marmots can spend up to eight months a year hibernating, emerging when the weather warms to forage for food, fatten up, and otherwise go about their business. If youve traveled in the alpine terrain of western Washingtons Olympic Mountains, you may have spotted them loafing, sauntering along, or standing alert on their hind legs surveying their surroundings. The brownish, furry, burrow-dwelling creatures technically large members of the squirrel family are the only marmots found on the Olympic Peninsula. In 2009, the Legislature designated them as the states official endemic mammal. But environmentalists say the species is in trouble, with around 2,000 to 4,000 of the animals believed to be left after a sharp population decline from the 1990s to mid-2000s. With this in mind, the Center for Biological Diversity this week petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to grant the marmots, which can grow to around 32 inches long and weigh up to 20 pounds, new protections under the federal Endangered Species Act. If we dont protect them, they could disappear, Noah Greenwald, endangered species director with the group, said in a statement. The center is asking the feds to consider classifying the animals as either threatened under the Endangered Species Act or to assign them the more protective endangered status. Washingtons Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is not a party to the petition, ranks the species sensitivity to climate change as moderate-high, with declining snowpack and treelines creeping higher into the mountains considered key risk factors. A big problem for the marmots seems to be coyotes. Warmer winters and less snow are thought to make it easier for coyotes to move into higher elevations where the marmots live. The Center for Biological Diversity, in a press release, said in one study coyotes accounted for 85% of all documented marmot predation. Historically, coyotes arent known to have roamed the higher elevations of the Olympics. If wolves hunted to extinction in the Olympics by the 1930s were returned to the region, the Center for Biological Diversity said the coyotes would have a predator of their own, possibly boosting the odds of survival for the marmots. The marmots prefer tender, flowering plants as food but will eat roots and gnaw trees when hungry, according to the National Park Service. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has 90 days from Mondays filing to consider the centers request to provide Endangered Species Act protections for the marmots. The post Environmentalists seek protections for marmots on Olympic Peninsula appeared first on Washington State Standard. Famed magician David Copperfield is accused of grooming teenagers and assaulting young women he met at his shows over a decades-long period, The Guardian revealed. On Wednesday, the outlet reported that 16 women shared allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior by Copperfield, spanning from the 1980s to 2014, and that more than half of the women were under the age of 18 at the time. (The illusionist denies these claims.) The disturbing accusations detailed in the report are eerily similar to those against one of Copperfields old friends: the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Indeed, Copperfields name has surfaced repeatedly over the years in connection to the dead sex offendermost recently in a January cache of unsealed court records. The 67-year-old entertainer was so friendly with Epstein that he visited his Palm Beach, Florida, mansion and left messages for him as Magic David. David Copperfield Accused of Sexual Misconduct With Minors in Bombshell Report While Copperfields lawyers told The Guardian that he did not know about Epsteins horrific crimes and only learned about it from the press, a lawyer for Epstein victims once served Copperfield with a subpoena outside one of his Las Vegas shows, believing he could have helpful information on the financiers crimes. In his book Relentless Pursuit, attorney Brad Edwards noted, Regrettably we never were able to depose Copperfield due to a number of legal and logistical roadblocks. Edwards memoir refers to Johanna Sjoberg, a victim of Epstein who accused Prince Andrew of groping her and who was able to corroborate the identities of some of Epsteins famous friends. David Copperfield was one, Edwards wrote. On numerous occasions, Johanna met Copperfield, who was clearly a close friend of Jeffreys during that period. Other witnesses that I had interviewed had also told me of the friendship between Epstein and Copperfield and how their private islands were located close enough for them to visit each other on occasion, Edwards added. A recently unsealed 2016 deposition revealed Johanna testified that Copperfield performed magic tricks at Epsteins home. Copperfield, she added, asked her if she knew that girls were getting paid to find other girls but never specified whether the females in question were underage. Ghislaine Maxwell Found Guilty For Aiding Epsteins Teen Sex Ring According to The Guardian, Copperfield gave a 15-year-old girl his phone number and would send her notes and gifts when she was 16, including a teddy bear and Valentines Day balloon. In 2 years I will be back, read one note from the magician, who was 19 years her senior. The woman says Copperfield approached her and her mom in the parking lot after a Georgia show in 1991 and gave her a business card reading Magic Dave. He then told her hed take her to dinner once she turned 18, The Guardian reported. Copperfield, the accuser says, kept in touch and called her familys home often. After one magic show, when the accuser was 17, Copperfield allegedly encouraged her to perform oral sex on him in his limousine. She says Copperfield may have assumed she was 18 at the time. When she was 18, she lost her virginity to the magician. (Copperfields lawyers have denied that he groomed the teenager and said they had a wholly lawful four year consensual relationship.) Copperfield also allegedly directed his employees to scour the audience for attractive young women and invite them to the stage or for a post-show meeting in his limousine, hotel, or penthouse multiple times a week. Epstein, as has been widely reported, ordered his own assistants to recruit young women and girls into his trafficking scheme. And in another parallel to the Epstein scandal, in 2007, the FBI was investigating a woman named Lacey Carrolls claims that Copperfield sexually assaulted her at his Bahamas private island. The FBI even raided Copperfields warehouse and theater in Las Vegas, seizing $2 million in cash, a computer hard drive, and a digital camera memory chip, but dropped the probe two years later without explanation. A second accuser, Brittany Lewis, spoke to the FBI around that time too. She claimed she was 17 in 1988 when Copperfield drugged and assaulted her after she competed in a modeling contest where he served as a judge, The Wrap reported. Copperfield denied any wrongdoing in a Twitter post following The Wraps report. Ive lived with years of news reports about me being accused of fabricated, heinous acts, with few telling the story of the accuser getting arrested, and my innocence. (The illusionist was referring to Carrolls 2010 arrest for allegedly providing a false statement to police in connection to an unrelated rape accusation case.) The FBI was also looking at Epstein in 2007 and reportedly wanted to arrest him while he judged a beauty pageant in the Virgin Islandsmonths before he inked a lenient non-prosecution agreement with Miami federal prosecutors. At least one Epstein accuser, Maria Farmer, says she reported Epstein to the FBI in the 1990s. The agency is now facing a lawsuit from Epstein victims who say it failed to properly investigate the wealthy sex-trafficker and allowed his abuse to continue for years. Epstein would finally face sex-trafficking charges in July 2019, only to die in a Manhattan jail a month later in what authorities said was a suicide. Public records, in the form of victims lawsuits and the 2021 trial of Epsteins accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, have long detailed how Epstein preyed on vulnerable teen girls and young women. He offered them money or educational opportunities in exchange for sexualized massages and raped them during some encounters. Next Target for Epstein Prosecutors Could Be His Assistant Sarah Kellen When Epsteins assistant Sarah Kellen was deposed for a victims lawsuit in 2010throughout which she invoked her Fifth Amendment rightsvictims attorneys peppered her with questions about Copperfield. You are aware, are you not, that David Copperfield and Jeffrey Epstein used to share for sexualfor sex, girls under the age of 16? victims lawyer Spencer Kuvin asked her. (No Epstein victims, it should be noted, have publicly accused Copperfield of any abuse, nor has he been charged or arrested in connection with Epstein.) Kellen pleaded the Fifth. Another lawyer, Katherine Ezell, questioned Kellen about the men's relationship and whether they recruited girls for each other. To your knowledge, Ezell asked, are they involved in any sexual trafficking of young women? Ezells other queries went unanswered: Do you know that when David Copperfield is in town, he gives Jeffrey Epstein tickets and Jeffrey gives some to young women to attend those shows? And do you know that those girls are invited backstage after the show? After Palm Beach cops began investigating Epstein in 2005 for molesting scores of girls, they discovered a stash of phone message pads in his garbage. Copperfield or his assistants left more than a few for the creepy financier. Its jackpot, one cryptic January 2005 message said. Another from December 2004 read, Just called to say hello. 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. UPDATE (1:10 p.m.): The Escambia County Sheriffs Office tells News 5 that the vehicle has been located on Redwood Circle. No suspects have been identified so far. PREVIOUS STORY: ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) The Escambia County Sheriffs Office is looking for a car believed to have been used this week in a shooting. The 2018 Hyundai Sonata, with an Indiana tag that says CIJ457, reportedly was used in a May 14 shooting on the 100 block of Diego Circle, an ECSO Facebook post said. Walmart employee accused of stealing from store for 2 weeks: Mobile Police The vehicle, which is listed as stolen, was last seen traveling eastbound on Diego Circle with 3 or 4 males, the ECSO post said. Any of the vehicles occupants should be considered armed and dangerous, the ECSO said. Anyone with information about the car can call Crime Stoppers at 433-STOP or ECSO at 850-436-9620. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Estonian parliament passes bill allowing use of frozen Russian assets for war reparations for Ukraine Estonia's parliament passed a bill on May 15 enabling the usage of frozen Russian assets to pay reparations for war damage in Ukraine. Kyiv and its Western partners have long been discussing possible methods of using around $300 billion in Russian assets immobilized in Western accounts to fund Ukraine. The Estonian government estimated in October 2023 that it held about 38 million euros ($41.3 million) of frozen Russian assets. "We're one step closer to setting a historic precedent in Europe," said Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. "Our parliament passed the first law in Europe to allow the use of Russia's frozen assets to compensate for war damages." The bill must still be signed into law by Estonian President Alar Karis. "Russia is an aggressor state, and the burden of compensating the war damage caused by it cannot be left to Ukraine and its allies," said Estonian lawmaker Hendrik Johannes Terras. "Russia is responsible for causing the damages and must bear that responsibility," he continued. The legislation has been discussed and refined for the last six months, including with outside help from experts. Read also: Explaining Washingtons REPO Act that could kick-start the confiscation of frozen Russian assets Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ethics reform measure will go to L.A. voters. Critics say it's watered down Los Angeles voters in November will weigh in on a ballot measure that would strengthen the citys ethics oversight after a string of scandals at City Hall. Watchdog groups were deeply disappointed, saying the measure does not go far enough after the City Council watered down a proposal that had included more sweeping changes, such as giving the volunteer Ethics Commission unilateral power to put items on the ballot. The ballot measure passed unanimously by the council on Tuesday would increase penalties for violations of the city ethics code to $15,000 from $5,000. The city department that includes the commission would get a minimum annual budget of $6.5 million, slightly more than what is now proposed for the upcoming fiscal year. Also, a newly created Charter Reform Commission would review the entire city charter. California Common Cause, a good-government group, called the measure "disheartening." "The Los Angeles City Council had a chance to turn the tide of corruption at City Hall and begin a new era in which L.A. residents could trust their local elected officials, said Jonathan Mehta Stein, the group's executive director. Instead they chose to uphold a broken, shameful status quo. The ethics department's budget is contingent on the approval of the City Council, whose members the department sometimes investigates. The department oversees investigations and enforces the city's lobbying, ethics and campaign finance rules. The Ethics Commission oversees policies and votes on proposed penalties. In January, former Councilmember Jose Huizar was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for his role in a sprawling set of criminal schemes that involved cash payouts, casino chips at Las Vegas hotels and other bribes from developers seeking to build glittering downtown high-rises. Read more: Former L.A. Councilman Jose Huizar sentenced to 13 years in prison in corruption case Another former councilmember, Mitchell Englander, pleaded guilty in 2020 to giving false information to investigators after FBI agents inquired about his own Vegas trip in 2017, during which he received cash in an envelope in a casino bathroom. Councilmember Curren Price, who represents part of South L.A., was charged by L.A. County prosecutors with embezzlement, perjury and conflict of interest in June last year. He has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence. Price's colleague on the council, Kevin de Leon, was one of three then-councilmembers captured on a secret recording of a conversation featuring vulgar and racist remarks. Council President Nury Martinez resigned, and De Leon weathered months of protests calling for his resignation. Councilmember Gil Cedillo lost his seat in the June 2022 primary, before the recording was released that October. Ron Herrera, who was president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, was part of the conversation and also resigned. Read more: Racist remarks in leaked audio of L.A. council members spark outrage, disgust A group led by the labor federation backed the watered-down version of the ethics ballot measure. In a letter Monday to council members, the group said that some of the proposals would "erode a system of checks and balances" at City Hall. In particular, adding more members to the Ethics Commission without approval from the council would create "a quasi-separate government agency that is accountable to no one," the group wrote. After the council voted Tuesday for the version of the ballot measure backed by the unions, which did not include an expanded volunteer panel, county Federation of Labor President Yvonne Wheeler could be seen with union leaders clapping and celebrating in the rotunda, according to a video posted on X. City Council President Paul Krekorian and others began looking at ways to bolster the commission's power several years ago. Krekorian is now chair of the Ad Hoc Committee of Government Reform, which was created by council members after the recording featuring De Leon and the others was made public in October 2022. In a statement after Tuesday's vote, Krekorian called the council's actions a "huge step forward" in reforming city government. He and Councilmember Nithya Raman, who is vice chair of the government reform committee, voted against proposed amendments that were supported by labor groups and were included in the final ballot measure. The amendments were submitted by Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martinez and Tim McOsker, with Councilmembers Imelda Padilla and Eunisses Hernandez seconding. 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. EU ambassadors have agreed to ban access to four information resources used as tools of Russian propaganda in all EU countries. Source: Rikard Jozwiak, Europe editor for Radio Liberty, on social media X, European Pravda writes Quote: "EU ambassadors just agreed to a Europe-wide broadcast ban on Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestija and Rossiiskaja Gazeta," he wrote on his Twitter account (X). Background: Earlier, there were reports that the European Commission wanted to add Voice of Europe to the sanctions list. Czech intelligence services said in March that the website was used to spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda and disinformation on the instructions of Viktor Medvedchuk, against whom Czechia also imposed sanctions (Medvedchuk is a former Ukrainian MP and oligarch with pro-Russian stance who, prior to the full-scale Russian invasion, spread pro-Kremlin propaganda in Ukraine via a number of media that he used to own ed.) Rossiyskaya Gazeta is an official newspaper of the Russian government. Last autumn, Bulgaria expelled an employee of this media outlet from the country and banned him from entering the EU for violations that, according to the Bulgarian government, were not related to journalistic activities. In early March 2022, following a decision by the EU Council, the EU immediately banned the Russian propaganda channels RT/Russia Today and Sputnik. Support UP or become our patron! European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell attends the meeting of EU foreign and development ministers at the European Council building in Brussels. Borrell urges Israel to "immediately" end its military operation in Rafah, warning that continuing the assault will strain EU-Israel relations. -/European Council/dpa European Commission and NATO officials on Wednesday criticized Georgia's adoption of a law requiring foreign-funded organizations to register as "foreign agents." "The spirit and content of the law are not in line with EU core norms and values," said a statement by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell and Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi. On Tuesday, Georgia's parliament passed the controversial legislation despite angry protests in Tbilisi and urging by the EU and the United States not to adopt it. Thousands of people once again took to the streets of the capital on Tuesday evening. One of their chief concerns is that the law threatens Georgia's path to European Union membership. Many also fear that in the former Soviet republic - as in neighbouring Russia - critical organizations and media will be silenced. "Despite large protests and unequivocal calls by the international community, the Georgian government ruling majority adopted the law 'on transparency of foreign influence' in Parliament," the statement by Borrell and Varhelyi said. The two commission officials also condemned attacks on Georgian activists and journalists. "The intimidation, threats and physical assaults on civil society representatives, political leaders and journalists, as well as their families is unacceptable. We call on the Georgian authorities to investigate these documented acts." In a post on X, NATO spokeswoman Farah Dakhlallah said that the law's passage "is a step in the wrong direction and takes Georgia further away from European and Euro-Atlantic integration. We urge Georgia to change course and to respect the right to peaceful protest." Later on Wednesday, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili plans to meet with the foreign ministers from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Iceland who had travelled to the country. Unlike the ruling Georgian Dream party, Zourabichvili is seen as pro-European. She has already announced that she will veto the law - but parliament has the votes to overturn it. Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, speaks to the media before the Foreign Affairs Council meeting. -/European Council/dpa European Commission and NATO officials on Wednesday criticized Georgia's adoption of a law requiring foreign-funded organizations to register as "foreign agents." "The spirit and content of the law are not in line with EU core norms and values," said a statement by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell and Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi. On Tuesday, Georgia's parliament passed the controversial legislation despite angry protests in Tbilisi and urging by the European Union and the United States not to adopt it. Thousands of people once again took to the streets of the capital on Tuesday evening. One of their chief concerns is that the law threatens Georgia's path to EU membership. Many also fear that in the former Soviet republic - as in neighbouring Russia - critical organizations and media will be silenced. "Despite large protests and unequivocal calls by the international community, the Georgian government ruling majority adopted the law 'on transparency of foreign influence' in parliament," the statement by Borrell and Varhelyi said. The two commission officials also condemned attacks on Georgian activists and journalists. "The intimidation, threats and physical assaults on civil society representatives, political leaders and journalists, as well as their families is unacceptable. We call on the Georgian authorities to investigate these documented acts." German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed similar sentiments on Wednesday evening. At a press conference with Swiss President Viola Amherd, he referred to his meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Berlin in mid-April. Scholz said that he had clearly stated at the time that he considered this law to be a mistake and that it should not be passed. "Now that it has been passed, nothing has changed." Belgium deeply regrets the adoption of the law, which distances the country from European values, Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib posted on Platform X on Wednesday. "We urge the Georgian authorities to reconsider this measure and maintain their commitment to the EU." Belgium supports the Georgian people and their choice in favour of democracy, the protection of human rights and the rule of law. "Georgians are striving for a European future. Their voice must be heard." NATO spokeswoman Farah Dakhlallah also wrote on X that the law's passage "is a step in the wrong direction and takes Georgia further away from European and Euro-Atlantic integration. We urge Georgia to change course and to respect the right to peaceful protest." Later on Wednesday, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili plans to meet the foreign ministers from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Iceland who have travelled to the country. Unlike the ruling Georgian Dream party, Zourabichvili is seen as pro-European. She has already announced that she will veto the law - but parliament has the votes to overturn it. This week is the 34th National Energy Conservation Week under the theme of green transition, energy-saving endeavors. Today, May 15, is this years national low-carbon day with the theme of green and low-carbon development for a beautiful China. China always upholds and acts on the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and we always remember to maintain harmony between humanity and nature when planning our development, and work to accelerate the transition to a model of green development for a green and low-carbon economy and society. I believe you also noticed that today the air conditioner in Lanting is set at a higher temperature and the lighting in some public spaces is off. Everyone can contribute to this common effort, start by making personal contribution and start with small steps in our daily life to actively respond to climate change, lead a green and low-carbon lifestyle, contribute to the harmony between humanity and nature and help build a clean, beautiful world. One more thing off the top, at the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Tanzanias Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation January Yusuf Makamba will pay an official visit to China from May 16 to 20. China News Service: Today marks 76 years of the Nakba. The ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza and there is still no sign of deescalation. According to UN statistics, close to 450,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah as Israel ramps up attacks in the southern Gaza city. Do you have any comment on this? Wang Wenbin: Seventy-six years ago, over half of the Palestinian population fled or were driven from their homes during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Many of them and their descendants became refugees in the Gaza Strip. Seventy-six years on, the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people, far from being redressed, has further worsened. Todays Gaza Strip is left in ruins and rubble. Those wounded and ill cannot receive timely treatment, those hungry cannot obtain basic necessities, and those escaping from the disaster have nowhere to go. People cannot help but ask, for how long will the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza drag on and when will the Palestinian people be able to see an end to their suffering? China firmly opposes the expansion of the fighting to Rafah and opposes collective punishment on the people in Gaza. We support the establishment of an independent State of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty based on the 1967 border and with east Jerusalem as its capital. And we support making Palestine a full UN member state as soon as possible. China will continue to work with the international community to promote an early, comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question, to end the Nakba once and for all, and to realize peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine as well as harmony between the Arab and Jewish peoples. AFP: Id like to ask about the USs recent tariffs hike on Chinese EVs, chips and other products. You said at yesterdays press conference that China will take all measures necessary to defend its legitimate rights and interests. Can you elaborate on that? Wang Wenbin: Competent Chinese authorities have issued a statement on this, which you may refer to. Let me stress that it is yet another mistake for the US to continue politicizing trade issues and further increasing tariffs on Chinese products. This will only significantly drive up the cost of imported goods, inflict more loss on American companies and consumers, and make the US consumers pay even more. As Moodys estimated, 92 percent of the cost for the tariff hikes falls on American consumers and average US household expenditure increases by 1,300 dollars annually. The USs protectionist measures will further damage the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains. We noted that several European political leaders have said that as far as tariffs are concerned, it is a bad idea to dismantle global trade. We urge the US to earnestly observe WTO rules and immediately cancel the additional tariffs on China. China will take all measures necessary to defend our rights and interests. Global Times: Days ago, Chinas Permanent Mission to the UN and other international organizations in Vienna held the Workshop on AUKUS: A Case Study about the Development of IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards at the Vienna International Center. Could you share more information with us? Wang Wenbin: On May 10, Chinas Permanent Mission in Vienna held a workshop on AUKUS. Over 100 participants, including those from nearly 50 countries permanent missions in Vienna and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Secretariat, and experts from Chinese and foreign think tanks, attended the workshop. All parties had a heated discussion on the safeguards of AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation, which shows the widespread attention and concerns of the global community on AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation. AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation harms efforts to keep the region peaceful and secure. The US, the UK and Australia formed AUKUS to advance cooperation on nuclear submarines and other cutting-edge military technologies. Their moves exacerbate the arms race, undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, incite bloc confrontation and hurt regional peace and stability. China and relevant countries in the region have expressed more than once serious concerns and firm opposition. AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation has spawned widespread concern on nuclear proliferation. The three countries cooperation involves the transfer of nuclear power reactors and a large amount of weapons-grade HEU. IAEAs existing safeguards system cannot place effective safeguards on that, and major controversy exists on the interpretation and application of relevant safeguards provisions. If the three countries insist on going through with the nuclear submarine cooperation, it will trigger enormous risks of nuclear proliferation and have a far-reaching negative impact on the resolution of other regional nuclear hotspot issues. China calls on the international community to take seriously how AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation can impact the authority and effectiveness of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and its negative effect on the IAEA safeguards regime. The international community needs to continue using the IAEA, the NPT review process, and other platforms to have in-depth discussions on the political, legal, and technical issues involved in AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation. Until the international community comes to a clear-cut conclusion on those issues, the US, the UK and Australia should not proceed with their nuclear submarine cooperation. TV Asahi: Its reported Russian military used products made by Chinese companies on the battlefield in Ukraine. China has always called for a ceasefire and neutrality. What is your comment on the use of Chinese products and technologies in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine? Besides, after the meeting between the Chinese and French presidents last week, President Macron said that China promised to strictly control the export of weapons and dual-use products to Russia. In this case, what is the position of the Foreign Ministry? Wang Wenbin: China rejects comments that smear and scapegoat China on the Ukraine issue. China handles the export of military products prudently and responsibly and strictly controls the export of dual-use articles, including drones for civilian use. China is not a creator of or a party to the Ukraine crisis. We have not sat idly by, still less fanned the flames, but have been committed to promoting talks for peace. Shifting the blame to China does not solve the crisis. Let me also stress that Chinas normal trade with Russia is done aboveboard. Its consistent with WTO rules and market principles. It does not target any third party and should not come under external interference or coercion. Chinas legitimate and lawful rights and interests brook no infringement. Reuters: I have a follow-up to the question on US tariffs. What would China do to protect its industries and exports from not just the tariffs but from US suppression? Wang Wenbin: I stated our principled position just now and would like to stress again that China firmly opposes the unilateral imposition of tariffs by the US in violation of WTO rules and will take all measures necessary to defend our legitimate rights and interests. AFP: Five commercial fishing boats carrying some 200 civilians from the Philippines headed to the surrounding waters of Huangyan Dao today. The organizers said the flotillas mission is aimed at upholding their rights and interests in the disputed waterway. Did the Foreign Ministry note their action? If so, whats Chinas comment? Wang Wenbin: Huangyan Dao has always been Chinas territory. China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters. China made a goodwill arrangement in 2016 for Filipino fishermen to fish with a small number of small fishing boats in the adjacent waters of Huangyan Dao, while China continues to oversee and monitor the relevant activities of the Filipino fishermen in accordance with law. If the Philippines abuses Chinas goodwill and infringes upon Chinas territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction, we will defend our rights and take countermeasures in accordance with the law. Relevant responsibilities and consequences shall be borne solely by the Philippines. Reuters: YouTube has said it disagrees with but will comply with the courts decision to ban a protest song. It will block access to the song inside Hong Kong. What is Chinas response to YouTubes decision and criticism of the court decision? Wang Wenbin: 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 song to incite secession and insult the national anthem. CCTV: The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and China Coordinator said that "Resolution 2758 does not endorse, equate to, or reflect an international consensus on the one-China principle." A program director of the German Marshall Fund of the United States said that the PRCs positions on UN Resolution 2758 are not consistent with international law. What is your comment? Wang Wenbin: The past few weeks saw repeated ill-intentioned comments from some US officials to challenge the authority of UNGA Resolution 2758, calling Taiwans status undetermined and trumpeting for Taiwans meaningful participation in the UN system. Those comments distort the facts and history, tread on international law and the basic norms of international relations, and breach the USs own commitment. Taiwan has been part of China since ancient times. This is a historical fact; it is also the international consensus. The 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulated that Taiwan, a Chinese territory stolen by Japan, shall be restored to China. These documents with international legal effect formed an integral part of the post-WWII international order and also affirmed Taiwans status as Chinas inalienable territory from a legal perspective. On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority. The Resolution resolved once and for all the question of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations as a political, legal and procedural issue. It made clear that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is a part of China, not a country. It also made clear that there is only one seat of China in the United Nations, and the Government of the Peoples Republic of China is the sole legal representative, precluding two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan. The US is a signatory to the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. In the three China-US joint communiques, the US clearly states that the government of the United States of America recognizes Chinas position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of China. US leaders have, on multiple occasions, reaffirmed the commitment of not supporting Taiwan independence, two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan. However, the US is now publicly questioning and misinterpreting UNGA Resolution 2758, fudging and hollowing out the one-China principle, and trumpeting for the participation of Taiwan in the UN system which requires sovereign statehood. What the US is doing violates its own commitment and aims to turn back the wheel of history. The USs distortion and slander of UNGA Resolution 2758 is reminiscent of the USs recent claim that UNSC Resolution 2728 demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is non-binding. Both cases reflect the USs selective approach to international law and the basic norms of international relations, and the US's bullying and double standard. However, gone are the days when hegemony and power politics dominated international relations. Any country, including the US, that tries to challenge the UNGA Resolution and the one-China principle will only find it futile. Fifty-three years ago, before UNGA Resolution 2758 was adopted with an overwhelming majority, the US came up with the so-called dual representation proposal in an attempt to create two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan which was discarded. Today, any US attempt to go against the trend of the times, play the Taiwan card and use Taiwan to contain China will only end up in greater failure. Reuters: Russian President Putin will be visiting Beijing this week. Will Premier Li Qiang be visiting Moscow? Wang Wenbin: China and Russia are each others comprehensive strategic partners of coordination for a new era. The bilateral relations have seen sound and steady growth and leaders of our two countries maintain close interactions. On your specific question, I have nothing to share. KYODO NEWS - May 15, 2024 - 08:55 | Podcast, All Episode 45: Hello from our newest member Please offer our newest journalist a warm welcome! Two Kyodo News reporters -- Yamaguchi-san and Peter -- ask Nakanishi-san, who recently joined the news agency's English-language service section after two years at the Utsunomiya bureau, about the differences between Japanese and English articles. Listen as they discuss what points are emphasized depending on the language, and the challenges of translating certain phrases for English language users. Article mentioned in the podcast: Man suspected of firing gun in fight on Tokyo road 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 44: Global Accessibility Awareness Day Podcast [English World] Episode 43: New DisneySea Hotel Podcast [English World] Episode 42: Akira Toriyama and Dragon Ball A local resident tries to clean a street from mud and water following floods. Climate change is exacerbating floods and droughts and reducing water quality, posing an increasing threat to people's health, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) on Wednesday. Oliver Weiken/dpa Climate change is exacerbating floods and droughts and reducing water quality, posing an increasing threat to people's health, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) on Wednesday. The Copenhagen-based EU agency called for swift action and better coordination between governments and authorities in order to limit or avoid health risks. According to the report, one in eight Europeans already live in areas that are potentially susceptible to river flooding. Elderly people, children, people in poor health, lower-income groups, farmers and rescue workers are the most affected by floods, droughts, forest fires or waterborne diseases and pathogens, according to the report. (L-R) Slovak Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Richard Takae, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Denisa Sakova, Prime Minister Robert Fico and Minister of Transport Jozef Ra Jr. speak during a press conference after a government meeting in Handlova Radovan Stoklasa/TASR/dpa Leaders across Europe were expressing dismay at a shooting that left Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico injured on Wednesday. "Shocking news from Slovakia. Robert, my thoughts are with you in this very difficult moment," wrote Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on X. "I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country!" wrote Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. "The news about the shooting of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is shocking. I wish the prime minister to get well as soon as possible. We must not tolerate violence, it must have no place in society," said Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. Ex-Gov. Pataki raises $250K for charter schools as he celebrates their 25th anniversary in NY Former Gov. George Pataki held a Manhattan gala Monday that raised $250,000 for charter schools in New York 25 years after approving a landmark law that paved the way for them. About 300 people attended the not-for-profit Pataki Center event at the private Union Club, a celebration that the ex-gov said hailed the academic success of New York charters. Pataki, a Republican who served three terms, recalled how he muscled the law through a resistant state legislature in 1998 by linking passage of the bill to a pay raise measure that lawmakers desperately wanted. Former Gov. Pataki is pleased as punch about a recent fundraising event for the charter schools he loves in New York. Getty Images for Friends of Hudson River Park No charter school law, no pay raise, he said. The bill passed. The first charter schools opened in New York in 1999. Its ultimately about the success of the children, Pataki said during an interview with The Post on Tuesday. Nearly 150,000 students are now enrolled in 274 publicly funded charter schools in New York City, about 15% of, or one of every six, public-school students. In the beginning, there was virtually no support for charter schools. What happened is what I thought would happen, Pataki said. The demand of parents for charter schools tells the story. Im really proud of how charter schools have blossomed. Charter schools are run by educators overseen by not-for-profit entities. While publicly funded, they are exempt from many of the rules governing traditional public schools, particularly employee union contracts. Im really proud of how charter schools have blossomed, Pataki told The Post on Tuesday. Dennis A. Clark Staffers at most charter schools do not belong to unions, and many of the alternative schools have a longer school day and school year than district schools. Results on standardized math and English exams over the years show students in charter schools typically outperform their comparable counterparts in the traditional public schools. Pataki said New York not only passed a law, but its good legislation with strong accountability provisions. Low-performing charter schools are forced to close, while successful ones are given the freedom to expand or even be replicated. The first charter schools opened in New York in 1999. Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK Pataki honored and gave shout-outs to people who helped him pass the charter-school law and launch the new schools, including: hedge-fund honcho Steve Klinsky, who helped start the first charter school, Sisulu-Walker Academy in Harlem; Ed Cox and Randy Daniels, who co-chaired the State University of New York panel and institute that authorized the first charter schools, and backers such as the Rev. Al Cockfield and Ray Rivera. He also acknowledged his then-communications director Zenia Mucha and Robert Bellafiore, who organized charter schools for the executive chamber, former Michigan Gov. John Engler, a charter school advocate, and top aide Rob Cole, who is chairman of the Pataki Center. He thanked generous sponsors of the event, including John and Margo Catsimatidis, too. Passing the law is one thing. You have to implement it, Pataki said. Pataki said hes still baffled by lefty progressives who fret about income inequality but oppose charter schools that educate mostly lower-income black and Latino kids and help close the academic achievement gap and ultimately the income gap. The political left is a reason we have such a problem, he said. Former Republican Sens. John Danforth (Mo.), William Cohen (Maine) and Alan Simpson (Wyo.) announced on Tuesday that they are launching a new organization, Our Republican Legacy, to facilitate a comeback of the traditional principles of their party. Recently it has become popular to assert that this traditional brand of Republicanism is dead, replaced by a new populist, radical version, the GOP lawmakers wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post on Tuesday. We disagree, they continued. In our view, traditional Republicanism, though currently in eclipse, is no more extinct than the sun was over portions of the country on April 8. And all of us who believe in it must do what we can to ensure its expeditious return. The lawmakers said they are not leaving the party, but instead forming a new organization within it. The group will not be a lobbying organization or a political action committee, they said, but instead will serve as a digital information hub, providing news and commentary as well as ideas about strategy and tactics. The lawmakers also said they would not publicly endorse a candidate in 2024, hoping the organization extends beyond this next election. The group instead would rest on five foundational principles, the lawmakers said, that they hope will soon once again be accepted across GOP members: Constitution, Union, Fiscal responsibility, Free enterprise, Peace through strength. Our allegiance to the Constitution includes acceptance of the vote of the people, obedience to the decisions of our courts and support for the peaceful transfer of power, the Republican senators wrote, describing the first principle Constitution. They also described the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol as one of the darkest days in U.S. history. The second principle, union, invokes President Lincolns philosophy that while people come from different backgrounds, we are one people. The principle rejects divisive tactics on both sides that exploit grievance and rage. On fiscal responsibility, the lawmakers blamed both parties for abandoning that responsibility. They also recommitted to free enterprise, supporting the private sector over government interventions, including on high protective tariffs. The final principle peace through strength asserts that the world depends on a strong United States that stands against Russian aggression and against hostile regimes, while supporting allies abroad. In short, this group will be a catalyst for a movement to reassert traditional Republicanism against the populist version it has become under Donald Trump, they wrote. This is something new, they continued. Many Republicans have given up on trying to winch their party out the populist ditch. National resistance has been missing. Our Republican Legacy will provide that resistance and do so with credible leadership and sufficient funding and will continue as a force well beyond the November election. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. HAMPTON The trial for Aaron Goodwin, a former sergeant with the Portsmouth Police Department charged in the alleged November assault of a local Black bank executive in downtown Portsmouth, has been rescheduled for September. Mamadou Dembele, a vice president with Bangor Savings Bank, was the alleged victim in the Nov. 22 incident outside Gilleys Diner. In December, Dembele went public with his allegations, which he and his attorney, Robin Melone, labeled a racist attack. Sgt. Aaron Goodwin of the Portsmouth Police Department, is cross-examined by attorney David Eby while testifying in the Geraldine Webber revocable living trust hearing in the 7th Circuit-Probate Division-Dover in 2015. Goodwins trial was on the docket to begin Tuesday morning in Hampton District Court. But the prosecutor sought a new trial date, citing a scheduling conflict, court documents show. Assistant Strafford County Attorney Joachim Barth asked for a new trial date due to his involvement in prosecuting an aggravated felonious sexual assault case that continued into Tuesday. Through his attorney, Goodwin agreed to have the trial postponed. The request also asked the court if it granted the request to work around dates Dembele plans to travel so he can attend the trial. Barths request for a continuation in Goodwins case was granted by the court Monday. A new two-hour trial date in Goodwins case has been set for Sept. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in the Hampton court before Judge Michael Zaino. The Eliot, Maine resident, 45, was charged by New Hampshire State Police in March with simple assault, a Class A misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, which is a violation. Goodwin has pleaded not guilty to the two counts. More: Aaron Goodwin's 'violent' assault, racial slurs by family members detailed by prosecutor This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ex-Portsmouth officer Aaron Goodwin's assault trial postponed Former Warren Mayor Jim Fouts paid $1,500 to resolve a Michigan Campaign Finance Act complaint filed against him last year after he endorsed candidates at his final State of the City address in June 2023, a speech that was aired on TV in Warren. The City Council's attorney, Jeffrey Schroder, filed the complaint with the Secretary of State's Office. A release from some members of the City Council on Tuesday indicated that Schroder received the conciliation agreement signed by Fouts. Mayor Jim Fouts stands in his office inside city hall in Warren on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. Fouts has been in local government for 42 years and has been serving as the mayor of Warren for 16 years. In an April 29 email to Schroder, a regulatory attorney with the Michigan Bureau of Elections wrote that Fouts reimbursed the city proportionally ($750) for the time spent for political activities, similar to what it has required in the past, and that Fouts was issued a fine for the same amount that he paid to the state.Jack Dolan, an attorney who represented Fouts, said this is basically a "mutually agreed settlement ... It's to resolve the matter without it proceeding further." Fouts' State of the City address last year was a blend of personal Festivus a diatribe against the current City Council and a plethora of political endorsements for mayor and council candidates. In the release Tuesday, council members said Fouts dedicated 12 minutes of his address to announcing his election endorsements for the August 2023 primary as well as negative campaigning and "name calling" against his election foes. They said the address was replayed twice a day for nearly two weeks on the city's government channel before it was removed. City Council Secretary Mindy Moore said in the release she was "disappointed" the state didn't seek more penalties. Fouts was term-limited and his name did not appear on the ballot to run for mayor in last year's election. Fouts wove his way through state and federal courts in an attempt to have the August 2023 primary election for Warren mayor decertified and a special mayoral election held with his name on the ballot. In April, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a civil rights lawsuit he filed on the matter as Fouts challenged whether Warren's term limits applied to him. Fouts could petition the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case. His attorney on the term limits matter, Nabih Ayad, stated in a text Tuesday: "I don't believe at this stage we're going to appeal." Fouts currently is running for state representative, but is facing a kerfuffle in that bid. Dolan said he is representing Fouts on a challenge against him submitted to the state Bureau of Elections regarding the date on which Fouts signed his affidavit of identity to run as a Democrat for the 14th House District. Fouts is to face first-term incumbent Mike McFall of Hazel Park in August's Democratic primary. Dolan said he filed a response to the challenge, including proof of when Fouts signed the affidavit; and said that he believes there is no merit to the challenge and that Fouts will prevail. The Board of State Canvassers meets May 31. Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com Follow her on Twitter: @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: Ex-Warren Mayor Fouts pays $1,500 after campaign finance complaint One week after Israels ambassador to the U.S. sent dozens of Democrats in the House of Representatives an unprecedented rebuke, congressional staff say theyre still fuming over the letter, a note that accused lawmakers of aiding the Palestinian militant group Hamas, of misrepresenting Israeli policy and of inappropriately trying to influence President Joe Biden. The situation reflects how intense tensions between the Israeli government and many influential Democrats have become as Israel escalates its U.S.-backed military campaign in Gaza and conditions darken for the 2.3 million Palestinians there, congressional aides told HuffPost. They cast the move from the Israeli diplomat, Michael Herzog, as a sign of both Israels disregard for U.S. concerns about matters like humanitarian aid for Palestinians and its lack of respect for members of Congress, including many who are generally supportive of the U.S.-Israel alliance. It really is a stunning document, said one Democratic staffer. The tone of this letter is not reflective of the fact that the U.S. is the primary guarantor of Israels security. An unaware reader would assume that Israel is the superpower in this relationship and the U.S. the recipient of aid. Multiple parts of Herzogs message were verging on offensive, argued another Democratic aide, pointing as an example to an assertion that Congress is overlooking the brutal Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7. It seems that Hamass massive invasion on October 7th, its ruthless massacre of Israelis and the kidnapping of hostages to Gaza have been too easily forgotten, the ambassador wrote in his message, which Politico first reported on. HuffPost this week obtained copies of the letter received by multiple lawmakers. Sent on May 8, Herzogs missive represents the Israeli response to an earlier May 3 letter from House Democrats to Biden arguing Israel is violating a U.S. law that outlaws sending weapons to countries blocking American aid. Led by Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) and Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), both moderates, that letter was signed by 88 Democrats, the most whove so far signed a statement alleging Israel is breaking the law. It was released days before the Biden administration issued its own opinion denying that is the case. (No Republicans signed the May 3 letter.) The two aides, both of whom work for lawmakers who signed the Crow-Deluzio letter, and others described the Israeli pushback as more intense than what they have experienced previously mirroring heightened disputes as critics of the Gaza war become more vocal, skepticism about it gains broader currency and its toll becomes harder to deny. Never before have we received such a harsh letter from the Israeli government. But then again, never before have we been so critical of their actions, the second aide said. A third aide to another legislator who signed the congressional letter highlighted both Herzogs Oct. 7 claim and his suggestion that House Democrats were aiding Hamas as particularly disturbing. And a fourth staffer, a senior foreign policy aide, told HuffPost that, in addition to sending Herzogs letter, the Israeli embassy had reached out to multiple signatories of the May 3 statement for meetings or calls. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press. In his letter, Herzog suggested U.S. lawmakers were not adequately doing their jobs. It is disappointing that you have reached this determination on such a sensitive matter without having conducted sufficient due diligence to learn, check and corroborate the full facts of the matter, without requesting information from Israel, an ally of the United States, or listening to its side of the issue and without waiting for the U.S. Administration to reach its own conclusion, instead attempting to lead it towards a pre-determined one, Herzog wrote. The May 3 letter from Democrats included a condemnation of Hamas and a demand for it to release Israeli hostages. The lawmakers also decried an April 13 attack on Israel by Iran, which backs Hamas, following an Israeli strike on an Iranian embassy on April 1. And the majority of signatories had just days earlier voted for $26.4 billion in additional U.S. aid to Israel. Still, Herzog implied they were bolstering Israels enemies. I believe we can agree that a Gaza not ruled by Hamas is the future we all want to see. I wonder if the position expressed in your letter helps bring this future closer or pushes it further away, Herzog wrote. Denying Israel the weapons it needs to defeat Hamas and creating daylight between our countries on the basis of unsubstantiated claims may serve to embolden Hamas and fuel its perception that time is on its side. The ambassador closed with an ominous warning to the U.S. lawmakers, writing: People who genuinely care about the security of Israel should be extremely careful in calling for curtailing U.S. security aid. ... Both friends and foes of the United States, in our region and elsewhere, are taking careful note and drawing conclusions. In a notable contrast, Herzog and his team did not make similar protests to the seven senators who signed a March 12 letter similarly arguing Israeli aid restrictions made it illegal for the country to receive U.S. military support, a Senate aide told HuffPost. That letter, however, was released before a fresh wave of condemnations of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid from Biden, following the deaths of several international aid workers, as well as limited concessions from Netanyahu on the issue. The first House aide called the Israeli gambit embarrassing. Its disrespectful but unsurprising from a government that has repeatedly made clear they do not care about the attitudes of the American public, or their representatives, that aide added. On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. defended Herzogs letter and Israels approach to aid. The letter of the 88 members of Congress ... is based on unsubstantiated claims and jumped to conclusions before the U.S. administration concluded its investigation. Therefore, we felt it was important to share the facts of whats happening on the ground, the spokesperson argued in a statement to HuffPost. Saying Israel has many friends in Congress from both sides of the aisle, they said the amount of assistance entering Gaza has drastically increased and continued: Hamas started this war, fully knowing the harm and suffering it would inflict upon the Palestinian people. The spokesperson also pointed to the Biden administrations recent report denying any Israeli violation of international and U.S. law regarding humanitarian aid. On Feb. 8, Biden responded to growing outcry over Israels actions including turning back trucks full of assistance, launching attacks on humanitarian facilities and a refusal to use all available aid routes by pledging to issue a report on whether Israels conduct in Gaza was in line with international and American law. Palestinians walk through the debris after an Israeli air and ground offensive in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. via Associated Press Calls for accountability further intensified when, on April 1, an Israeli airstrike killed several workers with the food aid nonprofit World Central Kitchen. By that point, food was already so scarce in parts of Gaza that famine had begun there, according to an April 2 cable from the U.S. Agency for International Development revealed by HuffPost. Officials at USAID concluded that Israeli aid policy was breaching U.S. law, according to an internal assessment obtained by Devex later that month. The administration issued its report on Israels conduct on May 10. It described deep concerns during the period since October 7 about action and inaction by Israel that contributed significantly to a lack of sustained and predictable delivery of needed assistance at scale, saying Palestinians are still receiving insufficient aid. But citing some tweaks to Israeli policy following pressure from Biden in April, the administration claimed Israel was abiding by U.S. statutes. Outside humanitarian groups said Israels shifts in aid policy in April produced no significant improvement and that even small gains have been almost fully lost in recent days, as Israel has advanced on the remaining section of Gaza outside its militarys control. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who mandated Bidens assessment of Israeli compliance with international law, called the administrations findings on aid especially lacking amid a generally disappointing report. For the greater part of the period since October 7, the Netanyahu government has restricted the flow of humanitarian assistance and that they have not facilitated the distribution of humanitarian assistance. Thats why we have the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis that we have now, Van Hollen told reporters on May 10. USAID chief Samantha Power and Cindy McCain, the head of the World Food Programme, have said famine is now underway in Gaza. It looks at a snapshot right now and says that they find that the Netanyahu government is not currently in violation, Van Hollen said of the report, but they entirely duck the question of the conduct of the Netanyahu government with regard to humanitarian aid up to this point. Herzogs letter and the Israeli spokespersons May 15 statement to HuffPost also focused on changes implemented in recent weeks. At no point during the war has Israel had a policy of deliberately withholding humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, the ambassador argued though Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Oct. 9 he had implemented a complete siege on the region, providing no electricity, no food, no fuel. The push-pull in Congress over Israels Gaza operation is continuing to heat up, with defenders of the countrys actions particularly focusing on quelling public challenges from Democrats. Democratic Majority for Israel, an ardently pro-Israel group, pushed House Democrats not to sign the May 3 letter, one aide told HuffPost. The aide noted the organization is now sending congressional offices copies of comments from national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who on Monday affirmed ironclad U.S. support for Israel and tempered the impression that Biden is winding down U.S. support for the Israeli offensive in Gaza. On Tuesday, after Sullivans comments, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Biden is seeking to provide Israel with an additional $1 billion worth of arms. Israels campaign in Gaza has killed around 35,000 Palestinians so far, according to local authorities. The Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack killed nearly 1,200 Israelis, per the Israeli government. Related... Department of Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell addresses the Executive Council to present $4 million in state contracts for tourism photography on May 15, 2024. (Ethan DeWitt | New Hampshire Bulletin) The Executive Council shelved an attempt by the Department of Business and Economic Affairs Wednesday to spend more than $4 million in federal money to pay for professional photographs of New Hampshires seasons. In a series of four proposed contracts, the department sought to spend the money which comes from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to pay four photography companies to develop still images, b-roll video, and produced video segments, according to a written explanation to the council from Commissioner Taylor Caswell. But a number of councilors as well as Gov. Chris Sununu raised objections over the price tag. The contracts have been tabled, and Councilor David Wheeler, a Republican of Milford, has urged the department to find better ways to spend the money. Id like to know: What are we doing with $4 million taking pictures? said Wheeler. What are we getting for $3,000 a day out of this? asked Councilor Cinde Warmington, a Concord Democrat. Under the contracts, the companies would be tasked with creating content to cover New Hampshires seven tourism regions in all four seasons. The content is meant to serve as a free resource for tourism businesses in the state to use in their promotional materials, and could be used by the state in its advertising efforts, too, Caswell said. Caswells department assigned different areas of the state to different contractors. Brian Nevins, a former staff photographer for Surfer and Snowboard magazines, would be awarded $1.3 million to produce content in the Lakes Region, the Dartmouth and Lake Sunapee areas, and the Seacoast. Portland Post Production LLC, which has worked with the University of New Hampshire, L.L. Bean, and Saucony, would be given $860,000 to focus on the Merrimack Valley and Monadnock areas. Meanwhile, Warden Co., which has worked with the department on winter photography in the past, would be awarded $860,000 to take photos and video for the Great North Woods and White Mountains areas. And Dennis Welsh, a professional photographer and videographer, would be paid just under $1.1 million to develop general content for the VisitNH seasonal campaign. Not all councilors appeared opposed. The shelf life: Youre going to get five, six years out of these images, correct? Councilor Janet Stevens, a Republican of Rye, asked Caswell. This is an investment that could span a decade moving forward, she said. Defending the contracts, Caswell said the federal funds have been awarded to the state for very specific purposes, and that when they put the contracts out to bid, the amount reflects the offers received. These were as a result the best combination of quality and cost that we saw, he said. He said the department chose to split up the money into different contracts so that no one photography business would be tasked with developing content for the whole state. He also said the department is running out of time to spend down the money in that program. I wouldnt necessarily be able to guarantee that well be able to come up with an additional program (in time), Caswell said, responding to Wheelers suggestion that they spend the money otherwise. The contracts can come off the table and receive an up or down from the council in future meetings. But Sununu agreed with councilors that the services were too high, even if they did come from federal funds. I have an iPhone, the governor quipped. And Im like 20 bucks. The post Executive Council shelves $4 million in proposed contracts for tourism photography appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin. Fact Check: Photo Allegedly Shows Theodore Roosevelt Posing with Last Triceratops. Here's How It Was Made Claim: A black-and-white photo shared online in 2024 showed former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt standing over the lifeless body of the last-known triceratops. Rating: Rating: Fake In early May 2024, an X user posted an image purportedly showing a man standing over the lifeless body of the last triceratops in 1906, claiming the dinosaurs had previously been considered pests. The caption, originally in German, read: "The last triceratops was killed in 1906 by Earl David Cook in Texas. Triceratops were considered crop pests and were therefore massively controlled. In the 1800s there were still herds of thousands of animals. A short time later the triceratops were extinct." Das letzte Dreihorn wurde im Jahre 1906 von Earl David Cook in Texas erlegt. Dreihorner galten als Ernteschadlinge und wurden deshalb massiv bekampft. Im 1800 Jahrhundert gab es noch Herden mit tausenden Tieren. Kurze Zeit spater war das Dreihorn ausgerottet. pic.twitter.com/PfGRmkuZJR Georg Waldmensch (@GWaldmensch) May 9, 2024 A similar post on X had amassed more than 410,000 views at the time of this writing, and some posts appeared on Facebook, where one had more than 93,000 interactions. The image also was shared on Facebook in March 2024, where two two users posted the picture with an accompanying caption claiming the man in the picture was former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. The caption read: "Theodore Roosevelt with last known Triceratops 1909." https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10168445495145468&set=a.199146305467 However, the original image was created by Instagram user @dr_deviny, or Jon Deviny, who used Photoshop to combine multiple photos, which is why we rated the claim and picture "Fake." He posted it on Feb. 23, 2015, with the caption: "Fun fact: Theodore Roosevelt (the 26th US president) was an avid big game hunter. #nofilter #unedited #biggame #hunting #teddy #Roosevelt #president #theodoreroosevelt #dinosaur #triceratops #photoshop #funny #jurassicpark #jurassicworld #dino." When asked in the comments by another Instagram user whether he owned the rights to the image, Jon Deviny replied: I did the Photoshop magic but I don't own the rights to the images I used. The one of Roosevelt is public domain but the triceratops is a shot from the set of Jurassic park. If your husband wants to print it that's fine by me as long as his intentions aren't to sell them. I don't have a high res version unfortunately. Deviny also confirmed to Snopes on May 5, 2024, that he created the image through Photoshop by using a behind-the-scenes image from Jurassic Park and a hunting picture of Roosevelt. The photo, and varying claims about what it depicted, appeared online numerous times since first being posted, such as on Imgur in February 2015, on Reddit in January 2017, where it was claimed it showed a now-extinct Eurasian giant rhino, and on Instagram in November 2023, where it was claimed the photo was taken in 1904. Facebook users made similar claims about a different photo allegedly showing the last known triceratops in posts in April 2024. It is widely accepted and reported the triceratops went extinct roughly 65 million-66 million years ago. Sources: Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/zbp1NxMZgN/. Accessed 2 May 2024. ---. https://www.instagram.com/dinosaur_ins/p/Cz-FPlYvZgj/. Accessed 2 May 2024. 'Mass Extinction: What Happened 65 Million Years Ago? | AMNH'. American Museum of Natural History, https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/dinosaurs-ancient-fossils/extinction/mass-extinction. Accessed 2 May 2024. Reddit. www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/5q20v5/teddy_roosevelt_with_a_nowextinct_eurasian_giant/. Accessed 2 May 2024. Triceratops | Description, Size, Fossil, Diet, & Facts | Britannica. 5 Apr. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/animal/Triceratops. 'Triceratops Horridus, Facts and Photos'. Animals, 14 Sept. 2020, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/facts/triceratops-horridus. Claim: A May 2024 X post accurately claimed that an Al Jazeera article referred to the Holocaust as "alleged." Rating: Rating: True Context: The article in question was originally published by The Washington Post in 2018 and did not include the word "alleged" before Holocaust. It was then republished in Arabic by Al Jazeera Arabic, not Al Jazeera English. The two act as editorially separate entities, although the Al Jazeera Media Network operates both. On May 13, 2024, X account @NiohBerg posted what appeared to be a screenshot of an article by Qatari news network Al Jazeera. The user underlined the words "alleged Holocaust" in red. "Thank you, Al Jazeera, very cool," the user wrote. The post had received more than 616,100 views and 2,800 likes, as of this writing. Thank you, Al Jazeera, very cool pic.twitter.com/Fjrg7oMoEE Nioh Berg (@NiohBerg) May 13, 2024 The screenshot was authentic, meaning that it was not falsely generated or digitally altered in any misleading way. We were able to find the article [archived here] on Al Jazeera Arabic; it was not available on Al Jazeera English. The article, titled "Danish minister: Muslims fasting is 'dangerous for us all,'" described difficulties faced by Muslims and immigrants in Denmark and was originally published by The Washington Post [archived here] on May 22, 2018. This original version does not include the word "alleged" before Holocaust. The full paragraph seen in the Al Jazeera Arabic article, published one day later on May 23, 2018, as translated by Google Translate, is as follows: Then, in 2016, Denmark passed a controversial law that allows Danish authorities to search immigrants' luggage and confiscate valuables and money from them to help pay for their stay in the country, compared to the Nazis' treatment of Jews during the alleged Holocaust. (Google Translate) This same paragraph, translated by translation software DeepL which describes itself as "the world's most accurate translator" does not include the word "alleged." (DeepL) However, Sarab Al Ani, a professor of Arabic at Yale University, confirmed via email that the word "" accurately translates to "alleged." If the use of the word "alleged" was intentional in the translated version, it would not be the first time Al Jazeera faced criticism for downplaying and misrepresenting the Holocaust. In 2019, Al Jazeera Media Network suspended two journalists over a video that claimed the "Zionist movement had misrepresented the extent of the Holocaust" and had "adopted the narrative" that Nazis killed 6 million Jewish people. Yaser Bishr, executive director of Al Jazeera's digital division at the time, said the network "completely disowns the offensive content in question." He also announced a mandatory bias and sensitivity training program in an email to staff. It is important to emphasize that Al Jazeera Arabic and Al Jazeera English act as editorially separate entities, although Al Jazeera Media Network operates both and is funded in part by the Qatari government. According to The Associated Press, Al Jazeera's English and Arabic channels "do not mirror one another in style and target different audiences." A 2017 article by The Guardian explored sanctions faced by Qatar if a list of demands posed by several other Arab nations including shutting down the Al Jazeera network was not met. It read: Al-Jazeera is on the list because it is such a powerful symbol of Qatar and the most visible manifestation of Qatari policymaking. But there is a deeper reason, which for westerners to understand they must consider that al-Jazeera has two faces one Arabic and one English and it is the Arabic face that creates all the problems in Qatar's neighbourhood. We reached out to Al Jazeera for clarification or comment and will update this story if we receive a response. Given that the X post in question contained an accurate screenshot of the translated article by Al Jazeera Arabic, the article was originally published by The Washington Post one day before Al Jazeera Arabic and did not say "alleged" before Holocaust, and the word "" accurately translates to "alleged," we have rated this claim as "True." Sources: 'Al Jazeera Suspends Two Journalists over Holocaust Report'. Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/5/20/al-jazeera-suspends-two-journalists-over-holocaust-report. Accessed 14 May 2024. DeepL Translate: The World's Most Accurate Translator. https://www.deepl.com/translator. Accessed 14 May 2024. Google Translate - Google Search. https://www.google.com/search?q=google+translate&oq=google+t&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDwgAEEUYOxiDARixAxiABDIPCAAQRRg7GIMBGLEDGIAEMgYIARBFGDkyCggCEAAYsQMYgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyDQgEEAAYgwEYsQMYgAQyBggFEEUYPDIGCAYQRRg8MgYIBxBFGEGoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#ip=1. Accessed 14 May 2024. 'Https://Twitter.Com/NiohBerg/Status/1790065158212989168'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/NiohBerg/status/1790065158212989168. Accessed 14 May 2024. ' : " "'. , https://www.aljazeera.net/politics/2018/5/23/%d9%88%d8%b2%d9%8a%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%b1%d9%83%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d9%84%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b3%d9%84%d9%85%d9%8a%d9%86-%d8%b5%d9%88%d9%85%d9%83%d9%85-%d8%ae%d8%b7%d8%b1. Accessed 14 May 2024. By Eduardo Martinez, KYODO NEWS - May 15, 2024 - 23:30 | All, World, Japan About a thousand people, including Palestinians and their supporters, rallied in Tokyo on Wednesday to commemorate 76 years since Palestinians were forced from their homeland to make way for the creation of Israel. Similar protests have been held worldwide amid a brutal war in Gaza, which has seen over 35,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in response to the Oct. 7 cross-border attack by the militant group Hamas. The Nakba, meaning "catastrophe" in Arabic, is seen by Palestinians as a pivotal event in their history when some 700,000 were forcibly expelled from their homes in 1948. Nakba Day is commemorated on May 15, a day after Israel's Independence Day. The demonstrators gathered in the capital's Shinjuku area held signs written in Japanese and English calling for Palestinian liberation and a cease-fire in Gaza. A large number carried motifs of keys, symbolizing the keys many families still have for the homes they were expelled from in Historic Palestine, organizers said. "The memory of our homeland, and the right to return, live on in us," said Hanin Siam, 27, a Gaza-born resident in Japan, in her address to the crowd outside JR Shinjuku Station. "The young still remember, the young still resist," she said. A 32-year-old Japanese attendee said he previously had limited knowledge of the Israel-Palestine conflict but now participates in pro-Palestine protests following the surge of information online since October. "I came to take photos to post on social media and hope they provide a learning opportunity for people who weren't interested before," he said. The protests come as Israel has focused its military campaign against Hamas on the southern Gazan region of Rafah. The United States, Israel's biggest ally, halted some weapons supplies to Israel in opposition to a full-scale invasion of Rafah amid concerns over the spiraling humanitarian crisis. The administration of President Joe Biden, however, has notified the U.S. Congress that it would send $1 billion worth of new arms to Israel, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing congressional officials. Japan's stance on the conflict has generally aligned with that of the United States. However, last week, it was among 143 states and territories that supported a U.N. General Assembly resolution advocating full Palestinian membership in the United Nations and calling for the Security Council to reconsider the matter favorably. Nine other members, including the United States and Israel, opposed, while 25 abstained. In April, the powerful Security Council vetoed a membership request. Related coverage: Asia short film festival shines light on global conflicts, AI Israel launches retaliatory attack on Iran Japan to resume funding for U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA Vials of the Moderna vaccine at the mass vaccination site in Broadbent Arena at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. (Photo by Sarah Ladd). In the last month, new COVID-19 variants known as FLiRT and part of the omicron family emerged as the dominant strain in the United States. COVID-19 vaccines are still recommended for protection against the virus, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Kentucky currently has low levels of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for COVID-19, according to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. A CHFS spokesman told the Lantern that KP.2 has already been confirmed in the state. Kentucky does not have any KP1.1 cases, spokespan Brice Mitchell said. These variants are called FLiRT. These variants are not thought to cause more severe disease but do have some mutations in the spike protein that may make them more resistant to immunity conferred by vaccines and prior infections, Mitchell said. Still, the department continues to recommend that all Kentuckians six months of age and older remain up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. Despite that advice, not everyone is convinced. In the fourth year of COVID-19 and about 3.5 years since the vaccines came to Kentucky vaccine misinformation persists, even in Frankfort among elected officials. During the 2024 legislative session, vaccine misinformation specifically around the COVID-19 shots found its way onto the Kentucky Senate floor and into committee meetings. A spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told the Lantern that the CDC continues to encourage Americans to get vaccinated, as the COVID-19 vaccination continues to be the best way to protect against serious illness. The Lantern consulted the CDC, Food and Drug Administration and other sources in response to several vaccine claims made by lawmakers this year. Claim Covid-19 vaccines caused unprecedented rise in sudden cardiac events, miscarriages and stillbirths, blood clots, myocarditis in youth, and sudden deaths among all ages. Response Receiving the shot does not increase the risk of death from non-COVID causes. That conclusion is based on safety monitoring after more than 675 million doses of vaccine have been administered. COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and not linked to an increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, according to safety monitoring and research. CDC monitoring has identified four rare but serious types of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination. Two of the adverse reactions thrombosis and Guillain-Barre Syndrome were associated with vaccines that have been discontinued in the U.S. and are no longer available. About 5 people per 1 million doses of vaccine have experienced anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate emergency medical treatment. It can occur after any medication or vaccination. A nurse treats a coronavirus patient in an intensive care unit at a hospital on May 1, 2020 in Leonardtown, Maryland. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Also, an increased risk of myocarditis inflammation of the heart is associated with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Varying by age and sex, the rates of myocarditis after vaccination range from 0 to 188 per 1 million doses. Research has found that the risk of myocarditis is higher following a COVID infection than after a COVID vaccine, according to the CDC. CDC and FDA have detected no unusual or unexpected patterns indicating COVID-19 vaccines are causing or contributing to any other serious medical conditions. Vaccination against COVID-19 reduces the risks of dying from COVID and suffering long COVID. The most common vaccine side effects are usually mild, such as soreness in the area where the shot was given. Claim The deaths and adverse events recorded to the vaccine adverse events report system that are submitted to this (COVID) vaccine total more than all other vaccines combined, since the CDC implemented the reporting system in 1990. Response This claim has been debunked multiple times by multiple sources. After COVID-19 vaccines became available, adverse reactions reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) did increase, the CDC says, in part because so many people more than 80% of Americans received the shot. The 675 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine that have been administered in the United States are more than other types of vaccines. Also, under the emergency authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine, the FDA required health care providers to report any adverse reaction in a patient even if its unclear the vaccine was the cause. Vaccination against COVID-19 reduces the risks of dying from the virus. The most common vaccine side effects are mild, such as soreness where the shot was given. (Getty Images) VAERS is a voluntary reporting and early warning system. Anyone may enter information about side effects or other adverse reactions after a vaccine; the reports are not verified but scientists use the data to spot worrisome patterns that merit investigation. Anti-vaccination fringe groups have attempted to spin false stories using VAERS data, adding to misinformation about the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations, says the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The CDC confirmed nine deaths from blood clots linked to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine out of 19 million people in the U.S. who received the shot. In April 2021, the CDC and FDA recommended halting administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine over concerns about thrombosis risk. A year ago the FDA ordered providers to dispose of any remaining doses of the J & J vaccine. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in March found that the more states were inclined to vote Republican, the more likely their vaccine recipients or their clinicians reported adverse effects from COVID-19 vaccines. These results suggest that either the perception of vaccine effects or the motivation to report them was associated with political inclination. Claim Pet vaccines are actually safer than people vaccines. Response Animal and human vaccines undergo different approval processes. The U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service regulates veterinary vaccines and the Food and Drug Administration regulates human vaccines. According to a 2014 paper in the National Library of Medicine, the two differ markedly. Vaccine effectiveness is more highly studied in human vaccines than in animal ones, that study found. What the FDA says: The FDA takes its responsibility for ensuring the safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality of all vaccines approved or authorized for emergency use in the U.S. very seriously, a spokesperson said. All ingredients in new vaccines are looked at for safety and effectiveness. The rigorous and extensive approval process includes lab work, animal studies and human clinical trials. Highly trained FDA scientists and physicians thoroughly evaluate the information in a marketing application, the FDA said, before ever approving shots for public distribution. Both pet and human vaccines are safe. In this elevated view, a man walks through the flags of the In America: Remember public art installation near the Washington Monument on Sept. 19, 2021 in Washington, D.C. The installation commemorated Americans who died due to COVID-19. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images) The post Fact checking claims about vaccines as new COVID-19 variant emerges appeared first on Kentucky Lantern. STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and wounded on Wednesday, becoming the latest European leader to be the target of an assassination attempt. Slovak media said the shooter was a 71-year-old man but the motive was not immediately clear. While assassination attempts on leaders in Europe have been relatively infrequent over the past 50 years, a number of prominent European politicians have been targets of attacks in more recent decades. Below are some of the most high-profile cases. ANNA LINDH, 2003 Swedish Foreign Minister and leading Social Democrat politician Anna Lindh was fatally wounded in a stabbing at a department store in central Stockholm in September 2003. The assailant was apprehended two weeks later and sentenced to life in prison. ZORAN DJINDJIC, 2003 Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic was assassinated in March 2003, in Belgrade, Serbia. Djindjic was a pro-Western politician who had led the ouster of autocrat Slobodan Milosevic in 2000. JACQUES CHIRAC, 2002 French President Jacques Chirac survived an assassination attempt in July 2002 after an assailant fired a shot at him but missed as he was reviewing troops on Bastille Day. PIM FORTUYN, 2002 A well-known Dutch politician who was critical of immigration and Islam, Fortuyn was assassinated in May 2002, nine days before the general election. He was shot and killed by an animal rights activist. WOLFGANG SCHAUBLE, 1990 German politician Wolfgang Schauble was left partly paralysed after being shot three times at an election campaign event only days after German reunification in 1990. He went on to serve as a member of the German parliament, spanning 50 years. He died last year. OLOF PALME, 1986 Swedish Social Democrat Prime Minister Olof Palme was assassinated on a street in downtown Stockholm in February 1986 as he walked home with his wife after an evening at a cinema. The suspect, who was convicted in 1988, was eventually acquitted on appeal. MARGARET THATCHER, 1984 British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, called the "Iron Lady", narrowly escaped a huge explosion at a hotel she was staying at in Brighton, England. A long-delay bomb had been planted at the hotel ahead of the Conservative Party conference by members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). Five people were killed in the blast. POPE JOHN PAUL II, 1981 The Polish-born pope was shot in Saint Peter's Square in the heart of the Vatican City in May 1981. Suffering two gunshot wounds, he still pulled through and some years later his assailant requested and was granted a pardon by Italian President Carlo Ciampi. ALDO MORO, 1978 The former prime minister and president of Italy's Christian Democrats Aldo Moro was kidnapped by members of the far-left militant group the Red Brigades in March 1978, who demanded the freeing of prisoners in exchange for his release. Some two months later, he was found dead in the luggage compartment of a car. LUIS CARRERO BLANCO, 1973 Shortly after he became Spanish prime minister in the final years before the death of right-wing dictator Francisco Franco, Luis Carrero Blanco was killed in a bombing on a street in Madrid by the Basque nationalist militant group ETA. (Reporting by Niklas Pollard; editing by Diane Craft) By Xinghui Kok SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Lawrence Wong, 51, will take over as prime minister of Singapore on Wednesday, becoming the fourth leader of the Asian financial hub since its independence in 1965. Wong succeeds Lee Hsien Loong, the son of the founding father of modern Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, after two decades at the helm. BACKGROUND Wong was born on 18 December 1972 to a family he described as ordinary. His father worked in a sales job and his mother taught in a primary school that Wong and his elder brother attended. Wong and his family lived in a public housing estate in Eastern Singapore called Marine Parade. EDUCATION While many politicians in Singapore have tended to come from top-ranked British universities such as Oxford or Cambridge, Wong did not attend elite schools. He went to local schools regarded as ordinary and in an interview said it was very natural for him to study near home where his friends were. He studied economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has said he picked the United States because it was home to his favourite musicians. Wong has a Master's degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. CAREER Wong is a government scholar and started his career as an economist at the trade ministry. He has occupied some of the biggest jobs in Singapore's bureaucracy, including chief executive of the Energy Market Authority and the prestigious post of Principal Private Secretary to the prime minister. He entered politics in 2011 and was appointed to the board of directors of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the central bank. He later held the culture, national development, and education portfolios. In 2020, he catapulted into the spotlight as co-chair of the COVID-19 taskforce and won favour for his unflappable demeanour when explaining tough pandemic restrictions to Singaporeans. Wong was named finance minister in 2021. The following year he was appointed deputy prime minister and successor to Lee, after winning over his peers to receive their backing to become "first among equals" - a term Singapore's top politicians use to describe their chosen leader. He served as chairman of the central bank board since 2023. PERSONAL LIFE Wong's social media is replete with videos of him strumming a guitar - including one of Taylor Swift's Love Story posted during the height of Swift-craze when the star performed in Singapore. He is a music lover who was gifted a guitar from his father at age 8. Wong put his skills to good use and busked while studying in the United States. He also describes himself as a bookworm and a dog-lover. Wong married in his 20s and was divorced due to what he said were incompatibility issues. The former wife's identity is not widely known. Wong has since remarried. His wife, Loo Tze Lui, works in wealth management and the couple has no children. Wong is a Methodist Christian. (Reporting by Xinghui Kok; Editing by Martin Petty) Migrants leaving the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent by bus following small boat crossings in the Channel on Friday - Gareth Fuller/PA All failed asylum seekers will be eligible for deportation to Rwanda under an expansion of Rishi Sunaks flagship scheme. James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, announced the move after a deal to extend the scheme to them was agreed between the UK and Rwanda. This goes beyond the previous criteria of people who arrived in the UK illegally since January 2021, and is in addition to a voluntary scheme where failed asylum seekers are offered up to 3,000 to move there. One migrant is so far known to have taken up the offer. The move extends the initial cohort of 5,700 migrants who have been targeted for detention ahead of their removal on the first flights, scheduled for end of June or early July. Hundreds are understood to have been detained so far in immigration removal centres. Critics claimed it was evidence of desperation by the Home Office to boost their chances of securing sufficient numbers of migrants for the drumbeat of regular flights that the Prime Minister has pledged for the summer. Migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel on Monday - Gareth Fuller/PA Legal sources suggested it could also reduce the likelihood of legal challenges as the Home Office could argue their asylum claims had been fully tested unlike other migrants who have been barred from lodging claims under the legislation. A Refugee Council spokesman also claimed: This is another way to drive people underground, causing people to lose contact with the authorities. However, Mr Cleverly said: Those who have no right to remain in the UK should not be allowed to stay. We have a safe third country ready and waiting to accept people, offer them support across the board and help rebuild their lives. We continue to swiftly detain those in line for removal to ensure we have a steady drumbeat of flights to Rwanda. Failed asylum seekers will be offered the same package of support for up to five years under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP). This includes support for education, training, employment and accommodation. James Cleverly at a press conference given by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, following the Supreme Court's Rwanda policy judgment, at Downing Street in November 2023 - LEON NEAL/AFP Failed asylum seekers removed to Rwanda will not enter the East African nation as asylum seekers, but will be offered a full package of support, equal to that provided under the MEDP, and will be entitled to residency in Rwanda to help rebuild their lives. The Home Office said that previously those who had arrived in the UK on or after Jan 1 2022 and who received a Notice of Intent prior to June 29 2023, which informed them that their asylum claim may be considered inadmissible, were being considered for removal. Rwanda deportation flight EC-LZO Boeing 767 at Boscombe Down Air Base, Wilts on June 14, 2022 - Finnbarr Webster/Getty It said this meant more people beyond this cohort with no right to remain in the UK are eligible to be relocated swiftly. 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. FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) said a woman was robbed after she visited a bank in Springfield. The robbery happened on March 21 around 3:15 p.m. FCPD said that the victim withdrew $10,000 from a bank in the 6300 block of Backlick Rd. before driving to a nearby shopping center. When they returned to their car, it was damaged and the money was gone. 1 dead in double shooting near Fairfax County shopping center Police said security footage showed that a group of criminals had surveilled the victim and followed them to the shopping center before robbing them. 43-year-old Pedro Bernal Montoya, of New Jersey, and 33-year-old Antonio Ramos Acevedo, of New York, were identified for their involvement in the robbery. A woman who may go by Mariana was also identified as a suspect. Police are also looking for this woman who may go by Mariana. (Photo courtesy of the Fairfax County Police Department) Anyone with information was asked to call (703) 556-7750. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. In Reality Check stories, Belleville News-Democrat journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Story idea? newsroom@bnd.com. Grant School District 110 failed to apply for several federal grants in recent years, leaving nearly half a million dollars in funding on the table, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. The Fairview Heights school district was certified as being in financial difficulty in March by the state board of education because it failed to submit certain financial information, such as its fiscal year 2023 and 2024 adopted budgets, in a timely manner. The state board also cited the districts long-term deficit spending, reliance on working cash bonds and failure to apply for several federal grants since fiscal year 2020. That last factor was concerning to staff and parents who spoke at the districts two board meetings since the state boards certification. Doing right by students is a district who puts students first, fighting for every possible dollar and educational resource available on time, said Rachel Pehle, vice president of the Grant-Illini Federation of Teachers and social studies teacher at Grant Middle School, at the March board meeting. On average, Illinois school districts get more than half of their funding from local property taxes, about a quarter from the state and the smallest percentage from the federal government in the form of formula grants. Formula grants are not competitive and school districts that meet predetermined criteria are allocated funds. The grants flow from the federal government through state agencies in Illinois, that agency is the state board of education to local school districts. Districts have to apply for them annually. According to the state board of education, District 110 failed to apply for several of those grants, which totaled $493,147. The largest chunk of the lost dollars was Title I funding, which school districts get to improve educational outcomes for students from low-income families. Superintendent Matt Stines did not respond to requests for comment but has previously said that turnover in the districts bookkeeper position from December 2021 to July 2023 led to incorrect bank reconciliations and a snowball effect of late submission of financial documents to the state. There were other years and grant programs for which the district didnt successfully submit an application, but it was able to carry over its allocation into the following fiscal year and still receive the federal funds. For example, the district didnt apply for its $244,138 allocation of Titles I, II and IV funding in fiscal year 2020, but it was able to carry over that funding and access it in fiscal year 2021 in addition to its 2021 allocation. The district carried over a total of at least $565,000 in federal grant dollars since 2020. District 110 can still get $571,666 in federal grant funds for fiscal year 2024, according to the state board of education. Since applications are actively underway, the total amount available continues to fluctuate as applications are approved. The district has submitted the fiscal year 2024 application for its $172,216 allocation through the IDEA Part B grant program, for example, and the state board said it approved the application on April 12. The district also submitted its application for the third and final wave of federal pandemic-era funding for schools, which is referred to as ESSER III or ARP ESSER. The state board of education said it approved the districts application for its nearly $1.54 million allocation on April 10. The district has now spent about $950,000 of its ESSER III allocation, according to the state boards ESSER spending dashboard. At the March board meeting, Stines said the ESSER III dollars are going to purchasing new Chromebooks, providing staff training over the summer on the Orton Gillingham reading curriculum, HVAC upgrades, a new social worker the district hired and other expenditures. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Families of inmates incarcerated in a Las Vegas-area prison allegedly paid a correctional officer to smuggle in items, including possible drugs and cell phones, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. Lawayne Harbiman, 37, faces several charges, including bribery of a public officer and knowingly or attempting to furnish a portable telecom device, records said. On March 1, a confidential informant at the Southern Desert Correctional Center told officials that Harbiman allegedly put cigarettes, lighters, vape pens and tobacco in a mop bucket that inmates would then retrieve, documents said. The prison is located about 40 miles outside of Las Vegas. Several weeks earlier, another confidential informant had provided officials information that Harbiman allegedly met with inmates friends and family at a south Las Vegas valley Walgreens and that the families paid him to bring items into the prison, documents said. Detectives with the Office of the Inspector General obtained a search warrant for a cash application, finding exchanges with Harbiman from inmates or peoples [sic] associated with inmates, documents said. In one case, Harbiman was allegedly sent $2,000 involving an inmate housed at the prison. Another account sent Harbiman $13,400 over a three-month period, detectives said. Police arrested Harbiman as he came to work on Tuesday, May 14. During an interview, Harbiman admitted to receiving monies from people associated with inmates but never from inmates themselves, documents said. A search of Harbimans home found vape pens, presumed controlled substances and several cell phones, which police said were similar to ones located inside the prison. In a subsequent interview, Harbiman reportedly told police he had met with someone and received the packages and that everything along with the six phones were to be smuggled into [the prison.] Officials with the Nevada Department of Corrections initially identified Lawayne Harbiman as Lawayne Hardiman. His official jail and court record listed him Wednesday as Lawayne Harbiman. The department hired Harbiman in 2020 as a trainee, officials said. He then resigned in February 2022 and was reinstated as a probationary officer in October 2023. The department fired Harbiman on Tuesday. A booking photo for Harbiman was not immediately available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The family of an assistant principal who was shot and killed inside a residential building in the Loop filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the alleged gunman, building management and its security, saying they violated policies and common sense. Abnerd Joseph, 32, was fatally shot on Sept. 14 around 7:30 p.m. in a hallway on the 48th floor of a building at 60 E. Monroe St., which police listed as his address. Joseph worked as an assistant principal at the Intrinsic Schools downtown campus, where one co-worker said he inspired Black and brown students. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges that a security guard and two tenants (took) matters into their own hands by following and confronting Joseph instead of waiting for police officers to arrive at the building, needlessly leading to his death. It said they were not trained to handle the mental health crisis that Joseph was experiencing. Abnerd Joseph simply did not need to die, said the familys attorney, Antonio Romanucci, at a Wednesday news conference. If the building security had done the right thing, the logical thing, on that day, what we all believe their training directs them to do when they learned that Abnerd was upset and needed assistance they should have called and waited for help to arrive. Before the shooting, Joseph was knocking on residents doors causing a disturbance, according to a police report obtained by the Tribune. The report said Joseph punched a security guard and a resident who approached him because of his erratic behavior. Another resident of the building, who had a concealed carry license, fatally shot Joseph in the chest, forearm, abdomen and lower back with a semiautomatic pistol, the report said. Police arrested the man, but released him soon after without charges. A police spokesperson said Wednesday that there are no updates to this case and that the investigation was active and ongoing. Romanucci said Joseph had recently been prescribed a new medication to treat his ADHD, which might have given him anxiety. The lawsuit claimed Joseph was in emotional distress, saying he told fellow tenants he feared for his life. He didnt pose a risk, the lawsuit alleged, saying he wasnt armed and only wore boxers and a bathrobe. Theres a reason that vigilante justice is illegal, Romanucci said. The building security company to allow an armed resident to address another resident in emotional distress is absolutely stunning, and the consequences were tragic. Josephs family on Wednesday said that they are still grieving his loss. They said he was a cherished family member as well as a pillar in the community. They also called on Chicago police and the Cook County states attorneys office to finish their investigation and press criminal charges against the alleged gunman. From time to time, I can still hear his voice in my head, said Bryan Bienaime, Josephs brother. Im a cook, and some days I cant even perform my job because hes constantly on my mind. Bienaime described Joseph as the glue that kept us all together, saying he radiated positivity and would give the clothes off his back if someone needed it. My mother was blessed to have seven children. In that moment when the shooter pulled the trigger, he might as well have aimed at each of us, because each of those shots wounded us, too, said Josephs sister, Jeanna Joseph Kelly. A piece of us all died that day with my brother. My brother was not only a cherished member of our family but also a beloved friend to many, she continued. He was a person that touched many with his smile, his laughter, humor, intelligence and unwavering support. He truly changed the lives of so many people who knew him. The lawsuit named as defendants building ownership, management and security, including Mesa Development, Avison Young-Chicago, Sudler Property Management and Allied Universal Security Services. The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It also named the alleged gunman who could not be reached for comment. Josephs family is seeking more than $50,000 and court costs for negligence and wrongful death. rjohnson@chicagotribune.com Family of California Navy veteran who died after officer knelt on his neck settles lawsuit for $7.5M FILE - Photos of Angelo Quinto are displayed during a news conference in Oakland, Calif., Sept. 7, 2022. Family members of the Navy veteran who died in 2020 after a police officer pressed a knee to his neck for nearly five minutes while he was in a mental health crisis have settled a federal lawsuit against the Northern California city of Antioch for $7.5 million, their attorneys said Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Janie Har, File) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Family members of a Navy veteran who died in 2020 after a police officer pressed a knee to his neck for nearly five minutes while he was in a mental health crisis have settled a federal lawsuit against the Northern California city of Antioch for $7.5 million, their attorneys said Wednesday. After Angelo Quinto's death, his family also pushed for reforms that led to city and state changes in how law enforcement agencies respond to people who are in a mental health crisis. John Burris, one of the attorneys, said in a statement that while no amount of money can compensate for Quinto's death, his family is to be commended for their unwavering commitment to improving the relationship between the community and Antioch police. The lawsuit alleged that Antioch police officers used excessive force when restraining Quinto. It named as defendants the city of Antioch, then-police Chief Tammany Brooks and four officers who responded to a 911 call from Quinto's family. Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe said Quintos death was a catalyst for change in the city of 115,000 people 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of San Francisco. How we look at public safety is different than what did literally three or four years ago when we all thought public safety meant cops, cops, cops, he said. Not everything requires a police response. The family called police on Dec. 23, 2020, because the 30-year-old was in mental distress and needed help. One officer pressed a knee on his neck for nearly five minutes while another restrained his legs, according to the complaint. After about five minutes of the prone restraint, Quinto appeared to become totally unresponsive, the lawsuit said. He lost consciousness and was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he died three days later. Quinto's death came months after the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police and amid a nationwide outcry over police brutality. In the aftermath, Antioch police officers were equipped with body cameras and city officials created a mental health crisis team and a police review commission. Quinto's mother, Cassandra Quinto-Collins, thanked the city of Antioch for the policy changes and said her family's fight is not yet over. "I thank you for what has been a courageous beginning to bring about transparency and accountability to the Antioch Police Department so that it may serve our diverse community with respect and mutual trust, Quinto-Collins said. Quinto, who was born in the Philippines, served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 2019 due to a food allergy, according to his family. He had depression most of his life, but his behavior changed after an apparent assault in early 2020, when he woke up in a hospital not remembering what had happened and with stitches and serious injuries. After that he began having episodes of paranoia and anxiety, his family said. Canyon Creek Memory Care Community in Billings, Montana (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan). Mary Ann Simons had a stroke and was unable to communicate or eat or drink independently, but court documents allege that she was left alone with food and water and no ability to feed or drink for herself. In another case, residents started losing weight but staff stopped doing weekly weight checks until the State of Montana ordered them to resume. One woman noticed that her mom had a black eye. Staff seemed to indicate that the woman had fallen. Her daughter didnt know that her mom had fallen more than 40 times. Those are just some of the allegations against Canyon Creek long-term care facility in Billings in a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of three former Canyon Creek residents families, who allege that the corporate owners, Koelsch Senior Communities, and Canyon Creek failed to care for the residents, instead wringing profits out of the business, while leaving seniors who lived there to fend for themselves. Attorney Elizabeth Hausbeck of Hall, Booth and Smith in Missoula said Koelsch does not comment on pending litigation, and declined comment for this story. In court documents, attorneys for Canyon Creek and Koelsch have denied the allegations, saying that many of the concerns raised in the lawsuit were a function of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, not the quality of care or staff. In that respect, Koelsch Senior Communities joins a long and growing list of care facilities that claim that either state or federal exemptions created during the pandemic shield them from liability for patient care during COVID-19. KFF Health News reports that more than 1,100 lawsuits have been filed nationwide, challenging whether the nursing home and rehabilitation centers can be sued. In very broad terms, courts have made a distinction between the pandemic and those who died because of negligence or poor care. Depositions and court filings in the Canyon Creek case paint a more detailed picture of what was happening inside the senior care center, which was hit by a round of COVID-19 deaths as the pandemic began to increase in intensity. At the time, staff from Billings Clinic and the National Guard were dispatched to Canyon Creek to help with pandemic, and Koelsch said that staff members from other company-owned properties were brought in from Arizona, Texas, Illinois and Washington. Problems from food service to incorrect charting by nurses to being short-staffed hampered the facility. However, documents filed by attorneys John Heenan and Philip McGrady claim that short staffing at Canyon Creek had been documented by the State of Montana prior to the pandemic, and that a family in January 2020, had complained about a resident death because of improper feeding, hydration and toileting issues. Those stories are consistent with excerpts of a deposition taken as part of the case in which the daughter of Simons describes a pressure sore on her mother: The pressure sore was as big as my fist, and it was black, and it smelled, and it was in her lower back areaWe were giving her morphine for the pain. They told us to do that. Wed have to clean her. And it was, it was awful, it was bad. You could see, you could see almost you could see like the bone. It was really bad. The suit then alleges that instead of working to solve the care problems or increase the staffing, managers at Canyon Creek and its corporate offices in Olympia, Washington, pocketed COVID funds and sucked money away from Billings. The court records indicate that Koelsch received $879,500 in COVID relief funds of that, $366,000 went to Canyon Creek, and the rest appears to have gone to the corporate operations. The documents claim that Canyon Creek took excessive management fees, which were used to enrich a corporate office led largely by people associated with the Koelsch family, while not staffing properly enough to care for residents, as they were promised. The COVID situation at Canyon Creek grew so dire that on July 14, 2020, CNN reported eight residents of Canyon Creek had died from COVID-19 and more than 50 became ill during that time. News reports revealed that the facility was offered free COVID testing via the State of Montana, but the organizations leaders turned it down. Court documents now allege that residents there had tested positive for COVID on June 30, the day that one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Elizabeth Guilford, was admitted. Court documents say that the family specifically asked whether the facility was COVID free, but it was later discovered via deposition that the nurse who had admitted Guilford had COVID, a fever and was not feeling well. Nevertheless, the nurse told attorneys she was still required to come to work. The post Family members sue Billings nursing home for neglect while it was raking in profits during COVID appeared first on Daily Montanan. KYODO NEWS - May 15, 2024 - 16:04 | All, Japan Police on Wednesday arrested an Iranian man on suspicion of murdering one of his compatriots in 2015 in Nagoya, central Japan. Seyedmohsen Rezaeikelidbari, 33, allegedly conspired with others to stab a 27-year-old man identified as Anami Shirmard Milad on a street in Nagoya around 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 20, the police said. The police suspect the incident was a result of a drug trafficking dispute, with several people later arrested and convicted in connection with the assault. Rezaeikelidbari was arrested in March on a separate charge, on suspicion of illegally staying in Japan, according to investigative sources. Family has message after Kansas City mother of six dies on Mothers Day Family has message after Kansas City mother of six dies on Mothers Day KANSAS CITY, Mo. Six kids in Kansas City are mourning the death of their mother. She died on Mothers Day. Her husband says theyre simply just hurt. Now, this family wants to not only remember who she was, but send a message so others dont have to sit where they now sit. Mikalia Patterson was just 36 years old. Her lungs had begun to fail months ago, but she was just about to start the process that could have given her many more days on this planet but she slipped away just after midnight Sunday. I-670 in KC considered one of the deadliest stretches of road in US: report Everybody knew she was kind, she helped out everybody she was a good person, Cleon Patterson, Mikalias husband said. She was my best friend, she, her smile, she was caring, she was just full of joy, Meziyah Herron, her daughter said. Mikalia Patterson was the best mom in the world to these six kids, spanning the age of 8 to 17, she was their rock, their everything. A caregiver, I loved her laugh, I loved her smile I loved everything about her, another one of her daughters said. High school sweethearts Cleon and Mikalia fell in love as teenagers. Twenty-one years and six kids later, they still loved each other, just like the day they met. We took the kids on all the trips showed them the world, Cleon said. In December, Pattersons lungs began to fail. Over the next several months she would be in and out of the hospital. On Sunday, after midnight, the dedicated wife and mom took her last breath just one day before she was set to head to St. Louis to begin the process of getting a lung transplant. One day from the rest of her life, a chance she sadly wont get. It hurt, like throw up sick hurt. It is not anything to play with, everybody needs to get checked, like people are dying left and right. You could be here one day and gone the next just like my wife was, Cleon said. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Now six kids and a father will try to their best to go on without the person who made their world go round. Anytime she walked into a room she was full of just great spirits, I just loved everything about her, Meziyah said. This family needs your help, so if youre so compelled, you can donate to Cleons Cashapp: $CleonPatterson. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Family shares photos and memories of 16-year-old killed at Northboro party over weekend The devastated family of 16-year-old Ygor Correia who was shot to death at a large house party in Northboro over the weekend says he was a sweet kid. The Worcester District Attorneys Office says Correia, of Bellingham, tragically lost his life when gunshots rang out at 333 Howard Street early Sunday morning. Several other people were wounded at the birthday party that turned into a wild free-for-all at a million-dollar home. Young Ygor Correia, just 16 years old, passed away in the **United States and his family needs help to transport his body to Brazil and hold the wake, said Ygors father in a GoFundMe post. The teens family shares photos of their son and brother with Boston 25 News. They did not want to go on camera Tuesday night but said they are struggling with what they call his sudden and brutal death. Lets unite in solidarity and empathy at this very difficult time, said Ygors father. The suspects, Wallisom Texeira Da Silva, Arnoldo Nogueira Filho, and Pedro Desouza-Passos, were arraigned Monday in Westboro District Court on firearm-related charges, in connection to the shooting. Two of the suspects have ICE detainers against them. Boston 25 reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement who sent a statement saying: ERO Boston has lodged immigration detainers against Wallisom Texeira Da Silva, and Arnoldo Nogueira Filho. ERO Boston is closely monitoring the situation and if appropriate, will lodge further immigration detainers. The agencies would not say why the two men had detainers lodged against them but they only deal with noncitizens in the U.S. illegally. The DA says all three suspects were backseat passengers of a young woman and were there to celebrate her 21st birthday. DaSilva was held without bail, Arnoldo Nogueira Filho is being held on $35,000 bail and Pedro Desouza Passos is being held on $25,000 bail. All three men will be back in court on May 20th. The victims family is asking for help from the community to lay their son and brother Ygor to rest in his native country of Brazil. Click here if you want to help. Any contribution, no matter how small, will be of great value so that we can provide a worthy goodbye to this dear young man, said his family. 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 How fast is bird flu spreading in US cows? We have no idea Avian flu is spreading rapidly among cattle, but public health and infectious disease experts are concerned the United States is too limited in its testing, leaving an incomplete picture of the viruss spread. The threat to the general public is currently low, health officials say, and the countrys milk supply is safe. Just one person has been infected. Its critical that we are well-positioned to test, treat, prevent this virus from spreading. I think thats clear in everything were saying, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told reporters recently. But the outbreak is widespread; officials have found the virus in 42 herds across nine states. Dairy farm workers are at risk every time they are exposed to potentially infected cattle, and viral mutations could cause an outbreak, experts warn. Cases are potentially being missed, either in people, cattle or both. In past avian flu outbreaks in other parts of the world, the virus typically kills about half the people it infects. But even if this strain doesnt pose a significant risk to the public, many experts see the response as the biggest test of pandemic preparedness since COVID-19. There are opportunities that have been missed that we could have absolutely applied from the COVID experience. I think theres still time. Were not in trouble yet, said Erin Sorrell, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Bird flu was first detected in dairy cows in March, though data from viral samples showed it had been circulating in cattle for at least four months prior. Thats concerning to some experts, who said there could have been widespread human exposure and asymptomatic spread among dairy workers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring at least 260 people for symptoms and has tested at least 30 for novel influenza A, the broad category of flu that includes H5N1. Only one positive case has been identified, a farmworker in Texas who has since recovered. Farmers have been reluctant to allow federal health officials onto their land to test potentially infected cattle amid uncertainty about how their businesses would be impacted. Farmworkers have also been reluctant to participate in screening, and experts said its likely due to a mix of fears over job loss, immigration status, language barriers and general distrust in public health systems. They are socioeconomically vulnerable. In some circumstances, it kind of requires the buy-in of the employer to engage in surveillance of these workers. And that hasnt happened in a substantial way to date, said Jessica Leibler, an environmental epidemiologist at Boston Universitys school of public health. Exposure does not necessarily mean infection, but the more workers who are exposed to potentially infected cattle, the greater the risk. Each new infection in mammals provides the opportunity for the virus to mutate. Without testing, without surveillance, we have no idea [of the spread], Sorrell said. We are not able to essentially move forward with an improved approach to protecting agricultural workers from occupational exposures if we dont understand how they were exposed, and the potential risk of additional people being exposed and infected. A federal order from the end of April requires mandatory testing of dairy cattle herds, but only if they are crossing state lines. CDC workers cant conduct investigations without an invite from state or private landowners, and the agency doesnt have the ability to require states to test within their own borders. Becerra said the CDC is engaged in ongoing discussions with multiple states about setting up field investigation. Stacey Schultz-Cherry, an expert in animal influenza at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, said those limitations are a hindrance but officials should be able to find workarounds, such as wastewater testing. There are ways to do surveillance and testing on samples that cant or maybe dont have to be traced back to a particular area or particular farm, because people are going to be very sensitive about it, she said. Federal officials have been working with state veterinary and agricultural officials to do outreach to dairy farmers and producers and emphasize the need to cooperate with federal health investigations. It is important for the public health officials at the state level, or the state veterinarians, or state ag officials, for us, to essentially communicate that its in the long-term best interest of the industry and all of us to make sure that we have as much information as possible, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters in a recent briefing. Producers obviously look at this circumstance and they see this as an animal health issue so they may not fully appreciate and understand the approach that public health officials need to take in the circumstance, Vilsack said. The agency is also for the first time offering financial incentives for farms impacted by avian flu, including reimbursement for lost milk supply from infected cows. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University school of medicine, said dairy industry producers and workers dont have the same relationship with public health as the poultry and egg industry does. This is new for them; theyre more edgy and concerned, Schaffner said. All these diplomatic overtures and discussions are going on and are being led at the local level, because thats where personnel are more comfortable. COVID developed a political veneer, and that impeded public health. That legacy still exists, and that may influence some of the caution in the dairy industry. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. May 14 (UPI) -- The number of police officers killed in the line of duty has declined in the past three years, but the rate of officers assaulted in the same time frame has risen, according to report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI on Tuesday released a special report based on information collected from state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies around the country. The study revealed 194 officers were feloniously killed between 2021 and 2023, more than any other consecutive three-year period in the past two decades. Year-to-year police killings, however, declined within that timeframe, with 73 officers in 2021, 61 in 2022 and 60 in 2023. Firearms were the most commonly used weapons, and 52% of officers killed in 2023 died from a gunshot wound, a slight increase from 2022. The southern United States, the largest region in the country, has had the highest number of police killings than any other region for the past decade. Last year, however, marked 20 killings, a 38% decrease from 32 in 2022. It was the lowest recorded number in the South since 2015, when 19 officers in the region were reported killed in the line of duty. While police killings have declined in the past three years, assaults on law enforcement have gone up in each of those years, according to the FBI. Agencies reported 79,091 incidents in 2023, the highest officer assault rate in the past decade. The majority of incidents, 6,783, happened when an officer was responding to an assault against a non-officer, followed by 4,879, which happened when an officer was responding to a drug violation. The number of officers assaulted or injured with a firearm reached a 10-year high in 2023, with around 466 reported cases. The FBI report comes amid National Police Week and follows a candlelight vigil for fallen officers held Monday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Four U.S. Marshalls were shot and killed last month while trying to arrest a suspect wanted on firearms charges. Attorney General Merrick Garland at Monday's vigil said the officers' deaths "stand as a stark reminder of the enormous risks our law enforcement officers face every day, even when making the relatively routine arrests they make every day." Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall delivers his inaugural speech during inauguration ceremonies at the Alabama State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall delivers his inaugural speech during inauguration ceremonies at the Alabama State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector) A federal judge Wednesday suggested earlier deadlines to submit briefs for a lawsuit aimed at stopping Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall from prosecuting those who help Alabamians seek out-of-state abortion care. U.S. District Judge Myron H. Thompsons suggestion came as both plaintiffs and the attorney generals office agreed that a period of discovery is not needed. There are very few factual issues at play, said Jamila Johnson, counsel for plaintiff Yellowhammer Fund, which is represented by The Lawyering Project. Meagan Burrows, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project representing WAWC Healthcare, formerly known as West Alabama Womens Center, said that given that the state has not indicated any intention to dispute the facts, they will decide whether to submit additional affidavits after the defendant submits their briefs. Ben Seiss, counsel for the Attorney Generals office, also agreed that no discovery will be needed. A group of reproductive and civil rights groups sued Marshall last year, citing statements he made in an August 2022 radio interview in which Marshall said that health care providers could face felony charges for assisting Alabamians in traveling to other states to obtain legal abortion care. The ACLU filed the lawsuit on behalf of WAWC Healthcare in Tuscaloosa; Dr. Yashica Robinson and Alabama Womens Center, both in Huntsville, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama in Montgomery. The Lawyering Project, a legal organization aimed at improving abortion access, sued on behalf of Yellowhammer Fund, an Alabama reproductive rights organization. The plaintiffs alleged that without court intervention, pregnant individuals could face delays in accessing necessary care, and that some may be coerced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term. Thompson last week denied Marshalls motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Marshall argued that state statute allows law enforcement to charge people with committing a crime outside the state if it were illegal to do so in Alabama. Marshalls office wrote that a crime receives no constitutional protection, but Thompson upheld the plaintiffs claims of right to travel and limits on the extraterritorial application of state law. Right to travel as merely a right to move physically between the states contravenes history, precedent, and common sense, Thompson wrote, and that such a constrained conception of the right to travel would erode the privileges of national citizenship and is inconsistent with the Constitution. Thompson wrote in his order that Justice Brent Kavanaugh, in his Dobbs concurrence, recognized that the threats Marshall made could be unconstitutional, stating that the right to interstate travel would prohibit a state from barring its residents from traveling to another state for abortion services, emphasizing that its not especially difficult as a constitutional matter. Thompson asked Wednesday why it is necessary to proceed with a summary judgment a final decision by a judge designed to resolve a lawsuit before trial instead of moving forward with a standard case. Plaintiffs were open to proceeding with a standard case, but the defendant said they would not be comfortable until briefs are submitted. We havent seen what plaintiffs are going to submit with their motions so we would not agree with that approach, Seiss said. Thompson moved the filing deadlines about a month before what parties proposed. Marshall has until May 20 to answer plaintiffs complaints. Both parties have until June 17 to file opposition to those motions; July 15 to file opposition to those motions, and July 22 to file responses in support of them. Alabama passed an effective abortion ban in 2019 which became law in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down federal abortion rights protections in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. The law effectively banned nearly all abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger. To date, there has been zero recorded abortions in the state, including to save the life of a mother. In cases that have presented a danger to the life of a mother, doctors have hesitated providing abortion care. Alabama averaged 635 abortions monthly in April and May 2022, before Dobbs came down. This story was updated at 6:14 p.m. with the case briefing schedule. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Federal judge suggests accelerated deadlines in Alabama abortion prosecution lawsuit appeared first on Alabama Reflector. U.S. District Court emblem in the court clerk's office in Madison. (Wisconsin Examiner photo) An ally of a man whose son was killed by Kenosha police 20 years ago is suing the state agency that regulates lawyers over its handling of a complaint that grew out of that event. The federal lawsuit charges that the state Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) acted wrongfully when it dismissed a grievance filed against the current Kenosha County district attorney, Michael Graveley. The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in Madison by Russell Beckman, a retired Kenosha police officer who has been working with Michael M. Bell since 2012 as Bell has pursued allegations that Kenosha police covered up details of his sons death. The lawsuit doesnt ask the court to act on the rejected grievance against Graveley. Instead, it challenges the state Supreme Court rules governing OLR rules holding that a dismissal of a grievance is final and is not subject to further review. Those rules and the way OLR operates grant the director nearly unbridled discretion in making dispositive decisions related to grievances filed by citizens alleging unethical conduct on the part of Wisconsin attorneys, the lawsuit states. The suit charges that OLRs rules violate the First Amendment right to petition the government and the 14th Amendment rights to due process and equal protection. It asks the court to compel OLR to amend the process by which it handles grievances filed by citizens alleging unethical conduct by attorneys. OLR is a division of the Wisconsin court system. A spokesperson for the courts declined to comment on the lawsuit until officials have an opportunity to review it. Asked about the accusations raised against him that are discussed in the lawsuit, Graveley also declined. I dont have any comment, he told the Wisconsin Examiner on Tuesday. OLR has rejected multiple complaints on this matter. Filed without a lawyer Beckman filed the lawsuit himself without an attorney, although he said he is seeking a lawyer who could take up the case. I think a lot of lawyers are reluctant to take it on, he said. Its a case against the agency that regulates them. Because the case was filed pro se by a non-lawyer plaintiff representing himself it is now on hold under a federal court directive from Judge William Conley until Conley reviews it for subject matter jurisdiction before it can go forward. In 2021, Beckman filed a grievance that accused Graveley of false statements when he opposed a court petition in 2018 for a new investigation into the 2004 fatal police shooting of Michael E. Bell. The grievance focused heavily on technical evidence from the investigation of the younger Bells death. His father, Michael M. Bell, argues the evidence, if properly reviewed in court, would undermine the Kenosha Police Departments account of the incident. While the lawsuit identifies the Bell case as a case study, Beckman told the Wisconsin Examiner that he believes the matter raises much broader questions about how the OLR operates. According to the data that OLR reported in the 2021-22 fiscal year, one-tenth of 1% of all lawyers in Wisconsin were recommended for disciplinary action or diverted to an alternative to discipline, the lawsuit states. They really stress this idea of getting their cases in and out, Beckman said. How does this serve the public interest? Michael M. Bell said he supports Beckmans effort, although he is not an official party to the lawsuit. Its not only going to be about our case, but its going to be about other cases and for future generations, Bell said in an interview. The night Michael E. Bell died A police officer shot and killed Michael E. Bell on Nov. 9, 2004, in his driveway during a scuffle outside his car at which five officers were present. Three officers were in a tight knot of people surrounding Bell. One officer yelled that Bell had grabbed the officers holstered sidearm. Another officer, Albert Gonzales, who was holding his service weapon at Bells head, fired the fatal shot. The Kenosha Police Department conducted an internal investigation and in less than 48 hours cleared all the officers involved of any wrongdoing. Michael M. Bell sued the city over his sons death. Four years after the shooting the city paid the elder Bell $1.75 million to settle the lawsuit. Bell later successfully campaigned for a state law requiring that fatalities in police custody be investigated by an outside agency. Since the legal settlement with the city. Bell has enlisted various experts in his personal investigation of his sons death. His investigation highlighted evidence that he says contradicts the official Kenosha Police Department account of the events just before his son was killed. At the time Michael E. Bell was shot, he was being held from behind by a police officer and was up against the hood of his car on the drivers side. According to the police account, Gonzales was standing on Michael E. Bells left and the officer who said his gun had been grabbed, Eric Strausbaugh, was standing on the younger Bells right. Michael M. Bell, however, has argued that scenario is inaccurate. Bell says eyewitness accounts, the autopsy report on his son and the pattern of blood spattered on the cars hood all indicate that Gonzales was standing on the younger Bells right side between Bell and Strausbaugh. In that scenario, the officer fired the fatal shot from the opposite direction than was depicted in the official account. If thats how it happened, the elder Bell argues, it would have been impossible for his son to have actually grabbed Strausbaughs gun. Bell and Beckman say that under this scenario, it seems more likely that Strausbaughs holster got hooked on the cars side mirror, creating an erroneous sensation that the gun was being grabbed. Bell has said he was not accusing Strausbaugh of deliberately lying about his recollection of that moment. Strausbaugh, who took his own life in 2010, might have genuinely believed in the heat of the moment that his gun was being grabbed, Bell has said. Bell has argued that getting an accurate account of what happened is important so that any error involved can be understood and avoided in the future. DNA evidence debate In a 2005 State Crime Lab report on the shooting, investigators stated they found no evidence of Michael E. Bells DNA on Strausbaughs weapon. The elder Bell and Beckman have argued that the report further supports the contention that the younger Bell never touched the officers gun. Touch DNA evidence a powerful tool, not necessarily definitive How meaningful is the absence or presence of DNA evidence, whether from a brief or prolonged touch, in unraveling the details of what happened when Michael E. Bell died? Keith Findley, a retired University of Wisconsin Law School professor whose areas of expertise include forensic evidence, says DNA evidence can be a powerful tool, but it also has limitations. Findley spoke with the Wisconsin Examiner generally about DNA, not drawing direct conclusions about the Bell case. DNA technology is extremely powerful and sensitive, Findley said. Investigators can detect and develop profiles from very small quantities of DNA. Even brief contact between a person and an object can yield usable information. Its also true that simply grabbing something can leave DNA behind on the object. How much DNA is there and whether you would find it depends on the circumstances. People vary in how much DNA they slough off, Findley said. In addition, how thoroughly an object is swabbed can make a difference. You cant say categorically, You didnt touch it long enough to leave DNA, he said. It doesnt take much. On the other hand, you cant necessarily say that [a persons touch] would have left detectable DNA or that they would have found it. Citing the absence of that DNA evidence as well as the other discrepancies between the Kenosha Police Department account of the shooting and physical evidence along with eyewitness testimony, Michael M. Bell asked Graveley in 2017 to conduct a new investigation. (Graveley didnt take office as the countys top prosecutor until several years after the incident.) Graveley rejected the request. In his letter to Bell denying a new investigation, Graveley asserted that the absence of the younger Bells DNA on the officers weapon proved nothing. In brief contact with a firearm or holster, you would almost never see a positive test result for the presence of that persons DNA, Graveley wrote. State Crime Lab DNA analysts had told him that there would be no expectation of DNA results under the facts and circumstances described in your sons death. In 2019, Racine County Circuit Judge Timothy Boyle also rejected Bells petition to hire a special prosecutor and conduct a John Doe investigation of the case. In a filing with the judge opposing the investigation, Graveley included his 2017 letter to Bell. Boyles subsequent order denying Bells petition minimized the significance of the lack of DNA evidence. The grievance that Beckman filed with OLR in 2021 against Graveley charged that Graveleys written comments on the DNA were false, and that his description of the events on Nov. 9, 2004, sharply contradicted descriptions in the police statements about the incident. Beckman called the DAs letter misleading and deceptive in his OLR grievance, and said that it was an unethical misrepresentation of the events as police had described them. OLR dismissed the original grievance and did so again after Beckman resubmitted it. After Bell hired a DNA expert in 2022, Beckman submitted the grievance a third time with an affidavit from the expert, Dr. Karl Reich. In the affidavit, which is included with the lawsuit, Reich said scientific literature regarding DNA evidence flatly contradicts the assertions that Graveley made in the DAs 2017 letter to Bell. OLR dismissed the revised grievance on April 19, 2024. In a letter to Beckman, also filed with the federal lawsuit, Francis X. Sullivan, OLRs deputy director for litigation, wrote that the agency would not address every factual dispute raised by the parties, but instead whether there was clear, satisfactory and convincing evidence of misconduct. Attorney Graveley explains that his letter was his personal opinion on the DNA evidence in the case based on his experience as an experienced trial lawyer who has thought about DHA evidence hundreds of times and has utilized DNA evidence and the absence of DNA evidence dozens of times in criminal courtrooms, Sullivan wrote. Attorney Graveleys explanation is reasonable. The Reich affidavit does not address Attorney Graveleys opinions and therefore does not expose conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, the OLR official added. Given the disagreement between the experts affidavit and Graveley, Sullivan wrote, I conclude that OLR would not be able to meet the burden of proof that the Supreme Court requires to show that Attorney Graveley was intentionally deceitful when he provided his thoughts regarding DNA evidence in that case. In the lawsuit, however, Beckman asserts that his grievance offered very compelling evidence showing DA Graveley engaged in serious unethical conduct that OLR failed to address. The lawsuit argues that OLR ignored critical and well documented facts in dismissing this grievance with nothing more than pro forma comments. In an interview, Beckman said the rules insulate prosecutors from accountability if the OLR declines to act and someone bringing a complaint has no right to appeal. Prosecutors have a tremendous amount of power, and if a prosecutor acts unethically it can cause a tremendous amount of problems, he said. Because OLR did not thoroughly investigate the issues that his original grievance raised, I dont believe theyre looking out for the publics interest. The post Federal lawsuit challenges state rules on lawyer discipline appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner. Electric power lines are seen attached to transmission towers on Sept. 28, 2023, in the Everglades, Florida. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday issued a long-awaited overhaul of how regional electric transmission lines are planned and paid for. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) A divided Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday issued a long-awaited overhaul of how regional electric transmission lines are planned and paid for, a move cheered by clean power groups but blasted by a conservative commissioner who said it was driven by special interests and exceeds the commissions authority. The commissions final rule on transmission planning and cost allocation, intended to prod utilities and grid operators across the country into more forward-looking, comprehensive and cost-effective planning of large electric transmission lines and better account for the broad benefits those wires provide, was nearly three years in the making. It passed on a 2-1 vote, with the commissions two Democratic appointees voting yes and the lone Republican opposed. FERC Chairman Willie Phillips said an aging grid, increasing severe weather, demand growth from new manufacturing, data centers and increasing electrification as well as a changing generation mix all threaten reliability at a time when construction of the high voltage transmission lines that help get power to where its needed has slumped to a record low. This rule cannot come fast enough. There is an urgent need to act to ensure the reliability and the affordability of our grid, Phillips said. We simply will not be able to address these converging challenges and continue to supply the reliable, abundant and affordable power the American people depend on without taking a clear-eyed, long term, forward-looking approach to transmission planning. But Commissioner Mark Christie, a conservative former Virginia utility commissioner, vehemently dissented to the rule, calling it a pretext to enact a sweeping policy agenda that Congress never passed and one that will facilitate a massive transfer of wealth from consumers to for-profit special interests. Christie has long opposed transmission cost allocation schemes that he claimed would force customers in some states to pay for the pro-renewable policies of their neighbors. I was perfectly prepared to vote for this final rule if it were a bipartisan compromise, if it preserved the state role that everyone sitting up here voted for two years ago, he said. The genie and the bottle The sprawling rule requires transmission operators to conduct transmission planning at least every five years, looking out along a 20-year horizon using best available data to develop well-informed projections of needs, according to a staff presentation. To identify those transmission needs, providers need to consider state laws and regulations, utility planning documents, fuel cost trends, power plant retirements, requests from developers looking to connect to the grid as well as policy goals and corporate commitments. They also must consider grid-enhancing technologies, a suite of potentially cost-saving tools common in other countries that have been slow to take root in the U.S., despite years of prodding from advocates, as well as identifying opportunities to upgrade existing lines, called right-sizing. Transmission providers, including utilities and the organizations that manage the grid in much of the country, are also required to use a list of seven economic and reliability benefits as they evaluate and select long-term regional transmission projects as well as establish an evaluation process with transparent selection criteria that are not unduly discriminatory or preferential, aim to ensure that more efficient or cost-effective long-term regional transmission facilities are selected and seek to maximize benefits accounting for costs over time without over-building transmission facilities. Christie criticized those mandated inputs and said states have no ability to consent to those criteria. A major big problem FERC is trying to fix is that even as construction of large transmission projects has nearly ground to a halt, utilities in many parts of the countries are on a building spree of smaller potentially duplicative and inefficient projects that are easier to get approved and paid for, increasing customer bills. The absence of this type of regional transmission planning is resulting in piecemeal transmission expansion that addresses relatively near-term transmission needs, the staff presentation reads. The status quo approach results in transmission providers investing in relatively inefficient or less cost-effective transmission infrastructure, with the costs ultimately recovered through commission-jurisdictional rates. This dynamic results in, among other things, transmission customers paying more than is necessary or appropriate to meet their transmission needs, and customers missing out on benefits that outweigh their costs, which results in less efficient or cost-effective transmission investments. For example, proponents of the new rule point to hundreds of millions of dollars in transmission costs that will result from the closure of a Maryland power plant in the region overseen by PJM Interconnection, the nations largest grid operator, as an example of poor planning. It is hard to imagine the region could not have found a more cost- effective solution had it begun planning for that retirement along with other anticipated shifts further ahead of time, said Democratic Commissioner Allison Clements, who took Christie to task over his dissent. She said he was pushing the commission to take a fraught voyage to decide which public policies are appropriate for creating transmission demands. All transmission needs are inherently influenced by state policies of all stripes, she said. The truth is that enormous sums of money are going to be spent on transmission investment regardless of whether or not its done within the framework of this new rule. She argued that the new rule will protect customers from the pricey, fits-and-starts transmission buildout happening in much of the nation now. Not everything is about politics, she said. It is not the commissions job to try and force the genie that is the energy transition back in the bottle. It is our legal responsibility to protect consumers in light of whatever is going on in the world around us. Neil Chatterjee, a Republican former FERC chairman, posted on X that he would have voted for the rule if he was still on the commission. Todays @ferc rule was voted out 2-1 but that does NOT mean its a partisan rule making, he wrote. Had I authored this rule as chair would it have looked exactly like this? Of course not. But it would have been in the range. Regulatory rule making is hard. Benefit of having a big grid Competitive transmission providers and clean energy groups were celebrating Monday. Organizations ranging from the American Council on Renewable Energy and the National Audubon Society to the Conservative Energy Network and Americans for a Clean Energy Grid issued statements applauding the order. Some renewable power organizations had privately wondered whether a drive for a unanimous vote might produce a more watered-down rule to get Christie onboard. That might have left states with big renewable power goals paying for all the transmission costs necessary to accommodate them, as New Jersey is doing for its planned offshore wind buildout, even though that power generation could mean cheaper, cleaner electricity for its neighbors, also, along with other benefits. The U.S. Department of Energy has found a pressing need for new transmission infrastructure across the country to alleviate congestion and improve reliability. Grid congestion costs electric customers billions of dollars a year, according to some reports. And because of the more diffuse nature of renewable power, getting it from where its produced to where its needed, as in the vast amount of wind power in the Great Plains, can require large, multi-state transmission lines. Families and businesses are paying the price for utilities and grid operators failure to address our critical electricity infrastructure needs, said Heather ONeill, president and CEO at national clean power business association Advanced Energy United. Building more multi-state transmission lines unclogs the traffic jams on Americas electricity superhighways and unlocks our ability to keep up with our growing energy needs. Justin Vickers, a senior attorney for the Sierra Club, said the rule appears to be firmly within FERCs jurisdiction, despite Christies concerns to the contrary. I think the commission is on very strong footing here, he said. This is a way of maximizing the benefits of living in a big country. We can send power around the country. It increases reliability and it lowers price. Thats the benefit of having a big grid. .. Lets take advantage of it. The Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned utilities, said it was disappointed that FERC declined to include a right of first refusal policy for some transmission projects, which would have given their members first crack at some of the lines. The organization also said the rule lacked regional flexibilities for evaluating project benefits. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work, as different regions have different needs and different states have different policies, said Phil Moeller, an executive vice president at the institute. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post New federal rule will overhaul transmission planning as electric grid strains appeared first on Colorado Newsline. Electric power lines are seen attached to transmission towers on Sept. 28, 2023, in the Everglades, Florida. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday issued a long-awaited overhaul of how regional electric transmission lines are planned and paid for. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) A divided Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday issued a long-awaited overhaul of how regional electric transmission lines are planned and paid for, a move cheered by clean power groups but blasted by a conservative commissioner who said it was driven by special interests and exceeds the commissions authority. The commissions final rule on transmission planning and cost allocation, intended to prod utilities and grid operators across the country into more forward-looking, comprehensive and cost-effective planning of large electric transmission lines and better account for the broad benefits those wires provide, was nearly three years in the making. It passed on a 2-1 vote, with the commissions two Democratic appointees voting yes and the lone Republican opposed. FERC Chairman Willie Phillips said an aging grid, increasing severe weather, demand growth from new manufacturing, data centers and increasing electrification as well as a changing generation mix all threaten reliability at a time when construction of the high voltage transmission lines that help get power to where its needed has slumped to a record low. This rule cannot come fast enough. There is an urgent need to act to ensure the reliability and the affordability of our grid, Phillips said. We simply will not be able to address these converging challenges and continue to supply the reliable, abundant and affordable power the American people depend on without taking a clear-eyed, long term, forward-looking approach to transmission planning. But Commissioner Mark Christie, a conservative former Virginia utility commissioner, vehemently dissented to the rule, calling it a pretext to enact a sweeping policy agenda that Congress never passed and one that will facilitate a massive transfer of wealth from consumers to for-profit special interests. Christie has long opposed transmission cost allocation schemes that he claimed would force customers in some states to pay for the pro-renewable policies of their neighbors. I was perfectly prepared to vote for this final rule if it were a bipartisan compromise, if it preserved the state role that everyone sitting up here voted for two years ago, he said. The genie and the bottle The sprawling rule requires transmission operators to conduct transmission planning at least every five years, looking out along a 20-year horizon using best available data to develop well-informed projections of needs, according to a staff presentation. To identify those transmission needs, providers need to consider state laws and regulations, utility planning documents, fuel cost trends, power plant retirements, requests from developers looking to connect to the grid as well as policy goals and corporate commitments. They also must consider grid-enhancing technologies, a suite of potentially cost-saving tools common in other countries that have been slow to take root in the U.S., despite years of prodding from advocates, as well as identifying opportunities to upgrade existing lines, called right-sizing. Transmission providers, including utilities and the organizations that manage the grid in much of the country, are also required to use a list of seven economic and reliability benefits as they evaluate and select long-term regional transmission projects as well as establish an evaluation process with transparent selection criteria that are not unduly discriminatory or preferential, aim to ensure that more efficient or cost-effective long-term regional transmission facilities are selected and seek to maximize benefits accounting for costs over time without over-building transmission facilities. Christie criticized those mandated inputs and said states have no ability to consent to those criteria. A major big problem FERC is trying to fix is that even as construction of large transmission projects has nearly ground to a halt, utilities in many parts of the countries are on a building spree of smaller potentially duplicative and inefficient projects that are easier to get approved and paid for, increasing customer bills. The absence of this type of regional transmission planning is resulting in piecemeal transmission expansion that addresses relatively near-term transmission needs, the staff presentation reads. The status quo approach results in transmission providers investing in relatively inefficient or less cost-effective transmission infrastructure, with the costs ultimately recovered through commission-jurisdictional rates. This dynamic results in, among other things, transmission customers paying more than is necessary or appropriate to meet their transmission needs, and customers missing out on benefits that outweigh their costs, which results in less efficient or cost-effective transmission investments. For example, proponents of the new rule point to hundreds of millions of dollars in transmission costs that will result from the closure of a Maryland power plant in the region overseen by PJM Interconnection, the nations largest grid operator, as an example of poor planning. It is hard to imagine the region could not have found a more cost- effective solution had it begun planning for that retirement along with other anticipated shifts further ahead of time, said Democratic Commissioner Allison Clements, who took Christie to task over his dissent. She said he was pushing the commission to take a fraught voyage to decide which public policies are appropriate for creating transmission demands. All transmission needs are inherently influenced by state policies of all stripes, she said. The truth is that enormous sums of money are going to be spent on transmission investment regardless of whether or not its done within the framework of this new rule. She argued that the new rule will protect customers from the pricey, fits-and-starts transmission buildout happening in much of the nation now. Not everything is about politics, she said. It is not the commissions job to try and force the genie that is the energy transition back in the bottle. It is our legal responsibility to protect consumers in light of whatever is going on in the world around us. Neil Chatterjee, a Republican former FERC chairman, posted on X that he would have voted for the rule if he was still on the commission. Todays @ferc rule was voted out 2-1 but that does NOT mean its a partisan rule making, he wrote. Had I authored this rule as chair would it have looked exactly like this? Of course not. But it would have been in the range. Regulatory rule making is hard. Benefit of having a big grid Competitive transmission providers and clean energy groups were celebrating Monday. Organizations ranging from the American Council on Renewable Energy and the National Audubon Society to the Conservative Energy Network and Americans for a Clean Energy Grid issued statements applauding the order. Some renewable power organizations had privately wondered whether a drive for a unanimous vote might produce a more watered-down rule to get Christie onboard. That might have left states with big renewable power goals paying for all the transmission costs necessary to accommodate them, as New Jersey is doing for its planned offshore wind buildout, even though that power generation could mean cheaper, cleaner electricity for its neighbors, also, along with other benefits. The U.S. Department of Energy has found a pressing need for new transmission infrastructure across the country to alleviate congestion and improve reliability. Grid congestion costs electric customers billions of dollars a year, according to some reports. And because of the more diffuse nature of renewable power, getting it from where its produced to where its needed, as in the vast amount of wind power in the Great Plains, can require large, multi-state transmission lines. Families and businesses are paying the price for utilities and grid operators failure to address our critical electricity infrastructure needs, said Heather ONeill, president and CEO at national clean power business association Advanced Energy United. Building more multi-state transmission lines unclogs the traffic jams on Americas electricity superhighways and unlocks our ability to keep up with our growing energy needs. Justin Vickers, a senior attorney for the Sierra Club, said the rule appears to be firmly within FERCs jurisdiction, despite Christies concerns to the contrary. I think the commission is on very strong footing here, he said. This is a way of maximizing the benefits of living in a big country. We can send power around the country. It increases reliability and it lowers price. Thats the benefit of having a big grid. .. Lets take advantage of it. The Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned utilities, said it was disappointed that FERC declined to include a right of first refusal policy for some transmission projects, which would have given their members first crack at some of the lines. The organization also said the rule lacked regional flexibilities for evaluating project benefits. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work, as different regions have different needs and different states have different policies, said Phil Moeller, an executive vice president at the institute. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post New federal rule will overhaul transmission planning as electric grid strains appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal. Electric power lines are seen attached to transmission towers on Sept. 28, 2023, in the Everglades, Florida. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday issued a long-awaited overhaul of how regional electric transmission lines are planned and paid for. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) A divided Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday issued a long-awaited overhaul of how regional electric transmission lines are planned and paid for, a move cheered by clean power groups but blasted by a conservative commissioner who said it was driven by special interests and exceeds the commissions authority. The commissions final rule on transmission planning and cost allocation, intended to prod utilities and grid operators across the country into more forward-looking, comprehensive and cost-effective planning of large electric transmission lines and better account for the broad benefits those wires provide, was nearly three years in the making. It passed on a 2-1 vote, with the commissions two Democratic appointees voting yes and the lone Republican opposed. This rule cannot come fast enough. There is an urgent need to act to ensure the reliability and the affordability of our grid. FERC Chairman Willie Phillips FERC Chairman Willie Phillips said an aging grid, increasing severe weather, demand growth from new manufacturing, data centers and increasing electrification as well as a changing generation mix all threaten reliability at a time when construction of the high voltage transmission lines that help get power to where its needed has slumped to a record low. This rule cannot come fast enough. There is an urgent need to act to ensure the reliability and the affordability of our grid, Phillips said. We simply will not be able to address these converging challenges and continue to supply the reliable, abundant and affordable power the American people depend on without taking a clear-eyed, long term, forward-looking approach to transmission planning. But Commissioner Mark Christie, a conservative former Virginia utility commissioner, vehemently dissented to the rule, calling it a pretext to enact a sweeping policy agenda that Congress never passed and one that will facilitate a massive transfer of wealth from consumers to for-profit special interests. Christie has long opposed transmission cost allocation schemes that he claimed would force customers in some states to pay for the pro-renewable policies of their neighbors. I was perfectly prepared to vote for this final rule if it were a bipartisan compromise, if it preserved the state role that everyone sitting up here voted for two years ago, he said. The genie and the bottle The sprawling rule requires transmission operators to conduct transmission planning at least every five years, looking out along a 20-year horizon using best available data to develop well-informed projections of needs, according to a staff presentation. To identify those transmission needs, providers need to consider state laws and regulations, utility planning documents, fuel cost trends, power plant retirements, requests from developers looking to connect to the grid as well as policy goals and corporate commitments. They also must consider grid-enhancing technologies, a suite of potentially cost-saving tools common in other countries that have been slow to take root in the U.S., despite years of prodding from advocates, as well as identifying opportunities to upgrade existing lines their capabilities, called right-sizing. Transmission providers, including utilities and the organizations that manage the grid in much of the country, are also required to use a list of seven economic and reliability benefits as they evaluate and select long-term regional transmission projects as well as establish an evaluation process with transparent selection criteria that are not unduly discriminatory or preferential, aim to ensure that more efficient or cost-effective long-term regional transmission facilities are selected and seek to maximize benefits accounting for costs over time without over-building transmission facilities. Christie criticized those mandated inputs and said states have no ability to consent to those criteria. A major big problem FERC is trying to fix is that even as construction of large transmission projects has nearly ground to a halt, utilities in many parts of the countries are on a building spree of smaller potentially duplicative and inefficient projects that are easier to get approved and paid for, increasing customer bills. The absence of this type of regional transmission planning is resulting in piecemeal transmission expansion that addresses relatively near-term transmission needs, the staff presentation reads. The status quo approach results in transmission providers investing in relatively inefficient or less cost-effective transmission infrastructure, with the costs ultimately recovered through commission-jurisdictional rates. This dynamic results in, among other things, transmission customers paying more than is necessary or appropriate to meet their transmission needs, and customers missing out on benefits that outweigh their costs, which results in less efficient or cost-effective transmission investments. For example, proponents of the new rule point to hundreds of millions of dollars in transmission costs that will result from the closure of a Maryland power plant in the region overseen by PJM Interconnection, the nations largest grid operator, as an example of poor planning. It is hard to imagine the region could not have found a more cost- effective solution had it begun planning for that retirement along with other anticipated shifts further ahead of time, said Democratic Commissioner Allison Clements, who took Christie to task over his dissent. She said he was pushing the commission to take a fraught voyage to decide which public policies are appropriate for creating transmission demands. All transmission needs are inherently influenced by state policies of all stripes, she said. The truth is that enormous sums of money are going to be spent on transmission investment regardless of whether or not its done within the framework of this new rule. She argued that the new rule will protect customers from the pricey, fits-and-starts transmission buildout happening in much of the nation now. Not everything is about politics, she said. It is not the commissions job to try and force the genie that is the energy transition back in the bottle. It is our legal responsibility to protect consumers in light of whatever is going on in the world around us. Neil Chatterjee, a Republican former FERC chairman, posted on X that he would have voted for the rule if he was still on the commission. Todays @ferc rule was voted out 2-1 but that does NOT mean its a partisan rule making, he wrote. Had I authored this rule as chair would it have looked exactly like this? Of course not. But it would have been in the range. Regulatory rule making is hard. Benefit of having a big grid Competitive transmission providers and clean energy groups were celebrating Monday. Organizations ranging from the American Council on Renewable Energy and the National Audubon Society to the Conservative Energy Network and Americans for a Clean Energy Grid issued statements applauding the order. Some renewable power organizations had privately wondered whether a drive for a unanimous vote might produce a more watered-down rule to get Christie onboard. That might have left states with big renewable power goals paying for all the transmission costs necessary to accommodate them, as New Jersey is doing for its planned offshore wind buildout, even though that power generation could mean cheaper, cleaner electricity for its neighbors, also, along with other benefits. The U.S. Department of Energy has found a pressing need for new transmission infrastructure across the country to alleviate congestion and improve reliability. Grid congestion costs electric customers billions of dollars a year, according to some reports. And because of the more diffuse nature of renewable power, getting it from where its produced to where its needed, as in the vast amount of wind power in the Great Plains, can require large, multi-state transmission lines. Families and businesses are paying the price for utilities and grid operators failure to address our critical electricity infrastructure needs, said Heather ONeill, president and CEO at national clean power business association Advanced Energy United. Building more multi-state transmission lines unclogs the traffic jams on Americas electricity superhighways and unlocks our ability to keep up with our growing energy needs. Justin Vickers, a senior attorney for the Sierra Club, said the rule appears to be firmly within FERCs jurisdiction, despite Christies concerns to the contrary. I think the commission is on very strong footing here, he said. This is a way of maximizing the benefits of living in a big country. We can send power around the country. It increases reliability and it lowers price. Thats the benefit of having a big grid. .. Lets take advantage of it. The Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned utilities, said it was disappointed that FERC declined to include a right of first refusal policy for some transmission projects, which would have given their members first crack at some of the lines. The organization also said the rule lacked regional flexibilities for evaluating project benefits. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work, as different regions have different needs and different states have different policies, said Phil Moeller, an executive vice president at the institute. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post New federal rule will overhaul transmission planning as electric grid strains appeared first on Virginia Mercury. FERC's chairman said construction of the high voltage transmission lines that help get power to where its needed has slumped to a record low. (Photo: Getty Images) Policy, politics and progressive commentary A divided Federal Energy Regulatory Commission this week issued a long-awaited overhaul of how regional electric transmission lines are planned and paid for, a move cheered by clean power groups but blasted by a conservative commissioner who said it was driven by special interests and exceeds the commissions authority. The commissions final rule on transmission planning and cost allocation, intended to prod utilities and grid operators across the country into more forward-looking, comprehensive and cost-effective planning of large electric transmission lines and better account for the broad benefits those wires provide, was nearly three years in the making. It passed on a 2-1 vote, with the commissions two Democratic appointees voting yes and the lone Republican opposed. FERC Chairman Willie Phillips said an aging grid, increasing severe weather, demand growth from new manufacturing, data centers and increasing electrification as well as a changing generation mix all threaten reliability at a time when construction of the high voltage transmission lines that help get power to where its needed has slumped to a record low. This rule cannot come fast enough. There is an urgent need to act to ensure the reliability and the affordability of our grid, Phillips said. We simply will not be able to address these converging challenges and continue to supply the reliable, abundant and affordable power the American people depend on without taking a clear-eyed, long term, forward-looking approach to transmission planning. But Commissioner Mark Christie, a conservative former Virginia utility commissioner, vehemently dissented to the rule, calling it a pretext to enact a sweeping policy agenda that Congress never passed and one that will facilitate a massive transfer of wealth from consumers to for-profit special interests. Christie has long opposed transmission cost allocation schemes that he claimed would force customers in some states to pay for the pro-renewable policies of their neighbors. I was perfectly prepared to vote for this final rule if it were a bipartisan compromise, if it preserved the state role that everyone sitting up here voted for two years ago, he said. The genie and the bottle The sprawling rule requires transmission operators to conduct transmission planning at least every five years, looking out along a 20-year horizon using best available data to develop well-informed projections of needs, according to a staff presentation. To identify those transmission needs, providers need to consider state laws and regulations, utility planning documents, fuel cost trends, power plant retirements, requests from developers looking to connect to the grid as well as policy goals and corporate commitments. They also must consider grid-enhancing technologies, a suite of potentially cost-saving tools common in other countries that have been slow to take root in the U.S., despite years of prodding from advocates, as well as identifying opportunities to upgrade existing lines, called right-sizing. Transmission providers, including utilities and the organizations that manage the grid in much of the country, are also required to use a list of seven economic and reliability benefits as they evaluate and select long-term regional transmission projects as well as establish an evaluation process with transparent selection criteria that are not unduly discriminatory or preferential, aim to ensure that more efficient or cost-effective long-term regional transmission facilities are selected and seek to maximize benefits accounting for costs over time without over-building transmission facilities. Christie criticized those mandated inputs and said states have no ability to consent to those criteria. A major big problem FERC is trying to fix is that even as construction of large transmission projects has nearly ground to a halt, utilities in many parts of the countries are on a building spree of smaller potentially duplicative and inefficient projects that are easier to get approved and paid for, increasing customer bills. The absence of this type of regional transmission planning is resulting in piecemeal transmission expansion that addresses relatively near-term transmission needs, the staff presentation reads. The status quo approach results in transmission providers investing in relatively inefficient or less cost-effective transmission infrastructure, with the costs ultimately recovered through commission-jurisdictional rates. This dynamic results in, among other things, transmission customers paying more than is necessary or appropriate to meet their transmission needs, and customers missing out on benefits that outweigh their costs, which results in less efficient or cost-effective transmission investments. For example, proponents of the new rule point to hundreds of millions of dollars in transmission costs that will result from the closure of a Maryland power plant in the region overseen by PJM Interconnection, the nations largest grid operator, as an example of poor planning. It is hard to imagine the region could not have found a more cost- effective solution had it begun planning for that retirement along with other anticipated shifts further ahead of time, said Democratic Commissioner Allison Clements, who took Christie to task over his dissent. She said he was pushing the commission to take a fraught voyage to decide which public policies are appropriate for creating transmission demands. All transmission needs are inherently influenced by state policies of all stripes, she said. The truth is that enormous sums of money are going to be spent on transmission investment regardless of whether or not its done within the framework of this new rule. She argued that the new rule will protect customers from the pricey, fits-and-starts transmission buildout happening in much of the nation now. Not everything is about politics, she said. It is not the commissions job to try and force the genie that is the energy transition back in the bottle. It is our legal responsibility to protect consumers in light of whatever is going on in the world around us. Neil Chatterjee, a Republican former FERC chairman, posted on X that he would have voted for the rule if he was still on the commission. Todays @ferc rule was voted out 2-1 but that does NOT mean its a partisan rule making, he wrote. Had I authored this rule as chair would it have looked exactly like this? Of course not. But it would have been in the range. Regulatory rule making is hard. Benefit of having a big grid Competitive transmission providers and clean energy groups were celebrating Monday. Organizations ranging from the American Council on Renewable Energy and the National Audubon Society to the Conservative Energy Network and Americans for a Clean Energy Grid issued statements applauding the order. Some renewable power organizations had privately wondered whether a drive for a unanimous vote might produce a more watered-down rule to get Christie onboard. That might have left states with big renewable power goals paying for all the transmission costs necessary to accommodate them, as New Jersey is doing for its planned offshore wind buildout, even though that power generation could mean cheaper, cleaner electricity for its neighbors, also, along with other benefits. The U.S. Department of Energy has found a pressing need for new transmission infrastructure across the country to alleviate congestion and improve reliability. Grid congestion costs electric customers billions of dollars a year, according to some reports. And because of the more diffuse nature of renewable power, getting it from where its produced to where its needed, as in the vast amount of wind power in the Great Plains, can require large, multi-state transmission lines. Families and businesses are paying the price for utilities and grid operators failure to address our critical electricity infrastructure needs, said Heather ONeill, president and CEO at national clean power business association Advanced Energy United. Building more multi-state transmission lines unclogs the traffic jams on Americas electricity superhighways and unlocks our ability to keep up with our growing energy needs. Justin Vickers, a senior attorney for the Sierra Club, said the rule appears to be firmly within FERCs jurisdiction, despite Christies concerns to the contrary. I think the commission is on very strong footing here, he said. This is a way of maximizing the benefits of living in a big country. We can send power around the country. It increases reliability and it lowers price. Thats the benefit of having a big grid. .. Lets take advantage of it. The Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned utilities, said it was disappointed that FERC declined to include a right of first refusal policy for some transmission projects, which would have given their members first crack at some of the lines. The organization also said the rule lacked regional flexibilities for evaluating project benefits. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work, as different regions have different needs and different states have different policies, said Phil Moeller, an executive vice president at the institute. The post New federal rule will overhaul transmission planning as electric grid strains appeared first on Nevada Current. KYODO NEWS - May 15, 2024 - 18:23 | All, World, Japan, Travel/Tourism The number of foreign visitors to Japan totaled over 3.04 million in April, up 56.1 percent from a year earlier and exceeding the 3 million mark for the second consecutive month, amid the weak yen, government data showed Wednesday. It was the second-highest monthly figure on record after 3.08 million recorded in March, and the cumulative number of visitors between January and April stood at around 11.6 million, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. If inbound tourist arrivals continue at their current pace, the figure for 2024 could surpass the annual record of 31.88 million logged in 2019, before the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country. "Inbound tourism demand tends to grow during the cherry blossom season," a government agency official said about the April trend. Notably, travelers from Southeast Asia and the Middle East increased as the month coincided with the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan this year, the organization said. The largest number of travelers came from South Korea at 661,200, up 16.7 percent from the pre-pandemic level in 2019, followed by those from China at 533,600, down 26.5 percent, and Taiwan at 459,700, up 13.9 percent, according to the organization's preliminary data. Visitors from Indonesia, with a sizeable Muslim population, rose 57.2 percent from 2019 to 62,500, while those from the Middle East jumped 73.8 percent to 23,200, according to the data. Japan hopes to become a tourism-oriented country, attracting 60 million foreign visitors annually by 2030. The number of Japanese traveling overseas in the reporting month soared 58.7 percent from a year earlier to 888,800 but was still down 46.7 percent compared with 2019. Related coverage: Foreigner hotel stays in Japan surges 68% to record high in March Japan to limit No. of asylum claims one can make to speed up deportations Record 3.4 million foreign residents in Japan as work visas rise Plaintiffs have dropped a federal lawsuit challenging how the state carried out a 2018 constitutional amendment aimed at restoring voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences. The lawsuit, filed in July by the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and individual plaintiffs, described a bureaucratic morass encountered by felons trying to find out if they were eligible to vote. State and local election officials asked Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga to dismiss the case, which was filed in Miami. The parties engaged in mediation on May 6. Florida Department of State officials on Friday published an announcement saying they intend to hold a rule-development workshop to update the process for felons to seek what are known as advisory opinions about their voting eligibility. Read: Coalition files lawsuit over state election system impacting felons right to vote The yet-to-be-developed rules may render plaintiffs claims moot, mediator Michael Hanzman wrote in a report filed Monday. Plaintiffs have therefore decided to voluntarily dismiss their case without prejudice and may re-file their case if the rulemaking, or subsequent implementation of any adopted rule, fails to alleviate their concerns, he added. The workshop. slated for June 11 in Tallahassee, also will address creating a form for felon advisory opinions, according to the announcement. Read: Trial over Florida Medicaid class-action lawsuit delayed Confusion about eligibility stems from a controversial 2019 law that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature approved to carry out the constitutional amendment, which said voting rights would be restored upon completion of all terms of their sentence including parole or probation. The 2019 law required felons to pay legal financial obligations fees, fines and other court costs associated with their convictions before they could be eligible to vote. Neil Volz, deputy director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, told The News Service of Florida on Tuesday that the lawsuit resulted in action that we hope will provide a better process for people to engage, noting that the group left open the possibility of reviving the case. Read: Orange County and school leaders addressing safety concerns at troubled intersection Lawmakers at DeSantis behest in 2022 created the Office of Elections Crimes and Security. Since then, more than two-dozen people have been arrested for voting illegally. Many of the people who were arrested maintained that they were convicted felons who believed they were eligible to vote and were provided voter-registration cards by elections officials. Were focused on rolling up our sleeves and getting to work to try and make sure that these next steps can be helpful, so that we dont see folks getting arrested, and we see people engaging in self government and living up to the promise of Amendment 4, Volz said. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Editor's note: This story was adapted from an article published in the Journal Sentinel's Green Sheet in May 2017. Sixty years ago, to demonstrate the impact of segregation in Milwaukee, civil rights activists took the city to school by taking students out of school. Frustrated by a lack of action from Milwaukee Public Schools in addressing de facto segregation in the city's schools and the corresponding lack of support for schools in the city's predominantly Black neighborhoods members of the Wisconsin conference of the NAACP, the Congress of Racial Equality, and the Near Northside Nonpartisan Conference formed the Milwaukee United School Integration Committee, or MUSIC, on March 1, 1964. Organizers Lloyd Barbee (from left), Theodore Mack and Thomas Jacobson discuss plans for a Milwaukee Public Schools boycott March 1, 1964, at St. Mark AME Church, 1876 N. 11th St. With state representative, lawyer and activist Lloyd Barbee as chairman, MUSIC planned a one-day school boycott to protest the School Board's inaction on integration and set a date, May 18 10 years and one day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, in Brown v. Board of Education, that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. The morning of May 18, the MUSIC boycott sent pickets to 12 MPS schools. In their place, boycott organizers held "freedom schools" at 26 neighborhood churches and centers. Comedian-activist Dick Gregory joins the Milwaukee fight Among those joining the MUSIC campaign: Dick Gregory, one of America's leading topical comedians and an activist on the front line of civil rights efforts nationwide. Gregory, who had flown to Milwaukee from a tour stop in Seattle, joined pickets outside MPS' administration building at 5225 W. Vliet St. "What you do here," The Milwaukee Journal quoted him as saying in a May 18, 1964, story, "will help in Chicago, and from one end of the country to the other, and all over the world. The great thing about this is not Black against white, it is right against wrong." From Vliet Street, Gregory went to a freedom school at Christ Presbyterian Church, 1729 W. Walnut St., where he urged about 200 teenagers to stay involved and stay nonviolent. Comedian Dick Gregory speaks to youngsters and civil rights leaders at a freedom school at Christ Presbyterian Church, 1729 W. Walnut St., on May 18, 1964. The students boycotted MPS to protest segregation in Black neighborhoods in Milwaukee. Gregory was scheduled to appear at four schools that morning because he had to catch a plane at noon to get to a civil rights rally that night in Flint, Michigan, the Milwaukee Sentinel reported. But Gregory couldn't "turn it off." The comedian-activist wound up talking to students at seven stops, including the Elks Club No. 1115, 2708 N. Third St. (now King Drive), and St. Matthew Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 2944 N. Ninth St. He missed his plane. Youngsters file into St. Matthew Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 2944 N. Ninth St., for freedom classes held for students boycotting Milwaukee Public Schools on May 18, 1964. The one-day boycott was a protest against segregated schools in Black neighborhoods. MUSIC boycott was the first in a series of fights against segregated schools MPS estimated that, in all, 11,500 pupils took part in the boycott; organizers put the number at closer to 15,000, about 60% of the district's Black students. Garfield Park is filled with students and community members celebrating the success of a one-day boycott of Milwaukee Public Schools, replaced with "freedom schools" at sites around the city on May 18, 1964. The post-school-day "hootenanny" was so popular it had to be moved to Garfield Park. The Sentinel reported on May 20, 1964, that schools on the city's north side were "back to normal" the day after the boycott. A second MUSIC-led boycott, in October 1965, lasted 3.5 days; Gregory returned for the 1965 boycott, and he came back two years later for several of the 200 days of protest marches calling for open housing in Milwaukee. In 1965, Barbee filed a lawsuit in federal court to force the city's schools to integrate; the court finally ruled in his favor in 1976, forcing Milwaukee schools to take steps to desegregate. Bessie Jones, a teacher at North Division High School, sits in an empty classroom on May 18, 1964, the day of the boycott in Milwaukee called by civil rights leaders to protest de facto segregation in public schools. What is From the Archives? Each week, From the Archives dips into the files of The Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee Sentinel and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to retell stories about memorable places, people and moments from years past. The stories will often include an array of additional photos online. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Activists set up 'freedom schools' in Milwaukee to fight segregation Displaced Palestinians, who fled their house due to Israel's military offensive, sit outside their tent, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip Displaced Palestinians, who fled their house due to Israel's military offensive, sit outside their tent, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - Gun battles between Israel and militants from Hamas, Islamic Jihad and smaller Palestinian factions intensified overnight into some of the fiercest in months in both northern and southern Gaza, both sides said on Wednesday. Israeli tanks reached densely populated neighborhoods and narrow alleyways of the militant stronghold of Jabalia in the northeast, facing heavy resistance. Residents said the army destroyed clusters of homes there in areas where they had not invaded before. The armed wing of Hamas ally Islamic Jihad said its militants killed and wounded Israeli foot soldiers during fierce clashes in eastern Jabalia, the biggest of eight refugee camps built in Gaza after the 1948 Middle East Arab-Israeli war. "The invaders are trying to destroy the camp. They are bombing houses on top of their inhabitants. We know of many families being trapped inside their homes," said Abu Jehad, a resident of the camp who gave a nickname, fearing reprisals. The Israeli military said it had begun an operation overnight against "terrorist operatives and infrastructure" in the centre of Jabalia. "Over the past day, IDF troops in the area have engaged in intense battles with dozens of terrorist cells and eliminated a large number of terrorists," a statement said, including some it said had fired towards the Israeli city of Sderot on Tuesday. Gaza's Civil Emergency Service and health ministry said rescue teams have been unable to reach areas where the army was operating to respond to calls for help. Abu Jehad said the militants were putting up a fierce fight. "Our fighters are teaching painful lessons, we hear the explosions, yes they have planes and tanks but our fighters are defending Jabalia, the cradle of the revolution as it has always been known," he told Reuters via a chat app. In Rafah - the city in southernmost Gaza where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering from fighting elsewhere, troops continued to operate in the eastern Al-Salam and Jeneina neighbourhoods and also in southeast, residents said. They said troops and tanks were trying to move towards the center of Rafah but were being met with heavy resistance from Hamas-led gunmen. Israel said its troops began targeting a Hamas training compound in eastern Rafah, killing militants in close-quarters combat and finding large amounts of weapons and equipment intended to simulate that of the Israeli defence forces. It said earlier that a soldier had been killed in combat in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday. A reporter for public broadcaster Kan said this was the first military fatality in Rafah since the start of the ground operation there last week. Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate parts of Rafah, and UNRWA, the main United Nations aid agency in Gaza, estimates some 450,000 people have fled the city since May 6. More than a million civilians had sought refuge there. They are moving to places such as Al-Mawasi, a sandy coastal area that aid agencies say lacks sanitary and other facilities to host displaced people. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Wednesday that families were being forcibly displaced again by Israeli forces evacuation orders and enhancing military operations. "Despite catastrophic humanitarian needs, access restrictions and lack of safe passage obstruct efforts of humanitarian organisations to reach people across the Gaza Strip," the agency said on X. (Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; additional reporting by Henriette Chacar, Clauda Tanios and Ari Rabinovitch; editing by Philippa Fletcher) SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A fire broke out at a Kearny Mesa dealerships service center Wednesday afternoon after a car erupted in flames, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue. The fire was reported at the Volvo dealership on 5350 Kearny Mesa Rd. just after 2 p.m. Heavy smoke could be seen by motorists from State Route 163. According to Battalion Chief Mark Reece, the fire originated from an electric vehicle in the dealerships service center. When crews arrived on scene, flames fully involved the vehicle and had started to extend to a neighboring car in the service bay. Throw out COVID-19 tests made by San Diego company, FDA warns Crews were quickly able to extinguish the fire, before significant damage was sustained by the second vehicle and the building, Reece added. However, the vehicle where the fire originated was a total loss. No injuries to crews or people at the Volvo dealership when it broke out were reported. The building was evacuated out of an abundance of caution, according to SDFD. Fire crews respond to a vehicle fire at a Kearny Mesa dealership on May 15, 2024. (FOX 5/KUSI) A fire broke out at a Kearny Mesa dealerships service center Wednesday afternoon after a car erupted in flames, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue. (KSWB/KUSI) A fire broke out at a Kearny Mesa dealerships service center Wednesday afternoon after a car erupted in flames, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue. (KSWB/KUSI) Fire crews respond to a vehicle fire at a Kearny Mesa dealership on May 15, 2024. (FOX 5/KUSI) Fire crews respond to a vehicle fire at a Kearny Mesa dealership on May 15, 2024. (FOX 5/KUSI) What caused the fire to break out remains under investigation by crews. Reece said the car was not charging at the time, which is typically what leads to fires started by electric devices. Just be cautious with any electric vehicles, scooters or bikes, he noted. If you can, charge them outside thats always a best practice. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. TOPEKA (KSNT) A firefighter was injured after responding to a house fire in central Topeka on Wednesday morning. At 11 a.m. Thursday, crews responded to reports of a house fire in the 700 block of Southwest Clay Street. When crews arrived, they found a home with smoke and fire coming from a two-story home, according to a news release from the Topeka Fire Department. While working the fire, the firefighter fell through the floor and needed to be treated on scene for minor injuries. Crews were able to extinguish the fire. The incident is still under investigation. A city spokeswoman said more information would be provided as the investigation develops. Crews battle house fire Wednesday morning in Topeka 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. UPDATE: Home destroyed, family displaced, after catching fire twice in Preble County UPDATE @ 8:36 a.m. A family is displaced and a house is considered a total loss after catching fire twice in Preble County. >>RELATED: Home damaged by fire in Preble County Gasper Township firefighters were dispatched twice to the 200 block of Norseman Avenue Tuesday night and Wednesday night after the same house caught fire. Medics transported a firefighter to the hospital for smoke inhalation but has since been released. No other injuries were reported, a Gasper Township fire spokesperson told News Center 7. The department said that Camden Somers-Township Fire and EMS, Eaton Fire and EMS, and West Alexandria Fire Department provided mutual aid. The home is considered a total loss and one large family has been displaced, a spokesperson said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. -INITIAL STORY- Firefighters responded to two house fires in Preble County Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. >>RELATED: Home damaged by fire in Preble County Gasper Township firefighters responded to the first fire at the 200 block of Norseman Avenue late Tuesday night, according to a social media post. Camden Somers-Township and Eaton Fire departments also responded to the scene Tuesday night. Crews were able to gain control of the situation and worked together to quickly extinguish the flames, Gasper Township Fire & EMS said. There were no reports of any injuries. >>RELATED: Firefighters respond to house fire in Preble County Firefighters were dispatched to a second fire on the 200 block of Norseman Avenue at around 3:15 a.m. early Wednesday morning, Preble County dispatchers told News Center 7. The house was full of flames. We are working to learn if both these fires are related to each other. News Center 7 will provide updates on this story. Firefighters respond to business fire in Springfield Several firefighters have responded to a business fire in Springfield early Wednesday morning. >>Firefighters respond to 2 separate house fires in Preble County Springfield firefighters were dispatched at 5:38 a.m. to 2 W. Leffel Lane near the intersection of S. Limestone Street on initial reports of a structure fire. Officers were also requested for traffic control, a Springfield Police lieutenant told News Center 7. Initial scanner traffic indicated that firefighters reported seeing heavy smoke on the left side of the building when they arrived at the scene. We will continue to provide updates on this story. First Lady, Second Gentleman to visit Michigan this weekend LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will be making a whirlwind swing through Michigan May 16-18. Biden and Emhoff will arrive in the state Thursday afternoon at Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport in Gwinn, Mich. They will travel to Marquette to speak at a political event. From Marquette the duo will travel to Chippewa County International Airport in Kincheloe, Mich. From the airport the spouses will travel to an event to provide remarks to the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. First Lady Jill Biden listens as Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, speaks during an event about reproductive rights in Washington, Friday, June 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) On Friday, May 17, the two will participate in a listening session about health care with community members from the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Following that event they will tour the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. From Sault Ste. Marie, they will travel to MBS International Airport in Freeland, Mich. From there, they will speak at a political event in Midland, Mich. They will end the day in Detroit and offer remarks on Saturday, May 18 at a political event. Michigan is a swing state in the upcoming Presidential contest. The latest polls from the New York Times show Biden trailing Republican and former President Donald Trump in Michigan. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) is projected to win her Republican primary, according to Decision Desk HQ. Fischer is running for a third term in the upper chamber, and easily sailed through the GOP contest against farmer Arron Kowalski. No Democrat is running against the Nebraska Republican but independent candidate Dan Osborn, a former labor union leader, is eyeing to take her on in the fall. There are also two candidates running under the Legal Marijuana Now Party who are battling each other in the primary to take on Fischer in the general. Political strategists say its an uphill climb for Osborn given Fischers approval within the state and the headwinds of running as a nonpartisan. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Fischers seat solid Republican. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. KYODO NEWS - May 15, 2024 - 13:37 | All, Japan A court rejected Wednesday a lawsuit seeking to block the restart of a nuclear reactor in western Japan due to safety concerns, dismissing the plaintiffs' claim that evacuation plans in the event of a natural disaster are inadequate. The decision by the Matsue branch of the Hiroshima High Court came ahead of the planned restart by Chugoku Electric Power Co. in December of the Shimane nuclear plant's No. 2 reactor, which is currently undergoing a safety inspection. "There are no specific risks of a major accident that may lead to a leak of an abnormal level of radiation beyond the premises of the plant," said Presiding Judge Yoshiki Matsutani. The No. 2 unit is a boiling water reactor identical to those at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, which was crippled in the wake of a massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. The unit is slated to become the second of its type to resume operation, following the planned restart in September of the No. 2 reactor at Tohoku Electric Power Co.'s Onagawa plant in Miyagi Prefecture. Some of the plaintiffs came out of the court at around 10 a.m. and held banners saying "The judiciary abandoned the residents" and "Our voices did not reach (them)." The plaintiffs from Shimane and Tottori prefectures had claimed that the utility's safety measures to deal with natural disasters, such as a major earthquake or a volcanic eruption at Mt. Sanbe, are inadequate. They also argued that the evacuation plans drawn up by the government and municipalities fail to take into account factors such as collapsed homes or disruption to road networks in the event of a disaster, as seen in the Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year's Day. Following the ruling, Chugoku Electric Power released a statement describing the decision as "reasonable" and vowing that the utility will continue to prioritize and ensure safety. The utility had argued that the reactor is safe, saying there would be no immediate issues in the event of a quake that is more powerful than that envisaged in its contingency plan and the possibility of a major eruption at the volcano is low. The power company had planned to restart the reactor in August this year but pushed the date back to December due to delays in implementing its safety measures. The reactor had been cleared to restart after passing an inspection by the Nuclear Regulation Authority in September 2021. The Shimane nuclear plant is the only one in Japan located in a prefectural capital. About 450,000 people across six municipalities in the two prefectures live within a 30-kilometer radius of the plant, a zone that must be covered by central and local government evacuation plans for natural disasters. The high court decision came after the Matsue District Court in 2010 ruled against the plaintiffs. Related coverage: Nuclear waste site survey to go ahead in southwestern Japan town Japan completes 5th round of Fukushima treated water discharge Gate area at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the closest of three large international airports to Washington, D.C. (Carol Highsmith/Library of Congress) The U.S. House voted 387-26 Wednesday to clear a bill to reauthorize $105 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration for the next five years and to finalize a hotly debated deal adding flights at busy Washington Reagan National Airport. Advocates for the bill, which won votes from every ideological corner of the often-divided House, touted its aviation safety and consumer provisions. The House vote sends the measure to President Joe Bidens desk ahead of a Friday deadline. The Senate approved the legislation last week. The only member to speak against the bill during floor debate Tuesday was Virginias Don Beyer, a Democrat who, like the entire U.S. Senate delegation from Maryland and Virginia, opposed a provision to add five incoming and five outgoing flights at Washington Reagan National Airport across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The bill: Increases funding for the Airport Improvement Program that funds infrastructure improvements at airports of all sizes across the country. Requires the agency to hire more air traffic controllers. Updates the aircraft safety certification process. Requires airlines to automatically refund passengers on flights delayed three hours or longer, among many other provisions in its more than 1,000 pages. Missouri congressman could not be more proud The bills passage was something of a career capstone for House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican and one of the few pilots in Congress. Ive served in this House for more than 23 years and Ive been looking forward to passing an FAA bill as chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for a long time, he said on the floor Tuesday. This is the kind of bill that a chairman only gets to do once in their career and I could not be more proud of the final product that we put together. Graves is in his third term as the top Republican on the committee and, under House GOP rules, he cannot seek another, though he can ask party leaders to waive that rule. He highlighted protections in the bill for general aviation, a term that can apply to all non-commercial and non-military flights. Rep. Rick Larsen, the ranking Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, applauded several provisions in the bill, including the Airport Improvement Program funding, which he said could be used for alternative-fuel infrastructure and to mitigate noise and other harmful effects of airports in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The bill also creates a program to help airports replace firefighting foam made with PFAS, or forever chemicals; funds workforce development grants; and bans airlines from charging families to sit together, the Washington Democrat said. The bill cements a safer, cleaner, greener, more innovative and accessible future for U.S. aviation, Larsen said. DCA flights Six no votes in the House came from members from Virginia who opposed a provision adding flights to Washington National, also called DCA. The states congressional delegation, along with Marylands U.S. senators, has said the airport already strains to safely handle the traffic it currently operates. Adding flights will only worsen the safety environment, they said. Im deeply concerned about the provisions that would aggravate dangerous conditions at National Airport, Beyer said Tuesday. I cannot support a bill that hurts my constituents, disrespects all the elected leaders from Virginia, Maryland and D.C., and directly harms our airport and the passengers who use it. Members from outside the capital region argued the additional flights would be a positive. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Georgia Democrat, said they would add connectivity and economic expansion. Rep. Burgess Owens, a Utah Republican, also applauded the extra flights. This legislation (was) designed not for one airport and one airline, but for all of us, he said. It gives more convenience, more opportunities to families traveling into Washington, D.C. The five new routes have not been selected, but some members, including Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican who is the ranking member on the Senate committee that oversees aviation, have speculated that San Antonio could be one beneficiary. Research from Min-Seok Pang, a professor at Temple Universitys Fox School of Business in Philadelphia, Russell J. Funk, a professor at the University of Minnesotas Carlson School of Management, and Daniel Hirschman, a sociology professor at Cornell University, found that the U.S. House district represented by the chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee sees more commercial aviation service. The data show transportation committee chairs saw flights to their districts increase by more than 5% on average from 1990 to 2019. Airlines also increased direct service to Washington from a chairs district, the analysis, which was published last year in the academic journal Organization Science, showed. The numbers generally reverted to normal after the chairs term. The post Five-year FAA bill clears U.S. House, boosting flights into Washington, D.C. appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. Gate area at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the closest of three large international airports to, Washington, D.C. (Photo by Carol Highsmith/Library of Congress) Gate area at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the closest of three large international airports to, Washington, D.C. (Photo by Carol Highsmith/Library of Congress) The U.S. House voted 387-26 Wednesday to clear a bill to reauthorize $105 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration for the next five years and to finalize a hotly debated deal adding flights at busy Washington Reagan National Airport. Advocates for the bill, which won votes from every ideological corner of the often-divided House, touted its aviation safety and consumer provisions. The House vote sends the measure to President Joe Bidens desk ahead of a Friday deadline. The Senate approved the legislation last week. The only member to speak against the bill during floor debate Tuesday was Virginias Don Beyer, a Democrat who, like the entire U.S. Senate delegation from Maryland and Virginia, opposed a provision to add five incoming and five outgoing flights at Washington Reagan National Airport across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The bill: Increases funding for the Airport Improvement Program that funds infrastructure improvements at airports of all sizes across the country; Requires the agency to hire more air traffic controllers; Updates the aircraft safety certification process; and Requires airlines to automatically refund passengers on flights delayed three hours or longer, among many other provisions in its more than 1,000 pages. SD Rep. Johnson misses vote but expresses support South Dakota Republican Dusty Johnson was listed as not voting on the roll call for the FAA bill. In an interview with South Dakota Searchlight, Johnson said he was busy talking on the floor and missed the vote. Im about as embarrassed as I can be, he said. This happens about once a year, but its always a little embarrassing when it does. Johnson said he was filing paperwork with the House to show that he would have voted yes. He was supportive of the bill and said it included several of his priorities, including: Protecting Essential Air Service-designated airports from unnecessary costs, including airports in Watertown, Pierre and Aberdeen. Streamlining National Environmental Policy Act Reviews for FAA projects by encouraging the Department of Transportation to use cloud-based platforms for NEPA reviews to increase efficiency. Increasing flexibility for the Airport Improvement Program by increasing support for non- or small-hub airports. Temporarily increasing the federal cost share to 95% for non-hub/non-primary airports, such as Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Prioritizing replacement of FAA air traffic control towers at small-hub airports that are at least 50 years old, including Sioux Falls. Forming a working group to evaluate best practices for transporting donated organs in commercial aircrafts. Missouri congressman could not be more proud The bills passage was something of a career capstone for House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican and one of the few pilots in Congress. Ive served in this House for more than 23 years and Ive been looking forward to passing an FAA bill as chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for a long time, he said on the floor Tuesday. This is the kind of bill that a chairman only gets to do once in their career and I could not be more proud of the final product that we put together. Graves is in his third term as the top Republican on the committee and, under House GOP rules, cannot seek another, though he can ask party leaders to waive that rule. He highlighted protections in the bill for general aviation, a term that can apply to all non-commercial and non-military flights. Rep. Rick Larsen, the ranking Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, applauded several provisions in the bill, including the Airport Improvement Program funding, which he said could be used for alternative-fuel infrastructure and to mitigate noise and other harmful effects of airports in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The bill also creates a program to help airports replace firefighting foam made with PFAS, or forever chemicals, funds workforce development grants and bans airlines from charging families to sit together, the Washington Democrat said. The bill cements a safer, cleaner, greener, more innovative and accessible future for U.S. aviation, Larsen said. DCA flights Six no votes in the House came from members from Virginia who opposed a provision adding flights to Washington National, also called DCA. The states congressional delegation, along with Marylands U.S. senators, has said the airport already strains to safely handle the traffic it currently operates. Adding flights will only worsen the safety environment, they said. Im deeply concerned about the provisions that would aggravate dangerous conditions at National Airport, Beyer said Tuesday. I cannot support a bill that hurts my constituents, disrespects all the elected leaders from Virginia, Maryland and D.C., and directly harms our airport and the passengers who use it. Members from outside the capital region argued the additional flights would be a positive. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Georgia Democrat, said they would add connectivity and economic expansion. Rep. Burgess Owens, a Utah Republican, also applauded the extra flights. This legislation (was) designed not for one airport and one airline, but for all of us, he said. It gives more convenience, more opportunities to families traveling into Washington, D.C. The five new routes have not been selected but some members, including Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican who is the ranking member on the Senate committee that oversees aviation, have speculated that San Antonio could be one beneficiary. Research from Min-Seok Pang, a professor at Temple Universitys Fox School of Business in Philadelphia, Russell J. Funk, a professor at the University of Minnesotas Carlson School of Management, and Daniel Hirschman, a sociology professor at Cornell University, found that the U.S. House district represented by the chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee sees more commercial aviation service. The data show transportation committee chairs saw flights to their districts increase by more than 5% on average from 1990 to 2019. Airlines also increased direct service to Washington from a chairs district, the analysis, which was published last year in the academic journal Organization Science, showed. The numbers generally reverted to normal after the chairs term. The staff of South Dakota Searchlight contributed to this report. The post Five-year FAA bill clears U.S. House, boosting flights into Washington, D.C. appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. Families separated by the border were able to reunite in the middle of the Rio Grande for a 6-minute embrace during the 10th Hugs Not Walls event sponsored by Border Network for Human Rights. Luis Torres/ special for El Paso Times. Editors note: This column first appeared in the Dallas Morning News. Texas families and employers have an immigration problem its not just the one that the press keeps reporting on. Over 3 million U.S. citizens in Texas live with someone who is undocumented, such as a spouse or a parent. We also know that nearly two out of three undocumented Texans (64%) have been contributing to their communities here for more than a decade. They are critical to our economy and our competitiveness, paying $4 billion in taxes and wielding a spending power of $33.9 billion. Meanwhile, Texas employers are struggling to fill available jobs. The U.S. Chamber reports that for every 100 open jobs in Texas, there are only 80 available workers. Rep. Colin Allred candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas. Theres a simple, bipartisan solution thats a win-win for Texas families and our Texas economy. Since 2008, the federal government has extended work permits to spouses and children of U.S. military service members and veterans. Congress and the Biden administration should expand this opportunity to other American families. This simple fix could reunite families like the Avilas. Jorge and Daniela Avila have been married for 17 years. He and their children are U.S. citizens; she is a Mexican national. On the day of Danielas immigration interview, an immigration officer told her that she could not get a green card without first leaving the United States and waiting outside for 10 years. So they are now living in two different countries, according to reporting by Houston Landing. With a simple commonsense fix, Daniela could come home. Her family would get their mom back. And Texas would gain another available worker to contribute to our states economy. The right thing to do by Texas families is also the right thing to do by Texas businesses, and neither can afford to wait any longer. Allowing someone who has worked and paid taxes here for decades someone who is raising a family here to legally work, earn a living and help our economy is a boon for their family and for employers. Woody Hunt is senior chair of the board of directors of Hunt Companies. Thats why American business, labor, faith and community leaders are calling for this action, and why a poll conducted by Lake Research Partners shows broad and overwhelming enthusiasm for it. In fact, most voters believe the spouses of U.S. citizens already can legally work here. The crisis at our border is just one facet of a broken, polarized immigration system. The crisis in our workforce is another. We can both secure our border and enact immigration solutions that meet the needs of our economy and families. Congress should act on the bipartisan compromise negotiated in the Senate to do just that. Across the country, at least 5.5 million U.S. citizens under the age of 18, and 5.8 million adult U.S. citizens live with an undocumented spouse, parent or other loved one. These are already American families. They just need the federal government to let them live like families. Its good for our economy and reflects who we are as Americans and as Texans. U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas) represents Texas 32nd congressional district. He also is challenging U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in this year's general election. Woody Hunt is senior chair of the board of directors of Hunt Companies, vice chair of the Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development in El Paso and treasurer of the American Business Immigration Coalition. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas families and employers have an immigration problem Fixing No Fault advocates take to the Capitol LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Auto crash survivors and advocates gathered at the Capitol Wednesday calling for a fix to the states auto no-fault law. Advocates say assistance for those who have experienced catastrophic injuries in crashes needs to increase. The organizers call themselves We Cant Wait, and they think 2019 reforms to the states no-fault insurance programs need to be repealed, and the previous law restored. Linda and David St. Amant advocate for changes to Michigans insurance laws in reimbursing for care after an auto crash. (WLNS) Nearly 100 survivors and supporters were on hand to deliver a message to lawmakers. We are continuing to fight. Well be here until we get the resolution we need, says Linda St. Amant whose son David was injured in a crash. We are basically fighting for our lives. David was involved in a crash 21 years ago. Linda has been his primary caregiver since 2019. The shift came after she says caregivers received a 45% pay cut following insurance reforms. It caused us to go into debt to do what we had to do to take care of him, Linda tells 6 News. The St. Amant family joined with advocates in the group We Cant Wait, Wednesday to demand lawmakers take up a package of legislative bills that would increase the reimbursement rate for medical providers and lift a 56-hour cap on payments for family-provided care. We have provided a very simple fix, and that bill has passed the Senate and it passed in a bipartisan way, says Bob Mylnarek, owner of First Call Home Healthcare. And it Is being stalled in the House. The Insurance Alliance of Michigan estimates the legislation would raise costs for Michigan drivers by at least $1.2 billion a year. The price tag may cause a pause for some lawmakers, but for the St. Amant family, it would be a life preserver and rescue them from their current situation. What you had was working, Linda says. Why fix what isnt broken? During the House session on Wednesday, the legislation was not brought up. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. On May 15, peace officers nationally will hold remembrance events as part of Peace Officers Memorial Day. President Joe Biden signed a proclamation on May 10 recognizing Peace Officer Memorial Day and police officer week, calling on governors and government agencies to fly flags at half-staff. Every day, police officers pin on their shields and walk out the door, rushing into harms way to keep the rest of us safe. Being a police officer is more than what they do it is who they are, President Biden proclaimed. Washington Governor Jay Inslee directed that all United States flags and Washington State flags at state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff. Now part of National Police Week, which started on May 11, officers, departments, and Washingtonians are taking time to remember their fallen. The annual observance started in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day and it has been observed ever since. Today we honored our fallen brothers Chief Frank Chadwick, Officer Harry Storem, and Marshal William Jeffery. Gone But not forgotten. #NationalPoliceWeek Posted by Puyallup Police Department on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Last week first responders, members of the military and their family members gathered in Puyallup to reflect and... Posted by Tacoma Police Department on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Nebraska voters in the state's 1st Congressional District, top row, will see a faceoff between two former colleagues: (top row) Democratic State Sen. Carol Blood and U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb. For Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District, Dan Ebers, a Democrat (lower left), will face U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb. (lower right). (Photos courtesy of the candidates; Capitol photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) BELLEVUE Incumbent House Republicans had a big day Tuesday in Nebraskas primary election after hearing months of complaints from GOP partisans saying they wanted change. Republican U.S. Reps. Mike Flood and Adrian Smith both cruised to victory over lesser-funded, lesser-known GOP opponents. Flood led former gubernatorial candidate Michael Connelly 82%-18% as of 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Flood faces Democratic State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue in the 1st District general election. Blood lost a bid for governor in 2022 against Jim Pillen, then a University of Nebraska regent. Flood, of Norfolk, embraced voter concerns about immigration enforcement that Democrats and others say are a long way from his less partisan past, when he served as Speaker of the Legislature. Blood said the problem falls on Congress shoulders and is theirs to fix. Flood a Nebraska conservative Flood discounts the narrative that hes somehow more conservative now than he was in the Legislature. He has said his style might be conservatism with a smile, but its still conservative. Flood said he hasnt changed, that hes still a Nebraska conservative from Madison County. In the 2022 general election, he won 11 of the 12 counties in eastern Nebraskas 1st Congressional District, all except Lancaster County, home of Lincoln. Im confident Im in the mainstream of Nebraska Republicans and am doing a good job, Flood said. And Im hopeful the votes tonight illustrate the same. Blood said Nebraskans need someone in Congress to protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. She said she learned to see policy over party while representing a GOP-leaning Sarpy County district in the Legislature. People are sick and tired of the hyper-partisanship and sticking to party lines and using that as an excuse for why they arent getting anything done, Blood said. Smith wins again Smith defeated Hastings discount store owner John Walz, 74%-19%. Walzs bid embraced former President Donald Trumps MAGA approach and was endorsed by the Nebraska Republican Party. The State GOP endorsed none of Nebraskas five all-Republican congressional delegation. And no members of the delegation sought the partys endorsement. But Smith, running for a tenth term, did what he has done in each of his more recent races for re-election, by pointing to his record of working to lower taxes and cut regulations. I always enjoy talking to people directly on the front lines of the economy, Smith said. Thats what Ive done. Im gratified that it seems to be accepted on a night like tonight. I think weve made a positive difference. The path ahead, in terms of the direction for our country, is huge, and we can all achieve more together. Walz had said he wanted to give Republicans a choice of someone who would draw a harder line against Democrats and make the government more openly Judeo-Christian. The third Republican in the race, Robert McCuiston, a welder from Holdrege, secured 7% of the vote. He was mayor of Tamora, Neb., for five years in the mid-1990s. Ebers looks likely to win Dem nomination Smith appears poised to face Democrat Daniel Ebers this fall. Ebers, who attended middle school with Smith in Gering, led David Else, a previous 3rd District candidate, 53%-47% as of 12:30 a.m. Ebers, who moved to Lincoln recently from Cambridge, Neb., for his job in hotel management, has said he wanted to give voters a choice. He said his approach to governing would be more collaborative than Smiths, he said. Else, a rural Overton farmer known for criticizing Nebraska governors when calling in to their statewide radio shows, had argued that former President Donald Trumps trade war with China has cost farmers. Both Democrats had said they want to give voters a choice. The Democratic nominee faces a steep climb in one of the countrys most conservative districts 63% Republican and 18% Democrat. It includes central and western Nebraska and edges to the east. The post Flood, Smith advance to general to face Blood and Ebers appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. Persistent rains and destructive flooding continue to wreak havoc in Brazil, with officials saying rising river levels signal further damage in the Rio Grande do Sul region. As of Tuesday, 149 people were confirmed dead in the flood-stricken southern state, with 124 individuals still unaccounted for, according to civil defense officials. More than 600,000 people have been displaced from their homes, with approximately 155,000 of those homes being destroyed, officials said. PHOTO: Destroyed houses, damaged cars, branches, and debris are seen in Cruzeiro do Sul following the devastating floods that hit the region in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, May 14, 2024. (Nelson Almeida/AFP via Getty Images) In total, local agencies say 2.1 million people have been directly affected by the ongoing climate crisis in Rio Grande do Sul. The Guaiba River in Porto Alegre, the capital city of Rio Grande do Sul, could reach unprecedented levels of over 18 feet in the next few days, according to local officials. MORE: The worst isn't over as flooding is set to continue through the weekend in Brazil On Monday, Brazil's Minister of Finance Fernando Haddad said the federal government is preparing direct financial assistance for families affected by the floods. PHOTO: Men carry and move packages along a flooded street in the historical city center of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, May 14, 2024. (Anselmo Cunha/AFP via Getty Images) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced National Civil Defense resources for humanitarian aid and reconstruction of damaged structures would be available to the region starting Tuesday. "Starting today, mayors and the state government can register requests for schools, daycare centers, health units, hospitals, and equipment recovery. Just register and it will start happening immediately to serve the people," President Silva said during a live broadcast. On Saturday, U.S. President Joe Biden released a statement on the ongoing crisis, saying, "The United States stands with Brazil at this difficult time." PHOTO: View of a flooded street in the Cidade Baixa neighborhood of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, May 14, 2024. (Anselmo Cunha/AFP via Getty Images) "My administration is in contact with our Brazilian partners, and the United States is working to provide necessary assistance to the Brazilian people, in coordination with Brazilian authorities as they lead the response," Biden said. MORE: Earth Day 2024 report card: Experts address America's climate change action Over the weekend, large parts of Rio Grande do Sul saw close to 4 inches, according to INMET, the National Meteorology Institute. The World Meteorological Organization is attributing Brazil's record rainfall to El Nino, a surface warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean. El Nino is the same climate pattern that influences weather patterns in the U.S., frequently bringing above-average rainfall to parts of California and dry conditions in the Ohio Valley during the winter months, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. ABC News' Kori Skillman contributed to this report. Flood-stricken Brazil continues to battle rising river levels, 149 confirmed dead originally appeared on abcnews.go.com FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WVNS) A Florida man was sentenced to prison for attempt to commit a felony offense in Fayette County. 34-year-old Jarrelle A. Pierre, of Palm Beach, Florida, was sentenced on May 6, 2024, to one to three years in prison for attempt to commit a felony offense. Woman charged with murder after body found in McDowell County Pierre pleaded guilty on March 13, 2024, and will need to spend at least one year in prison before being eligible for parole. Members of the Oak Hill Police Department held a traffic stop of an SUV on U.S. Route 19 on the evening of November 9, 2021, due to the SUV traveling 72 mph in a 55 mph area. During the traffic stop, Jarelle A. Pierre was identified as the driver, and officers discovered the smell of marijuana in the car. After a drug-sniffing K-9 found controlled substances, officers searched the car and found three prescription pill bottles that showed Pierre had a prescription for oxycodone. In total, more than 300 oxycodone pills were found in the three pill bottles. Beckley man pleads guilty to federal drug crime Officers discovered that the prescribed dosage on the bottles and the manufacturer information on the label did not match the pills inside. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that all of the pills would have been used if they were taken as directed according to the prescription and the date the prescriptions were filled. Laboratory tests showed that more than 300 oxycodone pills were seized by officers during the traffic stop. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. KYODO NEWS - May 15, 2024 - 21:33 | World, All, Japan Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, increasingly tipped as a future Taiwanese presidential candidate, and former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso agreed Wednesday in Tokyo on further promoting exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, a source close to the matter said. Chiang, a rising star of Taiwan's opposition Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang, met with Aso on the first day of his four-day visit to Japan to attend an event and apparently to build connections with the country's political circles. The 45-year-old, who became Taipei's youngest-ever mayor in 2022, is a great-grandson of former Taiwanese leader Chiang Kai-shek. Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike invited him to visit the capital when she held talks with him in Taipei in February. Chiang asked Aso, currently vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, for support for facilitating cooperation between Taipei and Japanese cities including Fukuoka, a southwestern Japan city near Aso's hometown, according to Taipei's city government. The two, both known as big fans of manga, also talked about the popular Japanese manga series "One Piece," the city government added. Chiang told reporters after the meeting that Aso brought up his visit to the United States last month for talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the presidential election in November. Before departing Taipei, Chiang told reporters that he would meet with "old friends" in Japan. He met with Aso in Taipei last August during the Japanese lawmaker's trip to the self-ruled island. Also on Wednesday, the mayor met with members of LDP's Youth Division. On Thursday, Chiang is scheduled to deliver a speech at a city leaders' summit hosted by the Tokyo metropolitan government to share Taipei's experience in earthquake resilience and dealing with extreme climate events, and meet with Koike. He will hold talks with a cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers dedicated to strengthening Japan-Taiwan ties on Friday. Days before his visit, Chiang told a group of Japanese reporters that Taiwan and Japan have very deep historical and cultural ties and that he expects his trip will deepen exchanges between the two sides. Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist forces retreated to Taiwan in 1949 after being defeated by the Communists in a civil war. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait have since been governed separately. Beijing has reacted sharply to any official interaction between Taiwan and countries that have diplomatic relations with China. Related coverage: Taiwan's Lai seeks cooperation with Japan as he meets Tokyo governor Taiwan drives away China Coast Guard boat amid rising tensions Japan drops new SDF training site plan in Okinawa amid local protest Florida needs a better deterrent to littering, given the worldwide reaction to a disturbing video that came out of the recent Boca Bash event. The current punishment for dumping less than 15 pounds or 27 cubic feet of trash and garbage is a civil penalty of up to $150. For a state that prides itself on its pristine habitats and waterways, that penalty seems more like a sick joke, much less a slap on the wrist. Bumping the noncriminal infraction up to a second-degree misdemeanor should be a no-brainer. The $500 fine and/or a maximum 60-day jail penalty that comes with the misdemeanor should send a clear message to litterbugs who casually dispose of their trash and garbage that Florida is serious about protecting its environment. Lawmakers should make the change a priority, after a drone video by Wavy Boats went viral showing a group of boaters dumping two garbage cans full of trash into the waters off of Lake Boca and then celebrating as they were filmed by the drone. Two teenagers turned themselves in to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The FWC and the Palm Beach County State's Attorney office are determining what charges will be filed in the case. People are caught on camera dumping trash into the ocean during this year's Boca Bash. (Credit: Wavy Boats Instagram post) Teens take littering to the limit: Boca Bash trash dumping: Parents of teen involved issues apology, seek community service More: Florida is one of America's highest generators of plastic waste We hope that they don't shrug this off. This isn't someone mistakenly dropping a tissue in Mizner Park. This was from all indications a premeditated act by young boaters who simply didn't care about dumping two containers of trash into our ocean. There are many reasons to care about littering. The Sunshine State's economy, if not its very existence, relies on a pristine environment. That means beaches, canals, coastlines, lakes, open spaces, parks, rivers, sidewalks, and streets free of cigarette butts, face masks, metal cans, plastic bags, straws and water bottles and other forms of debris. Florida used to care more about littering In 1988, Florida officials noted a big uptick in illegal dumping and pollution and approved the 1988 Florida LitterLaw, which provided the impetus to commit 39 sworn officers to enforce the law the following year. In 2008, the Florida Legislature passed HB 7135, prompted in part by a growing concern about the impact of plastic bags on the environment. The bill included a requirement that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) produce reports with recommendations strengthening rules and regulations regarding plastic items and other wastes. DEP produced two reports in 2010 and 2021, respectively, but the state's republican-controlled legislature ignored those suggestions. Unfortunately, 2008 was also the year in which state leaders demonstrated a one step forward, three steps back series of environmental policies. As it urged DEP to begin looking at plastic bag pollution, state lawmakers and then-Gov. Charlie Crist enacted a bill making Florida the first state in the nation to pre-empt local ordinances regulating plastic bags and polystyrene used to produce disposable plastic containers. Current state law bars municipalities from extending local bans on plastics and other forms of trash beyond their city-owned properties. It's not like Floridians favor trash-strewn roadways or floating armadas of plastic waste in waterways. A 2021 department report found that increased awareness has encouraged more Floridians to look for new ways to reduce waste and promote more environmentally friendly decisions. Tougher litter penalties should be at the top of the list. Unfortunately, there are still legislators who don't get that the public supports a clean environment. Just this year, state, Rep. Bradford Yeagar, R-New Port Richey and Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, filed HB 1641 and SB 1126, respectively, that would repeal the remaining anti-plastic regulations that are on the books in roughly 20 Florida municipalities, including Boynton Beach and Stuart. Both measures fortunately never made it through the committee process. The fact that the bills even received consideration is troubling. This year's legislative attempt to further scuttle environmental protection obviously didn't resonate with the public as much as the graphic video showing the jubilant teenage boaters dumping debris into the ocean. The parents of one of the teens issued an apology, urging the youths be given community service to make the dumping "a teachable moment." No word from the parents of the other teen cited as to such public teaching. Granted, there may be some skepticism that a tougher penalty would amount to a huge jump in arrests and citations. But that sentiment misses the point. The emphasis should be on deterrence. What's the lesson that should be learned? Once violators face penalties that have some teeth, they'll realize Florida takes littering seriously. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida littering law too mild a deterrent to protect the environment KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) The Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands held a food truck rally on Tuesday to support its mission of paying veterans back for their service with a trip to the nations capital. The organization provides a no-cost trip to Washington D.C. for local veterans who served before or up to the Vietnam Era and terminally ill veterans of any era as a way to say thank you for their service. Honor Flight board member Sarah Rabb told News Channel 11 that theyve held food truck fundraising events in the past and that the events help provide money needed to fly vets to DC. She said its all in an effort to pay veterans back for the service they gave to the country. Drakes restaurant planned for shopping center in Johnson City That was a very hard time for them, and this is our way to help them begin the healing process with some of their fellow comrades and other branches of the service, Rabb said. And we start out on the trip as strangers. We come back as a family. The food truck event was hosted at Crossroads Global Methodist Church on Netherland Inn Road in Kingsport. A release from the organization said the TN/VA Food Truck Association helped to coordinate ten trucks to provide dinner to visitors. An Honor Flight trip is more than a trip; it is an opportunity for veterans to receive the honor they deserve for their military service, sacrifice and valor, HFAH President Michelle Shelton-Stewart said in the release. The weekend is about honoring them and showing them that a grateful nation appreciates and honors their service to our country. In addition to being honored, this trip gives the Veterans an opportunity to build friendships, have comradery with other Veterans and know that their community is proud of their service. Many veterans say an Honor Flight trip is a highlight of their life and they are so grateful for the opportunity and the support of their community. Veterans can apply to be a part of the Honor Flight trips by visiting HonorFlightAH.org. More food truck rallies to support the organization are planned for the same location and specific dates can be found in a photo below: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Former Bryant High School teacher gets 13-year federal sentence for taking student out of state for sex LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A former Bryant High School teacher will serve more than a decade in federal prison for having sex with a student. In a Wednesday release, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas said 33-year-old Heather Hare was sentenced to 13 years for transporting a minor across state lines to have sex. Bryant teacher arrested for sexual misconduct with student According to the release, investigators found that Hare met the student on the first day of the students senior year then started having one-on-one counseling sessions with the student, eventually giving them her phone number and primarily talking with them through Instagram and Snapchat. Hare eventually told the student that she had a dream of them having sex and gave the victim her home address in Conway. Prosecutors said Hare and the student had sex between 20 to 30 times throughout the 2021-2022 school year, including instances in her classroom and the Bryant High School parking lot. Bryant community reacts to teachers sexual assault charges Between April 22 and 24 in 2022, Hare was a sponsor and chaperone for a field trip to Washington D.C. that the victim had attended with three other students. Federal prosecutors said Hare and the victim had sex during the trip, which she later pleaded guilty to. Hare was indicted on Aug. 1, 2023, and charged with one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity by coercion and one count of interstate/foreign travel for prostitution/sexual activity. Through a plea deal, the second charge was dropped. Former Bryant High School teacher pleads guilty to having sex with student US Attorney Jonathan Ross spoke on the sentencing, adding that it should serve as a warning. Teachers who have sex with their minor students should take note of todays sentence for Ms. Hare which reflects the consequences of abusing her position of trust and taking advantage of the vulnerability of this minor to repeatedly engage in unlawful sexual activity, Ross said. Our office will continue to hold accountable those who are in a position of trust that target children and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law, as evidenced by Judge Rudofsky sentencing Ms. Hare to 13 years in federal prison. United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky also sentenced Hare to a lifetime of supervised release. In addition to the federal charges, Hare was facing two counts of first-degree sexual assault involving a different Bryant High School student. Former Bryant High School teacher arrested 2nd time for sexual misconduct with student Court documents filed Wednesday showed she agreed to a plea deal that would include a 20-year sentence running concurrent to her federal sentence, meaning that after she leaves federal custody she would still serve seven more years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Former EPA contractor says agency took 5 days to deploy chemical detection plane in East Palestine A former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contractor who was involved in the creation of a program used to collect environmental data from the air has alleged that the agency delayed deployment of the plane for five days following the 2023 derailment of a train carrying hazardous chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio. In a NewsNation interview, Robert Kroutil alleged that the EPA took days to deploy its Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT) plane, used to collect unusual chemical or radiological signals in the air. Kroutil, who was involved in the development of ASPECT for both the Defense Department and the EPA, said typical EPA protocol is to deploy the plane within hours of an incident. We should be there at least two weeks to monitor the situation [and] that did not happen in East Palestine, Kroutil told NewsNations Rich McHugh. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar, along with The Hill. No one was hurt or injured in the Feb. 6 crash, in which a Norfolk Southern-operated train spilled toxic substances into the area. However, residents have reported rashes and unexplained illnesses in the aftermath. The surrounding area was briefly evacuated. Local officials conducted a controlled burn on the derailed cars in hopes of averting an explosion. We only were deployed for two missions on February 7. And by that time the [chemical] plumes were out, the fire was out, Kroutil said. The aircraft actually only collected data, eight minutes worth of data over the targets. In an affidavit dated May 13, Kroutil alleged that [w]e had equipment that could have answered a lot of questions and saved exposure in East Palestine even prevented the vent and burn but it was not deployed and operated to collect that information in a timely manner and did not use the correct methods. Kroutils claims echo testimony by National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy, who told Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) in March that Norfolk Southern contractors lacked the scientific background to deem the controlled burn necessary. An EPA spokesperson told The Hill in an email that weather conditions prevented deploying the ASPECT aircraft on Feb. 6, the day of the controlled burn, and that data was collected the following day in a manner consistent with previous ASPECT responses. Within hours of the derailment on February 3, EPA responders were on-scene establishing a robust air monitoring network at the site and within the community. EPAs ASPECT plane was just one component of a comprehensive air monitoring and sampling network that included several instruments to collect air samples and measure contaminants at and around the site, the spokesperson said. In the first two days, EPAs air monitoring readings were below detection levels for most contaminants, except for particulate matter. EPA air monitoring did not detect chemical contaminants at levels of concern in the hours following the controlled burn. This story was updated at 3:16 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Alexandria Ware, a veteran of the Kansas foster care system, wipes away tears while speaking May 14, 2024, at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library during a celebration of SOUL Family legislation Alexandria Ware, a veteran of the Kansas foster care system, wipes away tears while speaking May 14, 2024, at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library during a celebration of SOUL Family legislation. The law provides a new placement option for foster kids who are 16 or older by allowing them to choose a caretaker. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Two years ago, Alexandria Ware and other alumni of the Kansas foster care system met with state officials and contractors to present a novel plan for providing stability to foster kids as they age out of the system and enter adulthood. We were in a room where all of us did not like what we were being told at all, Ware recalled Tuesday. But with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and through the power of personal stories, the former foster kids prevailed. On Tuesday, they celebrated the passage of legislation that will allow foster kids who are 16 or older to choose to stay with a family member or close friend as opposed to bouncing from one temporary house to another or sleeping in office space while waiting for adoption. Im not normally a crier, but this is the biggest impact that all of us could leave, Ware said during the celebration at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, where she spoke alongside peers who helped develop the program, as well state officials and legislators. We did this, Ware said. We worked together. We had to relive our trauma. We had to sit in rooms and be uncomfortable. But this has shown the progress of Kansas being able to listen to young people. SOUL stands for Support, Opportunity, Unity and Legal Relationships. Entry into the program would require approval from the foster child, the childs parent, the chosen caretaker and a judge. The caretaker would receive financial support, and the teenager would continue to receive state services like other foster kids. Instead of aging out of the system when they turn 18, those enrolled in the SOUL Family program would receive support for health care, education and housing. Carol Roberts says the SOUL Family bill signifies a new era where the voices of young adults "are not only heard but valued and respected." Carol Roberts, one of the former foster kids who helped develop the program, said House Bill 2536 signifies a shift toward empowering young people to have a voice in decisions that will shape their lives. Traditionally, she said, their lives are controlled by judges and social workers. While I wish this had been a reality when I was in the system, I found solace in knowing that the present and future youth will no longer feel powerless, Roberts said. They will have a chance to express their needs, share the importance of connections, and navigate their journey with less trauma and uncertainty. The bill won unanimous support in the Senate, where it passed 40-0 after clearing the House by a 112-8 margin. The rare bipartisan support for legislation dealing with social services followed deeply personal testimony from former foster kids. Rep. Susan Concannon, a Beloit Republican who serves as chairwoman of the House Child Welfare and Foster Care Committee, said the narratives of resilience and yearning compelled lawmakers to act with purpose and urgency. Its one thing for us to sit in a committee room and talk about whats in the best interest of the child, and we we create laws, Concannon said. But to have the people who are living it come and talk to us some of it is hard to hear. Some of it shows a lack of common sense: What are we doing here? The program will attempt to alter the lives of a segment of foster kids who, because of their age, are more vulnerable to the instability that has plagued the Kansas foster care system for much of the past decade. The volume of children in the foster care system surged during former Gov. Sam Brownbacks administration after he and the Legislature imposed severe restrictions on food assistance for low-income families. The state didnt have enough homes or resources to support the foster kids, and secretly withheld payments to contractors, facilitating severe instability and a dramatic increase in missing children especially teenagers who were trafficked for sex. Rep. Susan Concannon, R-Beloit, says lawmakers were moved by heartfelt and emotional testimony provided by former foster kids, and felt compelled to take action. Under Gov. Laura Kelly, the number of kids in foster care has declined by 20%, and the Legislature has worked to provide additional resources for the child welfare system. The Kelly administration also settled a lawsuit with Kansas Appleseed that requires the state to improve aspects of the foster care system, although the state has struggled to make sufficient progress. Kelly said the SOUL Family program is a tool that will help reduce the number of young adults who struggle when they age out of the foster care system. She thanked the Annie E. Casey Foundation for trusting Kansas to be the first state to implement the program. Kansas is leading the way in bringing about positive changes to the foster care system, and we have an opportunity to change lives in a tremendous way, Kelly said. The Department for Children and Families, in conjunction with Mainspring Consulting, estimates 91 foster kids will enroll in the program in the first year it is implemented, and 135 in year two. A revised calculation lowered the expected cost of the program in the second year from $2.4 million to about $800,000. During testimony earlier this year, Ware said she went through at least 55 different placements while in state custody. In an interview Tuesday, she said foster kids endure pain and trauma. But she offered advice to those who are currently in the system. Keep advocating for yourself. Stand strong. Stand tall, Ware said. Theres people out here who want to help you, people with lived experience. Finesse the system. If someones offering you benefits or any of that, take advantage of it. Take advantage of everything they have to offer you. I mean, I know its hard. I know its painful to have to continue to work with with them. But those benefits are there for you. The post Former foster kids relived trauma, fought for new program and compelled Kansas lawmakers to act appeared first on Kansas Reflector. Former US president Jimmy Carter is nearing the apparent end of his life, his grandson said at a policy forum on Tuesday. (My grandfather) is doing OK, Jason Carter told the audience at the Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy. He has been in hospice, as you know, for almost a year and a half now, and he really is, I think, coming to the end that, as Ive said before, theres a part of this faith journey that is so important to him, and theres a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end and I think he has been there in that space. Mr Carter added that the 99-year-old former president still shows signs of his easygoing personality, describing a recent visit to his Plains, Georgia, home to watch an Atlanta Braves MLB game. I said, Pa Pa people ask me how youre doing and I say I dont know, And he said, Well, I dont know myself. And so, hes still there, Jason Carter recounted. President Carter has been in hospice care since last year. His wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, died in November. During his remarks at the symposium, Jason Carter spoke about how the family has been processing her death. Former President Jimmy Carter departs after attending the funeral service for his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, at Maranatha Baptist Church, in Plains, Georgia on 29 November 2023 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) My grandmothers passing was a difficult moment for all of us, including my grandfather, he said, adding, The outpouring of love and support that we, as a family, received from people in this room and from the rest of the world was so remarkable and meaningful to us. And it really turned that whole process into a celebration. At almost 100 Jimmy Carter is the oldest living former US president. In November, Mr Carter appeared for the first time in public since entering hospice care, when he attended Rosalynn Carters funeral. The former first lady was known for her mental health advocacy, and Jason Carter spoke about how mental health considerations were playing into the end of Jimmy Carters life during the symposium on Tuesday. The caregiving associated with mental health and mental illness is so crucial and so fundamental to the work that we all do in this room and to her legacy that it is remarkable and important, and weve all experienced it very first hand over the last year so we give thanks for that as well, he said at the event, according to Georgia Recorder. Which Former U.S. Presidents Are Still Alive? What the Remaining 5 Have Been Up to Since Leaving Office Jimmy Carter holds the record as the longest-living U.S. president Michael Kovac/FilmMagic; da Mae Astute/American Broadcasting Companies via Getty; Craig Barritt/Getty for TIME 100 Health Summit Barack Obama; Jimmy Carter; Bill Clinton Jimmy Carter, who extended his record as the longest-living U.S. president with his 99th birthday in 2023, is part of a dwindling number of living former U.S. presidents. He is in the company of just four others: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Besides Carters legacy and having the longest post-White House life, the 39th president also holds the distinction for having the most enduring presidential marriage to his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, who died in November 2023 after 77 years of marriage. In May 2024, Carter's grandson Jason gave an update on his grandfather 15 months after the former president terminated medical intervention. "He really is, I think, coming to the end," Jason said while speaking at the annual Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum. Read below about all five former heads of state who are still living, and learn what they've been up to since their respective terms ended. Related: President Jimmy Carter Hits 1-Year Mark Since Entering Hospice Care: 'It's Very Powerful' Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President John Bazemore, Pool/AP Former President Jimmy Carter smiles as his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, speaks during a reception to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary on July 10, 2021, in Plains, Georgia Age: 99 Party: Democratic Presidential Term: 19771981 Succeeded By: Ronald Reagan In February 2023, the Carter Center announced that Carter had been moved to hospice care after "a series of short hospital stays." "Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention," the organizations statement read. In May 2023, Carters wife of more than seven decades, Rosalynn, was diagnosed with dementia. Six months later, the former first lady and lifelong mental health and human rights advocate died at age 96 on Nov. 29, 2023, just two days after entering hospice care. At a mental health forum in Rosalynn's honor at the Carter Center in May 2024, his grandson Jason Carter stated that Carter was "doing OK" but nearing the end of his time in hospice care. He added: "As Ive said before, theres a part of this faith journey that is so important to him, and theres a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end and I think he has been there in that space." Until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Carters had volunteered every year with Habitat for Humanity. Former President Carter also taught Sunday school classes in the couples hometown of Plains, Ga., for many years after his presidency. Since his term in the White House, the politician has also authored more than 30 books, including 2018s Faith: A Journey for All, which he published at age 93. Bill Clinton, 42nd U.S. President Noam Galai/Getty Images Former U.S. President Bill Clinton speaking onstage at HISTORYTalks Leadership & Legacy presented by HISTORY on Feb. 29, 2020, in New York City Age: 77 Party: Democratic Presidential Term: 19932001 Succeeded By: George W. Bush Since leaving office after a dramatic two terms, the once-impeached Clinton launched the Clinton Foundation in 2001 "to expand economic opportunity, improve public health, confront the climate crisis, and inspire citizen engagement and service." In addition to helping campaign for wife Hillary Clinton in the 2008 and 2016 presidential elections, Clinton has continued to serve internationally, working with the United Nations on several diplomatic missions over the years. Former President Clinton has faced several health scares over the years, including quadruple bypass surgery in 2004, a collapsed lung the next year, two coronary stents in 2010, sepsis in 2021 and a bout with COVID-19 in November 2022. He and Hillary have since become grandparents to daughter Chelsea Clinton and son-in-law Marc Mezvinsky's three children: Charlotte, Aidan and Jasper. In April 2024, it was announced that Clinton would publish a new memoir about his post-White House life, Citizen: My Life After the White House, due in November 2024. George W. Bush, 43rd U.S. President Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images Former U.S. President George W. Bush attending a football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Oct. 6, 2019, in Arlington, Texas Age: 77 Party: Republican Presidential Term: 20012009 Succeeded By: Barack Obama Following his terms, former President Bush and his family moved back to their home state of Texas, where he's been known to frequent Dallas Cowboys and Rangers games with celebrity pals such as Ellen DeGeneres. Additionally, he's taken up painting (with his work displaying at EPCOT's American Adventures pavilion at Disney!) and even published some books of portraits, paying tribute to Americas immigrants and military veterans. In 2013, Bush had a coronary artery stent placed following a severe life-threatening blockage. In early 2023, the former head of states daughter Jenna Bush Hager revealed her father had undergone a seemingly successful back surgery, from which his spokesperson confirmed he was recovering well. The former president and his wife, Laura Bush, are the proud grandparents to four grandchildren: Mila, Poppy and Hal from Jenna, as well as Cora from daughter Barbara Pierce Bush. In addition to remaining outspoken about many of the issues the country faces today, he campaigned for his brother Jeb Bush during the 2016 Republican presidential primaries. Their father, 41st President George H. W. Bush, held the record as the longest-living U.S. president until his death at 94 in 2018. Barack Obama, 44th U.S. President MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Former President Barack Obama delivering remarks on the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 5, 2022 Age: 62 Party: Democratic Presidential Term: 20092017 Succeeded By: Donald Trump After making history as the country's first Black head of state, former President Barack Obama hosted the inaugural summit of the Obama Foundation in 2017. He and his wife, Michelle Obama, also signed a deal with Netflix in 2018 to produce docuseries, documentaries and features through their Higher Ground Productions banner. They have since released several titles; their first, American Factory (2019), won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2020. Although the Obamas were not included in the Oscar victory, the 44th U.S. president went on to win his first Emmy in 2022 for narrating the Netflix docuseries Our Great National Parks. In 2020, Obama released his presidential memoir A Promised Land following a $65 million deal with Penguin Random House. Obama has also co-hosted the Renegades: Born in the USA podcast with Bruce Springsteen. The Obamas share two daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama. Malia is a writer and director whose credits include The Heart (2023) and the Amazon Prime Video miniseries Swarm. Sasha is an academic who graduated from the University of Southern California with an undergraduate degree in sociology in May 2023. In 2019, the Obamas bought a home in Martha's Vineyard for $11.75 million. In the 2020 election against Trump, Obama endorsed his former vice president, Joe Biden, who became the 46th U.S. president. Donald Trump, 45th U.S. President Brandon Bell/Getty Images Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Aug. 6, 2022, in Dallas Age: 77 Party: Republican Presidential Term: 20172021 Succeeded By: Joe Biden In the years since former President Trump left office, the twice-impeached politician moved into his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. The former president has been married to Melania Trump since 2005; they have one child together, Barron Trump. Trump also shares four children between ex-wives Ivana Trump and Marla Maples Don Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump with Ivana and daughter Tiffany Trump with Maples and 10 grandchildren. In late 2020, while serving as head of state amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Trump tested positive for the widespread disease, which he called a blessing from God. Trump announced his 2024 campaign for reelection in November 2022. In March 2024, he officially became the presumptive Republican nominee for president in 2024 after earning more than half of the total GOP delegates after the primary elections. The billionaire's presidential pursuit hasn't been without serious legal woes, including those involving his possession of more than 300 classified documents after leaving office, as well as his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots on the U.S. Capitol. He's also been entangled in multiple lawsuits, such as a hush-money case in New York, the Georgia election case, the federal election case, the classified documents case and a civil fraud case. Related: Stormy Daniels Testifies That Donald Trump Did Not Wear a Condom When They Had Sex 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. The bipartisan House committee investigating the January 6 riots recommended Trump be barred from holding office again in their final report released in December 2022. After registering Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) in February 2021, Trump launched the social media platform Truth Social a year later. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has since been investigating TMTG for the company's merger with China-based Digital World Acquisition Corp. Trump endorsed more than 200 candidates in the 2022 midterm elections, many of whom previously supported his unfounded claims of election fraud. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The Fort Museum in Fort Dodge, Iowa. (Photo via Google Earth) The executive director of a Fort Dodge charity was fired earlier this year for allowing the organizations gambling and liquor licenses to lapse and then lying about it to the board of directors. According to state records, Timothy Morris worked fulltime as the executive director of the Fort Dodge Historical Foundation from November 2022 to Feb. 7, 2024, when he was fired. As executive director, Morris was responsible for overseeing the operations of the Fort Museum, reviewing financial information, maintaining licenses, assisting with fundraising events and scheduling employees. He reported directly to the charitable foundations board of directors. The foundation is supported by donations from individuals and small businesses, and stages happy hours, bingo nights and other fundraising events considered critical to the organizations ongoing operations. In order for a business in Iowa to serve food, liquor or engage in gambling activities, it must have and post valid licenses for each activity in a location thats visible to the public. State records indicate that during the June 2023 and July 2023 board meetings, members notified Morris the foundations food and gambling licenses would expire in September 2023, and that the liquor license would expire on January 4, 2024. The board allegedly reminded Morris that it was his responsibility to apply to have the licenses renewed. In September 2023, one of the board members noticed that the gambling license posted on the wall was the expired license and e4xpressed concern at a board meeting that an upcoming bingo night would be hosted without a valid gambling license. Morris allegedly assured the board that the scheduled bingo night could proceed, stating that he had the renewed license on his computer and needed to print it out and post it on the well. During the board meetings held in October, November, and December 2023, the board repeatedly asked Morris why the new licenses had yet to be posted. Morris allegedly responded to the inquiries with something to the effect of, Ive got it right here in my laptop, I just need to print it, state records show. During the December 2023 meeting, the board president reminded Morris the alcohol license was set to expired on Jan. 4, 2024, and instructed him he absolutely has to have the alcohol and gambling licenses posted before the next bingo night. After Morris failed to post any of the renewed licenses, the board president contacted the state agencies responsible for overseeing food, gambling and liquor licenses and inquired about the status of the foundations licenses. All three of the licenses had expired and there were no pending renewal applications on file. On Feb. 7, 2024, the board president called Morris into a meeting and informed him that his employment was being terminated immediately due to his failure to renew the licenses and for lying to the board of directors. Morris subsequently filed for unemployment and collected $1,746 in benefits, which led to the foundation filing an appeal. The matter recently went before Administrative Law Judge Patrick Thomas, who presided over a hearing on Morris eligibility for benefits. Thomas ruled against Morris, finding that the foundation presented substantial and credible evidence that (Morris) repeatedly lied to the employer about the status of three licenses, which were necessary for the employer to host fundraising events in compliance with state law His lies about the licenses exposed the employer to potential civil and criminal liability and was contrary to the best interests of the employer. As part of his ruling, Thomas ordered Morris to repay the benefits already collected. The Fort Dodge Historical Foundation is a tax-exempt charity with a mission of operating and maintaining a museum related to the early settlement of Iowa and the Northwest Territory. The post Fort Dodge foundation director fired for lying to board of directors appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. Fort Worth is following cities such as Dallas, Denton and Austin by giving a full property-tax break to qualifying child care centers. The Fort Worth City Council on Tuesday approved the tax exemption that will be applied starting this year toward 100% of a facilitys appraised value. The councils vote was unanimous, with council member Chris Nettles recusing himself as an owner and operator of a child care facility. The ordinance came forward after Proposition 2 was passed by almost 65% of Texas voters in November, granting local governments the option to provide the tax relief to a sector thats struggled financially, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Felicia Davis, owner of Ready Set Jump learning centers in east Fort Worth, told council members during public comment that child care programs are the backbone, as you know, of our local economy that provide safe and nurturing environments for children while their parents work or go to school. Davis said shed utilize the money saved through the tax relief to take her pre-K students on field trips to places such as farms, where children can see where their nutritional food comes from. We are forced to make difficult choices between keeping prices low so that our parents can afford our services, or raising tuition so that we can invest in the quality of our programs and pay our staff what they deserve, Davis said. This property tax relief will finally give us some breathing room. Most importantly, it will help quality-rated centers that serve low-income children stay open, so that they can continue providing much-needed child care services to the family. Qualifying child care facilities must be part of Texas Rising Star, the states quality rating and improvement system for early childhood programs, and also have at least 20% of its enrolled children receiving subsidized services through the Texas Workforce Commission. Under these requirements, there are 54 eligible child care programs in Fort Worth, out of about 338 total, that are able to utilize the exemption, according to Fort Worth officials. The citys estimated revenue loss is $200,000 to the general fund; its general fund budget for the 2023 fiscal year is $915.3 million. For the average child care provider, their savings would be more than $3,600, according to city estimates. Both property owners and child care directors that are renting their space would benefit financially, but operators of child care homes on a property that already claims a homestead exemption would be ineligible to have the child care exemption. Carlanda Reeves, who operates child care home Carlandas Heavenly Care, also spoke during public comment and described operators like her as overworked and underpaid. She said shed utilize the extra cash to provide transportation services to her families. Reeves was unaware that shes unable to utilize the child care exemption on top of her homestead exemption until informed by the Star-Telegram after the council vote. Its crucial that they provide the same benefits to home-based facilities, She said. We do the same thing but at a smaller level. Mayor Mattie Parker thanked the child care providers who attended the meeting and hoped the tax exemption would serve as a nod of appreciation for their work. Its not easy to be a Texas Rising Star child care facility, that means youre high quality and aspire to do that over and over again every single year, for that were incredibly grateful. Each of you are an integral part of the economic development of this community to make sure we have high-quality early childhood education for all kids across the city of Fort Worth. By Takara Sato, KYODO NEWS - May 13, 2024 - 09:44 | Feature, All, Japan At a cozy, unassuming coffee shop located in the western Japan city of Nara, co-proprietor Shoko Iijima greets her regular customers as they walk by the doors of her establishment, often left wide open on nice days. Iijima's engaging approach to her cafe, Inside Astral Ray Coffee, sets the light-hearted, playful mood that patrons and staff embrace. Here, people from various walks of life seek a place to connect freely with others in a "third place," a social setting that is neither home, school nor work, but a place where they can interact and refresh before heading home. Tired from work or home life, Astral Ray Coffee customers can unwind with a relaxing roasted brew and some good-natured banter. Dedicated to being oases of respite, such third places are still rare in Japan but are slowly increasing in number. Experts believe one of the main obstacles to people finding places to be outside of work or home is a difference in thinking between Japan and elsewhere about the use of private time. For example, in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere, people regularly stop by cafes or bars after work, giving them a place to be that requires little effort on their part, unlike obligations at work or home. In Japan, the majority of people do not have a third place, but that fact is not frowned upon, rather it casts them in a positive light as serious and hardworking members of society. At Astral Ray Coffee in the city that was once one of Japan's ancient capitals, all of the windows and doors are kept open in the summer, creating a welcoming atmosphere for those who stop by. Long bench seating encourages customers to converse with each other. Iijima, 36, is a former high school teacher. She had been thinking of creating a relaxing space for adults and came up with the idea of a cafe with her friend Taeka Shibata, 28, who shared her belief that such a locale was needed. The shop opened in June 2022. Fumi Miyazawa, 38, a regular at the Nara cafe, loves the coffee shop as it gives her the opportunity to engage in stimulating conversations with staff and other customers, a welcome pause from her job as a nurse. "I can have face-to-face conversations with people at the counter. It's a great stress reliever," Miyazawa said. Understanding the worth of a third place is not new. Most cultures around the world value their own versions, whether it be a bar, barber shop, beauty salon, bookstore, church, community center clubs or park. The phrase "third place" was coined in 1989 by American sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his book "The Great Good Place." Oldenburg feared communities in the United States were in decline due to the expansion of suburbia and a reliance on cars, which he argued lessened a sense of belonging. In his book, Oldenburg summarizes the facets of a third place, including being "neutral ground" to which one has little to no obligation. The place also has regulars who set the tone of a place, it has good accessibility and amenities with a playful mood devoid of hostility and a sense of belonging as a home away from home. As the United States became an automobile-centric society in which people shuttle back and forth between the suburbs and work alone in their vehicles, Oldenburg argued that they required places that serve as a social lubricant to "anchor" people amid the stresses of modern society. According to a multi-answer survey conducted among people aged 20-29 in Tokyo by the Organization for Promoting Urban Development, when respondents were asked what places they find most "comfortable," 82 percent said their homes. Twenty percent listed izakaya (Japanese pubs), while 14 percent and 12 percent said private karaoke rooms and cafes were their favorite place to be. For middle school and high school students in Yokohama, 82 percent said they were comfortable in their own homes or friends' places; 14 percent enjoyed hanging out at parks; 12 percent going to fast food restaurants; and 10 percent to arcades. While there were disparities in places enjoyed by gender, age and financial wealth, fewer than half of respondents listed places other than their own or a friend's home as a "comfortable place." Nobutaka Ishiyama, a professor at Hosei University who studies third places, believes that although still in its infancy Japan is witnessing a shift in values from what he calls "big stories" that pursue a sense of belonging to a community or organization to "small stories" that emphasize individuality in its many forms. He says people are looking for places where they can freely interact with each other based on similar hobbies or interests outside of work. Acceptance of outsiders is also a feature. "If we can create a place where strangers can freely connect and feel safe and included, it will enrich Japan as a whole." Ayako Sakai, 28, a former Tokyoite who runs the Stray Cat cafe in Oyodo, Nara Prefecture, worked as a community development volunteer from 2018 for three years before settling in the area. She took advice from locals when opening her business in 2021. Sakai has seen an increase in regular customers, with some who purposely drop by to see her. Some confide in her about their problems at work or are happy to tell her about pursuing new career paths. "Hopefully they go home feeling better," said Sakai, who takes joy from her interactions with her customers. Sakai said she wants Stray Cat to continue to be "a place where people can come and relax (so I can) repay my debt to this community that has treated me so well." Related coverage: FEATURE: Deer causing road chaos in Hokkaido as crashes hit record high FEATURE: "Tour of lies" stretches imagination in Tokyo's Asakusa Sperm bank to be set up in Tokyo for donors ready to disclose identity Four Columbus men sentenced in connection with drug trafficking organization ALBANY, Ga. (WRBL) Four Columbus men have have been sentenced in connection to an armed drug trafficking organization. According to U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia, the organization conspired to distribute 250 kilograms of methamphetamine into west central Georgia. According to court documents, the FBI was investigating Cornelius Leonard, of Grantville, Georgia, for leading an armed drug distribution organization supplying controlled substances in late 2021 and early 2022. During that time, agents made four purchases of methamphetamine from Leonard. The investigation led to multiple wiretaps on Leonards phones. Through these wiretaps, law enforcement agents learned Leonard was conspiring with co-defendant Pedro Barragan Valencia, Georgia, of Calhoun. Valencia was an inmate at Calhoun State Prison and a member of the Surenos criminal gang, and supplied Leonard with at least 250 kilograms of methamphetamine. Court documents state Leonard and Valencia also planned to acquire large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and other illegal drugs for distribution in Thomaston, Columbus and other Georgia cities. The attorney released a full list of those sentenced: Horatio Venable aka Ray Ray, 27, of Columbus, was sentenced to serve 144 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Rashard Moreland, 38, of Columbus, was sentenced to serve 40 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to use of a telecommunications facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Antovious Hunter aka Ant, 41, of Columbus, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Dustin Robbins, 34, of Columbus, was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Cornelius Leonard aka Tae, 29, of Grantville, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 480 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Pedro Barragan Valencia aka Casper aka Bossman, aka Mexican Hitman Pete, 47, of Calhoun, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 400 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Ramone Zorn aka Big Razor, 54, of Thomaston, was sentenced to serve 300 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine. Kedric Fuller aka Blakk Ru, 43, of Woodbury, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Markevious Snipes aka Big Dawg, 33, of Thomaston, was sentenced to serve 136 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Mechile Hobbs, 50, of Thomaston, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Darius Wellmaker, 41, of Thomaston, was sentenced to serve 90 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Joshua McAfee, 36, of Thomaston, was sentenced to serve 50 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Sabrina Smith, 34, of Thomaston, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine. Natashai Antley, 36, of Thomaston, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility. Nehemiah Johnson, 30, of Thomaston, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jennifer Moss, 39, of Molena, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Dixie Bailey, 34, of Thomaston, was sentenced to time served after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Mark Dean, 46, of Manchester, Georgia, was sentenced to time served after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Ashley Ingram, 37, of Cataula, Georgia, was sentenced to time served after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Krystal Juarez Norman, 34, of Thomaston, was sentenced to time served after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. S. Carlton Power, 27, of Manchester, Georgia, was sentenced to time served after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. D. Justin Whitten, 38, of Hogansville, Georgia, was sentenced to time served after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. This sentencing serves to put criminals on notice that if you bring illegal drugs into our communities, we will employ whatever means necessary to find you and bring you to justice no matter where you are, said FBI Atlanta Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of the Macon Office Robert Gibbs. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. Its focus is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the highest-level criminal organizations. This sentencing comes a week after Georgia Governor Brian Kemp approved $5 million for a gang unit to be established in Columbus. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. Four men guilty of first-degree murder on Cape Cod have chance for parole. Who are they? A Cape Cod man convicted of first-degree murder in 2001 may have a chance at a new future. Leon Stewart is one of four men, convicted of first-degree murder in a Cape and Islands court, eligible for release on parole because of a recent state Supreme Judicial Court decision. The court decided in January that a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for 18- to 20-year-olds convicted of first-degree murder was deemed cruel and unusual punishment. Stewart was 19 when he shot and killed 20-year-old Jennifer Perkins at around 3 a.m. on Aug. 19, 2000, as she sat in a Jeep in a friend's driveway in East Falmouth. Bullets from a handgun struck Perkins, the Jeep and a neighbor's house. Jurors heard a chilling recording of Perkins's last moments on a message left on a friend's answering machine. A Falmouth native, Perkins attended Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School in Bourne. She also left behind a newborn son and two sisters. In 2007, the state Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Stewart's first-degree murder conviction. At the time, then-Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe said Stewart would remain in prison for life. Now, O'Keefe said, the possibility of release on parole for first-degree murder convictions breaks a promise made to families of those individuals who were slain. "We were told in no uncertain terms that we would have life without parole when a jury convicted someone of murder in the first degree," O'Keefe said. O'Keefe, who decided not to run for district attorney again in 2022, worked in the Cape and Islands District Attorney's office for 40 years. Families of victims were told, O'Keefe said, that "the person who killed their loved one, if convicted of murder one, would never get out of jail," he said. The mother of one of the victims, Robin Farnsworth of Hyannis, said the court decision was not a surprise. About 150 inmates in Massachusetts are or will soon be eligible for parole because of the court's decision, said Committee for Public Counsel Services Director of Parole Advocacy Unit Mara Voukydis. Leon Stewart, photographed in 2001, is one of four men convicted of first-degree murder on the Cape and Islands who is eligible for release on parole because of a recent state Supreme Judicial Court decision. Stewart is the first to file paperwork in Barnstable Superior Court to begin the process of seeking parole. First filing made in Barnstable Superior Court Stewart is the first case within the Cape and Islands District Attorney's jurisdiction to start the process of seeking parole, based on a review of three files in court. A fourth man's file was not available in court to review. Stewart's lawyer John Apruzzese filed paperwork on April 26 in Barnstable Superior Court to modify Stewarts sentence from life without the possibility of parole to life with the possibility of parole. Apruzzese was assigned the case by the Committee for Public Counsel Services. "We're just starting the process of the possibility of him getting parole," Apruzzese said in a May 10 call, "but its up to the parole board." He declined to comment further. Stewart was convicted June 20, 2001, in Barnstable Superior Court of first-degree murder, which carried a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole. He was also convicted of carrying a firearm without a license. Four Cape and Islands cases Robert Ferreira is another of the four men now eligible for parole. In 1987, Ferreira and another man stopped at a rest stop near Taunton where gay men were known to meet. Ferreira beat a man, tied him with wire and put him in the trunk of the man's car. He used the man's ATM to withdraw $200, bought cocaine and drove to the Cape Cod Canal. He attached jumper cables to a toolbox and the man's legs and dumped him into the Canal. The medical examiner determined that the man's death was by drowning associated with blunt impact trauma. Zane Rasmusen is also is a candidate for release. Rasmusen stabbed 21-year-old Spencer MacLeod Farnsworth's son after breaking into an apartment in Yarmouth in 2002. Rasmusen was looking to pay back another man who put him in a chokehold at a party earlier in the evening. MacLeod heard a commotion and went downstairs to break up the fight. He was stabbed three times, including once in the heart. Robert Vacher is the fourth man. Vacher stabbed 16-year-old Jordan Mendes 27 times and fatally shot him in the basement of a Hyannis home in 2008. Vacher then wrapped Mendes' body in a comforter and with the help of two others brought it to a shallow pit off Jennifer Lane in Hyannis where he set it on fire. Mendes' body was found hours later. He'd been robbed of $13,000. What is a first-degree murder conviction? For first-degree murder convictions, juries must determine if the killings were premeditated, exceptionally brutal, or occurred during the commission of a serious felony. First degree murder is heinous, former Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. Blodgett was the district attorney in Essex County for 20 years, prior to 2023. He was on the board of the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance for 16 years. The court's decision means 258 families of murder victims could potentially face endless parole board hearings, he said. "The Massachusetts Legislature has determined the age of majority to be 18 years old," Blodgett said. "The court has created a protected class of criminals, those 18 to 20 who are convicted of murder one." Why was the sentencing changed for 18- to 20-year-olds? Years of research and improved brain imaging tools have provided evidence of anatomical and physiological differences between the brains of emerging adults and those of older adults. Social and scientific research has shown the brains of juveniles and emerging adults are similar, in a review of the Massachusetts court decision online. The majority opinion for the Massachusetts court decision cited references to U.S. Supreme Court opinions that when it comes to sentencing, the "mitigating qualities of youth" must be considered. As such, sentencing emerging adults to life without the possibility of parole was unconstitutional under the 8th Amendment and article 26 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights. The majority opinion reads in part that based on "precedent and contemporary standards of decency mandate this should go into effect. Because of laws already on the books, the decision creates two categories of inmates who could be eligible for parole. For those who committed offenses prior to July 25, 2014, sentences will now be life with the possibility of parole after 15 years. For those who committed offenses on or after that date, sentences will be life with the possibility of parole after 20 to 30 years. Expecting the call Soon after the Massachusetts courts decision, one of the men linked to her son's murder called Farnsworth to tell her the news. The district attorneys office called her. Rasmusen himself called her, too, from prison. She was expecting his call. Farnsworth had visited Rasmusen at MCI Norfolk prison in 2017, 15 years after he killed her son. She self-published a book in 2017 telling her and her son's story entitled The Greater Weight of Glory: A Memoir. "I knew it had been cooking for a while, Farnsworth said of the court decision. She told Rasmusen that she and her son's father and brothers had talked about it. They were okay with the decision, and with whatever decision the parole board might make. But she wouldnt tell him he deserved freedom. "Thats Gods call," she said. What happens next? Voukydis expects some cases will be sent back to lower courts for resentencing first when convictions include more than one sentence. Once a case reaches the parole board, "there will be a lot of contemplation on the part of the parole board as to whether or not this person is ready, Voukydis said. The parole board will consider an inmates institutional history, how many and what kind of disciplinary infractions he has, any educational or rehabilitation programs he's involved in or has graduated from. A significant part of the parole process is giving victim's families the opportunity to speak or read impact statements. An inmate will have to answer questions and the board will ultimately have to determine whether the individual can be a contributing member of society, has been rehabilitated, and is unlikely to reoffend. "This is uncharted territory," Voukydis said. Denise Coffey writes about business, tourism and issues impacting the Capes residents and visitors. Contact her at dcoffey@capecodonline.com. The Cape Cod Times is providing this coverage for free as a public service. Please take a moment to support local journalism by subscribing. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Four Cape Cod men convicted of murder could make parole. Here's why. NHS managers use a playbook of tactics to silence whistleblowers that is designed to break you, according to doctors who have tried to raise patient safety concerns. A Telegraph investigation has found so many similarities in the way different NHS trusts and clinics deal with whistleblowers that many doctors believe the problem is systemic. The doctors complain of bullying and harassment, both from managers and colleagues, which they claim creates a culture of cover-up. Law firms and private investigators are also often brought in to investigate the whistleblower, who is then told they are being suspended. Years of internal investigations, disciplinary hearings and legal battles typically follow, until medics succumb to the personal, professional and financial pressure and quit. Many doctors who have decades of expertise in their field and distinguished careers are reduced to depression and suicidal thoughts by the situation they find themselves in. Some sign non-disclosure agreements, enabling them to return to work if they promise to keep their mouths shut, others try to fight back through the High Court or employment tribunals, and others leave the NHS for private hospitals or quit the medical profession altogether. The pattern is not dissimilar to the punitive measures including suspensions and contract terminations employed by the Post Office against its sub-postmasters and employees during the Horizon IT scandal. Step 1: Investigate the whistleblower The evidence collected by The Telegraph suggests NHS employers are more likely to investigate the conduct of whistleblowers than the issue they have raised. Of the 52 medics interviewed by this newspaper, 41 said their own conduct was put under investigation. They were all subjected to counter-allegations after raising concerns. Only 28 barely half said their employer carried out a patient safety investigation, and where patient safety investigations were conducted, the vast majority 24 out of 28 had serious concerns about the way the probes were conducted. One typical example involved Jasna Macanovic, a consultant hepatologist at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, who raised concerns with the Care Quality Commission about an innovative dialysis technique being used by her colleagues, which she said amounted to harmful experimentation. The CQC visited the trust to investigate, and within days of inspectors departing, Dr Macanovic was herself put under investigation. The consultant did not receive allegations of her alleged wrongdoing until the following month. She was ultimately investigated on what she says were trumped-up charges of intimidation, which were dismissed as groundless by an employment tribunal. Jasna Macanovic, a consultant hepatologist, raised concerns about dialysis treatments but was herself put under investigation - John Lawrence Portsmouth University Hospitals NHS Trust told The Telegraph that when Dr Macanovic raised concerns in 2016, it took these very seriously. Following an internal review, and advice from the CQC, an external review was commissioned in 2017. External law firms and private investigators, some of whom are ex-policemen, are often brought in to investigate the whistleblowers own activities. The formal process for investigating doctors usually begins with a maintaining high professional standards (MHPS) investigation, which is supposed to be wrapped up in six weeks, but which often lasts much longer. Martin Pitman, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was placed under an MHPS probe after he raised concerns about maternity care. He said he was warned by his British Medical Association representative that it would take between six and 18 months. He said the BMA rep told him that trusts deliberately extend it because they want to break you. They want to absolutely destroy you. Martin Pitman was told that NHS trusts 'want to absolutely destroy you' - John Lawrence In the event, the MHPS took 16 months, and he wasnt dismissed for a further two and a half years. A spokesman for Hampshire Hospitals (HHFT) said: Independent external investigations were commissioned, at Mr Pitmans request, to ensure that Mr Pitman was treated fairly in regards to the internal investigation following complaints about his conduct. We believe commissioning these external reviews represents diligence and professionalism. Another consultant told The Telegraph the MHPS process gives hospital management unbelievable power with no accountability. Essentially the NHS trusts investigate themselves, mark their own homework, and they become the judge, jury and executioner for the whistleblower all in one go. Serryth Colbert, a maxillofacial surgeon, said the process keeps you walking on the cliff-edge threatening to push you over. He said: Doctors break. Many drink to excess to drown their sorrows, most feel sorry for themselves and eventually become depressed, or suffer PTSD and become clinically depressed from the ostracisation and overnight loss of identity when you are kicked out from the job you love. Serryth Colbert, a maxillofacial surgeon, says investigations into whistleblowers had led to some of them suffering PTSD and depression Step 2: Bully and intimidate Of the 52 medics interviewed by The Telegraph, 45 reported being the victims of victimisation, harassment, discrimination, bullying or intimidation after they blew the whistle. Sixteen were inappropriately referred to psychological or psychiatric services. Five were victims of vexatious referrals to the police, social services and HM Revenue and Customs, with each found to have no case to answer. They said the bullying and intimidation appeared to be aimed not only at weakening their resolve to continue fighting but also at damaging them psychologically. One such case involved Dr Rosalind Ranson, medical director of the Isle of Mans health service when it was directly run by the Department of Health and Social Care. She was fired after blowing the whistle about clinical negligence. She later took her case to an employment tribunal, where the tribunal judge found that she had been subjected to a pattern of disgraceful behaviour designed to make an employee feel not wanted. She was moved from her normal office into what was described as a box room with a broken chair and no computer screen or space for her PA, and her belongings were put into storage. The person most responsible for this disgraceful behaviour was her former boss, Kathryn Magson, who at the time was the chief executive of the Isle of Mans health service, the judge said. The judge found that Ms Magson spread unfounded and demonstrably incorrect allegations that Dr Ranson was burnt-out in order to undermine and silence her. Dr Ranson testified at the tribunal that she had felt broken and beaten by the hostility, marginalisation and humiliation. She was awarded almost 3.2 million in damages. Dr Rosalind Ranson was awarded almost 3.2 million in damages - Jamie Lorriman In the case of Dr Macanovic, she was called to a so-called mediation meeting during which she claims she was abused and shouted at by colleagues for eight hours. She was later fired for what her employer said was serious misconduct in referring a colleague to the General Medical Council. She won an employment tribunal for automatic unfair dismissal and told The Telegraph: Portsmouth Hospitals have allowed a small group of rogue practitioners and their friends to bully me and abuse me as much as they could with the intention of causing a nervous breakdown. In retrospect now, Im absolutely certain that they felt that they would pressurise me sufficiently to resign and that they were pressuring me sufficiently to lose my mind. Step 3: Weaponise General Medical Council referrals Referral to the General Medical Council the regulator for doctors is routinely used as part of NHS managers kit bag for silencing whistleblowers, it is claimed. The Telegraph has spoken to 22 whistleblower doctors who were between them referred to the GMC a total of 30 times. To date, only two of the referrals resulted in a fitness to practise hearing and neither was upheld. The Telegraph has spoken to 22 whistleblower doctors, including Dr Patricia Mills - Tony Buckingham Nine of the doctors claimed to have been threatened with a referral to the GMC if they didnt withdraw their complaint, or stop raising patient safety concerns. This group includes Dr Macanovic, who told The Telegraph: The trust threatened me with a GMC referral because I was failing to cooperate with my colleagues. Dr Peter Duffy, who won his employment tribunal against University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust in 2018, was anonymously referred to the GMC a total of seven times. Three of these referrals proceeded to an investigation, but none to a full hearing. In every case, the regulator concluded he had no case to answer. Dr Peter Duffy was anonymously referred to the GMC a total of seven times. In every case, the regulator concluded he had no case to answer Morecambe Bay said that the trust has never referred Mr Duffy to the GMC nor encouraged others to do so. The former consultant urologist told The Telegraph that after the seventh and final GMC referral, his lawyer advised him to take early retirement and request voluntary erasure from the medical register. He explained: I was told by my solicitor, there may be no end to this. If the GMC throws the case out, you may find they report you again, there is no limit to how many times you can be reported. You cant sue the person or the organisation reporting, because it has absolute privilege. If youre reporting something to the GMC, you can allege whatever you want. And our fear is that this is just going to carry on until they find a weak spot youre a sitting duck. In 2014, retired judge Sir Anthony Hooper was commissioned by the GMC to conduct a review into its treatment of whistleblowers. Sir Anthony was concerned that GMC referrals could be made as an act of retaliation and that the GMC unwittingly becomes the instrument of the employer in its campaign against the doctor. He commented: It would be both cruel and counterproductive to require doctors to speak up and then unfairly or inappropriately damage or destroy their careers when they do so. To mitigate this risk, the regulator required trusts to specify if the doctor being referred had raised patient safety concerns and if these concerns had been investigated. But The Telegraph can reveal that many institutions are simply failing to tick the box. Out of the 22 doctors who were referred to the GMC, 14 of them said the referrer did not correctly identify them as a whistleblower. Among them was Tristan Reuser, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon, who found himself sacked on the spot on June 5 2017, and referred to the GMC the same day. The doctor had resorted to using an untrained staff member to assist in surgery as a last resort to save a patients eyesight after, he claims, nursing staff refused to help, and had raised concerns about this lack of assistance. Mr Reuser was found to have been unfairly dismissed by the trust, and the judge at an employment tribunal ruled that his employer should have made clear to the GMC that he was a whistleblower. The GMC found he had no case to answer. Tristan Reuser, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon, says he was 'sacked on the spot' after raising concerns about the treatment of patients - Andrew Fox Step 4: Demotion, disciplinary action and dismissal Aside from GMC referrals and MHPS investigations, hospitals and clinics can employ a suite of punishments to silence doctors or force them out if they dare to raise concerns about patient safety. Of the 52 whistleblowers interviewed by The Telegraph, 25 faced disciplinary action, 19 were suspended and 16 were dismissed. As one nurse who was excluded from work after raising concerns said: My mum and dad are so terrified. Im their son who theyre so proud of, who went to university as a nurse. And now in the home town we live in, I am known for being this bully, and suspended and pending investigation. It is horrific what they have put me through. I havent murdered anyone! Even if I had committed a serious crime rather than just protecting my patients I still deserve a fair trial, which is more than I am getting now. Others faced more subtle forms of punishment: 15 were demoted, 16 had adverse changes to their terms and conditions, 11 were given a pay cut,12 had extra workloads heaped on them and three said they were left with no option but to resign. Two experienced consultant anaesthetists who raised concerns claim they were instructed to reapply for their positions as educational supervisors. Despite each having over 10 years experience in trainee supervision, their hospital appointed two junior consultants in their place. It was clear that it was a fix, one said. To add insult to injury, the whistleblowers also had their annual leave allowance reduced. They brought in a new way of calculating it which only applied to us, one of the consultants explained, adding: They also refused me leave despite me complying with all the rules. 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 Argentinian colleague recently posed a rather blunt question to me: How, pray tell, does your beloved European Union help you and me? Her doubts are valid. Given the bureaucratic immensity of the EU, it is not unreasonable to wonder what purpose it serves, and whether it has any meaningful impact on the lives of its citizens. Many would shut this discussion down by saying something along the lines of the European Union is a unique institutional experiment that has allowed for the longest period of peace ever known on the continent. A full answer, however, would require a lengthy explanation, as the EU has a very wide sphere of influence. The framework for developing and executing its decisions is also extremely complex: legislation passes first through the EUs institutions, but its 27 Member States are responsible for implementing it. Nevertheless, many of the EUs innumerable directives and regulations have had an unquestionably direct impact on the lives of its citizens. My colleagues question therefore merits a clear response, which we can divide into four key areas where change is happening today, along with a multitude of established measures that have affected citizens for, in some cases, decades. 1. Electricity and fuel prices The price of electricity depends significantly on the EUs actions. We witnessed this in 2022, when Russias invasion of Ukraine sparked an energy supply crisis across much of the continent. The EU responded with a barrage of both structural and fiscal measures that aimed to ensure supplies of natural gas and diversify energy sources. They also sought to intervene in gas prices through price corrective mechanisms, thus curbing electricity price spikes. These systems were rolled out in different ways across the continent. In Spain, for example, their impact on the lives of millions was decisive: drivers faced with soaring prices were given a discount of 20 cents per litre of fuel from April 2022 until the end of the year. 2. Agricultural regulation This winter, much of Europe bore witness to widespread tractor protests. Farmers and their households know all too well how keenly the effects of EU legislation such as the European Green Deal or the Commissions proposed (and subsequently withdrawn) regulations on pesticides can be felt. However, the complex system of vitally important subsidies which are paid directly to farmers comes from the EU budget, and is rooted in three pieces of legislation: 2021/2115, 2021/2116 and 2021/2117. Leer mas: French tractor protests are the latest rebellion of EU farmers against unfair competition and red tape will their strategy pay off? 3. Artificial intelligence The Artificial Intelligence Act was endorsed by the European Parliament and all 27 member states in February. Once it comes into force, companies operating within the internal market will have to rate the level of risk posed by the AI systems they use. They will also have to adopt security measures in order to safeguard the fundamental rights of people affected by their activity. These include the right to challenge unfair discrimination when decisions are made by algorithmic systems. The regulation is already drawing criticism for the negative effects it may have on the industry, as detractors say it will entail additional costs, discourage innovation and reduce competitiveness. However, the rule is pioneering in its protection of citizens against, for example, untargeted use of facial recognition software by security forces. Leer mas: AI bias: the organised struggle against automated discrimination 4. Social measures Some of the EUs social measures are perhaps more limited in scope, and address specific areas. Examples include the directive on the work life balance of parents and carers, the very recently agreed directive on digital platform workers, and the proposed directive on the European disability card. The first of these introduces a leave period of five working days per year to care for those who need assistance. The second shifts the burden of proof onto digital platforms, meaning they are responsible for proving that people working for them are not their employees. This puts workers in a much better position when it comes to exercising their employment rights. Thanks to the third directive, card holders will be treated in the same way as disabled residents of those EU countries to which they travel for short stays, allowing them to, for example, park their cars in disabled spaces. Longstanding examples As well as these more recent developments, there are countless examples of EU legislation that have impacted the daily lives of citizens for decades. ECTS credits are part of the fabric of university life for millions across the EU. These units of measurement (known in full as the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) were introduced in the late 1980s. Today, they continue to enable smooth transitions for students moving between universities within Europe. Likewise with driving licenses: EU citizens have little to worry about when crossing international borders by car, as EU driving licenses are recognised throughout the continent. This is thanks to article 2 of the 2006 directive on driving licenses. The same goes for receiving medical attention in another member state: travelling EU citizens are afforded the same care as residents of their host country under the 2011 directive on cross border healthcare. And with air travel: if a flight is seriously delayed, passengers are likely entitled to compensation under the terms of a 2004 EU regulation. The list could go on indefinitely, but what is clear is that there is little justification for scepticism regarding the effect and effectiveness of EU activity in our lives. Este articulo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos academicos. Lee mas: Joseba K. Fernandez Gaztea no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoria, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiacion de ninguna compania u organizacion que pueda obtener beneficio de este articulo, y ha declarado carecer de vinculos relevantes mas alla del cargo academico citado. Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendant and CEO, Iranetta Rayborn Wright tours Aiken High School on the first day of school on Thursday August 18, 2022. Wright walked around, greeting students and staff and taking selfies with them. In 16 years of public service as an elected school board official, I have worked with five superintendents, four within Cincinnati Public Schools. Each person possessed a unique skill set and style of leadership, and I have appreciated working with all of them, experiencing various degrees of successes and challenges. I am honored to have been part of a great recruitment process to hire an innovative "change agent" to lead Cincinnati Public Schools efforts to move the district into an era of high achievement and overall success. Like all school districts across the nation, Cincinnati Public Schools clawed its way out of a nationwide pandemic, with residual concerns still to be addressed. With overwhelming support across the Cincinnati community, including district unions, Superintendent Iranetta Wright was identified as the right person, at the right time, for the right reasons. After only two years moving the needle forward, the district has been presented with an unprecedented challenge related to the superintendents performance that being a perceived lack of collaboration and disregard for employees. Here we are now, amid a controversy wherein finding a reasonable compromise to address these concerns seems implausible. However, I believe in the district's the ability to move forward, with reasonable and positive results, and strongly urge Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education to not accept the unions vote of no confidence. All six unions representing labor who works at Cincinnati Public Schools hold a press conference announcing their unanimous vote of no confidence of Superintendent Iranetta Wright by all members, according to union leaders, Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Central Office and the Mayerson Academy building in the Corryville neighborhood of Cincinnati. A vote of no confidence is concerning for distinct reasons. The narrative around these concerns basically speaks of a lack of inclusion, problems with the organizational structure, fear of retaliation, etc. So, why a vote of no confidence now? What options were considered for resolution? What would it cost the district to change leadership at this time, especially with the current struggles to approve an already stretched budget and plans to incorporate "AD HOC recommendations" at a yet undetermined cost? How will this action impact public perception, especially in a levy renewal year, with "transitional" leadership? This action would create potential stagnation implementing the districts new strategic plan, inclusive of the goals and guardrails, developed by the school board in partnership with community stakeholders; increased and almost certain attrition of staff, and most importantly, a lack of public trust in the boards ability to move the district forward. A fourth superintendent within five years is not good for student achievement. There is absolutely no trade-off for the positive improvements and growth in areas of student outcomes. Superintendent Wrights focus on curriculum and instruction has resulted in preliminary data showing downward trends in chronic absenteeism, disciplinary rates and bullying. Early indicators also show an overall improvement in test scores. Transportation services have improved significantly. In late summer 2023, the school board shared publicly the superintendents performance evaluation, rating her as "satisfactory" overall, with a need for improvement in areas of "communication and collaboration." The school board is responsible for providing a foundation of performance accountability for the superintendent, including alignment of performance measures that look to improve in those performance areas identified as "unsatisfactory." There is no denying that much more can and should be done to ensure full collaboration and inclusive decision-making throughout the district, and with all stakeholders. A collaborative decision-making process is critical to ensuring that all voices are heard, and that meaningful engagement occurs at all levels. Superintendent Wright absolutely deserves time to make necessary changes that align with strategic plans, goals and guardrails. She also has a right to a well-prepared performance evaluation that builds in accountability measures and expectations in those areas where performance is below standard. The school board is compelled to provide and monitor a fair assessment of clearly defined goals, performance measures and benchmarks, with established timelines for achievement. In collaborating with the Council of Great City Schools, the school board committed to self-assessment and developing mechanisms that reinforce its bottom line, that of impacting student outcomes. I strongly urge the CPS board to honor its commitment to prioritize student outcomes. To accept this vote of no confidence would be detrimental to the district. Lets be the "adults" in the room, respecting all opinions, working toward a viable solution, and delivering whats in the best interest of CPS students. Carolyn Jones lives is College Hill and is a former Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education member, serving from 2016-2023. Carolyn Jones This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Accepting no-confidence vote in Wright would be detrimental to CPS People wait in line to enter a general store that remained open in the Magenta neighborhood of Noumea amid protests related to a debate over a draft constitution to expand the electorate for upcoming elections in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. More than 130 people were arrested in New Caledonia as violent protests rocked the French archipelago in the Pacific. Theo Rouby/AFP/dpa France has imposed a state of emergency in New Caledonia as the overseas territory in the South Pacific is rocked by violent unrest, the office of President Emmanuel Macron announced in Paris following a crisis meeting on Wednesday. Declaring a state of emergency makes it easier for the authorities to impose curfews and ban demonstrations, among other actions. At least three people have died in the riots that raged after France's National Assembly approved contentious voting reforms to the territory that angered independence supporters. Several hundred people have been injured so far. Macron expressed his shock at the deaths and the serious injuries suffered by a police officer, the presidential office said. The acts of violence were intolerable and the state would crack down to restore order, it said. A demonstrator waves a flag of the socialist National Liberation Front of the Kanaks (FLNKS) at a vehicle checkpoint in Noumea amid protests related to a debate on a draft constitution aimed at expanding the electorate for upcoming elections in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. More than 130 people were arrested in New Caledonia as violent protests rocked the French archipelago in the Pacific. Theo Rouby/AFP/dpa icon Semafor Signals Supported by Microsoft logo Insights from The Guardian, The New York Times, Islands Business Arrow Down Title icon The News France has deployed its armed forces and declared a 12-day state of emergency in New Caledonia amid violent protests against a voting reform that have left at least four people dead. The protests erupted on Monday after Frances National Assemblys proposed changes that seek to allow French residents living in the Pacific Island atoll to vote in regional elections; New Caledonia is a French overseas territory. Authorities have set curfews and banned large gatherings to try and curb the protests, as well as closing schools. Under the contested constitutional changes, French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for ten years would be able to vote in provincial elections. While New Caledonians are also French citizens, protestors say that opening up the vote to other French people living there would dilute the voting power of the indigenous Kanak people. The Kanak people make up the largest ethnic group in New Caledonia, and voter rolls in the territory the people allowed to vote in an election have been frozen since 2007. The reform would expand the roster by 20,000-25,000 people, a New Caledonia historian told the New York Times. Pro-independence alliances such as the FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front) say that the change shows the French state has lost its impartiality over the issue. New Caledonia is the worlds third largest nickel producer a high-demand element that adds to the islands geopolitical importance. icon SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Past independence referendums have faltered Source icon Sources: The Guardian, The New York Times France has slowly been conferring political power to New Caledonia, but so far, three recent independence referendums have failed. In the latest 2021 poll, pro-independence Kanak groups boycotted the vote and rejected the results after far fewer voters turned out than had in previous referendums. At the time, COVID-19 restrictions made campaigning incredibly difficult and the referendum came during a period of country-wide, customary mourning in the midst of a wave of the virus that disproportionately affected Kanak people. Indigenous Kanaks disproportionately face economic challenges Source icon Sources: Nikkei Asia, The Guardian, The New York Times In an opinion piece in Nikkei Asia about the French lack of concern for Kanak year-long mourning rituals preventing many from taking part in the 2021 independence referendum, Kanak fashion designer Marylou Mahe wrote 30 years of rebalancing toward the Kanak people, we are not being heard, nor considered. Tens of thousands of New Caledonias 280,000 population live below the poverty line and Kanaks make up over 70% of the poor, The Guardian reported. The semi autonomous territory is also a top producer of nickel, a key component in the electric vehicle industry that has a dirty, destructive and often politically fraught mining process that makes New Caledonia one of the worlds largest carbon emitters per capita. New Caledonia holds a geopolitically strategic significance for France Source icon Sources: Islands Business , The Diplomat In addition to its mineral resources, New Caledonia fulfills Frances desire for a Pacific foothold. French President Emmanual Macron has made multiple visits to the islands in the last three years and pledged new military deployments and investment into the Forces Armees de Nouvelle-Caledonie (FANC the French armed forces deployed in New Caledonia). But pro-independence parties have expressed concern about how these moves conflict with decolonization, with one party president saying we will strongly oppose Frances strategy of military occupation and Indo-Pacific Strategy. France only has legitimacy in Oceania through the peoples it administers. Semafor Logo This photo taken in September 2023 shows Gao Wenyuan (2nd R), a professor at the School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, leads his team to conduct a research at a lab in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua) TIANJIN, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have developed a novel bio-fungicide to combat root rot disease in cultivating Astragalus membranaceus, commonly known as Huangqi or Astragalus root, according to an article published in Chemical Engineering Journal. The bio-fungicide can suppress the root rot disease and promote the growth metabolism of Astragalus membranaceus, said Gao Wenyuan, a professor at the School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, who led the research team. Root rot disease is a kind of plant cancer and a common disease in Chinese medicinal herb planting areas, caused by a complex of pathogenic fungi. It poses a significant threat to the cultivation of Astragalus membranaceus. Mechanistic studies have revealed that this novel bio-fungicide exerts its antifungal effect by inhibiting the growth genes of Fusarium oxysporum, stimulating the production of antifungal compounds in Astragalus membranaceu, and activating its resistance genes. "This bio-fungicide is as effective as currently available pesticides, but the cost is lower and it is more environmentally friendly," Gao said, adding that it holds great potential as an alternative to traditional pesticides and has enormous applications in plant protection. The researchers plan to further optimize the cost and promote widespread application in the future. This Fresno event will be giving away free food boxes to 100 guests FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) There will be a community block party hosted by Fresno Building Healthy Communities on Saturday. Organizers say to get ready to groove and mingle at the block party and to join them for an unforgettable afternoon of fun, food, and fellowship. There will be food, raffles, resources, and activities for the youth. According to organizers, the Central California Food Bank will also be on-site and providing free food boxes for the first 100 guests. The event will be on Saturday, May 18 located at 367 N. First St., Fresno. It will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. (Illustration by Anja Slibar/The 19th) Originally published by The 19th In Meghan Meehan-Drapers first years with the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), she noticed something startling: We had more governors named John than we had governors who were women, Meehan-Draper, now the executive director of the DGA, told The 19th. A few years later, DGA launched the Women Governors Fund, which has put $80 million in Democratic women candidates in general elections. Since its start in 2018, the number of Democratic women governors has quadrupled. The eight Democratic women leading their states Maura Healey in Massachusetts, Katie Hobbs in Arizona, Kathy Hochul in New York, Laura Kelly in Kansas, Tina Kotek in Oregon, Michelle Lujan Grisham in New Mexico, Janet Mills in Maine and Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan have changed what it means for women to win and hold executive office in the United States. Theyre a group marked by notable firsts, too. Three Healey, Hochul, and Mills are the first women to hold that office in their states. Lujan Grisham is the nations first Democratic Hispanic woman governor. Healey and Kotek are the first elected out lesbian governors in their states. But whats perhaps even more remarkable is the way the women in this group have made their relationships with one another a critical part of their own leadership. These eight women are actual friends. They call and text each other to check in and get advice. They get together for dinner and bring their daughters. They turn to each other when they are going through something challenging and when they need to laugh. The 19th interviewed Governors Healey, Hobbs, Hochul, Kelly, Lujan Grisham, Mills and Whitmer about their relationships with their peers, how they think about leadership, the issues that matter most to them, and how their families have shaped their work. Most interviews were via phone; Mills responses are via email. Kotek declined to be interviewed. Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico: Our relationships really solidified during COVID. I was on a phone call which is now widely publicized and I believe the term that [former president Donald] Trump used was that we were losers. He was sort of barking at some of the women, including me, on that call. This is when we learned that we were all competing for the same personal protective equipment. That really spurred us especially my friend the woman in Michigan to say, You know what? Were not going to let any elected leader create division among a group, particularly a group of women. Gov. Laura Kelly, Kansas: Having that relationship with the woman governors who were also on that call and being able to immediately text one of them to fact check to make sure I heard what I just heard in addition to it being useful to have each other, it really drew us together. We were like any people who go through a crisis or emergency together. (Anja Slibar for The 19th) Gov. Janet Mills, Maine: The earliest days of the pandemic were a difficult and emotional time, forcing us to make life and death choices, and as women leaders, we werent really allowed to show it. Being able to lean on each other as we navigated the pandemic, and the added challenges created by the former president, was really important. It was moments like those that just reminded me that I have spent the better part of my career listening to loud men talk tough to disguise their weakness and Im sure its something my women colleagues have endured as well. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan: We had frequent joint calls together it was a gut check. It was saying, How are you dealing with this? and Are you hearing what Im hearing? Those conversations were really important to cut through what was important and what wasnt and how to solve the problems that we were all grappling with. I count [the other Democratic women governors] as some of my closest friends and allies to this day. Meehan-Draper said the camaraderie and connection the governors have is on display not only when they gather for DGA meetings, but in their work. Gov. Katie Hobbs, Arizona: Governor Kotek, Governor Healey and myself are the newbies, but the other five started this relationship during the pandemic where they were really like, How do we lead through this? When I was secretary of state and running for governor [in 2022] you could just feel the relationship that the other women governors had together. It was really evident. And quite honestly, I really wanted to be a part of that. Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York: We have really embraced our newer members Tina Kotek in Oregon and Maura Healey in Massachusetts and Katie Hobbs in Arizona and we really have a lot of fun together, to be honest. I think its because you really do have to have a sense of humor to get what we do. (Anja Slibar for The 19th) Each individual is a personality and they always come with so many stories about their own states and I love listening to how everybody is always bragging about their state all of the time. Hobbs: Governor Whitmer had a similar abortion law [a pre-Roe v. Wade ban like Arizonas] in her state repealed, and its great to talk to her about how they did that and because she just got the legislature in 23 and with the possibility of our getting the legislature in 24, thats really helpful, talking to these women about how a different environment with a divided government can create different challenges. Gov. Maura Healey, Massachusetts: For me as a new governor, the guidance and the friendship and the advice of my colleagues who have served as women has been just so invaluable. Its just great to be able to have a friend network too where you can just pick up the phone and call and talk about your day and say, Whats going on with your family? and then How are you navigating this challenge? Lujan Grisham: I have been a governor for longer than Governor Healey, but you better believe Im calling Governor Healey and saying, Look, youre making some real progress on work issues, particularly related to asylum-seekers and migrants. Given that Im a border state, Im very interested in your successes here. Heres where I wasnt as successful I wonder if you could help me figure out why. Its not about whos got seniority its about the fact that I have a relationship with Governor Healey. I trust her. I like her. I know that shes going to do everything in her power to help me be successful. Its not a competition. Thats whats different here. We dont compete in the ways that I think a lot of our male counterparts do. Healey: When I think about Governor Lujan Grisham, who is an incredible governor and an incredible leader, I think of someone I call when Im looking for advice on a number of things, especially with early education and child care. I call her and say,I want to understand what youre doing and how youre doing it, because I want to do more of that in Massachusetts. When we introduced universal school meals? That was something she already took on in her state. So I sought her advice on how you get that done. But also, Michelle [Lujan Grisham] has just got the best sense of humor. Were a tight group and we laugh together and we joke together and we commiserate together and we talk about really serious things together. But she always makes me laugh. Given that a third of states have never had a woman governor, getting people to see them as something other than compromisers and negotiators can feel like an uphill battle. People really struggle seeing women as executives, as bosses, Meehan-Draper said. Lujan Grisham: You have to recognize that part of our work does mean challenging the status quo opinions about what you can and cannot do. Women have to be bolder. Were unabashed and unafraid and we believe thats why we got elected in the first place, to be smart and bold, to be practical and strategic, and to be unapologetic about the things that require results and a change. Whitmer: During COVID, I was on a call with my Midwestern governors group and it was in the height of all the threats I was getting and to be fair, every governor who was trying to keep people safe was taking a lot of heat and getting a lot of abuse, though mine was at a whole different level unfortunately. One of my colleagues said, Why do you take so much more heat for this than the rest of us do? and then he said, No, dont answer that. I already know. Then he answered it himself. Its because youre the woman. (Anja Slibar for The 19th) Healey: The thing I really work toward is to not be afraid. No matter what you do, not everyone is going to be happy. Ive learned to trust my gut and trust my instinct. You have to do what you think is right and then let the chips fall where they may. Kelly: What motivates me is that Im just by nature a problem solver. Our state was in such bad shape that I knew if I didnt run, it would get even worse. It was my good, old Irish Catholic guilt that I thought it was my responsibility to do this because I had the skill set and the deep knowledge of how the state operated, how it needed to operate, and that I could actually do the job. Hochul: What I did was I decided to carve a path that was far more collaborative. I knew I would be different and people are still getting used to it. It really does not have to be a fight. Kelly: When I was running, I think people were skeptical that I was up for the job. I tend to be somewhat soft-spoken. I was not a yeller and a screamer, just a very, very moderate person. I think a lot of folks were worried that I would not be able to deal with recalcitrant legislators and manage a very large operation. I think the fact that not only have I proven I can do it, but now so many other women governors have proven that also, I think were going to see less skepticism as we move forward. Whitmer: I think that all women who get the chance to serve, but especially this group of Democratic women governors, get the opportunity to show up as we are. Michelle Lujan Grisham is so different than Laura Kelly. I love them both to death and weve got so many similar values, but theyve got very different styles, theyre in different parts of the country. But at the end of the day, I think each of them has stepped into their leadership role and has been bold and that gives space for the rest of us to be as well. Im able to show up as I am in a way that I think previous generations of female leaders didnt feel as comfortable. I think thats when people see why having different voices in leadership positions is actually a great thing. Healey: I think that relatability is something that people really crave right now, particularly in a time when theres been a lot of cynicism about politicians, about government, about trusting government. These women every single day are building peoples trust in government, which is absolutely imperative to holding on to and affirming our democracy. Because if people dont believe and trust in government, then theres not going to be a government. Part of being a successful governor is having a deep understanding of your state and the issues that are most pressing within it. For the Democratic women governors, a large part of their work has involved transforming voters perceptions about the kinds of issues that women executives care about and are capable of leading on, while also proving their deep local expertise. Democratic women executives have to prove that they deserve to be here as much as the 100 men that came before them, and Im even better because I accomplished all these groundbreaking, trailblazing things that leave my state a better place than I found it, Meehan-Draper said. Whitmer: A question that I got early in my first run for governor was, Are you going to run as a woman? Ive always tried to figure out whats the question behind the question. I think they were asking me if I was only going to champion traditional womens issues like pay equity or child care or whatever it is that people generally think of as womens issues. (Anja Slibar for The 19th) Healey: I think its ridiculous to say that certain things are womens issues. I want to change the conversation about what womens issues are. When you look at household budgets, its women who more often than not are actually managing that. If you want to think about whos going to be the steward of economic growth and development in your state, theres no reason why women shouldnt be leading the discussions on that. Kelly: We have smashed all records for new capital investment in our state. I think that has shocked people, but in a good way. I think thats why the perception of my ability to be the CEO has radically changed, because Ive done things people didnt expect from a woman or from a Democrat. Lujan Grisham: I had a woman who sat next to me before I was going to give an economic speech who has great expertise in economic efforts, and she said to me, Can you believe it, how the economy is here now? Would you have ever thought this possible in your wildest dreams? And I said, Yes, of course. This is my strategy and its working. I ran on this strategy. I dont know why youre surprised, since I said if we did these things this would happen. Hochul: We protect our children. We protect our families. So public safety is a very natural place for me to go into and say, No we need to have tougher laws. We need to protect people. We need to make sure that students are not discriminated against. We need to make sure that women are safe in their homes. No one should be surprised by the emotion and the intention that we bring to this. Healey: I want to shout out what my colleagues are doing. Look at what Katie Hobbs is doing to promote the semiconductor industry in Arizona and to protect abortion access right now. Look at Laura Kelly, who amazingly reversed years of damage by balancing the budget and fully funding public education in Kansas. Look at Janet Mills, who expanded Medicaid on her very first day in office in Maine and changed the lives of thousands of Mainers. Look at Gretchen Whitmer, who is making Michigan a leader in electric vehicle jobs while fixing the damn roads. Think about Kathy Hochul, who is tackling the states mental health challenges and taking action to improve public safety in New York. And then of course there is Michelle [Lujan Grisham], who expanded affordable child care. I look at them and Im inspired by their work. Hobbs: Every issue that our legislature deals with is a womens issue. Were really focused on economic development and all of the pieces critical to keeping that going. We created 82,000 jobs in my first year and we have more Arizonans now working than ever before and theyre making more money than theyve ever made. That is a womens issue because whether or not youre a single head of household, that income is helping your family to thrive. Whitmer: I have a tendency to couch every issue in a way that makes it as personal for people as I can, and I relate abortion back to the economy and autonomy. Their ability to get health care is about their personal autonomy; whether or not your child is getting an education that prepares them is, too. I think thats been one way that I really try to de-gender issues that really shouldnt be about women or men at all these are all things that are about the American economy and the average Americans ability to get ahead. Lujan Grisham: We are the fighters for freedom. We are the ones saying, Actually the founding fathers didnt want the government intruding in your life, making your reproductive choices for you, rolling back your constitutional rights. Its women who are going to stand up. I dont think anyone thought about women standing up for the Constitution and now we are, for our constitutional rights and our freedom. I think people are going to look to women in a whole different leadership sense in this political climate and I think that is good for America. These women also are thinking about the way their families have informed their ability to lead. Whitmer: I was raised by two public servants. My dad was a traditional Republican hes a Democrat now and my mom was a Democrat. In my family it was really instilled in all of us, my brother and my sister and I, that public service is important. Its rewarding. Its something that each of us should figure out what way can we be of service to others? As I raise my two daughters, Sherry and Sydney, I am always trying to make sure that they understand why all the heat and stuff that comes my way is worth it. When I look at my own kids, I think about how when the government doesnt work, its the people on the margins that pay the dearest price for it. When the water that comes out of your tap isnt safe or when the roads youre driving on are falling apart or the education that your kids are getting isnt enough the people on the margins suffer the most, and I just look at my kids I think about everyones kids. (Anja Slibar for The 19th) Mills: My grandmothers both voted for the first time in the presidential election of 1920 and, within a few short years, each was elected to the school boards of their respective towns, Farmington and Ashland, Maine. I like to think that they would be proud that, within a hundred years of being able to vote for the first time, their granddaughter would not only be the first woman governor of Maine, she would also be on a group chat with seven other women governors! Kelly: Theres no doubt that women with children have to be great multitaskers, particularly if they are working outside the home. They have to be very nimble, being able to move from one thing to another, to respond to that call from school to pick up a sick kid, and then youve got to figure out how youre going to cover your work day. There are infinite opportunities for women with children to develop management skills crisis management, negotiations, problem solving, conflict resolution. There are all sorts of things I can think of that I had to implement when my two daughters were growing up. Healey: Im the oldest of five raised by a single mom. I saw how hard my mom worked and what she was able to persevere through and I think I grew a lot in watching her and learning from her. Lujan Grisham: Im a proud mother of two daughters, aged 38 and 40. Theyre motivated. They want a different future for their children. Democracies are fragile and theyre complicated. Hochul: Back in 2011, I was a county clerk. I had just won my reelection with 80 percent of the vote. And there was a position for county executive that I was asked to challenge on, to challenge the incumbent Republican county executive. But then all of a sudden we had an unexpected vacancy when our local Republican congressman resigned unexpectedly. My local elected leaders and the county chairman were still really pushing me hard to go for the county executive seat. I couldnt stop thinking about the congressional seat though, and I told my daughter who was just in college at the time about it. I just laid it all out there. I said, Theres no way I am going to win that congressional seat, but what would you do, sweetheart? And she said, Mom! Congress, duh! You have to do Congress! I got out there and went to every fire hall, every veterans post, every diner in the county. I worked hard in that rural, Republican district to win them over. And ultimately, I won. Two weeks before I was sworn in, I was at my daughters college graduation and John Lewis was their commencement speaker and literally, the kids went crazy seeing him. He was a rock star with all of those kids. And then literally two weeks later, Im shaking his hand as a colleague on the floor of Congress. So thats the turn my life took because I needed to prove to my daughter that her mother had the guts to do it. The post The friendships forged in a governors group chat appeared first on Rhode Island Current. The Putnam Museum & Science Center showcased the power of innovation and invited people to join its Power Circle at the annual Power Breakfast Wednesday morning in the Grand Lobby. The free event included a video of local children describing their favorite parts of the Putnam, 1717 W. 12th St., Davenport. Kelly Lao, the Putnams vice president of museum experiences and interim co-CEO, speaks at the museums annual Power Breakfast in the Grand Lobby, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (photo by Jonathan Turner). Kelly Lao, vice president of museum experiences and interim co-CEO, noted a new CEO is expected to start on July 1, to succeed Rachael Mullins (who left this past January). The Power Circle is comprised of people who give at least $1,000 during a year to the nonprofit organization. The Putnam was founded in 1867 as the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences, as just the third museum in the nation west of the Mississippi River. In 1879, it became the first in the United States to offer public school programming, Lao said. Our predecessors were innovators, just like the people featured in our new Quad City Innovators gallery upstairs, yet they could scarcely imagine what their trailblazing actions would become an educational and cultural powerhouse with a quarter million items in the collection and serving more than 158,000 people each year, she said. Through the Immerse program, teachers can bring their classrooms to the Putnam for a week of school, taking advantage of the museum staff, resources, and collection, Lao said. We exist to ignite potential and inspire our diverse community to care for our world and all its people, she said. The Putnam is undertaking a remodel of its Black Earth / Big River natural science exhibit, to incorporate more Indigenous views about the land and river and environmental education, Lao noted. A common myth Such offerings (including the new permanent Quad City Innovators and Common Ground exhibits on the second floor) dispel a common myth among museums. Many people may think museums are static offering the same exhibits and experience you had when you were in 5th grade, Lao said. Thats not the case. The Putnam is constantly providing new enriching experiences for our guests. This past year featured five rotating exhibits. And some people think only those who are well-off visit museums, Lao said. Kelly Lao, former head of the German American Heritage Center & Museum in Davenport, has been the Putnam VP for museum experiences since October 2022 (photo by Jonathan Turner). We know thats not true. In 2021, we began participating in the national Museums for All initiative, she said. This program allows for people with SNAP federal food benefits to visit the Putnam for just $1. In our first year, 2,200 residents visited utilizing this experience. By 2023, that number grew 47 percent. Schools today have very limited funds available for programs like Immerse, and the Putnam knows Museums for All demand is skyrocketing, Lao said. All these undertakings can continue to flourish with additional support, she said of fundraising. The museum focuses on inclusion, to make sure adults and kids from all backgrounds can see themselves represented in the exhibits, Lao noted. Later this year, the Putnam will open its vault collection in its lower galleries, opening up thousands of objects from the permanent collection and allowing people to interact with them. Additionally, we will open our gateway experience, which will welcome visitors and provide RFID learning challenges, connecting the many galleries throughout the museum, Lao said. Over 100 people attended the Wednesday event at the Putnam Grand Lobby (photo by Jonathan Turner). One hundred and fifty-seven years later, after our founding, we must continue to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our community, she said. Impact on three residents The Wednesday morning event displayed a video showcasing three residents, talking about how theyve been impacted by their Putnam experience Living Lands & Waters founder and environmentalist Chad Pregracke, Putnam member and parent Seth Campbell, and visual artist Shayla Ray Afflerbaugh. Were so lucky to have this because it brings a lot to the community, said Pregracke, whos featured in the Putnams Innovators exhibit. Theres just a lot of rad things going on there. Chad Pregracke of Living Lands & Waters is featured in the new Quad City Innovators exhibit (photo by Jonathan Turner). One of his strongest memories from 6th grade is going on a field trip to the Putnam. It was important at the time and its still important now, Pregracke said. Its amazing and inspiring. The place is just cool its meaningful, its impactful and its a huge part of the community, he said. Its 157 years oldIts modern and hip and awesome, and still relevant. Campbells son Griffin is on the autism spectrum, and the Putnam gives him an outlet where he feels safe and can enjoy exhibits and the Giant Screen Theater. He loved the Tails From Tales exhibit he loves animals, loves the Hall of Mammals, his dad said. In winters, its a lifesaver, just because a lot of outdoor activities, we cant participate in, but between here and The Family Museum in Bettendorfgives him a lot of opportunities to play, Campbell said. I think its a great resource for the community; I hope everybody takes advantage of it. For Griffin, it provides a safe environment for him to explore and the staff are so accommodating to him and really look out for him, he said, noting they also went to a sensory-friendly movie they enjoyed. Its been a great experience to help him grow as well and give him opportunities to experience things he wouldnt otherwise. Its a life-changer for Griffin. Afflerbaugh was one of several local artists to provide artwork connected to a childrens book for the Putnams Tails From Tales exhibit, and she chose The Ugly Duckling. Shayla Ray Afflerbaughs Ugly Duckling painting as part of the Putnams Tails From Tales exhibit. She specializes in wildlife art, and chose that story of transformation and belonging. Sometimes, our art isnt for everyone and you find your audience, people who appreciate your art, Afflerbaugh said in the video. I was very proud to be selected for the exhibit. It was really important for me to have my kids see something of mine put up in a museum. They got to see my artwork from start to finish, and then to bring them here. they got to see moms artwork up on the wall. It was a really proud moment for me I felt really accomplished. Priceless effect on kids The Putnam also featured a live testimonial from Shaya Smith, a 4th-grade teacher at the Rock Island Center for Math and Science. The Putnam has partnered with the Rock Island-Milan School District in the Immerse program since 2017, for 3rd and 4th grade classes to immerse students in hands-on learning with artifacts, curators, and museum educators. Shaya Smith, 4th-grade teacher at Rock Island Center for Math and Science, speaks at the Putnam Power Breakfast, A Morning of Giving, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (photo by Jonathan Turner). After many years of developing and planning our perfect week, we now see the bigger picture of what this partnership has created for hundreds of students annually, Smith said. Not only in Rock Island, but in the greater Quad-City area. She said some of her students have said before their Putnam experience, they had never left Rock Island. Its almost unbelievable, but its true, Smith said. Many of my students cant afford to go on vacations or trips away from their neighborhoods. Theres a stark difference between those who can and those who simply cannot. This immersive experience offers my students the opportunity to dive deeper into the curriculum I teach. It becomes more than just a workshop or a YouTube video, more than just a chapter in a book, she said. One lesson at the Putnam was on how animals survive in the wild. They offer a glimpse into our world that the four walls of a classroom simply cannot an experience that is priceless, Smith said of the Putnam. Our students also get to explore exhibits from all over the world. She also complimented the museums JUNKkraft exhibit (which ran from May to October 2023) and a school visit from its creator, Marcus Erikson. In 2008, Erikson and Joel Paschal launched a homemade raft from Los Angeles with the intent to drift to Hawaii to bring attention to the emerging plastic pollution problem. With no motor or support vessel, the crew took 13 weeks to reach their destination, three times longer than expected. They used 15,000 plastic bottles, 26 sailboat masts, and a Cessna aircraft fuselage to construct the raft, named JUNK. Immerse offers invaluable opportunities for teachers and students to make connections to their curriculum that wouldnt be possible without the hard work and dedication of the Putnam staff, administrators, teachers, students and volunteers, Smith said. It especially wouldnt be possible without donors such as yourself, she said to the 100-plus in attendance Wednesday. What the Putnam provides to kids is priceless, Smith said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. House Democrats furious over reports of Donald Trumps apparent offer to oil executives over a Mar-a-Lago dinner last monththat if they raised $1 billion for his campaign, he would slash environmental regulation once back in officehave launched an investigation. First reported by The Washington Post, sources said Trumps dinner saw the former president offer a deal if the $1 billion fundraising goal was met. According to one attendee, Trump promised the roughly two dozen bosses to ditch President Joe Bidens freeze on permits for new liquefied gas exports, adding, Youll get it on the first day. Also on the menu: leases for oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and the reversal of restrictions on drilling in the Alaskan Arctic. Youve been waiting on a permit for five years; youll get it on Day 1, Trump reportedly added. A letter by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Monday night was sent to nine executives, it confirmed in a Tuesday statement. CEOs at Cheniere Energy, Chesapeake Energy, Chevron, Continental Resources, EQT Corporation, ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum and Venture Global, all received one. The head of the American Petroleum Institute was also on the list. In the letters, such as one addressed to Michael K. Wirth, chairman of the board and CEO of Chevron, top Democratic Maryland congressman Jamie Raskin requested more details of the meeting, a list of attendees at the event, any documents or materials shared by attendees and a description of all policy proposals discussed at the event, among others. NEW: RM @RepRaskin is demanding answers from Big Oil CEOs following reports of quid pro quo propositions made by former President Trump to dismantle fossil fuel regulations in exchange for $1 billion in contributions to his campaign. https://t.co/u71YiUySMQ Oversight Committee Democrats (@OversightDems) May 14, 2024 Media reports raise significant potential ethical, campaign finance, and legal issues that would flow from the effective sale of American energy and regulatory policy to commercial interests in return for large campaign contributions, reads the letter, signed by Raskin. These reports of a solicitation of payments in exchange for an explicit promise of specific future official actions are both highly credible and consistent with past behavior. Raskin also highlighted a Politico story which alleged via unidentified energy executives that the oil industry is drawing up ready-to-sign executive orders for Donald Trump. Mr. Trumps unvarnished quid pro quo offer is especially troubling evidence in light of recent accounts that the U.S. oil industry is drawing up ready-to-sign executive orders for Donald Trump aimed at pushing natural gas exports, cutting drilling costs and increasing offshore oil leases in case he wins a second term, Raskin said. These preparatory actions suggest that certain oil and gas companies, which have a track record of using deceitful tactics to undermine effective climate policy may have already accepted or facilitated Mr. Trumps explicit corrupt bargain, ranking member Raskin added. Trumps Ties to Big Oil Just Got Even More Terrifying Speaking to the Post, Andrea Woods, a spokeswoman for the American Petroleum Institute, said in an email: The premise of Mr. Raskins letter is patently false and an attempt to distract from a needed debate about Americas futureone that requires more energy, including more oil and natural gas. As the leading voice for Americas energy workforce, API regularly meets with policymakers and candidates and shares our priorities. Meanwhile, a Venture Global spokeswoman said: Venture Global regularly engages with government officialsboth past and presenton a bipartisan basis and this meeting was no different. We would welcome a similar conversation with President Biden at any time. Yet despite the letter, with Republicans in control of the House, there is little Democrats on the Oversight Committee can do, except hope the oil companies will comply. Without those companies offering the information, the Democrats will not have enough power to subpoena them. Experts told the Post that despite claims by Democrats that Trump may have broken campaign rules with the offer, it is unlikely that he did. 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. Will Donald Trump speak at the 2024 GA convention? Heres what the GOP said The Georgia Republican Partys state convention returns to Columbus this week, but unlike last year, the 2024 edition wont feature former President Donald Trump among the speakers. Speculation about whether Trump would speak again at the convention was so prevalent, the Georgia GOP was compelled to post this on its Facebook page Monday: There has been inaccurate information circulating about the program for our upcoming State Convention in Columbus. While we would love to tell you President Trump will be speaking, we can confirm he will NOT be in attendance this year. His schedule precludes him from traveling to Georgia but we look forward to welcoming him as he campaigns here between now and Election Day. Trump has been on trial in New York for allegedly paying hush-money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and attempting to conceal the reason for payment.Trump is sitting through the fifth week of a trial where he is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. But he has traveled outside of New York to campaign during weekends, when the trial isnt in session. So now that we know Trump wont be one of the speakers, who will address the delegates when they convene May 17-18 in the Columbus Convention & Trade Center? The Georgia GOP hasnt released a complete time schedule of speakers, but the party has announced in several posts on its Facebook page confirmation that the following officials will be among the speakers: May 17 Georgia GOP convention speakers Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler at an unspecified time Civil rights attorney, radio talk show host and Fox News contributor Leo Terrell at an unspecified time North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the GOP nominee to be governor in that state, at the dinner, which starts at 7 p.m. Former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a 2020 presidential candidate for the Democratic nomination, also at the dinner. May 18 GA Republican Party convention speakers U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene at the breakfast, which starts at 7:30 a.m. GA man who licked childs feet at trampoline park sentenced to 10 years in jail A former teachers aide who licked a boys feet at a Georgia trampoline park will now spend the next 10 years in jail. Caurey Rollins, 26, was first indicted in January after police said he asked a child to take his socks off at a Richmond County Urban Air trampoline park and then sucked on his toes. He was later accused of molesting three fourth-grade girls at the school where he worked, Glenn Hill Elementary. On April 11, he was indicted on seven more counts of child molestation. On top of the sentence, the judge in the case also banned Rollins from Columbia County and he must register as a sex offender, WRDW-TV reported. The TV station spoke with the boys mother following Rollins sentencing. She told the TV station that her son hasnt been the same since the incident. RELATED STORIES: IN OTHER NEWS: The man who owns the home where investigators found a boat that they suspect struck and killed a 15-year-old Ransom Everglades student was piloting the vessel at the time of the crash, according to a report released Wednesday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 78, owns the Coral Gables home at 11025 Tanya St., where the 42-foot 2020 Boston Whaler boat was docked when FWC agents seized the vessel Tuesday afternoon. He was the only person in the boat and did not stop after the crash, the report said. READ MORE: Boat behind Gables home seized in crash that killed Ransom Everglades student, FWC says The report states that a 42-foot 2017 Hanse Fjord operated by Edmund Richard, 30, was towing two girls behind the boat around 4 p.m. Saturday about a mile west of Mashta Point off Key Biscayne. One of the girls was on a wake board and another was on a wake surfboard. The girls fell off their boards at different times and in different locations, and both were in the water simultaneously, the report said. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers exit the Coral Gables home at 11025 Tanya St. where police say a boat matching the description of the vessel that struck and killed Ella Adler near Nixon Beach Sandbar on Saturday was located and seized, in Coral gables, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Alonso, heading west, struck the female wake boarder who was in the water, further away from the boat that was towing her, the report said. The wake boarder was Ella Riley Adler, a 15-year-old freshman at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove. She died from her injuries. Alonsos attorney said in a statement Wednesday evening that her client did not realize that he had struck Ella. He has no knowledge whatsoever of having been involved in this accident. If he hit Ella that day, he certainly did not know it, Lauren Field Krasnoff said in the statement to the Herald. Alonso, who goes by the nickname Bill, has been boating for 50 years and is a very experienced boater who knows these waters, the statement said. Had Bill thought he hit anything, he absolutely would have stopped. But he did not at any point think that he had hit anything, let alone a person. He docked his boat in plain sight right behind his house, and did not even know there was an accident on the water that day until officers showed up at his door. Alonso, who came to the U.S. from Cuba through Operation Peter Pan, has never had contact with the criminal justice system, the attorney said. He doesnt drink and wasnt drinking on Saturday. Bill is a good man and he is absolutely devastated by the loss of this intelligent, accomplished and beautiful young woman, Field Krasnoff said in the statement. He has cooperated 100% with law enforcement and will continue to do so. Ella Riley Adler, 15, was killed in a hit-and-run boat crash off Key Biscayne, Florida, on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Temple Beth Sholom Also on the boat with Richard were Emma Roberts, 30; Sebastian Pearce, 21; seven 15-year-olds; and three 14-year-olds, according to the FWC report. READ MORE: Girl killed near Key Biscaynes Nixon Beach. The famed attraction isnt a stranger to danger FWC investigators had been looking for the boats operator since Saturday when he sped away from the crash. They found the boat Tuesday afternoon docked behind the Alonso home off Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables, near Matheson Hammock Park. They seized it and towed it to Port Everglades in Broward. READ MORE: Girl killed in hit-and-run boat crash off Key Biscayne was a Ransom Everglades student This overhead photo from Dec. 30 shows 11025 Tanya St. and a boat behind it with four outboard motors. FWCs description of the boat involved in the tragedy said it had multiple white outboard engines. The FWC said it pieced together witness reports to find the boat. Using a description provided by witnesses, the search for the striking vessel began immediately. As of May 14, FWC officers have identified a vessel that fits the description and it is in their custody. The owner of the vessel is cooperating with the investigation, the FWC said in a statement Tuesday. When reporters and police were in front of the Alonso home Tuesday afternoon, neighbors closed ranks when asked about the Alonsos and the alleged hit-and-run. They would not answer reporters questions and even called Coral Gables police to ask them to order the journalists to leave. Police said the reporters could stay. Ella mourned by hundreds Ella was the granddaughter of Michael Adler, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium. Michael Adler was formerly president of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and vice chair of the Florida International University Board of Trustees. First Lady Jill Biden met with the family on Tuesday. We are honored that the First Lady paid a shiva call to our family during this time of immense pain. We are touched by their support and love and we are proud to call the President and First Lady our friends for over 40 years, according to a statement from the family, as reported by CBS News Miami, the Heralds news partner. Ella was a ballerina in more than 100 performances of Miami City Ballets production of The Nutcracker. She also was a member of Ransoms dance team. Hundreds attended her funeral service Monday at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach. We must remember her as she would have wanted to be remembered, as a star, a force of nature, a glowing and gorgeous young woman who was loved, admired, cherishes and adored by more people than anyone her age would normally be, eulogized Rabbi Jonathan Berkun, the rabbi at Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center. Ellas father, Matthew Adler, remembered his daughter in a letter that was read at the service by one of Ellas aunts. ...You were taken from us way to soon, and the world has been robbed of all the things you could have achieved, he wrote in the letter. But you will always be here with us and your friends and family will carry your energy and spirit forever. READ MORE: The world has been robbed: Family mourns girl killed in boat crash near Key Biscayne Its unknown if the crash was alcohol related, according to FWC. No arrests have been made. FWC investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the accident or anyone who may have video footage or information to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). The investigation is ongoing. MEXICO CITY, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Michelin Guide unveiled on Tuesday its Guide of Mexico of 2024 in which 18 restaurants were picked as Michelin-starred. Michelin Guide entered Mexico for the first time, indicating the Mexican cuisine has won more international recognition. The Michelin Guide of Mexico includes Mexico City, Quintana Roo, Oaxaca, Baja California, Baja California Sur and Nuevo Leon. A total of 157 restaurant establishments, ranging from down-to-earth taco joints to cosmopolitan eateries, have been selected for the Michelin Selection list. On the list, 16 restaurants were awarded one Michelin star, and two restaurants from Mexico City were awarded two stars. Michelin three-star restaurants did not appear on the list this time. "Mexico attracts gourmets and travelers in search of extraordinary experiences. Chefs from all walks of life use their talents to bring the local culture to life, thus making Mexico an outstanding culinary destination," said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin guides, at the awards ceremony. According to Michelin Guide officials, the Michelin Guide now covers 24 regions on three continents and evaluates more than 40,000 restaurants. With the Israeli army in need of more troops as it fights on multiple fronts in the south and north, a politically sensitive bill to draft more Haredim into the IDF hit yet another snag on Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will back war cabinet Minister Benny Gantzs proposal for Haredi enlistment in the IDF, the Prime Ministers Office announced on Wednesday, but Gantz rejected Netanyahus embrace because the bill, from 2022, does not go far enough to address Israels post-Oct. 7 needs. Netanyahus announcement came following orders from the High Court of Justice to pass a law regulating Haredi enlistment or to start sending call-up letters to all Haredi 18-year-old males. The courts intervention threatened Netanyahus governing coalition, which relies on Haredi parties that are opposed to any change of the status quo. In order to mediate the disputes and bring broad agreement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to advance the enlistment bill that passed a first reading in the previous Knesset, the PMO said on Wednesday. The bill was prepared by the defense establishmentand submitted by then-defense minister Benny Gantz. The bill in question passed a first vote in 2022, when Gantz was defense minister in a government that shut out Netanyahu and his Likud party. The proposal would increase the number of Haredim enlisting by a few thousand per year, as opposed to the 66,000 who received exemptions in 2023. The prime minister called on all of the factions that supported the bill in the previous Knesset to join the proposal, his office added, referring to most of the parties currently in the opposition. Netanyahus announcement may have appeared to be an olive branch to Gantz, who has reportedly been looking for an exit date from the war cabinet for months amid political clashes with Netanyahu about enlistment, among other issues. Yet Gantz swiftly rejected Netanyahus proposal, saying that Israel needs soldiers and not political tricks that tear apart the nation in wartime. Gantz explained that the outline the previous government passed was meant to be an intermediate bill to satisfy a court order while the government worked on a long-term plan. The intermediate bill that was proposed and that you want to pass now was not enough then and it is irrelevant today in the reality after Oct. 7, Gantz said in comments directed at Netanyahu. The time for talking is done. This is the time for action. I expect all the Haredi party leaders and rabbisto vocally support services for the haredi public, as the prime minister claims in his statement. Israel Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman signaled his opposition to the bill. Everyone must understand that the circumstances have changed completely, he said. The State of Israel is under fire from the north, south and east and Iran. This whole situation requires a mandatory enlistment law for everyone. Every young man and woman aged 18 Jew, Muslim, Christian, Druze, Circassian must report for military or civilian duty. Haredi lawmakers railed against the bill in 2022. After the Knesset vote at the time, senior United Torah Judaism lawmaker Moshe Gafni said that according to halacha [Jewish law] we should rend our clothing [in mourning]. Shame! Why are they so happy? Because they managed to pass such a pathetic and humiliating bill? Yet Netanyahu consulted with Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri an observer in the war cabinet, despite not being a minister or Knesset member due to the terms of his plea deal before making the move and updated the other Haredi party, United Torah Judaism, as well, according to Maariv. In 2022, Gantz told the Knesset that his bill recognizes the value of Torah study and understands that not all yeshiva students will serve tomorrow or at all, and is meant to increase the number of haredim who serve in the IDF and national-civilian service. The bill sets annual target enlistment numbers that increase annually; the goal for 2024 is 1,973 out of over 66,000 eligible Haredi men. If at least 95% of the target number is not met, the government will reduce welfare payments to yeshiva students whose enlistment was deferred by as much as 80%. The proposal, if passed, would also have the IDF increase the number of designated Haredi units, including ones that teach skills to help with future employment. It also lowers the age from which Haredi men would be exempted from military service even if they are not full-time yeshiva students to 21, then gradually raises it to 23. The bill requires an unspecified number of committee meetings and two more votes in the Knesset plenary to become law. View comments The north side of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at the University of New Mexico on May 14, 2024. (Photo by Leila Chapa for The Daily Lobo / Source NM) Twelve hours after the deadline to either pack up and leave or face more police raids, the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at the University of New Mexico stayed in place. By 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning New Mexico State Police and UNM Police moved the group from the encampment, taking several people away in police custody. Riot cops stood in front of protesters, about 20 feet away as UNM staff tossed the belongings left at the encampment into a garbage truck with the words Go Lobos painted on the top. Police used yellow tape to establish a barrier around the encampment space in the Duck Pond and arrested anyone caught in the area, or who refused to leave. UNM spokesperson Cinnamon Blair told The Daily Lobo that seven people were arrested. All were charged with criminal trespassing and wrongful use of property. One person was also charged and accused of concealing their identity. The encampment was established on the northwest end of the Duck Pond on the main campus in Albuquerque for 24 days. On Tuesday, the encampments 23rd day, UNM President Garnett Stokes published a message to the entire university at 2:32 p.m. asking protesters to voluntarily dismantle the camp by 5 p.m. Just before 8:30 a.m. crews with the university facilities management department tore down the camp structure and fertilized the grass where it sat. Shortly after riot police left the campus as well and a small group of protesters gathered near University Boulevard, west of the Duck Pond. The protesters that stayed took the last night in the encampment to strategize and discuss what to do next. Shortly after 5 a.m. campus police told people at the camp that they had to leave within an hour or face arrest for potential criminal trespassing. Police handed out the notice to vacate, which was signed by university president Garnett Stokes on Wednesday morning. Over the past weeks, we have not cited anyone at the Duck Pond for ongoing violations of University policies, Stokes said. Despite this leniency, the number and severity of the violations have continued to increase. Those who do not voluntarily comply will be subject to institutional enforcement of UNM policies and local, state, and federal law. On Tuesday, Stokes said she would push the Board of Regents to audit the universitys investments tied to the state of Israel, one of several demands from the group, which is pushing for divestment. The concession, from UNMs perspective, was a way to negotiate an end to the camp voluntarily by the protesters. Instead, protesters brought in more donations of supplies, and fortified the camp with wood pallets, tarps, yarn and other materials. Protesters and their supporters remained, handing off a bullhorn to anyone who wanted to speak; sharing food, water and coffee; and burning sage and sweetgrass. The Tuesday deadline came and went without any visible uniformed police officers at the camp, until four men appeared in an unmarked vehicle at 5 a.m. to hand out the notice. What was a few weeks ago three gazebos and some tables grew into an elaborate structure on the northwest end of the Duck Pond with different rooms serving various purposes, including a living area, a changing room, a mutual aid room, and a space for art making. Overnight, protesters expected police to raid the camp in the early morning hours, typically when most people leave, and something that occurred several times since the camp started at UNM. They encouraged people to stay through the night, saying public presence might deter police action. The groups organized patrols and security shifts in the area around the Duck Pond like those on previous nights. As of 10 p.m. on Tuesday, about 50 people remained at the camp. Organizers instructed people how to safely interact with police, handed out jail support forms, and advised people to write emergency contact numbers on their bodies, in case of arrest. The camp has become a resource for unhoused residents near campus to get food and basic necessities, said Siihasin Hope (Dine) in a speech to the crowd gathered in defiance of the deadline. Its important that were here, because institutional, structural violence and racism means they dont get their needs met, Hope said. Were not going anywhere. In an interview, Blair said there have been an unspecified number of occurrences at the Duck Pond that have facilitated the need for it to really come down. Blair said UNM has been made aware of alleged policy violations through reports to the universitys confidential hotline, tips to the UNM Police Department, and posts to social media. The Facilities Management staff have also reported graffiti, Blair said. UNM hasnt identified any students who have violated policy, Blair said. She said she was unaware of any instances of the people at the camp asking the university for help because of safety concerns. Blair said some unhoused people have joined the encampment, so the Albuquerque Community Safety Department will provide resources. That particular resource just felt like it was an appropriate resource because nobodys going to escalate the situation, and we realize that that is a different part of our community that has combined with the encampment, Blair said. Asked how UNM is considering the mental health of people who could have come into contact with police at the encampment, Blair said, We care about the mental health of all of our students and all of our community members, and we have a number of resources for them. She said she was unaware of any official mental health, medical or legal resources that would be on-site on Tuesday. None could be seen at the camp through Wednesday morning. Inside the camps structure, student protesters gathered to discuss their negotiations with administrators, the aftermath of the April 30 arrests at the Student Union Building, and to strategize next steps. They said they believe police were trying to wear them down by waiting them out. When asked whats keeping them motivated, the students said without hesitation: Palestinians in Gaza. Editor Shaun Griswold contributed reporting to this story. The post Gaza Solidarity Encampment defies UNMs ultimatum for 12 hours before State Police arrive appeared first on Source New Mexico. Gazprom CEO Miller is in Iran as Putin prepares to visit China MOSCOW (Reuters) - Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller is on a working visit to Iran, the company said on Wednesday, just as President Vladimir Putin prepares to visit China with a high-level delegation for talks with Xi Jinping. Gazprom, the world's biggest natural gas company, did not say whether Miller would attend the talks in China, where the Kremlin said Putin would discuss Ukraine and expanding both energy and trade ties. In Iran, Miller met Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber and Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji, Gazprom said. "A Gazprom delegation headed by Chairman of the Management Board Alexei Miller, is on a working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran," it said. Gazprom, which holds about 15% of global gas reserves and employs about 490,000 people, is one of Russia's most powerful companies - so powerful it was once known as a state within the state. But Gazprom plunged to a net loss of 629 billion roubles ($6.9 billion) in 2023, its first annual loss in more than 20 years, amid dwindling gas trade with Europe, once its main sales market. Gazprom's gas exports to Europe have fallen to post Soviet-lows amid political fallout from the war in Ukraine and as the major Nord Stream pipelines were damaged by mysterious blasts. Russia has been in talks for years about building the Power of Siberia-2 pipeline to carry 50 billion cubic metres of natural gas a year from the Yamal region in northern Russia to China via Mongolia. Its capacity would be almost as much as the now idle Nord Stream 1 pipeline under the Baltic Sea that was damaged by explosions in 2022. (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Maxim Rodionov/Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Osborn and Daniel Wallis) Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks in the Vovchansk direction in Kharkiv Oblast and "partially pushed out enemy forces from the town," the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on May 15. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said earlier the same day that small Russian infantry units had entered the northern part of Vovchansk and were attempting to establish a foothold there. "Defensive operations continue on the northern and northwestern outskirts," the General Staff said in its report. The military did not provide further details on the situation in the town. Russian troops continue attacking in the direction of Lyptsi, a village 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of the Russian border and around 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Vovchansk, the report read. Both Lyptsi and Mala Danylivka a village on Kharkiv's outskirts reportedly came under Russian airstrikes over the day. Russia launched new offensive actions on May 10 in the north of Kharkiv Oblast toward Lyptsi and Vovchansk. Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson of the Khortytsia group of forces, said on air on May 15 that the situation in the region has somewhat stabilized. Ukrainian forces repelled 11 Russian attacks in the area over the past day, Voloshyn said. Read also: Defense Ministry confirms Russian units entered Vovchansk from north, fighting ongoing Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Georgetown deputies looking for man who fled from traffic stop GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Deputies are searching for a man they fled from a Murrells Inlet traffic stop on Tuesday night. Rodriquis Jaheem Matthews, 22, is 5-foot-7 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. Authorities say he took on foot about 8:30 p.m. after deputies stopped a vehicle occupied by a man and woman. Authorities recovered 155 grams of suspected marijuana and a firearm from the vehicle. Warrants for Matthews have been obtained for having an open container, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, driving under suspension, second offense, felon in possession of a firearm and hindering law enforcement. Anyone with information on Matthews whereabouts is asked to call (843) 546-5102. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. First lady Marty Kemp is becoming increasing involved in the rollout of the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline in Georgia. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder The rollout in Georgia of the new national suicide prevention hotline is getting a boost from first lady Marty Kemp. The first lady told reporters Tuesday that promoting the 988 hotline and tackling the stigma often associated with seeking mental health care is a priority for her. She was also recently featured in an ad promoting 988 where her message is the same as it is today: Its OK to not be OK. A public opinion poll done last year on behalf of the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities found that only about 16% of those asked knew about 988 and what it is. Weve got to make sure that we get the word out, Marty Kemp said. Especially with everything the state and individuals have been through. Its very tough with a pandemic that we never even knew we were going to have. People are struggling, and we recognize that, and we want to help them. Marty Kemp made the remarks Tuesday after participating in a panel discussion on the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline rollout in Georgia at the Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum held at the Carter Center in Atlanta. The first lady, whose husband Gov. Brian Kemp is in his second term, is known for her work on human trafficking and promoting shelter animals, and Tuesdays event is part of her increased involvement on the issue of mental health, particularly the ramp-up of 988. First lady Marty Kemp participated in a panel discussion Tuesday at the Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum at the Carter Center in Atlanta Tuesday. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder She shared the stage with Kevin Tanner, who is the DBHDD commissioner, and moderator Ryan Greenstein, who is the associate director of public policy with the Carter Centers mental health program. I think what I learned from human trafficking is we have to talk about these issues. We dont need to be afraid of them. And Id love to be a part of taking the stigma off that, Kemp said, referring to mental health. The 988 dialing code launched nearly two years ago, but states like Georgia are in the process of building out the systems to support the easier access to help that the phone number is meant to represent. You need to always think of 988 as more than just a number. Its about an entire system of care, Tanner said Tuesday. In Georgia, where a crisis call center had long been established, the simplified three-digit number brought a jump in call volume. Tanner said a disproportionate share of the calls continues to come from rural Georgia, and he said they have identified two reasons for that: a lack of resources in these areas and stigma. If you live in a rural community and you park your Chevrolet truck in front of the clinicians office, everyone in town is going to know that you were there, Tanner said. And so, you can call 988 and remain anonymous, and I think that is a big factor in why rural Georgians are calling 988. Another trend that stands out: about 12% of the calls and texts are coming from Georgians under the age of 18. Tanner said state spending has helped the call center reduce the time it takes to answer the calls, bringing it down to 12 seconds on average now. Oftentimes people call 988, they just need someone to talk to. They may be connected to community-based services, Tanner said. But sometimes 2,000 times on average a month there needs to be a mobile crisis team dispatch. Those mobile crisis teams are two-person units that include a licensed professional. The goal is to have these teams on scene within one hour of a call for help in metro areas and within an hour and a half in rural communities. Thats where we have some struggles, and thats where its going to require some additional investment over the next several years, Tanner said. Tanner said there will also be a continued need to also increase funding for treatment centers. He pointed to a study that last year found that a total of eight additional behavioral health crisis centers will be needed over the next decade. Tanner is set to throw out the first pitch at the Atlanta Braves home game on May 29 as part of the effort to raise awareness about 988, particularly in rural communities. He said he practiced recently at the little league park in Forsyth County with a young pitcher. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST This photo taken on April 24, 2024 shows a new energy vehicle (NEV) assembly line of BYD, China's leading NEV manufacturer, at the plant of BYD in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Li Jianan) BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Tuesday decided to raise additional tariffs on electric vehicles, among a range of products, imported from China. It's not fresh news that the U.S. side repeatedly resorts to sanctions and suppression measures against specific Chinese sectors and companies. This time, the United States is wielding the stick of economic coercion and trade bullying, heightening its narrow-mindedness and hegemony as it adds a new blot on free trade. The U.S. protectionist moves will not help protect its own industries, but will most likely make its consumers and industry companies bear the consequences, as they contradict both objective facts and the economic law. Unfortunately, politicians in Washington have been accustomed to politicizing the economic and trade issues for their own interests. Ironically, the United States is a country that touts open economy and free trade, but its actions are against its words. It also promises that it does not seek to decouple from China and hinder China's development, but its practices tell another story. More absurdly, the new tariffs will be levied on China's eco-friendly products, or the new energy sector. Since the industry is closely linked to humanity's lofty goal of emission cuts and energy saving, the U.S. side is "writing a new chapter" in undermining fair trade and environmental protection. The rise of China's new energy sector is a result of global competition and a change of comparative advantages. As China climbs the supply-chain ladder, its new energy products are technology-savvy and have stood the test of a competitive domestic market before gaining global popularity. Today's world is very different from before. For different economies, a rational and right approach is to make full use of their comparative advantages and fully participate in global competition and cooperation, instead of suppressing the advantages and capabilities of others by setting up barriers. As the Western saying goes, "what does not kill you makes you stronger." It seems that the famous quote applies to China's technology companies, which are suppressed again and again by the U.S. side but ultimately survive and thrive. Chinese industries and companies have shown resilience. Chinese technology giant Huawei made 704.2 billion yuan (99.1 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue in 2023, up 9.6 percent year on year. With a spirit of openness and collaboration, Chinese technology companies have achieved success in a number of countries, providing reliable technology products to global consumers at reasonable prices. They will continue to make their contributions to the well-being of humanity. As a result of the evolution of comparative advantage and the international division of labor, it is not difficult to see that both the United States and China have benefited from trade liberalization and globalization. The world's top two economies are highly complementary and are solid forces for global trade and economic prosperity. If the United States continues its moves of unilateralism, protectionism, coercion and suppression, the U.S. consumers and the global community will pay the price. The country of Georgia is being pushed to a breaking point amid unprecedented protests against the governments pursuit of legislation mirroring Russias foreign agents law. Georgian Dream, the ruling party, succeeded Tuesday in passing its version of such a law, which will require nongovernmental organizations receiving 20 percent of their funding from foreign donors to register with national security services as promoting the interests of a foreign power. Critics of the law say it will permit the government to criminalize opposition, civil society and pro-democracy groups, further cementing Georgian Dreams authoritarian turn away from the West. Weeks of mass protests on the streets of Tbilisi and warnings from the European Union and U.S. against the laws passage failed to stop its advancement. And security forces have increasingly exercised violence against peaceful protesters, raising fears of an escalating conflict. Its really too late for diplomacy, said William Courtney, former U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan and Georgia, and adjunct senior fellow with RAND. The law is going to be enacted, and most likely the police who are using thuggish methods against the peaceful protesters, those police are likely going to be involved in enforcing this foreign action. While security forces have clashed with protesters with opposition lawmakers beaten up and bloodied, water cannons and tear gas directed at peaceful demonstrators Courtney was cautious on whether the violence could escalate to the crisis level of movements that have been snuffed out with overwhelming force. The amount of peaceful protests by Georgians is almost unprecedented, he said, likening it to the countrys Rose revolution in 2003, which succeeded in a nonviolent change to democratic governance. This looks almost like an effort by the people who want to preserve democracy in Georgia to have another peaceful revolution to protect democracy, but the regime has been using a lot of police force. One fearful parallel is how Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko cracked down on popular protests following the 2020 presidential election, with security forces detaining thousands of demonstrators many still held in jail and reports of beatings, torture and deaths. It could happen this current government would propose measures that will be as repressive as Belarus; there is that potential, and theres also a potential that security forces might break at some point, Courtney added. Georgias got a lot more civil society than Belarus does. So, the risks that there could be a breach of security forces, the possibility of that breach is probably higher in Georgia than it has been in Belarus, he said. Protesters remained on the streets of Tbilisi throughout Tuesday, following the governments passage of the foreign agents legislation, with live video streams provided by Reuters showing deep lines of black-coated, hooded and masked security forces standing against protesters. The protests are likely to continue as the bill heads to the desk of Georgias President Salome Zourabichvili over the course of the next week. She has vowed to veto it, setting up a further showdown between the government and protesters, as Georgian Dream is likely to override the veto a process that could take a further two weeks. The next 20 days or so are going to be very tense, said Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at Hudson Institute focusing on Europe, Eurasia, NATO and transatlantic relations. The Biden administration has, so far, held back from threatening action against Georgias government, but American lawmakers are raising sanctions and reassessment of the U.S.-Georgia relationship as an effort to support the mass, popular opposition. The passage of this law will fundamentally change Georgias relationship with the United States and damage aspirations for European Union (EU) membership, said Sens. James E. Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chair of the Foreign Relations subcommittee on Europe, and nine other senators in a statement. This is a dark day for Georgian democracy, they wrote. A bipartisan group of House lawmakers had also, earlier, spoken out about the potential for Congress to take action in response to Georgian Dreams pursuit of the foreign agents law and likened potential action to steps Congress took to support Belarusian civil society in the early 2000s against Lukashenkos crackdown. Just as Congress took note of the authoritarian descent in Belarus and passed the bipartisan Belarus Democracy Act of 2004, we are determined to respond to further attacks against the prosperous, Euro-Atlantic future that Georgia deserves, Reps. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote in a letter to Georgias Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze last week. The situation in Georgia is clear. The government can choose to listen to the voices of the Georgian people, or continue down a dark road to Russian-style authoritarianism. We state, in no uncertain terms, that choosing this latter path would cause the United States to fundamentally reassess the nature of our relationship. Congress provides millions of dollars annually in funding for Georgia through the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development, putting support behind civil society groups; government efforts at democratic reforms and support for security forces. Georgias military is viewed as a key partner for the U.S. Its forces served alongside NATO troops in Afghanistan. Further, thousands of Georgians have volunteered in Ukraines armed forces in its defensive fight against Russia since its 2022 full-scale invasion. But Georgian Dream bankrolled and largely influenced by its billionaire founder, former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is appearing to prioritize closer ties with Moscow over the West. Georgian Dream, while rising to power in 2012 on a campaign of closer ties with the EU, has reneged on such promises in favor of balancing interests with Moscow. Twenty percent of Georgian territory is occupied by Russia, which launched an invasion in 2008 in support of separatist forces in the breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Ivanishvili, in a rare public address last month, lashed out the U.S. and Europe as being a global party of war and advocated for the foreign agents bill as protecting against external influence in Georgias affairs. Georgian Dream is all about preserving power, they position themselves as the only thing standing against another Russian invasion, said Coffey, of the Hudson Institute. Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted fears in Georgia that Russian forces could push for a further land grab in the former Soviet state, a fear that Georgian Dream has seized on to solidify its power. Today we have a Georgian Dream government that is, at least, sympathetic to Moscows world view, Coffey said. I wouldnt go so far as to say pro-Russian, as a government. Certainly sympathetic. While street protests are likely to continue over the next few weeks, Georgian opposition parties are also signaling that their focus is on October elections to pivot the country back to the West. [Tuesdays] vote will focus minds on the urgent need for regime change in Georgia, Tina Bokuchava, parliamentary leader of the opposition United National Movement, said in a statement calling for breaking Ivanishvilis stranglehold over Georgia. With elections to look forward to in October, I am confident that the unity seen on our streets in recent weeks will prove a watershed moment in our nations history. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Georgia Senator pushes for support of legislation to help police, teachers buy first homes On Monday, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff was in Henry County to promote the passage of legislation hes sponsored to help first responders, like police officers and firefighters, as well as teachers, buy their first homes. The Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator and Responder Act, which Ossoff sponsored alongside Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in March 2023, would help first responders and educators across the U.S. buy their first homes. In Henry County, Commission Chair Carlotta Harrell was supportive of the legislation, saying it was about more than just making changes to how programs operate. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As your County Chairwoman, I stand before you in support of Senator Jon Ossoffs bipartisan HELPER Act to assist first responders in purchasing their first home. This legislation isnt just about policy, it is about compassion, community and empowerment, Harrell said at the housing event. Should the HELPER Act pass, first responders and teachers would have access to a one-time use home loan program from the Federal Housing Administration which would give them the ability to buy their first homes. RELATED STORIES: A statement from Henry County officials said the mechanism, logistically, is similar to how veterans receive loans from the FHA when buying a home. The legislation has 22 cosponsors in the U.S. Senate, making up a quarter of the chamber. According to congressional records, the bill has received bipartisan support. The bill summary from the U.S. Congress says this bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, or other first responders. Specifically, these individuals may be eligible for a first-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment. Instead, the mortgage is subject to a one-time, up-front mortgage insurance premium. Reiterating his support for the bill, Ossoff said first responders and teachers must be able to afford housing where they work, rather than living outside of the communities they serve. First responders and teachers are not choosing their careers for the money. Theyre choosing their careers because they care. And we should honor that sacrifice., Ossoff said at the event on Monday. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: FILE - The defendant Ibrahim A. is brought into the courtroom in handcuffs, in Itzehoe, Germany, Monday April 15, 2024. A court on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, convicted Ibrahim of murder and sentenced him to life in prison for carrying out a fatal stabbing on a train in northern Germany last year. (Marcus Brandt/Pool via AP, File) BERLIN (AP) A court in Germany convicted a man of murder and sentenced him to life in prison Wednesday for carrying out a fatal stabbing on a train last year. The state court in Itzehoe convicted the 34-year-old, who has been identified only as Ibrahim A. in line with German privacy rules, of murder and attempted murder, German news agency dpa reported. It found that he fatally stabbed two teenagers and wounded another four passengers seriously in the Jan. 25, 2023 incident in the northern town of Brokstedt, before being overpowered by others on board the regional train traveling from Kiel to Hamburg. The Palestinian defendant grew up in the Gaza Strip and came to Germany in 2014. A psychiatric expert testified during the trial that the defendant had psychotic symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder, but could be held criminally responsible for his actions. The defense lawyer had called for his client to be moved to a psychiatric institution. Investigators have said the man had a previous criminal record and had been in pretrial custody in another case before being released days ahead of the attack. He had traveled to an appointment with immigration authorities in Kiel and prosecutors have said he appears to have acted out of frustration. The severity of the case meant that he likely wont be eligible for release after 15 years as is usually the case in Germany. Olaf Scholz (R) and Boris Pistorius (L) have differing opinions on whether Germany's military spending should be exempt from spending limits - Alamy /Philipp Schulze A bitter row has broken out between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his defence minister over spending limits on the armed forces, as Berlin struggles to keep up with its goal of becoming a war-ready nation. Boris Pistorius is growing increasingly frustrated by Mr Scholzs refusal to increase the 2025 defence budget by at least 6.5 billion, the German broadsheet Suddeutsche Zeitung reported on Wednesday. The German defence minister is also said to have made the frustrated comment I dont have to do that here, at a breakfast meeting with members of Germanys coalition government, in what appeared to be a veiled threat to step down though sources close to Mr Pistorius deny this was his intention. The trigger for the row was a newspaper comment piece written by Mr Pistorius, who has vowed to turn Germany into a kriegswichtig [war-ready] country in the face of threats from Russia, in which he called for the defence budget to be exempt from government debt limits. Under the proposals, government funds on military and civil defence would be excluded from Germanys famous debt brake, a strict rule introduced in 2016 to prevent overspending. Under proposals, government funds on military and civil defence would be excluded from overspending rules - AFP/Axel Heimken Mr Pistorius has argued that building a functional fighting force is a constitutional requirement in Germany, meaning it should not be affected by the debt brake. But Mr Scholz publicly distanced himself from that view, telling German news outlet Stern that it was time to sweat in terms of financial planning. The comments did not directly address Mr Pistorius, but were widely viewed as a rebuke of the defence ministers newspaper article. After the invasion of Ukraine, Germany announced a 100 billion defence spending fund as part of its Zeitenwende, or turning of the times, policy. Since then, however, Mr Scholzs coalition has been mired in a government budget crisis and wider economic woes which have left the German finance ministry struggling to live up to that vision. Mr Pistorius has said that he accepts that finding the extra funds will be difficult. But he also believes it is crucial to ensure that Germany becomes a leading security power in Europe, especially amid concerns that a direct war between Nato and Russia could erupt within five years. There will be no simple answer to the question of where all the money we need to close the gap will come from, he said this week. We are talking about additional requirements of 6.5 to 7 billion for the coming year. The additional requirement will continue to grow in the years after 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. A participant stands with an umbrella and a mouth-nose-protector in rainbow colors during the CSD (Christopher Street Day). Legal and social protections for members of the queer community in Germany have advanced in 2024, according to a new ranking by rights group ILGA-Europe. Gregor Fischer/dpa Legal and social protections for members of the queer community in Germany have advanced in 2024, according to a new ranking by rights group ILGA-Europe. In its annual Rainbow Map tracking discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community, the organization placed Germany 10th out of 49 European countries, up from 15th in 2023. Malta topped the 2024 list, followed by Iceland, Belgium, Spain and Denmark. Russia was last, below Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia. The report - written by the European chapter of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association - examines legal developments for the queer community in seven areas, including family law, protection against hate crime and recognition of gender identity. It warned that members of the LGBTI community are increasingly being targeted by far-right politicians across the continent ahead of European Parliament elections in June. In Germany, ILGA-Europe praised achievements including a law preventing discrimination against homosexual, bisexual and transgender people donating blood, and protections for women and queer people from hate crimes. Germany's commissioner for queer equality, Sven Lehmann, voiced his satisfaction with the ranking, saying "no other country in Europe has risen so much since last year." Nevertheless, Germany still only fulfils 66% of the Rainbow Map's criteria. Lehmann said that the country's coalition government will aim to break into the top five places in the ranking with additional reforms. Potential areas of further improvement in Germany include strengthening legal protections for queer parents and banning discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the constitution. Germany to reform hospital funding, to prioritize 'medical need' German Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach presents the hospital reform at the Federal Press Conference. Kay Nietfeld/dpa German hospitals are set to receive more financial support under a new bill announced by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach on Wednesday. The plans include reforms to the current financing system to ensure hospitals receive 60% of their funding as a flat rate, rather than on a case-by-case basis. Lauterbach said the bill would guarantee hospitals can continue to treat patients in an ageing society and ensure high standards across the country. "Without changing the structures of inpatient care, there is a risk of hospital insolvencies, poor treatment and long journeys [to hospital]," he said. "We will therefore replace per-case rates, which currently often determine medical practice, with flat rates and quality specifications. Then medical need will determine treatment, not economics," Lauterbach added. The current system has faced criticism after allegations that some medical facilities have scaled back cheaper treatments in order to prioritise more expensive operations. Germany's federal states have raised objections to the plan, but the bill will not require their support in the Bundesrat, the country's upper legislative chamber. Instead, the bill will be debated in the Bundestag, the country's lower house, where the governing coalition has a majority of seats. If approved, the law is set to come into force in early 2025. German Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach presents the hospital reform at the Federal Press Conference. Kay Nietfeld/dpa German Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach presents the hospital reform at the Federal Press Conference. Kay Nietfeld/dpa Who gets to claim self-defense in shootings? Airmans death sparks debate over race and gun rights CORRECTS SERVICE BRANCH TO U.S. AIR FORCE INSTEAD OF U.S. NAVY - Chantemekki Fortson, mother of Roger Fortson, a U.S. Air Force senior airman, holds a photo of her son during a news conference regarding his death, along with family and attorney Ben Crump, Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Fortson was shot and killed by police in his apartment, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) For the past decade, Stand Your Ground laws have been invoked time and time again by gun owners who claim self-defense after carrying out shootings. Critics have denounced them as shoot first laws that have created a climate of vigilantism in which gun owners operate with impunity in killing largely Black people. The concept resurfaced again last week following the killing of Senior Airman Roger Fortson in Florida, but the dynamics were different. This time, the victim was a young Black servicemember who carried his legally owned handgun to the door of his apartment after hearing banging noises that ended up being a sheriffs deputy. The officer and not Fortson opened fire within seconds. His supervisors say he acted in self-defense. Fortsons legal team was quick to remind the world of his Second Amendment rights in a state that helped popularize Stand Your Ground laws after the killing of Trayvon Martin more than a decade ago. They teach us in law school about the sanctity of the home, in the United States of America, and how that is your safe haven. That is your castle, civil rights attorney Ben Crump said at a press conference with Fortson's relatives last week. Every one of us, if someone we dont know comes into our house, are going to defend ourselves, Brian Barr, Crumps co-counsel, added. We have things like Stand Your Ground, the castle doctrine and very strong believers in the Second Amendment in the state of Florida. He has the right to protect his home. Fortson's killing sparked a complicated debate about race, gun laws and self-defense namely, who is typically afforded deference when it comes to the use of guns in self-defense and who is not. Lauren Krasnoff, president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Miami chapter, said Fortson's race cannot be disentangled from discussion of the case when invoking the castle doctrine and Stand Your Ground. I think the point is that the law is being used as both a sword and a shield by law enforcement against Black and brown people, Krasnoff said. I dont even know that Id have to say that the airman was standing his ground, she added. I think he was just acting lawfully. And if a person is acting lawfully and not committing a forcible felony, then you dont have a right to stand your ground. Florida's Stand Your Ground law protects individuals from prosecution for homicide if they can prove that they perceived an imminent threat of harm or death to themselves or another person, regardless of whether or not they were in their home. The law does not require someone to retreat if they believe that force will be used against them. The castle doctrine, a common law principle often associated with such laws, allows a person to use force equal to the force being used against them after attempting to retreat in an attack on their home, said David Weinstein, a criminal defense attorney at Jones Walker LLP in Miami. It doesnt matter whos on the other side, Weinstein said. A sheriffs deputy on May 3 shot Fortson after responding to a call about a domestic disturbance at an apartment complex in Fort Walton Beach. Sheriffs officials say the deputy, whose name and race havent been released, acted in self-defense. Body cam footage shows the deputy banged on Fortsons door, paused, then knocked again, yelling that hes from the sheriffs office. Fortson eventually answered the door while holding what appeared to be a gun by his side, pointed at the ground. Within a few seconds, the deputy shoots Fortson six times, only then yelling for him to drop his weapon. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating. Fortsons death quickly drew comparisons to those of other Black people killed in recent years by police in their homes, in circumstances involving officers arriving at the wrong address or responding to service calls with wanton uses of deadly force. MaCharie Dunbar, an Air Force retiree who serves on the board of the Black Veterans Project, feels Fortsons death surfaces an uncomfortable reality faced by Black Americans who serve their country. Many of us are just saddened and angered by the continued unnecessary loss of Black lives at the hands of police, Dunbar said. And we want to know how many times do police officers have to get it wrong before they do something collectively to get it right? The Fortson case also highlighted the dissonance between a Black persons constitutional right to bear arms and law enforcement officers right to defend themselves against a perceived threat. The second amendment afforded Roger the right to own a gun and wield it as protection when he was unsure who was on the other side of his door, Crump said last week. For Danielle Campbell, the southeast regional director of the National African American Gun Association, what happened to Fortson is the worst-case scenario for Black and brown law-abiding gun owners. Campbell said she felt Fortson was essentially murdered in his own home without so much as being given a command and his death reiterated that for all Black gun owners, were just at a high risk, period. Still, she said striking laws like Stand Your Ground, as Crump has advocated, isnt the answer because they can support gun owners who rightfully discharged their weapons. There have been cases where Black and brown people have successfully been able to utilize Stand Your Ground or the castle doctrine to get off, she said. Its more so that when people of color have interactions with police and theyre armed, were automatically seen as a threat and treated as such. Some Black Lives Matter activists echoed those sentiments. Fortsons death is more about how people see Black and then shoot than Stand Your Ground laws, said Chelsea Fuller, a communications leader for the Movement for Black Lives, a national coalition of racial justice organizations. I dont know how many more research reports have to come out to show there is an innate fear of Blackness in this country, she said. Fortson, 23, was originally from Georgia and enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from high school. His remains have since been transferred back to Atlanta where he will be eulogized on Friday. ____ AP writer Terry Tang in Phoenix contributed. She and Aaron Morrison are members of AP's Race and Ethnicity team. Hundreds of law enforcement officers have been deployed to find a criminal known as The Fly and the gunmen who helped him escape from a prison van in France on Tuesday morning in a brazen raid that left two prison officers dead and another three seriously injured. The inmate, 30-year-old Mohamed Amra, was being transported from a court appearance back to a prison in Evreux in the northwestern Normandy region when a car rammed into the van at a toll booth. The armed criminals then opened fire. Wild Prison Van Ambush Sets Inmate Free and Kills 2 Officers The daylight ambush shocked France and has led to hundreds of prison officers going on strike Wednesday protesting against the violence and dangers of their jobs, with authorities under acute pressure to apprehend Amra and his accomplices. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told the RTL broadcaster that a lot of resources have been deployed to catch the group, with more than 450 police officers and gendarmes mobilized for the search Tuesday, according to France24. Darmanin also made reference to international cooperation in the hunt, seemingly indicating that the suspects may have fled abroad. Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said the gunmen used heavy weapons in the attack. One of the officers killed had a wife and two children, he added, while the other leaves a wife who is five months pregnant. Three more officers survived but were wounded in the ambush, including one who was critically injured. Amra previously had 13 convictions, according to BFMTV, for mostly minor offenses including theft, driving without a license, and refusing to stop for police. Last week, however, he was convicted of burglary and sentenced to 18 months, and he had been indicted by prosecutors in Marseille for a kidnapping that led to a death in a case connected to drug trafficking, the BBC reports. Hed appeared in court on his latest charges before the ambush. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau described Amra as being very well known to the justice system in France but said he was not a closely watched inmate, a designation given to very dangerous prisoners. He nevertheless required a level three escort during transportation, meaning five prison officers accompanied him during his transfer. Hugues Vigier, Amras lawyer, told BFMTV that he was stunned by the crazy and inexcusable violence of the ambush. This does not correspond to the impression that I had of him, Vigier said. On Sunday, two days before his escape, Amra had allegedly tried to make a separate breakout by sawing the bars of his cell. Amras mother said she wept when she heard of the attack. I broke down, I criedI was so unwell, she told RTL. How can lives be taken away in this way? 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. I cant breathe: Girlfriend of airman shot to death by Florida deputies reveals his last moments The girlfriend of a Georgia Airman who was shot and killed by deputies in Florida said he deserves justice. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortsons casket arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Tuesday afternoon. Channel 2s Candace McCowan was in downtown Atlanta, where she talked to Fortsons girlfriend on Wednesday. Shes shaken and doesnt want to be identified, but said its important to tell the world what Fortson was saying the moments before he was shot to death. TRENDING STORIES: The 22-year-old, who lives in metro Atlanta, was on the phone with Fortson when there was a knock on the door. We heard a knock, and he said, Who is it? He said, Nobody comes up to my house, I dont know who that could be, she said. Deputies were responding to a disturbance in process call on May 3 in Fort Walton Beach. Then the knock gets aggressive, and he says, Im going to grab my gun because I dont know who that is. He asked who it was louder, she said. What I thought was... It was gunshots. Thats when I heard the officer then identify himself and says, Put the gun down. And Roger says, Ok, ok. She said she then heard what she believes were his last conscious moments. Roger says, I cant breathe. I cant breathe. He calls out three gunshots to the chest and three to the forearm, she said. I didnt know what to do. There was nothing I could do. She said she is still hanging on to a final moment with him on her doorbell camera just days before when Fortson left her home in Atlanta. He told her he loved her, and she repeated it back to him. We talked every day. We went from seeing each other once a month to pretty much every weekend, she said. She said she knows Forston would want the truth to come out. Acie Holland III, an eighth grader at Glen Hills Middle School in Glendale, noticed his school bus driver lose consciousness and stepped up to stop the bus before it veered into oncoming traffic. A Glendale teenager has been recognized on national television for saving a school bus full of students from veering into oncoming traffic. Acie Holland III, an eighth grader at Glen Hills Middle School, was featured on Wednesday's Tamron Hall Show, which airs locally on the ABC affiliate WISN-TV. "I just wanted to make sure that everybody was OK," Holland said during his appearance on the episode titled "Ripped from Headlines." Holland's story was met with resounding applause from the live audience in the New York studio where Tamron Hall is filmed. Holland sprang into action when his bus driver had a medical emergency Just days after the incident, Holland told the Journal Sentinel the story of how he sprang into action after the driver of his school bus route had a medical emergency and temporarily lost consciousness. Holland rushed to the front of the bus, moved the driver's foot off the gas pedal, applied the brake and securely parked the bus, according to a statement from Glen Hills Principal Anna Young sent to parents and shared on Facebook. Holland also contacted his grandmother, who is a nurse, and called 911, ensuring the 14 other students were OK, and instructing them to call their parents. Holland said advice from his parents came in handy The 14-year-old, who appeared on the show with his dad, Acie Holland Jr., told Hall he had never driven a car before, let alone a school bus. Holland had told the Journal Sentinel that his mother's mantra to always be aware of his surroundings came in handy that day. Before Hall's audience on May 15, Holland said it wasn't just his mom's advice that came in handy. When asked where he got all of his maturity from, Holland spoke of observing his father work on cars and at the salon while growing up. Earlier this month, Holland told CNN he hopes to one day own a barber shop or mechanic shop of his own. When Holland arrived home after the incident and told his father about it, father thought he was joking. "It kind of went over my head," Holland's father said. "But we were going to another one of his events, and I just was like, 'get in the car. Let's go!'" Eventually, Holland's grandmother corroborated his story. Hall presented a trip to Holland and his family At the end of the segment, Hall awarded Holland and his family all of whom attended the show a trip to Disney World. Disney is the parent company of ABC News, which produces the Tamron Hall Show. The show has been recognized several times by the Emmys and NAACP Image Awards. "I could not adore you more," Hall said after announcing the gift. "I know everyone in Milwaukee and beyond is so proud of you." Holland was also formally recognized for his life-saving efforts by the City of Glendale, the Glendale School District and the Glendale Police department, according to common council and school board meeting minutes. During his appearance, Holland wore a long-sleeved black shirt that said "Blessed" on it. Hall said the message fits. "The fact that you were able to keep your composure, save the other kids, save the driver truly, you are blessed," she said. Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Glendale teen who saved school bus appears on Tamron Hall Show On the evening of May 10, 2024, Yang Tao, Director-General of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held a briefing to elaborate on China's position on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. Yang said that for some time, the United States has been deliberately distorting and challenging UNGA Resolution 2758 adopted in 1971 on restoring the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations and expelling the Chiang Kai-shek group. It has been trumpeting the notion that Taiwan's status is undetermined, and advocating support for Taiwan's participation in UN conferences and activities. Recently, Mark Lambert along with other US State Department officials blatantly asserted that UNGA Resolution 2758 "did not endorse, is not equivalent to and does not reflect a consensus for China's 'one-China principle,' has no bearing on countries' sovereign choices with respect to their relationships with Taiwan, does not preclude Taiwan's meaningful participation in the United Nations system and other multilateral forums, and did not constitute a UN institutional position on the ultimate political status of Taiwan." Moreover, the United States claims that its one-China policy is different from China's one-China principle. All this is a US attempt to invent a whole set of false narratives to mislead international public opinion and challenge the one-China consensus among the international community. In view of this, we deem it necessary to comprehensively and systematically explain the origin and facts of Resolution 2758, so as to set the record straight. We believe a lie, even told a thousand times, will not become truth. First, the one-China principle is very clear, that is, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. UNGA Resolution 2758 fully reflects and solemnly reaffirms the one-China principle. Taiwan has been part of China since ancient times. This is a historical fact; it is also the international consensus. The 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulated that Taiwan, a Chinese territory stolen by Japan, shall be restored to China. These documents with international legal effect formed an integral part of the post-WWII international order and also established the legal foundation of Taiwan's status as China's inalienable territory. In 1949, the government of the People's Republic of China was established, replacing the government of the Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China. It was a change of government without changing China as a subject of international law. China's sovereignty and inherent territorial boundaries did not change. Rightfully, the government of the People's Republic of China fully enjoys and exercises China's sovereignty, including that over Taiwan. Due to continued civil war in China and the meddling of external forces, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have fallen into a special state of protracted political confrontation. However, China's sovereignty and territory have not been split and will never be split. Taiwan's status as part of China has not changed and will never change. On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority. It states in black and white that the General Assembly "decides to restore all its rights to the People's Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it." The Resolution resolved once and for all the question of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations as a political, legal and procedural issue. It made clear that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is a part of China, not a country. It also made clear that there is only one seat of China in the United Nations, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal representative, precluding "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." If Taiwan's status is undetermined, and if China's representation does not include Taiwan, why expel the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek? Why, for more than 50 years, has Taiwan's economic output been counted as part of China's GDP when calculating China's scale of assessment in the United Nations and many other international organizations? Why does the United States turn a blind eye to such clear facts and simple logic? Second, the UN system has always observed Resolution 2758 and upheld the one-China principle in dealing with Taiwan-related issues. Since the adoption of Resolution 2758, the UN and its specialized agencies, and also other intergovernmental international organizations have all adhered to it. They regard Taiwan as a province of China's and do not recognize the so-called international representation of the Taiwan authorities. The UN Office of Legal Affairs has issued legal opinions stating very clearly that "the United Nations considers 'Taiwan' for all purposes to be an integral part of the People's Republic of China," "the United Nations considers 'Taiwan' as a province of China with no separate status," "'authorities' in 'Taipei' are not considered to ... enjoy any form of governmental status," "use the term 'Taiwan, Province of China' when a reference to 'Taiwan' is required in United Nations Secretariat documents." For decades, the UN Secretary Generals and their spokespersons have made it clear when expressing their stance on Taiwan that the United Nations is guided by Resolution 2758 and adheres to the one-China principle. As part of China's territory, Taiwan has no basis, reason or right to participate in the UN or any other international organizations where membership is exclusive to sovereign countries. Any issue concerning the Taiwan region's participation in the activities of international organizations must be handled on the basis of the one-China principle, as reaffirmed by Resolution 2758. The principle is again confirmed in May 1972 by Resolution 25.1 of the 25th World Health Assembly (WHA), which was adopted in accordance with UNGA Resolution 2758. Hence, whether and how Taiwan participates in the WHA can only be decided by the central government of China. The Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan refuse to accept the "1992 Consensus" that reflects the one-China principle, and are hellbent on the separatist stance of "Taiwan independence." As a result, the political foundation for Taiwan to participate in the WHA no longer exists. This position of the Chinese government has received wide support from the international community. The WHA has rejected deliberations of Taiwan-related proposals for many consecutive years. Third, the international community overwhelmingly abides by Resolution 2758, and fully and faithfully implements the one-China principle. Resolution 2758 is a decision made by the UN General Assembly and must be observed by all member states. This is the requirement of the United Nations Charter, the written commitment made by all countries upon joining the UN, and also an obligation that all UN member states must fulfill. The one-China principle is also the fundamental prerequisite and political foundation for China to establish and develop relations with all other countries. From the very first country that established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China to the 183rd country, namely Nauru, they have all made political commitment to adhering to the one-China principle, and included this commitment in political documents such as communiques and joint statements on the establishment of diplomatic relations with China. And they have all severed the so-called "diplomatic" relations with Taiwan. This shows that the one-China principle is a universally recognized principle and represents people's sentiments and a global trend. As a signatory to the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, the US is fully aware of the historical and legal facts that Taiwan belongs to China. Yet it openly challenges the post-WWII international order, as if it has "amnesia." As a founding member of the U.N. and a permanent member of the Security Council, the US not only fails to take the lead in complying with a UNGA resolution, but repeatedly questions and misinterprets it, eroding the foundation of the UN and trampling on the principles of international law. It also attempts to mislead international public opinion with its own malicious distortions, and seeks to force its wrong stance upon the international community. Is this the so-called "rules-based international order" the US has been preaching? Clearly, this is nothing but a hegemonic practice of applying international law in a selective way. The world has not forgotten that during the discussions that led to UNGA Resolution 2758, the US had teamed up with a few countries to try to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan," and to push through a "dual representation" proposal against overwhelming opposition. Many countries had stepped forward, voicing their clear opposition and stressing that the proposal was "illegal and inconsistent with reality, justice and the principles of the UN Charter." In the end, the proposal failed to be put to a vote and was discarded. Today, the US is once again acting against the trend of history and trying to overturn the consensus of the international community. It must understand that what it failed to accomplish more than 50 years ago will have even less chances to succeed today. Fourth, the US must stop fudging and hollowing out the one-China principle. Once the biggest obstacle to the normalization of China-US relations, the Taiwan question had been fully resolved with the three China-US joint communiques, and there should be no difference between the understanding and policies of the two sides. In the communiques, the US clearly states that "the United States of America recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the only legal government of China" and that "the government of the United States of America recognizes China's position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of China." This is the political commitment of the US, the political foundation of China-US relations, and above all, the original and true meaning of the one-China policy of the US However, the fact that China and the US are still discussing the Taiwan question 45 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations is because the US keeps violating the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and continues to interfere in China's internal affairs and obstruct China's reunification. The US claims that it adheres to the one-China policy, but it has added the "Taiwan Relations Act" and "Six Assurances to Taiwan" as precondition and proviso. The latter two, concocted by the US unilaterally, fundamentally violate the one-China principle and the consensus of the international community, and have never been recognized by China. The US claims that it maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan, but it has arranged meetings between US and Taiwan officials, signed agreements with sovereign connotations and an official nature, and provided arms and ammunition to the Chinese territory. How is this unofficial ties? President Biden has pledged that the US does not support "Taiwan independence," "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan," and does not seek to use Taiwan as a tool to contain China. Has the US side honored its commitment? We remind the US that any move to reverse the course of history is doomed to fail, any effort to play the "Taiwan card" will only backfire, and any attempt to "use Taiwan to contain China" will be a dead end. We warn the US that with regard to UNGA Resolution 2758, the US has only the obligation to strictly abide by it, but no right to arbitrarily distort it or any privilege to act as the US sees fit. We urge the US not to stand on the opposite side of the international community, not to stand on the opposite side of international justice, and not to stand on the opposite side of the basic norms of international relations. MOSCOW, May 15 (Xinhua) -- No casualties were reported in the area of Fedorovskaya Street of Sevastopol where a downed missile fell in a private sector, city governor Mikhail Razvozhaev said in a telegram channel on Wednesday. "Our military repelled a massive attack on Sevastopol. In the area of Fedorovskaya Street, fragments of a downed missile fell in a private sector. Information about the victims is being clarified," Razvozhaev said, adding its air defense forces have shot down several missiles over the water area and in the area of the Belbek airfield. "The type of downed missiles is being clarified, and it is possible that undetonated submunitions may be discovered," said the governor. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Mayor Todd Gloria unveiled a revision of his proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 on Tuesday, the final version that the San Diego City Council is set to vote on next month. It includes adjusted allocations for the citys police and emergency services. An earlier version of the proposed budget, released in April, was a $5.65 billion spending plan, a 9.1% increase from the previous fiscal year. The latest revision, released Tuesday, includes an increase of over $161 million in expenditures from the proposed budget, leading to a new total of $5.81 billion. It also includes an increase of $13.5 million in expenditures from the general fund associated with salary increases, as well as the restoration of public safety and neighborhood services that were previously reduced in the earlier proposal. RELATED: Glorias revised city budget funds at-risk Housing Commission programs In his previous budget proposal in April, Gloria mentioned that all city departments were asked to make potential cuts, although reductions in public safety services like San Diego Fire-Rescue and the police department are to be kept to a minimum. Among the changes are the addition of $1.6 million and more police officers to the Juvenile Services Teams at nine area patrol commands and substation front counters. Another $250,000 will be allocated toward the citys gang violence diversion program, No Shots Fired. Additionally, $9.3 million will go toward supporting ambulance services in response to hourly wage increases and a rise in call volume, according to the proposal. It also says that $8 million has been added in project revenue for ambulance transports due to a 5% increase in call volume. Concern grows for proposed cuts to San Diego city equity programs budgets Another $1.2 million in revenue has been added to the budget due to a revised agreement between the city and San Diego International Airport for stand-by ambulance service, the city says. Other changes include a projected $3.3 million increase in the economic development department associated with a transaction fee from the sale of the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. The city also expects a $2.9 million revenue increase in the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department due to the transient occupancy tax fund, plus an additional $700,000 stemming from the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention state grant. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Goodbye, old friend: Beloved oak tree in Tumwater set to be cut down, city says Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan used executive action Tuesday to have the historic Davis Meeker Garry Oak tree cut down, with the city citing its poor health and high risk for causing accidents, injury or death. Arborists have estimated the tree to be at least 400 years old, with some believing it could be hundreds of years older. A date for the chop hasnt been set. Council member Joan Cathey said she thinks the mayors executive decision damages the councils relationship with the community. The historic tree is located near 7525 Old Highway 99 in Tumwater, near the Olympia Regional Airport. Its huge branches hang over the two-lane road that carries an average of 20,000 cars a day. The May 14 decision came after an 18-inch-diameter branch fell from 50 feet high in the tree and landed partially in the southbound lane of the road in early 2023. No one was hurt when the branch fell, but a number of professional assessments found the tree isnt in the best health. Mayor Sullivan said she cant face the chance of a family losing a loved one to another branch failure. City Administrator Lisa Parks said assessments found the tree is healthy from the exterior, but there is significant internal decay that has compromised the foundation of the tree. The city contracted with tree professional Kevin McFarland in June 2023 to perform an assessment of the tree, which included additional evaluations by a climbing arborist who looked at the upper canopy. A sonic tomography specialist performed an assessment in August. The assessments were then reviewed by a certified Master Arborist Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Municipal Specialist in October. Parks said the risk assessments found that future failures are likely to occur and there are multiple areas of the tree where it could happen. She said the trees current status is that it poses a high risk to public safety. The oak tree is on the historic northern branch of the Oregon Trail, the Cowlitz Trail. The name Meeker is tied to Ezra Meeker, a pioneer who traveled the Oregon Trail and later became the first mayor of Puyallup. According to the Tumwater Historical Register, its unclear if Meeker ever actually came across the tree in his travels. There have also been accounts of the tree being a gathering place for Native Americans. The name Davis comes from Jack Davis, an environmentalist who led a community effort in 1984 to save the tree when Old Highway 99 was being improved in the area. The right-of-way was re-routed and a barrier was installed to ensure the security of the tree, which cost $20,000 at the time. Reasons for the chop According to the citys website, certified arborists found decay in several areas of the tree, including the main stem and the large scaffold branches, which makes future branch failures likely. The tree is located next to a historic hangar, parking areas, and the highway. Pruning the tree isnt much of an option anymore because of the amount of internal damage. And since the tree is in a city of Tumwater right-of-way, the city could be liable for damages or injuries, potentially costing the city and taxpayers millions. Parks said on top of the high risk to public safety, the Washington State Insurance Authority reviewed the assessments and recommended the tree come down to avoid any chance of liability. Despite the present condition of the tree, the citys Historic Preservation Commission voted April 18 to keep it on the Historic Register. Parks said the city has issued a Request for Proposals from qualified contractors to remove the tree. It will require heavy equipment and a road closure of Old Highway 99. Parks said executive staff want to recognize the trees historical significance and its importance to the community by finding ways to honor and commemorate the tree. The RFP has a stipulation that the tree be cut down in such a manner that it maximizes the citys ability to use the reclaimed wood. She said there will be a number of community engagement opportunities in the near future to discuss how to honor and commemorate the tree, whether that be through public art, a commemorative sign, or a parking area to view what will soon be a centuries-old stump. Parks said last fall staff collected and planted acorns from the oak tree, many of which have already sprouted into saplings. The city has a strong history of supporting its history and commemorating and honoring its history and its trees, Parks said. And yet we cannot ignore our responsibility to protect peoples lives and their health and property. And so we are hoping to work together with our community to find ways to continue honoring the tree and its historical significance in a different and meaningful way. Mayor Debbie Sullivan said she has reached out to the Chehalis, Squaxin Island, Nisqually and Cowlitz tribes to see what historical significance the tree may have to them, and she wants to ensure theyre all included in the process moving forward. Sullivan shared a personal story about having healthy trees in her own yard fall on her roof during a storm. Shes heard many stories of people being severely injured or killed by falling trees. Thats just not something that I can do. I do not want to face a family that has either lost a loved one, a family member, or had one significantly injured from this tree impacting them on a major route, she said. Sullivan said she knows its a tough decision that most people arent going to like. But she thinks the city can move forward on how to best honor the tree. The legacy does not go away, she said. We honor the legacy of that tree. The council speaks out Council member Joan Cathey said the decision by the mayor made her feel ill. Cathey said she feels a lot of the decision-making around the historic oak tree went on behind the scenes, and she wanted to make it clear to the public that she didnt have a say in the decision to cut down the tree. She said the assessments in no way said the tree is dead, and she feels the mayor is ignoring the trees historic designation re-affirmed just last month. This was not anything I had any input into. And none of us did, she said. We expressed an opinion at the very beginning, and it was given hope that maybe we were being heard. But I just think this is wrong. I think this is not right. I think this damages our relationship with this community. Cathey said the arborists said the city could take some time and do some work in specific areas, then check back in after a year or two. She said their reports included many things the city could do to give the tree a chance at survival. But were not doing that. We dont want to do that, she said. Partly because insurance certainly doesnt want us to do that. She cited an article about one of the greatest losses of urban trees being cities taking them down for public safety reasons. Cathey said she was disappointed, angry and extremely sad about the decision. She said she thinks its one of the most dishonoring things the city has done since shes been around. Council member Kelly Von Holtz said she understands the need to cut down the tree for public safety reasons, but she had issues with the timeline of the tree assessment. She said the council wasnt given notice of any alleged issues with the tree until March of this year. She said nine months went by and so did several wind storms, and yet, the council was never given an opportunity to discuss the historic tree. I just hope that this is a lesson learned in managing expectations and transparency, Von Holtz said. And I hope that this is not something that we repeat again. Council member Leatta Dalhoff submitted a comment through email to The Olympian. She said the decision by the executive branch of the Tumwater government saddens her greatly. The Tree Board, the Historic Preservation Commision, and Council were bypassed, she said. Comments and concerns were not included in decision making. Local tribes were not informed or included during this process until after the decision to remove the tree was made. Since a limb fell last spring, zero efforts were made to preserve, maintain, mitigate. Removing this tree is a slap in the face of our culture, our history, and our love and preservation of nature. The councils next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 21. An agenda has not yet been set. Over the last year or more, several states including New Mexico have passed legislation restricting the use of AI in political ads or requiring that it be disclosed. (Getty Images) Members of the U.S. Senate are sounding the alarm about the threat that artificial intelligence poses to elections through its ability to deceive voters. But the prospects for legislation that can meaningfully address the problem appear uncertain. In a Wednesday hearing, the Senate Rules Committee advanced three bills designed to counter the AI threat. But the only one to receive support from Republicans on the panel would simply create voluntary guidelines for election officials. It stops well short of restricting the use of AI in elections or even requiring disclosure of its use steps that a growing number of states have already taken. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who chairs the Rules Committee and introduced all three measures, said the ability of generative AI to create deceptive images fundamentally threatens fair elections. We are going to see this resurgence of fakery and scams going on in our elections, said Klobuchar. And whether youre a Democrat or a Republican, whether youre a conservative or a liberal, we cannot have our democracy undermined by ads and videos where you literally dont know if its the candidate you love or the candidate you dislike. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer framed the stakes as even higher. Our democracy may never recover if we lose the ability to distinguish at all between whats true and whats false, as AI threatens to do, said the New York Democrat, whose appearance at the hearing was a potential signal that he aims to prioritize the legislation. AI robocalls, images The dangers posed by AI were starkly illustrated in February, when thousands of New Hampshire voters received a robocall with an AI-generated voice impersonating President Joe Biden, urging them not to vote in the upcoming state primary. A Democratic operative working for a rival candidate has admitted to commissioning the calls. And last June, the presidential campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released a video that appeared to use AI-generated images of former President Donald Trump hugging Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former chief medical adviser to Biden who is deeply unpopular among GOP primary voters. Klobuchar added at the hearing that she wanted to keep the issue out of the partisan milieu. Blue, purple and red states have lately passed laws to address the AI threat, she noted. And all three pieces of legislation Klobuchar has introduced have Republican co-sponsors. Still, there were signs that avoiding partisan politics could prove impossible. Republicans in Congress, often led by House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, have strongly opposed previous efforts by the Biden administration to restrict the spread of political disinformation, saying they violate speech rights and give too much power to government regulators. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., the ranking Republican on the panel, raised similar concerns Wednesday about two of the Klobuchar bills: the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, and the AI Transparency in Elections Act. The Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act would bar deceptive AI video or audio relating to candidates for federal office. It was introduced in September by Klobuchar and has five co-sponsors, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. The AI Transparency in Elections Act requires that political ads that use AI contain a statement disclosing its use. That measure, introduced by Klobuchar in March, is co-sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. The two bills, Fischer argued, increase burdens on speech, and are too vague in defining AI, creating uncertainty about whether a speaker might be subject to penalties. They also aim to federalize the issue and pre-empt state law, encroaching on state control of elections, Fischer added. Both measures were passed out of the Rules Committee Wednesday on party-line votes, with no Republican support. (The official vote count in both cases was 9-2, because some Republicans who didnt attend the hearing voted no by proxy, which isnt counted as an official vote.) The third measure, the Preparing Election Administrators for AI Act, was passed out of committee unanimously. It would require the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to consult with the National Institute of Standards and Technology in creating voluntary guidelines for election officials for how to protect against the threat of AI in elections, especially with respect to its use by foreign adversaries. On May 13, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Penn., and Chrissy Houlahan, D-Penn., introduced companion legislation in the House. Over the last year or more, states including Texas, Florida, New York, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico and Idaho all have passed legislation restricting the use of AI in political ads or requiring that it be disclosed. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post With GOP opposed, U.S. Senate panel advances bills to combat AI in elections appeared first on Source New Mexico. Over the last year or more, several states have passed legislation restricting the use of AI in political ads or requiring that it be disclosed. (Photo via Getty Images) Members of the U.S. Senate are sounding the alarm about the threat that artificial intelligence poses to elections through its ability to deceive voters. But the prospects for legislation that can meaningfully address the problem appear uncertain. In a Wednesday hearing, the Senate Rules Committee advanced three bills designed to counter the AI threat. But the only one to receive support from Republicans on the panel would simply create voluntary guidelines for election officials. It stops well short of restricting the use of AI in elections or even requiring disclosure of its use steps that a growing number of states have already taken. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who chairs the Rules Committee and introduced all three measures, said the ability of generative AI to create deceptive images fundamentally threatens fair elections. We are going to see this resurgence of fakery and scams going on in our elections, said Klobuchar. And whether youre a Democrat or a Republican, whether youre a conservative or a liberal, we cannot have our democracy undermined by ads and videos where you literally dont know if its the candidate you love or the candidate you dislike. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer framed the stakes as even higher. Our democracy may never recover if we lose the ability to distinguish at all between whats true and whats false, as AI threatens to do, said the New York Democrat, whose appearance at the hearing was a potential signal that he aims to prioritize the legislation. AI robocalls, images The dangers posed by AI were starkly illustrated in February, when thousands of New Hampshire voters received a robocall with an AI-generated voice impersonating President Joe Biden, urging them not to vote in the upcoming state primary. A Democratic operative working for a rival candidate has admitted to commissioning the calls. And last June, the presidential campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released a video that appeared to use AI-generated images of former President Donald Trump hugging Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former chief medical adviser to Biden who is deeply unpopular among GOP primary voters. Klobuchar added at the hearing that she wanted to keep the issue out of the partisan milieu. Blue, purple and red states have lately passed laws to address the AI threat, she noted. And all three pieces of legislation Klobuchar has introduced have Republican co-sponsors. Still, there were signs that avoiding partisan politics could prove impossible. Republicans in Congress, often led by House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, have strongly opposed previous efforts by the Biden administration to restrict the spread of political disinformation, saying they violate speech rights and give too much power to government regulators. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., the ranking Republican on the panel, raised similar concerns Wednesday about two of the Klobuchar bills: the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, and the AI Transparency in Elections Act. The Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act would bar deceptive AI video or audio relating to candidates for federal office. It was introduced in September by Klobuchar and has five co-sponsors, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. The AI Transparency in Elections Act requires that political ads that use AI contain a statement disclosing its use. That measure, introduced by Klobuchar in March, is co-sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. The two bills, Fischer argued, increase burdens on speech, and are too vague in defining AI, creating uncertainty about whether a speaker might be subject to penalties. They also aim to federalize the issue and pre-empt state law, encroaching on state control of elections, Fischer added. Both measures were passed out of the Rules Committee Wednesday on party-line votes, with no Republican support. (The official vote count in both cases was 9-2, because some Republicans who didnt attend the hearing voted no by proxy, which isnt counted as an official vote.) The third measure, the Preparing Election Administrators for AI Act, was passed out of committee unanimously. It would require the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to consult with the National Institute of Standards and Technology in creating voluntary guidelines for election officials for how to protect against the threat of AI in elections, especially with respect to its use by foreign adversaries. On May 13, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Penn., and Chrissy Houlahan, D-Penn., introduced companion legislation in the House. Over the last year or more, states including Texas, Florida, New York, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico and Idaho all have passed legislation restricting the use of AI in political ads or requiring that it be disclosed. The post With GOP opposed, U.S. Senate panel advances bills to combat AI in elections appeared first on North Dakota Monitor. GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards the courtroom for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 14, 2024, in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Republican lawmakers are taking turns supporting former president and presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in his trial in Manhattan criminal court, where he is charged with covering up payments intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Dressed alike in navy blue suits and red ties, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, viewed as a 2024 vice presidential contender, former GOP primary hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills of Florida filed behind Trump into the courtroom Tuesday morning, according to reporters present. Outside, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, conducted a press conference. The entourage followed appearances Monday by U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio, another contender on Trumps VP short list, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, as well as an appearance last week by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. Tuesdays show of solidarity occurred as the prosecutions star witness and former Trump fixer Michael Cohen took the stand for a second day to testify that Trump signed off on falsifying reimbursement to Cohen for $130,000 of his own money that Cohen paid to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election. Jurors again saw checks signed by Trump, and heard from Cohen about instructions from Trump associates to submit fake invoices for legal services rendered. Cohen also described a February 2017 Oval Office meeting during which he discussed the reimbursement with Trump, according to reporters at the courthouse. New York does not allow recording in the courtroom but provides public transcripts of the proceedings. Cohen followed high-profile and detailed testimony last week from adult film actress and director Daniels about her alleged sex affair with Trump in 2006, an event he denies. Trump is facing 34 felony counts for each alleged falsified business record related to his repayment to Cohen 11 invoices, 11 checks and 12 ledger entries. A sham to keep him off of the campaign trail Out on the sidewalk, Johnson the second in line for presidential succession after the vice president told reporters he wanted to call out what is a travesty of justice. With a sarcastic snicker and gesture toward the New York County Supreme Court location on Centre Street in Lower Manhattan, Johnson lamented that he had to speak to media outside because the court wont allow us to speak inside the building. Thats just one of the many things that are wrong here. Its worth noting that surrogates routinely make comments outside courthouses. Johnson summed up what he called a sham trial as a conspiracy to stymie Trumps reelection campaign despite recent New York Times/Siena College polls showing the former president leading in several swing states. This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial, Johnson said. They are doing this intentionally to keep him here and keep him off of the campaign trail, and I think everybody in the country can see that for what it is. The trial meets weekdays, except Wednesdays. Trump hit the campaign trail Saturday at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he spoke for 90 minutes, criticizing the New York trial, repeating false claims that he won the 2020 presidential election, calling the late, great fictional cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter a wonderful man, and thanking the six U.S. Supreme Court justices three of whom he appointed for overturning Roe v. Wade. Election interference Trumps allies echoed Johnsons earlier remarks in their own press conference later outside the courthouse, calling the trial a scam and joke, according to reporters at the event. Ramaswamy reportedly likened the courtroom to a Kafka novel and called it one of the most depressing places I have been in my life and said the prosecutions strategy is to bore jurors into submission. In a video of the press conference he posted to X, the entrepreneur said the justice system should be blind to politics and accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of targeting Trump for political reasons. Burgum characterized the trial as election interference in the 2024 race. Meanwhile, Trumps critics say the trial is squarely about election interference that occurred in 2016. Mills said what was the Department of Justice, now the department of injustice, has continued to be utilized against the American people. The charges for which Trump is now on trial did not originate with the U.S. Department of Justice, but rather from a New York state grand jury investigation. Trumps two federal cases are in a holding pattern while, for one, the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates over Trumps claim of absolute immunity from criminal charges that he schemed to subvert the 2020 presidential election results. The second, centered on Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents following his presidency, has been put indefinitely on hold by federal district Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida. The New York trial is expected to resume Thursday with further cross-examination of Cohen by Trump attorney Todd Blanche. The post GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues appeared first on Rhode Island Current. GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards the courtroom for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 14, 2024, in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Republican lawmakers are taking turns supporting former president and presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in his trial in Manhattan criminal court, where he is charged with covering up payments intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Dressed alike in navy blue suits and red ties, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, viewed as a 2024 vice presidential contender, former GOP primary hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds, and Cory Mills of Florida filed behind Trump into the courtroom Tuesday morning, according to reporters present. Outside, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, conducted a press conference. The entourage followed appearances Monday by U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio, another contender on Trumps VP short list, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, as well as an appearance last week by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. Tuesdays show of solidarity occurred as the prosecutions star witness and former Trump fixer Michael Cohen took the stand for a second day to testify that Trump signed off on falsifying reimbursement to Cohen for $130,000 of his own money that Cohen paid to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election. Jurors again saw checks signed by Trump, and heard from Cohen about instructions from Trump associates to submit fake invoices for legal services rendered. Cohen also described a February 2017 Oval Office meeting during which he discussed the reimbursement with Trump, according to reporters at the courthouse. New York does not allow recording in the courtroom but provides public transcripts of the proceedings. Cohen followed high-profile and detailed testimony last week from adult film actress and director Daniels about her alleged sex affair with Trump in 2006, an event he denies. Trump is facing 34 felony counts for each alleged falsified business record related to his repayment to Cohen 11 invoices, 11 checks and 12 ledger entries. A sham to keep him off of the campaign trail Out on the sidewalk, Johnson the second in line for presidential succession after the vice president told reporters he wanted to call out what is a travesty of justice. With a sarcastic snicker and gesture toward the New York County Supreme Court location on Centre Street in Lower Manhattan, Johnson lamented that he had to speak to media outside because the court wont allow us to speak inside the building. Thats just one of the many things that are wrong here. Its worth noting that surrogates routinely make comments outside courthouses. Johnson summed up what he called a sham trial as a conspiracy to stymie Trumps reelection campaign despite recent New York Times/Siena College polls showing the former president leading in several swing states. This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial, Johnson said. They are doing this intentionally to keep him here and keep him off of the campaign trail, and I think everybody in the country can see that for what it is. The trial meets weekdays, except Wednesdays. Trump hit the campaign trail Saturday at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he spoke for 90 minutes, criticizing the New York trial, repeating false claims that he won the 2020 presidential election, calling the late, great fictional cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter a wonderful man, and thanking the six U.S. Supreme Court justices three of whom he appointed for overturning Roe v. Wade. Election interference Trumps allies echoed Johnsons earlier remarks in their own press conference later outside the courthouse, calling the trial a scam and joke, according to reporters at the event. Ramaswamy reportedly likened the courtroom to a Kafka novel and called it one of the most depressing places I have been in my life and said the prosecutions strategy is to bore jurors into submission. In a video of the press conference he posted to X, the entrepreneur said the justice system should be blind to politics and accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of targeting Trump for political reasons. Burgum characterized the trial as election interference in the 2024 race. Meanwhile, Trumps critics say the trial is squarely about election interference that occurred in 2016. Mills said what was the Department of Justice, now the department of injustice, has continued to be utilized against the American people. The charges for which Trump is now on trial did not originate with the U.S. Department of Justice, but rather from a New York state grand jury investigation. Trumps two federal cases are in a holding pattern while, for one, the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates over Trumps claim of absolute immunity from criminal charges that he schemed to subvert the 2020 presidential election results. The second, centered on Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents following his presidency, has been put indefinitely on hold by federal district Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida. The New York trial is expected to resume Thursday with further cross-examination of Cohen by Trump attorney Todd Blanche. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal. GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards the courtroom for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 14, 2024, in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images) WASHINGTON Republican lawmakers are taking turns supporting former president and presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in his trial in Manhattan criminal court, where he is charged with covering up payments intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Dressed alike in navy blue suits and red ties, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, viewed as a 2024 vice presidential contender, former GOP primary hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills of Florida filed behind Trump into the courtroom Tuesday morning, according to reporters present. Outside, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, conducted a press conference. The entourage followed appearances Monday by U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio, another contender on Trumps VP short list, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, as well as an appearance last week by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. Tuesdays show of solidarity occurred as the prosecutions star witness and former Trump fixer Michael Cohen took the stand for a second day to testify that Trump signed off on falsifying reimbursement to Cohen for $130,000 of his own money that Cohen paid to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election. Jurors again saw checks signed by Trump, and heard from Cohen about instructions from Trump associates to submit fake invoices for legal services rendered. Cohen also described a February 2017 Oval Office meeting during which he discussed the reimbursement with Trump, according to reporters at the courthouse. New York does not allow recording in the courtroom but provides public transcripts of the proceedings. Cohen followed high-profile and detailed testimony last week from adult film actress and director Daniels about her alleged sex affair with Trump in 2006, an event he denies. Trump is facing 34 felony counts for each alleged falsified business record related to his repayment to Cohen 11 invoices, 11 checks and 12 ledger entries. A sham to keep him off of the campaign trail Out on the sidewalk, Johnson the second in line for presidential succession after the vice president told reporters he wanted to call out what is a travesty of justice. With a sarcastic snicker and gesture toward the New York County Supreme Court location on Centre Street in Lower Manhattan, Johnson lamented that he had to speak to media outside because the court wont allow us to speak inside the building. Thats just one of the many things that are wrong here. Its worth noting that surrogates routinely make comments outside courthouses. Johnson summed up what he called a sham trial as a conspiracy to stymie Trumps reelection campaign despite recent New York Times/Siena College polls showing the former president leading in several swing states. This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial, Johnson said. They are doing this intentionally to keep him here and keep him off of the campaign trail, and I think everybody in the country can see that for what it is. The trial meets weekdays, except Wednesdays. Trump hit the campaign trail Saturday at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he spoke for 90 minutes, criticizing the New York trial, repeating false claims that he won the 2020 presidential election, calling the late, great fictional cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter a wonderful man, and thanking the six U.S. Supreme Court justices three of whom he appointed for overturning Roe v. Wade. Election interference Trumps allies echoed Johnsons earlier remarks in their own press conference later outside the courthouse, calling the trial a scam and joke, according to reporters at the event. Ramaswamy reportedly likened the courtroom to a Kafka novel and called it one of the most depressing places I have been in my life and said the prosecutions strategy is to bore jurors into submission. In a video of the press conference he posted to X, the entrepreneur said the justice system should be blind to politics and accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of targeting Trump for political reasons. Burgum characterized the trial as election interference in the 2024 race. Meanwhile, Trumps critics say the trial is squarely about election interference that occurred in 2016. Mills said what was the Department of Justice, now the department of injustice, has continued to be utilized against the American people. The charges for which Trump is now on trial did not originate with the U.S. Department of Justice, but rather from a New York state grand jury investigation. Trumps two federal cases are in a holding pattern while, for one, the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates over Trumps claim of absolute immunity from criminal charges that he schemed to subvert the 2020 presidential election results. The second, centered on Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents following his presidency, has been put indefinitely on hold by federal district Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida. The New York trial is expected to resume Thursday with further cross-examination of Cohen by Trump attorney Todd Blanche. The post GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues appeared first on Source New Mexico. GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards the courtroom for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.) WASHINGTON Republican lawmakers are taking turns supporting former president and presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in his trial in Manhattan criminal court, where he is charged with covering up payments intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Dressed alike in navy blue suits and red ties, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, viewed as a 2024 vice presidential contender, former GOP primary hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills of Florida filed behind Trump into the courtroom Tuesday morning, according to reporters present. Outside, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, conducted a press conference. The entourage followed appearances Monday by U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio, another contender on Trumps VP short list, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, as well as an appearance last week by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. Tuesdays show of solidarity occurred as the prosecutions star witness and former Trump fixer Michael Cohen took the stand for a second day to testify that Trump signed off on falsifying reimbursement to Cohen for $130,000 of his own money that Cohen paid to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election. Jurors again saw checks signed by Trump, and heard from Cohen about instructions from Trump associates to submit fake invoices for legal services rendered. Cohen also described a February 2017 Oval Office meeting during which he discussed the reimbursement with Trump, according to reporters at the courthouse. New York does not allow recording in the courtroom but provides public transcripts of the proceedings. Cohen followed high-profile and detailed testimony last week from adult film actress and director Daniels about her alleged sex affair with Trump in 2006, an event he denies. Trump is facing 34 felony counts for each alleged falsified business record related to his repayment to Cohen 11 invoices, 11 checks and 12 ledger entries. A sham to keep him off of the campaign trail Out on the sidewalk, Johnson the second in line for presidential succession after the vice president told reporters he wanted to call out what is a travesty of justice. With a sarcastic snicker and gesture toward the New York County Supreme Court location on Centre Street in Lower Manhattan, Johnson lamented that he had to speak to media outside because the court wont allow us to speak inside the building. Thats just one of the many things that are wrong here. Its worth noting that surrogates routinely make comments outside courthouses. Johnson summed up what he called a sham trial as a conspiracy to stymie Trumps reelection campaign despite recent New York Times/Siena College polls showing the former president leading in several swing states. This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial, Johnson said. They are doing this intentionally to keep him here and keep him off of the campaign trail, and I think everybody in the country can see that for what it is. The trial meets weekdays, except Wednesdays. Trump hit the campaign trail Saturday at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he spoke for 90 minutes, criticizing the New York trial, repeating false claims that he won the 2020 presidential election, calling the late, great fictional cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter a wonderful man, and thanking the six U.S. Supreme Court justices three of whom he appointed for overturning Roe v. Wade. Election interference Trumps allies echoed Johnsons earlier remarks in their own press conference later outside the courthouse, calling the trial a scam and joke, according to reporters at the event. Ramaswamy reportedly likened the courtroom to a Kafka novel and called it one of the most depressing places I have been in my life and said the prosecutions strategy is to bore jurors into submission. In a video of the press conference he posted to X, the entrepreneur said the justice system should be blind to politics and accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of targeting Trump for political reasons. Burgum characterized the trial as election interference in the 2024 race. Meanwhile, Trumps critics say the trial is squarely about election interference that occurred in 2016. Mills said what was the Department of Justice, now the department of injustice, has continued to be utilized against the American people. The charges for which Trump is now on trial did not originate with the U.S. Department of Justice, but rather from a New York state grand jury investigation. Trumps two federal cases are in a holding pattern while, for one, the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates over Trumps claim of absolute immunity from criminal charges that he schemed to subvert the 2020 presidential election results. The second, centered on Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents following his presidency, has been put indefinitely on hold by federal district Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida. The New York trial is expected to resume Thursday with further cross-examination of Cohen by Trump attorney Todd Blanche. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues appeared first on Oklahoma Voice. GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards the courtroom for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 14, 2024, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images) WASHINGTON Republican lawmakers are taking turns supporting former president and presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in his trial in Manhattan criminal court, where he is charged with covering up payments intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Dressed alike in navy blue suits and red ties, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, viewed as a 2024 vice presidential contender, former GOP primary hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills of Florida filed behind Trump into the courtroom Tuesday morning, according to reporters present. Outside, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, conducted a press conference. The entourage followed appearances Monday by U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio, another contender on Trumps VP short list, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, as well as an appearance last week by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. Tuesdays show of solidarity occurred as the prosecutions star witness and former Trump fixer Michael Cohen took the stand for a second day to testify that Trump signed off on falsifying reimbursement to Cohen for $130,000 of his own money that Cohen paid to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election. Jurors again saw checks signed by Trump, and heard from Cohen about instructions from Trump associates to submit fake invoices for legal services rendered. Cohen also described a February 2017 Oval Office meeting during which he discussed the reimbursement with Trump, according to reporters at the courthouse. New York does not allow recording in the courtroom but provides public transcripts of the proceedings. Cohen followed high-profile and detailed testimony last week from adult film actress and director Daniels about her alleged sex affair with Trump in 2006, an event he denies. Trump is facing 34 felony counts for each alleged falsified business record related to his repayment to Cohen 11 invoices, 11 checks and 12 ledger entries. A sham to keep him off of the campaign trail Out on the sidewalk, Johnson the second in line for presidential succession after the vice president told reporters he wanted to call out what is a travesty of justice. With a sarcastic snicker and gesture toward the New York County Supreme Court location on Centre Street in Lower Manhattan, Johnson lamented that he had to speak to media outside because the court wont allow us to speak inside the building. Thats just one of the many things that are wrong here. Its worth noting that surrogates routinely make comments outside courthouses. Johnson summed up what he called a sham trial as a conspiracy to stymie Trumps reelection campaign despite recent New York Times/Siena College polls showing the former president leading in several swing states. This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial, Johnson said. They are doing this intentionally to keep him here and keep him off of the campaign trail, and I think everybody in the country can see that for what it is. The trial meets weekdays, except Wednesdays. Trump hit the campaign trail Saturday at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he spoke for 90 minutes, criticizing the New York trial, repeating false claims that he won the 2020 presidential election, calling the late, great fictional cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter a wonderful man, and thanking the six U.S. Supreme Court justices three of whom he appointed for overturning Roe v. Wade. Election interference Trumps allies echoed Johnsons earlier remarks in their own press conference later outside the courthouse, calling the trial a scam and joke, according to reporters at the event. Ramaswamy reportedly likened the courtroom to a Kafka novel and called it one of the most depressing places I have been in my life and said the prosecutions strategy is to bore jurors into submission. In a video of the press conference he posted to X, the entrepreneur said the justice system should be blind to politics and accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of targeting Trump for political reasons. Burgum characterized the trial as election interference in the 2024 race. Meanwhile, Trumps critics say the trial is squarely about election interference that occurred in 2016. Mills said what was the Department of Justice, now the department of injustice, has continued to be utilized against the American people. The charges for which Trump is now on trial did not originate with the U.S. Department of Justice, but rather from a New York state grand jury investigation. Trumps two federal cases are in a holding pattern while, for one, the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates over Trumps claim of absolute immunity from criminal charges that he schemed to subvert the 2020 presidential election results. The second, centered on Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents following his presidency, has been put indefinitely on hold by federal district Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida. The New York trial is expected to resume Thursday with further cross-examination of Cohen by Trump attorney Todd Blanche. The post GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues appeared first on West Virginia Watch. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards the courtroom for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 14, 2024 in New York City. Michael Cohen, former President Donald Trump's former attorney will continue with direct questioning by the prosecution, then face cross examination by the defense. Cohen's $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels is tied to Trump's 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. | Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images WASHINGTON Republican lawmakers are taking turns supporting former president and presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in his trial in Manhattan criminal court, where he is charged with covering up payments intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Dressed alike in navy blue suits and red ties, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, viewed as a 2024 vice presidential contender, former GOP primary hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills of Florida filed behind Trump into the courtroom Tuesday morning, according to reporters present. Outside, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, conducted a press conference. The entourage followed appearances Monday by U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio, another contender on Trumps VP short list, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, as well as an appearance last week by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. Tuesdays show of solidarity occurred as the prosecutions star witness and former Trump fixer Michael Cohen took the stand for a second day to testify that Trump signed off on falsifying reimbursement to Cohen for $130,000 of his own money that Cohen paid to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election. Jurors again saw checks signed by Trump, and heard from Cohen about instructions from Trump associates to submit fake invoices for legal services rendered. Cohen also described a February 2017 Oval Office meeting during which he discussed the reimbursement with Trump, according to reporters at the courthouse. New York does not allow recording in the courtroom but provides public transcripts of the proceedings. Cohen followed high-profile and detailed testimony last week from adult film actress and director Daniels about her alleged sex affair with Trump in 2006, an event he denies. Trump is facing 34 felony counts for each alleged falsified business record related to his repayment to Cohen 11 invoices, 11 checks and 12 ledger entries. A sham to keep him off of the campaign trail Out on the sidewalk, Johnson the second in line for presidential succession after the vice president told reporters he wanted to call out what is a travesty of justice. With a sarcastic snicker and gesture toward the New York County Supreme Court location on Centre Street in Lower Manhattan, Johnson lamented that he had to speak to media outside because the court wont allow us to speak inside the building. Thats just one of the many things that are wrong here. Its worth noting that surrogates routinely make comments outside courthouses. Johnson summed up what he called a sham trial as a conspiracy to stymie Trumps reelection campaign despite recent New York Times/Siena College polls showing the former president leading in several swing states. This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial, Johnson said. They are doing this intentionally to keep him here and keep him off of the campaign trail, and I think everybody in the country can see that for what it is. The trial meets weekdays, except Wednesdays. Trump hit the campaign trail Saturday at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he spoke for 90 minutes, criticizing the New York trial, repeating false claims that he won the 2020 presidential election, calling the late, great fictional cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter a wonderful man, and thanking the six U.S. Supreme Court justices three of whom he appointed for overturning Roe v. Wade. Election interference Trumps allies echoed Johnsons earlier remarks in their own press conference later outside the courthouse, calling the trial a scam and joke, according to reporters at the event. Ramaswamy reportedly likened the courtroom to a Kafka novel and called it one of the most depressing places I have been in my life and said the prosecutions strategy is to bore jurors into submission. In a video of the press conference he posted to X, the entrepreneur said the justice system should be blind to politics and accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of targeting Trump for political reasons. Burgum characterized the trial as election interference in the 2024 race. Meanwhile, Trumps critics say the trial is squarely about election interference that occurred in 2016. Mills said what was the Department of Justice, now the department of injustice, has continued to be utilized against the American people. The charges for which Trump is now on trial did not originate with the U.S. Department of Justice, but rather from a New York state grand jury investigation. Trumps two federal cases are in a holding pattern while, for one, the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates over Trumps claim of absolute immunity from criminal charges that he schemed to subvert the 2020 presidential election results. The second, centered on Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents following his presidency, has been put indefinitely on hold by federal district Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida. The New York trial is expected to resume Thursday with further cross-examination of Cohen by Trump attorney Todd Blanche. The post GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues appeared first on Michigan Advance. BRUSSELS, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Wednesday urged Israel to end its military operation in Rafah "immediately," stressing that continued military operation would "inevitably put a heavy strain" on its relationship with Israel. "The European Union is calling on Israel to refrain from further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and reopen the crossing point of Rafah," Josep Borrell, EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a statement. "Should Israel continue its military operation in Rafah, it would inevitably put a heavy strain on the EU's relationship with Israel," Borrell noted. Israel's military operation is further disrupting the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and is leading to more internal displacement, exposure to famine and human suffering, he said, adding that more than a million civilians are sheltering in and around Rafah and have been told to evacuate to unsafe areas. While the EU recognizes Israel's right to defend itself, it must do so in line with the International Humanitarian Law and ensure the safety of civilians, the statement stressed, adding that under the International Humanitarian Law, Israel must allow and facilitate unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians. Meanwhile, the EU also condemned Hamas's attack on the Kerem Shalom crossing which has further obstructed the delivery of humanitarian relief supplies. It called on all parties to redouble efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas. Israeli tanks on Tuesday marched towards the center of Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, as tens of thousands of residents fled to evade an Israeli ground offensive, a local source reported. GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards the courtroom for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 14, 2024, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards the courtroom for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 14, 2024, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Republican lawmakers are taking turns supporting former president and presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in his trial in Manhattan criminal court, where he is charged with covering up payments intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Dressed alike in navy blue suits and red ties, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, viewed as a 2024 vice presidential contender, former GOP primary hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills of Florida filed behind Trump into the courtroom Tuesday morning, according to reporters present. Outside, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, conducted a press conference. The entourage followed appearances Monday by U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio, another contender on Trumps VP short list, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, as well as an appearance last week by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. Tuesdays show of solidarity occurred as the prosecutions star witness and former Trump fixer Michael Cohen took the stand for a second day to testify that Trump signed off on falsifying reimbursement to Cohen for $130,000 of his own money that Cohen paid to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election. Jurors again saw checks signed by Trump, and heard from Cohen about instructions from Trump associates to submit fake invoices for legal services rendered. Cohen also described a February 2017 Oval Office meeting during which he discussed the reimbursement with Trump, according to reporters at the courthouse. New York does not allow recording in the courtroom but provides public transcripts of the proceedings. Cohen followed high-profile and detailed testimony last week from adult film actress and director Daniels about her alleged sex affair with Trump in 2006, an event he denies. Trump is facing 34 felony counts for each alleged falsified business record related to his repayment to Cohen 11 invoices, 11 checks and 12 ledger entries. A sham to keep him off of the campaign trail Out on the sidewalk, Johnson the second in line for presidential succession after the vice president told reporters he wanted to call out what is a travesty of justice. With a sarcastic snicker and gesture toward the New York County Supreme Court location on Centre Street in Lower Manhattan, Johnson lamented that he had to speak to media outside because the court wont allow us to speak inside the building. Thats just one of the many things that are wrong here. Its worth noting that surrogates routinely make comments outside courthouses. Johnson summed up what he called a sham trial as a conspiracy to stymie Trumps reelection campaign despite recent New York Times/Siena College polls showing the former president leading in several swing states. This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial, Johnson said. They are doing this intentionally to keep him here and keep him off of the campaign trail, and I think everybody in the country can see that for what it is. The trial meets weekdays, except Wednesdays. Trump hit the campaign trail Saturday at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he spoke for 90 minutes, criticizing the New York trial, repeating false claims that he won the 2020 presidential election, calling the late, great fictional cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter a wonderful man, and thanking the six U.S. Supreme Court justices three of whom he appointed for overturning Roe v. Wade. Election interference Trumps allies echoed Johnsons earlier remarks in their own press conference later outside the courthouse, calling the trial a scam and joke, according to reporters at the event. Ramaswamy reportedly likened the courtroom to a Kafka novel and called it one of the most depressing places I have been in my life and said the prosecutions strategy is to bore jurors into submission. In a video of the press conference he posted to X, the entrepreneur said the justice system should be blind to politics and accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of targeting Trump for political reasons. Burgum characterized the trial as election interference in the 2024 race. Meanwhile, Trumps critics say the trial is squarely about election interference that occurred in 2016. Mills said what was the Department of Justice, now the department of injustice, has continued to be utilized against the American people. The charges for which Trump is now on trial did not originate with the U.S. Department of Justice, but rather from a New York state grand jury investigation. Trumps two federal cases are in a holding pattern while, for one, the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates over Trumps claim of absolute immunity from criminal charges that he schemed to subvert the 2020 presidential election results. The second, centered on Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents following his presidency, has been put indefinitely on hold by federal district Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida. The New York trial is expected to resume Thursday with further cross-examination of Cohen by Trump attorney Todd Blanche. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards the courtroom for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 14, 2024, in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards the courtroom for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 14, 2024, in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Republican lawmakers are taking turns supporting former president and presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in his trial in Manhattan criminal court, where he is charged with covering up payments intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Dressed alike in navy blue suits and red ties, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, viewed as a 2024 vice presidential contender, former GOP primary hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills of Florida filed behind Trump into the courtroom Tuesday morning, according to reporters present. Outside, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, conducted a press conference. The entourage followed appearances Monday by U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio, another contender on Trumps VP short list, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, as well as an appearance last week by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. Tuesdays show of solidarity occurred as the prosecutions star witness and former Trump fixer Michael Cohen took the stand for a second day to testify that Trump signed off on falsifying reimbursement to Cohen for $130,000 of his own money that Cohen paid to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election. Jurors again saw checks signed by Trump, and heard from Cohen about instructions from Trump associates to submit fake invoices for legal services rendered. Cohen also described a February 2017 Oval Office meeting during which he discussed the reimbursement with Trump, according to reporters at the courthouse. New York does not allow recording in the courtroom but provides public transcripts of the proceedings. Cohen followed high-profile and detailed testimony last week from adult film actress and director Daniels about her alleged sex affair with Trump in 2006, an event he denies. Trump is facing 34 felony counts for each alleged falsified business record related to his repayment to Cohen 11 invoices, 11 checks and 12 ledger entries. A sham to keep him off of the campaign trail Out on the sidewalk, Johnson the second in line for presidential succession after the vice president told reporters he wanted to call out what is a travesty of justice. With a sarcastic snicker and gesture toward the New York County Supreme Court location on Centre Street in Lower Manhattan, Johnson lamented that he had to speak to media outside because the court wont allow us to speak inside the building. Thats just one of the many things that are wrong here. Its worth noting that surrogates routinely make comments outside courthouses. Johnson summed up what he called a sham trial as a conspiracy to stymie Trumps reelection campaign despite recent New York Times/Siena College polls showing the former president leading in several swing states. This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial, Johnson said. They are doing this intentionally to keep him here and keep him off of the campaign trail, and I think everybody in the country can see that for what it is. The trial meets weekdays, except Wednesdays. Trump hit the campaign trail Saturday at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he spoke for 90 minutes, criticizing the New York trial, repeating false claims that he won the 2020 presidential election, calling the late, great fictional cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter a wonderful man, and thanking the six U.S. Supreme Court justices three of whom he appointed for overturning Roe v. Wade. Election interference Trumps allies echoed Johnsons earlier remarks in their own press conference later outside the courthouse, calling the trial a scam and joke, according to reporters at the event. Ramaswamy reportedly likened the courtroom to a Kafka novel and called it one of the most depressing places I have been in my life and said the prosecutions strategy is to bore jurors into submission. In a video of the press conference he posted to X, the entrepreneur said the justice system should be blind to politics and accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of targeting Trump for political reasons. Burgum characterized the trial as election interference in the 2024 race. Meanwhile, Trumps critics say the trial is squarely about election interference that occurred in 2016. Mills said what was the Department of Justice, now the department of injustice, has continued to be utilized against the American people. The charges for which Trump is now on trial did not originate with the U.S. Department of Justice, but rather from a New York state grand jury investigation. Trumps two federal cases are in a holding pattern while, for one, the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates over Trumps claim of absolute immunity from criminal charges that he schemed to subvert the 2020 presidential election results. The second, centered on Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents following his presidency, has been put indefinitely on hold by federal district Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida. The New York trial is expected to resume Thursday with further cross-examination of Cohen by Trump attorney Todd Blanche. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues appeared first on Utah News Dispatch. GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards the courtroom for his hush money trial on May 14, 2024, at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards the courtroom for his hush money trial on May 14, 2024, at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Republican lawmakers are taking turns supporting former president and presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in his trial in Manhattan criminal court, where he is charged with covering up payments intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Dressed alike in navy blue suits and red ties, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, viewed as a 2024 vice presidential contender, former GOP primary hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills of Florida filed behind Trump into the courtroom Tuesday morning, according to reporters present. Outside, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, conducted a press conference. The entourage followed appearances Monday by U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio, another contender on Trumps VP short list, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, as well as an appearance last week by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. Tuesdays show of solidarity occurred as the prosecutions star witness and former Trump fixer Michael Cohen took the stand for a second day to testify that Trump signed off on falsifying reimbursement to Cohen for $130,000 of his own money that Cohen paid to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election. Jurors again saw checks signed by Trump, and heard from Cohen about instructions from Trump associates to submit fake invoices for legal services rendered. Cohen also described a February 2017 Oval Office meeting during which he discussed the reimbursement with Trump, according to reporters at the courthouse. New York does not allow recording in the courtroom but provides public transcripts of the proceedings. Cohen followed high-profile and detailed testimony last week from adult film actress and director Daniels about her alleged sex affair with Trump in 2006, an event he denies. Trump is facing 34 felony counts for each alleged falsified business record related to his repayment to Cohen 11 invoices, 11 checks and 12 ledger entries. A sham to keep him off of the campaign trail Out on the sidewalk, Johnson the second in line for presidential succession after the vice president told reporters he wanted to call out what is a travesty of justice. With a sarcastic snicker and gesture toward the New York County Supreme Court location on Centre Street in Lower Manhattan, Johnson lamented that he had to speak to media outside because the court wont allow us to speak inside the building. Thats just one of the many things that are wrong here. Its worth noting that surrogates routinely make comments outside courthouses. Johnson summed up what he called a sham trial as a conspiracy to stymie Trumps reelection campaign despite recent New York Times/Siena College polls showing the former president leading in several swing states. This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial, Johnson said. They are doing this intentionally to keep him here and keep him off of the campaign trail, and I think everybody in the country can see that for what it is. The trial meets weekdays, except Wednesdays. Trump hit the campaign trail Saturday at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he spoke for 90 minutes, criticizing the New York trial, repeating false claims that he won the 2020 presidential election, calling the late, great fictional cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter a wonderful man, and thanking the six U.S. Supreme Court justices three of whom he appointed for overturning Roe v. Wade. Election interference Trumps allies echoed Johnsons earlier remarks in their own press conference later outside the courthouse, calling the trial a scam and joke, according to reporters at the event. Ramaswamy reportedly likened the courtroom to a Kafka novel and called it one of the most depressing places I have been in my life and said the prosecutions strategy is to bore jurors into submission. In a video of the press conference he posted to X, the entrepreneur said the justice system should be blind to politics and accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of targeting Trump for political reasons. Burgum characterized the trial as election interference in the 2024 race. Meanwhile, Trumps critics say the trial is squarely about election interference that occurred in 2016. Mills said what was the Department of Justice, now the department of injustice, has continued to be utilized against the American people. The charges for which Trump is now on trial did not originate with the U.S. Department of Justice, but rather from a New York state grand jury investigation. Trumps two federal cases are in a holding pattern while, for one, the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates over Trumps claim of absolute immunity from criminal charges that he schemed to subvert the 2020 presidential election results. The second, centered on Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents following his presidency, has been put indefinitely on hold by federal district Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida. The New York trial is expected to resume Thursday with further cross-examination of Cohen by Trump attorney Todd Blanche. The post GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues appeared first on Kansas Reflector. House Republicans are racing this week to put the Israel-Hamas war at center stage on Capitol Hill, a move designed both to unite their warring conference and to highlight the long-standing Democratic divisions over the Israel-Palestine conflict. GOP leaders are pushing a proposal to reverse President Bidens recent freeze on the delivery of certain U.S. weapons to Israel, which was adopted to pressure Israeli leaders to take more care in protecting Palestinian civilians amid mounting casualties in the Gaza Strip. The proposal is likely dead on arrival in the Democratic-controlled Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the nations most powerful Jewish policymaker, has emerged as one of the sharpest critics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his handling of the war on Hamas. House Democratic leadership is urging members to vote against the legislation, arguing that it would place an unprecedented limitation on Bidens executive authority, and the administration said Biden would veto the bill if it lands on his desk. But some of Israels staunchest Democratic allies in the House are likely to support the legislation when it hits the floor later this week a vote that will showcase internal opposition to Bidens weapons freeze while lending Republicans some campaign-trail ammunition to accuse Democrats of abandoning Americas closest Middle Eastern ally. Its outrageous, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus, told the Fox Business Network on Monday. The Biden administration is selling out our only democracy in the Middle East, our friend for over 75 years, Israel, just like they did in Afghanistan. If the GOP resolution is poised to splinter the Democratic vote, however, the party appears united in criticizing the GOPs motivations for staging it. Indeed, heading into the vote, even those Democrats likely to support the pro-Israel proposal bashed it as a shameless political ploy. They again chose to divide Congress and use Israel, as they have with antisemitism, as a political weapon, and that is bad for everyone, except maybe their candidates, Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) told The Hill. Its a very unfortunate and unnecessary decision. As an American Jew, I am offended by the politicization and partisan manipulation of these very serious issues, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) echoed in a statement. Despite the joint outrage, Landsman and Goldman both Jewish, pro-Israel Democrats are finding themselves on opposite ends of the debate over the Israel bill. Landsman told The Hill I suspect I will vote for the legislation, where he will likely be joined by other centrist Democrats, while Goldman warned he will vote no on the measure, standing with progressives who are up in arms over the mounting number of humanitarian deaths in the Gaza strip. This weeks vote isnt the first time Republican leaders have sought to put a spotlight on Democratic divisions over the Israel-Hamas war. This time around, however, the issue will flip the script on the political dynamics that have consumed the House in recent weeks, when a handful of conservative hard-liners sought to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) after just six months with the gavel. Republicans have been virtually united on Israels military response to Hamass deadly attacks of Oct. 7. Those attacks led to the death of more than 1,100 people and the kidnapping of 250 others, and most Republicans maintain that, given the scale of the attack, Israeli leaders have every right to continue their seek-and-destroy mission against the Hamas militants who conducted the offensive. We want to protect as many lives as possible of these civilians, but the problem is that Hamas uses them as shields, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) said Monday in an interview with Fox News. They are a terrorist organization that uses their own people as shields, and so Israel has to defend itself. That delicate question whether Israels right of self-defense pardons the soaring casualties in Gaza that have resulted from Israels military strikes is much more fraught in the House Democratic Caucus, where liberal lawmakers have accused Netanyahu of disregarding Palestinian lives to achieve broader goals of Israeli expansion. The toll has been substantial: More than 35,000 people have been killed in the war since Oct. 7, according to United Nations and Gazan health authorities, representing more than 2 percent of a region where half the population consists of women and children. Attempting to walk that tightrope, Biden last week warned that the U.S. will stop sending offensive weapons including bombs and artillery shells to Israel if its forces invade Rafah, a move that the U.S. and other allies have strongly urged against, but one that Netanyahu has vowed to move forward with. The administration also withheld shipment of 3,500 bombs to Israel. Bidens threat came the same week the administration delivered a new report to Congress that said it was reasonable to assess Israel has violated international humanitarian law in its handling of the war in Gaza. The administrations moves, as expected, won the praise of progressives Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) called Bidens threat responsible and sparked ire from pro-Israel Democrats. Twenty-six Democrats penned a letter to national security adviser Jake Sullivan last week that said they were deeply concerned about the message being sent after Biden withheld weapons shipments, and some may support the bill up for consideration this week, which would mark a major rebuke from the presidents party. I disagree, Landsman, who signed the letter, said of Bidens weapons hold. It undermines [a potential] cease-fire agreement, the release of the hostages, it potentially undermines the ability to end Hamass, you know, military capacity. There are certainly things that the administration has and should continue to do diplomatically, privately, he added. But the comments alongside the hold do not help us achieve these things. Bidens shipment pause and threat of more withholdings came less than a month after the House passed a foreign aid package that included $26 billion for Israel and global humanitarian aid, the culmination of months of bitter negotiations over the assistance. Johnson told Politico in an interview after learning of the presidents threat that it was a complete turn from what he had been told by top administration officials before the aid package passed and there would be no delay in the assistance, a claim the White House has denied. So I hope thats a senior moment, Johnson said of Bidens announcement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Prince Harry, right, and Meghan, left, attend the Giant of Africa Foundation at the Dream Big Basketball clinic in Lagos, Nigeria, Sunday, May 12, 2024. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games, which Prince Harry founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans. | Sunday Alamba California Gov. Gavin Newsom defended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after his state deemed their charity foundation delinquent for not filing the paperwork in time. Im here at a behavioral health site, a mental health site. The Archewell Foundation, run by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, (does) extraordinary work, particularly (for) women and girls, but notably, around mental health, Newsom said at a press conference on Wednesday in San Mateo County. And I just want folks to know, not only are they in compliance, it was a technical paperwork issue that was wildly overhyped, and with respect, I hope people that ran those headlines run this headline, that it was a very typical, technical issue around paperwork that persists for so many others as well, Newsom continued. A source close to the foundation said the initial check to the California Registry of Charities and Fundraisers got lost in the mail and another check was submitted, according to NBC News. The notice of delinquency, issued by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, states the Archewell charity cant raise money until it resolves the issue. In a statement shared with People Magazine Tuesday, a spokesperson for the foundation said, We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that The Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing. Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the IRSs processes and procedures. Furthermore, all necessary paperwork had been filed by the Foundation without error or wrongdoing, the statement added. A day after the charitys status became news, the California Attorney Generals office said the foundation is current and in good standing, as per People. Charity Watch, an independent watchdog, considers this charity not ratable since it was established roughly three years ago. One thing the nonprofits CEO, Laurie Styron, noted is the foundation only has two individuals, the former royal couple, on the governing board, and the best practice is five members, a majority of them independent. Charities are not small businesses or hobbies intended to be controlled by one married couple or family, said Styron, according to NBC News. Rather, they are owned by the public for the public interest and are intended to exist as legal entities independent from the interests of the people running them. The Archewell Foundations focus is to prioritize solutions for mental health programs. Our mission is simple: show up, do good, the website says. We meet the moment by showing up, taking action and using our unparalleled spotlight to uplift and unite communities local and global through acts of service and compassion. The scrutiny over the Archewell Foundation comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs three-day trip to Nigeria that very much mimicked a royal tour. On Friday, the couple visited a school in Abuja, the capital city. There they kicked off a mental health summit organized by GEANCO, a local non-profit affiliated with the Archewell charity, according to ABC News. Markle co-hosted a womens leadership event on Saturday. She was accompanied by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization. During her remarks, Markle stressed her Nigerian ancestry, referring to Nigeria as my country, adding, Being African American, part of it is not knowing so much about your lineage or background, where you come from specifically. And it was exciting to discover more and understand what that really means. The couple also attended a training session of Unconquered, a nonprofit that plans Nigerias participation in the Invictus Games, a Paralympics competition for wounded servicemen, founded by Prince Harry in 2014. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry delivers his address to state lawmakers on opening day of the regular legislative session, Monday, March 11, 2024, at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (John Ballance/The Advocate, Pool) Gov. Jeff Landry has yet to resolve a months-long dispute with the Louisiana Board of Ethics for failing to disclose private flights he took to Hawaii on a campaign donors plane. Now, state lawmakers may give Landry more control over the board that seeks to discipline him. Senate Bill 497 would give the governor direct control over who fills the majority of the ethics board seats. Its would go into effect Aug. 1. We have a serious history of corruption in Louisiana, Steven Procopio, president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR), said during a hearing on the legislation this week. Given our history, given our data, I cannot understand why we would undermine the ethics board by allowing unfettered control by the governor. That complaint hasnt stopped lawmakers with going along with the bill. The House and Governmental Affairs Committee approved it on a 7-6 vote Tuesday, and the Senate voted for the proposal 27-10 last month. The bill now awaits a full House vote but must go back to the Senate for approval of amendments before its sent to the governor for consideration. The ethics board regulates elected officials, public employees and lobbyists at all levels of government. It deliberates on campaign finance violations and conflicts of interest, among other matters. Under current law, leaders from Louisianas private universities and colleges nominate five people for each of the 11 seats on the ethics board, and then the governor and state lawmakers pick their appointees from those lists. The governor gets to pick seven members and the state lawmakers select four respectively. Senate Bill 497, sponsored by Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, would take the independent college and university leaders out of the process, effectively leaving the governor to appoint seven ethics board members on his own. The current selection process for board members is onerous, complicated and completely arbitrary, Miguez said. I just dont think its appropriate to have that structure in place. Sen. Blake Miguez sitting down. He is wearing a black suit jacket with a multi-colored tie and a red pocket square. Miguez worries the majority of the private college and university leaders involved in the nominating process are in New Orleans, giving the city outsized influence over the ethics board. Its almost like New Orleans is deciding the nomination process here, he said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE Barry Erwin, with the Council for A Better Louisiana, disagreed with Miguez, saying the current ethics board process is in place to prevent the fox from guarding the hen house. Private colleges and universities are involved to insulate the members board from political pressure, he said. We would like to see that continue. Keep the politics out of it, said Erwin, whose organization is made up of business and nonprofit group leaders from across the state. Procopio said his organization, PAR, was among those who advocated for the current nominating system put in place two decades ago. Louisiana has had more federal convictions for public corruption per capita than any other state in the country, signaling government officials need stronger oversight, he said. I see this very much as a backward move. I see this as undermining a very important board for fighting corruption, Procopio said. In advocating for his bill, Miguez said governors in Texas and Mississippi are allowed to pick their own members to those states ethics boards, but Procopio said those panels are structured differently. In Texas, half of the ethics board isnt picked by the governor. In Mississippi, only two of eight ethics board members are the governors choices, Procopio said. Procopio said his staff could only find 12 states where the governor gets to appoint most of its ethics board. In some of those instances, other restrictions apply. In South Dakota, for example, the governor can only pick retired judges to serve. Erwin and Procopio said their objections to the proposed changes arent about the current governor. They think the structural shift is problematic, regardless of who is in office. Its not about Gov. Landry, Erwin said. Landry is in an active dispute with the ethics board over a penalty he must pay for violating an ethics law however. Its members want to penalize Landry for failing to disclose flights he took to and from Hawaii in 2021 when he was attorney general. An attorney representing the governor and the ethics board are still in negotiations over what the reprimand might be. The next status update is scheduled for July. The board charged Landry and one of the companies owned by the private plane owner, retired energy executive Greg Mosing, in August when Landry, a Republican, was running for governor. Landry took Mosings plane to travel to and from an attorneys general conference where he was speaking. The conference took place from June 14-18. The plane carrying him arrived in Hawaii June 10 and returned to Lafayette June 19, according to ethics board documents. The board said Landry failed to disclose that he had received something of value for performing his public job, as state law requires. Last fall, Landry and Mosing accused former Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, of weaponizing the ethics board to pursue them over the Hawaii trip. John Bels unethical ethics board made up of majority democrat appointees to smear his political opponents is attempting to sully my name because I have been friends with Jeff Landry for over 20 years, and Jeff is the leading candidate to replace him, Mosing said in a written statement at the time. Edwards responded to those accusations by saying he didnt know the majority of ethics board members personally, presumably because he selected them from a list provided by the leaders of the private colleges and universities. They are not really people that I seek out, and really theyre not even people that I know, with I think the single exception of being Butch Speer, who is the former clerk of the [Louisiana] House, Edwards said at the time. Edwards held a seat in the Louisiana House when Speer was clerk. The ethics board also chastised Landry in 2022 over a separate case, where he inappropriately used campaign funds to pay his car loan, but it didnt charge him with a violation in that matter. The post Gov. Jeff Landry, in dispute with state ethics board, might gain more control over its members appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. TOPEKA (KSNT) On Wednesday, Gov. Laura Kelly requested additional funds to repair the damage caused by a tornado that ripped through Westmoreland. On April 30, one person died and three people were injured when an EF3 tornado struck the town. The storm destroyed or heavily damaged more than 20 homes and businesses. Kelly sent a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) requesting a disaster loan declaration for Pottawatomie County. The governor requested assistance from the SBA in the form of disaster loans. If approved by the SBA, a disaster declaration would make low-interest, long-term loans available to homeowners, renters and businesses. State BOE changes high school graduation requirements To qualify for the SBA disaster declaration, the state of Kansas must show that at least 25 homes or businesses suffered major damage with at least 40% in uninsured losses. 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. TOPEKA (KSNT) On Wednesday, Gov. Laura Kelly Signed Senate Bill 387 which provides funding for K-12 education and makes expansions into special education. SB 387 will see $75.5 million in additional funds go toward expanding special education state aid, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor. The additional funds will have $65.5M from the new State General Fund, $2.5M from the American Rescue Plan Act and $7.5M collected in the 2023 school year. According to the press release, the funds will help recruit and retain special education staff and ensure services are provided to students with Individualized Educational Plans. Fully funding special education benefits each and every student and shows that Kansas supports and values our educators, Kelly said. I appreciate the Legislatures willingness to collaborate in a bipartisan manner to secure this increased funding. This is only the first step, as we must continue increasing special education funding in future years to meet the states obligation. State BOE changes high school graduation requirements SB 387 also: Provides $5M to expand access to childcare. Includes $23.7M from the Childrens Initiatives Fund for Early Childhood Block Grant supporting the healthy development of students. Continues to fund the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program. Includes $1.3M for a mentorship program for early-career educators and $1.8 million for teacher development. Includes $5M in grants to make school improvements, improve school safety, purchase equipment and hire school resource officers. 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. TOPEKA (KSNT) On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly line-item vetoed a provision that would earmark $5 million in grants to outfit schools with AI surveillance cameras to catch people carrying guns. The provision wouldve required AI software to comply with certain security industry standards, already be in use in at least 30 states and be capable of detecting three broad firearm classifications with a minimum of 300 subclassifications and at least 2,000 permutations, among other things. After numerous high-profile shootings, school security has become a multibillion-dollar industry. In state capitols, some companies are successfully persuading policymakers to write their particular corporate solutions into state law. ZeroEyes also appears to be the only firm qualified for state firearms detection programs under laws enacted last year in Michigan and Utah, bills passed earlier this year in Florida and Iowa and legislation proposed in Colorado, Louisiana and Wisconsin. State BOE changes high school graduation requirements On May 10, Missouri became the latest state to pass legislation geared toward ZeroEyes, offering $2.5 million in matching grants for schools to buy firearms detection software designated as qualified anti-terrorism technology. Were not paying legislators to write us into their bills, ZeroEyes co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer Sam Alaimo said. But if theyre doing that, it means I think theyre doing their homework, and theyre making sure theyre getting a vetted technology. Opponents grilled the requirement to have the product in at least 30 states. Probably the most egregious thing that I have ever read in legislation, said Jason Stoddard, director of school safety and security for Charles County Public Schools in Maryland. 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. WELLINGTON, May 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealanders have been urged to strengthen their pandemic preparedness efforts in response to the evolving threat posed by the H5N1 virus, or bird flu. Public health experts are issuing a call for action over the strain, which has sparked concerns globally as it continues to adapt and infect new hosts, including recent cases in cattle in the United States. While the virus has not yet achieved human-to-human transmission, its ability to infect a broader range of animals raises alarms for potential future mutations, a new briefing of the New Zealand Public Health Communication Center said on Wednesday. This development underscores the urgent need for New Zealand to review and enhance its pandemic response strategies, said the briefing, which recommended immediately updating the national pandemic plan to incorporate key learnings from past responses, such as timely access to testing, vaccines, antivirals, and infection prevention equipment like respirator-grade masks. "We need to make sure our pandemic preparedness is up to scratch and ready for emerging threats such as H5N1," said Prof. Michael Baker from the University of Otago, adding careful review of the pandemic plan, as well as cross-agency practice exercises, will provide a better chance of preventing and minimizing the impact of pandemics in New Zealand. The briefing's U.S.-based co-author Prof. Richard Webby, who is also director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals and Birds, said the virus currently poses a low but increasing risk to human health. "The infection of cows increases the exposure of humans to the virus and also provides an opportunity for the virus to evolve through replication in a mammal host," Webby said, adding the recent case of infection in a dairy farm worker was the first time documenting of the virus jumping from a mammal to a human, which was a warning sign that this virus was continuing to evolve. The authors of the briefing stressed the importance of adopting "One Health," an integrated, unifying approach, to mitigate the risk of influenza emergence and spread across various populations, including poultry, livestock, wildlife, and humans. Improving surveillance and early detection systems is central to identifying and swiftly responding to potential outbreaks, the briefing said, adding New Zealand is well-placed to strengthen its science capabilities and pandemic plans to manage the full spectrum of pandemic threats. "We need to use this opportunity now as we never know the timing of the next pandemic," Baker said. LATTA, S.C. (WBTW) South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order on Wednesday rescinding the suspension of a Latta Town Council member after his domestic violence charge was dropped. The new order states that Steven Bradley Coward is reinstated as a town council member effective immediately. McMaster on Aug. 2 issued an executive order suspending Coward after he was charged with second-degree domestic violence. Coward was facing charges after the incident, which happened in September 2020, the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office said. The order read that Cowards suspension was effective immediately and until such time as he shall be formally acquitted or convicted or until a successor is elected and qualifies as provided by law, whichever event occurs first. The 15th Circuit Solicitors Office notified the governor that the second-degree domestic violence charge was dropped, and he was required by law to rescind Cowards suspension. A Latta official confirmed to News13 that Coward is running for Dillon County Council District 4 seat against TF Buzzy Finklea in the Democratic primary on June 11. You can read the governors executive order on the suspension here. * * * Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylors work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. On Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom presented his revised budget. I was hopeful he would have been detailed, prudent and honest with his approach to the deficit. But what became clear from the presentation was that Newsom is in denial, embracing overly optimistic numbers. I am concerned that the governors budget banks on rosy revenue projections and continues a legacy of reckless spending that began during the Democrats decade-long control of the budget process. One-party rule has fed unsustainable spending, and California is on a path of deficit spending for years to come. In fact, the reckless spending is how a staggering $98 billion surplus in 2022 turned into an equally staggering $73 billion deficit, according to a nonpartisan estimate, in just two years. Opinion In May of 2022, Newsom proudly proclaimed the $98 billion surplus for the upcoming budget year a surplus fueled in large part by federal pandemic spending and a Silicon Valley stock market boom. Both were short-term factors. We were not living in some new budget normal, but the governor and Democratic legislators chose to spend as though the good times would never end. In January of 2023, Newsom introduced his proposed budget for the upcoming year: A nearly $22 billion deficit loomed. Steps to curb spending should have been implemented immediately, but they were not. By May of 2023, the deficit had ballooned to an estimated $32 billion, and the forecast from the governors finance department indicated a deficit of at least $15 billion for each of the following three years. Instead of addressing the deficit by bringing spending in line with revenues, Newsom and Democratic legislators leaned into borrowing, fund shifts and other gimmicks to paper over the deficit for the year. By early last December, after analyzing tax data following the November tax-filing deadline, the Legislative Analysts Office (LAO) projected a $68 billion deficit. By this past February, based on tax receipts through January, the LAO upped its deficit forecast to $73 billion and thats about where we stand now, despite the governors claims that the deficit is smaller. In the past, Californias budgetary process was more inclusive. Without a supermajority of Democrats in control, decisions required broader consensus, necessitating a conference committee where diverse voices could contribute to the fiscal dialogue. This system fostered negotiations and compromises, ensuring consideration of a wide array of perspectives in the budget-making process. It was transparent. Now, its just the governor and Democratic leadership making all the decisions, mostly behind closed doors. The governor claims he is fiscally prudent, but thats not really the case. He continues to spend recklessly on costly programs that have made the fiscal hole much worse. As an example of gimmicks to minimize the budget problem, the governor is claiming $1.6 billion in budget savings by shifting the payroll due on the last day of this fiscal year to the first day of the next. Thats purely accounting sleight-of-hand. Postponing the payment by 24 hours merely creates an illusion of savings. Not one dollar is saved, and next years deficit is now worse. The takeaways from all this? One-party rule is drowning this state in debt. Borrowing from future revenues, shifting funds from other accounts and deploying accounting gimmickry are shortsighted tactics and ignore the root cause of the deficit: unsustainable spending. The need for transparency in the budget-making process has never been greater. By the way, the governor dropped his budget update on a Friday, days before he jetted off to Italy. That says a lot right there. It shouldnt be this way. Its time for California to embrace genuine fiscal solutions, heed expert advice and move beyond the mirage of temporary fixes. Sen. Roger Niello represents the 6th district, which includes portions of Sacramento and Placer counties. Gov. Stitt co-authors letter asking for release of three Americans held in Turks & Caicos OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) On Wednesday, Governors Kevin Stitt, Josh Shapiro (D-PA) and Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) sent a letter to the Governor of Turks and Caicos asking for the release of three Americans being held on ammunition possession charges. Ryan Watson of Oklahoma, Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania and Tyler Wenrich of Virginia are currently being held in Turks and Caicos. All of them reportedly claim they unintentionally left ammunition in their luggage prior to departing from the U.S. Gov. Stitt steps in after Oklahoma couple detained in Turks and Caicos News 4 was at Will Rogers World Airport when Ryan Watsons wife, Valerie Watson, returned to Oklahoma City from Turks and Caicos. Valerie was released in late April when her charges were dropped after being detained for 11 days. Ryan was granted bail on April 24, but still remains in Turks and Caicos. His next court date is scheduled for June 7. The full letter, addressed to Turks and Caicos Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, can be read below. Dear Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam, We, the undersigned Governors of Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Virginia, write to you regarding the recent arrests in Turks and Caicos of three citizens from our respective states. Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania, Tyler Scott Wenrich of Virginia, and Ryan Taylor Watson of Oklahoma have been charged with ammunition offenses. Like thousands of Americans each year, these individuals traveled to your beautiful territory recently for leisure. They have all maintained that they did not intend to bring ammunition into Turks and Caicos, and any ammunition unknowingly left in their bag was the result of lawful conduct in the United States. We understand that none of them were carrying firearms. As governors, we understand and appreciate the critical importance of upholding the laws and regulations of your territory for the protection of your citizens. We humbly ask that your governmentin its wisdomtemper justice with mercy and recognize that these men made mistakes but had no apparent malicious intent. We respectfully request that you reconsider the charges against Brian Hagerich, Tyler Scott Wenrich, and Ryan Taylor Watson and expedite their release back to their respective states and families as soon as possible. This action will create the necessary recognition of your laws that will impact the future actions of travelers and continue our mutual interest in justice and goodwill between our jurisdictions. We appreciate your attention to this matter and remain hopeful for a swift and just resolution. Sincerely J. Kevin Stitt, governor of Oklahoma; Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania; Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Almost 8,000 civilians have been evacuated amid Russia's offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast, which has killed at least one civilian and injured 24 others over the past day, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on the morning of May 15. Russia launched new offensive actions on May 10 toward Lyptsi and Vovchansk, two settlements in the north of Kharkiv Oblast close to the Russian border. Russian shelling of Vovchansk killed a 79-year-old woman at around midday, while an attack later in the afternoon left two people injured, Syniehubov said. Syniehubov reported on May 14 that an 83-year-old man was also killed in Hatyshche, a village on the outskirts of the town. Ukrainian troops repelled 11 Russian attacks in these directions over the past day, and three clashes are still ongoing, Syniehubov said. The region is also under attack from the east, in the direction of the already established front line near Kupiansk, where Russian forces carried out 16 attacks. According to Syniehubov, 7,991 people have been evacuated from the region, including 2,202 residents of the Chuhuiv district, which encompasses Vovchansk, and 3,533 from the Kharkiv district, which includes Lyptsi. The city of Kharkiv, located about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the border with Russia, was hit by six attacks over the course of the day, Syniehubov said. Multiple air strikes injured 22 people in Kharkiv, and damaged apartments, an educational building, and cars. Read also: 48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraines most-bombed major city Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The UKs graduate visa scheme contributes only a small amount to Britains skilled workforce, the Governments chief migration adviser has admitted, despite arguing that it should stay in place. Prof Brian Bell, the chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), said it is broadly fair to say the two-year programme offers limited value to the UKs skills base. While he argued the scheme does offer a small benefit, he said there is a lack of compelling evidence that it is necessary to bring skilled work into Britain. The remarks will bolster senior Tory figures who have called for the route to be axed as the Government comes under pressure to cut net migration from its record high of 745,000. Rishi Sunak is expected to make a decision on the future of the scheme in the coming weeks after James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, asked the MAC to review the route to ensure it was not being abused. Reporting back this week, the committee argued the scheme, which allows overseas students to stay for two years after graduation, should remain in place, as it found it was not undermining the integrity and quality of the higher education system. But speaking to the home affairs committee on Wednesday, Mr Bell admitted it only provides a limited benefit to the UKs skilled workforce. When it was put to him that the route doesnt offer any value to the skills of the UK labour market at all, he said: I think thats broadly fair, in the sense of ... had we been asked the question by the Government, do you think the graduate route is necessary, in addition to the skilled worker route, to bring skilled work into the UK, our answer would probably have been the arguments are less compelling. That wasnt the question the Government asked us. The Government asked us, given the objectives we set for the graduate route, has it achieved those objectives? And the answer to that is yes. Later, pressed on whether it has no significant effect on the skills base in the UK economy, he said: It has a small effect. Some talent retained As evidence for this limited benefit, he pointed to statistics suggesting a larger proportion of international graduates land in the top pay bracket after their first year post-graduation, compared to their UK counterparts. Some of these very high achievers then switch on to the skilled worker route at the end of the two-year scheme, he said. So it is retaining some of that talent, so I dont think its at all fair to say theres no evidence at all, he added. He also stressed that it is dangerous to pick and choose which objective you want to focus on when it comes to assessing the success of the graduate visa scheme, pointing out that the Government has also set itself a target of attracting 600,000 foreign students per year. The MAC was commissioned to review the graduate route after James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, said he wanted to ensure the scheme was not being abused and demand for study visas was not being driven more by a desire for immigration rather than education. The committee said it was concerned about potential exploitation of international students due to poor practices by some agents recruiting people overseas who may be mis-selling UK higher education, but it stressed this was a separate issue from abuse of the graduate route. The number of graduate visas has more than doubled in a year to 114,000 main applicants, with a further 30,000 for dependants. They are largely concentrated on four nationalities India, Nigeria, China and Pakistan which account for 70 per cent of the visas. Mr Bell also blamed ministers for universities reliance on foreign students and advised the Government to steer clear of setting firm targets on migration. Its very easy to say lets just cut the number of international students its as if that would have no impact on the higher education sector, he said. I think it would be useful to start by saying how do we deal with higher education sector funding problems. If we deal with those, many universities will say we dont need anywhere near as many international students because were making money on domestic students, we can cover our costs then. They cant do that at the moment. So politicians have driven universities to do this. He later corrected himself, stressing he meant policy makers rather than politicians. 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. Grandpa dies in crash as other driver flees, California cops say. He was everything Investigators are seeking the other driver in a crash that killed a 67-year-old man, California police reported. Allen Yangkaou Lee, 67, suffered fatal injuries when his 2004 Toyota Corolla flipped after veering to avoid another car at 4:32 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, Irvine police said in a May 14 news release. The other driver sped off after the crash, police said. Lee died of his injuries at a hospital on May 13, his family told KTLA. He was such a generous and very caring man, daughter Elaine Lee told the station. He was everything. It was so sudden and it really does feel like there is a hole. He was ripped from our lives unfairly. Lee was driving northbound on Culver Drive when a Honda Civic making a right turn against a red light from Trabuco Road pulled in front of him, police said. Lee veered around the Civic, then lost control of his Corolla, which hit the center median, a tree and a light pole before rolling onto the roof, police said. Thank you to all the people who got out of their cars, son Eric Lee told KTLA. Complete strangers reached into a car that was completely twisted metal, crushed. They couldve cut themselves, maybe they did, and they all tried. A Facebook video from Lees dashcam before the wreck shows the beige-colored Honda Civic with unique racing-style decals on the lower doors, police said. Investigators ask anyone with information to call detective Christopher Ostrowski at 949-724-7047. He was always helping people, so if people can help us find this person so they dont do this again, I think that would be justice, Elaine Lee told KTLA. Irvine is about a 40-mile drive southeast from Los Angeles. Driver escaping cops has deadly plunge off cliff into ocean, California police say Drunk driving crash into home kills 40-year-old woman inside, California cops say Woman just out of jail tries to steal truck but cant drive stick shift, Colorado cops say Greenville Homeless Alliance to build 2 tiny homes with grant from Greenville Women Giving Greenville Homeless Alliance is a non-profit organization that helps the homeless find a place to live. "Our mission is to strengthen partnerships for individuals or families who are seeking stability and experiencing homelessness in Greenville County," said Susan McLarty, director of the Greenville Homeless Alliance. On Tuesday night, Greenville Women Giving awarded The Homeless Alliance $97,125 to build two tiny homes. In all, the group awarded $503,555 in grant funding to six non-profit organizations in Greenville County. Other recipients included South Carolina Children's Theatre, The Nicholtown Child and Family Collaborative , Loaves & Fishes, The Period Project, and Generations Group Home. "We are thrilled to be able to make a positive impact on these extremely worthy organizations," said Greenville Women's Giving Co-Chair Jane Pannier. "The sheer volume of grant applications this year tells us our communitys needs are growing." "Through the collective giving of our 500+ members, we can initiate lasting change for the good of our community," she said. "The more members we have to contribute, the greater our impact can be." Greenville Homeless Alliance to build tiny homes Homes for the Greenville Homeless Alliance will be designed by Fine Arts Center architecture students and local architects and constructed by Soteria prison re-entry program interns. Greenville Homeless Alliance Soteria Community Development Corporation provides individuals with housing, job training, and discipleship services to help them smoothly transition back into society. Building from the ground up: Formerly incarcerated men thrive in new woodshop after fire A SC nonprofit bridges gap: Formerly incarcerated people face barriers to a second chance. Over the past five years, for those who completed the 12-month program, 0% recidivated. We reclaim wood and reclaim lives, said Jerry Blassingame, founder and executive director of Soteria Community Development Corporation. "This program provides much-needed permanent rental homes for our 12-month graduates so they can work at jobs in Greenville County." "This project offers students an opportunity to gain firsthand experience in designing and constructing a tiny home," McLarty said. These tiny homes will be situated on Soteria-owned land, where the men's transitional housing is located, and constructed on a permanent foundation using lumber supplied by Soteria. McLarty said that the tiny homes have three different designs. Greenville Homeless Alliance She described the tiny home as a type of house that does not exceed 200 square feet and features living quarters, a full bathroom, and a kitchen. This is the pilot phase of a broad, innovative vision to create a mixed-income neighborhood community with up to 30 tiny homes for individuals re-entering society from incarceration as well as people emerging from chronic homelessness. According to McLarty, those who were incarcerated are 10 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population. "It takes at least three years for a criminal record to be removed before you can rent a home again," she said. Henry Thomas, Soteria resident, speaks on his journey transitioning out of prison after a 15-year sentence. "We believe that if you can get a job plus housing, you can become an independent, successful member of the community," McLarty said. Soteria currently has 18 transitional rental homes that provide 32 beds for men and women. "Depending on site designs, they will be able to add up to 20 small homes per acre," McLarty said. McLarty said the cost of building a tiny house varies. These tiny homes will be rented to Soteria program graduates who are homeless for around $300 per month. Who are Greenville Women Giving? Greenville Women Giving is a collective network of women established in 2006 as part of the Community Foundation. The organization has awarded 152 grants to 92 non-profit organizations, totaling over $8.5 million, according to a press release. The organization awards various non-profit grants yearly to expand its programs and reach more needy individuals. This year, 54 qualified grant applications were submitted to Greenville Women Giving. To be eligible for a Greenville Women's Giving grant, the application must address a need in at least one of the organization's five focus areas, the arts, education, environment, health, and human services. Each grant request must offer services exclusively within Greenville County. Groups that received grants Six organizations were selected to receive grants this year based on a vote of members. South Carolina Children's Theatre will receive $76,430 in funding to purchase assistive technology for individuals with sensory sensitivities, creating an inclusive experience for all families. The Nicholtown Child and Family Collaborative will receive $100,000 over two years to help fund staff salaries, program supplies and participant meals for individuals participating in the Nurturing Parenting Skills and Parent Cafe program. Loaves & Fishes will receive $100,000 over two years to help cover the operating costs of four refrigerated trucks that safely deliver more than 1 million pounds of donated perishable produce to organizations that provide nutritious meals to 42,000 people in Greenville County who would otherwise go unfed. The Period Project will receive $80,000 to distribute 12,100 period packs in Greenville County for one year. Generations Group Home will receive $50,000 to update the 32-year-old kitchen of this nationally accredited residential and psychiatric treatment facility for young boys who are victims of sexual abuse. Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Homeless Alliance to build tiny homes with Greenville Women Giving grant More than five months after the Grover Beach City Council voted to raise the citys water and sewer rates to pay for the controversial Central Coast Blue water recycling project, the council decided to reverse course Monday. In a pair of decisions, the council voted unanimously to pass a resolution officially severing ties with the Central Coast Blue project and 3-1 to revert the water rate structure back to its pre-Dec. 11 rate established in 2021, with Councilmember Zach Zimmerman voting against revising the rate and Mayor Karen Bright absent from the meeting due to illness. The votes came after the council explored how best to amend the previous water rate ordinance, which called for rate increases as high 91.8% between 2025 and 2028 for some customers, according to a study performed by Tuckfield & Associates. The increases were intended to fund the Central Coast Blue project, which hit a wall when the cities of Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande started the process of backing out of the project in recent months due to skyrocketing costs and winter rains that alleviated some of the drought conditions that necessitated the project. In the process of withdrawing, the city then was faced with the question of what to do with its elevated water and sewer rates, which spawned a letter-writing campaign and subsequent trio of recall campaigns against Bright, Zimmerman and Councilmember Daniel Rushing. Pulling out of Central Coast Blue is not without consequences, city manager Matt Bronson said; the city has invested around $1.6 million into pre-construction costs and has yet to pay around $225,000 of those existing costs. Staff initially presented the City Council with a revised water rate structure that would remove all increases related to future construction expenses for Central Coast Blue but still included enough funding to pay for all existing water projects and maintenance costs, Bronson said during the meeting. This revised structure also raised rates enough to pay for a $300,000 independent, third-party water rate structure analysis that would be carried out over the next year to assess where the city could next look for a water resiliency solution, Bronson said. Compared to the proposed Central Coast Blue rate structure which would raise rates 19.7% each year between 2024 and 2027 costs would only rise around 5.2% in 2024, 2025 and 2026, followed by 3.5% increases in 2027 and 2028. Bronson said the staffs revised structure would result in an increase of around $4.50 per month for an average user, and the citys rates would continue to be the lowest in San Luis Obispo County through 2028. In the end, however, the City Council ultimately opted to ditch the rate increases entirely, approving a wholesale reversion of water rates, meaning rates are only set to rise by 4% at the start of 2025 and 2026. The lack of additional water at some point down the road could lead to a moratorium or not being able to issue building permits, Bronson said. Were not projecting that to happen right now, but at some point, that could be a reality if we dont secure additional water to supply our community. According to staff projections, Grover Beach should make efforts to acquire an additional 510 acre feet of water per year by 2050 to ensure the city has a solid buffer of water separating it from drought, Bronson said. Draft recommendations for future water resiliency efforts and the analysis of water needs will be coming sometime in early 2025, Bronson said. In the meantime, the city will start its 180-day withdrawal period from the Central Coast Blue Joint Powers Authority, Bronson said. The citys withdrawal will next be addressed at the projects June 3 meeting, Bronson said. Grover Beach residents protested before the Grover Beach City Council meeting on Nov. 13, 2023. Several Grover Beach City Council members facing recall effort The water rate adjustment and recent collapse of the planned Central Coast Blue water sustainability project has been the source of friction in the South County in recent months. The day after Grover Beach formally pulled out of the project, the city of Arroyo Grandes City Council elected to do the same. Former Grover Beach mayor Debbie Peterson organized a protest letter-writing campaign in October and November last year that fell short, and then went on to organize GroverH2O to represent citizens who oppose the Central Coast Blue project and associated water rate increases. In an April 26 lawsuit, GroverH2O alleged the groups attempts to submit recall petitions against Bright, Rushing and Zimmerman were stymied by city clerk Wendy Sims and other parts of the city government in recent months. According to the April 26 court filing, GroverH2Os lawsuit alleges Sims and the city interfered with the organizations recall campaign by unlawfully rejecting legally compliant recall petitions. In recall petitions, proponents must submit copies of the petition to the elections office, starting a 10-day window for the election official to determine whether its wording meets the requirements of the Elections Code, GroverH2O said in its argument. According to GroverH2Os complaint, Sims rejected the petition to recall Zimmerman because he allegedly did not sign his answer within the statutory deadline for the recall, and requested the petitioners remove or change two sentences from GroverH2Os petition that were considered false, misleading and inconsistent with the requirements of Chapter 1 of the Elections Code, according to the lawsuit. Those were: Dan Rushing voted to make Grover Beach the industrial area of Pismo Beach and Arroyo Grande. Dan Rushing approved a project to tear up newly repaired residential streets for 16 wells, a mile of pipelines, and a wastewater treatment plant in Grover neighborhoods. GroverH2O argued Sims should not have been able to unilaterally reject petitions based on her subjective assessment of whether the statements in the petition were true or not, and said only an impartial judge can decide if language is false or misleading. In requesting that language be altered or eliminated and potentially removing candidates from the recall ballot, the citys denials constituted an especially egregious violation of the recall filers constitutional rights, the group argued. Peterson told The Tribune that GroverH2Os lawsuit was only necessary because the city was obstructing the recall efforts from proceeding for minor reasons that werent in the purview of the city clerk. In the lawsuit, GroverH2O defended the language used in the petitions by claiming the statements were neither false or misleading. Its opinion, but its not an unreasonable opinion, Peterson told The Tribune. She said the group has not removed or altered the aforementioned lines about Rushing because supporters of the recall signed off on a petition that included those specific statements. Grover Beach residents protested before the Grover Beach City Council meeting on Nov. 13, 2023. Deadline looming for recall petitions Peterson said GroverH2O has already submitted a sixth petition filing that incorporates everything (the city) asked for but said the group would accept whatever decision a judge reached in the lawsuit. She said the greatest enemy the recall campaigns currently face is time. The Bright and Zimmerman recall efforts already will not appear on the November ballot due to deadline issues, but GroverH2O is still looking to attempt to recall Rushing this November, with the deadline of June 5 to get a legally-compliant petition signed and turned in to the city, Peterson said. If the recall cannot get on the November ballot and if the city accepts the petitions, a special election would need to be called potentially costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, Peterson said. In a statement to The Tribune, Grover Beach city attorney Robert Lomeli said the city does not comment on specific allegations or statements related to existing lawsuits. The city maintains and asserts that the city clerks actions regarding the petitions submitted by Grover H2O have been in accordance with the California Elections Code and applicable judicial precedent, and disputes any assertion to the contrary, Lomeli said in the statement. Guatemalan court orders release of journalist jailed for nearly 2 years on money laundering charges Guatemalan journalist Jose Ruben Zamora, founder of El Periodico newspaper, arrives to court in handcuffs for a hearing in Guatemala City, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Zamora has been jailed for almost two years and seeks his release. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) GUATEMALA CITY (AP) A Guatemalan court ordered the release Wednesday of journalist Jose Ruben Zamora, jailed for nearly two years on money laundering charges. Zamora, the 67-year-old founder of El Periodico newspaper, was sentenced to six years in prison last June for alleged money laundering. But that conviction and sentence were overturned by another court and a new trial ordered. For nearly two years, he has been kept in jail. But on Wednesday, a judge ruled that there was no longer justification to keep him in jail, noting that he was not considered a flight risk or a threat to the investigation. Zamora will spend the rest of his time before a new trial on a conditional release. He was ordered to post a bond of nearly $4,800. During my entire life I have been the victim of attacks, abductions, aggressions for the work that I do, Zamora said during Wednesday's hearing. Cristina Gomez, his defense attorney, said that his detention was arbitrary. Guatemala's former human rights ombudsman Jorge Duque agreed to guarantee Zamora's appearance at future hearings. It is the least I can do, Duque said. I know him and I know that he will continue facing the process against him. Press freedom groups had decried his prosecution as politically motivated. El Periodico published numerous investigations critical of former President Alejandro Giammattei. The charges stemmed from Zamora, 66, asking a friend to deposit a $38,000 donation to keep the newspaper going rather than depositing it himself. Zamora has said he did so because the donor did not want to be identified supporting an outlet in the sights of Giammattei. The foundation of Nobel Prize winning writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez awarded its excellence in journalism prize to Zamora on Tuesday. BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese police investigated and solved approximately 95,000 cases related to economic offenses from 2023 to March this year, the Ministry of Public Security said Wednesday. According to the ministry, police forces across the country carried out a number of crackdowns on various economic crimes over the past year, including the transfer of illicit funds abroad via offshore companies and underground banks, currency counterfeiting, and tax-related offenses. To strike economic crimes that affect the interests of a large number of people, Chinese police have launched special operations targeting peer-to-peer lending, illegal fundraising in the elderly care sector, and online pyramid schemes. The police have also worked with securities regulators to investigate and solve cases involving insider trading and manipulation of the securities and futures markets, according to the ministry. The police will further coordinate with administrative law enforcement, criminal justice and industry regulation departments as well as financial institutions to raise public awareness of economic crimes, according to an official with the ministry. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A man from Hagerstown was sentenced to 10 years in prison Tuesday for pouring gasoline on several U.S. Supreme Court Police cruisers and lighting them on fire. Cody Michael Tarner, 26, pleaded guilty on Jan. 9 to arson. Tarner will also have to serve three years of supervised release and pay $32,371.42 in restitution in addition to 10 years in prison. According to evidence presented in court, security camera footage caught Tarner pouring gasoline onto three police cruisers that were parked in employee parking spots on U.S. Supreme Court property on July 15, 2020. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hagerstown man arrested, hospitalized after allegedly setting fire at U.S. Supreme Court While he poured the gasoline, some of it splashed onto his clothes, and as he lit the cars on fire, he ended up getting engulfed in flames as well, severely burning himself. The fire seriously damaged two of the cruisers, and the third one was considered a total loss. Tarner admitted to starting the fire on purpose with gas he had bought in Pennsylvania. He claimed to be a leader of a militia group, and an investigation showed that he had several prior encounters with law enforcement. During those situations, he had expressed anti-government and militia extremist ideologies. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Hal Weatherman is Republican voters choice in the runoff election for lieutenant governor. The Associated Press called the race for Weatherman Tuesday about 20 minutes after polls closed in North Carolinas second primary election, held statewide to select the Republican nominees for lieutenant governor and state auditor. In the runoff for auditor, Dave Boliek, a member of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees, defeated Jack Clark, a staffer for a budget chair in the N.C. House, AP projected. This embedded content is not available in your region. And former federal prosecutor Brad Knott won his 13th Congressional District GOP runoff. Democrats made their picks in the March 3 primary, but Republican candidates in those races did not gain enough votes to win the primary outright. So Republican voters, and those unaffiliated voters who voted in the first Republican primary, headed back to the ballot box to narrow the field to one. Weatherman was chief of staff for former Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. His opponent, Jim ONeill, is the district attorney for Forysth County. The job of lieutenant governor has few official duties, but significant ones: they preside over the Senate and vote if there is a tie. They also serve on the State Board of Education and State Board of Community Colleges. ONeill vs. Weatherman Weatherman has been on the campaign trail for well over a year, visiting Republican groups across the state. He was not just Forests chief of staff when Forest was lieutenant governor, but also ran his campaigns. Forest was defeated in 2020 by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who won a second term. Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein are running for governor. Stein narrowly defeated ONeill in the 2020 election. Weatherman, 54, of Wake Forest, was endorsed by Forest and Robinson. ONeill, 58, was endorsed by law enforcement groups. ONeill has been focused on his record as district attorney for Forsyth County. Weatherman told The N&O in a recent interview that his focus as lieutenant governor would be on removing the stigma that our society has put on men and women who work with their hands, that work in the trades. Im passionate about that. He said he wants to create a new career and degree path for students: spending two years learning a trade in community college before transferring into a UNC System school. He hopes the result would give them all the tools to be an entrepreneur and run their own business, but its coupled with a skill set, like the trades. ONeill said as lieutenant governor he would be somebody that has a dedicated interest in keeping people safe and communities safe. ONeill also talked about being supportive of law enforcement in a recent interview with The N&O, saying that officers choose a dangerous career because its a calling. ONeill said he would remind people this is an honored and sacred profession. The winner faces Democratic state Sen. Rachel Hunt in the November general election. Hunts focus during her campaign and as a senator has been on public education. Rachel Hunt, Democratic nominee for N.C. lieutenant governor, speaks during a North Carolina Democrats primary election night party at Maywood Hall and Gardens in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, March 5, 2024. She has also already announced a news conference for Wednesday about the need for a constitutional amendment supporting womens health care and abortion rights. Clark vs. Boliek Clark finished first in the March GOP primary for auditor, but on Tuesday he trailed Boliek in the second primary. This embedded content is not available in your region. Boliek will now face State Auditor Jessica Holmes, a Democrat, in November. Holmes was appointed to the position in December by Gov. Roy Cooper after longtime Auditor Beth Wood resigned. Boliek, a small business owner and former prosecutor who previously served as the chair of the UNC Board of Trustees, told The N&O this month that he has wide-ranging experience of being somebody who can get things done. If voters are looking for somebody to show up at the state auditors office with a Ziploc bag full of No. 2 pencils, and a calculator in his or her hand, dont vote for me, Boliek said in an interview. I want to go to the office to set a tone, identify the areas where taxpayers can save the most money, and gain the most efficiency. Boliek was quick to identify areas of state government that he believed were long overdue for an audit, identifying the Division of Motor Vehicles as target No. 1 due to its inefficiency and poor customer service. Boliek also said the auditors office should conduct oversight of elections, to give the public confidence in how elections are run, and look at administrative bloat in public schools, universities, and state government. I hear complaint after complaint after complaint about teacher pay, and about classroom size, but when I was in high school, there might have been one or two assistant principals, Boliek said. I know, today, you go to one of these high schools, theres a dozen assistant principals. Clark is a certified public accountant and research assistant for Rep. Kyle Hall, one of the GOP budget chairs in the N.C. House. In an interview earlier this month, Clark told The N&O that he decided to run for auditor because auditors dont usually run for office, and he believed voters would support a candidate with auditing and accounting experience. As a legislative research assistant who has seen the budget process up close, Clark said he has the experience to audit how taxpayer money is allocated and spent. Before working in the General Assembly, Clark worked as an external auditor at Grant Thornton, and an internal auditor at Parexel. I want to be a trusted resource, I want to be trusted by everyone in the state, and if Im campaigning on pledging certain things, it might hurt that trust, he told The N&O before the election. Turnout during runoffs Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections, told reporters Monday that turnout in runoffs is usually low. Brinson Bell said that turnout in the first primary was about 24% of eligible voters. New Hampshire auto dealership owner arrested for not providing title to customer after vehicle sale There may be more victims of an auto dealership owner who was arrested on Tuesday for not providing a certificate of title to a customer after selling a vehicle, state police said. Jordan T. Shallow, 42, of Plaistow, an owner of ISellTrux in Hampstead, was arrested on a warrant without incident and charged with two counts of anti-theft laws: No title to transferee and failure to deliver title/application, state police said. Troopers arrested Shallow on Tuesday after investigators learned that Shallow did not provide a certificate of title for a vehicle Shallow had sold to a new owner within the time required by law. Jordan T. Shallow, 42, of Plaistow, N.H. Investigators also found that Shallow failed to mail or deliver a certificate of title or application to the Bureau of Title and Anti-Theft within the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles in Concord more than four months from the date of sale, far past the time required by state law, state police said. Shallow is scheduled to be arraigned June 28 in the 6th Circuit Court in Concord. Investigators are concerned there may be additional victims who have not yet made reports to police, state police said. Anyone with information about this case or potential additional cases is encouraged to contact Detective Christopher Prenaveau by email at christopher.j.prenaveau@dos.nh.gov. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Hampton University to host panel discussion to commemorate 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) Hampton University is set to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education, as well as the companion case from Virginia, Davis v. Prince Edward County Board on Thursday. The event will consist of a panel discussion from several Virginians leaders, including Congressman Bobby Scott and Attorney General Jason Miyares, and will recognize both the progress and challenges in educational equality since the historic 1954 case. The discussion will take place in the Hampton University Student Center on May 16, and is free and open to the public. A reception will take place from 3-4 p.m., followed by the program from 4:15-6 p.m. To reserve seats for the panel, contact kyle@virginiansforreconciliation.com. More information on the panel can be found on Hampton Universitys website here. Check with WAVY.com for updates Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Harry Dunn, then a sergeant in the U.S. Capitol Police, listens as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds its final meeting on Dec. 19, 2022. Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press Harry Dunn, who endured racist abuse while serving as a U.S. Capitol police officer during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, fell short on Tuesday in his bid for the Democratic nomination in Marylands 3rd Congressional District. Maryland state Sen. Sarah Elfreth defeated Dunn and a host of less formidable candidates with critical help from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, whose super PAC spent more than $4.2 million boosting her bid. Those funds, which materialized in April, helped Elfreth offset Dunns direct fundraising advantage. While Elfreths campaign denied that shed courted AIPAC specifically, her campaign had invited outside support, flagging points super PACs should make about her on a webpage that was later deleted. Elfreth is now the prohibitive favorite to represent the suburban Baltimore/Washington, D.C.-area seat in Congress. The district is solidly Democratic and historically not competitive in general elections. Elfreth is likely to legislate as a mainstream liberal. She ran as a champion of abortion rights and gun safety measures, priorities she has backed in the states Democratic legislature. My top priority is delivering for this community, she says in a TV spot, before listing off some of her union endorsements. Dunns defeat is a victory for right-leaning pro-Israel groups, and it highlights the ability of a single, well-funded super PAC to radically disrupt a congressional race, even when its intended target is a folk hero. This election cycle, as Israels invasion of Gaza has divided the Democratic Party, the super PAC spending of AIPAC and like-minded pro-Israel groups has been more pivotal in Democratic House primaries than outside money from virtually any other sector. It is still not entirely clear why AIPAC backed Elfreth over Dunn. The groups super PAC, United Democracy Project, told HuffPost in April that while it saw Dunn as an ally, it viewed Elfreth as the stronger candidate to defeat other, less Israel-friendly candidates in the crowded Democratic field. Maryland state Sen. Sarah Elfreth speaks at a news conference in Annapolis on March 12. She ran as a champion of, among other things, abortion rights and gun safety. Brian Witte/Associated Press Dunns stances on domestic policy are somewhat more progressive than Elfreths. Unlike Elfreth, Dunn has come out specifically in support of Medicare for All and renounced corporate PAC donations. But he mostly campaigned on protecting democracy from Republican authoritarianism of the kind he witnessed on Jan. 6, as well as the corruption he sees as an extension of that same threat. In a Israel policy paper obtained by HuffPost, a now-standard feature of contemporary Democratic congressional campaigns, Dunn opposes putting stricter conditions on U.S. aid to Israel. He even demurred when asked by HuffPost to weigh in on President Joe Bidens recent decision to halt a weapons transfer to Israel. But lawmakers policy views are shaped, in part, by their electoral coalitions. AIPACs opposition helped turn Dunns candidacy into a progressive rallying cry that might have given the left greater influence once he reached Washington. The progressive pro-Israel group J Street endorsed Dunn in late April and the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC backed him earlier this month. Indeed, Dunn, who might have been ripe to become an AIPAC ally, turned on it when it began spending against him, blasting the group for receiving massive contributions from Republican donors and for endorsing House Republicans who had voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election. (A single-issue group, AIPAC has also endorsed top Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both of New York.) Candidates who receive this support accept the endorsement of an organization that has backed candidates and members of Congress who incited the rioters I fought on January 6th and tried to overthrow our democracy, Dunn said in an early April statement that set the tone for his criticism of Elfreth, which he hammered home in a TV ad. AIPAC congratulated Elfreth on Tuesday night, claiming her win as a vindication of the groups policy agenda. Sarah Elfreth defeated candidates backed by [J Street] and [Bernie Sanders] to win the Democratic primary in MD-03, the group wrote on X, referring to Dunn and Morse, respectively. Being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics! Related... Maryland state Sen. Sarah Elfreth won the Democratic primary for an open House seat Tuesday, NBC News projects, defeating a former police officer who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and a slew of other candidates. Elfreth will be a heavy favorite in the general election to succeed retiring Rep. John Sarbanes in Marylands 3rd District, which is solidly Democratic. Harry Dunn, a 15-year veteran of the Capitol Police force, became one of the public faces of the officers who battled rioters seeking to keep President Donald Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election. He became a fixture on the cable news circuit, testified at a televised House Jan. 6 committee hearing and wrote a book about his life, Standing My Ground. Dunn, a political newcomer, used his national platform to significantly outraise more than 20 other candidates, including Elfreth and four other state lawmakers. But the dynamics of the race shifted in the final weeks of the campaign as outside money poured in. United Democracy Project, or UDP, a super PAC tied to the powerful pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee spent more than $4 million to boost Elfreth. The bulk of that money was spent on TV ads in the Baltimore market. Dunn aggressively pushed back against the outside spending. You look at the people that are funding UDP. There are a lot of big prominent MAGA donors, especially to Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Lauren Boebert and several others. And those are just the facts, Dunn said in an interview before Election Day. Ive been very outspoken about how I feel against the MAGA faction of the Republican Party, including their leader, and I dont have any regrets. Elfreth said that by law, she cannot coordinate with any super PAC and that she had no idea why UDP is backing her, arguing that her rivals positions on Israel are very similar to her own. She campaigned on her legislative record in Annapolis, pointing to the fact that many of her bills, including those on solar energy and Chesapeake Bay restoration, have been signed into law. She also spoke to voters about protecting womens reproductive rights and combating climate change, including major flooding that has hit parts of the district. Weve had tornadoes in this district. Weve had gun violence. Weve had flooding. Weve had a whole bunch of issues that Ive been able to be there for folks on their hardest days, Elfreth said in an interview before Election Day. And thats a really important part of the job, that at the end of the day, folks really dont care how I vote as long as they feel like they can turn to me when they need help. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation was not allowed to operate or solicit donations in California while it was listed as delinquent. (Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press) Prince Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation, which had been called into question over a registration lapse, is no longer listed as "delinquent" in California. And, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom, the royal couple faced "a very typical technical issue around paperwork" and an "unfair" pile-on because of it. "After being in touch with our Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, the organization is current and in good standing," the California attorney general's press office confirmed Tuesday in a statement to The Times. Identified as a foreign corporation on its registration document, the organization now is listed as "current" on the state's Department of Justice website. During its "delinquency" period, the Beverly Hills-based organization was not allowed to raise money and was listed among those that "may not operate" in the state, according to state records. A delinquency notice was sent. Records showed that the foundation's last renewal had been in May 2023. Read more: 'Harry & Meghan' was a chance to share the journey of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex A spokesperson for the Archewell Foundation on Wednesday told The Times that the foundation "diligently investigated the situation" and confirmed that it was "fully compliant and in good standing." "Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the IRSs processes and procedures. Furthermore, all necessary paperwork had been filed by the Foundation without error or wrongdoing," the statement said. "When a charitable organization fails to submit complete filings for each fiscal year, its status on the Attorney General's Registry of Charities and Fundraisers will be listed as Delinquent," according to the attorney general's website. "If the delinquency is not remedied, the Registry status will be further changed to Suspended, and/or Revoked. A charitable organization that is not in good standing with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers may not operate or solicit donations in California." The office also says that if a charitable organization receives a delinquency letter, it is because it has not filed one or more of the required annual reports with the registry. Read more: As with Diana and Meghan, palace missteps in Kate Middleton saga spark a royal crisis According to NBC News, a person close to Archewell said that the groups initial check was lost in the mail but that the payment had been resubmitted and the issue was expected to be resolved within days. A source also told USA Today something similar that the organization had paid its registration fees with a physical check that was never received. The person said that a new check was re-sent and that the state tax filing, renewal and required payment were sent and delivered to the California attorney general's office, which received them on time via tracked mail. On Tuesday, the governor came to the couple's defense, calling out the "unbelievable amount of attention" placed on the Sussexes' charity during a news conference at a treatment center in San Mateo County. Im here at a behavioral health site, a mental health site. Archewell Foundation, run by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, do extraordinary work, particularly [for] women and girls, but notably around mental health," Newsom said. "And I just want folks to know, not only are they in compliance, it [was] a technical paperwork issue that was wildly over-hyped. And with respect, I hope people that ran those headlines run this headline: that it was a very typical technical issue around paperwork that persists for so many others as well." Newsom praised the Archewell Foundation as "a celebrated organization that does great work in the state of California." "I want to clarify that because thats important, and I just thought there was a little bit of piling on that was deeply unfair to that charity," he added. Read more: $3.3 billion available for mental health beds as Newsom jump-starts Prop. 1 spending Harry and Meghan, who stepped back as working royals in 2020 and later moved to California, were recently in Nigeria to promote mental health for soldiers and empower young people. Harry also was in London last week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, a tournament for wounded veterans that the British prince founded in 2014. However, no senior member of the royal family attended a Wednesday service to support the cause. King Charles III's busy schedule was cited as the reason that he and Prince Harry, fourth in line to the British throne, didn't connect. His younger sons visit comes on the heels of the 75-year-old monarch's cancer diagnosis and after the fallout from Harry's scathing 2023 memoir, Spare. Read more: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's podcast efforts were short-lived. Spotify CEO discusses that split The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have kept busy with other endeavors since moving across the pond, launching the Archewell Foundation and Archewell Productions; making a lucrative deal with Netflix; and launching Meghan's short-lived "Archetypes" podcast on Spotify. The "Suits" alum's latest venture, American Riviera Orchard, appears to be a lifestyle brand that has released a jam. The oft-criticized couple launched the Archewell Foundation website in October 2020, but it had no financial activity in 2020 and its first bank account was opened in January 2021, the Independent reported. The organization received $11 million from benefactors in 2021, according to its 2021 filing, and gave out $3 million in grants. However, in 2022, it received only $2 million in charitable donations. The foundation reportedly received $1.2 million in donations last year. According to a December BBC report, the Sussexes get no income from the charity and are listed as directors working an average of one hour per week. However, the foundation has an annual salary bill of more than $640,000. Read more: Nigeria's fashion and dancing styles in the spotlight as Harry, Meghan visit its largest city The foundation, named after the couple's 5-year-old son, Archie, bills itself as a nonprofit organization with a mission to "show up, do good." "We meet the moment by showing up, taking action and using our unparalleled spotlight to uplift and unite communities local and global through acts of service and compassion," the foundation's statement says. "We believe that philanthropy is not a handout; its a hand held. At The Archewell Foundation, we roll up our sleeves and do just that." The foundation has partnered with chef Jose Andres World Central Kitchen, as well as Halo Trust, the mine-clearing charity supported by Harry's mother, Princess Diana. The Archewell Foundation also has backed projects dealing with gender justice, civil rights and misinformation. During the couple's trip to Nigeria, the Sussexes announced that their foundation was expanding its partnership with the GEANCO Foundation, which facilitates medical care to rural areas in the African nation. Times staff writer Anabel Sosa contributed to this report. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Student protesters have reached an agreement with Harvard University to end a 20-day pro-Palestine encampment thats been occupying a central green at the prestigious university. Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine (HOOP), the activist coalition which coordinated the encampment as part of its campaign to get the university to cut financial ties with the Israeli military apparatus, announced the deal on Instagram on Tuesday. Encampments are a tactic a big and beautiful one in a larger strategy of divestment, the group wrote in a statement. Here at Harvard, we believe the utility of this tactic has passed, and we have decided to re-group and carry out this protracted struggle through other means. We are under no illusions: we do not believe these meetings are divestment wins, HOOP added. These side-deals are intended to pacify us away from full disclosure & divestment. Following negotiations with the student activists, the school agreed to reinstate 22 students from involuntary leaves of absence for their participation in the encampment, according to the Harvard Crimson university newspaper. People walk past the remnants of an encampment of tents in Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass (AP) The school also offered HOOP a meeting with members of university leadership involved in setting guidance for stock purchases within Harvards $50bn endowment. There will continue to be deep disagreements and strongly felt emotions as we experience pain and distress over events in the wider world, Harvard president Alan M Garber wrote in an email Tuesday to Harvard affiliates following the deal. Now more than ever, it is crucial to do what we do at our best, creating conditions for true dialogue, modeling ways to build understanding, empathy, and trust, and pursuing constructive change anchored in the rights and responsibilities we share. This spring, protest encampments have formed at universities across the United States. University administrations have taken starkly different approaches to engaging with these demonstrations. Some schools, like Brown University, forged a deal with protesters to end their encampment in exchange for putting forward a vote on Israeli divestment. Others, like Columbia University, have failed to reach agreements with students, and have instead called riot police to campus to clear out the demonstrators. SHIJIAZHUANG, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Museums are evolving into popular destinations for young Chinese people to engage with history and culture. Zhou Lizhuang, a resident of Hengshui City in north China's Hebei Province, was enthralled during a recent museum visit that sparked his interest in the 2,200-year history of his hometown. Upon entering the Jizhou Museum in Hengshui, visitors are transported back in time through 3D technology showcasing historical events and ancient legends. For Zhou, this immersive experience brought history to life, offering a deeper understanding of his hometown's ancient past. "Traditionally, museums were places for reminiscence and cultural appreciation, especially among the elderly. But now, visiting museums to explore history has become a fashionable trend among younger people," said Du Xiangli, the director of Hengshui Museum. Du noted that the Hengshui Museum organizes over 100 study tours in collaboration with schools each year, attracting over 8,000 visitors annually. It also hosts a variety of cultural activities in schools and communities. To further engage visitors, museums across the country are innovating their approaches by organizing creative exhibitions and special events, making museum visits more dynamic and appealing to young people. During a recent trip to the Langfang Museum in Hebei, Chai Yutong, a college student, was drawn to a limited-edition puzzle stamp card set. Intrigued by the challenge of collecting nine stamps, each representing distinct calligraphic styles of the Chinese character for "loong" from various historical periods, Chai eagerly went on to explore the entire museum. "The profoundness of Chinese culture is truly awe-inspiring. Each historical period's calligraphy represents the traits of its time, and understanding the evolution of the character 'loong' has deepened my cultural confidence," Chai said. The cultural enthusiasm extends beyond museum visits. Cultural and creative products inspired by historical artifacts are also gaining popularity. After visiting the Chengde Museum in Hebei, Li Xiaoling and her friends left the store with a bag of cultural products. "Finding such symbolic and high-quality souvenirs each time we visit adds to the experience," Li said. According to Wang Minghao, a professor at Hebei Normal University, the sustained museum craze reflects the vitality of historical culture, bridging ancient civilizations with contemporary life. In recent years, interest in traditional Chinese culture has experienced a resurgence. Items blending historical elements with modern expressions are favored by younger generation. This fusion has sparked a "new wave" in China's cultural tourism industry, Wang said. Help name four baby falcons that hatched on a New York bridge NEW YORK (PIX11) Four baby peregrine falcons hatched atop the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in mid-April; and now the New York State Thruway Authority wants your help naming the states newest residents. Dozens of third to sixth graders in Westchester and Rockland counties submitted more than 100 names as part of a falcon naming contest. PetSmart seeking chief toy tester; NYC pet parents encouraged to apply The names chosen include: Amelia Birdelia Beakonce Brooklyn Coco Puff Empire Estrella Freedom Jet Millenium Falcon Taylor Swoop The four names with the most votes will be selected. Peregrine falcons are an endangered species in New York State. They make their nests on bridges along the Hudson River, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation. To help name these fluffy baby birds, you can vote here. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Henderson Police Department released body-cam video Tuesday a month after a barricade with a wanted suspect that resulted in the departments first officer-involved shooting of the year. The 8 News Now Investigators first identified the man as Trevor Cooper, 31, a jujitsu specialist, through sources. The Clark County coroners office later confirmed Coopers identity. Cooper was been wanted by police for a March kidnapping, police said. The barricade began on April 12 at 11 a.m. at a home on Callen Falls Avenue near Galleria Drive and Water Street. However, police said Cooper was wanted following the kidnapping back on March 5. At that time an officer conducting a traffic stop was approached by a person who said he had a man in his car who claimed to be a victim of a kidnapping. Henderson police recover rifles, gun after dayslong standoff involving jujitsu specialist While interviewing the person claiming to be a victim of a kidnapping, officers learned that the suspects were at a home on Pickled Pepper Place. When officers arrived at the home they took one suspect into custody, the second suspect, identified as Cooper fled from the scene. Henderson detectives said they found probable cause to arrest both suspects for the following charges. 1 count of first-degree kidnapping 1 count to administer a drug to aid in felony crime 1 count conspiracy to commit kidnapping On April 12, officers located Cooper at the home near Galleria Drive and Water Street. The video released from police showed that around the 21st hour of the barricade police said that Henderson SWAT and Crisis Negotiation teams moved in to assist police and entered an unoccupied part of the home. (Henderson Police Department) Officers made contact with a roommate who said Cooper was armed with a high-powered rifle with access to over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, was wearing body armor and multiple other weapons in the home. Officers were also told Trevor stated he was willing to shoot it out with cops, and would commit suicide by cop, police said. Man in days-long Henderson barricade was jujitsu specialist who overdosed: sources The video released from police showed that around the 21st hour of the barricade, police said that Henderson SWAT and crisis negotiation teams moved in to assist police and entered an unoccupied part of the home. Henderson Police Department officers on April 13 during a barricade. (Henderson Police Department) Cooper then discharged his firearm from a concealed location. A SWAT officer then returned fire to defend himself and fellow officers as they exited the home, police said. At one point during negotiations communications efforts were lost with Trevor, negotiators attempted numerous times to re-establish communications, however communication was never re-established, police said. During the 37th hour mark of the barricade with no contact from Cooper for several hours, officers from Metro police SWAT located Cooper deceased in the attic. The video released from police showed that around the 21st hour of the barricade police said that Henderson SWAT and Crisis Negotiation teams moved in to assist police and entered an unoccupied part of the home. (Henderson Police Department) No officers were injured in the incident. We can confirm Trevor did not suffer any gunshot wounds or apparent trauma, his official cause of death is pending and will be released by the Clark County Coroners office, police said. Cooper overdosed on a drug and died in the home before police made entry several hours later, sources said. The video released from police showed that around the 21st hour of the barricade police said that Henderson SWAT and Crisis Negotiation teams moved in to assist police and entered an unoccupied part of the home. (Henderson Police Department) Had Cooper survived he would have been arrested on the following charges. 5 counts assault with a deadly weapon on a protected person 1 count possession of a short barreled rifle 1 count of resisting with a firearm Multiple counts of discharge a firearm in/from an occupied structure 6 counts of prohibited person in possession of a firearm The investigation is ongoing at this time, according to police. Henderson police arrested a person with the same name as Coopers in February on a domestic violence charge. In that case, the charges indicated Cooper used a deadly weapon and substantially harmed his victim. In that case, Cooper was accused of repeatedly attacking and battering a roommate on two occasions, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Monday. Police later went into the home, finding it covered in blood. After his February arrest, a judge released Cooper without requiring bail because prosecutors had not filed sufficient evidence to detain him, court records indicated. Documents indicate police later came to the home, finding several guns in Coopers bedroom. Police said they seized the guns due to a protection order filed in California, which prohibited him from owning any firearms. Editors note: 8 News Now was unable to ask the Henderson Police Department questions regarding the barricade and officer-involved shooting incident as the information was posted on the departments Youtube page. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has initiated the process of debarring the infectious disease nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance (EHA) from being awarded federal funds, citing a lack of responsibility necessary to participate in these programs. The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic shared the letter signed by HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisitions Katrina Brisbon to EHA President Peter Daszak. A thorough investigation determined that there is adequate evidence that EHA has not been compliant with federal regulations and grant terms and conditions, which affects EHAs present responsibility, and HHS spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill. As a grantee administrator, EHAs role is to provide oversight of the activities of its subawardees, including reporting requirements back to the National Institutes of Health (and other federal government agencies), to ensure compliance with all grant terms and conditions and federal regulations. The record establishes EHA did not fulfill these responsibilities, they added. The basis for pursuing debarment appeared to be conflict between the National Institutes of Health (NIH), EHA and the difficulty that NIH had in acquiring documents and records from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), to whom the EHA had awarded federal funding to for studying chimeric viruses. Critics, including members of the COVID select subcommittee, have questioned whether the WIVs research may have led to a lab-leak that caused the global pandemic. EHA has long maintained that the research conducted at WIV could not have led to a lab-leak resulting in the pandemic. As was noted in the NIH letter, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases had previously determined that the research conducted at WIV was not subject to the U.S.s ban on funding gain-of-function research, which genetically alters pathogens to predict potential mutations that could lead to outbreak in the future. In her letter, Brisbon recorded instances throughout the pandemic where EHAs assertions regarding WIVs research did not align with NIH experts and other points in which the nonprofit failed to provide records requested by NIH. She ultimately cited EHAs perceived lack of oversight of its grant recipients; its failure to submit progress reports on time; failure to notify NIH when viruses studied at WIV grew beyond permitted thresholds; and both EHAs and WIVs inability to disprove that they violated the terms of the grant. I find that the information in the record constitutes adequate evidence to demonstrate that the immediate suspension of EHA is necessary to protect the public interest, wrote Brisbon. The decision to proceed with debarment is effective as of May 15. It comes just one day before Lawrence Tabak, principal deputy director of NIH, is set to testify before the select subcommittee on discrepancies between what NIH officials have previously said and what EHAs Daszak recently said in his testimony to the panel. Following Daszaks hearing, select subcommittee chair Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) called for a formal debarment of EcoHealth as well as a criminal investigation. After news of NIHs decision broke on Wednesday, a spokesperson for EHA said in statement to The Hill, EcoHealth Alliance is disappointed by HHS decision today and we will be contesting the proposed debarment. We disagree strongly with the decision and will present evidence to refute each of these allegations and to show that NIHs continued support of EcoHealth Alliance is in the public interest. COVID select subcommittee Ranking Member Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), applauded HHSs decision, marking a rare moment of bipartisan agreement from the committee in which Democrats have routinely accused GOP colleagues of overzealously investigating the lab-leak theory. I welcome the Administrations announcement that it has suspended and initiated the termination of federal funding for EcoHealth Alliance, Ruiz said in a statement. Every recipient of federal taxpayer funding has an obligation to meet the utmost standards of transparency and accountability to the American public. EcoHealth Alliances failure to do so is a departure from the longstanding legacy of good faith partnerships between NIH and federal grantees to advance science and the public interest, which remains essential for the continued work of preventing and preparing for future threats to our nations public health, he added. This article was updated at 5:18 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A high school had a mummified head in its library for over 100 years The wooden coffin of Pharaoh Ramses II is on display on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Paris. A high school in Australia has the head of a mummy rumored to be 2,000 years old stored in its library. | Aurelien Morissard A high school in Australia has an item stored in its library that you likely wont find at any other high school: the head of a mummy rumored to be 2,000 years old. According to Live Science, the mummified head has been in the library since 1915, when it was donated to the school by either a famous Egyptologist or a local doctor. The school previously tried to give the head back to Egypt or donate it to a museum in Sydney, Australia, but neither effort led to the head being relocated, the article said. But now, the head is getting renewed attention, including from researchers who reconstructed the face. The reconstructed face of a mummy Smithsonian Magazine reports that work on the reconstructed face was led by forensic artist Jennifer Mann, who said, There is a point in the reconstruction process that suddenly the face emerges. I had a sudden, strange realization that I was looking at the face of a real person. The mummified head, reconstructed by a forensic sculptor, belonged to a woman who lived in Egypt during the region's Greco-Roman period, between 332 B.C.E. and 395 C.E. https://t.co/izW8MxuDIi Smithsonian Magazine (@SmithsonianMag) May 13, 2024 Mann reconstructed the mummy head by adding eyes and tissue markers on a 3D-printed skull that replicated the mummy. She compared the skulls shape to modern Egyptian faces to accurately add facial muscles and the nose, according to Live Science. Once that was done, she added jewelry and a hairstyle found in Greco-Roman art before finishing her reconstruction off with a bronze resin. The final sculpture is a lifelike portrayal of an older Egyptian woman, Live Science reported. Mann shared her thoughts on creating the face this way with Live Science. I now prefer to finish these as a bronze sculpture, so that people are appreciating the facial features. This is a deliberate choice, because there is no scientific evidence (from recovered DNA in this case) for things like skin tone and eye color, she said. Other mummified remains have been reconstructed Researchers previously used similar technologies to reconstruct the face of Pharaoh Ramses II, who was mummified after his death. They used computer software to reconstruct the his face, according to Newsweek. A more recent facial reconstruction of a mummy came from the remains of a girl found in Peru, known to scientists as the Ice Maiden of Ampato, per National Geographic. Sacrificed in the 1400s to the Incan gods, the girl was naturally mummified due to the elements, but soon those same elements destroyed her face. Scientists were able to reconstruct her face, and shes now on display in Perus Museo Santuarios Andinos. Hillsborough science teacher is finalist for Florida Teacher of the Year Clayton Nylund, a science teacher at Tampas Blake High School in Hillsborough County, is one of five finalists for Florida Teacher of the Year. Representatives from the Florida Department of Education joined Hillsborough County School District leaders on Wednesday to surprise Nylund with the announcement in class. Dr. Nylund has made physics and engineering sought-after courses that students are lining up to join, Superintendent Van Ayres said. He doesnt just teach; he absorbs knowledge and culture and breathes that back into the school. Nylund, 39, joined the district in 2011, teaching physics and engineering. In 2019, he introduced a Principles of Technology course that allows students to research, design, build, test and compete with their projects. Students build pinewood derby cars, catapults, rockets, bridges and mousetrap cars as they learn about circuits, coding, programming and robotics. District leaders asked Nylund to share his curriculum, which has since been expanded to six other high schools with close to 1,000 participants. Nylund was named Hillsborough Teacher of the Year in February, telling judges in his contest essay that my students are only expected to provide two things for my class: themselves and a focused mind. The five state finalists were chosen from 74 district teachers of the year. The state winner will be announced in Orlando on July 25. FILE - Former republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan visits the Bridge Boat Show in Stevensville, Md., April 12, 2024. Democrats voting in Maryland's contentious primary for Senate are divided about who is best positioned to beat Hogan. Congressman David Trone and Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks are the most prominent candidates in the Democratic primary. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) The presidential primary may be decided, but election season marches on. Voters in several states, including Maryland and West Virginia, chose nominees Tuesday in critical races that could decide the balance of power on Capitol Hill next year. Here are some takeaways from Tuesday's primaries: HOGAN: GAME-CHANGER OR SACRIFICIAL LAMB? Maryland's former Republican governor, Larry Hogan, easily won his party's nomination for the U.S. Senate seat opened by Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin's retirement. The Senate race in the solidly Democratic state would normally be a snoozer, but Hogan is a candidate unlike any other Republican. Over his two terms as governor, Hogan won a significant number of Democratic votes and remained popular among a wide swath of the left-leaning state. He's been a sharp Trump critic, which endears him to a segment of the Democratic electorate and can blunt attacks from the left. That's why Senate Republicans wooed him relentlessly to run for the newly open seat, as part of their plan to flip control of the chamber from Democrats, who currently have a two-seat majority. Candidates with cross-party appeal like Hogan used to be a staple of national politics, but they are fading fast in an era where voters routinely vote on a straight party line rather than for individual politicians. During the last two presidential elections, only one senator Maine Republican Susan Collins won a state that also backed a presidential candidate of a different party. There are recent cautionary tales of popular, moderate minority-party governors failing to win Senate seats in recent elections, evidence that voters are far more willing to vote their partisan politics for federal offices than state ones. In Montana and Tennessee, former Democratic governors Steve Bullock and Phil Bredesen, respectively, both ran for open Senate seats in deep-red states in 2020 and 2018 respectively. Both lost badly. For the Maryland version of this, expect Democrats who previously praised Hogan's anti-Trump stances to paint him as a threat to abortion rights and entitlements because he has said he'd caucus with Republicans, which could give the GOP a Senate majority. That could make for a tough road for Hogan to win a state that Biden won by 33 percentage points. Still, Hogan will undoubtedly shake up the Senate map and put Democrats even more on the defensive. They have to defend three seats in states that Donald Trump has won, including a newly open seat in Trump's best state, West Virginia. HISTORY IN MARYLAND Hogan will face Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, who notched a striking win in a contentious primary in which she was dramatically outspent. If she wins in November, Alsobrooks would be the first Black senator from Maryland, which has one of the largest Black populations in the country. The lone Black woman currently in the U.S. Senate, Laphonza Butler of California, is stepping down after her appointed term ends in December. The chamber has three Black male senators. Alsobrooks defeated Rep. David Trone, who spent more than $61 million of his own money on his Democratic primary bid for the Senate nomination. She overcame Trones financial advantage by winning endorsements from the states top Democrats, including Gov. Wes Moore, Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Steny Hoyer. She campaigned on growing economic opportunity, education and abortion rights and slammed Trone for donating to Republicans around the country, including ones who oppose abortion rights. Trone, 68, who is white, had his share of stumbles, including using a racial slur in front of a Black witness during a committee hearing in the House of Representatives. Trone said he was trying to use a similar-sounding word. THE SENATE GETS TRUMPIER The biggest shift in the U.S. Senate may have already happened Tuesday night, when West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice formally won the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin. Manchin was a centrist Democrat who was a lightning rod for the left and the right but survived politically as his state shifted far to the right. It's likely that he was the only Democrat who could win a senate election in the state and that now Justice will replace him. That'll swing the Senate even more in Trump's direction, regardless of whether the GOP flips additional seats to give it 50 or more senators. Trump endorsed Justice, a wealthy coal magnate-turned-Democratic politician-turned-Republican whose folksy demeanor and omnipresent English bulldog named Babydog endeared him to West Virginia's voters. Like Trump, Justice has been trailed by legal controversy his firms have been sued for not paying their debts and tax authorities have placed liens on his properties. And like Trump, Justice has strayed from GOP orthodoxy. He embraced the bipartisan infrastructure bill that Biden signed and has become a cornerstone of the incumbent president's campaign. That earned him attacks from his rival, Rep. Alex Mooney, but it wasn't enough to blunt Justice's advantages. Justice will join a senate Republican caucus that's grown steadily Trumpier as critics of the former president have retired and been replaced by allies who win party primaries. There's no way to know how he'll vote on every issue, but in that respect, he also fits in Trump's mold. THE GHOST OF HALEY Its been two months since former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley was a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination but she keeps racking up votes from Republicans who dont want to cast their ballot for former President Donald Trump. Fresh off a stunning 21% tally in last weeks Indiana Republican primary, Haley received tens of thousands of votes in West Virginia and Maryland on Tuesday night. Maryland, a heavily educated, D.C.-adjacent state, is particularly tailor-made for Haleys less ideological, technocratic approach. But even then, Haleys strength is eye-catching. The persistent votes for Haley could be a warning sign for Trump. Even as the Republican party coalesces around him, a chunk of its voter base still wants to vote against him. However, its possible many of these voters are Biden voters already who have simply chosen to vote in the GOP primary and delight in embarrassing Trump. If thats the case, the protest vote wont mean much in November. Biden has been the target of his own protest campaign against his handling of the war in Gaza. Disillusioned Democrats have urged primary voters to cast ballots for uncommitted where the option is available. It was in Maryland, but the percentage of those votes was relatively low. In West Virginia, Biden won handily but about a fifth of the Democratic electorate chose other candidates. Thats not unusual for an incumbent Democratic president in an ancestrally Democratic state thats moved sharply to the right Barack Obama only won 59% of the Democratic primary vote there in 2012, when he was running for his second term. ___ This story was first published on May 14, 2024. It was published again on May 15, 2024, to correct that in last weeks Indiana Republican primary Nikki Haley got 21%, not 15%, of the vote. Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Wednesday announced he is launching a Democrats for Hogan initiative after winning the GOP nomination for his states hotly contested open Senate seat Tuesday night. I am excited to launch Democrats for Hogan and have my good friend and former Democratic State Senator Bobby Zirkin on our team, Hogan wrote in a post on X, attaching a video of Zirkin expressing his support for Hogan and calling on Democrats to do the same. To my Democratic and Independent friends, Hogan continued, you know me and you know my proven track record of reaching across the aisle to find common ground for the common good. You know that I have the courage to put people over politics and to put country over party. I will continue to be the same strong independent leader for Maryland that I always have been. If you are completely fed up with the divisiveness and dysfunction and want a strong, independent leader who will fight to clean up the mess in Washington then join us, Hogan added in the statement. Hogan, a popular former GOP governor in the state, is vying to succeed retiring three-term Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.). Hogan will face off in November against Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who secured the Democratic nomination Tuesday night. In Hogans new video, Zirkin, the co-chair of Democrats for Hogan, says Hogan is exactly the leader we need and asks his fellow Democrats to review Hogans record on issues including fracking, criminal justice reform, cyberbullying and the way that he was able to hold the line on taxes and still invest in things that are important like education and the Chesapeake Bay. Hogans surprise entry into the race earlier this year fueled Republican hopes of a strong showing in the blue-leaning state, as well as winning back the Senate. With the party primary now behind him, Hogan is shifting his focus to messaging himself as a trusted, independent-minded leader. Speaking to a crowd of supporters Tuesday night, Hogan made a similar pitch, saying Americans desperately need leaders to step up and put the country first. Im willing to stand up and fight for the things that really matter, but not for status quo politics as usual, and not to perpetuate polarization and paralysis, Hogan said Tuesday. I think you know, I dont come from the performative-art school of politics. I come from the get-to-work-and-get-things-done schools, and Ill work with anyone who wants to do the peoples business. The Hill has reached out to Alsobrooks campaign for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The city of Sacramento is now facing a lawsuit regarding its plans to close a tight-knit North Sacramento homeless camp where roughly 50 people live in city-issued trailers. The Sacramento Homeless Union Wednesday filed a lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court alleging the city is violating a lease by threatening to close Camp Resolution before moving all its residents into permanent housing. The union plans to follow it up by filing a request for a temporary restraining order that, if granted, would bar the city from clearing the camp until all residents are housed, said Anthony Prince, union attorney. A group of about 50 homeless people and activists marched in the downtown Sacramento streets Wednesday in 90-degree heat to put pressure on the city. While holding banners that read nothing about us without us, they chanted, What do we want? Housing! When do we want it? Now! Betty Edwards, 60, lives in Camp Resolution and uses an electric wheelchair to get around. She receives dialysis and last year underwent open heart surgery. She sat in her wheelchair outside City Hall Wednesday during a news conference. I cant afford rent, said Edwards, 60, who grew up in Sacramento. A studio apartment is $1,200 a month. Im on Social Security. I cant afford that. I was never offered an apartment. I have to get on the waiting list for Section 8 or something like that. Im here and Im waiting for someone to tell me what I can do next. Even if she gets a Section 8 voucher she faces an uphill battle. There are about 1,000 homeless people who have a Section 8 voucher who still cant find a landlord to accept it, according to the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. Camp Resolution co-founder Joyce Williams hugs camp resident Betty Edwards, who recently had heart surgery, at a press conference at Sacramento City Hall on Wednesday. Several dozen campers, including Edwards, marched from the Sacramento courthouse to City Hall in protest of shutting down the self-governing homeless encampment. Danyell Mayberry, 44, said she has also never been offered housing while living at Camp Resolution only ID cards and bus passes. She became homeless after she lost her job and was evicted from her apartment, she said. Every time she tries to apply for a new apartment, she is denied due the eviction on her record, she said. We have a lease with the city, said Mayberry, who grew up in West Sacramento. They should do what they said they were going to do. Since 2022, the city has allowed roughly 50 residents of Camp Resolution in North Sacramento to live on a city lot and gave them trailers to live in. But when some people were camping in tents on the dirt, which is against the lease for environmental reasons, the city announced plans to close the site by May 16. Several residents went to the council in April to plead for the city not to close the camp, and the city then announced it would delay plans to close it. Mayor Darrell Steinberg promised the city would offer all residents an indoor shelter bed before clearing them off the site. We will not displace you from Camp Resolution without some other alternatives that are safe, dignified and indoors, Steinberg said during an April 30 council meeting. Camp Resolution is unique because its self-governed, and the city does not have to pay costly contractors for operations. By contrast, the citys 100-bed shelter at X Street and Alhambra costs the city about $10 million a year. Since the camp opened, several tents have sprung up nearby, just outside the gate, along the bike trail, including some people who are among the 800 on the waiting list to live in Camp Resolution. The city in 2022 signed a variance with the Central Valley Regional Water Board that allowed people to camp in trailers on the site, but prohibited them to camp in tents, due to vapor contamination. The type of contamination thats present is not harmful to people in vehicles because theyre raised off the ground, the water board said at the time. Some people lived in tents anyway, prompting District Attorney Thien Ho to threaten to sue the city, as he has in the past. The state variance is expiring, and the city did not ask for an extension. City spokesman Tim Swanson said the city has offered a new location for the Camp Resolution residents to move their trailers to. He declined to provide the address. Unfortunately, the Sacramento Homeless Union has not been open to the citys repeated offers to collaborate and find solutions for the campers, Swanson said in a statement. The city cannot ignore the campers who consistently refuse to avoid tent camping on contaminated soil. Tent camping on contaminated soil is wrong, and the lessee of the site, Safe Ground Sacramento, the organizers of the site, the Sacramento Homeless Union, and the campers know it. Nobody is living in tents at the site anymore, said Joyce Williams, one of the camps leaders. The homeless union has declined invitations to meet with the city until the city rescinds its March 28 letter that states the camp must close May 16, the lawsuit states. That letter is hanging over the heads of the residents like an intimidating Sword of Damocles, making impossible any genuine, good-faith discussions that might otherwise prove productive, the lawsuit states. Most of the residents are over 45 and all of them have at least one chronic medical illness, said Crystal Sanchez of the Sacramento Homeless Union. All but four have a documented disability. The lawsuit names the city, Steinberg, Ho, City Manager Howard Chan, and two assistant city managers as defendants. Hos spokeswoman Shelly Orio did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the new lawsuit. A court date has been set for May 16, 2025. * Xinjiang contributed more than 90 percent of China's cotton output last year, harvesting a total of 5.12 million tonnes of cotton. * Local cotton farmers have their own encouraging stories to tell behind the development of cotton farming on this land. * Agricultural workers have brought more scientific management and systematic arrangement models to local cotton production. by Xinhua writers Yin Xingyu, Aman, Zhang Xiaolong An aerial drone photo taken on April 23, 2024 shows a sowing machine working at a cotton field in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Ma Jinming/Xinhua) URUMQI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- After light rain, fields as far as the eyes can see are ready to be sown in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the country's largest cotton-producing region. In late spring, He Hongtao, the 51-year-old farmer in charge of the local Shuangquan Agricultural Cooperative, sniffed out the urgency. The overcast weather and dropping temperatures had delayed the cooperative's cotton-planting schedule yet again, but once the skies began to clear, He hastened to the cotton fields he has worked for half of his life. Xinjiang contributed more than 90 percent of China's cotton output last year, harvesting a total of 5.12 million tonnes of cotton. And Shawan City, where He resides, is one of the region's largest cotton production bases. Local cotton farmers have their own encouraging stories to tell behind the development of cotton farming on this land. Haila Cherza operates at a cotton field in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 23, 2024. (Photo by Ma Jinming/Xinhua) PROFESSIONAL FARMERS Haila Cherza, a 66-year-old cotton farmer and a member of the Kazak ethnic group, is a field steward for the Shuangquan Agricultural Cooperative, excelling in the management of local cotton fields. Managing 1,500 mu (about 100 hectares) of cotton fields, he often uses a tractor to transport necessary agricultural supplies to the fields at the crack of dawn. The experienced field steward has been planting cotton for about four decades and now oversees the operations of driverless planting machinery. He also provides support and guidance for other farmers to ensure a bumper harvest. This scientific management system is attributable to collective wisdom. He Hongtao (L) works at a cotton field in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 23, 2024. (Photo by Ma Jinming/Xinhua) Twenty years ago, fragmented land distribution to every household in Shawan meant farming was extremely arduous and time-consuming. Disagreements over water and land resources were common among cotton farmers. In 2013, He Hongtao, then Party secretary of Shaofangzhuangzi Village in Shawan, gathered the local farmers to found a specialized agricultural cooperative and invited them to become its shareholders. Merging the separated cotton fields into a vast expanse of collective plots, the cooperative now manages cotton production as a whole and distributes stable dividends to the farmers at the end of each year. Solidarity in resource distribution has greatly improved the efficiency of irrigation and planting work, reducing labor in the fields. "Spring sowing, which used to take us a whole month, can now be completed in just one week," He said, adding that the local farming incomes have also increased significantly, with farmers receiving average annual dividends of 1,500 yuan (about 211 U.S. dollars) to 2,400 yuan per mu. Agricultural workers like He and Haila Cherza have brought more scientific management and systematic arrangement models to local cotton production. Farmers prepare a cotton sowing machine at a field in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Aman) MECHANIZED, SMART FARMING As technology continues to advance, Shawan and other production bases in Xinjiang are embracing the unstoppable trend of agricultural mechanization. Han Bo was the first in Shawan to buy a foreign-made cotton-picking machine. In 2008, when Han introduced the 2-million-yuan machine to the local fields, workers earned some 100,000 yuan by picking cotton in fields of over 1,000 mu. That was barely enough to afford the loan interest generated by the purchase of the machine. "The foreign machines failed to fit our local conditions. For example, one foreign cotton-picking machine was designed to have a heavy front and a lighter rear, making it unsuitable for operations in different plots," Han recalled. "Once it hit the road, the rear tended to lift out of control." Workers refit agricultural machines at a workshop of Han Bo in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Aman) With experience in machine repairs -- and out of his love for tinkering with machinery -- Han decided to modify the cotton picker himself. He added fire extinguishers, which helped eliminate fire hazards and improved the weight distribution. Later, the machine's foreign producers took notice of Han's novel idea and adopted his adjustment as standard for their products. Currently, Han and his team are working on more machinery design improvements, with more than 10 patents under their belt that have greatly boosted the efficiency of local cotton production. Han Bo checks agricultural machines at a workshop in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Aman) Today, Shawan City alone has over 540 cotton-picking machines, and its cotton fields have an overall mechanization rate of more than 97 percent. Last year, Xinjiang deployed nearly 7,000 cotton-picking machines, bringing the region's total mechanization rate to over 85 percent. And more than just these machines are contributing to Xinjiang's modernized farming. Intelligent facilities and technologies, including unmanned farms built using big data, artificial intelligence and 5G, are also having a huge impact. And thanks to the joint efforts of diligent farmers, universities and research institutes, local vocational schools have also launched courses on intelligent agricultural machinery. "Xinjiang's cotton farmers have developed themselves into more professional farmers in this new era, and work in the fields is now more about management than mere labor," Han said. (Video reporters: Aman, Zhang Xiaolong, Yin Xingyu; Video editors: Zhang Yueyuan, Zhang Yuhong, Wu Yao) The roar of machinery hums below looming 722-foot towers mixed with a waterfront breeze as workers push forward on Detroit's Gordie Howe International Bridge this spring. Crews are reaching the final stretch of building the Gordie Howe International Bridge deck, with a little over a year left in the bridge project. Construction of the bridge began in fall 2018 and construction on the bridge deck began in December 2022, with the opening timeline delayed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's an honor to be out here, I'm very blessed to be out here, to be part of history," said labor foreman Jayne Griffor. Crews have built up the bridge deck on the Detroit and Windsor sides of the Detroit River, with the deck set to be connected in the next four to six weeks. The process includes installing a 49-foot segment on the Detroit side of the bridge, then completing the final segment, the mid-span closure. Cranes on the Canadian and U.S. sides work to help build the Gordie Howe Bridge in Detroit on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The bridge is in the final steps of connecting the two sides, with only 85 feet remaining. The connection should be completed by the end of June. "Achieving the bridge deck connection is monumental in the progress on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project," said Charl van Niekerk, CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. "This new bridge is the physical representation of the international cooperation that exists between the neighboring communities in Windsor and Detroit, throughout Ontario and Michigan, and across North America." More: The ultimate Michigan pronunciation guide: 50 names you might be saying wrong More: Take a break from your road trip at these 6 weird, quirky Michigan roadside attractions The historic development will change the Detroit skyline for generations, with the bridge's 125-year lifespan complementing traffic from the Ambassador Bridge. The Gordie Howe International Bridge will serve as a key trade point on the U.S.-Canadian border, with around $13 million in investments made in Detroit and Windsor initiatives since 2019. The project includes a contract valued at about $4.8 billion ($6.4 billion Canadian). With the Detroit skyline in the background, workers on the Gordie Howe Bridge in Detroit on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, wait for parts during construction. The bridge is in the final steps of connecting the two sides, with only 85 feet remaining. The connection should be completed by the end of June. "What we're focusing right now on is the benefit that comes with this bridge, the economic opportunities, the movement of trade through this corridor, which is the very reason why we're here, it's why we're building this bridge," said Heather Grondin, chief relations officer for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. The new landmark looks over the river with a 722-foot tower and a matching 722-foot tower across the border in Windsor. The bridge will run 1 miles long, with the bridge deck 0.53 miles long the longest main span of a cable-stayed bridge in North America, officials said. "It's exhilarating being up there, it's amazing views of the city and Downriver, it's great," Griffor said. Jayne Griffor, one of the many builders of the Gordie Howe Bridge for the Bridging North America, talks about the joy it has been for her to help construct the bridge. She was answering questions from the media underneath the bridge in Detroit on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. While the bridge deck is set to be connected this summer, key work will remain to prepare the bridge for opening. Crews will get to work installing electrical, fire suppression, and drainage systems, barriers, signage, lighting, deck paving, pavement markings, stressing stay cables, and completing the bridge's multiuse path, officials said. The multiyear project brings together workers from across all walks of life and a variety of trades driven by a common purpose to expand the region's transportation infrastructure. Thus far, over 11,000 trained workers have contributed over 13 million hours to building this bridge, Grondin said. While the project reaches its final stages, bonds forged on the job will remain long after the last truck leaves the construction site. "It is a big family out here, but the friendships that we've made and the amount of hours we've spent together out here, it'll last a lifetime," Griffor said. Officials expect the bridge deck to be connected by the end of June. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is set for completion in September 2025. Steel cable is wrapped in a rubber coating to help protect it from the elements. This cable supports the large span of the Gordie Howe Bridge in Detroit on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gordie Howe Bridge inches closer to target completion In honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day, Governor Justice orders flags to be flown at half-staff CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) West Virginia and United States flags at the Capitol Complex and state-owned facilities in West Virginia will be flown at half-staff on May 15, 2024, after an order was given by Governor Jim Justice. More than $14 million announced for projects in West Virginia As a part of National Police Week in the Mountain State, the flags will be flown at half-staff on Wednesday to honor Peace Officers Memorial Day from midnight to sunset. People who are a part of law enforcement agencies in West Virginia help protect the freedom and rights of the people, and it is important for the public to recognize the risks and responsibilities that members of law enforcement face when doing their jobs. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. IRONWOOD, Mich. (WJMN) Law enforcement, their families and supporters from across the Upper Peninsula and parts of Wisconsin gathered in Ironwood on Wednesday to remember fallen officers at the 2024 Upper Peninsula Peace Officer Memorial. This is an annual event in honor of National Police Week. Wednesdays memorial included a roll call of fallen officers, laying of the wreath and a performance of taps to honor these heroes. Its very humbling to watch and listen to that roll call of all the service members that have passed in the line of duty, and realize that sacrifice that they made to try to make their communities safer, said Lt. Mark Giannunzio, Michigan State Police. Theres not any other job like this in the country where someone has to put on a bullet resistant vest in the morning, and that thought that they might not come home at night because theyre serving the public. So this is a very humbling experience today. We really need to, as a community, take time to honor those families that have fallen, members of their families. The memorial also featured a keynote speech by Tiffany Romans. Her brother-in-law, Ervin Romans II was an Ironwood native killed in the line of duty. My brother-in-law, Ervin Romans was a sergeant in the Oakland Police Department, said Romans. His end of watch was March 21, 2009. He was killed in the line of duty with three other officers that day. There was four total. For family, its just wonderful to remember the individuals that we have lost in the line of duty. Its its difficult as family members when obviously things like that happen. To have the memorials throughout the country, let alone just the areas that you live in and getting other people to come out and support the current officers that are out there protecting our country. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. Temperatures have been surging to hot levels even by central and South Florida standards of late, and more is on the way into this weekend, AccuWeather meteorologists say. Temperatures will top the 100-degree Fahrenheit mark across the interior, which is rare because of typically high humidity levels. "This is an extreme pattern, even for May, as there has not been much rain and there have not been many cool fronts pressing southward into the region," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Florida resident Dave Houk said. "So it will be hot even for Florida natives." Residents and visitors to the region are strongly encouraged to keep hydrated and take breaks from the sun in the intense heat of the day. Thunderstorms have been visiting central parts of the Florida Peninsula but have not reached South Florida in large numbers in recent weeks. Meanwhile, frequent downpours have raised flooding concerns in the northern parts of the state in recent days. May is typically a hot and mainly rain-free month across the Sunshine State, Houk explained. With its intense sunshine, the May heat precedes the temperature-regulating effects of daily thunderstorms that ramp up toward the end of the month and on through the summer. Typical highs in mid-May are in the middle to upper 80s over much of the Florida Peninsula, Houk said. To push temperatures to 10-15 degrees above the historical average during the late spring in the subtropical zone is significant. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, set an all-time May high-temperature record of 98 degrees on May 11. Daily record highs will be challenged in the South Florida city and many other cities into the weekend, where local sea breezes do not kick in. It is possible the city could match or exceed the all-time May mark once again. Similarly, Miami will challenge record highs daily through the weekend. In many cases, the records in jeopardy date back to the 1990s. Miami's all-time record May high was 98 degrees in 2017, set on the 28th day of the month. Some places across the interior of central and South Florida will reach or exceed 100 degrees, especially through Saturday. The hottest day in Orlando, which is home to multiple theme parks, will be Saturday, when temperatures may challenge the record high of 97 set in 1915 and AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures will push past the 100-degree mark. Thunderstorms may erupt on Saturday afternoon and evening. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Very high humidity helped push AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures well into the 100s at midweek. Humidity levels that dipped on Thursday and Friday are expected to rebound by the weekend. Key West, Florida, experienced a heat index of 115 degrees F Wednesday, tying the all-time record there. The previous record for May was 108. AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures spiked to 103. AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures will be at or above 100 degrees at just about every spot in the area for several hours each day, even where the actual temperature only reaches the mid- to upper 90s. Along with the ongoing heat, it is possible that smoke from wildfires in Mexico may add to the overall appearance of the pattern. Some of the biggest fire concentrations have been in the Yucatan Peninsula and the south-central part of the Mexico mainland. Periodic smoke may filter in high overhead in the form of a hazy sky and interesting colors at sunrise and sunset. The plumes of smoke will extend along much of the Gulf Coast states through the weekend. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. The hot new GOP club is at Trumps New York trial The hot new GOP club is at Trumps New York trial The Manhattan courthouse where former President Trump is on trial has become the latest proving ground for Republicans to show their loyalty and bolster their credentials with Team Trump. A parade of GOP lawmakers and other Republicans have attended Trumps hush money trial in recent days, standing alongside the former president and delivering remarks attacking the case as political, sometimes in ways Trump cannot because of a gag order. There are obvious benefits for those showing up. They could win an endorsement from Trump, kind words, a future administration post or, perhaps, the office of the vice president. Those who show up and really drive home his message during this trial are really going to be reciprocated politically, one GOP strategist said to The Hill. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) attended last week, followed by Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) on Monday. The group grew Tuesday, with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) standing behind Trump as he addressed reporters outside the courtroom. Trump is clearly pleased with the parade of Republicans in New York. I do have a lot of surrogates, and they are speaking very beautifully, Trump said. We have a lot of great people here to talk to you. A Trump campaign official said those who have attended the trial have done so on their own and were not invited by the campaign. Its a notable shift from earlier in the trial, when Trumps entourage was smaller and mainly comprising his lawyers, Secret Service detail and a few campaign aides. The increase in turnout followed testimony from the adult film actor Stormy Daniels, which sources said took a toll on Trump. Now, as jurors hear from Michael Cohen, Trumps ex-fixer who is prosecutors star witness, more than 15 people at times have followed the former president into the courtroom. Trump puts an emphasis on loyalty from his supporters and takes note of what they are saying in the media. Its typical for Johnson and other lawmakers to make the trek to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump to try to bolster their standing with the former president. But attending the trial where Trump is accused of making a hush money payment to Daniels to cover up an alleged affair marks new ground even for some of Trumps most ardent allies. Johnson shows up The Speakers appearance was notable since Johnson was appearing in his official role, not simply a Louisiana congressman. There also are big questions over whether Johnson would retain his role next year should the GOP hold on to its majority. Trump recently backed Johnson, who did not actually enter the courtroom, as he faced an effort by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to oust him. Johnson, in remarks outside the courthouse Tuesday, said Judge Juan Merchans daughters work in Democratic politics was among the atrocities in the case, which he framed as part of a broader attempt by the Justice Department to thwart Trump for political reasons. Scott has also attacked Merchans daughter, claiming that her work tainted the judges impartiality. Trump had mounted efforts to get Merchan recused over his daughters work at a progressive digital agency, but the judge rejected the demands after getting advice from an ethics committee for New York judges. Trump is under a gag order that prohibits him from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and the judges family. But his allies in Congress are under no such restrictions and have likely pleased him with attacks on the credibility of witnesses and the judge. One Republican strategist argued there are multiple benefits for Trump to having surrogates join him in person. It helps the former president control the narrative, and it creates an impression for those following the proceedings inside and outside the courtroom that there is strong support for Trump, the strategist said. Yes, it shows support. Yes, it puts on a united front. But it also shows you why Trump is an earned media master, the strategist said. Trump has often given shoutouts to his allies in attendance, praising them and reading off their statements attacking the case from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D). They think its a terrible thing that is happening to democracy in this country, Trump said Monday when asked why lawmakers from Washington had joined him. We have a lot of them; they want to come. I say, just stay back and pass lots of laws to stop things like this. VP race The courthouse has become almost a necessary stop for those vying to join Trump on the ticket in November. Vance, Burgum and Donalds are among those being considered for the post. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), another contender to serve as Trumps running mate, has reportedly had discussions with his team about attending the trial. Vance, in a series of posts on the social platform X on Monday, called into question Cohens credibility as a witness and sarcastically called him a standup guy. The senator also pushed back on the idea that Trump is unfit for office because he has dozed off during court, quipping, Im 39 years old and Ive been here for 26 minutes and Im about to fall asleep. The sooner that this scam trial can be concluded, the sooner that the president can get back to getting out campaigning and talking to the American people about the issues that matter to them, Burgum said outside the courthouse Tuesday. Inside the courtroom, Trumps allies have typically sat in the first or second row of the gallery, near the former presidents security detail and where his son, Eric Trump, sits when he attends. Lara Trump, the former presidents daughter-in-law, was also in attendance Tuesday for the first time. They have generally paid attention to the proceedings, including looking toward the monitors to read documents being shown to the jury. But some have also been on their phones at times. Trump-allied state attorneys general have shown up, too. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird (R) and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) sat in Monday, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) joined for a day earlier in the trial. Days after Paxton attended, Trump endorsed various primary challengers to Texas lawmakers who voted to impeach Paxton last year. The former president dubbed it a fraudulent impeachment in posts on Truth Social. The cavalcade of guests has even caught the eye of some Democrats, who view it as the latest sign that Trumps trials are turning into something of a media circus. As if this werent already a bizarre reality show, now we have celebrity guest courtroom gallery appearances of acolytes looking to punch their card with the Boss, David Axelrod, who served as a senior adviser to former President Obama, posted on X. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. House GOP try to reverse Bidens Israel weapons block WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Republicans are moving forward with legislation that would force the White House to send military aid to Israel. The push comes after the Biden administration threatened to hold certain weapons transfer out of concern Israel will invade Rafah, a densely populated city in Gaza. Siding with Hamas, were not going to let that happen, said Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.). Last week the president confirmed his administration already paused a bombs shipment. The cost of this decision is dangerous, said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas.). At a hearing Tuesday, McCaul argued the president is turning his back on a U.S. ally. Israel is in a fight for its life against a terrorist organization, Rafah is the final key military objective, said McCaul. New York Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks says Republicans are intentionally blowing things out of proportion. This impact has no impact on iron dome interceptions, Meeks said. He says the president is making a moral call. The bombs in question can create a crater 50 feet wide and 36 feet deep have no place in urban combat, he added. Not every Democrat is running to the presidents defense, in fact, some are expected to vote in favor of the Republican bill. In a letter to the White House last week 26 House Democrats said they were deeply concerned about the weapon holds. There are different perspectives about how our party views this, but overwhelming House Democrats will reject this, said Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.). House Democratic leadership is brushing off concerns the vote could fracture party unity. The White House is already promising to veto the bill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The House has passed a major federal aviation bill that aims to improve aviation safety, enhance protections for passengers and airline workers and invest in airport and air travel infrastructure nationwide. The bill renewing the Federal Aviation Administrations authority for five years will next head to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. The legislation passed the Senate last week. The House vote was 387 to 26. The bill would authorize more than $105 billion in funding for the FAA, as well as $738 million for the National Transportation Safety Board for fiscal years 2024 through 2028. Although the package has drawn broad bipartisan support, it touched off contentious debate over certain policy issues. One flashpoint centered on a provision to add longer-distance flights at Reagan National Airport, just outside of Washington, DC. A group of Washington-area Democratic senators pressed to strip the provision from the package, though the chamber didnt ultimately move to do so. Some lawmakers argue additional flights would give consumers more choices and bring down prices, while others say it would increase congestion and delays at the airport, as well as create safety issues. Lawmakers commute most weeks between their home states and Washington, and many could benefit from more convenient flights back and forth. Other key provisions of the legislation include: Hiring more air traffic controllers The bill would require the FAA to hire and train as many air traffic controllers as possible to close a gap of 3,000 vacancies. It would also mandate more research into how many controllers are needed at each tower and center and would increase access to training simulators in more air traffic control towers nationwide. Improving runway safety To reduce the number of collisions and near-collisions on runways, the FAA would be required to install additional runway technology at medium and large hub airports. The technology is only installed at about three dozen US airports, according to the FAA, and played a role in alerting controllers that American Airlines and Delta Air Lines passenger jets were about to collide on a John F. Kennedy airport runway in New York City in January 2023. Passenger protections In April, the Department of Transportation finalized a new rule on airline refunds: Theyre due in cash rather than vouchers within a few days, and come automatically. That means no requirement to call the airline and complain when your flight is canceled or substantially delayed. The compromise FAA bill as proposed originally did not go as far as the new DOT rule, which raised the possibility that a future DOT leadership could strip the automatic refund rule. After an outcry including from an alliance of Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts the bills negotiators returned to the drawing board and added the automatic component into the bill. Under the new language, if a passenger declines an airlines rebooking request or does not respond to the request, the airline must issue an automatic refund. Enhancing protections for airline workers The legislation would put more teeth behind rules against attacks on aviation workers, which spiked during the Covid-19 pandemic, by expanding legal protections to ground-based employees like gate and check-in agents. It would also enhance Transportation Security Administration-taught self-defense training for flight attendants so they can better protect themselves and respond to unruly passengers and other threats. Setting a standard for travel credits Under the bill, travel credits issued by airlines in lieu of refunds would have to be useable for at least five years. Increasing cockpit voice recording Commercial aircraft would have to carry 25-hour cockpit voice recorders under the legislation. That was a top ask of the NTSB and a substantial increase from the current two-hour standard. The cockpit voice recorder is one of the two black boxes and is currently only required to capture two hours of sound from the cockpit. The NTSB says recordings that would be key to investigations have fallen outside the two-hour window and been overwritten. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Missouri House chamber during debate on March 12, 2023 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications). A set of medical provider taxes that fund a large portion of Missouris Medicaid program won quick approval Wednesday in the House, two weeks after it took 41 hours for the bill to pass in the state Senate. The controversies that stalled the bill in the Senate received scant attention during Wednesdays debate, except for being cited as an example of what to avoid in the future. The bill taxes hospitals, pharmacies, nursing homes and ambulance services to raise about $1.3 billion for Medicaid services and leverage nearly $3 billion in federal matching funds for the $17 billion program. This shouldnt be used as a hostage in a terrorist negotiation, said House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat. The renewal bill extends the taxes for five years, one of the longest sunsets since the tax was first enacted in 1991. Since then, the levies have been renewed 17 times, most recently for three years in 2021 during a special session. For the second time, renewal of the taxes became enmeshed in the debates over abortion and whether Planned Parenthood can receive reimbursements for services covered by Medicaid. Members of the Missouri Freedom Caucus tried, and failed, to delay action on the provider taxes until a bill targeting Planned Parenthood was signed by Gov. Mike Parson and a proposal making it harder to pass a constitutional amendment is finished and set for a vote later this year. Parson did sign the Planned Parenthood bill, but almost a week after the filibuster ended. And the record set by the Freedom Caucus, by holding the Senate floor for 41 hours, has been surpassed by Democrats this week as they block a vote on the constitutional majority changes. As he asked for support, House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, a Carthage Republican, said the bills importance to financing Medicaid was the only issue to concern members. The taxes, he said, have become an integral part of the Medicaid program and renewal is very critical to balancing the $51.7 billion budget passed last week The debate and 136-16 vote took about five minutes. Quade said there was no controversy in the House on the bill. Most of us absolutely, desperately want this passed today, she said. The post House sends bill to governor renewing taxes critical to funding Missouri Medicaid appeared first on Missouri Independent. (The Hill) The House on Wednesday passed a bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years, sending the legislation to President Bidens desk ahead of Fridays deadline. The measure cleared the chamber in a 387-26 vote, days after the Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill, 88-4. Passage of the legislation marks the end of Congresss long-winded road to reauthorizing the FAA, which required four short-term extensions and featured a bitter battle over adding round-trip flights at Washingtons Reagan National Airport (DCA) slots that were ultimately included in the final legislation. With FAA reauthorization officially in the rearview mirror, Congress has no more must-pass priorities on its legislative to-do list until the fall when government funding for fiscal year 2025 is due a relief for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who found himself in hot water with his right-flank throughout various policy fights of the past six months. In the interim, House Republicans are expected to plow ahead with messaging bills on a variety of topics immigration and the Israel-Hamas war, for example as lawmakers prepare for the November elections. Consideration of the FAA bill experienced far less turbulence in the House than it did in the Senate, where lawmakers unsuccessfully fought tooth-and-nail to secure amendment votes on their unrelated pet priorities. Leadership declined to schedule votes on any amendments to avoid any additions that could sink the legislation. There was also the long-running feud over a provision that would add more flights at DCA, a regional debate that pitted lawmakers who represent areas close to D.C. concerned about delays and safety after a near-miss at the airport last month against those who hail from districts farther away. The compromise FAA bill, which negotiators released late last month, added five round-trip flights at DCA. In July, the House voted down an amendment that would have added seven round-trip flights at DCA in a 229-205 vote. Senators from Maryland and Virginia sought an amendment vote that would strip the additional slots from the bill, which Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas), the top Republican on the Commerce Committee, declined to stage over concerns that the package would unravel if the language was rescinded. Those four D.C.-area senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) were the only ones to vote against the bill. House members representing Virginia similarly voted against the legislation. In a joint statement on Tuesday, Democrats representing the Old Dominion, joined by D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), issued a statement slamming the additional slots. The passage of a provision to increase congestion and delays at DCA is Congress at its worst, the group wrote. The House rejected this measure with a bipartisan vote, and its authors were so sure they would lose a floor vote in the Senate that they barred all amendments, including a proposal to ensure the added flights were not dangerous, they continued. In a shameful moment for the Senate, the majority will of both chambers was overruled in a backroom deal that put special interests above the safety and convenience of millions of Americans. DCA has traditionally focused on short-haul flights under 1,250 miles, with some exceptions, while longer flights more frequently take off from Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The debate over DCA slots drew significant attention from airlines. United Airlines, which has a hub at Dulles, lobbied against adding flights to DCA. In addition to the additional slots at DCA, the FAA reauthorization bill includes a new requirement for the agency to hire and train up to 3,000 new air traffic controllers, a provision that increases the length of cockpit voice recordings from two to 25 hours, and increases the time frame for individuals to utilize travel credits to at least five years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. SANFORD, Maine A recent allocation by York County Commissioners of $440,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds will help Sanford Housing Authority build 30 apartment units. The units will be built under the Housing First model, which aims to reduce homelessness. The units will feature round-the-clock support services, including case management and accessible recovery services, among others. Sanford Housing Authority Diane Small said the funds would be used for land acquisition, and low-income tax credits through Maine Housing would be used for construction. Sanford Housing Authority Director Diane Small outlines plans for a 30-unit building utilizing the Housing First model, which aims to reduce homelessness. The Housing First model, simply put, is based on a hierarchy of needs, said Small that people must have basic necessities, like a safe place to live, before achieving quality of life or personal goals. Its not housing only supportive services are part of the Housing First model, she said. The building would be made up of efficiency or one-bedroom apartments, depending on funding levels. People eligible for the units must have experienced homelessness. They may be winding down a recovery program or getting themselves in a position to start. They could be folks who have been released from jail and facing homelessness because they may not pass a background check. They may be someone sleeping in a tent or a vehicle. They may have addictions or chronic mental illness or not. Many will come from recovery, said Small. Others may qualify for housing first, undergo treatment, and return. The units would be considered permanent, not transitional housing. Supports are projected to include case management, and access to medical and behavioral care, funded through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Small noted. Units will have their own kitchens but there will be plans for a community kitchen in the building, where folks can take classes in meal preparation, nutrition and more. The units would be available to people from all corners of the county and eligible folks would be drawn from the Homeless Management Information System. Small said it is important for people in that circumstance to do a housing assessment. SHAs housing navigators have been working to do the assessments with folks, visiting warming centers and other locales. Small has been talking to agencies like York County Community Action and Nasson Health. She also has had discussions with York County Shelter Programs and the York County government, which plans to break ground relatively soon on a new York County Recovery Center to treat those with substance use disorder. Its a pretty good project, said York County Commission Chair Richard Dutremble. It will help some people coming out of the rehabilitation center. Small said the York County, the City of Sanford and the state government have helped. Its a great partnership, she said. The statewide Housing First model was included in the state budget that was signed by Gov. Janet Mills in early July 2023 acting on her State of the State promise made early that year. Small estimated the Sanford project is about two years out. Some Housing First properties already exist a partnership between Avesta Housing and Preble Street in Portland includes three such properties: Huston Commons, Florence House and Logan Place. The award by York County Commissioners is among several made from the $40 million ARPA allocation to York County including $750,000 to Fair Tide in Kittery, which along with Footprints Food Pantry is creating a social services hub called Mainspring; $1.5 million to My Place Teen Center, located in Biddeford; and $1.2 million for a dredge to assist York County coastal communities in combatting erosion. The county invested in upgrades to York County Jail, the government office building and York County Court House in Alfred and will use the bulk of the ARPA funding to create the York County Recovery Center and a separate First Responder Training Center. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Sanford Housing project gets $440K boost from York County government BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- China will introduce legal measures to punish diehards whose actions and rhetoric aggressively promote "Taiwan independence," targeting activities that attempt to split the country or incite separation, a spokesperson said Wednesday. "Taiwan independence" is a betrayal of the righteous cause of the Chinese nation and goes against the will of the people, seriously endangering the country's sovereignty, security, and development interests, said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a regular press conference. "We will never tolerate or appease such actions, nor will we turn a blind eye to them," Chen said. Chen made these remarks in response to a question about the new "ruling team" of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities, which includes several strong advocates of "Taiwan independence." There are analyses suggesting that the risk of "Taiwan independence" will continue to rise, and the situation in the Taiwan Strait will become more complex and severe. Mike Miles, the state-appointed superintendent of Houston ISD, discusses public education in Texas' largest city with Jacob Carpenter, team leader of the Houston Landing, at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 23, 2023. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune A state lawmaker and Houston teachers are calling for Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles to be investigated after a Spectrum News report revealed that millions in Texas public school tax dollars may have been funneled to a failing school in his Colorado charter school system. These findings come less than two weeks after the state-appointed administrator announced a $450 million gap in funding at HISD, resulting in districtwide layoffs for the upcoming school year. Miles has denied any wrongdoing and said all financial transactions were legal. A Texas Education Agency spokesperson said on Tuesday that agency officials are aware of the report and are reviewing the matter. In March 2023, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath took over the district with a temporary board of trustees. The stated rationale was because of misconduct by the HISD board of trustees and the poor performance rating of Phyllis Wheatley High School. Three months later, Morath appointed Miles, the former superintendent of Dallas ISD, as HISDs superintendent. Spectrum News reported on Monday that the Third Future Schools charter school network, based in Colorado and founded by Miles, was using funds from the networks Odessa school to offset losses at its Aurora, Colorado school. Miles sister now runs Third Future Schools. Spectrum also reported that Miles received $40,000 last year consulting for Third Future Schools, which was dealing with deep financial setbacks leading to the closure of a Colorado school and $5 million in unpaid debt. In a statement, Third Future Schools said "no Texas funds have ever been diverted to subsidize schools in Colorado." "Some of the confusion in the media coverage stems from the fact that the network organization applies administrative fees to all schools in order to provide centralized support services, such as payroll, accounting, human resources, and school leadership. This is standard practice for such partnerships," the statement said. Third Future Schools added that since Miles left his role as the organization's CEO nearly a year ago, he has served as a consultant "in a manner that does not violate his employment contract with Houston ISD." In a letter to the community on Wednesday, Miles labeled Spectrum's report as "irresponsibly inaccurate, stating that he cannot let this kind of misinformation go uncorrected. He asserts that all administrative fees for schools in both Texas and Colorado are directed to their central office. There is no wrongdoing and not even a specific allegation of wrongdoing, Miles wrote in a separate statement addressed to the HISD board. "These contractual relationships, where districts pay charter networks to manage and improve their schools are both legal and commonplace, and if a TEA investigation into these issues provides greater clarity for the HISD community then I believe it is a positive next step." Third Future Schools was created in 2016 after Miles left the superintendents job at Dallas ISD. The charter school chain expanded into Texas in 2020, opening three schools in Odessa, Midland and Austin. The Texas expansion, according to Spectrum News, occurred about the time the Colorado schools were showing signs of financial distress. By the end of 2023, the Texas schools had already accumulated more than $2.5 million dollars in debt, Spectrum News reported in its monthslong investigation. The news outlet reported that the three Texas schools received $25 million in taxpayer dollars. About $15 million went to teachers and staff. But another $10 million was listed by Third Future Schools as unspecified administrative costs. Subsequent public documents obtained by Spectrum News revealed that more than $2 million went from Third Future Schools Texas operation to help cover losses at a Colorado school. In a letter addressed to Morath on Tuesday, State Rep. Ana Hernandez, D-Houston, urged the state agency to conduct an investigation to clarify whether Texas public school tax dollars had been sent out of state. These alleged actions cast doubt on his ability to lead HISD and his commitment to providing the best education for our students, Hernandez told The Tribune. Texans deserve transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, accused Miles of using the tax dollars as his own personal piggy bank, echoing Hernandezs request for an immediate investigation. The corruption of this deal stretches beyond just Mike Miles - the board of managers is also complicit in this shadowy scheme by failing to provide oversight and transparency, she said. Greg Abbotts takeover of our schools has failed. Teachers, students and their families deserve better and in response we are demanding the immediate resignation of Mike Miles and the immediate exit of the TEA from HISD. In response on Wednesday, Morath said Spectrum's report left out "some significant context. He says Third Future Schools is not recognized as a Texas charter school and relies on performance contracts with school districts not state funding. Morath says the TEA will conduct a review of Midland ISD, Ector County ISD, and Austin ISD, which are the districts that partnered with Third Future School to improve its chronically low-performing or F-rated campuses. He added that within the first year, all of those schools had performed at the equivalent of a B, indicating that the nonprofit organization "has been successfully executing its core obligation for those districts and positively impacting their students." 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. Hull man arrested on child porn charges at Logan Airport after flight from Florida Authorities arrested a Hull man on child porn charges at Logan International Airport after his flight arrived from Florida on Tuesday afternoon, police said. James Tucker, 69, was arrested without incident at approximately 5:40 p.m. Tuesday when he exited the aircraft he was traveling on, Hull Police Chief John Dunn said in a statement on Wednesday. His cell phone was seized as evidence. Tucker is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday in Hingham District Court on charges of possessing child pornography, disseminating child pornography, and photographing an unsuspecting nude person, Dunn said. He was held on $25,040 bail pending his arraignment. His arrest came amid an ongoing investigation into child pornography with the U.S. Secret Service New England Cyber Fraud Task Force, Dunn said. Investigators obtained a search warrant and executed a search of Tuckers Driftway Avenue home in Hull at approximately 6 a.m. on May 7, Dunn said. When officers arrived at the home, no one was home. Officers then searched the home with members of the U.S. Secret Service New England Cyber Fraud Task Force. Invesigators seized several hard drives, thumb drives and other items as evidence, Dunn said. At approximately 12 p.m. on May 7, Hull Police called Tucker and told him of the search warrant at his home. Police learned Tucker was in Florida and would be returning to Massachusetts on Tuesday. At around 4 p.m. Tuesday, Hull Police, state police detectives, members of the U.S. Secret Service New England Cyber Fraud Task Force and members of the Plymouth County Sheriffs Warrant Apprehension Unit arrived at Logan International Airport to arrest Tucker. The matter remains under active investigation by Hull Police and members of the U.S. Secret Service New England Cyber Fraud Task Force. 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 Hulu to air show on Christopher Wilder of Boynton Beach who killed 9 in a nationwide rampage He was a race car driver, late 30s, soft-spoken and a wealthy Boynton Beach construction company owner. He was good looking, super charming. It would seem having beautiful models on his arm would complete the picture. But he didn't let them live long enough to do that. Christopher Wilder, posing as a fashion photographer promising modeling careers, lured at least 12 women and teenagers from shopping malls across the country starting in February 1984. He raped, tortured and killed most of them in an 8,000-mile, seven-week crime spree that reached from Florida to California to New England. Hulu will start streaming a docu-series about his crimes called "The Beauty Queen Killer: 9 days of Terror" on Thursday, May 16. Christopher Wilder mug shot for arrest in Palm Beach County. More True Crime in Palm Beach County Killer clown fatally shoots woman at front door in Wellington The Australian-born Wilder owned Sawtel Construction in Boynton Beach. He drove a Porsche racing car and, when he died, was worth $1 million three times that in today's dollars. His business partner, L.K. "Zeke" Kimbrell, whose name and credit cards Wilder used on his nationwide journey to check into out-of-the-way motels, said Wilder didn't do the sweaty work of their construction company. He brought in the business clients with his charm surprising clients' secretaries with flowers and doting on their dogs. But this charmer had a deeply dark side. Most Wanted posted for Christopher Wilder Wilder tortured his victims for hours he beat their faces, bit their breasts, shocked them with electrical wires and sealed their eyes shut with Super Glue. He raped the young women and girls then killed most, by strangling, stabbing or shooting them. Three survived. The survivor held captive for 9 days will speak in series on Hulu Tina Marie Risico speaks in a new documentary on Hulu about spree killer Christopher Wilder of Boynton Beach. He abducted her and held her captive for nine days in 1984. Wilder held Tina Risico much longer than most of his victims for nine days and used her to help lure others. In a moment of mercy, he paid for her flight from Boston back to Los Angeles and gave her $100 in cash. She breaks her silence after 40 years on the ABC News Studios documentary. Risico was only 16 when Wilder kidnapped her from a California mall on April 4, 1984. While they were together, Wilder killed one of his victims by shooting her at point-blank range and stabbed another, leaving her for dead. Risico will speak about how people didn't believe she was innocent and the "difficult choices" she was forced to make to survive with Wilder, according to a news release from ABC News Studios, which along with Ample Entertainment and 101 Studios produced the show. Tina Risico, abducted by spree killer Christopher Wilder when she was 16 Sex therapist calls Wilder a 'deeply disturbing walking time bomb' Even before the killing and torture spree, Wilder had a stunning history of sexual violence in Australia and in Palm Beach County. He was ordered to see a therapist three times and he went regularly. His sex therapist in 1984 told legendary Miami Herald crime reporter Edna Buchanan that Wilder was a "deeply disturbed walking time bomb." Wilder said he came to Boynton Beach in 1969, seeking warm beaches and a booming construction business. His trip happened to coincide with Australian authorities' plans to question him about the rape of two 15-year-old girls on a Sydney beach. Wilder's wife had tipped them after she had found a briefcase in the trunk of his car that contained half nude pictures of young girls wearing his wife's bikini bottoms. (Their marriage lasted about a week.) Wilder already had been convicted as a juvenile for his part in a gang rape seven years earlier. He got a year's probation after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of carnal knowledge. Before he left the country, he corroborated a 19-year-old nursing trainee's story of forced sex. After she let him take nude photos of her, he told her he'd send them to the hospital where she worked if she didn't have sex with him. The teen reported it to police on the condition that she not be forced to testify. True Crime: Duane Owen murders babysitter Karen Slattery, 14, and woman, 38, as children slept A history of sexual violence in Palm Beach County Once he got to Palm Beach County, Wilder showed success in business, but he couldn't suppress his dark side. He was arrested in Pompano Beach in 1971 on charges of disturbing the peace, asking girls to pose nude at a beach. He was fined $25. In 1977, Wilder offered to drive a 16-year-old Boca Raton girl to a job interview. Instead he took her to a secluded field and raped her in the front seat of his car, police said. He was acquitted because the jurors said they thought the stick shift made the rape impossible. He got five years probation for the 1980 abduction of a girl from the Palm Beach Mall (on the current site of the Tanger Outlets in West Palm Beach) with the promise of a modeling career. He spiked her pizza with LSD then raped her. Detectives said Wilder often showed remorse, many times weeping when he talked to them. And after the final crime spree in 1984, two Boynton Beach girls ages 10 and 12 would tell deputies they recognized Wilder as the man who had abducted them in June 1983 from the parking lot of the Boynton Beach Civic Center, driven to the outskirts of West Palm Beach where he sexually abused them and then returned them to the parking lot. The Chevrolet El Camino driven by the rapist matched the description of one owned by Wilder. The cross-country spree of torture, rape, killings begins The seven-week, cross-country trek of horror started after Wilder drove his Porsche in the Miami Grand Prix on Feb. 25. He placed 17th and won $400, but that wasn't why he was at the event. Aspiring model Rosario Gonzalez, 20, went missing from the Miami Grand Prix in 1984. Wilder sported his Pentax 35mm camera and racing credentials two days later when he spotted Rosario Gonzalez, 20, handing out sample packets of aspirin. She aspired to be a model after participating in the Miss Florida pageant and was a bride-to-be. The night before she was on the phone with her fiance until 2 a.m. Her body was never found. Christopher Wilder (far left) with Beth Kenyon beside him at the Florida Derby Festival held in Hallandale Beach in 1983. Then Elizabeth "Beth" Kenyon, 23, a former University of Miami cheerleader and teacher, vanished. Kenyon was in her first year teaching emotionally disabled children at Coral Gables High School. She and Wilder had dated a few times without incident, but she considered him more like a brother. Elizabeth "Beth" Kenyon, 23, a former Miss Orange Bowl princess who dated Christopher Wilder a few times without incident then went missing. Kenyon was last seen at a Miami-Dade County gas station with a man who looked like Wilder. While there, Kenyon talked about going to the airport to pose for pictures. Her parents found her car at Miami International, neatly backed into a parking spot. A lousy driver, Kenyon was incapable of parking a car that way, they said. The Kenyons, who owned a chain of craft shops, hired a team of private detectives who investigated both disappearances. One of them found out about Wilder's past sexual violence and put him on the radar of police. Detectives questioned Wilder at Sawtel about Kenyon's disappearance. His business partner vouched for him. "He said he had nothing to do with the disappearances, but that it was going to be pinned on him anyway," Kimbrell told the Herald. After telling Kimbrell he was going to leave, Wilder headed north. Colleen Orsborn, 15, skipped school to watch a concert on Daytona Beach. She was never found. In Daytona Beach on March 15, Wilder checked into a Howard Johnson's motel. The same day, Colleen Orsborn, 15, skipped school. She wanted to see The Fixx play on the beach. But she disappeared, never to be found. Theresa Wait Ferguson, 21, disappeared from Merritt Square Mall. Three days later, Theresa Ferguson, 21, of Satellite Beach vanished from Merritt Square Mall near Cape Canaveral. A quality care supervisor at a T-shirt factory, Ferguson loved to shop. Her father, a police captain, expected her home that evening for a scheduled date. He never saw her again. Wilder's car later got stuck in the sand in Cocoa Beach and e had to call a tow truck. Police believe Ferguson was hogtied in the trunk at the time. Ferguson's body was found four days later in a swamp. She had been beaten and strangled. Tallahassee victim found something positive in her ordeal Wilder's next known victim would live to tell her tale. He stopped in the state capital on March 20 and picked up Linda Grober, 19, at Governor's Square Mall. She attended Florida State University in Tallahassee. Wilder promised $25 an hour for modeling photos. He had the paperwork to sign in the car. As she approached, he hit her in the head, zipped her into a sleeping bag and threw her in the trunk. He took Grober to a Bainbridge, Ga., motel, about 20 miles away. He beat her, raped her, tortured her with a frayed electric cord and Super Glued her eyes shut. But Grober managed to lock herself in the bathroom, pounding on the walls and screaming. Wilder fled. Grober told The Post in 2004 that she had turned her trauma into something positive. "I thought that could have been it for me. I wouldn't get to save the seals. I wouldn't get to work with Jacques Cousteu," she said after returning to FSU and becoming a marine biologist. Wilder made his way across the South to Texas where he meet Terry Walden, 24, on March 21. She was a mother of two and a nursing student at Lamar University in Beaumont. She told her husband that a bearded Australian had wanted to take her picture. That day, she had declined. Days later, her body was found stabbed to a death in a canal. Former Palm Beach County Sheriff Bob Neumann is in on the manhunt Former Palm Beach County Sheriff Bob Neumann died on Feb. 5, 2024. He was 81. Former Palm Beach County Sheriff Bob Neumann remembered taking part in the manhunt, which was run from the FBI's West Palm Beach Office. "We were always just hours behind him," said Neumann. Wilder was tracked through his business partner's stolen credit card. "We got to a motel in Oklahoma, and he had checked out two hours earlier." More: Former Palm Beach County Sheriff, FBI agent Bob Neumann dies at 81 Suzanne Wendy Logan, 21, was abducted from an Oklahoma City shopping center. Housewife Suzanne Wendy Logan, 21, was abducted March 25 from an Oklahoma City shopping center. Her body was found the next day by fishermen under a cedar tree in Milford Lake, Kansas. Her husband said she would have been attracted to the idea of modeling. Sheryl Lynn Bonaventura, 18, on March 29 planned a trip to Aspen, Colorado, from Grand Junction with her best friend. Bonaventura told her mother she was headed to the mall first. She and Wilder were later seen having a meal at a diner. They told the staff they were headed to Las Vegas. Sheryl Lynn Bonaventura, 18, was abducted from a mall in Grand Junction, Colorado. They stayed at a hotel in Page, Arizona, on March 31. Her body was found a month later in southern Utah. She had been shot and stabbed to death. Michelle Korfman, 17, vanished from a Las Vegas fashion show sponsored by "Seventeen" magazine. Michelle Korfman, 17, disappeared on April 1 from a Las Vegas fashion show sponsored by "Seventeen" magazine. Her father was a casino executive there. Witnesses later said a man who looked like Wilder appeared to be stalking her. A photo showed Wilder watching the pageant. Korfman's body was found six weeks later at a California rest stop. Tina Risico traveled to the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, California, on April 4 to fill out a job application when she encountered Wilder. He promised to pay her $100 for a billboard shoot. After he raped and tortured her, she said she became compliant. Tina Marie Risico speaks in a new Hulu documentary about spree killer Christopher Wilder of Boynton Beach. He abducted her and held her captive for nine days in 1984. Theres something inside of me that I knew how to play along, she told UPI in an interview a few months later. On April 8, Christopher Wilder realized a dream: He was on the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted list. At the Southlake Mall in Merrillville, Illnois, two days later, Wilder forced Risico to lure a 16-year-old to the car where Wilder forced her inside at gunpoint. Risico drove while Wilder raped the girl in the backseat. Taking photos at Niagara Falls. Left for dead, this victim survives. They stopped for photos at Niagara Falls before Wilder left the teen, strangled and stabbed, for dead. Wilder decided to check back after 20 minutes, but she was gone. Wilder and Risico then traveled to Eastlake Mall in Victor, N.Y., looking for another car. They spotted Elizabeth Dodge's gold Pontiac Firebird TransAm. Risico was forced to lure Dodge to the car where Wilder stole her keys and pushed her inside. They went to a gravel pit where Wilder shot her to death in the back. Elizabeth Dodge, 33, Christopher Wilder's final victim. He wanted her only for her car: a Pontiac Firebird. Before heading to the Canadian border, Wilder drove Risico 400 miles to Logan International Airport in Boston. He bought her a one-way ticket to Los Angeles and gave her $100 for a taxi. "All you gotta do, kid," he told her, "is write a book." Wilder finally landed in Colebrook, N.H., eight miles from Canada. He needed some gas. When he pulled into the station, two state troopers recognized him. One got into a struggle with Wilder in the car and Wilder pulled out his .357 Magnum. Two shots rang out, and Wilder was dead. The medical examiner said it was a suicide. Many women came forward during and after the killing rampage to say Wilder had victimized them, too. He is suspected in about a dozen deaths and disappearances, including that of Sheri Lynne Ball of Fort Myers, an aspiring model who vanished in 1983. What did Wilder's brain tell us? An extraordinarily horrific killer, Wilder left scientists to ponder how anyone could commit so many extreme crimes. In the summer after Wilder's rampage, a man contacted Robert Christie, the pathologist who conducted Wilder's autopsy, asking for his brain. Christie knew it might provide clues to Wilder's behavior. That's why he had preserved it. After all, doctors in 1966 had found a tumor in the brain of University of Texas sniper Charles Whitman, who incidentally grew up in Lake Worth. Christie drove to Wellesley College to hand over the brain to an unidentified man who took it to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Around the 20th anniversary of Wilder's death, the medical center in 2004 confirmed to The Post that they still had it. "There was no pathology," a hospital spokesman said. Holly Baltz is Investigations Editor at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hbaltz@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Beauty Queen Killer: Hulu to air show on Christopher Wilder of Boynton Beach EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. (PIX11) Students, parents, and faculty members are showing support for East Brunswick Assistant Superintendent of Student Activities and Services Dr. Louis Figueroa, whose position is being eliminated due to budget cuts. The East Brunswick School District is eliminating 51 employees as part of the cuts, which administrators blame on state aid reductions. Dominic Sclafani, a 2021 East Brunswick High School graduate, created a Change.org petition for Dr. Figueroa. As of Wednesday evening, it had more than 960 signatures. Sclafani said Figueroa is an integral part of the school community, overseeing counseling and mental health services. New Jersey school aid bill signed into law The districts losing its heart and soul, basically, said Sclafani. Hes the glue that holds this community togetherI think he was the only administrator Ive ever seen walk around a school, talk to the students and teachers, really be personable. Special Education teacher Nicolas Cabrera was another East Brunswick employee whose position was eliminated because of budget cuts. Cabrera said he recently left a tenured teaching position in another district for the chance to teach in East Brunswick, where he lives and raises his family. I was here for three weeks, said Cabrera. Physically in the building for three weeks. The East Brunswick School District said the cuts are due to a loss of $1.3 million in state aid and increasing costs outside of its control, such as contractual salary raises and health benefits. The last thing anyone ever wanted to do was impact staff, said Bernardo Giuliana, East Brunswicks Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations, during the April 25 Board of Education meeting. If you dont think that our hearts are breaking for what is going on, I assure you they are, said Board of Education President Laurie Lachs at the same meeting. More New Jersey News Not everyone is expressing sympathy for the board. In March, Jeffrey Winston, an East Brunswick father, resigned from the Board of Education during his second term. Winston says board members budgeted for too much state aid, landing them in their current financial situation. Its outright incompetence and mismanagement, unnecessary, said Winston. Winston believes cutting Figueroas position is a terrible mistake. Dr. Figueroa was exemplary when it came to having empathy for the students, the staff, the people, said Winston. Quite frankly, its a loss for East Brunswick totally to lose him. And the fact that hes available for other districts when he lives and works here is just really a travesty. It was a terrible, terrible choice. Winston recently started a Facebook group for his grassroots movement to replace current board members. It has nearly 500 members. Our goal is to replace the board, change the culture, create change, said Winston. We want the board replaced. There are four open seats this year. We are looking to identify four viable candidates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, right, receives Bosnian Serb leader serving as the 8th President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik in his office office in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP) BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Hungary will vote against a United Nations resolution commemorating the 1995 genocide of Bosnian Muslims at Srebrenica, the foreign minister said on Wednesday, arguing that it would inflame tensions in the Balkan country and the surrounding region. Peter Szijjarto was hosting Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, where Szijjarto accused the U.N., as well as the high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, of taking steps to destabilize the country that was devastated in the 1992-1995 war. During that conflict, more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were executed by Bosnian Serb troops in Srebrenica, an eastern Bosnian enclave. The victims remains were dumped in mass graves and later reburied to hide evidence of atrocities. On Wednesday, Szijjarto said Hungary would vote against the planned U.N. resolution on the genocide which he called the Srebrenica tragedy because it intentionally or unintentionally would demonize the entire Serbian nation. We believe that international political actors should end the escalation of tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, end the threat of sanctions and end the violent interference in its internal affairs, Szijjarto said. The U.N. resolution is supported by Bosniak politicians in Bosnia along with a number of European countries and the United States. Proposed by Germany and Rwanda, it would designate 11 July as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica." Bosnian Serbs and neighboring Serbia have strongly opposed it, saying it would brand the Serbs as a genocidal nation. The Serbs are supported by Russia and China. International courts in The Hague, Netherlands, have branded the crime in Srebrenica a genocide, Europes first since World War II. Bosnian Serb top army officers and political leaders also have been convicted of genocide by U.N. judges. Dodik, the Bosnian Serb separatist leader of the Serb-majority entity of Republika Srpska, has denied that the massacre in Srebrenica was a genocide. He was placed under U.S. sanctions in 2022 that accused him of corrupt activities that threaten to destabilize the region and undermine a U.S.-brokered peace accord from more than 25 years ago. On Wednesday, Dodik said the Serbian side does not dispute that a terrible crime took place in Srebrenica, but that the U.N. resolution would destabilize the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina to the extent of completely paralyzing any possible relations. He thanked Szijjarto for taking a position against it. In a post on X on Wednesday, head of the Srebrenica Memorial Center Emir Suljagic called Hungary's position a deeply troubling stance that cannot be ignored." He blamed the country's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, for aligning Hungary with forces of denial and revisionism, undermining international efforts to acknowledge and learn from this tragedy. Orbans opposition to the resolution on Srebrenica can be seen as part of a broader pattern of rejecting international consensus on human rights issues, Suljagic wrote. By refusing to acknowledge the genocide, Hungary under Orban is sending a dangerous message that historical truths can be conveniently ignored for political expediency. Update, 4:47 p.m.: The district said the building has been cleared without incident. ORIGINAL STORY: WEST VALLY CITY, Utah (ABC4) Hunter High School was evacuated Wednesday after receiving bomb threats. The Granite School District said the threat came after school ended but still evacuated the campus as a handful of students remained. READ NEXT: Semi garbage truck tips over, killing Utah County man The building is currently being swept, and the school district said they do not expect the threat to disrupt operations. Additionally, the district said that law enforcement feels that it is non-credible or a hoax. There is no further information available at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Exterior view of the International Criminal Court, or ICC, in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Israeli officials sound increasingly concerned that the International Criminal Court could issue arrest warrants for the country's leaders more than six months into the Israel-Hamas war. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) UNITED NATIONS (AP) The International Criminal Courts prosecutor faced demands Tuesday for speedy action against Israeli leaders and a blistering Russian attack over the ICCs arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin stemming from Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Karim Khan responded by telling the U.N. Security Council that he will not be swayed or intimidated as his team investigates possible war crimes or crimes against humanity in Gaza and the Palestinian territories as well as in Ukraine. Libyas U.N. ambassador, Taher El-Sonni, told Khan that if the Libyan cases the ICC is investigating are so complex that they won't be completed until the end of 2025, he should allocate the courts efforts to the war in Gaza. El-Sonni claimed genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity are being perpetrated by Israeli forces. The world expects the ICC to be courageous and to issue arrest warrants against officials of the Israeli regime who have repeated again and again that they want to commit genocidal actions against Palestinians, El-Sonni said. What are you waiting for, Mr. Khan?, he added. Dont you see the threats against civilians, the potential threats against civilians in Rafah and the massacre that would happen at any time? El-Sonni was referring to the latest Israeli offensive in Gazas southern city of Rafah, where 1.2 million Palestinians had fled seeking safety. The U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees said Tuesday that nearly 450,000 have fled Rafah in the past week, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that there is no safe place anywhere in Gaza. This is the actual test of the ICC, El-Sonni said. Is the ICC politicized or is it independent and neutral? Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called the ICC a politicized puppet body controlled by the West that has absolutely nothing to do with justice. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin for alleged war crimes in March 2023, accusing the Russian president of personal responsibility for the abduction of children from Ukraine following Russias invasion. Two months later, Russia issued an arrest warrant for Khan. The ICC called that warrant unacceptable and said the court will remain undeterred in the conduct of its lawful mandate to ensure accountability for the gravest crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. Nebenzia also accused the ICC of accomplishing nothing since it began a preliminary examination of the situation in the Palestinian territories in 2015 and a formal investigation in 2021. In this regard, one wonders if the effectiveness of the ICC on this track has been affected by the fact that a new bipartisan bill has been submitted to the U.S. Congress to sanction ICC officials involved in investigating not only the U.S. but its allies, he told the Security Council. Last week, two Republican congressmen introduced the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act to impose sanctions on ICC officials that go after the United States or its allies including Israel. They cited reports the ICC is poised to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking Israeli officials for their military offensive in Gaza following Hamas Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and saw about 250 people taken hostage. The act's supporters said that if the ICC was a legitimate tribunal it should have issued arrest warrants for Hamas leaders. Israels military retaliation, now in its eighth month, has killed over 35,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children according to Gaza health officials, and it has sparked worldwide protests. Algerias deputy U.N. ambassador, Nacim Gaouaoui, expressed hope the ICC will take a serious approach to its Palestinian investigations and demonstrate that it is not a tool used by some members of the international community to threaten whoever they want, whenever they want. Khan said he wanted to assure Russias ambassador that we will not be swayed, whether its by warrants for my arrest or the arrest of elected officials of the court by the Russian Federation, or whether its by other elected officials in any other jurisdiction. Khan said the ICC endeavors to be deaf to the noise and this should be a time for the law to be allowed to breathe, whether dealing with world crises like Ukraine, Gaza and the Palestinians, Libya or the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar. We have a duty to stand up for justice, to stand up for victims, Khan said. We will stand up and apply the law with integrity, with independence. ID stops bullet and saves life of border guard in Vovchansk photo A Russian bullet hit a Ukrainian border guard's service ID document in his pocket during a battle in the town of Vovchansk, in the north of Kharkiv Oblast. It saved his life. Source: Ukraines State Border Guard Service (SBGS) on social media Details: The incident reportedly took place on the northern outskirts of the city. A SBGS soldier with nom de guerre Tykhon was injured in close combat with the Russians. Several bullets went through his body, breaking the bones in both his legs. However, one bullet that could have killed Tykhon was halted by a mere piece of paper, a military ID. His comrades managed to evacuate Tykhon quickly, and now the soldier's life is beyond danger. Background: The fiercest fighting is taking place in the area of Vovchansk. The Russians are doing their best to capture the town and advance to Kharkiv. On Wednesday alone, border guards and aerial reconnaissance destroyed two Russian tanks near Vovchansk, which the Russian invaders were using to attack the outskirts of the city. Support UP or become our patron! Demonstrators gather in front of the Supreme Court as the court hears oral arguments in the case of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine on March 26, 2024 in Washington, DC. This story was published in partnership with the Center for Public Integrity, a newsroom that investigates inequality. University of Idaho student Bergen Kludt-Painter started school in August 2022, a few months after a U.S. Supreme Court decision struck down Roe v. Wade. Soon after, abortion was banned in Idaho in almost all instances. The political science major was eager to discuss the precedent-shattering case in class, but, she said, we talked about everything except for abortion. During a political science course on how to write a research paper, her professor said he could not give her feedback on her chosen topic abortion. The issue didnt come up in her other political science classes either, even as state after state changed their abortion laws. Nor did abortion get mentioned in her Introduction to Womens Gender and Sexuality Studies course. It wasnt discussed, she said, which I found odd, personally, because it feels like something that would be relevant to talk about in a class like that. But few, if any, public university professors in Idaho are talking about or assigning readings on abortion these days. Thats due to a 2021 law that makes it illegal for state employees to promote abortion or counsel in favor of abortion. Professors have said those two phrases put them at risk of violating the law, known as the No Public Funds for Abortion Act, just for discussing abortion in class. The possible penalties include significant fines and even prison time. Demonstrators gather in front of the Supreme Court as the court hears oral arguments in the case of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine on March 26, 2024 in Washington, DC. Six named University of Idaho professors and two faculty unions filed a lawsuit against the state in August for violating their First Amendment right to free speech and academic freedom and their 14th Amendment right to a clearly worded law. Lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union are representing the professors. The more I heard about it, the more worried I was that I really can't teach my class in a responsible way without putting myself at risk, said Aleta Quinn, an associate professor of philosophy for the University of Idaho and a plaintiff in the case. Quinn teaches a course in biomedical ethics that typically features readings and class discussions about abortion. When she saw that the highest penalty for breaking the law was 14 years in prison, I decided I would not I couldn't teach the subject of abortion. The bulk of the arguments in the case center on the due process clause of the 14th Amendment, which the Supreme Court has interpreted to mean that a statute so vague that men of common intelligence must necessarily guess at its meaning violates a persons right to fair treatment under the law. The case also raises an important First Amendment question about protections for academic freedom in America: Are public university professors exempt from laws that could otherwise govern the speech of state employees? Supreme Court precedent suggests the government has significant leeway to regulate the speech of the people it employs while they are performing their professional duties. Hundreds of pro-choice demonstrators gathered at Freedom Plaza for the Annual Women's March, marching to the White House to mark the anniversary of the 1973 passage of Roe v. Wade on January 20, 2024 in Washington, DC. Still, the most recent court opinion on the issue left open the question of how much that speech could be regulated for one key group: public university professors. We need not, and for that reason do not, decide whether the analysis we conduct today would apply in the same manner to a case involving speech related to scholarship or teaching, then Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the 2006 majority opinion in Garcetti v. Ceballos. The Supreme Court has not yet returned to that decision. So establishing that legal principle, in and of itself, is an important endeavor for those [Idaho] professors, said Helen Norton, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Colorado who is not involved in the case. Interestingly, none of the professors suing in the Idaho case are nursing instructors or even biology professors. They arent teaching anyone about the physical nature of abortion. Their concerns, as scholars of subjects like philosophy, political science, gender studies and English, are focused on whether they can speak about abortion as an ethical, political and historical issue. For example, a sworn statement by an English professor named in the case explained that he used to assign Sallie Tisdales 1987 Harpers Magazine essay, We Do Abortions Here, in one of his classes. The essay about her work as a nurse in an abortion clinic explores the complicated morality of helping women end their pregnancies. Its also considered to be an example of powerful writing. He has now removed it from his syllabus. Lawyers for the state of Idaho agree that professors fall under a different regulatory framework than other public employees when it comes to what they are permitted to say in the course of their duties. In their motion to dismiss the lawsuit, the states attorneys concede that settled law establishes protections for academics speech. A month after the case was filed, Idahos attorney general, a defendant in the case, issued a non-binding opinion that the law does not apply to the teaching or scholarship of public university professors. If it did, Raul Labrador wrote, the prohibition would likely be unconstitutional. A spokesperson for the attorney generals office declined to respond to repeated requests for an interview. Republican state Rep. Bruce Skaug, the sponsor of the No Public Funds for Abortion Act, later introduced legislation to create a specific protection for classroom discussion of abortion, but it failed to pass. Skaug did not respond to requests for an interview. Rather than arguing about the First Amendment claim, lawyers for the state focused on the professors assertion that the law is unconstitutionally vague under the 14th Amendment. Plaintiffs have alleged that there is a law that prohibits them from teaching college courses concerning abortion, producing scholarship in favor of abortion, and grading papers concerning abortion, the states lawyers write in the November motion to dismiss. There is no such law in the state of Idaho. The states attorneys argue that any reasonable reader of the law would see that the statute refers only to the act of advising a specific person to have an abortion. As written, they argue the law could not be interpreted as a prohibition on, say, giving a strong grade on a writing assignment where the student had chosen to make an ethical argument in favor of abortion. Because of the attorney generals opinion and the plain language in the law, the states lawyers say the professors are imagining themselves to be at risk of prosecution when, in reality, no such risk exists. Lawyers for the plaintiffs disagree. Federal courts have issued rulings with varied interpretations of the word promote. And the lawsuit offers numerous hypothetical situations in which a professor could be prosecuted for promoting abortion even if that were not their intent. Norton, the University of Colorado law professor, said it was reasonable for the professors to question the laws language. Thats shown so far to be the focus of the dispute what does promoting or counseling mean? she said. And it seems like thats an important thing to nail down. Because theres no definition of the terms in the law, she said, theres absolutely room for folks to argue about whether or not we should be quick or slow to interpret broadly or narrowly. The current case challenging Idahos No Public Funds for Abortion Act does not directly include the states many other public employees, like social workers and school counselors, who are unlikely to qualify for any special First Amendment protections. Public school teachers in the K-12 system do not have the same level of academic freedom protections as professors, either. But a high school history teacher could face the same concerns that speaking about abortion in class could be construed as either promoting or counseling in favor of it. However, those employees would no longer have their speech curtailed if the professors prevail and a court strikes the law down. That matters because Idahos restrictions surrounding abortion are so tight at this point that nearly every other action connected to encouraging abortion has been outlawed some other way. At this point, regulating how public employees speak about abortion is arguably the only thing the No Public Funds law still does. Opponents of the law have questioned why the state is fighting to uphold it, if not to limit speech about abortion. Wendy Heipt, a reproductive rights attorney with Legal Voice who is working on a challenge to Idahos ban on helping minors travel to receive abortions without parental consent, calls the state Legislature extremist. She worries that the state has become a testing ground for the far right. You would notice [these laws] in Texas, where more than 30 million people live, she said, not Idaho, home to less than 2 million. Indeed, copycat travel ban bills restricting the movement of minors seeking an abortion were introduced in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Oklahoma this session, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization that works to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights. No one interviewed for this story had heard about a copycat law that raised the same combination of First and 14th Amendment concerns as Idahos No Public Funds measure. A judge heard the professors case in Idaho District Court in April. His decision on whether the preliminary injunction theyve asked for will be granted is expected soon. The judge could also decide to dismiss the case, as the attorney generals office has proposed. If the judge doesnt dismiss the case, he will likely ask both parties to reconvene for another hearing before a final resolution. In the meantime, professors are continuing to stay quiet about abortion in class. For someone dedicated to the free exchange of ideas like Quinn, that silence feels wrong. When she started teaching, her goal was to make the world a slightly better place by helping young people learn how to think, not what to think. She feels like shes not fulfilling her duty to her students by ignoring an ethical debate as relevant to daily life as abortion. Philosophy is thinking critically about ideas and concepts and arguments, and considering which arguments are stronger and which are weaker and how they apply and all their implications, Quinn said. My goal is to enable people to have the skills to evaluate positions on their own. Kludt-Painter, the University of Idaho student, is the president of the Young Democrats. But her issues with the No Public Funds law werent about the politics of abortion. Its an education she wants and feels she is being at least partially denied. It's a form of censorship, she said. College students should be able to handle hearing about these difficult topics. And educators should be able to discuss them and have a free exchange of ideas without being worried about getting fired or having criminal charges be brought against them. Hayden Cassinelli, the vice president of the College Republicans at the University of Idaho, said the topic of abortion came up in one of his classes recently but was "quickly avoided" when a teaching assistant told students he couldnt discuss it. Despite Cassinellis opposition to abortion, the sophomore education major believes the topic should be discussed in class. He doesnt think the No Public Funds law prevents such discussions. But he supported his universitys decision to issue guidance to professors in fall 2022, urging them to be cautious when talking about abortion. "Given many professors' thoughts on abortion including the fact that some of them may advocate for it and [encourage] a student to commit a crime a temporary hold on any abortion-related discussion until legal clarity is established is a sound decision," Cassinelli wrote in an email. Kludt-Painter thinks professors are just trying to protect their jobs when they avoid discussing abortion in class, but she wishes they didnt feel that way. It takes away from the whole academic freedom thing that post-secondary education is supposed to be about, she said. This story was published in partnership with the Center for Public Integrity, a newsroom that investigates inequality. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Law barring Idaho employees from promoting abortion limits teachers, they say Idaho man faced murder trial in death of his moms suspected killer. Heres the verdict An Ada County jury on Tuesday handed down a guilty verdict for a Nampa man who killed the suspect in his mothers stabbing death. Raul Cuevas, 32, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of 39-year-old Jesus Urratia. Cuevas could face life in prison for the slaying. The jury acquitted Cuevas of a first-degree murder charge, which is defined as willful or premeditated killing. That charge is punishable by death. Cuevas was arrested in March 2023 after Urratia was found dead in a vehicle in the parking lot of a gas station at Avimor, a planned community north of Eagle. One day earlier, the Nampa Police Department had identified Urratia as the suspect in the stabbing death of 52-year-old Michelle Luna, who was Cuevas mother. According to previous Idaho Statesman reporting, Cuevas used the gas station phone to turn himself in to law enforcement after fatally stabbing Urratia. Prosecutors asked 4th District Judge Jonathan Medema to take Cuevas, who has been out on bond, into custody ahead of his sentencing hearing on July 23. Medema denied the request and said he did not feel Cuevas was a danger to the community or a flight risk. Flamingos fly over the Sel Kapani Dam Lake in Ankara, Turkiye, on May 14, 2024. Flamingos, herons, pelicans... Turkiye's migratory bird species have returned to the capital city Ankara's lakes and ponds this year, much to the delight of local bird watchers. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) by Burak Akinci ANKARA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Flamingos, herons, pelicans... Turkiye's migratory bird species have returned to the capital city Ankara's lakes and ponds this year, much to the delight of local bird watchers. Only a short drive away from the bustling city of 6 million people, the Sel Kapani Dam Lake and Lake Mogan, located in the Golbasi district, host many varieties of migratory water birds each spring and summer. On a chilly but sunny morning, Melih Ozbek, a wildlife photographer as well as a bird-watcher and activist, was busy taking pictures in the Sel Kapani Dam Lake, a wetland habitat surrounded by shallow pools, reeds and fields with substantial numbers of birds, including pink flamingos. "Many species come to Ankara's lakes for a stopover or to breed. Therefore, Lake Mogan and nearby wetlands stand as an oasis for migratory birds," he told Xinhua. "You don't see many cities with so many species of migratory birds. Ankara stands out in this regard," said the bird-watcher. Among the other bird species reproducing at Lake Mogan and nearby ponds are wild ducks, great crested grebe, little grebe, squacco heron, and little bittern, to name a few. Lake Mogan was declared a Specially Protected Environment Area in 1990. In winter months, one can see seabirds coming from northern countries to Turkiye, and in summer, species like ferruginous duck and red-crested pochard incubate their eggs here. Ozbek explained that half of the bird species in Turkiye can be seen in Lake Mogan and nearby wetlands, making it a paradise for bird watchers. Turkiye is geographically situated on the Mediterranean-Black Sea migration route, a major winter bird migration pathway. Birds of various species migrate from Europe to Africa in the autumn, crossing over Turkish skies before returning home along the same route in the spring. However, Turkiye's bird population faces threats from both human and natural factors. According to Turkiye's non-profit Nature Association, 55 percent of over 300 bird species in Turkiye have decreased in number over the past decade due to the destruction of their natural habitats, primarily resulting from water projects. For years, people have drained wetlands for agricultural purposes or development projects, causing habitat loss, according to a report published in May 2023 by the association. It noted that droughts also continue to rise, adding that Anatolia's wetlands have been destroyed by incorrect water and agricultural policies for half a century. Turkiye is a party to the Ramsar Convention, a treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Yet, alarm bells are ringing for some wetlands, though conservation efforts are underway. "Wetlands are increasingly shrinking in Anatolia. Some ponds and lakes have already dried out," which is caused by detrimental human activities and climate change, Ozbek said. Meanwhile, "there are tens of thousands of unlicensed wells in central Anatolia that harm wetlands and even create giant sinkholes," he added. Flamingos fly over the Sel Kapani Dam Lake in Ankara, Turkiye, on May 14, 2024. Flamingos, herons, pelicans... Turkiye's migratory bird species have returned to the capital city Ankara's lakes and ponds this year, much to the delight of local bird watchers. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) A pelican is seen at the Sel Kapani Dam Lake in Ankara, Turkiye, on May 14, 2024. Flamingos, herons, pelicans... Turkiye's migratory bird species have returned to the capital city Ankara's lakes and ponds this year, much to the delight of local bird watchers. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) Flamingos are pictured at the Sel Kapani Dam Lake in Ankara, Turkiye, on May 14, 2024. Flamingos, herons, pelicans... Turkiye's migratory bird species have returned to the capital city Ankara's lakes and ponds this year, much to the delight of local bird watchers. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) Flamingos are pictured at the Sel Kapani Dam Lake in Ankara, Turkiye, on May 14, 2024. Flamingos, herons, pelicans... Turkiye's migratory bird species have returned to the capital city Ankara's lakes and ponds this year, much to the delight of local bird watchers. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) Flamingos are pictured at the Sel Kapani Dam Lake in Ankara, Turkiye, on May 14, 2024. Flamingos, herons, pelicans... Turkiye's migratory bird species have returned to the capital city Ankara's lakes and ponds this year, much to the delight of local bird watchers. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) More than 100 immigration and civil rights organizations are urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to abandon his plans to bring a bipartisan Senate immigration deal to the floor after it was cast aside by the GOP earlier this year. In a Thursday letter, the groups said the bill constitutes a deep betrayal of immigrant communities. The Senate GOP blocked advancement of the package in February after former President Trump criticized it as something only a fool would support. It had been negotiated by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) alongside Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.). But it was also opposed by various immigration allies because it would sharply curtain asylum rights for those fleeing danger and persecution. The package would raise the credible fear standard those seeking asylum would need to meet to further pursue their claim. It would also only allow migrants to seek asylum if they cross at a port of entry, but that option would also cease if certain border crossing limits were triggered. Among many concerns, this bill would, for the first time ever, allow the U.S. government to deny people the opportunity to apply for asylum at our border simply based on border apprehension numbers, the groups write in a letter, spearheaded by Humans Rights First. Instead of supporting a proposal that would exacerbate the challenges at the border, we need Congressional leaders to invest in increasing processing capacity to meet humanitarian and operational needs, the letter added, arguing Schumer had been critical about efforts to restrict immigration during the Trump administration. Schumer has told colleagues he plans to bring the legislation to a vote next week. And on the Senate floor this week, he asked Republicans to join Democrats in backing it. Were not walking away from trying to resolve the problems at the border. We hope Republicans will change course and join us. Instead of just making a lot of speeches, pointing a lot of fingers, blame, blame, blame, lets get something done. It is right within our grasp, a bipartisan bill that, when shown to many Republicans, they said, Wow, Schumer said. It wasnt until Donald Trump said, I want the border to remain in chaos so I can win reelection, that Republicans backed off. Well, shame. The American Civil Liberties Union, Immigration Hub, International Refugee Assistance Project and the National Immigrant Justice Center were among the groups that asked Schumer to keep the bill shelved. Schumers initial consideration of the bill followed demands from Republicans that aid to Ukraine would only be mulled if it was paired with immigration reform. However, the GOP later shifted on that demand, passing an aid bill for Ukraine and other allies last month. Now, aid for Ukraine is not an issue. Sending this harmful and counterproductive bill to vote, again, constitutes a deep betrayal of immigrant communities, the groups wrote. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- A Pakistani court granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a case where he is charged of legalizing billions of rupees of a business tycoon when he was in power in 2019. The jailed leader wont be set free as he is serving sentence in other cases. Most Read from Bloomberg A two-member panel of Islamabad High Court judges accepted Khans appeal for bail, former leaders lawyer Shoaib Shaheen, said on phone. The National Accountability Bureau alleged Khan and his wife obtained land from a real estate developer, Malik Riaz, in return for legalizing equivalent to $240 million funds that were retrieved from the UKs National Crime Agency The decision gives some relief to Khan who has seen legal and political challenges after his relations turned sour with the nations powerful military that led to his removal from power in a parliamentary vote in 2022. He is in jail since August after he was found guilty in four different cases from corruption to misuse of power and violating the Islamic wedding rules. Khan denies all the charges. Khans conviction in two of these cases has been suspended by courts. Though Khan was not eligible to participate in national elections held in Feb., his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party-backed candidates unexpectedly won the most parliamentary seats after a vote marred by allegations of rigging. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Independence should ask voters to keep Kansas City from poaching its police officers | Opinion Earlier this year, when Kansas City approved increasing its starting pay for police officers from $50,000 per year to $65,000 a 30% bump officials in neighboring Independence took notice. With 38 positions already open, the last thing the Independence Police Department can afford is attrition. Losing officers or potential recruits to other jurisdictions would have a devastating impact on the quality of life and policing in Independence, according to City Manager Zach Walker. Youre just going to see an overall decline in morale, in community response and quality in the kind of response we can provide, Walker said Monday during a special City Council meeting in Independence. With the Kansas City Police Departments competitive salary structure in mind, Walker and staff sprang into action, coming up with a plan to hire and retain more police officers. This week, the Independence council held its first reading of an ordinance that could help keep its officers from being poached by police departments in Kansas City and elsewhere. If approved by the full council next week, the proposal would ask Independence voters in August to approve a 1/4-cent retail sales tax on purchases in Missouris fifth-largest city. Im generally opposed to regressive sales tax that hurts the working poor more than anyone. But in this scenario, I see no other way forward: The Independence City Council should let voters decide if their police officers deserve more pay. The KCPD has roughly 1,700 authorized positions and 400 of them are vacant, according to Walker. Its new pay scale, approved earlier this year, could be enticing to certified officers already employed in other cities such as Independence. It is a pretty significant hole at 400 they are trying to plug, Walker said. Said Councilwoman Bridget McCandless: Theyre going to be highly motivated to harvest officers out of all the surrounding municipalities. McCandless thanked Walker for bringing a potential solution to what could be an insurmountable public safety problem. She raised concerns about the potential sales tax but offered that shed support placing the issue before voters. Its always a hard decision for me to increase the costs for people who live paycheck to paycheck because they pay the most in sales tax, McCandless said. That burden rests heavily on them but I think its such a dire situation that we really dont have any choice. Ill be strongly in favor of getting this going. In a presentation to the Independence City Council, Walker said over a 20-year career, a police officer in Kansas City would make over a half-million dollars more than his or her counterpart in Independence. In other words, Independence must pay up or face the possibility of a shrinking police force. As it stands today, a Kansas City, Missouri, police officer is going to make nearly $600,000 more than an Independence police officer, Walker said. If approved by voters, the starting salary for Independence police officers would increase from about $42,000 to $45,000 per year to $62,000. The sales tax increase would also be used for police officers benefits and equipment needs, according to Walker. If approved, the tax would be in effect until voters repealed it. As of this week, Independence had 192 sworn officers, Walker said. Of the 12 people signed up to take a police examination earlier this month, only two showed up, according to Walker. By contrast, Kansas City has received 44 applications from current law enforcement officials since its pay scale changed. That disparity could have a disparate effect on policing in Independence, according to city officials. We would likely have officers move from Independence to Kansas City where they can make a whole lot more money, Councilman Jared Fears said. Obviously thats detrimental to our department, detrimental to our city. For the sake of public safety, the Independence City Council must push this ballot initiative forward and let voters in that city say yes or no to a pay increase for its police officers. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A radical Sunni scholar whose criticisms of Saudi Arabia's government and the West drew praise from the l ate al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden should be immediately tried or released from a yearslong arbitrary detention by the kingdom, independent experts working with the United Nations said Wednesday. Safar bin Abdulrahman al-Hawali had been one of the prominent voices behind the Sahwa, or Awakening movement, in the kingdom, which called for strictly observing hard-line Wahhabi beliefs and criticized its royal Saud family. Al-Hawali has been held without trial since 2018 as part of a wider crackdown on all dissent under King Salman and his assertive son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Al-Hawali, now in his mid-70s, was cited specifically by bin Laden in his 1996 declaration of war on the United States as one of the clerics detained by the kingdom purportedly on the order of the Americans. The U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities called for al-Hawali's release, saying ailments from strokes he suffered in 2005 and 2006 have made it difficult for him to speak or care for himself. He has chronic apraxia of speech, which precludes him from moving his facial muscles to speak and be understood, the committee said in its 16-page report. "He is unable to move around alone and has a broken pelvis and renal failure that require constant medical care." Saudi officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, the committees report described Saudi Arabia as contending that al-Hawali "enjoys his legal rights and all available services and programs, that his health is good and that he receives medical care like other detainees. Al-Hawali, now in his mid-70s, was cited specifically by bin Laden in his 1996 declaration of war on the United States as one of the clerics detained by the kingdom purportedly on the order of the Americans. His preachings on cassette included decrying the American presence in Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam, during and after the 1991 Gulf War. The cleric also wanted to limit the powers of the royal family. The wider Sahwa movement fell under the umbrella of the Muslim Brotherhood, a pan-Arab Islamist political movement long viewed with suspicion by the hereditary rulers of the oil-rich Gulf Arab states. In 2018, al-Hawali published what was described as a 3,000-page book called Muslims and the Western Civilization" that included criticisms of Prince Mohammed and the kingdom's at-the-time quiet communications with Israel. Saudi officials immediately detained him after that. By Sakshi Dayal NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India granted citizenship on Wednesday to a first batch of 14 people under a controversial law that has been criticised for discriminating against Muslims, midway through general elections in which religious divisions have taken centre stage. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) grants citizenship to Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians who fled to India from Muslim-majority Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before Dec. 31, 2014 because of religious persecution. Enacted in 2019, the law was not immediately implemented due to strong protests and sectarian violence in New Delhi and other places that resulted in the death of scores of people. India implemented the act in March, weeks before the ongoing elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are seeking a rare third consecutive term. Both deny CAA is anti-Muslim. Four phases of the seven-phase election have concluded and votes will be counted on June 4. On Wednesday, the recipients were administered the oath of allegiance and granted citizenship after their documents were verified, the home ministry said in a statement, without elaborating on their identities. Hindu majority India has the world's third-largest Muslim population with 200 million people. Rights and opposition groups have criticised Modi's government and BJP saying they target the minority community and systematically discriminate against them to further the party's core, Hindu revivalist ideology. Modi and BJP deny the accusation and say they work for the welfare of all communities. They have also said that the citizenship law only makes it easy for non-Muslim refugees to get a dignified life and is meant to grant citizenship, not take it away from anyone. Muslim refugees, they said, can apply under regular rules governing citizenship. "This is like being reborn," Harish Kumar, a Hindu refugee from Pakistan living in Delhi for over a decade, told news agency ANI after getting his citizenship on Wednesday. "If a person doesn't have rights then what is the point, (now) we can go forward in education, jobs." India began voting on April 19 in the seven-phase election for which Modi launched his campaign by showcasing his economic record, governance and popularity. But he changed tack after the first phase to accuse the main opposition Congress party of being pro-Muslim and the issue has gained prominence since. Analysts say this is likely aimed at firing up BJP's Hindu nationalist base after a low turnout in the first phase sparked doubts that BJP and its allies could win the landslide that the party sought. (Reporting by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by YP Rajesh, Alexandra Hudson) May 15 (UPI) -- An Indiana judge resolved a legal dispute surrounding a Fort Wayne strip mall by ruling that tacos and burritos "are Mexican-style sandwiches." Martin Quintana, the developer behind the new Quintana Plaza strip mall on Jefferson Boulevard in Fort Wayne, entered into a written agreement with the Covington Creek Condominium Association that was intended to keep fast food restaurants from opening in the block of stores. The agreement allowed for the opening of "made-to-order" sandwich restaurants, with Subway and Jimmy John's listed as examples, but barred "traditional fast food restaurants such as McDonald's, Arby's and Wendy's." The agreement also prohibited any allowed restaurants from offering outdoor seating, drive-through service or alcoholic beverages. Quintana struck a deal in 2022 to open a location of locally-owned eatery The Famous Taco in the strip mall, and the condo association approved an amendment to allow the restaurant, but the Allen County Plan Commission rejected the amendment, citing the earlier written agreement. The dispute was brought before Allen Superior Judge Craig J. Bobay, who ruled that the opening of the Mexican restaurant would not require the original agreement to be amended at all. Bobay wrote: "The proposed Famous Taco restaurant would serve made-to-order tacos, burritos and other Mexican-style food, and would not have outdoor seating, drive through service or serve alcohol. The Court agrees with Quintana that tacos and burritos are Mexican style sandwiches, and the original Written Commitment does not restrict potential restaurants to only American cuisine-style sandwiches." Bobay said the original agreement would also apply to made-to-order restaurants offering Greek gyros, Indian naan wraps or Vietnamese Banh mi. The Famous Taco already has equipment and signage in place at the strip mall, but it was not yet clear when the eatery would open. Muslims offer prayers at a mosque in New Delhi, India, Thursday, April 11, 2024. In the mid-1980s, Muslims accounted for 11% of India's population, and had 9% of seats in Parliament; today they are 14% of the population and control about 4.6% of Parliament. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) MALAPPURAM, India (AP) Preventing Muslim migrants from gaining citizenship. Revoking the semi-autonomy of the countrys only Muslim-majority region. Building a Hindu temple where a violent mob razed a mosque. These were political triumphs for Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past decade, burnishing his reputation as a leader who prioritizes the interests of India's Hindu majority. For India's 200 million Muslims, they highlight their waning political power in the world's largest democracy. Tensions between Hindus and Muslims in India are not new, but they have gotten worse under Modi, whose ruling Bharatiya Janata Party touts a Hindu-nationalist ideology. And with Modi seemingly on the cusp of a third five-year term, the outlook for Muslim politicians and citizens is bleak. This year's vote will be decided in June. It's not just that Modi has ramped up anti-Muslim rhetoric in campaign speeches. Ever since the BJP began its rise as a political force in the mid-1980s, the proportion of Muslim lawmakers in parliament and state legislatures has shrunk. Muslim representation has fallen in the ruling BJP, and in opposition parties, too. When Modi assumed power in 2014, the outgoing parliament had 30 Muslim lawmakers and just one was a member of the BJP. Muslims now hold 25 out of 543 seats, and none belong to the BJP. India has gone from being a country where Muslims were largely marginalized to one where they are actively excluded, said Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a political scientist and historian at New Delhis Ashoka University. Without representation, you are unable to ask the state for resources and articulate the kind of needs the community has in order to progress, whether its education, jobs, health or basic infrastructure, Mahmudabad said. In the mid-1980s, Muslims accounted for 11% of India's population, and had 9% of seats in parliament; today they are 14% of the population and have less than 5% of seats in parliament. Nine out of 10 members in parliament are Hindus, who make up 80 percent of Indias population of 1.4 billion. The political representation of Muslims at the state level is only slightly better. India has more than 4,000 lawmakers in state legislatures across 28 states and Muslim lawmakers hold roughly 6% of these seats. A government report in 2006 found Muslims lagged Hindus, Christians and people from India's lower castes in literacy, income and access to education. They have made some gains since then but are still at a significant disadvantage, according to multiple independent studies. Under Modi's decade in power, the BJP has enacted or proposed various laws that Muslim leaders consider discriminatory. Some states ruled by the BJP passed laws restricting interfaith marriage as a way to address what they claim is the threat posed by Hindu women marrying Muslim men and then converting. One state formerly ruled by the BJP banned girls from wearing hijabs in school. (The law was reversed after the BJP lost political control.) The BJP is advocating a common legal code that would affect some religious practices, by changing some laws in India's constitution that deal with matters ranging from marriage to divorce and inheritance. Violence against Muslims is commonplace, and Modi has said little to deter it. Muslims have been lynched by Hindu mobs over allegations of eating beef or smuggling cows, an animal considered holy to Hindus. Their homes and businesses have been bulldozed, and their places of worship set on fire. At recent campaign rallies, Modi has said Muslims are infiltrators and that they have too many children. Without evidence, he has accused the BJP's main rival, the Congress party, of planning to redistribute the wealth of Hindus to Muslims. Many Muslims believe Modi is stoking divisions as a campaign strategy. They're keeping the Hindu-Muslim issue hot... so they remain enemies, said Mehmood Bhai Khatri, a 64-year-old Muslim voter from Modi's home state of Gujarat, a BJP stronghold. But who will speak up? If they do, they may be picked up (by police) or a bulldozer will be sent to their homes," said Khatri. "So out of fear, nobody speaks up. Not one of India's 28 states has a Muslim as chief minister; the BJP and its allies have chief ministers in 19 states. In Uttar Pradesh, the country's most populous state and where roughly 16% of residents are Muslim, just 7% of state lawmakers are Muslim. As the BJP becomes ever more powerful, India's opposition parties have become increasingly reluctant to nominate Muslim candidates for fear of alienating Hindu voters, experts say. While Hindus overwhelmingly rally around the BJP, Muslims have struggled to form a cohesive political agenda, in part because of how diverse their community is across sects, ethnicity, language, customs, and culture. There is no way to unite this very heterogeneous group of people, without making Islam the common denominator, said Mahmudabad, the political scientist. But when political parties don't field enough Muslims, issues important to them from minority rights to hate speech hardly ever get debated in the parliament, said Muhammad Saad, a cab driver in New Delhi who is Muslim. If there are no Muslims in the parliament, who will raise the voice for us? Saad questioned. Analysts say the BJP has made some outreach efforts to Muslims, such as seeking their help as volunteers and at the polls. But the party fielded just 13 Muslim candidates combined in the 2014 and 2019 elections, and none were elected. The BJP denies discriminating against Muslim people. The party "permits accommodation of all kinds of people, not just the Hindus, said M Abdul Salam, the only Muslim out of some 430 BJP candidates running for parliament this year. If he wins, he will become the first Muslim member of the BJP since 2014 in Indias lower house of the parliament. Salam, who is from the Muslim-majority southern city of Malappuram, said Muslim politicians from other parties could gain power by joining the BJPs alliance in parliament. But Muslims from other parties are struggling simply to stay in office. S T Hasan, a Muslim member of parliament from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, was not chosen by the Samajwadi Party to seek reelection. He was replaced by a Hindu politician, a decision he believes was made to appeal to Hindu voters, who are the majority in the region he represents. Hasan said political parties, especially those that consider themselves secular, need to make more room for minority candidates. Fair representation of every community is good for a democracy," he said. But what we are seeing is that one community is being gradually pushed to the corner. ___ Pathi reported from New Delhi and Ahmedabad. ___ Follow AP's Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific FILE - The Chicago Blackhawks logo adorns a jersey in Raleigh, N.C., May 3, 2021. A consultant the Chicago Blackhawks hired to improve relationships with American Indian tribes filed a lawsuit Tuesday, May 14, 2024, accusing the team, its charity foundation and its CEO of fraud, breach of contract and sexual harassment. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File) CHICAGO (AP) A consultant the Chicago Blackhawks hired to improve relationships with American Indian tribes has filed a lawsuit accusing the team, its charity foundation and its CEO of fraud, breach of contract and sexual harassment. Nina Sanders filed the civil action late Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court. She alleges in the lawsuit that the Blackhawks were facing intense public pressure to change their name and logo in 2020. The team's CEO, Dan Wirtz, hired her that year to serve as a tribal liaison. Wirtz promised that he would create positions for American Indians, buy land to give to the Sac and Fox Nation and change the team's logo if she decided to accept the job, according to the lawsuit. She took the job based on those promises, but Wirtz never followed through on any of it, the lawsuit alleges. Sanders goes on to allege that she told her immediate boss that an employee had been sexually harassing her and tried to force her into his hotel room in 2021. The harassment continued into 2022, but nothing was ever done about it, according to the lawsuit. Sanders also maintains that she reported two other incidents of male employees groping women, but nothing was done. Wirtz ended Sanders' contract last summer, according to the lawsuit. A Blackhawks spokesperson didn't immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press on Wednesday afternoon seeking comment. The team said in a statement to WBBM-TV that the organization noted operational issues in Sanders' work, and external partners told the team that they didn't want to work with her. The team still extended her a new contract in 2023, but Sanders chose not to renew it. The team said it investigated Sanders' sexual harassment allegations and couldn't find enough evidence to substantiate them. JAKARTA (Reuters) -Indonesia should be more daring on taking on additional debt, its President-elect Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday, while claiming that his target of boosting growth in Southeast Asia's largest economy to 8% annually would be easy. Prabowo, 72, won February's general election by a huge margin and is set to take over from President Joko Widodo in October, but his fiscal plans have faced investor scrutiny due to costly campaign promises. Asked about whether there is fiscal space for his programmes within the country's legal limit for an annual budget deficit of 3% of GDP, Prabowo told the Qatar Economic forum that the figure was "arbitrary", but he has no plans to change the rules. "I think we have the lowest debt to GDP figure in the world, one of the lowest. So now I think it's time to be more daring within good governance," he said. Indonesia's debt to GDP ratio currently is just under 40%. Last year's fiscal deficit was 1.65% of GDP, the slimmest since 2011. Prabowo's campaign promise of providing free lunches for school students is expected to cost almost $30 billion, or 14% of the 2024 state budget, when it is fully implemented. The president-elect has also vowed to continue Widodo's landmark project of moving the country's capital to Nusantara, a $32 billion new city being built in the forests of Borneo island. The project will be developed over a period of 25 to 30 years, with domestic resources the main driver, Prabowo said. On accelerating growth, Prabowo said he plans to focus on boosting food and energy production, including by boosting palm-based biofuel output. "I am very confident we can easily achieve 8% and I am determined to go beyond," he said, adding he saw the growth target being achieved in 2-3 years. Indonesia's growth has stayed around 5% in the past decade, excluding during the COVID-19 period. Separately, analysts with Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings forecast growth will remain around 5% in the medium term. Analysts from both agencies, which held separate seminars in Jakarta on Wednesday, also predicted Indonesia's budget gap will swell after Prabowo takes office, though it will likely remain under the deficit ceiling. "We feel that risks have increased especially over the medium-term, not so much for 2024 but for 2025 and certainly further on," Thomas Rookmaaker, head of Asia-Pacific sovereigns at Fitch Ratings, said in an interview. (Reporting by Stanley Widianto and Stefanno Sulaiman; Editing by John Mair, Gayatri Suroyo, Raju Gopalakrishnan) Men stand near a damaged house in an area affected by heavy rain brought flash floods in Tanah Datar By Aidil Ichlas TANAH DATAR, Indonesia (Reuters) -The death toll from weekend flash floods and mud slides in Indonesia's West Sumatra province rose to 62 on Wednesday, authorities said, while rescuers were searching areas near rivers for 25 people who are still missing. Officials said some of those earlier unaccounted for were found dead during the day, which lifted the toll from 58 reported in the morning. A video shared by the national disaster management agency BNPB showed logs, rocks and mud strewn over roads, collapsed bridges and houses in Tanah Datar, one of the three districts in West Sumatra hit by the floods. The disaster struck the area on Saturday evening when heavy rains unleashed flash floods, landslides, and cold lava flow - a mud-like mixture of volcanic ash, rock debris and water. The cold lava flow, came from Mount Marapi, one of Sumatra's most active volcanoes. Its eruption in December killed more than 20 people and more eruptions have followed since. BNPB will continue to search for the missing people and clean the main roads, its head Suharyanto said in a statement on Wednesday Sisters Fitrawanis, 64, and Nurbaiti, 66, watched in tears the ruins of their brother's house in Tanah Datar. They said the brother, Rusdi, 60, was still missing after water swept him away when he tried to save his mother-in-law. "I hope that his body can be found quickly, either alive or dead," Fitrawanis told Reuters. She said both in-laws and Rusdi's wife have been found dead. At least 249 houses, 225 hectares (556 acres) of land, including rice fields, 19 bridges and most of main roads were damaged in three districts and one town. Indonesia's meteorology agency BMKG said it planned to try to mitigate heavy rainfall expected for the next week in West Sumatra by "cloud seeding" to prevent rains in the worst affected areas. Widely used in Indonesia, cloud seeding involves shooting salt flares into clouds to trigger rainfall in dry areas. (Reporting by Aidil Ichlas in Western Sumatra and Ananda Teresia in Jakarta; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Tomasz Janowski) GAZA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army on Wednesday withdrew from the Zeitoun neighborhood in the south of Gaza City after a six-day military operation. The army said in a press statement that it ended the military operation in Zeitoun after achieving its goal of eliminating Hamas militants in the area. During the operation, the army killed dozens of Hamas militants and destroyed many infrastructures used by the faction for military operations, including tunnels, reconnaissance sites, and sniper sites, the statement said. Local sources told Xinhua that once the Israeli forces left the neighborhood, the civil defense rushed to pull out the bodies stuck under the rubble for days, but was impeded by the severity of the destruction and the lack of rescue equipment. On Thursday, the Israeli army said that it started a ground military operation in the Zeitoun neighborhood in a bid to eliminate Hamas militants, preventing them from rebuilding their power in the territory. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. So far, the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has exceeded 35,000, according to the health authorities in Gaza. Indonesia seeds clouds to block rainfall after floods killed at least 67 people while 20 are missing People inspect the damage by a flash flood in Tanah Datar, West Sumatra, Indonesia, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Indonesian authorities seeded clouds on Wednesday, trying to prevent further rain and flash floods after deluges that hit the country's Sumatra Island over the weekend left a number of people dead and missing. (AP Photo/Fachri Hamzah) TANAH DATAR, Indonesia (AP) Indonesian authorities seeded clouds on Wednesday, trying to prevent further rain and flash floods after deluges that hit Sumatra Island over the weekend left at least 67 people dead and another 20 missing. Monsoon rains triggered a landslide of mud and cold lava from Mount Marapi, eventually causing rivers to breach their banks. The deluge tore through mountainside villages in four districts in West Sumatra province just before midnight on Saturday. The floods swept away people and dozens of homes and submerged hundreds of houses and buildings, forcing more than 1,500 families to flee to temporary government shelters, according to National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari. He said 67 bodies had been pulled from mud and rivers by Wednesday, mostly in the worst-hit Agam and Tanah Datar districts, while rescuers are searching for 20 people reported missing. About 44 villagers were injured. Cloud seeding involves dispersing particles into clouds to create precipitation, thereby modifying the weather. National Disaster Management Agency chief Suharyanto said the aim of Wednesday's action was to redirect the rain elsewhere and keep the search operation free of downpours, which could hamper the rescuers' progress. Suharyanto, who goes by a single name like many Indonesians, said the emergency response will last until May 25. Authorities are evaluating which areas are no longer inhabitable and which residents need to be relocated "from the danger zone. Suharyanto spoke during a visit to the devastated villages in hard-hit Tanah Datar district on Wednesday. Indonesias Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency head Dwikorita Karnawati has said that more rain was forecast for West Sumatra in the coming days, and that extreme rainfall could continue until next week. Karnawati said an air force plane was sent up to shoot salt flares into the clouds on Wednesday to get the clouds to release water and break up before they reach the devastated areas in West Sumatra province. About 15 tons of salt have been prepared for the seeding operation, she said. Muhari, the disaster agency spokesperson, said Indonesias air force teamed up with the countrys technology agency to carry out two rounds of cloud seeding Wednesday each using a ton of sodium chloride, or salt. Rescue workers meanwhile combed through rivers and the rubble of devastated villages where roads were transformed into murky brown rivers and villages were left covered by thick mud, rocks, and uprooted trees. Heavy rains cause frequent landslides and flash floods in Indonesia, an archipelago nation of more than 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near floodplains. Marapi has been active since an eruption late last year that killed 23 climbers. It is among more than 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia. The country is prone to seismic upheaval because of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin. ___ Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia. Infant dies days after being taken to Lubbock hospital for 'non-accidental injury' The Lubbock police department host a ribbon cutting for their new headquarters, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, off 15th Street. A couple who reportedly fled from Washington State to Lubbock to avoid an investigation of neglect face felony child abuse charges after reportedly fatally injuring their 5-month-old son. Casey Harbison, 23, and Kristal Morse, 22, were booked Saturday into the Lubbock County Detention Center after reportedly admitting to punching their child and smothering him with a blanket, according to a probable cause affidavit. While Morse and Harbison were in jail, officials confirmed the child died late Monday night. A criminal complaint states Morse is accused of causing serious bodily injury to her child by striking him with her hand, which is being categorized as a deadly weapon. Meanwhile, a criminal complaint against Harbison accuses him of striking the child with a hard object or his hand and impeding the child's airway with his hand or a soft object. Harbison and Morse each face a count of aggravated assault of a family member with a weapon causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony that carries a punishment of five years to life in prison. Morse's mother, 42-year-old Tiffany Whalen, was also arrested in connection with the investigation. She faces a count of injury to a child with intent to cause serious bodily injury. Paul Zimmerman, a spokesman with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, said the agency is investigating the child's death alongside law enforcement. All three remain held at the Lubbock County Jail. Harbison and Morse's bonds are set at $250,000 each. Whalen's bond is set at $200,000. Investigating child abuse The charges stem from a Lubbock police Major Crimes Unit investigation that began May 8 after patrol officers were dispatched to Covenant Children's where an infant was being treated for a brain bleed and skull fractures -- injuries that a child abuse specialist said were consistent with non-accidental injury. Hospital staff also noted the child "exhibited very labored breathing." Detectives were later called and interviewed Harbison, Morse and Whalen separately. Investigators learned that Morse and Harbison moved in February to Lubbock from Washington State, where they were under investigation by Child Services there for neglect, the affidavit states. Morse reportedly said her son was born a month premature and was using a feeding tube, which she removed before moving to Lubbock, the affidavit states. The couple were living in Whalen's home, which investigators described as "extremely dirty," littered with dog feces and smelled of cat urine and smoke. Morse reportedly said her son slept in a crib padded with pillows instead of a mattress. Harbison reportedly said it was his day off the day before and he was taking care of the child most of the day while Morse slept. He said the baby was fine but fussy most of the day because he believed he was constipated. Harbison said in the earlier morning hours of May 8, he and Morse went to a laundry mat and left the child with Whalen. They returned an hour later and the boy was asleep. At noon that day, he changed the baby's diaper, went back to sleep and woke up nearly two hours later to drive Whalen to work. When he returned he checked on the child and found him "limp and cold," and his eyes appeared to "roll back." Harbison said he blew small breaths into his son's mouth, woke up Morse and drove to the hospital. Morse and Harbison reportedly initially told investigators they didn't know how the child was injured. Then Morse initially said she dropped her phone on the child twice a few weeks before. Harbison initially said he accidentally pushed the child off their bed. She reportedly denied injuring the child on purpose, saying she becomes angry when she is frustrated and overwhelmed and "wants to punch things." The affidavit states the boy suffered brain bleeds and a skull fracture in the back of his head. "These incidents were consistent with non-accidental trauma," the affidavit states. "Due to respiratory failure, (the boy) was intubated and sent to surgery to relieve pressure in the brain." A child abuse specialist who reportedly spoke with Morse told investigators Morse showed her a picture of the child from five days before. The specialist reportedly saw on the picture injuries on the infant that appeared to be signs of petechiae, the bursting of blood vessels often caused by strangulation or suffocation. Detectives interviewed Harbison again. This time, he asked to write down his statements and reportedly admitted to suffocating his child with a blanket. "It was an accident," he wrote in his statement. "I never wanted to hurt him. There will be no next time regardless." Harbison also wrote that the baby "had a blanket over his head" and "I think think I suffocated him." Harbison wrote he was tired and was running on an hour of sleep. "I think I put the blanket on my sweet boy, this is my fault," he wrote. Meanwhile, Morse failed a lie detector test and reportedly admitted to punching the boy. Morse reportedly told investigators after the test that she reportedly saw Harbison put a blanket on the boy's face to stop him from crying on two occasions. She said her mother, Whalen, was present with he smothered the child. Morse also reportedly admitted to punching her infant son in the back of his head where she believed doctors found the skull fracture. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock parents reportedly admit to beating, smothering baby who died Smoke rises after fire erupts in Western Canada on May 14, 2024. Credit - Cheyenne BerreaultAnadolu/Getty Images Wildfires burning in Canada started sending smoke across the border on Sunday and into the week, prompting U.S. officials to issue air quality warnings in several northern statesand experts say people should be prepared to experience more air quality alerts this summer. Parts of Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin suffered from poor air quality on Sunday and Monday because of smoke from wildfires continuing to burn in British Columbia and Alberta. While skies in the U.S. mostly cleared by Tuesday, experts say theyre expecting another active wildfire season this summer. Last summer was Canadas most devastating wildfire season on record, and researchers found that it was also the worst season in recent history for smoke exposure per U.S. resident. We still think that last year was pretty extreme, kind of an anomaly, but we do expect an above average year (this year) in terms of air quality alerts, says David Brown, an air quality meteorologist at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Brown urged people to be aware and cautious because of the danger that inhaling wildfire smoke poses. Wildfire smoke can really affect everyone, Brown tells TIME. Prior to these really bad two summers, air quality has kind of been an issue that probably only affects a small percentage of the population. But these impactful wildfire smoke events really can have impacts on everyone, so everyone kind of has to pay closer attention to the weather and air quality. Fine particles in wildfire smokeknown as PM2.5 because they have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometersare so small that they can enter your lungs and even your bloodstream, according to Craig Czarnecki, the outreach coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Air Management Program. The average person could experience relatively mild symptoms after breathing in these particles, like a scratchy throat and itchy eyes, Brown explains. But for children, older people, and people with pre-existing heart or respiratory conditions, breathing in these particles can cause more significant symptomsfor instance, it could exacerbate a persons asthma. In extreme cases, some people with pre-existing heart conditions have experienced heart attacks or heart palpitations. Read More: What Wildfire Smoke Does to the Human Body A 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found an association between smoke from Canadian wildfires and an increase in the number of people being treated for asthma-related symptoms in emergency departments in New York City. The study shows that wildfire smoke is a public health threat, according to Kai Chen, an assistant professor at the Yale School of Public Health and lead author of the study. But the effect of wildfire smoke on asthma is just one piece of the impact wildfire smoke can have on peoples health, Chen says. Research also shows that exposure to wildfire smoke could have long-term impacts. A working paper in the National Bureau of Economic Research found that, as climate change increases the prevalence and intensity of wildfires, wildfire smoke exposure could lead to nearly 28,000 deaths a year by 2050 a 76% increase from estimated average deaths between 2011 and 2020. Other studies show that long-term exposure to PM2.5 can impair childrens lung development and increase the risk of developing lung cancer or heart disease. When officials issue air quality alerts, people should limit their exposure to the wildfire smoke, reduce exertion, and keep an eye out for potential symptoms, like coughing or shortness of breath, Brown and Czarnecki advise. Wearing an N95 mask might be helpful if people are going to be outside for extended periods of time, Czarnecki adds. When we have advisories like this, the best way to prevent breathing particles during smoke events is to stay indoors, Czarnecki says. Contact us at letters@time.com. PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) Virginia State Police and Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) have launched an investigation after a man died at a jail in Pittsylvania County on May 14. The Sheriffs Office says around 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday, deputies alerted staff that 28-year-old Dustin Spake was slumped over in his cell. Staff along with several deputies immediately entered the cell and began performing CPR. Troutville woman sentenced to one year for shooting husband in 2023 Jail medical staff, Pittsylvania Countys Emergency Medical Services, and Chatham EMS members responded and began rendering aid to Spake. However, their efforts were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at 12:35 p.m. The Sheriffs Office says Spake was arrested on April 22, for a misdemeanor charge for allegedly assaulting a family member. He was granted a $10,000 secured bond but did not post bond. As a result, Spake was booked into the facility and provided an initial medical and mental health screening. During this time, the PSCO said medical staff did not find any sign of medical distress or noticed any signs in the coming days. Task force seizes 13 guns, 133 lbs in marijuana and cocaine in Bedford County Spake was sent to the Chief Medical Examiner of the Western District of West Virginia for determination of his cause of death. PCSO says the incident was reported to the Virginia Department of Corrections, which reviews all in-custody deaths. Sheriff Taylor and the Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office send their sincere condolences to Mr. Spakes friends and family. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Representative Greg Murphy joined his fellow Republicans in suggesting that Israel could use nuclear weapons in its already brutal war on Gaza. Speaking to Chris Salcedo on Newsmax Tuesday afternoon, the North Carolina congressman compared the situation to Japan and the United States during World War II. If you look at what imperial Japan did to the United States, we came back and said basically youre going to have to unconditionally surrender, and when they didnt, we had to drop the two atomic bombs on them, Murphy said. This is where Israel has every single right in the world to press this conflict further. GOP Rep. Greg Murphy echoes Lindsey Graham in suggesting Israel would be justified in nuking Gaza pic.twitter.com/ju3DKjxeVd Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 14, 2024 The congressmans extreme rhetoric follows that of Senator Lindsey Graham, who on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday similarly suggested Israel could drop nuclear bombs on Gaza. When we were faced with destruction as a nation after Pearl Harbor, fighting the Germans and the Japanese, we decided to end the war by the bombing [of] Hiroshima [and] Nagasaki with nuclear weapons, Graham said. That was the right decision. He added, Give Israel the bombs they need to end the war. They cant afford to lose. Graham and Murphy arent the first in Congress to suggest nuking the besieged Palestinian territory, though, as Representative Tim Walberg, another Republican, suggested that it should be like Hiroshima and Nagasaki, at a town hall meeting in late March. Nuking aside, much of Gaza has already been reduced to rubble by Israels bombing campaign, which has killed more than 35,000 people, including at least 14,500 children. One wonders what would be enough for Republicans (and some Democrats) to recognize a genocide and humanitarian catastrophe enabled by the policies they help to enact, and do the right thing themselves. Instead, they seem to be more upset at the college students who are trying to do something. SAVOY, Ill. (WCIA) A passenger tried to bring an unusual object with them on a plane at Willard Airport: an instant cooker. It ended up causing the police to come. Its not everyday someone tries to take a kitchen appliance with them on a flight but the TSA wasnt having it. Champaign Police warn community of phone scam The instant cooker in the passengers checked luggage was rejected. So, the person left it on the front curb of the terminal. Then someone saw it and reported it to airport officials. University of Illinois Police came to make sure everything was safe. Within one hour, they gave the all clear. Willards Fire Marshal John Cumbee said it was out of an abundance of caution that they followed procedure. Just leaving anything as simple as a diaper bag or a purse could raise suspicion, he said. While those things happen, again, we have the process to vet whats going on or where it is and be able to figure it out as to whether its actually a threat or not. Airport officials said there were no delayed flights or any other disruptions due to the cooker. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. After a bitter primary battle against a wealthy wine mogul, Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks was projected to win the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maryland, laying the table for a bruising match-up with former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R). She was projected by the Associated Press to defeat the deep-pocketed Rep. David Trone (D-MD) in this cycles most competitive Democratic primary ahead of a flippable Senate race. Though the primary was a costly brawl, with Trone self-funding to the tune of a staggering $61 million, the general election could be just as priceywith Alsobrooks set to take on on Hogan, a moderate darling of Maryland politics despite the R next to his name. By jumping into the race earlier this year, Hogan turned a solidly blue state into a tantalizing Republican flip. Democrats have already tried to brand Hogan as a red-meat MAGA Republican to counter his appeal with swingy independents. Getting their anti-Hogan message out will force Democrats to dedicate substantial national resources into the race or risk losing the Senate majority. In what should be a slam dunk for the Dems, the race is already siphoning funds and media focus away from even tighter races in Ohio, Montana, and Pennsylvania. The Senates Democratic campaign arm had already released a memo Monday morning chock-full of attacks on Hogan under the subject line: What to Know About Self-Described Lifelong Republican Larry Hogan. Alsobrooks cast herself as the best candidate to take on Hogan in November, though early polling suggested that both she and Trone would have their hands full boosting their message and name recognition in the run-up to election day. In the Senate, Alsobrooks has positioned herself as a reliably blue vote and has made protecting abortion accessan animating issue for Democrats nationallycentral to her platform. If she wins in November, Alsobrooks would be the first Black woman to represent Maryland in the Senate. She also leaned on backing from the Maryland Democratic establishment that largely turned its back on Trone, despite his being a sitting congressman. In the days leading up to the election, Alsobrooks dropped a star-studded ad touting her endorsements from the Maryland Democratic establishment, including Gov. Wes Moore, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and former Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD). (Hoyer, for one, seems to be having fun stumping for Alsobrooks and has been spotted on the trail doing his signature Steny shuffle.) Alsobrooks camp capitalized on a series of flubs from Trone, hitting him for being offensive and out-of-touch. The three-term congressman used a racial slur of Black people at a congressional hearing. (Trone has since apologized, claiming he meant to use the word bugaboo.) On Monday, Trone dug his hole deeper. When NBC News asked Trone about his outreach to Black voters, he referenced his modest upbringing on a chicken and hog farm that his family lost to bankruptcy. He then dinged Alsobrooks for attending private school. I didnt even have indoor plumbing, Trone said, still responding to NBCs question about connecting with Black voters. We had an outhouse. And I grew up in a family that was destroyed by alcoholism, destroyed. So we grew up in a tough circumstance, and things werent easy. But at the end of the day, we became successful and said, OK now I got to give back. For his part, Trone dropped ads attacking Alsobrooks for her lack of federal experience and leaned on his rags-to-riches story becoming the wealthy owner of Total Wine & More. Trones wealth made him attractive to national Democratic campaign brass eager for a self-funder to take on Hogan, but support from establishment types like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) was not enough to juice Trones campaign. 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. Intensity, arrest at hearing for NYPD cop accused of using cooler to kill man Intensity, arrest at hearing for NYPD cop accused of using cooler to kill man CONCOURSE, The Bronx (PIX11) An NYPD sergeant accused of killing a man by throwing a cooler at him as he rode past on a motor scooter did not get the charges against him dismissed, as hed hoped would happen at court on Tuesday. Instead, one of the people who showed up at the courthouse to protest against the cop ended up with charges against him after a confrontation outside of the courtroom. Also, a family member of the deceased man ended up fainting right after the hearing. Theyre all developments in a very eventful day related to a court session that had been expected to be fairly routine. In front of the Bronx Hall of Justice on Tuesday, just after 10 a.m., there were about 40 officers. They were responding to an encounter that had happened minutes before in relation to the case of NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran. The officers were from the court system and had to call in NYPD reinforcements after a situation developed inside the courthouse. It involved a supporter of Eric Duprey, the 30-year-old man that Sgt. Duran is accused of killing. Video: Masked passenger shoots at moving livery cab in the Bronx The organization Black Lives Matter of Greater New York led a group of supporters of Duprey at the court hearing. Minutes after it ended, there was an encounter between the BLM groups founder, Hawk Newsome, and court officers. Newsomes sister, Chivona, described what happened to her brother, from her perspective. He was attacked and jumped by at least ten officers, she said. I was as well. I was punched in the face, trying to make sure he was OK. And then, I was forcibly dragged out of the building. Court officials told PIX11 News that officers worked to de-escalate the situation, and had to call in the NYPD as backup to ensure the situation didnt become more intense. They said that nobody was hit in the face or anywhere. Newsome and the dozen or so other supporters had been at court to support the family of Duprey. Hed died last August after Sgt. Duran threw a cooler at Duprey while Duprey was riding his motor scooter, allegedly fleeing a possible drug arrest. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now PIX11 News Headlines Durans hearing was to request that a judge to dismiss the case. That didnt happen. The judge did drop the lowest charge that Duran faced assault in the second degree. However, all of the other charges that New York State Attorney General Letitia James had filed against Duran remain: manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and assault in the first degree. Duran has also been suspended without pay since the fatal incident last August. Right after the hearing, the sister of Duprey, the man who was killed, fainted just outside of the fifth-floor courtroom, according to witnesses. Dupreys supporters said that they revived the sister, and walked with her to the courthouse lobby on the first floor. Thats where the encounter happened between supporters and court officers. A spokesperson for the courts said that their officers always act in a professional manner and that the encounter on Tuesday morning was no exception. Dupreys supporters disagree. I can be punched in the face again, my brother can get arrested, said Chivona Newsome, You know what? Until [Duran is] found guilty of the crimes he has committed, we will not rest. Hawk Newsome was given a disorderly conduct summons, according to court officials. Durans next court appearance is scheduled for July 30. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Ukrainian forces have repelled 10 attacks on the Kharkiv front since the beginning of the day. Source: report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 19:00 on 15 May Quote: "On the Kharkiv front, the intensity of combat action has increased. As of now, our soldiers have repelled 10 attacks near the settlements of Slobozhanske, Vovchansk, Starytsi and Lyptsi. The situation has been partially stabilised, and the mop-up operation is ongoing in the northwestern outskirts of the town of Vovchansk. Since the beginning of the day, the occupiers have lost about 60 personnel and 19 pieces of armament and military equipment. 11 shelters of the enemy were struck." Details: On the Kupiansk front, 28 combat clashes occurred, specifically near the settlements of Stelmakhivka, Synkivka, Ivanivka and Tverdokhlibove. Information about the losses of the Russians is being specified. On the Lyman front, the Russians make two attempts to improve their tactical positions near the settlements of Novosadove and Torske, but to no avail. Three airstrikes were carried out in the vicinity of Lyman. On the Siversk front, Russian troops launched seven attacks towards Mykolaivka-Spirne, Berestove-Spirne, Yakovlivka-Rozdolivka, Soledar-Rozdolivka and Zolotarivka-Verkhnokamianske. On the Kramatorsk front, the Russians attacked Ukrainian positions nine times. On the Pokrovsk front, the Russians maintain the intensity of their attacks. In total, 31 Russian attacks were launched over the course of the day, most of them near the settlements of Novooleksandrivka and Netailove. Ukrainian forces are doing everything possible to prevent the Russians from advancing. On the Kurakhove front, the Defence Forces successfully repelled seven Russian attacks. On the Vremivka front, the Russians tried to dislodge Ukrainian forces from their positions near the settlement of Urozhaine, suffered losses and retreated. On the Orikhove front, the Russians continued putting pressure on the Ukrainian forces near the settlement of Staromaiorske and attempted 22 assaults. A Russian airstrike was launched in the area of the settlement of Robotyne. Ukrainian troops hold defence lines and positions. On the Prydniprovia front, the Russians launched five attacks on Ukrainian forces near the settlement of Krynky, but to no avail. Quote: "During the day, Rocket Forces of the Defence Forces of Ukraine launched attacks on a command post, an ammunition storage, 13 clusters of personnel and other important facilities belonging to the enemy. Our aircraft launched two attacks on anti-aircraft systems and 22 clusters of military personnel of the occupiers." Support UP or become our patron! All international events involving Zelenskyy will be postponed due to frontline situation Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given instructions to postpone all international events with his participation due to the complicated situation surrounding the Russian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast. Source: Zelenskyy's spokesman Serhii Nykyforov on Facebook Quote: "Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given instructions to postpone all upcoming international events with his participation and to work out new dates. We are grateful to our partners for their understanding." Details: The 15 May conference call focused primarily on the situation in Kharkiv Oblast and the issue of supplying Ukraine's Defence Forces. The president heard a report from Anatolii Barhylevych, Chief of Ukraine's General Staff. It was stated that "the commanders of the State Border Guard Service and National Guard and Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, are working on the ground, making all decisions based on comprehensive information". Zelenskyy noted that additional forces are being deployed and that there are reserves. Ukraine's Defence Intelligence and Foreign Intelligence Service see all possible steps the Russians may undertake. Syrskyi regularly reports to the president on the situation. Background: Spanish international news agency EFE, citing sources in the Royal Household of Spain, reported that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cancelled his visit to Spain, scheduled for 17 May, due to the challenging frontline situation. Support UP or become our patron! Chinese and Romanian institutes signed a cooperation memorandum in Romania on Tuesday to enhance collaboration in biodiversity conservation, wetland restoration and ecological protection. #XinhuaNews Today, we discuss the fast-moving situation on the front line as Russia continues its assault near Kharkiv. Plus, we analyse the controversies stoked by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinkens visit to Kyiv, and sit down for an exclusive interview with the British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps. Listen to Ukraine: the Latest, The Telegraphs daily podcast, using the audio player at the top of this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. War in Ukraine is reshaping our world. Every weekday The Telegraphs top journalists analyse the invasion from all angles - military, humanitarian, political, economic, historical - and tell you what you need to know to stay updated. With over 70 million listens, our Ukraine: The Latest podcast is your go-to source for all the latest analysis, live reaction and correspondents reporting on the ground. We have been broadcasting ever since the full-scale invasion began. Ukraine: The Latests regular contributors are: David Knowles David is Head of Audio Development at The Telegraph, where he has worked for over three years. He has reported from across Ukraine during the full-scale invasion. Dominic Nicholls Dom is Associate Editor (Defence) at The Telegraph, having joined in 2018. He previously served for 23 years in the British Army, in tank and helicopter units. He had operational deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland. Francis Dearnley Francis is Assistant Comment Editor at The Telegraph. Prior to working as a journalist, he was chief of staff to the Chair of the Prime Ministers Policy Board at the Houses of Parliament in London. He studied History at Cambridge University and on the podcast explores how the past shines a light on the latest diplomatic, political, and strategic developments. They are also regularly joined by Telegraph reporters and correspondents around the world, including Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent), James Kilner, (Foreign Correspondent and Editor of the Central Asia & the South Caucasus Bulletin), Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent), Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent), Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent), Colin Freeman (Foreign Correspondent), Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor), and Tony Diver (US Editor). 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. How involved was APD in the UT pro-Palestinian protests? Here's what officials say After a push from some Austin City Council members, Austin Police Department officials briefed the city's governing body Tuesday about the department's involvement in actions against the pro-Palestinian protests at the University of Texas, explaining details about arrests, mutual aid agreements and who signed off on the involvement. Arrests were made by UT police at the April 24 and 29 protests where people were calling for the university's divestment from Israel and the end to the Israel-Hamas war. UT's police department called on Austin police through a mutual aid agreement an agreement commonly used between law enforcement agencies to assist one another. Austin police took people to jail and helped put people into custody who were already placed under arrest by UT police. Read More: 'We asked for help': Text messages reveal why DPS was called to help patrol UT protest Texas Department of Public Safety troopers were also involved in breaking up some of the protests. Here's what Austin police officials said about the department's involvement in the protests: A protester is taken away by Austin police officers at the University of Texas on April 29. Austin police officials Tuesday gave the Austin City Council a briefing on the department's involvement against the UT protests. Did Austin police make any arrests at the UT protests? Austin police officials told the City Council on Tuesday that all the protest arrests were made by UT police. The people whom Austin police took into custody had already been placed under arrest by the UT police, the council was told. Previously, the Travis County sheriff's office said the Austin Police Department was the arresting agency on four of the 79 arrests made in relation to the April 29 protest. Spokesperson Kristen Dark told the American-Statesman on Tuesday that Austin police officers are listed as the agency that booked four people into jail in relation to the protest. However, as university officials filed the charging documents in those four cases, they were technically arrested by the UT police. What is law enforcement mutual aid? As it relates to the Austin Police Department, a mutual aid agreement allows Austin police to assist other agencies or call upon other law enforcement agencies for additional resources. "This is so routine and so frequent that agencies assist one another, it's outlined in our policy," Assistant Police Chief Eric Fitzgerald told the City Council on Tuesday. Austin police have a "memorandum of understanding" with the UT police, Fitzgerald said. Additionally, state law gives Austin police concurrent jurisdiction on the UT-Austin campus. "The city of Austin is liable for our officers and their actions," City Attorney Anne Morgan said Tuesday in response to a question from Council Member Jose Chito Vela. "The MOU (memorandum of understanding) says that ... we're responsible for workers comp, for liability, those kinds of things." Who signed off on Austin police involvement? Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson ultimately signed off on sending officers to campus, Austin police officials said Tuesday. The request was made from the university police chief to Henderson. Assistant Police Chief Lee Rogers was the "duty chief that day," he told the City Council on Tuesday. When speaking about mutual assistance agreements, Fitzgerald said, "If 911 call responses are going to be impacted, that information will be relayed to city leadership." He did not say whether or not that occurred. Statesman staff writer Skye Seipp contributed to this reporter. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin police tell city council their role in the UT Austin protests Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird held a news conference at Housby Company in Ankeny May 14, 2024, on joining a lawsuit against a California trucking mandate. (Photo courtesy Iowa Attorney General's Office) Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is joining lawsuits that challenge new trucking standards that she says unfairly push the industry toward the adoption of electric vehicles. Speaking at a news conference Tuesday at the Housby Company in Ankeny, Bird announced Iowa has joined a lawsuit, filed by Nebraska and 14 other states, as well as the Arizona State Legislature and Nebraska Trucking Association. The lawsuit challenges a 2023 California regulation called Advanced Clean Fleets, imposed by the California Air Resources Board. The regulation bans internal-combustion engines in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2045, with sales of larger diesel vehicles ending in 2036. Bird argues that Californias mandate will force truck fleets even those from companies based outside of California to be comprised of electric vehicles by 2042. The rule would add to the expenses of trucking companies, she said, and that in turn would result in higher costs for consumers. She also criticized the ineffectiveness and high cost of currently available electric trucks, saying that mandating electric vehicle use will have a negative impact on trucking companies ability to meet the needs of the U.S. supply chain. Who here has seen an electric semi-truck? Bird said. Not many Iowans have. Biden and Californias radical green dream is unrealistic, and its out of touch a fantasy. Bird said that unlike California, Iowa knows that without truckers America would grind to a halt, and that the lawsuit sends a loud and clear message that in Iowa, we support our truckers. Bird was joined by Scott Szymanek, chairman for the Iowa Motor Truck Association and president and chief financial officer of Stutsman, Inc., and by Dale Decker, the CEO of Decker Truck Line. Szymanek, speaking on behalf of the trucking association, said that Californias rules are unrealistic for the trucking industry, and repeated Birds message that the rules are not attainable with current electric vehicle technology. To be clear, the trucking industry is not opposed to battery electric vehicles, he said. Many fleets are testing them and the initial results are mixed at best. What is abundantly clear from early adopters of this technology is that the hurdles for widespread adoption are massive and undeniable. The targets and timelines mandated by the EPA and CARB are not possible. Bird has also joined a lawsuit calling for a review of new tailpipe-emissions restrictions set by the Environmental Protection Agency for heavy-duty vehicles. Opponents of the restrictions say they would essentially push manufacturers to produce more electric trucks. While Szymanek pushed back against the new state and federal rules, he said the trucking industry has made tremendous strides in reducing negative environmental impacts, pointing to lower rates of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter pollution and the success of reducing carbon emissions through Clean Burn diesel trucks. We know how important this effort is, Szymanek said. However, smart, pragmatic and technology-neutral policies will allow for a range of low carbon fuel sources that are a necessary bridge to carry us to a zero emission future but the EPA carbs dogmatic hyperfixation on battery electric vehicles, as the only technology solution is simply bad environmental and economic policy. He said that attempts to move toward government actions that prioritize electric vehicles make it more difficult for the trucking industry to pursue other emission-reduction strategies, like a move toward alternative fuel sources like biofuel and ethanol. At Tuesdays press conference, Bird also discussed her trip on Monday to New York, where she voiced support for defendant Donald Trump amid the former presidents ongoing criminal trial over alleged hush money payments. While Bird did not directly answer questions on how the trip was funded, the Des Moines Register reported that the trip came at the invitation of the Republican Attorney Generals Association, and that the organization paid for the travel expenses. The post Iowa attorney general joins lawsuits challenging trucking emission rules appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. Greenville Pharmacy at 2705 Correctionville Road in Sioux City, Iowa. (Photo via Google Earth) The Iowa Board of Pharmacy has sanctioned several pharmacists for regulatory violations, including errors that allegedly contributed to injuries or possible death. In one case, the board alleges that on Oct. 4, 2023, pharmacist Brice Buryanek of Hawarden incorrectly filled a patients prescription for a drug. The patient began taking the medication one week later, and on Oct. 25, 2023, was taken to the emergency department of a hospital and admitted with what the board calls a life-threatening condition resulting from this medication error. The board charged Buryanek with dispensing an incorrect prescription. Buryanek then agreed to settle the case with a $1,000 civil penalty. As part of the settlement, Buryanek will also be required to complete educational training on medication errors, and his license will be placed on probation for two years. The board has not publicly disclosed the name of the pharmacy where Buryanek worked. However, board records indicate a medication error of the same type, on the same day, took place at Greenville Pharmacy in Sioux City. The board recently imposed a $2,500 civil penalty against Greenville Pharmacy as a result of that error. The pharmacy had previously been sanctioned in 2002 and 2005. Other Iowa pharmacists recently sanctioned by the board include: Troy Adolfson of Ankeny, who is an Iowa-licensed physician who formerly practiced radiation oncology in Ottumwa. According to the board, Adolfson was issued a Controlled Substances Act registration in 2017. He later pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance, a felony, after being accused of writing prescriptions for 1,400 oxycodone pills, which were filled by a coworker and others who then returned the drugs to Adolfson in exchange for $50 and some of the oxycodone tablets. Adolfson was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and ordered to pay a $20,000 fine. According to the pharmacy board, Adolfson has been diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder and successfully completed treatment under the supervision of the Iowa Physician Health Program, which has supported his return to the practice of medicine. The pharmacy board has ordered that Adolfsons Controlled Substances Act registration be reactivated with restrictions. According to the board, he will be prohibited from prescribing, administering or dispensing controlled substances for the treatment of chronic pain, but that restriction will not prohibit him from prescribing, administering or dispensing controlled substances for the treatment of pain in acute care settings, such as hospitals. Shauna Richardson of Newton, who has been charged by the board with dispensing an incorrect prescription in the form of a morphine concentrate. The error allegedly led to a substantial overdose and possibly early death, according to the board. The board has imposed a $2,000 civil penalty against Richardson and is requiring her to undergo training on medication errors. Although the board does not identify Richardsons employer, the date and circumstances of the error correspond to actions the board says occurred at the Hy-Vee Pharmacy at 1501 First Ave. East in Newton. The board imposed a $5,000 civil penalty against the pharmacy for that error, and ordered that the entire professional staff at the pharmacy undergo training on medication errors and patient safety. Brittany Daly, a pharmacy technician who was charged by the board with habitual intoxication based upon an alleged inability to practice with reasonable skill and safety due to the excessive use of alcohol. The board alleged that on Sept. 20, 2023, Daly left the pharmacy where she worked before her shift had ended and was later found to be intoxicated. Daly agreed to surrender her license. Kellie Ann Holub of Walford, who was employed as a pharmacy technician by the Hy-Vee store at 5050 Edgewood Road NE, Cedar Rapids. Holub was charged with diverting prescription drugs for her personal use or for distribution to others. According to the board, the store increased video surveillance of the pharmacy after narcotics were determined to be missing in September, October, November and December of 2023. In early January 2024, video surveillance allegedly captured Holub stealing tablets of Oxycontin. Holub has agreed to surrender her license. Court records indicate that in March, Holub pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of unlawful possession of a prescription drug and was granted a deferred judgment. The post Iowa pharmacists sanctioned for medication errors, narcotic theft appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. Iowa Workforce Development manages unemployment claims filed on behalf of Iowans. (Photo by Getty Images, logo courtesy the State of Iowa) A Waterloo school district employee who was fired for allegedly being drunk at work is not entitled to unemployment benefits, a judge has ruled. According to state records, Justin Aten worked as a full-time systems specialist for the Waterloo Community School District from December 2019 to January 11, 2024, when he was fired. As a systems specialist, Aten was responsible for driving to various school district buildings, reviewing the buildings mechanical systems and repairing any problems. On Jan. 8, 2024, a district employee heard a loud crash and went outside to investigate. The employee allegedly saw Aten standing next to a school district vehicle while looking at another employees damaged vehicle. When the employee asked Aten what had happened, Aten allegedly responded in a confused, incoherent manner while slurring his speech and leaning on one of the vehicles to keep his balance. Aten then got into a school district vehicle and drove away. According to the school district, Aten participated in a subsequent meeting with the districts human resources officer, although its not clear when that meeting took place. During the meeting, Atens speech was slurred and he smelled of alcohol. Aten then agreed to a series of tests, the first of which showed a blood-alcohol concentration of .148 percent. The second test indicated a blood-alcohol level of .144. Both readings were far in excess of the legal limit for driving, which is .08. Aten later denied that he had been drinking at the time of the accident and denied having been intoxicated, although he was unable to explain his conduct or the test results. He later filed for unemployment and collected $1,164 before the district appealed the matter and the case went before Administrative Law Judge Patrick Thomas, who ruled Aten was ineligible for benefits. The employers unrebutted testimony is that (Aten) drove a school district vehicle into another employees car while demonstrating clear signs of intoxication and then drove away from the scene of the accident without reporting the accident, Thomas noted in his ruling. Other Iowans whose unemployment cases were recently decided include: Michelle Hartman, who resigned from QV Urgent Care in October 2023 where she worked as a nurse. Hartman had previously reduced her hours for the company, citing concerns that the urgent care clinic where she worked was often left with fewer staff than was necessary. On a few occasions, she was allegedly left alone in the clinic, and it had to close. After moving to part-time status, she was assigned to work on a day when only she and a front-desk receptionist were on duty. The next day, she quit, citing her concerns with staffing and with the fact that her employer, unsolicited, had sent an Uber driver to her home to drive her to work when she experienced car trouble. Hartman was denied unemployment benefits. Noting that Hartman had continued to work part-time after raising the staffing issue, Administrative Law Judge Alexis Rowe concluded that her concerns were not so bad that the work environment was intolerable, detrimental, or unsafe. Jesse Bevins, who worked as a full-time paramedic for the University of Iowa Hospitals from April 2023 through March 2024, when he was fired. On Feb. 27, 2024, Bevins was dealing with a patient who became unresponsive. Bevins twice attempted to assess the patients level of consciousness by touching a pressure point on the patients neck to elicit a response, after which the patient became argumentative. The patient later told a nurse Bevins had assaulted her by pressing her neck and indicated she would be filing a formal police report. The hospital fired Bevins, stating that while pressure points can be used to assess unresponsive individuals, the hospitals seizure-precaution policy did not allow for the use of painful stimulation on individuals experiencing seizures. The judge who heard Bevins case awarded him unemployment benefits, finding there was no evidence he willfully disregarded policy and appeared to have made a mistake arising from a misunderstanding of the policy. Cheri DeGroot, who worked as a full-time probation officer for the Center of Creative Justice from 2103 through March 2024 when she was fired. She was fired after a discussion with a colleague who had informed her that she had helped a client make a phone call to get a ride from the office. According to the center, DeGroot responded by telling the colleague that the client had asked her for assistance, too, but she refused. Im not her n, DeGroot allegedly told her colleague, using a racial epithet. DeGroot had previously been given a warning for making derogatory statements about clients and comparing them to cartoon characters while mocking them for their socioeconomic status. She was denied unemployment benefits. Danielle L. Finin, who worked for Mercy Medical Center in Clinton as a lab technician from March 2022 to March 2024 when she was fired. On March 2, 2024, Finin took issue with the manner in which blood was being drawn from a patient, became upset and was cursing, and then told a colleague she needed to stay busy or risk being punched in the face. The hospital fired her for the threat of physical violence. She was denied unemployment benefits, although the judge in the case ruled she had been fired due to excessive unexcused absenteeism, which was not an issue in the case. The post Iowa school employee fired for being drunk on the job appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) Civil rights pioneer and Hampton native Irving L. Peddrew III died May 11 at the age of 88. Peddrew integrated Virginia Tech in 1953 and was the first Black student to be admitted to a historically white, four-year public university in any state formerly associated with the confederacy. He enrolled at Virginia Tech, more than half-a-year before the Supreme Courts Brown v. Board decision and was forced to eat off campus. Irving Peddrew receiving honorary degree from Virginia Tech in 2016 (Courtesy of Virginia Tech) Peddrew withdrew from the university before the beginning of his senior year, but he paved the way for the Black students who attended the school after him. In 2016, he returned to Blacksburg to receive an honorary bachelors degree of engineering from the university. During the ceremony Virginia Tech President spoke about Peddrews character and the cruel treatment he endured while a student at the university. Mr. Peddrew endured unfair and oppressive treatment with dignity and strength, hoping to make a difference for those who would follow him and he did, Sands said. It was an honor to know him and present him with the Virginia Tech degree he earned. He will be remembered as a leader among those who laid the foundation for our growth as a diverse and inclusive institution. Rector of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, Ed Baine called Peddrew an inspiring figure for generation of Hokies. It takes a special person to be a pioneer, said Baine, a member of the Class of 1995. Im grateful to Irving Peddrew who opened the door for thousands of Black students who followed at Virginia Tech. As a student, he chose to leave after three years, but he came back to Virginia Tech, time-after-time, later in life, to help connect our community. He was a dear member of the Hokie family, and we extend our condolences to his family. We will all miss him. Peddrew continued his education at the University of Southern California and had a successful career in business that afforded him the ability to travel extensively. He later returned to Hampton Roads where he worked at Newport News Shipbuilding and at Hampton University before retiring in 1994. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for a joint meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa The Israeli government has unanimously rejected a recommendation adopted last week by the UN General Assembly calling for greater rights within the assembly for Palestine. "We will not reward the terrible massacre of October 7," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday following his cabinet's decision to reject the resolution. "We will not allow them to establish a terrorist state from which they will be able to vigorously attack us," he added. Neither the General Assembly nor any other organization can prevent Israel from exercising its right to self-defence, Netanyahu said. On Friday, the General Assembly in New York voted 143-9 for the UN Security Council to give "favourable consideration" to a resolution granting Palestine, which already has UN observer state status, further rights without offering full voting rights. A total of 25 countries abstained, including Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Netanyahu said the resolution "will not constitute a basis for future negotiations, and does not advance a peaceful solution." Israelis artillery soldiers fire a mobile howitzer in the north of Israel, near the border with Lebanon. Israeli army says senior Hezbollah leader killed in Lebanon airstrike Ilia Yefimovich/dpa The Israeli army says it has killed a senior commander of the Hezbollah militia in an airstrike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday evening. The pro-Iranian militia confirmed the death of one of its fighters without naming the rank. According to the Israeli military on Wednesday morning, the man is said to have been responsible for planning and carrying out numerous attacks against Israeli civilians and Israeli territory. Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported that a car had been hit in an Israeli drone attack on Tuesday evening. Two people were killed in the attack. Since the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip, there have been daily military confrontations between Israel's army and the Hezbollah militia and other groups in the border area between Israel and Lebanon. There have been casualties on both sides. The mutual shelling has caused severe destruction in villages on both sides of the border. Around 150,000 people have been evacuated from or have left the combat zone. The Israeli military is calling on the United Nations to investigate the presence of armed militants at a UN facility in southern Gaza after releasing video that shows armed men at the facility. Drone footage published by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday, and geolocated by CNN, shows the armed men near UN-marked vehicles at an UNRWA logistics facility in Rafah, which served as a key aid distribution point. The Israeli military said the footage was filmed on May 11, three days before the IDF released it. CNN cannot independently verify the date the video was filmed. UNRWA, the main UN agency operating in Gaza, said it is unable to verify the authenticity or the content of the video, but said it is likely that the video shows an UNRWA warehouse that was evacuated last week. UNRWA condemns the use of UN facilities by any party to the conflict for military/fighting purposes. We have repeatedly called for independent investigations & accountability for the blatant disregard of UN staff lives, premises and operations, UNRWA spokeswoman Juliette Touma said in statement. We reiterate our call on all parties to the conflict to respect the sanctity and neutrality of UN installations. Under no circumstances should anyone have or use weapons in a UN facility. Touma said that UNRWA staff were ordered to evacuate the facility last week for their safety following Israeli military evacuation orders for parts of eastern Rafah. Touma said UNRWA staff left vehicles and flour at the facility. The Israeli military said COGAT, the Israeli agency charged with coordinating humanitarian aid to Gaza, shared the militarys findings with senior officials in the international community, including UN officials. This is a troubling phenomenon, IDF spokesman Maj. Nir Dinar told CNN. Its not the first time we are witnessing armed personnel present in UN facilities and vehicles. Dinar said that Israeli military didnt strike the militants and vehicles because it was clear that they are in UN facility and are near UN personnel. The IDF has, however, carried out strikes at UN facilities in the past, including at the same eastern Rafah facility in March, according to a video of the strike released by the IDF at the time. Its unclear if the armed men in the IDF drone footage are part of Hamas or other militant groups in Gaza. The Israeli military released the video one day after a United Nations worker was killed and another injured when the UN-marked vehicle they were driving in was struck in Rafah. The United Nations said they believe a tank fired on the vehicle, and the Israeli military has said the incident is under review. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Unilateral and protectionist actions aimed at China by the United States expose the loss of confidence and composure on the part of the United States and are doomed to fail, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday. Wang made the remarks at a joint press briefing after he and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar attended the fifth round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in Beijing. Asked to comment on the recent unilateral sanctions and high tariffs imposed by the United States on China, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that recently, the United States has frequently imposed unilateral sanctions on China, abused Section 301 tariffs, and obsessively suppressed China's normal economic, trade and technological activities, representing the most typical form of hegemonic bullying in the world today. It demonstrates that certain individuals in the United States have become irrational in their attempt to maintain U.S. unipolar hegemony, Wang said. The unscrupulous suppression of China by the United States does not prove U.S. strength, but on the contrary exposes the loss of that country's confidence and composure. Such behavior does not help address domestic problems in the United States, but only results in a greater disruption of the normal operation of the international industrial and supply chains, Wang said, adding that the U.S. move will not deter China's development and rejuvenation. He pointed out that the World Trade Organization (WTO) has made it clear that the Section 301 tariffs imposed by the United States violate WTO rules and international law, saying it is also believed by people with basic common sense in international trade that the U.S. approach will only lead to a lose-lose situation. As one of the WTO's founding members, the United States not only fails to set a good example, but instead leads the way in violating its rules and making one mistake after another, Wang stated. He also said that the United States has claimed commitment to "fair competition," but the U.S. actions go against its words and cast serious doubt on its ability to gain the trust of the international community. Wang stressed that such unilateral and protectionist actions are contrary to the trend of the times, and are bound to be crushed by the wheels of history. "At this critical time of global economic recovery, the international community should warn the United States not to cause new troubles for the world," said Wang. FILE PHOTO: Ultra-Orthodox Jews line up at an Israeli draft office to process their exemptions from mandatory military service at a recruitment base in Kiryat Ono FILE PHOTO: Ultra-Orthodox Jews line up at an Israeli draft office to process their exemptions from mandatory military service at a recruitment base in Kiryat Ono By Maytaal Angel JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put forward a new conscription law proposal on Wednesday, one day before a deadline from Israel's top court, which has been pressing for resolution of a stalemate over the exemption from military service of ultra-Orthodox Jews. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court gave Netanyahu's ruling coalition until May 16, to come up with a new conscription plan to address festering anger among a majority of citizens at the exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jews. The conscription issue is especially fraught for Netanyahu this year, with the country embroiled in an open-ended war in Gaza that has exacted the worst Israeli casualties - mostly among teenaged draftees and reservists - in decades. Moreover, his coalition includes two ultra-Orthodox parties for whom military exemptions are paramount, and who have in the past threatened to quit the government if the conscription law goes ahead. Ultra-Orthodox Jews, who make up around 13% of Israel's 10 million population, see conscription waivers as key to keeping members of their community away from a melting-pot military that might test their conservative values and their faith. The proposed bill put forward on Wednesday would gradually increase national service recruitment among the ultra-Orthodox. It is based on a bill put forward under the previous government by Benny Gantz, a centrist former army chief, who joined Netanyahu's government early in the war as a gesture of national unity. However Gantz, seen as a likely candidate to replace Netanyahu as prime minister, dismissed the bill, passed in preliminary reading by a previous parliament, which he said was insufficient to meet Israel's current wartime needs. "Israel needs soldiers, not political manoeuvres. The law agreed upon in the previous government is not relevant in the post October 7 reality," he said in a tweet on social media platform X. The stand-off underlines the deep divisions between former army commanders like Gantz and his ally Gadi Eisenkot, who want to ease the personnel problems of Israel's military, and the Orthodox and national religious parties in the coalition that want to maintain the prized exemptions. Netanyahu's office said the prime minister is seeking to bridge societal and political divides and is calling on all parties that had supported the proposed conscription law in the previous parliament to back it once more. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he would support any conscription law that was supported by all the other parties in the coalition but would not support any unilateral moves to impose a law by any of the parties. Economists argue that the conscription waiver keeps some of the ultra-Orthodox community unnecessarily out of the workforce, spelling a growing welfare burden for largely secular, middle-class taxpayers. Israel's 21% Arab minority is also largely exempted from the draft, under which men and women are generally called up at the age of 18, with men serving 32 months and women 24 months. (Reporting by Maytaal Angel; Editing by Gareth Jones and Jonathan Oatis) By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was publicly challenged about post-war plans for the Gaza Strip on Wednesday by his own defence chief, who vowed to oppose any long-term military rule by Israel over the ravaged Palestinian enclave. The televised statement by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant marked the most vocal dissent from within Israel's top echelon against Netanyahu during a seven-month-old and multi-front conflict that has set off political fissures at home and abroad. Netanyahu hinted, in a riposte which did not explicitly name Gallant, that the retired admiral was making "excuses" for not yet having destroyed Hamas in a conflict now in its eight month. But the veteran conservative premier soon appeared to be outflanked within his own war cabinet: Centrist ex-general Benny Gantz, the only voting member of the forum other than Netanyahu and Gallant, said the defence minister had "spoke(n) the truth". While reiterating the Netanyahu government's goals of defeating Hamas and recovering remaining hostages from the Oct. 7 cross-border rampage by the Islamist faction, Gallant said these must be complemented by laying the groundwork for alternative Palestinian rule. "We must dismantle Hamas governing capabilities in Gaza. The key to this goal is military action, and the establishment of a governing alternative in Gaza," Gallant said. "In the absence of such an alternative, only two negative options remain: Hamas' rule in Gaza or Israeli military rule in Gaza," he added, saying he would oppose the latter scenario and urging Netanyahu to formally forswear it. Gallant said that, since October, he had tried to promote a plan to set up a "non-hostile Palestinian governing alternative" to Hamas - but got no response from the Israeli cabinet. The format of his broadside, a pre-announced news conference carried live by Israeli TV and radio, recalled Gallant's bombshell warning in March 2023 that foment over a judicial overhaul pursued by Netanyahu was threatening military cohesion. At the time, Netanyahu announced that Gallant would be fired - but backed down amid a deluge of street demonstrations. Some defence analysts believe Gallant's prediction was borne out by Hamas' ability to blindside Israeli forces a few months later. Asked on Wednesday whether he was worried he may again face being ousted, Gallant said: "I'm not blaming anyone. In a democratic country, I believe, it's appropriate for a person, especially the defence minister who holds a position, to make it public." Gallant's Gaza criticism recalled that of Israel's chief ally, the United States, which has sought to parlay the war into a role for the internationally backed Palestinian Authority (PA), which wields limited governance in the occupied West Bank. Netanyahu has refused this, describing the PA as a hostile entity - and repeated this position in a video statement he issued on social media within an hour of Gallant's remarks. Any move to create an alternative Gaza government requires that Hamas first be eliminated, Netanyahu said, finishing with the demand that this objective be pursued "without excuses". Netanyahu's ruling coalition includes ultra-nationalist partners who want the PA dismantled and new Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. Those partners have at times sparred with Gallant, a member of Netanyahu's Likud party, over policy. Netanyahu has said Israel would retain overall security control over Gaza after the war for the foreseeable future. He has stopped short of describing this scenario as an occupation - a status Washington does not want to see emerge - and has signalled opposition to Israelis settling the territory. Over the last week, Israeli ground forces have returned to some areas of northern Gaza that they overran and quit in the first half of the war. Israel describes the new missions as planned crackdowns on efforts by Hamas holdouts to regroup, while Palestinians see evidence of the tenacity of the gunmen. Briefing reporters on Tuesday, chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari was asked whether the absence of a post-Hamas strategy for Gaza was complicating operations. "There is no doubt that an alternative to Hamas would generate pressure on Hamas, but that's a question for the government echelon," he responded. (Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Peter Graff, Alexandra Hudson and Jonathan Oatis) I've stayed in Airbnbs around the world by myself. My top tip for solo travelers is to book for 2 people even if it costs more. The author sits in a wooden rocking chair in a blue outfit with her legs crossed. Behind her is the cabin with floor-to-ceiling windows. There's another chair on the right. Business Insider's reporter has booked Airbnbs for solo trips around the world.Joey Hadden/Business Insider I'm a frequent solo traveler who prefers to stay in Airbnbs over hotels. When I book an Airbnb for a solo trip, I say it's for two people, so hosts don't know I'm alone. Sometimes booking for two costs extra, but I'm willing to pay it because it makes me feel safer. Cozy cabins, unique tiny homes, luxury apartments I've booked them all through Airbnb. As a travel reporter, I've stayed in accommodations around the world, from the US and Canada to Western Europe. I prefer staying in Airbnbs over hotels because they often bring me more unique experiences, such as sleeping in a treehouse in Canada and a livable barrel in Switzerland. Usually, I travel solo. I've taken overnight trains in the US and Europe, spent seven nights on one of the world's largest cruise ships sailing the Caribbean Sea, and traveled by rail to Niagara Falls, Montreal, and Quebec City. On these trips, I explored new cities and unique accommodations all by myself. Now that I'm a seasoned solo traveler, I have a lot of practices in place to ensure I feel as safe as possible when I'm traveling alone especially in other countries. When it comes to staying in Airbnbs solo, my best tip is to book accommodation for two people The author stays at a tiny-home hotel in Germany that she booked through Airbnb. Joey Hadden/Business Insider When I make the reservation, I simply change the number of guests from one to two. Then, In my message to the host, I always say that I may have a friend joining me for my trip. This way, my host doesn't think I'm traveling all by myself. Creating the illusion that I have someone else with me makes me feel more comfortable falling asleep at night in a stranger's place. Booking for two sometimes comes with an additional fee, depending on the Airbnb. For example, when I traveled to Rome and booked two nights in a livable art sculpture Airbnb, the price was $102 a night for one person and $145 a night for two people. In this case, my partner did end up joining me for the stay. But even if he hadn't, I would have been fine paying the additional fee to feel more secure about staying there alone. Inside the livable art sculpture Airbnb that the author booked for a trip to Rome. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Solo travel can be daunting, especially when you're booking accommodation with an individual rather than directly through a company like you would at a hotel. But after all my unique Airbnb experiences, I think it's worth booking them even when I'm alone. And booking for two makes me feel a little safer. Read the original article on Business Insider Special counsel Jack Smith is in a bind. While his Jan. 6related indictment of Donald Trump is stalled until the Supreme Court weighs in, Florida District Court Judge Aileen Cannon gutted Smiths remaining opportunity to take Trump to trial before the November electionin this case, over allegedly hoarding classified documents. On the face of it, Smiths hands are tied, but there is one rare legal maneuver he could try to force Cannons hand. Its called a writ of mandamus, and its a centuries-old rule that allows a litigant to bypass their assigned district court judge and go directly to a court of appeals to ask for a court order mandating a judge to correct any abuse of discretion and force them to act according to their judicial duties. Its essentially a legal slap on the wrist, but its rarely used because district court judges are typically given a lot of leeway to run their dockets and appellate courts are loath to get involved. This is, however, hardly a typical situation, with a former U.S. president facing criminal chargesand Cannon isnt exactly an ordinary judge, either, having been appointed to her current seat by the defendant. This, coupled with Cannons handling of the classified documents case thus far, has led Glenn Danas, an appeals expert and partner at Clarkson Law Firm, to think a writ of mandamus could be in Smiths reach. It seems theres an appearance of home cooking, because [Trump] appointed Judge Cannon and she is very young and kind of inexperienced, Danas told Slate. It seems like shes going out of her way to afford the defendants an extraordinary amount of time and her own judicial resources to get every single thing that they want done in a way that seems unusual. Cannon is currently in her early 40s and was appointed to the federal bench in 2020, when she was just 39 years old. Before that, she was working at a law firm in Florida and had experience as a federal prosecutor. While Cannon was a law student at the University of Michigan, she joined the conservative Federalist Society. Since Cannon was randomly assigned to Smiths classified documents case, shes been accused of slow-walking it, taking an inordinate amount of time to issue decisions on pretrial motions and building a lot of slack into the pretrial deadlines. Thats been a gift to Trumps defense team, which wants to delay, delay, and delay some more in order to put off having any criminal trial before the November electionpresumably because if Trump wins, he could ask his Department of Justice to drop Smiths indictments against him. For instance, Trumps attorneys have argued he was authorized to take whatever documentsincluding classified oneshe chose to when leaving the White House because, they say, the Presidential Records Act allows for it. However, Smith argued that Trump doesnt face any charges under the PRArather, hes charged under the Espionage Act and for obstruction of justicemaking any PRArelated defense irrelevant. Cannon, instead of outright deciding on whether or not the PRA is applicable to the classified documents case, asked both sides to put the question to a jury through hypothetical questionnaires. Smith was not happy about this, cautioning Cannon that her lack of decisionmaking would threaten the prosecutions right to a fair trial and an opportunity to appeal. And after initially setting a May 20 trial, Cannon indicated for months that the date was unlikely to stick, and asked Smith and the defense to suggest new trial dates. Ultimately, Cannon didnt heed those recommendations and moved to vacate the trial date from her court schedule altogether, citing myriad unresolved pretrial motions. Cannons decisions as shes overseen this trial dont add up for Adam Pollock, former assistant attorney general of New York. He told Slate that Cannons reasoning reads as kind of saying that she didnt do the dishes and therefore the dishes are dirty. Kevin McMunigal, a former federal prosecutor and law professor at Case Western Reserve University, agrees. He told Slate that Cannon adopted a really plodding pace and questioned if it was due to her inexperience. Considering all of Cannons actions thus far could give Smith grounds for a writ of mandamus. Plus, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit already rebuked Cannon once before Trump was even indicted, chiding her for trying to appoint a special master to oversee the classified documents seized at Mar-a-Lagowhich Trumps attorneys had requested-instead of allowing Smith access to the documents. But in order for Smiths writ to have any chance of consideration by the appellate court, he must prove there is no other adequate legal remedy available. Realistically, Danas and McMunigal dont think there is one, since once a case is assigned to a judge, technically almost no decision they make can be appealed until the final jury verdict is reached. (A litigant can file an interlocutory appeal if they dispute a judges ruling before trial, but it would go to Cannon first, and only if she rejects it can the appeal proceed to the appellate court. The same process applies if Smith were to ask for a new judge. More often than not, appellate courts dont like to get involved in matters like these.) You have to make a case that if the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals doesnt jump in, youre going to suffer some sort of harm that cant be fixed later, said Danas. It might be something like an invasion of privilege or maybe disqualification of counsel. It boils down to showing the appellate court that Cannon has abused her discretion in a way thats permanently going to damage Smiths case. And one way the special counsel could achieve this is by simply admitting he wants to take Trump to trial before the November election. The special counsel has never explicitly said in public statements or court filings that he wants a speedy trial for Trump before the presidential election, likely in an effort to evade any accusations of bias or ill motive. (Instead, Smith has said there is a national interest in seeing Trumps charges resolved promptly.) However, given the gravity of his classified documents case and Cannons recent decision to eliminate a trial date, Danas believes Smith could seriously consider showing his cards. Perhaps its better just to be forthright about it and say, Im a special prosecutor and I dont necessarily have a political dog in the fight, but I think its important for the countrys functioning to get these things done in an average way; if not on a fast track, then at least on a normal track. Through all rungs of the countrys judicial system, maintaining a sense of fairness is a major concern, and if Smith argues Cannon is indulging in an extraordinary amount of delay in order to push this trial past the November election, which helps Trump, it could convince the appellate court to consider his writ. If I were working on this, I would file a writ of mandamus ASAP, said Danas. Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn defended the Capitol Building on Jan. 6 and dreamed of returning four years later as a congressman. Tuesday, that dream crumbled when Dunn lost out on the Democratic nomination for a House seat in Maryland. In Tuesdays primary, Maryland state Sen. Sarah Elfreth was projected to defeat over 20 Democratic rivals, including Dunn, vying for an open U.S. House seat. She is now on a glide path to the House of Representatives in the comfortably blue suburban Baltimore district come November. Dunn shot into the national spotlight after defending the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6 and brought media attention with him into an otherwise routine open seat primary. Though Dunn is not from the suburban Baltimore district he competed to represent, he raked in $3.75 million, largely from grassroots donors supportive of the Capitol cop-turned-congressional hopeful. His run for office as political newbie up against a slew of accomplished state legislators tested the salience of his Jan. 6-centric messaging in a Democratic primary. A victory Tuesday would have buttressed Democratic campaign operators suspicions that pro-democracy messaging will help animate reliable blue voters come November. Though Dunns prominence and focus on the Capitol riot supercharged his congressional bid, he ultimately came up short. Elfreth, the youngest woman to ever serve in the Maryland Senate, ran on a cookie-cutter Democratic platform, highlighting abortion access, gun safety, and economic growth on the campaign trail. Elfreth differentiated herself from Dunn and a pool of experienced state legislators jockeying for the nomination just as the United Democracy Projecta super PAC affiliated with the powerful pro-Israel lobbyhas poured over $4 million to boost her campaign since April. Elfreth claimed she was surprised by UDPs move. In an April interview with Maryland Matters, Elfreth said she was unaware of UDPs plans to inject funds into the race on her behalf. I literally read about it when everybody else read about it, she said. In an April statement to HuffPost, a UDP spokesperson acknowledged Dunns support for a strong US-Israel relationship but suggested they had concerns about other anti-Israel candidates in the primary. For his part, Dunn made an issue of UDPs involvement, repeatedly hitting Elfreth for accepting dark money help. With UDP propelling her over the finish line, Elfreth is now well-positioned to clinch the seat, as Marylands 3rd District has a 10-point Democratic lean according to the Cook Political Report. The seat was left open by retiring Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD), a nine-term congressman and leader on election transparencya fact Dunn took pains to highlight. 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 man convicted of entering the Capitol during the January 6 riot lost a Republican primary for the House of Representatives in West Virginia on Tuesday. Derrick Evans was running against WV-1 incumbent Rep Carol Miller for a seat in the very same chamber he once joined a mob of enraged Trump supporters attempting to storm. He lost by more than 20,000 once all votes were counted. Evans is no stranger to elected office. He previously served as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates for a single year, before he would go on to be arrested two days after the bloody attack on the Capitol. Derrick Evans in the West Virginia House of Delegates (West Virginia legislature) During the attack, rioters (including Evans) were seeking to halt the Senates process of counting votes in the Electoral College and certifying the result of the 2020 election. They failed, though the votes were delayed for several hours as lawmakers sheltered in fear for their lives around the Capitol complex. Rioters chanted violent slogans, including hang Mike Pence!, as they raged against the Republicans and Democrats, including the vice president, they blamed for betraying them thanks to Donald Trumps lies and conspiracies about massive voter fraud affecting the outcome of the election. Evans livestreamed his role in the attack, where he was seen shouting at police officers who were desperately trying to hold rioters back. Were in; theres too many for them to do anything about it, he said at one point, according to court documents. At another point, to remove all doubt from prosecutors minds, he screamed: Derrick Evans is in the Capitol! He would go on to be sentenced to three months of prison in June of 2022, after agreeing to plead guilty to one felony count of obstructing or impeding officers during a period of civil disorder. His attorney told a judge that the prosecution of Evans had been a humbling experience for the defendant. But the Republican would-be congressman went on to lean on that reputation of a January 6er as he campaigned for Congress, and clearly that brand was appealing to at least a portion of the electorate. Noel Fritsch, his campaign manager, told Mother Jones: 80 percent of the voting electorate thinks that whatever happened on January 6 was warranted, and 70 percent think the Feds did it. Aiding his effort to rewrite history, of course, is Donald Trump himself. The former president is campaigning for the White House under four seperate criminal prosecutions, including two related to his effort to overturn the election based on lies and conspiracies. As he has criscrossed the country, he has openly expressed his support for Americans convicted of crimes related to January 6 and referred to them even those convicted of assaulting police as hostages. Evans failure to crack even 40 percent in a district considered to be a GOP bastion is a sign, however, that even so-called Trump territory has its limits when it comes to selecting members of Congress. Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the campaign trail, the White House and Capitol Hill. In todays edition, we preview two primaries tonight that have a connection to the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol. Plus, national political correspondent Steve Kornacki breaks down whether there could be a surge of split-ticket voting this fall. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. Jan. 6 takes center stage in tonights primaries By Bridget Bowman, Ben Kamisar and Adam Wollner Its primary Election Day in four states and the Jan. 6 attack is at the center of two of the biggest races. In Maryland, theres a former police officer who defended the Capitol from a mob the day Donald Trumps Electoral College loss to Joe Biden was certified. In West Virginia, theres a former state lawmaker who was part of that mob and served prison time as a result. Do you have a news tip? Let us know Marylands 3rd District: Harry Dunn, a 15-year veteran of the Capitol Police force, is running in a crowded Democratic primary for an open House seat. Following the Jan. 6 riots, he became one of the most public figures representing the hundreds of police officers who put their lives on the line to protect the Capitol. He gave emotional testimony during the televised congressional hearings investigating the attack, became a fixture on the cable news circuit and wrote a book about the ordeal and his life. Dunn is now running against several experienced state legislators for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Rep. Paul Sarbanes. Dunn has been the top fundraiser in the Democratic field and has spent more than $2 million on ads, according to AdImpact, including some that highlight his actions on Jan. 6. Meanwhile, the United Democracy Project, a super PAC aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, has spent more than $3.5 million on ads to boost state Sen. Sarah Elfreth. One of her colleagues, state Sen. Clarence Lam, is also running. West Virginias 1st District: One of the rioters Dunn sought to protect the Capitol from on Jan. 6 is challenging Republican Rep. Carol Miller in her primary. Former state Del. Derrick Evans was convicted of a felony for storming the Capitol and served three months in prison. He touted his actions on Jan. 6 in a TV ad, saying he stood with President Trump to peacefully and patriotically protest the stolen election and claimed he had been held hostage as a political prisoner. (Evans pleaded guilty to a felony count of civil disorder in March 2022.) Miller, who has outspent Evans on the airwaves, has cited Evans past candidacy as a Democrat. Miller also aired an ad featuring Trump praising her, even though the former president hasnt endorsed in the primary. If Evans upsets Miller, she would be the second member of Congress to lose a primary this election cycle. Neither district will be competitive in the general election, meaning Dunn and Evans would likely serve together in Congress if they win their respective primaries. Read more about what to watch in tonights primaries in Maryland, Nebraska, North Carolina and West Virginia Will 2024 see a rise in split-ticket voting? By Steve Kornacki Maryland Democrats today are selecting a candidate to oppose former Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, in the race for a vacant Senate seat. General election polling has thus far been scant and sporadic, but in an average of the four surveys taken since March, Hogan leads both of his potential Democratic foes, Rep. David Trone and Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. The prevailing expectation, though, is that this early Hogan strength will melt away come November. Its a presidential election year and Maryland is about as blue as they come, the thinking goes, which will generate a mighty partisan tide that even a popular figure like Hogan cant overcome. Recent history certainly backs this up. Ticket-splitting has long been on the decline, even more so in the Trump era. In the 2016 and 2020 elections, there was a grand total of one Senate race in which the winner came from the opposite party of the presidential candidate who carried the state. That lone split-ticket outcome in 2020 came in Maine, where GOP Sen. Susan Collins won by 9 points even as Biden himself carried the state by 9. To win in Maryland, which Biden took by 33 points in 2020, Hogan will need to attract far more split-ticket voters than even Collins managed to get. Anecdotally, there are also two Senate races from the recent past that mirror the basic dynamics of this years Maryland contest. In Massachusetts in 1996, GOP Gov. Bill Weld, whod just won re-election by 42 points, challenged Democratic Sen. John Kerry. But Bill Clintons 33-point landslide in the state at the top of the Democratic ticket doomed Weld. Similarly, Linda Lingle, the only Republican ever to win two terms as Hawaiis governor, sought to parlay her popularity into a Senate bid in 2012. But Barack Obamas crushing 43-point triumph in the state was far too much for Lingle to overcome. But this weeks New York Times/Siena polls have brought a ray of hope for Hogan, and for every Senate candidate in need of split-ticket votes. Four of the states surveyed Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin will not only be critical in determining the presidential race, but the battle for Senate control. Each of these seats is now held by a Democrat, and despite Trump leading in three of these states, the Democratic Senate candidates hold advantages in all four. It at least raises the possibility of a rise in split-ticket voting this fall, one that could result in a number of states siding with presidential and Senate candidates from opposite parties. Granted, Hogan will need a level of split-ticket voting in Maryland far and above anything indicated in these polls. So, for that matter, will two Democratic incumbents running in red states Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Jon Tester of Montana. And the Democratic strength in these Senate polls could be illusory; after all, none of the Democratic candidates are breaking 50%. If they cant grow their support further, they could all be caught as voters are forced to make a final decision. But the idea of renewed split-ticket voting does make some sense. With polls showing broad public frustration with both parties presidential candidates, is it crazy to wonder if theres an unusually large pool of voters who wont feel wedded to a single party as they work their way down the ballot? Michael Cohen details Trumps role in his repeated lies about hush money payment By Adam Reiss, Jillian Frankel, Gary Grumbach and Dareh Gregorian Trumps former longtime lawyer Michael Cohen returned to the witness stand Tuesday and told jurors he repeatedly lied about his hush money payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels in the closing days of the 2016 campaign in order to protect Mr. Trump. Cohen said hed claimed to be the sole person behind the $130,000 payment to Daniels to protect his boss, to stay on message, to demonstrate continued loyalty. In reality, he told the jury, everything he did was at the direction of Donald J. Trump. Prosecutors allege that Trump falsified business records relating to those payments by classifying them as legal services pursuant to a retainer agreement. Cohen testified Monday in New York City that no such retainer agreement existed. Trump attorney Todd Blanche began his cross-examination in fiery fashion in the afternoon, telling Cohen that theyd never met but that Cohen had referred to him on TikTok as a crying little s---. Sounds like something I would say, Cohen replied. Asked if hed called Trump a dictator douchebag, Cohen gave a similar answer. Read more from Day 17 of the Trump trial Thats all from The Politics Desk for now. If you have feedback likes or dislikes email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com TechCrunch The new CEO of MariaDB (Plc) says he wants closer-knit collaboration with the foundation behind the eponymous open source database project. It has been a turbulent two years for MariaDB, with its ill-fated public listing via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in 2022 sending the company into a nosedive it never quite recovered from. Last month's transaction means that MariaDB's shares are no longer trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), though the three-month de-registration process means that the company is still technically public through early December. PARIS, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The thriving Sino-French relationship has been instrumental in Danone's success in China, said the company's CEO in a recent interview with Xinhua. Danone's journey in China began in 1987, with its first venture into the dairy sector in Guangzhou. "This pioneering step was more than an entry into a new market: it was an expression of our belief in the potential for growth and partnership in China," said Antoine de Saint-Affrique, the French food group's CEO. In 1992, Danone set up a baby food company in Shanghai, becoming the first company in China to add patented prebiotics to infant formula. In 2000, it opened a factory in Wuxi, becoming the first base in China to produce enteral nutrition products. In 2020, it established an open research center in Shanghai, and a special nutrition factory in Qingdao. After more than three decades, China has now been Danone's second-largest market globally for six consecutive years. "Our operations span 10 factories and include over 8,000 employees, contributing significantly to about 11 percent of our global sales as of 2023. In our just-released financial result in the first quarter, our China, North Asia and Oceania Zone delivered a like-for-like growth of 8.9 percent, the highest among all regions," said de Saint-Affrique. "This success is a direct reflection of the strong economic and trade cooperation between China and France, which has not only facilitated but also accelerated our growth in this dynamic market," he stressed. As a representative of French companies that have achieved successful development in China, de Saint-Affrique attended the Sixth Meeting of the China-France Business Council held in Paris last week. "The 60-year mark of diplomatic ties between China and France is a testament to a rich and dynamic partnership that has fostered economic and trade exchanges. For Danone, this milestone is not only a celebration of historical ties but also a foundation for future collaboration and innovation," he told Xinhua. China plays a pivotal role in Danone's global strategy, reflecting not only its vast consumer base but also its rapidly evolving market dynamics, he continued. "It's a country where we have a strong science base, a strong production base, fantastic talents, and therefore it's a country where we innovate in China for China, but also for the rest of the world," he said. The food, drink, and health sector is highly competitive in China, the CEO of Danone explained. "The diversity and sophistication of Chinese consumers inspire us to continuously adapt and innovate, ensuring we meet their nutritional needs and preferences. This strategic focus is aligned with our mission of bringing health through food to as many people as possible, making China central to our global endeavors." "Our commitment to the Chinese market is unwavering, as we see it as a source of growth and innovation," he concluded. FILE PHOTO: Visitors take selfie-photos under an early-flowering Ookanzakura cherry blossoms in full bloom in Tokyo TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan welcomed more than 3 million visitors for a second straight month in April, official data showed on Wednesday, setting the stage for a potential record year for tourism. The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure was 3.04 million last month, edging down from the monthly record of 3.08 million achieved in March, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed. Arrivals in April were up 56% from the prior year and 4% higher than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic shut global borders. Visitors from France, Italy, and the Middle East rose to record levels in April for any single month. The yen's slide to a 34-year low has made Japan a bargain destination for foreign visitors, with arrivals set to blow past the annual record of 31.9 million seen in 2019. While the surge in arrivals is good news for Japan's economy, it has caused frictions with locals. Complaints of litter and illegal parking caused local officials to erect a barrier this month to block a popular photo spot of Japan's iconic Mt. Fuji. Trail restrictions and a new 2,000 yen ($12.79) fee will go into effect for Mt. Fuji climbers this summer after a rise in pollution and accidents during last year's hiking season. Visitors from Mainland China, Japan's biggest tourist market before the pandemic, exceeded 500,000 in April for the first time since January 2020 but were still 27% below the level in 2019. (Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu) JD Vance on going to Trump trial: I was there to support a friend Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) said in a Tuesday interview that he attended the hush money criminal trial against former President Trump on Monday to be a friendly face in the courtroom for the presumptive GOP nominee for president. I mean, look, I was there to support a friend, Vance, who is seen as a potential running mate for Trump this fall, said on Fox Newss The Story with Martha MacCallum. Aside from the political implications of this trial, and well certainly get to that, I think this is a very depressing way to spend five, six weeks of your life when you know that youre innocent, as Donald Trump knows that he is, he continued. Recognizing that sometimes its a little bit lonely to sit up there by yourself, I offered to come in and maybe just be a friendly face in the courtroom. And thats all I wanted to do, Vance said. And thats what I think you see so many people want to come and show their support for the president, because they actually like what he stands for. They think that this trial is pathetic. And they want to show some support to a friend. And I think thats a good thing and an admirable thing. Thats certainly what I wanted to do up there, Vance added. Vance was among the Republican allies who flocked to New York this week to show support for the former president. On Monday, Trumps entourage included Vance, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. The three lawmakers were all seated alongside one another in the second row of the gallery, about 10 feet behind the former president. On Tuesday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) attended the trial, along with Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Cory Mills (R-Fla.). Former GOP candidates for president Vivek Ramaswamy and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum also attended the trial. Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to reimbursements made to Cohen, who made a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to stay quiet ahead of the 2016 election about her alleged affair with Trump from a decade prior. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied the affair. Trump is also under a gag order that bars him from criticizing the witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, court staff or the judges family. It does not bar him from talking about the judge overseeing the case or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D). Trumps allies, however, are under no such restrictions. Vance and other Republicans have railed against the gag order and taken aim at witnesses and the judges daughter while speaking outside the Manhattan courtroom this week. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A high-level Biden appointee announced her resignation from the Interior Department on Wednesday in protest of the administrations Gaza policy joining the growing listof government officialsspeaking out against the continued U.S. support for Israels military offensive that over the past seven months has devastated the Palestinian enclave. In her resignation letter, Lily Greenberg Call, the special assistant to Interior Secretary Deb Haalands chief of staff, Rachael Taylor, called President Joe Biden out by name and criticized his administrations lack of condemnation. I joined the Biden Administration because I believe in fighting for a better America, for a future where Americans can thrive: one with economic prosperity, a healthy planet and equal rights for all people. I have dedicated my career to candidates who I believed would further this vision, Call wrote in her resignation letter to Haaland. However, I can no longer, in good conscience, continue to represent this administration amidst President Bidens disastrous, continued support for Israels genocide in Gaza. Call has served as a special assistant to Taylor since February 2023. She was appointed to her position after working as a field organizer for Vice President Kamala Harris primary campaign in 2019 and then for Bidens campaign in 2020. Biden delivers remarks during an event to promote American investments and jobs in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 14, 2024. Call, a high-level Biden appointee, resigned from the Interior Department on Wednesday in protest of the Biden administrations Gaza policy. Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images The Biden administration has been facing both external and internal pushback over its nearly unconditional support for Israels current military campaign, which began after Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel on Oct. 7 and took roughly 250 hostages, about 100 of whom are believed to still be alive in captivity. Call appears to be the first Jewish American appointee of the Biden administration to resign in protest of U.S. policy on Gaza, stressing that she was raised in Jewish communities in the U.S., Israel and occupied Palestine. People in my community lost loved ones during Hamas attack on October 7th, beloveds killed, displaced and taken as hostages. I am terrified by rising antisemitism around the world, Call wrote. And yet I am certain that the answer to this is not to collectively punish millions of innocent Palestinians through displacement, famine and ethnic cleansing. What I have learned from Jewish tradition is that every life is precious, she continued. That we are obligated to stand up for those facing violence and oppression, and to question authority in the face of injustice. Israeli Defense Forces' armored units launch an attack on the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza as troops continue their aerial and ground attacks on May 15, 2024. Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images Since Oct. 7, Israeli forces have killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza including about 15,000 children wounded nearly double that number, displaced most of the population, destroyed important infrastructure like hospitals, universities and mosques, targeted aid workers,journalists and doctors, and caused the spread of starvation, thirst and disease by continuing to block access to life-saving aid. Throughout this offensive, the U.S. has provided nearly unconditional diplomatic and military support to Israel, publicly voicing concern over Palestinian safety while continuing to approve weapons sales and block accountability from international bodies. The United States has used nearly no leverage throughout the last eight months to hold Israel accountable; quite the opposite, we have enabled and legitimized Israels actions with vetoes of UN resolutions designed to hold Israel accountable, Call wrote. President Biden has the blood of innocent people on his hands. Call told HuffPost that her resignation submission is in progress, so Haaland has not yet responded to her decision. President Biden has the blood of innocent people on his hands.Lily Greenberg Call, special assistant to the Interior Department's chief of staff, in a resignation letter on May 15, 2024 Calls resignation falls on the anniversary of the Nakba, the Arabic word for catastrophe that Palestinians use to describe the destruction of their land and displacement of hundreds of thousands of their people to create the country of Israel in 1948. Palestinians and their allies say that the Nakba never ended, pointing to the decades of oppression they continue to face from Israel. The departure comes just days after a U.S. Army officer made public his resignation from the military and the Defense Intelligence Agency over the governments continued support for Israels bombardment. Maj. Harrison Mann, a Jewish American whose position was not appointed by the Biden administration, reflected on his own role in the U.S. militarys support for Israels destruction of Gaza and how he had delayed submitting his resignation out of hope that the administrations position would change. Last week, the Biden administration faced severe criticism for its highly anticipated report to Congress, saying its reasonable to assess that Israel is violating international law by killing civilians and blocking aid into Gaza, but that Israel can continue receiving U.S. military support. On Tuesday, The Associated Press reported that the Biden administration plans to send more than $1 billion in additional arms and ammunition to Israel, at a time when soldiers are increasing attacks on Palestinians across the strip while continuing to block humanitarian assistance. The United States has long enabled Israeli war crimes and the status quo of apartheid and occupation. That status quo does not keep Israelis safe, nor Jews around the world. It certainly does not protect Palestinians, who have the right to freedom, safety, self-determination and dignity, just as much as Jewish people do, and every person does, Call wrote. Any system that requires the subjugation of one group over another is not only unjust, but unsafe. Jewish safety cannot and will not come at the expense of Palestinian freedom. Making Jews the face of the American war machine makes us less safe, she continued. What seems like a lack of awareness in the Administration leadership of how critical this issue is to the American public is devastating to both communities, and politically disastrous. Related... Nationalism united the German states and the Italian states in the mid-19th century, becoming Germany and Italy. But nationalism was not immediately fulfilled among all of those whose minds and hearts were touched by the ideal of liberation as a single people. The spirit of nationalism changed the direction of the historic Jewish people. It invigorated pioneer, young and mostly socialist Eastern European Jews to replant themselves in their ancestral land. They fled death from Russian pogroms to construct the Jewish nation literally from the ground up: as farmers and egalitarians in their Biblical homeland. Nationalism birthed other ideas of regeneration as well. Ahad Haam (Asher Ginsberg) wrote in a modern Hebrew to animate a secular Jewish peoples reimagined culture. Eliezer Ben-Yehuda moved to Palestine to reconstruct the ancient national language of the Jewish people, used primarily by scholars for the previous 2,000 years. Idealists created socialist settlements called kibbutz, and others founded collectives in the land, called moshav. All comprised components of national liberation. The deaths of a half million Jews in White Russia because of revolution and World War I, and the vicious, genocidal murder of 6 million European Jews in the Holocaust, ended the cultural versus political Zionist debate, for without a homeland the worlds Jews faced death from suddenly hostile governments such as Russia and Germany. The Jews required a land and government of their own to escape 2,000 years of persecution. Irrespective of Jewish nationalist aspirations, France and Britain divided the defeated Ottoman Empire after World War I. They created Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Transjordan and the British Mandate in half of Palestine, namely Cisjordan. These were their colonialist projects to protect and exploit their interests in the Middle East. But the inhabitants of these lands were not colonialists. Even the Hashemite rulers moved from Mecca to rule over Syria, Iraq and Jordan. The Jews of Palestine envisioned the British colonialist enterprise not as a European extension, but as their escape from persecution in every land they inhabited, including every Arab Muslim nation and the European nations that murdered them. Eventually, the Jews were expelled from all Arab countries without compensation for property or wealth. But instead of claiming refugee status, they invested themselves in reviving the land on which they resettled. The modern Middle East was originally founded as a colonialist European project, but the nations of the Middle East, created equally by the League of Nations and its successor the United Nations, are independent states with equal status of origin and authenticity. Many nations have had their boundaries redrawn since World War I. The Jews who resettled in Israel, who escaped persecution or were expelled by their countries, became a refugee nation 60% from Arab lands, 40% from other countries, including refugees from Nazi occupied Europe. Israel was established first on purchased land, and then by legal international agreement, according to international law. Its not a colonialist project. Its the result of opposition to European colonialism, to establish a nation of refugees from European and Arab persecution. Convincing the Arab nations to accept Israels existence has taken 76 years thus far. First Egypt, then Jordan, then the United Arab Emirates, and hopefully next Saudi Arabia have accepted to live with Israel in peace. Along the way Jordans King Abdullah, and Egyptian President Anwar El-Sadat, and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin were assassinated for their peace efforts. The path to peace is treacherous. But thats the only reasonable path forward: peace between sovereign nations, ruled by their own people. May 15 is Israel Independence Day, both on the Hebrew and Gregorian calendars, just like in 1948, the first Israel Independence Day. Israel has changed my life dramatically, and the security of every Jew in the world. Even in the midst of war, today is a day to stand up for and celebrate Israels existence, the first independent Jewish commonwealth in 2,000 years, and a haven for the Jewish people. Am Yisrael chai. The People, Israel, lives. Mark H. Levin is founding rabbi of Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park. First Lady Jill Biden will head to the 2024 battleground of Michigan on Thursday, spending three days touring the state with Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, as the two hold events at various locations, including Up North. The White House on Tuesday night announced Biden and Emhoff's itinerary, though no specific locations for the events were provided and it did not appear they would be open to the general public. The tour is set to begin Thursday afternoon with the two making remarks at a political event in Marquette in the Upper Peninsula. People gather to listen to first lady Jill Biden speak for an "Educators for Biden-Harris" campaign mobilization event at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Phoenix on May 10, 2024. Following that, the two will fly to the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula, where they will speak at an event held by the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Then, on Friday Biden and Emhoff will join a discussion on health care with the two Native American communities before touring the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. Later that day, Biden and Emhoff will fly into Saginaw County and speak at a political event in Midland on the Lower Peninsula before flying from there into Detroit. On Saturday, they will speak at a political event in Detroit before Biden travels to an event in New York City later that day. First gentleman Doug Emhoff delivers remarks inside a field office for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 8, 2024. President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak Sunday evening at the Detroit NAACP's annual Fight for Freedom Fund dinner in Detroit. It's been more than a decade since a president held an event in the Upper Peninsula, with Barack Obama visiting Marquette in 2011. Former President Donald Trump did fly to Menominee in the U.P. in 2020 but that was en route to an event in neighboring Wisconsin. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jill Biden beginning 3-day Michigan tour on Thursday West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) has won the GOP nomination for the states Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), according to Decision Desk HQ, likely setting him up to be its next senator. Justice was the front-runner to win the nomination and is viewed as the favorite for the general election in the solidly red state. He had the backing of former President Trump along with top Republican leaders including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and West Virginias other senator, Shelley Moore Capito (R). He fended off opposition from several other candidates, most notably Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.). Justice regularly led Mooney in polling for months by double digits. Mooney tried to run to Justices right and depict the governor, who was a Democrat until he switched parties in 2017, as a RINO, an acronym meaning Republican in Name Only. He attracted support from members of the more conservative wing of the GOP, including Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Mike Lee (Utah), Rep. Jim Jordan (Ohio), and conservative organizations like Club for Growth. But it was ultimately not enough to stop Justice from securing the nomination after building up wide support within the party. When the 2024 cycle began, the Senate race in West Virginia looked like it was going to be a toss-up, said Nation Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines following Justices victory. That all changed with the recruitment of Governor Jim Justice. Governor Justice is one of the most popular governors in the country, and his work to cut taxes and create opportunity for hardworking West Virginians makes him exactly the right person to represent the state in the U.S. Senate. Congratulations to Big Jim and his team on a big win tonight. We look forward to welcoming him to the United States Senate next year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Jimmy Carter, 99, Is 'Still There' as He Nears 'the End,' Grandson Says Jason Carter offered a health update on his grandfather while speaking at the Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum this week ALEX BRANDON/POOL/AFP via Getty President Jimmy Carter at the funeral service for former first lady Rosalynn Carter on Nov. 29, 2023 Jimmy Carter, 99, remains present more than a year into hospice care, his grandson Jason Carter said this week though his time left remains uncertain. Speaking at the annual Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum on Tuesday, May 14, Jason said that 15 months after the former president terminated medical intervention, "he really is, I think, coming to the end," adding, "theres a part of this faith journey that is so important to him, and theres a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end and I think he has been there in that space. Related: Jimmy Carter's Grandson Laughs Recalling Chat with Grandpa Where They Were Both Puzzled by His Health Kate Carter Jason and Jimmy Carter on Feb. 8, 2017 Jason, who chairs the Carter family's human rights organization, expressed a similar sentiment to PEOPLE eight months ago, when he said ahead of Jimmy's 99th birthday, "My grandfather right now is really physically limited he's coming to the end, as is obvious by the fact that he's been in hospice and so in that way I think he's frustrated." At the time, Jason continued, his grandfather was finding meaning in the rare opportunity he was given to reflect on his life and values. Related: Unexpected Months in Hospice Have Been 'Meaningful' to Jimmy Carter as He 'Comes to the End,' Grandson Says David Goldman/AP Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in Plains, Ga., in 2017 Jimmy, whose condition was not disclosed, entered hospice care in February 2023 so that he could live out his remaining days at his Plains, Ga., home with family. His wife, Rosalynn, was diagnosed with dementia in May 2023. "There are a lot of different ways that [dementia] can manifest, and for [my grandmother], it has manifested in such a happy and loving way, which is not surprising given the way she has lived her life and the joy that she's always felt," Jason told PEOPLE in the September interview. "And so it's difficult, but it's the best possible case scenario really in that way." Related: Rosalynn Carter Never Knew Life Without Jimmy She Met Her Future Husband as a Newborn Despite their limitations, he said at the time, "They are definitely still there for each other." "They are in love at home together and at peace with whatever comes," he told PEOPLE. "That love story that really defines their life continues to define it." Rosalynn herself entered hospice care in November and died two days later at the age of 96. Related: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter's Grandson Offers Update on Their Health: Were in the Final Chapter (Exclusive) Brynn Anderson/POOL/AFP/Getty Jason Carter walks past the casket of his grandmother, Rosalynn Carter, at her tribute service on Nov. 28, 2023 During his speech at the mental health forum on Tuesday, Jason, 48, reflected on the impact Rosalynn's death had on the Carter family. My grandmothers passing was a difficult moment for all of us, including my grandfather, he said, but, "The outpouring of love and support that we, as a family, received from people in this room and from the rest of the world was so remarkable and meaningful to us, and it really turned that whole process into a celebration. 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. Jason then told a light-hearted story about Jimmy's recent health, recounting a conversation he shared with his grandfather during an Atlanta Braves game. "I said, 'Pa Pa people ask me how youre doing and I say I dont know.' And he said, Well, I dont know myself,' " Jason said with a laugh. "And so, hes still there." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The grandson of Jimmy Carter on Tuesday shared an update on the former presidents health more than a year after he entered hospice care. Speaking at the 28th Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum, Jason Carter, the chair of The Carter Center, said the 39th president is doing ok. He really is, I think, coming to the end that, as Ive said before, theres a part of this faith journey that is so important to him, he said. And theres a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end. And I think he has been there in that space. Jason Carter said he visited his grandfather a couple of weeks ago, when they watched an Atlanta Braves game together. He then shared a brief exchange they had. People ask me how youre doing and I say, I dont know and he said, Well, I dont know myself, the younger Carter recalled. Carter, 99, entered hospice care at his Plains, Georgia, home in February 2023. He made a rare public appearance to attend the funeral of his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, in November. Carter, who arrived in a wheelchair pushed by one of his aides, appeared frail at the time. The former first lady, who was diagnosed with dementia, died on Nov. 19, two months after entering hospice care. She was 96. My grandmothers passing was a difficult moment for all of us, including my grandfather, Jason Carter said. But he said the family was deeply touched by the messages of support they got after the news of her death was made public. The outpouring of love and support that we as a family received from the people in this room and from the rest of the world was so remarkable and meaningful for us and really turned this process into a celebration, he told the audience of the forum. Last week, Jason Carter told The Atlanta Journal-Constitutions The Monica Pearson Show that his grandfather cast a mail-in ballot in this months primary election in the Peach State. Hes not going to miss an election! he said. Its important to him. I mean, thats the person he is. Related... SYDNEY, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The French high commissioner of the Republic in New Caledonia said that one person has been shot dead with two others wounded in the protests over proposed constitutional reform, Australian media reported on Wednesday. Australian ABC News quoted the High Commissioner of the Republic Louis Le Franc as saying that of the three wounded admitted to emergency, one was dead, the victim of a gunshot. According to the ABC News report, France had sent extra police squadrons to quell the unrest in New Caledonia after the French overseas territory was rocked by a night of protests against a controversial voting reform that has angered pro-independence forces. Shots were fired at security forces, vehicles torched and shops looted in the disturbances, the report said, adding that this is the worst such violence in New Caledonia since the deadly unrest in the 1980s. The high commissioner said that 47 gendarmes and 14 police officers were injured, and 180 people were arrested, according to New Caledonia media Nouvelle-Caledonie la Lere. Jimmy Carter's Grandson Laughs Recalling Chat with Grandpa Where They Were Both Puzzled by His Health Jason Carter admitted that Rosalynn's death in November was "a difficult moment" for the family, before noting that Jimmy has taken his declining health in stride Kate Carter Jason Carter with his grandfather Jimmy Carter on Feb. 8, 2017 Jimmy Carter has exceeded the nation's expectations as he approaches 15 months in hospice care and according to his grandson Jason Carter, the former president remains calm as he confronts the end of his life. On Tuesday, May 14, Jason spoke about his grandparents during an annual mental health forum named after Rosalynn Carter, who died in November at the age of 96. My grandmothers passing was a difficult moment for all of us, including my grandfather, Jason said, adding, "The outpouring of love and support that we, as a family, received from people in this room and from the rest of the world was so remarkable and meaningful to us, and it really turned that whole process into a celebration. Related: Rosalynn Carter Practiced Tai Chi with a Sword, Says Grandson Jason: She Was a Cool Grandma Brynn Anderson/POOL/AFP/Getty Jason Carter speaks during a tribute service for his late grandmother, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, on Nov. 28, 2023 Offering an update on his 99-year-old grandfather, Jason said that the former president is "doing OK." "He has been in hospice, as you know, for almost a year and a half now," Jason said, "and he really is, I think, coming to the end that, as Ive said before, theres a part of this faith journey that is so important to him, and theres a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end and I think he has been there in that space. Related: Unexpected Months in Hospice Have Been 'Meaningful' to Jimmy Carter as He 'Comes to the End,' Grandson Says ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images Jimmy Carter makes a rare public appearance on Nov. 28, 2023, to honor his late wife, Rosalynn, at her memorial service During his speech at the forum on Tuesday, Jason also chuckled while recalling a story that hinted at people's surprise with how long Jimmy has been in hospice. It was a conversation between him and his grandfather that happened while they were watching an Atlanta Braves game. "I said, 'Pa Pa people ask me how youre doing and I say I dont know,' " Jason light-heartedly remembered. "And he said, Well, I dont know myself. And so, hes still there." 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. Jason, who now chairs the human rights organization his grandparents co-founded after leaving the White House, told PEOPLE ahead of Jimmy's 99th birthday in October that being "physically limited" has been frustrating for the once-active peanut farmer, but that it's allowed the former president to reflect on his life and be "at peace with whatever comes." "These last several months have been surprising for all of us," he acknowledged at the time, "but it's been a real blessing." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Joe Biden and Donald Trump will face off in two debates ahead of this years presidential election. The first will air live on CNN on June 27, and the second will be hosted by ABC on Sept. 10. Earlier in the morning, Biden posted a video on X prodding Trump to debate him. In it, Biden made fun of Trumps ongoing criminal trial for hush money payments, referencing how Trumps trial skips meeting on Wednesday. More from Variety Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasnt shown up for a debate, Biden said. Now, hes acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. Ill even do it twice. So lets pick the dates, Donald. I heard youre free on Wednesdays. Within the hour, Trump responded on his Truth Social platform, writing: Crooked Joe Biden is the WORST debater I have ever faced He cant put two sentences together! I am Ready and Willing to Debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September. I would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds Thats only because he doesnt get them. In follow-up posts, Biden and Trump each said they received and accepted invitations to debate on CNN and ABC. The first debate will take place at 9 p.m. ET in CNNs Atlanta studios. It will air live on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Espanol, CNN Max and CNN.com. There will not be an audience present to ensure candidates may maximize the time allotted in the debate, CNN said in a release. The moderators will be announced at a later date. This will be the first debate between Biden and Trump ahead of the 2024 election, where Trump is seeking to return to the White House. CNNs CEO Mark Thompson simultaneously announced the news at the Warner Bros. Discovery upfront presentation Wednesday morning, saying Biden and Trump had agreed to the debate while the upfront was happening. Earlier this morning, I wrote to President Biden and former President Donald Trump inviting both of them to take part in a presidential debate to be broadcast and streamed on CNN from Atlanta on the 27th of June, Thompson told the crowd. And while this upfront has been taking place, weve received word from both candidates that theyve accepted the invitation. So were set for the first presidential election debate of 2024. When people have something important to say, they say it on CNN. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. On Wednesday, President Joe Biden threw down the gauntlet against former president Donald Trump and challenged him to two debates in June and September, rejecting the traditional calendar. Its a bold move meant to signal that hes unafraid to be combative. But back in Washington, the president has angered both Democrats and Republicans when it comes to his policy on Israel amid its war against Hamas in Gaza. Biden last week said that the United States would not support Israel if it went into Rafah and paused the shipment of 1,800 bombs weighing around 2,000lbs (907kg) and 1,700 bombs weighing 500lbs (227kg). But on Tuesday, the administration informed Congress that it planned to send more than $1bn in new weapons to Israel. While the Biden administration thinks it is trying to walk a tightrope, its splitting the difference has wound up infuriating everyone. Republicans, furious that Biden withheld even some aid to Israel, have proposed legislation that states no federal funds may be used to withhold, halt, reverse, or cancel the delivery of defense articles or defense services to Israel. The bill would also require that some money meant for maintaining the office of the Secretary of State and Defense may not be spent until each office certifies to Congress that any withheld defense articles or services are delivered to Israel. This is obviously a messaging bill that has little chance of passing the Senate. But it is meant to turn up the heat on pro-Israel Democrats while also highlighting Bidens policy, which they hope to portray as anti-Israel. At the same time, Biden is not winning over many people in his own party. On Friday, the State Department dropped its report saying that it found reasonable evidence Israel has violated international humanitarian law in its use of US weapons in Gaza. But the report did not link the violations to Israels use of US weaponry, which allows the Biden administration to continue future sales to Israel. The fact that the Biden administration dropped the report known as an national security memorandum or an NSM-20 on a Friday afternoon, when the House and Senate were out and they expected most reporters not to pick it up, shows that they knew it would cause anger and costernation amongst its critics. The response by Democrats was swift. Last week, Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, a critic of Israels military action in Gaza, told The Independent: 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. But on Wednesday, Van Hollen told The Independent that while the NSM-20 is a useful tool, he was less than impressed by the results. I think that the administration avoided making some tougher decisions, he said. On the other hand, they did recognize that it's reasonable to conclude that there have been violations of international humanitarian law. Similarly, Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, a moderate Democrat who nonetheless has criticised Israels conduct in Gaza, expressed disappointment in the NSM-20s contents. I was disappointed in the portion dealing with the humanitarian aid, Kaine, who cited the killing of a United Nations aid worker, said. And I feel like the NSM gave Israel a higher grade than was warranted. Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee who hails from a state with many weapons manufacturers and defense contractors, has criticised presidents of both parties for bypassing Congress when it comes to military action. Nonetheless, as a former vice presidential candidate, hes a steadfast supporter of the president. So his decision to speak out shows dissatisfaction from multiple wings of the Democratic Party. Throughout the war, Biden has steadfastly supported Israel, pushing for Congress to successfully pass a massive supplemental package that provided $26.38bn in aid to Israel and passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. This comes despite the fact that many believe the Biden administrations actions played a role in Gazas devastating famine. Members of the Squad, the progressive coterie in the House, criticised the sale of weapons to Israel. I think we need to be consistent with the NSM-20s findings here and I think it's up to us to ensure that that happens, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York told The Independent. We should be doing everything right now to save lives, Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts said. That's why I continue to advocate for a permanent ceasefire to save lives and to deliver humanitarian aid and to return the hostages home. He should reverse course. Tellingly, when asked about Bidens decision, Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York who faces a pro-Israel Democratic primary challenger said his office would get back to The Independent. The Biden administration would have likely always received criticism from Democrats for its steadfast support for Israel, even if had elected to withhold aid even earlier. But they likely did not expect the Republican blowback. Somehow, the president has managed to anger everyone. President Joe Biden proposed two debates with Republican candidate Donald Trump to be hosted by networks, which would bypass the traditional three fall events organized by the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates. Biden outlined the proposal in a video message and letter to the commission, which called for direct negotiations on the rules, moderators, and network hosts for a June and September square-off. Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020, and since then he hasnt shown up for a debate, Biden said in the video message. Now he is acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. Ill even do it twice. So lets pick the dates, Donald. I hear youre free on Wednesdays, Biden quipped, referencing the weekly break in Trumps New York criminal trial. Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasnt shown up for a debate. Now hes acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. pic.twitter.com/AkPmvs2q4u Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 15, 2024 Trump responded almost immediately with a post to Truth Social accepting the debate proposal. I am Ready and Willing to Debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September, Trump wrote. I would strongly recommend more than two debates. Just tell me when, Ill be there, Trump continued. Lets get ready to Rumble!!! The bipartisan debate commission has organized presidential debates since the 1988 election and has already scheduled three presidential debates for this year and one vice-presidential debate. The post Joe Biden Proposes 2 Fall Debates With Donald Trump, Bypassing Bipartisan Commission appeared first on TheWrap. By Samia Nakhoul and Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) -Jordan has foiled a suspected Iranian-led plot to smuggle weapons into the U.S.-allied kingdom to help opponents of the ruling monarchy carry out acts of sabotage, according to two Jordanian sources with knowledge of the matter. The weapons were sent by Iranian-backed militias in Syria to a cell of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan that has links to the military wing of Palestinian group Hamas, the people told Reuters. The cache was seized when members of the cell, Jordanians of Palestinian descent, were arrested in late March, they said. The alleged plot and arrests, reported here for the first time, come at a time of sky-high tensions in the Middle East, with an American-backed Israel at war in Gaza with Hamas, part of Iran's "Axis of Resistance" network of proxy groups built up over decades to oppose Israel. In a statement on Wednesday, Hamas said it had "no ties to any acts targeting Jordan" and that it only sought to target Israel. The two Jordanian sources, who requested anonymity to discuss security matters, declined to say what acts of sabotage were allegedly being planned, citing ongoing investigations and covert operations. They said the plot's aim was to destabilize Jordan, a country that could become a regional flashpoint in the Gaza crisis as it hosts a U.S. military base and shares borders with Israel as well as Syria and Iraq, both home to Iranian-backed militias. The sources didn't specify what weapons were seized in the March raid, though said in recent months security services have thwarted numerous attempts by Iran and its allied groups to smuggle in arms including Claymore mines, C4 and Semtex explosives, Kalashnikov rifles and 107mm Katyusha rockets. Most of the clandestine flow of arms into the country has been bound for the neighbouring Israeli-occupied West Bank Palestinian territory, according to the Jordanian sources. However, some of the weapons - including those seized in March - were intended for use in Jordan by the Brotherhood cell allied to Hamas militants, they said. "They hide these weapons in pits called dead spots, they take their location via GPS and photograph their location and then instruct men to retrieve them from there," said one of the sources, an official with knowledge of security matters, referring to the modus operandi of the smugglers. The Muslim Brotherhood is a transnational Islamist movement, of which Hamas is an offshoot founded in the 1980s. The movement says it does not advocate violence, and Jordan's Brotherhood has operated legally in the kingdom for decades. Jordanian authorities believe Iran and its allied groups like Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah are trying to recruit young, radical members of the kingdom's Brotherhood to their anti-Israel, anti-U.S. cause in a bid to expand the Tehran's regional network of aligned forces, according to the two sources. A senior representative of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood confirmed that some of its members were arrested in March in possession of weapons but said whatever they did was not approved by the group and that he suspected they were smuggling arms to the West Bank rather than planning acts in Jordan. "There is dialogue between the Brotherhood and the authorities. They know if there are mistakes it's not the MB, only individuals and not MB policy," said the representative, asking not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Another senior figure in Brotherhood, who also requested anonymity, told Reuters the arrested cell members had been recruited by Hamas chief Saleh al-Arouri, who masterminded the Palestinian group's operations in the West Bank from exile in Lebanon. Arouri was killed by a drone strike in Beirut in January in an attack widely attributed to Israel. Spokespeople for the Jordanian government and the U.S. Department of Defense declined to comment for this article, while the Iranian foreign ministry wasn't immediately available. Israeli officials from the prime minister's office and foreign ministry didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Over the past year, Jordan has said it has foiled many attempts by infiltrators linked to pro-Iranian militias in Syria who it says have crossed its borders with rocket launchers and explosives, adding that some of the weapons managed to get through undetected. Iran has denied being behind such attempts. IN A FIX: JORDAN'S KING ABDULLAH Jordan's King Abdullah is walking a tightrope. Most of his 11 million people are of Palestinian origin, because Jordan took in millions of Palestinian refugees fleeing their homeland in the turbulent years following the founding of Israel. The Gaza crisis has put him in a tough position, struggling to reconcile support for the Palestinian cause with a long-standing U.S. alliance and decades-old recognition of Israel. The war has sparked widespread public anger, with calls by protesters to cut ties with Israel and street demonstrations erupted in recent week. Last month, after Jordan joined a U.S.-led effort to help Israel in downing salvos of drones and missiles fired by Iran, critics posted concocted images on social media of the king wrapped in an Israeli flag with comments such as "traitor" and "Western puppet". The disconnect between the government's position and public sentiment has never been more pronounced in the wake of the shooting down of the drones, according to Jordanian journalist Bassam Badari. "There was discontent," he said. "Jordan used to skilfully stand at an equal distance from all the countries in the region, but with its intervention Jordan aligned itself with the American axis." Adding to Abdullah's concerns, any tension with the Brotherhood could also carry risks, said two Jordanian politicians who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. The group commands wide popular support in the country. Jordanian authorities have not spoken publicly about the alleged weapons plot and the arrests. One of the two Jordanian sources with knowledge of the alleged plot said intelligence officials had called in 10 senior Brotherhood figures to inform them that they arrested a cell that acted as a bridge between their movement and Hamas. 'NO SUCH THING AS A JORDAN OPTION' The Jordanian decision to join Western powers in the downing of Iranian drones bound for Israel was partly driven by fears among officials that the kingdom could be sucked into Iran's strategic struggle against Israel, according to Saud Al Sharafat, a former brigadier-general in the Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate. "The Iranians have instructions to recruit Jordanians and penetrate the Jordan arena through agents," he added. "Their recruitment efforts span all segments of society." Another motivating force for Jordan, according to many officials and diplomats in the region, was the unprecedented attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan in January by Iran-aligned groups based in Iraq, which left three U.S. soldiers dead and 40 injured. The attack was reportedly in support of Hamas in its war with Israel. A diplomat close to Tehran said the Iranian ambition to establish a proxy foothold in Jordan went back to Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards who was assassinated by the U.S. in 2020. Soleimani believed that given Jordan's strong ties with the U.S. and the West, building up an allied group there capable of fighting Israel was crucial to Tehran's strategic ascendancy in the region, the diplomat told Reuters. The hostility between Iran and Jordan dates back to 2004, in the wake of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, when King Abdullah accused Iran of trying to create a "Shi'ite crescent" to expand its regional power. King Abdullah defended his decision to shoot down the drones as an act of self-defence, not carried out for the benefit of Israel. He warned that "Jordan will not be a battlefield for any party". The military intervention also aimed to signal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government that Jordan was a crucial buffer zone for regional security, according to the two Jordanian politicians. The Jordanian monarchy supports the establishment of a Palestinian state. While some right-wing politicians in Israel have envisaged Jordan becoming an alternative Palestinian state, King Abdullah has repeatedly warned that there is no such thing as a "Jordan option". "The official position is that a two-state solution is not only in Palestinians' interest," said Marwan Muasher, a former Jordanian foreign minister who is vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington-based think-tank. "It is also in Jordan's interests because it will establish a Palestinian state on Palestinian soil rather than a state on Jordan's soil." (Reporting by Samia Nakhoul and Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Additional reporting by Dan Williams in Jerusalem and Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by David Gauthier-Villars and Pravin Char) Journalist Says He Saw Trump Editing Speeches For His Stooges To Give Outside Court New York Magazine journalist Andrew Rice said on MSNBC that on Monday he saw Donald Trump editing as proceedings were ongoing during his hush money trial what his Republican allies would later rant about on his behalf outside the courthouse. Trump acolytes including Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) have this week attended the New York court in a show of support for the former president and presumptive GOP nominee. Theyve also taken to parroting Trumps complaints about the criminal proceedings outside. Both Vance and Burgum are reportedly in the running to become Trumps running mate. MSNBCs Chris Hayes said he found it both thuggish and pathetic how Trump appears, via his stooges, to be trying to circumvent his gag order which bans him from talking about witnesses, jurors, court staff and their families. Rice recalled: I could actually look over Trumps shoulder and see what he was reading, at one point he was actually reading the quotes that these individuals were and going through and making notations with a pen on the paper. It was during former Trump fixer and attorney Michael Cohens testimony, he said. Trump was actually going and going through and annotating and editing the quotes that these people were giving. MSNBCs Alex Wagner questioned the legality of the utterly humiliating move and noted how part of the gag order also prohibits Trump from directing others to say the same things he is not allowed to. Wow. Andrew Rice says on MSNBC that yesterday during the trial he personally witnessed Trump "editing" and "making notations" to quotes his Republican allies made to the press. pic.twitter.com/99643vJkxN Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 15, 2024 Related... Pickup truck driver in Florida bus crash that killed 8 farm workers smoked marijuana oil the night before, authorities say Editors Note 6/20/24: Since this story was published, Howard entered a plea of not guilty. A pretrial conference in the case is scheduled for October. (CNN) The man accused of driving under the influence and causing the deaths of eight farm workers in a crash in north-central Florida told officers he smoked marijuana oil the night before the incident, an arrest report says. Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, faces eight charges of DUI manslaughter stemming from Tuesdays fatal crash, in which authorities said the 2001 Ford Ranger he was driving traveled toward the center line along Highway 40 west of Ocala and struck a bus carrying more than 50 farm workers. The bus left the roadway, went through a fence and overturned, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. In addition to the eight dead, at least 40 people were injured. Howard pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, online records show. He has been denied bond. CNN has reached out to the public defenders office for comment. The six victims identified in the arrest report were Evarado Ventura Hernandez, 30; Cristian Salazar Villeda, 24; Alfredo Tovar Sanchez, 20; Isaias Miranda Pascal, 21; Jose Heriberto Fraga Acosta, 27, and Manuel Perez Rios, 46. Howard told authorities he smoked marijuana oil with a friend the night before the crash, according to the report, and also told police he took three prescribed medications before going to bed around 11:30 p.m. Citing Howards involvement in a car accident at least three days prior to the bus crash, a state judge Wednesday also stipulated he is not allowed to operate a motor vehicle while the case is pending, nor may he consume or possess alcohol, a controlled substance or a drug without a prescription. Howard said he did not remember how the accident happened and he was driving very carefully because he was involved in the car accident days before, the report says. A prosecutor Wednesday asked the judge to deny bond, in part based on Howards criminal history. She listed a litany of convictions, many stemming from driving-related infractions and all confirmed by state court records, including that Howard was: Found guilty in 2019 of leaving the scene of an accident with property damage Twice convicted in 2013 and 2018 of driving while his license was suspended, canceled or revoked Convicted of grand theft in 2013 Convicted of leaving the scene of an accident in 2006 CNN has reached out for comment to the public defenders office. Howards next court date is set for June 18. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Avroh, left, Maya and Maryam were among the 18 California children suing the U.S. government over climate change. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) After a federal judge dismissed a landmark climate lawsuit filed by 18 California children against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the youth plaintiffs plan to amend and resubmit their allegations, their attorneys say. The children who have lost homes in wildfires, suffered health problems from breathing polluted air, missed weeks of education due to climate change-related school closures and been forced to ration tap water due to unprecedented droughts sued the EPA for allegedly violating their constitutional rights by allowing pollution from burning fossil fuels to continue despite knowing the harm it poses to kids. Judge Michael Fitzgerald of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California this month ruled the plaintiffs lacked legal standing to bring the suit because they did not show how the remedies they sought including a declaratory judgment that their constitutional rights have been violated would mitigate those harms. Plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate how a declaration regarding Plaintiffs rights under the Constitution and the legality of Defendants conduct, on its own, is likely to remedy these alleged injuries, he wrote. The ruling granted the plaintiffs permission to amend their complaint by no later than May 20. The co-executive director of Our Childrens Trust, an Oregon-based nonprofit law firm that represents the plaintiffs and has filed similar suits in other states, called the order unjust and said attorneys would be filing an amended complaint. "When presented with a constitutional violation, there is no reason for a federal judge to throw up his hands and say nothing can be done, Mat dos Santos, general counsel of Our Children's Trust, said in a statement. In doing just that, this order tells children that judges have no power to hear their complaints. Courts do, in fact, have that power. Read more: Joshua Tree's celebrity rattlesnake wrangler wants to change how you see reptiles The lawsuit Genesis B. vs. EPA, filed in December on behalf of plaintiffs ages 8 to 17 at the time calls climate change the single greatest driver of the health of every child born today. It alleges that the EPA has intentionally allowed the United States to become one of the worlds biggest contributors to the crisis, despite issuing report after report detailing its harms, particularly to children. When the EPA runs economic analyses to decide how much pollution to permit going forward, it assigns less value to the lives of children because they arent income earners, the plaintiffs attorneys say. The agency also applies discount rates that place less value on the future benefits of controlling pollution than the present ones, according to the attorneys, who say these practices discriminate against children. In addition to the EPA, the lawsuit also named as defendants EPA administrator Michael Regan and the U.S. federal government. U.S. Department of Justice attorneys had petitioned the judge to dismiss the suit, arguing in part that the court did not have the authority to make sweeping public policy changes. At a hearing earlier this month, Fitzgerald said he was inclined to side with the government, noting these decisions should rest with Congress and the executive branch. There are ways everyone can express their political views, Fitzgerald said, noting that he volunteered for an elected official as a child. In his ruling last week, Fitzgerald compared the case with Juliana vs. U.S., another climate action, filed in federal court in Oregon, in which 21 youth plaintiffs alleged the government violated their constitutional rights by promoting fossil fuel use despite knowing its harms. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this month ordered the district court to dismiss that case, saying the declaratory relief the plaintiffs sought was not likely to mitigate the injuries theyd claimed to have suffered. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Donald Trump is no longer attending his hush money trial alone, now enjoying a growing crew of GOP hanger-ons who are helping him circumvent his gag order by acting as "surrogates" outside the courthouse. As Alternet notes, Trump's entourage may be pleasing to the former president, but it's now annoying Judge Juan Merchan. CNN's Kaitlan Collins reported that Merchan was "visibly annoyed" by Trump's support group, which he appeared to view as disruptive to the proceedings. "This judge does not give away much," she told Wolf Blitzer. "He has a very even tone. He greets Donald Trump with a 'Good morning, Mr. Trump' every single day that he walks inside the courtroom but there was this moment where it was five or six people from Trump's team, and they get into the second row of the entire courtroom to sit in the pews, to listen to what's happening. And the judge stared straight at them as they were walking in." The group of elected politicians, aides, and party officials have greeted Trump each morning, sat behind him during the trial proceedings, and given press conferences in which they have condemned the whole affair as political persecution. They have also attacked witnesses, the judge and his family. Many of the trial attendees, including Ohio senator J.D. Vance, former presidential candidate Vivek Ramswamy, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, are believed to be auditioning to be Trump's running mate. Others, like Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Florida Sen. Rick Scott seem content to demonstrate their fealty. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has relied on Trump's backing to remain in power, joined the group on Tuesday, calling the trial a "sham" and "disgrace." So far, their presence has been useful to Trump. While the former president seethes under a gag order that blocks him from threatening jurors, witnesses, prosecutors, and court staff, his loyal retainers have expressed his thoughts for him. Tuberville made his intentions clear in an interview with Newsmax, a right-wing network. "Hopefully we'll have more and more senators and congressmen go up every day and represent him," Tuberville said. "And be able to go out and overcome this gag order. That's one of the reasons we went, to be able to speak our piece for President Trump." FILE - The Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, N.H., stands among trees, Jan. 28, 2020. A New Hampshire jury awarded $38 million to the man who blew the lid off abuse allegations at the state's youth detention center Friday, May 3, 2024, in a landmark case finding the state's negligence allowed him to be beaten, raped and held in solitary confinement as a teen. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) CONCORD, N.H. (AP) The judge who oversaw a landmark trial about New Hampshires youth detention center has refused to discard the $38 million verdict, saying the facilitys leadership either knew and didnt care or didnt care to learn the truth about endemic physical and sexual abuse. A jury earlier this month sided with David Meehan, who alleged he was repeatedly raped, beaten and held in solitary confinement at the Youth Development Center in the 1990s. The attorney generals office is seeking to drastically reduce the award. While that issue remains unsettled, the state also asked Judge Andrew Schulman to nullify the verdict and issue a judgment in its favor. In a motion filed Monday, attorneys for the state again argued that Meehan waited too long to sue and that he failed to prove that the states negligence led to abuse. Schulman swiftly denied the motion, ruling in less than 24 hours that Meehans claims were timely under an exception to the statute of limitations, and that Meehan had proven beyond doubt that the state breached its duty of care with respect to staff training, supervision and discipline. According to Schulman, a jury could easily have found that the facilitys leadership was, at best, willfully blind to entrenched and endemic customs and practices that included frequent sexual and physical assaults as well as constant emotional abuse of residents. Maybe there is more to the story, but based on the trial record liability for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty was proven to a geometric certainty, he wrote. Michael Garrity, spokesman for the attorney general's office, said Wednesday that the motion was intended to preserve the arguments the state made at trial for any appeal. Meehan, 42, went to police in 2017 and sued the state three years later. Since then, 11 former state workers have been arrested and more than 1,100 other former residents of what is now called the Sununu Youth Services Center have filed lawsuits alleging physical, sexual and emotional abuse spanning six decades. Charges against one former worker, Frank Davis, were dropped earlier this month after the 82-year-old was found incompetent to stand trial. Meehans lawsuit was the first to go to trial. Over four weeks, his attorneys contended that the state encouraged a culture of abuse marked by pervasive brutality, corruption and a code of silence. The state portrayed Meehan as a violent child, troublemaking teenager and delusional adult lying to get money. Jurors awarded him $18 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in enhanced damages, but when asked the number of incidents for which the state was liable, they wrote one. That trigged the state's request to reduce the award under a state law that allows claimants against the state to get a maximum of $475,000 per incident. Meehans lawyers say multiple emails theyve received from distraught jurors showed the jury misunderstood that question on the jury form. They filed a motion Monday asking Schulman to set aside just the portion of the verdict where jurors wrote one incident, allowing the $38 million to stand. As an alternative, the judge could order a new trial only on the number of incidents, or could offer the state the option of agreeing to an increase in the number of incidents, they wrote. Last week, Schulman denied a request from Meehans lawyers to reconvene and poll the jury, but said he was open to other options to address the disputed verdict. A hearing is scheduled for June 24. BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The Buddhist Association of China on Wednesday held a commemorative event at Guangji Temple in Beijing to observe the birth anniversary of the Buddha. Sutra chanting and Buddha bathing rituals were held during the event, which was attended by representatives from China's major Buddhist communities, as well as foreign envoys. Addressing the event, Master Yanjue, head of the association, lauded generations of Buddhists for building bridges of harmony, mutual respect and common development among people of different countries. The Chinese Buddhist community is willing to join hands with Buddhists and peace-loving people around the world to jointly promote the harmonious coexistence of diverse cultures and different civilizations, as well as mutual learning and exchange, he said. According to Chinese Buddhist tradition, the birth anniversary of the Buddha is celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. The federal judge overseeing Hunter Bidens criminal case in Delaware on gun charges said Tuesday that the trial will start next month as planned, rejecting an effort by his attorneys to delay prosecution. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika said at a hearing in Wilmington that the case against the president's son will proceed to trial on June 3. Biden's attorneys had sought to push the proceedings to September. Biden's lawyer Abbe Lowell also suggested a July start date, citing potential decisions from the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and a Supreme Court decision that could affect the case. Rejecting both proposals, Noreika said that she had consulted case law and determined that she has jurisdiction and that the trial will proceed as planned. She also said it was "not a terribly complicated case." Noreika plans to call 250 jurors during jury selection, with the goal of identifying 32 to account for potential strikes and then impaneling a jury of 14. Noreika said she trusted that "everyone can get done what needs to get done in time for trial. At one point, she admonished Lowell for not being prepared for trial, emphasizing that both parties jointly submitted a proposed schedule with a June 3 start date and that it had your signature on it. Lowell implored Noreika to change her mind, saying, I am pleading with your honor to change the date. The defense team is looking for expert witnesses on addiction, as well as details about the chain of custody related to an alleged cocaine pouch that prosecutors are expected to use to establish Biden's drug use at the time he bought the gun in October 2018. Lowell said the defense has had trouble obtaining expert witnesses, adding that most people it has approached are reluctant to be involved in this case because of the noise surrounding it. He went on to say the defense had interviewed half a dozen potential expert witnesses over the last two months but had reached tentative agreements with only three people. Biden was indicted in September on three counts tied to possession of a gun while using narcotics. He has pleaded not guilty. Lowell declined to comment after the hearing. Special counsel David Weiss who was in court for Tuesday's hearing also declined to comment. The topic of how Bidens text messages and other electronic data will be used at trial was also discussed during Tuesdays hearing. There are more than 2,000 messages, some from October 2018, that Biden exchanged with various people some include messages from Biden to his father, Joe Biden, as well as his children. Hunter Biden faces a separate trial in California on tax charges stemming from Weiss investigation. That trial is scheduled for June 20, though an appeal before the 9th Circuit could delay it until later, in the summer. Biden has pleaded not guilty to those charges, which include allegations that he failed to pay taxes, failed to file, evaded an assessment and filed a fraudulent form. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A judge has ruled against the Republican National Committee in a lawsuit that challenged Arizona's new voting rulebook and alleged it would allow election fraud. The suit, filed in February, is one of several from Republicans questioning the state's new Elections Procedures Manual. That document serves as a guide to election management for county officials statewide and is produced every election cycle by the Arizona Secretary of State's Office, which is currently run by Adrian Fontes, a Democrat. Republicans plaintiffs said the new rulebook would weaken safeguards against non-citizen voting and undermine recent election integrity laws. They also accused Fontes of creating an "artificially short period for public comment." Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Frank Moskowitz said Friday that the new guidebook "does not contradict or directly conflict" with existing state statute. He also dismissed claims that Fontes improperly limited public input on the new voting rules, noting the Secretary of State's Office received "a substantial amount of public comment." "There is a primary election coming up in July and the general election in November," Moskowitz wrote in his order. "Yet, plaintiffs ask this court to order that those elections be governed by the 2019 EPM, which... also contains several of the same provisions complained about below and does not address subsequent changes in state and federal election laws." This embedded content is not available in your region. JP Martin, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State's Office, said the ruling confirms the new guidebook "meets Arizona's statutory requirements." "We used this manual to effectively run the presidential preference election in March and will continue using the EPM to ensure fair elections in the upcoming primary and general," Martin said. An attorney representing the Republican National Committee didn't immediately respond to The Arizona Republic's request for comment. Case one of several challenging new election rulebook The state's once-obscure elections guidebook has emerged as a political battleground heading into the 2024 presidential election. Several lawsuits, all from conservatives, allege issues ranging from loose voter registration standards to First Amendment violations. Republicans have framed the legal challenges as part of a slew of efforts to uphold election integrity in Arizona. Democrats have criticized the lawsuits as the latest assault from those aligned with former President Donald Trump. A group of people watch a woman deposit a ballot at the Maricopa County early ballot drop box on Oct. 24, 2022, in Mesa. A complaint from the Republican leaders of the Arizona Legislature argues Fontes overstepped his authority and used the manual to create policy, rather than interpret it. They specifically take aim at a provision that says statewide vote certification must proceed as scheduled and cannot count the votes of any county that doesn't return its canvass within the required time period. The GOP lawmakers say only the courts can decide whether to disregard a county's votes. That debate comes after two Cochise County supervisors, both Republicans, refused to certify the results of the 2022 election. Another suit, from the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, says certain provisions of the manual limiting ballot drop box monitors are unconstitutional. It comes after ballot drop boxes in Maricopa and Yavapai counties were monitored by various groups and individuals in 2022, some of them carrying weapons and wearing masks. Past voting rulebooks have also faced legal sparring. In 2021, Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich refused to sign off on a guidebook drafted by then-Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat. Hobbs signed off on some of Brnovich's changes, but not all. The two went to court, where Brnovich lost his battle to force Hobbs to incorporate all of his edits. Republic reporter Ray Stern contributed to this story. Sasha Hupka covers county government and election administration for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SashaHupka. Follow her on Instagram or Threads: @sashahupkasnaps. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Judge dismisses AZ election lawsuit from Republican National Committee A Manhattan judge struggled to find impartial jurors in Sen. Bob Menendezs corruption trial Tuesday, as he rattled off senators that could either be named or even called to testify including Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). Roughly a dozen prospective jurors told Manhattan federal Judge Sidney Stein that they couldnt be impartial for various reasons, with some saying they already knew too much about the case to be able to leave their opinions at the door. Im a news junkie, and Ive learned about the case already significantly. I knew it was Bob Menendez the second I walked in, one potential panelist said. A judge struggled to seat jurors to oversee the corruption trial against Sen. Bob Menendez. AFP via Getty Images As did many people, Stein fired back. The judge asked the man if he could still be fair and consider only the evidence at trial in spite of his prior knowledge about the case, which the man said he thought he could. In total, Stein excused 27 potential jurors Tuesday after previously letting about three dozen go on Monday for logistical reasons or for bias. Its unclear whether he excused the self-proclaimed news junkie. The trial is slated to last through July, which eliminated many prospective panelists who said they couldnt sit on a case that long because of their jobs, vacation plans or medical reasons. Stein also listed names of current and former US politicians who will either be mentioned at trial or called to the witness stand, including Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and others. The judge told prospective jurors that New Jersey Senator Cory Booker could be mentioned at trial. REUTERS Jury selection will continue Wednesday and openings statements could begin later in the day. Menendez, 70, is accused, alongside his wife Nadine, of accepting bribes including bars of gold, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, a Mercedes convertible and other luxury gifts. In exchange, the senior Democrat senator who headed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee used his political power to benefit the countries of Qatar and Egypt and to dole out favors for three New Jersey businessmen, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes. Hes since stepped down from helming the committee. A slew of other US politicians, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, could be mentioned or called to testify at trial, the judge told panelists. AP Menendez is on trial alongside Hana and Daibes, while Nadines trial was postponed until July for medical reasons and Uribe took a guilty plea and is cooperating with the feds. This is the second bribery trial that Menendez is facing in under a decade after he avoided conviction in an unrelated case that ended with a hung jury in 2017. He has denied all the allegations. His three remaining co-defendants have pleaded not guilty. With Post wires The acting chief of police for the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) Department of Public Safety, John Pettigrew, told lawmakers on Tuesday, May 9, about the harsh realities of maintaining law and order on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in southwest South Dakota with a gross lack of funding. During a hearing on the needs of Indian Country, Pettigrew told members of the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies he would leave behind an audio recording of a 911 call from the reservation that was too graphic to play publicly. On the tape, the OST 911 officers hear a young mother being beaten by multiple men for more than an hour. Her arm, skull, ribs and leg were broken. She sustained several contusions, all of which required multiple medical procedures performed at an Indian Health Service (IHS) facility. Pettigrew testified that his police department took 1.5 hours to respond to the 911 call due to a lack of funding. He went on to explain that OST tribal attorneys are reluctant to encourage reservation residents to get protective orders because protective orders are only as good as a police officers practical enforcement. The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is home to the OST. The reservation comprises over 2.1 million acres of landor 11,000 square milesthat is compared to the size of the state of Connecticut. Pettigrew testified that in 2023 there were more than 165,799 calls received by his department in need of officers. In total, the police force only has 30 officers. Due to our extreme shortage of officers, our average response time continues to be between 30 minutes and an hour. Medical clearances for an arrest, which is often required for a large percentage of our detainees, continue to exceed three hours, and our Indian Health Services (IHS) referred care cost for a single crime victim can easily exceed the cost of two officers salaries for a year, Pettigrew told the Committee. The lack of officers on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation was cited by National Congress of American Indians President Mark Macarro, chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, during his State of Tribal Nations address in February. He said that there is so much need for public safety and justice in Indian Country that he does not know where to start. He called the situation an acute crisis that has been going on for decades and blamed inadequate funding. Macarro cited the federal standard the police officer-to-citizen ratio, which the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) uses: 2.8 per 1000 people. The Pine Ridge Reservation has 0.6 officers per 1000 people. By federal government standards, the OST police force should have 113 officers, almost four times as many as it has now. Pettigrew concluded his testimony by telling the Committee his tribe needs help now. Both Democratic and Republican Administrations have studied the lack of law enforcement in Indian Country to death; instead of another study or another needs assessment report, we need the budget reset that those prior studies have recommended, Pettigrew testified. Its just that simple. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker went off on a politically conservative and deeply religious tirade, going after working women, people who identify as LGBTQ+, President Joe Biden, and other Catholics. During his commencement address on Saturday at Benedictine College, a conservative Catholic college in Kansas, Butker wasted no time getting to his grievances with the Biden Administration, blaming the president for the COVID fiasco he inherited from former President Donald Trump. While COVID mightve played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique. The bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues, he said. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values and media all stem from pervasiveness of disorder. Butker asserted that Biden has demonstrated that being Catholic is not enough, that one must also take up the most conservative slate of beliefs put forward by the Catholic Church. Im sure to many people, it appears that you can be Catholic and pro-choice, he said, knocking Catholics who push dangerous gender ideologies. This is all within the first three minutes, and Butker went on for about twenty more in just the same way. He managed to slip in a homophobic dig, as he criticized the Associated Press for its coverage of Benedictine College, which pushes traditional, conservative Catholic doctrine on its ever-growing student body. I am certain the reporters at the AP could not have imagined that their attempt to rebuke and embarrass places and people like those here at Benedictine, wouldnt be met with anger but instead met with excitement and pride, Butker said. Not the deadly sin sort of the pride that has an entire month dedicated to it, but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the holy ghost to glorify him. Toward the end of his speech, Butker argued that students ought to lean into their vocations. Naturally, this led him to urge the female students to embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker. I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you, he said. Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world, he said. While the Chiefs have declined to comment on Butkers ridiculous address, the internet is not taking lightly to his speech. As a woman, does watching Harrison Butker get cooked online count as being in the kitchen. jennifer (@themissjenn) May 14, 2024 Harrison Butker every time a woman learns how to read pic.twitter.com/ubCiD06TJb Cara R (@carawithac13) May 15, 2024 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Kansas City Police Department is investigating a life-threatening shooting that happened in the Northland Tuesday night. KCPD said the shooting took place around 10:20 p.m. at Northwest Barry Road and North Boardwalk Avenue, near the Barrywoods Crossing and Shops at Boardwalk shopping malls. Leawood police release suspects test results in Hereford House food contamination Upon arrival at the scene, officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was then taken to a hospital in critical/life-threatening condition. According to KCPD, this is an active and ongoing investigation. This is a developing story. Stay tuned at FOX4 News for the latest updates and information. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), a top contender in the competition to be Donald Trumps running mate, has a powerful ally in that full-contact fracas: Kellyanne Conway. Immediately after dropping out of the presidential race in November 2023, Scott hit the trail hard for his former opponent, rising to become one of his top television surrogates. The South Carolina senator has defended the former president to critics and campaigned alongside him at rally after rally. Trump even said of Scott that hes a much better representative for me than he is a representative for himself, at a campaign event in February. Over the last few months, that dedication has elevated Scott to the top of the veepstakes, positioning him today as a favorite pick in the quadrennial political parlor game of who will get the chance to play second fiddle. But hes been getting help. What Does Trump Want Most From His Next Veep? Blind Loyalty The Daily Beast has learned that Scott has leaned increasingly on Conway as the VP shortlist has winnowed. Its not a poor strategy: Conwaywho helped guide Trump to victory in 2016 before spending nearly four years as a top White House aidestill has the former president's ear and wields influence with him. And according to three sources familiar with the situation, Conway is game. These sources told The Daily Beast that Scott has availed himself of the Trump confidants relationship with the former president, placing his hopes in Conways hands and hoping that her advocacy can carry him across the line. Scott and Conway havent made their friendship a secret. The two were recently spotted having dinner together at Capital Grille in Washington, D.C., and the veteran GOP pollster is slated to speak at a fundraiser next month with proceeds going to a nonprofit backing Scotts political agenda. The South Carolina senator is one of two candidates at the top of Conways list to be Trumps running mate; the other is Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), according to a source familiar with Conways thinking. On a separate tier are North Dakota Governor and former Presidential candidate Doug Burgum and Sen. Bill Haggerty (R-TN), the source added. Trump Hints to Byron Donalds Hed Support Him in Run For Florida Governor But Conways initiative to get Scott on the Republican ticket goes further than these public appearances. Conway has privately encouraged Trump to partner with Scott, believing the two-term senator is the best of the options in front of the former president, according to multiple Trumpworld sources familiar with the situation. However, some sources added, influence and judgment are two separate issues. One source close to Trump told The Daily Beast that while Conways lobbying efforts on Scotts behalf are authenticas is her sway with TrumpScott would be a flawed choice, and Conways influence may ultimately convince him to make a mistake. Heres the thing about Kellyanne: people dismiss her for a variety of reasons; shes not particularly smart and doesnt really come up with a lot of good ideas, shes always chasing money and thats what guides her decision making, the source said. But she does have Trump figured out like no one else. If anyone can convince him to make a mistakeand later assign blame to someone elseits Kellyanne. A longtime Trump adviser, who said that Conway is indeed rallying hard for Scott, observed that Conways influence is strong enough to seem supernatural. [Kellyanne Conway] must have a Trump voodoo doll, cause she just always seems to stick a pin in the right spot and gets him to do what she wants, this Trump vet told The Daily Beast. President Trump seeks the counsel of many men and women on the VP pick, but he and he alone will decide, Conway told The Daily Beast in a statement. The Trump Campaign and a spokesperson for Scott did not respond to requests for comment. As a respected Republican pollster, Conway seems keen on Scotts status as the lone Black Republican in the Senatewhich, as a running mate, could potentially bridge the campaign to a demographic that some recent surveys have shown to be increasingly Trump-curious. In an op-ed for The New York Times in February, Conway suggested that Trump choose a person of color as his running mate and said that any list of potential running mates for Trump would include Scott, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), and others. The Women of Trumpworld May Have Blown Their Shot at VP In addition, the fundraiser for the nonprofit that supports Scotts political agenda is headlined by the South Carolina senator himself and includes a number of donors who are skeptical of Trump. A strong show of fundraising, especially from donors who arent necessarily fans of Trump, could boost Scott in the eyes of the former president as he pushes to become his next running mate. And having Conway in attendance is no accident, either. A source close to Scott said that Conway wants Trump to select Scott as his running mate bad and that the two have grown particularly close this cycle. Tim and Kellyanne have gotten close because, as she puts it, she is de facto head of Trump worldlike Trumps security blanket, a source close to Scott told The Daily Beast. People underestimate how much the president relies on her counsel and they doubt her influence at their own peril. However, Conway isnt putting all her cards into one basket. She also is hedging her bets with Rubio. Conway has been one of the Florida senators staunchest advocates and was the person who first put Rubio on Trumps radar for the veepstakes race. Trump VP Hopeful Tim Scott Repeatedly Refuses to Say Hed Accept a 2024 Loss She believes that both candidates can help Trump win the election and would be solid choices for a running mate, according to the source familiar with Conways thinking. Shes navigated Trump for long enough to know you dont put all your cards on the table, and Rubio is clearly her ace in the hole if Scott gets taken out on the runway, one Florida consultant told The Daily Beast. But, in the end, it will be up to Trump to decide on a running mate, and all the positioning and auditioning might not matter if Trump has a completely different person in mind. Scarcity is the best strategy with Trump, said the source familiar. And in the case of vice president, overtly auditioning gets you noticed but not remembered. So, those who are overtly auditioning might get noticed but not remembered. 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. Kentucky Voter Guide: Everything to know about the 2024 presidential primary, local races Novembers presidential election will arrive before long, but Kentucky voters still need to make primary choices in federal, state and local races. Primary Election Day in Kentucky is Tuesday, May 21, though many U.S. states have already settled their primaries. While the high-profile match between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden will motivate many voters in November, there are a swath of Fayette County races on the ballot in Kentucky this month. Those not registered with a major party might only see local races on their ballot this spring as Kentucky is a closed primary state. Sign up for our Bluegrass Politics Newsletter A must-read newsletter for political junkies across the Bluegrass State with reporting and analysis from the Lexington Herald-Leader. Never miss a story! Sign up for our Bluegrass Politics newsletter to connect with our reporting team and get behind-the-scenes insights, plus previews of the biggest stories. There are several ways to vote early in Kentucky, but the states three-day, no-excuses-needed early voting period begins Thursday, May 16 and run through Saturday, May 18. Be sure to take your photo identification with you to the polls. If you need to catch up before heading there, you can find complete coverage, including endorsements in local races, from the Herald-Leader here. This page will be updated as new stories are published. Happy election season to all, go vote. What to know about Election Day: Local races: Other coverage: Herald-Leader endorsements: ISLAMABAD, May 15 (Xinhua) -- A military officer leading an offensive against terrorists and three militants were killed in a clash in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Tuesday, the Pakistan Army said in a statement. The incident happened in the Zhob district of the province where the clash was triggered in response to an intelligence-based operation conducted by the security forces, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army said in the statement. Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the killed terrorists, the statement added. A clearance operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists present in the area, the statement said. Witness in Karen Read murder trial breaks down on stand during Day 12 of testimony Wednesday marked a pivotal moment in the Karen Read murder trial. A witness testified that she and her family have been targeted and harassed by supporters of Read. It was the first time tears have been shed in the ongoing trial Read, 44, of Mansfield, is facing charges including second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was her boyfriend at the time. She has pleaded not guilty. Karen Read chats with her defense attorney at her murder trial in Dedham Superior Court on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, of Mansfield, faces several charges including second degree murder in the death of her boyfriend Boston police officer John OKeefe, 46, in 2022. (Stuart Cahill/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) Colin Albert, a key witness who Reads defense team said had a motive to attack OKeefe, took the stand Wednesday afternoon. He was a teenager when OKeefe was killed in January 2022. The prosecution says Colin Albert has absolutely no involvement and had already left 34 Fairview Road in Canton before OKeefe arrived. The defense disputes that claim. Im going home my mom wants me home bye, Colin Albert said on the stand. On Day 12 of witness testimony Colin Albert, a college student, described leaving a birthday party at his cousins house at 34 Fairview Road. At 12:10 Alli wrote here and at 12:10 I wrote kk, said Colin Albert. Prosecutor Adam Lally displayed text messages between Colin Albert and his relative Alli McCabe showing the pickup occurred at 12:10 a.m. before OKeefe arrived in Reads SUV. Colin was drinking and needed a ride, said Allison McCabe, the daughter of Matthew and Jennifer McCabe also took the stand. Defense attorney David Yannetti suggests the timestamps on the text have been changed. Its so easy to doctor the times of the texts messages, said Yannetti. The defense has accused Colin Albert and others of attacking OKeefe inside the home at 34 Fairview. Alli McCabe broke down defending Colin and her family. Just like a lot of harassment, said Alli McCabe on the stand. The defense has also suggested that OKeefe was attacked by a dog that lived in the home at 34 Fairview. But a veterinary scientist at UC Davis testified she found no evidence of that from swabs of his clothing. There was absolutely no K9 DNA, Teri Kun told the jury. Ryan Nagel, Julies brother, his girlfriend, Heather Maxon, and his best friend Ricky DAntuono, all testified after Kun. Heather Maxon was one of three people who said she saw Reads SUV pull up and sit with the engine running and brake lights on. Heather Maxon The defense says they will wait until Thursday to cross Colin Albert. PLAY-BY-PLAY FROM DAY 12 OF TESTIMONY: 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 our In the Spotlight stories, Herald-Leader journalists bring you continuing coverage of news and events important to our Central Kentucky community. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com. A federal civil-rights investigation into how youths are treated inside the eight detention centers run by the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice has been launched, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday. Federal investigators will examine whether the detention centers use excessive force and punitive isolation, if youths are adequately protected from violence and sexual abuse, and whether the commonwealth provides sufficient mental health care, education and services for children with disabilities. The Lexington Herald-Leader has reported extensively for the past three years on chronic abuse and neglect of youths held in facilities operated by the state Department of Juvenile Justice. Its coverage has examined the assaults, riots, escapes and other longstanding problems at the troubled agency. Its reporting triggered an independent audit from state Auditor Allison Balls office that was ordered by Kentucky legislators in March 2023. In some cases, teenagers have been held in isolation for extended periods because of under-staffing, not because they posed a safety risk. In other cases, employees have used excessive force on youths, including pepper spraying them in their cells as a form of punishment. A former youth worker the newspaper wrote about in 2021, Nathaniel Lumpkins, pleaded guilty last month to breaking a 15-year-old boys arm out of anger at one of the Department of Juvenile Justices facilities. Earlier this year, the states independent audit confirmed many of the newspapers findings. Former employees and youths held in the detention centers also have filed multiple lawsuits to protest the living conditions inside the facilities. Confinement in the juvenile justice system should help children avoid future contact with law enforcement and mature into law-abiding, productive members of society. Too often, juvenile justice facilities break our children, exposing them to dangerous and traumatic conditions, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said in a statement Wednesday. We are launching this investigation to ensure that children in Kentucky youth detention facilities are safe from harm, receive adequate mental health care and get appropriate special education services, she said. All children held in the custody of the state deserve safe and humane conditions that can bring about true rehabilitation and reform. The Civil Rights Division recently signed a settlement agreement over the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justices Broad River Road Complex, that states only long-term post-adjudication facility for children, and its investigating conditions in five post-adjudication facilities for children in Texas, the agency said Wednesday. The division will work with the U.S. attorneys offices in Louisville and Lexington, the Justice Department said. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Kentucky stands ready to protect the rights of all children in Kentucky, including those who end up in juvenile detention, said U.S. Attorney Mike Bennett in Louisville. The return of the U.S. Justice Department brings Kentucky full circle. The state Department of Juvenile Justice was created in 1996 as part of a settlement with the Justice Department after the previous hodgepodge of juvenile lockups, overseen by the Cabinet for Human Resources, was discovered to be so bad that it violated youths civil rights. The harmful conditions inside DJJ facilities have been well-documented for years now, state Senate Judiciary Chairman Whitney Westerfield said Wednesday. Despite additional funding from the legislature, these issues persist, the Fruit Hill Republican said. In the last several years, weve seen instances of horrific, traumatic assaults on minors and even a death. We continue to hear stories involving improper restraint and the abusive use of isolation, among others. I welcome the Department of Justices increased scrutiny on DJJ leadership, its facilities and the unreasonable and unconstitutional practices allowed or encouraged inside them, the senator said. Terry Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Kentucky Youth Advocates, called the federal probe welcome news indeed! Call it a system failure. Call it a crisis. Call it a hot mess. Call it what you want, but Kentuckys juvenile justice system is failing kids and community safety every day, Brooks said. The Beshear administration, in response to a spate of tragedies that grabbed media headlines, has begun to make modest very modest improvements. And yet, in contrast to other aspects of this administration, such as the child welfare sector, the juvenile justice arena is a closed shop, disdaining access to advocates, Brooks said. Gov. Andy Beshears administration responded to news of the federal investigation with a list of the reforms it said it has enacted at the Department of Juvenile Justice. That list includes pay raises of more than $20,000 annually to attract and retain badly needed employees; segregating youths in the facilities based on gender and the severity of their alleged offenses; requiring more employee training; and creating a compliance branch to monitor conditions inside the facilities. Despite these efforts, problems have festered.. In recent months under Beshears watch, the Herald-Leader has documented youth grievances about safety and hygiene that were confirmed by facility employees; state prison workers who either were fired or resigned while under investigation for wrongdoing who found new jobs at the Department of Juvenile Justice; and a mentally ill teen girl who spent much of the summer of 2022 locked sometimes naked in a filthy isolation cell. We look forward to being able to talk to the Department of Justice, because as of today, no members of our leadership have been interviewed, and we have not had the opportunity to discuss any incident, policy or issue with the Department of Justice, Justice and Public Safety Secretary Keith Jackson said. In his own statement, Beshear lamented the 2024 General Assemblys failure to pass a $165 million aid package for the Department of Juvenile Justice, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Danny Carroll of Benton. Carrolls Senate Bill 242 was meant to build a 16-bed mental health treatment center for the department and two new all-girls detention centers, and it would have provided tens of millions of dollars to repair and upgrade existing buildings. But the bill died in the House. A fraction of the hoped-for sum was provided in the state budget. Not the right way. KY juvenile justice agency still misusing pepper spray on teens Insiders warned of stomach-turning abuse in KY juvenile facility in months before riot KILGORE, Texas (KETK) Twenty Computer and Technical Education students in Kilgore made their futures official on Tuesday with the schools first-ever CTE signing day. Despite Texas record budget surplus, schools face deficits It was exciting, Chris Martinez said. People cheering you on for what youre going to study for. Kilgore College, Jacksonville College, Full Sail University and Texas State Technical College all had students sign with their schools. Photo courtesy of Kilgore ISD The CTE program director at Kilgore High School, Charles Harford, said these seniors are graduating with firsthand experiences in their fields of choice. We have a lot of quality instructors, who are not only educators but have worked in the field for what they teach, Harford said. Theyre able to give that real world experience and knowledge to students. Its not just theory that theyre teaching, its actually practical things. Lindale High School senior girls secure all top 10 spots Students agree, saying theyve already been able to make connections in their fields. Ive been able to talk to people who have been in the business. Ive been able to understand what goes on, said Jacob Contreras, who signed with Jacksonville College. With the success of Tuesdays signing day, Kilgore High School says its here to stay for future generations. This is definitely something that will continue and hopefully will grow throughout the years, Harford added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Killed U.S. Airman Roger Fortson's funeral details announced. Here's what to know The family of killed U.S. Airman Roger Fortson announced Wednesday plans to hold wake and funeral ceremonies this week. Fortson, 23, was fatally shot by an Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office deputy inside his Fort Walton Beach apartment on May 3. Authorities claim that the officer reacted in self-defense after confronting Fortson, who was armed with a gun when he answered his door. Fortsons family are demanding answers after an alarming witness statement said that police entered the wrong apartment. When is Roger Fortsons wake and funeral? National civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump and the family of Senior Airman Roger Fortson announced Wednesday plans for wake and funeral services on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Before the wake, the family will hold a news conference where they will provide updates on how they and Fortsons dog, Chloe, are doing. More: Family of Florida airman killed by Okaloosa deputies demands his name be cleared Fortson's body returns home: Body of US airman fatally shot by Florida deputy returned to Georgia ahead of funeral The wake will be held between 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Donald Trimble Mortuary, 1876 2nd Ave., Decatur, Georgia. The news conference and funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest, Georgia. Pastor Jamal Bryant will deliver the eulogy at the funeral and Attorney Crump will deliver a call for justice. How can you watch Roger Fortsons funeral? Fortsons funeral will be live streamed on the New Birth Missionary Baptist Churchs YouTube page and website. Who is Roger Fortson? U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, was based at the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field when he was fatally shot at his home at Chez Elan Apartments. According to The Associated Press, he was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron as a special missions aviator, where one of his roles as a member of the squadrons AC-130J Ghostrider aircrew was to load the gunships 30mm and 105mm cannons during missions. "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." Roger Fortsons death The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department (OCSO) has released its version of the Roger Fortson shooting along with body cam footage from the deputy who shot him. A statement from a witness contradicts some of the details released by the sheriff's department, however. According to the OCSO, authorities were called to Forton's apartment around 4:30 p.m. on May 3 regarding a reported disturbance. The responding deputy entered the apartment complex and made his way to Fortson's unit. The deputy knocked on Fortson's door several times before he answered. Officials say the officer "reacted in self-defense after he encountered a 23-year-old man armed with a gun." The office has not shared details on what kind of disturbance deputies were responding to or who called them. Meka Fortson, the mother of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, cradles a photo of her son as she and her attorneys, Ben Crump and Brian Barr, call for transparency around the circumstances of her son's death in an officer-involved shooting at his apartment Friday, May 3, 2024. Video from the scene corroborates that Fortson had a gun in his hand when he opened the door, but he kept the gun pointed toward the ground in the brief moment before he was shot six times by the responding deputy. Crump's law office has since released a statement detailing how the encounter played out. According to Crump's press release, 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. 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 she 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. In a Thursday press conference, Crump said it is their belief that the deputy who shot Fortson had entered the wrong apartment in answering a domestic disturbance call, with the agency allegedly trying to change the story and cover up what really happened. "Hearing sounds of a disturbance, he reacted in self defense after he encountered a 23-year-old man armed with a gun after the deputy identified himself as law enforcement," the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office release said. "You read that statement, it makes you think this was outside, there was a disturbance and this kid was creating a scene," Brian Barr, an attorney from Pensacola's Levin Levin Papantonio Rafferty firm who is co-counseling in this case alongside Crump, said. "They made it sound so convincing." He told the assembled media, "none of you covered it. It didn't get any attention. I didn't hear about it until this Tuesday, and I live here. This statement made people try to forget about Roger." Fortsons body was returned to Georgia ahead of funeral USA Today reported Wednesday that Fortsons body was reportedly transferred to Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday afternoon. Crump posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) of Fortsons body returning home. Who is Ben Crump? Ben Crump is an attorney who specializes in civil rights and catastrophic personal injury cases such as wrongful death lawsuits His practice has focused on cases such as: Trayvon Martin Breonna Taylor Michael Brown George Floyd Keenan Anderson People affected by the Flint water crisis, The estate of Henrietta Lacks, The 2019 Johnson & Johnson baby powder lawsuit alleging the company's talcum powder product led to ovarian cancer diagnoses Contributors: Samantha Neely and Collin Bestor, USA TODAY Network - Florida. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Roger Fortson funeral services announced. Here's what to know North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a new tactical missile system, state media reported Wednesday. Last week, he oversaw the test-firing of new controllable shells for a 240mm multiple rocket launcher. Photo by KCNA/EPA-EFE SEOUL, May 15 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a new tactical missile system and called for an "epochal change" in war preparations, state media reported Wednesday, as the authoritarian regime continues to ramp up production of weapons that may be intended for sale to Russia. Kim "acquainted himself with the tactical missile weapon system to be newly equipped by the combined missile units of the Korean People's Army in charge of an important firing assignment on Tuesday," state-run Korean Central News Agency reported. The North's weapons factories have "fulfilled their munitions plans for the first half of the year and will carry out the plans for the production of tactical missile weapon system" by the end of the year, the KCNA report said. No further details on the new system were provided. The inspection came two days after state media reported that Kim visited munitions factories producing sniper rifles and vehicles for transporting multiple rocket launcher systems. Last week, he oversaw the test-firing of controllable shells for an updated version of the North's 240mm multiple rocket launcher system. Speculation has mounted that North Korea is conducting tests and ramping up weapons production in anticipation of sales to Russia and other buyers. Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff called an artillery firing drill last month a potential "demonstration of the performance ... for export." Washington and its allies have long accused North Korea of sending weapons to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in exchange for fuel, raw materials and technology assistance. In March, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said that the North had already sent 7,000 containers of munitions to Russia. Pyongyang and Moscow deny the charges, but the use of North Korean missiles on the battlefield in Ukraine has been documented as far back as January. Over the weekend, South Korea's top spy agency told local media it was investigating claims that North Korean 122mm artillery shells manufactured in the 1970s were turning up on the battlefield in Ukraine. What to know about a bus crash that killed 8 Mexican farmworkers in Florida Authorities work at the scene of a deadly crash after a bus carrying farmworkers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 Tuesday, May 14, 2024, near Dunnellon, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Youngblood) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A bus carrying farmworkers to a watermelon field in central Florida was sideswiped by a drunk driver and overturned in a field, killing eight people and injuring dozens of others, authorities said. The man accused of causing Tuesday's crash has a lengthy driving record and is being held in jail without bond. The farmworkers were from Mexico, working on seasonal or temporary visas. Some of their names were released Wednesday afternoon. Heres what to know about the crash. WHAT HAPPENED? Around 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday, a 2001 Ford Ranger driven by Bryan Howard, 41, crossed the center line of State Road 40 and sideswiped a bus carrying 53 farmworkers to a watermelon patch at Cannon Farms in Dunnellon. The bus veered off the two-lane road that passes through horse farms, hit a tree and rolled over. The crash happened about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Orlando. WHO ARE THE VICTIMS? All eight people killed were in the U.S. from Mexico on H-2A farmworker visas, officials said. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Wednesday morning that 44 Mexican citizens were on the bus, hired by a Mexican American farmer to work on the watermelon farm under temporary or seasonal visas. Mexicos government later said six of the injured were in serious condition and three more were in critical condition. Lucas Benitez, the co-founder of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, said Wednesday that it learned from the Mexican consulate that the farmworkers who were killed were from at least five different states in Mexico. Six of the dead have been identified: Evarado Ventura Hernandez, 30; Cristian Salazar Villeda, 24; Alfredo Tovar Sanchez, 20; Isaias Miranda Pascal, 21; Jose Heriberto Fraga Acosta, 27; and Manuel Perez Rios, 46. Gamaliel Marcel, of Tallahassee, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he and Salazar Villeda were childhood friends in Mexico. Salazar Villeda got married in March and the couple had a 5-year-old daughter, Marcel added. I feel so bad, especially because I knew him my whole life, he said. He was always the most respectful but brought out a smile when you needed it. Evarado Ventura Hernandez's mother, Rosalina Hernandez Martinez, said Wednesday that her son had told her the work he did on Florida farms was very hard, but that he was happy. It hurts, she said. A piece of my heart is gone. The Mexican consulate in Orlando was providing support at the AdventHealth Ocala hospital, where many of the injured were taken. Andres Sequera, a director of mission and ministry for AdventHealth hospitals, said chaplains were visiting the injured workers, and that they were in good spirits for what they have been through. WHY WERE THE WORKERS IN FLORIDA? Farms across Florida use about 50,000 H-2A workers each year, more than any other state, according to the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. The workers travel to Florida on seasonal or temporary visas to harvest farm fruits and vegetables. These workers were in Marion County, which is in the north-central part of Florida. The county is best known for its rolling countryside, which stands out from much of the state's typical flat geography. Thoroughbred horse farms are common in the hills outside of Ocala, which is the largest city in the region. Interstate 75 also cuts through Marion County. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE DRIVER ACCUSED IN THE CRASH? Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, was arrested hours after the crash and remained jailed without bond in Ocala. At a brief court appearance on Wednesday morning, Howard pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence-manslaughter charges in the deaths of eight farmworkers. He spoke by teleconference from jail. An arrest report said Howard had bloodshot and watery eyes and slurred speech after the crash, which he told Florida Highway Patrol troopers he didnt remember. Howard also told investigators he had crashed his mothers car into a tree a few days earlier while avoiding an animal. The report said Howard had smoked marijuana oil and took his prescribed medications before bed two anti-seizure drugs and another for high blood pressure. Five hours later, he was driving to a methadone clinic where he receives daily medication for a chipped vertebra. Troopers had arrested Howard after he failed several sobriety tests. Howard told the judge he's a self-employed painter and drywall installer. He said he had $700 in the bank, no other assets and no dependents. On Wednesday, his head was bandaged and he wore a protective gown typically given to inmates on suicide watch. The judge denied bond, appointed a public defender and set his next court appearance for next month. The public defender's office declined to comment about the case. Marion County court records show Howard has had at least three crashes and numerous traffic tickets dating back to 2006. He was cited previously for crossing the center line, and his driver's license has been suspended at least three times, the latest in 2021 for getting too many citations within a year. In 2013, he was convicted of grand theft. A year later, his probation was revoked after he tested positive for cocaine. WHAT'S NEXT? A memorial service for the victims was held Wednesday evening outside the Farmworker Association of Florida office north of Orlando in Apopka. About two dozen people gathered, some holding white crosses with the names of the people killed, and sang songs in Spanish. They were here to do honest work, Jeannie Economos, an official with the Farmworker Association of Florida, said of the farmworkers. Agricultural work is hard. They came here to work hard to support themselves and their families back in their home country. ___ AP reporters Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami, Mike Schneider in Apopka, and AP stringer Jose Maria Alvarez in Miahuatlan, Mexico, in southern Oaxaca state, contributed. What to know about the deadly escape of French prisoner 'The Fly' What to know about the deadly escape of French prisoner 'The Fly' A manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers continued Wednesday for a fugitive prisoner dubbed "The Fly" and accomplices wielding machine guns who facilitated the convicted criminal's escape by ambushing a prison transport van at a toll booth and gunning down two guards, authorities said. The international police organization Interpol issued a worldwide red alert for the fugitive identified by authorities as 30-year-old Mohmed Amra after French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said authorities are concerned that Amra has fled the country. "We are investing considerable resources, we are making a lot of progress," Damanin said in an interview with the French radio broadcaster RTL. PHOTO: Evreux-prison-gty-ml-240515 (Handout via Reuters) French President Emmanuel Macron stated on the social media site X: "Everything is being done to find the perpetrators of this crime." "We will be uncompromising," Macron added, describing the escape as a "shock to us all." The escape unfolded Tuesday at a toll booth near Rouen, about 85 miles north of Paris, as a white prison van transporting Amra from court to a penitentiary was ambushed, according to French authorities. The attack was captured on security video, officials said. PHOTO: This photograph taken on May 15, 2024 shows the main gate of the Evreux prison. (Lou Benoist/AFP via Getty Images) At least five prison officers were escorting Amra when their van was rammed head-on by a stolen car at the toll booth and men wearing balaclavas to conceal their faces opened fire on the van with automatic weapons, authorities said. MORE: Fugitive Pennsylvania killer used previous escapee's 'crab walking' breakout method: Warden Two of the officers were killed and three were wounded as the assailants hustled Amra, a suspected drug gang leader, from the van to a waiting vehicle that whisked him from the scene, officials said. The attack lasted just two minutes, French media reported. As hundreds of law enforcement officers combed the country for Amra and his accomplices, investigators reviewed CCTV video from dozens of security cameras near the toll booth in an attempt to identify those involved in the daring escape. The attack was also captured by dashboard cameras of vehicles nearby, officials said. PHOTO: This photograph taken on May 15, 2024 shows an outside view of the Evreux prison. (Lou Benoist/AFP via Getty Images) Amra was convicted on May 10 of burglary by a court in Evreuz and was being held at the Val de Reuil Prison, according to Laure Beccuau of the Paris Prosecutor's Office. Beccuau told reporters that Amra had also been indicted recently in a kidnapping that resulted in a homicide. MORE: Notorious French fugitive arrested 3 months after dramatic prison escape by helicopter Amra's defense lawyer, Hugues Vigier, told the French television station BFMTV that the escape came less than a week after Amra was caught attempting to break out of prison by sawing the bars of his cell. Vigier called Tuesday's violent escape "inexcusable" and "insane." "This does not correspond to the impression that I had of him," Vigier told BFMTV. The escape was the most brazen to occur in France since 2018 when notorious gangster Redoine Faid broke out of the Reau prison by a helicopter that was hijacked and whose pilot was forced to land in the prison courtyard by heavily armed accomplices. Faid was recaptured about three months after the prison break. What to know about the deadly escape of French prisoner 'The Fly' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Knudsen calls laws ridiculous and says he got opponent to run so he could raise more money Attorney General Austin Knudsen. (Provided by the Montana Attorney General's Office for the Daily Montanan.) At a Saturday night campaign event billed as a conservative cookout, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen told a crowd that he had put a friend and fellow Republican up to running against him in his bid for re-election in order to raise more money and because he believes state law is ridiculous, according to a recording that captured part of his remarks and was obtained by the Daily Montanan. Knudsen was speaking to a gathering of Republican candidates in Dillon that was put on by Marsha Kery, a citizen of Beaverhead County, according to a local advertisement. Others who were invited to the event included Shannon Maness, a Dillon-area House candidate and Sen. Theresa Manzella, from Hamilton. Knudsen told the crowd: I do technically have a primary. However, he is a young man who I asked to run against me, because our campaign laws are ridiculous. So, hes a young man from my part of the state. His name is Logan Olson. Hes not running. He filed to run against me simply because under our current campaign finance laws in Montana, it allows me to raise more money. So, he supports me and hes going to vote for me [audience laughs]. He literally did it because I asked him to [some clapping in the audience]. Hes a good kid. I shouldnt say kid; hes a young lawyer up in Plentywood, a good young man. But technically I have a primary opponent, I think were going to be OK in that one. But those remarks may have given audience members more than information about the race for the top law enforcement officer in the state. They may have provided the basis for several campaign violations. As of Tuesday afternoon, no one had lodged a complaint against Knudsen with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices, the top campaign enforcement officer with the state. And Commissioner of Political Practices Chris Gallus is prohibited from speaking about specifics of a pending case. But the office confirmed on Tuesday that it could be a violation of Montana law for one person to recruit another to run for office for the purpose of raising more campaign funding. Montana law also prohibits trying to stop candidates from running for office, or encouraging them to run for office for a personal gain. Olson is currently the Daniels County Attorney and a 2020 graduate of the University of Montana Law School, according to a voters guide published in the Montana Free Press. Olson doesnt appear to be actively running a campaign against Knudsen. He has no campaign website, has reported no fundraising, and the individual his campaign hired for campaign finance compliance work is the same as Knudsens, the Free Press reported. Neither Knudsens campaign nor Olsons campaign responded when contacted on Tuesday. Montana law has several provisions that could apply to false campaigns, including a portion of the law addressing deceptive elections. That portion of Montana law (13-35-207) prohibits falsely filing for office or making a false oath or affidavit, which are often required for candidates running for office. Another portion of the law (13-35-221) prohibits one candidate from either enticing or threatening other candidates not to run in an election. And yet another portion of state law (13-37-216) places limits on how much people can contribute. That portion of state law, Gallus said, changes depending on whether a candidate has a primary challenger. Gallus said while candidates may try to avoid enforcement of the campaign laws by trying to skirt the letter of the law, state lawmakers have also given the commissioner power to go after candidates who are purposefully dodging the law. Gallus said it dates back to a 2007 decision in which the mayor of Billings, Ron Tussing, asked supporters at an event to contribute cash when he passed around the hat. In an email to supporters, Tussing urged, people who have maxed out on checks, but still wish to do more, may put cash in the hat at the fundraiser. Gallus said this serves as an example of taking something legal, like campaign contributions, and subverting it. In this case, cash contributions up to $25 can be undocumented, but any amount more than that requires documentation that includes a name, address, occupation and employer. Furthermore, Gallus said in the case of Tussing, if his supporters had already reached their maximum, he shouldnt have been able to encourage them to give more essentially anonymously. You cant intentionally circumvent the law to avoid campaign contribution limits, Gallus said. Knudsen is also facing several other political challenges as he seeks a second term as the Attorney General. Knudsen faces 41 ethics charges that are now pending before the states Office of Disciplinary Counsel, which has submitted the finding to the Montana Supreme Court, the arbiter of discipline within the state bar. Knudsen also has been at the helm of the Montana Highway Patrol, part of the Montana Department of Justice, and received harsh criticism for the leadership of the department, and many of the employees said in the staff morale survey that they do not like the way the department is operating. Despite Knudsens criticism of Montanas campaign finance laws, he appears to have had ample opportunity to change those laws. He was one of the longest and more powerful legislators, being elected to the Montana House in 2011, and serving as Speaker of the House from 2015 to 2019. Prior to that, he also served as the Roosevelt County Attorney. The post Knudsen calls laws ridiculous and says he got opponent to run so he could raise more money appeared first on Daily Montanan. PARK CITY, Utah (ABC4) The preliminary hearing for Kouri Richins the Kamas author accused of poisoning her husband to death with fentanyl has been delayed again, as the state says they need more time. Prosecutors asked the judge for a three-day window for the preliminary hearing, and Utah 3rd Dist. Court Judge Richard Mrazik moved the hearing back to June 18-20, though defense attorneys said they were ready to move forward today. Kouri Richins complete timeline in murder case Wednesdays hearing in Park City, which only lasted around 15 minutes, was supposed to be the prosecutions chance to prove they have enough evidence to bring Richins to trial. Richins defense attorney, Skye Lazarro, noted that her client has been in jail for a year now awaiting her preliminary hearing. Richins was first arrested on May 8, 2023. The prosecution was supposed to be presenting exhibits to the court to show enough probable cause for the trial to begin. Mrazik admitted that the court itself had contributed to some of the ambiguity, and he noted that even if the state had presented exhibits today, he likely would not have had enough context or information to rule on them today. Lazarro told the court that the defense is objecting to all the proposed exhibits, and Mrazik commanded both sides to meet this week to go over exhibits to make sure all of the objections are detailed before they are admitted into the record. Richins could face 25 years to life in prison if brought to trial and convicted. The trial has faced a number of setbacks since 2023, including delays caused by a document Richins allegedly wrote which appeared to tell her family members how to testify in court. Known as the Walk the Dog Letter, Richins claims the document is part of a fictional novel she is working on while in jail. When the letter went public in September 2023, Lazarro attempted to have Richins case dismissed, noting it violated a gag order set up by the court in May 2023. In November 2023, Mrazik denied the motion to dismiss. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. This file photo taken on Nov. 15, 2019 shows the Sinocyclocheilus guiyang, a new fish species without functional eyes. Chinese researchers discovered the new fish species in a subterranean river within a cave in southwest China's Guizhou Province. It is named after Guiyang, capital of Guizhou, where the species was found in 2019. (Photo by Zhou Jiajun/Xinhua) GUIYANG, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have discovered a new fish species without functional eyes in a subterranean river within a cave in southwest China's Guizhou Province. In a paper published in the international journal Zoosystematics and Evolution, Sinocyclocheilus guiyang is described as a pinkish fish that belongs to the genus Sinocyclocheilus. It is named after Guiyang, capital of Guizhou Province, where the species was found in 2019. The fish is blind with its eyes having degenerated into black spots without a complete ocular structure. This is probably a result of the dark environment of its habitat in the underground river, located in a karst cave, said Zhou Jiajun, a co-author of the paper. The species has an extremely small population, with only 25 individuals having been recorded. Recent surveys have indicated a further decline in their number, said Cheng Guangyuan, the co-author who first discovered the fish. Researchers have warned that the new species is at high risk of extinction due to pollution from garbage and invasive crayfish species threatening its cavernous habitat, highlighting the need for immediate habitat protection measures. This file photo taken on Jan. 7, 2021 shows the Sinocyclocheilus guiyang, a new fish species without functional eyes. Chinese researchers discovered the new fish species in a subterranean river within a cave in southwest China's Guizhou Province. It is named after Guiyang, capital of Guizhou, where the species was found in 2019. (Photo by Zhou Jiajun/Xinhua) In our In the Spotlight stories, Herald-Leader journalists bring you continuing coverage of news and events important to our Central Kentucky community. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com. Inmates whose urine tested positive for illegal drug use last year at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex in Morgan County were given a choice by guards. They could risk the official penalties, including loss of privileges and getting locked in solitary. Or to entertain the prison staff and keep their test results off the books they could agree to be Tasered, receiving a painful electric shock the guards referred to as riding the lightning. Guards zapped them with state-issued Axon Taser 7 weapons intended strictly for defensive use. After they were hit with the stun guns, inmates were allowed to toss their dirty urine samples in the trash. At the prisons monthly urine testing in April 2023, at least a half-dozen inmates decided to ride the lightning rather than be written up for drug use. But they werent happy about it. They Tased the shit out of me! On my arm! Smelled like burnt skin all night, with scabs on it, 41-year-old inmate Samuel Daniels of Louisville told investigators later. They turned it up on me, too. I screamed like a bitch. They will probably all tell you, I was the loudest one in there. Either you get Tased or take the dirty, inmate Jason Gowers, 32, of Elizabethtown told investigators. The Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex is in West Liberty. This secret abuse of state inmates didnt remain a secret. On March 12, seven inmates at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against four guards and Warden James David Green, saying they were subjected to excessive force, cruel and unusual punishment and an environment of fear and retaliation. The suit is pending in U.S. District Court in Ashland. Its sadistic. Theres really no other way to describe it, said Joseph Buckles, one of the inmates attorneys, in an interview this week with the Herald-Leader. And from what we understand whats been said by the inmates and others this wasnt the first time it happened. Its been going on down there for years, Buckles said. The inmates claims are supported by an internal investigation at the Kentucky Department of Corrections, which determined that the Tasering happened as described. The department does challenge one allegation in the lawsuit, that inmates sometimes got another choice: Either get Tasered or drink their own urine sample. Interviews with more than 20 inmates by internal investigators did not confirm anyone drinking urine, said department spokeswoman Morgan Hall. Buckles said he stood by the lawsuits urine claim. The lawyer said its his understanding that some inmates at the prison have chosen to drink their own urine rather than be Tasered during the drug tests. Three of the four guards being sued were fired last year and convicted on misdemeanor charges in Morgan District Court. The fourth guard, who cooperated with investigators, was suspended from his job for 30 days. He was not charged with a crime. Green, the prisons warden since September 2018, has submitted his retirement notice and is on personal leave through Aug. 1, Hall said. He continues to draw his $113,495 salary, according to state payroll data. Hall would not say if Greens departure was related to the Tasering incidents. James David Green has announced his retirement as warden of Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex. Green is not accused of participating in the abuse. But as warden, it was his responsibility to know what guards under his command were doing to inmates in his custody, according to the lawsuit. Green did not respond to a call this week seeking comment. This is the prisons second major inmate abuse scandal in recent years. In July 2018, three guards carried a handcuffed, shackled inmate into the showers at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex and repeatedly punched, kicked and stomped him, and three others helped try to cover it up, according to federal prosecutors. The inmate had swallowed drugs to keep them from being confiscated. The guards in that case two of whom were members of the prisons internal affairs department wrote a false report about the assault. But Kentucky State Police and the FBI eventually determined what happened. Two months ago, those guards were sentenced in U.S. District Court to prison terms ranging from a month to five years. A seventh officer, separately convicted in February for his role in the assault, awaits sentencing in June. An angry mother protests The latest inmate abuse likely wouldnt have come to light without the outrage of Carla Harris of Louisville. She is the mother of 38-year-old Donte Harris, one of the inmates suing the guards. Carla Harris was horrified a year ago when her son said he had been Tasered for guards amusement during drug testing. She wrote angry emails to government officials, including Gov. Andy Beshear, whose office forwarded her complaint to the Department of Corrections, according to documents obtained by the Herald-Leader. They are doing whatever they want to these inmates, which is not right, Harris wrote to the governor on April 21, 2023. These people need to be held accountable for the mistreatment of my son and the other inmates in there. Harris email prompted an internal investigation by the Department of Corrections three weeks later. They had been doing this to inmates for years and years. They have a notorious reputation at that prison, Harris told the Herald-Leader this week. But Im retired. Ive got nothing but time to tell people about their little reign of terror. It makes a difference when someone outside the prison protests the mistreatment of inmates, Harris said. Inmates complain, but they arent taken seriously, she said, and they are retaliated against by staff. Her own son who is scheduled for release next month has been pepper sprayed and sent to solitary confinement since telling her about the Tasering, Harris said. These (inmates) arent animals, theyre people, Harris said. They made a mistake, but theyre doing their time, theyre paying the price. You dont just get to do whatever you want to them because theyre locked up and youre in charge. Staff likes to be jackasses To determine whether Harris complaint was accurate, the internal investigators focused on the most recent inmate drug testing on April 5, 2023, in the property room at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex. A small caged area with a urinal and a privacy curtain was used to march inmates through the room, obtain a urine sample in a cup and check the urine for the presence of illegal drugs. Drug testing - and tasering of inmates - occurred in the property room at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex. Security video wasnt entirely helpful because the privacy curtain blocked much of the action. But flashing lights behind the curtain showed that the guards Tasers were, in fact, being activated and for no obvious reason. Some inmates left the caged area rubbing their arms as they tossed their urine samples into a trash can. An engineers analysis of data from the Tasers confirmed 18 uses that day consistent with skin discharge. That indicates the Tasers were used to drive-stun, which means someone forcefully pushed the front of the stun gun into a human body for pain compliance, as the manufacturer describes it. The guards performing drug tests in the property room were identified as Correctional Officer Robert Boone Collins, 33, of the Auxier community in Floyd County; Correctional Sgt. Robert Grim, 31, of Paintsville; Correctional Sgt. Alan Dube, 45, of Ashland; and Correctional Officer Justin Newsome. Collins and Grim each had reprimands and suspensions for poor work performance in the two years leading up to the Tasering incident, according to their state personnel records. Collins and Grim also had misdemeanor convictions for driving while intoxicated and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia from separate incidents roughly a decade before the Tasering incident. They were hired by the Department of Corrections after those convictions. (Felony and drug trafficking charges disqualify state prison job applicants in Kentucky, but misdemeanor drug charges dont appear to, according to a department hiring notice. The Department of Corrections refused to answer questions on the subject this week.) The guards told investigators that no inmates were Tasered that day, despite what some inmates alleged. When they were shown the video of lights flashing behind the privacy curtain, the guards said they had been messing with each other by firing their Tasers in the air, just for fun, as the inmates took their drug tests. The guards at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex were issued Axon Taser 7 defensive weapons. I will say that staff likes to be jackasses to each other and set the Tasers off behind each others back to make them jump, Dube told investigators. Do they do that often? one of the investigators asked. Honestly, yes, Dube said. While they are doing urinalysis, while inmates are around? the investigator asked. Yes, Dube said. Grim told investigators he heard tales of guards at the prison offering inmates a choice of getting Tasered or flunking a drug test back when I started in 2019, but not recently. Newsome finally came back to investigators and changed his story. Newsome acknowledged the Tasering occurred as inmates described it, although he denied doing the Tasering himself. He blamed Collins. Yeah, I witnessed Boone Collins Tase an inmate, Newsome told them. It was not my idea to do this. Lord, no, I have been here almost three years and have never caused any trouble and never done anything like this. Investigators submitted a report June 6, 2023, substantiating the allegation that prison staff Tasered inmates during drug testing. They identified six inmates they said they could confirm as being Tasered. One inmate told them he believed as many as 14 inmates were Tasered that day. But most of the 28 inmates they interviewed denied knowing anything or declined to talk, they wrote in their report. Collins, Grim and Dube were fired June 28, 2023. Newsome was suspended for 30 days for failing to stop or report the tasering, at least not until Harris complaint led to a formal review. State records showed Newsome still on the Department of Corrections payroll this week at $43,856 a year. Collins could not be reached for comment this week. Grim, Dube and Newsome did not respond to requests for comment. The fired guards were convicted in Morgan District Court last October, on charges of fourth-degree assault and second-degree official misconduct for Collins and Grim and second-degree official misconduct for Dube. They were sentenced to 30 days to 90 days in jail, but those sentences were put on hold for two years through conditional discharge, which is essentially a form of probation. The system worked, said Hall, the Department of Corrections spokeswoman. This incident was investigated thoroughly and, as a result, multiple disciplinary actions were taken, including the dismissal of three employees, Hall said. We also presented this case to the local prosecutor and criminal charges were filed. However, Buckles, the inmates attorney, said the guards were only punished because an inmates mother made a lot of noise. Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex has a history of civil-rights violations, and yet the state provides inmates with little chance to file a grievance without being ignored or harassed, he said. No one cares what prisoners say or think, Buckles said. But in this case, someone on the outside got word to the governors office. Thats why it was taken seriously this time. Thats what made the difference here. They were punished for misconduct in state prisons. KYs juvenile justice agency hired them Herald-Leader investigation: Sex and drug smuggling inside Kentucky prison walls Many Los Angeles residents will see their sewer fees double over the next four years, with the City Council approving the increases Tuesday over the objections of business groups concerned that landlords will be disproportionately affected. The council voted 11 to 4 for the rate hikes, with Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez, Kevin de Leon, Imelda Padilla and Heather Hutt dissenting. The increases are needed to fund the rising cost of construction and materials, officials with the Bureau of Sanitation said. The officials said that labor costs will rise 24% over the next five years because of a recent salary package for city workers backed by Mayor Karen Bass and the council. At Tuesday's meeting, Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, who chairs the city's Energy and Environment Committee, urged the council to support the series of increases. There hasn't been an increase since 2020, when the council paused consideration of higher fees because of COVID-19. "Unfortunately, this is one of those situations where we find ourselves between a rock and a hard place," said Yaroslavsky, who called the fee raise "not insignificant." Because the rate increases are considered a property user fee under Proposition 218, the city's roughly 850,000 parcel owners will be notified. If most object, then the fee hike fails, according to city officials. Under the city proposal, the bimonthly sewer charge for a typical single-family home would increase from $75.40 to $92.04 in October, according to sanitation officials. By July 2028, the rate would rise to $155.48, more than double the current rate. The typical bimonthly sewer fee for residential buildings with four units or less, which is now $145, would rise to $177 in October and $299 in July 2028, according to the report. For buildings with five units or more, the fee is typically $858.40 a month. Rates would go up to $1,047.84 by October and to $1,770.08 by July 2028. Landlords whose units are rent-stabilized the vast majority of units in the city typically can't pass on water costs, which are linked to sewer costs, to their tenants, according to city officials. Before the meeting, business groups accused the city of failing to properly explain the need for the fee increases. Daniel Yukelson, executive director of the Apartment Assn. of Greater Los Angeles, told The Times that landlords were barred from raising rents for several years because of COVID-19 and face other rising costs. "Such an increase on this massive scale will prove to be yet another straw that breaks the back of the citys rental housing providers," said Yukelson. "Theres no end in sight for such a mismanaged city with its bloated salary and overall cost structure, wasted resources and insatiable appetite to seek new and higher taxes and impose significantly higher fees on ratepayers." Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn., called the fee hikes "rushed" and accused officials of failing to do enough public outreach. "This is the wrong way to do something that increases rates so drastically," he said. Bass' proposed budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 relied on the rate hikes. Councilmember Rodriguez expressed concern about that, telling her colleagues that the higher fees were "baked into the budget." Rodriguez unsuccessfully lobbied for her colleagues to commission an independent analysis of the rate increases from the city's Office of Public Accountability. De Leon also expressed skepticism about the process for seeking the rate increases. "This sounds like a jam job," he said. Money collected from the fees may be used only for sewer-related purposes. But the fee increases will have an impact on the citys general fund, which pays for basic services such as police and fire. The fund subsidizes low-income residents who are charged the sewer fee. That means the higher the fee, the larger the contribution from the general fund to aid needy families, budget officials said. City officials say the money from the rate hikes will pay for infrastructure repairs, including upgrades to aging sewer pipes. The increase will also help satisfy the agencies that assess the reliability of the citys bond programs, city analysts said at a hearing this month. Anna Ortega, assistant general manager at the city's Housing Department, at a committee hearing last week sought to ease concerns about the effect on landlords. Ortega cited Housing Department research showing that of the income that a landlord receives annually from tenants, about 35% goes into operating expenses for the property. Of that 35%, about 1.5% goes to sewer costs. What I'm trying to say is that the utility percent, even though it's going up it's a small percent of the operating expenses and of the operating income, she said. 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. Labor and Delivery department to close at KCK hospital KANSAS CITY, Kan. Beginning this summer, Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas will no longer offer labor and delivery services on its healthcare campus. Prime Healthcare and the Providence Medical Center Board of Directors said this is due to a steady decline in labor and delivery patients over the last 10 years. View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 The services will no longer be effective beginning June 30, 2024. Providence said its exploring partnerships with hospitals and clinics in the Kansas City area to assist the community with the transition. We want to thank all our past, and present, hard-working staff and community partners that worked tirelessly to provide Labor and Delivery healthcare services in Wyandotte County and surrounding counties for over 100 years, Chief Executive Officer Karren Orr said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Lackawanna County Commissioners are making changes to their troubled office of youth and family services. It all comes after charges of child negligence were filed and dropped against five caseworkers earlier this year, which prompted procedural changes, as well as staff shortages. Last week, they announced a first-of-its-kind effort in Pennsylvania called the Family First Community Pathways Project. Beverly Mackereth, Lackawanna County Consultant and former state secretary of human services is a principal architect of the Family First Community Pathways project. Wednesday morning, she spoke to the Lackawanna Interagency Council, an umbrella organization of more than 60 community-based and public social service agencies. Scranton High School evacuated for gas leak If they belong in this community, and they care about this community, they belong at the table. And so, this is just a group that asked us to come and talk about it, but if any organization wants to be part of it, they can be, said Mackereth. The office of Youth and Family Services has been operating under a provisional license since last May, in addition to facing legal troubles, staff shortages, and an increased caseload. The county is redirecting resources to OYFS from the Department of Health to strengthen the organization. The goal of the program is to create a community-based system where prevention comes first. Where we can meet the needs of family and children when they need it most, continued Mackereth. The office currently has 114 staff members, 30 vacant caseworker positions, and a 700-case backlog. Treating child welfare as an urgent public health matter involves all community organizations. Having this opportunity to network monthly, and now to work with the county in our community-based programs with them to help promote safe families, were very grateful to be a part of that, added Cindy Kennedy the president of Lackawanna Interagency Council. The countys plan is currently pending state approval. You can learn more about it, and view job openings on their website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM) Lancaster Catholic High School alumna Kyla Hockley has been appointed to serve as President of Lancaster Catholic High School. The appointment was made by the Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg after the schools president Tim Hamer announced his planned retirement last year, effective June 30, 2024. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter Throughout her schooling and career in Catholic education, Kyla has demonstrated leadership experience, a successful track record with enrollment management, strategic planning and alumni relations, and a devotion to maintaining excellence in academics and strong spiritual formation for her students, said Board Chair Sean Killen. Her visionary leadership balances current needs and traditions with future needs. Hockley has served as Principal of Saint John Neumann Catholic School in Lancaster and holds degrees from Saint Vincent College, Duquesne University, and Marymount University. It is with a humble heart and tremendous Crusader pride that I joyfully accept my appointment as President of Lancaster Catholic High School, said Hockley. Standing on the legacy of the generations who built a community that is intellectually astute, passionately faithful, and socially responsible, I am excited to carry our mission forward. The second century of Catholic education in Lancaster County is here, and Im eager to meet the challenges of our generation in service to the future. Principal Terry Klugh is also set to retire on June 30 after announcing his retirement at the beginning of the school year. A national search is underway for his replacement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Laptop squatters: Cafes in Europe are fed up with space-hogging digital nomads Laptop squatters: Cafes in Europe are fed up with space-hogging digital nomads One of the perks of being a digital nomad is swapping a dreary office for a rotation of trendy cafes in destinations around the world. But in some places in Spain, remote workers and their laptops are becoming undesirable customers. Bars and cafes in Valencia, Santiago and Barcelona are cracking down on digital nomads who overstay their welcome. Owners say teleworkers hog tables for hours, sometimes for the price of a single coffee. Fed up, they are now taking action. And they are not the only ones in Europe. Coffee shops and snack bars from Paris to Berlin have already established rules for so-called laptop squatters. Cafes in Spain crack down on remote working Remote working continues to be a popular lifestyle choice, encouraged by the increasing list of digital nomad visa and accommodation schemes. With plenty of sunshine, reasonable prices and culture-rich cities, Spain is a top choice for digital nomads. But their way of working is not always compatible with a destinations lifestyle. Cafes and bars in cities in Spain are growing frustrated by people ordering a single drink and then occupying a table for several hours or even a whole day. For small business owners, it is not a viable form of income and many have decided to take action. Raquel Llanes, who runs a cafe in the Raval area of Barcelona, explained to local website Barcelona Secreta that the situation was out of control. "We've had customers who have ordered an espresso and sat for eight hours, people who have asked us to turn the music down so they could have meetings, customers who took out their Tupperware to eat, she said. At first we adapted the space with sockets and to work, but after two years we realised that the numbers weren't working out. In Valencia, Santiago and Barcelona, bars and cafes have decided to switch off WiFi to dissuade teleworkers. Some cafes have put up posters stating that remote working is banned during peak hours between 8.30am and 12.30pm. Others allow laptop-equipped customers to use the space but will ask them to move if they need room for a group or regulars. Laptops banned in cafes in Paris and Berlin For several years now, cafes in European cities including Paris, Berlin, Lisbon and Brighton have been taking a stand against remote workers. Some have banned laptops completely while others charge an hourly rate for the privilege of using them. For many cafe owners, its not just about the unprofitability of remote workers but also about protecting their business primary function: a convivial place to interact with other customers face-to-face. If youre a digital nomad in Spain looking for remote working space, consider taking advantage of the dozens of co-working spaces popping up all over the country. - Austin Distel It's definitely a bad image for the cafe if you walk past it and keep seeing the same four or five faces with their laptops on, regardless of whether they've paid or not, one commenter wrote on a Reddit thread. The cafes are supposed to be fun places where people go and have conversations. I know lots of people here glamorise the idea of working from coffee shops in exotic places, but its both socially unacceptable and burdensome to the business much of the time, said another. Sometimes, it is also a case of frustration at digital nomads disrespectful behaviour. The worst is those people [who] leave the supermarket sandwich wrappers on the table for the staff (me, in the past) to clean up, another user on the same thread wrote. Where to remote work in Spain If youre a digital nomad in Spain looking for remote working space that wont ruffle feathers, consider taking advantage of the dozens of co-working spaces popping up all over the country. In Barcelona, trendy Betahaus (also in Berlin, Hamburg, Sofia and Bucharest) has a luminous interior space and a plant-filled terrace. Spread across five floors, it has private offices and meeting spaces as well as communal working areas. La Vaca (meaning cow and so-named because it is an ex-dairy) is an easygoing, greenery-filled space where you can listen to music, do yoga or have a game of pool when you need a break. In Valencia, look up Vortex Coworking Playa in the seaside El Cabanyal neighbourhood. The restored building has a stylish interior of exposed wooden beams and brick walls and is equipped with a kitchen. In Santiago, try Campus Stellae inside a 17th-century building. The five floors of communal spaces and private offices have prime views of the neighbouring cathedral. The political wing of the largest Latino civil rights group endorsed President Biden Tuesday in Arizona, according to a press release. For Latino voters, a clear choice, Janet Murguia, UnidosUS Action Fund president, said in a press conference Thursday. With Biden, we can continue forward on a path to progress and a brighter future. With [former President Trump,] we move backwards, to harmful and extreme policies and [an] economy that crushed our Latino families, Murguia continued. As a community and as a country, we cant afford to go backwards. The group also endorsed Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) in his bid for the Senate this year. Gallego will likely face off against controversial former Arizona GOP gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake. This is an election we cannot afford to lose, Murguia said at the press conference. We must reelect Joe Biden and [Vice President Harris.] And were here because we know the president and vice president cannot fight these battles and continue their road to progress by themselves. They need elected officials who share the same values, and will work to find solutions in Congress. A New York Times/Siena College poll from last month found Biden at 50 percent support among Hispanics, with former President Trump at 41 percent. Bidens campaign has said that they are doing as much as they can to expand their support among Hispanics. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison welcomed the endorsement from UnidosUS Action Fund in a post on the social media platform X Tuesday. Thank you @UnidosUSAFfor endorsing the Biden-Harris campaign! Harrisons post reads. The incredible organizing power of your organization will help us reelect President @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris and deliver more for the Latino community. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) pledged to put the country first and work across the aisle, in his victory speech Tuesday after securing the GOP nomination for his states open Senate seat. Hogan made his pitch to the ideological middle, in his speech to supporters Tuesday night, saying political leaders in Washington who show a willingness to put country over party has become far too rare. Just 95 days ago, we launched this campaign, and I wasnt looking for a new title. I didnt need a job, Hogan said. But I decided to take on this challenge because I have never been more concerned about the direction of our nation. And there are times in history when we desperately need leaders to step up and put the country first. Hogan is vying to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin (Md.), whose plans to leave the upper chamber after three terms in the role kicked off a competitive Democratic primary in the Old Line State. Hogan made a surprise entry into the race earlier this year, fueling Republican hopes of a strong showing in the blue-leaning state. Hogan, who emerged in the last couple years as a rare critic of former President Trumps, pledged on Tuesday to work across the aisle to get things done, if elected to the Senate in November. America is at a dangerous, critical crossroads. Most Americans are thoroughly convinced that we are hopelessly divided, that Washington is completely dysfunctional. And that our entire political system is fundamentally broken. The voices of the exhausted majority are often ignored, in deference to the demands of the loudest and angriest few, who seem hell bent on tearing America apart. Enough is enough, Hogan said. Im willing to stand up and fight for the things that really matter, but not for status quo politics as usual, and not to perpetuate polarization and paralysis. I think you know, I dont come from the performative-art school of politics. I come from the get-to-work-and-get-things-done schools, and Ill work with anyone who wants to do the peoples business, he said. On the Democratic side, Rep. David Trone (Md.) and Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks were battling in a closely watched primary for their party nod, with Alsobrooks prevailing in the Democratic contest. He congratulated the candidates competing in both the Democratic and Republican primaries on Tuesday and said, but tonight the campaign for Maryland and Americas future begins. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has won the Republican nomination in the closely watched race for the states open Senate seat, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ. Hogan is vying to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin (Md.), whose plans to leave the upper chamber after three terms in the role kicked off a competitive Democratic primary in the Old Line State. Hogan made a surprise entry into the race earlier this year, fueling Republican hopes of a strong showing in the blue-leaning state. On the Democratic side, Rep. David Trone (Md.) and Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks were battling in a closely watched primary for their party nod, with Alsobrooks prevailing in the Democratic contest. Senate Republicans quickly began their pivot toward the general election matchup after Alsobrookss win was announced. The contrast in this race could not be clearer. Angela Alsobrooks underfunded law enforcement while crime is skyrocketing in her county, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), chair of the Senate GOP campaign arm, said in a statement. For eight years, Governor Hogan delivered results for Maryland by reaching across the aisle. Marylanders know they can trust Governor Hogan to keep their communities safe and achieve results in Washington. Hogan, who launched a $1 million ad buy in Maryland last month, would be the first Republican to serve as a senator from the state since the mid-1980s. Its time we stop the partisan BS and get stuff done, Hogan said in a recent ad lamenting that Republicans and Democrats are arguing all the time and nothing gets done in D.C. Hogan had briefly been seen as a possible third-party presidential race contender with No Labels, the bipartisan political group that aimed to form a unity bid for 2024 of which Hogan was a former chair. The Republican said earlier this year that he would not vote for former President Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, in November, but would seek a third-party alternative instead. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a solemn welcome ceremony for Chinese President Xi Jinping at the St. George's Hall at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Today, relations between Russia and China have reached their highest level in history, and despite a challenging international situation, the relationship continues to develop, Putin said. MOSCOW, May 15 (Xinhua) -- On the eve of his two-day state visit to China, which starts on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a written interview with Xinhua that Russia and China are promoting the prosperity of both nations through expanded equal and mutually beneficial cooperation in economic and cultural fields. In the interview, Putin emphasized that the coordination of foreign policies between the two countries is propelling the establishment of a fair multipolar world order, which underpins the future success of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era. Putin highlighted that contemporary Russia-China relations transcend ideology and are a strategic choice made independently by the two countries regardless of the political situation. This choice is grounded in the extensive common interests, deep mutual trust, strong public support, and the genuine friendship between the peoples of the two countries. Both nations are jointly committed to safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security. "In a broader sense, we are working to contribute to the development and prosperity of Russia and China by enhancing equal, mutually beneficial economic and humanitarian cooperation, and strengthen foreign policy coordination in the interests of building a just multipolar world order. All this is the key to a future success of our comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era," said Putin. He noted that the partnership between Russia and China is always based on equality and mutual trust, mutual respect for sovereignty, and consideration of each other's interests. President Xi Jinping, a wise and visionary leader, plays a special and prominent role in the development of bilateral relations, he added. "We first met back in March 2010, and we have been seeing and calling each other regularly ever since. President Xi maintains a respectful, friendly, open and at the same time business-like style of communication," Putin said, adding that each meeting was not only a dialogue between old friends but also a fruitful exchange of views on bilateral and international agendas. Putin recalled that in 2013, President Xi chose Russia as the first destination of his state visit as China's head of state. After being re-elected as Chinese president in March last year, his first state visit was again to Russia. They spent nearly five hours together, holding one-on-one in-depth talks, followed by a day of substantive official events. "This unprecedented level of strategic partnership between our countries determined my choice of China as the first state to be visited after the official inauguration as the president of the Russian Federation," Putin emphasized. He pointed out that the deep and longstanding friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Russia and China has established one of the most important pillars of bilateral relations. Today, relations between Russia and China have reached their highest level in history, and despite a challenging international situation, the relationship continues to develop, he added. Putin underscored that this year is special for both countries, noting that October marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which is celebrating this significant historical moment with outstanding achievements. As a long-standing and reliable friend, Russia welcomes China's accomplishments, he said, adding that for three-quarters of a century, the two countries have navigated a long and sometimes difficult path, drawing lessons from different stages of their relations. Today, they recognize that complementary advantages are injecting strong momentum into the comprehensive and rapid development of bilateral ties, he said. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A district court judge is giving prosecutors two weeks to explain why charges filed against six Nevada Republicans who submitted fake electoral certificates claiming former President Donald Trump won the 2020 election should be tried in Clark County rather than in the northern part of the state. In December, a Clark County grand jury indicted the group on charges of offering a false instrument for filing and uttering a forged instrument, stemming from the submission of the documents in 2020. Both charges are felonies. State prosecutors charged Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald, Clark County Republican Party Chairman Jesse Law, Jim DeGraffenreid, Durward James Hindle III, Shawn Meehan and Eileen Rice. All six have pleaded not guilty and their trial was scheduled for next year. During a hearing Wednesday, Judge Mary Kay Holthus asked the state to provide her with more information about why the case should be heard in her court. She requested prosecutors file their documents within two weeks so lawyers for the group could then respond and she could review them by mid-June. What exactly occurred here to give us jurisdiction here? Thats all I want, Holthus told state prosecutors, which included Democratic Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford. A screen for a teleconference is shown in court in Las Vegas, on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, where six Republicans pleaded not guilty to two felony charges each, stemming from their roles as fake electors in 2020 where they signed certificates falsely claiming former President Donald Trump won Nevada over Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil) Holthus indicated she believed either side would appeal her ruling on the legalities of the grand jury indictment and venue to the state supreme court either way. The six electors signed paperwork signaling their support for Former President Donald Trump in a symbolic ceremony devoid of any legal merit and coinciding with the official state-sanctioned tally on Dec. 14, 2020. The purpose of the documents was to force Congress to decide the presidential election, according to people whom the Jan. 6 committee interviewed. A legal advisor to the Trump campaign, Kenneth Chesebro, emailed DeGraffenreid about the plan, the committee found. As the 8 News Now Investigators reported in December 2021, the certificate sent by Nevada Republicans and received by the National Archives looks much different than the official state-sealed one and reads, We, the undersigned, being the duly elected and qualified electors for president and vice president of the United States of America from the State of Nevada, do hereby certify six electoral votes for Trump. In documents filed earlier this year, lawyers for the six fake electors claim Law was not in Nevada in the days before the event nor is there evidence McDonald was in Clark County in the certificates drafting phase. The lawyers argue that the first time the evidence shows defendants engaged in any acts relating to the documents at issue was in Carson City, documents said. In the days after and in filings since, the six Republican electors said they filed the certificates due to the then-ongoing legal battles from the Trump campaign. However, in mid-December 2020, no legal case remained open in Nevada. The Nevada Supreme Court ruled against the Trump campaign on Dec. 8, 2020, six days before the Dec. 14 ceremony. However, lawyers claim the U.S. Supreme Court had yet to weigh in, though the panel ultimately did not. Holthus scheduled a hearing for June 18. Nevada law requires the secretary of state to oversee the certification of the states electoral certificates. Then-Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, a Republican, oversaw the official certification process on the same day as the Republican event. The Nevada GOP repeatedly denied requests from 8 News Now to review their evidence of allegations of fraud throughout the fall of 2020. At a news conference on Nov. 5, 2020, where surrogates from the Trump campaign announced a federal lawsuit, speakers told reporters to find the evidence for themselves. That lawsuit was later dropped. During the sole hearing in that case, a lawyer provided no evidence of fraud and did not verbally bring up any evidence to the federal judge. Last year, Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed Senate Bill 133, which lawmakers approved during the 2023 Nevada Legislature that would have established penalties for the fake electors actions. Lombardo defended the sanctity of elections but said the penalties in the bill were out of scale. While testifying in favor of that bill before the Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections, Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford said no Nevada law allowed him to take possible action. The Jan. 6 committee interviewed both McDonald and Republican elector Jim DeGraffenreid. Both men invoked their Fifth Amendment rights repeatedly McDonald more than 200 times. Neither, nor a party spokesperson, has returned repeated requests for comment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speaks on a pension amendment Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) A late-session attempt to salvage a proposal that would revive public employee pensions in Alaska died on Tuesday. A simple bill aimed at attracting and retaining more teachers briefly became a vehicle to get the Senate-approved pension program to the House floor. The Senate approved a pension bill in January that didnt advance in the House, and there hasnt been a public sign that the House majority has had a change of heart. Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage and the pension bills sponsor, introduced the bills language as a 52-page amendment to the education bill. The Senate narrowly approved the addition, but Giessel rescinded the amendment after a break. It didnt seem that it was going to make for a productive end to the session, she said on Tuesday evening after the Senate gaveled out for the day. Her proposal for a defined benefit retirement system has long been a priority of unions and many lawmakers who see it as a means to address high vacancy rates for state jobs. She said the chance that the pension reboot becomes law this year is probably zero but that doesnt mean its not a critical issue, especially for our workforce. The reversal came after pushback from the Senates pension bill opponents. Sen. James Kaufman, R-Anchorage, opposed the amendment because he thought it threatened the education bill, which he supports. The only thing it achieves is crushing the underlying bill, he said. House Bill 230 would allow teachers interested in Alaska careers to be compensated for more of their previous experience by eliminating a cap on how many years of out-of-state teaching would be considered when setting salaries. Rep. Rebecca Himschoot, I-Sitka, proposed the bill. She said the cap is a potential barrier to attracting teaching talent to the state. Members of the Senate added language that allows an increase in the number of consecutive days a retired teacher may work as a substitute, a change Senate Education Committee Chair Loki Tobin said is crucial to dealing with the states teacher shortage because it would allow districts to use qualified teachers while they find permanent hires. There were more than 500 vacant teaching positions at the beginning of this school year. Lawmakers also approved incentives for teachers with national board certification, an amendment that mirrors a proposal from Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski. Tobin urged support for the bill. It empowers school districts to compete for teachers who are coming from out of state. Theres a growing body of evidence that shows that good and experienced teachers increase student achievement, she said. Senators passed the bill with unanimous support; it returns to the House for agreement on the changes. The post Last ditch attempt to return Alaska teacher, public employee pensions fails on Senate floor appeared first on Alaska Beacon. The Latest | Palestinians mark 76 years of their dispossession as more catastrophe unfolds in Gaza Students wave Palestinian flags as they march to show solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza and to commemorate the Nakba Day, Arabic for catastrophe, in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Palestinians are marking 76 years of dispossession on Wednesday, commemorating their mass expulsion from what is today Israel, as a potentially larger catastrophe unfolds in Gaza where over a quarter of the population has been displaced by fighting in the last few days alone. Israel has been pressing its military operations in Rafah, a city along Gaza's southern border with Egypt, and in northern Gaza, where Hamas has regrouped. Around 600,000 Palestinians have been driven out of Rafah since the beginning of last week, a U.N. spokesperson said Wednesday. In northern Gaza, Israeli evacuation orders have displaced at least 100,000 people so far. Some 80% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million Palestinians have fled their homes since the start of the war, with many relocating multiple times. No food has entered the two main border crossings in southern Gaza for more than a week. Some 1.1 million Palestinians are on the brink of starvation, according to the U.N, while a full-blown famine is taking place in the north of the territory. Israel has portrayed Rafah as the last Hamas stronghold, brushing off warnings from the United States and other allies that any major operation there would be catastrophic for civilians. Seven months of the war have killed more than 35,000 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to local health officials. The war began Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people there, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostage. Israel says militants still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others. Currently: The Biden administration is sending $1 billion more in weapons and ammo to Israel, congressional aides say. Palestinians mark 76 years of dispossession from present-day Israel, a somber Nakba, which is Arabic for catastrophe. Some social media users take to a blockout of celebrities to pressure them to take a stand over the crisis in Gaza. Israelis mark a subdued Independence Day under the shadow of the war in Gaza. Yemens Houthi rebels acknowledge attacking a US destroyer that shot down missile in the Red Sea. Follow APs coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Here's the latest: HAMAS VOWS IT'S HERE TO STAY AS ISRAEL AND U.S. DISAGREE OVER POSTWAR PLANS FOR GAZA JERUSALEM Hamas top leader said Wednesday that the militant group was here to stay, as Israel and the U.S. disagree over a vision for who will administer Gaza once the war ends. Ismail Haniyehs remarks come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced mounting criticism over his lack of a postwar plan for governance in Gaza. Netanyahu said Thursday that preparing for the day after the war in Gaza was impossible so long as Hamas was not defeated, which Israel has vowed to do. Haniyeh, in a speech marking the 76th anniversary of the Palestinians mass expulsion from what is now Israel, appeared to be responding to the conversations about Gazas future. There was a lot of talk about the so-called day after the war, he said. We say that the Hamas movement is here to stay. Israel has reinvaded parts of northern Gaza in recent days that it had captured earlier in the war. That, along with an increase in rocket fire toward Israel, indicates Hamas is regrouping. The U.S. has criticized Israel for not deciding on a postwar plan for Gaza. LEBANON'S HEZBOLLAH ATTACKS ISRAELI BASE WITH DRONES, THE DEEPEST STRIKE INSIDE ISRAEL SINCE GAZA WAR BEGAN BEIRUT Lebanese militant group Hezbollah says it used explosive drones to attack an Israeli military base on Wednesday near the northern city of Tiberias, in what appeared to be the group's deepest strike inside Israel since the war in Gaza began seven months ago. The Israeli military said there were no injuries from the strike, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the border with Lebanon. Hezbollah said in a statement that the attack on the Ilaniya base west of Tiberias was in retaliation for Israels killing of Hezbollah officials a day earlier. An Israeli drone strike on a car in southern Lebanon killed a local commander and wounded two other people with him. Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out last October, Hezbollah and Israel have traded fire across the border almost every day. Israels military has managed to kill a number of local Hezbollah commanders. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a speech Monday reiterated his groups stance that it would keep up its strikes until Israel ends the war in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes and shelling, mainly in southern Lebanon, have killed nearly 400 people, most of them militants, but also more than 70 civilians and noncombatants. In Israel, the violence has left at least 15 soldiers and 10 civilians dead. COMBAT ESCALATES IN GAZA CITY BETWEEN HAMAS AND ISRAELI MILITARY JERUSALEM Battles between Hamas militants and Israeli forces intensified across different areas of Gaza City, Palestinian rescue workers and the Israeli military said Wednesday. The increased violence in northern Gaza is part of a resurgence in fighting in parts of the beleaguered territory that the Israeli military said it had asserted control over months ago. An escalation in gunbattles and Israeli strikes have been seen in a number of districts across the city, including the Jabaliya urban refugee camp and the southern Zeitoun area. The Palestinian Civil Defense, an emergency group active in Gaza, said Wednesday it recovered dozens of bodies in the Zeitoun and the al-Sabra area from the recent fighting. In Jabaliya, northeast of the city center, an Israeli strike hit a residential building, killing five people, the emergency group said. A tall plume of smoke and debris rose from the site of the strike. Associated Press journalists saw residents and rescue teams searching for survivors beneath the rubble, while others carried survivors from the wreckage. The increased fighting in areas where Israel said it had gained control suggests that Hamas is regrouping, more than seven months after the war erupted. There also has been an increase in rockets fired from Gaza toward Israel in recent days. U.N. SAYS 600,000 PEOPLE DISPLACED FROM RAFAH BY ISRAELI OPERATIONS A QUARTER OF GAZA'S POPULATION UNITED NATIONS The United Nations says some 600,000 people have been displaced by Israels offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and around 100,000 others fled fighting in the territorys north. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, reported that as of Wednesday some 600,000 people a quarter of Gazas population have been displaced from Rafah since May 6 as the Israeli ground operation there continues. In addition to Rafah, he said U.N. humanitarian officials report that ground incursions and heavy fighting also continue to be reported in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza as well as in Jabaliya in northern Gaza. Rafah had been packed with some 1.2 million Palestinians seeking safety from Israels offensive. Haq reiterated that the U.N. contends theres no safe place for them to go to in Gaza. Regardless of whether they move or stay, civilians in Gaza must be protected under international humanitarian law, Haq stressed. This also means civilians essential needs including food, shelter, water and health must be met, wherever they are. He said there is no running water, electricity of basic services at Muwasi, a rural area on the coast neighboring Rafah, that Israel has called a safe area. Very little aid and almost no fuel is getting into Gaza, he said. The Eretz crossing with Israel has been closed since May 9 and while the Kerem Shalom crossing is technically open, its not logistically viable and its not safe to access, the U.N. spokesman said. Some commodities have entered Gaza through a new opening at Zikim in the northwest, Haq said. But fighting in Rafah has made deliveries through the southern border crossing difficult, he said, and fuel imports have stopped since the Israeli operation began, with only some limited exceptions. Access to critical health services in Gaza continues to shrink as additional evacuation orders are issued and military operations intensify, Haq said. As of Wednesday, he said the U.N.s partners report that the Indonesian Field Hospital in Rafah is out of service. That leaves eight functioning field hospitals, including one just established by the International Committee of the Red Cross in coordination with the Palestine Red Crescent Society, to help address the overwhelming scale of needs in Rafah, Haq said. SHIP WITH BRITISH AID FOR GAZA DEPARTS CYPRUS LONDON The British government says the first shipload of U.K. aid left Cyprus on Wednesday bound for a U.S.-built temporary pier in Gaza. The Foreign Office said the ship is carrying almost 100 tonnes (tons) of U.K. aid, including 8,400 temporary shelters made of plastic sheeting. Its the first part of a 2 million pound ($2.5 million) package of U.K. aid to be delivered from Cyprus. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the shipment was an important moment in increasing the flow of aid to Gaza. But we know that more is required, particularly via land, which is why alongside intensive work to get hostages out of Gaza we will continue efforts to unlock more routes to get vital aid in helping people in desperate need. Sunak said. Britain urged Israel to meet its commitment to allow at least 500 aid trucks a day to cross into Gaza and to open the Israeli port of Ashdod to maritime shipments. ISRAELI TROOPS KILL A PALESTINIAN MAN IN THE WEST BANK, HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY JERUSALEM The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli troops killed a man in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Wednesday, the latest in a surge of deadly violence in the territory. The Israeli military said a Palestinian was shot after throwing a brick at soldiers during a violent protest near the West Bank city of Ramallah. Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, identified the slain man as 21-year-old Mohamed Safi. Violence has spiked across the West Bank since the Israel's war in Gaza erupted last October. Since then, around 500 Palestinians have been shot dead by Israeli forces, according to figures from the Palestinian Health Ministry. Many have been killed in armed clashes or for throwing stones, but people not involved in confrontations have also been killed. ISRAEL'S DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS NETANYAHU SHOULDN'T SEEK OPEN-ENDED MILITARY RULE OVER GAZA JERUSALEM Israels defense minister on Wednesday warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against perpetuating Israeli rule over Gaza, calling him to find an alternative Palestinian leadership to replace Hamas. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he had repeatedly pleaded with the government to make a decision on a postwar vision for Gaza that would see the creation of a new Palestinian civilian leadership for the territory, but that it has refused to discuss the issue. I call on the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a decision and declare that Israel will not rule over civilian affairs in Gaza, there wont be Israeli military rule in Gaza, and an alternative leadership to Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be advanced, he said. In a nationally televised statement, Gallant urged Netanyahu to agree to such a postwar vision for the countrys best interest. He suggested Netanyahu was not making a decision out of political considerations. Netanyahus ultranationalist governing partners want Israel to reoccupy the Gaza Strip. The United States, Israel's top ally, says it wont accept a return of Israeli military occupation of the Gaza Strip. U.S. DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OFFICIAL SAYS ISRAEL NEEDS TO STOP KILLING AID WORKERS IN GAZA DUBAI, United Arab Emirates An official with the U.S. Agency for International Development directly criticized the Israeli military for episodes in which its forces killed aid workers trying to bring needed food, water and medicine to people in Gaza. Response Director Dan Dieckhaus of USAID referenced the Israeli militarys efforts at trying to avoid shooting at aid workers, part of a wider military strategy known as deconfliction in combat zones, as failures. He particularly referenced the strikes that killed workers with the World Central Kitchen program. Deconfliction failures, as was represented by the World Central Kitchen strike, need to stop, he said. They need to end. They dont just need to be mitigated. He added: Were not at all satisfied with where theyre at now. The Israeli military, in response to Dieckhaus comments, told The Associated Press that it takes extensive efforts to avoid civilian casualties. Given the ongoing exchanges of fire, remaining in an active combat zone has inherent risks, the Israeli military said. We will continue to counter threats while persisting to mitigate harm to civilians. Speaking on a call with journalists organized by the State Department, both Dieckhaus and U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said a planned floating aid pier operation would be working in the coming days, without elaborating. Dieckhaus said the U.N. and other aid agencies had not requested armed escorts for moving their aid through the Gaza Strip after being unloaded. Pressed specifically on what the Israelis could do better, Dieckhaus said: I dont think USAID is privy to the targeting practices of the IDF. I think overall we are we are still not satisfied and we wont be satisfied as long as we continue to see aid worker deaths and injuries, he said. So that is maybe thats a high bar. I think we would consider that a low bar that these workers are able to operate safely and securely without exception. ISRAEL'S NETANYAHU SAYS THERE'S NO WAY TO PREPARE A POSTWAR VISION FOR GAZA UNTIL AFTER THE WAR IS OVER JERUSALEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday there was no way to prepare for a postwar vision for Gaza until Hamas is defeated militarily. Netanyahu appeared to be fending off criticism that he is allowing Hamas to regroup and squandering Israeli military gains in the Gaza Strip by not deciding on a plan for the embattled territory once the war is over. Netanyahu has faced increased criticism both domestically and from the U.S., Israels top ally, over its postwar vision for Gaza. In a pair of interviews this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration hadnt yet seen Israels plans for governance and rebuilding in Gaza, saying it expected to see such a plan. In a statement from his office, Netanyahu said Israel had tried to enlist local Palestinians to assist with food distribution but the effort failed because Hamas threatened them, a claim that could not be verified. He said Israel was engaged in other attempts to implement a postwar reality in Gaza that he did not describe. While Hamas remains intact, talk of the day after will remain just talk, devoid of content, he said. Israeli forces are fighting in parts of Gaza, including the decimated north, that the military said had been cleared by ground troops earlier in the war. Netanyahu has said Israel will maintain open-ended security control of the Gaza Strip. The U.S. says it wont accept a return of Israeli military occupation of the Gaza Strip. The U.S., as a precursor to creating a Palestinian state, has called for a political roadmap that includes a return to Gaza of the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, which Hamas ousted from Gaza in 2007. Netanyahu and his right-wing government reject a role in Gaza for the Palestinian Authority, and say they will never allow a Palestinian state. The world hasnt seen anything like the unprecedented destruction of housing in Gaza since World War II, and it would take at least until 2040 to restore the homes devastated in Israels bombing and ground offensive if the conflict ended today, the United Nations reported earlier this month. TURKEY'S ERDOGAN MARKS PALESTINIAN NAKBA WITH A PLEDGE TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING HAMAS ANKARA, Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday commemorated the mass expulsion 76 years ago of Palestinians from what is now Israel and vowed to keep supporting Palestinians and the militant group Hamas. Erdogan's remarks came as Palestinians across the Middle East and beyond marked the anniversary of Nakba, the Arabic for catastrophe, when 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven out of what today is Israel before and during the war surrounding its creation in 1948. In a speech to the ruling partys lawmakers, Erdogan compared Israels actions to the Holocaust, and said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials would pay the price for the attacks in the war in Gaza. Even Hitler did not carry out the Holocaust, which went down as dark stain in history, so openly. He wasnt that bold, Erdogan claimed. Humanity will not let these murderers go free. Even if humanity lets them go, we will chase these murderers, this genocidal network of killers. A long-time supporter of Palestinians, Erdogan further stiffened his stance against Israel after his ruling party lost votes to a small Islamist party in the March local elections. His government has severed trade relations with Israel and is seeking to join a legal case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The top United Nations court has concluded there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza a charge Israel strongly denies. EUROPEAN UNION WARNS ISRAEL THAT A FURTHER PUSH INTO RAFAH WOULD STRAIN TIES BRUSSELS The European Union has warned Israel that if it keeps up military operations in Gazas southern city of Rafah, it would put a heavy strain on relations. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the ongoing operation is further disrupting the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and is leading to more internal displacement, exposure to famine and human suffering. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled Rafah since Israel launched an incursion last week in which it captured the Gaza side of the citys crossing with Egypt. Israel says it is carrying out a limited operation after the United States and other close allies urged it to avoid a promised full-scale invasion. Borrell said on Tuesday that should Israel continue its military operation in Rafah, it would inevitably put a heavy strain on the EUs relationship with Israel. Israel says it must go into Rafah in order to fully dismantle Hamas and return scores of hostages captured in the Oct. 7 attack that ignited the war. Before the operation, Rafah was sheltering some 1.3 million Palestinians, most of whom had fled fighting elsewhere and were living in U.N.-run shelters and rudimentary tent camps. The United Nations says some 450,000 people have fled the city in the last week. EGYPT SLAMS ISRAEL'S TOP DIPLOMAT FOR BLAMING THE CLOSING OF GAZA'S RAFAH CROSSING ON CAIRO CAIRO Egypt has blasted comments by Israels top diplomat in which he blamed the Arab country for the closure of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip. Egypt has expressed mounting frustration with Israels seizure of the Palestinian side of the crossing last week, saying it threatens the two countries decades-old peace treaty. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Israel is responsible for the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. We reject the policy of distorting the facts, Shoukry said in a statement on Tuesday, denouncing Israels desperate attempts to blame Egypt. He said Israels incursion into Rafah was the main reason aid cannot enter through the crossing and called for Israel to allow more aid through its own crossings. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that there was a need to persuade Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing to allow the continued delivery of international humanitarian aid to Gaza. The world places the responsibility for the humanitarian situation on Israel, but the key to preventing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza is now in the hands of our Egyptian friends, Katz said. Egypt has played a key role in mediation efforts aimed at brokering a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and the release of hostages. It has also expressed fears that the humanitarian crisis could send a mass influx of Palestinians across the border into its Sinai Peninsula. ISRAELI DRONE STRIKE IN SOUTHERN LEBANON KILLS A HEZBOLLAH COMMANDER BEIRUT An Israeli drone strike on a car in southern Lebanon has killed a local Hezbollah commander, the militant group said Wednesday. The Israeli military released a video of the strike along a main road near the southern port city of Tyre, saying that the Hezbollah commander had planned and carried out several attacks against Israel. Hezbollah said 55-year-old Hussein Makki was killed late Tuesday without giving further details. Lebanons emergency responders said the strike also wounded two people who were taken to a hospital. They said a fire that broke out as a result of the strike was extinguished and that the body of one person was recovered at the scene. Hezbollah said on Wednesday it fired dozens of Katyusha rockets, heavy rockets and artillery shells toward the air traffic control base on Mount Moron in Israels north earlier in the day in retaliation for Makki's killing. The Israeli military said it identified 60 launches from Lebanon, a small number of which were intercepted. It was one of the largest barrages since the start of the war in Gaza. Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out last October, Hezbollah has launched near-daily attacks on Israel, drawing return fire. Israels military has managed to kill a number of local Hezbollah commanders. Israeli airstrikes and shelling, mainly in southern Lebanon, have killed nearly 400 people, most of them militants, but also more than 70 civilians and noncombatants. In Israel, the violence has left at least 15 soldiers and 10 civilians dead. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a speech on Monday reiterated his groups stance that it would keep up its strikes until Israel ends the war in Gaza. U.N. AGENCY SAYS ISRAELI PROTESTERS SET FIRE TO THE PERIMETER OF ITS HEADQUARTERS IN EAST JERUSALEM JERUSALEM The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees says Israeli protesters have again set fire to the perimeter of its headquarters in east Jerusalem. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini wrote on the social media platform X that Israeli children and young people had orchestrated an arson attempt on the facility on Monday night. He shared video footage from Israeli media appearing to show small brush fires along the perimeter of the compound. Adam Bouloukos, an UNRWA official, said staff were present in the facility but no one was injured. UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma said the compound had just reopened after a previous round of demonstrations outside the facility last week. Young protesters had twice set fire to the perimeter and hurled stones at UNRWA staff attempting to put out the blazes. Touma said the compound is staying open for now. The demonstrations began after Israel accused UNRWA, the largest provider of humanitarian aid to Gaza, of having links to Hamas and other Palestinian militants. UNRWA denies the allegations. An independent investigation found that the agency had robust procedures to ensure its neutrality but that there were some gaps in implementation. LEADER OF HEZBOLLAH AND HAMMAS OFFICIAL VOW TO KEEP UP ATTACKS AND PRESSURE ON ISRAEL BEIRUT The leader of Lebanons militant Hezbollah group and a visiting Hamas official on Wednesday discussed the latest round of cease-fire talks but vowed to keep up attacks and pressure on Israel. The Hezbollah-run Al-Manar TV said the militant group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and Hamas' Khalil al-Hayya also talked about so-called backup fronts a reference to Hezbollah's attacks on Israel along the Israel-Lebanon border, as well as strikes and attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels toward Israel. The TV station said the two pledged to keep up the pressure in order to achieve the honorable goals set out by Hamas' unprecedented Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the ongoing war. Latino workers face staggering risks on NC construction sites. Why are so many dying? For many Latino construction workers, work days in the U.S. begin with a simple prayer, Alexis Goldomez says. People pray to be able to return home, said Goldomez, a framing carpenter who grew up in Honduras and now works in Charlotte. But in North Carolina, those prayers too often go unanswered. Latino workers are at a much higher risk of dying on North Carolina construction sites than white and Black workers, a Charlotte Observer investigation has found. Two numbers tell much of the story. Hispanic employees make up 27% of those who work on North Carolina construction sites, according to the U.S. Census. But they accounted for more than 60% of the construction employees who died on the job, according to the last annual count. Hard Hat Deaths: Once every 10 days, a NC construction worker dies on the job. Many deaths are preventable. More needs to be done to protect Hispanic construction workers, said Mauricio Solano, operations director at El Centro Hispano. His group advocates for North Carolinas Hispanic people, 10.5% of this states population. Too many contractors let workers on construction sites without proper safety training, he said. The workers must demand safety, he said. This is hard work. The workers need to know what is safe. Clermont Ripley, Co-Director of the North Carolina Justice Centers Workers Rights Project, said the large number of deaths among Hispanic workers suggests were not valuing the lives of Latino workers the same as others. When we look at that high percentage, we should be outraged, she said. We should be demanding that something be done about this. At townhouses under construction near Charlottes University City neighborhood, workers tackle what can be a dangerous job building the roof. Neither of the workers on the roof is wearing a safety harness. Afraid to lose their job Experts and construction workers point to several key reasons for the disparity: Latino workers perform many of the most dangerous jobs and tasks, such as roofing. Those who dont speak English well often dont understand important communications on job sites, and some construction companies dont provide translators at safety meetings, workers told the Charlotte Observer. Workers whove recently immigrated are often more vulnerable to pressure from supervisors who want potentially dangerous jobs done fast, workers and experts say. Hard Hat Deaths: Father of three had much of his life before him then he was buried alive on the job Theyre willing to go outside the safety lines sometimes because they dont want to lose their jobs, said Ranferi Calvillo, a construction worker and organizer with the Ironworkers Local Union 848, which covers the Carolinas. Latino workers face higher risks at many job sites, not just construction. From 2009 to 2017, Latino people in North Carolina died on the job at roughly twice the rate of white and Black workers, according to a 2022 study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Companies and regulators owe it to workers to stop that pattern, said Morgan Richey, an author of that study. These folks are doing dangerous jobs that need to be done, he said. The least we can do is use the tools we have to reduce the amount of carnage. These people are the backbone of our country. Waiting for them to come back home Iris Bonilla, left, lost her son, Jose Bonilla Canaca, in a scaffolding collapse in 2023. Bonilla, her daughter Amy, and her husband Osman Reyes stand with a photo of Jose holding the first fish hed caught. Every day, there is a pain in my heart, Iris said. While some construction tragedies grab headlines, many Latino construction workers die without news coverage. Among those who died on the job in North Carolina last year: Jose Canaca Bonilla, Gilberto Monico Fernandez and Jesus Chuy Olivares plunged 70 feet to their deaths on the morning of Jan. 2, 2023, when the scaffold they were standing on collapsed. The scaffold, which workers were using to build a residential tower near Charlottes Dilworth neighborhood, was heavily rusted and deteriorated, state labor department officials found. Guadalupe Alvarados last moments came on April 27, 2023, while he was working in Union County, about three miles south of Charlottes Outerbelt. He was standing in a wooden box that was being hoisted by a forklift when the box tipped off the forks, state records show. Alvarado, 28, was crushed between the ground and the falling box. Labor officials cited three companies for serious safety violations. Ricardo Castillo, 59, died in another fall on June 9, 2023. While working for a framing company, he plummeted from the second floor of a townhouse under construction in Raleigh and suffered a fatal head injury. Inspectors cited his employer for two serious safety violations related to required fall protection and training. I want there to be more safety so this will never happen again to Latino families, Iris Bonilla, the mother of 26-year-old scaffolding collapse victim Jose Canaca Bonilla, told the Observer after her son died. Because their parents, mothers, sons theyre waiting for them to come back home. Iris Bonilla, left and her husband Osman Reyes, right, kneel at a memorial for their son, Jose Bonilla Canaca, and two other men who died when a scaffolding collapsed on a Charlotte construction site on Jan. 2, 2023. A month later, family and friends gathered at Marshall Park for a candlelight vigil in memory of the three men. Tackling the hard work others avoid Charlotte construction worker Alejandro Corvera, 21, says he thinks theres a simple reason Latino workers so often die at work. Theyre the ones doing the most dangerous jobs. Goldomez, the Charlotte framing carpenter, agreed. Truly, Latinos put ourselves in harms way more often, Goldomez said, speaking in Spanish during an interview at the Southeastern Carpenters Regional Council training center in Charlotte. And we do the most dangerous work in construction. The numbers support that observation. Consider the people who do roofing, one of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. In North Carolina, 63% of roofers are Hispanic, according to the latest available Census figures. OSHA requires construction companies to provide workers with appropriate safety equipment, such as safety glasses and harnesses needed to prevent falls. But some companies dont, construction workers interviewed said. Latino workers whove recently come to the U.S, may face particularly high risks. Workers unfamiliar with American labor laws may not be provided safety equipment or training. They may also be threatened with termination for reporting injuries, according to Richeys study. Immigrant workers may also be less likely to decline a hazardous task or report an unsafe work environment, the study says. Workers at an office tower under construction in uptown Charlotte. Language barriers may play a role as well, particularly when companies dont help foreign-born workers overcome them. Several Latino construction workers interviewed by The Observer said there are no translators at many of the safety meetings that construction companies hold for their workers. If theres no translator at the meetings, do they know exactly whats going on? asked Rony Yanes, a longtime plumber who came to the U.S. from Guatemala. I wonder how many people get the full point. Goldomez said he broke his ankle on a construction site in Tennessee in 2022. No one warned him in Spanish that there was a hole in the floor of the building he was working on, he said. When you dont understand the language it makes what youre doing very difficult, he said. Alexis Goldomez, a Charlotte framing carpenter, said that language barriers sometimes make jobs more dangerous for Latino construction workers particularly when instructions and safety messages arent conveyed in their native languages. Jacob Garmon, director of safety for Carolinas AGC, a large industry trade group, said that most large contractors have Spanish-speaking employees who are able to get safety information out to Hispanic employees. State workplace safety officers who inspect job sites arent always able to communicate with non-English speakers. Of the roughly 80 compliance officers who currently work for the states Occupational Safety and Health division, nine are fluent in Spanish, according to Paul Sullivan, the divisions assistant deputy commissioner of the division. Sullivan noted that many of the divisions job postings have the following language: The ability to speak and understand Spanish is an asset, but not required for the position. Hed love it if more of their inspectors could speak Spanish, he said. Solano, the Latino advocate, would too. The Latino people often dont have a voice in these inspections, because the language is a barrier, he said. We have to change this. Some, including Charlotte workers comp lawyer Vernon Sumwalt, say theres little doubt companies and regulators should do more to protect Latino workers. They do the hard work other folks are too proud or unwilling to do, Sumwalt said. They deserve 100 percent of our attention when it comes to safety. But when corners are cut and companies move too fast, whos the victim? Observer multimedia journalist Diamond Vences and La Noticia reporter Yuliana Montiel contributed. Editors note: If you think your working conditions are unsafe or unhealthy, you can report your concerns to the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health division by filling out a complaint online or calling the complaint desk at 919-707-7660 or 1-800-NC-LABOR (1-800-625-2267). Never let it be said that Laura Ingraham isnt prepared. Present for day 17 of Donald Trumps criminal trial in New York, the host of The Ingraham Angle brought along a pair of binoculars, which arent, strictly speaking, banned in the courtroom. They are, however, banned when evidence is being shown to legal counsel before being presented to the jurywhich is exactly when the Fox News host whipped them out. Several court officers repeatedly tried and failed to get Ingrahams attention as she stared through the binoculars, apparently zoned out. Maam! You cant use binoculars. No binoculars, maam. Maam. Hello! Roughly 10 seconds later, Ingraham came back to herself and realized she was being chastised. A Daily Beast reporter watched as she let out a surprised huff and threw the binoculars down. The 60-year-old commentator appeared to spend much of the afternoon writing her opening monologue for that evenings broadcast of The Ingraham Angle. Recent topics of discussion have included dissections of Jughead Michael Cohens testimony and the supposedly terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week that President Joe Biden is having. Her mind apparently elsewhere on Tuesday, though, Ingraham also had to be repeatedly reminded not to openly use her cell phone, a frequent point of contention over the last two weeks in Justice Juan Merchans courtroom. The judge has largely allowed reporters to use their laptops and phones from an overflow room, although two have been expelled for taking photos on their phones. Tuesdays proceedings largely concerned the long-awaited cross-examination of Cohen, Trumps onetime fixer and all-around go-to guy turned star witness in the governments case against the former president. The tone was set immediately by lead defense lawyer Todd Blanche, who approached and asked if it was true that Cohen had recently gone on TikTok to call him a crying little shit. Cohen began to respond that it sounded like something he might say before prosecutors leaped in to object and a sidebar was hastily called. With showdowns like those, Ingraham should have plenty of material for Tuesday nights episodewith or without the binoculars. 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. Laura Ingraham is talking about credibility issues, and its safe to say critics dont think shes the expert. The Fox News host was in the Manhattan courtroom for former President Donald Trumps criminal hush money trial on Tuesday. In the evening, she told viewers that the experience showed her that the New York justice system is beyond badly broken, its perverted and its poisonous. How do you get to the point where you think Stormy Daniels and Jughead Cohen are more credible than Donald J. Trump? she asked. Trumps former attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, testified on Monday and Tuesday. Last week, porn actor Stormy Daniels took the stand to discuss a sexual encounter she says she had with Trump in 2006. At the heart of the case is a $130,000 payment Cohen made to Daniels just before the 2016 election to stop her from publicizing her story. Trump is charged with falsifying business records to obscure reimbursements he made to Cohen for the transaction. Trump denies the affair and all charges. Trumps defense has sought to cast Cohen and Daniels as Trump-haters who cant be trusted, pointing to negative statements both witnesses have made about the former president. The presumptive GOP nominee for president made, according to a Washington Post tracker, more than 30,000 false or misleading statements during his presidency. Fox News also isnt exactly known for its reliability as a news source, having reached a $787.5 million settlement with a voting systems company last year in a massive defamation lawsuit over its 2020 election coverage. Ingrahams credibility swipe didnt get the warmest reception on X, formerly Twitter. See some of the reaction below. I wouldnt believe Donald Trump if his tongue were notarized. Mayor Edward I. Koch, 1990 https://t.co/LCqHIHeT5O George Conway (@gtconway3d) May 15, 2024 Ive got a functioning frontal cortex. https://t.co/SR9XZqMC6N Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) May 14, 2024 I pretty much made up my mind by 1986 that just about anyone would be more credible than Trump. https://t.co/8wMOhERcRJ Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 14, 2024 Interesting question from a network that had to pay $787.5B for lying which averages out to $1/lie. @IngrahamAnglehttps://t.co/zJfsatTBFy Greta (@GretaGrace20) May 15, 2024 When I graduated from 2nd Grade to 3rd Grade https://t.co/Ni1J6qZgOL Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) May 14, 2024 At around the point they didn't talk about windmills causing cancer or say that COVID could be cured by putting "lights inside you" or that Hannibal Lecter was a great guy. Can't pinpoint the exact moment, but it's in there somewhere. https://t.co/o7Ig81MP2O Michael Marshall Smith (@ememess) May 15, 2024 I dont think people who believe windmills cause cancer & who paint themselves orange everyday are credible. https://t.co/1OT9dQRuUn D.B. Miller (@DBMillerIMO) May 14, 2024 You just need a pulse. Thats literally all it takes. https://t.co/Bro5A83GJz John Collins (@Logically_JC) May 15, 2024 Literally no one is less credible than Donald Trump, the guy who lies constantly about literally everything. https://t.co/49E8zoEDHa Khashoggis Ghost (@UROCKlive1) May 15, 2024 Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday signed the Legislature's 2024 bill funding K-12 public schools, including an increase in special education funding. Kelly said that Senate Bill 387 "represents a continued commitment to our students and our schools. This bill fully funds public education for a sixth consecutive year, providing additional funding for the BASE State Aid in accordance with the Gannon mandate. "Additionally, this bill provides $75 million in new special education funding, enacting the first year of a phased-in approach for the state to meet its statutory obligation to fully fund special education." Kelly also touted $5 million for public-private partnerships to support child care providers in rural northwest Kansas, $23.7 million for early childhood education and literacy, $3.1 million for teacher workforce support and $5 million for school safety grants. Gov. Laura Kelly, seen here ceremonially signing the 2023 K-12 education budget bill in August at Seaman Middle School, officially signed the 2024 K-12 education budget bill on Wednesday. Sen. Molly Baumgardner, R-Louisburg, is chair of the Senate Education Committee. "We focused on crafting increased school funding that better addresses the needs of our Kansas students and our dedicated teachers and staff members," Baumgardner said in a statement via the governor's office. "Our commitment to distributing increased special education funding in a more equitable way to Kansas school districts was accomplished by collaborating directly with the Department of Education leadership team." Rep. Kristey Williams, R-August, is chair of the House K-12 Education Budget Committee. "Meeting our Constitutional obligation plus an additional $75 million for special education shows the Legislature's commitment to supporting our students, teachers, and schools," Williams said in a statement via House GOP leadership. "With almost $5 billion of State dollars allocated every year, we are also dedicated to ensuring there's more accountability and transparency as we work toward improved student achievement." Kelly vetoes proviso creating no-bid contract When legislators wrote the budget, the included a proviso on using school safety and security grants to buy and install "security cameras that are compatible with the firearm detection software specified in paragraph (3)." The details in that paragraph effectively turned the grant program into a no-bid contract for the only company that met those specifications. Legislative staff wrote in the bill explainer that the proviso required the grant funds "only be used for a pilot program with ZeroEyes to add software to existing cameras to identify firearms within schools." The Associated Press reported that ZeroEyes, a firm founded by military veterans after a school shooting in Florida, touted their technology to Kansas lawmakers while also being the only qualified firm to benefit from similar legislation in other states. In her veto message, Kelly said it turned the grant program "into a no-bid contract by inserting requirements that eliminate nearly all potential competition." She also took issue with restricting schools from using the funds for other school safety efforts, such as hiring more security staff or purchasing communications systems, arguing they should have flexibility to use the money "to address needs that are of utmost priority to student safety." "We must continue to work together to ensure our students have a safe, conducive environment for their learning," Kelly said. "To do that, we should not hamstring districts by limiting this funding opportunity to services provided by one company." Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: New Kansas K-12 public school budget boosts special education funding CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio (WJW) Powerful and fitting tributes continue during the 2024 National Police Week, which pays special recognition to peace officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Adding to the emotion of the day was the heartbreaking reality that the name of Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin is being added to that tragic list, after the 23-year-old patrolman was killed in the line of duty Saturday night. Explosion at Royal Chemical Company injures 3 in Macedonia Wednesday evening, the Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake Police Memorial and Honor Guard Foundation partnered with the organization, Light Ohio Blue, to host a caravan of over 40 police vehicles from across Summit and Portage Counties. The service and caravan started at 5:30 p.m. at the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium and ended at the Akron RubberDucks Stadium. At the stadium, a touching ceremony was held for a local law enforcement family that knows all too well the pain of losing a loved one. Charlee Winebrenner, 14, threw out the first pitch before Wednesdays RubberDucks game. Charlee was just 4 years old when her father, Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner, was killed in 2014 while off-duty, when he confronted an armed suspect at a pub in Akron. How suspect avoided police before Officer Derbins death: I-Team The 14-year-old and her grandfather, retired police officer Rob Winebrenner, have had an emotional connection with Police Memorial Day ever since. The Winebrenner family says their hearts ache for the family of Officer Derbin and his fellow officers. My thoughts and prayers for the Derbin family and the Euclid Police Department, said Rob Winebrenner. The Winebrenner family plans to show support for Derbins loved ones by attending services for the fallen officer on Saturday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Cannabis advocates say the high prices of medical marijuana in New Jersey have created a barrier for some patients who can't afford it. (Photo by Daniella Heminghaus for the New Jersey Monitor) State officials have stressed that they agree with medical marijuana patients who say the price of cannabis in New Jersey remains too expensive but the officials say their hands are tied by the law, which gives them no control over prices set by dispensaries. One lawmaker is looking across the Delaware River at what Pennsylvania has done including a provision in its medical marijuana law allowing state cannabis officials to implement price caps if cannabis prices become unreasonable or excessive. Sen. Troy Singleton wants to use Pennsylvanias statute as a model, introducing a bill in March that would allow the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission to set price caps on medical cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, or dispensaries if theyre selling their products at a price that is unreasonable and inconsistent with their actual costs. The commission would be allowed to cap prices for six-month intervals. Singleton (D-Burlington), who called the price of weed in New Jersey very concerning for many people utilizing medical cannabis, said capping prices could put pressure on the market and lead to lower prices. Chris Goldstein is a marijuana advocate who tracks cannabis prices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania dispensaries. Its very similar to how pharmaceutical drugs and other commodities are sold. When large corporations are given the chance, they will be greedy, he said. Unfortunately, weve been sold the same promises for almost 13 years that prices would come down, and there was more competition and more businesses, but the same businesses have been here the whole time, and prices remain remarkably similar. Critics like Goldstein have linked the high prices of legal cannabis to the corporations that control a large part of New Jerseys market. Out of about 40 cultivators, just a handful are independent, like Breakwater, Valley Wellness, and Brutes Roots. The vast majority are corporations filling retailers shelves, even in most mom-and-pop shops. At Ascend in Fort Lee, the price of an eighth without any discounts is $65, or $50 if on sale. In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the same amount of medical weed costs $15. At Curaleaf in Bordentown, an eighth costs $60, and in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, it costs $32.50. Edward Lefty Grimes is a marijuana and disability advocate based out of Morris County. As much as he wants to support dispensaries in New Jersey, he cant afford the high price of extracted cannabis oil, known commonly as dabs. Its sold for $100 a gram in stores, but its $20 to $30 a gram on the legacy market. Its hard to find a dispensary I can afford. Once in a while, Ill go in there and browse, but I feel like Im going into a luxury shop I cant afford, said Grimes. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission did not respond to a request for comment. Goldstein said its been heartbreaking to watch legal cannabis in the rest of the country become more affordable as New Jerseys prices remain high. He suggested the prices are a reason why enrollment in the medical marijuana program has declined since recreational cannabis was legalized. Grimes called the price-fixing legislation low-hanging fruit for lawmakers to pass and an easy way to open access to affordable cannabis for patients. These are sick people that need this medicine for cancer, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, and we have fallen so far off the radar as patients, he said. Singleton, who has sponsored several bills aimed at improving the cannabis industry, said its tough to get any cannabis legislation passed in the Legislature. Right now, the price cap bill hasnt moved beyond conversations behind the scenes, he said. Were going to keep banging on the drum, because we know so many people who are dealing with exponentially high pricing and we want to do something about it, he said. The post Lawmaker wants to allow state officials to cap prices on medical marijuana appeared first on New Jersey Monitor. Lawmakers arrested at state capitol going before GA Supreme Court to challenge state law Two Georgia lawmakers arrested during separate protests at the State Capitol want the Georgia Supreme Court to rule those arrests unconstitutional. Their attorneys argued the law is so vague, that almost anyone could get arrested if police want to. Channel 2 Action News was there in 2018 when capitol police took then-state Sen. Nikema Williams into custody for a protest in the capitol rotunda. Im being arrested because I refused to leave the floor, Williams said at the time. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2 Action News was also there when troopers arrested state Rep. Park Cannon for knocking on Gov. Brian Kemps office door. Both were charged with causing a disruption of official meetings at the State Capitol. Years later, attorneys for the lawmakers came before the Georgia Supreme Court arguing that the law under which they were arrested is so vague that almost anyone at or near the capitol could be arrested for almost any reason RELATED STORIES: We are challenging a statute that was, as written, would prevent speech at the Capitol if a Capitol police officer happened to think it was being disruptive, defense attorney Gerry Weber said. Attorneys for the state disagreed, saying people still have the right to free speech, just not to disrupt. The disruption statute simply reflects the nature of the building. Its not about limiting anyones right to freedom of expression. People are free to express any viewpoint that they want no matter how unpopular, attorney Ross Bergethon said. The justices grilled the state over just how this law can be interpreted on the ground. There is no word on when the justices could decide on the case. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS MOGADISHU, May 15 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed James Swan as his acting special representative for Somalia and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). Swan will act as special representative "for a temporary period following the departure of Catriona Laing of the United Kingdom, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her dedicated service in UNSOM and Somalia at a challenging time," the UN said in a statement released Tuesday. "Swan is an experienced diplomat with a long career in African countries facing complex political transitions," the statement said. "Most recently, he served as Special Representative for Somalia and Head of UNSOM from 2019 to 2022." Swan, an American citizen, served as U.S. ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 2013 to 2016, U.S. special representative for Somalia from 2011 to 2013, and U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti from 2008 to 2011. The appointment of Swan as Guterres' acting special representative came after Somalia's formal request that the UN terminate the mandate of UNSOM in the country. Somalian Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, in a letter dated May 5, said the Somali government will no longer request a mandate renewal of UN Security Council Resolution 2705, which extended the mandate of UNSOM until October 31. "We are confident that the achievements and lessons learned during the mission's presence will continue to guide our efforts towards sustaining peace and prosperity," he said in the letter, which was addressed to the current president of the UN Security Council. A lawyer who wrote a book about sleepwalking is cleared of misconduct after she dozed off for 2 hours during an inquest A lawyer who wrote a book about sleepwalking is cleared of misconduct after she dozed off for 2 hours during an inquest British lawyer Ramya Nagesh was accused of misconduct after falling asleep during a coroner's inquest. Nagesh was representing a nurse witness but nodded off and missed her client giving evidence. A tribunal cleared her of all professional misconduct charges after she cited medical issues. British barrister and sleepwalking expert, Ramya Nagesh, has been cleared of all professional misconduct charges by the Bar Standards Board after she fell asleep during an inquest. Nagesh had appeared remotely from a hotel room to represent her client, a nurse witness, at a coroner's inquest in December 2022. But questions were raised about Nagesh's whereabouts when she failed to answer questions aimed at her by the coronor, The Telegraph reported. The tribunal heard that Nagesh returned to the inquest 15 minutes late after she took a nap during the court's 45-minute lunch break. She then drifted off again, for another two hours, this time missing her client giving evidence. Multiple people from the court and her own chambers tried to reach Nagesh by phone but no one could get through to her. During the tribunal on Tuesday, Nagesh claimed that she had suffered from "excessive sleepiness" caused by undiagnosed effects of long Covid, vitamin D deficiency, and a sleep disorder involving bad dreams, The Telegraph reported. Nagesh, who has previously written an academic book about how cases of sleepwalking are treated in criminal law, was cleared of all professional misconduct charges by the tribunal. In an email to Business Insider, Nagesh said she was "relieved" with the decision and "extremely grateful." "It's been an incredibly difficult 18 months, but I'm now happy to be putting it all behind me," she said. Other people suffering with long Covid have reported that symptoms of fatigue and "brain fog" impact their daily job performance. A report from the Brookings Institute in 2022 estimated that long Covid could have caused around 1.6 million Americans to be missing from the workforce at that time. Read the original article on Business Insider Project NOW opened a free exhibit on eviction Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in SouthPark Mall (4500 16th St., Moline). The exhibit Evicted is in the old Express Store, across from Dorys Hallmark. The Evicted exhibit will be at SouthPark Mall in Moline (across from the Hallmark store) from May 15 to Aug. 10, 2024. On hand for the opening were Dwight Ford, Project NOWs executive director; Brenda OConnell, Illinois Housing Development Authority Senior Policy Advisor for Special Populations; David Esposito, executive director of the Supportive Housing Providers Association, and Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati. Every eight seconds, someone in America is being evicted from their home, according to Project NOW. The Evicted exhibition brings visitors into the world of low-income renter eviction. The exhibit challenges visitors to face the enormity of one of 21st-century Americas most devastating problems while providing context for the crisis and a call to action, a Project NOW release says. In April 2018, the National Building Museum opened a new, eye-opening exhibit exploring the causes and impacts of eviction, based on Matthew Desmonds book of the same name. Evicted was winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction. Desmond is a professor of sociology at Princeton University. After receiving his Ph.D. in 2010 from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, he joined the Harvard Society of Fellows as a Junior Fellow. Evicted by Matthew Desmond won the Pulitzer Prize in 2017. He is the author of four books, including Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City (2016), which won the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Critics Circle Award, and Carnegie Medal, and PEN / John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction. The principal investigator of The Eviction Lab, Desmonds research focuses on poverty in America, city life, housing insecurity, public policy, racial inequality, and ethnography. On view through Aug. 10, 2024 Since 2018, thousands of people have come to see the Evicted exhibit to learn more about the national eviction crisis. Project NOW is hosting the free presentation until August 10th. It is being sponsored by the Supportive Housing Providers Association and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness. A stable place to call home is one of the best predictors of success. Yet, each year more than 2.3 million Americans, most of them low-income renters, face eviction, Project NOW says. While it used to be rare even in the poorest neighborhoods, forcible removal has become ordinary, with families facing eviction from the most squalid, barely inhabitable apartments. This phenomenon exposes not only income inequality in America, but also the growing separation between the built environments of the rich and the poor. Housing instability threatens all aspects of family life: health, jobs, school, and personal relationships. Landlords hesitate to rent to those with eviction records, or charge them extra money, causing a devastating negative feedback loop. Children switch schools too often to make friends or be noticed and helped by teachers; neighbors cannot develop bonds; personal belongings are left in storage or out on the street. Americans often take home for granted-home forms the building blocks of community life-and this stability is under attack when eviction looms, Project NOW says. The Evicted exhibit has been touring the country since 2018. In Evicted, specially commissioned visual infographics and forward-thinking design introduce visitors to the numbers and statistics they need to know in order to understand the crisis. Rates of evictions indifferent markets make evident the depths of the problem. Working together, these elements amplify tenants voices, as they explain in their own words the impact eviction has on them and their loved ones. Traveling Evicted The traveling version of Evicted offers an opportunity to bring the exhibition away from the center of Washington politics and advocacy to address new audiences. In cities across Illinois, students and families who are unfamiliar with the eviction crisis can learn about how it is affecting their own communities. SHPA is a statewide membership association of non-profit providers of supportive housing. SHPA facilitates Illinois Homelessness Education and Technical Assistance Center. The Evicted exhibit is made possible by the TA Center and support from the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness coordinates state strategies and investments and partners with the community to build a strong safety net and permanent housing for Illinoisans facing homelessness and housing insecurity. IOPEH was created in 2021 by Gov. JB Pritzker. Additional dates and times to view the exhibit are listed HERE. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Hyena mothers are doting parents, nursing their offspring with milk rich in protein, fat, and calciumusually for more than a year. Siblings share a lifelong bond and often spend their lives loving and supporting each other. Siblings can also have some really vicious fights. However, as you will learn today, none of our sibling fights are as cutthroat as some that we see in the animal world. In the wild and competitive world of nature, survival strategies extend beyond simply being the fittest; they include being the cleverest and sometimes the most ruthless. Various species across the animal and plant kingdoms have evolved to adopt harsh methods to ensure that their offspring survive by sometimes eliminating their siblings. These survival tactics are not just fascinating; they are critical to the continuation of these species. Lets take a look at some of the extreme sibling rivalries that often end poorly for one or more. More room in the nest Among birds, behaviors such as siblicide (the act of killing one's own siblings, often observed in animal species as a behavior driven by competition for resources such as food or parental attention) and brood parasitism (a behavior in which one species lays its eggs in the nest of another species, leaving the host to incubate the eggs and raise the resultant offspring) are particularly interesting and effective for their species. Nazca boobies, for instance, are known for their brutal sibling rivalry. In environments where food is scarce, the older chick will often push its younger sibling out of the nest soon after birth. This act of siblicide ensures the surviving chick receives all the nutritional resources and parental care available, significantly increasing its chances of survival. Another harsh tactic is employed by the common cuckoo, which practices brood parasitism. Instead of raising their own young, cuckoos lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species. The hatched cuckoo chick then pushes the hosts eggs or chicks out of the nest. This ensures the cuckoo chick receives undivided attention and resources from the unsuspecting foster parents. Mammal jealousy Mammals also exhibit some harsh survival strategies. A pride of lions sleep in a rock at the Oklahoma City Zoo, on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. In the world of lions, for instance, a new male taking over a pride will often commit infanticide, killing cubs sired by the previous leader. This tragic strategy brings the lionesses back into heat sooner, allowing the new male to sire his own offspring and thus spread his genes. Spotted hyenas display a similar ruthless behavior. In some cases, the firstborn hyena cub may kill its sibling to eliminate competition for their mothers milk and care, securing itself a greater share of resources. Plant bullies Plants are not innocent in their survival strategies either. Black walnut trees, for instance, employ a method known as allelopathy. They release a chemical compound called juglone, which inhibits the growth of surrounding plants, thus reducing competition for water and nutrients. Sugar maples exhibit a behavior known as self-thinning, where weaker seedlings naturally die off. This reduces competition among the remaining seedlings for sunlight and nutrients, allowing the fittest to thrive. These sugar maple trees have buckets to catch sap collected to make maple syrup. Even the dreaded invasive honeysuckle gets in on the bullying action by outcompeting and shading out the seedlings of other plants until they can no longer survive. This creates large areas dominated only with honeysuckle. Each adaptation, even when it seems super aggressive to us, has evolved to maximize the reproductive success and survival of species under specific environmental pressures. It is not just about being the fittest, but also about adopting any means necessary to ensure the continuation of one's genetic legacy. While it may seem cruel to us, nature is just doing what it does to be as strong as possible for the health of the entire system. Mike Szydlowski is a science teacher and zoo facilitator at Jefferson STEAM School. TIME FOR A POP QUIZ What is siblicide, and why do some animals engage in this behavior? What is brood parasitism, and how do common cuckoos use this strategy? How does infanticide benefit a new male lion when taking over a pride? Describe how black walnut trees use allelopathy as a survival strategy. What is self-thinning in plants, and how do sugar maples demonstrate this behavior? LAST WEEK'S QUIZ ANSWERS What unique method do wolf spider moms use to care for their eggs? Wolf spider moms wrap each egg in silk, then carry them on their back. They continue to carry their young on their back for a week after the eggs hatch. How do octopus moms ensure the survival of their eggs? Octopus moms lay their eggs in a safe spot, wrap them in a protective coating, and guard them against predators. They also clean and aerate the eggs by waving water over them with their tentacles. What are some of the roles elephant moms assume within their herds? Elephant moms act as the central support structure for their herd, leading them to water sources and safe migratory paths, mediating conflicts, teaching social skills, and passing on essential knowledge to ensure the herd's survival and social cohesion. Why do many insects and arachnids lay a large number of eggs and what happens to most of these eggs? Many insects and arachnids lay a large number of eggs because only a small percentage of the hatchlings survive to adulthood. Most of the eggs are eaten or do not survive due to various environmental challenges. Compare the parental investment of octopus moms with that of most marine creatures. Unlike many marine creatures that lay eggs and abandon them, octopus moms invest heavily in the survival of their offspring. They guard and maintain their eggs until they hatch, sacrificing their own health and ultimately their lives to ensure their young have the best start possible. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Learn about these intense animal sibling rivalries Legal expert: Despite "credibility" issues, Michael Cohen "put it all together" for Trump jury Former Trump fixer Michael Cohen appeared measured, if at times evasive, Tuesday afternoon as he faced a winding cross-examination in Trump's ongoing criminal trial in Manhattan. Cohen became emotional at times as he talked about the legal consequences he's faced for his years of lying for Trump. And he had a poker face as Trump's defense lawyer, former federal prosecutor Todd Blanche, asked him about his frequent cascade of insults at Trump, who he's repeatedly said he wants to see behind bars. 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 about alleged extramarital affairs ahead of his 2016 campaign and disguising reimbursements to Cohen as legal fees all in violation of state and federal election law and state tax law. Trump denies the charges, as well as the affairs. Blanche asked Cohen if he had once called Trump a "boorish cartoon misogynist" or a "Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain" on his podcasts or social media. "Sounds like something I would say," Cohen said in response to both. Blanche at times pushed Cohen to answer his questions more directly. "You talked about on 'Mea Culpa' your desire that President Trump would be convicted in this case?" Blanche asked, referring to a Cohen podcast. "Sounds like something I would say," Cohen replied. Blanche asked why he wouldn't answer yes or no. "I don't know if I used those words specifically," Cohen said. Blanche asked questions about whether Cohen was obsessed with Trump, his past strident praise for Trump, whether he was cooperating with Manhattan prosecutors out of self-interest, the money he's made off books and merchandise criticizing Trump and his history of lying in official proceedings to reporters and to the public. Blanche asked Cohen if he was lying when he praised Trump in the past, including calling him a "good man" who "cares deeply about this country." "At the time, I was knee deep into the cult of Donald Trump, yes," Cohen said. Blanche also showed Cohen emails in which his lawyer and Manhattan prosecutors discussed frustration with Cohen's frequent media appearances concerning their Trump probe. Earlier in direct examination, prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Cohen about his years of loyalty for Trump that ended in a federal prison sentence and emotional and personal pain. Cohen said that during an early 2017 Oval Office meeting, Trump told him to expect a check and speak with former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg a conversation Cohen said referred to the plan to reimburse Cohen for paying off adult film star Stormy Daniels. Cohen also said he did "very minimal" legal services work for Trump in 2017 when he was paid $420,000 from Trump's bank account. And he said that following an FBI raid at Cohen's home, Trump assured Cohen that his then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions was "in his pocket." Former federal prosecutor Barb McQuade said she thought Cohen's "direct examination went about as well as could be expected for the prosecution." "Because the prosecution presented a great deal of evidence before he testified, the jury was already familiar with his story before he ever took the stand," McQuade told Salon. "In addition, the prosecution used email messages and text messages throughout his direct examination." But she believes that in cross-examination, Cohen proved "less persuasive." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. "He became somewhat argumentative with the defense, and seemed to shirk responsibility for prior inconsistent statements," McQuade said. "If he told the lie in the past, he should own his lie. Instead, he deflected those questions, which could diminish his credibility in the eyes of the jury." On the other hand, McQuade said that prosecutors may hope that despite Cohen's baggage, the jurors can rely on the reams of financial invoices, bank statements, checks, emails, text messages, audio recordings and witness testimonies that allegedly show Trump caused a scheme to disguise reimbursements for hush money as legal services. "Nonetheless, he doesnt need to do a whole lot of work here," McQuade said. "The documents and the other witnesses provide the bulk of the case. Cohen just helps to provide context and pull it all together." Salon viewed Tuesday's proceedings through an audio and video feed provided in an overflow room in a Manhattan courthouse. Trump's facial expressions weren't always clear through the feed, though he at times appeared to watch Cohen intently and at least once seemed to nod off. Toward the end of Tuesday's cross-examination, Blanche appeared to signal another focus for the defense: Trump's contention that he didn't know anything about the alleged plan to reimburse Cohen for paying off adult film star and director Stormy Daniels. Cohen told jurors this week that Trump avoided emails that could leave a written record. "But when you think of yourself as a fixer, are you fixing things that you broke?" Blanche asked. "No sir," Cohen said. Residents and business owners in the unincorporated parts of Leon County will soon be able to apply for up to $10,000 in emergency storm relief grant money. The County Commission, at the behest of Commissioner Christian Caban, voted 6-1 to take $1 million from the county's Catastrophe Fund to establish the grant program, in which both individuals and business owners can apply. Commissioner David O'Keefe was the lone 'no' vote against establishing the program proposed by Caban, who shared a letter with the idea a few hours before Tuesday's board meeting. Seeing residents "come through the water and food distributions, people's lives were truly impacted. Seeing people come day after day, the same people, with tears in their eyes ... There are a handful who lost everything," Caban said. "This is a time for us to come together and act swiftly in order to help folks in our rural communities." O'Keefe's district includes the Indianhead neighborhood and Apalachee Parkway corridor, which are within Tallahassee city limits, said he wished the grant could have extended to his city-based constituents in District 5. "We're leaving out a significant group (that was) affected that pays Leon County (property) taxes. ... When I was out there this weekend, words or pictures cannot describe what people are going through," O'Keefe said. "To think that (they) would be excluded from this program on the assumption that the city might do something I don't think is responsible." The funds are in direct response to Friday's storms as residents across Leon County and Tallahassee look to get back on their feet after torrential downpours and three tornadoes tore through the capital area. Caban represents District 2, which includes Woodville, where one of the tornadoes hit, snapping trees and leading to blocked roads and damaged homes. Gov. Ron DeSantis stopped by the Hope Florida bus, which was at Sabal Palm Elementary, to help those in need after the May 10 storms that devastated the capital region. County looks to establish grant program in 'days, not weeks' County Administrator Vince Long said that the funds will be used to "fill the gap between the federal and state assistance and to get (funds) to people in need as quickly as possible." The idea is that it will help businesses with expenses not covered by insurance and to help residents with food, medicine, and short-term housing costs, among other emergency expenses. Though the money won't be a free-for-all, Long said, he was given the authority to vet the applicants based on certain criteria the county will set. Caban's aide, Allie Richards, says she believes this is the first local grant program ever done in the state of Florida. Downed trees in Woodville after powerful storm swept the area on Friday, May 10, 2024. Community takes to social media to support measure Ahead of the commission meeting, the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce released a statement of support for Caban's idea. "We support any 'quick response' funding that can be made available to local businesses and residents located in high-impact areas while other resources are secured from the state and federal government," Chamber President Sue Dick wrote. Another prominent voice in the private sector Matt Thompson, owner of the For The Table Hospitality group of restautants and bars that includes Madison Social took to Facebook to share an update of his businesses and show support. "Our businesses will be fine in the long run but losing power for four days and those sales (Mother's Day weekend) is $100,000 in lost revenue and does not address any damages," Thompson wrote in his post. "I applaud Commissioner Christian Caban for taking the first step to help." This embedded content is not available in your region. Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com or on Twitter/X: @ari_v_otero. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon County to offer storm recovery grants for unincorporated areas (File/Getty Images) COLUMBIA The state will award taxpayer-funded scholarships to 2,880 K-12 students for 2024-25, meaning just under half of the available slots could go unused for the programs inaugural year, according to data the state Department of Education provided Wednesday to the SC Daily Gazette. The total of awarded scholarships means 64% of the 7,907 students whose parents applied by the March deadline were denied. Most of those applications were rejected because they either came in after the deadline or they werent completely filled out, according to the agency. In the inaugural year, students had to qualify for Medicaid to be eligible. One of every 10 applications was rejected because the parents income was too high. By the numbers Of the 2,880 students accepted: 47.6% self-identified as Black 30% white 6.5% Hispanic or Latino 10% other minorities or multiracial 6% did not answer on race 6% are in military families 21% are entering kindergarten 37% 1st through 5th grade 22% entering 6th through 8th grade 20% entering 9th through 12th grade Of the 5,027 applicants rejected: 79% applied after the deadline or did not complete documentation 10.7% of parents made too much money 7% of students were too old for high school 1.2% of students were too young for kindergarten 1.2% of parents voluntarily removed their applications The top five addresses for approved applicants: 16.5% (476) live in Columbia 3.9% (113) in Greenville 3.3% (96) in Sumter 3.1% (89) in Florence 3% (87) in North Charleston Source: S.C. Department of Education The law creating the private school choice program provided $6,000 scholarships for a maximum of 5,000 students for the coming year to be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to all eligible parents. In March, GOP legislators in the House touted the high number of applicants as a reason to greatly expand the program before it even starts. But the final numbers suggest that was unnecessary. (The Senate never took up the bill.) Whats in the budget? Both the House and Senate set aside $30 million in their spending plans for the fiscal year starting July 1, assuming that all 5,000 slots would be taken. An agreement between the chambers budget plans wont be worked out until next month. Regardless, that money is locked in, since its the same amount in both versions. The 2,880 approved students will require less than 60% of that allocation. By law, all awards had to be decided by mid-April, 30 days after the application deadline. But denied parents can still correct errors or typos in their applications, which could result in a slight increase in approvals, according to the agency. However, the data it provided shows zero applications still in process. Legislators may approve a clause in the budget overriding that deadline and allowing the state department to continue accepting applications and awarding eligible parents throughout the year. Parents already notified can start accessing their $6,000 scholarships in July through an online portal that allows them to direct the money toward any of the hundreds of approved providers, mostly private schools and tutors. That is, unless the South Carolina Supreme Court decides before then that the law violates the state constitutions ban on public money directly benefiting private schools, as opponents argued to the justices in March. That lawsuit did not block the laws implementation pending a ruling. Advocates and critics respond Supporters pointed to the 7,907 applications as proof that families are interested in the program. They suggested fewer students will be denied in the coming years as the agency works out the kinks, eligibility expands, and parents become more familiar with the application process. The Palmetto Promise Institute, which has been lobbying for the school choice program for years, said its not discouraged by the rejected applications. They prove what we have been saying for months: South Carolinians crave flexibility and customization in their childrens education, the conservative think tank said in a statement to the Gazette. For critics, however, the fact that the department approved less than 40% of the applicants suggests demand was exaggerated, particularly among poor families eligible for this first round. To me, this is indicative that South Carolinians are already happy with either their public schools or the choices we have available, such as public charter schools, said Patrick Kelly, a lobbyist with the Palmetto State Teachers Association and a high school teacher. House Education Chairwoman Shannon Erickson said the large number of denials could be explained by parents not understanding the process or not knowing about it in time to complete it. The two-month window for applications started in mid-January. The process could have been too confusing, she said. I understand a learning curve, said the Beaufort Republican. Perhaps we need to put a little more IT assistance into the process. Erickson proposed the budget clause allowing the empty slots to continue to be filled. That would stop the department from not letting students in because of an arbitrary date, she said. Kelly countered the date isnt arbitrary: The March 15 deadline was put in the law to ensure public schools had enough time to create class schedules, he said. If students decide to use the money to transfer to private schools during the school year, schools could end up scrambling, he said. I understand and appreciate the heartbeat behind the rolling window, but it could cause logistical issues, said Kelly, a teacher at Blythewood High School. The Palmetto Promise Institute, on the other hand, lauded Ericksons proposed budget clause as a way of filling the remaining slots and ensuring the full $30 million set aside for the program goes to students. Even if it doesnt, the state should celebrate the fact that many students got financial help, said the think tank formerly led by state Superintendent Ellen Weaver. We should not lose sight of the victory: Two thousand, eight hundred, and eighty South Carolina students are now able to choose the education that best fits them, an opportunity they likely could never have afforded otherwise, the institutes statement read. That alone is worth celebrating. Eligibility and denials For the coming school year, eligibility was limited to families making 200% of the federal poverty level, or $62,400 for a family of four. Students also either had to be currently attending a public school or just starting kindergarten. The latter accounts for one of every five students approved for the program. Under the law, the income and participation caps increase over the following two years. By the 2026-2027 school year, up to 15,000 students from families making up to 400% of the poverty level will be eligible. The so-called universal school choice proposal passed by the House wouldve allowed students already in private and home schools to get scholarships and removed income eligibility rules by 2026. It called for the yearly cap on the number of participating students to be set by legislators through the budget process. But less than 11% of the denials were due to parents incomes being above the limit. In about 8% of cases, the students were either not yet old enough for kindergarten or too old for high school. Two students were denied because they dont live in South Carolina. Because the pool of eligible students was smaller this year, it made sense that fewer families would receive money, Erickson said. It was the least possible people who could receive the money, she said. An expansion, she said, would help families who earn just above the income limits but are still struggling. She pointed to the 539 students whose application were denied because their parents earned too much. But Kelly pointed out that advocates for the program have touted it for decades as a way to help poor families stuck in failing schools afford another option for their children. The fact that fewer of those families took advantage of the program than expected suggests that, even if numbers increase in coming years, it will be difficult to know how many disadvantaged students are using the money, he said. I think it paints a really compelling argument that there is no need for something like (universal school choice) in the near future, Kelly said. Editors note: The percentage of applications rejected due to deadlines has been corrected to 79%. The post Less than 3,000 SC students set to receive K-12 vouchers. Thousands more applications denied. appeared first on SC Daily Gazette. Let us use US weapons to strike inside Russia, pleads Ukraine amid Kharkiv advance Ukraine wants to use the the American HIMARS rocket system to fire into enemy territory - JUNI KRISWANTO/AFP Ukrainian officials have flown to Washington to plead for the United States to follow Britain and give permission to fire American missiles at targets inside Russia. Ukrainian parliamentarians have blamed US restrictions for allowing Russia to build up its forces behind the border and then attack towards Kharkiv last week. A frustrated Ukrainian soldier told The Telegraph how he had to stand and watch Russia amass tens of thousands of soldiers behind the border over the past few weeks before launching an attack on Friday 20 miles north of Kharkiv. We could have disrupted Russian plans before the actual engagement but we couldnt because we didnt have permission from the US government, he said, insisting on anonymity. Speaking at a news conference in Kyiv on Wednesday Antony Blinken, US secretary of state, left, reassures Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's foreign minister, that he has Joe Biden's support in repelling the Russians - Andrew Kravchenko/Bloomberg Oleksandra Ustinova, the head of Ukraines special parliamentary commission on arms and munitions: said, We saw their military sitting 1km or 2km from the border inside Russia and there was nothing we could do about that. This month, Lord Cameron travelled to Kyiv to tell Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, that he could use British missiles to strike targets inside Russia but US officials still insist that American weapons can only be used to strike Russian forces in occupied parts of Ukraine. But now, with the Kremlin on the front foot and launching attacks from Russia, pressure is building for a change to this policy. Ukrainian commanders have warned that Russia is building up forces behind its border near Sumy, 90 miles north-west of Kharkiv, and analysts said Washington needs to drop its target restrictions. Ukraine must be allowed to defend itself with all the tools at its disposal, said John Foreman, Britains former defence attache in Moscow and Kyiv. Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, also said that the attack from Russia marked a tactical shift by Moscow, which, since 2022, had only launched land attacks from occupied Ukraine. I think it would be prudent for the US to reconsider this policy in this case, he said. Troops have been relocated from the Donbas region after Russia's latest offensive - Anadolu Russias cross-border attack opened a new frontline which threatens Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, and has forced Ukrainian commanders to reposition troops from battlefields in the Donbas region. Late on Tuesday evening, Ukrainian officials said that some units in the region had performed a tactical retreat, although they continued to deny that Russian forces had captured the town of Vovchansk. Our units have moved to more advantageous positions in some areas around Lukyantsi and Vovchansk to save the lives of our soldiers and avoid losses from enemy fire and attacks. Fighting is ongoing, Ukraines military said in a statement. Both Russian and Ukrainian military bloggers claimed that heavy fighting was still taking place in Vovchansk. Ukrainian commanders have been briefing through the week that the battlefield situation in Kharkiv was now critical and the EFE Spanish news agency quoted diplomatic sources as saying that Mr Zelensky had cancelled a planned trip to Spain and Portugal because of the Russian advances. In his evening address, Mr Zelensky described the situation near Kharkiv as the most difficult. Everything is quite tense but we have reinforced in all directions, including the Kharkiv ones, he said Reports have said that 7,000 people have been evacuated from the area around the Ukraine-Russia border since the attack. Ukrainian officials have insisted that they have no plans to evacuate Kharkiv despite increased bombardment on the city of 1.3 million people. The enemy uses the technique of intimidating people so that people leave the city but there is no talk yet about evacuation from the city of Kharkiv, said Ihor Terekhov, the citys mayor. 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. To the editor: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had for years accepted luxury gifts from billionaire conservative donor Harlan Crow (one of his "dearest friends" he didnt know until he was appointed to the court) and failed to report same. ("Justice Clarence Thomas decries critics, calls Washington a 'hideous place,'" May 11) His wife, Ginni Thomas, aggressively fought to overthrow the results of the 2020 presidential election by claiming it was stolen, and she continues to do so. These are not "lies." They are facts. Thomas calling them lies is no different than crying "fake news," and it tells us everything we need to know about this ethically corrupt and intellectually mendacious man. J.B. White, Ojai .. To the editor: I was so sad to read how unhappy Thomas is in Washington. Having one's honor and reputation attacked is indeed a terrible thing; just ask Joe and Hunter Biden. I was surprised to read that Thomas likes to be with "regular people." Who knew? If regular people are his jam, why would he vote against protecting their voting rights and their ability to decide about their own bodies? I do have some advice for him though. If he wants help repairing his reputation in Washington and elsewhere, perhaps he could recuse himself from the case regarding presidential immunity. After all, Ginni Thomas has for years claimed that the last presidential election was corrupt. That may be a conflict of interest. My other piece of advice is to take Harry Truman's suggestion and get a dog if he wants a friend in Washington. Linda Cooper, Studio City This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Israeli soldiers work on tanks near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel on April 11. (Tsafrir Abayov / Associated Press) To the editor: The Times' editorial board is wrong about suspending U.S. weapons shipments to Israel. Israel doesn't need correcting. In fact, it would be nice if the media recognized Israels exemplary efforts in achieving possibly the lowest ratio of civilian deaths to combatant deaths (about 1.5 to 1) ever seen during fighting in a densely populated urban area, where the ratio is typically much higher. And Israel needs those 2,000-pound bombs to destroy the extensive network of tunnels that Hamas has built beneath the populace in Gaza. Israel needs a decisive victory over Hamas to prevent the terrorist group from keeping its promise to inflict multiple Oct. 7-style attacks on Israel. An end to Hamas rule will also benefit the Palestinians in Gaza who've been suffering under its control since 2007. Toby F. Block, Atlanta .. To the editor: Doesn't Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu know the cautionary tale of the hydra-headed monster that grows multiple new heads for every one that is lopped off? Hamas is indeed such a monster. For every Hamas terrorist Netanyahu eliminates with his brutal assault on Gaza, which has also killed thousands of civilian women and children, many more Hamas fighters with a deadly hatred of Israel will be generated. Further, his threat of death to the fighters holds no terror for those wannabe martyrs. It will take many generations of patient work, if that is even possible, to undo the long-term damage Netanyahu has done in the last several months to any hope of peace in the Middle East. Paul Stull, Carpinteria .. To the editor: I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion regarding the conflict. What really irritates me, and makes me feel the unbiased newspaper I read daily is quite the opposite, is the approach you have taken. Recently, you published an article noting that Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry says more than 35,000 have been killed in the war, while Israel says "it has killed more than 13,000 militants, without providing evidence." This language obviously favors Hamas. Why take sides? Has Hamas ever been a truthful terrorist organization? Stephen Frank, Sherman Oaks .. To the editor: The Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7 did not start this war. The war started soon after the establishment of Israel, and it is a continuous war for the land and control of the inhabitants. During this war, Israel has been constantly, and without much attention, the true winner, taking land and controlling the inhabitants. It has annexed the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem, established settlements in Palestinian territory and occupied the West Bank. The Israeli far right does not want to end the war and allow the creation of a Palestinian state, since it could then no longer take Palestinian land. Netanyahu has propped up Hamas to keep the Palestinians divided between Gaza and the West Bank, preventing a unified Palestinian entity from negotiating for peace. Palestinians in their anger and frustration have resorted to terrorism, which is alienating and counterproductive, turning what should be sympathy for them into anger. So, the United Nations and the U.S. should immediately recognize a Palestinian state, in accordance with the Oslo accords, and support it. Difficult? Yes. Gordon Smith, Pacific Palisades This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A researcher works at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) in Shanghai, east China, May 14, 2024. China has upgraded the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), a key sci-tech infrastructure to reveal the mysteries of the microscopic world. The construction of upgrades on the SSRF passed the national inspection and acceptance in east China's Shanghai on Wednesday. The SSRF, which resembles a nautilus when viewed from above, was officially opened to users on May 6, 2009 as the first third-generation synchrotron light source in China's mainland. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) SHANGHAI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- China has upgraded the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), a key sci-tech infrastructure to reveal the mysteries of the microscopic world. The construction of upgrades on the SSRF passed the national inspection and acceptance in east China's Shanghai on Wednesday. The SSRF, which resembles a nautilus when viewed from above, was officially opened to users on May 6, 2009 as the first third-generation synchrotron light source in China's mainland. The brightness of the light emitted by the facility is a trillion times higher than that of ordinary X-rays. At the experimental stations of the light source, various samples are illuminated by the synchrotron light, while scientific instruments record information of light-matter interactions. This enables scientists to gain insights into the microscopic world, such as the structure of viruses, and the microscopic architecture and properties of materials, scientists explained. Construction for upgrades on the SSRF started in November 2016 and was completed in July 2023. It includes 16 state-of-the-art beamlines and experimental stations, auxiliary laboratories, user data centers, support systems and associated facilities, as well as an accelerator performance upgrade, said Tai Renzhong, vice president of the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The upgraded SSRF currently has 34 beamlines and 46 experimental stations available to users. "A number of world-class beamlines and experimental stations have been built in the second phase, which has greatly improved the experimental research capabilities of the light source and maximized its efficiency," Tai said. Scientists have used one of the new beamlines to calibrate instruments installed on China's space station, providing support for space experiments and health assessments for astronauts. New beamlines have also played an important role in revealing the antiviral effects and mechanisms of drugs, accelerating drug development, and solving the long-term failure mechanism of polymer materials in artificial joints. "The effectiveness of new beamlines in supporting technological development has already begun to show results," Tai said. Having been in use for 15 years, the SSRF has become an irreplaceable comprehensive research platform in a wide range of fields such as life science, material science, environmental science, earth science, physics, chemistry, and information science. It also serves as a significant means of technological research and development in advanced industries such as pharmaceuticals, new materials, bioengineering and fine petrochemical engineering. The SSRF has served nearly 800 institutions and over 4,500 research teams, supporting users in completing over 20,000 experimental projects and contributing to the publication of over 11,000 research papers, including more than 220 articles in the internationally renowned academic journals such as Science, Nature and Cell, according to Tai. The facility has provided customized services to over 100 companies in various fields such as biopharmaceuticals, chemical engineering, new energy and high-performance materials. The SSRF has also attracted scientists from around the world to come to Shanghai for research purposes. The equipment and technologies developed by the team behind SSRF have been exported to Brazil, the Republic of Korea, Canada and Japan, said Li Aiguo, deputy director of the SSRF's science center. "The light source will have broad application prospects in cutting-edge research in the fields including energy catalysis, new material creation, innovative drug research and development. It will help promote industrial technological progress and cultivate new quality productive forces," Tai added. A researcher works at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) in Shanghai, east China, May 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Researchers work at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) in Shanghai, east China, May 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) This photo taken on May 14, 2024 shows an interior view of the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) This photo taken on May 14, 2024 shows the interior of the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) This photo taken on May 14, 2024 shows an interior view of the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) This photo taken on May 14, 2024 shows an interior view of the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) A researcher introduces the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) in Shanghai, east China, May 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) This photo taken on May 14, 2024 shows an exterior view of the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Letters: In receipt of mounting evidence that the NHS bureaucracy is broken SIR I can sympathise with Ben Wrights article, How ailing technology has brought the NHS to its knees (Features, May 15). In March I had a straightforward test in hospital for a minor medical complaint. Early in May I received an email making a telephone appointment for a date and time in July to receive the result of the test. This was followed by a text message and another email referring to a letter available through the NHS website with the same information. Last week I received a letter in the post from my consultant stating that the results of the test had been entirely satisfactory and that no further action was necessary. Yesterday I received a letter in the post confirming the telephone appointment in July, when presumably Ill be given the same information. Richard Fletcher Newmarket, Suffolk SIR The NHS Trust where I work remains largely a paper-based bureaucracy. Notes are collected daily and prepared for scanning, and take approximately 48 hours to get to the computer system after discharge. The system is not tied to any other Trust, so documents must be requested by outside Trusts or GPs. There have been some improvements: obstetrics and neonatal health have used BadgerNet to coordinate national records, for example, though the progress remains slow. All neonatal critical care documents, up to this week, are handwritten. The clinical portal is accessed via a smartcard, which is not available to all staff, and which is not used to log in to other programmes. This causes duplication of processes and wastes time. Login details themselves can waste time. My Band 3 team leader had to spend 30 minutes on the phone to IT recently because a new security system disallowed her password. Nobody in IT had the new guidelines to hand, only a vague awareness of generic instructions such as dont use real names. On the topic of telephones, our system still doesnt include recorded calls, answerphone capability, or even hold music, and as we have a collection of different telephones gathered over 20 or so years, some are not capable of forwarding outside calls. I genuinely love working for the NHS, and the race to AI solutions would mean a mass cull of jobs, for which the economy is not perhaps prepared. That said, the entire enterprise is resting on a mountain of folders, photocopies and sticky labels. We could do so much better than this. M K Ashton Manchester SIR Perhaps one reason why the NHS is slow to embrace modern computer systems is that doctors rightly dread the prospect of patients expecting to be able to email them. Huw Baumgartner Bridell, Pembrokeshire The King on canvas SIR Now that is a portrait fit for a contemporary monarch (Yeo masters the fine art of painting a modern royal, Special report, May 15) a fabulous and powerful work. Congratulations to all concerned. Tony Parrack London SW20 SIR While it is splendid that the Kings concern for butterfly conservation is shown in his new portrait, it would have been even more appropriate had the butterfly depicted been British. Peter Stockwell Ely, Cambridgeshire Brazen shoplifting SIR Archie Norman, the chairman of Marks & Spencer, claims that the police are not interested in dealing with shoplifting and that retailers are being forced to spend a lot of money trying to keep crime rates down (Business, May 14). However, if my recent experience is anything to go by, it seems that some retailers are not interested in dealing with shoplifting either. I was with my mother and sister in a Sainsburys store where school-age children were brazenly taking items off the shelves and putting them in their pockets and bags. My sister immediately notified a nearby member of staff, only to be told: Its no good we cant do anything about it unless a member of staff sees it themselves. Eyewitness testimonies are accepted by the police, courts and other agencies in the criminal law system. Why are they not accepted by Sainsburys? If this sort of attitude is prevalent among supermarkets, its no wonder they experience such a high level of shoplifting which ultimately increases costs for customers. David Waller Gillingham, Kent SIR In the vast majority of stores, one can now wander in and out without coming anywhere near a till. If the only way out was past a series of manned tills, there might be less shoplifting. Andrew Shanks Uckfield, East Sussex Food and climate SIR The Governments drive to protect food security (report, May 14) is heartening. Please be assured that solar farms pose little threat installing the targeted 70 gigawatts would require a land area equivalent to only about 0.5 per cent of English farmland. However, as the Government itself recognises, climate change is the biggest risk to British food production, with the extreme wet winter projected to knock up to a quarter off Britains wheat harvest this year. Cheap, renewable energy is essential to reducing this risk. Tom Lancaster Head of land, food and farming Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit London SE1 Hungover from home SIR As enthusiastic City beer drinkers, my friends and I tend to avoid certain pubs on Friday evening. We refer to it as amateur night. Its quite simple: dont drink on a school night if you cant function the next day. However, in light of Suzanne Moores analysis of British working habits since the pandemic (Features, May 14), I might have to think harder about Thursdays now. John Hopkins Beckenham, Kent Punitive council taxes SIR I am in a similar position to Katherine Hayes (Letters, May 14) regarding council tax. When our mother died in 2021 I bought my sisters half of the house so she could give the value to her grandchildren while they were young. The 1988 house was never updated and I have been trying to save enough to modernise to rent or sell. However, my local council now charges 200 per cent council tax as it is an empty house. I have to pay my normal council tax on my main property so, as a state pensioner on the old lower rate, I will never save enough to do the necessary update and may have to sell at a loss. Stephen Day Brierley Hill, Staffordshire Paid to lose weight SIR Weight-conscious individuals already pay millions to support our ever-growing fat population. That the NHS is now giving obese people hundreds of pounds to lose weight is outrageous (report, May 15). The Government should be doing the reverse taxing the overweight and incentivising them to improve their health. That would be fairer. Tony Tighe Devizes, Wiltshire SIR The Government could easily reduce both obesity and tooth decay by putting graphic images of rotten teeth on all high-sugar food and drink. Peter Wells Northampton SIR Being obese is almost a badge of honour today. Contestants on many television quiz shows are often clinically obese. Presumably broadcasters would not show someone smoking or drinking, so why show off obesity? William Rusbridge Tregony, Cornwall Blame it on the birdie SIR In 1959, aged six, I was allowed to stay up to watch Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson perform Sing, Little Birdie in the Eurovision Song Contest (Letters, May 14). We were hopeful of victory until, out of the blue, Teddy produced a horrible little plastic bird and began whistling to it. This more than likely scuppered their chances of winning. They only managed second place, so there was a lesson to be learnt: never do anything unexpected, embarrassing or controversial if you want your entry to succeed. How times have changed. Pamela Mawdsley Ormskirk, Lancashire Why GK Chesterton still deserves to be read Literary heavyweight: a cartoon of GK Chesterton in British Vanity Fair, February 1912 - Chronicle/Alamy/Alamy SIR I am surprised that Simon Heffer found so little in GK Chestertons output to pique his interest (Hinterland, May 11). Among the poems, I defy him not to be moved by A Marriage Song or By the Babe Unborn, nor remain indifferent to The Rolling English Road, nor appreciative of the satirical poems. Equally, his liberal instincts would warm to some of Chestertons attacks on the pre-1914 Liberal government for extending the arbitrary power of the state in matters such as sentencing, mental deficiency and national insurance. Then there was his support for the British monarchy (where he differed from Hilaire Belloc). Of course, Chestertons writing was variable, being produced at speed for wide audiences; but modern readers can still find insights there denied to them by contemporary authors, including in the dense works of theology, some of which are the most accessible of their kind. Julia Stapleton Bishop Auckland, Co Durham The joy of formality in everyday conversation SIR I agree wholeheartedly with Richard Cheeseman regarding overfamiliarity (Letters, May 15), with guys being a particular dislike, alongside mate. However, I see no reason why he shouldnt be called sir. Too many people see this term as one of subservience, whereas it is actually just a polite way of communicating with someone you dont know as I did when starting this letter. When travelling abroad, it is an absolute delight to hear the persistent use of monsieur and madame in shops and restaurants. Long may it continue. Ian Fitter Helston, Cornwall SIR I was on holiday in the Lake District last year, and when walking through a busy market was accidentally backed into by a young man. He turned around and said, Sorry pop, whereupon I immediately looked behind to see who he was talking to. It was me. And Im only 75. Stephen Woodbridge-Smith Tavistock, Devon SIR I have noticed that far more young ladies smile at me now I am in my 70s than when I was in my 20s. While this is most warming, I do occasionally wish it could have been the other way round. Keith Davies Telford, Shropshire Letters to the Editor We accept letters by email and post. Please include name, address, work and home telephone numbers. ADDRESS: 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0DT EMAIL: dtletters@telegraph.co.uk FOLLOW: Telegraph Letters @LettersDesk NEWSLETTER: sign up to receive Letters to the Editor here 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. Lightning May Have Caused House Fire That Killed Pregnant Woman, Her Fiance and His Son Elizabeth Paige Brown, her fiance Jackson Lee Weissner and Travis Lee Weissner, 7, were identified as victims of the Tennessee fire Elizabeth Brown/Facebook From left: Travis Weissner and Elizabeth Brown. A pregnant woman, her fiance and his young son died in a Tennessee house fire last week that officials say was most likely caused by a lightning strike. The Lawrence County Fire & Rescue Association said in a statement that authorities responded on the morning of May 9 to a residential structure fire at 3 Morgan Road in the New Prospect Fire District. Firefighters quickly located victims with "no viable life signs." The agency identified the victims as Elizabeth Paige Brown, 18, who was pregnant, as well as Jackson Lee Weissner, 7, and Travis Lee Weissner, 28. Officials also confirmed that lightning was the "most probable cause" of the blaze. Related: 10-Year-Old Twins Die in Georgia House Fire: My Babies Are Gone,' Grandmother Says Fire investigators with Lawrence County Fire & Rescue have concluded that a lightning strike can not be eliminated as a cause of the fire," according to the department's release. "Evidence on the scene, witness statements, and lightning strike data place lightning in the area prior to the fire." Representatives from the family did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. Traviss twin sister, Sharon Cassidy, told CBS affiliate WTVF that her brother was good person and honored his memory and the memory of the other victims, calling them wonderful. Related: Tragedy of 5 Children Who Died in House Fire Has Shaken Community,' Says Bullhead City Mayor "Jackson was a ray of sunshine ... He was a good student and nephew," she told the outlet. "Travis's fiance[e] was due to have their child in August." 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. Following the fatal fire, Browns mother Angela created a GoFundMe fundraiser to assist the family with funeral expenses. "I know this [is] how she would of wanted to help for her and her family. It is a shock to me that she is gone," the mother said. Related: Mom Survives House Fire That Killed Fiance and 4 Young Children: Those Babies Were Her Entire World Authorities said that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is further investigating what caused the fire, according to WTVF. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. How likely are in-state UW students to stay in Wisconsin after they graduate? As many high school seniors prep for their first year of college, a new Wisconsin law will give the states highest-performing high schoolers a guaranteed spot at any of the Universities of Wisconsin campuses. Signed into law in February, it requires the UW system and local technical college boards to create a guaranteed admission program for Wisconsin applicants ranked in the top 5% of their class. In his latest newsletter, Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August, R-Walworth, described the legislation as a way to keep Wisconsin students in the state for college and beyond. Admission should be based on merit and achievement, not race and identity. With nearly 90% of all UW graduates staying in Wisconsin five years after they graduate, we need to do a better job of reducing brain drain and keep our best and brightest here in our state, August said in his May 3 newsletter. The claim that nearly 90% of alumni across the UW campuses stay in the state post-graduation stood out to us. We decided to track down that data. The majority of Wisconsin resident alumni will remain in the state after graduation Before we get into where alumni live, its important to note that August is talking about keeping in-state students in Wisconsin post-graduation not all UW alumni. While the direct statement is broader, referencing all UW alumni, the context of the claim came from Augusts newsletter which talked about wanting to keep in-state high school students in Wisconsin after college. UW keeps track of where bachelors degree recipients across the 13 campuses live based on information they provide to their alumni associations. UWs latest 2021 data on alumni residency shows the majority of in-state students will live in Wisconsin after earning their degree. Based on 2015-2016 in-state UW graduates, 87% of them still lived in Wisconsin by 2021. One year post-graduation, 90% of in-state students will still live in Wisconsin, while 10 years after graduation 80% will. When you look at out-of-state alumni living in Wisconsin, that percentage drops significantly. Only 16% of out-of-state students, excluding Minnesota students, lived in Wisconsin five years after graduation. Minnesota students are specifically separated from the UWs out-of-state alumni data because of a reciprocity agreement that allows Minnesota students to attend UW schools without paying nonresident tuition. Minnesota students are even less likely to live in Wisconsin after graduation, though, with only 10% staying in the state five years later. True Our ruling In his legislative newsletter, August said Nearly 90% of all UW graduates stay in Wisconsin 5 years after they graduate. Based on UWs data on where bachelors degree recipients across the 13 campuses live, 87% of in-state students lived in Wisconsin five years after graduation. We rate this claim True. Sources Rep. Tyler August newsletter, Blocking the Woke Agenda, May 3, 2024 Email exchange, Rep. Tyler Augusts Chief of Staff Luke Bacher, May 7, 2024 Email exchange, Universities of Wisconsin Director of Media Relations Mark Pitsch, May 7, 2024 Universities of Wisconsin, Economic Development, Access May 7, 2024Wisconsin Public Radio, Top 5 percent of each graduating class can go to UW-Madison. What about everyone else? Feb. 23, 2024 This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: In-state University of Wisconsin students likely to stay in the state New list rates the most bipartisan members of Congressand the least U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) attends a House Judiciary Committee meeting. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick were the most bipartisan members of Congress last year, according to a newly released analysis from the Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. The least bipartisan House lawmaker was Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, while Alabamas Katie Britt, a Republican freshman, placed last among senators. The latest ranking of the most bipartisan lawmakers comes amid one of the least productive Congresses in the nations history and just months before nearly all House lawmakers and about one-third of the Senate face voters at the polls in November. Maria Cancian, dean of the McCourt School of Public Policy, wrote in a statement announcing the new rankings that while there is much room for improvement, I am encouraged to see some progress on cross-party collaboration. In these deeply divided times, and with an increasing amount of misleading information online, we need tools like the Bipartisan Index more than ever an evidence-based and nonpartisan approach for measuring how well policymakers work across the aisle to get things done, Cancian wrote. Lugar Center Policy Director Dan Diller wrote that it was especially disheartening that all eight new Senators who took office in January 2023 ranked in the bottom 30 percent of Senate scores. Bipartisan cooperation on legislation in 2023 was deficient by historical standards, though there were some marginal improvements in scores from the previous Congress, Diller wrote. The website with the rankings states that the Bipartisan Index is intended to fill a hole in the information available to the public about the performance of Members of Congress. The Lugar Center, founded by the late U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, a Republican from Indiana, is a platform for informed debate and analysis of global issues, including nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, global food security, foreign assistance effectiveness and global development, energy security, and enhancing bipartisan governance, according to its website. The rankings take into consideration the frequency with which a member of Congress sponsors bills that are co-sponsored by at least one member of the opposing party and the frequency with which a member co-sponsors bills introduced by members of the opposite Party. Who is the most bipartisan? The top 10 senators were: Collins Michigan Democrat Gary Peters New Hampshire Democrat Maggie Hassan West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin Texas Republican John Cornyn Nevada Democrat Jacky Rosen Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski Kansas Republican Jerry Moran Indiana Republican Todd Young Montana Democrat Jon Tester The top 10 House lawmakers were: Fitzpatrick New York Republican Marcus Molinaro New Hampshire Democrat Chris Pappas New York Republican Mike Lawler North Carolina Democrat Don Davis Puerto Rico Republican Delegate Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon Nevada Democrat Susie Lee Nebraska Republican Don Bacon New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer Iowa Republican Zach Nunn The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University wrote on their website that their aim in publishing this Index is not to promote a specific legislative agenda, as is the case for many indexes, but solely the promotion of a bipartisan approach to governance. The credibility of the Index is derived from the objectivity of its methodology; Index scores are computed formulaically from publically available data, it states. The Index requires no subjective assessment of specific legislative items. The least bipartisan House lawmakers following Jordan were New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Missouri Democrat Cori Bush, New York Democrat Jamaal Bowman and Missouri Republican Eric Burlison. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, ranked 423, but will likely be excluded from future scores since he has now occupied one of the top two leadership posts for at least six months. The least bipartisan senators following Britt were Missouri Republican Eric Schmitt, Washington state Democrat Patty Murray, Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson and Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton. Sean Ross, spokesperson for Britt, wrote in a statement that the ranking is absurd. Senator Britt has cosponsored 68 pieces of legislation sponsored by Democrats, as well as dozens and dozens of bipartisan pieces of legislation led by Republican sponsors, Ross wrote. The bipartisan efforts she is helping lead span a wide range of important topics to Alabamians, including maternal mortality research and maternal care; youth mental health and social media usage; the fentanyl crisis; affordable insulin access; affordable rural housing; telehealth services; agriculture; domestic manufacturing and supply chains; fair trade; work force development; wildlife conservation; supporting law enforcement; and consumer protections. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post New list rates the most bipartisan members of Congressand the least appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal. New list rates the most bipartisan members of Congressand the least A newly released analysis from the Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University ranks members of Congress on bipartisanship. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) WASHINGTON Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick were the most bipartisan members of Congress last year, according to a newly released analysis from the Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. The least bipartisan House lawmaker was Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, while Alabamas Katie Britt, a Republican freshman, placed last among senators. No member of North Dakotas all-Republican congressional delegation ranked in the top 10 of either chamber, but all three were in the top half of the rankings. Sen. Kevin Cramer ranked 44th in the 100-member Senate, and Sen. John Hoeven ranked 48th. Rep. Kelly Armstrong ranked 129th in the 435-member House. From left, Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Kevin Cramer and Rep. Kelly Armstrong. (Photos provided) The latest ranking of the most bipartisan lawmakers comes amid one of the least productive Congresses in the nations history and just months before nearly all House lawmakers and about one-third of the Senate face voters at the polls in November. Maria Cancian, dean of the McCourt School of Public Policy, wrote in a statement announcing the new rankings that while there is much room for improvement, I am encouraged to see some progress on cross-party collaboration. In these deeply divided times, and with an increasing amount of misleading information online, we need tools like the Bipartisan Index more than ever an evidence-based and nonpartisan approach for measuring how well policymakers work across the aisle to get things done, Cancian wrote. Lugar Center Policy Director Dan Diller wrote that it was especially disheartening that all eight new Senators who took office in January 2023 ranked in the bottom 30 percent of Senate scores. Bipartisan cooperation on legislation in 2023 was deficient by historical standards, though there were some marginal improvements in scores from the previous Congress, Diller wrote. The website with the rankings states that the Bipartisan Index is intended to fill a hole in the information available to the public about the performance of Members of Congress. The Lugar Center, founded by the late U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, a Republican from Indiana, is a platform for informed debate and analysis of global issues, including nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, global food security, foreign assistance effectiveness and global development, energy security, and enhancing bipartisan governance, according to its website. The rankings take into consideration the frequency with which a member of Congress sponsors bills that are co-sponsored by at least one member of the opposing party and the frequency with which a member co-sponsors bills introduced by members of the opposite Party. Who is the most bipartisan? The top 10 senators were: Collins Michigan Democrat Gary Peters New Hampshire Democrat Maggie Hassan West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin Texas Republican John Cornyn Nevada Democrat Jacky Rosen Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski Kansas Republican Jerry Moran Indiana Republican Todd Young Montana Democrat Jon Tester The top 10 House lawmakers were: Fitzpatrick New York Republican Marcus Molinaro New Hampshire Democrat Chris Pappas New York Republican Mike Lawler North Carolina Democrat Don Davis Puerto Rico Republican Delegate Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon Nevada Democrat Susie Lee Nebraska Republican Don Bacon New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer Iowa Republican Zach Nunn The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University wrote on their website that their aim in publishing this Index is not to promote a specific legislative agenda, as is the case for many indexes, but solely the promotion of a bipartisan approach to governance. The credibility of the Index is derived from the objectivity of its methodology; Index scores are computed formulaically from publically available data, it states. The Index requires no subjective assessment of specific legislative items. The least bipartisan House lawmakers following Jordan were New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Missouri Democrat Cori Bush, New York Democrat Jamaal Bowman and Missouri Republican Eric Burlison. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, ranked 423, but will likely be excluded from future scores since he has now occupied one of the top two leadership posts for at least six months. The least bipartisan senators following Britt were Missouri Republican Eric Schmitt, Washington state Democrat Patty Murray, Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson and Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton. The staff of the North Dakota Monitor contributed to this report. The post New list rates the most bipartisan members of Congressand the least appeared first on North Dakota Monitor. Donald Trump is in Cincinnati today for a fundraiser. Follow live updates about his visit. UPDATE 2:45 p.m. The weathered tombstones and white brick chapel of Armstrong Chapel Methodist Cemetery in Indian Hill provided a gathering spot for a couple dozen people hoping to catch a glimpse of Trumps motorcade. The chapel is a half-mile from the mansion where the fundraiser took place. They left disappointed as Trump took another route about a block away. Several wouldnt talk to the press or didnt want to talk about their opinion of Trump. Suzanne Muller, an Indian Hill resident, said she found out on Tuesday Trump was coming and decided to get as close as she could. She wouldnt say whether shes voting for Trump. Muller said she likes Trump's tough stance on immigration. The security at the Mexican border was the top issue for the Trump supporters in Indian Hill who talked to The Enquirer. I want illegal aliens to not infiltrate our society and be on our tax rolls, that we have to pay for all those people coming into our system, said Elizabeth Bieser of Indian Hill. She lives a few blocks from where the fundraiser happened. She said shes voted for Trump but said shes undecided this year because she wants to see how his legal issues are resolved. I just dont want Biden again, Bieser said. Hes inefficient and doesnt get things done. UPDATE 2:30 p.m. NBC News Senior Political Reporter Henry Gomez reports that these are some of the people at the fundraiser: "Some notable names at the JD Vance-organized fundraiser for Trump in Cincinnati, per a source familiar: The Lindner family, Nate Morris, Jane Timken, Robert Heidt, Chris Bortz, Bob Paduchik, Tony Maas, Carlene and Bob Robinson." UPDATE 2:15 p.m. Not everyone was thrilled about Trump's visit. Well Trump is attending a 50k lunch walking distance from my house waiting calmly to give him the finger when his motorcade passes in Cincinnati Ohio pic.twitter.com/K9bKiSYpxW Davishere (@kiko69264573307) May 15, 2024 UPDATE 1:40 p.m. Trump has landed at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and is en route to the Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill for a fundraiser. UPDATE 12:55 p.m. Greater Cincinnati Republicans say Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance would make a "strategic and compelling choice" to be Trump's vice president. In a statement about Trump's visit, the Hamilton County Republican Party praised Vance's background as a bestselling author, a venture capitalist and a U.S. Marine. "His strong support for the former President's policies and his ability to articulate the frustrations of many Americans who feel left behind by the political establishment make him a strong advocate and ally," the group said in a statement. UPDATE 12:45 p.m. Local Democrats issued a statement noting that Trump and Vance only show up in Hamilton County "to collect checks from their multi-millionaire donors." (Vance actually lives in Hamilton County, in Cincinnati's East Walnut Hills neighborhood.) While Republicans are charging donors $50,000 a plate to pay off Donald Trumps legal bills, Democrats in Hamilton County are focusing on re-electing good public servants on all levels of government," said Hamilton County Democratic Chairwoman Gwen McFarlin. From attending his trials to singing Trumps praises on cable news, its clear that JD Vance is only working for Trump. Democrats are working for all of the people in Hamilton County not just those who can afford to spend a years salary on a lunch. UPDATE 12:40 p.m. Peggy Gardner Johns, the great-granddaughter of Cintas founder Richard "Doc" Farmer, will host Trump and Vance at her Indian Hill estate this afternoon. According to this story from reporters Scott Wartman and Sharon Coolidge, Johns isn't well known in political circles, but she's donated to both candidates in the past. One interesting tidbit from the story - in 2005, she and her husband hosted Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, at the same home for a private reception. John Capannari, of Hyde Park, awaits the arrival former President Donald Trump at Wheels Up Private Jet Center ahead of a fundraiser in Indian Hill later in the day. UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: John Capannari, 60, of Hyde Park, came out to a honk and wave near the airport because hes a big supporter of Trumps since the first he won, the second time he won and hopefully the third time. He carried a Trump 2024 Take America Back flag. Its good to show your support and let him know the average, everyday person supports him and disagrees with whats happening in the court system. UPDATE 11:45 a.m.: Trump was expected to land at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport around lunchtime before heading to a fundraiser in Indian Hill, a wealthy Cincinnati suburb. The invitation obtained by the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau describes it as a "lunch discussion" with Ohio Sen. J. D. Vance as a special guest. Attendees must contribute $50,000 each or $100,000 per couple, which will go toward the Trump 47 Committee, which is a joint fundraising committee that includes Trump's campaign, the Republican National Committee and several state GOP groups including Ohio's. After the lunch, Trump was expected to head to Lexington for a fundraising dinner. Trump made the trip on an off day in the hush money trial where Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide reimbursement payments to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen for the money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Through tinted glass of a Suburban, former President Donald Trump waves to supporters at Wheels Up Private Jet Center ahead of a fundraiser in Indian Hill later in the day, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron, Ky. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Donald Trump in Cincinnati Wednesday for a fundraiser Judge still considering if Shanna Gardner, accused in Jared Bridegan murder, can post bond On Wednesday afternoon, the woman charged in the murder-for-hire of her ex-husband is making a special request in court. Shanna Gardner is asking to be allowed to post bond. Gardners high-profile attorney, Jose Baez, filed the bond motion months ago. Follow along below for updates from Action News Jaxs Meghan Moriarty, who is in the courtroom: 7:42 p.m.: Court has adjourned. Judge London Kite will take both the state and the defenses presentations under advisement. The next court date will be May 24 at 1 p.m. Here are Moriartys notes from court: Started a little after 5:30 p.m. Defense witness #1: Hank Coxe, Gardners former attorney Cox talks about how he sent a letter to State Attorneys Office saying Gardner would surrender if they wanted her to and no one responded. Defense witness #2 via Zoom, was clergy member of LDS church Defense witness #3 Marlow Rogers, Shannons Washington neighbor Defense Witness #4 Megan White, Shannas older sister (lives in Utah) She was being run out of her home (when she moved out of Florida) Kids have expressed they miss mom There have been times where LB has had problems when hes been struggling and later on when Shanna has called hell find that shes been having a rough day also so its a connection that goes beyond distance. Said if Shanna gets bond shell remain in the state and parents will come down with the kids. I dont think they cared about how he [Jared] treated their daughter. Q: Stampin Up released a letter about Jared death? A: Yes. Q: Despite this, youre saying has your family hasnt talked about Jareds murder? A: Weve discussed it but we havent speculated. Closing arguments began at 6:36 p.m., with the State Attorneys Office going first: This was a cold, calculated pre-meditated murder following years of planning There are no direct text messages that the state will ever find because she planned this with her ex-husband. She wanted freedom from Jared Bridegan, freedom to do what she wanted to do with the children, freedom with her trust. She was her own worst enemy ... because she was so vocal for so long about wanting this to happen and how she hated Jared. We are filing our motion to deny her bail. We have proved that she had committed the charges against her. We have a tremendous circumstantial evidence against her based on her words or actions. State mentioned that theyll never have other evidence unless Mario becomes a cooperating witness. The most damning evidence we have is text messages to her best friend. The consequence speaks to the action. He [Mario] would not have done this if she hadnt said yes because in the end she got what she wanted. Her and Mario stayed married but they went their separate ways. She got access to her trust Who ended up with everything they wanted? Shanna Gardner. It wasnt I wish I could hire a hit man. It was, Im serious. She set this event in motion. Without her this wouldnt have happened. She may not have pulled the trigger, but she has Jared Bridegans blood on her hands. Defenses arguments: They could have called Kim Jensen to the stand for you, your honor. They chose to call a detective who couldnt even get his facts right. According to defense, Kim Jensen was brought in during a traffic stop and essentially forced her down to the SAO. When she made statements to detectives, the defense said these were not recorded. So its hearsay You have no evidence of any planning, plotting or participation. Ms. Gardner has no criminal history Asks court to not take into consideration familys money when/if setting bond. 5:51 p.m.: The defense calls Hank Coxe to the stand, who was Gardners first attorney. 5:47 p.m.: Baez cross-examined Detective Chris Johns with Jax Beach PD for the defense. Showing text messages to the detective about how Im gonna kill someone have been used in other conversations but doesnt mean Shanna is actually going to kill someone. The next message says, I need a break from my kids, like Im ready to kill them, Baez said. and thats a lot of how Shanna Gardner speaks. Baez: So youre the lead detective in this case where they allegedly looking for a hit man. You have it right there in black in white and you never go talk to the person that theyre allegedly looking for? Johns: I believe when we were looking for her her phone number had changed and we were unable to contact her. Then said he had to check his notes Baez: You knew you were testifying in a capital death penalty case and you didnt bring your notes? *shifting to night of murder 17:16 She [Kim Jensen] in fact told you [detective] that this was just how they spoke. 17:17 (Baez) You dont have any text messages about hiring a hit man in 2020 or 2021 or anything like that? (detective) no 17:20 [Baez] You are aware theres not a single text message between Shanna Gardner and Henry Tenon that exists on this earth? [detective] No Im not aware of that. [baez] And you never found any phone records between Henry Tenon and Shanna Gardner. (Baez) 17:20 And in fact Henry Tenon told you that he never met Shanna Gardner No DNA evidence tying Shanna to crime (detective agreed) 17:23 *Mario had access to trust account. Theres not a single check signed by Shanna Gardner from that account. (Detective) Not that Im aware of 17:37 ***Baez comment about how this is detectives first homicide case Re-direct 18:34 *SAO Defense said there werent text messages talking about a hit man after 2017, but that doesnt mean it wasnt discussed? Detective: KJ said there were some conversations about it 3:23 p.m.: The court is taking a 15-minute recess. Heres whats happened in the last hour, continuing with testimony from Detective Chris Johns, Jax Beach PD: Text messages say, I would love to see him get a lethal injection. Gardner used the word stupid to reference Jared Ms Gardner is upset. She says is it too late to get a hit man Im serious. I think Ms. Jensen is trying to talk her down a bit. Then they move on to does she know anyone who could actually carry this out. Texts: Im not even joking I want him gone. The state asks to introduce more texts. Defense objects, saying these are from six years prior and that theyre stale. State Attorneys Office said, They are relevant because they show Ms. Gardners state of mind. Defense: Ms. Gardner never asked Ms. Jensen to reach out [whoever]. Back to Detective Johns testimony: In 2016, Justin went to Jax Beach PD saying Shanna made a statement to him that she was so angry with Jared sometimes that she thought about hiring a hit man. [Mario said to Shanna] there was a delay in killing Jared because it was COVID and nobody leaves their house during COVID [convo between KJ and Shanna] Hawaii trip week before murder with Gardner family and Mario. Ms. Jensen described a conversation that she had the text messages between the two of them had indicated that she [Gardner] was frustrated with the marriage [with Mario] and she was gonna call it off with him [Mario]. They discussed that and they were going through with plans [for divorce]. Mario stated to Shanna and said he was going to kill Jared and if she didnt want that to happen she needed to speak up now. While interviewing the kids (Shannas) the kids stated they thought Mario was in his game room during the time of the murder, because his console was on. However, phone records, charge records, and hotel reservations show he made a trip to Canada instead. Detective said unsure why he did that. August 2022: Tenon now on their radar When Tenon was arrested on driving on a suspended license and other charges, Gardner alerted her attorney, which detective found odd. More texts in August 2022 between Shanna and someone named Thomas. Messages stated they werent sure what the charges were but seemed unrelated to (redacted) or anything related to Jared. Leaked to the media that there would be an arrest coming in the case of Bridegan. Shanna called Kim Jensen to ask if she should give Mario a heads-up about the big break in the case. Per Detective: Gardner called her PR company she said that she admitted to knowing Henry that she met him 5 years ago but there should be no paperwork tying her to the property. Gardner told her PR firm that she had given money to Tenon earlier that year for a palette company and the PR firm said We should stop talking about this over the phone. Q: Where did the funds to pay Henry Tenon come from? A: The money came to from the trust that was established by Mr. and Mrs. Gardner. Q: Anyone else with a motive or such depth to have Jared Bridegan killed? A: No 2:19 p.m.: Kirsten Bridegan + family friends fill the pews (4 ) on their side of the courtroom. On the other side, theres a row of family/friends for Gardner (7 people), including Gardners parents. State Attorneys Office begins with first witness: Witness #1: Detective Chris Johns, Jax Beach PD Dispatched to Bridegan homicide scene Said at least two rounds struck the car, just in front of (Bridegans then-2-year-old daughter) Bexleys car seat. Asking if Bexley said anything after the shooting Mentioned boom boom. Had to take her shoes off to cover her ears. Made mention that her daddy was sick and had to go to the doctor. Mr. (Henry) Tenon was a tenant at one of their rental properties and he had been approached by Mr. Fernandez a number of times and asked if he would participate in a homicide. He said he initially denied the request. Then they offered him $150,000, he agreed. The original plan was to kidnap Bridegan and take him to another location and murder him. They were initially planning this in late 2021 and then after returning from a Hawaii trip in February he told him it had to happen this week and that if he [Tenon] didnt get it done his [Fernandez] marriage was going to end. He [Tenon] was promised $150,000 in the form of investment in a palate business. Reason: to not raise suspicion In the beginning, we really didnt have any suspects. Investigators looked at everyone in the family and then began to eliminate from there. SAO: Did Bridegan have debts he owed? Issues with people? Affairs? He was a very boring person who lived a very plain and religious life. Q: Did you start looking at Mario and Shanna as suspects? A: Almost immediately. Detective said when interviewing friends they said, Gardner stated that she hated Jared and couldnt stand sharing custody with him and she wanted dead. They were in court at least annually [for divorce]. It got to a point where Shanna and Jared didnt communicate without an attorney. Ms. Gardner was attempting to start a social or DCF (Florida Department of Children and Families) investigation to get sole custody over the children. Q: What did they fight about? A: Everything from schedules to who could be around when the children were there. Then more severe things like medications and medical devices. Q: What about religion? A: One of the twins said she wanted to be baptized into the Latter-day saints and this was very troubling to her [Shanna]. Detective interviewed Shanna twice First interview, she was not a suspect. March 1, 2022. She was very forthcoming. It was a very typical interview. She was very talkative and provided a lot of context without a lot of questions being asked. The general tone of it was I dont know a lot about Jared now but I can tell you what he was like during our marriage. Said he [Jared] was manipulative and caused a lot of trauma Fernandez asked if him and Gardner could come by [to Jax Beach PD] because they were experiencing a lot of people bothering them and saying a lot of people in their neighborhood were going around saying they killed murder Shannas demeanor was much for upset because she thought she was being attacked in the media really on social media. She was afraid to leave her home because people were recognizing her and essentially blaming her. They asked her [Shanna] if she had any theories about what happened to Jared. She said that maybe it was a drug deal gone wrong or a gang initiation and then she stated that we should look into Kirsten Bridegan (Jareds widow). She stated that Sanctuary Blvd is where you go to buy drugs in Jax Beach. Detective said he had never heard of that in his 5 years in Jax Beach. SAO: Detective Johns who is Kim Jensen in relation to Ms. Gardner? Officer: Their friendship began before Gardner divorce. They were best friends. They obtained Kim Jensens phone records. Text messages from 2015 between KJ and SG were shown. More texts: Matt was ready to come over here and talk to him and it wouldnt get physical yet. Funeral potatoes casserole was a phrase the two used in reference to Jareds death 1:51 p.m.: A detective with the Jacksonville Beach Police Department takes the stand. 1:44 p.m.: Court begins after some housekeeping delays. Gardners parents are in the courtroom, which is packed. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The case background Gardner is accused of conspiring to kill her ex-husband, Jared Bridegan, with her estranged husband Mario Fernandez Saldana and Henry Tenon, a man who was a tenant of Saldana. Bridegan was killed in Jacksonville Beach on Feb. 16, 2022. He was shot and killed when he got out of his car to move a tire out of the road while his daughter was in the car. Prosecutors say that tire was put there on purpose to get Bridegan out of his car. Read: Body cam video shows arrest of Shanna Gardner in ex-husband Jared Bridegans murder Gardner was arrested in Washington state in August last year. She was denied bond upon extradition to Jacksonville in October. Earlier this week, a judge ruled that the State Attorneys Office could stay on the case after defense attorneys for Gardner and Saldana argued that the state had access to privileged information on Gardners iCloud account. The judge decided text messages between Gardner and her attorneys are not privileged information. However, she did suppress them, which means they cant be used in court. Gardners bond hearing is set for 1 p.m. at Duval County Courthouse. You can count on Action News Jax to be there and give you the latest updates. Read: Judge denies defenses motion to disqualify State Attorneys Office in Jared Bridegan case [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Gov. Joe Lombardo is sounding the alarm on a California law that could have a major impact on gas prices in Nevada. In a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Lombardo warns that any profits cap that are put in place as SBX1-2 is implemented raise the chance that refiners might cut gasoline supplies to California and that would reduce the flow to Arizona and Nevada. Both states rely on fuel that comes through California. SBX1-2 is known as the California Gas Price Gouging and Transparency Law. Since 88 percent of Nevadas fuels are delivered via pipeline and truck from refineries in California, its no surprise that Californias fuel policies significantly impact the costs and availability of fuel for Nevadas residents and businesses, Lombardo wrote. Las Vegas gas prices falling as Memorial Day approaches As my administration has followed this issue, it seems that the new state agency the legislation created is getting closer to announcing a profits cap structure. While we have no details on what this might look like, Im concerned that this approach could lead to refiners either constraining supplies of fuels to avoid a profit penalty or even leaving our shared fuels market entirely. Either scenario would likely lead to limited supplies and higher fuel costs for consumers in both of our states, the letter said. Should this happen, I am sure Californians and Nevadans would share a demand for answers and relief from higher fuel costs and the impacts those costs could have across the economy, Lombardo said. 5.14_Gov-Lombardo-x-Gov-Newsom-LetterDownload Lombardos letter was released ahead of the California State Assembly Utilities & Energy Committee hearing on Wednesday. The California Energy Commission will update the committee on the implementation of SBX1-2, regulatory legislation that was rushed into law in March of 2023. SBX1-2 has already prompted a lawsuit filed in March by the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance. FILE Prices are displayed at a Mobil gas station in West Hollywood, Calif., on March 8, 2022. The California Assembly on Monday, March 27, 2023, approved a bill that would let the California Energy Commission decide whether to penalize oil companies for price gouging. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) Before proceeding with a profits cap, I would request an assessment of potential impacts of this approach across the West, including not only California, but Nevada and Arizona too, Lombardo wrote. To assist with this, my Office of Energy stands ready to immediately engage in proactive conversations with the California Energy Commission. Lombardo said he hoped the states could mitigate unintended consequences to make sure residents of both California and Nevada didnt go through prices that could go even higher. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Gerald Reed, who has long alleged he was a victim of police torture, was acquitted Wednesday after a retrial of his double-murder case, killings for which he had spent some three decades in prison. In a meticulous ruling from the bench, Circuit Judge Steven Watkins said over and over that there was no forensic evidence, no eyewitness evidence, and no murder weapon in evidence that could substantively tie Reed to the 1990 double homicide. In addition, there was no evidence of any desire to kill either one of them, Watkins added. It appears all of them were friends. Reed, who came into the courtroom wearing a neck brace and using a walker, clutched his forehead and wiped his eyes as Watkins delivered his findings. Reed opted to have the judge, not a jury, determine his fate; Watkins findings came about a month after closing arguments from Reeds lawyers and the special prosecutors appointed to handle the case. Despite the acquittal, however, Reed will remain in custody. He is in the middle of serving a 10-year sentence for a robbery conviction out of Indiana, a case he picked up after Gov. J.B. Pritzker commuted his murder sentence. Due to that commutation, Reed could not have gone back to prison for the murders even if Watkins had convicted him Wednesday serving any more time would have violated his constitutional rights. Elliot Zinger, one of Reeds attorneys, said the prosecutions case amounted to a lot of bells and whistles with no substance. Where was the evidence that these two murdered their friends? Robert Milan, who led the team of private attorneys appointed to handle the prosecution, said in a statement on behalf of the victims families that the verdict was very disappointing. It is the States position that the evidence of Reeds guilt that was presented at trial was overwhelming. Although we strongly disagree with this verdict, we must accept it and move on, the statement reads. Watkins finding concludes an extraordinary and strange legal saga. Most of the proceedings in recent years have dealt not with the question of his guilt but whether or not he was tortured into confessing by detectives connected to ex-Cmdr. Jon Burge. Only after an extremely convoluted series of events was that confession officially thrown out by the states highest court, paving the way for a retrial. The trial itself, however, centered on whether Reed was actually involved in the horrific double homicide. Pamela Powers and Willie Williams were killed in October 1990. Powers, shot twice in the head, was found half-naked and fighting for breath under a viaduct near Englewoods Kennedy-King College; she was pronounced dead not long afterward. Williams was found fatally shot in Powers ransacked apartment. Reed and co-defendant David Turner were arrested not long afterward and found guilty. In his finding at the retrial Wednesday, Watkins gave little credit to any of the prosecutors evidence. While one witness said she saw Reed closely follow a terrified-looking Powers up the stairs in the hours before she was shot, Watkins noted that another witness said Powers looked high, not scared. And there was no evidence (Reed) was touching her, no evidence the defendant threatened her, no evidence he pulled her up the stairs or pushed her up the stairs, Watkins said. The argument that the murder weapon was a community gun shared by Gangster Disciples isnt enough to definitively link it to Reed or his co-defendant Turner, Watkins said. And previous trial testimony from two younger men who said they saw Reed confessing to killing Powers while he had a .357 poking out of his waistband was simply not credible, Watkins said. More believable, Watkins said, was the evidence that Turners sister fed them that story in an apparent effort to help her brother. They could not reasonably have known the type of gun if they had only seen the handle, Watkins said. I dont know how he would know, he said. Unless somebody told them what to say to police. After the hearing Wednesday, Reeds attorneys expressed gratitude but not surprise. There really was no evidence that put Gerald Reed at either murder scene at any point, attorney Larry Dreyfus said. A civil lawsuit is a definite possibility, Zinger said, and urged Cook County prosecutors to turn their attention to Turner, who never alleged torture and whose conviction remains intact. mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com May 15 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Minnesota used a super-sized ladder truck known as the "Tower" to rescue a cockatiel that escaped from her owner and became stranded on a hospital window ledge. The Duluth Fire Department said on social media that the cockatiel, named Nina, escaped from her owner and was located on a sixth story window ledge at St. Luke's Hospital. Firefighters arrived with Tower 1, a truck bearing a 100-foot ladder and bucket, and went up to rescue Nina. The firefighters were able to bring the bird safely back down to earth to be reunited with her owner. "Thank you to St. Luke's security for the assist," the post said. LISBON, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The Portuguese government announced on Tuesday that it has decided to construct a new international airport in Alcochete in the Lisbon metropolitan area. The location was chosen following the recommendation of an independent technical commission, announced Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro in a statement to the country after an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday afternoon. "The Government has decided to approve the development of the new Lisbon airport with the aim of fully replacing Humberto Delgado Airport at the Alcochete shooting range and naming it Luis de Camoes Airport," announced Montenegro. He explained that the new Lisbon airport will completely replace the current Humberto Delgado Airport, adding that the single airport is the most suitable solution for the country's strategic interests and that Alcochete provides room for expansion. The Portuguese government estimates that the new airport will have an approximate cost of 8 billion euros (8.64 billion U.S. dollars) and will take 10 years to complete. Portugal decided in 1968 to build a new airport, but the location could not be finalized due to various reasons. Pedro Nuno Santos, secretary general of the main opposition Socialist Party and former minister of infrastructure and housing, said that Portugal has been "waiting for more than 50 years to decide the location of the airport." According to the government's announcement, the new airport will be designed to be able to expand to accommodate long-term demand, stimulate agglomeration economies, and integrate with other accessibility projects. The project envisages a basic model of two runways with capacity for 90 to 95 movements per hour and the possibility of expansion to up to four runways for an estimated passenger traffic that may exceed 100 million by Year 2050. The first runway will be ready in 2030 and the second one is expected to be ready by 2031. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S. dollars) If you're planning to head out to eat before tonight's OKC Thunder game or to catch the game at an Oklahoma restaurant or bar, there's a selection of local restaurants you'll have to scratch off your list. Multiple Hal Smith Restaurant Group locations announced a decision to close for business Wednesday in order to support "employees rights to peaceful assembly and their freedom of expression." While the Hal Smith Restaurant Group declined to confirm what employees were seeking to join in advocacy for, the closures did coincide with the Oklahoma Legislative Latino Caucus' Hispanic Cultural Day, which included a "peaceful rally against HB 4156." "More businesses shouldve done this. Thank you for understanding that 85% of your kitchen workers are Hispanic," said Facebook user Aaron Galindo in response to the Louie's Northwest Expressway post. People eat outside at Louies Grill & Bar at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City. Louie's is one of several Hal Smith restaurants that closed Wednesday to allow employees to attend a day of advocacy at the state capitol. Reactions online varied, with some criticizing or questioning the closures and others praising the company's decision. Comments on some restaurant posts were limited, and some Facebook users took to their own pages to post their thoughts, even calling for boycotts of the restaurant group. The Oklahoman reached out to Hal Smith Restaurants, which declined to comment further on what motivated the decision to close. "This speaks volumes about the management/owners. Tonight is a Thunder game night, which I'm sure would generate a lot of profit. Respect this decision," Facebook user Angie Wheelis Mulligan commented on the announcement on The Garage (Britton Rd.)'s Facebook page. The closures affect the following restaurant locations, confirmed by The Oklahoman via the restaurants' independent Facebook pages. Louie's Grill & Bar 7216 NW Expressway 9401 Lake Hefner Parkway 1201 NW 178 Street 9101 S Western Ave. 1389 E 15 Street in Edmond 6007 SE 15 Street in Midwest City 1601 S Interstate 35 Service Road in Moore 3750 W Robinson Street in Norman 301 W Boyd Street in Norman 1600 Garth Brooks Blvd. in Yukon 720 S Main Street in Stillwater 813 E A Street in Jenks 1640 N 9th Street in Broken Arrow 6310 E 101 Street in Tulsa The Garage: 1117 N Robinson Ave. 1024 W Interstate 240 Service Road 209 Outlet Shoppes Drive 900 W Britton Road 1316 W Covell Road in Edmond 601 S Bryant Ave. in Edmond 2060 S Interstate 35 Service Road in Moore 190 Shawnee Mall Drive in Shawnee Opening at 5 p.m. - 5301 Main Street, Suite 101 in Del City Pub W: 3121 W Memorial Road 3720 W Robinson Street, Suite 104 in Norman Jimmy B's Culinary + Krafted: 1225 N Broadway Ave. Hefner Grill: 9201 Lake Hefner Parkway Mama Roja: 9219 Lake Hefner Parkway Redrock Canyon Grill: 9221 Lake Hefner Parkway The Winston: 106 W. Main Street in Norman El Huevo Mexi-Diner : 3522 24 Ave. NW in Norman Neighborhood JA.M. : 525 NW 11 Street, Suite 101 102 W Main Street in Norman This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Capitol rally: 30+ restaurants close so employees can attend Louisiana could soon become the first state to criminalize possession without a prescription of mifepristone and misoprostol, the two drugs used to induce a medicated abortion. The move opens a new front in the fight over abortion pills and could threaten to further restrict access in a state that bans almost all abortions. Its the latest attempt by anti-abortion politicians in Louisiana to control access to one of the most common methods of abortion in the country. It comes as the Supreme Court is deliberating a case from anti-abortion doctors seeking to limit access to mifepristone. Lawmakers in the GOP-controlled Legislature added a last-minute amendment that classifies the drugs as controlled substances to a state Senate bill that would create the crime of coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud where someone knowingly gives abortion pills to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent. The underlying bill was sponsored by state Sen. Thomas Pressly (R). The amendment added the drugs to Louisianas Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, which regulates drugs that can be highly addictive like opioids, ephedrine and antidepressants. The amendment would criminalize possession for anyone who doesnt have a prescription or is a licensed provider, and subject violators to up to five years in prison. It would exempt from prosecution pregnant women who possess the pills for her own consumption, but anyone who helps her get the pills would be at risk. The amendment would also seemingly make it illegal for a woman to have the pills on hand even if she isnt pregnant and imminently planning to take them, a practice known as advance provision thats become increasingly popular in states with abortion bans. Louisiana already bans surgical and medication abortions except to save a patients life or because a pregnancy is medically futile. Lawmakers last week rejected a bill that would have added exceptions for cases of rape and incest. In an open letter to Pressly, a group of more than 200 Louisiana doctors strongly decried the amendment. Neither mifepristone nor misoprostol have been shown to have any potential for abuse, dependence, public health risk, nor high rates of adverse side effects, they wrote. Adding a safe, medically indicated drug for miscarriage management to a Controlled Substance Schedule creates the false perception that these are dangerous drugs that require additional regulation, the letter noted. The amended bill has already cleared the Senate and will be put up for a final vote in the Louisiana House before June 3. Coerced abortion is already a crime in Louisiana, but state Rep. Mandie Landry (D) told The Hill nobody objected to legislation that would make it apply to abortion pills as well, especially because the issue was so personal for Pressly. During a Senate hearing last month, Presslys sister Catherine Herring described how her then-husband secretly put an abortion pill in her drink in 2022. Doctors were able to stop the process, but her child was born prematurely with developmental issues. The former husband was only sentenced to 180 days in jail. Under Presslys bill, a perpetrator would face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $75,000 fine. Landry said the addition of the amendment, which was written with the help of Louisiana Right to Life and added after the Senate passed the bill, blindsided Democrats. In a statement after the bill advanced in the House, Pressly said the amendment was needed because abortion drugs are being weaponized and are a risk to the public health. I recognize that there are legitimate medical uses other than elective abortion for these drugs. Louisiana law is clear that if abortion-inducing drugs are used for purposes other than elective abortion, they are legal for use. The medical community is well-versed with using controlled substances in the course of their medical practice, Pressly said. Abortion rights advocates said the legislation will create a chilling effect and make it harder for women to access legitimately safe medications. Misoprostol especially has wide-ranging applications in reproductive health including for labor induction, to soften the cervix during surgical procedures and medical management of miscarriage. Its also on the World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines. It is an attempt to put both misoprostol and mifepristone back under lock and key, said Kirsten Moore, director of the Expanding Medication Abortion Access Project. It is just going to create more burden and chaos in the health care delivery system. And thats going to fall not just on people who are seeking abortion care, but also people who are pregnant and want to be and are trying to finish out their pregnancy, doing everything the doctor wants them to do. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Senate President Pro Tempore Regina Barrow is seeking to block the confirmation of Kenneth "Kenny" Loftin, Gov. Jeff Landry's pick to run the Office of Juvenile Justice. (Photo Senate President Pro Tempore Regina Barrow is seeking to block Kenneth "Kenny" Loftin from being permanently appointed to lead the Office of Juvenile Justice. (Pool Photo/Gerald Herbert via AP) A legislative leader doesnt believe Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landrys choice to run the states youth prison system should get the job, and shes preparing to put up a fight over his Senate confirmation. Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, is seeking to unseal state court records in Red River Parish about the Ware Youth Center for her fellow legislators ahead of Kenneth Kenny Loftins Senate confirmation as deputy secretary of the Office of Juvenile Justice. Barrow said the court records could contain information about alleged abuse at the juvenile justice facility in Coushatta that Loftin ran for decades. Landry appointed Loftin to oversee Louisianas state juvenile justice services in February, in spite of a lengthy report describing rampant child abuse and neglect at the hands of Ware staff that appeared in The New York Times in 2022. The majority of the Louisiana Senate must also agree to confirm Loftin in order for him to keep his job. On Tuesday, Landrys office said the governor intends to pursue Loftins Senate confirmation regardless of Barrows objections. Landrys staff declined to comment further. Loftin was not accused of any direct abuse in the article, but much of the alleged violence described in the story would have happened when he led the facility. The Times investigation said 42 people held at Ware over a 25-year period admitted they were sexually abused by Ware staff. Loftin oversaw the facility from its opening in 1993 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2023. Loftin could not be reached for comment on his cell phone or via text message Tuesday. But during a public confirmation hearing earlier this month, he said the 10 people including formerly incarcerated girls and Ware staff members who detailed alleged abuse for The New York Times were lying in the article. So they made it up? Sen. Gary Carter, D-New Orleans, asked Loftin during the hearing about the women bringing forward the accusations. Yes. They made it up, Loftin replied. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The Times article and Loftins defensive comments at his confirmation hearing convinced Barrow that Loftin is unfit to run the states juvenile justice services. A handful of Republican senators have also expressed reservations about confirming Loftin and the Legislative Black Caucus has already called for his resignation. Members still have a lot of questions about it, said Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie. Senate staff identified more than two dozen state court cases regarding alleged behavior at Ware that remain private, Barrow said. The records might be sealed because the cases involve allegations of violence toward people who are underage. In an interview Monday, Barrow said it is important she and other senators know the details of these sealed state court cases before voting to confirm Loftin. As deputy secretary for juvenile justice, Loftin would oversee prisons, group homes and other services for minors who have been arrested or found guilty of a crime. Loftin has tried to push back on The New York Times allegations by pointing to a recent report from Louisianas Office of Iinspector General on Ware. It focused on suicide risks of incarcerated children at the facility. He said the report found he had done nothing wrong. But that report examine years at Ware when Loftin mostly wasnt in charge, when two back-to-back deaths of children incarcerated at the center brought scrutiny to the facility. The inspector general didnt generally examine the allegations of violence by staff that would have occurred when Loftin oversaw Ware. If Landry insists on moving forward with Loftins confirmation, Barrow said she would take the rare step of making colleagues take a vote to confirm him publicly. The Senate confirmation process is typically secretive. Communication between the governors office and senators over the governors nominees for confirmation is explicitly kept confidential under the law. Most of the debate about who to confirm also takes place behind closed doors. During the next three weeks, the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee will send a list of dozens of appointees the committee recommends for confirmation to the full Senate. Then, the Senate will discuss who to keep on the list during a private, executive session. Usually, they vote to confirm the list of appointees en masse, though senators can pull someone out of the group and ask for an independent vote on the individual, Barrow and other people familiar with the process said. But its unusual for a senator to take that step. If a person fails to get confirmed, its typically because the senator who represents them objects to their appointment. The Senate has a custom of deferring to an appointees home senator about whether their confirmation should go forward. Loftins personal senator is Sen. Alan Seabaugh, a conservative Republican from Shreveport who is close to Landry. In an interview earlier this month, Seabaugh declined to say whether he would support Loftins confirmation. The post Louisiana Senate leader seeks to block Landry juvenile justice appointee appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Louisiana Senate President Cameron Henry (Pool Photo/Gerald Herbert via AP) The leader of the Louisiana Senate says lawmakers still have the same amount of questions about Gov. Jeff Landrys proposed constitutional convention as they did a few weeks ago, and they are still skeptical about going forward with the event. The Senate is not close to voting to support a convention at this point, with just three weeks left in the legislative session, Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, said. Members of the Louisiana House of Representatives last week voted to hold the convention in August. The Landry administration hasnt answered senators questions about the purpose or process of a convention, so the legislation authorizing it, House Bill 800, hasnt been scheduled for a Senate committee hearing yet. Times running tight, Henry said about the constitutional conventions prospects. Senators are likely to spend the final weeks of the session focused on getting their own bills approved and working through the state budget and construction plan, according to Henry. That will leave less time to focus on the constitutional convention proposal. These types of events, these types of bills, though important to the administration, it becomes more difficult to get members attention, Henry said Tuesday in an interview with reporters. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE Landry made holding a convention to rewrite the states 50-year-old constitution a top legislative priority for this spring. Yet the governor and other convention supporters have refused to provide details about what types of changes they would make to the constitution during the meeting. Legislators havent even been told privately any specifics the governor wants to take out of the constitution, Henry said. Its one of the reasons senators have been hesitant to move forward with Landrys proposal. Like at the end of the day, whats the best possible outcome? And do we really need to have a constitutional convention to get there? Henry said. In order to get his proposal out of the House, Landry agreed to move the bulk of the constitutional convention from the last two weeks of May to early August. An organizational meeting for legislators and the 27 delegates Landry has picked would be held on May 30, according to the convention legislation. They would then be expected to hold meetings in June and July to work out the details of the event. Henry said senators want more information about how the planning meetings in June and July would work before they vote in favor of a convention. Lawmakers have been in session every month this year so far, and several legislators have said they would like the summer to take a break from the states business. Its imperative for them to understand what process we will use, Henry said. The Senate president also said his colleagues arent comfortable with Landry unilaterally picking his own delegates to participate in the process. They also believe having House members, senators and gubernatorial delegates a total of 171 people voting during the convention would be too unwieldy, he said. Thats definitely a problem, Henry said. The post Louisiana Senate president casts doubt on holding constitutional convention appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. A bill sponsored by Sen. Thomas Pressly, R-Shreveport, would make it illegal to manufacture or sell products that contain any amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Louisiana unless they are licensed medical marijuana products. The measure would wipe out what some consider an established industry in Louisiana. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) Louisiana lawmakers are one step away from dismantling a consumable hemp industry they created two years ago after unwittingly legalizing products that can get people high. Senate Bill 237, sponsored by Sen. Thomas Pressly, R-Shreveport, cleared the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice in a 7-5 vote Tuesday. The bill, for which 67 lobbyists and organizations filled out cards in opposition, would make it illegal to manufacture or sell products that contain any amount of tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in cannabis called THC for short, unless they are licensed medical marijuana products. In 2022, the Louisiana Legislature legalized hemp edibles with limited amounts of delta-9 THC for adults 21 and older. Some lawmakers say they only voted for it based on then-House Speaker Clay Schexnayders claim that it would take tractor-trailer loads of the stuff to get high. At the time, the Republican speaker was repeating a misleading, though perhaps technically accurate, statement a hemp farmer had made during a committee hearing. Related to the marijuana plant, hemp is a type of cannabis with very low levels of THC. Still, manufacturers of consumable hemp products are able to extract those small amounts of THC and concentrate them into levels that can produce an intoxicating effect. Tuesdays vote fell mostly along party lines with Republicans voting in favor of the repeal, except for Rep. Chad Boyer of Breaux Bridge who sided with Democrats against it. Presslys proposal drew similar partisan lines in the Senate, with every Republican endorsing it and most Democrats opposing it except for Sen. Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge and Sen. Royce Duplessis of New Orleans. The House committee members heard Tuesday from several business owners who testified that the bill would effectively destroy the consumable hemp industry and kill jobs. There are more than 2,000 licensed hemp businesses in Louisiana, according to data from the state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Paige Melancon, owner of Louisiana Hemp Extractors, spoke in worried tones when he told the committee Presslys bill would force him to close his factory, which he said is one of the largest hemp manufacturing facilities in the country. Melancon started the business just a few years ago when the state began loosening its cannabis laws. I feel like Im being fired right now, Melancon told the lawmakers, and I want you guys to come with me and fire my employees when we leave here, if you choose to do that. Brushing aside the business closures and tax revenue loss the state might see if the bill is approved, some Republicans on the committee repeatedly voiced their disapproval with the idea of getting high. Rep. Bryan Fontenot, R-Thibodaux, said the consumable hemp industry is selling products that intoxicate people. To back up his claim, he held up a photograph of a head shop near his home called LA Sky High. Fontenots point didnt land with Rep. Alonzo Knox, D-New Orleans, who said one could make the same claim about beer and liquor stores. Even if someone were to buy the product to get high, whats the problem with that? Knox asked. Among those backing Presslys bill is Gene Mills, president of Louisiana Family Forum, a conservative Christian lobbying group that claims to champion free-market economics, entrepreneurship and private property as well as limited government, according to its website. Our vision is to build a Louisiana where God is honored, life is respected, families flourish and liberties reign, Mills said. Mills and other proponents of Presslys bill pointed to the lack of consistency with serving sizes and THC concentrations among products. They also said manufacturers are packaging consumable hemp products in ways that appeal to kids. For every witness who testified about the dangers of high THC dosages, Knox told them he totally agreed with them and asked why those issues couldnt be solved with proper regulation. I would simply echo that the best regulation is the elimination of this illegitimate industry, Mills responded. Pressly and Mills referred numerous times to the misleading claim about tractor-trailer loads of hemp that Schexnayder repeated to the House years ago. They displayed various products they claimed had dangerous doses of hemp extract, including a can of lemonade with 50 milligrams of THC. The 2022 law called for a maximum of 8 milligrams per serving, but it also mistakenly allowed manufacturers to determine serving sizes and did not limit the number of servings in a single product. As a result, some manufacturers exploited that loophole and started putting multiple 8 milligram servings into single packages. Is the packaging basically a scam? Rep. Tony Bacala, R-Prairieville, asked. The Louisiana Department of Health adopted emergency regulations last year to correct some of the issues, but the Legislature has still not fixed the statutory provision that allows manufacturers to set the number of servings per product. Lawmakers could solve the problem with appropriate legislation that corrects the language in the law rather than killing an entire industry, Knox said. Is the intent to get rid of an entire industry? he asked Pressly. The intent is to get rid of an intoxicating product, Pressly replied. Crescent Canna CEO Joe Gerrity pointed out that Presslys bill does nothing to prohibit consumers in Louisiana from purchasing the same hemp products online from other states. As a result, he said, the bill will only deprive Louisiana of tax revenue without actually banning the product. You can go online right now and purchase products that far exceed the THC regulations that this body has set forth without any problem, without any real age verification and to no benefit of anybody in Louisiana, Gerrity said. Gerritys company has manufacturing facilities in other states but sells some of his products in Louisiana, including the lemonade drink Pressly displayed earlier to the committee. When asked why he has no facilities in Louisiana, Gerrity minced no words in expressing his dissatisfaction with the precarious business climate lawmakers have created for his industry. Louisiana, if you havent noticed, has a desire to disrupt our industry, he told lawmakers. And investing the significant amount of money we would need to in this state to manufacture here when every year we come up against opposition in the Legislature that could cripple us and destroy us, is, frankly speaking, a terrible business decision. Presslys proposal heads to the House floor for final passage. If amended, it would return to the Senate for concurrence. Correction: Two Senate Democrats voted in favor of repealing the hemp law: Sen. Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge and Sen. Royce Duplessis of New Orleans. An earlier version of this article left out Duplessis. The post Louisiana on track to dismantle consumable hemp industry after accidentally legalizing it appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. PETOSKEY After nearly 30 years in the Public Schools of Petoskey, Lynne Lesky is getting ready to say goodbye to the classroom and hello to some new opportunities. Born and raised in Mackinaw City, Lesky always knew she wanted to live and work in Northern Michigan. After graduating from Central Michigan University and spending a 3-year stint in a school district near Mount Pleasant, she knew she wanted to be closer to home. When a job opened in Petoskey for an elementary media specialist position 29 years ago, Lesky jumped at the opportunity. When the opening came up with Petoskey, that was exactly what I had planned for my life, was to get back up here and teach up here, it was what I always wanted to do, Lesky said. "It was exactly where I want to be. She worked in the role for 10 years before making the switch to working as a high school English teacher for the district, a position shes held since. I was really reluctant to move to the high school. I was actually petrified, she told the News-Review. I felt like it was such a big building, and it was going to take a lot to get used to it ... but really, once I got used to it, it was really nothing to be worried about at all. Leskys time in the district has been acknowledged and recognized by both the community and her peers. In her last year, she earned both the Rotary Club of Petoskey's Teacher of the Year recognition and one of the districts OPIE award nominations. She said that the Teacher of the Year recognition was a complete shock to her. Lesky said she had previously been nominated and interviewed for the award, but she didnt go through the same process this year. I just couldn't imagine getting it because it goes to one person of all the people in Petoskey, she said. I have always worked really hard and wanted to do my best and kind of strive for those kinds of things, not expecting to get them. It was really a surprise, and it is such an honor for the Rotary to pick me for that award of all the people in Petoskey. The OPIE award, which stands for Outstanding Person in Education, was exciting for Lesky as well, because her fellow colleagues in the teachers union are the ones who made the nomination. Not only was I recognized by the community for my work, but also by my peers, which is really, really incredible to have your peers pick you out as that person, Lesky said. "That is also very meaningful, maybe more meaningful, even, to know that I've made those connections, and that I've worked hard for my colleagues as well. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage Throughout her 32 years in teaching, Lesky saw many changes in the job, whether it was a growing emphasis in career technical education courses or a virtual classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic. The one thing that never changed, she said, was the kids. The kids are still the same kids they always were, Lesky said. "I think COVID reminded us that we're all very vulnerable, and that we need to work even harder to take care of each other. In preparing kids to go out into the world, that's one of those things, is to prepare them for those vulnerabilities. While her time in the classroom is coming to an end, Leskys time in Northern Michigan is not. She started working as a director at the Alanson Area Public Library in a part-time role back in November but will switch to full time after retirement. She said shes looking forward to getting to work with children and adults in the new role while focusing on literacy. Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Lynne Lesky to retire following 32-year-long teaching career A care professional at a youth shelter in Georgia pleaded guilty to sexual abuse charges, Attorney General Chris Carr announced Wednesday. The Attorney Generals Office said in a news release that 27-year-old Caleb Randolph, of Macon, previously worked as a care professional in a youth shelter in Jonesboro called Rainbow House, where he engaged in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl who lived at the shelter. Jonesboro is just south of Atlanta. Randolph was indicted May 17, 2023, when a grand jury charged him with statutory rape and engaging in sexual conduct as an employee. He pleaded guilty May 9, the news release said. A superior court judge in Clayton County sentenced him to 17 years in prison and another 13 years on probation. Randolph must also register as a sex offender, prosecutors said. Caleb Randolph was put in a position to care for our states most vulnerable children, and instead he sexually abused a 15-year-old female desperately in need of comfort, support and safety, Carr said in a statement. For months, he groomed his victim by exploiting her vulnerabilities, and his actions are reprehensible. Rest assured that our case does not end here, and we will continue to pursue any individual who commits or perpetuates child sexual exploitation in Georgia. Interpol has issued a red notice to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and apprehend Frances most wanted man a day after his bloody escape as experts said he will try to cross borders. The red notice was sent after Emmanuel Macron, the French president, requested international cooperation in hunting down Mohamed Amra, 30, and a commando of accomplices who killed two prison officers when they ambushed a prison van at a motorway toll in Normandy, northern France. Three others are in a serious condition, one life-threatening. Footage from surveillance cameras and witnesses shows the cold-blooded, military-style operation in which a black Peugeot rams the police van and another police vehicle, while a white Audi traps them from behind. Balaclava-clad men in black, who Le Parisien said were wearing flak jackets and wielding Kalashnikovs, then surround the vehicle, open fire and release the inmate. France's 'most wanted man' Mohamed Amra is likely to try flee France - AFP Amra, nicknamed The Fly and The Smurf, is a dangerous repeat offender with 13 previous convictions. He faced various charges relating to drug trafficking and is believed to have ordered an assassination from his prison cell. He had attempted to saw his way through the bars of his prison cell three days ago and had been placed under higher surveillance as a result. We have put a lot of resources into finding the person who escaped and the gang who freed him in despicable conditions, said Gerald Darmanin, interior minister. Unprecedented resources in terms of international cooperation and judicial police have been deployed at the request of the president, he told RTL. The interior ministry declined to confirm to The Telegraph whether this would include border checks. However, French security experts said there would inevitably be heightened controls at all ports. Mohamed Amra will try to cross borders, said Gen Jacques Morel of the gendarmerie and former head of the Versailles search unit, adding that escape abroad is one of the most likely scenarios and is being taken very seriously by investigators. Given the preparation that went into this attack and the people he had around him, I think they would also have thought through his getaway. He had a fallback point, perhaps not very far from where it happened. He will try to cross borders, either to North Africa or to Spain, Mr Morel told Francetvinfo. The expert, however, said it would be a hugely complex task to track him down. You know the problems with borders, its not that easy to control them. So the number one plan is to try to catch him before he flees abroad, Mr Morel said. David Corona, a police profiler and former instructor in police negotiations, also said international cooperation meant border checks. Following the tragic attack that saw two of their number killed and three seriously injured, prison guards let their feelings over safety be known on Wednesday - AFP/Christophe Archambault The aftermath of the bloody attack on the prison guards as they moved Mohamed Amra - AFP/Alain Jocard Philippe Brun MP for the Eure constituency where the attack took place, said: I dont think, as we speak, that they are in the immediate vicinity of our constituency. I even think that they are already a long way away as we speak. Prison guards angry over conditions Mr Darmanin, insisted investigators were making a lot of progress, adding on Wednesday that more than 450 police and gendarmes were mobilised for the Eure department alone. There is an enormous amount ofevidence that will enable us to carry out this identification work, he added. Shocked by the first murders among their number since 1992, penitentiary officers blocked dozens of prisons around France on Wednesday morning in support of their slain colleagues and to protest against a lack of means in dealing with increasingly violent inmates. As they staged dead prison day, union leaders will meet justice minister Olivier Dupond-Moretti on Wednesday afternoon. They are calling for a drastic reduction in prisoner transfers by encouraging the use of videoconferencing for magistrates or their travel to establishments, and an overhaul and harmonisation of escort levels. The slain officers stood no chance in a shootout between a simple Sig Sauer (handgun) versus opposed to weapons of war, said Frederic Liakhoff, FO-Justice unionist rep at Caen prison. Yesterday we were dumbfounded, but now were angry. Our colleagues are unanimous: we cant go on like this, we need concrete measures and thats what were waiting for from the justice ministry. We want measures to improve our safety and our working conditions, said Erwan Saoudi of the FO Justice Paris union. Prison guards blocked dozens of prisons around France on Wednesday morning in support of their slain colleagues - AFP/Christophe Archambault France at tipping point over drug trafficking threat As the manhunt continued, the Macron administration was reeling from accusations it has failed to grasp the extent to which drug trafficking has submerged France. A senatorial report released on Tuesday warned that the country had reached a tipping point in which the rule of law in certain areas had come under serious threat from the narco-industry, which officials say rakes in up to 6 billion per year in France and employs 240,000 people. The governments response so far has been meagre and not up to the task, warned the cross-party commission of inquiry, despite a high-profile, nationwide drugs clean-up operation launched two months ago. The brutal assault and report on drugs comes less than a month before European elections in which Mr Macrons candidate, Valerie Hayer is trailing the hard-Right National Rally led by Jordan Bardella. In a visit to the Fresnes prison outside Paris on Wednesday morning, Francois-Xavier Bellamy, the head of the Republicans list for the European elections expressed his solidarity with all prison staff. Today, the state is losing the war, he said. The warnings have been repeated all too often, he added, stressing the urgent need to give our police and prison forces the resources they need to carry out their duties. 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. Innovative Broadcasting: Worship Road Radio Launches in Canada A disruptive option for Christian radio a digital ad-free community NEWS PROVIDED BY Worship Road Radio May 14, 2024 VANCOUVER, Canada, May 14, 2024 /Standard Newswire/ -- Today, Worship Road Radio proudly announces its official launch, introducing a transformative digital platform for Christian worship music. Based in Vancouver, Canada Worship Road Radio is the first nationally accessible Christian radio station in Canada and is set to revolutionize the listener experience by offering an ad-free digital ecosystem. A Comprehensive Digital Ecosystem for Enhanced User Engagement Departing from traditional radio formats, Worship Road Radio eliminates the interruption of ads and frequent fundraising, providing a seamless worship music experience. Beyond just broadcasting, Worship Road Radio also offers each program as an on-demand playlist on Spotify and YouTube Music, facilitating a deeper engagement with the audience. This unique feature allows listeners to explore and reconnect with their favorite programs at their convenience, effectively merging live streaming with personalized digital playlists. Disrupting Traditional Broadcasting with an Always-Accessible Ad-Free Model Worship Road Radio's unique digital ecosystem enhances listener engagement by offering multiple access points for its 24/7 live stream. Whether through smartphones, phone apps, tablets, laptops, radio aggregators like Radio.net, or smart speakers (e.g., "Alexa, play Worship Road Radio"), the station ensures easy access to its ad-free content, making it the go-to source for worship music anytime, anywhere. Breaking the Mold for More Music, More Emerging Artists, and Less Interruptions Worship Road Radio distinguishes itself by offering a weekly song rotation that features over 125% more tracks than conventional Christian radio, directly addressing listener concerns about repetitive playlists. With its no-ad policy, which allows for 30% more music per hour, the station prominently features independent and emerging artists often ignored by traditional formats. Moreover, Worship Road Radio expands the definition of worship music beyond industry norms to include any song that inspires listeners to worship God. This broad and uninterrupted programming significantly enhances the listener experience, ensuring a diverse and engaging selection of music. Visionary Leadership and Commitment Founded by Scott Fehrenbacher, former CEO of the digital Christian platform Crosswalk.com and a leader in digital transformation of Christian higher education at Grand Canyon University, Worship Road Radio is more than just a radio stationit embodies a mission-driven movement. "Our goal is to forge the next digital generation of Christian radio, broadening accessibility and the diversity of music across Canada and North America," said Fehrenbacher, who also has experience on the Gospel Music Association Board of Directors. "Worship is a unifying force within the Church, and through our platform, we aim to extend this unifying power of worship music to a broader audience." About Worship Road Radio Inspired by Matthew 7:14"But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."Worship Road Radio is a pioneering non-profit initiative based in Vancouver, Canada. Operated by the Worship Road Radio Foundation, our mission is to offer an unparalleled worship music experience, free from commercial interruptions and fundraising campaigns. As Canada's first national Christian radio broadcaster, Worship Road Radio strives to connect Christ followers and worship music enthusiasts from coast to coast. Relying solely on a classic non-profit sponsorship model, we serve as a digital sanctuary, immersing listeners in the unifying power of worship music and fostering a more engaged, expansive worship community. Join the Movement Whether you are in Canada or not, to discover the future of Christian worship music and for more information about Worship Road Radio, visit WorshipRoad.com. Follow us on Spotify and YouTube Music to engage with our diverse playlists and join a community that celebrates worship without boundaries. SOURCE Worship Road Radio CONTACT: Scott Fehrenbacher, 604-992-7831, scott@worshiproad.com At least 40 people were killed and others injured after midnight Monday by Israeli bombardment in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, the Palestine TV reported. #XinhuaNews Many of the prominent Republicans showing up at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse appear to be motivated by ambition: They want to be Donald Trumps running mate, and theyre hoping the gesture of support will impress the former president. House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, doesnt appear to have any interest in his partys vice-presidential nomination. Rather, the Louisiana Republican made the trip to New York City yesterday to engage in a raw partisan display. As the Associated Press noted, Johnson became the highest-ranking Republican to show up at court, embrace the former presidents claims of political persecution and attack the U.S. system of justice. The display was, by any fair measure, obscene. The sitting speaker of the House Congress top official and a man two heartbeats from the presidency decided that it would be fully appropriate to show up at a criminal trial and allow himself to be used as a mouthpiece for a suspected felon. Johnson couldve stuck to a relatively anodyne script, telling reporters that he expects his partys presumptive 2024 nominee to ultimately be exonerated, but the GOP leader went far further, lashing out at the judge in the case, prosecutors, witnesses and even the system itself. The broader context didnt do the House speaker any favors: Johnson, a man who is largely defined by his Christian faith and socially conservative principles, was putting his credibility on the line in defense of a man who stands accused of falsifying business records in order to cover up illegal hush-money payments to a porn star whom Trump allegedly had a sexual encounter with while cheating on his third wife (a claim that Trump has denied). Or as Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin told the Daily Beast, I dont find anything unusual about a fundamentalist theocrat who thinks the Bible is the supreme law of the land attending the legal proceedings of an adjudicated sexual assailant and world-class fraudster and con-man for cooking the books to cover up hush money payments he made to a porn star to conceal his adulterous affair. Do you? Whats more, the public relations gambit looked even worse after Johnsons political operation turned his appearance in New York into a fundraising appeal. But perhaps most notable of all was the House speakers comments about his plans for the near future because as it turns out, Johnson intends to use his courthouse appearance as a springboard toward future action. The conservative Washington Times reported: In fact, Johnson accused special counsel Jack Smith of undefined abuses, adding that hes prepared to take measure to rein in prosecutors that Republicans disagree with. Speaker Johnson: Im working with Jim Jordan and James Comer on measures to rein in the abuses of Jack Smith pic.twitter.com/RHBOkUBq79 Acyn (@Acyn) May 14, 2024 Its possible, of course, that the Louisianan was just peddling hollow rhetoric, and he wont actually follow through on this in any meaningful way. But even the possibility that Johnson intends to interfere in ongoing criminal cases, going after prosecutors for their doing their jobs and following the evidence, is a case study in indefensible Republican radicalism. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Madeleine McCann should be celebrating her 21st birthday with her family this month. Instead, her devastated parents have continued to look for answers following their then-3-year-old daughters abduction from their rented vacation apartment in Portugal. Its 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us, Gerry McCann wrote on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page on May 3. Its hard to even say without shaking our heads in disbelief. The timing of the post was eerie. Just hours earlier, a British police officer was in a German courtroom testifying about a mysterious voicemail left on a Scotland Yard tip line that blew the case wide open. It marks the first time a member of law enforcement has in court shed light on what really happened, revealing how authorities initially identified their prime suspect, Christian Brueckner, whom they believe snatched and murdered Madeleine in 2007. Brueckner, 47 whos currently serving time in Germany for rape is now on trial in an unrelated case involving sex crimes he allegedly committed in the sam area of Portugal where Madeleine went missing. During proceeding on May 2, Detective Constable Mark Draycott explained how authorities obtained a key piece of evidence in the McCann case from one of Brueckners former friends who wanted to help police, he said. One of my jobs was to check the [tipline] on a daily basis, and on May 18, [2017]...there was a message, he testified, explaining that he returned the call to a Greek mobile number that was answered by ex-con Helge Lars Busching. Busching said hed been buddies with Brueckner, who lived in Portugals Algarve region from 1995 to 2007, and gave information in relation to the McCann investigation, the officer added. In-person interviews followed, first in Athens in 2017, then in London in 2018. [Busching] said he had a conversion with Christian at the Orgiva Festival in 2008. That conversation was in relation to [the McCann investigation]. I cant talk about that, the officer told the court. But Busching has already publicly shared some of what he told cops. In a 2023 interview, he recounted running into Brueckner at a Spanish music festival where he allegedly incriminated himself in Madeleines disappearance. While talking about traveling to Portugal, The topic came up and I said, Anyway, I dont understand how the little one could have disappeared without a trace. Christian had drunk two or three beers, and he said, She didnt scream. I thought, He knows that. He has something to do with it, Busching claimed. His information was passed on to German and Portuguese authorities, sparking a probe into Brueckner, whos denied talking or killing Madeleine. He was finally named an official suspect in 2022 just two weeks before the statute of limitations was set to expire. Since then, the investigation has continued last year, cops dug up campsites near the reservoir Brueckner frequented around the time Madeleine disappeared but charges have yet to be filed, leaving Madeleines parents living in limbo, they shared on May 3. And the absence still aches. The sign for a unisex bathroom at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured. The sign for a unisex bathroom at the Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) As hoax complaints protesting Utahs new transgender bathroom law continue to inundate his office, now totaling nearly 12,000, Utah Auditor John Dougall is continuing to mount his own criticisms of the law and his fellow Republicans who passed it. The issue is laying bare a divide between the auditor and Republican lawmakers as election season heats up heading into the June 25 primary. Monday evening, Dougall who is among a crowded field of five Republicans competing in the primary to replace Rep. John Curtis in Utahs 3rd Congressional District posted a video to his campaign account on X that was filmed in a bathroom. In the video, which he titled Just a day in the life of Utahs new bathroom monitor, the sound of a toilet flushing can be heard before Dougall opens the stall door. Just a day in the life of Utahs new bathroom monitor. pic.twitter.com/v2IhDoOOfn John Frugal Dougall (@VoteFrugal) May 13, 2024 Oh, hi. Are you the bathroom monitor? I actually thought the Legislature assigned me to be the bathroom monitor, Dougall says in the video. He then goes on to expand on his criticisms of the Utah Legislature and the law, which took full effect on May 1, from last week, when he aired his frustrations about its rushed passage without input from his office, which is tasked with making sure Utah schools and other agencies are complying with its new transgender facility restrictions. Its interesting, Dougall says in the video. We have a piece of legislation that the sponsor doesnt seem to actually understand. She implied that I didnt care about womens safety in bathrooms. Nothing could be further from the truth. If this bill were actually about making girls safer, you would think the Legislature would actually spend some money retrofitting bathrooms and providing greater privacy and greater safety. In addition to restricting transgender people from accessing the bathrooms and locker rooms of the gender they identify with (with some exceptions), the law also requires government agencies to include single-occupant facilities in new construction. But existing facilities are only required to study the feasibility of retrofitting them to include more unisex bathroom facilities. The GOP-controlled Utah Legislature did not include any funding along with the bill to pay for more unisex facilities, as Dougall points out. Instead, Dougall continues, it looks like this piece of the bill was really more about show than substance. But it wouldnt be the first time the Legislature did something like that, would it? Dougalls comments target HB257s sponsor, Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan, who on Thursday posted on X accusing activists who are flooding the auditors online complaint website of trying to overload the system and hide the very behavior that they claim doesnt exist. The joke is on these activists. While they waste their time, Utah will continue to protect girls and women, Birkleand posted, before taking a jab at Dougall. And I look forward to working with our next state auditor, because I know that he will take the role of protecting women seriously. We keep hearing that there are no such instances of transgender people inappropriately using bathrooms and locker rooms. And yet, the activists are spending all their time and energy to hide the very behavior that they claim doesnt exist. The attitude of these activists just https://t.co/qNRATzOIMF KeraBirk (@KeraBirk) May 9, 2024 In response to a request for additional comment from Birkeland on Tuesday, a House GOP spokesperson told Utah News Dispatch to refer to Birkelands posts on X. The bills Senate sponsor, Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, declined to comment. MAGA antics Dougalls attacks on the law and the Legislature come as he campaigns against four other Republicans in the race for Utahs 3rd Congressional District to replace Curtis, who is running for outgoing Sen. Mitt Romneys seat. Dougall was eliminated at the Utah Republican Partys state nominating convention, while delegates gave Sen. Mike Kennedy, R-Alpine the nomination. But Dougall and three other Republicans gathered enough signatures to secure their place in the primary under Utahs dual path system, so all five candidates will be on the June 25 ballot. The auditors criticisms of HB257 (which was supported by most of Utahs Republican supermajority and backed as a priority bill by GOP legislative leaders), could hurt his campaign among conservatives, but Dougall told Utah News Dispatch on Tuesday hes just focusing on his day job as auditor. The job of the auditor is to speak truth to power, Dougall said. It doesnt matter how difficult or uncomfortable it might be, my job is to call it like I see it. Im not one of those that tries to package themselves to be something that theyre not to just win an election. Dougall said his criticisms of Utahs transgender bathroom law calls out the MAGA antics of the legislation, which he said has more to do with sending a message rather than substance. We should be focused on public policy that actually makes a difference, he said. I am tired of the government portraying as if it did something, when it only gave the perception of that, and there is no actual substance to any change. It makes people feel like theyre doing something to make them safer. But its all for show. Its all theater. The laws limitations HB257 is a complex bill with many caveats: It only applies to public schools and government-owned or controlled facilities, like the Utah Capitol or city and county buildings. It does not apply to any privately owned buildings. In public schools, it restricts access to bathrooms, changing rooms and locker rooms, while in other government-owned facilities only changing rooms and locker rooms are restricted. It includes no explicit penalties to punish a transgender person for simply entering a government-owned bathroom they identify with unless there are circumstances or behavior that cause affront or alarm. It does, however, make it a crime for a person to simply enter a sex designated changing room that does not correspond with their biological sex, and they could also face increased criminal penalties for other crimes committed in that situation. It allows exceptions if a person has legally changed their birth certificate to correspond with the sex-designation of the changing room and has undergone a primary sex characteristic surgical procedure. It does not require Utahns to show documentation or paperwork to access a bathroom or privacy space. It does, however, require government entities to contact law enforcement in response to complaints or allegations of criminal behavior, which could include simply accessing a sex-designated changing room that doesnt correspond with someones biological sex. After HB257s passage, Equality Utah and the ACLU of Utah published a joint FAQ page that highlights the complexity and limitations of HB257. Despite the heated rhetoric around this legislation, our legal analysis of HB257 has determined that the scope of the new law is, in fact, more limited than the news coverage of this bill would suggest, the advocacy groups wrote. While limited and complex, the bill which changed multiple times as it quickly progressed through the Utah Legislature during the first two weeks of the 2024 session was among the most controversial, politicized and hotly debated issues. It also stoked fear and confusion among transgender people, advocates say. While the bills sponsors and its conservative supporters have argued its not meant to target transgender individuals but rather protect Utahns, especially women, from uncomfortable encounters, its critics (which included a handful of Republicans and all Democrats) argued it singles out transgender people, a small but vulnerable group, by forcing many of them to use facilities where they dont feel safe or comfortable, while casting them in a criminal light. Examples of hoax complaints On Tuesday, the Utah Auditors Office released some examples of what Dougall called the frivolous reports that continue to bombard his office in protest of Utahs transgender restrictions. Many of the online submissions contain vulgar and sexual language while criticizing the Utah law and questioning how it will be enforced. Dougall also released an audio recording of voicemails left with his office, several of which contain threatening profanity and sexual vulgarities. Dougall again said Tuesday his office has yet to identify a single legitimate complaint. He also again emphasized that the law only requires his office to investigate allegations that a government entity has failed to comply with the law and the auditors office wont investigate the actions of any private individual, nor will we investigate or determine anyones sex or gender. While the overwhelming number of frivolous complaints appear to be from those opposed to various aspects of the bill, unfortunately individuals on both sides of the broader issues still fail to understand the Offices extremely limited role in reviewing and investigating complaints regarding governmental entities, not individuals, Dougall said in a prepared statement along with the examples of hoax complaints. Sadly, some legislators who celebrate the bill as well as some legislators who condemn the bill also failed to understand the limited scope of the Offices statutory mandate. Its clear from the flood of fake complaints that people are angry with Utahs new law, Dougall said. But he added when it comes to political discourse, using vulgar or threatening language tends to be ineffective. Its honey versus vinegar, Dougall said. I usually rely on honey to help drive change, and not vinegar. Oftentimes vinegar does not (work). The caustic nature of these calls will likely not result in the change that many of these folks want. Its probably getting the opposite of what theyre actually wanting because of their antics. Dougall encouraged the laws critics to step back and say, how can they engage better to have a more productive discussion, and how could they seek to better understand what they clearly dont understand at this point? It would probably help them in their cause. But theyre not focused on that. Dougall credited his offices staff who are having to bear the brunt of the flood of submissions for doing the best job they can, especially when some reports contain threatening or obscene language. Clearly Im concerned for their safety. Im concerned about the abuse that theyve (experienced) through this process, Dougall said. He added that when the law is pitched as something that its not actually, then it adds a degree of irritants within his office, because you see that youre wasting your time on something that doesnt matter, that isnt actually in the legislation. The post MAGA antics: Utah auditor chides transgender bathroom law as hoax reports mount to nearly 12K appeared first on Utah News Dispatch. By Marta Nogueira, Sabrina Valle and Rodrigo Viga Gaier RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -The next chief executive of Petrobras, Magda Chambriard, arrives with the resume and mandate to make Brazil's state-run oil firm what it was under prior Workers Party governments: an engine of job creation and industrial development, said people familiar with the matter. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva - who used Petrobras to spur domestic shipbuilding and major refinery projects during his earlier 2002-2010 presidency - has tapped the four-decade petroleum industry veteran to reboot that vision, sources said. Petrobras shares tumbled on Wednesday on news of the CEO swap, as investors balked at the prospect of more intense capital spending that may mean sacrificing the generous dividends of recent years. The shake-up at Petrobras has also led to the exit of the chief financial officer and is expected to hit other senior execs. It may also undercut former CEO Jean Paul Prates' plans for offshore wind projects and a long-term transition to renewable energy. Chambriard got her start in the industry as a Petrobras engineer in 1980 and ran Brazilian oil and gas regulator ANP from 2012 to 2016. She will be looking to breathe fresh life into domestic shipyards, fertilizer plants, refineries, and gas lines, said three sources with knowledge of the matter. Reuters was unable to reach Chambriard for comment. She has not made public comments since being named. Brazil's struggling shipbuilding industry will be a top priority for her, said a source at Petrobras, citing Lula's frustration by the failure of Prates to revive the job-intensive sector. Chambriard and Lula have discussed proposals to create shipbuilding jobs in at least three private meetings, said a source close to Chambriard. The same source said that no plan to make changes to the company's dividend policy had come out of the meetings between Lula and Chambriard. Another pet peeve of Lula, the president has complained publicly that the firm pays too much to shareholders while not investing enough in Brazilian industry. With an expected increase in investments, dividends to shareholders will naturally fall, said the source. Chambriard served as ANP director under former President Dilma Rousseff, Lula's Workers Party successor and her personal friend, according to Allan Kardec, a former ANP director who worked closely with Chambriard at the agency for about four years. Chambriard is likely to focus on expanding oil exploration and production at Petrobras, said Kardec. He praised Chambriard's deep technical background and said she shares a vision for Petrobras - where she worked for over 20 years - with Lula and the Workers Party. Petrobras workers union FUP praised her appointment, saying she shares their views on the need to strengthen Brazil's shipbuilding industry and expand local refining capacity. Kardec and Guilherme Papaterra, who also worked with Chambriard at ANP, both said they expect her to step up controversial efforts to explore for oil in the offshore Foz do Amazonas basin, part of the so-called Equatorial Margin. The area is considered Brazil's most promising frontier for oil exploration because it shares geology with nearby Guyana, where Exxon is developing huge fields. However, environmental regulator Ibama has denied a drilling license in the area, citing concerns about the impact on the region's sensitive biome and Indigenous peoples. Chambriard will bring a more "technical view" to the debate, said Papaterra. "In this Ibama discussion, in this issue of Foz do Amazonas... she has authority." (Reporting by Marta Nogueira and Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro, Sabrina Valle in Houston; Writing by Fabio Teixeira; Editing by Brad Haynes and Rosalba O'Brien) AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) At Magnolia Cemetery, they say theyve never seen a donation like this. I dont think anyone else has done that. We might have gotten a donation of $25, $50, or something, but nothing of that magnitude, said Jerry Murphy, long time cemetery manager. On Tuesday, the commission Public Services Committee approved this memorandum of understanding, stating that Magnolia Cemetery was entitled to receive more than $26,000 from the trust of Susan Calhoun Pund Park, a Boston Woman who died two years ago. The committee accepted it without debate, not knowing who gave the money or why. Not sure. Not from here, but were happy. I guess its $25,000 coming to the cemetery, said Commissioner Sean Frantom. ALSO ON WJBF: Paine College suspends benefits for all faculty and staff She must have had a connection to the cemetery. Ill tell you that it will do wonders for that cemetery, said Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight. Though commissioners are not familiar with the Boston woman, Susan Calhoun Pund Park, was well known at Magnolia Cemetery, where she would often visit family. I rode around the cemetery with her, and she was talking about her family history. She was talking about how much she loved the cemetery. Im not really totally surprised that she would do something like that. It was a nice gesture on her part, said Murphy. Maintenance at Magnolia is getting a boost from Boston. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Maine had one of the largest decreases in overdose deaths in the nation last year At the Homeless Services Center in Portland, suboxone treatment, which is used to treat opioid dependence, is part of routine care. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Data released by the federal government on Wednesday shows that Maine had the fifth largest reduction in drug overdose deaths from December 2022 to December 2023 compared to the previous 12-month period. Still, even with that 16.1% drop in deaths, advocates say far too many Mainers are dying from overdoses, with fatalities in 2023 alone estimated at slightly over 600. Data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that overdose deaths across the nation dipped by 3% in 2023, the first reduction over an annual period since 2018. Maines decrease of 16.1% from the record number of overdose deaths the state saw in 2022 far surpassed that national average and was the fifth largest percentage reduction in the country after North Carolina, Nebraska, Indiana and Kansas. Fellow New England states Rhode Island (15.9%) and New Hampshire (13%) saw similar decreases in overdose deaths. The data from the CDC is provisional, as the agency noted that the information is incomplete and subject to change as more statistics are reported. In a news release Wednesday, Gov. Janet Mills said those provisional numbers demonstrate that Maine is heading in the right direction. This encouraging federal data shows that the policies enacted by my administration and the Legislature are making meaningful progress in our fight against the opioid epidemic, Mills said. While we are cautiously optimistic, we know our work is far from over, the governor added. We will continue to work with partners across the state to prevent substance abuse disorder, to expand treatment options for those facing addiction, and to save lives. Mills cited specific actions her administration has taken, including expanding detox options, funding increased access to medication-assisted treatment in county jails, upping treatment options for substance use disorder, increasing the number of recovery community centers, furthering the distribution of opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone, and approving an expansion of the Good Samaritan law to encourage people to call for help when someone is overdosing, among other steps. Even so, advocates in the recovery community have argued that treatment options in Maine are often still too limited. At a press conference in January, ACLU of Maine policy director Meagan Sway said research has shown that 169,000 Mainers in need cant access treatment for substance use disorder. And after the 16% drop in overdose deaths in 2023 was first reported earlier this year, members of the recovery community said its still clear the state is in the midst of a serious crisis. I think its hard to talk about this because thats still 607 people who died last year and I dont want to celebrate that whatsoever, Courtney Gary-Allen, organizing director of the Maine Recovery Advocacy Project, told Maine Morning Star in February. That being said, there is a reduction, and I think we should be proud of the work that weve all collectively done on this issue. To continue making progress on the issue, advocates like Gary-Allen pushed for a bill this session to decriminalize personal possession of illicit drugs and use the savings to improve treatment options in the state. They argued the number of deaths Maine is seeing each year shows the current approach needs to be adjusted and said that instead of criminalizing drugs which can make it harder for people to access treatment the state should view addiction as a public health issue. However, the Mills administration opposed the measure, saying it went too far at a time when street drugs are the most lethal they have ever been. The Legislature instead turned the bill into a study of decriminalization. But the measure did not receive final approval from the Senate before lawmakers adjourned last week. Advocates have also pushed for allowing the establishment of overdose prevention centers sites where people can administer previously obtained drugs under medical supervision as a way to prevent overdoses. Mills signed a bill last year to study the use of such centers. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Maine had one of the largest decreases in overdose deaths in the nation last year appeared first on Maine Morning Star. BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to let more people know about the Great Wall and engage more people in its protection to pass on the ancestors' precious heritage to future generations. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a reply letter sent Tuesday to villagers living at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall in a northern suburb of Beijing. Malden teen in custody after armed robbery in Randolph, second suspect still on the run RANDOLPH An 18-year-old Malden man was taken into custody by Randolph police in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on Monday, Chief Anthony Marag said in a written statement. Randolph police said they responded to the area of Johnson Drive at about 1:20 p.m. on Monday for a report of an armed robbery where two suspects allegedly robbed a person in a vehicle. No injuries were reported during the robbery. The two suspects then fled the scene, prompting a large police response as police searched the area. According to reporting by news partner WCVB, a witness says the suspects fled in a white car, but when they pulled into a cul-de-sac, they abandoned the car and continued on foot. A witness says the suspects fled in this white car, but when they pulled into a cul-de-sac, they abandoned the car and continued on foot. The 18-year-old Malden man, whose identity has not been released, was caught by Randolph police after a foot pursuit that same day, police said. The man allegedly stole jewelry and a cellphone from the victim, they said. Police are still searching for the second suspect, who they say fled on foot in the area of the town dump, which abuts Route 24. On Monday, May 13, a report of an armed robbery of a person in a vehicle led to a large police presence in a quiet neighborhood in Randolph. The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing helped Randolph police with the search. Officials are asking any Randolph residents to call police at 781-963-1212 if they notice any suspicious activity. This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Randolph armed robbery: Malden teen in custody, second suspect on run A 71-year-old man is facing 25 years to life in prison for the 2020 shooting death of his brother-in-law in Ventura County, authorities announced Tuesday. Prosecutors say that in late 2019 Elsworth Dennis Cadles estranged wife and daughter were living with his sister and brother-in-law, Mark Milton, but by January 2020, they planned to move into their own apartment, a news release from the Ventura County District Attorneys office stated. In order to pick up her and her daughters belongings from Cadles apartment, his estranged wife and brother-in-law rented a U-Haul truck they were also using to gather belongings from a storage unit in Moorpark rented by Milton and his wife. Cadle spotted Milton at the Moorpark self-storage unit on Jan. 3, 2020, authorities said. He then immediately rented a vehicle, retrieved his firearm and returned to the storage unit where he found his brother-in-law sitting in the cab of the U-Haul truck. Detectives investigate the fatal shooting of a man at a self storage facility in Moorpark on Jan. 3, 2020. (Credit: KTLA) Cadle shot Mr. Milton one time in the left side of the head and fled, prosecutors said. Several hours later, Cadle was taken into custody by deputies with the Ventura County Sheriffs Office, who recovered the gun in the center console of the rental car. SoCal man, 71, pleads guilty in murder of his brother-in-law The 71-year-old has since pleaded guilty to second-degree murder of Mark Milton and admitted to the special allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm resulting in death, the release stated. This is a tragic case and now that the defendant took responsibility for taking his brother-in-laws life, the family can begin to heal, Supervising Senior Deputy DA Melissa Suttner, who prosecuted the case, said. A sentencing hearing for Cadle is schedule for late June in the Ventura County Superior Court. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man accused of breaking into several Downtown Las Vegas businesses reportedly mainly targeted restaurants, according to new information police revealed in his arrest report. Jacob Williams, 33, faces 13 counts of burglary of a business after police said he broke into different businesses across downtown and the Arts District, smashing many of their doors, and taking cash or registers. Jacob Emmanuel Williams (LVMPD) Surveillance video from several of the burglaries showed a man police, believe to be Williams, wearing gloves, a mask and clothing that covered any distinguishing scars, marks, or tattoos, according to the report. In addition to the Arts District burglaries, detectives investigated several burglaries on Paradise Road and Maryland Parkway. Because of the locations of the burglaries and how the suspect disappeared from the surveillance video, officers believed the suspect of those burglaries lived in an apartment complex in the 3500 block of Paradise Road. Police were able to make a plan to locate the suspect while he was on foot, possibly casing for new targets. That plan ultimately led to police arresting Williams on May 9 for four counts of burglary of a business. Police found parts of cash drawers and registers in Williams apartment during a search, as well as clothing that matched surveillance video from the Arts District burglaries. The suspect was armed with a hammer during several of the burglaries, the report stated. When detectives arrested Williams, they found a hammer inside his backpack, according to the report. Also inside the backpack were a crowbar, a screwdriver, and a pair of red, white, and black gloves that matched the ones seen on video surveillance for several burglaries, the report stated. Because detectives found clothing that matched the suspects in the Arts District burglaries, Williams was rebooked for nine additional counts of burglary of a business. Court records indicate Williams is being held at the Clark County Detention Center. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 29. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Man accused of stealing mail tries to run over trooper and is killed, Georgia cops say Complaints about stolen mail ended with a man shot and killed, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Jason Scott Fletcher, 51, was killed Tuesday, May 14, after he was accused of trying to ram a trooper with his car during a chase involving Georgia State Patrol, the GBI said in a news release. Around 3 p.m., the Carroll County Sheriffs Office got a call about mail being stolen in Carrollton, according to investigators. Deputies spotted Fletcher in his car and tried to stop him, but he sped off, authorities said. A chase ensued, and deputies called on troopers for help, the GBI said. A trooper used stop sticks to try to deflate Fletchers tires and end the chase, authorities said. Thats when investigators said he swerved and tried to hit the trooper with his car in Roopville. The trooper opened fire, hitting Fletcher, authorities said. He was taken to a hospital, where he died, the GBI said. No officers were hurt. Authorities didnt release additional details but said the investigation is ongoing. The Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office will review the case once the GBI finishes its investigation. Roopville is about a 60-mile drive southwest from downtown Atlanta. Postal worker seen stealing cash, lottery tickets from mail on USPS footage, feds say Woman just out of jail tries to steal truck but cant drive stick shift, Colorado cops say Man ties Grindr date to bed, then robs and abandons him, California officials say JACKSON TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Police say they arrested a man after allegedly stealing over $11,000 from Huntsville Cemetery Association. The Jackson Township Police Department has charged former President/Treasurer 82-year-old Robert Bullock from Dallas for allegedly stealing funds from the Huntsville Cemetery Association. According to the Jackson Township Police Department, on January 24 police received the report of funds being stolen for the Huntsville Cemetery Association. During the investigation, police said records showed from January to November 2023 a total of $11,400 was missing from the association. Two accused of $400 retail theft at Target The release states Bullock was writing checks from the association to his private business and depositing them into his bank account. On March 1 investigators said during the Bullock interview he admitted to stealing the funds with the intent to pay the cemetery back with interest and he blamed COVID and health problems as the reason for the financial issues they have occurred. Court documents state Bullock was arraigned Wednesday on two counts of theft by unlawful taking or disposition. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. (BCN) A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a fatal shooting in Santa Rosa on Monday night, police said Wednesday. Diego Kona Kekhuna is accused of the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man outside of a home in the 700 block of Slater Street. Officers responded at 9:09 p.m. Monday to reports of the shooting and arrived to find the victim on the sidewalk, according to Santa Rosa police. He was pronounced dead and his name has not yet been released. Ivy League graduate vanishes in East Bay after running away from psych hospital Investigators determined Kekhuna arrived uninvited at a female acquaintances home and started an argument in front of the home. The male victim then came out of the home and was shot multiple times in the chest, police said. Kekhuna then allegedly hid the gun in the wheel well of a parked truck and ran away, though detectives eventually recovered the firearm at the scene. Authorities learned that Kekhuna was hiding at a family members home in Elk Grove and obtained warrants for his arrest and to search the home. At about 9 a.m. Tuesday, Santa Rosa investigators with the help of Elk Grove police served the warrants and took Kekhuna into custody without incident, police said. He was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of murder. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call a Santa Rosa police tip line at (707) 543-3590. Copyright 2024 Bay City News, Inc. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. OROSI, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a man in Orosi -while his wife was also arrested for allegedly hiding him from authorities, the Tulare County Sheriffs Office said. Deputies say they were called to the 12400 block of Avenue 413 on Dec. 9, 2023, in Orosi for a shooting victim around 10:15 p.m. Upon arrival, sheriffs officials say they found the victim, identified as Ruben Trevino, suffering from a gunshot wound. Trevino was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Throughout their investigation, sheriffs officials say their homicide detectives identified Alejandro Moreno as the murder suspect. Around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, detectives with the Tulare County Sheriffs CATTCH unit say they found Moreno hiding with family in Orosi and took him into custody without incident. Detectives say they also arrested his wife, Martha Miranda, for harboring a wanted suspect. Both suspects were booked into the Tulare County Jail. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriffs Office at 559-733-6218. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. DICKSON, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities said they have arrested a man accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian in Dickson over the weekend. The Dickson Police Department said the crash happened on Saturday, May 11 on Beasley Drive near the intersection of Cowan Road. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Authorities reported a preliminary investigation indicates that 48-year-old Joseph Simms II, of White Bluff, was walking along the roadway when he was struck from behind. Police said they responded to a welfare check on Sunday, May 12 around 6:40 a.m. and found Simms lying next to the road where he was pronounced dead. A tip allegedly led police to arrest 46-year-old Nathaniel McReynolds for his connection to the deadly crash. Putnam County couple killed in shootout with Texas officers following big rig chase McReynolds was arrested on Sunday, May 12 for an unrelated violation probation charge. After further investigation, additional warrants charging McReynolds with aggravated vehicular homicide, driving on a revoked license, driving without a drivers license, and driving without an ignition interlock device were obtained. According to detectives, McReynolds license was revoked due to a previous DUI conviction, which required him to use an ignition interlock device in order to get a drivers license. The vehicle that hit Simms was reportedly sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Forensic Services Division. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com An investigation into the deadly crash continues and additional charges may be pursued, officials said. Anyone who might have seen a man walking along Beasley Drive, or lying on the south side of the roadway from 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11 to 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 12 is asked to call the Dickson Police Department at 615-441-9527. Information can also be given to the departments tipline at 615-441-9555. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A man from Minnesota has been charged with the sexual abuse of his subordinate at the United States Army Fort Irwin National Training Center in San Bernardino County. Kelly Boylan, 54, faces one count each of sexual abuse without consent and abusive sexual contact, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Prosecutors say that in July 2020, Boylan sexually assaulted his female subordinate with the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, and degrade her, and to arouse and gratify Boylans sexual desire. Boylan has pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled to begin July 8, and if convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. ANKARA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkish airstrikes have "neutralized" 12 members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in a cross-border operation in northern Iraq, the Turkish Defense Ministry said Wednesday. In a statement, the ministry said the PKK militants had been "neutralized" in the Gara and Hakurk regions of northern Iraq. Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralize" in their statements to imply the alleged "terrorists" have either surrendered, been killed, or been captured. Turkish forces often carry out cross-border operations in northern Iraq against the PKK militants, especially in the Qandil Mountains, the main base of the group. A total of 376 PKK members have been killed in northern Iraq so far this year, said the Turkish Defense Ministry in early May. In a change of policy, the Iraq National Security Council banned the PKK in mid-March. The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has rebelled against the Turkish government for more than three decades. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 21-year-old man has died after an altercation led to a shooting Tuesday evening, May 14 in East El Paso, El Paso Police Departments (EPPD) Public Information Officer Detective Judy Oviedo said. 21-year-old man dead after shooting in East El Paso Oviedo said just after 7 p.m., officers responded to the 10535 block of Montwood Drive at the Vista Village Apartments parking lot on a reported shooting. Oviedo said officers discovered Bryan Castillo, 21, who had been shot. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries. Oviedo said the shooting stemmed from a verbal altercation between two groups of people. Oviedo said they currently do not know what caused the altercation and the Crimes Against Persons unit is currently investigating the incident. Oviedo did confirm one of the groups of people consisted of two men, a woman, and a small child. Oviedo said no one has been arrested regarding the incident and is asking the public to call EPPD or Crime Stoppers of El Paso if they have any information on this incident. Oviedo also said they believe this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public. Additionally, EPPD says this is the eigth reported murder for 2024 compared to seven reported murders at the time in 2023. Anyone with any information on this case can call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at (915) 566-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.cselpaso.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Man found guilty for 2022 deadly wrong-way crash on I-435 in Overland Park OLATHE, Kan. A 32-year-old Lenexa, Kansas man is convicted for causing a wrong-way crash on Interstate 435 in Overland Park that left an Independence man dead in December of 2022. A Johnson County jury on Wednesday found Matthew J. Ryan guilty of reckless second-degree murder. See the latest forecast, maps and radar for Kansas City On Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, investigators responded to westbound I-435 where witnesses told officers a wrong-way driver entered the highway traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes and struck a vehicle. After the impact, the suspect vehicle continued westbound and collided with another vehicle head-on that was traveling eastbound approaching Quivira Road. City of Fairway honors fallen Officer Jonah Oswald for Police Week The driver of the second vehicle, identified as 42-year-old Karl Wurtenberger of Independence, Missouri, was pronounced dead on the scene. Ryan is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. NEW YORK (PIX11) A man was found guilty of sexually assaulting a minor and raping a woman on Randalls Island in 2019, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced on Wednesday. Terence Banks, 57, was convicted of four counts of predatory sexual assault, two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. More Local News Banks sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl who was skateboarding on July 27, 2019 and raped a 47-year-old woman near Randall Islands beach less than a month later on Aug. 22, according to court documents. The NYPDs Manhattan Special Victims Squad arrested Banks on Oct. 1, 2019. Sentencing is scheduled for July 19, 2024. 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). 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) An Illinois man who authorities say came to Michigan, sexually abused a 12-year-old and then took her back to his home has been sentenced to a federal prison. Eduardo Torres, 26, of Waukegan, was sentenced to 17.5 years behind bars and five years of supervised release. Federal authorities say Torres met the girl online and built a relationship with her using Snapchat. Then in April of last year, he drove to Berrien Springs to meet her, sexually assaulted her and recorded it. He then took her back to Waukegan. He ultimately pleaded guilty in December to sexual exploitation of a child. The U.S. Attorneys Office said Torres got to his victim the same way as many other predators: through the internet. The devices that nearly every child and teenager now carry leave kids vulnerable to criminals down the street, across state lines, and around the world, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said a Wednesday statement. I strongly urge parents, guardians, and loved ones to educate their kids about online dangers, stay aware of their social media activities, and create a trusting relationship where kids are willing to share if something goes wrong. The FBI has information online about how to protect your children from abuse. To report abuse, call your local police or the FBI at 1.800.CALL.FBI. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Man killed after being hit by train in Florence FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A person was killed early Wednesday morning after being struck by an Amtrak passenger train, Florence County Coroner Keith von Lutcken said. It happened about 3:30 a.m. near the Southpark Shopping Center crossing. Von Lutcken said the person is presumed to be homeless, and his identity was not immediately known. Train 97 was traveling from New York to Miami when it struck the person, Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods said. There were 162 people on board, and no injuries to anyone else were reported. Amtrak said its working with the Florence Police Department to investigate the incident. Preventing accidents and fatalities on the railroad is a priority for Amtrak, Woods said. The Federal Railroad Administration says trespassing along railroad rights-of-way is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America. These incidents can affect everyone involved those who are injured or die and their families, our train crews and our passengers. They also serve as critical reminders about the importance of obeying the law and of exercising extreme caution around railroad tracks and grade crossings, Woods said. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. A man was killed in a shooting in New Castle on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency crews were called to a home in the 1400 block of East Washington Street at 4:17 p.m. Once on scene, police found a man dead on the back porch. He was shot in the chest. I was shocked when I heard the guns go off, said neighbor John Donofrio. Donofrio lives at a care home a few doors down. He walks along East Washington every day. He said he heard the gunfire and saw a helicopter circling the area. I was getting ready to walk down here and I heard the gunshots, said Donofrio. Police chief Dave Cumo said preliminary evidence indicates that a group of young adults were outside being loud. A neighbor allegedly got angry and shot at them several times. At least one person in the group shot at the neighbor. Just a sad situation, said Raymond Rice. Rice said he was friends with the man who passed away. He also said its normally quiet in this part of town.That never happens in this neighborhood. This is a pretty safe neighborhood. You dont hear gunshots like that at all. I think thats way people were in a panic, said Rice. There are still many questions about what happened. New Castle police are working on the case and the chief said they its an ongoing investigation. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: 4th person charged in Rivers Casino cheating ring New tool from Pennsylvania Department of Health shows where ticks are prevalent N.Y. woman charged in scam that tricked Clairton man out of $19,000 VIDEO: Fallen Police Chief Justin McIntire, Officer Sean Sluganski honored, added to national memorial DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts KANSAS CITY, Kan. A 38-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man is sentenced for the June 2023 deadly shooting of 34-year-old Thomas Wheeler. Mahir Alihodzic was sentenced Wednesday in Wyandotte County court to five years and one month with the Kansas Department of Corrections. FBI is searching for a U.S. bank robbery suspect in North Kansas City He was taken into custody in August of 2023 by U.S. Marshals and Kansas City, Kansas police officers and charged with second-degree murder. The shooting took place just before 9:30 p.m. on June 5, 2023 near N. 5th Street and Elizabeth Avenue in the KCKs Strawberry Hill neighborhood. View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 Officers found a man, later identified as Wheeler, with gunshot wounds lying in the alley. He was taken to an area hospital where he later died from his injuries. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Man sentenced to life in prison without parole for 2022 deadly stabbing at Florence County motel FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A Florence County jury convicted 56-year-old Willie James Smith of murder Wednesday after the 2022 deadly stabbing of his roommate and co-worker, James McNamara. Smiths trail began on Monday, the 12th Circuit Solicitors Office said in a news release. He was arrested June 9, 2022; after calling 911 and telling them he stabbed his roommate and co-worker to death. An autopsy revealed that McNamara had been stabbed three times in the neck and died due to massive blood loss, the release said. After being convicted, Smith was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by presiding judge H. Steven Deberry. The case was prosecuted by 12th Circuit Assistant Solicitor J. Ryan White, the 12th Circuit Solicitors Office said. This is one of the most brutal killings I have ever prosecuted, Assistant Solicitor White said. The brutality of this crime was only matched by the sheer senseless nature of this killing. The defendant had a prior conviction for murder, and I felt compelled to do all that I could to ensure he doesnt get another opportunity to take an innocent life. Before Smiths sentence was imposed, White informed the judge that Smith had a pending murder charge from North Carolina. The warrant was served on Smith after his arrest for McNamaras murder in Florence County, the release said. White is the violent crime prosecutor within the 12th Circuit Solicitors Office who prosecutes violent crimes such as murder committed in Florence and Marion Counties, the release said. * * * Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylors work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Juraj Cintula, a 71-year-old man who reportedly shot Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, may be connected with Slovenski Branci, a pro-Russian militarised group. Source: European Pravda, citing investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi Details: Panyi tweeted two screenshots of Facebook posts by Slovenski Branci which show the same man who made the attempt on Ficos life. Wow. Looks like Slovak PM Robert Fico's reported assailant, writer Juraj Cintula, was associated with pro-Russian paramilitary group Slovenski Branci (SB). Their leader was even trained by Russian ex-Spetsnaz soldiers. Read more on @VSquare_Project https://t.co/2IzSHwq54d pic.twitter.com/M9fgp186R3 Szabolcs Panyi (@panyiszabolcs) May 15, 2024 Slovenski Branci is an unregistered paramilitary group that has been active in Slovakia since 2012. Journalists have reported that the organisation cooperated with the Slovak branch of the Night Wolves biker gang, and its members were trained by former members of Russian special forces (Spetsnaz). Slovenski Branci officially announced their dissolution in October 2022, without specifying the reasons why. Background: On 15 May, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot after a government meeting and taken to hospital. Eyewitnesses say the prime minister approached some people who had greeted him, and that is when several shots were fired. The government leader then fell to the ground. An official statement regarding the attempt on his life has been posted on Ficos Facebook account. The post states that his condition is "life-threatening". Support UP or become our patron! Man stabbed in the neck in Lower East Side subway station: NYPD LOWER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) A man was stabbed early Wednesday morning inside a Lower East Side subway station, according to the NYPD. It happened at the Delancey Street-Essex Street subway station around 5:30 a.m. The man was stabbed in the neck and lower back after he and the suspect got into a fight, according to authorities. Mayor Adams under fire for suggesting migrants are excellent swimmers The victim was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. Police describe the suspect as a man in a white hoodie, who fled to the street after the stabbing. 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). 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The past few weeks saw repeated ill-intentioned comments from some U.S. officials to challenge the authority of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, noting that those comments distort the facts and history, tread on international law and the basic norms of international relations, and breach the U.S. own commitment. Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily press briefing in response to a relevant query that Taiwan has been part of China since ancient times. This is a historical fact; it is also the international consensus. The 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulated that Taiwan, a Chinese territory stolen by Japan, shall be restored to China. These documents with international legal effect formed an integral part of the post-WWII international order and also affirmed Taiwan's status as China's inalienable territory from a legal perspective. He noted that on October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority. The Resolution resolved once and for all the question of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations as a political, legal and procedural issue. It made clear that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is a part of China, not a country. It also made clear that there is only one seat of China in the United Nations, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal representative, precluding "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan," Wang said. The United States is a signatory to the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, the spokesperson noted that in the three China-U.S. joint communiques, the U.S. side clearly states that "the government of the United States of America recognizes China's position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of China." U.S. leaders have, on multiple occasions, reaffirmed the commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." However, the U.S. is now publicly questioning and misinterpreting UNGA Resolution 2758, fudging and hollowing out the one-China principle, and trumpeting for the participation of Taiwan in the UN system which requires sovereign statehood. The spokesperson said what the U.S. is doing violates its own commitment and aims to turn back the wheel of history. Wang stressed that the U.S. distortion and slander of UNGA Resolution 2758 is reminiscent of the U.S. recent claim that UNSC Resolution 2728 demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is "non-binding." Both cases reflect the U.S. selective approach to international law and the basic norms of international relations, and U.S. bullying and double standards. However, gone are the days when hegemony and power politics dominated international relations. Any country, including the U.S., that tries to challenge the UNGA Resolution and the one-China principle will only find it futile, Wang said, noting that fifty-three years ago, before UNGA Resolution 2758 was adopted with an overwhelming majority, the U.S. came up with the so-called "dual representation" proposal in an attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" which was discarded. Today, any U.S. attempt to go against the trend of the times, play the "Taiwan card" and use Taiwan to contain China will only end up in greater failure. Atlanta police are searching for a man they said stole several items from an apartment complex mailroom. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On May 7, just after 8:30 a.m., Atlanta officers were called to the Windsor Old Fourth Ward apartments on Ralph McGill Boulevard regarding a burglary call. When police arrived, the property manager said a man went inside the building between 8 p.m. on April 27 and 9 a.m. on April 28. APD said the suspect gained access to the mailroom and a storage closet where he stole several items including multiple packages and construction tools. TRENDING STORIES: The suspect is described as wearing a hooded sweatshirt with multi-colored pants, black and tan boots and a black cap with red gloves. Anyone with information can contact the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-8477, submit an online tip or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Tipsters do not have to give their names or identifying information to be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Man strangles girlfriends dad with dog leash, hides body in sleeping bag, OR cops say A 24-year-old is going to prison after being accused of killing his girlfriends dad, Oregon officials said. In October 2022, police in Portland responded after getting reports of a sleeping bag near the side of a road emitting a strong stench, according to court documents. When officers opened the bag, they found a decomposing body, documents stated. The body was identified as 54-year-old James Orlando Harris, according to a May 14 news release by the Multnomah County District Attorney. We miss him. We feel his absence from our lives, and it still doesnt feel real. We still expect him to come through the door, saying, Hey guys, whats up? But we know we wont hear that again, Harris obituary said. Its unfair. Its cruel. Surveillance footage captured Zachary Hackman stopping at a 7-Eleven for a soda before entering Harris residence, documents said. Later, video footage showed Hackman leaving the home carrying a heavy large tote with the help of Harris daughter LoraJean Harris, court documents said. Harris daughter told officers she didnt know she had helped Hackman dump her dads body until afterwards, documents stated. According to Harris daughter, Hackman told her hed strangled her dad with a dog leash after putting a plastic bag over his head, documents said. He said he killed Harris because he was a bad man. Harris daughter told officers she lied about her knowledge of the murder out of fear of what her family would think and because she thought Hackman would hurt her, officials said. Our family is missing a piece. Time can only do so much, but it wont repair it. He was a part of the family that cannot be replaced, the obituary said. Hackman entered a plea agreement and was sentenced to 19 years in prison on manslaughter and abuse of a corpse charges, prosecutors said. Duo wraps wire around veterans neck, stabs him, officials said. Now man heads to jail Man ties Grindr date to bed, then robs and abandons him, California officials say Accused gunman buries dead man, poses as kidnapper to victims girlfriend, CA cops say Man suffers life-threatening injury after being shot on Easy Street: Mobile Police MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A man is fighting for his life after being shot on Easy Street early Tuesday morning, according to the Mobile Police Department. An MPD release said officers were called to the 5000 block of Easy Street just after midnight Tuesday for a report of a shooting. Mobile woman found guilty in 2020 Main Street Food Mart homicide SHOOTING LOCATION: This embedded content is not available in your region. Officers arrived at the scene and found that a man had been shot, according to the release. Police said the man was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The investigation remains ongoing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Man suspected of DUI crashes into tree in DTLA A minivan swerving on the wrong side of the road in downtown Los Angeles crashed into the side of a tree early Tuesday, trapping the driver in whats believed to be a suspected DUI. Video from the scene showed the driver being loaded into an ambulance, transporting him to a local hospital. The crash was reported around 1:45 a.m., as the driver reportedly ran red lights and slammed the minivan into a tree. Firefighters pulled the driver from the wreckage, bloodied and battered, using the jaws of life to free the man from the minivan. The collision happened near the 800 block of West Cesar Chavez Avenue. Los Angeles Police Department Officer Rosario Cervantes told KTLA there are no further details of the incident. The crash is currently under investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Man with ties to Columbus added to FBIs most wanted list COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The FBI is searching for an alleged swatter, who could possibly be located in central Ohio. According to the FBI, Brayden Grace, 18, is wanted for his alleged involvement in conspiring to place and causing to be placed, swatting calls to multiple police and emergency departments across the Unites States, including one in which he threatened to blow up Hollywood Casino in west Columbus. Agents are reportedly searching for Grace, who is currently on the FBIs Most Wanted list, in eastern Ohio and in northeast Columbus. Ohio State trustees to vote on tuition increases for upcoming fall The FBI said Grace, along with other conspirators, were part of an online group known as Purgatory, which reportedly placed swatting calls between Dec. 10 and Jan. 18. The group is believed to have used multiple online social media platforms, including Telegram and Instagram, to coordinate and plan their alleged swatting activities. This embedded content is not available in your region. On April 20, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Grace, who is from Columbus and may be in the area of Morse Road and Karl Road near the Clinton Estates neighborhood. He is charged with conspiracy, interstate stalking, interstate threatening communication and interstate threat involving fire or explosives. Courtesy Photos/Federal Bureau of Investigation Courtesy Photo/Federal Bureau of Investigation The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Maryland said that Grace, along with Owen Jarboe, of Hagerstown, Maryland, and Evan Strauss, of Moneta, Virginia, and others would use the social media platforms to coordinate and plan their swatting activities and announce swats that they had conducted. The suspects would often use shared scripts to obfuscate their phone numbers and identities. Marion woman ejected from car in fatal crash Grace and his co-conspirators are allged to have been involved in the following, according to the superseding indictment: A threat to burn down a residential trailer park in Alabama A shooting threat against a teacher and unnamed students at a high school in the state of Delaware A shooting and bomb threat to the Albany International Airport in New York A shooting and bomb threat against Hollywood Casino in Columbus, Ohio A multiple homicide event and shooting threat against individuals in a residence in Eastman, Georgia. According to court documents, Grace called Hollywood Casino on Jan. 5 under the moniker bit coin and threatened a shooting and burning down the building unless he received $100,000 in cash and a helicopter. Grace is described as 5 feet 9 and 160 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. In addition to Columbus, he reportedly also has ties to North Lima, Ohio. This embedded content is not available in your region. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in federal prison for each count of conspiracy, cyberstalking and interstate threat and a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on each charge to damage or destroy by means of fire and explosive. Anyone with information is asked to contact your the FBI office in Cincinnati at (513) 421-4310. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. LINDEN, Texas (KETK) An arrest warrant has been issued for a man after a shooting Monday night at a ballpark in Linden and authorities said he is considered armed and dangerous. Man injured after shooting at Lufkin intersection According to Linden PD, no one was struck in the shooting but damage was done to a car. An arrest warrant for felony deadly conduct was issued for 37-year-old Caradarow Hill, of Hughes Springs. He is believed to drive a blue Chevy Tahoe. Anyone with information on his location is asked to contact law enforcement. The investigation was conducted by the Cass County Sheriffs Office, Hughes Springs Police Department and the Linden Police Department. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Police officers work at the scene of a ramming attack that took place late this morning at a toll booth in Incarville in the Eure region of northern France. Police officers were killed and others injured in an attack on a prisoner transport in the north of France. Alain Jocard/AFP/dpa A huge manhunt continues in France for the gunmen who ambushed a prison van, shot dead two guards in the vehicle, and then set free the inmate known as "The Fly" who was being transported. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, speaking on broadcaster RTL, described the search as "unprecedented" and said that all resources were being deployed to find the assailants who staged the brazen attack that unfolded in northern France on Tuesday. A car rammed the van carrying the prisoner, forcing it to come to a stop near a highway tollbooth near Incarville. Then another vehicle with gunmen inside came up from behind. The perpetrators got outside of their cars and opened fire on the van using machine guns. One of the guards killed leaves behind two children, while the other has a wife who is five months pregnant, authorities said. Three other people were injured. The prisoner was then able to flee together with four attackers. The 30-year-old, nicknamed "The Fly," was previously sentenced to 18 months in prison for burglary and aggravated theft, among other offences. He is also accused of premeditated murder and deprivation of liberty in other cases. French media reported that he had contacts with organized crime and that not long before Tuesday's attack he tried to saw through the bars in his cell to free himself. Two cars have since been found a few kilometres away from the scene, which could be the escape vehicles. However, there was no trace of the perpetrators. The prisoner transport was not escorted by the police. Unions are now calling for better protection for prison officers and more staff. A forensic doctor works as police officers patrol the scene of a ram raid that took place late this morning at a toll booth in Incarville in the Eure region of northern France. Police officers were killed and others injured in an attack on a prisoner transport in the north of France. Alain Jocard/AFP/dpa Police officers work at the site of a ramming attack that took place late this morning at a toll booth in Incarville in the Eure region of northern France. Police officers were killed and others injured in an attack on a prisoner transport in the north of France. Alain Jocard/AFP/dpa Police officers work at the scene of a ramming attack that took place late this morning at a toll booth in Incarville in the Eure region of northern France. Police officers were killed and others injured in an attack on a prisoner transport in the north of France. Alain Jocard/AFP/dpa A huge manhunt continues in France for the gunmen who ambushed a prison van, shot dead two guards in the vehicle, and then set free a prisoner known as "The Fly." Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, speaking on broadcaster RTL, described the search as "unprecedented." Interpol issued an alert for the man on Wednesday. Darmanin said that all resources were being deployed to find the assailants who staged the brazen attack that unfolded in northern France on Tuesday. A car rammed the van carrying the prisoner, forcing it to come to a stop near a highway tollbooth near Incarville. Then another vehicle with gunmen inside came up from behind. The perpetrators got outside of their cars and opened fire on the van using machine guns. One of the guards killed leaves behind two children, while the other has a wife who is five months pregnant, authorities said. Three other people were injured. The prisoner was then able to flee together with four attackers. The 30-year-old, nicknamed "The Fly," was previously sentenced to 18 months in prison for burglary and aggravated theft, among other offences. He is also accused of premeditated murder and deprivation of liberty in other cases. French media reported that he had contacts with organized crime and that not long before Tuesday's attack he tried to saw through the bars in his cell to free himself. Two cars have since been found a few kilometres away from the scene, which could be the escape vehicles. However, there was no trace of the perpetrators. The prisoner transport was not escorted by the police. Unions are now calling for better protection for prison officers and more staff. The prisoner transport was not escorted by the police. Trade unions are now calling for better protection for prison officers and more staff and held protests outside prisons nationwide. A forensic doctor works as police officers patrol the scene of a ram raid that took place late this morning at a toll booth in Incarville in the Eure region of northern France. Police officers were killed and others injured in an attack on a prisoner transport in the north of France. Alain Jocard/AFP/dpa Police officers work at the site of a ramming attack that took place late this morning at a toll booth in Incarville in the Eure region of northern France. Police officers were killed and others injured in an attack on a prisoner transport in the north of France. Alain Jocard/AFP/dpa A visitor films a painting at "the Yellow River Civilization Embracing the Egyptian Civilization" exhibition in Cairo, Egypt, on May 14, 2024. From roaring tigers to delicate purple flowers, a fresh exhibition has captivated visitors in Cairo with works by artists from east China's Shandong Province. Organized by Shandong Painting Academy, "the Yellow River Civilization Embracing the Egyptian Civilization" exhibition was unveiled on Tuesday at the China Cultural Center in Cairo. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) CAIRO, May 15 (Xinhua) -- From roaring tigers to delicate purple flowers, a fresh exhibition has captivated visitors in the Egyptian capital of Cairo with works by artists from east China's Shandong Province. Organized by Shandong Painting Academy, "the Yellow River Civilization Embracing the Egyptian Civilization" exhibition was unveiled on Tuesday at the China Cultural Center in Cairo. Shandong, with the Yellow River flowing through, has played a major role in Chinese history as Chinese civilization began along the lower reaches of the Yellow River. Standing at the crossroads of tradition and progress, Shandong Province has nurtured many contemporary artists. Egyptian artist Waleed Kanoush, head of the Fine Arts Sector at Egypt's Ministry of Culture, expressed his admiration for the artistic features of Shandong paintings. "It is a distinguished art exhibition that represents an important overview of the arts and civilization of the great people of China, enhancing the knowledge of the Egyptian public with a very special aspect of creativity," said Kanoush during the event's opening ceremony. "It also embodies an image of cooperation and friendship between the two peoples, which flourishes day after day at all levels," he said, hailing the Egyptian-Chinese cooperation in the cultural and artistic fields. Over 20 paintings by renowned Chinese painters were exhibited, including "Tiger Roar in the Bamboos" by Liu Yang, "Purple Flowers" by Li Encheng, "The Rainy Season" by Wu Lei, and "Living in Mountains" by Chang Zhaohui, all of which portrayed unique aspects of Shandong. Chang emphasized the importance of art as a cultural bridge between countries, expressing his happiness with the favorable response of Egyptian visitors to the Shandong paintings. "Egyptian-Chinese relations have a long history. We came to the exhibition to display traditional Chinese paintings and introduce Chinese culture and arts to Egyptians," the Chinese painter told Xinhua during the exhibition. Menna Adel, an 18-year-old who studies Chinese at the Confucius Institute of Ain Shams University in Cairo, said that such cultural activities and galleries help her learn more about Chinese culture and improve her Chinese speaking through communication with native speakers at the same time. "The paintings are so beautiful. I love Chinese culture and art, so I've chosen to study the language. I am interested in attending such Chinese cultural activities in order to learn more about the Chinese civilization and master the Chinese language," she added. "I see that the Chinese and the Egyptian peoples have many things in common in terms of customs, traditions, and ancient civilizations," the Egyptian student told Xinhua. The exhibition's inauguration ceremony attracts Egyptian students, professors, and cultural and educational officials. Officials from Shandong Province and senior diplomats from the Chinese embassy in Cairo also attended the ceremony. "Today, Shandong, as an important spot for the heritage of the Yellow River civilization, brings artistic creations originated from the banks of the Yellow River to Egypt," Zhang Tao, minister and deputy chief of mission of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, told the attendees. "I hope that artists from both countries will create more masterpieces that reflect the friendship between China and Egypt and continue to inject new impetus to enhance the mutual understanding between the two peoples," said the Chinese diplomat. People view paintings at "the Yellow River Civilization Embracing the Egyptian Civilization" exhibition in Cairo, Egypt, on May 14, 2024. From roaring tigers to delicate purple flowers, a fresh exhibition has captivated visitors in Cairo with works by artists from east China's Shandong Province. Organized by Shandong Painting Academy, "the Yellow River Civilization Embracing the Egyptian Civilization" exhibition was unveiled on Tuesday at the China Cultural Center in Cairo. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) A visitor takes photos of a painting at "the Yellow River Civilization Embracing the Egyptian Civilization" exhibition in Cairo, Egypt, on May 14, 2024. From roaring tigers to delicate purple flowers, a fresh exhibition has captivated visitors in Cairo with works by artists from east China's Shandong Province. Organized by Shandong Painting Academy, "the Yellow River Civilization Embracing the Egyptian Civilization" exhibition was unveiled on Tuesday at the China Cultural Center in Cairo. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) People view a painting at "the Yellow River Civilization Embracing the Egyptian Civilization" exhibition in Cairo, Egypt, on May 14, 2024. From roaring tigers to delicate purple flowers, a fresh exhibition has captivated visitors in Cairo with works by artists from east China's Shandong Province. Organized by Shandong Painting Academy, "the Yellow River Civilization Embracing the Egyptian Civilization" exhibition was unveiled on Tuesday at the China Cultural Center in Cairo. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) People attend "the Yellow River Civilization Embracing the Egyptian Civilization" exhibition in Cairo, Egypt, on May 14, 2024. From roaring tigers to delicate purple flowers, a fresh exhibition has captivated visitors in Cairo with works by artists from east China's Shandong Province. Organized by Shandong Painting Academy, "the Yellow River Civilization Embracing the Egyptian Civilization" exhibition was unveiled on Tuesday at the China Cultural Center in Cairo. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) A man who was discharged from the Marine Corps on Friday after serving for less than a year was arrested Monday for making online threats to kill white people. Former Pfc. Joshua Cobb, 23, of Trenton, New Jersey, was charged via complaint with one count of transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey said in a news release. Records of the alleged threats start in December 2022, when a social media user with an IP address linked to Cobbs residence in New Jersey declared he was planning to erase white people in a shooting, according to the complaint. Chinese national detained after breaking onto Marine base in California I want to cause mayhem on the white community, the user wrote. The reason i specifically want to target white people is because as a black male, they will NEVER understand my struggles. On another social platform, a user who went by the name 1dayUsuffer posted in spring 2023 of his hope of becoming a serial killer. The user made several posts expressing a desire to commit mass violence, and said the posts would serve as evidence and clues for when im done. Id probably (overdose) on my own adrenaline after the 10th body goes down, he wrote in one post. In another post, the user said he had killed his cat with a crossbow. Very bloody scene and I loved it, he wrote. The user described a family history of schizophrenia but said he refused to get evaluated lest he lose his firearms license. FBI agents later used IP addresses and other clues to link Cobb to the account, the complaint said. In June 2023, Cobb started boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, Marine spokeswoman 2nd Lt. Giselle Cancino said in an emailed statement to Marine Corps Times on Tuesday. He became a private first class in September 2023. He checked into Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, in February, as a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, according to Cancino. FBI agents seized Cobbs phone and interviewed him on the California base April 2, according to the complaint. During the interview, Cobb admitted he had written the posts, and he specified the gym and grocery store he had considered as targets for an attack, the complaint said. He told the FBI agents he had access to guns through people he knew, including a relative who legally owned firearms. When FBI agents informed him that his cellphone was being seized, Cobb became irate and said, These are the things that make someone want to do the things we talked about, according to the complaint. On his phone were notes from April 2023 and May 2023 expressing his desire to kill and detailing how to bring guns into New Jersey, according to the complaint. The Marine Corps discharged Cobb on Friday, according to Cancino, who did not specify the nature of the discharge. During his brief time in the Marine Corps, Cobb received a Certificate of Commendation but no personal awards, and he did not deploy, the spokeswoman said. Cobb has been in federal custody since his arrest Monday, according to court records. His bail hearing is set to occur this Friday. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the news release. Saverio Viggiano, a federal public defender with the District of New Jersey who is representing Cobb, said the public defender office doesnt comment on cases. A 38-year-old Marion woman died in a single-vehicle crash Tuesday just before midnight on state Route 95. Shawna Kelson of Marion died after being ejected from her vehicle, according to a news release from the Marion Post of the State Highway Patrol. Kelson was traveling southbound on Route 95 when her 2013 Chevrolet Malibu traveled left of the centerline and off the left side of the roadway, according to the release, which notes the vehicle struck a tree and a utility pole before coming to rest. Kelson was ejected from the vehicle. She was taken by Scioto Valley EMS to Marion General Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. Kelson was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, according to the patrol. OHIO HIGHWAY PATROL LOGO The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Marion County Sheriffs Office, Scioto Valley Fire and EMS, Marion Township Fire and EMS, Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative and Eds 24 Hour Towing. The crash remains under investigation. This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Single-vehicle crash claims life of Marion woman Tuesday night First, you see the enraged bright chestnut flames blazing through Paris medieval Catholic cathedral. Then you notice the flames race to demolish the Cathedrale Notre-Dames tall wooden spire as grand clouds of smoke fill the air. The burning exemplar of French Gothic architecture lights up the skies while the YouTube video plays a superimposed audio clip of a man yelling Allahu Akbar, which is Arabic for God is Great. The video a fake quickly spread on social media, along with related conspiracy theories from far-right influencers like Richard Spencer and Jack Posobiec, who falsely suggested that Muslims were to blame for the fire. Also, promoting an Islamophobic spin on what investigators say was an accidental fire? North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a pro-Trump Republican who is now his partys nominee to lead the state. Notre Dame was a historic cathedral that caught fire and burned accidentally. The other suspicious fires and acts of vandalism at houses of worship across France have no connection whatsoever to the Notre Dame fire, Robinson wrote in an April 2019 Facebook post. The same day, Robinson continued implying that Islam was to blame for the fire.Based on current trends I guess Churches, Easter, Easter Worshipers will have to be banned to prevent future attacks by Mus I mean Militants, he wrote. To be clear, there is no evidence that Notre Dame was a victim of arson. Investigators suggest two possible culprits: a short circuit in the electrical system or a cigarette. But Robinson has a long history of using his Facebook page to make inflammatory and indeed bigoted comments about news and politics, some of which has been previously reported. Just four years ago, when Robinson was running for his current position of lieutenant governor, he said he would absolutely like to return to a time when the 19th Amendment did not exist. I absolutely want to go back to the America where women couldnt vote, Robinson said at a March 2020 event hosted by the Republican Women of Pitt County. Robinsons record of bigoted comments has given Democrats hope that they can win this cycle. Polls suggest his Democratic rival, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, currently enjoys a narrow lead in a state that went for Donald Trump in 2020 by fewer than 80,000 votes. While Robinsons use of Facebook has garnered attention before, a review of his page shows numerous inflammatory comments that have not been previously reported. For example, in an April 2016 post he appeared to be open about his distaste for religious and sexual minorities: Who came up with the words homophobic and Islamophobic? Im not afraid of Islam or men. Robinson has drawn unfavorable parallels between LGBTQ people and Muslim people before. The question is not When is the last time you saw anyone but a Muslim holding a severed head and smiling, he wrote in a 2017 Facebook post. The question is, when is the last time you saw a Muslim protesting against a Muslim who severed a head, or bombed a shopping mall, or ran down a group of humans with a truck, or shot up a nightclub, or burned someone alive..... In another, 2014 post, he wrote: Note to all gays considering coming out; You wanna be a hero or show how brave you are? Come out in a Muslim nation. See how that works out for you. #somebodywillgetsomehead. The hashtag in question certainly isnt the 55-year-old evangelical Christians only foray into risque humor. Over the years, Robinson, whose weapon of choice seems to be Facebook posts, has revealed an alarming pattern of hate and conspiracy. The first Black man to hold the office of lieutenant governor in North Carolina has left a large digital footprint filled with disinformation In 2016, Robinson shared a meme asserting that President Barack Obama was cousins with the Islamic State, premised on the false claim, popular in conservative circles, that the Democrat was secretly a Muslim. The post read: Beating these guys is gonna be tough, as long as one of their cousins is in the White House. In response to a comment, Robinson said he didn't stumble across the image. "I make them," he said. Another meme Robinson posted said: The barbarians are at the gate, referring to ISIS. It was paired with a photo of Obama and the text: This fool is trying to find a way to let them in. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Robinson frequently returned to the subject of Islam, at times using it to deflect from criticism of Trump and the Republican base. I've said this once and I'm saying it again; Some of you damned idiots will still be making excuses for these radical Muslims as they are cutting your empty heads off, he wrote in a January 2017 Facebook post. In another, he posted, The same idiots who claim angry whites put Trump in office, are the same idiots who REFUSE to acknowledge the ANGRY RADICAL MUSLIM TERRORIST who hack off heads, blow people up, and run over people with trucks. Robinsons campaign did not respond to a request for comment. There are about 130,00 Muslims in North Carolina, making them a powerful voting bloc in the November election. In an almost cinematic coincidence, they will be heading to the polls just weeks before Notre Dame reopens after five years of repairs. Maryland state Sen. Sarah Elfreth (D) has won the Democratic primary for Marylands 3rd congressional district, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ. Elfreth, who was the youngest woman ever elected to the Maryland Senate when she won her seat in 2018, topped the crowded Tuesday primary race that also included former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, who was on duty during the Jan. 6 riots and garnered significant media attention in the lead-up to Tuesday. Polling conducted last month for Dunns team showed him leading within the margin of error, up just slightly over Elfreth. Her House campaign has raised more than $1.4 million, according to FEC filings, though that trails Dunns $4.5 million. Elfreth is now expected to cruise toward the general election in the district considered safe for Democrats this fall, though a handful of Republicans have put their name in the ring for the GOP primary. Sarbanes, who has been in Congress since 2007, is retiring at the end of this term, opening up the House seat representing Howard County and parts of Anne Arundel and Carrol counties, including Annapolis. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Maryland resident Sarah Beth Clendaniel faces up to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to conspiring to attack five electrical substations serving Baltimore and being a felon in possession of firearms in 2023. Photo courtesy of Maryland State Police May 14 (UPI) -- Sarah Beth Clendaniel, 36, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to damage or destroy Baltimore's regional power grid, the U.S. Department of Justice announced. Clendaniel is a Catonsville, Md., resident who entered her guilty plea in the U.S. District Court in Baltimore. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy and felony firearms possession and faces up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy charge and another 15 years for the firearms violation. If eventually paroled, Clendaniel would face a lifetime of supervised release. Her sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 3. The DOJ says Clendaniel is a white supremacist who allegedly conspired with Florida resident Brandon Russell to damage or destroy the power grid servicing the greater Baltimore area. The DOJ says Russell, 28, is a neo-Nazi from Orlando whom Clendaniel met in 2018. Russell and Clendaniel were "driven by their ideology of racially motivated hatred" and "schemed to attack local power grid facilities," Matthew Olsen, assistance attorney general for national security,said in a news release on Feb. 6, 2023. Clendaniel, Russell and others from about December 2022 until early February 2023 conspired to attack and damage power generation facilities serving the greater Baltimore area. "This alleged planned attack threatened lives and would have left thousands of Marylanders in the cold and dark," U.S. Attorney of Maryland Erek Barron said. The pair were arrested on Feb. 3, 2023, and arraigned in the U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Russell is awaiting trial and, along with Clendaniel, wanted to "accelerate" a societal and governmental collapse by knocking out the electrical power grid serving the greater Baltimore area, according to the DOJ. Baltimore's population is about 62% black versus about 32% white and has been a black-majority area since the 1970s, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Clendaniel's guilty plea includes her admission to using encrypted communications apps to plan and carry out attacks against the regional power grid serving the greater Baltimore area. They planned to attack multiple substations at the same time to maximize the impact on the power grid and bring about its total collapse. The pair shared their plans with a confidential informant and wanted that person to help them get a rifle to carry out their planned attack on the power grid by striking five Baltimore Gas and Electric substations on the same day sometime before June of 2023. Instead, the informant notified law enforcement, which searched Clendaniel's home on Feb. 3, 2023, and found several firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Because she is a felon with prior convictions that include robbery and attempted robbery, she cannot legally own or access firearms. News organizations have done well in reporting the who, what, when, and where of more than 400 campus protests regarding the Israel-Hamas war. But someranging from the Dallas Morning News and the Des Moines Register to SiouxlandProud and OzarksFirsthave ventured into rugged terrain by running headlines asking, Why are college students protesting? The typical story takes at face value the claims of those chanting, From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. Some conservative organs have made fun of the protests by showing that many with fists in the air should have put them in their mouths to avoid sounding like know-nothings. But if we take the protesters seriously, ask in-depth questions, and practice investigative journalism rather than stenography, will we find that many are protesting their own lives or their upbringing more than they are protesting world events? Part of my suspicion arises from my own past. I was one of 48 students in November 1969 who for four and a half hours occupied a Yale University personnel office. This tactic was part of a larger campaign by the Yale Worker Student Alliance, a faction of Students for a Democratic Society, to demand improvements in wages and working conditions for Yale employees. The building occupation at Yale ended with 47 of the 48 students briefly suspended. I was No. 48 and at that time also on the political left, but since I wrote about the protest for the Yale Daily News I had reportorial privilege. In May 1971, just before graduation, 20 other students and I sat in front of the administration building. We were on a hunger strike again in support of striking Yale employees. Since we had plenty of time to talk, I realized that few of us knew much about the employees themselves, but we knew (or thought we knew) about our parents lives, which we disliked. The enemy, in other words, was not Yales business practice: It was bourgeois family life, or fathers we thought of as either ineffective or overbearing, and mothers we saw as shrewish. Lots of our apparently idealistic rhetoric arose not from external realities but from our own internal psychological tensions. Are todays demonstrators similar? Their outrage is certainly selective. I was on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin during one recent demonstration replete with Viva, viva, Palestina! chants. I was there to hear a lecture on the Chinese government, known for killing innocent civilians in Tiananmen Square and in the Xinjiang Uyghur region of northwest China, but only a couple of undergraduates showed up to hear about those injustices. It would be easy to join some on the right who ridicule lemming-like students attracted to the cause du jour, but I wonder whether an analysis of the 1960s protests by social psychologist Kenneth Keniston is applicable to the alienation of 2024. Keniston, who taught at Yale during the 1960s and 1970s and died four years ago, published from 1965 to 1978 books that could be summarized by one of his subtitles: The American Family Under Pressure. What I gathered in talking with my fellow protesters Keniston found to be a general generational disposition: Students spoke of fathers with a tone of disappointment, the implication of selling out. Keniston said students had a certain sympathy for the abandoned dreams of their fathers, and perhaps for their image of the youthful fathers themselves, but toward the fathers as they are now, they feel (or communicate) a lack of basic respect. That was certainly my attitude. Keniston also nailed the attitudes that my fellow students and I had toward mothers who, in our view, were often difficult and neurotic, over-possessive and dominating. When many students (including me) arrived on campus, we were ready to dump our parental authority figures and find new ones. In my case, there were three. William Sloane Coffinwho was the most famous college pastor at the time and preaching from the imposing Battell Chapel with its stony exterior, solid oak pews, and stained-glass windowscalled God the eternal disseminator of freedom who wants to help us grow up, to stretch our minds and hearts until they are as wide as Gods universe. The celebrity chaplain said a crippled man miraculously healed by Jesus wasnt really crippled but was quite literally scared sick. He failed to dare to be himself. The woman who bled for 12 years was actually a metaphor: America is bleeding Everybody has had their integrity violated, so this internal bleeding has gone on. Coffins implicit message: Youre violated, bleeding, and scared. Fight back not by getting right with God but by getting on the wrong side of Amerikkka! The illustrious historian John Morton Blum lectured in Linsly-Chittenden Hall, home of $100,000 Tiffany windows depicting poets of ancient Greece and solemn angels thirsting for knowledge. He hurled elegantly stated invective against plutocrats of the past and loved on progressives and the Great Society. A 2017 memoir by Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, who attended Yale just before me, describes how in Professor John Morton Blums classroom, the robber baron poses for a portrait with his greatcoat; the poor shiver in their tenements Tycoons are men of scurvy habit; their smokestacks foul the air; their greed chokes small competitors; their factories and mills wear down young girls before their time. Then there was Yale Law professor Charlie Reich. His The Greening of America, a No. 1 New York Times bestseller in 1970, began, America is dealing death, not only to people in other lands, but to its own people. So say the most thoughtful and passionate of our youth, from California to Connecticut. Flattered, about 450 of us relished Reichs lectures in the block-long Yale Law School building, modeled on the medieval English Inns of Court and embellished with carved wood, including a bulldog (Yales mascot) dressed as a lawyer. Reich scorned those he called Consciousness I (often small-business owners) and Consciousness II assembly line workers, whose days are mindless, exhausting, boring, servile, and hateful. He said no thoughtful person could possibly be happy or contented in a factory or white-collar job. Reporters who go beyond the who, what, when, and where by offering a why should see whether some who now shout divestment are divesting their parents and collecting kudos from professors. Keniston saw alienation starting in families, then going broader. Students in the 1960s spoke of their growing distance from each other, from their social order, from their work and play, and from the values and heroes which in a perhaps romanticized past seem to have given order, meaning, and coherence to their lives. Keniston generalized about the 1960s: The drift of our time is away from connection, relation, communion, and dialogue. He anticipated what a sociologist of the next generation, Robert Putnam, summarized in the title of his 2000 bestseller, Bowling Alone, and what the British government in 2018 acknowledged in appointing a minister for loneliness. Keniston concluded that the prevailing images of our culture are images of disintegration, decay, and despair. Our highest art involves the fragmentation and distortion of traditional realities. Is that not the case now as well? To go deeper into why, reporters should ask about parents and pied-piper professors. It seems to me that universities were once places where students learned to connect the dots, yet today they focus on disintegration, decay, and despair. But thats my guess based on personal experience and my paralleling of the 2020s and the 1960s. Im fine with being proved wrong: Sociologists and psychologists, please go at it. 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. NEW YORK (PIX11) Mayor Eric Adams has come under fire for suggesting migrants could make good lifeguards because they are excellent swimmers during a news conference on Tuesday. If we had a migrant and asylum seeker plan that states those jobs that we are in high demand, we could expedite, Adams said. How do we have a large body of people that are in our city and country that are excellent swimmers, and at the same time we need lifeguards? 4 students injured in 3 violent incidents at NYC schools Adams was answering a question about New York Citys lifeguard shortage when he made the remarks. Some people on X called the mayors response racist. 2 lottery tickets bought at same NJ store win $4.9M Pick-6 jackpot Wouldnt that be considered a racist remark? Damn, Mayor Adams, said one X user. Mayor Adams tells us he is racist without saying it.. said another X user. PetSmart seeking chief toy tester; NYC pet parents encouraged to apply Some migrants cross a river at the southern border to get into the United States. Adams also suggested that migrants and asylum seekers be hired as food service workers and nurses depending on their existing skills and the need for workers in those fields. 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. There are currently no plans to evacuate Kharkiv, the city's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said on air on May 15 amid a new Russian onslaught in the region. Almost 8,000 civilians have been evacuated from Kharkiv Oblast so far, namely from the areas closer to the front line, regional authorities said. Speaking on national television, Terekhov said around 6,000 of them had been taken to Kharkiv and housed in dormitories. The mayor said there were enough supplies for the new arrivals in Kharkiv, but the city's power situation remains "tense" after Russian strikes on energy infrastructure across the country. Russia launched new offensive actions on May 10 in the north of Kharkiv Oblast toward Lyptsi and Vovchansk, a town located less than 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Russian border and around 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the city of Kharkiv. Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on May 14 that "active firefights are taking place on the northern outskirts of" Vovchansk. Vovchansk Police Chief Oleksii Kharkivskyi said on the morning of May 15 that Russian troops "take up positions on the streets of the city" as heavy battles are ongoing. Read also: 48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraines most-bombed major city Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. VIENTIANE, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Lao police in the northern Bokeo province detained two men and seized over 14 million amphetamine pills from their possession. The case was detected in Chiangthong village of Paktha district on Sunday, Lao News Agency reported on Wednesday. Police investigating the case are trying to determine the source of the drugs and identify relevant individuals. A nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and deals is underway in Laos, in which police have seized large amounts of drugs, mostly in Bokeo province. The crackdown was launched under the Lao government's national agenda aimed at stamping out the drug trade in the Southeast Asian country, according to the report. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) On Tuesday, Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell gave his first State of the Metro address at the Fairgrounds. During the address, OConnell highlighted several areas of success for the city over the last few months for safety, transportation, schools, housing, and more. During the speech, he declared the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) is on pace to be fully staffed for the first time in years. The police departments Partners in Care Program is also operating countywide in every precinct as of May 1, 2024. There have been 27,000 service calls since its launch. Mayor OConnell speaks on transit plan after recent pedestrian crashes From January through April, violent crime numbers dropped 5.4% and gun thefts are down 35% year over year. Weve revised our overall approach to public safety, adding community-based safety programs and refining traditional policing programs and its working. Through the end of April, homicide in our city is down 25.6% when compared with the first four months of 2023, said OConnell. Metros Department of Emergency Communications is now in compliance for emergency calls for the first time in department history; 92% of 911 calls are now answered within 15 seconds. East Bank development project moving forward Another piece of his address highlighted the progress made for safer transportation across Music City. Nearly a month ago, the mayor announced the Choose How You Move transit plan. On Tuesday, he announced the plan is now set to move to the next phase as the audit review for it is officially complete. The transportation initiative includes 86 miles of new sidewalk, new crosstown bus routes, and other key safety features among other potential changes. It was dependent on an audit review, and its now headed to Metro Council for a vote. If council approves it, voters will have the final say come November. The mayor told News 2 hes optimistic after meeting with council members. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County Weve had one on one conversations after my set of conversations with the entire Metro Council. Weve now gone back and done a second set focused on transportation, focused on the impacts within their respective council districts, the city-wide approach, and so weve already had 36 follow up meetings, so Im encouraged. I think Ive heard a lot of good things from former colleagues on Metro Council, so fingers crossed that they like the program as much as everybody else seems to. The mayor also pointed to other transit accomplishments, including the upcoming June 18 opening of the North Nashville transit center. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Fifty countries have confirmed their participation in the global peace summit as of May 15, the Swiss public radio RTS reported. The summit will be held in Switzerland on June 15-16 and will focus on peace in Ukraine under the terms of President Volodymyr Zelensky's 10-point peace formula, a plan that calls for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Participants of the global peace summit will formulate a common negotiating position on the outcome of the war and submit it to Russia, presidential spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov said on May 3, according to Deutsche Welle. "We're working intensively on the diplomatic front to convince those who haven't yet announced their participation," Nicolas Bideau, head of communications at the Swiss Foreign Ministry, told Swiss public radio RTS. Bideau said that "major European countries" would be present at the summit, but the organizers are also looking for a larger "North-South representation" to carry out an open discussion on "all the possibilities and reflections for peace in Ukraine." Sign up for our newsletter Ukraine Weekly By Olga Rudenko Sign up According to RTS, European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, the spokesperson of European Council President Charles Michel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and French President Emmanuel Macron are among the participants. Bideau said Switzerland did not invite Russia, as "it keeps saying that it is not interested." "We will not make peace, as such, at Burgenstock (in Switzerland), but we would really like to launch a process that involves Russia. That is why we are staying in contact with it," Bideau added. Zelensky previously ruled out Russia's participation in the event, as it continues to attack Ukraine on a daily basis. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said that Moscow has to be at a peace summit "sooner or later," even if it does not attend its first meeting. Read also: Zelensky: Russia planning to disrupt global peace summit in Switzerland Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. EU ambassadors have agreed on an EU-wide ban on four key Russian propaganda outlets, said Rikard Jozwiak, the Europe Editor for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), on May 15. The move would reportedly impact Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, and Izvestiya, Jozwiak said. Czechia's government announced in March that it uncovered a Moscow-financed propaganda network linked to Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, which used Voice of Europe to spread disinformation. Rossiyskaya Gazeta and RIA Novosti are both Russian state-owned outlets, and Izvestiya is state-controlled. The EU previously banned other Russian propaganda outlets, such as RT and Sputnik. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova threatened that there would be countermeasures impacting Western media operating in Russia. "If these measures are taken against the Russian media, Russian journalists, then, despite the fact that Western correspondents will not want to, they will also have to feel our retaliatory measures," Zakharova said. "If just one Russian media outlet is subjected to unjustified restrictions, then it will ricochet off their colleagues here in Russia, I mean, Western journalists." Russia has taken extensive measures to crack down on independent media. The Kremlin passed a bill earlier in May to expand the purview of its media bans to include foreign state-funded organizations, such as media outlets like the BBC or Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also estimated that Russia currently has imprisoned at least 22 journalists. Two of those detained, Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, have U.S. citizenship. Read also: How Czechia busted Russian propaganda network targeting European elections Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Inside the protesters' encampment at UCLA, beneath the glow of hanging flashlights and a deafening backdrop of exploding flash-bangs, OB-GYN resident Elaine Chan suddenly felt like a battlefield medic. Police were pushing into the camp after an hourslong standoff. Chan, 31, a medical tent volunteer, said protesters limped in with severe puncture wounds, but there was little hope of getting them to a hospital through the chaos outside. Chan suspects the injuries were caused by rubber bullets or other less lethal projectiles, which police have confirmed were fired at protesters. It would pierce through skin and gouge deep into peoples bodies, she said. All of them were profusely bleeding. In OB-GYN we dont treat rubber bullets. I couldnt believe that this was allowed to be (done to) civilians students without protective gear. The UCLA protest, which gathered thousands in opposition to Israels military offensive in Gaza, began in April and grew to a dangerous crescendo this month when counterprotesters and police clashed with the activists and their supporters. In interviews with KFF Health News, Chan and three other volunteer medics described treating protesters with bleeding wounds, head injuries and suspected broken bones in a makeshift clinic cobbled together in tents with no electricity or running water. The medical tents were staffed day and night by a rotating team of doctors, nurses, medical students, EMTs and volunteers with no formal medical training. At times, the escalating violence outside the tent isolated injured protesters from access to ambulances, the medics said, so the wounded walked to a nearby hospital or were carried beyond the borders of the protest so they could be driven to the emergency room. Ive never been in a setting where were blocked from getting higher level of care, Chan said. That was terrifying to me. Three of the medics interviewed by KFF Health News said they were there when police swept the encampment May 2 and described multiple injuries that appeared to have been caused by less lethal projectiles. Less lethal projectiles including beanbags filled with metal pellets, sponge-tipped rounds and projectiles commonly known as rubber bullets are used by police to subdue suspects or disperse crowds or protests. Police drew widespread condemnation for using the weapons against Black Lives Matter demonstrations that swept the country after the killing of George Floyd in 2020. Although the name of these weapons downplays their danger, less lethal projectiles can travel upward of 200 mph and have a documented potential to injure, maim, or kill. The medics interviews directly contradict an account from the Los Angeles Police Department. After police cleared the encampment, LAPD Chief Dominic Choi said in a post on the social platform X that there were no serious injuries to officers or protestors'' as police moved in and made more than 200 arrests. In response to questions from KFF Health News, the LAPD and California Highway Patrol said in emailed statements that they would investigate how their officers responded to the protest. The LAPD statement said the agency was reviewing how it and other law enforcement agencies responded, which would lead to a detailed report. The Highway Patrol statement said officers warned the encampment that non-lethal rounds may be used if protesters did not disperse, and after some became an immediate threat by launching objects and weapons, some officers used kinetic specialty rounds to protect themselves, other officers, and members of the public. One officer received minor injuries, according to the statement. Video footage that circulated online after the protest appeared to show a Highway Patrol officer firing less lethal projectiles at protesters with a shotgun. The use of force and any incident involving the use of a weapon by CHP personnel is a serious matter, and the CHP will conduct a fair and impartial investigation to ensure that actions were consistent with policy and the law, the Highway Patrol said in its statement. The UCLA Police Department, which was also involved with the protest response, did not respond to requests for comment. Police face-off with pro-Palestinian students after destroying part of the encampment barricade on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Police deployed a heavy presence on US university campuses on May 1 after forcibly clearing away some weeks-long protests against Israel's war with Hamas. Jack Fukushima, 28, a UCLA medical student and volunteer medic, said he witnessed a police officer shoot at least two protesters with less lethal projectiles, including a man who collapsed after being hit square in the chest. Fukushima said he and other medics escorted the stunned man to the medical tent, then returned to the front lines to look for more injured. It did really feel like a war, Fukushima said. To be met with such police brutality was so disheartening. Back on the front line, police had breached the borders of the encampment and begun to scrum with protesters, Fukushima said. He said he saw the same officer who had fired earlier shoot another protester in the neck. The protester dropped to the ground. Fukushima assumed the worst and rushed to his side. I find him, and Im like, Hey, are you OK? Fukushima said. To the point of courage of these undergrads, hes like, Yeah, its not my first time. And then just jumps right back in. Sonia Raghuram, 27, another medical student stationed in the tent, said that during the police sweep she tended to a protester with an open puncture wound on their back, another with a quarter-sized contusion in the center of their chest, and a third with a gushing cut over their right eye and possible broken rib. Raghuram said patients told her the wounds were caused by police projectiles, which she said matched the severity of their injuries. The patients made it clear the police officers were closing in on the medical tent, Raghuram said, but she stayed put. We will never leave a patient, she said, describing the mantra in the medical tent. I dont care if we get arrested. If Im taking care of a patient thats the thing that comes first. The UCLA protest is one of many that have been held on college campuses across the country as students opposed to the war in Gaza demand universities support a cease-fire or divest from companies tied to Israel. Police have used force to remove protesters at Columbia University, Emory University, and the universities of Arizona, Utah and South Florida, among others. At UCLA, protesters set up a tent encampment on April 25 in a grassy plaza outside the campuss Royce Hall theater, eventually drawing thousands of supporters, according to the Los Angeles Times. Days later, a violent mob of counterprotesters attacked the camp, the Times reported, trying to tear down barricades along its borders and throwing fireworks at the tents inside. The next night, police issued an unlawful-assembly order, then swept the encampment in the early hours of May 2, clearing tents and arresting hundreds by dawn. Police have been widely criticized for not intervening as the clash between protesters and counterprotesters dragged on for hours. The University of California system announced it has hired an independent policing consultant to investigate the violence and resolve unanswered questions about UCLAs planning and protocols, as well as the mutual aid response. Charlotte Austin, 34, a surgery resident, said that as counterprotesters were attacking, she also saw about 10 private campus security officers stand by, hands in their pockets, as students were bashed and bloodied. Austin said she treated patients with cuts to the face and possible skull fractures. The medical tent sent at least 20 people to the hospital that evening, she said. Any medical professional would describe these as serious injuries, Austin said. There were people who required hospitalization not just a visit to the emergency room but actual hospitalization. Police tactics lawful but awful UCLA protesters are far from the first to be injured by less lethal projectiles. In recent years, police across the U.S. have repeatedly fired these weapons at protesters, with virtually no overarching standards governing their use or safety. Cities have spent millions to settle lawsuits from the injured. Some of the wounded have never been the same. During the nationwide protests after Floyd's death at the hands of police in 2020, at least 60 protesters sustained serious injuries including blinding and a broken jaw from being shot with these projectiles, sometimes in apparent violations of police department policies, according to a joint investigation by KFF Health News and USA TODAY. Fractured skulls, lost eyes: Police break their own rules when shooting protesters with rubber bullets 'Less lethal' can still maim and kill A visual guide to weapons police use on protesters Those maimed say enough is enough Police use of rubber bullets, bean bag rounds has left a bloody trail for decades. In 2004, in Boston, a college student celebrating a Red Sox victory was killed by a projectile filled with pepper-based irritant when it tore through her eye and into her brain. Theyre called less lethal for a reason, said Jim Bueermann, a former police chief of Redlands, California, who now leads the Future Policing Institute. They can kill you. Bueermann, who reviewed video footage of the police response at UCLA at the request of KFF Health News, said the footage shows California Highway Patrol officers firing beanbag rounds from a shotgun. Bueermann said the footage did not provide enough context to determine whether the projectiles were being used reasonably, which is a standard established by federal courts, or being fired indiscriminately, which was outlawed by a California law in 2021. There is a saying in policing lawful but awful meaning that it was reasonable under the legal standards but it looks terrible, Bueermann said. And I think a cop racking multiple rounds into a shotgun, firing into protesters, doesnt look very good. This article was produced by KFF Health News, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF an independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. KFF Health News is the publisher of California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UCLA protest violence: medics say police broke bones and drew blood A luxury yacht belonging to Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk was officially transferred to the Ukrainian state on May 15, said Ukraine's Agency for Investigation and Management of Assets, known by its Ukrainian acronym ARMA. The Royal Romance, a 92-meter (300-foot) luxury yacht worth an estimated 200 million euros ($218 million), was seized by Croatian authorities in March 2022 in relation to EU sanctions imposed on Medvedchuk. "This is a historic moment for our country," said Shipping Administration head Yevhenii Ihnatenko. "For the first time in the history of Ukraine, a seized asset (originally) located abroad received registration with the Ukrainian state." Ihnatenko added that profits from the sale of the yacht would be directed to Ukraine's state budget. Long thought to be Russian President Vladimir Putin's right-hand man in Ukraine, Medvedchuk was charged with high treason and placed under house arrest in 2021, only to flee as Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Medvedchuk was subsequently re-arrested in April 2022. In September of the same year, he was handed over to Russia as part of a prisoner exchange. ARMA is responsible for managing assets seized from indicted individuals, usually those accused of corruption, pending a court decision on their guilt or innocence. Read also: How Czechia busted Russian propaganda network targeting European elections Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. State Sen. Claire Celsi faces a Democratic primary challenger as she runs for reelection in her West Des Moines-based district. Celsi, of West Des Moines, was first elected in 2018 and reelected to a second term in 2022. She is facing a challenge from Julie Lasche Brown, a former chair of the West Des Moines Democrats. Iowa Senate District 16 includes parts of West Des Moines, Clive and Windsor Heights. To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity. The primary election is scheduled for June 4 ahead of the Nov. 5 general election. More: Early voting has started for Iowa's June 4 primary election. Here's what you should know: Who is incumbent Claire Celsi? Age: 57 Party: Democrat Where did you grow up: Des Moines Current town of residence: West Des Moines Education: Bachelor of Arts in sociology, Cum Laude Occupation: State senator; president, Claire Celsi Communications Political experience and civic activities: Precinct captain, Polk County Democrats; founding member, West Des Moines Democrats; 2016 Iowa House of Representatives candidate (lost); 2018 Primary candidate (won); 2018 Iowa Senate candidate (won); 2022 Senate candidate (won); 2024 Senate primary candidate. Who is Julie Lasche Brown? Julie Lasche Brown Age: 60 Party: Democrat Where did you grow up: Dubuque Current town of residence: West Des Moines Education: I attended the University of Northern Iowa, but did not obtain a degree. Occupation: I am a marketing professional. Political experience and civic activities: I've been active in politics since 2004 as a precinct captain for John Kerry and member of Women for Kerry (now Women for a Stronger America). I was an Elizabeth Warren captain last election. In January 2020 I was elected chair of the WDM Democrats. During that time I created a leadership team and with this team we grew the membership and raised tens of thousands of dollars for candidates up and down the ballot. I am a former Bras for the Cause board member and former councilor of religious education at First Unitarian Church. Running for office felt like the next step in my journey of serving Iowans. What would be your top issue should you be elected? Celsi: Continuing to support and defend public education. Lasche Brown: There isn't a single issue I am focusing on as legislating should be holistic. There are issues such as public education, reproductive health and preserving Iowa's natural resources (waterways, bike trails and walking/hiking trails) that I am passionate about. Overall, there is no top issue for me as I want to work on all policies that will help improve the lives of Iowans in my district and across the state. We can't be too dug into our own personal beliefs that we are unable to compromise and work together for the betterment of our district and our state. What policies would you support to improve Iowas education system? Celsi: 1. Reverting the AEAs back to the same funding method as before the 2024 bill. 2. Means testing for vouchers. 3. Make all private schools abide by the same rules as public schools. Lasche Brown: I will work to end the voucher program so public dollars go back to public schools. I am part of a family that benefitted from the expertise of the AEAs. I will work with the AEAs and schools to come up with solutions that help students. I will work to stop the trend of the Legislature trying to write curriculum; that should be left to education professionals and not legislators. What do you think Iowas tax policy should be? Do you believe the states priority should be on lowering rates or spending on services for Iowans? Celsi: Iowa should stick with a progressive, fair taxation system that focuses on collecting a higher rate from wealthy Iowans and a progressively lower rate for lower income Iowans. Lasche Brown: Tax policy is broad. I think we all can agree that we would all like to keep more of our paycheck or pay less in property taxes, but we also want to drive on nice roads, have adequate snow removal, public amenities and to get back to the days when Iowa was No. 1 in education. I think there is a balance and I will work with both sides of the aisle to find a tax structure that will not break the bank for Iowans while still maintaining the services that make Iowa a great place to live. We want to continue to grow our communities and our state. To do that, we must find a tax system that works for all Iowans and not only the top earners. What policies would you support to improve school safety in Iowa? Celsi: Fully fund State Supplemental Aid. Ban guns in schools. Lasche Brown: This session we saw a couple of bills dealing with school safety. I am a supporter of HF 2652 which adds technology solutions as opposed to arming teachers and staff. HF 2652 allows schools to install mobile panic systems and use SAVE funds to add firearm detection software or technology and pay the ongoing subscription and monitoring fees. Although the bill did allow for the use of professional development dollars for training staff who wish to be armed, I think the technological improvements were a great start and a model we should build upon. What next steps do you believe the Iowa Legislature should take when it comes to abortion? Celsi: The Iowa Supreme Court will be deciding if the six-week "heartbeat" bill is constitutional sometime in June, 2024. If the six-week ban goes into effect, I will fight against that unjust law until it is repealed. Lasche Brown: I believe with all of my heart that abortion should be safe, legal, and accessible when needed. Those types of decisions should be left to patients, families, and medical professionals. It is not a decision for legislators or judges to make. As for next steps, I have to say there are many policies I disagree with Gov. Reynolds about, but her stance on contraception expansion is an exception. Study after study has shown that one of the key ways to prevent abortion is through increased contraception access. I would work with my colleagues across the aisle to find a compromise that can pass the Iowa House, as that chamber has been the hold up for the legislation moving forward. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet the two Democrats running in the Iowa Senate District 16 primary Rep. Megan Srinivas is running unopposed for reelection to represent Iowa House District 30. Srinivas, a Democrat serving her first term, is the only candidate on the ballot for the Des Moines-based district which covers a portion of the city's south side. To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity. The primary election is scheduled for June 4 ahead of the Nov. 5 general election. Who is Megan Srinivas? Megan Srinivas Age: 36. Party: Democrat. Grew up: Fort Dodge. Current town of residence: Des Moines. Education: Fort Dodge Senior High, 2005; Harvard College, 2009 AB cum laude; University of Iowa Medical School, 2014 MD w/ teaching distinction track; Harvard School of Public Health, 2014 MPH; Johns Hopkins Medical School, 2017 internal medicine residency; University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 2019 infectious disease fellowship. Occupation: Medical doctor and public health researcher. Political experience and civic activities: Current Iowa state representative elected Nov 2022; former Gov. Vilsack appointee to the Iowa State Board of Education from 2003-2005; Board Member, Iowas National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI); Executive Committee, Iowa Supreme Courts Access to Justice Commission; Co-leading World Health Organization project to improve access to reproductive health services; Physician volunteer with Project ECHO to expand specialty care to rural and underserved areas of Iowa. What would be your top issue should you be elected? As a physician, I see too many of my patients struggling with making ends meet. Many are working 2-3 jobs and still worrying about how they are going to afford their medications, pay their rent/mortgage, or feed their families. And for those who can afford healthcare, many essential service arent even available in our state. Iowa is ranked dead last in per capita mental health resources in the nation. Additionally, we are the only state with an increasing cancer rate, but are losing more cancer treatment services due to both cost and inability to recruit health care practitioners. I ran to help Iowans get access to the care they need and that remains my top priority. What policies would you support to improve Iowas education system? Its integral we increase funding for our public schools so we can catch up on the last 15 years of underfunding. We also must re-bolster our area education agencies (AEA) programming, restore local control to school boards and curriculum planning to schools/teachers, and remove book bans that are preventing students from reading classics like To Kill a Mockingbird. We can improve teacher recruitment and retention by creating programs to help with education loans for individuals teaching in high need areas. We also must properly fund our public universities and community colleges and increase early exposure to vocational curricula and skilled trades. What do you think Iowas tax policy should be? Do you believe the states priority should be on lowering rates or spending on services for Iowans? The state income tax is vital for funding our road maintenance, law enforcement agencies, education, and other public services upon which our communities rely. Without the income tax, property and sales taxes would increase to supplement the lost funds. Thus, it is vital that we keep the state income tax in place. We have already reduced the rate, so it is vital that we give the state time to catch up with funding necessities such as mental health and education before exploring further cuts at this time. What policies would you support to improve school safety in Iowa? There are many strategies we can take to make schools safer. Des Moines Public Schools is in the midst of improving their safety infrastructure for early firearm detection, something that would be beneficial for schools throughout the state. We also need to institute universal background checks to help stop guns from falling into the wrong hands. Additionally, we need to close loopholes that enable people who have been found guilty of committing sexual assault or domestic violence from being able to procure firearms. We also need to increase safe gun storage awareness. What next steps do you believe the Iowa Legislature should take when it comes to abortion? As a physician, I strongly believe that an individuals healthcare decisions are their own and should only be discussed with their medical team. Ill advocate for an individuals right to abortion care. Ill also fight against efforts to remove insurance coverage for contraception and family planning. In 2017, our state stripped family planning health centers of public funding if they are affiliated with an abortion provider or even discuss abortion as a healthcare option. One of my goals is to reverse this policy and improve delivery of reproductive health services in every part of our state. Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Where Megan Srinivas stands on key issues in Iowa House District 30 ST. LOUIS Three men who allegedly posed as police officers broke into a north St. Louis home Tuesday morning and took off with one victims car. The break-in happened around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 5100 block of North Norwood Drive in the Kingsway West neighborhood. According to a crime summary report from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, three armed suspects forced entry into the home and announced themselves as police officers. One man and one woman were reportedly sleeping in the home before the break-in. Father and son drug dealing duo nabbed Two suspects held up the occupants as one suspect snatched car keys, money and other items. Eventually, all three suspects used the car keys to escape in one victims vehicle. SLMPD officers than responded to a call for a stolen vehicle and found it abandoned in the 4200 block of John Avenue. The stolen vehicle was later returned to the victim. No injuries were reported from this situation, though no arrests or charges have been announced as of Wednesday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. ELDORET, Kenya, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday called on the country's military to help the government intensify efforts to tackle climate change. Ruto, who was speaking during the pass-out parade for Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officers at the Recruits Training School in Eldoret, about 300 km west of Nairobi, the country's capital, said climate change is the biggest threat to the country's development and prosperity. "As you secure our nation from emerging security threats, climate change is also going to be our biggest threat. This is why we must mobilize the military to provide solutions to such emerging issues," he said. The Kenyan leader said the military should lead the way by providing mechanisms, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, for achieving the goal of 15 billion tree plantings by 2032. Kenya is also among the Horn of Africa countries receiving enhanced rainfall that has resulted in devastating flooding and landslides across the country. The unusual seasonal rains, compounded by the El Nino weather pattern, have killed 289 people and caused chaos in many parts of Kenya, a country that is highly vulnerable to climate change. Ruto said the recent floods, which affected many parts of the country and caused loss of lives and property, were a consequence of climate change. "The government is committed to relocating and resettling affected families and to significantly enhancing national disaster response capabilities to be even better prepared for future emergencies," Ruto said. Menendez can't call psychiatrist in trial, but sitting senators could be name-checked or called to testify Sen. Bob Menendez cannot call a psychiatrist in his corruption trial who would say the senator developed a fear of scarcity that could account for some of the hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash found in his home that federal prosecutors say came from bribes. But a roster of notable names in New Jersey and national politics including several sitting senators may get named and possibly even called in the trial. Those developments came on the second day of the New Jersey Democrat's trial, as the judge overseeing the case continued to interview potential jurors. The judge expects jury selection to be wrapped up on Wednesday morning. After that, prosecutors, Menendez and two of his co-defendants accused of bribing him can give opening statements. If so, prosecutors are expected to focus on the wads of cash and gold bars found in Menendezs home in New Jersey. Menendez, who said he routinely draws cash, wanted to call a psychiatrist who would say his family history caused him to develop a mental health condition that includes as a coping mechanism the storing of cash in his home. Federal Judge Sidney Stein said the expert, Karen Rosenbaum, could not be called. It just doesnt stand up, Stein said in a ruling from the bench Tuesday evening after another day of vetting jurors. Stein spent much of the day seeing if jurors had any potential conflicts. As part of that, he went through a lengthy list of names that could come up in the trial, a list that he said included potential witnesses. On the list were several senators, including Cory Booker, Chris Coons, Tim Kaine and Marco Rubio all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, like Menendez. It also included Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.). Its unclear whether any of them have any substantial role in the case, or simply will be name-checked by either the prosecution or defense teams. Our office is aware of the reporting, said a spokesperson for Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who was also mentioned by the judge. We have not received any outreach from either party. Several New Jersey political figures were mentioned, including a mayor in North Jersey, Nick Sacco, who was reportedly subpoenaed in the investigation. A Sacco spokesperson said, Mayor Sacco has not been in contact with anyone regarding the Menendez trial and he has not been asked to testify or provide any information. The list was so long the judge took at least two sips of water while reading through it signs of a sprawling investigation that includes people in Qatar and Egypt, two governments Menendez is accused of aiding in exchange for bribes. Stein also denied attempts by Menendezs defense team to depose a Qatar-linked investment company in London. Menendez is accused of using his office and leadership of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to benefit Qatar as a New Jersey developer accused of bribing Menendez was seeking a major investment from the company. Menendezs defense team had hoped the depositions would help undercut the governments argument about the companys links to the Qatari government, though it is run by a member of the Qatari royal family, and about how important the senators actions were to seal the deal between the investors and the New Jersey developer. Menendez got one win: He will be allowed to call an accountant to testify about his finances, though that expert will not be allowed to characterize whether that lifestyle was extravagant or not. On Wednesday morning, when jury selection resumes, the judge must interview some more potential jurors about their education, household, occupation and news consumption. After that, defense attorneys can strike 10 jurors and prosecutors can strike six. At one point, United States Attorney Damian Williams, who announced the indictment against Menendez last fall, popped in and sat in the back to watch part of the jury selection. Menendez was a senator on the take, prosecutor says, while his lawyers blame his wife NEW YORK An attorney for Sen. Bob Menendez on Wednesday detailed how the senator had no involvement in a wide-ranging bribery scheme, but laid blame for at least some of it on his wife. He did not ask for bribes, he did not get any bribes, said Menendez attorney Avi Weitzman, who repeatedly called his client Bob during a lengthy opening statement. But prosecutors say they have gold, cash and a luxury car that helps them show Menendez was involved in more than politics as usual he was about politics for profit. This case is about a public official who put greed first, who put his power up for sale, said Lara Pomerantz, an assistant U.S. Attorney, in the federal governments opening statement. Menendez will face a series of daunting witnesses called by the government, including the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey and a former New Jersey state attorney general. But Menendezs defense team said the prosecutors will be unable to prove their case and, in an aggressive move, asked for a mistrial shortly after prosecutors made those opening statements. A judge denied that motion, but it suggests Menendezs attorneys are teeing the trial up for an appeal already. Several major public corruption cases have been overturned on appeal in recent years by legal teams that include one of the senators attorneys in this case. As expected, the senator plans to point the finger at his wife, Nadine Menendez, for having financial dealings that the senator was not aware of. She is also charged in the alleged bribery scheme but faces a separate trial because of undisclosed health issues. In an opening statement that ran over an hour, Menendez defense attorney Weitzman told jurors to ask themselves Wheres Bob? during the weekslong trial as prosecutors attempt to prove allegations that the senator put his power up for sale in a series of alleged schemes intended to aid a trio of New Jersey business people and the government of Egypt and Qatar. Weitzmans opening statement began like a campaign speech about the senators hardscrabble upbringing and career. It was interrupted several times by objections from prosecutors, several of which the judge sustained, like when Weitzman tried to introduce anecdotes about his own twin brother or his family history involving the Holocaust. But Weitzmans main job was to defuse the bombshell evidence prosecutors said they have. He attempted to at length, offering reasons for all the headline-grabbing accusations against Menendez. The gold bars found at the senators? Those were found in Nadines locked closet, Weitzman said. The envelopes of cash found in the senators home? The senator withdrew money because of his family history in Cuba. A New Jersey businesspersons fingerprints on one of those envelopes of cash? Friends touch each others stuff and this isnt a murder weapon, Weitzman said, its an envelope. The senators calls to former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal asking about a case for one of the businesspeoples associates? That was Menendez looking out for Latino truckers hed heard were being discriminated against. A call to federal agriculture officials on behalf of a Halal meat monopoly led by an Egyptian-American businessperson also accused of bribing the senator? Constituent services. Asking around about how the current U.S. Attorney for New Jersey would handle a case against one of the business people who is a co-defendant, New Jersey developer Fred Daibes? Vetting, Weitzman said, since the prosecutor, while in private practice, had worked on a lawsuit against Daibes. Still, while Menendezs attorney called the allegations outrageously false, Weitzman also noted the government would be unable to meet its burden of proof, suggesting the defense hopes to poke enough holes in prosecutors theory in part by blaming Nadine. He described her as a well-educated, beautiful and tall international woman who the senator met some 15 years after his divorce and who sidelined the senator when it came to her own finances. (Unmentioned was a fiancee from the interim.) Prosecutors cast Nadine as a conduit between the senator and New Jersey businesspeople seeking to buy his influence running what a federal prosecutor described as a bribe collection company. Sure, the senator may have made some calls for friends, Weitzman told the jurors, but favoritism wasnt illegal. You may not like it, but its not a crime, he said. Prosecutors, however, promised a cache of evidence. They said witnesses who Menendez allegedly reached out to in exchange for bribes are expected to take the stand and would tie New Jersey's senior senator to corrupt acts to benefit New Jersey businesspeople and foreign governments. And a key witness is expected to testify: Jose Uribe, a businessperson who was named as a co-defendant in the case but who has pleaded guilty to participating in the bribery scheme. Uribe is expected to testify as he seeks a reduced sentence. Pomerantz said Uribe would provide an inside look to the alleged scheme. A high-level official from the United States Department of Agriculture who was also allegedly pressured by Menendez is also expected to testify, Pomerantz said. It is Menendezs second corruption trial within a decade, although the allegations he faces this time are far more grave and have all but ended his political career. In the prosecutions opening statement of the trial Wednesday, Pomerantz described Menendez at the center of the complex bribery allegations, saying he was a senator on the take." Co-defendants in the case are developer Daibes and Wael Hana, a businessperson with ties to the Egyptian government. Their defense attorneys are expected to make opening statements on Thursday morning. During the trial, which is expected to last about two months, two of the expected witnesses in the trial would be Grewal and Philip Sellinger, New Jerseys U.S. Attorney. Prosecutors said that in exchange for bribes, Menendez tried to have the two interfere in investigations or prosecutions, although they did not succumb to the senators pressure, Pomerantz said. Pomerantz promised the jury, which was seated just before lunch on Wednesday, that evidence and messages would show hour by hour and even minute by minute proof of corrupt schemes unfolding. She said Daibes texted Menendez pictures of gold bars, which were later used in bribes. Nadine Menendez, she said, was the go between to deliver messages to and from the people paying bribes, but she allegedly kept Menendez apprised of the schemes. Federal prosecutors said that after Nadine Menendez received a new luxury vehicle in exchange for the senator interfering in a state investigation, she texted him we are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes. When Menendez walked out of the courtroom, he said he thought it went well. My guy did great, he said. Brittany Wohlfeil, one of the owners of Batter & Mac, said Batter & Mac's Drag Story Hour and Cupcake Making for children scheduled for June 2 was canceled Monday morning due to threatening phone messages. The owners of a Menomonee Falls bakery Monday canceled a Drag Story Hour and Cupcake Making childrens event scheduled for June 2 because they said they were receiving threatening phone messages. "The goal was to do a fun event about being inclusive," said Brittany Wohlfeil, who owns Batter & Mac with her sister Kasey Gusho and mother Geri Voboril. But due to safety concerns stemming from "strange phone calls" that kept getting more heated, the owners canceled the event. Wohlfeil voiced concerns that possible protesting at the event would put the kids and neighboring businesses in danger. "We welcome and embrace the diversity of our community. No one is turned away at our door, we welcome everyone in with open arms," Batter & Mac owners wrote on their Facebook page. "This creates a space where all children including LGBTQ+ kids and teens, those with LGBTQ+ parents or family members, and anyone who feels different, can see themselves reflected and celebrated." "We also can see that there are a handful of people in our community who do not see things the same way that we do. Unfortunately, the messages we received regarding this event have become threatening in a violent nature. We have a duty to keep our patrons, staff, the performer, and our surrounding businesses safe and we take this very seriously. As such, we have canceled this event," they wrote. What is the Drag Story Time and Cupcake Making for children event? The Drag Story Time and Cupcake Making event for children was going to have Milwaukee-based drag queen Lucinda Rear read a story about inclusion and acceptance. Wohlfeil said one of the book options was "I am Perfectly Designed" by Karamo Brown. Then, they would decorate pride-themed cupcakes with gold and glitter. Proceeds from the event were to benefit Courage MKE, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit that, according to its website, "provides services, support and resources to LGBTQ+ youth across the state of Wisconsin." Wohlfeil emphasized that it would have been the parents' choice whether to buy a ticket for this event. "We can agree and disagree and all. If it is not for you, just dont buy a ticket and dont come," she said. "Everyone is different." Village trustee appeared to support people not patronizing Batter & Mac on her Facebook page Menomonee Falls Village Trustee Ann Lessila appeared to support boycotting the business on her social media page. When a local Facebook group posted negatively on the drag queen story hour, one person wrote, "Despicable. Thank you for letting me know where not to shop." Lessila, writing from her personal village trustee page responded to that commenter with: "Spread the word." She also wrote on her Facebook page, "I am going to leave all of the comments on my page so its out in the public who wants to groom children." Lessila did not return a phone call or email message from the Journal Sentinel seeking comment. 'Backlash by a group of people who seek to lash out their inner homo/trans phobias,' said drag queen Lucinda Rear Rear said to the Journal Sentinel in text messages that her usual drag queen performances are "blending dance with comedy because there's unity through laughter." She added that performing for kids and adults is different; it is about "editing and being mindful of your audience." "The reading is all about getting the kids excited about reading and wanting to read," she said, and the story hour was about teaching kids "you're in a space where you are accepted as yourself and those around you are peers to help you feel safe in a community that would otherwise bully you and harass you for being different." Rear voiced frustration with the negative comments about the event, saying it's unfortunate that Batter & Mac received so much "backlash by a group of people who seek to lash out their inner homo/trans phobias." "People need to find a better use of their time, especially those so-called 'community leaders,' publicly trying to shame not only me but Brittany Wohlfeil," said Rear. 'An unfounded concern,' said Founder and Executive Director of Courage MKE Brad Schlaikowski Founder and Executive Director of Courage MKE Brad Schlaikowski called the concerns with the drag event "unfounded" and said that any protesting activities with children would be harmful to them. He added he is "disgusted" with Lessila's social media comments. "If people are so worried about kids, help us get them off the streets," he said. Schlaikowski was referring to Courage MKE, which he said helps displaced LGBTQ+ youth get off the streets. Since he founded the organization, he opened a licensed group home for displaced LGBTQ+ youth on Milwaukees south side. This year, Courage MKE recently opened a transitional living facility, C2 Apartments, for people in the LGBTQ+ community to provide guidance, housing and support for them to be successful as adults. 'Inspired to do more fundraising' Wohlfeil said that she and her mother both worked with mental health issues in their nursing careers. Wohlfeil said she saw how LGBTQ+ youth battled homelessness and mental health issues. "We think (the Courage MKE nonprofit officials) are doing important work in the community. Kids were kicked out of their homes," she said. She said last year, when Batter & Mac was in its former 300-square-foot building, the business donated a percentage of its proceeds from pride-themed cupcakes and macaroons about $300 dollars to Courage MKE. Now that they're in a bigger space, she said fundraising for other organizations, too, is a priority. Earlier this year, Batter & Mac raised funds for the Black Holocaust Museum. The business has also raised money for Mermaid Echo, a professional mermaid entertainer who does conservation education, and for the Menomonee Falls food pantry. She said the business hopes to fundraise $1,500 for Courage MKE this year. "Our goal was not to rile people up. It was just a fun event to help Courage MKE," said Wohlfeil. "We are a private Menomonee Falls business, and we try to do good things for the community." Upcoming Batter & Mac fundraisers for Courage MKE Other Batter & Mac events for adults featuring Lucinda Rear are still a go. Drag bingo on June 7 and 28 is sold out. Batter & Mac After Dark: Chopped, a cooking-themed fundraiser is slated for June 20 and that has only one seat left. Funds raised from the events will go to Courage MKE. Wohlfeil said she is also encouraging people to donate to Courage MKE at https://Couragemke.org/donate. More: 11 facts about the Wisconsin LGBTQ community you might not have known, until now More: Pride across a century: A look at the LGBTQ history of Wisconsin Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Falls business cancels 'Drag Story Hour' event for kids after threats Metal detectors set up at Hells Kitchen school where 2 students stabbed in fight Metal detectors set up at Hells Kitchen school where 2 students stabbed in fight HELLS KITCHEN, Manhattan (PIX11) Metal detectors were set up Wednesday morning at a school in Hells Kitchen where two students stabbed each other on Tuesday. The two teenagers, 15 and 17 years old, fought inside the High School of Graphic Communication Arts on West 49th Street, according to authorities. One teen was slashed in the face while the other was stabbed in the torso. 4 students injured in 3 violent incidents at NYC schools Also on Tuesday, a 15-year-old was slashed in the neck by a 16-year-old armed with a scapel inside a classroom at Evander Childs Educational Campus in the Bronx, according to authorities. An 18-year-old was also stabbed multiple times outside the Queens High School of Teaching the same day, police said. Greg Floyd, the head of the school safety union, told PIX11 News he expects the violence will only escalate heading into summer. Man stabbed in the neck in Lower East Side subway station: NYPD This is not isolated, its an epidemic, he said. Whether people like it or not, there should be metal detectors in the schools. Two of the three schools where students were injured by knives did not have metal detectors on Tuesday. The High School of Graphic Communication Arts has installed them as of Wednesday morning. The decision to have metal detectors is made by each school leadership team, NYC public school officials told PIX11 News in a statement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The Metro bus driver involved in a fatal crash in January that killed an 87-year-old woman while she was crossing the street has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide. Five first-degree misdemeanor charges against Deon Willis were filed Tuesday in Hamilton County Municipal Court, court records show. Willis was operating a Metro bus on the afternoon of Jan. 11 eastbound on Dana Avenue near the border of Hyde Park and Evanston, according to the crash report. He turned right on Duck Creek Road and struck Beverly Kinney, who was crossing the intersection in a marked crosswalk with the walk signal. Beverly Kinney was a long-time teacher at Princeton City Schools and patron of the arts. She was killed Jan. 11 after being struck by the driver of a Cincinnati Metro bus while in a crosswalk on the border of Hyde Park and Evanston. She was 87. Cincinnati police said the 87-year-old Kinney, who was a longtime educator at Princeton City Schools, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash report also said that at the time of the collision, Willis was driving with a suspended license. Metro released a statement on Jan. 16 saying the transit authority didn't know the driver was operating the bus on a suspended license. Prior to this collision, Willis had been involved in two accidents while driving a Metro bus that were determined to be his fault, according to his personnel file. In 2018, he ran a red light and struck another vehicle at Winchell Avenue and Findlay Street. For that, he received a written warning. In 2022, he struck the front of another vehicle while making a left turn. He received a written warning for that as well. During his initial training, Metro officials noted he was easily distracted and bad at multitasking, but the training reports show improvements over time. Before the Jan. 11 crash, Willis had never received a suspension for any safety violation or accident. "The Kinney family strongly believes Mr. Willis should be prosecuted to the fullest extent under Ohio law. Cincinnati Metro also bears responsibility for this since they put Mr. Willis in the position to recklessly kill Beverly Kinney a longtime educator and pillar of the community as she used a crosswalk during a casual afternoon stroll," Rex Elliott, attorney for Kinney's family, said in a statement. "Metro should never have let this man behind the wheel of a city bus, given Willis's terrible driving history and the fact that he put a 24-year-old in a wheelchair while driving a Metro bus before he killed this wonderful woman. Metro's conduct in allowing Willis to remain a Metro driver enabled him to kill Beverly Kinney." Willis remains on paid leave while Metro's internal investigation takes place, according to Metro spokesperson Brandy Jones. "We have received and are reviewing the results of the police investigation and the charges brought against Mr. Willis as part of our process to finalize our internal investigation. Due to pending litigation, we are not able to comment on any specifics related to the incident at this time," Jones said in a statement. "Our deepest sympathies go out to the Kinney family for the tragic loss of Mrs. Kinney." Enquirer reporters Cameron Knight and Quinlan Bentley contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Metro bus driver charged after pedestrian dies in collision Driver said he smoked pot oil, took medication before Florida crash that killed 8 Mexican workers A bus is removed after it collied with a small pickup truck killing eight of the more than 50 migrant workers in the bus, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Ocala, Fla. The driver of the pick up, Bryan Maclean Howard, was charged with eight counts of DUI manslaughter. (AP Photo/Alan Youngblood) OCALA, Fla. (AP) A man with a long record of dangerous driving told investigators he smoked marijuana oil and took prescription drugs hours before he sideswiped a bus, killing eight Mexican farmworkers and injuring dozens more, according to an arrest report unsealed Wednesday. Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence-manslaughter and remained jailed without bond for Tuesdays crash. The Florida Highway Patrol says he drove his 2001 Ford pickup into the center line on a two-lane road and struck the bus, causing it to veer off the road, strike a tree and flip over. The seasonal farmworkers were on their way early in the morning to harvest watermelon at Cannon Farms in Dunnellon, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northwest of Orlando in north-central Floridas Marion County, a rural area of rolling hills with numerous horse farms and abundant fruit and vegetable fields. The Mexican consulate in Orlando was working to support the victims, meeting with some at a hotel in Gainesville. Many were taken to AdventHealth Ocala hospital. Juan Sabines, the Mexican consul in Orlando, told Spanish language news media that seven workers, three of whom were in critical condition, remained hospitalized as of Wednesday afternoon. Sabines said they had contacted the families of the eight workers who were killed in the crash. He also said inspectors from the Wage and Hour Division from the U.S. Department of Labor were performing inspections at the work site, and the consul encouraged workers to call the Occupational Safety and Health Administration with anonymous tips if they had anything to report about the employer. The Department of Labor did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. Sabines said he spoke with the 44-year-old bus driver, also a Mexican man with a visa. What he needs the most immediately is help with his mental health, Sabines said. In the pickup truck driver's arrest report, state troopers say Howard had bloodshot and watery eyes and slurred speech after the crash, which he said he didnt remember. He told an investigator that he had crashed his mothers car into a tree while avoiding an animal a few days earlier, and that on Monday night he had taken two anti-seizure drugs and medication for high blood pressure in addition to smoking marijuana oil. He said he woke up about five hours later and was driving to a methadone clinic where he receives daily medication for a chipped vertebrae, according to the affidavit. Howard then failed several sobriety tests and was arrested, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Responding to a judge by teleconference from jail on Wednesday, Howard said he's a self-employed painter and drywall installer with $700 in the bank, no other assets and no dependents. Howards head was bandaged and he wore a protective gown typically given to inmates on suicide watch. The judge denied bond, appointed a public defender and set his next court appearance for next month. Howards parents did not immediately respond to a Wednesday phone message seeking comment, and the Marion County public defenders office declined comment. Marion County court records show Howard has had at least three crashes and numerous traffic tickets dating back to 2006, including one citation for crossing the center line. His license has been suspended at least three times, the latest in 2021 for getting too many citations within a year. In 2013, he was convicted of grand theft. A year later, his probation was revoked after he tested positive for cocaine. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Wednesday morning that 44 Mexican farmworkers were on the bus, hired by a Mexican American farmer to work on the watermelon farm under H-2A visas. Florida farms use about 50,000 H-2A workers each year, more than any other state, according to the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. Six of the dead have been identified: Evarado Ventura Hernandez, 30; Cristian Salazar Villeda, 24; Alfredo Tovar Sanchez, 20; Isaias Miranda Pascal, 21; Jose Heriberto Fraga Acosta, 27; and Manuel Perez Rios, 46. Jose Ventura told Univision that Evarado Ventura Hernandez was his younger brother, and he had helped him come to work in the United States. He said his brother left behind a young daughter. We just came for a better future, but now you can see what we found. We found death, he told the Spanish-language broadcaster. He sobbed as he added, I was supposed to take care of my brother because he was the youngest. His sister, Norma Ventura Hernandez, said she was angry. We are totally destroyed and its not right," she said. "Let justice be done, and dont allow all these deaths to go unpunished. More than two dozen people gathered at a memorial service for the victims Wednesday evening outside the Farmworker Association of Florida office, north of Orlando in Apopka, Florida. Some people held white crosses with the names of those killed, some spoke and some sang songs in Spanish. Thank you to all who have reached out and offered condolences, help and prayers for the people hurt in the crash, Cannon Farms said in a Facebook post. It said the bus was operated by Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp. No one answered the phone at Olvera Trucking after the crash. The company recently advertised for a temporary driver who would bus workers to watermelon fields and then operate harvesting equipment, at $14.77 an hour. A Labor Department document shows Olvera also applied for 43 H-2A workers to harvest watermelons at Cannon Farms this month, again at a base rate of $14.77 an hour, with promises of housing and transportation to and from the fields. The H-2A program allows U.S. employers or agents who meet certain regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals into the country to fill temporary agricultural jobs. Getting to and from the fields can be hazardous: Federal statistics show vehicle crashes were the leading cause of job-related deaths among farmworkers in 2022, the latest year available. They accounted for 81 of 171 fatalities. Olveras vehicle, which the highway patrol described as a retired school bus, did not have seat belts, Mexican consul Sabines said Wednesday. The Labor Department announced new seat belt requirements for employer vehicles used for farmworkers on temporary visas, among other worker protections that take effect June 28. Florida law already requires seat belts for farmworker transport using vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds. The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has called the new federal seat belt requirement impractical. Advocacy groups called for stricter laws and enforcement to protect farmworkers, while a GoFundMe campaign organized by the Farmworker Association of Florida to support accident victims and their families had raised nearly $58,000 by Wednesday evening. ___ Spencer reported from Fort Lauderdale. Contributors include Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami, Amy Taxin in Santa Ana, Calif., and AP stringer Jose Maria Alvarez in Miahuatlan, Mexico, in southern Oaxaca state. Miami-Dade detectives were patrolling neighborhood, cops say. Then 2 men shot at them Two Miami-Dade police detectives were caught in a hail of gunfire while driving through a neighborhood near Miami Shores in an undercover car late Monday night, police said. The officers werent injured, but three men were arrested after the ensuing shots while unintentionally aiding in a fraud investigation. Around 9 p.m., detectives Prince and Barreto were working a Robbery Interventions Detail patrol riding inside an umarked red Jeep Compass, an arrest report read. Thats when the duo spotted an Acura sedan with what they presumed to be illegally tinted windows, so they followed to pull over the car. The vehicle abruptly stopped at a nearby home in the 1440 block of Northwest 96th Street. Karyne David, 21, got out of the driver seat, and Skylar Richardson, 23, stepped out the passenger side. Detectives slowly drove by the car and saw the two standing outside of it, the report read. One detective said David made eye contact with Barreto and his worn tactical vest, which read police on the front. David told the detectives, Whats up? Whats up? in an aggressive or threatening manner as they drove past, the report read. Immediately after, gunshots rang out. The police Jeep was hit at least five times. One bullet nearly missed Barreto, who glanced back toward the gunfire. He said he watched David and Richardson shooting. The duo and another person in the Acura walked into the home while the detectives established a perimeter around it, the report read. Investigators eventually went to the home, where Davids family resides, and spoke to the three. Alvin Terrence Bailey Jr., 22, told investigators he was sitting inside the car when the shooting unfolded. He, David, and Richardson were returning from a neighborhood gas station when they noticed an unknown red car was following them, according the report. Bailey said he didnt see the bullets flying, just heard the gunshots. During a search of the home, police discovered a gun under Davids mattress and another firearm in the attic near his bedroom. Richardson and David were charged with one count of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer. After being arrested, police say David told them unknown persons did the shooting. Bailey also was arrested, though it was not in connection to the shooting. Instead, he was charged in relation to a United Parcel Service investigation stemming from 2021. Miami-Dade police were made aware that Bailey allegedly defrauded a UPS education assistance program, the report read. He received reimbursement for a GED program in which he never attended nor completed. Bailey was charged with third-degree grand theft and organized fraud. In emotional testimony on Tuesday, Michael Cohen spoke about how his loyalty to former president Donald Trump turned his life "upside down." During his second day on the stand in Trump's hush money trial, where he testified under direct examination by the prosecution, Cohen recounted the day in April 2018 when the FBI raided his home in connection to a federal investigation into his conduct related to the 2016 election. "At 7 o'clock in the morning, there was a knock on the door, and I looked through the peephole, and I saw a ton of people out in the hallway," Cohen said "I saw a badge ... they identified themselves at the FBI." The FBI raided his apartment, law office and bank safety deposit box, Cohen testified, seizing two phones, a series of tax books and other records. Cohen said he was "distraught" over the raid, but felt reassured after a phone call with Trump. "He said to me, 'Don't worry, I'm the president of the United States -- there's nothing here, everything's going to be OK," Cohen testified. Cohen said Trump's statements at the time "reinforced my loyalty and my intention to stay in the fold." At the time, the Trump Organization was paying his legal fees. But that was the last time he spoke to Trump directly, Cohen said. In a tweet days later, Trump floated the idea that Cohen might "flip," turning on him under pressure from the government's investigation. MORE: Trump trial live updates: Cohen cross-examination gets off to combative start Cohen's understanding, he testified, was that those tweets were directed "to me," with Trump sending the message, "stay in fold, stay loyal, I have you ... don't flip." "Mr. Trump did not want me to cooperate with the government, certainly not to provide information or flip," Cohen said. What followed, Cohen testified, was a "pressure campaign" carried out through attorney, Robert Costello, who was "incredibly close to Rudy Giuliani." Cohen said he "didn't trust" Costello, describing him as "sketchy." "I believed, based upon all of our conversations, that he would immediately run back to Mr. Giuliani and that communication would be divulged to Mr. Trump," he said. Costello, who the DA brought in as an exculpatory witness during the grand jury probe, previously told reporters Cohen is an unreliable witness, describing his potential testimony as "not solid evidence." Trump has denied the allegations laid out in the charges against him, and his defense attorneys have accused Cohen of having a record of lying. Despite pressure Cohen said Costello put on him not to "cave," Cohen's family eventually convinced him to cooperate with the investigation. "My family -- my wife, my daughter, my son -- all said to me, 'Why are you holding on to this loyalty? What are you doing? We are supposed to be your first loyalty," Cohen testified. "So what decision did you make?" asked prosecutor Susan Hoffinger. "That it was about time to listen to them," Cohen said. "To my wife, my son, my daughter, to the country." In what he described as the "worst day of my life" in August 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to federal charges for campaign finance violations related to the payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, as well as tax evasion charges. "I would not lie for President Trump any longer," Cohen said. Before he reported to federal prison on May 6, 2019, Cohen testified before Congress. "I apologized to Congress, I apologized to the country, I apologized to my family," Cohen said because "the citizenry had a right to know in order to make a determination about the individual who was seeking the highest office in the land." Cohen told the jury the actions he took to "protect" Trump and his campaign. "I regret doing things for him that I should not have. Lying. Bullying people in order to effectuate a goal," Cohen said. "I don't regret working with the Trump Organization, as I expressed before some very interesting great times." "But to keep the loyalty and do things that he had asked me to do," Cohen continued, "I violated my moral compass, and I suffered the penalty, as has my family." Michael Cohen testifies about how Trump turned his life 'upside down' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com This article is part of HuffPosts biweekly politics newsletter. Click here to subscribe. It was a highly domesticated Michael Cohen who took the stand at former President Donald Trumps criminal hush money trial in New York. Over the last few weeks, jurors and reporters in the courtroom have heard others paint a visceral portrait of the man who, for a decade, worked as Trumps exceedingly aggressive personal attorney and fixer, becoming something of a raging attack dog for Trump. Cohen once told a magazine that he would take a bullet for his then-boss. His displeasure with others was often expressed as a barrage of swear words hurled at high volume. So unpleasant was he to deal with that Keith Davidson, a former attorney to porn actor Stormy Daniels who testified earlier in the trial, suggested that he almost walked away from an easy $10,000 paycheck just because he would have to speak to Cohen on the phone. No one wanted to talk to Cohen, Davidson said on the stand. But the version of Michael Cohen who appeared in Judge Juan Merchans courtroom this week was calm and polite, answering many of prosecuting attorney Susan Hoffingers questions with yes, maam. Less pit bull, more Labrador. A good family dog. And family, by all accounts, is very important to Cohen its perhaps the key to understanding him as a witness. Cohen spoke of his family at a couple of moments in his testimony, most notably when Hoffinger asked about the point when he finally decided to turn on Trump, after the FBI raided his home and office looking for evidence relating to the hush money paid to Daniels. My wife, my daughter, my son all said to me: Why are you holding on to this loyalty? What are you doing? Were supposed to be [your] first loyalty, Cohen testified. It was about time to listen to them. Asked about his regrets, Cohen said that he regretted the lying, [the] bullying people, in order to effectuate a goal. But to keep the loyalty and to do the things that he [Trump] had asked me to do, I violated my moral compass, and I suffered the penalty, as has my family, Cohen said. To see him speak on the stand gray-haired and somber, appearing under the harsh overhead lighting of the courtroom almost like an old man it was not difficult to sympathize with him for a moment. He is the architect of his own despair, but also a human being who got wrapped up in Trumps web of glitz and chaos. However, there is another side to Cohen, highlighted at length by defense attorney Todd Blanche, which draws into question how much of a changed man he is. And which version the jury ultimately believes to be the real Michael Cohen will have implications that resonate through the trial, and quite possibly through the next presidential term. Cohen still uses that loud, brash voice he once employed on behalf of Trump he just uses it against Trump now. Within the first few minutes of his cross-examination, Blanche accused Cohen of having attacked him personally as a lawyer defending Trump. You went on TikTok and called me a crying little shit, didnt you? Blanche asked. He later read other attacks lobbed by Cohen over recent years, asking the witness to affirm that hed called Trump a dictator douchebag, a boorish cartoon misogynist and a Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain. Cohens frequent use of the media he has two podcasts and two books, is a regular guest on cable news, and livestreams on TikTok for around an hour each night is why the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was previously reluctant to use him as a witness. Mark Pomerantz, a former prosecutor who helped lead the offices investigation into Trump, wrote in the book People vs. Donald Trump that Bragg once said he didnt see a world in which Cohen was the star witness of any case. (Further complicating Cohens credibility is the fact that he pleaded guilty to lying under oath in testimony he gave to Congress back in 2017.) The media earns him money which Cohen presumably appreciates, as he can no longer legally practice as an attorney, having been disbarred. Two books hes written, provocatively titled Disloyal and Revenge, netted him around $3.4 million, Cohen testified Tuesday. Donald Trump remarks on the case against him before leaving the New York courthouse for the day on Tuesday, May 14. Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images On his Mea Culpa podcast, Cohen shares his expletive-laden views on the news of the day. Several of his episode titles are written to taunt Trump, such as KnocK, Knock Donald... Its The Marshalls. Keys Please! and Tik Tok, Tik Tok DonaldYour Time For Evading Accountability Is Running Out! Trumps team is clearly trying to cast Cohen as an opportunist, using the drama of his turn against Trump to rake in views and paychecks, although Blanches questioning is often disjointed and rudderless. Asked why he made his TikTok posts, Cohen said that he wanted to build an audience and create a community, two things that are key to moneymaking on the internet. But he also said that it benefited his mental health. He liked going on TikTok to really vent, because I have a difficult time sleeping, so I found an outlet, Cohen testified. Thats the new Michael Cohen: a brash, New York-accented loudmouth, but one apparently much more interested in self-reflection. Pomerantz wrote that over multiple interactions with Cohen, he found the former Trump fixer to be a complicated person with a tortured psyche who would be the first to admit that he can be a complete pain in the ass. He wrote that there were times he was demanding and defensive and other times when he was down in the dumps. He spoke to me once about his daughter, who had blamed him for his involvement with Trump and the pain that this had caused for the family. Pomerantz added, Whatever his sins, Michael dearly loved his family. What the jury sees in Cohen, whether repentant family man or rabid revenge-taker, is yet to be determined. And it should be noted that he still has time to blow up his reworked image cross-examination with Blanche is set to continue Thursday. Related... BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in collaboration with four government bodies, has launched a nationwide campaign to bolster the new energy vehicle (NEV) uptake in China's rural areas. The initiative will run from May to December 2024 and has been designed to bridge the current NEV consumption gap in rural regions, thereby enhancing residents' level of green, safe travel and contributing to the construction of beautiful villages and rural revitalization. The NEV rural promotion catalog features an impressive array of 99 models from leading auto manufacturers, encompassing a wide range of NEVs for various sectors, including sedans, SUVs and multipurpose vehicles. This diverse lineup includes models from state-owned heavyweights like China First Automobile Group to new auto-making powers like Xpeng. The catalog also includes several products from BYD. A series of activities will be organized over the course of the eight months, including exhibitions, test drives and other consumer experiences, aiming to enrich market offerings and providing a variety of choices for rural consumers. A key aspect of the initiative is the organization of support services such as those related to charging, battery swaps, insurance, claims, credit and after-sales maintenance, with these services set to be expanded to rural areas to address current infrastructure shortcomings. The program will also implement policies to encourage NEV adoption, such as those related to vehicle trade-ins and improvements to county-level infrastructure. The initiative will focus on county-level cities with currently low NEV uptake rates but high growth potential. Participation from NEV manufacturers, sales companies, financial institutions, charging and swapping infrastructure providers, and after-sales services enterprises is encouraged. These entities are being urged to develop promotional plans that align with the initiative's goals, and to establish comprehensive after-sales services systems to support rural consumers. The campaign will combine on-site and online activities, leveraging the power of e-commerce and internet platforms to complement physical events with virtual ones, including online exhibitions and live interactions. April saw a significant surge in China's production and domestic sales of NEVs. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) shows that last month's NEV production hit 870,000 units and sales reached 850,000 units, with those figures respectively up 35.9 percent and 33.5 percent year on year. In 2023, China's production and sales of vehicles both hit record highs, topping 30 million units apiece, according to CAAM data. And its production and sales of NEVs respectively exceeded 9.58 million and 9.49 million units, ranking first globally for a ninth consecutive year. Migrants charged in attack on NYPD cops in Times Square offered plea deals, including one who was rearrested Six of the migrants charged in connection to the vicious attack on two NYPD officers in Times Square were offered plea deals Tuesday as a Manhattan judge revealed that one of the accused cop-beaters was arrested again while out on bail. Yohenry Brito, 24 who was remanded after his initial arrest was nabbed last week for petit larceny after an activist Brooklyn priest posted his $15,000 cash bail in February, Judge Laura Ward said in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday. Yohenry Brito, 24, was rearrested after he made bail, a judge confirmed Tuesday. Steven Hirsch I am furious that Mr. Brito was rearrested and charged with petty larceny while he was out on this case, Ward fumed as she warned that another slipup would land him behind bars. I am very tempted right now to put you in jail. I am telling you right now, if I learn you are rearrested for anything at all between now and this case being finished, I will order a warrant and I will place bail so high, you will not get out, she continued. If you jaywalk, if you jump a turnstile, if you do anything at all and I have to issue a warrant, you will not see the light of day until this case is over, Ward declared. Shocking video captured the moment a migrant mob pounded a pair of cops near Times Square. DCPI She asked if Brito understood, to which he replied Yes after the comments were translated for him by an interpreter. Brito allegedly tried to steal childrens clothing and fragrances from Macys Herald Square flagship store on Friday night, according to a criminal complaint. He was charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property both misdemeanors. A Manhattan judge set him free at his Saturday arraignment despite the DAs office requesting $10,000 cash bail. News of Britos rearrest came as he, Ulises Bohorquez, 21, and Andres Gomez-Izquiel,19, were offered plea deals by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. Under the proposed deal, the trio would serve a year in jail in exchange for pleading guilty to second-degree assault. Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel was among the five defendants offered a plea deal this week. Steven Hirsch for NY Post Two other migrants charged in the cop attack, Kelvin Servita Arocha, 19, and Wilson Juarez, 21, have been offered a separate deal to serve six months in prison for pleading guilty to obstructing a government administration. Prosecutors also offered Yorman Reveron, 24, a bargain that would send him to prison for two years for pleading guilty to second-degree assault, according to the DAs office. The defendants attorneys have not yet accepted the plea deals. Edgarlis Vegas has not been offered a plea deal from the DAs office. Steven Hirsch Ward ordered they return to court on June 18, when a trial date will be set if no agreement is reached. An offer has not yet been made to 20-year-old Edgarlis Vegas. The seven migrants were indicted following the shocking caught-on-camera beatdown of the two officers when they tried to break up a rowdy crowd at the Crossroads of the World on Jan. 27. Video showed the mob kicking the cops in the head and body before running away. Juarez and Servita-Arocha are alleged members of the notorious Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua, and are the subjects of ICE detainers. William Leasure, an ex-LAPD officer accused of setting up contract murders, sits in court during his trial April 15, 1991. (Larry Bessel / Los Angeles Times) The city's dirtiest cop was also the most colorless, with a forgettable face and a personality as vague as fog. At 77, he has been in lockup for 38 years, more than twice as long as he wore a badge. He has been a tame and quiet inmate, just as he was known until his capture as a tame and quiet policeman. At Mule Creek State Prison, he attends 12-step programs and reads fantasy novels. He has a paralegal certificate, a sister-in-law with a guest house, and a job offer at a law firm if he should ever get out. But the people with the power to free him keep puzzling over his crimes, demanding explanations, psychological insight, the thinnest ray of sunlight on his motivations. Give us something. William Leasure, killer cop, always disappoints. He blames low self-esteem for his run as an outlaw in the long-ago 1980s. He blames criminal thinking for disgracing his badge. He blames questionable characters and unwise acquaintances for leading him astray. It is as close to self-examination as he comes, at least in front of the parole board. He is stingy with contrition. He admits to the relatively minor crimes, like the serial theft of yachts, insurance fraud and the building of illegal gun silencers. He still denies the big crimes, the ones that put him in prison: orchestrating the contract murders of a beauty shop employee and a jazz bassist. The beauty shop employee was named Ann Smith. She was 41, shot with a .45 handgun at her mothers salon in Highland Park in May 1980. The bassist was named Tony de los Reyes. He was 63, killed with a shotgun blast to the head in the parking lot of a Sherman Oaks lounge in September 1981. The victims had the bad luck of being pitted against Leasures friends in acrimonious divorces. In both cases, the admitted triggerman was a barely literate welder Leasure had met at a gun show. And in both cases, the shooter would testify that Leasure a veteran LAPD officer with an unblemished record planned the killings to look like botched holdups and drove the getaway car. Leasure grew up in Wayne, Mich. with what he described as "wonderful parents" and a "Beaver Cleaver" childhood. He served with the Marines in Vietnam, loved guns and boasted of his marksmanship. As an accident investigator in the LAPDs Central Traffic Division, he was known as Mild Bill. He bragged that he never used his service weapon and did not draw a use-of-force complaint in 17 years with a badge. A nice guy, people agreed. He was nearing retirement when police caught him on a stolen pleasure boat in May 1986 and linked him to a multimillion-dollar yacht-theft ring. The scheme: steal boats from their slips up and down the coast, disguise them and rename them for sale to unsuspecting buyers. When he said Do something, you do it I could either do it or I could be killed myself. The LAPD launched a task force. They called their office the Leasure Room. When they searched his Northridge home, they found a stolen car, illegal gun silencers and a cache of random yacht booty. Fellow officers found it all hard to believe. Mild Bill? At worst, he was a slacker who didnt like to write tickets and dodged radio calls. Some, however, had noticed that he lived larger than a cop salary allowed. He drove fast Corvettes and owned multiple properties, plus a 42-foot yacht called Thunderbolt. Leasure would shrug off questions by saying his wife, Betsy Mogul, took care of him. She worked as an assistant L.A. city attorney and made $78,000 a year, more than twice his salary. Police dug through her life. How much did she know about her husbands criminality? All they found was a case for possible tax fraud, which she beat at trial. Enter Dennis France, a runty cop groupie who had befriended Leasure at a Pomona gun show and liked to go on ride alongs with him. Me and Bill had done a lot of things together, France would testify. We'd bought silencers, we'd stole boats, we'd killed people, we'd broken into places. He said Leasure was the wheelman for the killings outside the Sherman Oaks lounge and in the Highland Park beauty shop. Plus, he paid me and arranged 'em and set 'em up. France seemed to idolize Leasure, but he also claimed to be terrified of him. When he said Do something, you do it, France said. I could either do it or I could be killed myself. By Frances account, Leasure instructed him to put a sock over the barrel of the .45 that killed Ann Smith at the salon, to catch the shell casing. When the casing tumbled out anyway, Leasure docked $500 from France's $3,500 fee. In exchange for helping to nail Leasure, France got immunity from the D.A.s office a deal that would forever enrage detectives on the case. Police sent France into a bugged jail in hopes of getting Leasure to incriminate himself, a scheme the cautious Leasure foiled by writing his remarks on a piece of paper, then erasing them. France went in again, and this time there was a tiny camera in the ceiling. The pivotal moment came when he asked Leasure what he had done with the gun from Avenue 60, a reference to the location of the beauty shop murder. Leasure wrote a word on a piece of paper. In sight of the hidden camera, he held it up to the glass. Hes quite adept at presenting himself as a mild and meek human being Youd say, Nice guy, totally colorless. You wouldnt even know his personality. Melted, it said. He wrote another note: Dump everything illegal. Defense attorneys struggled mightily, and unsuccessfully, to find an innocent explanation for the notes when Leasure went on trial in 1991, charged with two counts of murder and facing the death penalty. They attacked France as a liar who had fingered Leasure to save himself. By appearances, Leasure was not a plausible hit man, and explaining his motives was tricky. The money said to be exchanged for the killings was just a few thousand dollars. The prosecutor, James Koller, settled on a portrait of Leasure as a veteran cop who had grown bored with writing traffic tickets and was hungry for excitement. He turned to murder almost for the thrill to get away with it. The estranged spouses who solicited the killings had already been convicted. In Leasure's trial, the first jury deadlocked and a second was being picked when he pleaded no contest to two counts of second-degree murder. He got 15 years to life. He claimed to fear the anti-police sentiment that had been growing since the beating of Rodney King eight months earlier, a case which had overshadowed his sparsely-attended trial. The prosecutor called Leasure the most corrupt policeman in the city of Los Angeles in its history. Leasure called himself the nicest, quietest, mildest guy you'll ever want to meet. Addison Bud Arce is one of the LAPD detectives who built the case against Leasure. Now retired, he testifies against him at parole hearings. He thinks Leasure could have walked free years ago, if he would have just come clean. But something in his nature prevents him. If he went in and did mea culpas, he would have been out, Arce says. More so now, when they parole anybody for just about anything. Instead, year after year, Leasure sits before the parole board and portrays himself as a man who was railroaded, who copped a plea to murders he had nothing to do with. He projects an air of befuddled harmlessness. When the questioning grows sharp and his memory for details fails, he blames brain damage from his cholesterol pills. I had self-esteem issues, Leasure told the board in 2021. I had greed issues. I thought that by impressing others, that they would like me, and I would feel good about myself. And I learned all that was wrong through self-help and recovery. He had a happy childhood, but even then, I had self-esteem issues. And as a Marine, I had self-esteem issues. As a police officer, I had self-esteem issues. His marriage to a city prosecutor did not help. His wifes fancy friends, the judges and lawyers, thought he was beneath her. At one point, he almost broke up with her, and it affected my self-esteem. What Ive gotten from you today is you had some self-esteem issues, said commissioner Michele Minor. He continued to deny the murders. He was asked about the Melted" note. There is no such note ever, Leasure insisted. It doesnt exist. Anthony de los Reyes Jr., 81, the son of the murdered jazz musician, has testified at eight or nine of the hearings, to make sure his father is not forgotten. Hes quite adept at presenting himself as a mild and meek human being, Reyes said. Youd say, Nice guy, totally colorless. You wouldnt even know his personality. He hasnt changed from the first time I had the displeasure of meeting him. The mans a born liar, and he says everything in the same monotone. No emotion. Absolutely none. The ritual has played out before the parole board 13 times. Twice, the board decided Leasure was safe to release, and both times Gov. Gavin Newsom reversed the decision. The governor found he lacked insight into his criminality and the causative factors. Leasure, who turned down an interview request from The Times, gets to make his case again in September. Arce, the retired detective, expects to be there to remind the board of the details of Leasures crimes. He calls him this little milquetoast LAPD cop and Walter Mitty. He has spent as much time as anyone pondering the motives of the meek officer who moonlighted as a hit man, and they remain fuzzy. Its hard to believe it was just money. Probably, he thinks, Leasure arranged murders so that people would owe him; he liked that. It is confusing, said Arce, now 79. People have asked me over the years, What kind of guy is this? I cant tell you. 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. Milwaukee is building 42 homes for child care providers. That will help them keep their jobs The first completed home at 1217 S. 35th St. becomes part of the nearly 50 affordable houses for Milwaukee child care workers in Milwaukee, Wis. A plan to build more than 40 affordable houses for Milwaukee child care workers helping them stay in that low-paying field while building wealth through home ownership is taking a big step forward. A roughly $11 million development, funded mainly through a $4.5 million federal grant along with $4.2 million from low-income home buyers, will finance houses built near five early childhood education centers: COA Goldin Youth & Family Center, 2320 W. Burleigh St.; Malaika Early Learning Center, 125 W. Auer Ave.; Next Door, 2545 N. 29th St.; Growing Tree Childrens Center, 3940 W. Lisbon Ave., and United Community Center Ricardo Diaz Early Learning Academy, 2130 W. Becher St. It's part of Milwaukees Collective Affordable Housing Plan, a project led by the nonprofit Community Development Alliance. The plan aims to promote racial equity through creating affordable housing. The three-bedroom houses will be sold for around $100,000 each well below their $250,000 average construction cost to early childhood educators. Construction is to begin this summer on vacant lots being purchased from the city. The Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee on Tuesday approved selling 46 lots for $1 each, with the full council to vote on the proposal on May 21. Funds have so far been raised to build 42 houses. The first completed home at 1217 S. 35th St. becomes part of the nearly 50 affordable houses for Milwaukee child care workers in Milwaukee, Wis. That affordable price aims to retain early childhood educators during an industry-wide staffing shortage, said Teig Whaley-Smith, alliance chief executive. It also creates the opportunity to own homes, instead of renting which can help bridge Milwaukee's racial wealth gap, he said. "Homeownership is the American dream and provides a family and employees with stability," said Laura Gutierrez, United Community Center chief executive officer. "The ECE workforce is key to the functioning of our society with their vital role in caring for and educating our youngest learners, but it is still a lower-paid profession. "This support will provide an immense benefit to these workers who qualify, while also allowing them to live near their place of employment." A new way to address child care staffing crisis Low compensation fuels the field's staffing shortage. That can reduce the number of children centers can serve, or even force a center to close. The median hourly wage for a Wisconsin child care provider was $13.78 as of May 2023, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics. Yet, the living wage in Milwaukee County for an adult without children is $19.15 per hour, according to MITs calculations. Raising wages to better recruit and retain teachers is difficult, said Tamara Johnson, executive director of Malaika Early Learning Center. Increasing wages often means increasing fees at a time when the majority of Wisconsinites struggle to pay for child care. Child care advocates are fighting for statewide investment they say could make higher wages a sustainable reality. But, Johnson said, there's no telling when, or if, that will happen. More: Wisconsin Democrats talk a lot about Child Care Counts. But what is it? Related: Wisconsin's legislative session is wrapping up. What have lawmakers done on child care? In the meantime, Johnson and other Milwaukee child care center operators are focusing their efforts on the new housing initiative. Being able to offer them at least affordable housing would hopefully help stabilize not just peoples living arrangements, but also stabilize the ECE workforce, Johnson said. Milwaukee grapples with affordable housing shortage In order for housing to be affordable, it must cost no more than 30% of a households monthly income. In Milwaukee, the majority of families face housing costs that surpass this threshold, according to Census Bureau data. During the pandemic, Malaika Early Learning Center and other Milwaukee child care centers surveyed their workforce. Next to lack of adequate compensation, the largest struggle teachers reported facing was lack of affordable housing, Johnson said. While the rate of homeownership among white child care providers nationwide is nearly 80%, that of Black providers is less than 50%, and that of Latinx providers is 57%, according to research from the Stanford Center on Early Childhood. The majority of Milwaukees child care teaching workforce are either African American or Hispanic, a 2015 study of Wisconsins child care workforce shows. Advancing racial equity for generations Breaking down racial inequities in homeownership will benefit future generations, Johnson said. Research from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University shows children whose families own their homes have better cognitive test scores and fewer behavior problems. Once you own a home, it opens the door to other education about wealth in general, Johnson said. You own a home, you build some equity, you add on it really just makes a world of difference. Also, several studies show a child facing poverty who receives a high-quality early education is more likely to see positive outcomes later in life. One such benefit: they are more likely to own their home. In a way, it comes full circle. If this homeownership opportunity keeps child care teachers in the field, then less classrooms would be closed due to staffing shortages. Then, these centers could serve more children, providing high-quality early childhood education and the lifelong benefits that come with it, Johnson said. Teig Whaley-Smith, Community Development Alliance executive officer, discusses the child care workers housing project at a Tuesday meeting of the Milwaukee Common Council Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee. Milwaukee homes to be built through early 2026 The Milwaukee project is being financed with a $4.5 million state grant provided through federal American Rescue Plan Act money; a $1 million Northwestern Mutual Foundation grant; a $900,000 city grant provided through federal money; a $300,000 grant from the Zilber Family Foundation, and other foundation grants. The Community Development Alliance, working with the Local Initiatives Support Corp.-Milwaukee, raised funds to provide a subsidy of around $150,000 for each house allowing 42 houses to be sold for around $100,000 apiece, said Whaley-Smith. The subsidies total around $7 million, he said, with $4.2 million to come from the home buyers. That subsidy, while costly, has an impact beyond just the first family that buys it, Whaley-Smith told zoning committee members. Deed restrictions prevent flipping the homes for a quick sale profit, he said. So, the subsidy's effects will pass on to the next family which buys the house helping build intergenerational wealth, Whaley-Smith said. One model home has been completed, with construction on other houses to begin this summer pending the May 21 vote by the Common Council to approve selling the vacant lots. Construction will be completed in phases through early 2026, according to the Department of City Development. "We are hoping this is a great beginning to more housing," Whaley-Smith said. Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, X and Facebook. Madison Lammert covers child care and early education across Wisconsin as a Report for America corps member based at The Appleton Post-Crescent. To contact her, email mlammert@gannett.com or call 920-993-7108. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to Report for America by visiting postcrescent.com/RFA Subscribe to get the BusinessWatch email newsletter. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Milwaukee to build homes for child care providers in unusual project Governor Tim Walz ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff Wednesday in honor of officers killed or injured in the line of duty. Walz proclaimed May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12-18 as Police Week in the State of Minnesota, according to a news release. Wednesday is the first time the new Minnesota flag will be flown at half-staff statewide. The new flag was at half-staff at the Minnesota State Capitol Tuesday for Hmong Special Guerrilla Unit Veterans Recognition Day. The days honoring those officers are celebrated in conjunction with the national Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Officer Week. "Today we honor the peace officers who gave their lives to protect ours. We thank the more than 10,499 law enforcement officers in Minnesota who serve in 408 law enforcement agencies for their dedication and services to Minnesota communities," Walz said in a statement. Individuals and businesses with flags of their own are encouraged to lower their flags as well. Aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs who meet social equity criteria could begin growing marijuana later this year ahead of everyone else under a bill finalized by Minnesota lawmakers on Wednesday. The state is also poised to change how it will award cannabis business licenses, shifting from a points-based scoring system for applications to a lottery for qualified applicants. Those are the topline items in an expansive policy bill that would make numerous changes to Minnesota's recreational marijuana law. Legislators have sent the bill to the House and Senate for final passage. "This really is a bill that listened to what the community was saying," said Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville, during a legislative conference committee meeting Wednesday. She sponsored the cannabis policy bill in the Senate. The bill paves the way for cultivation to start this year instead of next, ensuring there will be some supply when the retail market opens, while maintaining the law's social equity focus. Only social equity applicants people harmed directly or indirectly by previous criminal enforcement of marijuana laws would be allowed to start growing cannabis this year. Other aspiring cultivators have to wait until next year when the state's Office of Cannabis Management begins issuing licenses to the broader population. Social equity applicants seeking to cultivate this year would have to be preapproved for a cannabis business license, obtain local zoning approval and abide by the state's existing medical cannabis cultivation rules. They would not be allowed to manufacture or sell what they grow until licenses are rolled out more broadly next year. The Office of Cannabis Management would be required to begin accepting applications for license preapprovals no later than July 24, and to close the process by Aug. 12. The state is still in the process of writing rules for the recreational marijuana industry, which is why legislators chose to leverage the existing medical cannabis cultivation rules to enable earlier growing. Many stakeholders in the cannabis community had asked legislators to allow any operationally ready business to begin growing this year, not just those who are deemed social equity applicants. They also opposed the shift from a points-based application system to a lottery, citing concerns about gamesmanship and unprepared applicants winning licenses. Legislators and regulators worked to address some of those concerns, strengthening the lottery's entry thresholds. They added business ownership disclosure requirements and prohibited applicants from submitting more than one application to ease worries about large companies gaming the lottery with multiple entries. "What you see in the bill is a reflection of the very feedback that we got," said Charlene Briner, interim director of the Office of Cannabis Management. "I think that it is a good reflection of how advocacy can shape and improve sound ideas." Some disagreed with the final bill. During the Wednesday conference committee meeting, Rep. Nolan West, R-Blaine, said he thinks legislators are making changes they're going to regret. He criticized the lottery system for cannabis business licenses as leaving the new market up to a "luck of the draw." "We are setting this market up for failure," West said. "I think we're all going to be embarrassed in a couple of years." Another change in the bill would allow patients enrolled in Minnesota's medical marijuana program to designate a caregiver to cultivate up to eight cannabis plants on their behalf. Minnesotans 21 and older are allowed to grow up to eight cannabis plants per residence under the state's recreational marijuana law. Sellers of hemp-derived THC products would get more flexibility, including the ability to sell tinctures that use eye-droppers for doses. Bars and breweries would also be able to pour THC beverages without making the customer open it themselves. "There has been a lot of confusion and growing pains with the current hemp market in the way the statute has been enforced by the Department of Health," said cannabis industry attorney Carol Moss. "There has been inconsistent enforcement. A lot of people are frustrated." The Office of Cannabis Management would take over hemp-derived regulations and enforcement on July 1 under the bill. Kurtis Hanna, a longtime cannabis lobbyist in Minnesota, said he thinks legislators struck a good balance between what advocates and the cannabis office wanted. "Not everyone gets exactly what they want, but I think it was a good compromise in the end," Hanna said. "I think we're going to see a much smoother rollout, earlier licensing than what was first anticipated." Staff writer Brooks Johnson contributed to this story. Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan entered a not guilty plea Wednesday to murder, manslaughter and assault charges leveled against him in the fatal shooting of a motorist last summer, while his trial has been set for September.. Responding to Londregan's request for a speedy legal process, Hennepin County Judge Tamara Garcia set a trial date beginning Sept. 3, anticipating the case will take three weeks. Londregan's defense team has maintained his innocence since the charges were filed in January, but Wednesday marked the first time he'd been asked to put a formal plea on the record. The charges against the 27-year-old trooper stem from a traffic stop on Interstate 94 in north Minneapolis, in which other troopers pulled over Ricky Cobb II for driving without taillights but soon learned he was wanted for violating a domestic no-contact order. Cobb, 33, didn't follow commands to exit his vehicle and instead shifted to drive, causing the car to lurch forward as Londregan and a colleague were partially inside trying to remove him. Londregan fired his service weapon, striking Cobb twice. Trooper Brett Seide has said that he feared for his safety and Londregan protected him. This is a breaking news story. Come back to Startribune.com for more details. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday appointed former Rep. Vicky Hartzler a conservative Christian who was once brought to tears speaking out against a bill to provide federal protections to same-sex marriages to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Her appointment to the commission, a bipartisan federal agency tasked with monitoring religious freedom abroad and making policy recommendations to the president, came in a quiet moment around noon during Wednesdays House session. Congratulations to my friend Vicky Hartzler for being appointed to the Commission on International Religious Freedom! Rep. Ann Wagner, a St. Louis County Republican wrote on social media. She was born for this and is going to do an incredible job defending religious liberty around the world. Hartzler could not be reached for comment. Johnsons office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hartzler, a staunch social conservative, served six terms in Congress before leaving after a failed bid for U.S. Senate in 2022. She rose to prominence in Missouri as face of the campaign to ban same-sex marriage in Missouri in 2004, traveling the state to support an amendment to the states constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Hartzler said she used her faith to guide her politics and wrote a how-to book on running for political office called Running Gods Way in 2007, a few years ahead of her 2010 campaign for the U.S. House, where she beat long-standing Democratic Rep. Ike Skeleton. Once in office, Hartzlers faith frequently shaped her legislation. She sponsored bills to protect Christians persecuted in China and often signed on to legislation purporting to advance religious freedom. She also continued to push back against LGBTQ rights. She opposed an Obama administration decision to repeal a policy that prevented LGBTQ members of the military from serving openly and repeatedly opposed efforts to pass anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community. When Congress moved to pass protections for same-sex marriages in 2022, Hartzler spoke out against the bill. She gave a forceful speech claiming the Democratic Party was trampling on the values of religious conservatives, at one point breaking into tears. This is yet another step toward the Democrats goal of dismantling the traditional family, silencing voices of faith and permanently undoing our countrys God-woven foundation, Hartzler said in the speech. While running a Senate campaign endorsed by Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, Hartzler said she wanted to take our country back. That includes freedom of religion to be able to live their life and their faith openly, without being told they have to be silent and adhere to a certain viewpoint, Hartzler told the Star in 2022. Johnson, too, has drawn attention for his conservative Christian beliefs. Like Hartzler, Johnson has frequently said his faith guides his legislation. The commission is made up of nine members appointed to two year terms. The president nominates three members, congressional leaders from the presidents party nominate two members and congressional leaders from the opposing party appoint four members. Hartzlers term will expire May 14, 2026. Shes one of three new members appointed to commission, along with Maureen Ferguson of Potomac, Maryland, and Asif Mahmood of Bradbury, California. Missouri GOP candidate says Dont be weak and gay in campaign video ST. LOUIS Valentina Gomez, a Republican candidate for Missouri Secretary of State, told prospective voters, Dont be weak and gay in a provocative campaign video released on social media over the weekend. Gomez shared the video on Sunday, May 12, via X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram. In America, you can be anything you want, so dont be weak and gay, she says while running through the streets of St. Louis wearing what shes described as a weighted vest. The song The Show Goes On by rapper Lupe Fiasco is dubbed over the video. Stay f*****g hard, Gomez says before the video cuts away to a photo of her holding a rifle and pistol in each hand. She tagged social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate on the post. The Tate brothers are currently under investigation in Romania for rape and human trafficking, and additional allegations in England. Gomezs video has more than 2.8 million views on X and 10,000 likes on Instagram as of early Thursday afternoon. Father and son drug dealing duo nabbed Gomez, a self-described real estate investor, is running to succeed Jay Ashcroft as Missouri Secretary of State this fall. Ashcroft is running to become Missouris next governor. FOX 2 reached out to Gomezs campaign on Wednesday with questions about her recent video and message. She responded to our request for comment on Thursday, offering the following statement in regards to her video and comment: President Trump and I are leading the charge to take our country back from the weak and gay Biden administration that has destroyed our country. I look forward to accepting his endorsement so I can ensure a free and fair election to the people of Missouri, where dead people and illegals will never be voting. All of these cases against President Trump are baseless, and if he is facing jail time for defending our freedoms and constitution, I am ready to speak the truth and defend him from this unconstitutional gag order from a compromised judge in the biggest election interference case in history. Gomez offered the above reply via email when asked to explain the purpose of the video and the meaning of the Dont be weak and gay comment. As of Thursday, Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, has not formally offered an endorsement of Gomez, according to Ballotpedia.org. Gomezs latest video wasnt the first to make the rounds nationally this year. In February, she shared a video of herself lighting LGBTQ-inclusive books ablaze with a flamethrower. She claimed she would burn all books that are grooming, indoctrinating, and sexualizing our children if elected. Its also not the first time she has used remarks like Dont be weak and gay on social media; she also publishing that phrase on X in March. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Earlier Sunday morning, before her viral video, Gomez posted a tweet of her briefly speaking with UFC CEO and president Dana White during the UFCs St. Louis event. On May 8, Gomez celebrated her 25th birthday by posting another running video, this one at the Gateway Arch Grounds. Gomez promised to run from Kansas City to St. Louis 15 miles a day. She did not indicate when shell begin her trek. According to the Missouri Secretary of States Office, Gomez and 10 others have submitted paperwork to campaign as the next secretary of state. Candidates include the following: Republican Democrat Barbara Phifer Monique Williams Haley Jacobson Libertarian *Campaign websites or social media pages that were available for the candidates are linked with their names in the list. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- More types of agricultural products from Europe have been permitted to enter the Chinese market, the General Administration of Customs said on Wednesday. Pork from the Netherlands, prunes and fresh blueberries from Serbia, and fresh cherries from Hungary have been allowed to be exported to China on the condition that they meet the country's quarantine and health requirements, the administration said. Agricultural and food products have become an important area of China-Europe economic and trade cooperation. In 2023, China and the European Union (EU) were each other's second-largest trading partner, according to a recent report from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Last year, China was the largest partner for EU imports of goods and the EU's third-largest export market, while the EU was China's second-largest source of imports and second-largest export market, the report said. Missouri lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill to renew a series of key taxes that fund the states Medicaid program, ending a months-long dispute with a group of hard-right lawmakers who sought to block the renewal. The legislation, called the Federal Reimbursement Allowance or FRA, would keep the states Medicaid program running to provide health coverage to roughly 1 million residents. Failure to renew the taxes would have resulted in a loss of billions in state and federal Medicaid funds. The House voted 136-16 to approve the taxes, sending it to Republican Gov. Mike Parsons desk. This has become an integral part of our states budget, primarily funding a large piece of our Medicaid program, said Rep. Cody Smith, a Carthage Republican who chairs the House budget-writing committee. The bills passage comes after the Senates hard-right Missouri Freedom Caucus spent 41 hours blocking the renewal until a laundry list of their demands were met, including Parsons signature on a bill barring Medicaid funds from going to Planned Parenthood. The Freedom Caucus ended their filibuster before Parson signed the legislation. However, Parson ultimately signed the bill that bans funding to Planned Parenthood. The FRA also includes an expiration date of 2029, which the hard-right group had sought. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat, slammed members of the Freedom Caucus for using the bill as a hostage in a terrorist negotiation. I hope and ask those of you who remain that you look at this as exactly what it is, something that is essential to our states budget to be able to function as a government, said Quade, who is running for governor. The FRA is levied on hospitals, ambulance companies, and pharmacies, which have voluntarily contributed to the system since 1992. The taxes are a critical funding source for the entire state budget. While the filibuster was underway in the Senate earlier this month, a chorus of Missouri health care groups and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry excoriated the Freedom Caucus for blocking the measure. Failure to renew the taxes would have hurt children with chronic illnesses, force nursing homes to close, shut down rural hospitals, collapse mental health care services, and jeopardize pharmacy and emergency services, the groups said. Not renewing the taxes would have led to an estimated loss of $4.3 billion in state and federal Medicaid funds in fiscal year 2026, according to an analysis by the Missouri Budget Project, a nonprofit that analyzes fiscal policy. The filibuster, which took up nearly a full week, also had a lasting impact on the state budget. The budget chairs from the House and Senate had to negotiate the spending plan behind closed doors, preventing more formal debates on the floors of each chamber in order to meet the constitutional deadline. The process was complicated and different, fairly unprecedented, Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, a Columbia Republican, told reporters immediately after the budget passed in the Senate last week. I hope that doesnt become the new norm. This session marked the second time in recent years that renewing the taxes sparked controversy. In 2021, lawmakers were forced into a special session after a group of hard-right senators similarly demanded legislation blocking Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid payments. The Stars Kacen Bayless contributed to this story. Aspen Blessing, 18, of Baird was struck and killed in a wrong-way collision on Interstate Highway-20 on March 10. Brendon Lucero, 28, of Monett, Missouri, was traveling east in the westbound lanes of I-20 when he struck Baird's vehicle going westbound on I-20, according to allegations in the original Texas Department of Public Safety press release. A marker for Aspen Blessing stands off the westbound Interstate-20 access road, less than a mile from the Callahan County rest stop Tuesday April 16, 2024. Blessing, 18, died in a collision near here on March 10. Charges of intoxicated manslaughter and manslaughter have been filed against Lucero as his blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit, according to allegations. He was free Wednesday from Callahan County Jail on $250,000 in attorney bonds, according to online jail records. His first name is also listed as Brenden in some court documents. Officials: BAC over the limit The crash occurred shortly after 4 a.m. March 10 just four miles east of Abilene, according to the DPS. Lucero had been driving east in the westbound lanes of I-20, and several vehicles had just evaded the pickup truck and called 911 to report the driver, according to allegations in court documents. Lucero then allegedly drove his Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck straight into Blessing's Ford Edge SUV. Blessing had been traveling in the correct direction on I-20 in the westbound lanes at that time, according to court documents. Sgt. Marc Couch of the Texas Department of Public Safety stands with Aspen Blessing's mother, Jennifer Blessing, and brother, Elijah Blessing, in front of Aspen's vehicle from a deadly crash, as part of the End the Streak Campaign to help end Texas highway fatalities. DPS Trooper Cody Pope was dispatched to the scene that night. His subsequent investigation revealed that Lucero had recently been at a night club in Abilene that night, according to allegations in court documents. Lucero later admitted to a trooper that he had been drinking alcohol that night, although he claimed not to remember the accident. According to Sgt. Marc Couch of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Lucero was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and experienced a serious incapacitating injury. At that time, he was transported to Hendrick Medical Center. Lucero then "gave consent and provided a blood sample during the course of the investigation as soon as practical after the crash, Couch said. Medical records indicated that at about an hour after the crash, Lucero had a .239 BAC, according to court documents. Driving with a blood alcohol level over 0.079% is illegal in Texas. Lucero survived the crash. This marked the fourth highway fatality of the year for the Big Country, joining slick Sunday's two fatalities in one day. Indictment in connection with crash A Callahan County grand jury handed down a two-count indictment against Lucero on April 17, according to court documents filed in the Callahan County District Clerk's Office. Count one was intoxicated manslaughter, and count two was manslaughter. According to the indictment, Lucero allegedly and recklessly caused the death of Blessing by driving on the wrong side of a divided roadway and by using a motor vehicle as a deadly weapon. Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court beyond a reasonable doubt. According to the Callahan County Sheriff's Office, Lucero was arrested April 19 and released the same day. He has since entered a plea of not guilty and requested a trial. According to Taylor County Assistant District Attorney Erin Stamey, a conviction of intoxicated manslaughter is a second-degree felony that carries a possible sentence of two-20 years in prison. Original coverage of the crash Woman perishes in another Texas highway fatality End the Streak Campaign Texas highway-related deaths on the rise This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Missouri man indicted in wrong-way crash that killed Baird teen Democrats in the Missouri Senate broke the record for the longest filibuster in the chambers history on Wednesday while blocking a vote on a plan to make it harder for voters to amend the state constitution. The group of nine Democrats has spent more than 46 hours straight halting the legislation in the General Assemblys final week of session. That surpasses the previous modern record set earlier this year by members of the hard-right Missouri Freedom Caucus, who held the floor for 41 hours. Democratic Sens. Karla May and Steve Roberts, both from St. Louis, were on the Senate floor when the record was broken. Glad to share this moment with you, Roberts told May just after 7:30 a.m. Were taking the longest filibuster back into the hands of the minority (party). The lengthy filibuster has halted all action in the Missouri Senate and threatens to kill a flurry of bills just days before the final day of session on Friday. The legislation at issue would overhaul the states century-old initiative petition process that allows voters to place constitutional amendments on the ballot by gathering signatures. It would require future amendments to the state constitution to be approved essentially twice, a majority vote in at least five of the states eight congressional districts, and a majority vote statewide. Currently, constitutional amendments only need a majority vote statewide and have been used by voters of both parties to pass policy measures when the General Assembly fails to come to an agreement. Senate Democrats have vowed to block the measure until Republicans agree to strip deceptive language attached to the measure that have been labeled as ballot candy to entice voters. The ballot question placed before voters would also ask Missourians whether they want to ban foreign interference in ballot measures and allow only U.S. citizens to vote on constitutional amendments. Both are already illegal. This is such deception, May said Wednesday morning. Youre taking away the peoples ability to make their own public policy. The measure has long been a priority for Republicans as voters across the state have used initiative petitions to pass several liberal-leaning measures such as Medicaid expansion, marijuana legalization, and overturning a right-to-work law. I think its far too easy to change the constitution in this state, Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Lees Summit Republican, told The Star this week. Republicans have felt a renewed energy to overhaul the initiative petition process as abortion rights supporters embark on a campaign to overturn the states abortion ban in November. Some anti-abortion Republicans are hoping to place the question on the August ballot as a way to raise the approval threshold to block the potential abortion rights vote in November. The possibility of the abortion rights vote could put pressure on Senate Republicans to cut off the Democratic filibuster through a Previous Question motion or PQ. The move to shut off debate is viewed as the chambers nuclear option and has only been used eight times since 2007 most recently in 2020. House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson, a Lees Summit Republican, said Wednesday morning that he was not concerned about the filibuster blocking several Republican-led priorities this year. The Senate filibuster will make it harder to pass some of the House bills that weve sent over, said Patterson, who is poised to be the next House speaker. But I think there are enough things that we can get done, that it will still be a good session whether or not they leave early. A record-breaking filibuster from Democrats finally ended on Wednesday when the Missouri Senate voted to further negotiate with the House a measure that would weaken direct democracy. The motion, which senators approved on an 18 to 13 vote, allows lawmakers in the House and Senate to debate whether to remove from the measure deceptive language intended to entice voters. Wednesdays vote marked a win for Senate Democrats who had spent more than 50 hours blocking the legislation. Democrats had vowed to hold the floor until the legislative session ends on Friday unless Republicans agreed to strip the unrelated provisions called ballot candy. The sponsor of the measure, Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, an Arnold Republican, made the motion and signaled that Republicans did not have enough votes to cut off the Democratic filibuster. This is truly the only path that keeps this issue alive, Coleman, who is running for Missouri secretary of state, said. She later added that these policies are too important to play political games with. The legislation at issue would overhaul the states century-old initiative petition process by raising the threshold for constitutional amendments to pass on the ballot. Democrats and voting rights advocates have decried the entire measure as an attack on democracy. But the core of the Democratic filibuster centered on the ballot candy provisions attached to the legislation. The version of the ballot question that would be placed in front of voters would ask Missourians whether they want to ban foreign interference in citizen-led ballot measures and allow only U.S. citizens to vote on constitutional amendments. Both are already illegal. Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, an Independence Democrat, said Wednesday that the vote indicated that Republicans supported removing the ballot candy provisions. We will have a conference and we will take the ballot candy off and people can, at that point, know what theyre voting on instead of putting redundancies in the constitution, Rizzo said. Wednesdays motion asks that the House either pass the Senates version of the measure without the extra provisions or go to a conference committee to debate whether to remove them. Members of the hard-right Missouri Freedom Caucus railed against the motion, arguing that Republicans were effectively aligning themselves with Democrats. The groups chair, Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican, directly tied the effort to raise the approval threshold to a potential vote on abortion rights in November. Brattin screamed at his fellow Republicans to vote against the motion. This Republican Party has no backbone to fight for what is right and for life, he said. They will have the blood of the innocent on their hands. Some Missouri Republicans have felt renewed energy to overhaul the initiative petition process as abortion rights supporters mount a campaign to overturn the states abortion ban. Anti-abortion Republicans hope to place the initiative petition change on the August ballot as a way to raise the approval threshold before the potential abortion rights vote in November. The hard-right caucus had pushed for Republicans to deploy a rarely-used maneuver that would have cut off the Democratic filibuster and forced a vote on the measure. Such a move would have been seen as a sign of disrespect and almost certainly sparked filibusters from Democrats next session. It seems like the majority of the majority party decided that theyd like to see a Senate function and not use what we all know would be a pretty destructive tool to shut down debate, said Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Kansas City Democrat. In an exclusive interview on MSNBCs The 11th Hour With Stephanie Ruhle, Republican Senator Mitt Romney offered some questionable retroactive political calculus for President Biden, saying he should have exerted his presidential pardon power and intervened in the civil and criminal cases against Donald Trump. [Biden] should have fought like crazy to keep this prosecution from going forward, Romney said during the interview. Had I been President Biden, when the Justice Department brought out indictments, I would have immediately pardoned him, he added. Why? Well, because it makes me, President Biden, the big guy and the person I pardoned the little guy. And, number two, its not going to get resolved before the election. Its not going to have an impact before the election. And, frankly, the country doesnt want to have to go through prosecuting a former president. Biden only has pardon power over federal cases. The Trump Organization civil fraud case, the Georgia 2020 election interference case, and the currently ongoing hush-money trial are all being overseen by state and local prosecutors and would be ineligible for presidential pardon. It was a win-win for Donald Trump, claimed Romney about the cases brought against Trump. Meanwhile, Trump has described his ongoing legal turmoil as election interference as the trials keep him away from the campaign trail and restrict what topics he can discuss in public. Romney described Bidens inaction on using his legislative sway to influence judicial investigations and cases an enormous error. Polling from PBS in early May found a solid 20 percent of Americans arent paying attention to Trumps hush-money trial at all, with another 21 percent flat certain he did nothing wrong. Forty-seven percent of Americans think Trump did something illegal, while another 30 percent believe he acted unethically but not against the law, according to the poll. Mitt Romney says Biden should have pardoned Trump as he rips embarrassing Republicans flocking to trial Senator Mitt Romney said Joe Biden should have pardoned Donald Trump after the Justice Department brought election-interference charges and pressured New York prosecutors to drop the case over alleged hush-money payments. He should have fought like crazy to keep this prosecution from going forward, Mr Romney said, referring to Mr Biden, during an interview on MSNBCsThe 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle. It was a win-win for Donald Trump. Mr Romney said pardoning Mr Trump would have put Mr Biden in a position of power over the former president. I mean, you may disagree with this, but had I been President Biden, when the Justice Department brought on indictments, I would have immediately pardoned [Mr Trump], Mr Romney said. Why? Well, because it makes me, President Biden, the big guy and the person I pardoned a little guy. Mr Romney also criticised the parade of Republican leaders trying use Mr Trump's trial to get their faces out in front of the public and press, calling the display "a little embarrassing." Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told reporters that seeing his colleagues swarm Donald Trumps hush money trial was demeaning and embarassing (AP) "I think its a little demeaning to show up in front of a courthouse particularly one where were talking about an allegation of paying a porn star," Mr Romney told reporters before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting on Wednesday. The proceedings have drawn crowds of onlookers and an army of press, which has made it fertile ground for Republican leaders hoping to visibly show their fealty to the 2024 GOP presidential candidate. Among those edging their way into the fringes of the spotlight cast on Mr Trump were Senators Rick Scott, Tommy Tuberville, and JD Vance, Representative Byron Donalds, House Speaker Mike Johnson, South Dakota's Governor Doug Burgum and failed GOP primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Mr Romney found the opportunistic displays disheartening. "Really very difficult to watch," Mr Romney said. "There is a level of dignity and decorum that you expect from people who are running for the highest station in the land, and going out and prostrating themselves in front of the public to try and apparently curry favor with the person who is our nominee, its a little embarrassing." Those visiting the trial often espouse the same talking points that Mr Trump has used; the trial is a travesty, a sham, a political hit job concocted by Democrats afraid of Mr Trump's chances in this year's election. Some, like Mr Vance, are prospective vice presidential picks. Mr Johnson said Tuesday the trial was intended to keep Mr Trump from campaigning for re-election. "This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial," he said. US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) listens as former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives with attorney Todd Blanche (R) to court during his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments (Getty Images) There is no evidence that the trial was spearheaded by Democrats. That lack of evidence didn't stop Mr Vance from proclaiming that everyone involved was "practically" a Democratic operative. Mr Scott, who is up for re-election this year, accompanied Mr Trump to court last week, and insisted his visit was purely to show support for his "friend". Im here because I have known Donald Trump a long time, he said. I knew him before I was governor. I consider him a friend. And what he is going through is just despicable. Mr Scott has also been attacking Judge Juan Merchan's daughter, calling attention to someone who has no say in the trial and is a private individual. The judges daughter is a political operative and raises money for Democrats, Mr Scott said in New York. When asked on Fox News Sunday why he was attacking someone who was not involved in the trial or in politics in general, he insisted, like Mr Vance and other Republicans, that Democrats were pulling the strings at the trial. The Democrats are using the court system to go after and prosecute, criminally, a political opponent, Mr Scott said. Theyre just thugs trying to stop Trump from being able to run for president. Former President Donald Trump returns to the courtroom after a lunch break during his trial at Manhattan criminal court before his trial in New York (AP) Mr Romney told MSNBC he did not approve of his colleagues attacking the US justice system in order to defend Mr Trump. I think its a terrible fault, for our country to see people attacking our legal system thats an enormous mistake, he said. I think its also demeaning for people to quite, apparently, try and run for vice president by donning the red tie and standing outside the courthouse and its just I felt awkward. Mr Romney wasn't the only Republican leader to find the Trump teat suckling a bit pathetic. Senator Lisa Murkowski also called out her colleagues for parading around the court for the cameras. Do we have something to do around here other than watch a stupid porn trial? I mean, this is ridiculous, she said on Tuesday, according to HuffPost. Despite the criticism, at least Mr Trump seems to enjoy his underlings' wailing and gnashing of teeth. I do have a lot of surrogates, and they are speaking very beautifully, Mr Trump told reporters outside the courthouse. We have a lot of great people here to talk to you. With just a few days left for the Minnesota Legislature to pass bills, its still unclear whether there will be action on some of the biggest items at the state Capitol. Theres still no sign of success in persuading Uber and Lyft to stay in the state, and a deal still needs to be made on close to a billion dollars in infrastructure investments. The last day to vote on bills is Sunday, and lawmakers can only hold floor sessions on four of those remaining days. Republicans are using the limited time, and a supermajority threshold on public borrowing votes, to pressure DFLer majorities in control of the Senate and House to concede to some of their demands. While action on rideshare isnt on the list, their demands include dropping a bill to put a version of the Equal Rights Amendment to Minnesota voters that would put the right to an abortion and protections for gender identity and sexual orientation in the state Constitution. Infrastructure bill After a late night of filibustering on a DFL-backed bill to ban junk fees in the House, GOP leaders on Tuesday told reporters that they wouldnt back a $900 million or so infrastructure bill unless DFLers leave behind the ERA amendment, gun control measures and offer more funding for rural emergency medical services. Bipartisanship is going to be the spoonful of sugar that makes this whole end of session go down, said Sen. Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, who briefed reporters on negotiations at a Tuesday capitol news conference with House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring. Despite being in the minority, borrowing money for infrastructure, which traditionally happens in even-numbered years, requires a three-fifths majority in both chambers in order to pass. Thats one of the few leverage points available to Republicans though it doesnt just inconvenience DFLers. If Republicans kill a bonding bill it means they wont be able to deliver local projects in their districts either. In a joint statement Tuesday, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, called Republican demands unreasonable and said that emergency services funding and the bonding bill remain a priority. Republicans have jeopardized the completion of important work by intentionally throwing up roadblocks and delays on the floor, in negotiations, and again today by attempting to score political points with the press and public, the leaders said. ERA amendment, bonding bill The Equal Rights Amendments prospects are already dimming as time runs out. The House had planned to take that up Tuesday but tabled the measure after hours of Republican filibustering. The Senate has already passed a version of ERA, though its unclear if theyd accept a version that includes abortion. Democrats right now in the House are spending their time passing bills a lot of them have no chance of passing in the Senate, said House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring. There isnt a vast gap between the DFL and GOP bonding bill proposals. Republicans want $860 million in borrowing and $30 million in cash for projects across the state, with a preference for heavy infrastructure projects. As of last Friday, the DFL targets include $930 million in borrowing and about $30 million in cash. Past the ERA amendment, boosting funding for emergency services and new bonding targets, GOP lawmakers are pushing to remove gun control language from a bill increasing criminal penalties for people who buy guns for others who are ineligible to do so, such as felons. While both parties support increasing penalties for whats known as straw purchasing, Republicans oppose DFLers inclusion of language banning binary triggers, a modification that allows a semi-automatic weapon to fire both when the trigger is pulled and released greatly increasing its rate of fire. Republicans also dont want the state to have a public buy-in option for Minnesota Care. Some DFL lawmakers this session have been pushing for greater access to the states public health insurance system. Rideshare bill One issue at the Legislature likely to have the most immediate impact on Minnesotans is for now not tied to end-of-session negotiation points outlined by Republicans Tuesday. Uber and Lyft have said theyll pull out of Minnesota under a bill that would set the statewide minimum wage for ride-hailing drivers at $1.27 per mile and $0.49 per minute. DFLers last week announced the bill as a compromise with the Minneapolis City Council, which earlier this year passed an ordinance setting the minimum wage at $1.40 per mile and $0.51 per minute in city limits prompting the ride-hailing services initial threats to leave. The Senate Finance Committee approved that bill on partisan lines Monday, with all Republicans opposed. It has not yet been scheduled for a floor vote. Related Articles MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A Mobile woman was found guilty of reckless manslaughter in a 2020 shooting that killed 31-year-old David Green, according to the Mobile County District Attorneys Office. A Mobile County jury found Kiya Henderson, 29, responsible for Greens death. Kiya Yearnetta Henderson. (Photo courtesy of the Mobile County Sheriffs Office) Fairhope Police seek teenage girl who allegedly ran away Assistant District Attorney Coy Morgan presented testimony of a fight that occurred between Henderson and David Green on the night of Dec. 31, 2020, at the Main Street Food Mart in Prichard. SHOOTING LOCATION: This embedded content is not available in your region. Officers responded to the scene and found Green with a gunshot wound in his back, and he died of his injury. UPDATE: Mobile mayor responds to ACCEL Academys statement on Kenyen Brown report This type of violence took place at a public establishment, where a number of innocent shoppers could have been potentially injured, if not killed, Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood said. My office will continue to prosecute those offenders who must be held responsible for their appalling actions. Circuit Judge Brandy Hambright will sentence Henderson on June 14. Henderson faces anywhere from 2 to 20 years in prison. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. An image has emerged on social media that some widely followed Twitter accounts claim to be a U.S.-made Patriot air defense missile launcher that Ukraine sold to China. One expert, however, tells The War Zone that the undated photograph instead shows a mock-up. The picture depicts what some have claimed is a Patriot launcher on the back of a flatbed truck being moved in China. This sparked the spread of conspiracy theories on social media. This image likely shows a Patriot system mock-up, one expert tells us. Via Twitter However, what the undated photograph actually shows is a mock-up a former commander of the Armys Air Defense Artillery School at Fort Sill tells The War Zone. Those are what we call dummy canisters on that launcher, retired Army Col. David Shank told The War Zone. The umbilical cables coming from the back end of the launchers clearly show its either a training launcher or a decoy. Plus, it is so green. Ukrainian launchers, like other nations, get dirty as you maneuver them on hardball roads and/or dirt roads. He also noted that the launcher in question is marked "inert" on the side. The image, he said, shows a mock-up of a Patriot PAC-3 system , evident by the four canisters each holding four interceptors a piece. A closer look shows the word "inert" on the side of the vehicle. Via Twitter We are not certain that the picture was actually taken in China, although it remains possible. A road sign seen in the image has writing in both Chinese and English. There was a bilingual signage effort in China, however authorities in Beijing began to remove English signage last year . Taiwan also uses both languages on its signage so it very well have been taken there. In addition, Taiwan is a PAC-3 Patriot operator. We continue to investigate as to the image's location. Shank said he does not know the origin of the mock-up. The U.S. Army, he added, has dummy Patriot Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) systems it uses to train troops on how to load the launchers and drive the TEL. So far, t he Oryx open-source tracking group has no record of the Russians having captured any part of a Patriot system. They have however destroyed at least two M901 launchers for MIM-104 Patriot interceptors, Oryx states. That figure could be higher because the group only tabulates losses for which it has visual confirmation. You can see video of one of those systems after being attacked below. Measures to deceive the enemy have been extensive throughout the war so far , on both sides. In February, we wrote about the emergence of images showing extremely eleborate Ukrainian mock-ups of ground-based air defense systems among the most prized targets for the opposition. At the time, images and video emerged on social media of remarkably accurate dummies used by Ukraine to replicate the German-supplied IRIS-T SLM surface-to-air missile system and the U.S.-made AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar system. You can see video of the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar system decoy below: Other systems, even Su-25 attack jets , have also been replicated in decoy form by Ukraine to great effect. This now includes decoy Patriot launchers. The use of decoys to distract the enemy and suck up valuable munitions has only been expanding exponentially in recent months. The U.S. is also looking to elaborate decoys to help survive in grand fight in the Pacific against China. On the other hand, there has also been a lot of military equipment changing hands in Ukraine . China, like Russia, the U.S. and many other countries try to learn how to reverse engineer as well as defeat captured adversary equipment through foreign material exploitation (FME) programs. Still, we have no evidence that China has received any significant FME intelligence wins from the Ukrainian battlefield, but it is certainly possible, especially via Russia. Still, China would have a locally-made dummy launcher like this. The use of facsimiles of threat systems are prevalent, in this case to train pilots and sensor operators on how to spot and deal with them in the heat of battle. The U.S. has very high-fidelity mockups of foreign threat systems, especially air defense types, for this exact purpose. You can read all about this here . China is particularly well known for making full scale replicas of all types of things, especially those relating to military hardware. So, at this point, it seems clear that the image in question does not depict a real Patriot launcher. Beyond that, we hope to learn more. Update: 5:39 PM - The truck's car plate appears to be Chinese, based on its combination of a Chinese character followed by Latin-script letters and numbers, according to Defense Politics Asia (DPA ), a Singapore-based community-funded think tank. So this photo [was] very likely taken in China, DPA concluded as a result. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Police are often reactive. A break-in happens at a store. Someone trespasses at a gas station. A person is shot. Then someone calls 911. And then police respond. The Raleigh Police Department hopes modernizing the departments real-time crime center, through $629,000 in new federal funding, will help law enforcement be more proactive. I firmly believe that when we equip our officers with the equipment they need, they then can effectively prevent crime, they can efficiently respond to crime in progress and they can deter crime from happening in the first place, Police Chief Estella Patterson said during a press conference this week. The Raleigh Police Departments crime analysts review trends, videos and databases, but the work is done manually. That has become an increasingly tedious and complex task and takes time to complete, Maj. Derrick Ford said. Modernizing and bolstering our technology will allow accessing and utilizing this data to better identify crime trends, patterns and understand the complex criminal networks that exist. For example, Patterson said, take someone who is loitering and then decides to break into a property. If law enforcement has access to the businesss security camera they might be able to see the crime in real-time and send officers out immediately instead of waiting for the business owner to realize theyve had a break-in. We have to wait a lot of times until Monday morning, the following day, whatever may be the case for our analysts to come in together, scrub all the information, go through what they see, Patterson said. This is going to allow us to have it done automatically. That is going to aid our analysts and our detectives, and they will be able to solve crimes much quicker. This is done, in part, through a new program called Connect Raleigh. The city recently started it to let businesses, property owners and residents register their own cameras so police can ask for a recording of the video if a crime happened nearby. Property owners can also integrate their cameras and give law enforcement direct access to them. As of this week, there are 719 cameras integrated into the system and 404 cameras registered in the program. Many police departments around the country are moving toward real-time crime centers to address staff shortages. The city has about 80 to 90 vacancies in the Raleigh Police Department, or about 10% of the force. Through this technology we will send a clear message to those who are victimizing or who are thinking of victimizing others that we know who they are and that we will hold them accountable for the crimes theyve committed, Patterson said. The exact program or technology to modernize the real-time crime center, called a public safety intelligent management system, has yet to be identified, Patterson said. That work will occur with the police and citys IT team but should be named within six months and implemented soon after. The federal funding, secured in part by U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, will only cover a portion of the cost of the new system. Raleigh City Manager Marchell Adams-David will unveil her proposed budget to city leaders next week. This file photo taken on March 22, 2024 shows Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico attending the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium. Robert Fico is in a life-threatening condition after being shot in Handlova, Slovakia's Trencin region, a post from his social media said Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) BRATISLAVA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is in a life-threatening condition after being shot in Handlova, Slovakia's Trencin region, a post from his social media said Wednesday. Fico is being transported by helicopter to a hospital in Banska Bystrica, as the flight to the capital would take a longer time. The suspect, who was detained on the spot, is reported to be a 71-year-old man. The Slovak news agency TASR cited the parliament's vice-chairman Lubos Blaha as saying that the incident happened during a parliamentary session. The meeting has been adjourned until further notice. The incident took place in the town of Handlova, some 150 km northeast of the capital, according to the news television station TA3. Police has sealed off the area in front of the Culture House in Handlova. This spring, more than 3,750 students across Modesto City Schools high schools will accept their diplomas and prepare for the next stages of their lives. In hopes of finding better career opportunities and more life experiences, some who will head off to college in the fall said they dont plan to return to Stanislaus County. The opportunities they see here dont align with their goals. The Bee spoke with two of those students. One serves as the student representative on the school board and was accepted to multiple Ivy League schools. The other is the student body president and headed to a prestigious university on the East Coast. Young people continue a pattern of leaving Modesto despite attempts by city and county leaders to diversify the areas economy, grow the workforce and make the area more accommodating and attractive to that demographic. According to census data used to track migration patterns of young people in the U.S., Modesto has lagged behind larger neighboring areas like Sacramento and Fresno when it comes to the number of residents 16 to 26 years old who move out of the area. Only about 65% of people in that age range stay in Modesto, compared to 67% in Sacramento and 75% in the Fresno area. In addition, only 50% of young Black people stay in Modesto, according to the data. IB student finds a place closer to the world stage Dzifa Ackuayi is a senior at Modesto High School who will receive her International Baccalaureate diploma, awarded only to students who complete the college-level program. Planning to work in politics and law, Ackuayi the school board student representative aspires to go to school on the East Coast to study political science and economics, miles away from the familiar small town. Shes been accepted into several Ivy League schools including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, UPenn, Brown and Columbia, in addition to top California schools such as Stanford and USC. When I was applying for colleges, I wanted to be able to be in a space where I got to dip my fingers into politics on a more national and international level than I think I could find here, she said. Ackuayi said she will be attending Harvard for its extensive government program and the Institute of Politics. One of the reasons why Harvard is my top choice is because of the access that Id have to faculty, alumni, or guest speakers who have regularly graced world stages and who can regularly grace the campus and open a door to infinite opportunities for myself and my peers, she said. She found many classmates in similar positions, looking to leave Modesto or Stanislaus County altogether. She believes this is due to her peers wanting to experience new things and meet new people. I see Modesto growing into a greater hub for technology and agriculture, so there is growth, just not necessarily in the field that Im personally more interested in, she said. Duke-bound student says local opportunities are limited Keith Buenrostro, the student body president of Modesto High School, also plans to leave the city for college. He will be attending Duke University to study economics and public policy. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he plans to go to law school. Buenrostro chose Duke because its interdisciplinary program curriculum is known for preparing students for law school and beyond, and because of the community engagement on its campus. Modesto is at the center of many different industries agriculture to name one however, there are not many local opportunities offered for students to gain substantial experience in fields like law, politics, and medicine, he said. For many, it is necessary to travel to places or institutions recognized for these industries and career paths. According to Choose Modesto, a resource center for local business and those considering coming here, the top five most popular occupations in the city are office and administrative support, transportation and material moving, sales, healthcare support and food preparation. In addition, the California Employment Development Department shows major employers in Stanislaus County include Amazon, Bartles & Jaymes Co. and Del Monte Foods Inc. Though Buenrostro believes many of his peers are leaving the county for education opportunities, he believes they will return for various career roles since the city has positions for specific industries. Of course, our institutions arent as well-known as many across the country, but someone seeking a good education will likely find it in Stanislaus County, he said. Many students I know plan on returning to Modesto or their hometowns upon completing university because they have a specific job or career in mind. How to get students to return after college? Marian Kaanon, president of the Stanislaus Community Foundation, said suburban communities like Stanislaus often lose their college students, and it is not always a bad thing, but the key is how to attract that talent back. In 2018, the foundation commissioned a report on talent migration, which found that the younger generation was attracted to cultural and downtown amenities and mixed-use housing. She also said the report found this demographic is looking for well-paying jobs with advancement opportunities and affordable housing near downtown spaces. Modesto has made some improvement in these areas with the Downtown Modesto Partnership, the focus on new industry clusters through BEAM Circular and Stanislaus 2030 and the cultural hot spots offered through Gallo Center for the Arts and the Tuolumne River recreational area, Kaanon said. However, affordable housing and especially housing options downtown are limited. I think we have to work on these multiple fronts to keep and attract young talent. Dave White, the chief executive officer at Opportunity Stanislaus, said the city is also working to better engage its young adult demographic. White highlights the importance of supporting the agricultural and food processing industries in the community as it has brought many jobs and opportunities for people for years, but believes diversifying the economy can appeal and bring more people to move to the region. The best economies anywhere are diversified economies because people have choices of what they can do, he said. Thats how you retain your young people, especially the ones who have aspirations to move forward with higher education. You have more opportunities for them. According to the census data, only 14.5% of people aged 25 and up living in Modesto hold a bachelors degree and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree. We need to have a nice community, a place where people would want to be that have higher skills and we need to have sites available that these companies can locate in, in order to grow, he said. Although many students will leave behind Modesto for the next stage in their lives, many of them have pride in their hometown and are thankful for the opportunities they received here. So many brilliant minds have been molded here and are molding future generations. I know that the accomplishments that Ive made academically and otherwise would not be possible without the opportunities that Ive had in the arts, in public service, and academically here in Modesto, Ackuayi said. Mohamed Amra: Who is The Fly, the French prisoner who escaped in deadly ambush? A rare episode of violence disrupted the peaceful region of Normandy in northern France on Tuesday when gunmen ambushed a prison convoy to spring a notorious prison inmate known as The Fly. The attack took place while prisoner Mohamed Amra, 30, was being transported from a court hearing in Rouen to a nearby prison in Evreux, and has led to a massive manhunt. The prison convoy was driving on a motorway when it came under heavy gunfire, resulting in the deaths of two prison guards, while three others were seriously injured. Heres what we know so far about the escaped inmate, as a search involving hundreds of police officers enters its second day. Well known to authorities Mohamed Amra, nicknamed La Mouche or The Fly, is very well known to the French justice system having sustained a total of 13 convictions, according to Paris state prosecutor Laure Beccuau. A judicial court in Marseilles is currently investigating Amra for a string of offenses including complicity in premeditated murder in an organized gang, complicity in kidnapping and the taking of hostages, according to Beccuau. CNNs affiliate in France, BFMTV, reports that the 30-year-old is a suspected narcotics boss. Amras lawyer, Hugues Vivier, disputes this, saying there had been nothing to alert authorities to his client having a particularly dangerous profile. Beccuau told journalists that Amras criminal record does not contain any convictions for drug-related offenses. Most of his convictions relate to incidents of theft with aggravated offenses, Beccuau said, adding that he had been incarcerated in various facilities since January 2022. Gunmen wearing balaclavas ambush a prison van to free notorious inmate "The Fly." - Reuters On May 10, Amra was found guilty on the charge of burglary by a court in Evreux, resulting in a prison sentence of 18 months. He is also under investigation in Marseille for a kidnap which led to a death, Beccuau said. As part of his statement last night, Beccuau said that Amra had been placed under security level three - meaning he was not a high-security prisoner. This is why only five officers were involved in escorting him from the court back to prison. Amra, who was born in the city of Rouen in northern France, was first convicted by authorities in October 2009 aged 15 years old, according to Beccuau. It is understood that Amra had attempted to escape from Evreux prison two days prior to the ambush. Speaking to BFMTV, Emmanuel Baudin, a union leader of prison guards, said: We know that he tried to escape two or three days ago by sawing off the bars of his cell. So colleagues moved him to a disciplinary unit. In an interview on French radio, Amras mother said she broke down crying when she heard about the deadly ambush. I broke down, I cried. Really I wasnt well. How can lives be taken like that? It makes me sick Its serious, she told Frances RTL radio network. French forensic police inspect a vehicle at Incarville toll station, where gunmen ambushed a prison van. - Christophe Petit Tesson/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Manhunt underway A massive manhunt has been launched to find Amra and the gunmen who carried out the prison break. Interpol put out a red notice a request for worldwide law enforcement officials to locate and provisionally arrest that person for Amra. It is not, as Interpol points out, an international arrest warrant. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on X he has mobilized the national gendarmerie and several hundred police officers for the manhunt. French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti told reporters that the incident was the first time a French prison employee has died while working since 1992. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X that every effort is being made to find the perpetrators of this crime so that justice can be done in the name of the French people. This story has been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MEMPHIS, Tenn. The woman accused of letting her 5-year-old daughter wax womens private parts will have her case moved to Criminal Court. Jasmine Moss appeared in General Sessions Court alongside her attorney Blake Ballin on Wednesday. She is charged with Child Neglect and Child Abuse, a misdemeanor. However, Ballin says having the case moved to Criminal Court allows evidence to be presented in court. Mom accused of letting child wax nude women arrested, charged with neglect We sent the case up to the next level, up to Criminal Court. She is charged with a felony. This court can only handle misdemeanors. And we decided we didnt need to have a hearing, were just gonna continue working with the prosecutors to try and negotiate a resolution, said Ballin. While Ballin has not seen the images of the child allegedly waxing adults, he confirmed that Moss still has custody of her daughter, as well as her license. Mom accused of letting child wax nude women still has active license The Department of Child Services did an investigation and she is still with her child. Everyone is safe and happy, Ballin said. According to the state licensing website, Moss license is good through June 30, 2025. Moss is expected to be back in court within the next three to six months. She was been free since February, when she was released on her own recognizance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Mom Allegedly Tied Up Son and Threw Him into Pool Before Beating Him To Death, Told Sibling He Was 'Faking' It Patricia Saintizaire is charged with first-degree murder Polk County Sheriff's Office Patricia Saintizaire Content warning: The following article contains descriptions of child abuse. A Florida mother is charged with murder after her 4-year-old son died as a result of her alleged abuse. Patricia Saintizaire, 36, is facing a charge of first-degree murder after her son, whom she adopted from Haiti last year, died on May 2, the Polk County Sheriffs Office says in a release. Saintizaire was arrested after hospital staff told authorities the boy died under suspicious circumstances, police say. The sheriffs office says an autopsy concluded that the child suffered from a deep liver laceration that was the result of a targeted blunt force trauma injury, as well as scarring on his back, with old scarring present, as well as fresh scars that would've occurred while the victim was living in the United States. The liver laceration caused a rapid decline in the boys condition, police say, citing the autopsy. When police interviewed the victims older brother, who is a teenager, he initially denied that Saintizaire had abused him or that he had witnessed any abuse. But after being taken into the custody of Florida Department of Children and Families, police say the teen told detectives that Saintizaire had threatened to kill him with a gun and had allegedly said when they ask you something, say nothing so I don't get in trouble. Police say that Saintizaire allegedly told the teen that the 4-year-old was "faking it" after he was seen looking lethargic and unable to walk. 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 sheriffs officer further added that a video from home surveillance found on Saintizaires phone allegedly showed her hitting the child with an object while he was unresponsive on the ground, while another showed her allegedly throw him into a pool with his hands tied behind his back. Saintizaire is also charged with aggravated child abuse and tampering with a witness. It is not immediately clear if she has entered a plea or retained an attorney. 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. A mom is accused of trying to hire a woman in Alabama to kill her daughters husband with her sisters help. Three women are now charged with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire. Sandra Grimes and her sisters, Judy Owen and Mitzy Smith, recruited another woman to kill Grimes son-in-law, according to a May 8 criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Alabama. Domingo Soto, the attorney representing Smith, told McClatchy News the governments case is weak, and he denied the allegations against his client completely. Owens attorney, Barre Dumas, told McClatchy News it was too soon to comment on the case. McClatchy News could not immediately get in touch with Grimes attorney May 15. The woman they are accused of hiring told the government the sisters paid her money and gave her a gun to kill a man. Shes a convicted felon, according to court records, and Soto said shes not credible. In February, Owen paid a $500 veterinary bill for the woman and, in return, asked her to kill Grimes daughters husband, an FBI agent said in the complaint. Grimes and Owen drove the woman from southwest Alabama near Mobile across the border to Louisiana and passed by the home of Grimes son-in-law, who they said was abusive, officials said. The sisters said they previously paid someone else $10,000 to kill the man, but that person took the money and ran, according to the agent. The woman told the government she agreed to carry out the killing but wanted more money from the sisters. Initially the sisters wanted the woman to make his death appear like an overdose, but later they delivered her a gun without a serial number at the bottom of a box of Christmas decorations, officials said. But Soto said the government doesnt have the box. The sisters and the woman used alternate phones with one anothers contacts saved under fake names, but the woman referred to Grimes and the son-in-law by name multiple times, officials said. FBI agents said they searched the phone and read the communications. In text messages between Grimes and the woman, Grimes promises her I am not going to do u wrong, officials included in the complaint. I am the smart one. She sent the woman money, as well as photos of the mans license plate and the home, telling her which rooms were the kids and where the windows were located, among other details, officials said. She told the woman, Please dont make any mistakes, saying the kids were her and her daughters life, messages showed. The woman the sisters are accused of hiring drove from Alabama to Louisiana several more times but did not kill the man, officials said. After weeks without results, Owen began texting the woman as well, saying she wants progress or my money u pick, the FBI agent said in the complaint. The sisters are charged with user of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to transfer a firearm to be used to commit a crime of violence, according to the complaint. Woman tried to hire hitman on the dark web to kill boyfriends lover in Texas, feds say Doctor asks nurse to help her hire hitman to kill ex-husband in Kentucky, feds say Lawyer sought hitman to kill his kids mom, feds say. Cheaper way to get rid of her Ex-wife pays hitman with diamond ring to kill woman living with ex-husband, feds say Monmouth College faculty member Robin Johnson will be one of the featured guests of a transatlantic virtual discussion, focusing on how democracy defenders can, and do, win elections. Hosted by the Jefferson Education Society of Erie, Pennsylvania, the event will be held from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, May 15. To hear the discussion, register at this link. Robin Johnson (Monmouth College) A member of Monmouths political science department who also hosts the Heartland Politics weekly radio show on WVIK-FM, Johnson was chosen to be part of the panel because of what discussion moderator John Austin called his path-breaking work on how Democrats can and do win in Trump country.' In 2020, Austin founded the Industrial Heartlands Transformation Initiative, a transatlantic collaborative partnership dedicated to closing geographic economic divides and reconnecting residents of rural and former industrial heartland communities to economic opportunity. One of the organizations he pulled into the initiative is the Chicago Council on Global Affairs where, years ago, his work on supporting economic transformation in the Midwest overlapped with Johnsons interests. The initiative works to return community pride and optimism about the future, and diminish the appeal of polarizing, resentment-driven, isolationist and ethnonationalist political movements that threaten our democracies, said Austin. There is tremendous concern in the U.S. and across Europe over the rise of nationalist, anti-democratic political movements and the leaders who stoke voter resentment in their bids to take and keep power. How to fix it Johnson acknowledges the concern, but adds, There needs to be a realization about what is fueling these movements. People feel abandoned and left behind as the major economic drivers of their regions have been displaced, many by actions taken by leaders of both political parties, he said. And, if you talk with people from both sides of the political divide, as I do, you find the same concerns expressed from both sides about the other. A solution, he says, is simple. Democrats need to go door-to-door and listen to their neighbors, said Johnson. Restore some old-fashioned campaigning and be the face of the party instead of someone in Washington or Springfield. Instead of top-down campaigning of TV ads and social media, use canvassing to listen and understand rural voters, who are often mischaracterized by the mainstream media. That approach, said Johnson, wont necessarily lead to wins in Republican areas, but they can reduce the margins. This isnt just my opinion its the advice of dozens of local Democrats who have won in rural and working class districts in the Trump era, he said. Grassroots-style campaigning is important in order to listen to what folks are saying and trying to find areas of common ground. Can democracy win? Johnson was connected to Austin through Richard Longworth, who visited Monmouths campus in 2009. Austin was featured in Longworths book Caught in the Middle: Americas Heartland in the Age of Globalism, which Johnson uses in his Midwest Politics class. John has since spoken with my classes several times, suggested class projects we have collaborated on, and been a guest on my radio show, said Johnson. Austin said a reason behind the May 15 discussion is that we all need tangible and inspiring examples of where leaders who do want to make a difference in peoples lives and work to strengthen, not weaken, democracy win over voters and win elections. Even in regions that more often support polarizing populists and authoritarian strongman wannabes. Johnson still believes democracys track record will win the day. Im mildly concerned about the anti-democratic actions from the fringes of both parties but also feel our institutions of democracy have held up pretty well over the years, he said. Im confident they will do so in the future. Joining Johnson on the panel will be Georgetown University scholars Lucas Kreuzer and Kamil Lungu a native of Poland and Andy Westwood, professor of government practice at the University of Manchester in England. Kreuzer and Lungu will share the findings from their new paper analyzing the Polish election and lessons from the Polish experience relevant for democracy defenders everywhere. Westwood brings similar insights into how regional leaders in struggling England geographies not only win and keep office, but rebuild community pride and economic vitality. In addition to his teaching role in Monmouth Colleges political science department, Robin Johnson hosts the weekly radio Heartland Politics. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Photo illustration by Getty Images. Three weeks after her son Brody turned 16, Jody Hill said he got into a fight with his dad. Through tears, Hill said Montana courts could have intervened and helped keep Brody safe, but last fall, he took his own life. My son would be here today had the courts had better tools, Hill said. Tuesday, Hill and other members of the public told the Law and Justice interim committee that Montana judges need more training in family law. Some alleged manipulation by former spouses and unfair actions by courts where abusers are rewarded. A panel of judges, however, said they have the chance to learn more about topics related to family law at least once a year and in ongoing webinars, although they didnt weigh in on whether they believe the education is adequate. During the panel, the judges talked with the committee about how courts make decisions in contentious child custody cases, including ones with abuse allegations. The judges said they focus on a childs safety and, if possible, on ensuring the child has a relationship with both parents. Family law can be really contentious, said Judge Rienne McElyea, of Gallatin County. These are the most important issues for people and the human experience. Chairperson Amy Regier, R-Kalispell, said the discussion at the meeting was a starting point, and the committee may consider more information in the future. In 2023, the Montana Legislature voted against a much-amended bill called Safety of the Child First Act, Senate Bill 250, which would have included some funding for judges to take domestic violence training. However, Democrats and Republicans who opposed the bill said as written, it could have upended settled child custody cases with a retroactivity clause, and doing so would unduly burden the courts. Sponsored by Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton, the bill also would have stopped the removal of children from parents who dont face abuse allegations and stopped a child from being reunited with a parent who has faced abuse allegations. Tuesday during the panel, district court Judges McElyea, Leslie Halligan and Brenda Gilbert answered questions the committee had sent in advance. The agenda item was called parental alienation syndrome, a theory most mental health professionals consider junk science, according to a 2023 ProPublica investigation. The theory is that one parent unfairly turns a child against another parent with false accusations, such as that the child is being abused, but the idea isnt accepted as a disorder by mainstream scientists. However, the judges shared with lawmakers their approaches to high-conflict parenting; the frequency of domestic violence or child abuse allegations; and the types of training judges receive. Judge Leslie Halligan, of Missoula and Mineral counties, said its important to get a handle on the facts in order to ensure a childs safety. Sometimes, cases involve addiction issues or a history of domestic violence. A lot of conflict stems from an inability of parties to communicate and understand each other, so Halligan said she tries to listen to people in her courtroom, including to figure out if they need outside professional help because it can be expensive. Certainly, hearing people and listening carefully is helpful, I think, in trying to figure out the conflict, Halligan said. She said research indicates problems are created when courts look only for specific terms, such as parental alienation. She also said when custody is changed as a result of such allegations, other issues, such as physical and sexual abuse, might be overlooked. Halligan said she prefers to look at how to promote healthy relationships with both parents and how to ensure a childs safety. The judge also said when shes wrong, she doesnt mind taking another look at a case. Judge Gilbert, of Park and Sweet Grass counties, said most family law cases are resolved with very little involvement of the court, although violence is alleged in roughly 25% of the cases she sees. Most of the time, she said, domestic violence is between parents rather than the physical abuse of a child by a parent. However, Gilbert also said it is harmful for children to witness violence even if theyre not targets themselves. As for education in family law, the judges said at least one of two trainings they have the opportunity to take every year touches on family law, such as a 2.5- or three-hour seminar. Gilbert said in addition to those trainings, she believes most judges consider family law decisions that come down from the Montana Supreme Court as an ongoing form of education. Additionally, Gilbert said many judges who are new on the bench will attend a two-week course at a judicial college at the University of Nevada in Reno, and it includes a lot of family law training and also offers ongoing free webinars. Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, said he wanted to know about the times McElyea signed off on mediated parenting plans without seeing parents at all. He asked if the judge vets the mediators given all the faith shes putting in them. McElyea said it was a good question. She said she doesnt vet mediators, although her community has good ones, and she also said the legislature amended a statute a decade or so ago to dispense with the necessity of a hearing. At the same time, McElyea said she doesnt sign off on every single mediation plan. For example, if she sees a parent waive child support, she wants to be sure there isnt an imbalance of power, so in that case, she might set a hearing. However, she said she believes no one can better decide disputes than parents themselves. I put a lot of faith in that relationship between the parents, McElyea said. The post Montana judges discuss approach to contentious family law cases appeared first on Daily Montanan. More than 450 students, parents, staff members and others waved signs and chanted slogans outside the Poudre School District administration building Tuesday to protest proposed school closures, consolidations and boundary changes. The protest was timed to greet members of the Board of Education, Superintendent Brian Kingsley and other district leaders prior to their regularly scheduled board meeting. Although dozens of the districts schools were represented, turnout was strongest in support of Johnson, Beattie, Linton, Harris and Putnam elementaries all schools that could be closed under various options prepared for the school board by a Facilities Steering Planning Committee. Cache La Poudre Elementary School and Cache La Poudre, Boltz and Preston middle schools could also be closed under the new options, including one scenario that turns Kinard Middle School currently a 100% choice-only school in southeast Fort Collins into a neighborhood school. I feel its important for education for everyone to be here, said Norman Vogel, a parent of two students who previously attended Johnson Elementary and another who is there now. With the affluence of Fort Collins, and the people who live here, theres got to be a way to raise money or get budgets raised to keep all of our schools open. Educations our future. Beattie and Johnson elementaries and Blevins Middle School were slated for closure under all four revised scenarios prepared by the steering committee and made public by the district Friday. Linton Elementary would be closed under three of those scenarios and converted to a 100% choice-only school, absorbing Harris Bilingual Elementary, under the fourth. I went to Harris when I was younger and it first opened, parent Liz Rodarte said. I went to Harris, and Im bilingual now because Ive been able to keep up with it and now, I have a son and daughter who will go to Harris. Everybody in the school knows everybody else. Its a family. Many of the protesters wore shirts proudly displaying their schools colors and name, and they chanted save our schools together at times and individually at others, with those from Harris and several from the Putnam and Linton communities mixing in the Spanish translation of the phrase, salva las escuelas. Students from several of the schools paraded through the crowd, carrying signs with a variety of messages to support their schools. The scene was reminiscent, but even larger than, a similar protest outside a school board meeting in October, when Kingsley abandoned a previous plan to move Polaris Expeditionary Learning School and its instructional model into both Olander Elementary and Blevins Middle School and consolidate the districts two alternative high schools, Centennial and Poudre Community Academy. After putting that plan on hold, Kingsley and the Board of Education committed to a more transparent process that would incorporate more community feedback as the district addressed declining enrollment particularly in its non-charter schools and the associated reductions in per-pupil state funding. That led to the creation of the Facilities Steering Planning Committee, a 37-member group that was formed with the help of an outsider facilitator, the Institute of Built Environment at Colorado State University. That committee developed four draft scenarios that were shared publicly March 19 and the revised scenarios released Friday that each call for the closure of five neighborhood schools along with programming and boundary changes. And those schools listed for possible closure, in particular, were out in full force Tuesday to make sure their voices were heard. Protesters hold up signs in front of the Poudre School District administration building before a board meeting on Tuesday in Fort Collins. Im here primarily for our families that cant be here, because they dont have the privilege of time, Beattie Elementary counselor Stephanie Coleman said. We have the highest percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunch in the district that is not a title school, and we need to make sure, as a community, that those kids are protected. Putting them in schools two miles away is not equitable and not what is best for kids. Fifty-three people signed up in advance to share concerns, all but four of them listing the closures and consolidation process as their topic, during community comment at the board meeting. The Facilities Planning Steering Committee provided an update, including an explanation behind the revised scenarios, later that night, and the board is now moving forward with the revised scenarios as the final recommendations. The Board of Education, which has the final say in the process, is expected to vote on a plan at its June 11 meeting. Editor's note: This story was updated to include more information from Tuesday night's board meeting. Reporter Kelly Lyell covers education, breaking news, some sports and other topics of interest for the Coloradoan. Contact him at kellylyell@coloradoan.com, x.com/KellyLyell and facebook.com/KellyLyell.news. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: More than 450 people protest PSD plan to close and consolidate schools LAS VEGAS (KLAS) As the real estate market squeezes out potential home buyers in Southern Nevada, many are facing a greater challenge, true affordable housing. Theres a concerning shortage that continues to expand. If we were to meet the needs of everyone here in Southern Nevada that would qualify for affordable housing, wed need about 90,000 more units, Lewis Jordan said. Hes the Executive Director of the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority. The picture of affordable housing is clearly that we need more, he added. Southern Nevada isnt unique in its needs but is uniquely underserved Jordan said. One example he pointed to is that the federal government gives the Southern Nevada Housing Authority 12,500 Housing Choice Vouchers, formerly known as Section 8. Thats for a community in Clark County of close to 2.3 million people. Conversely, Jordan said, A place like Chicago that has 2.6-2.7 million people in Chicago proper, receives somewhere in the neighborhood of 48,000 vouchers. Jordan is working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to increase that number. But he said thats just the start. We need to work with landlords to make sure theyre willing to accept vouchers, he said, We need to build more housing. Thats a thought shared by Nic Irwin. Hes the Research Director at UNLVs Lied Center for Real Estate. Were a growing metropolitan area. We need more housing. We need more land to build that housing or to make housing affordable. Especially in a town like this where a lot of people are working shift work and may not come with really high salaries, he said. Condo, townhome prices in Southern Nevada reach all-time high in April As more people move here, inventory is shrinking which is also driving up prices. Thats just a piece of the puzzle. Is there a way to solve it? I dont know. Its really tricky, Irwin said I dont think we can put our hands on whats driving the affordable housing market, Jordan added. Jordan remains positive, however, and said he believes it is solvable, but the situation is dire. I have 54,000 on all of our combined wait lists, he said. There is an expectation that that assistance is not forever, but just until people can move forward. Thats becoming increasingly more difficult in the current market. He said perhaps its time to rethink how we associate success. As it relates to the American Dream of homeownership, I think thats still very, although its somewhat tougher because of prices, because of conditions, I think that we also need to redefine what success is as it relates to the American Dream, he added. Some folk may not want to own a home. Jordan said the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority is in the process of developing 400 new units. Those are still a ways from completion. The money was part of federal funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Authorities are warning residents to check their bank statements after several USPS mailboxes were allegedly broken into early Monday morning. According to Lexington Police, around 1:40 a.m., the mailboxes in front of the Post Office at 1661 Massachusetts Avenue were looted, along with the mailbox in the driveway at the Town Office Building. Just last month, the same stretch of mailboxes were reportedly robbed by a suspect with a master key. It is unclear if the same suspect committed the crimes. Police are encouraging residents to avoid using these mailboxes for the time being. We understand the convenience of being able to drive up and drop off your mail, however, it is in your best interest to take a few extra minutes to go into the post office and drop your mail off inside the building, Lexington Police wrote in a social media post. Residents are urged to contact their financial institutions if they sent a check in one of the affected mailboxes. The thefts remain under investigation. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Ulviyya Shahin This year, it is planned to create regional centres for fintechs in Baku, Sumgayit, and Ganja, Inara Valiyeva, the head of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, said at the Fintech Summit, Azernews reports. According to her, this process will be further expanded in the coming years. "In addition, together with the Central Bank, we are also working in the field of legislation to facilitate access to finance. You know that a fund has been established in this regard. But sometimes problems arise with payments related to this fund. In order to overcome these difficulties, it is imperative that a legislative basis for venture investments be created. In parallel with this, there is active work on the creation of the second venture fund in Azerbaijan." Valiyeva noted that there are also angel investment funds for making investments in this sector. "There are already 3 such funds operating in our country. Although the activity of angel investor funds is not to our liking, we expect them to be more active. Currently, 30-35% of the startups we cover are in fintech. This is not surprising. Because now the most active area is the financial sector." DODOMA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities said on Wednesday that they are installing 6,500 cameras in key economic areas in four major cities to boost safety and security. Minister of Home Affairs Hamad Masauni said the installation of cameras is part of implementing the "safer cities" project, which is set to begin in the 2024/2025 financial year. Masauni announced the plans when he presented his ministry's budget estimates for the 2024/2025 financial year in parliament in the national capital of Dodoma. He said the cameras to be equipped with artificial intelligence technology will be installed in industrial areas, commercial areas, public gatherings, city streets, hotels, and places for social services in the cities of Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, and Mwanza. "The project will help to stimulate economic and social activities due to the improved security in towns and cities across the country," Masauni told the House. The project will be implemented through a concessional loan worth 145.2 million U.S. dollars from the government of the United Arab Emirates, he said. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey speaks at a campaign event October 22, 2018 in Inwood, West Virginia. (Win McNamee | Getty Images) Patrick Morrisey secured the Republican nomination in the West Virginia governors race on Tuesday, inching out fellow front-runner Moore Capito in the high-profile and heavy-spending race. Morrisey, who has served as the states attorney general for 12 years, won with 33% of the votes at the time the race was called in his favor. This campaign now marches on to November, said Morrisey, 56, from his victory party in Martinsburg. West Virginia is too important, our kids future is too important, this country is too important. He added, Im going to do everything I can to make sure Donald J. Trump is the next president. Democrat Steve Williams, mayor of Huntington, ran unopposed and will face Morrisey in the November general election to be states 37th governor. Morrisey had narrowly led campaign polls in the race ahead of Tuesdays primary. The New Jersey native spent more than $3 million and led the gubernatorial candidates in media ad buys during his campaign in hopes of securing the nomination. He touted his conservative track record for the past 12 years as attorney general, citing his work combating the states crippling opioid epidemic and suing the Environmental Protection Agency. Morrisey along with his fellow Republican gubernatorial candidates also leaned into anti-trans rhetoric this election cycle, with ads accusing one another of supporting LGBTQ+ rights. As attorney general, Morrisey has often attempted to use litigation to limit the ability of LGBTQ+ individuals. Recently, he said hell ask the Supreme Court to weigh in on if the state can enforce a ban on transgender athletes participating in girls sports. Moore, a former House of Delegates member and son of U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, received 28% of votes. This didnt go as we had hoped, he said at a watch party in downtown Charleston. It was one hell of a ride, and it was fun we look to the future with pure optimism. Billing himself as the get it done conservative, Moore was endorsed by Gov. Jim Justice, and the pair made a last minute push for votes by traveling around ahead of primary election day. Moore, 41, spent $1.5 million during the campaign. Car dealership-owner Chris Miller trailed with 20% of the votes, and Secretary of State Mac Warner received 16% of votes. The Journal reported $22 million had been spent in the race between the candidates, third party political action committees, and independent expenditure committees since the first ads were bought last year, according to an analysis by Medium Buying. The post Morrisey narrowly takes Republican nomination in governors race appeared first on West Virginia Watch. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A judge on Wednesday ruled Alan Lewis Booth accused of driving drunk and hitting spectators at the Bakersfield Christmas Parade will remain in custody without bail. After considering a motion for bail review brought by Jeremy Brehmer, Booths attorney, Judge Joseph Soldani determined Booth, by clear and convincing evidence, is a danger to the public, said court Public Affairs Officer Kristin Davis. Man hospitalized following officer-involved shooting near Liberty High School Booth, 73, is due back in court later this month for a preliminary hearing. Booths pickup backed at high speed into several people at the Bakersfield Christmas Parade on Dec. 9, seriously injuring one of them. Blood results in that case showed Booths BAC at 0.28%, police said. The state legal limit is 0.08% He made bail but was arrested again months later. Never miss a story Make KGET.com your homepage Police called to a car dealership in April for a suspected drunken customer contacted Booth and noticed he smelled strongly of alcohol and had red, watery eyes and slurred speech, according to court documents. Booth told police he drank a single shot of vodka before driving to the dealership to get the front passenger tire on his Ford Escape fixed. The damage to his vehicle indicated he may have hit a curb, police said. A preliminary test revealed Booths BAC at 0.24%, reports say. Booth was taken into custody and has since been held without bail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. New Mississippi law requires people at public schools to use facilities corresponding to their gender assigned at birth A new law in Mississippi requires individuals to use restrooms and housing at public education institutions that correspond to their gender assigned at birth. Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced in an X post Monday that he has signed the legislation. People will only be allowed to use housing or bathrooms based on their sex determined solely by a birth, without regard to the fluidity of how someone acts or feels, the bill states. The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi said in a statement to CNN that the law targets transgender people for discrimination. The Securing Areas for Females Effectively and Responsibly Act, or SAFER Act, states that females and males should be provided areas, including restrooms, changing facilities and single-sex educational housing spaces, for their exclusive use, respective to their sex, in order to maintain privacy and safety. Those who violate the policy could be sued by private parties, but public education institutions and state agencies would be protected from liability, according to the legislation. Reeves said in a post on X that the legislation protects girls and women from the lefts dangerous agenda. Rob Hill, the Mississippi state director for the Human Rights Campaign, said the new law is nothing but attempt to push us further apart at the expense of LGBTQ+ people, who deserve the freedom to be and to use bathrooms and locker rooms without the prying eyes of politicians peering over the stall. In its statement, the ACLU of Mississippi said laws that require transgender people to use the wrong restroom or locker room do nothing to prevent assault. Thats why more than 250 leading sexual assault and domestic violence advocates oppose laws like the SAFER Act. It is already illegal to enter a restroom or locker room for the purpose of harming someone or invading someones privacy. All this law does is target transgender people for discrimination, the statement continued. Transgender people are part of our community, our families, our workplaces, and our neighborhoods and they, just like everyone else, need to be able to safely access restrooms. Reeves signed legislation last year banning health care professionals from providing many forms of gender-affirming care to transgender minors, including hormone treatments and surgical procedures. Major medical associations agree that such care is appropriate for gender dysphoria, the psychological distress that may result when a persons gender identity and sex assigned at birth do not align. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Horn Lake man was found guilty of an armed robbery and aggravated assault on Tuesday after he was accused of stealing more than $12,000 from a Neighborhood Walmart in Mississippi. Marcus Fields, 34, was sentenced to 30 years in state prison, according to the State of Mississippi office of the District Attorney. On July 14, 2022, reports state that Fields held the Neighborhood Walmart Money Center in Horn Lake at gunpoint with a semiautomatic firearm. As he demanded money from an employee, he reportedly said, Dont make me kill you. Give me all the money. Prosecutors say that Fields left the store with over $12,000 in cash. Yoshi, dog stolen from grocery store, found dead According to reports, Fields was identified by a debit card and firearm that was left at the scene. MDOT traffic cameras also captured his black Pontiac used during his escape. The case was investigated by the Horn Lake Police Department with assistance from the Desoto County District Attorneys Office. Our office is going to hit hard against those who endanger the lives of others in Desoto County, said Matthew Barton, Desoto County District Attorney. As always, I commend my staff for relentless dedication to ensuring justice for victims and removing violent criminals from our communities. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Sledge, Mississippi man was sentenced to 20 years in prison following his conviction for threatening a postal employee with a dangerous weapon. According to court documents, Henry Weaver, 47, was convicted in federal court on February 13 for a threat that took place on April 23, 2022. Weaver was sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Judge Sharion Aycock to 240 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Hed been in custody since his arrest in April 2022 and was remanded to the U.S. Marshals to begin serving his sentence. Police are on the lookout for four men who allegedly used guns to carjack a man late Friday evening. We will not tolerate threats of violence against mail carriers while they are simply doing their jobs, U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner said. We commend the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work on this investigation and for helping to protect the community from this defendant. This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Quitman County Sheriffs Office. The case was prosecuted by AUSA Robert Mims. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. How much does your sheriff make? Lawmakers could set minimum salary at $75K Lawmakers are considering a measure that could set minimum salaries for some sheriffs, deputies and county jailers. Lawmakers are taking a second look at a controversial plan that could use state dollars to supplement the salaries of sheriffs, deputies and jailers working in some of the poorest counties. Senate budget discussions about creating a sheriffs office salary assistance grant program began again last week, a day after the House speaker said sheriff and police department funding remained among his chambers top budget priorities. Supporters of House Bill 4063 are asking legislators to set aside $20 million to fund new minimum salary thresholds for some county jailers, sheriffs and deputies. Under the proposal, sheriffs would make no less than $75,000. Deputies would make at least $45,000 and jailers, $40,000. They say creating salary benchmarks will help create parity between property-rich counties and counties that are heavily agricultural or where the state owns thousands of acres of land that it pays no taxes on. They note that counties are capped on how much they can collect. It costs about 30% of what they collect to pay for jail operations, equipment and personnel. Skeptics question why state taxpayers should supplement local government operations, who those law enforcement officers would be working for, and what would prevent sheriffs offices from buying toys like tactical vehicles and other heavy machinery that would not often be used. They also said the measure is written poorly and urged supporters to go back and rewrite it before they consider it in the final days of session. Under the existing proposal, counties could qualify for grants ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 a year depending on a complex set of criteria that factor in square miles and population. More: Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson faces electoral challenge from previous foe In addition to achieving base salary levels, sheriffs offices could use the funding to hire additional staff and purchase vehicles, firearms and safety equipment. Mike Maxwell, a lobbyist for the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association, said Creek Countys population of about 72,700 will likely be the dividing line between counties that require the supplemental funding and those that do not. Urban and suburban counties already typically pay employees at or above the suggested minimum because sheriffs salaries are tied to property tax collections. Counties are limited to how much they can collect, and while Maxwell said not all counties have reached that 15-mill limit, those that are predominantly rural have a lot of land that is agricultural. Those lands are taxed at a much lower rate than residential or industrial. That means less property tax revenue for rural counties. 'We're not even matching the pay scale for most convenience stores right now' He said the state already standardizes pay for judges and district attorneys and argues that sheriffs employees should be included as well. Were not just losing deputies and jailers to other law enforcement entities that pay more, were losing them to fast food restaurants to convenience stores, he said. Were not even matching the pay scale for most convenience stores right now in some of these rural areas. But Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, said during a budget committee discussion on the measure last week that lawmakers would be kidding themselves to think this would be a one-time expense or a grant. Weve got to have a serious discussion as a Legislature if were going to take it upon ourselves now to fund county sheriffs departments, she said. It will only grow, and at some point, you need to ask the question, are sheriffs now working for the counties? Are they working for the state? And if so, what sort of authority will the state have over the counties? More: Former employee in Payne County Sheriff's Office charged with embezzlement The measure easily passed the full House in March, but was never considered by the upper chamber. She said senators havent had an opportunity to discuss whether they want to fund county law enforcement. Daniels said it also should include a requirement that the funds pay for personnel and not other things. Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, said the state Commissioners of the Land Office owns nearly 20% of land in his home of Cimarron County and doesnt pay any taxes on it. He said the county sheriff resigned last summer. Residents couldnt find anyone to replace him for a long time because the top county law enforcement officer makes $29,000 a year and only has one deputy to help patrol the 1,800-square-mile county, Murdock said. It is a thankless full-time job for $29,000 a year that he could lose his life over, Murdock said. He said if the state wants to own massive amounts of property without paying taxes on it, lawmakers need to make up the difference. He said the U.S. Forest Services, for instance, owns about 36,000 acres in the same county, but pays about $1 an acre. Why the funding pitch has been a tough sell in the Oklahoma Senate House Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, said county law enforcement cant compete with the salaries of the municipal police departments. The funding pitch has proven a tough sell in the Senate, he said. Its a tough sell just because were broaching a new era of state appropriating money to a county entity, and we have never done that in the past, Ford said. Ford, a former law enforcement officer, says he understands the argument that its up to county taxpayers to fund local sheriffs departments and jails, but it hasnt happened. The average deputy makes about $36,000 a year, he said. The average sheriff makes about $57,000 a year. He said four counties Nowata, Cimarron, Greer and Harmon currently pay their sheriffs $38,000 or less. Deputies in those counties make less than $2,000 a month, Ford said. They do a dangerous job, and in rural Oklahoma and in some of these small counties, theyre the only ones out there enforcing any laws at all, he said. There may not be another law enforcement officer within 50 miles in these counties, and some of them could make more money working at McDonalds or fast food than they could being a deputy. Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma lawmakers looking at pay raises for sheriffs, deputies, jailers MULDROW, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) A Muldrow man was booked in the Sequoyah County Jail on May 13 for first-degree murder. Matthew Whitfield, 35, is facing charges of obstruction of investigation and first-degree murder. Matthew Whitfield, 35 (Courtesy: Sequoyah County Sheriffs Office) He was booked in the jail around 3:15 p.m. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says it will give more information on the case on May 15. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. BAGHDAD, May 15 (Xinhua) -- A Shiite militia in Iraq on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a site in Eilat in southern Israel. The militia, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, said in an online statement that its fighters launched a drone attack "on a military site in Eilat on Tuesday" without providing additional details about the specific location targeted or any resulting casualties. The statement stressed that the attack was carried out "in solidarity with the people of Gaza," and the militia pledged to persist in targeting "the enemy's strongholds." Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has launched multiple attacks on Israeli and U.S. bases in the region. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The leader of Multnomah County Corrections Health has parted ways with the agency just weeks after staff members called for his departure. Health Department Communications Coordinator Sarah Dean confirmed to KOIN 6 that Myque Obiero resigned on Monday, May 13 effective on Tuesday. Portland WinCo shoppers could receive $200 due to class action suit He joined the Corrections Health division as a nursing manager in October 2016, and was later promoted to director in June 2022. The division has recently been riddled with controversy, with county jails seeing 10 inmate deaths since 2022. Officials said they recorded more in-custody deaths over the past two years than they did in the seven years beforehand. More recently in late April, corrections staff with the Oregon Nurses Association sent a letter to Multnomah County leaders to demand the termination of Oberio and Nursing Supervisor Nikki Propert who previously acted as the senior clinical manager. 63-year-old hiker who fell 300 feet recounts harrowing rescue According to ONA, 97% of Corrections Health nurses cast votes of no confidence in their division leaders in February. About 95% of voters also said their working conditions hadnt improved within the last four years. I am very concerned about these allegations and have asked to meet directly with ONA representatives several times since receiving an initial communication on April 9 that did not include the concerns outlined in todays letter, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson wrote in a statement. So far they have declined to meet with me. We very much need ONA to follow up and come to the table to meet with us so we can understand and address their concerns, Vega Pederson added. She also said the nurses organization hadnt revealed the results of its survey. Wednesday will be warmest day of the week in Portland Since Oberios resignation, Health Department Director Rachael Banks has appointed current Deputy Director of Operations Valdez Bravo as an interim director. The county plans to recruit a permanent replacement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) reportedly went after fellow members of her party who have attended former President Trumps hush money trial in New York. Do we have something to do around here other than watch a stupid porn trial? I mean, this is ridiculous, the Alaska Republican said Tuesday, according to HuffPost, when the outlet asked her about GOP members who have gone to the trial this week. Those who have joined the former president include House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), former GOP presidential primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Sens. JD Vance (R-Ohio), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) an Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.). Trump seems to be happy with the visible support from his fellow Republicans. I do have a lot of surrogates, and they are speaking very beautifully, Trump said. We have a lot of great people here to talk to you. Trumps New York hush money trial began last month, marking the first criminal trial of an American president. He has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in relation to reimbursements to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who paid a porn actress $130,000 prior to the 2016 election to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump, which he denies having. Johnson pushed back against the hush money trial in remarks outside the Manhattan courthouse Tuesday. This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial. They are doing this intentionally to keep him here and keep him off of the campaign trail, Johnson said. And I think everybody in the country can see that for what it is. President Trump is innocent of these charges, he later declared. Murkowski, who voted to convict the former president in his second impeachment trial back in 2021, has suggested that she is not fully against leaving the Republican Party, noting its shift toward Trump. I wish that, as Republicans, we had a nominee that I could get behind. I certainly cant get behind Donald Trump, she said in an interview on Inside Politics With Manu Raju. Updated at 12:02 p.m. EDT For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. DRAPER, Utah (ABC4) Last month, the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium asked for the publics help naming their new Asian small-clawed otter, and now, the votes are in. The aquarium announced that after several rounds of voting and over 1,500 submissions, the public has chosen the name Kai, which is short for kaibigan, meaning friend in Filipino. The Aquarium anticipates he will live up to his name with his playful personality and charming antics, they said. Kai was born at Ocean Park Hong Kong in 2020 and began his journey to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher earlier this year, where he was temporarily cared for before arriving at his permanent home in Utah. Guests can visit Kai in the Ford Expedition Asia hall, where the aquarium says he is often found twirling underwater or taking a nap in the rocks. To honor Kais journey and new home in Utah, Utah Ford Stores established the Paws-itive Adventures Scholarship Fund for kids to attend school break camps at the aquarium. Christine Famuliner with Your Local Ford Stores presented a $10,000 check to the aquarium on May 15. Its always an honor to work with the Aquarium that provides the community with a place to learn, grow, and to experience. We are Driven to Give to provide an opportunity to go on an Expedition, she said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Emily Bertram and two friends recently went for a run that was supposed to be a scenic trip along the Shelby Bottoms Greenway to enjoy the beauty of Nashville. As the trio was running down a path, a man blocked their way, forcing them to avoid him. The three laughed and brushed it off as they passed the man. Then things took a turn, said Bertram, an Illinois native and junior special education major at Vanderbilt. "As we ran past, he had started verbally yelling very horrible things at us, which is obviously extremely scary," Bertram said. It was 7 a.m., and few people were out in the park. Bertram said her friends called police, who told them it wasn't the first call they had received about the man. One caller alleged the man had a weapon, Bertram said. When Bertram first stepped on campus three years ago, she never thought about safety when running in her new city. Carrying an attack whistle and pepper spray never crossed her mind. That's changed now. "I never thought about it until all of these news stories kept coming out, and I also felt like they just kept coming out one after another of these female runners getting assaulted, and it also seemed like what was happening to them was getting worse and worse," Bertram said. Caroline Holland of Chicks with Kicks, walks through the campus at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Like Bertram, Vanderbilt junior Caroline Holland has a passion for running. But running in Nashville has become increasingly concerning in light of recent crimes, mostly against women, across the U.S. Laken Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student at the University of Georgia. On Feb. 23, she was found dead in a wooded area at the university's main campus in Athens, Georgia. Police have charged Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, in connection with the death. The attack hit close to home for Holland, who runs in Shelby Park, with it's vast trails and scenic wooded areas. "Originally, I had been told that you stay in your campus, if you carry pepper spray, like if you notify your friends, if you run in daylight and have your phone on you, that's considered a safe run," Holland said. "Hearing about the story (of Riley's slaying) changed my perspective on that and think, well, you really are not safe as a girl at all." Vanderbilt junior Caroline Holland, a member of Chicks with Kicks running club, poses with her running shoes for a portrait on the Vanderbilt University campus in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, May 8, 2024. It was a wakeup call, especially for someone who runs around the campus by herself at night, Holland said, noting that Vanderbilt's campus is not well-lit. She can't see if anyone is coming toward her at night. "If you are running alone, you are putting yourself at risk," she said. "She (Riley) did all those things, and she had her phone and attempted to call 911. That was really scary to hear about, because running in a trail (Shelby Park) and some other trails around Nashville, a lot of the times by myself, I think, 'oh, it's fine, it's daylight.'" Bertram said she will stay on campus when she runs alone, though she agrees with Holland that more lighting is needed around campus. The student government has urged the university to add more lighting on campus, but progress has been slow. A university spokeswoman said via email last week that she didn't have any updated information on the initiative. Vanderbilt University Public Safety, along with other departments, performs regular nighttime safety walks to identify dark areas," the response also read. "Vanderbilt University has over 200 emergency phones in operation. Bertram thinks it isn't enough. "I just kind of feel like they're waiting for something to happen," she said. Growing up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Holland said it was a safe area for runners, making her feel carefree when running alone. When she started running alone in Nashville, Holland said, she became wary of her surroundings and ran more in fear than fun. All the boxes are checked for Holland's safety. But in the wake of Riley's homicide, she, too, doesn't feel like it's enough. Holland says Riley's slaying and recent assault attempts in Nashville have given pause to several women she would see along her runs. But like many women, Holland and Bertram don't want to stop running. Even with running partners, Bertram is concerned about assaults and random verbal tirades escalating to homicide. Holland has created a group called Chicks With Kicks, giving women the power to run, get to know each other and stay safe in the city. Within 48 hours, more than 80 Vanderbilt woman joined a group chat, where they could find running partners to feel safer along the streets and parks of Metro Nashville. More: Man charged with assaulting woman running on the Nashville greenway "I'm hoping we can get back to our normal routine with Chicks With Kicks and will start to feel safer in pairs," Holland said. She hopes other schools around the country will start chapters. The group is evolving daily, with women in the text group mentioning running locations with others texting they will join. There's strength in numbers, for Holland and the other Vanderbilt runners. She said she also hopes to get women together for self-defense classes at Vanderbilt. "All the texts in the group are so supportive," Bertram said. "You have no idea if she (Holland) has saved any lives or not, but I like to think that maybe she has." Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt Chicks With Kicks: Female runners tackle Nashville's safety NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) As the search for a teen accused of killing a rapper last month continues, hes now been listed among Nashvilles Top 10 Most Wanted fugitives. The list is updated every Wednesday on the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Criminal Warrants Divisions Facebook page. According to police, 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 failure to report a dead body. The newest addition to the list has reportedly been evading police since mid-April, when he was accused of shooting and killing 32-year-old rapper Chris King. At the time, authorities said 19-year-old Adrian Cameron was out on bond for another homicide dating back to Sept. 2021. Police believe Cameron cut off his ankle monitor shortly after the April 20 shooting. While the search for him and the rest of Nashvilles Most Wanted fugitives continues, the list has aided investigators in several arrests. At least 108 wanted fugitives have been taken into custody since the program began in October 2022, stacking up to a nearly 78% arrest rate. Mateus Alves was one of the most recent suspects to be taken into custody. Most Wanted arrest: Teen accused of raping girl at Nashville NYE party According to officials, Alves is accused of raping a teenage girl during a New Years Eve party in Nashville. While he reportedly turned himself 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 15, 2024. 1. Adrian L. Cameron Adrian Cameron (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) At number one, Adrian Cameron, 19, is considered this weeks Top Most Wanted fugitive, according to the MNPD. This week is the first time Cameron has appeared on the list. However, police have been looking for him since mid-April. Investigators said Cameron is one of three suspects in the death of 32-year-old rapper Chris King, who was shot and killed just before 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. King and his friends were reportedly hanging out in an alleyway between Hayes Street and Church Street that night. READ MORE: 1 killed, 1 injured in shooting along Hayes Street Eventually, three other men began interacting with the group. Kings friends told police it started out cordial, but after some time, the three suspects allegedly tried to rob them. Thats when gunfire ran out, injuring King and his 29-year-old friend. Both of them were brought to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but King did not survive. Cameron, who was out on bond for the 2021 murder of 50-year-old Josh Evans at the time, was identified as a suspect in the shooting only days later. Officials believe Cameron cut his ankle monitor shortly after the shooting. Cameron had just turned 17 years old when police said he turned himself in for Evans murder. Evans was found shot and wrapped in trash bags in the Cumberland River in Sept. 2021. Unbelievable: Mourning Lebanon family outraged teen murder suspect was out on bond, accused of killing again Cameron was arrested again for gun charges in Rutherford County less than four months after turning himself in for the 2021 murder. Hes now charged with criminal homicide in connection with Kings death, as well as failure to appear. However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful. Anyone with information on Camerons whereabouts is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. 2. Lagarrion L. Blacksmith Lagarrion Blacksmith (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Lagarrion Blacksmith, 35, has been at the top of Nashvilles Most Wanted list for several months as police continue to try to track him down. He was initially added to the 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. 3. 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 on May 1. Authorities said his last location is unknown. 4. 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. 5. 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. 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 on May 1 after last being featured in November. Officials said he was last seen in Hermitage. 7. Anthony O. Etuk 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, 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 earlier in May but has since failed to show up for court, leading to a search for her whereabouts. She was added to the Most Wanted list last week. Police said 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Don't miss out on an engaging dialogue as Levi Rickert, Founder and Publisher of Native News Online, and Brian Edwards, Associate Publisher of Tribal Business News, sit down for an interview with Commissioner Patrice Kunesh of the Administration for Native Americans (ANA). In this insightful discussion, the Commissioner shares the history and impact of ANA on its 50th anniversary. Join us to learn about the ANA's flexible grant funding that empowers tribes and organizations with self-determination, language revitalization and climate resilience projects. Kunesh also discusses ANA's streamlined process and fully-funded grants model. Kunesh, of Standing Rock Lakota descent, serves as the Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She is also Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native Affairs and Chair of the HHS Intradepartmental Council on Native American Affairs. With a background in law, she previously worked at the Native American Rights Fund and served as in-house counsel to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. Kunesh has held various roles in government, including at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior. She is also the founder of Pehi Haha Consulting and has served on the U.S. Treasury Community Development Advisory Board. Kunesh holds a J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law and an M.P.A. from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Tune in to Native Bidaske LIVE this Friday, May 17, at 12 Noon ET on Native News Online's Facebook, X (Twitter), or YouTube channel and discover how you can get involved in supporting indigenous communities and initiatives. 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 NATO should use its air defenses to shoot down Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, says former alliance chief NATO should use its air defenses to shoot down Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, says former alliance chief NATO should use its air defenses to intercept Russian airstrikes, a former NATO chief said. Anders Fogh Rasmussen told the i newspaper that missiles could be launched from Poland and Romania. NATO members helped Israel shoot down Iranian airstrikes, and could do the same in Ukraine, he said. NATO countries should use air defenses based in eastern Europe to take down Russian missiles and drones targeting Ukraine, a former NATO chief said. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO's Secretary-General between 2009 and 2014, told the UK's i Paper that interceptor missiles from neighboring NATO countries like Poland and Romania could shoot down Russian airstrikes aimed at Ukraine. Some NATO members, like the US, UK, and France, deployed fighter jets to help Israel's air defenses intercept Iranian drones and missiles earlier this year. And the military alliance could do "exactly the same" to help Ukraine shoot down incoming Russian drones and missiles, Rasmussen told the outlet. He went further, suggesting NATO's air and missile defense systems could be connected to Ukraine's, per the outlet. Rasmussen said the effort could shield western Ukraine "much more" effectively, protect its defense industry, and kick-start its reconstruction, while also avoiding sending NATO troops into the country, per the outlet. Most NATO members have so far balked at sending troops to Ukraine or targeting Russian airstrikes from their own territory. Instead, Ukraine's allies have sent it nearly $118 billion in direct military aid, as of March, including air defense systems like the US ATACMS, which have been used by Ukraine to devastating effect. Even so, Ukraine's air defense interception rate dropped from 46% over the last six months to 30% last month, according to The Wall Street Journal. The outlet reported, based on data from Ukraine, that it was 73% during a six-month period last year. Ukraine's increasingly strained air defense capabilities have allowed Russia to field more reconnaissance drones, improve its ability to launch HIMARS-style strikes, and knock out its power infrastructure. In response, the Pentagon said it would "rush" Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine as part of its latest military package, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spent months begging for them. Ukraine's allies have more than 100 Patriot air-defense systems that they could spare, Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, told The Washington Post last month. And while some countries, like Spain, are sending theirs, others are refusing, saying they need them to protect their own airspace. Read the original article on Business Insider NATO chief 'shocked and appalled' by shooting of Slovak PM Fico Robert Fico, Slovakia's Prime Minister, opens a government meeting. Slovakian Prime Minister Fico has been shot and injured after a cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Radovan Stoklasa/TASR/dpa The secretary general of the NATO military alliance said he's "shocked and appalled" by the shooting of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. "Shocked and appalled by the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico. I wish him strength for a speedy recovery," Jens Stoltenberg wrote on X. "My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia." Slovakia joined NATO in 2004, the same year it joined the European Union. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg takes part in a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the Chancellery. Hannes P Albert/dpa BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- There was once a time in China when occupational disease was synonymous with pneumoconiosis, commonly known as black lung disease, as it caused the largest number of reported cases in the country. But something has changed. Over the past decade or so, the reported cases of occupational pneumoconiosis plummeted by a stunning 67 percent, a testament to China's disease prevention and workplace safety efforts. By the end of 2022, China had a workforce of 880 million aged between 16 and 59, ranking the first in the world. Ensuring the protection of workers from occupational diseases and improving their health at work are crucial for a country dealing with an aging population. China's national classification and catalogue of occupational diseases, which was put into effect in 2013, now include 132 diseases in 10 categories, most of which are respiratory and skin diseases. Making the list longer has been widely anticipated, as the wider landscape of occupational health has evolved, with ailments such as neck and shoulder pain, and hair loss, becoming increasingly more prevalent in the modern workplace. "Can cervical spondylosis and back pain be identified as occupational diseases?" People apt to these sufferings, mostly office workers who have to bend over their desks for hours per day, may soon have an answer. The National Health Commission (NHC) said last month that it has organized the compilation of diagnosis standard for new occupational diseases, with many new additions to the national classification and catalogue already chosen. "The risks of traditional occupation diseases have faded in recent years due to industrial upgrading and progress in combating the diseases, which has created possibility for updating the catalogue," said senior NHC official Wang Jiandong. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the NHC initiated an occupational disease campaign, which focused on high-incidence factors, namely dust, chemical poison and noise. By 2022, data revealed, newly reported cases of occupational disease had already dropped by 40 percent from 2019. Notably, between 2021 and 2023, some 830 rehabilitation stations spanning 28 provincial-level regions in China provided 1.2 million sessions of treatment for pneumoconiosis patients free of charge. More and more patients have been relieved of financial burdens thanks to supportive measures such as medical aid and treatment-fee reimbursement. New employment situation also prompted the need to keep occupational health protection abreast with the times. In recent years, workers of new businesses, such as couriers, ride-hailing drivers and take-away delivery personnel, has greatly expanded to about 84 million in China. Some of these jobs feature time pressures and heavy workload. "Having stayed in the car for about half of day, my legs are numb when I get off, and my waist also aches," said a veteran taxi driver surnamed Jiang from the city of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. Zhang Meibian, an official with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, called for stepping up protection of this group by strengthening publicity, improving their work conditions and promoting related legislation. In a survey about occupational disease that saw more than 1,300 respondents participate on China's social media platform Weibo, cervical spondylosis, dry eyes and insomnia topped the chart, followed by depression and hair loss. "Every time I feel pressured, I would fall asleep harder," said Yang Jie, a programmer working at an IT company in Beijing. "It will surely be a boon if they can include diseases caused at work, no matter the severity, into the catalogue." While suggesting enlarging the scope of occupational disease and raising public awareness of occupational health, experts have warned of the emergence of new factors that could inflict potential hazards on workers. For example, the impact of chemical substances used in the new material industry, or hazards like viruses and bacteria in emerging industries such as biomedicine and gene editing, according to Ren Guoyou, a professor at China University of Labor Relations, noting the necessity to strengthen industrial supervision and strict law enforcement. An occupational disease prevention plan for the period of 2021-2015 has raised demands and set goals for protecting occupational health in the new era. By 2025, the workplace and working conditions will be further improved, supervision over employment and working hours will be more strict, and major occupational diseases including pneumoconiosis will be brought under control, according to the plan. Observers also reminded that a balance should be sought when adjusting the occupational disease catalogue, as once a person is diagnosed with occupational disease, it would affect his or her reemployment in the future. For employers, disease additions mean more duties and responsibilities, said observers, warning against putting too heavy burdens on employers in case some illnesses are directly identified as occupational diseases. "The catalogue needs to remain stable while updated in a flexible and applicable way," Ren said. NATO sets dates for ministerial meeting and NATO-Ukraine Council in June NATO defence ministers will meet at NATO headquarters in Brussels on 13-14 June, with a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on the first day. Source: press service of the North Atlantic Alliance, as reported by European Pravda Details: The meeting of NATO defence ministers will be held on Thursday and Friday, 13-14 June, under the chairmanship of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg will speak to the press on both days of the meeting. In addition, a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of defence ministers will take place on 13 June. The detailed agenda will be announced closer to the date. Background: The previous meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council was held in April at Ukraine's request. In late April, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Kyiv. He and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed, among other things, a US$100 billion NATO special fund to support Ukraine. During a speech to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament), Stoltenberg explained his vision of Ukraine's NATO accession. Support UP or become our patron! The full 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard conflicting accounts Wednesday on whether the section of the Rio Grande where the state of Texas installed a 1,000-foot barrier of floating buoys to deter unlawful crossings by migrants is "navigable" and therefore subject to federal authority. In a hearing before the New Orleans-based appellate court, Lanora Pettit, deputy solicitor general for the Texas attorney general's office, told the 27 judges that the narrow, shallow stretch of the international river near Eagle Pass is hardly fit to carry commercial vessels and has never been used to do so. "Too many rocks and not enough water," Pettit said during the hourlong hearing, which was carried by audio-only livestream. Michael Gray, who is representing the federal government in the lawsuit filed against Texas and Gov. Greg Abbott in response to the buoys' placement, said Pettit's definition of navigability is too limited. Migrants rest in the Ro Grande near the buoy barrier installed at Eagle Pass on the orders of Gov. Greg Abbott. The U.S. has sued over the buoys, saying that a 125-year-old law requires the approval of the Army Corps of Engineers before placing any such structures in navigable waters. Whether commercial boats can traverse the river upstream and downstream is not the issue, Gray said. The question is whether vessels can get from one shore to the other. And since U.S. Border Patrol boats are constantly on the Rio Grande near where the buoys have been anchored since July 2023 because of Abbott's claims that the water barrier is needed to defend the state from an "invasion" of migrants crossing from Mexico, Gray said that proves the river is navigable. So does the commercial rafting and canoeing business that operates in that area of the Rio Grande, he added. "These all show that there's sufficient water in the river for similar types of commerce," Gray said. The federal government's lawsuit hinges on a section in the U.S. Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 that says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must sign off on any plans to place a wharf, pier, boom breakwater, bulkhead, jetty or other structures in navigable waters. The 5th Circuit is considering whether an order handed down last year by Senior U.S. Judge David Allan Ezra of the Western District of Texas requiring the buoys to be moved to the Texas shoreline should stand pending a trial on the merits of the lawsuit. A three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit in December upheld Ezra's ruling but the barriers have been allowed to remain in place pending a ruling by the full court. Chief Judge Priscilla Richman gave no indication Wednesday on when the court would rule on the matter. More: Hundreds of migrants breach razor wire barrier in El Paso as Texas SB 4 remains in limbo Pettit argued that Gray's definition of navigability would effectively take rivers and streams throughout the country from the traditional authority of the states and place them under federal jurisdiction. One of the judges, whose voice could not be identified from the audio stream, made what he acknowledged was an "absurd" but pointed comparison to "friends just ferrying in a small rowboat Girl Scout cookies" to sell would render any tiny stream "navigable." Gray countered that the Rio Grande, as a river connecting Texas to Mexico, cannot be likened to a small channel contained within the boundaries of a single state. The buoys, which came with a price tag estimated at $1 million, have emerged as more of a symbolic gesture than an actual deterrent to unlawful immigration. Because the barrier is less than one-quarter mile long and sits in normally shallow waters, news organizations have captured still images and video of migrants simply bypassing the chain to reach the Texas side of the river. Still, they are part of Abbott's $11 billion border initiative called "Operation Lone Star," which was launched just weeks after President Joe Biden moved into the White House and began rolling back many of the hard-line immigration policies former President Donald Trump ordered, namely Title 42 expulsions a COVID-19 era measure that allowed the country to quickly expel migrants over public health concerns. The buoys are not the only legal matter pending before the 5th Circuit involving the federal government challenging Texas' actions to take an unprecedented role in immigration enforcement. Last month, a three-judge panel of the court put on hold a Texas law that would have authorized state and local law enforcement officers to arrest and deport people suspected of being in the United States without legal authorization. The merits of the federal lawsuit filed in response to the state law enacted last year, known as Senate Bill 4, have not yet been fully litigated. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Lawyers spar over whether Texas buoys impede navigation on Rio Grande Pineville police identify man who was fatally shot by sergeant after shoplifting call Police in the town of Pineville on Wednesday identified the man who was fatally shot by a police sergeant after a shoplifting call as Dennis Bodden, 46, of Charlotte. Police said that the sergeant on Tuesday fatally shot Bodden, who was unarmed, after Bodden reached for the sergeants gun. Police would not release the name of the sergeant. According to a press release from town police on Wednesday: The encounter began shortly after 3 p.m. in the parking lot at the Johnston Road Plaza. The sergeant, who was in uniform but not on the clock for Pineville police, was working off-duty at the McMullen Creek Market when he responded to a shoplifting call at nearby Johnson Road Plaza. He confronted Bodden in the Food Lion parking lot. Police knew Bodden as a chronic shoplifting suspect at the Food Lion and said that the deceased man had violent tendencies towards the police and the public. The press release said he had four unserved felony warrants connected to break-ins at the same Food Lion. Upon initial contact, Bodden ignored the sergeants verbal and lawful orders to stop, and walked away. The sergeant followed Bodden across Johnston Road and called for more officers. Bodden became physically confrontational with the sergeant, the department said. The sergeant used a Taser on Bodden. He continued to walk away towards Cedar Circle Drive. A backup officer from Pineville arrived and an additional escalation of a physical threat by Mr. Bodden was perceived by actively resisting the officers efforts to apprehend him. Mr. Bodden displayed pre-assault indicators towards officers, therefore a second deployment of a Taser was initiated by the back-up officer, the press release said. With the Taser having little to no effect on Mr. Bodden, he lunged towards our sergeant and tried to grab his service weapon, ending up with the use of deadly force. Pineville Police Capt. Corey Copley said on Wednesday that Bodden was shot in the parking lot of the Berkshire Place apartments in Charlotte. Police said officers provided medical attention to Bodden until Medic arrived. Both officers were taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries, police said. Pineville police didnt say what the injuries were, but said the officers were not shot. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Departments homicide division is handling the investigation of the shooting. The sergeant who shot Bodden was placed on paid administrative leave. The department declined the Observers request for copies of the police radio communications from the incident, and for the sergeants disciplinary record. The town of more than 10,000 people is on the line of North Carolina and South Carolina. State Senator Buck Newton (R-Greene, Wayne and Wilson) Photo: Screengrab from NCGA video stream The North Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee approved an amended version of House Bill 237 on Tuesday morning that would prohibit the wearing of masks in public. The controversial bill, which would also increase criminal penalties for those who commit crimes while wearing a mask in public, comes in the wake of protests that have erupted on college campuses across the country in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The legislation would also create a new offense for blocking traffic, a tactic used in some recent protests. Sen. Buck Newton (R-Greene, Wayne and Wilson), who sponsored the committee substitute, said it aims to reinstate a law that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic. Were really just resetting the law to what it was pre-COVID, said Newton. Thats really what the purpose is now, is to deal with organizations and individuals who are intent on breaking the law and hiding their identity, and using the hiding of their identity as a way to intimidate other people to get away with it. Laws dating back to the 1950s that were enacted, at least in part, as responses to groups like the Ku Klux Klan, prohibit wearing a mask in public in North Carolina, with exceptions. Those exceptions were expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic to include people wearing masks for health reasons. Newtons bill would remove that specific exception. Lawmakers and advocates from several organizations criticized the bill, calling it an attempt to restrict protest activity that would also endanger public health. This bill is clearly in response to the recent protests on college campuses against Israels military campaign in Gaza, Melissa Price Kromm, executive director of NC for the People Action, said. Thus, it is another anti-protest bill. Though he acknowledged concerns about public health, Newton said he believes some are stoking fears about the law and exploiting COVID-era laws that allowed mask wearing as an excuse to hide their identities. I think that theres people out there who are trying to prey upon their fear about that. This was not a problem pre-COVID, said Newton. We didnt see granny getting arrested in the Walmart pre-COVID. I dont think were going to see that when we pass this legislation. Sen. Sydney Batch Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake) pushed back, saying that as someone who was immunocompromised during medical treatment, she opposes any provision that makes mask-wearing more difficult for people with health concerns. I dont think that its stoking the fears of individuals who walk through this world compromised through no fault of their own, Batch said. My issue is that we are removing the specific section that gave people who are immunocompromised or people who were sick and just care about the community. Someone walking around with tuberculosis, wants to wear a mask to protect everybody else is no longer able to do that based on this bill. No one wants to see a grandmother arrested for wearing a mask. The fact, though, is that this would criminalize that process, said Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg), adding that wearing a mask in public is life-or-death for some people. Stated plainly, your bill will make it illegal, Marcus added. Advocates from other organizations including Disability Rights NC, Emancipate NC, and the ACLU of North Carolina all spoke out against provisions in the bill that target protesters. This bill is part of a broader attack on democracy we are seeing at the state legislature, while lawmakers who support these attacks on the right to protest are also leading efforts to make it harder to vote and to participate in the legislative process, said Elizabeth Barber, the policy director of the ACLU of North Carolina. In a statement released prior to the committee meeting, the North Carolina NAACP decried the measure as a dangerous bill that threatens the fundamental right to protest in North Carolina. This legislation seeks to impose severe penalties on protesters, particularly targeting those who block traffic or wear masks, the statement read. By criminalizing these protest tactics, the bill aims to silence marginalized communities and stifle legitimate expressions of dissent. The bill was approved on a voice vote and then referred to the power Senate Rules Committee. If and when it is approved by the full Senate, it will be returned to the House for concurrence in the Senate changes. The post NC Senate panel approves controversial bill that targets protests, bans masks in public appeared first on NC Newsline. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) The state Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would bring back pre-COVID restrictions on wearing masks. The bill, titled Unmasking Mobs and Criminals, passed along party lines by a margin of 30-15 and comes amid recent protests on college campuses. Republicans say the aim is to stop people from wearing masks to conceal their identities while committing crimes. However, the bill goes further than that and would repeal an exception thats been in state law since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic that allows people to wear masks for health and safety reasons. Doing so would become illegal again. If I were not permitted to wear a mask in public, it would greatly limit which spaces I could visit. And, for me, this is an access issue, Quisha Mallette, of the North Carolina Justice Center, told lawmakers as she urged them to oppose the measure. During debate on the Senate floor, Democrats raised concerns about the impact on people who are immunocompromised who may want to continue to wear masks. Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson) accused Democrats of trying to scare the bejesus out of everybody. Referencing the recent protests, he said, Theres a whole crowd of people running around out there taking advantage of this mask hangover from the pandemic. Republicans voted down three amendments Democrats offered, including one by Sen. Sydney Batch to allow an exception to wear masks for preventing the spread of contagious diseases. Youre plowing down this field without really knowing what all the implications are, said Sen. Dan Blue (D-Wake). The bill contains other provisions including increasing penalties for people who wear masks while committing other crimes and could lead to people who block streets or highways more than once being charged with a felony. It also makes protest organizers liable if people block streets and prevent emergency vehicles from getting to someone in need, resulting in injury or death. The bill goes to the House next. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP/WNCN) Brad Knott, a candidate backed by former President Donald Trump, won the Republican primary runoff for North Carolinas 13th Congressional District on Tuesday over a rival who suspended her campaign two weeks ago in response to Trumps endorsement. The former assistant U.S. attorney defeated Kelly Daughtry, a local lawyer and the daughter of a former longtime Republican legislative leader. Daughtry had finished first among 14 candidates in the March 5 primary. But she failed to exceed the 30 percent necessary to avoid a runoff, which Knott sought as the second-place finisher. RELATED: Click here for the latest election results from Tuesdays runoff In one of two statewide GOP primary runoffs Tuesday, Hal Weatherman, former chief of staff to then-Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, defeated Forsyth County District Attorney Jim ONeill. The winner will take on Democratic state Sen. Rachel Hunt, daughter of former four-term Gov. Jim Hunt. The other statewide race was the GOP auditors runoff featuring candidates Jack Clark and Dave Boliek. As of 8:30 p.m., Boliek was ahead by about 1,200 votes with 9 percent of the precincts reporting across North Carolina. Just before 11 p.m., the Associated Press projected Boleik as the winner with 53 percent of the vote with 97 percent of precincts reporting. The winner will take on Democratic State Auditor Jessica Holmes. Trump backed Knott in early April. It wasnt until weeks later, on May 2, that Daughtry, who was also the top fundraiser in the primary, suspended her campaign and threw her support to her rival. But by then, early voting was well underway, and it was too late to take her name off the ballot. Daughtry said Trumps endorsement of Knott made clear to her that a pathway to victory is no longer feasible. Knotts victory once again highlights Trumps history of successful interventions in North Carolina GOP politics. Knott now advances to the November general election, where hell take on Democrat Frank Pierce in November. The GOP-dominated General Assembly reconfigured the 13th District last year so that it is more rightward leaning. The new district covers all or parts of eight counties in or close to the capital of Raleigh. Current 13th District Democratic Rep. Wiley Nickel chose not to run for reelection, citing the boundary changes. The seat is one of three the GOP expects to add to the U.S. House from North Carolina this fall, thanks to redistricting. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, won North Carolina, the countrys ninth-largest state, in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, and the state is expected to be a presidential battleground this fall. Trumps social media post endorsing Knott called him a Strong Patriot who would support law enforcement, secure the U.S.-Mexico border and protect gun rights. As for Daughtry, the daughter of a former longtime Republican legislative leader, Trump called her a RINO Republican in Name Only and someone who is no friend to MAGA, a reference to Trumps Make America Great Again slogan. This year marks the second time Trump has endorsed a Daughtry opponent; in a 2022 primary for the 13th District, he backed her challenger and then-political newcomer Bo Hines, the ultimate primary winner. Trump also endorsed then-U.S. Rep. Ted Budd in the 2022 GOP primary for U.S. Senate. Budd easily defeated former Gov. Pat McCrory, then went on to win the general election. In the recent March primary, Trump backed first-time candidate Addison McDowell, who ended up winning the 6th Congressional District race. The GOP auditors runoff featured candidates Jack Clark and Dave Boliek. The winner will take on Democratic State Auditor Jessica Holmes. GOP runoff voting was open to registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters who either voted in the March Republican primaries or didnt vote at all. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. NE officials say voting went mostly smoothly in states first election requiring voter ID A sign at the entry to a church campus in Bellevue, where voters cast ballots Tuesday, reminds them of the state's new voter ID law. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) OMAHA A school lockdown in Lincoln on Tuesday briefly shut down a polling place. In Omaha, a power outage caused by a construction crew gaffe had some voters casting ballots by the light of a lantern. Those were among a few notable mishaps reported on primary Election Day in Nebraska. Voting took place Tuesday in Nebraskas primary election. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) But the biggest change that Nebraskans saw in voting procedures the new legal requirement that they show a form of identification to cast a ballot at the polls caused no widespread problems or concerns as of early evening, according to a check with various Nebraska officials. This has been a pretty smooth day, said Steve Smith, spokesman for Civic Nebraska, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting voter rights and democracy. We really didnt know what to expect. MVP of the day He said earlier outreach efforts by the Nebraska Secretary of State whom he called the MVP of the day and advocacy groups appeared to have helped educate voters about requirements under the recently passed law. Overall, Civic Nebraska as of about 6:30 p.m. Central Time reported an efficient Election Day. Smith said about four dozen observers visited a total of about 100 precincts. Just under 50 queries were received by the election protection line, he said. Our primary is the states first election with the new ID requirements, and it continues to be top-of-mind with voters, said Heather Engdahl, Civic Nebraskas director of voting rights. We have been providing clarity about the new law so that everyone who wishes to cast a ballot can do so without impediment. Among issues reported to Civic Nebraska: In Omaha and Lincoln, poll workers in a few instances were briefly unsure how to proceed after a voter presented a current Nebraska drivers license that contained an old address. The new law allows outdated or expired ID cards, as long as they carry the persons photo and name. Civic Nebraska said each of those situations was quickly resolved, and the voters were allowed to cast their ballots In Douglas County, a poll worker asked a voter to put away a mobile phone while in the voting booth. The voter cited a state law that allows voters to employ such resources to help in their voter process and was allowed to vote. Drivers license and state ID were most common Jackie Ourada, spokeswoman for the Secretary of States Office, said voting across the state had gone mostly smoothly into the evening. She said most voters have chosen to show either a drivers license or a state ID. A news photographer said on social media that his Supreme Court-issued media photo ID was rejected. He wondered out loud if he would risk a confrontation by returning to the polling place in Otoe County. Ourada said she was told by the county clerk that it was the name on the ID that caused confusion for the workers, as opposed to the type of ID. The name reportedly was similar to another voters name on the roster, the clerk said. In another instance, Ourada said, a voter in Douglas County showed an out-of-state drivers license, which is not acceptable ID under the new law. She said the person was allowed to fill out a provisional ballot, which requires the voter to report to the election commissioner within a week with an acceptable form of ID so the ballot can be counted. Social media also highlighted pro-life messages scribbled in chalk near a polling place at Omaha Skutt Catholic High School. Brian Kruse, Douglas County election commissioner, said he did not see the chalkings as electioneering violations since no abortion-related initiatives were on the ballot. SWAT team in the area Kruse said that voting overall in Douglas County had gone relatively smoothly into the evening, with perhaps the most notable mishap being the power outage in central Omaha that affected two church polling places for less than two hours. Voting continued with the help of natural light in one church. The other had voting booths in the basement. The Election Commissioners Office sent a runner to that facility with several lanterns, and the church also provided lanterns and flashlights. In Sarpy County, Election Commissioner Emily Ethington said voting was running smoothly with no issues to report as of early evening. The hallway lighting at one central Omaha voting precinct was provided by flashlight after a power outage on Tuesday. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) In Lincoln, a polling place at Mickle Middle School was closed from about 8:20 a.m. to 8:54 a.m. because the school was placed in lockdown, said Lancaster County Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen. The school chose to go into lockdown mode after learning that the Lincoln Police Department and its SWAT team were in the neighborhood serving an arrest warrant. Wiltgen said his office had a plan to relocate the polling place to another spot nearby, but the school reopened before the move started. He said there was light voter turnout at the time, and he did not think anyone was turned away. Overall, Wiltgen said, voting operations had gone smoothly into the evening. He knew of no problems related to voter ID. Washing machine woe An official at Spirit Life Church in Bellevue said morning voting had gone without any snags. A yard sign planted at the entrance of a long driveway reminded voters of the need for ID. Another sign waited at the door. People have their IDs ready, said Stephanie Warren. Polling inspector Janet Bonet, at a South Omaha voting place, said voter ID information provided by the Secretary of State was helpful tool for workers. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) At the American Legion Post 331 in South Omaha, polling official Janet Bonet said voting was light and no concerns had surfaced with voter ID. She said one woman, a naturalized citizen born in El Salvador, had walked to the polling place to vote for the third time since becoming a citizen. She told workers that her mail-in ballot had gotten ruined in the washing machine. Bonet said the decision was made for the woman to cast a provisional ballot, as everyone wanted to see her vote count. Its been a good experience so far for me and everybody else, Bonet said of the day. The post NE officials say voting went mostly smoothly in states first election requiring voter ID appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. Neighbors actions may have saved dog from being stabbed to death LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man whose wife was watching a neighbors pet is accused of trying to kill the dog by stabbing it. According to the arrest report, Francisco Leyva was taken into custody in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 11 after a resident in a nearby unit called the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department because she heard yelling and loud banging noises and then looked into the units window and saw a man with a knife. When officers arrived at the apartment, they also peered into the window and saw a small white dog in a crate and a man mopping blood off the floor, the report said. The white dog was panting and shaking inside of the crate and had blood all over its mouth along with its body and bed pillow inside of the crate. Inside the apartment, police found a bloodied kitchen knife and pools of blood, documents said. When officers questioned Leyva, he was elusive and smelled of alcohol. He said he had returned home from work and found the apartment and dog in that condition, the report stated. Police learned Leyvas wife was watching the dog for a neighbor who went out of town. Animal control took the injured dog for treatment. When police contacted the dogs owner she said she wanted to press charges. Leyva is facing a felony charge of attempting to kill/maim/disfigure/poison another persons animal. He was released from the Clark County Detention Center on house arrest and was ordered to have no contact with animals and to abstain from drugs and alcohol. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 12. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Bibi Netanyahu has been a purposeful pain in Joe Bidens ass for decades now. Early in Barack Obamas first term, the new president secured Netanyahus promise from the Israelis to freeze new settlement building for 10 months, albeit with so many exceptions that it was hard to keep track of all of them. Despite these gaps, the agreement paved the way for the Palestinians to rejoin the peace talks, which began again in late 2010, just three weeks before the putative freeze was to end. Obama sent Biden to Jerusalem to help get the new talks off the ground, but guess what? Just as the wheels on Air Force Two were landing, Israels interior minister announced a near doubling of the number of proposed Jewish homes in East Jerusalem. Biden reacted furiously: I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units, read a Biden statement that his office issued after he chose to show up 90 minutes late for dinner with Netanyahu. Bibi knew, however, that he neednt have worried. As he once stated to a group of settlers while being surreptitiously recorded, America is a thing that can be easily moved, moved in the right direction. They will not bother us. Before Biden left for the trip to Israel, AIPAC had secured the signatures of 329 House members asking him to keep all criticisms of Israel private. Afterward they followed up with 76 senators signatures on a letter asking that Obama reaffirm the unbreakable bonds that tie the United States and Israel together and diligently work to defuse current tensions. Thats how it goes. The state of Israel turned 76 on Tuesday. During all that time, its fair to say that no U.S. president has demonstrated a greater feeling of attachment and affection for the Jewish state than Joe Biden. Similarly, on the Israeli side, there have been no prime ministers who have treated American presidents more contemptuously than Netanyahu has treated all three Democratic presidents with whom hes dealt as prime minister. (Everything was hunky-dory between Bibi and Donald Trump.) The combination of these two phenomena help to explainat least at a macro levelwhy, until last week, Biden proved willing to pay an enormous political price, in his party, in the country, and with most of the rest of the world to stand, virtually alone, foursquare behind what has so far been Israels disastrous invasion of Gaza, despite the equivalent of an almost robotic kick in the shins from Bibi in return. Israels war on Gaza, it behooves us to remember, was launched in response to the horrific Hamas terrorist attack of October 7. But it has revealed the degree to which the Netanyahu government has combined its leaders personal and political self-interest with its coalitions ideological extremism to turn Israel into a global pariah. The gruesome success of the Hamas attack was engendered in part by Netanyahus willingness to offer backdoor support to Hamas in order to weaken the Palestinian Authorityand thereby the argument for a Palestinian state on the West Bank. His governments focus on protecting violent settlers who consistently terrorize the inhabitants there means that the south of Israel, which borders Gaza, was left undefended not only during the initial attack but also long after it, allowing the rampage of murder, rape, and kidnapping to continue virtually unimpeded for hours. The net result was the worst massacre of Jews anywhere since the dismantling of Hitlers death camps. Today, a traumatized Israel continues to shock even many of its most committed supporters abroad with its willingness to inflict death, starvation, and the likelihood of multiple epidemics on Palestinian citizens in Gaza as it seeks its revenge on Hamas. The fact that Hamas embeds itself among the Gaza populace gives Israels leaders, their thinking goes, the right to bomb hospitals, universities, food convoys, and refugee camps, with little concern for what warriors politely term collateral damage. Addressing both Israels moral callousness and its strategic conundrum, Biden and his representatives have repeatedly attempted to talk Israel into showing greater concern for the population of Gaza: to kill fewer of them for starters, but also to allow reasonable amounts of food and medicine into the territory in order to prevent mass famine and epidemiological disaster. At the same time, Biden has shielded Israel in the U.N. Security Council, given it all the weapons it asked for, and just recently, decided to ignore what his own State Department reported were likely violations of both U.S. and international law in the manner in which these were used. In gratitude, Netanyahu, as the longtime Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas describes it, has deceived, manipulated, evaded, stalled, and refused to engage with the United States. Bidens entreaties regarding Israels conduct of the war and lack of planning for its aftermath have been regularly met, Pinkas judges, exclusively with defiant and incendiary statements. Bidens decades-long deep emotional attachment to Israel, coupled with what remains a slightly tattered but still powerful stranglehold on Congress enjoyed by AIPAC and its allies, demands that the president tread extremely lightly when tangling with any Israeli prime minister, especially during wartime. But the particular circumstances of Netanyahus personal agenda have made Bidens task more difficult than any previous presidents. Given the staggering size of his failure to protect the nation from Hamas on October 7, nearly three-quarters of Israelis questioned tell pollsters he should resign. A majority also rejects his prioritizing of continuingnow expandingthe war at the expense of making a deal to free the remaining hostages held by Hamas. But Netanyahu has other things on his mind. Most prominent among these is the fact that, once he is back in civilian life, he will be forced to face three corruption trials, any one of which could land him in prison. That means its in his interest to continue the war indefinitelyand therefore put off new electionsand to kowtow to his extremist coalition partners in order to prevent a no-confidence vote in the Knesset. Its also why he refuses all planning for life in postwar Gaza; that too would piss off the extremists, who would like to annex not only the West Bank but also parts of Gaza. Its as if Israels government were run by its equivalent of Proud Boys and the Christian Coalition. When Biden finally (and extremely reluctantly) took the small but symbolically significant step of announcing in public that he would pause a small portion of the roughly $18 billion in (mostly) military aid Israel is slated to receive this year, including a shipment of 3,500 bombs, and would block future delivery of additional offensive arms to try to prevent yet another humanitarian disaster in Gaza in the heavily populated city of Rafah, Netanyahu again offered him the back of his hand, announcing, If we need to stand alone, we will stand alone. (Israels national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, did the dirty work, tweeting Biden [heart] Hamas.) Israels supporters are always insisting that U.S. presidents criticize Israeli leaders only in private, and thereby reveal no daylight between the two governments in public. Republicans, including Dwight Eisenhower, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, have all felt free to ignore these orders, as all at one point went public with far harsher criticism and tougher policy responses than Biden or any Democrat before him have even contemplated. These days, however, this history is considered irrelevant because everyone understands that the evangelical Christian base of the Republican Party is rock solid in support of Israel, while the left wing of the Democratic Party has grown ever more hostile. So no GOP president these days would feel any pressure to criticize Israel, while Democratic presidents would now feel plenty of such pressure. Biden defended his decision by telling CNN, Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers. The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza estimates that roughly 35,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 80,000 injured since Israels incursion began. This did not impress The Wall Street Journals editors, who attacked what they ridiculously termed Bidens arms embargo against Israel. It also inspired the interesting insistence by a number of Republicans, including Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, and others, that its none of Americas business what Israel does with its weapons we supply it with. (We stand by allies, we dont second guess them, was the way Mitt Romney put it in a tweet.) Similarly, it goes without saying that the leadership of the legacy Jewish organizations were similarly outraged, treating Bidens announcement as if he said he was going to join the pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia. Bidens action emboldens Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah, and undermines Americas commitments to all our allies, AIPAC complained. The response from Bidens own party was, per usual, deeply divided. Twenty-six House Democrats signed a letter of complaint with all the trademarks of AIPAC letters of the past. Some of the partys biggest donors were also, to no ones shock, sufficiently upset to speak up in naked political terms. Haim Saban, one of the partys biggest funders, emailed White House staffers, in a note that somehow made its way into the media, complaining of Bidens Bad, Bad, Bad, decision, on all levels, and somehow felt it necessary to remind them that there are more Jewish voters, who care about Israel, than Muslim voters that care about Hamas. Biden did receive some support from the likes of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for what members of the partys liberal base and activists have long agitated for. Senator Chris van Hollen, who has been the unlikely leader of these forces, told Face the Nation that he supported Bidens decision in light of the fact that Netanyahu has repeatedly ignored the president of the United States, ignored the presidents efforts to try to reduce civilian casualties, ignored our efforts to try to get more humanitarian assistance into Gaza and ignored the priority of trying to bring back the hostages. As for the student protesters who are causing the Democrats so much tsuris on campus and the campaign trail, well, they are mostly unreachable, unless Biden suddenly decides to insist that Israel dismantle itself and hand over its territory to the Palestinians from the river to the sea. But the hope inside the Biden camp, no doubt, is that the more reasonable among them will feel less inclined to take the kind of actions to help a presidential candidate in November who promises mass deportation of Muslims and a blank check to Netanyahu and company to do whatever they wish to the Palestinians, damn the humanitarian consequences (Democratic politicians and megadonors might wish to factor into their decision-making the fact of Netanyahus obvious preference for a Trump victory over Biden in November and maybe ask themselves if taking his side over the presidents is really where they want to be right now). In the meantime, Israels war Cabinet has voted to expand its operations in Rafah, providing Biden with a profound internal conflict that is not unlike that which faced Hubert Humphrey in the 1968 election. I dont mean the frequently made comparison between Columbia demonstrations now and then. Rather, its a choice between a lifelong commitment of loyalty versus doing what he knows to be not only the right thing but also what is clearly in his political interest. Humphrey stuck with LBJs unwinnable war during his presidential campaign, knowing it was a loser both in politics and in morality. He did it knowing that LBJ evinced no such loyalty to him, and it almost certainly cost him the dream of his presidency and inaugurated what we now refer to as our long national nightmare. A second Trump presidency, we now know, would be immeasurably more dangerous to the United States and the world than even Nixons was. Loyalty, like any virtue, becomes a vice when combined with irrational extremism. Bidens choice should be clear: Save Israel from itself, and save himself, his party, and American democracy in the process. Nevada GOP Senate candidate Jeff Gunter hit primary rival Sam Brown on Tuesday over his previous comments showing openness to funding the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste facility. Browns comments have already sparked harsh criticism from Silver State Democrats, including Sen. Jacky Rosen (D). Nevada lawmakers from both parties have strongly resisted a federal plan to turn the isolated southwest Nevada mountain about 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas into a nuclear waste storage facility since the idea was first proposed in the 1980s. Brown, the GOP front-runner to challenge Rosen, said in recently unearthed comments from his 2022 Senate race that the state risked losing out on an opportunity if it blocked the plans. If we dont act soon, other states are assessing whether or not they can essentially steal that opportunity from us, he said in a recording, first obtained by The Los Angeles Times. Gunter, the former ambassador to Iceland, attacked Scam Brown over the comments in a social media blitz and new campaign ad on Tuesday, with just weeks to go before the June 11 primary. Scam Brown is scheming to make Nevada a dumping ground for toxic nuclear waste, just miles away from schools, Gunter said. President Trump & I oppose the swamps Yucca plan. Mitch McConnell and Scam support it. Scam Brown doubles down on dumping hazardous nuclear waste in Nevada, Gunter said in a second post. Toxic policy. Toxic message. Toxic campaign. Brown said in a statement to The Hill on Tuesday that he was not actively calling for the reopening of Yucca Mountain, but that future proposals should be considered. Contrary to the political lies being spread by democrats like Jacky Rosen and Jeff Gunter, I have not committed to supporting the opening of Yucca Mountain, Brown said. However, I will consider all thoroughly vetted future proposals, with the safety of Nevadans being my top priority, while ensuring the proposals are substantially economically beneficial. Leadership means considering all economic opportunities that could better support the lives of Nevadans, he added. The intra-party attack comes as the primary heats up. Support for Yucca Mountain development is an unpopular policy in much of the state, and even openness to future development could threaten Browns campaign. The ad also draws close ties between Gunter and former President Trump. A close Trump ally during his first term as a board member of the Republican Jewish Coalition, the former president rewarded Gunter with the ambassadorship to Iceland in 2018. Former President Trump supported Yucca Mountain funding early in his presidency, but he backed off the promise in 2020 under pressure from Republicans in the state. Trump has not discussed Yucca Mountain policy since the 2020 race, though the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 plan does support construction. Gunters comments claim that Trump does not support funding the project. The Hill has reached out to Trumps campaign for comment. Rosen landed similar attacks on Brown earlier this month, attempting to drive a wedge in what is expected to be one of 2024s closest Senate races. The Cook Political Report lists her seat as a toss-up. For decades, Nevadans across party lines have been clear that we will not allow our state to become the dumping ground for the rest of the nations nuclear waste, Rosen said in a statement. Ive been fighting against Washington politicians trying to force nuclear waste storage at Yucca Mountain since Sam Brown was still living in Texas, and his extreme support for this dangerous and unpopular project underscores how little he understands the needs of our state. Gunters attacks come the same day Rosen and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced a bill to remove Yucca Mountains federal designation as the countrys intended nuclear waste storage facility. The designation was first made in the 1980s and reaffirmed in 2002 but faced constant pushback from Nevada lawmakers of both parties, led by the late Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.). A The Hill/Nexstar poll of the Nevada Senate race released early this month found Rosen with a 12-point lead over Gunter in a hypothetical matchup, taking 47 percent of the vote to his 33 percent. She also led Brown by a sizable 8-point margin in the same poll. The senator also leads fundraising by a large margin, raising $23.6 million over the course of the campaign to Browns $5.3 million and Gunters $3.0 million. This story was updated at 8:04 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. TASHKENT, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong visited Uzbekistan from Monday to Wednesday and held a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. During his visit, Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, held talks and co-chaired the Seventh Meeting of the China-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov. Liu conveyed cordial greetings from President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to President Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Aripov. Liu said that the heads of state of both countries have jointly announced developing an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era and promoting the building of a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future from a higher starting point, ushering in a new chapter in China-Uzbekistan relations. China is willing to work with Uzbekistan, guided by the consensus of the two heads of state, to firmly support each other on issues of core interests, and continuously deepen and expand cooperation in various fields, enriching the substantive content of the China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future, Liu said. Mirziyoyev and Aripov asked Liu to convey their warm greetings to President Xi and Premier Li. They said that Uzbekistan highly values its relations with China, will steadfastly adhere to the one-China principle, continuously elevate the level of comprehensive reciprocal cooperation between the two countries, and contribute to the common development to benefit the well-being of the people of both countries. On Monday, Liu and Aripov co-chaired the Seventh Meeting of the China-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, where they thoroughly reviewed the cooperation between both countries. They exchanged views on cooperation in key areas such as economy and trade, energy, transportation, agriculture, science and technology, cultural exchanges, and poverty reduction, and made new arrangements for future cooperation. After the meeting, both sides signed the minutes of the meeting. During his visit, Liu inspected several bilateral cooperation projects, including the Peng Sheng Industrial Park and the China-Uzbekistan Medicine Technical Park. And just 13% think it would be a good idea for Trump to pick Noem as his running mate. Former President Donald Trump thinks South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem the only person on his vice presidential shortlist to boast about shooting and killing her own dog is a terrific leader whos simply had a bad week. The problem, according to a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll, is that the vast majority of Americans disagree. The new survey of 1,794 U.S. adults, which was conducted from May 10 to 13, shows that a full two-thirds of them (66%) disapprove of Noems decision to shoot her familys 14-month-old wirehaired pointer in a gravel pit after the dog ruined a pheasant hunt and killed a neighbors chickens a story Noem recounts in her forthcoming memoir, No Going Back: The Truth on Whats Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward, as proof that shes willing to tackle even difficult, messy and ugly tasks. I hated that dog, Noem writes, adding that the puppy was untrainable and less than worthless. Just 14% of Americans approve of Noems decision, including a mere 26% of Republicans. Roughly twice as many Republicans (50%) disapprove. [Noem] did a great job as governor, Trump said in a conservative podcast interview that aired on Tuesday. Thats a tough story, but shes a terrific person. Its unclear if Trump who also recently described Noem as somebody that I love and of whom hes been a supporter for a long time is still considering the South Dakotan as a potential running mate. But after reading a description of the dog incident, only 13% of Americans think it would be a good idea for Trump to put Noem on the 2024 GOP ticket; 48% say selecting her would be a bad idea. And even current Trump supporters agree (16% good idea, 44% bad idea). Shes DOA, one Trump ally told The Hill. Any time you have to respond more than once to a story, its not good. Even before reading a description of the dog incident, few voters who identify as Republicans or Republican-leaning independents just 4% selected Noem as the best of nine potential Trump VP choices. Only New York Rep. Elise Stefanik (3%) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (2%) scored lower. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (13%) led the list, followed by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson (all at 9%). Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake (5%) and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance (4%) scored in the middle of the pack. On a related note, more than half of Republicans and Republican-leaning voters say that it makes no difference if Trump selects a running mate who commits to accepting the 2024 results in advance of the election (40%) or that they want Trump to pick someone who will not commit to accepting the results (12%) while just a third (34%) say they would prefer a GOP vice-presidential nominee who has committed to accepting the results. The Washington Post recently reported that this question has become something of a litmus test, particularly among the long list of possible running mates for Trump, whose relationship with his first vice president, Mike Pence, ruptured because Pence resisted Trumps pressure to overturn the 2020 election. ____________ The Yahoo News survey was conducted by YouGov using a nationally representative sample of 1,794 U.S. adults interviewed online from May 10 to 13, 2024. The sample was weighted according to gender, age, race, education, 2020 election turnout and presidential vote, baseline party identification and current voter registration status. Demographic weighting targets come from the 2019 American Community Survey. Baseline party identification is the respondents most recent answer given prior to Nov. 1, 2022, and is weighted to the estimated distribution at that time (33% Democratic, 27% Republican). Respondents were selected from YouGovs opt-in panel to be representative of all U.S. adults. The margin of error is approximately 2.7%. Newport News on Tuesday adopted a $1.14 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes a 3% increase for most city employees and a substantial pay raise plan for firefighters and police. The budget is a 3.4% increase from the current fiscal years revised operating budget of $1.1 billion. The budget, which funds city operations from July 1 through June 30, 2025, keeps the real estate tax rate at $1.18 per $100 of assessed value, although due to an increase in assessments, many homeowners will see higher bills. Budget Director Lisa Cipriano said single family homeowners will see an average 4.9% increase, with the average annual tax bill going up $152. The city also kept the personal property tax rate at $4.50 per $100 of assessed value for vehicles. Cipriano previously told the Daily Press the city expects revenue collections from personal property to be flat this year. She said the city is seeing a growth in the number of vehicles, but the assessed value of automobiles and trucks is anticipated to be down about 15% from last year. The spending plan contains changes from what the city manager initially proposed. Most substantially, the revised budget implements a 5% general wage increase for all sworn public safety staff in July. In January 2025, all sworn public safety employees including those in the fire and police departments and the Sheriffs Office would be placed into a step program based on their assigned grade and years of experience. The raises and step plan are estimated to cost around $5.1 million. While the original budget proposal for the 2024-25 fiscal year included $2.6 million to increase public safety pay, the step plan is expected to cost the city an additional $2.5 million. To pay for it, Cipriano said the city will need to reduce its cash capital contributions to the Capital Improvement Plan. Adrian Manning, president of the Newport News chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters, praised the council for approving the step plan and thanked them for listening to the concerns of public safety employees. He said the move will help the citys fire and police departments recruit and retain employees and ultimately save lives. Mayor Phillip Jones said that the step plan was what he was most proud of in the budget. The most important thing has to be our public safety, Jones said. And thats police, thats fire, thats sheriff. They came to us with some concerns. We heard them, we were able to rework the budgets so that all of their pay increases are going to go into effect very soon. The budget fully funds the school divisions operating request. The citys direct funding for school operations and debt service is $130 million. This total includes $123 million for school operations, an increase of $3.5 million or 2.9% above the current year. The revised budget also increases City Council travel/training budget by $30,000, City Council city gifts by $10,000 and increases community support agency funding to Virginia Arts Festival, the Port Warwick Foundation, the Green Foundation, THRIVE Peninsula, the Newport News Public Art Foundation. It also adds one new press secretary position for City Council at the cost of $98,844. These various changes represent a net increase of $218,844. To keep the general fund operating budget within the estimated revenues, the council made various expenditure reductions. One change decreased the wage increases for high earning executive, management, and constitutional officers from a 3% to 1.5% to save around $77,000. While the council unanimously approved the tax rate and ordinance to approve the budget and appropriate funds, Councilwoman Pat Woodbury was the sole vote against an ordinance adopting a classification and pay plan for city employees. Woodbury said she supported the city managers initial proposed budget and objected to compensation-related changes she said other members of council had pushed. In particular, she disagreed with reducing the salary adjustment for executive and management compensation from 3% to 1.5%. During a work session before the vote, Woodbury also objected to a $30,000 travel budget increase for city staff. I think thats excessive, Woodbury said. I dont agree with that. Thats not what we took these jobs for. Its to serve the public, not to serve ourselves and to think about the people we serve. And it sounds to me like were turning into a travel organization. Jones, however, said the travel was necessary for the council to attend events like the Virginia Municipal League meetings or other conferences where council members can learn and make important connections. He said the city would not have been able to obtain as much federal and state funding as it has without council traveling to various locations and being at the table with state and federal partners. The council adopted the 2025-2029 capital improvement plan a guiding document for capital expenditures. The plan adopted separately from the budget calls for $1 billion to be spent on capital projects over the next five years, with $218.7 million to be spent in fiscal 2025. According to Cipriano, only $20.6 million of the citys fiscal 2025 operating budget would go toward expenditures outlined in the capital improvement plan. The rest of the money would come from bonds, grants, reserves and self-supporting funds. Some notable CIP expenditures included in the plan are $50 million on the Southeast Community Resource Area, $6.4 million on community improvements in the Marshal-Ridley Choice Neighborhood, $750,000 to support existing infrastructure and expansion efforts at City Center, $3.7 million to redevelop downtown, and $5.8 million on a Grissom Library replacement. Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com. The Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation and WRBL-TV, the Nexstar Media Inc. television station serving Columbus, Georgia and the surrounding area, announced on Wednesday the Foundation will donate $2,500 to the Feeding the Valley Food Bank. Feeding the Valley Food Bank has been serving the Chattahoochee Valley since 1982 and collaborates with more than 350 partner agencies in Georgia and one in Alabama. To this organization, the $2,500 donation goes a long way. The support from Nexstar has been fantastic over the years. We rely on community support, and it goes a long way, said Feeding the Valley CEO Frank Sheppard. In our children feeding program, one dollar provides six meals, so this check from the Nexstar foundation thats 15,000 meals. That means a lot to kids in our community. Publix donates 4-million-pounds of produce to Feeding the Valley food bank Headquartered in Columbus, the food bank serves as a centralized source for receiving and distributing donated food, fresh produce, and grocery products from national and local retail donors, as well as seasonal produce from local providers. For the third consecutive year, the Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation is providing Feeding the Valley Food Bank with a $2,500 grant which will go towards providing meals to children in need across the Chattahoochee Valley and East Alabama, said Joe McGuire, Vice President and General Manager of WRBL-TV. The work Feeding the Valley Food Bank does is more important than ever due to food shortages in the community, and WRBL is happy to assist them in solving that problem. The Nexstar Media Charitable Foundations mission is to contribute to and work with public charities and non-profit organizations to improve the communities in which Nexstar Media and its subsidiaries do business. The foundation was originally established in 1958 and it makes donations of approximately $350,000 annually. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. Feeding Our Future trial: The next multi-millionaires will be you and me Attorneys Clayton Carlson (left) Andrew Birrell (right) and Steven Schleicher (second from right) flank defendant Said Shafii Farah on the first day of testimony in the Feeding Our Future trial. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer. Two men charged with being part of a $40 million scheme to defraud the government called their state overseers useless a**holes, their nonprofit sponsors idiots, their alleged co-conspirators clowns, and each other future multi-millionaires in WhatsApp messages shown during their federal trial Tuesday. Their texts were read aloud during day 12 of the first trial in the Feeding Our Future case, in which federal prosecutors have charged 70 people so far with being part of a $250 million scheme to misuse money meant to feed children during the pandemic. Prosecutors say the group took advantage of loosened federal rules designed to make it easier to get food to kids. Feeding Our Future was a nonprofit that acted as sponsor of the fraudsters in exchange for kickbacks, prosecutors allege. A special agent for the IRS, Brian Pitzen, testified about texts and WhatsApp messages found on defendant Abdiaziz Shafii Farahs cell phone after it was seized during FBI raids in January 2022. WhatsApp is an encrypted messaging app thats more secure than texts. Defense attorneys for the seven defendants have said they really did feed people and merely made a fair profit off the complex government program. Prosecutors say they defrauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture program of over $40 million by falsely claiming to have distributed nearly 19 million meals across the state during the pandemic. Defense attorneys have said theyll show photos and videos of people getting food, but Pitzen beat them to it, blunting their defense by showing some of the photos and videos he retrieved from Farahs cell phone showing boxes and bags of groceries and some people lined up at sites to get it. Pitzen said you would expect to find photos and videos like that from someone attempting to carry out a very large scheme. The phone had photos of bags of potatoes and onions outside Shakopee halal market Empire Cuisine & Market; bags of rice, peppers, onions; boxes of moldy oranges; and bags of groceries. The amount of food in the photos did not match what might have been expected given the number of meals the group got reimbursed for through the state Department of Education, Pitzen said. The jury was shown a video of a line of people in cars waiting to get groceries, but Pitzen said it clearly wasnt as many people as claimed for reimbursement. The prosecution showed WhatsApp messages between defendant Abdiaziz Shafii Farah and Mahad Ibrahim, the president and owner of ThinkTechAct Foundation, a nonprofit also known as Mind Foundry Learning Foundation. ThinkTechAct sponsored by both Feeding Our Future and another nonprofit called Partners in Nutrition created dozens of sites throughout the state, and is charged with fraudulently getting over $18 million in federal child nutrition program funds. Ibrahim was originally supposed to go on trial with this group, but he will be tried separately because his attorney was unavailable. Most of their messages revolved around dividing up the money they made, coming up with names of children they served, and dealing with the state and nonprofit that was supposed to be monitoring them as opposed to the what you would expect to be the complicated logistics of getting huge amounts of food to distribution sites, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said. In one March 2021 message, Ibrahim asked Farah when hed get paid because he had to make a $280,000 payment on a $975,000 house. Prosecutors say Farah went on to write a $1 million check to buy a lakeside Prior Lake home. They messaged each other about taking $50,000 cuts, and how much their partners should get. Prosecutors say the Shakopee halal market was at the center of the groups scheme one of the biggest pieces of the overall fraud. Farah called some of their cohorts clowns. They also groused about the states temporary halting of payments in April 2021 due to suspicion about fraud and new documentation requirements. Its a mess, Ibrahim wrote. MDE is going line by line through each site. Farah complained that they were having to do more documentation because their sponsors dont do the damn bare min(imum). In April 2021, Farah wrote to Ibrahim, bro FOF (Feeding Our Future) is in deep s*** I can assure you. I hope her lawyer is Jesus. Miracles miracles miracles. Ibrahim was more optimistic, writing that with enough pressure shell get another chance. Feeding Our Future CEO Executive Director Aimee Bock would go on to hold a protest outside MDEs office in Roseville to pressure the state to approve applications for food distribution sites so they could feed more children. Later in April 2021, Farah and Ibrahim talked about how Minneapolis restaurant Brava Cafe grew exponentially, which claimed to prepare meals for another nonprofit, House of Refuge, which in turn claimed it distributed over 10,000 meals. Prosecutors say the nonprofit only provided a small fraction of that. Farah and Ibrahim marveled that another man took a small a** restaurant and started making $1.8 million a month. The next multi-millionaires will be you and me, Farah wrote to Ibrahim. Inshallah (God willing), Ibrahim replied. Still Ibrahim confided days later, no matter how much money accumulated in his bank account, he wrote, I still worry about money. I think Im scared from childhood, he wrote. At one point, while going over how much everyone in their group should get, Ibrahim wrote that even more money was on the way. Its insane, bro, he wrote to Farah. The post Feeding Our Future trial: The next multi-millionaires will be you and me appeared first on Minnesota Reformer. CONCORD No more malarkey from Biden deepfakes. The New Hampshire Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would prohibit the use of artificial intelligence in political advertising without a disclosure. If signed by Gov. Chris Sununu, New Hampshire will join 11 states that have passed laws limiting AI and deepfakes in political advertising. Six states, including Indiana, New Mexico, and Wisconsin, have adopted such legislation this year. More states, like Colorado and Hawaii, are considering similar bills. The bill was amended by the Senate, meaning it must go back to the House for approval before heading to the governors desk. The New Hampshire Senate meets for a session on May 15. Its a bipartisan issue. States that lean Republican, those that lean Democrat, and those in the middle have put laws governing AI in political elections in place. In New Hampshire, HB 1596 was co-sponsored by lawmakers in both parties, including prime sponsor Rep. Angela Brennan, D-Bow, and Rep. Ralph Boehm, R-Litchfield. HB 1596 would require a disclaimer on any political advertisement audio, visual, or image within 90 days of an election. Its necessity, she said, was made clear by the phony Biden robocall that told New Hampshire residents not to vote just a couple days before presidential primary in January. Shortly after the Biden deepfake, Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution, told USA TODAY that 2024 will likely see a tsunami of disinformation and that itll only get worse. Brennan hopes that this law, which will go into effect Aug. 1 if signed by Sununu, will help combat some of that disinformation. Deepfake sexual images also banned New Hampshire is also on its way to become the latest state to ban synthetic sexually explicit photos. HB 1319, which adds to New Hampshires revenge porn law to include images made through artificial intelligence or other synthetic means, also passed the Senate Wednesday without debate. More: 'Predator in every child's pocket': What NH parents must know about child exploitation At least 10 states have passed some version of a ban on deepfake pornography, including New York, Florida, and Virginia. This bill was passed without an amendment, meaning it does not need to return to the House. However, both bills have a fiscal note attached, meaning they must make one more trip to the Senate finance committee unless waived by the committee. Next Thursday is the deadline for the Senate to act on all House bills. Sununus office did not return a request for comment on the bills passed by the Senate this week. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH Senate OKs bills regulating AI use in political ads, revenge porn More than 50 doctors and nurses have told The Telegraph they have been targeted NHS managers are destroying the careers of whistleblowers who raise concerns about patient safety, a group of medics warns. More than 50 doctors and nurses have told The Telegraph they have been targeted after raising concerns about upwards of 170 patient deaths and nearly 700 cases of poor care. One consultant described it as the biggest scandal within our country and said the true number of avoidable deaths was astronomical. Instead of trying to fix the problems, the whistleblowers claim NHS bosses are spending millions of pounds of taxpayers money hiring law firms and private eyes to investigate them instead, leading many medics to quit the profession in despair. In one case, the NHS spent more than 4 million on legal action against a single whistleblower, which included 3.2 million in compensation. Writing for The Telegraph, Prof Phil Banfield, chairman of the council of the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, said whistleblowing is not welcomed by NHS management NHS trusts and senior managers are more concerned with protecting personal and organisational reputations than they are with protecting patients. He said the end result was that patient safety was being put at risk. The same tactics are being repeated in hospitals up and down the UK, with some doctors including some of the countrys most skilled surgeons being suspended from work for years after raising patient safety concerns, effectively ending their careers. Several have been driven to the brink of suicide after being pulled to pieces for fulfilling their legal and moral duty to raise the alarm when they believe patients are at risk. In some cases, NHS managers are accused of falsifying or destroying evidence to make whistleblowers appear to be the guilty ones. Protecting reputations Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary, told The Telegraph: Every member of staff in the NHS should feel able to speak up without fear, and its essential that any concerns are taken very seriously to improve patient safety. She said the Government had introduced measures to tackle the problem but I know there is still more to do. The law meant to protect whistleblowers is the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, under which workers have the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any actby his employer done on the ground that the worker has made a protected disclosure. But many whistleblowers say the law lacks teeth and has failed to prevent them being targeted by managers whom they say are more concerned with protecting reputations. The case has parallels with the Post Office scandal, as targeted doctors have begun holding weekly meetings where their numbers grow each time, exposing the true scale of the problem. The Telegraph has interviewed 52 doctors and nurses whose employers at 41 different trusts and clinics turned on them after they made so-called protected disclosures under laws that are meant to protect whistleblowers from retaliation. Between them, they raised concerns about a total of 177 deaths and 680 instances of patient harm. Because NHS managers decided to put the whistleblowers under investigation, rather than addressing their concerns, they claim that most of the harm 129 deaths and 413 non-fatal injuries happened after they had first reported the problems. Even this is only the tip of the iceberg, according to doctors representatives, who believe thousands of people have been driven out of the NHS in similar circumstances. One law firm claims to be aware of 1,600 current cases of NHS whistleblowers taking action against their employers. Once whistleblowers have been put under investigation and often hauled before the General Medical Council on trumped-up charges that are typically dismissed as baseless it takes on average six years, three months and 19 days to resolve their cases. By the time their ordeal is over, they are often broken physically, mentally and psychologically and many are unable to work again. Of the 52 doctors, midwives and nurses who spoke to The Telegraph, only 27 remain in full NHS employment. No action taken Forty of the medics said the result of their whistleblowing was that their employer took no positive action to address patient safety concerns; 36 said patients were still at risk in their place of work; 19 said trusts covered up the problem and 10 said they denied there was a problem. Nine said that action taken was too perfunctory, two said that partial positive action was taken. Only one said that the issue was fully resolved. Of those who wished to disclose their current employment status, seven doctors who previously had substantive roles now can only get work as locums, two work wholly in private practice, six are unemployed and looking for work, three are registered disabled or too sick to work, two took early retirement and one works outside of medicine. Whistleblowers representatives want the Government to require hospitals to bring in an independent medical professional to assess the merit of claims, so that NHS managers are not able to mark their own homework. They also want the Government to make it illegal to suspend or exclude doctors from work for speaking out about patient safety. Meanwhile, Dr Naru Narayanan, president of HCSA, the hospital doctors union, called for the establishment of an independent statutory national whistleblowing body, outside of the NHS, to register protected disclosures and protect individuals against recriminations. He said: There also needs to be a new criminal offence of causing detriment to people who have spoken up, so those who put reputation before patients are punished for it. The Government and the NHS have failed to get a grip on the problem despite decades of warnings about the way whistleblowers are treated. As long ago as the 1990s, the consultant who exposed excess deaths of babies at the Bristol Royal Infirmary had to immigrate to Australia to find work after being snubbed by the NHS, while 15 years ago a nurse who tried to raise concerns about avoidable deaths at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust said managers encouraged a culture of bullying and threats towards whistleblowers. The Telegraph spoke to doctors who have formed self-help groups including Justice for Doctors, Whistleblowers UK and NMCWatch, as well as families who say the deaths of loved ones could have been avoided if managers had acted on warnings. NHS Trusts are not alone in facing criticism 19 of the whistleblowers said they had also raised their concerns with NHS England, only to be told it did not deal with individual cases. One consultant said: The treatment by NHS leadership, of those that by law are commanded to speak up and protect patients, is the biggest scandal within our country. The number of avoidable and negligent deaths and harmed patients is astronomical. My life is ruined Michelle Russell, a nurse who spent eight years raising concerns about a staff member allegedly harassing patients mothers, said: My life is ruined. Having been vindicated in an independent investigation I was pulled to pieces through a Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing and discredited. I have no trust in the NHS or regulation any more. I do not want to access healthcare. I feel ashamed and feel I have no hope. One consultant surgeon at a hospital in the north of England said: Avoiding scrutiny rather than learning lessons appears to be the priority. An NHS England spokesman said: It is completely unacceptable for any member of staff to feel silenced or unable to speak up about issues affecting them or patients not only should everyone working in the NHS feel they can raise concerns but they must know that they will be acted on and that they will be treated fairly this is vital for ensuring that the NHS learns from mistakes and provides the best possible care for patients. Every NHS trust should be adopting the updated national Freedom to Speak Up policy and NHS England has recently asked all local areas to urgently ensure staff have easy access to information on how they can raise concerns, including through having a dedicated Freedom to Speak Up Guardian in place. Where people are disadvantaged as a result of speaking up, NHS England has ensured there is additional help available with a national scheme in place so staff can receive additional intensive support in these circumstances. Ms Atkins said: We have boosted legal protections for whistleblowers and established Freedom to Speak Up Guardians in healthcare across England, which are now in every NHS trust. This is in addition to setting up a confidential Speak Up Direct helpline to help workers feel safe in coming forward. I know there is still more to do, and I am determined to make sure the NHS is a fairer place to work for all. This goes hand in hand with ensuring patient safety, which is why we have delivered major initiatives over the last decade to ensure this remains at the forefront of our healthcare system. This includes introducing the first NHS patient safety strategy, appointing the first patient safety commissioner, and announcing our plans to implement Marthas Rule. 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. Baltimore City Council President Nick J. Mosby conceded to his opponent Councilman Zeke Cohen on Wednesday morning, officially putting an end to his bid for reelection. Mosby, who came in last in the race to secure the Democratic nomination for City Council president, said at the citys Board of Estimates meeting Wednesday morning that he contacted Cohen. Mosby sits on the board with Mayor Brandon Scott and Comptroller Bill Henry, both Democrats who were successfully nominated to hold their seats after Tuesdays primary election. I am a son of the city of Baltimore. I am very appreciative for what the city has poured into me, but more importantly for the opportunity to serve the city of Baltimore and truly, truly thankful for that. We had a very successful campaign, all of us, and you know, its time to move the city forward, Mosby said. So I look forward to working with Zeke Cohen as he transitions into being the city council president. I look forward to continuing to work with both of you (Scott and Henry) as we continue to move the city forward. In Wednesday mornings early hours, Mosby was trailing Cohen, who had secured 50% of the vote, and former Baltimore City Councilwoman Shannon Sneed, who had 26%. Cohen held a healthy lead over Mosby in polls leading up to Election Day. He was also outspent by his opponents campaigns. His concession signifies the death knell for the crumbling political empire Mosby forged with his ex-wife, former Baltimore City States Attorney Marilyn Mosby, who has been convicted of perjury and mortgage fraud. She will be sentenced at a federal court hearing later this month. Cohen declared victory at his election night party in Mount Vernon on Tuesday, when Mosby was reticent to accept defeat in spite of his opponents massive lead. He anticipated to gain ground with in-person voters, but Election Day turnout was lower than anticipated. It was kind of that unknown variable that we didnt factor in, Mosby said Tuesday night. Baltimore Sun reporter Emily Opilo contributed to this article. No bail for man accused of DUI-manslaughter in crash that killed eight farmworkers A judge on Wednesday declined to set bail for Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, of Dunnellon, who has been arrested and charged with eight counts of DUI-manslaughter in connection with Tuesday's fatal crash in west Marion County. On Tuesday Howard was driving the 2001 Ford Ranger pickup truck that sideswiped a bus full of farmworkers, killing eight workers and critically injuring eight more, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The other 37 people on the bus were taken to local hospitals for observation or treatment of minor injuries. As of Wednesday afternoon law enforcement officials had identified at least six of the eight victims. Their ages range from 20 to 46. The FHP says it is working with the Mexican consulate to confirm the victims' identities and/or to ensure next of kin is notified. The Star Banner is not publishing the names until next of kin notification is confirmed. A Florida Highway Patrol trooper covers the pickup truck that was involved in Tuesday's fatal crash in west Marion County. A spokeswoman at Adventhealth Ocala Hospital said on Wednesday that of the 16 patients that were taken to her facility, 14 have been discharged. The other two were transferred to another hospital. HCA said of the nine patients it was treating, seven were listed in critical condition and two in stable condition. A candlelight vigil for the crash victims was scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at 489 NW 110th Ave. This was the scene on Wednesday at Cannon Farms, 11801 SW 180th Avenue Road, Dunnellon. This is where the farmworkers were heading on Tuesday when their bus was sideswiped by a pickup truck. Eight workers were killed. "Please pray with us for the families," the sign says, in part. Cannon Farms in Dunnellon remained closed on Wednesday. That is where the farmworkers were heading to pick watermelons when the crash happened on Tuesday. According to a U.S. Department of Labor H-2A Agricultural Clearance Order, Cannon Farms contracted laborers to work May 1-June 4, six days a week, at $14.77 an hour. It's possible at least some of the farmworkers aboard the bus may have been employed pursuant to that order. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), which describes itself as the nation's largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights volunteer-based organization, said Tuesday that "officials have confirmed that the workers had the necessary documentation to be employed in Florida." Affidavit: Howard was 'nonresponsive' at crash scene The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Howard on Tuesday, hours after the fatal crash off State Road 40 West in west Marion County. He was taken into custody at Adventhealth Ocala, where he had been taken for treatment. The arrest affidavit in the case, which was released on Wednesday, said Howard was "nonresponsive" at the crash scene. His speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. Troopers interviewed Howard at the hospital. According to a summary in the affidavit, Howard told troopers that the night before the crash, he was hanging out with a friend and smoked marijuana oil. He also said he took three prescribed medications Klonopin, Lyrica and Clonidine before going to bed between 11:30 p.m. and midnight. Howard said he woke up about 5 a.m. Tuesday and left his parents' residence outside of Dunnellon. He said he got into the pickup, which he owns, and was on his way to a methadone clinic in Ocala. Howard said he goes to the clinic regularly for a back condition. He told troopers he doesn't remember how the crash occurred. According to the affidavit, Howard said he got out of the truck and a bystander told him he had been involved in a crash. He said he doesn't remember anything about the crash. He said he wasn't trying to pass anyone, and no one tried to cut him off. A staging area was set up Tuesday after the fatal crash on State Road 40 West. The highway was shutdown for most of the day between U.S. 41 and County Road 328. He also told troopers that three days before the deadly crash, he was driving his mother's vehicle when it crashed into a tree. Howard said he was trying to avoid hitting an animal. The affidavit doesn't say if Howard was arrested in that case, or where the crash took place. Howard took and failed a field sobriety exercise given to him at the hospital, troopers said. He was arrested and taken to the county jail. At the jail, a breath test registered his blood-alcohol content as 0.00%. However, the affidavit also notes that Howard voluntarily provided a blood sample at the hospital for analyzing. Judge orders Howard held without bail Howard remained at the Marion County Jail for his Wednesday morning court appearance. He was in the jail's courtroom and appeared via Zoom in front of County Judge LeAnn Mackey-Barnes, who was at the Marion County Judicial Center. A file photo of County Judge LeAnn Mackey-Barnes Mackey-Barnes read aloud the charges that Howard faces. An assistant public defender, Tracya N. Smith, was at the judicial center and was appointed to represent Howard. Assistant State Attorney Lillian Rozsa also was at the judicial center for the hearing. Howard told the judge he has no dependents and has been self-employed doing painting and drywall the past seven or eight months. Howard told the judge he has no assets and $700 in the bank. Rozsa asked the court to withhold bail for Howard, due to his criminal history, the number of deaths and injuries in the case, and the potential for more criminal charges. The prosecutor also mentioned the crash that happened three days prior to Tuesday's crash. She did not provide any additional details. Smith, the assistant public defender, said there was no indication her client would fail to appear for future court appearances if granted bail. She also said he would abide by any of the court's rules. The judge, citing the nature of the charges, Howard's prior history and the crash that the prosecutor mentioned, decided to hold Howard without bail. His next court date, an arraignment, will be at 9 a.m. June 18. Later Wednesday, the Public Defender's Office entered a written not guilty plea on Howard's behalf. The Marion County Jail apparently has placed Howard on suicide watch. He was wearing a green protective gown that such inmates wear. No details have been provided. Related coverage: FHP report: Man charged in bus crash that killed farmworkers smoked marijuana oil the previous night During his court appearance Wednesday, Howard answered the judge's questions and made no additional statements. Media members were in the courtroom monitoring the hearing. Aside from them and court personnel, the courtroom was empty. Arrested driver has a traffic record As the Star Banner reported on Tuesday, records on file with the Marion County court clerk show that between 2004 and 2019 Howard was cited for numerous traffic-related offenses, including failure to wear seatbelt, driving on a suspended or expired driver's license, failure to stop at a red light, careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. Howard also has been convicted of possessing drug paraphernalia and grand theft. USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida's Kate Cimini contributed to this report This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala Florida judge denies bail for man charged in farmworker bus crash No evacuation from Kharkiv planned, residents from oblast being evacuated to city There are no plans to evacuate the population or certain groups of residents from the city of Kharkiv as of 15 May. On the contrary, people are currently coming to the city from those settlements in Kharkiv Oblast where active hostilities are taking place. Source: Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov; Nazar Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast Quote from Terekhov: "The air-raid warning had been in place for over 8 hours, but we have made it through the night in peace. There have been strikes on residential areas over the past 24 hours. The enemy is using intimidation tactics to make people leave the city. However, we are not considering the evacuation of Kharkiv at the moment. On the contrary, we are receiving people in Kharkiv from areas experiencing active hostilities." Details: The official noted that over 6,000 people have arrived in the city, and they are being housed in student accommodations and provided with "everything possible to make them feel more or less protected." Nazar Voloshyn said that the city of Kharkiv is protected at the moment. "Kharkiv is really well defended, but the enemy is doing everything to sow fear and panic among the civilian population," Voloshyn explained. Terekhov stressed that the city has enough warm clothes and other necessities for the evacuees, but there is a problem with the power supply. "We have no power generation as of today due to the attacks on 23 March, when all our thermal power plants and transformer substations had been destroyed. Naturally, this is why rolling blackouts are in place for both businesses and residential buildings. The situation is tense," Terekhov concluded. Background: On 10 May, it was reported that Russian forces had intensified their activities in Kharkiv Oblast, with fighting taking place there. During a briefing with Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Russian troops had launched a new wave of offensive operations on the Kharkiv front. Ukraine's Defence Ministry reported that reserve units had been sent to the north of Kharkiv Oblast. Russian forces have captured up to 10 villages in Kharkiv Oblast. The Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group said that the grey zone in Kharkiv Oblast was not expanding and that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were not letting Russian forces advance further into Kharkiv Oblast. Amid the Russian offensive in the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast, the United States announced an additional military aid package to Ukraine later this week. UK Defence Intelligence believes it is unlikely that Russia has built up sufficient combat power to capture Kharkiv without bringing additional forces to the area. Support UP or become our patron! SAN FRANCISCO, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese companies were seen as key players at a major display industry exhibition on Tuesday in San Jose, U.S. state of California, impressing attendees with their cutting-edge technologies and products. The Display Week 2024, organized by the California-based Society for Information Display (SID), runs through Friday at San Jose McEnery Convention Center. According to the organizer, the exhibition features technologies including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), OLED, LCD, quantum dots, automobile technology, wearables, and digital signage, among others. China's BOE Technology Group -- one of the world's largest manufacturers in the semiconductor display industry -- and other leading Chinese display panel companies, like TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology (TCL CSOT) and Tianma Microelectronics Co., Ltd., participated in the exhibition. BOE brought to the exhibition an array of cutting-edge technologies and trend-setting products such as glasses-free 3D display, light field display, AIoT, and VR/AR. The company also set up a "green and low-carbon zone" in its booth, which is a testament to its leading role in sustainability, particularly green manufacturing, green products and technology, and green supply chain. At the exhibition, TCL CSOT highlighted its IJP OLED technology, saying it has yielded "significant breakthroughs" in image quality, power consumption and product lifespan. The Display Week, regarded as the barometer of the global electronic display industry which is valued at 120 billion U.S. dollars annually, attracts over 7,000 scientists, engineers, corporate researchers, and business leaders around the world. Dairy cows eat alongside blackbirds. No new cases of avian flu in New Mexico dairies have been confirmed since April 17. (Stock photo via Getty Images) Despite surrounding states recording additional herds infected with avian flu in recent weeks, theres been no change in the number reported in New Mexico. New Mexico is still counting eight herds with confirmed positives of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, all in Curry County, and no presumptive positive cases, state agriculture officials said Monday. We do not have exact numbers of cows affected in each herd, but the average has been about 10%, state veterinarian Samantha Uhrig said in a written response to questions. The state is unaware of any cow deaths that are directly attributed to avian flu, she added. Uhrig said the state will not name infected dairies and will only identify them at the county level. The most recent data from 2022 estimated that Curry County has 21 dairy farms, and about 78,300 milk cows, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture census. Last months outbreak of influenza strain H5N1 affected more than 33 dairy cow herds across eight states: Idaho, South Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina, Kansas, Texas, Colorado and New Mexico. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report on infections in cats at a Texas Panhandle dairy found that of 24 cats that drank raw milk from infected cows, 12 died. New Mexico had an outbreak of avian influenza in a neighboring Roosevelt County poultry facility, which required all of the birds to be euthanized. The birds were infected by the same strain thats infecting cattle, the USDA confirmed in late April, documenting cases in eight facilities in five states (New Mexico, Kansas, Texas, Michigan and Minnesota). One Texas dairy worker tested positive for H5N1, the second case reported in the U.S. No other human cases have been reported since April 1. Three workers in New Mexico were tested, but all of those tests came back negative, state health officials told Source NM Friday. The USDA also found an asymptomatic cow from an affected herd sent for slaughter had H5N1 in its lung tissue. But according to the USDA, the cow did not enter the food supply. So far, federal officials are only mandating testing for dairy cows moving between states. An April 29 order from USDA said any dairy cows moving between states must receive a negative test for Influenza A virus from a certified lab. This requirement does not apply to cows moving within a state, according to a clarification from the department. To send a cow to slaughter or sale barn in state, only a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection stating the animal is healthy is required not testing. The USDA will reimburse costs for samples sent to National Animal Health Laboratory Network labs for dairy cattle suspected of having the disease, those that are asymptomatic, cattle thats about to be moved and other animals present on dairies that have an outbreak, according to the order. Milk, eggs, beef Food and Drug Administration tests found remnants of the H5N1 virus in 20% of commercial pasteurized milk product samples. The FDA emphasized the material was inactive during the process and does not pose risks to consumers, and that all 297 retail dairy samples were negative for a viable virus. To date, we have seen nothing that would change our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe, the FDA said in an April 24 statement. In additional tests on eggs on May 10, all samples were negative for a viable virus. Separately, the USDA tested 30 samples of beef from affected states, and all were negative for the virus. The FDA said it would continue with sampling and surveillance of food supplies. Federal officials urge people not to drink unpasteurized or raw milk. The post No new NM dairy cow avian flu cases confirmed in weeks appeared first on Source New Mexico. No shortage of Wegovy weight-loss drug in Denmark, Novo Nordisk says FILE PHOTO: Boxes of Wegovy made by Novo Nordisk are seen at a pharmacy in London COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk does not expect a shortage of its Wegovy weight-loss drug in Denmark despite an earlier warning by the Danish Medicines Agency of strained supply of two separate doses in the coming weeks, the company said. The Danish regulator on Monday issued two statements saying the country faced a shortage of the Wegovy Flextouch 1 mg injection pen from late May to mid-June and the 0.5 mg Wegovy Flextouch injection pen between mid-June and mid-July. In both cases, the expected shortage was due to rising demand, the medicines agency said. "Novo Nordisk is experiencing a high demand for Wegovy, which can result in periodic backorders of various doses of the product in Denmark," Novo Nordisk said in a statement to Reuters late on Tuesday. "In the case of Wegovy FlexTouch 1.0 mg and 0.5 mg, the announcements from the Danish Medicines Agency are no longer current," it said. Wegovy is given by weekly injection and belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. Weekly Wegovy injections start at 0.25 mg of active ingredient semaglutide and gradually increase to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. Novo, which has been struggling with supply constraints due to run-away demand for the hugely popular drug said all doses were available in Denmark. (Reporting by Louise Rasmussen and Stine Jacobsen, editing by Terje Solsvik) SPRINGFIELD, Mo. New charges are filed against a man accused of kidnapping the daughter of a woman whose body was found in a suitcase. Wednesday, federal prosecutors filed two new charges against Mahamud Mahamed, 39, formerly of Noel. The new charges include one count of kidnapping resulting in death and one count of stalking resulting in death. He is also, still charged with one count of kidnapping a minor. The charges are connected to the July 2019 death of Jessica McCormack, of Noel. Her body was discovered in a suitcase near Highway 59 between Lanagan and Noel. According to court papers, Mahamed stalked her from April 1 to July 17 of 2019 which resulted in her death. She was last seen on July 16 in the company of Mahamed and her three daughters who were 4, 2 and 6-months old. Investigators say after her body was found, her daughters couldnt be located. Authorities say he left them in Iowa with a woman he used to work with in Noel. The father of the oldest child said he didnt give Mahamed permission to take his daughter out of state. FBI agents arrested Mahamed in Guatemala in 2021. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Noem hires former Oglala Sioux police chief for state post as another tribe votes to ban her Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Chairman Peter Lengkeek delivers the annual State of the Tribes address to lawmakers on Jan. 12, 2023, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Chairman Peter Lengkeek delivers the annual State of the Tribes address to lawmakers on Jan. 12, 2023, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) Gov. Kristi Noem appointed a former Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety chief to a post in the states Department of Tribal Relations on Tuesday, alleging he found himself without a job for speaking up about drug cartels on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The appointment of Algin Young as tribal law enforcement liaison came as another tribe voted to ban the governor from its lands, and as questions arose about the impact of a ban voted on by another South Dakota tribe. The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe voted to ban Noem from its lands Tuesday morning, Chairman Peter Lengkeek told South Dakota Public Broadcasting. The Yankton Sioux Tribes Business and Claims Committee, the highest-level elected body for that nation, voted to support a ban last week, though its since been pointed out that such a ban would not be final and enforceable without a vote of tribal members. The tribes were the sixth and seventh of the nine tribes in the state to vote in favor of banning the governor so far this year. The recent spate of conflicts with the states tribes began on Jan. 31, when the governor delivered a speech on U.S. border policy to a joint session of the South Dakota Legislature. In it, she described the southern border of the U.S. as a warzone, language she repeated in her Tuesday press release on Youngs appointment. Her speech included language calling out the impact of Mexican drug cartels on the reservations. Noem has suggested that responses from tribal leaders to her cartel comments, as well as the bans, have come because some of them are personally benefiting from a cartel presence on reservations. Shes also drawn fire for telling audiences in Winner and Mitchell that Native children lack hope, and that they dont have parents who show up and help them. Young appointment implies firing Noem has argued that the federal government is failing tribes through a lack of law enforcement funding. The Oglala Sioux Tribe has sued the federal government over that issue, and Noem pledged to support that lawsuit during her Jan. 31 speech. The governors office has not intervened as a party in the tribes most recent federal lawsuit, but she has moved to support tribal law enforcement in other ways. Last month, she pledged to fund a special session of the states police academy specifically for tribal trainees. Most tribal police train for 13 weeks in New Mexico, and South Dakotas congressional delegation has lobbied for a regional training facility to encourage recruitment. In February, Noem penned a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs urging more funding for tribal law enforcement in South Dakota. In Noems press release on his appointment, Young said that he looks forward to serving as an ambassador for the State of South Dakota at the federal level and with the States nine tribal nations to facilitate solutions for tribal law enforcement and understand and navigate jurisdictional challenges. The release also includes a thinly veiled reference to tribal resistance to Noems comments. The release says that Young found himself without a job after bravely testifying before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on the cartel presence on tribal lands. Young testified before that committee during a listening session about public safety in Indian Country on March 20. His testimony came minutes after the testimony of Oglala Sioux Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out. Neither mentioned cartels in their verbal comments, which can be viewed in full on the committees website. The Senate committee did collect written testimony until April 12, and that testimony is not available online. There was no immediate response Tuesday to an email to the committees press officers asking for any written testimony that may have been submitted by Young or Star Comes Out. The tribes director of public safety job was advertised on the tribes Facebook page on April 15. There were no Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearings between March 20 and that date. Indian Country Today reported that Youngs contract expired on April 20. Star Comes Out did not return a Searchlight message seeking comment on Youngs appointment. Representatives with Noems office and the Office of Tribal Relations did not offer a date for the cartel presence testimony. Yankton Sioux Tribe ban vote not binding So far, seven tribes have voted to ban Noem from their lands. The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe have yet to pass such a resolution. Lower Brule voted down such a ban earlier this year, but Chairman Clyde Estes told SDPB that it might consider one again in June based on Noems comments about Native children. The children should be left out of any political discussion, Estes told SDPBs Lee Strubinger. To say that they have no hope is wrong and she should not have said that. The Yankton Sioux Tribes Business and Claims Committee voted to support a ban that would bar the governor from its lands on Friday, but that vote lacks the authority of law, the committees secretary said Tuesday. Such a ban would not be official without a vote from the tribes general council, meaning a vote of tribal members at a meeting called by either the committee leadership or a petition from tribal members. We dont have anything scheduled, said Secretary Courtney Sully. We dont even have a resolution. The Yankton Sioux Tribe is the only one of the nine tribes in South Dakota that lacks a tribal council-style government with elected representatives to vote on all tribal affairs. Such governments are known as IRA governments, named for the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which encouraged tribal nations to adopt city council-style authority structures. The Yankton Sioux Tribes Business and Claims Committee, Sully said, aligns more closely with pre-colonial decision-making. The committee is empowered to manage the tribes day-to-day affairs, Sully said, but cannot take larger actions without a vote of the people. Banning someone isnt part of our daily business, said Sully, who said she abstained from the Friday vote. She doesnt like the governors comments, she said, but doesnt believe they rise to the level of something requiring a ban. The majority of the committee did vote to endorse a ban, however. A statement from Vice Chair Jason Cooke, sent to Searchlight on Tuesday, reiterated the earlier words of committee member Ryan Cournoyer, who said the vote was a sign of solidarity with other tribes. The statement calls the governor anti-tribe. It references pre-2024 conflicts over pipeline protests, COVID checkpoints, education, and Noems lack of response to discrimination against Native Americans by a Rapid City hotel owner. The statement says the governor now blames tribes for crime in her own cities. Governor Noem, stop the political pandering and get serious about working on these issues with Tribes, Cooke wrote. It has been six years of inaction, ineptness, and ignorance from your office on serious policy issues impacting our shared citizens. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Noem hires former Oglala Sioux police chief for state post as another tribe votes to ban her appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. The Prairie Island Nuclear Plant is near Red Wing, Minnesota. (Photo provided by Xcel Energy) Policymakers in North Dakota are starting to lay the groundwork for a nuclear power industry that doesnt exist in the state yet. Across the country, companies developing advanced nuclear reactors have begun partnering with electric utilities to build demonstration plants. No such partnerships have been announced in North Dakota. But state officials are trying to make sure that if those early projects succeed, North Dakota will be ready to follow. Theyre keeping an especially close eye on Wyoming, where Bill Gates-fronted TerraPower and regional electric utility Rocky Mountain Power aim to build a nuclear reactor on the site of a retiring coal plant. The nuclear facility, if completed, will enable the utility to repurpose the coal plants transmission capacity while preserving upwards of 100 local jobs. The coal fleet of North Dakota, which is providing most of our baseload right now, is aging. Its 48.2 years old, Rich Garman, director of the Department of Commerces Economic Development and Finance Division, told the Legislatures Energy Development and Transmission Committee on April 10. Rich Garman, director of economic development and finance for the North Dakota Department of Commerce, speaks during an Energy Development and Transmission Committee meeting at the Capitol on April 10, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota, which still has a half-dozen active coal plants, also stands to benefit from utilizing existing infrastructure at the power plant sites that we have, Garman said during the committee meeting. If the demonstration projects in Wyoming and other states stay on track, he anticipates that North Dakota could see its first nuclear plants come online in 10 to 15 years. There are no nuclear power plants in North Dakota, though the state does get some of its electricity from reactors in other states served by the same utilities. Minnesotas two nuclear facilities, Monticello and Prairie Island, have a combined generation capacity of over 1,700 megawatts. Both plants are operated by Xcel Energy. The TerraPower reactor in Wyoming, by comparison, would produce about 345 megawatts. Many advanced reactor designs are even smaller than TerraPowers, as part of a push within the nuclear power sector to bring down reactors astronomical up-front construction costs and make them more adaptable to the evolving needs of the modern electric grid. With Xcel planning to eliminate coal from its generation mix by 2030, the utility is looking for consistent electricity sources that can balance out the ups and downs of wind and solar. Xcel hasnt laid any concrete plans of its own but is closely following the progress of advanced nuclear projects that have already been announced. Pam Gorman Prochaska, general manager of nuclear fleet operations for Xcel Energy, speaks during a meeting of the Energy Development and Transmission Committee at the Capitol on April 10, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Advanced nuclear is definitely part of the future, Pam Gorman Prochaska, Xcels general manager of nuclear fleet operations, told state lawmakers on April 10. I think the pilots will be important for the coal industry as we watch them take off, she said. Theyll demonstrate the supply chains. Theyll demonstrate the licensing. But theyre certainly not without challenges that they have to overcome. Other electric utilities serving customers in North Dakota say theyre in a similar position. Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Minnkota Power Cooperative, Montana-Dakota Utilities and Otter Tail Power Company, are all keeping an eye on advanced nuclears progress but have no plans to become involved themselves, according to statements emailed to the North Dakota Monitor. We are supportive of nuclear power and the important role it plays on our nations electric grid as a 24/7 baseload generation resource. However, the development of a new nuclear plant is challenged by rising capital costs, stringent permitting requirements, waste disposal logistics, and lengthy construction and supply chain timelines, said Ben Fladhammer, Minnkota spokesperson. Randy Christmann, chair of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, echoed those concerns after a recent meeting. Nuclear generation is something that Im very supportive of, he said. But before getting into the details of a project, he added, tell me where were going to bury the waste. The state may have time to wait out some of the nuclear industrys current challenges. At present, none of North Dakotas operating coal plants have set retirement dates. For the state to successfully land any advanced nuclear reactors, whether at coal plants or elsewhere, public officials and private companies will have to be on the same page, said David Flynn, a professor of economics and finance and the research director for the Institute of Policy and Business Analytics at the University of North Dakota. I think if it was really going to get a foothold, what youd have to see would be a real public-private push on that front, Flynn said. The utilities have to be on board. If theres not both public and private components to it, I dont think it will ultimately be successful. North Dakota also will need to better understand how it stands to benefit from the addition of advanced nuclear and what its limitations will be, according to Flynn. The current labor constraints in North Dakota are real and binding, he said. Any kind of expansion of any existing industry, or the introduction of new industries in the state, does put additional burden on that workforce. North Dakota is watching, and waiting, to see if Wyoming and other nuclear pioneers find ways to overcome those issues, too. This story was corrected to remove a company name that does not serve North Dakota customers and to correct the capacity of the Minnesota facilities. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post North Dakota eyes next-generation nuclear as replacement for coal plants appeared first on North Dakota Monitor. NORTH HAMPTON A Hudson man is facing charges in connection to the theft of more than $26,000 in merchandise from the Electric Barn in North Hampton, according to police. Chad Breault was arrested in Amesbury, Massachusetts, on Friday, May 10, allegedly attempting to sell the stolen goods to a business, according to North Hampton Police Chief Robert LaBarge. The burglary at the Electric Barn occurred around 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 8. LaBarge said they issued a warrant for Breaults arrest on Thursday, May 9. Chad Breault is facing a burglary charge for allegedly stealing $26,000 worth of electrical breakers from the Electric Barn in North Hampton. LaBarge said Breault must first face charges in Massachusetts before he is returned to New Hampshire to be arraigned on the North Hampton burglary charge. Amesbury police are charging Breault with allegedly dealing in stolen goods. He was arraigned Monday at Newburyport District Court, and his next court date is June 10, according to LaBarge. More: New details reveal what led to Seabrook selectmen dispute and why assault case was dropped According to Lucus Kohlhase, vice president of the Electric Barn, the attention he received from local police and the swiftness with which Breault was caught impressed him. Im very happy with the way the police handled this, Kohlhase said. LaBarge said his department, Kohlhase, the Amesbury business owner and Amesbury police, all worked together to solve the crime. According to Kohlhase, he reported the theft of valuable electrical breakers to North Hampton police Thursday morning, shortly after he opened and discovered the store had been burglarized. Kohlhase then called other businesses in the area to alert them of the burglary. I reached out to distributors and similar businesses and told them what had happened, Kohlhase said. I thought whoever did it would try to sell the stolen merchandise. More: Alleged gang members charged in $50K lottery ticket theft spree in Massachusetts, NH Soon after, Kohlhase got a call from a fellow businessman in Amesbury who believed the alleged thief had done exactly that. Kohlhase moved quickly to tell North Hampton police, and he and LaBarge drove south to Amesbury. There, Kohlhase identified the items stolen from the Electric Barn from pictures of the items Breault allegedly tried to sell. Kohlhase said the owner of the Amesbury business had stalled Breault, asking him to come back Friday morning to finish the deal. That allowed LaBarge and Amesbury police to work together to set up the sting. According to LaBarge, upon returning to North Hampton on Thursday, police drew up the warrants they needed. On Friday morning, Amesbury police moved in to arrest Breault when he returned to sell the merchandise to the Amesbury businessman. North Hampton police served their warrant, and the stolen merchandise was recovered during the arrest. This crime got solved quickly because of cooperation and teamwork, LaBarge said, not only between law enforcement agencies but between the police, the community and its stakeholders. As for Kohlhase, hes as pleased as he can be after suffering a costly crime. This is the second-best scenario that could have happened, Kohlhase said. The first being it never happened at all. Anybody with information regarding this crime or associated crimes is urged to contact North Hampton officer Ryan Stephens at rstephens@northhampton-nh-pd.gov or (603) 964-8621. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: North Hampton Electric Barn burglary: Hudson man charged in $26K theft North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after the test firing of a missile at an undisclosed location in the country on Aug. 24, 2019. (Korean Central News Agency / Associated Press) Faced with other more pressing developments in Ukraine and Gaza, the Biden administration has largely kept the threat of North Koreas nuclear program on the back burner. But tensions around the Korean peninsula have been ratcheting up for years, opening a new and uncertain chapter in a pitched standoff that, just six years ago under then-President Trump, seemed to be on the cusp of a major breakthrough. So what happened? And what lies in store for whoever wins the White House in November? In 2018, hopes ran high that North Korea might finally relinquish its nuclear arsenal. Following three summits between then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the two countries issued a joint declaration pledging better ties between the countries, the easing of military tensions and a mutual commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Read more: Trump and Biden both say theyre tough on China. But whom would Beijing prefer to deal with? That unprecedented document, the Panmunjom Declaration, set the stage for meetings between Trump and Kim Jong Un, who had until then been slinging insults at one another, with Trump belittling Kim as little rocket man and Kim calling Trump a dotard or a senile old person. Held over the course of 2018 and 2019 in Singapore, Hanoi and the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the three meetings produced several gestures of goodwill, such as Pyongyang repatriating the remains of American soldiers who died in the Korean War and dismantling several rocket launch sites. At the DMZ, Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to set foot on the North Korean side of the border. But the meetings failed to achieve a denuclearization deal, running into the same intractable problem that has defined the conflict for decades: the United States reluctance to accept anything less than total and immediate nuclear disarmament and North Koreas equal reluctance to surrender its primary source of leverage. Things have gone downhill ever since. Then-President Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the border village of Panmunjom in the Korean Demilitarized Zone on June 30, 2019. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) In June 2020, North Korea blew up a joint liaison office that had been installed on its side of the border to facilitate communication with Seoul. It also resumed its nuclear program, rebuilding the nuclear test site it had partially demolished following the Panmunjom Declaration. North Korea has launched more than 100 missiles since 2022, and U.S. and South Korean officials have said it is likely preparing to conduct its seventh nuclear test the first since 2017. In September 2022, North Korea passed a law officially declaring itself a nuclear state, with Kim Jong Un vowing that the country would never give up its nuclear arsenal, which is estimated to contain at least 40, and perhaps more than 100, warheads. The new law specifies several scenarios in which the country would use nuclear weapons, including preemptive strikes in the event of imminent attack. As a result, the last few years have seen increasingly combustible military postures by both Koreas and the United States. North Korea has obviously never had this many nuclear weapons, especially those of such technological sophistication, when it comes to delivery methods or strike range, said Kim Dong-yup, a professor at the University of North Korea Studies in Seoul. But all the negotiation channels or mechanisms that North and South Korea had for preventing escalation or misunderstandings are gone. The safety pin has been pulled out. In response to North Koreas growing nuclear might, the Biden administration has resumed military drills with South Korea that had been paused under Trump. It has said that any nuclear attack by North Korea will result in the end of that regime. South Korea has also been honing its strategy to decapitate North Korean leadership, while Kim Jong Un, who recently repudiated the once-shared goal of Korean reunification, labeled South Korea as his regimes primary foe. Given these competing moves, altercations seem inevitable, experts say. I dont think the chances of a full-blown war are particularly high, because there is now an element of greater deterrence in play, Kim, the professor, said. But the likelihood of smaller-scale conflicts has risen significantly, especially in areas near the border with North Korea. Technically, the Korean War never officially ended. The hostilities halted in 1953 with an armistice, not a peace treaty. Read more: Biden suggests there is little chance of meeting with North Korea's Kim amid rising tensions Biden, if reelected, is widely expected to pursue his current strategy of maintaining sanctions and military deterrence, keeping with his wider regional strategy of expanding U.S. influence in Asia. Under President Yoon Suk-yeol, a conservative, South Korea joined a U.S.-led trilateral military alliance with Japan a buffer against China as well as North Korea. But that is not to say the door to dialogue with North Korea is shut. In March, senior U.S. officials said that they would be open to exploring interim steps toward denuclearization with North Korea, but that the goal of nuclear disarmament remains unchanged. Yet this is essentially the same offer that has failed to produce meaningful outcomes in the past including at the Trump-Kim summits and North Korea has been ignoring the Biden administrations attempts to make contact. The worst kept secret in the Korea policy community is that demanding denuclearization of North Korea is a nonstarter totally unrealistic, said Van Jackson, a former Pentagon official and currently a professor of international relations at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. North Korea will come back to the negotiating table only if it receives presidential honors like summits, or tangible accommodations that signal turning over a new leaf sanctions relief, ending the Korean war, he said. There's a way in which North Korea's position here is understandable, Jackson added. They don't have any intention of denuclearizing and they'd be foolish to disarm without having confidence that their much larger adversary is not really an adversary anymore. A Trump win would entail far more variables. President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at their first summit meeting, held in Singapore on June 12, 2018. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) Theres an assumption that if Trump reaches out to Kim, that they would immediately resume their love letters, but we have to remember that Kim was blindsided and jaded by the Trump team in Hanoi, so he will not necessarily come running to Trump, said Andrew Yeo, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. In other words, drawn out once with the prospect of a groundbreaking deal that never materialized, a warier Kim may not be so quick to do so again. Additionally, the geopolitical landscape has changed where Kim has much more support from China and Russia than during the first Trump administration, so he may have less incentive or need to talk to the U.S., Yeo said. In May 2022, China and Russia both vetoed a U.S.-led effort at the United Nations Security Council to increase sanctions on North Korea, which has in recent years cozied up to Moscow, itself the target of sanctions for the invasion of Ukraine. Following his meeting with Vladimir Putin in September 2023, Kim Jong Un has sought Russias help in launching its own spy satellites, sending in return artillery shells, mortars and short-range ballistic missiles for Russias war with Ukraine. Still, many Asia experts believe that dialogue with North Korea is more likely under Trump rather than Biden with the possibility of a second round of high-level meetings on the table. If Trump wins, I fully expect Kim to press the Hey, remember me? button and resume summit diplomacy, Jackson said. But it's totally unclear how Trump would respond to that this time around. In the event of another summit, the question is how much ground Trump would be willing to give for the sake of consummating a deal to his credit whether he might, for example, be open to a nuclear freeze rather than disarmament. Read more: North Korea blows up liaison office just inside its border with the South The bureaucracy under Trump will still have hawkish preferences, but if Kim Jong Un is able to manipulate Trump, it's much more likely this time around that Trump will be able to impose his preferences for Korea, Jackson said. In 2018 and 2019, Trump faced a lot of resistance from civil servants and political appointees, but MAGA has since built a cadre of loyalists who are going to exist to ensure Trump's whims are carried out. Yet even dialogue that doesnt lead to tidy deals may be worthwhile as a kind of pressure valve a way to ease growing tensions, said Kim Dong-yup, the professor. It provides an opportunity to rethink and temper hostile stances, he said. And once you begin talking, new solutions may emerge over time. 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 City of North Liberty has a new home. Staff began moving into the new North Liberty City Hall at 360 North Main Street in late April. The council held its first meeting on Tuesday, preceded by a commemorative ribbon-cutting and open house. The building is located in the heart of town, adjacent to the police and fire departments, halfway between key public facilities such as the community center and the city's public library. More: Iowa is home to one of the best places to retire. Can you guess where? The front entrance of the newly constructed North Liberty City Hall is pictured Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in North Liberty, Iowa. Spacious new digs The new city hall provides expanded meeting and office space outfitted with the latest technology, a massive upgrade from a decade-long stint in a former pediatricians office. The building now houses North Libertys city administration, billing and finance department, building inspection personnel, city planning, community relations, and human resources. Blueprints also kept the community in mind, North Liberty Community Relations Director Nick Bergus told the Press-Citizen, by providing an open-air terrace for people to eat lunch, hang out and, in the future, perhaps enjoy a public concert. That space is what excites Bergus and his colleagues most. (The terrace) welcomes the community to this building and it will be a place to come and sit with your family and eat ice cream or see a local performer or be on the lawn, Bergus said. We want the public to be able to come here, not just to pay a utility bill or for a city council meeting, but for every day, fun, good uses. The council chambers in the newly constructed North Liberty City Hall is pictured Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in North Liberty, Iowa. The terrace area can connect with a nearby meeting room The 4191 that is available for public event use. A gentle nod to history The multiple meeting and conference rooms all pay homage to the citys history. The 4191 A shortened version of the approximate latitude and longitude of the city. The building sits at roughly 41.7 degrees north and 91.5 degrees west North Bend The original name of the area now known as North Liberty, which refers to the north bend of the Iowa River Interurban The type of rail system that runs through Johnson and Linn counties that became famous for its passenger routes in the 1900s Red Ball Route The precursor to the Avenue of the Saints, connecting Saint Paul, Minnesota and St. Louis, Missouri to the heart of Johnson County, including North Liberty and Iowa City More: Ex-Iowa women's basketball star Kate Martin officially makes WNBA's Las Vegas Aces roster An open floor plan in a government building Bergus noted how the two-story building incorporates open space to maximize efficiency and create useful areas. For instance, downstairs near the staff entrance is a mud room where building inspectors can clean up after an inspection, Bergus said. That room can also be used by staff who like to ride their bikes to worklike Bergusto tidy up on a wet spring or hot summer day before entering. The city hall as a whole was a longtime coming. I think its honestly a modern facility that fits our needs, Bergus said. It's been decades, literally decades since we've had a purpose-built space, so just to be able to have those kinds of gathering spaces for staff, there's some real efficiency that comes from that. 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: New North Liberty City Hall opens its doors KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Kansas City Police Department reports all lanes on northbound Highway 71 are now back open following a standoff Wednesday afternoon. KCPD said officers were dispatched just before 2 p.m. to the 7100 block of Chestnut Avenue about a block away from 71. The area is near 71 Highway and Gregory, but the backup is extending south toward the Grandview Triangle. KCPD says officers were attempting to contact a wanted person when it was discovered that person was armed and barricaded the door. Officers backed out and called in a standoff. During the standoff, the wanted person remained inside and refused to come out. As negotiations continued, the suspect exited out a rear door and ran towards a vehicle at the residence and left in the vehicle. Police said the suspect traveled two blocked before becoming involved in a crash with a semi-truck. The suspect was immediately taken into custody. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android This is a developing story. FOX4 will provide more updates as information gets released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. ISTANBUL, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkish coast guard intercepted 186 migrants, including 50 children, in separate operations off the coast of Turkiye's western province of Izmir over the past two days, local media reported on Wednesday. Among them, 160 migrants were attempting to depart abroad from four separate locations in the Urla and Foca districts, the Ihlas news agency said, adding one suspected human smuggler was detained in the operation. In a separate incident, the coast guard rescued 26 migrants in a rubber boat, which was drifting off the coast of the Foca district due to engine failure. The destinations of the migrants were not immediately revealed. After undergoing health checks and necessary procedures, the migrants were transferred to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. The Aegean Sea has been an important route for migrants trying to reach Europe via Turkiye. Official statistics on Wednesday showed that the number of intercepted immigrants departing from Turkiye has reached 17,276 since the beginning of this year. Additionally, 72 smugglers have been detained during the same period. According to the data, the number of intercepted migrants in 2023 stood at 56,954, with 169 suspects detained. While the investigation into on-leave Norwich Superintendent Kristen Stringfellow and Assistant Superintendent Tamara Gloster has gone on since the fall, Norwich Board of Education Chair Mark Kulos urged board members that the investigation needs to take time. Its a slight drain on our resources and we could really use the money, but if we take any missteps, the money were paying out now would be peanuts compared to a wrongful termination, he said. Kulos said Tuesday during a board meeting that he isnt sure how long the investigation will take, nor can he say much about whats going on at this point. Its progressing, thats all I can say, he said. Its getting closer to the end. File photo of Norwich Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Tamra Gloster, left, next to Superintendent Kristen Stringfellow at a meeting. Both are currently on paid administrative leave due to an investigation. Parents asking questions about investigation Norwich Board of Education member Heather Fowler asked about the investigation at the end of Tuesdays meeting, as parents are still asking her about it, she said. (The public) thinks were trying to be secretive, Fowler said. Kulos said he will have to make a statement about it during board meetings. Christine Distasio, another board member, asked Kulos if the investigators could be asked to give a firm completion date. With how intertwined everything is and wanting to avoid litigation, it's like running two investigations at once, Kulos said in response. It could be two weeks, it could be two months, he said. I dont know at this point. The cost of the investigation Attorney Kyle McClain of Zangari Cohn Cutherbertson Duhl & Grello P.C. is conducting the investigation, with paralegals helping him. At least 100 interviews were conducted for the investigation, and it's in the processing phase now, Kulos said. The most recent legal bill, from March 28 to April 30, had only two billable hours, Norwich Public Schools business administrator Robert Sirpenski said. While Kulos said these two hours constituted multiple phone calls, other board members, including Fowler, were annoyed at how little time was spent on it, she said. People have been waiting eight months, and two billable hours in a month? No wonder why it's not done, Fowler said. The full breakdown of billable hours in the investigation so far was provided by Sirpenski. The Nov. 15 invoice had 57.7 billable hours, the Dec. 11 invoice had 21.1 billable hours, the Jan. 11 invoice had 23.2 billable hours, the Feb. 7 invoice had 16.9 billable hours, and the May 9 invoice had 2 billable hours. This totals 120.9 billable hours for investigation work, costing the district $34,651.09. Board members Kevin Saythany and Christina Milton also asked about the investigation. Why is the investigation happening? Concerns were first raised when a survey by the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) showed 95% of staff feared retaliation if they spoke up about issues, and 89% of Norwich teachers stated their job depends on remaining silent on the issues, the CEA reported on Aug. 1. The Board of Education placed Stringfellow on paid leave Sept. 18. Susan Lessard was named acting superintendent the same night. Gloster was placed on leave Sept. 25, and Jamie Bender was named acting assistant superintendent Sept. 27. Lessard and Bender are currently contracted in their positions until the end of June. Kulos still has to talk to them about whether theyd like to continue in their roles, he said. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich CT superintendent still on leave following teachers' concerns They will not be forgotten: 4 fallen Chicago firefighters honored in Springfield CHICAGO Firefighters who died in the line of duty or performed heroic acts in Illinois in 2023 were honored on Tuesday. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker remembered the five deceased first responders at the 31st annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor ceremony. Four of the firemen who died served in the Chicago Fire Department Jermaine Pelt, Andrew Drew Price, Lieutenant Jan Tchoryk and Lieutenant Kevin Ward. Events that shaped Chicago: 2023 Year in Review The fifth firefighter honored was Maroa Countryside Fire Protection District Chief Larry Peasley. Their names will be engraved at the Illinois Firefighter Memorial. More Coverage: On behalf of everybody here, we want to thank you for sharing Jermaine, Drew, Jan, Kevin, and Larry with us, the fire service family, said Jim Grady, a retired Frankfort Fire Protection District firefighter. They will not be forgotten. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Eight firefighters were awarded the Medal of Honor. Four firefighters were honored with the Medal of Valor. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. The general consensus of most legal experts and other serious observers is that the first weeks of Donald Trumps hush money trial in New York (what is really a trial about election interference and fraud) have gone very badly for the former president. Key witnesses for the prosecution such as former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, adult film actress Stormy Daniels, her attorney Keith Davidson, and then President Trumps aide and confidante Hope Hicks have offered a damning portrait of Trumps personal behavior, desire to hide his alleged affair(s) before the 2016 election, and pattern of using money to hide unflattering and potentially harmful information from the public. The main witness for the prosecution, Donald Trumps former attorney Michael Cohen, testified this week and "put it all together" for the jury, according to legal experts. The outcome of the hush-money trial and if the charges rise to the level of a felony appears to be greatly dependent on Cohen. His testimony and the hush-money trial have taken on even more extreme importance for the future of the United States and its democracy given that Trumps three other criminal trials appear to be delayed past Election Day. In the end, the hush-money trial may be the only chance to hold Trump accountable for his decades-long crime spree. Public opinion polls show that a guilty verdict in the hush-money trial may sway enough voters to abandon the aspiring Dictator Donald Trump and vote for President Biden, in what is now a virtual tie. But there are some legal experts who hold the unpopular view, one contrary to what so many Americans and members of the mainstream news media and political class (and especially the Resistance) desperately desire and want to believe, that a guilty verdict in Trumps hush-money case is not a fait accompli or in any way a certainty. Kevin OBrien is one such voice. A former assistant U.S. attorney who specializes in white-collar criminal defense, commercial and securities litigation on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants, regulatory enforcement cases, and arbitrations, O'Brien is currently a Partner at Ford O'Brien Landy LLP. His legal analysis and expert commentary have been featured at NBC News, BBC News, Salon, Bloomberg News, Vox, Scripps News, Reuters, Westlaw Today, and Law360. In a conversation with Salon, OBrien explains that the charges against Trump are highly technical and suggests that the prosecution will likely have a difficult time proving Trumps direct role in falsifying his business records, a requisite for the charges to rise to the level of a felony. He also shares his concerns that there are jurors who find themselves annoyed that Trump, a former president, is being charged with hiding an affair and that does not rise to the level of a serious crime. O'Brien is concerned that the defenses emphasis on the sexual and other lurid details of Trumps encounter with Daniels may also have the effect of turning jurors in favor of the corrupt ex-president. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length: How are you making sense of Trump's hush-money trial and the larger maelstrom around his multiple criminal trials? This is all truly historic and unprecedented, and not in a good way. It is also very exhausting. I had mixed feelings about the hush-money case before it started. The charges are almost unworthy of a former president. Moreover, the statute seemed technical. In a criminal case, if you're a prosecutor, you'd like to have the conduct required for conviction to line up with the ethical significance of the case. But here, they are totally different. The charged conduct is creating false business records, which carries little ethical weight. The prosecution is going to have to prove that Donald Trump intended to create or abet, enable, and assist the creation of false business records. These records certainly appear to be false. But how did he actually falsify the records? That is the key matter. Perhaps Mr. Cohen will provide that link. It has not been compellingly established yet in the hush-money case by the prosecution. You are most certainly an outlier, especially among the types of voices who are being featured in the mainstream news media, on certain cable news networks, as well as here at Salon, who are generally presenting Trump's first criminal trial as almost a fait accompli. I am on the record as being very concerned about the hush-money trial (and the other ones as well) and how too many public voices are being prematurely happy and celebratory about Trump being found guilty and that somehow leading to his demise. This is not an open-and-shut case despite how many people would like to believe it is. It is not an open-and-shut case at all. Given the nature of juries and criminal cases, all it takes is one or two jurors who aren't overwhelmed by the proof. A juror who says to himself that yes, what Trump did was bad, and he acted in a disgusting way as he often does, but where is the crime here? How does this violate the public's trust? I believe that we are being swayed by the tense and dramatic atmosphere of this first criminal trial. The witnesses are colorful and interesting and they have baggage of their own. Let me be clear, I believe that the prosecution has done a great job. They are very well-prepared and very professional. They have also thought of all the angles that should have been considered so far. They have also thought deeply about their strategy. But in the end, the prosecution may not have the evidence to prove their case conclusively. Moreover, I am concerned that the prosecution may have gone overboard on the sexual details of Trump's encounter with Stormy Daniels. There may be one or two jurors who were put off by that and feel like the prosecution is just trying to embarrass Donald Trump. Yes, Trump denied having a relationship with her and you want to prove that he in fact did have one. But all the extra details may not have been necessary. Pushing back a bit. There is all the evidence that has been presented in court so far, for example a recording of Trump talking about the hush-money payments. There are also the witnesses including Trump's aides and confidantes, the former publisher of The National Enquirer David Pecker, Karen McDougal's attorney who handled her alleged hush-money payment, and Stormy Daniels herself who have painted a damning portrait of Donald Trump's behavior. I am sure many people reading our conversation will be very surprised that you are not convinced that Donald Trump is already defeated in this first criminal trial. I don't think Donald Trump is dead to rights. The case against him is not overwhelming. And even if the prosecution can prove everything that they have alleged, the weight of the charges does not fit what the facts and evidence show. There might be people who suspect that they wouldn't have gone after anyone other than Donald Trump about these matters and therefore this is a political prosecution. I can easily see one or more jurors having such a thought in a way that can create reasonable doubt. The charge is, again, somewhat technical. It's not intuitive. The jurors must connect the strong ethical condemnation of hiding material facts from the electorate on the eve of an election, which is the ethical thrust of the entire case, from the actual charged conduct, which has nothing to do with it. The charges against Donald Trump are for falsifying business records. If I were the prosecutor, I would want to have proof of a conversation where Trump admits that we've got to call these hush-money payments legal fees or something else in order to buy off Stormy Daniels. Moreover, because Trump is a former president, it seems to me that the prosecution is probably going to be held to a higher standard of proof of guilt by the jury. If found guilty will Donald Trump be sentenced to prison? These criminal offenses come with a range of possible sentences. Falsifying business record records are misdemeanors. And in that case, you can't serve more than a year, that's the maximum for any misdemeanor. And most people convicted of misdemeanors, at least the first time around, get no time served, they get probation. But if they can link that to a predicate crime, like election fraud, which is what the state is trying to do, or tax evasion, then they can bump the charges up to a felony. But even so, I think the range is going to be on the low end given the nature of the offense. Will a judge sentence Donald Trump to prison for these offenses? I can see an argument that given Trump's public stature as a former president that some prison time may be warranted. No man is above the law. But even then, I believe the sentence would be for only a few months, and he may just get probation. Trump does not care about being fined. The argument being made by the prosecution is that the hush-money payments were part of a larger attempt in service to hiding information from the public to help Donald Trump win the presidential election. How hard is that going to be to prove? It's not a crime in New York to mislead voters or to make false statements to the electorate on the eve of an election. But it is a crime, albeit a misdemeanor, to make false entries in business records. The jury is going to be instructed that these are just misdemeanors. A juror will likely say to themself, "they had us here for all this time over misdemeanors? Really?" That's a good argument in favor of the defense. Yes, that reaction is not based on the evidence. But human commonsense reactions have an impact on how jurors make their decisions. And such a reaction may also be common among prospective voters as well. The prosecutors are going to have to compellingly connect this all to an attempt to defraud the public as part of something much bigger. What strategy and approach would you use to defend Donald Trump? Would you present him as someone sympathetic and a victim who is being persecuted or as a horrible person who has done many bad things but one who is not guilty of what he is being charged with in the hush-money trial? The latter approach seems more compelling to me as opposed to the "family man" line that his defense used in their opening statement. How do you find a balance? If you were operating on a blank slate as a defense lawyer, the latter approach is far preferable. It's easier to pull off. It levels with the jury and you are letting them into your confidence, that is seductive. We all know that this guy isn't a great person, right? But where's the crime? That could be an effective approach in a case like this. Here is the problem: Donald Trump is not going to let his lawyers make that pitch to the jurors. I assume Trump's attorneys said all that stuff about him being a "family man" because he demanded that they do it. For the same reason, I assume that the cross-examination of Stormy Daniels, which became kind of pointless, was done at Trump's request. He wanted her to be embarrassed and shamed on the stand. He wanted her to be punished because he was angry at what she has said about him and their intimate encounter. I'm sure Donald Trump instructed his lawyers that they had to go after Stormy Daniels with everything they had, even though that's often not the wisest approach. I don't think it was the wisest approach here. They've got a very demanding client with Donald Trump who is insistent that certain things be done even if they aren't the wisest things to do in the case. When you are dealing with a difficult personality like Donald Trump, what is your approach as an attorney? Donald Trump can be his own worst enemy. But past a certain point, you have to make peace with your client. As an attorney, you can take a hard line on certain things. If you're a forceful person with a track record of success you may be able to get away with it for a while, but inevitably, you're going to have to bow to the client's wishes. If you don't you will get fired. There has already been talk about how Trump is not happy with his lead attorney Todd Blanche. The hush-money trial is maybe only half over. No lawyer wants to get fired from a trial, especially so after all the work they've put in. Why is Donald Trump not in jail for repeatedly and flagrantly violating the court's gag orders about threatening witnesses and engaging in other menacing and intimidating behavior against people involved in the trials? Donald Trump is in the middle of an election campaign. This judge, and likely no other judge, would put Trump in jail for violating a gag order. What Trump is doing is certainly improper, but there's not much a trial judge can do. In a criminal case the defendant needs to be there. Someone who is not only a former president, but is a leading candidate, a judge is going to bend over backwards to avoid putting him in jail. I just don't see it happening. Frankly, the things that Trump says are outrageous. But I believe that part of why he is getting away with this behavior is that there has not been some type of high-profile incident where his followers have been incited to serious violence. There may have been things that have happened that the Secret Service and other law enforcement are keeping close to the vest, but we don't know that. So far at least, the hush-money trial has proceeded without serious incident. Trump's bad behavior with the gag order and his threats and the like is one issue that I believe the press has made too much of. What is going on with the three other criminal cases against Donald Trump? The so-called legal walls that are supposed to be closing in on Donald Trump appear to have stopped, again. The Georgia case was likely never going to trial until well after the election. It is a huge case. They indicted too many people. Too many small potatoes were swept up in the indictment. They didn't need to do that. Fani Willis decided she wanted to tell a sweeping story, which does have some merits as an approach. But in the end, the practical problems with such an approach are great in terms of time. Matters are not getting easier in the Georgia case given the attacks on her personal conduct. She is also in a hostile political environment. The Republican legislature doesn't like her. I'm sure a number of the judges don't think much of her either. So, she's got to be careful, and she wasn't. By comparison, special counsel Jack Smith has done a wonderful job with the cases in Florida and for Jan. 6 and the attempt to subvert the 2020 election. Unfortunately, the federal courts have proved to be an obstacle. The Supreme Court taking this appeal on a fairly simple question that they've made into an enormous philosophical debate about presidential immunity is going to mean the Jan. 6 election interference case will not get tried before the election. The case in Florida is even worse. Judge Aileen Cannon apparently doesn't want the case tried. There's apparently nothing that the government can do about her. I assume they thought about moving to have Cannon disqualified at the very beginning, but they opted against it because they felt that they could not win. Accusing a judge of bias or the appearance of bias is a very serious matter. We are now paying the price for that decision. The classified documents case is a very simple one with the fewest obstacles to conviction. There is almost no defense to anything that Donald Trump did, but nevertheless, we're not going to see a trial for quite a while and certainly not before the 2024 presidential election. By Maggie Fick LONDON (Reuters) - Novo Holdings, the controlling shareholder of Danish obesity drugmaker Novo Nordisk, said on Wednesday it would buy a controlling stake of about 60% in Single Use Support, an Austria-based life science tools company. It declined to give a precise value for the deal but a spokesperson said it would be a "high triple-digit million euros" amount. Single Use Support's two founders will each retain 10% and U.S. life sciences firm Danaher will retain 20%. CONTEXT Novo Holdings is the investment arm of the Novo Nordisk Foundation and has 77% of voting shares in Novo Nordisk, which produces blockbuster obesity drug Wegovy and diabetes treatment Ozempic. Novo Holdings CEO Kasim Kutay told Reuters in October that the huge Wegovy windfall would increase the size of deals it would do in healthcare, particularly for well-established life-science companies. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Novo Holdings said the acquisition was part of its focus on companies that provide services to the pharmaceuticals industry. In February, Novo Holdings said it would buy Catalent, a large U.S.-based contract drugmaker that helps make Wegovy, for $16.5 billion. Single Use Support, founded in 2017, makes equipment and consumables to support the production of drugs, in particular biologic medicines, cell and gene therapies, and mRNA vaccines. KEY QUOTE Single Use Support "got a huge boost" from business from Moderna during the COVID-19 pandemic, Johan Hueffer, senior partner in principal investments at Novo Holdings told Reuters. "They've been growing like a weed and we think there's a lot more runway to go because they have a very good product," he said. "Our aim is to help them take that product to further customers in Europe but also more globally, and we've got the sort of footprint to help." Novo Nordisk does not currently use Single Use Support products for its manufacturing of Wegovy, he said. ($1 = 6.8954 Danish crowns) (Reporting by Maggie Fick; Editing by Mark Potter) Now-Lake City police chief may have tried to get charges against wife dismissed, SLED report shows; gun she was found with was his LAKE CITY, S.C. (WBTW) Recently hired Lake City Police Chief Patrick Miles tried to intervene and get charges against his wife dismissed after she was arrested on drug and gun charges in December, according to a Florence police lieutenant as part of a SLED investigative report. News13 obtained a copy of the report from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division through a Freedom of Information Act request. The incident involving Miles wife, Alisa, happened on Dec. 26 while he was a major with the Lake City Police Department and before he was appointed chief in late March. He was placed on unpaid administrative leave after her arrest pending the outcome of the investigation. SLED documents show that the investigation officially ran from Dec. 26 until March 1. However, a city spokesperson told News13 on Tuesday that Patrick was allowed to return to work on Jan. 24 after a SLED investigator informed administrator William Hall that 12th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements had declined to prosecute the case based on the investigations findings. According to the report from SLED, Patrick told investigators on Jan. 3 that his wife had become addicted to Adderall, which led her to using other illegal narcotics. He said that led him to place a GPS tracking device on her vehicle. Alisa was arrested at 1:25 a.m. on Dec. 26 after officers were called to investigate suspicious people on Melrose Avenue. She was at the scene and carrying a handgun but did not have a concealed-weapon permit and was also found with drug paraphernalia and suspected methamphetamine, police said. She was charged with unlawful carrying of a pistol and manufacture and distribution of meth. A couple of days before she was arrested, the report said Patrick used the GPS device to determine that Alisa was at a residence and then went there to look for her. He found her vehicle with fresh damage in the driveway with the window down, doors unlocked and her phone and purse inside. The report said Patrick approached the house, which did not have a doorknob, knocked on the door and went inside to look for his wife after no one answered. He asked a man sitting in the living room about his wifes whereabouts, but the man didnt know anything. Patrick was not in uniform at the time. Patrick then walked outside and called a wrecker for the vehicle, the report said. While he was waiting, another man came out and said Alisa was inside. The man gave Patrick a key to the vehicle and he drove away. Patrick returned to the house a few nights later to look for his wife and talked to several residents through a screen window, the report said. Maj. Miles said his wifes brother was in the military, and he was unsure what her brother might do to the people in the house if she was in there, the report said. Maj. Miles led the people in the house to believe people were looking for his wife. Maj. Miles said, Yeah, I fed them some bull- too. But I know how a meth head is, and if you tell them youre being watched, theyll be all over the place. They wont mess with her, and that was my goal. Keep them from messing with her, and to let her know that I was serious about intervening in anything she done so she wouldnt be able to get her hands on it.' In the SLED report, Alisa told investigators the gun she had when she was arrested belonged to her husband. Patrick acknowledged that he had given her the pistol in the past while she walked on their road in Scranton but said he did not know she had the gun with her when she was in Florence. The report also said Patrick knew that Alisa did not have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Minutes after her arrest, the report said Patrick called a Florence police lieutenant investigating his wifes arrest and said she was hemmed up in something and wanted to know if he could help him out with that. The report said Patrick went on to say, Is there anything you can do for me? The report said the lieutenant believed that Patrick wanted the charges dismissed and that the lieutenant told him that was not possible at the time. The report says Patrick responded, Alright, well, I, later down the road, what about that? Patrick also called Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye that night to ask about what had happened to his wife, the report said. Joye then asked a sergeant to call Florence police to find out more about the situation. The sergeant told Joye that Alisa had been arrested on a gun charge and was being taken to jail, the report said. Joye, in turn, told Patrick there was nothing he could do for her. Joye also told investigators that he did not think Patrick was asking him for help getting any criminal charges dropped. Earlier in the night, shortly before her arrest, the SLED report said Alisa told authorities that my husband is the police and hes down there messing with us. Right after that, Alisa and two other people at the scene pointed down the street and said Patrick had just driven by. Alisa then said her husband was crazy and had lost his mind. In a conversation with an officer a short time later, the report said Patrick wound not confirm or deny if he had just left the area in a black truck, but said he was outside Scranton, where he lived. Later in the night, after Alisa was told she was being arrested, the report said an officer talked to a nearby homeowner who said he had no idea why she was in the area. Another man then came out of the house and told the officer that he was walking to a nearby convenience store at about 12:45 a.m. when Patrick drove up in Alisas vehicle, slammed on the brakes and reached behind his back, the report said. Thinking that he had a pistol, the report said the man pulled out a baton. The man told officers that he dropped his cellphone during the encounter and that Patrick picked it up before leaving. Later, Patrick told a Florence police lieutenant about the encounter, saying he went there because someone had stolen his wifes makeup bag with some money in it. He said the man pulled out a knife and that he picked up the phone after the man dropped it and ran away. The report said Patrick told investigators that he met with his wife in a nearby parking lot and she told him she could return the phone and get her property back. The report said police arrived before Alisa could meet with the two men. News13 reached out to a city official on Tuesday and Wednesday for a response to the newly released information and Chief Miles involvement in the case. News13 also called and left a message for Chief Miles Wednesday morning. As of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, we have not received a comment from any city official regarding the details of the SLED report. News13 also spoke with Solicitor Clements on Tuesday and Wednesday to ask for his reasoning behind the decision not to prosecute Chief Miles. He said he was out of the office and hadnt been able to look back at the case details yet. Patrick has worked for the Lake City Police Department since 2006, but he was not the citys first choice when he was hired as chief in March to replace Jody Cooper, who resigned from the positions of police chief and deputy city administrator in October, ending his second stint as chief since 2016. City officials announced on Feb. 23 that Emmanuel Williams had been chosen as the new chief. However, he withdrew after News13 learned three days after the announcement of his hiring that he had been fired from the Chesterfield County Sheriffs Office in 2015 over an undisclosed policy violation. Media coverage prompted Lake City officials to conduct a news conference in which Mayor Yamekia Robinson acknowledged that Williams hiring was announced before the completion of a background check and led to Patrick getting the police chiefs job. * * * 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Children watch as rescue personnel carry a manatee to the water during a mass release of rehabilitated manatees at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Fla., in February 2023. The fast-growing state of Florida saw a relatively small birth rate decline of 1% from 2022 to 2023, according to a Stateline analysis. Phelan M. Ebenhack/The Associated Press Births continued a historic slide in all but two states last year, making it clear that a brief post-pandemic uptick in the nations birth numbers was all about planned pregnancies that had been delayed temporarily by COVID-19. Only Tennessee and North Dakota had small increases in births from 2022 to 2023, according to a Stateline analysis of provisional federal data on births. In California, births dropped by 5%, or nearly 20,000, for the year. And as is the case in most other states, there will be repercussions now and later for schools and the workforce, said Hans Johnson, a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California who follows birth trends. These effects are already being felt in a lot of school districts in California. Which schools are going to close? Thats a contentious issue, Johnson said. In the short term, having fewer births means lower state costs for services such as subsidized day care and public schools at a time when aging baby boomers are straining resources. But eventually, the lack of people could affect workforces needed both to pay taxes and to fuel economic growth. Young adults are still getting used to a recovering economy, including childbearing. William Frey, Brookings Institution demographer Nationally, births fell by 2% for the year, similar to drops before the pandemic, after rising slightly the previous two years and plummeting 4% in 2020. Mostly what these numbers show is [that] the long-term decline in births, aside from the COVID-19 downward spike and rebound, is continuing, said Phillip Levine, a Wellesley College economics professor. To keep population the same over the long term, the average woman needs to have 2.1 children over her lifetime a metric that is considered the replacement rate for a population. Even in 2022 every state fell below that rate, according to final data for 2022 released in April. The rate ranged from a high of 2.0 in South Dakota to less than 1.4 in Oregon and Vermont. Trends for Latina women The declines in births werent as steep in some heavily Hispanic states where abortion was restricted in 2022, including Texas and the election battleground state of Arizona. Births were down only 1% in Arizona and Texas. When health clinics closed, many women might have been unable to get reliable birth control or, if they became pregnant, to get an abortion. Hispanic births rose in states where abortion is most restricted, even as non-Hispanic births fell in the same states, according to the Stateline analysis. Its hard, however, to tell how much of a role abortion access played compared with immigration and people moving to growing states such as Texas and Florida. In states where abortion access is most protected, births fell for both Hispanic and non-Hispanic women. The big takeaway to me is the likely increase in poverty for all family members, including children, in families affected by lack of access [to abortion and birth control], said Elizabeth Gregory, director of the Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality at the University of Houston. Many of the nations most Hispanic states where abortion and birth control are more freely available saw the biggest decreases in births: about 5% in California, Maryland, Nevada and New Mexico. Hispanic women as a group are facing more challenges in accessing reproductive care, including both contraception and abortion, Gregory said in a university report earlier this year. Unplanned births often directly impact womens workforce participation and negatively affect the income levels of their families. Hispanic women on average have more children than Black or white women. Their fertility rates rose throughout much of the 1980s and 1990s, then fell in the late 2000s to near the same level as other groups. Thats because both abortion and more reliable birth control became more widely available, Gregory said. The fact that some of the steepest drops were in heavily Hispanic states outside of Arizona and Texas suggests that Latina women are continuing a path toward smaller and delayed families typical of other groups. Most of the decline in California has been associated with fewer babies born to Hispanic women, especially immigrants, said Johnson, of the Public Policy Institute of California. California has a high share of Latinos compared to other states, and so fertility declines in that group have a huge effect on the overall decline in California, he said. California was above replacement fertility as recently as 2008, he added, and would still be there if Hispanic fertility had not dropped. California is about 40% Hispanic, about the same as Texas and second only to New Mexico at 50%. Birth rates also declined steeply in heavily Hispanic Nevada and New Mexico, with each dropping about 4% from 2022 to 2023. But Arizona, Florida and Texas, also in the top 10 states for Hispanic population share but faster-growing, saw relatively small drops of about 1%. Texas banned almost all abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The state also requires parental consent for birth control, a rule thats included federally funded family planning centers since a lower court ruling that same year. Arizona also saw the number of abortions drop in 2022. After the high courts Dobbs v. Jackson decision, an Arizona judge revived enforcement of a near-total ban on the procedure that was enacted in the Civil War era. Many clinics closed and never reopened. Abortions in the state plummeted from more than 1,000 a month early in 2022 to 220 in July 2022, and never fully recovered, according to state records. The rate of abortions dropped 19% for the year. Births that year increased slightly, by 500, over 2021. In Texas, Gregorys research at the University of Houston research saw an effect on Hispanic births when an abortion ban took effect in 2021. Fertility rates rose 8% that year for Hispanic women 25 and older, according to the report. Both Texas and Arizona also are growing quickly, making the smaller decreases in births harder to interpret, Arizona State Demographer Jim Chang noted. Chang declined comment on the effect of abortion accessibility on state birth rates. Budget effects Overall, the continuing fall in birth numbers could have significant effects on state budgets in the future. The slide augurs more enrollment declines for state-funded public schools already facing more dropouts since the pandemic. The decline we see in enrollment since COVID-19 is a bigger problem than just the decline in birth rates, said Sofoklis Goulas, an economic studies fellow at the Brookings Institution. Rural schools and urban high schools have been particularly hard hit, according to a Brookings report Goulas authored this year. We dont have a clear answer. We suspect a lot of people are doing home education or going to charter schools and private schools but were not sure, Goulas told Stateline. Still, states need to recognize declining births as an emerging factor in state budgets to avoid future budget shortfalls, said Jeff Chapman, a research director who monitors the trend at The Pew Charitable Trusts. Nationally, births did increase slightly for women older than 40, indicating a continuing trend toward delayed parenthood, said William Frey, a demographer at Brookings. The last two post-pandemic years do not necessarily indicate longer-term trends, Frey said. Young adults are still getting used to a recovering economy, including childbearing. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post The number of births continues to fall, despite abortion bans appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle. Children watch as rescue personnel carry a manatee to the water during a mass release of rehabilitated manatees at Blue Spring State Park, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, in Orange City, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) Births continued a historic slide in all but two states last year, making it clear that a brief post-pandemic uptick in the nations birth numbers was all about planned pregnancies that had been delayed temporarily by COVID-19. Only Tennessee and North Dakota had small increases in births from 2022 to 2023, according to a Stateline analysis of provisional federal data on births. In California, births dropped by 5%, or nearly 20,000, for the year. And as is the case in most other states, there will be repercussions now and later for schools and the workforce, said Hans Johnson, a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California who follows birth trends. These effects are already being felt in a lot of school districts in California. Which schools are going to close? Thats a contentious issue, Johnson said. In the short term, having fewer births means lower state costs for services such as subsidized day care and public schools at a time when aging baby boomers are straining resources. But eventually, the lack of people could affect workforces needed both to pay taxes and to fuel economic growth. Nationally, births fell by 2% for the year, similar to drops before the pandemic, after rising slightly the previous two years and plummeting 4% in 2020. Mostly what these numbers show is [that] the long-term decline in births, aside from the COVID-19 downward spike and rebound, is continuing, said Phillip Levine, a Wellesley College economics professor. To keep population the same over the long term, the average woman needs to have 2.1 children over her lifetime a metric that is considered the replacement rate for a population. Even in 2022 every state fell below that rate, according to final data for 2022 released in April. The rate ranged from a high of 2.0 in South Dakota to less than 1.4 in Oregon and Vermont. Trends for Latina women The declines in births werent as steep in some heavily Hispanic states where abortion was restricted in 2022, including Texas and the election battleground state of Arizona. Births were down only 1% in Arizona and Texas. When health clinics closed, many women might have been unable to get reliable birth control or, if they became pregnant, to get an abortion. Hispanic births rose in states where abortion is most restricted, even as non-Hispanic births fell in the same states, according to the Stateline analysis. Its hard, however, to tell how much of a role abortion access played compared with immigration and people moving to growing states such as Texas and Florida. In states where abortion access is most protected, births fell for both Hispanic and non-Hispanic women. The big takeaway to me is the likely increase in poverty for all family members, including children, in families affected by lack of access [to abortion and birth control], said Elizabeth Gregory, director of the Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality at the University of Houston. Many of the nations most Hispanic states where abortion and birth control are more freely available saw the biggest decreases in births: about 5% in California, Maryland, Nevada and New Mexico. Hispanic women as a group are facing more challenges in accessing reproductive care, including both contraception and abortion, Gregory said in a university report earlier this year. Unplanned births often directly impact womens workforce participation and negatively affect the income levels of their families. Hispanic women on average have more children than Black or white women. Their fertility rates rose throughout much of the 1980s and 1990s, then fell in the late 2000s to near the same level as other groups. Thats because both abortion and more reliable birth control became more widely available, Gregory said. The fact that some of the steepest drops were in heavily Hispanic states outside of Arizona and Texas suggests that Latina women are continuing a path toward smaller and delayed families typical of other groups. Young adults are still getting used to a recovering economy, including childbearing. William Frey, Brookings Institution demographer Most of the decline in California has been associated with fewer babies born to Hispanic women, especially immigrants, said Johnson, of the Public Policy Institute of California. California has a high share of Latinos compared to other states, and so fertility declines in that group have a huge effect on the overall decline in California, he said. California was above replacement fertility as recently as 2008, he added, and would still be there if Hispanic fertility had not dropped. California is about 40% Hispanic, about the same as Texas and second only to New Mexico at 50%. Birth rates also declined steeply in heavily Hispanic Nevada and New Mexico, with each dropping about 4% from 2022 to 2023. But Arizona, Florida and Texas, also in the top 10 states for Hispanic population share but faster-growing, saw relatively small drops of about 1%. Texas banned almost all abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The state also requires parental consent for birth control, a rule thats included federally funded family planning centers since a lower court ruling that same year. Arizona also saw the number of abortions drop in 2022. After the high courts Dobbs v. Jackson decision, an Arizona judge revived enforcement of a near-total ban on the procedure that was enacted in the Civil War era. Many clinics closed and never reopened. Abortions in the state plummeted from more than 1,000 a month early in 2022 to 220 in July 2022, and never fully recovered, according to state records. The rate of abortions dropped 19% for the year. Births that year increased slightly, by 500, over 2021. In Texas, Gregorys research at the University of Houston research saw an effect on Hispanic births when an abortion ban took effect in 2021. Fertility rates rose 8% that year for Hispanic women 25 and older, according to the report. Both Texas and Arizona also are growing quickly, making the smaller decreases in births harder to interpret, Arizona State Demographer Jim Chang noted. Chang declined comment on the effect of abortion accessibility on state birth rates. Budget effects Overall, the continuing fall in birth numbers could have significant effects on state budgets in the future. The slide augurs more enrollment declines for state-funded public schools already facing more dropouts since the pandemic. The decline we see in enrollment since COVID-19 is a bigger problem than just the decline in birth rates, said Sofoklis Goulas, an economic studies fellow at the Brookings Institution. Rural schools and urban high schools have been particularly hard hit, according to a Brookings report Goulas authored this year. We dont have a clear answer. We suspect a lot of people are doing home education or going to charter schools and private schools but were not sure, Goulas told Stateline. Still, states need to recognize declining births as an emerging factor in state budgets to avoid future budget shortfalls, said Jeff Chapman, a research director who monitors the trend at The Pew Charitable Trusts. Nationally, births did increase slightly for women older than 40, indicating a continuing trend toward delayed parenthood, said William Frey, a demographer at Brookings. The last two post-pandemic years do not necessarily indicate longer-term trends, Frey said. Young adults are still getting used to a recovering economy, including childbearing. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter. The post The number of births continues to fall, despite abortion bans appeared first on New Jersey Monitor. Photo by Catherine Delahaye | Getty Images Births continued a historic slide in all but two states last year, making it clear that a brief post-pandemic uptick in the nations birth numbers was all about planned pregnancies that had been delayed temporarily by COVID-19. Only Tennessee and North Dakota had small increases in births from 2022 to 2023, according to a Stateline analysis of provisional federal data on births. In California, births dropped by 5%, or nearly 20,000, for the year. And as is the case in most other states, there will be repercussions now and later for schools and the workforce, said Hans Johnson, a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California who follows birth trends. These effects are already being felt in a lot of school districts in California. Which schools are going to close? Thats a contentious issue, Johnson said. In the short term, having fewer births means lower state costs for services such as subsidized day care and public schools at a time when aging baby boomers are straining resources. But eventually, the lack of people could affect workforces needed both to pay taxes and to fuel economic growth. Nationally, births fell by 2% for the year, similar to drops before the pandemic, after rising slightly the previous two years and plummeting 4% in 2020. Mostly what these numbers show is [that] the long-term decline in births, aside from the COVID-19 downward spike and rebound, is continuing, said Phillip Levine, a Wellesley College economics professor. To keep population the same over the long term, the average woman needs to have 2.1 children over her lifetime a metric that is considered the replacement rate for a population. Even in 2022 every state fell below that rate, according to final data for 2022 released in April. The rate ranged from a high of 2.0 in South Dakota to less than 1.4 in Oregon and Vermont. Trends for Latina women The declines in births werent as steep in some heavily Hispanic states where abortion was restricted in 2022, including Texas and the election battleground state of Arizona. Births were down only 1% in Arizona and Texas. When health clinics closed, many women might have been unable to get reliable birth control or, if they became pregnant, to get an abortion. Young adults are still getting used to a recovering economy, including childbearing. William Frey, Brookings Institution demographer Hispanic births rose in states where abortion is most restricted, even as non-Hispanic births fell in the same states, according to the Stateline analysis. Its hard, however, to tell how much of a role abortion access played compared with immigration and people moving to growing states such as Texas and Florida. In states where abortion access is most protected, births fell for both Hispanic and non-Hispanic women. The big takeaway to me is the likely increase in poverty for all family members, including children, in families affected by lack of access [to abortion and birth control], said Elizabeth Gregory, director of the Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality at the University of Houston. Many of the nations most Hispanic states where abortion and birth control are more freely available saw the biggest decreases in births: about 5% in California, Maryland, Nevada and New Mexico. Hispanic women as a group are facing more challenges in accessing reproductive care, including both contraception and abortion, Gregory said in a university report earlier this year. Unplanned births often directly impact womens workforce participation and negatively affect the income levels of their families. Hispanic women on average have more children than Black or white women. Their fertility rates rose throughout much of the 1980s and 1990s, then fell in the late 2000s to near the same level as other groups. Thats because both abortion and more reliable birth control became more widely available, Gregory said. The fact that some of the steepest drops were in heavily Hispanic states outside of Arizona and Texas suggests that Latina women are continuing a path toward smaller and delayed families typical of other groups. Most of the decline in California has been associated with fewer babies born to Hispanic women, especially immigrants, said Johnson, of the Public Policy Institute of California. California has a high share of Latinos compared to other states, and so fertility declines in that group have a huge effect on the overall decline in California, he said. California was above replacement fertility as recently as 2008, he added, and would still be there if Hispanic fertility had not dropped. California is about 40% Hispanic, about the same as Texas and second only to New Mexico at 50%. Birth rates also declined steeply in heavily Hispanic Nevada and New Mexico, with each dropping about 4% from 2022 to 2023. But Arizona, Florida and Texas, also in the top 10 states for Hispanic population share but faster-growing, saw relatively small drops of about 1%. Texas banned almost all abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The state also requires parental consent for birth control, a rule thats included federally funded family planning centers since a lower court ruling that same year. Arizona also saw the number of abortions drop in 2022. After the high courts Dobbs v. Jackson decision, an Arizona judge revived enforcement of a near-total ban on the procedure that was enacted in the Civil War era. Many clinics closed and never reopened. Abortions in the state plummeted from more than 1,000 a month early in 2022 to 220 in July 2022, and never fully recovered, according to state records. The rate of abortions dropped 19% for the year. Births that year increased slightly, by 500, over 2021. In Texas, Gregorys research at the University of Houston research saw an effect on Hispanic births when an abortion ban took effect in 2021. Fertility rates rose 8% that year for Hispanic women 25 and older, according to the report. Both Texas and Arizona also are growing quickly, making the smaller decreases in births harder to interpret, Arizona State Demographer Jim Chang noted. Chang declined comment on the effect of abortion accessibility on state birth rates. Budget effects Overall, the continuing fall in birth numbers could have significant effects on state budgets in the future. The slide augurs more enrollment declines for state-funded public schools already facing more dropouts since the pandemic. The decline we see in enrollment since COVID-19 is a bigger problem than just the decline in birth rates, said Sofoklis Goulas, an economic studies fellow at the Brookings Institution. Rural schools and urban high schools have been particularly hard hit, according to a Brookings report Goulas authored this year. We dont have a clear answer. We suspect a lot of people are doing home education or going to charter schools and private schools but were not sure, Goulas told Stateline. Still, states need to recognize declining births as an emerging factor in state budgets to avoid future budget shortfalls, said Jeff Chapman, a research director who monitors the trend at The Pew Charitable Trusts. Nationally, births did increase slightly for women older than 40, indicating a continuing trend toward delayed parenthood, said William Frey, a demographer at Brookings. The last two post-pandemic years do not necessarily indicate longer-term trends, Frey said. Young adults are still getting used to a recovering economy, including childbearing. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post The number of births continues to fall, despite abortion bans appeared first on Arizona Mirror. Children watch as rescue personnel carry a manatee to the water during a mass release of rehabilitated manatees at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Fla., in February 2023. The fast-growing state of Florida saw a relatively small birth rate decline of 1% from 2022 to 2023, according to a Stateline analysis. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/The Associated Press) Births continued a historic slide in all but two states last year, making it clear that a brief post-pandemic uptick in the nations birth numbers was all about planned pregnancies that had been delayed temporarily by COVID-19. Only Tennessee and North Dakota had small increases in births from 2022 to 2023, according to a Stateline analysis of provisional federal data on births. In California, births dropped by 5%, or nearly 20,000, for the year. And as is the case in most other states, there will be repercussions now and later for schools and the workforce, said Hans Johnson, a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California who follows birth trends. These effects are already being felt in a lot of school districts in California. Which schools are going to close? Thats a contentious issue, Johnson said. In the short term, having fewer births means lower state costs for services such as subsidized day care and public schools at a time when aging baby boomers are straining resources. But eventually, the lack of people could affect workforces needed both to pay taxes and to fuel economic growth. Nationally, births fell by 2% for the year, similar to drops before the pandemic, after rising slightly the previous two years and plummeting 4% in 2020. Alabama (0.6%) saw a smaller decline than other states. Mostly what these numbers show is [that] the long-term decline in births, aside from the COVID-19 downward spike and rebound, is continuing, said Phillip Levine, a Wellesley College economics professor. To keep population the same over the long term, the average woman needs to have 2.1 children over her lifetime a metric that is considered the replacement rate for a population. Even in 2022 every state fell below that rate, according to final data for 2022 released in April. The rate ranged from a high of 2.0 in South Dakota to less than 1.4 in Oregon and Vermont. Trends for Latina women The declines in births werent as steep in some heavily Hispanic states where abortion was restricted in 2022, including Texas and the election battleground state of Arizona. Births were down only 1% in Arizona and Texas. When health clinics closed, many women might have been unable to get reliable birth control or, if they became pregnant, to get an abortion. Hispanic births rose in states where abortion is most restricted, even as non-Hispanic births fell in the same states, according to the Stateline analysis. Its hard, however, to tell how much of a role abortion access played compared with immigration and people moving to growing states such as Texas and Florida. Young adults are still getting used to a recovering economy, including childbearing. William Frey, Brookings Institution demographer In states where abortion access is most protected, births fell for both Hispanic and non-Hispanic women. The big takeaway to me is the likely increase in poverty for all family members, including children, in families affected by lack of access [to abortion and birth control], said Elizabeth Gregory, director of the Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality at the University of Houston. Many of the nations most Hispanic states where abortion and birth control are more freely available saw the biggest decreases in births: about 5% in California, Maryland, Nevada and New Mexico. Hispanic women as a group are facing more challenges in accessing reproductive care, including both contraception and abortion, Gregory said in a university report earlier this year. Unplanned births often directly impact womens workforce participation and negatively affect the income levels of their families. Hispanic women on average have more children than Black or white women. Their fertility rates rose throughout much of the 1980s and 1990s, then fell in the late 2000s to near the same level as other groups. Thats because both abortion and more reliable birth control became more widely available, Gregory said. The fact that some of the steepest drops were in heavily Hispanic states outside of Arizona and Texas suggests that Latina women are continuing a path toward smaller and delayed families typical of other groups. Most of the decline in California has been associated with fewer babies born to Hispanic women, especially immigrants, said Johnson, of the Public Policy Institute of California. California has a high share of Latinos compared to other states, and so fertility declines in that group have a huge effect on the overall decline in California, he said. California was above replacement fertility as recently as 2008, he added, and would still be there if Hispanic fertility had not dropped. California is about 40% Hispanic, about the same as Texas and second only to New Mexico at 50%. Birth rates also declined steeply in heavily Hispanic Nevada and New Mexico, with each dropping about 4% from 2022 to 2023. But Arizona, Florida and Texas, also in the top 10 states for Hispanic population share but faster-growing, saw relatively small drops of about 1%. Texas banned almost all abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The state also requires parental consent for birth control, a rule thats included federally funded family planning centers since a lower court ruling that same year. Arizona also saw the number of abortions drop in 2022. After the high courts Dobbs v. Jackson decision, an Arizona judge revived enforcement of a near-total ban on the procedure that was enacted in the Civil War era. Many clinics closed and never reopened. Abortions in the state plummeted from more than 1,000 a month early in 2022 to 220 in July 2022, and never fully recovered, according to state records. The rate of abortions dropped 19% for the year. Births that year increased slightly, by 500, over 2021. In Texas, Gregorys research at the University of Houston research saw an effect on Hispanic births when an abortion ban took effect in 2021. Fertility rates rose 8% that year for Hispanic women 25 and older, according to the report. Both Texas and Arizona also are growing quickly, making the smaller decreases in births harder to interpret, Arizona State Demographer Jim Chang noted. Chang declined comment on the effect of abortion accessibility on state birth rates. Budget effects Overall, the continuing fall in birth numbers could have significant effects on state budgets in the future. The slide augurs more enrollment declines for state-funded public schools already facing more dropouts since the pandemic. The decline we see in enrollment since COVID-19 is a bigger problem than just the decline in birth rates, said Sofoklis Goulas, an economic studies fellow at the Brookings Institution. Rural schools and urban high schools have been particularly hard hit, according to a Brookings report Goulas authored this year. We dont have a clear answer. We suspect a lot of people are doing home education or going to charter schools and private schools but were not sure, Goulas told Stateline. Still, states need to recognize declining births as an emerging factor in state budgets to avoid future budget shortfalls, said Jeff Chapman, a research director who monitors the trend at The Pew Charitable Trusts. Nationally, births did increase slightly for women older than 40, indicating a continuing trend toward delayed parenthood, said William Frey, a demographer at Brookings. The last two post-pandemic years do not necessarily indicate longer-term trends, Frey said. Young adults are still getting used to a recovering economy, including childbearing. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter. The post The number of births continues to fall, despite abortion bans appeared first on Alabama Reflector. BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday enforced a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline. Tourist groups each consisting of two foreigners or more, and organized or received by Chinese travel agencies, can enter China visa free on board cruise ships via the cruise ports in 13 Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Sanya, and others, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA). The tourists can stay in China for no longer than 15 days. While in China, they can visit coastal provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions as well as Beijing, according to an NIA statement. Additionally, the NIA announced that seven cruise ports, namely Dalian, Lianyungang, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beihai, have been designated as visa-free transit ports for nationals from 54 countries. This move facilitates the transit and departure of foreign travelers from these ports via cruise ships under China's visa-free transit policy, the statement noted. To make cruise entry and exit procedures more convenient, the NIA has introduced a range of measures focusing on facilitating clearance for foreign cruise passengers, crew landing, and cruise maintenance, among other services, according to Mao Xu, a senior NIA official. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) While San Francisco is seeing a reduction in tents and overall street homelessness, city data and reports from community organizations show that the number of homeless families in the city has surged. These families are less likely to live in tents, and more likely to live in vehicles, city officials said. The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing reported that homeless family waiting lists doubled this fall compared to last fall. In March, 380 families were on the waitlist for emergency shelter and 140 families were on the waitlist for rapid rehousing subsidies. San Francisco has added support to end family homelessness, including hundreds of shelter and housing slots, but we are now seeing a sudden increase in families struggling with homelessness, Mayor London Breed said. Homeless people line both sides of a San Francisco street on February 26, 2024. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) While the citys tent count reached its lowest level in five years based on the April tent count, the vehicular count remains elevated. The main drivers of this recent growth in family homelessness include job loss for families living in San Francisco, and families in the city who arrive without access to housing, city officials wrote. On Wednesday Breed announced a plan, Safer Families, which will provide new emergency shelter and rapid rehousing slots for families on long waitlists. It will add 115 new emergency hotel shelter slots and 215 new rapid rehousing slots for homeless families. A homeless man sleeps on the sidewalk outside the City Hall while the APEC Economic Leaders Week was underway on Nov. 11, 2023 in San Francisco. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun /Anadolu via Getty Images) Breed said, We have unsheltered families, most of them living in vehicles across our city, and we need to move them into more stable shelter and housing so they can get on a path to safer, healthier situations. This is about creating the opportunities to stabilize families, support our young people, and create stronger communities. The plan is part of the mayors new two-year budget and funded through Prop C. It will be submitted to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for approval. 54 percent of San Franciscos homeless residents refused shelters: city data Hope Kamer, director of public policy at Compass Family Services, said the plan is a positive step toward realizing the San Francisco where children and families never need to sleep in Muni stations, and their experiences of homelessness are brief and non-recurring. Every child deserves to grow up in a stable, safe home. Under the Safer Families plan, the mayor said her budget will use Prop C funding in three ways: Adding 115 emergency shelter hotel rooms for families. These vouchers will serve over 600 families with emergency shelter over the next 1.5 years. (Cost: $11.6 million) Adding 165 slots of rapid rehousing (RRH) and shallow rent subsidies for families. These new slots plus turnover in RRH slots would support over 400 families over 2 years. Rapid rehousing provides rental subsidies for up to 5 years that taper. (Cost: $28.9 million) Adding 50 slots of rapid rehousing for Transition Age Youth (TAY) headed families. These are families where the head of household is someone defined as TAY, meaning between the ages of 18 and 24. These new slots will serve 50 families over a five-year window. (Cost: $9.9 million) The challenge of families experiencing homelessness is a moral, economic, and social reality facing our community. Mayor Breed is making such a bold investment in her budget to address the housing and shelter needs of vulnerable children and their parents, said Shireen McSpadden, executive director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Nurseries which care for babies and toddlers told that children can come out at any age Scottish nurseries caring for babies and toddlers have been told children can come out as transgender at any age after pre-schools adopted SNP guidelines. Ministers are under increasing pressure to scrap the Scottish Government rules, which are intended to be applicable to primary schools but make no mention of nurseries. It comes after the landmark Cass Review, led by paediatric consultant Dr Hilary Cass, recommended that children who think they are transgender are not rushed into treatment, with those in primary school who say they want to change gender being given early help. The Scottish Tories have led calls for her findings to be implemented in Scotland, where gender services are influenced by American guidelines set by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) that back an affirming approach. The SNP guidelines call on staff to be affirming and to ask for a childs new name and pronouns in cases where they say they identify as a member of the opposite sex. Glasgow council admitted that its nurseries and early years centres were signposted to the controversial national guidelines, in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, seen by The Telegraph. They were issued in 2021 and drawn up with the help of activist groups such as LGBT Youth Scotland and Stonewall, which has previously claimed children as young as two can recognise their trans identity. Gender friendly nursery initiative Many Glasgow nurseries care for children aged from babies to five years, while others take in toddlers aged from two or three years. It follows a separate gender friendly nursery initiative which was run in the city, in which it was claimed very young children faced unwelcome pressure to conform to binary gender definitions. It was stated that many people had difficulty in accepting the range of gender identities that exist and that nurseries should be a safe space in which children can explore their identity without pressure to conform. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher MSP said: Parents will understandably be alarmed at this response from Glasgow City Council. While its important that all trans people get the support they need, pre-school kids are far too young to understand complex issues about their gender, when their minds and bodies are nowhere near fully developed. Parents want age-appropriate guidance to be provided to their children and however good the intentions behind this are this signposting is not suitable for toddlers. In training materials for the gender friendly nursery initiative, which by 2019 involved 35 Glasgow nurseries and last year was being considered for a national rollout, staff caring for very young children were informed that gender was a fluid, cultural concept. High heels were worn by horsemen Training cited the example of high heeled shoes now being associated with women, but said in ancient Persia high heels were worn by horsemen to help them secure their position in the stirrups allowing them to shoot their arrows. It also said that gender associations of pink and blue was a relatively new thing as pink was once a shade of military red and blue was seen as a colour for girls as it was the colour of the Virgin Marys clothes. LGBT Youth Scotland, which also runs a controversial charter scheme which critics say pushes unscientific trans ideology in schools, was involved in the nurseries project despite stating that its remit is to support 13 to 25-year-olds. The Scottish Government schools guidance, adopted by Glasgow nurseries, endorses social transition meaning to change names, pronouns and physical appearance. The 71-page document says: Transgender young people may recognise and discuss their gender identity at any age. Before puberty, any transition or change is limited to socially changing their name, pronoun and gender expression. It adds that the onset of puberty can often confirm feelings of gender dysphoria which could be very distressing and lead to self-harm. It advises that referrals to the Sandyford Centre, Scotlands only gender identity clinic for children, can be made before puberty. Nine-year-olds prescribed puberty blockers Children as young as nine have been prescribed puberty blockers after being seen at the clinic, branded the Tartan Tavistock, though new prescriptions have been suspended in light of Dr Casss findings. The Cass Review also called for caution, particularly for young children, in social transition, warning that the approach could make it more likely that children ended up on a harmful and potentially unnecessary medical pathway. Jenny Gilruth, the SNP education secretary, has said that she will consider whether the schools guidelines need to be updated in light of the Cass Review. However, the rules published under Nicola Sturgeons tenure as first minister currently remain in force and Ms Gilruth has offered no firm commitment to changing them. The guidelines state that the views of young people should be respected if they do not want their parents to be informed about social transition. The document goes on to endorse breast binders, claiming they can have a positive impact on a young persons mental health, despite documented health risks. Nine nurseries have gender friendly status In the FOI response, Glasgow council said that in cases where a child is presenting as a different gender in nurseries it asked that wishes of the family and child are supported wherever possible. Asked what guidance was followed by nurseries and early years centres in such cases, the authority said: We can confirm that establishments are signposted to the Scottish Governments publication Supporting transgender young people in schools: guidance for Scottish schools. Nine of Glasgow councils 110 nurseries have obtained gender friendly nursery status, which the authority said meant staff had been trained on harmful impacts of gender stereotyping. A spokesman added: The most important part of this learning is about instilling confidence and rights from a young age to expect equality and challenge discrimination of any kind. Staff in our schools and nurseries are supported in a variety of ways and this includes signposting to national advice but that does not detract from every situation being dealt with on a case-by-case basis. All our schools and nurseries value and respect the needs and rights of every child. The Scottish Government 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. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang received a $34.2 million compensation package in fiscal 2024. Huang's pay rose 60% from 2023, driven by Nvidia's stock surge amid demand for the company's AI chips. Nvidia's stock has tripled in a year, making it the third-most valuable company globally. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang got a huge payday last year thanks to strong demand for the company's AI chips. Huang, who is also a cofounder of Nvidia, received a $34.2 million compensation package for the fiscal year, which runs from February to January, the company's annual proxy filing shows. Huang's total compensation for the 2024 fiscal year was a 60% jump from the year before, when he was awarded $21.4 million, according to the document filed on Tuesday. His compensation consisted of $26.7 million in stock awards, $4 million in cash bonuses, and $2.5 million for other expenses, including residential security, and car and driver. Huang's payday bonanza came as Nvidia's share price sustained a rally on the back of the AI frenzy. Demand for Nvidia's chips is so high that Huang had to assure analysts in his fourth-quarter earnings call that the company was allocating them "fairly." Nvidia is not set to report first-quarter results until next week, but it's already dominating the earnings season with its AI chips, Business Insider's Matthew Fox reported recently. The demand for AI chips has sent Nvidia's share price tripling in the past year, making the $2.3 trillion company the third-most valuable company in the world after Microsoft and Apple. Nvidia's share price surge has also boosted the personal wealth of Huang, who is now the 18th-richest man in the world, with a fortune of $80.5 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This is mainly thanks to Huang's 3.8% stake in the company. Huang is not the only Nvidia executive seeing a major rise in compensation. The compensation for Colette Kress, Nvidia's chief financial officer, rose by about 22% to $13.3 million last year. Rank-and-file staff also saw their pay rise, with the median employee taking home $266,939 in fiscal 2024, which was 17% more than the year before. Nvidia's share price closed 1.1% higher at $913.56 on Tuesday. The stock is up 85% so far this year and has gained over 200% over the past 12 months. Read the original article on Business Insider NYC Council leaders want to drastically expand their oversight of top Adams appointments City Council leaders are pushing to drastically expand their oversight of top mayoral appointments a proposal that promises to be the latest clash between lawmakers and the Adams administration, The Post has learned. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, during a closed-door meeting with fellow Democratic members, floated new legislation that would require Mayor Eric Adams obtain approval for commissioner-level spots in the administration, according to council sources. Sources described the exchange as a preliminary conversation about adding broadening the advice-and-consent section of the city charter. It comes as the mayor, no relation to the speaker, is trying to push through the confirmation of veteran litigator Randy Mastro to take over as New Yorks top lawyer. NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams wants more oversight of mayoral appointments. Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue The Adams administration has been quietly trying to gain support from members of the council before announcing Mastro as its pick as corporation counsel replacing Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix, who was pushed out after raising issues about the city representing the mayor against decades-old sexual assault claims. At the same time, some council members have been whipping votes to shoot down the confirmation of Mastro when it is put forward. The city charter currently gives Big Apple mayors broad authority to name agency heads in their administrations but the bill being mulled would significantly curb that power. Still, it wasnt immediately clear which mayoral appointees would now be subject to council oversight. Sources said they did not expect all commissioners to be subject to a confirmation process. Initial discussions included having all but three of any administrations top appointments police, fire and correction commissioners require the councils approval, one source said. The only top-level appointees that require council sign-off currently are the commissioner of the Department of Investigation and the head of the Law Department, aka the corporation counsel. Mayor Eric Adams wants to put up Randy Mastro as his Corporation Counsel. Michael Nagle The rift between the mayor and the council has grown increasingly larger over recent months following the administrations refusal to implement sweeping changes to the citys housing voucher program. Adams had originally vetoed the housing package, but the council overrode the veto, automatically putting the law into effect early this year. The council then gave Hizzoner another loss, overriding a pair of his vetoes in January on the ban of solitary confinement and the How Many Stops Act. Speaker Adams put forward similar legislation back in 2021, while serving as Public Safety Committee Chair, requiring the confirmation of the NYPD commissioner but that bill never made it into law. In addition to the Law Department leader and DOI head under the City Charter, the council also has to approve board members of various city agencies, including the Art Commission, Board of Health and Taxi and Limousine Commission, as well as a handful of others. NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) New York City public schools could lose 400 school nurses next year as federal funds expire, according to a report by Chalkbeat. The citys Education Department is set to shrink by $808 million in the next fiscal year due to expiring funds, city officials announced. During the COVID pandemic, $65 million in federal funds supported hundreds of contracted nurses to provide care to city schools. More Local News In April, the city announced it will protect $500 million in city and state funding for educational programs. However, the budget allocation didnt include funding for school nurses. The education budget will be discussed with the City Council during a committee hearing on Wednesday. Charline Charles is a digital journalist from Brooklyn who has covered local news along with culture and arts in the New York City area since 2019. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. NYPD searching for passenger who opened fire at livery cab in the Bronx NYPD searching for passenger who opened fire at livery cab in the Bronx WILLIAMSBRIDGE, The Bronx (PIX11) The hunt is on for a gunman who opened fire on a livery cab in the Bronx while the vehicle was moving. The driver told PIX11 News it was a miracle he was able to dodge the multiple shots, but is now traumatized for life. Video: Masked passenger shoots at moving livery cab in the Bronx Eufelix Jiminian has been a taxi driver for six years. He said the ride with the passenger was about 20 minutes long, but those 20 minutes changed his life completely. The passenger, wearing a ski mask, pulled out a gun and shot at his SUV after jumping out of the moving vehicle. The dashboard camera captured the moments, he said, he thought his life was coming to an end. Man stabbed in the neck in Lower East Side subway station: NYPD Jiminian showed PIX11 News the spots where five bullets impacted his vehicle. A bullet remains in one of the backlights. The 26-year-old driver said the passenger first started to argue over the drop-off location. Jiminian said that once he began to drive to a second location, he noticed the mans aggressive behavior and unlocked the vehicle. Suspect IDd in assault of actor Steve Buscemi in NYC: police He saw through the side mirror that the man pulled out a gun. That is when he accelerated and drove away. The gunman fled after opening fire. Dont pick up people with ski masks on if you cant see them dont pick them up, said Fernando Mateo, of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers. When you arrest a guy like this dont let him out on the streets again. Keep him in for a long time, he added. Police said it happened at around 4 a.m. on Bronx Boulevard near East 219th Street in Williamsbridge. Authorities describe the suspect as 19-25 years old with a light complexion and slim build. The New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. 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). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Oakland restaurant burglarized twice in one day asks community for help (KRON) A Dominican restaurant in Oakland that suffered two burglaries within the space of just a couple of hours is asking for the communitys assistance. Early in the morning of Friday, May 10, alaMar Dominican Kitchen suffered a devastating burglary, according to a fundraiser posted by the restaurants owner. Two suspects broke into the restaurant, located at 100 Grand Avenue, and made off with most of the bottles from the bar. Restaurant owner Nelson German said he called the police and officers responded about 10 minutes later. A couple of hours later two suspect, who German said were the same two from earlier, returned and took the restaurants remaining inventory. Date set for DA Pamela Price recall election What was left was not only bare shelves but broken dreams and a community searching for answers on when this destruction will stop for small businesses, said German. This is not an isolated incident and its happening far too often in our community. This was a devastating blow among the challenges of a business owner just trying to survive in hard times when Oakland is experiencing a decline in foot traffic and tourism plus a spate of bad press, German said. German is now asking for the publics support to bounce back from the back-to-back robberies. Now we are reaching out to the community and asking for your support to get us through this obstacle, German said. We want to stay open and we want to continue serving the Oakland community but we can no longer do it without the help of the community. alaMar Dominican Kitchen has been operating in downtown Oakland for 10 years. In a video posted to Instagram following the burglaries, German called it a sad day and said he was considering closing the restaurant down. As of Wednesday morning, a GoFundMe established by the restaurant had raised about 32% of its goal. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. More than 135 years after Ohio passed a law to curb vigilante justice, state Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, is warning university presidents that pro-Palestine protestors could run afoul of that same obscure law. Good morning, Cincinnati. I'm Jessie Balmert, state government reporter. In the late 1880s, a group of vigilantes called the White Caps terrorized abusers, gamblers, alcoholics and "fast women." The outlaws would wear disguises (and white caps) as they burned down saloons and whipped anyone who didn't abide by their moral code. Desperate for a solution, Ohios leaders passed a law penalizing any group of three or more that commits a crime while masked. More than 135 years later, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, is warning university presidents that pro-Palestine protesters could run afoul of that same obscure law, turning minor trespassing violations into career-altering felonies. Ohio is one of more than a dozen states with laws against masked crimes. Most were passed to fight back against the Ku Klux Klan. But should they be used against college protesters today? Opponents of these laws say concealment can protect protesters from harassment. Yost says the law is fine because its only imposed on masked protesters who trespass or commit another crime. Click or tap here to learn more. What else you need to know Wednesday, May 15 Weather: High of 72. Cloudy with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm. 'Im blessed to play on a great team.' Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson explains why he requested a trade. Oasis Trail: Land secured to build path connecting Downtown to suburbs. Part of Nolia's spring menu came to chef Jeffery Harris in a dream. Old Rip, Pappy Van Winkle and more being raffled off. How to enter. New here? Subscribe to the Daily Briefing today Today's Top Stories Former Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds resigned his post after being convicted of a felony. An appellate court just overturned his conviction. Former Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds' felony conviction overturned on appeal Singh was found guilty last week of four counts of aggravated murder for killing four people at the Lakefront apartment complex on April 28, 2019. Man sentenced to death for killings of wife, her family in West Chester Township After an evaluation, Judge Kari Bloom ruled that the teen accused of plotting an attack on Mariemont High School is competent to stand trial. .Mariemont teen accused of plotting to attack on school ruled competent to stand trial Kroger is being sued by about 1,500 former assistant managers, who claim the grocer used them to save money on payroll costs. Lawsuit: Kroger 'recklessly' used assistant managers to fill jobs without paying overtime Beacon Orthopaedics Athlete of the Week logo Vote: Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky high school athlete of the week, May 13 This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Obscure law could turn college protesters into felons | Daily Briefing An obscure provision of Ohio law could keep Biden off the ballot there in November President Joe Biden might not appear on the November 2024 presidential ballot in Ohio. Ohio law requires that presidential candidates be certified that is, the state must be notified that presidential candidates have been officially nominated 90 days before the general election in order to get on the ballot. That is the earliest deadline of any state. But the Democratic National Convention that will formally nominate Biden wont open until nearly two weeks after Ohios Aug. 7 deadline. The Republican National Convention will wrap up nearly three weeks before the deadline, so Donald Trump wont have a problem getting on the ballot. The 90-day deadline has often caused trouble since its adoption in 2010. Only in 2016 did both parties conventions take place before the Ohio cutoff date. Both conventions took place after the deadline in 2012 and 2020, and legislators extended the deadline both times. This is the first time that only one convention comes too late, but Republicans could well be affected in the future. There are ways to resolve this problem, as two other states with early deadlines have already done. Washington state officials said they will accept a provisional certification of Bidens nomination before the convention. And Alabamas Legislature shortened its deadline so that Biden could qualify for the ballot there. Neither solution seems likely in Ohio, where Republicans may be seeking to make life harder for the Democrats presidential nominee. The attorney general says the state cant accept a provisional certification. And the Legislature couldnt come up with a timely fix to the law. Ohio laws generally take effect 90 days after passage. So a change to the deadline had to pass by May 9, but the Legislature wound up doing nothing. Heres how that played out. Voters in Cincinnati, Ohio, cast ballots on Nov. 7, 2023. Will voters in the state find President Joe Bidens name on the presidential ballot in 2024? AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel Divided GOP controls Statehouse Republicans have supermajorities in both houses of the Ohio Legislature, yet they couldnt agree on how to proceed. The Ohio Senate passed a bill, but only after adding what Democrats viewed as a poison pill that would have banned foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns for or against ballot measures. Republicans objected to a Swiss nationals rumored contributions to a successful campaign last year in which voters approved a reproductive-rights amendment to the state constitution. The House had planned to consider a different proposal but never voted on anything before leaving town on May 8 for two weeks. This reflects the Ohio GOPs bitter divisions. The House speaker won his position with support from only a minority of his caucus. The Senate president will switch to the House next year because of term limits and has hinted he will challenge the speaker. The Legislature could still pass an emergency law to change the deadline, but emergency laws require a two-thirds vote in both houses. The chances of that happening are uncertain at best. So, Democrats might have to file a lawsuit to get Biden on the ballot. Whats the precedent? As a constitutional law scholar, I believe Democrats would have a strong argument that using an arbitrary and unusually long deadline to bar a major-party presidential candidate violates voting and associational rights under the First and 14th amendments. But success is not guaranteed. Such a lawsuit would rely on two U.S. Supreme Court cases that rejected state efforts to bar presidential candidates from the ballot. A 1983 decision struck down Ohios old law that required independent candidates to qualify more than six months before the election. And a March 2024 ruling rejected Colorados effort to exclude former President Donald Trump from its primary ballot. Those cases may be helpful in making the Democrats case, but they dont dictate a win. The 1983 decision overturned a law that treated independent presidential candidates much less favorably than party candidates. Ohios 90-day deadline treats all candidates the same. And the Colorado case involved the states unilateral determination that Trump was ineligible for office as an insurrectionist under the 14th Amendment. Ohios 90-day rule says nothing about whether a candidate is constitutionally disqualified. President Joe Biden speaks during a stop in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 16, 2024, one year after a train derailment spilled hazardous chemicals in the community. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Nobody seems to know why Those differences might not matter. Even if they do, a lawsuit still could win. Ohios 90-day deadline is not only arbitrary, I believe that it is irrational. Nobody seems to know why the state extended the deadline from 60 to 90 days in 2010. The change came in an obscure provision of a 341-page bill. The 90-day deadline has been a problem in almost every presidential election since then. The Legislature waived the deadline in 2012 and 2020, when both parties conventions fell after the cutoff date, and those elections ran smoothly. So the state cant justify sticking with the 90-day rule this year when only one party is holding its convention after the deadline. Biden probably wont carry Ohio in any event. But having both major-party candidates on the ballot is necessary for a fair presidential election. Everyone involved keeps saying that Biden will appear on the November ballot. But, at least for now, the law says otherwise. 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: Jonathan Entin, Case Western Reserve University Read more: Jonathan Entin 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. BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- This year marks the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of China's State Compensation Law, a significant milestone in the country's commitment to human rights protection and the rule of law. The law, adopted by China's national legislature in May 1994, as stated in its first article, is formulated to safeguard the relevant rights of citizens, legal persons and other organizations, and promote state organs' law-based exercise of their functions and powers. Since the law took effect on January 1, 1995, Chinese courts nationwide have dealt with 318,000 state compensation cases. Notable examples include the cases of Huugjilt and Nie Shubin, both executed based on wrongful convictions in the 1990s and acquitted in the mid-2010s. "The compensation cases are like an alarm bell, calling on state agencies and their staff to uphold the respect and protection of human rights and exercise their power prudently to avoid more similar tragedies," said Liu Fei, a professor at the China University of Political Science and Law. In addition to citizens' right to life and personal liberty, the state compensation system also covers the protection of property rights. By compensating the infringed persons in accordance with the law, the State Compensation Law has exerted remarkable effects on the country's political, social, and legal sectors and has garnered widespread recognition from society, according to Ma Huaide, president of the China University of Political Science and Law. According to Xue Gangling, a professor at the South China Normal University, the state compensation system, an important symbol of the modernization of the rule of law, provides a unique orientation towards human rights values in society. Also, Ma pointed out that by defining the boundaries of infringement and attributing responsibility, as well as establishing an accountability system, the law serves as a reminder of the importance of law-based governance. Over the decades, China has been continuously making improvements to the law and its practice. The law has undergone two amendments, which were made in 2010 and 2012, respectively. The compensatory payment for infringement of personal liberty has increased from 17.76 yuan (about 2.5 U.S. dollars) per day at the beginning to 436.89 yuan last year. The country's top court and top procuratorate have issued judicial interpretations, as well as replies in individual cases, to ensure the effectiveness and implementation of the law. These efforts have further expanded the protection of rights, granting the victims a higher level and wider range of compensation such as that for mental suffering, according to Du Yifang, a law professor at Fudan University. Zhang Hong, a professor at Beijing Normal University, said the improved procedural rules have helped make the victims' claim for remedies easier. However, experts also pointed out that despite the considerable progress made, there is still a need for further improvements. Xue said that the scope of state compensation can be further expanded, the procedures can be made more streamlined and fair, and the standards can continue to be raised. Zhang said that the principles and standards of state compensation should be adjusted to align with the changing times. The amendment of the State Compensation Law is currently listed in the legislative plan of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress. The 30-year practice of the state compensation system has demonstrated that governmental departments that are willing to acknowledge mistakes and take responsibility can establish their credibility, Liu said. EUCLID, Ohio (WJW) Police video released to the FOX 8 I TEAM shows Euclid Police officers going to a call for a woman in fear, and you hear her chilling words moments before a gunman ambushed and killed officer Jacob Derbin. Watch: Firefighters tribute to Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin The I-TEAM has also learned that Officer Derbin yelled a warning to other officers even after a gunman shot him. It happened Saturday night following a call for domestic trouble. Police body camera video shows three officers walking into danger. They went to a call at a home for a woman terrified of an ex-lover. The woman told police, I dont know. I dont feel safe. I understand you are the police, but I dont feel safe. She added, I dont feel safe standing right here and he shot my brother. He is texting that he is going to shoot me and my mother. Investigators said that officer Derbin went to the backyard to check for a suspect and a gunman ambushed him by opening fire. Now, weve learned that officer Derbin protected and served until his final breath. Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer told the I TEAM, In the final moments, he was still able to warn the other officers of the location of the suspect. To me, that is just, I dont know, the total work of a hero. Monday, a long line of officers escorted officer Derbins body to a funeral home. Derbin gave his life thinking of others until the very end by trying to make sure no one else got hurt while boldly responding to a complaint for a dangerous man. Captain Mitch Houser said, Two victims, two complete strangers that he went there for without a second thought. And, went in the back yard looking for this person. Eeven after the ambush happened, he still had the wherewithal and the spirit to warn his fellow officers who could have very easily been shot as well. Meyer added, I am absolutely devastated by the loss of our officer. Officer Jacob Derbin is a hero. He did everything right. Driver arrested after running over employee in Cedar Poin Officer Derbin went to a call for help from a woman reporting she was in fear of her childs father. Days earlier, she told police that he (the suspect) shot her brother 9 times, nearly killing him. And, weve reported, the suspect had warrants out for his arrest for a series of recent cases and for violating parole. Sunday, investigators say the suspect got into a shootout during a standoff with police. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has ruled the suspect took his own life. Officer Derbin came from a law enforcement family. His father also works as a Euclid police officer. His grandfather was a police officer, and his uncle carries a badge, too. Chief Meyer also said, He (Derbin) gave his life in the service of this community, and there is no higher calling than that. Dawn Derbin, the officers mother told us, she believes her son never had a chance that night while being ambushed and she considers him a hero. He was planning to get married soon. Investigators believe the killer had been just out of sight listening as police spoke to the people at that home. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. DENVER (KDVR) An Aurora middle school was placed on secure status Wednesday while investigators responded to a deputy-involved shooting at a home nearby. The Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office confirmed to FOX31 that the incident involved county deputies, but few specifics were available about what happened. Im not at liberty to say what transpired, only they fired shots, sheriffs office spokesperson Ginger Delgado told FOX31s Greg Nieto. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The sheriffs office confirmed its response around 3:45 p.m. and later described the incident: One victim has been transported to a local hospital. No suspect information is available at this time, however, there is no threat to the community. The shooting happened in the 4500 block of South Himalaya Circle at a host home, according to Delgado, which is a home where someone gets in-residence care. The caller reported that someone in the home had a gun, Delgado said. Police response near homes Delgado told FOX31 that the person who was hurt lives at the home, but she was unable to confirm that persons relationship with the person who called law enforcement. Delgado stressed that there was absolutely no threat to the community. Dismissal for Sky Vista Middle School was delayed by about 20 minutes because of the activity, according to Cherry Creek Schools. A Cherry Creek Schools spokesperson told FOX31 just after 4 p.m. that the secure status had been lifted. The 18th Judicial District Critical Response Team was on the scene and handling the investigation, according to the sheriffs office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. An Indiana man accused of holding a woman hostage was charged on Tuesday with the death of a Utah police officer who pulled him over during a traffic stop, Utah County District Attorney Jeff Gray announced. Michael Aaron Jayne, 42, is facing charges including aggravated kidnapping and aggravated murder in connection with the killing of Santaquin Police Sgt. Bill Hooser on May 5. Speaking at a press conference, Spanish Fork Police Lieutenant Cory Slaymaker said that authorities responded to a report of someone riding on the back of a semi trailer driving on a highway in Utah. Sergeant Bill Hooser via Santaquin City Police Deparment Santaquin City Police Deparment According to a probable cause statement obtained by HuffPost, after Hooser and a state highway trooper pulled the truck over, a woman escaped from the vehicle and ran to the officers. The unidentified woman spoke to Hooser and told him she was afraid that Jayne would hurt her. When later questioned, the woman said she initially got into Jaynes vehicle voluntarily, but refused to accompany him further after they got into an argument at a truck stop, according to the probable cause. Jayne then threatened her with bear spray and a knife, the document said. Hooser gestured to the state trooper that he wanted to detain Jayne, according to the probable cause document. Jayne immediately fled and made a sharp U-turn before hitting Hooser and his car. Hooser was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Slaymaker. Jayne fled the scene on foot and allegedly stole two more vehicles before taking shelter in an empty home near Mt. Pleasant, according to the document. He was eventually located and captured by authorities. According to Grays announcement, Jayne could face the death penalty if convicted of his most serious charge of aggravated murder. Its unclear whether the suspect has an attorney. One of the sergeants daughters, Courtney Hooser, tearfully spoke at his funeral, lamenting that her upcoming wedding would take place without him. I am completely broken, she said. My dad no longer gets to walk me down the aisle, or share the daddy-daughter dance at my wedding. I will never understand why this happened, nor will I stop mourning the loss of my father. Related... Officials searching for a missing diver in Florida recover another body instead The search for a missing diver in southeast Florida took a surprise turn this week when officials reported they recovered another person's body during the underwater probe. According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, Virgil Price, 39, vanished on Sunday, but on Monday search teams found someone else's corpse. On Wednesday, the sheriff's office said it was unaware of any other missing person reports matching the description of the male pulled from the water Monday about 16 miles Northeast of the Fort Pierce Inlet. The area where the agency's Marine Unit assisted the U.S. Coast Guard recovering the unidentified body, is about 60 miles north of West Palm Beach. The search for a missing diver in southeast Florida took a turn on May 13, 2024 when the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office reported authorities recovered another person's body during the underwater probe. Officials are working to identify that victim. Backyard death: 5-year-old Colorado girl dies after being strangled by swing set in backyard Description of body recovered from water near Fort Pierce Inlet Officials were working to identify the victim, described as a white male weighing 200 to 225 pounds who appears to be older than age 50. "His clothing and physical characteristics do not match those of the missing diver from Sunday," the agency posted on Facebook. Airman fatally shot returned to Georgia: Body of US airman fatally shot by Florida deputy returned home ahead of funeral Officials: Recovered body was likely not in water that long The U.S. Coast Guard is leading the investigation, and theyre working with the medical examiner to determine cause and approximate time of death for the victim found on Monday. The body does not appear to have been in the water for an extended period of time, according to the sheriff's office. Diver reported missing over the weekend On Monday evening, the U.S. Coast Guard officials suspended the search for Price, who was free diving Sunday about 13 miles southeast of the Fort Pierce Inlet before he disappeared, TCPalm, part of the USA TODAY Network reported. Price failed to resurface while free diving the Halsey shipwreck, officials said. Free diving, also called skin diving, relies on breath-holding until resurfacing. Price is a "team member" at Florida Freedivers, a sporting goods store in North Palm Beach, according to a social media post by the store. He appears to be an instructor there. "With a heavy heart, we must share that after 36 hours and covering 1400 miles, the Coast Guard has suspended their search for Virgil," the store posted on Facebook Tuesday night. "Our thoughts and prayers are with our brother and all those affected by this tragedy." 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: Teams find wrong body in search for missing diver Virgil Price CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) A woman renting a Campostella Road storage unit found a family of rodents living in her belongings and said the facility is infested. Its been a week since Keysha Murphy said she found a rodent infestation in her storage unit. It smells horrible in here, Murphy told 10 On Your Side as she took us through the unit. Thats the paper they were feeding off of right there. Murphy told us last week she got a call from the Life Storage manager, who thought she was calling another customer who rents next to Murphys unit. OH RATS A Chesapeake storage facility infested with rodents. A woman who rents a unit at Life Storage says she found a family of rats living in her stuff and shes not the only one. She takes us through her unit tonight on @WAVY_News at 10 and 11. pic.twitter.com/78hCrmVtIu Michelle Wolf (@MichelleWolfTV) May 15, 2024 At first, she told me it was a squirrel problem, Murphy said. Then she was like, you know, thinking its probably, if its squirrels, then its some other rodents. When Murphy went to check on her belongings, she and her fiance were horrified. Rat droppings everywhere, Murphy said. It was really, really bad. They sent us videos of rodents in their boxes and crawling on their stuff. Some were even dead and decaying. The rats were running up under all of these units here, Murphy said. Soiled pillows, chewed up blankets, ruined photos and poop everywhere. Im looking at about $50,000 to $60,000 worth of damages, Murphy said. While 10 On Your Side didnt see rodents during the interview, we did see the droppings and poison used to kill them. Its a public hazard, Murphy said. Murphy was outraged and reached out to Life Storages parent company, Extra Space Storage, about the problem. As of Tuesday, she told us shes still waiting for a call back. They did send 10 On Your Side a statement: Extra Space Storage prioritizes safety, security, and cleanliness at our locations. Our leases for renting self-storage units do specif[y] that perishable good[s] cannot be stored on our property when a perishable good is stored in a unit it can attract rodents to that unit and potentially surrounding units. We just recently became aware of the new rodent situation like this at the property. Our team immediately began taking action to increase our pest control, adding additional vendor visits, and taking several approaches to eliminate rodents on the property. If customers had property damaged by rodents, the insurance we recommend during the rental process will cover losses due to rodent damage. We encourage all customers to purchase insurance during the rental process. No movers, no public service announcement, just no care, and the sad part about it is, I would have never known if she didnt call me by mistake, Murphy said. Everything that I worked so hard for is down the drain and the only thing people can tell me, they didnt even tell me Im sorry. She told us she wanted to share her story because shed hate to see this happen to someone else. If you can, she said, check on your storage units as much as you possibly can. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a lawsuit to remove two board members of the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to remove two board members of the State Teachers Retirement System, saying they breached their fiduciary duty to protect the pension fund. Yost filed the case in Franklin County Common Pleas Court just before the 11-member board begins its monthly meeting today. Yost is seeking removal of Wade Steen, who is the governor's appointee to the board, and retired Wright State University economics professor Rudy Fichtenbaum. STRS Ohio oversees about $90 billion invested on behalf of 500,000 teachers and retirees. 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. Last week, Yost opened an investigation into whether some board members may have violated their fiduciary duty. State law allows the attorney general to bring a civil case to remove public pension board members if they failed to act in the best financial interest of the system. Gov. Mike DeWine sent documents to Yost and other state agencies that allege that STRS Ohio is facing a "hostile takeover" by private interests. Among the records is a 14-page anonymous memo that details how a handful of STRS board members have worked in concert with founders of a new financial company called QED and the Ohio Retirement of Teachers Association. The retiree association called the memo an arrogant and shameful effort by STRS employees to preserve their jobs. "For years STRS Ohio has failed our teachers while enriching STRS staff. This is not a hostile takeover, it is a teacher takeover through fair and free elections." This story will be updated. State of Ohio v. Steen Et Al. - Complaint by Anthony Shoemaker 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: Ohio Attorney General sues to remove two from teacher pension board COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The Ohio Attorney General wants two board members of the states teacher pension fund removed, claiming they violated their fiduciary duty by advocating for a backdoor investment scheme including the boards newest chair. Attorney General Dave Yost filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking the removal of investment specialist Wade Steen and retired economics professor Rudy Fichtenbaum from the board of the State Teachers Retirement System, the $91 billion pension fund for retired public school teachers. In his complaint, he accuses Steen and Fichtenbaum of colluding with unqualified, personal acquaintances of Steen to peddle to STRS a secretive and untested investment scheme that would spell disaster for Ohio teachers accusations both members emphatically deny. Man with ties to Columbus added to FBIs most wanted list The board has been mired in controversy between the governors ultimately failed attempt to remove Steen from the board, anonymous allegations against its executive director, accusations of campaign finance law violations, and calls from the governor for a state investigation into claims of a hostile takeover by outside interests. It also comes as Steen and other reform-minded board members who have openly criticized lavish bonuses for investment staff amid billion-dollar revenue losses and a lack of cost-of-living adjustments for retirees are poised to strengthen their new controlling majority of the board. Hours after news of the lawsuit became public, a divided board voted to replace Chair Dale Price with Fichtenbaum. Retirees attending the meeting applauded the move. Yosts complaint largely contains accusations from an anonymous memo his office published last week when announcing an investigation. The memo, first sent to the governor, and Yosts lawsuit accuse Steen and Fichtenbaum of aggressively pitching an alternative investment scheme to their personal benefit and to the detriment of the pension funds beneficiaries. Under the alleged scheme, about $65 billion of STRSs current assets would be managed by a company called QED and, apparently according to investment committee member Steen, increase the funds revenue by $4 billion. But Yost says that QED is operated by close acquaintances of Steen who lack relevant investment management experience. Yosts complaint alleges that even after an investment consulting firm recommended STRS not pursue a relationship with QED, Steen and Fichtenbaum continued to pressure the board into adopting their plan. His complaint also claims that the Ohio Retired Teachers Association has picked up Steen and Fichtenbaums mission and has launched an attempt to sway public interest in their favor. Story continues Three injured, including two police officers, after wrong-way collision in south Columbus Yost claims that in pushing for a relationship with QED, Steen and Fichtenbaum violated their fiduciary duty to the retirement system by using their public office for private gain. He has asked a Franklin County Court to remove Steen and Fichtenbaum from the STRS board and to permanently bar them and those persons in active concert or participation with them from serving on STRSs investment committee. During a tense board meeting Wednesday afternoon, Steen called Yosts investigation a sham and questioned the impartiality of the boards counsel, who are lawyers with the attorney generals office. In an interview with NBC4, Steen denied the lawsuits allegations and called the filing a red flag that somethings going on. I was removed from the board by the governor. I get returned to the board, now Im trying to be removed by the attorney general. What dont they want us to see? Steen said. All I want is transparency and information. What is going on? Steen said he doesnt believe Yosts office could have completed an investigation in the week since it was launched. He also accused former board leadership and STRSs investment staff of hiding agreements and bad investment decisions and said that when he got too close to uncovering it, state leaders worked to remove him. At a bill-signing event, Gov. Mike DeWine said he was not judging the veracity of the claims made in the anonymous memo he received but said it was his responsibility to notify the appropriate agencies. When these allegations are made and these are serious allegations then I have an obligation to turn it over to every agency that might be impacted or might have interest in doing an investigation or should I say an obligation to investigate, DeWine said. Minutes before, he said we have strong evidence that there was serious discussion about taking two-thirds of the money and putting it in a very, very untested program. Steen said the accusation that he pitched moving two-thirds of the pension funds assets into an alternative scheme is false. As Fichtenbaum remembers it, in 2020, he proposed putting $250 million into an index fund $65 billion was never on the table. Steen echoed Fichtenbaums recollection.. Im a little bit angry because they attacked my character, and theyre doing it in a political way. This is a PR campaign. Its a PR smear campaign being played by politicians at the highest level, Steen said. Im not that. Im just a CPA trying to fight for teachers, and I feel like Im up against the 800-pound gorillas. Read the full complaint below. State-of-Ohio-v.-Steen-et-al_RedactedDownload Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Ed Markey, left, Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, center, and North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning at a press conference on contraception access outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Ed Markey, left, Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, center, and North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning at a press conference on contraception access outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) Democrats from Ohios U.S. Congressional delegation want the right to contraception codified into federal law, an effort thats now in its third attempt on Capitol Hill. U.S. Reps. Joyce Beatty, Emilia Sykes, and Greg Landsman met on a Tuesday press call to talk about the measure, and to demand a vote from the Republican majority. It is our job as lawmakers to uphold the will of the people we serve and codify the right to contraceptive access to everyone, no matter what their ZIP code is, or who their governor or their legislature might be, Sykes said. The proposed Right to Contraception Act was originally created in response to comments made amid the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs, which overturned Roe v. Wade and the national legalization of abortion. Were concerned because we know post-Dobbs, voters are concerned about their right to contraceptives and the threat that the Supreme Court will overturn the constitutional right to contraception, Beatty said. In supporting the ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas mentioned another case, Griswold v. Connecticut, which in 1964 overturned an 1800s-era law that banned contraception, specifically when it came to marriages. In that case, the nations highest court said couples had a right to privacy that kept states from banning contraception in marriages. Thomas, however, used his concurrence in the Dobbs case to ponder reconsideration of cases like Griswold. He wondered if, after overruling demonstrably erroneous decisions like the one in Roe v. Wade, the question would remain whether other constitutional provisions guarantee the myriad rights that our substantive due process cases have generated. Following the comments, U.S. House members introduced a bill to codify birth control access, and it saw success in that chamber still under Democratic control in 2022, but did not fare well in the U.S. Senate where it was blocked by Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst. In the House, all but two of Ohios Republican U.S. representatives voted against the bill, with Rep. Bob Gibbs attending the session but not voting for or against it. Then-U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez stood as the lone Republican yes vote from the state of Ohio. Another bill to create statutory protections for contraception on the federal level was introduced in the U.S. House in June 2023, but never went further. Now, Ohio congressional Democrats are bolstered by the success of the states Issue 1, for which 57% of voters approved reproductive rights protections in the Ohio Constitution last November. Its on us to, not just to reintroduce this legislation, but again to push very, very hard to ensure that we get it done and it becomes the law of the land, Landsman said. Discussion of this legislation is especially appropriate following the Mothers Day weekend and in a time when Republicans are trying to mandate motherhood, according to Sykes. Being a mother is one of the toughest, most thankless jobs in the world, and there is simply no better way to honor our mothers or those who want to become mothers by protecting their freedom to choose if, when they start to expand their family, she said. Beatty said sponsors are just starting the process of introducing the bill, and though they dont have any Republican members signed on yet, they have a close margin on the House side, as well as the support of Democratic Ohio U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in pushing a Senate version of the bill. Eight Republicans voted in favor of the 2022 version of the contraception bill, and Beatty said sponsors plan to start with those members of the GOP as they look to move the bill forward. Now-U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, voted against the bill in 2022. The three Ohio representatives said the issue should not be seen as a partisan one, because contraception use impacts all Americans. They also said the issue of whether or not they have Republican support is something to which the representatives of that party should have to answer. That question is better served for our colleagues who have chosen not to sign on, and why they wont stand with us and help protect these very fundamental rights of all our constituents, Sykes said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Ohios congressional Dems demand vote on contraception protection appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal. Gun wall rack with rifles. Getty Images. Ohio Democrats, without any success in recent years, continue to propose legislation to curb gun violence. The latest bill would ban weapons of mass casualty, or semi-automatic firearms that can or could be adapted to fire more than 31 rounds. Unsurprisingly, the Republicans are sticking to their guns. The gunman who killed nine people, and later himself, in one of Ohios largest mass shootings, used a semi-automatic rifle. He had a 100-round magazine, firing off 41 shots into the Dayton crowd in 30 seconds, according to the FBI. The 2019 tragedy has resulted in zero statewide legislative change in terms of gun safety. For weapons that spray multiple rounds at the same time, I think they belong on a battlefield, Michelle Lee Heym, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action, said. Heym is originally from Connecticut but moved in 2015, two and a half years after being traumatized when her daughters were on lockdown during the Sandy Hook massacre. Then, four years later, she dealt with the fear of the Dayton shooting. Since then, she has gotten more involved in advocacy against gun violence. She is supportive of House Bill 433, which would ban the use of any mass casualty weapon, defined in the bill as a semi-automatic firearm that is designed or specially adapted to fire more than 31 cartridges without reloading, other than a firearm chambering only .22 caliber short, long, or long-rifle cartridges. There is no reason to have guns equipped with magazines that can hold 50, 70, or even 100 rounds, bill sponsor state Rep. Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) said. Its time to take action and ban these weapons so that our communities can be safer. If enacted, anyone owning a mass casualty weapon could receive a fifth-degree felony up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine. There is a list of exceptions to who can possess the weapons, which includes law enforcement officers. I dont think they understand how firearms work, Rob Sexton with the Buckeye Firearms Association said. This bill is a massive overreach, Sexton added. What House Bill 433 would actually do is ban the possession of a firearm unless the entire national firearms industry redoes its manufacturing practices to somehow ban their ability to accept magazines that are larger, he said. He thinks this bill infringes on both the Second Amendment and the free market. Responsible gun owners shouldnt be punished due to people like the Dayton shooter, he added. That being said, he isnt worried about this bill moving forward. There continues to be no interest from Republican legislative leaders on any gun safety reform. Democrats should focus on enforcing existing laws against criminals rather than targeting law-abiding Ohioans by repeatedly trying to restrict or repeal the Second Amendment, Senate President Matt Huffmans spokesperson, John Fortney, said. House Speaker Jason Stephens team confirmed he isnt considering the bill, either. Speaker Stephens is a big supporter of the Second Amendment, and when it comes to legislation like this, the support in the House just isnt there, spokesperson Pat Melton said. State Rep. Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) explained that despite Democrats and some Republicans pleas for common sense gun legislation, the lawmakers have only passed bills loosening firearm regulations. Were letting an extremist ideology hold us back from keeping people safe, Isaacsohn said. There are two major reasons for this, he said: gerrymandering and extremism. We dont have proper representation, the Democrat said. The majority of elected officials in the majority party are, on some issues including this one, held captive by an extremist wing of the party. The lawmaker then referenced numerous different polls, all that show that Ohioans and people in the United States want stronger gun legislation. In a nonpartisan statewide survey done in 2023 by USA TODAY Network/Suffolk University, about 90% of Ohioans supported mandatory background checks, and 75% wanted safe storage and red-flag laws. The nonpartisan Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health mirrored the results, adding that more than 70% of Americans want there to be a permit process for people to buy a gun. When it comes to party division, the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found that 60% of Republicans and 91% of Democrats oppose the ability to carry concealed firearms without a permit. Sexton said that the conservative lawmakers are just following the constitution, and this has nothing to do with the gun lobbys impact. You cant have a second amendment if you cant get a gun, Sexton said. There is a solution if the lawmakers wont listen to the people who want safety regulations, Heym responded. Maybe well be able to get something like background checks on a ballot initiative, Heym said. This would result in lawsuits, Sexton has argued. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook. 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. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Ohio Democrats move to ban semi-automatic weapons, GOP lawmakers sticking to their guns appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal. Full steam ahead; Final plan for Ohios first Buc-ees approved by city commission Ohios first Buc-ees is coming to Huber Heights. As reported on News Center 7 at 11, city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the final plans. David Johnson is excited for the empty field off state Route 235 to soon be transformed into a 27,000-square-foot convenience store and hes not alone. What they plan on doing I think is remarkable, Johnson said. Residents have shared concerns about traffic issues caused by the new Buc-ees. As part of the final plan, Buc-ees representatives explained how the increase in cars will be handled. >> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Were closer than weve ever been; Mayor gives update on Buc-ees project in Huber Heights More lanes are going to be built to better handle the traffic and lessen the confusion in and out of the gas station. Full steam ahead on the whole development, trying to get the project open and operational as soon as possible, Buc-ees Director of Engineering Scott Ratcliff said. Johnson was impressed with the plan and believes Buc-ees is what his community needs. Theres a sign out there if you come into Huber it says come grow with us and thats what this is all about, he said. He also thinks the gas station will help generate new jobs, bring new people to the area, and overall help the economy. A concern was brought up at the meeting regarding adult changing tables in the bathroom. As of right now, the tables are not part of the plan but Buc-ees representatives said they will go back and discuss them. We will continue to follow this story. As the U.S. announced new tariffs on an array of clean energy products from China, experts warn that the move runs counter to U.S. politicians' aim of protecting the U.S. auto industry, but rather harms industry growth and green transition. YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio (WCMH) A cannabis growing facility in Ohio is making a significant move on the heels of a hinted start date for Ohio recreational marijuana sales. On Wednesday, Cresco Labs staff began planting around 1,000 seedlings indoors in its Yellow Springs greenhouse. The company, headquartered in Chicago, said the crops will be sold to recreational customers after harvesting later in the summer. Jason Erkes, Crescos chief communications officer, said the facility is planting unique marijuana for what they anticipate are quickly approaching sales. Its four new strains weve never grown before, in a brand new room with every state-of-the-art bell and whistle you can imagine, Erkes said. Weve been planning for this ever since Issue 2 passed were beefing up our cultivation and our grow process to make sure that we have product as quickly as we can to market. The seedlings will get taller before eventually blossoming into marijuana flowers commonly known for their green buds, according to Cresco Labs. During the plants growth, Cresco staff will tend to them with LED lights as well as an in-house cooling and humidification system, which mimics day cycles and seasonal changes. Cresco Labs first planted crop of marijuana seedlings intended for recreational sales in Ohio. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Cresco Labs first planted crop of marijuana seedlings intended for recreational sales in Ohio. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Marijuana seedlings in various stages of growth at Cresco Labs Yellow Springs, Ohio facility. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Cresco Labs first planted crop of marijuana seedlings intended for recreational sales in Ohio. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Cresco Labs first planted crop of marijuana seedlings intended for recreational sales in Ohio. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Marijuana seedlings in various stages of growth at Cresco Labs Yellow Springs, Ohio facility. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Cresco Labs first planted crop of marijuana seedlings intended for recreational sales in Ohio. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Cresco Labs first planted crop of marijuana seedlings intended for recreational sales in Ohio. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Cresco Labs first planted crop of marijuana seedlings intended for recreational sales in Ohio. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Cresco Labs first planted crop of marijuana seedlings intended for recreational sales in Ohio. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Cresco Labs first planted crop of marijuana seedlings intended for recreational sales in Ohio. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Ohio bill would require public schools to adopt policies allowing religious classes At harvest time, caretakers will move the adult plants into a separate room where they begin cleaning up the buds. Erkes said the teams first crop will provide more than 400 pounds of recreational cannabis, which translates to a massive number of individual products. The 400 pounds of flower that these plants in this room today will produce, is equivalent to 65,000 Ohio tenths, which is the way cannabis is sold here, Erkes said. A Cresco Labs employee holds an adult marijuana plant May 15, 2024, at their Yellow Springs, Ohio facility. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Cresco Labs adult marijuana room at its Yellow Springs, Ohio, facility. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Adult marijuana plants at Cresco Labs Yellow Springs facility. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) A Cresco Labs employee holds an adult marijuana plant May 15, 2024, at their Yellow Springs, Ohio facility. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) A Cresco Labs employee prepares an adult marijuana plant for harvest. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) A Cresco Labs employee holds an adult marijuana plant May 15, 2024, at their Yellow Springs, Ohio facility. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Adult marijuana plants at Cresco Labs Yellow Springs facility. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) A Cresco Labs employee holds an adult marijuana plant May 15, 2024, at their Yellow Springs, Ohio facility. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Cresco Labs employees prepare an adult marijuana plant for harvest. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Adult marijuana plants at Cresco Labs Yellow Springs facility. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Adult marijuana plants at Cresco Labs Yellow Springs facility. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) The stems of harvested marijuana plants. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) The large plot of crops is necessary, according to Erkes. He cited past experience when he said he suspected demand would be high for the start of recreational sales. Weve done this in other states, so we know that there will be a mad rush of people that are interested in buying legal cannabis, Erkes said. In Illinois where we went through this conversion process, there were waits, sometimes up to seven hours, outside in the freezing cold for people that wanted to make that first purchase. Cresco Labs has both grow facilities and dispensaries in multiple states under its belt, meaning it controls both the supply and sale of cannabis brands like Cresco and Good News. Its Yellow Springs greenhouse already packages and ships medical marijuana to its shops within Ohio, like Sunnyside in Chillicothe. Similar to Crescos existing medical brands, the recreational cannabis will be sold in the states dispensaries as marijuana flower, or converted to products like vapes or edibles. To make all of this happen, Cresco Labs greenhouse needs workers. And while training programs like the Cleveland School of Cannabis are available, Facility Director Joe Chek said hes brought in people from all walks of life with a passion for cannabis. When we voted last November, we had about 80, 85 people at the site. Weve hired close to 50 so far, and we plan to hire another 25 to 50 from that point, Chek said. At this facility alone, our headcount is likely going to double between now and July. Cannabis seeds are legal even at the federal level to purchase, and Ohios recently passed law for recreational marijuana allowed residents to grow up to six personal plants. But Crescos crops mark the first commercial effort to raise cannabis for sale to the public in the state, as it sits in limbo with no legalized vendor. Cresco Labs seems to be banking on a summer start to recreational marijuana sales after developments Monday on the legislative front. A lawmakers committee over the states agencies approved proposed rules from the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control, which would let medical dispensaries convert to dual-use. What were being told is that will be kind of a scattered start, theyll be approving them in batches or bundles as they get them in, Erkes said. We dont expect that it will be every dispensary in the state that opens up the same day for sales. It will be kind of piecemeal across the state as they get approved. The DCC previously estimated the shops could apply to become dual-use dispensaries on June 7, but a member of the lawmakers committee took that further. Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord), co-chair of the approving committee, alluded after the hearing that recreational sales could begin at these new types of dispensaries as soon as mid-June. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Ohio man indicted after 3 guns, ammunition found in briefcase at Pittsburgh International airport An Ohio man was indicted by a federal grand jury after several guns were found hidden in his luggage at Pittsburgh International Airport. Luis Rojas Cay, 26, of Youngstown, is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and carrying a weapon on an aircraft. On April 26, a briefcase belonging to Rojas Cay, who was flying to San Juan, Puerto Rico, contained three guns and over 200 rounds of ammunition. The guns and ammunition were concealed in packages wrapped in layers of foil-backed tape and placed inside a metal briefcase that was also lined with sheet metal, officials said. The briefcase was found inside a suitcase that Rojas Cay checked with the airline. As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Minivan with dad, 3 kids inside caught in crossfire during Squirrel Hill shooting Pittsburghs Sudden Little Thrills music fest canceled by producers They were baking without air: Kittens found in tied bag making miraculous recovery VIDEO: Channel 11 speaks with Cyril Wecht's son after his death DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) An Ohio woman who left threatening and racist-laced voicemails for a state lawmaker has entered a guilty plea in Ingham County Circuit Court for her actions. A Michigan State Police investigation of voicemails left in June 2021 by Sandra Bachman, 61, of Batavia, OH led Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to charge her in March 2022. Bachman was charged with leaving voicemails for then-State Reps. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) and Cynthia A. Johnson (D-Detroit). The Office of the Attorney General reports in a news release that Bachman entered a guilty plea to one count of Threat of Terrorism Attempt, a 5-year felony, one count of Ethnic Intimidation, a 2-year misdemeanor, and one count of Malicious Use of Telecommunication Services, a 6-month misdemeanor. Sandra Bachman, 61 (Courtesy Ingham County Sheriff Department. WLNS) The deal requires Bachman to write a letter of apology to Johnson as well as participate in ongoing mental health assessments and treatment. A news release from the Office of the Attorney General announcing Bachmans original charges and arraignment reveals she was originally charged with one count of false report or threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony; one count of ethnic intimidation, a two-year felony; and two counts of telecommunications services malicious use, a six-month misdemeanor. Here are the transcribed messages the Office of the Attorney General said in a news release were left by Backman: The Department alleges Bachman left a threatening voicemail for Rep. Anthony in May 2021. The message said: Hay um, need to cancel that bill against the vets, you little traitor. And, um, you wont see the bullet coming, let me tell you that. So, stop this sh*t and youre fired. Well be coming to Michigan soon to remove you from your post. The Department also alleges Bachman left a threatening voicemail for Rep. Johnson in June 2021. An excerpt of the message, which has been censored, included: Well, baby-doll, n***a lip b***h, monkey, we are going to get you. You will die. You are one of the worst offenders. We actually have a tier too, in like points for how much you are worth once we kill you. Youre going to die and Im happy about it. The whole world will be rejoicing, just know that. Sleep well. Office of the Attorney General Dana Nessel, News Release March 15, 2022 She will be sentenced on June 26 by Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. BROWN COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A former correctional officer at a Brown County juvenile facility was arrested this week, accused of Tampering with Governmental Record. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) opened an investigation into 25-year-old Christian Buchanan at the start of February when he was working as a correctional officer at the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex in Brownwood. Buchanan is accused of falsely reporting that he had visually conducted room checks of the juvenile inmates confined to their individual rooms, when he was determined to not have done so. He is accused to have done this a minimum of 30 times. This alleged offense is a Class A Misdemeanor, and Buchanan is facing a $4,000 fine and a jail sentence of up to one year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. An anti-immigration bill swept into law as a public safety measure by Oklahoma's heavily Republican Legislature and Gov. Kevin Stitt drew a large protest crowd to the state Capitol Wednesday. The rally was part of Hispanic Cultural Day, an event started by Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, eight years ago. Its typically a day to celebrate culture, invite state leaders to see who they are, get used to seeing their faces and enjoy their culture, she told the crowd. This year was different. After the governor signed House Bill 4156 a bill that creates a crime of impermissible occupation and calls for a fine, jail and removal of people without legal documentation the days agenda shifted toward advocacy. The rally even interrupted the fourth day of a special budget summit meeting because the Capitol Rotunda buzzed with people, music, food and vendors, which could be heard in the session's conference room on the second floor. They have shown us this year that they dont deserve us, Menz told the crowd. They dont deserve our food, our music, our faces, our smiles. Menz said supporters of the new law didnt think through its economic ramifications of the bill, adding that the state takes immigrant labor for granted. Everyone has been touched by immigrant labor, she summarized. They earned this. Now make them hear you. More: Gov. Stitt defends controversial immigration bill, veto of domestic violence bill A retired group of workers wearing hard hats came to show unity and to protest. One of the members, Arturo Delgado said it was sad that the Legislature is using scare tactics toward the community to get reelected. He said that if lawmakers wanted to help the Latino community, they could have helped members get worker visas instead of criminalizing immigrants. He said people were scared and mad. They claim to be Christians. Why dont they open the Bible and read it? Delgado asked. Its very political, but they dont realize how theyre affecting families mental health for the young kids that are saying, What if I come home and moms not home? They dont see that. Giovanni Rangel said he attended the rally with his sister, Fatima, to bring out the voice of the immigrant community. Me and my sister, were here to stand for our parents and for anybody else who doesnt feel like theyre able to stand for themselves, he said. It makes me feel like were going backwards again. Martin Ramirez, right, and Michelle Solis hold signs during a demonstration in support of the immigrant community before Hispanic Cultural Day Wednesday at the Oklahoma Capitol. To him, it seemed like Gov. Stitt was forced to sign it because of his political party. It makes me feel really awful that knowing this is going through and this is something we have to go through, he said. Others expressed similar thoughts. Members of the Latino Caucus, Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Michael Brooks-Jimenez, D-Oklahoma City, said they had received calls from people who are worried about getting separated from family and friends. There are constituents who are calling, wanting to know whether or not its safe to take their kids to school, Brooks said. At the rally, he noted they were the ones who work in restaurants and put roofs back on after tornados. Sen. Michael Brooks speaks during a demonstration in support of the immigrant community before Hispanic Cultural Day Wednesday at the state Capitol. Local restaurants close to allow employees to attend the rally Hal Smith Restaurants closed more than 30 locations across 10 of the concepts within its brand Wednesday to support employees who expressed a "desire to assemble at the Capitol for a day of advocacy." "More businesses shouldve done this. Thank you for understanding that 85% of your kitchen workers are Hispanic," said Facebook user Aaron Galindo in response to the Louie's Northwest Expressway post. Reactions online varied with some criticizing or questioning the closures and others praising the company's decision. "This speaks volumes about the management/owners. Tonight is a Thunder game night, which I'm sure would generate a lot of profit. Respect this decision," Facebook user Angie Wheelis Mulligan commented on the announcement on The Garage (Britton Road) page. More: Louie's, The Garage, other OKC restaurants close; employees attend protest Comments on some restaurant posts were limited, and some Facebook users took to their own pages to post their thoughts, even calling for boycotts of the restaurant group. The Oklahoman reached out to Hal Smith Restaurants who declined to comment further on what motivated the decision to close, when the decision was made, or if there are any concerns about pushback or lost business. A crowd listens to speakers Wednesday during a demonstration in support of the immigrant community before Hispanic Cultural Day at the state Capitol. Latino Caucus planning to file lawsuit Brooks-Jimenez and Alonso-Sandoval said a lawsuit should be filed before the law takes effect on July 1. A similar bill in Texas, Senate Bill 4, was blocked in a federal appeals court, so its not being enforced. The Latino Caucus is hoping for a similar result in Oklahoma. Alonso-Sandoval argued that the Oklahoma law is unconstitutional because it supersedes the federal government. He also pointed to the laws vague language, questioning how it would be enforced. I dont walk my dog around my neighborhood with my passport, birth certificate and drivers license, he said. More: Law enforcement organizations speak out against Oklahoma's HB 4156 Theyre wanting to use immigration as something that can pretty much move them forward with in their political aspirations but theyre directly impacting a community thats contributing in so many different ways to the state of Oklahoma, he said. Brooks-Jimenez said the law affects more than just the Latino culture and people. Its part of the pride of the United States that were a diverse country with people from all over the world and that fabric of the United States is made up of immigrants, he told The Oklahoman. A person holds a "Love Thy Neighbor" sign during a demonstration in support of the immigrant community before Hispanic Cultural Day Wednesday at the state Capitol. Police association says enforcing law is akin to racial discrimination Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley said they do not check immigration statuses and to do so for every person would be a huge burden. The department has spent years building relationships by attending community meetings, events, festivals and visiting schools, but this law could negatively impact those connections, setting them back at square one, he said. Every police chief is concerned about this, he said. The number one concern when you look at communities with undocumented people, they have a high probability to be victims of crime because theyre less likely to call the police. A joint statement by the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police and Metro Law Enforcement Agency Leaders released on Tuesday via Facebook said the law conflicts with many existing directives over law enforcement practices. Editorial: Oklahoma already has laws to deal with criminals. New bill could harm immigrant communities more The release noted law enforcement leaders from state organizations and municipalities were not substantively involved during the process of drafting and signing the law. It places crime victims at risk by increasing the fear of reporting to law enforcement and brings legal challenges in fair and impartial policing and anti-racial profiling, the statement said. This law has the potential to destroy the connections and relationships we have built within our local immigrant communities and set us back for many years to come, the agencies wrote. They also acknowledged many immigrant communities who are fearful and uncertain about their futures. They will continue to work with legal advisors and community stakeholders to ensure their service is lawful and consistent with community expectations, the release said. Felisa Hilbert, a retired educator, cheers during a demonstration Wednesday before Hispanic Cultural Day at the state Capitol. How Oklahoma passed an anti-immigration bill The language makes "impermissible occupation" as a first offense a misdemeanor punishable by a year in county jail and/or a maximum $500 fine. Subsequent arrests would be felonies punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a maximum $1,000 fine. In both cases, offenders would be required to leave the state within 72 hours of their conviction or release from custody, whichever comes later. Stitt and other legislative leaders touted the bill as a public safety measure. Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who originally requested the legislation, praised senators, noting the legislation allows "state law enforcement officers to arrest and incarcerate illegal immigrants as a means of helping combat Oklahoma's numerous illegal marijuana grow operations." House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, criticized the Biden administration for its "failure to secure the border," with the speaker saying that it has made "every state into a border state." This measure protects immigrants here legally, while ensuring law enforcement have the tools necessary to go after criminals, Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat said in a news release after the bill's passage in the Senate. The southern border crisis has created a scourge of illegal activities, including an increase in fentanyl, human trafficking and crime in our communities because of the inaction and abject failure at the federal level to secure our borders. Stitt signed the bill on April 30. Upon signing, he also created the Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visas Task Force to figure out how to match up the state's workforce with employers who need more workers. The task force hasnt met yet and its unclear if the meetings will be open to the public, a spokesperson from the governors office said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Capitol protest draws large crowd over anti-immigration law HB 4156 A new tax credit program to help families send their children to private schools has attracted 36,000 applications in Oklahoma. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma Tax Commission is still working through thousands of applications for the states new parental choice tax credits, five months after the high-demand program launched. About $25 million is left to disburse from the programs $150 million budget, according to the state agency. The Tax Commission reported $100 million went to 16,800 priority applicants whose households earn no more than $150,000 a year. The refundable credits offer between $5,000 and $7,500 per student, depending on family income, to offset private-school costs. Families in the priority group had extra time to apply, and their applications were considered first. The remaining applicants from higher-earning households are considered on a first-come-first-served basis. About 36,000 people total applied for the tax credits, most of whom did so in the first 90 minutes of the programs launch. With the priority families approved, the Tax Commission is now reviewing non-priority applicants, 4,300 of whom already have been accepted, agency spokesperson Emily Haxton said. The commission relies on its internal records to verify the total income of each family. The total budget for the private-school program will increase to $200 million in 2025 and $250 million in 2026. A separate $5 million program offers $1,000 per student for homeschooling costs. The Oklahoma Legislature tweaked the program during its session this year, most notably to prevent the credits from being used to offset delinquent tax liabilities or unpaid debts. Under the programs current rules, the Tax Commission could deduct a familys tax credits to cover unpaid obligations. The credits are now approved by school year rather than calendar year, and they are exempt from taxable income. Lawmakers also added a provision to offer students the maximum $7,500 credit if they attend an accredited private school that exclusively serves children experiencing homelessness. There is only one such school in the state, Positive Tomorrows in Oklahoma City. Students also could qualify for the maximum credit amount if they attend a private school that has 90% enrollment from financially disadvantaged families, defined as earning 250% of the federal poverty line or below. The Legislatures top two leaders, House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, were the primary authors of the changes, which Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed into law. It gives more clarity on some things that we thought were pretty common sense, but they werent written as specifically as they needed to (in the original legislation), Treat said. It also opens up new opportunities for the poorest among us to be able to take advantage of that tax credit. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Oklahoma parental choice tax credits still a work in progress. Lawmakers approve tweaks to program. appeared first on Oklahoma Voice. The Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office in McAlester is shown on a day with high winds. McALESTER Pittsburg County Sheriff Chris Morris has been charged with embezzlement of state property. He is accused in the felony case of unlawfully arranging for the sheriff's office to purchase a damaged utility task vehicle (UTV) he had owned so he could get a new one for himself. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation began looking into the $31,099 purchase after the county clerk became suspicious. Morris, 50, of McAlester, was first elected in 2016 as sheriff of Pittsburg County, which is in southeast Oklahoma. He was reelected in 2020 and is running for reelection again now. He was a Democrat in his first race but is now a Republican. Morris He was charged Tuesday in Pittsburg County District Court. He denies wrongdoing. "Election interference is not only happening in our great nation, but it is happening right here in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma," he said in a release to the media. "This is an orchestrated event, planned to make me look bad just weeks before the election. The truth will come out. It is paramount that you keep a strong sheriff with proven leadership for our county." Making the decision to file the charge was Jack Thorp, a district attorney from northeast Oklahoma. The prosecutor alleges the county had no need for the 2023 Polaris UTV. More: There have been 12 disappearances. Finally, someone is going to prison A sheriff's dispatcher told OSBI agents the sheriff had said "he ... didn't like his Polaris side by side because it had already broken down and he needed to find a way to get out from under it," according to a court affidavit. The dispatcher recalled the sheriff also said he wanted to purchase a Can-Am but the dealership, Vicar Powersports, "had only offered him $26,000 trade value on the Polaris," according to the affidavit. "A few weeks later Morris had purchased the Polaris for the Sheriff's Office and received the new Can-Am." He eventually was able to negotiate a trade-in value of $31,099 on the Polaris, the investigation found. He had purchased the UTV in August for $29,772. He is specifically accused in the charge of telling the dealership he had increased its value by adding a lift kit and other accessories when actually they had been taken off. Dealer Jon Vicars told the OSBI he did not know the accessories had been removed because the sheriff never brought the vehicle back, according to the affidavit. The county sent the dealership a check for the Polaris in December, according to the affidavit. The title later was backdated to show a November sale. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Pittsburg County Sheriff Chris Morris charged with embezzlement Oklahoma sheriff finds name of 1976 missing teen in old BTK crossword puzzle WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Osage County Oklahoma Sheriffs Office says an old crossword puzzle from Dennis BTK Rader links the serial killer to the disappearance of Cynthia Dawn Kinney from Pawhuska, Oklahoma. The Osage County Oklahoma Sheriffs Office first connected Rader to the case nine months ago. At that time, the district attorney for the area said there was insufficient evidence linking him to the disappearance of the then 16-year-old. KSNs sister station in Oklahoma City, KFOR-TV, sat down with the sheriff on Tuesday. KSN dug into details of that interview, and the evidence he says is hard to get around. Ark City mother dies saving son from drowning, family remembers her passion Nearly 20 years ago, a crossword puzzle was mailed to the media. It spells out the names of Raders 10 known victims and his home address. It has once again been brought forward with claims of new connections. The lady that sent me the information believes that its more than just a simple crossword-type puzzle. Its more in-depth, said Osage County Oklahoma Sheriff Eddie Virden. Sheriff Virden announced on August 2023 that they believe Rader is the prime suspect in Kinneys disappearance. He believes a second look at the puzzle reveals a deeper connection. Its pretty hard to get around the fact that Cindy Kinneys name is in there, that Osage Laundromat is in there, that Pawhuska is in there, said Sheriff Virden. Click on the images below to view the crossword puzzles: Sheriff Virden acknowledges it takes work to find keywords in this puzzle and past patterns of behavior by Rader. In the past, he has played games, cat and mouse with law enforcement and has toyed with them, but he did not come clean with any admission until there was solid proof on what had happened, he said. Still, Sheriff Virden stands by the evidence he says theyve found. We found carvings markings in barns, things we believe are 100% proof he has operated within our area, he said. KSNs Julia Thatcher reached out to District Attorney Mike Fisher and asked if he had a statement based on these new claims. He provided the following statement: I have not heard Mr. Virdens latest pronouncement about Dennis Rader and the Cynthia Kinney case. However, I can tell you that the cold case unit of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has found no connection tying Rader to Cynthias disappearance. They are still investigating other possibilities but because of the age of the Kinney case have found nothing that points to a particular suspect. After Raders arrest and admission of guilt, the Wichita Police Department showed evidence to KSN: WPD found the original puzzle in Raders belongings and it also came with a key. Words Sheriff Virden says he found are not highlighted in the original document. Rader admitted in a Dateline interview to using things like puzzles to stir the hornet nest up with the media. Wichita police make second arrest in homicide investigation Sheriff Virden said his department plans to investigate both new and old locations that may have connections to Raders victims soon. The Osage County Sheriffs Office created a National BTK Task Force back in September to help aid in Kinneys case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. OTTAWA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Up to 6,600 residents have been evacuated in Canada's western province of Alberta due to a raging wildfire, local media reported on Tuesday. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo issued the evacuation order Tuesday afternoon after declaring a state of local emergency, CBC News reported. The evacuation order is in effect for the neighbourhoods of Beacon Hill, Abasand, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace. Several neighbourhoods in Fort McMurray are being evacuated to make way for firefighters, the report said. All residents in the evacuation zone were ordered to leave by 4 p.m. Mountain Time (2200 GMT), the municipality said. According to CBC News, Jody Butz, the regional fire chief, said that the order would affect up to 6,600 people in the evacuation zone. Local roads and highways were choked with vehicles Tuesday afternoon as residents fled south, the report said. A total of 134 fires were actively burning nationwide on Tuesday with 43 fires categorized as out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. The Canadian government warned that above-normal temperatures nationwide could lead to greater wildfire risks. Canada's wildfire season in 2023 is the most destructive on record. According to the Canadian National Fire Database, there were 7,131 fires recorded nationwide in 2023, burning a record 17,203,625 hectares of land. OSAGE COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) A 20-year-old word puzzle created by the infamous BTK killer Dennis Rader contains the name of a missing Oklahoma teen and several other clues which appear to tie him to her case. Rader killed from 1974 to 1991, giving himself the nickname BTK for bind, torture and kill. He played a cat-and-mouse game with investigators and reporters for decades before he was caught in 2005. He is serving 10 life terms in the state of Kansas, one for each of the victims he confessed to killing. Convicted BTK killer Dennis Rader listens during a court proceeding, Oct. 12, 2005, in El Dorado, Kan. (Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle via AP, Pool, File) 16-year-old Cynthia Cindy Dawn Kinney vanished from the Osage Laundry in June of 1976. Law enforcement has been unable to pinpoint her killer since. However, Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden started re-combing through evidence in the case in 2022. We had a homicide occur last fall, and it was a pretty big investigation pretty complicated case. I woke up at 1:30 (AM), tossed around, couldnt get back to sleep. I thought, Im just going to get up, so I go and make a pot of coffee, flip on the TV, said Virden in late September. Theres a documentary on about the BTK killer. Im sitting there, drinking coffee, waiting for daylight. As Im watching it, things start kind of popping out that are familiar. Bits and pieces of the documentary made Virden reflect on Kinneys case and wonder if she could have been a victim of BTKs. A major piece of the puzzle that stuck out to Sheriff Virden was the time in which BTK would kill/kidnap his victims. Sheriff Virden said BTK would act mid-morning, which is around the same time Kinney disappeared from the laundromat. On April 15, the Osage County Sheriffs Office received a package from a woman who wishes to remain anonymous. The package contained a word puzzle BTK sent to a Kansas news station in 2004. Theres hints all the way through that cant be overlooked, said Virden Tuesday afternoon. Dont view it as a puzzle. View the puzzle as a map that Rader created to plot his victims. A letter included in the package received on April 15, 2024 reads At first glance, the word puzzle looks like any other ordinary crossword search. In 2004, a handful of the words identified were Wichita, prowl, fantasies, ruse, spot victim, and serviceman. A closer look at the puzzle now reveals words such as: Cindy Kinney Osage Laundry Mat Kihekah Elgin Pawhuska Oklahoma Cleveland Kihekah is the name of the street where the Osage Laundry is located. The word puzzle also spells out the names of BTKs ten known victims and BTKs home address in Kansas. Sheriff Virden believes it details locations connected to the victims. Its up to us to figure out everything that he gave us and put those together, connect the dots, and then get the answers were looking for, said Virden. Were still in the process of trying to evaluate that and sending them out, trying to get some expert opinions on it to see what we can get. But its pretty hard to get around the fact that Cindy Kinneys name is in there. Defense attorney for BTK serial killer says his client isnt involved in teens disappearance In addition to the new discovery of potential clues hidden in the word puzzle, the Osage County Sheriffs Office has uncovered yet another entry from the BTK killer. The entry is a list of states with markings indicating whether BTK traveled to the state and what for. There are a total of eight markings referencing his travels to Oklahoma. Some of the markings indicate he traveled to Oklahoma for a vacation, a boy scouts trip, business, or other reasons. We know [BTK] refers to his murders as Factor X that in some of his journals and other stuff, he marked murders with Xs. In this particular case, everything is marked with a X. The clues go on and on, said Virden. We have searched many locations. Weve found items that we believe are evidence and weve found carvings, markings in barns, things that we believe are 100% proof that hes operated within our area. Sheriff Virden told Nexstars KFOR his department has confirmed BTKs first cousin and uncle live in Oklahoma City. BTK has visited the metro, he added. Per Virden, there was also a woman who filed a report with OKC Police detailing a horrible experience that is very credible. Oklahoma deputies search Kansas property formerly owned by BTK; BTKs daughter speaks out She described an item [BTK] had with him. She would have no way to have knowledge. But going through some of the things we recovered, weve confirmed that he did have that item she described in his possession, explained Virden. Virden described another case where a different woman in Oklahoma City said she felt like she was being stalked decades ago. A drawing by the BTK killer recovered by the Osage County Sheriffs Office and shown to KFOR shows extreme similarities to the woman claiming to be the one he drew. Theres multiple connections to Oklahoma City and not just Oklahoma City, but all over, said Virden. Virden told KFOR he wants the BTK killer to know the investigation into Kinneys murder has not slowed down and he feels extremely close to nailing the case. Sheriff Virden said his department plans to investigate both new and old locations that may have connections to BTKs victims soon. The Osage County Sheriffs Office has created a National BTK Task Force to help aid in Kinneys cold case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. What are the oldest buildings in Chicago and where are they? What are the oldest buildings in Chicago and where are they? CHICAGO Towering glass skyscrapers define the Chicago skyline, but several smaller historic structures hidden throughout the city offer a unique look into the past. While the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 reduced much of the city to ashes, it ushered in a massive rebuilding effort. Some of the buildings constructed during that period, and at least one that predates the fire, still stand today and pose the question: What are the oldest buildings in Chicago? Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines The list below seeks to answer that question and offer some insight into how they came to be and how they play into the citys history. At least three of the buildings on the list were finished in 1872, during the rebuilding effort, but the exact dates of completion are unclear. 5. The Page Brothers Building The citys fifth-oldest building, the Page Brothers Building can be found in the Loop, in the 170 block of North State Street, right next to the landmark Chicago Theatre. Built in 1872, the Page Brothers Building features one of the citys only remaining cast-iron facades, which were common before the Great Chicago Fire. Museum of Science and Industry renaming after Ken Griffins donation The historic building was designed by John Mills Van Osdel, a prominent Chicago architect who opened the citys first architectural firm in 1844. The building originally had five floors but an additional floor was added during a remodel in 1902. 4. The Berghoff Buildings Chicagos fourth oldest building is actually a handful of interconnected buildings that were built in 1872. The Berghoff Buildings are three buildings that are home to the Berghoff, a restaurant that has a long history of serving up fan favorites in the city. Located at 17 West Adams Street in the Loop, just down the road from the Art Institute of Chicago, the Berghoff buildings proudly display one of the citys most notable marquees. Illinois man wins $1M on scratch-off ticket bought at supermarket In 1898, the Berghoff opened its doors as a saloon after owner Herman Joseph Berghoff looked to expand on the success he found selling his familys beer at the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1893. Prohibition halted liquor sales across the United States in 1920, but the Berghoff survived by opening a full-service restaurant and selling legal near beer, which had less than 0.5% alcohol. In 1933, following the repeal of prohibition, the Berghoff was issued the citys first liquor license. 3. The Delaware Building Chicagos third oldest building, the Delaware Building, is one that came to be amid the rebuilding effort that was ushered in by the Great Chicago Fire. The Delaware Building can be found in the Loop at 36 West Randolph Street, near the historic Nederlander Theatre. Micropreemie baby who weighed just over 1 pound at birth goes home from Illinois hospital The building, which originally had five floors and a basement, was completed in 1872 but was later remodeled in 1889 to accommodate two additional floors. Julius H. Huber, who is known for having designed a handful of buildings in the citys North Side Edgewater neighborhood, designed the building. 2. Old St. Patricks Church The second oldest building in Chicago, the Old St. Patricks Church, can be found in the citys West Loop in the 700 block of West Adams Street. According to the church, the main church building, which is constructed of Cream City brick, was dedicated on Christmas Day, 1856. Two spires were later added in 1885. Which airlines have the oldest planes? The Romanesque-style church was designed by Augustus Bauer and Asher Carte, who partnered in 1855. Bauer was one of Chicagos most prominent early architects and Carte was an architect who helped in the development of Lake Forest. Old St. Patricks Church is one of a handful of buildings said to have survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. 1. The Noble-Seymour-Crippen House The Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, which is located in the 5600 block of North Newark Avenue in Norwood Park, is considered the oldest building in Chicago. Over the last 190 years, the building has stood strong as the farming community that once surrounded it developed into the residential neighborhood of Norwood Park. The buildings name comes from three owners who helped keep it standing for nearly two centuries. Childish Gambino announces first tour in 5 years with fall stop in Chicago The southern wing of the building was constructed in 1833 and was used as a farmhouse by English immigrant Mark Noble Sr. 35 years after its construction, in 1868, the building and surrounding land were purchased by Thomas Hartley Seymour, who would go on to add a northern wing to the structure. The Seymour family lived in the home until 1916 when it was sold to Stuart and Charlotte Allen Crippen. The two would go on to make several modifications to the home. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Omaha saw narrowest primary elections for Nebraska Legislature, with a recount possible It remains too close to determine the top two candidates for the Nebraska Legislature's north-central Omaha District 13 seat. Nick Batter, left, had a significant lead at about 38%. The next two in the race were separated by five votes as of the end of Tuesday, May 14, with about 23% each: Ashlei Spivey, center, and Tracy Hightower-Henne. Matthew Clough, a fourth candidate, received 15% of the votes tallied. (Photos courtesy of the candidates; Capitol photo by Rebecca Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner) OMAHA Some of the narrowest primary races for Nebraska Legislature on Tuesday came in the states largest city, Omaha, with one contest possibly headed to a recount. The Legislature has 25 seats up for election in 2024. The top-two vote getters in all but one of 15 crowded primaries those with at least three candidates were leading by more than 1%. The Nebraska Secretary of States Office said at midday Wednesday that approximately 13,000 ballots remained to be counted in some county election offices. Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said his office will have exact numbers Thursday morning, but he said more than 8,500 early voting and 400 provisional ballots are yet to be counted. Kruse said the remaining early ballots will be counted Friday and provisional ballots will be counted May 23. Jackie Ourada, a spokesperson in the Secretary of States Office, said there were also 2,400 ballots still to be counted in Lancaster County, including the capital of Lincoln. Those ballots will be counted Thursday while nearly 400 provisional ballots will be counted May 22. District 13 within five votes The closest primary race is in the north-central Omaha contest to succeed term-limited State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha. Frontrunner Nick Batter, a registered nonpartisan and corporate counsel for Hawkins Construction, led his closest opponent by 790 votes, or 15% of votes tallied so far. Voters in my community have sent a clear message that theyre tired of being overlooked by their political leaders, and by the national interest groups that have taken over our local politics, Batter, an Army veteran, said in a statement. Two Democrats vying for the second spot on the fall ballot were separated by only five votes as of Tuesday (0.09%): Ashlei Spivey, an abortion-rights advocate who leads the nonprofit I Be Black Girl, and Tracy Hightower-Henne, a lawyer and former leader with the Nebraska Innocence Project and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska. Spivey said the close margin is a direct reflection of the unwavering support from her community in the past 10 weeks and her commitment to serving the district and state remains. To honor this and the spirit of true democracy, I want to ensure that every vote from every corner of our district is accounted for, she said in a text. Hightower-Henne said she will be closely watching the final results and looks forward to seeing the final tally. Im really proud of the campaign Ive run and hope Ill have the opportunity to continue to earn more votes and serve my neighbors in LD13 in the Legislature, Hightower-Henne said in a text. Matthew Clough, a former chief operating officer of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, finished in fourth. A recount may be requested by any defeated candidate, but the process is automatic if the margin for second- and third-place finishers remains 1% or less. Other close Omaha races Just south of District 13 is Omahas District 7, currently held by term-limited State Sen. Tony Vargas, is another close race. Twenty-six votes, or 1.29%, separate Tim Pendrell, an aide to State Sen. Mike McDonnell, and Ben Salazar, a veteran and former publisher of a Spanish-English newspaper. Omaha similarly had close finishes for top-two candidates, though they hold significant leads over additional candidates. This includes the North Omaha race for District 11, where State Sen. Terrell McKinney is seeking a second term. He is fending off a challenge from former State Sen. Ernie Chambers, who edged McKinney by 21 votes, or 0.78%. Chambers finished with 44.8% of the vote, McKinney with 44.02%. The third-place candidate, Calandra Cooper, received 11.18% of the vote as of late Tuesday. In South Omahas District 5, Gilbert Ayala, a Republican, came 18 votes above Margo Juarez, a Democratic member of the Omaha School Board. Flint Harkness, a special education teacher and a Democrat, finished third with 27% of the votes. The winner will replace McDonnell, who is term-limited. Ideological split of Legislature Beyond Omaha, three races in eastern Nebraska could decide the ideological split of the officially nonpartisan Legislature, where members do not organize by registered political party but do sometimes vote along or close to party lines. In the 49-member body, Republicans currently hold 33 seats and Democrats hold 15 seats. There is one progressive independent. In Sarpy County, just south of Omaha, State Sen. Jen Day, a Democrat, is seeking a second four-year term in District 49. In 2020, Day narrowly ousted State Sen. Andrew La Grone, a Republican appointee, by 267 votes, or 1.08%. She faced two Republican challengers this time. Day finished with about 42% of the votes tallied Tuesday, coming in 432 votes, or 8%, above Bob Andersen, a defense contractor and U.S. Air Force veteran. Caleb Muhs, a former FBI analyst now in the insurance industry, finished third with 22% of votes. In District 3, consisting of portions of Bellevue and Papillion, Republican Felix Ungerman finished first in the race to succeed term-limited State Sen. Carol Blood, a Democrat. Victor Rountree, a Democrat, will face off with Ungerman again this fall. Republicans will pick up one seat currently held by a Democrat in District 15, which encompasses Dodge County and Valley in the districts sliver of Douglas County. Dave Woody Wordekemper and Roxie Kracl, both of Fremont, will face off in the campaign to replace term-limited State Sen. Lynne Walz. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Omaha saw narrowest primary elections for Nebraska Legislature, with a recount possible appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. From one generation to the next, Palestinians aim to keep the history of al-Nakba alive Mohammad Zarqa trembled with fear as he watched panicked crowds of people, screaming and covered in blood, rush into his small village on the outskirts of Jerusalem. You have to run, he remembers a woman crying out, shocking Zarqa out of a daze and sending him racing home to warn his family. He was only 12 years old at the time, unaware of the looming war that would soon upend his life. It was April 9, 1948, and Jewish militias had just attacked Deir Yassin, a village about a mile northeast of Zarqas home in Ein Karem in what was then the British Mandate of Palestine. At least 100 people, including women and children, were killed many stripped, lined up and shot with automatic fire, according to reports from the time archived by the United Nations. The massacre is among the events that led to al-Nakba, or the catastrophe, when roughly 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes by armed Jewish groups seeking to establish the state of Israel. A mass grave where more than 100 victims of the Deir Yassin massacre were buried in April 1948. The round stone ring is a mass grave for women and the square one is for men. - AP We thought we were going to be next, Zarqa, now 88, tells CNN from his home in New Jersey. My father said, We cannot stay here. Theyre going to come and massacre us. We had nothing, no weapons, nothing to defend ourselves. Thats the day we became refugees. On Wednesday, Zarqa joins millions of Palestinians across the world to mark Nakba Day with protests and community events intended to honor the memory of the Palestinians killed and displaced in 1948 and the brutal war unfolding today in Gaza. Part of that commemoration includes a commitment to storytelling, Zarqa says, whereby survivors of the Nakba generation continue to share their experiences with younger Palestinians so the dream of liberation and return never dies. He believes its the only way to understand the current war and work toward a just and lasting peace in the region. My heart is bleeding, he says softly. At my age, Im still dreaming of going back home. Palestine is something that is still implanted in my heart and my body. Its where I was born. Its where I have my memories. Its my country. Yearning for home Zarqa, along with his parents and six siblings, fled Ein Karem on foot, taking very little with them. They walked from village to village, searching for food and sheltering in the homes and garages of kind strangers. The atrocities he witnessed along the way are seared in his memory. I saw the most horrific things in my life: women coming in with torn clothes and uncovered heads crying, screaming, saying that the Jews they werent called Israelis at the time attacked their village and massacred everybody, Zarqa says. Mohammad Zarqa proudly shows off his grape vines at his home garden in New Jersey. - Courtesy Jenan Matari More than 15,000 Palestinians were killed and 531 towns and villages destroyed during al-Nakba, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, an institute of the Palestinian Authority. Jewish leaders declared independence and the creation of the state of Israel on May 14, sparking a military response from Egypt, Syria and Jordan. The family hoped the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, as it would come to be known, would end in a swift victory for the Arabs. After several weeks, Zarqas family returned to Ein Karem. But when they entered the village, they found it had been ransacked and its residents cast out by Jewish militias, Zarqa says. With nothing left to salvage, they fled to Jordan to wait out the war, he recalls. Israeli students on their way to school in Ein Karem circa 1955. The buildings on the right show damage dating from the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. - George Pickow/Three Lions/Hulton Archive/Getty Images The family initially lived in squalor, surviving off the generosity of strangers and local mosques. They shared a home with other Palestinian refugees in Jabal Al Weibdeh, a neighborhood in Amman, Zarqa says. It had a dirt floor and there were no windows, doors or bathrooms. They often couldnt shower for months at a time. By March 1949, Israel had won the war and forbidden the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who had fled or were expelled from returning to their homes and ancestral lands. Zarqas family was among them. The family began to build a new life in Jordan, one marked by struggle and poverty, as they patiently waited for permission to return to Ein Karem. But it never came, and decades later Zarqa found himself living in the United States even further from his homeland trying to raise a small family of his own. We made a life in the US, but this still isnt home. You never forget that you had a house and somebody kicked you out of it, Zarqa says. We will never stop wanting to return. A responsibility to teach Neither time nor distance has blurred Zarqas memories of Palestine. He has passed onto his four children and eight grandchildren every bittersweet memory of Ein Karem, from its acres of orchards to the hilltop where he could see the mountains and Mediterranean sea in the distance. Zarqa remembers Ein Karem so vividly that despite his decades of absence, he was able to give his grandson, Zach Matari, who visited the village in 2019, directions over FaceTime to his old home, now in present-day Israel. An Israeli family is living there. I remember every inch of my village. If you go there I can tell you there was this apricot tree here, and there was a fig tree there, and thats the stairs we used to climb, he says. Jenan Matari, another one of his grandchildren, is a writer and social media influencer who uses her platform to educate followers about Palestinian history, culture and current events, including the war in Gaza. Mohammad Zarqa and his granddaughter Jenan Matari at her wedding henna in 2017. - Courtesy Shorouq Matari She loves listening to her grandfathers stories and says her work, which is rooted in his Nakba experience, is a form of resistance. All Palestinians in the diaspora, she says, should use their voices too. I get really sad for my grandfather, because if Im feeling triggered by the things that are happening in Gaza, and Im feeling this depleted and in so much pain watching this, I can only imagine what its doing to him and his generation to watch what they lived through happening again, but on an even greater scale, Matari, 33, tells CNN. Talking about al-Nakba isnt easy, Zarqa confesses. He often pauses mid-sentence or changes the subject when it hurts a bit too much. But he refuses to be silenced by his grief and even invites other Nakba survivors to his home to share their experiences with family, friends and the wider community Dawud Assad, one of those survivors, lives just 10 miles away. He narrowly survived the Deir Yassin massacre, which he says claimed the lives of 47 family members, including his grandmother and 2-year-old brother. Dawud Assad, a survivor of the Deir Yassin massacre, celebrates his birthday at his home in New Jersey. - Courtesy Jenan Matari I was supposed to be dead, says Assad, who is now 92 and nicknamed Al-shaheed Al-hay, or the living martyr. Assad survived by hiding in a shallow trench near his home, crouching and quietly praying for mercy as bullets grazed his hair. It did not begin on October 7. What we went through is exactly what were seeing now in Gaza and Rafah, Assad says, referring to Israels ongoing war there. Videos of dead children are especially triggering because they remind him of his slain brother. Israel launched its war in Gaza after Hamas brutal attack in Israel on October 7, in which 1,200 people were killed and hundreds of others taken hostage, Israeli officials say. In the seven months since that attack, Israels bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. It also has imposed a siege and razed entire communities, rendering nearly 90% of the population displaced and everyone food insecure. Israel says its military tactics are necessary to defeat Hamas and return the hostages. But in a March report for the United Nations Human Rights Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, said there are reasonable grounds to believe Israel is committing the crime of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel said it utterly rejects the report, which it said brings shame on the council. For Zarqa and Assad, the war is reminiscent of the horrors they endured during al-Nakba, and its important for them to draw that parallel for young Palestinians in the diaspora, as well as anyone else trying to make sense of the violence. Al-Nakba never ended, Zarqa says. They point to recent statements from Israeli officials that have alluded to another Nakba through suggestions of mass killing and displacement, or outright calling for it. In a November interview with Israels Channel 12 news, Minister of Agriculture Avi Dichter described the war as the Nakba of Gaza 2023. Following Dichters comments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly urged ministers to choose their words more carefully. We must be sensitive, he said, according to The Times of Israel. Hope for the future Zarqas heart remains torn between nostalgia and grief as he concedes he may never again see his beloved Palestine, stroll through the quiet streets of Ein Karem or taste its delicious apricots. But hes sure his descendants will. There are some 5.9 million Palestinian refugees worldwide, most of them descendants of that 1948 generation of exiles, according to the United Nations. It is the worlds longest-standing protracted refugee crisis, the UN said at a 2023 event marking the 75th anniversary of al-Nakba as it urged a solution grounded in international law. While some countries, including the United States and United Kingdom, skipped the commemoration after Israel called for a boycott, Zarqa elsewhere sees hope: The anti-war protests taking over city streets and college campuses across the world. I am so proud of them, Zarqa says. You pass on your stories to your children and then they carry the banner and continue to teach their children, and eventually their own grandchildren. Palestinians will never forget. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com One person dead after shooting in South Kansas City, police say One person died following a shooting Tuesday night in South Kansas City. Officers responded around 10:41 p.m. to the 11800 block of Blue Ridge Boulevard, where they found a man with an apparent gunshot wound, according to Sgt. Phillip DiMartino, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department. Police performed life-saving measures, and emergency medical crews took the victim to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, DiMartino said. Investigators believe an interaction between the victim and a suspect led to the shooting. The killing was the 52nd homicide in Kansas City this year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. At this time last year, there had been 60 homicides. Police ask anyone with information to contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477. A reward of up to $25,000 is available for information provided to TIPS. One of the wealthiest members of Congress spent over $60 million just to lose Maryland's messy Democratic Senate primary One of the wealthiest members of Congress spent over $60 million just to lose Maryland's messy Democratic Senate primary Angela Alsobrooks is projected to be the winner of Maryland's Democratic Senate primary. Alsobrooks will now face former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in the general election. Democrats can't afford to lose Maryland as they look to hang on to their narrow Senate majority. Rep. David Trone, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, spent over $60 million of his own fortune to try to win a Democratic Senate primary. The Associated Press called the election for his competitor. With nearly 40% of all votes in, Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks is projected to have defeated Trone in Maryland's Democratic US Senate primary, according to Decision Desk HQ. Alsobrooks will now face former Gov. Larry Hogan, who easily won the Republican primary, in the November general election. Hogan is a major GOP recruit whose candidacy has turned the Maryland contest into one of the closest-watched races ahead of November. Trone, a three-term House Democrat, made millions before entering politics by co-founding Total Wine & More, the nation's largest private wine retailer. In a striking pitch to voters, he argued that his vast wealth was an asset to the Democratic Party and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer can't afford to lose the Senate seat if he wants to keep the party's slim majority in the chamber. Trone's point was that if the party has to spend money defending Maryland, it will have less available in other close races. "We're going to continue to spend whatever it takes to win," Trone told reporters last week, according to CNN. "That will give them a lot more flexibility to spend money elsewhere. And I'm sure that will appeal to the leader Schumer." When Alsobrooks jumped into the Senate race, she touted her work as a domestic violence prosecutor and her experience leading the state's second-most populous jurisdiction in making the case for her candidacy. As county executive, she has been immersed in the nuts and bolts of local government and focused heavily on public safety, an issue that Republicans have sought to hammer Democrats on in recent cycles. And Alsobrooks who was endorsed by Maryland Democratic heavy hitters including Gov. Wes Moore, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, and veteran Rep. Steny Hoyer had long made it clear that she felt Trone's financial edge would not define the campaign in the eyes of voters. "I think Marylanders are really savvy," Alsobrooks told Washington-area CBS affiliate WUSA9 in a March interview. "And they recognize that you should not be able to buy a Senate seat." The race between the two Democrats became heated in the closing days. Since Trone and Alsobrooks agreed on most policy areas, the contest became a proxy battle over identity and the party's future. Alsobrooks leaned into her history-making candidacy, an appeal underlined by the reality that the Senate could soon again be without a Black woman. Despite having a 10-member congressional delegation, Maryland doesn't currently have a woman representing the state in either chamber. Alsobrooks' allies also tried to blunt Trone's massive financial advantage by pointing out that Trone's firm donated to Republicans who have supported restricting access to abortion. Trone, who supports abortion rights, responded by pointing out that he left Total Wine's parent company in 2015 and has received a 100% rating from the abortion-rights advocacy organization Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice Americas). Trone was forced to reel in one of his campaign's sharpest attacks. According to The Washington Post, Trone edited a surrogate's comment on a recent ad that suggested that Alsobrooks would need "training wheels" in the Senate. Democrats currently control the Senate by a narrow 51-49 margin, and with West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin's retirement at the end of his term, Republicans are virtually guaranteed to pick up his seat. Republicans see Montana and Ohio as their top Democratic Senate targets this year, while also looking to compete in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. But Hogan's candidacy in Maryland in one of the bluest states in the country is giving them hope where they would otherwise not have a top-tier candidate. Read the original article on Business Insider Only 1% of people in Columbus ride the bus. Whats stopping residents from local rides Columbus public transit map swirls and dips around the city with jagged curves and turns. The 10 colorful routes wend through neighborhoods like arteries, stopping once per hour with buses that cater to a sliver of Columbus residents. But only around 1% of the population opts to hop on the METRA bus in Columbus, under serving a community that is heavily reliant on mostly gas-powered vehicles to get around. Without a viable connectivity options, cars and trucks will remain the primary transportation method for Columbusites. And with that comes the greenhouse gas emissions that studies conclude contribute heavily to climate change. Other cities in the U.S. of the same size as Columbus with 200,00 residents have anywhere from 11 to 18 times more people riding the bus every day, according to the Q3 2023 American Public Transportation Association ridership report. Rochester, New York, has 34, 700 daily riders, 16% of the population Richmond, Virginia, 31,000, 17% of the population Salt Lake City 37,000, 18% of the population Eugene, Oregon, 21,000 riders, 11% of the population METRA, Columbus public transit systems current daily average (Monday-Saturday, as the bus does not run on Sunday) is 3,000, just 1.5% of the population. Knoxville, Tennessee has around 200,000 people and sees 7,800 riders per day, around 4% of the population. This system has remained largely unchanged for nearly 40 years, only decreasing during COVID-19. The system predates me, and Ive been here for 37 years, Rosa Evans, METRA director of transportation said when discussing the system and route placement. In 2019, about 4,000 people rode METRA, according to Evans. The pandemic slashed those numbers below 50% to just 1,500 daily riders. Our services are based on the demand for our community as others are for their respective communities, Evans said via email and cited comprehensive transportation studies as a measure of what the city needs. The new, $600,000 dollar, TSPLOST-funded park-and-ride does address connectivity gaps in the city adding a bike tuning station near the Dragonfly Trail. The Linwood Park-and-Ride is the 10th in the city. Its equipped with 28 parking spaces (two of which are Level-2 EV charging spaces). The location provides citizens with connectivity to biking, walking, jogging, and transit, Evans said in an email. Two, Level-2 charging spaces of the 28-space Linwood Park and Ride. The chargers can take anywhere from 1-8 hours to charge, depending on the capacity. 05/03/24 Adding bike lanes and sidewalks can improve mobility options and decarbonize the city. These efforts are underway, being laid to the ground currently. Aside from this new park-and-ride project, where folks can drive and then walk about a minute to the METRA transit center, it isnt clear how METRA is attracting ridership. An inconvenient experience Carolyn Edwards-Golden, a community leader and advocate for people with disabilities, believes the bus stops lack acceptable standards and reliability. Edwards-Golden settled in Columbus 26 years ago, after living in many cities in the U.S. and abroad because of her husbands military commitments. When I first arrived in Columbus I was shocked at the bus system here, Edwards-Golden said. What I noticed then and now is I can be in any part of Columbus and see uncovered bus ports. Edwards-Golden went to several city meetings about a decade ago to get METRA equipped with wheelchair ramps. Today the buses have ramps. But, Edwards-Golden still doesnt believe METRA is adequate for a city this size. This city should have an adequate bus system as the second-largest city in Georgia, she said. If I needed to get downtown 30 minutes from now I dont think I could. I dont believe that it is possible. Route 5 to North HighlandPeachTree Mall and Route 7 serving South Columbus used to have more frequent stop times, every 30 minutes, pre-pandemic. Were looking at reinstating the 30-minute frequency to these two routes because these have heavier ridership again, Evans said. Were still determining this. METRA Transit System Map as of May 2023. The last time a transit study was conducted was in 2018 and it found routes to discontinue from low ridership. There were 12 routes before the current 10. The Transit Assessment conducted in 2018 showed that there was no demand for Sunday service, Evans added in an email. There are no plans to create Sunday rides. The local people who pay taxes, who buy retail, and buy everything they need to live in the city, need a comfortable, decent bus, Edwards-Golden said. The METRA riders One of the 3,000 METRA riders is Kenneth Baker. A Columbus native who lives in North Highlands and rides METRAs Route 5 south on 2nd Avenue to get to his job at the Marriott in Uptown. Hes been doing this for 24 years. Sometimes he will carpool with his co-worker, all in an effort to save on the expenses of having a car. I take Route 5 and then transfer to Route 4 and walk to the Marriott, Baker said. I save about $200 a month to ride the bus instead of paying for car insurance. Baker has an unlimited swipe card, which costs $53 for an adult or $26.50 for a person with a disability or a senior. Without the unlimited swipe card, the ride costs $1.30, and transferring costs an additional $1.30. No change is given. Baker can remember when bus stop times were listed at the stop. As an avid rider, he has the stop times memorized but for a new rider, they would have to have a smartphone, use the METRA app or another map app, and plan routes ahead of time to avoid waiting an hour. There were signs posted at key route locations many years ago (not all stops), Evans said in an email. They were removed due to vandalism and the cost to replace them. Kenneth Baker commutes using METRAs Route 5 bus. His home is near the Harvest Coffee Company on 2nd Avenue stop. 5/3/24 On a balmy Friday afternoon, Adam Kangas rode Route 10 north, beginning at the transfer station. His wife was using their car so he rode his bike from his home in Lakebottom to the transit center to make it to an afternoon mass. Kangas bike was strapped to the front of the bus. The bus swiftly navigated through the northern part of Columbus to the Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. The air conditioning circulates on the bus, providing respite. But the bus stop is a different experience. On Route 10 southbound, a mother holds her child on her lap as his eyes widen with the rapidly moving world around him. The bus stops in front of the Neighborhood Walmart on Manchester Expressway, picking up three people holding loaded gray plastic bags filled with groceries. The bus was about one-third full at 4:00 in the afternoon. This stop, as well as many in the city, has no shelter or cover to provide shade in the heat or a shield in the rain. About a quarter of the $18.4 million transportation fund comes from city taxes at $4 million. Ridership fees only bring in $541,000, according to the 2024 Columbus City Government budget report. A line of METRA buses prepping to add diesel fuel to their bus near the Transfer Center. 5/3/24 Electrification efforts and studies Evans cited several reasons that the bus shelters are not always needed in an email. Too many shelters that are not needed will clutter the citys Right-of-Way and can be costly, shelters not needed will also attract persons who are homeless (rather than transit users), and transit passengers generally know the bus arrival time to avoid long waits and will bring an umbrella for inclement weather, she wrote. METRA has a fleet of 35 buses and relies on 15 that service the 10 routes from 4:30am-8:30pm. The buses all run on diesel except the paratransit which runs on gasoline. METRA uses around 550 gallons of diesel per day, according to Evans. Averaging $4 per gallon of diesel, METRA spends $792,000 thousand per year METRA on fuel. METRA only makes up a piece (less than 1%) of 1,465 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. (calculated using a formula provided by the EPA) Columbus biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions comes from transportation at 74,800 metric tons annually. This is according to Drawdown Georgia, the nonprofit dedicated to researching and drawing down carbon from Georgias footprint. Cars are the carbon culprit in Columbus. There are 170,738 registered motor vehicles (675 are electric) in Muscogee County. METRA is made commitments to remove diesel fuels from their fleet in the coming decades because the Federal Transit Authority is requesting transit systems to electrify. Diesel is known to be a harmful and carcinogenic pollutant. There is a litany of hazardous pollutants that are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) when inhaling diesel contribute to asthma, lung development, and even mental capabilities. We have grant funding that we applied for to purchase four electric buses, Evans said. Right now were in the process of getting infrastructure set up. The first EV purchase will happen in the next year or two. By 2030 we are hoping to have at least half of the fleet to go electric and 2050 by fully electric. METRA plans to do a new comprehensive study in the fiscal year 2025 to study which routes will include on demand or micro transit service. Donald Trump has had some of his political cronies show up at his hush-money trial. And it turns out he has been editing what they would say on his behalf, a seemingly obvious violation of his gag order. One of the journalists covering the trial says the former president was editing and making notations to the speeches his allies made outside of the courtroom Tuesday. In court yesterday, actually, I was sitting close enough that I could actually look over Trumps shoulder and see what he was reading. At one point he was actually reading the quotes that these individuals wereand going through and making notations with a pen on the paper, New York magazine contributing editor Andrew Rice said on MSNBC Tuesday. While Michael Cohen was testifying against him, he was actually going and going through and annotating and editing the quotes that these people were going to say, Rice added. This roundabout effort by pro-Trump surrogates to try and get around the gag order was also noticed by his former White House communications director Michael Dubke. They have the ability to say the things that Donald Trump has been wanting to say but has basically been struck down 10 times for saying, Dubke said on CNN Tuesday. So this is one way to get around the gag order. Trump seemed to be careful not to say he was directing anyone to speak on his behalf, dodging a reporters direct question about it Tuesday. However, it was plainly obvious to observers that something was going on when Speaker of the House Mike Johnson attempted to defend Trump by discrediting the legitimacy of the judicial branch and even attacking Judge Juan Merchans daughter. Speaker Mike Johnson is outside Trump's trial offering a stream of lies pic.twitter.com/LpCpqturFI Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 14, 2024 Trumps gag order prohibits him not only from attacking court staff, jurors, prosecutors, witnesses, or their families but also from directing others to do so on his behalf. Trumps actions yesterday would seem to be a new violation. The former president has already been fined $10,000 for violating the order and has been warned that new ones would send him to prison. Trump has been charged with 34 felony counts for allegedly falsifying business records with the intent to further an underlying crime by using Cohen to pay off adult film actress Stormy Daniels to cover up an affair before the 2016 election. The Republican presidential nominee has pleaded not guilty on all counts. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Overland Park Police Department (OPPD) is searching for six people involved in felony theft and battery at a local hardware store last week. Leawood police release suspects test results in Hereford House food contamination According to police, the crime occurred near Antioch Road and College Boulevard on Friday, May 10 shortly before 2:45 p.m. The six people stole several pieces of Yeti merchandise and are believed to have impacted other retailers throughout the Kansas City metro. Police said one female wearing red-colored shorts pushed an employee to the ground as she left with the merchandise in her hands. Two separate cars arrived at the business with the individuals, including a silver/gray Volkswagen Jetta with a temporary Missouri license plate, and a maroon Kia Optima with a Kansas temporary license plate, OPPD said. Some Center High School seniors not allowed to walk at graduation after prank Police ask that you contact OPPD at (913) 344-8729 or the TIPS hotline at (816) 474-8477 (TIPS) with any information. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. By Nazrin Abdul Azerbaijan, having achieved economic independence, has seamlessly integrated into the global community through effective policy measures. Notably, there has been a significant uptick in official visits between Azerbaijan and China, a pivotal player in the global economy, indicating a strengthening bond between the two nations. Despite the considerable difference in economic scale, Azerbaijan shares a development philosophy akin to that of China. Both nations exhibit resilience to global risks and prioritise leveraging internal resources for sustainable growth. As a member of the Global South, Azerbaijan staunchly advocates for the interests of these nations within the Non-Aligned Movement and pledges further support within the COP29 framework. Notably, Azerbaijan wants to collaborate with China within COP29, as exemplified by recent discussions between the Azerbaijani delegation and Chinese counterparts. Chinese firms are keenly interested in collaborating with Azerbaijan, particularly in renewable energy. Discussions are underway regarding the establishment of electric vehicle production and renewable energy infrastructure, showcasing mutual investment interests. Highlighting the burgeoning partnership, a recent meeting between Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and representatives from "China Energy Engineering Group Co. Ltd" and "China Energy International Group Co." underscored progress on renewable energy projects. The meeting addressed the implementation of the 2 GW renewable energy projects outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the "China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment" company. The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss the development of multifaceted cooperation in renewable energy and collaboration opportunities with Chinese companies in preparation for COP29. During the meeting, the Chinese representatives provided an overview of projects undertaken by China Energy Engineering Group Co. Ltd, emphasising their comprehensive development plans and services for the energy and infrastructure sectors both in China and globally. They also expressed a keen interest in participating in large-scale activities to leverage Azerbaijans significant renewable energy potential. Discussions centred around potential cooperation in establishing green energy corridors and interconnectors, facilitating green energy export, and advancing the production and transportation of green hydrogen and green ammonia, as well as exploring energy storage systems. The meeting also addressed issues related to the Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of 2 GW of renewable energy projects signed between Azerbaijans Ministry of Energy and China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment. The participants assessed progress and next steps for the construction of 60 MW and 100 MW solar power plants. In conclusion, it was agreed to enhance mutual interaction by establishing a Working Group tasked with evaluating proposals for potential cooperation areas and collaborating on relevant projects. The strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China extends beyond bilateral agreements. Azerbaijan's early endorsement of China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative positions it as a pivotal logistics hub bridging Eurasian nations. Key infrastructure projects like the Alat port and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway facilitate smoother trade routes between Europe and Asia, benefiting multiple Eurasian countries. Additionally, it's noteworthy that a Memorandum of Understanding was inked between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and the National Energy Administration of China on October 17, 2023, during the "One Belt, One Road" International Cooperation Forum. This significant document outlines the expansion of bilateral relations in the energy sector, fostering cooperation on new technologies, energy infrastructure renewal, mutual investment promotion, and the exchange of expertise in renewable energy sources. Furthermore, it emphasises joint conferences, forums, and training initiatives. Recalling China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative launched in 2013, aimed at fostering infrastructure and mutual relations among Eurasian countries, it's essential to recognise Azerbaijan's early endorsement. As the first country in the Caucasus region to support this initiative, Azerbaijan serves as a pivotal logistics centre, hub, and bridge, facilitating the realisation of the "One Belt, One Road" strategy. During the official visit of President Ilham Aliyev to China in December 2015, the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the joint promotion of the establishment of the Silk Road Economic Belt" was signed, further solidifying bilateral ties. Notably, Azerbaijan's strategic geographical position as the sole country intersecting the "East-West" and "North-South" transport corridors creates opportunities for nations to the north and south to participate in this transformative project. The inauguration of the port in Alat settlement in May 2018, as part of Azerbaijan's "One Belt, One Road" mega project, equipped with cutting-edge technological infrastructure, signifies a significant leap forward. The operational systems enable cargo owners to monitor the location and status of their shipments online, with plans to digitise all routes within the framework of the "One Belt, One Road" project, thus enhancing the efficiency of trade cycles. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, serving as the shortest rail link between Europe and Asia, not only benefits Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye but also opens up new economic avenues for countries across the Eurasian region. In conclusion, the dynamic collaboration between Azerbaijan and China spans political, economic, and infrastructural domains, propelling their relations to new heights of cooperation and mutual benefit. HARARE, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The inaugural World Tobacco Africa Conference and Expo kicked off on Wednesday in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, amid calls for Africa to boost value addition and reap more dividends from the growth in global tobacco trade. Tobacco is an important socio-economic contributor, accounting for up to 90 percent of exports in some African countries and underlying Africa's importance and increasing contribution to the global tobacco market, Anxious Masuka, Zimbabwean minister of lands, agriculture, fisheries, water and rural development, said while opening the expo. "Growth in the global tobacco trade will be sustained, and by 2028, the industry should be worth one trillion U.S. dollars. Africa must aim to get a fair share of this growth," Masuka said. Zimbabwe is the lead producer of highly flavored Virginia tobacco in Africa and the fifth-largest producer in the world. According to industry figures, the country produced a record 296 million kg of tobacco leaf last year. In Zimbabwe, tobacco looms large among the country's main exports, and is the largest agricultural export product, contributing between 1 and 1.5 billion U.S. dollars annually, Masuka said, adding that the bulk of the crop is produced by small-holder farmers and sustains about 10 percent of the country's population, mainly women and the youth. "As a smallholder crop, tobacco production in many African countries directly and indirectly contributes to the livelihoods of millions of people. With climate change, the southern African region is predicted to become drier in the decades ahead, so tobacco, which is generally more drought tolerant than the staple maize crop, will contribute indirectly to food security through the provision of income to households, which can be redeployed for food purchase," Masuka said. Through the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan launched in 2021, Zimbabwe is aiming to transform its tobacco industry from the current 1-billion-dollar industry into a 5-billion-dollar industry by 2025. The plan focuses on increasing annual production to 300 million kg, attending to sustainability, traceability, and viability issues through increased value addition, beneficiation, and localization of tobacco production financing. "Much has been achieved, but much more needs to be done," the minister said. The two-day conference, alongside an exhibition of suppliers to the industry, brought together exhibitors and key stakeholders from the tobacco industry to share knowledge, exchange ideas, forge new partnerships, and showcase innovations to shape the future of the tobacco sector in Africa and beyond. Ilya Sutskever has announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he's leaving OpenAI almost a decade after he co-founded the company. He's confident that OpenAI "will build [artificial general intelligence] that is both safe and beneficial" under the leadership of CEO Sam Altman, President Greg Brockman and CTO Mira Murati, he continued. In his own post about Sutskever's departure, Altman called him "one of the greatest minds of our generation" and credited him for his work with the company. Jakub Pachocki, OpenAI's previous Director of Research who headed the development of GPT-4 and OpenAI Five, has taken Sutskever's role as Chief Scientist. After almost a decade, I have made the decision to leave OpenAI. The companys trajectory has been nothing short of miraculous, and Im confident that OpenAI will build AGI that is both safe and beneficial under the leadership of @sama, @gdb, @miramurati and now, under the Ilya Sutskever (@ilyasut) May 14, 2024 While Sutskever and Altman praised each other in their farewell messages, the two were embroiled in the company's biggest scandal last year. In November, OpenAI's board of directors suddenly fired Altman and company President Greg Brockman. "[T]he board no longer has confidence in [Altman's] ability to continue leading OpenAI," the ChatGPT-maker announced back then. Sutskever, who was a board member, was involved in their dismissal and was the one who asked both Altman and Brockman to separate meetings where they were informed that they were being fired. According to reports that came out at the time, Altman and Sutskever had been butting heads when it came to how quickly OpenAI was developing and commercializing its generative AI technology. Both Altman and Brockman were reinstated just five days after they were fired, and the original board was disbanded and replaced with a new one. Shortly before that happened, Sutskever posted on X that he "deeply regre[tted his] participation in the board's actions" and that he will do everything he can "to reunite the company." He then stepped down from his role as a board member, and while he remained Chief Scientist, The New York Times says he never really returned to work. Sutskever shared that he's moving on to a new project that's "very personally meaningful" to him, though he has yet to share details about it. As for OpenAI, it recently unveiled GPT-4o, which it claims can recognize emotion and can process and generate output in text, audio and images. Ilya and OpenAI are going to part ways. This is very sad to me; Ilya is easily one of the greatest minds of our generation, a guiding light of our field, and a dear friend. His brilliance and vision are well known; his warmth and compassion are less well known but no less Sam Altman (@sama) May 14, 2024 Opening statements in Sen. Bob Menendezs (D-N.J.) federal bribery and obstruction trial are set to begin Wednesday in Manhattan. Federal prosecutors have alleged Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for the senators political power, which they said enriched several New Jersey businessmen, as well as the governments of Egypt and Qatar. The bribes were allegedly paid in the form of cash, gold bars, mortgage payments, a Mercedes-Benz convertible and other lavish gifts. Jury selection began in the case Tuesday. Judge Sidney H. Stein seemed optimistic it could wrap up by Wednesday morning, The Associated Press reported. Bob Menendez, 70, and two of the businessmen are on trial. A third pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the other defendants, per the AP. Nadine Menendez will be tried in July. The New Jersey Democrat has consistently maintained his innocence, despite facing intense scrutiny from colleagues over multiple superseding indictments in the case. While he stepped down from his role as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last year, he has largely brushed off calls from even those in his own party to resign. He also said he would not seek reelection on the Democratic ticket in November but did not rule out running on an independent bid. I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election, he said in March. As the trial continues, it is unknown whether Menendez will take the stand in his own defense. But the senator told CBS News he plans to attend the trial daily, subject to the schedule. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. What week are we in on the first (and possibly last) Donald Trump criminal trial? Week 3? Week 4? Its hard to keep track. One sleepy/farty court day bleeds into another. As I write these words, Trumps former thug, Michael Cohen, is on the stand. Last week we had Stormy Daniels. The week before, National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Its a sad and shabby affair conducted in a sad and shabby Manhattan courtroom, and what began as Shakespearean drama has instead revealed itself to be nothing more than a banal parade of horribles. Less King Lear and more Big Lebowski. Every network has reporters covering the trial. The New York Times has multiple reporters in the courtroom live-texting testimony. World media is there. All for a sad and shabby business-records case centered around covering up a hush-money payment to a porn star. Michael Ian Black: Biden, Get Your Ass Out There and Make Some Headlines There has been a lot of criticism of Manhattan District Alvin Bragg for bringing this case at all. People questioned the timing and the seriousness of the charges. A water pistol, is how former Trump attorney and current Trump critic, Ty Cobb, described the case. Personally, Im thrilled this case is the first one up because its a perfect demonstration of who we are now, a nation in thrall with its own disintegration. The Trump carnival is once again on full, garish display. Its a discordant fantasia of conmen, grifters, and lowlifes. Its cheap mafiosi tactics and secretly recorded phone calls and disgraced lawyers in ill-fitting suits. Its bad sex and dark threats from a mystery man in a Las Vegas parking lot. Glowering over it all is our ringmaster, DT Barnum, as he awaits the verdict of a jury of his peers in November. Here we are now, entertain us. When the right talks about American degeneracy, theyre usually referring to sexual liberation, womens rights, LGBTQ rights, and the national slide towards secularism. To me, though, this trial is American degeneracy on full, florid display. I dont mean the alleged crime, of course. Its never the crimewe learned that with Richard Nixon and Al Capone. The degeneracy I see on display is the perversion of our so-called American ideals. Michael Ian Black: I Could Be a Fair Trump Juror, Even Though I Despise Him Trump, like others before him*, realizes that our nation is predicated on a good-faith trust in its institutions. If somebody with sufficient resources expends those resources undermining and attacking the legitimacy of those institutions, they can do a lot of damage. The institutionalists then bend over backwards to prove their trustworthiness, which only creates larger gaps for the ill-intentioned to plow through. Thats the degeneracy Im watchingthe contempt with which Trump and the entire political apparatus he controls treat the very institutions they are sworn to protect and defend. When we talk about a perversion of justice, we usually mean that somebody is trying to obstruct the successful conclusion of a case. Trumpworld has taken that concept further, attempting to besmirch not just the opposing side, but the DA, the judge, the judges daughter, and the various witnesses he insulted before being issued a gag ordera gag order which he vociferously complains about at every opportunity. The perversion here is the further denuding of Lady Justice, just as he eroded trust in the electoral system, the military, the intelligence community, and Big Windmill (what with all the cancer windmills cause, and all). The perversion and degeneracy on display are all the high-profile Republicans auditioning to be his lap dog. The perversion is that this fraud keeps getting away with it, and likely will again. Even if hes eventually convicted in this case, hell never go to jail. More likely is that hell be given more fines, these on top of the half a billion he already owes. On the off-chance that he is both found guilty and sentenced to jail, hed tie the thing up in appeals so long hell likely be dead before he ever has to set foot in a jailhouse. Thats assuming he loses the election, because if he wins, hell just pardon himself. Whos going to stop himClarence Thomas? Trump may not be the worst person America has ever produced**, but hes the greatest symbol of Americas worst impulses. Michael Ian Black: Heres the Speech Trump Should Give at Barrons Graduation Weve all seen the videos of masked shoplifters taking hammers to jewelry display cases and running off with whatever they can. That is Trumpism: the smash-and-grabbing of America. Its steal whatever you can however you can before the other guy does the same. And, if polls are to be believed, its what about half of the voting public wants. I have no idea whether hell win in November. Nor do I have any idea if hell be convicted in this first (and possibly last) criminal case. All I know is that the sad and shabby Trump parade continues its exhausting slog across America. Its stupid and contagious. Here we are now, entertain us. *Joseph McCarthy, Vladimir Putin, Osama bin Laden **Although he might be. Hes certainly in the running. Would love to see some reader nominations for the worst American to ever live. 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. Editors Note: Keith Magee is senior fellow and visiting professor in cultural justice at University College London Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. He is chair and professor of practice in social justice at Newcastle University Law School and the author of Prophetic Justice: Essays and Reflections on Race, Religion, and Politics. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion on CNN. A few weeks ago, I gave the keynote speech at an inaugural conference on Black literacy exploring what the organizers called an alarming literacy gap between Black students and their peers. I was honored to give the address but saddened and angry that, in 21st century America, such an event should even be necessary. Keith Magee - Arron Dunworth We were once promised a very different future. On May 17, 1954, in its ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, the Supreme Court found the separate but equal doctrine, which had underpinned legalized racial segregation in US schools for generations, to be unconstitutional. An education system that trapped Black children in poor quality, underfunded schools, the court declared, was anything but equal. It was a pivotal moment for race relations, paving the way for subsequent victories for the Civil Rights movement, including the 1964 Civil Rights Act and, a year later, the Voting Rights Act. However, the positive effects of desegregation were certainly not felt overnight. The school system in which I was a student in the 1970s and early 1980s, deep in the Louisiana bayou, was very much still grappling with integration, with Black and White kids coming together in the classroom but pretty much nowhere else. The White students even had their prom at the local country club while the Black students prom was held in the school gym. Im relieved things are different for my nine-year-old son. His school is truly diverse and that mix is reflected in the friends who invite him for sleepovers on the weekend. Both those things make him exceptionally lucky. The political activist Angela Davis has often said that education is the means by which we obtain freedom. I believe that education has the potential to deliver both freedom and justice, by equipping a whole generation of American citizens with the collective desire and the tools to dismantle systemic racism from the ground up. This week, we are marking the 70th anniversary of Brown as a nation that has never had a more ethnically diverse student population; More than half of the children enrolled in our K-12 public schools are Black or brown. Yet, despite the progress made in desegregating schools during the three decades or so that followed Brown, backpedaling has derailed integration. A new report by researchers at Stanford and the University of Southern California (including an accompanying interactive tool) showed racial and economic segregation has actually increased dramatically in large school districts over the last 30 years. Researchers found that legal decisions, such as districts under desegregation orders being released from court oversight, and policies to expand school choice are mainly to blame. Today, Black, Hispanic and Pacific Islander children, more likely than not, attend a public school in which at least 75% of their classmates are also children of color. And it has always been the case that racial and economic injustice go hand in hand the majority of students in those schools are likely to be eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches (FRPL), a key indicator of poverty. And since schools with high numbers of poor Black and Brown students tend to be drastically underfunded the correlation between poverty and lower academic achievement is hardly surprising. The result is a negative cycle of educational disparities perpetuated by a lack of resources and opportunities. Meanwhile, nearly half of White students are enrolled in schools where most of their peers look like them. Like students of color, they too live in economic isolation but at the opposite end of the wealth scale. More than two-thirds attend schools in which only a minority of students are eligible for FRPL, schools where better funding and opportunities mean better outcomes. There can be little doubt that the integrated, equal education for all that should have been Browns legacy is still shockingly out of reach. We should all be outraged by this betrayal, and not just because of the attainment gap. Why? Because high levels of racial and economic school resegregation are preventing students, communities and our beleaguered democracy from benefiting from our greatest national resource our diversity. We need all children, whatever the color of their skin or their familys income, to leave school ready to contribute fully to Americas increasingly multi-faceted society. Only a truly racially and economically integrated education system will make that possible. Research shows that integration raises the attainment levels of all students not just those who are Black, Brown and poor. Integration also fosters positive intergroup relationships, reduces stereotypes and promotes empathy. Put another way, its hard to dehumanize someone who reminds you of your school friends. And if you cant dehumanize a person, it becomes very difficult to deny them equal rights or tolerate injustice. Or vote for a candidate who seeks to stir up racial hatred for electoral gain. And lest we forget, education provides the fertile ground without which democracy itself cannot flourish. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction. With disinformation posing what may well be an existential danger to the democratic process, the quality of our public education system has perhaps never mattered more. I would urge all Americans to lobby school districts and federal and state decision makers to actively promote integrated education. This may mean redistributing resources more fairly, rethinking school choice policies, improving public transport networks, or redrawing school boundaries. It will mean helping school leaders create inclusive environments by training them in what Beverly Daniel Tatum, author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? calls the ABCs: affirming identity, building community, and cultivating leadership. In many areas, integrating education will require the desegregation of whole neighborhoods to forge diverse communities that will be mirrored in their local schools. Although inclusive housing policies are essential in this, they cannot bring about the required scale of change without an accompanying shift in attitudes across society. We must convince every parent that a child who learns in a racially or economically isolated classroom and then goes home to a racially or economically isolated neighborhood is a child who is missing out. We may not be able to rely on the current US Supreme Court, which has recently trampled on womens reproductive rights and abolished affirmative action in college admissions to guide the country towards justice and equality. But perhaps, for the sake of all our childrens futures, we can finally fulfill the promise of a fairer America encapsulated by Brown v. Board of Education. Better seven decades late, than never. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com During Thursdays Bloomberg Tech Summit, Bumble founder and executive chair Whitney Wolfe Herd disturbed dating folx everywhere when she said AI personas or avatars of Bumble users would be the next wave of dating. The interview had started off well enough. Loneliness is on the rise it is actually one of the biggest issues humanity is facing, Herd said. I mean, according to the surgeon general and top doctors, loneliness is actually killing us. And social media, while it has its benefits, is not social media. It is antisocial media. So I think theres something really powerful about the technology were building to really connect us: Go online to get offline. Things started to go a little off the rails shortly afterward, though, when Herd said the solution to the loneliness pandemic is the use of AI bots that could represent us in social interactions on dating platforms such as Bumble in order to make it more efficient, as it were, and narrow our selection. There is a world where your dating concierge could go and date for you with another dating concierge ... and then you dont have to talk to 600 people, Wolfe Herd said. We should be wary of the integration of AI into such private and intimate spaces. Meaningful connection and knowing how to navigate intimacy in a healthy and real way are critical not just for our individual survival but for our collective survival, as well. And research shows that while AI can help us seem nicer and more responsive, its ubiquitous deployment ultimately erodes trust. [C]onsistent with common assumptions about the adverse effects of AI, people are evaluated more negatively if they are suspected to be using algorithmic responses, an article in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports notes. Thus, even though AI can increase the speed of communication and improve interpersonal perceptions, the prevailing anti-social connotations of AI undermine these potential benefits if used overtly. It is well-documented that intimacy is critical for our mental, physical and emotional health. The integration of AI into dating threatens to further disconnect and isolate us, not to mention atrophy the muscles we need to be intimate with someone else. Intimacy is vulnerability. It is making mistakes and working through those mistakes with another. Using AI to minimize the likelihood of missteps and conflict and to make us more efficient gives us less practice at how to navigate the messy, complex and beautiful terrain of direct human connection. Id argue that efficiency is incompatible with the necessary conditions for intimacy. Theres also the issue of safety. Many queer people in parts of the world where its not safe to be queer, for instance, use dating and hookup apps to connect with other queer people. And when they are using those apps, such users are incredibly selective about what information they share. This is something I explored in some detail in my one-person show about using Tinder in Pakistan to meet other women when I identified as a woman and lesbian. But dating apps that demand we provide our most intimate details and preferences to AI in order to share these details with whomever they see fit pose a major safety risk for many people. If I were in Pakistan, for example, looking for dates, I would not trust AI to offer up personal information about me to other people when I couldnt personally assess the profile I was interacting with. Dating is about building up trust and exchanging equally sensitive information to generate a greater feeling of safety. Bumble is a safer, kinder digital platform for more healthy and more equitable relationships, always putting women in the drivers seat, not to put men down, but to actually recalibrate how we all treat each other and so AI is going to follow the same set of values, Wolfe Herd said. Im also skeptical that AI will help ensure womens safety, as Herd claims Bumble does, given that technology and AI tend to reflect the people who design them i.e., primarily cisgender, heterosexual, white men of means. Then theres the matter of how much AI can really serve as a fitting substitute for ourselves; as humans we may not know were attracted to a person until were attracted to them. And maybe this technology closes off avenues for us. As mentioned, I used to identify as a cisgender woman, for example, and I exclusively dated other femme-presenting cisgender women. Now Im a trans man attracted to other transmasc individuals. This was only something I learned about myself through exploration. If I had relied on AI to be my dating concierge and plugged in my previous parameters and preferences, I could well have delayed this discovery about myself, if not inhibited it altogether. Attraction isnt a science; theres a mystery about it for everyone that (one hopes) technology cant adequately replace. It feels like a perversion that the proposed solution to the depersonalization and concomitant dehumanization of online dating is the integration of AI, which will only widen the schism between technology and human connection. Need a solution to technologys fraying our social connections? No worries! AI will fix it. None of us should buy what theyre selling. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Editors Note: Andrew Borene is executive director at Flashpoint, an international threat intelligence and data firm. He is a former senior US intelligence officer, a licensed attorney and a certified information systems security professional. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN. The United States Congress, in a commendable display of bipartisanship and bicameral action after prolonged debate, took decisive steps to fortify the nations strategic defense in the 11th hour by passing the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA) to reauthorize necessary provisions under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Now we must thoughtfully make these needed authorities permanent to help prevent future lapses that endanger national security. Andrew Borene - Courtesy Andrew Borene No nation, regardless of its relative power, has ever been immune to the surprise resulting from deception by committed foreign adversaries. Yet, in a year marked by ongoing wars involving nuclear powers, unprecedented cyber extortion and rising terrorist threats worldwide, the United States government faced the potential expiration of one of its most crucial intelligence authorities. The agility of national security investigations, particularly in scenarios demanding rapid response like real-time cyber threats, was nearly rendered useless by bureaucratic delays. As cyber, physical, fraud and insider threats converge, the national intelligence teams monitoring these wicked problems are evolving along with the digital communications landscape. They simply require support from legislators that meets modern needs. We live in a time of new geopolitical instabilities and strategic uncertainties. The broad threat landscape is becoming more dynamic and complex. The past year alone has shown us that neither state-funded terrorism targeting civilians, nor proxy warfare on commercial shipping, nor even regional wars are strangers to the modern world order. We see great power competition escalating tensions across both the Atlantic and the Pacific. We also have observed the efforts of malign foreign actors in Russia, China and Iran to amplify social divisions and escalate hostility between Americans at home. In cyberspace, we see an increasing set of vulnerabilities to American and allied critical infrastructure in supply chains, attacks that may come from malicious code developed by nation states at machine-enabled speeds or from the unabated use of ransomware and cyber extortion by transnational criminal groups. Generative AI tools could make it harder than ever for our agencies to detect and patch even our known vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Surveillance authorities need to be as nimble as our foes. A need to rein in the FBI? Congressional passage of a renewal of Section 702, a critical FISA authority since 2008, on April 19 was crucial to empower uninterrupted intelligence on a broad spectrum of foreign threats to the nation including espionage, sabotage, terrorism and subversion. Unfortunately, the debate over reforming 702 got framed as trying to rein in the FBI amid what was claimed to be FISA abuse from a politicized bureau. But the longstanding Section 702 law is simply not some new, broad domestic surveillance power of the FBI. When FISA was originally engineered in 1978 to set the groundwork for surveilling foreign agents on US soil with judicial oversight, it was crafted with a bipartisan intent to reconcile the need for robust intelligence capabilities with the protection of privacy rights. Section 702, a crucial digital tool that only allows targeting of non-US persons believed to be outside of the United States in certain intelligence collection operations, was originally designed to adapt antiquated FISA laws to meet changes resulting from the technology used in international communications. These technologies change, and Section 702 needs to keep pace to stay ahead of threats. This years renewal, however, faced significant, complicated political resistance from small minorities of House legislators on both the Democratic and the Republican sides who made some wild claims that Section 702 created mass warrantless surveillance and backdoor spying on Americans. Highly vocal critics from some activist groups have been making similar misleading and inaccurate claims about the statute over the past 15 years that it has been used effectively by agencies including the FBI, CIA, National Security Agency and the National Counterterrorism Center to combat diverse threats to national security. Contrary to what some of the FBIs loudest critics suggest, any searches or queries of US persons information under Section 702 are designed to be governed by strict rules and procedures designed to protect Americans privacy and civil liberties. The bipartisan agreement underlying 702s premise was always that new authorities were necessary to account for changes in modern communications. RISAA included narrow updated language to define an electronic communication service provider who may be compelled to assist a national security investigation. The Justice Department emphasized in a memo to lawmakers that this does not expand the scope of who can be targeted under Section 702, and told Senate committee leaders that the number of additional technology companies brought in under the new definition is extremely small. Furthermore, DOJ promised Congress an update on applications of the updated definition every six months. Global digital telecommunications are never going to regress into the simplicity of analog technologies. Because we can only expect to see ever-larger digital datasets moving at higher velocities with increased storage capacities, we should encourage Congress to make longer-lasting laws for federal surveillance of foreign threats in the digital world as it is, rather than temporary stopgaps with forced sunsets. This is a logical modernization of a critical, specific authority to enable our federal governments sworn public servants to hunt for foreign threats to national interests while upholding the cherished American values of privacy and liberty. Not dangerous but protective From my own lenses as a lawyer, an intelligence officer on counterterrorism and counterintelligence issues, and most importantly an American citizen concerned for my own privacy rights, I appreciate the nuance and excellent statutory design of Section 702 to be a specific, limited power of federal government in accordance with the foreign affairs responsibilities of our countrys elected president. In public service, I was the civil liberties, privacy and transparency officer at the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. During that time, I witnessed firsthand the exceptional commitments to protecting privacy by constitutionally sworn federal officers from 18 different federal agencies, which included the FBI. I also had an opportunity to work closely with intelligence community enterprise leaders to implement principles of privacy by design that help to ensure all counterintelligence programs and associated data-retention efforts are built from their very foundations with American civil liberties in mind. I know that my colleagues throughout the community also built and implemented those same principles to protect Americans in all of the national intelligence efforts covering foreign threats. My personal experiences in that oversight role with the trusted American women and men at the very heart of professional counterintelligence, counterterrorism and cybersecurity all stand in stark contrast to some ludicrous claims from external critics who simply have not been in the rooms where things happen. What I have seen stands in stark contrast to wild claims of Section 702 modernization being one of the most dramatic and terrifying expansions of government surveillance authority in history, because the authority actually empowers the active defense and collaborative protection of American lives, businesses, research and interests against hostile foreign actors. FISA and RISAA authorities are not dangerous to Americans; they are protective. Defensive insights gained by the US government through Section 702 authorities can be shared in public-private partnerships to dramatically empower private entities under foreign cyber threats. The original FISA law was developed half a century in the past, at a time before computers were widespread, when the actual physical process of surveillance required placing taps to intercept analog telephone lines and exchanges. In the years after 9/11, it became obvious that FISA had to be modernized. The periodic renewal of Section 702 authorities has been critical in allowing the government to access data from internet and phone providers involving foreign parties. But every expiration threat and 11th-hour renewal stems from a perennially false debate that claims an imbalance between national security and individual privacy rights. The watchdogs are being watched Comprehensive information was disclosed in the Office of the Director of National Intelligences annual statistical transparency report about national security surveillance released last month. ODNI reported that FBI Section 702 inquiries on US persons defined by FISA as US citizens or legal residents, an unincorporated association with a substantial number of US citizen or residents, or a corporation legally formed in the US actually declined in 2023 by more than half, indicating in measurable terms that internal reform and training at the FBI is working. Section 702 is not just rigorously overseen in house, but in all three branches of constitutional government. Congress can review it at any time, just as it did this past year. In the executive branch, the attorney general is required to approve the procedures for targeting, minimizing and querying data, which are then annually reviewed by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to ensure compliance with both the FISA statute and the Fourth Amendment. Furthermore, each individual agency within the intelligence community is directed to follow stringent internal oversight protocols to maintain adherence to these procedures. Any compliance issues surfaced by thorough ODNI or Department of Justice reviews are required to be promptly addressed and transparently reported to both the FISC and to Congress. It is under the oversight of both the attorney general and the director of national intelligence that Section 702 facilitates the targeted collection of specific foreign intelligence information, such as details pertaining to international terrorism, cyber threats or weapons of mass destruction. In fact, it was precisely through the FBIs self-disclosure of a limited number of non-compliant activities that some important discussions about Section 702 were brought to light for the American public. That self-disclosure and the resulting important dialogue about the scope of those missteps led to internal reforms and new training that addressed previous shortcomings. The focus on transparent government disclosures of noncompliance support that the laws checks and balances are working as designed to empower processes of judicial review and of appropriately informed public debate to drive constant improvement. These types of public accountability and efficient privacy protections are why I personally joined a uniquely bipartisan group of 44 former national security officials who had served in Republican and Democratic administrations and on Capitol Hill to encourage the extension of Section 702 without expansive new restrictions on the government. With a broad view of global surveillance practices, I have seen how the American model for disclosing occasional, and inevitable, periodic intelligence missteps and repairing bad laws is unmatched. The Section 702 authority should be made permanent before the next reauthorization in 2026. Under Article I of the U.S. Constitution, if Congress wants to modify any federal statute it can be introduced at any time. The House of Representatives doesnt need sunset provisions to reopen debate while risking the possibility that the governments intelligence agencies will be temporarily blinded. Congress can engage broader sets of stakeholders in understanding novel technologies that may pose future collection challenges and how those technologies can protect civil liberties with high-fidelity and auditable digital tools. We should not leave this extremely important work only to lawyers, legislators and political activists with their own agendas. As we move forward, we must ask Congress to adapt and refine technology-informed approaches to the laws relating to digital security and privacy, ensuring that our defenses remain robust and our American commitment to individual rights unwavering. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.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. The forceful direct examination of former Trump fixer-turned-star prosecution witness Michael Cohen concluded Tuesday in the Manhattan criminal trial of former President Donald Trump. Cohens convincing testimony deepened the proof beyond a reasonable doubt that, in my view, the prosecution secured Monday. Later Tuesday, lead defense counsel Todd Blanche spent hours on cross-examination to dislodge that proof. But the cross was uneven and Cohen, like Stormy Daniels before him, held his own. At least for today, the prosecution case remains intact. Whether that will change in the days ahead remains to be seen, but in any event, the cross of Cohen got off to an inauspicious start. The day began with testimony about the January and February 2017 meetings Cohen had with Trump the third and fourth of four key Cohen-Trump meetings that I wrote about in an earlier trial diary entry. As they did Monday, the prosecution used emails, invoices and photographs to meticulously corroborate these two meetings, in which Cohen testified to Trumps active participation in the allegedly illegal repayment scheme at the heart of the cases 34 felony document falsification charges. That included Trump allegedly instructing Cohen in the February White House meeting to deal with Allen [Weisselberg, the Trump Organization CFO], whose handwritten notes of the hush money cover-up have been used to such devastating effect in telling the jury about the history of the $130,000 hush money payment made to adult film actress Daniels to keep her silent before the 2016 presidential elections about allegations that she and Trump had a sexual encounter (which Trump denies). Norm Eisen - Courtesy Norm Eisen About an hour into Cohens Tuesday testimony, the prosecution switched gears to a technique we trial lawyers call drawing the sting: that is, anticipating how a witness is likely to be attacked on cross and acknowledging it preemptively on direct to lessen the impact on the jury. By my estimate, Assistant District Attorney Susan Hoffinger spent over an hour, on and off, asking Cohen about his many lies denying Trumps role in the Daniels payoff, about getting others to do the same, and about Cohens own prior criminal convictions, including for perjury. Cohen explained that he undertook this wrongdoing out of loyalty to Trump and in order to protect him. One of the most effective moments of this drawing-the-sting tactic came when Hoffinger asked Cohen what he meant when he admitted in the Trump civil fraud trial just a few months ago that he had lied when he pleaded guilty in 2018 to tax and bank fraud. Cohen explained that he did not at all dispute the underlying conduct that he had failed to pay certain taxes or omitted key information on bank forms. As a first-time offender, he felt these offenses did not merit prosecution, but he said he was coerced into pleading guilty by a short-fuse threat by federal prosecutors to also charge his wife. When the defense circles back to this later in the week, instead of being able to confront Cohen with an unexplained lie to a federal judge, Cohen will be able to say, I already explained that I was coerced. The direct examination finished just before lunch on an emotional climax as Cohen testified regarding Trump: I regret doing things for him that I should not have lying, bullying people but to keep the loyalty and to do things that he had asked me to do, I violated my moral compass and I suffered the penalty, as has my family. At that moment and at multiple points during the day, I saw something I had not seen before with any witness in this trial: Cohen was talking directly to the jury, and all the jurors were looking at and listening to him. It seemed to me that he had established a genuine human bond with the jury over the course of his lengthy direct examination. The anticipation was as keen as at any moment in the entire case as we waited for Blanche to commence the cross-examination. Indeed, courtroom and overflow-room observers usually trickle back from lunch at a staggered pace, but when I returned to the courthouse entrance, dozens were already lined up early to get back inside for a choice seat. Because the defense is behind, Blanche had to come right out of the box swinging, and he did but it was a swing and a miss as he asked Cohen his first question: You went on TikTok and called me a crying little st, didnt you? Cohen, with a deadpan demeanor that I thought hid a twinkle in his eye, responded that the quote sounds like something I would say, eliciting a smile from even Blanches own co-counsel Susan Necheles. But that has nothing to do with the underlying facts in this case, and neither did the question that followed about Cohen criticizing Necheles. Both drew objections that were sustained and triggered a bench conference with Judge Juan Merchan. While we wont know what was said until we get the transcript, the judge appeared to rebuke Blanche and ordered the questions stricken. That was not a good look for the jury to observe and, while Blanche could only go up from there, he continued to struggle a bit, drawing several objections that were sustained as he failed to rattle Cohen with questions about topics like his frequent media appearances despite the district attorneys reservations (naughty, but so what?), his anti-Trump podcast (showing bias, but Cohen owned it) and even selling anti-Trump merchandise (showing financial motive, but again failing to get a rise out of Cohen). Blanche eventually started to pick up a little steam when he contrasted how little Cohen remembers about his conversations with the DAs office a year ago to his recollection of details about conversations with Trump back in 2016. He also got in some glancing blows on Cohens bias by eliciting various admissions about wanting Trump to be convicted, selling a T-shirt showing Trump in jail and the like. However, even when Blanche confronted Cohen with his most inflammatory social media comments, such as calling Trump a dictator douchebag and a Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain, Cohen was utterly unfazed. These questions did little, in my estimation, to break Cohens bond with the jury, to undermine his credibility or to push back the prosecutions proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Perhaps the defense strategy improved a bit after the afternoon break when Blanche dug into Cohens motive to get help with reducing his federal prison sentence when he began cooperating with the DA but not much. By the time the judge mercifully suggested to Blanche that we break for the afternoon, it was clear Blanche had failed to make the strong showing that was needed. Indeed, it was not even close. Of course, we are relatively early into the cross, and we have miles to go. The initial returns could turn better for Blanche or worse for Cohen. On the other hand, as my late mother often reminded me, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and Blanches was decidedly meh. Cohen, like Daniels before him, is making a good one on cross, at least so far. Blanche has a long break to recalibrate with court out of session on Wednesday, and he should try to do so. We will see what Thursday brings. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Putting aside questions of the humane treatment of animals, raising cows and other animals for food consumes a huge amount of scarce land and water. (Charlie Litchfield / Associated Press) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey recently signed into law bans against cell-cultivated meat in their states. They apparently find meat grown in a lab rather than stripped from a factory-farmed animal so repellent that its production, distribution or sale ought to be a misdemeanor punishable with jail time. Indeed, when DeSantis signed his ban, he said he was fighting back against the global elites plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs to achieve their authoritarian goals. Read more: Groups seek to ban large-scale animal farming in Sonoma County You might expect such nonsense to be greeted with eye-rolling. Yet in a rare show of bipartisan support, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has jumped on the bandwagon too. He spent the last week posting online that he backs a ban on cell-cultivated meat , and that the beauty of democracy is that some people can join the pro-bio slop caucus, whereas others can join him and DeSantis on the pro-ribeye one. DeSantis, Ivey and Fetterman are wrong about cell-cultivated meat and about democracy. Cell-cultivated meat is one of several meat alternatives that has the potential to be part of a humane, healthful and environmentally sustainable future food system. And in the kind of democracy that our leaders claim to admire, you dont go around banning what you dont like, much less understand. New agricultural industries should be free to compete against the status quo. Talk of bans is akin to the buggy whip industry trying to ban cars in a fit of Luddite protectionism. Read more: Why California is the capital of fake meat Forget for a moment the horrific suffering that animals endure before they wind up as packaged bits in your grocery store. Just consider the environmental toll that it takes to feed the ribeye coalition. Raising cows and other animals for food consumes a huge amount of scarce land and water; an estimated 80% of agricultural land is used for animal grazing and animal feed production . It also produces a huge amount of waste, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, making it a leading contributor to deforestation, biodiversity loss and climate change . This is the industry DeSantis, Ivey and Fetterman want to defend from disruption? There is no reason to ban cell-cultivated meat at this early stage in its development. Far from it there are only reasons to aggressively explore all options for building industries that can produce nutritious, delicious food while improving animal welfare, disease control and environmental protection. Governments should invest in research and development to see if we can develop better alternatives to the practice of breeding, raising and killing tens of billions of cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, fish and other animals per year, often in cramped, toxic conditions that harm animals, workers and consumers alike. Read more: Opinion: Think humans' treatment of animals has improved in 50 years? Think again If DeSantis, Ivey and Fetterman and state officials in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia who are reportedly considering bans want to have a conversation about whether to ban certain kinds of meat production, then OK, we can do that. But it might not go the way they expect. In a capitalist liberal democracy like the U.S., the government is supposed to intervene in market activity only in particular circumstances for instance, when market activity is causing massive and unnecessary harm to people without their consent. What happens when we apply that standard to different methods of meat production? The production of cell-cultivated meat, plant-based meat and other such alternatives is nowhere near harmful enough to warrant a ban. Ironically, however, industrial animal agriculture is. It inflicts an enormous amount of harm on everyone whether we participate or not. The recent outbreak of avian flu in dairy herds is only one of countless dangerous externalities that plausibly warrant government intervention. Read more: A guide to the future of cultured and plant-based meats This is not to say that governments should, or could, ban industrial animal agriculture overnight. As with the phasing out of fossil fuels, the phasing out of industrial animal agriculture would require decades of work. Companies would need to scale up the production of meat alternatives, and governments would need to support this work through financial and regulatory policies. Governments would also need to make sure that everyone has access to food and income along the way a just transition for consumers and workers. We can say this much with confidence: If we do this work, then an eventual ban on industrial animal agriculture may well be possible. Regardless, we should definitely not ban cell-cultivated meat at this early stage. C'mon DeSantis, Ivey and Fetterman: embrace good old American innovation. Join the coalition of people who want to keep making the food you claim to love, only without animal suffering, disease outbreaks and environmental destruction that make it unsustainable. Arthur L. Caplan heads the division of medical ethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Jeff Sebo is associate professor of environmental studies and affiliated professor of bioethics, medical ethics, philosophy and law at New York University. His most recent book is Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves . 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. I love the poorly educated, then-candidate Donald Trump declared back in 2016 while flanked by his two eldest sons. In response, Eric Trump turned toward his father and beamed. He felt seen. Republican then-presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures to his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump as he addresses supporters after being declared by the television networks as the winner of the Nevada Repulican caucuses at his caucus night rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 23, 2016. Jim Young/Reuters But not everyone who craves Trumps approval can convincingly rebrand themselves as poorly-educated. Many of the GOP politicians eager to serve as vice president hold degrees from elite universities, creating a sad spectacle as they try to distance themselves from their Ivy League pasts, dragging down their dreams of a bright future. Trump himself graduated from an Ivy League school, and happily boasts about his 1968 B.S. degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The UPenn student newspaper even calculated that Trump trumpeted his Wharton affiliation 93 times between May 16, 2015 and January 17, 2018. Look! It Is the Orange Pot Calling the Kettle Black Still, nobody would ever accuse Trump of being well-educated. He may have slithered through Wharton by the alligator skin of his fathers wallet, but his anti-intellectual bona fides are strong. According to Trump, you dont need to know anything to be smartjust dont pay taxes. It's harder for Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to pass himself off as a dum-dum since he graduated magna cum laude from Yale in 2001, then headed to Harvard Law School where he received his J.D., also with honors (but only cum laude this time so he was moving in the right direction). Still, DeSantis wanted to distance himself from elites so much that he wholly redefined the concept in his book, The Courage to Be Free. Elites are identified by their desire to subjugate others, he wrote, adding, The word elite does not signify someone of tremendous aptitude, great wealth or major achievement. Who wants to tell DeSantis that Trump said the exact opposite in 2018 when he told a Minnesota crowd, You ever notice they always call the other side the elite?... Why are they elite? I have a much better apartment than they do. Im smarter than they are. Im richer than they are. I became president and they didnt. Sen. James David (J.D.) Vance (R-OH) received his undergraduate degree from the unpretentious Ohio State University, but later J.D. earned a J.D. from Yale, where he served as editor of the Yale Law Journal. As a law student, Vance was encouraged by memoirist Amy Chua to write his own memoirand his Hillbilly Elegy wound up at #1 on the ultra-elitist New York Times bestseller list. J.D. Vance Casually Forgets Trump Dined With Antisemites Vances wifethe would-be second lady of the United Stateshas credentials that are equally impressive. Usha Chilukuri Vance has a Philosophy degree from Cambridge University and a J.D. from Yale Law School. In 2016, her husband said, Elites use different words, eat different foods, listen to different musicI was astonished when I learned that people listened to classical music for pleasure This must have made for awkward dinner conversation, as Usha is currently a board member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Another potential Trump second banana, Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), graduated from North Dakota State Universitydecidedly not elitebefore earning his MBA from Stanford Universitydecidedly elite. Burgum started a software company that he later sold to Microsoft for $1.1 billion, making him the richest of the VP contenders. But dont mistake Burgum as part of the privileged class. When he ran for president in 2023, Burgum received support from Transformers actor Josh Duhamel who posted, I cant think of anyone better than him to be our president. True man of the people! And Duhamel knows all about the people. He even represented them as the face of North Dakota. His two-year contract from 2020-2021 reportedly paid him $87,500 a year in taxpayer fundsmore than double the $40,748 per capita income of a North Dakota resident around the same time. And then theres Trump fanatic Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who confusingly bragged about being a Harvard alum while attacking the institution for spewing hate. And she did it all with ease on her constituent page. The Family Fortune Behind Elise Stefaniks Humble Origins Myth Stefanik received her B.A. from Harvard in 2006 and remained affiliated with Harvards Institute of Politics until 2021 when the Dean of Harvards Kennedy School asked her to step aside from the Senior Advisory Committee, writing: My request was not about political parties, political ideology, or her choice of candidate for president. Rather, in my assessment, Elise has made public assertions about voter fraud in Novembers presidential election that have no basis in evidence Sometimes you distance yourself from your alma mater. And sometimes your alma mater distances itself from you. Its a conundrum for the MAGA GOPthe need to flex about ones superiority while positioning as a populist. Stefanik went from highlighting her Harvard pedigree in her early campaign ads to biting the brand that feeds her. Should one of these lettered candidates grab the VP slot, theyll probably only whisper of their fancy educational accomplishments in university clubs where the hoi polloi isnt allowed. Meanwhile, in public, when theyre tossing books on the bonfire, they may chuck their prestigious diplomas on there, too. 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. Wang Xudong, director of the Palace Museum and former director of the Dunhuang Academy, gives a lecture on Chinese practices of cultural heritage conservation in Valletta, Malta, on May 14, 2024. A presentation held on Tuesday in Malta showcasing China's cultural heritage and conservation, including the Forbidden City and Dunhuang Grottoes, sparked interest amongst a diverse audience in China's rich history. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) VALLETTA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- A presentation held on Tuesday in Malta showcasing China's cultural heritage and conservation, including the Forbidden City and Dunhuang Grottoes, sparked interest amongst a diverse audience in China's rich history. In his opening remarks, Peng Yijun, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Malta, said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malta, both sides have maintained close exchanges and cooperation in the field of culture, resulting in enhanced understanding and friendship between the two peoples. At the event, Wang Xudong, director of the Palace Museum and former director of the Dunhuang Academy, provided insight into the efforts made to conserve and study renowned cultural heritages of the Mogao Grottoes situated in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, and the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Forbidden City, once the imperial palace of China's Ming and Qing dynasties, stood as a testament to the country's grandeur and rich cultural heritage. Wang highlighted its unique architecture and historical importance, engaging the audience with tales of royal life within its walls. The presentation also explored the unique Dunhuang Grottoes, the caves known for their Buddhist art engravings. Wang's portrayal of the caves as the pinnacle of cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road ignited interest from the participants at the presentation. "Cultural heritage is a valuable resource to safeguard diversity, strengthen equal exchanges, and promote mutual learning," Wang emphasized, underscoring the role of cultural exchange in strengthening ties between peoples and nations. "Chinese culture is diversified and rich, and we have a lot to learn from the Chinese culture," Heritage Malta Chairman Mario Cutajar told Xinhua. Despite being a small island country, Malta has a huge heritage as well, he said, adding that Malta and China can learn from each other on cultural heritage conservation, and more exchanges and cooperation are expected. Among the participants, Stephen Cachia, a lecturer in Chinese history at the University of Malta, applauded the presentation, stating that Maltese people, especially the youth, are interested in China's historical and cultural legacy, adding that cooperation on cultural heritage conservation will further strengthen China-Malta relations. Martin Azzopardi, the founder of "China Corner" at St. Margaret College Secondary School in Cospicua, said that the appeal of experiencing Chinese cultural and historical heritages is growing within the international community, emphasizing the transformative power of cultural exchanges. Hosted by the China Cultural Center in Malta, the event underscored the growing interest and appreciation for Chinese culture in Malta, paving the way for enhanced cultural cooperation and understanding between the two nations. The words John A. Paulson Center in big white letters outside a $1.2 billion behemoth on the New York University campus deliver an unfortunate lesson: If a hedge-fund billionaire donates enough money, he can secure an agreement to have a building named after him regardless of his values. Instead of honoring an alum whose current goal is to put Donald Trump back into office, NYU would impart a priceless lesson if it replaced Paulsons name with that of Christopher Tripp Zanetis, a graduate who personifies a greatness of spirit that cannot be measured in dollars. Zanetis was the kind of student a great education institution strives to produce: a stellar scholar-athlete who became a hero New York City firefighter, a decorated combat rescue helicopter pilot who helped save nearly 100 wounded soldiers in a three-month period, an LGBTQ veterans advocate, and a Stanford Law School graduate. He was just starting out with a prestigious firm in 2018 when he was deployed to Iraq, where he was killed in a crash at the age of 37. NYU and the FDNY and the military joined in staging a memorial service in Washington Square Park, the very place where he graduated with the class of 2003. As NYUs president, I often talk in speeches and at parents meetings of the type of student we hope to nurture here at NYUleaders committed to public service, engaged with their communities, and dedicated to making a positive impact in the world, Andrew Hamilton, who then headed the university, told the gathering. I could not imagine a better example of that ideal student than Tripp. A positive impact on the world. Presumably, that is what investor John Paulson thought he would make when he poured some of the billions he made, by shorting the housing market before the subprime mortgage crisis, into education and other fine causes. But whatever good he did with his money has been tarnished by his financial support for an ex-president who is a stain on the history of this country and may soon soil the American legacy again. NYU Should Rip Trump Backers Name Off Its New Death Star Zanetis, on the other hand, embodied the kind of goodness and courage that a billionaires money cant buy. He was a sophomore living three blocks from the World Trade Center on 9/11 and he ran into danger, doing whatever he could in the fiery ruins into the night. The one thing I remember him saying after 9/11 was that he couldnt help, because there was nothing to help; nobody to help, because everybody was dead, his mother, Sarah Zanetis, later told The Daily Beast. He decided he wanted to do more. After graduation, Zanetris joined the FDNY and also enlisted in the New York Air National Guard and became a combat rescue helicopter pilot, deploying to Iraq and then to Afghanistan, where he flew with fellow firefighter and reservist Shaun Cullen. The thing about Tripp is he had a tremendous amount of courage, Cullen later said. So, you never had to worry about if he would waver or not. He was always going to be there either to make the rescue, whether it was on the fire floor or on the battlefield. Between missions, Zanetis became that rare morale officer who actually lifts morale, encouraging everyone to join in CrossFit workouts. That included Prince Harry, whose British unit shared the same base. Even Prince Harry did burpees for Tripp, Air Force Lt. Col. John Schulz recalled. After his second deployment, attended Stanford Law School and then extended his leave from the FDNY to work as a litigation associate at the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton in New York. He continued to fly with the Air National guard and deployed a third time in January 2018, again to Iraq. He was on a night mission near the Syrian border on March 15 when his helicopter struck a power line and crashed, killing all seven aboard, including FDNY Lt. Christopher Raguso. On March 29, 2018, eight FDNY pallbearers in dress uniform bore Zanetis flag-covered coffin under the arch in Washington Square Park and placed it beside twin variations of the battlefield cross. In each, an inverted rifle was replaced by a fire ax and a Halligan tool. Combat boots were replaced by fire boots. Combat helmets were replaced by fire helmets, the one on the right with the number 11 representing his time in Ladder 11, the other marked Fire Marshal. Both were on wooden stands inscribed with ZANETIS in big block letters, just as it would be on the back of a turnout coat, just as it should now outside the NYU behemoth. Tripp Zanetis Was Supposed to Be the First Gay President At a gathering following the funeral, firefighter and combat veterans and LGBTQ activists and social justice attorneys and fledgling legal wheeler-dealers and students and family members were joined together by the same spirit that united the whole country after 9/11. FDNY Lt. Pete Sapienza was among those at the memorial who had hoped Zanetis would go on into politics. Every single person would have run to campaign for him, Sapienza said. I sometimes wonder what this country, even this world would look like if Tripp got his hands on it. His NYU roommate got a text from a friend of Zanetis saying, He was supposed to be the first gay president. Instead, we got a president whose administration trampled on LGBTQ protections, who packed the courts with judges hostile to gay rights, and who has vowed to implement anti-trans policies if elected againall with the help of Paulson, who raised $50.5 million for Trump at his home last month and co-hosted another fundraiser for him on Tuesday night. NYU is not likely to void the gift agreement with Paulson, but Paulson could do that himself. He could show he is not just another self-aggrandizing billionaire and redeem himself by tearing up the gift agreement and insisting the honor go to someone who better deserves it. He would then have genuine cause to be proud every time he passed the Christopher Tripp Zanetis Center. 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. Editors note: Clayton Swope is the deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project and a senior fellow in the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, DC. He previously was a congressional staffer and worked at the CIA. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN. Early this month, senior US officials publicly shared their startling concern that a Russian anti-satellite weapon could make parts of space critical to American economic and national security unusable for up to a year. Clayton Swope - Center for Strategic and International Studies As the United States works with international partners to prevent Russia from developing this weapon, it needs to recognize an inconvenient truth: an adversary could use a weapon that leaves the US military without access to some or all of its space capabilities. Such a loss would be devastating for US national security and, more broadly, our livelihoods. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner, an Ohio Republican, alluded to this new national security threat back in February. The White House soon confirmed it, noting that such a weapon hadnt been deployed and did not present an immediate threat. The success of US military operations presumes the availability of space, with satellites performing all or parts of critical functions, such as navigation, missile warning and communications. Some of these functions are specifically described as no fail missions. The disruption of satellites would cause unimaginable interruptions in our daily lives. Here, the NanoRacks-Remove Debris satellite is deployed from the International Space Station in 2018. - NASA The last time the military had to fight without satellite communications was in the Korean War, with it launching its first communications satellites in the 1960s during the Vietnam era. GPS was initiated in the 1970s. A disruption to GPS satellites would force a platoon of Marines to navigate by a compass and map, the same method used by their great-grandfathers on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima in World War II. The United States would struggle to detect the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles or nuclear detonations without satellites. The interruption to our daily lives would be similarly unimaginable, affecting our ability to communicate with each other and navigate from place to place. In addition to providing positioning and location information to a host of apps on our phones, GPS is the gold standard for time. Power utilities, communications networks and financial institutions all rely on precision timing derived from GPS. Additionally, commercial air travel is increasingly dependent on GPS. In late April, the international airline Finnair suspended flights to Tartu, Estonias second-largest city, for a month due to GPS interference suspected to come from Russia. Internet access and connectivity for remote communities, airplanes, ships at sea and first responders also all depend on satellites. Before revelations about Russias development of a nuclear anti-satellite weapon, there had been indications of global recognition that the use of certain space weapons was bad for everyone. No nation has conducted a destructive anti-satellite test for almost three years. In December 2022, with 155 nations voting in favor, the United Nations adopted a US-led resolution supporting a testing moratorium of destructive anti-satellite weapons. But these are peacetime trends that relate to weapons testing. During wartime, China or Russia may decide to use a weapon that risks sabotaging their own space access to deny the United States its space-enabled advantages. That Russia vetoed and China abstained from voting on a US and Japanese-sponsored UN resolution in April banning nuclear weapons in space could suggest both are considering such a capability. The Russian and Chinese position on this recent vote is puzzling, as nuclear weapons in space are already forbidden by the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which more than 130 countries have signed, including Russia and China. But Moscow defended its veto, with Vassily Nebenzia, Russias ambassador to the United Nations, calling the UN draft a dirty spectacle and a cynical ploy. (Russia and China had proposed an unsuccessful amendment that would have called on all countries to prevent all weapons in outer space.) To address this risk, the US military and policymakers need to rethink baseline assumptions about the availability of space and consider worst-case scenarios. They should identify which critical missions can only, or best, be done by space, allocating limited resources on protecting and adding resilience to the highest criticality, space-only functions. The proposed defense budget for 2025 does not reflect the scale and urgency of the need to counter space threats and protect space systems. Learning how to operate satellites in a space environment clogged with debris or increased radiation caused by a space weapon is also important. For those space missions that could be done another way, its time to learn or relearn backup methods and integrate those backups into military operations. A government watchdog found that efforts to find alternatives for GPS could be improved. If military planners identify capabilities that can only be done by satellites, leaders should consider how to fight without those capabilities or with them severely degraded. It would be better to think about what that might look like today, rather than be forced to reckon with that in the middle of a war. And proving that we can fight without space could also deter actions to disrupt space, as an adversary might see its not worth the trouble since the United States can maintain its military effectiveness without it. According to the protagonist in Frank Herberts science fiction novel Dune, The power to destroy a thing is the absolute control over it. At least three nations can effectively do that to space one is the United States, and the other two are not our friends. Too much is at stake to assume that China or Russia, when the question could be victory or defeat, would not risk their own access to and use of space to cripple many of our most critical national security and defense capabilities rendering us vulnerable in the event of an armed conflict. We need a two-pronged effort to prepare for the worst: Double down on efforts to protect and maintain access to space in a hostile space environment and consider how to operate without space. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Boat GOAT The orcas are back at it again, this time straight-up sinking a yacht near the Strait of Gibraltar. As the New York Times reports, two people had to be rescued after a group of orcas attacked the Alboran Cognac, a 50-foot-long sailing yacht, about 14 miles off the coast of Morocco. According to those on board, the animals replayed their greatest hits by going for the yacht's rudder, slamming its hull, and ultimately causing the vessel to spring a leak. During the attack, the two-person crew radioed a nearby oil tanker for help, and it maneuvered over to where they were, evacuated them, and took them to Gibraltar. The Alboran Cognac, according to Moroccan maritime authorities, was left adrift and eventually sank. While it's unclear if the orcas in question are part of the same pod that's been plaguing sailors around the Iberian peninsula in recent years, their behavior suggests that it either was the OG culprits of the attacks that garnered so many headlines last year or that the clever predators have been teaching other groups their ways. Orcapalypse Now As the Grupo de Trabajo Orca Atlantica (GTOA) told the Washington Post, there have been an average of 168 orca-ship interactions per year since 2020, when this sort of behavior began ramping up in the region. Thus far in 2024, the researchers have tracked 26 interactions, which according to its website could be anything from approaching or observing a ship to coming up and touching it. That number, GTOA said, is down from 61 from the same time frame in 2023. As the NYT noted in its reporting, however, the Alboran Cognac is the first boat to sink due to an orca attack this year. Last summer in particular, the attacks seemed to be occurring on a near-daily basis, with some sailors reporting that their ships had been targeted twice or even thrice by furious orca pods in the same day. There have been various theories as to why the animals, which are sometimes referred to as "killer whales" despite concerns from conservationists over the term's stigma, have begun attacking vessels so often the past few years. Some experts suggest that orcas, which are highly intelligent and share a lot of psychological traits with humans, are rocking and socking boats for fun. Others believe that the main attacking pod's leader, known as White Gladis, may have been acting out of revenge due to previous boat-related trauma she'd experienced. Whatever the case may be, it seems that late spring and early summer 2024 may see the sequel to last year's orca-mania and we, for one, will be watching with eyes peeled. More on animal attacks: Furious Monkeys Tear Down Anti-Monkey Posters Oregon liquor regulators had rare Kentucky bourbons set aside so that they could buy them. This whiskey was distilled in Kentucky in August 2016 to mark the total lunar eclipse from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) The Oregon Department of Justice concluded that no criminal charges are warranted for the six former Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission employees who set aside bottles of in-demand bourbon for their personal use. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum on Monday announced the conclusion of the investigation, which started in February 2023, in a letter to Gov. Tina Kotek. The criminal investigation has no bearing on the separate question of whether any state employee violated Oregons civil ethics laws. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission, which can levy fines, in July 2023 paused its ethics investigation during the criminal probe. It is critical that Oregonians have trust in our state agencies, their leaders and employees, Rosenblum said in a statement. I am pleased with the thoroughness of the investigation and the professionalism demonstrated by our DOJ team. The six employees, including former commission director Steve Marks, faced accusations of diverting rare bottles of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon to designated stores that they could purchase themselves. The lengthy investigation involved the review of more than 10,000 agency documents, reports and emails and interviews with more than 40 people, including state employees, liquor store agents and lawmakers. Special agents also examined records from liquor stores and distributors. The summary of the investigation noted the agency had a long-standing agency practice where an employee could request that a specific product be transferred to a liquor store so that the employee could purchase that liquor for personal use. One employee with the agency for more than three decades told investigators the practice predated her employment. In a statement, Kotek thanked Rosenblum and Oregon Department of Justice staff for the investigation, adding the documents will be available to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission as its ethics review proceeds. Susan Myers, executive director of the state ethics commission, said in an email the commission will lift the pause on its investigation with the criminal probe finished. At this time, the ethics commission has 99 days remaining of the 180-day period allowed by state law to complete an investigation, Myer said. Oregon is a control state, which means it oversees the distribution and sales of liquor in the state. The liquor commission is the regulatory agency that has oversight on the process, which includes setting the price of liquor sold by liquor agents, who are independent contractors that operate stores. 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 Oregon DOJ says no criminal charges warranted in bourbon scandal appeared first on Washington State Standard. New Oregon fish and wildlife director, an agency insider, is first woman at the helm Spring Chinook salmon in the Rogue River watershed are protected by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Debbie Colbert, the new leader of the agency, will need to continue to find revenue to fund conservation and balance the interests of anglers and conservationists. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) About 50 years after the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife hired its first female field biologist, it will be led by one. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has appointed Debbie Colbert, a biologist, oceanographer and the current deputy director of the agency, to its top leadership position following the April retirement of former director Curt Melcher, who spent a decade at the helm. The six members of the commission, including four women, voted unanimously to appoint Colbert over Kaitlin Lovell, fish and wildlife manager of Portlands Bureau of Environmental Services. Debbie Colbert. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) Colbert, 54, whos worked for nearly eight years at the agency, including as deputy director for administration, will likely start as director on Monday and earn up to $240,000 a year. The number of women in leadership positions at ODFW is growing, Michelle Denehy, an agency spokesperson, said in an email. Former Director Curt Melcher was noted for bringing more women into leadership positions in the agency, particularly in the directors office. Today, women also make up a growing number of Oregon hunting and fishing licenses holders about 20% according to state data. Wildlife conservationists expressed cautious optimism about Colberts hiring. Bethany Cotton, conservation director of the Eugene-based nonprofit Cascadia Wildlands, said she was pleased to have a woman at the helm of the agency and that she hopes Colbert will focus on protecting and improving the health of wildlife and habitat in Oregon for non-consumptive purposes. It will be very important to diversify the funding stream for the agency, Cotton said. Colbert will oversee more than 1,200 employees across the state and a two-year budget of $555 million, about half of which comes from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and federal taxes on hunting and fishing equipment. In her interviews with the commission on Friday, Colbert said shed continue to find sustainable funding for the agency and move away from an overreliance on hunting and fishing fees and taxes. When Melcher took over the department nearly a decade ago, it was in the midst of a budget crisis. For years, it had relied too heavily on declining sales of hunting and fishing licenses for revenue, leading to a $32 million budget gap. As deputy director, Colbert helped close that gap. Conservationists hopeful Both Colbert and Lovell were recruited via Tigard-based Motus, a staffing agency hired by the commission, in a process that some conservationists called rushed. In the end, however, many said they approved of Colbert and hope that shell prioritize wildlife and habitat protection above natural resource and extraction industries, such as timber, farming and ranching. Steve Pedery, conservation director of the nonprofit Oregon Wild, said in an email he is hopeful Colbert will be a departure from Melcher, who Pedery said prioritized economic and business interests. We certainly feel that Colbert is a step up from the previous director, who often seemed confused about the agencys mission, he said. We want to work with Director Colbert to reform the good old boy culture that has dominated ODFW and Oregon wildlife management for far too long. Caylin Barter, water policy director at the Portland-based nonprofit Wild Salmon Center, said in an email that the conservation group has enjoyed working closely with Colbert in the past. This marks the start of a new chapter for ODFW one where the agency fully embraces its habitat conservation mission and we believe she has the expertise, skills, and vision to start making progress on day one, she said. An Oregon State University alum Colbert earned a bachelors degree in biology from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia; a masters degree in chemical oceanography from San Jose State University in California; and a PhD in oceanography from Oregon State University. She also spent six years as a secretary of the board of Oregon State University, where she assisted with planning and strategy between the board and university administrators, according to her LinkedIn profile. She worked for more than four years as a policy coordinator and administrator for the Oregon Water Resources Department, five years as deputy director for administration at the state Fish and Wildlife Department and three years as the deputy director. As leader of the fish and wildlife department, shell face challenges beyond sustainable funding. Shell need to contend with the growing threat of climate change and wildfires as well as the future of the states hatcheries programs, which studies have found are failing to support or boost native fish populations and, in fact, are contributing to their decline. The post New Oregon fish and wildlife director, an agency insider, is first woman at the helm appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle. Organizers pull plug on NYC-Dublin portal for now as raunchy behavior runs rampant That didnt take long. The plug has been pulled on the New York City-to-Dublin portal for now as raunchy and revolting behavior has run rampant on the 24/7 livestream. The portal shut down Tuesday evening and staffers will work over the next few days to minimize the shocking conduct, one of its organizers, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership, told The Post in a statement. Instances of inappropriate behavior have come from a very small minority of Portal visitors and have been amplified on social media, they added. In New York, we have had a set of protocols in place since the Portals launch, including 24/7 on-site security and barriers to prevent people from stepping onto the Portal. A Dubliner holds up a sign that reads Send Nudes into the portal. Michael Nagle The Portals team and our partners in Dublin are working on additional solutions to limit such behavior appearing on the livestream. Dublin will be encouraged to add barricades on its device, a source told The Post Tuesday. The interactive art installation located in the Flatiron District, with another device located in Dublin, opened last Wednesday to much fanfare but soon deteriorated into a chaotic cesspool that mostly came from the Irish side. The appalling overseas antics included one knucklehead flashing an image of a plane crashing into one of the Twin Towers on 9/11 and another jerk displaying a swastika on his phone. But the New York side was not completely blameless. An OnlyFans model obnoxiously posted a video to her 400,000 followers on Instagram on Sunday that showed her flashing her breasts to the Dublin side. An OnlyFans model flashed her breasts at the portal on Sunday. Instagram/@avalouiise The project was touted as a bridge to a united planet that allows passersby to see each other on the 8-foot-by-8-foot video screen but not hear each other. The portal was temporarily shut down Monday after organizers blamed a technical glitch as the Dublin City Council vowed to find solutions to address the naughty behavior. A Post reporter observed the portal shut off around 8 p.m. Monday before Tuesdays development. The Portal opened last Wednesday and attracted bad behavior right away. Reddit A 27-year-old finance worker said Monday he was disappointed the Portal was closed. I was just going to look. I really had no game plan; walk up and see how Im feeling, you know?Haskque May told The Post. We wanted to see the Portal and just walk around and get outside. May also was not surprised by the lewd behavior. Anything thats open, thats like you can kind of do whatever, he said. Its only a matter of time before its used for things it shouldnt be used for. Its kind of expected, to be honest. Organizers are considering closing the Portal late at night once it reopens to minimize absurd acts, the source told The Post. The attraction has drawn tens of thousands of visitors and resulted in more than a billion impressions online in its first week, Flatiron NoMad Partnership said. The overwhelming majority of visitors to the Portal have behaved appropriately and experienced the sense of joy and connectedness that this work of public art invites people to have, the group said. MULDROW, Okla. (KFOR) The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says their office has been asked to help with a homicide investigation in Muldrow. On Monday, Muldrow officers responded to a disturbance call near Southwest Third Street and South Baker Street. When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered 55-year-old Nekaita Nance deceased with an apparent stab wound. Cant be overlooked: BTK word puzzle spells missing Pawhuska teens name, laundromat she was last seen at Police officials confirm, Muldrow police officers made contact with 34-year-old Matthew Whitfield, who was on scene when officers arrived. OSBI officials say special agents conducted a crime scene investigation and interviewed Whitfield and with information and evidence obtained from the scene, Whitfield was arrested and booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on a First-Degree Murder charge. No further information has been released at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Staff members of Grand China Aviation Maintenance Co., Ltd. (GCAM) maintain an inbound airplane at a hangar of an aircraft maintenance base in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, May 13, 2024. A Boeing 737-800 aircraft of South Korea's Jeju Air has recently undergone maintenance by GCAM, which is also the maiden order for maintenance of inbound aircraft from South Korea at the Hainan Free Trade Port. The service is expected to last for about 16 days, eligible to preferential treatments of the free trade port including exemption of cash deposit as well as bonded aviation fuel and duty-free maintenance supplies. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) A visitor poses for photos at the Jin Yong Wuxia Drama Costumes and Weapons Exhibition held in Macao, south China, May 14, 2024. This exhibition relives the iconic scenes from eight renowned Wuxia TV dramas of the late Chinese martial arts novelist Louis Cha Leung-yung, more widely known by his pen name Jin Yong. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) This photo taken on May 14, 2024 shows the sunset glow over Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li He) Players of Naqu team and Shannan team compete during a pearl ball qualification match for the China's first national fitness event (southwest region) in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, May 14, 2024. Pearl ball, a traditional sport of China's Manchu ethnic group, originated from imitating the folk activity of pearling. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Students are pictured after school in the Mathare slums in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 13, 2024. The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Kenya, triggered by heavy rains, has risen to 277, according to a government announcement. The update came as schools across the nation cautiously resumed classes for the second term, following a two-week delay due to the adverse weather conditions. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) A man takes videos at "Chinese Design: Harmony in Diversity" exhibition during the 10th London Craft Week in London, Britain, May 13, 2024. The 10th London Craft Week kicked off here on Monday with hundreds of talents worldwide to celebrate craftsmanship through workshops, exhibitions, and talks across the city. Among them, several events featuring Chinese arts and crafts highlighted the fusion of tradition and innovation. (Xinhua/Li Ying) Rangers keep warm by burning dung of wild yak at a camp at the Changtang National Nature Reserve in Nyima County of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, May 10, 2024. Nyima County launched a two-week intensified patrol of the core areas of the Changtang National Nature Reserve, starting from May 7. Located in the northern part of Xizang, the nature reserve is home to over 30 kinds of wild animals listed on China's national-level protection catalogue, including Tibetan antelopes and wild yaks. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida) U.S. President Joe Biden is pictured at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 13, 2024. U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law Monday a bill that will prohibit U.S. imports of unirradiated low-enriched uranium from Russia. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) People gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike in the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on May 14, 2024. At least 40 people were killed and others injured after midnight Monday by Israeli bombardment in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, the Palestine TV reported. (Palestinian News Agency/Handout via Xinhua) This aerial photo taken on May 13, 2024 shows a view of the White Island, New Zealand. The White Island, a volcanic island in New Zealand's North Island, is a famous tourist attraction. On Dec. 9, 2019, the White Island volcanic eruption killed 22 people and injured 25 others. After the eruption all tourist trips to the island have been suspended by the authorities. (Xinhua/Guo Lei) More than a dozen people are suing a now-closed Michigan youth detention center, saying they were sexually abused there as teenagers. The lawsuit, filed in Saginaw County on May 14, lists Wolverine Human Services as the defendant. Reality, Responsibility, Respect, Community, Negotiation, Education, Love, was the motto printed on T-shirts given to teens to wear at the facility, Wolverine Secure Treatment Center, which served as a detention center, rehab and sexual aggression recovery program. Instead, the teens at the Buena Vista Township facility endured a far more sinister environment, the lawsuit said. In 2021 the facility closed its doors after the Division of Child Welfare Licensing issued an investigative report showing 10 violations, according to the lawsuit. Among the allegations were multiple episodes of improperly restraining, punching, choking, physically abusing juvenile residents, handcuffing a minor resident to the bed,as well as unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature from a supervisor, the lawsuit said. The court document goes on to detail sexual abuse allegations against staff members from 14 people who were once teenage residents at the youth rehab and detention center. In 2016, a 16-year-old boy said he was raped by a male staff member while another male staff member blocked the door from inside his room, the lawsuit said. The boy reported the rape to his case manager, who is accused of instructing him not to tell anyone else about it, according to the court document. The case manager then recommended the teens time at the center be extended, turning his one-year stay into three years, the lawsuit said. In another case, in 2019, a female staff member is accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy. The employee gave the boy extra snacks, marijuana and let him use her phone, according to the lawsuit, before she performed sex acts on him. When the boy reported it to police and administrators, the employee was transferred to the female unit, according to the lawsuit. The 17-year-old boy was told by police that he was not the first at the facility to report (the employee) for sexual abuse, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit said the allegations of sexual abuse were reported to employees over the years, but were not acted upon. We are reviewing the complaint in detail. The alleged abuse in this lawsuit was never reported and we are working diligently to gather facts, Wolverine Human Services CEO Judith Fischer told McClatchy News in a statement. New York City attorney Corey M. Stern told Michigan Live that he has spoken with 20 to 30 times more people who were similarly abused at Wolverine but are now too old to join the suit. In one case detailed in the lawsuit, a teen said a female employee in her 20s went into the teens room to search it before bed. The employee is then accused of sexually assaulting the teen and was later fired after surveillance video showed her in the room for roughly 30 minutes, according to the lawsuit. After being fired, the employee found the teen on Facebook and sent her a friend request, according to the lawsuit. The safety of our residents is always our priority, so we take all claims seriously and maintain our dedication to ensuring the well-being of each person in our care. The confidentiality of our residents and integrity of any investigations prohibits us from commenting further about the circumstances of this matter, Fischer said. The teens listed in the lawsuit ranged in age from 13 to 17 years old at the times of the alleged abuse. The lawsuit is asking for an undetermined amount in damages. Saginaw County is about a 100-mile drive northwest of Detroit. If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom. Student ministry leader touched at least 10 girls without their consent, SC cops say Staff instigated fights among teens at house of horrors youth facility, lawsuit says DENVER (KDVR) For the first time in five years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the number of drug overdose deaths has dropped nationally. But here in Colorado, the number continues to rise. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said it recorded 1,822 drug overdose deaths in 2023. Colorado saw only a slight increase in total drug overdose death rates from 2021-2023, part of which can be explained by the increase in the states population in 2023. However, the proportion of drug overdose deaths specifically involving fentanyl has increased (from 49% in 2021 to 59% in 2023), a CDPHE spokesperson said. Weld County Drug Task Force reports finding tranq in counterfeit fentanyl pills Administrators at drug treatment centers say fentanyl and other synthetic drugs are still a huge problem in Colorado. Steve Carleton is the chief clinical officer for Porch Light Health, a system that offers addiction treatment to 10,000 patients each month. He said one thing that is helping prevent even more overdose deaths is that naloxone, the overdose reversal drug also known by the brand name Narcan, is now available over the counter. Educating the public on naloxone is really important and has led to lots of lives being saved. This number would be higher if it werent for those efforts, he said. But to prevent future deaths, he wants to expand access to care and let people know they can get help fighting addiction. We know that only 10% of people with substance use disorder feel comfortable going into care, he said. Colorado second in US for teen overdose death rates: study Patients can get medications to help reduce cravings and withdrawals. Getting on that medication, we know thats the most effective form of treatment, in particular for opioid use disorder, Carleton said. Front Range Clinic can be reached for help at 866-628-7828. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Ella Adler died on May 11 while she was wakeboarding near a beach in Florida Levitt-Weinstein Memorial Chapels & Cemeteries Ella Riley Adler Authorities in Florida have identified the man they say owns the boat that allegedly hit and killed 15-year-old Ella Adler over Mother's Day weekend. Ella died on Saturday when a boat allegedly hit her and fled the scene near a beach in Key Biscayne, Fla., the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said in a statement earlier this week. On Wednesday, the FWC identified the owner of the boat as 78-year-old Carlos Guillermo Alonso, according to an incident report reviewed by PEOPLE. However, an FWC spokesperson tells PEOPLE it's not clear if Alonso was operating the boat at the time of the crash, and that no charges have been filed. Ella was hit by a vessel, the FWC said in their previous statement, which has a light blue hull and was headed west after hitting her. The incident report claims Ella was wakeboarding with a friend and the two fell into the water at different times and in different locations. The boat owned by Alonso "traversed the area" and allegedly struck Ella, per the report. On Tuesday, FWC officials said they had seized a vessel that "fits the description" of the one that hit Ella. The owner of the vessel since identified as Alonso had been cooperative with authorities, the FWC said in their statement. Related: Boat That Struck and Killed 15-Year-Old Fla. Ballerina Found, Authorities Say Ella, a ballerina and student at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, Fla., was the granddaughter of U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Michael M. Adler, CBS reports. On Wednesday, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited Ella's family to pay her condolences, per the outlet. Ella is being mourned by friends and family who say she shined on the stage and was a force of nature. [When] she was near, everyone felt a gravitational pull toward her, read an obituary. In her 15 years on this earth, she dazzled us with her light. We are heartbroken, Ransom Everglades School said in a statement following her death, adding that Ella embodied the mission of Ransom Everglades School. CBS Miami/ Youtube Florida authorities seized a vessel during their investigation into the killing of Ella Adler Related: Ballerina, 15, Killed While Waterskiing by Boater Who Allegedly Didn't Stop and Suspect Remains at Large 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. In a statement issued through their attorney, Ellas family said the world lost a star. Ella was beautiful and shined brightly. In her 15 years she gave us more light than we could have ever dreamed, they said in the statement, CBS reported. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A former Pennsylvania lieutenant governor candidate and prominent figure in the conservative parental rights school movement will serve a year of probation for providing alcohol to teenagers during a rowdy party at her Bucks County home last year. In a court appearance Wednesday, Clarice Schillinger, 37, who now lives in Lansdale, entered a no contest plea to furnishing alcohol to minors. The plea means Schillinger did not admit to the crime but that there was enough evidence to find her guilty.The prosecution dismissed remaining charges of simple assault and harassment. File - Clarice Schillinger, a former Pennsylvania lieutenant governor candidate and prominent figure in the conservative parental rights school movement, will serve a year of probation for providing alcohol to teenagers during a rowdy party at her Bucks County home last year. More on Clarice Schillinger arrest Assault, underage drinking charges held for Bucks County mom behind conservative school movement Wednesday marked the second time this year Schillinger has been convicted of an alcohol related charge. In February she pleaded guilty to public drunkenness in a Montgomery County magisterial court after Towamencin police issued her a citation, according to the public court docket. Bucks County Common Pleas Court Judge Stephen Corr accepted the plea and sentenced her to 12 months of probation; he allowed it to be no reporting after six months if there were no issues. She had faced a potential maximum 12-month jail sentence. Corr also agreed to let Schillinger travel but only for work purposes and barred her from contacting four people who attended the party. A visibly upset Schillinger did not speak during the proceedings other than to answer the judges questions. Later Wednesday, a PR firm put out a statement on her behalf, thanking supporters and distancing herself from her plea and sentence in the court. In the blink of an eye, my life changed, along with the lives of my children. A series of false allegations drawn out in the media have cost me almost everything. No family should ever go through this," the statement reads. "Today, almost a year later, my case has been resolved. Finally, we can breathe and focus on rebuilding our lives. With forgiveness in my heart and determination propelling me forward, I embrace the opportunity to rise from adversity and contribute positively to the world. Onward and upward, I march, steadfast in my commitment to serve those in need and to foster healing and hope in our community. Corr did not hide his disapproval of Schillingers offensive and hypocritical behavior. I find this to be offensive that you hold yourself out to be one thing in public and another behind closed doors, Corr said. Mrs. Schillinger I hope you have learned a lesson from this. You are no longer going to be the fun mom. Her attorney Brian McMonagle had urged leniency for his client who has lost a lot and has been forced to take a step back in her life, and saying her actions that brought her to court were done out of love for her daughter. He also released a statement later Wednesday saying Schillinger faced "several unwarranted charges that led to her becoming the subject of crippling negative media attention." He said the charges and attention led to death threats. McMonagle hinted that Schillinger may return to public life, saying his client is "eager to share her experience to help educate and protect other Pennsylvania moms and continue her support of Pennsylvania youth and schools." "Today, we celebrate the small wins. Clarice has finally restored her good name and is ready to look forward. While she wouldn't wish this situation on anyone, this ordeal has given her a new perspective on life, family, community, and what truly matters.," McMonagle's statement read. "Clarice is a loving mother, devoted daughter, and loyal friend to many. I know Clarice will use this experience to heal, forgive, and continue to serve and be an advocate for others," the statement reads. Clarice Schillinger charged: What court documents and police alleged Schillinger made national headlines last year when Buckingham Police broke up an out-of-control underage drinking party at the Liz Circle home where she was living at the time. She held the gathering for her daughters 17th birthday party. Witnesses reported that Schillinger punched an underage partygoer several times in the face during a series of outbursts by drinking adults including her then-boyfriend and mother. Schillingers mother and her then-boyfriend had physical altercations with some teens. They each pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct charges last year. Authorities said that about 20 teens attended the Sept. 29 basement party where there was a bar stocked with New Amsterdam vodka and Malibu Bay Breeze rum. Schillinger served the teens liquor and she encouraged them to take shots with her, according to court documents. At a preliminary hearing earlier this year, an underage witness testified he took 15 shots and at one point partnered with Schillinger for a game of beer pong. Another teen witness testified that it was common knowledge that alcohol would be available and that "people were drinking there before." Schillinger gained public attention after she ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor as a Republican in 2022. She has also played an instrumental role in a political action committee that has poured more than $800,000 into Pennsylvania school district races since 2021, including in Bucks County. The PAC has focused on supporting school board candidates who opposed COVID-19 lockdowns and argue left-wing ideologies are invading the education system. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Clarice Schillinger, parental rights activist, sentenced in teen party Netanyahu fends off criticism at home and abroad over his lack of a postwar plan for Gaza JERUSALEM (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday fended off criticism that he is not planning for a postwar reality in the Gaza Strip, saying it was impossible to prepare for any scenario in the embattled Palestinian enclave until Hamas is defeated. Netanyahu has faced increasing pressure from critics at home and allies abroad, especially the United States, to present a plan for governance, security and rebuilding of Gaza. He has indicated Israel seeks to maintain open-ended control over security affairs and rejected a role for the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. That position stands in contrast to the vision set forth by the Biden administration, which wants Palestinian governance in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to Palestinian statehood. The debate over a postwar vision for Gaza comes as fighting has erupted again in places Israel had targeted in the early days of the war and said it had under control, as well as in Gazas southernmost city of Rafah, which has sent hundreds of thousands fleeing. For Palestinians, that displacement has renewed painful memories of mass expulsion from what is now Israel in the war surrounding the country's creation in 1948. Palestinians across the Middle East on Wednesday were marking the 76th anniversary of that event. The latest war began on Oct. 7 with Hamas rampage across southern Israel, through some of the same areas where Palestinians fled from their villages decades earlier. Palestinian militants killed some 1.200 people that day, mostly civilians, and took another 250 hostage. Israel's fierce response has obliterated entire neighborhoods in Gaza and forced some 80% of the population to flee their homes. Gazas Health Ministry says over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed, without distinguishing between civilians and combatants in its count. The U.N. says there is widespread hunger and that northern Gaza is in full-blown famine. 'THE DAY AFTER' The renewed fighting in areas where Israel's military had largely asserted control, as well as a recent uptick in rocket fire from Gaza toward Israel, suggests that Hamas is regrouping. That has prompted criticism in Israel that Netanyahu is squandering military gains in Gaza by not moving toward a postwar vision for the territory. Netanyahu said Israel has been trying for months to find a solution to this complex problem, but that a postwar plan could not be promoted so long as Hamas was not defeated. He said Israel had tried to enlist local Palestinians to assist with food distribution but that the effort failed because Hamas threatened them, a claim that could not be verified. All the talk about the day after,' while Hamas stays intact, will remain mere words devoid of content, Netanyahu said. Senior members of his Cabinet disagree. In a nationally televised statement Wednesday, Netanyahu's defense minister increased the criticism, saying he had repeatedly pleaded with the Cabinet to make a decision on a postwar vision for Gaza that would see the creation of a new Palestinian civilian leadership. Yoav Gallant, a member of the three-man War Cabinet, said the government has refused to discuss the issue. Gallant said not doing so would produce a reality where Israel could again exert civilian control over the Gaza Strip, which he said he opposed. Israel withdrew troops and settlers from the territory in 2005 after capturing it in the 1967 Mideast war. I call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a decision and declare that Israel will not establish civilian control over the Gaza Strip, that Israel will not establish military governance in the Gaza Strip and that a governing alternative to Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be advanced immediately, he said, suggesting Netanyahu's decision-making was based on political considerations. Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh said Wednesday in response to the debate over Gaza's postwar future that the Hamas movement is here to stay. Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken chided Israel for the lack of a plan in some of his strongest public criticism. Disagreements over Gazas future have led to increasingly public friction between Israel and the U.S., its closest ally. The U.S. has also been outspoken against an Israeli incursion into Rafah, which Israel sees as essential to defeating Hamas but where more than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million have sought shelter. Israeli troops launched operations in Rafah last week, seizing the nearby crossing into Egypt and moving into eastern districts of the city in battles with Hamas fighters. Though still short of the full-on invasion Israel has threatened, the incursion has already caused chaos. The United Nations said Wednesday that over the last week, as Israeli forces have moved into parts of Rafah, some 600,000 have fled the city. During that time, another 100,000 have fled parts of northern Gaza that the Israeli military has reinvaded. SAME SCENES PLAY OUT The Nakba, Arabic for catastrophe, refers to the 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were driven out of what today is Israel before and during the 1948 war surrounding its creation, in which five Arab countries attacked the nascent state. More than twice that number have been displaced within Gaza in the latest war. The refugees and their descendants number some 6 million and live in built-up refugee camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In Gaza, they are the majority of the population, with most families having been pushed out of what is now central and southern Israel. Israel rejects what the Palestinians say is their right of return because if it was fully implemented, it would likely result in a Palestinian majority within Israels borders. We lived through the Nakba not just once, but several times, said Umm Shadi Sheikh Khalil, who was displaced from Gaza City and now lives in a tent in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah. At a center for older residents of the Shatila refugee camp in Beirut, Amina Taher recalled the day her familys house in the village of Deir al-Qassi, in todays northern Israel, collapsed over their heads after being shelled by Israeli forces in 1948. The house was next to a school that Palestinian fighters used as a base, she said. Taher, then 3, was pulled from the rubble unharmed, but her 1-year-old sister was killed. Now she has seen the same scenes play out in news coverage of Gaza. When I would watch the news, I had a mental breakdown because then I remembered when the house fell on me, she said. What harm did these children do to get killed like this? ___ Sewell reported from Beirut and Shurafa from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. Associated Press writers Samy Magdy in Cairo and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war A man waves the Palestinian national flag during during a rally marking the 74th anniversary of Nakba Day (Memory of the Catastrophe). Palestinians are set to commemorate the loss of their homeland on Wednesday by observing Nakba Day (Catastrophe Day) which marks the flight of more than 700,000 Palestinians during the 1948 war that led to the establishment of the state of Israel. Mohammed Talatene/dpa Palestinians are set to commemorate the loss of their homeland on Wednesday by observing Nakba Day (Catastrophe Day) which marks the flight of more than 700,000 Palestinians during the 1948 war that led to the establishment of the state of Israel. The Nakba memorial day is held on May 15 every year. The state of Israel was declared on May 14, 1948. The day is marked with marches and demonstrations. This year, the central event is planned in Ramallah in the West Bank, where sirens are expected to sound for 76 seconds to mark the 76 years since the Nakba. Given the situation in the Gaza Strip, observers are predicting clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank. The United Nations puts the number of Palestinian refugees and their descendants at currently around 6 million. Establishing a permanent home for the refugees, along with the status of Jerusalem, are seen as among the most complex problems in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to the Palestinian statistical office, there are about 14 million Palestinians around the world, with half of them living in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and Israel. Around 20% of Israel's population of almost 10 million are Arabs. Palestinian man, who was wounded in Israeli fire, lies on a bed as he receives treatment at Al-Aqsa hospital in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip Palestinian man, who was wounded in Israeli fire, lies on a bed as he receives treatment at Al-Aqsa hospital in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip By Ramadan Abed DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza (Reuters) - Ni'ma Ali Imad is desperate to get her wounded son Mohammed out of Gaza for the medical treatment that doctors say they cannot provide in the Palestinian enclave. Five-year-old Mohammed lost his sight and suffered a head wound during Israeli shelling. But, like many other wounded Palestinians, he is stuck in a Gaza hospital waiting because the Rafah Crossing on the border with Egypt is closed. Egypt blames the closure on Israeli military operations around Rafah. Israel, which seized control of the crossing last week, said on Tuesday it was up to Egypt to reopen it - remarks described by Cairo as "desperate attempts" to shift the blame. The closure has not only left foreign aid piling up on the Egyptian side of the border as a humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. It has also shut down a vital evacuation route for people in Gaza needing urgent medical care abroad. Gaza's medical system has virtually collapsed under Israel's bombardment, witnesses say, and Palestinian doctors say they are not equipped to help Mohammed Imad regain his sight and treat his head wound. "The doctors here did what they could, but we still need the official sides (authorities) to cooperate with us and open the border crossing, because this is a child, and we would want him to live like other children in the world," Ni'ma Ali said at Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. "We hope that you will be able to open the Rafah border crossing for the humanitarian cases, so that they can receive treatment, and be provided with medication, so the boy can once again see with his eyes." Egypt is a mediator in indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, but its relationship with Israel has been strained by the more than seven-month-old war. There is no sign of a breakthrough towards halting the war triggered by the Oct. 7 raid on Israel led by gunmen from the Islamist militant group Hamas. Some 1,200 people were killed and 253 taken hostage in the rampage, according to Israeli tallies. More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed and 75,000 others wounded in Gaza since Israel began its offensive, Gaza health authorities say. FEELING ABANDONED Among those at Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital hoping to be treated abroad is Abdul Rahim al-Ayoubi, who said he was hit in the leg, pelvis and hand by Israeli tank fire. "Until now, I am suffering from the pain. I do not have any treatment," he said. "My leg was amputated from my pelvis and I had ulcers in the hospital here, in my back, and everyone says that there is no treatment for me at all here." "We ask the Arab and foreign countries to just help us travel (abroad) so we can continue our treatment," he said. Like many other wounded Palestinians, Ahmad Abu Amro, who said he was critically wounded at a checkpoint in mid-February, feels abandoned "No one is paying attention to us. Our only solution is for the border to open, and we can travel and get treatment. We are not asking for more than that," he said at the Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital. The hospital's spokesman, Khalil al-Dakran, said reopening the border was vitally important. "We reaffirm our appeal to the free world and international community to open the border and to send medical teams, medication, medical supplies and fuel," he said. (Writing by Michael Georgy, Editing by Timothy Heritage) BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes foreign-invested companies to participate in government procurement, Vice Commerce Minister Ling Ji said on Wednesday. The Chinese government is committed to promoting high-standard opening up, expanding institutional opening up and practicing the principle of fair competition, Ling said at a roundtable for foreign-invested enterprises on government procurement. China supports foreign companies in participating in government procurement on an equal footing, he said. The Chinese government will continue to improve the business environment and fully implement national treatment for foreign enterprises, he added. Representatives from foreign firms including Siemens, IBM and Philips, as well as foreign chambers of commerce, attended the roundtable. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Former Broward Sheriffs Deputy Scot Peterson, the school resource officer on duty during the massacre of 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was in court Tuesday asking a Broward judge to force the Broward Sheriffs Office to pay the legal fees connected to his 2023 negligence trial. Peterson stood in front of Broward Circuit Judge Martin Fein, the same judge who oversaw his trial, and vowed to prove that his conduct on Feb. 14, 2018, when gunman Nikolas Cruz shot his way through the Parkland schools freshman building, was consistent with Sheriffs Office policy based on what he knew at the time the shooting was taking place. Peterson was found not guilty of multiple counts of criminal child neglect stemming from his inaction during the Parkland shooting. Cruz shot and killed 17 people and wounded 17 more at the school. Peterson, the only armed deputy on campus, took cover outside the building and never confronted the gunman. Cruz pleaded guilty to the shootings and, after an emotional penalty phase trial, was sentenced in 2022 to 34 consecutive life sentences. After the shooting, Peterson told investigators he could not tell from his vantage point where the shots he heard were coming from, so he took cover in compliance with his training. I did absolutely nothing wrong, Peterson said outside the courtroom. Everything I did was based on my real-time intelligence during that shooting. I did not violate a single policy of the Broward Sheriffs Office. Ive been with that agency 32 years. I know the policy They never charged me with violating the active shooter policy because I didnt violate it. During Petersons criminal trial, defense lawyer Mark Eiglarsh (who stood by Peterson Tuesday but did not participate in the hearing before Judge Fein) painted his client as a scapegoat for the failures of the Broward Sheriffs Office the day of the shooting, which included a communications breakdown that allowed Cruz to slip out of the building while police thought he was still inside. Petersons professional reputation was damaged beyond repair when he was denounced by public officials from then-Sheriff Scott Israel to then-President Donald Trump. Under most circumstances, legal fees for a deputy accused of wrongdoing are covered by the Sheriffs Office, but the issue of whether Peterson violated policy remains unresolved. Peterson accused Sheriff Gregory Tony of employing a scorched earth policy of refusing to pay for his fees. Broward Sheriffs Office general counsel Terrence Lynch argued that Peterson improperly applied for the fee payment and is no longer entitled to it. Fein declined to rule on Petersons motion, ordering the deputy to file a civil action since the dispute is over money rather than criminal wrongdoing. HATTERAS ISLAND, N.C. (WNCN) Along the southern shores of the Outer Banks in North Carolina, a massive (yet only partial) skull of a humpback whale made an appearance on Wednesday. Taking to its Facebook page to post the below photo, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore said this is just the latest fascinating discovery to be found on the beaches of Cape Hatteras. Child finds part of jawbone not from modern times in water at NC Outer Banks The whales skull that washed ashore was able to be identified as a humpback whales due to its specialized skull structure which the Seashore, a part of the National Park Service, said is there to support their unique feeding behaviors. A large portion of a humpback whales skull washes ashore on Cape Hatteras Island. (Courtesy E. Dlutkowski via the National Park Service) A large portion of a humpback whales skull washes ashore on Cape Hatteras Island. (Courtesy E. Dlutkowski via the National Park Service) Quite different from what is known about human skulls, humpback whales skulls are actually quite flexible. Their skulls are relatively flexible, especially around the jaw joints, which enables them to open their mouths wide to consume large volumes of water and prey, the post added. The also have mandibles (lower jaws) that are not fused to their skulls. So, how did such a large partial whale skull end up on the beach? The Seashore explained it like this: many marine animals are always on the move and looking for their next meal. While feeding, some find themselves close to the Capes beaches because thats where the southern Gulf Stream and the northern Labrador Current collide off the coast. Humpback whale breaching off Icy Straits Point in Alaska. (Photo by: Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Marine experts have also found that because the barrier island chains are not far at all from the continental shelf, this creates a pattern of a lot of strandings within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore boundaries. Whether you live along the Outer Banks or are visiting, anyone who spots beach marine life, and even skeletal remains like this, is asked to report it by calling 252-216-6892. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. The party of freedom doesnt want to let you wear a mask to protect your own health in public. Republican legislators have proposed a bill that would remove the health and safety exception to North Carolinas existing ban on mask-wearing in public, which has been in place since the 1950s. That exception was added in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, but lawmakers say that it is no longer needed. Try telling that to immunocompromised people, or the elderly, or anyone else who might want to mask up to protect themselves or others. GOP Sen. Buck Newton, the bills primary sponsor, suggested that those who choose to wear a mask in public for health reasons could still do so despite the law changing, because authorities have good common sense. This was not a problem pre-COVID, Newton said in a committee hearing. We didnt see Granny getting arrested in the Walmart pre-COVID. Frankly, I dont think were going to see that when we pass this legislation, and I think those that are suggesting otherwise are stoking fear. The intent of the bill, Newton said, is merely to crack down on those who may wear a mask to hide their identities while committing crimes in public, and it is not intended to punish anyone who wears a mask for the sake of their health. That argument in itself is the sign of poorly crafted legislation. If lawmakers do not intend to make something illegal, they should not write a law that makes that thing illegal and then expect authorities, businesses and the public to obey some unwritten rule that the law should not be enforced as such. That creates ambiguity and confusion, and leaving it up to authorities to use their common sense to determine which mask wearers are potentially criminals and which are simply being conscious of their health opens the door to a whole host of other problems. The bill is titled Unmasking Mobs and Criminals, and its likely not a coincidence that it comes after a wave of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses in North Carolina and across the country. Many of those protesters were wearing masks. The bill enhances penalties for those who are wearing a mask while committing a crime. In effect, that could mean that a protester arrested for vandalism or trespassing could receive a harsher punishment simply because they were wearing a mask while protesting. This is, plain and simple, a ridiculous bill. It should make everyone uncomfortable, regardless of whether or not you personally wish to wear a mask in public. It may be true that this was not a problem before COVID, and nobody was arresting Granny or chemo patients for masking up in public. But the exception lawmakers crafted during COVID also hasnt been a problem, certainly not enough to justify taking away peoples freedom of choice. Or is freedom only what Republican lawmakers want it to be? BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A patient at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center has been indicted on five felony counts after allegedly stabbing three employees. Police and prosecutors said the incident happened on the morning of April 3. Calvin Haskins, 34, was accused of stabbing the employees while inside a housing unit for outpatient residents of the Forest Avenue facility. Police revealed in a conference last month that this area was one that people could access without being screened for weapons. The victims, who were all taken to ECMC, were identified as a 45-year-old man, a 55-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman. The two men, who were stabbed several times, spent several days hospitalized. Temporary orders of protection were issued on behalf of all three victims. This was not Haskins first encounter with the law. News 4 learned that he had previously been charged in connection with a stabbing at the Fountain Plaza Train Station in 2013. Regarding the most recent incident, Haskins was arraigned in Buffalo City Court and held without bail. Currently, hes looking at the possibility of 57 years in prison if hes convicted of the following charges: attempted murder (two counts) first-degree assault (two counts) second-degree assault After being found competent to stand trial, Haskins will return to court on July 2 for a pre-trial conference. 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Patients can move into the new Austin State Hospital summer 2024, officials say AUSTIN (KXAN) State and local leaders came Wednesday to celebrate the completion of the new Austin State Hospital, which took years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build. Its not quite ready for new patients officials told KXAN people will move in sometime during the summer but many are hopeful this $305 million facility will help patients get better faster. The new facilitys person-centered design and approach will ensure that folks experiencing a mental health crisis will receive the right care at the right time in the right place, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said. The new building replaced one built in the 1800s and was called the Texas State Lunatic Asylum until the mid-1900s. At the event Wednesday, officials said as our understanding of brain health has evolved over the years, it was essential to update the facility to reflect what research has shown to be effective in helping people overcome mental health disturbances. The new Austin State Hospital is part of an over $2 billion state effort to replace and renovate hospitals across Texas. The hospital will serve more than 75 counties in Central Texas and focus on stabilizing patients with acute psychiatric illnesses so they can eventually return to the community, according to a Texas Health and Human Services Commission press release. HHSC is very excited about the new opportunities this state-of-the-art facility will bring, said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young. Staff will be able to provide compassionate inpatient psychiatric treatment in a modern facility that matches their innovative practices. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. (WHTM) The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced $30 billion in renewal funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), more than $803 million of which will go to Pennsylvania communities. The money will help Public Housing Authorities assist those in need of affordable housing options. The following Pennsylvania communities received a portion of the funding announced on Wednesday. HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH $61,776,792 PHILADELPHIA HOUSING AUTHORITY $302,535,772 SCRANTON HOUSING AUTHORITY $5,424,233 ALLENTOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY $16,600,246 MCKEESPORT HOUSING AUTHORITY $2,994,539 ALLEGHENY COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $45,778,527 CHESTER HOUSING AUTHORITY $19,388,630 HARRISBURG HOUSING AUTHORITY $11,936,821 READING HOUSING AUTHORITY $5,458,876 HSG AUTH OF THE COUNTY OF BUTLER $9,931,954 BETHLEHEM HOUSING AUTHORITY $3,855,442 MONTGOMERY COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $32,063,436 ERIE CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY $5,694,467 BEAVER COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $3,851,172 FAYETTE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $4,844,807 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $2,796,509 WASHINGTON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $4,698,524 WESTMORELAND COUNTY HSG AUTHORITY $12,201,422 JOHNSTOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY $5,055,993 MERCER COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,756,283 LYCOMING COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $3,121,482 YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY $9,867,953 DELAWARE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $24,652,240 EASTON HOUSING AUTHORITY $5,137,895 HOUSING AUTH CO OF LAWRENCE $608,959 HUNTINGDON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,414,273 MONROE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $5,279,974 SOMERSET COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $275,059 CARBONDALE HOUSING AUTHORITY $854,110 ALTOONA HOUSING AUTHORITY $4,239,431 MONTOUR COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $537,914 MEADVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY $716,699 FRANKLIN COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,626,667 DAUPHIN COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $8,215,510 LANCASTER HOUSING AUTHORITY $6,582,499 POTTSVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,589,114 LACKAWANNA COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $4,184,537 ARMSTRONG COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,279,116 HOUSING AUTHORITY OF MIFFLIN CO $1,026,349 PITTSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY $774,270 NANTICOKE HOUSING AUTHORITY $419,880 HAZLETON HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,965,976 GREENE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $142,169 HOUS AUTH OF THE CO OF CHESTER $22,833,845 WILKES BARRE HOUSING AUTHORITY $4,772,114 INDIANA COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $2,034,594 TIOGA COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $516,071 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $26,873,357 LEBANON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $4,075,268 SUNBURY HOUSING AUTHORITY $660,086 ELK COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $881,739 SHAMOKIN HOUSING AUTHORITY $737,770 HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF FRANKLIN $617,718 LUZERNE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $7,160,433 TITUSVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY $462,292 OIL CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,542,285 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY HOUSING AUTH. $1,399,978 JEFFERSON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,305,151 DUBOIS HOUSING AUTHORITY $869,529 BRADFORD COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $627,196 CLEARFIELD COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $480,088 CARBON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $2,736,340 SULLIVAN COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $130,372 BLAIR COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $2,044,145 BERKS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $3,700,434 WYOMING COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,632,898 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORIT $898,688 CUMBERLAND COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $8,204,828 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY HOUSING AUTH. $4,817,943 COUNTY OF POTTER HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,021,380 WAYNE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $7,073,819 HSG AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF WARREN $152,892 MCKEAN COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,676,081 LEHIGH COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $11,077,607 HOUSING AUTHORITY OF UNION COUNTY $2,119,425 COLUMBIA COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $2,255,982 BEDFORD COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,261,526 CLARION COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $1,718,462 ERIE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $4,540,817 CENTRE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $3,824,131 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF LANCASTER $6,435,640 ADAMS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $3,368,145 SNYDER COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY $532,522 These housing choice vouchers will offer more families the necessary relief they need to have continued access to safe, affordable housing options and increase our nations housing supply, said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. Currently, this country is in a housing deficit as we are 2 million homes short of the amount needed and as HUDs single largest investment in affordable housing, public housing authorities will have the ability to provide more housing options to their constituents and continue to combat this nations housing affordability crisis. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM) Pennsylvanias Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dave McCormick called for civil service reform during a rally in Lancaster on Tuesday as part of the Americas Future Tour. McCormick said, if elected to replace incumbent Senator Bob Casey (D), he would push for changes to who is working in the federal government. We need to change the culture in Washington, we need to be able to fire bureaucrats who are underperforming, they need to be driven by merit, they cant have a political agenda, said McCormick. So we need to reform how we deal with civil service and be able to get rid of the bad apples, just like we do in any place in business. Presumptive Republican nominee and former president Donald Trump has also called for changes to civil service, which could lead to the firing of thousands of federal workers. Last month the federal governments chief human resources agency issued a new rule on Thursday making it harder to fire thousands of federal employees. The Office of Personnel Management regulations will bar career civil servants from being reclassified as political appointees or as other at-will workers, who are more easily dismissed from their jobs. It comes in response to Schedule F, an executive order Trump issued in 2020 that sought to allow for reclassifying tens of thousands of the 2.2 million federal employees and thus reduce their job security protections. President Joe Biden nullified Schedule F upon taking office. But if Trump were to revive it during a second administration, he could dramatically increase the around 4,000 federal employees who are considered political appointees and typically change with each new president. Biden called the rule a step toward combatting corruption and partisan interference to ensure civil servants are able to focus on the most important task at hand: delivering for the American people. TaNisha Cameron, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party Spokesperson, responded to McCormicks Lancaster rally by highlighting the issue of abortion in the race. David McCormicks support for an abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest is disqualifying and as he campaigns in Lancaster today, he needs to answer for Trumps suggestion that states should monitor womens pregnancies. According to McCormicks campaign website, the former hedge fund manager and paratrooper is pro-life, is opposed to a national abortion ban, and supports exceptions in the cases of rape, incest, and saving the life of the mother. McCormick was joined in Lancaster by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt (R). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Pensacola hospital celebrates tremendous milestone of procedures to help those with heart condition PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute cardiologists, advanced practice providers, and BHVI leadership all gathered on May 1 to celebrate what they call a tremendous milestone. Escambia County Sheriffs Office seeks car reportedly involved in shooting That milestone: 1,000 Watchman procedures. (Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute) According to a press release, the Watchman procedure helps to reduce the risk of stroke in people with Atrial Fibrillation, a condition where the upper chambers of the heart beat out of sync with the lower chambers and can lead to blood clots. The milestone comes after the institute introduced the procedure to Northwest Florida in 2016, the release notes. Mobile man arrested in connection with Stockton mass shooting: Baldwin County Sheriffs Office Our doctors have now provided this treatment that helps reduce the risk of stroke to 1,000 patients, and were proud to offer that level of experience and expertise for our patients, said Beau Pollard, vice president and administrator for Baptist Hospital. For more information, visit the Baptist Heart & Vascular Institutes website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Pensacola woman arrested in Miami in connection with deadly 2023 truck crash, officials say ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) A Pensacola woman was arrested in Miami on an active warrant stemming from a December 2023 car crash, according to a press release from the Florida Highway Patrol. Investigation of deadly Stockton shooting continues publics help needed The US Marshals Service in Miami arrested Jasmine West of Pensacola on May 14, 2024, the release said. Jasmine West (Florida Highway Patrol) According to the release, the arrest comes after a deadly crash on December 30, 2023, in Escambia County. Reports from the crash note that West, driving a pickup truck going southbound, traveled into the northbound lanes and collided with an SUV at the intersection of North Davis Highway and Abbie Lane. Fire damages 3 Daphne businesses The crash resulted in the driver, identified as a 45-year-old man from Pace, being declared dead at the scene. One passenger, a 43-year-old woman from Pace, suffered critical injuries, while two other passengers, a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl, sustained minor injuries. Following investigations into the crash, Traffic Homicide investigators found that West was under the influence at the time of the crash, according to the release. A warrant for DUI Manslaughter was obtained, though attempts to locate West were unsuccessful as she had reportedly absconded to Miami. West will face the following charges in Escambia County, according to the release: 1 count of DUI Manslaughter 2 counts of DUI with injuries 1 count of driving with no license causing death 1 count of driving with no license causing bodily injury 1 count of vehicular homicide 1 count reckless causing serious bodily injury Mobile County natives art submitted for mental illness, developmental disability competition She is currently awaiting extradition to Escambia County, Florida, the release notes. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday urged the United States to fulfill its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence" through concrete actions and to cease all forms of military assistance to Taiwan. Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, told a press briefing that the United States should stop sending wrong signals to separatists in Taiwan. Commenting on a recent legislation on military assistance signed by U.S. President Joe Biden, Chen reiterated that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affairs and brooks no foreign interference. China expresses strong discontent and firm opposition to the U.S. move, the spokesperson said. In response to recent remarks by U.S. State Department officials regarding Taiwan, Chen said that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, resolved once and for all the question of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations as a political, legal and procedural issue. The U.S. side has repeatedly misinterpreted and challenged the authority of UNGA Resolution 2758, revealing its disregard for historical and legal facts, which confronts the international community and contradicts the serious political commitments made by the U.S. government in the three China-U.S. joint communiques, he said. "We urge the United States to fulfill its commitment of not supporting 'Taiwan independence' through concrete actions, abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and stop sending wrong signals to separatists seeking 'Taiwan independence'," Chen said. Soon to be released Pentagon figures will show a significant almost 19% reduction in the number of service members who say they have experienced some type of unwanted sexual contact over the previous survey conducted two years ago, according to a U.S. official. There was also a drop in the number of sexual assault reports involving service members filed last year, according to the official. Every two years, the U.S. military carries out an anonymous survey that Defense Department officials believe is a better indicator of the prevalence of sexual assault in the military than the annual reports where victims may be reluctant to step forward to report a sexual assault. This year's survey indicated close to 29,000 reported unwanted sexual contacts an almost 19% reduction from the 35,800 reported in the survey carried out in 2021. The Pentagon survey defines unwanted sexual contact as ranging from unwanted touching to rape. PHOTO: In this 2011 file photo, female US Marines are shown marching. (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images, FILE) MORE: Reports of sexual assault in US military up 13% The reduction was the first in over eight years and drew comments from President Joe Biden as he met with senior U.S. military leaders at the White House on Wednesday. "I'm proud that for the first time in nearly a decade, rates of sexual assault and harassment ... within active duty forces are down -- are down because of your leadership," he said. Separately, the number of reports of sexual assault also decreased in 2023 to 8,515 from 8,942 in 2022, according to the official. MORE: Pentagon to make changes at military service academies to stem sexual assaults The Pentagon has increased the support and care it provides to victims of sexual assault and has raised the awareness encouraging victims to step forward with what is often underreported. But numbers of incidents and reports have gone up in years that those efforts have increased, so its unclear what might be behind the new drop in numbers. The previous survey of sexual prevalence in the military showed a dramatic increase from 20,000 to 35,800, but defense officials noted that was because of changes in how the survey was carried out. That made full comparisons between those two surveys impossible until the upcoming release of this year's survey. Pentagon report to show significant drop in unwanted sexual contact in military originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The U.S. is working hard to ship defense aid to Kyiv amid a renewed Russian push in northeastern Ukraine, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder said on May 14. Moscow's troops launched a new offensive into northeastern Kharkiv Oblast on May 10, just as heavy battles continued to rage further east. "It's a challenging situation on the battlefield right now in Ukraine," Ryder said during a press briefing. "But all accounts are that they (Ukraine) continue to take measures to defend their territory," Ryder said, adding that the U.S. is going to do "everything we can to get them the critical munitions and supplies that they need." After six months of delays, the U.S. Congress approved a $61 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine in April. The Pentagon warned that it will likely take some time before its effects are felt on the battlefield. When asked by a journalist whether the precarious situation at the front was caused by the months-long delay in U.S. aid or by a better position of Russian forces, Ryder said that it was likely a combination of several factors. KI Insights Visit KI Insights to learn more and subscribe to the insider weekly newsletter visit ki insights "It was not helpful to have this pause in security assistance," the spokesperson commented. "Clearly... you've got other partners around the world that are providing aid to Ukraine. But the Russians have exploited the situation on the battlefield and are attempting to make advances. "Incremental as they may be, it's certainly concerning. And we're going to continue to work closely with Ukraine and our international allies and partners to get them the security assistance they need." Ukraine's ammunition shortages, compounded by the delays in U.S. aid, contributed to the loss of a key front-line city of Avdiivka in February. Heavy fighting continues along the front, mainly in northern Kharkiv Oblast, the Donetsk Oblast town of Chasiv Yar, and elsewhere. Read also: 48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraines most-bombed major city Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Permits required to throw outdoor party with cover in Henry Co. starting in June HENRY COUNTY, Ala. (WDHN) Starting June 1, Henry County will start requiring a permit for a group to host an outdoor party or event that charges a cover. The Alabama legislature passed the local law on May 9. This legislation was brought up in Montgomery after a January field party shooting on Henry County Road 40. Four people were injured in the shootout and police say an estimated five to six suspects exchanged gunfire at the party, where a pile of rounds were later recovered. The new law will ask residents to fill out a permit and specify certain requirements on the application. It will also give law enforcement the ability to shut down the party or give out fines to people throwing the event Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. WASHINGTON, D.C. (WCIA) Tuesday was a special day for over 90 veterans from Central Illinois. Land of Lincoln Honor Flight took them to Washington D.C. in recognition of their service to their country. Upcoming honor flight taking 94 Central IL vets to Washington The veterans and their guardians were at Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport at 4 a.m. for a chartered flight to Washington. This was Land of Lincoln Honor Flights 70th trip to Washington and it kicked off its 16th year of operation. The organization posted photos of the trip to their Facebook page, showing the veterans aboard the plane, at the World War II and Vietnam Veterans Memorials, the National Air and Space Museum and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetry. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Phylicia Rashad Is Stepping Down As Howard Universitys College Of Fine Arts Dean After 3 Years Phylicia Rashad Is Stepping Down As Howard Universitys College Of Fine Arts Dean After 3 Years | Photo: Paras Griffin via Getty Images Phylicia Rashad has fulfilled her agreement with Howard University as the Dean of the institutions College of Fine Arts following the spring commencement ceremony. Three years ago, Rashad helped to revive the fine arts program she was once a part of by stepping into the role of dean. Initially, the Houston native was unsure if she could fully commit to the role. On May 10, Rashad sat down with fellow Howard alumna Lesli Foster, who is now a news anchor at WUSA9, to discuss the work shes done at her alma mater and whats next. Before playing the beloved Claire Huxtable on The Cosby Show, Rashad graduated in 1970 before becoming a household name. The College of Arts had been removed two decades ago, according to WUSA9. Many people advocated for it to be re-established one of those people being the late Chadwick Boseman, whom Radhad mentored. He said, yes its going to be coming back. Its going to be reestablished, and I think you should be the dean. I looked at him and laughed, I did. I said, please. Chile, please, she told Foster. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Phylicia Rashad (@phyliciarashad) After Bosemans passing, Rashad had a change of heart. She honored Bosemans life and career by naming the schools new College of Fine Arts after him. His name is not here because he was Black Panther, his name is here because he was a scholar, she explained. As a student, he wanted to know everything there was to know about theater, about art, about music. Rashad knew it would be a huge undertaking, but she was up for the challenge. The biggest thing in arriving as dean to this unit that had not been its own unit for over two decades, was there was no infrastructure, she said. She also had to do a lot of fundraising and build sustainable partnerships with corporate sponsors. One of the things that I hoped to do was to create a narrative, a narrative that would expand understanding of what the arts are, their value to humanity and their academic value to this institution, she said. Many will argue that Rashad did just that as she found crafty ways to build a community-focused college that encourages students their dreams are obtainable through hard work. In her three-year run as dean, Rashad helped to broker a $5.4 million deal with Netflix for a memorial scholarship to celebrate Bosemans legacy. In addition, she used her famous name and face to bring A-list talent on campus to help educate students. Rashad says she isnt sure whats in store, but the unknown is part of the excitement. Its what I dont know that interests me most, she said. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) An Air Force instructor at a Texas military base has died after he was ejected from an aircraft during ground operations on Monday. Officials at the Sheppard Air Force Base said the instructor pilot succumbed to his injuries Tuesday after being rushed to the hospital following the accident. He was identified as Captain John Robertson of the 80th Operations Support Squadron. This is a devastating loss for Captain Robertsons family and loved ones, and for the entire 80th Flying Training Wing, said Col. Mitchell J. Cok, the acting wing commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing, in a news release. Captain Robertson was a highly valued Airman and instructor pilot. Our deepest condolences go with all who knew and loved him. Colorado man fights for life after rare internal decapitation from dirt bike crash The release did not disclose what may have triggered the incident that caused the ejection. An investigation is ongoing, officials said. This image provided by the U.S. Air Force shows a U.S. Air Force T-6A Texan II taxiing down the flight line at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, on Jan. 26, 2024. The Air Force says an instructor pilot was killed when the ejection seat activated while the jet was still on the ground at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. (Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman/U.S. Air Force via AP) Sheppard Air Force Base, established in 1941, is located about 20 miles south of the Oklahoma border, near Wichita Falls, Texas. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Weeks after a tight vote prompted some Pineville residents to shout at their elected officials, the Town Council has reversed course and chosen a different site for a controversial new electric substation. The Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to put the new substation at a site on Nations Ford Road, not the land on Miller Road the council previously picked for the project, Town Manager Ryan Spitzer confirmed. Pineville will now spend $305,000 to purchase 1.44 acres on the Nations Ford site and right-of-way easements for underground transmission lines to build the new substation. The new site is farther from the residential area that had concerned many. Pineville officials have said its a necessary project to keep the lights on as the community grows. But residents of the McCollough neighborhood which stretches from the town across the state line into Fort Mill, South Carolina were worried about the impacts on their property values, safety and health if things moved forward at the site the town originally picked. The council had previously approved a plan to buy about an acre at the intersection of Miller Road and Greenway Drive for the substation and let city staff, if necessary, condemn it. The decision, made at a special meeting March 25 that lasted less than 5 minutes, drew immediate pushback from some residents. We cant wait for the next election, one person shouted at town leaders after the vote. Mayor David Phillips, who cast tie-breaking votes in favor of the Miller Road site at the March meeting, previously told The Charlotte Observer he felt it was the smartest decision to make at this particular time. Its not anything that Im happy about, but, you know, sometimes you have to make decisions that are best for the town, he said after the original vote. Since that vote, the family that owns both parcels and had said they were more open to parting with the Nations Ford land came to the table, Spitzer said, allowing for a deal and a move to be made. Months of upheaval over Pineville substation site McCollough residents have expressed concerns about the Miller Road site since they first heard of Pinevilles plan for a new substation in December, saying they thought it could drag down their property values and negatively impact health, safety and local businesses. The residents said they were concerned about safety threats related to the substation, citing a shooting at a Moore County substation in 2022, and the potential health impacts of radiation from electromagnetic fields. Substations are high-voltage electric system facilities. Town leaders have pushed back at public meetings on the project, saying security measures would be incorporated into the design and disputing claims about potential health harms. The town initially thought itd have until 2026 or 2027 to get another substation online, officials said previously, but accelerated growth moved up that timeline. Pinevilles population grew from 7,479 to 10,602 from 2010 to 2020, according to Census data. The towns 2022 population estimate, the most recent Census data available, puts Pineville at 10,886 residents. The project would need to be completed by the end of 2025 to avoid power problems, according to David Lucore, Pinevilles electric services manager and a systems manager for ElectriCities of North Carolina. Some residents questioned why town leadership hadnt considered future infrastructure needs more when deciding on past development deals. The rapid growth in Pineville has been something that has concerned me and many residents for many years. And we have raised that alarm for many years with the previous council that things needed to slow down because we didnt have the infrastructure in place to handle it, resident Laura Stout said previously. And now that has caught up to us. And if something is not done, were going to lose power, and obviously nobody wants that. Why did Pineville leaders backtrack on substation vote? In addition to residents concerns and questions, there was also the matter of trying to get the land on Miller Road from the property owner. Spitzer indicated at a January meeting that the Millers, through their attorney, have been resistant to sell either plot. But members of the family in attendance at that meeting and their representatives said theyd be more open to selling the Nations Ford land. The family said that losing the land along Miller Road would take away more than 100 parking spaces from the flea market, hurting business. The councils March vote in favor of the Miller Road site gave town staff permission to condemn the land if the family wouldnt make a deal. But the two groups were able to negotiate, Spitzer said, resulting in the move to Nations Ford Road. The Millers came to the table, and the town and Miller family were able to negotiate a deal that was beneficial to both the town and the Millers to move the substation to Nations Ford, he said. Will new substation site cost more? Spitzer said the towns best estimate for the cost of the substation project is between $6.7 million and $7 million, but those numbers arent definite because of the variable of burying the transmission lines. The project will be paid for by electric revenues rather than tax dollars. Officials told residents at a January meeting using the Nations Ford Road site would cost about $1 million more than the Miller Road land and that the added expense could be passed on to consumers through higher rates. Some at that meeting said theyd be willing to take on a slightly higher electric bill to pay the higher cost. On Wednesday, Spitzer said the Nations Ford site will likely not actually end up costing an additional $1 million because the town is not purchasing as much of the land as originally conceived. The exact cost difference between the two sites is hard to say because the town doesnt know all the costs yet. 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. NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Police are reportedly investigating an incident in Northumberland County Tuesday night. According to our crew on the scene, state police, along with Shamokin and Coal Township Police are investigating a police incident. Gas leak closes Route 61 in Schuylkill County 28/28 News talked with eyewitnesses who say they saw police taking someone into their police cruiser. We are still working the story and hope to have more details as they are made available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) The Auburn Police Department said two Auburn residents, a business owner, and an employee were arrested on warrants after gambling machines from a local business revealed ongoing illegal activity. On Tuesday, officers arrested 30-year-old Rifat Hassan on warrants charging him with conspiracy to promote gambling and possession of a gambling device. Hassans arrest resulted from the police department investigating a suspected business located on East Glenn Avenue for running an illegal gambling operation. On May 8, detectives searched the business and confiscated several gambling machines. During the search officers also arrested the sole employee of the business, 62-year-old Robert Levett for conspiracy to promote gambling. Auburn Police says during the investigation, detectives recovered evidence proving that the machines were used to obtain illegal profits. Hassan was later identified as the business owner and arrested. At this time, police say Hassan is being held at the Lee County Jail on a $6000 bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. BERLIN, May 15 (Xinhua) -- A 34-year-old man who stabbed and killed a young couple on a train in Germany in early 2023 was sentenced to life in prison, the Itzehoe regional court in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein ruled on Wednesday. The assailant, who arrived in Germany in 2014, launched a sudden attack on passengers aboard a regional train in northern Germany in January 2023, using a kitchen knife stolen from a supermarket. A 17-year-old girl and her 19-year-old boyfriend died as a result of the assault, with four other passengers injured heavily. The perpetrator had a prior criminal record. The prosecution noted that the assailant's frustration over an immigration office setback on the day of the crime contributed to his actions. Despite exhibiting psychotic symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the court rejected the defense's plea to place the convict in a psychiatric facility, affirming his culpability. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The Albuquerque Police Department announced the arrest of Michael Mountjoy, the suspect accused in a shooting prior to a crash involving APD Chief Harold Medina. Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan returns to Albuquerque to film new series In February, Chief Medina was involved in a crash where he said he and his wife were in an unmarked car next to where a fight broke out. After seeing a gun, Medina says he sped off to avoid being in the line of fire when he hit and seriously injured a man. Detectives reviewed surveillance video from the area and viewed two men involved in an altercation near the intersection of Central and Alvarado. One man, identified at Mountjoy was seen firing a gun. Albuquerque Crime Stoppers released pictures of the suspect and the suspects vehicle. Police received a tip that Mountjoy may be the possible shooter. According to a criminal complaint, police have had previous interactions with Mountjoy and were able to review past interactions to positively identify him as the man from surveillance videos. Police arrested Mountjoy Wednesday, May 15, they say he had altered the appearance of his truck and has a prior criminal history. Mountjoy is charged with being a felon in possession of a gun, unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon, negligent use of a deadly weapon, and tampering with evidence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. The smell of Tennessee barbecue is fading in South Milwaukee as Atwood Hwy BBQ has suddenly shut down its smoker and closed its doors. There were a multitude of factors behind the decision, according to owner Donteah Morehouse. The business, known for its ribs, brisket, pulled pork and pork rinds, was having some staffing issues with Donteah and his wife, April Morehouse, spending more and more time in the kitchen. It was just getting to the point where summers approaching, weve got different catering things that happen and its hard to keep the restaurant open and do everything else, Donteah Morehouse said. Another main reason behind the shutdown was so he and his wife could focus more on family time, as well as their food trailer, the Atwood Hwy BBQ Shack. The Morehouses have eight kids with four still at home. They found themselves missing games and other events their kids were involved in and they decided it was time for a change. From opening in 2022 and a sudden closure announcement on Facebook The culinary couple opened the restaurant in March 2022 at 925 Madison Ave. and were met with so much success they expanded into an outdoor space just three months later. Their barbecue food trailer was also a staple at the South Milwaukee Farmers Market. A Facebook post made by Atwood on May 2 announced that would be the business' last day open. Mayor Jim Shelenske commented on the post, saying he was sad to hear the news and the business "will be missed. He questioned if the owners would still be at the South Milwaukee market in their trailer. Yeah, Ill be at the Farmers Market every Thursday," Morehouse told the Journal Sentinel. He plans to post a schedule to his Facebook page soon with additional dates in Menomonee Falls, Thiensville, Butler and possibly the Kenosha area. Originally, the business targeted May 11 as its final day, but "other things" came up that led to the quick closure. It wasnt a planned thing," Donteah Morehouse said of the sudden shutdown. "I just couldnt commit to the days being open until the 11th and it was a bummer on us. Dinners, like this chopped whole hog dinner, came with two sides at Atwood Hwy BBQ in South Milwaukee. The restaurant made its own sides, such as this mac and cheese and coleslaw. Might be moving home While the upcoming food truck season is booked, it could be the last for the Atwood Hwy BBQ Shack because Morehouse said he and his wife have been considering moving to Tennessee. Morehouse grew up there on a farm near Atwood Highway and he said the couple has been feeling drawn south. We love South Milwaukee, we appreciate it," he said. "(We've) just been thinking it might be nice to move back to Tennessee." Nothing is decided, however, and Morehouse said it may be possible to run a restaurant in southeastern Wisconsin even if the move happens. Were not done yet, we just need to take a break, get out of the restaurant and into the trailer," he said. Atwood expanded into Milwaukees Crossroads Collective in April 2023 but closed that location just before Labor Day last year. Donteah Morehouse said at the time of the closure the business had been operating with a temporary occupancy permit and an occupancy issue with his smoker and a new hood system led to the closure. Morehouse had been working to bring an ice cream vendor to the South Milwaukee space and wanted to launch a wine label. When Morehouse moved into the South Milwaukee location, he had to cut a hole in the wall to get his smoker inside. He thought that was the last time he'd be moving it. He was wrong. And it was just as difficult taking it out over multiple days. "She whupped me again," Morehouse said, laughing. Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Atwood Hwy BBQ in South Milwaukee abruptly closed. Here's why. Populist Wilders says right-wing government agreed in the Netherlands Radical-right populist Geert Wilders (PVV) arrives at the founding talks between the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB party factions. Almost six months after the parliamentary elections in the Netherlands, the radical right-wing populist Geert Wilders and three other right-wing parties have agreed on a new coalition. Sem Van Der Wal/ANP/dpa The far-right Dutch populist Geert Wilders says he has agreed on a coalition government with three other right-wing parties nearly six months after the Netherlands held parliamentary elections. "We have an agreement," Wilders said in The Hague on Wednesday as last-minute coalition talks continued ahead of a midnight (2200 GMT Wednesday) deadline. No candidate for prime minister has yet been agreed on, Wilders said. The controversial politician's Party for Freedom (PVV) won a clear victory in November's election, taking 37 of 150 seats, but Wilders proved unable to secure enough support to replace Mark Rutte as prime minister. The coalition is set to include Rutte's liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, Pieter Omtzigt's conservative New Social Contract (NSC) and the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB). The content of the agreement was not yet available on Wednesday afternoon. The coalition's parliamentary groupings have to give their approval of the deal before the midnight deadline. Radical-right populist Geert Wilders (PVV) arrives at the founding talks between the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB party factions. Almost six months after the parliamentary elections in the Netherlands, the radical right-wing populist Geert Wilders and three other right-wing parties have agreed on a new coalition. Sem Van Der Wal/ANP/dpa The far-right Dutch populist Geert Wilders says he has agreed on a coalition government with three other right-of-centre parties nearly six months after the Netherlands held parliamentary elections. "We have an agreement," Wilders said in The Hague on Wednesday as last-minute coalition talks continued ahead of a midnight (2200 GMT Wednesday) deadline. Wilders said that no candidate for prime minister has yet been agreed on. In March, the far-right, anti-Islam firebrand who came out on top in the polls in November, had shelved controversial demands such as a ban on mosques and given up his months-long bid to become prime minister. Wilders said at the time that this was the only way to form a right-wing coalition. The controversial politician's Party for Freedom (PVV) won a clear victory in the elections, taking 37 of 150 seats, but Wilders proved unable to secure enough support to replace Mark Rutte as prime minister. The coalition Wilders seeks is set to include Rutte's liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, Pieter Omtzigt's conservative New Social Contract (NSC) and the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB). The plan is to form a loose alliance with a team of ministers, around half of whom are non-party experts. Former Social Democrat minister Ronald Plasterk was being discussed as a possible candidate for prime minister. However, the parliamentary group leaders initially refused to confirm this. The exact content of the agreement was not yet available on Wednesday afternoon. The coalition's parliamentary groupings have to give their approval of the deal before the midnight deadline. After months of arduous talks, the party leaders had reached an agreement late Tuesday on finances, the biggest point of contention to date. A final agreement was still pending early Wednesday evening. It is expected that even after an agreement is finally reached, it will take an estimated six weeks before a government is actually in place. Rutte has been prime minister for more than 13 years. In the summer of 2023, his centre-right coalition collapsed in a dispute over asylum policy. Rutte then announced his retirement from politics and is now the most promising candidate for the post of NATO Secretary General. Portage High School was put on secure safety protocol for about 40 minutes Wednesday morning after unsubstantiated threats were made to staff, according to police and a Portage Township Schools spokeswoman. The safety protocol began around 10:35 a.m. and ended at 11: 15 a.m., according to Melissa Deavers, communications director for the school corporation. The front office staff received the phone call and made the administrative team aware of the call, she said. The investigation is continuing but we do not believe there is a credible threat to the building, staff, or student body, Portage Police said in a Facebook post. In an initial statement to school families, school officials said that under the secure safety protocol, we are conducting business as usual within the school with no one entering or leaving the building. This is following our staff receiving threatening phone calls that are currently unsubstantiated. The Portage Police Department is currently working with us to investigate. The safety protocol was lifted, according to a follow-up message, after the Portage Police Department concluded their investigation and determined that the threats made were unsubstantiated. Portage Police said in a statement that the safety protocol was based upon a staff member receiving unsubstantiated threats via telephone. Police patrols at the high school, and all of the Portage schools, were increased after the threats, and police are investigating. PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) Drone video taken by a Portage teen shows some of the wreckage caused by last weeks tornado in Portage, including several downed trees and areas of a park that were damaged. The video was taken by a Portage middle school student who wants to help his community recover. The day after the major tornado in Portage, I decided to take my drone out to Celery Flats and took it up and flew it around and it was honestly just terrible seeing all of the disaster, said 14-year-old Jackson Seguin. Preliminary assessment: Portage tornado destroyed 60 buildings Seguin is a huge biker and used the Celery Flats park trails often. His drone video shows the devastation after the EF2 tornado left Celery Flats shaken. Seeing tree after tree be knocked down is just terrible, Seguin said. A line clearly shows the path the tornado took through Celery Flats. It was just this beautiful park with fountains and everything was perfect. There was not paint missing. All the bushes were trimmed routinely. It was an amazing park in Portage, said Seguin. Many people are saddened to see Celery Flats in this condition. It used to be this luscious almost jungle of trees and now its just bare insides of trees and even when you are there it smells like garbage and broken trees. It just smells like it when youre in a wood shop, Seguin said. Being able to assess the damage and help community members is how Seguin is contributing to rebuilding Portage. My church, I say, bagged about 100 sack lunches and its honestly great just seeing my community bunch up. Even tonight just driving we saw a bunch of a team called Rubicon, which are vets staying in basements on cots. And its just nice seeing our community no matter what it is, even if its just drones or getting in with chainsaws, helping to make our city great again, said Seguin. News 8 reached out to the director of Parks and Recreation with the city of Portage this week. She said team members are taking the week to assess the damage. The city plans to make repairs to Celery Flats once a comprehensive assessment and plan is made. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. NEW YORK (PIX11) The Portal installation in New York City that provides a livestream of Dublin has been temporarily shut down after less than a week due to instances of inappropriate behavior, organizers said. The Portal will be turned off for a few days and return by the end of the week, according to the Flatiron NoMad Partnership. The decision to temporarily close the attraction was made after videos went viral on social media showing people behaving badly in front of the Portal. Some of the inappropriate behavior included an OnlyFans model in New York baring her breasts and people in Dublin holding up swastikas and displaying imagery from the 9/11 terror attacks. The overwhelming majority of visitors to the Portal have behaved appropriately and experienced the sense of joy and connectedness that this work of public art invites people to have, a statement from the Flatiron NoMad Partnership said. Instances of inappropriate behavior have come from a very small minority of Portal visitors and have been amplified on social media. Fifth Avenue skyscraper in Manhattan named historic landmark The temporary closure will allow organizers to come up with solutions to limit inappropriate behavior from appearing on the Portal livestreams. New York City and Dublin simultaneously debuted their portal installations on May 8, offering a window between the two cities and connecting people in real time. 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, said Portals founder and artist Benediktas Gylys said in a previous statement. New York Citys Portal installation is located next to the Flatiron Building in the Flatiron South Public Plaza at Broadway, Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street. In Dublin, the Portal was installed facing bustling OConnell Street in the central part of the city. Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Making a difference may involve the temporary discomfort of standing out. But it can have great impact, Vanessa E. Volz tells graduates in her commencement address at Rhode Island Colleges Advanced Degree Ceremony on May 9, 2024, in the college's Murray Center. (Gene St. Pierre/ Rhode Island College) Editors note: Vanessa Volz delivered the commencement address at Rhode Island Colleges Advanced Degree Ceremony on May 9, 2024, in the colleges Murray Center. This is a lightly edited version of the speech. Class of 2024, I invite you to engage in outrageous acts. You didnt hear me incorrectly, and I didnt mis-speak. I just invited you to take your newly minted graduate degree and engage in outrageous acts. Not courageous acts. Not noble acts. Outrageous acts. You may be wondering what is an outrageous act? Outrageous, by its definition, is very bold, unusual, and startling. While courageous typically refers to bravery or fearlessness while facing danger or difficulty, outrageous implies innovation and a willingness to change norms and conventions, even if it may be unusual or controversial. The activist and writer Gloria Steinem, while being interviewed once, made the following suggestion: If each person in the room promises that (they) will do at least one outrageous thing in the name of simple justice, then I promise I will, too. Ive referred to this quote by Steinem many times both professionally and personally. I teach a Gender and Society course to undergraduates here at Rhode Island College. Several years ago, I adapted an assignment suggested to me by another colleague. Students are asked to undertake an anti-gender conforming outrageous act by the end of the semester, and then report out to the class what that act was. I give my students significant latitude to decide what they consider to be outrageous. And not to worry, Rhode Island College administrators the outrageous acts must be safe and legal. Unfortunately, it seems like the list of whats both safe and legal in this country is shrinking faster than the lifespan of a smartphone battery. May we cherish what is legal while we still can. My students outrageous acts have varied significantly. For example, one student asked her boss for a raise. Another student disclosed to the class that she weighed herself every day, and she threw her scale away. One student confronted her mother with a familial concern shed had for years. Yet another student showed up at a rally and protested for the Black Lives Matter movement in downtown Providence. Ive taught this outrageous acts assignment several times over the years, and Ive noticed a common theme throughout. When I introduce this concept on the first day, everyone looks at me with a mixture of horror and disbelief. But when everyone presents their act on the final day of class, they are confident, sometimes even proud, and inspired by what is possible by taking a calculated risk however small or large. One student asked her boss for a raise. Another student disclosed to the class that she weighed herself every day, and she threw her scale away. Yet another student showed up at a rally and protested for the Black Lives Matter movement in downtown Providence. There have been so many times throughout history where the outrageous acts of others have resulted in remarkable breakthroughs in our society. Imagine what our world would look like today if Galileo hadnt advocated for the heliocentric model of the solar system, if Susan B. Anthony hadnt tirelessly led the womens suffrage movement, if Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. hadnt engaged in acts of civil disobedience, or if Harvey Milk hadnt fought for equality in the LGBTQ+ community. Yet at the time, what they were advocating for was considered nothing less than outrageous by our societys standards at that time. And, of course, lets not forget the global impact of the groundbreaking outrageous contributions of another trailblazer Taylor Swift. After all, who else could turn heartbreak into chart-topping hits and cause millions of people to reconsider their stance on ex-lovers? Rhode Island College Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs Carolynn Masters, standing left, and Leslie Schuster, professor in the Department of History, standing right, recognize Vanessa E. Volz in a hooding ceremony at the Advanced Degree Ceremony on May 9, 2024, in the colleges Murray Center. Volz delivered the commencement address and received an honorary doctorate. Seated left to right are Dean of the School of Business Marianne Raimondo and Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences Quenby Hughes. (Gene St. Pierre/Rhode Island College) Class of 2024, I invite you to follow the footsteps of these other pioneers and be outrageous. Do outrageous things. Embrace your uniqueness, take risks, use your skills and recently acquired knowledge, and challenge the status quo as you embark on your next journey. I daresay that right now we need your outrageous acts more than ever. You may have been too preoccupied with your coursework, papers, and exams these last few years to pay adequate attention to the news, but in case youre not aware, theres a lot of work to do: We need outrageous acts to challenge stereotypes, promote diversity, and amplify marginalized voices. We need outrageous acts to protect freedom of speech and expression in the face of censorship. We need outrageous thinking in driving innovation and progress in fields like technology, medicine, and business, where disruptive ideas often lead to breakthroughs that save and improve peoples lives. We need bold action to address urgent issues like climate change and environmental degradation. We need to advocate for the rights of all individuals, regardless of who they love or how they identify. And in a complex landscape of modern-day political conflicts, where cultural identities clash with religious beliefs, resulting in horrifying cycles of violence, outrageous acts are not only necessary but often serve as a means of resistance against injustice. These are huge issues to tackle, of course, and Im not saying that you must do something so outrageous that it will change the world. But perhaps you can do something outrageous enough that it will change your world. Sometimes small outrageous acts incrementally pave the way for something bigger to happen later. Everyones definition of what is outrageous will differ. Its most important that you define what is outrageous for you and your own life. I recognize its not always necessarily easy to do something outrageous. Daring to challenge existing circumstances with outrageous acts may not always be met with applause. Whether its advocating for important causes, speaking out against injustice, or simply being true to what I believed to be right, Ive experienced firsthand that disrupting the norm wont always make you popular or win you friends. However, Ive also come to understand that the value of making a difference outweighs the temporary discomfort of standing out. Sometimes, its in the moments of discomfort and resistance that our impact is most deeply felt. I invite you to sit in the discomfort that will inevitably arise when you undertake something that is outside the norm or that challenges what has come before it. In this very discomfort, what was at first outrageous becomes truly transformational. Congratulations again, Class of 2024. May you be bold, may you be courageous and may you, above all, engage in outrageous acts. I hope your collective outrageous endeavors lead you to extraordinary success and to a more just world. The post Whats possible by taking a calculated risk? Her college students find answer can be transformative appeared first on Rhode Island Current. NEW DELHI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of state-owned Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) was killed with 14 others rescued after a lift they were in collapsed inside a copper mine in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, officials said Wednesday. The members of HCL were trapped Tuesday night in Kolihan mine in Neem ka Thana district, about 165 km north of Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. "One body has been recovered and a total of 14 people have been rescued safely," Dharmendra, an official of the State Disaster Response Force told media on the spot. The rescued members have been removed to the hospital for treatment. Local media reports have identified the deceased official as Upendra Pandey, chief vigilance officer at HCL. Pandey was a member of a vigilance team that had gone inside the mine for an inspection. According to officials, the lift collapsed when it was carrying the vigilance team, mine officials and a photographer. Reports said the lift plummeted approximately 577 meters down the mine shaft. The copper mine in Khetri was established in 1967. Following beneficial rains overnight, Potter County fire crews on Thursday contained a thousand-acre blaze that broke out Tuesday evening southwest of Lake Meredith. The Hackberry Canyon Fire, located just northeast of the Canadian River bridge in northern Potter County, was an estimated 1,088 acres and 100% contained, the Texas A&M Forest Service announced just after 4:30 p.m. Thursday. "The fire received beneficial rainfall last night. There is no activity showing across the area today," TAMFS said via X. Officials said aviation and ground resources worked on the fire, and forward progression had been stopped by Wednesday afternoon. Crews also completed tactical firing operations to secure containment lines, and firefighters monitored the fire as storms crossed the area. The Texas A&M Forest Service helped fight a fire in Potter County estimated at 1,088 acres, which was 100% contained by 4:30 p.m. Thursday. State resources from TAMFS were deployed to assist in fighting the grass fire. The Amarillo Emergency Operations Center was placed on heightened alert in response to the wildfire, according to a statement from the agency. Severe weather, high winds forecast for Panhandle The National Weather Service in Amarillo warned of severe storms, including high winds, heading across the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles Wednesday evening. A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for the entire Texas Panhandle, with potential hail, strong winds and frequent lightning possible. NWS said at 6:21 p.m. Wednesday an automated station 9 miles north/northeast of Sunray gusted to 79 mph from the thunderstorms in the area. "Another round of showers could follow this afternoon as the system continues to push through, the NWS said Thursday morning. "Impacts for the day are expected to stick mostly to rainfall, with the highest amounts likely to be found in our southern most counties of the Texas Panhandle." This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Potter County firefighters contain 1,088-acre Hackberry Canyon fire Pregnant woman, unborn child die when tree topples onto home in storm, officials say A pregnant woman and her unborn child were killed when a tree came crashing onto their Louisiana home, the states health department said. The 31-year-old, who was nine months pregnant, was among three weather-related deaths reported May 13 as severe storms pummeled the state, officials said in a May 14 news release. Her child didnt survive and was counted among the storms victims. The woman was identified as 31-year-old Kristin Browning, the West Baton Rouge Coroners Office confirmed to McClatchy News. A man and a 5-year-old child in the Port Allen home were also hurt, though authorities didnt describe the extent of their injuries, WAFB reported. Strong storms rolled through the region Monday evening, bringing heavy rain, hurricane-force winds and the possibility of ping-pong-ball-sized hail, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters predicted winds of more than 75 miles per hour. 7:20p - These storms are producing winds in excess of 75 mph. Thats hurricane force! Everyone on the east side of the Baton Rouge metro and through Livingston Parish needs to take shelter NOW. Seek an interior room away from windows and protect your head. pic.twitter.com/mTGAwR64c3 NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) May 14, 2024 Gusty winds caused a camper to flip, killing a woman in Cecilia, the health department said, citing the St. Martin Parish coroner. Authorities didnt release additional information. Port Allen is a less than 5-mile drive west of downtown Baton Rouge. Hiker missing after texting friend he reached stormy mountain peak, CO rangers say Power outages prompt CMS to cancel classes at 20 schools. See the list Country star Zach Bryan helps Nebraska community clean up after tornadoes, photos show It has been a season of sky pageants. March 24 and 25 saw a lunar eclipse across the Americas, Europe, and North and East Asia. April 8 featured the total solar eclipse in North America. March and April also brought the appearance of the evocatively named Devil Comet. And last weekend, earthlings were treated to a spectacular light show when a geomagnetic explosion on the sun, known as a coronal mass ejection, produced a colorful display of the aurora borealis, a phenomenon usually limited to the north polar region, but visible this time around as far south as Alabama in the U.S. and at similar latitudes around the world. Coronal mass ejections produce not just spectacle, but potentially deadly mischief. When the energy from the sun collides with Earth, it can disrupt satellites, send GPS systems awry, knock power plants offline, and shut down telecommunications. Like hurricanes, solar storms are ranked in five categories by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), from minor to moderate to strong to severe to extreme. On May 12, NOAA issued a rare severe-to-extreme warning for the unfolding event, though even at its peak, from May 10 to 12, there were no reports of power or satellite disruption. But if the Earth dodged a bullet this time, we face a potentially rough year or so, as the sun goes through one of its cycles of peak activity. So whats going on out there, how great is the danger to us here on Earth, and how can we prepare? What causes solar storms? In the same way the Earth has its seasons, the sun does too. Solar seasons play out not over the course of months, however, but in 11-year cycles that produce times of high activity, known as the solar maximum, and low activity known as the solar minimum. The cycles are due to the fact that the sun is not solid, which means that different parts of its surface rotate at different ratestaking 25 days to complete a single rotation at the equator and 33 days at the poles. This causes the suns magnetic field to become tangled, slowly building up energy until it snaps. When that happens, the north and south magnetic poles switch places with each other, releasing the energy that creates the solar maximum. Once that energy is expended, the sun returns to a less volatile solar minimum. One telltale sign of high solar activity is sunspots, small patches of twisted magnetic fields on the sun. The greater the number of spots, the greater the solar volatility. The current eruption was associated with a sunspot 16 times the diameter of Earth, and gave off billions of tons of plasmasuperheated gas made up of charged particles. Read More: Can You Eat Cicadas? Not every solar maximum or solar minimum is equal, however. The main cycle of the sun is the 11-year one, but people have noticed longer trends in the sunspot activity, says Michael Liemohn, professor of climate and space sciences and engineering at the University of Michigan. There seems to be a century-long cycle for which the number of sunspots at solar maximum is smaller for a cycle or two and then returns to a more normal level. The last period of solar maximum, which ended about ten years ago, was at the lower end of the energy spectrum. The one that ended 20 years ago was higher. We expect this current solar maximum to be bigger than the previous one, and more similar to the solar activity peak 20 years ago, says Liemohn. How do coronal mass ejections endanger Earth? The best way to understand the effect solar storms have on our planet is to think of the atmosphere as akin to the gas in a fluorescent light bulb. In the bulb, Liemohn explains, electrodes at either end accelerate electrons, which interact with the gas, imparting energy to it and causing it to give off light. High in the atmosphere50 to 200 miles upa similar process creates the aurora. Closer to the surface of the Earth, the effect is not so benign. Like in the bulb, there is an electric current associated with the fast electrons, and these space currents can induce other electric currents in conducting loops here on the ground, says Liemohn. The loops have to be very long, many miles, but high voltage power lines are susceptible to this effect. Damage to satellites is more direct and done in a number of ways. As NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center explains, geomagnetic storms heat the outer atmosphere, causing it to expand. This increases the drag on satellites and can degrade their orbits. The charged particles streaming from the sun during a solar storm can also penetrate a satellite or electrify its surface, damaging its components. The problem is especially acute in satellites in high orbits, more than 22,000 miles above the Earthwhich is the altitude at which most communications satellites fly. Read More: We Still Don't Fully Understand Time Crewed spacecraft like the International Space Station orbit much lowertypically about 250 miles up. That affords astronauts some protection from the Earths magnetospherewhich shields us from solar and cosmic rays on the ground. Still, astronauts receive more of a radiation dose than earthbound people and animals do, especially during a solar storm. The station or spacecraft themselves provide additional protectionbut an unprotected astronaut on the surface of the moon or Mars would be in serious trouble during a solar storm. According to Space.com, a coronal mass ejection shock wave would expose the astronaut to the equivalent of 300,000 simultaneous chest x-rays, much more than the 45,000 that would prove lethal. Getting ready for the next one Typically, a solar storm takes a day or so to reach and pass Earth. The recent one lasted several days, Liemohn explains, because the sun released several storms in quick succession. Earth is in the recovery phase of the storm now, which will last a few more days, he said on May 12. But now the aurora will be confined to its usual location at higher latitudes, across Alaska and Canada. More big storms are likelier than not during this powerful solar maximum. The solar weather could take until mid 2025 to start to subside, according to NOAA. So how can we prepare? In 2019, Congress took a stab at hardening Americas defenses against space weather events when it passed the PROSWIFT Act, for Promoting Research and Observations of Space Weather to Improve the Forecasting of Tomorrow. Under the act, Washington empowered NOAA, NASA, the National Science Foundation, industry, academia and more to research how to prepare for adverse space weather events and to prioritize appropriate funding to that end. Basically, says Daniel Welling, assistant professor in climate and space sciences at the University of Michigan, the law is to have these bodies advise the nation on how to proceed in trying to understand and set benchmarks for space weather forecasting. At the moment, thats not easy to do. For one thing, space weather is still something of a black box for researchers. For another, even if we could predict it as reliably as we can predict terrestrial weather, the U.S. power grid is so sprawling and regionalized that its hard to put protocols in place to protect everything. Read More: Google DeepMinds Latest AI Model Is Poised to Revolutionize Drug Discovery A proof-of-concept example of what that kind of command and control system would look like, however, does exist in New Zealand. Just over a year ago, Welling worked with a team at Transpower, the owner and operator of the countrys national grid, to model an extreme solar storm estimate and then change the grid configuration until it was stable. That was distilled down to a PDF procedure that sits on the desks of the Transpower operators. They activated it this [past] weekend, says Welling, which is really cool. But a nation of 5.1 million covering a land mass of 103,500 square miles is different from a nation like the U.S., with its 333 million people and its 3.8 million square miles. And if a grid-killing storm hit, our power systems would likely go down. Thats not for lack of machinery and protocols in development, however. Power plant transformers operate on alternating current, but during solar storms may receive surges of direct current. Those transformers are not meant to handle that, so they can heat up, sometimes quite quickly, says Welling. A piece of hardware known as a geomagnetically induced current (GIC) blocker could be installed on the transformers to protect them from destructive pulses of power. The problem is the GIC blockers are still in development, and when they are installed, they can have what Welling calls a Whac-A-Mole effect. You shut down the current [from the solar storm] over here, and it doubles over there, he says. That leaves transformers vulnerableand vulnerable transformers are a very bad thing. Transformers are the size of your living room, theyre custom-made and theyre shipped from overseas, says Welling. If they are damaged or destroyed during a storm, it can take weeks or longer to recover, he adds. Managing potential satellite damage is easier. One of the big risks here is phantom commands that cause the satellites to behave anomalously. The solution is to send them repeated spam commands, basically reminding them over and over again simply to continue functioning as theyre supposed to. Careful monitoring of trajectory can allow operators to fire the satellites thrusters in appropriate bursts, preventing orbits from decaying due to atmospheric drag. Both oil pipelines and railroad systems can present problems as well since any long, metal, ground-based conductor can carry current during a geomagnetic storm. In the case of pipelines, theres not much controllers can do but monitor them, looking for damage that can be done by the current. In the case of trains, says Welling, railway traffic controllers know not to trust automatic signals during a geomagnetic storm, and will instead take over manually. A similar rule applies to the oil industry and some aspects of the military that are heavily dependent on GPS systems. Those sectors will suspend operations until they get the all clear, Welling says. Air traffic controllers must also react, diverting airplanes from places that are experiencing communications blackouts, or grounding planes entirely if the absence of comms is more global. And passenger health will call for avoiding areas where high levels of dangerous radiation are present. Last weekend, says Welling, there were flights that normally fly over the pole being diverted to lower latitudes because of the radiation risk. For now, these decidedly imperfect protocols are the best measures the U.S. and most of the rest of the world have. Not only do better preventive and corrective solutions have to be developed, but the business of space weather prediction has to improve dramatically. And that could take a lot of time. Theres this saying that space weather is 50 years behind meteorology in terms of forecasting and statistics, says Welling. The events of [last] weekend really made that saying resonate with me. Write to Jeffrey Kluger at jeffrey.kluger@time.com. President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump to debate next month in Atlanta President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will participate in a debate June 27 at CNNs studios in Atlanta, the network announced Wednesday. The 9 p.m. debate will be aired live by CNN, CNN International, CNN en Espanol, CNN Max, and CNN.com with no audience present, a highly unusual arrangement for presidential debates. The first presidential debates between Republican Richard Nixon and Democrat John F. Kennedy took place in 1960 without audiences present. But since presidential debates resumed in 1976, all have taken place in front of live audiences. The two candidates wasted no time engaging in trash talk as they announced the debate. Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020, Biden said in a video released Wednesday. Since then he hasnt shown up for a debate. Now hes acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal, Ill even do it twice. I am Ready and Willing to Debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September, Trump wrote on his Truth Social website. Lets get ready to Rumble!!! Its uncertain whether any third-party candidates will be on the stage for the Atlanta debate. To participate, candidates must get their names on a sufficient number of state ballots to potentially reach the 270 electoral vote threshold to win the presidency and receive at least 15% in four separate national polls. Moderators for the debate and additional details will be announced at a later date. The Democrat Angela Alsobrooks will face off against the former Republican governor Larry Hogan in the Maryland Senate race this November, setting up an unexpectedly competitive election in the reliably Democratic state. Republicans have a rare opportunity to flip a Senate seat in Maryland, and the outcome of that race could determine control of the upper chamber in November. Alsobrooks and Hogan won their parties Senate primaries on Tuesday, as Maryland voters cast ballots in the presidential race as well as congressional elections. Joe Biden and Donald Trump easily won the states primaries after already securing enough delegates to capture their parties nominations. Leaders of both parties were closely watching the results of the Senate contests, as the retirement of Senator Ben Cardin has created an opening for Republicans to potentially capture the seat, thanks to Hogans late entry into the race. A Hogan victory would mark the first time that a Republican has won a Maryland Senate election since 1980, and it could erase Democrats narrow majority in the chamber. As expected, Hogan easily won the Republican primary, with the Associated Press calling the race less than an hour after polls closed. Alsobrooks faced a more competitive primary against Congressman David Trone, the owner of the beverage chain Total Wine & More. Trone used his personal fortune to boost his Senate campaign; according to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission, he loaned at least $61.8m to his campaign. But that investment was not enough to secure a victory, as the AP called the race for Alsobrooks about two hours after polls closed. The Maryland Senate race has historic implications, as Alsobrooks would become the first Black person elected to represent Maryland in the Senate and just the third Black woman to ever serve in the chamber. But Alsobrookss victory is far from guaranteed, as Hogan presents a formidable threat to Democrats hopes of holding the seat. When Hogan left office last year, a poll conducted for Gonzales Research & Media Services showed that 77% of Marylanders, including an astounding 81% of Democrats, approved of the governors job performance. Hogans candidacy will force Democrats to allocate resources to a Senate race that they had previously assumed would be an easy win in the general election. In 2020, Biden beat Trump by 33 points in Maryland, but Hogan also won his 2018 re-election race by 12 points. Polls of potential general election match-ups have produced mixed results, but both parties will almost certainly have to spend heavily to compete in the state. The Cook Political Report currently rates the Maryland Senate race as likely Democrat. Electing Angela Alsobrooks will stop Republicans from taking control of the Senate, and ensure that Republican Larry Hogans party cannot pursue their dangerous agenda like passing a national ban on abortion, said the senator Gary Peters, chair of the Democratic senatorial campaign committee. Marylanders know the Senate majority is on the line, and thats why they are unified behind Angela and ready to defeat Republican Larry Hogan in November. Elsewhere in the state, the former US Capitol police office Harry Dunn, who wrote a bestselling book about his experience protecting lawmakers during the January 6 insurrection, lost his primary bid to the Democratic state senator Sarah Elfreth. Although Dunn had the largest national profile, Elfreth benefited from the support of the pro-Israel Super Pac United Democracy Project. Dunn, a first-time candidate, proved himself to be a prodigious fundraiser, bringing in $4.6m across the election cycle. In comparison, Elfeths campaign raised just $1.5m, but she received outside help from UDP, which is affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac). UDP spent at least $4.2m in support of Elfreths campaign, flooding the district with ads promoting her candidacy. The race to succeed Trone in representing Marylands sixth congressional district also attracted a crowded field of candidates. In the Democratic primary, the former Biden administration official April McClain Delaney defeated the state delegate Joe Vogel, while the former state delegate Neil Parrott prevailed over his fellow former delegate Dan Cox to win the Republican nomination. Of Marylands eight congressional districts, the sixth is viewed as the most competitive for the general election, and Cook rates the seat as likely Democrat. Although Biden and Trump have both already secured their parties nominations, Marylands presidential primaries still offered clues about the general election. Bidens name appeared on his partys ballot alongside those of the Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips and the self-help author Marianne Williamson, but Maryland Democrats also had the option to choose uncommitted to any presidential candidate. Mirroring similar efforts in states like Michigan, pro-ceasefire advocates urged Maryland voters to cast ballots for uncommitted to protest against Bidens handling of the war in Gaza. As of 10.30pm ET, uncommitted had won 10% of the Democratic vote compared to Bidens 87%. In the Republican presidential primary, only the names of Trump and the former UN ambassador Nikki Haley appeared on the ballot. Although Haley dropped out of the race in March, she has continued to win votes in the weeks since, which has been viewed as a potential warning sign for Trump heading into the general election. As of 10.30pm ET, Haley had captured 20% of the Republican vote compared to Trumps 80%. Prisoner who escaped from Boise hospital enters court plea. Will he face a jury? The Idaho prisoner charged with planning and staging a violent escape while at a Boise hospital, after which he evaded law enforcement for 36 hourse, pleaded guilty to some but not all of his charges Wednesday afternoon. Skylar Meade, 31, appeared before 4th District Judge Nancy Baskin at the Ada County Courthouse wearing a yellow prison suit. He answered Baskins questions in a calm voice, responding politely with yes, maam and thats correct, maam throughout the hearing. Meade pleaded guilty without any plea agreement to escaping from prison and an enhancement for being a persistent violator, telling Baskin that he understood the enhancement could bring his sentence from a five-year maximum to life. Meade entered the plea despite being unable to review all of the evidence against him yet. He believes that theres a strong factual basis, regardless of whats written down on paper or filmed on videos, defense attorney Rob Chastain said in court. Meade did not enter pleas for two enhancements related to causing bodily injury to others while the crimes were committed. Those charges could go to trial, but Baskin said she would give prosecutors time to decide how to proceed, and discuss that at Meades next hearing, which is set for June 20. Skylar Meade enters the courtroom for his hearing at the Ada County Courthouse. Meade escaped Idaho Department of Correction custody on March 20 after his alleged accomplice, Nicholas Umphenour, 28, ambushed IDOC officers at Boises Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, where Meade was receiving treatment for self-inflicted injuries. Boise police said Umphenour shot two of the officers, while a third was mistakenly shot by police. Officers arrested the two men in the Twin Falls area on March 21, according to Idaho State Police. Authorities said they also linked the two men to two North Idaho homicides one in Nez Perce County and another in Clearwater County that happened in the time window when they were at large, but prosecutors have not charged the men in those killings. At the hearing, the defense hinted at additional charges for Meade. There are a number of other investigations going on concerning the history of Meade, perhaps in other counties, and perhaps federal investigations, Chastain said. Meade waived his right to a mental health screening and Chastain said his client was not prepared to cooperate with one. Mental health evaluations are done to provide judges with context for a defendant, and they potentially affect legal proceedings and sentencings. Meades previous crimes included officer assault, drug possession and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Baskin set Meades next hearing for 2:30 p.m. June 20 at the Ada County Courthouse. Umphenour has been charged with six felonies, including three counts of assault or battery upon certain personnel. He has a hearing set for May 29. Donald Trump may be the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, but Nikki Haley isnt offering him her support or donor network yet. During a private, two-day donor retreat in Charleston, South Carolina, the former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador thanked a group of around 100 donors and her team gave a presentation on her campaigns fundraising and strategy. But Trump was barely mentioned even as Haley continues to rack up votes in primaries despite dropping out of the race in early March. As expected, Haley did not endorse the former president during the retreat, nor did she encourage her supporters to back his campaign, according to attendees at the event. The Charleston retreat showed the former GOP candidate continues to have the backing of an extremely loyal group of donors and supporters who plan to keep following her, even though she has yet to announce her next move beyond joining the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington-based think tank. I take solace in the fact that Nikki's 52, said Bill Strong, a Florida-based investment banker and Haley donor who attended the retreat. She's highly engaged in the issues that are affecting the nation and I very much hope this is not the last we hear of Nikki Haley. And I fully expect that it will not be the last year of Nikki Haley. The only time Trumps name came up during the presentation to donors was in the context of the early state primaries the former president won before Haley bowed out of the race, according to attendees. Instead, Haley and her team went over details from her campaign, including figures for how much the campaign and super PAC raised. After breakfast on Tuesday in a downtown Charleston conference room, Jon Lerner, a top aide to Haley, and Betsy Ankney, her former campaign manager, told donors that the campaign and super PAC raised a total of $162 million, with $82 million coming from the super PAC and $80 million from hard dollar donations to the campaign, according to details of the presentation shared by an attendee. At least $50 million in contributions came from grassroots supporters and $30 million came from major donors. Around 300,0000 donors gave to the campaign 145,982 of which were new Republican digital donors added to the GOP fundraising ecosystem, according to the presentation. Her campaign had $11.5 million in the bank at the end of February, per Federal Election Commission figures. Nikki, she wanted full transparency, said longtime Haley supporter Simone Levinson. She felt obligated that we all see how they spent their money, where it was spent, what the strategies were and treat this as an investor conference where people could ask her and the campaign any questions. Donors at the retreat discussed the continued support her campaign has had in recent primary elections. In Indiana last week, Haley earned more than 22 percent of the GOP vote; in Pennsylvania she earned 16 percent; and in Wisconsin she won 13 percent, even though she dropped out of the race over two months ago. Haley even drew 14 percent of the GOP primary vote in Florida in mid-March, beating Gov. Ron DeSantis in his home state. DeSantis took in just 4 percent of the Republican vote. (Haley was still in the race when early voting and mail-in voting started in the state). We all took pride in that and many people in this country share Nikki's vision for America. They do. I do, Strong said. They don't have to vote for her. She's dropped out of the campaign. But they've continued to support [the campaign] and we expect that to continue to happen. Support for Haley which has been concentrated in suburban areas has received attention from President Joe Bidens campaign, which has tried to attract Haley voters and donors with advertising and personal outreach. Trump, meanwhile, isnt actively courting Haley supporters and over the weekend ruled her out as a potential running mate. Nikki Haley is not under consideration for the VP slot, but I wish her well!" Trump posted on X, after Axios reported she was a contender. In her March farewell speech, Haley said that Trump needs to earn the votes of her supporters and she also said that she no longer feels bound to the Republican National Committees pledge to support the nominee. Clearly the fact that she's still getting the votes that she's getting in the primary when she's not even a candidate anymore says that there are people that are out there that support her, said Eric Tanenblatt, a Haley donor who attended the retreat. It's going to be a close election. And I think it's in President Trump's best interest and the Republican Party's best interest for everyone to all be united. Haley is still settling into life beyond the campaign trail. Her son, Nalin, graduates from college at Villanova University this weekend and her husband, Maj. Michael Haley, just returned from a yearlong deployment with the National Guard in the Horn of Africa. Her X account has been full of commentary on Biden, the Israel-Hamas war and recent college campus protests. She was very clear she did not know what the future has in store for her, said Levinson. But I know that she is committed to using her voice to do good and whatever her role she holds next, you know, we're lucky to have her. CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misspelled Betsy Ankney's name. (KRON) The encampment put up by pro-Palestine protesters at UC Berkeley will come down, Chancellor Carol Christ said in a letter on Tuesday that was acquired by KRON4. The encampment was sitting at the Savio Steps of Sproul Hall. UC Berkeley reached an agreement with the UCB Divest Coalition to take it down, a process that began on Tuesday. USF student protesters defy deadline to vacate encampment I am greatly relieved that we were able to bring this protest to a peaceful end. We stand ready, as always, to also meet with any students from any community who wish to present requests and ideas for institutional action in support of their needs, interests and/or values, Christ said. Christ said in the letter that she had four goals related to the encampment: Provide for the physical safety of the campus community. Prevent disruption of campus operations so that students can complete their courses and exams. Enable commencement ceremonies to proceed as planned for the benefit of our graduates, their families, and friends. Avoid any escalation of the situation on our campus. She described the protest as nonviolent, with a few notable exceptions, and said it did not disrupt teaching, learning or research at the school. However, students from a wide range of communities have told Christ they do not feel safe on campus, she said. I remain deeply concerned about the death and destruction of critical infrastructure in Gaza, and about the ongoing impact on our university and its community. For those reasons, I personally support the efforts of our government to promote a ceasefire, gain the release of hostages, and initiate a process for negotiations that could bring the current conflict to a permanent end, she said. KRON4 has reached out to the UCB Divest Coalition and is awaiting a response. The encampment at San Francisco State University will be cleared as well after that school reached an agreement with Students for Gaza, but at San Jose State, encampments remained up as of Tuesday night. The school gave the students until 6 p.m. to clear them, but the students said they have no plans of doing so. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar attend the fifth round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in Beijing, capital of China, May 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the fifth round of the Foreign Minister-Level China-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing on Wednesday, with the two sides pledging to enhance pragmatic cooperation in various fields. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Over the years, Pakistan has firmly adhered to the one-China principle and offered China valuable support without reservation on issues concerning China's core interests. China also firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs. It is believed that under the leadership of the new government, Pakistan will enter a new stage of political unity, social stability, controllable security and sustainable development. China and Pakistan will support each other, share weal and woe, and work hand in hand to push China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to a new level, Wang added. China is willing to work with Pakistan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, pool efforts to promote the construction of an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and work together to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, Wang said. In addition, China will not waver in its determination to deepen cooperation with Pakistan, and hopes that Pakistan will continue to do its utmost to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan and eliminate the worries of Chinese enterprises and personnel, he added. The Pakistan-China friendship is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy, Dar said, adding that Pakistan abides by the one-China principle, firmly supports China without hesitation on all issues concerning China's core interests, and looks forward to further deepening bilateral practical cooperation in various fields. Pakistan will do its utmost to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Pakistan. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar attend the fifth round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in Beijing, capital of China, May 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) NEW YORK Pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the lobby of the CUNY Graduate Center in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday night, about two weeks after big NYPD crackdowns at City College of New York and other campuses. About two dozen students demonstrated inside the lobby on Fifth Ave. near E. 34th St., hanging banners and dubbing the Centers library The Al Aqsa University Library. Al Aqsa University, the oldest public university in Gaza, has been destroyed during Israels war on Hamas. About 75 protesters stood in the rain outside the Graduate Center waving Palestinian flags. Dozens of NYPD cops lined the street outside the building but did not breach the building. Meanwhile, students were seen diligently studying inside the library as the spring semester wound down. Students involved in the demo called on administrators to negotiate a divestment from Israeli weapons, tech and surveillance companies. Instead, on April 30, the City College administration called the New York Police Department to dismantle the CUNY Gaza Solidarity Encampment, resulting in brutalization of protestors and almost 200 arrests, the students said in a statement. On May 13, CCNY threatened pro-Palestine students with suspension for protesting on their own campus. On May 1, police made 173 arrests after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied a City College administration building, vandalizing offices and shattering glass doors, before CUNY called in the NYPD to clear the encampment, officials previously said. A CUNY Graduate Center spokeswoman did not immediately requests for comment Tuesday night. _____ PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A man described as a prolific graffiti vandal now faces eight felonies after his Northeast Portland home was searched Tuesday morning, Investigators began looking into Gabriel Rodriguez-Lee months ago, Portland police said. He was arrested in October 2023 for a large OMEGA tag in North Portland and having a gun. He pleaded guilty to the gun charge and was put on a year probation in November. Oregon money vs Taggers: Is $20M being spent wisely? Early Tuesday, authorities used the search warrant at his home near NE 11th and Skidmore and allegedly found hundreds of iterations of the OMEGA tag. Rodriguez-Lee now faces eight felony counts of first-degree criminal mischief plus a misdemeanor criminal mischief charge. Gabriel Rodriguez-Lee faces 8 felonies for allegedly being a 'prolific graffiti vandal' in Portland. His Northeast Portland home was searched, May 14, 2024 (PPB) Gabriel Rodriguez-Lee faces 8 felonies for allegedly being a 'prolific graffiti vandal' in Portland. His Northeast Portland home was searched, May 14, 2024 (PPB) Gabriel Rodriguez-Lee faces 8 felonies for allegedly being a 'prolific graffiti vandal' in Portland. His Northeast Portland home was searched, May 14, 2024 (PPB) Gabriel Rodriguez-Lee faces 8 felonies for allegedly being a 'prolific graffiti vandal' in Portland. His Northeast Portland home was searched, May 14, 2024 (PPB) Gabriel Rodriguez-Lee faces 8 felonies for allegedly being a 'prolific graffiti vandal' in Portland. His Northeast Portland home was searched, May 14, 2024 (PPB) No further information is available at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. An award-winning journalist imprisoned in Guatemala for nearly two years was granted a conditional release on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. Jose Ruben Zamora, 67, was first arrested on charges of possible money laundering, blackmail, and influence peddling in July 2022. After a year in detention while he waited for his case to play out, he was convicted on the money laundering charge by a three-judge panel, which sentenced him to six years in prison and fined him $40,000. (He was cleared of blackmail and influence peddling.) A prominent critic of Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei, Zamora is best-known as the founder and publisher of the elPeriodico newspaper, which regularly investigated graft and corruption within Giammatteis government. ElPeriodico shuttered the year after Zamoras arrest. Press freedom and civil rights groups criticized Zamoras arrest and sentencing as retaliatory and politically motivated, a charge Giammattei has denied. I am innocent of the crimes, Zamora said after his sentencing, the AP reported at the time. I continue being innocent and [Giammattei] continues being a thief. In October, Zamoras conviction was overturned by another court and a new trial ordered. Waiting for his retrial, he has remained behind bars, largely in isolation. He previously told the Committee to Protect Journalists that hed been subjected to sleep deprivation in a cell infested with bugs. But in a Wednesday hearing in Guatemala City, a judge ordered that Zamora be released to house arrest as proceedings continue. He was ordered to post a bond of nearly $4,800, according to the AP. During my entire life I have been the victim of attacks, abductions, aggressions for the work that I do, Zamora said at the hearing. Jorge Duque, Guatemalas former human rights ombudsman, agreed to guarantee Zamoras appearance at future hearings, according to the AP. It is the least I can do, Duque said. I know him and I know that he will continue facing the process against him. The move was hailed by advocates for Zamoras freedom, including Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, which said in a statement that it represented a positive first step in the series of legal proceedings unjustly linked to the journalist, whom they called a beacon of courage and journalistic ethics for over 30 years. Zamora was not immediately released, however, as decisions remain pending in two other cases against him, according to the CPJ. Zamoras work has been internationally recognized. He has received an International Press Freedom Award from the CPJ and the Maria Moors Cabot Prize from Columbia University. The day before the hearing, he was awarded a journalistic excellence prize by the Gabo Foundation. 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. NEW YORK Prosecutors made no qualms Wednesday painting Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) as a politically powerful but corrupt lawmaker who accepted gold bars, envelopes of cash and a luxury car in exchange for his influence, where they maintained he put greed first. During opening remarks in lower Manhattan at the start of Menendezs federal corruption trial, prosecutors laid out a case in which they contend Menendez and his wife, Nadine, engaged in a quid pro quo with three businessmen: Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes. The senator, his wife and the three New Jersey businessmen were charged last year in a sweeping bribery scheme where lavish gifts were allegedly traded for the senators ear and political sway. The charges, which include illegally benefiting foreign countries, were brought while Menendez served as chair of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was powerful, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Pomerantz said of the New Jersey Democrat. He was also corrupt. But attorneys representing Menendez strongly refuted the governments theory of the case, describing their narrative of a public servants fall from grace as outrageously false. In short, the evidence will show Bob was doing his job; he was doing it right, attorney Avi Weitzman said in his opening statement. The senators scheme unfurled in three parts, Pomerantz said: He took steps to benefit Hana and Egypt. He promised to disrupt a case involving Uribe in exchange for a Mercedes-Benz convertible. And he sought to influence a different case involving Daibes in exchange for other luxury items. This was not politics as usual, the prosecutor said. This was politics for profit. Uribe has since pleaded guilty to several charges and agreed to testify in the case, while Menendezs wife will stand trial alone later this year due to a serious medical condition. Menendez and the other businessmen have pleaded not guilty. Wearing a pink tie and dark grey suit, Menendez mostly maintained eye contact with the 12 New Yorkers who will decide his fate, keeping his hands clasped on the corner of his chair as he slightly turned his body to face them. He almost always remained still. The two businessmen standing trial alongside the senator sat behind him. Defense attorneys portrayed Menendez as a family man and public servant, whose origins in authoritarian Cuba led to a penchant for keeping cash on hand. Federal agents allegedly found more than $480,000 in cash when they searched the Menendezes New Jersey home in June 2022, much of it hidden in envelopes, clothing, closets and a safe. They also reportedly found more than $100,000 worth of gold bars. Prosecutors pointed to Google searches Menendez made questioning just how much those gold bars cost. But Weitzman noting the green and gold elephant in the room suggested that there are innocent explanations for the hundreds of thousands of dollars the Menendezes stored away. He did not ask for bribes, the defense attorney said. He did not get any bribes. Menendezs attorneys also sought to put distance between the senators actions and his wifes off the bat. At one point, Weitzman showed jurors a slide mimicking a Wheres Waldo puzzle except it was replaced with Wheres Bob? and implored the jurors to remember it each time prosecutors presented evidence about Nadine Menendez, who is not standing trial alongside her husband. The courtroom erupted in laughter, and even Menendez cracked a smile after sitting stone-faced. Just ask yourself: Wheres Bob? Weitzman said, indicating the couple lived separate lives and the senator was often in Washington, D.C. Yet, prosecutors say that Menendezs positioning in Washington as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee put him in the perfect position to put his power up for sale. He stepped down from the position amid much political pressure after he was first indicted last year, in line with Democratic conference rules. For years, Robert Menendez abused his position to feed his greed, Pomerantz said. Menendez previously faced corruption charges in 2015, but they were dropped in 2018 after a jury failed to reach a verdict. With the jury selected and opening remarks underway, his current trial is projected to last six to eight weeks. Hes one of three lawmakers who have faced criminal charges in recent months, in addition to Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and now-expelled Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.). And, down the block from where Menendezs trial is underway, former President Trump is also standing trial on charges he falsified business records to cover up a hush money deal with a porn actress ahead of the 2016 election. The presumptive presidential nominee for the Republican Party has pleaded not guilty. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A week after a Pro-Palestine encampment was moved from MITs campus by police, student protests and calls for the school to act rage on. Hundreds blocked traffic on Mass. Ave. Wednesday during rush hour. Police were seen blocking the bridge over the Charles River to safeguard the gathering. Meanwhile, protesters from MIT, neighboring universities, and non-student supporters continued to call for the school to divest and disclose Israeli investments and connections. We mean no harm, said protester Bryce Swope. While commuters were blocked on Mass. Ave., protesters assured these protests will continue until universities act. Sucks to suck, said one protester. Find another route. Last week, ten Pro-Palestine protesters were arrested for blocking the faculty parking garage. One day later, ten more were arrested as police cleared MITs Pro-Palestine encampment on their quad. In a statement last week, MITs President Sally Kornbluth explained: My responsibility is to the whole community: to make sure that the campus is physically safe and functioning for everyone, that our shared spaces and resources are available for everyone, and that everyone feels free to express their views and do the work they came here to do, Students and protesters tell Boston that 25 additional students could face university discipline. Theyre facing suspension, said Kojo Acheampong, a Harvard student who helped organize the protest. Addressing President Kornbluth, he continued, The use of force, the use of violence is completely unjustified Drop all the charges. Its unjust. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW DENVER (KDVR) On Thursday, residents in southeast Aurora will have a chance to voice their concerns at a public hearing over proposed gas and oil wells near the Aurora Reservoir. The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission is holding a public hearing over the proposed Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan. The meeting will take place Thursday at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center. The Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan was proposed in 2022 by Civitas Oil and Gas and is a 32,000-acre, 10-surface location, 166-well comprehensive area plan in unincorporated Arapahoe County. Report: Colorado wolf may have been killed by mountain lion Part of the 32,000 acres includes putting wells near the Aurora Reservoir, and some community members are concerned about the impacts this proposed plan will have on the land. The reservoir is not only a popular recreation area but is a stored drinking water source for the community. The group Save the Aurora Reservoir has told state officials that they oppose the fracking project, saying the project poses a threat to drinking water stored in the reservoir. The group demanded a public hearing be made available before the state makes its final decision in late June. That public hearing was granted and will happen on Thursday. Doors are set to open at 4 p.m., and the hearing is scheduled to last three hours. Wyoming sheriff recruiting Denver officers with controversial billboard Those interested in the hearing can sign up here. If the plan is ultimately approved, the wells will be drilled beginning in the second quarter of 2024 and lasting through 2029. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Ahead of his visit to China, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has granted a written interview to the Chinese news agency Xinhua. In it, he reiterated his narratives regarding the war with Ukraine, once again demanded guarantees for the aggressor country Russia, and complained about the sanctions imposed on Russia. Source: the text of the interview, as published on the Kremlin website Quote from Putin: "We are seeking a comprehensive, sustainable and just resolution of this conflict through peaceful means. [We] are open to dialogue regarding Ukraine, but these negotiations must consider the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including our own interests. [This should be put] together with serious discussions about global stability, security guarantees for both opposing sides and, of course, for Russia. These guarantees must be reliable." Details: Putin came up with a new problem in negotiations. Quote: "The main problem is precisely the reliability of any guarantees because we are dealing with states whose ruling circles prefer a world order not based on international law, but on a 'rules-based order', which they constantly talk about but which no one has ever seen or agreed upon. Which, apparently, changes depending on the current political conjuncture and the interests of those who invent them." Details: Putin reiterated that Russia is allegedly "ready for negotiations", has conducted them and even reached certain agreements in the spring of 2022 in Istanbul, Turkiye. Putin is attempting to convince the public that Russian soldiers were not driven out of Kyiv Oblast but allegedly withdrew following the agreements. Such statements about the allegedly "failed peace agreement" have been repeatedly refuted by the Ukrainian side, including Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. He said the parties' positions "were so far away, and Russian demands were so bizarre, that the prospect of a real solution was not even remotely in sight". Putin also praised China's proposals for resolving the war but complained that they allegedly "do not find support either in Ukraine or its Western patrons". "They are not ready for equal, honest and open dialogue based on mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests... Instead, Western elites persistently seek to 'punish' Russia, isolate and weaken it. They provide the Kyiv regime with money and weapons. They have imposed almost 16,000 unilateral illegitimate sanctions against our country. They threaten to divide our country into parts. They illegally try to appropriate our foreign assets. They turn a blind eye to the revival of Nazism and Ukraine's conduct of terrorist acts on our territory," Putin complained. Why this is important: Russia invaded and occupied Ukrainian Crimea and parts of Donbas back in 2014. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, attacking peaceful settlements across the country with missiles and bombs overnight. In the first days, Russian propagandists notably spread statements about how "Russia will take Kyiv in three days". Russian soldiers advancing on Kyiv even had ceremonial dress uniforms with them to wear while marching through Khreshchatyk Street in those "three days". However, Ukraine's Armed Forces managed to drive the Russians out of the city of Kyiv and Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts. They are continuing to hold back the Russians on other fronts. Feeling that victory was unattainable, Russia began to spread the idea of "peaceful negotiations", by which it wanted to retain all the occupied territories. Meanwhile, the Russians are continuing to terrorise Ukraine, striking energy and civilian infrastructure and residential buildings, often at night. The Russian army is suffering significant losses despite a vast amount of weapons and equipment. And as of the beginning of May, after over 10 years of war and over two years of full-scale invasion, the Russians have not achieved even the slightest strategic victory, which is reaching the borders of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Battles for every street and building are ongoing in the cities and villages in Ukraine's east. Russia is attempting to look for weapons and mercenaries in other countries. Putin, in his speeches and statements, continues to distort reality, trying to portray Russia as a victim while seeking support from China and North Korea. In particular, he is purchasing missiles from North Korea, launching them on peaceful settlements in Ukraine. Ukraine considers the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory, the restoration of the Ukrainian border as established in 1991, the release of all its prisoners of war, reparations payment and war criminals being held accountable as prerequisites for negotiations. All of this is outlined in Ukraine's Peace Formula. Support UP or become our patron! Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing, the first state visit of his new term. It comes as his forces have mounted a major new assault in Ukraine and amid U.S. criticism of China for supporting that war with nonlethal assistance. Putin touched down early Thursday morning local time and is expected to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during his two-day visit. The heads of state are likely to discuss pressing international issues and celebrate diplomatic relations between China and Russia. Putins state visit comes as Russian forces launched a major offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region, forcing the evacuation of thousands of civilians and putting more pressure on an ammunition-starved Ukrainian force. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Kyiv this week and stressed the U.S. would keep standing by Ukraine amid the attack. In a press conference Wednesday, Blinken also called out China for supplying Russia with nonlethal aid, saying when he visited Beijing he saw that the overwhelming majority of machine tools and microelectronic chips for Russia come from Chinese sources. These are going directly to strengthening that defense industrial base that, over the last year, has been able as a result to churn out more tanks, more armored vehicles, more missiles all used in the aggression against Ukraine, he said. What we are deeply concerned about is the support that Chinas providing to Russia to rebuild its defense industrial base in ways that are materially contributing to and making a difference in its aggression against Ukraine, Blinken added. Blinken also said the U.S. is prepared to unveil more sanctions against any entities found to be responsible for supporting the Russian war effort. He argued that China cannot seek closer relations with Europe while on the other hand remain responsible for fueling the biggest threat to Europes security since the end of the Cold War. Because the threat posed by Russia is both the immediate threat here in Ukraine as a result of the aggression, but also as it works to try to get around sanctions, export controls in rebuilding its defense industrial base, an ongoing and potentially growing threat to many other countries in Europe, he said. So this is of acute importance to many Europeans that Ive talked to, and I imagine that theyre making that known to Beijing as well. Putin won his fifth term in March in an election Western leaders have widely called a sham. Ahead of his visit, Putin gave an interview to Chinese state-run media outlet Xinhua, where he expressed support for Chinas 12-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. Beijing proposes practicable and constructive steps to achieve peace by refraining from pursuing vested interests and constant escalation of tensions, minimizing the negative impact of the conflict on the global economy and the stability of global value chains, Putin said in the interview. But he also criticized the U.S. and Western allies for not pursuing peace, accusing Western elites of trying to punish Russia and of avoiding discussions on the root causes of the war in Ukraine, including what he called the West imposing arbitrary rules on the rest of the world. Unfortunately, neither Ukraine nor its Western patrons support these initiatives. They are not ready to engage in an equal, honest and open dialogue based on mutual respect and consideration of each others interests, he said. They are reluctant to discuss the underlying causes, the very origins of the global crisis, which has manifested itself, inter alia, in the dramatic situation around Ukraine. Putin has repeatedly said he was open to negotiations, but the U.S. has concerns he would not negotiate in good faith and seeks to hold onto the territory that Russian forces grabbed in Ukraine after the 2022 invasion. Chinas peace plan called for respecting the sovereignty of all nations, ceasing hostilities and engaging in peace talks while also halting sanctions and re-opening economic channels. The plan was criticized in the West as too supportive of Russia, though Ukraine expressed openness to the proposal if Moscow pulled back troops from Ukrainian territory. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russian President Vladimir Putin talks on the phone before his inauguration ceremony as President of the Russian Federation in the Kremlin. -/Kremlin/dpa Russian President Vladimir Putin called the assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico "a despicable crime," in a message from the Russian leader to his Slovakian counterpart Zuzana Caputova. Political opponents repeatedly accuse Fico of taking "Russia-friendly" positions amid Putin's war against Ukraine. Relations between Slovakia, an EU and NATO member state, and its neighbour Ukraine cooled noticeably when the left-wing nationalist Fico won the parliamentary elections in autumn and returned to power. During the election campaign, Fico had announced that he no longer wanted to supply Ukraine with weapons. "I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-willed person. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to get through this difficult situation," Putin continued, according to the statement published on the Kremlin website. Fico was shot and critically injured after a Cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Bodyguards take Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico to safety in a car from the scene of the incident. Fico had been shot and injured after a cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Radovan Stoklasa/TASR/dpa An aerial drone photo taken on May 15, 2024 shows the cruise ship Dream berthing at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's Tianjin Municipality. As the cruise ship Dream set sail on Wednesday, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has received more than 100,000 international cruise passenger trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Passengers line up for embarkation procedures at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's Tianjin Municipality, May 15, 2024. As the cruise ship Dream set sail on Wednesday, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has received more than 100,000 international cruise passenger trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Passengers pass through the security check at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's Tianjin Municipality, May 15, 2024. As the cruise ship Dream set sail on Wednesday, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has received more than 100,000 international cruise passenger trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Passengers pass through the security check at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's Tianjin Municipality, May 15, 2024. As the cruise ship Dream set sail on Wednesday, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has received more than 100,000 international cruise passenger trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Passengers line up for embarkation procedures at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's Tianjin Municipality, May 15, 2024. As the cruise ship Dream set sail on Wednesday, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has received more than 100,000 international cruise passenger trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) A staff member (R) of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port presents a souvenir to the home port's 100,000th international cruise passenger in 2024 (L) before the latter embarks on a cruise ship in north China's Tianjin Municipality, May 15, 2024. As the cruise ship Dream set sail on Wednesday, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has received more than 100,000 international cruise passenger trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Russian President Vladimir Putin talks on the phone before his inauguration ceremony as President of the Russian Federation in the Kremlin. -/Kremlin/dpa Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a significant increase in the pace of arms production, over two years into the war against Ukraine. "We must double and triple our efforts in this direction," he said on Wednesday at a meeting with representatives of the defence industry. Only by introducing state-of-the-art weapons systems as quickly as possible could Russia succeed in staying one step ahead of Ukraine in the war, he said. He also justified the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov as the new defence minister, saying there was a need for innovation and efficient management. Putin said that Russia spends just over 8.7% of its gross domestic product on military and security. "That is a large budget. And we are obliged to use it carefully and effectively," he said. The 65-year-old Belousov has the task of integrating the economic sectors that are important for security and the military into the overall economy, Putin said. At the same time, the Kremlin leader thanked former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was also present, for the restructuring of the army in recent years. "Many things were not clear to us or to those involved in building up the armed forces before the start of hostilities," but Shoigu had managed to organize the army so that it was able to meet the demands of the times, he said. As secretary of the National Security Council, Shoigu will also be responsible for armaments issues in future. Experts believe Putin also replaced his close confidant as defence minister because he was dissatisfied with the progress made by the Russian army in the war against Ukraine. The recent bribery scandals surrounding Shoigu are evidence of the increasing weakening of the politician's position, they say. The Prime Minister, in his state of the nation speech this week, accurately stated that the world is a very dangerous place, and we must ensure that our defence capabilities are up to the task. He is right on the threat but has yet to grasp that one way to meet it is by investing heavily in our physical and psychological military conventional deterrence. The signs coming out of Moscow are far from encouraging, with Putin sacking his combat generals to replace them with bean counters. Presumably to ensure the economy is on a total war footing and capable of taking on Nato and outlasting it on the battlefields and in the parliaments of Europe. If Trump comes to power, he may only need to hold tight until January 2025; not long. At the same moment, Russia appears to be making significant gains towards the second city Kharkiv, possibly catching the defenders on the hop and no doubt trying to unbalance the Ukraine army before the US heavy weaponry and the F16s arrive in numbers. The Ukraine Security Service believes that Russian forces are also massing in the northeast for another strike into Ukraine. In the worst case scenario, Russia could make significant gains this summer and terminally unsettle Ukraines defence. The fact that Volodymyr Zelensky has just cancelled visits to Spain and Portugal underwrites the seriousness of the current situation for those Western leaders not paying attention. The US and Natos indecision and procrastination have helped strengthen Putin and given him the confidence to go on the offensive. Putin appears undeterred by Western leadership, believing many of our politicians are not up to the fight. Yet few who study this conflict believe Putin will stop at Ukraine: in order to prevent a major escalation between Russia and Nato, therefore, Ukraine must prevail. That will only happen with Natos indirect and direct support now. Nato must plan for the worst-case scenario, where Russia breaks the line and charges West at speed and must be blocked. Much better to block in Ukraine than on Nato soil, but this may require Nato boots in the air and on the ground, or as a minimum the genuine threat of such action. Too many Western leaders have ruled this out, which has only emboldened Putin; here, President Macon is right. They must now rule it in to change Putins thinking and approach. We must also plan to knock down Russian missiles and drones attacking Ukrainian cities as we did those Iranian ones attacking Israeli cities. Putin has done nothing to conceal his objectives. Yet, as he turns tractor factories into tank production lines, the West is more concerned about climate change, wokism and elections. None of which will prevent another world war. We are grudgingly, eventually, planning to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence yet and Russia is spending north of 6 per cent. This war has shown us yet again that mass really matters, and this we do not have, but Russia does in spades. Most people in the UK, and probably the rest of Europe, do not believe war with Russia is a realistic possibility; our forebears thought the same in 1939. Had we not given up our defensive deterrence after World War I, Hitler would not have been so emboldened to attack, but we are gifting Putin the same advantage. If politicians get this wrong now, their elections later in the year may be meaningless, as we all head to the recruitment centres rather than the polling stations. If they get this wrong, everything else vexing us today could become horrifically irrelevant tomorrow. Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon is former commanding officer of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment 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. Putin at a meeting with his ministers. Photo: RIA Novosti Russian leader Vladimir Putin has linked the appointment of Andrei Belousov as Russian Defence Minister to the increase in military spending. Source: Putin at a meeting with the commanders of the military districts on 15 May, quoted by RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet Quote: "Andrei Belousov has been appointed as the new Minister of Defence. This is due, not least, to the fact that the costs of the military component are growing." Read more: Putin said that in 2024, total spending on defence and security will amount to 8.7%, "perhaps a little more." Putin reportedly "instructed [Belousov] to manage the funds allocated for the Ministry of Defence carefully and efficiently." "The ratio between guns and butter should be organically integrated into the overall development strategy," he said. Background: On 12 May, it became known that Russian leader Vladimir Putin suggested appointing First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov as Defence Minister to replace Sergei Shoigu. Shoigu had held the post since 2012. At the same time, Putin appointed Shoigu as Secretary of the Russian Security Council, and dismissed Nikolai Patrushev, the previous Secretary of the Security Council, "due to his transfer to another job." Belousov said that increasing the efficiency of the state defence procurement process was necessary to fully provide all Russian military personnel with all types of supplies. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is heading to China for the first foreign visit of his new term, underlining the vital importance of the relationship as Beijing faces growing US pressure to curtail support thats helping Moscow continue its war in Ukraine. Most Read from Bloomberg Putin, 71, who extended his nearly quarter-century rule in tightly controlled March elections, will visit Beijing starting May 16, as well as the northern city of Harbin where hell take part in the opening ceremony of the eighth Russian-Chinese Expo. He is likely to prioritize countering the US warnings to China over trade with his country at talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders, who declared a no-limits friendship just weeks before Putin invaded Ukraine, have met more than 40 times since Xi came to power in 2012. China, which has helped Russia weather unprecedented US and European sanctions imposed over the Kremlins invasion of its neighbor, has faced increasing US threats of retaliation. The worlds second-largest economy has become an indispensable ally for Russia, which relies on China as a market for its energy and supplier of its wartime needs. Thats put Putin in a sometimes awkward position, with Beijing wary of his nuclear sabre-rattling and mindful of the need to keep unfettered access to the US-led global economic system. Putins decision to make Beijing his first foreign destination since his inauguration last week shows that China is without a doubt our main partner, said Fyodor Lukyanov, head of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, which advises the Kremlin. In some aspects, weve no other alternative. The visit comes just days after Putin appointed Andrey Belousov, an economist and technocrat, as his new defense minister, replacing the long-serving Sergei Shoigu in a signal the Russian leader sees an extended conflict ahead. Several other prominent officials, some with experience working with China, kept their current roles. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who oversees Russias relations with the OPEC+ group of oil-exporting nations, retained his position, while adding oversight of the nations economy to his responsibilities. In addition to a one-on-one meeting with Xi, Putin also will be joined by both Belousov and Shoigu for closed-door talks, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said, according to the Interfax news service. Novak, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Bank of Russia Governor Elvira Nabiullina are among a host of other officials that will also participate in talks, he said. In recent weeks, the US has stepped up warnings to Chinese banks and exporters about consequences if they help to bolster Russias military capacity. In December, the Treasury Department announced it would impose secondary sanctions on banks that facilitate deals in which Russia procures semiconductors, ball bearings and other equipment necessary for its military even if theyre unaware theyre doing so. Banking transactions between Russia and China in general have now hit obstacles, according to Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and an expert on Russia-China ties. The chilling effect of US policy is already there, he said. The two leaders and their top officials could look for solutions such as designating smaller banks with no exposure to the US financial system to handle transactions with Russia, said Gabuev. The Chinese ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, said in an interview with Russian state TV last week that US sanctions have caused some disturbance in trade between the two countries. He added that the two sides are actively holding consultations and striving to find effective solutions as soon as possible. In a written interview with Chinas official Xinhua News Agency published Wednesday, Putin said he was confident in the economic relationship with Beijing. Read more: Xi Warns Blinken Against Vicious Competition Between US, China Driven by Russian oil and gas sales and purchases of electronics, industrial equipment and cars, Moscows trade with China hit a record $240 billion in 2023, more than double the $108 billion reached in 2020. Despite the growing economic ties, Chinas exports to Russia were down 13% in April from a year earlier, the second month in a row of an annual decrease, according to Chinese customs data. Russian media reported that Chinese banks in late March began blocking payments from companies in Russia buying components for electronic assembly. It has become a tradition for the two heads of states to visit each other in the first overseas trips of their respective new presidential terms, a display of mutual trust, said Wang Yiwei, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing. However, Beijing doesnt want to be seen as tied to Russias war machine, he said. China wants to build a multi-polar world with partners including European nations as President Xis recent trip showed not just with Russia, said Wang, who was also a former Chinese diplomat to the European Union. Xi traveled to France, Serbia and Hungary last week, seeking to promote China as a reliable partner. Read more: Chinas Exports to Russia Slump Amid US Threat of War Sanctions On the energy front, negotiating a new supply contract with China will be on the agenda. Russia has all but lost its position in the European gas market in the wake of the invasion, and gas giant Gazprom PJSC sees China, the worlds largest energy importer, as a replacement. Currently, Gazprom ships natural gas to China through just one route, the Power of Siberia pipeline. Deliveries have been growing gradually and are planned to reach an annual record of 38 billion cubic meters next year. They are set to increase by a further 10 billion cubic meters, with supplies starting from 2027, under a separate contract signed in 2022. Russias ambition is to reach another agreement with China, with one option being a potential new Power of Siberia 2 link through Mongolia, which could lift Gazproms eastbound deliveries by 50 billion cubic meters a year. While Putin and Xi may discuss the contract when they meet, the Russian side does not expect a final agreement this time around, according to a person familiar with the matter. Even if China and Russia did agree on a new deal, Gazproms flows to the Asian nation wouldnt exceed half of what it used to ship to Europe, and would be less lucrative, with the price for Russian gas to China lower than for remaining European clients through at least 2027, according to an economic outlook prepared by the Economy Ministry. Read more: Russia Forecasts Lower Price for Its Gas to China Versus Europe Yet another source of worry for Russia is Ukraines bid to rally international support for a June conference in Switzerland aimed at promoting Kyivs demand for a Russian troop withdrawal from occupied territory as a pre-condition for any peace agreement. The key here is whether China attends or not, said Lukyanov from the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy. Moscow takes into account the risk that the conference will create the impression on the world stage that everyone is for peace except Russia. Still, China is continuing to sell more than $300 million a month of dual-use components to Russia identified by the US and its allies as essential for making weapons such as missiles, drones and tanks, according to a study by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published May 6. Providing components rather than weapons allows Beijing to claim plausible deniability, while supporting Russia diverts American resources away from the Indo-Pacific where China and the US are in competition, the study said. For China, they dont want Russia to lose the war in Ukraine, Carnegies Gabuev said. --With assistance from Jing Li and Philip Glamann. (Updates with Putin remarks in written interview with Xinhua.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Joe Biden is the worst US president since Jimmy Carter. He specialises in betraying Americas friends and rewarding its enemies, in humiliating the West and empowering the Global Souths autocracies. His underlying arrogance has been exacerbated by his deteriorating physical and mental condition. He acts like a blundering, interfering imperial overlord plagued by the shortest of attention spans. He sends out mixed signals, sucks up to random rogues, relentlessly bullies allies, micromanages complex conflicts from a distance and a position of ignorance, and inevitably angers both sides of every argument. Under his leadership, the worlds supreme economic, technological and military power exudes weakness, self-doubt and moral uncertainty. Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin should have little to celebrate, yet they are holding a sickeningly triumphalist summit this week, emboldened by Bidens pusillanimity towards anti-Western forces at home and abroad, and his strategic and tactical blunders. The China-Russia-Iran-North Korea axis is on the march again. Americas reputation in the emerging world is at its lowest ebb since the 1970s: outside of the West, strength, resilience and determination matter, and nobody respects cowardice and vacillation. Biden double-crossed Britain over Brexit, taking the EU and Irelands side, displaying contempt for the supposed special relationship. He helped re-establish the Stone Age Taliban regime in Afghanistan. His botched withdrawal surely encouraged Putin to invade Ukraine, as did Bidens ludicrous claim that a minor incursion may not trigger a strong response. He has subsequently given the heroic Ukrainians just enough to defend themselves, but not to win. Many Republicans acted abominably, but the problem is now cross-party: there is no way that even a re-elected Biden would fund Ukraine to the tune of $60 billion a year in a forever war. Kyiv has already been sold down the river. The latest package was probably Bidens last major intervention: after giving Volodymyr Zelensky false hope, he will eventually embrace a negotiated settlement that will effectively hand victory to the axis of evil. Bidens betrayal of Israel has been even more egregious: he has simultaneously helped it in unprecedented ways through gifts of weaponry and direct protection, while hobbling it, seeking to control it and ultimately sabotaging its war effort. In a staggeringly short-termist move to appease his woke base, Biden has bought into the toxic Left-wing dogma that effectively criminalises all wars (though only when waged by democracies), even those of self-defence. He constantly questions whether Israel has breached human rights, even though its civilian-death-to-combatant-killed ratio is superior to anything America ever achieved. The US president has handed billions to Iran, the worlds terror financier and a provider of weapons to Putin, and failed to adequately enforce sanctions. He has rewarded Qatar for continuing to harbour Hamas. He has mishandled Saudi Arabia, fracturing the anti-Iran coalition. He tolerates Recep Erdogans treachery, even when the Turkish demagogue announces he is treating Hamas members in his hospitals, making a mockery of Nato unity. Americas 1,000 soldiers in Niger are being expelled, bolstering Russias influence in West Africa and trashing US counter-terrorism initiatives in the Sahel. Non-aligned rising players, such as the UAE, are gaining ground in Africa as Washingtons power drains. Bidens only genuine interest appears to be containing China over Taiwan, but why would anybody trust that America will be steadfast, given his track record? How can Xi take Biden seriously? What is most frustrating is that Russia and China should be in the midst of an existential crisis, and an imaginary Reagan-esque US president should be moving in for the metaphorical kill. Despite its advances in AI and electric cars, Chinas economy has been weakened by its centrally-directed credit allocation, never-ending real estate bubbles, the savagery of Covid lockdowns, its suppression of independent entrepreneurship and its demographic implosion. It is no longer certain its economy will ever overtake Americas. Javier Milei, Argentinas superb president, has quit Chinas orbit, dealing a blow to Beijings Belt and Road initiative. Russia is in terminal decline, and has suffered a stupendous economic and human hit from its despicable invasion of Ukraine. Yet both autocracies have made the most of Bidens baleful administration. Putin has turned himself into a Chinese vassal, selling energy and commodities at knockdown prices in return for consumer goods, electronics and specialised components for its war effort. Sino-Russian trade surged 26 per cent last year, Chinese firms have captured the majority of Russias car market and parts of the Russian economy are becoming renminbi-fied. The Chinese have delayed Siberia 2, a proposed massive gas pipeline, to force Russia to cut its prices further. But while it has come at a steep price, Putin has been saved by his unequal relationship with Xi, and the Chinese have strengthened their geopolitical empire and their alternative financial system. This weeks summit will unveil even greater cooperation, partly to fend off US sanctions on Chinese banks (making trade with Russia harder) and electric vehicle exports. Both autocracies must be laughing at how Soviet-era anti-Israel propaganda anti-Semitic slogans and blood libels has gone mainstream 50 years on, how a brainwashed neo-communist Western youth hates a system that has made them the most privileged in human history, and how immigration has been so terribly managed in Europe. They will also be toasting our inability to take war seriously. Putins appointment of Andrei Belousov, an economist, as defence minister confirms that his priority lies in out-producing armaments to defeat a useless West. American and European munition stockpiles are running low, yet there is no sense of urgency, no genuine rearmament. The axis of evil is also stepping up its spying and terrorism. Irans agents are all over the West. The Wagner Group stands accused of having committed arson in London. There have been multiple arrests for spying for China. Britain must up its game, but Putin and Xi are clearly being encouraged by Bidens weakness. His presidency has been a catastrophe for the free world. 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. On the eve of the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board, scholars revealed racial and economic segregation in American public schools has steadily increased throughout the last few decades. The trend is unsurprising to lawyers and researchers familiar with the challenges of Browns implementation, whove sounded the alarm that the widespread practice of tying school assignment to childrens home addresses has perpetuated segregation. But one civil rights and education law expert maintains a sense of optimism, offering new ideas for how courts and state legislatures can take on integration efforts. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Theres a whole lot that they could do if they wanted to, said University of North Carolina law professor Erika Wilson, but often states lack the political will. For years, Wilson, who teaches on and explores the intersections of race in education, has tracked how segregation has persisted. Across the country, modern school district boundaries mirror the boundaries of historical sundown towns, where violence and threat of bodily harm against Black families maintained all-white areas. Modern day school district lines today are legally allowed to mirror the historically racist boundaries. Among other recommendations, she argues courts can and should take districts historical context into consideration when determining whether lines are discriminatory and infringing on student rights. States could also shift who is responsible for drawing lines, or use regional or county lines for districts, which would encompass more racially and economically diverse areas. In an interview with The 74, Wilson explores some ways segregation has taken on new forms, what states could take up today, and why abandoning integration to just fix schools for everyone wont work in a vacuum. This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity. The 74: What do you think is missing in the current conversation around desegregating schools? Especially as many districts around the country are about to consider closures or consolidations and might be looking at attendance zone lines? Its a tough question, but Ive thought about this. One thing I wish that people would consider about not just school desegregation issues, but education in general, is the importance of public education to a healthy and thriving democracy, especially a multiracial democracy. We really didnt have a robust system of public schools nationwide until after the Civil War and Reconstruction, and that is in large part because the formerly enslaved and emancipated Africans made education a cornerstone of their efforts to become full citizens . They understood, and I wish we understood as well, how important that is to cultivating citizenship on equal terms and allowing us all to live together harmoniously. Its kind of a pie in the sky answer but I do think its an important one. Were seeing the rollbacks on public education, the push towards forms of privatization, at the same time as were seeing a complete erosion of democratic norms and commitment to democracy I dont think those are a coincidence. Part of your work is explaining how violence maintained all-white areas and how district maps are now maintaining that exclusion. Can you talk about the ways that youve seen that violence shift over time to maintain these areas? Are there more quiet ways that youve seen play out? One of the things I talk about is the way that violence becomes ensconced within geography. And how, at least with respect to schools, we think of geography as race-neutral, unattached from that history of violence against Black bodies in particular. When you think about modern ways that this manifests itself, the rigid maintenance of school district boundary lines around areas that we know are formerly whites-only sundown towns are an example. A less obvious example might be the way that we see zoning laws in these areas theyre not going to build the kind of multifamily housing or high higher density housing that would attract people who are not predominantly white and/or affluent. Those are certainly examples of the ways the violence that was used to create these all-white areas continues unabated, in a way thats completely lawful, and in a way that people are hesitant to associate with forms of violence. Because it would implicate themselves in terms of their desire to move to the whitest areas with the best school districts. Related Report: State by State, How Segregation Legally Continues 7 Decades Post Brown I dont know that you would use this exact term, but youve also written about new forms of segregation, like school districts in the south seceding from more integrated districts, which used county lines, under the guise of local control. Can you talk about the scale of these kinds of efforts and what sort of protections would have to exist to curb them? Its hard to quantify from what Ive seen, particularly with the secessions. Around 2000 to 2014, there was a ramp up in efforts and then a scaling back as it got a little bit more attention. I do think that the scale is larger or at least increasing in the South as these particular school systems are released from desegregation orders. Even if theyre still under existing desegregation orders, the people charged with enforcing them arent paying attention. Suggested changes may go uncontested. One of the things I wrote about was what was happening in Baton Rouge and St. George just the other day St. George found a workaround. Rather than creating their own school district, they created their own city. The next step will undoubtedly be to try and create their own school district. So this is the other danger, and part of the reason why its difficult to quantify scale. Even when there are protections put in place to stop things like secessions, theres immediately an attempted workaround. Whether its what they did in St. George or attempted to do in North Carolina, where they tried to create these charter school enclaves that were essentially charter districts that would have the same effect as a public school district secession. What Ive tried to do is identify where it is happening, because usually what you see is copycat attempts. I wouldnt be surprised if what St. George did ultimately gets replicated in other places. Honestly, creating their own city is even worse than creating their own school district that has even broader implications. For tax revenues, policing, everything. The St. George example also gets at an idea you explore in your work, that high quality schools are scarce partially by design. In this current context, how do you see state legislatures taking desegregation up? I like to remind people that states have plenary authority over public education. Theres a whole lot that they could do if they wanted to, but often states lack the political will. We worry about campaigns, reelections, perceptions, all of those things. But in a perfect world where we could muster the political will, then there are a number of things that state legislatures could do. The first I would suggest is rethinking the amount of authority given to school districts, particularly drawing school district boundary lines around municipal boundary lines. We take for granted thats the way it has to be, but it doesnt have to be like that. Many of us dont live our lives confined to one municipality, particularly when youre in a metropolitan area with many neighboring municipalities. For example, I live in Durham but I work in Chapel Hill, I often drive [outside] for my sons sports. We dont live just confined to Durham, but the way that schools tend to work is that we confine [entry] based on these arbitrary boundary lines that dont make sense, to reinforce segregation and inequality. States could decide, for example, that their primary way of distributing public education would be around regional boundary lines. They might take a group of municipalities and lump them together for the purposes of creating a school district unit. Those municipalities might share local revenues, they might assign children across municipal boundary lines, that sort of thing. They could also read the right to education clauses in state constitutions differently to require more robust forms of funding, to suggest that any kind of secession, for example, would violate that right to education clause. Ive also heard this critique that its difficult to challenge these systems that are dependent on geography because of the limitations of the equal protection clause and the EEOA of 1974, which states the neighborhood is the appropriate basis for determining school assignment. Could you walk through the new legal framework you put forth in your work, and what might be required to get there? The framework I set forth is to really challenge this connection between racialized geography and school assignment. When you look at a seminal case like Milliken v. Bradley, where the Supreme Court said that you could not bring in the suburban school districts to help desegregate the Detroit public schools because those suburban school districts didnt do anything wrong. Well, thats just not true. As I note in the article, something like two thirds of the suburbs surrounding the Detroit public schools were sundown towns. They were quite complicit then in the segregated patterns that ended up happening with Detroit public schools. The problem Im suggesting is that from an equal protection perspective, theres no doctrinal mechanism to unearth that kind of connection between race and geography that would create a racially segregated pattern. I suggest borrowing from the Voting Rights Act, which has this sensitive test of factors that it uses to suss out whether or not boundary lines should exist or persist. And I suggest that we borrow some of that framework to look and see when we should abrogate boundary lines for purposes of an equal protection challenge. Similarly, I suggest that that framework could also be useful to legislators in deciding whether or not they want to maintain certain boundary lines if they want to, as I alluded to earlier, use their plenary power to rethink and redraw district boundary lines in ways that would be more racially and economically inclusive. Related Low-Hanging Fruit: Thousands of Same-Race Schools Within Miles of Each Other I wonder if we could spend just a moment with charter schools because they do have some parts of their enrollment policies that people have pointed to as promising, like, as you know, requiring a lottery once theyre full or perhaps requiring some geographic quotas. Do you see charters more often being used as the example you shared before, to create exclusionary districts of their own? It really depends. We have a large contingent of parents of color who are flocking to charter schools. It says something about what the feeling is around some of the deficiencies of public schools. That being said charters were never meant to supplant a system of public education. Where we go wrong, I think, is having charters be the primary [school option] rather than supplementing public schools. Their original intention was to be places of innovation where you could have some relaxed regulations and you would reach a smaller cohort of students. Well, thats being turned on its head so that charters seek to be a primary vehicle of educating children.Some of the benefits of relaxed regulations, innovation, all of those things become detrimental when charter schools are the main thing in town, because charters can be places of exclusion. For example, a charter school can basically lawfully exclude poor children, children with disabilities, children of color by using race neutral mechanisms to do so. Some charter schools may say were not gonna offer free and reduced lunch. Well, thats going to cut out a swath of children who would depend on free and reduced lunch. Other charters might say were not gonna offer transportation. Well, thats gonna cut out a large swath of children who need transportation. A more sneaky way of doing it is that we have the specialized charter schools, lets say, a Latin charter school, a Montessori, an Afrocentric charter school, some of the theme charter schools are going to attract a certain cohort of students. And if you have a combination of a special charter school like that and they dont offer free and reduced lunch and they dont offer transportation, then what youre going to get is a very specific kind of student who attends. From that perspective, they can be exclusionary. If we think about public education as a gateway to cultivating citizens for democracy, the exclusionary aspects of charter schools are very bad, in ways that are even more dangerous than private schools because people tend to believe that because charters are quasi public that theyre doing the right thing. Its just not always true. Some of these charter schools operate as exclusionary as private schools depending on some of the rules that are put in place. Its great that charter schools do things like a lottery to ensure equity in terms of enrollment. Even those processes can be skewed in terms of information and symmetry to even sign up to be a part of the lottery. Some schools have requirements that you have to, for example, stand in line to put your kids name on the list. Parents have camped out in order to do that, and what kind of parents can do that? The saddest part to me is that we are resulting to a lottery to distribute forms of public education. The kind of education you get shouldnt be subject to the whims of a lottery. Are there any efforts that youve seen successfully disrupt the significance of geography in school opportunity? A while back in Nebraska, they made attempts at a regional school district. There was a voluntary component to it though, that didnt make it ideal. I sadly cant point to any area and say this is a model of how it should be done. The one area I would say used to be a model is actually in Wake County, North Carolina. They have county based boundary lines, which means that all municipalities within the county are part of the school district. They used to have this really great socio-economic diversity school assignment plan that ultimately got shot down, because parents were upset and didnt like it. Would you say thats usually where the efforts end? With failure of political will or the parent outrage, white parent outrage particularly? Yeah, I think the parents are a huge driver of what ultimately ends up happening theres this idea that their child is being denied something Its a mix of parents and special interests that pump up certain kinds of parents and use them to advance ideas that are meant to decimate public education. Ive seen those explode in recent years. Anything on your mind that I havent asked you explicitly, or any areas you feel the media has ignored or misconstrued? The question I get often is, given the reluctance of parents, particularly white parents, and the lack of political will, arent we better off just trying to abandon notions of integrating schools and just fixing schools so that they are great schools for all children? Even if they end up being racially and economically segregated schools? I think thats a fair question. But my response is that its important that we not abandon the project of trying to get racially and economically integrated schools. Throughout our very brief history in the United States, we have not seen a successful model of racially and economically segregated schools that really advances everyone because of the way that race operates in America. Segregation by design is going to end up connoting forms of inferiority. Its going to preclude necessary intergroup contact that we need to buttress a really flailing democracy. The one time period in America where we can say that we actually try to have racially integrated schools, it worked. If you look at about 1968 to 1984, where we actually took seriously the legal mandate to integrate schools, what we saw happening is better cross-racial relationships. Reduction of the achievement gap score between Black and white. These are things that I think we lose sight of. It might seem like theres some pathway to just fix schools even if they end up being predominantly white or predominantly Black or Latino or nonwhite schools. It doesnt work. A lot of focus goes on how it doesnt work for students of color, but it really doesnt work for white students either. In the seminal Brown v. Board of Education, everyones heard of the doll test that the court relied on to suggest that segregated schools make black students feel inferior. What people dont know is that the court was also presented with social science evidence regarding the harms of segregation for white students. One of [the harms] thats important at this moment is that white segregation creates feelings of superiority, but moral conflict as well. Having a group of inferior people they struggle to reconcile that in ways that makes them more susceptible to authoritarianism and less likely to embrace democratic norms and ideals, which have the potential to disrupt their so-called superiority. Almost everything that was in that social science research brief about the harms of white segregation is arguably coming to fruition today in terms of the way that democracy is unraveling. The five graduates earned degrees in different majors, ranging from political science to teaching Mike Peters for Montclair State University The Povolo Quintuplets A set of quintuplets have left a milestone mark on a New Jersey university after simultaneously graduating on the same day. The five Povolo siblings Victoria, Ludovico, Ashley, Michael and Marcus accepted their college diplomas from Montclair State University on Monday, May 13, according to a release shared by the institution. The quintuplets, who were born on July 4, 2002 and dubbed the Five Little Firecrackers by the press, specialized in five different programs, with Victoria earning a degree in biochemistry with a minor in Italian; Ludovico majoring in political science with minors in pre-law and business and Ashley completing an english major in the teacher education program. Additionally, Michael majored in nutrition and food science and Marcus earned a business administration degree, the university shared. Related: 14-Year-Old Chicago Girl Earns Her Master's Degree: 'You Have to Be Dedicated' Its a gigantic moment for them and for us, the sibling's father, Paolo Povolo, said, per the release. So basically, weve been saying, When one door closes another one opens. In the sense that college is coming to an end, we have to think of the future, we have to think of whats next and that is in the making. Montclair State University, a public university known as the second largest institution of higher learning in New Jersey, believes this is the first time a set of quintuplets have graduated from a higher education institution in the state. The institution, "which [holds] two commencements for students based on their college or school," even made special accommodations "so the Povolos [could] receive their diplomas together at the morning ceremony" on Monday. Mike Peters for Montclair State University The Povolo Quintuplets with their mother (center) Related: 17-Year-Old Chicago Girl Graduates with Doctoral Degree: The World Is My Oyster Given that they were all entering college at the same time, Michael said that they considered exploring other options, like "community college, jobs and training programs." But in the end, he added, "Each of us wanted very different things in terms of majors. But the one thing we shared was applying to Montclair." The Povolos, meanwhile, have been candid about their appreciation for the financial aid support, with Montclair revealing that each of them qualified for Presidential Scholarships among additional grants and scholarships. According to the university, the total "amounted to a tuition-free four years for the family," which changed the trajectory for one of the Povolo kin. "I was very aware of the financial situation of my family," Victoria said. "If it had been too much, I would have bowed out and just not gone to college because I didnt want to put that on my parents, and I didnt want to put that on myself financially." Mike Peters for Montclair State University The Povolo Quintuplets 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. According to CBS News, the Povolos are first-generation college students. Their mother, Silvia Povolo, told the outlet, "We didn't go to college. We came from another country and here they are blooming." She referred to her childrens graduation as a dream come true." A similar achievement occurred in 2023 when a set of quadruplets graduated together from Metropolitan State University in Denver and also received scholarships from the school that allowed them to graduate debt-free. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. As a former Raleigh police informant, Dennis Leon Williams Jr.s false accusations led to faulty arrests and wrongful raids on family homes. Now Williams is heading to prison for up to 3.75 years, after pleading guilty to five felony counts of obstructing justice Wednesday. His sentence is based on the total amount of time that people wrongfully charged with drug crimes spent in jail, said Wake County Assistant District Attorney David Saacks. It is a very symbolic sentence, Saacks said in the courtroom before the sentencing. Wake County Superior Court Judge Rebecca Holt sentenced Dennis Leon Williams Jr. from 2.5 years to 3.75 years in prison. Williams, who pleaded guilty as part of an agreement with prosecutors, said little during the hearing. Part of the agreement allowed Williams to walk out of the courtroom and not start his sentence until June 3. In addition, prosecutors dropped several other charges against him, including common law robbery, breaking and entering and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Williams and his attorney Michael McFarland declined to comment after the hearing. Dennis Leon Williams Jr., right, walks out of a Wake County courtroom on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, after pleading guilty to five counts of obstruction of justice related to him falsely claiming men sold him heroin while he was a confidential informant for Raleigh police. The offense was infamous The criminal case against Williams stemmed from him lying to police while a paid confidential informant for the Raleigh Police Departments drug and vice unit. Williams was charged with five obstruction of justice charges for falsely claiming individuals sold him heroin on five dates from March 12, 2020 to May 15, 2020. The offense was infamous, was committed with secrecy and malice, and was done with deceit and intent to defraud, Williams indictment said. There were a total of about 15 incidents related to the charges, but only five individuals implicated in drug purchases indicated they would cooperate with police in Williams prosecution, Saacks said. Williams isnt the only one paying a cost for the trickery. In October, Omar Abdullah, a fired detective who recruited and managed Williams, pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice and was sentenced to 38 days in jail and 24 months of supervised probation. Abdullahs supervisor Sgt. William Rolfe was demoted to police detective and left the agency in February 2023, according to a civil court deposition and Raleigh police records. In court last fall, Abdullah denied participating in any scheme but contended Williams took advantage of Abdullahs hard charging nature and push to excel as a detective on the drugs and vice squad. Williams was recruited by police after he was arrested in Raleigh for possessing what they thought was cocaine, but later was found to be fake cocaine. Police gave him the nickname Aspirin, according to related civil lawsuits filed against the city of Raleigh. Williams, who had a lot of contacts with people who sold marijuana, worked for the police for about a year without any issues, Saacks said during his sentencing hearing. After serving a short sentence for a probation issue, Williams returned to working for police and learned the department would pay him more working on cases that involved heroin. This became more of a money making thing, more than anything, Saacks said. Omar Abdullah, left, a former RPD detective charged with obstruction of justice after working with the confidential informant that sold fake drugs, stands with his attorney Ryan Willis Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 at the Wake County Justice Center. Superior Court Judge Pat Nadolski sentenced Abdullah to 38 days in jail, followed by 24 months of supervised probation after he pleaded guilty. Defense attorney raised concerns Concerns about Abdullah and Williams work surfaced in early 2020. A defense attorney representing men arrested by the detective brought questions about the drug evidence gathered by Abdullah and Williams to District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, according to interviews. Williams claimed he was buying trafficking levels of heroin from Raleigh men, but the substances turned out to be counterfeit when they were tested. By September 2020, Raleigh police and Freeman were investigating false evidence in more than a dozen drug cases. Abdullah was placed on administrative leave during the investigation and was fired about a year later. About a dozen men spent a collective two-and-a-half years behind bars before their charges were dismissed, states an April 2021 federal lawsuit filed by some of those men and their families. The men lost jobs and missed cancer treatments and time with their children. More details of the case came to light in April 2021 after individuals filed the first of three federal lawsuits related to Abdullahs and Williams drug arrests. The lawsuit accused Abdullah of conspiring with Williams to send more than a dozen Black men to jail and prison in a fake heroin scheme. Within five months, the city settled the claim for $2 million without admitting any fault. The lawsuit included individuals who faced heroin charges, and in one case a marijuana charge, for substances provided by Williams that turned out to be fake. A second federal lawsuit was filed in February 2022. That lawsuit contends Abdullah and others conspired to fabricate heroin trafficking offenses that led to an illegal raid, excessive force and the false imprisonment of 10 Black women and children. City officials settled that lawsuit in June, agreeing to pay three families a total of $350,000. A third lawsuit filed in June 2022 was dismissed in May 2023. Virginia Bridges covers criminal justice in the Triangle and across North Carolina for The News & Observer. Her work is produced with financial support from the nonprofit The Just Trust. The N&O maintains full editorial control of its journalism. PHNOM PENH, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The China-Cambodia Think Tanks and Public Diplomacy Forum was held here on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening think tanks' cooperation in promoting friendship and building a community with a shared future. The one-day forum was co-organized by the Asian Vision Institute (AVI), a Phnom Penh-based independent think tank, and the Charhar Institute, a think tank focused on China's foreign relations. In a keynote address delivered at the opening ceremony of the forum, Suos Yara, chairman of the Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Media and Information of Cambodia's National Assembly, said the forum reflected both sides' unwavering commitment to deepening bilateral ties and fostering a shared vision for the future. He said Cambodia and China share a long history of diplomatic relations that have evolved and strengthened over time. "From ancient trade routes to modern economic partnerships, our two countries have worked hand in hand to promote mutual understanding and development," he said. Suos Yara described the enduring friendship between China and Cambodia as a "friendship rooted in mutual respect and shared aspirations." "Together, we have the opportunity to strengthen this friendship and create a community with a shared future," he said. According to AVI's President Chheng Kimlong, the current multifaceted approach to deepening bilateral relations covers six priority areas: political cooperation, production capacity and quality, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people exchanges. "Working together in these domains demonstrates the depth and breadth of our bilateral ties, as we aim to build a stronger partnership that benefits both our countries and our peoples, and of course towards building the Cambodia-China community with a shared future," he said. He said that under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Cambodia and China have actively promoted pragmatic cooperation. "Many Chinese-invested or built mega-projects under the BRI, such as the Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, the Morodok Techo National Stadium, and the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, have greatly contributed to promoting win-win cooperation and development in Cambodia and beyond," he said. He also emphasized the important role of think tanks and public diplomacy collaboration in fostering mutual understanding, promoting dialogue, and strengthening the bonds between the two countries. "These efforts serve as a catalyst for deeper cooperation, enabling us to navigate the complexities of the ever-changing global landscape, overcome challenges, and seize opportunities for mutual growth and development," he said. During a panel discussion at the forum, Po Sovinda, designated director of Center for Southeast Asian Studies of the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy (IISPP) in Phnom Penh, said the exchange of knowledge and expertise between China and Cambodia can foster mutual learning, inspire innovation, and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of both countries. "China's experience in areas such as poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, industrialization, and technological innovation can be particularly beneficial to Cambodia," he said. He added that through knowledge-sharing platforms, capacity-building programs, and technical assistance, China can provide Cambodia with valuable guidance on sustainable development strategies, policy formulation, and implementation approaches. "By sharing its development experience, China not only strengthens the bilateral ties between the two nations but also promotes regional cooperation and South-South collaboration," he said. Raleigh voters may have an election about elections. The Raleigh City Council voted this month to change council terms from two years to four years and add a spring primary, starting in 2026, but some object to that change being made without the consent of the voters. The citizen advocacy group Livable Raleigh is seeking to make the change subject to a vote on the November ballot. The group also wants to add a second referendum on whether the City Council should be expanded from eight to 11 members by adding three district seats. Supporters of the change say the council should grow to better represent a city that has added more than 200,000 residents in the past two decades. It will take 5,000 signatures on each of the issues to get them added to an already crowded ballot. Both issues have merits and drawbacks. We support extending City Council members terms and giving voters a direct say on whether that should happen. We are not convinced that adding three more council members elected by district will improve representation. Tim Niles of Livable Raleigh said his group is neutral on extending council terms, but it is opposed to having the council make that decision on its own. He said a majority of the council had promised to put the change to a citywide vote, but instead made the change themselves. They have been saying for over a year that they would put it on the ballot. Then, for some reason, they just did an about face, Niles told the Editorial Board. Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said there was no about face. She said the council simply voted to follow the unanimous advice of a task force that had evaluated how and for how long the citys leaders should be elected. She doesnt object, however, to letting voters decide. There was never a promise made to put it on the ballot but its entirely within their right to do the petition drive and try to force the issue, she said. Voters may disagree with the extension. City surveys show that most respondents preferred keeping their council members on two-year terms. The reason is that shorter terms keep city leaders sensitive to public opinion and reduce the time it takes to vote out unpopular council members. But extending council terms wouldnt leave voters unable to voice disapproval. Because the four-year terms would be staggered, voters would have a chance every two years to make major changes in the councils makeup. Longer terms may also make council members more effective. A two-year election cycle is a constant one. A four-year term would allow new council members to become familiar with city issues and city government processes. All members could make decisions outside of a charged campaign environment. Running every two years, the first year youre learning and the second year youre running. That is a distraction to governing, said Baldwin, who is not seeking reelection. First-term council member Jane Harrison said it can take more than a year for a proposed ordinance to reach final adoption. Governing effectively through this complexity demands a level of persistent attention and strategic focus that is challenging with 2-year election cycles, she said in a statement. Adding three district seats to the council there are now five, along with two at-large seats and the mayor is not clearly an improvement. Its true that the citys growth increases each districts population and makes it harder for council members to be aware of their districts concerns. But the recent restoration of Citizens Advisory Councils and other changes that would improve how the city hears and responds to residents can offset the effects of more populous districts. Meanwhile, at the City Council level itself, having three more voices at the table could make reaching consensus more difficult and actually inhibit the responsiveness of city government. The current City Council has a diverse membership and no shortage of different perspectives. The city would do better to improve how it listens to residents rather than adding more council members with something to say. On the council changes, weve offered our choices. Now the voters should decide. The city is warning people not to be alarmed if they hear loud noises in parts of downtown this week. The Special Operations Medical Association is holding its annual conference with numerous trainings at the Raleigh Convention Center. SOMAs Scientific Assembly provides a forum for military and civilian medical providers, academia, and industry from around the world to meet and exchange ideas, according to its website. Training and events that include simulated combat medical scenarios are scheduled throughout the week but loud noises, through amplified sound and speakers, might be heard Wednesday and Thursday, according to the city. Sessions include how to use maggots for wound care in disaster settings, how to respond to mass casualties, medical considerations when involved in a cave rescue and revisiting tourniquet practices based on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. The News & Observer was unable to speak with organizers Wednesday afternoon but left a message seeking more information. There are 1,500 people registered to attend the event. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, right, talks to Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban during a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Prime Minister Robert Fico returned to power in Slovakia last year. Having previously served twice as prime minister, from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2018, the 59-year-old's third term made him the longest-serving head of government in Slovakias history. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File) The shooting Wednesday of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in the town of Handlova following a political event sent shockwaves across Europe three weeks before EU parliament elections are scheduled to be held. Leaders from across the political divide denounced the apparent assassination attempt against the populist, pro-Russian leader, calling it an attack on democracy. Heres what European leaders and others are saying: What has happened is something that we cannot seem to realize because we cannot comprehend it. A physical attack on the prime minister is, first of all, an attack on a person, but it is also an attack on democracy. Any violence is unacceptable. Hateful rhetoric weve been witnessing in society leads to hateful actions. Please lets stop it. Slovak President Zuzana Caputova, Ficos political rival, in a televised statement. - An assassination attempt on one of the highest constitutional officials is an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy. If we express different political opinions with guns in the squares, and not in polling stations, we endanger everything we have built together in 31 years of Slovak sovereignty." Slovak President-elect Peter Pellegrini. - We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighboring partner states head of government. Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere. -- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president of Ukraine on social media. - Shocked and appalled by the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico. I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. - I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country! -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. - I am alarmed to hear reports of an attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Jill and I are praying for a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia. We condemn this horrific act of violence. Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist. -- US President Joe Biden in a statement. - Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. - Shots fired at Robert are shots at freedom and democracy there can be no room for violence in politics. Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic. Editor's note: We asked members of the Kyiv Independent community to share the questions they have about the war. Here's what they asked and how we answered. Join our community to ask a question in the next round. Read our previous answers here, here, here, here, and here What do the Ukrainians think of the "Peace Plan" that China proposed about a year ago? Would they feel comfortable if China were to be the country that brokered some kind of accord? Answer: Ukraine is on board with any peace plan that clearly states that Ukraine keeps all of its internationally recognized territories, including those occupied since 2014. The majority of Ukrainians are unwilling to negotiate territorial concessions, and the Ukrainian government will lose support if it begins peace talks that open the door for Ukraine potentially losing its territories and the people who live there. The main reason Ukraine supports only four out of 12 points that are laid out in the Chinese plan is that an immediate ceasefire without the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine means that the territories currently occupied would be de facto lost. According to the people we spoke to in the President's Office, Kyiv is actively working to bring China to the Peace Summit in Switzerland in mid-June and to help align China's position with that of Ukraine and the West. For Ukraine, China is a key force that can help end this war, as the country is the primary gateway for Russia to receive dual-use goods that are then used to wage war on Ukraine. Unfortunately, China feels comfortable in its current position and doesn't have an incentive to help end the war on terms comfortable for Ukraine and its people. Oleksiy Sorokin, deputy chief editor Read also: While Xi tours Europe, China feeds Russias war machine Would membership of NATO and the European Union be an acceptable trade for territory if it meant peace? Answer: No. Oleksiy Sorokin, deputy chief editor A serviceman from the Steppe Wolves all-volunteer unit is standing near a pickup truck with Grad rocket launch tubes, which were captured from Russian troops, and a sighting device while on a combat mission in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine, on April 27, 2024. (Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Does Ukraine have any plans for new offensives? Answer: On one hand, I am not kept in the loop about Ukraine's strategic plans, and that is a very good thing. On the other hand, I definitely hope not, at least not for a while. One thing that has been proven over and over again since the last successful Ukrainian counteroffensives in November 2022 has been the defender's advantage. No matter how much the attacking side prepares and saves up manpower and ammunition, the cost in attrition for each treeline or each kilometer is going to be significantly higher than the losses on the defending side, especially if the enemy, as the Russians do very well, has dug well-prepared lines of defense. One can argue whether or not Ukraine's large-scale counteroffensive last summer was the right decision at the time, but in hindsight, the hard truth is that Ukraine spent a lot of valuable ammunition, equipment, and, most importantly, manpower, for no strategic gain, and those resources are sorely needed now. At this point, a major new Ukrainian counteroffensive can only be successful if it is carried out by experienced, well-equipped, and well-coordinated units against a defending Russian force that has had its numbers and overall combat effectiveness significantly degraded. That can only happen, in theory, if Ukraine can hold a resolute defense, chew up Russian forces at minimal loss to themselves for months on end, and bring in enough fresh manpower to replenish and rotate its own degraded units. We are a very long way from such a scenario for now. Francis Farrell, reporter Read also: Russias new Kharkiv offensive pushes Vovchansk to the brink of annihilation Is Ukraine ready for the next likely Russian offensive? Answer: Russian forces are on the offensive right now, and they have been since their attempt to take Avdiivka by storm in October last year. The two main Russian axes of advance, pushing northwest of Avdiivka and west of Bakhmut to Chasiv Yar, both align squarely with Russia's minimal strategic goal of taking all of Donetsk Oblast. If Russian forces can find success on both those axes, the area between them, around Toretsk and Niu York, could find itself nearing encirclement, while losing Chasiv Yar could put cities like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in range of Russian tubed artillery. As for a theoretical "next likely offensive," now we see that it has begun, the new offensive on Kharkiv from just across the border. On one hand, this doesn't make too much immediate sense for Moscow on the surface, as the contact line here is well-fortified (at least, that's what they keep telling us), let alone the huge losses that trying to assault a city like Kharkiv itself would incur. On the other hand, Russia is well aware that Ukrainian forces continue to suffer an acute manpower shortage, which won't be resolved until large numbers of new soldiers drafted under the new mobilization law can be trained and brought to the front line. If the manpower situation deteriorates further, an attack in this area could be plausible as a way to create even more dilemmas for Ukraine, already short on reserves to deploy. Francis Farrell, reporter Read also: Battle of Chasiv Yar begins: On the ground with Ukrainian forces defending city key to Russias plans You have said that the Ukrainian soldiers have not been getting sufficient training, nor sufficient rest. Is the training process improving? Answer: All this depends on how effectively Ukraine can mobilize and train new soldiers. With units already overstretched and depleted, they can only be rotated out for proper replenishment if they have fresh ones replacing them. This work is slowly improving, not fast enough for now, but it is expected that it will get more serious, not only thanks to the new draft law on mobilization, but simply out of necessity. Francis Farrell, reporter The construction of fortifications in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, on March 21, 2024. (Olena Zashko/The Kyiv Independent) Is the government getting organized for long-term societal response to veterans and wounded? Answer: Ukraine's Ministry for Veterans Affairs offers various services for war veterans, including free medical care and special medical treatment, financial assistance, and more. In terms of psychological rehabilitation, soldiers and war veterans can turn for help to the psychological rehabilitation centers overseen by the Veterans Affairs Ministry and the Health Ministry. Most of them are located in Kyiv Oblast. However, an audit by the Ukrainian NGO Barrier-Free found that the Veterans Affairs and Health Ministry do not have sufficient resources to meet the increasing demand. Also, a recent poll showed that among the challenges faced by veterans who return from war, respondents indicated problems with physical health and access to medical care, and a lack of inclusivity for people with disabilities to be the most pressing problems. Luckily, many local charities provide veterans with psychological assistance, rehabilitation, and prosthetics, among other types of assistance. At the same time, treating wounded soldiers remains a pressing issue. Dozens of veterans, military personnel, and civilian volunteers helping the military told the Kyiv Independent that Ukraine's military medical system is "fundamentally broken on every level." "As a reward for fighting Ukraine's battles, veterans have to fight a callous, sometimes corrupt, outdated bureaucracy that's often working against them, while they are at their most physically and psychologically vulnerable," the Kyiv Independent's reporters Igor Kossov and Alexander Khrebet wrote in March. Read more here. Daria Shulzhenko, reporter Djinn photographed in his apartment with a dog, Molly, in Kyiv, Ukraine on Jan. 29, 2024. (Olena Zashko / The Kyiv Independent) What are the attitudes of various sectors of Ukrainian society to mobilization? Answer: This is a question that is in equal parts important and complex. For an overview of the topic, I would recommend going back to my piece about it from January, when the first draft law was being discussed. Since then, the core of the problem has remained the same: The military desperately needs more men to stay in the fight for Ukraine's very existence, but the civilian side of the country, both on the level of the wider economy and of the individual, military-eligible man, is less and less keen to provide this. In this environment, the state, despite how politically unpopular it is, is forced to act with an increasingly heavy hand, and what you get as a result is the most perilous point of internal tension that the country has faced since the full-scale invasion. Those in the military, many of whom volunteered over two years ago and have been serving since then (with no end in sight since demobilization was removed), are often in favor of more draconian mobilization, seeing it as the only just way to winning the war and themselves getting some rest. As for everyone else, while most understand the existential need, things get much trickier when they begin to affect you personally, whether it's you, your friend, or your family member that could be mobilized against their will. Francis Farrell, reporter The first recruiting center of the 1st Separate Battalion "Da Vinci Wolves" named after its late commander Dmytro Kotsiubailo opens in Lviv, Ukraine. (Smolienko/Future Publishing via Getty Images) What do people in Ukraine wish that President Zelensky would do differently moving forward? Answer: The main problem for Ukraine fighting this existential war is the lack of manpower at the front and decreasing motivation in the rear. The country's survival depends on the ability of President Volodymyr Zelensky and his close circle to solve this problem. The main issue is that the army doesn't look like an appealing career option for people in the rear. In an ideal world, all men aged 18 to 60 would just volunteer and go fight, but that's not how it is, and the state needs to make sure that people see the army as a well paid opportunity, not a punishment. And for those already fighting, it feels like they are doing the heavy lifting while many in the country are able to live a comfortable life. And they are correct. For this, there needs to be higher wages, an ability to choose brigades where to serve or transfer, proper long-term rest for those at the front, and a clear understanding of when drafted soldiers will be able to go home. A demobilization law needs to be discussed. Corruption in the military recruitment offices and agencies that are tasked with procurement needs to be severely punished for people to feel that the state is on their side. Frankly, all these problems won't be solved, but they need to be addressed one way or another, because the situation becomes more and more critical daily. Oleksiy Sorokin, deputy chief editor Read also: Ukraine struggles to ramp up mobilization as Russias war enters 3rd year Are Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories being forced to fight on the enemy side? If so, are there strategies to make it easier for them to cross over to Ukraine's side? Answer: Russia has reportedly conscripted tens of thousands of Ukrainian citizens in the occupied territories a war crime according to the Geneva Conventions. Russia started forced conscription in occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts a week before a full-scale invasion in 2022. Several waves resulted in high casualties among poorly trained and equipped Ukrainians that Russia reportedly uses as cannon fodder. Many of them are believed to have been killed in action, as the Russian forces use these men to expose Ukrainian artillery positions and to protect units recruited inside Russia. As Russian battlefield casualties grow, Moscow seeks to expand its army to up to 1.5 million people. Pursuing the plan, Russia recently launched a conscription campaign in Ukraine's occupied south, targeting Ukrainians as young as 18-year-olds. Read how a 20-year-old escaped the Russian army after front-line deployment or how some of the conscripted are captured on the battlefield and await fate in a POW camp. Prisoners line up for lunch outside the Russian prisoner of war detention camp in Lviv Oblast, Ukraine on Aug. 3, 2023. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) Under Ukrainian law, forcibly conscripted Ukrainians caught while fighting for Russia can face lengthy prison sentences and even high treason charges for betraying their country. There are those who fled the Russian forced conscription campaign. They also told the Kyiv Independent their stories. Ukrainians living under occupation have no option to flee the territory except to cross into Russia through a Moscow-controlled border. For those who want to flee Russia, Ukraine keeps the sole border crossing point in Sumy Oblast open. Despite the area being under near-daily Russian attacks, some Ukrainians are using the Pokrovka-Kolotilovka crossing to return from Russia. The border crossing only allows people in; no one can cross into Russia. Ukrainians conscripted into the Russian army can also surrender using Ukraine's hotline "I want to live" that offers support to those who don't want to fight. Since forcibly conscripted Ukrainians in Russian-occupied territories are wearing Russian military uniforms, identifying them on the battlefield is unrealistic. However, when deployed, they can contact the surrender hotline, share their location, and proceed to surrender with the guidelines from the Ukrainian side. Often, Ukrainian drones guide those Ukrainians or Russian soldiers through the minefields toward the spot of surrender. Alexander Khrebet, reporter How is the unfreezing of Russian funds going? Answer: The seizure of frozen Russian assets is now off the table, according to the Financial Times. Despite U.S. President Joe Biden approving their confiscation in the U.S. for Ukraine's benefit two weeks ago, Western leaders are too hesitant to go ahead, likely out of fear of repercussions. Instead, the G7 is looking at how to utilize the profits earned from the assets, which is much more popular. Discussions are still in process. The EU also signed off on a plan to allocate profits to Ukraine around 3 billion euros a year. Sign up for our Ukraine Business Roundup newsletter to follow the progress. Dominic Culverwell, business reporter Read also: Explaining Washingtons REPO Act that could kick-start the confiscation of frozen Russian assets What are the latest estimates of the costs of rebuilding Ukraine? Answer: According to the latest World Bank report in February, Ukraine's reconstruction will cost $486 billion, up from $411 billion last year. Direct damages to housing and infrastructure comes to $152 billion. You can read more here. Dominic Culverwell, business reporter How would the supply of long-range ATACMS change the course of the war? Answer: At this point in this war it is important to ground oneself in reality and understand that in the war of infantry, artillery, trenches, and drones that we have in front of us, no single longer-range weapon system is going to make or break how the fighting goes on the ground. There is a lot that we still don't quite know about the supply of long-range ATACMS to Ukraine: We don't know, for example, whether or not there have been restrictions placed not only on hitting Russian territory but also something like the illegally-built Kerch Bridge to occupied Crimea or ships of the Black Sea Fleet. I mention those because those are what ATACMS were initially hyped up to be used against, but in several weeks of Ukraine apparently having them, there have been no such hits. We also don't have enough data to understand properly how effective Russian air defense and/or jamming has been against the missiles. While I am confident that we will occasionally see news of high-value targets being taken out by ATACMS over the coming months, it is worth remembering that, at the end of the day, this war is being fought first and foremost with shells, drones, and soldiers. Francis Farrell, reporter Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is fired during a joint training between the United States and South Korea, on Oct. 5, 2022 at an undisclosed location. (South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images) To what extent is Ukraine's political leadership and the general population contemplating some sort of settlement to end the war, given the obvious difficulties in getting required support required from the West? Answer: It's probably one of the hardest questions to answer. Publicly, the majority of the Ukrainian population is against any concessions to Russia. According to a February poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 72% of Ukrainians are ready to endure war for as long as it takes. A similar poll by Rating Group showed that 85% of Ukrainians believe that the country will be able to fend off Russia's attack and ultimately win the war. Obviously, without foreign financial and military support, everything can change. According to the same poll, only 19% of Ukrainians believe that a victory is possible without foreign aid. In an off rec meeting with members of the president's office that I had earlier last week I was reassured that Ukraine isn't pursuing a peace deal unfavorable for the country, and the government is attempting to bring more countries onboard with the Ukrainian Peace Formula which circles around one main point no territorial concessions to Russia. At this point, I believe them. Oleksiy Sorokin, deputy chief editor 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. Donald Trump and his allies are being mocked on social media over an awkward new fundraising video filmed at the courthouse where he is on trial in the Stormy Daniels hush money case. The video features three members of the former presidents family: Donald Trump, Eric Trump and Lara Trump, who is also co-chair of the Republican National Committee. Two GOP members of the House from Florida, Byron Donalds and Cory Mills, also appear, as does former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The group trades lines, urging viewers to stand with Trump during his trial and the best way to do that, naturally, is to send the billionaire candidate some cash. Trump appears first behind them, with his attorney, then off to the side where he gives a thumbs-up to the pitch: Fundraising ad shot in the courthouse today at Trumps trial with Trump and Members of Congress. Trump makes his appearance at the end. pic.twitter.com/FHcFNaNN6G Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 15, 2024 The former presidents critics fired back on X: Its not just a cult but its a really embarrassing and low-quality cult. https://t.co/sQz40bL3KN Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) May 15, 2024 Imagine the idiocy of making a fundraising appeal at a courthouse where your nominee is being criminally prosecuted. https://t.co/0rayhFtuAi Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) May 15, 2024 My god, this is embarrassing. https://t.co/64A87rFNB0 Rex Huppke (@RexHuppke) May 15, 2024 This is real. This isnt parody. Somehow, this is real. https://t.co/VDtR6xymyo Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) May 15, 2024 Is this the type of cutting edge strategy they were hoping to get when they put Lara Trump in charge of the RNC? Wearing matching Trump outfits while using the mandatory Trump phrases does nothing to dispel the "its a cult" narrative. Then you film it in court to Jared Ryan Sears (@JaredRyanSears) May 15, 2024 Anyone surprised they filmed a fundraising ad at the courthouse today? https://t.co/jUCFdh1noa mayaNH (@1mayanh) May 15, 2024 Was @EricTrump not given the red tie memo or did he eat it in the car. https://t.co/LmxBBhEB11pic.twitter.com/RihU4ltEcJ Matt Johnson (@VivaMattyVegas) May 15, 2024 Its a cult. Art Candee (@ArtCandee) May 15, 2024 There's nothing to see here Just Trump taking a break from his criminal trial to do some grifting. Gailen David (@gailendavid) May 15, 2024 Related... ALBION, Wis. (WFRV) After months of investigating, a person of interest tied to a 2023 overdose death in western Wisconsin has been arrested for First Degree Reckless Homicide. According to the Jackson County Sheriffs Office, 33-year-old Aspen J. Kalina of Onalaska was taken into custody recently after a months-long investigation following a May 2023 overdose death in the Town of Albion. Full details released from standoff at International Paper in Fond du Lac Authorities were first called to a home in Albion around 2:50 a.m. on May 8, 2023, for reports of an unresponsive person who was pronounced dead. During the investigation, deputies say the results of a forensic autopsy and related toxicology results established that the person died as the result of a drug overdose. Over the past year, Detective Smokowicz of the Jackson County Sheriffs Office led the investigation into the overdose. It was noted that Detective Smokowicz gathered evidence to support that the drugs had been delivered to the victim by Kalina. Wanted Green Bay man in stolen vehicle found with cocaine & marijuana, arrested for OWI Kalina was recently arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for First Degree Reckless Homicide. Deputies say the case is still under investigation and are asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Jackson County Sheriffs Office. No additional information was provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. There have been more than 24,000 police officers killed in the line of duty in the United States since the first recorded police death in 1786, according to Lebanon County Sheriff Jeffrie Marley. "When an officer dies in the line of duty, the impact is felt widespread in the community," Marley said. That's why county, state and local officials, along with police officers from various departments in the county, came together Tuesday morning in front of the Lebanon County Courthouse to recognize local law enforcement officers who passed away in the line of duty. The ceremony is part of National Police Week. On Tuesday, local law enforcement held a memorial on the steps of the Lebanon County Municipal Building as part of National Police Week. The ceremony was in remembrance of all law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. "Currently as we speak, tens of thousands of officers from around our great nation and the world are gathering at our nation's capitol," Marley said. "They are honoring 118 law enforcement officers that died in the line of duty in 2023." The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial will also be adding the names of 164 officers who had died in previous years. With these additions, the memorial will feature 24,067 officers of various law enforcement agencies from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. Among those local law enforcement officers who died in 2023 was former Annville Township Police Chief Bernard Dugan, who passed away Oct. 26 after fighting a short battle with cancer. Dugan served as the chief of police for Annville Township for 11 years, and had previously worked for Fairview Township Police Department in York County for over 30 years, retiring as chief in 2012 before joining Annville. "Bernie's philosophy all along in his police work was all about citizen service," Dugan's wife, Karen, told the Lebanon Daily News in November. "He wanted his officers to know, when somebody has to finally call the police in their life, it might be the first time, and the only time. And that his men and women behind anything he taught should learn that that might be a scary process for people. And that their impression of police officers is all based on what kind of service they're going to be offering in that moment." Lebanon County Sheriff Jeffrie Marley gives flowers to Karen Dugan Tuesday to recognize her husband's service in the Annville Township Police Department. Former Police Chief Bernard Dugan passed away in October 2023 after fighting a short battle with cancer. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, 137 line-of-duty deaths occurred in the United States in 2023, and 58 deaths occurred in 2023 as of Tuesday morning. Lebanon City Police Lt. William Lebo was shot and killed in the line of duty March 31, 2022, and for the last two years officials have said that the department and the officers who knew Lebo are still healing from that loss. "We recognize the officers that live through the tragedy and we stand beside them at their side," Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello said at Tuesday's courthouse memorial. "We stand behind them, holding them steady, or in front of them, gently pulling them up. Whatever they need, we are there, and it is through this collective compassion and support that we can inspire strength. And that is for them to be able to walk out that door each day wearing their badge, knowing that their community has their back." On May 7, President Joe Biden signed House Resolution 3865, which would rename the 101 South 8th St. post office as the "Lieutenant William D. Lebo Post Office Building. In 2022, Lebo, Officer Derek Underkoffler, Officer Ryan Adams, and Officer Kris McCarrick were responding to a domestic disturbance report. Lebo died in a shootout with a man who had broken into a home on the 1100 block of Forest Street. Lebo had more than 40 years of service and was 30 days from retirement. U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, who introduced the bill and attended Tuesday's memorial, described Lt. Lebo as the "quintessential cop" for Lebanon County. "For him to go in first before his men, before his team, it's just heart wrenching," he said. "It's so sad, but at the same time inspirational. So hopefully people will get that, that's why the post office being named that should be very meaningful to the whole community." Both Dugan's and Lebo's family members were among the residents attending Tuesday's memorial. Lebanon County Sheriff Jeffrie Marley gives flowers to Lora Lebo Tuesday to recognize her husband's service in the Lebanon City Police Department. Lt. William Lebo was shot and killed in the line of duty March 31, 2022. Officials also recognized former Lebanon Chief of Police Aaron McCord, former Lebanon Chief of Police Cyrus Schaeffer and South Londonderry Township Sgt. Sheryl Pierce, Reading Police Department Patrolman Michael Harry Wise II, and former state senator and Lebanon District Attorney David Arnold. "What that means to me is when we experience a tragic day like LPD did two years ago, we recognize the sacrifice that officers like Lt. Lebo, Sheryl Pierce, Michael Wise and their families gave to the profession," Capello said. National Police Week runs from Sunday, May 12 through Saturday, May 18. Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth. This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Fallen Lebanon County PA police officers recognized for their service AUSTIN (KXAN) A man was charged with a third-degree felony after he was found to have a gun while participating in a rally at the University of Texas at Austin campus April 29, according to Travis County court documents. Records showed 26-year-old Michael David Maule had an active warrant out for his arrest related to a charge of Places Weapons Prohibited for carrying the gun on the premises of the university without having a License to Carry permit. As of May 15, Maule is not in custody, according to court records. KXAN is working to find attorney information for Maule to reach out for a comment. This story will be updated if that information becomes available and a statement on Maules behalf is received. On the day of the rally, the affidavit said there were reports that two protesters were armed with guns. According to the warrant, Maule was frisked for weapons by officers with the Austin Police Department, and the officers found a loaded gun unholstered in his waistband, two loaded magazines in his pocket, and a pocket knife. APD said there was also one bullet found in the chamber of the gun. According to documents, the firearm and ammunition were taken by police while Maule was arrested on a separate criminal trespass charge. A later check by police found Maule did not have a License to Carry, which is a requirement to have a firearm on the premises of a post-secondary educational institution. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Volunteers for incumbent Patty Lundstrom (D-Gallup) try to recruit voters at an arts event on May 11 in downtown Gallup. Lundstrom's campaign was one of the 10 top state House fundraisers in the last month or so, according to new filings. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source NM) New Mexicos House candidates reported nearly $1.5 million donated in recent weeks to their campaigns. The filings come three weeks ahead of the June 4 primary election. Candidates were required to report by midnight May 14 all donations they received and how they spent it between April 2 and May 6. Of 234 candidates who have filed to run for 112 seats in the New Mexico House and Senate, 38 candidates reported no new donations. In the House, 20 of 144 House candidates reported no donations in the last reporting period. Candidates will be required to disclose their donations and expenses once more on May 30, less than a week before the primaries end. Early voting in New Mexico began May 7. In the home stretch before the primaries, the filings show some races getting closer, at least in terms of finances. The records also show several long-time incumbents growing cash advantages over their opponents. For example, Rep. Patty Lundstrom (D-Gallup) raised more than $47,000 in the last month, according to the latest campaign finance records. She now has raised more than $370,000 and, in the past several weeks, spent more than $84,000. Her main opponent to represent House District 9, Chris Hudson, raised a little less than $3,000 in the same period. Eight of the top 10 fundraisers this period were Democrats. The biggest earner in the last four weeks was Rep. Ambrose Castellano (D-Las Vegas), who is facing off against Anita Gonzales in the primary. Filings show Castellano raised more than $63,000. He received multiple donations of $5,000 or more from political action committees representing oil and gas interests and contractors, as well as from a Las Vegas-area ranch owned by actor Patrick Swayze and his wife. Gonzales was also among the top 10 state House fundraisers in the last month, earning more than $38,000. Her big donations last month came from a Washington, D.C.-based labor union and political action committee tackling climate change, plus local law firm Roybal Mack & Cordova. Their race for District 70 is among 12 primaries that are relatively close in terms of cash on hand as primary day approaches, according to a Source New Mexico review of 31 contested primaries this season. Top 10 NM House fundraisers between April 2 and May 6 Ambrose Castellano (D-District 70): $63,188.21 raised ($78,427.82 on hand) Meredith Dixon (D-District 20): $60,853.99 ($100,012.44) Marian Matthews (D-District 27): $51,491.26 ($129,723.16) Susan K Herrera (D-District 41): $50,360.11 ($51,329.28) Marianna Anaya (D-District 18): $49,785.74 ($69,086.10) Patty Lundstrom (D-District 9): $47,128.59 ($286,918.05) Rebecca Dow (R-District 38): $45,119.54 ($126,507.30) Willie Madrid (D-District 53): $45,050.18 ($60,663.92) Javier Martinez (D-District 11): $44,583.34 ($111,318.88) Harry Garcia (D-District 69): $44,575.25 ($97,424.60) The review also showed fundraising race narrowing in District 18, where four Democrats are seeking to replace outgoing Democrat Gail Chasey for the Albuquerque district. Marianna Anaya and Anjali Taneja each have around $70,000 on hand after the last month of fundraising and spending. Anaya raised nearly $50,000, twice as much as Taneja. In the same primary, Gloria Sue Doherty raised more than $17,000, while Juan Larranaga raised $900, according to Secretary of State records. Republican Kimberly Skaggs, seeking to unseat Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces), raised about $42,000 in the last month, thanks to large donations primarily from other lawmakers and a nearly $9,000 donation to herself. She raised $20,000 more than Small in the same period. Still, Small has nearly $180,000 remaining before the November general election. Skaggs has about $90,000. The primary election is June 4, though early voting is expanding throughout the state beginning May 18. See the chart below for more details on where things stand in statewide House races: The post Records show fundraising flurry among state legislative candidates over last month appeared first on Source New Mexico. Laman Ismayilova The competition "Up-Cycle Jeans" will be organised within the 16th spring-summer season of Azerbaijan Fashion Week, Azernews reports. The competition aims to support the development of environmentally friendly fashion. According to the concept, the event will take place at the museum "From Waste to Art" at the Gala State Historical and Ethnographic Reserve. The competition is held with the support of the Center for Cultural and Creative Industries Development under the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry. Based on the results of the competition, the winners of the competition will be awarded valuable prizes. According to the conditions, in the finals of the Up-Cycle Jeans competition, young designers will demonstrate to the jury members products created from recycled jeans, plastic, metal and other materials. Each participant will present a model of men's and women's clothing. The evaluation of the works will be attended by fashion industry specialists - fashion designer Zemfira Jafar, founders of the B2B showroom New Couture (Paris) David Pirnia and Nadezhda Kozhevnikova, Alexey Zhen - founder of the Kazakh competition New Ceneration - Open way, representative of the Center for Cultural and Creative Industries Development Jala Mammadova, Kazakh designer Leonid Zherebtsov, founder of the Fashion Academy Manzar Zakizade, founder of Tajikistan Fashion Week Tokhar Ibrahimov, Azerbaijani pop star, ambassador and official face of the 16th season of AFW Rilaya Huseynzade and Kazakh fashion producer, founder of KFW and AFW, as well as founder of the creative space Fashion Coverking Sayat Dosybaev. Colorful fashion shows will also be organized within the 16th season of Azerbaijan Fashion Week. Domestic and foreign designers will demonstrate their collections at The Ritz-Carlton on May 16, as well as at the Yanardag State Historical, Cultural and Natural Reserve on May 17. Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az. VIENTIANE, May 15 (Xinhua) -- More than 1.1 million foreign tourists visited Laos in the first three months of 2024, an increase of 36 percent compared to the figures for the same period in 2023. The largest number of visitors came from Thailand with 347,595, followed by 264,710 from Vietnam and 242,404 from China, Lao national TV reported on Wednesday. The number of tourists increased as Laos has launched the Visit Laos Year 2024 campaign and more travelers are using the China-Laos Railway. The railway is a very popular means of travel and passes through northern Laos' Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces, which have many places of interest for tourists, including adventure activities. Under the Visit Laos Year 2024 campaign, tourism authorities and operators have improved services at hotels, guesthouses and restaurants, and added more facilities at tourist sites, in order to provide a better and more interesting experience to visitors, according to the report. Laos' Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has set an ambitious plan for 2024 to attract over 2.2 million domestic and about 4 million international visitors, with an expected revenue of about 1.3 billion U.S. dollars. Ukraine brought back a 17-year-old boy, Denys, from Russian-held territories in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the Reintegration Ministry reported on May 15. Over 19,500 children have been confirmed abducted by Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and less than 400 of them have been brought back home, according to the Children of War database. The Reintegration Ministry brought the boy back in cooperation with the non-governmental union Ukrainian Child Rights Network. Denys is an orphan. He had been living in the Russian-occupied territories under the supervision of his neighbor and searching for options to move to Ukraine-controlled territory since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, according to the ministry's statement. Sign up for our newsletter Ukraine Weekly By Olga Rudenko Sign up Denys's aunt previously appealed to the ministry to help in bringing the boy back. Currently, Denys lives under his aunt's guardianship. The boy will soon head to the rehabilitation center in the city of Truskavets in Lviv Oblast for further recovery, the ministry said. The day before, Ukraine rescued six children from Russian-occupied territories in Kherson Oblast. A total of 84 children have been reportedly brought back from Russian-occupied territory in Kherson Oblast since the beginning of 2024. Read also: Ombudsman: Children in occupied Ukraine forced to make trench candles Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A large crowd gathered outside Wichita City Hall on Wednesday to remember and pay tribute to local officers who died in the line of duty. A law enforcement officer holds the picture of Deputy Sidnee Carter during a memorial service in Wichita on May 15, 2024. (KSN News Photo) They were attending the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at the Law Enforcement Memorial at Central and Main. Every May 15 is National Peace Officers Memorial Day. It is the reason flags are being flown at half-staff. State BOE changes high school graduation requirements During the ceremony, officers held the pictures and read the names of all law enforcement officers in Sedgwick County who have died while serving. The first one was in 1871. The most recent was in 2022. In Memorium Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan and Mayor Lily Wu drew attention to the brass boots and plaques around the memorial statue. Each name engraved on this memorial and each pair of boots cast in bronze tells a story of courage and service and commitment, Sullivan said. These officers and deputies stepped forward to serve our community, to uphold justice and to protect the innocent at any cost. They were fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends. Each of them cherished and irreplaceable. Each of the names on the wall behind me are a person who protected the residents of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Wu said. Each of those people were aware of the risk and chose to serve. Its a risk that remains present today for the members of our law enforcement community today, and still, they put on that uniform and that badge week after week. The amount of courage and bravery is truly astronomical. Red roses were placed in the brass boots and shoots of fallen Sedgwick County law enforcement officers, May 15, 2024. (KSN News Photo) Scenes from the law enforcement memorial ceremony in Wichita on May 15, 2024. (KSN News Photo) Scenes from the law enforcement memorial ceremony in Wichita on May 15, 2024. (KSN News Photo) A law enforcement officer holds the picture of Captain Clay Germany during a memorial service in Wichita on May 15, 2024. (KSN News Photo) Scenes from the law enforcement memorial ceremony in Wichita on May 15, 2024. (KSN News Photo) Scenes from the law enforcement memorial ceremony in Wichita on May 15, 2024. (KSN News Photo) Scenes from the law enforcement memorial ceremony in Wichita on May 15, 2024. (KSN News Photo) Scenes from the law enforcement memorial ceremony in Wichita on May 15, 2024. (KSN News Photo) A black ban encircles a badge. (KSN News Photo) Sheriff Jeff Easter understands what the day means for the families of the fallen. His brother, Deputy Kevin Easter, was shot and killed in 1996. I know personally that this day brings back the day that your loved one was lost, so its a difficult day for all of us, and its also a difficult day for us in law enforcement, remembering those that gave their lives for this community, Easter said. Its a loss the department never gets over, and so know that our thoughts and prayers are with you today. Gag order issued in Kansas womens killings case Sullivan said it is a difficult time for law enforcement with many recent deaths. Were seeing an unprecedented number of law enforcement officers being attacked, shot, he said. We lost four officers just recently in Charlotte. Past weekend, we lost an officer in Ohio. So its also important to let the active officers know that the community supports them, cares about them, and understands the sacrifice that all too often men and women in law enforcement are forced to make, which is the ultimate sacrifice. He said these annual memorials are important for the families. When you lose a loved one to an incident, a law enforcement loved one. It just means the world to know that no matter how many years past, their memory is never forgotten, that theyre being recognized every year, and that the families themselves are not being forgotten, Sullivan said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. (WJW) Before Thursday, nine Northeast Ohio police officers had been in killed in the line of duty in criminal incidents over the last 10 years, according to the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police. Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter, whose identity police revealed Thursday afternoon, was shot and killed early Thursday, July 4, while attempting to apprehend a felonious assault suspect near Wade Park, according to authorities. Ritter was a four-year veteran of the police department, according to a news release. He was 27 years old, the FOX 8 I-Team reported. Updates: Cleveland officer shot, killed on holiday morning Nationwide, more than 26,000 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty in U.S. history, according to Officer Down Memorial Page, a nonprofit organization that honors law enforcers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Ohio ranks fifth in the nation in the number of line-of-duty deaths, according to the police association. Read on for a summary of each case since 2014 in which a local police officer was killed in the line of duty. FOX 8 News followed each story through: Jacob James Derbin Age : 23 Service : Nine months with Euclid Police Department Killed: Saturday, May 11, 2024 by gunfire Derbin was killed responding to a disturbance at a home along 211th Street in Euclid, ambushed by a suspect who was wanted for a probation violation. Derbin was a member of the U.S. Army National Guard and did an overseas tour. He became a Euclid police officer just nine months before he was killed. Derbin was survived by his fiancee, according to Officer Down. Read more here Shane Henry Bartek Age : 25 Service : One year and six months with Cleveland Division of Police Killed: Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 by gunfire Bartek was killed in a carjacking on Clevelands west side, shot twice while struggling with the suspect for her gun. Though the shooting occurred while Bartek was off duty, city police officials later ruled his murder would be considered a line-of-duty death, the FOX 8 I-Team reported. Bartek was survived by his mother, brother, sister and grandmother, according to Officer Down. Read more here James Michael Skernivitz Age : 53 Service : 25 years with Cleveland Division of Police Killed: Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, by gunfire Skernivitz was shot and killed while in a car in an attempted robbery near West 65th Street and Storer Avenue in Cleveland. At the time, the detective was working undercover with a federal task force, as part of a violent crime reduction effort, the I-Team reported. An informant was also killed. Skernivitz was survived by his wife and three children, according to Officer Down. Read more here Mathew James Mazany Age : 41 Service : 14 years with Mentor Police Department Killed: Sunday, June 24, 2018, in a hit-and-run Mazany was killed in a hit-and-run crash while assisting at the scene of a traffic stop on state Route 2 in Mentor. The portion of state Route 2 between state routes 615 and 306 was renamed the Patrolman Mathew Mazany Memorial Highway. Mazany was survived by his son, father, brother and sister, according to Officer Down. Read more here Justin A. Leo Age : 31 Service : Five years with Girard Police Department Killed: Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, by gunfire Leo was shot and killed while responding to a domestic incident at a home along Indiana Avenue in Girard. Leos partner shot and killed the gunman. Then-mayor James Melfi said Leo was a well-respected member of the police force, who worked to make a difference. Hundreds of police officers from across Ohio were expected to attend his funeral. Leo was survived by his parents, aunt and other extended family, according to Officer Down. Read more here David J. Fahey Jr. Age : 39 Service : Two years and six months with Cleveland Division of Police Killed: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in a hit-and-run Fahey was killed by a hit-and-run driver while assisting at the scene of a fatal crash on Interstate 90 just west of Warren Road in Rocky River. Fahey graduated from the Cleveland Police Academy and was a 1995 graduate of St. Edwards High School, as well as a U.S. Navy veteran. He was survived by his mother, stepfather, three brothers and stepsister, according to Officer Down. Read more here Kenneth V. Velez Age : 48 Service : 27 years with the Ohio State Highway Patrol Killed: Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, in a crash Velez was killed while outside his cruiser conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 90 near the border of Lakewood and Cleveland. The man charged with striking him was later acquitted on vehicular homicide charges. Velez graduated from the academy in 1989. His funeral at Lorain County Community College was expected to be attended by police officers from 19 states, as well as Canada. He was survived by his wife and three children, according to Officer Down. Read more here K9 Jethro Age : 2 Service : Two years with Canton Police Department Killed: Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, by gunfire K9 Jethro was shot three times while responding to a burglary on Harrison Avenue in Canton with his human partner. Jethro died of his injuries the following day. Jethros partner Ryan Davis, who had been with the K9 since he was just eight weeks old, credited the German shepherd with saving his life in a shootout with the suspect. A life-sized statue was commissioned in Jethros honor. Read more here Justin Robert Winebrenner Age : 32 Service : Seven years and seven months with Akron Police Department Killed: Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, by gunfire Winebrenner was shot twice and killed while off duty, when he and another off-duty officer confronted a gunman at an East Market Street pub. Four others in the bar were also shot. The following year, University of Akron, Winebrenners alma mater, introduced a memorial scholarship for law enforcement education. Winebrenner was survived by his then-4-year-old daughter and fiancee, according to Officer Down. Read more here Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Rep. Jamaal Bowman trashes pro-Israel PAC for $1.8 million ad buy against him in Democratic primary NEW YORK Rep. Jamaal Bowman lashed out Wednesday against a pro-Israel political action committee that has launched a $1.8 million ad campaign against him in his contentious Democratic congressional primary. Bowman, D-N.Y., accused the United Democracy Project, which is tied to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, of spending lavishly to unseat him and silence his harsh criticism of Israels war in Gaza. New Yorkers know that if George Latimer is willing to sell out to Donald Trumps biggest donors, he will sell you out, too, Bowman said. Bowman is locked in what is thought to be a tight battle with Westchester County Executive Latimer in June 25s 16th Congressional District Democratic primary. Latimer is trumpeting his strong support for Israel. Bowman says the AIPAC-affiliated group is bankrolled by conservative megadonors who usually back pro-Trump Republicans. Voters not GOP billionaires should be the ones who decide Democratic primaries, said Jasmine Gripper of the Working Families Party, which is backing Bowman. Now hes complaining its not fair, said a spokesman for Latimers campaign. He needs to grow up. The two candidates traded barbs over Israel during their first debate Monday night. Bowman accused Latimer of beingbought and paid for by pro-Israel donors, while Latimer said the former Bronx middle school principal should focus more on legislating and less on grabbing media attention. The 16th Congressional District covers most of the southern half of Westchester, including the majority minority cities of Mount Vernon, Yonkers and New Rochelle, along with some of the nations most affluent suburbs. It also includes slivers of the Bronx. The district is strongly Democratic, and the winner of the primary will be an overwhelming favorite to win in November. Political pundits say the pro-Israel groups spending is likely just the start of a $10 million spending spree aimed at toppling Bowman, who is one of their top targets among the so-called squad of pro-Palestinian progressive lawmakers. Its likely the tip of the iceberg, said Jacob Rubashkin, an analyst with Inside Elections. (AIPAC) thinks they can boost Latimers chances by spending a bunch of money. Although the AIPAC-affiliated group is funded by pro-Israel donors, its ads typically focus on other issues of more general interest to voters. In the 16th Congressional District, Rubashkin predicted, the ads may echo Latimers attacks on Bowman for voting against President Bidens bipartisan infrastructure plan or emphasize an embarrassing episode in which Bowman pulled a fire alarm during a congressional vote. The congressional ad wars are unfolding as Israel continues to be a key issue on Capitol Hill. The Republican-led House of Representatives is pushing a measure that would pressure Biden to end a pause on delivering huge bombs to Israel that have been dropped on Palestinian civilian targets in Gaza. Meanwhile, the White House announced a new $1 billion arms sale to the Jewish state, a move that Bowman called disappointing. Bowman says the U.S. should be pushing much harder to get Israel to end the war in Gaza, negotiate an end to its 57-year occupation of Palestinian lands and establish an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. _____ Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) looks up while a light reflects on her black framed glasses. Rep. Carol Miller (R-W.Va.) speaks during a House Select Committee on Climate Crisis hearing on June 14, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Nathan Howard | Getty Images) Derrick Evans will not be in the Capitol. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va. has won her race to defend her congressional seat in the November general election. Miller defeated convicted felon Evans to become the Republican nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives 1st Congressional District. It has been the honor of my life to represent West Virginia in Congress, and I am grateful to have won the Republican primary in West Virginias First Congressional District tonight, Miller said in a statement. Over the past few years, I have ensured that the Mountain Valley Pipeline will be completed, worked on legislation that will lower taxes for West Virginians, and held the Biden Administration accountable. While the Republican House Majority has accomplished great work, we still have more to deliver for the American people. Im thankful to represent my wild and wonderful state in Washington, and I will continue to work to make West Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family, Miller, who calls herself Pro-Trump on her website and opposed certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election, was first elected to Congress in 2018 and previously served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2006 to 2018. Her son, Chris Miller, ran as a Republican candidate for West Virginia governor, but lost the nomination to West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. Evans was elected to West Virginias House of Delegates in 2020, but only served 37 days before resigning to focus on his personal situation, which was facing charges for storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Evans pleaded guilty to a felony civil disorder charge, and was sentenced to three months in prison in June 2022. During his sentencing, Evans told the judge, I will forever bear the reminder that I made a crucial mistake. Ive let down myself, Ive let down my community and most importantly Ive let down my family. However, his remorse for his actions waned as he began campaigning for Congress as a previously held captive political prisoner. Chris Bob Reed, of Charleston, won the Democratic nomination for the House of Representatives 1st Congressional District. He defeated Jim Umberger, a Vietnam combat veteran who served in the Army and works in mental health services. In the 2nd Congressional District, West Virginia Treasurer Riley Moore won the Republican nomination. America first means putting AMERICANS FIRST!, Moore posted on X. Im grateful for the trust West Virginians have placed in me, I wont let you down. #WV02 Moore is the nephew of Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. and grandson of Arch Moore, the former governor of West Virginia who was convicted for corruption after pleading guilty to five felonies, including obstruction of justice, mail fraud, tax fraud and extortion. Moore defeated Dennis Nate Cain, Joseph (Joe) Earley, Alexander Gaaserud and Chris Mookie Walke. Steve Wendelin won an uncontested race to become the Democratic nominee. Wendelin, of Wardensville, is a Navy veteran. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Rep. Miller defeats Evans to become Republican nominee for U.S. House seat appeared first on West Virginia Watch. Report: Suspect in break-in at home of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says he was on drugs, not targeting the mayor The man charged with burglary in connection with a break-in at Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass official residence last month has told a local radio station he was on a drug binge at the time and was not targeting the public official. Ephraim Matthew Hunter, 29, faces felony counts of burglary and vandalism after allegedly smashing a rear glass door at the mayors home, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office. But in an interview with KNX News published Monday, Hunter said he had been on a multi-day drug binge and wasnt targeting the mayor, but was running from someone he thought had been chasing him. When charges were filed against Hunter in April, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said officials believed he was targeting the mayor but did not offer a potential motive. There were actions while he was inside the property that are consistent with the fact that he knew that this was the mayors home and that he was looking for her, the district attorney said. A criminal complaint alleges Hunter entered the home with the intent to commit larceny and any felony. Hunters attorney, Howard Stern, told CNN in an email on Tuesday: The DAs Office has this case wrong. When asked to elaborate on Gascons comments and provide an update on the investigation on Tuesday, the district attorneys office said they could not provide information regarding evidence in the case since the investigation is ongoing. A Los Angeles Police Department source described as a high-ranking official, told the Los Angeles Times: I dont know why Gascon said what he said, he must be privy to something our investigators are not privy to. The newspaper also spoke with another law enforcement source who said responding officers believed Hunter was under the influence of methamphetamine. Shortly after Hunter was charged, a woman identifying herself as his mother told the LA Times he didnt know whose home he had entered. He didnt know that at all, Josephine Duah told the newspaper. He just was running he thought somebody was chasing him and he hopped some fences, and he went in the house Im wondering if mentally he was relieved if he saw police. The LA Times, citing three law enforcement sources, reported the suspect shouted the mayors first name during the break in. Hunter told KNX News if he shouted anyones name it may have been that of his brother Aaron, but not Karen. When reached by phone by CNN, the brother declined to discuss Hunters case. The break-in happened on the morning of April 21, during the security officers morning shift change when there was a short gap of time when an officer was not on the property, Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi said Tuesday. Police have remedied the scheduling gap with an overlap in shifts, he said. Hunter is accused of entering the home by smashing a rear glass door, causing somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 worth of damage, the district attorneys office has said. His hand was cut during the ordeal, leaving blood stains throughout the house, the office said. No one in Basss family was harmed, a spokesperson for the Democratic mayor said. The mayors official residence, the Getty House, is a nondescript Tudor-style home that sits on a corner in the Windsor Square neighborhood and fits seamlessly into its lineup of historic mansions. If convicted of the charges, Hunter could receive a prison sentence of up to 13 years and four months. In 2016, Hunter was convicted of armed robbery in Massachusetts, according to the criminal complaint. CNNs Cindy Von Quednow and Elizabeth Wolfe contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com J.B. McCuskey (left) won the Republican nomination for West Virginia attorney general and Kris Warner (right) won the Republican nomination for Secretary of State on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Courtesy photos) State auditor J.B. McCuskey won the Republican nomination for attorney general Tuesday night over opponent Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha. In November, McCuskey will face Democrat Teresa Toriseva, a Wheeling attorney, who won the Democratic primary over opponent Richie Robb, the former mayor of South Charleston. As of late Tuesday night, with results in from 51 of 55 counties, Toriseva had 53% of the vote, compared to Robbs 47%. Reached Tuesday evening, McCuskey attributed his win to positive energy focused on making the lives of everyday West Virginians better. I feel so great about the campaign that we ran, McCuskey said. I spent the entire time making sure that I was doing something that would make my kids proud of me. He added that hes thankful for the people who supported him in every corner of West Virginia, and proud of his campaign team. McCuskey, a Charleston attorney, was first elected state auditor in 2016 and reelected in 2020. Prior to being auditor, McCuskey served two terms in the state House of Delegates. McCuskey said current Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has done a fantastic job defending the will of our Legislature and the will of our people. I intend to continue to attract world-class talent that is able to go to the Supreme Court, go to the Fourth Circuit and win cases that defend not only what our Legislature does, but what the people of West Virginia want, McCuskey said. He added that he would defend West Virginia values and the West Virginia economy to the end of the earth. According to campaign finance reports, McCuskey has raised nearly $1.2 million in contributions and spent about $820,000 on the race. Stuart, the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, raised the next highest amount, about $113,000, and spent about $102,000. In a post on the social media platform X Tuesday night, Stuart congratulated McCuskey on a great victory. Proud to carry my Senate District but JB did well statewide, Stuart wrote. He has my full support and will make a great Attorney General! In the Democratic race, Toriseva raised more than $19,000 and spent about $14,000 on the race. Robb raised about $2,300 and spent $1,600. The winner in this years general election will fill the seat left vacant by current attorney general Patrick Morrisey, who is running for governor. Secretary of state Kris Warner, the head of the state Economic Development Authority and brother to current Secretary of State Mac Warner, is the Republican nominee for Secretary of State. Kris Warner won the Republican primary on Tuesday evening with more than 46% of the votes, according to unofficial results from 51 of the states 55 counties, beating former Del. Doug Skaff, Putnam County clerk Brian Wood and Ken Reed. Skaff, the second highest vote getter at nearly 21%, spent about five times as much as Warner on his campaign, according to campaign financing reports. Skaff is president of HD Media, a newspaper chain that includes the Charleston Gazette-Mail and Huntington Herald-Dispatch. As a Democrat, Skaff served as minority leader of the state House of Delegates until last year, when he resigned and switched parties to run for the office. According to campaign financing reports, Skaff raised approximately $123,000 for the race and spent more than $444,000. In addition, he loaned himself a total of $350,000 for the campaign. Kris Warner brought in more than $110,000 in contributions and spent more than $87,000 on his primary election campaign, according to campaign finance reports. Reached by phone Tuesday evening, Kris Warner attributed his win, despite being severely outspent, to 35 years of experience with the Republican party, including five years as party chair. It was a matter of reaching back out to old friends and just having ground support across the state that helped us get the message out, he said. If he wins in the general election, Kris Warner said he would like to build on the foundation set by his brother Mac Warner. Working with county clerks across the state, Mac Warner removed 440,000 people from bloated voter rolls in the state, but the office cant rest on its laurels, Kris Warner said. Were going to continue to have people die, move out of state, be convicted of felonies and we need to be able to build upon that foundation and keep the voter rolls accurate, Kris Warner said. Ineligible voters need to be removed from our voting rolls. He added that he wants to create an office of entrepreneurship, to help entrepreneurs, expand businesses and streamline government services. Kris Warner worked in residential and commercial real estate for 30 years and was appointed by the Trump administration in 2018 to serve as state director for the USDA Rural Development in West Virginia. In the general election, Kris Warner will face Democrat Thornton Cooper, a South Charleston attorney and former state employee. Thornton was the lone Democrat running in the primary election. State auditor State Senator Mark Hunt won the Republican nomination for state auditor, beating out House majority leader Eric Householder, R-Berkeley, former state Delegate Caleb Hanna and former Jefferson County Commissioner Tricia Jackson. Jackson was one of two Jefferson County Commissioners removed from office earlier this month because they conspired to stop the appointment of another county commissioner by refusing to attend meetings and withholding a quorum over a two-month period. According to unofficial results from 51 of 55 counties late Tuesday, Hunt brought in more than 38% of the vote, compared to Householders 26%, Jacksons 20% and Hannas 16%. Hunt will face Democrat Mary Claytor in the general election for state auditor. According to campaign financing reports, Householder, a Martinsburg business owner, brought in more than $201,000 in campaign contributions, and spent nearly $108,000. Hanna, who resigned from the House in January to focus on the auditors race, had the second highest amount of contributions, with approximately $117,000. Hunt raised approximately $30,000 and spent about $10,000. Claytor, who formerly worked as an auditor in the state auditors office, was the lone Democrat in the primary election for the office. In a statement, a representative of Claytors campaign said they are thrilled to share our message of true transparency and proactive action with the people of West Virginia. I am confident that when voters compare us to any of the Republican candidates, they will recognize the stark differences in qualifications and experience, campaign manager Seth Strum wrote in an email. My commitment to revolutionizing state auditing with unparalleled integrity, efficiency, and accountability is unmatched. State treasurer Republican Larry Pack, the states acting revenue secretary, was the lone candidate in the race for state treasurer. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post In Republican primary races, McCuskey wins attorney general, Warner wins Secretary of State appeared first on West Virginia Watch. BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday enforced a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline. Tourist groups each consisting of two foreigners or more, and organized or received by Chinese travel agencies, can enter China visa free on board cruise ships via the cruise ports in 13 Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Sanya, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA). The tourists can stay in China for no longer than 15 days. While in China, they can visit coastal provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions as well as Beijing, an NIA statement noted. Additionally, the NIA announced that seven cruise ports, namely Dalian, Lianyungang, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beihai, have been designated as visa-free transit ports for nationals from 54 countries. This move facilitates the transit and departure of foreign travelers from these ports via cruise ships under China's visa-free transit policy, the statement noted. To make cruise entry and exit procedures more convenient, the NIA has introduced a range of measures focusing on facilitating clearance for foreign cruise passengers, crew landing, and cruise maintenance, among other services, according to Mao Xu, a senior NIA official. The adoption of the 15-day visa-free policy for international cruise tour groups came after years of successful trials. The pilot trial of this policy began in Shanghai in October 2016, allowing foreign cruise travelers to explore Shanghai, Beijing, and other cruise port cities, as well as their neighboring cities. With more options in entry ports and expanded visit areas, foreign visitors will have a richer experience in China, boosting the country's appeal to international tourists, said Zhu Jialiang, an associate professor with Xiamen University. With a coastline stretching 18,000 km, China boasts steadily improving port infrastructure, abundant tourism resources, and rapid growth of the service industry, making it a major stop for international cruise liners. Currently, China's inbound cruise tourism market is experiencing strong momentum. From February to April, over 14,000 tourists from at least 47 countries and regions visited China aboard cruise ships, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Zhu highlighted the move's role in further bolstering the development of the cruise economy in China's coastal regions. Official data showed that since the inception of the pilot initiative, Shanghai has experienced an annual average growth of 10 percent in cruise tourist arrivals. The expanded adoption of the policy will attract more foreign cruise ships to Chinese cruise ports, driving port development and domestic consumption, Zhu said. Echoing Zhu's view, Fiona Ma from Singapore-based travel agency EU Holidays said the expanded policy offers a huge opportunity for Singaporean outbound travel planners like her. She is expecting more tourists from various countries to choose Singapore -- a major hub for international cruise tours -- as their starting point to explore China. The visa policies announced on Wednesday represent China's latest efforts to honor its commitment to opening its market to the world and enhancing global exchanges, observers said. Over the years, the Chinese government has endeavored to make visiting China easier for foreign nationals. By the end of early March, China had established reciprocal visa-exemption agreements with 157 countries, covering different types of passports. Meanwhile, China has reached agreements with 44 countries to simplify visa procedures. The moves have yielded tangible results. During the Spring Festival holiday in February, the number of inbound tourists to China reached 3.23 million. Notably, there was a significant increase in tourists from countries such as France, Germany and Malaysia. During the just-ended five-day May Day holiday, China saw 779,000 trips by travelers from abroad, almost doubling the figure for the same period last year. Li Liangyi, president of Singapore-based China Express Travel Pte. Ltd., noted the changes since China resumed its visa exemption policy for Singaporean passport holders in July 2023. "The number of Singaporeans traveling to China has been steadily increasing," Li said. Besides, efforts have been made to improve foreign tourists' travel experience in China. For instance, Chinese authorities have rolled out specific measures to facilitate foreigners using mobile payment while visiting China. "The introduction of policies and measures catering to foreign visitors' needs further demonstrates China's willingness to open up," said Su Xiaohui, an expert with the China Institute of International Studies. The much-anticipated testimony by former Donald Trump lawyer Michael Cohen finally arrived this week and from the sound of many of the talking heads on television, it's been a huge disappointment. They were apparently expecting the former president's one-time personal "fixer" to melt down on the stand in a fit of rage or lunge at his former boss. Instead, the carefully prepared Cohen was subdued and succinct, admitting his lies and misdeeds in service of Donald Trump with a sorrowful mien. The prosecution's case has been meticulously laid out through testimony from the people with whom Trump conspired to create fake news items about his political rivals in 2016 and their scheme to buy up negative stories about him to testimony from his loyal, former assistants creating a timeline delineating what the former president knew and when he knew it. And then there was Stormy Daniels, the adult film actress who received the hush money payoff, taking the stand to dramatically verify that the story they were trying to suppress was true. All of this has been backed up by a paper trail that even includes handwritten notes by Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg on incriminating documents outlining the crime Trump is charged with committing. But the full story is best told through Michael Cohen, who ties all the various strands of the plot together. In the last two days of direct and cross-examination, Cohen has woven the tale of a nefarious scheme hatched by Trump, a tabloid smear merchant, women with whom the married Trump had sexual relationships along with some lawyers and accountants to illegally suppress information and cook the books to aid Trump's presidential campaign in 2016. Most legal observers think he's done a good job of it, despite the baggage he carries as a convicted felon. (As every TV lawyer has pointed out at least once, witnesses who flip on their co-conspirator bosses are, by definition, not pure and innocent but testify for the government in courtrooms around the country every day.) At this writing, Cohen is still in the middle of cross-examination by Trump's defense lawyers who appear to be suggesting that Cohen is angry with Trump for failing to pick him for a plum position in the White House so he's lying about his personal plot to spend his own money and lie for him repeatedly, which seems a bit strained. When asked by Trump's attorney why he would have done such things, Cohen replied, "I was deep in the cult of Donald Trump." Considering where he is today, there's certainly a lesson in that but it's obvious that some people who should know better are not heeding it. I'm speaking of the elected Republicans who are now making pilgrimages to Manhattan to demonstrate their fealty to the Dear Leader, even down to their clothes and the placement of their flag pins: Cults often have uniforms, The only thing missing is a red MAGA hat to make it complete. I called this last week when I wrote about Florida Senator Rick Scott's appearance in court after Trump was reported to have complained that he was getting no support from the party in his time of need. I expected that the vice presidential wannabes would be making the trek right quick, elbowing each other out of the way to gain his attention. Sure enough, this week we have seen contenders, J.D. Vance, R-Oh., Gov. Doug Burgam, R-N.D., Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fl., and MAGA Trump superfans, Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, GOP presidential alsoran Vivek Ramaswamy and last but hardly least, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. (South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Marco Rubio of Florida had better step it up.) These GOP luminaries are supposedly there to provide moral support to the Republican nominee for president. As Vance told Fox News: I mean, look, I was there to support a friend. Recognizing that sometimes its a little bit lonely to sit up there by yourself, I offered to come in and maybe just be a friendly face in the courtroom. And thats all I wanted to do." Please. That's not really what they're there to do for Donald Trump. They come into the courtroom for about 45 minutes or so and then leave and hold a press conference outside. They rant about the trial being a witch hunt and a sham and say all the things Trump is precluded from saying because of the gag order imposed by the judge to stop him from putting the family members of the court employees, the witnesses and jury members in danger. It's a blatant act of defiance of the spirit of the law from a group of people who take an oath to uphold it. Sen. Tuberville, a man with absolutely no filter, told Newsmax that it is a coordinated strategy: Hopefully, we have more and more senators and congressmen go up every day to represent him and be able to go out and overcome this gag order. And thats one of the reasons we went, is to be able to speak our piece for President Trump. Perhaps the most shocking performance of the group so far was Speaker Johnson, the man who is second in line to the presidency, who called the trial a sham and, like most of the others, even lied about the judge's daughter putting her in the cross hairs of the crazy MAGA followers in defiance of the gag order. What a low, low moment for American politics. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Trump is naturally very pleased with this unctuous display of sycophancy. He came before the cameras on Tuesday and said I have a lot of surrogates and they are speaking very beautifully. If it could be proved that he "directed" them to do this, he would go to jail for violating the gag order but Trump's mob boss style is well-understood. They all know very well what Trump wants them to say without him ever having to tell them. All of these grasping sycophants are now "deep in the cult of Donald Trump" just as Michael Cohen was all those years ago. As MSNBC's Chris Hayes so sharply observed yesterday, You're watching the next iteration of people auditioning to be the next version of that guy up on the stand ... Here you have this set of people who seem to bear no connection to the ghost of Christmas future of the man on the stand who was himself this supplicant figure and you wonder which one of them is going to end up in the same position. I think they all are in one way or another. No one escapes unscathed. They are all so blinded by ambition and the ecstasy of being in this exciting moment that they fail to see that they are heading down exactly the same humiliating path that led Cohen to that witness stand this week having to confess to the whole world that he was a fool who destroyed his life trying to please this man who has never cared for anyone but himself. WASHINGTON House Republicans are using National Police Week to bash Democrats for allegedly pushing to defund the police, but Republicans themselves have repeatedly proposed funding cuts for police. The Republican Study Committee, a policy group counting most House Republicans as members, puts out an annual budget proposal that calls for cutting the federal governments main grant program for local police departments. Conservatives support our men and women [in] blue but should question whether the government should involve itself in state and local law enforcement, even if it is only a matter of funding, this years Republican Study Committee budget says. The Community Oriented Policing Services program is small, amounting to a fraction of a percent of the federal budget and supporting a tiny portion of police department personnel nationwide. But the proposed cut suggests Republican support for state and local law enforcement is mostly a cultural affinity and political wedge issue that doesnt trump their general dislike of government. On Wednesday, during a news conference with local police officials from around the country, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), a former chairman of the Republican Study Committee, said he was not familiar with the groups latest budget, which is meant to showcase policy aspirations, not something that will get an actual vote on the House floor. I havent looked into the details of the RSC budget, Johnson said in response to a question from HuffPost. Theres lots of nuances. They also plus-up other areas where you support law enforcement, because thats the central theme of what we believe, as part of our worldview, as part of our party platform. Reporter: Weve heard a lot about Democrats supporting defund the police. The Republican Study Committee budget cuts the federal grant program that local departments use to hire officers. How is that not proposing to defund the police? Johnson: I havent looked into the details pic.twitter.com/sg96GQB9gg Acyn (@Acyn) May 15, 2024 When Johnson chaired the Republican Study Committee, its 2020 budget called for eliminating grants to state and local police. This week, Republicans plan to vote on a series of bills meant to highlight their support for police, including a bill to disallow Washington from rewriting its criminal code and another to speed the deportation of undocumented immigrants who assault police. The bills are symbolic and unlikely to make it through the Senate. Unfortunately for our House Republican colleagues, this weeks bills wont be enough to hide the cuts theyve proposed to law enforcement funding or the way they turned their backs on the officers who protected our democracy on January 6th, Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said in an emailed statement. Even police officers arent safe from the GOPs obsession with gutting vital programs, Boyle said. In March, when the Republican Study Committee released its budget, the White House slammed Republicans for the police funding cut, noting that the pandemic relief bill President Joe Biden signed into law plugged state budget gaps that averted police layoffs. Biden has also proposed boosting the COPS hiring grant. Last year the community policing grant program funneled $216 million to police departments around the country, funding 1,730 officer positions, per figures from the Justice Department. There were more than 800,000 police and detectives on the job in 2022, according to the latest Labor Department data, so the grant has a small impact but its impact is felt in every state. These grants put officers on the streets and protect our citizens from criminals intent on harm, Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas) said in a news release announcing grants for 13 officer positions at three police departments in her district. I thank the Department of Justice for sending this money where its needed in South Texas and I thank the officers willing to step up and serve their communities. Retrial for the murder of a young couple in the Florida Keys ends with familiar verdict A jury on Tuesday decided that a man being retried for the shooting deaths of a Florida Keys couple over an ongoing cocaine dealing operation is guilty of first-degree murder. The 12 jurors took 12 hours to deliberate before reaching a verdict. The case was being retried because a state appeals court ruled that a sworn statement from a jailhouse informant wasnt allowed to be heard during the original November 2017 trial. Jeremy Macauley was convicted of shooting Carlos Ortiz, 30, and Tara Rosado, 26, inside Rosados Cuba Road home in Tavernier on Oct. 15, 2015. Investigators say the motive was to shut up Ortiz because he was extorting Macauley over a cocaine-dealing business they were both involved with. Carlos Ortiz and Tara Rosado Macauley found up to 20 kilos of cocaine in the ocean during the summer of 2015 while he was working as a mate on a charter fishing boat. He and his boss, Rick Rodriguez, captain of the Sea Horse charter boat, brought the cocaine on board and back to shore, attorneys for both the defense and the prosecution said. Macauley, 41, enlisted a group of friends who were local drug dealers to sell the contraband. Ortiz was among the group, as was Adrian Demblans. Demblans, 42, was convicted of driving Macauley to the home the night of the murders. He ended up pleading guilty to accessory after the fact of murder before the original trial and cooperated with police and prosecutors in their investigation against Macauley in both the murder case and a trafficking case related to the cocaine. Rodriguez was never arrested or charged in the case and has repeatedly denied to the Miami Herald that he knew about the drugs nor was involved in killing Ortiz and Rosado. Macauleys attorney in the retrial, Donald Barrett, argued his client was not present during the murders, citing cellphone records, lack of fingerprints or DNA at the scene or in the car used in the killings and security camera footage prosecutors say showed Macauley at the scene, which Barrett said was too grainy to discern anyone on screen. But prosecutors Aleathea McRoberts and Courtney Behar said other evidence in the case pointed directly at Macauley, including investigators tying the murder weapon, a Colt .45 model 1911 with a wooden grip being tied to him. The gun was found by a snorkeler a month after the murders. Investigators connected the two spent bullet casings and one bullet found at Rosados home, to that gun. A witness also told Monroe County sheriffs detectives that she saw Macauley get into the Toyota RAV4 that delivered the shooter to Rosados home. Most telling, however, according to McRoberts and Behar were text messages between Macauley and Ortiz in the days leading up to and the day of the murders. Ortiz was demanding more of the cocaine proceeds from Macauley, or else hed go to the cops. Jeremy Macauley The last communication between the two was a text from Macauley sent about an hour before the shootings, with a photograph of cash, saying he was on his way over to pay Ortiz. It defies common sense to think that anybody else is responsible for the murders, Behar said during closing arguments Monday. It defies common sense. Behar and McRoberts work for the Palm Beach County State Attorneys Office. They were assigned the case because of a conflict in the case with the Monroe County State Attorneys Office. Barrett argued that Adrian Demblans was the mastermind behind the killers and brought someone else other than Macauley to kill the couple. The jailhouse witness whose statement was at the heart of the retrial said Adrians twin brother, Kristian Demblans, told him while the two were serving time in Monroe County lockup that he was the one who killed Rosado and Ortiz. Adrian Demblans testified at the retrial that his brother traveled in different circles that he, Macaulay and Ortiz, and that he had nothing to do with the crime. Barrett said in an email to the Miami Herald that he would filing a notice of appeal at the appropriate time. I thought the case was replete with reasonable doubt, but I appreciate the jurys hard work and I respect their verdict. Macaulay was convicted and sentenced to two life terms in prison after the 2017 trial. He was also charged with armed robbery for stealing a phone from Rosados home the night of the murders. That charge was dismissed before jury deliberations in the retrial. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 4 in Monroe County Circuit Court. He again faces life in prison. There is no leeway on those counts, said Palm Beach County State Attorneys Office spokesman Marc Freeman. Both are life in prison without the possibility of parole. Tara Rosado sits in a car in this undated photo provided by her family. In a statement to the Miami Herald, Tara Rosados family said they hoped, that after almost 10 years, the case was finally over. This does not get any easier, the family said. Please just let it be done, and let [Tara and Carlos] rest in peace. France will deliver an unspecified number of air defense missiles, as well as additional military aid, over the coming days and weeks, Reuters reported on May 14. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday in the National Assembly that the country will deliver an additional batch of Aster missiles for the SAMP/T air defence system - France's equivalent of the U.S. Patriot. "I have just signed a second batch of Aster missiles to allow the SAMP/T - that we gave (Ukraine) with our Italian partners - to continue to operate," Lecornu said. No details were provided as to how many missiles would be sent, nor was a timeline for when weapons deliveries could be expected. Earlier on May 14, following French President Emanuel Macron's conversation with Prisident Volodymyr Zelensky, the Elysee also confirmed it would provide Ukraine with additional military aid. Although the Elysee declined to specify the details of the aid, Reuters reported. "The President of the Republic reiterated France's determination to provide all the necessary support... He was also able to detail the deliveries for the coming days and weeks in support of the Ukrainian military effort," the Elysee said in a statement. Lecornu initially announced on March 30, that France would deliver a shipment of Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles and hundreds of armored vehicles to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package. Lecornu also said the country was "developing tele-operated munitions... to deliver them to the Ukrainians this summer." Kyiv faces an air defense shortage that has grown increasingly urgent amid intensifying Russian strikes. Russian forces leveraged Ukraine's ammunition shortages, compounded by the lack of U.S. aid, and ramped up pressure along the front. In February, Russian forces captured Avdiivka, a key front-line city in Donetsk Oblast, and subsequently shifted focus toward the town of Chasiv Yar. Most recently, Moscow's troops launched new offensive operations in the north of Kharkiv Oblast, accompanying the campaign with heavy shelling and airstrikes. Read also: Zelensky to Blinken: Ukraine needs 2 Patriots to protect Kharkiv Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Reuters: France, Netherlands want EU to sanction financial institutions that help Russian army France and the Netherlands are backing European Union sanctions against any financial institution that supports the Russian military, Reuters reported on May 14. The EU has already adopted 13 sanction packages in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, aiming to undermine Moscow's economic output and the ability to sustain the war. EU leaders are expected to introduce a 14th round of sanctions in June. According to a proposal read by Reuters, a new penalty, put forth by France and the Netherlands, would prohibit anyone in the EU from doing business with any financial institution that helps the Russian military purchase dual-use goods and technologies. The restriction would apply to any financial institution worldwide, not just in Europe. "The Netherlands and France propose to introduce a legal basis ... providing for a transaction ban with financial institutions in Russia or other third countries when the Council has determined these entities to be involved in transactions that significantly support Russias military by facilitating exports towards Russia of essential goods for the war effort, such as dual-use goods and technologies," the proposal reads. If the EU adopts the proposal, the ban could be an effective tool against sanctions evasion. It could prevent financial institutions in the Middle East and Turkey from entering deals to provide Russia with sanctioned dual-use items, as they would risk losing access to European markets. The ban could even pressure China to scale back its deals on dual-use goods with Russia. Items classified as "dual-use" are considered to have both civilian and military applications, and have been used to skirt sanctions on weapons sales to Russia. Dual-use goods sold to Moscow include semi-conductors, which are vital for manufacturing communication systems and electronic warfare equipment. The EU's current sanctions regime already bans the sale of certain dual-use technologies to Russia. EU leaders are expected to discuss the Franco-Dutch proposal on May 15. Read also: Opinion: Putins silk road around sanctions Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The number of reported sexual assaults across the military decreased last year, and a confidential survey found a 19% drop in the number of service members who said they had experienced some type of unwanted sexual contact, according to new figures obtained by The Associated Press. Both are dramatic reversals of what has been a growing problem in recent years. More than 29,000 active-duty service members said in the survey that they had unwanted sexual contact during the previous year, compared with nearly 36,000 in the 2021 survey, according to several defense officials. The decrease is the first in eight years. Sexual assault in the military keeps rising while prosecutions fall At the same time, 8,515 sexual assaults were reported last year involving members of the U.S. military, a decrease from 8,942 in 2022. And officials said the U.S. military academies also saw fewer reported sexual assaults in the school year that ended last spring versus the previous year. President Joe Biden hailed the improved numbers as he spoke Wednesday to his military commanders, who were gathered at the White House. Im proud that for the first time in nearly a decade, rates of sexual assault and harassment are, within the active-duty forces, are down. Theyre down. Thats because of your leadership, Biden said. Senior defense officials said the assault numbers are still far too high and there is much more work to do, but they expressed cautious optimism that the military could be turning a corner, with help from an array of new programs and increased personnel. Sexual assault reports in the military have gone up for much of the last decade, except for a tiny decrease in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the report has not been publicly released. While its difficult to point to any one reason for the recent decreases, the Defense Department has been making a series of changes over the past year that officials say may be contributing to the shift. The services are using an infusion of more than $1 billion in the last two budgets to improve programs and hire up to 2,500 personnel as part of a new prevention workforce and place them at military installations around the world. So far, more than 1,000 have been hired. The Pentagon releases a report every year on the number of sexual assaults reported by or about troops. But because sexual assault is a highly underreported crime, the department does a confidential survey every two years to get a clearer picture of the problem. Watchdog finds gaps in DON sexual misconduct policies The data for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 also suggests that a greater percentage of service members came forward to report sexual assaults, which has been a key goal for the Defense Department. About 25% of those who said on the survey that they had faced unwanted sexual contact reported it last year, compared with 20% in 2021, according to defense officials and documents reviewed by the AP. Defense officials have long argued that an increase in reported assaults is a positive trend because so many people are reluctant to report them, both in the military and in society as a whole. Greater reporting, they say, shows there is more confidence in the reporting system and greater comfort with the support for victims, and results in a growing number of offenders being held accountable. But the Pentagon and the military services also have come under persistent criticism and pressure from members of Congress to reduce sexual assaults and harassment in the military. Service leaders and lawmakers have all argued that the sexual assaults and harassment contribute to the militarys struggles to meet recruiting goals. Alarmed members of Congress have enacted a number of changes, including a new prosecution system that uses independent lawyers. Lawmakers argued that some commanders failed to take victims complaints seriously or tried to protect those in their units who faced accusations, making victims reluctant to come forward. The services have long worked to develop programs to prevent sexual assaults, encourage reporting and bolster confidence in the system. The Army, for example, has a new training program for soldiers when they report to their first duty station that shows service members acting out dangerous situations and teaches troops how to respond. The number of reported sexual assaults decreased across all the military services, which is a marked improvement over the 2022 fiscal year, when the number of sexual assaults in the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps all shot up significantly. A 9% drop in Army reports in 2022 offset the increases in the other branches so that there was an uptick of about 1% for the whole military. The Army is the largest military service. According to officials, the number of sexual assault reported in the Army decreased from 3,718 in 2022 to 3,507 last year, while the Navy went from 2,052 to 1,942 and the Air Force from 1,928 to 1,838. The Marine Corps had the smallest decline, going from 1,244 to 1,228. Included in the 8,515 total were 541 service members who reported an assault that occurred before they entered the military and 612 civilians who said they were assaulted by a member of the military. Sexual assault prosecutions officially out of the chain of command At the military academies, the number of assaults dipped from 155 in 2022 to 124 in the 2023 school year. Service commanders are still working, however, to address what was a dramatic spike in 2022. The latest survey also showed that nearly a quarter of all active-duty women said theyd faced sexual harassment, a decrease from the 28.6% in 2021. One troubling area continues to be female service members satisfaction with the help they get when they make a complaint and their overall trust in the system and their leaders. While a large percentage of victims seek out sexual assault response staff, fewer than 70% are happy with the services they get. And that hasnt changed much over the past several years. Roughly the same percentage says they trust the military to respect and protect them and their privacy. Officials said the hiring of more permanent, full-time workers will help improve that process. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed multiple measures into law Wednesday. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Gov. Kim Reynolds signed multiple bills into law Wednesday including a measure requiring social studies and civics classes at Iowa schools have a greater focus on U.S. and Western history. The governor signed House File 2545 into law at the Beit Shalom Jewish Community in Davenport Wednesday. The measure directs the Iowa Board of Education to conduct a review and revision of the states social studies standards to include subjects like exemplary figures and important events from Iowa, U.S. and Western civilization, as well as covering the model of the U.S. state and federal government compared to other forms of government, including the crimes against humanity that have occurred under communist regimes since 1917. The social studies standards created by the board for grades 1 through 12 are to be adopted by Dec. 31, 2025. In a news release on the bill signing, Reynolds said the bill which requires the teaching of subjects such as both world wars, 9/11, and American historical documents including the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Emancipation Proclamation will help Iowa students learn to be more engaged citizens. The governor highlighted the fact that bill specifically requires instruction on the Holocaust, World War II and the significance of ancient Israel. The bill signing comes as protests and encampments opposing Israel military action in Gaza have ramped up across the country, especially at college campuses like Columbia University. In Iowa the University of Iowa Action for Palestine set up an encampment as part of a pro-Palestinian action that was dismantled shortly after by police earlier in May. At a time when so many young people today fail to learn the lessons of history, this legislation will help to keep Iowa on a different and better path, Reynolds said in a statement. It will also ensure we provide our students with the foundation necessary to be active participants in our democracy the best form of government in the world. The law also directs the Iowa Department of Education director to conduct a review of Iowa school curriculum, education standards and high school graduation rates, and to give any recommendations to the governor and legislature by July 1, 2025. Other bills signed include: Behavioral health House File 2673, which establishes the Behavioral Health Services System (BHSS) to provide mental health and substance abuse services in the state. The new system would combine provisions from the Mental Health and Disabilities Services (MHDS) with the states substance use and addiction recovery services, creating seven care districts to take over from the current 13 mental health and 19 substance abuse regions. Disability care being provided through MHDS would move to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services division of disability and aging services. The new system is set to be implemented by July 1, 2025. Reynolds said in a statement that the new system creates a unified system for related services in a way that will enable better coordination of care supporting the best possible outcomes for each individual, praising lawmakers for passing the measure with bipartisan support. The new system will be comprised of seven districts, each with a lead agency and an advisory board to maintain strong local connections, Reynolds said. Additionally, each district will be required to provide a standard set of core services, ensuring consistent care systemwide. Finally, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, under the exceptional leadership of Director Kelly Garcia, will define district boundaries and required services, implement performance metrics, and provide the necessary oversight of the system. Reynolds joined Iowa Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia and service providers at Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids to sign the bill Wednesday. Garcia said that the new intentionally planned system will make prevention, treatment and recovery services more accessible and effective for Iowans in need. The success of this redesign hinges on our being united in our approach to a new statewide plan for behavioral health shared goals, shared responsibilities, Garcia said. Fake meat, food labeling Senate File 2391, which creates fines for businesses that create and label non-meat products with terms used for butchered meat without including words like fake or vegetarian to indicate the substances are not animal meat products. This legislation prohibits companies from exploiting the trust consumers have with our livestock producers and misleading consumers into buying products they dont want, Reynolds said in a statement. This is about transparency. Its about the common-sense idea that a product labeled chicken, beef, or pork, should actually come from an animal. The law also adds labeling requirements and fines for misbranding of fabricated egg products as eggs, a provision added as an amendment in the House. During floor debate, Democrats spoke in opposition to the fabricated egg provision for adding purchasing restrictions on these products for Iowans using food benefits programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). If egg substitutes are approved through these programs, the law directs Iowa HHS to seek waivers or exemptions for these products eligibility for purchase through SNAP or WIC. While Democrats argued that the provision is unfair to Iowans on food benefits who have egg allergies, Republicans argued that the foods being used as egg substitutes could still likely be purchased through SNAP and WIC, as the measure would only apply if they are labeled as egg substitutes. The post Reynolds signs history curriculum, behavioral health system measures into law appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump agreed to a pair of debates in June and September on Wednesday, foregoing the three scheduled events by the Commission on Presidential Debates. One of their challengers was not pleased. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lashed out on X, claiming the two candidates seek to avoid discussion of their eight years of mutual failure by excluding Kennedy from the stage. They are trying to exclude me from their debate because they are afraid I would win, Kennedy wrote in a post. Keeping viable candidates off the debate stage undermines democracy. Presidents Trump and Biden are colluding to lock America into a head-to-head match-up that 70% say they do not want. They are trying to exclude me from their debate because they are afraid I would win. Keeping viable candidates off the debate stage undermines democracy. Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) May 15, 2024 Several hours after Kennedys post, Kennedy 2024 campaign manager Amaryllis Fox hinted that Kennedy would, in fact, be participating in the debate. Thrilled that Presidents Biden and Trump have finally agreed to a debate! Fox wrote on X. We anticipate fulfilling all participation criteria by June 20th and look forward to offering American voters the three-way debate they deserve. In order to participate in the CNN debate on June 27, candidates must appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold, as well as receive at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters that meet CNNs standards for reporting. Trump and Biden appear to have met both criteria; Kennedy has not. To date, Kennedy has obtained ballot access in only six states: Utah, Michigan, California, Delaware, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Kennedy campaign says it has gathered enough signatures to be on the ballot in eight other states. Kennedy has surpassed the polling threshold in three recent polls recognized by CNN. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) Piedmont Augustas Summerville campus will officially be reopened May 16th, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony the day before to celebrate. Campus is an amazing recourse for the community, and having it closed really was something that was a problem, said Lily Henson, the CEO of Piedmont Augusta. And so we heard loud and clear from the community that they wanted the campus reopened. And so, thanks to an amazing leadership team, weve been able to work together over the past nine months to figure out how to renovate the facility. Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson and the CEO of Piedmont Augusta, Doctor Lily Jung Henson, were joined by other dignitaries for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the campuss opening. Piedmonts model is care close to home. So, were always looking at how do we provide comprehensive services closer to where our patients are, said Nic Wood, the Executive Director Hospital Administrator at Piedmont Summerville/ McDuffie. So, we know this campus is a really good asset to us as a health care system and to this community. So, were just constantly looking at what makes the most sense to provide new services to the community. So, we say this is something new, but its really just a new beginning of something that has existed for a long time. We wanted to make sure we had the best top-notch quality equipment here at the Summerville campus so that when a patient comes here, they know that theyre getting that quality, safe, top standard care. The campus has 15 ER beds, 12 inpatient rooms, a full-service lab, and updated imaging. A designated ambulance will be available 24/7 to transport patients from the hospital to higher-level care if needed. Were very excited to see that Piedmont logo rolling around town. Were really proud of that, and just again, it makes all the hard work that the entire Piedmont team has put into this and all of our contractors that have helped us it just makes it all worth it, said Wood. The campus will be open on May 16th, 2024, at 7 am. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Researchers Li Xiaoyu (R) and Wei Li maintain experimental devices and collect data at the Jiangjiagou ravine in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 7, 2024. The Jiangjiagou ravine, located in the Xiaojiang River Basin, was a frequent landslide occurring area. In 1961, an observation and research station of debris flows, known as Dongchuan Station, was established in Jiangjiagou area. Since then, several generations of researchers have observed and studied debris flows, and established a comprehensive disaster reduction model of "stabilizing, blocking and draining", which has laid the foundation of debris flow science in China. A large-scale dynamic simulation experiment platform for mountain disaster was recently put into use in Dongchuan Station. The completion of this scientific device will reveal the natural law of debris flow outbreak, tackle the problems on prevention and control, and reduce the harm on human. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Researchers Li Zhanlu (L) and Zhong Wei talk about measures to detect the structure of slopes at the Jiangjiagou ravine in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Researchers Song Dongri (1st R) and Li Xiaoyu (1st L) communicate with equipment manufacturers about installation technology of observation equipment at the Jiangjiagou ravine in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Researchers Zhou Gongdan (R) and Zhong Wei work at the control center of the large-scale dynamic simulation experiment platform for mountain disaster at Dongchuan Station in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Researcher Zhong Wei sets up scientific devices on the alluvial fan of debris flow at the Jiangjiagou ravine in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Researchers Song Dongri (C), Li Xiaoyu (R) and Wei Li check the preservation of samples at Dongchuan Station in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Researchers Zhou Gongdan (back) and Zhong Wei work at the control center of the large-scale dynamic simulation experiment platform for mountain disaster at Dongchuan Station in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) This photo taken on May 8, 2024 shows the large-scale dynamic simulation experiment platform for mountain disaster after an experiment at Dongchuan Station in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Researcher Li Xiaoyu measures the change of debris flow channels with mapping equipment at the Jiangjiagou ravine in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) An aerial drone photo taken on May 7, 2024 shows the large-scale dynamic simulation experiment platform for mountain disaster at Dongchuan Station in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Researcher Li Xiaoyu measures the change of debris flow channels with mapping equipment at the Jiangjiagou ravine in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) An aerial drone photo taken on May 7, 2024 shows researchers detecting strata on the alluvial fan of debris flow at the Jiangjiagou ravine in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) This photo taken on May 8, 2024 shows a sluice gate of the large-scale dynamic simulation experiment platform for mountain disaster closing at Dongchuan Station in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Researcher Song Dongri shows the observation building No. 1, which was washed and toppled by debris flow in 2007, in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Researchers Song Dongri (R), Zhong Wei (L) and Wei Li investigate and evaluate the condition of a sand-retaining dam in Dongchuan District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) CHICAGO If you have never met a real spy in person and who has? you nevertheless carry an image of a spy in your mind and it may be that of James Bond, Napoleon Solo, Jason Bourne, George Smiley or maybe some combination of those and others. There are a lot of fictional spies but none of them can prepare you for Dave Rupert, the compelling real-life centerpiece of a 12-part podcast series called Underbelly: The Rebel Kind, currently unfolding on various platforms. New episodes come every Wednesday, each roughly an hour in length. I certainly dont want to spoil any of the edge-of-your-chair excitement of this tale, and though I was not an enthusiastic podcast fan until this show, I will do my best to get you to plug into this audio marvel without giving away many of the details that will keep you hooked. In addition to having no experience with espionage and without political or religious affiliation, Rupert was not exactly the blend-into-the-wallpaper type. He was a giant, standing 6 feet, 7 inches, tall and weighing 350 pounds, give or take. Still, he would become one of the most successful spies in FBI history. It was he who in the late 1990s was responsible for infiltrating and taking down the Real Irish Republican Army, a particularly violent faction of the IRA, and its most notorious terrorist, Michael Mickey McKevitt, convicted of directing terrorism in a 2003 trial and sentenced to 20 years in prison. You will learn of Ruperts childhood in upstate New York; his checkered career; legal and financial troubles and about the night he walked into an Irish bar in Florida. There he met a woman who would take him on trips to Ireland, which he loved and where he met all manner of companionable people, many of whom were in the dangerous business of creating trouble and terror. At one point he was here, running a trucking company in South Holland, when in walked an FBI agent and, based solely on a photo he had of Rupert with an IRA operative in an Irish pub, recruited him to become a spy. No training, no spy skills but with a certain adventurous streak, Rupert accepted and for the next seven or so years climbed deeper into the IRA and, with the FBI buying him a pub in Ireland, began providing information not only to the FBI but MI5, the British intelligence service. When his work was done and never one to pass up an opportunity, Rupert thought there might be a book in his adventures. He contacted then-Tribune reporter Flynn McRoberts who, with Abdon Pallasch of the Chicago Sun-Times, began to interview and research Rupert. McRoberts had to pull out of the project due to other professional commitments and an eventual job with Bloomberg News. Pallasch then teamed with colleague and friend Bob Herguth. They turned on a tape recorder for hours and hours. But for reasons you will learn when you listen to the podcast, the book deal never came to fruition. They were sued to give up the tapes of their Rupert interviews and soon enough Pallasch and Herguth went back to separate careers. Herguth, a long-time investigative reporter with the Sun-Times, focuses on many subjects, including police corruption, organized crime and government accountability, as well as religion. Pallasch was a reporter for the Sun-Times, where he covered a young Barack Obama and co-wrote (with Jim DeRogatis) the stories that paved R. Kellys road to prison. He left the newspaper business to work in government, where he is now communications director for the Illinois Office of Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Rupert faded into a colorful memory until about three years ago when Herguth was contacted by a producer with an outfit called Entropy Media. They discussed various ideas. The producer was sparked by Rupert and the seeds of this podcast were planted. Entropy is the creation of a former Chicagoan, Anjay Nagpal, who attended Fenwick High School before going off to become a Hollywood movie producer. With Entropy he began to make podcasts. The first was Underbelly: Brokers, Bagmen, and Moles based on wild tales from the 1980s Chicago trading floors and an FBI undercover sting operation against alleged broker fraud. Pallasch and Herguth began working on this project more than two years ago. It took us to Ireland and elsewhere, says Herguth. We were knocking on doors, doing some original reporting. This is a podcast of the most compelling kind, produced by Dalton Main. What makes it valuable beyond its edge-of-the-seat, thriller-like qualities is its substance and breadth. Its a layered story, employing the voices of scholars and other enlightening folks. There is music, the history of Ireland, the Troubles and Chicagos deep and often dark connections to Ireland. Some thoughtful portions deal with the complex political and emotional issues at play, the personal costs of conflict and betrayal. Its an exciting story but a human one too. Pallasch and Herguth, from a script written in collaboration with others, sound polished, professional. They made us sound better than we actually sound, said Pallasch. He and Herguth are pleased. I really think this podcast is better than any book might have been, says Pallasch. There are so many layers to get, making for a powerful narrative. Rupert isnt saying a word. His work earned him the FBIs Lou Peters Award in 2013 and millions of dollars too and he now lives someplace in the United States. One hopes he has a quiet life, out of harms reach. (Rick Kogan is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune.) Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) didnt seem amused by the parade of Republican officials whove joined former President Donald Trump at his criminal trial in New York in recent days. Do we have something to do around here other than watch a stupid porn trial? I mean, this is ridiculous, Murkowski, a veteran of the powerful spending committee, told HuffPost on Tuesday when asked about the group of GOP officials who made the trip to downtown Manhattan this week. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the highest-ranking Republican in the country, paid a visit to the courthouse on Tuesday to attack the prosecution. So, too, did North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a potential Trump 2024 running mate. On Monday, Trump was joined by Sens. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). Tuberville said he attended the trial to help [Trump] with his gag order. He cant talk, so we can go up there and talk for him. Kind of depressing to be up there in a courtroom, Tuberville added. Trump is restricted in what he can say about witnesses and jurors in the case, but that hasnt stopped the presumptive 2024 GOP nominees allies from echoing his attacks against New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan and his family. More Republican senators could join Trump in the coming days, including potentially Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), another vice presidential contender, and freshman Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), who indicated he is interested in making an appearance. Its a Soviet-style show trial, Schmitt said Tuesday, claiming that the proceedings are the real threat to American democracy because Trump is a candidate for president. Trump was indicted in New York for allegedly falsifying business records relating to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. Last week, Daniels recounted her alleged 2006 tryst with Trump and how she was paid $130,000 to keep quiet about it. Republicans have railed against the charges, even going so far as to dismiss the underlying facts of the case that it centers on payments made to a porn star. Theres nothing new under the sun, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said. Why are we relitigating something the American people have already litigated? Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), meanwhile, poked fun at the entourages matching attire on Tuesday: Trumps visitors wore dark navy suits with white shirts and red ties, an ensemble that Trump often wears himself. If I go to New York, Ill make sure I wear a white shirt and a red tie, Romney quipped on Tuesday. Gov. Burgum calls hush money trial a "sham trial" and a "scam trial." pic.twitter.com/2e5Ik4oS8i Emmanuel Touhey (@EmmanuelTouhey) May 14, 2024 Related... Police cars are parked outside the F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital, where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and injured, is treated in Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event Wednesday afternoon, according to his Facebook profile.(AP Photo/Denes Erdos) BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times after a political event Wednesday afternoon, an episode of violence that punctuated his decades-long career in politics. A hospital official where Fico was being treated said on Thursday that he was in serious but stable condition, and that he was being kept in an intensive care unit after a five-hour surgery. Slovak authorities charged a man Thursday with attempting to assassinate the populist prime minister, saying the suspect acted alone in a politically motivated attack. Fico, 59, was born in 1964 in what was then Czechoslovakia. A member of the Communist Party before the dissolution of communism, he took a law degree in 1986 and was first elected to Slovakia's parliament in 1992 as a member of the Party of the Democratic Left. He served for several years in the 1990s as a governmental agent representing the Slovak Republic before the European Court of Human Rights and the European Commission of Human Rights. In 1999, he became chairman of the Smer (Direction) party, of which he has been a pivotal figure ever since. He and Smer have most often been described as left-populist, though he has also been compared to right-wing politicians like the nationalist prime minister of neighboring Hungary, Viktor Orban. Fico returned to power in Slovakia last year, having previously served twice as prime minister, from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2018. His fourth term made him the longest-serving head of government in the history of Slovakia, a European Union and NATO member. After five years in opposition, Ficos party won parliamentary elections last year on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform. He vowed to bring an end to Slovakia providing Ukraine with military support as it battled Russia's full-scale invasion, and has argued that NATO and the United States provoked Moscow into war. After his election victory, the new government immediately halted arms deliveries to Ukraine. Thousands repeatedly took to the streets across Slovakia to rally against Ficos pro-Russian and other policies, including plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor and to take control of public media. Fico's return to power caused concern among his critics that he and his party which had long been tainted by scandal would lead Slovakia away from its pro-Western course. He vowed to pursue a sovereign foreign policy, promised a tough stance against migration and non-governmental organizations, and campaigned against LGBTQ+ rights. He earned a reputation for his tirades against journalists, and faced criminal charges in 2022 for allegedly creating a criminal group and misuse of power, but the charges were dropped by Slovakia's prosecutor general. In 2018, he and his government stepped down amid mass street protests after Slovakian investigative journalist Jan Kuciak was murdered along with his fiancee. Kuciak had been reporting on tax-related crimes implicating high-level Slovak politicians including some in Fico's party, and his murder set off a political crisis. Fico is married and has one child. ___ This version corrects that Fico is serving his fourth term as prime minister, not his third. ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW) A Robeson County man charged with a weapon violation earlier this week now faces a murder charge in his mothers death, authorities said Wednesday. Salvador Bello Morales, 33, of Red Springs, was originally charged Monday with discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle, the sheriffs office said. Hes now charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother, 52-year-old Catalina Morales-Carrios. Morales was one of three men charged after deputies conducted searches at homes in connection with Morales-Carrios death, according to the sheriffs office. Deputies responded April 30 for a shooting in the area of Rennert Road. Morales-Carrios was taken to a local hospital where she died on May 2. Morales was not given a bond and will have his first appearance Thursday morning, the sheriffs office said. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) After an overdose death investigation of a 19-year-old, one man is facing a charge of aggravated death by delivery. Twenty-three-year-old Enrique DeJesus Valdez is said to have sold fentanyl to 19-year-old Charles Gephart, according to police. Gephart was found dead on Nov. 11, 2023. The Benton County Coroners Office reported the cause of death as an accidental overdose. An autopsy report listed fentanyl intoxication as the cause of death, confirming the accidental overdose report, police said. Valdez was under investigation by the Benton County Drug Unit for his involvement in the trafficking of narcotics. He was arrested on May 9 by the BCDU. On May 13, he was charged with aggravated death by delivery after it was found that Valdez supplied Gephart with the drug. Arkansas lawmakers introduced the new law in 2023 which created the charge of aggravated death by delivery. The new charge is punishable anywhere between 20 to 60 years in prison or life in prison. The charge is applicable when a person knowingly or unknowingly gives fentanyl or another controlled substance that causes the death of another person. Valdez is said to be the first prosecution in Benton County. Fentanyl pill seizures are skyrocketing, 115 million pills seized in 2023: Study I believe this will be the first prosecution of this newly codified crime in Benton County. Fentanyl distribution has become a pervasive problem in every part of this country, and Benton County is not immune, said Joshua Robinson of the Benton County Prosecutors Office. This drug has caused tremendous damage to families across this region and this county, and my office will aggressively prosecute individuals accused of distributing and profiting from the addiction of others. We will not abide nor turn a blind eye to this business in our county; rather, we will actively investigate and prosecute individuals and organizations that choose to distribute this poison. The Benton County Prosecutor Joshua Robinson said in a news release. He further stated, This remains an open and ongoing investigation, and Mr. Valdez, and every person accused of any offense, is presumed innocent and will be treated as such unless and until they are proven guilty. Valdez is arrested on trafficking a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of firearm by certain persons charges. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said that discussions about his country's provision of a Patriot system for Ukraine do not mean it is impossible, and he noted that he was satisfied with the Kremlin's reaction to such plans. Source: European Pravda with reference to Romanian 24-hour news channel Digi24. Details: In an interview, Ciolacu was asked whether the defence minister's position that the Romanian Patriot is necessary for Romania itself means that the system cannot be given to Ukraine. Marcel Ciolacu replied that such a conclusion was premature. "The decision will be made at the Supreme National Defence Council, as it should," the prime minister said. He added that he had spoken with the Romanian president on this topic but would not disclose the details. "And we also saw the Kremlin's reaction...with a veiled threat to Romania. In other words, Moscow is very concerned about Romania's possible solution. But Russia will not attack Romania, " Ciolacu said. Marcel Ciolacu recalled that the country is not alone but a member of NATO, and that Russia now clearly has neither the resources nor reason to attack Romania. "I repeat, now there is no threat that Russia would attack Romania it is illogical for them to do this. I am pleased with Moscow's response. This means that our decisions have weight, and they are afraid that the world will mobilise efforts against dictator Putin," Marcel Ciolacu said. Background: President Klaus Iohannis said during a visit to the US that Romania may consider transferring one of its Patriot systems to Ukraine. Although Romania currently operates only one Patriot system, Iohannis said another is almost ready for use. Following requests from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, EU governments last month called for more necessary air defence systems to be provided to Kyiv. Germany promised to provide additional Patriot systems, and Spain said it would supply anti-aircraft missiles to these air defene systems. Margarita Robles, Defene Minister, reported that Ukraine has already received these missiles. Support UP or become our patron! Romney says GOP leaders turning up at Trump trial embarrassing, but Trump-Biden debates will be entertaining Supporters of former President Donald Trump, including Republican North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, center, Republican Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., center right, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, second from right, listen as Trump speaks after court proceedings ended for the day in his trial at Manhattan criminal court, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in New York. | Craig Ruttle Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said Wednesday its both a little embarrassing and a little demeaning for GOP leaders to show up outside a New York City courthouse in support of former President Donald Trumps claims that his criminal trial is a political persecution. Romney, the Republican Partys 2012 presidential nominee, also had something to say about the upcoming debates agreed to Wednesday by Trump and President Joe Biden, comparing them to the pair of puppets that portray cantankerous elderly hecklers on The Muppet Show. The Utah Republican, whos not seeking reelection, was asked to comment about leaders of his party, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and other members of Congress along with several vice presidential contenders, appearing outside Trumps hush money trial involving payments to an adult film actress. I think its a little demeaning to show up in front of a courthouse, and particularly one where were talking about an allegation of paying a porn star. Its really, really very difficult to watch, Romney told reporters before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting in Washington, D.C. He said thats because there is a level of dignity and decorum that you expect from people who are running for the highest station in the land, and going out and prostrating themselves in front of the public to try and apparently curry favor with the person whose our nominee, its a little embarrassing. Trumps supporters in New York City are seen as stepping in for the former president who is under a gag order during his trial on felony charges of falsifying business records. Tuesday, the House speaker called the trial a sham and said, Its all about politics. Romney told HuffPost senior politics reporter Igor Bobic he was looking forward to watching Trump and Biden debate. Itll be entertaining, informative. Like the two old guys on the Muppets, Bobic quoted Romney as saying in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Bobic followed up with a post noting Romney and Trump are the same age, 77. CNNs Manu Raju posted on X that Romney added, I read the polls like everybody else. I think Donald Trump is gonna win. Obviously, Ive been saying all along hes going to be the nominee, and I think he has the substantial edge on the final contest. Trump and Biden are now set to square off on CNN next month and again in September, spurning the Commission on Presidential Debates schedule that included an October debate at the University of Utah. Romney, Who Voted to Convict Trump, Says Biden Should Have Pardoned Him Lame duck Sen. Mitt Romney (RUtah) is one of Donald Trumps harshest critics among the congressional GOP until it comes to the former presidents criminal indictments. Romney sat down with MSNBCs Stephanie Ruhle for an interview to air Wednesday night where he revealed if he was in charge, he would have pardoned Trump. Had I been President Biden, when the Justice Department brought out indictments, I would have immediately pardoned him. Id have pardoned President Trump, Romney said. Why? Well, because it makes me, President Biden, the big guy and the person I pardoned a little guy. Romney himself voted in favor of convicting Trump when he was impeached in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection, justifying his response in a statement reading: President Trump incited the insurrection against Congress by using the power of his office to summon his supporters to Washington on January 6th and urging them to march on the Capitol during the counting of electoral votes. He did this despite the obvious and well known threats of violence that day. President Trump also violated his oath of office by failing to protect the Capitol, the Vice President, and others in the Capitol. Now that Trump faces federal charges relating to that same conduct, however, he is singing a different tune. The president only has the power to pardon federal charges, such as those Trump faces in Washington, D.C., and Florida. He would not have been able to pardon Trump for election interference in Georgia or the hush money related-charges he is currently on trial for in Manhattan, though Romney criticized Biden for not exerting pressure on prosecutor Alvin L. Bragg to drop the charges. He should have fought like crazy to keep this prosecution from going forward, Romney told Ruhle. It was a win-win for Donald Trump. Romney compared Bidens inaction to President Lyndon B. Johnson, arguing if LBJ had been president, and he didnt want something like this to happen, hed have been all over that prosecutor. Johnsons successor, Richard Nixon, was famously pardoned by his own successor, Gerald Ford, in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. In the MSNBC interview, Romney tried to distinguish himself from the parade of Republicans visiting the Trump trial to speak out in support of Trump a group that has included Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (RLouisiana). I think its also demeaning for people to quite apparently try and run for vice president by donning a red tie and standing outside the courthouse, Romney said. Despite arguing he is not like other Republicans, Romneys comments about how Biden should have pardoned Trump over issues he personally voted to convict the former president certainly goes to show the limits of Trump critique within the GOP. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Ron DeSantis thinks that if the words climate change are removed from Florida state law, nobody has to worry about it. The Florida governor signed legislation Wednesday that would eliminate climate change as a priority in the states energy policies and is set to go into effect July 1. The legislation also takes out most of the references to climate change in Florida law, bans offshore wind, and weakens regulations on natural gas pipelines. The legislation I signed today [will] keep windmills off our beaches, gas in our tanks, and China out of our state, DeSantis told Floridas Voice, an outlet friendly to the Florida governor. Were restoring sanity in our approach to energy and rejecting the agenda of the radical green zealots. Whats the point of such a bill? Florida faces many threats from a warming climate, including severe hurricanes, higher temperatures, and rising sea levels and flooding. In many cases, the bill is largely symbolic: The state doesnt have any offshore wind thanks to its low wind speed and severe hurricanes. Instead, it seems to be just the latest example of DeSantis attempting to gain attention from Republicans nationally through embracing the culture wars. Previously, DeSantis has passed anti-LGBTQ legislation as well as book bans, and he even banned lab-grown meat despite the industry still being in its infancy. All the while, his popularity has waned in Florida, particularly after he dropped out of the presidential race. This latest bill could put Florida residents at risk from increased weather disasters, while also putting more pressure on the states already struggling insurance industry. But DeSantis seems more concerned about his image beyond Florida, and is likely thinking ahead to 2028. Mango Television of China signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese technology giant Huawei and Kenyan media houses on Tuesday, aiming to enhance the production, distribution and consumption of high-quality content in Kenya. Nevada Rep. Susie Lee and Sen. Jacky Rosen, both Democrats, are listed in the analysis from the Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University which ranks members of Congress on bipartisanship. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) Policy, politics and progressive commentary WASHINGTON Two Nevadans, both Democrats, were among the most bipartisan members of Congress last year, according to a newly released analysis. Jacky Rosen ranked as the 6th most bipartisan senator, and Susie Lee ranked as the 7th most bipartisan member of the House, according to rankings compiled by the Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. Both are are running for reelection in what are expected to be close races. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick were the most bipartisan members of Congress last year. Im proud to be recognized as one of the top 10 most bipartisan senators for the third year in a row for my work with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to help lower costs, support our states economy, and protect our national security, said Rosen in a statement. Ill always put our state first, above politics and party loyalty, to see that Nevadans get ahead, added Rosen, who has run campaign ads this year touting her willingness to vote with Republicans. Hardworking families in southern Nevada care less about political parties and more about common sense solutions, Lee said in a statement.Im proud to have been named Nevadas most bipartisan Member of Congress and one of the top ten most bipartisan lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives. I will continue working with my Republican colleagues to help Nevadas families, small businesses, seniors, and veterans. Nevadas other senator, Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto was ranked the 34th most bipartisan of the 100 senators. Among the other three members of Nevadas House delegation, Democrat Dina Titus ranked 94th, Republican Mark Amodei ranked 147th, and Democrat Steven Horsford ranked 368th. The least bipartisan House lawmaker was Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, while Alabamas Katie Britt, a Republican freshman, placed last among senators. The latest ranking of the most bipartisan lawmakers comes amid one of the least productive Congresses in the nations history and just months before nearly all House lawmakers and about one-third of the Senate face voters at the polls in November. Maria Cancian, dean of the McCourt School of Public Policy, wrote in a statement announcing the new rankings that while there is much room for improvement, I am encouraged to see some progress on cross-party collaboration. In these deeply divided times, and with an increasing amount of misleading information online, we need tools like the Bipartisan Index more than ever an evidence-based and nonpartisan approach for measuring how well policymakers work across the aisle to get things done, Cancian wrote. Lugar Center Policy Director Dan Diller wrote that it was especially disheartening that all eight new Senators who took office in January 2023 ranked in the bottom 30 percent of Senate scores. Bipartisan cooperation on legislation in 2023 was deficient by historical standards, though there were some marginal improvements in scores from the previous Congress, Diller wrote. The website with the rankings states that the Bipartisan Index is intended to fill a hole in the information available to the public about the performance of Members of Congress. The Lugar Center, founded by the late U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, a Republican from Indiana, is a platform for informed debate and analysis of global issues, including nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, global food security, foreign assistance effectiveness and global development, energy security, and enhancing bipartisan governance, according to its website. The rankings take into consideration the frequency with which a member of Congress sponsors bills that are co-sponsored by at least one member of the opposing party and the frequency with which a member co-sponsors bills introduced by members of the opposite Party. Hugh Jackson contributed to this report. The post Rosen, Lee make list of most bipartisan members of Congress appeared first on Nevada Current. A Moorpark man has admitted he fatally shot his brother-in-law at a storage facility in 2020. Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies: Man admits to killing brother-in-law A 71-year-old Moorpark man pleaded guilty Tuesday to a second-degree murder charge in the 2020 shooting of his brother-in-law at a storage facility in Moorpark. Elsworth Cadle entered the plea in Ventura County Superior Court during a hearing on the plea change, court records show. A jury previously deadlocked on the murder charge in February. A retrial had been approved and was scheduled to start in September. In Tuesday's plea, Cadle also admitted to the special allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged the firearm that killed Moorpark resident Mark Milton, 64, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. Special allegations can increase sentences. Milton had been found dead in the driver's seat of a rented U-Haul truck on the afternoon of Jan. 3, 2020, at Public Storage, 875 Los Angeles Ave., authorities said. Cadle was arrested that night after a search. In 2019, before the incident, Cadle's estranged wife and daughter were living with his sister and brother-in-law, the DA's office said in a news release. The wife and daughter began moving into their own apartment by early January. They had rented the U-Haul to pick up belongings from Cadle's apartment and from the storage unit rented by Milton and his wife. Elsworth Cadle On the day of the shooting, Cadle drove by the storage unit and saw Milton. Cadle then rented a car, got his gun and returned to the facility. He shot Milton once in the left side of the head before fleeing, according to the DA's account. Sentencing is scheduled for the morning of June 20 in courtroom 46. Cadle faces 25 years to life in prison, prosecutors said. Port Hueneme says water is OK Some Port Hueneme residents were recently rattled when they received a notice saying the city's water system had "failed to monitor" drinking water standards as required after a routine test for total coliform bacteria on March 4 came back positive. The mailing went out May 1. On Tuesday, officials reassured residents with an update on social media saying additional testing supports what they have believed all along: that the initial test was a false positive. City Manager James Vega said Tuesday the first notice required standardized language that makes it hard to be clear about what happened. After the initial positive test, a subsequent test on March 5 came back negative, he said, as have multiple tests since. The subsequent test required specific processes, he said, but the city didn't follow the "exact" process. "We just didn't check the box," Vega said. Items may be updated. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Moorpark man admits he killed in-law, more news I run a food pantry, but it's not enough. We need funding for SNAP | CARLA VENTURA I run a food pantry. Im proud of the work we do. But if lawmakers passed a liveable minimum wage or invested more in programs like SNAP, people wouldnt need to rely on pantries like mine. Pantries are a critical piece of the anti-hunger puzzle, but theyre filler pieces. Government nutrition programs with the infrastructure and funding to get the job done should be the centerpiece. Carla Ventura is founder of the nonprofit Food for All. I grew up on food stamps, called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. My mother worked hard, but her wages were too low to meet our basic needs. Sometimes we felt embarrassed pulling out the stamps at the register I worried kids would talk about me at school. But the aid was a blessing. It helped keep us from hunger. Even still, food stamps werent designed to last the whole month. Most months, we had to travel long distances often outside our county to find food pantries so we could get by. SNAP is the nations most effective anti-hunger program, feeding nearly a quarter of all U.S. children. The program reduces hunger by about 30 percent, improves long-term educational, health, and economic outcomes for children, and helps address systemic racial disparities in poverty. SNAP is the first line of defense in a down economy. In fact, food insecurity fell to a record low of 10.2 percent in 2021 in the middle of the pandemic due to the pandemic-era boost in SNAP benefits. But now that those benefits have expired, nearly 13 percent of us experience foodinsecurity. For many Americans, wages are simply too low. To meet basic needs in South Carolina, where I live, two adults with two children must earn over $21 per hour. But our state minimum wage is just $7.25. A person would have to work 106 hours a week at that wage to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment here. Actually, the minimum wage isnt enough to cover the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the country. Over 44 million Americans rely on SNAP to combat hunger. Yet some members of Congress are proposing cutting the program by a whopping $30 billion over the coming decade. South Carolina alone, which is among the top 10 states with the greatest food insecurity, would suffer $400 million in cuts. That would be devastating for families like mine. Im a single mother with three kids. At age three, one of my sons was diagnosed with autism, and I couldnt find affordable daycare that could accommodate his needs. Every week, I had to leave work at a moments notice to help him or rush him home. I couldnt sustain employment. I needed help during that challenging time, and SNAP provided it. I now run a food pantry, Food for All, where Ive seen that Im far from alone. I listen to the stories of people who come here and share my own to ease their feelings of embarrassment. I breathe a sigh of relief with them when they tell me, Now I can afford my medication, Now I can make rent, or Now I dont have to choose between feeding my child and getting her new shoes. But other times, I have to watch those whove waited in long lines for an hour be turned away because the food has run out. I cant possibly get enough food donations to meet the enormous need. But I wont give up. None of us can. Thats why I continue to fight for robust funding and against the proposed slashing of SNAP. People shouldnt have to rely on food pantries to feed themselves or their families. We know what works. We saw how hunger decreased during the pandemic when it had been forecast to skyrocket because we invested in the well-being of families. We must do that again. Carla Ventura is a mother, founder of the nonprofit Food for All, and an Expert on Poverty with RESULTS from Columbia, South Carolina. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: I run a food pantry, but it's not enough. We need funding for SNAP | CARLA VENTURA icon Semafor Signals Supported by Microsoft logo Insights from Defense One, Tracking Peoples Daily, and Meduza Arrow Down Title icon The News Russias latest offensive in Ukraine is gaining momentum. Ukraine withdrew some troops stationed near the northeastern city of Kharkiv and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy canceled all of his upcoming international trips to focus on the war. Russia launched a new offensive last week, bombarding the Kharkiv region and forcing Ukraine to send reinforcements and even tap prisoners to make up troop numbers; analysts expect Russia to try to push further, saying it is in a particularly strong position at this point in the war. Ukraines setbacks on the battlefield come as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to arrive in China on Thursday, a visit that signifies the countries strengthening bond despite Western opposition. The US and the EU have urged Beijing to tamp down its support for Moscow; meanwhile, the US approved billions of dollars worth of new arms for Ukraine that are due to arrive by July. icon SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Ukraine pushes for US to lift missile restrictions Source icon Sources: The New York Times, Defense One, Meduza The White House is worried the Russian offensive could change the trajectory of the war particularly because Moscow has exploited the delay in new US weapons flowing to Ukraine as a result of gridlock in Congress over foreign aid packages, The New York Times reported. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv this week to promise more aid, but several Ukrainian lawmakers want Washington to remove restrictions blocking Kyiv from striking Russian territory using US-supplied missiles. Russia is increasingly dropping large bombs on large cities, while Ukraine is forced to prioritize reinforcements at the frontlines. Ukraines problem is that its already short on reserves, Meduza wrote. Russia-China partnership shows no signs of breakage Source icon Sources: Bloomberg, Financial Times, Tracking People's Daily Despite the US ramping up sanctions designed to curtail Chinas support for Russia, Putins visit this week shows Beijing is without a doubt our main partner, an advisor to the Kremlin said. In some aspects, weve no other alternative. In an interview with Chinese state media, Putin praised Chinas practicable and constructive steps to achieve peace. Russia relies on China for energy and wartime supplies in the face of Western sanctions. For its part, Beijing wants to reshape global geopolitics in its direction using trade at the expense of the US, the Financial Times wrote. It is doing more business with countries seen as antagonistic to the West, including Belarus, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela. Semafor Logo A major Russian push in the northeastern Kharkiv region has created one of the most significant challenges since the beginning of the war for Ukrainian troops, who are ammunition-starved and stretched thin as they fight across the 600-mile frontline. Moscows surprise invasion of Kharkiv from the Russian province of Belgorod last Friday is pressing Ukrainian forces already struggling to fend off Russias attacks in eastern Ukraine, primarily in the Donetsk region that the Kremlin has long sought as a prize. While Russia does not appear to have the forces to take significant ground in Kharkiv, its troops have advanced with relative ease and forced Ukraine to deploy reserve units, which could endanger Ukrainian positions elsewhere on the front. Branislav Slantchev, a political science professor who studies war at the University of California-San Diego, said Russia is trying to seize territory, taking advantage of the brief window before American weapons fully arrive from last months $61 billion national security supplemental. Were seeing Ukraine at its weakest, he said. The Russians are using [this window] and pushing like crazy because they know by mid- to late summer, the situation is going to stabilize. The Ukrainians are in trouble right now and the next couple of months will be very critical. Blinken announces $2B arms deal for Ukraine Russian forces have advanced at least 39 square miles in Kharkiv, according to open-source channels, and they are moving closer to Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv. Russia moved forward with the help of armored vehicles, artillery fire and glide bombs, or precision guided munitions that have been hard for Ukraine to defend against, especially while running low on air defenses. Several villages have fallen to Russia, and forces are close to capturing the town of Vovchansk, which began evacuating thousands of civilians ahead of the Russian advance. Russian military bloggers claim that Russia has moved into the northern part of Vovchansk, where heavy fighting remains. Russias Ministry of Defense said forces have also taken towns in the vicinity of Vovchansk, including Bugrovatka, or are fighting around the villages. Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces, said in a Telegram post this week that the situation at the front remains tense. The situation in Kharkiv Oblast has significantly worsened, he wrote. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Tuesday night video address that the situation remained difficult but was being reinforced and stabilized. Many warriors especially Kharkiv residents have risen to defend the Kharkiv region, Zelensky said. Biden administration officials said this week that the Russian offensive was expected, but it still seems to have caught Ukraine flat-footed. The fast pace of the Russian advance has prompted an outcry in Ukraine over the lack of defenses in the region, which Ukraine retook in a surprise 2022 counteroffensive. Kyiv replaced a commander to oversee the defense of Kharkiv. And one Ukrainian reconnaissance commander told BBC that there was no first line of defense and that the Russians just walked in to Kharkiv. The Kharkiv offensive has also exposed some frustration with U.S. policy. Ukrainian officials have pressed for more air defenses to cover embattled regions like Kharkiv. They also want Washington to allow their troops to employ U.S. weapons to strike inside of Russia, including the Belgorod region near Kharkiv but that remains a hard no for the Biden administration. Ukrainian lawmaker David Arahamiya led a delegation to Washington this week to push the Biden administration to reverse the policy banning the use of U.S. weapons inside of Russia. It really damages our positions on the front line, he said of the policy at a media roundtable event on Tuesday. Nobody understands how you can fight on one hand and not fight on the other. This is not working. Michael Bohnert, an engineer at Rand Corporation focusing on defense technology, said there are also concerns about manpower in Ukraines ranks. But he said the Russian advance is owed to Ukraines lack of ammunition and resources that were depleted by a monthslong delay of new U.S. military aid. Theyre just not getting the ammo they need, he said. Ukraine is still at the stage in the war right now where they are ammunition starved and gear starved. Theyre not people starved yet. Still, manpower remains a concern and Ukraine has refrained from announcing a mobilization of some 500,000 troops, since the proposal is unpopular. Ukrainian parliament member Oleksandra Ustinov said morale is low in Ukraine in part because of the questions about U.S. support. Because all the Russians are saying, Oh theyre just gonna send you to die because you have no ammunition. Theyre not giving you the chance. Which is true, she said at the D.C. roundtable. It is very difficult for us to say that there is support. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Ukraine on Tuesday to meet with Zelensky and other top officials as the Russian assault intensifies. During a speech in Kyiv, Blinken said Russia was sending wave after wave of attacks on Ukraine in Kharkiv and the eastern front, but that U.S. aid can help turn the tide. The coming weeks and months will demand a great deal of Ukrainians, who have already sacrificed so much, he said. But I have come to Ukraine with a message: You are not alone. The United States has been by your side from day one. Were with you today. And we will stay by your side. Russia is pressing Ukraine across several fronts, including the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, where Ukraine made small gains in a 2023 counteroffensive. There is also an effort to take the remaining areas of the eastern Luhansk region out of Moscows control. region out of Moscows control, with Russia pressing there toward the city of Kupyansk in Kharkiv, just east of Vovchansk. Russian troops are also making incremental advances in the eastern Donetsk region after taking the city of Avdiivka in February, moving slowly toward the twin cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Those cities, if taken, could hand Moscow control of the Donetsk. Russia is pressing toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk from the direction of Avdiivka and from Chasiv Yar, a key city that will give Russian forces a high ground for artillery fire if it falls. Chasiv Yar has become one of the largest ongoing battlegrounds in the war. By opening another front in Kharkiv this month while those battles rage, Russia is threatening Ukraines ability to defend multiple fronts at the same time. The Biden administration has acknowledged the pace of the delivery of weapons. Part of it is about a six-month delay in being able to get assistance to Ukraine, said White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Monday. That has put Ukraine in a hole, and weve made no bones about that from this podium. Referring to a $1 billion package announced in late April and a $400 million tranche last week, Sullivan said some weapons have arrived and more are coming this week. He said there is a steady flow of weapons heading to Ukraine and another package will be announced soon. The delay put Ukraine in a hole, and were trying to help them dig out of that hole as rapidly as possible, Sullivan added. Analysts say Russia, at the pace of its offensive, could keep the pressure on for several more months. While Ukraine could reverse some Russian gains later, the more territory Ukraine loses is a concern because Moscow could dig in and entrench themselves, a tactic that worked to repel the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive. Still, Russia only amassed some 30,000 troops for the Kharkiv offensive, which military analysts say is not enough to take any major cities. The effort may point to a Kremlin strategy to create a buffer zone between Russia and Ukraine, a point Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised repeatedly to protect Russias border regions from Ukrainian drone attacks and shelling. Still, given the regional proximity to Kyiv, any significant Russian advances in Kharkiv could jeopardize Ukraines capital for the first time since a full-force Russia invasion in February 2022. While taking Kharkiv city would be difficult, Russia could surround it and put it under immense pressure, endangering a critical area and potentially putting Ukrainian supply lines in range of artillery, said David Silbey, associate professor and military historian at Cornell University. It could get very hard to supply farther east, which gives the Russians more of a chance to break through at that point, Silbey said, saying the Kharkiv offensive catches the Ukrainians in something of a vice [as they are] short on manpower and already threatened in substantial directions. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Destroyed equipment. Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ukraines Defence Forces are continuing to inflict losses on Russia. Over the past day alone, Russia lost more than 1,500 soldiers, 48 armoured combat vehicles, 23 artillery systems and 14 tanks. Source: General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces on Facebook Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 15 May 2024 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses ed.]: 486,940 (+1,510) military personnel; 7,510 (+14) tanks; 14,508 (+48) armoured combat vehicles; 12,538 (+23) artillery systems; 1,070 (+0) multiple-launch rocket systems; 798 (+0) air defence systems; 351 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft; 325 (+0) helicopters; 10,015 (+30) strategic and tactical UAVs; 2,199 (+2) cruise missiles; 26 (+0) ships and boats; 1 (+0) submarines; 16,955 (+48) vehicles and tankers; 2,061 (+7) special vehicles and other equipment. The information is being confirmed. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, left, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visit the Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine outside the Saint Michael's Cathedral, in Kyiv on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Brendan Smialowski, Pool Photo via AP) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukrainian forces withdrew from some parts of the country's northeast and battled Russian troops in other areas Wednesday, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to postpone all his upcoming foreign trips underscored the seriousness of the threat his soldiers face. Against that grim backdrop, visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sought to reassure Ukraine of continuing American support, announcing a $2 billion arms deal. Most of the money comes from a package approved last month. The top diplomat's trip comes as Russian troops press a new offensive in Ukraines Kharkiv region. It began last week, marking the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began in 2022 and forcing thousands to flee their homes. In recent weeks, Moscows forces have also sought to build on gains in the eastern region of Donetsk. Taken together, the developments mean the war has entered a critical stage for Ukraines depleted army. Ukraines General Staff reported late Tuesday that troops fell back from two areas in Kharkiv Lukyantsi and Vovchansk in order to save the lives of our servicemen and avoid losses. Russia said it had captured Lukyantsi. It was not possible to independently verify either sides claims. Vovchansk just 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Russian border has been the focus of much of the recent fighting, and Ukrainian and Russian troops battled in its streets Wednesday. Oleksii Kharkivskyi, head of the city's patrol police, said Russian troops were taking up positions in the city, while the Ukrainian General Staff said its forces were trying to flush them out. Gunfire could be heard in the background of a video the police official posted on his Instagram page. The Ukrainian presidential office said additional reinforcements were being deployed in the region, including army reserve units. At the dangerous juncture, Blinken was in Ukraine to highlight U.S. support, though most of the money he announced Wednesday, about $1.6 billion, comes from the $60 billion allotted to Ukraine in the supplemental foreign assistance legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden, officials said. He said the money would be used for three purposes: to provide weapons in the short term, to invest in Ukraines defense-industrial base and to allow Ukraine to buy military supplies from other countries. At a news conference with Blinken, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said of the aid: This is a very powerful message to both our friends and our enemies. Blinken said Washington understands the urgency of Ukraines need for additional air defenses to protect against the Russian onslaught and was prioritizing them in its assistance. He added that the U.S. has not encouraged or enabled strikes outside of Ukraine using American-supplied long-range weapons. That decision is up to Kyiv authorities, he said. The United Kingdom has said it placed no limits on Ukraines use of weapons Britain supplies to hit targets on Russian soil, but Germany, another major supporter, has balked at that and ruled it out for fear of escalating the conflict. Russia is opening new fronts in order to stretch Ukraines army, which is short of ammunition and manpower, along the about 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, hoping defenses will crumble. Russian artillery and sabotage raids have also been menacing Ukraines northern Chernihiv and Sumy regions. The Russian Defense Ministry also claimed that its troops have retaken the village of Robotnye in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian forces had gained control of the village last August in what was seen as an important advance in a counteroffensive that eventually petered out. Elsewhere in Ukraines southern regions, an aerial attack on the central district of Kherson wounded 17 civilians, the regional prosecutors office said. And a Russian missile attack injured six people in Mykolaiv, according to Ukraines rescue service. Still, the Institute for the Study of War said late Tuesday that the pace of Russias advance in the Kharkiv border region, where it launched an offensive late last week and has made significant progress, has slowed. The Washington-based think tank said Moscows main aim there is to create a buffer zone that will prevent Ukrainian cross-border strikes on Russias Belgorod region. Even so, Zelenskyys office announced Wednesday he canceled all his upcoming foreign visits and would try to reschedule them. Zelenskyy had been expected to visit Spain, and perhaps Portugal, later this week. No reason was given for his decision, but the difficulties on the front line hung over it. On Wednesday evening, Zelenskyy said in his nightly address that the Ukrainian forces have managed to partially stabilize fighting in the Kharkiv region, and that "the occupier who entered the Kharkiv region, is being destroyed with all available means. He didn't elaborate. Meanwhile, Russian air defenses shot down several Ukrainian missiles over the Black Sea and near the Belbek air base, Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev said. Sevastopol is where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is headquartered. The fragments of downed missiles fell into residential areas but caused no casualties, Razvozhayev said. Russian air defenses also shot down nine Ukrainian drones, two Vilha rockets, two anti-radar HARM missiles and two Hammer guided bombs over the Belgorod region early Wednesday, the Defense Ministry said. Vasily Golubev, the governor of the Rostov region, said two drones attacked a fuel depot. He said there were no casualties or fire. Ukraine has launched a steady series of drone attacks on oil refineries and fuel depots across Russia over the past months, causing significant damage. ___ Joseph Wilson contributed to this report from Barcelona, Spain. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Russia says it shot down missiles over Crimea as Blinken in Kiev Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken ahead of a bilateral meeting at the Mariinsky Palace. -/Ukraine Presidency via Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Russia's air defences have shot down 10 US-made ATACMS missiles over the annexed Black Sea peninsula of Crimea overnight, the Defence Ministry in Moscow said on Wednesday morning. It was not possible to independently verify the claim. The Defence Ministry also reported that 17 Ukrainian drones and other projectiles were shot down over the Russian border regions of Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago. Kiev has received massive Western support, including military aid, for its defensive campaign. The US is the country's most important backer in that regard. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to Kiev for a surprise visit on Tuesday where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. He is set to meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday. According to Ukrainian media reports, Blinken promised Ukraine weapons aid that could change the situation on the battlefield. Russia began a major attack on Ukraine's second city of Kharkiv, in the north-east, and the surrounding region four days ago. Moscow's forces have captured several villages and continue to bombard Kharkiv with missiles. Russian border regions have repeatedly come under fire from Ukraine over the course of the war. Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014, has also been the target of Ukrainian attacks. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing, capital of China, May 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, in Beijing on Wednesday. Noting China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and iron-clad brothers, Ding said China is willing to work with Pakistan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, maintain high-level strategic communication, jointly build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with high quality, coordinate development and security, deepen people-to-people ties, accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and bring more benefits to the two peoples. Dar said Pakistan attaches great importance to developing relations with China, firmly supports China's core interests and major concerns, and is willing to comprehensively strengthen practical cooperation with China, promote the upgrading of bilateral cooperation and deepen the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. (Bloomberg) -- Russias invasion of Ukraine has hit sovereign borrowing costs for the EUs 10 eastern members, raising the cost by around half a percentage point since the war began, according to an analysis by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Most Read from Bloomberg You see the impact of the war on central Europe, Beata Javorcik, the EBRDs chief economist, said in an interview ahead of the release of the development banks bi-annual report on members economies. Many governments are openly talking about their fear of being attacked and that certainly is a signal that is received by the markets. The debt spread over Germanys five-year bunds for EU countries in the EBRD region opened sharply after the conflict broke out and has remained above 100 basis points, the multilateral development bank said, referring to countries such as Poland, Hungary, Croatia and Latvia. In the EBRD regions as a whole, the median yield on 5-year government bonds increased by three percentage points between early February 2022, when the war began, and mid-April 2024, the report said. The EBRD covers some 40 economies across three continents, from EUs east to central Asia. The European Unions eastern members have been among the biggest critics of Russias attack on Ukraine, proposing tougher sanctions and supplying military aid to Kyiv. And while their geographic proximity to the conflict has increased borrowing costs, European Union membership has significantly boosted living standards, according to the EBRD. For the eight eastern European nations that joined the EU in 2004, membership has been a huge success, Javorcik said. Their economies now correspond to, on average, 50% of Germanys per capita GDP, from 26% in 2003. About half of that growth is attributed to joining the group, according to the report. Its no wonder that other countries are interested in EU accession, Javorcik said. (Adds chart. A previous version of the story corrected to basis points from percentage points in third paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Ukrainian railway company Ukrzaliznytsia has reported that two inspectors and repairmen of train cars have been killed as a result of a Russian attack on civilian railway infrastructure. Source: press service of Ukrzaliznytsia on Telegram Quote: "The enemy claimed the lives of 48-year-old Serhii Derevytskyi and 51-year-old Oleksandr Prykhodko. Eternal memory to the deceased. Sincere condolences to their family and friends. We are grateful to every railway employee for their courage and daily hard work." Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces attacked 13 communities in Sumy Oblast on May 14, injuring one person, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported. The communities of Khotin, Yunakivka, Druzhbivka, Hlukhivka, Richkivka, Znob-Novhorodske, Myropillia, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Esman, Seredyna-Buda, and Shalyhyne were targeted. In the village of Druzhbivka, one person was injured as a result of Russian shelling. No details were provided on the extent of the victims' injuries. Throughout the day, Russia assailed the border communities with mortar, artillery, missile, and drone attacks. Explosives were also dropped by drones onto three of the communities. In total, 237 explosions were recorded in 48 separate attacks on the region. The town of Velyka Pysarivka, with a pre-war population of about 4,000 residents, experienced the bulk of the attacks reported with 65 explosions recorded in the area. The community is located just 3 kilometers west of the Ukraine-Russia border. Given the town's proximity to Russia, Velyka Pysarivka has become a main target of attack for Russia over recent months. Much of the community's infrastructure has been destroyed by Russian attacks. Russian strikes against Sumy Oblast have become increasingly destructive in recent months. Amid intensified attacks, Ukrainian authorities ordered increased evacuations from the region. Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on May 14 he expects Russia to launch a new attack in Sumy Oblast after the situation in Kharkiv Oblast stabalizes, the New York Times reported. Shelling is a daily occurrence for the communities near Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia, with residents in the region's vulnerable border settlements experience multiple attacks per day. Read also: Budanov expects Russia to launch new attack on Sumy Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. As Russian casualties surge, Kremlin's new defense minister says he wants 'minimal losses' Russia's new Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said on May 14 that his main priority is to win the war in Ukraine "with minimal human losses," even as Moscow reportedly suffers record numbers of troops killed and wounded on the battlefield. Belousov, a former aide and Russia's economy minister from 2012-2013, replaced Sergei Shoigu as the defense minister in a surprise reshuffle of Russia's security and defense apparatus. Speaking on May 14 after being officially appointed, he laid out his priorities for his new role. "The key task, of course, remains achieving victory. Ensuring the achievement of the military-political goals of the special military operation (the Kremlin's term for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine edit.), set by the president (Vladimir Putin)," he said. "At the same time - I want to specifically emphasize this - with minimal human losses." Russia has not disclosed the losses of its Armed Forces in Ukraine since September 2022, meaning the official Kremlin death toll still stands at just 5,937. Ukraine publishes daily figures that are generally in line with estimates from Western nations. The latest count on May 15 is 486,940 Russian troops lost, though the numbers from the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces do not specify killed or wounded. Earlier this month, France estimated 150,000 Russian troops had been killed since the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and put the total losses, including injuries, at 500,000. Read also: 48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraines most-bombed major city Since the launch of Russia's new offensive in Kharkiv Oblast on May 10, the Kremlin's daily losses have surged. For much of April, daily losses hovered around the 800-1,000 mark, but rapidly ticked upwards in May. According to Ukraine's figures, Moscow lost the most number of soldiers in a single day since the start of the full-scale invasion 1,740 on May 12. On May 10, the number was 1,320; on May 11, 1,260; on May 13, 1,400; and on May 14, 1,510. If confirmed, France's 150,000 figure of Russian troops killed is around 10 times higher than that suffered by the Soviet army during the decade-long war it fought in Afghanistan from 1979-89. For comparison, the U.S. military lost around 102,000 soldiers killed in all the wars it fought since the end of World War II, including 58,220 during the Vietnam War. Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, together with BBC Russia, has confirmed through open-source research the names of 49,281 Russian soldiers who have been killed fighting in Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Since Mediazona's last update in mid-March, the names of 1,580 Russian soldiers have been added to the list of casualties. In February, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had lost their lives in the war. He added that the exact number is unknown, and it would only be possible to find out once occupied territories were liberated. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Smoke rises in the aftermath of a Russian strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv (Reuters) - Russian forces shelled the central Shevchenkivsyi district of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, on Wednesday, injuring two people and damaging a five-storey building, the regional governor said. Oleh Syniehubov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the two men were being treated in hospital. Reuters was unable to independently verify battlefield reports. Kharkiv has been a frequent target of Russian forces in recent weeks. Russian troops pushed their way across the border last week in northern parts of Kharkiv region and military officials say they have captured 12 villages. (Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Chris Reese) The city of Sevastopol in occupied Crimea came under a missile attack overnight on May 15, with Russian media outlets reporting explosions and fires. Russian air defense units "repelled a massive attack" against Sevastopol overnight on May 15, the Russian-installed head of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, claimed via Telegram. Wreckage of an intercepted missile hit private businesses, Razvozhayev said. No casualties have been reported. Explosions were heard in the city and fires are still burning near the Belbek military airfield, local residents told the Russian Telegram news channel Astra. Authorities reportedly shut down traffic on the Crimean Bridge amid the missile attack. Ukrainian forces previously attacked the Belbek airfield with Scalp/Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles on Jan. 31, damaging at least three Russian military aircraft. In recent months, Ukraine has intensified its attacks on occupied Crimea, targeting Russian military assets in and around the Black Sea. Read also: Media: Russia no longer using Crimean Bridge to supply front lines Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Council of the European Union (EU) announced on Tuesday its decision to broaden the scope of the EU's sanctions against Iran, citing reasons such as the country's support for Russia. #XinhuaNews Russian troops taking up positions on streets of Vovchansk, police chief says Active battles are taking place in Vovchansk as Russian troops "take up positions on the streets of the city," Vovchansk Police Chief Oleksii Kharkivskyi said on social media on the morning of May 15. Russia launched new offensive actions on May 10 in the north of Kharkiv Oblast toward Lyptsi and Vovchansk, a town located less than 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Russian border and around 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the city of Kharkiv. Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on May 14 that "active firefights are taking place on the northern outskirts of the city." Kharkivskyi said that the police are still carrying out evacuations of the civilian population left in Vovchansk, but the situation is "extremely difficult." "People, please evacuate," Kharkivskyi said. "We are helping everyone." Syniehubov said on May 13 that around 200 to 300 people are thought to remain in Vovchansk, which had a population of almost 17,000 before the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Almost 8,000 civilians have been evacuated from Kharkiv Oblast so far, including 2,202 residents of the Chuhuiv district, which encompasses Vovchansk. The town was liberated in September 2022 during Ukraines successful counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast. Tamaz Gambarashvili, the head of Vovchansk City Military Administration, said on May 13 that the construction of fortifications around the town after its liberation had been "difficult" due to constant Russian shelling. Read also: Russias new Kharkiv offensive pushes Vovchansk to the brink of annihilation Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian combat aircraft hit the centre of Kherson on 15 May in the afternoon, which resulted in 17 casualties. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, the Head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Roman Mrochko, head of Kherson City Military Administration, on Telegram Details: Prokudin stated that the Russians launched airstrikes on the central part of the city. Early reports indicate no casualties among the civilians. Photo: Kherson Oblast State Administration Four women aged 40, 50, 51 and 58 were also taken to hospital with blast injuries and shrapnel wounds to their legs. Another woman, 39, sustained concussion, blast and craniocerebral injuries. Photo: Kherson Oblast State Administration In addition, a 78-year-old woman and an 88-year-old man were wounded as well. They are currently in hospital with explosive traumas, wounds to their faces and arms, and craniocerebral injuries. Doctors are conducting examinations and providing the injured with necessary assistance. Photo: Kherson Oblast State Administration The Russians also damaged residential buildings and an educational institution. Updated: At 16:42, Mrochko reported that the number of those wounded in the Russian airstrike increased to 17. "15 wounded are in hospital, and three of them are in serious condition", he posted on his Telegram channel. Background: The Russians struck Kherson from the temporarily occupied left bank of Dnipro River on the morning of 15 May. A shell hit a multi-storey building in the city's Korabelnyi district. Support UP or become our patron! On 15 May, Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration, reported that Russian forces had attacked Kherson. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin; alerts.in.ua; Roman Mrochko, the Head of Kherson City Military Administration Details: Prokudin wrote that the Russians were attacking Kherson and called on the city's residents to find shelter. No air-raid warning had been issued in the oblast. Updated: Later, Mrochko reported that the Russians attacked Kherson from the temporarily occupied left bank of Dnipro. The projectile hit a multi-storey building in the Korabelnyi district of the city. "As a result of the attack the roof of the multi-storey building was damaged. Luckily, people were not injured." Support UP or become our patron! Russian troops attacked Mykolaiv on the afternoon of 15 May, with two hits recorded. Three people were injured in the attack. Source: Vitalii Kim, Head of Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration, Ukraines Air Force Details: At 11:46, Kim reported that the Russian attack resulted in two hits on Mykolaiv Oblast. Before that, the Air Force issued a warning of the threat of ballistic missile attacks from the south. Updated: Later, Kim wrote that three people had been injured as a result of the attack. "They are in a moderate condition", he posted. Support UP or become our patron! Russians in Kharkiv Oblast inactive since start of day as they regroup General Staff The Russians have not conducted active operations since the beginning of the day, instead trying to consolidate their positions and regroup on the Kharkiv front. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 11:30 on 15 May Details: Reportedly, Ukrainian units use reconnaissance means to identify separate groups of the Russians, the locations of Russian artillery deployments, and deliver strikes to prevent the accumulation of Russian forces and equipment in the northern part of the city of Vovchansk. Additionally, Ukrainian units continue to sweep through urban areas, concentrating on locations with Russian manpower and equipment, and potential Russian positions. Quote from the General Staff: "The Russian occupiers lost 615 soldiers killed and wounded, and 98 units of weapons and military equipment have been destroyed or damaged since the beginning of the enemy's offensive operations on the Kharkiv front on 10 May 2024." Details: On the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian military units repelled one Russian attack and are continuing to engage in eight battles along the Lyman Pershyi Synkivka, Kuzemivka Stelmakhivka, Krokhmalne Berestove, Kotliarivka Pishchane, and Karmazynivka-Novoyehorivka fronts. No Ukrainian positions have been lost, the General Staff emphasises. On the Lyman front, Ukrainian defenders repelled one attack by the Russians on the Chervonopopivka-Novosadove front, with the Russians failing to achieve success. On the Siversk front, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are holding back five attacks by the Russians on the Vesele-Rozdolivka, Berestove-Spirne, Mykolaivka-Spirne, and Yakovlivka-Rozdolivka fronts. The situation is under control. On the Kramatorsk front, Defence Forces units are taking measures to improve their tactical positions in certain areas. Combat operations are ongoing, and the situation is under control. On the Toretsk front, Ukrainian military units are repelling one Russian attack on the Zaitseve-Kurdiumivka front, with no positions lost. On the Pokrovsk front, Ukrainian defenders repelled two Russian attacks on the Ocheretyne-Novooleksandrivka front. One battle is ongoing on the Solovyove-Sokil front, and another Russian attack is being repelled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Semenivka-Novoselivka Persha front. In one sector, during a Russian attack, the Defence Forces destroyed a Russian tank and two infantry fighting vehicles, improving their tactical position. In another sector, due to intense Russian fire, Ukrainian soldiers are regrouping. On the Kurakhove front, Ukrainian forces are repelling one Russian attack on the Slavne-Novomykhailivka front. Currently, no positions have been lost, the situation is under control, and the fighting continues. Reportedly, some units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have undertaken measures to improve their tactical positions and have succeeded. The General Staff reported that the Russians have been most active on the Vremivka front since the beginning of the current day. Here, Defence Forces units repelled eight attacks and continue to hold back two more by the Russians on the Mykilske-Kostiantynivka, Solodke-Kostiantynivka, Zavtne Bazhannia-Staromykhailivka, and Volodyne-Staromykhailivka fronts. Ukrainian positions have not been compromised, and the fighting persists. On the Orikhiv front, Ukrainian defenders repelled three Russian attacks on the Novoprokofivka-Robotyne front, with the Russians achieving no success. There have been no significant changes in the situation on other fronts, including in the border areas of Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts. "In total, there have been 41 combat clashes since the beginning of the day. The Russians conducted one airstrike using guided bombs and 17 drone kamikaze attacks, firing over 470 times at our positions. Since the beginning of the day, nearly 260 occupiers have been killed, along with 76 units of weaponry and military equipment destroyed. Our units also targeted two enemy ammunition storage points," summarised the General Staff. Support UP or become our patron! The Russians have lost 710 soldiers (killed and injured) and 125 units of military equipment on the Kharkiv front since 10 May. Source: report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 23:00 of 15 May Quote: "On the Kharkiv front, our units have successfully repelled four Russian attacks on the Pylna-Lyptsi, Lukiantsi-Slobozhanske, Pylna-Slobozhanske and Murom-Starytsia axes since the beginning of the day. Fighting is still ongoing on the Hlyboke-Lyptsi, Lukiantsi-Slobozhanske, Pylna-Slobozhanske, Murom-Starytsia and Pletenivka-Vovchansk axes. The Ukrainian units have not lost their positions. Ukrainian troops continue to perform defensive and stabilisation measures in the city of Vovchansk, keeping the situation under control. The occupiers losses on the Kharkiv front have amounted to 95 troops and 27 units of weaponry and military equipment since the beginning of the day. In total, the enemy has lost 710 Russian occupiers [both] killed and injured and 125 units of weaponry and military equipment on this front since 10 May 2024." Details: On the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian units repelled 20 Russian attacks. At the same time, fighting is ongoing on the Kyslivka-Ivanivka, Kotliarivka-Pishchane, Kuzemivka-Stelmakhivka and Kovalivka-Novoyehorivka axes. In some districts where they were under heavy Russian fire, Ukrainian units have moved to more favourable positions. On the Lyman front, the Russians made two attempts to breach Ukrainian defences, but to no avail. On the Siversk front, the Russians made five attempts to assault Ukrainian positions. Fighting is still ongoing near the settlements of Rozdolivka and Spirne. The situation is under control. On the Kramatorsk front, Ukrainian forces repelled five Russian attacks. Fighting is ongoing near the settlements of Novyi and Andriivka. On the Pokrovsk front, the Russians made 18 unsuccessful attempts to attack Ukrainian positions. Combat action is ongoing on the Ocheretyne-Novooleksandrivka, Ocheretyne-Kalynove, Arkhanhelske-Novooleksandrivka and Soloviove-Sokil axes. The Russians also keep applying fire pressure using various types of weapon, and Ukrainian troops continue to offer resistance on the Ocheretyne-Soloviove, Semenivka-Novoselivka Persha, Tonenke-Umanske, Tonenke-Netailove and Pervomaiske-Netailove axes. The situation is complicated, and the information is being updated. On the Kurakhove front, Ukrainian forces repelled five Russian attacks. Fighting is ongoing near the settlements of Vodiane and Pobieda. The Defence Forces of Ukraine improved their tactical positions near the settlement of Pobieda. On the Vremivka front, the Russians made 22 unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defences. Ukrainian forces did not lose their positions, the fighting continues, and the situation is under control. On the Orikhove front, Ukrainian units repelled four Russian attacks on the Novoprokopivka-Robotyne axis. No positions were lost during the fighting. On the Prydniprovia front, Ukrainian troops are defending their positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Over the last 24 hours, five attempts by the Russians to dislodge Ukrainian forces from their positions have been repelled. Quote: "Updated reports say that 140 combat clashes have occurred over the past day. There have been no significant changes to the situation or positions of our forces. Meanwhile, the enemy has launched two missile attacks, 48 airstrikes, 255 kamikaze drone strikes, and over 2,400 attacks on the positions of our troops. The Russian occupiers losses total almost 890 troops (killed and injured) and 340 units of weaponry and military equipment." Support UP or become our patron! The pace of the Russian offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast seems to have slowed over the past 24 hours. This is likely due to the new tactics employed by Russian troops and heavy Russian losses. The Russians are planning to unite the footholds in Lyptsi and Vovchansk and create a border "buffer zone". Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: ISW confirmed that Russian troops are preferring to create a "buffer zone" near the border rather than to penetrate deeply into Kharkiv Oblast. Several Ukrainian military officials reported on 14 May that they believed the situation in the Kharkiv Oblast was slowly stabilising. Several Russian and Ukrainian sources also reported that Russian troops are using a new tactic in this area small assault groups of no more than five people penetrate Ukrainian positions and then combine with other small assault groups to form a larger strike group. Drone footage supposedly taken in Vovchansk shows Russian infantry operating in small assault groups within the town, confirming these reports. Military analysts believe that the use of small assault groups could, however, contribute to increased losses of Russian manpower and equipment and slow the overall pace of the offensive on this front. One Russian military commentator, who previously served as a Storm-Z unit instructor, complained that the footage of small Russian assault groups reflected poor training rather than new and effective tactics. Ukrainian military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets noted that the increase in Russian losses on this front is leading to a slowdown in the overall pace of offensive operations. Major General Anatolii Barhylevych, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, suggested that the Russian forces had lost up to 1,740 soldiers on this front over the last 24 hours alone, which is a very high casualty rate. ISW is unable to confirm this figure, but the likely level of casualties is consistent with the overall slowdown in the offensive observed on 14 May. If the pace of Russian operations remains relatively slow, Russian forces are likely to focus on consolidating new positions and building up a lateral ledge in Kharkiv Oblast by merging the Lyptsi and Vovchansk groups and creating a "buffer zone" in the border area, rather than pushing further inland as ISW previously assessed. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 14 May: The pace of Russian offensive operations in northern Kharkiv Oblast appears to have slowed over the past 24 hours, and the pattern of Russian offensive activity in this area is consistent with ISW's assessment that Russian forces are prioritising the creation of a "buffer zone" in the international border area over a deeper penetration of Kharkiv Oblast. Russian leader Vladimir Putin's candidate for Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov outlined his and Putin's intended priorities for the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) during a speech to the Russian Federation Council on 14 May. Russian authorities detained Russian Deputy Defence Minister and Russian MoD Main Personnel Directorate Head Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov on 13 May on charges of accepting large-scale bribes. Putin appointed former Tula Oblast Governor Alexei Dyumin and former Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev as his presidential assistants on 14 May, further re-balancing his ministerial cabinet for his fifth term. The Georgian parliament passed Georgia's Russian-style "foreign agents" bill in its third and final reading on 14 May, amid continued protests against the bill in Tbilisi. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the US is interested in a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv on 14 May. Likely Ukrainian actors conducted a strike against a Russian railway line in Volgograd Oblast on 14 May. Russian forces recently marginally advanced near Lyptsi, Vovchansk, Svatove, Chasiv Yar, Avdiivka, Donetsk and Krynky. The Russian MoD is reportedly coercing Russian citizens and migrants into Russian military service through false job opportunities, likely as part of ongoing crypto-mobilisation efforts. Ukrainian officials continue efforts to return forcibly deported Ukrainian children to Ukrainian-controlled territory from Russia. Support UP or become our patron! Photo: General Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia Oblast Russian forces opened fire on the frontline settlement of Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, injuring three people on the afternoon of 15 May. Source: General Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on Telegram Quote: "On 15 May, at 15:45, the Russian army opened fire on the frontline village of Stepnohirsk in the Vasylivka district. As a result of the enemy strike, the administrative building was destroyed without subsequent combustion. Three people were injured." Details: Reports indicate that rescue workers provided first aid to the people who were injured before handing them over to ambulance staff. Support UP or become our patron! Details are still scarce, but reports indicate that the Russian airbase at Belbek, on the occupied Crimean peninsula, has come under heavy attack by Ukrainian forces. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that it countered an overnight attack by U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System ( ATACMS ), a short-range ballistic missile that has made a significant impact since its first appearance in the conflict last fall. Initial photos from the aftermath suggest that at least one Russian ground-based air defense system was successfully targeted, however. Videos posted to social media show explosions purportedly in the vicinity of Belbek. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports citing local residents suggest that around 20 explosions were heard. These may well relate to both missile impacts and interceptions, as well as secondary explosions. Imagery from the Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), which provides near real-time active fire data via orbital infrared sensing, indicated a cluster of blazes close to the flight line at the airbase, where aircraft are normally parked in the open. Photos have since been posted to social media that claim to show the destruction of portions of an S-300/S-400 air defense system located at the airfield. In particular, it appears that a 92N6 Grave Stone radar the primary long-range detection radar associated with the S-400 was hit. Despite multiple Ukrainian claims that aircraft were also successfully targeted on the airfield, this has so far not been supported by imagery. In a statement on the Telegram messaging app today, the Russian Ministry of Defense said that 10 ATACMS missiles were downed by its air defenses over Crimea last night but did not reveal whether any damage had been inflicted. Also on Telegram, the Russia-installed governor of the Crimean port of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, reported that missile debris fell onto a residential area. He added that preliminary information indicated no one had been hurt in the attack. Belbek Airbase as seen on May 1st 2024. PHOTO 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION While Russia has repeatedly said that ATACMS missiles have been used in specific attacks, it has not provided evidence of this. However, debris that is said to have been located in Sevastopol in the wake of last nights attack does appear to show M74 submunitions, consistent with the use of an ATACMS missile fitted with a cluster warhead . As we have detailed in the past , this version of the missile is ideally suited for targeting aircraft in the open and air defense system, as well as vehicle pools, ammunition dumps, and more. An example of an M74 submunition. CAT-UXO The threat that cluster versions of ATACMS pose to airbases in Crimea specifically, is a point that we have also raised in the past: Basically, a couple of ATACMS could be fired at a Russian airbase in Crimea and other occupied areas of Ukraine and destroy all the aircraft sitting on their main aprons. None of these aircraft are parked in fortified hangars or under any covering at all. Russia does tend to spread its aircraft out at Belbek due to the threat of an attack and the damage closely parked aircraft can do to each other if one is struck. This is a hard lesson Russia has learned multiple times . The airbase at Belbek, in the suburbs of Sevastopol, was used by Ukraine before Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Today it is home to the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment (38 IAP, in Russian nomenclature), a unit that you can read more about here . The regiment flies a mix of original, non-upgraded Su-27 Flanker-B fighters, two-seat Su-27UB Flanker-C combat trainers, and upgraded Su-27SMs, but is expected to eventually be re-equipped with Su-35S Flanker-Es . In the meantime, a handful of two-seat Su-30M2 aircraft are also being used for crew training in preparation for the more advanced Flanker. A Russian Su-27SM fighter arrives on the airfield at Belbek on November 26, 2014, soon after the annexation of Crimea. Photo by YURIY LASHOV/AFP via Getty Images The base plays a significant role in Russias war in Ukraine and has also accommodated detachments of other combat aircraft types, including additional Su-35S and Su-30SM aircraft, as well as Su-34 Fullback strike fighters and MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors. As of May 1, MiG-31s were still stationed at the base, satellite imagery confirms. MiG-31s and Su-27 variants seen on the ramp at Belbek on May 1st, 2024. PHOTO 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION Soon after President Joe Biden announced he had signed a $61-billion aid package for Ukraine on April 24, it emerged that the United States had already supplied additional ATACMS missiles to Ukraine. Reportedly included for the first time were longer-range variants, delivered under a secret transfer operation. A U.S. Army HIMARS launcher fires an ATACMS missile. U.S. Army Some of the first results of that delivery may well have been seen in an attack on the airbase at Dzhankoi, also in Crimea, which is home to multiple helicopters, tactical jets, and high-end ground-based air defense systems. Russian sources said the attack was prosecuted by ATACMS and Ukrainian channels claimed that between three and five S-400 and S-300 air defense systems were hit, something that high-resolution satellite imagery appears to support. Belbek Air Base has long been considered a top target for Ukraine with constant reports of the installation being hit that do not pan out. But with the arrival of longer-range ATACMS, it was only a matter of time before Kyiv took a shot at it. Now, as we wait for confirmation on just how extensive the damage is, it's becoming clearer that that these missile are likely putting targets very deep on the Crimean Peninsula at higher risk than ever before. This is a developing story. We will update it when new information becomes available. UPDATE: It looks like Belbek Airbase came under attack again tonight, with fires burning on the installation. We are still awaiting clear satellite imagery of the base. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com JERUSALEM, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese armed group Hezbollah launched about 60 rockets towards an Air Force control base and other areas in northern Israel on Wednesday, causing no casualties, Israeli authorities said. The rockets triggered air raid sirens in the vicinity of the base, Mount Meron, and the city of Kiryat Shmona. The Israel Defense Forces announced in a statement that "air defense fighters successfully intercepted several launches," which resulted in "minor damages." Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service said no injuries have been reported. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had targeted Israel with "dozens" of rockets, missiles and artillery in response to an Israeli drone attack in the area of Tyre in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, which killed two people, including senior Hezbollah field commander Hussain Ibrahim Mekky. Sacramento-area Japanese restaurant is closing due to rising costs. Whens the last day? A Sacramento-area Japanese restaurant is closing at the end of the month due to financial reasons. Aji Japanese Bistro is at 4361 Town Center Blvd No. 111, in El Dorado Hills. The restaurants last day at the El Dorado Hills Town Center will be Friday, May 31, representatives announced on social media. We have tried so hard to make it work but with the rising costs we have been left with the sad decision to close, the team at Aji said in its online post. We are so grateful for our amazing community for all the support we have received throughout the years. In 2017, restaurant owner Russell Okubo planned to expand the Aji brand with a new location at the UV in Arden Arcade, formerly known as University Village. Plans fell through in 2019, The Sacramento Bee reported at the time. Okubo partnered with the owner of now-closed Sacramento restaurant Takata-Ya to open a new eatery, Aji Dori, at 1100 R St. in Sacramento in 2019. Aji Dori closed indefinitely in August 2020, The Bee reported. In light of the closure of Aji Japanese Bistro, the team asked people to not reach out to Okubo and respect his privacy during this time. Whats on the menu at Japanese restaurant in El Dorado Hills? Aji Japanese Bistro serves seasonal menus featuring so-called street foods such as Korean-style short rib tacos, Japanese barbeque ribs and braised pork belly buns. Ajis other food offerings include ramen, udon, a raw bar and sushi rolls. When is Aji Japanese Bistro open? Until it closes permanently, the restaurant will be open during regular business hours: from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 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 Philharmonik, a Sacramento musician backed by a large band, won NPRs Tiny Desk Contest with a music video of the artists performing an original song dressed in business casual and slogging away at office jobs. For the 2024 contest, nearly 7,000 independent artists submitted videos of their songs being performed at desks. The winner of the contest, announced Wednesday during Morning Edition, will perform on NPRs Tiny Desk Concert, in addition to touring the country. The Philharmonik, who grew up in Rosemont and whose offstage name is Christian Gates, was interviewed for All Things Considered Wednesday morning for the afternoon show. As the winner of the contest, hell perform in 10 U.S. cities with the Tiny Desk Contest on the Road Tour, including two California stops: Los Angeles on June 11 and Petaluma on June 13. Closer to home, Gates will perform as part of Sacramentos Concerts in the Park on June 14 in Cesar E. Chavez Plaza. The 30-year-old producer, singer, rapper and multi-instrumentalist said Wednesday by phone that the year leading up to this music video had been rough: Literally, I felt like my entire life was going to shambles. Gates explained that he got a new car in February 2023 and, about three months later, was hit by another car in a crash that almost destroyed his Nissan Versa. Hed been using the car to make ends meet as an Uber driver. His insurance company did not give him nearly enough money to purchase a new, adequate vehicle and, over the next eight months, his financial situation became more and more precarious and stressful. I had to like, live in faith for probably a good eight months, he said. But it was like every single month kept progressively getting worse financially. And by the time I asked the team to do this video, I had absolutely no money whatsoever. He was behind on bills. His severely dented car was on the brink of being repossessed. It was just this chaos of financial ruin that was just there, and I was like, I never would have ever expected this, Gates said. So you know, we did it. I said, This is the final move that I have in my arsenal, this Tiny Desk thing. I have this vision, and I need your guys help, and the entire city literally came together to help me. The Philharmonik Sacramentos Christian Gates is the winner of the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest announced Wednesday, May 15, 2024, by NPR. The producer, singer, rapper and multi-instrumentalist will tour 10 cities as part of the public radio networks concert series. Sacramento pulls through for Gates Devon Blue Whitaker, who directed the music video for Gates, helped pay for the photographer and the lights. Roy and Kimiyo Machado of the Sacramento real estate agency All City Homes let Gates use the venue where the artists shot the video without asking for anything they just wanted to see me win. Gates said, I asked nine of my bandmates for a favor. I said, I need you guys to come through for me in a big way. And I dont have money to do it. But they all believed in the vision and they believed in me, and we all came together to make this happen. Local sound engineer DVar Baggett set up the audio in the space on the first day; then Whitaker came in to set up the lights and cameras; then, on the third day, the band did three takes. The third time, Gates said, we nailed it. In a video posted to Instagram, NPR Tiny Desk Concert producer Bobby Carter is shown telling Gates that he won the contest with his submission, Whats It All Mean? His mouth dropped open. The winner? he asked. You are the winner, Carter replied. The winner? Gates asked again. His head dropped back. Oh, my god, he said, and then started laughing. Can I bring my band in? he asked. Several members of the band hopped into the frame and collapsed into a big, ebullient hug. Group effort, Gates said. Like all eligible entrants to the contest, Gates is not signed to a recording contract. In the winning entry, he bustles through office workers wearing a tan suit and comes to the foreground, where his own desk and a keyboard are waiting. He puts his coffee cup on the desk and takes off his jacket, then sits down at the keyboard and begins to groove. I was told I could be anything that I wanted to be, he sings. Work hard so you can make money and fulfill your dreams. But if you look at the people that are better than me trying find a way around this power scheme whats it all mean, whats it all mean, whats it all mean? The video, NPR announced, floored this years panel of judges. Carter said in the written statement, Its a song and a message we all can connect to and more importantly, they brought something fresh. This embedded content is not available in your region. Hearing an old song with fresh ears Gates said he wrote Whats It All Mean? in a little quarter-life crisis he had before the pandemic. He decided at the time that he thought it was boring. In 2023, he revisited the piece. I was like, Wow, this song actually sounds much better than I remember it, he said. But I had to tweak the hell out of it, in order to get it to where I wanted it. So I reproduced the thing, practically. And then I really started to like it. He first released the song in July. Hed been keeping the win secret since May 8, and he was relieved to be able to share the good news openly finally. After his rough year, the turn of events was a relief. It means more work, which Im really proud of, he said. It gives purpose to the work. The work continues. The Philharmonik Sacramentos Christian Gates, seated center, and his band are the winners of the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest announced Wednesday, May 15, 2024, by NPR. He and his bandmates will tour 10 cities as part of the public radio concert series. Reality Check is a Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email realitycheck@sacbee.com. The Southside Park Pool that has been closed for two years will not reopen next month because Sacramento city officials have not yet received approval for a contract bid to make needed renovations. The centralized location of the Southside pool at 2107 Sixth St. allows it to serve many residents from nearby underprivileged neighborhoods. Nearly a year ago, officials announced state funding was secured for the repairs and reopen it this summer. But now its unclear when exactly it will reopen. City officials are working to receive City Council approval for the construction contract, and they expect that will happen in the coming weeks, said Gabby Miller, a city spokeswoman. Once the contract is approved, construction can begin to make the pool repairs that include resurfacing and leak repair. Miller said they anticipate the repair work can begin early next month. A view of the closed Southside Park pool on Wednesday, June 8, 2023 after Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento, and Sacramento City Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela announced a state check for $500,000 that will help resurface it. A plan is in the works to transport its neighbors to other pools in the city. The city still expects to reopen the Southside pool at some point this summer, but Miller said they dont have an exact date for when the pool will become available again to residents. Staff will work with the contractor to complete the work as soon as possible, Miller said in an email Tuesday afternoon. City officials closed the Southside pool early in the summer of 2022 to replace the fiberglass lining, which had caused swimmers to break out in rashes. With construction costs on other projects higher than anticipated, though, it wasnt immediately refurbished. Last summer, Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento, announced he was able to find $500,000 in Californias budget to complete the renovations and reopen the pool this summer. McCarty emphasized the need for community pools not only as a place where children can learn how to swim but as a way to deter children from jumping into nearby rivers. Southside Park Neighborhood Association member Marni Leger helps Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento, hold a replica check on Wednesday, June 8, 2023, for $500,000 from the state to help reopen the closed Southside Park pool. Recreation manager Jackie Beecham and Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela, right, join in the announcement. The pool will be closed this summer until the project is complete. At the same news conference last year, City Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela said city staff had moved mountains to find the initial money for planning the renovations, and her office found additional funding to help offset some of the costs. But the project to renovate a 70-year-old swimming pool still had a $500,000 funding gap before McCarty stepped in. Sarah Cox, president of the Southside Park Neighborhood Association, has said the community pool was a safe alternative to keep children away from Northern Californias dangerous waterways. She said the nearest community pool is 3 miles away, which can be a 45-minute bus ride from Southside Park. Sacramento offers other city aquatics locations for residents, such as Clunie Pool in East Sacramentos McKinley Park, McClatchy Park Pool in Central Oak Park or the new North Natomas Aquatics Complex. Author Salman Rushdie, best known for classic works "The Satanic Verses" and "Midnight's Children," has voiced concerns over the targeting of writers and artists by authoritarian governments across the globe. In an interview with dpa in Berlin on Tuesday, the Indian-born British writer said "the world is becoming a much angrier place where people seem to resort to violence much more easily." Rushdie was severely injured in an assassination attempt at an event in the United States in 2022, losing an eye. He said that artists "have become the targets of authoritarian regimes across the world." "I worry about it a lot, especially because a lot of it is aimed at artists of different kinds, not just writers, but musicians and even visual artists," he stated. Rushdie highlighted the case of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who he said has "had a great deal of trouble in China." "The more authoritarian a government is or a leader is, the more they want to have the ability to control the story," Rushdie said. He added: "Writers and artists are people who don't conform to the world-view of the powerful, and they have different world-views. And so their versions of the world, if you like, are in conflict, and that can lead intellectuals, writers, artists to become targets." The 76-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most important writers of the modern era. He lived under police protection for decades after being issued with a fatwa, an order for Muslims to kill him, by Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989 following the publication of "The Satanic Verses." Rushdie's new book "Knife: Meditations after an Attempted Murder" was published in April. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Graduates of San Diego Unified high schools will now have guaranteed admission to California State University San Marcos after the districts board approved a new agreement with the college on Tuesday. District officials said that the partnership will also include expanding college preparatory and support resources for the districts students and families, beginning in middle school. San Diego Unified is committed to giving every student a path to college, as well as the resources they need to prepare for a successful transition to higher education, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula said in a statement. We are so grateful to Cal State San Marcos for this partnership, which provides our students with access to a world class university. Padres Manny Machado congratulates students with surprise visit According to the district, students will need to graduate with a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible for the guaranteed placement and meet minimum CSU admission standards with their coursework, including completion of the university systems A-G course requirements. Students will also need to have been continually enrolled in the district throughout their high school career, although there are exceptions for military dependents, students experiencing homelessness and foster youth in the district. To help students achieve these prerequisites, SDUSD said they will expand electives, curriculum and summer school opportunities to help prepare students for college-level courses, including providing increases opportunities for upperclassman to experience university-level academic work. SDUSD schools will also begin offering more intervention and credit-recovery opportunities to students through the Cal Grant GPA Verification program, according to the district. The district added that students and families will receive information about the CSU San Marcos partnership and how to meet the eligibility criteria beginning in seventh grade. Staff will also provide guidance to incoming seventh grade students who may be at risk of not meeting them. CSU San Marcos will also be assigning a Recruitment and Outreach Officer to SDUSD schools, the district said, who will help promote college awareness, preparation and access to the guaranteed admission program. How much do teachers get paid in California? According to SDUSD officials, the support programs will begin this summer and the class of 2025 will be the first group of seniors who will be able to seek admission at CSU San Marcos through the compact. This partnership with San Diego Unified School District will provide opportunities to transform the lives of more students, their families, and their respective communities, CSU San Marcos vice president for student affairs, Dr. Viridiana Diaz, said in a release. We want students to envision themselves in college early on and to know that CSUSM is a great option given that many of our graduates stay in the area after college to give back to their community. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Three weeks after Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley's speeding ticket and the subsequent viral video of her contretemps with a Webster police officer there are several investigations and continued calls for Doorley's resignation. Doorley has apologized in a video, an interview with WHEC-TV (Channel 10) and a column in the Democrat and Chronicle. But what will be most important are the continued investigations spurred by her refusal to at first pull over when the officer turned on his lights and siren and her combative attitude toward him when she did stop at her home and he ticketed her. So what's happening now? Here is a look, with some of the questions that can be answered and some that remain unanswered. Who all is investigating? Right now, the state's newly created Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct is expected to investigate, as well as an attorney grievance committee and Monroe County's ethics watchdog entities. Doorley's office also had the matter referred to the Onondaga District Attorney's Office for review. However, that office determined that the incident was properly before the prosecutor conduct commission. The Onondaga DA's Office was not acting as a special prosecutor, but instead considering whether there were criminal possibilities that should be explored. Any possible crimes would have still required the choice of a special prosecutor from outside the county. Is there a criminal investigation? A small group of people protested outside the Monroe County District Attorneys Office and then marched to the Hall of Justice, calling on the resignation of District Attorney Sandra Doorley. The ethics-based investigations are probably more significant but questions continue to abound about whether Doorley committed crimes, along with the speeding infraction, and how they would be investigated. In short, there is no criminal investigation, nor, according to conversations with multiple lawyers in the criminal arena, were there clear-cut crimes with Doorley's actions. First, Doorley was speeding 20 miles per hour over the limit 55 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per-hour section and a crime of fleeing a police officer requires a speed of at least 25 miles per hour over the limit or evidence of reckless driving. Doorley said she called the Webster police chief from her car to alert him that she planned to pull from Phillips Road, where the officer saw her speeding, into her nearby home. She said she wanted Chief Dennis Kohlmeier to alert the officer, Cameron Crisafulli, that she was not a threat. Kohlmeier has not discussed the telephone call. He released a statement praising the professionalism of Crisafulli, but the chief did not discuss the call with Doorley in the statement. "Due to pending investigations, it is inappropriate to comment further," Kohlmeier said in the statement. Did she illegally "obstruct" the police? What about the crime of "obstructing governmental administration," a charge often brought against individuals who are alleged to have interfered with an investigation? Critics of local policing say the charge is sometimes used unjustly when an individual is viewed as rude to police in a way that may simply be annoying to the officer. For instance, over a decade ago local activist Emily Good was accused of the crime when she used her phone to video police questioning a Black man in Rochester. That case, like Doorley's, became national news. Good was hit with the obstruction charge, as police claimed she interfered with the arrest. Prosecutors later dropped the charge. The obstruction crime arises if an individual "prevents or attempts to prevent a public servant from performing an official function," and one method, under the law, is by use of "intimidation, physical force or interference." In the encounter with Crisafulli, Doorley highlighted that she is the district attorney, which could perhaps be a manner of "intimidation." But she ultimately accepted the speeding ticket and has pleaded guilty to the infraction. Doorley also called the officer an "a--hole." Only months before, a federal appellate court ruled that the public can openly and vocally criticize police, with profanities. In that case, a Buffalo officer charged a man with a noise ordinance violation after the man yelled at the officer, "Turn your lights on, a--hole." The officer had been driving with his lights off and almost hit pedestrians, according to some accounts. 'Horrible enough in itself' Doorley's guilty plea raises a whole different issue that has been chatter among some lawyers. That issue: With the quick admission to speeding, did Doorley block the possibility of any subsequent charges? This brings in the legal guarantee against "double jeopardy," namely being prosecuted twice for the same crime. Some have surmised that Doorley, with her guilty plea, managed to stymie any investigation into possible crimes. Local lawyer Ed Fiandach, known statewide for his defense in alleged drunken driving cases, said there could still be prosecution because the crimes would be "different elements" under the law. The dissimilarities between the speeding offense and possible crimes would be significant enough that other charges could be possible, he said. Still, Fiandach said, he does not see a crime that is clearly applicable with the incident. He said he, for one, thinks the incident has run its course and Doorley has paid a public price. "This was one of those things where the event was horrible enough in itself," he said. The ethical questions Monroe County DA Sandra Doorley makes her pre-sentencing statement and urging Judge Julie Hahn to sentence Kelvin Vickers to life without parole. That was the sentence he received. This may be more of a dilemma for Doorley, who reported herself and her conduct to an attorney grievance committee. While upbraiding Crisafulli, she told Crisafulli that, as DA, she would simply prosecute the speeding incident herself. Doorley will surely say that she had no intent on following up in such a way and that her comments were made in heated jest. And the grievance committee can mete out discipline that includes written admonishments, suspensions, or loss of license. Meanwhile, Doorley's case will likely be one of the first considered by the state Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct. Gov. Kathy Hochul referred the incident to the commission. "We all know that prosecutors are the most powerful players in the criminal justice system and they need to be held accountable just as people in other professions are held accountable," said Bill Bastuk, an Irondequoit resident who has fought to ensure the commission is not toothless. Accused of the rape of a teenage girl, Bastuk was acquitted at a trial 15 years ago during which the honesty of the alleged victim became a central issue. Since his acquittal, Bastuk has worked to fight prosecutorial misconduct and created a nonprofit called "It Could Happen to You." Bastuk said he can't imagine a scenario where the commission does not find some wrongdoing in Doorley's actions. "You just can't get away with trying to pull rank on an officer like that by calling the chief and thats what she clearly was trying to do," he said. "There's got to be some reprimands." The New York Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers last week called for Doorley's resignation. "The nature of a District Attorneys responsibilities is such that fidelity to professional and ethical responsibilities is substantially entrusted to self-monitoring," the association said in a statement. "But when, as here, a District Attorney engages in such patently unethical and unprofessional conduct, there is no longer a basis for public confidence in the District Attorneys ability to monitor her own conduct. Possible conflicting ethics cases? Doorley's case has the potential to become a test not only of the new prosecutorial conduct commission but also of its relationship with attorney grievance committees. Under the law, the commission can recommend punishment, but the grievance committee still determines whether that punishment is proper. For the commission to have its own power to dole out punishment, voter approval in a constitutional amendment would be necessary. "If we see a pattern where the grievance committees ignore recommendations for punishment or sanctions or accountability, then we're going to move for the constitutional amendment," Bastuk said. Doorley could decide to simply let the commission handle the investigation. "We would love to see Sandra withdraw her request for a grievance committee investigation and leave it to the commission," Bastuk said. The county's ethics board and Office of Public Integrity are also investigating the incident. The county's ethics code states that officials "should not use or attempt to use" their official positions "to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions" for themselves. The ethics board can recommend removal from office by the governor. (Includes reporting by The Journal News reporter Asher Stockler) This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Sandra Doorley faces invesigations, calls for resignation. Where things stand Sarah Elfreth, a 35-year-old state senator, won a crowded Democratic primary to succeed the retiring Rep. John Sarbanes in Maryland's 3rd congressional district, as reported by the Associated Press. She defeated 21 other candidates, including Harry Dunn, the Capitol Police officer who won fame for defending the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack, and is expected to cruise to an easy general election victory in a deep-blue seat. Elfreth didn't win alone. She received more than $4.2 million worth of support from groups associated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), an advocacy group and fundraising giant that has weighed in on primary contests across the country, targeting candidates deemed as insufficiently pro-Israel and boosting their opponents. AIPAC spending on Elfreth's behalf through the United Democracy Project (UDP), a super PAC that also acted as AIPAC's conduit in its failed $4.6 million bid to block state Sen. David Min from succeeding Rep. Katie Porter in her California district. Dunn, who used his story to run on a platform focused on defending democracy, had declared support for Israel's "right to defend itself" but added that he was "glad President Biden has advocated for an approach that reduces unnecessary civilian casualties. Most of the other candidates, including Elfreth, held similarly orthodox views. Elfreth, who ran largely on bipartisan legislation that she authored or sponsored in the state senate rather than on Israel or Palestine, expressed surprise at AIPAC's support, but did not reject its help. AIPAC, for its part, claimed that Elfreth's victory "underscores that it is entirely consistent with progressive values to stand with the Jewish state." One of Elfreth's opponents, labor attorney John Morse, had criticized AIPAC's support for her candidacy, telling Salon it was an intervention on behalf of someone they think "will turn a blind eye to the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza." Sarah Turnbull, a former Maryland Democratic Party chair, self-described Zionist and supporter of Dunn, told Salon that the AIPAC and its "mega-donors" had made the race about Israel above and beyond every other issue that matters to the American people, and are attempting to determine races across this country. Though super PACs are not allowed to coordinate with the candidates that they support, many AIPAC donors followed in the organization's lead by contributing directly to Elfreth's campaign. Several of them are known for supporting Republican and right-wing causes, including Trump fundraisers Larry Mizel, Robert Kargman, Robert Sarver, and Daniel Kraft, son of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. In the closing days of the campaign, Dunn ran ads attacking Elfreth for benefiting from those donations. Elfreth's campaign sidestepped the issue, choosing to highlight her support from labor unions and liberal groups like the Sierra Club. Five men and one woman accused of helping Russian forces direct a missile attack on a residential building that killed ten people and injured over 80 have been arrested, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on May 15. In a post on Telegram, the SBU said the alleged Russian agents helped coordinate a double-tap strike on the city of Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, in August last year. Ten people died in the attack, including several rescue workers who raced to the scene of the first missile, only to be hit by another around 40 minutes later. "On their instructions, on Aug. 7, 2023, (Russian forces) carried out a double strike with 'Iskander' missiles on the city of Pokrovsk," the SBU said. "(Russian forces) targeted an apartment building. When the police and rescuers arrived at the scene, (they) struck again." The SBU said the six had also helped target Ukrainian forces in the Avdiivka direction. The agency said all the suspects had been recruited through Telegram channels on which they posted anti-Ukraine content. Though they acted separately, the SBU said their actions were all coordinated by a Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) handler who has been identified. All six have been charged with treason and face up to life in prison. Read also: 48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraines most-bombed major city Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ROME, May 15 (Xinhua) -- After eight years of debate, the European Union (EU) on Tuesday approved a new Pact on Migration and Asylum that overhauls the entire framework for managing asylum and migration. The package aims at reducing the burden of member states on the EU's external borders, and would include tougher checks on asylum requests. It is also expected to change the way EU countries share responsibility for asylum seekers. The Pact was backed by a majority of EU countries but Poland and Hungary voted against it while the Czech Republic and Slovakia chose to abstain in the majority of files. A MESSAGE AHEAD OF EU VOTE The reform comes at a sensitive time, with European elections scheduled in early June and immigration expected to be a top issue in the political debate. "One thing is surely changing with the new Pact: the EU has decided to signal that it will get tougher on asylum seekers," Matteo Villa, senior research fellow with the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), told Xinhua. "The clear message is that asylum is going to be assessed with increasing strictness, whether because requests will be screened more quickly or because more external countries will be considered 'safe' for repatriating those not deemed as entitled to protection," he explained. NEW RULES The new Pact, made of 10 legislative acts, is expected to enter into force by 2026. Under the new rules, asylum seekers will have to be identified within a few days of arrival in one of the EU member states. Their personal data will be stored in an EU database, with the goal of building a common framework of information to judge whether an individual poses a threat or should be allowed to stay. In case an asylum claim is rejected, the Pact would allow a faster repatriation of people to their country of origin, or country of transit, if those countries are declared 'safe' by the EU. Finally, the Pact introduces a new mandatory solidarity mechanism to share responsibility during emergencies. EU governments will have three different options: relocate some asylum seekers to other EU states, pay 20,000 euros (21,740 U.S. dollars) for each person they reject, or provide other measures (such as supporting operational activities at EU external borders). The initial target for relocation is up to 30,000 people at the EU level per year. REFORM STILL DIVISIVE Humanitarian groups voiced concerns the Pact will violate asylum seekers' rights, and that the EU will end up dealing with external countries that are not truly safe, just to find a way to repatriate people. Experts also noted the Pact would be far from a comprehensive overhaul. "Too many aspects remain unclear to call it a full reform," Villa said. On paper, first-arrival countries, such as Italy, receive asylum allowances to redistribute migrants in emergencies, the analyst noted. Yet, the relocation mechanism is currently limited to a maximum of 30,000 people per year. Only last year, asylum requests at the EU level exceeded 1 million, according to EU data. "Plus, several countries were against relocation, and alternative measures were provided, such as paying in order not to receive asylum seekers, but even this is not certain, because Poland and Hungary have already said no," Villa explained. "Therefore, the possibility of a real change seems limited." PENNSYLVANIA (PIX11) Thomas Jefferson University apologized after names were horribly mispronounced during a graduation ceremony for nursing students. The incident in Philadelphia went viral last week after multiple videos were posted on social media. The school says the names were mispronounced because the speaker was reading the phonetic spellings of the names and didnt have the full names written out. In its apology, the school said they are deeply sorry for any disappointment this may have caused. Watch the video player for the full story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Only a few years after Confederate names and monuments across the South were removed in the wake of George Floyds murder, one Virginia county school board has decided to reverse course. Amid a divided community, the countys school board has decided to return to sing the names of Confederate military leaders for two of its schools. A move to honor Confederate leaders On Friday morning, the Shenandoah County school board voted 5-1 to restore the previous names of two schools that had been renamed after Floyds death in 2020. Based on the decision, Mountain View High School will go back to being Stonewall Jackson High School, named after the famous Confederate general from what was once Virginia (now West Virginia). Honey Run Elementary School will now go back to the name Ashby Lee Elementary School, named after two Confederate military leaders from the state: Robert E. Lee and Turner Ashby. The move to restore the Confederate names was based on a campaign launched by the conservative Coalition for Better Schools, which argued for the cultural significance of the names as well as the historical context behind them. Coalition for Better Schools stated that over 90 percent the 1,160 people who returned surveys about the issue said they wanted the Confederate names restored. By contrast, a citizen group against returning to the Confederate names has received 687 signatures for their online petition. After a long meeting, supporters of the Confederate names win In the aftermath of George Floyds murder in 2020, over 60 schools removed Confederate names. Shenandoah County is believed to be the first to reverse this decision and restore Confederate names, per Reuters. The school board meeting that led to the new name change was long and contentious, beginning Thursday evening and ending early Friday morning. A number of county residents, current students, and school board members spoke in favor of restoring the Confederate names. One board member who voted for the proposal claimed that he had received 144 emails in favor of the Confederate names versus 118 against them, NPR reported. Meanwhile, Kyle Gutshall, the only board member who opposed the Confederate names, said his constituents have been overwhelmingly in support of retaining the names the way they are, according to NPR. Other critics of the Confederate names pointed out that the high school was only given the name Stonewall Jackson in 1959 as Virginia politicians fought against integrating schools after the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling. While a previous proposal to restore the Confederate names failed in 2022, this one has now passed, causing Shenandoah County to take a step backward. Per CNN, the county which is 75% white, 18% Hispanic and only 3% Black, according to state data may end up being an outlier in the nation, or it may be setting a precedence for other conservative areas to follow. NEW YORK (PIX11) A day after police responded to three school slashings inside New York City public schools, parents and students re-engaged in a passionate debate over whether metal detectors should be installed inside schools, citywide. Police responded to two teenage boys who stabbed each other Tuesday afternoon during a fight inside the High School of Graphic Communications Arts in Hells Kitchen. Metal detectors were in place at only one of the three schools where the slashings occurred the school in Hells Kitchen was not one of them. Metal detectors set up at Hells Kitchen school where 2 students stabbed in fight Metal detectors were installed for class on Wednesday. The City Department of Education gives each school the discretion to make the decision whether to have metal detectors. Greg Floyd, president of the union that represents school safety agents, wants a citywide policy. There should be metal detectors in every school. It seems like our officials cannot make the right decision to put metal detectors in. We keep dancing around the subject. Meanwhile, children bring knives to school. I think they should have metal detectors, said one parent while picking up her daughter from school. Right now, its the safety of the kids first. Dillon, a graduating senior, says whatever happens, he just wants to feel safe. I dont want to have to go to school and fear somebody poking me. Teen stabbed in head in Queens: NYPD Metal detectors in school remain a controversial topic. A report from the non-profit Citizens for Juvenile Justice states, Students in schools with metal detectors, which typically are schools with greater proportions of students of color, are more likely to perceive violence and disorder and less likely to feel safe than students in schools without metal detectors. NYC Public Schools Deputy Press Secretary David Clarke told PIX11 News, We work closely with the NYPD in prioritizing the safety of our schools. Our school leaders know their schools and campuses best, and requests regarding scanning changes on campus are made in partnership with students, staff, parents, NYPD School Safety, and our unions. Decisions are made based on NYCPS and NYPD review of the schools data. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Attorney General Andrew Bailey, right, testifies to the House Budget Committee on Feb. 6, 2024 (Rudi Keller/MIssouri Independent). School districts in Jackson County saw home property assessments leap by nearly a third and add more heft to their tax bases. They set their property tax rates lower to reflect the beefier assessments amid a furor from homeowners and politicians contending the numbers inflated the real value of properties in the county. That tossed Jackson County into the center of a court challenge from the state that could test who can challenge assessments and how. Meanwhile, those schools? And other entities that get tax money such as police, fire departments, libraries, mental health services? School districts in the county claimed in court this week that a win for the homeowners would prove catastrophic, costing school districts nearly $1,500 per student. Thats not fair to the school districts, the fire protection districts, the libraries, said Joe Hatley, an attorney representing the Lees Summit School District. It looks most likely that those taxing districts wont take a hit a lawsuit demanding that nearly all the new assessments be erased faces steep odds. Meanwhile, any rebate for homeowners wouldnt arrive for months at the earliest. The lawsuit filed by the Missouri State Tax Commission and Attorney General Andrew Bailey contends property owners didnt get a fair shot to challenge such dramatic increases in their assessments. The Missouri Supreme Court threw out a similar class-action lawsuit last year. In that case, the court concluded that homeowners couldnt sue if they didnt appeal their property assessments with the county first. That earlier lawsuit sought to reverse all of the assessments that increased more than 15% or didnt get a mailed notice of the change. But most of the cases had not gone through the usual appeals. Likewise this year, the state wants to throw out all the new assessments that increased any amount. That means Bailey is testing the limits of a fresh precedent from the high court. Baileys case differs by arguing that there is no fair way for homeowners to challenge assessments. That case has its next court date on June 6. The Missouri Supreme Court has said no before Bailey has used his office aggressively in pursuit of conservative causes with mixed success pushing to ban gender-affirming care, abortion and federal student loan relief. Now the Republican is stretching the scope of the attorney generals office by stepping into an intra-county dispute between taxpayers and their local government. Mike Ardis, a spokesman for the International Association of Assessing Officers, said he was unfamiliar with any case where a state has tried to void an entire countys assessment increases. Were not familiar with a similar situation where a state has tried to void a countys reassessment, he said in an email. Before going to court, property owners can challenge an assessment with the countys Board of Equalization. If they strike out there, they can appeal to the State Tax Commission. If their case fails with that state commission, they can sue. Whats different with these lawsuits is that the attorney general is suing on behalf of all property owners whose assessments increased even if they didnt appeal. Bailey argues that homeowners can go to court before taking a case to the State Tax Commission because the appeal process doesnt give homeowners a fair shot. Jackson Countys lawyers counter that if homeowners never tried to appeal, they dont have the right to sue. Some homeowners have challenged through the county and the state, but the lawsuit calls for undoing all 247,500 property assessments that went up. That includes 190,000-plus that were never appealed. Last June, a group of property owners filed a class-action lawsuit arguing that the county botched the assessment and appeal process. The Missouri Supreme Court dismissed their lawsuit using the same reasoning the countys lawyers push now that the homeowners hadnt finished appealing their assessments. Most states, including Missouri, can order reassessments, Ardis said, but that is usually because an assessment hasnt been done rather than on questions about a reassessment. Jackson County argues the State Tax Commission can compel Jackson County to redo its assessments without going to court. The county was told by that same commission in 2018 to bring all of its 301,000 properties up to market value because it wasnt complying with state law. But the State Tax Commission hasnt ordered the county to take action on the 2023 assessments. It could sue a county for not following such an order. Catastrophic: School districts stand to lose millions of dollars If the attorney generals lawsuit is successful, Jackson Countys taxing jurisdictions will be forced to refund millions of dollars to homeowners. The Fort Osage, Oak Grove, Independence and Lees Summit school districts submitted an amicus brief on May 9 asking the judge to consider the catastrophic financial harm of tossing out the higher assessments. It estimated that would mean paying back $57 million in taxes across the four districts, or $1,468 per student. Lees Summit would have to give up $32 million almost a tenth of its revenue. But that money has already been spent on the 2023-24 school year. The school districts budget for the fact that there will be some successful challenges to the countys assessments, the brief says, but not for an illegal rollback of assessments on virtually every property in the county. For Lees Summit, that amount is nearly a third of its reserve. It would take years to recover, and in the meantime, the district would be in a precarious position. It would require an immense juggling act on the part of the districts business staff to figure out what to do, Hatley said. Youre not going to dig out of that hole anytime soon. Housing costs are continuing to rise The 30% spike in property values that Jackson County residents saw last year appears consistent with the rise in home sale prices. Tech real estate company Zillow says home values in Jackson County have increased by 45% since March 2020. There are parts of the county that were still trying to get to value but I would say the majority of what is driving up these values right now is simply an increase in value, Jackson Countys director of assessment Gail McCann Beatty told The Beacon in April 2023. At the time, she said that home values have been increasing 14% to 15% every year since the housing market recovered from the pandemic. Remote work has made the Midwest more appealing for people who previously needed to live in high-cost cities like New York City or Los Angeles. Since 2020, those workers have been able to relocate to Kansas City. Additionally, corporations have been buying up Kansas City homes to add to their investment portfolios and renting them out. That has shrunk the number of homes for sale and made the market more expensive. If a judge tells Jackson County to throw out all assessment increases, that will temporarily reduce property values for the 2023 tax year. But unless the county can get the housing market under control, market value will continue to increase and property owners will see their assessments spike once again in 2025. So even if taxpayers get a property tax refund for 2023, that relief could be short-lived. This article first appeared on The Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. The post Schools say a lawsuit targeting Jackson County property assessments would be catastrophic appeared first on Missouri Independent. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) both declined to comment Wednesday on the possibility of voting to expel Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) if he is convicted of bribery, obstruction of justice and other charges. Hes on trial so Im not going to comment, Schumer told reporters when asked whether he would support expelling Menendez if convicted. McConnell also declined to comment on a potential expulsion vote if Menendez is convicted. Look, Im really glad hes not a Republican, he said. Prosecutors and defense attorneys on Wednesday finished picking a full jury for Menendezs trial in federal court in Manhattan. Legal analysts expect Menendez to try to blame his wife Nadine for withholding information from him that would have revealed the potential criminality of some of his actions. Menendez has predicted that he will be exonerated but most of the Senate Democratic conference has called on him to resign. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has led the calls to expel Menendez from the Senate but that proposal has gotten little support from senators, who argue their colleague deserves his day in court. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A new study has shed light on why opening a window may help limit the spread of respiratory viruses. The findings suggest human activities are causing a risk to public health. What's happening? A team led by the University of Bristol discovered that carbon dioxide causes airborne respiratory viruses to "linger longer" in indoor environments, as detailed by New Atlas. However, when a window is open allowing fresh air to enter, the virus not only disperses, but it also "makes the aerosol droplets themselves more toxic to the virus," according to Allen Haddrell, lead and co-corresponding author of the study and senior research associate in Aerosol Science at Bristol's School of Chemistry. "We knew SARS-CoV-2, like other viruses, spreads through the air we breathe. But this study represents a huge breakthrough in our understanding of exactly how and why that happens, and crucially, what can be done to stop it," Haddrell told the online platform. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications. Why is this concerning? Human activities are causing the levels of carbon in our atmosphere to rise. The study's findings suggest this could make it easier for respiratory diseases to spread, which would have significant consequences to public health. "These findings have broader implications not only in our understanding of the transmission of respiratory viruses, but how changes in our environment may exacerbate the likelihood of future pandemics," Haddrell told New Atlas. "Data from our study suggests that rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere may coincide with an increase in the transmissibility of other respiratory viruses by extending how long they remain infectious in the air." Warming global temperatures have also been linked to an uptick in mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, malaria, and dengue. In part, this is because mosquitoes have been able to reproduce more quickly and survive in new northern regions. What can be done about this? As far as the rising carbon levels are concerned, dirty fuels like coal, gas, and oil account for almost 90% of carbon pollution being released into our atmosphere. National and local governments around the world are working to facilitate a shift to a clean energy grid and less polluting technologies. You can also contribute to a healthier future by reducing your use of single-use plastics and walking, biking, or taking public transportation when possible. Additionally, until things are back in balance, it's important to note that there are tools to help fight many diseases and mitigate the effects of rising temperatures. Medical advancements, like vaccines, have helped people live longer and healthier lives. According to the World Health Organization, vaccines alone have saved an estimated "equivalent of six lives every minute of every year" over the past half-century, with infants the primary beneficiaries. The breakthroughs are still rolling in thanks to decades' worth of research and insight. Notable examples include the mRNA technology deployed to combat COVID-19 and the development of several malaria vaccines. In January, the world's first mass vaccination campaign against malaria began in the African nation of Cameroon. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. Democratic congressional candidate Marlene Galan-Woods on Wednesday defended her past support for Republicans as her other political rivals assailed the GOP that she once backed during a televised debate. For most of the hourlong event, the Democrats hoping to challenge U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., touted their own credentials and hit the seven-term incumbent for what they viewed as an overly conservative record. Near the end, however, Galan-Woods, a former journalist and widow of Grant Woods, the former Republican attorney general, came under the microscope for her long past as a Republican herself. My values have never changed, Galan-Woods said. I have always been pro-choice, pro-democracy, pro-climate. My values have never changed. What changed was the Republican Party. That drew challenges from Kurt Kroemer, a former nonprofit executive, and Conor OCallaghan, who works in finance. The Republican Party has never been for comprehensive immigration reform. The Republican Party has never been for a womans right to choose. The Republican Party has never wanted to protect Social Security, Medicare, Kroemer said. Theyve always, for decades, tried to eviscerate it. The Republican Party has always tried to minimize the ability of people to vote. That hasnt changed for decades. OCallaghan said the GOPs stated mission for years was to overturn abortion rights. Ms. Woods has been on the political scene here in Arizona for decades. When Planned Parenthood was under attack in the court system here in the '90s, where was Ms. Woods speaking out against that? OCallaghan said. She supported (former Republican Gov.) Jan Brewer this millennium. She was a huge, loud champion for (2012 Republican presidential nominee) Mitt Romney and she retweeted a pro-life tweet from (former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb.) in 2017. An indignant Galan-Woods took special umbrage at the reference to the Sasse tweet. This is why people, voters, Americans, are sick and tired of politicians, she said. This is why people are cynical about the process, because people like Mr. OCallaghan are willing to lie, are willing to misrepresent the truth of someone elses record and positions for their own political gain. The Sasse tweet dealt with an adoption credit, she said. I am an adoptive mother. My husband and I adopted a little girl from Guatemala, so I supported a tax break for adoptive parents," she said. "He knows that thats what that was about. Democratic Congressional District 1 candidates (from left) Andrei Cherny, Marlene Galan-Woods, Andrew Horne, Kurt Kroemer, Conor O'Callaghan and Amish Shah debate at BitFire Studio in Phoenix on May 15, 2024. Others were more nuanced in making the case for their candidacy. Andrei Cherny, the former Arizona Democratic Party chair, repeatedly cited his previous policy work for Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. He began his remarks by saying there were six good people onstage with similar positions on important issues. Theres only one person on this stage with a 25-year track record that Democrats can trust, of actually fighting for our values, of actually making progress on the critical challenges that we face, he said. Former state Rep. Amish Shah, D-Phoenix, cited his work during three terms in the Arizona Legislature in casting himself as able to pass bills in a Republican-controlled chamber. Over the last six cycles, we have run a candidate, good Democrats, who had never won an election before, and then we lost," Shah said. "I think we cannot make that mistake again. We need a candidate who has won tough elections, and Im the only one on the stage who has done that. Andrew Horne, an orthodontist, emphasized that he isnt related to Arizona schools chief Tom Horne and focused on the need for protection from gun violence. He assailed Schweikert for voting against a bipartisan border security bill that U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., helped shape earlier this year. We do have a crisis at the border and David Schweikert didnt want to fix it, Horne said. Schweikert has won seven terms in the House, and is facing yet another race where he is considered vulnerable at the outset. For one, it is one of 16 House seats held by Republicans in districts that voted for President Joe Biden in 2020. Beyond that, Schweikerts 2018 and 2020 contests drew Democratic challengers looking to capitalize on an ethics probe in which he eventually admitted to 11 violations and paid a $50,000 fine. In 2022, Republican Elijah Norton tried to use the misspending case against him with GOP voters. Schweikert beat Norton, then narrowly defeated Democrat Jevin Hodge by less than 3,200 votes, or about 1 percentage point. Rep. David Schweikert poses for a portrait on April 25, 2024, in Scottsdale. Inside Elections rates the race for Schweikerts seat as tilt Republican. Sabatos Crystal Ball and the Cook Political Report call it a toss-up. The 1st Congressional District spans northeastern Maricopa County, including north-central Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 6 Democrats hoping to oust Arizona Rep. David Schweikert debate A new blood test can be performed in a pregnant persons first trimester to help assess their risk of developing preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication. Its the first and only test of its kind available in the United States that can be used between 11 and 14 weeks gestation to determine the risk of preeclampsia before 34 weeks of pregnancy, its maker, Labcorp, announced Wednesday. The first trimester is the period from 0 to 13 weeks of a pregnancy. However, the new test doesnt change clinical guidance on preeclampsia, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, also known as ACOG. Some doctors question how it will help. It is currently unclear how useful the LabCorp test will be in accurately predicting risk for developing preeclampsia and whether it is appropriate for all pregnant patients, Dr. Christopher Zahn, ACOGs interim CEO and chief of clinical practice and health equity and quality, said in a statement. Before a screening test can be successfully employed, there needs to be an evidence-based intervention to either prevent or reduce the impact of the disease. We currently have no data on how to reduce the risk for a pregnant patient predicted to have preeclampsia from a blood test early in pregnancy as opposed to clinical factors, he added. Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy marked by elevated blood pressure and high levels of protein in the urine or other signs of organ damage. The condition typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy in the second trimester and if left untreated, it can turn serious or deadly for both mother and baby. There is no cure for preeclampsia, outside of the mother delivering the baby, but some severe cases can be treated with medications like antihypertensive drugs. Some factors that can put a pregnant person at risk of preeclampsia include being older than 35; being pregnant for the first time; having obesity; having a family history of preeclampsia; having diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease or an autoimmune disease; having twins or triplets; or having undergone in vitro fertilization. The new screening test evaluates any patients risk of preeclampsia by 34 weeks gestation, which is the third trimester, and provides a comprehensive risk assessment with up to 90% sensitivity and 90% specificity, according to Labcorp. Sensitivity refers to the tests ability to accurately identify pregnancies at high risk, and specificity refers to its ability to accurately identify pregnancies that are not at high risk. Doctors who think their patients might benefit from this screening can talk to their patients about the option, order the test and get results within a few days. This is one more tool in the tool belt for clinicians in the US and beyond to help deliver better maternal outcomes, said Dr. Brian Caveney, Labcorps chief medical and scientific officer. About 1 in 25 pregnancies in the United States is affected by preeclampsia, and it is one of the leading causes of maternal death. Options are limited for preeclampsia risk screening. Before the launch of the new test, at-risk patients could screen for their preeclampsia risk only during the second or third trimester of pregnancy if they were both symptomatic and hospitalized, and even that test was just launched last year. The new first-trimester test isnt a diagnostic test but a risk assessment tool to determine whether someone is more likely than average to develop preeclampsia during their current pregnancy, along with all the other questions your doctor might ask you during a first-trimester visit, Caveney said. The screening results can lead to a whole bunch of slight changes in the prenatal care that you get from your doctor, based on the results of this risk predictor tool early on, he said. Those changes may involve having more doctor visits to monitor your pregnancy, checking your blood pressure at home at least once a week, being mindful to not overexert yourself during exercise or at work or, if recommended by your physician, taking a low-dose aspirin preventively. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends the use of a low-dose aspirin as preventive medication after 12 weeks gestation in people at high risk for preeclampsia, but some people and their providers may not know that theyre at high risk, especially if it is their first pregnancy. At least half or more of cases of preeclampsia are potentially preventable, Caveney said. If you identify it earlier in the pregnancy, youre more likely to be able to do things that lead to a healthier pregnancy and, therefore, hopefully a healthier delivery. The new screening test is a laboratory-developed test or LDT, so it does not require approval by the US Food and Drug Administration to be performed. Labcorp is in talks with health insurance plans to ensure that the test could be covered, Caveney said, adding that the screening assay has a list price of about $240. How the risk assessment works The risk of preeclampsia also has racial disparities. In the United States, the rate in Black women is about 60% higher than in White women. In general, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preeclampsia is one of the main reasons why there is such a significant disparity in maternal outcomes, Caveney said. With a focus on health equity, we think that better, more evidence-based preeclampsia screening can hopefully help address that, along with lots of other social services and health services and prenatal care to hopefully improve outcomes for pregnancies in the US and beyond. The new screening test works by identifying and measuring four biomarkers that are associated with preeclampsia risk. According to Labcorp, those biomarkers are the placental growth factor or PIGF hormone in the blood; pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A or PAPP-A in the blood; a blood pressure measurement of the average arterial pressure in the arteries; and the patients uterine artery pulsatility index or UtAPI, which is measured during an ultrasound. Having low levels of PlGF and PAPP-A may suggest that the placenta is developing and functioning poorly, according to Labcorp, while high levels of arterial pressure and UtAPI may indicate elevated blood pressure and decreased blood flow in the uterine artery. One study published in 2018 in the journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that the performance of screening is substantially improved when the screening method includes maternal factors along with biomarkers, such as measurements of mean arterial pressure, UtAPI, PIGF and PAPP-A. Some doctors raise questions Not all physicians say they would recommend the new screening test for their patients. The utility of the test in managing patients has yet to be proven and it is not clear that it helps more than it could possibly hurt. It is not clear that the use of this test is any better than the current standards for prenatal care, Dr. Christian Pettker, chief of obstetrics at Yale-New Haven Hospital and a professor at Yale School of Medicine, wrote in an email. It is not clear to me that this is appropriate for all patients who are pregnant in the first trimester. Perhaps the most applicable group could be for patients who had preeclampsia in a prior pregnancy, though these patients already have a high risk and are often followed differently in their pregnancy, Pettker wrote. While the test is modestly good at predicting which patients may develop preeclampsia, it isnt clear how many patients are improperly told that they will develop preeclampsia, he added. I would not underestimate the number of patients affected by a false positive. ACOGs Zahn agreed that false assessments come with risks. With any new screening tool, its always important to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks, Zahn said. Pettker also had some questions about how the test would be administered to evaluate a patients preeclampsia risk, based on biomarkers, and how the ultrasound measurement of uterine artery blood flow is not a standard test done by ultrasound units or physicians and requires very specific expertise and training. Labcorp plans to talk with physicians and maternal-fetal specialists about the components of the test, Caveney said, but he added that the screening test could still be ordered using the blood-based biomarkers and regular blood pressure readings. More data is better but not necessary, meaning this test performs best statistically if we have all of the pieces of data from the doctor in order to perform it. However, not every ob-gyn office or ultrasound center routinely has the ability to calculate this uterine artery pulsatility index, he said. If they dont provide it, we will still perform the test and give an indication of risk. It just reduces the sensitivity or the likelihood of us being able to accurately predict the risk of preeclampsia, he said. It takes it from a sensitivity of around 90% to the high 70s, which is still significantly higher than assessing traditional maternal risk factors alone. Losing a baby should not be the screening Eleni Tsigas, chief executive officer of the Preeclampsia Foundation, said that a screening tool like the new first-trimester test could have significantly changed her pregnancy experience if it had existed at the time of her first pregnancy in 1998. My daughter died, and it was all due to a last-minute emergency, she said. Tsigas was diagnosed with preeclampsia only 11 weeks before her due date, and due to the complications of preeclampsia, her daughter, Nikonia Evangelia Tsigas, was stillborn. At the time, Tsigas said, she had only one risk factor: Her daughter was her first pregnancy. But losing your first baby should not be the screening test that youre at high risk, Tsigas said. So many people are completely caught off-guard in their first pregnancy when they develop preeclampsia, because they didnt have any of these risk factors other than it was their first pregnancy. Tsigas and her husband went on to have two more children after that first pregnancy, their sons Jordan and Jonathan. For those pregnancies, Tsigas said, she and her care team were more aware of her preeclampsia risk, they monitored her health closely, and she took a low-dose aspirin when recommended by her doctor. But something like the newly launched first-trimester screening test, if its done right, it has the potential to eliminate those surprise cases of preeclampsia, Tsigas said. The reason I emphasize done right is because what we dont want to do is add another tool to the toolbox thats only accessible by some people. Thats only going to increase disparities, she said. This has issues with payer coverage and education and making sure that all women, no matter their socioeconomic status, are aware that this kind of information should be available to everybody. If it is, it has the potential to reduce the disparities were seeing in maternal health outcomes and neonatal health outcomes, she said. Tests like this absolutely move the bar. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Batesville, Arkansas man is facing several drug-related charges after $1 million in methamphetamine was discovered in his home. The 16th Judicial Drug Task Force announced on Wednesday that after a 6-month long multi-agency investigation, an arrest was made for the suspected trafficking of methamphetamine. In January 2024, members of the Drug Task Force along with the Independence County Sheriffs Office began the narcotics investigation involving Jose Gonzales, who was suspected of trafficking methamphetamine throughout the county. Over 100 pounds of meth, cocaine discovered during AR traffic stop Agents conducted undercover controlled dug buys from Gonzales over the course of several months, according to a press release. On Tuesday, the Independence County Sheriffs Office, the Drug Task Force, and the Batesville Police Department executed a search warrant on Gonzales home. During the search, 23.6 pounds of methamphetamine and three pounds of marijuana were located inside the home. Reports say the street value of the illegal drugs is over $1 million. Charges that includes three counts of trafficking methamphetamine over 200 grams, all class Y felonies, along with several other drug-related offenses are being presented to the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The China Coast Guard on Wednesday issued radio warnings to Philippine ships trespassing into the waters under China's jurisdiction. On the same day, when answering a foreign media question on Filipino fishing boats heading from the Philippines to the surrounding waters of Huangyan Dao, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that Huangyan Dao has always been China's territory and China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters. China made a goodwill arrangement in 2016 for Filipino fishermen to fish with a small number of small fishing boats in the adjacent waters of Huangyan Dao, while China continues to oversee and monitor relevant activities of the Filipino fishermen in accordance with the law, he added. If the Philippines abuses China's goodwill and infringes upon China's territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction, China will defend its rights and take countermeasures in accordance with the law, he said, adding that relevant responsibilities and consequences shall be borne solely by the Philippines. Search for missing Florida diver leads officials to discovery of another body Search for missing Florida diver leads officials to discovery of another body TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) During a search for a missing diver in Florida, officials recovered the body of another man. On Sunday, the U.S. Coast Guard searched the waters of the Fort Pierce Inlet for a missing 39-year-old West Palm Beach man who went free diving nine miles off Jensen Beach. Florida diver missing after exploring WWII-era shipwreck The St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office said the man was exploring the Halsey shipwreck, a WWII-era wreck approximately 65 feet down when he didnt come back up. As deputies were searching for the diver, they found another body instead, located nearly 16 miles northeast of the Fort Pierce inlet. This man was described as a white man, appearing to be over 50 years old, weighing 200 to 225 pounds. Officials said his body didnt appear to have been in the water for a long time. According to the sheriffs office, the body they discovered does not match the description of the missing diver from Sunday. Deputies said they currently dont have any missing person reports in the area matching the mans description. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause and time of death. DUI driver in deadly Marion County bus crash held without bond, officials say The man was last seen wearing a green wetsuit with an orange stripe on the hood. He had yellow weights on his weight belt and had black carbon fiber fins. The Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are working on both investigations. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. GENEVA COUNTY, Ala (WDHN) The Geneva County Sheriffs Office is asking for help finding information on an April boat theft in rural Geneva County. The boat, a black 25-foot 2016 Manitou Pontoon Oasis, was stolen from the side of Highway 27 on April 17, below Chancellor at the 13-mile marker. Geneva County Sheriff Tony Helms says the driver was heading back to his home in Enterprise when he got a flat tire on the boat trailer sometime before 11:00 p.m. and left the trailer on the side of the road just long enough to drive home and get a spare. When the driver returned to where he left his trailer, around thirty minutes later, the trailer and boat were gone. The GCSO provided a surveillance video to WDHN showing a white pickup truck with the stolen boat attached driving down Highway 27 at approximately 11:07 p.m. The truck then turns down Dogwood Trail towards Coffee Springs and disappears into the night. Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact the GCSO at 334 684 6947 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. CHICAGO Authorities are asking for help in the search for a man who badly beat a passenger on a CTA Pink Line train on Friday night. According to police, the attack happened just after 11 p.m. on the Pink Line train in the 1700 block of West Polk Street. Authorities say the man approached the passenger and began beating him, leaving him seriously injured. On Tuesday, Chicago police shared photos captured by CTA surveillance cameras of a person who is believed to be responsible for the attack. Police search for 6 wanted in connection with string of CTA robberies Authorities say the person responsible is believed to be a man between 25 and 35 years of age, who stands between 5-foot-11 and 6-foot-2 and weighs between 200 and 250 pounds. Officers say at the time of the attack, he was spotted wearing a black shirt, black pants, and black boots. He also has several tattoos on both arms. Search underway after CTA Pink Line passenger badly beaten Police advise the public to remain aware of their surroundings and stay free from distractions. According to officers, anyone who is confronted by an assailant should try to remain calm. Authorities warn the public never to pursue a fleeing assailant and instead work to remember any unique physical characteristics of the offenders. Police search for driver involved in Bucktown hit-and-run Police say those who fall victim or witness a crime should call 911 immediately and provide authorities with a detailed description of the offenders. Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact the CPD Area Three Bureau of Detectives Violent Crime Office at 312-744-8261 or dial 911. Those with information that could help detectives in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. SEARCY, Ark. Despite a relatively cloudy day across central Arkansas, the sun is shining bright for 15 students at Searcy High School. District officials said 15 students out of the high schools junior class scored a 30 or above on their ACT exam, one student got a perfect score. Ive been in education 15 years, and Ive never known a student to score a 36, Searcy High School Principal David Landers said. Magnet Cove student scores perfect 36 on first ACT attempt Searcy Junior Sophie Sutterfield-Qualls said shes been preparing for the ACT since freshman year. She said she was shooting for a 34 this round. I called my mom, and she freaked out, Sutterfield-Qualls said. My goal was a 34, so I was really surprised when I got the 36. She said the score takes a huge weight off heading into her senior year. Now instead of studying for the test again, she said she can take time to focus on applications and essays. Sutterfield-Qualls isnt the only junior the school is celebrating. 15 students in her class scored a 30 or above on the ACT, marking a milestone for the district. When you look at the number of kids scoring that high, thats thousands of dollars in college scholarships that come open now because of their hard work and dedication, Landers said. Two Arkansas high school students named as U.S. Presidential Scholars The future shines bright for these juniors who are preparing to head off to college. If I do go to Fayetteville, I could probably go there for free, Hannah Robinson, who scored a 32, said. Ive been looking at Rice University in Houston, Sutterfield-Qualls said. Im probably going to Harding, Elijah Sandlin who scored a 33 on his ACT. These students say for now, theyll hold on to a final year at the place they call home. Im kind of sad to be leaving soon but this place has done so many good things for me so Im pretty excited for my last year, Sutterfield-Qualls said. Conway teen earns associate degree at 16 On top of the high scores, the principal said 60% of the entire junior class scored a 19 or higher which automatically qualifies them for a lottery scholarship. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) A local Mexican restaurant will be taking over the old Heffs Burgers building, expanding its business beyond the borders of Chadbourne Street. The location closed in mid-2023 after a few years of being operated by the Heffs Burgers restaurant chain. It has remained empty since. Now, locally-owned eatery El Paisano plans to take over the building. Craving Crab closes, to be replaced with hybrid restaurant A sign posted outside the building states that the business will be coming soon. It also asks prospective employees to apply in person at the existing El Paisano restaurant, located at 1406 S. Chadbourne St. El Paisano is an unassuming eatery luring locals with an elevated menu of steak tips, fajitas and classic Mexican fare, according to its entry on the Discover San Angelo website. Concho Valley Homepage reporters have reached out to El Paisano staff regarding when the location will open but have not received any official statements as of the time of publication. The planned location of the second El Paisano building in San Angelo, Texas (5/14/24). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. DENVER (KDVR) On Wednesday, Nicholas Karol-Chik, 19, appeared in court and pleaded guilty for his role in a deadly rock-throwing crime spree that killed a 20-year-old woman. Karol-Chik pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree and crime of violence, which can be a sentence enhancer. For all charges, the judge said Karol-Chik would receive the ultimate sentence possible, which is between 35-72 years, as opposed to a life sentence. Karol-Chiks plea agreement is contingent on his full cooperation with the prosecution of his co-defendants, which could include testifying, according to a spokesperson for the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather Because of his plea, Karol-Chiks original count of first-degree murder was dismissed. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10. FOX31s Courtney Fromm was in the courtroom and said Alexa Bartells family agreed to the plea. She was killed when a rock hit her car in 2023. FOX31s Vicente Arenas was also in court and saw Karol-Chik in a lime green uniform. According to a spokesperson, this indicates he is in protective custody and that additional security measures will be taken for his safety. At this time, it is not clear if threats have been made against Karol-Chiks life. 2 suspects have pleaded guilty in case On May 10, Karol-Chiks accomplice, Zachary Kwak, pleaded guilty to his role in the case. Nicholas Karol-Chik was arrested in connection to the deadly rock-throwing crime spree that killed a 20-year-old Arvada woman. (Jefferson County Sheriffs Office) Zachary Kwak was arrested in connection to the deadly rock-throwing crime spree that killed a 20-year-old Arvada woman. (Jefferson County Sheriffs Office) Kwak pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree assault, one count of second-degree assault and an added count of criminal attempt to commit assault. As part of the plea deal, he will serve no less than 20 years but no more than 32 years. Man killed after alleged shootout with officer at Thornton rec center Karol-Chik and Kwak were two of three high school seniors arrested in connection to the case in 2023. At the time of their arrests, the students were taken into custody on charges of first-degree murder extreme indifference. Kwaks previous murder charge was also dismissed when he took the plea deal. 20-year-old killed while driving in Jefferson County The charges stem from a string of crimes that took place in April 2023. Bartell was killed while driving northbound near the 10600 block of Indiana Street when she was struck by a large rock that was thrown at her car. Investigators said the rock hit Bartell, and she was killed. Bartell had been on the phone with a friend at the time. That friend tracked Bartells phone and found the 20-year-old dead in her car, which was off the road in a field. Alleged Peeping Tom victim takes matters into her own hands This was not the first instance of rocks being thrown at cars that night. A total of five incidents were reported. The other drivers had objects thrown at their vehicles but have recovered from minor injuries. The final suspect, Joseph Koenig, is scheduled to appear for a jury trial on July 19 and is next scheduled to appear in court on July 3 for a motions hearing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Second woman arrested in bomb threat at Florence County beauty school FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A second woman has been arrested in connection with a bomb threat at a Florence County beauty school, the sheriffs office said Wednesday. Rachael Cierra Levy was arrested and charged with making a bomb threat. Authorities arrested Demarie Jessalyn Nichole Spontis on Monday. Both Spontis and Levy are accused of making the false threat over the phone to Canvas Artistry at 1428 Floyd Circle. Spontis was booked into the Florence County Detention Center on Monday and released Tuesday on a $10,000 bond, online jail records show. Levy was booked into the detention center Wednesday and released the same day on a $10,000 bond. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. As Republicans put pressure on the U.S. Secret Service to move an expected protest area farther from the Republican National Convention in downtown Milwaukee, the agency appears unlikely to change its plans. Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, Florida Sen. Rick Scott and aides to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell raised the security concerns in separate meetings Tuesday with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, according to multiple sources. Johnson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Cheatle said she does not have the authority to alter the current security plans, but Secret Service officials have suggested there is no evidence to justify a change. Republicans have pushed to expand the security perimeter, which will require credentials to enter, to include a nearby park where a protest area is expected to be located. Im not a security expert, but this just looks like an obvious area of concern here that I think needs to be changed," Johnson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel after his meeting with Cheatle. "So were going to keep working to get it changed. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and the U.S. Secret Service released the map of the security zone for RNC venues of Fiserv Forum, the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Baird Center. The Secret Service in a statement reiterated the factors that determine how security perimeters for events such as the RNC are developed. The security perimeter for the 2024 Republican National Convention is based on security considerations, including protective intelligence, risk and threat assessments, and is developed to ensure the highest level of security, while minimizing impacts to the public, Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, said Tuesday. The meetings came days after McConnell sent a letter to Cheatle echoing concerns raised earlier by a lawyer for the Republican National Committee about the potential for conflict between demonstrators and convention attendees if a protest area were permitted at Pere Marquette Park a quarter mile from Fiserv Forum, the conventions main event center. Republicans have argued that convention attendees would have to walk by the demonstrators in the park on their way to the event, creating what the RNC attorney called a mandated confrontational area. Johnson on Tuesday told the Journal Sentinel that he "pointed out the obvious risk" of the current plans for protesters to Cheatle during the meeting. He suggested the agency might have concerns over potential lawsuits if the protest site is moved farther away but said he didn't think Tuesday's discussion would be the last on the issue. Johnson said he did not specify during the meeting where he'd like to see the protesters moved, saying he instead was "advocating for my constituents, the residents of Milwaukee and Wisconsin." Protest organizers have sought a closer location than Pere Marquette Park. City officials have said the city must provide a speaker's podium and march route that is within "sight and sound" of the RNC under the U.S. Constitution and the RNC framework agreement to which city leaders signed on in 2022. Neither has been officially announced, though Mayor Cavalier Johnson's chief of staff Nick DeSiato said in March that Pere Marquette Park would be a "likely candidate" for the speaker's platform. Pere Marquette was the designated protest area for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, but that event turned largely virtual during the coronavirus pandemic and the park drew limited activity. A "security footprint" downtown is expected to extend from Cherry Street to the north to West Clybourn Street on the south and from North Water Street on the east to North 9th Street on the west. Within that footprint will be a fenced-in area around the main convention venues that will not be accessible to anyone but credentialed attendees. The event will take place at Fiserv Forum, the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Baird Center. Johnson on Tuesday said he had not met with city leaders about the perimeter Im not in charge of this. I dont want to step on anybodys toes, he said but noted hes met with Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman about preparations and highlighted the additional $25 million in security funding to both the RNC and the Democratic National Convention that Congress approved in March. Still, he suggested further discussions on the perimeter could happen in the near future. This was just what I thought I needed to do to get briefed but also let the Secret Service understand my position and my concern on this thing, he said. Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Secret Service appears unlikely to alter RNC protest area in Milwaukee Del Mar College has invested $1.7 million in new emergency response training props and equipment to help train students as well as Coastal Bend industry employees. The college held program demonstrations Wednesday afternoon for industry partners at the college's new emergency training center, with Del Mar College Fire Academy cadets simulating rope rescue and structural firefighting. Attendees also got to see the college's concrete trench and confined space tower props, hazmat decontamination supplies and an emergency response drone demonstration. The college's fire academy trains cadets for the Corpus Christi Fire Department and other local fire departments. The most recent fire academy graduating class achieved a 100% pass rate on the Texas Commission on Fire Protection basic structure fire examination in May. Corpus Christi Firefighter Brad Crabtree climbs down a ladder after securing a rescue stretcher to a rope during a rope rescue demonstration at Del Mar College Windward Campus on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Texas. Del Mar College students also go on to work for industrial entities like Flint Hills Resources and Gulf Coast Growth Ventures. Del Mar College offers training to help Coastal Bend employers upskill current safety personnel. Davis Merrell, Del Mar College's dean of industry and public service, said he hopes the new equipment will be the first phase of continued improvements to the facility and program with the support of industry. Corpus Christi Fire Capt. Jeff Durrwachter drags a dummy from a burning building during a structural firefighting and emergency medical demonstration at Del Mar College Windward Campus on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Texas. "We see the critical role firefighting and safety training plays in safeguarding lives, protecting assets and preserving our community environment," Merrell said. "In the realm of industry, where challenges and risks are inherent, the importance of proactive measures cannot be overstated." Merrell said the college's investment in the training facility underscores the colleges approach to mitigating risk and enhancing the capabilities of emergency responders to respond effectively. A hazmat display is spread out on a street at Del Mar College Windward Campus on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Texas. The university's corporate services department has offered more than 21,000 hours of training in the last three years to nearly 2,000 industry employees. "Our goal is to double that number in the next three to five years because of the investment of this college," said Dan Korus, dean of workforce programs and corporate services. A Corpus Christi Police drone is prepped for a demonstration at Del Mar College Windward Campus on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Texas. Mark Benavides, who works at Flint Hills Resources, said much of the initial training for Flint Hills employees begins at Del Mar College. "Safety is key in our industry," Benavides said. "...it's crucial that we have the skills and the tools and the knowledge to go out day by day and do our jobs safely." Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi breaks ground for new facility for music, theater What to know about 2024 Corpus Christi high school graduations Del Mar College Northwest Center closing This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Del Mar College demonstrates emergency training simulations BEIRUT, May 15 (Xinhua) -- A Syrian was killed and two others sustained injuries on Wednesday in an Israeli strike on the Mansouri Plain in southern Lebanon, Lebanese military sources said. The sources said that the wounded Syrians were transferred by the Lebanese Civil Defense to a hospital in the southwestern city of Tyre. The sources added that Israel carried out seven airstrikes on five towns and villages, including the Jabal al-Rayhan area of the Jezzine region, and launched about 50 shells towards 11 towns and villages in the border region of southern Lebanon. They added that they had monitored the launch of more than 60 surface-to-surface missiles and several drones from Lebanon towards northern Israel. In response to Israel's assassination of a commander in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, Hezbollah said its fighters had used missiles and drones to attack several sites, including the Ilaniya Base west of the city of Tabarayya, the headquarters of the surveillance unit at the Meron base, and the headquarters of the 91st Division's command at the Baranit barracks. 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. The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 463 people on the Lebanese side, including 291 Hezbollah members and 86 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. A video captures the stunning display of the northern lights as seen by Auburn residents last week. The footage shared by @kilroi22 shows the colorful phenomenon know as aurora borealis illuminating the sky above Lake of the Pines on Saturday and captivating viewers with its ethereal beauty, according to a video caption from ViralBear, which publishes user-generated content. The video, spanning just 9 seconds, encapsulated 18 minutes of activity as the aurora danced and rippled across the night sky, following a severe solar storm earlier in the day, the caption further states. Auburn is 32 miles northeast of Sacramento, California. **Editors Note: Brown was located safely and reunited with her family, CMPD said** CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A 12-year-old girl who is autistic has gone missing and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are asking for the publics assistance in locating her. Samaia Brown was last seen near 4700 Hidden Valley Road in northeast Charlotte on Tuesday. Her last known location was near 5800 Ryder Avenue, which is in south Charlotte. Brown is described as 52 tall, weighing 118 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing a tan zip-up jacket, black Reeboke sweats, and a High Sierra black bookbag. Anyone with information should call 9-1-1 immediately. This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Sellers shoot buyers in two robberies during narcotic sales in Fort Worth, police say Twice late Tuesday, men who intended to purchase narcotics were shot by the sellers in separate robberies in Fort Worth, police said. The first victim said he was shot at a convenience store near the 8100 block of Calmont Avenue in west Fort Worth, police said. As both men were inside in the victims vehicle, the seller produced a handgun and announced a robbery, according to the Fort Worth police account of the buyers description of the encounter. The buyer had a brief struggle with the seller, who fired one shot. The buyer was struck in the thigh. The buyer was driven in a private vehicle to John Peter Smith Hospital and arrived about 11:30 p.m. The second victim was shot about midnight at a retail parking area in the 5200 block of North Tarrant Parkway in north Fort Worth. During the transaction there, the seller produced a handgun and announced a robbery. The seller attempted and failed to take the buyers mobile telephone, according to the police account of the buyers description of the encounter. The buyer turned to leave and the seller fired one shot. The buyer was struck in the buttocks. The victim was driven in an ambulance to JPS. Neither injury is life-threatening, police said. The shooters left the scenes before police arrived. Police did not announce an arrest in the cases. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who remains popular in California after winning the state's 2020 Democratic presidential primary, on Wednesday announced he is throwing his support behind two ballot measures related to rent control and restrictions on oil drilling. Landlords should not be allowed to raise rents to whatever they want, whenever they want. Big Oil should not be allowed to make record profits while drilling near neighborhoods, daycare centers, and schools and endangering peoples health. In California and across the country, all of our people deserve a safe and decent place to live, Sanders said. Read more: California voters will decide on measure allowing cities to expand rent control in 2024 The longtime Vermont politician's endorsements come after he stayed on the sideline in the recent U.S. Senate primary that featured three prominent Democrats, including Oakland Rep. Barbara Lee, a close ideological compatriot. Rep. Adam B. Schiff topped the field of Democrats and in November will face off against Republican former Dodger all-star Steve Garvey. The housing ballot measure comes from a coalition of housing advocates led by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. The measure will ask voters to repeal a major restriction on rent control, in effect allowing more cities and counties across the state to cap rents on more types of homes. In 2018 and 2020, the same groups backed efforts to pass similar ballot measures. In both instances, nearly all the funding for the initiative came from the Los Angeles nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which put about $60 million into the losing efforts. Both efforts to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act lost by nearly 20 percentage points in 2018 and 2020 after $100-million-plus campaigns in which landlord groups outspent supporters of the initiative by more than 2 to 1. "Like Bernie, we don't give up on a cause like justice for renters which is why we are sponsoring this initiative for the third time," AIDS Healthcare Foundation President Michael Weinstein said. "What distinguishes Bernie from so many other elected officials is his absolute independence from the special interests that dominate our politics in California and make it impossible to pass any meaningful renters rights relief in Sacramento," he said. One of the biggest opponents of the last two efforts was the California Apartment Assn., which is gearing up to oppose this latest proposition as well. The Los Angeles nonprofit has long been aligned with Sanders and his wife, Jane who both have done events for the group and backed other ballot measures the group has organized related to drug pricing. The foundation has been criticized in recent years for substandard conditions in a collection of downtown adjacent apartments it has bought. A Times investigation last fall found that many of the AIDS Healthcare Foundations more than 1,300 residents live in squalid conditions, with dozens under the threat of eviction. The foundation defended its practices, saying it had spent millions to rehabilitate the buildings and had helped bring thousands of vulnerable people off the streets. Read more: The Times investigations into Skid Row's troubled housing providers Earlier this week, former state Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins and 2026 gubernatorial contender and Assembly Appropriations Chair Buffy Wicks came out against the ballot measure, telling Politico that the changes to the law could be used to subvert the state's suite of new pro-housing laws. Conspiring with wealthy cities to undermine vital state housing laws is bad enough, Atkins told Politico. Sanders is also backing a measure to ban new oil drilling in neighborhoods. California passed a law in 2022 banning new oil and gas wells near homes, schools and hospitals, but its implementation has been delayed after the oil industry placed a referendum on the November ballot to overturn it. Voting yes on the measure would uphold the law and allow it to go into effect, which is what Sanders wants. At a time when working people are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, they should not have to worry about protecting their families from exposure to toxic chemicals. Voters need to take on Big Oil and support this important initiative to protect homeowners and renters' health and well-being, said Sanders. Along with the two ballot measures, the Vermont independent is supporting Jovanka Beckles' bid for the state Senate. Beckles is a long-time East Bay politician who previously served on the Richmond City Council and unsuccessfully ran for state Assembly in 2018 with Sanders' backing. Beckles is running in a very liberal district against fellow Democrat and Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin. No one will fight harder or more diligently for the people of the East Bay than Jovanka Beckles," Sanders said in a statement. "This moment requires bold, progressive leadership. Jovanka knows the struggles of working people and will be an effective, unwavering fighter for them in the state Senate." 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. As a conference committee finished work on a housing, labor and transportation bill earlier this week, state Rep. Mike Howard singled out a fellow DFL senator for uncommonly sharp criticism over his opposition to federal housing vouchers that help poorer Minnesotans pay rent. "I think it's important for the public to know that the reason this bill isn't moving forward is because the Senate Judiciary Chair, Senator Latz, has informed us that he would vote against this entire housing, transportation and labor bill if this provision is in this bill," Howard, of Richfield, said in the House-Senate committee. The provision would have prohibited landlords from posting ads saying "No Section 8 and required them to accept the vouchers from qualified renters. In Minnesota, the federal program is voluntary and it can be challenging for renters with vouchers to find willing landlords. The vouchers help the elderly, people with disabilities and very low-income residents afford housing. Participants are not limited to housing in subsidized low-income units. The Section 8 requirement passed the House but not the Senate, both this session and last year. Howard noted that 20 states have a similar provision and Minneapolis passed an ordinance that has been upheld by the state Supreme Court. "Just as you can't say 'no Black or brown people allowed,' you can't discriminate against someone depending on where their income is coming from," Howard said in an interview about the requirement. Ads explicitly barring Section 8 renters cause "real harm in what they say to people," he said. Latz, of St. Louis Park, said he's been consistently opposed to the Section 8 provision, calling the federal program flawed, deeply underfunded and a bureaucratic mess. "I'm a strong supporter of vouchers and affordable housing as my record reflects, but as for this particular provision, the way it's worded would basically force property owners to sign a federal contract to rent out their property," Latz said in an interview Wednesday. Latz said if landlords want to opt in to the program, that's fine with him, but it shouldn't be required. He emphasized that he's long been an advocate of affordable housing in his district and took issue with the notion that he was seeking to scuttle the whole bill or that he was aware of what was happening in the conference committee until later in the day. "I don't know Representative Howard," Latz said. "It was a little awkward seeing him say this and making it seem that I was gunning to take down the whole bill." Latz said DFLers disagree often on issues, and provisions are dropped from bills all the time in conference committees. "That's the way a bicameral Legislature works," he said. On his economic interest disclosure with the state Campaign Finance Board, Latz listed two rental condos in his district. Latz said his wife rents out the units, he has little to do with them and they would be too expensive for Section 8 users. In public records for rental properties in St. Louis Park, both Latz and his wife, Julia, are listed as applicants. Instead of the vouchers, Latz said the federal program should consider robust incentives for landlords such as property tax relief. Howard said he spoke up about Latz's opposition to explain why the provision didn't survive. "I think it's the public's prerogative to know why it did or didn't happen," Howard said. In the televised committee session, he called it "beyond disappointing that one member of this Legislature would seek to take down all of the fine work that went into the bill." Howard's comments came after Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville, informed the committee that "unfortunately the Senate does not have the votes to pass this provision and to protect against discrimination." She didn't mention Latz but said, "I will not hide my disappointment." Of Howard, Latz said he doesn't doubt his sincerity or passion, but "I was obviously disappointed that he felt compelled to call me out." Sen. Scott's toadying for Trump is deplorable We recently saw the debasement of a politician toadying for favor with the disgraced ex-President. Sen. Rick Scott had the temerity to attend the Trump trial in New York City and attempt to defend the ex-President by stating he was ... proud of him for standing up for all of us. If they go after the former president, they can go after you. Well, Senator, they will only come after us if we undermine the rule of law, violate the U.S. Constitution, disavow the peaceful transfer of power, and relinquish any adherence to the norms of our societys institutions. In 1956, President Eisenhower stated, If a political party does not have its foundation in the determination to advance a course that is right and that is moral, then it is not a political party; it is merely a conspiracy to seize power. The former president and his supporters do not stand for any of us who continue to believe in the great American experiment of democracy. Sen. Scotts performance before the microphones was another low point and a testament to his unfitness to serve in the U.S. Senate. Lionel V. Silvester, Singer Island Florida Sen. Rick Scott attended the Trump trial last week to support the ex-president. Pleading the 5th always an option Sen. Rick Scott went to the New York trial of Donald Trump to show his support for his friend. When he was interviewed he said the trial was purely political and if the Justice Department can go after Trump they can go after any one of us. Well, I'm not too concerned. If that happens, I learned from [Scott] to plead the Fifth [Amendment] 75 times. Ed Brookes, Lake Worth Genocide charge against Israel nonsensical A recent letter has left me speechless and in need of a rebuttal. The writer mentions "genocide" multiple times with respect to Israel, a false and inflammatory charge. Only Hamas's charter clearly states its goal is to wipe out Israel and the Jews. That's genocide, not a response to an act of war and aggression so heinous that the collective psyche of the Jewish State is under assault. The world is rife with real genocide, real acts of horror. Yet, only the Jews, of which I am proud to be, are held to a higher standard. Palestine is Hamas, Hamas is Palestine. Hamas must be destroyed. War is hell but this is a war started by Hamas, who can end it by freeing the hostages and laying down their arms. Jerome Maislis, Boynton Beach Women rock the Pathfinder scholarships What a pleasure it was to find the 2024 Pathfinder scholarship awards in the Mother's Day edition. It did not go without notice that out of the 19 different categories, young women were in first place in 13. One thing that particularly jumped out at me was in the computer engineering and technology category. All three winners were young women. Congratulations to all the winners in all of the categories but especially to all of the young women, 35 out of 55, who are recognized for their achievements. Judi Stern Levine, Lake Worth This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Sen. Rick Scott's toadying up to Donald Trump unbecoming More than 100 years after the nation's deadliest race massacre, the Senate is considering a bipartisan bill to grant national monument status to Greenwood, Oklahoma, also known as "Black Wall Street." In 1921, Black Wall Street was burned to ashes by white mobs who attacked the then-thriving and predominantly Black neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The state of Oklahoma originally recorded 36 deaths from the massacre; however, a 2001 state commission reported that the number killed was likely as high as 300 people. The bill has gained bipartisan support and has been introduced by Sens. Cory Booker and James Lankford. Ahead of Wednesday's hearing, Tulsa Race Massacre descendants were on Capitol Hill advocating for the monument status. The group, led by Tiffany Crutcher, head of the Terence Crutcher Foundation, and Reuben Gant, executive director of the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, met with lawmakers. Their written testimony has been added to the congressional record. PHOTO: A group of people looking at smoke in the distance coming from damaged properties following the Tulsa Race Massacre, Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 1921. (Oklahoma Historical Society/Getty Images) MORE: Last remaining Tulsa Race Massacre survivors argue for appeal in reparations lawsuit dismissal The Historic Greenwood District Black Wall Street National Monument Coalition said it believes the national monument designation would "help catalyze the resurgence of this economic and cultural hub after the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre gutted one of the most remarkable success stories that America has ever seen." "May 31, 2024, marks 103 years since the start of a ruthless effort to wipe Black Wall Street off the map -- and a state-sponsored campaign to erase it from America's memory," the group said. With one voice, we stress to this subcommittee that the time is now to help us preserve the rich heritage and lessons that make this community such an indelible part of our nation's story." MORE: 100 years later, Tulsa Race Massacre survivors appeal to lawmakers: 'I hear the screams'l There are two remaining survivors of the century-old massacre" Viola Fletcher, known as "Mother Fletcher," who turned 110 this month, and Lessie Benningfield Randle, known as "Mother Randle." She is 109. In 2021, the two women, along with Mother Randle's brother, Hughes "Uncle Red" Van Ellis, who died in October, testified in front of the Senate in 2021 about their memories of the incident and the aftermath of the experience as they tried to appeal to the senate for reparations and an acknowledgment of what happened to them. Mother Fletcher, who was just 7 at the time of the massacre, told lawmakers: "I still see Black men being shot, Black bodies lying in the street. I still smell smoke and see fire." PHOTO: Viola Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the Tulsa Massacre, testifies before the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Subcommittee hearing 'Continuing Injustice: The Centennial of the Tulsa-Greenwood Race Massacre' on Capitol Hill, May 19, 2021. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) She added, "I still see Black businesses being burned. I still hear airplanes flying overhead. I hear the screams. I have lived through the massacre every day. Our country may forget this history, but I cannot. I will not, and other survivors do not. And our descendants do not." The coalition urged Congress on Wednesday to act quickly on the effort. "Fortunately, there are still massacre survivors who are alive and eager to witness Congress take a historic step toward making the Greenwood community whole. But we're running out of time," the coalition said. Senate considers making Black Wall Street a national monument originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Streamed earlier The Senate Intelligence Committee will hear testimony Wednesday from officials who are assessing the potential threats to election security by foreign actors this November. In a March 9 call with reporters, a senior FBI official described the risks as more diverse and expansive than ever. The official pointed to Chinas increased use of spurious social media accounts as one area of particular concern. According to the same source, artificial intelligence (AI) has given malign actors the opportunity to launch larger campaigns than in the past. Wednesdays hearing is slated to start at 2:30 pm EDT. Watch the live video above. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Senator Tammy Duckworth is trying to get doctor who saved her life in Iraq out of Gaza US Senator Tammy Duckworth is trying to get a surgeon she said saved her life out of Gaza as aid workers remain trapped in the embattled enclave. The Illinois Democrat told NBC News that Dr Adam Hamawy gave her critical care while she was wounded during the conflict in Iraq. The former National Guard member lost both legs and partial use of her right arm after a rocket-propelled grenade hit her helicopter in 2004. Now she says that the doctor and other aid workers with the Palestinian American Medical Association are stuck in Gaza now that Israel has closed the regions Rafah crossing. Senator Tammy Duckworth is working to get a doctor she says saved her life out of Gaza after Israel closes the Rafah border crossing (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Speaking to The Independent, Ms Duckworth said that shes spoken with the Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog and the Department of State on the matter. Were trying to get this particular groups names on the priority list so that they can get through the crossing and try to arrange a safe passage for them, she said at the US Capitol. Dr Hamawy traveled to Gaza earlier this month with a team of 19 healthcare professionals from the medical association to provide emergency care at the European Hospital in Gazas Khan Younis region. The mission was conducted under the umbrella of the World Health Organization, the medical association wrote in a news release. Ten out of the 19 members are US citizens, while other members are from Jordan, Egypt and Australia. The organization is asking President Joe Bidens administration to get them out of Gaza. Sen Tammy Duckworth arrives for a briefing on Ukraine at the US Capitol on 20 September 2023 (Getty Images) We at PAMA urge the US government, President Biden, the US State Department and all official bodies to bring our American doctors and nurses back to their families, the statement read. Ms Duckworth said that even as the doctors group is trying to get out of Gaza, another is trying to get in with more medical supplies. This is an ongoing humanitarian crisis that were trying to address, she said. A representative for the Biden Administration told NBC News that they are working to get the group out of Gaza and are monitoring the situation. We continue to work to see if we can get them out, but not going to have more to share at this moment, will let you know if that changes though, the source told the outlet. A group of Democratic senators led by Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter Tuesday night to the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to shut down four private detention centers. The letter, first reviewed by HuffPost and signed by Sens. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), targets facilities in New Mexico, California, Louisiana and Virginia. All of the facilities have faced serious complaints over treatment of detainees. Contracts for two of those facilities are up for renewal this week. We do not support a system that detains people in inhumane conditions that result in long-term medical issues, psychological trauma, and sometimes death. We urge that these facilities be shut down, in a step towards building an immigration system that welcomes and respects migrants, read the letter. The letter, addressed to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Patrick Lechleitner, the acting director of ICE, also demands immigration officials to hand over a list of all public and private ICE detention facilities as well as a timeline for ending contracts at those four facilities. After reports of inhumane conditions, including sleep deprivation, dirty drinking water, and psychological trauma, independent watchdogs and other experts have recommended that the Biden administration close the worst of these facilities, Warren said. This would be a meaningful step toward ending the federal governments reliance on private detention centers. Neither agency responded to HuffPosts request for comment. ICE uses at least 110 detention facilities across the United States to collectively detain 36,000 to 40,000 individuals. In March, President Joe Biden increased funding for immigrant detentions, which sparked sharp criticism by dozens of advocacy groups who say he has gone back on his campaign promise to end for-profit detention facilities. No business should profit from the suffering of desperate people fleeing violence, he said on his campaign website in 2020. Biden will ensure that facilities that temporarily house migrants seeking asylum are held to the highest standards of care and prioritize the safety and dignity of families above all. But little has changed about for-profit detention centers since Biden took office. Instead, he has steadily increased ICE funding, which stands at more than $3.4 billion in 2024. All four detention centers listed in the letter faced accusations of human rights violations. Several Venezuelan detainees filed a class-action lawsuit last year alleging unsanitary conditions at the Torrance County Detention Facility in New Mexico and said they were denied medical care, access to working showers and adequate food. In Louisiana, detainees said the facilities were overcrowded and unsanitary. Similar abuses have rocked the detention centers in Virginia and California. Every immigrant deserves to be treated with dignity. Upon termination of contracts, ICE should pursue community-based alternatives to detention, which provide immigrants with resources that help them integrate into their communities and stay with their families, continued the letter. This embedded content is not available in your region. Ulviyya Shahin India intends to sign an agreement with Iran on the management of the Chabahar port within the next ten years and connect it with the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), where Azerbaijan is a significant transport hub. The Economic Times reports about this. According to the publication, Indian Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will visit Iran on Monday to sign the agreement. This is the first time that India has taken over the management of a foreign port. The new contract will be valid for 10 years and will be automatically renewed. In the future, it is planned to connect India to the INSTC through Chabahar port. This trade route is intended for the transportation of goods from India and the Persian Gulf countries through the territories of Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia, as well as connecting the railways of these three countries to Western and Northern Europe. The main advantage of the corridor is the reduction of cargo delivery time by two to three times. Chabahar port is located in the southeast of Iran. In 2003, India and Iran agreed to jointly develop the port, but the project was later shelved due to international sanctions against Iran. During his visit to Tehran in 2016, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his intention to invest $500 million into the construction of the port infrastructure of New Delhi. In May 2016, India signed a tripartite agreement with Iran and Afghanistan for the construction of the Shahid Beheshti terminal at the port. Several questions arise: What is the significance of India's intention to sign an agreement with Iran regarding the management of the Chabahar port? How does connecting the Chabahar port with the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) benefit India and other countries involved? What will be the profit of Azerbaijan in this matter? Against the background of the position of India and Iran against Azerbaijan, in what direction can the situation change economically and politically? While answering questions for Azernews, British expert Neil Watson thought that this move was extremely significant. "It is the first move by a westward-facing country - India - to actually work with Iran, which is usually considered a pariah state. Furthermore, it signals Iranian trust in a country that has excellent relations with the US and is a significant constituent part of the BRIC nations, which are shaping the new world economy. It also indicates that Iran no longer considers Russia to be its saviour and default partner, particularly in light of its ongoing distraction with Ukraine and the ramifications of that." According to him, the benefits to India and other countries - both regarding imports and exports - are absolutely huge. "The INSTC has already minimised the transportation time for Chinese products and India and the other countries involved will benefit from reduced transportation time and logistical economies of scale. However, conversely, it benefits India, Persian Gulf countries, and Azerbaijan, as their products can be easily be distributed far beyond their traditional territory, even into Europe. This comes at a time when demand for hydrocarbons is changing and ultimately reducing and the need for all oil-rich countries to diversify their economies is pressing." Watson noted that the benefit to Azerbaijan is the ability to import goods from China, India, and other countries more effectively, thereby increasing the range available in the country and ultimately reducing prices. Also, Azerbaijani goods can be exported far and wide very easily with optimised logistical costs, thereby making them competitive on the world stage. "In my view, this signals a thaw in the challenging Azerbaijani- Iranian-Indian relationship. India and Iran have been under Soviet/Russian/Armenian influence for decades, but given Armenias defeat and Russian withdrawal from the South Caucasus, it is time for these countries to work together and cohesively on a business footing. This can only serve to ultimately enhance diplomatic relations," the British expert concluded. But Dr. Frank Musmar, Executive Advisory Board President for the University of Maryland Global Campus, an advisory member at the Abrahamic Accord Business Circle, and a Board Member at Paris Metropolitan University, highlighted India's adoption of a strategy akin to China's earlier "string of pearls" by investing in strategic ports overseas. "This strategy will enhance India's global strategic presence and maritime access. India has secured investments in ports in Iran, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Oman and is planning to invest in the Philippines. The Indian Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, and the Iranian Transport and Urban Development Minister, Mehrdad Bazrpash, signed the 10-year contract. The plan is to connect India to the INSTC through Chabahar port, where Azerbaijan is a significant transport hub, to reduce the cargo shipping cost and delivery time by two to three times. The instability caused by the ongoing war in Gaza and Houthi attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea has put the projected India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) on hold until further notice. India seems to be reassessing its position within international transport routes in this context. Attention is now turned towards an 'old acquaintance': the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Among the ports that were projected to connect on the west coast of India are Mundra (Gujarat), Kandla (Gujarat), and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (Navi Mumbai). In the Middle East, at least five ports have been shortlisted to be connected to the Indian ports, including Fujairah, Jebel Ali, and Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Dammam and Ras Al Khair ports in Saudi Arabia. "Multiple routes are being considered to reduce the freight load on one route prospectively. Accordingly, and if the situation calms down in the Middle East, India could utilise the Chabahar port to pursue the immature plan of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) without needing other ports." Dr. Frank Musmar recalled that the port of Chabahar is located on the Makran coast of Sistan and Baluchistan Province, next to the Gulf of Oman and at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz. "It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the Indian Ocean. Being close to Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and others, it has been termed the "Golden Gate" to these landlocked countries. To India, it is the perfect plan to access markets in Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Eurasia while bypassing its rival, Pakistan. As for the other countries in the region, the INSTC will bridge different regions and pursue the intra-regional development of energy-rich countries. Its significance has grown immensely, particularly after the Ukraine war. Moscow and Iran could use the INSTC as a potentially vital economic escape route into the larger Asian region to circumvent Western sanctions prohibiting specific goods." Dr. Musmar asserted that the modern India-Azerbaijan relationship is built on cultural and economic ties that materialised via the ancient Silk Route. "Azerbaijan became part of INSTC in 2005, and its well-developed railways and a strategic seaport in Baku paved the way for the Western Route of INSTC that runs west of the Caspian Sea. The Western Route links the Iranian ports of Chabahar and Bandar Abbas in the Arabian Sea to the vast railway networks in Eurasia, especially with the Baku-Tbilisi-Batumi or the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars transnational rail connections constructed under the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which makes the Western Corridor of INSTC via Azerbaijan the most critical strategic part of the entire project for India." "India recognised Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, and India's bilateral trade with Azerbaijan has been growing steadily in recent years. As for Iran, Iran and Azerbaijan will defuse the tensions and change rhetoric. The construction of a cargo terminal in Astara, on the Caspian Sea next to the Azeri border, by the end of 2024 and the latest development in the INSTC will help bridge the disagreements. The prize is clear: an opportunity to put aside their differences and tone down tensions to reap geo-economic dividends," Dr. Musmar added. TEHRAN, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Wednesday condemned an assassination attempt earlier in the day against Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. He made the remarks in a statement published on the website of the Iranian Foreign Ministry after Fico was seriously wounded in a shooting incident after an away-from-home government meeting in the Trencin region of Slovakia. Kanaani also wished Fico a speedy recovery. According to a post from the Slovak prime minister's social media account, Fico was in a life-threatening condition after the shooting. It added Fico was transported by helicopter to a hospital in the central Slovak city of Banska Bystrica, as the flight to the capital Bratislava would take more time. The suspect, who was detained on the spot, is reported to be a 71-year-old man. U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One beside first lady Melania Trump at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland (This May 15 story has been corrected to fix the spelling of Asher Abehsera's name in paragraph 9) BELGRADE (Reuters) - The Serbian authorities and Jared Kushner's U.S.-based investment firm Affinity Global Development, signed a 99-year lease deal on Wednesday, allowing the company to overhaul two buildings which housed the headquarters of the former Yugoslav People's Army. The Serbian construction ministry said in a statement that the "reputable American company" connected to Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. former President Donald Trump, was chosen for the work it described as "revitalisation of the compound." "Everything ... will be in line with the Serbian laws, in cooperation with the government and relevant institutions ... that are responsible for urban planning and the protection of cultural heritage," the statement said. It did not specify the value of the investment, nor the deadline for its completion. In March, Kushner announced that a wider investment by his Affinity Partners in the Balkans would include projects in Albania and in Belgrade at the site of the hedquarters buildings, where it would include a hotel, apartments, shops and office spaces. Kushner, a former top aide to Trump when he was president, set up the investment firm after stepping down from the job in 2021. Affinity did not immediately respond to request for comment. The two buildings were damaged in 1999 during the NATO bombing of the former Yugoslavia launched to force the then strongman Slobodan Milosevic to end his bloody crackdown against Albanians in Kosovo. The statement said that the investor agreed to return the land without compensation if it fails to complete the investment in time and to build a memorial center dedicated to all the victims of the NATO bombing. The statement also quoted Asher Abehsera, the CEO of the Affinity Global Development as saying that Serbian architects and designers would be invited to submit ideas for the memorial center. Over 22,000 people in Serbia have so far signed a petition calling for the buildings to be preserved. The buildings designed by Serbian architect Nikola Dobrovic were built between 1957 and 1965. Their design is meant to resemble a canyon of the Sutjeska river in Eastern Bosnia, where one of the major World War Two battles against the Germans in the Balkans was fought in 1943. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Diane Craft) An Illinois man labeled a serial rapist by authorities was arrested over the weekend in Missouri after more than two decades spent on the lam. Herman Carroll, 72, was taken into custody in the Ozark town of Branson by U.S. Marshals on Saturday, they said. After being accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in 2000, he posted bail and vanished. A warrant was issued for his arrest the following year after he failed to appear at a hearing in the case. He was charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, federal agents said. Carroll had previously been convicted of sex offenses against children in 1983 and 1993, according to the Marshals. A sprawling investigation into his disappearance involved multiple agencies and extended across more than a dozen local, state, and federal jurisdictions, including six states: Missouri, Illinois, Texas, Alaska, Arkansas and Maryland. Last week, two fugitive task forces searching for him received a tip that he was likely in Branson, officials said. Carroll was on Wednesday being held in the Taney County Jail awaiting extradition proceedings in Illinois, according to online records. Sometimes, law breakers believe that Branson may be an easy mark to either victimize our residents and tourists, or they think they can safely hide out here, a Facebook post from the Branson Police Department celebrating Carrolls arrest said. Nothing could be farther from the truth! 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. (KRON) A San Francisco jury acquitted Muhammad Abdullah, 21, following incidents in the Castro District that investigators falsely painted as hate crimes, defense attorneys said. Despite having no prior criminal record of battery, theft, assault, and hate crime allegations, as well as being in the midst of a mental health crisis, Abdullah ended up spending over 340 days in police custody. The San Francisco Public Defenders Office said police misrepresented facts in their report concerning Abdullahs case and failed to properly investigate a separate June 5 incident. Daly City man charged for stealing over 100K in retail theft During testimony for Abdullahs case, an SFPD officer admitted that he had misrepresented the facts in a police report from June 3. The report wrongly stated that Abdullah had attacked someone unprovoked when, in reality, it was the other person who attacked Abdullah, defense attorneys said. Offended by a sign Abdullah was carrying, the man then grabbed him from behind, causing Abdullah to defend himself. The jury acquitted Abdullah of battery and of a separate hate crime charge. Experts also testified that Abdullah was in the midst of a mental health crisis on June 5 when he had another interaction that police wrongly concluded was an assault. On that day, police said that two men thought Abdullah threw a glass bottle that hit one of their feet from behind. Despite thinking Abdullah attacked the two men, police failed to gather any forensic evidence or available surveillance footage to support that claim, defense attorneys said. Jurors acquitted Abdullah of an assault with a deadly weapon charge and hate crime allegations, defense attorneys said. The jury also acquitted him of the petty theft of a Pride flag that he was accused of stealing from a flower shop earlier that day. The District Attorney and the court rejected an earlier motion to admit Abdullah into a Mental Health Diversion program, which could have helped him access important treatment resources out of custody, Deputy Public Defender Deborah Awolope said. Instead, Abdullah spent 340 days in jail with minimal access to treatment. After the jury acquitted him of all charges, he was released from jail late at night with no plan for his future treatment, Awolope said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Shasta County Supervisor Mary Rickert wants an investigation into why a letter from the California Attorney Generals Office that cleared Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett for her conduct in the $50 million Zogg Fire settlement wasnt made public more quickly. Is it possible that we could discuss perhaps having an investigation into this so we could actually have the public get full knowledge of how it transpired and why it wasnt disclosed? Rickert said at the board of supervisor's meeting on Tuesday, noting that she has had people contact her about the letter. The letter was sent to Supervisor Patrick Jones on Jan. 29. But the public did not find out about it until May 3 when Bridgetts office made the letter public as part of a press release announcing the AGs findings. Rickert was attending her first board meeting in about a month after having back surgery. She said the public is going to continue to ask questions about the letter, so giving them answers would be smart. Supervisor Kevin Crye, who with Supervisor Patrick Jones has come under fire for not making the letter public, said he thought an investigation would be a good idea. The letter was sent to Supervisor Patrick Jones on Jan. 29. But the public did not find out about it until May 3 when Bridgetts office made the letter public as part of a press release announcing the AGs findings. Shasta County Supervisor Mary Rickert, right, sits alongside Supervisor Chris Kelstrom during the Tuesday, May 14, 2024, board of supervisors meeting. Bridgetts office did not see the letter that was sent to Jones until a few days before the May 3 news release. Critics of Crye and Jones contend that the supervisors played politics by not sharing the letter because it came about a month before the March 5 election. Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. Both Jones and Crye were on the ballot. Jones lost his re-election bid and Crye beat back an attempted to recall him by only 50 votes. Shasta County resident Dawn Duckett said it was interesting that Jones, during his supervisor report Tuesday, talked about a Shasta County Grand Jury report that cleared him of allegations of violating conflict of interest laws. What I find interesting is that Supervisor Jones, you took up your entire board report talking about the Grand Jury report and it exonerates you. However, when you received a report from the highest law enforcement official in this state, it got buried. And Im talking about the letter from the Attorney General that exonerated our district attorney, Duckett said. Duckett said Crye and Jones were cheating voters before the election by not making the letter public. Jeff Gorder, who helped lead the failed effort to recall Crye, said Jones and Crye should apologize to Bridgett and her office for not sharing the letter. Your conduct was unethical and inexcusable and should never be repeated, said Gorder, who retired as Shasta County public defender in 2018. I think we know what would have happened if that letter reached a different conclusion and found some wrongdoing. It would have been brought up immediately. Jones has said he did share the letter with Crye, but he did not share it with DA Bridgett because he was no longer chairman of the board. Jones was board chair when he sent a letter on Aug. 29 asking the AGs office to review the Zogg Fire case and to potentially appoint a special counsel to investigate Bridgetts conduct. The Zogg Fire killed four people, destroyed 204 structures and burned 56,000 acres in western Shasta County in September 2020. Crye, who has been chairman of the board since Dec. 5, has said he doesnt know why the letter was not shared. I know CEO (David) Rickert or Patrick told me first about it, Crye said, adding that he remembers asking what the next step should be. Supervisor Tim Garman, whose district includes the area the Zogg Fire burned, was wary of an investigation into why the letter was not made public quickly. Every time you bring this back, every time you discuss this, you relive the trauma. What is this investigation going to show? Are we going to find anything out of it, is anything going to change? Probably not. We just need to be done with this whole entire thing, Garman said. The more we drag this into this meeting, the worse it becomes for the victims. For his part, CEO Rickert, who is not related to Supervisor Mary Rickert, said Tuesday that hiring outside counsel to investigate the letter would be extreme overkill. Im happy to answer any and all questions the board has for me regarding that issue, Rickert said. If the board would like a formal statement on this matter, Id be more than happy to supply that, the CEO added. Garman liked that idea, adding that if the CEO finds anything significant, he could bring it back to the board for discussion. Supervisor Rickert also supported the idea, but said she might bring it back if shes not satisfied with the CEOs findings. So, if we bring this back, we will be getting into every detail of that letter and also what (information) wasnt delivered to the attorney general, Jones said. Rickert countered, No, what Im asking for was why the letter was not shared with the public. David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. Hes part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Shasta Supervisor wants to know why letter from AG wasn't made public She flew out of the car: Woman jumps from fiery Jeep on Florida interstate She flew out of the car: Woman jumps from fiery Jeep on Florida interstate TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A woman took a leap of faith Monday as she jumped out of a moving Jeep that caught fire on a busy Florida interstate. Witnesses reportedly told officers that the Jeep was traveling about 35 miles per hour on Interstate 95 in West Palm Beach when it caught fire. Witnesses said she rolled into the inside lane, NBC affiliate WPTV reported. Suspected DUI driver in deadly Marion County bus crash held without bond Thats when the Jeep crashed into the cement barrier, becoming engulfed in flames. Several good Samaritans stopped to help the woman, believing she was still inside the Jeep. I have a girl and the Jeep just caught on fire, and she flew out of the car, a witness can be heard saying during an apparent 911 call. The West Palm Beach Police Department said the woman, who was not identified, was alert and awake when officers arrived at the scene. Bodycam footage from the incident shows fire rescue crews helping the woman before she was taken to the hospital. The extent of her injuries is unknown at this time. So the Jeep was on fire and it was coming over, so I thought I would let it over, but before she made it, she jumped and bailed, so I hit my brakes and hit the hazards and just came out, a woman, who stopped to help the driver said. According to WTPV, the cause of the fire has not yet been released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) A woman is accused of stabbing her boyfriend to death in his Harlem apartment after the man told his neighbor she attacked him before passing out, authorities said. She stabbed me. I think Im going to pass out, Alejandro Santos said before collapsing in the second-floor hallway, according to the criminal complaint. Michelle Hernandez, 44, is accused of stabbing Santos, 47, twice in the chest and once in the arm in the apartment at West 147th Street at around 1:40 p.m. Sunday, authorities said. Officers followed a trail of blood in the apartment and found the victim heavily bleeding with Hernandez standing over his body, covered in blood, according to court records. Santos was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved. Neighbors heard the couple arguing before the incident. One of them rushed up the stairs and asked the defendant what happened and Hernandez allegedly said, He got stabbed three times. The knife is in the kitchen, according to the complaint. More Crime News The neighbor then heard the defendant whisper to Santos in Spanish, Dont tell anyone who stabbed you or theyll take me to jail, prosecutors allege. Hernadez initially told investigators the victim stabbed himself before she was arrested and charged with murder. Authorities found two bloody knives in the kitchen, along with surveillance cameras and cell phones, officials said. The defendant pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail during her arraignment, according to court records. Hernandez, who is allegedly a drug user, has had several previous assault arrests for attacking three people while she lived in various shelters, prosecutors said. She was staying at Santos apartment several times a week before the deadly encounter, officials said. Her attorney could not be reached Wednesday. 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. SHEFFIELD, Ala. (WHNT) Get some dinner and see celebrity waiters at The Red Clay Table to help students in Sheffield! Sheffield City Schools Center of the Shoals Campaign is set to host Dining for Dollars, a celebrity waiting event, in downtown Sheffield on Thursday, May 15, from 5-8 p.m. City of Muscle Shoals announces $65 million sports, entertainment facility The restaurant is pledging 25% of its sales during the three-hour dinner span to Sheffield City Schools to help them with the purchase of new digital signage at three of the schools in the system. Celebrity waiters will compete against each other to earn the most tips, which will also be donated to the schools. Desserts will also be prepared by the Sheffield High School Culinary Department and will be available for sale. To book a reservation for the event, call The Red Clay Table at (256) 320-5500. Stay ahead of the biggest stories, breaking news and weather across North Alabama and southern Tennessee. Download the WHNT News 19 App and be sure to turn on push alerts. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. WASHINGTON, May 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden issued a statement Wednesday condemning the "horrific act of violence" against Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot in an attempted assassination. Biden said he was "alarmed" to hear about the attack on Fico, who, according to media reports, was shot multiple times after leaving a government meeting in the Slovak town of Handlova. The prime minister was in a life-threatening condition. Biden said he and his wife, Jill Biden, "are praying for" Fico's "swift recovery, and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia." "Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist," Biden said. Title icon The Scene Western leaders have long held out hope that they could convince China to break with Russia over the war in Ukraine. This week, theyre once again finding themselves disappointed. On Thursday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to use his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing to cement their two countries no limits partnership and deepening military ties. As Russias most important economic partner, Western governments view China as the only country capable of convincing the Kremlin to change course in its war. But Beijing has consistently brushed off pressure to intervene, including pleas during this past month by the leaders of Germany, France, and the European Union in the leadup to Putins visit. Instead, China has doubled down on their alignment with Russia, said Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the German Marshall Funds Indo-Pacific Program. I think there is a bit of a misunderstanding about the nature of that relationship and a remarkable number of governments and experts who still think that somehow we could drive a wedge between those two countries and that we should adopt policies aimed at that goal, Glaser said. I just think that ship has sailed. Some have suggested China might join the upcoming Ukraine peace conference being held in Switzerland next month. Earlier this week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz downplayed expectations for the conference, but said he was working to ensure China would attend. Asked about the conference, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington was noncommittal. We have been committed to promoting talks for peace and political settlement of the crisis, embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said. China supports the holding in due course of an international peace conference that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine and ensures the equal participation of all parties and fair discussions on all peace plans. The Russians are not invited to the Switzerland conference and Moscow has dismissed the plans. We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours, Putin told Chinese state media on Wednesday ahead of his trip. Title icon Morgans view At this stage, its hard to see a scenario in which China suddenly changes tack on Ukraine. Officially, China has tried to remain neutral on the war and said it supports peace. But it has buoyed Russias economy by maintaining trade relations in the face of Western sanctions, including by buying oil. Chinese companies have continued selling civilian tech to Russia that can be adapted for military purposes, according to US and European officials, whose governments have imposed penalties on companies in China and warned of more. Meanwhile, China and Russia have ramped up military exercises in Asia. Recently, a top US intelligence official testified that the Chinese and Russian militaries are cooperating more closely on Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory and may seek to take over in the coming years. US officials have also cast doubt on Chinas comments about seeking peace. Wed welcome the participation of China or any other nation that wanted to get involved to help find an end to this war that accommodates and is respectful of President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyys 10-point plan for a just peace, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told me recently. Id be remiss, though, if I told you wed actually seen China move in that direction. We just havent. Glaser argued that European governments are more apt to believe that China might actually be persuadable than the US. There is no naivete in the US government about the China-Russia relationship, she told me. During a recent trip to Washington, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala suggested Beijing may not want Russia to win the war. For China, it is an advantage if Russia is strong but dependent on China, he told a group of journalists. The countrys president has since warned that Beijing is benefiting too much from the war to serve as a peacemaker. Some analysts also believe that China benefits from the war continuing on. It keeps America and Europe distracted, said national security expert Dmitri Alperovitch, who is the cofounder and chairman of the bipartisan nonprofit Silverado Policy Accelerator. By and large, this war has been fairly good to China. Pavlo Verkhniatskyi, a member of the Yermak-McFaul Russia sanctions group, also told me that China lacks incentives to help wind down the war. A weakened and sanctioned Russia is something China benefits from while getting hydrocarbons at a privileged price and dictating other trade terms, he said. Title icon Room for Disagreement Some officials and analysts cite Chinas warnings about nuclear weapons use as a sign that Beijing is, in fact, willing to push Russia. They also point out that China has appeared to refrain from supplying the Kremlin with weapons. Weve seen the Chinese use that influence, said former US Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor, who noted that Chinese officials attended Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia last year. China also risks economic blowback from the US and Europe with which it is still tightly intertwined as well as the adverse economic effects of a prolonged conflict. Some Chinese banks have reportedly cut off or slowed down their transactions with Russian financial institutions out of fear over secondary sanctions. China is basically supporting Russia in this war, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said in an interview last month. This is prolonging the war, this is not good for the world economy, and ultimately even if tactically they could be interested in seeing Russia punching and creating difficulties for America or for the West, if you draw the line in broad strategic global considerations, this is not a winning proposition. And this is something that we hope also that Beijing will realize sooner rather than later. Title icon Notable Ukraine has relied in part on drones made by Chinese suppliers , but the New York Times wrote last year that Chinese companies had cut back sales of drones and components. Putins trip to China demonstrates that US threats of sanctions may be wishful thinking, Alexandra Prokopenko writes in the Financial Times. Semafor Logo Cargo ships docking at a commercial port incur costs called disbursements and port call expenses. These might include port dues, towage, and pilotage fees. Its a complex patchwork and all ports operate their own procedures, much of it on spreadsheets. The global cost from port calls, for all vessels, is over $220 billion dollars per year. Now, a Greek maritime software startup that we last covered when it raised a 6.1 million seed round Harbor Lab has gone on to raise a $16 million Series A funding round led by European VC Atomico. Harbor Lab says the costs that arise from a vessels port calls are the second largest expense for commercial vessels behind fuel, reaching around $2.2 million per vessel per year. The company claims its platform can streamline those costs and reduce the margin of error in invoicing errors and overpayments from 20% to just 3% per port call. Antonis Malaxianakis told me over a call: I was a potential user of the software that we have created. I have myself manually checked over 20,000 disbursement accounts, so I knew all aspects of the business and points of the industry. So for us, the moment we had the seed funding, and we could afford software engineering, and we could focus, on a very strict roadmap we were very confident about success. He added: We have a war. But in the shipping industry, we have freight rates being increased because of that and the extra danger. We are very focused on doing a proper KYC investigation on all parties that are on board. Both the vessels and the agents that are across the world. When the war happened within a night, we had to sanction 100 participants of overnight. Atomico partner Ben Blume told me: We've been looking into core logistics processes and moving stuff around the planet. With that lens, we came to Harbor Lab. There are a few different stages to the commercial maritime journey that each need pieces of software around them This company felt like the most exciting one to get involved in. He also said: I think in Antonis you've got in front of you a really visionary founder, someone who brings just an enormous amount of energy to the business he's building, as well as deep industry experience. New environmental legislation and various geopolitical crises are making it more of a pressing matter to address the complications of transporting cargo. Harbor Lab already has shipping giants Great Eastern Shipping, Oldendorff, Veson Nautical, and 90POE as clients and partners. Seed investor Apostolos Apostolakis, partner of VentureFriends, told me: Having been among the first institutional investors in Harbor Lab, we were convinced early on about its potential also because it was so clearly articulated by Antonis. We were fortunate to experience firsthand the steady progress towards that vision and additionally, after this new round we are even more excited about what the future holds. With existing investors Notion Capital, VentureFriends, SpeedInvest, and The Dock, and new investors Endeavor Catalyst and maritime VC TMV, the round takes total funding for the Greek startup to some $22.5 million. WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A shooting investigation is underway after police say shots were fired after a fight in Williamsport. On May 11 around 3:00 a.m., Williamsport Police officers say they were called to Bridge and Center Streets for a shots fired report. Once on the scene investigators said they found a gun, spent casings, and a home with bullet holes. PD: Teen wanted for shooting that injured 15-year-old Detectives believe that a fight between several people happened at the time the shots were fired, however, no one was injured in the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact case officer Agt. Salisbury at 570-327-7593 or csalisbury@cityofwilliamsport.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. (Bloomberg) -- Robert Fico was just doing what he usually does, especially in a part of the country that voted for him. But minutes after Slovakias prime minister emerged from a meeting to mingle with supporters in the town of Handlova, he was being rushed to hospital with bullet wounds. Most Read from Bloomberg The attempted assassination by a 71-year-old pensioner and poet has left the country in shock. It also quickly turned the spotlight on the inflammatory politics that have become so prevalent in Europe since the coronavirus pandemic and turbocharged by Russias war on Ukraine. The Russia-friendly Fico, 59, returned to power last year with promises such as increasing state handouts and halting arms shipments to Ukraine. Like nationalist Hungarian ally Viktor Orban next door, he sought to exploit divisions over LGBTQ rights, gender issues and immigrants and depict the European Union and NGOs as enemies of the state. That divide-and-conquer strategy has left Slovakia more polarized than ever 20 years since joining the European Union, and coming to terms with the first assassination attempt on a European leader since before then. As the premier was being transported to surgery on Wednesday, his allies moved to blame the opposition and the liberal media for having blood on their hands. Andrej Danko, leader of the Slovak National Party that governs in coalition with Fico, vowed to start a political war. Seeking to keep emotions in check, president-elect Peter Pellegrini, a Fico ally, urged politicians to heed the gravity of the moment and called on parties to temporarily suspend their campaigns for EU elections scheduled for next month. Suspend your election campaign at least until the situation calms down and we know more about the investigation into this heinous act, Pellegrini said at a joint briefing in Bratislava with outgoing president Zuzana Caputova on Thursday. For her part, Caputova, whom Fico has branded an American agent, said the assassination attempt was an attack on Slovakias democracy and urged the nation to heal political divisions. Read more: Who Is Robert Fico, the Slovak PM Who Has Been Shot?: QuickTake Fico was shot multiple times as he headed to meet people in Handlova after his cabinet held a meeting at the towns cultural center. He was rushed to a local facility for initial treatment and then to a hospital in the nearby city of Banska Bystrica. The premier was in intensive care after undergoing a five-hour surgery to treat multiple gunshot wounds. His condition has been stabilized for now, Defense Minister Robert Kalinak told broadcasters on Thursday. Unfortunately, the condition remains very serious, given the complex nature of the wounds, but we all want to strongly believe that we will manage the situation. It was the first incident of its kind in Europe since Serbian premier Zoran Djindjic was shot dead in 2003 in Belgrade. It also had echoes of the killing of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, gunned down in Stockholm in 1986. The attack against Fico was a scar that will be impossible to overcome, one that will haunt us for many years, Kalinak, one of the closest friends and allies of the premier for decades, said on Wednesday. The shooting has rocked Slovakia, a country of 5.4 million people, and especially because it happened in Handlova, a stronghold for Fico and his Smer party. It took 33% of the vote in the Sept. 30 election, almost twice that of its nearest rival. The mining town of 16,000 has suffered economically from the transformation that followed the end of communism in 1989, and then the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia a few years later. Over the years, voters have embraced Ficos simple, populist and worker-oriented rhetoric. But he also created enemies. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj-Estok said that the assassination attempt was politically motivated. The gunman was identified as Juraj C. from the Slovak town of Levice and the police also believe he had a clear political motive. The shooter waited for Fico to arrive after the government meeting. Robo, come here, he shouted, calling the premier by the colloquial form of his first name, according to local media reports. Then he fired. While such an attack on a politician in Slovakia is unprecedented, the country has seen high-profile gun violence before and relatively recently. Fico was ousted after the gangland-style killing of an investigative journalist, who reported on corruption, and his fiancee, in 2018. Political Comeback Yet he reinvented himself and rebuilt popularity by becoming the anti-voice on contentious issues like Covid-19 vaccines and the EUs migration policies. His stance on Ukraine then further polarized Slovakia and put the country at odds with Western partners. Some 41% of Slovaks believe Russia isnt the aggressor while people have increasingly turned to conspiracy theories. Moscows propaganda has been in overdrive while diplomats stationed in Bratislava have slammed Ficos party for repeatedly spreading misinformation about the Russian invasion. Since he came back to power, Fico lashed out at the countrys media for criticizing the government and boycotted outlets he viewed as hostile. His government tightened controls over public television and radio, an Orban-style move that drew a rebuke from the EU. The Slovak Parliaments deputy speaker, Peter Ziga, said the attack on Fico was the result of whipped up passions and the division of Slovak society into two irreconcilable camps. Indeed, Fico also spoke of Slovakias deep division following a presidential election last month that saw his ally become head of state. He even talked of a potential attack against a government official. Less than a month later, he was fighting for his life. --With assistance from Krystof Chamonikolas. (Updates with incoming and outgoing presidents comments in sixth to eighth paragraphs.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Singapore's new PM takes office pledging to lead his own way Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Lawrence Wong is sworn in as Singapore's fourth Prime Minister Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Lawrence Wong is sworn in as Singapore's fourth Prime Minister By Xinghui Kok SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's Lawrence Wong was sworn in on Wednesday as its fourth premier since independence, promising to lead the wealthy city state his own way after completing a carefully calibrated power transfer aimed at ensuring continuity. Wong, 51, comes from among a crop of so-called "4G" leaders, a new generation of politicians that were hand-picked by the long-ruling People's Action Party (PAP) to take over the reins of the key Asian trade and financial centre. He is the first Singaporean premier born after its independence in 1965, what he called a significant milestone that would see the handing of the baton to a new generation. Wong will retain his position as finance minister and takes charge of a country led for two decades by Lee Hsien Loong, the 72-year-old son of Lee Kuan Yew, the founder of modern Singapore who stayed in politics until his death in 2015. "We understand the vital importance of good leadership, political stability and long-term planning. We ourselves are the beneficiaries of the imaginative policies of our founding fathers, pursued resolutely and patiently over decades," Wong said in his inauguration speech. "Our leadership style will differ from that of previous generations. We will lead our own way. We will continue to think boldly and to think far." The succession has been long coming, with Lee's plans of stepping down before he turned 70 upended by the pandemic, and by a transition fumble when his anointed successor unexpectedly ruled himself out of the running in 2021. Wong said he was taking over at a challenging time with an uncertain external environment that was in flux, adding Singapore was strong but vulnerable to external influences "that tug us in different directions". He said Singapore's international standing was high, with a brand that was admired globally, and would strengthen partnerships and continue engaging with the United States and China "even as issues inevitably arise between them". 'MIRACLE CALLED SINGAPORE' Wong rose to prominence in 2020 as co-chair of the pandemic taskforce and was named Lee's successor in April 2022 after a series of consultations between the political leadership and Wong's peers. He was promoted to deputy prime minister and led a high-profile public consultation exercise to chart a "social compact" between the government and the people on dealing with issues like sustainability, inequality and employment. Wong made a very minor cabinet reshuffle on Monday, promoting the trade minister to become his deputy, noting that continuity and stability were key considerations. He has pledged a bigger reshuffle after an election due by next year. Lee will remain in Wong's cabinet as senior minister, as former Singapore prime ministers have done, preserving the political clout of the long-serving Lee family. Lee's father stepped down as leader in 1990 and stayed on in the cabinets of his successors for 21 years, initially as senior minister then as "minister mentor" in his son's government. Wong pledged to do his utmost to make Singapore an innovative, fairer and more equal society for its 5.9 million people. "I will serve you with all my heart, I will never settle for the status quo," he said, in a speech in English that included chapters in Malay and Mandarin. "My mission is clear: to continue defying the odds and to sustain this miracle called Singapore." (Reporting by Xinghui Kok; Editing by Martin Petty) EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Socorro Independent School District (SISD) Project Search Program will be celebrating seven students who completed their yearlong internships on Wednesday morning, May 15, the school district said in a press release. SISD says the celebration will be from 10 a.m. through 11 a.m. at the Hospitals of Providence East located at 3280 Joe Battle Blvd. Project Search is an international program and one of SISDs transition programs for students with disabilities to help them enter the workforce, according to the school district. SISD says students participated in a yearlong internship at the hospital, working in different departments to develop employability skills. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. JUBA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan Ma Qiang on Wednesday said media exchanges between the two countries have helped strengthen people-to-people relations by bridging knowledge gaps. Ma said during the day-long media symposium held in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, that the media exchanges over the years have promoted cultural exchanges between China and South Sudan. "The media is an important window for deepening mutual understanding between China and South Sudan. Through the media, the Chinese people can see a South Sudan that is moving toward peace and stability and is full of development opportunities," Ma said. The media symposium was attended by 15 South Sudanese journalists and news editors. Ma noted that the training of South Sudan journalists in China over the years has enabled people in South Sudan to understand a real, multidimensional, and comprehensive China. "I believe that through your efforts, South Sudanese people will be able to break out of the outdated frameworks and many false narratives about China established by the Western media, and build your own perspective on China," he said. "Together, we will tell the stories of an energetic, bustling China and the stories of China and South Sudan working hand in hand to build a community with a shared future for mankind." Yath Awan Yath, undersecretary for the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, praised the Chinese Embassy for supporting both government-owned and private media houses in the country. "I am very impressed to see that the government of China is collaborating with the media in the private sector, and this is very important for us because we are developing an inclusive policy in which private media houses and private institutions that are working in the media sector are included in all aspects of development," Yath said. Majak Daniel Kuany Alier, secretary general of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), said the media training in China has enabled journalists to act responsibly in their duties. "We are seeing in all the newspapers and radio stations that they have embarked on nurturing public responsibility in all their programming, and this is one thing that everybody should emulate the media fraternity in this country," Alier said. He said the UJOSS has already started building the capacity of journalists on electoral reporting in preparation for the upcoming elections. The situation is difficult and concerning Pentagon on situation on Ukraine's front The US Department of Defense has said that the Russian occupation forces are currently trying to advance on the territory of Ukraine, the situation on the battlefield is complicated, and all this is a cause for concern. Source: European Pravda, citing a briefing by Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder Quote from Ryder: "Again, it's a challenging situation on the battlefield right now in Ukraine. But all accounts are, you know, that they continue to take measures to defend their territory. And we're going to do everything we can to get them the critical munitions and supplies that they need." Details: Ryder stressed that the US side is now working hard to speed up the provision of assistance to Ukraine. When asked what could have caused the situation to escalate, Ryder said a combination of factors, including a delay in the approval of the US aid, had contributed to it. "Clearly, you know, you've got other partners around the world that are providing aid to Ukraine. But the Russians have exploited the situation on the battlefield, and are attempting to make advances. Incremental as they may be, it's certainly concerning," he added. Background: The US has announced an additional military aid package amid the Russian offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast. UK Defence Intelligence believes it is unlikely that Russia has built up sufficient combat power to capture Kharkiv without bringing additional forces to the oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Michael Cohen departs after testifying at former U.S. President Trumps criminal trial in New York By Luc Cohen and Jack Queen NEW YORK (Reuters) - Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen testified at the former U.S. president's criminal trial this week, asserting he had Trump's "signoff" to buy a porn star's silence and undergoing a cross-examination by Trump's lawyers. Trump has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records to cover up Cohen's $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she says they had in 2006. Trump denies an encounter. Defense lawyer Todd Blanche is expected to resume cross-examining Cohen, the star prosecution witness, on Thursday. Here are five milestones from Cohen's testimony so far: * 'Just do it' Cohen testified on Monday that he had Trump's "signoff" to pay Daniels. He said he delayed transferring the money to Daniels' lawyer for weeks after inking a deal in October 2016, hoping to put it off until after the November election, until Trump ultimately instructed him to move forward. "He stated to me that he had spoken to some friends, some individuals, very smart people, and that: 'It's $130,000. You're like a billionaire. Just pay it,'" Cohen testified. "He expressed to me: Just do it." * Disaster for the campaign Cohen testified that Trump told him Daniels account would harm his campaign if released. Cohen in 2018 pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance law with the payment, but Trumps lawyers have suggested the payoff could have been intended to spare Trump and his family from personal embarrassment and not to boost his electoral chances. The distinction is critical because prosecutors must prove Trump was fudging records to cover up a crime - such as an illegal campaign contribution - to win a conviction on felony charges. He said to me, 'This is a disaster, a total disaster. Women are going to hate me,' Cohen testified, adding that Trump was polling poorly with women at the time. Guys may think its cool, but this is going to be a disaster for the campaign. * On the market Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Cohen if he spoke with Trump about how his wife Melania Trump would respond to Daniels story. Cohen said he had, and that Trump replied to him that he would not be on the market for long - implying he would bounce back if his marriage suffered. He wasnt thinking about Melania. This was all about the campaign, Cohen said. * Jury hears tape of Trump discussing payment. Prosecutors played a tape Cohen secretly recorded of a meeting he said he had with Trump on Sept. 6, 2016, when they discussed buying the rights to Playboy model Karen McDougals story of a yearlong affair with Trump from tabloid publisher American Media. Pay with cash, Trump can be heard saying on the tape. The tape could help prosecutors establish that Trump was involved in an alleged catch and kill scheme with Cohen and American Media chief executive David Pecker to pay off individuals with negative information about Trump for their silence during the 2016 campaign. * Oval Office meeting Cohen told jurors about a private conversation he had with Trump at the White House on Feb. 8, 2017, where he said Trump told him he would soon be receiving a check for the first two monthly installments of his bonus package which Cohen said included the reimbursement for the Daniels payment. "He asked me if I was OK, he asked me if I needed money, and I said, 'All good,'" Cohen testified on Tuesday. Prosecutors showed jurors a picture taken of Cohen in the White House to commemorate the occasion. * 'Dictator douchebag' As part of his effort to undermine Cohen's credibility with the jury, Blanche asked Cohen on Tuesday about disparaging comments he made about Trump on social media. Cohen confirmed that while the trial was ongoing, he called Trump a "dictator douchebag" on TikTok and that prosecutors have repeatedly asked him to stop publicly commenting about the case. (Reporting by Luc Cohen and Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Howard Goller) Just under a year after a slew of changes to downtown San Luis Obispo parking had business owners, residents and visitors alike in an uproar, the city has chosen to significantly drop its parking rates. But to do so, it will also eliminate a longtime parking perk: the first hour free in the downtown structures. I really think its important as somebody in the audience earlier said to say, Were sorry, Councilmember Emily Francis said during the City Council meeting Tuesday night. We hear the pain and the frustration, and I think its important for us to acknowledge that and also say that were ready to make some changes here tonight. On Tuesday, the San Luis Obispo City Council reviewed a long-anticipated parking rate study that examined the citys pricing structure, infrastructure needs and more. The study offered some preliminary recommendations for how the city could best balance its funding needs with the demands of the community to make downtown parking more affordable. At the meeting, the council considered three approaches: Continue to offer one hour of free parking in the structures, prioritize the lowest rates possible or do some amalgam of the two. Ultimately, the council unanimously voted to pursue the lowest rates possible, which would drop street parking to $2.75 per hour in the downtown core and $2.25 per hour farther out. Parking rates in the structures would also go down, dropping to $2 per hour with a daily max of $8. Thats significantly below the current rates, which charge users on-street rates of $4 per hour in some places, and $3 per hour in the structure with a daily max of $12. This came at the recommendation of about a dozen members of the business community who spoke during the meeting, begging the council to consider the negative impact the current rates have had on their businesses in the past year and to act quickly if they had any hope to prevent further damage. Right now I do think we have a chance for a new start, Councilmember Jan Marx said during discussion. Mayor Erica A. Stewart was absent from the meeting due to illness. The city of San Luis Obispo installed a new gateless parking system at the Palm Street structure confusing some downtown patrons June 30, 2023. Why was SLO considering dropping downtown parking rates? Last summer, rates nearly doubled in some places downtown as the city sought to fund the long-anticipated new Cultural Arts District parking structure. At the same time, the city rolled out some technological changes such as a new gateless system at one of its Palm Street structures and more mobile parking payment options. The one-two punch left many in the community feeling like it was too many changes, too fast director of public works Matt Horn said during Tuesday nights meeting. That culminated in a tense and at times emotional City Council meeting in November where community members blasted the citys parking changes. During the meeting, several local business owners and residents spoke out against the confusing changes, from difficulties navigating the myriad of apps to losing the free first hour of parking in the structures and probably most importantly how the increase in rates seemed to drive visitors from downtown. The City Council ultimately voted to temporarily restore that free first hour of parking at its three garages and delay further rate changes as it waited for the results of its parking rate study. In the following months, it contracted with Dixon Resources Unlimited for the study and then conducted a series of community forums and outreach efforts aimed at getting input on what residents felt were appropriate solutions for the citys parking needs. The effort included an online community survey that during the four weeks it was open garnered more than 2,700 responses. A notable finding from that survey was that the majority of community members said cost was the most important factor when looking for parking while a majority of business owners said they believed the previous rate increase led to a drastic decrease in business revenue. During Tuesdays meeting, Dixon president Julie Dixon told the council that the finding about cost being the most important factor was significant, since in her time working on parking issues for other cities the No. 1 priority was usually security and safety. I think thats something to really highlight, that again residents wanted to see that reduction in paid parking hours, Dixon said. Jeff Andrews registers for parking on Marsh Street on Oct. 26, 2023, with help from kids Sebastian, left, and Emerson. Parking kiosks have replaced parking meters in San Luis Obispos downtown core, and parking fees are now paid via app or credit card. SLO to lower downtown parking costs, get rid of gateless tech in structure The City Council had three possible scenarios to consider as it decided how best to balance the communitys desires with its own funding needs, each with its own pros and cons. No more Band-Aid solutions, were really looking at that right size, right fit, Dixon said during her presentation of those options Tuesday. But I think I would be a fool to sit up here and say that any answer is going to be perfect. The reality is about making incremental changes. The first option would have prioritized keeping the free first hour of parking in downtown structures but to pay for that, it would mean continuing to charge on-street rates of $4 per hour in the downtown core and $3 per hour further out. Under this option, the cost of parking in a structure would drop only slightly to $2.50 and the daily maximum would fall to $10. The second and ultimately successful option, however was to prioritize lower parking rates across the board but at the expense of the first free hour of parking. With that, the cost of parking on the street would drop to $2.75 per hour in the downtown core and $2.25 per hour farther out. Parking rates in the structures would also go down, dropping to $2 per hour with a daily max of $8. The final option was a mix of the two previous options, that Dixon said would attempt to push people to off-street parking in the structures rather than on-street, with street rates of $2.50 per hour, while structures would cost $2 per hour. That option also did away with the free first hour of parking. All three options called for cheaper monthly permits in the parking structures, dropping from a price of $85 per month to $45. They would also not limit the number of these permits available at first as staff attempts to gauge interest, according to a city staff report. None of the options proposed changes to the enforcement hours for either on-street or structure parking, which run until 9 p.m. daily. They would also not change the cost of the 10-hour street parking monthly permit. The city of San Luis Obispo installed a new gateless parking system at the Palm Street structure in June 2023 confusing some downtown patrons. Business owners, workers angered by SLO parking policies A number of downtown business owners and representatives spoke at the meeting Tuesday, advocating for the option that prioritized the lowest rates in hopes that that could help save businesses that have been struggling in the past year. Rusty Barker, who was speaking on the behalf of Downtown Centre Cinemas, said revenues have dropped significantly in the past year at what previously had always been the highest performing movie theater in San Luis Obispo County a change he attributed largely to the change in rates. The owner was frank, he said. If things dont change, and parking doesnt come down and you dont act, Downtown Cinemas wont be there in 2025. Others were even more frank. In just 10 months, the city has done extensive damage, Hemp Shak owner Katy Hemler said through tears. To me (the lowest rates option) is a start in the right direction, but its not enough. I ask how else do you plan to undo the damage you have caused, and how are you going to help us get our customers back? Abby Turco, who said she works downtown, urged the council to consider how it could help downtown employees who see large portions of their wages going to paying for parking. The rise in parking costs put the burden on the ones who use your parking services most, the employees that keep downtown SLO alive, Turco said. We are not wallets. We are people. By upholding extreme prices in downtown parking, youre hurting your city. San Luis Obispos new gateless parking system at the Palm Street structure prompted this response from from the nearby Palm Theatre on June 30, 2023. SLO to get rid of first hour of free parking in structures Some Tuesday night pushed for the council to both lower rates and keep the first free hour of parking in its structures though the city said that option wasnt feasible. At the request of community members during outreach, Dixon had modeled what would happen if the city kept its free hour of parking and also reduced rates, according to the staff report. The study found that if the city reduced street parking rates to $3 per hour in the core and $2 in the outer areas, while also dropping structure parking to $2 per hour, the city would lose almost $1.3 million per year, which immediately jeopardizes the solvency of the Parking Fund, the staff report said. Meanwhile, the study advised against offering free parking in specific areas since it is often against best practices. Parking industry best practices show that offering free parking can be a detriment to downtown businesses, the study read. When free parking is offered for a limited time (e.g. first hour free in the structures), this encourages parkers to make quicker trips and to leave before the free time period expires. The study did note that this might be a difficult change to stomach, however, since the first free hour subsidy has been provided since the first structure opened in the 1980s and is now synonymous with downtown parking for many residents, business owners and regular visitors. Ultimately the council decided it would do away with the free hour in favor of the lower rates, however. The study also had several other preliminary recommendations for the city, all of which the City Council on Tuesday voted to go through with. Those included going down to just one mobile payment vendor, rather than the three the city offers now; expanding the on-street parking time limit from two to three hours; and replacing the gateless technology at 842 Palm St. structure with a more traditional gated option. A lot of things happened at one time here in San Luis Obispo, so we really want to get back to basics, Dixon said during the meeting. Easy and convenient is the key. Traffic streaks by the Marsh Street parking structure in San Luis Obispo in a 6-second time exposure on Oct. 26, 2023. What happens next? The city will conduct a second reading of the ordinance updating the rates on June 4. After that, the new prices for structure permits will go into effect on July 1, followed by the new lowered rates on July 8. Other changes such as the reduction in the number of mobile vendors used and some sign updates will likely happen this summer, according to Horn, followed by removing the gateless entry at the 842 Palm St. structure and making other invisible tech changes in the winter. These are just a tentative timeline, however, Horn cautioned, alluding to the messier rollout of last summer. Were not going to let this schedule drive us, Horn said. Were not going to roll it out until its ready. Slovak PM assassination attempt: Fico in "life-threatening" condition, next few hours will be critical A formal statement has been released on the Facebook account of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico regarding the attempt on his life. The post states that his condition is "life-threatening". Source: European Pravda Details: The post on Fico's Facebook page briefly states that he was shot several times, "and is now in a life-threatening condition". Quote: "He is currently being taken by helicopter to Banska Bystrica, since the journey to Bratislava would take too long given the urgency of the situation. The next few hours will decide everything." Fico's Facebook page does not clarify the extent of his wounds, but the Slovak portal Aktuality has reported that the Slovak prime minister was injured in the abdomen. This has been confirmed by The Guardian and a representative of Ficos Smer (Social Democracy) party. Previously: On 15 May, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot after a government meeting and taken to hospital. Eyewitnesses say the prime minister approached some people who had greeted him, at which point numerous bullets were fired. The government leader then fell to the ground. Support UP or become our patron! Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and critically injured in a shooting in the town of Handlova in Slovakia on May 15, lawmakers confirmed to the Slovak news agency Tasr. Tasr said that the parliament's session was suspended as a result. Shortly after, the Dennik N media outlet reported that Fico was shot in the stomach and also had injuries to his arms and legs and is in a life-threatening condition. Fico's Facebook page was updated with the news that the prime minister is being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica due to the seriousness of his injuries, and that the "next few hours will (be decisive)." A 71-year-old man is reportedly suspected of carrying out what Slovak government officials have called an assassination attempt and has been detained. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said the attack was "politically motivated." President-elect Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Fico's, said the shooting was a threat to Slovakia's democracy. "I am appalled at where hatred for a different political opinion can lead," Pellegrini said. International leaders immediately reacted to the news and offered their support to Fico and Slovakia. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Fico's shooting was "appalling," and added that "we strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighboring partner state's head of government." Many also linked hostile political rhetoric to the attack. Czech President Petr Pavel said the attack on Fico "is unequivocally reprehensible, whatever the motivation." "It should be a warning to us about how far the deepening of animosity and aggression in society can lead." Estok urged the public to "stop attacks and hatred on social networks and media," and warned that the attack was a sign that "we are on the verge of civil war." Elected in September 2023 on a populist, Ukraine-skeptic platform, Fico halted arms supplies from Slovakia's military stocks and has repeatedly criticized both defense assistance for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. Fico has since expressed support for Ukraine's accession to the EU. Read also: Fico: Slovakia fully supports Ukraines EU membership Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Slovak media outlets have reported that the person who shot Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was a 71-year-old man from the city of Levice in the country's west. Source: Slovak private TV channel Joj and the portal Dennik N, as reported by European Pravda Details: The media outlets reported that the shooter, 71, fired a "short-barrelled rifle that he owned legally". Officially, Slovak law enforcement agencies have not yet disclosed the identity of the shooter, who is known to have been detained. Background: On 15 May, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot after a government meeting and taken to hospital. Eyewitnesses say the prime minister approached some people who had greeted him, at which point numerous bullets were fired. The government leader then fell to the ground. A formal statement regarding the attempt on his life has been posted on Ficos Facebook account. The post states that he is in a "life-threatening" condition. Support UP or become our patron! Palestinians take part in a protest to mark the 76th anniversary of Nakba in the West Bank city of Hebron, on May 15, 2024. As the Palestinian-Israeli conflict enters its 222nd day on Wednesday, Palestinians marked the 76th anniversary of Nakba, the massive exodus of Palestinians that occurred in 1948 following the establishment of the state of Israel. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua) by Sanaa Kamal RAMALLAH/GAZA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- As the Palestinian-Israeli conflict enters its 222nd day on Wednesday, Palestinians marked the 76th anniversary of Nakba, the massive exodus of Palestinians that occurred in 1948 following the establishment of the state of Israel. In the West Bank city of Ramallah, thousands of Palestinians gathered to commemorate the Palestinian victims of 76 years ago and protest against the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza that have killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in the enclave. Protestors waved Palestinian flags, held portraits of Palestinians who were expelled from their homes in 1948, displayed pictures of refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, and carried banners bearing slogans like "The Nakba is recurring in Gaza now." Several Palestinian faction leaders and members of the Executive Committees of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Central Committee of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) also attended the rally in Ramallah. Mahmoud Al-Aloul, a senior Fatah official, said more than 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza have been forced to leave their homes since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict, labeling it a "perhaps far more severe Nakba" (Arabic for catastrophe) compared to that of 1948. He also accused the U.S. administration of being complicit in Israel's "crimes" in Gaza as it supplied weapons to Israel and vetoed UN resolutions that called for a ceasefire and supported full UN membership for Palestine. For his part, Ahmed Abu Holi, the head of the refugee affairs department of the PLO, stressed the essential role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and denounced the United States and the West for suspending UNRWA funding. In January, Israeli officials claimed that employees from the UNRWA took part in the October 7 Hamas attack, which set off the current conflict in Gaza. The allegations remain unverified but prompted the United States and many other Western donors to halt the agency's funding. Australia, Canada, Germany, and several other countries have resumed their funding, whereas the United States and Britain continue to hold back their funds. "Our people need the UNRWA to continue its work in the Gaza Strip because it is the only institution capable of working there," Abu Holi told Xinhua. In Gaza, local residents said there is no need to mark the Nakba anniversary because they are already living in one. Mohammed al-Maqadma, a 58-year-old resident of Jabalia refugee camp, said that his parents, survivors of the Nakba 76 years ago, were killed in the recent Israeli strikes on Gaza. "For the rest of their lives, my parents could not stop talking about their ordeal during Nakba. Now, for how many years will I speak about the new Nakba to our next generations?" al-Maqadma lamented. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. So far, the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has exceeded 35,000, according to the health authorities in Gaza. Palestinians take part in a protest to mark the 76th anniversary of Nakba in the West Bank city of Hebron, on May 15, 2024. As the Palestinian-Israeli conflict enters its 222nd day on Wednesday, Palestinians marked the 76th anniversary of Nakba, the massive exodus of Palestinians that occurred in 1948 following the establishment of the state of Israel. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua) Palestinians take part in a protest to mark the 76th anniversary of Nakba in the West Bank city of Nablus, on May 15, 2024. As the Palestinian-Israeli conflict enters its 222nd day on Wednesday, Palestinians marked the 76th anniversary of Nakba, the massive exodus of Palestinians that occurred in 1948 following the establishment of the state of Israel. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Palestinians take part in a protest to mark the 76th anniversary of Nakba in the West Bank city of Nablus, on May 15, 2024. As the Palestinian-Israeli conflict enters its 222nd day on Wednesday, Palestinians marked the 76th anniversary of Nakba, the massive exodus of Palestinians that occurred in 1948 following the establishment of the state of Israel. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Palestinians take part in a protest to mark the 76th anniversary of Nakba in the West Bank city of Nablus, on May 15, 2024. As the Palestinian-Israeli conflict enters its 222nd day on Wednesday, Palestinians marked the 76th anniversary of Nakba, the massive exodus of Palestinians that occurred in 1948 following the establishment of the state of Israel. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Palestinians take part in a protest to mark the 76th anniversary of Nakba in the West Bank city of Nablus, on May 15, 2024. As the Palestinian-Israeli conflict enters its 222nd day on Wednesday, Palestinians marked the 76th anniversary of Nakba, the massive exodus of Palestinians that occurred in 1948 following the establishment of the state of Israel. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Palestinians take part in a protest to mark the 76th anniversary of Nakba in the West Bank city of Nablus, on May 15, 2024. As the Palestinian-Israeli conflict enters its 222nd day on Wednesday, Palestinians marked the 76th anniversary of Nakba, the massive exodus of Palestinians that occurred in 1948 following the establishment of the state of Israel. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People hold signs and Palestinian flags during a protest to mark the 76th anniversary of Nakba in Amman, Jordan, on May 15, 2024. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) People take part in a protest to mark the 76th anniversary of Nakba in Amman, Jordan, on May 15, 2024. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) People hold signs and a Palestinian flag during a protest to mark the 76th anniversary of Nakba in Amman, Jordan, on May 15, 2024. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) Slovak PM in hospital after attempt on his life Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been shot after a government meeting in the town of Handlova. He was taken to hospital by helicopter. Source: Aktuality, as reported by European Pravda Details: Matej Neumann, spokesperson for the Slovak Interior Minister, confirmed that the Slovak government's leader had been attacked. According to Aktuality, the wounded Slovak premier was taken to hospital by helicopter. The Slovak media outlet Pluska said Ficos condition is very serious. He was reportedly hit by two or three bullets in the chest and stomach. Up to five shots may have been fired. Dennik N added that the shooting took place as the prime minister addressed the crowd in front of a House of Culture where the government had just been meeting. A journalist from Dennik N reported having been nearby and hearing many shots being fired, although he did not witness the incident. Then he saw security guards lift Fico up from the ground, place him in a car and drive away. Eyewitnesses said the prime minister went over to speak to some people who had greeted him, whereupon numerous bullets were fired. Fico then fell to the ground. The police detained the suspected attacker and sealed off the area. At the same time, those inside the House of Culture were evacuated. The security detail ensured the safety of the other members of the cabinet. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has opposed sending Slovak soldiers to Ukraine. He also insulted a successful Slovak campaign to raise funds for weapons for Ukraine, describing it as a symbolic gesture "like farting into a tree" (a Czech idiom for "a drop in the ocean"). Prior to that, on 24 April, the Slovak government led by Fico approved a reform of the country's public broadcasting that includes closing down the present broadcaster, Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS), prompting massive protests around the country. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was being treated for life-threatening injuries after being shot in the first assassination attempt on a European leader in more than two decades. Most Read from Bloomberg Fico, 59, was attacked after a government meeting in the town of Handlova some 165 kilometers (100 miles) northeast of the capital Bratislava. The premier was transferred to a hospital in the nearby city of Banska Bystrica, the government said in a statement on Wednesday. The dominant political figure in the eastern European nation of 5.4 million since the fall of communism, Fico returned to power last year as a force of opposition to European Union institutions in Brussels. His Russia-friendly stance has put him at odds with partners, threatening to undermine EU unity in helping Ukraine. The alleged attacker, identified by Sme newspaper as a 71-year-old man, was apprehended and taken into custody by police, President Zuzana Caputova told reporters in Bratislava. Fico was walking in a crowd of people when shots were fired at him, newspaper Dennik N reported. Eyewitnesses heard multiple shots ring out as the prime minister fell to the ground, after which he was lifted by security guards, loaded into a car and driven away, the newspaper said. Hateful Rhetoric Caputova, the outgoing head of state and one of Ficos chief critics in the country, condemned what she described as a brutal and reckless attack on the prime minister. I am shocked, she wrote in a Facebook post. I wish Robert Fico every strength to recover from the attack at this critical time. Hateful rhetoric leads to hateful actions, she told reporters later. Read more: Who Is Robert Fico, Slovak Leader Hit in Shooting?: QuickTake It was the first shooting of a European head of state or government since the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic in March 2003. The pro-European reformer who took a stand against organized crime was killed after being gunned down in central Belgrade. Slovakias parliament in Bratislava suspended its session as leaders across the political spectrum rebuked the assault, the first of its kind in the nations history. Ficos allies seized on the attack to accuse the opposition of inflaming division in the country. A polarizing figure, Fico made a political comeback last year after resigning in disgrace in 2018 in response to mass demonstrations over the killing of an investigative reporter probing corruption in Slovakia. A close ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Fico has been accused of adopting Orbans blueprint for eroding independent institutions to shore up his power. The Hungarian leader said he was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, according to a post on social media platform X. Since his return to power, Fico has drawn protests nationwide for rewriting the criminal code and scrapping a special prosecutors office. Last month, he lashed out at the countrys media for what he called hostility to the government as his cabinet proposed tighter controls over public television and radio. Still, Western leaders were united in their condemnation of political violence against a head of government in an EU member state. President Joe Biden condemned the horrific act of violence. Chancellor Olaf Scholz called it a cowardly attack. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X. Gun ownership isnt common in Slovakia and restrictions on obtaining weapons are tight. Still, the country is no stranger to gun violence. In the 1990s, after the country emerged from the split up of Czechoslovakia, it grappled with a spate of mafia-style killings including a 1999 shooting at a restaurant in which 10 men were killed. The investigative journalist, Jan Kuciak, was also gunned down at his home with his fiancee in 2018. In Handlova, Ficos cabinet approved a plan to build a nuclear reactor, joining a push across the European Unions east to expand atomic energy production. (Updates with detail on attacker, reactions from leaders, gun violence in Slovakia, from second paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. BRATISLAVA, Slovakia Slovakia has unveiled a 120mm self-propelled mortar advertised as firing 20 rounds of ammunition per minute, a rate that would make it one of the fastest in Europe. Minister of Defense Robert Kalinak presented the multi-company product during the countrys flagship defense fair here, IDEB, which runs May 14-16. The AM-120, which stands for automatic mortar, melds technology from two Slovak defense firms and a Czech military vehicle manufacturer. The turret is provided by ZTS Special, a gun producer based in the northern part of Slovakia, and was designed for 6x6-type vehicles. The Tatra 815-7 6x6 chassis is supplied by the Czech firm Excalibur Army while the Lansys fire control system is a product of the private Slovak company, Kerametal. A ZTS Special representative told Defense News at the show that the development of the mortar began two years ago and was most recently tested a month ago. The weapons main selling point, according to the manufacturer, is that it can fire approximately 20 rounds per minute, reaching distances of over eight kilometers, or five miles. It is designed to work closely with infantry units near the front lines. The AM-120 can carry 60 rounds, meaning one full load could be blasted out within minutes before the vehicle moves on to avoid triangulation by enemy sensors. That shoot-and-scoot tactic has been on display in Ukraines defense against Russia, with both sides employing counter-fire radars that can pick up a projectiles origin within minutes. An analysis published earlier this year by the European Council on Foreign Relations highlighted that the Russian counter-battery fire response time is around three minutes. Slovakias AM-120 will rival the Finnish NEMO 120mm self-propelled mortar, produced by Patria Group. It is the only other European system in this category advertised as reaching a maximum rate of fire of 20 shots per minute, but has a longer range than the Slovak-made mortar, capable of hitting targets located more than 10 kilometers away. Meanwhile, neighbor Poland also produces a mortar system that can be mounted on tracked and wheeled vehicles, the M120 RAK. Designed by Polish defense company Huta Stalowa Wola, it is in service with the Ukrainian Army. The Ministry of Defense of Slovakia has not yet announced any order for the new mortar. Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico was rushed to hospital in critical condition on Wednesday after he was shot five times in an assassination attempt that shocked the country. The attack took place after an off-site government meeting in the central Slovak town of Handlova. The suspected gunman was among a small crowd of people waiting to greet the prime minister on the street outside the cultural center, where the meeting took place, local media reported. Footage from the scene shows the gunman approaching Fico and firing at him from close range across a security barrier. The injured prime minister is then seen being bundled into a vehicle by his staff, before it speeds away with him inside. Fico was taken to a local hospital and then transferred by helicopter to a major trauma center about 20 miles (30 kilometers) away in Banska Bystrica. No one else was injured in the attack, officials said. Both the countrys Defense Minister Robert Kalinak and Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok called the shooting politically motivated, with Sutaj Estok saying that the suspect made the decision to do it shortly after the presidential election. In an emotional news conference outside the hospital, the two ministers said Fico was fighting for his life after the shooting and had been, at that point, in surgery for three and half hours. Later in the evening, Slovakian deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba said he believed the prime minister would survive following surgery that went well and was not in a life-threatening situation at this moment. I was very shocked and tried to contact people to figure out how serious his condition was, Taraba said in an interview with BBCs Newshour program on Wednesday, recalling the moment he heard about Ficos shooting. Fortunately, as far as I know the operation went well and I guess in the end he will survive, he said. Taraba told the BBC that Fico was heavily injured and a bullet went through the stomach and the second one hit the joints. Fico is the most powerful lawmaker in Slovakia. Unlike the president, whose role has limited scope, the prime minister holds rank as the decision-making head of government. Robert Fico is transported into a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica after he was wounded in a shooting. - Jan Kroslak/TASR via AP The official statement posted on Ficos official Facebook said the PM was taken to Banska Bystrica instead of the capital city of Bratislava because an acute intervention was necessary. Handlova is about two hours drive from the capital Bratislava. Slovak President Zuzana Caputova said the suspected gunman was detained by the police. She said law enforcement agencies will release more information when they can and asked the public not to spread unconfirmed rumors. Caputova condemned what she called a brutal and reckless attack on the 59-year-old politician. Speaking at a news conference later in the afternoon, she said the shooting was an attack on democracy as well. Slovakias defense and interior ministers blamed rising hate speech and division for the political atmosphere in the country, which they said led to the assassination attempt. Speaking to reporters in front of the hospital where Fico is being treated, Defense Minister Kalinak said: Hate is not an answer to hate. Visibly shaken and struggling for words at multiple moments during the news conference, Kalinak said it was time for some people to have a hard look into the mirror. There is no question that this was politically motivated. The inability to accept the choice of people, which some may not like it leads to this, he said. Interior Minister Sutaj-Estok called for calm, saying those who are endorsing this attack as well as those who are calling for some sort of a revenge. And I am asking you, the media too, please, use your power, your influence. Because until now, it was some of you who sow the hate, he said. Following the shooting, Sutaj-Estok said the country is experiencing the worst day of its democracy. For the first time in the 31 years of our democratic sovereign republic, someone has decided to express a political opinion not in an election but with a gun on the street, he wrote on Facebook. Slovaks have been deeply divided over the countrys direction and position in the world since Ficos return to power last year. Supporters see Fico as a caring leader who has their interests at heart; critics say he is a populist whose pro-Russian leanings pose major risks for the country. The country has seen weeks of largely peaceful protests over his coalition governments controversial domestic reforms. The government is also trying to shut down public service broadcaster RTVS and plans to replace it with a new national broadcaster, which would be under tighter control of the government. Felt like a nightmare Social media footage appeared to show the moment Fico was attacked. As he approaches a crowd of people, a man is seen lunging towards Fico with what appears to be a gun pointed at him. Five shots are heard and Fico falls to the ground. An eyewitness who was at the scene where Fico was shot said the attack felt like a nightmare after hearing three quick shots, fired one after the other as if you were to throw a firecracker on the ground. I heard three shots, it was quick one by one like if you throw a firecracker on the ground, eyewitness Lubica Valkova told Reuters, adding that he (Fico) fell next to the barrier. I think it is a nightmare, Ill tell you I think I will not wake up from this, the 66-year-old said. That this is not possible to happen in Slovakia. Valkova said she had been waiting a long time to shake Ficos hand and was taking pictures of him when he walked out of the building in Handlova. At this moment we heard something like a bang, we thought someone made a joke and threw a firecracker on the ground, that was my first reaction, Valkova recalled. The Slovak resident told Reuters she had been waiting from 10 a.m. local time. She claimed police did not search people who were waiting at the event, adding that we could have shown our empty hands. Ally of Moscow In what was a stunning comeback for the controversial politician, Fico won a third term as Slovakian prime minister last October after running a campaign that criticized western support for Ukraine. As prime minister, he made a major U-turn in Slovakias foreign policy and its previously staunch support for Ukraine: Fico had pledged an immediate end to Slovak military support for Ukraine and promised to block Ukraines NATO ambitions. Ahead of the election, Fico made no secret of his sympathies towards the Kremlin and blamed Ukrainian Nazis and fascists for provoking Vladimir Putin into launching the invasion, repeating the false narrative Russias president has used to justify his invasion. While in opposition, Fico became a close ally of Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, especially when it came to criticism of the European Union. Domestically, his coalition government is also pushing controversial reforms that have prompted weeks of large-scale peaceful protests. Attempts to overhaul the criminal justice system have been particularly controversial, as the government seeks to reduce penalties for corruption and has already abolished Slovakias special prosecutors office, which was tasked with investigating serious and politically sensitive corruption cases, including some that involved people connected to Fico and his party SMER (Direction Social Democracy). Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico attends a European Council summit in Brussels, on April 18, 2024. - Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images/FILE Fico previously served as Slovakias prime minister for more than a decade, first between 2006 and 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2018. He was forced to resign in March 2018 after weeks of mass protests over the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova. Kuciak reported on corruption among the countrys elite, including people directly connected to Fico and his party SMER. World leaders immediately condemned the attack. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a telegram to Slovakias president that there can be no justification for this monstrous crime and wished Fico a speedy and complete recovery. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, tweeted: I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. And Hungarian Prime Minister Orban added: I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed solidarity with the people of Slovakia following the appalling assault on Fico. US President Joe Biden said he was alarmed by the attempted assassination of Fico, calling it a horrific act of violence. Jill and I are praying for a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia, he said in a statement. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he strongly condemns the shocking attack. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Sana Noor Haq, Richard Roth, Eve Brennan, Hamdi Alkhshali and Betsy Klein contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot Wednesday following a meeting in the town of Handlova. Defense Minister Robert Kalina said Fico was being treated for his wounds and described his condition to reporters as extraordinarily serious, according to The Associated Press (AP). Fico, 59, was shot after he was leaving a Cabinet meeting in the Trencin region of central Slovakia, Slovak news agency TASR reported. A post on his Facebook page said the leader was in life threatening condition after the incident. Heres what to know about Fico: Chair of the Smer Party Fico was born in 1964 in Czechoslovakia now the Czech Republic and Slovakia and was a member of the Communist Party while it was in power. He was first elected to Parliament in 1992 as a member of the Democratic Left Party, per the AP. He later became the chair of the Smer Party in 1999, which the AP noted has been described as left-populist. The New York Times reported that the Smer Party has taken on some more right-wing views on issues like immigration. Forced out of office amid protests in 2018 During his second term, Fico and his party faced nationwide demonstrations following the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova, according to the Times. The Times said the couple were working to uncover government corruption at the time. The pair was reportedly investigating connections between Ficos associates and the Italian mafia, according to The Washington Post. Mass demonstrations overtook the country, demanding that Fico and his party step down from government leadership. Fico stepped down in July 2018. Longest-serving prime minister in Slovakia The Times reported that Fico is Slovakias longest-serving prime minister. Fico first served in the post from 2006-2010, before his party became the opposition for two years. He then served his second term from 2012-2018, before resigning. The AP reported that Ficos party won the parliamentary elections last year after five years of being the opposition. The news service noted that the party ran on a pro-Russia and anti- American platform. During his campaign, he promised to end the countrys military support to Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia. The AP noted that his administration stopped arms sales immediately after taking office. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Robert Fico, the populist prime minister of Slovakia, was shot several times in an assassination attempt Wednesday that left him in life-threatening condition, officials say. On Tuesday afternoon, the 59-year-old politician was reportedly conscious and in stable condition following surgery. Fico was meeting with supporters in the central Slovak town of Handlova when he was attacked, according to local media reports. A post on Ficos official Facebook page suggested he may not survive his injuries. The next few hours will decide, the post read. News Agency Hack Spawns Presidential Assassination Hoax The update also said he was being transported by helicopter to the city of Banska Bystrica instead of the capital, Bratislava, due to the necessity of an acute procedure. A spokesperson for Slovakias Interior Ministry confirmed the shooting was an assassination attempt. Slovakian TV station TA3 reports that a suspect has been detained. A motive for the attack is not yet clear. Unverified videos circulating online appear to show a man being restrained on the ground. Earlier in the footage, men in suits appear to carry the wounded Fico into the back a black car. Fico, the longest-serving prime minister of Slovakia, won his latest term in national elections last fall. He leads the left-wing party he founded, Smer, or Direction, in a populist-nationalist coalition. Fico has previously advocated for pro-EU causes but critics fear his more recent positionswhich included campaigning on anti-American and pro-Russian messageswill cause Slovakia to be led down a similar path to that taken by Hungary under Viktor Orban, a man for whom Fico has expressed admiration. I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico, Orban wrote in a post on X. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country! The sentiments were shared by several other European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Fico, who has vowed to stop sending military aid to Kyiv, was the victim of an appalling attack, Zelensky said. We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighboring partner states head of government, he added. Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere. In the wake of the assault, Slovakias major opposition parties called off a scheduled protest against a divisive plan that critics say would hand full control of public TV and radio stations to the government. We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and todays shooting of Premier Robert Fico, Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka wrote in a post on X announcing the protests cancellation. At the same time we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension. 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. icon Semafor Signals Supported by Microsoft logo Insights from Euractiv, Politico, and VSquare Arrow Down Title icon The News Slovakian police charged a suspect with the attempted murder of Prime Minister Robert Fico after he was shot in the head and chest multiple times on Wednesday. He is now in a stable but serious condition, hospital officials said. Slovakias interior minister told reporters it was a politically-motivated lone wolf attack by a man who was dissatisfied with the outcome of the presidential election last year that brought Fico back to power. The assailant is believed to be a 71-year-old poet and former security guard, according to Slovakian media reports. The shooter planned the attack several days before carrying it out, one Slovak outlet reported. Slovakias outgoing President Zuzana Caputova condemned the brutal and reckless attack, and President-elect Peter Pellegrini said he was horrified by where the hatred towards another political opinion can lead, adding, an assassination attempt on one of the highest constitutional officials is an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy. Fico has served as Slovakias prime minister multiple times, before returning to power again last year after his populist party won the most seats in the September elections. Fico has sparked criticism in the European Union for his pro-Russia comments and push to control the countrys media, Politico reported. He announced that Slovakia would stop military funding for Ukraine in January. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the appalling attack on Fico and US President Joe Biden said he was alarmed at the situation and wished Fico a swift recovery. icon SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. EU has distanced itself from Ficos Russia-friendly rhetoric Source icon Sources: Bloomberg, Euractiv Ficos dramatic shift to align his politics with that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has made Slovakia one of the most pro-Russian countries in Europe, Bloomberg wrote in March. He stopped military funding for Ukraine and has criticized EU allies for not working toward a peaceful solution to the Ukraine war. Domestically, Fico needs to keep up his facade of skepticism toward Ukraine, because he won by campaigning on censuring the previous governments aid to Kyiv, Euractiv wrote. While Russia has praised Ficos government for having its own opinion about the situation in the world, the EU has distanced itself from Slovakia: The Czech Republic in March canceled bilateral government consultations over foreign policy differences, and France excluded Slovakia from follow up talks on Ukraine peace. Assassination attempt on Fico recalls high-profile murder of Slovak journalist Source icon Sources: Politico, RTV Following the attack on Fico, some European journalists invoked the assassination of Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak, which sparked one of the largest political crises in the countrys history and led to Ficos resignation in 2018. Shortly after resuming power last year, Fico said he wouldnt do interviews with unfriendly media, Politico reported, including Aktuality.sk, the independent outlet that Kuciak worked for when he and his fiancee were murdered shortly before he was set to publish an investigation on corruption tying the Italian mafia to a close Fico aide. Kuciaks murder led to the largest protests in Bratislava since the fall of the communist regime in 1989, and Fico ultimately resigned to keep the government coalition intact. Fico was determined to return to power with a vengeance Source icon Sources: VSquare, Politico Fico returned to power last year with a vengeance to purge those responsible for his 2018 ousting, journalist Tomas Madlenak wrote for European political news site VSquare. Only two days into his term last year, Fico suspended several police investigators from the National Crime Agency and gutted the Special Prosecutors Office that was looking into the governments corruption ties sparked by Kuciaks investigation. Ficos administration also passed new laws that reduced penalties for corruption crimes and slashed the statute of limitations for offenses including rape. Semafor Logo JERUSALEM, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday that he would oppose the establishment of Israel's rule in the post-war Gaza Strip. Speaking in a televised press briefing, Gallant urged Netanyahu to make a decision and declare that Israel will not establish civilian or military control over the Gaza Strip, adding that a governing alternative to Hamas, the Islamist Palestinian resistance movement that runs the enclave, must be named by Netanyahu "immediately." Gallant said that, soon after the beginning of the Israeli conflict with Hamas in October last year, he had tried to promote a plan for a new Palestinian administration unaffiliated with Hamas but "received no response" in cabinet meetings. In response, Netanyahu said in a statement that "as long as Hamas remains, no other party will run Gaza, certainly not the Palestinian Authority." He did not address the issue of possible Israeli rule in the Palestinian enclave. Gallant's outspoken criticism of the prime minister has drawn criticism from several cabinet members, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. But Minister-without-portfolio Benny Gantz supported Gallant, stating that the defense minister "is speaking the truth - the leadership's responsibility is to do what is right for the country, at any price." Since the Hamas deadly attack on Israeli southern communities on Oct. 7 last year, which killed about 1,200 people, Israel has been bombing and launching a ground offensive in Gaza, killing over 35,000 people and displacing most of the 2.3 million population in the Palestinian enclave so far. Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico is life-threatening condition after being shot Wednesday after a meeting in the town of Handlova, according to his Facebook page. Fico was shot after holding a Cabinet meeting in the Trencin region of central Slovakia, according to the Slovak news agency TASR. A post on Ficos Facebook account said the prime minister was in life-threatening condition, and he was transported to the hospital via helicopter. The next few hours will decide, the post reads. Robert Kalinak, Slovakias minister of defense, said in a press conference that Ficos surgery had lasted for nearly four hours and his medical condition was really very complex. We are singularly focused on the health of Robert Fico. And we are hoping he will be strong enough to pull through, Kalinak said, per CNN. An unknown assailant fired at Fico outside the house where the meeting had been held while the prime minister was chatting with supporters, according to the English language newspaper The Slovak Spectator, which reported multiple gunshots before he fell to the ground. Slovak media outlet Dennik N reported that a 71-year-old man was detained in connection with the shooting and that he had used a legally purchased gun. Fico is a pro-Russian leader who won power for a fourth time in parliament last October. In April, Peter Pellegrini, a close ally of his, won the presidency, further cementing his partys grip on power and the push toward more pro-Russia views in Slovakia, heightening hostility with Western nations. Slovakian Minister of the Interior Matus Sutaj Estok said at a press conference that authorities are still investigating the shooting and the suspect and more updates would come Thursday. But from what we know right now this was politically motivated, he said. And it took place very shortly after the presidential election. Updated at 3:45 p.m. ET For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Slovakian prime minister in life-threatening condition after being shot, his Facebook profile says PRAGUE (AP) Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event Wednesday afternoon, according to his Facebook profile. The populist, pro-Russian leader, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, some 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of the capital where the leader was meeting with supporters, according to reports on TA3, a Slovakian TV station. A suspect has been detained, it said. A message posted to Ficos Facebook account said that the leader has been shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition. It said he was being transported by helicopter to the Banska Bystrica, 29 kilometers (63 miles) away from Handlova because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute procedure. The next few hours will decide, it said. President-elect Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Fico, called the assassination an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy. If we express other political opinions with pistols in squares, and not in polling stations, we are jeopardizing everything that we have built together over 31 years of Slovak sovereignty. There were reactions of shock from across Europe, and some were calling it an attempted assassination of the leader in the NATO state, although no motive for the shooting was immediately apparent. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on the social media platform X that he was shocked and appalled by the shooting. The shooting in Slovakia comes three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections, in which populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc appear poised to make gains. Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during a session of Slovakias Parliament and adjourned it until further notice, the Slovak TASR news agency said. Slovakias major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, canceled a planned protest against a controversial government plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give the government full control of public radio and television. We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and todays shooting of Premier Robert Fico, said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka. At the same time we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension. President Zuzana Caputova condemned a brutal and ruthless attack on the premier. Im shocked, Caputova said. I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack. Fico, a third-time premier, and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party, won Slovakias Sept. 30 parliamentary elections, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message. Critics worried Slovakia under Fico would abandon the countrys pro-Western course and follow the direction of Hungary under populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Ficos policies. Condemnations of political violence quickly came from leaders across Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned what she described as a vile attack. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good, von der Leyen said in a post on X. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala called the incident shocking, adding I wish the premier to get well soon. We cannot tolerate violence, theres no place for it in society. The Czech Republic and Slovakia formed Czechoslovakia till 1992. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on the social media network X: Shocking news from Slovakia. Robert, my thoughts are with you in this very difficult moment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in life-threatening condition after being shot in the abdomen in an assassination attempt on Wednesday, government officials said. Fico, 59, was shot five times outside a government building in the town of Handlova, according to Slovakian Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok. He was raced to a hospital in Handlova, where he remains in life-threatening condition after being in surgery for over three hours, according to Slovakian Defense Minister Robert Kalinak. "What happened today is a stigma which will haunt us for many years to come," Kalinak told reporters at a press briefing outside the hospital. PHOTO: This image taken from video footage obtained by AFPTV shows security personnel carrying Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico (C) toward a vehicle after he was shot in Handlova on May 15, 2024. (RTVS/AFP via Getty Images) The initial investigation suggests there was a "clear political motivation" in the shooting, and that it was plotted shortly after the recent presidential elections, Estok told reporters at the hospital press briefing. Fico was conscious following the shooting, government officials said at an earlier press conference. A suspect was immediately swarmed and arrested at the scene. "I am shocked, we are all shocked by the terrible and malicious attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico," Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova said in an address to the nation. "Something serious has happened that we can't even realize yet. A physical attack on the prime minister is primarily an attack on a person, but it is also an attack on democracy. Any violence is unacceptable. The hateful rhetoric we witness in society leads to hateful acts. Please, let's stop it." Caputova said the alleged attacker has been arrested and "will surely bring more information when possible." "Until then, please don't make quick judgments, and think about the most important thing: and that's the only thing at the moment -- that Robert Fico recovers as quickly as possible," she added. Estok said protection for constitutional officials will be strengthened in the wake of the shooting. He also called for an end to "hateful comments" on social media. "We are standing slowly on the edge of a civil war here," Estok said. "So please, let's stop this immediately." PHOTO: A person is detained after a shooting incident of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, after a Slovak government meeting in Handlova, Slovakia, May 15, 2024. (Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters) The U.S. Embassy in Slovakia said in a statement: "Ambassador Gautam Rana, as well as the entire team of the US Embassy in Slovakia, are shocked and horrified by the attack on the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico. Our thoughts are with him, his family and the Slovak people. We strongly condemn this attack and reject any form of violence. The United States is ready to provide any assistance." President Joe Biden condemned the attack and said the U.S. Embassy is in "close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist." "Jill and I are praying for a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia," he said in a statement. "We condemn this horrific act of violence." PHOTO: Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico walks during the European Council summit at EU headquarters in Brussels on April 18, 2024. Fico was shot on May 15, 2024, after a government meeting and taken to hospital: according to local media reports. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) Slovakia is a member of NATO. Fellow member countries, such as the Czech Republic, which borders Slovakia to the west, reacted to the assassination attempt on social media. "The news about the shooting of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is shocking," Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said in a statement. "I wish the prime minister to get well as soon as possible. We must not tolerate violence, it must have no place in society." NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement: "Shocked and appalled by the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico. I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia." Fico took over as prime minister in October 2023, but had previously served in the same capacity from 2006 to 2010 and 2012 to 2018. The longest-serving prime minister in Slovakia's history, Fico has generated controversy for taking a staunch position against providing aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Slovakia shares an eastern border with Ukraine and had taken in 1.8 million refugees from Ukraine through Nov. 21, 2023, according to data collected by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Slovakian prime minister in life-threatening condition after assassination attempt originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Bodyguards take Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico to safety in a car from the scene of the incident. Fico had been shot and injured after a cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Radovan Stoklasa/TASR/dpa Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and critically injured in an assassination attempt that the country's interior minister says was politically motivated. The 59-year-old left-wing nationalist politician was flown to hospital by helicopter after the bloody attack in the town of Handlova on Wednesday. Eyewitnesses reported on television that five shots were fired in front of the House of Culture in Handlova, some 192 kilometres north-east of the capital Bratislava. They said the attack occurred as Fico went outside to shake hands. One shot hit him in the chest. The local television station RTV Prievidza published a video of the incident showing a man pushing against the fence and shooting at the prime minister from close range. Prime minister remains in critical condition The Slovak leader was flown to hospital and underwent emergency surgery, but as of Wednesday evening his condition remained critical. Fighting back tears, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak called Fico's condition "extremely serious." Kalinak is one of Fico's deputies in the party and government. Attacker says he disagreed with Fico's policy Police announced that they had detained the attacker whom Slovak TV channel TA3 reported is said to be Juraj C., a former employee of a private security service. This was not officially confirmed at first. Despite an information embargo, the broadcaster was able to obtain a video recording from a police station. In it, the dazed-looking suspected attacker said: "I don't agree with government policy." In a slurred voice, he cited the government's plan to shut down the public radio and television station RTVS, against which thousands of people have been demonstrating for weeks, as a concrete example. Slovak politicians decry the current atmosphere Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok announced increased police protection for politicians and journalists. At the same time, he called on the media, politicians from all camps, and the public to stop "inciting hatred against political opponents on social media." President Zuzana Caputova said that the attack was also an attack on democracy. "Any violence is unacceptable. The hateful rhetoric we have witnessed in society leads to hateful actions. Please, let's stop this." Despite her popularity, the liberal president did not run for a second term in office because, in her own words, she "no longer has the strength" after years of political crises and several changes of government. The climate between the government and the opposition is considered poisoned. Outrage and sympathy expressed by world leaders Shortly after the news broke on Wednesday afternoon expressions of shock and support started pouring in from leaders across the globe. US President Joe Biden has condemned the shooting as a "horrific act of violence." He and his wife Jill were praying for Fico's speedy recovery, Biden wrote in a statement released by the White House on Wednesday. "Our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia," the statement continued. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the shooting "in the strongest terms" and called it shocking. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X that he was "deeply shocked by the news of the cowardly attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, also writing on X, called the attack "appalling" and said "every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere." Zelensky wrote on the social network X on Wednesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the assassination attempt "a despicable crime," in a message from the Russian leader to his Slovakian counterpart Zuzana Caputova. Fico's relations with Russia controversial Political opponents repeatedly accuse Fico of taking "Russia-friendly" positions amid Putin's war against Ukraine, Relations between Slovakia, an EU and NATO member state, and its neighbour Ukraine cooled noticeably when the left-wing nationalist Fico won the parliamentary elections in autumn and returned to power. During the election campaign, Fico had announced that he no longer wanted to supply Ukraine with weapons. Just a few days ago, Fico had accused the liberal opposition of fuelling a climate of hostility against his government. He said that it could not be ruled out that the heated atmosphere could lead to violence at some point. The founder and leader of the Smer-SSD left-wing party, which has recently become increasingly nationalistic, has been one of Slovakia's most popular politicians for almost 30 years. At the same time, however, he polarizes more than almost anyone else. Opponents call him "pro-Russian" and accuse him of wanting to lead Slovakia on a similar course to Viktor Orban's Hungary. Fico is controversial in Europe because of his often exaggerated statements on the EU's Ukraine and Russia policy. During the election campaign for the parliamentary elections in autumn 2023, which he won, he caused a stir by announcing that he wanted to supply "not a cartridge" of weapons to Ukraine. In fact, however, Slovakia has supported all EU sanctions against Russia since Fico's return to government in October and has also agreed to all EU aid for Ukraine - including the use of frozen Russian funds for Ukraine and support for Ukraine's accession to the EU - but not to NATO. Contrary to misleading media reports, Fico does not reject sanctions against Russia in principle. However, he has said that some of them harm Slovakia, which is dependent on Russian gas, oil and uranium, more than Russia itself. Instead, he is calling for sanctions that hit Russia harder. Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to a hospital in Banska Bystrica. Fico was shot and injured after a cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Jan Kroslak/TASR/dpa Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, arrives for a government meeting at the House of Culture. Slovakian Prime Minister Fico has been shot and injured after a cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Radovan Stoklasa/TASR/dpa How Robert Fico turned Slovakia into one of Russias only allies Robert Fico, the Slovakian prime minister who was shot on Wednesday, has presided over a shift from pro-Western values to growing sympathies with Russia since his election victory last September. The Left-wing populist has steered his Smer (Direction-Social Democracy) party strongly against military support for Ukraine, vowing in a pre-election interview with The Telegraph last year that he would cut arms supplies to Kyiv altogether. It is better to negotiate peace for 10 years and stop military operations than to let the Ukrainians and Russians kill each other for another 10 years without results, he said. Traditionally a pro-Western party, Smer under Mr Fico pivoted during the last campaign towards being softer on Vladimir Putin, with the 59-year-old calling for an end to sanctions on Russia as they were driving up the cost of living for ordinary Slovaks. Robert Fico, Slovakia's prime minister, has been shot and reportedly is in a life-threatening condition - ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP He has capitalised on mixed views about the benefits of Nato in Slovakia, where only 51 per cent would vote to remain in the alliance if there were a referendum, according to recent polls. As many as 60 per cent of Slovaks aged 25 to 64 also want to stop arming Ukraine, according to another study. Mr Ficos election victory had stoked fears of an about-turn from Bratislava on support for Ukraine, as his predecessor provided Kyiv with Howitzers, took in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees and was the first leader to send Mig-29 fighter jets. However, he did publicly condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has also stated his opposition to the annexation of Crimea. Born in northwest Slovakia in 1964, Mr Fico was first elected as an MP in 1992 for the Party of the Democratic Left, the successor of the Communist party. After switching to Smer, he won the 2006 general election, and served again as leader from 2012-2018, at which point he resigned amid a political crisis triggered by the murder of Jan Kuciak, an investigative journalist. Since the invasion of Ukraine, he has grown much closer to Viktor Orban, the increasingly Putin-friendly leader of Hungary. Robert Fico has expressed sympathy towards Vladimir Putin's war campaign in Ukraine, calling for sanctions to be scrapped - DMITRY KOSTYUKOV/AFP A recent profile in Politico suggested that Mr Fico hated Ukraine because he was forced in 2009 to wait more than three hours in Kyiv for a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart about natural gas supplies. He was then embarrassed to discover that journalists had been invited to what he thought would be a private meeting, leaving him red with anger, according to one insider. After being snubbed in Kyiv, Mr Fico flew to Moscow where Putin rolled out the red carpet at a greeting ceremony in St Georges Hall. From that point on, he began to take an openly anti-Ukrainian position, said Alexander Duleba, a Slovak foreign policy analyst. Mr Fico also publicly clashed in March 2024 with the British ambassador to Slovakia, who had posted a video message taking the Slovak leader to task for criticising EU member states support for Ukraine. Prior to Mr Ficos election, one analyst said Slovakia had been one of the most fierce supporters of Ukraine within Nato. Now its position under Mr Fico looks far more uncertain. 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. Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to hospital. Jan Kroslak/TASR/dpa Slovakia's president-elect Peter Pellegrini has condemned the attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico as an "unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy." "If we express political opinions with guns in the public squares, and not in the polling stations, we are jeopardizing everything we have built together in the 31 years of Slovak independence," the Social Democrat politician warned on Wednesday. Pellegrini cancelled a trip abroad. He is considered a close ally of Fico, even though he founded his own party, Hlas, four years ago as a splinter from Fico's left-wing populist Smer. He won the presidential election in April and will succeed the outgoing liberal president Zuzana Caputova in June. The Slovak Republic gained independence in 1993 with the division of Czechoslovakia. Prime Minister Robert Fico was reportedly shot multiple times on Wednesday, May 15, and airlifted to a hospital KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico is in critical condition after he was wounded in a shooting following a political event on Wednesday, May 15, according to multiple outlets. A post on his official Facebook page described the incident as an assassination attempt, and said that Fico had been "shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition." Officials also said in the post that he was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia which is approximately 20 miles from the area in order to get him quick treatment. They ended the post noting that the next few hours will decide" his fate. Related: 2 Years After Russias Invasion, Ukraine Is Still Standing Strong but the Fight Isnt Over The incident happened during an off-site government meeting in Handlova, Slovakia, according to CNN. The suspected gunman had been amongst a crowd on the street waiting to greet the prime minister outside where the meeting occurred, per the outlet. After the shooting, Fico was seen being moved by staff into a car that immediately sped away, according to CNN, which reviewed the footage. Slovak Labor Minister Erik Tomas told the outlet that no one else was injured in the attack. Related: Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Assassinated While Giving Campaign Speech Following the news, Slovak President Zuzana Caputova shared in a news conference, per ABC News: A physical attack on the prime minister is, first of all, an attack on a person, but it is also an attack on democracy. Any violence is unacceptable. The hateful rhetoric weve been witnessing in society leads to hateful actions. Please, lets stop it. She also shared, per CNN, that the suspected gunman was detained by police, and that law enforcement agencies would release more information soon. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok wrote on Facebook that Slovakia is experiencing the worst day of its democracy as he vowed to have the situation investigated promptly. For the first time in the 31 years of our democratic sovereign republic, it happened that someone decided to express a political opinion not in an election, but with a gun on the street," he said. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The news also prompted reactions from several world leaders. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), Shocked and appalled by the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico. I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia. Stoltenbergs sentiments were also shared by Estonia President Kaja Kallas who wrote on X, Deeply shocked by the assassination attempt of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico. An attack against an elected leader is also an attack against the very idea of democracy. I wish him a full and speedy recovery. Fico founded the left-wing DirectionSocial Democracy party, also known as Smer, in 1999. Under that affiliation he has served three stints as Slovakias prime minister, first from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2018. He assumed the position most recently in October 2023. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to hospital. Jan Kroslak/TASR/dpa Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition following a shooting attack, the TASR news agency reported, citing a government statement. The shooting took place after a Cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Witnesses told the TA3 news channel that at least four shots were heard near the House of Culture in Handlova when Fico went outside after the meeting to mingle with people and shake hands. One shot hit him in the chest. Video from the scene showed people dragging the politician into his limousine to take him to safety. The police announced that the attacker had been taken into custody. TASR said a helicopter had been dispatched to recover the injured politician and take him to hospital. Leaders across the European Union and the head of NATO expressed their horror at the shooting. Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to hospital. Jn Kroolk/TASR/dpa Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to hospital. Jan Kroslak/TASR/dpa Bodyguards take Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico to safety in a car from the scene of the incident. Fico had been shot and injured after a cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Radovan Stoklasa/TASR/dpa Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition following a shooting attack, the TASR news agency reported, citing a government statement. The shooting took place after a Cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Witnesses told the TA3 news channel that at least four shots were heard near the House of Culture in Handlova when Fico went outside after the meeting to mingle with people and shake hands. One shot hit him in the chest. Video from the scene showed people dragging the politician into his limousine to take him to safety. The police announced that the attacker had been taken into custody. TASR said a helicopter had been dispatched to take the injured politician to hospital. The police evacuated the cultural centre where the government meeting was being held. Handlova lies about 190 kilometres north-west of the capital Bratislava. Shock and condemnation The shooting was quickly condemned by political leaders in Slovakia and beyond. Slovakia's out-going President Zuzana Caputova posted on X that she was "utterly shocked by today's brutal attack on Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I condemn in strongest possible terms," . "I wish him lot of strength in this critical moment and early recovery. My thoughts are also with his family and close ones," she wrote in English. Slovakia's president-elect Peter Pellegrini called the attack an "unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy." "If we express political opinions with guns in the public squares, and not in the polling stations, we are jeopardizing everything we have built together in the 31 years of Slovak independence," the Social Democrat politician warned. Pellegrini cancelled a trip abroad. He is considered a close ally of Fico, even though he founded his own party, Hlas, four years ago as a splinter from Fico's left-wing populist Smer. He won the presidential election in April and will succeed the outgoing liberal president Zuzana Caputova in June. The leaders of other European nations also expressed their dismay at the shooting. "Shocking news from Slovakia. Robert, my thoughts are with you in this very difficult moment," wrote Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on X. "I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico", wrote Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. "We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country!" "I wish the prime minister to get well as soon as possible," said Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. "We must not tolerate violence, it must have no place in society". German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X that he was "deeply shocked by the news of the cowardly attack. Violence must not be existant in European politics. In these hours, my thoughts are with Robert Fico, his family and the citizens of Slovakia." The secretary general of the NATO military alliance Jens Stoltenberg wrote on X that he was "shocked and appalled" by the attack. Slovakia joined NATO in 2004, the same year it joined the European Union. Similar statements were made by the leaders of Belgium Romania and several other nations. Fico's latest term as prime minister began in October. The 59-year-old previously held the post of prime minister from 2006 to 2010 and 2012 to 2018. Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to a hospital in Banska Bystrica. Fico was shot and injured after a cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Jan Kroslak/TASR/dpa Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to hospital. Jan Kroslak/TASR/dpa Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to hospital. Jn Kroolk/TASR/dpa Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to hospital. Jan Kroslak/TASR/dpa Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, arrives for a government meeting at the House of Culture. Slovakian Prime Minister Fico has been shot and injured after a cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Radovan Stoklasa/TASR/dpa Slovakia's prime minister shot and wounded, taken to hospital (L-R) Slovak Minister of Investment, Regional Development and Information Richard Rai, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Richard Takae, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Denisa Sakova, Prime Minister Robert Fico and Minister of Transport Jozef Ra Jr. speak during a press conference after a government meeting in Handlova Radovan Stoklasa/TASR/dpa Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has been injured in a shooting and taken to hospital, news agency TASR reported. The shooting took place after a Cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova, the agency reported, citing the deputy leader of Fico's left-wing nationalist Smer party, Lubos Blaha. "Utterly shocked by today's brutal and reckless attack on Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I condemn in strongest possible terms," wrote President Zuzana Caputova on X. "I wish him lot of strength in this critical moment and early recovery. My thoughts are also with his family and close ones." Fico's latest term as prime minister began in October. The 59-year-old previously held the post of prime minister from 2006 to 2010 and 2012 to 2018. (L-R) Slovak Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Richard Takae, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Denisa Sakova, Prime Minister Robert Fico and Minister of Transport Jozef Ra Jr. speak during a press conference after a government meeting in Handlova Radovan Stoklasa/TASR/dpa KHARTOUM, May 15 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday warned that the window to save lives in Sudan is closing as famine looms in the African country's war-torn regions. "The situation is desperate and quickly deteriorating," WFP's Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau was quoted by the UN News Center as saying following a visit to Sudan. "We need a paradigm shift... on the level of access, or we will see a catastrophe here in Sudan," said Skau. Skau said that the WFP could only reach 25 to 30 percent of the 18 million Sundanese people estimated to suffer from severe food insecurity. He added that concerted diplomatic efforts and more resources were urgently needed to protect the civilians in Sudan and strengthen the humanitarian response. At least 5 million people in Sudan are on the brink of starvation, most of them in areas affected by the conflict that broke out in April last year, including the Darfur and Kordofan region and the capital Khartoum, according to the WFP. The WFP has repeatedly warned that Sudan could face the world's worst hunger crisis as the conflict has entered its second year. According to the UN, half of Sudan's population, or about 25 million people, need humanitarian assistance and protection, while nearly 18 million face acute food insecurity. Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15, 2023, which have killed 15,550 people and displaced 8.7 million others so far, according to recent estimates by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. TOPEKA (KSNT) You may experience some lowered visibility this morning, but is it smoke or fog? Wildfires in Canada have been causing worsening air quality for a number of midwest cities. Parts of the upper Midwest and westward toward the Rockies, including Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, saw the worst dips in air quality Monday morning, according to the EPA-affiliated U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI). KSNT News Storm Tracker Ashton Rizzo says its nothing to worry about as the air quality in Topeka is currently moderate. Leawood police release suspects test results in Hereford House food contamination Rizzo says a lot of the lowered visibility this morning is due to patchy areas of fog. Some areas could experience half-mile visibility. After the morning hours, the fog should clear out. For more weather 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Judging by headlines and social media clips alone, it would seem that huge numbers of college students have mobilized in opposition to Israel and its response to a brutal, unprovoked attack by a global terrorist organization. The data, however, show that this impression is wrong. Two recent polls push back on the narrative that Israel is hated on college campuses and that students are protesting en masse. The surveys reveal that Israel and Hamas are not the dominant issues for most students, and Americans more broadly, and that majorities of students and citizens strongly support Israel. An April 2024 Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll of almost 2,000 registered voters shows that, counter to the views of protestors, 80% of Americans support Israel over Hamas. Voters also understand that Israel is not systematically trying to wipe out Palestinians; 67% of voters believe that Israel is trying to avoid civilian casualties in fighting its war against Hamas. Moreover, over three-quarters of Americans (78%) maintain that when the war concludes, Hamas needs to be removed from running Gaza. As such, 72% of Americans believe that Israel should move forward with an operation in Rafah to finish the war with Hamas. And, centrally, when it comes to the war itself, the majority of American voters (71%) believe that the crisis in Gaza was created mostly by Hamas, not Israel. Turning to collegiate campuses, the majority of students do not support the messaging and behavior of the protests, and most are not participants. A new Generation Lab poll of 1,250 college and university students reveals that just a sliver of students 8% participated in either side of the protests. Among a list of issues that matter most to college students including health care, racial justice, civil rights, economic fairness, access to education and climate change many students ranked conflict in the Middle East last with just 13% saying it was among their top three issues. College students are in line with the American voters in the Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll, which showed that similarly low numbers of Americans just 7% ranked the Israel/Hamas conflict as being among the most important issues facing the country. College students are much more fractured when assigning blame for the conflict in Israel. The Generation Lab survey found that three times as many college students blame Hamas for the current situation in Gaza than blame President Joe Biden. Specifically, 34% of students blame Hamas for the war, while another 19% blame Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 12% blame the Israeli people and 12% blame Biden hardly a monolithic bloc on campus. Finally, the protests and encampments have been disruptive resulting in commencement cancellations, frequent violence and police being called onto campus. Generation Labs survey data shows that most students believe people should be held accountable for this behavior. About 81% of students support the notion that protesters should be held accountable and agree that those who destroyed property, vandalized or illegally occupied buildings should be held responsible by their college or university. Despite the horrific images of Jewish students being surrounded and threatened at schools like UCLA and Columbia, 90% of students agree that blocking pro-Israel students from parts of campus is unacceptable and a majority of students stand in opposition to the current protest tactics. Two-thirds (67%) say that occupying campus buildings is unacceptable and 58% say that it is not acceptable to refuse a universitys order to disperse. In short, there is a scared, silent majority of students who are not actively participating in the campus protests and who disagree with the messaging and agenda of the protesters. These students are not as extreme, dogmatic or as dangerous as social media makes all students seem when videos show a small minority of students taking over buildings and spaces from Columbia to UCLA. Americans, too, are generally in disagreement with the college protesters and even some liberal leaders are now being fed up with the state of college campuses; the mayor of New York City even stated in response to the Columbia protests that the city will not be a city of lawlessness. School leaders, along with public officials and community organizers, would be well served to understand where voters and students are on the situation in Israel. They should recognize that those who are screaming the loudest are doing so because they are in the wrong and represent only a misguided, ignorant fringe. Leaders should feel far more comfortable taking action against violent and dangerous students and agitators. Leaders must reclaim the narrative that we as a nation support debate, diversity and disagreement not threats, violence and extremism. Too many lines have been crossed, and we must protect our civil sphere and democratic traditions. Samuel J. Abrams is a professor of politics at Sarah Lawrence College and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. A United States Army soldier who died in non-combat related training accident over the weekend has been identified as a 23-year-old Virginia man. First Lt. Zachary Galli, 23, an explosive ordnance disposal officer, was killed during unspecified training at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson in Vernon Parish, Louisiana, his unit announced this week. The parish is in western Louisiana about 120 miles south of Shreveport. Originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, the soldier was assigned to the 749th Ordnance Company, 242nd Explosive Ordnance Battalion (EOD), 71st EOD Group located at Fort Carson in Colorado. Home of the Joint Readiness Training Center where a 23-year-old U.S. solider died during a training accident in May 2024. Soldier detained: Russia holds two more Americans including Army Staff Sgt. Gordon Black Cause of training accident under investigation The installation's Public Affairs Office initially announced the soldier's death Monday, but did not release what day he died. USA TODAY has reached out to the U.S. Army. It is with an extremely heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of 1st Lt. Zachary Galli, said Col. Brennan Fitzgerald, commander 71st EOD. Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of the Galli family, the 749th EOD Co., and the greater EOD community. The cause of the accident remained under investigation on Wednesday. An autopsy will determine Galli's official cause and manner of death. 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: Fort Carson First Lt. Zachary Galli died in training accident Arab refugees, mostly women and children, from a village near Haifa begin a three mile hike carrying large bundles of personal possessions to the Arab lines in Tulkarim, West Bank, on June 26, 1948. Credit - Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Every year on May 15, Palestinian people across the world observe what is known as Nakba Day, the solemn anniversary of the day in 1948 when the Arab-Israeli War began, precipitating a wave of displacement and expulsion among the Palestinian population. This year, with more than 450,000 peoplenearly a quarter of Gazas populationnewly displaced in just the past week, the commemoration of the Nakba, Arabic for catastrophe, takes on new significance. For those who observe it, Nakba Day is not only a day for mourning, but for a sense of re-establishment. Although it is annually remembered, the event has historical nuances and driving forces that can contribute to an understanding of the current events in Gaza. What is commemorated on Nakba Day? Political Zionismthe movement to create a Jewish statedates back to the 19th century, but the persecution of Jewish people in Europe in the 1930s and the horrors of the Holocaust helped drive a massive migration in that decade of 60,000 Jews to what was then known as Mandatory Palestine, the British-controlled land that was majority Muslim-Palestinian at the time. In the midst of increasing conflict over the land, the United Nations proposed a division of Arab and Jewish states; the proposal was opposed by the Arab population of the land, and a civil war followed the announcement of the plan. When Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948, following Britains departure, armies from several neighboring Arab lands joined the war on the side of the Palestinian Arab population. Their invasion took place on May 15. Read More: Why the Director of Netflixs Farha Depicted the Murder of a Palestinian Family In the years prior to and during the war that followed, as Israel pushed back the forces of its neighbors, over half the Palestinian population was displaced. From 1947 to 1949, 531 towns were destroyed by Israeli militias, according to the West Bank-based Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, homes were shelled, and 15,000 people were killed, including women and children. They witnessed rapes, imprisonment of men and boys, and almost all of them witnessed the destruction of major cultural sites, says professor Abdel Razzaq Takriti, who teaches modern Palestinian and Arabic History at Rice University. (By the end of the Arab-Israeli war, over 6,000 Israelis lost their lives, including some in mass killings.) There were attacks on water sources; Akka [also known as Acre], for example, was subjected to biological warfare. Their water was poisoned to try to force the populations out, Takriti says. The idea was to have as much land appropriated with the fewest Palestinian population remaining as possible. Further attempts to poison water supplies in Gaza were thwarted when Egyptian officials found out, says Takriti. Of the 1.4 million-strong Palestinian population at the time, 800,000 were displaced; the massacres of families and towns left enduring scars on the survivors. The Nakba has two dimensions, Takriti says. The humanitarian catastrophe entails loss of land, loss of property and expulsion of the people. The other dimension was the political catastrophe, which entailed suppression of native sovereignty. Those two aspects of reality continue to this very day Razan Ghabin, a 26-year-old Palestinian living in the U.S., recounts the stories told to her by her grandparents who survived the Nakba. Ghabins grandmother, Othmana As'ad Ghabin, was a Palestinian refugee from Lifta, a village on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Born in 1925, Othmana recounted the Nakba to her granddaughter many times. She would test her children and grandchildren by having them repeating her memories back to her to ensure that her stories never died. The Liftawi people were affluent, with many of the relatives in the families holding Masters degrees. Lifta is now known as Palestinian Pompeiithe original buildings left behind after the Nakba still stand today, deserted. Left: Razan Ghabins grandmother, Othmana Asad Ghabin, wearing a traditional Liftawi thobe celebrating the wedding of one of her children in Ramallah, Palestine years after the Nakba; Right: Ghabin's great-grandparents and relatives outside a Lifta coffee shop years before the Nakba, where they would eventually be attacked and forcibly removed. Courtesy Ghabin Israeli militia attacked a coffee shop in the village in 1948 while Othmanas family were there, she says. The military threatened them and told them to leave, telling them it would be temporary. They hid in a nearby cave and any time they tried to return theyd be shot at. They later had to establish a life as refugees in Ramallah, a city in the West Bank. Even though the borders opened years later in 1967, Asad was never able to return to Lifta. The family continues to live in Ramallah. How is Nakba Day commemorated today? Yousef Kassim, a Palestinian-American and son of Nakba survivors, emphasized the importance of the day for Palestinians worldwide. We certainly reflect on it as a family; well share stories or my dad will share stories. He was a baby when it actually happened, but less and less people that were alive when it happened are still here. For a lot of them its tough to talk about, Kassim says. We believe its still ongoing, because so long as the Palestinians that were expelled and their descendants aren't allowed to return, its ongoing for them. Read More: Imagining a Free Palestine My father was from Lifta, next to Deir Yassinthe site of one of the most infamous massacres of the Nakbaand thats where my paternal grandmother was born, he says. News spread quick to the neighboring villages, news of the murders and rapes. Village residents were not in a position to fend off the gangs. Kassims grandfather rented houses to Holocaust survivors and Jewish immigrants, and after what happened to his family, was left penniless with 12 kids. Yousef Kassims family lived only six miles outside of Lifta but was never allowed to return. He lived until he was 93 years old and never got to see justice. Palestinian right of return groups and committees across the world demand rights during this day, recounting the destruction of their individual towns and cities, says Takriti. The refugees want a repatriation, and vehemently reject the resettlement and want their land back. They also want an end to the military occupation and Israeli apartheid systems. Many Palestinians demand political, national, and humanitarian respect during this time, and they do this through marches, rallies, speeches, publications and cultural activities. A lot of Palestinians, when we think of the Nakba we think of really horrible events, Kassim says, but we also gain a lot of inspiration from the way that our parents and grandparents approached really difficult situations with a lot of grace. Correction, May 16: The original version of this article misstated the period during which over half the Palestinian population was displaced; it covers the time prior to May 15, 1948, not just from that day until the end of the war. It also mischaracterized the Israelis in Kassim's relative's account of the Nakba; he was told they were gangs, not military forces. Contact us at letters@time.com. James Coates was due to be on the BBC's Radio 4 Today Programme when someone attempted to steal from the store where he works - KEN MCKAY/SHUTTERSTOCK The son of Ian Coates, a victim of last years Nottingham stabbing rampage, confronted a shoplifter during an interview with the BBC. James Coates was setting up for the interview with Emma Barnett, ahead of her debut episode as a BBC Radio 4 Today Programme host, when a thief attempted to steal from the store where he works. Mr Coates was on the BBC programme to discuss a Court of Appeal ruling on his fathers killer. Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar were killed by Valdo Calocane on June 13 2023 - NOTTINGHAMSHIRE POLICE But before he spoke to the programme, Ms Barnett said: James Coates is one of Ians sons. I spoke to him after this judges ruling in the Court of Appeal, an interview, I just want to say, he conducted while taking time out of his job working as a shop manager in Nottingham, the city where his father was murdered. Rather incredibly, while we were setting up the line to talk, he also managed to stop someone from shoplifting. The interview came after a court ruled Valdo Calocanes sentence for killing three people in a knife attack last summer was not unduly lenient. Calocane was given an indefinite hospital order in January after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of students Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar, and school caretaker Ian Coates, and the attempted murder of three others. Valdo Calocane's indefinite hopstial order given in January will not be changed for the murders of Grace O'Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates, and the attempted murder of three others, in a spate of attacks in Nottingham on June 13 - NOTTINGHAMSHIRE POLICE/PA The Attorney General then referred the case to the Court of Appeal arguing that the sentence should have included an element of punishment. But Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales Baroness Carr, Lord Justice Edis and Mr Justice Garnham rejected the application on Tuesday. It means Calocanes sentence will not be changed. Introducing Mr Coates ahead of the interview, Ms Barnett said: Rather incredibly while we were setting up the line to talk, he [Mr Coates] managed to stop someone from shoplifting. Mr Coates works as a store manager in Nottingham, the city where his father was killed by the 32-year-old paranoid schizophrenic. Speaking about Tuesdays ruling James Coates, told BBC Radio 4: We saw it coming, to be honest, it was looking likely that it was going to happen. This is just the first step. This was always the case that from the beginning that we needed for it to be a public inquiry. He added: Weve obviously been speaking to Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak, theyve then said that theyre fully behind it, but we need to go through the other processes first with the investigations and the inquiries and obviously the appeal. So as they start to come to a close, thats when well keep screaming and shouting for the public inquiry. Calocane fatally stabbed 19-year-old university students Webber and OMalley-Kumar as they walked home from a night out in the early hours of June 13 last year, before killing Coates and stealing his van. He then used the vehicle to knock down three pedestrians, Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski and Sharon Miller, in Nottingham city centre before being arrested. Mr Coates said: My biggest fear is not him as a person. Its people like him or what he can do to other innocent people. If he was to come out and relapse and not take the medication and go out and kill again. Prosecutors accepted Calocanes not guilty pleas to murder at his sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court in January after multiple medical experts concluded he had paranoid schizophrenia. Asked if Mr Coates thinks justice is possible for his father and the other victims, he said: No not at all. There never will be justice until a certain person is dead. And that might not even be enough. The families of the victims criticised the sentence at the time, with Webbers mother, Emma, telling reporters outside court that true justice has not been served today. While a later review found that prosecutors were right to accept Calocanes pleas, Victoria Prentis, the Attorney General, referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal, describing the killings as horrific. 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. Son wanted in connection with fathers death in Columbus arrested in Chicago, police say The son of a man found dead in Columbus and decomposing in his apartment has been arrested in Chicago, police reported. Samuel Haynes, son of Billy Haynes, has been arrested in Chicago after a warrant for murder was issued for Samuel Haynes, according to police. Police said they responded on November 19, 2023, to the 1000 block of Lawyers Lane for a welfare check for Billy Haynes. Responding officers discovered a male decomposed in the bedroom who was identified as Billy Haynes, according to a press release. An autopsy revealed he died from stab/puncture wounds, according to police. Police said Samuel Haynes is awaiting extradition to Columbus. A class disparity has emerged within the Russian military, contrasting the fates of ordinary soldiers and the privileged elite. This divide has ignited widespread anger and criticism, even among top-level troops who feel betrayed by their leadership during the ongoing battle over Ukraine. In a recent intelligence update, the UK Ministry of Defence detailed the existence of a specialised military unit, Bars Kaskad, designed to recruit individuals from affluent and influential Russian families. This unit, primarily engaged in drone operations far from the front lines, offers a markedly different experience from the harsh realities faced by ordinary Russian soldiers. The simmering discontent reached a boiling point when soldiers from the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade, an elite corps of the Russian army, published an open letter condemning their superiors for using them as cannon fodder in Ukraine. This letter, which gained significant traction on social media platform Telegram, highlighted the devastating losses suffered by the Brigade during a disastrously executed offensive near Donetsk. Due to the carefully planned offensive by the great commanders, we lost about 300 people and 50 per cent of our vehicles, the letter read. The soldiers blunt criticism went viral in Russia, forcing the Russian military to address these grievances publicly for the first time since the conflict began. In stark contrast to the harrowing experiences of the 155th Brigade, the Bars Kaskad unit represents a haven for Russias upper crust. Established by Dmitry Sablin, Deputy Chairman of the State Dumas Defence Committee, the unit is comprised of members from the pro-Putin United Russia Party and sons of Kremlin high-ranking officials. These individuals are stationed far from the front lines, engaging in drone operations that keep them out of harms way. The formation of Bars Kaskad, operational since October 2022, was criticised as a means for the elite to circumvent compulsory military service while maintaining a veneer of patriotism. Analysts suggest that this unit allows members to publicly demonstrate their service without the associated risks, lending credibility to their future political careers and maintaining their social standing. But this disparity has not gone unnoticed amongst the rank and file. Ordinary Russian soldiers bearing the brunt of the conflict can see their elite counterparts enjoying relative safety and privilege. The stench of cynicism is exacerbating the morale crisis among Russian troops. Military analyst Ruslan Leviev noted, Kaskad is specially created for all kinds of famous people and officials who are looking to publicly demonstrate that they have gone to war and stood up for their country. You sit somewhere in the rear, drink tea, come back with a medal and titles, and go on to build your political career as a participant in the war. In one instance, Alexei Blinovsky, the husband of Russian influencer and blogger Yelena Blinovskaya, joined Bars Kaskad to avoid legal repercussions over her tax evasion and secure her release. The use of ordinary Russians as cannon fodder while the privileged few secure safe billets in units like Bars Kaskad exemplifies the deep-seated inequalities that persist in Russian society as a whole. As ordinary soldiers continue to face the brutal realities of war, the elites ability to opt-out of danger raises serious questions about how long Moscow can continue to mistreat ordinary citizens before facing a revolt. 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. LOS GATOS, Calif. (KRON) The Los Gatos Saratoga High School District Teachers Association plans to hold a rally Wednesday morning at Los Gatos High School. Teachers and parents attending the rally say the district isnt paying enough compared to others in the county. The teachers association is asking for better salaries, saying that the district isnt paying a livable wage. Most teachers, according to the group, have to get second jobs just to survive in the area. The Los Gatos Saratoga High School District Teachers Association is holding a rally May 15, 2024 at Los Gatos High School. (Photo: Michael Thomas) The Los Gatos Saratoga High School District Teachers Association is holding a rally May 15, 2024 at Los Gatos High School. (Photo: Michael Thomas) San Jose girl attacked while walking home from school, police say The teachers association is also asking for smaller class sizes when it comes to specialty classes, saying its about student safety and the workload on teachers. KRON4.com reached out to the district for comment and received the following statement: The district is currently in the middle of regular contract negotiations with both the District Teachers Association (DTA), as well as our classified staff bargaining unit (California School Employees Association). We provide regular updates after every negotiation session to keep our families and staff fully informed and look forward to continuing good faith negotiations that are mutually beneficial and fiscally responsible to our community. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. South Dakota joins lawsuit against new federal guidance on sex-based discrimination (Getty Images) South Dakota has joined a multi-state lawsuit against new federal workplace harassment guidelines that cover an employees gender identity. The federal Equal Opportunity Employment Commission published updated guidance on April 29. It covers over 70 examples of unlawful harassment, including not just sex-based but also harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age and genetic information. As we commemorate this years 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the guidance will help raise awareness about the serious problem of harassment in employment and the laws protections for those who experience it, said EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows in a news release. Among other things, the guidelines say that harassing conduct based on sexual orientation or gender identity includes denial of access to a bathroom or other sex-segregated facility consistent with the individuals gender identity. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem criticized the guidance Tuesday in a news release. With this Guidance, the Biden administration is failing to protect the privacy, safety, and religious rights of all employees, Noem said. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley also criticized the guidance. The EEOC is unlawfully attempting to burden employers, confuse gender, and limit someones ability to refuse sharing a restroom with someone of the opposite sex, Jackley said. The lawsuit is filed in federal court in Tennessee. It asks the court to declare the guidance unlawful. South Dakota joins 17 other states as plaintiffs: Tennessee, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post South Dakota joins lawsuit against new federal guidance on sex-based discrimination appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. A woman takes a close look at traditional Chinese writing tools during a Chinese calligraphy exhibition held in Rabat, Morocco, May 14, 2024. Chinese calligraphy has charmed many Moroccan people in cultural events held here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) Teachers and students from the Confucius Institute at the Mohammed V University write visitors' names in Chinese calligraphy during the 29th edition of the International Book and Publishing Fair in Rabat, Morocco, May 14, 2024. Chinese calligraphy has charmed many Moroccan people in cultural events held here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) A young girl watches a student from the Confucius Institute at the Mohammed V University writing her name in Chinese calligraphy during the 29th edition of the International Book and Publishing Fair in Rabat, Morocco, May 14, 2024. Chinese calligraphy has charmed many Moroccan people in cultural events held here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) Visitors view an exhibit during a Chinese calligraphy exhibition held in Rabat, Morocco, May 14, 2024. Chinese calligraphy has charmed many Moroccan people in cultural events held here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) A visitor takes photos of exhibits during a Chinese calligraphy exhibition held in Rabat, Morocco, May 14, 2024. Chinese calligraphy has charmed many Moroccan people at cultural events held here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) Why One South Dakota Tribe Refuses to Ban Kristi Noem From Its Lands The Lower Brule Sioux tribal council on Wednesday became the latest to vote in favor of banning South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem from its landleaving just one tribal territory in the state where the embattled politician is still openly welcome: the Flandreau Santee Sioux. But dont expect them to follow their counterparts in antagonizing their states governor, a spokesperson for the tribe told The Daily Beast. Noem angered Indigenous American communities in her state earlier this year by suggesting, among other things, that tribal leaders are colluding with Mexican drug cartels. Noem also recently blamed Indigenous parents for abandoning their children and sabotaging their academic performance. She was subsequently declared persona non grata by the Crow Creek, Sisseton Wahpeton, Oglala, Cheyenne River, Standing Rock, and Rosebud Sioux tribes, which account for nearly all of the tribal land in South Dakotaalmost 20 percent of the states total area. The leadership committee of the Yankton Sioux Tribe also said it supports a ban, though it has yet to make an official decision. But theres one tribe still holding out hope for a productive relationship with the governor: the Flandreau Santee Sioux. Tribal Communications Director Francis Wakeman told The Daily Beast that while Noems rhetoric is not too helpful, it had no immediate plans to bar her from their tribal land. South Dakota Hotelier Sued for Trying to Ban All Native Americans Were really busy with our own economic development and our own tasks right now, he said. The governor has her agenda; we have ours. Were just continuing forward. So, were not going to get into the issue of banning the governor or anything at this time. He said that he understood other tribes were having issues with the state leader, but explained that the Flandreau Santee Sioux didnt have that relationship right now with the governor. Wakeman said he actually agreed with some of the things Noem has said about the academic needs of Indigenous children not being met. When it comes to chronic absenteeism, we do have a high rate of that. Were working with our parents to address those concerns, but we are happy that [Noem is] concerned about Native education, Wakeman said. We understand where [Noem is] coming from, but at the same time, [non-Indigenous politicians] kind of have to understand where Native people are coming from. Its not been a good experience for any of us. Wakeman detailed how boarding school trauma still provides anxiety when it comes to Flandreau Santee children attending school. I came from one generation away from a mother that had a bad experience at boarding schools within the state, he explained. So, theres a lot of apprehension on Native people when you start tossing the word education around because we have such a traumatic experience with it. Those are the types of issues that kind of pop up whenever we talk about children in education, but we are addressing those things, Wakeman added, and we are trying to be culturally sensitive to those that have suffered abuses. The comments come as Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Chairman Clyde Estes said on Wednesday it was standing in solidarity with fellow South Dakota tribes and banning the governor. In a statement to The Daily Beast, Estes confirmed that the tribal nation had banished SD Governor Noem until further notice. We sent the Governor a letter a couple of months ago asking her to apologize for her gross misstatements regarding our native youth saying they have no hope and the disparaging remarks about the parents of the children that they are absent in their children's lives, Estes issued on Facebook under the tribe's communications page. We are calling on the Governor to issue a formal apology to all SD native youth, their parents and tribal leaders for the unfounded truths she has stated. We ... stand in solidarity with our Oceti Sakowin Tribes in South Dakota. Kristi Noem Now Banned in More Than 90 Percent of All South Dakota Tribal Lands The decision by Lower Brule Sioux Tribe comes a day after the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe unanimously decided that Noem couldnt step foot on their land due to the derogatory remarks that she made at that town hall meeting in March. We banned [Noem] on her derogatory remarks about the cartels and ghost dancers, Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Council member Kyle Loudner told local news outlet KELOLAND. He added that the Governor also ignored a state of emergency that the tribe had attempted to put in place. In July 2023, the Crow Creek Sioux issued a declaration that the tribes treaty with the U.S. was being broken because there were inadequate resources and law enforcement, which affected the health and safety of its members. In a statement to The Daily Beast late Wednesday night, Noems chief of communications said that banishing the governor does nothing to solve [the] problem or help those who are suffering horrific tragedies. She calls on all our tribal leaders to banish the cartels from tribal lands, Ian Fury wrote. 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. Sterilization Services of Tennessee in South Memphis. (Tennessee Lookout/Karen Pulfer Focht) (This story was originally published by MLK50: Justice Through Journalism. Subscribe to their newsletter here.) After months of vague promises from Sterilization Services of Tennessee about closing, South Memphis residents and environmental advocates believe that the Florida Street facility, known for emitting a cancer-causing gas, has finally shut down. This spring, the community experienced mixed feelings regarding the Environmental Protection Agencys new regulations, which require companies like SST to cut emissions by 90%. The regulations seemed irrelevant; SST was expected to relocate long before the rules took effect. Yet, people living near the facility were in the dark once again about the status of the companys relocation plans. Their only clue came from a letter the companys attorneys sent to elected officials last summer, stating SST would close its Memphis facility as of April 30. Memphis Community Against Pollution, an environmental and climate justice organization pressuring the facility to shutter, gathered in front of the facility on Tuesday for a press conference. They shared that the company was on track to move out of their community, as members of that community clapped alongside them. MCAP has not heard directly from SST about their move-out status. However, according to the Shelby County Health Department, which oversees air quality in Memphis, the company has not submitted any new permit renewal applications. On Thursday, not a single car was parked outside the seemingly vacant building. MLK50: Justice Through Journalism has been reaching out to SST for comment for the last year without receiving any response. Had SST not closed, SCHD planned to continue with the existing regulations until the EPAs new limits for ethylene oxide were implemented nearly two years from now. Dissatisfied with the health departments approach to managing EtO emissions, MCAP and their attorneys from the Southern Environmental Law Center have criticized it as inadequate, prompting them to take matters into their own hands. While it may seem unusual to celebrate a company closing, we acknowledge the power of community advocacy, said Mary Webb, who has lived in Mallory Heights for most of her life. We see a lot of health problems around here my thing is now, since you left, what are you going to do to help us? Community members believe they deserve repair for their exposure to the toxic gas that had been leaking from the plant for four decades. In a class action lawsuit filed against SST in August, which does not not include MCAP, people are looking for financial and medical support with comprehensive cancer screenings and preventive care measures. For MCAP President KeShaun Pearson, however, the work is not over. SST is just one of the 17 toxic release facilities in southwest Memphis, a majority Black community. The fight for environmental justice is going to continue. This fight was never Sterilization Services of Tennessee. This fight was for clean air, clean water and clean soil for everybody who lives here. SST was just an apparatus and part of environmental injustice and environmental racism we experience, said Pearson. We are happy that Sterilization Services of Tennessee is leaving, and what we hope for is that this place is [used] differently. The sustainable future we are looking forward to involves changing and reforming these industrial properties into something that is green. The post South Memphis celebrates its collective power after closure of toxic facility appeared first on Tennessee Lookout. Transgender students are suffering in Harrison County because of the school districts insistence that they dress according to their biological sex, a Harrison Central High student and her mother say in a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights. The complaint details the sex-based, hostile environment that the 16-year-old and other gay or transgender students face in Harrison County schools. The school district is violating Title IX, a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools, through its dress code and harassment of transgender students, the American Civil Liberties Union claims. Under Education Department rules, sex discrimination applies to sexual orientation and gender identity. The ACLU filed its complaint Wednesday for Gulfport resident Kimberly Hudson on behalf of her daughter, identified as A.H. The ACLU is asking that the Education Departments Civil Rights Office look into the school districts enforcement of the dress code. The office should request that sex-based and other gendered language be eliminated, the complaint says. The district also should adopt policies on responding to allegations of discrimination, and apologize for the harm done to A.H. and other students, the complaint says. A school district that violates the law, enforced by the Civil Rights Office, can lose its federal funding. The district added dressing by biological sex to the regular dress code after insisting that a transgender student abide by her sex at birth for a graduation dress code that dictates what boys and girls wear for the ceremony. Enforcement of the graduation dress code in 2023 prompted a federal lawsuit from the transgender students parents and spate of national publicity. A federal judge ruled the district was within its rights to enforce the dress code. I have never seen a dress code like Harrison Countys where they specifically tied it to the sex assigned at birth of a student, said McKenna Raney-Gray, LGBTQ Justice Project Staff Attorney for the ACLU of Mississippi. If Harrison County is so invested in discriminating against transgender students that theyre willing to put their federal funding at risk, I think thats showing their main mission is not to educate students. L.B. , a transgender senior in Harrison County, Mississippi, missed her high school graduation ceremony after the school district insisted she dress as a boy because that is her biological sex. Transgender student humiliated District employees have discriminated against A.H. because her biological sex at birth was male, the complaint says. It describes humiliations and indignities that she has faced over the years. As an eighth-grader at West Wortham Elementary & Middle School, she saw no choice but to use the boys bathroom even though she found it humiliating. As she walked into the boys restroom one day, the complaint says, a teacher screamed at her: What are you doing? Get out of there! You dont belong in there! The complaint says, This was deeply distressing, embarrassing, and confusing for A.H., who started to cry and did not know where she could go to relieve herself. Shes suffered other humiliations over restrooms since then, leading her to limit her intake of food and water while at school. Shes more recently had problems over wearing a dress for special occasions as a band member, twice being told she would need to change. In March, the complaint says, the band director approved of a black dress that she chose to wear for a regional band concert evaluation in Pearl. An accomplished musician, she had spent months preparing for the concert. A.H. was delighted when classmates complimented her on her dress. In the hall, she ran into Principal Kelly Fuller, the complaint says, quoting Fuller as saying, You know you cant wear that, right? They went back and forth, but Fuller insisted a boy could not wear a dress or skirt. A.H. had to call her mother to bring her boys clothes, a buttoned-down shirt and dress pants. Returning to the classroom where her dress had been celebrated by her peers, the complaint says, A.H. felt utterly humiliated to be seen in clothing that was inconsistent with her gender identity. The complaint also describes homophobic and transphobic slurs aimed at A.H. by an older student and constant misgendering and deadnaming by staff. Deadnaming occurs when someone is called by the name they were given at birth rather than the name they have chosen to match their gender identity. ACLU: Dress code unfairly singles out girls The ACLU contends district employees have unfairly targeted girls, particularly transgender or nongender-conforming girls, for discriminatory dress code enforcement. The complaint cites the case of a female student, identified as Student A, who is gay and has always dressed in masculine clothing. She wore a tuxedo for her senior portrait in the fall, but the photographer told her that district policy required girls to wear drapes. She would have been uncomfortable in a drape, so she wore her tuxedo jacket for the picture. Superintendent Mitchell King later said the portrait would not be included in the yearbook, the complaint says, so her mother took out a full-page yearbook ad that featured the photo. As of May 8, 2024, Student A has not received a yearbook and remains in suspense about whether her tuxedo portrait will be included in her senior ad, the complaint says. High school graduation woes The complaint also covers the districts enforcement of its graduation dress code in 2023, detailing the case that wound up in federal court because a transgender student planned to wear a dress to graduation. When a judge sided with the district, the student decided against attending the ceremony. Another 2023 graduate, Student C, was pulled from the line at the last minute, the complaint says, because she was wearing black pants. She was told that she could remove the pants and walk in her graduation gown but would need white shoes. The complaint says: Her mother then pointed out the absurdity of the Districts position, saying So, she could walk in her underwear, but she cant walk in pants. Student C did not walk in her graduation ceremony. Her grandmother, who drove 800 miles for the occasion, said, I dont understand how this, a moment this important, can be taken away from a child thats worked 12 years to get here. The Sun Herald will update this story with any response from the School District, which had no advance notice of the complaint. Mississippi Rising Coalition President Lea Campbell and other members of the group hold posters in support of L.B., a transgender student who didnt walk in her graduation because the dress code would have required her to dress as a boy, during a Harrison County School Board meeting in June 2023 in Gulfport. A St. Paul man with a record of stealing copper wire from streetlights has avoided prison time for a January incident in the citys Frogtown neighborhood. E Xiong, 47, pleaded guilty to felony possession of burglary or theft tools after reaching an agreement with Ramsey County prosecutors last month. Judge Joy Bartscher followed the agreement on May 3, staying a 13-month prison sentence for three years, during which time Xiong will be on supervised probation. Xiong was ordered to pay the city of St. Paul $548 in restitution. The amount of restitution is based in part on a persons ability to pay. Xiong was arrested around 3 a.m. Jan. 18 after police were called to the 800 block of Sherburne Avenue, just north of University Avenue, on a report of people stealing wire from a streetlight. An officer saw a man riding a bike and tried to stop and question him, but he fled down an alley behind University Avenue, the charges say. The bicyclist crashed and was identified as Xiong. He said he fled because he was wanted on a Ramsey County felony warrant for theft. In Xiongs backpack were wires, copper, a wire cutter, screwdriver and saw blade, the charges say. He said he found the wires, and that he uses the tools to fix his bike. Officers located five damaged light posts in the area. Previous cases At the time of his arrest, Xiong had two open cases involving theft of wires from St. Paul streetlights, court records show. Theyve since been resolved. In March, Xiong was convicted of gross misdemeanor theft and put on probation for three years after admitting to stealing wires last summer from three streetlights near Lorient Street and University Avenue. Officers found bundles of wire in Xiongs pockets. He told an officer he receives between $150 and $200 for scrapping the wire at a local company, the criminal complaint says. St. Paul Public Works put repair and replacement at $4,000. As part of an August plea deal, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a second case filed in May 2022. In that one, Xiong and another man were caught by police kneeling next to the base of a light pole with tools near Wheelock Parkway by Lake Phalen, the complaint says. Growing problem With prices rising, copper wire has become a more common target over the past year or more, leading to long strings of darkened streetlights throughout the city, especially in and around the citys parks and river roads. St. Paul spent $1.2 million last year on repair and replacement due to wire theft and accompanying damage to streetlights and traffic signals, compared with $250,000 in 2019, according to the city. Two St. Paul legislators are sponsoring bills that would require anyone selling copper metal to have a state-issued license. Construction contractors, people who work in residential trades and other licensed workers would continue to be allowed to sell copper and wouldnt need a separate license. The bills would still allow residents and businesses to recycle copper materials with scrap metal companies for free. Related Articles SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) Lawmakers have threatened to cut the cord on the reauthorization of billions of dollars in state funding for big projects that have sat unspent. Facing that criticism, state analysts are exploring a new tactic to keep lawmakers up to speed on the projects and help keep an eye on the money. Story continues below The new spotlights are meant to show lawmakers which projects are completed and in progress, in the areas they are visiting during the interim. Earlier this year, lawmakers heard how roughly five billion dollars is sitting unspent in capital outlay projects throughout New Mexico. At some point, we have to say enough is enough because were sitting on this money, said Senator Crystal Diamond Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) in February. Legislators on both sides of the aisle expressed frustration and went so far as to say they wouldnt reauthorize funding because of this: Were going to draw the line in the sand and say, we cant get it done,' said Sen. George Munoz (D-Gallup). Amid that criticism, the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) is now taking a new step to shine a light on capital outlay projects in the works or finished. What we wanted to do is give you a more specific sense of what needs these local dollars are targeting in the communities youre traveling to; what their outstanding unfunded [sic] needs are; and also especially focus on the outcomes these investments are having by taking kind of a deeper look at specific projects, said Cally Carswell, an analyst with the LFC. This is the first time the LFC analysts have done these capital outlay spotlights. One of the things we hope to do with these spotlights is both look at completed projects and understand what kind of challenges they may have had to overcome, how they did it, and identify the factors that support project success which can kind of be useful as we look at funding future capital outlay, Carswell said. At a Tuesday meeting, analysts highlighted two projects: the first, a new Cibola County Public Safety Complex in Grants put in a decommissioned armorya three-year project with a price tag of $5.5 million. The county undertook this project to consolidate three key public safety functions into one facilitythose being the sheriffs office, Office of Emergency Management, and 9-1-1 dispatch, said Antonio Ortega, analyst with the LFC. The second project highlighted was the construction of a new public safety building in Gallup. The existing building which houses the police department and municipal court is over 50 years old and suffers from long-standing mold and structural deficiencies, Ortega said. Ortega says this project got $11.5 million in state funding, $12.8 million from a local GRT bond, and $3.4 million from the citys general fund. The new building will offer expanded operational space and increase the capacity for evidence storage. It will include modern testing space and equipment for the narcotics unit as well as modern interview rooms, holding cells, and a courtroom, Ortega said. Despite half of the overall cost coming from local funds, analysts say this projects costs were double the original estimate. Carswell says they hope these spotlights will help lawmakers see whats holding projects back. Its great to go ahead and see the system as you continue to improve the transparency as you continue providing the information and the accountability, said Senator Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas). Analysts say they also hope this will improve the appropriation and support process of these projects moving forward. They highlighted two key factors for the success of the two cases they presented: local communities contributed their own funds to get the projects done, and communities had the staff to oversee the projects. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. State of emergency declared in France's New Caledonia as riots rage Emmanuel Macron, President of France, makes a press statement following a joint meeting at the Federal Chancellery. Christoph Soeder/dpa France has imposed a state of emergency in New Caledonia as the South Pacific overseas territory is rocked by violent unrest, the office of President Emmanuel Macron announced in Paris following a crisis meeting on Wednesday. Declaring a state of emergency makes it easier for the authorities to impose curfews and ban demonstrations, among other actions. At least three people have died in the riots that raged after France's National Assembly approved contentious voting reforms to the territory that angered independence supporters. Several hundred people have been injured. Macron expressed his shock at the deaths and the serious injuries suffered by a police officer, the presidential office said. The acts of violence were intolerable and the state would crack down to restore order, it added. French media, citing New Caledonia High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, gave the death toll on Wednesday. Earlier, the French High Commission said more than 130 had been arrested after a second night of protests, looting and vandalism. The riots began on Monday as France debated a bill which would give thousands of French citizens in the archipelago in the South Pacific the right to vote in provincial polls. New Caledonia's pro-independence movement fears that the change will result in a weakening of political influence among the Indigenous Kanak people. The National Assembly in Paris adopted the reform overnight, by 351 votes to 153. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on RTL television that one of the deaths were caused by a bullet, but that it had not been fired by a police officer. The exact circumstances would have to be clarified, he said. There was initially no information on the other deaths. "There must be no violence in a democracy. There must be absolute calm," Darmanin declared. He said there had been attacks on police stations with axes and heavy ammunition. About 60 police officers had been injured in the riots, the High Commission said on Wednesday. Numerous buildings had been set alight, including schools. A planned escape at the prison in the capital Noumea had been thwarted, it added. An overnight curfew is in place and people are asked to limit their movements during the day, the commission said. There is also a ban on gatherings, selling alcohol and carrying weapons. The airport has been closed. For Paris, New Caledonia is important geopolitically, both militarily and because of its nickel deposits. The territory, with about 270,000 residents, has gained extensive autonomy through the Noumea Agreement. The island is located some 1,200 kilometres east of Australia. Residents voted to remain part of France in each of the three referendums on independence held in 2018, 2020 and 2021. However, the independence movement boycotted the last vote and announced that it would not accept the result. HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) A state grant will support road improvements near LG Energy Solution Michigan in Holland. The $2.8 million Michigan Department of Transportation grant comes through the Transportation Economic Development Fund. The project will resurface 40th Street between Industrial Avenue and Waverly Road and expand 40th to three lanes rather than two between Waverly and the North Branch Macatawa River. There will also be traffic signal timing changes at the Waverly intersections at 40th and 48th Street. In all, the work is going to cost about $3.5 million. LG is footing about 20% of the total bill, or around $715,000. The work is linked to the LG expansion being built in the area. LG builds lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. We believe this collaborative project will benefit drivers in the area, key stakeholders, and employees, while our company prioritizes a greener future and transforms the automotive industry as a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, LG executive Roger Traboulay said in a Wednesday statement released by Gov. Gretchen Whitmers office. We appreciate the partnerships with the State of Michigan, City of Holland and Lakeshore Advantage to improve the surrounding roads and infrastructure. The Saginaw County Road Commission also got a TEDF grant of $1.9 million to help cover road upgrades west of the city of Saginaw around the site of a new plant for Hemlock Semiconductor, which produces a material used in semiconductors and solar panels. The governors office said that together, the grants will support investments worth $3.4 billion and 1,751 jobs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. A convoy of vehicles are on their way to a funeral in Goma, North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on May 15, 2024. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held a funeral on Wednesday for the victims of recent bombings at several sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country's eastern province of North Kivu. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) GOMA, DRC, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held a funeral on Wednesday for the victims of recent bombings at several sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country's eastern province of North Kivu. On May 3, at least five rockets fell in and around four IDP camps in the outlying neighborhoods of Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province. According to the provincial government, the toll rose to 35 dead and 37 injured. The Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Actions and National Solidarity, Modeste Mutinga Mutushayi, reaffirmed the DRC government's will and determination to spare no effort to restore peace in the eastern part of the country. "May this mourning awaken in us a dynamic of national solidarity. Be more than reassured that you are not alone in this difficult, disturbing, and trying ordeal," he said. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned last Tuesday that the risk of further shell explosions "cannot be ruled out," as one of the fallen shells remains unexploded, and there is an escalation of hostilities in areas surrounding IDP camps. The sites bombed last Friday are located on the axis between Goma and the town of Sake, one of the epicenters of hostilities between the DRC military and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, considered the last barrier to Goma. Humanitarian access to IDP sites along the Goma-Sake axis has been "further restricted" due to persistent fighting, the OCHA said. The DRC government has blamed the attacks on M23 rebels, who have taken control of some parts of North Kivu Province. The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, has called on all parties to take appropriate measures to reduce risks to the protection of civilians and to maintain humanitarian access. People attend a funeral in Goma, North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on May 15, 2024. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held a funeral on Wednesday for the victims of recent bombings at several sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country's eastern province of North Kivu. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) People escort a coffin to a funeral in Goma, North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on May 15, 2024. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held a funeral on Wednesday for the victims of recent bombings at several sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country's eastern province of North Kivu. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) People are on their way to a funeral in Goma, North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on May 15, 2024. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held a funeral on Wednesday for the victims of recent bombings at several sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country's eastern province of North Kivu. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) People attend a funeral in Goma, North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on May 15, 2024. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held a funeral on Wednesday for the victims of recent bombings at several sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country's eastern province of North Kivu. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) People carry a coffin at a funeral in Goma, North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on May 15, 2024. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held a funeral on Wednesday for the victims of recent bombings at several sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country's eastern province of North Kivu. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) People are on their way to a funeral in Goma, North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on May 15, 2024. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held a funeral on Wednesday for the victims of recent bombings at several sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country's eastern province of North Kivu. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) People carry a coffin at a funeral in Goma, North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on May 15, 2024. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held a funeral on Wednesday for the victims of recent bombings at several sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country's eastern province of North Kivu. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) More than a decade after the killing of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton put a national spotlight on Chicagos entrenched problem with gun violence, Illinois prosecutors worked to salvage a conviction against the alleged shooter before the states highest court in Springfield. Pendleton, an honors student and majorette who performed at then-President Barack Obamas second inauguration days before she was killed, was fatally shot in a North Kenwood park where she was spending time with friends after finishing final exams at King College Prep High School on Jan. 29, 2013. The broad daylight gang-related shooting that felled Pendleton, an unintended target, spurred grief and outrage from City Hall all the way up to the White House, with questions about the teens slaying posed to Obama and his communications staff in the following days. Though Micheail Ward, 30, was convicted of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery following a lengthy jury trial in 2018, an Illinois appeals court last year overturned his convictions and ordered a new trial, finding that Chicago police detectives violated his rights by continuing to question him after he invoked his right to remain silent. Now, the attorney generals office is asking the Illinois Supreme Court to reverse the lower courts ruling. Assistant Attorney General Eric Levin largely argued on Wednesday during oral arguments that there was significant evidence of Wards guilt even without his confession to police, meaning a jury would have likely come to the same conclusion regardless. Wards attorney, though, stressed that his clients foundational Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination were violated and argued that much of the other evidence against Ward was based on witness statements that were later recanted. He invoked three times. He said essentially the same thing: I have nothing more to say about it,' Wards attorney Stephen Richards said. During trial, prosecutors alleged that Ward and his co-defendant, Kenneth Williams, allegedly members of the SUWU gang, targeted members of the rival 4-6 Terror gang at the park, their hangout, as part of an ongoing feud that saw Williams himself shot. Instead, though, the bullets hit Pendleton and two other classmates who were wounded. Cook County prosecutors introduced testimony from nine King High School students who witnessed the shooting, among other evidence. Among the King students who testified, only one identified Ward as the shooter though he did not become certain of that identification until trial, according to the lower courts opinion. The state also called witnesses who previously told detectives that Ward made incriminating statements to them, but they later recanted at trial. Levin argued to the justices that the witness recantations were simply not credible. They have a strong motive to not testify in open court against a friend and fellow gang member, Levin said. He also said there was powerful circumstantial evidence that tied Ward to the getaway car, noting that a witness of the shooting saw the same make, model and color of a car his mother owned. Levin did not touch on arguments about the validity of Wards confession during the oral arguments. Ward made several inculpatory statements after being held for about 12 hours, the lower court opinion said. While being questioned, Ward, around 1:40 a.m., said, I aint got nothin else to say, according to the opinion, among other instances of stating he would remain silent. Though detectives took breaks, they eventually continued questioning him. Richards told the justices that the states witnesses were all over the place in their testimony, arguing that Wards confession was a crucial part of the states case. It was the straw that broke the camels back it went directly into the states proof that he in fact was the shooter, Richards said. While hearing the oral arguments, the high court justices took the state to task about how it handled the appeal, noting that prosecutors changed their arguments as the appeal went on and waited until the last minute to raise some issues. What are we doing here? Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis cut in just as Levin began his arguments. It seems to be before we can discuss the heartbreaking case or the importance of the Fifth Amendment, we have to think about appellate practice and Supreme Court rules. Theis noted that the appeal was handled earlier in the process by the Cook County states attorneys office before the AGs office later stepped in. You have acknowledged that the position of the state has evolved significantly than what it was in the appellate court, she said. The justices took the case under advisement. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The states highest court will now decide if it should reinstate a punishment in one of New Mexicos highest-profile public corruption cases. The former tax and revenue secretary was found guilty by a jury, and then sentenced for stealing thousands of dollars, but her convictions were later vacated. This case comes down to law around the statute of limitations. Former Tax and Revenue Secretary Demesia Padilla argued the state took too long to pursue charges against her. While the state said the charges were filed within the proper timeframe. A jury found Padilla guilty in 2021 of stealing $25,000 from a client while acting as tax and revenue secretary under former Governor Susana Martinez. However, her convictions were overturned last year after the state court of appeals found prosecutors violated the statute of limitations. In 2018, prior Attorney General Hector Balderas filed the charges first in Santa Fe which ended up being the wrong district court. That led to a delay in the charges being re-filed in a different district court. The AGs office argued the statute of limitations was suspended when the charges were first filed. Padillas attorneys disagree and argue that state law doesnt allow for a pause of the statute of limitations in this case. Justices did not make a decision in the case Tuesday and theres no word on when exactly they could make a ruling. Padilla originally faced up to 18 years in prison but was sentenced to just five years of probation. She was still serving that sentence when her convictions were vacated. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. An infant in Fayetteville, Ga., receives one of several routine vaccinations typically required for children entering K-12 schools. On the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and with growing skepticism around vaccinations and government requirements, some state lawmakers want to end state vaccine mandates for children. Angie Wang/The Associated Press Louisiana Republican state Rep. Kathy Edmonston believes no one ought to be required to vaccinate their children. So, she wants schools to proactively tell parents that its their right under Louisiana law to seek an exemption. Its not the vaccine itself, it is the mandate, Edmonston told Stateline. The law is the law. And it already says you can opt out if you dont want it. If you do want it, you can go anywhere and get it. Although Louisiana scores among the bottom states in most health indicators, nearly 90% of kindergarten children statewide have complete vaccination records, according to data from the Louisiana Department of Health from last school year. Thats even as Louisiana maintains some of the broadest exemptions for personal, religious and moral reasons. The state only requires a written notice from parents to schools. Edmonston has sponsored legislation that would require schools to provide parents with information about the exemptions. The bill is intended to ensure parents arent denied medically necessary information, she said. Vaccines protect not only the patient, but also those around them. Science has shown that a population can reach community immunity, also known as herd immunity, once a certain percentage of the group is vaccinated. That herd immunity can protect people who cant get vaccinated, such as those with weakened immune systems or serious allergies, by reducing their chances of infection. In the past few years, however, COVID-19 vaccines have terrified some people who oppose requirements to get the shot, even though research shows the vaccines are far safer than getting the disease. Some lawmakers across the country are working to sidestep vaccine mandates, not just for COVID-19, but also for measles, polio and meningitis. Public health experts worry the renewed opposition to childhood immunizations will reverse state gains in vaccination rates. Meanwhile, cases of some diseases, including measles, have increased across the country. Were against the government telling us what to do with our own bodies. Louisiana Republican state Rep. Kathy Edmonston Edmonstons bill is one of dozens this session that aim to relax vaccine requirements, according to a database maintained by the National Conference of State Legislatures, a nonpartisan research organization that serves lawmakers and their staffs. Most of the bills have either died in committee or failed to advance, but a few have become law. Idaho enacted a law, effective in July, that allows students of majority age 18 in Idaho to submit their own immunization waivers to schools and universities, both public and private. And Tennessee passed a law, which took effect in April, that prohibits the state from requiring immunizations as a condition of either adoption or foster care if the family taking in a child has a religious or moral objection to vaccines. Conservatives have really moved towards that medical freedom position of where people need to be really educated about whatever vaccine that they are taking, said Tennessee state Sen. Bo Watson, who sponsored his states legislation. I think the public health community has really lost credibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Watson, a Republican. And theyre going to have to work really hard to restore some of that credibility. Other bills that would have allowed some exemptions passed legislatures but were stopped short by governors. In West Virginia, Republican Gov. Jim Justice vetoed legislation that would have allowed full-time virtual public school students, along with private and parochial schools, to avoid mandatory vaccine requirements. Justice said in his veto message that he heard constant, strong opposition to this legislation from our States medical community. Similarly, Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers vetoed legislation that would have required public colleges and universities to allow immunization waivers for health, religious or personal reasons. Edmonston said shes tried before with her legislation in Louisiana; it either died or got vetoed by former Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards. But now, with Republican Gov. Jeff Landry in charge, Edmonston is confident the bill will get signed into law. Its already passed the House and is being debated in the Senate. Both she and Watson said the push to relax requirements or create broader exemptions for immunizations is not tied to vaccines themselves. The debate tends to be centered around what many conservatives call an overreach of government. Were against the government telling us what to do with our own bodies, Edmonston said. Greater momentum after COVID-19 The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends numerous vaccinations for infants as a standard regimen. And shots protecting against measles, mumps and rubella, chickenpox and hepatitis B, among others, are typically required to attend K-12 schools. States set their own requirements and exemptions, however, and there are variations. Pushback against vaccine mandates goes back more than a century to the early 1900s, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court in 1905 ruled that states could require parents to vaccinate their children, according to Simon Haeder, an associate professor of public health at Texas A&M University, who has been tracking vaccine hesitancy for several years. Although the opposition tends to exist mostly along partisan lines, with Republicans more likely to support vaccine exemptions, Haeder noted that far-left groups which may tend to be skeptical of medicines in general also support the loosening of vaccination requirements. The scientific skepticism and opposition to state interference and the partisan nature of this issue has really escalated, starting during the COVID years, Haeder told Stateline. Its very hard for states right now wanting to increase vaccination requirements, he said. Among kindergartners, national coverage dropped from about 95% for all vaccines in the 2019-2020 school year to about 93% for all vaccines in both the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, according to the CDC. Nonmedical exemptions account for more than 90% of all approved vaccination exemptions and are allowed in all but five states. Exemptions increased from 2.2% among kindergartners in the 2019-2020 school year to 3% in 2022-2023, and 10 states reported that more than 5% of kindergartners had an exemption from at least one vaccine. Jennifer Herricks, a microbiologist and founder of Louisiana Families for Vaccines, an advocacy organization in support of vaccines, has been tracking efforts to relax vaccine mandates since 2015. I became a mom. And then it became even more personal for me, especially having those little infants who are too young to get a lot of the vaccines, Herricks said. And then you realize that they are vulnerable to these diseases and that they are depending on the people around them to be vaccinated so that they dont get sick. But Jill Hines, co-director of Health Freedom Louisiana, a group that opposes vaccine mandates, said some parents just want the chance to opt out. Believe it or not, my children are fully vaccinated. We were never informed of the states exemption law, Hines told Stateline. She added that some in her group feel that vaccine reporting requirements are an invasion of privacy. We should not be denied access to society, access to a job, access to an education, simply because weve refused medical intervention, she said. Growing concern among health professionals Mississippi, which sits near the bottom of state rankings on most health indicators such as obesity and heart disease, hasnt had a measles case since 1992. We have pushed back all the potentially fatal childhood infections from being commonplace in Mississippi to being extremely rare, Dr. Daniel Edney, the state health officer, said in an interview. Immunizations against childhood diseases have been required by state law since 1979 for entry into K-12 schools and day care centers. The mandate has helped Mississippi lead the nation with some of the highest rates of childhood vaccinations, including a vaccination rate of nearly 99% among kindergarteners. But last year, a federal judge ordered Mississippi to begin accepting religious exemptions after an interest group, Texas-based Informed Consent Action Network, sued the state in federal court. Since then, thousands of exemption requests have poured in. Mississippi is approaching the approval of more than 2,800 religious exemptions, Edney said. He expects other states also will see more exemptions as lawmakers elsewhere find success with legislation to relax vaccine mandates or increase requirements on opt-out information. If youre going to be against good, sound childhood vaccine policy the vaccinations that have been proven safe and effective for decades you need to be against clean water and against proper sewage and food protection, Edney said. Dr. John Gaudet, a Mississippi pediatrician for about three decades, said he worried the COVID-19 vaccine controversy would spill into the nations ongoing childhood vaccine debate. I think there was a point where you would go to the doctor, and you would just kind of take it almost as, Well, this is what the doctor recommended, he said. And so theres now more of a consumer mentality: Well, the doctor may say this, but maybe that doctor is not trustworthy. Across the country, meanwhile, measles has surged, with at least 132 measles cases reported so far this year, according to the CDC. Two-thirds of those cases are among people under the age of 19, and over half of them have resulted in hospitalizations. The cases have spread to 20 states. But not, so far, to Mississippi. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Steve Bannon Says DOJ Wants To Silence Voice Of MAGA By Requesting He Begins Prison Sentence Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon on Tuesday argued the Justice Department is trying to silence the voice of MAGA after federal prosecutors called on a judge to lift the stay on his four-month sentence for defying a subpoena from the House panel tasked with investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Prosecutors cited the ruling of a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit released last week, which affirmed Bannons conviction, in their request for the judge to order Bannon to begin serving his sentence. Consequently, there is no longer a substantial question of law that is likely to result in a reversal or an order for a new trial, the prosecutors wrote in their motion. Under these circumstances, the Court shall order defendant be detained. In response, Bannon claimed this was another effort by the prosecution to keep conservatives quiet. Im shocked they want to silence the voice of MAGA, he told ABC News. Bannon was sentenced to four months in jail in 2022 after a federal jury found him guilty on two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena by the now-defunct Jan. 6 House panel for testimony as well as communications and documents. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols delayed enforcement of the sentence to allow the longtime Trump ally to appeal. The federal appeals court, which reviewed his challenges, on Friday, said Bannons arguments, including that the committees subpoena was invalid to begin with, lacked merit, affirming his conviction and sentence. Nichols has not yet issued a decision on the motion but has set Thursday as the deadline for Bannons lawyers to respond to the prosecution. Bannon was instrumental to Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and later served as a chief strategist in the White House for just months. He remains an important Trump ally. Meanwhile, another former Trump aide, Peter Navarro, is serving a four-month jail sentence after being found guilty of two counts of contempt of Congress over his refusal to comply with a subpoena by the Jan. 6 committee. Navarros appeal went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, but Chief Justice John Roberts rejected his bid to remain free. One of Trumps sons, Donald Trump Jr., told ABC he visited Navarro in the federal Miami prison where he was being held and said he was in good spirits. Trump Jr. added, Its important to show support. Related... Stitt wants new budget summit -- without himself, Speaker McCall or Senate Leader Treat in the room Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt launched an unexpected new tactic with his budget summit Tuesday he wants some legislative leaders to stay away. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, Gov. Kevin Stitt and Speaker of the House Charles McCall during Gov. Kevin Stitt's Budget Conference with the Senate and House leaders at the Oklahoma Capitol, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Stitt, who, according to social media posts, was apparently campaigning in Pennsylvania Tuesday, sent an email to Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat and House Speaker Charles McCall late Tuesday afternoon calling for a change in budget summit format he's been following. This email, obtained by The Oklahoman, pushed for a fourth budget summit -- this one without Treat, McCall or the governor. "While our summit conversations have been productive, I'd like to make space for the Appropriations chairs from each chamber to have a more robust conversation in a public setting without the pressure of the principals in the room," the governor wrote. "The governor's large conference room is available after 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15th, if they wish to continue their deliberations in a public forum." It appeared that Stitt's intention was to have the Appropriations committee chairs open the conference room meeting to the media and the public. He wrote that his office was "happy to continue providing a livestream and technical expertise to further support the Legislature's efforts for an open and transparent budget process." Stitt's latest missive follows three failed attempts to pin Treat down on bringing a second tax cut up for a vote in the Senate. On Monday, Stitt asked McCall if he would bring a tax cut package to a vote in the House. McCall answered, 'yes.' Stitt asked Treat the same question. Treat's reply was, at first, nuanced. He said the Senate had already passed the largest grocery tax cut in history. Later, after being asked several times, Treat replied a firm, 'no.' Since then, the three budget summits have generated rhetoric and some agreements on specific budget line items but each time, the meeting returned to a discussion about new tax cuts, and that discussion continues to dominate the process. Following Stitt's email on Tuesday, Treat replied saying, the noon time "doesn't work for the Senate team." "We are available beginning at 1:30 p.m.," Treat said. "If that time is not available for your conference room we are happy to host in the Senate. If you and the Speaker do not wish to attend the meetings anymore, I fully understand and respect that. However I, along with the full Senate team, will still be in the meetings." Data from the email shows that, again, Treat forwarded the invitation and his reply to the entire Oklahoma Legislature, Democrats and Republicans alike. With time running out for a budget deal Stitt, McCall and Treat are facing mounting pressure to get a budget done on time. Complicating the process, one political scientist said, was the fact that this year's budget process was 'hyper-transparent.' "That is the drawback to having a hyper-transparent process," said Rose State College Political Scientist James Davenport. "We're at the point of grand-standing and taking positions to appeal to whomever: donors and whatever constituency they are trying to appeal to. Having television cameras removes the ability for dealmaking." There are times you need to be in a room with no one else so you can talk turkey and get things done, Davenport said. "Having cameras and reporters there make that more complicated." The second session of the 59th Oklahoma Legislature adjourns at 5 p.m. on May 31. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Governor has new idea for budget discussion Porn actor Stormy Danielss husband said there is a good chance the couple would leave the U.S. if former President Trump is acquitted in the hush money case. I dont think it gets better for her. I think if [he] is not guilty, we got to decide what to do. Good chance well probably vacate this country, Barrett Blade told CNNs Erin Burnett during his Tuesday appearance on OutFront. Blade emphasized that even if the former president is convicted in the Manhattan case where he faces 34 felony counts, Daniels would still face severe backlash from the presumptive GOP presidential nominees backers. He added the couple would love to get on with their lives, but he expressed doubt if that will ever happen. I dont see it as a win situation either way, Blade said Tuesday. I know that we would like to get on with our lives. I know that she wants to move past this. We just want to do what I guess youd say normal people get to do, in some aspects. But I dont know if that ever will be, you know, and it breaks my heart. It breaks my heart some of the things that she has to go through that people dont realize, he said. Daniels in testimony at Trumps trial last week provided salacious details about her sexual encounter with Trump. Trumps lawyer Susan Necheles tried to deflate Danielss credibility during cross-examination, accusing the porn actor of falsifying the encounter to make a profit and portraying her as an unreliable witness. Trump is charged with having his former fixer, Michael Cohen, pay Daniels $130,000 toward the end of the 2016 presidential campaign to keep her from publicizing the affair she claims she had with Trump in 2006. Trump has denied the charges and the affair. The presumptive GOP nominee is accused of covering up the hush money payment made to Daniels by writing it off as a legal expense. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rain and thunderstorm chances are on the increase through Thursday. Locally heavy rainfall, gusty winds and hail will be possible with strong thunderstorms Thursday afternoon. More scattered showers and thunderstorms developed Tuesday afternoon across parts of New Mexico. More of this rain actually made it to the ground. Temperatures were much warmer today in the eastern half of the state, while they are slightly cooler in western New Mexico. The showers and storms have mostly ended tonight, with partly cloudy skies and mild temperatures continuing through Wednesday morning. Better moisture will move in ahead of a storm system on Wednesday, which will begin to increase the chance for rain across parts of the state, and increase the chance of rain actually making it to the ground. A storm will move across New Mexico on Thursday. This will bring the best chance for showers and thunderstorms across the state this week. Some showers and storms will begin developing overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning, with a break in the rain by mid-morning Thursday. Another round of widespread showers and storms will develop though by Thursday afternoon, especially across northern, central and eastern New Mexico. Locally heavy rainfall and a couple strong to severe storms will be possible, with large hail and gusty winds the biggest threats. Drier air quickly returns on Friday, limiting rain chances to just a couple spotty showers across some of the mountain ranges. Temperatures will rebound too. High pressure moves over the state this weekend, bringing some of the warmest weather so far this year. Albuquerque could see its first 90 day of the year starting Sunday, while Roswell could soar up to 100. Even warmer weather is likely next Monday as strong westerly winds move into the state. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Seven decades after the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which ruled racial segregation unconstitutional, students of color in Michigan continue to attend schools rife with inequities. The Education Trust-Midwest released a new report Wednesday that draws attention to these devastating inequities and renewed calls for a more equitable school funding system in Michigan to address them. It launched a new data tool that lets viewers see how much their schools would be funded if inequities were addressed. The group also launched a new campaign involving a coalition of leaders across the state to call attention to decades of neglect to Black, Latino/a students, and students from low-income backgrounds, the resources and support their public schools need, and also the urgent need to address profound pandemic learning losses that hit underserved students especially hard. The Education Trust-Midwest released a new report Wednesday that draws attention to these devastating inequities and renewed calls for a more equitable school funding system in Michigan to address them. It launched a new data tool that lets viewers see how much their schools would be funded if inequities were addressed. The urgency is to save another generation of students, so they can compete in a global economy and achieve the American dream of a good quality of life, said Alice Thompson, chair of the education committee of the Detroit NAACP and one of the chairpersons of the statewide coalition. Among the dire findings highlighted in the report: Nearly half of Michigan students of color and two-thirds of all Black students attended schools in districts with high concentrations of poverty, where 73% or more of the students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. That compares with 13% of white students. Michigan students in districts with the highest concentrations of poverty are much less likely to have highly experienced teachers who are, on average, more likely to be effective. School-age children across the state have lost roughly half of a grade or more of learning in math and reading since the pandemic started. In school districts that serve predominantly Black and Latino students and students from low-income backgrounds, such as Kalamazoo and Lansing, learning losses were dramatically worse. At the current pace of educational recovery, most students would need an additional five years to catch up in math. In reading, most Michigan students would need decades well beyond their time in school to be able to read at their grade level, according to research from the Education Recovery Scorecard. School funding disparities between wealthy and less-resourced schools make it harder for high-poverty districts to support their students educational recovery from the pandemic. Segregation in education is not only happening based on race, but also based on socioeconomic status, and very frequently at the intersection of both of those factors, said Jen DeNeal, director of policy and research at the Education Trust-Midwest. And we know that concentrated poverty in particular is a real challenge in Michigan. Schools with high concentrations of poverty, she said, tend to have fewer resources, less experienced teachers, higher teacher turnover, and increased exposure to environmental hazards and safety concerns. Last year, the organization and others urged state lawmakers to adopt what they called an opportunity index that would provide additional money to districts serving communities with higher concentrations of poverty. The budget for this current year adopted that proposal, which has provided an additional $1 billion in funding to districts to serve at-risk students. But the opportunity index that went into effect doesnt go as far as advocates wanted. The Education Trust-Midwests new data tool will give families information that hasnt been readily available. It shows them how much their districts are receiving now in per-pupil funding, including the additional amount they are receiving for at-risk students. A second column shows how much they would receive if the opportunity index was fully funded. And a third column shows how much districts would receive per student if they adopted a funding system similar to what Massachusetts adopted many years ago that has made it a leader in addressing funding inequities. Heres what the data tool shows for Detroit Public Schools Community District, the states largest district: DPSCD currently receives $10,862, including its basic per-pupil amount and its funding for at-risk students. If the opportunity index was fully funded, the district would receive $13,448 for each student. And if the Massachusetts funding model was used, the district would receive $17,881. Lori Higgins is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Detroit. You can reach her at lhiggins@chalkbeat.org. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Report: Inequities challenge Michigans most vulnerable students BISHKEK, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held talks here on Wednesday as part of Anwar's official visit to Kyrgyzstan. The leaders of the two countries discussed the current direction and prospects for bilateral cooperation and measures to build up mutual interest, the press service of the Kyrgyz president reported. Japarov said that since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia have supported each other over the past 32 years and continue to deepen cooperation. "In this regard, I would like to emphasize the most important thing -- there are no political contradictions between Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia," he said. Japarov noted that today, Kyrgyzstan has achieved success thanks to implementing social, economic and political changes. He expressed interest in the arrival of Malaysian business in Kyrgyzstan. "I propose to consider the possibility of creating investment zones by attracting large Malaysian enterprises to the free economic zones operating in Kyrgyzstan. There are many opportunities for cooperation in the trade and economic sphere," said the Kyrgyz president. Japarov expressed confidence that the Malaysian prime minister's visit to Kyrgyzstan would greatly enhance cooperation between the two countries and bring bilateral interaction to a new level. Japarov and Anwar signed a joint statement on the comprehensive enhancement of cooperation between the two countries, which will serve as a "road map" for further development of bilateral relations, the report said. Eight CUNY Law School students are suing the embattled institution claiming it violated federal censorship rules by nixing student-selected speakers, who have recently been anti-Israel, at commencement. The left-leaning institutions ban was imposed after graduate Fatima Mousa Mohammed gave a hate-filled speech last spring bashing Israel, white supremacy in America and the fascist NYPD. The students suit, filed in Manhattan federal court, alleges the repression of free speech and unlawful termination of two customs for the publicly funded City University of New Yorks law-school commencement: the student-elected speakers and the live-streaming and recording of the event. Student-selected CUNY Law School student Fatima Mousa Mohammed unleashed a hate-filled talk at last years commencement. Protesters rally outside CUNY earlier this spring. Getty Images The plaintiffs allege that CUNY is censoring speech that supports Palestinian freedom. This years CUNY Law graduation ceremony will be held May 23 at the Apollo theater in Harlem in Manhattan. CUNY Law has a long history of celebrating commencement with elected student speakers, who often highlight social justice causes and freedom movements, said Sajia Hanif, a third-year student at CUNY Law and one of the plaintiffs, in a statement released by Muslimadvocates.org, the group that filed the suit. Its outrageous that CUNY would rather erase that tradition and stifle free speech than allow students to speak and be heard at the event marking the culmination of their program, Hanif said. The cancellation of student speakers only happened after Arab, Palestinian, and visibly Muslim women started speaking up for Palestinian freedom clearly a targeted, discriminatory response aimed at preventing students from calling for an end to Israels genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Another plaintiff, third-year Palestinian law student Nusayba Hammad, said the restriction on speech affects every graduating student at CUNY Law and sets a dangerous precedent not only for students who want to speak in support of Palestinians but for anyone at CUNY advocating for justice and freedom. The lawsuit lists CUNY Law School Dean Sudha Setty as a defendant along with CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodgriguez and the CUNYs board of trustees, including chairman Bill Thompson. The lawsuits claim pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel viewpoints have been targeted for censorship in violation of free-speech rights afforded under the First Amendment. The First Amendment roundly protects freedom of speech within public institutions like CUNY, irrespective of viewpoint, and subject only to very narrow limitations, the lawsuit says. Its protections are especially critical in a setting like the law school, which is supposed to train students like Plaintiffs to engage critically with opposing and often charged viewpoints that abound in legal advocacy. A CUNY Law rep responded, In accordance with University policy, CUNY School of Law does not comment on complaints or pending litigation. City College protesters rage last month. Getty Images CUNYs chancellor and board also declined comment on the litigation through a representative. The lawsuit comes as numerous anti-Israel pro-Hamas demonstrations and even riots have recently occurred on college campuses including Columbia University where lawbreaking protesters were arrested for vandalizing and occupying an academic building. Also, CUNY Law schools faculty council and student government have passed resolutions in support of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel, which critics claim smacks of antisemitism. CUNY emphasized that it was important to hold graduation ceremonies without disruptions. Each year, more than 50,000 CUNY students proudly graduate at more than 25 commencement ceremonies, a tradition we look forward to continuing this year, CUNY said in a general statement regarding commencement at its campuses. We are working with campus leaders to ensure students enjoy a send-off with their classmates, families and faculty that honors their hard work and achievements. 2023 was the hottest summer in the Northern Hemisphere in more than 2000 years, according to a new analysis of tree rings dating back to the year 1. Scientists at the University of Cambridge and the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz analyzed more than 10,000 tree rings to determine temperature levels dating back two millennia. They found the average temperature from June to August 2023 was 2.2 degrees Celsius warmer than the average temperature in the same period from the year 1 to 1890, even when accounting for broad climate variations. The research was published in the journal Nature on Tuesday. When you look at the long sweep of history, you can see just how dramatic recent global warming is, said professor Ulf Buntgen, from Cambridges Department of Geography. 2023 was an exceptionally hot year, and this trend will continue unless we reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically. The data relied on tree rings from 15 different regions across the Northern Hemisphere. Esper told The Associated Press there was not enough data to publish similar findings about heat in the Southern Hemisphere, but there were similarities in the limited tree rings they were able to examine. A damaged saguaro cactus stands in the Sonoran Desert in Phoenix in August 2023. The iconic cactuses were under increased stress from extreme heat during Arizonas brutal summer heat wave and are threatened by a number of issues linked to climate change. Mario Tama via Getty Images The findings only bolster those from last year after the World Meteorological Organization said the Northern Hemisphere had suffered the hottest summer ever measured. The worlds oceans were the hottest ever recorded, parts of North America suffered through a horrific wildfire season, and some cities saw stretches of punishing heat for weeks on end. It was so hot in Phoenix that saguaro cactuses were losing arms and dying. Overall, 2023 clocked in as the planets warmest year on record by a wide margin. That record heat was likely bolstered by El Nino conditions. Its true that the climate is always changing, but the warming in 2023, caused by greenhouse gases, is additionally amplified by El Nino conditions, so we end up with longer and more severe heat waves and extended periods of drought, professor Jan Esper of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the lead author of the paper, said in a statement. When you look at the big picture, it shows just how urgent it is that we reduce greenhouse gas emissions immediately. Thousands of sun-seekers and sunbather enjoy a late summer heat wave at Brighton seafront in the United Kingdom in September 2023. Anadolu via Getty Images Scientists have warned with increasing urgency that the planet remains firmly in the grips of a climate emergency due to nations reliance on greenhouse gas-producing fossil fuels. In a speech last September, Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, said humanity had opened the gates to hell and said while strides had been made in the transition to renewable energy, the planet was still decades behind. We must make up time lost to foot-dragging, arm-twisting and the naked greed of entrenched interests raking in billions from fossil fuels, he said at the time. Shady pledges have betrayed the public trust. ... Shamefully, some companies have even tried to block the transition to net zero using wealth and influence to delay, distract and deceive. The National Weather Service has already issued warnings about the upcoming summer, saying it could be rife with hotter-than-normal, and possibly record-breaking, conditions once more. Related... The Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite captured its first view of the entire sunlit side of Earth from one million miles away on July 6, 2015. The 2015 Paris Agreement, meant to constrain global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, has already been breached, according to European scientists who found that last summer was Earth 's hottest in the past 2,000 years across the Northern Hemisphere. More specifically, the new estimates, derived from tree ring records, show the summer of 2023 was 2.07 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels which means the world warmed beyond previous estimates , which placed the quantity at 1.48 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Comparatively sparse data about the Southern Hemisphere, which responds differently to climate change than its northern counterpart, makes it difficult to draw conclusions about that region's climate over the past two thousand years, the scientists say, which is why their study focuses on the Northern Hemisphere. Nonetheless, the new finding doesn't come as a surprise to climate scientists after we've seen record-setting temperatures sweltering the U.S., Europe, China and other areas across the world all throughout last summer. It was hot enough tothaw Antarctic sea ice to unmatched lows and spark the worst wildfire season in Canada yet, which scorched an unprecedented 45 million hectares of land. Related: The 'safe' threshold for global warming will be passed in just 6 years, scientists say "I'm not surprised," Jan Esper, a climate scientist at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany, told reporters during a press briefing. "I am worried about global warming it's one of the biggest threats out there." On top of global warming driven by greenhouse gas emissions, primarily a result of human activities such as burning coal, the unparalleled heat of 2023 was exacerbated by El Nino , which is a recurring weather pattern unfolding in the Pacific Ocean that's linked to warmer temperatures on average. Scientists say global warming caused by heat-trapping gases has actually been strengthening El Nino over the past 60 years, which affects weather worldwide by spiking temperatures that are already high, and resulting in hotter, longer summers with severe heatwaves like those seen last year. Although the weather pattern is now weakening toward neutral conditions, scientists warn that this summer is likely to shatter records once again. April has already been reported to be the hottest on record after extreme ocean heat persisted for the 13th consecutive month, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. "It's just so obvious we should do as much as possible, as soon as possible," said Esper. Esper and his team analyzed archival data of year-to-year temperature fluctuations recorded in the ring widths of trees, which scientists say is the only reliable record that covers the past 2,000 years. By comparing tree ring records to early instrumental data, the 1850 to 1900 period referenced in the 2015 Paris protocol to describe pre-industrial temperatures "was several tenths of a degree Celsius colder than thought," the scientists say. By recalibrating that baseline, which they say was first calculated using sparse and sometimes inconsistent 19th century instrumental data, they found our planet had warmed by 2.07 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, which is higher than what previous estimates had suggested. The findings are also consistent with a recent report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirming 2023 to be the warmest year on record, possibly in the past 100,000 years. "The state of the climate in 2023 gave ominous new significance to the phrase 'off the charts,'" WMO said in a statement. Scientists say the temperature difference between historical tree ring data and instrumental data "fundamentally question the calculation of temperature ranges considered in the 2015 Paris Agreement." The new results mean the goal, sought by nearly 200 countries as part of the agreement to avoid global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, has already been superseded, according to the new study . Related Stories: How the runaway greenhouse gas effect can destroy a planet's habitability including Earth's NASA's new 'Greenhouse Gas Center' tracks humanity's contribution to climate change 'Intruder' stars have changed Earth's climate over the eons. Here's how. "One one hand, this is just a technical issuethe warming didn't change, the reality didn't change," Esper told reporters. But, he added, "it's important to get the numbers right." Additional measurements of tree rings from other parts of the world would allow scientists to contextualize their findings further back in time . "There's a lot of wood out there," Esper told reporters during the briefing. Scientists, however, are challenged by difficulties and delays in getting permission to sample trees, he noted. "Often, we do not get the permission, or it takes too long, and that of course hinders the progress to produce longer records and update the records." The team's paper was published on May 14 in the journal Nature. Supreme Court allows Louisiana's congressional map with new, mostly Black district WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Wednesday cleared the way for Louisiana to use a congressional map with a second majority Black district, a move that has implications for which party wins control of Congress after the November elections. The courts decision, made in a response to an emergency request from state officials and voting rights advocates, is the latest twist in a yearslong battle over the boundaries of the state's six congressional districts involving the interplay of race, politics and redistricting. "Louisiana will finally have a fair and equitable map," said Jared Evans, an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The Supreme Court put on hold a lower court's ruling invalidating a map that increased the number of mostly Black districts from one to two. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said the courts intervention gives stability to the states election process, which had fast-approaching deadlines. Lawyers for the Louisiana voters who challenged the map called it a brutal racial gerrymander that theyre confident will ultimately by struck down by the Supreme Court in future proceedings. Southern states have struggled to find what Chief Justice John Roberts called, in a 2014 case involving Alabama, the sweet spot on the use of race in redistricting to comply with a 1965 civil rights law. The goal is to do it in a way that doesnt lead to unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. Richard Pildes, a constitutional law professor at New York University School of Law who argued the 2014 case involving Alabama, called the Louisiana case the biggest procedural train wreck involving the Voting Rights Act that he can remember. The power of Black voters diluted by a new map? A federal court said in 2022 that the power of Black voters was diluted under a map the Louisiana legislature created with only one mostly Black district despite the fact that Black people represent about one-third of the population. But when the GOP-controlled legislature created a map with two majority Black districts one of which crosses the state diagonally a divided panel of federal judges sided with a group of self-described non-African American voters who argued it was unconstitutional because voters race was the main consideration. 'Morally repugnant' Calling the map morally repugnant, the challengers told the Supreme Court it doesnt meet traditional redistricting principles like covering compact areas of towns of communities with similar interests instead of having a district that zigs and zags. Proposed new Louisiana Congressional map that would add a second majority Black district by radically changing the 6th Congressional District boundaries. State officials said that, beyond trying not to run afoul of the Voting Rights Act, lawmakers chose boundaries that protected powerful incumbents House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Rep. Julia Letlow, who serves on the House panel that writes spending bills. The judges gave the state until June 3 to try again before imposing its own map. 'This madness must end' Louisiana officials told the Supreme Court district boundaries needed to be settled by May 15 to meet deadlines for candidate filings and other election preparations. This madness must end, Murrill, the state's attorney general, told the court when pleading for intervention. If the state doesnt have a map by May 15, Murrill said, the only way to avoid election chaos is to revert to the initial map with one majority Black district which is still programmed into Louisianas voter-registration system. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund said Black voters in Louisiana already lost representation when the maps were not settled in time for the 2022 election and that harm should not be repeated. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court allows second majority Black House district in Louisiana A proposal from Sen. Glen Womack, to create a majority Black district that stretches from Caddo Parish to East Baton Rouge Parish (Screen capture from bill) The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered Louisiana to use maps with two majority-Black districts approved earlier this year for this falls congressional elections. The order issued Wednesday suspends a lower courts ruling that found that the map, signed into law after a five-day special legislative session convened at Gov. Jeff Landrys direction, constitutes an illegal racial gerrymander in violation of the 14th and 15th amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Courts order does not deal with the lower courts findings, but rather allows the most recent map to stay in place at least through this years election. A similar situation happened in 2022 when the state was allowed to use congressional maps with a single majority-Black district approved in a special session that year even though a lower court ruled they violated the Voting Rights Act. That decision was allowed to stand, leading to the creation of new maps this year. The population of Louisiana is roughly one-third Black, yet only one of its six congressional districts provided a Black candidate strong odds of winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives before state lawmakers revised the boundaries in January. The Supreme Courts order comes as a victory to a set of strange bedfellows: Landry, aided by fellow conservative Attorney General Liz Murrill, and Black voters, represented by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, who also fought Murrill and Landry in court over the 2022 redistricting plans. After two years of intense and protracted litigation, Louisiana finally has a map with two majority black districts, Jared Evans, an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, said in a statement to the Illuminator. We are so relieved to finally be able to have resolution in this case and to be able to tell our clients, and the black voters of Louisiana, who comprise 1/3 of the states population, that they will be able to elect their preferred candidate in two out of Louisiana, six congressional districts. The Secretary of State has consistently stated she needed a map by May 15. The plaintiffs did not contest it at trial, Murrill said Wednesday in a statement. We will continue to defend the law and are grateful the Supreme Court granted the stay which will ensure we have a stable election season. A group of non-Black voters challenged the congressional map lawmakers created in January through a lawsuit, Callais v. Landry, filed in Louisianas Western District federal court. Judges found new lines for the 6th Congressional District were illegal because they ruled the lines had been drawn based on race rejecting the states argument that the drawing of the lines was driven by politics. Partisan gerrymandering remains legal in the United States, but racial gerrymandering is not. Their decision, and a subsequent request that the Legislature adopt a new map before June 3, required the Supreme Court to weigh in ahead of Novembers congressional primaries. The special redistricting session in January was in response to an order from U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick, an appointee of President Barack Obama, in the case Robinson v. Landry. She gave the Legislature until Jan. 31 to redraw the congressional districts, after ruling the 2022 map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act prohibits voting laws or procedures that purposefully discriminate on the basis of race, color or membership in a language minority group. Diluting the voting power of racial minorities is one way the law can be violated. Supreme Court Justice Kentaji Brown Jackson penned a dissent in the order issued Wednesday, disputing the states argument that it needed a map in place by May 15. There is little risk of voter confusion from a new map being imposed this far out from the November election. In fact, we have often denied stays of redistricting orders issued as close or closer to an election, Jackson wrote. Rather than wading in now, I would have let the District Courts remedial process run its course before considering whether our emergency intervention was warranted. The six conservative justices on the court prevailed. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan joined Jackson in denying the plaintiffs request to keep the map from taking effect. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Supreme Court orders Louisiana to use congressional map with two majority-Black districts appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Supreme Court upholds new Black-majority district in Louisiana that may elect Democrat to Congress Supreme Court justices were acting on emergency appeals from civil rights lawyers as well as Louisiana's Republican leaders. (Mariam Zuhaib / Associated Press) The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside a decision by two Trump-appointed judges in Louisiana and restored a state election map that may allow Black voters to elect a Democrat to Congress this fall. The justices were acting on emergency appeals from civil rights lawyers as well as Louisiana's Republican leaders. Both supported the newly drawn state map with a second majority-Black district. About one-third of Louisiana's voters are Black, but five of its six congressional districts had regularly elected white Republicans. The lone Black representative came from New Orleans. In a separate case last year, the Supreme Court ruled for voting-rights advocates in Alabama and said that state needed to create a second congressional district that may well elect a Black candidate. Applying that ruling, a federal judge in Baton Rouge said Louisiana also needed to redraw its congressional map to create a second district with a Black majority. The 5th Circuit Court in New Orleans agreed, and the judges said the Louisiana Legislature should draw the new map. With the backing of newly elected Gov. Jeff Landry, state lawmakers met in a special session in January and drew a map that protected the districts of House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise. However, they redrew the district held by Republican Rep. Garret Graves, who had endorsed Landry's opponent in last year's election. The newly drawn 6th Congressional District stretches from Baton Rouge to Shreveport and has a Black majority. State Sen. Cleo Fields, a Black Democrat who served in Congress in the mid-1990s, said he planned to run in the new district. But shortly after Landry signed the new map into law, a group of white voters filed suit in Monroe, La., contending they were victims of racial discrimination. They won a 2-1 ruling that declared the new map unconstitutional on April 30. U.S. District Judges David Joseph and Robert Summerhays, appointees of President Trump, ruled Louisiana's map is an "impermissible racial gerrymander... Accordingly, the State is enjoined from using [the map] in any future elections." In dissent, 5th Circuit Judge Carl E. Stewart, an appointee of President Clinton, called the decision "jarring" because the state Legislature was under a court order based on the Voting Rights Act that required a new map with a second Black-majority district. The strange turn of events prompted civil rights advocates and Louisiana's Republicans to file emergency appeals at the Supreme Court. On May 8, lawyers for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the ACLU urged the Supreme Court to overturn the 2-1 ruling that blocked use of the new map. They were joined two days later by Louisiana Atty. Gen. Elizabeth B. Murrill. She too asked the court to set aside the recent ruling so the map drawn by the Legislature could be used this year. "Louisianas impossible situation in this redistricting cycle would be comical if it were not so serious," she told the court. 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. Survivors of domestic and sexual violence can break their leases early in some states (Image via Pa. Partnerships for Children) New Hampshire state Rep. Ellen Read remembers how trapped she felt as an 18-year-old in her native Tennessee, enduring the physical and emotional toll of an abusive relationship. The abuse Read suffered which included being held captive in an apartment for days and hit by her abusers car lasted years after she left the relationship, while her abuser stalked her. In 2016, Read won election to the New Hampshire House of Representatives. That same year, she recalled to Stateline, her abuser died by suicide after 16 years of prolonged stalking. Now, a bill authored by Read would allow victims of domestic and sexual violence including stalking to break their rental lease agreements early if they provide a police report or are in the process of obtaining documents such as a protective order following an incident. My hope is that this increases the boldness of people living in these abusive situations and that they know if they leave, there will be a path forward for them and they wont be forced to stay with their abuser or at the home they were abused in, said Read, a Democrat. The bill has been sent to Republican Gov. Chris Sununu after passing both chambers. The pandemic lockdown that began in March 2020, coming alongside the nations worsening housing crisis, has prompted state lawmakers to help victims of assault who are struggling to move away from their alleged abusers. Domestic violence incidents in the United States increased by 8.1% in the months following the imposition of pandemic lockdown orders in 2020, according to a 2021 report released by the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice, a group launched by the Council on Criminal Justice, a think tank. More than a dozen states have passed measures in the past five years bolstering rental protections for survivors by allowing them to break their leases if they provide evidence of stalking, sexual assault or an abusive domestic relationship. Many of those laws, which were enacted or strengthened during the pandemic, give victims more leeway in how they can document the abuse. Many cities and states are looking to help survivors with new housing in other ways, such as by obtaining grants to develop transitional housing or offering housing vouchers to victims. It is deeply traumatizing and harmful to force survivors to continue to live in the same home where the harm occurred, said Kate Walz, associate director of litigation at the National Housing Law Project, an advocacy group that trains legal services organizations. It can retraumatize and compound the harm over years, if not decades. Several states are addressing the issue this session. Efforts to add early lease termination laws for victims in Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina have yet to either make it past committees or both chambers. A driving factor for survivors of domestic violence is making sure that there is somewhere safe for them to go. Nicole Molinaro, president and CEO of the Womens Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh While Pennsylvanias effort to pass these protections statewide has stalled, the Pittsburgh City Council approved a bill in October that requires landlords to allow domestic abuse victims to exit their leases without penalty, and also change a tenants locks upon request, though at the tenants expense. Nicole Molinaro, president and CEO of the Womens Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, one of the countrys first domestic violence shelters, called the legislation monumental. Molinaro hopes the state will eventually enact similar protections. She said that the trauma of domestic and sexual violence can be crippling, and that some victims may need to leave their neighborhood or cities altogether if their abuser also has roots there. A driving factor for survivors of domestic violence is making sure that there is somewhere safe for them to go, Molinaro told Stateline. And that often means a survivor cannot move back to the neighborhood they were in if the abuser still has connections there. The post-separation journey When New York City resident Stephanie Woodbine and her adolescent daughter left a two-year abusive relationship in 2017, she wasnt sure where they were going to live. Woodbine told Stateline that on top of emotional abuse, she also suffered economic abuse a form of abuse that New York City last year officially recognized as domestic violence. She found housing, then was evicted after losing her job. I really didnt have a lot of money to pay for housing because the mental trauma made it hard to live a normal life, keep a job, Woodbine said. She didnt qualify for the domestic violence shelters because she wasnt in an active domestic violence situation, she recalled, so she stayed in hotels and lived a life of hidden homelessness with her daughter. There are so many decisions that make leaving any abusive situation hard, but when you leave you find out just how hard it is to survive when you feel your options are limited, said Woodbine, who eventually received an emergency housing voucher and has secured permanent housing. Theres a lot of post-separation abuse that is also contributing to survivors instability and their mental trauma, added Woodbine, who now sits on the advisory council to the Mayors Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence. Its why we want to expand protections for survivors post-separation, and that includes providing permanent housing. Intimate partner violence is a major driver of homelessness, and researchers have found that housing is among the most common needs for survivors. Currently, 10% of shelters and transitional housing are targeted to domestic violence victims and their families, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. As the U.S. Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of homeless camping and outdoor sleeping bans, cities that have passed bans argue that outside encampments are dangerous not just for the public, but also for people staying there. But Walz, of the National Housing Law Project, fears that if these bans are deemed constitutional, theyll have a major impact on women and children fleeing domestic violence situations. Gender-based violence is both the cause and consequence of housing instability. Housing instability increases your risk of it, and housing instability comes as a result of it, said Walz. If we dont recognize that and craft our policies to be responsive to it, we are guaranteeing continued violence and increase of it. More cities are working to include housing as a key service for survivors. Woodbine credited city-based nonprofits for navigating her through the emergency voucher process an intimidating process for those in need of housing. New York City is hoping to provide such protections and, most importantly, housing through a pilot program funded with a $300,000 grant from the NYC Fund to End Youth & Family Homelessness that aims to help 100 families affected by domestic violence find homes. Saloni Sethi, acting commissioner of the Mayors Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, told Stateline that the pilot program addresses the need for safe and stable housing for survivors in a place where secure housing can be scarce. Survivors are often sort of faced with this really impossible choice of, do I give up my own safety or do I destabilize myself and my entire family by leaving home? We anticipate this pilot can finally provide that stable, fresh start, Sethi said. Many cities and states have become more intentional about building or reserving housing for survivors, with increasing support from the federal government. Last year, the U.S. Department of Justices Office on Violence Against Women awarded 81 grants, worth $43 million, to programs offering housing for six to 24 months for survivors. Breaking the lease If Reads bill is signed by Sununu, New Hampshire would become one of 40 states to have early rental lease termination protections for victims of domestic or sexual abuse. In post-lockdown years, Oklahoma passed early termination laws for domestic violence victims. Utah amended its early termination law in 2023, reducing the termination fee from 45 days of rent one of the highest in the nation at the time to a months rent. Reads bill, which she based on a similar one in Tennessee, stalled in committee when she first introduced it last year. During early debate, New Hampshire landlord groups raised concerns about the financial burden they carry when tenants break their lease early a position that irritated Read. Nobody will say in todays society here that they are in favor of domestic violence, Read said. But put your money where your mouth is when it comes to allowing them to make that decision to exit their lease early even at a financial loss, or else its just lip service. But every time a new tenant comes in, it costs money to clean up and turn over the home, said Nick Norman, a real estate owner who serves as government affairs chair for the Apartment Association of New Hampshire. The bills original language also could have left a landlord responsible for things left behind, including damages. The legislation now on Sununus desk is drastically different, Norman said. The housing provider advocates and tenant advocates came together as we usually do to find a solution that works best for both parties. Read likewise credited the Senate for adding measures that would make qualifying for an early termination lease easier. Some states, including Kansas, North Dakota and Utah, may allow landlords to charge fees or forward payment of rent for breaking the lease early in cases of intimate partner violence. And many states require documents from an outside source, such as a police report or court protective order. Many landlords see such requirements as a necessary step in good faith to break a lease early. However, Walz thinks that these requirements are a barrier for survivors, given how underreported domestic and sexual violence is and how hard it can be for victims to obtain a report without escalating violence from their abuser. First and foremost, we must believe survivors. This means in action taking their own stories and experiences to be true and not requiring any form of third-party proof, Walz said. Assumptions, stereotypes and bias towards not believing survivors and perceiving that it could be made up in order to exit a lease play into state policy responses and often result in a litany of requirements, including orders of protection, police reports, third-party statements, she said. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter. The post Survivors of domestic and sexual violence can break their leases early in some states appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Survivors of domestic and sexual violence can break their leases early in some states A domestic violence survivor sits with her son for dinner in their new, sparsely furnished apartment in New York. Housing is among the biggest challenges for people leaving abusive relationships, and many cities and states are looking to help survivors by allowing them to break their leases early and in other ways. (Photo by Bebeto Matthews/The Associated Press) (This image cannot be republished unless you have an AP subscription.) New Hampshire state Rep. Ellen Read remembers how trapped she felt as an 18-year-old in her native Tennessee, enduring the physical and emotional toll of an abusive relationship. The abuse Read suffered which included being held captive in an apartment for days and hit by her abusers car lasted years after she left the relationship, while her abuser stalked her. In 2016, Read won election to the New Hampshire House of Representatives. That same year, she recalled to Stateline, her abuser died by suicide after 16 years of prolonged stalking. Now, a bill authored by Read would allow victims of domestic and sexual violence including stalking to break their rental lease agreements early if they provide a police report or are in the process of obtaining documents such as a protective order following an incident. My hope is that this increases the boldness of people living in these abusive situations and that they know if they leave, there will be a path forward for them and they wont be forced to stay with their abuser or at the home they were abused in, said Read, a Democrat. The bill has been sent to Republican Gov. Chris Sununu after passing both chambers. The pandemic lockdown that began in March 2020, coming alongside the nations worsening housing crisis, has prompted state lawmakers to help victims of assault who are struggling to move away from their alleged abusers. Domestic violence incidents in the United States increased by 8.1% in the months following the imposition of pandemic lockdown orders in 2020, according to a 2021 report released by the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice, a group launched by the Council on Criminal Justice, a think tank. More than a dozen states have passed measures in the past five years bolstering rental protections for survivors by allowing them to break their leases if they provide evidence of stalking, sexual assault or an abusive domestic relationship. Many of those laws, which were enacted or strengthened during the pandemic, give victims more leeway in how they can document the abuse. Many cities and states are looking to help survivors with new housing in other ways, such as by obtaining grants to develop transitional housing or offering housing vouchers to victims. It is deeply traumatizing and harmful to force survivors to continue to live in the same home where the harm occurred, said Kate Walz, associate director of litigation at the National Housing Law Project, an advocacy group that trains legal services organizations. It can retraumatize and compound the harm over years, if not decades. Several states are addressing the issue this session. Efforts to add early lease termination laws for victims in Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina have yet to either make it past committees or both chambers. While Pennsylvanias effort to pass these protections statewide has stalled, the Pittsburgh City Council approved a bill in October that requires landlords to allow domestic abuse victims to exit their leases without penalty, and also change a tenants locks upon request, though at the tenants expense. Nicole Molinaro, president and CEO of the Womens Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, one of the countrys first domestic violence shelters, called the legislation monumental. Molinaro hopes the state will eventually enact similar protections. She said that the trauma of domestic and sexual violence can be crippling, and that some victims may need to leave their neighborhood or cities altogether if their abuser also has roots there. A driving factor for survivors of domestic violence is making sure that there is somewhere safe for them to go, Molinaro told Stateline. And that often means a survivor cannot move back to the neighborhood they were in if the abuser still has connections there. The post-separation journey When New York City resident Stephanie Woodbine and her adolescent daughter left a two-year abusive relationship in 2017, she wasnt sure where they were going to live. Woodbine told Stateline that on top of emotional abuse, she also suffered economic abuse a form of abuse that New York City last year officially recognized as domestic violence. She found housing, then was evicted after losing her job. I really didnt have a lot of money to pay for housing because the mental trauma made it hard to live a normal life, keep a job, Woodbine said. She didnt qualify for the domestic violence shelters because she wasnt in an active domestic violence situation, she recalled, so she stayed in hotels and lived a life of hidden homelessness with her daughter. There are so many decisions that make leaving any abusive situation hard, but when you leave you find out just how hard it is to survive when you feel your options are limited, said Woodbine, who eventually received an emergency housing voucher and has secured permanent housing. Theres a lot of post-separation abuse that is also contributing to survivors instability and their mental trauma, added Woodbine, who now sits on the advisory council to the Mayors Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence. Its why we want to expand protections for survivors post-separation, and that includes providing permanent housing. Intimate partner violence is a major driver of homelessness, and researchers have found that housing is among the most common needs for survivors. Currently, 10% of shelters and transitional housing are targeted to domestic violence victims and their families, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. As the U.S. Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of homeless camping and outdoor sleeping bans, cities that have passed bans argue that outside encampments are dangerous not just for the public, but also for people staying there. But Walz, of the National Housing Law Project, fears that if these bans are deemed constitutional, theyll have a major impact on women and children fleeing domestic violence situations. Gender-based violence is both the cause and consequence of housing instability. Housing instability increases your risk of it, and housing instability comes as a result of it, said Walz. If we dont recognize that and craft our policies to be responsive to it, we are guaranteeing continued violence and increase of it. More cities are working to include housing as a key service for survivors. Woodbine credited city-based nonprofits for navigating her through the emergency voucher process an intimidating process for those in need of housing. New York City is hoping to provide such protections and, most importantly, housing through a pilot program funded with a $300,000 grant from the NYC Fund to End Youth & Family Homelessness that aims to help 100 families affected by domestic violence find homes. Saloni Sethi, acting commissioner of the Mayors Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, told Stateline that the pilot program addresses the need for safe and stable housing for survivors in a place where secure housing can be scarce. Survivors are often sort of faced with this really impossible choice of, do I give up my own safety or do I destabilize myself and my entire family by leaving home? We anticipate this pilot can finally provide that stable, fresh start, Sethi said. Many cities and states have become more intentional about building or reserving housing for survivors, with increasing support from the federal government. Last year, the U.S. Department of Justices Office on Violence Against Women awarded 81 grants, worth $43 million, to programs offering housing for six to 24 months for survivors. Breaking the lease If Reads bill is signed by Sununu, New Hampshire would become one of 40 states to have early rental lease termination protections for victims of domestic or sexual abuse. In post-lockdown years, Oklahoma passed early termination laws for domestic violence victims. Utah amended its early termination law in 2023, reducing the termination fee from 45 days of rent one of the highest in the nation at the time to a months rent. Reads bill, which she based on a similar one in Tennessee, stalled in committee when she first introduced it last year. During early debate, New Hampshire landlord groups raised concerns about the financial burden they carry when tenants break their lease early a position that irritated Read. Nobody will say in todays society here that they are in favor of domestic violence, Read said. But put your money where your mouth is when it comes to allowing them to make that decision to exit their lease early even at a financial loss, or else its just lip service. But every time a new tenant comes in, it costs money to clean up and turn over the home, said Nick Norman, a real estate owner who serves as government affairs chair for the Apartment Association of New Hampshire. The bills original language also could have left a landlord responsible for things left behind, including damages. The legislation now on Sununus desk is drastically different, Norman said. The housing provider advocates and tenant advocates came together as we usually do to find a solution that works best for both parties. Read likewise credited the Senate for adding measures that would make qualifying for an early termination lease easier. Some states, including Kansas, North Dakota and Utah, may allow landlords to charge fees or forward payment of rent for breaking the lease early in cases of intimate partner violence. And many states require documents from an outside source, such as a police report or court protective order. Many landlords see such requirements as a necessary step in good faith to break a lease early. However, Walz thinks that these requirements are a barrier for survivors, given how underreported domestic and sexual violence is and how hard it can be for victims to obtain a report without escalating violence from their abuser. First and foremost, we must believe survivors. This means in action taking their own stories and experiences to be true and not requiring any form of third-party proof, Walz said. Assumptions, stereotypes and bias towards not believing survivors and perceiving that it could be made up in order to exit a lease play into state policy responses and often result in a litany of requirements, including orders of protection, police reports, third-party statements, she said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Survivors of domestic and sexual violence can break their leases early in some states appeared first on Oklahoma Voice. ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) New Mexico State Police and the Roswell Police Department is investigating an officer involved shooting Wednesday that left an RPD officer injured and the suspect dead. Police say the shooting happened around 3 a.m. Wednesday, May 15 near North Main St. and College Blvd. The suspect in the incident was killed and one officer was taken to the hospital after being shot in the leg, according to police. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Editors Note: This article was updated to reflect courtroom testimony from Wednesdays Aniahs Law hearing for Antonio Rodas MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A man charged with the murder of 19-year-old Adam Luker in Semmes has been denied bond under Aniahs Law, News 5 can confirm. Antonio Rodas, 29, is charged with Lukers death. Rodas appeared before District Court Judge George Zoghby for this Aniahs Law hearing on Wednesday. Prosecutors played four different 911 calls during Wednesdays hearing where people called 911 to report Rodas reckless driving down on Moffett Road. A mugshot of Antonio Rodas (Semmes Police Department). I am on Schillinger and Moffett Road! A white SUV came in and nailed another car, its so bad. In front of the Walmart, One caller in distress said as she witnessed Rodas strike Lukers car. Mobile man arrested in connection with Stockton mass shooting: Baldwin County Sheriffs Office The crash occurred April 28 on Moffett and Schillinger Road near Walmart. Luker, who was on his way to church, died on Monday, May 6. Semmes Police Sergeant Brian Mims testified that Rodas was driving 88 miles an hour in a 45 when he crashed into Luker. Mims testified that Rodas drove eastbound in the westbound lane when he passed a red light while Luker was driving out of the Walmart parking lot. Rodas reportedly had a 0.3 blood alcohol content level, which is nearly four times the legal limit. Elberta High School student reels in record-breaking fish The prosecution fought to keep Rodas behind bars, citing a 2021 DUI arrest, and called him a flight risk. The state called one of their Senior Troopers, Laderika Jackson with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to testify on Rodas DUI incident from November 2021. She testified that he was crashed into a utility pole on Lott Road, and she found him asleep behind the wheel when she went to his car. She conducted three sobriety tests on Rodas, and he failed all of them, so he was subsequently taken to Mobile Metro. Chief Investigator with the Mobile County District Attorneys Office, Don Gomien, testified that Rodas allegedly bought three plane tickets to his home country of Guatemala days after the crash; however, he never went to the airport. Gomien also said that he lived in Wilmer with a wife and four children, and he said that Rodas told him the day of the crash he was in a hurry to get home that day. Gomien said he didnt believe Rodas story because he was traveling in the opposite direction from Wilmer. Gomien also testified that Rodas has been in the U.S. illegally since 2018. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. KABUL, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan exported and imported commercial goods worth 10.3 billion U.S. dollars during the Persian calendar year of 1402 through March 19, National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) reported Wednesday. Afghanistan exported goods worth about 1.78 billion dollars, while importing goods worth 8.58 billion dollars during the cited period, spokesperson of NSIA, Mohammad Halim Rafi, told Xinhua. The major exports included fruits, herbal medicines, minerals, and vegetables, said Rafi, adding that the major import items were petroleum products, oils, machinery, vehicles, apparatus, and metals and metal products. The major markets for Afghanistan's exported goods included Pakistan, India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China and Iran, and the major sources of imports included Iran, Pakistan, China, and the UAE, Rafi said. BRIGHAM CITY, Utah (ABC4) Just over a year after he was formally charged, James Brenner pleaded guilty to the death of 19-year-old Dylan Rounds. Brenner appeared in the First District Court of Brigham City on Wednesday, May 15 where he accepted a plea deal from the prosecution, according to the Box Elder County Attorneys Office. The plea deal required Brenner to disclose the location of Dylans remains prior to todays court date. Dylans remains were recovered on April 9. In exchange for Dylans location, Brenner received a reduction in his charges. The first-degree felony aggravated murder charge was reduced to a second-degree felony murder charge. The second charge of desecration of human remains was dismissed. Dylan Rounds family starts nonprofit in his honor Brenner also pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm by a restricted person and a third case for aggravated assault unrelated to Dylan Rounds was also dismissed. The plea deal mandates a prison sentence and the sentences for each charge must run consecutively. Being able to bring Dylan home and bring this prosecution to a successful conclusion is a great relief, said Box Elder County Attorney Stephen Hadfield. It has been amazing to see what the tireless and unrelenting efforts of so many different people can accomplish. We wouldnt be here today without each of their individual contributions. Dylan Rounds mother Candice Cooley told ABC4.com she knew the guilty plea was coming since the plea deal had been in progress since March 1. She said Its good to have that giant elephant out of the room, adding that before he pleaded guilty she was worried he might back out of the agreement. Its been hard waiting for this hearing, just knowing that he could back out, Cooley said. Brenner could back out at any time he wanted, even leading law enforcement to demand remains. But we couldnt back out. However, she said that while the family agreed to the bargain, they are not satisfied with it. She says Brenner could serve more time on the gun charges than for murdering her son. Its just unfair. Its not right. Here is our innocent son out there living his dream, and this evil person murders them. And so he gets all the rights, and our son gets none. Its not right, she said. Cooley says she now hopes to help other families and make reforms to the justice system. She is currently working with officials and organizations to help make changes, and now that the case is over, she will have more time to focus on those efforts. Dylan Rounds went missing in May 2022 after speaking to his grandmother. Box Elder County Sheriffs Office received a missing persons report shortly after that. In the two years time, until his remains were found, the Box Edler County Sheriffs Office dedicated thousands of hours to the investigation and search with the help of over 30 agencies in and outside of Utah. ABC4 covered the investigation and search for Dylan extensively. Brenner became the lead suspect in the case as he was one of the last people that Dylan contacted. According to the charging documents, deputies discovered a pair of boots belonging to Dylan, one of which had a blood stain on it. A DNA analysis confirmed the blood belonged to Dylan and there were traces of Brenners DNA on them. In October 2022, authorities officially declared Dylans disappearance as a homicide investigation. Brenner was formally charged with aggravated murder in March 2023. Brenner will be sentenced on July 1, 2024. Cooley said she would not be speaking at the sentencing as she has nothing to say to that man. Nothing I say will make any impact. He is evil and he is cold. It will just probably thrill him to know how much hes hurt our family. So I have nothing to say to him, she said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Suspected burglars use power drill to break into several Atlanta storage units Suspected burglars use power drill to break into several Atlanta storage units Atlanta police are searching for two men accused of stealing from multiple storage units. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On May 5, Atlanta officers were called to the Extra Space Storage facility on Bishop Street in northwest Atlanta. Officers said the suspects used a power drill to break into multiple storage units and steal several items. According to a report, some of the items stolen were DJ and podcast equipment, and $6,000 worth of shoes. TRENDING STORIES: Surveillance videos show the suspected burglars with what appears to be black trash bags stuffed with items. APD said the suspects drove away in a black SUV. Tipsters can remain anonymous by contacting the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-8477, submitting a tip online or texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). You do not have to give your name or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward of up to $2,000. The investigation remains ongoing. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Authorities in Ventura County have arrested a man who they say killed an elderly man at his home more than 20 years ago. Antoine Nehme of Victorville was arrested Tuesday in connection with the murder of 71-year-old Dennis Leroy Wood, who was found shot dead inside his Moorpark home on April 16, 2004. Nehme was 52 years old at the time. Woods body was found by deputies with the Ventura County Sheriffs Office, who visited his home on the 12500 block of Mountain Trail Street as part of a wellness check. The elderly homeowner was found dead from at least one gunshot wound and his death was immediately ruled a homicide. The Los Angeles Times reported at the time that Wood died from gunshot wounds to the head and chest, and his body was undiscovered for about two weeks. The Sheriffs Office said investigators worked the case and pursued all the leads they had at the time, but the trail eventually went cold. Over the years, investigators would re-evaluate the case on occasion in search of new leads, including most recently in 2023 when cold case detectives formally reopened the case. Antoine Nehme, 71, of Victorville is shown in the mugshot provided by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office on May 15, 2024. Those detectives, the Sheriffs Office said, were able to uncover new evidence that allegedly linked Nehme to the killing. Details about the new evidence were not shared and authorities have not released any information about a suspected motive. Nehme was arrested around 11 a.m. Tuesday and has since been transferred to the Ventura County Jail to await charges for first-degree murder. Hes being held on $2 million bail, jail records show. Hes scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon. The case remains under active investigation and anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Ventura County Sheriffs Office Cold Case Unit via email or by calling 805-383-8739. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Cant be overlooked: BTK word puzzle spells missing Pawhuska teens name, laundromat she was last seen at OSAGE COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) In a 20-year-old word puzzle created by the infamous BTK killer (Dennis Rader), the Osage County Sheriffs Office has discovered a missing Pawhuska teenage girls name. 16-year-old Cynthia Cindy Dawn Kinney vanished from the Osage Laundry in June of 1976. Law enforcement has been unable to pinpoint her killer since. UPDATE: Chickasha man in connection to triple homicide found, arrested However, Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden started re-combing through evidence in the case in 2022. We had a homicide occur last fall, and it was a pretty big investigation with, you know, four people arrested or five people at the time, several more. Pretty complicated case. I woke up at 1:30 something in the morning, tossed around, couldnt get back to sleep. I thought, Im just going to get up, so I go and make a pot of coffee, flip on the TV, said Sheriff Eddie Virden in late September. Theres a documentary on about the BTK killer. Im sitting there, drinking coffee, waiting for daylight. As Im watching it, things start kind of popping out that are familiar. Bits and pieces of the documentary made Sheriff Virden reflect on Kinneys case and wonder if she could have been a victim of BTKs. A major piece of the puzzle that stuck out to Sheriff Virden was the time in which BTK would kill/kidnap his victims. Sheriff Virden said BTK would act mid-morning, which is around the same time Kinney disappeared from the laundry mat. On April 15, the Osage County Sheriffs Office received a package from a woman who wishes to remain anonymous. The package contained a word puzzle BTK sent to a Kansas news station in 2004. Theres hints all the way through that cant be overlooked, said Sheriff Virden Tuesday afternoon. Dont view it as a puzzle. View the puzzle as a map that Rader created to plot his victims. A letter included in the package received on April 15, 2024 reads At first glance, the word puzzle looks like any other ordinary crossword search. In 2004, a handful of the words identified were Wichita, prowl, fantasies, ruse, spot victim, and serviceman. A closer look at the puzzle now reveals words such as: Cindy Kinney Osage Laundry Mat Kihekah Elgin Pawhuska Oklahoma Cleveland Kihekah is the name of the street where the Osage Laundry is located. The word puzzle also spells out the names of BTKs ten known victims and BTKs home address in Kansas. Sheriff Virden believes it details locations connected to the victims. This has been available for 20 years. Its just been hidden in plain sight, stated News 4 Reporter, Kaylee Olivas. Absolutely. Its up to us to figure out everything that he gave us and put those together, connect the dots, and then get the answers were looking for, said Sheriff Virden. Were still in the process of trying to evaluate that and sending them out, trying to get some expert opinions on it to see what we can get. But its pretty hard to get around the fact that Cindy Kinneys name is in there. More details of Oklahoma Deputy Warden accused of prison contraband smuggling operation In addition to the new discovery of potential clues hidden in the word puzzle, the Osage County Sheriffs Office has uncovered yet another entry from the BTK killer. The entry is a list of states with markings indicating whether BTK traveled to the state and what for. There are a total of eight markings referencing his travels to Oklahoma. Some of the markings indicate he traveled to Oklahoma for a vacation, boy scouts trip, business, or other reasons. We know [BTK] refers to his murders as Factor X that in some of his journals and other stuff, he marked murders with Xs. In this particular case, everything is marked with a X. The clues go on and on, stated Sheriff Virden. We have searched many locations. Weve found items that we believe are evidence and weve found carvings, markings in barns, things that we believe are 100% proof that hes operated within our area. Sheriff Virden told KFOR his department has confirmed BTKs first cousin and uncle live in Oklahoma City. BTK has visited the metro, he added. Per Sheriff Virden, there was also a woman who filed a report with OKC Police detailing a horrible experience that is very credible. She described an item [BTK] had with him. She would have no way to have knowledge. But going through some of the things we recovered, weve confirmed that he did have that item she described in his possession, explained Sheriff Virden. Sheriff Virden described another case where a different woman in Oklahoma City said she felt like she was being stalked decades ago. A drawing by the BTK killer recovered by the Osage County Sheriffs Office and shown to News 4 shows extreme similarities to the woman claiming to be the one he drew. Theres multiple connections to Oklahoma City and not just Oklahoma City, but all over, said Sheriff Virden. Sheriff Virden told KFOR he wants the BTK killer to know the investigation into Kinneys murder has not slowed down and he feels extremely close to nailing the case. Sheriff Virden said his department plans to investigate both new and old locations that may have connections to BTKs victims soon. The Osage County Sheriffs Office has created a National BTK Task Force to help aid in Kinneys cold case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WBTW) This summer, one of South Carolinas largest state agencies is being split in half in a move that proponents say will eliminate bureaucracy and make it easier for people to connect with services. But for Gov. Henry McMaster and a majority of Republicans, restructuring the state Department of Health and Environmental Control is only part of the job. They want six others merged to create a Cabinet-level Executive Office of Health and Policy. They are: Department on Aging Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Department of Health and Human Services Department of Mental Health Department of Public Health It was on the brink of success last week, before an ultra-conservative faction of state House lawmakers killed the measure on May 9 the final day of this years legislative session. A January report by Boston Consulting Group found that South Carolinas eight separate health agencies make it the most fragmented of any state in the United States. Much larger states including California and Texas run their healthcare agencies under a single umbrella, for example. State House Speaker Murell Smith, R-Sumter, said the consolidation bill is a top priority when lawmakers gavel back in this January. But it could happen before then, as the General Assembly is set to meet three times next month for budget talks and judicial appointments. A two-thirds majority vote could amend those agendas, putting the consolidation bill back on the to-do list. Thats what McMaster is demanding. That is a vital matter to the people of our state. Theres probably not a family in our state thats not experienced some need for mental health or disability, psychological, drug addiction, he said during a Monday news conference. All things our agencies handle, but in no coordination. Opponents have said the creation of a huge agency that would employee 6,300 people and whos leader would be picked by the governor would create a health czar in South Carolina that could act as a dictator if another pandemic strikes. Lawmakers return to the Statehouse on June 5, June 18 and June 25. How we got to where we are now is really not the question, McMaster said. The answer is, theyve got to get this done. We cant wait another day. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. The matchups are set for two key races in this falls battle for control of the narrowly divided Senate after Tuesday primaries in which two Republican governors one former, one sitting advanced, and a Democratic county executive beat a congressman who pumped tens of milions of his own dollars into his campaign. In Maryland, popular moderate former Gov. Larry Hogan won the Republican primary. Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks defeated Rep. David Trone, who loaned his campaign at least $62 million, in a hard-fought and expensive Democratic primary. And in West Virginia where Sen. Joe Manchins retirement has handed Republicans a critical pick-up opportunity Gov. Jim Justice easily won the GOP primary, setting the stage for a November matchup with the Democratic nominee, Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott, in which Justice will be heavily favored. Elliott is endorsed by Manchin, making the prospect of a late independent entry in a bid to keep his seat unlikely. Meanwhile, two moderate House Republicans fended off conservative challengers, and West Virginia Republicans chose their nominee to replace Justice in the governors office. And while Tuesdays contests took place in states that arent competitive in presidential elections except Nebraskas 2nd congressional district, because the state awards its electoral college votes partially to the winners of each district it offered a glimpse at a recurring theme: signs that some Republican voters are still voting against Trump. In deep-red Nebraska, with 38% of the expected vote counted, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley had more than 20% of the vote. She was near 20% in Maryland, too, with 65% of the estimated vote counted. Here are five takeaways from Tuesdays primaries in Maryland, Nebraska and West Virginia: Trones millions couldnt stop Alsobrooks in Maryland Trones money bomb failed to detonate in Maryland on Tuesday, as the third-term House Democrat lost the partys Senate primary to Alsobrooks. Alsobrooks, who could become only the third Black woman elected to the US Senate and the first Black senator from Maryland, will face off with popular former Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, in November for a seat that Democrats cannot afford to lose as they battle to keep control of the chamber. Trone not only spent tens of millions of his own cash, but pledged to do more of the same if he was nominated. Alas, he was not. Alsobrooks should not hurt for funds, though, with an array of outside groups poised to jump into the race for a seat Democrats have held since 1977, when Paul Sarbanes began his three-decade Senate career. But Hogan, who has occasionally been critical of former President Donald Trump, could complicate matters. Getting him into the race was seen as a coup for the Senate GOPs campaign arm, and, at the very least, his name on the ballot means Democrats will have to invest considerable sums in the race. Justice positioned to flip Manchins Senate seat in West Virginia Republicans are well-positioned to flip party control of the West Virginia Senate seat held by retiring Democrat Joe Manchin. Justice, a two-term governor, coasted to victory in Tuesdays GOP primary against a field that included US Rep. Alex Mooney, a member of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus. Hell face Elliott, the winner of a three-way Democratic primary, in November. While Manchin reportedly may have considered an independent bid had former coal executive Don Blankenship won the Democratic primary, that idea is all but gone with his endorsed candidate moving on to November. Justice, the 73-year-old owner of the Greenbrier resort who turned a coal mining business he inherited into a sprawling empire, was elected governor in 2016 as a Democrat but switched his party affiliation early in his first term a move he announced at an August 2017 rally with Trump. Though Justice won as a Democrat in 2016 and Manchin was reelected in 2018, West Virginia is now a heavily Republican state Trump took more than 68% of the vote there in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, and Manchin is the lone remaining Democrat to hold nonjudicial statewide office. AIPAC gets a big win in deep blue Maryland Maryland state Sen. Sarah Elfreth didnt enjoy much name recognition outside the district she is now poised to represent in Congress next year, but that low national profile might have helped her chances in deep blue suburban Baltimore. Elfreth emerged from a field of more than 20 primary candidates by stressing her local connections and, as the campaign got tight, her top rivals lack thereof. Former police officer Harry Dunn, who defended the US Capitol against pro-Trump insurrectionists on January 6, 2021, was the preferred candidate of several Democratic bigwigs, but Elfreth with a major boost from the American Israel Public Affairs Committees super PAC, United Democracy Project comfortably won the nomination. In addition to UDP, which spent $3.6 million on advertising alone, Elfreth also had strong support from organized labor, including the powerful Maryland State Education Association, and from retiring Sen. Ben Cardin, former Sen. Barbara Mikulski and an impressive slate of state and local lawmakers. Whats less clear is why AIPAC decided to spend so big in the district, especially since there wasnt much daylight between Elfreth and Dunn, who was widely regarded as her top rival. The impetus might have been the candidacy of labor lawyer John Morse, who was endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, but Morse was long since left behind by the frontrunners. Moderate House GOP incumbents survive It was a good night for the more moderate House Republican incumbents. In Nebraskas 2nd District, a competitive Omaha-based district, Rep. Don Bacon defeated conservative challenger Dan Frei, who was endorsed by Rep. Bob Good, the chairman of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus. Bacon is now headed for a rematch with Democratic state lawmaker Tony Vargas in November. US Rep. Carol Miller, a member of the center-right Main Street Caucus, fended off a challenge from Derrick Evans, a former state lawmaker who served three months in prison after filming himself behind police lines and in the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Morrisey wins nasty West Virginia gubernatorial primary With Justice term-limited out of the office, the GOP primary drew a host of well-connected Republicans vying to replace him in the governors mansion. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey won a race that also featured Moore Capito, the son of Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito; Secretary of State Mac Warner; and Chris Miller, the son of Carol Miller, the congresswoman. The primary was a nasty one. It featured a political action committee supporting Morrisey airing television spots taking aim at transgender people and describing Miller and Capito as allies of LGBT people. A pro-Capito group similarly aired ads comparing Morrisey to a pig and criticizing the woke sex change industry. Morrisey will face Democratic Huntington Mayor Steve Williams in the general election. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The economy has turned a cornerthe plan is working, and we must stick to it, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, triumphantly tweeted last week in response to better-than-expected data on the economy. It was a rare piece of positive news amid the raging sea of despair, so no-one could blame him for wanting to celebrate. But, I thought, what plan, and working for who? Nowhere is the absence of a plan that is delivering in the way voters hoped more apparent than on migration. Small boat crossings are higher so far in 2024 than ever recorded at the same point before in the year, and authorised, or legal, migration has also been hitting hitherto undreamt-of records. Its small boats that tend to grab the headlines, but it is these legal routes that supply the vast majority of migrants, adding to the population the equivalent of a medium-sized city such as Leeds each year at the current rate. Was this what Brexit was meant to deliver? The great irony is that the post-Brexit immigration regime now in operation is broadly what Leave campaigners had promised. Yet in practice it has succeeded only in replacing relatively high levels of net migration from Europe with still higher amounts of it from South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. This surely can never have been the plan. There are many ways in which people can migrate to these shores, both authorised and unauthorised, but two of the main legal ones are the so-called graduate route and the health and social care route. Both channels of entry have witnessed an explosion in numbers since the end of the pandemic, piling further pressure on already stretched social services, schools, hospitals and housing. In part, this was quite deliberate. Under the UKs International Education Strategy, launched in March 2019, the Government sought to boost education exports to 35bn per year and set a target of 600,000 international students studying in the UK by 2030. As an inducement, overseas students were given the right both to bring dependants with them, and to work in the UK for at least two years after completing their studies. It worked only too well. There were 114,000 graduate visas issued last year, and a further 30,000 visas for their dependants. In total, the number of overseas students already exceeds the 600,000 target. In a report published this week, the Governments Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), insists that the scheme has broadly achieved what it set out to do, and finds no evidence of significant abuse. But this depends on what you call abuse. Certainly there is widespread evidence of the route being used not primarily for study, but as a backdoor way into the UK jobs market and eventual residency. Many universities are selling not education but work visas. Realising its peril, the Government has belatedly cracked down and, starting from the beginning of this year, greatly restricted the right to bring dependants in most cases. The effect has already been marked. According to a MAC review of the graduate route published this week, early indications suggest a 63pc reduction in the number of deposits paid for the September 2024 intake by international postgraduate applicants. The deterrent effect on undergraduate courses is at this stage less clear. Even so, there is no shortage of calls for the Government to go much further. In a report for the Centre for Policy Studies think tank, the former ministers Robert Jenrick and Neil OBrien challenge the whole notion that migration of the type encouraged by the graduate route is economically and fiscally beneficial, and demand that the scheme be abolished in its entirety, including in most cases removal of the right to stay and work after the completion of studies. Its good that we are finally having this debate, though perhaps not so good that it has taken an almost complete breakdown in efforts to control our borders to bring matters to a head. Just to repeat the point, this is not what Brexit was supposed to deliver. Whatever the plan was back then, it is very definitely not working. Yet it is equally important to move with caution and with our eyes wide open. As the MAC points out, there are two inevitable consequences of further restrictions. One is that the Government is likely to fail in the targets set out in the International Education Strategy, including a higher education sector worth 35bn a year in exports. Most universities have, moreover, come to lean heavily on the fees paid by overseas students, which are typically two to three times higher than for domestic students. Ending the scheme is likely to lead to further financial difficulties and in some cases outright closure. Nor is it just the globally lower-ranked universities that would be affected. The head of one Russell Group college recently told me, in a reference to the separate problem of deteriorating geopolitical relations, that his college would be dead without our annual intake of Chinese students. Some of the same points can be made about the health and social care scheme, where the attractions in terms of freedom to bring dependants and length of visa are even greater. Failure to fund these sectors adequately has made them overly dependent on immigration to keep them going. For many British workers, social care is too poorly paid to make it an attractive career option. In considering the trade-offs, we need to ask ourselves a number of fundamental questions. Do we actually need a university sector of such size and variable quality? Would it in practice be such a hardship if domestic fees were raised to a level which made the better universities viable in their own right without the need to take in huge numbers of overseas applicants? Is it remotely sustainable to persist with a situation where nearly 50pc of the cohort spend three years of their lives in pursuit of a degree that in many cases will not buy them the highly paid jobs they aspire to? Might it not actually be a better use of resources if more school leavers were diverted into todays immigrant-dependent growth sectors such as health and social care? In curtailing immigration, we obviously dont want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Getting the balance right, so that Britain can retain a globally competitive universities sector that attracts the brightest and the best, is fiendishly complex. It is also important to recognise that getting the numbers down will inevitably involve higher costs for university education, for social care and for health care. Immigration is the cheaper option. Yet it is equally important to recognise that a failure to tackle mass migration in a pre-emptive, considered and effective way carries with it a real risk of public backlash, and eventually of more extreme, populist solutions. One thing is for sure right now the system isnt working. 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. Ulviyya Shahin The Speaker of Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis (Parliament), Sahiba Gafarova discussed the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Climate Change Convention (COP29), which will be held in Baku in November this year, in her meeting with President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Azernews reports that this was informed by the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis. It was also emphasised that economic relations are one of the main components of bilateral relations between the countries, and it was said that the current level of commercial and economic relations creates a good basis for wider cooperation. Also, within the framework of inter-parliamentary relations, issues of cooperation in international parliamentary organisations were considered. Both the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which was created on the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly were emphasised as good platforms for cooperation. Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova also gave information about the current situation in the region and the peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In particular, the President of Singapore said that his country will be strongly represented at COP29. A seminar between the Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese businesses is held in Hanoi, Vietnam, May 14, 2024. Pham Minh Chinh chaired the seminar with representatives of 19 leading Chinese corporations in the green and digital economic sector. This was the first meeting between the Vietnamese prime minister and Chinese businesses. (Xinhua/Hu Jiali) HANOI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnamese government always encourages Chinese businesses to expand investment in areas where China has strengths and Vietnam prioritizes such as innovation, green development, renewable energy and smart urban areas, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said. He made the statement on Tuesday while chairing a seminar in capital Hanoi with representatives of 19 leading Chinese corporations in the green and digital economic sector. This was the first meeting between the Vietnamese Prime Minister and Chinese businesses. Chinh said trade, investment, and economic cooperation between China and Vietnam, particularly in digital and green economies, will be a significant and driving force in the advancement of the two countries' bilateral ties. He told Chinese businesses to develop large-scale, standard projects in Vietnam in the fields of high technology and construction, infrastructure for road and rail transportation, metallurgy, healthcare, education and renewable energy. Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo said China firmly supports Vietnam in accelerating industrialization and modernization, and is willing to assist Vietnam's economic transformation, upgrading and its sustainable development. China will also encourage more Chinese-funded enterprises with technological strength and credibility to engage in key areas of cooperation with Vietnam, said the ambassador. According to police reports, Tap 22 Bar and Grill in Silvis was targeted by multiple thieves in a break-in around 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 14. Workers say the suspects were seen on multiple security cameras in the business. Tap 22 opened hours after the break-in attempt. Its shocking. This is not going to stop us from opening, Bree Schultz, a manager at Tap 22, said. This actually will make us stronger. Schultz has worked at Tap 22 for over three years, and she was one of the employees who arrived first Tuesday morning. We started walking, and I was, like, man theres a lot of moisture thats in the door back there, Schultz said. I started walking closer, and I was, like, oh, no; somebody broke into it. After calling law enforcement, Schultz and one of her coworkers searched the business to see what may have happened. We walked through the office and just noticed that there was a bunch of bottles of liquor missing, Schultz said. Nothing that cant be replaced. Despite the break-in happening Tuesday morning, Tap 22 already opened starting for lunch at 11:00 a.m., nine hours after the attempt. This will not stop any of our customers, Schultz said. Its actually going to make it bigger. The city of Silvis, they support Tap 100%. The customers love us; the food is good; the service is great. Im excited to keep having people come in. Schultz says workers depend on Tap 22 to remain open, and as a manager, she does not want to let them down. Its very important because these days people struggle trying to find jobs and everything, Schultz said. We all work together as a team, and we all support one another. With hundreds of reactions on social media, Tap 22 is ready to bring in the crowds again. Were getting our back door boarded up within the hour, Schultz said. I told you its not going to stop us. Since the break-in attempt occurred in the early morning hours, none of the employees were present when it happened. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. A South Carolina preschool teacher abused two 4-year-old children in class, including a girl who parents say was smacked and repeatedly hit with a plastic pointer, a new lawsuit says. The girls parents and the boys mother didnt learn of the physical attacks on their children until May 1, more than a month after the incidents on March 30, according to the lawsuit. The children have autism and are nonverbal, according to a complaint. They attended the Charleston County School Districts Head Start program for preschoolers, toddlers and babies at Midland Park Primary School in North Charleston. Lasonya Washington, 42, the Head Start teacher named in the lawsuit, was arrested on May 13 by the North Charleston Police Department, according to incident reports provided to McClatchy News. She faces four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, jail records show. Information regarding her legal representation wasnt immediately available. Washington was released from jail on May 14, the same day the lawsuit was filed, after posting an $80,000 bond, according to jail records. Washington no longer works for the Charleston County School District, Andy Pruitt, the districts communications director, told McClatchy News on May 15. We followed our protocols as soon as school and district leaders were made aware of concerns related to this matter, Pruitt said in an emailed statement. We have cooperated and will continue cooperating with law enforcement throughout the investigation. Washington started working for the school district in August 2012, according to Pruitt. She was a teacher for 3-year-old children, he said. The parents lawsuit names the school district, Midland Park Primary School Head Start and the South Carolina Department of Social Services as defendants. The state DSS declined McClatchy News request for comment on May 15. Abuse detailed in the lawsuit, police reports According to the lawsuit, on March 30, the 4-year-old girl was sitting in her chair in class when Washington walked up to her and grabbed her wrist. Washington dragged her toward the front of the classroom, causing her to fall, the complaint says. While the girl was on the floor, Washington forcibly grabbed both of her legs and put them in the criss cross position, according to the complaint. Afterward, she smacked the girl twice and grabbed a large plastic pointer, which she used to repeatedly hit the girl, the complaint says. A police report details similar reports of abuse. On May 1, a mother notified police that her childs school informed her of a video of her daughter being assaulted, according to the North Charleston Police Department incident report. The mother reported her daughter has been regularly coming home with bruises on her back and arms after school, the report says. Midland Park Primary Principal Ian James told a police officer that he was aware of a video of Washington abusing the girl, and that Washington had been fired, according to the report. The video reviewed by the officer showed Washington grabbing the girl by the wrist, dragging her to the front of class and resulting in her falling, the report says. The video also showed Washington forcing the girls legs into a criss-cross position, as detailed in the lawsuit, and smacking her hand, according to the report. (Washington) then grabbed a pointer and cowered over (the girl) as if she was going to hit her with the pointer, the report says. Afterward, Washington continued teaching as if nothing had occurred, according to the report. The lawsuit also says that on March 30, Washington dragged the 4-year-old boy across the class after he had been sitting on the floor, and forced his legs into a criss cross position when he fell. Then, she forcibly squeezed his face, according to the complaint. According to a second police incident report obtained by McClatchy News, Washington is accused of assaulting a 3-year-old girl at nap time on March 13. The assault left the girl bruised, and she went to a hospital, the report says. Her parents told police incidents of abuse are on video but they were only allowed to watch one of the incidents, according to the report. The investigation into the abuse at the school is ongoing, according to police. It appears other students could have also been assaulted by (Washington), the other incident report says. Dozens of complaints The school districts Head Start program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Since 2021, there have been 49 high-level complaints made about the program at Midland Park Primary School, according to the states DSS. Attorney Sean Wilson, of Sean Wilson Law, is representing the families in their lawsuit, which was first reported by WCSC-TV. Children are humans, they are people. They need a voice, they need to be under trusted teachers, and a trusted school district. In this case they werent. It failed them, Wilson told the TV station. The parents seek an unspecified amount in damages and are seeking a jury trial. Teacher forced student he impregnated to get abortion, suit says. I was just a child Child in wheelchair spends school day with broken legs when no one helps, lawsuit says Neighbor calls 11-year-old with autism a nuisance in lawsuit. Mom is suing her back Teacher refused to use preferred pronouns and was fired, suit says. Now district owes A California school district has settled a lawsuit with a teacher who says she was fired over her religious beliefs after she refused to use students preferred pronouns, attorneys say. The Jurupa Unified School District in Riverside County agreed to pay $360,000 to Jessica Tapia, her attorneys at Advocates for Faith & Freedom said in a May 14 news release. The settlement closes a federal lawsuit Tapia filed last May that alleged the districts decision to fire Tapia violated her civil and First Amendment rights, according to the lawsuit. The alleged violations in part stemmed from her refusal to call students by their preferred pronouns, along with her concern about not revealing students gender identities to parents, the lawsuit says. Todays settlement serves as a reminder that religious freedom is protected, no matter your career, Julianne Fleischer, one of Tapias attorneys, said in the release. While the district approved the settlement Monday, May 13, it has not admitted any fault or wrongdoing against Ms. Tapia, Jacqueline Paul, a spokesperson for the district, said in an emailed statement to McClatchy News. The decision to settle this case was made in conjunction with the Districts self-insurance authority and in the best interest of the students, such that the District can continue to dedicate all of its resources and efforts to educate and support its student population regardless of their protected class, Paul said. Termination after social media posts Tapia worked at the district since 2014, most recently as a physical education teacher at Jurupa Valley High School, the lawsuit says. Days before the end of the 2021-2022 school year, the lawsuit says Tapia was put on administrative leave after posts on her personal Instagram account were brought to the Districts attention. The District claimed ... Ms. Tapias social media posts were racist, offensive, disrespectful, and mocking towards individuals based upon their sexual orientation, the lawsuit says. The district went on to accuse Tapia of proselytizing during P.E. class, as well as refusing to call students by their preferred pronouns, the suit says. In late September 2022, the lawsuit says Tapia received a Notice of Unprofessional Conduct, wherein the district listed directives she must follow in order to keep her job. Along with using students preferred pronouns, this included allowing students to use the bathroom that matches with their gender identity and not discussing the Bible with her students, according to the lawsuit. Subsequently, the lawsuit says Tapia took a medical leave of absence through December 2022. The Directives caused Ms. Tapia to suffer severe mental and emotional anguish because she was torn between agreeing to conditions that caused her to violate her religious beliefs or losing the job she worked her entire life for, the lawsuit says. Tapia responded with a letter in December 2022, citing specific directives she could not follow, as she said they went against her Christian faith, documents show. Among those Tapia cited was the requirement to refer to students by their preferred pronouns. The lies and confusion that children are fed in terms of you arent who you were created to be is based in evil and I will not take part in that, Tapia wrote. I believe that God created male and female. Tapia also said she could not follow school policy to not inform parents students of their gender identities, the letter shows. Upon her return in January 2023, the lawsuit says she sent the district another letter, requesting potential accommodations, which included calling students by the name listed on the school roster or a transfer to a different school or position within the district where she did not need to interact with students. The district responded, saying it could not accommodate Tapias requests without violating California and federal law, aimed at protecting students and providing all students, a discrimination and harassment free learning environment, and she was later fired, the lawsuit says. Settlement Tapias attorney, Fleischer, commended her efforts to ensure her school district was held accountable and that no other teacher has to succumb to this type of discrimination, Fleischer said, per the release. What happened to me can happen to anybody, and I want the next teacher to know that it is worth it to take a stand for what is right, Tapia said in the release. Paul said the settlement, which precludes her from seeking future employment with the district, is not a win for Ms. Tapia but is in compromise of a disputed claim. The settlement certainly does not state or prove any illegal action or discrimination by the District, Paul said. A June 2022 report from the UCLA School of Laws Williams Institute found that an estimated 1.4% of 13- to 17-year-olds identified as transgender. School district to pay $15.75M over California 13-year-olds asthma death, lawyer says 8-year-old died after flying from school slide 7 feet above frozen ground, Utah suit says Teen died from fentanyl in school bathroom as mom begged staff to find her, CA suit says Teacher in Southern California accused of sexual battery by female students Police in San Bernardino County are investigating allegations that a teacher at a local private school had inappropriate contact with several female students over a three-year period and are seeking any additional victims, authorities announced Tuesday. Investigators with the Redlands Police Department responded to the allegations on May 7 at Redlands Adventist Academy, located at 130 Tennessee Street, according to an RPD news release. Police believe the unidentified male teacher has inappropriately touched at least five female students ranging in age from 14-17, with the most recent incident reported late last month. Administrators at the Seventh-day Adventist K-12 school placed the teacher on administrative leave pending an internal investigation, police said. Investigators search Southern California landfill for remains of missing infant Redlands Police Department is conducting a separate criminal investigation into the accusations. Anyone who may have been a victim or has information regarding the investigation is urged to contact Redlands Police Department Detective Steve Truong at 909-798-7643. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Teen crashes into home during high-speed pursuit in San Bernardino County A teenager was arrested after crashing a stolen car during a pursuit in San Bernardino County Tuesday. The suspect was only identified as a 17-year-old Adelanto resident, according to the Victorville Police Department. The teen was driving a Dodge Charger near Cholame and Cahuenga Roads in Victorville as officers attempted to pull the car over around 1:12 a.m. The driver refused to pull over, leading officers on a pursuit. During the chase, the suspect drove at high speeds near residential areas, authorities said. At one point, the suspect lost control and crashed into the garage of a home. The collision struck a gas meter, causing a gas leak in the neighborhood. The driver then fled from the crash, officials said. A juvenile suspect crashed into a Victorville home during a high-speed pursuit on May 14, 2024. (Victorville Police Department) Officers immediately began evacuating homes in the area. Authorities began searching the neighborhood and the suspect was eventually found hiding on the roof of a nearby home. Investigators also discovered the suspects car had been reported stolen out of Adelanto. The teen was arrested on multiple charges including grand theft auto, possession of a stolen vehicle, conspiracy, and vandalism damages of $400 or more. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information can call the Victorville Police Station at 760-241-2911 or Sheriffs Dispatch at 760-956-5001. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. SOUTH JAMAICA, Queens (PIX11) A 15-year-old boy was stabbed in the head in Queens Wednesday afternoon, police said. The stabbing happened near 122-15 Guy R Brewer Blvd. in South Jamaica around 2:50 p.m., according to the NYPD. 4 students injured in 3 violent incidents at New York City schools The 15-year-old was stabbed once in his head and twice in his shoulder, police said. He was taken to a hospital after the incident, authorities said. A suspect wearing a ski mask was seen fleeing in an unknown direction, according to police. The incident happened several blocks away from August Martin High School. Additional information about the incident wasnt immediately available. Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Tentative deal reached after University of Washington student workers go on strike The University of Washington (UW) and a union representing academic student workers have seemingly reached deal, ending a one-day strike. The tentative agreement came hours after thousands of student employees went on strike Tuesday after union representatives and the university failed to agree to provisions Monday night. The union, United Auto Workers Local 4121, said the deal was reached Tuesday. The organization said the new agreement includes a 36 percent increase to the base salary over the contract, which is the largest raise its bargaining unit has won in a contract. The deal also includes increases in hourly wages, more reimbursements for childcare and improvements to health care coverage. The union also said on its website that the deal includes paid time off for immigration appointments and hearings. The strike on Tuesday came after months of bargaining sessions between union representatives and university officials began in February. The union represents 6,000 academic student employees, including teaching assistants, researchers, tutors and others. UW spokesperson Victor Balta confirmed in a statement that the university reached an agreement with the union. He said the union still needs to ratify the contract in a vote they expect to happen this week. We are pleased to report that weve reached an agreement with UAW Local 4121, the union representing academic student employees on a new contract, he said in a statement. The union has also agreed to suspend the strike pending the outcome of the ratification vote. Details on the full agreement will be made available soon, Balta added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A family in San Bernardino County is still shaken and baffled after enduring a terrifying home invasion over the weekend. The break-in occurred just after midnight Sunday in the 700 block of Concord Lane in Redlands. Stanley Trammel told KTLAs Shelby Nelson that the four to five masked men who kicked in a back door and set off the familys home alarm system didnt seem to care at all if there was anybody in the home. According to Trammel, the lights in the home were on as his wife was downstairs watching television. The couples 21-year-old son was upstairs sleeping, and he was also upstairs. She told me that she heard a loud boom and then a second one because the door didnt give the first time they kicked it, he explained. Then this guy came in and she screamed. Trammel says that the men, who were all dressed in black, forced his son out of bed, while he was trying to fight off one of the intruders with his cane while the man was pointing a gun at him. Terrifying home invasion leaves SoCal family shaken As his wife attempted to get out of the way of the suspects, she tripped and hit her head. The harrowing ordeal, according to Trammel, only lasted five to seven minutes and the suspects never said a word to him during the invasion. Its unclear what the intruders may have been looking for and why the familys home was targeted, but Trammel says theres also another puzzling aspect of the chilling experience. We think that they were actually looking in the bedrooms, which are all upstairs, he said. Nobody made any demands about give us your jewelry or give us your money. They didnt take anything. Im more confused than anything else because we dont know why. A neighbors surveillance cameras show the moment police arrive after the suspects had fled. Terrifying home invasion leaves SoCal family shaken Officers with the Redlands Police Department set up a perimeter and searched the area but came up emptyhanded. Some residents on the quiet street say theyre now on edge and are considering adding more to their existing security systems. These are things that we just dont expect to happen, and we hope never to happen, but when it happens right in front of your house, that is way too close for comfort, neighbor Beatrice Martins told KTLA. That is what, frankly, has made us reconsider all of our safety protocols around the house. Armed Southern California man shot in face after putting officer in headlock Trammels wife was taken to the hospital and has since been released while shes recovering from the fall and blow to her head. So far, police have not released any suspect descriptions or made any arrests. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Redlands Police Department. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Lawrence Wong takes the oath of office as Singapore's fourth Prime Minister as seen from a screen at the Istana, the country's presidential palace, in Singapore, May 15, 2024. Lawrence Wong took his oath of office as Singapore's fourth Prime Minister here on Wednesday. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) SINGAPORE, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Lawrence Wong took his oath of office as Singapore's fourth Prime Minister at the Istana, the country's presidential palace, on Wednesday. In the inauguration speech, Wong expressed gratitude to Lee Hsien Loong, who served as the prime minister for the past two decades and remains in the new cabinet as a senior minister. Wong, 51, is the first prime minister of Singapore born after the country's independence in 1965. He said that the handover also signifies a passing of the baton across generations. Wong said one of his priorities is to identify and bring younger talents in their 30s and 40s to the team, and his leadership style will differ from previous generations. "We enjoyed unprecedented peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific since the end of the Cold War. Unfortunately, the era is over," Wong stressed while expounding on his external views. Facing growing conflict, rivalry, protectionism and nationalism, Wong said Singapore will adapt to the changes and continue to be friends with all. "We value the centrality of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and its efforts to foster regional cooperation and integration. We hope for stable U.S.-China relations and will continue engaging both powers," he noted. He also vowed to improve trust within local society, and push the country forward with common purpose and shared resolve. Lawrence Wong speaks during a swearing-in ceremony held at Singapore's Istana on May 15, 2024. Lawrence Wong took his oath of office as Singapore's fourth Prime Minister at the Istana, the country's presidential palace, on Wednesday. (Ministry of Communications and Information of Singapore/Handout via Xinhua) Lawrence Wong (2nd L) shakes hands with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (3rd L) during a swearing-in ceremony held at Singapore's Istana on May 15, 2024. Lawrence Wong took his oath of office as Singapore's fourth Prime Minister at the Istana, the country's presidential palace, on Wednesday. (Ministry of Communications and Information of Singapore/Handout via Xinhua) Lawrence Wong (2nd L) takes the oath during a swearing-in ceremony held at Singapore's Istana on May 15, 2024. Lawrence Wong took his oath of office as Singapore's fourth Prime Minister at the Istana, the country's presidential palace, on Wednesday. (Ministry of Communications and Information of Singapore/Handout via Xinhua) CHESTER, SC (QUEEN CITY NEWS) 24-year-old Gene Alexander Scott sat through testimony in a Chester County courtroom as his double murder trial got underway Tuesday. A Chester County judge called the room to order at 11:38 a.m. Tuesday morning with 16 jurors, made up of 11 women and five men. The Chester County solicitors office started with opening statements, and the defense followed. Scott took extensive notes as authorities who worked on the June 2020 homicide scene began making their case. And even as Scott heard himself on the 911 call and body camera video, he showed no emotion. Authorities say Scott said he visited his grandfather for Fathers Day in 2020. When he arrived, he said he accidentally locked his phone and keys in his car and figured he would call a locksmith when he left. Authorities say Scotts initial written statement says he walked up to the door, opened it, and saw his grandparents had been shot. He then turned around, threw up, shut the door, and tried to yell through his car window for Siri to call 911. Queen City News Continued Coverage He says the last time he saw his grandparents was June 10. A Chester County deputy says he did not see any vomit where Scott claimed he threw up. Eventually, he flagged down a neighbor and they called the police. Hes standing there He cries or tries to cry. And he says that his grandparents have been killed and proceeds to tell me that they were shot execution-style with their hands on their heads, and it looks like they begged for their life, and what mags they use or the shell casings, she said. Prosecutors argue Scott killed his grandfather for his retirement and investment savings so he could start a tactical business. In her opening statement, Deputy Solicitor Candice Lively claims Gene Rogers withdrew $120,000 from his savings and gave $86,000 to Scott for the business in January 2020. But by June, she says Scott only had three dollars of it left. One thing that stood out to a Chester County deputy was Scott asking how many murders the department had covered that year, and what was the success rate, and he continuously asked to leave the scene. The Chester County Sheriffs Office did not find a weapon on the scene until the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division began its investigation. A SLED agent testified that a handgun was found in the center console of Scotts blue Mustang, which his grandfather bought for him. Several witnesses testified on day 1 of Scotts trial. Jurors are back tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) Firefighters and their families came to Springfield Tuesday paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Its true, not all superheroes wear capes, Illinois State Fire Marshal James Rivera, said during a ceremony at the Bank of Springfield Center. The sacrifice that our fallen brothers willingly and bravely faced echoes through the quarters of time and as a guiding light in our hours of darkness. Five firefighters including Larry Peasley, the former fire chief of the Maroa Countryside Fire Protection District, died in the line of duty this past year. Their names now join the names of others who lost their lives on the Illinois Firefighter Memorial outside the State Capitol. Their family members also received a gold badge in their honor. Champaign Co. police honor the fallen with memorial ceremony They gave their lives to protect others, to rescue and comfort those experiencing their hardest moments, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-Illinois), said during the service. To all who value selfless service, they will never be forgotten. But the service didnt just honor the fallen. Four firefighters received a Medal of Valor for showing bravery and courage on the job. Eight received a Medal of Honor, the highest award the state gives to a firefighter who went beyond the call of duty to serve their communities. It means a lot, Lieutenant Brett Repking with the Teutopolis Fire Protection District, and one of the medal recipients, said. Its a very big honor. We did it for the community and to help out our community, and we definitely didnt expect anything like this to come from it, so [were] very honored. PHOTOS: Central IL vets take honor flight to D.C. Repking and other members of the Teutopolis and Montrose Fire Protection Districts received that honor for their role responding to a deadly tanker truck crash that led to an anhydrous ammonia leak on Route 40 last year. I remember the camaraderie of the guys, the community coming together, how much support we received from the community, Dan Kocher, a firefighter for Teutopolis, said. That was a big relief, knowing that the community was behind us as well. The reason we do what we do is for the community. Four fire department units received Firefighter Excellence Unit Citation Awards. Its given for an act of service in the line of duty and for displaying teamwork and professionalism. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking another legal shot at El Paso nonprofit Annunciation House. Last week, Paxton filed a motion for an injunction against the Catholic nonprofit alleging that his office has "sworn testimony indicating that Annunciation House's operations are designed to facilitate illegal border crossings and to conceal illegally present aliens from law enforcement," according to a news release from the attorney general's office. "Any NGO (non-governmental organization) facilitating the unlawful entry of illegal aliens into Texas is undermining the rule of law and potentially jeopardizing the safety and wellbeing of our citizens," Paxton wrote in the release. "All NGOs who are complicit in (President) Joe Biden's illegal immigration catastrophe and think they are above the law should consider themselves on notice." For decades, Annunciation House has offered hospitality to migrants and refugees in El Paso. The volunteer organization has played a critical role in helping migrants released by Border Patrol officials who are seeking asylum in the U.S. or other forms of immigration relief. A spokesperson for Texas RioGrande Legal Aid confirmed in an email that attorneys representing Annunciation House are working to file a response. No hearing has yet been set. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid attorney Jerome Wesevich said Paxton's latest claims are simply more bluster. "What matters here is what the Court does, not what the Attorney General says," he said. "While the attorney general drums up attention to his false claims, Annunciation House continues to serve refugees as the law allows and as the Gospel commands." Paxton's assault on Annunciation House began in early February when he demanded that the nonprofit hand over extensive documents related to its clients and accused it of operating a "stash house." Annunciation House requested an extension to review what information it was legally required to divulge, but the state denied that request. Ruben Garcia, director of Annunciation House, walks out of the 205th District Courtroom with attorney Robert Doggett and Jerome Wesevich, a lawyer with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid representing Annunciation House, after a motion hearing with Judge Francisco Dominguez in El Paso, TX on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Annunciation House filed a lawsuit shortly after that to delay the release of the records, prompting Paxton to file another lawsuit accusing the group of "worsening illegal immigration," until a judge decided in March that Annunciation House did not have to turn over documents until a court ruled on which documents were required to be handed to the attorney general's office. The latest injunction filed on May 8 by Paxton, which accuses Annunciation House of "illegal alien harboring" and "operation of a stash house," seeks to temporarily halt the organization's operations until the documents requested by the state are handed over. "The papers are all heat and no light," Wesevich said in a news release. "The Court set forth an orderly process for deciding this case, and Annunciation House intends to follow that process so that Annunciation House and other non-profits have a clear statement of their rights and responsibilities when the Attorney General serves them with subpoenas." In her own statement, state Rep. Lina Ortega, D-El Paso, blasted Paxton's office for levying further burden upon an already-stretched Annunciation House. More: El Paso leaders blast Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton lawsuit against Annunciation House "In the name of the Gospel, Annunciation House has served those in need passing through the El Paso community for decades," she wrote. "It is disgraceful to see the attorney general's office continue its legal attack on this Catholic mission with politicized claims of criminal conduct. The time and resources Annunciation House must now commit to defending itself should be spent on continuing care for migrants, a population historically ignored and more recently demonized by state leadership." This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso's Annunciation House facing another onslaught from Texas AG Texas mom says police held her face in pile of fire ants, covering head and neck with hundreds of bite marks Texas mom says police held her face in pile of fire ants, covering head and neck with hundreds of bite marks A woman accused police officers in Santa Fe, Texas, of holding her face down in a pile of fire ants, leaving bite marks all over her head and chest. Taylor Rogers said the incident occurred Aug. 19, 2021, while she took her son to school. Rogers alleged in a federal lawsuit that an officer came running up to her vehicle yelling for her to stop. She initially filed the suit in July and amended it in January. Rogers "panicked and drove the wrong way" down a bus-only lane, according to the lawsuit. The suit said Rogers has mental illness and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from a previous encounter with police. fire ant bite marks (KPRC) The suit said a second officer arrived at the scene, slammed Rogers to the ground and handcuffed her "so tight that the handcuffs cut into her skin." The officer then twisted her leg "with excessive force," hogtied her and then buried her face "in a pile of fire ants leaving the Plaintiffs face and body in excruciating pain." "This lawsuit is brought to prevent this from ever happening again in the future because no officer should hold a citizen down in a pile of fire ants after they have already been detained/seized," the complaint said. In newly released body camera video, shared by an attorney for Rogers, she is seen lying on the grass screaming hysterically. "Please," Rogers yells, telling the officer that ants are getting on her face. At a news conference Saturday, Rogers said her arrest "underscores a significant issue: the absence of empathy and human compassion among some individuals in law enforcement." Randall Kallinen, an attorney for Rogers who organized a GoFundMe campaign on her behalf, wrote on the campaign that she was bitten over 300 times by fire ants and suffered "immense pain." Ruben Espinoza, the police chief for the Santa Fe Independent School District, told NBC affiliate KPRC of Houston that the video does not tell the full story of what happened. Espinoza, an officer at the time who responded to the school, is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, as are an officer and the city of Santa Fe. A lawyer for the city said Rogers claims against the city of Santa Fe were dismissed. The city is monitoring the litigation and the courts analysis of the claim against the officer, attorney Norman Ray Giles said. Espinoza said Rogers tried to cut to the front of the area where parents were dropping off their children. He told the station that she was apprehended by different officers a short time later and allegedly drove off the road onto the grass after the officers turned their police lights on. "She turned her vehicle into a bus driveway where students are dropped off by the bus. That location at the front of the school is very close to where kids are being dropped off. I could tell she was determined not to stop, so my fear was ... that she was going to run over someone near the school," Espinoza said. "So, I used my vehicle to stop her vehicle from doing that." Espinoza accused her of "being erratic and noncompliant," according to KPRC. Espinoza said that Rogers was "treated with respect" and "professionalism" during her arrest and that there was not a visible ant pile. "She was not abused," he said. "There were no ants that we could see." Espinoza acknowledged that Rogers did yell about ants, but he told KPRC that she was lifted from the ground seconds after she alerted the officers to the insects. The lawsuit, however, said that the officers were not being respectful and that they even told Rogers her son was watching from the car. "Plaintiff didnt want her son to hear her in pain, so she got quiet while she was in excruciating pain," the lawsuit said. Kallinen, Rogers' attorney, said he wants the officers involved to be disciplined. City Manager Alun Thomas told KPRC that he could not comment on the lawsuit, but he has previously expressed his support for the officers. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Do I need a Texas Real ID? Whens the new deadline? Heres what you need to know This time next year travelers will be required to have a Real ID to fly in Texas. The Department of Homeland Security has extended the deadline from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025 to give residents time to comply with the new law. DHS continues to work closely with U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories to meet REAL ID requirements, said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas in a press release . DHS will also use this time to implement innovations to make the process more efficient and accessible. We will continue to ensure that the American public can travel safely. More trending stories from our newsroom: Supermodel Bella Hadid moves to Fort Worth to be with cowboy. If you quit a job in Texas, you could still get unemployment Is this 50-acre Fort Worth ranch really worth $15.9M? So, what exactly is a Real ID, why do I need one? So what exactly is a Real ID and what is the law that will enforce Texans to have it in 2025? The Real ID is a drivers license or identification card marked with a gold circle with an inset star located in the upper right-hand corner. It was designed in an effort by states and the federal government to combat terrorism, identity theft, and other crimes by strengthening security of the issuance process. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued drivers licenses and identification cards. Those standards include: Requiring proof of identity, date of birth, social security number, lawful status, and primary residence address Verifying the authenticity of the documents presented for issuance Incorporating additional security features into the card, and Increasing security and privacy of personal information collected during the issuance process. Real IDs are compliant in all 50 states, while enhanced IDs serve as an alternative to Canadian passports for entry into the US by land or sea. Enhanced IDs have privacy protection measures, including an RFID chip with no personally identifiable information stored. Under the Real ID Act, you must have a license or ID card that is compliant to enter federal buildings or fly in the U.S. To get a Real ID you need the following documents: An original or certified copy of a Birth Certificate or an unexpired U.S. Passport Book or Card Social Security Card Current Texas Vehicle Registration or Title Current Car Insurance Policy or Car Insurance Statement If your name changed, legal documents showing proof of name change from your birth name AUSTIN (KXAN) Texas legal statutes has problems dealing with squatters, according to some state lawmakers, who heard testimony on Wednesday from people affected by the issue. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick brought this problem to the Texas Senate with his interim charges for the body ahead of the 2025 regular session. The item, titled Secure Texas Against Squatters,' calls on the Senates Local Government Committee to review the states adverse possession laws. It also tasks the committee to recommend ways for the law to streamline the removal of squatters and strengthen the rights of property owners. The committee, chaired by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, convened at 1 p.m. to hear testimony from invited speakers and members of the public. Texas law and Squatters Currently, state law appears to treat squatters as unwanted tenants and not as trespassers. According to the Texas State Law Library, laws that protect legal tenants from unlawful evictions may cause uncertainty for authorities. People in this situation sometimes ask the police to remove the unwanted guest for criminal trespassing, a post on the librarys website reads. However, authorities may be reluctant to remove a person who claims they live on the premises. Beyond the short-term, a squatter can eventually gain control of a property if there hasnt been any legal action to remove them. However, a landowner has a ten-year period to bring such a lawsuit to evict the person squatting. But according to two homeowners who testified Wednesday, bringing those lawsuits took months. Homeowners vs. Squatters Terri Boyette, a Mesquite resident who lost her home due to damage caused by a squatter, testified before the committee. She told the committee that the squatter moved in while she was out of town and operated her home as a drug den. Mesquite Police went to the home on her request, but told her she would have to file a civil lawsuit to have the person removed. Boyette said that legal process took months. During that time, Boyette had to continue paying insurance, mortgage, property taxes and utilities. Now, the home is uninhabitable with mold damage, narcotics contamination, pest infestations and structural damage. Many of her personal possessions in the home were also either sold online by the squatter or destroyed. News Nation: Womans home destroyed by squatters, belongings sold online This is burglary! This is breaking and entering! Your possessions were sold out on your front lawn! Im really outraged, Im really unhappy, said Bettencourt in response. This is never going to happen again in Texas when we get this bill passed. After the hearing, Senators Royce West, D-Dallas, and Bob Hall, R-Rockwall, left the hearing with Boyette, telling the committee that they would be calling Mesquite authorities about Boyettes case. KXAN reached out to the Mesquite Police for comment on the case. The Menendez family from San Antonio also testified to their own horror story. While they eventually evicted the squatter after seven months, they testified that they felt threatened by law enforcement during the process. What emerged from the testimony is an apparent pattern: a squatter moves in, the legal residents call police, law enforcement officers handle the squatter as a resident, the criminal case is dropped for a civil case, and then months are lost in legal proceedings. During that time, the legal residents may not be able to return home while a stranger has their way with the property. No new laws until 2025 Barring a surprise special session from Gov. Greg Abbott, any legislative action on squatting will wait until the next regular session of the Texas Legislature. A signal on what form that legislation might take came from Bettencourt after Boyettes testimony. I dont think civil fines make sense here, we need to make a criminal statute, Bettencourt said. Im so shocked that this is happeningI will not stop until this is dealt with. Migrant influencer in custody after videos on legal squatting loopholes Beyond a potential new criminal law, further testimony by legal experts and law enforcement demonstrated the need for systematic change. To fully address the issue, a law would also need guidance for law enforcement, better verification of leasing and deed documents, and mechanisms to address vacant properties. The one thing that stood out to me was the hearts of the people this has happened to. Were going to figure out how to fix this as soon as possible, Bettencourt said. However, an obvious hurdle for the committee and Texas legislators will be ensuring that protections for property owners dont overshadow protections for legal tenants. For example, a landlord acting in bad faith could abuse an expedited eviction system to force out lawful tenants. Bettencourt said that the committee plans to hold further hearings on the issue. He added that members of Mesquite Police, San Antonio Police, and other agencies named in testimony will be asked to testify in those meetings. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. University of Texas System Chancellor J.B. Milliken said elements of the pro-Palestinian protests over the past few weeks at UT were antisemitic in response to a question from the Texas Senate Higher Education Subcommittee, citing testimony from a Jewish UT student who spoke to the panel of his experience. The subcommittee on Tuesday held hearings with university system chancellors over their institutions' compliance with Senate Bill 17, a state law that went into effect in January and bans public universities from having diversity, equity and inclusion offices or related functions, and the hearing also focused on antisemitism on campuses and free speech policies born from Senate Bill 18, a 2019 law that made public universities' outdoor spaces traditional public forums. Outside of the chancellors and counsels, the committee had three invited panelists a UT student, a UT professor specializing in the First Amendment and the policy director of the Anti-Defamation League with the student and league speakers discussing increasing antisemitism and fear affecting Jewish students due to recent pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. No pro-Palestinian representatives were included in the subcommittee's agenda. Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, the author of SB 17 and the subcommittee's chairman, asked Milliken and Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp, "If you both recognize, especially what happened on the UT campus and across the country, that these were anti-Jewish protests in their very nature?" referring to the pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campuses. Milliken affirmed that elements of the protests were antisemitic, and said he'd agree that they were anti-Jewish. Not everybody involved is an antisemite and as you heard from the law professor, we value free speech, political speech, all of that," Milliken said. "It's when it crosses a line with threats, intimidation creating an environment where students cannot pursue their education. Sharp said the protests at Texas A&M campuses have been less intense, but that he has no tolerance for antisemitism. The protests at UT called on the university and the UT System to divest from Israeli weapons manufacturers. More than 130 people were arrested over two protests at UT the first on April 24 and another on April 29 when demonstrators set up a surprise encampment that was quickly dismantled by police. University of Texas graduate Jackie Compos, right, marches with others from the UT campus to the Capitol ahead of a Texas Senate Higher Education Subcommittee hearing Tuesday on campus free speech and Senate Bill 17, the bill banning diversity initiatives in Texas public colleges. Antisemitism and campus free speech UT sophomore Levi Fox testified to the panel about his experience with antisemitism on campus, including an encounter with a UT professor he said had approached him and verbally harassed him with an antisemitic threat. "People ask how the Holocaust happened," Fox said. "Auschwitz wasn't built overnight. It was built as Jew hatred gradually became accepted and when society was desensitized to hate." Fox said he knows people who have hidden their Judaism or are afraid of being seen going into Jewish spaces for fear of being targeted. Courtney Toretto from the Anti-Defamation League said this year has had the greatest number of antisemitic incident reports since the group started collecting data decades ago. Toretto also spoke about the impact of chants like "From the river to the sea" and the "intifada," which she said call for the destruction of Jewish people in Israel. "Many Jewish students report feeling isolated and targeted by these protests. While ADL vehemently supports the right to free speech and peaceful protest, we draw the line when conduct on campus crosses the line into harassment that threatens public safety and (students') well-being," Toretto said. The Texas Senate Higher Education Subcommittee hears from UT student Levi Fox, center left, Anti-Defamation League Policy Director Courtney Toretto and First Amendment lawyer Steven T. Collis. Fox told the American-Statesman after his testimony to the subcommittee that he is a staunch believer in free speech, and he hopes the Legislature guards free speech and protects Jewish students by encouraging more Holocaust education in schools. Asked when protests crossed the line, he said when there is violence and intimidation. "There is no category of speech in United States law known as hate speech," Steven Collis, director of the Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center and a professor at UT's Law School, told the subcommittee. But speech that incites violence or raises a "reasonable fear of imminent bodily harm" can be limited, he said. Public universities are allowed to set reasonable restrictions and rules for protesting as long as they are implemented in a content-neutral way, he said. "They try to conflate antisemitism with a student's right to protest and to free speech, which is wrong in and of itself," Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, told the Statesman after the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, which he chairs, held a news conference Tuesday over SB 17 and the right to protest. Islamophobia was not mentioned as part of the subcommittee's agenda or at the panel. During the public testimony portion of the meeting Tuesday some speakers asked for there to be "equal protection of free speech." UT System Chancellor J.B. Milliken said at Tuesday's hearing that he believed the pro-Palestinian protests at UT had been antisemitic. SB 17 compliance, difficulties and successes Milliken and Sharp asserted their commitments to following SB 17 exactly as written. But UT System's general counsel, Daniel Sharphorn, told the subcommittee that the system has struggled with the law's effects on grants. "We've struggled mightily with how to handle the grants," Sharphorn said. "Part of it is talking to the granting agency to know what laws we're dealing with. ... Right now, I don't know that we've learned enough to know what the impact is going to be." Brooks Moore, Texas A&M System's general counsel, said he thinks the accreditor's language is broad enough that he is not worried. Milliken said the system has reallocated about $25 million that was previously used toward DEI, according to what the institutions have reported. The system closed 21 offices, eliminated 311 full- and part-time positions, and cut about 681 contracts, programs and trainings, Milliken said. The 311 eliminated positions include the 49 former DEI staff positions that UT President Jay Hartzell cut April 2 as part of a reorganization after SB 17 that included the closing of the adapted Division of Campus and Community Engagement, a UT System spokesperson confirmed. Also in April, four months after the compliance deadline, UT-Dallas announced that it would close a new office created to comply with SB 17 and eliminate about 20 staff positions that had been adapted. Creighton said there's compliance as written, and then there's compliance "beyond the four corners of the document." He said UT seemed to take a "holistic approach," including finding other duplicative efforts and inefficiencies and making changes, and he asked how it came to those conclusions. Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, the author of Senate Bill 17, listens to UT System Chancellor J.B. Milliken during Tuesday's hearing. "Our board made a pretty strong statement about this last fall, that this is the law of the land, that we will fully commit to implement every element of it," Milliken said. Sharp said the Texas A&M System had fewer DEI resources to start with, and only eight positions across the system had been eliminated, not including student positions. Both systems asserted their ability to audit their institutions by this summer and work with state auditors. Milliken initially said that all systems have worked together to ensure uniform compliance, but differences later emerged. In response to a question from Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, Sharp said that Texas A&M has not changed its financial support of student groups because it is exempt from the law. At UT-Austin, sponsored student groups who had been under the now-closed Multicultural Engagement Center lost their university funding due to SB 17. Milliken said the sponsored groups were different because they had their own university spaces and other privileges, and they are now registered organizations, which do not receive university funding. West also asked if there is a reporting process for eliminated programs that people feel are overcompliant with the law. Milliken said the power to reinstate any programs would fall to the presidents of the institutions. From left, Aman Odeh, sits with Jessica and Gracie I. in the overflow room to watch the subcommittee hearing. Creighton, Milliken and Sharp also stated their commitment to helping ensure access to all. Milliken pointed to the Promise Plus endowment at the UT-Rio Grande Valley campus, which covers all tuition for students whose families makes a combined income of less than $100,000. Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas Chapter of the NAACP, spoke at the news conference the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and other organizations held at the same time as the hearing. In an interview with the Statesman, he said DEI is intended to help all, and the absence of it has created a "hostile" environment at UT. "If you think somebody's not included in DEI, change the definition and the scope and keep the existing people," Bledsoe said. "That shows again that it's a lie." UT student Levi Fox answers questions from Sen. Brandon Creighton during the hearing. Fox said he had experienced antisemitism on campus. Editor's note: This story has been updated with an additional quote from Milliken adding more context to his statements about the antisemitic elements of the pro-Palestine protests at UT. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How Texas is following anti-DEI compliance, free speech at colleges Google boss, Sundar Pichai, wrapped up the companys I/O developer conference by noting its almost-two-hour presentation had mentioned AI 121 times. It was everywhere. Googles newest AI model, Gemini 1.5 Flash, is built for speed and efficiency. The company said it created Flash because developers wanted a lighter, less expensive model than Gemini Pro to build AI-powered apps and services. Google says itll double Geminis context window to two million tokens, enough to process two hours of video, 22 hours of audio, more than 60,000 lines of code or 1.4 million-plus words at the same time. But the bigger news is how the company is sewing AI into all the things youre already using. With search, itll be able to answer your complex questions (a la Copilot in Bing), but for now, youll have to sign up to the companys Search Labs to try that out. AI-generated answers will also appear alongside typical search results, just in case the AI knows better. Google Photos was already pretty smart at searching for specific images or videos, but with AI, Google is taking things to the next level. If youre a Google One subscriber in the US, you will be able to ask Google Photos a complex question, like show me the best photo from each national park Ive visited. You can also ask Google Photos to generate captions for you. And, if you have an Android, Gemini is integrating directly into the device. Gemini will know the app, image or video youre running, and youll be able to pull it up as an overlay and ask it context-specific questions, like how to change settings or maybe even whos displayed on screen. While these were the bigger beats, there was an awful lot to chew over. Check out all the headlines right here. Mat Smith The biggest stories you might have missed Google wants you to relax and have a natural chat with Gemini Live Google Pixel 8a review Google unveils Veo and Imagen 3, its latest AI media creation models You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! Full of potential. TMA (Google) One of Googles bigger projects is its visual multimodal AI assistant, currently called Project Astra. It taps into your smartphone (or smart glasses) camera and can contextually analyze and answer questions on the things it sees. Project Astra can offer silly wordplay suggestions, as well as identify and define the things it sees. A video demo shows Project Astra identifying the tweeter part of a speaker. Its equal parts impressive and, well, familiar. We tested it out, right here. Continue reading. Elon Musk continues to add policy after baffling policy. The increasingly unhinged world of X (Twitter) now considers the term cisgender a slur. Owner Elon Musk posted last June, to the delight of his unhingiest users, that cis or cisgender are considered slurs on this platform. On Tuesday, X reportedly began posting an official warning. A quick reminder: Its not a slur. Continue reading. Hes moving to a new project. Ilya Sutskever announced on X, formerly Twitter, hes leaving OpenAI almost a decade after he co-founded the company. Hes confident OpenAI will build [artificial general intelligence] that is both safe and beneficial under the leadership of CEO Sam Altman, President Greg Brockman and CTO Mira Murati. While Sutskever and Altman praised each other in their farewell messages, the two were embroiled in the companys biggest scandal, last year. Sutskever, who was a board member then, was involved in both of their dismissals. Continue reading. From the G-File on The Dispatch Hi, Its rare for me to be the last to know about a viral social media controversy, at least in my circles. (I am sure news of the Ice Bucket Challenge probably still hasnt made it to some corners of Bhutan.) But thats what happened last week on the Dispatch Podcast. Sarah Isgur and special guest star Megan McArdle were all up-to-speed on this Man or Bear? controversy that apparently swirled around the interwebs. Indeed, Megan had just filed a column on the topic for the Washington Postwhich you can now read here. But until they brought it up, I didnt know anything about it. Anyway, the controversial question was: If you are a woman, hiking alone in the woods, would you rather encounter a man or a bear? Thats it. Thats the test. No other information about the kind of man or bear, or the circumstances. (Are you carrying a picnic basket? Do you have a gun? Is the bear hibernating? Protecting her cubs?) A lot of people, mostly women, failed the test. Yes, fail is a subjective term, because a good number of the women who insisted that theyd much rather run into a bear than a human male were, for their own ideological or cultural reasons, Kobayashi Maruing it to score rhetorical points about sexual assault, toxic masculinity, etc. This was a big part of the problem for Megan. She writes: But it doesnt help women to slander the overwhelming majority of men who would never dream of attacking a woman they had stumbled across in the woods. And it outright hurts women to reinforce harmful stereotypes about our sex: namely, that we are irrational, neurotic and bad at math. Far too many of these arguments commit statistical malpractice, especially the ones that purport to prove their point with statistics. Its too late to wade into the whole thing now, but I think Megans 100 percent right on the stupidity and counterproductiveness of the whole thing. Wilfred Reilly also had a good take on the brouhaha, with more math. The short explanation of why the whole thing is silly is that while most sexual predators, and most criminally violent people generally, are male, most men are neither violent, nor criminals, nor sexual predators. Even most men in the prime age for being a threat arent dangerous. Thats relevant because if the question was, Would you rather encounter a bear or a baby boy? youd be pretty crazy to say, Cant take the risk, Im still going with the bear. Ditto if the question referred to an 80-year-old man versus a spry and youthful bear. He can use his aluminum walker as a weapon! But heres a hypothetical question that would have elicited a very different debate: Would you rather encounter a bear or a black man? Now, just to be very clear: My advice to my wife or daughter or any other woman would be Pick the black guy! Still, you can see why the debate would play out very differently. Instead of the issue being about maleness and all the icky toxic things people of a certain feminist bent associate with abstract men, the debate wouldlegitimatelybe about the pretty obvious racism of the question. The how-dare-yous would come down on the person who posed the question like a shock-and-awe attack. How dare you traffic in racist stereotypes? How dare you compare black men to dangerous animals? The feminists would have very different answers and alt-right types would lob bogus statistical bombs and gross memes. Much blocking-and-reporting would ensue. Im not going to explore any of the potential arguments that would be deployed any further, save to say that even though as a statistical matter black males are overrepresented in crime statistics, that doesnt mean that the typical black male is a criminal, violent, or otherwise sexually predatory. Meanwhile bearsnot counting pandasare much more dangerous and interchangeable. Whats interesting to me about this alternate question is how it illuminates, I think, the way people can be primed or prompted to initiate cascades of motivated reasoning on various topics. The abstract category of man elicited one kind of response. But black man elicits another. In neither case do statistics, facts, or logic drive the argument, at least for some people. (By the way, the recent moral panic over David French is a good example of how all sorts of unreasonable reasoning can be triggered just by saying a name. But thats a subject for another time.) I never liked David Humes observation that, Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them. Tis not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger. While I dont wholly agree with this, I think it is wholly true some of the time for all of us, and wholly true all of the time for others. When it comes to certain topics, passion drives the bus, and reason and facts are often just passengers being pulled to a destination they do not point to. Now, youre free to disagree with me about what the response to the Black Man or Bear? hypothetical would be, but Im quite confident Im right. If you think otherwise, feel free to test it out on Twitter. You might also try Muslim Man or Bear and see how that plays out. You might even try asking the question: If you were alone in the woods, would you rather encounter a bear or a Zionist? I strongly suspect that wed see a lot of really stupid, unhinged, hateful, and silly responses. And with the longest lead-in to a point ever out of the way, I can get to my actual topic. Anti-Zionism vs. antisemitism. I caught this video of author and journalist Yossi Klein Halevi offering a primer of how antisemitism manifests itself. Its not a new argumentIve made similar points herebut its quite brilliantly succinct. This is spot on and so important. Antisemitism works differently. pic.twitter.com/bPURcMG9OI Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) May 13, 2024 What antisemitism does is it takes the Jewsthe Jewinto the symbol of whatever it is that a given civilization defines as its most loathsome qualities, Halevi explains. Under Christianity, the Jew is defined by the antisemite as the Christ-killer. Under communism the Jew is the capitalist (Hence Marxs vile writings about the Jewish question.). For the Nazis, Halevi argues, the Jew was the race polluter. Id note that the Nazis also hated the Jews for being capitalists, but also for being communists. Really, the Nazis left no reasons for hating Jews on the shelf. Regardless, Halevi argues that we now live in a civilization where the most loathsome qualities are racism, colonialism, and apartheid. And lo and behold, the greatest offender in the world today is the Jewish state. He then quotes Yaakov Tolman, who said the state of the Jews has become the Jewish State. I agree with all of this. Ive written about structural antisemitism a few times before. My basic argument is that if you take the logic of structural racism and apply it to, say, the United Nations, then theres really no way to avoid the conclusion that the United Nations is structurally antisemitic. Theories of structural racism hold that intent is not relevant to whether or not an institution or system is structurally racist. Rather, racism is found whenever the patterns and practices, embedded in culture, yield inequity or some other results that are in some way unfair or unjust. I dont reject all claims of structural racism out of hand, by the way. I think there are instances where the idea has some real explanatory power. The argument isnt that there is a double standard deliberately applied to one group, but rather that the existing standard unintentionally yields unjust consequences for one group. The hitch, of course, is that single standards look like double standards if they are selectively applied. For instance, the universities that fall back on boilerplate about free speech do not enforce it uniformly. Jewish groups are denied permits to counterprotest while anti-Zionist protesters are given permission (or were for quite a while) not only to protest but to maintain illegal encampments, intimidate Zionists, and shout hateful things, all in the name of free speech. Im fond of the line that goes something like this: Behind every double standard is an unspoken single standard. Well, it works the other way around: Every private single standard can be made a public double standard simply by applying it selectively. I have spent way too much time trying to figure out exactly where the line is between antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Its obviously something of a moving target, made all the more difficult to pin down because many anti-Zionists sincerely think, rightly or wrongly, that theyre not being antisemitic. I think intent matters a lot when trying to adjudicate moral questions. Intentionally running down a child with your car is vastly, categorically, more evil than doing so accidentally, even negligently. But both are still horrible things. And thats why the structural antisemitism construct is useful. I dont know what fraction of the people who think Israel shouldnt exist are intentionally antisemitic. Its surely larger than the most doctrinaire defenders of anti-Zionism claim, but surely smaller than their opposite numbers on the pro-Zionism side claim. What I struggle with is how much this distinction mattersand when it matters. I dont want to accuse people who are simply wrong or uniformed of being bigots. Nor do I want to slander the people who sincerely believe in Israels right to exist and defend itself (within their preferred limits) but who are also understandably and laudably empathetic about the plight of Palestinians. It would help me distinguish between all of these various groups if more of them were more willing to denounce the people who dont speak for them and stop apologizing for the loudest voices. At some point anti-anti-Zionism just gets too convoluted for me to parse, given the stakes. And thats where the selective enforcement of single standards comes in. Its not just a debating tactic when I ask people who claim to be morally outraged by Israels alleged settler colonialism or apartheid why they have little or nothing to say about China. Xi Jinpings China is an apartheid system. Non-Han minorities, particularly Uyghurs and Tibetans, arent just second-class citizens, they are victims of outright settler colonialism and textbook cultural genocide. Han supremacy is a real thing. Similarly, Russiafrom the czars to the communists to Putinhas been run by settler colonizers more or less for 1,000 years. North Korean apologists speak at some of these rallies. I dont know if settler-colonialism or apartheid are the right terms for North Koreas brutal neo-feudal caste system, but at some point the labels matter less than the moral reality. How many of the people who get outraged by Israels alleged Islamophobic crimes even know who the Rohingya people are? Are they aware of religious persecution in Pakistan? Do they care? Its fun to mock all of the Queers for Palestine stuff, particularly given Israels thriving gay community and Hamas brutal repression of homosexuals, but it does suggest that something other than the facts is driving the bus of anti-Zionism. I think Halevis answer is extremely useful. But I think there are other factors at play. A few off the top of my head. Israel is seen as an extension of the West and a quasi-outpost for America. That makes it a demonic target for the anti-Western and anti-American pathologies of academia and the radical left. The guilt-mongering and civilizational self-hatred that infects so much postcolonial theorizing coalesces around Israel. Israel is vulnerable, or at least it is perceived to be. People might actually care about far, far worse oppression elsewhere but which seems unfixable. But if America could just be convinced to yank its support for Israel, or if Israel could be convinced to admit millions of Palestinians in some one state solution, many think, the problem of Israel could be fixed. Israel is successful. And its success is an insult to the numerous failures of its neighbors. Indeed, todaythe day after Israel declared its independence in 1948is Nakba Day. Nakba means catastrophe and for many Arabs in the region Israels success in fending off five invading armies, surviving, and ultimately thriving, is humiliating. The whiners see Israel as a constant reminder of their humiliation. Israel is confident, and civilizational confidence in Western values is an affront to those who think Westerners should be ashamed. Israel is capitalist (with the usual welfare state bells and whistles), and there are some who just cant abide acknowledging any proof of concept when it comes to capitalism. And, last, Israel is Jewish. Obviously, this fact looms very large for committed antisemites of all ideological stripes. But I think Israels Jewishness is an affront to some for other reasons as well. Jews, the worlds oldest oppressed minority, are problematic not because they have survived, but because they have thrived. For those who wallow in the self-pity of victimization and insist that the system is rigged against them, Jewish success is an unwelcome rebuttal to their fatalism. They demonstrate that agency and commitment to faith, or bourgeois values, or self-reliance works. This is too bitter a pill for some to accept, so other explanations flood in. Rather than abandon the idea that the system is rigged, they conclude that the Jews must be doing the rigging. Operationally, most antisemitism is really just a conspiracy theory. And like all conspiracy theories, the theorist starts with the conclusion and reasons backward. Jews are to blame for whats wrong with the system, the world, or my life, and the evidence is backfilled to prove the conclusion. I should get back to my point. I often fall victim to thinking that people are simply irrational. In reality, I think a lot of people are being rational on their own terms. Its just that their premises as much as their passions are driving the bus. What I mean is that the conversation they want to have is rational if you grant the soundness of the motivating assumptions and the legitimacy of the passions they unleash. The feminists insisting that men are more dangerous than bears are objectively wrong, but their point isnt really about the dangerousness of bears. Their point is to communicate that men are more dangerous than they should be. The bear isnt an alternative set of facts, its an opportunity to talk about the problemsreal and perceivedwith men. They might as well be shouting, Stop telling me about bears, thats not what I want to talk about. Im here to tell you about men. The people who still refuse to admit or care that Hamas brutally raped Israeli womensome having their pelvises broken by repeated assaultsare on the same kind of psychological autopilot. Stop telling me about Hamas, thats not what I want to talk about. Im here to tell you about Israel. This isnt just a phenomenon of individual people, but of groups and institutions. The Man vs. Bear thing went viral because large numbers of people think the same way, and they reinforced each other. The anti-Israel movementand it is a movementworks on a much larger scale. Its why the U.N. literally said it didnt want to hear about Hamas sexual violence. I havent answered my own question about how to reliably find the difference between antisemitism and anti-Zionism in real time. I dont think I ever will, because that would require stopping Humes bus and letting the passengers drive. 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. WASHINGTON, May 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Wednesday 2 billion U.S. dollars in foreign military financing for Ukraine as Russia intensifies offensive operations in the country. The financing will address Ukraine's immediate need for weapons, assist Ukraine in investing in its defense industrial base and help Ukraine purchase military equipment from other countries, Blinken said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kiev, aired on the State Department's website. The secretary's trip to Kiev came at a time when Russia has renewed its offensive operations in Ukraine, including a ground assault around the northern city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. Blinken said the United States has been "rushing ammunition, armored vehicles, missiles, air defenses -- rushing them to get to the front lines, to protect soldiers to protect civilians," adding that air defense is "a matter of both urgency and priority" for Ukraine. On Monday, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told a press briefing that President Joe Biden's administration had secured one Patriot air defense system for Ukraine from one U.S. ally. Ukraine has been requesting additional Patriots from the West for months, with officials saying the country needs 26 such systems to cover the entirety of its territory and at least seven to protect key targets from Russian aerial bombardments. Three is a crowd: WA governor race will no longer have 3 identical names on the ballot The Seahawks are one of several teams that are encouraging fans to drop off mail-home ballots at the stadium. The Washington state race for Governor took a weird turn after three men named Bob Ferguson filed for candidacy. One of those men included frontrunner and longtime Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson. The other two Bobs filed for the race last Friday afternoon right before the 5 p.m. deadline. As it turns out, they shared a volunteer campaign manager, a conservative activist named Glen Morgan. The controversy ended almost as quickly as it began: Attorney General Ferguson's campaign threatened the other Ferguson's with cease-and-desist letters over the weekend. They both dropped out Monday to avoid legal action. Some residents saw the three Bob problem as a troll to Democrats and others interpreted it as an attack on democracy. The states current attorney general will be the sole Bob Ferguson on the ballot for governor of Washington. Attorney General Ferguson threatens "other Bobs" with legal action In a press conference Monday, Attorney General Ferguson called out the other Bob Ferguson's for attacking the election system. "Their goal is to mislead voters and split my supporters three ways to depress my vote totals and keep me from moving into the top two in the general election, said Ferguson. "I want to be very clear; this is not an attack on me. It's an attack on our election system. Attack on our democracy, said Ferguson. The Office of the Secretary of State released a statement Monday supporting Ferguson's case stating it a felony to declare candidacy for public office "under the name of a fictitious person, a false name, or in using the name of an incumbent or candidate who has already filed 'with intent to confuse and mislead' the voting public." According to the office, the two filings could violate RCW 29a.84.320: "Duplicate, nonexistent, untrue names." Republican candidate for Governor of Washington, Dave Reichert condemned the action saying, "It's a move that confuses voters and I don't want to win that way so I was disappointed to see those other two names added," King 5 reported. One Bob Ferguson left in the gubernatorial race And then there was one... Bob Ferguson from Graham, Washington said he lacks the money and resources to get into a legal battle with Attorney General Ferguson, according to reporting from KOMO News. "Because we coincidentally share the same name, that, you know, that it is a felony for two people. I guess what the intent being that they think that my purpose was to deceive the people about who was who, which was not my intent at all," Bob Ferguson of Graham told KOMO News. He continued saying he signed paperwork and submitted paperwork to withdraw from the race. The third Bob from Yakima told the Seattle Times in a statement that he was denied the opportunity to live his dream "...Im retired, widowed and need to pay my rent. There was no way I could afford the legal costs necessary to defeat the massive threatening power of the state, the billionaires or the other rich elite who clearly enjoy hurting us, said Ferguson. Odd names featured in this year's election The three Bob Fergusons of Washington are not the only name-related election drama to make the news this year. In Texas, a man legally changed his name to Literally Anybody Else out of frustration with voters options in the 2024 presidential race. Else started a campaign website and is working to collect signatures in Texas. Else must collect more than 113,000 signatures to be listed as an independent candidate on the Texas ballot. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bob Ferguson Candidates confuse voters in Washington governor's race Three Fort Worth men pleaded guilty to stealing a U.S. Postal Service arrow key, a key that is used to open USPS blue collection boxes, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced in a news release Tuesday. Jlynn Laneil Dunn, 21; Daylin Darden, 24; and D Colby Vashion Lewis, 23; were charged via criminal complaint in February and were indicted in March. They each pleaded guilty on May 8 to a charge of robbery of mail matter, money, or other property of the United States. The mail carrier, identified as T.W. in court documents, reported to authorities that the robbers demanded a USPS arrow key, also known as a master key, at gunpoint on Oct. 2, 2023, according to the release. Unauthorized possession of the keys allow individuals to illegally access mail boxes to steal mail, checks, credit cards, bank account information, and other sensitive information, Simonton stated in the release. In a search of a home associated with one of the suspects, authorities found guns, drugs, mail, checks, and a DVR system, the release says. DVR footage shows all three suspects at the residence before the robbery. In the video, Darden is seen leaving the residence with a gun matching the weapon used in the robbery, according to the release. The video also shows them coming back to the house after the robbery. Dunn is seen in the video holding a small item attached to a long gold chain, the same type of chain used to carry USPS arrow keys, according to the release. In a search of Dunns Instagram account, authorities found a direct message he sent about 10 minutes before the robbery that read, Im tryna go get us a key rn so I can get these real scam Money, the release says. Each of the defendants now faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing is set for Sept. 3. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation with help from Fort Worth and Arlington police. MARQUETTE, Mich. (WJMN) Three Michigan men are facing federal charges for allegedly starting a fire on Isle Royale National Park. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced on Wednesday that his office has filed federal charges against Dylan Kenneth Wagner, 29, of Grand Rapids, MI; Jason Arden Allard, 28, of Macomb, MI; and Scott Warren Allard, 30, of Clinton Township, MI. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office Western District of Michigan, the men are charged with one count of lighting, tending, or using a fire causing damage to real property and one count of violating conditions established by the Isle Royale National Park superintendent. Both charges carry a maximum penalty of up to 6 months imprisonment, up to a $5,000 fine, up to 5 years probation, and mandatory restitution. Some of Americas most stunning places are right here in Michigan, including Isle Royale National Park, said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. These alleged crimes threatened the safety of park visitors, employees, and the ecosystem that sustains a rich diversity of life. Were committed to protecting Isle Royale National Park and Michigans other national treasures for all to enjoy today and for generations to come. The charging documents allege that while in Isle Royale National Park on August 12 and 13, 2022, Wagner and the Allards camped north of the junction of the Mount Franklin and Tobin Harbor Trails. They camped illegally in an area too close to the trail and had a fire that was not in one of the metal rings or grills provided by the park. That fire caused the burning of park property and created a public safety hazard. This case was investigated by National Park Service law enforcement officers. Information about Isle Royale and park-specific rules can be found here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. The people of Houston, Tx. are mourning the loss of one of its most beloved spiritual leaders. Reverend William Lawson passed away on Wednesday, May 14 at age 95. Along with leading his congregation at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Lawson was a dedicated servant to the greater community of Houston, a staunch civil rights advocate, and a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was integral in helping desegregate the city, and continued to serve the community long after he stepped away from the pulpit. In a 2018 interview with Houstons NBC affiliate, Lawson described the legacy he hoped to leave behind. I simply hope I would have been faithful to what the gospel is, he said. And the gospel speaks of feeding the poor and clothing the naked. If I have been faithful to that, Ill be glad to be perceived that way. Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church posted an announcement of Lawsons passing on its website. He has completed his time of service here on earth and is now enjoying eternal rest, the statement read. He Was Houstons Pastor Although he was born in St. Louis, Mo., William Lawson was lovingly referred to as Houstons Pastor. He came to the city in the mid-1950s at age 27 to take a position as thedirector of the Baptist Student Union at Texas Southern University. While there, he also served as the schools Chaplain. In 1962, he founded Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houstons Third Ward, where he remained pastor for 42 years. Lawson started the church in his living room with only 13 members. But over time, he nurtured Wheeler Avenue Baptist into a thriving staple of the community that currently has over 12,000 members. Lawson also reached out to religious leaders of other faiths across Houston. He worked so closely in the community with Rabbi Samuel Karff and Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza that the trio became known as The Three Amigos. His Wife Encouraged Him to Become an Activist According to Lawson, his commitment to using his church for activism was inspired by Audrey, his wife of 62 years. A social worker who worked closely with young people in Houston, Audrey Lawson made it her mission to ensure that Wheeler Avenue Baptist was an integral part of the community. She launched programming such as Boys and Girl Scout Troops, a preschool, and an infant care center at the church before she passed in 2015. Rev. Lawson said Audrey told him he had a responsibility to the community beyond the pulpit. I thought of that church as basically a church where we would preach the gospel, he said in an interview. Audrey was the person who said, Youre in a neighborhood thats in great need and you cant just preach the gospel. He Was a Close Friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rev. Lawson was a key figure in Houstons civil rights movement and played an important role in helping desegregate the city. He worked tirelessly to establish resources to help some of the citys most vulnerable, including constructing affordable housing for senior citizens and establishing a public defender program for those unable to afford legal representation. He became a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., hosting him when he came to Houston and opening the doors of his church to King when other Black pastors would not because the FBI had wrongly labeled him as a communist. Lawson also helped launch the Houston office of Kings Southern Christian Leadership Conference. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to use COVID-19 tests that were manufactured by a company based in San Diego. Health care company Cue Health received emergency use authorization for two COVID-19 tests from the FDA early on in the pandemic to help people detect whether they have been infected with the virus. UC San Diego study finds plant virus may slow the progression of cancer The test intended for use in health care settings was authorized on June 10, 2020, and the at-home and over-the-counter test received authorization on March 5, 2021. However, the FDA issued a warning letter to the company last week after an inspection revealed that Cue Health had made some changes to the tests and reduced their reliability. On Monday, the FDA told the public, caregivers and health care providers to dispose of Cue Healths COVID-19 tests due to an increased risk of getting false results. Instead, the agency recommends retesting using a different brand that has been authorized by the FDA if one received a negative result on the Cue Health test and still shows symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The FDA added if testing was performed more than two weeks ago and a patient shows no symptoms of current COVID-19 infection, another test is not needed. In a statement Monday, Cue Health said it is currently evaluating the letter and determining its response. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to use COVID-19 tests that were manufactured by a California-based health care company. Cue Health, headquartered in San Diego, received emergency use FDA authorization for two COVID-19 tests early in the pandemic to help people detect if they were infected with the virus. The first test, intended for use in health care settings, was authorized on June 10, 2020. The at-home and over-the-counter test received authorization on March 5, 2021. However, the FDA issued a warning letter to the company last week after an inspection revealed that Cue Health had made some changes to the tests and reduced their reliability. Will your last COVID vaccine work against new FLiRT variants? Evidence obtained during the inspection demonstrated that your firm implemented several changes to your EUA-authorized devices and implemented those changes without authorization from FDA pursuant to the Conditions of Authorization, the letter states. On Monday, the FDA told the public, caregivers and health care providers to dispose of Cue Healths COVID-19 tests due to an increased risk of getting false results. The agency instead recommends retesting using a different brand authorized by the FDA if patients received a negative result on the Cue Health test and still show symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The FDA added if testing was performed more than two weeks ago and a patient shows no symptoms of current COVID-19 infection, another test is not needed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Latrelle Joy has dedicated much of her life to public service. In 1966, she graduated from Texas Tech and began her first teaching job at Evans Junior High. In 1982, she graduated from law school at Tech and started practicing. In 2012, she was elected to the Lubbock City Council representing District 6. Now, three terms later, she is retiring and taking time to "just do me." Tuesday was Joy's last day in office. Councilman Tim Collins was sworn in to take her place after running unopposed in the May 4 election. More: 3 new Lubbock city councilmembers take seats Tuesday A time to run, and a time to rest Joy was nudged to run for office during what many considered a tumultuous time in Lubbock city government. Infighting amongst councilmembers was punctuated by allegations of misconduct and illegal activity. By the night before the deadline to file for a place on the city council ballot, only one candidate had announced their plans to run for District 6. Joy felt like voters deserved a choice. District 6 City Councilwoman Latrelle Joy attends her final Lubbock City Council meeting, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Citizens Tower. Joy did not seek re-election for her seat after three terms. "God and I had a conversation about it," Joy said, "and I woke up the next morning and I was like, 'Yeah, I'm going to announce. If I don't win, I've lost nothing except a little time. If I do, I think I can do better for the city and the people who live in the city.'" But Joy, a firm believer in two-term limits, didn't expect to stay on the council for 12 years. After her second term, forward movement kept her engaged and motivated her to run again in 2020. "We had so many projects that were going on that weren't finished, and I didn't want anything to happen to all the progress we had made," she said. When the filing window came up this year, Joy decided it was "time to turn it over." "The city has grown to 260,000-plus people and ... we are large enough that we have talented people who can do this job," she said. "I've really never had a time since I graduated Tech the first time to just do me, and I think that's important." District 6 City Councilwoman Latrelle Joy holds a street sign during her final Lubbock City Council meeting, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Citizens Tower. Joy did not seek re-election for her seat after three terms. 12 years of progress Reflecting on her time in office, Joy counts a few initiatives among those she's proudest of. Upgrades to public safety facilities and a shift toward community policing top that list. "It's funny the things that happen to you in a cab sometimes. I was in Austin, and the cab driver drove me through a part of Austin, and we were having a conversation about it. He talked about the community policing there and how it had really helped the neighborhoods," she said. Joy said as Lubbock continued to grow, it became apparent community policing was the way to go. Despite pushback from some, the council opted to shift toward the community policing model by building division stations and a new headquarters, which opened in March. The council also built fire stations and raised police and fire salaries. More: Lubbock Police Department officially opens new headquarters downtown Joy also delights in reviving a struggling public health department and focusing city efforts on mental health and homelessness issues. "One by one, they had taken staff away and moved them around, and (the health department) was not in good shape at all," Joy said. "In 2014, Katherine Wells was hired. Katherine came in and she had a vision, and I said, 'I'll support you; tell me what you need.' "She has turned that completely around," Joy continued. "When we had COVID, we would have been in such bad shape if we had not had the health department staffed and ready to go." Addressing homelessness is a cause Joy has championed since before her time on the council. District 6 City Councilwoman Latrelle Joy hugs Councilwoman Shelia Patterson Harris after Joy's last Lubbock City Council meeting, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Citizens Tower. Joy did not seek re-election for her seat after three terms. "Starting way back in 2009, I was involved in the homeless committees the city had, and it's a difficult issue because it's related to mental health and substance abuse," she said. "Everybody thinks the solution is just to put them in a house. I agree that people do better if they have a home, but at the same time, there's a lot involved with that and you can't take someone with mental health issues and put them in a home and just leave them. It won't work." In light of the need for mental health treatment in Lubbock, the city, county, Texas Tech and local hospitals partnered to create a coalition to address the issue. Federal COVID-19 relief dollars were allocated for building a mental health diversion center for those experiencing a crisis. Joy will continue to serve on the board for ECHO West Texas, a new organization which aims to increase collaboration among the city's governmental and nonprofit organizations in reducing homelessness. Joy stands by her decisions One of the highest-profile votes the council took during Joy's tenure was a unanimous decision to reject a "Sanctuary City for the Unborn" ordinance outlawing abortion in the city, which voters ultimately adopted in 2021. In its decision, the council cited concerns over the legality of the ordinance. "A lot of people would say, 'Well, you all had some very controversial votes,' which we did," Joy said. "But I can tell you, one thing that every councilmember does is take an oath of office, and that oath is to uphold the laws, not only of the State of Texas, but also of the nation. "So for people who came to us, asking us to vote for an issue that was already determined by either state law or federal law, I could not do (that) until the law changes." Joy said she wouldn't go back and change any of the decisions she made, but acknowledged there are times she wishes the council would have communicated better with the public, pointing to a pair of recent hot-button issues. "One was the transfer station. I know we had talked about it; I know that we had planned on it for a long time. But I don't think we got it out there early enough so that people really understood what we were going to do," Joy said, referring to a recent zoning change to build a solid waste transfer station in southwest Lubbock. "The other one is on the sewer line issue we just had, and it was the same thing. It was something that was passed through quickly," she said. The council last month reversed an unpopular decision to shift the cost burden for certain sewer line repairs to homeowners. Preparing her successor Joy said she's met several times with Collins to brief him on the various issues the council will face in the next four year and share some of her institutional knowledge. "I have to remind him first that we're policy makers and that we do not run the city. That's the city manager's job," she said. "I've known Tim for a long time, and my message to him is ... that we need to listen, that we need to respond to people when they reach out to us and acknowledge that there's a problem. "I told him you do need to be prepared to lead. Somebody on council has to ask the hard questions." What's next? Joy is looking forward to her free time now that she won't be so tied up in city business. "I am a walker and a hiker. I have a place in the mountains and I'm going to spend lots of time up there," she said. "I have grandkids; I have children. I still have two brothers who are living and I'm gonna spend some time with family." But she'll still be involved. "I am a Rotarian and president of my Rotary Club right now. I will stay involved with Rotary, and I'll stay involved with ECHO West Texas and mental health all of those things," she said. "I will have plenty to do." And Lubbockites should be encouraged about the city's future, Joy said. "I've learned a lot, and there's still a lot to learn," she said. "But I think the city as a whole and as an organization is in good, good shape, as long as we will remember that it's the people that are important, not the organization." This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock city councilwoman Latrelle Joy reflects on lifetime of service Photo illustration by Getty Images. In a few weeks, Ill be walking the halls of Congress, knocking on doors of my elected officials and sitting down to discuss legislation to stop climate pollution. This isnt my day job. Usually, I can be found running my small business and taking care of my family. But where I live in Bigfork, Ive seen increased smoky days due to more frequent wildfires. I know the problem needs to be solved to ensure the people I love are safe from the harm that comes with breathing bad air. A recent CBS News poll showed that 70% of participants favored the U.S. taking steps to try to reduce climate change, yet many of our elected officials are not moving fast enough to implement solutions to reduce climate pollution, and were at risk of handing down a polluted planet to our kids. Thats why I decided to learn how to be a citizen lobbyist. To meet with lawmakers about policies that benefit everyday people, and ensure a healthy, stable future our kids and grandkids can enjoy. The fossil fuel industry has known for years about the economic and pollution harms of its products. But it gets more than $600 billion annually in subsidies while raking in record-breaking profits. How? By lobbying lawmakers for policies that favor their business. The oil and gas industry spent about $124.4 million lobbying the federal government (OpenSecrets analysis) in 2022. Meanwhile, at least 2,400 fossil fuel representatives and lobbyists were at COP 28 last November, an international conference intended to spur climate action. It makes sense that any business or industry wants to protect its interests but ignoring the harm in favor of profits is not good for America, and as a Christian, I feel a duty to care for creation. Our lawmakers shouldnt hear from industry alone. Thats why Im heading to Capitol Hill on June 11, alongside close to 1,000 other citizen lobbyists coming from all 50 states. We cannot be passive bystanders. As citizens who want a livable world for future generations, we must keep our elected officials accountable and focused on policies that help people. I and other Montana residents will meet with the offices of Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Reps. Ryan Zinke and Matt Rosendale and ask them to support common sense climate policy that enhances our lives. Im talking about transformational legislation that would reduce climate pollution and improve our air quality, protect our state from extreme weather made worse by an overheating climate, help Montanans lower their energy bills, and ensure we have access to clean, reliable and affordable domestic energy. I love where I live. I have happy memories of enjoying days in nature without having to breathe dangerous smoke-filled air. I want future generations to experience Montanas natural beauty without fear of getting sick. Lets ensure Congress hears more from regular people and acts on behalf of us, our families, and our futures. The post Its time to outnumber the paid lobbyists appeared first on Daily Montanan. MOSCOW, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Russian forces on Wednesday repelled a massive missile attack on Sevastopol, city governor Mikhail Razvozhaev said in a telegram channel. "Our military repelled a massive attack on Sevastopol. In the area of Fedorovskaya Street, fragments of a downed missile fell in a private sector. Information about the victims is being clarified," Razvozhaev said. "The type of downed missiles is being clarified, and it is possible that undetonated submunitions may be discovered," added the governor. People sit on the beach on a weekday afternoon in Ocean Grove, N.J. on May 2, 2024 as a Christian flag and an American flag flutter in the breeze. The state of New Jersey says the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is violating state beach access laws by keeping people off the beach until noon on Sundays. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry) OCEAN GROVE, N.J. (AP) In this seaside community that calls itself God's Square Mile at the Jersey Shore, all the land is owned by a religious group that has for generations enforced an 11th Commandment: Thou shalt stay off the beach on Sunday morning. But there are signs that decades-old policy may be coming to an end as a way to resolve a court case brought by the state of New Jersey that could cost the group $25,000 a day in fines for violating state beach access laws. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, which has kept beaches closed until noon on Sundays, has deleted that restriction from its website. Item 4 under Beach Regulations used to outline the Sunday morning closure. Now, just the number 4 remains on the site, followed by blank space. The association and its lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for clarification Wednesday, and the state attorney general's office said it was looking into the matter. Restricting activity on Sunday morning is central to Ocean Grove's very existence. It was founded in 1869 as a Methodist retreat, centered on an enormous hall called The Great Auditorium, where worship services are held near rows of tent cabins where summer pilgrims come to live in its shadow. The association, a nonprofit Christian entity that owns the beach and the land under all of Ocean Grove's houses under a charter given to it by the state in 1870, has long kept people off the beach before noon on Sundays. The state of New Jersey is challenging the rule, threatening fines and taking the association to court. The dispute involves an issue that has been contested for generations but never quite settled here: Does a religious group have the right to impose its beliefs on everyone in a community, including those of other faiths, or no faith at all? We just feel that's wrong, that it's not what America is supposed to be about, and it makes living here very uncomfortable when you're gay, when you're Jewish, an atheist or agnostic, said Paul Martin, who bought a house in Ocean Grove in 2003 with his wife, Aliza Greenblatt. We have the right to live here, too, said Greenblatt, who like her husband is Jewish. We're not anti-Christian. We just want the line between church and state to be respected. The couple were among those who defied the rules last year and went onto the beach on Sunday mornings. They said association personnel called the police, but officers did not intervene once they arrived. Harriet Bernstein is part of a lesbian couple from Ocean Grove whose request to use the boardwalk pavilion for their civil union ceremony was rejected in 2007 by the association on religious grounds. After a court ruled in favor of the couple, the association stopped allowing anyone to wed in the pavilion. I feel less comfortable because of the imposition of their religion on everybody that lives here, Bernstein said. Referring to images of a cross on the badges people are required to purchase in order to use the beach, she said, I'm Jewish; I don't wear crosses. The association did not respond to repeated requests for an interview in recent weeks. But in court papers it says what the state is trying to do violates U.S. Constitutional amendments concerning freedom of religion, the taking of private property, and due process and equal protection. Church and state have never been as neatly separated in Ocean Grove as they are in other places. Although it is a part of Neptune Township, just north of Asbury Park and about 60 miles south of New York City, Ocean Grove once was its own municipality, having been incorporated by the state Legislature in 1920. But a court ruled that act unconstitutional and dissolved the municipality a year later. The Sunday morning beach closures dismay some but delight others. Ocean Grove is God's place, said Mary Martin, an 87-year-old retired teacher who moved here from northern New Jersey in 1960. I love it here. I love the Bible hour six days a week, great speakers, great singing, great fellowship, great joy, everyone welcome. Martin shares a feeling often voiced by association members and their supporters that a cherished way of life is under attack in Ocean Grove. It used to be no beach at all on Sunday, she said. Then we gave in to them and said, OK, after noon on Sunday. Now they want to take that away, too. We should be able to enjoy our Sundays. Neil Ostrander has a part-time job with the association helping get the auditorium ready for summer. When newcomers arrived, he said, they knew the deal" about its ownership by a Christian group. It's like when someone moves above a bar that's been a bar for 170 years, and then sues it for being a bar, he said. In court papers, the association writes that "all members of the public are welcome (onto the beach) 365 days a year. Anyone, regardless of race, creed, religion or orientation is welcome onto this private property 99.5% of the year." Public access is restricted for 45 hours out of the year between Memorial Day and Labor Day, a policy the association called abundantly reasonable. The slight limitation on physical presence on the beachfront on the Lord's Day is consistent with the plaintiff's mission to build and maintain a beautiful seaside community to serve as a place for meditation, reflection and renewal during the summer months, the association wrote. "The ability to reflect upon an empty and quiet beachfront during this limited time is at the core of plaintiff's very creation. Regardless of one's beliefs, spending the morning hours in an unhurried morning stroll on a less crowded boardwalk has emotional, spiritual and bodily health benefits. While acknowledging the association's beach policy is steeped in its Christian faith, the group cites several nonreligious reasons for it as well, including allowing lifeguards to have a few hours off at the end of a busy week and advancing a better quality of life for residents and visitors, including having more parking available for Sunday morning visits to shops and eateries. The state takes a contrary view, saying that using chains and locks to keep the public off the sand on Sunday morning violates the association's authority to operate a beach. ___ Follow Wayne Parry on X at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC A pair of top California Democrats and powerful unions are lining up against a ballot initiative on a topic that their party and labor has long championed: removing rent control limits. State Sen. Toni Atkins, the former Democratic leader in the Senate, as well as Assembly Appropriations Chair Buffy Wicks confirmed to POLITICO that they are firmly against the November ballot measure. The initiative, bankrolled by AIDS Healthcare Foundation president and political provocateur Michael Weinstein, seeks to repeal a state law barring cities across the Golden State from rent-controlling newer apartments. Two of the states largest construction unions, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Norcal Carpenters Union, are also against the initiative. Those players are fighting the rent-control effort because, they argue, the ballot initiative contains a Trojan horse provision. They say it would undermine pro-housing laws by allowing wealthy coastal cities that oppose new development to impose steep affordability requirements that would effectively freeze growth. Atkins, considered to be a leading contender for governor in 2026, said the measure is as deceptive as it is dangerous, arguing it should be removed from the ballot. Conspiring with wealthy cities to undermine vital state housing laws is bad enough, said Atkins, whos carried several landmark bills to streamline housing construction. Lying to voters about it is even worse. The measure has created strange bedfellows across the aisle. It has drawn support from Republican city officials whove fought state housing mandates and opposition from Democrats who say local governments must be forced to allow new construction to alleviate a housing shortage. Weinsteins campaign, dubbed the Justice for Renters Act, disputes the argument that the rent-control measure would allow cities to circumvent state laws, calling the complaint a distraction from an effort meant to alleviate rising rental prices. The initiative is Weinsteins third attempt to lift statewide rent-control limits in California. The Los Angeles-based nonprofit leaders efforts have made him a target of a landlord trade group, the California Apartment Association, which is bankrolling a different ballot initiative designed to curb his influence. But even though Weinstein disputes the notion that his measure could block housing construction, some Republicans are backing it for precisely that reason. Huntington Beach Councilmember Tony Strickland, a conservative Republican, announced in March that he would support Weinsteins measure. He has led the citys efforts to fight Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta in court over Californias housing targets for the wealthy coastal enclave. Statewide rent control is a ludicrous idea, but the measures language goes further, Strickland said at the time. It gives local governments ironclad protections from the states housing policy and therefore overreaching enforcement. That blunt assessment from a Republican nudged Atkins and Wicks to come out against the measure, the opposition campaign confirmed. The pair didnt take a stance on a similar 2020 ballot initiative that failed. Make no mistake about it: This ballot measure will end housing production in California full stop, said Wicks, who has championed tenant protections as well as laws to make it easier for developers to build more housing. Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICOs California Playbook newsletter. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell attends the meeting of EU foreign and development ministers at the European Council building in Brussels. Borrell urges Israel to "immediately" end its military operation in Rafah, warning that continuing the assault will strain EU-Israel relations. -/European Council/dpa Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell urged Israel to "immediately" end its military operation in Rafah in a statement on Wednesday. The EU foreign policy chief said the Israeli offensive in Gaza's southernmost city is disrupting deliveries of humanitarian aid and "leading to more internal displacement, exposure to famine and human suffering." Borrell said the European Union called on Israel to "refrain from further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza." He warned that continuing the assault will strain EU-Israel relations. While the EU recognizes Israel's right to defend itself, "Israel must do so in line with International Humanitarian Law and provide safety to civilians," Borrell said. Israel's allies, including its main backer the United States, have been warning Israel for weeks against a ground offensive into Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had been sheltering from fighting elsewhere in the coastal strip. The Israeli army advanced on Rafah from the east just over a week ago and has since also taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing to Egypt. On Tuesday, Israeli troops advanced deeper into Rafah, according to eyewitnesses in the overcrowded city. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell attends the meeting of EU foreign and development ministers at the European Council building in Brussels. Borrell urges Israel to "immediately" end its military operation in Rafah, warning that continuing the assault will strain EU-Israel relations. -/European Council/dpa Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell urged Israel to "immediately" end its military operation in Rafah in a statement on Wednesday. The EU foreign policy chief said the Israeli offensive in Gaza's southernmost city is disrupting deliveries of humanitarian aid and "leading to more internal displacement, exposure to famine and human suffering." Borrell said the European Union called on Israel to "refrain from further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza." He warned that continuing the assault will strain EU-Israel relations. While the EU recognizes Israel's right to defend itself, "Israel must do so in line with International Humanitarian Law and provide safety to civilians," Borrell said. Israel's allies, including its main backer the United States, have been warning Israel for weeks against a ground offensive into Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had been sheltering from fighting elsewhere in the coastal strip. The Israeli army advanced on Rafah from the east at the beginning of last week and has since also taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing to Egypt. On Tuesday, Israeli troops advanced deeper into central Rafah, according to eyewitnesses in the overcrowded city. Borrell said the EU called for "all parties to redouble their efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire" and for the unconditional release of all hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attacks. Around 1,200 people were killed and 250 others taken hostage in the unprecedented massacre by Hamas and other Islamist groups in Israel. The terrorist attack triggered the Gaza war and around 35,000 Palestinians have since been killed in Israeli airstrikes and fighting on the ground. Topeka City Council hires Robert Perez as city manager. What to know about his contract. Topeka City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a contract for Robert Perez as the next city manager. Perez, who is the assistant city manager of infrastructure in Dallas, will begin his duties in the next 14 days. "Thank you for entrusting me with this very important position," Perez said. "I know that Topeka is at a very critical time in its history, and I know there's a lot to do here from all the conversations I had with each of you either individually or in our panels. "I just know there's a lot to do and I know that with you, working in partnership with you, as well as the city team, as well as the community, I know we will all see a more prosperous Topeka. I'm looking forward to that." Unlike past city manager contracts that have been for multiple years, Perez's initial contract covers the first year. When he reaches his one-year anniversary, the contract will automatically renew for an additional two years. Council woman Sylvia Ortiz said this was a way the city chose to avoid repeating history. "We put that safeguard in there because we, you know, we've had some city managers that, you know, we've seen early on that weren't going to work out, but we just kept trying to work with him because the severance they had to pay them," Ortiz said after the meeting. Incoming Topeka city manager Robert Perez addresses city council members after his one-year contract was approved. He is the fifth permanent city manager hired in Topeka. New city manager has background in Dallas and San Antonio Topeka had been without a permanent city manager for 10 months after previous city manager Stephen Wade was fired in July 2023. Richard Nienstedt has served as interim city manager during that time. Perez has more than 20 years of municipal government experience while working in Dallas and San Antonio. He has experience in multiple sectors, including different forms of government and social work. He was selected in Topeka's top five finalists and then again in the top two candidates. During a meet and greet with the five finalists in April, Perez said he would want to provide the homeless population with long- and short-term solutions. A one-year contract for Robert Perez to serve as Topeka's next permanent city manager was unanimously approved Tuesday by Topeka City Council members. Salary of Topeka's next city manager will be $255,000 Perez will be the fifth permanent city manager to be hired and will make $255,000 annually, according to his contract. That is $55,000 more than Wade received and is the highest salary a Topeka city manager has been given. Wade received an annual salary of $200,000 in 2022, Brent Trout received a salary of $195,000 in 2017 and Jim Colson received a salary of $170,000 in 2012. Perez will also receive an automobile allowance of $700 per month, which will be reviewed annually. Benefits to include one-time housing supplement and moving expenses Perez will receive 120 hours of paid time off, which is equivalent to 15 days, according to his contract. The city will pay him a one-time interim housing supplement what will be no more than $5,000 and he will be required to find residency within the city limits in the next 12 months. Perez's contract states the city will pay for moving expenses, including packing, moving, storage costs, unpacking and insurance charges. Perez will have to provide evidence of his moving expenses by getting quotations from three companies to the city's chief financial officer. During the moving process, Perez will be compensated for the mileage of two personal vehicles from Dallas to Topeka and mileage costs for house hunting and pre-employment meetings for seven days. Perez will also qualify for the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System, which is used by all government employees in the state. What are council members saying about Perez hire? Councilwoman Karen Hiller said she appreciated the patience of everyone involved and thanked Perez for choosing Topeka. "We are not a troubled city that needs new ideas and starting over at this juncture," Hiller said. "We are a strong city where the staff, the council and the community have worked hard to establish the foundation and the momentum that we have." Ortiz said she approved of the hiring because of the way the contract is written. "I too have had some hesitation and I've spent several weeks talking with my constituents," Ortiz said. "I know most of them said they wanted a city manager who'd done this before, but I have finally come to terms that I think I can support and I'll tell you why, and I will continue to have this conversation with my constituents: We have a hell of a contract. "It's a contract that we've never had before, and I've sat through several of these city managers. I think it is a contract that will help us if there's any issues and if not, we'll move on." Deputy Mayor and Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala affirmed Ortiz's statement. "I think the contract is good, and it's tight," Valdivia-Alcala said, adding she also supports Perez. "Well, I'm just excited. I'm excited. My constituents are excited." One councilman says hiring process was long and stressful Councilman Brett Kell said Perez wasn't his choice at first. "This was a long process, many steps and lots of stress," Kell said. "At the beginning I wasn't wowed by Dr. Perez, but the more I got to know him and the more I saw from him, the more he did start to wow me and took it to another level. And I was gunshy after the last time we did this process." Councilman Neil Dobler said he wanted to thank hiring firm SJR for its hard work. Mayor Michael Padilla said everyone on the council did what they needed to do during the process no matter how stressful it was. "We are responsible to be your support system," Padilla said to Perez during the meeting. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: What to know about contract of Topeka's new city manager Robert Perez TOPEKA (KSNT) Topeka city leaders have approved an ordinance that gives tenants more protection from their landlords. At Tuesdays city council meeting, the council members voted to pass an amendment to its retaliatory eviction ordinance, changing the way the city ordinance is written. The ordinance said tenants may be scared to defend their rights to clean, safe and sanitary residence due to fear of eviction. According to new definitions in the ordinance, a tenant in good standing should not be evicted from their place of residence due to retaliation or harassment. Tap That Topeka will be back in the Capital City this summer Retaliation is defined by the city in the following ways, but its not limited to these definitions: Starting to take over or recover the place of residence from a tenant Increasing the rent Reduce services that a landlord is required to provide according to the rental agreement and/or K.S.A. 58-2553 Harassing entry or repeated demands for entry by the landlord in violation of K.S.A. 58-2557- and/or K.S.A. 58-2571(b) 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. A tourist has toppled a 113-year-old tramway tower in Death Valley, sparking fury on social media. The National Parks Service said on Tuesday that the historic tower in the Saline Valley area in California had been pulled down some time between 1 April and 24 April. The NPS said that the incident was likely to have unfolded when a person used a winch to pull their vehicle out of deep mud and used the tower as support, pulling it out of the ground along with its concrete base. Rangers found tire tracks nearby indicating that a vehicle had driven off a nearby legal roadway and become stuck in the mud. I have hiked along sections of this tramway, and am amazed by the tenacity it took to build, said Superintendent Mike Reynolds. I hope the person responsible for this damage will contact us so we can discuss restitution. The Saline Valley Salt Company built the 13-mile aerial tram in 1911, to transport salt from the valley to Owens Valley. It climbed over 7,000 feet at steep vertical grades of up to 40 degrees, NPS said. The historic Saline Valley Tram tower was found toppled with car tyre tracks nearby (National Parks Service) The tram tower in question is one of four within the Death Valley National Park, with the remaining tramway running across land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The tramway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its age, steepness, length, preservation and scenic setting, NPS said. The news comes just weeks after some other badly-behaved tourists were caught tumbling protected rocks at another park in Nevada. In April, two men were caught on video vandalizing the federally-protected red rock formations in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Unlike that incident, the damage done in Saline Valley is likely fixable. The National Parks Service said the 113-year-old salt tram tower was pulled down sometime in April (National Parks Service) Before the tower was toppled, the service had secured funding to stabilise the tramway, but it is not clear if that funding can now be redirected to re-anchor the tower. Some responding to the news on the Death Valley National Park Facebook page volunteered to help right the artefact, while others voiced their annoyance over the incident. I would be all for background checks before entering a National Park, one said. I think a lot of people dont deserve to be there. Another simply said: And this is why we cant have nice things. Others suggested it could simply have been an accident. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the NPS-wide tip line at 888-653-0009 or online at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip . Ohio's three transgender candidates for the Ohio House received different results for qualifying for the ballot after they all mistakingly broke an obscure law that the Boards of Elections didn't know about. Arienne Childrey (L), Vanessa Joy (M) and Bobbie Arnold (R) all say the law should be applied equally. (Photos provided. Graphic by WEWS.) This year a handful of transgender candidates filed to run for state office in Ohio, but they faced challenges to their candidacies over the names they used on their paperwork. Under Ohio law, candidates must list any prior name theyve used in the last five years on their petitions. Notably, the form itself makes no indication of this requirement. Instead, it presents an, I, the undersigned style paragraph with a single blank space for the candidates name. In italics at the top of the form, it lists several sections from Ohio Revised Code chapter 3513 including every section from 3513.05 to 3513.10, except 3513.06. The prior name provision shows up in 3513.06. State law makes an exception for marriage, and Reps. Michele Grim, D-Toledo, and Beryl Piccolantonio, D-Gahanna, want to add any other legal name changes. As part of their transition, many people within the trans community abandon their given deadname just as they turn the page on their previous gender identity. If candidates have gone through the effort to legally change their name in a court of law in our state, Grim asked in her written testimony, why must we deny them the ability to run for office using that same name? Some, but not all, of the trans candidates who faced protests this year have been cleared to appear on the ballot. Two of them, Arienne Childrey and Bobbie Arnold, are now running against Republican officeholders advancing a bill to make it easier to kick candidates off the ballot in the future. Reps. Angie King, R-Celina, and Rodney Creech, R-West Alexandria, want to allow voters of either party to be able to challenge primary candidates. Under current law only voters from that candidates party may file protest. In written testimony, King defended the requirement for including previous names. The prior name requirement prioritizes transparency, she insisted. Allowing voters to check backgrounds for liens, judgements, bankruptcy, voting history, criminal history, etc. which empowers voters to make informed decisions. She also insisted that should her opponent defeat her in November, the courts would throw out the election over of the lack of prior names on her declaration paperwork. To allow that candidate to stand for election, is disingenuous, King asserted. Allowing voters from either party to object, she argued, would prevent that from happening. Anything but a secret Kings opponent this November is Arienne Childrey. In committee Tuesday she explained she got a court order to change her name in July of 2020, but had been using the name in public since 2017. As Childrey described it, she worked as a manager at a large retail store supervising more than 200 employees. Now, Im sure many of you are familiar with the dynamics and small towns in Ohio, she said, And regardless of how you feel on this subject, I think you can all understand that that transition, that prior name change and transition, was anything but a secret in that community. Childrey explained she went forward with the legal process for practical reasons to avoid confusion on work schedules which used her deadname. Neither her court paperwork nor public notices about the case are sealed. While she expressed some sympathy with the intent of keeping individuals from hiding their past, she argued the statute doesnt really make it clear how she can ensure shes in compliance. Now, my married name would be exempt from this provision; my dead name is not, she said. So, I dont even know, am I supposed to include my dead first name with my maiden name since I was using it at the time? Or, since my married name doesnt count, do I include my married name in that on the it becomes very confusing. Prior court cases arent much help either, she explains. The 1950 case Rep. King invokes to insist her opponent wouldnt be able to hold office, also holds that individuals can change their name without going to court so long as the change isnt for fraudulent purposes. If we look to the date that I began using the current name, Im in compliance, Childrey explained. If we look to the date that I resorted to a judicial proceeding, Im not. Vanessa Joy told the committee, I am probably the reason that were here today. Unlike Childrey and Arnold, her candidacy in Stark County was disqualified by the board of elections. She described being heartbroken when the board called to inform her she had gathered the required signatures but would be kept off the ballot anyway. Two other candidates across the state also submitted their petitions being unaware of this law, she explained. Stark county disqualified me, but their counties allowed them to continue running. This meant that the law is being upheld unevenly. Bobbie Arnold described how involved the name change process is with Ohio courts proving residency, a valid reason, disclosing financial and criminal history and then publishing notice in a local paper for 30 days. Rep. Richard Brown, D-Canal Winchester, asked if she knew whether recently married candidates had to disclose a maiden name, and Arnold reiterated that they dont because of the exception for marriage. Well if a married woman is not required to list her maiden name, he asked rhetorically, how in the world do we find out about her past? The judicial candidate While trans candidates prompted the dueling bills, the impact extends beyond them. Alliance Law Director Caitlyn Weyer has been with her romantic partner for 14 years. Although she considers him her husband, they arent married and have no intention of doing so. But in 2020 she changed her name to Weyer to match his. About a year later, she was appointed to serve as the citys law director and then won an election to fill the unexpired term. She got reelected in 2023 and even filed to run for judge in Stark County this year, before anyone raised her previous name as potential problem. It came as an anonymous tip to the newspaper. Weyer described asking several local judges and a Franklin County attorney with decades of experience and no one had ever heard of the requirement. I would have gladly complied had I known, she said, but again, its not in the guidebook. Its not even a place on the petition. Weyer explained the second half of prior name statute left her with a very big decision. The law requires a person elected without providing their prior name to be suspended and held liable for any salary they collected. So she resigned her post and ended her candidacy. The mayor quickly reappointed her as law director and the local Republican Party voted to allow her to complete the term. But Weyer argued the provision still doesnt make sense. For instance, while it carries an exception for marriage, it says nothing about divorce. She also played out a what if scenario where a judge in her situation gets elected, and this issue came up five and a half years into their term. They could be removed from the bench, and ordered to pay back their full salary despite the fact they were now beyond the five year look back for previous names. The intent of this law is to ensure that voters know who you are and know your background, but I truly dont understand it, Weyer explained. It only goes on your petition. It doesnt go on the actual ballot itself. I understand your petition is a public record, but so is my name change, it seems to serve no purpose to me. Follow OCJ Reporter Nick Evans on Twitter. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Transgender Ohio Statehouse candidates line up behind bill allowing people to run under legal name appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal. Swindling people out of money is nowhere near a new phenomenon. In fact, you might even be known for it centuries later when people find your worldly possessions. Polish officials just announced that metal detectorists have found a treasure trove of gold and silver coins in central Poland believed to date back to the late 17th and early 18th century. They were found in multiple locations in the Jeleniowskie mountain range and seemingly give credence to a centuries-old legend tied to notorious Polish conman Anthony Jaczewicz. According to a statement from the Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments, the coins will be analyzed in-depth later this year to determine their exact origins, but heritage officials and explorers on the ground themselves have suggested their ties to the legendary scammer. "The coins we recovered may be part of this legendary treasure collected by Jaczewicz," Sebastian Grabowiec, who headed the exploration group that found the coins, told Polish science organization PAP. The story goes that the region was in the midst of a black plague epidemic at the time and Jaczewicz sought to profit off the tragedy. He reportedly claimed to have been given the divine gift of healing and established his own hospital of sorts in the Swietokrzyskie Mountains, which include the Jeleniowskie range, in 1708. The "false prophet," as the government refers to him, drew many people to his home as they were desperate for protection from the plague as it continued to spread. He also purportedly healed those suffering from the disease, all while collecting payment for the faux medical treatment. It wasn't a shoddy business run out of a shack in the mountains. He began receiving loads of donations, which allowed him to beef up security at the compound by hiring guards who stole from other people in the area and even sometimes took over nearby properties entirely. Jaczewicz kept up the ruse and continued to bring in the dough before the law eventually caught up with him, though he eventually escaped from prison and returned to his line of work, "allegedly with the permission of the Pope," according to the monuments protection office. He was later convicted by a high court in Krakow in 1712 and received a sentence of life in prison. The coins were handed over to an archaeological museum in the city of Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski. The next step is for researchers to study them to learn more about how they ended up there and who the original owners were. Whether or not a connection to Jaczewicz is confirmed, it's a great reminder that no matter how much money you haveor how you got ityou'll eventually leave it all behind. GENEVA COUNTY, Ala (WDHN) A Geneva County man in the middle of a love triangle deadly shooting has been denied the chance at a new trial. Earlier this year, Jason Kersey was found guilty of manslaughter in the murder of Tony Dean, who was shot to death in the front yard of Kerseys Samson home during a raging storm in January 2023. He was sentenced to 30 years in an Alabama prison. In April, Kersey asked for a new trial on the basis that he shot Dean in self-defense. After a hearing Wednesday morning, Judge William Filmore denied Kersey that chance at a new trial. Kerseys attorney, David Harrison, says they will appeal Filmores decision. Harrison believes the evidence presented during the trial did not support the verdict. Authorities have called this case a love triangle since its inception in early 2023 as Dean went to Kerseys home to see his estranged girlfriend, Penny Carnley, now Kersey, whom Jason Kersey was then seeing. Penny and Kersey were recently married while Kersey was in the Geneva County Jail before his trial. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. BRATISLAVA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and injured Wednesday after an away-from-home government meeting in the Trencin region, local media reported. The Slovak news agency TASR cited the parliament's vice-chairman Lubos Blaha as saying that the incident happened during a parliamentary session. The meeting has been adjourned until further notice. Fico has been transported to a hospital. The incident took place in the town of Handlova, some 150 km northeast of the capital, according to the news television station TA3. Chuck Martinez stands inside his apartment at Barrington Plaza shortly after eviction notices were filed at the complex in 2023. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) What does "permanent" mean? For more than 100 people still living at the massive Westside apartment complex Barrington Plaza one year after their owner sought to evict them, a judges answer to that question, expected soon, is vital to their future. People who live in rent-controlled properties, such as Barrington Plaza, enjoy special protections against eviction as a way of keeping tenants from being kicked out just to raise rents. Under L.A. city law, one legally allowed reason to evict is if an owner is going to remove a rental unit permanently from rental housing use. In the case of Barrington Plaza, the owners say thats exactly their plan while they simultaneously acknowledge they might rent the units again after some years. The term permanently does not mean forever, the companys lawyers argued in court filings. That legal argument is now under consideration following a trial that started last month at the Santa Monica Courthouse. Lawyers for both sides presented closing arguments at the end of April, and Judge H. Jay Ford III's decision is expected in the coming weeks. Tenants and their advocates see the lawsuit as a crucial effort to defend rent control in Los Angeles. If companies can simply say theyre permanently removing units from the rental market, evict tenants and then re-rent the units, the rules have little or no meaning, they say. A decision accepting the company's position "could be devastating for tenants in L.A., for tenants all over the state who are in rent-controlled apartments," said Peter Dreier, a professor at Occidental College. Owner Douglas Emmett Inc., meanwhile, sees the case as a test of protections for landlords, who, it says, shouldnt be forced to rent units they dont want to rent. State law grants landlords "the absolute right to exit the rental market, which means that the landlords motivation and reason for doing so does not matter," the company argues in court filings. At Barrington, company lawyers also say there is a compelling reason to evict the tenants: after two major fires in recent years, it needs to install fire sprinklers and make other fire safety upgrades to the property. At the heart of the case are two laws the state's Ellis Act, which gives landlords the right to get out of the rental business, and the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which controls rent increases, limits permissible evictions for tenants in rent stabilized units and addresses how the Ellis Act will be applied locally. Read more: They fought an Ellis Act eviction and won. Now they're the only ones left in a historic building The 1985 Ellis Act has been the bane of tenant advocates for years. Rather than protect small mom-and-pop landlords who no longer want to be in the rental business, advocates say, it is often used by large companies to turn rent-controlled properties to more profitable uses. Across L.A., the Ellis Act has led to more than 13,200 rent-controlled units being taken off the market since July 2007, according to city data. The city law, meanwhile, says that landlords who want to evict tenants under the Ellis Act must "in good faith" be planning to demolish a unit or permanently remove the unit from the rental market. The tenants say the law is being misused so that the owners can remodel Barrington Plaza and raise rents in a neighborhood where studio apartments regularly rent for more than $2,000. Read more: Most young adults, renters considering leaving L.A. due to high housing costs, poll finds They point to presentations and plans the company shared in the years before it issued eviction notices to the complex's 577 occupied units, in which it discussed upgrades to the property beyond the fire sprinklers. One plan, described by company officials in 2020, was to transform and upgrade the campus over the next several years," including improvements to the garage, pool, landscaping and exterior facade, according to court filings. "A landlord who is evicting its tenants under the Ellis Act to make repairs is not 'going out of business.' It is improving its property so it can increase its rents in the future, which is part of the business of landlording," the tenants argued in a court filing. They also point out that the company's CEO said in an email just before the eviction notices were sent that it was a "very good assumption" that the rental units would be brought back online within 10 years. In court, Judge Ford has said he agrees that there is "substantial evidence" that the company's intent was to bring Barrington Plaza back as apartments. The owners, meanwhile, argue it would still be within the law if it later re-rents the apartments. They argue that the Ellis Act, which does not us the word "permanent," preempts the city law, which does. And even if it is not preempted, the company says, "permanent" in its legal application to this case means non-temporary, or indefinite," not forever. They point to provisions in the law that impose requirements on landlords who do re-rent properties following Ellis Act evictions. For example, landlords who re-rent properties within five years of such an eviction must first offer to rent to tenants displaced by the eviction as long as the tenants had indicated in writing that they wanted to be notified if the units were re-rented. The tenants say these provisions were never meant to allow re-renting, but to provide remedies for displaced renters if they happened. The company also says the work they are planning will be so extensive, the units are essentially being demolished and what is rebuilt will be something entirely different. Installing sprinklers will include stripping the three towers down to "steel columns and concrete slabs" work that is estimated to take three to five years, the company says. The units, as they are now, will not exist ever again, the company's CEO Jordan Kaplan testified at trial. The plaza was built in the early 1960s without fire sprinklers at a time when the city did not require them, and it was later exempted from rules that they be installed. But two major fires, in 2013 and 2020, the last of which left one tenant dead, mean it's no longer safe to continue renting the apartments without the sprinklers, the owners say. In the year since the eviction notices were issued, hundreds of people have left Barrington Plaza. When the notices first appeared, there were nearly 600 occupied units at the plaza. Today, there are just over 100. Those who remain call themselves "the holdouts." The complex is different now than it was a year ago, said tenant Robert Lawrence. It can feel eerily abandoned at times. On some floors there are only one or two tenants left. The pool, which used to be packed on a warm day, is often empty now. But there is also a closeness among those who stayed behind, determined to fight the evictions until the end, he said. As they await a ruling, he said, "theres a feeling of melancholia mixed with solidarity." "Its a combination of stressful and this new found sense of community, almost family." 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. Former President Trump is set to address the National Rifle Association (NRA) this weekend in Dallas. This will be the ninth time the presumptive GOP nominee will address the gun rights groups members, according to the NRA. He is scheduled to speak on Saturday at 2 p.m. at its Leadership Forum. Trumps appearance at the event comes as NRAs leadership has gone through a tumultuous period. The groups head, Wayne LaPierre, stepped down in January before he and other officials were set to face a civil lawsuit. LaPierre was ordered by a Manhattan jury to pay more than $4 million for mismanaging charitable funds in February. President Trump is under relentless attacks because he is not afraid to fight for those who share his American values, said NRA Interim Executive Vice President Andrew Arulanandam in a statement. He is uniquely qualified to address our members who know what its like to stand for something, even when its hard. The NRA and our millions of members around the country have President Trumps back, and we know he has ours, he said. The Saturday event, which will be hosted at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, is open only to NRA members, but those interested can sign up for annual or lifetime membership. Trump vowed he would offer stronger Second Amendment protections if elected in November. I promise you this, with me at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, no one will lay a finger on your firearms just as took place for four years when I was your president, Trump said during an NRA event in Harrisburg, Pa. in February. I will uphold those glorious words, shall not be infringed. The event will also feature another prominent GOP politician, Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott (R). For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. 'They should all be executed.' How Trump's attacks on judges are fueling online calls for violence On a recent Tuesday morning, a visibly frustrated Donald Trump sat through a tense hearing in the first-ever criminal trial of a former American president. During a break, he let rip on his social media platform. New York Justice Juan Merchan, Trump declared on Truth Social, is a highly conflicted overseer of a kangaroo court. Trump supporters swiftly replied to his post with a blitz of attacks on Merchan. The comments soon turned ugly. Some called for Merchan and other judges hearing cases against Trump to be killed. Treason is a hangable offense, one wrote. They should all be executed, added another. The April 23 post by Trump and the menacing responses from his followers illustrate the incendiary impact of his broadsides against the judges handling the criminal and civil suits against him. As his presidential campaign intensifies, Trump has baselessly cast the judges and prosecutors in his trials as corrupt puppets of the Biden administration, bent on torpedoing his White House bid. More: A guilty verdict? Donald Trump and allies are bracing voters for the worst Trump turns up the heat The rhetoric is inspiring widespread calls for violence. In a review of commenters posts on three pro-Trump websites, including the former presidents own Truth Social platform, Reuters documented more than 150 posts since March 1 that called for physical violence against the judges handling three of his highest-profile cases two state judges in Manhattan and one in Georgia overseeing a criminal case in which Trump is accused of illegally seeking to overturn the states 2020 election results. Those posts were part of a larger pool of hundreds identified by Reuters that used hostile, menacing and, in some cases, racist or sexualized language to attack the judges, but stopped short of explicitly calling for violence. RELATED: Trumps doubts about election results spread among GOP and raise concern for next Jan. 6. Experts on extremism say the constant repetition of threatening or menacing language can normalize the idea of violence and increase the risk of someone carrying it out. Mitchell Silber, a former New York Police Department director of intelligence analysis, compared the Trump supporters now calling for violence against judges to the Capitol rioters who believed they were following Trumps marching orders on Jan. 6, 2021. More: 'Oh my god': Stormy Daniels testifies on spanking Trump, his gold tweezers, and silky PJs This is just the 2023-2024 iteration of that phenomenon, Silber said. Articulating these ideas is the first step along the pathway of mobilizing to violence. Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung did not respond to specific questions about the posts. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has a right to criticize un-Constitutional witch hunts, Cheung said. He also asserted, without citing examples, that Trump has been the target of calls for despicable violence from Democrats and crazed lunatics. On Patriots.Win, an online forum that describes itself as Trumps community of choice, Trumps attacks on courts and judges regularly spur calls for violence. Merchan needs to be strangled with piano wire, one poster wrote. He deserves garroting in the street, wrote another. Some experts say the violent rhetoric on pro-Trump social media sites is similar to that used ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. The Gateway Pundit, a website influential in the pro-Trump community, is also a frequent venue for Trump-inspired violent rhetoric. These judges and lawyers should HANG for perpetuating these fraud cases, a commenter wrote on April 16, suggesting the executions would be an example for future generations of judges and lawyers. The FBI and the NYPD declined to comment on whether threatening posts directed at the New York judges were under investigation. More: Would cameras in the courtroom change Donald Trump's New York hush money trial? While Trump himself hasnt called for violence on judges, his language can signal to followers that judges are no different from partisan rivals worthy of scorn, derision and attack, threatening the legitimacy of the independent judiciary, experts on political violence said. Trump is constantly riling up his supporters to be angry on his behalf, said Lilliana Mason, a John Hopkins University political scientist. He takes that large group of angry people, he points them in a particular direction, and then the judges get all these death threats. Cheung had no response to that analysis. Violent rhetoric, but not outright threats The posts also illustrate a shift in the way violent language is being expressed online by Trumps followers. In 2021, Reuters documented a wave of threats by Trump supporters targeting U.S. election workers. Legal experts found that many met the legal standard for prosecutable threats, which typically requires language or context that reflects a clear intent to act or instill fear, rather than simply suggesting a frightening outcome. In contrast, the current barrage of pro-Trump threats generally stop short of that red line. Posters often call for violence without explicitly stating they intend to commit it themselves. Such language is usually defensible as constitutionally protected free speech. But experts say it can have the same effect as a direct threat: to intimidate and sow fear. More: Tiny cell, toilet and a bench: what Trump might face if jailed for violating gag order The judges in both of Trumps New York cases issued gag orders barring him from attacking judicial staff and, in Merchan's court, witnesses, jurors and family members of the judge and prosecutors. On April 30, Merchan held Trump in criminal contempt for violating one of those gag orders, fined him $9,000 and warned him that he could be jailed for further infractions. On May 6, Merchan fined Trump an additional $1,000. His April order noted the singular power that Trumps derisive statements and posts have to inspire his followers, instill fear in his targets and endanger rule of law. The judge warned that he could impose jail time for any additional violations. Trump calls the gag orders election interference. New York and Georgia judges in the crosshairs Reuters examined more than 1,800 posts by Trump on Truth Social from March 1 to April 30. In at least 129 of them, he attacked judges handling his cases in New York, Georgia and other jurisdictions, either in his own words or by re-posting comments or videos. Much of his anger is focused on Merchan, who is presiding over Trumps criminal prosecution on charges that he violated New York law by falsifying business records to conceal a sex scandal during his 2016 campaign. Trump also frequently attacks New York Justice Arthur Engoron, who ruled in February during a separate civil trial that Trump committed fraud by inflating his properties values on financial documents. Trump has appealed the verdict. Trump often labels both judges corrupt and conflicted, and falsely accuses them of taking orders from President Joe Biden. As state judges, they werent appointed by the president, who has no authority over them. Trumps comments and re-posts on Truth Social often trigger a furious response from his supporters. At least 152 posts on the three pro-Trump websites in March and April urged the beating or killing of Merchan or Engoron in New York or Judge Scott McAfee in Georgia, Reuters found. At least 65 of those were on Truth Social, about half in replies to the former presidents posts. The rest were split about evenly between Gateway Pundit and Patriots.Win. Violent posts stay up, despite Truth Social rules All three sites have policies discouraging threatening or violent rhetoric. Truth Socials terms of service forbids users from writing posts that are filthy, violent, harassing, libelous, slanderous or "advocate, incite, encourage, or threaten physical harm against another. A Truth Social spokesperson said the company works expeditiously to remove posts that violate those standards. The Gateway Pundit and Patriots.Win didnt respond to requests for comment. There was evidence on each site that at least some comments had been removed. However, most of the posts advocating violence stayed up for days or weeks. Abortion rights advocates protest outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on May 11, 2022, in Chevy Chase, Md. Three experts in violent political speech reviewed the posts documented by Reuters, including Jonathan Leader Maynard, a London-based political extremism expert who said many of them echo the quasi-fascist language language used by lone wolf terrorists to justify their bloodshed. Politically motivated harassment of judges is not exclusive to the political right. Left-wing activists have protested at the homes of judges who have restricted abortion rights. A California man was accused of traveling to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs home intending to kill him. Nicholas John Roske has pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted assassination. Plea negotiations are ongoing, court records show. Left wing sites much less violent A Reuters examination of websites catering to the left revealed dozens of hostile comments attacking the competence and credibility of conservative jurists. The targets include U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who has issued a number of rulings favorable to the former president in his ongoing federal prosecution in Florida for misappropriating classified documents after leaving office. On Democratic Underground, a liberal site, posters have attacked Cannon as corrupt and suggested she be tried for espionage. But a review of comments on those sites did not reveal the sort of violent language that Trump supporters use in their online posts, including suggestions that judges be beaten or killed. In February, a Texas woman was sentenced to three years in prison for threatening Judge Cannon. Calls to execute judges picked up in April, when Merchan began hearing Trumps prosecution for allegedly trying to hide a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election the first of four criminal prosecutions Trump faces. He should be recused from living, one Trump supporter wrote of Merchan in an April 14 post on Truth Social. That post and other calls for violence cited in this story were made anonymously. Hush money Judge Juan Merchan targeted Merchan, 61, has served on the criminal bench since 2009. He grew up in the New York borough of Queens, also Trumps boyhood home, and began his career as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan. In 2022, Merchan presided over a tax fraud conviction for Trumps business, ordering his company to pay a $1.6 million fine. Last year he sentenced Trumps longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, to five months in jail for tax fraud. Trump also has directed vitriol at Merchans daughter, Loren Merchan, an executive at Authentic, a digital marketing agency that works with Democratic candidates. Trump has said the judge is conflicted because of his daughters work and should recuse himself. Pictures of Merchans daughter have featured regularly on Truth Social. Some mocked her physical appearance and called for her arrest. On one website, an avowed white supremacist published personal information about both Merchan and his daughter, including home addresses and the judges phone number. Last June, the New York Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics ruled that Merchans impartiality cannot reasonably be questioned based on his daughters work for Democratic campaigns. Courts spokesperson Al Baker said both Merchan and Engoron have been subjected to threats as have many other judges and their safety is the utmost priority. 'Treasonous piece of trash' Engoron, 74, has been bombarded with invective from Trump and threats from his supporters. A New York court security officer said in a sworn statement last year that Engoron and his staff had received hundreds of threatening and harassing messages, including some laced with profanity and anti-Semitic insults against the judge, who is Jewish. The hostile communications spiked after Trump attacked Engoron and his clerk on Truth Social, the statement said. Resign now, you dirty, treasonous piece of trash snake, said one voicemail left at his chambers. We are coming to remove you permanently. A Democrat, Engoron was elected in 2015 to the state Supreme Court and has been a judge for two decades. He has drawn the former presidents rage after repeatedly ruling against him in a civil business fraud suit filed by state Attorney General Letitia James. Engoron ultimately ordered Trump to pay a $454 million fine in that case. Judge Arthur Engoron presides over former President Donald Trump's civil business fraud trial at New York Supreme Court, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in New York. More: DJT stock rebounds since hush money trial low. What to know about Truth Social trading The judge issued a gag order last October after Trump shared on social media a photo of Engorons law clerk posing with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, and falsely described her as Schumers girlfriend. Engoron barred Trump from making any statements disparaging court staff. The judge fined Trump twice for violating the order. The threat of, and actual, violence resulting from heated political rhetoric is well-documented, Engoron wrote in November. Engoron received a fake bomb threat at his home in January, and someone sent an envelope containing white powder to his chambers the following month. In a March 22 post on Truth Social, Trump labeled him a Corrupt, Radical Left Judge in New York, a Trump hater [at] the highest level. Calls by his supporters for the judges death came quick. One poster on Truth Social said Engoron should be hanged. Another wanted him executed. Online rage thundered for days, accompanied by appeals for violence. He should be skinned alive, bobbed in a vat of alcohol, then dipped in honey before being staked to an anthill, read a March 25 post about Engoron on Patriots.Win. 'Rogue judges' The threats arent limited to New York. As state courts in Colorado, Illinois and Georgia have taken up Trump-related cases, at least four judges in those states have faced threats or harassment, according to interviews with court and law enforcement and officials and a review of social media posts. Georgia Judge McAfee, presiding in an election interference case against Trump, is among the targets. Fulton County prosecutors charged Trump with illegally pressuring officials to overturn the states 2020 presidential election. McAfee has received less attention from Trump than the New York judges. Trump has repeatedly denounced Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who brought the case, but has refrained from criticizing McAfee by name. More: Georgia appeals court agrees to consider Trump effort to oust Fulton County DA Fani Willis But after the judge denied his motion to dismiss Willis over her romantic relationship with a fellow prosecutor, Trump posted two Fox News videos from one of his spokespeople and a legal analyst assailing the decision. Trump backers quickly turned on McAfee. Judge McAfee should be hanged, one commented on Gateway Pundit. After a subsequent decision again denying Trumps request for a dismissal, more violent comments followed. These people need gutting like we do fish, one unidentified commenter wrote beneath another Gateway Pundit post about McAfees decision. In a survey of nearly 400 mostly state judges by the National Judicial College, an education group, nearly eight out of 10 agreed that it is becoming more dangerous to be a judge. The survey, completed in 2022 and made available to Reuters ahead of publication, found that more than 70% of respondents had received harassing or menacing communications. More: Biden administration proposes $38 million for judicial security after Supreme Court protests New Mexico Judge Francis Mathew told Reuters he received dozens of threatening messages after ruling that Couy Griffin, an Otero County commissioner who founded Cowboys for Trump, a political advocacy group, was ineligible to hold public office because he participated in the 2021 Capitol riot. On the day of his ruling in September 2022, Mathew received one email calling for his execution and another that included his home address. Griffin said in an interview that he and his family also have received threats and that he never called for violence against Mathew. As far as threats and stuff goes, thats something thats out of my control, he said. Although Trump has not criticized him on social media, Mathew blames Trump for orchestrating the deluge of threats targeting judges. Trumps behavior is teaching people that they can do these things, Mathew said. Cheung, Trumps spokesperson, did not respond to that claim. More: Supreme Court lets stand a ban against Cowboys for Trump co-founder using 14th Amendment 'A face only a fist could love' Much of the violent rhetoric documented by Reuters illustrates a phenomenon identified by social scientists: Online communities catering to specific political views can create an echo chamber, where participants spur each other to increasingly extreme posts. In pro-Trump forums, when someone pushes the norm of what is considered acceptable speech by posting a call to execute judges or other public officials, and no one questions it, then the norm of what is acceptable may shift, said Cathy Buerger, who studies inflammatory rhetoric at the nonpartisan Dangerous Speech Project in Washington. That pattern emerged in a series of Gateway Pundit comments posted April 2. In response to an article criticizing far-left judge Juan Merchan, one reader referred to a photo of the jurist by saying, A face only a fist could love. Or a steel toed boot, another reader replied. Or an aluminum bat, a third wrote. Another poster upped the ante: Colt Combat Commander 45 a popular semi-automatic handgun. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Truth Social Trump fans call for violence amid his attacks on judges Michael Cohen returned to the stand Tuesday to continue his testimony regarding the alleged $130,000 hush money payment given to adult film actress Stormy Daniels after an affair with former President Donald Trump. Key takeaways from Michael Cohens cross-examination Trumps defense attorney Todd Blanche began his cross-examination of Cohen, the prosecutions star witness, and went on the offense from the beginning, The New York Times reported. Blanche tries to discredit Cohen On the witness stand, Cohen received scrutiny for his blunt remarks on social media. Blanche focused on Cohens recent activity on platforms like TikTok, where he has openly criticized his former employer while discussing the ongoing trial. According to Courthouse News Service, Cohen acknowledged calling Trump obscene names and also admitted to saying Trump should be confined to a cage. NBC News reported that Blanches questioning appeared to be an attempt to show Cohen was not trustworthy, focusing on his motivations to attack Trump. Cohen was asked by Blanche about a podcast episode he appeared on in 2020, where he said Trump needs to wear handcuffs and that people will not be satisfied until this man is sitting inside a cell. I wouldnt put it past me, Cohen testified. Trumps defense attorney focused on past lies and crimes committed by Cohen. At one point, Blanche asked if Cohen was serving his jail sentence at his apartment in 2020, the Courthouse News Service reported. Condo, Cohen clarified, per Courthouse News Service. Cohen allegedly was once a loyal defender of Trump when he was his attorney and problem fixer. Cohen explained that he lied on Trumps behalf to Congress in 2017 during the Russia investigation, and that he was misleading when he told the Federal Election Commission about the $130,000 payment to Daniels in a 2018 letter, as reported by CNN. At that time, I was knee-deep into the cult of Donald Trump, Cohen said. Cohens demeanor Cohen appeared calm, decisive and sometimes humble when he first took the witness stand, according to The Washington Post. Once cross-examination began, the Post noted, they got a different version of him. His answers were often indecisive to Trumps defense attorney, including responses like I might have, sounds like something I would say, and I dont recall that either, according to The Washington Post. Trumps response After the days proceedings, Trump vented his frustration to the cameras outside the courtroom in regards to the judges gag order. I think its totally unconstitutional, Trump said, per NBC News. Trump said although he was prevented from discussing Cohen, he believed the cross-examination went well. Today we had a very good day, Trump said, per USA Today. According to NBC News, Trump said, Can you believe Ive been here for five weeks instead of campaigning? They want to keep me in here as long as possible. From the Dispatch Politics on The Dispatch Happy Wednesday! When we woke up this morning, there were zero presidential debates on the calendar. As we go to press, weve got two on the books. Things are moving fast! Up to Speed Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden will participate in a debate on CNN on June 27, the network announced Wednesday, and both candidates also accepted an invitation to an ABC debate on September 10. The news came after the Biden campaign proposed debate terms, declining to participate in the Commission on Presidential Debatess scheduled contest. Biden campaign chair Jennifer OMalley Dillon suggested scheduling two debates along with a vice presidential debate in July after the Republican National Convention officially nominates Trump and his to-be-announced running mate. Bidens campaign also asked that the candidates square off in a studio with no live audience, where organizers can cut off a participants microphone after his speaking time runs out. The June CNN debate will have no audience, but neither that network nor ABC had announced further details. Trumps campaign advisers also said they wanted additional debates in July and August. Several prominent Republicans, including potential vice presidential picks for Trump, traveled Monday and Tuesday to a New York City courthouse to support the former president during his hush money trial. Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy were in Manhattan to support the presumptive GOP nominee. House Speaker Mike Johnson also made the trip Tuesday with Florida Sen. Rick Scott showing up at the courthouse last week. In comments to the press, many echoed complaints about the trial that Trump is prohibited from voicing himself because of a gag order imposed by the judge. After Trumps trial proceedings wrapped for the day on Tuesday, several wealthy Republican donors were scheduled to hold a fundraiser with the former president in Manhattan, with tickets costing up to $844,600, according to reports from earlier this month. Cantor Fitzgerald Chairman Howard Lutnick was the principal host, and New York Jets co-owner Woody Johnsonwho served as Trumps ambassador to the United Kingdomjoined, along with John Paulson, a potential pick for Treasury secretary. The fundraiser comes as Trump tries to make up ground in his money battle with Biden and Democrats. The Trump campaign has also enlisted Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to fundraise for the former president, the Associated Press reported Monday. DeSantis is now making calls to potential donors as his team schedules events in Florida and Texas. The news comes after the Trump campaign had a minor spat with him in March following the governor saying he did not anticipate he would need to campaign for the presumptive GOP nominee in Florida. Ron really shouldnt flatter himself by assuming wed want him on the campaign trail. Were actually trying to win, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said at the time. But there is one prominent Republican donor who has not yet thrown his money behind Trump. Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, who donated to former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in the GOP primary, said at the Qatar Economic Forum Tuesday he would wait to see whom the former president would pick as his running mate before donating to him. Griffin, who has thus far in the 2024 cycle used his wealth to support Republicans in House and Senate races, did not say whom he would like to see as the running mate. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice won his states Republican primary for Senate over Rep. Alex Mooney Tuesday. It sets up a contest with Democrat Glenn Elliottthe mayor of Wheeling, West Virginiain the race to replace retiring Sen. Joe Manchin. Justice is favored to win in November, offering the GOP a crucial pickup opportunity in its bid to recapture the Senate majority. In another closely watched West Virginia race, Republicans nominated state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey for governor over former state Rep. Moore Capito. Capito, the son of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, was endorsed by Justice through his pet bulldog, Babydog. Morrisey will square off against the Democratic mayor of Huntington, Steve Williams. Donald Trump Readies GOP Platform Refresh Then-President Donald Trump speaks at the Republican National Committee winter meeting on February 1, 2018, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images) Donald Trump is preparing to oversee a formal update to the Republican Partys platform prior to accepting the GOP presidential nomination in July. To control both this process and the Milwaukee convention, the former presidents campaign is removing Trump critics on the Republican National Committee from decision-making positions, Dispatch Politics has learned. The RNCs summer business meeting is scheduled for Milwaukee during the week before the partys July 15-18 presidential nominating convention. According to an agenda of the gathering weve obtained, the Platform Committee that debates and crafts updates to the document will convene for an orientation on Sunday, July 7, then hold hearings on Monday and Tuesday. That would be a change from 2020, when the RNC rubber-stamped the platform approved four years earlier. The Trump campaign is wielding power over the new platformand this summers conventionby jettisoning from the Platform and Rules committees elected RNC members who have been even mildly critical of the presumptive Republican nominee. (The Rules Committee governs convention proceedings.) John Hammond, Rules Committee co-chairman who recently announced he would not run for reelection as the RNCs Indiana committeeman, is being forced out; so is Henry Barbour, RNC committeeman from Mississippi and veteran Rules Committee member. Hammond has been an outspoken Trump critic for years. Barbour has been a Trump supporter. But in February, he proposed two RNC resolutions opposed by the former presidents team and ultimately quashed. The first would have prohibited the RNC from covering the cost of Trumps legal bills; the second would have blocked the party from treating the former president as the partys presumptive presidential nominee until he won the required 1,215 convention delegates, which he did the following month. The Trump campaign is heavily influencing state parties on who they put on the Platform and Rules committees at the convention. Many people are being vetoed by the campaign, a knowledgeable Republican insider told us, echoing multiple GOP sources we queried for this story and who, like everyone else, requested anonymity to speak candidly. When the RNC Rules Committee gathers in Milwaukee, panel members will be approving regulations for the next Republican convention in 2028, in Houston. But the Rules Committee is authorized to alter the proceedings for this years gathering, the one that will nominate Trump for the third consecutive general election. And the former president, as he did previously and as did GOP nominees before him (including Mitt Romney in 2012), is moving to exercise control over the panels work product. The RNC responded to a request for comment but had not provided a statement as of press time Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile, for the first time since 2016, the RNC Platform Committee is set to revise the roughly 60-page document detailing the policy and policy principles, and legislative agenda, of the Republican Party. The GOP skipped this work four years ago, citing a coronavirus pandemic that forced the party to cancel the in-person convention it planned to hold in Charlotte and shift to a virtual gathering staged largely in Washington, D.C. Here, too, the Trump campaign is weeding out critics and other RNC members deemed problematic to Trumps agenda. Potential complications await. To avoid a spectacle that undermines Trumps campaign, the former presidents team is looking for pragmatists to serve on the Platform Committee. That reflects President Trumps real struggleto get people focused on winning rather than creating more issues, an RNC member told us. But some fireworks are inevitable, particularly on abortion. Theres going to be a little dust-up in Platform over that, this individual said. The Platform Committee could see battles between Republican activists who want to include support for a federal abortion ban in the updated document, and Trump, who seems to have settled on the position that states should decide for themselves. Eight years ago, the GOP platform predictably included consensus language opposing abortion and calling for various judicial and legislative remedies limiting the ability of women to terminate pregnancies. But the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 blew up Republican unity on this issue among those who want a federal ban on abortion and those who want to leave the matter to the states. A similar fight over same-sex marriage may be brewing. In 2020, the GOP platform also included language opposing same-sex marriage that was, if not consensus, certainly non-controversial inside the party. But societal attitudes on this issue have changed remarkably. In 2022, Congress passed legislation that codified federal recognition of same-sex marriage with substantial Republican support in the House and Senate, bolstering protections the Supreme Courts 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges decision created. Arguments between those supportive of same-sex marriage and those whose opposition continues seem poised to occur. Theres certainly going to be a platform fight on a couple of issuesespecially the same-sex marriage plank, a second RNC member told us. There is pressure on the Trump campaign to do away with the plank. Money for Nothing in Maryland Angela Alsobrooks defeated Rep. David Trone to win the Maryland Senate Democratic primary Tuesday night, setting up a general election contest between the Prince Georges County executive and the immensely popular Republican nominee, former Gov. Larry Hogan. The contest pitted Alsobrooks deep connections within Maryland Democratic politics against Trones massive personal wealth, but the result was not as close as many predicted: Alsobrooks won 54 percent of the primary vote to Trones 42 percent, as of Wednesday morning. The fight ahead will not be easy, Alsobrooks told supporters Tuesday night. A lot of people look at our state and say, Oh, its Marylandits a blue state, we can worry about another race someplace else. Yes, Maryland has been a blue state, but it will only stay a blue state if we put in the work. As Dispatch Politics reported last week, Alsobrooks has a long history in Maryland politics, leading to a number of prominent Democrats there endorsing her bid to replace retiring Sen. Ben Cardin. Furthermore, she and her surrogates made the explicit case for Alsobrooks by pointing out she could be Marylands first black senator and one of the few black women to serve in the U.S. Senate. On the other side, the personal wealth Trone earned from co-founding alcohol retailer Total Wine & More did not deliver. Having previously set a record in 2016 for the most money ever spent (more than $12 million) by a self-funded candidate on a House race in which he did not advance past the primary, Trone blew about $60 million of his own money in just this years Senate primary. In his concession speech Tuesday, he encouraged Democrats to rally behind Alsobrooks. We must continue to move forward, Trone said. Weve got to move forward as a party. I called my opponent. We had a chat. I conceded, wished her best of luck, offered our support. And I need all of you to come together to support the Democratic Party so we can hold this U.S. Senate. Hogan, who won the Republican primary overwhelmingly on Tuesday, offered words of congratulations to Alsobrooks upon her victory. I want to congratulate County Executive Alsobrooks on her nomination, he posted on X Tuesday night. I know Angela well, and I value our respectful relationship. I look forward to a real debate on what this campaign is about: who can actually help fix the mess in Washington. He added that Marylanders have a choice between more of the dysfunctional partisan status quo or real independent and bipartisan leadership. The most recent poll in the race that included hypothetical November contests saw Alsobrooks narrowly defeating Trone in the primary and beating Hogan by double digits in the general, after earlier polling saw Hogan with a lead over both Democrats. Maryland-based Democratic strategist Len Foxwell told Dispatch Politics the outcome in November will probably look more like the latter polling that saw Hogan losing to Alsobrooks. If these two were squaring off in a gubernatorial election, Id predict an 8-10 point win for Hogan. But this isnt a gubernatorial race. Its a Senate race, which is an entirely different campaign that is contested on an entirely different set of issues, he said. Marylanders simply are not going to risk handing control of the Senate to the Republicans just because they think Larry Hogan is a good guy. Which, incidentally, he is. Notable and Quotable We have to know that sometimes people will open the door for you and leave it open. Sometimes they wont, and then you need to kick that fing door down. Vice President Kamala Harris at a summit for an Asian American non-profit, May 13, 2024 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. Six months before the 2024 presidential election, the House speaker and several Republican lawmakers angling to be Donald Trump's running mate are being increasingly vocal that they cannot guarantee they will certify the results for who won the White House. It's a growing list that includes a who's who of the Trump-dominated GOP, including Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio and Tim Scott of South Carolina and Reps. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Elise Stefanik of New York and Byron Donalds of Florida. They're taking positions that in previous presidential contests wouldn't have meant much given the every-four-years meeting in Congress that's required under the Constitution to take place on Jan. 6 is widely known to be a ceremonial affair where there's no real doubt over who's going to be the next executive leader of the U.S. government. But then came the deadly 2021 insurrection, which both federal and state criminal indictments say Trump was instrumental in orchestrating as a way to try to overturn the results of a close presidential race that he lost to Joe Biden. With the same two candidates primed for a 2024 rematch, historians, political experts, Democrats and even some Republicans who left office because of Trump are raising alarm about what this expanding circle of potential election denialism means for the future of self-government in America. It's extremely corrosive to democracy regardless of whether people saying it really mean it or are following Trumps lead, said Michael Miller, a George Washington University political science professor who studies how democracies end. Historically, he added that democracies have collapsed when elected leaders convince citizens they cannot trust elections. Youre basically telling them there's no point competing within the system, he said. This is the origin of Jan. 6, [that] the system failed you. Trump's familiar refrain It's still anyone's guess who will win the White House this November. Recent national and battleground state polls show a tight race, though Trump currently carries a lead in several of the critical states needed to win the number of Electoral College votes to become the president. Running in 2024 to become the second former U.S. president to serve non-consecutive terms, Trump is already working to sow doubts about an outcome that remains months away. "If everything's honest, I'd gladly accept the results," Trump told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel earlier this month in an interview. "If it's not, you have to fight for the right of the country." Trump's stance is not very different than what he said before the 2016 election that he won and the 2020 campaign that he lost. But what is new is the degree to which he's being echoed by so many senior Republicans who are primed to be in powerful positions of authority when the 2024 results get certified. During a press conference last week, Johnson, the House speaker, refused to say whether he'd accepted the 2020 election result or would accept the 2024 result. Johnson, a longtime Trump supporter who on Tuesday attended the former president's ongoing criminal trial in New York, could be chosen speaker again if Republicans maintain control of the House. That's a position that would place him up on the podium during the Jan. 6, 2025, meeting to certify the election results in the House. Trump's evasiveness about the 2024 election outcome is also being mirrored publicly by at least four of his potential vice presidential picks who currently serve in Congress. This group has either sidestepped answering questions about their role as lawmakers who would be positioned to certify the next presidential winner, or have set conditions on doing so. Scott, the fourth-term South Carolina senator, repeatedly refused to commit to accepting the outcome of the 2024 election in a May 5 interview with Kristen Welker, the moderator of NBCs Meet the Press. Vance, a freshman senator from Ohio, also hedged Sunday on "State of the Union." If its a free and fair election, I think every Republican will enthusiastically accept the results. Again, I think those results will show that Donald Trump has been elected president, he said. When pressed he added, "If it is a free and fair election I will accept the results whoever wins." Stefanik, a fifth-term lawmaker from upstate New York who serves in the House GOP leadership as its conference chairwoman, said in January that she would see if this is a legal and valid election before committing to voting to certify the 2024 election result. Donalds, a second-term congressman who represents a southwest Florida district, seemed to echoed Stefanik in March when he wouldn't commit to certifying election results in 2028 should he be picked as Trump's vice president and they win in 2024. "If you have state officials who are violating the election law in their states ... then no, I would not," he said. CAPITOL INSURRECTION - An explosion liights the west side of the US Capitol as the pro-Trump mob is pushed back Wednesday evening January 6, 2021. Jan. 6, 2021 looms over 2025 ceremony The fact there is a growing number of top tier Republicans suggesting without evidence that a Trump loss in November wouldn't be on the up and up could have practical implications. The Congress that meets on Jan. 6, 2025, to certify the election results could look very different than the chamber did at the start of 2021, when an organized group of lawmakers planned to challenge the results of multiple states but lost support following several hours of delay due to the Capitol riot and failed to change the ultimate outcome when the final vote was held in the early morning hours on Jan. 7, 2021. In her ceremonial role presiding over the results next January, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic incumbent running for a second term, will stand before a greater share of Republicans compared to 2021 who have embraced Trump's claims about stolen elections. After the 2020 election, elected leaders defended Trump's right to challenge election results in court, where the lame-duck president and his campaign lost over 60 lawsuits. But those same Republicans largely dismissed his claims that rampant fraud cost him the election. Before and after the 2020 election, Republican leaders stressed that American elections are secure. In 2024, those leaders either have already changed or will have stepped down by the time the newly-elected Congress meets next January to certify the presidential election outcome. At the same time, many of the GOP members voicing doubts now publicly, or privately, will remain in a position to challenge electoral college results from key states. Johnson's position in particular rankles Democrats. The Louisiana lawmaker was a rank-and-file member in 2020 when he lobbied nearly half of his Republican House colleagues to sign onto a friend of the court brief in support of throwing out the election results of four states Biden won. Johnson also urged Republicans not to certify the election results on Jan. 6, 2021. Which Republicans refuse to commit to accept 2024 election results? House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., said Democrats see having Johnson as speaker in 2025 as dangerous. "We know that Speaker Johnson, as the chief legal architect of the effort to overturn the 2020 election, cannot be trusted with that responsibility because he refuses to commit to putting the needs of the American people above the interests of Donald Trump, he said in a statement. Trump has made the belief, or the stated belief, that vote fraud deprived him of reelection in 2020 a litmus test, University of Chicago political science professor John Mark Hansen said. "For those who are ambitious for themselves within the party, which are most of them, their choice is either you do what Trump wants you to do or you don't and there are consequences to not doing what he wants you to do," Hansen said. Former Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., who was one of 10 Republicans to vote to impeach Trump for his role in the 2021 Capitol insurrection, said the price to staying in office for many GOP members is showing that loyalty to Trump - no matter the topic. "Those on the VP hunt for Trump are trying to curry favor," Upton said. As for the Republican House members who Upton once served with, the ex-congressman said most are staying silent because they don't want Trump' involved in their own election races. "Many of my Republican colleagues are scared to death about Trump's involvement," Upton said. "And they are kissing the ring." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's fast-spreading election doubts raise concerns for Jan. 6, 2025 Trump Force One clipped another plane on runway after leaving New Jersey rally Donald Trumps private plane swiped another aircraft at a Florida airport on Sunday, according to a report. On Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported a private Boeing 757 clipped another unoccupied corporate aircraft while taxiing at West Palm Beach International Airport. Now, Reuters reports that Boeing 757 is the former presidents Trump Force One. The FAA said the incident, which is being investigated, happened in an area where the organisation does not direct aircraft. The Independent has contacted Mr Trumps 2024 campaign for comment. Donald Trumps Boeing 757, pictured at Palm Beach International Airport, clipped another unoccupied corporate plane while taxiing on Sunday (Getty Images) The incident happened just hours after Mr Trump wrapped up a campaign rally in New Jersey on Saturday. There, he inexplicably praised the great Hannibal Lecter and took a jab at a beloved icon from the state: Bruce Springsteen. The move didnt end well for him, after fans of Mr Springsteen took to social media to mock the former president, poking holes in his campaigns claim that 80,000 people attended his rally. The former president purchased his $100m private plane in 2010. Earlier this year, Mr Trump made his love for the aircraft model clear on social media. Boeing should bring back the 757, the most beautiful, best-handling plane (from the pilots standpoint!) that Boeing ever made, the former president said on Truth Social in January. Stop with the crazy extensions of the 737, the worst-looking plane in the air, he continued. His comments came just days after a door plug fell off a Boeing plane mid-flight. While there were no major injuries, passengers were left terrified and three of those on board even sued the airline. Boeing has since been in the national spotlight as whistleblowers come forward to raise concerns about the manufacturers safety standards. Earlier this year, Sam Salehpour, a current quality engineer for the manufacturer, testified to Congress about his concerns. He said Boeing has a culture of retaliation when employees speak up about their concerns. When asked if the planes are safe, Mr Salehpour testified: Its like an earthquake. When that hits the building ... [it has] to be prepared to accommodate that type of shake-up... Right now, from what Ive seen, the airplanes are not being billed per spec, and per requirements. Donald Trumps plane clipped a parked corporate jet at West Palm Beach International Airport early Sunday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The former presidents Boeing 757 had landed at the airport in Florida at around 1:20 a.m. and was taxiing when its winglet hit the rear elevator of the stationary VistaJet, the agency said. An FAA notice about the incident didnt identify Trump as the owner of the 757 but it did disclose the tail numberN757AFwhich is registered to DJT Operations I LLC and is clearly visible on the fuselage of his plane. Furious House Democrats Target Trumps Alleged Dinner With Oil Executives Its not clear if Trumpwho held a campaign rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, on Saturdaywas on board his plane at the time of the collision. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident, and the FAA report said the extent of damage was unclear. A privately owned Boeing 757 landed safely at West Palm Beach International Airport around 1:20 a.m. local time on Sunday, May 12, an FAA spokesperson told WFLA.com in a statement. While taxiing, its winglet contacted a parked and unoccupied corporate jet. The incident occurred in an area of the airport where the FAA does not direct aircraft. Trump paid a reported $100 million for his aircraft, which features a master bedroom, a guest suite, and a dining room. The plane, which was once owned by Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen, was customized to Trumps particular taste in a six-month redesign after he bought it in 2010. Anything metal on that planes interiorlights, seat buckles, handles, latches, knobswe did in 24-karat gold plating, the head of a company involved in the overhaul told CNN in 2021. 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. The first day of cross-examination against arguably the most consequential witness in Donald Trumps hush-money case resulted in practically no results for the GOP presidential nominees legal defense. Over the course of several hours on Tuesday, Trumps attorneys badgered Cohen about his juvenile social media postsincluding calling his old boss a Cheeto-dusted cartoon villainand whether Cohen hoped that his sentence would be reduced in exchange for cooperation in the trial. But legal experts didnt feel that the cross was very effective at positing a new or reformed narrative that would help their client or have any sway with the jury whatsoever. MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin wrote that the cross-examination had not accomplished much beyond showing that Cohen is still a wealthy individual who has made money off books hes written about Trump, that his opinion of Trump had changed after he was sentenced in December 2018, and that hes thrown a bevy of insults at Trump. Unfortunately for Trumps defense, none of that was news. Were likely just over 15 minutes from the end of today, and Im still unsure what the defense gained from the start of the cross, if anything, wrote Lawfare managing editor Tyler McBrien. No checks, no business records, no alternate theories of the case presented. Ultimately, the effort was a startling contrast to a prosecution team that started the morning by arriving with a cartful of documents, ready to burst into action. The trial will resume on Thursday, though even that opportunity to continue developing a defense out of Cohens testimony will be cut short by a preapproved appointment for a juror, ending the trial slightly early at 4 p.m. Trump is accused of using Cohen to sweep an affair with porn star 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. MOSCOW, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Russia's defense and security spending in 2024 will amount to nearly 9 percent of the country's GDP, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday. "In 2024, this year, our total spending on defense and security will be approximately 8.7 percent, maybe a little more," Putin said during a meeting with the commanders of military districts. At the meeting, Putin said Andrei Belousov has been newly appointed defense minister "due not least to the fact that spending on the military component is growing." Belousov understands how to integrate the military economy into the country's general economy, which is extremely important, Putin added. NEW YORK Donald Trumps criminal trial finally progressed Tuesday to a confrontation that has been brewing for weeks: the face-off between the former presidents defense team and his former fixer, Michael Cohen. But after a few initial crackles, it lacked the pop that many had expected. Cohen is the prosecutions star witness, and during a day-and-a-half of direct examination, he provided critical details about Trumps knowledge of the cover-up at the heart of the case. So when Trumps lead attorney, Todd Blanche, stood up after lunch to begin cross-examining him, everyone was waiting to see the Trump teams strategy for depicting Cohen as a liar with a vendetta. Blanches first question in which he quoted an off-color insult from Cohen got the courtrooms attention. But over several hours, Cohen largely maintained his cool while Blanche attempted to provoke him. And in questions ranging from Cohens book profits to what Cohen said during the Robert Mueller investigation, it wasnt clear if Blanche managed to dent Cohens credibility in the hush money case. Even Trump himself appeared to doze off while his own lawyer was questioning his nemesis. The cross-examination will continue Thursday (after a scheduled day off on Wednesday), but for now, Cohen seems mostly unscathed. Heres what happened on Day 17 of the Trump trial: Another day of the Cohen show During the morning session, as prosecutors completed their direct questioning that began Monday, Cohen delivered new details about the fallout from the hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Cohen described Trumps efforts to maintain his loyalty after the FBI raided Cohens home and office in 2018, and he described his decision to break with Trump after serving for years as his footsoldier. Cohen told the jury that he regretted what he had done for Trump. To keep the loyalty and to do the things that he had asked me to do, I violated my moral compass, and I suffered the penalty, as has my family, Cohen said. After a lunch break, it was Blanches turn to interrogate Cohen about his moral compass. He began by making it personal: On April 23, you went on TikTok and called me a crying little shit, didn't you? Blanche asked Cohen, raising his voice to deliver shit. Prosecutors objected but not before Cohen blurted out: That sounds like something I would say. Blanche wasnt done. Moments later, he confronted Cohen with more of his expletive-laden TikTok commentary, including calling Trump a dictator douchebag and saying Trump leaves the courtroom to go to right into that little cage, which is where he belongs, in a fucking cage, like an animal. I recall saying that, Cohen replied. But if Blanches strategy was to rankle Cohen into displaying some of the ire and petulance he has broadcast on social media and on his podcast, it didnt work. Cohen maintained a largely placid demeanor, calling Blanche sir, and declining to offer colorful descriptions of the events Blanche questioned him about. When Blanche tried to depict Cohen as a blabbermouth who has frustrated the Manhattan district attorneys office by repeatedly going on TV to talk about the case against Trump, Cohen said he didnt recall many requests by prosecutors to keep quiet and insisted they had only occasionally asked him, please dont talk about the case. Thats it? They just call you and say that? Blanche said incredulously. Actually, they call my attorney, Cohen replied. Last week, after Trumps team complained about Cohens out-of-court commentary, Justice Juan Merchan directed prosecutors to ask Cohen to cool it but the judge declined the Trump teams request to extend the gag order in the case to Cohen. Cohen also quietly dodged Blanches efforts to goad him into saying how much hed relish seeing Trump behind bars. Have you regularly commented on your podcast that you want President Trump convicted in this case? Blanche asked. I dont specifically know if I used those words. But yes, I would like to see that, Cohen responded. Blanche, trying to pin Cohen down, said: Im just asking you to say, yes or no. Do you want to see President Trump convicted in this case? Sure, Cohen responded. Trumps intense and failed campaign to prevent Cohens flip In testimony that at times sounded like it couldve been delivered at a mob trial, Cohen described a pressure campaign by figures in Trumps inner circle and Trump himself to convince him to remain loyal after he was raided by the FBI. (That raid, incidentally, was part of a campaign-finance investigation tied to the same hush money payment that is now at the center of Trumps case.) Cohens most surprising evidence on the subject came when he described a backchannel that attorney Robert Costello tried to create between Cohen, Rudy Giuliani and ultimately Trump himself. Costello had longtime ties to Giuliani, who was a close adviser to Trump. Costello, Cohen said, pledged to use the secret line of communication to Trump who was by then in the White House to protect Cohen and ensure that he was still good and still secure. Cohen walked jurors through a series of emails in which Costello described the backchannel. I told you my relationship with Rudy was going to be very, very useful for you, Costello wrote in an email to Cohen that was displayed in court. You are loved, he said in another. You have friends in high places. The former fixer also read a series of tweets Trump sent soon after the FBI raid. Most people will flip if the Government lets them out of trouble, Trump wrote in the tweets. Sorry, I dont see Michael doing that despite the horrible Witch Hunt and the dishonest media! Cohen told jurors the message was clear: Dont flip. Cohen, however, did flip. He told jurors that he decided to cooperate with authorities after realizing his loyalty was to his family, not to Trump. He ultimately pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and other federal crimes and was sentenced to three years in prison. The battle outside the courthouse Trump has always craved leverage and control over the legal and political threats he faces, but he doesnt have that option inside Merchans courtroom. So instead Trump has trained his energy on the small cordoned-off park just outside the Manhattan criminal courthouse. There, hes been assembling a daily team of surrogates to pummel Merchan and prosecutors and make the very arguments Trump himself is prohibited from making under Merchans gag order. Theyve been hammering Merchans adult daughter, accusing the judge of a conflict of interest because of the daughter's political work for some Democratic candidates. And theyve been assailing by name one of District Attorney Alvin Braggs subordinates, a former Justice Department attorney. On Tuesday, the surrogate role was played most prominently by Speaker Mike Johnson. Trump acknowledged these surrogates and their beautiful comments in remarks to reporters Tuesday, but declined to say if they were making those statements at his behest. Theres probably a reason for that: The gag order doesnt just restrict Trumps own comments; it also forbids him from directing others to attack people whom the gag places off-limits. But Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), who visited the courthouse on Monday as part of Trumps entourage, suggested that circumventing the gag order was precisely why he and his allies assembled. He said lawmakers were joining Trump at court to help overcome this gag order and to be able to speak our piece for President Trump. Happy Tuesday! Here's your Tuesday Tech Drop, the top stories from the intersection of tech and politics from the past week. Trump donor's deep pockets Billionaire Trump backer and major TikTok investor Jeff Yass has been exposed as the key financier behind a right-wing group known for investigating and intimidating liberals. CNBC reports Yass is a significant investor in the group Accuracy in Media, an organization thats been behind recent efforts to dox and disrupt pro-Palestinian demonstrators on college campuses. In a press release responding to the news, the watchdog group Accountable.US expounded on the work Accuracy in Media does, noting it specializes in sting operations and propaganda campaigns and comparing the group to the beleaguered right-wing organization Project Veritas. Ive grown quite suspicious of Yass aspirations when it comes to media. His opposition to a TikTok ban (paired with an interesting uptick of pro-Trump content on the app) and his involvement in dubious organizations like Accuracy in Media suggest hes deeply interested in tools that can be used to manipulate and misinform the public. Read the CNBC report here. DOJ is alarmed about AI DOJ officials held a press conference Monday on threats against election workers. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco specifically sounded the alarm on threats made by people who deploy artificial intelligence to mask their identities and communicate their threats. Read more at Axios. TikTok's contraception deception A new report from Agence France-Presse points to an uptick in U.S.-based wellness influencers on TikTok spreading misinformation meant to discourage the use of birth control pills. Its yet another in a growing list of misinformation and manipulative content allowed on TikTok, an that app many, particularly as of late, falsely portray as a bastion of accurate and informative content. Read more at Agence France-Presse. Signs of the times A few weeks back, I checked out an excellent exhibit about the importance of symbols at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. It came to mind as I read a recent study by the Center for Campaign Design, about which kinds of campaign logo features (shapes, color schemes, etc.) resonate most with voters. One of my favorite designers is Ashleigh Axios, a creative director who formerly managed design for the Obama White House. Exploring her work taught me the value of memorable and understandable logos in politics. The study on campaign logos similarly enlightened me. Read it here. Neuralink? No thanks. Elon Musks brain technology startup, Neuralink, said its first human brain chip implant malfunctioned weeks after being inserted into its first human test subject. An already creepy project has gotten even eerier. Read more at NBC News. Trump has a friend in Facebook A collaborative study by researchers from Stanford University and Meta, Facebook's parent company, concluded that using Facebook may have made people more likely to vote for Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Though the researchers say their findings fell "just short" of being statistically significant, they ought to raise eyebrows and, perhaps, concern about an app that's been controversially used to Trump's benefit in the past. Read more on the study at Bloomberg Law. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com As Trump mulls VP pick, he dines with JD Vance in Indian Hill on Wednesday Former President Trump is expected to have lunch Wednesday in Indian Hill just east of Cincinnati with Sen. JD Vance and supporters willing to pay $50,000 a plate. Trump's visit with Vance comes amid speculation Vance could be a frontrunner for Trump's running mate. Neither the campaign nor Cincinnati-area Republicans have released many details of the fundraiser. Indian Hill Police Chief Chuck Schlie, in an emailed response to an open records request from The Enquirer, confirmed Trump's fundraiser would be in Indian Hill at 4500 Drake Road. County records show it's a 29-acre residence of Peggy and Gary Johns. Trump is expected to arrive at 1:50 p.m. Former President Donald Trump greets U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance during a rally at Wright Bros. Aero Inc. at Dayton International Airport in Nov. 2022. Indian Hill, a community of 6,000 people known for sprawling mansions set back on large, wooded estates, consistently ranks among the wealthiest communities in Ohio and the country with a median income above $300,000. The invitation obtained by the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau describes it as a "lunch discussion" with Vance as a special guest. Attendees must contribute $50,000 each or $100,000 per couple, which will go toward the Trump 47 Committee, which is a joint fundraising committee that includes Trump's campaign, the Republican National Committee and several state GOP groups including Ohio's. Trump hasn't announced any public events during his visit to the Cincinnati region. After lunch, he will head to Lexington for a dinner fundraiser with former Republican gubernatorial candidate and former United Nations ambassador Kelly Craft. Trump makes the trip on an off day in the hush money trial where Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide reimbursement payments to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen for the money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Here's why Donald Trump is coming to the Cincinnati region on Wednesday Related video above: Cohens second day of testimony draws Trump ire TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Former President Donald Trumps Boeing 757 clipped a parked private jet at West Palm Beach International Airport on Sunday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. AIRCRAFT TAXIING AND WINGLET STRUCK THE REAR ELEVATOR OF A PARKED VISTAJET, the FAA notice reads. The notice lists the planes registration number as N757AF. FAA registration records show the plane is registered to DJT Operations I LLC. The registration number is also clearly visible on the side of Trumps plane. WEST PALM BEACH, FL MARCH 31: Seen through a security fence, the Trump Organizations Boeing 757 used by former U.S. President Donald Trump, known as Trump Force One, sits parked on the tarmac at the Palm Beach International Airport on March 31, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Manhattan district attorneys office asked for Donald Trump to surrender on Friday following a grand jury vote to indict the former president. (Photo by Alon Skuy/Getty Images) A privately owned Boeing 757 landed safely at West Palm Beach International Airport around 1:20 a.m. local time on Sunday, May 12, an FAA spokesperson told WFLA.com in a statement. While taxiing, its winglet contacted a parked and unoccupied corporate jet. The incident occurred in an area of the airport where the FAA does not direct aircraft. No injuries were reported in the incident. The report lists that the damage is unknown. Its unclear if Trump was on the plane. The FAA continues to investigate the incident. Trump is currently on trial in Manhattan facing charges that he falsified business documents to cover up hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Despite all the press hand-wringing about Michael Cohen's so-called credibility issues as a witness in Donald Trump's criminal fraud trial, the colorful details he's offered from the Manhattan witness stand this week add an aura of truth to his recollections. Cohen claims Trump blew off concerns about Melania Trump leaving him after his infidelities were revealed with, "How long do you think Ill be on the market for? Not long." Of course. "There's going to be a lot of women coming forward," Cohen claims Trump warned him as the number accusing him of sexual abuse or harassment swiftly topped two dozen. Perhaps the most telling bit of Trumpian dialogue Cohen recounted from the stand, however, was Trump's reaction to hearing adult film actress Stormy Daniels was shopping the story of their 2006 sexual encounter to the press in the days after the infamous "Access Hollywood" tape. "Women are going to hate me," Trump said, according to Cohen's testimony. "Guys may think this is cool, but this is going to be a disaster for the campaign." That's believable because such an assessment reflects Trump's zero-sum view of all relationships: Every human interaction has a winner and a loser. "The spin he wanted put on it," Cohen told the court, "was that this is 'locker room talk,' something that Melania had recommended or, at least, he told me thats what Melania had thought it was and use that in order to get control over the story and to minimize its impact on him and his campaign." Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. Daniels testified last week about what was, at best, really bad sex with Trump. There were a lot of red flags for coercion Trump "blocking the door," the bodyguard stationed outside, and Trump using Harvey Weinstein-style threats that the only way Daniels would "get out of that trailer park" would be by having sex with him. Trump seems to believe that men, as a group, would generally agree that it's just great if your sexual partner leaves an encounter traumatized and ashamed, so long as the dude gets what he wants. The possibility that men could experience empathy or care for women seems alien to Trump. But, of course, there's a long and ugly public record of Trump expressing this acrimonious view of gender relations in both private and public. On the "Access Hollywood" tape filmed a year before his encounter with Daniels Trump is bragging about how he sexually assaults women to impress his male companion, the show's host Billy Bush. The two men laughingly relish the pain of Trump's victims, as Trump crows, "when youre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything." During the civil trial period where Trump was found liable for sexually assaulting E. Jean Carroll, he repeatedly defended this view as if he were simply describing an inescapable fact of nature. During his deposition, he was asked if he believes powerful men can just sexually assault who they like, saying, "If you look over the last million years, I guess thats been largely true," tacking on "unfortunately or fortunately." Trump defends his comments from the Access Hollywood tape in his taped deposition: Trump: Historically, thats true with starsIf you look over the last million years, I guess thats been largely true. Not always, but largely true. Unfortunately or fortunately. pic.twitter.com/FqtTVFF2oE Republican Voters Against Trump (@AccountableGOP) May 5, 2023 When asked to clarify on CNN after losing the case, he said he meant it was "fortunately" for powerful men but "unfortunately for her." It's like hearing someone describe eating a hamburger as good for the person, but bad for the cow. During the same interview, he blamed Carroll for the assault, saying "What kind of a woman meets somebody" and then allows herself to be alone "in a dressing room" with him shortly thereafter. He repeatedly talks about sex between men and women as if it's inherently violent, like he's the predator and she's the prey and if she gets hurt, it's her fault for not protecting herself against him. As Bush's cackling on the "Access Hollywood" tape suggests, some men do think it's "cool" to view sex as something you extract out of women, instead of something consenting adults choose in hopes of mutual enjoyment. As Bikini Kill frontwoman Kathleen Hanna lamented in a recent interview with Salon, some men enjoy "the look of humiliation and fear on women's faces." In her writings on the origins of misogyny, philosopher Kate Manne roots the phenomenon in male entitlement, arguing that men want to lash out at women who are denying them what they feel they are owed, whether it's submission, attention, or sex. It's not a coincidence that there's a lot of overlap between male Trump supporters and communities of bitter misogynists, from "incels" (who hate women for supposedly denying them sex) to "men's rights activists" (who are angry at women for wanting equality). They want to live vicariously through Trump's abuse of women. But it's also true that plenty of men find this behavior gross. And not just because it's immoral, either. Trump's actions are also pathetic. As many male commentators pointed out in the aftermath of Daniels testifying, Trump comes across in her story as equal parts scary and pathetic. Pathetic, because he wants so badly to be seen as suave and attractive, but fails miserably at it. His silk pajamas were an attempt at Hugh Hefner cosplay. His arrogance and boasting failed to impress the much younger woman he had lured to his room under false pretenses. She's not attracted to him. She's plotting her escape. In the end, because he can't seduce her, he leverages fear. While falling short of legally provable rape, the events that day left her sad and regretful that she ever went to visit this horrible man. Trump has often sought to portray himself as a Lothario, a James Bond-type who the women can't resist. The evidence, however, suggests the opposite is true: Women are just not that into him, or, in most cases, are actively repulsed. Rather than admit it's a personal problem caused by his loathsome personality, Trump, like most misogynists, spins a story where sex is never something women actually want. Instead, they have to be bribed, bullied or even forced. Wives in this view are paid-for trophies. Extramarital sex is always viewed in terms of conquest, whether by tricking women with false promises of a payday or, as Trump explained to Bush, by simply making them do it. But even Trump knows on some level this isn't "cool." If he thought he came off as sexy and desirable in the story Daniels told, his narcissism may compel him to admit they had sex. But he denies her story, no doubt because the main theme is how bad he is at sex. Trump's abusive treatment of women is often treated like a sideshow to his larger criminal and authoritarian project, but in truth, it's all rooted in the same toxic levels of entitlement. He can't persuade women to want him, so instead he turns to coercion. His fascist ideology is more of the same. Unable to convince most Americans to support him or his politics, he seeks out ways to impose himself on the country anyway, through lies, fraud, and, eventually, an attempted coup. The man has never met a system he didn't try to cheat. That's largely because, his claims to being the greatest at all things at all times aside, he knows he simply doesn't have the talents or work ethic to succeed on the merits. Far from being a side issue, Trump's hostile attitudes towards women predict his approach to the law, the public, and the political system: Since he can't win fairly, he chooses force. Weve reached the act in Donald Trumps trial that is no longer farce, but infuriating. This is what the supposedly greatest country on the planet is transmitting to the rest of the world, that we are unserious even about the principles we declare we hold most dear. Weve had a porn actress describing sexual acts in uncomfortable detail. A defense attorney asked a key prosecution witness why he went on TikTok and called the attorney a crying little (expletive). And a former president who labeled a political rival Sleepy Joe has resembled an old man who cant keep his eyes open. Its not Shakespeare in the Park. Its The Emperors New Clothes in a Manhattan courthouse. This week, we heard from Michael Cohen, a man who has served a year in prison for the crimes for which Trump is on trial. Cohen is a liar who lied in service of a liar and all he got was an orange jumpsuit. He seemed determined to ensure his former boss will be in one soon. He made it clear they committed fraud together to hide Trumps affair with Stormy Daniels to help Trump become president. Trump wasnt thinking about (wife) Melania. This was all about the campaign, Cohen testified while Trump nodded his head no. Everything required Mr. Trumps sign-off, Cohen said. He hasnt been the star of the week in the courtroom, though. Those roles were played by a group of men so unscrupulous they decided to turn this criminal court proceeding into a political rally, in part for Trump, but likely mostly for themselves. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Byron Daniels, both of Florida, showed up at the courthouse. Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who made his name, in part, by spitting on poor white people in Appalachia in a much-discussed book, also made an appearance. Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville showed up, as did former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Speaker Mike Johnson even made the trek to kiss Trumps ring. They did this even though the circus-like atmosphere of die hard Trump supporters I witnessed when Trump showed up to court after being indicted has died down. Those men didnt head to Manhattan to brag about our democracy, to say it was a great illustration of holding fast to the principle that no man was above the law. Most of them likely headed there to get TV time to remind their emperor they were available to serve as his running mate. They took turns in a seemingly-choreographed verbal attack on the family of the judge overseeing the case, doing what Trump can no longer do after being hit with a gag order. They didnt care about the methodical way the prosecution has been laying out key facts about Trumps scheme. They didnt care about the facts at all, much in the way they seemed not to care that Trump undermined our democracy by lying about the 2020 results and incited a violent insurrection attempt. They didnt care that the man they had chosen to blindly follow has made a mockery of the family values party. They didnt care that the case against Trump was stronger than many pundits and members of the public assumed before it began. The jury will decide Trumps legal fate, which rests on how those men and women interpret complex case law. I wont make a prediction. Ill leave that up to overly-confident political analysts. But whats been most infuriating about this week is that the worlds lone super-power has been exposed like never before by a liar who lied in service of a liar because that liar still has a solid chance of becoming president once again no matter what happens in that courtroom the rest of this week or even next week. Maybe thats why relatively few Americans are paying attention. They dont want to see the sick joke their country has become. Issac Bailey is a McClatchy Opinion writer in North and South Carolina. Former President Donald Trump and Sen. J.D. Vance will lunch Wednesday on a sprawling estate on a hilltop in Indian Hill owned by the great-granddaughter of the founder of one of Cincinnati's largest companies. The hostess of the $50,000-a-person fundraiser at 4500 Drake Road is Peggy Gardner Johns. Her great-grandfather is Richard "Doc" Farmer, founder of Cintas, a Mason, Ohio-based Fortune 500 company that provides products and services to businesses like uniforms, cleaning supplies and safety products. Trump is slated to headline the "lunch discussion" that features Vance as a special guest, according to an invitation obtained by the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau. Attendees must contribute $50,000 each, which will go toward a joint fundraising committee that includes Trump's campaign, the RNC, the Ohio GOP and several other state GOP groups. Who is Peggy Gardner Johns? Peggy Gardner Johns isn't well-known in political circles, but Federal Election Commission records show she has donated money in the past to Trump and Vance. She is being thrust into the national political spotlight Wednesday as Vance headlines the event that is widely seen as a behind-the-scenes tryout to be Trump's vice presidential pick. Vance's political team declined to comment, and Peggy Gardner Johns did not return calls for comment. She owned the now-closed Snap Boutique in Hyde Park Square. Former President Donald Trump greets U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance during a rally at Wright Bros. Aero Inc. at Dayton International Airport on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Vandalia, Ohio. Who is Gary Johns? Peggy John's father, James Gardner, and his brother-in-law, Richard "Dick" Farmer helped build Cintas into a business worth billions, according to a 2004 article in the Cincinnati Post. James Gardner retired as vice president of Cintas in 1988 and died in 2013. Gardner was married for 60 years to Cintas founder Doc Farmer's granddaughter, Joan Farmer Gardner. Peggy and Gary Johns are philanthropists who have given millions to numerous local organizations by leading the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation. After Peggy Gardner Johns' mother, Joan Gardner, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2005, the foundation focused on fighting the disease. The foundation gave $14 million to the University of Cincinnati's Gardner Neuroscience Institute in 2015, which now bears the family's name. The Farmer family is ranked as the 37th richest family in the nation with a net worth of $12.5 billion, according to Forbes. Gary Johns is the owner of Fairfield, Ohio-based metal manufacturer G&W Products. Where is the Trump fundraiser in Cincinnati? A screengrab from Trulia.com of a photo of 4500 Drake Road, the Indian Hill home where a fundraiser is being held Wednesday for former President Donald Trump. Peggy Gardner Johns and Gary Johns have supported Vance in the past, according to FEC campaign finance records. They both donated the maximum allowable donation in the primary and general 2022 elections, which is $2,900. So together the couple donated $11,600 to the race that propelled Vance into the United States Senate. Peggy Johns also donated $2,900 in 2019 to the Trump 2020 election, the records show. Wednesday isn't the first high-profile gathering the Johns have hosted. In 2005, they welcomed Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, to their estate in a private reception for 100 people, according to Enquirer archives. The prince was in town to give a lecture at the Westin Hotel in Downtown Cincinnati. The house is expansive but private. Property records from the Hamilton County auditor list Gary and Peggy Johns as owners of the massive, 16,000-square-foot mansion set back off a narrow road in one of Ohio's wealthiest neighborhoods. The home was built in 1940 with a pool and seven bathrooms. It was on the market last year for $8.9 million, according to Zillow, but did not sell. A YouTube aerial video shows the breadth of the massive home that spreads across the hilltop surrounded by 29 acres of woods. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Peggy Gardner Johns to host Cincinnati Trump Vance fundraiser Former President Trump has won the West Virginia Republican presidential primary, according to Decision Desk HQ. Trump, who has already mathematically clinched the GOP nomination, will add 32 delegates from the winner-take-all contest to his total. He was the only major active candidate on the ballot, which also included former presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who had already qualified for the ballot before ending her campaign in March. Haley has continued to see support in various states even after she left the race, receiving more than 128,000 votes, more than 20 percent of the total, in last weeks Indiana GOP primary. She has also received noteworthy numbers in states like Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia over the past two months. Trump is very likely to easily carry West Virginia in the general election in November given the states strong Republican leaning. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Michael Cohen, the former Trump fixer who is now testifying against his ex-boss, might have expected an incisive cross-examination from Todd Blanche, Trump's experienced lawyer. Instead, the Tuesday afternoon grilling turned out to be sleepy and dull, according to CNN legal analyst Norm Eisen. "[Blanche] committed the cardinal sin of cross-examination," said Eisen, who was in the courtroom at the time. "It was so tangled up at times that it was boring. It actually was some of the first boring moments in all of the 19 or so days of this trial that we've had." Trump's legal team, led by Blanche, sought to discredit Cohen's testimony as the ravings of a man driven by hopes of financially profiting from his hate towards the former president, who abandoned him in a federal prison after Cohen pleaded guilty to his involvement in the same hush money deals at the heart of the Manhattan trial. Blanche repeatedly questioned Cohen about calling Trump a "boorish cartoon misogynist" and "Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain," as well as his motives for testifying and the money he made from books and merchandise criticizing Trump. Cohen answered many of these questions with "sounds like something I would say." In response to Blanche asking him if he was lying when he praised Trump in the past, Cohen said that at the time, he was "knee-deep into the cult of Donald Trump." Eisen dismissed Blanche's line of questioning as ineffective. "He came out of the box with objectionable questions that were about him and Cohen's criticism of him, that had nothing to do with the case, got a reprimand from the judge, got off on a bad foot," said Eisen. "He meandered all over the map." On the other hand, Eisen described Cohen as "disciplined" and "credible." The contrasting performances were further underscored by expectations; according to Eisen, many thought that Cohen would be bested by Blanche, who has a strong reputation in legal circles. That reputation might have just taken a hit. Cohen, a star witness for the prosecution seeking to nail Trump for an allegedly fraudulent cover-up of his tryst with Stormy Daniels, testified that the former president directed the filing of checks that were described as part of a legal "retainer" agreement, when they were actually reimbursement for hush money payments to the adult film star. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spent a week dogged by self-damaging rhetoric, leaving him to defend the state of his health and scramble to rework his position on abortion after facing dissent from within his own campaign. But on Monday, he had something to celebrate: the prospect that he had earned a spot on the ballot in Texas, a coup for an independent candidate in a state that forces independents to gather at least 113,000 signatures from registered voters across the state, a much larger haul than required in most states. The campaign delivered boxes of signatures to the Texas Secretary of State's Office, a spokeswoman for whom told ABC News the campaign's petition is "under review." Kennedy touted the accomplishment at an Austin rally alongside his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, whose appearance itself was noteworthy, as the California lawyer had maintained a reclusive approach to the campaign trail since she was announced as Kennedy's running mate in late March. MORE: RFK Jr.'s 'clever move' to help earn ballot access nationwide: Allying with little-known parties Texas is the 14th state in which the Kennedy campaign says it has met the criteria for ballot access. The signature requirement also made it the most grueling. "If you can get on in Texas, you can get on everywhere," Kennedy said on stage in Austin. Yet the campaign still faces hurdles to gain ballot access in each state, a goal Kennedy and his aides say they will achieve. Already, they face the prospect of starting their signature-gathering from scratch in Nevada after they submitted petition forms that lacked the name of a vice presidential candidate, violating the state's rules. And Democrats will likely try to obstruct Kennedy's progress, as they already attempted in Hawaii, where the state ruled against the Hawaii Democratic Party after it challenged the ballot access petition of a new political party created just for Kennedy. What the campaign says it does not lack, though, is the money to complete its ballot access efforts. Shanahan, who had already put millions of dollars toward helping elect Kennedy prior to April, pumped $8 million more into the campaign last month, a total that the campaign said would cover its ballot access expenses from here on out. PHOTO: Independent Vice Presidential running mate, Nicole Shanahan speaks to attendees during a campaign rally at Brazos Hall on May 13, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Shanahan makes trail debut, but some Kennedy voters still skeptical Much of the spotlight this weekend was on Shanahan, who made her debut on the campaign trail in Houston on Saturday before accompanying Kennedy at the Austin rally two days later. The Houston event was an intimate panel-like forum that focused on criminal justice reform and allowed Shanahan, who has invested time and money into addressing issues in the justice system, to showcase her most tangible attribute: her authenticity and passion for the things she cares about. MORE: Month after announcement, RFK Jr.'s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, remains in the shadows Before she addressed the audience in Houston, she turned to each panelist, all of whom had described scarring experiences with the law, and thanked them one by one. She then fought tears during her remarks as she discussed the "legacy of the ruthlessness of the American psyche." She even came prepared with a quote from the psychologist Carl Jung, reading it with dramatic effect. But at times during her Texas appearances, her delivery felt dissonant with the desires of her audience, especially among attendees of the Austin rally, who seemed more eager for an injection of energy than a perfectly woven soliloquy. The crowd of about 800 cheered loudly when Shanahan was introduced, but soon fell quiet when the candidate, whose appearance marked one of her first public events, opened her speech by saying, "I want to talk about soil," prompting a minuteslong metaphor about the need to fix America's "foundation." Shanahan eventually hit the populist and anti-establishment themes that tie together many of Kennedy's supporters, criticizing Democrats and Republicans and painting politicians as out for themselves. But her appearance left some Kennedy supporters still trying to figure her out. "I don't know much about her," Tammy Markham, a 54-year-old entrepreneur, told ABC News after leaving the event. "So I want to find out more about her. I just know that when he announced that he was going to have her as vice president, I know a lot of us supporters were like, woah, OK, who is this?" Markham said she was impressed with Shanahan's speech in Austin, but, she cautioned, "it takes more foundation and rock-solid knowledge for me to be impressed than just the brouhaha." A week of damage control Though they were a united front on Monday, Kennedy and Shanahan seemed confused last week about Kennedy's abortion stance. Kennedy told podcast host Sage Steele in an interview released last week that "we should leave it to the woman" to choose to have the procedure, "even if it's full term." When Steele relayed Kennedy's position in a separate conversation with Shanahan, the running mate appeared visibly surprised. "My understanding is that he absolutely believes in the limits on abortion," she told Steele. "And we've talked about this. I don't know where that came from." PHOTO: An attendee holds a flyer during a campaign rally held by Independent Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at Brazos Hall on May 13, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) At the same time, Angela King, a Kennedy staffer and anti-abortion activist, aired her dissent to Kennedy's "full term" comments on social media, an embarrassingly public undressing of the candidate she advises, which led Kennedy to walk back the abortion comments in a lengthy X post Friday night. "I support the emerging consensus that abortion should be unrestricted up until a certain point," he wrote, in part. "I believe that point should be when the baby is viable outside the womb." MORE: RFK Jr. claims doctor said parasite 'ate' part of his brain Kennedy also found himself last week responding to unearthed comments where he claimed a doctor told him that a parasitic worm was found in his brain more than a decade ago. Also, that he suffered from mercury poisoning -- both of which he said gave him "cognitive problems." Kennedy assured he has made a full recovery from each issue and even tried to lean into the worm issue, which garnered significant media attention: making a surprise appearance at a Los Angeles comedy show on Friday, he cracked, "My brain worm wrote some jokes for me." He also joked last week on X that he would "offer to eat 5 more brain worms and still beat President Trump and President Biden in a debate." On Friday, the candidate issued an explanation for an admission he made on a podcast that he offered his children fake vaccine cards during the COVID-19 pandemic so they could attend universities, which required the shot without actually getting one (he said his children did not accept his offer since "they didn't want to lie.") "Coercion to force submission to illegal vaccine mandates became the norm during Covid," Kennedy wrote on X. "As Martin Luther King, Jr. observed, 'One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.' I acted accordingly." After trying week, RFK Jr. brings Nicole Shanahan on campaign trail for rare appearance originally appeared on abcnews.go.com PARIS, May 15 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron has decided to declare a state of emergency in New Caledonia, where riots have left three people dead and seriously injured a gendarme, the Elysee said in a statement on Wednesday. Macron reiterated the need for a resumption of political dialogue, and asked the prime minister and the minister of the interior and overseas to rapidly invite New Caledonian delegations to Paris, according to the statement, issued at the end of a national defense and security council meeting on the situation in New Caledonia. Maddow Blog | Tuberville says a bit too much about why he went to Trumps trial As Donald Trumps first criminal trial drew closer, the former president lashed out at a variety of people across the legal system, including likely witnesses in his hush-money-to-a-porn-star case. With this in mind, Judge Juan Merchan imposed a gag order on the Republican in March. The criminal defendant responded soon after by going after the judges daughter publicly and repeatedly. The result, not surprisingly, was a revised gag order. To put it mildly, Trump has not dealt well with the court-imposed restrictions. He clearly wants to go after key figures in his ongoing trial, but the former president also wants to avoid going to jail. A solution to the former president's dilemma has come into focus in recent days: Trump is turning to GOP allies, whom hes described as his surrogates, to peddle the talking points that he cant say publicly. Andrew Rice, a contributing editor at New York magazine, added on MSNBC yesterday that he saw Trump editing and making notations to quotes his partisan allies were poised to make to reporters. It was against this backdrop that Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who joined the partisan parade at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse on Monday, shed some additional light on his own motivations for the gesture. The Daily Beast reported: Hopefully well have more and more senators and congressmen go up every day to represent him and be able to go out and overcome this gag order, and thats one of the reasons we went is to be able to speak our piece for President Trump, the right-wing senator said during an appearance on Newsmax. Tommy Tuberville admits on Newsmax that "one of the reasons he went" to NYC yesterday was to "overcome this gag order" pic.twitter.com/cGCK5iAcsZ Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 14, 2024 I have a hunch the Alabaman wasnt supposed to tell a national audience that he wants to help Trump overcome this gag order. As for whether the public relations tactics are likely to generate any consequences, my MSNBC colleague Jordan Rubin posed all the right questions in a piece yesterday: Common sense would dictate and Trumps own words confirm he has at least endorsed words that would violate the gag order if he said them. But does that mean that hes directing them as opposed to, say, encouraging or condoning them or the like? How fine a distinction would Judge Juan Merchan draw? Watch this space. Update: Tuberville echoed the rhetoric again this morning. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Newsmax Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), the day after he attended part of Donald Trumps criminal hush-money trial in New Yorklater doubting jurors citizenship and complaining about how the indicted former president is enduring mental anguish in the depressing courtroomadmitted Tuesday that one of the reasons for his appearance and comments was to overcome this gag order imposed on Trump. Tuberville was joined by Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), who criticized Judge Juan Merchans daughtersomething that the gag order prohibits Trump himself from doing. He is also prohibited from directing others to speak about witnesses and the jury, among others. On Tuesday, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum made similar comments to Vance, and when asked later on CNN if Trump had told him to speak about Merchans daughter, he said he had not. Tuberville did not return a request for comment to The Daily Beast by the time of publication as to whether Trump had asked him to appear in court and speak to reporters afterward. But what Tuberville did say on Newsmax about Trump was nevertheless revealing. Hopefully well have more and more senators and congressmen go up every day to represent him and be able to go out and overcome this gag order, and thats one of the reasons we wentis to be able to speak our piece for President Trump, the senator said on the Chris Salcedo Show. Salcedo approved. Well thats good. You know, if he cant speak on the sham this trial is, they cant put you under a gag ordernot yet, the way things are going, he said. Earlier this month, Trump was fined $9,000 for nine violations of the gag order after it was determined that he intimidated jurors and witnesses. Merchan has since warned him that jail is a very real possibility if he keeps it up. Tubervilles televised comments about the trial arent the only ones that have sparked interest regarding any potential workarounds by Trump. Trump legal spokesperson Alina Habba said on Fox News last week, for instance, that Stormy Daniels was not credible as a witness. 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. Tukwila Police on Tuesday released a photo of a suspect wanted in a sexual assault in the Southcenter area. WARNING: The story that follows includes graphic details that some readers may find disturbing. Police were dispatched to a store on Strander Boulevard on May 12 at around 5 p.m. Employees told officers the suspect was intently focused on two juvenile females who were shopping as he fondled himself under his pants. The youngsters were unaware of the suspect until he walked up and deposited bodily fluid on one of them before running out of the store and then leaving in a car. Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to email Tukwila Police at tips@tukwilawa.gov, send a private message on social media (https://twitter.com/TukwilaPD | https://www.facebook.com/TukwilaPD/), or call the non-emergency line at 206-241-2121. Turnout for NC runoff elections was so low, results could identify voters So few people voted in Tuesdays runoff election that North Carolina election officials are removing election results from their website. READ MORE: Republicans, unaffiliated voters decide NC primary runoff elections The North Carolina State Board of Elections said its pulling precinct-level information from each county. So few people voted in last nights second primary in NC that NCSBE is pulling precinct-level details of election results for each county NCSBE: Because of the particularly low turnout in Tuesdays second primary, the likelihood is greater than usual that all voters who voted Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) May 15, 2024 In a statement, the NCSBE said it might be possible to figure out who someone voted for. They said someone could look at the in-person results from a voting site or from mail-in ballots and, along with voter history records, could potentially identify voters choices. A combination of low voter turnout and the likelihood that people voted for the same candidates in each race are causing the problem. The website still shows overall county-level and statewide results, and results by voting method for each county. Second primary results for Stanly County did not post to the state's website last night "to preserve the secrecy of voters' ballots where single ballots were cast, or all votes cast were for one particular candidate," Stanly's election director tells me. Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) May 15, 2024 Republicans and unaffiliated voters who voted Republican in the March primary were eligible to vote in the elections. Republican candidates in three local races and one statewide race didnt reach the 30% threshold needed to move on to the primary. Election results show a little more than 133,000 people cast ballots in Tuesdays race. For context, just over 1.8 million people voted in the March primary election. (WATCH BELOW: PART 1--The Political Beat with Ch. 9s Joe Bruno (May 12, 2024)) Updated A U.S.-based tutoring company on Tuesday pushed back against a conservative campaign to destroy it due to security fears over its Chinese owner. In a cease-and-desist letter posted online, Tutor.com said the parents rights group Parents Defending Education in recent months has misrepresented its operations, falsely claiming it has ties to the Chinese government. The company, based in New York, said the parents group is trying to persuade lawmakers and others that Tutor.com is somehow a puppet of the Chinese government and a threat to national security, according to the letter. Founded two decades ago, Tutor.com was acquired in 2022 by Primavera Capital Group, a Beijing-based investment firm with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Palo Alto, Calif. In the letter to attorneys representing Parents Defending Education, the company said the parents group has chosen to portray Tutor.com as a stalking horse to advance the advocacy groups broader political agenda. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The effort by Parents Defending Education both echoes and influences a larger one by lawmakers nationwide to raise security concerns about companies linked to China, including fears that they could be compelled to share student data with the Chinese government. But John Calvello, Tutor.coms spokesperson and chief institutional officer, said the fears are misplaced. First and foremost, its important to say: We are an American company, he said in an interview. I want to be very clear about that. And again, as an American company, you have to abide by all U.S laws and regulations. John Calvello Tutor.com, Calvello said, cannot be compelled to share data with anyone. He noted that it had recently undergone a voluntary review by the federal Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which found, in his words, no unresolved national security concerns. He also said the company has a designated security officer approved by the U.S. government to ensure data security compliance. And he said all of Tutor.coms data is housed in the United States. According to the watchdog site govspend.com, states, school districts, colleges and even the Pentagon have spent more than $35 million on contracts with Tutor.com over the past decade. Among the largest: nearly $1.6 million in 2015 for online homework tutoring for the U.S. Defense Department and $1.1 million in 2022 for tutoring at California State East Bay. Following the pandemic, state and school district spending on Tutor.com, as with other tutoring providers, skyrocketed. In December, the New Hampshire Department of Education said it would offer no-cost tutoring through Tutor.com to every student in fourth- through twelfth grades, as well as to those prepping for GED exams. But many lawmakers have also sought to minimize Chinas influence in both K-12 and higher education. After Congress in 2018 targeted the nearly 100 Confucius Institutes on U.S. college campuses, restricting federal funding at schools with programs, their number dropped to fewer than five, according to a 2023 U.S. Government Accountability Office report. In 2024, lawmakers are seeking to ban TikTok due to the social media applications Chinese ownership. Primavera is a minority investor in ByteDance, TikToks parent company. ByteDance also owns the AI-powered homework helper Gauth. But Tutor.com has been the subject of much of the scrutiny around student data. In February, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, wrote to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, saying the Pentagons relationship with Tutor.com is ill-advised, reckless, and a danger to U.S. national security. Cotton said the Pentagon should end its dealings with the company, suggesting that students personal data, such as location, IP addresses and the contents of tutoring sessions, could be released to the Chinese government. He said the U.S. is paying to expose our military and their childrens private information to the Chinese Communist Party. In March, Manny Diaz, Jr., Floridas commissioner of education, sent a letter to public K-12 and higher education leaders statewide, saying Tutor.coms ties to foreign countries of concern may compromise student data privacy. Diaz said the State Board of Education had adopted rules to protect student data to keep it out of the hands of bad actors, adding that school districts, charter schools and state colleges must take the necessary steps to protect their students from nefarious foreign actors such as the Chinese Communist Party. And last month, 13 lawmakers, led by U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, sent a letter to U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, saying Tutor.com poses a significant national security threat. They asked what measures the department had taken to assess the potential national security risks associated with Tutor.coms relationship. A spokesperson for Cardona did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Neily recently told Real Americas Voice that Tutor.coms Chinese ties are something that just seemed to have slipped past the goalies. Nicole Neily appears on Real Americas Voice (Screen capture) During a segment on the company, the shows host alleged that providers like Tutor.com can gather data from even the youngest students and adapt what they need to teach these kids to make sure theyre good, functional little robots. He asked Neily, Is that the plan? She replied, That very much seems to be the plan, adding, Lets be honest, this data is not being secured by Americas best and brightest. Neily did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Tutor.coms Calvello said much of the alarm around the companys Chinese ties stems from the parents group, which he said has been promoting falsehoods that lawmakers and others have amplified. As a result, he said, a few school districts have been under pressure to drop the service, with critics quoting the parents groups materials. Were prepared to pursue legal avenues to protect our reputation and operations from false claims, he said. (KRON) A Sacramento man and a 17-year-old boy were arrested in connection with robberies that happened in Palo Alto and Belmont over the weekend. In both cases, the victims were United States Postal Service workers, the Palo Alto Police Department said. The first robbery happened at about 1:30 p.m. on Saturday in Belmont on the 700 block of Old Country Road. The Belmont Police Department said two suspects driving a black Infiniti with a stolen license plate robbed a mail carrier without a weapon, throwing the victim to the ground. San Jose girl attacked while walking home from school, police say At 2:18 p.m., PAPD received a call from someone saying two suspicious males were loitering on the 800 block of Ilima Court. After seeing the witness, they got into a black Infiniti that matched the car described by Belmont police. Several minutes later, other witnesses called PAPD to say a mail carrier was robbed by two people on the 800 block of Ilima Court. PAPD officers found the suspect vehicle driving northbound on El Camino Real near Matadero Avenue. They tried to stop the car, but it drove off at a high rate of speed, police said. The chase ended when the car crashed into a tree in a private parking lot on the 3100 block of Hansen Way, police said. Both suspects were arrested after trying to run away. Neither suspect had significant injuries. The car, which was determined to have been stolen from Alameda on May 1, was towed away. It had a license plate from a car that was stolen in Hayward on May 11, police said. Police recovered two sets of postal keys from the reported victims in Belmont and Palo Alto. Two realistic-looking replica handguns were found at the scene as well, police said. The suspects were identified as Trevionne Lamar Williams, 19, of Sacramento and an unidentified juvenile. Williams was jailed for assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse (one victim was elderly), vehicle theft and resisting arrest. He was out on bail from Sacramento County after being arrested for firearm-related crimes. The juvenile was taken to the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall. Belmont police, Palo Alto police and the USPS are investigating to see if the suspects can be linked to any other postal robberies. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Two charged with trafficking stole human remains in PA EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) Officials have charged two men for allegedly trafficking stolen human remains to Pennsylvania. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, 39-year-old Angelo Pereyra of Kansas, and 38-year-old Andrew Ensanian of Montgomery, caused stolen human remains to be transported between Kansas and Pennsylvania between 2018 and 2022. Dad of homicide suspect charged with witness taunting These charges were filed after a multi-year investigation into the nationwide trafficking of stolen human remains, investigators stated. Multiple people have been charged previously in Pennsylvania for trafficking human remains, and three have entered guilty pleas. The maximum penalty for this offense is 10 years of prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. Two more suspects arrested in shooting at Fort Worth after-prom party that killed teen Two more suspects were arrested in the deadly shooting at an after-prom party in south Fort Worth, according to jail records. Kaiis Williams, 19, and Tahvyown Williams, 18, were both taken into custody Wednesday and each face a murder charge, Fort Worth jail records show. The first suspect, 17-year-old Jerome Gray, was arrested Tuesday. He was booked on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of Daniel Olalde Moreno, 19. Olalde Moreno and two other people were shot on April 21 in the 3900 block of Singleleaf Lane in Fort Worth. All three victims were at a large senior prom after-party when a fight broke out related to a dice game and shots were fired, the homeowner told Star-Telegram media partner, WFAA-TV. The party was supposed to be a small gathering, hosted by the homeowners son an Arlington Heights High School student but hundreds of people showed up after someone posted the party on social media, the homeowner said. Police have not released details of the shooting, including what they believe motivated it. A police spokesperson Tuesday declined to update the condition of the two other victims who were shot and arrived at John Peter Smith Hospital in private vehicles, police said. Their conditions were stable in the hours after they were shot, according to police. Olalde Moreno was transported to JPS via CareFlite after he was first taken to Harris Southwest Hospital in critical condition. He died the following day at the JPS intensive care unit from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. None of the victims who were shot were at the scene when police arrived. Olalde Moreno previously attended Polytechnic High School and recently had been helping his father with masonry work, KTVT-TV reported. The Biden administration is accusing the Nicaraguan government of cynically profiting off illegal migration across the Americas, and warned the aviation and travel industries to avoid complicity in what it describes as a broad scheme by Managua to sell short-term visas to migrants through human smugglers. The White House, Treasury Department and State Department took several actions to crack down on the practice on Wednesday, sanctioning several Nicaraguan-based entities and issuing a policy alert that notifies airlines that they are being exploited, one senior administration official said on a call with reporters. The administration said Nicaragua is selling visas upon arrival at their airports to migrants that require them to leave the country within 96 hours, providing smugglers with an opportunity to transport migrants closer to the U.S.-Mexico border. They are profiting quite substantially off the facilitation of irregular migrants, a second senior administration official said, who ultimately, in many cases, make their way up toward our southwest border. The U.S. policy alert includes a number of suggestions to airlines, requesting they undertake document validation processes and take proactive measures to identify routes through Nicaragua that are known to be used by human smugglers. The administrations actions on Wednesday do not include any consequences or penalties for airlines found to be complicit in irregular migration. But U.S. officials on the call would not rule out future actions. This is something the U.S. government is watching closely, one official said. Earlier this month, the International Air Transport Association, a trade group that represents the airline industry, issued a statement that its member airlines recognize the challenges posed by irregular migration worldwide, including in the Americas, and the need for concerted action to address this complex issue. We call upon states in the region to implement public policies and migratory requirements aimed at disincentivizing irregular migration to the targeted countries of destination, the groups statement read. The industry will continue to strictly comply with all implemented regulations and requirements that contribute to mitigating and controlling irregular migration. The Treasury Department also issued sanctions on three Nicaragua-based industries over the practice, as well as against entities that have enabled antidemocratic behavior and repression by the regime of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, including the training center of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in Managua. MOSCOW, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Regarding China's efforts towards the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed positive views on China's position. In a written interview with Xinhua on the eve of his two-day state visit to China, which starts on Thursday, he said that China clearly understands the roots of the Ukraine crisis and its global geopolitical impact, as reflected in the "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis," a 12-point proposition issued by China in February 2023. The concepts and suggestions indicated in the document demonstrate the sincere desire of China to stabilize the situation, he added. Putin emphasized that the four principles for the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis recently proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping seamlessly fit in the above-mentioned document. "The steps build on the idea that we need to forego the 'Cold War mentality' and ensure indivisible security and respect for international law and the UN Charter in their entirety and interrelation," he said. "We have never refused to negotiate," Putin said. "We are seeking a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of this conflict through peaceful means. We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours." U.S. Air Force Pilot Dies After Ejector Seat Activates While Plane Is Still on Ground Capt. John Robertson died after the ejection seat of his T-6A Texan II aircraft "activated during ground operations" Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman/U.S. Air Force via AP A U.S. Air Force T-6A Texan II A U.S. Air Force instructor pilot has died after his ejector seat activated while his plane was still on the ground. On Tuesday, May 14, Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita County, Texas shared a press release confirming Capt. John Robertson of the 80th Operations Support Squadron had died in the early hours of the morning after being injured in the incident the day prior. "Captain Robertson was severely injured when the ejection seat of the T-6A Texan II aircraft he was in activated during ground operations," the release shared on Facebook stated, referencing the single-engine, two-seat trainer Robertson was in. "This is a devastating loss for Captain Robertson's family and loved ones, and for the entire 80th Flying Training Wing," acting wing commander Col. Mitchell J. Cok said. "Captain Robertson was a highly valued Airman and instructor pilot. Our deepest condolences go with all who knew and loved him," he added. 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. 2nd Lt. Logan Thomas/U.S. Air Force via AP Main gate at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas Related: WWII Airman's 'Piloting Skill' Helped Save 7 from a Crash in 1944, His Remains Have Now Been Found Cok thanked those who responded to the incident. "We are thankful for the M1 maintenance team who immediately provided live-sustaining care, and for the heroic efforts of the security forces, fire and medical personnel here on base and at United Regional Hospital," he said in the release. "Their efforts allowed time for Captain Robertson's family to be at his side when he passed," Cok concluded. An interim safety board investigation is currently underway, "and a full Air Force Safety Investigation Board is expected to be in place later this week," the release stated, adding that "the board will release its report when the investigation is complete." Related: Amelia Earharts Lost Plane May Have Been Found, Says Pilot Who Spent $11 Million to Fund Search Sheppard Air Force Base is located five miles north of Wichita Falls. Per its website, the training base was established in 1941 and "is the most diverse training installation for the Air Force, providing technically trained airmen as well as combat pilots for the Nato Alliance." "Named in honor of Senator Morris Sheppard, former chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee, Sheppard Air Force Base was activated Oct. 17, 1941, and provided aircrew and aircraft mechanics training during World War II," a description read. "Today, Sheppard is the largest and most diverse training base in Air Education and Training Command--the only Air Force base that is home to both technical and flying training," it added. Sheppard Air Force Base didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. In a policy step to ease pressure on Cuba, the Biden administration removed the communist island from the roster of countries not cooperating fully with anti-terrorist efforts, a list the U.S. State Department issues every year. According to the certification sent to Congress by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday, the State Department determined that the circumstances for Cubas certification as a not fully cooperating country have changed from 2022 to 2023, and that the department is no longer keeping Cuba on that list. A State Department spokesperson said Cubas refusal to engage with Colombia on extradition requests for National Liberation Army guerrilla members who were in Havana for peace talks supported Cubas certification in 2022. But in August 2022, Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered Colombias Attorney General to suspend the arrest warrants against 17 ELN commanders, including those in Cuba. Moreover, the United States and Cuba resumed law enforcement cooperation in 2023, including on counterterrorism, the spokesperson said. Therefore, the Department determined that Cubas continued certification as a not fully cooperating country was no longer appropriate. The State Department said that four countries the North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela were certified as not fully cooperating in 2023. Cuba remains on a separate, more important list of state sponsors of terrorism also kept by the State Department since the Trump administration included it in 2021. In the notice sent Wednesday to Congress, the State Department said that the designation of state sponsors of terrorism is wholly separate from the certification process of countries seen as not cooperating enough with U.S. counterterrorism efforts. U.S. law establishes specific statutory criteria for rescinding a state sponsor of terrorism designation, the notice said. Any review of Cubas status on that list would be based on the law and the criteria established by Congress. A section the U.S. Arms Export Control Act was amended in 1996 to give authority to the secretary of state to determine which countries are not doing enough to cooperate with the United States in preventing terrorism. The U.S. cannot sell or license defense equipment or services to those countries. The section is one of the four laws used by the secretary of state to designate countries that have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism as state sponsors of terrorism, according to the Departments website. The immediate effects of removing Cuba from the annual list of those not cooperating on counterterrorism are unclear. The United States does not sell weapons to Cuba anyway because the U.S. embargo prohibits it, and the country is still officially considered a sponsor of terrorism. The removal comes after the Cuban government has signaled it is not willing to take a first step to improve relations with the United States, including releasing any of about 1,000 political prisoners it is currently holding, if the Biden administration does not remove Cuba from the list of states sponsoring terrorism first. In a long interview published Wednesday on Granma, the Communist Party newspaper, Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel made that position explicit. We do not ask for favors, nor do we have to make any gesture to have the blockade removed; it is simply a right of the Cuban people, he said. In the interview with Spanish left-leaning journalist and activist Ignacio Ramonet, Diaz-Canel denied there has been a crackdown on people criticizing his government (protesting against the Revolution is not met with a repressive response) despite the number of people Cuba has detained and convicted for protesting, and did not take responsibility for the severe economic crisis Cubans have endured under his watch, blaming instead U.S. sanctions and Cubas designation as a sponsor of terrorism for the debacle. Reactions in Miami Despite the State Departments assurances, Cuban-American members of Congress from Miami immediately criticized Cubas removal from the not fully coopeating list, fearing it might be a first step towards a potential delisting of the island as a sponsor of terror. This latest move is, without a doubt, another sign that the Biden Administration is paving the way to remove Cuba from the list of State Sponsors of Terror, said Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, the chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs. How is it possible that a dictatorship that finances terrorism in Latin America, supports Hamas and harbors international terrorists in its territory cooperates with the United States on anti-terrorism? Salazar said in a statement. Cuba has provided asylum to several fugitives of U.S. justice it deems as political refugees, an issue that has been an obstacle to better relations. The White House is either being naive or is actively complicit with the Castro/Diaz-Canel regime, Salazar said. Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said he has already reached out to the State Department to get answers about this absurd move. President Biden is making it abundantly clear he wants to remove the Cuban dictatorship from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The criminal and illegitimate regime in Havana supports foreign terrorist organizations in Colombia, and harbors ETA terrorists and fugitives wanted by American courts. In a posting on X, Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Miami used capital letters to say that Cuba must remain on the list of states sponsoring terrorism. The dictatorship supports Hamas, Hezbollah, Putins illegal invasion of Russia, repression in Venezuela and Nicaragua, he said. They should be treated like the outcasts they are! Nominees for federal judgeships, from left, Sanket Jayshukh Bulsara of New York, Dena Coggins of California, and Eric Schulte and Camela Theeler of South Dakota participate in a hearing March 6, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy of U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee) Nominees for federal judgeships, from left, Sanket Jayshukh Bulsara of New York, Dena Coggins of California, and Eric Schulte and Camela Theeler of South Dakota participate in a hearing March 6, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy of U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee) The U.S. Senate approved one of two federal judge nominees for South Dakota on Wednesday on a vote of 61-33. Sioux Falls lawyer Eric Schulte will fill the impending vacancy of U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier, who announced her retirement last year and pledged to continue working until her replacement is appointed. Schulte, a partner at Davenport Evans and former president of the State Bar of South Dakota, secured the approval of the Senate Judiciary Committee in April alongside another Sioux Falls nominee, state Circuit Court Judge Camela Theeler. A Senate floor vote on Theeler could come as soon as Thursday. Theeler would replace Jeffrey Viken in Rapid City, who retired last October. The U.S. District Court of South Dakota has relied heavily on senior status judges, retirees Lawrence Piersol and Charles Kornmann, to manage caseloads. South Dakota Republican Senators Mike Rounds and John Thune each voted to support Schulte. Typically, Democratic presidents rely on either Democratic elected federal office-holders or state Democratic party leaders to field nominees for federal judicial vacancies, but the initial candidates offered up by state Democrats fizzled without a formal nomination. Former South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Randy Seiler, a longtime federal prosecutor and one-time candidate for state attorney general who died unexpectedly last year, had most recently submitted the name of Veronica Duffy. She was and remains a federal magistrate judge. Rounds and Thune got involved last year, and the nomination process went pretty quickly after that, according to Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond School of Law who tracks federal judge nominations. Some other nominees have waited a year, Tobias said. The Judiciary Committee endorsed Theeler 20-1 last month, with the only opposition from Missouri Republican Josh Hawley. Schulte had more resistance, passing through with a 12-9 vote. The only Republican who supported him was Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. There was a measure of uncertainty about Schulte for that reason, Tobias said, but the Wednesday vote came without controversy. There were two minutes of debate, and nobody even talked about him. Tobias expects a smooth ride for Theeler, as there was nothing controversial about her with a 20-1 vote. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post U.S. Senate approves Sioux Falls lawyer for federal judgeship appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. Since late 2022, the United States has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of Chinese migrants crossing the southern border. American immigration authorities arrested 37,000 Chinese nationals at the border in 2023over 10 times the number arrested the year beforeper an Associated Press report. There is no shortage of people who are suspicious of the migrants (and who insinuate that they're coming to sow chaos on China's behalf). "They're all military age and they mostly are men," observed former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally last month. "And it sounds like to me, are they trying to build a little army in our country?" The America First Policy Institute called the influx "the Trojan horse at the southern border," suggesting that "Chinese nationals pose a heightened risk to U.S. national security" due to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its National Intelligence Law, "which states that any citizen must assist their intelligence network if called." The Republican National Committee has condemned the Biden administration for "Chinese military-aged men" entering the country. The Federation for American Immigration Reform cited the "inherent danger created when aliens from adversarial nations flood our border." There are many reasons why Chinese migrants are the fastest-growing group attempting to cross the southern border (though those numbers have fallen in early 2024). Recent research and reportingand common sensecast doubt on the overly simplistic idea that Chinese border crossers are primarily coming to the U.S. to threaten national security and create disorder. It's far more likely that the average Chinese migrant is coming for the same reasons that other migrants do: to seek political and economic freedom. Rather than rebuking the people who go to such great lengths to flee China's authoritarian regime, the U.S. should welcome them. A new report from the Niskanen Center, a public policy think tank, found that many Chinese emigrants are coming from areas experiencing repression such as Hong Kong and Xinjiang, the province where the Chinese government is committing ongoing human rights abuses against the Uyghur people. Niskanen based its estimates on Ecuadorian travel statistics: "Since most Chinese migrants enter the Americas via Ecuador, these records can reasonably be used to draw inferences about irregular Chinese migration." However, author Gil Guerra cautions that "the numbers from this dataset need to be stronger to indicate that persecution is a necessary driver for irregular travel from China to Ecuador," noting that other provinces that have experienced broad repression, such as the Tibet Autonomous Region, did not record outbound travel to the same degree as Hong Kong and Xinjiang. The Niskanen report suggests that economic decline may play a role in Chinese out-migration, noting that three provinces from China's "Rust Belt" rank in the top third of origin regions when adjusted for population. The economic consequences of China's pandemic policy are also at play: "In many cases those attempting to make the crossing are small-business owners who saw irreparable damage to their primary or sole source of income due to China's 'zero COVID' policies," wrote Meredith Oyen, a historian at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, last month. "The increase in Chinese arrivals is also a response to U.S. politics," wrote Foreign Policy Deputy Editor James Palmer last week. "During the pandemic, U.S. business and tourist visas became harder for Chinese citizens to obtain." (Per CBS News, the U.S. issued 2.2 million temporary visas to Chinese nationals in 2016, but that number dropped to 160,000 in 2022.) "The acceptance rate for Chinese asylum claims," Palmer added, "is a relatively high 55 percent," at least somewhat attributable to "U.S.-China tensions and growing human rights abuses under Chinese President Xi Jinping." Critics of the uptick in Chinese border crossers might look at all of this and nonetheless worry about individual security risks, fret over an influx of "military-aged men," or allege that the CCP is carrying out a sophisticated infiltration scheme via asylum seekers. But there are a few issues with this line of thinking, as Guerra has pointed out. For one, "you have to believe that the CCP is spending thousands of dollars per head to send each migrant through a lawless and dangerous route with multiple points of failure where they can be kidnapped, killed, or stopped by local authorities," Guerra argued. That might make sense if the point was for migrants to evade detection, but in reality, Chinese nationals "are presenting themselves for asylum at overwhelming rates." That process involves the collection of biometric data and presents the risk that they'll be "denied asylum or put in custody." While the CCP "absolutely abuses our immigration system to conduct espionage," said Guerra, it prefers legal channels "because they have less risk and more predictable outcomes." What pops up over and over in reports about Chinese asylum seekers is their desire for freedom. The A.P. noted that migrants said they were leaving "an increasingly repressive political climate and bleak economic prospects"and that "there has been no evidence that they have tried to mount a military force or training network." Given what China isa country under the thumb of an authoritarian government, where civil liberties and basic freedoms are under constant threatit should come as no surprise that the U.S. is an attractive destination for the people who choose to flee. That isn't evidence of a grand, complex espionage plan but a manifestation of all the usual reasons people choose to immigrate, and all the more reason to welcome Chinese migrants. The post The U.S. Should Welcome Chinese Migrants appeared first on Reason.com. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) An engineering professor from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) was awarded $600,000 to study how batteries degrade in various temperatures in the ocean. The Department of Defense (DOD) announced that Dr. George Nelson, a professor in the College of Engineering at UAH, won a Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) award. Concerts in the Park series to return to Huntsville this summer My research group has been working on battery performance and degradation for some time, but when it comes to studying temperature effects weve focused on higher temperature operation, like leaving an EV in the sun on a hot day, Nelson says. He will be conducting a three-year study in collaboration with Purdue University as part of the DEPSCoR Research Collaborations program. When I started discussing relevant temperature ranges with my collaborator at Purdue, the topic of operation at colder ocean temperatures, like those seen in UUVs, surfaced. We were not aware of studies that involved high-capacity materials at low temperatures, so it seemed natural to pursue that area and advance the current knowledge base, Nelson stated. On March 19, the DOD announced that they awarded $17.6 million to 27 collaborative academic teams under the DEPSCoR program. The competition is open to tenured and those who are tenure-track faculty in 37 eligible states and territories. The Department of Defenses science and technology mission relies on an ecosystem of creative and insightful researchers in every state, said Dr. Bindu Nair, director of DODs Basic Research Office. City of Muscle Shoals announces $65 million sports, entertainment facility Nelson was one of the principal investigators from universities in Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin will lead these teams. The DOD states that each team will receive up to $600,000 over three years to pursue science and engineering research relevant to the department. Nelson will be working with Dr. Partha Mukherjee from Purdue University, whom he says he has known for over a decade. Hes a collaborator and friend, Nelson added. Our first research project, on tin alloys for lithium-ion batteries, was funded by the National Science Foundation. When I saw the DEPSCoR funding opportunity, the description of the topic on batteries basically said your research. Alabama and Indiana were eligible states, and I knew Partha had experience with DOD projects. So, I contacted him right away, and we hit the ground running. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Pro-Palestinian protesters at UC Berkeley have removed tents on a central campus plaza in an agreement that appeared to end one of the largest and longest student encampments in the country as Chancellor Carol Christ said she would initiate a discussion about the university's investments in weapons companies and the possible divestment from them. The move to dismantle the encampment, which swelled to more than 180 tents and hundreds of students at its peak, notably included no police presence or arrests at a time when some universities including UCLA, USC, Pomona College and Cal Poly Humboldt have faced immense criticism for using police to clear camps or building takeovers by pro-Palestinian protesters. Ongoing turmoil has racked UCLA since an encampment there came under a violent mob attack two weeks ago. The Berkeley agreement joins ones at at least four other California universities and several across the country that have forged settlements with activists to end campus encampments that some Jewish students say have included antisemitic signage and chants. While no schools have agreed specifically to divest from ties to Israel a demand of protesters each has indicated that it will explore proposals to tighten investment policies regarding companies that sell weapons. Pro-Palestinian protesters at UC Berkeley said they dismantled their encampment and were going to protest at the UC regents meeting at UC Merced on Wednesday. (Hannah Wiley / Los Angeles Times) At UC Berkeley, in two letters released Tuesday on the university website, Christ rejected calls for the university to directly target Israel through divestment or cutting ties with Israeli universities. Instead, she said the university would review complaints about discrimination against Palestinians and other groups in academic partnerships such as exchange programs. And the chancellor said she supported examining Berkeley's investments in "a targeted list of companies due to their participation in weapons manufacturing, mass incarceration, and/or surveillance industries." The letters said that the university would create a task force by the end of June that includes faculty, students and staff to examine whether the investments of the UC Berkeley Foundation, the universitys primary private fundraising arm, "align with our values or should be modified in order to do so." As of June 30, UC Berkeley's endowment had a total market value of $7.4 billion, with $2.9 billion held by the UC Berkeley Foundation and $4.5 billion held by the University of California regents. Christ said she expected a report on findings by the fall. She also agreed to push UC regents on divestment. "I will encourage the Chair of the Regents Investment Committee to develop a framework to consider ethical issues concerning investment and any changes in investment strategy. Such a framework should involve broad-based engagement with the community," one letter said. The chancellor had resisted pressure to forcibly take down the encampment and instead sought to negotiate with protesters. In an interview with The Times last week, she said the Berkeley encampment had been "largely peaceful, very well run," although some of the protest banners had disturbed her. "Ive got a long history of Berkeley, and in my experience protests dont end with police action," Christ said. "They end with negotiations." Read more: A staggering two weeks at UCLA: Protest, violence, division mark 'dark chapter' On Tuesday afternoon, a banner displayed across Sproul Hall before campers departed read, "Free Palestine encampment until UC divests. Glory to the martyrs, victory to the resistance." Students, who staged a rally Tuesday afternoon, read Christ's letters and applauded the chancellor's expression of support for an "immediate and permanent cease-fire" in the Israel-Hamas war. Activists said their protests are not over. "We are not declaring victory. We are saying it is time to move on to the next step, to take this campaign, to take this movement, to the office of the regents, to the office of the president, until we win complete divestment," a student leader said. Divestment "wont come from Berkeley. It will come from the regents ... deciding and determining that, Yes, we no longer want to have blood on our hands,'" said Banan Abdelrahman, a graduate student and member of the UC Berkeley Divest coalition. In a statement released Tuesday evening, organizers of the encampment said, "Palestinians have given us the roadmap to liberation, and we will keep treading that path from Berkeley to Merced all the way to a free Jerusalem in a free Palestine." Students said they would travel to UC Merced, where protesters from across the state planned to converge at Wednesday's regents meeting. Speaking at the regents committee meeting Tuesday in Merced, UC Chief Investment Officer Jagdeep Singh Bachher said that more than 18% of UCs $175 billion in investments is tied to Israel, weapons companies and other holdings targeted by pro-Palestinian divestment activists. He said the funds were indirectly invested, such as through index mutual funds or U.S. Treasury bonds. Berkeley protesters also encouraged members of the UAW Local 4811 academic workers union to support a strike vote. Results were expected Wednesday night. The union, which represents 48,000 workers across the 10 University of California campuses, including graduate students who are teaching assistants, has filed unfair labor practice charges against the university system after arrests of pro-Palestinian graduate student protesters at UCLA and the issuing of suspensions and other discipline at UC San Diego and UC Irvine. The union has accused the university of retaliating against student workers and unlawfully changing workplace policies to suppress pro-Palestinian speech. The dismantling of the UC Berkeley encampment does not end the controversy at the university. The campus for months has been roiled by deep divisions over pro-Palestinian activism, which some members of the Jewish community said has veered into antisemitism. Read more: 'Please leave!' A Jewish UC Berkeley dean confronts pro-Palestinian activist at his home The Bay Area Jewish Community Relations Council criticized the university for its response. "The concessions that have come as a result of the encampment have rewarded students for violating university rules and harassing other students, particularly Jewish students," said Jeremy Russell, a spokesman for the council. "It's appalling that the administration was not able to respect the activists' right to free speech and peaceful protest without capitulating to demands and encouraging, even if inadvertently, the violation of their own policies." In March, the U.S. Department of Education launched a civil rights investigation into UC Berkeley over potential shared ancestry violations of Title Vl of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The law bans discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, including harassment based on a shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. The investigation followed a volatile incident in February when protesters targeted a campus event featuring a controversial Israeli speaker. The protest escalated and UC Berkeley police evacuated the event as demonstrators broke open a door to the building and shattered a window. The university launched its own investigation into the incident. A rescheduled event for the speaker later took place without incident. The UC Berkeley pro-Palestinian protesters, a coalition of dozens of university groups, set up the camp April 22. It had demanded that the university call for a cease-fire in the war in Gaza, divest from investments in weapons and military companies tied to the war and Israel's occupation of the West Bank, sever ties with Israeli universities and establish a Palestinian Studies program. The University of California has rejected calls for divestment. In late April, it said in a statement that the university system "has consistently opposed calls for boycott against and divestment from Israel. ... A boycott of this sort impinges on the academic freedom of our students and faculty and the unfettered exchange of ideas on our campuses." In her Tuesday letters, Christ, who is retiring at the end of June, reiterated the position. "As stated by the University of California Office of the President, divestment from companies on the basis of whether or not they do business with or in Israel is not supported. The sale of direct investments is not within the authority of the Office of the Chancellor but rather lies with the UC regents." Read more: 'We will not move.' Pro-Palestinian encampments, protests grow at California universities Also on Tuesday, Harvard University activists who had set up for 20 days in Harvard Yard said they would end their protest. The university did not agree to divestment. It said in a statement that it would "pursue a meeting between encampment participants and the chair of the corporation committee on shareholder responsibility and other university leaders for a discussion regarding students questions related to the endowment. Harvard also said it would reinstate at least 22 student protesters who had been put on involuntary leaves of absence. "We are under no illusions: we do not believe these meetings are divestment wins. These side-deals are intended to pacify us away from full disclosure & divestment. Rest assured, they will not, said a statement from the encampment group, Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine. The recent agreements between colleges and student protesters in California share similarities in providing official forums for discussion on investments, although some go further on divestment. UC Riverside Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox signed off May 3 on an agreement to end the encampment at his campus. It was the first such agreement at a UC campus and said that the university would publicly make a "full disclosure" of the companies and size of its investments. It also said that UC Riverside would form a task force that includes students and faculty to "explore the removal of UCR's endowment from the management of the UC investments office and the investment of said endowment in a manner that will be financially and ethically sound for the university with consideration to the companies involved in arms manufacturing and delivery." The task force would present its findings to the board of trustees by March 21, 2025. "It has been my goal to resolve this matter peacefully and I am encouraged by this outcome which was generated through constructive dialogue, Wilcox said in a statement. This agreement does not change the realities of the war in Gaza, or the need to address antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias and discrimination," Wilcox said. "However, I am grateful that we can have constructive and peaceful conversations on how to address these complex issues. A sign on the site of the UC Berkeley encampment signaled protesters' next move. (Hannah Wiley / Los Angeles Times) Sacramento State President Luke Wood announced May 8 that the university had agreed with protesters to change its investment policy for its five auxiliaries managed by the university including a philanthropic and fundraising arm to focus only on "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." The university also said it did not have direct ties to funds related to the Israeli military. At Occidental College, a pro-Palestinian encampment came down Friday after an agreement was signed that said the colleges board of trustees would vote by June 6 on whether to divest from companies with ties to Israel. "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 said. On Tuesday, protesters at Sonoma State University agreed to end their encampment after President Mike Lee met several demands, including vowing to create a Palestinian studies curriculum and not pursue academic partnerships that are "sponsored by, or represent, the Israeli state academic and research institutions." Lee said the university would look into "divestment strategies." Kaleem reported from Los Angeles, Watanabe from Merced and Wiley from Berkeley. 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. UK intelligence has analysed how Russian missile attacks are destroying Ukraine's cultural, historical and religious heritage. Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 15 May on Twitter, as reported by European Pravda UK intelligence decided to devote a review to this topic since 14 May marked the 70th anniversary of adopting the UNESCO Convention for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict. Analysts cited data from the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, according to which, as of 2 May 2024, a total of 1,987 cultural institutions have suffered losses and damage since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The ministry estimates that as of 6 May 2024, 1,062 cultural heritage sites have been destroyed or damaged since the beginning of the Russian invasion. UNESCO has separately confirmed damage to 129 religious sites as of 10 April. In mid-February 2024, UNESCO estimated Russia-inflicted damage to Ukraine's cultural heritage at US$3.5 billion, which will take ten years and US$9 billion to restore. Quote: "As the war continues, Russia's military apparatus will likely continue to cause damages to Ukraine's historical and cultural heritage," the review says. Background: In a preliminary review, UK intelligence noted that it is unlikely that Russia has built up enough combat power to capture Kharkiv without involving its additional forces in the oblast. Before that, Intelligence noted that the Russian army increasingly often uses light all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles for military purposes. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine asks US to lift ban on using American arms to strike at Russian territory Ukrainian officials are trying to convince Washington to allow Kyiv to strike at Russian territory with U.S.-supplied weapons, saying the ban prevented them from attacking Russian troops amassing near Kharkiv Oblast, Politico reported on May 14. Moscow's troops launched a new offensive into northeastern Kharkiv Oblast through the Russo-Ukrainian border on May 10, with 30,000 troops reportedly involved in the operation. A group of Ukrainian parliamentarians is in Washington this week to mobilize support in the U.S. Congress, saying that the ban prevented them from hitting Russian military depots across the border, Politico wrote. The U.S. has supplied Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine reportedly used to strike Russian targets in occupied Crimea. Washington's restrictions, as described by Ukrainian officials, would prevent the replication of such an attack inside Russian territory. "The main problem right now is the White House policy to limit our capability" to strike military targets inside Russia, said David Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of President Volodymyr Zelensky's party, the Servant of the People. Read also: Ukraine war latest: 30,000 Russian troops involved in Kharkiv Oblast offensive, Ukrainian official says "We saw their military sitting one or two kilometers from the border inside Russia, and there was nothing we could do about that," Oleksandra Ustinova, the head of the Ukraine's parliamentary commission on arms and ammunition, told Politico in a separate interview. "(T)hey (Russia) know there is a restriction for Ukrainians to shoot at the Russian territory. And we saw all of their military equipment sitting one or two kilometers from the border (near Kharkiv), and there was nothing we could do," Ustinova noted. Two unnamed U.S. officials told Politico that Washington's policy on the issue has not changed. "The assistance is for the defense and not for offensive operations in Russian territory," one of them told the news outlet. The U.K. recently said that it does not oppose Ukraine using British-supplied weapons to strike directly at Russia. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said earlier in May that several countries had sent weapons to Kyiv with no restrictions on strikes inside Russian territory. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The boy is an orphan. Since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion, his neighbour has been taking care of him. Photo: MANGPOR_2004/GETTY IMAGES Denys, a 17-year-old teenage boy has been brought to Ukraine-controlled territory from the temporarily occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Source: press service of the Ministry for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Details: Denys is an orphan who has been living in the occupied territory since the beginning of the full-scale war under the care of a neighbour and has been looking for an opportunity to leave the occupation. Ukraines Ministry for Reintegration and the Ukrainian Child Rights Network helped Denys evacuate. At the moment, he is under his aunts guardianship. Denys will be provided with social and psychological help and basic necessities. "The teenage boy will soon go to a rehabilitation camp in the town of Truskavets. There, the specialists will help him not only recover psychologically but also spend useful and interesting time with his peers," the Ministry for Reintegration reported. The ministry added that it is possible to inform Natalia Yemets, profile specialist of the Ministry for Reintegration, about illegally displaced children in the temporarily occupied territories by calling the number (050) 562-03-13 or to call the hotline 15-48 or 16-48. Earlier, six children from the temporarily occupied part of Kherson Oblast were brought back to Ukraine-controlled territory. At the moment, they are safe and treated by medics and psychologists. Support UP or become our patron! MOSCOW, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Russian forces have taken control of two settlements in the Kharkov region and the Rabotino settlement in the Zaporizhzhia region, the country's defense ministry said Wednesday. The settlements of Glubokoe and Lukyantsy in the Kharkov region are under control of units of the North groups of troops "as a result of active operations," the ministry said, adding that the Russian armed forces had advanced deep into Ukrainian defenses. Units of the Dnepr group of troops have also taken control of the Rabotino settlement in the Zaporizhzhia region, one of only a handful of settlements Kiev retook in its summer counteroffensive last year, according to the defense ministry. Russia launched a fresh offensive in the Kharkov region and has been steadily advancing for the past several days. The Russian defense ministry said earlier on Monday that the country's forces had captured the settlements of Gatyshche, Krasnoye, Morokhovets and Oleynikovo. Ukraine chooses its own tactics: Blinken comments on strikes on Russia US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has commented on the possibility of Ukraine using American weapons on Russian territory. Source: European Pravda, citing Blinken's statement at the joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv Details: Blinken dodged a direct answer to whether the US would allow strikes on Russian territory with American weapons, but reiterated that the US does not oppose strikes on Russia in principle, either. "We have clearly marked our policy, but this is a decision for Ukraine to make. And we will ensure that Ukraine has the weaponry it needs to succeed on the battlefield," he stated. Background: In early May, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, during his visit to Kyiv, stated that Ukraine has the right to use the weaponry provided by London to strike targets on Russian territory. Latvia's newly appointed Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said that Ukraine received Western weapons from some partners with a permission to strike at Russian territory. She did not specify which countries she was referring to. The UK supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow cruise missiles with a range of over 250 km. Ukraine began using them last spring. Support UP or become our patron! More Ukrainian forces are being deployed to Kharkiv Oblast amid Russia's offensive in the region, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 15, following a meeting with top military commanders. Russia launched a new offensive into northeastern Kharkiv Oblast on May 10, with 30,000 Russian soldiers reportedly involved in the operation. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on May 13 that reserves were being deployed to the area. Heavy battles are ongoing in the direction of the village of Lyptsi and the town of Vovchansk, where the local police chief reported Russian soldiers had taken up positions on the morning of May 15. Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson of the Khortytsia group of forces, said on air on May 15 that the situation in the region has somewhat stabilized. Ukrainian forces repelled 11 Russian attacks in the area over the past day, Voloshyn said. Zelensky discussed the situation with Chief of the General Staff Anatolii Barhylevych and Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, as well as the heads of the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard. "Additional forces are being deployed, there are reserves," the report from the Presidential Office said. Zelensky has postponed all international trips planned for the coming days, the Presidential Office said. "We are grateful to our partners for their understanding." Ukraine's military intelligence warned on May 14 that once the situation in Kharkiv Oblast has fully stabilized, Russia may launch a new offensive in neighboring Sumy Oblast. Read also: Russias new Kharkiv offensive pushes Vovchansk to the brink of annihilation Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine has drawn back troops near several villages in the northeastern Kharkiv region, where Russian forces have been advancing and storming through settlements along the border, Kyiv has announced. Moscow launched a surprise ground assault on Ukraines second-largest city last week, as the war-ravaged country struggled to hold back the incursion with fast dwindling arms and manpower. In some areas, around Lukyantsi and Vovchansk, in response to enemy fire and assaults from ground troops, and to save the lives of our servicemen and avoid losses, our units manoeuvered and moved to more advantageous positions, the Ukrainian military said late Tuesday. Both sides have consistently used the language of moving to more advantageous positions to signpost retreats. The northeastern villages around 30 km apart are close to the border with Russia, forging a fresh offensive in the war that has long been waged in the east and south. Follow the latest updates below 02:10 PM BST Thanks for following todays live blog Thank you for following todays live coverage of the war in Ukraine. Well be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict. 01:47 PM BST Blinkens guitar performance seen as tone-deaf Earlier, we reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken took to the stage in a basement bar in Kyiv late on Tuesday night (see post at 7:52 am). Where his performance drew applause from the audience, it has since stirred some online criticism from people who denounced the performance as tone-deaf. 01:41 PM BST Two killed in Russian air strike on Ukrainian city of Dnipro The regional governor of Dnipro, Ukraines fourth largest city, says at least two people have been killed in a Russian attack. Governor Sergiy Lysak made the announcement in a post on Telegram, writing: The enemy attacked the city of Dnipro. Infrastructure was damaged. As of now, two people died. Dnipro, Ukraines fourth largest city, is more than 100 miles from the frontline in eastern Ukraine, but has a key logistics hub during Russias full-scale attack. 01:32 PM BST Watch: Russian airstrikes hit Kharkiv residential building We reported earlier today that Russia carried out a series of aerial strikes on residential areas in the city of Kharkiv on Tuesday (see post at 8:31 am). At least 20 people were injured, according to local officials. One of the sites struck was a 20-storey building in the city centre, emergency services said. Regional prosecutors added that Russia used its new guided UMPB D-30 missiles, capable of of reaching distances up to 90 km, in that attack. 01:27 PM BST Putin: Russian troops are improving positions in Ukraine every day Vladimir Putin has said Russian troops in Ukraine are improving positions in all directions every day and Moscows military offensive in the country is going to plan. 01:10 PM BST Ukraine evacuates 8,000 residents from Kharkiv region Ukraine has evacuated around 8,000 people from its northeastern Kharkiv region amid Russias major cross-border attack on the region, the countrys emergency services said on Wednesday. Posting on the agencys official Telegram channel, it says most of the evacuees are women, elderly people, people with reduced mobility, and people with disabilities and children. 01:07 PM BST Blinken: US remains deeply concerned over Chinas support for Russia Antony Blinken has said the US remains deeply concerned about Chinas support for Russias industrial defence base. The US secretary of state told a news conference in Kyiv that China has so far refrained from providing weapons to Russia, but it will continue to sanction against any enterprises that are involved in support for Moscow. China has held back from providing weapons to Russia, but we are deeply concerned about its support for Russias defence industrial base, said Mr Blinken. It comes just a day ahead of Vladimir Putins visit to Beijing, where he is expected to emphasise the pairs no limits partnership (see post at 7:40 am). 12:57 PM BST Biden could meet Ukraines Zelensky in coming weeks, Blinken says US President Joe Biden could meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in the coming weeks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. Mr Blinken added that Washington strongly supported a planned Ukrainian peace summit in Switzerland set for next month and would be robustly represented there. US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in December 2023 - MANDEL NGAN/AFP 12:48 PM BST Blinken: US does not encourage Ukrainian strikes on Russia with US weapons The United States does not encourage Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia with US-supplied weapons but believes it is a decision Kyiv should make for itself, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. Mr Blinken made the comment at a press conference in Kyiv after weeks of regular missile and drone strikes across Russia, that Ukraine has not officially confirmed. 12:42 PM BST US promises further $2 billion aid package for Ukraine US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the US will provide an additional $2bn (1.6bn) in military aid to Ukraine. Speaking from Kyiv, he said the new military funding will be able to invest in Ukraines industrial base and provide the war-torn country with weapons as soon as today. Were rushing ammunition, armoured vehicles, missiles, air defenses to get them to the front lines, he told a joint press conference in Kyiv alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday. The secretary of state said the US is intensely focused on providing patriot missile systems and other forms of critical air defence to Ukraine, which Volodymyr Zelenskyy has persistently asked allies for. The remark comes as Ukrainian forces battled a Russian ground incursion into the northeastern Kharkiv region that threatens to stretch its defences. 11:58 AM BST Blinken praises Ukrainian resilience as he tours Kyiv grain facility US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised the resilience of Ukraines grain production amidst Russias attacks on the country. Russia has struck ports and infrastructure since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, worsening a global food crisis, but grain exports have recovered amid Ukrainian attacks on Russias Black Sea fleet. Mr Blinkens trip comes after US Congress last month passed a $61 billion (48 billion) major military aid package, following a six month delay during which Russia gained advantage on the battlefield. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds a 3D-printed eagle as he visits a drone production facility, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine - Courtney McBride/REUTERS 11:37 AM BST Russia takes control of three more Ukrainian settlements, defence ministry says The Russian defence ministry has claimed have seized three more settlements in Ukraine, the state-owned news agency RIA has reported. Two of the settlements - Hlyboke and Lukiantsi - are in the Kharkiv region and one - Robotyne - is in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to the report. Intense fighting has spread across the Kharkiv region, particuarly in parts of Vovchansk and the border village of Buhruvatka. The southeastern Zaporizhzhia region has also previously been targeted by Moscow due its nuclear power plant. The Telegraph cannot independently verify these battlefield claims. 11:09 AM BST Zelensky postpones all foreign visits amid Russian offensive Volodymyr Zelensky has suspended all international visits due to the situation in the Kharkiv region, his press secretary has said. Sergii Nykyforov announced on Facebook that the Ukrainian President ordered for all international events scheduled for the coming days be postponed and new dates coordinated. Earlier today, Mr Zelensky cancelled trips to Spain and Portugal, but did not specify as to why (see our post at 8:17 am). Ukraine's Zelensky postpones foreign visits amid Russian offensive - Brendan Smialowski/REUTERS 10:59 AM BST Pictured: locals flee as Russian troops enter Vovchansk We reported earlier that Russian forces are infiltrating the border town of Vovchansk, with the head of the Ukrainian police force in the Kharkiv region describing the situation as extremely difficult (see our post at 9:02 am). Thousands of civilians have fled west in recent days towards Ukraines second-largest city of Kharkiv - including from the town of Vovchansk, located 45 miles away. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been working in the evacuation hub in Kharkiv, providing medical aid and emergency items. Evacuation buses continue to bring in new people. Everyone is visibly distressed from enduring relentless shelling for a week, said Andrii Semenko, the IRC Child Protection Senior Officer. Many, especially the elderly, were hesitant to leave their homes until the very last moment, persuaded only by the pleas of their neighbors and relatives. A local resident evacuates to Kharkiv due to Russian shelling, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Vovchansk in Kharkiv region - REUTERS Vovchansk area residents, who fled due to Russian military strikes, arrive at an evacuation centre, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region - Valentyn Ogirenko/REUTERS 10:45 AM BST Irish welfare cuts will hit one in three Ukrainian refugees, says minister Irelands move to slash welfare payments for Ukrainian refugees in state accommodation will impact almost one third of the 86,000 people who fled Russias invasion and remain in Ireland, Finance Minister Michael McGrath said on Wednesday. Almost 50,000 Ukrainian refugees are living in state-funded accommodation, such as hotels where they are provided with meals. We estimate that approximately 86,000 of that 107,000 who came here from Ukraine remain in the state and this change will impact on about 27,000, McGrath told national broadcaster RTE. It comes as rapidly rising numbers of asylum seekers has compounded the housing of refugees in Ireland as it struggles to boost the acute housing shortage. 10:34 AM BST Russia downs 10 Atacms missiles over Crimea The Russian defence ministry claimed its air forces destroyed 10 long-range missiles known as ATACMS that Ukraines military launched overnight at Crimea. The ministry did not say in its statement on the Telegram messaging app whether there was any damage as a result of the attack, but the Russia-installed governor of the Crimean port of Sevastopol said that missile debris fell onto a residential area. According to preliminary information, no one was injured , Mikhail Razvozhayev, the governor, said on his Telegram messaging channel. A US official said on Tuesday that ATACMS and air defence interceptors approved by Joe Biden on April 24 were already reaching the Ukrainian forces. It came as the head of Kyivs military intelligence warned Russias shock new frontline offensive in the northeastern put Ukraine on the edge, with Moscow troops storming towards Kharkiv. U.S. officials say Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles - John Hamilton/White Sands Missile Range 09:57 AM BST All US weapons sent to Ukraine will be destroyed, Russia warns Russias foreign ministry spokeswoman has said Moscow will destroy all US military equipment supplied to Ukraine. Maria Zakharovas stark warning comes after US secretary of state Antony Blinken assured Ukrainian leaders in Kiev that billions of dollars worth of American military aid was on its way after months of political delays Blinken added that the fresh supplies will make a real difference on the battlefield. The US-aid package sets aside $61bn (48.1bn) for Ukraine, much of which will go toward replenishing heavily depleted artillery and air defence systems. Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova - Maxim Shemetov/REUTERS 09:41 AM BST Intensifying war increasing threat to Ukraine economy, EBRD warns Ukraines war-ravaged economy is crippling under Russias escalating attack on the country, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has warned. In its latest economic update, the EBRD slashed its growth forecasts and said the toll of two years of fighting in Ukraine was also rippling into neighbouring regions. Beata Javorcik, the EBRDs chief economist, said the war was casting a long shadow, as Russias escalations take its toll on power plants and forced Kyiv to rush key workers to the frontline. Mobilising additional men to fight will hit the economy, and the destruction of power generation is something that will have repercussions. The situation is challenging, said Ms Javorcik. 09:24 AM BST Watch: Telegraph Dispatch from Kharkiv Front Lines Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraines second-largest city following Fridays surprise incursions across the border. The Russian army have seized at least nine villages and settlements in one of the most significant ground attacks since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Read the full frontline dispatch here. 09:02 AM BST Situation in Kharkiv town extremely difficult, says police chief The head of the Ukrainian police force in the Kharkiv region has described the situation in the border town of Vovchansk as extremely difficult. Oleksiy Kharkivskiy, Vovchansks patrol police chief, said on Wednesday that Russian forces are establishing positions inside the town. The situation is extremely difficult. The enemy is taking positions on the streets of the town of Vovchansk, said Kharkivskiy on Facebook. Yesterday, it was reported that Russian forces had unleashed a ferocious attack on Vovchansk, using a combination of airstrikes, gliding bombs, armed drones and heavy artillery. 08:46 AM BST President Zelensky: Clear political decisions are needed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on political partners to help strengthen Ukraines air defence, as Russian forces move in on Kharkiv. To increase protection against Russian terror, our air defence must be strengthened, including by expanding the fighter jet coalition and expediting training and delivery, he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He added: We know what capabilities our partners have. Clear political decisions are needed. Every day, Russian terrorists use missiles and guided aerial bombs to strike Kharkiv and other cities and communities in the border and frontline areas. To increase protection against Russian terror, our air defense must be strengthened, including by expanding the fighter jet pic.twitter.com/LOxJ00KCVC Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) May 14, 2024 08:31 AM BST Pictured: Aftermath of Russian strike in Kharkiv Emergency teams have swarmed the scene of a Russian airstrikes in Kharkiv. Ukraines northern region of Kharkiv is enduring heavy fighting as Russian troops pushed on with ground and air offensives on Wednesday, Ukraines army said. Heavy fighting is ongoing, said General Serhii Melnyk, Commander of the Kharkiv city defense forces. Three combat engagements are still ongoing. The region is where Russian forces are pounding its new ground offensive, forcing Ukraine to rush in reinforcements. A Russian missile damaged a residential building in Kharkiv, Ukraine - Svet Jacqueline/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Emergency services fight a fire following a Russian air strike on May 14, 2024 near Kharkiv, Ukraine - Libkos/Getty Images 08:17 AM BST Ukraines Zelensky cancels visit to Spain and Portugal Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has cancelled a visit to Spain and Portugal, authorities said on Wednesday, with CNN Portugal and other media reporting it was because of renewed ground assault in his country. King Felipe of Spain was due to hold a reception for Zelensky on Friday.. Zelensky had also been expected to sign a bilateral security cooperation agreement with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez following a joint declaration by NATO last year. A spokesperson for the Portuguese government said the Ukraine president had cancelled the visit but did not give a reason, while the Spanish government said it could not comment for security reasons. Alongside other European Union countries, Spain vowed to support Ukraine with financial and military aid following Russias invasion in February 2022. 08:04 AM BST Emergency blackouts hit Ukraine after relentless attacks on power grid Ukraines state-owned grid operator announced on Tuesday that emergency power cuts will be introduced following Russian assault on the countrys energy infrastructure. Emergency shutdowns across Ukraine were implemented from 9 p.m. to midnight local time Tuesday, according to Ukrenergo. It comes as Moscow has ramped up efforts to cripple Ukraines energy system in the past month, as Kyivs troops struggle to hold positions on key frontlines, particularly in the east. Russian forces launched a massive missile attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure last week, targeting power generation and transmission facilities in the Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia regions. 07:52 AM BST Free world is with you: Antony Blinken plays guitar in Kyiv bar Antony Blinken took to the stage at a basement bar in Kyiv on Tuesday, playing a red guitar with a Ukrainian band and belting Neil Youngs 1989 hit Rockin in the Free World. The US Secretary of State joined band 19.99 on stage at Barman Dictat in the Ukrainian capital. They played Neil Youngs Rockin in the Free World, a rock anthem released in 1989 just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Your soldiers, your citizens particularly in the northeast, in Kharkiv are suffering tremendously, he said. But they need to know, you need to know, the United States is with you, so much of the world is with you and theyre fighting not just for a free Ukraine, but for the free world. And the free world is with you, too. The visit, in which Blinken met with President Volodymyr Zelensky, comes as Russian forces make significant gains on the battlefield. 07:40 AM BST Putin set to meet Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday Russian President Vladimir Putins Beijing visit on Thursday will mark the inception of his new presidential term with a show of support from his most powerful political ally, Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Putins two-day trip is expected to be light on hard deals, but will highlight the pairs famed no limits partnership in defiance from pressure from the United States over Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed Putins trip on Tuesday, saying Xi and Putin would exchange views on ties and international and regional issues of common concern. 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. Ukraine implemented rolling blackouts on May 15 due to power shortages caused by Russian attacks, Ukraine's state-owned energy operator Ukrenergo announced. Moscow has recently intensified its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine's critical infrastructure, destroying several thermal power plants across the country. This included the Trypillia plant, the main electricity supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts. Earlier in the day, Ukrenergo introduced emergency shutdowns for industrial and domestic users from 7:25 to 10 p.m. local time across all regions of Ukraine. Limitations are being introduced across the country as energy consumption increased after a temperature drop, according to Ukrenergo. "The capacity of Ukrainian power plants is not enough due to the consequences of five missile and drone attacks carried out by Russia on Ukraine's energy system since March 22," Ukrenergo's statement read. The restrictions for industrial and domestic users will still be in effect on May 16 and a shutdown schedule will be available online. "This will help make rolling blackouts more predictable for users and the energy system operation more secure," the statement said. Sign up for our newsletter Ukraine Weekly By Olga Rudenko Sign up The restrictions will not apply to critical infrastructure, while the limitations to other facilities and residential buildings throughout the country will be "distributed evenly." The schedules can be found on the personal online accounts of energy supply users, as well as on the website or social media of the regional energy operator. Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, also announced that rolling blackouts may be introduced on May 16 in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk oblasts from midnight to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to midnight local time by Ukrenergo's instruction. Russia carried out another large-scale attack on May 8 against Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, and Vinnytsia oblasts, mainly targeting energy infrastructure. At least two hydroelectric power plants had to be decommissioned as a result of attacks. Read also: DTEK: Russia has attacked Ukraines thermal power plants nearly 180 times Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The modest gains Russian forces have made in their recent push into territory around the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv should serve as a wake-up call to Western leaders, and their continuing equivocation over just how much support to give to Kyivs war effort. The latest reports indicate Russian forces are seeking to exploit Ukraines critical shortages of ammunition and manpower to launch attacks on two fronts. Western support, especially from the US and UK, has previously contributed significantly to the Ukrainians ability to defend themselves from Russian attempts to overrun their country, especially in the initial phases of the conflict when superior Western weaponry made a decisive impact on thwarting the Russian advance. Maintaining this support, however, has been increasingly an open question in recent months, particularly in America where the Biden administrations attempts to provide a further $60 billion aid package to Kyiv was delayed by political wrangling in Congress. Even though the package has now been approved, and other Western allies such as Britain have also made fresh commitments to support the Ukrainian cause, these hold ups mean it could be some time before fresh supplies of ammunition reach Ukraines front line, leaving its forces vulnerable to further attacks. Another factor that has undermined the effectiveness of Ukraines effort has been the reluctance of Western leaders to provide Kyiv with the equipment it requires to maintain an offensive campaign, rather than one that is purely defensive in nature. The West has baulked, for example, at the idea of supplying long-range missiles and warplanes that can strike targets deep within Russian territory, thereby causing serious disruption to Moscows military operations. This reluctance stems from concerns that Moscow might expand its war effort, raising the possibility of a direct military confrontation between Russia and Nato. As former Nato commander General Sir Richard Shirreff explained earlier this week, this means that the Ukrainians are fighting with one hand tied behind their backs. The Russians think nothing of attacking key Ukrainian infrastructure in their bid to weaken Kyivs resolve; Ukraine is perfectly within its rights to respond. If, as Western leaders keep telling us, they are really committed to Kyiv winning the war, then they must provide the weapons needed to finish the job, and not resort to half-hearted measures. 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. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that his governments support is focused on Ukraine's strategic success, and that the country must win the war. Source: Blinken during a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda Details: In his opening remarks, he stressed that it is important for the United States to help ensure the strategic success of Ukraine. Quote: "We are working to ensure that Ukraine can deliver on the battlefield today, as it continues to protect the country against Russian aggression, but also put itself in the position when it can deter and defend itself against future attacks, and fundamentally, secure for the Ukrainian people the right to decide their own future," the US Secretary of State asserted. In further answers to questions, Blinken said several times directly that Ukraine must win the war. "The United States is committed to helping ensure Ukraine winning this war and it has been shown through extraordinary support that we have provided and continue to provide. We are determined that Ukraine wins this war and succeeds for its people and for its future," Antony Blinken said. During the briefing, he also announced that the United States would provide an additional US$2 billion to the newly established fund, which will be used to promote the Ukrainian defence sector and finance the acquisition of weapons. On the first day of his visit, Blinken said that the upcoming US bilateral security agreement with Ukraine will provide military assistance in various fields and will help it get closer to NATO membership. He also underlined the contribution of US allies to economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, which he claimed is three times bigger than the American contribution. Support UP or become our patron! BRATISLAVA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and wounded on Wednesday after an away-from-home government meeting in the Trencin region in Slovakia, local media reported. The Slovak news agency TASR cited the parliament's vice-chairman Lubos Blaha as saying that the incident happened during a parliamentary session. The meeting has been adjourned until further notice. Fico has been transported to a hospital and a suspect has been reportedly detained. The incident took place in the town of Handlova, some 150 km northeast of the capital, according to the news television station TA3. Police has sealed off the area in front of the Culture House in Handlova. Slovak President Zuzana Caputova strongly condemned the attack, describing it as brutal and ruthless. "I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength to recover from the attack at this critical moment," she said. Key developments on May 15: Zelensky: Ukraine stabilizes situation in Kharkiv Oblast amid Russian offensive General Staff: Russian forces 'partially pushed out' from Vovchansk Ukraine deploys more forces to Kharkiv Oblast Blinken: US to give Ukraine additional $2 billion in military financing Source: Ukraine's military intelligence drones strike oil depot in Russia's Rostov region Ukrainian forces have managed to stabilize the situation in Kharkiv Oblast over the past day amid Russia's attempts to break through, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 15 in his evening address. Russia launched a new offensive with a reported 30,000 troops on May 10, targeting Kharkiv Oblast, which is situated near the countries' shared border in northeastern Ukraine. Zelensky received reports on the situation on the front line from soldiers and the Defense Ministry throughout the day, he said. The president added that authorities constantly monitor the combat activities in all front-line areas. Subscribe to newsletter War Notes Subscribe Zelensky said that Ukrainian forces continued defensive actions in Kharkiv Oblast, destroying Russian troops with "with all means." "Artillery, drones, our infantry are working accurately," the head of state added. The president also mentioned the situation in the Pokrovsk direction in Donetsk Oblast and Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, which both remain two of the hottest areas of the front line. Zelensky said that Russian troops had attempted to disperse Ukrainian units and push them back. "We react to it exactly as necessary in every direction, we must have something to respond with to the enemy," Zelensky said. Read also: Russias new Kharkiv offensive pushes Vovchansk to the brink of annihilation General Staff: Russian forces 'partially pushed out' from Vovchansk Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks in the Vovchansk direction in Kharkiv Oblast and "partially pushed out enemy forces from the town," the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on May 15. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said earlier the same day that small Russian infantry units had entered the northern part of Vovchansk and were attempting to establish a foothold there. "Defensive operations continue on the northern and northwestern outskirts," the General Staff said in its report. The military did not provide further details on the situation in the town. Russian troops continue attacking in the direction of Lyptsi, a village 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of the Russian border and around 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Vovchansk, the report read. Both Lyptsi and Mala Danylivka a village on Kharkiv's outskirts reportedly came under Russian airstrikes over the day. Russia launched new offensive actions on May 10 in the north of Kharkiv Oblast toward Lyptsi and Vovchansk. Ukraine deploys more forces to Kharkiv Oblast More Ukrainian forces are being deployed to Kharkiv Oblast amid Russia's offensive in the region, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 15, following a meeting with top military commanders. Russia launched a new offensive into northeastern Kharkiv Oblast on May 10, with 30,000 Russian soldiers reportedly involved in the operation. Heavy battles are ongoing in the direction of the village of Lyptsi and the town of Vovchansk, where the local police chief reported Russian soldiers had taken up positions on the morning of May 15. Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson of the Khortytsia group of forces, said on air on May 15 that the situation in the region has somewhat stabilized. Ukrainian forces repelled 11 Russian attacks in the area over the past day, Voloshyn said. Zelensky discussed the situation with Chief of the General Staff Anatolii Barhylevych and Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, as well as the heads of the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard. "Additional forces are being deployed, there are reserves," the report from the Presidential Office said. Zelensky has postponed all international trips planned for the coming days, the Presidential Office said. "We are grateful to our partners for their understanding." Read also: 48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraines most-bombed major city Blinken: US to give Ukraine additional $2 billion in military financing Washington will provide Ukraine with an additional $2 billion in foreign military financing, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on May 15. Blinken made the announcement in Kyiv during a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba. Blinken arrived in Kyiv on May 14. Blinken described the new military financing support as "the first of its kind." The support will not only help provide Ukraine with weapons that are needed today, but will also help the country invest in its own defense industrial base in the long term, Blinken said. The military financing support will also assist Kyiv with purchasing military equipment from other countries, not just the U.S., Blinken said. Read also: Opinion: Will the renewed US support for Ukraine be enough? "All of this, in particular thinking about the defense industrial base, builds on an incredible spirit of innovation, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship that we see here in Ukraine." "Everyone's eyes are focused on the situation in the northeast," Biden added, referring to Ukraine's defense of Kharkiv Oblast. "The newest support that I just announced, but particularly the $60 billion supplemental, we know is coming at a critical time." Blinken said the U.S. is "rushing" to get ammunition, armored vehicles, and missiles to the front line. The U.S. is working "to ensure Ukraine can deliver on the battlefield today," but also "deter and defend against future attacks and fundamentally secure for the Ukrainian people the right to decide their own future," Blinken said. Source: Ukraine's military intelligence drones strike oil depot in Russia's Rostov region Drones from Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) attacked an oil base in the Rostov region of Russia overnight, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on May 15. The Rostov region's governor, Vasily Golubev, earlier said two drones hit a refinery in the Proletarsky district, causing two explosions on site, but claimed there was no subsequent fire or casualties. The source did not provide any further details. Sign up for our newsletter WTF is wrong with Russia? Sign up Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry this spring. Kyiv says these attacks are carried out to undermine Russia's military operations and retaliate against Moscow's strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Rostov Oblast borders Ukraine to the southeast. A previous attack on the region's Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in March caused the plant to partially shut down operations. Strikes against Russian energy targets have prompted criticism from U.S. officials, who have made it clear that Washington does not support Ukraine's attacks on oil refineries, citing fears that it could threaten the global energy market. In response, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv has the right to use its own weapons to strike deep inside Russia. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Emergency workers walk among debris in front of a residential building damaged as a result of a missile attack in Kharkiv. Svet Jacqueline/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa The Ukrainian army says it has been forced to withdraw soldiers from some of its positions in the north-eastern Ukrainian region that has been the target of a new Russian offensive in recent days. "As a result of combat and offensive actions by the enemy, our units carried out a manoeuvre at certain sections in the Lukyantsi and Vovchansk areas and moved to more advantageous positions in order to save the lives of our soldiers and avoid casualties," the Ukrainian general staff announced on Facebook overnight. Fighting continues, according to the statement. Russia, which invaded Ukraine more than two years ago, launched a new offensive on the Kharkiv last week. The region borders Russia and is home to the country's second biggest city, also named Kharkiv. Russian troops have been able to capture some Ukrainian villages. Kiev, which is struggling with a lack of weapons, ammunition and soldiers, is now focussed on trying to stop the Russian advances and an expansion of the front line. A resident carries his son while inspecting his damaged apartment building after a missile attack in Kharkiv. Svet Jacqueline/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Residents carry their belongings as they leave as a result of a missile attack in Kharkiv. Svet Jacqueline/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports that the Defence Forces have partially pushed the Russians out of Vovchansk, defensive operations continue in the northern and northwestern outskirts of the city. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 14:00 on 15 May Details: Reportedly, there have been three combat clashes recorded on the Kharkiv front. The Russians are attempting to attack on the Lyptsi front. Russian aircraft have landed two strikes in the areas of Lyptsi and Mala Danylivka. Meanwhile, the Defence Forces have repelled the offensive operations of the Russians in the area of Vovchansk, partially displacing Russian forces from the populated area. Defensive operations continue in the northern and northwestern outskirts of the city. The data regarding the Russian losses is being ascertained. Support UP or become our patron! The High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine has seized two An-148-100E passenger aircraft belonging to the Russian company Ilyushin Finance Co. and transferred them to the state. Source: Ministry of Justice of Ukraine Quote from the Ministry of Justice statement: "The High Anti-Corruption Court has, by its judgment of 15 May 2024, granted the lawsuit brought by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine against JSC Ilyushin Finance Co. for the application of sanctions provided for in Article 4.1.1-1 of the Law of Ukraine On Sanctions." The statement notes that JSC Ilyushin Finance Co. is a specialist company that is part of the Rostec state corporation and is responsible for the leasing, management, servicing and sale of aircraft manufactured at Russian aviation plants. Within Rostec, JSC Ilyushin Finance Co. ensures the functioning of the strategically important aviation industry for the Russian Federation. "Pursuant to the judgment of the High Anti-Corruption Court, two An-148-100E medium-haul passenger aircraft were confiscated and transferred to the state's assets," the statement says. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's public broadcaster says it received no fines over Azovstal T-shirts at Eurovision Ukraine's public broadcaster said on May 15 that it did not receive a fine over Azovstal T-shirts worn by Ukrainian artist Alyona Alyona and her delegation at the Eurovision Song Contest on the weekend. In an Instagram post on May 14, Alyona Alyona, whose real name is Aliona Savranenko, said the clothing printed with the logo "Free Azovstal Defenders" had incurred a penalty from the organizers. "We took a big risk, but it worked out. We just got off with a financial fine," the original post said. An edited version later on only stated: "We took a lot of risks, but everything worked out." Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne said in a statement on May 15 that it had not received any "complaints or fines for alleged violations of the rules." Ukraine's Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil won third place at the 68th Eurovision competition on May 12 with their song "Teresa & Maria." This year's Eurovision was particularly politically sensitive the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), an alliance of public service media organizations that organize the contest, cracked down on performers who tried to signal support for Palestine amid the ongoing invasion of Gaza, which has killed over 35,000 Palestinians since October 2023. Protesters criticized Eurovision for allowing Israel to participate in the 2024 contest. Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022. Read also: 48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraines most-bombed major city Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine's Security Service detains associates of former Ukrainian lawmaker in Kyiv for organising acts of information sabotage photo Ukrainian law enforcement officers have exposed individuals based in Kyiv who were working on media products for a pro-Russian project run by Viktor Medvedchuk. The latter is a former Ukrainian pro-Russian politician to whose daughter Putin is godfather and who was stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship, leader of pro-Kremlin Opposition Platform for Life (OPFL). Source: Security Service of Ukraine (SSU); Kyiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office; Prosecutor General's Office (PGO); Ukrainska Pravda source in law enforcement Quote from SSU: "The Security Service has exposed an underground cell of the pro-Kremlin political project Other Ukraine in Kyiv. In Russia, this organisation is run by Viktor Medvedchuk, who is accused of treason [in Ukraine] and coordinates his activities with [Russia's] Federal Security Service (FSB). In Kyiv, the project was run by a group of [Russian] proxies engaged in information sabotage against Ukraine. In particular, its members disseminated video content discrediting the Defence Forces and calling on Ukrainians to lay down their arms and surrender to the invaders." Quote from PGO: "The investigation has found that the former leader of the pro-Kremlin party OPFL, which is banned in Ukraine, registered a public organisation in Russia. The head of the executive committee of this organisation is a former journalist who is a member of his media holding. The journalist works for the Kremlin project. He engaged a member of his family and a woman he knew living in Kyiv to create propaganda materials. Under his instructions, the woman created anti-Ukrainian cartoons. The media product was posted on the organisation's website and social media." Evidence of communications regarding the anti-Ukrainian media product with Denys Zharkykh. Photo: SSU The SSU indicates that Denys Zharkykh, a former presenter on Medvedchuk-owned TV channels and current head of his organisation Other Ukraine in Moscow, oversaw the project. An Ukrainska Pravda source said the videos were created by screenwriter and artist Nataliia Mykhailova. For each video, the woman received a salary, which was handed over to her in Kyiv by Denys Zharkykh's father, Yurii. The suspects have been detained. Photo: Kyiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office The suspects have been detained. Photo: Kyiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office At present, all three suspects have been served with a notice of suspicion of high treason committed under martial law. Denys Zharkykh has been served in absentia. Experts concluded that the video contained signs of violation of the foundations of state security in the information sector. A motion to impose a pre-trial restriction on the suspects in the form of no-alternative custody has been filed with the court, the Kyiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office said. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine and Poland are currently working on a draft of a bilateral security agreement. Source: Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Zvarych, in an interview with Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda Details: The ambassador noted that Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister, had recently visited Warsaw and "paid a lot of attention" to the security agreement. "We do not see any delays, we see a very serious, thorough approach on the part of Poland to the contents of this agreement, and I am more than sure that we will soon have one more signatory country to such agreements," Zvarych said. The ambassador pointed out that inter-ministerial approval of the text of the agreement is currently underway in Poland, and the draft should be handed over to Ukraine in the coming days. After that, direct negotiations on the contents of the document will commence, the diplomat added. "This is a standard process in diplomatic work, we have to agree on the text, we have offered Poland some of our points, our expectations and what we think should be reflected there," Zvarych said. Background: Ukraine has signed bilateral security agreements with nine countries so far, the latest being Latvia. An agreement with Norway is also expected to be signed. In early May, Zelenskyy announced the preparation of security agreements with seven countries, including the United States. Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that a security agreement between Ukraine and Spain is expected to be signed this week. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian defenders repel 18 attacks in Kharkiv front and withdraw from Lukiantsi and Vovchansk General Staff Ukrainian defenders have withdrawn in the areas of Lukiantsi and Vovchansk on the Kharkiv front to save lives and avoid losses. Source: Dmytro Lykhovii, spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on air during the 24/7 national joint newscast Quote: "The enemy is concentrating its efforts in Kharkiv Oblast, as well as on the Kramatorsk and Pokrovsk fronts in Donetsk Oblast. Our troops repelled 18 enemy attacks on the Kharkiv front. In certain areas near Lukiantsi and Vovchansk, as a result of enemy fire and assault actions, our troops have manoeuvred and moved to more favourable positions to save the lives of our soldiers and avoid losses. The fighting continues. Ukrainian soldiers are not allowing the Russian occupiers to gain a foothold. Counterattacks are being carried out. The enemy is being kept under constant control by fire from our artillery and UAV units of the defence forces." Support UP or become our patron! Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Igor Petrishenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, Azernews reports. The sides stressed the significance of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenkos upcoming state visit to Azerbaijan, expressing confidence that it would give a new impetus to the friendly relations between the two nations. They also emphasised the importance of the forthcoming 14th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on trade and economic cooperation, scheduled to take place in Minsk this June. The two also hailed the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus across various domains and explored prospects for further cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Ukrainian forces say Russian attempt to break through defences in Kharkiv Oblast stopped, situation somewhat stabilised Ukraine's Defence Forces have stopped Russian attempts to break through the defences on the Kharkiv front. The situation has been somewhat stabilised, but fighting continues. Source: Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group (OSG), on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast Quote from Voloshyn: "At present, the situation in the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia OSG remains tense, but the units of the Defence Forces are conducting active defensive battles. Attempts by Russian invaders to break through our defences have been stopped, and the situation has somewhat stabilised, particularly on the Kharkiv front. The operational situation on the Kharkiv front remains challenging, but it is changing dynamically. Fierce defensive battles are underway on a large part of our border line. There are settlements where Russian troops are trying to gain a foothold and use them to advance further." Details: The spokesman said 11 Russian attacks had been repelled in Kharkiv Oblast over the past 24 hours, in particular in and around [the settlements of] Hlyboke-Lyptsi, Lukiantsi-Lyptsi, Borysivka-Neskuchne and the Russian town of Shebekino-Vovchansk, Ukraine. "Fighting continues in and around Lukiantsi and Vovchansk. The invaders are trying to gain a certain tactical advantage there. The enemy is trying to gain a foothold near Lukiantsi and Vovchansk. However, Ukrainian Armed Forces units are not letting Russian occupiers gain a foothold there," Voloshyn said. The colonel added that Ukrainian forces are counterattacking, using artillery, with a large number of UAV units deployed in the area. "Manoeuvres have been carried out, and units moved to more favourable positions in certain areas near Lukiantsi and Vovchansk in response to enemy fire and assault actions to preserve the lives and health of [Ukrainian] soldiers and to reduce and avoid losses. Fighting is currently underway there. The enemy is under our constant fire control," Voloshyn concluded. Background: On 10 May, it was reported that Russian forces had intensified their activities in Kharkiv Oblast, with fighting taking place there. During a briefing with Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Russian troops had launched a new wave of offensive operations on the Kharkiv front. Ukraine's Defence Ministry reported that reserve units had been sent to the north of Kharkiv Oblast. Russian forces have captured up to 10 villages in Kharkiv Oblast. The Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group said that the grey zone in Kharkiv Oblast was not expanding and that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were not letting Russian forces advance further into Kharkiv Oblast. Amid the Russian offensive in the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast, the United States announced an additional military aid package to Ukraine later this week. UK Defence Intelligence believes it is unlikely that Russia has built up sufficient combat power to capture Kharkiv without bringing additional forces to the area. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian officials try to get Biden's permission to strike Russia with US weapons Politico Ukrainian parliamentarians in the United States are making new attempts to force the administration of US President Joe Biden to lift the ban on the use of US-made weapons to strike Russian territory. Source: Politico Details: It is noted that Ukraine's inability to strike Russian territory prevented it from attacking Russian positions during the preparation for the offensive towards Kharkiv. A group of Ukrainian MPs are reportedly in Washington this week to seek congressional support for the issue, as Kyiv seeks to strike Russian military depots located in Russia itself. For weeks, Ukraine has watched the Russians amass near the border, while its forces were unable to use US-supplied weapons to launch a preemptive strike because of Washington's policy. The Biden administration has made it a condition for Ukraine to receive long-range weapons that they cannot be used to strike inside Russia. In particular, Davyd Arakhamiia, the leader of the Servant of the People party faction, who is currently in Washington, said that "the main problem right now is the White House policy to limit our capability" to strike military targets in Russia. Russia is well aware of this limitation and can concentrate at least 30,000 troops and equipment on the border without fear of being hit by the long-range US tactical missile systems that Ukraine uses to devastate Russian troops on Ukrainian territory. Oleksandra Ustinova, Head of the Special Parliamentary Commission on Arms and Ammunition, said that Ukraine saw Russian troops deployed one or two kilometres from the border and "could do nothing about it". The parliamentarians are part of a larger group of Ukrainian lawmakers who are meeting with about a dozen congressional offices this week to try to engage them in their efforts to get the White House to change course. Two US officials asked to comment on the situation confirmed that the Biden administration's policy has not changed. "The assistance is for the defence and not for offensive operations in Russian territory," one of them said. Background: The Biden administration's restrictions on the use of US-made weapons in Russia have been in place since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. In May, the UK government lifted a similar restriction on the use of UK weapons in Russia, as announced by UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron during a visit to Kyiv. Ukraine has been conducting strikes on Russian territory for several months, using its own small drones to attack oil facilities. But officials in Kyiv insist that they need more powerful American missiles to penetrate Russian air defences along the border. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint press conference with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova at the Mariinsky Palace in Kiev. Ukraine Presidency/Ukrainian Pre/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the situation in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine, which has been massively attacked by Russian troops, has partially stabilized. "The occupier who invaded the Kharkiv region will be destroyed by all available means," Zelensky said in his evening video message broadcast in Kiev on Wednesday. "Artillery, drones and our infantry are working quite accurately." The situation in the Kharkiv region is extremely tense due to the Russian territorial gains of recent weeks. The Ukrainian General Staff said there had been intense fighting. Nevertheless, Western military experts have now also noticed a slowdown in the Russian attacks. In his video message, he said that the defence activities of Kiev's troops were continuing, particularly in the city of Vovchansk near the Russian border. At the same time, the armed forces were also focussing on other sectors, including the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region and in the Donetsk region around the city of Pokrovsk. The Ukrainian President emphasized once again that Ukraine must be equipped with all the means at its disposal to repel the enemy. "The world has the strength, it has the weapons, it has the ability to force Russia to make peace - a just peace," Zelensky continued. Everything must be done to ensure that the Russian offensive and Moscow's attempt to escalate the war fail. In his video address, Zelensky also referred to new heavy air strikes against Ukrainian territories. According to the authorities, around 20 people were injured in a bomb attack in Kherson in southern Ukraine. In its military invasion, which has been ongoing for more than two years, Russia has recently intensified its attacks on the Kharkiv region and is claiming tactical successes in its offensive. Ukrainian and Russian forces clash 166 times across war zone over past 24 hours Ukraine's General Staff Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ukrainian and Russian forces have clashed 166 times over the past 24 hours. Ukraine's General Staff emphasises that this is twice as many as on the same day last week. Source: Dmytro Lykhovii, spokesperson for Ukraine's General Staff, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast Quote: "A total of 166 combat engagements have occurred across the front over the past 24 hours, which is twice as many as on the same day a week ago. The situation in the areas of hostilities remains difficult but under control." Details: The Russians launched three missile strikes, 78 airstrikes and 99 attacks using multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) over the past 24 hours. On the Kupiansk front, Russian forces mounted 25 attacks on Ukrainian positions but to no avail. Ukrainian defenders regained previously lost positions and improved their tactical position in some areas. On the Lyman front, Ukrainian defenders repelled three Russian attacks. No positions have been lost. Ukrainian troops repelled 9 Russian attacks on the Sivershchyna front, 24 attacks on the Kramatorsk front, 61 attacks on the Pokrovsk front, 9 attacks on the Kurakhove front, 9 attacks on the Vremivka front and 4 attacks on the Orikhiv front. On the Prydniprovske front, the Russians are continuing their attempts to push Ukrainian forces from the Dnipro River's left (eastern) bank. Russian forces conducted five attacks near the settlement of Krynky. Ukrainian troops lost no positions. Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian defenders struck a Russian command post, one artillery piece, one air defence unit, one electronic warfare station, one ammunition storage point, two air defence systems and six clusters of Russian military personnel and equipment. Support UP or become our patron! Defense Minister Rustem Umerov dismissed Brigadier General Serhii Baranov from his position as head of the Missile, Artillery, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Forces, the division announced on May 14. The Missile, Artillery, and UAV Forces is a part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces that specializes in strategic planning and participation in combat operations with the use of missiles, howitzers, cannons, mortars, jet-propelled and anti-tank artillery, as well as drones. "This is the moment when I have to say, ' thank you,' but we are not saying goodbye! By Ukraine's Defense Minister's order, I was assigned to an equally important and responsible area of activity," Baranov wrote. The general did not specify which position he would be appointed to. The new head of the Missile, Artillery, and UAV Forces has not yet been announced. Subscribe to newsletter War Notes Subscribe Baranov had been leading the Missile, Artillery, and UAV Forces since 2023. The same year, President Volodymyr Zelensky promoted him to Brigadier General. Baranov previously served as the head of the 57th Separate Infantry Brigade in 2019 and was a deputy commander of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar" in 2017. Baranov also took part in the battle for the Donetsk Airport and the battle of Debaltsevo city in Donetsk Oblast at the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. Earlier this year, Zelensky reshuffled Ukraine's military command, dismissing Ukraine's top military commander Valerii Zaluzhnyi in February. In April, more changes in high-level military command were announced, including new appointments in the Southern, Eastern, and Western Operational Commands. Read also: Zelensky reappoints Hereha as Support Forces commander Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Israel-Hamas war for Wednesday, May 15. For the latest news, see our file for Thursday, May 16. There is no humanitarian crisis in Rafah although almost 500,000 have fled the southern Gaza city in recent days as Israel's military gains traction, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday. The Biden administration and much of the world has repeatedly urged Israel to abandon plans for a major invasion of Rafah, fearing a worsening of the humanitarian crisis that has swept across Gaza since the war began. "The civilian population is being evacuated and (we are) fulfilling our obligation to its humanitarian needs," Netanyahu said. "The humanitarian catastrophe that has been spoken of has not been realized, nor will it." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking Wednesday from Ukraine, said Israel's self-proclaimed "limited operation" in Rafah has had a "negative impact." Blinken warned that Israel needs a clear plan for the future of Gaza or face chaos. So did Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who on Wednesday accused his own government of avoiding the discussion of a postwar Palestinian administration in Gaza. But Netanyahu countered that until Hamas is driven from military control of Gaza, no one will take on the task of its civil management out of fear for their lives. "Therefore, all the talk about 'the day after' while Hamas remains intact will remain mere words devoid of content," Netanyahu said. "There is one alternative to victory defeat, military, diplomatic and national defeat. My government will not agree to this." Egypt rips Israel: Says Israel trying to deflect blame for Gaza crisis Developments: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Netanyahu to fire Gallant for supporting some form of Palestinian rule in postwar Gaza. Ben-Gvir said the defense minister "failed on Oct. 7, and continues to fail even now." Palestinians on Wednesday marked the 76th anniversary of Nakba Day the Day of Catastrophe when the Arab-Israeli war began, leading to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians being driven from their homes in what is now Israel. Hezbollah said its drone attack Wednesday hit a military base west of Israels Tiberias, marking the deepest into Israel the Lebanese militant group has struck since the war began Oct. 7. Israeli media said a drone explosion near a major intersection caused damage but no casualties. Netanyahu's office said he will present a controversial bill that seeks to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military. The issue has drawn protests from the ultra-Orthodox community, about 13% of Israel's nearly 10 million people. The European Union's chief diplomat urged Israel to end its military operation in Rafah immediately. Josep Borrell said Israel must "refrain from further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation." A funeral procession carries the coffin of James Kirby into St. Mary Redcliffe Church on May 15, 2024, in Bristol, England. Kirby was one of seven World Central Kitchen workers killed when their vehicles were targeted by Israeli military strikes. Israel's 75th anniversary: Israelis ask: Is this still a democracy? Drone video shows Hamas militants at UN building The Israeli military on Wednesday released drone video appearing to show Hamas militants at a Rafah-area compound of the U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, drawing an accusation that the U.N. is itself a "terrorist entity." "Terrorists were identified in the central logistics complex of the UNRWA agency next to U.N. vehicles," the Israeli military said in a statement. The building also had a large "U.N." sign on its roof. UNRWA, which said it was examining the footage, has repeatedly denied claims it cooperates with Hamas. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters the men were there to protect aid distribution. "The U.N. not only collaborates with terrorists, but its facilities in Gaza are terror compounds!" Gilan Erdan, Israel's ambassador to the U.N., wrote on social media. "Will Antonio Guterres, who is always so quick to condemn Israel, finally call out the organization he leads? The UN has become a weapon in the hands of terrorists!" The UNRWA was set up to help Palestinian refugees displaced during the war that broke out around the time the state of Israel was created in 1948. The agency currently has about 13,000 staffers in Gaza, the overwhelming majority of them Palestinian. The Israelis claim that hundreds of them function as "military operatives" for Hamas. Arms for Israel: Biden goes ahead with more than $1B in weapons to Israel US to send another $1 billion in weapons to Israel The Biden administration has informed Congress it intends to transfer more than $1 billion in weapons to Israel, a week after President Joe Biden said he was pausing the shipment of some heavy bombs to the country, a lawmaker familiar with the matter confirmed to USA TODAY on the condition of anonymity. The Biden administration paused the shipment of 3,500 bombs to Israel over concerns they could be used in a major military operation in Rafah, where more than 1 million refugees have been sheltering. The latest weapons package includes the potential transfer of $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the development. The transfer will undergo congressional review before being sent. Read more here. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy US trying to bring out American doctors stuck in Gaza The U.S. is working with Israel to bring American doctors out of Gaza amid the current Israeli military operation in the southern city of Rafah, the White House said Wednesday. The doctors, from the Palestinian American Medical Association, told the Washington Post they got stuck in Gaza when Israel shut down the Rafah crossing last week. Israel has been evacuating parts of Rafah in anticipation of a larger incursion. Were tracking this matter closely and working to get the impacted American citizens out of Gaza, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. We need to get them out.'' Jordan foils Iran-led plot aimed at destabilizing US ally Jordanian authorities have thwarted a suspected plot led by Iran that aimed to destabilize the U.S.-friendly kingdom by smuggling weapons from Tehran allies to saboteurs in Jordan, Reuters reported Wednesday. The cache of arms, confiscated from Jordanians of Palestinian descent in late March, was sent to a cell of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan connected to Hamas, Jordanian sources who spoke on condition of anonymity told Reuters. The Biden administration has made concerted efforts to keep the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza from expanding to other parts of the Middle East. Jordan plays a key strategic role in the region not only as an American ally but also a neighboring country to Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iraq, the last two home to Iran-backed militias. Contributing: Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israeli war updates: No humanitarian crisis in Rafah, Netanyahu says Under the Dome: What to know about Tuesdays election results Good morning! Heres what you need to know in North Carolina politics today. Republican voters handed a decisive victory to Hal Weatherman in the GOP runoff for lieutenant governor Tuesday night. Weatherman, who was the chief of staff to former Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, defeated Forsyth County District Attorney Jim ONeill handily, advancing to a general election matchup in which hell face Democratic Sen. Rachel Hunt. In the runoff for state auditor, meanwhile, Dave Boliek, a member of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees, beat Jack Clark, a staffer for a budget chair in the N.C. House, the Associated Press projected. Boliek will now take on Democratic State Auditor Jessica Holmes. And Brad Knott, a former federal prosecutor, is likely headed to Washington, after he won the runoff in North Carolinas 13th Congressional District. His opponent, Kelly Daughtry, dropped out of the race earlier this month after Knott secured the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Check out the full results from Tuesdays Republican runoff election at newsobserver.com. Avi Bajpai Keep reading for more from our politics team and correspondent Stephanie Loder. Academic Transparency bill may be moving ahead House Deputy Majority Whip Jake Johnson indicated Tuesday that there could soon be a path forward on the Houses Academic Transparency bill, while also criticizing the N.C. Association of Educators. House Bill 1032 would require teachers to post lesson plans and curriculum materials online for the public to read, not just parents, within 10 days of instruction. Johnson posted on X that the bill, filed in early May, is a great first step toward keeping families informed. I look forward to engaging with superintendents, principals, and educators across the state to work out the details. (NOT political activists like fake union @NCAE) Johnson referred to NCAE, an advocacy group for teachers and other school personnel that is not a union. There are just under 25,000 members, which I wrote about in 2023. North Carolina has the second-lowest union membership rate in the United States, at 2.8%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A 1959 state law bans collective bargaining by public-sector employees. Republicans in general are critical of NCAE, which is a vocal supporter of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan Advocates came to the legislature on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, to push for changes to help people living with disabilities access resources and care. Help sought for people with disabilities and workers who help them More than 100 people at the legislature on Tuesday shared their experiences living with disabilities or caring for people with disabilities and not being able to access needed resources and care in North Carolina. A bipartisan group of lawmakers are looking to take action and filed a bill Tuesday that would, among various other changes, raise the wages of workers known as Direct Support Professionals who care for those with disabilities. This would be done using state and federal funds. The goal would be to get the wages up to $18 an hour. The average hourly wage for DSPs in NC is $13.93, according to research from 2022 shared previously by the states health and human services department. The bill also seeks to cut the waitlist under the N.C. Innovations Waiver, a backlogged state program that provides access to a wide range of behavioral health services for those who qualify. Currently that waitlist is more than 17,000 people long. Primary sponsors of the legislation are Democratic Reps. Zack Hawkins and Sarah Crawford and Republican Reps. Donna White and John Bradford. Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi WHAT WOULD NC MASK LAW CHANGE MEAN FOR SICK? GOP legislation that would repeal a health and safety exception to the states public mask wearing ban moved forward Tuesday, with Democrats raising concerns about whether repealing the exception would affect anyone with health conditions. Republicans who introduced the bill say the pandemic-era exception isnt needed. Heres what lawmakers are saying: Wilson Republican Sen. Buck Newton , the bills primary sponsor, said the bill is meant to target people who wear masks to hide their identities or commit crimes. Sen. Sydney Batch , an Apex Democrat, continued to wear a mask long after others stopped during the pandemic because she was undergoing treatments after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She said she would be concerned if the health and safety exception wasnt in place. Sen. Natasha Marcus, a Davidson Democrat, asked Newton for assurance for her constituents as the bill would make mask-wearing for health reasons a violation of the ban. Tara Muller, a policy attorney at Disability Rights NC, said her organization had heard from several cancer patients and immunocompromised people and parents of medically fragile children worried if children could wear masks on a school bus. Newton said people who wear masks because of their health shouldnt be worried, since it was not a problem, pre-COVID. He dismissed the possibility of any such problems once the legislation passes, and said that the people who are voicing concerns are stoking fear. Get the full story from Avi Bajpai here. WOULD HOUSE BILL ROLL BACK RAISE THE AGE LAW? Despite concerns, a bill requiring 16- or 17-year-old juveniles to be tried in superior court initially as adults if they are accused of Class A through G felonies took a step forward on Tuesday. Those felonies range from murder to robbery. Lobbyist Chuck Spahos with the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys said House Bill 834 still allows for proper cases to be sent to juvenile court. Less than 500 cases a year are transferred now to superior court, he said. However, critics say changes would reverse criminal justice reforms like Raise the Age law, implemented in 2019. Under the Raise the Age law: Criminal cases begin in juvenile court for anyone under the age of 18 Higher-level felonies are transferred to adult court after an indictment or hearing. Sen. Lisa Grafstein, a Raleigh Democrat, on Tuesday called the bill a fairly significant rollback of Raise the Age. Get the full story from Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi 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. 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. Thomson Federal Prison remains on lockdown more than three weeks after the facility reported guns and cell phones getting inside the prison. Union leaders continue to lobby for changes that protect for workers who are sexually assaulted and harassed by inmates. A state law in Illinois prompted an inmate to plead guilty to exposing himself to a woman whos a corrections officer. Inmate Fred Smith was sentenced to an additional 364 days in prison, the most allowed under the Illinois law. Union leaders want a similar federal law passed that has tougher sentencing guidelines. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. SANAA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group claimed on Wednesday that they had attacked a U.S. warship and another cargo vessel in the Red Sea, said a statement by Houthi military spokesman. The group said it carried out a military operation targeting the U.S. destroyer Mason in the Red Sea "with a number of naval missiles, and the hit was accurate," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said. He added that his group also carried out another joint missile and drone attack, targeting a U.S. cargo vessel DESTINY in the Red Sea, and "the hit was accurate," he said in the statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. Protesters calling for divestment from Israel demonstrated outside the home of the chair of the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan, placing body bags and stuffed animals made to appear bloodied on her porch and front lawn. A university spokesperson called the protest a "dangerous escalation." At about 6 a.m. Wednesday, demonstrators appeared in Meridian Township at the home of Sarah Hubbard, who leads the board of the largest university in Michigan. The protest was held on the 76th anniversary of what Palestinians call the Nakba, or catastrophe, when they were expelled in 1948 after the founding of Israel. Hubbard said she was awakened by their chants that were shouted through a bullhorn to the beat of a drum. "Regent Hubbard, you can't hide, you are funding genocide," they chanted, according to a video posted by one of the protesting groups, TAHRIR Coalition, on their X account. Protesters calling for divestment from Israel placed body bags and stuffed animals with red coloring made to appear bloody on the porch of the home in Meridian Township of Sarah Hubbard, the chair of the board of regents of University of Michigan-Ann Arbor on May 15, 2024. They demonstrated and chanted outside the home at about 6 a.m., Hubbard said. "They arrived at my home at about 5:54 a.m. per my ring doorbell camera," Hubbard told the Free Press by phone. "About 30 or so protesters erected three tents on my lawn, left scattered other debris about, left me a letter taped to my front door, and then proceeded to chant and march and disrupt my neighborhood for some time, until the Meridian Township police arrived, and they left." Several body bags with red paint on them were placed on the porch and lawn as the protesters, wearing hoods and masks concealing their faces, taped a list of their demands on her front door, she said. The body bags appeared to represent people killed in Gaza in recent months in Israeli military attacks launched after Hamas struck Israel on Oct. 7. "They were making a lot of noise," Hubbard said. "My neighbors were wondering what was going on." University spokesperson Kim Broekhuizen criticized the actions of the protesters, who have been demonstrating on campus in recent weeks, including setting up an encampment at the Diag on campus. "The tactics used today represent a significant and dangerous escalation in the protests that have been occurring on campus," Broekhuizen said. "Going to an individual's private residence is intimidating behavior and, in this instance, illegal trespassing. This kind of conduct is dangerous and unacceptable." Protesters calling for divestment from Israel placed body bags and stuffed animals with red coloring made to appear bloody on the porch of the home in Meridian Township of Sarah Hubbard, the chair of the board of regents of University of Michigan-Ann Arbor on May 15, 2024. They demonstrated and chanted outside the home at about 6 a.m., Hubbard said. The protesters went to other homes, Broekhuizen said. Another regent, Jordan Acker, said on X that at about "4:40 a.m., a masked intruder came to the door of my family's home with a list of demands, including defunding the police. ... This form of protest is not peaceful. Public officials should not be subject to this sort of intimidating conduct." Broekhuizen said that "more than 30 student protesters staged demonstrations at the private residence of at least one U-M Board of Regents member and went to several others residences. Activities included placing tents and fake corpses wrapped in bloodied sheets on the lawn, marching and chanting, and posting demands on doors. Individuals hid their identities by wearing masks." Sarah Hubbard, chair of U-M board of regents, speaks during introductory press conference for Dusty May at Junge Family Champions Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. In addition to the TAHRIR Coalition, two other left-wing groups were involved with the protests: Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) at the University of Michigan, according to social media posts, Broekhuizen said. Emails and messages sent to the three groups protesting were not returned Wednesday afternoon. On April 22, student protesters set up tents at the Diag after a similar tent encampment was erected at Columbia University. The encampment at Columbia was later taken down by police. In contrast to several other universities in other states, police in Ann Arbor have not interfered with the tent encampment so far. Hubbard said Wednesday the regents have no plans to divest from Israel. They have an upcoming public meeting on Thursday at the Dearborn campus of the university. U-M students chant Occupation No More and Israel Is a Terrorist State as they rally during the encampment for Gaza at the Diag in Ann Arbor on Monday, April 22, 2024. "I think it is inappropriate to protest public officials at their private residence," Hubbard said. "We have public meetings, including one tomorrow (Thursday) where protesters or any member of the public is welcome to provide public comment, and engage with the Board of Regents in that manner. And this group has done that in the past. And that's the place to do it. So we have spoken very clearly related to their requests for us to divest our endowment, and we are not making any changes in our investments per their demands. So for them to come to my house was inappropriate, frankly, and really does nothing to advance their cause." Michigan synagogue: Police investigate attack on members by 'Jew hater' Proponents of divestment from Israel compare their movement to divestment protests in the 1980s against South Africa's apartheid rule. Divesting from Israel would be difficult for the University of Michigan since there is a law in Michigan prohibiting state contracts with anyone who supports divestment from or boycotting Israel. Other events are planned in coming days in Michigan to recall the Nakba. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, the only member of Congress of Palestinian descent, said on X Wednesday: "The Nakba never ended," comparing what happened in 1948 to what has happened to Palestinians in recent months. Some Jewish groups in metro Detroit are planning events celebrating Israel's independence day, which was Tuesday. Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: University of Michigan slams anti-Israel protests at home as dangerous Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to a hospital in Banska Bystrica. Fico was shot and injured after a cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. Jan Kroslak/TASR/dpa UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the shooting of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico "in the strongest terms." The United Nations described the attack as shocking. "The secretary-general's thoughts are with the prime minister and his loved ones at this difficult moment," said a UN spokesman in New York on Wednesday. Fico was shot after a Cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The police announced that the attacker had been taken into custody. Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to hospital. Jan Kroslak/TASR/dpa United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a press conference at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Gehad Hamdy/dpa Improving winds and a storm moving into western Canada are providing a temporary boost to firefighters battling massive wildfires, but the danger remains heightened as they burn close to three communities. Drought-starved vegetation and days of gusty winds have fueled more than 100 wildfires tearing across Canada that have choked the air with smoke and forced thousands to evacuate since the weekend. But weather conditions took a turn midweek and are providing some help for firefighters working to gain the upper hand on the flames. Winds have died down in some areas and shifted in others, pushing flames away from Albertas Fort McMurray, a city still haunted by a catastrophic 2016 fire dubbed The Beast. A large, slow-moving storm will also track through western and central Canada from midweek into the weekend. Cooler air from the storm will flow across fire-torn provinces while relative humidity levels rise and chances for rain increase. While the assist from Mother Nature will not last indefinitely, any potential containment is welcome news for the thousands of people whose homes and businesses are at risk. Huge clouds of orange and black smoke fill the sky in downtown Fort McMurray from the wildfires on Tuesday. - Steve Reeve/TMX Roads out of Fort McMurray were crammed with evacuating cars Tuesday as an out-of-control 51,000-acre wildfire crept toward the citys edge. The approaching flames conjured up terrifying memories for residents who lived through the 2016 fires, which forced 90,000 people to evacuate and wrought billions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses. Evacuation orders were issued for the citys neighborhoods of Prairie Creek, Beacon Hill, Abasand and Grayling Terrace on Tuesday. The rest of the city and several surrounding suburbs are on alert to evacuate at a moments notice. Roughly 6,600 people in Alberta had evacuated as of Wednesday, local officials said during a Wednesday news conference. Residents can expect to be away from their homes until at least May 21, the regional municipality said in a news release. A veil of thick smoke made it difficult for firefighters to see as they battled extreme fire behavior, Tuesday Alberta Wildfire Information Officer Josee St-Onge said. Safety concerns have prompted some firefighters to be removed from the front lines. A cottage destroyed by wildfires burning in northern Manitoba, Canada, as seen from a helicopter on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. - David Lipnowski/The Canadian Press/AP Officials sought to assuage the concerns of residents who vividly recall the 2016 fires, which tore through more than 1.4 million acres and destroyed about 2,400 homes and businesses the most expensive natural disaster in Canadas history. I want to recognize the anxiety that this brings, certainly to those residents that were here in 2016, and to those where this is their first experience and have heard the stories, said Regional Fire Chief Jody Butz. We are confident that we have the resources to defend these areas, but we need people out of harms way. St-Onge said Wednesday less than 1 millimeter of rain fell on the fire overnight. Active fire behavior is expected today but should be less than yesterday, thanks to cooler temperatures and weaker winds, she said, adding firefighters would begin establishing a containment line. Currently, 117 firefighters and 21 helicopters have been assigned to the firefight, according to St-Onge. But despite the weather improvements, St-Onge warned there was a lot of work to be done to contain this fire and we are still expecting high fire activity today. The countrys wildfire season is off to a troubling pace as new fires ignite each day and dormant so-called zombie fires reanimate. The 2024 fire season isnt yet on par with last years record-shattering season but with wildfire behavior worsening in a warming world its no wonder Canadian fire officials are warning of an explosive season that may rival last year. Hazardous smoke from the blazes has also been wafting into the US and reducing air quality. Degraded air quality levels were in place Wednesday from the Dakotas into Oklahoma. The central US will remain the focal point for Canadian smoke through at least midweek, before it is pushed from the area by an incoming storm system. Its a war zone Multiple blazes exploded in size across several provinces early this week, forcing thousands of Canadians to flee their homes with children, pets and bags stuffed with essentials and cherished possessions in tow. This is a very difficult time for people who have been asked to leave behind their home, their belongings and their community without the certainty of what will remain when they return, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said in a Tuesday statement. Manitoba first responders are tackling one of the largest wildfires in Canada, which has consumed at least 78,000 acres and was within a mile of the Cranberry Portage community as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the provinces media release. More than 500 residents had been evacuated from the area as several neighborhoods were ordered to leave. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew surveys wildfires burning in northern Manitoba on May 14, 2024. - David Lipnowski/AP In British Columbia, more favorable weather conditions helped slow the advance of the northeastern Parker Lake Fire toward the town of Fort Nelson. At least 4,800 people in the area are under evacuation orders, including the Fort Nelson First Nation. Rick Seidel, the owner of a local construction and trucking company, told CNNs Canadian news partner CBC he stayed back to help fight the flames. Weve had all our equipment ready and all our water trucks were loaded. When the call came we jumped into action, Seidel told CBC on Monday. Its really bad. Its a war zone right now, Seidel said. Climate change fuels worsening wildfires Gusty winds are driving ongoing fires in Canada, but the seeds of fire activity were sown over the winter and in past years as the world continues to warm because of human-driven climate change. This region has experienced multiple years of drought, with a below normal snowpack this past winter, said Ben Boghean, fire behavior specialist for the BC Wildfire Service. As a result of this, our forests in the Fort Nelson zone are very receptive to new fire ignitions and rapid rates of spread. Declining snow, increasing temperatures and worsening droughts are all hallmarks of climate change and are projected to keep driving larger and more intense fires across Canada, according to Environment Canada. Smoke rises from a wildfire burning near Fort Nelson on May 14. - Cheyenne Berreault/Anadolu/Getty Images Last year was Canadas most devastating fire season on record, including in British Columbia, where fires burned through hundreds of homes and an area the size of Maryland, according to the BC Wildfire Service. There are more than 130 fires burning across Canada, 42 of which are considered out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Fire Centre. Some of the blazes are so-called holdover fires also known colloquially as zombie fires, the smoldering remains of last seasons epic blazes, burning deep in the ground throughout the winter and reigniting when exposed to warmer temperatures in the spring. In the past, the winter conditions are what put out a lot of holdover fires, said Bowinn Ma, British Columbias minister of emergency management and climate readiness. In this case, what weve seen is that due to higher temperatures and persistent drought through the last year, many of these holdover fires were not put out like they normally are. CNN meteorologist Robert Shackelford contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com US to provide another $2 billion in military aid to Kiev The United States is providing Ukraine with another $2 billion in military aid for its defence against the Russian invasion, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Kiev on Wednesday. "We will provide an additional $2 billion in foreign military financing for Ukraine," Blinken, who arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday, said. The visit is Blinken's fourth since the start of the war in February 2022 and is also the first visit since the US Congress approved a long-delayed aid package of $61 billion in April. Ukraine has been on the defensive for months due to a lack of weapons, ammunition and soldiers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken ahead of a bilateral meeting at the Mariinsky Palace. -/Ukraine Presidency via Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa US attorney for Colorado to step down after 2 years DENVER (KDVR) On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Colorado announced that U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan submitted his resignation. Finegan gave his resignation to President Joe Biden after only serving a little over two years. His resignation is effective at 11:59 p.m. on May 31. Biden appointed Finegan, who was confirmed by the Senate and took the oath of office on Dec. 1, 2021. Former NSA worker gets nearly 22 years in prison for selling secrets to undercover FBI agent U.S. attorneys serve four-year terms or at the presidents discretion. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, said Finegan in a release. I am equally thankful to the career attorneys and professional staff who work every day to help keep our citizens safe, to make sure that the rule of law is applied equally, and to protect the civil rights of every citizen. We are fortunate to have these outstanding public servants in our state. Serving the people of Colorado alongside them will always remain one of the most significant experiences of my life. While it is unclear why Finegan is stepping down, the attorneys office confirmed that he plans to return to the private sector. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a U.S. attorneys job is to oversee the work of the U.S. Attorneys Office for their particular district. The office represents the U.S. in every court matter, criminal or civil, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. Biden will now nominate Finegans replacement, according to U.S. law. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. US considers sending one more Patriot system to Ukraine US President Joe Bidens administration is working to send an additional battery of the Patriot air defence system to Ukraine. Source: Bloomberg citing its sources, reported by European Pravda Details: The news agencys sources said that the United States wanted to send one battery along with radar systems. The sources also stressed that European allies were also considering the possibility of sending Ukraine additional air defence systems from their stockpiles. The day before it was reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with US State Secretary Antony Blinken that Ukraine needed two Patriot systems to protect Kharkiv and the oblast. The White House said it was working with allies to supply Ukraine with more Patriot batteries. Support UP or become our patron! A demonstrator holds flags of Taiwan and the United States in support of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during an stop-over after her visit to Latin America in Burlingame By Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden will dispatch former U.S. officials to Taiwan as its new president takes office, a show of support for the island calibrated to avoid enraging Beijing. Biden is sending a bipartisan delegation to Monday's inauguration of Taiwanese president-elect Lai Ching-te consisting of former White House economic adviser Brian Deese, one-time State Department official Richard Armitage, Brookings Institution Taiwan expert Richard Bush and Laura Rosenberger, who runs the nonprofit organization that manages unofficial U.S.-Taiwan relations, according to a senior administration official. Beijing has labeled Lai, who was elected in January, a "dangerous separatist" and has rejected repeated offers for talks. Beijing considers the self-governed island its own territory, a position the government in Taipei strongly rejects. "The delegation will arrive this weekend in Taipei and during their visit the delegation will attend the May 20 inauguration ceremony and meet with a range of leading figures," said a senior Biden administration official. The move is in line with past practice and represents no shift in U.S. policy, the official said. "Beijing will be the provocateur should it choose to respond with additional military pressure or coercion." Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 and has long said it does not support a formal declaration of independence by Taiwan. It does, however, maintain unofficial relations with the island and remains its most important backer and arms supplier. Over the past four years, China's military has significantly ramped up its activities around democratically governed Taiwan. Biden has previously upset the Chinese government with comments that appeared to suggest the United States would defend the island if it were attacked, a deviation from a long-held U.S. position of "strategic ambiguity." The U.S. and Taiwan navies quietly conducted joint drills in the Pacific in April, Reuters has reported. Biden, a Democrat, imposed new trade tariffs on a range of Chinese sectors on Tuesday, while Taiwan reported Chinese forces were carrying out their latest "combat patrol" near the island that same day. Biden has sent three similar delegations to Taiwan, most recently in January after the election, and groups of former U.S. officials to inaugurations in 2008, 2012 and 2016 during the administrations of former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Beijing has denounced the visits, and it cut communications with Washington on military and climate matters after a 2022 trip to Taiwan by then House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Those talks were recently restored. The U.S. official said "we are in touch" with Taipei on the "content" of Lai's inauguration speech, reinforcing its long-standing policies on the topic. "We're pretty realistic that the PRC's strategic long term goals are not going to change," a reference to the People's Republic of China and its goal of "reunification" with Taiwan. The official said China would likely maintain pressure on Taiwan under the new administration and they were hoping that restored U.S.-China talks could lower tensions. "In this upcoming term, we're not looking to shake things up or change things here," the official said. "Status quo has been our byword for this period." (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Heather Timmons and Sandra Maler) People visit the Space Tech Expo USA 2023 in Long Beach, California, the United States, on May 3, 2023. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) The expo showcases a variety of space technology that is used in manufacturing processes, including space manufacturing and testing services, components and systems engineering for spacecraft, launcher, and satellite programs. LOS ANGELES, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Space Tech Expo USA kicked off on Tuesday in Long Beach in Southern California, the United States, showcasing new technologies and trends in the space industry. The expo, one of North America's premier conferences, is held at the Long Beach Convention Center from Tuesday to Wednesday. The two-day event draws more than 250 exhibitors, over 50 speakers and 3,500 attendees. The expo showcases a variety of space technology that is used in manufacturing processes, including space manufacturing and testing services, components and systems engineering for spacecraft, launcher, and satellite programs. Representatives from companies including Virgin Galactic, Deloitte, Material Impact, Porsche Consulting GmbH, Space Forge US, and Lockheed Martin, shared their expertise in the space industry. The annual expo is the U.S. West Coast's premier exhibition and conference for space technology and innovation. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The House is expected to vote Wednesday on a bill that drastically would change the Districts ability to modify, enact or repeal criminal sentencing laws. The D.C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe (CRIMES) Act would, in part, amend the Youth Rehabilitation Act of 1985. Under the current law, people who are younger than 25 can be considered youth offenders, allowing them to receive lighter sentences and to have more options when it comes to facilities, treatment and services. The CRIMES Act would cap youth offender status at 18. The CRIMES Act also would prohibit the D.C. Council from passing any legislation that would change criminal sentencing laws. Alsobrooks beats Trone, faces Hogan in US Senate election In light of this provision, many officials in the District have urged House members not to pass the legislation. In a statement, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said, in part: Congress cannot have it both ways they cannot criticize DCs crime rate and then block our every attempt to reduce crime. If passed, this bill would prevent DC leaders from taking critical steps needed to improve public safety and protect District residents. In a section of a joint letter to the House, Schwalb, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Council Chairman Phil Mendelson wrote the following: If H.R. 7530 were law today, it would block us from taking some of these steps. By prohibiting the Council from enacting any act, resolution, or rule to change any criminal liability sentence, the bill would prevent District policymakers from responding to emerging crime trends by enhancing criminal penalties, or even create new crimes. Swift and certain consequences are essential to deterring crime, and persistent congressional interference is at odds with that goal. Given recent experience, these delays could be extensive, preventing courts from imposing longer sentences while legislation languishes in Congress. Muriel Bowser, Mayor of the District of Columbia; Phil Mendelson, Chairman, Council of the District of Columbia; Brian L. Schwalb, Attorney General for the District of Columbia Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents the District in the House of Representatives, also called on the House to vote against the bill, describing it as radical, undemocratic, and paternalistic and as poorly drafted as it is offensive. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Russia has stepped up its disinformation efforts to discredit Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky and raise questions about his legitimacy in recent months, US intelligence agencies have observed. A recently downgraded intelligence assessment shared with CNN says that Russia has seized on various recent events to fuel criticism about Zelenskys abilities and place as Ukraines leader, a senior Biden administration official said in an interview. Russia has spread disinformation about Zelensky since before the war started but recent intelligence shows its definitely increasing, the official said. The escalation of Moscows efforts comes as Ukrainian forces struggle to hold the line against a spike in Russian attacks in northeastern Ukraine, but the trend had been growing for months prior and is a reflection of Zelenskys general formidability as a wartime president for over two years, the official argued. I would actually connect this disinformation effort to President Zelenskys effectiveness across this conflict in remaining a stable, dedicated and critically important leader of his country, said the official, who requested anonymity to discuss the intelligence. Russia has highlighted two main areas in this recent disinformation push, the intelligence indicates: Ukraines painful withdrawal from the eastern city of Avdiivka and the fact that Ukraine postponed its presidential election scheduled for this Spring due to the war. Russia suffered huge losses of troops to take Avdiivka but their eventual victory underscored Ukraines shortage of Western ammunition and its difficulties in defending the 1000km-long front line. Zelensky said the Ukrainian withdrawal was ordered to avoid being surrounded and save his soldiers lives. The Russian narrative now being propagated, the official said, was that it was not a strategic Ukrainian decision but rather to assign other motives, the official said, without spelling out the Russian messaging. When Russia launched its invasion in late February 2022, Zelensky imposed martial law, which was approved by Ukraines parliament. Since then it has regularly been extended and the presidential election that was due to be held this year has been postponed. But Russians have used the delayed election to push an argument that Ukrainians will question Zelenskys legitimacy, something that has been voiced by President Vladimir Putins spokesman. Zelensky had previously rejected the narrative as a Russian program. Concerned about impact abroad The US is more concerned about the impact of the disinformation on countries abroad than on Ukrainians confidence in Zelensky, the official said. Thats why were briefing our allies and partners about this, the official said. We want to make sure that this type of Russian disinformation doesnt take hold and other countries that might not realize, Oh, of course, they cant hold elections because theyre in a state of martial law as a consequence of Russias war. Biden administration officials regularly mention the increased pace of publicly released downgraded intelligence to warn about Russian actions and plans. The administration has also imposed sanctions against individuals and entities connected with Russian disinformation. Both Ukraine and Russia have been involved in disinformation efforts against each other for years. So their impact now is questionable, particularly this far into the war, says Gavin Wilde, a former National Security Council official who is now a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. I am skeptical, Wilde said, that all of these narratives are doing much other than merely preaching to the already converted. [Russias] always been trying to besmirch Zelensky and two plus years into this war theres probably not a lot of fence sitters who are kind of left to be swayed by a nudge to the left or right about Zelensky holding elections or Ukrainian forces holding on Avdiivka, he added. Which Russian security agency is behind these efforts is unclear, but US officials believe that its intelligence services are involved while also noting that a lot of Russian disinformation often comes bottom up from pro-Russian non-official groups. Russia is using its typical platforms, both traditional and state media, intelligence services and the proxies that they seek to operate, and social media to spread this messaging, said the official. Ukraine is facing a dire moment in which its forces are diminished and stretched thin while desperately needed Western military aid isnt arriving as quickly as it is needed. Russian advances are expected to further pull Ukrainian troops away from lines they have been defending while Russias military industry far outpaces the Wests ability to arm Ukraine will critical artillery ammunition. Still, the US official argued, Russias inability to achieve its military objectives has energized its disinformation efforts that the US believes will keep growing. We view this as a natural evolution, or a logical evolution, in Russias tactics, the senior administration official said. Not only have we seen these disinformation efforts increasing but we also expect them to continue to increase. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military has started moving a pier towards the Gaza coast, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, one of the last steps before the launch of a maritime port promised by President Joe Biden to speed the flow of humanitarian aid to Palestinians. The U.S. military opted to pre-assemble the maritime pier at Israeli port of Ashdod earlier this month due to weather conditions at the Gaza site where it will now be installed. Officials hope the pier can be anchored to the coast of Gaza and aid can start flowing in the coming days. "Earlier today, components of the temporary pier ... along with military vessels involved in its construction, began moving from the Port of Ashdod towards Gaza, where it will be anchored to the beach to assist in the delivery of international humanitarian aid," a U.S. official said. A British shipment of nearly 100 tonnes of aid has left Cyprus bound for a new temporary pier in Gaza, the British Foreign Office said on Wednesday. The U.S. military effort comes more than six months after Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250 others, according to Israeli tallies. In response, Israel has launched a relentless assault on Gaza, killing more than 35,000 Palestinians, local health authorities say, in a bombardment that has reduced much of the enclave to a wasteland and triggered U.N. warnings of looming famine. Over time, the civilian toll from the Israeli offensive has triggered global protests and strained relations with Washington, Israel's biggest backer. Israel has sought to demonstrate it is not blocking aid to Gaza. Although U.S. officials and aid groups say some progress has been made, they warn it is insufficient. Dan Dieckhaus, the response director at the U.S. Agency for International Development, told reporters earlier on Wednesday Israel still has more work to do to address concerns about the killing of aid workers in Gaza. "Overall we are still not satisfied. And we won't be satisfied as long as we continue to see aid worker deaths and injuries," Dieckhaus said. (Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart, Editing by William Maclean) The US and Pacific ally Japan are teaming up to defeat new hypersonic missiles that right now are basically unstoppable The US and Pacific ally Japan are teaming up to defeat new hypersonic missiles that right now are basically unstoppable The US and Japan have agreed to jointly develop a hypersonic missile defense system. Hypersonic weapons are outside the threat envelope of current missile defenses. The move is a major step for the allies toward defending against new missile threats from China and others. The US and Japan have agreed to work together to develop a defense system to defeat hypersonic missiles, according to the US Department of Defense. Hypersonic missiles are a daunting challenge and nearly impossible for current missile-defense systems to stop because they can fly low and maneuver along unpredictable flight paths, making the new project the US and Japan are working on significant as the two allies face emerging Russian and Chinese missile threats. On Wednesday, the US and Japan "finalized a formal agreement for a Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) Cooperative Development (GCD) Project Arrangement," which aims to develop a missile defense system that can effectively intercept hypersonic weapons in the glide phase of their flight. The new bilateral agreement is the culmination of over a year of talks between the two countries. Plans for the co-development of a GPI were originally announced in August 2023 during a Japan-US summit. The US Missile Defense Agency will lead the development of the GPI, while Japan will contribute specific components. In their joint statement, the allies said that the coming "GPI will deliver a regional defensive capability over time as part of a holistic layered defensive architecture. The GPI co-development will build upon long-standing U.S.-Japan missile defense cooperation and strengthen the Alliance deterrence posture." Russian navy frigate Admiral Gorshkov launching a Zircon hypersonic missile in White Sea, Russia, on July 19, 2021. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP, File The development of the planned GPI could be a game-changer against hypersonic threats, which neither country currently has the ability to defeat. Though US weaponry has defeated adjacent threats like Russia's Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile, current missile defenses would likely struggle against actual hypersonic weapons like China's DF-17 equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle or Russia's Zircon scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile. Cooperation on the GPI comes as the US and Japan face an expanding Chinese missile force capable of targeting US bases in Japan, as well as other positions in the Pacific region, and increasing cooperation between Moscow and Beijing that has American intelligence re-evaluating its defenses. Notably, Pyongyang is also attempting to develop what it says are hypersonic missiles. Current and former US military leaders have expressed concerns about China's missiles, and US lawmakers and experts have said that the US lacks sufficient active and passive defenses to defend against a bombardment that could include hypersonic weapons. DF-17 medium-range ballistic missiles equipped with a DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle in a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Republic. Zoya Rusinova\TASS via Getty Image The GPI project is not the first time the US and Japan have worked together on missile defenses. The allies successfully tested the jointly developed Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IIA interceptor in a February 2017 intercept of a ballistic missile target. The SM-3, part of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system, was used in combat for the first time in April during Iran's missile and drone strike against Israel. At the time, the launch of the SM-3 was significant not only because of its unprecedented use in combat, but also due to its unique capability to eliminate targets outside of the Earth's atmosphere, or exo-atmospherically. Read the original article on Business Insider (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Bidens administration is placing visa restrictions on hundreds of members of Nicaraguas government and sanctioning three entities based in the country, part of an effort to tamp down on a historic surge of illegal immigration that has become a political flashpoint. Most Read from Bloomberg The moves are intended to punish Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortegas government, which the US accuses of trying to exploit vulnerable migrants transiting through the country, according to senior US officials, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity Wednesday. Officials said Ortegas government is profiting off migrants by selling them visas that require them to leave the country in 96 hours after arriving at local airports. A policy alert will also encourage airlines to take steps to identify routes that can be used for smuggling and to report concerning activity to US Customs and Border Protection, among other suggestions. The US visa restrictions will hit more than 250 members of the government, including judges and others, according to one of the officials. Two of the entities being sanctioned by the US Treasury Department are gold companies and the third is a training center for the Russian ministry of internal affairs in Managua, the official added. US agencies will also issue travel alerts and warn transportation providers of the ways in which smugglers are trying to facilitate illegal migration. Nicaragua has become an important transit country for migrants seeking to enter the US by land. The nation does not require visas from many other nations that are sources of illegal migration, exacerbating the US southern border crisis that has become a major liability for Biden ahead of his rematch with Donald Trump in Novembers election. Relations between the US and Nicaragua have worsened since Ortegas landslide election victory in 2021, after he jailed his most popular opponents. The administration in 2022 targeted sectors of Nicaraguas economy and restricted US investment in the country. Officials said the US will continue to pressure Ortega to stop cracking down on the opposition to his regime, restore democratic norms and stop facilitating illegal migration. Biden has taken steps to address the historic number of migrants at the US-Mexico border, including proposing a new rule earlier this month that would allow the US to more quickly expel some asylum-seekers. The move, though, only addresses a small percentage of those caught at the border, as Biden weighs more sweeping unilateral actions. The White House has been considering an executive order on immigration policy since Republicans killed a bipartisan Senate deal, under pressure from Trump. Administration officials have said Biden wants to ensure his actions can withstand legal scrutiny before moving. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Title icon The News The US plans to send a delegation of former government officials to Taiwan to attend the upcoming inauguration of president-elect Lai Ching-te, including President Joe Bidens former top economic adviser Brian Deese. The bipartisan delegation, which will arrive in Taipei this weekend ahead of the May 20 inauguration, will also include Richard Armitage, the former deputy secretary of state under George W. Bush; Brookings expert Richard Bush; and Laura Rosenberger, a former Biden White House national security official and the current chair of the American Institute in Taiwan, a senior Biden administration official told reporters. Deese stepped down as director of the White House National Economic Council last year. The senior administration official described the plans for the delegation as in keeping with past precedent, and said that Beijing will be the provocateur should it choose to respond with additional military pressure or coercion. Weve been clear in our communications with Beijing that [the] US sending delegations of former US government officials to inaugurations is a longstanding practice, the official said, citing delegations sent to Taiwan inaugurations in 2016 and 2012. The move is likely to draw criticism from China, which claims Taiwan as its territory. The Chinese government reacted negatively to the delegation of former US officials sent to the self-governing island in January following Lais election. China firmly opposes the US having any form of official interaction with Taiwan and interfering in Taiwan affairs in any way or under any pretext, Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said in response to a question about plans for the delegation. The delegation will congratulate Lai on his election and emphasize the United States longstanding commitment in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the American Institute in Taiwan said in an announcement Wednesday. Semafor Logo US to send an unofficial delegation as Taiwan's president is sworn in. It will test ties with China FILE- Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, left, celebrates his victory with running mate Bi-khim Hsiao in Taipei, Taiwan, Jan. 13, 2024. The Biden administration says the White House is sending an unofficial delegation to Taiwan this weekend for the inauguration of the islands democratically elected president. The move is certain to upset China but unlikely to draw excessive responses from Beijing as the two countries try to stabilize relations. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File) WASHINGTON (AP) The White House will send an unofficial delegation to Taiwan this weekend for the inauguration of the islands democratically elected president, the Biden administration announced Wednesday, in a move that is certain to upset China but unlikely to draw excessive responses from Beijing as the two countries try to stabilize relations. A senior White House official said the move is in line with longstanding U.S. practice to send the delegation which includes two former senior officials and a scholar to the inauguration ceremony Monday. Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party will take office, succeeding Tsai Ing-wen of the same party. Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of Chinese territory and vows to seize the island by force if necessary to achieve unification, sees Lai as a supporter of Taiwans independence and has long opposed any official contact between Washington and Taipei. In what ways the U.S. deals with the new Taiwan authorities on May 20 and afterwards will affect (the) cross-Strait situation and also the China-U.S. relations in the future, Liu Pengyu, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said Tuesday before the announcement, referring to the Taiwan Strait. So we urge the U.S. side to act on President Biden's commitment of not supporting Taiwan independence, he said. The U.S. delegation will be in Taipei to represent the American people," the White House official told reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the trip before it was announced. The official called Taiwan a model for democracy not only in the region but also globally." Despite an absence of formal relations with Taiwan, the U.S. is the islands strongest ally and is obligated under a 1979 law to help Taiwan protect itself from invasion. It's unclear how Beijing would respond to an unofficial U.S. delegation at the Taiwanese inauguration, but "Beijing will be the provocateur should it choose to respond with additional military pressure or coercion, the U.S. official said, adding that the administration is not predicting how China would respond. Beijing has repeatedly warned Washington not to meddle with Taiwans affairs, which it says are a core interest for China because it is a matter of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Beijing sees Washington's support for Taiwan as provocative. The U.S. insists any differences be resolved peacefully and opposes any unilateral changes by either side to the status quo. We do not support Taiwan independence," the administration official said. We support cross-Strait dialogue. Taiwan has topped the agenda in U.S.-China relations, which have soured over issues ranging from trade, cybersecurity and human rights to spying. The Biden administration, in its competition with China, has engaged in intense diplomacy aimed at preventing tensions from spiraling out of control. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have recently visited China in the administration's latest effort to keep communications open and minimize misunderstanding. Shortly after Lai was elected in January, President Joe Biden sent an unofficial delegation to Taipei to meet Lai, drawing protests from Beijing. Members of Congress also have traveled to Taiwan to meet the president-elect. Plans are underway for a congressional delegation to visit Taiwan shortly after the inauguration. Beijing reiterated its claim over Taiwan immediately after Lai was elected and said the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China will not change." Days later, Nauru, a tiny Pacific nation, severed its diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which now is recognized by 12 governments, including the Vatican. Since then, Beijing has criticized a U.S. destroyers passage through the Taiwan Strait. The U.S. Navys 7th Fleet said the USS Halsey conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on May 8 through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law. Navy Senior Capt. Li Xi, speaking for Chinas Eastern Theater Command, accused the U.S. of having publicly hyped the passage of the ship and said the command organized naval and air forces to monitor the ships transit. Meanwhile, in a push to avoid Taiwans global recognition, Beijing said this week that it would not agree to Taiwans participation in this years World Health Assembly, an annual meeting by the World Health Organization that could boost Taiwans visibility on the world stage. Chinas Taiwan region, unless given approval by the central government, has no basis, reason or right to participate in the World Health Assembly, said Wang Wenbin, speaking for the Chinese foreign ministry. Wang also said Taiwans Democratic Progressive Party, which came into power in 2016, has been hellbent on the separatist stance of Taiwans independence and that Beijing has sufficient reason and a solid legal basis to bar Taiwan from the global organization. Heres the bipartisan delegation that the White House is sending to Taiwan this weekend: Laura Rosenberger, chair of the American Institute in Taiwan, a nonprofit, private corporation established under a 1979 law to manage Americas unofficial relations with Taiwan. Brian Deese, a former director of the National Economic Council in the Biden administration. Richard Armitage, a former deputy secretary of state under President George W. Bush. Richard Bush, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who previously served as chair of the American Institute in Taiwan. By John Kruzel WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court restored a Louisiana electoral map that has two of the state's six congressional districts with Black-majority populations for use in the Nov. 5 election - a ruling on Wednesday with potential implications for which party will control the U.S. House of Representatives. The justices granted a request by state officials and a group of Black voters to temporarily halt a federal three-judge panel's decision throwing out Louisiana's newly redrawn map that includes two Black-majority U.S. House districts, rather than the one present in a previous version. Black voters tend to support Democratic candidates. The judicial panel on April 30 had ruled 2-1 that the map was chiefly influenced by race in violation of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment guarantee of equal protection, and ordered that a new map be drawn. The panel's decision was the latest development in a long-running legal fight over the boundaries of Louisiana's U.S. House districts. Republicans hold a 217-213 margin in the House. Ongoing legal battles over redistricting in several states could be enough to determine whether Republicans retain control or Democrats regain a majority. The Republican-controlled Louisiana legislature approved the new map in January adding a second Black-majority district after U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick in 2022 found that the previous Republican-drawn map illegally harmed Black voters. Dick concluded that the previous map devised by the state legislature likely violated the Voting Rights Act, a landmark 1965 U.S. law that bars racial discrimination in voting. The Supreme Court in 2023 left Dick's ruling in place. Under the map rejected by Dick, Black voters had constituted a majority in only one of the state's six districts, despite comprising nearly a third of Louisiana's population. In January, a group of Louisiana voters identifying as "non-African American" challenged the redrawn map. The challengers argued that it was an unconstitutional "racial gerrymander" that violated the 14th Amendment equal protection guarantee, which prohibits states from using race as the predominant factor in drawing electoral districts. The amendment, ratified in 1868 in the aftermath of the American Civil War, addressed issues relating to the rights of formerly enslaved Black people. Ruling in favor of the challengers, the judicial panel ordered Louisiana's legislature to produce a new map by June 3. Failing that, the panel could have imposed its own map, one which would not necessarily have included a second majority-Black district, according to legal experts. Two judges appointed by Republican former President Donald Trump were in the majority in the panel's ruling, with a judge appointed by Democratic former President Bill Clinton dissenting. That ruling prompted state officials, as well as Black Louisiana voters backed by civil rights groups, to ask the Supreme Court to temporarily halt the decision while they pursue a formal appeal. Louisiana's Republican Secretary of State Nancy Landry in court filings said that in order to "accurately administer the congressional election" she needed a map in place by Wednesday. The Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority. Its three liberal justices dissented from Wednesday's decision. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote that the Supreme Court's intervention - under a precedent aimed at preventing voter confusion caused by judicial decisions that change rules near an election - was not necessary this far ahead of Nov. 5. "There is little risk of voter confusion from a new map being imposed this far out from the November election," Jackson wrote. "In fact, we have often denied stays of redistricting orders issued as close or closer to an election." (Reporting by John Kruzel; Additional reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) WASHINGTON, May 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden is pushing through arms transfer to Israel worth more than 1 billion U.S. dollars in the Congress, multiple U.S. media reported. The news was first reported by the Wall Street Journal before being followed up by The Washington Post and the Associated Press. The outlets cited anonymous U.S. officials and congressional aides as saying that the weapons package being sent to Israel includes 700 million dollars in tank ammunition, 500 million dollars in tactical vehicles and 60 million dollars in mortar rounds. The potential transfer, now going through the so-called "tiered review" process in relevant committees of the House and the Senate, would be the first delivery of weaponry to Israel since the Biden administration recently put one shipment of bombs on hold, for fear that they would be dropped during an anticipated major ground operation by the Israeli military in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Biden said during an interview with CNN last week that he will not supply weapons to Israel for use in a Rafah invasion. His remarks and decision to delay the bomb shipments drew immediate condemnation from House Republicans, who planned to advance a bill this week that would mandate the delivery of offensive weapons to Israel. The White House said in a statement Tuesday that Biden would veto the Republican-crafted legislation -- namely the Israel Security Assistance Support Act -- if it were to land on his desk. "The bill would undermine the President's ability to execute an effective foreign policy," the statement said, calling the bill "a misguided reaction to a deliberate distortion of the Administration's approach to Israel." United States Postal Service officials discuss plans for changes to the Charleston Processing and Distribution Center at a Feb. 14 public meeting in Charleston. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch) The United States Postal Service says it will pause changes to the mail delivery service that include downsizing a South Charleston mail facility. In a letter to Michigan Sen. Gary Peterson, chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, earlier this week, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy wrote that he would pause the movement of processing operations associated with mail processing facility reviews taking place at nearly 60 of 427 processing plants until at least Jan. 1, 2025. Even then, we will not advance these efforts without advising you of our plans to do so, and then only at a moderated pace of implementation, DeJoy wrote. The letter came in response to a letter Peterson and several other senators, including Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. sent to the postmaster last week expressing concern over the impacts that changes will have on timely mail delivery in communities across the country, including West Virginia. The Postal Service announced last month it would proceed with a plan to shrink the Charleston Processing and Distribution Center and transfer some of its operations to the Pittsburgh Processing and Distribution Center and the Pennwood Place Processing and Distribution Center in Warrendale, Pennsylvania. The center would transition to a local processing center as a part of the postal services 10-year Delivering for America plan to improve organizational and operational and make the agency efficient. The change would result in 23 net position losses and one managerial role loss. None of the losses will be what the postal service refers to as career positions, the postal service said. A total of 41 career positions and four management positions, in addition to non-career jobs, will be transferred out of the South Charleston facility. Reached Wednesday, Tim Holstein, vice president of the American Postal Workers Union local 133, noted that the postal service has never given a timeline for the downsizing of the South Charleston plant. Holstein said so far, the facility has essentially laid off four temporary workers by reducing their number of hours and cut back on overtime hours, leading to the facility being inundated with mail waiting to be processed. If you do those two things, what gives? And thats service, Holstein said. Were not being able to process mail to the extent that we were before. So ultimately, the customer is the one thats losing. Theyre the ones getting cheated because theyre paying for a service that theyre not receiving. Holstein said the union is preparing to file a grievance on behalf of the four workers. While the postal service has not yet transferred some of the facilitys operation to Pennsylvania, mail from the facility that was piled up has previously been trucked to other mail plants only to be returned to South Charleston later, he said. When Ill tell you theres mail thats piled up, Im talking stacked, double stack, and its not just, letter mail or bills or packages, were talking political mail, he said. [Tuesday] was the election. I promise you that if I would have stayed in that building past my time, when I left yesterday, I would bet my paycheck that there was political mail that was in that building that did not get delivered in a timely fashion. In a statement Tuesday, Manchin said hes glad that DeJoy heed the repeated calls to put the changes on hold. It is essential we understand the full impact of these proposed changes, especially on our hardworking postal employees, before moving forward on their implementation, he said. I will continue working with the Postal Service and my bipartisan colleagues to protect reliable mail service for all West Virginians and Americans. The post USPS says it will pause changes to mail delivery system that include South Charleston facility appeared first on West Virginia Watch. The exterior of the Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News A new legislative audit has found that teachers in Juab School District have less experience than those in peer school districts, which raises concerns that teacher inexperience can negatively impact student learning. One of the reasons behind the small, rural school districts relatively inexperienced teaching force is the lower salary offered to educators, which is below peer school districts and those paid by the larger, nearby Nebo School District. Juab School District teachers told auditors from the Office of the Legislative Auditor General that they also have a higher workload than educators in the peer school districts in the audit, which included Millard, Carbon, South Sanpete and North Sanpete. The higher workload is attributed to the school districts adoption of competency-based grading, which requires teachers to create individual rubrics for each content standard, which boosts their workload. The audit recommends that the school district provide education to staff on the implementation of competency-based grading. Although Utah lawmakers have appropriated record public education funding in recent years, Juab School District was significantly impacted when it was required to return $800,000 in centrally assessed tax revenue to the state. Three years ago, it was an $800,000 payback and you know how that works, its immediate. Its not Hey, lets give you time to do that. So, $400,000 to $500,000 of that was ongoing, said Juab School District Superintendent Kodey Hughes. Juab School District Board of Education President Linda Hanks added, The centrally assessed, thats a hard one. I mean, its really hard for me as a board president that has been sitting as a board member for a while and weve been really aggressive at trying to keep up with salaries and were still at the bottom. In fact, if it wasnt for the actions of the Legislature a year ago, which helped with the legislative add-on, we wouldnt even be at the $50,000. At least eight Utah school districts are paying teachers at least $60,000 to start. The pandemic was another blow to the school district. Hanks said prior to the disruption caused by COVID-19, the school district had a very high rate of veteran teachers. We saw some of our best and highest scores at that time. Some teachers elected to retire early and they were replaced by teachers with less experience because it was difficult to compete with the higher salaries offered by the larger and urban Nebo School District just 20 miles away, she said. The district has implemented strategies to mentor young teachers, but it has had challenges filling its vacancies with teachers who are fully licensed. The audit, presented to the Utah Legislatures Audit Subcommittee on Tuesday, notes low numbers of applicants for teaching positions. According to the district, the number of job applications they receive per opening has been very low, often only 0-2 applicants. This could cause the district to have little choice but to hire less experienced teachers, without professional licenses, the audit states. The Juab School District is based in Nephi and serves about 2,750 students. It includes a high school, a junior high and three elementary schools which are located in Nephi, Levan, Mona and Rocky Ridge. The audit found the school district is succeeding in some areas. For instance, its high school graduation rate exceeds the state average, although its test scores are below state averages, the audit states. Juab School District is showing improvement post COVID-19, but English language arts remains a problem districtwide, according to the audits findings. Test results of the districts junior high students were below peers in all areas, it said. Finally, Juab School District missed out on funding due to its failure to report English language learners to the Utah State Board of Education, the audit states. That has been corrected, the school district states. While the audit was primarily an examination of Juab School Districts performance, it raised policy questions regarding the statewide online education program it operates for Arizona State University. One private school has enrolled international students in ASU Prep Juab. The students do not appear to be statutorily eligible to participate in the program, the audit states. These international students live with Utah residents while they are in Utah. The Utah residents only obtain a power of attorney for these students, which does not appear to be the same as legal guardianship, the audit states. If the Utah resident is not considered a custodial parent, it calls into question whether the student qualifies to receive funding for that course. The auditors sought a legal opinion from the Utah Legislatures Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel. OLRGCs legal opinion confirmed our analysis, stating: An international student who is attending a private school or home school must also have a custodial parent that is a resident of Utah in order to participate. " UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A van driver is facing a criminal charge after failing to drop off a four-year-old child at home from the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind. Police said the child was found in the van, still buckled in, nearly three hours after school ended. Patricia Lea Kitchen, 70, of Lehi, was arrested on suspicion of neglecting a child with a disability, a third-degree felony, the Utah County Sheriffs Office said. READ NEXT: Utah firefighters save baby that became unresponsive moments after birth On May 2, Kitchen, who drives a van that transports children with disabilities to and from the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind, neglected to drop off the 4-year-old disabled child at their home, the indictment states. The van reportedly left the school at about 1:30 p.m., and the other children were home by 2:30-2:45 p.m. At about 4 p.m., the childs mother called the van company saying her child had not returned home. According to the indictment, the van had been parked at Kitchens residence since about 3:30 p.m. The van company used GPS tracking and found the child seated in the van, still buckled in, at about 4:15 p.m. In a statement from the school, Public Information Officer Susan Thomas said students are transported from homes to school in vans by a private provider, Wasatch Transportation. Wasatch Transportation reported to the school that the driver forgot to drop off the student at the home, fortunately the child was left in the van for less than 5 minutes before the child was retrieved, she said. Wasatch Transportation also allegedly said they took swift action with Kitchen, so this will not happen again. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Longshot presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. found little traction at a federal appeals court Tuesday for his arguments that Google violated his First Amendment rights by taking down YouTube videos it said contained misinformation about the dangers of vaccines. A three-judge panel hearing oral arguments in San Francisco sounded skeptical about Kennedys demand that Google restore the videos because it was effectively acting as an arm of the federal government when it removed them, citing concerns they could be harmful to users. Private entities and the First Amendment dont live in the same house, Judge Consuelo Callahan said, noting that the Constitutions protection of free speech protections is generally viewed as applying to government actions, not private businesses. Scott Street, an attorney for Kennedy, said records obtained through other litigation showed Google was so receptive to the Biden administrations requests that the company should be considered a state actor. The White House and the Surgeon General were demanding more removal of speech from tech platforms like YouTube, Street said. They were specifically identifying Mr. Kennedy as someone whose speech needed to be removed, curtailed on these platforms A lawyer for Google said there was no evidence that any Kennedy speeches were taken down because of requests from federal officials. It is not the case that there is any communication here with Google about taking down Kennedys videos, said the attorney, Ginger Anders. (There is evidence in the court record of a Biden administration official reaching out to another platform, Twitter, about a Kennedy video.) Anders noted that the policy cited to take down the videos was adopted by Google in December 2020, before a flurry of public comments by President Joe Biden and other officials in 2021 criticizing the tech platforms. The videos in dispute were removed in 2023. During the half-hour argument, Callahan pressed Anders on whether a direct threat by Biden to remove platforms legal protection against suits over user-provided content a shield known as Section 230 would be enough to convert what Google did into a form of state action. What if they said: Were pulling 230 if you dont take this down? asked the judge, an appointee of President George W. Bush. Anders replied that might be enough, but insisted that isnt what happened. There could be some circumstances in which if the government threatened to change the law that that could amount to coercion, she said. The government immediately said thats up to Congress. Thats not up to us as the administration. That is relevant as to whether this is threatening. The president himself said Im not trying to hold any of the platforms accountable. I think thats incredibly important as well. Judge Gabriel Sanchez, a Biden appointee, repeatedly questioned the timing of the takedowns, whether they aligned with any actions by the administration and what specific proof Kennedy had that he was being targeted by government officials. I found the evidence in support of your arguments sort of weak because it seems you have this timing issue, Sanchez said to Street. The third judge on the panel, John Kronstadt, asked fewer questions but also probed how the timing of the takedowns might impact the case for coercion. Kronstadt is an Obama appointee. Anders disputed that the removal of a few videos out of hundreds was impacting Kennedys presidential campaign, which has found traction in recent weeks at least in terms of ballot access and is feared by many Biden allies as a potential threat to his re-election. She also urged the judges not to neglect Googles own free-speech rights to manage its platforms as it sees fit. Google has a First Amendment right to engage in editorial discretion, she said. It is exercising its own right to decide that this is speech that it doesnt want to promote or publish because its decided that it is harmful to its users. The company maintains that position. YouTube applies its Community Guidelines independently, transparently, and consistently, regardless of political viewpoint, said Jose Castaneda, a Google spokesperson, These claims are meritless and we will continue to refute them. In March, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case brought by the attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri claiming users in those states airing views about issues like vaccine dangers were targeted by the tech giants for censorship at the behest of the Biden administration. Most of the justices seemed highly skeptical of the notion that aggressive hectoring of the tech platforms by Biden or his aides was sufficient to deem them to be acting as agents of the government. That case is likely to be decided by the end of June. Anders said during the appeals court arguments Monday that she saw no likely impact from that ruling on Kennedys because the evidence of coercion in his case was considerably weaker. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report incorrectly described Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a Democratic candidate. Sen. JD Vances (R-Ohio) surprise appearance at a Manhattan courthouse to support former President Trump, and his qualified answer about supporting the results of the 2024 election, show hes challenging Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) as the Senate front-runner to be Trumps running mate in the fall. GOP senators and strategists say its hard to predict whom Trump will choose, but they say Scott and Vance are viewed as the two most likely choices within the Senate GOP conference. Vance and Scott are stepping up their efforts to grab Trumps attention by staying close to his orbit and showing off their skills and loyalty. Vance showed up Monday in Lower Manhattan to rip District Attorney Alvin Braggs (D) prosecution of Trump as politically motivated and pan the judges handling of the trial as a disgrace. He told Fox News host Martha MacCallum on Tuesday that he was there to support a friend, calling it a very depressing way to spend five, six weeks of your life when you know that youre innocent. He will also attend an intimate, high-dollar fundraiser with Trump in Cincinnati on Wednesday. Guests are being asked to contribute $50,000 per person to a joint fundraising committee for the occasion. Scott, meanwhile, was scheduled to attend a high-dollar fundraising even for Trump in Manhattan on Tuesday, with tickets costing $100,000 and a photo and a seat in the VIP section costing nearly $900,000. Scott will host a policy summit in Washington next month with major donors and power players including Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of the investment fund Citadel; Bill Ackman, the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management; Marc Rowan, the CEO of Apollo Global Management, and Tim Dunn, the founder of CrownQuest. Scott is well-liked among Senate GOP colleagues, and some Republicans are urging Trump to diversify his ticket to appeal to Black and Hispanic voters who are unhappy with President Bidens economic record. But Vance has been better at generating buzz than Scott, whose presidential campaign failed to generate much excitement despite lavish funding, including a $40 million ad reservation from an aligned super PAC. Trump VP race creates army of surrogates while hes tied up in court Those two seem to be the most prominent candidates, GOP strategist Vin Weber said of Scott and Vance, at least among Republicans in Washington. From what I hear, Donald Trump is really, really interested in trying to increase his percentage of the Black vote. He doesnt like the fact that he was called a racist repeatedly by people on the left. He thinks hes got a chance to increase her percentage of the Black vote. So most of the people I talk to say, Probably Tim Scott, he said. But Weber said people shouldnt count out Vance as a potential running mate, given his impressive persuasion skills, which he flashed by spearheading Senate opposition to Ukraine war funding. I think JD Vance is a great communicator, he said. If Trump wants somebody on the ticket that can communicate his message particularly well not just, Yay, rah rah Trump, but, This is why you should be for him I think JD Vance is better. Trump allies say the former president will run his vice presidential selection process like an episode of The Apprentice. Right now, Vance and Scott are squaring off, dividing the Senate GOP conference into two different rooting sections. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is also said to be on Trumps shortlist of vice presidential picks, but the fact that he is from the same state as Trump Florida poses complications. He was also expected to attend the Trump fundraiser in New York on Tuesday. Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) endorsed Scotts presidential bid against Trump, and many others in the GOP conference sing his praises, touting his unique life story and ability to appeal to Black and moderate Republican voters. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who is vying with Thune to become the next Senate GOP leader, observed Tuesday that presidential candidates traditionally pick a running mate who can attract new voters to the campaign. I look back at the reason he chose [former Vice President] Mike Pence, and that was to appeal to a broader cross section of people, and typically thats what presidents do. But obviously theres one person thats going to be making that decision, and we dont know what hes thinking, he said. A lot of these people are my friends, who I work with, so I wish them good luck, Cornyn said, declining to express a preference for either senator. One Republican senator, who requested anonymity to discuss the race for vice president without bruising any colleagues ego, argued that Scott would be the best choice. Two white men on the Republican ticket in 2024 is a bad idea when you have really good alternatives, the senator said. I think Tim is No. 1 No. 1, 2 and 3. Vances star rose when he emerged this year as a leading opponent to funding the war in Ukraine, winning plaudits even from his Republican opponents for being the most articulate voice among conservatives who want to end U.S. intervention in the war. He worked closely with a cadre of conservative allies, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) to derail the bipartisan border security deal that had been attached to Ukraine funding. Vance declared Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) out of touch with Republican voters on the war, part of a barrage of conservative attacks on the leader that preceded his announcement he would step down as GOP leader at the end of the year. Matt Dole, an Ohio-based Republican strategist, said Vance is certainly seeking out the spotlight, noting he went to Mar-a-Lago recently, went to the trial and is hosting the fundraiser with Trump in Ohio. Hes getting that face time with the president, he said. Certainly the timing indicates he is interested and seeking to get on the radar. Dole noted Vance was not always a Trump guy and supported former Ohio Gov. John Kasichs (R) presidential campaign in 2016, but came around on the president and appreciates what President Trump achieved while he was in office. He cited Vances life story as chronicled in his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, growing up amid the poverty of Appalachia before enlisting in the Marines and eventually attending Yale Law School. He brings an outsider view to the ticket. Certainly, Trump is an outsider. Vances story is different. . Its pulling yourself up by the bootstraps and showing that the American Dream is still alive, and in that way probably looks good to a lot of folks, Dole said. Vance, when he spoke to reporters in New York, pushed back on the notion that hes auditioning to become Trumps running mate. But that hasnt quelled the speculation about his ambitions. Scotts allies in the Senate like to tout his remarkable life story, growing up in a poor single-parent household in North Charleston and eventually becoming the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said Scott has a bigger national profile than Vance and could appeal to a broader swath of the electorate. I think Tim, certainly, he said when asked who would be the stronger vice presidential pick. Tim does bring probably a broader appeal to the general election voting demographic, he added. Tims just got a little bigger profile, been around longer. Scott, for example, played a key role in crafting the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Trumps biggest legislative achievement, as a member of the Senate Finance Committee. And Scott allies say if he were elected vice president, his legislative experience in the Senate would help advance Trumps agenda through Congress. And Cramer noted Scotts unique story as a Black Republican who has lived the American dream. His story is phenomenal. His story of success from humble beginnings is very appealing. Its very moving, its very real. And hes an exceptional person, he said. He could definitely be president if necessary. But Cramer noted that then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) won the Democratic nomination and then the presidency in 2008 despite serving only a few years in the Senate, propelled instead by his oratorical skill and youthful energy. I think a little more time makes us all better, a little more experience in this town, in this institution, he said. Hes younger. He hasnt put in the time and the preparation. On the other hand, Barack Obama served two years in the Senate, and he became president. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Key Republican officials advocating to limit American engagement in international affairs including Sens. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Rand Paul (R-KY), former presidential candidate and potential vice presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy, and Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) are set to address a conference co-organized by Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and The American Conservative later this month. The conference on Capitol Hill, and the GOP figures planned appearances, are a further reflection of horseshoetrends in foreign policy that have united the far right and far left in support of a more isolationist U.S. posture. The Quincy Institute, aligned with the left, and The American Conservative, aligned with the right, have both pushed for a decreased U.S. role in the world from their respective political homes. Memorably, the Quincy Institute was a major backer of a widely condemned 2022 Congressional Progressive Caucus letter urging direct talks with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, while The American Conservative hosted a foreign policy conference on the Hill last year where Paul, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and other speakers railed against U.S. aid to Ukraine. Davidson was one of just 21 Republicans who voted against U.S. aid to Israel as part of the national security aid package approved last month. Ramwaswamy opposes U.S. aid to Israel. Vance and Paul both voted against the combined supplemental package in the Senate. According to an announcement circulated by the Quincy Institute, the conference aims to focus on what does a foreign policy for the Middle Class look like? The promotion declares that Americans have tired of sending their money and their family members to fund and fight foreign conflicts not vital to their own safety and security and questions why U.S. manufacturing jobs have moved overseas and why government officials and media titans are so slow to address their concerns and so quick to label them isolationists for asking. The Quincy Institute was founded in 2019 and funded by George Soros and Charles Koch. It calls for an end to American military intervention and a refocus on diplomatic strategy. In 2020, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) accused the group of helping drive an increase in antisemitism across the country. Other announced speakers include The American Conservative senior editor Helen Andrews, the Quincy Institutes George Beebe, conservative journalist Saagar Enjeti and Branko Marcetic, reporter for the far-left Jacobin magazine, who wrote a book making the case against Joe Biden. View comments PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Firefighters are working to evacuate a Vancouver apartment building after a car crashed into the building and ruptured a natural gas line. The incident is taking place at the Sterling Heights apartment complex near the intersection of Ellsworth Road and 10th Street, according to authorities. The evacuation site is located approximately one city block away from Ellsworth Elementary School. Sterling Heights Apartment Complex in Vancouver. (KOIN) The Vancouver Fire Department issued a press release at 10:56 a.m. on Wednesday stating that a 100-foot radius was set up around the building for safety. Roughly 40 people were evacuated from the apartment complex. Evergreen Public School District spokesperson Craig Birnbach told KOIN 6 News that the evacuations did not include Ellsworth Elementary School. However, the school lets out at 12:13 p.m. today, which will affect traffic in the area. 63-year-old hiker who fell 300 feet recounts harrowing rescue A Vancouver Fire Department spokesperson told KOIN 6 that firefighters are waiting for the gas line to be turned off. People are advised to avoid the area, if possible. No other details were immediately available. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. SANAA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group claimed on Wednesday that they had attacked a U.S. warship and another cargo vessel in the Red Sea, said a statement by Houthi military spokesman. The group carried out a military operation targeting the U.S. destroyer Mason in the Red Sea "with a number of naval missiles, and the hit was accurate," said Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea in a statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. He added that his group also carried out another joint missile and drone attack, targeting a U.S. cargo vessel DESTINY in the Red Sea, and "the hit was accurate." The statement provided no details about the date or casualties of the attacks. According to the U.S. Central Command on social media platform X, the U.S.-British naval coalition in the waters intercepted and destroyed on Monday two drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile launched by what it said "Iranian-backed Houthis" from northern Yemen towards ships in the Red Sea. "There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels," the U.S. Central Command added. Since last November, the Houthis began to launch anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones targeting what they said were Israeli-linked ships transiting the Red Sea to show solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, which has been under relentless Israeli attacks for nearly seven months. In January, the United States and Britain launched a military operation by carrying out airstrikes on Houthi military sites to deter the group. However, the Houthis, in retaliation, have subsequently expanded their attacks to include U.S. and British ships. Early in May, the group announced the expansion of its ballistic missile attacks to include all Israeli-linked commercial vessels transiting the Mediterranean. Car crashes into local Roosters during lunch; police, medics on scene Police and medics were called to respond after a vehicle crashed into a Miami Township restaurant. Dispatchers confirmed with News Center 7 that crews were called to the Roosters located at 9400 North Springboro Pike. The crash was reported shortly after 12:30 p.m., according to initial reports. >> PHOTOS: Car crashes into local Roosters during lunch Jim and Jane Weiss were with about 20 members of a church group when the driver of the car lost control and smashed into the window right next to them. So all of a sudden, its like a little bomb, said Jim Weiss. Felt like an explosion, then realized it was a car, Jane Weiss said. >> Arrest made after Cedar Point employee run over in parking lot in hit-and-run crash State troopers say the female driver of the car came off the northbound lanes of 741 several hundred feet from Roosters. She plowed through grass, tore through trees, ran over benches, and smashed into the building. She damaged her car more than the restaurant. Witnesses said she was a younger adult, alone in the car, and appeared to be unconscious for several moments before being revived and going to the hospital. Chelsea Barres, the general manager, said it was scary but theyre focusing on the good news. Just that were thankful she is ok and again all this is cosmetic, the guests are ok, the employees are ok, Barres said. We are working to learn the cause of the crash and will continue updating this story. At 1237 hours MVFD crews responded to a local restaurant for a vehicle into its structure. Posted by Miami Valley Fire District on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 Despite having pledged to tamp down tensions with Guyana, the Venezuelan regime is increasing its military presence at its border with that country, while raising the volume of its saber-rattling against the neighboring nation amid the poor showings at the polls of ruler Nicolas Maduro ahead of Julys presidential election. Satellite photos evaluated by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington based think-tank, showed this week that Venezuela now has substantial quantities of personnel and equipment in sites near the disputed border, particularly near the expanding military base at the border island of Anacoco. The think-tank, which had reported back in February the beginning of the buildup, reiterated in its report that the troop movement is part of what it called a strategy of compellence aimed at scaring Guyana into granting Venezuela important concessions. But now, the ploy also seems to be seeking to have an effect inside Venezuela given Maduros low standings at the polls. The latest surveys show Maduro losing the election set for July 28 by more than 40 points, 62% to 20%, against presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, a former diplomat backed by opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. While the regime has frequently been accused of winning elections through fraud, the margin is viewed by some international observers as being as too large to steal. The military buildup, divulged by the Washington center this week in a report, matches the regular announcements made by the regimes military through the states TV stations, in an unceasing propaganda campaign reiterating that the Essequibo, an oil- and mineral-rich region that mounts to about two thirds of Guyana, legitimately belongs to Venezuela. The increased troop presence in Anacoco has been accompanied by greater activity at the airport and coast guard station in Guiria, the largest town on the Venezuelan northern coast, 60 miles west of Trinidad. Recent military exercises have also brought hundreds of additional soldiers to the area. We are seeing through satellite imagery the increasingly rapid buildup of the military base at Anacoco, where they just constructed a bridge and brought a bunch of new tanks, said Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow of the Americas Program at the center in a voice commentary accompanying the report. They are deploying additional naval assets and aircraft in the city of Guiria, including Zolfaghar missile boats,s and there has been a tremendous amount of naval activity being telegraphed through social media and they are using a lot of fuel while there are gas shortages in Venezuela, he added. Seeking to lower tensions, Guyana and Venezuela had pledged in December not to threaten or use force against each other and to refrain from escalating the centuries-old border dispute, following a diplomatic spat triggered when Maduro held a referendum where his goverment asked for special powers to invade its neighbor. However, tensions continued despite the pledges and Maduro has sought to keep the issue alive inside Venezuela through repeated TV spots asserting that the regime will not yield Venezuelas claim over the Florida-sized region, which has been under Guyanase control since 1899. The Washington center report notes that Maduros standing inside Venezuela has eroded in recent weeks amid the challenge posed by Machado, a situation that is making the ruler even more beholden to the armed forces. Maduro hopes to receive several things in return for the armed forces amassing more power through the buildup, specially their loyalty if he calls on them to repress and secure his regimes security after July 28, when it looks likely that the regime will brazenly steal the presidential election, the report said. A liberal veterans PAC is launching an ad backing Assemblyman Herb Conaway in New Jerseys 3rd Congressional District race for Rep. Andy Kims (D-N.J.) seat. VoteVets political action committee (PAC) is rolling out a 30-second ad touting Conaways background and mentioning the legislation he wrote to lower prescription drugs for seniors. The group also highlighted Legislative District 7 representatives fight for abortion access in the state. With our rights under assault from a MAGA-led Congress, theres only one candidate with experience taking on extremists to get progressive priorities signed into law. Veteran. Doctor. Assemblyman. Herb Conaway, the ad narrator says, according to the recording first reviewed by The Hill. Conaway stood up to Republicans to restore funding for Planned Parenthood, the narrator continues. Passed prescription discounts for seniors. And Conaway helped guarantee the right to abortion, right in the New Jersey constitution. Herb Conaway. A proven progressive patriot. For Congress. The $220,000 television ad buy will air Wednesday and will run until the New Jersey Primary on June 4. The ad will run on cable throughout the district until primary day, according to a source familiar with the matter. Five Democrats are vying to claim Kims House seat. Kim is leaving the lower chamber after three terms in the House and is looking to become New Jerseys next senator. Conaway is competing with Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, civil rights attorney Joe Cohn, small business owner Sarah Schoengood and educator Brian Schkeeper. The first debate in the race on the Democrats side played out on Tuesday. In addition to VoteVets PAC, Conaway received backing from 314 Action Fund, a PAC dedicated to electing Democratic scientists. The group is boosting Conaway with a $170,000 ad, according to the New Jersey Globe. Conaway, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1998, has raised close to $360,000 and has around $297,000 cash on hand, according to federal election records. He launched his bid in December. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Longtime victim advocate David Clohessy stood with three alleged victims Tuesday urging the Missouri Attorney General's Office to step in to help prevent similar abuse at private Missouri boarding schools. Bursts of torrential rainfall soaked a group of victim advocates in front of a federal courthouse in Springfield on Tuesday, each holding a sign relating to abuse they said they endured at Missouri boarding schools. The paper was drenched but their message was clear: If you see something, say something. Three women, alongside former Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) leader David Clohessy, urged state officials to thoroughly investigate Christian boarding schools amid multiple reports of abuse at facilities throughout southern Missouri. Many have in resulted in criminal charges and lawsuits. They want action from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey but said they have had little success in their pursuit of accountability and more regulation. Their frustration was palpable. "I'm asking the state of Missouri to do something because I find that myself and many others basically lost our childhood to this state," said 33-year-old Amanda Householder, who attended the now-defunct Circle of Hope Girls Ranch in Humansville. "My heart breaks knowing there are still kids out there trying to escape these kinds of places." Householder's parents, Boyd and Stephanie Householder, owned the boarding school before it was shut down amid a litany of sexual assault reports from several girls. Boyd and Stephanie Householder were arrested in 2021 on 100 criminal charges and are set for a November trial. Reported victims of the Householders have alleged they used handcuffs, whipped them with belts, taped their mouths shut and struck them for misbehaving. Their daughter, Amanda, made national headlines for suing her parents and aiding the criminal investigation. Clohessy said while it may sound like 100 charges is a "slam dunk" for justice, it often isn't. "These are shrewd predators," Clohessy said. "They hire shrewd lawyers, they exploit legal technicalities, and other people with information or suspicions get complacent." Braving Tuesday's pouring rain, Amanda Householder, right, was among the three women who have urged Missouri Attorney General's Office to step in to help prevent similar abuse at Missouri boarding schools. The more people come forward, Clohessy said, the better chances of stifling similar abuse. ABM Ministries' Lighthouse Christian Academy in Piedmont was shut down earlier this year amid abuse allegations. Aralysa Baker, who attended the school several years ago, said her life was upended by what happened to her there. "As I stand here today, there are still children trapped in these facilities," said Baker, who lives in Oklahoma. "They don't have a voice. Their voice has been taken from them along with everything else that makes them a human being, because at these places they strip you of your humanity." State law previously allowed religious boarding schools to operate mostly unchecked, but stricter regulation has been enforced in recent years following an abuse scandal at Agape, a boys boarding school in Stockton, which closed its doors in 2023. Clohessy stood in front of the Springfield federal court building in October on behalf of Jason Britt, a former Agape student who reported sexual abuse at Agape before dying several years later. On Tuesday, he mentioned other places. "Please, if you saw something, or you suffered something, at Circle of Hope, ABM Ministries Lighthouse Academy or Ozark Trails Academy, pick up the phone," Clohessy said. Ryan Collingwood covers a wide range of topics for the News-Leader with an emphasis on public safety. He can be reached by phone at 417-258-8174 and email at rcollingwood@news-leader.com. You can also follow Ryan on social media at X.com/rwcollingwood. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Abuse victims seek accountability for Missouri boarding schools Four people are dead including a 3-year-old after troopers say a woman was driving in the wrong lane when she slammed into a car. It happened Saturday just after 12:15 a.m. in Garfield, Georgia, WSAV-TV said. Shyneice Sanders, 30, of San Antonio, Texas, was living at Fort Eisenhower in Augusta and was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of a divided four-lane highway when her Chevrolet Trax collided with a Toyota Avalon. TRENDING STORIES: She and her 3-year-old daughter, Zoeigh Wright, were both killed, along with Jacquelyn Johnson and William Johnson, both 61, who were in the other car. The couple were from Statesboro. Troopers say they dont believe Sanders was impaired at all and are still unsure why she was driving on the wrong side of the road. The Associated Press contributed to this article. IN OTHER NEWS: Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has lost its fourth executive officer in nearly 10 months. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has lost its fourth executive officer in nearly 10 months in the latest sign of instability within the authoritys leadership. Paul Williams is out as ABCs Chief Information Officer after serving in the role since 2016. Williams told the Virginia Mercury he was separated from employment at ABC by CEO Dale Farino with no notice May 8 without severance or compensation for his time at the authority. Williams said the reason Farino gave is he, doesnt want me on his executive team; doesnt trust me to be his leader of a section of the ABC business. ABC became an at-will employer after its transition to an authority in 2018, meaning it does not have to provide any severance. According to documents obtained by the Mercury from a Freedom of Information Act request, Williams salary was $271,215 in fiscal year 2024, as of July 1, 2023 the second highest paid position at ABC below the CEO. Williams is the latest to join the authoritys executive exodus, following the resignations of former Chief Transformation Officer Elizabeth Chu in October, former Chief Executive Officer Travis Hill in August and former Chief Digital and Branding Officer Vida Williams in January. Upon his arrival at ABC, Williams inherited the task of updating and modernizing the authoritys technical system. According to ABC, in 2014, the authority had huge technical debt and 13 of its technical systems including point-of-sale and warehouse inventory management were beyond its useful life and unsupportable. As of 2023, all but three systems were modernized. The mountain of technical debt that has been addressed in the past five years has been a financial drain and a source of stress for the organization, Williams told ABCs Board of Directors in a meeting in late March. We cannot repeat those mistakes. However, Williams told the board that ABC is now delaying some of its IT modernization projects because of the authoritys effort to cut costs in response to a $110 million shortfall in profits, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Williams told the Mercury he finds it convenient that he was let go after ABC revealed it wouldnt be investing money into technology systems and projects. While he understands that the chief information officer position may not be needed if new projects arent in the works, Williams said ABC should have handled his separation differently. I think this is just wrong seven and a half years of service and no recognition, nothing, Williams said. Just goodbye, go away it does not seem appropriate. He also pointed out that he was the only C-suite member, excluding Farino, that isnt named in ABC Director of Retail Operations Jennifer Burkes federal whistleblower lawsuit against the authority. In his observation, he said Farino came into an executive leadership team where Williams was the odd one out. Its significantly easier to remove the one thats different than to remove the entire four that are the same, Williams said. Farino declined to comment on Williams departure, as ABC spokesperson Jeff Caldwell cited it as a personnel matter. Correction: This story has been updated to correct the first name of Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority CEO Dale Farino. The post Virginia ABC ousts CIO responsible for modernizing systems appeared first on Virginia Mercury. WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) The Williamsburg Tourism Council has named Edward Harris as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Visit Williamsburg. Harris was selected as CEO after a comprehensive search process. He most recently served as President and CEO of Discover Lancaster in Pennsylvania. During his time at Discover Lancaster, Harris led the organization through a transformative period of growth. Edward Harris (Courtesy of Visit Williamsburg) Chair of Visit Williamsburg, Ruth Larson expressed her enthusiasm for Harris appointment. We are thrilled to welcome Edward Harris as the new CEO of Visit Williamsburg. His extensive experience and impressive qualifications in the tourism and marketing industry make him the perfect fit for this role. We are confident that under his leadership, Visit Williamsburg will continue to thrive and attract visitors to our beautiful and historic region, said Larson. Harris brings more than 20 years of tourism experience to the job. His expertise is expected to drive the Williamsburg Tourism Councils strategic focus on enhancing the regions visibility. Joining the Williamsburg Tourism Council as CEO is an exciting opportunity, and I am honored to be selected for this role. The Historic Triangle region is one of the marquee destinations of the world for U.S. and international travelers, said Harris. A strong tourism industry is vital to the local economy, and Im looking forward to working with the team at Visit Williamsburg to promote this beautiful regions rich history and vibrant culture. For more information about Visit Williamsburg click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to deepen their strategic partnership in Beijing on Thursday, in a stark show of their growing alignment as Moscows troops advance in Ukraine. Putin whose delegation includes top defense and security officials was welcomed by Xi to Beijings Great Hall of the People earlier with full military pageantry, heralding the start of the Russian presidents two-day state visit. A sweeping joint statement released by the two leaders laid out their countries alignment on a host of issues including energy, trade, security, and geopolitics with specific references to Ukraine, Taiwan and conflict in the Middle East. The visit Putins symbolic first overseas foray since starting a new term as Russias president last week is the latest sign of tightening relations as the two bind their countries closer in the face of heavy friction with the West. The statement proclaimed that China-Russian relations have stood the test of rapid changes in the world, demonstrating strength and stability, and are experiencing the best period in their history, the two leaders calling each other priority partners. Putin, whose countrys economy has become increasingly reliant on China since his February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, hailed the countries practical cooperation in meetings with Xi, noting their record bilateral trade last year, while stressing the importance of bolstering energy, industrial, and agriculture cooperation, according to Russian state media Tass. Their meeting is Putin and Xis fourth time speaking face-to-face since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine weeks after the two declared a no limits partnership on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. This weeks state visit comes amid mounting international concern about the direction of the war in Ukraine amid delays to aid for Kyiv and as Russias economy and defense complex appears unbowed by Western sanctions a situation that United States officials have alleged is linked to Chinese support, which Beijing denies. Putin says he and Xi will discuss the war in Ukraine in informal talks later Thursday evening, which are expected to include Russias newly appointed Defense Minister Andrey Belousov and his predecessor Sergei Shoigu, now secretary of Russias Security Council. Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping attend an official welcoming ceremony in front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on May 16, 2024. - Sergei Bobylov/Pool/Sputnik/AFP/Getty Images Mounting international pressure over Ukraine Putins red-carpet welcome to Beijing comes a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced via his office that he would halt all upcoming international visits, as his troops defend against a surprise Russian offensive in his countrys northeastern Kharkiv region. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Kyiv earlier this week to reaffirm the Biden administrations support for Ukraine after months of Congressional delay in approving American military aid to the embattled country. Blinken pledged $2 billion in foreign military financing and said much-needed ammunition and weapons are being rushed to the front lines. Pressure has also been mounting on Xi from both the US and Europe to ensure soaring exports from China to Russia since the start of the war arent propping up the Kremlins war effort. White House officials in recent weeks have confronted Beijing on what they believe is substantial support for Russias defense industrial base in the form of goods like machine tools, drone and turbojet engines and microelectronics exported from China. Beijing has slammed the US as making groundless accusations over normal trade and economic exchanges between China and Russia. Beijing has never condemned Russias invasion, rather it claims neutrality in the conflict and has released a vaguely articulated 12-point position on its resolution. Ahead of an expected peace conference in Switzerland next month, Xi has called for peace talks that take both sides positions into account. China hopes for peace and stability in Europe soon, and continues to play a constructive role, Xi said in a joint press appearance with Putin. On Ukraine, Russia said in Thursdays joint statement that it welcomed the readiness of China to play a constructive role in the political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict and that it is necessary to eliminate its root causes and adhere to the principle of the indivisibility of security, in an apparent allusion to their shared view that NATO is responsible for the conflict in Ukraine. The convoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin passes by Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Wednesday. - Zhou Chengfeng/VCG/Getty Images Alignment on shared frictions This weeks visit marks the leaders 43rd meeting in the more than one decade that Xi has been in power. Xi and Putin, known for their close personal chemistry, have steadily expanded their countries diplomatic coordination and economic and security cooperation in that time as both faced mounting frictions with the US and its allies. Even as Xi seeks to repair frayed relations with Europe and stabilize his countrys ties with the US, he is widely seen as unwilling to sacrifice his partnership with Putin, who the Chinese leader sees as an indispensable partner in reshaping a world order both believe is unfairly dominated by the US and seeking to contain them. This shared worldview was also on show Thursday as Xi, speaking alongside Putin, decried a lingering Cold War mentality, and said unilateral hegemony, camp confrontations and power politics threaten world peace and security of every country using language typical of Beijing and Moscows criticisms of the US and its allies. The two leaders said in the joint statement they will deepen trust and cooperation in the military field by expanding the scope of joint exercises and combat training, regularly conducting joint sea and air patrols and improving the capabilities and level of joint response to challenges and threats. Putin nodded to Xis concerns about rising engagement between NATO and like-minded countries in Asia, calling for a reliable and adequate architecture of security in the Asia-Pacific region, in which there will be no place for closed military-political alliances. We think the creation of such alliances to be counterproductive and harmful, Putin said following meetings Thursday. In the statement, the two countries also expressed very deep concern over what they described as US military activity with allies that have a clear anti-Russian and anti-Chinese orientation, calling the actions extremely destabilizing. The two leaders reaffirmed there can be no winners in a nuclear war and it should never be fought, and called for revisions to global security arrangements to prevent military confrontation. Besides engagements in Beijing, which are expected to include a gala marking the two countries 75 years of diplomatic ties, Putin is also expected to attend trade and cooperation forums in Harbin, the capital of Chinas northeastern Heilongjiang province bordering Russias Far East. The region is historically a site of long-simmering border tensions between the two neighbors, which erupted in conflict between China and the Soviet Union in 1969. It has seen increasing connectivity with parts of Russias Far East in recent years. Putin is also expected to meet with the students and faculty of the Harbin Institute of Technology, a university sanctioned by the US government in 2020 for its alleged role in procuring items for Chinas military. CNNs Wayne Chang contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com What do Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping want from each other? Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a Beijing visit six years ago. (Alexander Zemlianichenko / Associated Press) Does the no limits relationship have limits? Russian President Vladimir Putin is embarking on his first foreign trip since his splashy inauguration to a fifth term in office, and his destination is no surprise: China. The two-day state visit beginning Thursday is expected to be heavy on pomp and ceremony, with effusive toasts and carefully choreographed gestures of friendship and mutual respect. But status matters, and Putin is clearly the junior partner to Chinese President Xi Jinping. As the Economist magazine put it after the visit was announced: Vladimir Putin will meet his big brother in Beijing. Despite inherent lopsidedness in their dealings China is Russias principal trade partner, while Beijings largest export market is the United States Xi has gone out of his way to imbue the visit with a sense of historic significance. The two leaders are expected to sign a joint declaration after their talks, and there will be a gala celebration marking 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Read more: Chinese President Xi's trip to Europe: Charm offensive or canny bid to divide the West? Putin known for sometimes staging haughty keep-them-waiting displays when other leaders make the trek to the Kremlin has taken a notably deferential tone toward his host. In a pre-trip interview with Chinas official Xinhua news agency, he expressed admiration for elements of Chinese culture, including martial arts and philosophy. Our peoples are bound by a long and strong tradition of friendship and cooperation, he told Xinhua. Putins expressions of gratitude are well-warranted. Since Russias February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Xi has propped up his Russian counterpart in a variety of crucial ways. China has helped Putin weather wartime Western sanctions, extending a particular lifeline to Russias lucrative oil and gas industry. Over the last two-plus years, Russias energy exports to China have easily offset the rupture in what had been Moscows cozy prewar energy relationship with Europe. In many ways, the strategic relationship serves both Beijing and Moscow and represents, in the view of many analysts, two autocrats unified challenge to the West. China and Russia are forging a partnership increasingly reminiscent of a great power alliance, military intelligence analyst Chels Michta wrote in a commentary this week for the Center for European Policy Analysis. But while Xi and Putin share a disdain for a U.S.-led world order, their interests are not identical. And the Ukraine war is at times a complicating factor. China does not provide Russia with weaponry. But the Biden administration has prodded Xis government over its sale to Russia of so-called dual-use items components such as machine tools, microelectronics and rocket propellant, which have civilian and military uses. Read more: Blinken, in a somber visit to Kyiv, reasserts U.S. support for Ukraine That came up last month when U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken visited Beijing and chided China for powering Russias brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. Washington has also said it will take a harder line against Chinese-based financial institutions and firms that help Moscow circumvent wartime restrictions, warning of secondary sanctions against them. Even as China publicly professes neutrality on Ukraine, many observers believe Putin was emboldened in his war aims by a joint pact struck with Beijing days before the invasion, proclaiming a no-limits partnership. In the course of the Ukraine war, however, some points of friction have emerged. China has been made uneasy by Putins occasional strident nuclear threats, the latest of which came this month when the Kremlin announced it would conduct exercises simulating the use of tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons near Ukraine. Read more: News analysis: Why Putin is raising the specter of nuclear weapons again In a variety of international settings most recently during a high-profile European tour last week Xi has expressed hopes for peace in Ukraine, even as he has refused to condemn Russias ongoing attempt to batter its neighbor into submission. Ukraine has been careful not to publicly denigrate Chinas peace proposals a 12-point plan unveiled more than a year ago, followed by additional principles set forth last month but the government in Kyiv and its allies believe that if Beijing wanted to genuinely play the conciliator, it could use its influence to rein in Putin. On the eve of the visit, Putin praised the Chinese proposals, which were tepidly received elsewhere, as realistic and constructive. The Russian leader also draws frequent parallels between his contention that Ukraine rightfully belongs to Russia and Chinas claim to Taiwan. Read more: Russia tries to breach Ukraine's defenses in the Kharkiv region During last weeks European tour, Xi joined Frances President Emmanuel Macron in calling for a global truce during the Summer Olympic Games in Paris one that would theoretically apply in Ukraine, where the tempo of fighting has been intensifying. Ukrainian military officials acknowledge that for the moment at least, Russia has battlefield momentum on its side, making new territorial seizures in Ukraines northeast and notching steady incremental gains on the eastern front lines. Despite elaborate displays of Sino-Russian friendship, in some parts of the world the two see each other as rivals rather than partners. Read more: Super spy or paper pusher? How Putin's KGB years in East Germany helped shape him Xi is well aware that Putins international isolation leaves him at a disadvantage, and in some venues, such as Eastern Europe, that gives China greater economic latitude. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine is accelerating the process of China edging out Russia from Central and Eastern Europe, wrote analyst Dimitar Bechev of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center after Xis visit last week to Hungary and Serbia. Putin, he wrote, "has become toxic in a way that the Chinese leadership is not. 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. AAPI Heritage Month () May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. To help celebrate, weve compiled a list of 10 compelling dramas, fascinating histories and even a young adult dystopian fantasy for your reading pleasure. Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (2021) (Memoir) After the loss of her mother, Michelle grapples with the duality of being Korean-American and holding on to her cultural identity. This poignant memoir details the love language of food and the cultural differences in parent-child relationships. The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings (2007) (Contemporary Fiction) Known for the film version starring George Clooney, the story is told from the perspective of Matt King, whose family is descended from Hawaiian royalty and is one of Hawaiis most prominent and wealthiest landowners. Complicated by a tragic accident, a crumbling marriage, two rebellious daughters and an impending massive real estate deal, Matts life is at a crossroads. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (1989) (Historical Fiction) Set across multiple decades and generations, this story is about four Chinese immigrant women who meet weekly to play mahjong, thus forming the Joy Luck Club. Detailing love, loss and complex mother-daughter relationships, the story makes us realize how much we can learn from our elders and the stories they have yet to tell. Karma of the Sun by Brandon Kit Boey (2023) (Young Adult) (Sci-Fi) (Fantasy) This young adult, sci-fi fantasy novel is a fascinating look at a dystopian landscape in the Himalayas through the eyes of Karma, a young Tibetan teen searching for his father and who may hold the key to preventing complete destruction of the world. Molokai by Alan Brennert (2003) (Historical Fiction) (Coming of Age) This historical fiction set at the end of the 19th century follows the life of Rachel, a young Hawaiian girl infected with Hansens Disease who is exiled at Kalaupapa on Molokai. Knowing she can never leave, she finds hope, love and faith in the harshest and darkest parts of life. No-No Boy by John Okada (1956) (Historical Fiction) (WWII) This novel gives a voice to the young Japanese-American men known as No-No Boys, those who refused to enlist in the U.S. Army and also refused to swear an oath of allegiance to the U.S. during and after World War II. The Paper Daughters of Chinatown by Heather B. Moore (2020) (Historical Fiction) *Trigger Warning* Sexual Assault Based on actual events, this story retells the shady Chinese immigration practices of the late 19th century. Known as paper children, young immigrants were given false documents claiming they were related to someone who was now a U.S. citizen. Upon arrival, many girls were sold into servitude or prostitution. However, there were small beacons of hope to help these young women escape the horrific situations. Survival in the Killing Fields by Haing Ngor (1975) (Memoir) (War) This autobiography is a challenging but important read. Between 1975 and 1979, the Khmer Rouge (an extreme and brutal military regime) took over Cambodia. Residents were forcibly removed from the cities to labor camps in rural areas. More than 1.5 million Cambodians and ethnic minorities were executed in what was known as the Killing Fields. This book chronicles the devastating story of one survivor of the Killing Fields. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei (2019) (Graphic Novel) (Memoir) This graphic novel tells the true stories of actor, author and Trekkie George Takei. Takei was sent to live in the Japanese internment camps as a young boy. Seen through the eyes of a child, the story weaves his parents complex emotions and struggles and understanding of how and why this happened. We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story by Simu Liu (2022) (Memoir) Known as Shang-Chi from Marvels Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings or Jung from Kims Convenience, Simu Lius memoir is witty, heartbreaking and hilarious. The story of a Chinese-born Canadian immigrant depicts the struggles of trying to fit in while being born to stand out. (U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.) The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) is inviting members of the public to honor our Air Force veterans for Memorial Day by placing American flags at the USAFA cemetery. USAFA said volunteers can join Academy staff on Saturday, May 24, to place more than 1,500 flags on veteran graves. Flags are placed every year to ensure each veteran is honored ahead of Memorial Day. Courtesy: Ryan Hall Courtesy: Ryan Hall Flags will be provided by Academy staff, and volunteers are not required to RSVP. USAFA said in the event of inclement weather, there will not be an alternate date and Academy staff will place the flags as soon as conditions allow. Public access requirements and instructions are available online here. The cemetery is located at 3026 Parade Loop Road, U.S. Air Force Academy. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Memorial Wall by 9:45 a.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. This aerial photo reveals the extensive damage done to North Port's historic Cyclorama by Hurricane Ian in 2022. NORTH PORT The future of three historic structures at Warm Mineral Springs appears to be tied to whether city voters approve a referendum to allow the city to borrow money for specific projects without holding a public vote every time. City leaders say a longstanding charter requirement to ask voters each time they consider borrowing to pay for projects inhibits their ability to carry out needed work, including reacting to 2022's damage to the historic Warm Mineral Springs structures by Hurricane Ian. They plan to asks voters in November to lift the restriction. City Manager Jerome Fletcher said Tuesday he has been in contact with various historical preservation groups and others interested in preserving the 83-acre park and/or restoring the three historical buildings, including Jon Thaxton, senior vice president for community leadership with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Fletcher said several of the options discussed rely on the city being able to pay for some or all of those options. Use of revenue bonds could go a long way with preservation and the restoration of those buildings, said Fletcher, who also noted that the results of his discussions will be presented to the City Commission at its May 28 meeting. Fletcher also noted that the city and Sarasota County are scheduling a joint meeting between the two governments in October or November, with preservation of the parkland at the springs and restoration of the building a topic. Specifically, he said, if the city were to enact a conservation easement, Sarasota County could participate with environmental preservation funds that would help start the preservation effort especially if the city could issue municipal bonds guaranteed by revenue generated by profits from the gate receipts at Warm Mineral Springs. Mayor Alice White noted that she has had similar conversations and, all their ideas were based on us being able to borrow money and we cant do that. So the conversation sort of stops. In April the North Port City Commission had been discussing finances with its bond counsel and financial adviser while considering how to pay for building a new $122.7 million police station when it changed course and directed its staff to craft a referendum for the Nov. 5 ballot. The question will ask voters to allow the commission to borrow money for projects under a certain limit. The current requirement to ask voters for permission for borrowing is a legacy from when the community was established decades ago by General Development Corp. Five other cities started by GDC Cape Coral, Deltona, Palm Bay, Palm Coast and Port St. Lucie once had similar city charter prohibitions but can now all borrow money up to a certain amount without voter approval. Three buildings at Warm Mineral Springs are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Invitation for meeting delayed When City Commissioner Debbie McDowell asked her fellow board members to invite the County Commission, State Sen. Joe Gruters and State Rep. James Buchanan to a think tank discussion on how to preserve the three buildings, she was told it was too soon to ask. The idea failed on a 3-1 vote. Commissioner Pete Emrich, who is recovering from a motorcycle accident, was not able to attend. Vice Mayor Phil Stokes said he had no issue with extending the invitation, but wanted to wait until after the May 28 meeting. City Commissioner Barbara Langdon added that she wasn't ready to meet. I am very uncomfortable to invite these folks to a meeting where were saying, Tell us what to do, because were clueless,' she said. I want to feel ready Im not at all comfortable with a frameless, kumbaya agenda. Langdon also noted that the board could always rescind an earlier vote to demolish the three historic structures, if needed. We should not leave any stone unturned when it comes to the possible restoration of those buildings, Langdon said, adding she had a particular fondness for the cyclorama. Fate of historical structures still in limbo The March 5 vote to demolish the buildings came up after a proposed public-private partnership to develop 61.4-acres of the park fell apart once the developer learned the potential cost to insure operations at the springs and further explored staffing costs. As part of that transaction, Warm Mineral Springs Development Group would have taken over operation of the springs and pledged to restore the three structures on the 21.6-acre Warm Mineral Springs historic site. A sales building, spa and cyclorama believed to be designed by Jack West of the Sarasota School of Architecture were used to host the Florida Quadricentennial between December 1959 and March 1960. The city created its historical register specifically so the three structures at 12200 San Servando Ave. could be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. They achieved that status in 2019. The spring itself and a protection zone were put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Once thought to be the Fountain of Youth when it was discovered by explorer Juan Ponce de Leon, Warm Mineral Springs is an hourglass-shaped sinkhole primarily fed by an underground stream that pumps in 20 million gallons of 86 degree water per day. Bathers believe the waters have healing powers. McDowell thanked her fellow board members for the discussion. White added, It was a great conversation but its not dead. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Future of springs historic structures linked to North Port borrowing The early voter turnout in Macon-Bibb County has been low compared to the 2020 primary and nonpartisan elections, according to ballot reports, and local officials expect final vote tallies will also be surprisingly low. Only about 4.3% of the countys registered voters had cast their ballot as of Thursday morning that is 4,527 out of 115,439 registered voters, according to the Georgia Secretary of State website. County Elections Supervisor Thomas Gillon called the number pitiful compared to previous local races. We havent had a large turnout, which is pitiful, Gillon told The Telegraph. Weve had a much larger turnout overall, whether in-person, absentee or on Election Day, than its looking like were going to get this year. During the 2022 local elections, about half of the total voter turnout came from advance voters, and the other half on Election Day, Gillon said. If only about 4% of voters cast their ballots by the end of the advance voting period, Gillon expects only another 4% will vote on Election Day. If this turns out to be the case, only about 8% of the countys total registered voters would have voted. Charles Bullock III, political science professor at University of Georgia, said this trend is not unique to Macon. Participation in early voting is a pretty good indicator of whether youre going to have a high or low turnout on Election Day, Bullock said. Besides a lack of civic engagement, some voters in seven out of the countys nine districts received the wrong ballots, according to the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections and the local chapter of the NAACP, causing further issues. Advance voting opened April 29 and closes on Friday. May 10 was the last day to request an absentee ballot. Election Day, which is Tuesday, is the last chance for voters to cast their ballots. High-profile races in Mays primary include sheriff, mayor, and various county commissioners. The last time these races were on the ballot was in 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mail-in absentee ballots for Macon were the most common form of votes cast in 2020, according to a county election summary report. The 2020 nonpartisan mayoral race drew 5,684 in-person absentee ballots, 17,961 mail-in absentee ballots, and 16,292 on Election Day. 2020 is a weird year for multiple reasons, Gillon said, We had a lot of people voting absentee, and so forth. He said the pandemic held many back from voting in-person and wondered if post-pandemic effects held voters back from the polls this year. If you end up finding a pattern (in non-voters), please let me know, Gillon said, chuckling. Destiny Davis, an 18-year-old who could be voting in her first election this year, shared why shes not doing so. I feel like one less vote, it wouldnt really matter, Davis said. Im not into politics and stuff like that so I dont really know who to vote for. Im going to just wait and see what happens. There are others who would be interested in voting, but cant. Before local resident Roderick Deshon Daniels was a convicted felon, he voted in local elections. Daniels recalled he also voted for former President Donald Trump in the 2020 Presidential Election. Im a felon, so I cant vote, Daniels said. I was real young, but yeah I had to vote for the commissioner and all that before. He was aware the primaries were occurring because his mother is a voter, and his neighbors posted campaign signs on their lawn. Two State Board of Education races and one University of Nebraska Board of Regents race had more than two candidates in the 2024 primary election. Top row, for State Board of Education District 2, Linda Vermooten, right, and Maggie Douglas, left, were leading Karen Morgan in votes. Bottom row, State Board of Education District 4, Liz Renner, right, and LeDonna White Griffin, left, were leading Stacy Matula in votes as of late Tuesday. Flanking those candidates are Regent Rob Schafer, left, who was leading a three-person race along with Gary Rogge (not pictured). Jerome Wohleb is on the right. (Photos courtesy of the candidates; School bus photo by Rebecca Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner) OMAHA Three crowded primary election races for Nebraskas highest-profile education boards, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and the State Board of Education, were narrowed on Tuesday. The top two vote-getters for each of the officially nonpartisan seats will face off in the November general election. For the NU Board of Regents: In District 5, incumbent Rob Schafer of Beatrice, a Republican, finished on top of a three-person primary election field, garnering over half the votes. His likely opponent is Gary Rogge of Auburn, a nonpartisan, who was outpacing Democrat Jerome Wohleb in primary votes. In District 3, Jim Scheer of Norfolk is unopposed. The Republican from Norfolk is an incumbent appointed by Gov. Jim Pillen in February 2023 to fill Pillens own seat. In District 4, incumbent Elizabeth OConnor, a Democrat, significantly outpaced opponent Jim Rogers, a Republican, in primary voting. Both advance to the general election. In District 8, incumbent Barbara Weitz, a Democrat, also significantly outpaced her only opponent, Zachary Mellender, a nonpartisan. Theyll face off in the general election. All of the candidates for State Board of Education were fresh faces, as incumbents in the four open districts all could have run for re-election but opted not to throwing into question the political tilt of the eight-member board that helps shape state education policy. In the two contested primary races: In District 2, Linda Vermooten, a Republican, and Maggie Douglas, a Democrat, were leading to carve out the two spots in the general election. Karen Morgan, a Democrat, was trailing in third place. In District 4, Liz Renner, a Democrat, and LeDonna White Griffin, a nonpartisan, were ahead in their three-person primary race that included Stacy Matula, a Republican. The other two Board of Education races had only two primary election candidates, so both advanced. In District 1, Kristin Christensen, a Democrat, will face off with Liz Davids, a Republican. In District 3, Republican Lisa Schonhoff will compete against Bill McAllister, also a Republican. The post Voters narrow candidates in three contested primary races for Nebraskas top education boards appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. Walgreens is set to offer a cheaper version of an important opioid reversal drug at its stores soon, according to Wednesday press release. Walgreens today announced it is expanding access to an over the counter, life-saving medication with the launch of Walgreens Brand Naloxone HCI Nasal Spray, reads the press release from Walgreens parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance. Walgreens version of the drug is $34.99, according to the release, which the parent company says is a lower price than the comparable national brand product at Walgreens stores. The product is currently available online and will be chainwide in all stores by the end of the month, where it can be found in the pain aisle, providing a critical point of access for the nearly 10 million customers and patients the company serves every day in local communities throughout the U.S., the release states. Walgreens Brand Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray can be used in the event of an opioid overdose to temporarily reverse the effects of opioids including heroin, illicit fentanyl, and prescription opioid medicationswhen administered in time, the release continues. In a picture in the press release of what appears to be Walgreens packaging for their version of the drug, it says to compare to the active ingredient in Narcan. Narcan is the brand name of the original version of the prescription-strength naloxone 4-milligram nasal spray. Back in March, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Narcan for over-the-counter use. Since then, it has also approved a generic version of Narcan and another brand-name naloxone spray. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said at the time of Narcans approval that it was a positive step forward when it comes to tackling the opioid epidemic. The FDA remains committed to addressing the evolving complexities of the overdose crisis. As part of this work, the agency has used its regulatory authority to facilitate greater access to naloxone by encouraging the development of and approving an over-the-counter naloxone product to address the dire public health need, Califf said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. More than 18 months after a fire destroyed the store, we now know when the Walmart location in the Vine City neighborhood will reopen. Walmart announced on Wednesday that it will hold a grand re-opening on May 22 at 9 a.m. at the store off MLK Jr. Drive. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta City Council members, Walmart officials and other community leaders will attend the ceremony. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The store will reopen as a Walmart Neighborhood Market concept with a size of 75,000 square feet. The market will have fresh produce, meat and dairy products, bakery and deli items and household supplies. The location will also have an expanded pharmacy that will offer vaccines, health screenings and consultations. TRENDING STORIES: Channel 2 Action News first reported on the fire at the Vine City store in Dec. 2022. Neighborhood residents who shop at the Vine City location expressed their concern for the possible long-term closure of their store after the fire. The store opened in Jan. 2013. Before it opened, those living in the area said they would drive miles to shop for their families. Dickens said the city and Walmart worked together to make sure the area wouldnt become a food desert again. I am grateful to Walmart for their commitment to re-invest in our community and join my administrations efforts to improve the quality of life for our residents, Dickens said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Walmart employee accused of stealing from store for 2 weeks: Mobile Police MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A Mobile Walmart employee was arrested after she was caught stealing items for over two weeks, according to the Mobile Police Department. UPDATE: Mobile mayor responds to ACCEL Academys statement on Kenyen Brown report A department news release said 45-year-old Kimberly Yvette McMillian was arrested Monday after officers were called to the store on East I-65 Service Road around 3:30 p.m. The release said McMillian had stolen items from that location for the past two weeks. Police said she was an employee at the store. A mugshot of Kimberly Yvette McMillian (Mobile Police Department). She was taken to Mobile Metro Jail and charged with first-degree retail theft. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) The Erie County Sheriffs office says a wanted man was accused of dragging a deputy as authorities tried to execute a warrant for his arrest. Tuesday around 4:30 p.m., officials said a patrol deputy saw Michael Trybuskiewicz, 40, sitting in a vehicle near the intersection of Routes 93 and 5 in Newstead. According to the Sheriffs office, a deputy approached the vehicle, but Trybuskiewicz put it in drive and sped through a rocky culvert while dragging the deputy. The Sheriffs office said the deputy suffered injuries to his elbow, ankle, shoulder and head. He was treated and released from Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. Later that night, around 9:15 p.m., Trybuskiewicz was taken into custody on Lewiston Road in Alabama by members of the Genesee County Sheriffs office. Trybuskiewicz, who was taken to the Erie County Holding Center, was charged with assault, reckless endangerment, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. 3 Dividend-Paying Energy Stocks With 20%+ Upside Potential, According To Analysts Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. The energy sector has been a standout performer in recent years, driven by rising demand, supply constraints, and a global focus on energy security. For investors seeking a combination of income and growth potential, three energy stocks Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), and NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) have caught the attention of analysts, who see significant upside potential in these dividend-paying giants. Chevron Corporation Chevron, one of the worlds largest integrated energy companies, has been on a tear lately, with analysts turning increasingly bullish on the stock. Mizuho recently maintained a Buy rating on Chevron and raised the price target from $200 to $205, implying a substantial 27.41% upside from the current price of $160.90. This sentiment is echoed by other prominent analysts, with Truist Securities and HSBC setting price targets of $170 and $174, respectively, resulting in an average price target of $183, suggesting a potential 12% upside. Chevrons strong performance can be attributed to its robust operational and financial results. In its latest earnings release, the company reported a 12% increase in worldwide production and returned $6 billion in cash to shareholders. With 36 consecutive years of dividend growth and a current forward dividend yield of 3.99%, Chevron offers investors an attractive combination of income and growth potential. Exxon Mobil Corporation Exxon Mobil, another energy behemoth, has also been gaining traction among analysts. Morgan Stanley recently reinstated coverage on the stock with an Overweight rating and a price target of $145, indicating a potential 24.62% upside from the current price of $116.35. Mizuho and UBS have also expressed optimism, with an average price target of $141.67 between the three firms, suggesting a potential 20.22% upside. Exxon Mobils strong first-quarter 2024 results, with earnings of $8.2 billion and cash flow from operating activities of $14.7 billion, underscore the companys ability to generate significant value for shareholders. The companys commitment to shareholder returns is evident in its 25-year history of dividend growth, with a current forward dividend yield of 3.23%. NextEra Energy, Inc. NextEra Energy, a leading clean energy company, has also caught the eye of analysts. Wells Fargo recently maintained an Overweight rating on the stock and raised the price target from $85 to $95, suggesting a potential 23.81% upside from the current price of $76.73. BMO Capital has also expressed confidence in NextEra Energy, with an average price target of $81.67 between the three most recent analyst ratings, indicating a potential 6.12% upside. NextEra Energys strong first-quarter 2024 results, with adjusted earnings per share growing by approximately 8.3% year-over-year, highlight the companys ability to deliver solid financial and operating performance. With 28 consecutive years of dividend growth and a current forward dividend yield of 2.73%, NextEra Energy offers investors an opportunity to participate in the growing clean energy sector while enjoying a steady income stream. Should You Buy These Dividend-Paying Energy Stocks? While the strong performance and attractive dividend yields make these three energy stocks compelling opportunities, sophisticated investors understand the importance of diversification across various asset classes. Private market investments, such as real estate and private credit, can offer unique benefits and potentially higher returns compared to traditional stocks. By allocating a portion of your portfolio to private market investments, you can potentially enhance your overall risk-adjusted returns and reduce volatility. These alternative investments often have low correlations with the stock market, providing a hedge against market fluctuations. Additionally, private market investments may offer access to unique opportunities not available in public markets. Check Out Some of Benzinga's Top Picks for Private Market Opportunities Available Now: Integris Secured Credit Fund IV The fund provides a fixed annual return of 12%, payable quarterly, over a 2-year period starting April 2024 and ending April 2026. The note is secured by collateral with an estimated value of $71M, with an anticipated loan-to-value ratio of 14%. Minimum investment: $100,000 Available to: Accredited investors View fund information Austin Cityfund Invest in the future growth of Austin's real estate market through an innovative home equity investment product. Austin Cityfund's assets have already appreciated 10.90% since July, delivering strong returns for investors. Minimum investment: $500 Available to: Accredited and non-accredited investors Invest in Austin View more private market offerings on Benzinga's Alternative Investment screener. This article 3 Dividend-Paying Energy Stocks With 20%+ Upside Potential, According To Analysts originally appeared on Benzinga.com A hungry bear in La Canada Flintridge, California helped itself to a watermelon in a family's garage, opening their refrigerator. All bets are off when a bear has the munchies, one Southern California family learned recently. A brown bear was caught poking around Chris Yees garage on Sunday, checking out the contents of his refrigerator in search of a snack. Yee, who lives in La Canada Flintridge, about 14 miles north of Los Angeles, caught the whole thing on video, according to reporting by FOX11. In the video, the bear opens the refrigerator and freezer doors, clearly planning to take its pick from all the edible treasures inside. It doesn't have the chance to check out the merchandise for too long, however, as it is soon startled by the garage door beginning to close. The bear darts out of the garage, stopping outside. But the furry intruder isnt discouraged easily, instead choosing to return to its post at the refrigerator once more. The bear eventually decides on a slice of watermelon and walks across the driveway to enjoy its ill-gotten gains in peace. Watch the video below. Bear steals slice of watermelon from California fridge No one was more astounded than the Yee family to discover the bear's ability not only to open a refrigerator but to saunter off with a juicy slice of watermelon. "Dad, it opened the freezer ..... Oh my god. Oh my god. It opened the fridge," a young girl can be heard saying in the background of the clip. One of the children even nicknamed the bear, calling it "bear-y." Yee told FOX11 that the bear promptly left after enjoying his watermelon slice in their front yard. 'Did you see that': Video shows bear attack, smash truck windshield in Japan Preventing bear banditry The bear's choice of snack is not a huge surprise, according to the National Park Service (NPS), as the species are omnivores with a love of fruit and veg, often found nourishing themselves with plants, berries, fish, and small mammals. Human food that is not properly secured can easily fall prey to these creatures, who are known to dig in trash and even break into homes. To avoid being robbed by a fuzzy bandit, experts advise humans living in bear territory to remain vigilant. "Its important that people who live in bear country are especially diligent with food storage since these creatures are very intelligent, curious, and skilled at finding food, NPS says. If bears eat too much human food, they can lose their fear of people and their preference for natural food sources. Over time, they may begin approaching humans in search of food. "They can become aggressive, unpredictable, and dangerous. Bears looking for human food and garbage can damage property and injure people, according to NPS. " Not only can this be dangerous for people, but it is also harmful to bears." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Video shows bear stealing snack from SoCal fridge, enjoying in front yard Donald Trumps latest fundraising venture is a little atypical for a presidential candidate. Trump and five of his far-right allies set up shop Tuesday in a room at the New York City courthouse where the real estate mogul is being tried for 34 felony charges related to hush-money payments made to porn actress Stormy Daniels. It was another way for Trumpwho owes nearly half a billion dollars in damages in his other legal battles and allegedly stiffed his former employees, including Rudy Giuliani and Michael Cohen, out of hundreds of thousands of dollarsto save some cash on a filming location. But realistically, the low-budget ad could have been shot practically anywhere, especially considering that the court granted two days off this week from a criminal trial that legally requires Trumps attendance. Instead, biotech investor Vivek Ramaswamy, RNC co-chair Lara Trump, and Eric Trump joined two Republican representatives, all matched and color-coordinated in their blue suits and red ties, attempting to portray Trump as a candidate unjustly locked in the courthouse. Were here in court with President Trump standing with him, but we need you to stand with him too, said Florida Representative Byron Donalds, incorrectly referring to the GOP nominee as president. These Democrats are nuts, and they must be defeated. Anything you can give would make a world of difference; we are here fighting the good fight, said Lara Trump, before Trump slowly shuffled behind the entourage. They cannot win. We need your help to make America great again. Fundraising ad shot in the courthouse today at Trumps trial with Trump and Members of Congress. Trump makes his appearance at the end. pic.twitter.com/FHcFNaNN6G Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 15, 2024 The crowd joins a growing cohort of conservative leaders who have stopped to brown-nose Trump amid his criminal trials. On Tuesday, former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott each paid visits, the day after Senators J.D. Vance and Tommy Tuberville stopped by. A majority of Trumps high-profile attendees have refused to provide direct answers in recent weeks when questioned about whether theyll accept the November election results. Scott, for his part, refused six times to give his answer on the issue during an interview on Meet the Press. The show of loyalty is a significant rejection of the rule of law in favor of power in Trumps potential administrationand its especially poignant in the face of his first criminal trial. Update, 5:42 p.m. Thursday: The boil advisory was officially lifted Thursday, according to a 1:45 p.m. update from Castle Pines North Metropolitan District. DENVER (KDVR) After a problem with a local waterline, many Castle Pines residents were without water and remained under a boil water advisory Wednesday. Water service was restored on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Castle Pines North Metropolitan Districts website, which notified residents about the incident that occurred on Tuesday night. Vail man fights for life after rare internal decapitation from dirt bike crash According to the district, a waterline ruptured while the district was connecting the new line to the existing system during part of the Monarch Waterline Rehabilitation Project. According to the district, this disruption affected large portions of the district. Boil water advisory instructions At around 11 a.m., the district issued a boil water advisory until further notice. This advisory was in effect immediately for all residents and businesses in the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District. The district provided the following instructions for residents: Boil water: Bring all water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before ingesting it or using it for food purposes Another option is to use bottled water. The district is providing bottled water at its office, 7404 Yorkshire Drive Avoid consuming unboiled water: Do not drink untreated tap water, including what is used in automatic ice makers and water dispensers. Use extra caution for infants, older adults and those with compromised immune systems, as they are susceptible to waterborne illnesses. The district also provided these tips on how to use water aside from drinking: Personal hygiene: Tap water can be used for bathing and showering but do not ingest Dishwashing: If washing dishes by hand, use boiled or bottled water. Dishwashers may be used if the water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees or with a sanitizing cycle. If possible, the district recommends using disposable plates, cups and utensils. Use boiled or bottled water to prepare food and drinks. The district warned of significant discoloration in the system because of the outage. The district plans on flushing out any areas that need repair. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather The advisory will remain in effect until further notice. Once the district has conducted bacteriological testing with satisfactory results, the public will be notified that the advisory has been lifted. More information can be obtained by contacting Nathan Travis at 303-827-4824. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The Clark Fork River at Superior, Montana (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan). Preliminary results from water quality testing done last summer on the Clark Fork River released this week show toxic compounds in the river are more widespread than state officials previously thought, which could lead to a reassessment of the fish consumption advisory that has been in place since 2020. The passive water monitoring study was done at 19 sites in July and August from between where Silver Bow Creek enters the Clark Fork all the way down to Cabinet Gorge Reservoir on the Idaho border, including the Flathead, Bitterroot, and Blackfoot rivers. The preliminary results show there are toxic compounds in the river including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and furans that are products of both industrial activities that have historically occurred along the river and natural sources, including wildfires. Data from fish sampling also done as part of the study is still being analyzed but will be released in the coming weeks or months, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Fisheries Pollution Biologist Trevor Selch said in an interview Tuesday. Biologists with FWP have been doing surveys on the river since the Smurfit-Stone paper mill north of Missoula near Frenchtown closed in 2010, which led to an initial fish consumption advisory for northern pike and rainbow trout. FWP then worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2018 and 2019 to expand those surveys, leading to an updated consumption advisory in 2020 that recommended people avoid eating any fish from the Clark Fork between where the Bitterroot River runs into the river down to its confluence with the Flathead River. That also included revised recommendations for rainbow trout and northern pike on an upper section of the Clark Fork and on the Blackfoot and Bitterroot rivers. The toxic compounds that biologists are finding in the water and in fish are stored inside the muscles and fat of fish and can be harmful to people who eat them, but can also cause issues within the fish population, Selch said. FWP said the data have not yet shown a correlation between the toxic compounds and any particular site but that biologists will continue to investigate the sources of them. But runoff from mining and the waste from the paper mill have found to affect the Clark Forks water quality in areas. Last year, the conservation organization American Rivers deemed the Clark Fork one of the nations most endangered rivers due in part to the toxic chemicals and compounds that have made it into the river during the past 100+ years. Selch said some of the highest levels of the toxic compounds were found in Silver Bow Creek, which he said was both surprising and not because of the mining runoff in the area and because the river becomes more voluminous as it moves downstream. The team also found higher concentrations near Bearmouth between Drummond and Missoula, as well as on the Blackfoot near the Scotty Brown Bridge Fishing Access Site below Monture Creek. But they also found lower concentrations downstream of Missoulas wastewater treatment plant, which Selch said was somewhat unexpected. Those will have to be more refined in future studies to really figure out where (the toxic compounds) are coming from, he said. Theres definitely going to be more investigation. I think were already starting to look into conducting a similar study kind of upstream of our highest site there so we can identify where anything might be coming from in that Butte area as well. FWP worked with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Trout Unlimited, Missoula County, the Clark Fork Coalition, and the Natural Resource Damage Program on the project after receiving a $221,000 grant from the EPA. Once the team gets the fish sample results back, it will analyze them alongside the water sampling to see where higher levels of toxic compounds in the rivers are causing higher concentrations in fish that live in the area, Selch said. Working with the Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Public Health and Human Services, the teams will determine if they need to adjust the 2020 fish consumption advisory in light of the compounds being found below the confluence with the Flathead River and higher upstream near Butte. Well be getting that information out to folks and seeing where the bounds of that advisory will be, Selch said. The current advisory is a recommendation to avoid all fish. Another advisory might be, you can have X amount of meals per month, two meals per months, five meals per month. So that will also be in place depending on what the final concentrations end up being. The group received the grant funding through the Columbia River Basin Restoration Funding Assistance Program in 2022 and had to match the grant with about $83,000 of its own money. Selch said the EPA recently made the grant awards a minimum of $300,000, but getting the matching funds together for another application this year might not be feasible. Weve been pursuing some other avenues, he said. DEQ is looking into some potential funding that we can do the level of study we need to in that area (near Butte). And then were just really trying to get this data wrapped up and finalized and validated, then the next step, well be having those conversations with all sorts of interested parties throughout the basin. The post Water quality study finds toxic compounds more widespread than previously thought in Clark Fork appeared first on Daily Montanan. Water War II? Charlotte wants permission to transfer more water out of Catawba River Nearly two decades after a clash over the Catawba River basin made it to the U.S. Supreme Court, Charlotte wants permission to move tens of millions more gallons per day out of the river. The request could return the issue of water transfers to the forefront and ignite opposition in both Carolinas, where theres potential for a second Water War. The city of Charlottes water utility in February started the yearslong process of requesting to modify its transfer certificate, which regulates how much water Charlotte can take from one river and the creeks and lakes that feed into it and move to another, to keep up with demand amid growth. Early estimates indicate Charlotte Water could request permission to transfer up to 30 million more gallons per day from the Catawba River basin to the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin, Charlotte Water spokeswoman Jennifer Frost said. Thats nearly double the amount Charlotte can currently transfer. Charlotte Water and advocates note theres still a lot to work through before a decision is made. What is Charlotte asking for in Catawba River basin? North Carolina created interbasin transfers in 1993 to regulate the withdrawal, diversion or pumping of water from one river to another. Usually, the transfers are needed because a system takes in water from one river and discharges processed wastewater into another basin, according to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. A citys water system may also stretch across two river basins. Charlotte Waters current certificate was issued by the state in 2002 and allows the department to transfer up to 33 million gallons of water per day from the Catawba River basin to the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin or Rocky River Basin. Charlotte averages about 20 million gallons per day 26 million gallons per day at peak times from Lake Norman and Mountain Island Lake, which are in the Catawba River Basin. Charlotte Water filed an initial notice with the state in February, according to Frost, but the process of modifying an interbasin transfer certificate can take two or more years. The current certificate expires in 2028. Charlotte Water must hold public meetings, study the potential environmental impacts of its proposal and look into alternatives before submitting its official request to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. The department already held two community meetings, in Hickory and Charlotte. It will have more in Albemarle and Florence and Camden, South Carolina. Residents can also send in feedback and questions by email through Aug. 30 at IBTProject@charlottenc.gov. What impacts would Charlotte Waters request have? Some feedback collected so far has been negative, including from Hickory Mayor Hank Guess at the community meeting in his town. Guess said at the meeting hes opposed to Charlotte transferring more water because he feels it could stifle growth in his community about an hour northwest of Charlotte, WCNC reported. We feel like the water is just as important to us as it is to them, he said. Catawba Riverkeeper Brandon Jones, whose nonprofit advocates for the protection and preservation of the basin, is actively following the situation, he said. Jones noted its still early in the process. Were still kind of at a wait and see But obviously, anytime youre removing water from the system and putting it into a new basin, then thats less water that we have in the Catawba, he said. Given the size of the river basin, 30 million gallons wouldnt make a huge difference on a normal day, Jones said. But it could matter if a drought hit the region, he added. Were fairly fortunate here in the Southeast that we dont regularly think of drought, although we do have substantial droughts like we did in 2007 and 2008, Jones said. Jones said he hopes all parties will work to reach an agreement that can last. Ideally, were not going to kick the can down to the next generation to have to do the same fight and we can find a more long-term, sustainable plan, he said. What about South Carolina? The interbasin transfer will matter for South Carolinians, too. Hopefully South Carolina will re-engage and understand the threat and take action, said Susan Bromfield, president of the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce. Again. Interbasin transfers have a long history in the Rock Hill region, including the Water War 20 years ago when Concord and Kannapolis applied to withdraw up to 48 million gallons per day from the Catawba and Yadkin river basins. Pushback was swift, with residents and businesses on the South Carolina side of Lake Wylie claiming North Carolina shouldnt be allowed to divert water without input from South Carolina, where the water naturally flows. North Carolina regulators decided in early 2007 to allow up to 10 million gallons per day. Environmental groups appealed, and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, then the state attorney general, filed suit against North Carolina over water rights. The fight occurred as record drought struck the region, which elevated worries about water availability. Environmental group appeals in North Carolina werent settled until early 2010. Concord and Kannapolis got up to 10 million gallons per day, but they agreed to reduce withdrawals during drought and delay them. The cities couldnt take more than 3 million gallons per day until mid-2015, and only then if they were taking 5 million gallons per day from the Yadkin. In late 2010, the attorneys general from both states announced an agreement in the case that made it to the U.S. Supreme Court. That agreement included a new protocol created by Duke Energy and public stakeholders to conserve and distribute water throughout the Catawba basin during drought conditions. Both North Carolina and South Carolina created new water withdrawal permitting requirements in the years after the Water War. Will Carolinas get a Water War II? Bromfield, whose chamber is one of the largest political voices in the unincorporated Lake Wylie area, already contacted state officials about the new interbasin request. This is a threat to South Carolina and to York County, Bromfield said. There are so many new leaders and people in place that may not be aware or understand the threat to the water supply. She says people arent aware how many ways the Catawba serves the area from power generation to drinking water, recreation and sewage thats treated and reused. Rock Hill attorney Wes Hayes, a state senator two decades ago, sees similarities between the new transfer request and the one that stirred a half decade of protests and challenges. This is exactly what we were trying to avoid, Hayes said. Hayes in South Carolina and Dan Clodfelter in North Carolina, then a state senator and later Charlotte mayor, worked together to help resolve the interbasin transfer dispute. They were part of a two-state commission focused on issues that impact the Catawba River and brokered an agreement. I think it probably needs to get cranked back up again, Hayes said. The states only settled their suit under the conditions that adequate water flow in the Catawba would remain for South Carolina, regardless of what North Carolina approved within its boundaries, Hayes said. I think it probably is the first real test of that, he said. Jones, whose organization was involved in the previous litigation, said he thinks all parties are hoping to avoid going to court this time around. We would appreciate a lot of transparency, and a lot of good faith negotiations by all parties early on, he said. Everybody needs to be willing to kind of roll their sleeves up and look at all the possible alternatives. 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. Wegovy could bankrupt US health system, Sanders says in new report Wegovy could bankrupt US health system, Sanders says in new report Blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy could bankrupt the U.S. health care system unless the price drops, according to a staff report released Wednesday from the office of Senate Health Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Unless prices dramatically decline, Wegovy and weight loss drugs could push Americans to spend $1 trillion per year on prescription drugs, the report concluded. Pricing drugs based on their value cannot serve as a blank check, or the sole determinant for how we understand what to pay for essential goods, the report stated. As important as these drugs are, they will not do any good for the millions of patients who cannot afford them. The report ups the pressure from Sanders on Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk to lower the price of Wegovy and Ozempic. In April, Sanders and the Health Committee launched an investigation into why the company is charging Americans substantially higher prices than other countries. Novo Nordisk charges Americans with Type 2 diabetes $969 per month for Ozempic, compared to just $155 in Canada, $122 in Italy, $71 in France and $59 in Germany. The company lists Wegovy for $1,349 per month in the U.S. compared to $186 in Denmark, $137 in Germany and $92 in the U.K. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 42 percent of American adults have obesity, and more than 11 percent of the population has diabetes. If half of American adults with obesity took Wegovy and the other new weight loss drugs, it could cost the health care system $411 billion per year more than total spending for all retail prescription drugs in 2022, the report found. The committee report noted the company has not yet provided the net pricing data requested as part of the investigation, but staff estimated net prices to be $809 per month after rebates. Many private health insurance plans cover the drugs to some extent, though employers and plans have increasingly restricted access or ended coverage completely as they struggle with the costs. Medicare is prohibited by law from covering drugs solely for weight loss. However, Wegovy was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to reduce the risk of serious heart problems in people who are overweight or obese. With that new approval, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has opened the door for coverage for more patients. In a statement, a Novo Nordisk spokesperson said the company is reviewing the report and continues to cooperate with the investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Three kids, over 50 dogs rescued in Crittenden County after welfare check UPDATE: Initially, the Crittenden County Sheriffs Department said there were two children taken from the home. They provided an update, saying three children were taken. The sheriffs office also said Wednesday that a third suspect, W.L. Crump, had been charged in the case. The story has been updated to reflect the new information. CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Ark. Three children and dozens of small dogs were rescued from a residence near Hughes, Arkansas, on Tuesday after they were found living in deplorable conditions, authorities say. Three adults in the home were also taken into custody. Martin Huerta-Miller, 61, Victoria Martinez, 37, and W.L. Crump were charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and animal cruelty, the Crittenden County Sheriffs Office said. Yoshi, dog stolen from grocery store, found dead According to the Crittenden County Sheriffs Office, deputies were called to a home on Earle Beck Road to do a welfare check on the children. When deputies arrived, they found three children, ages 2. 8, and 10, living in the house with around 70 small unhealthy dogs with an abundance of debris and animal waste in the home, the sheriffs office said. Deputies contacted the Department of Human Services, which took the three children into custody. MS man found guilty of stealing over $12K from Walmart The West Memphis Animal Shelter seized 51 dogs and said about 20 dogs are still on the property off Highway 147. Photos from the animal shelter showed the home cluttered with what appeared to be dirt, animal feces, dust, huge spider webs, old furniture, and other belongings. (Photo courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter) (Photo courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter) (Photo courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter) (Photo courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter) (Photo courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter) (Photo courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter) (Photo courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter) (Photo courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter) (Photo courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter) (Photo courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter) (Photo courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter) The animal shelter director said the dogs are covered in fleas, some have hair loss, and others likely have other health issues. The shelter plans to rescue the rest of the dogs and said they will all need vaccinations, heartworm testing, spay/neuter, deworming, and microchipping. This comes just a day after the shelter announced on Facebook they were beyond critical capacity and that they would have to euthanize if they did not move at least 15 to 20 dogs this week. Dogs still at the Hughes house. Wreg photo Small dogs outside Hughes property Tuesday nightj WREG photo The West Memphis Animal Shelter is now housing the rescued dogs in its cat facility and is asking the community to donate food and puppy pads. The shelter is also asking animal lovers to adopt or foster some of the dogs currently at the shelter to free up space. One animal group has agreed to cover all option fees. The sheriffs office has not released the ages of the children removed from the home. They are now in DHS custody. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool Traveling is fun, but airfare costs can add up quickly if you're visiting a destination that requires you to fly. Before booking airfare, see if you can make strategic moves to keep more money in the bank. 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The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 Ways to Save $80 or More on American Airlines was originally published by The Motley Fool For as long as he can remember, Augustin Lorfils had refused to confront the tragedy that had defined his life, which made national headlines but remained a taboo subject even within his immediate family. That all changed a few years ago when a chance encounter with a guest at the South Beach hotel where he worked began to provides to answers to questions he had long had. He asked Whats your story? Lorfils recalled the guest, a lawyer, asking him. Everybodys got a story. Not ready to share, he at first walked away. But the next day, Lorfils finally opened up. His mother, Eliane Lorfils, 31, and five siblings drowned after they were pushed into the rough seas of the Atlantic about a quarter-mile off the coast of Florida by gun-wielding smugglers ferrying them and other Haitian migrants in a 28-foot speedboat from The Bahamas. The shocking incident, which took place on Aug. 13, 1979, off Palm Beach, has the dubious distinction of being the first documented case of Haitian refugees dumped at sea. Now, 45 years later, Augustin is not only ready to talk about it but he wants to have his mother and siblings remembered. Their grave site at an Archdiocese of Miami cemetery remains a patch of grass of unmarked graves, and he wants to place headstones. I want people to remember them, he said. They were murdered but they were here. They were human beings too. If you go to the graveyard... other people have headstones. Lorfils journey to this moment has not been easy. Though he and his younger sister, Emma, attended the funerals in 1979, they didnt go to the burial and never knew where their mother was buried. Their father, Dumercy Lorfils, who was too distraught to attend, never spoke of the deaths with them. We never talked about it, Lorfils, 53, said. It was taboo. The first information about where the graves were located came courtesy of the lawyer, who after speaking to Lorfils did some research and days later provided him with not only the burial site but also the name of one of the smugglers. Jeffrey B. Hastings was convicted of six counts of manslaughter and sentenced to 180 years in prison for the deaths. He remains behind bars. How can you throw people, kids in the water? Lorfils said, still struggling even now over his familys tragedy. The Florida Straits are littered with the washed out dreams of migrants, many of them Haitian, who perished at sea either because of rickety boats or unscrupulous smugglers. Elaine Lorfils and her children, ages 4 to 11, were recorded as the first, in what would be a list of similar tragedies as Haitians and Cubans have sought to make it to freedom. This isnt lost on Lorfils, who recognizes that the ocean is filled with the dead, but wants to ensure his family is remembered beyond the newspaper clippings or memories of the day. I felt like a bad son, he said, choking back tears, as he recalled the first time he visited Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Charity Cemetery in Doral and saw there were no grave markers. I felt like I didnt do what I was supposed to do for my mom and my brothers and sisters. It was an empty space. The first Haitian boat people The first Haitian boat people began arriving in South Florida in 1972, seven years before the Lorfils family tragedy. The Haitians arrival marked the beginning of a period of protests, detention and eventually triumph as the new refugees with French-sounding surnames challenged U.S. immigration and detention policies. While the Lorfils tragedy underscored their desperate plight as they sought to escape the oppression of the Duvalier regime in Haiti and the increasingly unwelcoming landscape of The Bahamas, it also showed the outpouring of support from South Florida for its newest immigrants. Augustin Lorfils, 53, visits Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery on Friday, May 10, 2024, in Doral, Fla. Lorfils mother and five siblings, who died after being thrown overboard, are buried at the cemetery and he is now working to place headstones at their grave site. The plots where Elaine Lorfils and her children are buried were donated by Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery, according to an article on the Archdiocese of Miami website. The caskets were donated by Poitier Funeral Home, and the dresses for the girls, Lorfils has since learned, were donated by late WPLG-Channel 10 news anchor Ann Bishop. There is always something that takes place like no other incident that always brings people together. You never know when its going to happen or where its going to take place. But eventually, whatever happens is going to bring people together, said Bernard Poitier, Jr., whose father founded Poitier Funeral Home. The younger Poitier, who was present at the funeral, said his father always remembered the tragedy and before he died in 2021 asked his son to make sure the graves had headstones. The conversation occurred while the two were at the site and the elder Poitier walked over to where the family was laid to rest and he realized the area was just as he had left it in 1979. He said, Its been a long time. This should have been done, Poitier Jr. recalled his father saying about the missing headstones. He made me promise that this would get done. As he embarked on a journey to carry out his fathers promise, Poitier Jr. had no idea that Lorfils was also finally coming to terms with the deaths and was ready to do something. They have since teamed up in hopes of either getting the markers donated, or getting $15,000 in donations to purchase them. At the time Lorfils was coming to terms with his lifes story, Poitier had set out on his own journey in search of members of the family. God opens doors This has not been easy because at times I wanted to give up and forget about it, Poitier Jr. said, adding that he has found inspiration from bible verses, Revelation 3:7-8. The verse talks about God showing you a way when you think all hope is lost. It says God opens up doors that no man can close and closes doors that no man can open. That was my inspiration to continue. Poitier Jr. was among those who attended the funeral inside St. Marys Cathedral in 1979. He still remembers the outpouring of grief inside. To be at that service and to see the emotions that that service brought on was really incredible, he said. Augustin Lorfils, 53, visits Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery on Friday, May 10, 2024, in Doral, Fla. Lorfils mother and five siblings, who died a tragic death at sea after being thrown overboard, are buried at the cemetery and he is now working to place headstones at their grave site. In an interview with the Miami Herald in 1998, on the 19th anniversary of the tragedy, Dumercy Lorfils opened up about how he had been affected by the loss of his wife and children. I dont know why I did not die, he said in a soft-spoken voice, tears welling up in his left eye. I lost five children and a wife. The elder Lorfils wasnt on the boat and said he was shocked to learn that his wife and children were. Though he had arrived by boat a year earlier with Augustin, then 8, and Emma, 7, the family patriarch said he had sent $1,500 to The Bahamas for his wife to come by plane with the other children. With no photo of his wife or kids, his only memento was a photo showing him shirtless and being consoled by his sister-in-law after hearing the news. My dad died the day my mom died; when my brothers and sisters died, thats when he died too, Augustin Lorfils, breaking down in tears, said. Father and son had a strained relationship. There was always an impenetrable wall, Lorfils said, which he is only now starting to understand as he confronts his own pain and anger over what happened. He tried to be strong and tried to be there for me, my sister, but he was never the same, he said. He got up in the morning to go work; made sure I had a place to stay, but he never really talked about it. In 2008, at age 65, the elder Lorfils died in North Miami after suffering a stroke. His children buried him at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery to be close to their mother and children. We want to be buried there, said Lorfils said of him and his sister. I want to be near them. Last year, Augustin Lorfils also had a stroke and was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder. He moves slowly these days. Instead of the man who ran 10 miles a day as recently as two years ago, he now moves with the aid of a cane. Both realities have also made him more reflective and ready to confront what he had spent his life avoiding. I really never got deep with people. I was always scared to connect because I was scared something was going to happen, he said. After years of anger toward his familys killers, he also had to get to a point where I had to forgive to deal with life, said Lorfils, who among his belongings has a photo of Hastings, who was sentenced to 30 years for each of the Lorfils victims and has been repeatedly denied parole. Lorfils feels a pressing urgency to finally put the headstones in place. Several years ago, a cousin thought he was finally strong enough and gave him the only photo of his mother, a black-and-white image of Eliane Lorfils standing in a photo studio. There was also another photo of some of his five siblings. The childrens name at the time of the tragedy were reported as Demavil, 11; Yvonne, 7; Kevis, 6, Antionette, 5, and Michel, 4. Lorfils says he still doesnt know their dates of birth. Along with trying to raise the money for the headstones, hes now hoping to track down the information to go on them. On Monday, he saw progress when he received from The Bahamas the birth certificate of one of his sisters, Antionette. Five years old at the time of her drowning, she had just had a birthday on Aug. 10, three days before she and the others onboard the ill-fated journey were pushed to their deaths. Dr. Ammar Ghanem, a father of three from West Bloomfield, can't get out of Gaza. He is trapped in a region decimated by seven months of war, where an estimated 35,000 people have died from injuries, hunger, dehydration, and disease, some of which is driven by lack of sanitation and limited access to medical care. Many, he said, feel hopelessness as their homes are destroyed and the fighting between Hamas and Israel continues. "I've never seen anything like this," said Ghanem, a critical care and pulmonary physician who joined an international team of doctors and nurses May 1 on a medical mission at the European Hospital in Al-Fukhari, about 7 miles from the border city of Rafah. "I've been on multiple missions before, but it is hard to describe until you come and see it with your eyes. You cannot imagine the amount of need and the challenges until you come here." Dr. Ammar Ghanem, 54, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, volunteered to work a medical mission that began May 1 at the European Hospital in Gaza. With escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas in the southern region of the Palestinian territory and the border in Rafah now controlled by Israeli forces, Ghanem and more than a dozen other U.S. medical volunteers are unable to come home. Ghanem, who spoke to the Free Press via a video call late Tuesday from inside the hospital, said he and the other medical workers including about a dozen from the U.S. are unable to leave the Palestinian territory even though their mission is over. That's because Israeli Defense Forces have seized the border crossing with Egypt in Rafah, Reuters reported, and travel into and out of Gaza is blocked. Israeli leaders have said Egypt's government halted traffic through the border while Egyptian leaders blame Israel for the stoppage. Regardless, it means food, supplies and other assistance can't come in, and medical workers like Ghanem also can't go out. "There is no way to evacuate," said Ghanem, who is vice president of the Syrian American Medical Society, a nonprofit global medical relief organization. "We have a total of 18 people physicians and nurses" on the mission who also can't leave. "The majority of us are from the U.S., but we have about four or five from Jordan who were U.S.-trained. We have one person from Australia. We have one person from Saudi Arabia." The medical mission, he said, was supported by the World Health Organization. "They brought us here and they will be the ones to evacuate us," Ghanem said. "We finished our full mission, which was two weeks, on Monday. And as of (Tuesday), we don't have a plan." A spokesperson for the WHO said he could not immediately answer questions from the Free Press about efforts to evacuate Ghanem and his colleagues from Gaza. A State Department spokesperson told the Free Press it is advocating for the safe return of American medical workers, however, "the U.S. government does not control the border crossing or who is permitted to depart Gaza or enter Egypt. This remains a complex situation with serious implications for the safety and security of U.S. citizens. "We reiterate our advice for U.S. citizens to heed our Level 4 Travel Advisory to not travel to Gaza. As a result of the armed conflict, the security environment within Gaza and on its borders is extremely dangerous and volatile." Hospital becomes a refuge Even though Ghanem said he knew there were risks associated with the medical mission, as the conflict and the suffering stretched on, he could no longer be complacent. "I couldn't watch it anymore," he said. "I felt I should come and help." In a region where only one-quarter of hospitals remain operational amid ongoing fighting, the European Hospital in Gaza has become a shelter for families who have nowhere else to go, Ghanem said. By some estimates as many as 30,000 people are living in and around the hospital. "It is the only functioning tertiary center that is left here in south Gaza," he said. "The hospital is occupied by displaced people. There's tons of them. They occupy all the corridors, the stairs, the rooms even taking some of the staff rooms and the offices. They are everywhere. Sometimes, we see kids inside the ICU (intensive care unit), playing. Imagine the risks that come with that kid who is 5 years old and coming to the ICU with all the infection we have." A child walks through the European Hospital in Gaza, where Dr. Ammar Ghanem, 54, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, volunteered to work a medical mission that began May 1. With escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, Ghanem and more than a dozen other U.S. medical volunteers are unable to come home. Entire families have walled off bits of hallways with bedsheets hung as curtains for a small amount of privacy. The wounded, he said, often have severe injuries such as brain trauma, limbs that must be amputated, multiple burns and other injuries that require very specialized care and complex surgeries. Among the biggest obstacles, Ghanem said, is the lack of supplies to properly clean wounds and sanitize hands and equipment. There is no rubbing alcohol, nor enough medical gowns or surgical gloves, swabs or sanitary dressings. "We have a major issue with infection control," Ghanem said. "We had multiple surgical success stories when it comes to trauma patients, but they end up dying from infections even young people. "We see unusual infections that are resistant to antibiotics, gram negative bacilli, which we rarely see in the U.S. They have to use antibiotics that are very strong and have side effects. Many of these patients end up sick with multisystem failure and they die from this. These are the challenges that they face. "A majority of people we treat are children and women. This is the other heartbreaking thing" with only enough food and water to get by day by day with no guarantees for tomorrow. UN: 'Nowhere is safe now' in Gaza The intensity of the fighting has ramped up in Gaza over the last week, as Israel issued an evacuation order for the eastern part of Rafah. Its military drove tanks through residential areas of the city and Hamas fired rockets. Reuters reported 82 Palestinians were killed in a span of 24 hours. Although the European Hospital is about 7 miles away from Rafah, Ghanem said there is a risk that at any time, a wayward missile could strike the hospital or military strategy could shift. "They guarantee us, according to the Department of State, they are not going to attack this hospital," he said. "They consider us to be safe. But you always worry about some rocket that may hit our area, or we worry about the promises being made in the past that are then not fulfilled. It's happened before." A United Nations staff worker was killed Monday and another was injured when their vehicle was hit while driving to the hospital. "For people in Gaza, nowhere is safe now," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General. Dr. Mufaddal Hamadeh, president of the Syrian American Medical Society, said Ghanem and the other medical volunteers are heroes. In Gaza, where only one-quarter of hospitals remain operational amid ongoing fighting, the European Hospital has become a shelter for families who have nowhere else to go, said Dr. Ammar Ghanem, 54, of West Bloomfield, who traveled to the region May 1 to provide medical relief. By some estimates as many as 30,000 people are living in and around the hospital. "They are trapped literally trapped," Hamadeh said. "They are coping with the stress and the fear and that has escalated since the closure of the border in Rafah. They are hearing bombs falling day and night. All these things are creating a great deal of anxiety for them." A family worries Amnah Allboani Ghanem and her children, Yaser, Zied, and Haneen, wait in West Bloomfield for news about Ghanem and the other U.S. medical workers. Amnah Allboani Ghanem sits in her home in West Bloomfield on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Her husband, Dr. Ammar Ghanem of West Bloomfield, is stuck in Gaza after finishing a volunteer medical mission. Now his family is worried for his safety and wants him to come home. "Sometimes I break down," Allboani Ghanem said, worried that her husband of 23 years might not make it home safely. "And the kids feel so bad. My son sent him a message after the bombing in Rafah started. He sent him a text that said: 'Baba, I love you so much. We are so, so proud of you. Please, please take the first opportunity to come back because I cannot imagine my life without you.' "We are so proud of Ammar and his big heart. We miss him a lot. We are worried about his safety." Allboani Ghanem recalls that before her husband left for the Middle East, he bought a big bag of chocolates to bring with him to the hospital in Gaza. "He knew the kids would be missing that," said Allboani Ghanem, who is a biomechanical engineer and an adjunct professor at Lawrence Technological University. "He is a very kind person. He is always thinking about the smallest things. He said, 'The kids are going to love these chocolates.' " (From right clockwise) Amnah Allboani Ghanem stands in her home in West Bloomfield with daughter Haneen, and sons Zied and Yaser on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Allboani Ghanem's husband and the children's father, Dr. Ammar Ghanem, of West Bloomfield, is stuck in Gaza after finishing a volunteer medical mission. Now his family is worried for his safety and wants him to come home. She and her son have been calling their elected officials, hoping they will intervene on behalf of the humanitarian workers stranded in Gaza. "They keep telling me that it's a very sensitive matter," Allboani Ghanem said. "It's a very complex matter, but they say they will try their best. They are assuring me that he's going to be safe at the European Gaza Hospital. "This is not calming me at all because it's a war. Mistakes happen. We never know what's going to happen." More: Egypt rips Israel's 'desperate attempts' to deflect blame for Gaza crisis: Live updates U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, who represents Ghanem's congressional district, is monitoring his case, working with the State Department and his family to ensure his safe return, said spokesperson Hayley Gray-Hoehn. Stevens, she said, "is thankful to the dedicated humanitarian aid workers, like Dr. Ghanem, who are using their skills to help alleviate suffering for the civilians of Gaza. Rep. Stevens encourages the Israeli government to continue to protect aid and medical workers and allow for their safe passage in and out of Gaza. Hamadeh said the Syrian American Medical Society is circulating a petition to send to President Joe Biden, demanding intervention. Others are lobbying senators and representatives in Congress. "I don't know what is it gonna take to get those those volunteers home, but are we so impotent that our own president and our own government cannot guarantee the safety of American volunteers to get out of Rafa? Are we that impotent?" he asked. Calling humanitarian aid workers in Gaza and other parts of the world "brave," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a news briefing Tuesday that the Biden administration is working to protect them amid the ongoing conflict. "They actually go out there and do that brave work to offer assistance much needed to folks on ... the ground," she said. "And so, we appreciate that. We want to see them protected. We want to make sure that they have the ability to continue that work. "It is important that we see humanitarian aid workers protected. And those are conversations that we continue to have with the Israeli government." Dr. Ammar Ghanem, far right, his wife, Amnah Allboani Ghanem, center, and their children, Yaser, Zied, and Haneen, pose for a photograph on a recent family trip. While he waits for his chance to come home, Ghanem said he'd like to send a message of unity to the often divided American community: "As human beings, we are against the killing of civilians, anytime, anywhere. And we are against what happened, especially to civilians. But the response is beyond what you can imagine. "Mass killing them by cutting off access to clean water, flooding them with sewage, cutting their food and destroying their houses is not the solution. So we hope that our community will understand this and will work together. Because if we all are against killing civilians and we all are against war, then we probably can work together to solve this." Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dr. Ammar Ghanem of West Bloomfield stranded in Gaza With all the criticism that is being directed at Israel over its conduct of the war in Gaza, one essential fact is constantly overlooked: Hamas, the terrorist group responsible for provoking this conflict in the first place, is on the brink of suffering a catastrophic defeat. When, back in October, Hamas launched the most devastating terrorist attack in Israels history, it had around 24 battalions of trained militants. Equipped with hundreds of thousands of weapons, which were predominantly supplied by Iran and included advanced rocket launchers, explosive drones and heavy machine guns, the organisation had developed into a fully fledged terrorist army. The sophistication of Hamass terrorist infrastructure was evident during the early salvoes of its October 7 attack. Drawing on the detailed intelligence Irans Revolutionary Guard had compiled on Israels military listening posts around the Gaza border, Hamas succeeded in knocking out Israels early warning systems, leaving the Israeli military in the dark about the true extent of the tragedy rapidly unfolding on its southern border. Today, thanks to the unrelenting military campaign undertaken by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), that terrorist infrastructure lies in tatters. The latest Western intelligence assessments indicate that at least 18 of Hamass original 24 battalions have now been destroyed as effective fighting forces. Around half its fighters have been killed accounting for a sizeable proportion of the 30,000-odd civilian fatalities in the conflict. This includes a number of senior field commanders. Hamas has been reduced to a small cadre of guerrilla fighters, primarily based in the southern city of Rafah. They can still conduct hit and run attacks, but are no longer able to maintain the constant barrage of rocket attacks against Israel that took place at the start of the war. Nor is there any sign that the Israeli military is willing to ease up in its effort to achieve Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus declared aim of wiping Hamas off the face of the earth. This is despite the constant barrage of criticism the IDF has encountered over its conduct of the war, much of it motivated by a decidedly anti-Israeli political agenda. On Wednesday Israeli tanks pushed deeper into eastern Rafah as part of their attempts to destroy the four Hamas battalions still located there. Nor has Hamas achieved much success with its attempts to provoke a wider war in the Middle East. If Hamass aim in launching the October 7 attacks was to incite a large-scale Arab revolt against the Israelis, it has failed miserably to achieve its objective. The support provided by other members of Irans so-called axis of resistance, such as Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and Yemens Houthi rebels, have made no significant impact on Israels military campaign. Indeed, Israels carefully-calibrated response to Irans rash decision to launch a missile and drone barrage against Israel last month, when Israeli warplanes successfully neutralised a state-of-the-art Russian air defence system, has had the desired effect of putting the Iranians back in their box. Another Hamas objective, to end efforts to normalise relations between Israel and the Arab world under the Abraham Accords, has similarly made little impact. Given the choice between supporting Hamas or backing the US-led military intervention to protect Israel from Irans missile barrage, moderate Arab regimes, including Jordan and several Gulf states, opted to target Iran, instead of backing Tehrans band of Islamist terrorists in Gaza. Faced with the very real prospect of annihilation at the hands of the Israelis, it is hardly surprising that the only card Hamas has left is to maintain its propaganda campaign, which has gained traction in Western liberal circles, for an immediate ceasefire, a move which is about its only hope of surviving Israels uncompromising offensive. This would explain the movements deliberate attempt to embarrass the Israelis by claiming it would accept an immediate ceasefire, even though Hamas leaders knew full well that the terms offered would never be agreed to by the Israelis. Hamass willingness to play fast and loose with the ceasefire terms has even prompted reports that the Qataris, who have given Hamass political leaders asylum in Doha, have finally lost patience with the Palestinian Islamists. Senior Qatari officials complain that Hamas had been exploiting the talks for its own narrow political interest. Many senior Hamas leaders have decamped from Qatar to Turkey. The many setbacks Hamas has suffered during the past seven months mean that critics of Israels approach have been reduced to arguing that, while the IDF may succeed in destroying Hamass terrorist infrastructure, it will not destroy the movements Islamist ideology. This may be true, but eliminating the ability of Hamas, and other Islamist terror groups like al-Qaeda, to conduct acts of terrorism will certainly help to dissuade impressionable young men and women from joining their ranks. Just as al-Qaeda no longer has the ability to threaten the West, the world will be a far safer place once Israel has completed its destruction of Hamass terrorist infrastructure. 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. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice won the states Republican US Senate primary, positioning the two-term governor as the clear favorite to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in the deep-red state. Justice triumphed in a crowded GOP primary that included US Rep. Alex Mooney, a member of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus. He will face Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott, who had Manchins endorsement and won the three-way Democratic primary. The West Virginia Senate seat has long been seen as the most likely to flip this cycle and will be key to GOP hopes of winning the Senate this November. Manchins decision to retire was a harsh blow to Democrats hopes of retaining their narrow majority in the chamber. The party is also defending seats in two other GOP-leaning states, Montana and Ohio, as well as in swing states such as Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. National Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, largely coalesced in the West Virginia Republican primary around Justice, who was barred by term limits from seeking reelection as governor. Still, in the closing weeks, the Senate contest turned bitter as Justice and Mooney traded sharp jabs on air. Mooney launched blistering spots accusing Justice of supporting pro-transgender legislation and claiming that he pushed the biggest tax hike in West Virginia history. Meanwhile, Justice, the owner of the Greenbrier resort who turned a coal mining business he inherited into a sprawling empire, rebutted some of Mooneys criticism with testimonials in his ads from West Virginia coal miners. He also ran spots touting Trumps endorsement and mocking Mooney and many others who want to cling to Trumps coattail. Justice, 73, was elected governor in 2016 as a Democrat but switched his party affiliation early in his first term a move he announced at an August 2017 rally with Trump. Though Justice won as a Democrat in 2016 and Manchin was reelected in 2018, West Virginia is a now a heavily Republican state Trump took more than 68% of the vote there in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections and Manchin is the lone remaining Democrat to hold nonjudicial statewide office. The New York Times reported earlier this week that Justice and his companies are facing myriad legal battles over massive, mounting debts, which his business has developed a reputation for not paying. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Doc Swinsons, a whiskey company born and raised in Ferndale, recently claimed five awards from the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, an international alcohol-judging event. The local company was started in 2017 by a group of friends some lifelong Whatcom County residents and a few Western Washington University graduates. The Doc Swinsons Leadership Team, from left to right: Steve Main, Jesse Parker, Keith Seidel, Dennis Schafer, Chris Cearns in May 2022. Were not a typical producer that most people are used to; we are not a distillery, and we do not have a tasting room, co-founder Keith Seidel told The Bellingham Herald in 2023. Instead, were focusing on the art of bringing old-world blending techniques to the very traditional American craft of bourbon and rye whiskey. We intentionally source the best spirits we can find to blend, age and finish in house to create something that is better than a sum of its parts. Doc Swinsons won four double gold medals and one gold medal at the competition. This achievement highlights the companys mastery in blending and finishing bourbon, establishing it as a leader among the industrys elite, a news release from the company states. These products won the double gold medals: Doc Swinsons Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey, a 100-proof whiskey aged for at least seven years that is made with 95% rye and 5% malted barley. Doc Swinsons Golden Hour Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Rum and Port Casks, a 98-proof whiskey with tasting notes of brown sugar, banana bread and raspberry. Doc Swinsons Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Moscatel Casks, a 115-proof whiskey blend of two bourbons aged for five years with tasting notes of caramel and stone fruits. Doc Swinsons Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Toasted French Oak Casks, a 108-proof whiskey that won the Finished Bourbon of the Year at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition is aged for years in American white oak and then new French oak to create tasting notes of vanilla buttercream, orange, toffee and baking spices. Doc Swinsons won a gold medal for LEsprit, a 114-proof bourbon whiskey that is aged in oak for five years, with notes of honey, raisins, creme brulee, dark chocolate and dried tobacco. Doc Swinson whiskeys can be purchased online at the companys website and at local stores such as Haggen, Whole Foods Market and BevMo. Some Bellingham restaurants and bars also serve Doc Swinsons whiskeys, including The Temple Bar, The Admiralty Lounge, Bantam Kitchen & Bar, Scotty Browns, Redlight Kitchen & Bar and The Blue Abode Bar. Inside the contested death toll: On May 6, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) at the United Nations reported that 34,735 Gazans have been killed in Israel's offensive since it began some 200-plus days ago. Those deaths include 9,500 women and 14,500 children. On May 8, the same office substantially revised the accounting, reporting 4,959 "identified" women and 7,797 "identified" children. Per this report, some 10,000 are allegedly buried under rubble, unable to be identified. So what accounts for this, and does this change matter? All the numbers we're getting out of Gaza are from offices run by Hamas, the terrorist group that perpetrated the October 7 attack and runs the government (if you consider the government to be functional at all there). But there's two main sourcesthe Government Media Office (GMO) and the Ministry of Health (MoH)and the first, higher count is from the GMO, whereas the revised count is from the MoH. In order to suss out the legitimacy of the numbers, we have to consider what is being counted as "identified" vs. "unidentified." The MoH had long counted deaths reported by both hospitals and "reliable" media accounts; around the start of April, it revised the media-reported deaths to be categorized as "incomplete" and then "unidentified." When a death is reported based on a media account (and a media account alone), there are no remains that have been identifiedso the accuracy of this count remains disputed. If you think these data-reporting practices are not so great, you should look at the GMO's account. "Way back on Dec. 11, GMO reported the death of 8,000 children and 6,200 women out of 18,396 total fatalities," writes David Adesnik, the director of research for the nonpartisan Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "Arithmetic shows there were (18,396-8,000-6,200=) 4,196 men. But GMoH reported at the time that hospitals had registered 5,577 male fatalities." In other words: Hamas' two data-reporting entities cannot even line up their stories. If you're noticing that it sure seems like the GMO inflated numbers of dead women and children, which was then parroted by the U.N.'s OCHA and the news media, you would be correct: Hamas-run government agencies seem to grasp that it's the killing of women and children that strikes international audiences as especially heinous. One thing that's tough, when looking at the adult males category, is not knowing what percentage of those deaths are civilians vs. militants; presumably, many people are viscerally opposed to any innocent civilians being harmed, but far fewer are opposed to the Israeli military attempting to avenge the October 7 deaths while also ensuring that those responsible are stamped out, so a similar massacre does not happen again. "Over time, media reports have accounted for an ever larger share of the ministry's data," writes Adesnik for The Wall Street Journal. "Of nearly 11,000 fatalities reported between Jan. 1 and March 31, the ministry derived 77.7% from media reports. Adult males account for only 9% of fatalities attributed to the news, even though Gaza's sex ratio is close to even and more than half its residents are adults." U.N. changed which source it looks at: All of this weedsy data-reporting information is relevant because, on May 8, OCHA revised which source it relies on for numbers, switching to the arguably more accurate MoH count. (Still, in order to preserve the topline number, OCHA maintains an asterisk footnote claiming roughly 10,000 dead people remain buried under rubblea relic of the GMO reporting which has not been substantiated and is just quite impossible to know for sure.) But OCHA changed all of this without announcing it. Consider, too, that even the MoH may not be especially reliable: In October, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) rocket that seems to have been launched from within Gaza accidentally struck a hospital; Gaza's Ministry of Health claimed that nearly 500 people were killed, and attributed the attack to Israel. U.S. intelligence sources say the actual toll was probably closer to 100 (if that high) and that the strike is attributable to PIJ, not Israel. Other organizations, like the U.K.'s Airwarsan organization focused on civilians harmed by warhave found that the MoH lists of names do match up, generally, with those who have been reported killed. (Airwars generally gives death toll ranges, and will even assign labels for degree of confidence, coding deaths as "contested" or with "weak" evidence versus "confirmed" and "fair" evidence.) All this matters because the extraordinarily high death toll is one of the primary justifications given for people's arguments that Israel needs to cease its offensive in the Gaza Strip. Whether it's college students on American campuses or the Biden administration that's recently started to pause weapons shipments to Israel, there's a sense that many are souring on the Israeli cause, believing the cost in human life is simply too high for Israel to be justified in continuing its military campaign. All of this is fair and defensible, but must be based on accurate numbers. Scenes from New York: ON A LIGHTER NOTE! Last night, all the cool people of New York (and some of the cool people of Los Angeles) were at a Reason event in SoHo, in which Nick Gillespie interviewed The Free Press' Nellie Bowles on her new book, Morning After the Revolution: Dispatches From the Wrong Side of History. Bowles beautifully details how half of America lost its everloving mind in the wake of George Floyd's deaththe police abolitionist movement, the suppressed pandemic-lockdown rage, the explicit ideological capture of newsrooms, and the absolute racket of Race2Dinner-type seminars and "anti-racist" retreats for white women (that end up, in fact, being quite racist in the end). (Liz Wolfe) My beautiful friends! (Liz Wolfe) QUICK HITS "The Consumer Price Index climbed 3.4 percent in April, down from 3.5 percent in March, the Labor Department said Wednesday," reports The New York Times. The core indexwhich excludes food and gas (y'know, those negligible line items in your household budget!)"rose 3.6 percent last month, down from 3.8 percent a month earlier." "All the huge automation wins have the same thing in common: they don't look anything like us," writes Pirate Wires' Mike Solana. "Successful automatons built for a specific human functionwashing clothes, running blood tests, reasoningtend to simply look the way they need to look, which tends to be weird (and in the case of robots that think, not embodied at all)." Luxury buildings start to provide a new amenity: IV drips. In China, "local state-owned enterprises would be asked to help purchase unsold homes from distressed developers at steep discounts using loans provided by state banks," reports Bloomberg. "Many of the properties would then be converted into affordable housing." What is happening in our doctoral programs? the actual crime here is giving a PhD for somebody whose research proposal is "talking to their own classmates about what they think of their PhD program" https://t.co/5p7jZakhip Lyman Stone ???????????? (@lymanstoneky) May 14, 2024 The post What's Going on With Gaza's Fatality Numbers? appeared first on Reason.com. Police have called the search for Baki Dewees a "death investigation" FOX11 Landfill search Authorities in Los Angeles are searching for the remains of an infant who was last seen in May, when he was three weeks old, as the babys parents sit in jail on unrelated charges. Baki Dewees was born on April 14 and has been missing from Palmdale, Calif., since May 3, according to a flier shared on Facebook by his great aunt. She claims Baki was last seen with his father, Yusuf Dewees, who is currently in jail in Weber County, Utah. Jail records indicate that he is charged with obstruction of justice and making a false statement. Meanwhile, Baki's mother, Roselani Gaoa, 25, is in custody on three charges, including aggravated child abuse. It is not immediately clear if either Gaoa or Dewees has entered a plea. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department says it is investigating the death of an infant in Palmdale, though did not identify the child in the release. During the early stages, the investigation transitioned from a missing child search to a death investigation, the sheriffs department said in an update. The department added it was searching for the infants remains, and confirmed that the parents were both in jail on unrelated charges. The Los Angeles Times, Fox 11 and NBC Los Angeles report that authorities searched a landfill for the remains on Tuesday, May 14. 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. NBC Los Angeles reports that Bakis grandmother said the child was just a few days old when his mother was arrested on the child abuse charges. Brad Parke, Bakis grandfather, spoke to NBC Los Angeles. "When the baby came up missing, that's when you know something is wrong, Parke told the outlet. "We just want to know where the baby's at. Hoping that the baby's alive, praying that the baby's actually alive." 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. Why was Donald Trump in Lexington instead of court? Its all about the money Former president and current presumed GOP nominee Donald Trump was in Lexington on Wednesday for a $25,000 minimum per-couple fundraiser. The dinners timing is likely not coincidental. Trump has Wednesdays off from his ongoing criminal trial in New York, where hes been charged with falsifying business records related to hush money payments for an adult-film actress during his successful 2016 election. The event was hosted by Joe and Kelly Craft, GOP mega-donors based in Lexington. Trump also held a fundraiser in Cincinnati, Ohio earlier Wednesday. Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, whos considered by many to be a Trump running mate contender. Kelly Craft is the former Trump-appointed U.S. ambassador to Canada and later to the United Nations during Trumps presidency. Her husband, Joe, is a billionaire coal magnate and philanthropist native of the commonwealth.. Of note, after an invitation was circulated with the Crafts co-hosting alongside Barbara Banke, the owner of Kendall-Jackson Wine in Californias Sonoma County and head of Central Kentuckys Stonestreet Horse Farm, a spokesperson for Kendall-Jackson told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat that Bankes name appeared on the invitation without her consent. A spokesperson for Banke emphasized to the Herald-Leader that she was not hosting the event or connected to it any way. Bankes farm has become a high-profile pit stop for prominent area Republicans, though she also contributed in-kind to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshears inaugural committee. Shes made federal political contributions on both sides of the aisle, according to the Federal Elections Commission. The prominent California-based entrepreneur and philanthropists family was valued at around $2.4 billion in 2015. According to fine print at the bottom of the original invitation, all paying attendees will be funding an account that spent more than $50 million last year footing Trumps various legal bills. A donation of $100,000 per couple is required to co-host the event, which includes one roundtable opportunity. Host committee members who pay $250,000 per couple get two such roundtable opportunities and VIP seating. The same goes for chairs, a designation that would cost $844,600 per couple. A spokesperson for Kelly Craft told the Herald-Leader the event was closed to media and did not offer any details beyond whats included in the brochure. Eric Deters, a Northern Kentucky Republican politician who has shelled out serious cash to attend Trump events in the past, said hes not going to the Lexington event. Deters, who finished in fourth place behind Craft in the 2023 GOP primary, said much of his time has been spent on preparing for his Freedom Fest event, a conservative rally that has featured Trumps sons in the past. Hed previously sparred with Craft on the debate stage during the primary, for which he said hes tried to make amends. I have no plans to go, but I hope it is a great success and they raise a lot of money, Deters said. I literally have no idea who will go. Nobody invited me, which doesnt shock me because it involves Kelly Craft. A spokesperson for Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate and Trump surrogate who has a relationship with the Crafts, told the Herald-Leader that he would be in Chicago, not Lexington, on Wednesday. A spokesperson for Rep. Andy Barr, R-KY, who represents Lexington, did not respond to an inquiry on whether hed be in attendance for the event. The U.S. Congress is currently in session, limiting some lawmakers ability to attend. First Congressional District James Comer, R-KY, wont be there, but his chief of staff said hes still supporting the event. Congressman Comer has to be in D.C. tonight for committee work and other official business, but is contributing to the Trump event in Lexington, Comer chief of staff Caroline Cash told the Herald-Leader. Jonathan Levin, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Democratic Party, lampooned Trump for his legal woes. $5,000 of each ticket will go to Save America PAC, which spent more than $50 million in legal and investigation-related bills for Trump in 2023. Indictments four to be exact dont come cheap. Thats why Donald Trump is headed to Lexington tomorrow night for a glitzy fundraiser, hoping that donors can foot the bill for his legal fees, Levin wrote. Were not going to object if Trump wants to continue hoodwinking millionaires into paying for his lawyers, but we hope that the next fundraiser steers clear of our Commonwealth. The Crafts share a fossil fuel background with a group that recently met with Trump: Oil executives. According to the Washington Post, Trump vowed at a closed-door meeting with executives at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to immediately reverse dozens of Democratic President Joe Bidens environmental regulations. He asked the oil executives to contribute $1 billion toward his election, noting that it would be a deal for them. U.S. House Democrats recently launched a probe into the matter. Deters said it makes sense that the Crafts are all-in on supporting Trump for the presidency given their vast wealth and ties to coal. The bottom line is, when youre in a situation like Joe Craft and the odds are that Trumps going to be president, you ante up again, he said. The price of oil might have slumped below $80 recently but remains more than 10% higher for the year. With Energy still one of the top-performing sectors in 2024, we turn our attention to how some of the constituent companies are using this favorable landscape to return excess free cash flow to shareholders through dividends. The Energy sector's volatile nature, defined by sudden shifts in fortunes, is well-known. While investments in oil and natural gas have always been prone to price fluctuations, recent years have seen a notable increase in uncertainty, particularly post-COVID-19. In such an unpredictable market, a dividend raise acts as a vote of confidence from management. Typically, it signals optimism about the company's future, as increased dividends are often supported by anticipated cash flows. This move essentially reflects management's belief in the ability of future cash flows to cover the higher dividend payouts. 4 Companies Enhancing Their Payouts Now, let's examine four energy companies Murphy USA MUSA, Targa Resources TRGP, Cenovus Energy CVE and Phillips 66 PSX that recently raised their dividends. Murphy USA is a leading independent retailer of motor fuel and convenience merchandise in the United States. The proximity of Murphy USAs fuel stations to Walmart supercenters helps the company leverage the strong and consistent traffic that these stores attract. MUSAs acquisition of QuickChek Corporation a family-owned food and beverage chain has helped improve its offerings significantly. MUSA said on May 10 that it will pay out a cash dividend of 44 cents per share of record on May 20. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) companys dividend represents a 4.8% increase in its quarterly dividend rate, providing an annualized dividend of $1.76 per share. While stock buyback continues to be MUSAs preferred tool to distribute cash, the companys policy dictates that it plows back around 4% of its capital in paying dividends. Agreed, the companys current dividend yield is meager at less than 1%, but it is well protected with a payout ratio of just 7. (Check Murphy USA's dividend history here) Next up is Targa Resources. It is a leading provider of integrated midstream services in North America. The Houston, TX-based operator primarily derives its revenues from gathering, compressing, treating, processing and selling natural gas. Targa Resources, with a Zacks Rank of 3, also provides services associated with natural gas liquids (NGL), including those to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exporters, and crude oil. Story continues Last month, TRGP increased the quarterly dividend by 50%. The company will pay a dividend of 75 cents per share against 50 cents last quarter. Calculating a 2.7% annualized yield, this payout increase comes into effect with the one to be paid on May 15. Targa Resources current dividend yield might not be the best going around, but it is comfortably ahead of the S&P 500s 1.3% and seems more than sustainable at a payout ratio of around 41. In fact, this also leaves enough scope for future hikes. (Check Targa Resources' dividend history here) Then, there is Cenovus Energy. The Canada-based operator is a leading integrated energy firm. Starting from pumping out oil from its oil sands projects in Canada, the companys operations comprise marketing the produced oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Cenovus entire operation of oil and gas production is concentrated in Canada, within the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. CVE proposed a quarterly dividend of 18 Canadian cents, taking the full-year payout to 72 Canadian cents, up 29% from the previous dividend. The new dividend, which offers a yield of 2.6%, will be paid to stockholders of record on Jun 14. In addition to the regular dividend, the Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company declared a special dividend of 13.5 Canadian cents per share during its first quarter release. Cenovus Energy's attractive dividend policy reflects its robust financial performance, with CVE experiencing a significant increase in operating income and adjusted funds flow. Cenovus plans to return 50% of excess free cash flow to its shareholders, with the potential for full distribution once debt targets are met. (Check Cenovus Energy's dividend history here) You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Finally, we have Phillips 66. Another major refiner in terms of size, efficiency and strength, Phillips 66 buys, sells and refines crude oil and other feedstocks at its refineries. PSX, with a throughput capacity of 2 million barrels per day, owns an interest in 12 refineries in the United States and Europe. Moreover, it owns 7,110 branded U.S. outlets and 1,700 international ones. In April, PSX increased the quarterly dividend by 10% from $1.05 to $1.15. This payout increase comes into effect with the dividend to be recorded on May 20. At the current share price, Phillips 66 offers a dividend yield of 3.2%. Phillips 66 has witnessed a 16% compound annual growth rate in dividends since its formation in 2012. In fact, the #3 Ranked leading and diversified refiner has a target of returning $13 billion to $15 billion to its investors via both dividend and share repurchases from July 2022 to 2024. (Check Phillips 66's dividend history here) Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Cenovus Energy Inc (CVE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Murphy USA Inc. (MUSA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phillips 66 (PSX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Targa Resources, Inc. (TRGP) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Why are the flags flying at half-staff in Wisconsin on Wednesday? American and State of Wisconsin flags are flying at half-staff for the second consecutive day. On Tuesday, this gesture honored Hmong-Lao Veterans Day and the Hmong-Lao veterans who fought alongside the United States in the Vietnam War. Wednesday, it honors police officers who have died in the line of duty. Here's what to know. Why are the flags at half-staff today in Wisconsin? Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #223 ordering American flags and the Wisconsin state flag to be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, May 15, in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Flags fly at half-staff at the Roundy's warehouse in Oconomowoc on Thursday, March 18, 2021. Federal law designates May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day each year and requires the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff in honor of police officers who have died in the line of duty. The day takes place during National Police Week, which this year is May 12-18. Nationally, the week was marked with a candlelit vigil in Washington D.C. on Monday, honoring 282 officers killed in the line of duty, including 118 who died in 2023. "(T)hroughout Wisconsin, peace officers bravely protect and serve their communities and the people of this state, committed to public service, safety, and justice ...," Evers said in his executive order. "(M)embers of law enforcement agencies are often called to put themselves in harm's way to respond to dangerous and unpredictable situations. ... (T)he people of Wisconsin honor and remember peace officers' service as well as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice." In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. "It is important that people throughout our country know and understand the problems, duties, and responsibilities of their police departments and that members of our law enforcement agencies recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence or disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression or intimidation," Kennedy said in the proclamation. Law enforcement officers places flags at half-staff during a multi-agency National Police Week ceremony, Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Indian River County Courthouse. Flags across the United States will be flown at half-staff Wednesday, May 15 for Peace Officers' Memorial Day. Police Week began May 12 and runs through May 18. How long will the flags be at half-staff? Flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, May 15, per Evers' Executive Order #223. Any jurisdiction in the state is also permitted to fly flags at half-staff any day during National Police Week for the purpose of honoring in a public ceremony officers who have died in the line of duty. Where do flags fly at half-staff? Evers ordered that, on May 15, the American flag and the Wisconsin state flag fly at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations belonging to the State of Wisconsin. Sandra Day O'Connor Courthouse puts its flag at half-staff following the death of its namesake on Dec.1, 2023. Where do flags fly at half-staff? "The United States flag flies at half-staff or at half-mast when the nation or a state is in mourning," USA.gov says. "The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff." Most often, it marks: The death of a government official, military member or first responder. A national tragedy. Memorial Day or another national day of remembrance. What is the difference between half-staff and half-mast? Half-mast refers to flags lowered on a ship while half-staff refers to a pole in the ground, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command's blog. "Half-staff" is the preferred term in presidential decrees while "half-mast" is used outside of the U.S. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are flags at half-staff in Wisconsin today? PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) If you happen to pass a public Oregon building on Wednesday, you may find yourself wondering why all the flags are flying half-staff. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek ordered the flags to fly half-staff from midnight to sunset on May 15 after U.S. President Joe Biden declared the date an annual holiday to honor fallen peace officers across the country. Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam endorse Portland City Council candidate From now on, May 15 will mark Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week between May 12-18 will be known as Police Week, according to a proclamation from the Oval Office. Every day, police officers pin on their shields and walk out the door, rushing into harms way to keep the rest of us safe, President Biden said in a public statement. Being a police officer is more than what they do it is who they are. On Peace Officers Memorial Day and during Police Week, we recognize the incredible courage of our Nations police officers and honor the fallen heroes, whose ultimate sacrifice we can never repay. ODOT faces lawsuit to stop $1.9B Rose Quarter freeway expansion In honor of the holiday, Gov. Kotek immediately issued the order to lower the flags. Our law enforcement public safety professionals are confronted head-on with the most complicated parts of humanity, only to stand in the face of it and offer help, Gov. Kotek said. There is no sacrifice more noble, no pledge to the public more honorable, than that of the devotion in the line of duty of our law enforcement professionals. We honor the memory of those who have fallen in service protecting their fellow Oregonians. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Why flags are at half-staff in Ohio on May 15, 2024 Why flags are at half-staff in Ohio on May 15, 2024 COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Governor Mike DeWine has ordered U.S. and Ohio flags to be flown at half-staff. Flags have been lowered on Ohios public buildings and grounds throughout the state Wednesday. DeWine said the flags will be lowered to honor Peace Officer Memorial Day and Police Week. The annual observance of the two occasions dates to 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, which falls within the week of Police Week. 50 years of helping those with disabilities live their lives Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Though neither lost their lives, two police officers were involved in separate shootings over the weekend, prompting a plea from Fraternal Order of Police President Brian Steel for more restraint and less violence. I feel like society, were not the same as we were. Were so violent, Steel said. Were so quick to just act. Weve got to pull together a little more and start taking care of each other. Flags throughout Ohio will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) has been banned by at least six of the nine Native American tribes in her state as of Wednesday, after she made comments earlier this year the tribes say were offensive. Relations between the governor and the tribes have been strained since she took office in 2019, but her comments, including saying tribal leaders benefit from drug cartels, have caused the tribes to vote to ban her in recent months. The most recent tribe, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, voted Tuesday to ban Noem, and one tribes vote, the Yankton Sioux Tribe, is still up in the air. Nevertheless, Noem may soon be unable to step foot in about 20 percent of the land in the state she governs. Heres what you need to know about the bans. Tribes vote to ban Noem The Oglala Sioux Tribe became the first tribal nation in South Dakota to ban Noem from its land in early February. The tribal president released a statement banning Noem after she made comments about the U.S.-Mexico border in late January. Noem delivered remarks to the state Legislature during which she said South Dakota would send more resources, like South Dakota National Guard Troops, to Texas as it dealt with the influx of migrants arriving at its border, calling it an invasion. The tribes president also pushed back on Noem for placing blame on President Biden for the border crisis. In April, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe became the second tribe to ban Noem from its reservation. Members of the tribal council were frustrated when Noem unexpectedly showed up at the quarterly Pe Sla meeting March 29 in Rapid City. The tribes chair claimed Noem attended the meeting with cameras to use it for her agenda, Indian Country Today reported. He also criticized Noem for her comments about drug dealers. Weve got some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefiting from the cartels being there, and thats why they attack me every day, Noem said at a town hall in Winner, The Associated Press reported. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe intergovernmental affairs officer told The Hill that many tribes believe Noem doesnt respect or fully understand tribal sovereignty. Days later, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe banned Noem for her racially charged comments. The tribes chair said in a statement that Noems comment linking tribes and Mexican cartels was irresponsible and a sad reflection of her fear-based politics. In mid-April, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe became the fourth tribal nation to ban Noem. Officials said the ban is justified not only due to her recent comments but her relationship with the tribes since taking office, South Dakota Searchlight reported. The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Council voted unanimously May 7 to ban Noem, claiming it was important to protect the tribes values and ensure a safe and inclusive environment, as well as prevent the further marginalization of tribal nations, the tribe said in a statement to Dakota News Now. The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe voted Tuesday to ban Noem, the most recent ban over her comments. On Friday, the Yankton Sioux Tribe Business and Claims Committee voted to ban the governor, but the ban would not be final and enforceable without a vote of the tribal members, USA Today reported. A tribal secretary said the tribe didnt officially vote to ban Noem, according to a KELO-TV story. When The Hill reached the tribe by phone by The Hill, it could only confirm the KELO article. Noem doubles down on comments The tribes are generally seeking an apology from the governor, which doesnt seem likely. In an April statement to The Hill, after four tribes already banned her, Noem doubled down on her comments. She urged tribal leaders to immediately banish the Mexican drug cartels that are responsible for murders, rapes, drug addiction, and many more crimes on tribal lands. Noem said the real question you should be asking is: Why wont tribal leaders banish the Mexican drug cartels who are responsible for this devastation? The Hill has reached out to Noems office for an updated statement, but a spokesperson said Tuesday following the Crow Creek vote that banning her does nothing to resolve the issue. Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Chair Peter Lengkeek pushed back on Noems accusation, saying the tribe has cartel products, like guns and drugs, but the products pass over state highways to get to the reservation, so likening all tribes are involved really shows the ignorance of the governors office. Noem said regardless of the bans, she will be taking action to increase public safety on reservations. She launched a history-making opportunity by creating a law enforcement training course that will take place in the coming months for the states tribes. She also said shes looking for help on the federal level. Shes asked the Biden administration to fund tribal law enforcement and create agreements for law enforcement and highway patrol to enforce tribal law. Noem, who has been floated as a possible running mate for former President Trump, has been in the spotlight in recent weeks after drawing criticism for writing in her memoir that she shot and killed her 14-month-old dog who misbehaved, and it was found the book had several inaccuracies, including claims of a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Why the SNP is blaming the Tories for Scotlands housing emergency Scotland has declared a housing emergency after rent controls introduced under Nicola Sturgeon drove up prices at a record pace. Scottish ministers blamed Westminster austerity for the decision despite rents in Scotland having risen at the highest annual rate of any UK nation since Ms Sturgeons cap was introduced. The Scottish National Party voted against a motion to declare a housing emergency in November. But since then, the Scottish government has scrapped its coalition with the Scottish Greens and lost its majority in Holyrood. Former first minister Ms Sturgeon introduced a 3pc temporary rent cap in April 2023. However, a loophole in the policy, which meant new tenancies were exempt, sent rents soaring. Since the caps introduction, City of Edinburgh, Glasgow City and Argyll and Bute councils have all declared housing emergencies. Scottish councils also proposed to raise rents for social housing tenants by as much as 8.4pc to cover their costs another flaw in the policy all the while, loss-making private landlords constrained by the countrys rent cap continued to sell up. A record 12pc of homes in Scotland were sold by landlords last year, according to estate agency Hamptons. Landlords also now account for a record low of 5pc of all buyers in Scotland. This has led to far less homes available to rent. Compared with five years ago, there are now 49pc fewer homes to rent in Scotland compared with 40pc across Great Britain. After Ms Sturgeons rent cap was lifted in March, landlords told The Telegraph they had put up rents for tenants by as much as 12pc to recoup costs and recover some of their lost profits. Over the past year, Scottish rents have risen by nearly 10pc the highest annual rent growth of any UK nation, according to property portal Zoopla. Edinburgh and Glasgow have witnessed steeper price increases than London. But even in areas outside these major cities, rents have risen at a particularly alarming rate over the past year including in places such as Midlothian (+13.8pc), Renfrewshire (+12.5pc) and East Dunbartonshire (+12.3pc). Ms Sturgeons coalition deal with the Greens included a pledge to introduce an effective national system of rent controls and was what led to the introduction of a temporary cap on rents. In March, former first minister Humza Yousaf published new plans to bring in further, longer-term market controls which could give local authorities powers to create rent caps as low as 0pc for as long as five years. The legislation is currently being consulted on. Other proposals include allowing courts to delay evictions during the winter months or where they cause high levels of stress, and preventing landlords from unreasonably refusing pets or requests to paint the walls. Timothy Douglas, of estate agency trade body Propertymark, said the decision to call a housing emergency means the Scottish government now has no choice but to acknowledge the problem head on. He added: Housing is now the priority and will be at the top of the to-do list for the next first minister. Rent caps have hit the private sector hard, along with a very harsh tax regime making Scotland the most expensive place to buy a buy-to-let namely the 6pc Additional Dwelling Supplement charge brought in this year. Land and Buildings Transaction Tax Scotlands stamp duty equivalent is also too high so were not seeing new homeowners get on the market. When you put all this together, its a recipe for disaster. John Blackwood, of the Scottish Association of Landlords, said what was important now was not to focus on blame and recriminations but to get all parties to come together and create a long-term plan to solve Scotlands housing shortages. He added: We need to see housing policies that are based on fact rather than ideology, on results rather than politics. 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. Originally appeared on E! Online One major question behind the tragic death of an Oklahoma teenager has yet to be answered. Due to the mysterious way Noah Presgrove's body was discovered on the side of the highway on Sept. 4, the exact manner of his death cannot yet be determined, according to an autopsy report obtained by E! News May 14. In fact, authorities revealed in the document that, despite confirming the 19-year-old's cause of death as "multiple blunt force injuries," they were unable to find enough evidence at the scene to ascertain where those injuries came from, as there were "no vehicle parts or debris observed" on the road. As a result, authorities aren't able to label his manner of death as homicide, suicide, accidental or natural. And that isn't the only strange detail officials noted in the autopsy, which established that Noah's fatal injuries included multiple lacerations to the brain, as well as a skull fracture that split the "middle base of the skull into two." Celebrity Deaths: 2024's Fallen Stars More from E! Online The report also stated that the former high school athlete was found naked apart from wearing a pair of mismatched shoes, each of which had "grass and debris" clumped in the laces. Additionally, a pair of his shorts was collected several feet from his body, as well as "part of a tooth" and a "clump of hair." Another wad of hair was also found on Noah's "right buttock without blood or tissue," per the document. And while the manner of Noah's death has yet to be solidified, a few details regarding his final hours have been determined. The Duncan Banner Obituaries According to the autopsy, the teenager was drinking at a house party on the night of his death before he left to ride an "ATV ranger vehicle with several men that had a roll over incident." Afterwards, he returned to the party, where he allegedly "got into an argument with his girlfriend" before leaving again. On Labor Day morning, around 5:53 a.m., he was discovered dead by a passing truck driver on the Jefferson County Highway. Of course, authorities aren't the only ones hoping to fill in the blanks on the case. Noah's family also started a GoFundMe for a private investigator, who they hope will be able to dig deeper into the death of the teen, who had graduated high school just a few months before his passing. Madison Rawlings/GoFundMe "We're still at square one," his brother Dailen Presgrove told People in an interview published May 13. "We desperately need more cooperation from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and we're looking to get an outsider experienced in these situations." (E! News reached out to Oklahoma police for comment on the case but has not heard back.) For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Why a Texas businessman with few ties to Oklahoma is running to unseat Rep. Tom Cole A wealthy Texas businessman with few connections to Oklahoma is one of four Republicans trying to unseat incumbent 4th District Congressman Tom Cole. The GOP primary election is set for Tuesday, June 18. Paul Bondar, a self-described patriot and family man from Texas, said he now lives in Oklahoma. Bondar, who grew up in Wisconsin, spent his adult life in Illinois. He owned the Bondar Insurance Group in Oak Brook, Illinois, and moved to Texas in 2020. Records show that Bondar holds a Texas drivers license and voted as recently as March 5, 2024, in a Texas election. His transition to Oklahoma has been quick and seems to parallel to the 2024 election cycle. On March 25, Bondar filed paperwork to run for Congressional District 0 in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma address Bondar used was 3212 Rutherford Way, Norman the same address that is listed as the home of Dr. Nicole Kish, a Norman optometrist who ran for mayor and is part of the group, Unite Norman. Bondar amended his federal election paperwork on May 3, changing the district indicated from 0 to 4. Bondar was not listed as a registered voter in Oklahoma until April 3. His Oklahoma voter registration is listed in Pontotoc County. On April 4, Bondar filed a Declaration of Candidacy with the Oklahoma Election Board, listing the states 4th District Congressional seat. One day later, on April 5, Bondar was issued an Oklahoma drivers license. U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., was approved as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee by the GOP Steering Committee on Tuesday. In this photo, he leaves during a break in a House Republican caucus meeting at the Longworth House Office Building in 2023. Why Paul Bondar says he has decided to run for office in Oklahoma Bondar told an Oklahoma City television station that he had invested in Oklahoma and, because of that investment, decided to run for Congress. Ive been in a number of different states throughout the United States, most recently prior to Oklahoma, I was in Texas, Bondar told KFOR television. I invested in Oklahoma. We bought 500 plus acres. Were building a very large forever house on this 500 acres over a pond. And so, this is a bigger commitment in the state of Oklahoma that weve made. Bondar said the 500-acre ranch is near Durant. That address is well outside the boundaries of the 4th Congressional District, which includes all or part of 15 counties in south-central Oklahoma. It is bordered by Texas in the south and stretches north to include Norman, Moore and much of southern Oklahoma City. Lawton, Ada and Ardmore are also in the district. More: Former journalist, 22-year-old among those entering races on last day of candidate filing Bondars campaign registration lists Thomas Datwyler as his campaign treasurer. Datwyler previously served as former Congressman George Santos campaign treasurer. Santos represented New Yorks 3rd Congressional District until he was expelled from Congress for fraud. Paul Bondar is running against Rep. Tom Cole for Oklahoma's 4th Congressional District. Since filing, Bondar has mounted an aggressive campaign against Cole. In his ads, Bondar labeled Cole as a career politician who essentially wasted public money and who has been absent from the his congressional district for years. Bondar says he is a Trump supporter, and his commercial shows him standing with a cardboard cutout of Trump. "I feel like definitely there is a need for somebody to actually step up and run a campaign," Bondar told the television station. I think Mr. Cole has been basically running uncontested. Cole, a Republican, has held the seat since 2003, and he was recently named chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Before serving in Congress, Cole served as Oklahoma's Secretary of State from 1995 to 1999. Prior to that he was a member of the Oklahoma Senate. A Chickasaw, Cole is one of five Native Americans in Congress who are enrolled tribal members. In addition, Cole regularly holds public meetings in the 4th District. What are the odds of incumbent Rep. Tom Cole being unseated? Defeating Cole could prove extremely difficult. Last week, Cole's campaign responded to Bondar's attack. In his most recent ad, Cole said Bondar was was trying to buy the congressional seat and that Bondar did not own property in Oklahoma. Cole's ad notes that the congressman was endorsed by Trump. Coles ad claimed Bondar doesnt live in Oklahoma at all, accusing him of trying to buy the OK-4 seat. "Paul Bondars bought lots of nice things, Cole's ad said. Like his luxury mansion in Illinois, where he didnt pay his taxes. And Bondars mansion in Texas, yes, Texas, where Bondar swore he lived when he voted just weeks ago. Tuesday, Bondar's campaign pushed back against Cole's claim. The campaign released images of a warranty deed that showed Bondar had purchased property in Johnson County in 2022 and in Atoka County in April of 2023. "Regardless of what Mr. Cole wants you to believe, I own land in Oklahoma. I am building a home on 500+ acres north of Durant and am currently leasing a house in Stonewall," Bondar said in a statement sent to The Oklahoman. "Im proud to be an Oklahoman now and more excited for the future of this great state when Im elected." Bondar said Cole has served 22 years in the House and has not voted in Oklahoma in person for 20+ years. "Regarding Coles unfounded allegation that Im buying a seat. Why would I buy a seat from the appropriation committee chair who has billions at his disposal?" Bondar said. "I am running because I am new to Oklahoma and want to remove the worst career politician and provide solutions to Oklahomas 15% poverty rate. Unlike Mr. Cole, I am self-financing to ensure Im not beholden to special interests." The other three Republicans in the race have, so far, been quiet. Those candidates include Nick Hankins, Rick Harris and Andrew Hayes. Hankins was born in Altus, and said his career experience includes working as an IT professional. Hankins said on his website that he would not vote for legislation in congress that does not protect a resident's freedoms. Hayes served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 2006 to 2008 and attended Cameron University and University of Oklahoma. He said he has worked for The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and worked in agriculture. Hayes has been affiliated with The Ludwig von Mises Institute, The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, and Liberty Literature Foundation. Harris did not file biographical information. The winner of the June 18 primary election will face James Stacy, an Independent and the winner of the Democratic primary. Mary Brannon and Kody Macaulay are vying for the Democratic nomination in the 4th District. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Potential campaigns to unseat Rep. Tom Cole could get ugly, expensive With the homemade rocket strapped in place high above them, the crew pause for a moment of quiet reflection at the base of the launcher. Then they scramble. Ha, sii, saam, soong, nung a mans voice booms through the loudspeaker, counting down from five. Soon, a thick cloud of smoke has enveloped the dusty field, the ground rumbling as a top secret gunpowder concoction propels the colourful contraption high into the sky. Elated cheers break out; spectators tracking the rockets straight ascent north are impressed. I love watching them set off, says Brasart, 70, exchanging wads of cash as he bets at the edge of the danger zone. The rockets [have] got so much bigger than when I was young. Across north eastern Thailand and parts of Laos, thousands of these will be set off this month as the region celebrates Bun Bang Fai with parades, parties and PVC rockets stuffed with explosives. Participants prepare their home-made rockets for launch - Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images Organisers prepare one of the frames that rockets will attach to - Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images But the ancient Buddhist festival is also a homage to the Gods; a merit-making reminder to deliver a plentiful monsoon season for farmers fields. And that rain has never been needed more. This year has seen the lowest total rainfall on record, with almost no rain in February and March, says Dr Theepakorn Jithitikulchai, an economist and climate researcher at Thammasat University in Bangkok. As of April 28, the national cumulative rainfall is 74 per cent lower than the [average]... compared to the past three decades. Temperatures have also been scorching, with southeast Asia enveloped in an unprecedented heat wave thats closed schools and strained power grids. In Thailand, where temperatures have surpassed 43C in 16 provinces, a record of 61 heat-related fatalities have been reported. Thailands farmers are on the frontlines of climate change, with global boiling intensifying extreme weather, says Dr Jithitikulchai. Thailands climate is changing rising temperatures and declining precipitation are evident trends over the past few decades. The north eastern region of Isaan is among the worst hit, he adds. And here in Yasothon, a small city home to perhaps the most famous and raucous rocket festival, farmers are feeling the pinch. Its been very dry and very hot the last couple of years, and this year the rain is meant to come even later, says Nab, watching as a crew scramble up the rickety, laddered launcher to set up their rocket. Im very worried, its the biggest issue for people around here 80 per cent of the population here is a farmer. The 19-year-old, whose family have been toiling fields here for generations, is especially concerned about his rice paddy. The crop is not only sensitive to high temperatures (one study has found every 1C spike in average night-time temperatures corresponds to a 10 per cent yield loss), but also needs huge amounts of water. On average, it takes 2,500 litres of water to grow 1kg of rice. Were able to grow way less rice than we used to, Nab says. Im 50/50 about whether [the festival] really makes the God of Rain help us. But many people believe it will If the rain still doesnt come, then I think I will have to do something else. Participants pray for rain before launching a home-made rocket into the sky during the Bun Bang Fai rocket festival - Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images Spectators relax as they watch the rocket launches - Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images Academics say that although shifting rainfall and higher temperatures have been driven by climate change - a study on Wednesday found Aprils scorching temperatures were 45 times more likely because of global warming - the scenario has been worsened by the latest El Nino. The weather phenomenon, which occurs every three to seven years, is triggered by an unusual warming of the Pacific Ocean. The impacts vary globally but in Asia, it is associated with reduced rainfall and soaring temperatures. Yet there could be some relief for Thai farmers later this year, says Beau Damen, a climate change officer at the Food and Agriculture Office in Bangkok. At the moment were looking at a potential transition period out of El Nino, and it increasingly looks like we might be transitioning directly into La Nina, he says. Normally, in this part of the world, that would be positive in terms of rainfall. According to the latest forecasts from the US Climate Prediction Centre, theres a 69 per cent chance that this could develop between July and September. Still, unless global heating is curbed, life is only going to get more challenging for Thai farmers and their counterparts across southeast Asia, says Dr Witsanu Attavanich, an environmental economist at Kasetsart University in Bangkok. These heat waves will get worse [and] it is expected that Thailands agricultural sector will suffer more damage in the future, he says, adding that the farmers hes surveyed have already seen rice yields drop by 30 to 50 per cent. This is not the only affected crop. The yield of aromatic coconuts has decreased due to extreme heat, says Dr Attavanich. Farmers who grow durian, the high value crop, also struggle with the shortage of water. According to an upcoming study by Dr Attavanich, Dr Jithitikulchai and their colleagues, overall agricultural production in Thailand could drop by 10 per cent for every one percentage point rise above average annual temperatures. The paper, set to be published in the journal Climatic Change but seen by the Telegraph, calls for farmers to start diversifying their crops to protect against the impacts of extreme heat. But as it stands, single crop agriculture is actually increasing in Thailand, while the proportion of irrigated farms dropped from 25 per cent in 2007-2016, to 19 per cent in 2020. It does not look very promising, says Dr Jithitikulchai. These trends suggest a potential shift towards less sustainable agricultural practices we need a more sustainable future. Bun Bang Fai is 70-year-old Brasart's favourite festival of the year - Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images An elephant was among the spectators - Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images Back in Yasothon, mentions of both the God of Rain and the Toad Prince, key figures from the legends that spawned the festival, are everywhere. Meanwhile rockets and flares soar into the sky as spectators (including, from somewhere, an elephant) huddle under gazebos and umbrellas to seek refuge from the scorching temperatures; some even dive into muddy water holes to cool off. At the end of the weekend, the winning rockets those who spent the most time airborne, from take off to the moment they land (hopefully in a field, the Telegraph is assured the angle of the launcher has been carefully constructed to avoid the city) will be picked. Over 20 years ago, some people got injured, but now people are much safer, says Brasart, donned in a wide-brimmed rattan hat and aviator sunglasses. I like this event more than any other festival each year. We do it to encourage the rain, many people still believe in this, he adds. So its a must do, every year. We have to set off the rockets, or the rain definitely wont come. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security 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. Wildwood police investigated a death at the Wildwood Shopping Center early Tuesday. At about 7 a.m., police were called to the plaza after a man was found in his vehicle by a passerby. After EMS and Wildwood police arrived at the scene and determined that the individual had passed away due to natural causes. Read: Man accused of killing 8 farm workers in DUI crash denied bond during first appearance The incident was not the result of any violent offense, and there is no threat to the public, according to police. According to detectives, they have completed their investigation, and no further updates are expected. Read: Weather Alert Day: Central Florida under a severe thunderstorm watch until 5 p.m. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. sergiophoto84 / Getty Images Its a common misconception that millionaires and billionaires indulge in lavish lifestyles. In reality, many are prudent with their money. They live frugally to safeguard their wealth, like Warren Buffett, who continues to live in the modest family home that he purchased in 1958 for $31,500, even with his billionaire status. Read Next: 5 Frugal Habits of Mark Cuban Find Out: 4 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money Their financial wisdom is the key to their prosperity, and their frugal habits can guide others toward financial security. Heres how the penny-pinching super-wealthy avoid unnecessary expenses. They Dont Buy New Cars Cars are never a good investment because they depreciate in value the moment theyre driven off the lot. Millionaire Jonathan Sanchez the co-founder of Parent Portfolio, a website that helps families learn to grow wealth told CNBC, Cars often shed about 60% of their original purchase price within the first five years, which is why I cant justify spending so much money knowing that the value will only depreciate. Insurance premiums for new cars are typically more expensive than used ones, too. So I prefer buying a used car that is a couple of years old and has less than 100,000 miles, he added. Try This: 4 Affordable Car Brands You Wont Regret Buying in 2024 They Make Shopping Lists Another way millionaires save money is sticking to their shopping lists. When it comes to spending, millionaires used a common tool for saving money: a shopping list, per The National Study of Millionaires by Ramsey Solutions. According to responses, 85% of participants in The National Study of Millionaires rely on a grocery list to some degree. They Skipped Elite Schools The National Study of Millionaires found that earning a college degree is important to many millionaires; however, attending an elite Ivy League school wasnt a priority. Almost two-thirds of millionaires (62%) graduated from public state schools, while only 8% went to a prestigious private school. But the bulk of millionaires did get that piece of paper, the report stated. Theyre Not Into High-End Fashion Sanchez revealed hes not into fast fashion because its costly. Instead, he focuses on the basics. I dont overthink my outfits. I keep a small closet of simple, timeless clothes, he told CNBC. If Im going casual, Ill pair blue jeans with a T-shirt or polo. If Im attending a formal event, Ill wear a suit and tie. I only buy new items when I need to replace clothes with unforgiving holes from normal wear and tear. One of the most important things I teach my kids is how to care for their belongings and make them last, he explained. Story continues More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Unexpected Habits of Frugal Millionaires and Billionaires By David Shepardson and Alexandra Ulmer WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former U.S. President Donald Trump's private Boeing 757 clipped another corporate jet while taxiing at West Palm Beach International Airport in Florida on Sunday, a source familiar with the incident said on Tuesday. The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that a privately owned 757 contacted a parked and unoccupied corporate jet at the south Florida airport. The FAA statement did not identify the plane as belonging to Trump. The incident occurred in an area of the airport where the FAA does not direct aircraft, the agency said, adding that it is investigating. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump held a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, on Saturday. The incident occurred after the plane landed at the West Palm Beach airport at about 1:20 a.m. on Sunday. Trump's 757 is a staple of airport presidential campaign rallies and at one rally in Ohio in March a voice announced: "Trump Force One, you are cleared for landing." Trump purchased his $100 million Boeing 757 in 2010 and the heavily customized plane includes gold plated accents, two private guestrooms, three bathrooms, dining and conference areas and an extensive entertainment system. The plane was built in 1991. Trump in January urged Boeing to resume building the 757, which it discontinued in 2004. "Boeing should bring back the 757, the most beautiful, best handling plane (from the pilots standpoint!) that Boeing ever made," he said on social media. (Reporting by David Shepardson, Eric Beech and Alexandra Ulmer; writing by Dan Whitcomb; editing by Lincoln Feast) The session showcased the deep partisan divide, with debate lasting over three hours and becoming increasingly intense when Republicans sought to end discussion and Democrats protested the move. (Baylor Spears | Wisconsin Examiner) During a heated floor session Tuesday, the Wisconsin Senate voted to override nine vetoes issued by Gov. Tony Evers, including a divisive bill directing how funding to combat PFAS forever chemicals can be spent. The override votes, which took place about six months before the 2024 general elections, mostly served as a platform for Republican legislators to send a political message, as the fate of the vetoed bills is unlikely to change. Veto overrides need to be approved by a two-thirds majority in both chambers an accomplishable goal for Republicans in the Senate since they hold a 22-10 majority. In the Assembly, Republicans hold 63 of 99 seats, so two Democrats would have to join Republicans to pass any veto override. The session showcased the deep partisan divide, with debate lasting almost five hours and becoming increasingly intense when Republicans sought to end discussion and Democrats protested the move. The last bill the Senate took action on was SB 1014, which sought to direct how the Department of Health Services (DHS) would spend $15 million in funding on grants for capital improvements for emergency medical services in Eau Claire and Chippewa counties. It led to the most explosive reactions on the floor. Sen. Jesse James (R-Altoona) said that overturning the veto on the bill would be the only way that the $15 million could be released. After the lawmakers comments, Republicans went straight to the vote on the measure, not allowing Democrats the chance to debate. Democrats were infuriated. This is bullsh*t, Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) yelled. He later threw a stack of papers into the air after being ignored. People are suffering in my district, Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) yelled. Senate President Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) banged his gavel and told Smith that he was out of order. Smith said during a press conference after the session that the $15 million could be released by the Joint Finance Committee at any time. Republicans bank on the fact that they can fool the public because they dont really understand how the Joint Finance Committee works, Smith told reporters. I just am upset and livid that theyre gambling with peoples lives literally gambling with peoples health care in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, in all western regions, Smith said. Lawmakers also voted to overturn Evers veto of the divisive PFAS bill its the latest action taken by Republican lawmakers in their disagreement with Evers over the guidelines for how $125 million can be spent to combat PFAS. Evers has urged lawmakers on the Joint Finance Committee to release the funds without the bill. An innocent landowners provision in the bill was once again a major point of disagreement during the debate, with Democrats saying it would allow polluters to get out of being held accountable, but Republicans said it is necessary so that landowners are protected and can take advantage of the funds without fear of consequences. Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein and Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), argued that the money could be released by the Joint Finance Committee and could be done without the provision. I would hope that unlike those before us, we dont simply wash our hands in the past, and we actually hold those who did the polluting accountable, Larson said. Otherwise, the incentive moving forward is going to be just Pollute at will and do not think of the future because someone else will come along and clean it up. Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) said a successful veto override is the only way to get the money out the door and that the Joint Finance Committee cannot override a veto, and therefore cannot release the funds. Republican lawmakers have previously said that the Department of Natural Resources request to the Joint Finance Committee to release the money would go against legislative intent. This is a political chess game for the Democrats and the governor youre playing with the peoples lives and their investments, and their families, Felzkowski said. Democrats insisted the finance committee can simply release the funds. Other bills on which lawmakers voted to overturn vetoes included one that would establish a statewide wolf population, one to create an advanced nurse practitioner license, one to create a teacher apprenticeship program and one to establish new post-election audits. Democrats also tried at one point to bring five bills to the floor that passed the Assembly, but never got a vote in the Senate including a bill to allow for Monday processing of absentee ballots and a bill that would create a task force on missing and murdered Black women and girls. But there wasnt even a chance to debate the bills as Republicans didnt allow it. In a hastily organized press conference after the votes, Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) said that the repeated shut down of debate was an act of desperation by Republicans. This is their last gasp of the gerrymandered majority, Hesselbein said. They know it. We know it and thats exactly what theyre afraid of. Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) told WisPolitics that debate was ended abruptly because a senator had a flight to catch. Hesselbein said after the session that the veto overrides were clearly a stunt to try to appeal to voters ahead of the fall elections. She said they wanted political cover. I dont think they got political cover today. I think what they got was people realizing just how afraid they are to do the right thing, Hesselbein said. The post Wisconsin Senate votes to override governors vetoes appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner. Wittman sure US Navy will buy two attack subs in 2025 like it or not A powerful member of the House Armed Services Committee has said in no uncertain terms that Congress would force the Navy to buy two Virginia-class attack submarines in fiscal 2025, regardless of the services reasons for deviating from its plan and requesting one instead. The bottom line: The Navys just wrong on this. The Navy is 100% wrong, Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., told reporters May 15 regarding the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act language released this week in which the committee added money to incrementally fund the purchase of a second attack sub. The Navy had planned to continue a cadence of buying two submarines per year, but it walked back those plans in its latest budget request, released earlier in the year. Now the service is seeking a single submarine in FY25, citing a lack of industrial base capacity to deliver two on time. A few hours before Wittmans media engagement, Bill LaPlante, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, told the Senate Appropriations Committees defense panel that the Pentagon stands by the Navys decision to request one submarine, supplement it with $3.9 billion to shore up the industrial base, and seek $2.4 billion in advance procurement funds. The department had the difficult choice of either adding to the backlog that was there, or take that money and invest it in increased capacity, LaPlante said, adding that the Pentagon chose to increase capacity for the long term. Secretary LaPlante is wrong. Hes 100% wrong. We are going to build two a year. He can talk to all the appropriators he wants; were going to authorize two per year. We know what happens with the industry if you go to one per year, Wittman told Defense News. On the one hand, the Navy wants a submarine fleet to give the U.S. a tactical advantage against adversaries, said Wittman, who is vice chair of the House Armed Services Committee. But then the service seeks a single submarine per year, he added, saying it doesnt believe industry can build two annually. Well you know what? If you dont send a demand signal to the industry, its a self-fulfilling prophecy, he said. He acknowledged the difficulty in recruiting and training a workforce for submarine construction, but also said he has seen progress at both General Dynamics Electric Boat and HIIs Newport News Shipbuilding in growing their respective workforces to ramp up production rates. Wittman said asking for a single boat in FY25 would force some companies to lay off the very workers they need to expand the industrial base capacity in support of the Navys needs. He also pointed to the upcoming sale of three to five Virginia-class subs to Australia through the AUKUS trilateral agreement. He called the Navys mitigation strategy baloney, noting that buying long-lead materials through increased advance procurement funding wont help the supply chain in the same way that simply buying a second submarine would. And theres a sense of urgency in building up the naval force, according to Wittman, who cited Chinas threats to unify itself with Taiwan by force if necessary. Beijing considers the island a rogue province. The Navy similarly asked to buy one submarine in FY21. That year, both the authorizers in their NDAA and the appropriators in their defense spending bill added in the second submarine. Secretary LaPlante is wrong. Secretary [of the Navy Carlos] Del Toro is wrong. We are going to do two submarines, period. And they better get with the program, or or else, Wittman said. Woman accused of posing as Las Vegas attorney created fake letter to be released from house arrest, police say LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A woman accused of posing as an attorney and forging judges signatures is accused of forging another document so that she would be released on house arrest. Cenia Poulsen, also known as Cenia Delpozo is back in jail facing two additional charges. Las Vegas Metro police first arrested Poulsen, 36, in January after a nearly six-month investigation. She originally faced 17 felony charges including theft, forgery and swindling. She was accused of posing as an attorney since at least January of 2022, creating fake documents for divorce and adoption cases and forging at least three judges signatures in the Eighth Judicial Court. Police said she stole money from a law firm where she previously worked and created a fake story about a sick relative and family death to borrow money from a former co-worker. Poulsen was never a licensed attorney in Nevada. She had worked as a paralegal. Las Vegas Justice Court Judge James Bixler, documented as a visiting judge, granted bail on Jan. 18, according to records. Conditions included high level electronic monitoring, no contact with any victims in the case and no employment at law firms. Get out of jail free: Woman accused of posing as Las Vegas attorney to be released On May 8, a motion was filed by Poulsens defense attorney, Daniel Lippman asking a judge to release Poulsen from house arrest, according to an arrest report obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators. The motion included a letter from Poulsens employer listing reasons why house arrest prevents her from doing work tasks, but detectives noticed similarities between the letter and documents Poulsen was previously accused of forging. A forged letter Cenia Poulsen allegedly wrote posing as her employer listing reasons as to why house arrest prevents her from doing work tasks. (LVMPD) The document which appeared to be from a company CEO had a misspelling of the companys name, the arrest report stated. While the letter stated Poulsen was an executive assistant and small business debt negotiator, the CEO told police Poulsens actual title was assistant, according to detectives. While the letter stated Poulsen needed to travel out of state, the CEO told police Poulsen would never have to travel out of state for meetings, detectives said. Judge expresses disgust with case against Las Vegas woman accused of posing as attorney While the letter stated Poulsen expressed remorse, the CEO told police she never expressed any remorse for her situation and he only recently became aware of her criminal case, the report stated. A preliminary hearing for the original charges is scheduled for June 6. A 72-hour hearing for two new felony charges Poulsen faces is scheduled for Thursday morning. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Woman Allegedly Learned Boyfriend Was Married. Then He Burned Her Body, Left Remains in Cemetery: Police Grisly alleged details emerged in the death of missing mom Briana Winston, 23, that not even we were expecting to hear, a Georgia police official said Monday Clayton County Police Department Briana Winston and Michale Edwards A Georgia man has been arrested on accusations he killed the mother of his child and burned her remains after she learned he had secretly married another woman, say authorities. During their investigation into the disappearance and death of Briana Winston, 23, of College Park, Ga., Clayton County Police unearthed alleged intricate details that not even we were expecting to hear, Lt. Ashanti Marbury said at a press conference Monday. Winston was reported missing at the beginning of April when her worried family hadn't been able to reach her since mid-March, according to police. Her family became further concerned when they allegedly discovered that her apartment had been "completely cleaned out by the father of her child and live-in boyfriend, Michale Edwards," Clayton County Police said in a statement on April 26. On Monday, police announced that they had arrested Edwards in connection with Winston's death after their investigation led them to Tennessee. In early May, detectives met with an unidentified man in Gates, Tenn., who agreed to speak to them in exchange for immunity since he had allegedly helped Edwards dispose of Winstons body, Marbury said. Detectives learned that on the morning of March 17, Edwards went to the apartment, where she confronted him after learning about his infidelity to her, Marbury alleged on Monday. They argued, and police allege he choked her, Marbury said. Edwards placed Winston's body into a suitcase and drove to the unidentified mans house in Gates, where they put her body into a burn barrel, doused it with accelerant and set it on fire, police allege. They burned it for hours until just skeletal remains were left, Marbury alleged. Then they used a shovel to break down Brianas bones in an attempt to speed up the burning process, she added. Edwards disposed of a portion of the remains along Interstate 40 in Tennessee, Marbury alleged. The other man dumped her remains in a cemetery" behind a church, she alleged. On April 4, investigators interviewed Edwards, who was arrested on a warrant for aggravated stalking for allegedly violating a protective order stemming from an alleged Oct. 2023 domestic violence incident involving Winston, Marbury said. Edwards is also charged with aggravated assault, malice murder, felony murder and tampering with evidence. Marbury said the case turned into a family affair" when Edwards allegedly looped everyone into this crime. On April 5, investigators interviewed Edwards wife, Brienna Phillips-Edwards, who was arrested on a warrant after allegedly providing false statements to police, Marbury said. We also learned in that interview on April 5 that she had secretly married Michale on Jan. 25, 2024, and that nobody was aware that the two were married, Marbury alleged. She is also accused of providing Edwards with a vehicle to take Winstons remains to Tennessee, Marbury said. Also arrested were Edwards mother, Ebony Anderson, and his brother, Keilan Wright, on charges of conspiracy of tampering with evidence after they allegedly disposed of a pair of shoes and a pair of gloves Edwards asked them to burn during a recorded jailhouse call, Marbury said. Edwards is charged with malice murder because the crime "took some forethought," Marbury allegedly. "This was not a crime committed in the heat of passion. There was malice there. "The option was to walk away," she continued. You have the option to walk away from arguments. Edwards remains held without bond at the Clayton County jail. It is unclear whether he or the others have retained attorneys who can speak on their behalf. It's not clear if any of the defendants have entered pleas to the charges they face. 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. Woman being mauled by pack of dogs saved by off-duty cop passing by, PA police say A Pennsylvania woman being mauled by a pack of dogs was rescued when an off-duty police officer happened to drive by, officials told news outlets. It was 10:38 a.m. May 14 when the Philadelphia officer saw three dogs which authorities said were pit bulls attacking a woman on the citys west side, WCAU reported. He got out of his car and went to help, police told the station. The owner of the dogs was trying to get them off the woman, but the attack only ended after the officer opened fire on one of the dogs, killing it, police said. Witnesses told police the man was walking the three dogs, all of which were leashed, when they broke away and went after the woman, WPVI reported. The 52-year-old, who police have not publicly identified, suffered injuries to her arms, legs and head, and was taken to a hospital. I heard pow, pow, pow. Five shots, witness Jimmy Rese told the station, adding that he thinks the officer did the right thing. The dog that was shot reportedly ran to the backyard of the owners home where it died, police told WTXF. The owner got control of a second dog, but the third is missing and unaccounted for, according to the department. The woman is reported to be in stable condition, officials told the outlet. Mom found dead in yard after kids are attacked by dogs, Georgia cops say Dog bites mans face as he tries to sexually assault owner at park, Colorado cops say Woman charged with first-degree murder in shooting outside of metro-east nightclub A woman has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 39-year-old woman who was shot outside of an East St. Louis nightclub Monday, according to Illinois State Police. The charge against Lakecia S. Cole, 45, of Cahokia Heights, was issued Tuesday after the investigation results were presented to St. Clair County States Attorney James Gomric, a news release states. The victim is 39-year-old Danielle R. Williams of East St. Louis, the release states. The shooting happened Monday. On May 13, 2024, ISP agents were requested by the East St. Louis Police Department to assist with a homicide investigation that occurred at Another Level Nightclub in the 600 block of Martin Luther King Drive, the release states. Williams has been shot outside of the club and was later pronounced dead, the release states. Cole is in custody. No further information was released about the case. Woman killed after car crashes into rear of tractor trailer in Laurinburg, police say LAURINBURG, N.C. (WBTW) A woman is dead after her car crashed into the rear of a Peterbilt tractor trailer Monday morning in Laurinburg, Capt. Chris Young with the Laurinburg Police Department said. 29-year-old Bridgett Danielle of Laurinburg was identified as the victim. Bryant was taken to Scotland Memorial Hospital then airlifted to UNC Chapel Hill where she later died, deputies said. Laurinburg police responded to the area of Highway 401 and Sneads grove Road in reference to an accident. Upon police arrival, they found a 2017 Peterbilt tractor trailer on Highway 401 facing south and a 2014 Buick Regal partially under the Peterbilt tractor trailer. Young said the driver of the Buick failed to reduce speed striking the trailer in the rear. Scotland County EMS and rescue personnel responded to the scene and began to extricate the Bryant. The driver of the Peterbilt tractor was not injured, deputies said. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Scotland County Sheriffs Office, as well as Scotland County Emergency Services and Scotland County Rescue Service, assisted in the crash efforts. * * * Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylors work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Joanne Vincent was infected with hepatitis C when she received a blood transfusion following the birth of her daughter - Family Handout/Family Handout WOMEN infected with hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood during childbirth were fobbed off and gaslit by medics, victims have said. Many were told they were suffering from conditions including depression, allergies or irritable bowel syndrome as doctors failed to spot that they were trying to fight off the infection. Doctors thought many women were alcoholics and refused to believe them when they said they had stopped drinking as their liver problems persisted. Thousands of people in the UK were given blood transfusions or blood products that were infected with viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in the 1970s and 1980s. Thousands died after being given contaminated products by the NHS which were often imported from the US. Nobody in the UK has ever been held to account, and no compensation has been paid by the Government. Many women waited decades before they were finally diagnosed with hepatitis C and the delay means many have serious and ongoing health issues. Rachel Halford, chief executive of The Hepatitis C Trust, said: Around 64 per cent of people who received an infected blood transfusion were women; many of whom were let down twice by the healthcare system. Firstly, when they were given infected blood and again when their symptoms were not properly investigated. Over the years, weve heard from hundreds of women who felt let down, and on occasion gaslit, by their GP in the search for answers about their health. It comes ahead of the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, which is due to be published on May 20. Joanne Vincent said doctors refused to believe she had given up alcohol for almost two years. The 59-year-old was infected with hepatitis C when she received a blood transfusion following the birth of her daughter in 1988. Ms Vincent, from Worthing, West Sussex, said she was diagnosed with conditions including postnatal depression and irritable bowel syndrome before her doctor said her liver problems had been caused by excessive alcohol. Having only drunk occasionally, Ms Vincent cut out booze altogether but her doctor did not believe her. He said you need to stop drinking, and I said I have stopped drinking and he said: Thats not what your liver is saying. That went on for two years two years I went forwards and backwards, forwards and backwards, she said. Tracey McWilliams suffered serious complications after the birth of her third daughter and needed 36 units of blood six weeks after giving birth in December 1988. Unbeknown to me it was contaminated with hepatitis C, she said. She was only diagnosed in March last year, 35 years after the initial infection. My GP knew all my history I was getting itching, I had joint pain, I was sweating. He still never tested me for hepatitis C, she said. He said the itching was due to low folic acid or allergies and he never got to the bottom of it. Ms McWilliams changed GP surgery in November 2022 and she carried out her own test for hepatitis C at home. The 63-year-old from Bournemouth added: Its so frustrating, I was fobbed off but I should have been tested years ago. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Azernews Fatime Letifova The European Union considers Georgia's "Transparency of Foreign Influence" draft law a threat. Note that in the project criticised by the opponents as a "Russian-style law" in Georgia, institutions receiving more than 20 percent of their funds from abroad are supposed to be registered as "agents of foreign influence". The Georgian government maintains that this law is necessary to bring transparency to the financing of NGOs and protect the country from foreign influences. The Kremlin, in turn, claimed that foreign countries are trying to interfere in Georgia's internal affairs. It seems that Moscow's views on this matter reflect the truth. Because before the decision was made, Europe and the United States were sending warning signals to Georgia. Peter Stano, lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, stressed that the law on "foreign agents" will harm Georgia's relations with the West in a briefing held in Brussels. After the ruling party approved the bill, the White House sent threatening messages to Tbilisi. James O'Brien, the US State Department sanctions coordinator, said at a press conference in Tbilisi that if the "Transparency of Foreign Influence" bill passed by the Georgian parliament does not change, and the US may impose sanctions on Georgian officials. It is interesting that such threatening speeches have become customary for James O'Brien. Because he always managed to get attention with baseless and biased statements against Azerbaijan too. Remember that last year, the Washington Congress decided to increase support for Armenia under the pretext that "Azerbaijan poses a threat to Armenia". The goal here was to fray the ties between Armenia and Russia and achieve Armenia's exit from the CSTO. Thus, supposedly, Armenia would be the eyes of the USA and France in the South Caucasus under the direct protection of the West. But the result was not as expected. Official Baku refused Washington's mediation after these biased steps, and the meeting proposed to be held at the level of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on November 20 of the same year was postponed. Currently, peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia are ongoing. Despite all the efforts of the West and the United States, Azerbaijan regained the sovereignty of its own lands. After the local anti-terror measures in 2023, the separatist forces in Garabagh were neutralised successfully. After the meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Almaty on May 10, it was confirmed that the signing of the peace treaty between the two countries is in the near future. This is proof that the West cannot implement its plans in the South Caucasus with the help of Armenia. Undoubtedly, the United States and the European Union may try to threaten Georgia and even overshadow its candidacy status for the Union in order to suppress Russia in the region. It is worth noting that Georgia first applied to become a candidate for the EU in 2022. The Union granted candidate status to Georgia in December 2023. However, the institution's ultimatums to Georgia regarding the new law reflect that the membership process may be put at risk. The population opposing the new law in Georgia has been continuing the domestic unrest for a month. Yesterday, it was reported that protesters gathered in front of the parliament building and clashed with the police. However, the ruling party in Georgia does not pay attention to the threats of sanctions by the West, calling them frivolous talks; they speak decisively in the press. The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, stressed that foreign forces cannot prevent Georgia from defending its national interests. The minister also called on protesters opposing the Transparency of Foreign Influence Bill to refrain from breaking the law, while calling on law enforcement agencies to respond with maximum restraint to any violent action by protesters. Let us not forget that the West tried to take root in the South Caucasus region for centuries, and although it succeeded to some extent, it could not break the determination of the people here. The current riots and threats are the resetting rotation of the West, which cannot take its share of the Garabagh issue. The sanctions that are claimed to be implemented are, without a doubt, the West's revenge policy against countries that it has not been able to influence enough. Riska / iStock/Getty Images Property tax is a topic no one wants to think about, and in some states, you might not have to. If youve paid off your mortgage, living in a state with a very low property tax rate can save you a lot of money. In fact, your housing costs could drop to less than $100 per month, plus homeowners insurance, once you own your home free and clear. Check Out: 8 States To Move to If You Dont Want To Pay Taxes on Social Security Explore More: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy Property tax rates vary significantly across the United States. Theres a 1.91% difference between the highest and the lowest effective real-estate tax rates in the country, according to Rocket Mortgage. The average effective tax rate among the five states with the lowest rates is just 0.48%, according to the Rocket Mortgage data. What that means in terms of an actual dollar figure varies by location. Thats because tax rates are based on assessed value, which isnt always the same as market value. Whats more, some locations only tax a portion of a homes assessed value. According to Rocket Mortgage, here are the five states with the lowest ranking property taxes and their average annual property tax, based on median home value or list price: Hawaii: 0.32% | $937.29 Alabama: 0.40% | $803.59 Colorado: 0.55% | $2,901.65 Wyoming: 0.56% | $1,404.42 Louisiana: 0.56% | $1,095.89 Property taxes are usually levied by counties, not states, so your actual tax rate could be much lower or higher than the average for your state. For example, homeowners in seven counties in Alaska, Louisiana and Alabama pay less than $200 a year, according to the Tax Foundation. Property taxes serve as the primary tool for financing local governments. That means your local government relies heavily on those taxes to fund things like schools, roads and public safety. In fiscal year 2020, property taxes comprised 32.2% of total state and local tax collections in the United States, more than any other source of tax revenue, according to the Tax Foundation. In that same year, property taxes amounted to 72.2% of local tax collections. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Best States If Dont Want To Pay Taxes After Paying Off Your Mortgage (Reuters) -Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico suffered life-threatening injuries when he was shot and wounded in an attempted assassination on Wednesday, the government office said. Following are reactions to the assassination attempt: U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN "I am alarmed to hear reports of an attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. We condemn this horrific act of violence. Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist." RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN IN MESSAGE TO SLOVAK PRESIDENT ZUZANA CAPUTOVA "There can be no justification for this monstrous crime. I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him survive this difficult situation. Please convey to him words of the most sincere support, as well as wishes for a speedy and complete recovery." EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN "Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family." CZECH PRESIDENT PETR PAVEL "The attack on Robert Fico is clearly reprehensible, whatever its motivation was. It should be a warning to us about where deepening spite and aggressiveness in society can lead. I wish for Robert Fico to emerge from this incident without lasting effects." GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ "News of the cowardly assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Fico shocks me deeply. Violence must have no place in European politics." UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY "Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere." SLOVAKIA'S ACTING PARLIAMENT SPEAKER PETER ZIGA "I perceive this as an attack on the principles of Slovak democracy. Such a horrible act has never happened in Slovak history. I consider it to be the result of whipped-up passions and the division of the Slovak society into two irreconcilable camps." HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN "I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country!" POLISH PRIME MINISTER DONALD TUSK "Shocking news from Slovakia. Robert, my thoughts are with you in this very difficult moment." BRITISH PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAK "Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family." AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR KARL NEHAMMER "The attempt on the life of Slovak PM Fico shocks me deeply, no place for hate and violence in our democracies." NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JENS STOLTENBERG "I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia." EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT CHARLES MICHEL "Nothing can ever justify violence or such attacks." ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI "I learned with deep shock the news of the cowardly attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. All my thoughts are with him, his family and the friendly Slovak people. Also on behalf of the Italian Government, I would like to express the strongest condemnation of all forms of violence and attacks on the cardinal principles of democracy and freedom." DUTCH PRIME MINISTER MARK RUTTE "Shocked by the shooting of my long time colleague Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia. I wish him much strength, my thoughts are with him and his family." BELGIAN PRIME MINISTER ALEXANDER DE CROO "The attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico is an attack on democracy." ROMANIAN PRESIDENT KLAUS IOHANNIS "Appalled to learn about the shooting of the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. I wish him a full and speedy recovery. I strongly condemn such extremist acts, which threaten our core European values." GREEK PRIME MINISTER KYRIAKOS MITSOTAKIS "Shocked by the heinous attack against the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico. Such acts of violence have no place in our societies. I wish him a speedy recovery." SPANISH PRIME MINISTER PEDRO SANCHEZ "Horrified and outraged at the attack on the Slovak Prime Minister. Spain stands with Robert Fico, his family and the Slovak people at this extremely difficult time. Nothing can ever justify violence." PORTUGUESE PRIME MINISTER LUIS MONTENEGRO "On behalf of Portugal and myself, I express all my solidarity with my colleague Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, wishing him full recovery. We condemn in the strongest terms this unacceptable and barbaric act of political violence." DANISH PRIME MINISTER METTE FREDERIKSEN "I strongly condemn the terrifying attack on PM Robert Fico. Violence has no place in our society. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his close ones and the Slovak people." ESTONIAN PRIME MINISTER KAJA KALLAS "Deeply shocked by the assassination attempt of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico. An attack against an elected leader is also an attack against the very idea of democracy." IRISH PRIME MINISTER SIMON HARRIS "I am deeply shocked by today's attack on Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico. The attack on Prime Minister Fico is an attack on democracy, a fundamental value of the European Union and one we all share." LITHUANIAN PRESIDENT GITANAS NAUSEDA "Shocking news from Bratislava. I strongly condemn the assassination attempt against the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico. There should be zero tolerance to such acts of violence." LATVIAN PRESIDENT EDGARS RINKEVICS "Whatever political or other differences there are, violence is completely unacceptable. I wish a speedy recovery to Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico. I condemn this assassination attempt and call for a thorough investigation." ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER ISRAEL KATZ On behalf of myself and the government of Israel, we send our thoughts and prayers to Prime Minister Robert Fico and the people of Slovakia during this challenging time. (Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Editing by Ros Russell, Alexandra Hudson and Josie Kao) Classes continued normally Wednesday at Western Washington University, the second day of a protest seeking an Israeli cease-fire in its war against Hamas and demanding that WWU cut ties with corporations that do business with the Jewish state. Some 50 to 60 protesters, including WWU students and others, pitched about 20 tents in the predawn hours Tuesday on the lawn between the Old Main administration building and Viking Union, according to a statement from the university. Protest organizers include the schools Arab Student Association and the Jewish Voice for Peace, an anti-Zionist group that advocates for Palestinian sovereignty. Theyre supported by several other Bellingham organizations, including Bellingham Occupied Protest and the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center, according to posts on social media. The protest site was quiet Wednesday morning as participants ate muffins for breakfast, read and chatted among themselves. Lookouts were posted and a sign warned that campus police might be nearby as students walked past the tent city on their way to class. Another sign called for an end to the genocide in Gaza. The encampment is peaceful, and the universitys student services team will continue to regularly meet with encampment organizers and provide them with information about safely demonstrating on campus and to support their well-being, states an announcement on the WWU website. Peaceful protests and demonstrations are a part of student development and civic engagement. As a public institution, we encourage a safe and respectful environment for dialogue, understanding diverse perspectives and fostering empathy. Several college and university campuses across the U.S. have seen similar protest encampments in recent weeks as the war in Gaza continues, sparked by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed 1,200 civilians in Israel, including 45 Americans. An estimated 35,000 Gazans, including many women and children, have been killed in the fighting. Hamas which the U.S. and other nations classify as a terrorist organization still holds more than 100 hostages. Protesters arent asking Hamas to stop fighting or release the hostages, according to demands that were posted on social media. The tent camp started after WWU President Sabah Randhawa rejected that series of demands, according to their social media. Among their demands are: An apology from the WWU administration for criticizing some of their previous protest slogans. Additional university support for the planned debut of an Ethnic Studies Department by funding additional faculty positions. An emergency board of trustees meeting to discuss their demands. When talks regarding the students demands collapsed, the protest camp began, the students said. The camp started on Israeli Independence Day and the second day of a student-led Israel Apartheid Week at WWU, which features daily teach-ins and other events about the Palestinian struggle. Major Jewish organizations have criticized such events as disingenuous and a threat to the Jewish state. KANSAS CITY, Kan. Food trucks in Kansas City, Kansas will be the center of discussion at a Wednesday evening commission meeting. Wyandotte County commissioners will hold a special session Wednesday at 5 p.m. to consider changes to ordinances regarding food trucks. Current food truck operators complain the Unified Governments restrictions are too demanding and prevent them from doing business past 8 p.m. Many of KCKs food trucks set up near 18th and Central. Wyandotte County commissioners are prepared to hear their concerns again, and consider changes to local ordinances. Waldo construction causing problems for small business owners Before the pandemic, food trucks were not permitted to set up on the streets in KCK. Araceli Ramos, who owns two businesses near 18th and Central including Taqueria Seven Leguas, said its unfair the trucks cut into her business since they can set up elsewhere, instead of less than a half block away. Ramos and other merchants have complained about unruly behavior near the trucks, trash thats left behind and trucks that operate without licenses. Maybe two trailers in the corner is fine, but when you walk in here, theres a lot of restaurants. Just in the corner near my restaurant, theres 11 trailers. Its hard, Ramos said on Tuesday. Food truck operates complain the Unified Government is too demanding and families need the income from the mobile kitchens. Wyandotte County Administrator David Johnston said his employs have been working with food truck owners to sell their items legally, and theyre open-minded to potential ordinance changes. Johnston said that includes the potential of allowing later business hours. I-670 in KC considered one of the deadliest stretches of road in US: report Thats what happens with a review. You take the time because of public demand and the elected officials take the time to go through the process of reviewing It, and maybe recommend changes. Theyll take it up at a commission meeting at a future date, Johnston said. Wednesdays meeting will stream live on the Unified Governments YouTube page. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Air defenses have been key in tough battles, showing the US what it could need most for a missile war with China From Ukraine to the Middle East, air-defense systems have been put under immense stress this year. These big engagements show why it's important for militaries to have a strong air-defense network. They also offer the US military valuable lessons for a potential war with China in the Pacific. Air-defense systems have been tested in unprecedented ways in conflicts around the world by global military powers and smaller militant forces alike. Massive aerial assaults that occurred over the past few months have underscored the importance of having a robust, layered air-defense network to protect civilian and military targets from ballistic, cruise, and anti-ship missiles, as well as one-way attack drones. The engagements offer the US military valuable lessons for a potential war in the Pacific, where a clash with China could feature thousands of long-range missiles and a demand for air defenses on a very large scale. As engagements in Ukraine, Israel, and the Red Sea have shown, to be ready for such a daunting scenario, the US will need to substantially strengthen its air-defense capabilities in the region and produce more missile interceptors, former US Navy officers and air-defense experts say. China has a "very large arsenal of very capable weapons," Bradley Martin, a retired Navy surface warfare captain, told Business Insider. "We don't want to be in a battle of having to exchange missile-for-missile because we'll run out much faster and it'll be harder for us to come up with replacements." The need for air defense and the dangers of not having enough Modern, game-changing technologies, like drones, have defined the Ukraine war, but decades-old air defenses have proven to be among the most valuable elements in an existential fight for Ukraine. A Ukrainian air-defense system intercepts a Shahed drone mid-air above Kyiv on May 30, 2023. AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File The war has shown how effective air defenses can be at denying air superiority, protecting key areas, and threatening high-value aircraft, as well as the costs when capabilities are degraded. Ukraine's air defenses, like its Soviet-era S-300s and US-supplied Patriots, have defeated enemy missile and drone strikes, hindered Russian air operations, and shot down numerous fighter-bombers and other Russian planes. But in early 2024, as Russia was ramping up strikes, Ukraine's network of air defenses capable of intercepting these attacks was stretched thinly as US aid remained stalled in Congress. Ukraine rationed its defenses, moving them from the front lines to protect cities and other population centers. As it ran critically low on interceptors, the lack of air defenses played a direct role in costing Ukraine the city of Avdiivka, as Russia gained brief and localized air superiority. The impact has continued into spring 2024, as Russian bombardments continue and Ukraine's defenses increasingly fail to intercept the attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly said additional air-defense systems were vital to keeping Ukrainian cities safe and protecting the front lines. This week, he asked the US for more, requesting at least two more Patriots alone to protect Kharkiv, which is under heavy Russian fire. Just last week, an overnight attack targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure included dozens of Russian missiles and drones. In its assessment of the attack, the Institute for the Study of War think tank said "Russian forces will likely continue to conduct mass strikes to cause long-term damage to Ukrainian energy infrastructure as degraded Ukrainian air defense capabilities persist." And that continues to be far from the only problem. Firefighters put out fire caused by fragments of a Russian rocket after it was shot down by air-defense systems during an attack in Kyiv on May 16, 2023. Ukrainian Emergency Situations Ministry via AP There are lessons for the US and its allies in this fight. "If Ukraine is a guide, in a conflict NATO air defenses may down most drones and missiles, but some will get through," experts at the RAND Corporation think tank wrote earlier this year. "Ukraine and NATO might reduce risks with a two-prong strategy of strengthening air defenses and boosting infrastructure resilience." Testing air defenses in more places Far from Ukraine, off the coast of Yemen, another air battle is taking place, as the Houthis continue to target ships transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, waterways facilitating global trade. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have fired on ships with one-way attack drones and anti-ship missiles even making history by being the first group to use anti-ship ballistic missiles in combat. The group has struck a handful of merchant vessels, sunk one, and killed civilians on another. But many attacks have been defeated by Western navies. US and coalition warships routinely shoot down many of these threats, defending both merchant vessels and themselves. "What we did works, and it works well, and it does what it's intended to do," Archer Macy, a retired US Navy admiral, told BI. "Very few ships have been hit." A missile launches from a US Navy destroyer in the Red Sea in February. Screengrab/US Central Command Among the systems in play is the Navy's advanced Aegis Combat System, an automated and centralized weapons control system. US destroyers and cruisers are equipped with this capability, which provides air and missile defense. "The air-defense systems that the Navy has are very capable," Martin, now a senior policy researcher at RAND, said, "and the type of layer defense that it tries to apply has been very effective." Aegis also came into play during the Middle East's biggest air battle since the region descended into turmoil following Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attacks against Israel. In mid-April, Iran and its proxies launched more than 320 cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and one-way attack drones at the country. American warships and a Patriot battery helped Israel's Arrow systems down many of the ballistic missiles, while US, UK, and French fighter jets destroyed many of the drones. Altogether, around 99% of the threats were eliminated a remarkable air-defense success. Shaan Shaikh, a fellow with the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, said the engagement last month demonstrated just how effective a robust air-defense network can be. "These systems work. We've seen in multiple campaigns now evidence of them working," he told BI. "We've proven the technology at some degree, and I think that shows that this investment, in general, is worth it." An Arrow 3 ballistic missile interceptor is seen during its test launch near the Israeli city of Ashdod on Dec. 10, 2015. REUTERS/Amir Cohen TPX But the supply of interceptors is insufficient. The US might not even have what it needs for an extended campaign against Iran. In the Pacific, Shaikh said, "China is going to be a whole separate ball game." China is a 'different ballgame' In a fight against China, the US would face a missile force unlike anything it's fought before able to threaten US bases in South Korea, Japan, and Guam housing troops and aircraft, as well as US warships in strategic waterways. Last fall, the Pentagon published its annual report on China's military, documenting staggering increases in its long-range missile stockpiles and launcher numbers. China's arsenal of missiles, some with nicknames like the "Guam Express" and "Carrier Killer," and the threat it poses are quite different from what is being seen in battles around the world right now. Iran's attack against Israel earlier this year was on a smaller scale than what might be seen from China, and the attack, although substantial, was not enough to overwhelm the defenses of Israel and its partners. Chinese missiles haven't been tested in combat, but Houthi threats appear far less sophisticated, with many of those failing as some Iranian missiles have and falling into the sea. Chinese military vehicles carry DF-16 short-range ballistic missiles past Tiananmen Gate during a military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2015. AP Photo/Andy Wong The closest comparison is probably Russia, which has sophisticated missiles and the ability to launch large-scale attacks, but it's "nothing like what we could see from" China, Thomas Shugart, an adjunct senior fellow with the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security, said. China could launch a preemptive strike that would leave American forces with little time to defend and potentially do serious damage. An attack could come on a tremendous scale that could overwhelm defenses. And a strike could come in waves. A first wave could include hypersonic missiles fired at defensive systems, such as headquarters, radars, and missile defenses. Then, ballistic missiles could strike runways, trapping aircraft and preventing a quick response. China's arsenal affords it a number of strike options. The threat from China is one that demands air-defense solutions unlike any conflict seen today, a "very different ballgame in terms of scale and types of weapons," Shugart said. Needing more interceptors for the Pacific From the fights this year, the US can see how it'll need to employ air defenses in a potential showdown with China. Shugart said he believes the real world, unscripted experience against the Houthis, as well as the data gathered from Ukraine shooting down Russian missiles, is giving American forces necessary lessons and experience that may be bad for China. "The takeaway for these experiences might help us to prepare for dealing with something that's a lot scarier," he said. A US Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes-off from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on Oct. 10, 2017. Staff Sgt. Joshua Smoot/US Air Force/Handout via REUTERS To prepare for a conflict with China, the US will need a robust, concentrated combination of active and passive measures ballistic missile defenses, systems like Patriots and Aegis, but also hardened bases, dispersed forces, runway repair crews, and mobile command centers, something that lawmakers sounded alarms on last week in a letter to US military leaders. The military isn't blind to the threat though. "The sheer number of missiles that are out there today and that we're seeing utilized in some of the more minor engagements is mind-boggling," Air Force Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, the director of the Missile Defense Agency said earlier this year. "We've got to be prepared for major engagements." Former Navy officers say it's crucial that the US has enough air-defense interceptors to sustain an extensive missile fight in the Pacific. That means it is important to produce more missiles like the SM-3, a capability that Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro recently warned lawmakers would be needed in greater numbers to deter threats like China. "Every time you engage something, you're expending a missile, and after a while it starts to turn into a round-for-round calculation," Martin said. "We would be using weapons at a much higher rate than we're capable of replacing them." Ultimately, military leaders will need to consider how long air-defense capabilities will last when planning their campaign, said Macy, now a senior associate at CSIS' Missile Defense Project. This Dec. 10, 2018 photo shows the launch of the US military's land-based Aegis missile defense testing system from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Mark Wright/Missile Defense Agency via AP Air defense alone can't end a conflict, he said, but it can defend critical assets long enough that another force can end the threat by other means, like attack operations. Running out of air defenses before the enemy runs out of air threats spells trouble. "We've demonstrated we can deal with a high-end threat, we can deal with the low-end threat," Macy said. "It comes down to inventory." Read the original article on Business Insider DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Yemen's Houthi rebels on Wednesday claimed targeting a U.S. Navy destroyer and a commercial ship in the Red Sea. However, the attack on the warship apparently happened nearly two days earlier and saw the vessel intercept the missile targeting it. The latest statement from the Houthis comes as their attacks on shipping, which have disrupted trade through a vital corridor leading onto the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, have slowed in recent weeks. Though the rebels have not acknowledged the slowdown, the U.S. military has suggested its airstrikes and interceptions of Houthi fire have disrupted their assaults and chewed into their weapon stockpiles. Recently, the Houthis have been claiming days-old attacks. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the rebels targeted the USS Mason with missiles and launched an attack on a ship he identified as the Destiny. Multiple vessels have that name in shipping registries. The Mason, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, has been in the Red Sea and the wider region as part of a U.S.-led coalition trying to prevent Houthi attacks on shipping. On Monday night, the Mason successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile launched by (the) Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen over the Red Sea, the U.S. military's Central Command said. The U.S. Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the claimed attack on the Destiny. The Houthis say their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are aimed at pressuring Israel to end its war against Hamas in Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians there, according to local health officials. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage. The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined because of the threat. Rat is seen in a street of New York City on August 19, 2023. Credit - Fatih AktasGetty Images New York City will host its very first National Urban Rat Summit this fall, Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday. The summit will invite experts like academic researchers and municipal pest control managers to come together and share strategies on rodent mitigation and advance the science of urban rat management, the city said in a press release. Experts from across the countryincluding Boston, New Orleans, and Seattlewill be invited to attend the summit, which will be held on Sept. 18 and 19. New Yorkers may not know this about mebut I hate rats, and Im confident most of our citys residents do as well, Adams said in the press release. The best way to defeat our enemy is to know our enemy. Thats why were holding this inaugural summit, to bring experts and leaders from across the country together to better understand urban rats and how to manage their populations. The citys Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Cornell Universitys New York State Integrated Pest Management Program will host the summit. Read More: Rat Infestations Are a Global Problem. Is Birth Control the Solution? The announcement of the summit comes after city officials have embarked on several initiatives to combat the citys growing rat population. New York is the third rattiest city in the U.S., after Chicago and Los Angeles, according to the pest control company Orkins 2023 ranking. The rankings are based on the number of new rat treatmentsboth residential and publicthat Orkin performed in the cities over the year. In September 2019, then Brooklyn borough President Eric Adams announces the results of a pilot program aimed at curbing the rat population in New York. Angela WeissAFP/Getty Images In April 2023, Adams appointed Kathleen Corradi as the citywide director of rodent mitigation, the first person to hold the position meant to address the citys rat problem. The city also now has four Rat Mitigation Zones, which are areas that the city targets to reduce rat populations. New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch also led an initiative to containerize all 14 billion pounds of trash that the city produces annually, according to the citys press release. All that trash used to sit on the street out of containers for hours, attracting rats. (Tisch is perhaps best known for the line that made her go viral in October 2022: The rats are absolutely going to hate this announcement. But the rats dont run this city. We do.) Rat sightings reported to 311 have since declined, according to the citys press release. Within the citys Rat Mitigation Zones, rat sightings have gone down nearly 14%. Under Mayor Adams leadership, New York City is taking the fight to the rats, enacting proven strategies that have been delayed by inertia for too longand getting results, with rat sightings down 12 of the 13 months since we began the Herculean task of getting all 44 million daily pounds of rat-attracting trash off the streets, Tisch said in the citys press release. The Urban Rat Summit is an opportunity to share best practices as the Trash Revolution marches forward. Contact us at letters@time.com. Its not every day you turn 102 years old, and Stanley Potrzeba, a veteran and resident of New York Mills, celebrated his birthday Tuesday afternoon with a smile on his face. Stanley Potrzeba blows out the candles during his 102nd birthday party at the New York Mills Community Center on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Local and state officials at the New York Mills Senior Center joined Potrzebas birthday celebration, recognizing his long, storied life and service in the United States Navy. New York Mills Mayor Ernie Talerico offered Potrzeba the microphone and asked him what his secret to such a long life was, to which the 102-year-old said, Chivas Regal to the laughter of those in the audience. Potrzeba is still active for his age. He still has his drivers license and drives, and according to him, he doesnt take any medication. Mayor of New York Mills Ernie Talerico holds up a new Hometown Heroes banner that honors Stanley Potrzeba at the New York Mills Community Center on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. As many of you know, we do our Hometown Hero banners here in the village of New York Mills, Talerico said. We put them throughout the village last year to recognize our village veterans. And we wanted to recognize Stanley with a banner in our village, which will be ongoing. About the birthday boy Born in Massachusetts in 1922, Potrzebas family moved to New York Mills and officially put down roots in 1925. There, Potrzeba grew and ...got to know everyone in town young and old. He was known as a Jack-of-all-trades, working as a glazer, tool maker, corduroy cutter, steam fitter, and more. And in 1944, Potrzeba was one of many Americans who answered the call and joined the military. Potrzeba joined the United States Navy until 1946, working at an Army Air Corp base as a fire and crash rescue member. He was one of the founding members and Commander of the Polish Legion of American Veterans, Edward Bator Post No. 21, and an active member of the New Hartford American Legion and Whitestown Overseas Veterans Association. New York Mills Police Chief Robert Frankland shakes the hand of Stanley Potrzeba during his 102nd birthday party at the New York Mills Community Center on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Potrzeba said a lot has changed over the years, noting there werent as many cars as there are now and that most everyone walked to work in the morning. But he remembered a New York Mills from a simpler time fondly and felt a little heartache at the loss of those people. I knew everybody, he said. Unfortunately, most of them aint around But what are you going to do? I must be bad, the Lord doesnt want me. Potrzeba cracked a smile at his own joke, especially as the others around him tried to say otherwise. The Lord keeps the good ones around, Talerico said. With candles blown out and a cake cut, things settled down, and Potrzeba got another good look at his banner, which features a picture of him during his time in the Navy. Back then, when the war started We didnt need a draft, Potrzeba said. Everybody went out to do their job, God bless them all. I had friends who didnt come back. My friend, Edward, he was serving and hes still there. I lost a lot of friends. But they were the most wonderful guys in the world. This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Navy veteran from New York Mills celebrates 102nd birthday Title icon The Scoop New York Times reporters are circulating a draft of a letter to Joe Kahn, criticizing the papers top editor over comments they said were dismissive of young reporters. In a series of recent interviews with outlets including Semafor and The Wall Street Journal, Kahn weighed in on President Joe Bidens criticism of the Times reporting on his administration and campaign. But the executive editor also raised what he saw as some of the challenges of hiring younger journalists, who he said are not fully prepared for what we are asking our people to do, which is to commit themselves to the idea of independent journalism. Young adults who are coming up through the education system are less accustomed to this sort of open debate, this sort of robust exchange of views around issues they feel strongly about may have been the case in the past, Kahn told the Journal. Expanding on the comments, he told Semafor that the newsroom was not a safe space. In a draft note shared with Semafor, staff said Kahns comments were broad generalizations that reflect a poor understanding of the people who make up your newsroom. Further, staff said that they felt that there were actually fewer opportunities for an exchange of ideas, and argued that a diverse pool of perspectives was needed to protect not just the independence but also the empathy of our journalism. Instead of engaging in robust exchange, we are increasingly discouraged from speaking up at all, staff wrote. We are told that it is only appropriate to express concerns or even earnest questions in one-on-one conversations with people who outrank us. The letter continued: Far from open mindedness, this policy communicates the opposite: an unwillingness to tolerate dissent. Your staff is not full of activists trying to impose their views on the report. Rather than tribalism or ideology, those who voice concerns do so in the interest of accuracy and fairness to make The New York Times into the best version of itself. Title icon Maxs view Kahns comments, and the reaction to them, are a snapshot of the ideological tug of war inside Americas most important newspaper. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in 2020, the Times was beset by internal turmoil that seemed to push management into conceding to views from some staff that were more aligned with liberals and the Left. After I broke the news that then-Times science reporter Donald McNeil was the subject of parental complaints over arguments with high school kids about race and offensive language, a staff outcry led management to seek his resignation. Complaints from Times journalists also prompted the resignation of opinion editor James Bennet after he published an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton that the paper said was not up to its editorial standards. The Times management is now sending a message that it is less likely to bow to employee pressure, particularly from the Left. After The Intercept reported on a heated internal debate over an episode of the papers podcast, The Daily, that focused on the war in Gaza, instead of tiptoeing carefully around the topic, the Times launched a leak hunt to find the reporters who gave information to the progressive news site. Kahn told Semafor in his interview that he wants to correct what he saw as the excess of journalism during the first Trump administration, in which he said that the press leaned into its image as the crucial check on the president and his values. I think it went too far. It was overly simplistic, he said. And I think the big push that youre seeing us make and reestablish our norms and emphasize independent journalism and build a more resilient culture comes out of some of the excesses of that period. He continued: Were looking more closely and asking more questions and doing more interviews Weve actually asked people, What happens if you got an assignment to go and report on some people that have said some nasty things and that you dont like, what would you do? And some people say, Id reject the assignment. Okay, well, then you should work somewhere else. Title icon Notable Some liberal pundits and pro-Biden commentators were incensed by Kahns comments about the papers coverage of the president. In The New Republic, Greg Sargent wrote that Kahns view of the Times coverage was stunning in its simplistic rendering of the dilemma raised by Trumps hostility to democracy and its resolute lack of awareness of what many liberal critics have actually argued about the Times, the media, and the democracy question. Democratic communications strategist and podcast host Dan Pfeiffer said he doesnt think raging at the media is always a constructive use of Democrats time. Working the refs can be effective. Every once in a while, they will change a story or a headline. They might cover a topic that we think isnt getting enough coverage. I just think we can never win the war because they have no interest in being who we want them to be, he wrote in response to Kahns interview. Semafor Logo zorazhuang / iStock/Getty Images California has long been a state that represents opportunity, innovation, prosperity and happiness. While it has attracted the wealthy and the poor dreamers alike, it has become increasingly expensive in recent years. Find Out: Why a Billionaire Bought a Bunch of Homes in Duluth, Minnesota Read Next: 4 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money California has higher taxes, housing costs, cost of living and environmental regulations than many other states. This has led some wealthy residents to leave the state. However, some cities are experiencing an influx of wealthy individuals and families. Here are six cities in California where millionaires are moving. San Jose/Silicon Valley San Jose and Silicon Valley have a large number of millionaires due to the location of many of the worlds top tech firms, such as Apple, Meta, Uber, Airbnb and Netflix. Along with employees of these top companies, wealthy tech entrepreneurs who hope to take advantage of the talent are also attracted to the area. Silicon Valley continues to attract millionaires, said Seamus Nally, CEO, TurboTenant. This area is known for being a major tech hub in the U.S., but many people have moved away from it in the past few years due to remote work options, combined with the high cost of living in the area. This has made it easier for millionaires who can afford to to move into the area with less effort needed to find housing. Check Out: 7 Locations Where Housing Prices Are Plummeting Post-Pandemic San Francisco San Francisco has become one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. According to Realtor.com, the median home sales price in San Francisco was $1.4 million in April 2024. With prices like that, it is telling that only millionaires can afford to buy homes in San Francisco. With San Jose and Silicon Valley nearby, many wealthy tech employees and entrepreneurs choose to live in San Francisco for the attractions, history and culture while commuting to Silicon Valley for work. Many existing or prospective new residents are being priced out of San Francisco. The Bay area, which includes San Francisco and previously mentioned San Jose and Silicon Valley, is home to 305,700 millionaires. Irvine Irvine offers a mix of suburban peace and urban amenities, which can be attractive to affluent families. It attracts millionaires who want to live in a city, but dont want to live somewhere like Los Angeles or San Francisco. Irvine also has top-rated schools, low crime rates, a strong economy and nice weather. There are over 54 miles of off-street bicycle trails and over 16,000 acres of parks, trails and natural open spaces, making it popular for outdoorsy millionaires. Story continues Irvine draws millionaires predominantly due to its status as a tech hub and its proximity to other economic centers in Orange County, said Scott Beloian, broker/owner of Westcoe Realtors. In my professional interactions, the consistent feedback is that Irvines well-planned city structure, top-ranked schools and robust job market make it highly attractive to wealthy professionals and their families. The citys safety ratings and community-oriented services further cement its position as a desirable location for high-net-worth individuals looking for a permanent residence that supports both work and family life efficiently. Los Angeles Los Angeles has always attracted the wealthy and those who want to be wealthy. With its mix of Hollywood glamor, over-the-top mansions, high-end shopping and a great climate, its no wonder that Los Angeles continues to attract millionaires. Los Angeles is currently home to 212,100 millionaires. Santa Barbara Santa Barbara is known for its beautiful beaches, shopping, architecture, popular art scene, Mediterranean-like climate, world-class wineries and coastal charm. It is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains and has beautiful weather with year-round sunshine. The rich may enjoy outdoor activities like sailing or visiting the regions wineries. Santa Barbara is currently home to roughly 12,300 millionaires. San Diego San Diego has a strong economy due to its ties to the defense, technology and healthcare sectors. Millionaires in these fields may choose to move to San Diego for their work. Other millionaires may move to San Diego because of its pleasant climate, coastal views, culture and overall high quality of life. There are currently around 14,700 millionaires in San Diego. San Diego, known for its exceptional climate and laid-back culture, also boasts a growing tech sector, said Andreis Bergeron, VP of sales at RedAwning. The presence of research institutions and healthcare giants fuels real estate demand, making it a magnet for affluent professionals. An interesting anecdote is that many of our clients at Awning.com choose San Diego not just for their primary residences but often as a location for their second homes or investment properties, drawn by the high potential for rental income and property value appreciation. Millionaires can live pretty much anywhere they want. Many will choose where they live based on their job, local and state taxes, proximity to family and other factors. California can appeal to millionaires and non-millionaires alike for its warm climate and culture. Some people may also like Californias liberal policies. Of course, millionaires may own several homes; these in California may be just one of multiple homes they own. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 California Cities Where Millionaires Love To Live Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaking to a crowd in Richmond on April 8, 2024. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury) After signing a new state spending plan on Monday, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin must appoint a director for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by July 1 or risk losing money for the office, whose title he renamed by replacing equity with opportunity, a move which Democrats criticized as contrary to state code. If the governor is not going to follow the laws, then there are consequences for it, said Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax. Sometimes following a law you dont agree with is uncomfortable, but when you raise your right hand and swear to God that you are going to follow the laws of the of the Constitution of the Commonwealth, it was my understanding he took that stuff pretty seriously, but that doesnt always seem to be the case if he doesnt agree with the law. Martin Brown currently serves as the cabinets chief officer. Christian Martinez, a spokesperson for the governor, when asked if the governor would return the word equity back into the office title, did not directly answer the question. Martinez instead said the administration has been in compliance with the law and will continue to do so. Budget provision spells out DEI director requirement Surovell proposed budget language in an effort to have the word equity put back in the office title. According to the budget, if the governor has not appointed a director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by July 1, 2024 following Virginia Code 2.2-435.12, the director for the Department of Planning and Budget shall transfer the appropriation to the Virginia Cannabis Equity Business Loan Fund. The fund provides no- and low-interest loans to qualified, licensed cannabis business owners to help promote business ownership and economic growth in communities that were disproportionately impacted by cannabis when it was fully prohibited in the state. Chief Officer of Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion Martin Brown at a cabinet event on April 8, 2024 in Richmond. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury) The state budget also includes $3.6 million in funding for the DEI office over the next two years, a $1 million increase compared to the governors initial budget he unveiled in December. Last April, the states DEI office was thrust into the national spotlight after Brown, the director, remarked that DEI is dead at the Virginia Military Institute. Lets take a moment right now to kill that cow. DEI is dead, Brown said. Were not going to bring that cow up anymore. Its dead. It was mandated by the General Assembly, but this governor has a different philosophy of civil discourse, civility living the golden rule, right? Last year, Democrats asked Attorney General Jason Miyares whether the governor was following the law when he changed the name of the position. Surovell wrote that the DEI title mandated by the state didnt appear on the official state website and uses an incorrect name and refers to Mr. Brown as the Commonwealth of Virginias Chief Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion Officer. Miyares responded that if the governor makes sure the states laws relating to the DEI office are faithfully executed, he may include within his cabinet a Chief Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion Officer who is charged with performing duties supplemental to those of the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The attorney general also pointed out in his response that equity is not defined in the statute. With no statutory or judicially imposed definition, the governor, in fulfilling his duty to faithfully execute the statute, is afforded some degree of discretion in affording its terms a workable meaning, Miyares wrote. The post Will Youngkin appoint a DEI director, as the state budget directs? appeared first on Virginia Mercury. Youth home worker shoved by teen dies after hitting head on concrete, Iowa reports say A woman who worked at a youth home in Iowa died days after she was shoved by a 15-year-old boy at the facility, according to police and news reports. Kathleen Galloway-Menke, 50, hit her head on concrete when she was pushed by the teen running away from the Ellipsis youth home in Johnston on May 8, the familys attorney told KCCI. According to a police report obtained by the Des Moines Register, the 15-year-old had a history of being violent. Four police officers suffered minor injuries during the incident, the publication reported. Galloway-Menke sustained a severe brain injury, and she died after being taken off life support Tuesday, May 14, Western Iowa Today reported. Ellipsis was formed in 2021 from the joining of two organizations Youth Homes of Mid-America and Youth Emergency Services & Shelter. It serves more than 750 children and their families, according to its website. Ellipsis is profoundly saddened by this situation, and we extend heartfelt thoughts to all who are affected. We deeply and personally mourn this loss, Chris Koepplin, the CEO of Ellipsis, said in a statement to the Des Moines Register. Police said the 15-year-old was being held in a juvenile detention facility, according to WHO13. Johnston is a northwest suburb of Des Moines. Disabled man beaten by cops while looking for friends home is owed $3.9M, lawyers say Woman on life support dies after brutal Ohio beating, family says. Boyfriend charged Man accused of causing brain bleed with golf club wont serve time, TN records show A former employee of a youth shelter in Clayton County has been convicted of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl who was living at the shelter. Caleb Randolph, 27, of Macon, pleaded guilty to charges of statutory rape and sexual contact by an employee in the first degree last week in Clayton County. TRENDING STORIES: Caleb Randolph was put in a position to care for our states most vulnerable children, and instead he sexually abused a 15-year-old female desperately in need of comfort, support, and safety, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said. For months, he groomed his victim by exploiting her vulnerabilities, and his actions are reprehensible. Randolph was sentenced to 30 years in prison, to serve 17. He will also have to be required to register as a sex offender once he is released. Our case does not end here, Carr said. We will continue to pursue any individual who commits or perpetuates child sexual exploitation in Georgia. IN OTHER NEWS: FILE - The YouTube app is displayed on an iPad in Baltimore. YouTube has blocked access to videos of a protest song in Hong Kong, days after court approved an injunction banning the song in the city. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) HONG KONG (AP) YouTube has blocked access to videos of a protest song in Hong Kong, days after court approved an injunction banning the song in the city. Glory to Hong Kong was an anthem of anti-government protests in 2019. YouTube said that it would comply with a removal order and block access to over 32 YouTube videos of the song that were deemed to be prohibited publications under the injunction. Attempts to access the YouTube videos from Hong Kong on Wednesday showed that they were unavailable. A message showed saying that This content is not available on this country domain due to a court order. In approving the government's application to ban the song, the court agreed it could be weaponized and used to incite secession. We are disappointed by the courts decision but are complying with its removal order by blocking access to the listed videos for viewers in Hong Kong, YouTube, which is owned by Alphabet Inc., said in an emailed statement. Well continue to consider our options for an appeal, to promote access to information, the company said, adding that it shared the concerns of human rights organizations about the chilling effect the ban would have on free expression online. Links to the 32 videos on YouTube will also not show up on Google Search for users in Hong Kong, according to YouTube. George Chen, co-chair of digital practice at Asia Group, a Washington-headquartered business and policy consultancy, said it is worth watching how aggressively Hong Kong authorities will be in ordering internet platforms to remove the song. Chen, who was the former head of public policy for Greater China at Meta, said that if the government begins sending platforms hundreds of links to remove every day, that would likely undermine investor confidence in Hong Kong. That will hurt Hong Kongs reputation as a leading financial center because we know how important a free flow of data and information means to a financial center, he said. So the government should be very careful and be aware of some unintended consequences that may impact its economic recovery and investors confidence. Internet and social media platforms such as YouTube typically have policies for removal requests from governments. Glory to Hong Kong was often sung by demonstrators during massive 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. Authorities earlier 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. Critics have said prohibiting broadcast or distribution of the song further reduces freedom of expression since Beijing launched a crackdown in the former British colony 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. ___ Associated Press writer Kanis Leung contributed to this report. Croatia's capital Zagreb is hosting a three-day "Festival of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" at the Pescenica Cultural Centre, featuring exhibitions, films, and workshops aimed at fostering solidarity and social inclusion for people with disabilities, as well as raising awareness about the daily challenges they face. Project coordinator Sara Markus told Euronews that the festival highlights the positive impact of people with disabilities in society. "Often, the focus is on the rights that people with disabilities are denied, the obstacles they encounter, and their struggles," she said. "However, there isn't as much discussion about their contributions to society and what they are truly capable of achieving". The festival also features artwork from creators with disabilities. Iva Majcek, who works at the Pescenica Cultural Centre, said "We want to show that everything is possible. Even when you think you can't, you can. We have artists with various disabilities here, and what they have created and continue to create is truly beautiful and fascinating." In 2022, 27% of the EU population over the age of 16 had some form of disability, according to Eurostat, the EU Commission's statistics agency. The figure represents approximately 101 million people or one in four adults in the EU. The Zagreb Festival of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities runs from May 13-15. _Watch the full report in the video player above. _ FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: A man stands near the spice boxes of MDH and Everest kept on the shelf of a shop at a market in New Delhi By Rishika Sadam HYDERABAD (Reuters) - New Zealand's food safety regulator on Wednesday said it is investigating possible contamination in spice products of top Indian brands MDH and Everest after they faced scrutiny in other countries. The United States and Australia have been looking into contamination after Hong Kong last month suspended sales of three spice blends of MDH and one of Everest, saying they contained high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide, ethylene oxide. Singapore ordered a recall of the Everest spice mix. In a statement to Reuters, the regulator, New Zealand Food Safety, said it is aware of the overseas recalls. "Ethylene oxide is a chemical known to cause cancer in humans, and its use for food sterilisation has been phased out in New Zealand and other countries. As MDH and Everest spices are also available in New Zealand, we are looking into this issue," said Jenny Bishop, the regulator's acting deputy director general. MDH and Everest did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. They have said their products are safe for consumption. Regulators in India have inspected MDH and Everest plants and sent samples for testing after the global scrutiny, though the results have not yet been made public. For decades, MDH and Everest have been household names in India. Their products are also exported to the United States, Europe, South East Asia, Middle East and Australia. MDH has since 2021 also seen an average 14.5% of its U.S. shipments rejected over the presence of bacteria salmonella, a Reuters analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration data has found. (Reporting by Rishika Sadam; Editing by Aditya Kalra and Gerry Doyle) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint press conference with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova at the Mariinsky Palace in Kiev. Ukraine Presidency/Ukrainian Pre/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has cancelled all trips abroad in the coming days in light of the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region, his spokesman Serhiy Nykyforov said on Wednesday. Zelensky was to visit Spain and Portugal at the end of the week. Russia began a ground and air assault on Ukraine's second city of Kharkiv, in the north-east, and the surrounding region last week. In what analysts describe as one of the most perilous moments for Kiev in the war, Moscow's forces have been able to capture several villages as they continue to bombard Kharkiv with missiles. Worries are mounting that Russia is using the wave of attacks on the city to possibly lay the groundwork to capture Kharkiv. The military leadership in Kiev - struggling with a lack of weapons, ammunition and soldiers - said earlier on Wednesday that troops were being withdrawn from some Kharkiv positions. "As a result of combat and offensive actions by the enemy, our units carried out a manoeuvre at certain sections in the Lukyantsi and Vovchansk areas and moved to more advantageous positions in order to save the lives of our soldiers and avoid casualties," the Ukrainian general staff announced on Facebook overnight. Russia claims capture of symbolic Ukrainian village The Russian military said later on Wednesday it had recaptured the village of Robotyne in south-eastern Ukraine. "Units of the Dnepr Army Group have completely liberated the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhya region," the Ministry of Defence in Moscow said in its latest situation report. Kiev has not yet commented on the alleged loss of Robotyne. It was not possible to independently verify the claim. Robotyne was first captured by Moscow-allied troops shortly after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. All that remains of the village are ruins, but it has great symbolic significance for Ukraine. During Kiev's ultimately failed summer offensive in 2023, Robotyne was the only village in the section of the front that the Ukrainians were able to liberate US aid package on the way The dramatic situation around Kharkiv comes at the same time as a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken announced in Kiev on Wednesday that the United States is providing Ukraine with another $2 billion in military aid for its defence against the Russian invasion. "We will provide an additional $2 billion in foreign military financing for Ukraine," Blinken, who arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday, said. The visit is Blinken's fourth since the start of the war in February 2022 and is also the first visit since the US Congress approved a long-delayed aid package of $61 billion in April. Ukraine has been on the defensive for months due to a lack of weapons, ammunition and soldiers. Putin calls for arms manufacturing push Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a significant increase in the pace of arms production, over two years into the war against Ukraine. "We must double and triple our efforts in this direction," he said on Wednesday at a meeting with representatives of the defence industry. Only by introducing state-of-the-art weapons systems as quickly as possible could Russia succeed in staying one step ahead of Ukraine in the war, he said. Russia says US-made missiles shot down Russia's air defences have shot down 10 US-made ATACMS missiles over the annexed Black Sea peninsula of Crimea overnight, the Defence Ministry in Moscow said on Wednesday morning. It was not possible to independently verify the claim. The Defence Ministry also reported that 17 Ukrainian drones and other projectiles were shot down over the Russian border regions of Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has canceled trips outside of Ukraine as Russia presses forward in a major new offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Zelenskys press secretary, Sergii Nykyforov, said in a post on Facebook that Ukraine gave instructions to postpone all international events for his participation, scheduled for the coming days, and to work out new dates. Zelensky had been scheduled to visit Spain and Portugal later this week, but Ukraine is under immense pressure as Russian forces assault the Kharkiv region. The offensive, which began last Friday, saw Russian troops roll into the region from Russias neighboring Belgorod region. Russia has since captured several villages, forcing the evacuation of thousands of civilians. A key battle is also underway in Vovchansk, after Russian forces entered the northern part of the town, which lies north of the city of Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine. While Russia does not appear to have the troops to take the city, Moscow could endanger supply lines and surround the city itself, while also stretching Ukrainian troops thin as they fend off the attacks across the eastern front. Any major success for the Kremlin would eventually threaten the capitol of Kyiv for the first time since Russian invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Zelensky recently spoke with his top commanders and is getting regular briefings from Col. Gen. Oleksandyr Syrskyi, the commander in chief of Ukraines armed forces. The Ukrainian leader has prioritized international trips throughout the war as he seeks to shore up support. In Spain, he was scheduled to meet with King Felipe and sign a bilateral security agreement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Zelensky condemns Fico attack in show of solidarity with Slovakia Rescue workers carry the shot and injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a stretcher to hospital. Jan Kroslak/TASR/dpa Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly condemned the "appalling" assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico in neighbouring Slovakia. "Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere," Zelensky wrote on the social network X on Wednesday. "We sincerely hope Robert Fico recovers soon and express our solidarity with the people of Slovakia," he wrote in English. Fico was shot and critically injured after a Cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. The attacker was arrested. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint press conference with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova at the Mariinsky Palace in Kiev. Ukraine Presidency/Ukrainian Pre/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Ukrainian forces have managed to stabilize the situation in Kharkiv Oblast over the past day amid Russia's attempts to break through, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 15 in his evening address. Russia launched a new offensive with a reported 30,000 troops on May 10, targeting Kharkiv Oblast, which is situated near the countries' shared border in northeastern Ukraine. Zelensky has received reports on the situation on the front line from soldiers and the Defense Ministry throughout the day, he said. The president added that authorities constantly monitor the combat activities in all front-line areas. Zelensky said that Ukrainian forces continued defensive actions in Kharkiv Oblast, destroying Russian troops with "with all means." "Artillery, drones, our infantry are working accurately," the head of state added. The president also mentioned the situation in the Pokrovsk direction in Donetsk Oblast and Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, which both remain two of the hottest areas of the front line. Subscribe to newsletter War Notes Subscribe Zelensky said that Russian troops had attempted to disperse Ukrainian units and push them back. "We react to it exactly as necessary in every direction, we must have something to respond with to the enemy," Zelensky said. Earlier in the day, Zelensky said that more Ukrainian forces were deployed to Kharkiv Oblast to defend against Russian assaults in the region. Ukraine repelled Russian attacks in the Vovchansk direction in Kharkiv Oblast and "partially pushed out enemy forces from the town," according to the General Staff. Russian troops are continuing to attack Lyptsi, a village 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of the Russian border and around 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Vovchansk. Read also: 48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraines most-bombed major city Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Jimin Kim / SOPA Images / Shutterstock.com A quick search finds tons of TikTokkers, as well as reviewers on Yelp and other websites, berating many Five Below products for their poor quality. But careful shoppers can also save tons of money; not all Five Below products are cheaply made. Many deliver a lot of value for $5 to $10. Consider: 6 Items You Should Buy at Five Below Instead of Amazon Learn: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy We searched extensively to find some top-rated Five Below finds that deliver value and cost savings. Here are some of the best picks. 1. Hydraquench Tumbler The Hydraquench Tumbler mimics the popular Stanley brand that went viral on TikTok earlier this year. The 40 oz. model costs $5.55, while the 20 oz. model is just $5. 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Reviewer Kat agreed, One of my favorite snacks. All good and yummy. Story continues 6. Freeze Dried Candy Freeze-dried candy has gone viral recently and it can be difficult to find. Five Below typically has a wide variety in stock or you can order the Sow Good brand online and have it shipped directly to your home. Each bag costs just $5, which is less than you might pay from Amazon or specialty candy retailers. Redditors love Five Belows candy selection. Redditor Monster_Hugger93 wrote, Five Below is a GOAT just for the candy section. I find stuff there I cant find anywhere else. As far as the freeze-dried candy, Redditor MarryMary69 wrote, The freeze dried stuff is the bestttttt. Final Note Whether youre looking for cute home decor, candy and food, or make-up, youll most likely save a bundle at Five Below. Just remember that not all products are the highest quality so do your research or, better yet, shop in stores so you can see exactly what youre getting before you buy. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Five Below Items That Have the Highest-Rated Reviews Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cancelled his visit to Spain, scheduled for 17 May, due to the challenging frontline situation. Source: EFE, a Spanish international news agency, citing sources in the Royal Household of Spain, as reported by European Pravda Details: EFE noted that Spain gave no explanation for the cancellation of the visit. However, diplomatic sources say that Zelenskyy's trip has been cancelled due to the challenging frontline situation, where Russian occupation forces have launched an offensive in the north of Kharkiv Oblast. Background: Zelenskyy's visit to Spain was scheduled for 17 May. As part of this trip, he was to meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to sign a security agreement. In addition, the Ukrainian president was to visit Portugal. The Royal Household of Spain officially confirmed that Zelenskyy would visit Spain on Friday and be hosted by King Felipe VI. Prior to that, Spanish newspaper El Pais said that the Ukrainian president would meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and sign a new bilateral security agreement. Support UP or become our patron! On 15 May, the Ukrainian military managed to "partially stabilise" the situation in Kharkiv Oblast, where Russian troops intensified their offensive. Source: Zelenskyys evening address on 15 May Quote: "All day long, our military and the Ministry of Defence have been delivering reports. Our attention is constantly focused on the frontline, in all combat zones. In Kharkiv Oblast the areas near the border, the city of Vovchansk our defensive actions continue. Over the course of the day, our Defence and Security Forces of Ukraine all units involved have managed to partially stabilise the situation. The occupier, who entered Kharkiv Oblast, is being destroyed with all available means. Artillery, drones, and our infantry are working quite accurately." Details: The president has given special attention to the Pokrovsk front in Donetsk Oblast and the Kupiansk front in Kharkiv Oblast. The Russians are seeking to drive back Ukrainian soldiers, making combat actions less focused. "We are reacting to this exactly as we should we must have the means to retaliate against the enemy in every direction," said Zelenskyy. Previously: Earlier, Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group reported that Ukraine's Defence Forces stopped Russian attempts to break through the defences on the Kharkiv front. The situation has been somewhat stabilised, but fighting continues. Support UP or become our patron! What are zombie fires, and why are they becoming more common? (NEXSTAR) Zombie fires, much like the persistent reanimated corpses for which theyre nicknamed, are known for coming back to haunt the same regions from year to year. These fires, also called holdover fires or overwintering fires, are essentially wildfires that never fully extinguish, and instead continue smoldering under the ground or snow for extended periods of time, emerging as full-on blazes when conditions allow. They typically occur in the boreal (northern) forests in high-latitude regions, feeding off peat, decomposing matter and tree roots, as some researchers have observed even if conditions aboveground become freezing. When these fuels are exceptionally dry, wildfires smoulder in deep duff layers and within large logs, remaining active underground with the potential to resurface come spring, Canadas wildfire service in British Columbia explained in a recent spring outlook report. Risked his life: Man hailed a hero after saving baby from burning home in Cleveland Of the wildfires currently burning in Canada, many are considered to be holdover fires from the 2023 fire season, which were never fully extinguished and remained largely underground for the colder months. Because zombie fires are largely flameless when dormant, and can smolder under huge swaths of land, fighting them can be extremely difficult in colder months. In many cases, there isnt much that can be done to saturate ground that has already frozen over. But firefighters will monitor the areas believed to be active, sometimes with thermal-imaging technology, and concentrate on areas that pose immediate threats. Unfortunately, zombie fires may pose an increasing threat in northern forests due to climate change. Canadian officials have already said that the dryer, hotter weather experienced in recent years is creating ideal conditions for wildfires in general. A spokesperson for the British Columbia Wildfire Service told Nexstar that holdover fires are common, and dont necessarily contribute to a worsening wildfire season. He admitted, however, that certain areas are currently seeing a greater number of holdover fires that firefighters might expect during a slower season, partially due to hot, dry conditions. We are more concerned about holdover fires this spring due to persistent drought conditions, he said. McDougall Creek wildfire bc canada Researchers believe additional wildfires also increase the likelihood of zombie fires, too. As discussed in a 2021 article published in the science journal Nature, researchers in Amsterdam and the U.S. found a link between especially hot summers and the intensity and total area of subsequent zombie fires. And for these we do see a pronounced upward trend hotter summers and more burned area with continued climate warming, co-author Rebecca Scholten, of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, told NASAs Earth Observatory of the findings. High school students, frustrated by lack of climate education, press for change More zombie fires will also potentially contribute to more re-emerging wildfires in coming years, continuing a cycle that can threaten more of the population, and will likely increase carbon emissions and send more smoke into the atmosphere, Dr. Michael Mehta, a professor of geography and environmental studies at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, told NewsNation last year. Im not gonna say [itll affect us] the rest of the summer; Ill probably say the rest of our lives, unfortunately, Mehta said. And it is something that has been predicted for decades going forward. Were going to have to learn to live with it. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Hinga Mbogo was forced to move his Dallas auto repair shop when city officials rezoned the area around his land. | Institute for Justice Imagine you're a member of a religious minority that's on the receiving end of a lot of hate, and the local zoning board is giving you a hard time over plans to expand your house of worship. Is it regulators being their nitpicky selves? Are the neighbors weaponizing rules to squeeze out the cars and foot traffic that accompany any successful endeavor? Or could it be hostility directed at your faith? Zoning has been used and abused in all these ways, which underlines the need for reform. Bigotry Through Red Tape "A proposal to dramatically expand Harvard Chabad's Banks Street headquarters failed to win approval from the Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals during a contentious Thursday public hearing," The Harvard Crimson reported last week. "The rejection leaves the Jewish student organization to revise and clarify the proposal before a follow-up hearing in June." Harvard Chabad's Rabbi Hirschy Zarchi told me that opposition to the group's expansion has featured many "inappropriate comments" including suggestions that the group is "too visibly Jewish." Other criticism, he says, is more "classic NIMBY," though it sometimes touches on the nature of Chabad in the former of objections to the presence of security often required by Jewish organizations after October 7. Zarchi and company aren't alone. Just last month, the U.S. Department of Justice warned officials in Hawaii about their efforts to block operation of a Chabad house. The plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Hawaii County "have established a likelihood of success on the merits" of their claims of bias, according to Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general of the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Part of the problem in Cambridge could be general opposition to houses of worship, which draw crowds but don't generate much money for revenue-hungry governments. "Many land-use disputes aren't about explicit bigotry," Emma Green wrote in 2017 for The Atlantic. "They arise from concerns about noise, lost property taxes, and Sunday-morning traffic jams. The effect is largely the same, and can be just as devastating as outright hatred: A religious community is dragged into a lengthy, and costly, dispute with a city or town." Use of zoning laws to block churches, synagogues, and mosques has been such a problem that it inspired the passage of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act in 2000. "Zoning codes and landmarking laws may illegally exclude religious assemblies in places where they permit theaters, meeting halls, and other places where large groups of people assemble for secular purposes," notes the Department of Justice in a commentary on the law. That the effort wasn't fully successful is apparent from the fact that the Justice Department is still cautioning jurisdictions over land use regulations that, as in Hawaii, explicitly discriminate against religious groups. Control Freakery Through Red Tape Perhaps an additional problem in Cambridge is that the zoning board is staffed by control freaks willing to let local NIMBY types wield their power against anything that might generate noise, pedestrians, or prosperity. Land use regulation is, all too often, seen by the pathologically bossy as a way to freeze neighborhoods as if they're snapshots in time or to mold them into desired new forms. "Young families find themselves locked out of an increasingly expensive housing market. With a single crisis, low-income Americans can find themselves homeless. Entrepreneurs and those engaged in charitable works struggle to find affordable space to turn their ideas into reality," the Institute for Justice's (I.J.) Andrew Wimer wrote this week. "A common thread underlying these crises are the arbitrary lines of zoning codes; hardened rules that too often stand between people and their plans to use their property productively." Ripe Time for Regulatory Reform To address the abuse of zoning laws to freeze out housing, commerce, charitable work, and houses of worship, I.J. launched the Zoning Justice Project "to protect and promote the freedom to use property." Among other cases, I.J. highlights those of Hinga Mbogo, who was forced to move his Dallas auto repair shop when city officials rezoned the area around his land because they preferred prettier businesses, and of Cindy Tucker, whose nonprofit's advocacy of smaller, affordable houses ran afoul of land use regulations in Calhoun, Georgia. Tucker's case may especially resonate with Americans at a time of high housing costs, with further price increases to come, according to the latest New York Federal Reserve survey. That may help ease the way with what was already a fairly receptive audience for easing land use regulations. "Americans are modestly supportive (51%) of zoning reforms that would allow more building of homes, condos, and apartments in their community," the Cato Institute's Emily Ekins and Jordan Gygi commented on polling results in December of 2022. "However, support rises more than 20 points to 72% in favor if construction made housing more affordable for young people and young families." Chances are Americans will be increasingly open to zoning reform amid continuing worries about the prices of places to live and repeat headlines about constructions efforts tangled in red tape. "17 years of false starts and delays are an extreme instance of how difficult it has long been to build affordable housing in Californiafor both the homeless as well as lower and middle-income workersand in other states with complex regulations and high costs," according to a December 2023 article in The Wall Street Journal on challenges faced by a single planned 49-unit apartment complex. But for those still unpersuaded, there's Harvard Chabad's battle with zoning officials, the similar situation in Hawaii, and the continued abuse of land use regulations to stifle houses of worship over two decades after the passage of federal law specifically intended to prevent such weaponization. That law remains widely ignored, and there's nothing to prevent officials from misusing regulations against other people, businesses, and organizations they dislikeespecially since it's difficult to know what motivates bureaucrats already inclined to control-freakery. All sorts of animus can hide behind bland adherence to red tape. Litigation and reforms of the sort sought by I.J.'s Zoning Justice Project can bypass the challenge inherent in delving into the motivations behind the enforcement of intrusive regulations by defanging the rules themselves. Everybody wins when people are free to exercise their liberty without seeking permission. The post Zoning Regulations Empower Control Freaksand Bigots appeared first on Reason.com. Astronomers say we may live at the center of a cosmic void 2 billion light-years wide that defies the laws of cosmology New research suggests our galaxy sits right near the center of the KBC void, an expanse of relatively empty space that's 2 billion light-years wide. Pablo Carlos Budassi / Wikimedia Commons Evidence suggests that our galaxy is inside a cosmic void, a vast expanse of relatively empty space. But according to our laws of cosmology, this void shouldn't exist. New research says such a void may explain unusual behavior in nearby galaxies. Our home galaxy, the Milky Way, is just one of billions in our universe. So, in the grand scheme of things, we're not so special. But zoom in to our local cosmic neighborhood, and that story begins to change. A growing list of observations suggests we live in the crosshairs of a giant cosmic void the largest ever observed. Astronomers first suggested such a void in 2013 and evidence for its existence has been stacking up ever since. But the kicker is that this giant void shouldn't exist in the first place. If it does exist, that means something is probably amiss with our understanding of the cosmos. We may live in a void that shouldn't exist A map of our local universe. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics According to a fundamental theory of cosmology named the cosmological principle, matter in the universe should be uniformly distributed on very large scales. The reason this matters is that by assuming uniformity, scientists can apply the same laws of physics to nearby objects as objects at the fringes of the early universe. In other words, everything operates under the same universal laws. It's a simple, straightforward approach to studying and understanding our universe, and it suggests that voids such as the one we may live in shouldn't exist. But multiple observations over the past decade suggest that matter in the universe may clump into regions of high and low densities, meaning it may not be so uniform after all. The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument made the largest 3D map of our universe to date. This sliver of the cosmos shows its high- and low-density regions. Claire Lamman/DESI collaboration; custom colormap package by cmastro "By now it's pretty clear that we are in a significant underdensity," Indranil Banik, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of St. Andrews, told Business Insider. "There's a few people that are still opposed to it to a limited extent. For example, some people have correctly argued that such a void shouldn't exist in the standard model, which is true. That unfortunately doesn't prove it's not there," he added. Banik coauthored a paper published late last year in the peer-reviewed journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society that suggests we may live near the center of this void named the KBC void that's about 2 billion light-years wide. Wide enough to fit 20,000 Milky Way galaxies in a row stretching from one end to the other. The KBC void defies the laws of cosmology Observations from the Hubble Telescope conflict with standard cosmology predictions about the expansion of the universe. The KBC void could explain why. NASA The KBC void isn't totally empty. It can't be, because we live in it. But, if Banik and his colleagues' calculations are correct, the void would be about 20% emptier than space outside its border. That may not seem like a big deficit, but it's enough to cause some confusing behavior in our local cosmic neighborhood, according to the recent study. In particular, nearby stars and galaxies are moving away from us faster than they should be. Cosmologists have a value, named the Hubble constant, which they use to help describe how fast the universe's expansion is accelerating. The Hubble constant should be the same value wherever you look, whether it's close by or very far away. The problem is that the galaxies and stars in our local neighborhood appear to be moving away from us faster than the Hubble constant predicts, essentially defying our law of cosmology that describes how the universe grows and evolves. About 2.5 million light-years away, the Andromeda galaxy is the closest large galaxy to the Milky Way. NASA/JPL-Caltech Astronomers can't agree on what's causing this discrepancy in the Hubble constant, and the contention has become known as the Hubble tension. Banik and his colleagues suggest the void could be a solution because high-density regions with stronger gravity outside the void could be pulling galaxies and stars toward them. Banik argues that these outflows could explain why cosmologists have calculated a higher value for the Hubble constant when looking at nearby objects. Stuff moves faster in the void, flying out of our empty region toward crowded outer space. Mystery solved? Not yet. The KBC void isn't the only possible solution to the Hubble tension. Some scientists are peeling back layers of the cosmos to look for early dark energy. NASA/ESA/A. Riess (STScI/JHU)/Palomar Digitized Sky Survey If the void does exist, as evidence suggests, that may mean we need to revise some of the physical laws we use to describe the cosmos. After all, Banik's theory would explain why the Hubble constant is higher in our local cosmic region. "The hypothesis that a local void could explain the Hubble tension by inducing significant outflows seems sound in principle, especially given the supporting observational data cited in the study," Brian Keating, a cosmologist and physics professor at University of California San Diego who studies the Hubble constant, told BI in an email. But there are still questions that need to be answered. For one, how far does the influence of the void extend? "If the local void isn't representative of the wider cosmos, this may only provide a local solution, not a global one that wouldn't 'solve' the Hubble tension," Keating wrote. Keating also noted that Banik's theory had certain limitations, writing that the study's results were dependent on the type of void model used. Different models yield different predictions about void effects and the "bulk flow," or the average speed of galaxies as they move through the cosmos. Plus, models can only offer a simplified view of what the void really is. All of this means that the void could offer a solution, but "it is not a definitive 'proof' yet of the resolution of the tension," Keating wrote. There are other solutions to consider too, such as early dark energy. This theory proposes a new form of energy that affects the universe's expansion rate in its early stages, ultimately leading to the Hubble tension we observe today, as Keating said. Methuselah, the oldest star ever observed. Scientists disagree about exactly how old this star is, and some studies suggest it could somehow be older than the universe itself. Digitized Sky Survey (DSS)/STScI/AURA/Palomar/Caltech/UKSTU/AAO But Banik noted that the early-dark-energy theory conflicted with certain truths about the universe. For example, we'd have to amend the ages of ancient stars to make it work. Otherwise, these stars would have to be older than the universe itself, Banik said. So, he's sticking to his void theory. His next research project is set to analyze supernovae data to figure out whether the Hubble constant returns to the value predicted by our standard model of cosmology outside the void. If his theory is correct, there shouldn't be any Hubble tension outside the void's borders. "This is the main thing which sometimes keeps me up a little bit worrying about if the supernovae really show that we're in a universe that's actually expanding faster, and there's no sign of the void edge," Banik said. Until then, the Hubble tension remains a mystery waiting to be solved. Read the original article on Business Insider Title icon The News Fresh damage to undersea cables that supply African countries with the internet has raised new fears about the continents network vulnerabilities. The damage marks the third widespread disruption since the start of the year. Internet users in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda reported different levels of disruption between Sunday and Monday following cuts to two submarine cables, EASSy (East Africa Submarine System) and Seacom. The breaks also caused disruptions in Mozambique, Malawi, and Madagascar, according to Cloudflare, a US internet data company. Kenyas communications authority said the process of recovery had begun, though slow speeds may remain in the coming few days. Telecom operator Safaricom said it would source additional capacity with other undersea cable partners to make up for the shortfall in connectivity. MTN and Telkom, two South African telecom majors operating in East Africa, said they were trying to minimize the disruption. Tanzania has experienced the most severe outage, data from the Internet Outage Detection and Analysis project at the Georgia Institute of Technology shows. The US embassy in the country was closed to the public for two days until May 15 following the downtime, except for in cases of emergencies involving American citizens. Title icon Know More The outage mirrors similar events in March, when cuts to four cables disrupted internet access in Nigeria, Ghana and other West African countries. For days, service providers only offered intermittent connection to users, stifling online banking activities, Ghanas stock exchange, and other internet-based services. Connectivity in East Africa was also limited in February when three submarine cables that run through the Red Sea were damaged. The International Cable Protection Committee, a group representing 98% of subsea cable operators, said the breaks were likely caused by the anchor of a cargo ship that was shot at by the Yemen-based Houthi rebel group. Those cables have not been repaired due to tensions over right of access to those waters. Fixing the breaks on EASSy and Seacom may take several days to weeks, and may be dependent on weather, sea conditions and the extent of the damage, said Chris Wood, chief executive of the West Indian Ocean Cable Company, which helped Google to land a subsea cable in Africa. MainOne, an internet provider in West Africa, announced last week that its cables that were cut in March have now been repaired. Title icon Alexanders view Anxieties that have accompanied the three episodes of cable cuts in three months underscore Africas increased dependence on the internet for commerce and daily life. Africas internet economy could reach $180 billion by 2025, according to estimates by Google and the World Banks private investment arm, the International Financial Corporation. That prospect should increase the sense of urgency among policymakers and service providers to build more resilience into the continents internet architecture. Internet disruption in Africa tends to happen sub-regionally because cables run through multiple countries clustered together. East Africa has one of the most advanced regional integration programs, perhaps only outdone by the Southern African Customs Union and the Francophone units, said Bright Simons, research lead at IMANI Center for Policy and Education in Ghana. Yet, just like elsewhere, it has not been able to activate a regional framework for telecom emergencies like this, leaving operators to arrange ad hoc cross-border arrangements, Simons said. Telecom regulatory authorities should work out a contingency quasi-treaty to coordinate faster responses during such emergencies, he said. Africa has seen an increase in submarine cables over the past two decades, including Googles 15,000-kilometer South Africa to Portugal Equiano cable, and the 45,000-kilometer 2Africa project owned by a consortium led by Meta. They have sometimes come under criticism for ulterior motives: Two Mozilla-affiliated researchers said the tech giants cable projects are using colonialist tactics to exploit Africa on a massive scale, despite claiming to bridge the digital gap. But more cables has meant more capacity for internet access on the continent. Merely having new cables is not enough for expanding Africas access to the internet. Integrating them into other critical national infrastructure and ensuring interoperability within each region is the key to long-term resilience. Title icon Step Back The West Africa Cable System, which serves Nigeria and its neighbors, reported two breaks in the first half of 2020, while the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) lines break in 2018 resulted in a total internet blackout in Mauritania for two days. ACE was Mauritanias sole submarine cable connection, but plans have since been launched for a second connection. The European Investment Bank is providing majority funding for a new 35 million cable. Semafor Logo The crewed debut of Boeing's Starliner capsule has been pushed back an additional four days. Starliner had been scheduled to lift off this Friday (May 17) on Crew Flight Test (CFT), a mission that will send NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS) for a roughly eight-day stay. But that's no longer the plan. Teams detected a small helium leak in Starliner's service module and have pushed the target date back to May 21, Boeing announced in an update today (May 14). Starliner will launch atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, on Florida's Space Coast. The May 21 launch is scheduled for 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT); you can watch it live here at Space.com when the time comes. Related: Boeing Starliner 1st astronaut flight: Live updates Today's news is the latest in a string of recent CFT delay announcements. The mission was originally supposed to lift off on May 6, but the team called that attempt off about two hours before launch after noticing a "buzzing" valve in the Atlas V's Centaur upper stage. Boeing, NASA and ULA initially pushed the launch target back to May 10, then delayed it to May 17 after determining that the troublesome valve needed to be replaced, an operation that required rolling the Atlas V off the pad to an assembly facility at Cape Canaveral. The troublesome valve was replaced and is behaving normally, Boeing representatives said in today's update. The newfound helium leak, they added, has been traced to a "flange on a single reaction control system thruster" in Starliner's service module. These thrusters don't burn helium, but the gas allows them to fire properly. "NASA and Boeing are developing spacecraft testing and operational solutions to address the issue," Boeing wrote in the update. "As a part of the testing, Boeing will bring the propulsion system up to flight pressurization just as it does prior to launch, and then allow the helium system to vent naturally to validate existing data and strengthen flight rationale." RELATED STORIES: Boeing Starliner astronauts conduct dress rehearsal ahead of launch (photos, video) Boeing's Starliner spacecraft will not fly private missions yet, officials say 'I'm sure we'll find things out': NASA astronauts fly to launch site for 1st crewed Boeing Starliner mission to ISS on May 6 (photos) CFT will be the third flight for Starliner, after two uncrewed launches to the ISS. The capsule suffered several problems on its first mission, which lifted off in December 2019, and failed to meet up with the orbiting lab as planned. But Starliner succeeded on its second try, which launched in May 2022. CFT is a crewed shakeout cruise for the capsule; if all goes well on the upcoming mission, Starliner will be certified to fly NASA astronauts on long-duration missions to and from the ISS. Boeing holds a $4.2 billion contract with the space agency to do just that, which was signed in 2014. SpaceX got a similar deal at the same time, worth $2.6 billion. Elon Musk's company flew its equivalent of CFT in 2020 and is in the middle of its eighth operational, long-duration astronaut mission to the ISS for NASA. The Australian stock market has shown a mixed performance recently, with the ASX200 seeing a modest increase driven primarily by strength in the materials sector, buoyed by government budget promises around critical minerals and hydrogen. Amidst this backdrop, dividend stocks remain an attractive option for investors looking to generate steady income from their portfolios. In light of current market conditions, understanding what defines a robust dividend stock is crucialparticularly those that can sustain payouts even in fluctuating economic landscapes. Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Australia Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Lindsay Australia (ASX:LAU) 6.32% Fiducian Group (ASX:FID) 3.97% Nick Scali (ASX:NCK) 4.83% Centuria Capital Group (ASX:CNI) 6.86% Charter Hall Group (ASX:CHC) 3.63% Premier Investments (ASX:PMV) 4.53% Fortescue (ASX:FMG) 7.71% Diversified United Investment (ASX:DUI) 3.23% Ricegrowers (ASX:SGLLV) 7.98% New Hope (ASX:NHC) 9.21% Click here to see the full list of 31 stocks from our Top ASX Dividend Stocks screener. Let's dive into some prime choices out of from the screener. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Accent Group Limited, operating in Australia and New Zealand, specializes in the retail, distribution, and franchise of lifestyle footwear, along with apparel and accessories, with a market capitalization of approximately A$1.03 billion. Operations: Accent Group Limited generates A$1.40 billion from its multi-channel retail operations, focusing on performance and lifestyle footwear. Dividend Yield: 7.7% Accent Group offers a dividend yield of 7.65%, placing it in the top 25% of Australian dividend payers. However, its high payout ratio of 107.2% raises concerns about sustainability despite a history of increasing dividends over the past decade. The dividends are better supported by cash flows, with a cash payout ratio at 39%. Recent financials show a dip in net income from A$58.33 million to A$42.24 million and a slight decrease in sales year-over-year, suggesting potential challenges ahead in maintaining dividend growth and stability. ASX:AX1 Dividend History as at May 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Commonwealth Bank of Australia offers financial services across Australia, New Zealand, and other international markets, with a market capitalization of approximately A$200.54 billion. Story continues Operations: Commonwealth Bank of Australia's revenue is primarily generated from Retail Banking Services, including Bankwest, which contributes A$11.77 billion, followed by Business Banking at A$8.54 billion, Institutional Banking and Markets with A$2.58 billion, and operations in New Zealand accounting for A$2.97 billion. Dividend Yield: 3.8% Commonwealth Bank of Australia's dividend yield stands at 3.79%, which is lower than the top quartile of Australian dividend stocks at 6.25%. Despite this, the bank has shown a capacity to cover its dividends, with a current payout ratio of 78.1% and a projected coverage in three years at 77.6%. However, the dividend track record over the past decade has been marked by volatility and inconsistency in growth, indicating potential concerns for long-term stability in payouts. ASX:CBA Dividend History as at May 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Premier Investments Limited is a specialty retail fashion company with operations across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Europe, boasting a market capitalization of approximately A$4.79 billion. Operations: Premier Investments Limited generates revenue primarily through its retail segment, which contributed A$1.63 billion, and its investment activities, which added A$217.83 million. Dividend Yield: 4.5% Premier Investments reported a slight increase in net income to A$177.23 million and is exploring a demerger of its Smiggle and Peter Alexander brands, potentially enhancing future growth opportunities. Despite a modest dividend yield of 4.53%, the company's dividends are well-covered by both earnings (payout ratio: 71.5%) and cash flows (cash payout ratio: 55%), indicating sustainability. However, its yield remains below the top quartile of Australian dividend payers at 6.25%. ASX:PMV Dividend History as at May 2024 Taking Advantage Dive into all 31 of the Top ASX Dividend Stocks we have identified here. Are you invested in these stocks already? Keep abreast of every twist and turn by setting up a portfolio with Simply Wall St, where we make it simple for investors like you to stay informed and proactive. Take control of your financial future using Simply Wall St, offering free, in-depth knowledge of international markets to every investor. Want To Explore Some Alternatives? 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 ASX:AX1 ASX:CBA and ASX:PMV. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Ghost Bots In China, the AI cloning of dead relatives has become a thriving cottage industry, driving down prices and spurring technological advances in the years since these kinds of services have been offered. In an interview with NPR, MIT Tech Review reporter Zeyi Yang discussed the fascinating, if not macabre, industry he covered for a piece at his employer. According to his reporting, mourners can now purchase AI replicas of their deceased loved ones from a variety of companies for as little as $140 or $150, when just a few years ago it would have cost upwards of $1,000. One of the pioneers of this technology is the Nanjing-based firm Silicon Intelligence, whose cofounder Sun Kai had his engineers create an avatar of his mother after she unexpectedly passed away in 2019. At first, his mother's clone was clunky and repetitive but the comfort it brought was nevertheless real. "My mom didnt seem very natural, but I still heard the words that she often said: 'Have you eaten yet?'" Sun told the Tech Review. "She would always repeat those questions over and over again, and it made me very emotional when I heard it." Revere the Dead Confiding in the dead is, as Yang notes, part and parcel of China's ancestor worship traditions. Doing so with the visage of a beloved family member on a screen isn't quite the same thing as writing them letters or burning incense for them during holidays, but adoption has apparently sped up as AI technology has improved. "So I would say it is catching on, but only a small number for now," Yang told NPR. "I talked to two companies who have done this service for over 2,000 clients combined. Obviously, compared to just 1.4 billion people that are in China, that's still a small number. But they do describe that it has been growing a lot in the past year." Ethical concerns, of course, remain paramount, but Chinese companies have created these avatars with "explicit consent from immediate family members," Yang claimed. "Some of them are saying that it shouldn't be just one family member, but all of your surviving family members should agree on replicating you," he explained. "And then they will proceed to it." Despite China's unique ancestor worship culture, Yang said he could see this sort of "deathbot" or "ghost bot," as some outlets call them, catching on in other countries that have different but compatible relationships with the great beyond. "I definitely think it can catch on in cultures where there is a tradition to either revere the dead or talk to them," he said, "or just trying to communicate them in whatever spiritual ways." More on AI resurrections: Internet Horrified at AI App for Cloning Dead Family Members 'Quantum-inspired' laser computing is more effective than both supercomputing and quantum computing, startup claims Engineers have developed an optical computer, about the size of a desktop PC, that can purportedly execute complex artificial intelligence (AI) calculations in nanoseconds, rivaling the performance of both quantum and classical supercomputers. The computer, dubbed the LPU100, uses an array of 100 lasers to perform calculations through a process called laser interference, LightSolver representatives said in a March 19 statement . In this process, an optimization problem that requires solving is encoded onto physical obstacles on the lasers' paths using a device called a programmable spatial light modulator. These obstacles prompt the lasers to adjust their behavior to minimize energy loss, similar to how water naturally finds the easiest route downhill by following the path of least resistance. By quickly altering their state to minimize energy waste, the lasers achieve a state of minimal energy loss. This directly corresponds to the problem's solution. The LPU100 then uses conventional cameras to detect and interpret these laser states, translating them into a mathematical solution to the original optimization problem. According to the company, the LPU100 can perform complex operations such as vector-matrix multiplications a demanding computational workload in just 10 nanoseconds. That is hundreds of times quicker than the fastest graphics processing units (GPUs) can perform the same task. Bob Sorensen , senior vice president of research and chief analyst for quantum computing at Hyperion Research, said in a statement that LightSolver's technology presented "a low barrier to entry for a wide range of advanced computing users." Vector matrix multiplication is key to handling complex tasks involving a large number of potential outcomes. One example is the vehicle routing problem, a logistics challenge used in the transportation and delivery sector to determine the most efficient routes for vehicle fleets. In benchmark tests published by LightSolver, the LPU100 identified the most efficient route for vehicle fleets in less than a tenth of a second outperforming Gurobi, a commonly used logistics tool, which often failed to find a solution within 10 seconds. Previous studies published by researchers at Cornell University found that the LPU100 outperformed traditional GPUs in Max-2-SAT challenges , which are used for testing the efficiency of logic-solving algorithms, as well as in the 3-Regular 3-XORSAT problem , a test for evaluating the performance of algorithms used for handling difficult problems that involve sorting through numerous combinations to find the best solution. While the LPU100 employs what LightSolver dubs "quantum-inspired" technology, it doesn't rely on qubits nor the laws of quantum mechanics . Instead, it borrows the principle of processing multiple operations simultaneously at very high speeds, which classical computers cannot do. According to LightSolver, the LPU100's laser array can handle 100 continuous variables, theoretically allowing it to address computational problems involving an astronomically large number of variable combinations (120 to the power of 100). This makes it particularly well suited for industries such as finance, aerospace, logistics and manufacturing, all of which have resource-intensive data demands, the company said. Quantum computers require extremely cold temperatures to operate and remain highly experimental, whereas supercomputers typically consume large amounts of energy and need to be housed in purpose-built facilities. By contrast, because the LPU100 lacks electronics, it can operate efficiently at room temperature and maintain a compact size similar to a desktop computer. RELATED STORIES 'World's purest silicon' could lead to 1st million-qubit quantum computing chips Scientists create light-based semiconductor chip that will pave the way for 6G Light-powered computer chip can train AI much faster than components powered by electricity It is also built entirely from "well-understood laser technology and commercially available components." This makes it a more practical alternative to resource-intensive quantum computers and supercomputers, LightSolver representatives said. LightSolver now offers select enterprise customers the ability to use the LPU100 through its cloud platform for problems involving up to 1 million variables. PROVIDENCE The first major offshore wind farm that will supply power to Rhode Island has reached an important milestone with the successful installation of a foundation for one of its 65 enormous turbines. The steel-in-the-water moment for Revolution Wind, a 704-megawatt project being developed by Danish offshore wind giant rsted and New England utility Eversource, came on Friday when a crane vessel finished hammering the first monopile foundation into the ocean floor about 17 miles southeast of Point Judith. The first monopile foundation has been successfully installed for Revolution Wind, a 704-megawatt offshore wind farm that will send power to Rhode Island and Connecticut. The installation signals a big step forward for the project that will supply 400 megawatts of electric capacity to Rhode Island and the remaining 304 megawatts to Connecticut That's enough total energy to power 350,000 homes across the two states. "Rhode Island is all in on building a climate-resilient future, and the progress happening at our first utility-scale offshore wind farm is exciting and encouraging," Governor Dan McKee said in a statement. Rhode Island workers helping to build the wind farm While the monopiles for the wind farm were built in Germany, accessory platforms and other key pieces were fabricated in Rhode Island, and some 50 of the union construction workers who are part of the offshore installation workforce are Rhode Islanders. Paul Murphy, a senior director with rsted, said the reliance on local labor represents a fulfillment of a promise made when a five-turbine array near Block Island was proposed 16 years ago to demonstrate the viability of offshore wind in America. Back then, supporters of the project said that by taking on the risks of developing the first offshore wind farm in the nation, Rhode Island would be rewarded with jobs and other economic benefits. A few years after the Block Island Wind Farm was completed in 2016, rsted built an assembly center in the Port of Providence, where 120 workers have been making parts for the companys offshore wind projects, including Revolution Wind. Im really proud of this moment, Murphy said. These are components being built by Rhode Islanders and installed by Rhode Islanders. Offshore wind is seen as crucial to Rhode Island's climate goals The Revolution project is critical to Rhode Islands climate policy. In order to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, as state law requires, Rhode Island must develop alternatives to fossil fuel-burning power plants. While Rhode Island has quadrupled its solar capacity in recent years, developing offshore wind is seen by policymakers as crucial because the state is densely populated and has only so much land area. And even as Rhode Island gets closer to its goal of getting or at least offsetting 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2033, it has to look to bring even more supplies on line as transportation and heating systems are electrified. Rhode Island is looking for up to 1,200 megawatts of more offshore wind power under a procurement process being coordinated with Massachusetts and Connecticut. Four companies, including rsted, have submitted bids to the regional solicitation. Revolution Wind is one of several offshore wind farms being developed off Rhode Island and Massachusetts The Revolution project is the third utility-scale offshore wind farm to enter development off southern New England. Last year, rsted and Eversource built the 132-megawatt South Fork Wind Farm in the waters in Rhode Island Sound near the Revolution site. South Fork started supplying electricity to Long Island earlier this year. Vineyard Wind, an 800-megawatt project south of Nantucket, installed some of its turbines last year when it also started sending a portion of its power to Massachusetts. The project is being completed this summer. While the McKee administration, Rhode Island state legislators and environmental groups support the development of offshore wind, some critics allege that piledriving and surveying activities are harming whales and other marine mammals. Scientists say there is no evidence of a connection between the industry and whale mortality. Brown University researchers have found links between some of the most active anti-wind groups and fossil fuel interests. David Ortiz, head of government affairs for rsted, said that his company has posted protected species observers around the Revolution project site and taken other precautions to reduce impacts on marine animals. The data shows that the greatest threats to whales are vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglements, not offshore wind, he said. Project is scheduled to start delivering power next year Its unclear when the next monopile for Revolution Wind will be installed. Construction crews need 10 to 12 hours of calm seas to do the work, and a front of bad weather was expected to roll in this week. Unlike with the Block Island or South Fork projects, the developers will be working on multiple parts of Revolution Wind, and different stages of work, at the same time throughout the summer. So the projects 11-megawatt turbines may be going up in one area while new foundations are being sunk in another. Murphy said the goal is to get the vast majority of the monopiles in the sea bottom this year. Construction would pick up again next year when the remaining foundations and turbines would be installed. The onshore substation for the wind farm, which is being built in the Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown, wont be completed until next year. Sometime afterward, if all goes according to plan, the wind farm would start delivering power to Rhode Island. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Revolution Wind project off RI coast hits major milestone Nuclear power could be a game-changer for energy affordability, grid reliability, and carbon reduction. However, it's been stifled for decades based on one deeply flawed scientific model: the linear no-threshold (LNT) model. The theory underlying this model suggests that any exposure to ionizing radiation, no matter how small, increases cancer risks and that risks rise in a linear way with exposure levels. It's not true. The roots of LNT's dominance are more political than scientific. Its influence traces back to Hermann Muller, a geneticist and 1946 Nobel Prize winner. Muller's research in the 1920s and '30s claimed to show that radiation induces mutations in fruit flies, with no safe threshold. He became an ardent evangelist for the idea that even tiny radiation doses could cause hereditary defects. However, it appears Muller may have deliberately misled his followers. For example, Muller falsely claimed in his 1946 Nobel acceptance speech that there was "no escape" from the conclusion that any radiation is harmful, despite being aware of evidence to the contrary. Muller's influence peaked during the Cold War, as fears of radioactive fallout from above-ground nuclear weapons testing dominated public discourse. He warned that fallout could unleash a wave of birth defects based on unwarranted extrapolations from his fruit fly experiments. Though human studies of the offspring of Japanese atomic bomb survivors found no significant evidence of genetic damage, Muller helped convince the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to exclude this inconvenient data when it convened an expert panel to assess fallout risks, opting instead to rely on his research using fruit flies and newer studies involving mice. The internal dynamics of these scientific panels were less than objective. Edward Calabrese, a toxicologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, revealed that panelists openly strategized about how conclusions from their report could increase funding for their research. The head of the panel even referred to the members as "conspirators." This conflict of interest resulted in a biased final report that exaggerated health risks from fallout and omitted lower estimates to create a false veneer of consensus. The deceptions worked. The panel's report led to widespread media coverage, which caused a sensation with its dire warnings. It catalyzed a major shift in government policy toward reliance on LNT for radiation regulations and risk assessment. Subsequent expert committees would repeatedly endorse LNT, often while downplaying or ignoring new findings that challenged it. One such finding was the discovery of DNA repair mechanisms in the late 1950s by geneticists William and Liane Russell, which contradicted LNT's core premise that radiation damage always accumulates. When the NAS convened a new version of its radiation panel, the group initially sought to bury the repair discovery. An early draft of the panel's report omitted the repair findings. Only after several members protestedincluding, to his credit, Herman Mullerwas the information added. Yet the committee still endorsed LNT. In the 1990s, researcher Paul Selby uncovered serious flaws (or possibly deliberate misrepresentations) in earlier mouse studies by the Russells that had been pivotal to LNT's acceptance. Had these errors been known from the start, the regulatory regime surrounding radiation today could be very different. More recently, the debate over LNT reignited within the Health Physics Society following the launch of a video series in April 2022 that detailed the checkered history of LNT. The series, featuring interviews with Edward Calabrese, sparked a vicious backlash. Emails obtained via Freedom of Information Act requests revealed an orchestrated pressure campaign by LNT proponents within the society, federal agencies, and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements to discredit the video series and quash further discussion. The society's president, who spearheaded the video project, was censured by the Board of Directors of the Health Physics Society, in an apparent act of retaliation since some of these individuals were mentioned by name in the uncovered emails. The censure was ultimately overturned by a vote of the membership. The sordid history of LNT is a cautionary tale of how flawed science, ideological bias, and political motives can distort the search for truth. Yet this dubious model remains and its influence extends beyond academic debates. LNT shapes onerous radiation regulations that dictate cleanup standards, nuclear plant oversight generally, and public perceptions of radiation risk, leading to exaggerated fears, higher energy costs, and perennially thwarted progress in the nuclear industry. A more biology-based approach is neededone that recognizes organisms' evolved capacities to repair low-dose radiation damage. Dose limits should be grounded in observable health effects, not speculative extrapolations from experiments on fruit flies. Additionally, it's time to discard the ALARA ("as low as reasonably achievable") concept that requires nuclear plants to continuously undertake costly efforts to lower exposure levels, based on the unfounded premises of the LNT model. Science is supposed to self-correct through a culture of healthy skepticism and procedures like peer review. Yet these corrections often fail. Given the revelations about LNT's past and the many studies challenging its core assumptions, policymakers need to revisit the foundations of LNT-based regulation. Responsible reforms would lift burdens on the nuclear power industry and potentially dispel radiation phobias, opening the door to a more science-based approach to nuclear safety. If we can learn from this history, we can build a scientific strategy around regulating nuclear technologies that helps people gain access to affordable, abundant, and reliable clean energy. The post The Scandalous Science Behind Nuclear Regulation appeared first on Reason.com. SpaceX plans to launch 90 rockets from Vandenberg Space Force Base by 2026. Could that harm the coast? A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the Starlink 7-16 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 18 as seen from L.A.'s Chinatown. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) SpaceX plans to launch 90 rockets into space from a Santa Barbara County military base by 2026, tripling the number of blasts rocking the coastal community and raising concerns from neighbors and environmental groups about the effects on marine life. Founded by billionaire Elon Musk, SpaceX has ramped up the number of rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base in recent years, and it has made clear its desire to increase the frequency of blastoffs. But during a California Coastal Commission hearing Friday, U.S. Space Force officials outlined for the first time its own plans to multiply the number of launches from the base, from 37 in 2023 to more than 120 a year by 2026. The overwhelming majority of those rocket liftoffs would be conducted by SpaceX, which has already done more launches from the base than the commission has approved. Last year SpaceX breached an agreement with the commission that limited the number of launches to six, sending 28 rockets into space. It is seeking an agreement with the commission to do 36 launches a year, increasing to 90 in 2026. The decision by the commission, which was created to protect the states coastal resources, will directly affect residents and marine life near the military base that hear and feel the rockets sonic booms. It could also redirect the future of SpaceX, whose pursuit to redefine space exploration is already closely tied with U.S. military interests, given its work as a military contractor. The ultimate goal is for this to be more routine and not a huge deal, said Space Force Col. Bryan Titus, operations vice commander at the base. Read more: SpaceX is launching more rockets from a military base. Can the Coastal Commission impose a limit? Formed in 2019, the U.S. Space Force has been looking to improve its ability to send rockets into space, Titus said, so SpaceXs ability to launch with more frequency is a benefit to the U.S. military. SpaceX launched 96 rockets in 2023 from Vandenberg and three other facilities: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Fla., and SpaceX Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. Environmental groups argue that turning launches into a routine event could affect marine life. Were concerned that more frequent launches will result in permanent changes, said Ana Citrin, legal and policy director for the Gaviota Coast Conservancy. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, monitor the effects of the liftoffs on such animals as sea otters, bats, western snowy plovers, California least terns and California red-legged frogs. Thus far, the monitoring has shown that some of the animals might react to the blastoff by flushing, or fleeing from their nests and homes, but they return soon after, according to U.S. Space Force officials. No long-term effects have been seen, they said. SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment. Read more: Boeing faces critical launch Monday ferrying astronauts to the International Space Station Flushing or hunkering down after a blast are already signs of wildlife exhibiting signs of stress, said Duncan Leitch, a professor of integrative biology at UCLA. Most animals can adapt to infrequent incidents, but exposure to more frequent stressful incidents can change their biology as well as their behavior, he said. In the worst-case scenarios, he said, the ability of birds to communicate could be impeded, and migratory birds could avoid the area. Fish and other animals that use sound to communicate and navigate underwater including whales could be affected too. Over a longer period of time, there may be reductions in the population of fish as they move away from the sound, or they may be affected to the point that it affects their health, Leitch said. It would change the ecosystem as far as other animals that rely on the fish. Having sounds that are well into the damaging, or painful, range of decibels now occurring [100] times a year, the animals might not have the ability to change their behavior or accommodate these types of sounds. Some environmental groups, including the Surfrider Foundation, are asking the commission to reject the increase. Read more: SpaceX rocket launch sends advanced satellite into low orbit, brings booster back to Earth SpaceX intends to begin increasing very rapidly, so were very concerned about this, said Mandy Sackett, senior California policy coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation. More frequent launches could change the way wildlife in the area responds in the long term, environmental groups said. Members of the California Coastal Commission are also asking whether SpaceX should be entitled to circumvent the permit process, as federal agencies are. Federal entities negotiate agreements with the commission but ultimately can move ahead even without commission approval. In such cases, the commissions recourse would be through mediation or the courts. Because SpaceX is a U.S. Space Force contractor, military officials argue that all launch operations at the base by the company are federal activities. But U.S. Space Force officials said only 25% of the rockets launched into space by SpaceX are carrying payloads for the Department of the Defense. The vast majority of the liftoffs are for the companys private benefit, raising questions about why SpaceX can dispense with permits when 75% of its blasts from the base dont involve the U.S. government. That is still pretty skewed for me, Commissioner Mike Wilson said during a meeting Friday. Some commissioners whose focus is usually on environmental protection, development and water issues during their monthly meetings also brought up the war in Ukraine during Fridays discussion. I question the national security public benefit of concentrating that much power, literally communication power, in one company that were enabling in this case, Wilson said. [SpaceX] has already showed that it will play in international conflicts at the will of one human being. Read more: See that weird streak of light across Southern California? Rocket Wilson was referring to reports that Musks company refused to allow Ukraine to use satellite internet service from Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, to help it carry out an attack against Russia in September 2022. If the idea is that were supporting these permits on the side that were promoting national defense, and then a single company is able to dismantle our allies during armed conflict that really doesnt align, Commissioner Justin Cummings said. I suspect that would violate our strategies around national defense. Titus declined to address the question, saying it was out of my lane, but he said he would try to get answers to address the commissioners concerns. Some commissioners on Friday also argued that SpaceX, not U.S. military officials, should be making the companys case in front of the agency. When this comes back, I think it would be really important that a representative from SpaceX comes to the meeting, Cummings said. Cummings said it was ridiculous for SpaceX not to appear at the meeting, despite multiple efforts from the agency to have SpaceX officials speak. They obviously refuse to because theyve never shown up, he said. On Friday, Commission Chair Caryl Hart suggested an agreement might not be possible unless SpaceX changes its stance. From my perspective, Hart said, I think were going to continue to hit significant obstacles in achieving a federal consistency ruling without having SpaceX. 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. UR physicist Ranga Dias says he's made a world-altering discovery. Others say he made it up. No friction. That's what Ranga Dias is after. The University of Rochester physicist spends most of his days in a private lab on Blossom Road, tirelessly chasing after a feat he says he's already accomplished: ambient superconductivity, where electricity can move without resistance at room temperature and under relatively normal atmospheric pressure. Unlocking that accomplishment would change the world. Energy would be cheap and abundant; computer chip technology would advance by light years. Dias has recruited scientists and analysts from around the world and has obtained $17 million in venture capital funding. They are committed to nailing down precisely how a material they call Reddmatter is able to free electrons from otherwise impregnable laws of conductivity. "The science is real," Dias said in a recent D&C interview, one of the few he has granted in the last year. "The science is there. ... This is the beginning." Other leading physicists believe his approach could theoretically prove correct but they want to see the data that proves it. Therein lies the friction. Ragna Dias, University of Rochester physicist and founder of Unearthly Materials, in that lab where he and his team are researching ambient superconductivity. Dias is working at his private lab and not at the UR in large part because he's been ostracized from the university and the world of academic physics at large. His series of scientific papers trumpeting magnificent advances have been retracted over allegations of fraud. A recent review commissioned by UR determined he had engaged in research misconduct and recommended that he be fired. The broad scientific consensus, including among his employer and his former students and collaborators, is that Dias fabricated or misrepresented his data. "It's just complete (BS)," said N. Peter Armitage, a physicist at John Hopkins University. "All the papers had problems. ... (His) students have said the data wasnt taken, and the analysis on other data was completely fraudulent. Thats the story." Achieving the impossible A superconductor that works at room temperature and relatively low pressure outside a specialized lab, in other words would be one of the outstanding scientific advances in human history. Creating non-polluting energy through nuclear fusion would become vastly simpler and cheaper, allowing for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels. Trains could levitate above the tracks thanks to powerful magnetism, cutting resistance almost to zero. Frictionless transmission between superconducting computer chips, or across superconducting power lines, would revolutionize communication and energy transmission. Dias created a frenzy in 2020 with the claim that he'd solved half of the problem, creating superconductivity at room temperature but still under immense pressure. That paper, published in the prestigious journal Nature, was retracted two years later after outside physicists reported irregularities with the data. Dias and his co-authors objected to the retraction and UR at the time stood behind him after an internal review. He continued with his research and in 2023 announced an even more noteworthy accomplishment, again published in Nature. This time, Dias said he had achieved the seemingly impossible: superconductivity at room temperature and low pressure. The key innovation was his use of a rare earth metal called lutetium hydride, dosed with a small amount of nitrogen. He named the material Reddmatter. He really could be the best high-pressure physicist in the world, poised to win the Nobel Prize," one peer scientist told the New York Times in 2023. "Or theres something else going on. Within days, other physicists were raising objections to Dias' new claims. They found unusual patterns in the data indicating possible tampering or fabrication. Graduate students who had worked on the experiments in Dias' labs joined other co-authors in asking Nature to retract the article, saying there had been a "lack of transparency ... (and) scientific diligence" inside Dias' lab. Ragna Dias, University of Rochester physicist and founder of Unearthly Materials. Less than a week after the landmark paper was published in March 2023, the National Science Foundation, which sponsored some of Dias' work, asked UR to investigate the allegations of misconduct. That paper was retracted, too. So were three other published papers, for a total of five. Critics also have noticed passages of text in Dias' doctoral dissertation and other published works that were copied nearly verbatim from other authors' work, instances that Dias dismissed as inadvertent, trivial or owing to earlier difficulties as an English language learner. 'He cannot be trusted' An internal review of the sort that UR commissioned in 2023 typically would remain confidential. It was made public earlier this year, though, in a legal filing related to Dias' active lawsuit against the university. He is asking a judge to force UR to convene a grievance committee "related to academic freedom." The three outside physicists who wrote the report criticized Dias harshly. They accused him of falsifying and fabricating data and said he had failed to provide the proper raw data for peers to attempt to replicate his findings. "The Investigation Committee recommends that (Dias) not be permitted to teach students, to mentor students, or to supervise students at any level ... or to carry out independent research funded by government agencies or private entities (whether industry or philanthropic)," they wrote. "Evidence uncovered in this investigation shows that (he) cannot be trusted." UR accepted the report and stripped Dias of his students and teaching responsibilities, though he still has access to his lab. In a legal filing, the university said it has asked the internal Committee on Tenure and Privileges to terminate Dias, who does not have tenure. Dias provided a 175-page response to the investigators, then added more than 100 pages of additional comments after their finding was released. The damning report, he said, reflected "a series of misunderstandings and misapplications of scientific standards and methodologies" and ignored exculpatory evidence. "The path to scientific discovery is fraught with challenges, yet it is through these adversities that we refine our methodologies, strengthen our convictions, and contribute to the vast tapestry of human knowledge," he concluded. "Let us proceed with a shared dedication to truth, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of scientific excellence." In an interview, Dias acknowledged that he'll never teach again at UR. "My experience in the last four years has been very, very bitter," he said. "I'm sure they want me to be gone, and I don't want to be there either." The journal Nature has come in for harsh criticism after publishing two of Dias' papers, in particular the second one. Armitage, the Johns Hopkin University physicist, said UR too had committed a "dereliction of duty" by not heeding earlier warnings about Dias' research. He noted in particular a 2023 video the university created to promote his superconductivity claims. "I think UR's behavior has been grotesque," he said. "They clearly wanted this to be true at all levels of the organization. ... They had dollar signs in their eyes." Slow and lonely work What if Dias is right? He has mostly avoided interviews in the last year but has stated his case at great length in court documents as well as a memo to his UR colleagues. The retractions, he says, were the result of novel and misunderstood methodologies; a sort of mutiny instigated by two "dissatisfied" graduate students; and the university abandoning him for public relations reasons rather than scientific ones. Dias has ample documentation related to each of these points, but the internal reviewers who he says had conflicts of interest that should have disqualified them found it unconvincing. As for the research question itself, Dias and his partners at Unearthly Materials are certain they're right. "If you read the theoretical papers, it was almost a natural conclusion," Chief Technology Officer Ron Sellam said. "We know the theory says there will be superconductivity. The only question is how to synthesize a proper sample of it." Work at the lab on Blossom Road has focused lately on the question of how to develop additional samples of Reddmatter that will have the same superconducting effect Dias said he observed previously. That means reverse engineering from the small and degrading sample they already possess. It is slow and lonely work, done in isolation from the scientific community at large. Whoever controls the key technology behind a superconductivity breakthrough, though, would stand to profit handsomely. Unearthly Materials has a current valuation of $200 million, Dias said, based mostly on a $15 million investment from the European venture capital firm Plural. He foresees an upstate New York superconductivity nexus including Cornell University and the University of Buffalo. There are also two relevant patents, both based on Dias' work at the UR and therefore owned by the university. The applications are currently pending at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This is a major source of frustration for Dias: UR has disavowed his research everywhere except the one place where it stands to enrich itself in the event that he is vindicated. "If the paper has fabricated data, the patent application has fabricated data," he said. He has asked UR to release the patents to him if it doesn't support the underlying research. In a statement, UR spokeswoman Sara Miller said the university is "in the process of re-evaluating the Universitys relationship to Professor Dias intellectual property, patents and business activities, and intends to divest those interests whose scientific validity is now in serious doubt." All of this the retractions, having his name besmirched, possibly losing his professorship is "noise in the background," Dias said. He believes in his research and his methods and is confident he will be vindicated in the end. "The one thing that keeps me going is that I know the science," he said. "I know what I see. ... I just need time to prove it." Justin Murphy is a veteran reporter at the Democrat and Chronicle and author of "Your Children Are Very Greatly in Danger: School Segregation in Rochester, New York." Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/CitizenMurphy or contact him at jmurphy7@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Ranga Dias, University of Rochester physicist, discovery questioned By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said on Tuesday it has resolved two investigations into the America Movil Submarine Cable System that connects the United States to Colombia and Costa Rica. The commission said the undersea cable connections were made without the approval of the commission or a U.S. government committee known as "Team Telecom," which had prevented a required national security concern review. The FCC said the two companies responsible, LATAM Telecommunications and Puerto Rico Telephone Company, will each pay a $1 million civil penalty, after they admitted to the violations and agreed to enter into a compliance plan. The U.S. government in recent years has been scrutinizing undersea cable connections, especially involving China. Around 300 undersea cables form the backbone of the internet, carrying 99% of the world's data traffic. Puerto Rico Telephone Company, which does business as Claro Puerto Rico, declined to comment. LATAM Telecommunications did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "Undersea cables keep us globally connected and are essential part of the digital economy. But they can pose real security risks if the FCC and its national security partners aren't properly given the chance to review where new cables may be installed," said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The FCC said construction began on a cable landing station in Isla San Andres, Colombia, in March 2020, that became operational in September 2021. A cable landing station in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, began operation in November 2022, with both connecting to the America Movil Submarine Cable System, but neither company sought FCC authorization until 2023, it added. The FCC had granted Puerto Rico Telephone and LATAM in 2013 authorization for the America Movil undersea high-capacity fiber-optic cable system connecting the United States to Central and South America but it had not authorized the latest connections. The FCC did not accuse America Movil of any wrongdoing. The FCC said the penalties were much larger than prior actions on undersea cables "reflecting the increased emphasis on data security issues in the national security sphere." (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Franklin Paul and Sandra Maler) Seattle-based Ackley Brands has acquired the Washington state vintner Betz Family Winery for an undisclosed sum. Ackley Brands said the acquisition of Betz Family Winery, which produces Bordeaux and Rhone-style red wines, allows the company to expand its footprint in Washington and Oregon. When I entered the wine industry, Betz was a priority on my list of wineries to engage with. I hold immense respect for the individuals behind these notable wines. This acquisition marks another milestone in our pursuit of stewarding historic and iconic brands, Ackley Brands president Brandon Ackley said. Betz Family Winery was established in 1997 by Cathy and Bob Betz, who then sold the estate to Bridgit and Steve Griessel in 2011. The operational team of the Washington winery will remain in place, as will winemaker Louis Skinner. Bob Betz will stay on in a consultant capacity. With its recent acquisitions, Ackley Brands has made an unmistakable statement about its commitment to the future of Washington wine. Im eager to see Betz Family as part of this dynamic portfolio, Bob Betz said. Founded in Washington state in 2016, Ackley Brands started with its Montinore Estate Vineyard and Tidalstar Vineyard in Oregon. It now has ten wine businesses across both Washington and Oregon. Last month, Ackley Brands acquired the Gallo wine brands Columbia Winery and Hogue Cellars. The deal included the facilities, stock and equipment of both wineries. Together, Columbia Winery and Hogue Cellars produce 130,000 cases annually. Hogue Cellars was founded in 1982 by Mike and Gary Hogue. It produces red and white still wines. While Columbia Winery was established in 1962 by a group of ten friends many associated with the University of Washington Columbia Winerys flagship brands are Columbia Valley and Red Mountain. Ackley Brands also entered the beer category last year through its purchase of Mac & Jacks Brewing Co. "Ackley Brands buys US peer Betz Family Winery" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, 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. If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Amazon Web Services (AWS) said on Wednesday it plans to invest 7.8 billion euros ($8.44 billion) in Germany through 2040 as it builds a cloud computing infrastructure specifically for Europe. AWS last year announced plans to store data on servers located in the European Union to protect data privacy for government and customers in highly regulated industries. The company said it will launch several data centres in the German state of Brandenburg by the end of 2025 which will be available to all customers. The new investment would support an average 2,800 full-time jobs in local German businesses each year, it said in a statement. Last week AWS also said that it would help Telefonica Germany move one million 5G customers to its cloud platform from later this month. ($1 = 0.9241 euros) (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm; Editing by Michael Erman) By Joe Cash and Ryan Woo BEIJING (Reuters) - China's measured response to the U.S. move to hike tariffs on $18 billion of Chinese goods from syringes to batteries suggests relations between the world's two largest economies face more frost rather than a fresh firefight over trade. China denounced the Biden administration's action and vowed "resolute measures" to protect its interests. But Beijing's response also suggests a new dynamic - and confidence - compared with 2018 when Trump-era tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese goods touched off an escalating trade war, analysts said. Among the differences between then and now: the Biden White House flagged potential measures to Chinese officials in advance and the tariffs target industries, including EVs and batteries, where the economic impact is limited and Chinese companies' dominance appears unassailable. In response to the tariffs, Chinese state media have shot back, accusing the United States of subverting its own free trade principles and taking action that threatens climate goals and will push up costs for American consumers. In essence, the argument goes, you are hurting yourself. That marks a break from the tone in 2018, when a Chinese negotiator said Washington was putting "a knife to China's neck" and state media had suggested extreme counter-measures like a boycott of U.S. food imports or a sell-off of U.S. bonds. "China can take the moral high ground," said Wang Huiyao, founder and president of the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, a think tank. "It doesn't play around with those who break international standards and norms." In the starkest language of its response, the Chinese commerce ministry said the White House had broken the spirit of an agreement to steady bilateral relations reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden late last year in San Francisco. Biden has said he wants to win this era of competition with China but not to launch a trade war, and U.S. officials have looked to engage Beijing on limited areas of cooperation, including climate change. "WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU" China has time to punch back with targeted actions of its own before the tariffs go into effect, analysts said. But a lot has changed since the trade throwdown in 2018. In that year, Chinese automakers built just under 800,000 electric vehicles. By 2023, EV output had jumped by a factor of eight times, China had surpassed Japan as the world's biggest auto exporter and Chinese carmakers were cranking up expansion plans from Southeast Asia to Europe. Story continues Huawei, which had been crippled by U.S. sanctions in 2019, has bounced back, spearheading demand for China-made chips and challenging Apple in the China smartphone business and Tesla for EVs. "What does not kill you makes you stronger," Xinhua said in a commentary on the U.S. tariffs. "It seems the famous quote applies to China's technology companies." Beijing knew this round of tariffs was coming. In recent visits to China, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and others had drove home a message that China's industrial capacity to make more EVs, solar panels and batteries than its economy can absorb was a risk to American jobs and business. Chinese officials and state media have rejected that argument, saying the country's EV makers dominate because of innovation and supply chain advantages, not subsidies. The United States imported $427 billion in goods from China last year and exported $148 billion to the world's No. 2 economy, a trade gap that has persisted for decades and become an ever more sensitive subject in Washington. Both 2024 presidential candidates are taking a tough line on China ahead of November's election, context Chinese officials understand, analysts said. "Does China really want to go to the mat fighting over these tariffs?" said Sean Stein, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, who said the announced action was at the "far low end" of expectations. "The U.S. rollout was restrained," he added. Beijing will also be considering who it would prefer to work with once the election is over. "The thing about this Biden initiative is that it is election driven," said Wang. "It is different to what Trump did, as he had already been president for one year and so was pursuing a trade war, rather than election." (Reporting by Joe Cash and Ryan Woo; Editing by Kevin Krolicki and Kim Coghill) Anglo American has announced its intention to either sell or spin off its diamond business, De Beers, as part of a strategic restructuring aimed at simplifying its portfolio. This move comes on the heels of the companys decision to dismiss a takeover bid from BHP Group. The announcement comes a day after Anglo American rejected BHP's 34bn ($42.7bn) revised buyout proposal, stating that the offer significantly undervalues the company and its future prospects and poses execution risks. As part of the restructuring, Anglo American is also exploring options for the divestment of its steelmaking coal and nickel assets, while Anglo American Platinum will be demerged in a responsible and orderly manner to optimise value for shareholders of both entities. Upon completion of the asset review, which commenced in 2023, Anglo American plans to implement various major structural changes to focus on operational excellence, portfolio simplification and growth. Anglo American said the restructuring will help it focus on key areas such as copper, premium iron ore and crop nutrients. This restructuring will see Anglo American concentrate on three of the top ten producing copper mines in South America. The company aims to surpass one million tonnes per annum of copper production. In the iron ore sector, Anglo American will continue as a focused producer of premium products, supporting steel decarbonisation with resources in Brazil and South Africa. The transformation of the portfolio and structure will result in a 100% future-enabling portfolio, including 54% copper production, aligned with the energy transition, global living standards and food security. Anglo American CEO Duncan Wanblad said: Our decision to focus Anglo Americans portfolio in our world-class resource asset base in copper and premium iron ore while retaining our crop nutrients optionality at Woodsmith marks a major new phase in executing our strategy. We expect that a radically simpler business will deliver sustainable incremental value creation through a step change in operational performance and cost reduction. The company expects the new portfolio configuration to save $1.7bn in expenses. "Anglo American considers sale of De Beers diamond business" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, 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. German retail company Aldis biggest store in Hungary will open in a deserted mall in the heart of Budapest. The new Aldi store will be on Kondorosi utca in Budapests District XI. The new owner planned to build a new housing complex there, but the local government banned that, as the Budai Walzer gated community is on the other side of Kondorosi utca, so the mayor and the representatives were convinced another housing complex would make the area too crowded. That is when Aldi decided to create Hungarys biggest store there. Aldi has confirmed the opening of the new store. The company noted that it would be the biggest store in Hungary concerning the sales space. Furthermore, the building will allow other shops and stores to settle there like before. MTI Photo: Jozsef Balatoni ********************************* 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! Marton Nagy, the national economy minister, is heading a delegation on a visit to Germany, where he met Hubert Aiwanger, the deputy prime minister of the federal state of Bavaria, and Eric Beisswenger, the federal states minister for European and international affairs, the ministry said in a statement. The talks focused on Hungarian-German and Hungarian-Bavarian economic cooperation, and European competitiveness and economic outlook, the statement said. Nagy noted that Germany was the largest investor in Hungary, with 18.7 billion euros in investment capital linked to German companies. Contrary to unfounded statements, Hungary is a democracy where legal certainty, a reliable economic and legal environment and one of the most competitive tax systems await investors. The domestic business and corporate environment also ensures significant advantages. Investments in Hungary are also lucrative, as the profit rate on direct capital investment is over 9%, which puts the country among the top 10 countries worldwide, he said. Cooperation with German companies has been tight and uninterrupted in the vehicle industry, retail, telecommunications and military industry, he said. Nagy noted that there had been conflict in cooperation with concrete companies as the companies in question have abused their position of power. Then the problem was escalated in the international arena, making it seem larger and wider than it is, to show Hungary in a bad light, he said. German companies employ some 220,000 people in Hungary, the ministry said. Germany is also Hungarys largest trading partner, with Bavaria accounting for 26% of it, Nagy said. Bavaria gives 35% of German exports directed to Hungary, and 16 of Hungarys imports to the country are flowing to the state, the minister said. Fully 27% of investments from German companies in Hungary come from Bavaria. Earlier on Tuesday, Nagy met Hui Zhang, the deputy head of Chinese-owned NIO Europe, and visited NIOs Global Design Centre in Bavaria. Nagy said that Hungary had a vested interest in a strong and competitive European e-vehicle industry. He said an important development further boosting demand for e-vehicles, including second-hand cars, would be making batteries replaceable. Hungarys government is monitoring NIOs developments with interest as they contribute to long-term sustainability, Nagy said, pointing to one of the companys priority projects to develop battery exchange stations. Hungary is striving for partnerships based on mutual respect with all players, including German and Chinese companies, Nagy said. Accordingly, Hungary doesnt see tariffs on Chinese e-vehicles as a solution to the difficulties of the European car industry. The solution lies in boosting European competitiveness rather than protectionism, he added. MTI Photo: Tibor Katona ********************************* 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! A crucial component of the Hungarian governments industrial strategy is to provide incentives to Hungarian businesses entering foreign markets, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at the inauguration of a MOL complex in Tiszaujvaros, in north-eastern Hungary. Currently 12,000 Hungarian companies are active abroad or make products for export, he said. The governments industrial strategy is a good one, Orban said, adding that MOL had an important role. Just like MOL, the industrial strategy is ambitious but with both feet on the ground, he said. MOL, Orban said, has taken the same path as the Hungarian economy, having a single focus 20 years ago, trading in crude oil; now it is spreading in the region, it has a biogas and diesel plant, it has entered the haulier market and it has become a crucial player in waste management. The companys new polyol plant will produce the Swiss knife of plastics manufacturing, good for the automotive industry, furniture production, the construction sector and textile manufacturing, he noted. The prime minister noted that MOL already had two plants in Tiszaujvaros, built with support from Japanese investors, while the new polyol plant had taken over technology from Germanys Thyssenkrupp. MOL is Hungarys largest and most successful company when they build something it is built solid, Orban added. Orban: Govt to Import 'Developed' Industries Prime Minister Viktor Orban pledged to introduce the most developed industries to Hungary at the inauguration of a MOL complex in Tiszaujvaros, in north-eastern Hungary. Orban said the countrys electricity demand would increase by 50% by 2030 due to the new industries. We will have Eastern and Western car plants, technologies and production capacities to store green energy, we will participate in space research and link Hungary to the [international] bloodstream of the most modern information technologies, the prime minister said. In addition, Hungary has ambitions to build the most modern defence industry in Europe, and develop its food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries to a higher level, he said. Orban said the governments industrial policies would ensure that the industry was supplied with sufficient energy and a well-trained labour force. Concerning the Tiszaujvaros plant, he said value-added jobs were being created, providing a secure, predictable future for 300 people. Hungary is in the process of diversifying its energy resources. Hungary will import gas from Qatar, buy green energy from Azerbaijan, increase its solar energy capacities, while the upgrade of the Paks power plant is under way, he added. Meanwhile, Nagy Discusses Europe Plan to Speed Up Electric Car-Making With German Company Bosses Marton Nagy, the national economy minister, has discussed the transition to electric vehicles and related matters with German car industry executives over the past two days. He met Audi chief executive Gernot Dollner, BMW board member Frank Weber, and Mercedes vice president Eckart von Klaeden, the ministry said in a statement. Ahead of Hungarys turn at the EU rotating presidency, they discussed the competitiveness of the German and European automotive industry, especially regarding the electric vehicle industry and the transition to electric vehicles, and agreed that electric cars would be an inextricable part of Europes future.Cooperation between Hungary and the German automotive industry played a decisive role in this, the statement said. Nagy stressed the need for an action plan to speed up the adoption of electric cars and fulfil the 2035 green transition, covering the whole of Europe. Related infrastructure such as a long-distance, fast and hassle-free continental network must be developed with EU and private investments, they agreed. The officials also discussed reforming the regulatory environment to ensure more fast charging points along the trans-European transport (TEN-T) network installed every 50 kilometres. Another goal would be to locate fast charging points at many petrol stations on the continent, the statement added. They also agreed on the need for an EU incentive scheme for car purchases aimed at both manufacturers and customers, and this would require changing rules on state support. In addition, Nagy advocated providing support for the trade of used electric cars by developing new standards. A draft of the action plan will be presented to EU member states as a white paper at the meeting of the Competitiveness Council on July 8-9 under the Hungarian EU presidency, the statement said. ********************************* 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! The Australian Government has unveiled its 2024-2025 Budget, focusing on expanding Medicare services, easing cost-of-living pressures, and enhancing mental health services. Under the new budget, the government has allocated A$227m ($150.7m) for opening 29 additional Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, building on the previous rollout of 58 clinics, to alleviate the strain on hospital emergency departments. The budget also includes a substantial A$882.2m allocation to support older Australians with medical care outside of hospitals, thereby freeing up hospital beds. It will also enhance hospital outreach services, virtual care, and the upskilling of the residential aged-care workforce. Additionally, A$361m is earmarked to broaden the range of free mental health services over the next four years. Through this investment, the government is further introducing a new national early intervention service to offer support before people face escalated situations of distress. It also has the provision for upgrading clinical capabilities at 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres and funds Primary Health Networks to incorporate mental health nurses and allied health support into general practices. Around A$69.8m has been dedicated to increasing the number of Medicare-eligible MRI machines, and A$266.9m will ensure yearly rises in Medicare rebates for nuclear medicine imaging and other common medical tests. To further address healthcare shortages, A$91.1m will be provided for bolstering services in underserved areas, including support for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The budget also proposes $469.1m to reduce patient costs for medicines, with a focus on freezing the maximum co-payment for prescriptions, and an investment of $3.4bn is set to list new medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), reducing costs for patients with cardiac disease. Besides, A$18.8m will be issued to position Australia as a prime location for clinical trials, A$1.4bn for health and medical research over the next 13 years, which also includes an additional A$411.6m to address health inequalities. Other notable investments include A$25.3m for skin cancer prevention, A$49.1m for higher Medicare rebates for gynaecological conditions, A$56.5m for Medicare services for midwives, A$38.8m for National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and A$43.9m for HIV elimination efforts by 2030. "Australian Government announces 2024-2025 healthcare budget " was originally created and published by Hospital Management, 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. The European Union must support the contributions of artificial intelligence to preserving European and national cultural heritage, but must stand up to technology-based attempts built on manipulation and designed to strip people of elements of their dignity, the minister of culture and innovation said on Tuesday, after a meeting of culture ministers in Brussels. While AI is a valuable tool, humans must be the ones to decide what to preserve, Janos Csak said. He said the ministers had discussed challenges to European culture and identity. Despite debates on what we mean by identity or culture, all member states are committed to preserving the valuable and multi-faceted culture amassed in Europe, he said. European identity is determined by the Judeo-Christian, Greek and Roman heritage, Csak said. Even those wanting to erase the past admit this. Hungarys cultural priorities during its presidency will be to strengthen that heritage and the institutions passing it on, he added. Good European policies strengthen our communities, ties and sense of belonging, rather than dismantling and pulverising our identity. Hungary supports the proposal to increase funding for preserving cultural heritage in the next financial cycle, he said. The meeting also touched on the preservation and protection of artefacts. Csak noted that the Hungary Helps humanitarian programme, aiding persecuted Christians in crisis regions, also played an important role in preserving, restoring and saving artefacts. ********************************* 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! New Delhi: OTT giant Prime Video today unveiled a hilariously captivating trailer for its upcoming comedy drama Panchayat Season 3. The new season, spanning eight episodes packed with humor, drama and heart, promises another entertaining dive into village life in Phulera, with its familiar characters facing new challenges and conflicts, while navigating love, friendships and community spirit. Created by The Viral Fever, directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, and written by Chandan Kumar, season 3 welcomes back its fan-favorite characters, featuring Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy, and Sanvikaa. Panchayat Season 3 will premiere in Hindi, with dubs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, exclusively on Prime Video in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on May 28. Embark on a delightful journey into the charming chaos of village life with the captivating trailer of Panchayat Season 3. Filled with witty banter, spirited competitions, and budding romances, the trailer gives a glimpse into the latest happenings in Phulera, a fictional Indian rural village. Abhishek (played by Jitendra Kumar), pulled back into his role as the panchayat secretary, must navigate the quirky dynamics of village life while balancing his aspirations for higher studies and better career opportunities. Amidst the storm of village drama, Abhishek finds solace in his growing affection for Rinki. Will Abhishek mend the rift between rival groups? Can he stay neutral amidst Phulera's murky politics? Will he break free to chase his dreams? The trailer leaves us eager for answers! Brace yourself for a rollercoaster journey, where laughter, love, and rural politics collide unexpectedly, streaming exclusively on Prime Video from May 28! The director, Deepak Kumar Mishra, shared, "First and foremost, hats off to the incredible team behind Panchayat! Big shoutout to the incredible cast, and the writer of the series Chandan Kumar, the wizard with words, for crafting this fantastic script. And let's not forget the amazing producers and Prime Video who saw the magic of Panchayat from day one and made sure it reaches the viewers across the country and around the world! It's been four years since we kicked off Season 1, and now we're diving into Season 3.Making a multi-season show is a huge challenge but with the right script, right vision, and right people, we are excited to bring the new season to our audiences. further adding, Panchayat is a testament to the beauty of simplicity and the richness of rural life. It's a series that celebrates the resilience, humor, and humanity found in the everyday struggles of village folk, and I'm incredibly proud to be a part of bringing their stories to the screen. Looking forward to seeing the audiences reactions to Season 3 of Panchayat when it premieres on Prime Video in India and across 240 countries and territories around the world on May 28." Neena Gupta, who essays the role of Manju Devi, the village Pradhan in the series, shares, Panchayat has been one of the most enjoyable projects I've ever worked on. I am delighted to be part of Season 3! Doing the latest season felt like homecoming to me. Further adding, The series is amazing even though the characters are from rural areas, their beliefs, struggles, and how they deal with them are so relatable, no matter where you're from! What's great about Panchayat is that it stays true to a simple village life and the narrative puts the spotlight on the main challenges in each season. The show is funny, quirky, a light watch, yet it also teaches you how to stay focused and objective in tough times. Being part of this show has been an absolute honor for me, its because of Panchayat that today I am a household name. You know, they say it takes a village to raise a child, and in my case, I truly believe it took the whole village of Phulera to help me grow as a performer! Ive been extremely lucky to have actors such as Neena ji, Raghubir ji, Faisal and Chandan as my colleagues, which has helped me immensely to grow as an actor. The love and support Abhishek, my character and the show has received over the years just prove how much people enjoy stories that reflect the ups and downs in life in a fun and relatable way," commented Jitendra Kumar, who plays Abhishek, the protagonist in the series. Bengaluru: In Hubbali, Karnataka, a 20-year-old woman was brutally stabbed to death. Apparently, she rejected a neighbor's relationship proposal. According to reports, Girish Sawant, 21, allegedly entered Anjali Ambigera's home this morning while she was sleeping and repeatedly stabbed her with a knife. Police is searching for Sawant, who is currently escaping. Reportedly, it has come to light that Anjali had been pushed by Girish to initiate a romantic relationship, but she had declined. The attack was started by this. When police went to the victim's house, they found her body. Her relatives can be seen in heartbreaking images weeping over the loss. Hubbali-Dharwad police chief Gopal Byakod said the murder was reported in Veerapur Oni village. "We have registered the case and are investigating further to ascertain the motive behind this tragic incident. A team has been formed to apprehend the perpetrator," he said. Recently, Hubbali witnessed another horrifying college campus murder of a 23-year-old Neha Hiremath by her former classmate Fayaz Khondunaik. Neha was repeatedly stabbed by Fayaz on the campus. Upon being taken to a hospital, she was pronounced dead. According to a senior officer, the attacker admitted to police during questioning that he was seeing Neha, but she had abruptly stopped seeing him. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government of burning the income tax office in Delhi to cover up their wrongdoings. "The Income Tax office in the national capital Delhi was burnt to erase wrongdoings as the government fears a defeat in the Lok Sabha elections," the National Conference President stated. When asked by reporters about his speech on the fire incident at the IT department office in Delhi, Farooq Abdullah replied, "Yes, it was burnt down; haven't you seen that?" You should have seen it; it's gone viral all over. More importantly, why was the location where all of the files were stored where the raids took place burnt down? They know they are losing the Lok Sabha elections, and they will be questioned about it tomorrow." Farooq Abdullah went on to say, "The Files kept at the home Minister's office, where the most important files are secured, were burned why because they want to hide their frauds" . Farooq Abdullah said that the use of religion by political parties is not the problem, but rather the people who use religion for personal gain. Farooq Abdullah, pointing to PM Modi, said, "PM is using religion to save his chair". Chief Minister Naveen Singh Saini, during a recent election rally in Punhana, paid homage to Hasan Khan Mewati's sacrifice for the nation. In March, Haryana Ex-CM Manohar Lal Khattar visited Nuh in March this year, unveiling a statue of Raja Mewati and declaring it Martyrdom Day. Ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections, why is the BJP revisiting the Mewati legacy? Lok Sabha Elections 2024 While campaigning, BJP candidate Rao Indrajit Singh from Gurugram Lok Sabha seat, Raja Mewati's valorous legacy was spoken about. Singh praised Mewati's defiance against Babur's army. The candidate went on to highlight his martyrdom alongside 12,000 soldiers. This narrative is aimed at securing support from Muslim voters as BJP attempts to leverage Mewati's patriotism. Even RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat commended Raja Mewati's patriotism in 2015. Who was Hasan Khan Mewati? A 16th-century ruler, he fiercely resisted Babur's forces in battles like Panipat and Khanwa, earning martyrdom in the latter. Hailing from a lineage that extended from Alwar to Delhi, he encompassed regions like Tijara, Sarhata, and Kot Kasim. The ruler was known for his courage and ambition. BJP's Strategic Move In Haryana Last year, violence erupted in Nuh, Haryana, raising questions about communal harmony. Following this, curfews were imposed in Mewat for days. The violence had erupted during religious processions which were organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, deepening the turmoil between Hindus and Muslims in the region. Despite BJP's stronghold in the state, regions like Nuh are perceived as opposition strongholds and that's why the BJP is emphasising on Mewati's patriotism to bridge this gap. Another high-profile seat that will be going to polls in the fifth phase is Kaiserganj where the sitting MP and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been denied a ticket and his son Karan Bhushan Singh is in the electoral fray. Brij Bhushan is seeking votes for his son, but speeches often reflect the pain of not getting a ticket and this time he became emotional on the election stage in Gonda. Karan Bhushan Singh is pitted against Bhagat Ram Mishra of SP and Narendra Pandey of BSP. The former Wresling Federation of India (WFI) head while addressing a public meeting in Katra Bazar assembly constituency said that "I cannot remain silent, that is why conspiracies are being hatched against me. There was a conspiracy in 1996 when my wife became an MP and there is a conspiracy in 2024 when my son is going to become an MP. An emotional BJP MP said from the stage that for one and a half years my body has turned into a stone. There have so many injuries on this body." Hindus-Muslims Share One DNA: Brij Bhushan During his address, the Kaiserganj MP told Muslim voters that, "Whether someone says it or not, yours and our blood is same, If you don't believe it, take a DNA test. The DNA of 5 generations back will match". Brij Bhushan was seen getting emotional during the speech. "Vote for Karan, I will be grateful to you, I will be with you in all your sorrows and sorrows," the MP said. "If you want to sow seeds, sow in our favour, otherwise don't sow," he added. Brij Bushan Criticizes 'Bulldozer Policy' In UP Meanwhile, the Kaiserganj MP once again criticized CM Yogi's bulldozer policy. He said that the bulldozer policy has also caused damage to the party. "Bulldozers were brought for removing encroachments on Nazul land in Gonda but the entire city is built upon government land, will you demolish entire Gonda?" the former WFI chief said while criticising the policy. Nazul is referred to type of government land which is used for non-agricultural purpose like building, road, market, playground or any other public purpose. It is owned by the government. Responding to a question on bulldozer action on criminals' properties, Brij Bhushan said that determining who is a criminal and who is not is a lengthy process. "Bulldozer action is acceptable if there is great misery and terror in the society but when the same bulldozer runs over the poor, common man, and shopkeepers, it is not acceptable," he added. The Kaiserganj Lok Sabha constituency comprises three assembly segments - Tarabganj, Karnailganj and Katra - in Gonda district and two assembly segments - Kaiserganj and Payagpur - in Bahraich district.Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been elected from here for the last three consecutive terms. He won from Samajwadi Party in 2009. He won the seat in 2014 and 2019 as a BJP candidate. The Election Commission of India has accepted the nomination of 'Waris Punjab De' Chief and Khalistani separatist leader Amritpal Singh. He is now in the Lok Sabha poll fray from the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat in Punjab. Singh is contesting the polls independently. Amritpal Singh is currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail, Assam. Voting in Punjab will be held on June 1. The Khalistani leader is facing stringent charges including the National Security Act (NSA). He was arrested by Punjab Police and was shifted to Assam over security concerns. He was arrested on April 23 last year from Moga in Punjab, weeks after evading police. Singh came to limelight last year in February when his supporters besieged the Ajnala police station in Amritsar and got freed Lovepreet Toofan, a close aide of Singh. Toofan was arrested in a case related to kidnapping and assault by the Amritsar Police after a person named Veerendra Singh filed a case against them. Following this case, the police arrested Lovepreet Singh alias Toofan from Gurdaspur. Amrit Pal is also accused of threatening the administration against Toofan's arrest. He issued an ultimatum to the police that if his associate was not released, he would besiege the police station with his supporters. Later, hundreds of his supporters entered the Ajnala police station and got Toofan freed forcefully. Several policemen were injured during the confrontation in which they broke the jail to free Toofan. For several years now, Amritpal Singh has been a key figure in Punjab, according to government reports labeling him as a Khalistani-Pakistan agent. He is frequently accompanied by armed individuals and is suspected of receiving weapons from Pakistan via its intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence. Intelligence agencies further suggest that his activities aim to sow communal discord and division within Punjab. Allegedly, Amritpal Singh has been actively promoting a 'gun culture' among the youth. People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti, termed the ongoing voting and polls as an opportunity for people to express their pent-up emotions and convey to the BJP-led dispensation that whatever has happened on August 5, 2019, is unacceptable and must be rolled back at all costs. Addressing at a public rally, she emphasized that the PDP is of view that peoples participation in ongoing electoral process is just to give the central government an answer that abrogation of Article 370 is not acceptable to the people of Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti said, PDP ended ikhwan ( government gunmen) in 2002 when first came in power but a new breed of Ikhwanis has been implanted in Kashmir- their only mandate is to wear ties, go to people, threaten them, and bundle the youth in police stations. Our fight is not against any party or for personal gain but against the decision made on August 5, 2019. She criticized the silence of 3 MPs of National Conference on issues concerning Article 370 during its parliamentary tenure." She continued, "Our fight is not against any party; it is not for the chair or any post either. It is about the decision taken on August 5, 2019. Go to Jammu and see the hardships being faced by the locals there. They have no work. Their businesses are being taken away. Similar is the situation in Ladakh. The Kashmir valley has been turned into an open-air prison. A youth is taken into custody for no reason. In earlier times, if a youth was being taken into custody, the entire locality would approach the police station. At present, the situation is such that even the parents of the incarcerated youth cannot even voice for the release of their children." Mufti alleged, Our resources are being taken away that is why I say the ongoing elections transcend party politics. The people must decide now. NC was there in the parliament for five years when Article 370 was abrogated. Not even at a single instance did they raise the issue. The NC didn't ask why thousands of our youth are being jailed, why common people are being hounded. She said, It was the PDP that even not in parliament remained at the forefront and has been telling the union government that what was done on August 5,2019 was unconstitutional, illegal, and arbitrary. There is no other way but to roll it back." Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the function, Mehbooba said, "We are telling New Delhi through a ballot that the decisions are unacceptable to us. We are confident about winning." West Bengal Chief Minister and chief of All India Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee today said that her party will extend outside support to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) however with a rider. Addressing a poll rally, Banerjee softened her stance towards the opposition alliance which she had earlier refused to be a part of. Banerjee said that if the INDIA bloc wins the Lok Sabha poll, she will extend outside support. "BJP is claiming to win 400 seats, but people are saying it will not happen this time. We (TMC) will support the INDIA bloc from outside to form a government at the Centre," she said. However, she added that her support to the INDIA bloc will be on condition that the Bengal Congress and Left are not part of the alliance. Bengal Congress led by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has been at the odds with Banerjee government in the state despite Congress's top leadership taking a softer stance towards the Bengal government. The Left has been an arch-rival to Mamata Banerjee's TMC. "In the INDIA Bloc I am talking about, don't count the Bengal Congress and CPI(M). Those two are not with us. Those two are with the BJP," she said. The Chief Minister has earlier claimed that the INDIA bloc will win 300 to 315 seats while the BJP will win only 195 seats. In the 2019 elections as well, the TMC had contested all the 42 seats alone while the Congress and the Left had forged an alliance. The same equation has been repeated this time with the state witnessing a triangular contest - BJP-led NDA vs TMC vs Congress-Left alliance. Starbucks sign Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images Its not been a great month for Starbucks. On May 1, the international coffee chains shares fell 15% to their lowest in two years as the industry experiences what current CEO Laxman Laxman Narasimhan calls "a highly challenged environment." Starbucks also reported its first quarterly sales decline since 2020, as well as lower-than-expected earnings and same-store sales growth. Amid the early days of the pandemic, economic experts predicted that it would be a tough road to sustained profitability for coffee chains as many purchases were baked into customers' commutes; this became especially true once the number of people primarily working from home tripled from roughly 9 million to over 27 million. However, Starbucks is facing several additional complicating factors that seem to be reflected in this quarters numbers: boycotts, new competitors and, perhaps the most influential, a public comment from ex-CEO Howard Schultz indicating he wasnt confident in the chains current strategy and leadership. As the Washington Post reported in early March, Starbucks became embroiled in boycott calls on TikTok after it sued Workers United, a union of Starbucks employees, for trademark infringement over a since-deleted social media post from the unions account that retweeted an image of a bulldozer breaking through the barrier between Israel and Gaza. The post added the comment, Solidarity with Palestine! The company described the post as reckless and reprehensible. In response, the union countersued, which only intensified calls for boycotts, which some analysts have correlated, at least partially, to the dip in Starbucks sales. Another contributing factor is the fact that there are simply more coffee chains cutting into Starbucks market share. One of note is the Oregon-based Dutch Bros, which reported 10% same-store sales growth and positive traffic trends last quarter. In their assessment of the two coffee chains, National Restaurant News Joanna Fantozzi said that beyond hard numbers, the two companies have recently taken very different operational strategies. Whereas Starbucks has been constantly churning out new menu items with complex SKUs including last years Oleato, which received very mixed reviews; this years lavender matcha latte; the spring lineup of swicy drinks; and most recently, the release of summer beverages with boba-like pearls Dutch Bros menu innovation strategy has been more measured, she wrote. Fantozzi continued: In comparison, Starbucks LTO release schedule is more frequent and feels more frantic. Some of the flavors and ingredients Starbucks is adding also seem to be more niche and add more complexity to operations, like olive oil, lavender, and proprietary chili powder mix in the swicy lemonade Refreshers. Story continues Starbucks recent, aggressive introduction of new products, which will continue this summer with the release of the companys first blue beverage and of boba pearls, is one of the many things former CEO Howard Schultz subtly criticized in a recent LinkedIn post addressing the companys disappointing second quarter numbers. Over the past five days, I have been asked by people inside and outside the company for my thoughts on what should be done, Schultz wrote. I have emphasized that the companys fix needs to begin at home: U.S. operations are the primary reason for the companys fall from grace. The stores require a maniacal focus on the customer experience, through the eyes of a merchant. The answer does not lie in data, but in the stores. Schultz who served as the chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks from 1986 to 2000, from 2008 to 2017, and then interim CEO from 2022 to 2023 clarified that he has had no formal role within the company since April 2023 and no longer serves on the board of directors, but said his love of all those who wear the cloth of the company knows no bounds. Senior leaders including board members need to spend more time with those who wear the green apron, Schultz wrote. One of their first actions should be to reinvent the mobile ordering and payment platform, which Starbucks pioneered, to once again make it the uplifting experience it was designed to be. The go-to-market strategy needs to be overhauled and elevated with coffee-forward innovation that inspires partners, and creates differentiation in the marketplace, reinforcing the companys premium position. Through it all, focus on being experiential, not transactional. Its worth noting Starbucks current CEO Laxman Narasimhan, who assumed the role last spring, has been working a half-day shift once a month in one of the companys stores to better understand its culture, but that didnt seem to play into Schultz assessment of the company. There are no quick fixes, Schultz wrote in his LinkedIn post. But the path forward should be what has guided the company over decades of financial success: Inspire your people, exceed the expectations of your customers, and let culture and servant leadership lead the way. Both mainstream and industry publications, from the Wall Street Journal (with the story Howard Schultz Is Back-Seat Driving Starbucks. That's a Problem for His Successor) to PR Daily, have commented on the impact of Schultz post. The overall situation is awkward for current CEO Laxman Narasimhan, who Schultz helped to recruit, PR Dailys editor-in-chief Allison Carter wrote. But overall, its Schultz who comes off the worst here, publicly backseat driving under the guise of thought leadership. If he wants to communicate with Starbucks leadership, he certainly has the means to do so. But public criticism of a former employer rarely reflects well. In the two weeks since Starbucks quarterly numbers were released, which were punctuated by Schultzs post, financial experts and analysts have been debating the severity of Starbucks current financial issues. As Reuters reported, Deutsche Bank downgraded its rating on Starbucks to "hold" from "buy, while at least 12 brokerages cut target price on the stock. "The inability to stop the traffic leakage from the early signs of pull-back in November to date and the worsening macro and competitive dynamics in China may suggest prolonged challenges and no evidence of light at the end of the tunnel," Danilo Gargiulo, senior analyst at Bernstein, told the publication. Mumbai was recently rattled by an unexpected severe dust storm and rainfall on Monday. Adding to the horror, a towering illegal billboard, standing at a staggering height of 100 feet, tragically collapsed onto a petrol pump in Ghatkopar. The giant board claimed the lives of over 14 individuals while causing injuries to 74 others. Rampant Corruption Upon investigation, it has come to the fore that the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) regulations permit hoardings of a maximum size of 4040 feet, whereas this illicit billboard far exceeded that limit. It is questionable how the BMC could overlook such blatant corruption involving a structure three times the allowable size? Meet Bhavesh Bhinde - Man Behind Mumbai Board Collapse Head of Ego Media Private Limited, Bhavesh Bhinde, was the owner of the hoarding that collapsed. The massive hoarding in the Ghatkopar neighborhood of Mumbai was installed by the company. At the Pant Nagar police station, the police have now filed a second FIR against Bhavesh Bhinde and other people for culpable homicide that does not qualify as murder. Ongoing Criminal Charges Against Bhavesh Bhinde The situation becomes even more concerning when considering the oversized hoarding and the unauthorized construction, but what adds to the gravity of the matter is the recent revelation that Bhavesh Bhinde was accused of rape in January of this year, leading to a case being filed against him at the Mulund Police Station. It's worth noting the puzzling fact that despite facing 23 criminal cases, including rape allegations, Bhinde has maintained a longstanding association with the BMC. Rapport Between BMC And Bhavesh Bhinde According to reports, Bhavesh Bhinde had secured various contracts from the Indian Railways and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to install banners and billboards through the years. Bhinde, however, allegedly breached the regulations of the two entities multiple times. Bhinde, along with other associates in his company, has been implicated in cases which involved tree poisoning and tree cutting. Bhinde had earlier managed a company called Guju Ads. This company was subsequently blacklisted by the BMC because of multiple legal issues. Bhinde kept getting contracts for hoardings and billboards even after being placed on the blacklist. Is the eligibility criteria for BMC too lenient? As per an official BMC document, bidders meeting the qualifying criteria may face disqualification if 'they have a history of poor performance in litigation'. It would be naive to suggest that the BMC simply overlooked 23 criminal cases against the owner of the large signboard, which tragically claimed 14 lives. Here's a snippet of the document: Insight Into The Working Of BMC Discussing the presence of international companies within the BMC, Samajwadi Party MLA and former Corporator Rais Shaikh once remarked, "The BMC lacks a robust document verification system. Engineers and officials face challenges in verifying domestic documents, let alone those of international companies." Additionally, former Congress corporator Ravi Raja, who previously served as the opposition leader in the BMC, has called for action, citing concerns about collusion between BMC officials and contractors. He said, "BMC officials are also in connivance with contractors". This was a terribly avoidable tragedy. India has sealed a 10-year deal with Iran for the development and operations of the Chabahar port. Soon after the deal, the United States warned that the deal could invite sanctions. However, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the project will benefit all in the region. Jaishankar said that those criticising the project should not take a 'narrow view' of it. "I did see some remarks which were made, but it's a question of communicating, convincing and getting people to understand that this is actually for everybody's benefit. I dont think people should take a narrow view of it, and they have not done so in the past. If you look at even US' own attitude to Chabahar in the past, the US has been appreciative of the fact that Chabahar has a larger relevance. So we will work at it," said Jaishankar. Jaishankar further said that India had a long association with the project, but was not able to sign a long-term pact, which was important. He added that New Delhi was able to sort out the issues and sign the long-term agreement, which will benefit the entire region. The United States warned on Tuesday that 'anyone' considering business deals with Tehran needs to be aware of the 'potential risk of sanctions'. US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Vedant Patel said at a press briefing that US sanctions on Iran remain in place and the US will continue to enforce them. "Any entity, anyone considering business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risk they are opening themselves up to, potential risk of sanctions," he said. Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) of India and the Port & Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran on Monday signed the Long-Term Bilateral Contract on Chabahar Port Operation, enabling the operation of Shahid-Behesti port in the Chabahar Port Development Project for 10 years. Janta Dal Secular MP from Hassan and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowdas grandson Prajwal Revanna, who is on run after getting accused in an alleged sex scandal is likely to return on Thursday to Bengaluru. As per a report from NDTV, The Hassan MP booked a returning ticket on a Lufthansa Airlines flight that is scheduled to land at 12.30 am tomorrow on Bengaluru airport from Munich in Germany. The same report suggested that the tickets were booked on the same day when Revanna booked his tickets to Germany, a day before an FIR was registered against him. To find Revanna, a lookout and a Blue Corner alert have been issued and after the ticket booking appeared the Karnataka SIT investigating the obscene video case has alerted the airport authorities. The FIR was lodged on May 8 in Bengaluru, reported PTI citing the sources inside the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was constituted to probe the case. The first FIR relates to the alleged molestation of his cook in Holenarasipura, Hassan. H.D. Revanna, Prajwal's father and the MLA for Holenarasipura, is also implicated in this case. The second accusation involves the alleged rape of a JD(S) worker at gunpoint. Days before the Lok Sabha elections several videos of Revanna went viral on social media. Following the allegations, Revanna had said in a post on social media platform X, he said, As I am not in Bangalore to attend the enquiry, I have communicated to C.I.D Bangalore through my Advocate. Truth will prevail soon. His father HD Revanna had been arrested on charges of kidnapping case linked to the 'obscene video' case. But yesterday, a special court of people's representatives granted him conditional bail, and he has been released from Parappana Agrahara Jail. HD Revanna has labelled the case as a "political conspiracy," stating, "In my four decades of political experience, I have never witnessed anything of this nature." New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued alert against incidents of Blackmail and Digital Arrest by cyber criminals impersonating state/UT Police, NCB, CBI, RBI and other law enforcement agencies. MHA has also advised citizens to be alert and spread awareness about these types of frauds. On receipt of such calls, the citizens should immediately report the incident on cybercrime helpline number 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in for assistance. "A large number of complaints are being reported on National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) regarding intimidation, blackmail, extortion and Digital Arrests by cyber criminals posing as Police Authorities, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Narcotics Department, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Enforcement Directorate and other Law Enforcement Agencies," the MHA said in a statement. The MHA said that these fraudsters typically call a potential victim and inform that the victim has sent or is the intended recipient of a parcel, which contains illegal goods, drugs, fake passports or any other contraband item. Sometimes, they also inform that a near or dear one of the victim has been found to be involved in a crime or an accident and is in their custody. A demand for money is made to compromise the case. In certain instances, unsuspecting victims are made to undergo Digital Arrest and remain visually available over Skype or other video conferencing platform to the fraudsters, till their demands are met. The fraudsters are known to use studios modeled on Police Stations and Government offices and wear uniforms to appear genuine. Across the country, several victims have lost large amounts of money to such criminals. This is an organized online economic crime and is learnt to be operated by cross-border crime syndicates. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, coordinates activities related to combating cybercrime in the country. MHA is closely working with other Ministries and their agencies, RBI and other organizations to counter these frauds. I4C is also providing inputs and technical support to Police Authorities of States/UTs for identifying and investigating the cases. I4C has also blocked more than 1,000 Skype IDs involved in such activities, in collaboration with Microsoft. It is also facilitating blocking of SIM cards, Mobile devices and Mule accounts used by such fraudsters. I4C has also issued various alerts through infographics and videos on its social media platform Cyberdost for e.g. X, Facebook, Instagram and others. As Pakistan struggles with bankruptcy and its people long for staples like wheat and lentils, the nation's 17,000 billionaires have bought 23,000 residences in Dubai. Together, the wealth of this group of politicians is estimated to be around 11 billion dollars. The 'Dubai Unlocked' report has uncovered shocking facts regarding foreigners' property ownership in Dubai. The report mentions politicians, people and organisations facing US sanction, and individuals with criminals records. The data were obtained by the Centre for Advanced Defence Studies (C4ADS), a non-profit organisation based in the United States that studies international crime and conflict. The information was shared with Norwegian financial outlet E24 and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which oversaw an investigation involving media outlets from around the world. The collaboration, titled 'Dubai Unlocked', involves 74 partners from 58 countries. The report reveals that 29,700 Indians own 35,000 residential properties in Dubai, making them the country's top buyers of real estate. With 17,000 Pakistanis having purchased 23,000 residential properties, Pakistan comes in second. Saudi Arabian and British nationals are ranked third and fourth, respectively. Pakistan's Elites Named In Dubai Leaks The report provides information on hundreds of thousands of properties and their owners in Dubai from 2020 to 2022. Among the Pakistanis, the list includes the three children of President Asif Ali Zardari, Hussain Nawaz Sharif, the wife of Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi, four MPs, and more than six legislators from the provincial assemblies of Sindh and Balochistan. The report also includes former Pakistani Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf, former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, and over a dozen retired army generals, along with a police chief, an ambassador, and a scientist. These individuals either purchased property directly in their name or in the name of their children and wives. Dawn reported that PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari declared these two properties in his statement of assets and liabilities submitted to the ECP. Hussain Nawaz, the son of former premier and PML-N president Nawaz Sharif, is among the listed owners in the leaks. The report reveals that President Asif Ali Zardari received foreign property as a gift in 2014. From 2020 to 2022, the report offers details on hundreds of thousands of properties in Dubai, as well as their owners. The list of Pakistanis comprises Hussain Nawaz Sharif, the wife of Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi, three of President Asif Ali Zardari's children, four Members of Parliament, and over six lawmakers from Sindh and Balochistan's provincial assemblies. Together with former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and over a dozen retired army generals, the report also features a scientist, an ambassador, a police chief, and a former chief of staff of the Pakistani Army, Pervez Musharraf. These people bought real estate either directly or through the names of their spouses and kids. Pakistan Prez Received Foreign Properties As Gifts According to the report, President Asif Ali Zardari received a foreign propertieas as a gift in 2014.However, when he declared it in 2018, it had already been gifted to someone else. Aslam Masood, the CFO of Pakistan's Omni Group, and his wife own several properties. The list also includes Hamid Mukhtar Shah, a Rawalpindi doctor who was sanctioned by the United States for allegedly kidnapping, detaining, and running a kidney transplant racket on labourers' in the country. The Altaf Khanani Network, which was sanctioned by the US for involvement in money laundering also features on the list. Pakistan's Home Minister Owns Villa Worth Crores Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's wife owns a property in Dubai, which he did not declare on his election nomination papers. Naqvi's wife has a five-bedroom villa in Arabian Ranches. This villa was purchased in 2017 for around 330 million rupees. It has now generated 45 million rupees in rent. In 2023, it was sold for 344 million rupees. In response to the media, he stated that he bought another property in Dubai in January of this year, while Naqvi was Punjab's Home Minister. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and wounded in the abdomen after a government meeting on Wednesday (May 15), Slovak media reported. A witness heard several shots fired after the meeting in Handlova northeast of the capital Bratislava. Police detained a man and security officials pushed someone into a car and drove off, the witness said. Emergency services said a helicopter had been sent for a 59-year-old man in Handlova after receiving information that he had been shot. Selon les informations des medias slovaques, le premier ministre Robert Fico aurait ete touche par balles a plusieurs reprises. Un a l'abdomen, un a la tete. Il est dans un etat grave. Il est oppose a lagenda de Bruxelles et a la guerre en Ukraine. Il a ete accuse en 2022 pic.twitter.com/lllVFetQKX Alexis Poulin (@Poulin2012) May 15, 2024 The government office could not immediately be reached for comment. Several EU leaders condemned the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen strongly condemned "the vile attack", she said on social media platform X. "Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family", she added. I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico and his family. Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 15, 2024 European Council President Charles Michel, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte all said on X they were shocked by the news. "Nothing can ever justify violence or such attacks", Michel said. Amid the Russia-Ukrain crisis, President Vladimir Putin is reshuffling people in his official circle. While Putin replaced his army chief days ago, he has now demoted one of the key aides while promoting two younger officials. President Vladimir Putin demoted Nikolai Patrushev to a job overseeing the shipbuilding industry, he elevated two younger lieutenants to senior Kremlin posts. Who Is Nikolai Patrushev? Nikolai Patrushev is a Cold War warrior who crafted the Kremlin's national security strategy for a long and was considered close to President Putin. According to Reuters, Patrushev also served in KGB - the Russian spy agency. Patrushev was moved from the heart of the modern-day politburo to oversee shipbuilding after serving as secretary of the Security Council for 16 years. Who Is Aleksey Dyumin? President Vladimir Putin promoted Aleksey Dyumin to oversee a key Kremlin job. Dyumin was one of the bodyguards of Putin. Dyumin has been brought into the Kremlin after serving as a regional governor of Russia's Tula region. As per the promotion, he would now oversee the defence industry, the State Council advisory body and sport. According to Reuters, Dyumin entered Russia's Federal Guards Service (FSO), which ensures the security of the Kremlin elite, in 1995 and guarded Putin during his first and second terms. He has also worked as deputy head of the GRU (Russian military intelligence). As per experts of the Russian political circle and Kremlin insiders, many believe Putin sees Dyumin as his successor. Other Reshuffles Vladimir Putin retained Anton Vaino, 52, as chief of staff and Alexei Gromov, 63, and Sergei Kiriyenko, 61, as first deputy chiefs of staff and elevated Maxim Oreshkin, 41, to deputy chief of staff. Patrushev's 46-year-old son, Dmitry, was, however, promoted to the job of deputy prime minister in charge of agriculture. Oreshkin, born only nine years before the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, was promoted from Kremlin economic aide to the job of deputy chief of staff. In the government, Denis Manturov, 55, was given the role of first deputy prime minister and will run industry while Alexander Novak, 52, will remain as deputy prime minister overseeing energy but will get additional duties for running the economy. By Alimat Aliyeva Ashraf Mohi El-Din, director general of the administration of the Giza plateau, where the ancient Egyptian pyramids are located, told reporters that claims that great discoveries were made in the area adjacent to the Great Pyramid of Khufu are not true, Azernews reports. Mohi El-Din noted that during the radar survey conducted in April 2023, an underground cavity of unknown nature and content, as well as artifacts, was discovered. Thus, a joint Egyptian-Japanese archaeological mission was launched to excavate the site of this sinkhole. An Egyptian official said that the mission is actively engaged in excavations these days, but there have been no new archaeological discoveries in the area. He noted that after the completion of the mission, regardless of the results of the excavations, a detailed report will be submitted to the government. Before I moved to Portsmouth three years ago, I spent a decade working as a political staffer for members of Congress from across the United States. Though all the lawmakers I worked for were Democrats, their views on guns varied. One had an A+ rating from the NRA and voted with the gun lobby every time. A second was a moderate, supporting some things like universal background checks, but not others. A third, a Marine veteran who served in Iraq, gave credibility to the Left on guns and actively introduced legislation like a federal ban on bumpstocks. Tim Biba Over the course of my employment, Congress considered legislation following several mass shootings, including those at Sandy Hook Elementary and Parkland High School, Pulse Nightclub, and the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas. Ive taken hundreds of phone calls from NRA members and reviewed thousands of emails. I was present in a meeting where a congressman told a group of parents from Sandy Hook that he would be a decisive vote against the policy named for their dead kids. It is possible I have heard every argument for and against legislation concerning gun policy. Thats why I find Kittery Trading Posts threat to leave Maine because of a state law taking effect this summer so odd. The law, which would require a 72-hour wait between the sale of a gun and the purchaser receiving it, is the Maine legislature's response to the Lewiston mass shooting last year. According to reporting from Seacoastonline, Kittery Trading Posts owners recently sent a letter to the Sportsmans Alliance of Maine claiming the law would result in a loss of $400,000 in sales tax revenue for Maine and 40,000 customers per year who the business estimates would purchase a gun if they didnt have to wait for 72 hours to get one. Kittery Trading Posts impact statement does not reflect what has happened to other sporting goods stores who have changed how they do business in response to mass shootings. According to a case study from the Harvard Business School, Ed Stack, the CEO of Dicks Sporting Goods, decided to stop selling the type of semi-automatic rifle used in the Parkland mass shooting and declined to sell guns and ammunition to any customer under age 21. One company study that Stack reviewed estimated Dicks would lose $250 million as a result of these company policies, which are far more restrictive than Maines law. Stack, whose father founded Dicks, was the largest shareholder of the companys stock. He also worried Wall Street would respond negatively, causing further losses. The company did lose money off the bat, but it made up the lost profits in future quarters. In fact, the decision actually resulted in more revenue for Dicks in the long run, because the company stocked the areas of its stores where the guns used to be with items that had better profit margins than guns. Story continues REI and Maines own L.L. Bean followed Stacks lead, and both seem to be doing just fine. REI made $3.76 billion in net sales last year. L.L. Bean made $1.7 billion, the companys third-best year in its history. Last year was so good that L.L. Beans Board of Directors approved a performance bonus of 9% of annual pay for all of its approximately 5,600 employees. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has invited Kittery Trading Post to move to New Hampshire touting the states tax and gun policies. But relocating a business that is beloved by its community, is sighted in a high-traffic shopping area and whose brand is unmistakably rooted in Maine seems like a decision that would hurt the bottom line. Maines legislature isnt even talking about a ban on ammunition or gun sales, just a 72-hour waiting period between the purchase of a gun and the receipt of it. According to Giffords, the nonprofit former Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords founded after a 33-year-old man shot her in the head and killed six other people including a member of her staff, a 9-year-old girl, and a federal judge at a Congress on Your Corner event in the parking lot of a supermarket, state laws like the one Maine enacted give the government the time it takes to process a background check and could prevent impulsive gun purchases by people who are contemplating suicide. If they track like the rest of the country, Kittery Trading Posts customers support a waiting period. According to Giffords, waiting periods like Maines have the support of 85% of non-gun owners and 72% of gun owners. In fact, 75% of the country says it would support a 30-day waiting period, far longer than the 72-hour period that Maine has enacted. When business owners like Kittery Trading Posts use a business argument to fearmonger over gun policy there is little downside, because there is currently no market force beyond civic responsibility working in opposition to profit that accurately reflects the death and terror that guns have wrought in this country. State legislatures and Congress could create one by passing policies that give the victims of gun violence the ability to hold gun sellers and gun makers civilly liable for selling guns to the wrong people. Congress could do this nationally by repealing the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, and Maines legislature and other states could repeal similar state-level policies that shield gunmakers and gunsellers from liability. Our community has given its business to Kittery Trading Post for 86 years. Rather than fearmonger and threaten to turn its back on us, the businesss owners should consider the facts. If they follow Stacks example, they might even make more money. Tim Biba spent a decade as a congressional communications staffer for three members of Congress. He is currently a public relations consultant for publicly-traded companies. He lives in Portsmouth. He is an avid hiker and skier who regularly shops at Kittery Trading Post. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Biba: Kittery Trading Posts fearmongering on guns bad for business By Suzanne McGee and Hannah Lang (Reuters) - A handful of hedge funds, including Millennium Management LLC, and other asset managers are among the institutions that acquired stakes in the recently launched U.S. exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to the price of bitcoin in the first quarter, according to recent regulatory filings. New York-based Millenium revealed it had $2 billion invested in several of the new ETFs as of March 31. That included positions in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, and funds launched by issuers such as Bitwise Investments and ARK Investment Management. Other purchasers included Boston-based hedge fund manager Bracebridge Capital, which owned $262 million of shares in the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF as of the end of the first quarter and $81 million in the BlackRock product. Bracebridge, which did not return calls seeking comment, has among its clients a group of institutional investors such as the endowments of Yale University and Princeton University. A filing from the state of Wisconsin's investment board, which manages $156 billion in assets for the Wisconsin Retirement System, disclosed purchases of BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust worth more than $99 million as of the end of March. It also disclosed holding of more than $63 million in shares in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust. The State of Wisconsin Investment Board declined to comment. Other hedge funds with positions in the bitcoin ETFs included some that had already invested in bitcoin before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission finally approved the spot bitcoin ETFs in January. New York-based Hunting Hill Global Capital said it owned $29.1 million in the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin ETF and $21.3 million in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust. Adam Guren, founder and CEO of Hunting Hill, said the firm had been investing in Grayscale's bitcoin trust for a year or more as bitcoin's price and the value of its stake increased ahead of the ETF approval. Investors have poured some $29 billion into the bitcoin ETFs since January, Morningstar Direct data showed. The filings appear to confirm that while a handful of hedge funds have taken large positions, retail investors - including investment advisors - remain the largest category of purchasers by number. Hightower Advisors, one of the largest advisory firms in the country, disclosed holdings of about $68 million in the bitcoin ETFs, but declined to comment on portfolio decisions. The quarterly disclosures, known as 13-F filings, are made to the Securities and Exchange Commission around 45 days after the end of each quarter and may not reflect current positions. Story continues Matt Hougan, chief investment officer of Bitwise, noted in a memo to clients posted on the social media platform X that he expected that by the time all the filings are processed, they will show that as many as 700 institutions own $5 billion or more in the new ETFs. Until these filings appeared, it has been difficult to determine which investors have been behind the buying in the products, which has greatly exceeded even the most bullish estimates and helped drive the price of bitcoin itself to new highs this year. (This May 15 story has been corrected to fix the company's name to Millennium Mgt, not Millenium Global, in the headline) (Reporting by Suzanne McGee and Hannah Lang; Editing by Ira Iosebashvili, Michelle Price and Richard Chang) By Ross Kerber and Davide Barbuscia (Reuters) -Top asset manager BlackRock on Wednesday said only about 58% of advisory votes cast at its annual meeting supported the pay of its top executives. At the meeting, which was webcast, BlackRock also said each of its 16 director nominees received well over a majority of votes cast. It said three shareholder resolutions, including a call for an independent board chair, won no more than 10% support. Top proxy advisers had recommended votes against the pay of BlackRock's top executives including Chief Executive Larry Fink, who received $27.6 million last year. Institutional Shareholder Services said it had concerns about the process used to determine annual cash incentive awards. Support for such "say on pay" resolutions at S&P 500 companies averages around 90%, pay consultants say. Asked about the pay vote, BlackRock said in a statement sent by a representative that it looks forward to engaging with shareholders. "BlackRock has a longstanding pay-for-performance culture, and our executive compensation program is based on the same metrics-driven approach that has received substantial shareholder support in prior years," the company said in the statement. At the meeting Fink was asked whether the company should have a neutral stance on fossil fuels in light of recent disputes with Republican officials in U.S. states. Fink said the companys "only agenda is to maximize returns for clients. "We have never put politics over performance, and our clients know this, he said. Separately, Fink said BlackRock continues to see demand for sustainable investment strategies, particularly in Europe and in private markets. "Our role is to serve as a fiduciary for our clients ... as a result of (the) choices our clients have made, we are the largest investor in both hydrocarbons and renewables, he said. (Reporting by Ross Kerber in Boston and Davide Barbuscia in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Disney CEO Bob Iger gave a mea culpa for big losses incurred while launching streaming platforms like Disney+ during an investor conference appearance on Wednesday. As we got into the streaming business in a very, very aggressive way, we tried to tell too many stories. Basically we invested too much, way ahead of possible returns. Its what led to streaming ending up as a $4 billion loss, Iger told the MoffettNathanson Media, Internet & Communications Conference during a session that was webcast. More from The Hollywood Reporter Iger addressed a falling out with his hand-picked successor, former Disney CEO Bob Chapek, whose tenure he called out for lavish and misplaced content spending. It was clear to me that our structure was not working, because we were removing accountability from those that were basically investing the most capital was a mistake, he argued. Iger said Chapek had moved the P&L (profit and losses) responsibility to the studios distribution arm, a move he reversed on his return as CEO in 2022. The result of spending more on content than could be turned to profit resulted in volume and not quality, which turned out to be a mistake, Iger added. The Disney boss conceded volume was required to win the streaming wars against rivals like Netflix and Prime Video. But he added: Theres a very fine line that you can cross and get in trouble if your volume ends up diluting managements attention to what is being made is right. And thats what happened to us. So I have pulled that back, Iger told the conference. As part of his turnaround plan for Disney, Iger said he reinstalled a link between the creative and monetization sides of the studio to basically help guide what was being made, when it was being made and where, meaning internationally. He reiterated his respect for rival Netflix for being able to engage users with appealing content. Ive been telling everybody good isnt good enough. It has to be great. Just keep driving that, but if you force them to make too much, then that becomes almost impossible to do, Iger added, returning to the thorny question of balancing volume with quality. To drive engagement, Igers evolving streaming strategy has included bundling Disney+ with Hulu. I wont get into too many details there, but if you are a Disney+ subscriber, for an extra $2 you can get Hulu ad-supported The combination of those two is an engagement play more than anything else, Iger said. Story continues He added bundling Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ to get all three streaming services together potentially can increase engagement to an extraordinary level. Iger also addressed his 2022 statement made when he was no longer Disney CEO, but about to return to replace Chapek, that traditional TV was marching to a distinct precipice, and its going to be pushed off. That was followed by Iger when back at the Disney helm announcing he was looking at all options, including a possible sale of ABC, ESPN and its linear TV assets. He has since revised his strategic thinking around Disneys linear TV assets, he told the investors conference, and now sees them as part of a wider slate of assets to engage consumers. When I came back, I did declare everything was on the table, Iger recalled of a root and branch look at the studios asset base. And I looked very expansively at traditional media. Ultimately I concluded and I know I mentioned the word portfolio where its not going to be a growth business, but it could become an important component to our ability to basically engage with the consumer, Iger argued. Along with that strategy, Disney had reduced its content spend for traditional TV networks, invested in some and then managed them seamlessly with streaming platforms, whether thats ABC or Hulu. So you have the same executives managing both, and their goal is to drive basically bottom line growth and success, Iger argued. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Following the deaths of 346 victims of the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines accidents, prosecutors criminally charged Boeing with defrauding safety officials by circumventing proper federal oversight of its aircraft design. Boeing paid $2.5 billion to defer prosecution for three years, after which the charges would usually be dropped but the Justice Department claimed in a court filing Tuesday that the company breached the terms of the settlement. In a letter to the federal judge presiding over the case, the Justice Department said that Boeing had failed to design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the U.S. fraud laws throughout its operations. The letter added, For failing to fulfill completely the terms of and obligations under the [deferred prosecution agreement], Boeing is subject to prosecution by the United States for any federal criminal violation of which the United States has knowledge. The Justice Department notes it can specifically prosecute Boeing over the criminal charge that was the subject of the settlement agreement conspiracy to defraud the United States. As part of its deferred prosecution agreement, Boeing knowingly waive[d] any right it may have to indictment on this charge. A string of unsettling incidents that involve Boeings 737 Max models have shaken the publics faith in the the companys aircraft. Whistleblowers testified in April that Boeing has prioritized profits over safety days later, CEO Dave Calhoun said in a statement to employees that the company had taken significant steps to strengthen quality and safety, and that a Boeing airplane safely takes off or lands just about every second of every day. In January, just six minutes after taking off from Portland, Oregon, a 737 Max 9 airplane lost a door plug and the door suddenly blew out from the airframe. All passengers and crew survived, with several minor injuries reported. Passengers filed a class-action suit against Boeing, claiming emotional trauma. The Boeing settlement agreement relates to Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines tragedies that occurred years prior. In October 2018, Lion Air flight JT 610 crashed into the Java Sea only 13 minutes after taking off from Jakarta, bound for another island in Indonesia, killing all 189 on board. The plane, a 737 Max 8, was in the first accident involving a 737 Max and the deadliest 737 accident since the line was introduced in 1967. Just months after, another Max 8 crashed into a field six minutes after taking from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, en route to Nairobi, Kenya, in March 2019. All 157 people aboard were killed. Story continues More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) is a stock that most investors know about and that many would like to say they own. The problem is that buying a share of the conglomerate is rather costly, noting that the A share class has a 52-week high of around $647,000! With this stock now comfortably below $625,000, should you buy it? There are a few things to consider first. Berkshire Hathaway comes with more than one option Berkshire Hathaway actually has two share classes, one with a price tag in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and the other with a more modest price in the hundreds. The more expensive shares can be converted into 1,500 of the less costly ones at the holder's option. Essentially, they both represent ownership in Berkshire Hathaway, just at different percentage levels. So, the first thing any investor needs to consider is which share class is more attractive. Image source: Getty Images. The A and B shares generally trade in lockstep with each other, so the real question is how much money you have to spend. Most will probably want to opt for the B shares, given the lower price point. Berkshire Hathaway's B shares are currently trading at about $410 per share, down from their $52-week high of roughly $430. What exactly is Berkshire Hathaway? The bigger question for most investors will be what they are buying when they add Berkshire Hathaway to their portfolio. This isn't as easy to discern as you might think. Although the company is usually lumped into the financial sector, its business goes well beyond that segment of the market. For example, while Berkshire Hathaway owns the insurer GEICO, it also owns BNSF Railway, one of the largest train companies in North America. And it owns several regulated large utilities. And a number of midstream energy companies. These three businesses are so large that they get broken out as a separate item on Berkshire Hathaway's balance sheet. However, it also owns retail businesses, manufacturing operations, and chemical companies, among other things. Then there's the nearly $336 billion portfolio of stocks that Berkshire Hathaway owns. BRK.A Chart In many ways, Berkshire Hathaway is more like a mutual fund than a company. That leads to two important concepts. First, you are really buying into the investment approach of Chief Executive Officer Warren Buffett. Second, even though there will be times when Berkshire Hathaway stock is out of favor, there's really no good or bad time to buy an investment approach. To sum up that approach, Buffett tends to buy historically well-run companies when they are out of favor, and then he holds on to them for the long term. Story continues If that sounds like a good investment plan, then you might want to consider buying Berkshire Hathaway while it is trading below $625,000 per share (or around $415, in the case of the B shares). That said, the stock, despite the pullback from 52-week highs, is trading just a percentage point or two below its all-time highs. If you would rather wait for a lower price, 20% pullbacks aren't at all uncommon here. BRK.A Chart The one thing you need to consider if you decide to try to time your entry point is that Berkshire Hathaway often pulls back sharply when the broader market is also pulling back sharply. So, it can be hard to pull the trigger if you don't make a specific plan to buy it ahead of time. Put another way, don't think you'll buy when the time is "right" because Berkshire Hathaway stock is likely to be most attractive while investors are selling stocks indiscriminately in a bear market. It's hard to be a contrarian when there's blood in the streets. Never a good time to buy Berkshire Hathaway In some ways, there's really no good time to buy Berkshire Hathaway. When the stock is doing well, it might look expensive. When the stock is "cheap," it will be hard to justify buying anything, let alone Berkshire Hathaway, because of a bear market. All in, if you want to buy Berkshire Hathaway you should probably just go ahead and start a position when you have the cash to do so. Over the long term, this unique stock has easily outdistanced the S&P 500 index because of the way the company is run, not because of any specific business within the company's highly diversified portfolio of investments (fully owned or partially owned). The one thing you do need to closely track, however, is that the investment approach doesn't change. Should you invest $1,000 in Berkshire Hathaway right now? Before you buy stock in Berkshire Hathaway, 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 Berkshire Hathaway 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 $553,880!* 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 13, 2024 Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Should You Buy Berkshire Hathaway While It's Below $625,000? was originally published by The Motley Fool China Automotive Systems, the power steering components and systems supplier, said Q1 sales were down 2% to US$139.4m, gross profit increased 11.6% to $24.1m with a gross margin of 17.3% (versus 15.2% a year ago) and operating income increased 26% to $9.7m. Income per share increased 17.4% to $0.27. CEO Qizhou Wu said: "We remain confident in our sales growth in 2024, despite a slight decline in the 2024 first quarter. Our electric power steering (EPS) sales percentage remained consistent around 34% of total sales in the first quarter of 2024. "International sales were mixed as sales in Brazil continued its growth trend with a 17.6% year over year sales rise, and North American sales were down by 12.4% year over year mainly due to temporary lower product sales to Stellantis in the first quarter." Management reiterated revenue guidance for the full fiscal year 2024 of $605m. "CAS Q1 sales down but profit up" was originally created and published by Just Auto, 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 Alimat Aliyeva Hungary and Slovakia have blocked a statement on behalf of all 27 EU states regarding the adoption of the law on Transparency of Foreign Influence in Georgia, Azernews reports. The EC said that the statement itself would be made in a different format. It should be noted that yesterday the Parliament of Georgia adopted the draft law on foreign agents in the third reading. The discussion of the bill took place against the background of protests and fights between deputies from the ruling Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia party and opposition parties that oppose the law. Earlier, the foreign ministers of the 12 EU states called for a record of what retaliatory measures will follow from Brussels in the event of the final adoption of the controversial law. In addition, the European Parliament adopted a tough resolution listing recommended responses. These include personal sanctions, revision of the visa-free regime of Georgia and the EU, suspension of financial assistance, refusal to start negotiations on the country's accession to the community. Copthorne Hotel Holdings, a fully owned subsidiary of City Developments Limited (CDL), has acquired the Hilton Paris Opera hotel from funds managed by Blackstone. The acquisition is valued at 240m ($302.30m). Situated in Paris's 8th arrondissement and adjacent to the Saint-Lazare train station, the deluxe hotel has 268 rooms across five floors. The 18,339m hotel includes four food and beverage outlets, eight conference and meeting rooms, and two retail spaces on the ground floor. Hilton Paris Opera, designed by French architect Juste Lisch, features a Haussmanian facade. The hotel underwent a renovation in 2015 with a 43.4m investment. Last year, it earned the BREEAM In-Use Very Good certification. CDL executive chairman Kwek Leng Beng said: Throughout history, Paris has been one of Europes most recognisable and enduring cities, and a premier travel destination, beloved for its culture, cuisine, and fashion. This acquisition provides us with the rare opportunity to enhance our hospitality portfolio with a trophy asset, expand our presence in a key gateway city in Europe ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics and bolster our recurring income with potential for value-add. Following the latest acquisition, CDL's presence in Paris now includes three hotels, totalling 670 rooms. The group's other two Parisian properties are the 163-room M Social Hotel Paris Opera and the 239-room Millennium Hotel Paris Charles de Gaulle. Both are operated by CDL's subsidiary Millennium & Copthorne Hotels. "CDL unit acquires Hilton Paris Opera hotel in 240m deal " was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, 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. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) The head of Brazils state-controlled oil and gas giant Petrobras has stepped down, the company said Wednesday, following months of tensions with the federal government. Petrobras opted not to pay extraordinary dividends to its shareholders earlier this year, souring relations between Petrobras CEO Jean Paul Prates and Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, head of the ruling leftist Workers' Party. Lula had defended that move, calling the market a voracious dinosaur after Petrobras' shares plunged following the decision regarding dividends. The companys shares fell by as much as 9% after the announcement of Prates departure, before paring losses. They were down by 7% by Wednesday afternoon. Local newspaper O Globo reported that Lula himself informed Prates of his dismissal. Prates, a former senator for the Workers' Party, will be replaced by engineer and former director of Brazils oil and gas regulator ANP, Magda Chambriard. Petrobras appointed the executive director of corporate affairs, Clarice Coppetti, as interim president. Brazil's federal government has a controlling stake in Petrobras, while private investors also hold shares. That often creates a clash of interests between the government and minority shareholders. Magda Chambriard appears to have a more nationalist vision, that is, of Petrobras serving national interests more than those of shareholders, said Rafael Schiozer, a finance professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a university and think tank. Prates had a more pro-market vision he was more concerned with the companys value creation, Schiozer added. Chief Financial Officer Sergio Caetano Leite will also step down from his role. Petrobras appointed the current finance executive manager, Carlos Alberto Rechelo Neto, as interim, until the election of a new chief financial officer by the board of directors. () SHANGHAI/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio on Wednesday launched the first vehicle in its new lower-priced brand Onvo which aims to compete there with Tesla's Model Y, the world's best-selling EV. Nio unveiled the Onvo L60 SUV with a sticker price starting from 219,900 yuan ($30,476), 12% below the price of Tesla's Model Y which starts at 249,900 yuan in China. Nio plans to start delivery of the Onvo L60 in September. Chief executive William Li introduced the Onvo L60 SUV in Shanghai, saying the company also aimed to take on Toyota Motor's RAV4 by providing family cars that balance customer experience and ownership costs. "RAV4 and Model Y were the benchmark for family cars in their time. With technologies evolving and peoples understanding in smart EVs deepening, today its time for us to redefine the new standards for family cars," Li said at the event. The vehicle is more spacious than Tesla's Model Y, he added. With a lower price tag, the Onvo brand could also help Nio expand outside China, although branching out into Europe is overshadowed by an ongoing anti-subsidy probe the EU has launched into EV imports from China. The Onvo L60 is equipped with Nio's self-developed 900-volt fast-charging system and has an average energy consumption of 12.1 kilowatt-hours (kwh) per 100 kilometers, slightly lower than Tesla's Model Y, said Ai Tiecheng, president of the Onvo brand. The Onvo cars will have access to more than 1,000 battery swapping stations and 25,000 public chargers belonging to Nio, Ai added. Li said previously that the bill of materials of the Onvo car would be 10% lower than that of Tesla's Model Y, according to Chinese media. Its lower cost, together with Nio's EV battery rental programme, would allow it to better compete at a lower price. Reuters reported last week that Nio has struck a deal to source batteries from BYD for the Onvo lineup, as it abandoned plans to produce batteries in-house as part of the efforts to reduce costs amid a bruising price war in China's ultra-competitive EV market. Nio, whose namesake lineup is priced from 298,900 yuan ($41,200), around 30% higher than the Model 3 in China, sold 45,673 EVs in the first four months of this year, accounting for 3% of China's overall EV sales. By contrast, Tesla delivered 163,841 units in China to take an 11.4% market share, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association. ($1 = 7.2155 Chinese yuan renminbi) (This story has been refiled to correct the byline) (Reporting by Zhang Yan and Miyoung Kim; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree, Louise Heavens, Toby Chopra and Michael Erman) A company that supports solar power and battery energy storage systems (BESS) is part of a project that will support a portfolio of community solar projects across the state of New York. Houston, Texas-headquartered Catalyze, which finances, builds, owns, and operates solar and BESS installations, on May 15 said it had secured $100 million in financing from NY Green Bank, a division of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), to support a 79-MW portfolio of community distributed generation (CDG) solar projects. The installations will be designed to provide renewable energy to disadvantaged communities, and also are part of New York's strategy to meet the state's decarbonization goals. "We are excited to leverage our extensive community solar expertise to ensure the success of NY Green Banks term loan supporting a community distributed generation (CDG) portfolio," said Jared Haines, CEO of Catalyze. "CDG is one of the most effective means of making solar energy more accessible to low-to-moderate income communities, and we look forward to how this partnership will support both the goals of NY Green Bank and New York State." Want to learn more about community solar and how it is improving access to renewable energy? Register now to be part of Experience POWER Week, including the Distributed Energy Conference, Oct. 9-11, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. The transaction announced Wednesday advances NY Green Banks commitment to an equitable energy transition by requiring that a significant percentage of solar project subscribers benefit disadvantaged communities. The deal will advance New York States Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of installing 6 GW of distributed solar by 2025, on the path to 10 GW by 2030. "NY Green Bank is pleased to support Catalyze, which is increasingly focused on New York State-based CDG solar projects and equitable energy solutions," said Andrew Kessler, president of NY Green Bank. "As our first term loan using a sale-leaseback structure for a CDG portfolio, coupled with a minimum 65% subscriber commitment benefiting historically disadvantaged communities, this transaction underscores NY Green Banks unique ability to provide innovative financing solutions that support the equitable distribution of clean energy." This loan continues Catalyzes growing presence in New York State, having recently announced projects reaching operation in Lancaster and Amherst. The company is leveraging its proprietary suite of technology to bring innovative solar development practices to the region. POWER edited this content, which was contributed by a public relations firm representing Catalyze. BOSTON Boasting that hes a paperwork guy, a whiz at filling out and filing forms, Neil Abramson, CEO of ECi Stores in Leominster said even he is confounded by the complexity of applying for state workforce training grants. And It can take up to six months to get the money back, Abramson told legislators attending the briefing for Small Business Day Wednesday at the State House. Some grants, Abramson said, require applicants make the initial investments before getting reimbursed. Leominster business owner Neil Abramson discussed the complexity of applying for state grants and loans at Small Business Day Wednesday in Boston. His stores, Cutie Patuties, are celebrating their 25th anniversary in Leominster this year, Abramson said. They are crucial to the economic well-being of the city and form the backbone of its downtown. The challenges presented by paperwork to apply for state programs was just one of the issues mentioned by small business owners, representatives from local chambers of commerce and advocacy organizations like the National Federation of Independent Business attending the advocacy day. Owners, consumers impacted by high costs Overall, said Jon Hurst of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, small businesses are impacted by the same conditions that impact consumers costs spiraling upward from energy and housing to food and health care. We have to focus on what government can do to increase sales and decrease costs, Hurst said, adding that government policies do impact both. Mentioned most often at the gathering was the high cost of offering health insurance to employees. The cost is growing far faster than the economy, than salaries, than sales and income for the small-business owner, Hurst said. Weve had a 7.5% increase in health insurance costs (in 2023), but we havent had a corresponding 7.5% increase in sales or income. Also mentioned: The cost of collecting and remitting sales tax for the state The fees charged by banks and credit card companies to process payments made with debit or charge cards The ballot initiative that would raise tipped workers to minimum wage and allow employers to pool and distribute tips among all workers in the business The challenge of breaking into established service areas, construction, electrical and carpentry for women- and minority-owned businesses We do good work, said Carlene Lewis, owner of CAAN Fence Inc. in Dorchester. Clients rate her work highly and seek her out to meet diversity quotas for jobs. However, once they have complied, clients hire the same few firms they have always contracted with in the past. Id like to see a change, Lewis said, one that she believes can be helped along by legislators through policy decisions. Lewis also suggested that there be a safety net for small business, similar to the safety net the federal government relies on when large corporations like Walmart or Walgreens face financial problems. Story continues Its easy for a large corporation to say it is losing money and then to get emergency funding. Why doesnt that exist for us?" Lewis asked. State legislators, from left, Sens. Michael Moore, D-Millbury and Peter Durant, R-Spencer, with Rep. Paul McMurtry, D-Dedham, listened to concerns brought to Beacon Hill by small-business owners Wednesday in Boston. Sens. Michael O. Moore, D-Millbury, and Peter Durant, R-Spencer, and Rep. Paul McMurtry, D-Dedham, assured the group that the Legislature is listening and attentive to small businesses. Several grants and loans are aimed to support and promote small businesses as well as pending legislation that could address some of the concerns broached. Many unpublicized state grants, loans There are ways to access state funds, through grants, program initiatives, Moore said, explaining that while the state is good at creating programs, it does not advertise or market them well. He suggested that people network with members of the local chambers of commerce, subscribe to websites and monitor agency posts to learn of opportunities. Networking is one key to learning of opportunities for small business, Moore said. Thomas Erb, president of Electric Time in Medfield, a clockmaker, alerted legislators that many small manufacturers are being wooed by other states and encouraged to relocate for lower costs for everything from energy to labor. If I moved to Tennessee, I could pay 10 cents per kilowatt hour for energy. In Massachusetts I pay 22 cents, Erb said. I could spend $5,000 a month on energy, not $10,000 to $30,000. Businesses also bridled at serving as tax collectors for the state. Hurst said of the 45 states that collect sales tax, 24 pay vendors to process the money. Massachusetts does not; Abramson noted that it costs him $3 for every $100 dollars of tax he remits to the state. That cost, coupled with the swipe fees charged by lenders for patrons paying with plastic, can add up quickly and tax small-business owners. On the legislative to-do list are several bills that address some of the concerns including allowing business owners to pass on credit card swipe fees to consumers, tacking the fee onto the cost of the merchandise or service provided. A different measure would allow retailers to keep 2% of collected sales tax, up to $750 a year, to pay for processing the taxes. Legislators have filed a measure that would allow small businesses to form cooperatives to purchase health insurance as a group. One bill would reconfigure employer requirements for the payment of workers' compensation insurance into the state fund. Downtowns bolster community Vassilios Theodorakos, of Spot On in Framingham, said state supports must include technical assistance for small businesses to ensure that the applications and programs they are using are installed and deployed correctly. He suggested legislators meet the states newest entrepreneurs, many of them immigrants, at the ground level and develop measures that will help them establish their bodegas and small restaurants. I want to see businesses succeed, Theodorakos said, adding there is a need for additional state support for businesses located in downtowns." Its important to have a mix of businesses, Abramson said, pointing out that local businesses have symbiotic relationships with people going downtown to shop at his stores and then eating at a neighboring restaurant and vice versa. There must be reciprocity. We cannot stand alone. His business supports his community. He hires local staff and trains them with an eye to the future to ensure they grow, even if they grow out of his employment. And his community supports his business, a consignment shop that sells clothing for women and children, furniture and home decor. The store is a window on the community, a glimpse into the homes and closets of Leominster and North Central Massachusetts, Abramson said. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Massachusetts small business owners make pitch for state aid A local grocery business will expand the size of its distribution network after breaking ground on a new 133,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility at a large industrial park in Ellenton. Detwiler's Farm Market has grown significantly in the Sarasota-Manatee region since the days when the family-owned grocery company operated from a 10-foot by 20-foot tent at Sutter Egg Farm in Sarasota. This is something weve been working on for a long time, Sam Detwiler, president of Detwilers Farm Market, said in a news release about the facility's groundbreaking. Our goal is to be able to bring our prices down lower and continue to stay true to our Eat Fresh for Less motto. Recent real estate coverage: Redfin hypes Sarasota-Bradenton real estate as overvalued, but local agents don't see that More: Report: Sarasota-Manatee metro employs more than 30,000 people in construction industry Over the 20 years that the company has been growing its grocery business, the need for a larger distribution network has increased with the company's success. At the end of last year, the company opened its sixth grocery store at 3500 53rd Ave. in Bradenton in a 55,000-square-foot space. The Bradenton location followed the 2019 opening of a 44,000-square-foot location at Merchants Pointe plaza at Clark and Swift Roads in 2019. The company also celebrated the September 2023 reopening of the Palmer Ranch Detwiler's after Hurricane Ian caused extensive damage at the company's first brick-and-mortar store. The new center will consolidate the company's distribution network. Were looking forward to all being under one roof in our new distribution center so we can serve our customers even better," company founder Henry Detwiler Sr. said in the news release. The new center will be at Benderson Development's Florida International Tradeport in Palmetto near the Interstate 75 and U.S. 301 interchange near the Manatee River. That planned 2-million-square-foot industrial park has nearly a mile of frontage on I-75. The Florida International Tradeport already has 12 fully leased buildings with plans to build eight more "now underway and scheduled for delivery this year," the news release said. Benderson Development, headquartered in Manatee County, was founded in 1949 in Buffalo, New York. The company owns more than 1,000 properties located in 41 states with its holdings totaling more than 55 million square feet of commercial space, according to the news release. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Detwiler's Farm Market grocery continues to grow in Sarasota-Manatee A much-remodeled office building from the 1930s has a new owner on the near North End of Palm Beach. Developer and real estate investor Todd Michael Glaser and his wife, Kim, have parted with the contemporary-style building at 175 Bradley Place for a recorded $3.9 million, the price recorded with the deed. The Glasers sold the building in an off-market deal to a professional limited liability company controlled by plastic surgeon Dr. Norman Rowe and his wife, Mia. On the northeast corner of Park Avenue, the building near the Publix supermarket will be the new home of Rowes plastic-surgery practice, as previously reported by the Palm Beach Daily News. Rowe opened his first Palm Beach office last fall in temporary quarters across town on Brazilian Avenue. Kim and Todd Michael Glaser have sold, for a recorded $3.9 million, this office building at 175 Bradley Place in Palm Beach to a company controlled by plastic surgeon Dr. Norman Rowe and his wife, Mia. The new Bradley Place office should open by Oct. 1, a spokeswoman told the Palm Beach Daily News this week. Property records show the building was built in 1932 and has 2,145 square feet. Based on that measurement, it traded at $1,818 per square foot. The Glasers paid a recorded $2.35 million for the building on Bradley Place in February 2020, courthouse records show, just before the coronavirus pandemic hit Palm Beach and helped spark a local real estate boom unprecedented in modern memory. Kim and Todd Michael Glaser The Glasers used the building as their family office, said Todd Glaser, whose Todd Michael Glaser real estate firm continues to be headquartered in Miami Beach. The Glasers own a landmarked home in Palm Beachs Estate Section. It was a great little space for us, Todd Glaser said about the commercial building he and his wife just sold. Over the past several years, the developer often working with investors has bought, remodeled, sold and built Palm Beach homes for which his wife has provided the interior finishes. His most prominent Palm Beach project is a remodeled-and-expanded lakefront mansion at 10 Tarpon Isle, which is under contract with an asking price of $187.5 million. The time was right to sell the Bradley Place building, Todd Glaser said. Weve slowed down and were going to take some time off and reassess everything in October, he added. Plastic surgeon Dr. Norman Rowe, who has an office on Brazilian Avenue in Palm Beach, has used an ownership company to buy a commercial building at 175 Bradley Place. The New York City-based physician operates six other offices in New York and New Jersey. Rowe and his wife bought the building through a Florida professional limited liability company named Docpalmbeach PLLC. Rowe operates six Rowe Plastic Surgery locations in New York and New Jersey. Mia Rowe is head of communications for the practice. The couple has a Palm Beach house on the South Ends Parc Monceau, which one of their ownership companies bought in March 2021, property records show. The building on Bradley Place was originally designed as a medical office by the late Miami architect Norman Giller, according to architectural historian Augustus Mayhew. But a major renovation in 2000 overseen by the Anstis, Vass & Ornstein architectural firm covered the exterior in strips of Mexican travertine and transformed its appearance, Mayhew said. Story continues The deed for the Bradley Place sale was recorded May 1. Miami Beach broker Stefano Santoro of Disruptive Real Estate represented the Rowes interests. Agents Suzanne Frisbie and Franny Frisbie of the Corcoran Group represented the Glasers. * Darrell Hofheinz is a USA TODAY Network of Florida journalist who writes about Palm Beach real estate in his weekly Beyond the Hedges column. He welcomes tips about real estate news on the island. Email dhofheinz@pbdailynews.com, call 561-820-3831 or tweet @ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Developer, wife sell Palm Beach office building to plastic surgeon By Alimat Aliyeva Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin company will resume tourist flights into space after a two-year hiatus, Azernews reports. Jeff Bezos-backed Blue Origin suspended crew flights for almost two years after the failure of the 2022 mission. At the time, the New Shepard rocket, which carried cargo and people on short trips to the edge of space, failed in September 2022 about a minute after the unmanned mission launched from Texas. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration last year completed an investigation into Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft and announced its results. The company had to take a total of 21 corrective actions, including engine upgrades and organizational changes. The upcoming NS-25 mission will have six crew members, including former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight, the first black astronaut candidate in the United States. Placing money on a cloud can take an investor's wealth far higher. Metaphorically speaking, that's one analyst's current evaluation of enterprise cloud computing specialist DigitalOcean (NYSE: DOCN). Following the company's latest earnings report published in mid-May, Canaccord Genuity's David Hynes raised his price target on the shares. He continues to be bullish on the specialty tech stock's future. An Ocean well worth a swim Just after DigitalOcean's first-quarter figures were made public, Hynes added $1 to his price target on the stock for a new figure of $42 per share. That cautious raise matched the analyst's cautiously optimistic buy recommendation on the cloud company; he feels the potential upside of the shares over the next 12 months is a decent (if unspectacular) 6.6% based on the current price. In that quarter, DigitalOcean beat the average prognosticator estimates for both revenue and profitability, posting a meaty 54% year-over-year improvement in non-GAAP (adjusted) net income per share. The icing on the cake is that an assertive push into artificial intelligence (AI) functionalities is already boosting results. In his note detailing the price target adjustment, Hynes wrote of DigitalOcean that the company remains a compelling buy at its present valuations, which are fairly modest given its potential. He added that DigitalOcean is "in the midst of a model turnaround exposed to strong secular trends in small- and mid-sized business managed service adoption and AI app development." The right recipe for growth The tech sector moves lightning-fast, so at times, it's almost hard to remember that cloud computing was one of its hottest segments in the very recent past. Investors shouldn't forget that, as the tech world is continuing to migrate many aspects of its operations to the cloud. Mix that in with the sky-high demand for AI, and you've got quite the potent combination for business growth. DigitalOcean has smartly positioned itself to take advantage of this confluence, so I think Hynes' evaluation is conservative if anything. I would expect this stock to soar well higher; in my mind, it's surely a buy. Should you invest $1,000 in DigitalOcean right now? Before you buy stock in DigitalOcean, 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 DigitalOcean wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Story continues Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $553,880!* 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 13, 2024 Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends DigitalOcean. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is DigitalOcean Stock Going to $42? 1 Wall Street Analyst Thinks So. was originally published by The Motley Fool In the past week, Switzerland's market has experienced a 3.3% rise, though it has remained relatively flat over the last year. With earnings expected to grow by 8.0% annually, companies with high insider ownership might offer valuable stability and potential growth in this environment. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Switzerland Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Stadler Rail (SWX:SRAIL) 14.5% 23.4% VAT Group (SWX:VACN) 10.2% 21.2% Straumann Holding (SWX:STMN) 32.7% 20.9% Swissquote Group Holding (SWX:SQN) 11.4% 14.3% Temenos (SWX:TEMN) 14.6% 14.7% LEM Holding (SWX:LEHN) 34.5% 9.9% Sonova Holding (SWX:SOON) 17.7% 11% SHL Telemedicine (SWX:SHLTN) 17.9% 96.2% Sensirion Holding (SWX:SENS) 20.7% 84.7% Arbonia (SWX:ARBN) 28.8% 80% Click here to see the full list of 17 stocks from our Fast Growing SIX Swiss Exchange Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: COLTENE Holding AG is a company that develops, manufactures, and sells disposables, tools, and equipment for dentists and dental laboratories across multiple regions including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Latin America, and Asia/Oceania; it has a market capitalization of CHF 316.70 million. Operations: The company generates CHF 242.73 million from its global sales of disposables, tools, and equipment for dental professionals. Insider Ownership: 22.2% COLTENE Holding, a Swiss company with high insider ownership, faces challenges and opportunities. Despite trading below estimated fair value and expecting significant earnings growth of 20.9% annually over the next three years, its recent performance shows a decline with sales dropping from CHF 267.13 million to CHF 242.73 million year-over-year and net income falling to CHF 11.95 million from CHF 26 million. The company's profit margins have also decreased, impacting dividend coverage which is currently not well supported by earnings. SWX:CLTN Ownership Breakdown as at May 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Gurit Holding AG is a Swiss company that specializes in developing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling advanced composite materials, composite tooling equipment, and kitting services globally, with a market capitalization of CHF 282.45 million. Operations: The company generates revenue from three primary segments: Composite Materials (CHF 307.09 million), Marine and Industrial (CHF 101.63 million), and Manufacturing Solutions (CHF 51.29 million). Story continues Insider Ownership: 30.2% Gurit Holding AG, a Swiss growth company with high insider ownership, presents a mixed financial outlook. Despite trading at 53.6% below its estimated fair value and anticipating significant earnings growth of 35.1% annually over the next three years, it faces challenges such as high debt levels and revenue growth (4% per year) lagging behind the broader Swiss market (4.3%). Additionally, its share price has shown high volatility recently. The company also reported a decline in annual sales to CHF 459.85 million from CHF 499.45 million and a decrease in net income to CHF 7.46 million from CHF 9.25 million last year. SWX:GURN Ownership Breakdown as at May 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Sonova Holding AG is a company that specializes in manufacturing and selling hearing care solutions across various regions including the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, with a market capitalization of approximately CHF 17.04 billion. Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from two segments: Hearing Instruments, which generated CHF 3.38 billion, and Cochlear Implants, contributing CHF 280.30 million. Insider Ownership: 17.7% Sonova Holding AG, a company in Switzerland with high insider ownership, is trading at CHF 36.7% below its estimated fair value, suggesting potential undervaluation. The firm's revenue and earnings growth are forecasted to outpace the Swiss market with rates of 6.8% and 11% per year respectively. However, it carries a high level of debt which might concern investors. Notably, there has been no substantial insider buying or selling reported in the past three months. SWX:SOON Earnings and Revenue Growth as at May 2024 Seize The Opportunity Discover the full array of 17 Fast Growing SIX Swiss Exchange Companies With High Insider Ownership right here. Have you diversified into these companies? Leverage the power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to keep a close eye on market movements affecting your investments. Take control of your financial future using Simply Wall St, offering free, in-depth knowledge of international markets to every investor. Seeking Other Investments? 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.The analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years. Companies discussed in this article include SWX:CLTN SWX:GURN and SWX:SOON. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com The U.S. Department of Justice could soon take on one of our regions largest employers: Boeing. The Justice Department says Boeing may have breached a major 2021 agreement to insulate the company from criminal prosecution in two major crashes in 2018 and 2019. A DOJ inquiry or criminal prosecution could focus on the Renton facility, where the 737 is manufactured. The jets that crashed in 2018 and 2019 were linked to Renton, as are nearly all 737s made by Boeing, the companys best selling aircraft, according to company records posted online. Richard Aboulafia is an aviation analyst and Managing Director at AeroDynamic Advisory. He suspects that the DOJ making this statement now is all about sending a message to Boeing. Hopefully, this will be viewed as a way of effecting change in the companys management and its culture, said Aboulafia. Aboulafia says he does not expect to see DOJ lawyers or the Federal Bureau of Investigation pouring over Boeings Renton facility. But he does believe the DOJ is bringing pressure to the company on purpose. This would be a way of getting the company to change faster than it (has) been willing to changeI understand DOJ and the governments frustration here, said Aboulafia. In 2018, a Lion Air jet crashed into the ocean off Indonesiona shortly after takeoff, and in 2019, an Ethiopian Airlines jet also crashed shortly after takeoff. Both crashes killed a total of 346 people. At the time, a Boeing anti-stalling system was under scrutiny since it would automatically push the nose of the plane down and possibly cause a nosedive. Some called it a design flaw; others called it criminal negligence. Now, the DOJ wants to know if Boeing did enough to improve safety after those crashes, and whether it upheld an agreement to avoid criminal prosecution. Mark Lindquist is an attorney from Tacoma who is working with some of the families linked to the crashes several years ago. He said the DOJs decision to call out Boeing has been a long time coming. Weve all been waiting to see if the Department of Justice was going to pull the trigger...and with this announcement, it looks like were going to see a prosecution justice and accountability, said Lindquist. Lindquist says most of the victims families feel Boeing has not been held accountable and questioned a deferred a 2021 prosecution agreement. That sweetheart deal, however, doesnt matter anymore. Because Boeing has violated or at least the Department of Justice believes Boeing has violated the terms that agreement, he said. Januarys Alaska Airlines door plug incident put Boeing back on DOJ radar, and it says Boeing breached its obligations to improve safety and compliance. Story continues Boeing disagrees and says it is in compliance. Lindquist believes this case could soon land before a judge. Federal officials who looked into the door plug incident did report safety and quality control concerns at the Renton facility. Aboulafia believes Boeing does not have to re-invent the wheel to address the DOJs concerns. You have to appoint people who really care about the business of building aircraft; ideally, engineers or production managers or people who care about productionyou have to have managers spending a lot more time in factories, said Aboulafia. Aboulafia believes the threat of criminal prosecution by the DOJ could pressure Boeing to move faster with safety improvements. Theyre willing to amp up that pressure a notch in order to produce results, he said. Foxtrot and Doms parent company Outfox Hospitality filed for bankruptcy Tuesday, weeks after the companies abruptly shuttered all stores. Outfox, the parent of both companies since they merged nearly six months ago, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation in Delaware. In court documents, Outfox estimated no funds would be available to pay unsecured creditors after administrative costs were paid. The company estimated its assets at between $10 million and $50 million, and estimated its liabilities to be worth the same. Foxtrot had 33 stores, about half of which were located in Chicago, while Doms had two locations, one in Lincoln Park and one in Old Town. All the stores closed suddenly April 23; some employees told the Tribune they learned they were out of jobs in the middle of their shifts that day. Three lawsuits were swiftly filed against the company in federal court in Chicago alleging violations of the federal and/or state Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Acts, both of which require 60 days notice for mass layoffs by certain large employers. The Illinois Department of Labor said it had received a complaint about the closures and had opened an investigation into whether the company had violated the state WARN Act. FAQs provided to workers said they would only be paid through the date the stores closed. The lawsuits filed against the company seek back pay for laid-off staff. Outfox filed state WARN notices the day after it closed down. Those notices listed 281 affected workers at the North Side Doms locations and 66 employees at Foxtrots 167 N. Green St. offices. It was unclear if the Foxtrot layoff notice included workers at any retail stores. Its not clear whether or how the bankruptcy petition could affect the workers who are seeking back pay under the WARN Act. Bankruptcy doesnt absolve companies of their responsibilities under the WARN Act, said Kurt Carlson, managing partner at Carlson Dash in Chicago, but if theres no money, theres no money. If the WARN claims are found valid, said Mark Melickian, a partner at Raines Feldman Littrell who has represented companies and creditors in bankruptcy cases, they could be given priority over claims from other unsecured creditors, such as claims from suppliers if there is still cash left to go around. Its very fact-specific and it can depend on the judge, he said. Whether or not some or all employee claims are given priority status, they would still come after any secured debt claims, Melickian said. Story continues The company is also facing a lawsuit from suppliers Anthony Marano Co. and Market Cuts LLC, which allege Doms failed to pay them for $208,000 worth of products. In a statement, the U.S. Department of Labor said WARN remains applicable to employers that have filed for bankruptcy in some circumstances and that it could not provide guidance about individual situations under the law. IDOL said it would work with the state attorney generals office to attempt to recover any monies due to impacted workers, whether or not a company files for bankruptcy protection. Former Foxtrot and Doms executives have not responded to the Tribunes requests for comment since the closures. A source familiar with the companys prior expansion plans, however, previously told the Tribune that Outfox had been meeting with investors, landlords and bankers in the weeks leading up to the closures in hopes of staying afloat. Before merging, both companies had explored expansion plans. Foxtrot, founded as a delivery-only service by Mike LaVitola, announced a few years ago that it planned to open more than 60 stores by the end of 2022, about half the number it had upon closing down. Doms, a project of Chicago grocery scion Bob Mariano and former Dominicks executives, previously said it planned to open 15 Chicago-area stores by 2025. How To Earn $500 Per Month In Rental Income Without Becoming A Landlord Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Real estate has been a reliable source of wealth creation for centuries, and as the famous saying goes, Landlords grow rich in their sleep. However, being a landlord is not always as passive as it may seem. From screening tenants and drafting lease agreements to dealing with maintenance issues and collecting rent, managing a rental property can be a demanding and stressful task. Luckily, there are ways to generate monthly rental income without the headaches of being a landlord. One popular strategy is investing in real estate investment trusts (REITs), which are essentially large-scale landlords that own income-generating real estate and collect rent from tenants. By law, REITs must distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends, making them an appealing option for investors seeking passive income. Earning $500 Per Month From Realty Income One notable REIT that pays its shareholders monthly is Realty Income Corp. (NYSE:O), also known as The Monthly Dividend Company. With a 55-year operating history, Realty Income has declared 646 consecutive monthly dividends and has increased its payout for 25 years in a row. Currently, the company offers a 5.59% dividend yield, with a monthly dividend of $0.257 per share. To earn $500 per month from Realty Income, an investor would need to own approximately 1,946 shares, which at the current share price of $55.22, would require an investment of around $107,458. For a more attainable goal of $100 per month, an investor would need roughly 389 shares, or $21,481 worth of Realty Income stock. While REITs like Realty Income offer a convenient way to invest in real estate without the duties of property management, they come with their own set of risks. REIT shares can experience fluctuations and dividends are not guaranteed. Despite its impressive track record, Realty Income shares have declined about 11.5% in the past year, although some analysts anticipate a potential recovery in the near future. A More Direct Investment Option For investors seeking a more hands-on approach to real estate investing without the full responsibilities of being a landlord, Arrived presents another option. Backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, this platform allows individuals to invest in shares of specific rental properties for as little as $100. Arrived provides investors with more control than traditional REITs by allowing them to select the specific properties they want to invest in. Investors can explore available properties on the platform, review information about each propertys location, tenant and projected returns, and then choose which properties align with their investment objectives. Story continues Arrived takes care of all the property management tasks, including finding tenants, collecting rent and handling maintenance, while investors sit back and receive their portion of the rental income and any appreciation in the propertys value. With a monthly payout and potential for price appreciation, Arrived presents an attractive alternative for investors looking to diversify their real estate holdings and have more control over their investments. While becoming a landlord can be a profitable way to generate passive income, its not the only option. REITs like Realty Income and platforms like Arrived provide investors with the opportunity to earn monthly rental income without the hassles of property management. As with any investment, its crucial to conduct thorough research and understand the risks involved before investing your hard-earned money. Read Next: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." These three reliable high-yield ETFs will put your income investments on autopilot. Miami is expected to take New York's place as the U.S. Financial Capital. Here's how you can invest in the city with as little as $500 before that happens. This article How To Earn $500 Per Month In Rental Income Without Becoming A Landlord originally appeared on Benzinga.com Swearing Fealty Tesla CEO Elon Musk is laying siege to the carmaker, seemingly doing anything he can to throw the company into chaos. Late last month, news emerged that the mercurial billionaire had fired the entire company's 500-workers-strong Supercharger team, angering fans and leaving investors dumbfounded. According to four former staffers who spoke with Reuters, Musk had a one-on-one meeting with the company's former head of EV charging Rebecca Tinucci before the culling and seemingly didn't like what he heard, firing her and her entire team shortly after. The pair reportedly disagreed over the deeper cuts Musk wanted to make, which Tinucci balked at. Tinucci was one of the few high-ranking female executives left at the company and one of several senior managers who have since either been fired or left on their own accord following Tesla's disastrous quarterly earnings call. As always, Musk's motivations are tough to parse. But given the ensuing chaos and a likely massive dent he's leaving in the rollout of charging infrastructure across the country, it's a difficult-to-reconcile decision. Was there really a fundamental disagreement over how to conduct mass layoffs, or did Tinucci simply fail Musk's loyalty test? There's also a gender component: the billionaire already has a challenged relationship with women and has made plenty of misogynist comments in the past. Car Wars Musk has since reversed course and has started rehiring some of his EV maker's fired Supercharger team. Unsurprisingly, he's also reappointed a male executive to the head of the project, as Bloomberg reported this week. Facing immense backlash, Musk quickly and conveniently changed his tune, promising that he would spend "well over" $500 million to expand Teslas Supercharger network. But while that number may sound like a lot on paper, it likely doesn't amount to much. According to research firm EVAdoption, half a billion dollars will still mean that Tesla will be building 77 percent fewer charging ports per month in the US compared to its previous pace. The effects of Musk's seemingly short-sighted move are already becoming apparent. Tesla is already pulling out of key leases and ghosting contractors. "Its just unfortunate that now theyre stuck holding the bag on all these different projects," one of the former charging team employees told Reuters. "Its really sad to see all these relationships burned and people be really angry rightfully so." Meanwhile, Musk is still hellbent on gifting himself one of the largest corporate payouts in history, with the company hunting down a Delaware corporate law loophole to reinstate his $56 billion pay package. More on Elon Musk: 98 Percent of Drivers Who Try Tesla's Full Self-Driving Demo Ditch It After the Trial Period Is Over Elon Musk's Neuralink Was Aware Of Brain Wire Issue For Years: Report Neuralink Corps malfunctioning of tiny wires in the brain implant has been known for years, even before the company acknowledged it in a blog last week. The problem was first identified during animal testing conducted prior to the companys approval for human trials last year, but the risk was deemed insufficient to require a redesign, according to a report from Reuters. Neuralink aims to enable paralyzed individuals to control digital devices with their thoughts through its brain implant technology. The company, founded by Elon Musk, recently disclosed that the implants ultra-thin wires, finer than human hair, had retracted from the brain of their first human subject during the initial trial, affecting the number of electrodes able to read brain signals. Despite this setback, the company adjusted its algorithm to regain the implants ability to monitor brain activity. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was aware of this potential issue, as it had been reported in the animal testing results submitted by Neuralink during their application for human trials. However, the FDA has not commented on the specifics or the significance of the issue. The agency has assured that it will continue to oversee the safety of patients in Neuralinks study. Also Read: Tesla Sued In California For Environmental Violations Continuing trials without redesigning the wires might pose challenges if more wires retract and the algorithm modifications prove inadequate. Redesigning the wires comes with its own risks, including potential damage to brain tissue during removal or if the wires dislodge. Neuralinks design aims to allow seamless removal and updates of the implant as technology advances. In January, Neuralink implanted its device in Noland Arbaugh, who was paralyzed from a diving accident in 2016. The company reported in a recent blog post that several wires retracted from his brain following the surgery. There were no mentions of health issues for Arbaugh or details on the exact number of wires that malfunctioned. The implant has enabled Arbaugh to engage in activities like playing video games and browsing the Internet solely through thought. Initially, the FDA had rejected Neuralinks application for human trials in 2022 due to safety concerns, particularly regarding the wires. Further animal testing was conducted to address these issues, leading to eventual approval. Some pigs tested with the device developed brain inflammation called granulomas, which raised internal debates and investigations at Neuralink. Story continues The company concluded that the device and threads were not responsible for the inflammation. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo via Wikimedia Commons "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 Elon Musk's Neuralink Was Aware Of Brain Wire Issue For Years: Report originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Amid a backdrop of rising optimism in European markets, with France's CAC 40 Index showing a notable increase of 3.29%, investors are keenly observing trends that may influence their strategies. In this climate, growth companies with high insider ownership in France present an interesting focal point, especially those demonstrating robust earnings growth, as they often signal strong confidence from those closest to the business. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In France Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth VusionGroup (ENXTPA:VU) 13.3% 25.8% Groupe OKwind Societe anonyme (ENXTPA:ALOKW) 24.8% 37.7% WALLIX GROUP (ENXTPA:ALLIX) 19.9% 101.4% La Francaise de l'Energie (ENXTPA:FDE) 20.1% 37.6% OSE Immunotherapeutics (ENXTPA:OSE) 25.1% 92.9% Adocia (ENXTPA:ADOC) 12.9% 104.5% Icape Holding (ENXTPA:ALICA) 30.2% 30% Arcure (ENXTPA:ALCUR) 21.6% 41.7% Munic (ENXTPA:ALMUN) 29.2% 150% MedinCell (ENXTPA:MEDCL) 16.6% 68.8% Click here to see the full list of 21 stocks from our Fast Growing Euronext Paris Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. We'll examine a selection from our screener results. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: OVH Groupe S.A. is a global provider of public and private cloud services, shared hosting, and dedicated server solutions, with a market capitalization of approximately 1.22 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue through its public cloud (140.71 million), private cloud (514.59 million), and web cloud services (179.45 million). Insider Ownership: 10.5% Earnings Growth Forecast: 101.5% p.a. OVH Groupe S.A., a French growth company with substantial insider ownership, is expected to become profitable within the next three years, outpacing average market growth. Despite a volatile share price recently, its revenue is projected to grow at 11.3% annually. Recent strategic leadership changes and international expansion efforts underscore its development ambitions and focus on innovation in cloud solutions, enhancing its profile in dynamic markets like North America. ENXTPA:OVH Earnings and Revenue Growth as at May 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Solutions 30 SE offers support solutions for new digital technologies across several European countries, including France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, and Spain, with a market capitalization of approximately 237.82 million. Story continues Operations: The company generates 1.06 billion from its computer services segment across multiple European countries. Insider Ownership: 16.2% Earnings Growth Forecast: 99.8% p.a. Solutions 30 SE, despite its recent financial struggles with a net loss reported in the previous fiscal year, has reaffirmed its earnings guidance for 2024, signaling potential recovery and growth, particularly in Germany, Italy, and Belgium. The company's revenue is expected to grow faster than the French market average. Moreover, a significant contract with Fluvius to upgrade Flanders' electricity network underlines its strategic positioning in essential infrastructure developments. However, the stock remains highly volatile and is trading below analyst price targets. ENXTPA:S30 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at May 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: VusionGroup S.A. is a company that offers digitalization solutions for commerce across Europe, Asia, and North America, with a market capitalization of approximately 2.63 billion. Operations: The company generates its revenue by providing digitalization solutions across three key regions: Europe, Asia, and North America. Insider Ownership: 13.3% Earnings Growth Forecast: 25.8% p.a. VusionGroup S.A. has demonstrated robust growth, with revenue increasing to 801.96 million and net income surging to 79.77 million last year, reflecting a significant rise from previous figures. The company's earnings per share also saw a substantial increase. Predictions indicate that VusionGroup's revenue and earnings will continue to outpace the French market significantly, with expected annual growth rates of 24.3% and 25.8% respectively. Despite these strong financials, the companys share price has been highly volatile recently. ENXTPA:VU Ownership Breakdown as at May 2024 Where To Now? Click this link to deep-dive into the 21 companies within our Fast Growing Euronext Paris Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. Have you diversified into these companies? Leverage the power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to keep a close eye on market movements affecting your investments. Discover a world of investment opportunities with Simply Wall St's free app and access unparalleled stock analysis across all markets. Seeking Other Investments? 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.The analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years. Companies discussed in this article include ENXTPA:OVH ENXTPA:S30 and ENXTPA:VU. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com RISE President and CEO Anna Chafin unveils branding for the new regional workforce organization, which she leads and now has an official name and brand. Her announcement came during SEDA's monthly board meeting on April 16, 2024 at 906 Drayton St, Savannah, GA. At last months Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) board meeting, Anna Chafin revealed that RISE would be the name for the regional workforce organization that she had been assigned to as president and CEO back in January. RISE stands for the Regional Industry Support Enterprise, in which SEDA has invested $600,000 for the organization's first year of operation. The RISE team is comprised of Chafin, Justin Farquhar (vice president), Jennifer Collins (project manager) and Maria Whitfield (Savannah Joint Development Authority Director of Workforce, who is supporting RISEs workforce development efforts). As the second anniversary of the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) announcement approaches on May 20, the RISE team has their work cut out for them as they address the looming workforce deficit in Savannah-Chatham and surrounding counties. Heres what progress and priorities were shared at SEDAs May meeting on Tuesday. Hyundai announcement: Carmaker to open auto plant, EV battery factory in Bryan County in 2025 Workforce org named: Savannah Economic Development Authority unveils RISE regional workforce organization name Regional Industry Support Enterprise (RISE) President and CEO Anna Chafin Key takeaways I believe that where we're going to spend most of our time as an organization is within the education space, said Chafin. She feels the areas best talent pipeline will be homegrown through the region's K-12 public school systems as well as technical colleges and universities. She cited SEDAs November 2023 trip to Bowling Green, Kentucky, as a precedent for the education focus. The workforce study consultant group had advised SEDA to visit Bowling Green as an example of a region that had experienced a similar manufacturing industry growth about a decade ago. Her key takeaway from that trip was the seamless integration between K-12 and higher ed in their business and industry community. She mentioned the regions eighth grade experience program for about 14 different school districts. She also said that childcare has been at the forefront of RISEs workforce development conversations with community stakeholders. She said preliminary steps had been taken to assess the scope of a childcare study, wherein RISE may partner with Georgia Southern University (GSU), though no official plan has been agreed upon yet. She also indicated that the organization has had conversations with leaders in relation to West Point, Georgia Kia Plant on best practices within that community on a range of topics including childcare. SEDA Workforce challenge: By 2025, Savannah won't have enough people to fill jobs, study says. What can be done? Story continues RISEs member counties and what they'll gain While SEDA is funding the RISE organization for the first year, Chafin said, "starting in 2025, our goal is we would like for RISE and our operating entity, which will be a 501c6...to be funded by community partners." The community partners would be regional counties, which would provide financing through county membership fees. Planning to "scale this appropriately" Chafin said membership proposals had been sent to eight counties, thus far. They are Chatham, Bryan, Bulloch, Effingham, Liberty, Evans, Candler and Screven. "Now these eight counties may grow eventually to 20 counties, but that will be down the road," she predicted. She also confirmed that Bryan and Bulloch Counties' board had met already and decided to join RISE. She said the remaining counties' boards are in the process of meeting to make their final decisions soon. Member counties stand to gain the following benefits: Appointments to RISE board of directors (four-year terms) Participation in working groups and employer forum Inclusion in Bowling Green best practice visit (anticipated fall 202024) Staff support for coordination of one regional hiring event annually Participation in future best practices visits Input and inclusion in marketing campaigns Marketing campaigns will include social media initiatives and participation by an employee of one existing industry in the 2024 workforce tour for a single city. The 2024 tour is a partnership with Visit Savannah. As the tourism organization tours the country to promote travel to Savannah area, members of SEDA will join for six of the cities along the tour, which include Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and Cleveland. 'Fast and furious': 'Fast and furious': Savannah-area job seekers vie for 3,500 openings with Hyundai Key working groups still being analyzed In addition to education, key workforce "working groups" that RISE is still analyzing and developing strategies include: Military includes what Chafin called Heroes for Hire, the roughly 3,500 service members exiting Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Stewart annually. "They're cross trained, they're computer literate, and they have a great work ethic," she said, though "we're hearing that we're only retaining 40% of those people." RISE sees this group as an opportunity for growth along with accompanying military spouses. Underrepresented all encompassing group that is seen as a valuable pipeline, which includes what Chafin called "second-chance hires, minority groups, people with different abilities and senior citizens." Housing she mentioned the recently announced Georgia Tech housing study that will be conducted in two phases. She said phase 1 had already begun with Bryan, Bullock, Chatham and Effingham counties. Transportation Chafin cited the lack of regional transit "specifically among the US 16 corridor" as a challenge that RISE will work on. "I think we've got some tremendous opportunities with all the industrial parks that are there, but we need connectivity and we need service providers to come to the table and help us meet some of the needs." The concern is that there may be potential workers sitting out due to lack of transit. Marketing The focus will be once again on "homegrown talent," according to Chafin, but she did acknowledge there may be some more "difficult to fill positions like automotive engineers, which is understandable because we're just now getting that sector as part of our economy." She also noted that electricians, mechanics and maintenance workers as positions traditionally difficult to fill in the region, so going outside of the Savannah through the workforce tour can help meet the more immediate need for those. Joseph Schwartzburt is the education and workforce development reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at JSchwartzburt@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah's manufacturing workforce planning still a work in progress In recent times, the Canadian market has shown resilience, navigating through fluctuating economic trends and evolving market conditions. As investors seek stability and growth potential amidst these changes, companies with high insider ownership often attract attention due to their aligned interests between management and shareholders. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Canada Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth goeasy (TSX:GSY) 21.7% 15.9% Aritzia (TSX:ATZ) 19% 51.6% Payfare (TSX:PAY) 15% 63.8% Allied Gold (TSX:AAUC) 22.4% 74.8% ROK Resources (TSXV:ROK) 16.6% 135.9% Silver X Mining (TSXV:AGX) 14.3% 133.8% Artemis Gold (TSXV:ARTG) 31.8% 58.9% Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN) 13.1% 37.2% Almonty Industries (TSX:AII) 12.6% 76.2% UGE International (TSXV:UGE) 35.4% 63.5% Click here to see the full list of 33 stocks from our Fast Growing TSX Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. Let's take a closer look at a couple of our picks from the screened companies. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Green Thumb Industries Inc. operates in the United States, focusing on the manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and sale of cannabis products for both medical and adult use, with a market capitalization of approximately CA$4.21 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue through the manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and sale of cannabis products designed for both medical and adult-use markets in the U.S. Insider Ownership: 10.9% Earnings Growth Forecast: 24% p.a. Green Thumb Industries, a growth company with insider trading activity, has shown a mixed financial trajectory. Despite trading 34.8% below its estimated fair value and expecting earnings to grow significantly at 24% annuallyoutpacing the Canadian market forecast of 13.3%its revenue growth projections are modest at 10.4% yearly, slightly above the Canadian market's 6.9%. Recent expansions include opening new dispensaries in Florida, enhancing its retail footprint and community engagement through charitable initiatives during grand openings. CNSX:GTII Earnings and Revenue Growth as at May 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Canada Goose Holdings Inc. operates globally, designing, manufacturing, and selling performance luxury apparel across multiple regions, with a market capitalization of approximately CA$1.47 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through its Wholesale and Direct-To-Consumer segments, with CA$316.40 million from Wholesale and CA$906.70 million from Direct-To-Consumer sales. Story continues Insider Ownership: 20.6% Earnings Growth Forecast: 34.7% p.a. Canada Goose Holdings, amidst management restructuring and strategic role expansions, is poised for notable earnings growth, forecasted at 34.71% annually over the next three years. Despite a slow revenue growth rate of 7.3% per year and a recent dip in profit margins to 4%, the company's stock is currently valued at 45.9% below its estimated fair value, suggesting potential upside. However, financial challenges persist as interest payments are not well covered by earnings. TSX:GOOS Ownership Breakdown as at May 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. focuses on the mining, development, and exploration of minerals and precious metals primarily in Africa, with a market capitalization of approximately CA$25.04 billion. Operations: The company primarily generates revenue from the mining, development, and exploration of minerals and precious metals in Africa. Insider Ownership: 13.1% Earnings Growth Forecast: 37.2% p.a. Ivanhoe Mines, actively pursuing mergers and acquisitions, positions itself as a potential acquirer rather than a target. Despite recent financial setbacks including a net loss of US$65.55 million in Q1 2024, the company is optimistic about expanding copper production in the Western Forelands. Forecasted revenue growth at 48.1% annually surpasses market expectations significantly, coupled with an anticipated earnings growth of 37.2% per year, although concerns remain due to shareholder dilution and significant insider selling recently. TSX:IVN Earnings and Revenue Growth as at May 2024 Taking Advantage Reveal the 33 hidden gems among our Fast Growing TSX Companies With High Insider Ownership screener with a single click here. Already own these companies? Bring clarity to your investment decisions by linking up your portfolio with Simply Wall St, where you can monitor all the vital signs of your stocks effortlessly. Discover a world of investment opportunities with Simply Wall St's free app and access unparalleled stock analysis across all markets. Ready For A Different Approach? 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.The analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years. Companies discussed in this article include CNSX:GTII TSX:IVN and Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Passers-by walk past a branch of the Esprit fashion group. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa The global fashion retailer Esprit has filed for insolvency for its European business. The company said on Wednesday that it filed for insolvency for Esprit Europe GmbH and six other German subsidiaries at a court in the German city of Dusseldorf. Business operations are to continue until further notice. Current managing director Man Yi Yip will leave the company, according to the press release. Lawyers Christian Gerloff and Christian Stoffler are to take over the management and reorganize the fashion group. The approximately 1,500 employees affected in Germany have been informed, according to the statement. Talks have already been held with an interested financial investor. Esprit had been suffering from declining sales "for some time", said Gerloff. Significant parts of the European business are affected by the insolvency. The Esprit subsidiaries in Belgium and Switzerland had already filed for insolvency in March. Esprit is active in around 40 countries worldwide and has its main headquarters in Ratingen, Germany and Hong Kong. Germany is the most important market for the group. According to the company, there are 57 shops nationwide and 124 in Europe. The Esprit fashion group had already applied for protective shield proceedings for several German companies in 2020. At that time, around 50 shops in Germany were closed and around 1,100 jobs were cut. FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg rebuffed bipartisan calls to resign during a heated House hearing Wednesday as lawmakers pressured him about a report that revealed a toxic workplace riddled with sexual harassment, bullying, and other misconduct. The bank regulator said he accepted the findings of the 234-page independent review, which was commissioned by the FDIC following stories about its workplace published last year by the Wall Street Journal. The report, which was handled by law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, also showed instances of anger from Gruenberg that alarmed colleagues. "As chairman, I take full responsibility," Gruenberg said in testimony before the House Financial Services Committee. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Martin Gruenberg testifies on Capitol Hill in May 2023. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein) (REUTERS / Reuters) "To anyone who has experienced sexual harassment, discrimination, or other misconduct at the FDIC, I again want to apologize and express how deeply sorry I am," he added. "I also acknowledge my own failures as chairman, both in failing to recognize how my temperament in meetings impacted others and for not having identified deeper cultural issues at the FDIC sooner." The FDIC boss made it clear he wants to help the agency fix its problems by remaining in charge. His words did little to satisfy many Republicans and Democrats on the House committee who took turns during the nearly four-hour-long hearing questioning Gruenberg's leadership. Committee Chair Patrick McHenry said that he is not the right person to fix the FDIC's workplace culture. "You have failed your employees, your agency, and the American people," said McHenry. House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Anadolu via Getty Images) "The fact that you have yet to resign proves you take no responsibility for your actions. And let me be clear, showing up today is not an act of courage, its an act of hubris." The scrutiny on Gruenberg comes at a critical time as regulators push for a sweeping overhaul of how banks are regulated in the wake of last spring's regional bank crisis. Last July, US banking regulators proposed raising capital requirements for banks by an aggregate 16%, widening the scope of the new rules to include banks with as low as $100 billion in assets. Officials argued the changes were needed to make banks stronger and better prepared for shocks like the crisis of this spring, when the failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic triggered deposit withdrawals. Banks, their lobbyists, and some Republican lawmakers argue the proposal would curb lending and hurt the economy. Even Fed Chair Jay Powell has hinted at reservations about the capital proposal and its impact and said that he expects changes to be made. Story continues Michael Barr, the Fed's vice chairman for supervision, also said Wednesday that he expects "broad, material changes" to the proposal. Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) (Tom Williams via Getty Images) Among the House lawmakers who called for Gruenberg's resignation Wednesday was Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.). "Your employees have lost confidence in you, sir," she said. "I have lost confidence in you and Congress has lost confidence in you. You, sir, should be fired. Not resigned, fired, Mr. Chairman." But some Democrats were equally critical. Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres asked Gruenberg to consider whether the chairman would have asked for his resignation if their roles were reversed and "you were a congressman on the House Financial Services Committee and I was the chair of the FDIC under the cloud of a scandal." "No, Congressman," Gruenberg replied. A Democratic congressman from New York, Greg Meeks, said he was "pissed off" that employees suffered from racial and gender discrimination, bullying, mistreatment, and harassment at the FDIC for years. He questioned how trust and credibility could be restored under current leadership. "Not a single one resulted in a removal or reductions in pay grade or any discipline more serious than a mere suspicion," said Meeks. "If I was me in my office, I'd probably be run out." Gruenberg did get some support Wednesday from one of his fellow regulators, acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu, who co-chaired a special committee that oversaw the external investigation. Hsu was asked whether he had experienced Gruenbergs anger, to which Hsu replied, "Passioned but not heated." Hsu said he thought Gruenberg was capable of resolving workplace culture issues at the FDIC. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Florida retiree can't claim Social Security benefits after finding out he's not a US citizen 60 years later He lived a complete life in the U.S. He went to school, worked in law enforcement, got married, raised a family, paid his taxes and voted in elections. But in 2020 when Klass was gearing down to live out his retirement in Clearwater, Florida one of the benefits of a post-working life he thought that he earned was suddenly ripped away from him. Don't miss Commercial real estate has beaten the stock market for 25 years but only the super rich could buy in. Here's how even ordinary investors can become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger Cost-of-living in America is still out of control use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today, no matter what the US Fed does or says These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024 and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how Klass received a shocking letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) stating he would not be sent the $1,649.90 monthly retirement benefits hed previously been approved for because hes not actually a U.S. citizen. I just was blindsided, he told ABC Action News Tampa Bay. Heres how this unusual mix-up happened. 'A lot of trouble' Klass was born in Canada. His mom was Canadian and his father was American, born and raised in New York. The family moved to the U.S. in 1959, and Klass has lived in the country ever since believing he was a dual citizen. He told the news station his roots were never questioned when he secured critical pieces of ID, including his Social Security card, drivers license and voter registration card. He was approved to serve as a marine in the U.S. military and later worked for the New Jersey state police. He says his citizenship status was never questioned. Ive been voting for over 40 years, he chuckled, adding: I guess Im in a lot of trouble. Read more: Jeff Bezos and Oprah Winfrey invest in this asset to keep their wealth safe you may want to do the same in 2024 After working in the U.S. and contributing payroll taxes (which are used to fund Social Security), Klass thought everything was as it should be when he received a letter from the SSA in 2019 stating that he was entitled to retirement benefits and his first monthly payment of $1,649.90 would occur on the second Wednesday of January 2020. But he never received a dime and instead got a letter disputing his right to retirement benefits. Upon learning his status, Klass formally applied for U.S. citizenship, but was denied due to a lack of evidence that his father was present in the country for 10 years prior to his birth, according to Action News. Klass has since sought out the help of an immigration attorney and genealogist to help him in his fight for citizenship and to get the benefits he thinks hes owed. Story continues I worked my 50 years and I paid into my Social Security. They should be paying me, he said. Government clawbacks Cases like Klass dont come around every day, according to Fort Myers-based immigration attorney Indera Demine. She told Action News its unclear how Klass got so far without his citizenship being questioned. For many years, the different [government] agencies didnt necessarily communicate with each other, she said. The documentation that you need to renew your drivers license or the Social Security benefits were not as stringent as they are now. Klass is by no means alone in fighting the SSA to either receive or hold onto Social Security benefits. In recent years, the agency has started clawing back billions of dollars in overpayments through notices to about one million Americans every year. According to KFF Health News, the SSA has admitted in the past that many overpayments were the result of errors by the government rather than the people often elderly, poor or disabled receiving the extra money. What to read next Car insurance premiums in America are through the roof and only getting worse. But 5 minutes could have you paying as little as $29/month The 5 most expensive mistakes in options trading and how to avoid them Baby boomers bust': Robert Kiyosaki warns that older Americans will get crushed in the 'biggest bubble in history' 3 shockproof assets for instant insurance now This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. The Ford-fueled hiring binge at BlueOval City is starting to come into focus. Ford Motor Co. announced on Tuesday that it will begin efforts to start hiring hourly employees next year and have them trained to begin customer deliveries of the next-generation electric truck beginning in 2026. Ford plans to train West Tennessee residents for jobs at its Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center and start hiring hourly employees in 2025 to ensure theyre prepared and ready to support consumer shipment of its next-generation electric truck starting in two years. Work is ongoing at Ford's BlueOval City in Stanton, TN. The automotive giant will look to develop local talent for jobs at the assembly plant through its BlueOval Learning initiative, according to a release. The comprehensive training that will consist of online, classroom and hands-on segments are designed to prepare employees to operate, maintain and troubleshoot equipment in their areas. The Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center will use the most current Ford manufacturing equipment to allow employees to train on machine vision systems for robot guidance and quality assurance, automated pick-and-place material handling, sealer and adhesive dispensing systems and various automated mechanical joining technologies, among several other manufacturing processes. Prospective employees will have an opportunity to meet with Ford representatives at the new Ford Tennessee Discovery Center in Brownsville once the facility opens later this year. Additionally, community members also will have a chance to experience advanced manufacturing through virtual reality simulations at the Discovery Center. Massive BlueOval City campus coming into form Ford said the $5.6 billion BlueOval City campus in Stanton is taking shape as robotic training cells, conveyors, paint spray booths and stamping press lines have been installed at The Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center assembly plant. As the work in the plant continues, Ford is focused on education, environmental protection and local engagement to make sure people in West Tennessee fully benefit from growth triggered by BlueOval City. We have been humbled by the warm hospitality extended to us by our new neighbors in West Tennessee, Kel Kearns, plant manager of Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center at BlueOval City, said in a release. As the company that helped create the American middle class, we want residents in every community around the region to benefit as BlueOval City comes to life. Work is ongoing at Ford's BlueOval City in Stanton, TN. Fords goal is for the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center assembly plant to be carbon neutral and use carbon-free electricity. From its earliest conception, BlueOval City was designed to help minimize impact on the local environment and to protect the local community. Story continues We recognize the significance of farming, fishing and hunting in West Tennessee, Blake Newbill, senior environmental engineer of Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center, said in a release. And we understand that part of being a good neighbor is caring for the air, water and land so these important resources are preserved for our community. Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Corey.Davis@commercialappeal.com or 901-293-1610. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Hiring for hourly employees to begin at BlueOval City in 2025 Finland-based energy companies Fortum and Helen have inaugurated the 380MW Pjelax wind farm in the west of the country. Pjelax, located in the Narpio and Kristiinankaupunki areas, is set to produce more than 1 terawatt hour (TWh) of wind power annually - 5% of Finland's total wind power production. The 56 turbine wind farm is a joint venture between Helen, which owns 40%, and Fortum, which owns 60%. Helen has agreed to purchase 50% of the wind farm's electricity output for its entire operational lifespan. Fortum president and CEO Markus Rauramo stated: With 380MW, Pjelax will double the wind power capacity operated by Fortum. Wind power plays an important role alongside the rest of our emission-free power generation. In line with our strategy, we provide clean electricity in the Nordic countries and help in electrifying industry to reduce its emissions. Pjelax is a prime example of how Fortum helps its customers reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. Helen CEO Olli Sirkka stated: The Pjelax wind farm is a significant joint effort by Helen and Fortum to increase renewable electricity production. Wind power generation creates a competitive advantage for Finland. Increasing the supply lowers customers electricity prices and enables investments based on the consumption of clean electricity. Construction of the wind farm began in January 2022, following an order placed with Nordex, a German wind turbine manufacturer. The project was completed on time, with Suvic Oy and Simons Infra Oy responsible for the infrastructure construction work and earthworks. The turbines were transported to the site through the port of Kaskinen via 728 special transport operations. The wind farm's regional economic impact will be significant, with municipal land rental income and property tax revenue expected to generate millions of euros annually. "Fortum and Helen inaugurate 380MW Pjelax wind farm in Finland" was originally created and published by Power Technology, 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. A sign with the inscription "Allianz" Pictured at one of the insurance company's locations. Sven Hoppe/dpa German insurance giant Allianz has made a surprisingly good start to the year thanks to good business in the property and casualty segment, the company said on Wednesday. In the first quarter, the DAX-listed group achieved an operating profit of almost 4 billion ($4.33 billion), almost 7% more than a year earlier, Allianz said. The net profit attributable to shareholders grew by around 22% to just under 2.5 billion following a burden in the previous year. Allianz performed consistently better than analysts had expected. Chief executive Oliver Bate believes the insurer is still on course to achieve an overall operating profit of 13.8 billion to 15.8 billion this year. Property and casualty insurance performed particularly well, posting an operating profit of just under 2.1 billion. This was an increase of about 10% compared to the same period last year. In the life and health insurance segment, the results remained stable. In the fund business, subsidiaries Pimco and Allianz Global Investors raised more than 34 billion in net new money and significantly increased their results. A view of an electric storage at Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG's (HHLA) Container Terminal Burchardkai. German logistics company Hamburger Hafen Und Logistik on Wednesday reported a net loss and a decline in revenue for the first quarter, citing disruptions caused by attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea. Christian Charisius/dpa German logistics company Hamburger Hafen Und Logistik on Wednesday reported a net loss and a decline in revenue for the first quarter, citing disruptions caused by attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea. For the first quarter, the Hamburg-based company recorded a net loss of 1.1 million ($1.19 million), compared with a net profit of 2.8 million posted for the same period last year. HHLA chief executive Angela Titzrath, said: "The start of HHLA in 2024 was made even more difficult by the disruptions in the supply chains due to the situation in the Red Sea and the challenging economic environment." "Ships were delayed at the ports, which in turn affected HHLA's container terminals and hinterland traffic," she added. HHLA reaffirmed its annual revenue guidance. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) stood at 17.4 million compared to last year's 22.9 million Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) slipped to 61.6 million from 67.2 million last year. Revenue moved down slightly to 363.6 million, from 364.7 million in 2023. Looking ahead to the full year, HHLA still expects to post EBIT of 85 million to 115 million, with a moderate increase in revenue. The company continues to project annual capital expenditure of 400 million to 450 million. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. Google (GOOG, GOOGL) is in the midst of a full-blown AI evolution. On Tuesday, the company announced a flurry of AI products and services during its I/O developer conference with the aim of repositioning itself as the worlds AI software leader. We are fully in our Gemini era, CEO Sundar Pichai said during his keynote, referring to the companys latest Gemini AI models, while noting that AI is still in the very early days of the AI platform shift. For years, Google was considered Silicon Valleys AI powerhouse. But OpenAI and Microsoft (MSFT) threw the company off course, entering into a multibillion-dollar, multiyear partnership in 2023 that saw Microsoft integrate OpenAIs most advanced models into its productivity, search, and cloud products. All this helped crown Microsoft as the worlds most valuable company earlier this year. Googles climb back hasnt been easy. It originally debuted a ChatGPT competitor called Bard that fell short of initial expectations. And more recently, it bungled the rollout of its generative AI-powered image generator, a tool that the company admitted was not working the way we intended. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai updates the world about Google's latest products during the company's I/O developer conference on Tuesday. (Christoph Dernbach/picture alliance via Getty Images) (picture alliance via Getty Images) Stealing back the AI throne starts with Google reinventing its most important product: Search. Now or soon, as its rolling out over time at the top of the screen, youll find a generative AI-powered area called AI Overview that offers summarized responses to queries along with links to the sources. Its a major departure for Google and could impact everything from the companys advertisers, its main source of revenue, to websites that rely on the firm for search traffic, such as travel platforms and media organizations. While the Search changes are easily the biggest updates to Googles public-facing products, they werent the only consequential announcements at the show. Google also showed off a new AI-powered prototype assistant called Project Astra. During a pre-recorded stage demo, the platform, which views content streamed through your smartphone camera, was able to identify objects, solve programming problems, and more. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai discusses Google's new AI push during the company's I/O developers conference on Tuesday. (Christoph Dernbach/picture alliance via Getty Images) (picture alliance via Getty Images) Unlike digital assistants Google Assistant and Apples (AAPL) Siri, Project Astra offers a more creative, conversational tone that sounds more human-like. Its even able to understand when you interrupt it, stopping to listen without getting mad. Not human-like! Google co-founder Sergey Brin, who was touring the I/O demo areas, said the technology behind Project Astra would have been helpful for the companys canceled Google Glass, adding that the headset was 10 years ahead of its time. Story continues But Googles announcement came a day after OpenAI debuted its own GPT-4o model, which, based on pre-recorded and live-streamed demos, is capable of many of the same tasks as Project Astra. Whats more, OpenAI is making parts of its GPT-4o model available to users for free, while Google says it will charge for access to Project Astra. Google also revealed AI updates to its Workspace productivity suite, including bringing Gemini to the Gmail mobile app. The feature allows users to quickly summarize emails and write contextual replies based on messages. Android, Googles mobile operating system, also received its share of generative AI improvements, including scam call detection and the ability to add AI-generated images and more to text messages and Gmail. As of now, that puts Google far ahead of Apple, which has yet to introduce generative AI features to its iOS operating system for the iPhone. But that is largely expected to change when the company hosts its annual WWDC event in June. Even if Apple debuts new generative AI offerings, it could still be a boon for Google, since, according to Bloomberg, Apple is working to use Googles Gemini to power the iPhones AI capabilities. But Apple is also in talks with OpenAI. Folks, we've got an AI bake-off. For now, Google appears to be back on top. While GPT-4o cooled some of the excitement around Project Astra, Googles AI Overview for Search will expose far more people to its generative AI technologies than Microsoft or Apple when the latter shows its hand. But with Microsoft preparing to host its Build developer conference next week, Googles lead could be short-lived. Subscribe to the Yahoo Finance Tech newsletter. (Yahoo Finance) Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley. Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Mexican bakery giant Grupo Bimbo is to end operations at a factory in Nebraska by early July. The facility in Bellevue produces bread and buns. It employs 172 people. A recent assessment of our Bellevue, Nebraska bakery concluded that this bakery is inconducive to our company growth plans, local subsidiary Bimbo Bakeries USA said in a statement. Bimbo said it will shift production to other bakeries in the companys manufacturing network. This was a difficult decision because of the dedicated teams and community connection of the Bellevue Bakery, Marco Espinoza, senior director of regional operations, was quoted as saying in the statement. However, after careful analysis and consideration, it was apparent that the facility did not have the infrastructure and manufacturing capability to compete in the marketplace. Last week, Bimbo announced the closure of a facility in Canada, with jobs set to go as a result. The bakery in Levis, Quebec, will close its doors in the week starting 1 July. Some 95 employees are impacted by the decision. In April, Bimbo said it expects to cut its capital expenditure in 2024. Speaking to analysts after Bimbo filed its first-quarter financial results on 22 April, CFO Diego Gaxiola said the group was expecting a slight decrease for this year and for 2025. Gaxiola added Bimbo would probably see a normalisation in [2026] going forward. Also in April, the company appointed chief operating officer Rafael Pamias as its new CEO. Pamias started in the new role on 1 May, succeeding Daniel Servitje, who has been Bimbos CEO since 1997. "Group Bimbo to close bakery in US" was originally created and published by Just Food, 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. Planes Passengers are braced for a wave of flight cancellations this summer as the safety crisis at Boeing has left airlines scrambling to secure enough planes. The warning has been made by Avia Solutions, the worlds largest aircraft leasing company, which has said European airlines are likely to slim down their schedules in the coming months. Anticipated cancellations stem from a slowdown in deliveries across the airline sector in the wake of Boeings mid-air blowout, as safety concerns spark manufacturing delays at a time of soaring demand post-Covid. Gediminas Ziemelis, chairman of Dublin-based Avia, said: Were seeing what I would call super-demand. The last time there was anything like this was when traffic rebounded after 9/11. Airlines are desperate for aircraft because of the production problems but the well is dry. I think in this dislocated system that cancellations are quite possible. Avia, which leases planes on short-term contracts, said it expects to deploy at least 80pc of its 212-strong fleet in Europe this summer as carriers race to solve shortfall issues. As well as problems surrounding Boeing, which has been in turmoil ever since a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max plane in January, airlines have also been impacted by manufacturer Pratt & Whitney recalling hundreds of engines for Airbus short-haul planes. The resulting shortage of aircraft has meant carriers are racing to bring in emergency capacity, relying increasingly on the so-called wet-lease sector which provides aircraft and crew for periods as short as a few months. However, even with this support, Mr Ziemelis predicts that some airlines will fail to secure the capacity needed to maintain planned flights. Avias research shows that of the 250 or so aircraft available across Europe for short-term rent, only eight are yet to be placed with airlines. As a result, it is likely that airlines still short of aircraft will be forced to reduce their number of flights this summer. Avia said it has already agreed to lease aircraft to a number of carriers, including Wizz Air, which has taken seven jets after grounding about 45 planes following the Pratt & Whitney issue. Lufthansa has also agreed to lease eight aircraft and British Airways four, Mr Ziemelis said. Holiday giant TUI is also taking planes including the 737 Max, of which Avia has 14 in its fleet. Turkish Airlines will be the biggest single customer with more than 30 jets. Supply chain issues at Airbus and Boeing are likely to sustain a bubble in demand until 2026, Mr Ziemelis said. Story continues As well as serving European airlines, Avia which was established in Lithuania 14 years ago is also targeting new markets overseas, such as Australia, Brazil, Malaysia and Thailand. This will allow the business to deploy its planes throughout the year rather than them standing idle over winter. Ideally, Avias jets will spend six months in Europe and five in the southern hemisphere, with a month for maintenance. 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. Jeremy Hunt during a television interview in New York in April - Christopher Goodney/Bloomberg Jeremy Hunts push to get more pension funds to buy British risks going too far and leaving retirees worse off, the worlds largest money manager has warned. Blackrock, which looks after the pensions of one in five Brits, said it would be alarmed if the government forced funds to own a specific amount of UK stocks. Such a move has been speculated after the Chancellor decided to force some pension funds to disclose how much they invest in UK equities. Mr Hunt has been explicit in his goal of getting pension funds to invest more into British assets to boost growth and has pledged to take further steps if things did not improve. It has prompted speculation the government could mandate that funds must have a certain percentage of assets invested in UK stock markets. Antony Manchester, a former Treasury official and now BlackRocks head of UK public policy, said he was concerned such a move risked leaving pensioners poorer in retirement. Speaking at an event hosted by a think tank called Bright Blue, Mr Manchester said: We look after the pensions of about 12m people here in the UK and we strongly believe that they are there to give people a decent retirement and therefore [we are] a little bit worried about suggestions that they might be forced to invest in assets that their managers dont think are going to give the best returns for the end investor. City minister Bim Afolami, who was questioned by Mr Manchester at an event hosted at UK Finance, insisted the Government was not planning such a move. He said: I am not talking about forcing anybody to do anything. Transparency will be quite an important lever, thats what were talking about. We are not going to mandate anybody to do anything. British pension funds currently have just 6pc of their funds invested in UK stocks, compared to 53pc in 1997. Experts have blamed the decline on a wave of regulation that has pushed funds out of riskier stocks and towards safer investments such as bonds. However, money managers have also turned their backs on UK stock markets after years of under performance. Coutts, the Kings bank, emphasised the trend last month when it announced plans to shift nearly 2bn out of the London stock market and into better performing overseas assets. A BlackRock spokesman said: We support measures aimed to attract and incentivise pension investment in the UK, which can help boost the economy whilst also delivering better retirement outcomes for end investors. However, it is essential that any calls for further investment in the UK are balanced against the need for pension schemes to make investment decisions based on the interests of their members. Story continues Mr Afolami also said he would do more to force regulators such as the Financial Conduct Authority to do more to boost economic growth. Regulators have recently been ordered to take the UK economys health into account during their decision making. Mr Afolami said: Be assured, we will go further if needed, if things are not developing in the way that we would all like to see. 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. Italian wine group Marchesi Frescobaldi has promoted COO Fabrizio Dosi to the position of CEO. Dosi, who has been Marchesi Frescobaldis COO since 2019, will replace Giovanni Geddes da Filicaja, who is remaining with the company as one of the groups board of trustees. I have been working side by side with Fabrizio Dosi for five years now and I have always admired his finely tuned and broad-ranging analytic skills, Marchesi Frescobaldi president Lamberto Frescobaldi said. Fabrizio came to Frescobaldi with rich experience in a wide range of sectors, from fine food to high fashion, then passionately immersed himself in the world of wine. His ability to see the world from different positions has been of immense value to us, Mr Frescobaldi added. Dosi started his career as a consultant with Gemini Consulting. His previous experience includes senior marketing and retail management roles at luxury fashion house Bulgari. His former c-suite experience includes a stint as CEO of Giorgio Armani Hong Kong. He said: The world of wine has always been a real passion of mine, and it is one of Italys most important economic and cultural drivers. Thus, it is a great honour as well as a significant responsibility to guide such a prestigious group. Last year, the company bought its tenth wine estate in Italy with the purchase of Poggio Verrano in Toscana. The groups portfolio also includes Castello Pomino, Castello Nipozzano, Tenuta Perano, Tenuta Ammiraglia and Remole. Separately, Marchesi Frescobaldi has a holding company with Michael Mondavi and SPI Group for three of its Tuscan wine estates Tenuta dellOrnellaia, Castel Giocondo and Luce della Vite all of which are located in Tenute di Toscana. Its latest acquisition was struck in July, with a deal for the Oregon wine producer Domaine Roy & Fils. The purchase marked Marchesi Frescobaldis first entry into the US market. Domaine Roy & Fils, founded in 2012, holds a 40-acre estate in two locations that supply all of the grapes for the US groups products. "Italian wine group Marchesi Frescobaldi names Fabrizio Dosi CEO" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, 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. Just 50 American families have funneled more than $600 million into the 2024 elections in donations to political parties, PACs and super PACs, a new report has found a staggering figure that underscores the disproportionate influence the wealthy will wield on the outcome of Novembers elections. The report, from the progressive nonprofit Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF), tracked the top 50 families or individuals, all worth billions, who have pumped the most money into the political system as of early May. These 50 billionaire families alone have the political-spending capacity of over 6 million ordinary American families, wrote the authors, senior ATF associate Zachary Tashman and senior writer William Rice. They based the comparison on the average net worth of the American family and the average net worth of the 50 families in the report, who have a combined net worth of more than $1 trillion. More than two-thirds, or 69%, of their donations flowed to Republican candidates or causes, including the super PAC supporting former President Donald Trumps reelection campaign, and Americans for Prosperity Action, a super PAC affiliated with the Koch family that supports conservative candidates. Only 23% went to groups supporting Democrats, and the remainder did not have a clear partisan affiliation. That pronounced GOP tilt is a sign that the political spending of billionaire families is largely an investment in preserving familial wealth and power, the authors argued, noting that many Democrats campaigned on raising corporate income taxes and taxes on the wealthiest 1%, while Republican policies further insulate major fortunes from taxation. Former President Donald Trump stands with his wife, Melania Trump, as they arrive for a GOP fundraiser on April 6 in Palm Beach, Florida. Lynne Sladky/Associated Press Jeff Yass, a billionaire stock trader from Pennsylvania and newfound ally of Trump, is the largest individual donor so far this cycle, having given more than $70 million, most of it to the far-right Club for Growth and the PAC supporting the hard-right House Freedom Caucus. In a close second is hedge fund manager Ken Griffith, who has focused much of his spending on David McCormick, a fellow hedge fund manager challenging Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who is running for his states open Senate seat. LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and his family are the largest Democratic donors on the list and have concentrated their spending on supporting President Joe Bidens reelection. Even among these ultra-wealthy families, political giving was most concentrated at the top. The top 10 families by political donations which also include well-known conservative mega-donors such as the Kochs, Ricketts and Uihleins accounted for more than half of the 50 families overall spending. Story continues Mega-donors owe their ability to shower political causes with millions in donations to Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, a landmark 2010 Supreme Court decision that obliterated most limits on indirect political giving. The decision also enabled donors to make unlimited dark money donations, which are not publicly traceable, meaning the total spending by the biggest political contributors is likely much higher than $600 million. Related... Kitchen and bath product maker Kohler officially opened the doors to a new manufacturing facility in Casa Grande, Arizona, yesterday. According to the company, based in Kohler, Wisconsin, the new facility will create 400 jobs. The facility spans about one million square feet on some 216 acres in the Grand Canyon State, so the company has plenty of room to grow. The plant makes Sterling brand bath and shower fixtures. The factory also installed advanced manufacturing technology that can create durable baths, shower receptors, and bath and shower walls. Kohler has seen double-digit growth in the fixture segment, driven by the surging U.S. housing market. Most Read on IEN: In addition to manufacturing operations, the site also has an ancillary warehouse, a distribution center, office space, cafeterias and a showroom. Located about an hour south of Phoenix, the new facility called for an investment of more than $300 million, which, according to the Phoenix Business Journal, is one of the largest made by Kohler in its 150-year history. Kohler chose Casa Grande over potential sites in California, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Utah, and even Mexico. The company chose Casa Grande in part because of the talent pool, which includes the ability to attract workers from Tucson and Phoenix. The new factory will also track sustainability measures to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, water use, solid waste, and energy efficiency. In March, the U.S. Department of Energy picked Kohler to begin award negotiations for up to $51.2 million, matched by company investment, to demonstrate a commercial-scale decarbonization solution in Casa Grande. Kohler wants to build an electric boiler and microgrid system and expects the upgrades to prevent at least 7,865 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) from being released annually. If successful, the effort represents a potential reduction of at least 90% of the pressing process emissions by eliminating CO2e emissions from natural gas boilers. Furthermore, the company will install a 21 MW solar array microgrid, use long-duration energy storage (LDES) batteries with 68 MWh of storage, and install 12 MW of HVO-capable industrial backup generators. The LDES batteries, coupled with advanced microgrid controls, eliminate all possible solar curtailment scenarios (wasted solar energy) and enable the facility to run the boilers on renewable energy. Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news. Wells Fargo bank has been accused of aiding and abetting an alleged $300 million Ponzi scheme that reportedly bilked more than 1,000 victims, many who were elderly and lost their life savings. According to a lawsuit filed on May 9 in Palm Beach, Florida, Circuit Court by the receiver appointed in the case, the bank failed to stop operators of the scheme from diverting funds from Wells Fargo accounts set up to hold investments from later investors into Wells Fargo accounts created for earlier investors. A Wells Fargo spokeswoman said Wednesday that the company had no comment about the lawsuit. The company has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit, according to court records. In July 2021, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation filed a civil lawsuit against a long list of companies, saying they engaged in the sale of unregistered securities. The scheme was developed by Marshal Seeman and Eric Charles Holtz, operating in Boca Raton as Seeman Holtz, the office alleged. Seeman and Holtz were assisted in their operation by Brian J. Schwartz, the states lawsuit said. Seniors from Florida and throughout the United States who believed they would earn interest as high as 8% annually invested between $100,000 and $10 million in promissory notes purchased from a company created by Seeman and Holtz called National Senior Insurance Inc. and several affiliates, an attorney representing the investors said in 2021. The complaint against Wells Fargo states that investors were promised returns as high as 18%. They were told they were purchasing securities that were backed by life insurance policies owned by Seeman Holtz, according to multiple lawsuits filed by investors in 2021. Instead, their money was used to pay new investors in what the newest lawsuit called a Ponzi scheme. Most of the investors in the notes have lost their entire investment which, in some instances, was their lifes savings, the suit against Wells Fargo states. Many of the investors have no other income, subsist almost exclusively off Social Security benefits, and are now struggling desperately to find the means to sustain their livelihood. The state was granted a temporary injunction to stop the operation in July 2021 while Daniel J. Stermer, an attorney with Fort Lauderdale-based Development Specialists Inc., was appointed as a monitor to oversee the companies remaining assets. Holtz killed himself in June 2021, five days after one of the investors filed a class-action suit against Seeman Holtz. Schwartz died last year, Stermer said in an interview Tuesday. Story continues In May 2023, Stermers title changed to receiver and he was given a mandate to bring money back in, Stermer said. So far, $4.75 million has been recovered while Stermer has filed lawsuits against 15 other entities in an effort to recover more. Stermer said that as receiver, he plans to soon resolve the Department of Financial Regulations complaint by agreeing to a consent order that will permanently prevent the Seeman Holtz companies from selling unregistered securities. The complaint against Wells Fargo accuses the bank of unjust enrichment, negligence, aiding and abetting fraud, and aiding and abetting Seeman and Holtzs breach of fiduciary duties. The bank served as trustee of the irrevocable life insurance trusts and as securities intermediary of the life insurance policies, and also opened 31 bank accounts for the Seeman Holtz companies, the suit states. The suit alleges that the bank failed to stop the Seeman Holtz companies from using funds raised by companies formed in the latter years of the operation to pay interest and principal to investors holding notes in the companies that were formed earlier. Wells Fargo knew, or should have known, of the Ponzi scheme and extensive fraud, the suit says, because it oversaw both sides of the scheme. The bank also knew, or should have known, that three sets of companies comingled and transferred investor money between the Wells Fargo bank accounts without any legitimate purpose or financial arrangement, the suit states. The lawsuit seeks the return of income and fees generated by Wells Fargo from the operations use of its accounts, plus interest and other costs. Lucapa Diamond has announced its intention to sell its 70% stake in the Mothae diamond mine in the diamond-rich Maluti Mountains in Lesotho. This decision follows a strategic review by Lucapa's newly restructured board of directors. The company is currently in discussions with the Government of Lesotho, which holds the remaining 30% interest in the mine, regarding the divestment options. Commissioned in 2019, the Mothae mine operates as an open cast mine and is known to produce large, high-value diamonds. In preparation for the divestment, Lucapa is finalising a data room for interested parties. The board has expressed its commitment to prioritising the sale process. Lucapa chairman Stuart Brown said: On review, it is clear the company should streamline the portfolio to focus on our core assets in Africa and Australia. The companys collaboration with the Lesotho Government on the Mothae Diamond Mine has been rewarding and our management have worked exceptionally well to optimise the plant to recover large diamonds. We expect there will be significant interest from those within the diamond industry and on a wider scale. The mine, which has a life of more than 20 years, was placed on care and maintenance in late March 2020 due to the Covid-19 lockdown. It restarted operations with 75% of nameplate capacity in October 2020. Lucapa, which is exploring for diamonds in Australia, Angola and Botswana, is undertaking a feasibility study into the development of the Merlin Diamond Project in the Northern Territory of Australia. Australian Natural Diamonds, a unit of Lucapa, acquired Merlin in 2021. "Lucapa plans to offload 70% stake in Lesotho diamond mine" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, 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. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and a group of Republican senators are moving to overturn a retirement investment planning rule that was finalized by the Labor Department last month. The Labor Department unveiled the new rule last month that would update the definition of an investment advice fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Manchin and 15 Republican senators joined in co-sponsoring a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would overturn this new rule. Manchin argued that the rule, if enacted, would cause people to lose access to investment advice due to how broadly the rule defines fiduciary. This Department of Labor rule is yet another example of dangerous federal overreach. While I understand the Administrations intent to protect Americans retirement savings, the truth of the matter is this does the exact opposite, Manchin said. The Labor Department said the rule will require trusted investment advice providers to give prudent, loyal, honest advice free from overcharges. Under the new rule, these fiduciaries need to avoid giving recommendations that favor the investment advice providers interests financial or otherwise at the retirement savers expense, according to the department. Hardworking West Virginians and Americans need protection, not uncertainty when it comes to their long-term financial security, and they certainly do not want or need the federal government further involved in their personal retirement decisions, Manchin said. Sen. Ted Budd (N.C.), one of the Republicans who introduced the CRA resolution, described the rule as the Biden administrations latest executive overreach in a statement. Consumers would lose access to financial advice, reduce the number of financial management options, and throw a would-be retirees financial security into uncertainty, he said. Thats why I am proud to lead the Senates bipartisan CRA to overturn this dangerous new regulation, and look forward to it receiving a vote on the floor. Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga.) also led the companion bill for this legislation in the House and took aim at the Labor Departments new rule in a statement. By muddying the waters with burdensome overregulation, the Biden [Labor Departments] finalized fiduciary rule does more harm than good to the very people it is claiming to protect retirees and savers, he said. The Hill has reached out to the Labor Department for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. With the U.S. border wall in the foreground, this Foxconn plant in San Jeronimo, Mexico, is about 15 miles west of El Paso, Texas. This is part two of a five-part series. CIUDAD JUAREZ, Chihuahua, Mexico Technology, cultural differences and global trade converge in the Foxconn factories along the Mexican border with the United States. The world's largest electronics manufacturer has 30,000 employees spread over seven campuses in Mexico, with major production centers in Juarez, Tijuana, Guadalajara and Chihuahua City, making desktop computers, servers, components for electric vehicles and other products. . In this part of the country, where mountains converge with desert, the company has come to epitomize "nearshoring," a global trade strategy focused on manufacturing near, but not within, a given country in this case, the United States. Foxconn says worldwide it makes about four of every 10 consumer electronic devices, and although the company doesn't divulge the names of its clients, industry analysts say it builds roughly two of every three Apple iPhones. In Mexico, the company was a cornerstone of nearshoring long before it announced plans, with much fanfare, to create 13,000 jobs in Wisconsin but has since produced just 1,000 positions. Foxconn anticipates continued growth of its Mexican operations, which have included a $500 million investment in the state of Chihuahua alone. Its important that we have more capabilities here in order to follow the nearshoring trends, said Ulysses Lu, who was Foxconn's representative in Mexico last fall when the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel toured the 493,000-square-foot Juarez plant, which has around 2,500 employees. Nearby, Foxconn has a 10,000-employee campus only a few hundred yards from the U.S. border. Truckloads of the company's products cross into Santa Teresa, New Mexico, at a checkpoint practically built for the company's use. The Juarez plant has a "War Room" where managers map out production strategies and conduct video conferences with the company's leadership in Taipei, Taiwan. In deference to Taiwanese culture, there's a Gods Room" temple with the deity Earth God on display. A Gods Room is shown at Foxconn in Juarez, Mexico. Outside the plant, theres a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe, which has a special place in Catholicism in Mexico and has become a cultural symbol throughout Latin America and the United States. As plant employees begin and end their work shift, some make the sign of the cross, leave flowers and pray at the shrine. A fleet of what appears to be repurposed school buses, some with Catholic crucifixes in the passenger area, provides transportation to work for many of them. Story continues Having been in Mexico for 20 years, Foxconn has an advantage over some Asian manufacturers that recently moved into the country and have struggled with cultural differences. Mexican workers wouldn't likely tolerate the rigid, harsh working conditions found in some Asian factories. In China, for example, workers would be told by employers to "listen up" and follow orders. In Mexico, they're encouraged to "speak up" and have more dialogue with management, according to Lu. We understand there are cultural differences. We put a lot of effort into understanding how to work with our Mexican employees, he said. Foxconn's Mexican factories are a blend of advanced automation and manual-labor assembly work. The Juarez plant has three work shifts, and through voluntary overtime, weekends are used when additional production is needed. Foxconn says it complies with Mexicos minimum wage requirement, which in Juarez is currently about $22 (U.S.) per day. The company offers productivity and attendance bonuses, low-cost meals, and a commissary where employees can purchase household items. Hiring is an ongoing challenge in an area with hundreds of manufacturing plants, and where the worker attrition rate varies between 5% and 8% at the 10,000-employee Foxconn campus. Personal computers are assembled in Juarez, Mexico. Foxconn has 32 buses to transport workers to the plant that employs about 2,500 people. The Taiwan-based manufacturer of personal computers and computer components employs about 30,000 people in Mexico. There are classes available for employees, including those with little formal education, and the company works with local high schools, technical schools, and the state government on a dual education program. The Juarez plant has a medical department and social work, psychology, nutrition and physical therapy services. In 2023, there were at least four major Taiwanese companies in expansion mode in Juarez, bringing some of their manufacturing from Asia, said Jerry Pacheco, president and CEO of the Border Industrial Association in Santa Teresa. As long as the U.S. and China are engaged in a trade war, and tensions remain high between China and Taiwan, companies will do the math and see Mexico as a viable alternative for expanding their operations, even if they never pull out of China or Taiwan, according to Pacheco. American and Chinese companies expand in Mexico Nearshoring in Mexico has been pursued by multinational companies seeking to reduce their Asian supply-chain risks and be near U.S. consumers without the expense of American manufacturing. It is the sibling of reshoring, which is the relocation of manufacturing from overseas to the country where it originated, or the final consumer, often the United States. In Mexico, the benefits of nearshoring include tariff-free trade zones and labor costs even lower than in China. The strategy has worked well. U.S. Commerce Department figures released in February showed that for the first time in more than 20 years the value of goods imported from Mexico exceeded that of China. The value from Mexico rose around 5% to more than $475 billion in 2023, while the value from China fell 20% to $427 billion, according to the Commerce Department. Much of the overall growth in Mexico has come from foreign-owned companies utilizing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which grants duty-free trade for many products across North America. "If U.S. manufacturing is to be less dependent on China, we think the path will be via Mexico," Morgan Stanley analyst Nikolaj Lippmann said in a research note. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Chief Cecilia Esparza walks past the border wall while Mexican truck drivers await entry from San Jeronimo, Mexico (right) to Santa Teresa, New Mexico. About 700 trucks from Mexico use this port of entry daily. Foxconn, the Taiwan-based manufacturer of personal computers and computer components, built the plant in San Jeronimo. Mexico's nearshoring doesnt show any signs of slowing, although Morgan Stanley points out the trend faces challenges with environmental issues, access to skilled labor and quality of public infrastructure. Nearshoring will happen over time, not overnight, Fernando Sedano, Morgan Stanleys Latin American economist, said in a June 2023 report. China, by far, is still the factory of the world. But many of the biggest brands in electronics, home appliances, medical devices and vehicles have been manufactured in Mexico for decades. In Juarez alone, there are around 300,000 people employed in manufacturing. Seeking access to the U.S. marketplace without tariffs and duties, even China has realized the opportunities in Mexico. There are now more than 1,300 Chinese manufacturers in the country, according to the Mexican government, and China is the fastest-growing source of foreign investment. China is now second only to the United States as the largest investor in Monterrey, a northern Mexico city of 6 million people. Monterrey has about 140 industrial parks and a manufacturing history that, like Milwaukee, began with the brewing industry more than a century ago. Now, it is centered on high-tech manufacturing. "Monterrey has been the leading destination for nearshoring investments," said Invest Monterrey Executive Director Hector Tijerina. "We have been attracting a lot of multinationals from all around the world for the past decade. But the growth that we've been having these past two or three years has been double what we're used to." More: Mexico may see the biggest gains in pullback from Asia. Here's what you need to know. Mexico has taken U.S. jobs but it's created them as well Over decades, a torrent of U.S. manufacturing jobs have been lost to Mexico as companies sought the advantages of low-cost labor and trade deals. In the summer of 2021, Hufcor Inc., a century-old Wisconsin manufacturer of accordion-style wall partitions used to subdivide offices, convention centers and school gymnasiums, announced it was closing its factory in Janesville and moving the work to Monterrey. It was devastating to the plants 166 workers, who had built partitions used around the world. Hufcor provided little explanation, but through its owner, Los Angeles-based OpenGate Capital, became embroiled in a bankruptcy that left workers in hardship. In a Sept. 19, 2022, letter to OpenGate CEO Andrew Nikou, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) weighed in on the matter. As a result of your mismanagement, dozens of former Hufcor workers some of whom have life-threatening illnesses are without health coverage. Others never received the retention bonuses they were promised in exchange for continuing to work for the company after you announced the Janesville facility would be closing, Baldwin wrote. In another example, six workers at a Sturtevant orthodontics plant lost their jobs in 2017 after spending a year training their colleagues in Mexico, in-person and via Skype, to improve quality standards. Once a minimum standard was met, the USA workers were let go, according to a Trade Adjustment Assistance petition filed with the U.S. Department of Labor by the company on behalf of the workers. The job losses, large or small, are personal to those individuals and their communities. However, some say losing work to Mexico isn't as bad for the United States as losing it to China. Trade between the U.S. and Mexico supports work on both sides of the border. Politically, economically and culturally we're more aligned with Mexico than China. "I know there are some in the heartland of America, and people outside the border region, that view Mexico as a foe. But it is a strategic and economic ally of the United States, and we need to start treating them as such," said Jon Barela, CEO of the Borderplex Alliance, a business group based in El Paso, Texas. Wisconsin imported $6 billion in products from Mexico last year, up 122% from three years earlier. Medical devices, electrical equipment and motor vehicle parts were among the categories. Wisconsin exported $4.3 billion in products to Mexico in 2023, up more than 65% from three years earlier. Agriculture, food and engines were some of the categories, supporting more than 86,000 jobs in the state, according to government figures. Some have speculated Mexico could provide jobs that would ease the number of migrants coming into the United States from Central and South America. But that's not happened, said Joell Molina, Americas regional program director with the Solidarity Center, a workers rights group based in Washington, D.C. Right now there's no incentive whatsoever for any of these migrants to stop and settle down in Mexico, because the conditions are not that different from where they're leaving," Molina said. Maquiladoras are pursuing nearshoring Mexico has around 5,000 maquiladoras, which are factories that take raw materials and parts and assemble them into finished products for foreign-owned companies most of them in the U.S. In Matamoros, Mexico, manufacturer NovaLink is the Swiss Army Knife of nearshoring. Matamoros is a city of 600,000 people on the southern bank of the Rio Grande River across from Brownsville, Texas. Its a historical site for the Mexican War of Independence, the Mexican American War, the American Civil War, and other battles. Historians have given it the unofficial title of "Undefeated, Loyal, and Heroic. NovaLink's manufacturing capabilities and products vary widely, from clothing and sporting goods to aircraft seating and fire extinguishers. Toyota, Patagonia and Turtle Fur are three of its many clients. NovaLink traces its roots to the 1980s when General Motors plant manager Bill Wolfe was assigned the task of moving a GM factory from his hometown of Anderson, Indiana, to Mexico. It was upsetting news in Anderson, a city of about 55,000 people northeast of Indianapolis, which had ties to the automotive industry going back nearly a century. Still, the GM plant provided much-needed jobs in Matamoros, which had a population of 279,000 in the late 1980s and had once thrived in the cotton trade and shrimp processing industries. Large companies such as automotive parts maker Delphi established plants in Matamoros; some are in an industrial park with road names like Michigan Avenue and Ohio Street. Years ago, Delphi had a plant in Oak Creek that closed in 2007, resulting in the loss of around 200 jobs. Through NovaLink, Wolfe and business partner Rene Gonzalez saw an opportunity to bring Mexican manufacturing to U.S. businesses lacking the wherewithal of companies like General Motors. NovaLink partners with companies to establish their operations inside one of its facilities. The companies can provide their own equipment, raw materials, and assist in worker training. NovaLink provides manufacturing space and the local workforce, and manages the day-to-day operations and shipping of finished goods. Bill's son, Jason Wolfe, is now the president and CEO of NovaLink, which operates 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Mexico and has a distribution center in Brownsville. "We have everything in place for a company to relocate their operation, whether it's from China, the U.S., or anywhere else," Jason Wolfe said. There will always be a need for low-cost manufacturing of inexpensive consumer goods, like a $10 toaster, whether it's in Mexico or Asia. Time to market, freight considerations and available labor are advantages for Mexico. Jason Wolfe, president and CEO of NovaLink, holds a wiring harness made by his company. "The Mexican maquiladora program plays a role in some of these products, but the focus has shifted to products that require more than just lower-cost labor," Wolfe said. One of NovaLink's U.S. clients sells custom boat covers. When a customer places an online order, it drops directly into the factory in Matamoros where the cover is cut, sewn, packaged and shipped. "We're able to make these products on a real-time basis, which minimizes time to market," Wolfe said. The company has grown to more than 2,000 employees and has landed work previously done overseas. One advantage of being in Mexico is that U.S. clients can travel to Matamoros in a day, meet with NovaLink management, and be home the next day. Wolfe was only 13 years old when his family moved from Anderson to Brownsville. He imagined it would be like something out of a Western movie with horses and cattle ranches. Workers head off for a break at NovaLink in Matamoros, Mexico. NovaLink, which has about 2,000 employees, produces a wide variety of products for partner companies. What he discovered was a Mexico that was as fascinating to him as it was foreign. "I knew nothing about Mexico or the culture before I came down here, but I fell in love with it," he said. After graduating from the University of Texas-Austin with a bachelor's degree in business, Jason joined his brother, Brad, and their father, Bill, in NovaLink. "My father is a mentor of mine and other employees at NovaLink. I don't ever expect to fill his shoes, but I would like to be able to leave here with the same respect that he generated with his employees," Jason said. He added: "I think this company has given opportunities to many people over the years to start a career, build a life, and have a better standard of living. And that's extremely important." . The Bringing It Home series was created with the support of the Pulitzer Center and the Richard C. Longworth Media Fellowship. The Center champions the power of stories to make complex issues relevant and inspire action. The Longworth Fellowship, which was awarded to reporter Rick Barrett and photojournalist Mark Hoffman, is devoted to bringing global issues to Midwestern readers. Neither the Pulitzer Center nor Longworth played a role in the reporting, editing or presentation of the series. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Manufacturers seeking cheap labor, access to U.S., head to Mexico With the U.S. border wall in the foreground, this Foxconn plant in San Jeronimo, Mexico, is about 15 miles west of El Paso, Texas. This is part two of a five-part series. CIUDAD JUAREZ, Chihuahua, Mexico Technology, cultural differences and global trade converge in the Foxconn factories along the Mexican border with the United States. The world's largest electronics manufacturer has 30,000 employees spread over seven campuses in Mexico, with major production centers in Juarez, Tijuana, Guadalajara and Chihuahua City, making desktop computers, servers, components for electric vehicles and other products. . In this part of the country, where mountains converge with desert, the company has come to epitomize "nearshoring," a global trade strategy focused on manufacturing near, but not within, a given country in this case, the United States. Foxconn says worldwide it makes about four of every 10 consumer electronic devices, and although the company doesn't divulge the names of its clients, industry analysts say it builds roughly two of every three Apple iPhones. In Mexico, the company was a cornerstone of nearshoring long before it announced plans, with much fanfare, to create 13,000 jobs in Wisconsin but has since produced just 1,000 positions. Foxconn anticipates continued growth of its Mexican operations, which have included a $500 million investment in the state of Chihuahua alone. Its important that we have more capabilities here in order to follow the nearshoring trends, said Ulysses Lu, who was Foxconn's representative in Mexico last fall when the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel toured the 493,000-square-foot Juarez plant, which has around 2,500 employees. Nearby, Foxconn has a 10,000-employee campus only a few hundred yards from the U.S. border. Truckloads of the company's products cross into Santa Teresa, New Mexico, at a checkpoint practically built for the company's use. The Juarez plant has a "War Room" where managers map out production strategies and conduct video conferences with the company's leadership in Taipei, Taiwan. In deference to Taiwanese culture, there's a Gods Room" temple with the deity Earth God on display. A Gods Room is shown at Foxconn in Juarez, Mexico. Outside the plant, theres a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe, which has a special place in Catholicism in Mexico and has become a cultural symbol throughout Latin America and the United States. As plant employees begin and end their work shift, some make the sign of the cross, leave flowers and pray at the shrine. A fleet of what appears to be repurposed school buses, some with Catholic crucifixes in the passenger area, provides transportation to work for many of them. Having been in Mexico for 20 years, Foxconn has an advantage over some Asian manufacturers that recently moved into the country and have struggled with cultural differences. Mexican workers wouldn't likely tolerate the rigid, harsh working conditions found in some Asian factories. Story continues In China, for example, workers would be told by employers to "listen up" and follow orders. In Mexico, they're encouraged to "speak up" and have more dialogue with management, according to Lu. We understand there are cultural differences. We put a lot of effort into understanding how to work with our Mexican employees, he said. Foxconn's Mexican factories are a blend of advanced automation and manual-labor assembly work. The Juarez plant has three work shifts, and through voluntary overtime, weekends are used when additional production is needed. Foxconn says it complies with Mexicos minimum wage requirement, which in Juarez is currently about $22 (U.S.) per day. The company offers productivity and attendance bonuses, low-cost meals, and a commissary where employees can purchase household items. Hiring is an ongoing challenge in an area with hundreds of manufacturing plants, and where the worker attrition rate varies between 5% and 8% at the 10,000-employee Foxconn campus. Personal computers are assembled in Juarez, Mexico. Foxconn has 32 buses to transport workers to the plant that employs about 2,500 people. The Taiwan-based manufacturer of personal computers and computer components employs about 30,000 people in Mexico. There are classes available for employees, including those with little formal education, and the company works with local high schools, technical schools, and the state government on a dual education program. The Juarez plant has a medical department and social work, psychology, nutrition and physical therapy services. In 2023, there were at least four major Taiwanese companies in expansion mode in Juarez, bringing some of their manufacturing from Asia, said Jerry Pacheco, president and CEO of the Border Industrial Association in Santa Teresa. As long as the U.S. and China are engaged in a trade war, and tensions remain high between China and Taiwan, companies will do the math and see Mexico as a viable alternative for expanding their operations, even if they never pull out of China or Taiwan, according to Pacheco. American and Chinese companies expand in Mexico Nearshoring in Mexico has been pursued by multinational companies seeking to reduce their Asian supply-chain risks and be near U.S. consumers without the expense of American manufacturing. It is the sibling of reshoring, which is the relocation of manufacturing from overseas to the country where it originated, or the final consumer, often the United States. In Mexico, the benefits of nearshoring include tariff-free trade zones and labor costs even lower than in China. The strategy has worked well. U.S. Commerce Department figures released in February showed that for the first time in more than 20 years the value of goods imported from Mexico exceeded that of China. The value from Mexico rose around 5% to more than $475 billion in 2023, while the value from China fell 20% to $427 billion, according to the Commerce Department. Much of the overall growth in Mexico has come from foreign-owned companies utilizing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which grants duty-free trade for many products across North America. "If U.S. manufacturing is to be less dependent on China, we think the path will be via Mexico," Morgan Stanley analyst Nikolaj Lippmann said in a research note. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Chief Cecilia Esparza walks past the border wall while Mexican truck drivers await entry from San Jeronimo, Mexico (right) to Santa Teresa, New Mexico. About 700 trucks from Mexico use this port of entry daily. Foxconn, the Taiwan-based manufacturer of personal computers and computer components, built the plant in San Jeronimo. Mexico's nearshoring doesnt show any signs of slowing, although Morgan Stanley points out the trend faces challenges with environmental issues, access to skilled labor and quality of public infrastructure. Nearshoring will happen over time, not overnight, Fernando Sedano, Morgan Stanleys Latin American economist, said in a June 2023 report. China, by far, is still the factory of the world. But many of the biggest brands in electronics, home appliances, medical devices and vehicles have been manufactured in Mexico for decades. In Juarez alone, there are around 300,000 people employed in manufacturing. Seeking access to the U.S. marketplace without tariffs and duties, even China has realized the opportunities in Mexico. There are now more than 1,300 Chinese manufacturers in the country, according to the Mexican government, and China is the fastest-growing source of foreign investment. China is now second only to the United States as the largest investor in Monterrey, a northern Mexico city of 6 million people. Monterrey has about 140 industrial parks and a manufacturing history that, like Milwaukee, began with the brewing industry more than a century ago. Now, it is centered on high-tech manufacturing. "Monterrey has been the leading destination for nearshoring investments," said Invest Monterrey Executive Director Hector Tijerina. "We have been attracting a lot of multinationals from all around the world for the past decade. But the growth that we've been having these past two or three years has been double what we're used to." More: Mexico may see the biggest gains in pullback from Asia. Here's what you need to know. Mexico has taken U.S. jobs but it's created them as well Over decades, a torrent of U.S. manufacturing jobs have been lost to Mexico as companies sought the advantages of low-cost labor and trade deals. In the summer of 2021, Hufcor Inc., a century-old Wisconsin manufacturer of accordion-style wall partitions used to subdivide offices, convention centers and school gymnasiums, announced it was closing its factory in Janesville and moving the work to Monterrey. It was devastating to the plants 166 workers, who had built partitions used around the world. Hufcor provided little explanation, but through its owner, Los Angeles-based OpenGate Capital, became embroiled in a bankruptcy that left workers in hardship. In a Sept. 19, 2022, letter to OpenGate CEO Andrew Nikou, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) weighed in on the matter. As a result of your mismanagement, dozens of former Hufcor workers some of whom have life-threatening illnesses are without health coverage. Others never received the retention bonuses they were promised in exchange for continuing to work for the company after you announced the Janesville facility would be closing, Baldwin wrote. In another example, six workers at a Sturtevant orthodontics plant lost their jobs in 2017 after spending a year training their colleagues in Mexico, in-person and via Skype, to improve quality standards. Once a minimum standard was met, the USA workers were let go, according to a Trade Adjustment Assistance petition filed with the U.S. Department of Labor by the company on behalf of the workers. The job losses, large or small, are personal to those individuals and their communities. However, some say losing work to Mexico isn't as bad for the United States as losing it to China. Trade between the U.S. and Mexico supports work on both sides of the border. Politically, economically and culturally we're more aligned with Mexico than China. "I know there are some in the heartland of America, and people outside the border region, that view Mexico as a foe. But it is a strategic and economic ally of the United States, and we need to start treating them as such," said Jon Barela, CEO of the Borderplex Alliance, a business group based in El Paso, Texas. Wisconsin imported $6 billion in products from Mexico last year, up 122% from three years earlier. Medical devices, electrical equipment and motor vehicle parts were among the categories. Wisconsin exported $4.3 billion in products to Mexico in 2023, up more than 65% from three years earlier. Agriculture, food and engines were some of the categories, supporting more than 86,000 jobs in the state, according to government figures. Some have speculated Mexico could provide jobs that would ease the number of migrants coming into the United States from Central and South America. But that's not happened, said Joell Molina, Americas regional program director with the Solidarity Center, a workers rights group based in Washington, D.C. Right now there's no incentive whatsoever for any of these migrants to stop and settle down in Mexico, because the conditions are not that different from where they're leaving," Molina said. Maquiladoras are pursuing nearshoring Mexico has around 5,000 maquiladoras, which are factories that take raw materials and parts and assemble them into finished products for foreign-owned companies most of them in the U.S. In Matamoros, Mexico, manufacturer NovaLink is the Swiss Army Knife of nearshoring. Matamoros is a city of 600,000 people on the southern bank of the Rio Grande River across from Brownsville, Texas. Its a historical site for the Mexican War of Independence, the Mexican American War, the American Civil War, and other battles. Historians have given it the unofficial title of "Undefeated, Loyal, and Heroic. NovaLink's manufacturing capabilities and products vary widely, from clothing and sporting goods to aircraft seating and fire extinguishers. Toyota, Patagonia and Turtle Fur are three of its many clients. NovaLink traces its roots to the 1980s when General Motors plant manager Bill Wolfe was assigned the task of moving a GM factory from his hometown of Anderson, Indiana, to Mexico. It was upsetting news in Anderson, a city of about 55,000 people northeast of Indianapolis, which had ties to the automotive industry going back nearly a century. Still, the GM plant provided much-needed jobs in Matamoros, which had a population of 279,000 in the late 1980s and had once thrived in the cotton trade and shrimp processing industries. Large companies such as automotive parts maker Delphi established plants in Matamoros; some are in an industrial park with road names like Michigan Avenue and Ohio Street. Years ago, Delphi had a plant in Oak Creek that closed in 2007, resulting in the loss of around 200 jobs. Through NovaLink, Wolfe and business partner Rene Gonzalez saw an opportunity to bring Mexican manufacturing to U.S. businesses lacking the wherewithal of companies like General Motors. NovaLink partners with companies to establish their operations inside one of its facilities. The companies can provide their own equipment, raw materials, and assist in worker training. NovaLink provides manufacturing space and the local workforce, and manages the day-to-day operations and shipping of finished goods. Bill's son, Jason Wolfe, is now the president and CEO of NovaLink, which operates 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Mexico and has a distribution center in Brownsville. "We have everything in place for a company to relocate their operation, whether it's from China, the U.S., or anywhere else," Jason Wolfe said. There will always be a need for low-cost manufacturing of inexpensive consumer goods, like a $10 toaster, whether it's in Mexico or Asia. Time to market, freight considerations and available labor are advantages for Mexico. Jason Wolfe, president and CEO of NovaLink, holds a wiring harness made by his company. "The Mexican maquiladora program plays a role in some of these products, but the focus has shifted to products that require more than just lower-cost labor," Wolfe said. One of NovaLink's U.S. clients sells custom boat covers. When a customer places an online order, it drops directly into the factory in Matamoros where the cover is cut, sewn, packaged and shipped. "We're able to make these products on a real-time basis, which minimizes time to market," Wolfe said. The company has grown to more than 2,000 employees and has landed work previously done overseas. One advantage of being in Mexico is that U.S. clients can travel to Matamoros in a day, meet with NovaLink management, and be home the next day. Wolfe was only 13 years old when his family moved from Anderson to Brownsville. He imagined it would be like something out of a Western movie with horses and cattle ranches. Workers head off for a break at NovaLink in Matamoros, Mexico. NovaLink, which has about 2,000 employees, produces a wide variety of products for partner companies. What he discovered was a Mexico that was as fascinating to him as it was foreign. "I knew nothing about Mexico or the culture before I came down here, but I fell in love with it," he said. After graduating from the University of Texas-Austin with a bachelor's degree in business, Jason joined his brother, Brad, and their father, Bill, in NovaLink. "My father is a mentor of mine and other employees at NovaLink. I don't ever expect to fill his shoes, but I would like to be able to leave here with the same respect that he generated with his employees," Jason said. He added: "I think this company has given opportunities to many people over the years to start a career, build a life, and have a better standard of living. And that's extremely important." . The Bringing It Home series was created with the support of the Pulitzer Center and the Richard C. Longworth Media Fellowship. The Center champions the power of stories to make complex issues relevant and inspire action. The Longworth Fellowship, which was awarded to reporter Rick Barrett and photojournalist Mark Hoffman, is devoted to bringing global issues to Midwestern readers. Neither the Pulitzer Center nor Longworth played a role in the reporting, editing or presentation of the series. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Manufacturers seeking cheap labor, access to U.S., head to Mexico Payment card services corporation Mastercard has released its Travel Trends 2024 report which looks at the travel industry across 74 markets. Drawing on an analysis of aggregated and anonymised transaction data and third-party data sources, the company finds that an all-time high of 15.9m Americans travelled internationally in Q1 2024, while Japan welcomed more than 3m arrivals in March 2024 alone. The surge in travel reflects greater activity, fuelled by a strong labour market. The increase in travellers is benefitting the cruise market, as the widening price difference between cruises and hotels has made the former a more budget-friendly option for a getaway. GlobalDatas travel and tourism intelligence highlights that cruises are important players as they are not only taking tourists from place to place, but also provide a multifaceted experience. According to Mastercard, global cruise passenger transactions reached around 16% above 2019 levels in Q1 2024. Booming cruise demand is also seen at key ports. The Bahamas has welcomed an additional 2.9m passengers above 2019 levels arriving by sea from 2023 to 2024. Travellers are also spending an extra day on vacation on average and those from Europe and the Middle East and Africa roughly two with the trend driven by affordable destinations and warmer climates. For each extra six degrees Celsius of temperature, the estimated increase in length of stay is approximately one day. Japan has emerged as the global frontrunner for the top trending destination in the 12 months since May 2023, while Munich ranks as the top trending destination for summer 2024. "Mastercard reveals 2024 travel trends as cruises compete with hotels" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, 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. Screenshot 2024 05 15 at 11.43.19%e2%80%afam Q&A | By Fred Nicolaus Adam Sandow tends to traffic in big ideas and grand gestures. Funny then that his sampling platform Material Banks most recent move was a quiet one. Last November, without much fanfare, the entrepreneurwho founded Sandow Media group in addition to Material Bankstepped back from running day-to-day operations at the unicorn startup, which was last valued at $1.9 billion. He remains chairman of the board, but theres a new CEO at helm: Sebastian Gunningham. Its hard to think of a design industry CEO with a more stacked resume than Gunninghamhis CV is chock-full of blue-chip names like Apple and Oracle. His most recent gig, co-CEO of WeWork, was preceded by an 11-year stint at Amazon, where he was on the famed S-team, a senior leadership group tasked with high-level strategic decisions at the e-commerce behemoth. In other words: Gunningham brings considerable prestige to the role. Business of Home spoke with him about whats next for Material Bank, how the companys recent launches in Europe and Japan are going, what role the residential side of the design industry might play, and what inspiration he is (and isnt) taking from the Amazon playbook. What interested you in Material Bank? There are a lot of unicorns out there, [but] there are four things that I thought were kind of unique. Number one is I looked around and the customers seem to love this product. With Apple, Amazon and WeWork, I was always after products that I knew customers loved. [The most important thing] is that you are fixing a problem, and [Material Bank is] fixing a problem. I think there are many surrounding problems that can be fixed as an opportunity, and customers seem to really value the service. Number two is that the unit economics of the business work. There are many, many businesses out there that are quite challenged [in that regard]. They have great ideasbut this is a great idea that has enough value that you could charge for it. The third bucket is that the business has a moat, and thats mostly driven by Adam and all the industry connections that he had when he started this. There will be competitorstheres too much opportunity not to. But itll be hard to get to the point where weve gotten easily. I was looking for a business where the moat is good enough to give you a shot at staying two or three years ahead of the competition. And number four is, I do think that the market is quite big if you get it right. Youre always looking for businesses where, if you win, the prize is big enoughits kind of frustrating sometimes to participate in businesses where you have this great product, customers love you, but the market is constrained. I think that this market can be quite big. The sampling market on its own is probably not enormous. But weve just launched the Fulfillment by Material Bank service where were offering fulfillment services to any brand, for their stores, their sales reps or their websiteswe have the infrastructure to do that. So, you can get into the fulfillment business, you can get into the digital business. I think it can be quite a large market. Story continues Can we get a quick state-of-play for Material Bank? I remember a few years ago the company crossed over 100,000 users. Where are you at now? The real driver of this business is projects, right? Thats what generates leads. You have this interesting dependency: If I told you that this morning, 1,000 projects were launched in the U.S., 1,000 times more sampling is going to happen on Material Bank. On the member side, weve crossed 100,000, and weve continued to grow. Members come back based on how many projects they do. Sometimes they disappear for six months and they come back whenever they have a new projectwhile some are back every day. So, you have a very interesting dynamic. You dont really ever lose your members, but you do depend on the ebb and flow of projects. There are also a lot of corporate projects. We have a large percentage of the Fortune 100 companies that are now going directly to Material Bank. And on the brand side, theres the small, medium and big brands. Big brands are coming to the platform one by one steadily as they get comfortable with the model. The smaller brands come onto the platform a lottheres quite a lot of churn. Well, I wouldnt say its churn, but you know, its an up-and-down bracket for the small brands, especially in Europe, where there are a lot of brands. [But] Ive looked at all the indicators and I think we see very healthy growth on both sides of this marketplace. Whats the clearest path for growth right now: expanding the core sampling business to more people, or getting into new lines of business? One I know [the answer to], and one I dont. I know that the core sampling business has a lot of growth ahead. Whether you look at geographic growth or category growth, were still not in all the sampling categories, so if you were looking at us as an investor, Id say, thats a hopefully fairly predictable growth path: more brands, more members, more projects. And there are regions that were not in yet. All the auxiliary things, we think theres a lot. But you need to prove them. As Adam has hinted in the past, we have a very exciting consumer offering coming. We think its a very big opportunity. But well see when we get up and running. We launched our fulfillment service three weeks ago, and weve signed up more than five brands already. We have no lack of ideas for how to help out both our brands and our members. So to answer your question, if I put on my super optimistic hat, Id say that [expanded lines of business are] as big or bigger than our current business as far as the opportunities go. If I put my pessimistic hat on, I dont quite know. But were sure going to go after them all, and well see. If you look at the consumer launch, we already have many of the brands telling us: Please have a consumer offering! I already have my SKUs inside your fulfillment center, just light it up for the consumer. So there are a lot of pieces that overlap quite well. The broad answer is we think theres a lot of opportunity on both the mothership and some of the ideas that we have going forward. We have a long list of ideas and products to build that we think are going to have a lot of impact. Can you walk me through the fulfillment concept a little bit? We have an infrastructure where if you order a [sample] on Material Bank, we deliver it to you overnight as a designer or an architectthats the basic model. But there are samples being delivered in many places from many channels. So whether you go to a brands website, or a brands store, or a brands sales reps There are thousands of sales reps out there traveling with materials in their cars and storage. So we just are standing on the shoulders of the infrastructure we have. If you want to start up a business, and you need sampling, then we say, Give us all your product sampling, send us the order, wherever it comes from, and well do the shipping for you. So its taking the Material Bank infrastructure, but not requiring brands to be on the Material Bank platform. Like a white-label sample fulfillment service. Its basically a logistics service, which is a flywheel for us. The more stuff we get into our hub, the more stuff that we could potentially light up on our own website, and also were providing services for others. Thats what Fulfillment by Material Bank is. Historically, some residential fabric brands have told me they like the idea of Material Bank, but their samples are expensive to produce, so the unit economics dont work as well, and also they want to control the experience. Do you see the residential side of the industry as a growth area? In our current model, the architect and designer do not pay, which means its free and the brand is paying us for the value of that piece of information. We havent decided on this entirely yet, but on the residential side, the consumer will be paying. So if youre renovating your house and you want a sample of a carpet, you will payif I was on Williams-Sonomas site, I think its $5 or $10. Theres a version of that. I dont think the current value of the lead or the price you can charge in the commercial world will be the same in the residential world. Were going to learn our way into this. Because, youre right: You could overwhelm a textile company with a bunch of samples all day long. Its expensive, the samples cost them money, and the lead may not be that valuable[the user] may not actually be ready to renovate their house. There are a lot of use cases. So were going to carefully figure out where the value is that we can charge on both sides of the marketplace. It varies by category. I think textiles seem to be much more challenging than some of the other categories. But well go piece by piece. Paint is a little bit easier, because its much cheaper to produce a paint sample. We have [paint sampling business] Samplize, and its less costly to ship. Its not a one-size-fits-all. Im curious specifically about residential designersdo you see there being a different approach there? We do hear feedback that says, Well, hold on. The designer for residential does want a different space from where the consumer is going to be. Weve heard a bit of that. Were going to think about how best to satisfy both ends of this. Any insight into how Material Banks expansion into the European and Japanese markets is going? Its very early days in Japan. The data shows that its a large market, from a numbers perspectiveits almost as big as the U.S. in terms of designers and architects. The signals are that they love the product, and were in the process of acquiring brands. The process in Japan has different speeds on each side of the marketplace. Were happy so far; we have a very good partnership in Japan. We love the team, were sharing all the technology, [but its] very early days. I cant declare victory or failure yet, but were excited. This is not an industry that moves at high velocities with these things. So far, so good. I think its quite the opposite of high velocity. Thats one of the biggest challenges for anyone trying to do anything with technology in the industrya sort of cultural resistance to the pace of tech. Well, its slow until its not, right? I lived that trajectory at Amazon. [There] it was category by category. The booksellers were very slow until it moved violently fast. The same goes for electronics, but apparel was different. There were some categories that were very forward leaning with how they adopted technology and how they went to different distribution models. High-end luxury, for exampletheyre still not going to websites, theyre not going on to marketplaces. Theyre still holding their stores. Its all over the map. But my white hair tells me that its very, very slowuntil its not. And then, you better be ready. And its not just about Material Bank. Its just the future. The future catches up with you. Right before we started talking, I was looking at the site, ballparking how many brands are on the platform. I think there are 600 or 700 on the U.S. site. Thats not an order of magnitude more than there were a few years ago. Do you think at some point theres going to be this rapid acceleration where suddenly: There are 3,000 brands on this platform! Do you expect that? You know, I dont. Adam will probably have a better instinct on this. But my view is: This is steady, because the brands have their [own] distribution models. I think that well see a steady growth in brands. I think on the lower end, therell be a very rapid acceleration, because this is a great distribution model for them. Its a no-brainer to come in. On the high end, with the brands that are the most important, the biggest, the most sophisticated, itll be a steady adoption. They see the value; they move cautiously. I wish I could say I [expect] to see what I saw at Amazon. I dont think thats going to be it, personally. By the way, ask me the same question a year from now; I may be completely wrong. But I think this is steadyprove your value, make sure that youre satisfying both sides of the equation. Well keep growing our assortment and our SKUs and our brands consistently. I think thats the way its going to play out. To keep going with the Amazon analogy Two things Material Bank could do are: Manufacture your own product in some form, as Amazon has done with Basics. And make money, as Amazon has done so successfully, on advertising. Ive asked this question to Adam, and hes always been adamant that Material Bank wasnt going down those roads, so Im guessing you have the same answer. But Im curious, especially about advertisingdo you see that as an area to increase revenue? Honestly, Amazon wasnt a great business for making your own stuff. The reason that Amazon did it [was] as a loss leader to acquire [customers], to always compete at a low price. So its a different objective. And, you know, a bit of the Amazon DNA was, if you walked into a meeting and there was no pencil on the table, it was Lets go build a pencil. That is a company thats always trying to build stuff. [But] for a few successes on things like batteries and some of the staples that you buy, there were a lot of failures in that world. And it was very costly, because you lose trust with some of the brands. I think you probably see [in some categories] that Amazon has stayed in there [producing its own products], but for [Material Bank], I think it would be a terrible idea. Honestly, its not even a mediocre ideaits a terrible idea. On the advertising question, well see. The advertising on all these marketplaces is: Youre paying for placement. Theres a huge tension between you going to Google and saying, I see these three first results that are paid, versus all the rest of the results. And the question is, which ones do you really trust? At Amazon, it was a huge fight. Half the table was like, For sure, this is such easy moneywhen you search for a TV, the first three results are sponsored. Versus the other half of the table that says, Well, thats not customer choice, purely data-driven; we should just show the TVs with the best reviews and the best sales. And that fight is going to go on for another 100 years on all marketplaces. Material Bank is very pure in how we rank our products. And whether we would open the platform up for people to pay for placements is a big decision. Personally, I dont think we have the traffic to do that yet. These things require a lot of traffic. Say you have 200,000 members: How many of them are on the site every day? There are some pros and cons. Im at the middle of the table, but very skeptical about ad-driven models on the site. I like ranking and relevance and similarities and [personalized] recommendations based on the true data of your behaviors. And the other thing in this industry that Id be very cautious about is that the big guys win. If youve got a big brand and a profit pool, you can pay for advertising in addition to what youre paying for a leadthen it becomes a little bit unbalanced. The rich people get richer, the poor people have to fight a different battle. Im not saying no. Personally, its not on my radar at least for another year or two. And even then, I want to take a really, really close look at this and see if it makes sense for the members and the brand. Want to stay informed? Sign up for our newsletter, which recaps the weeks stories, and get in-depth industry news and analysis each quarter by subscribing to our print magazine. Join BOH Insider for discounts, workshops and access to special events such as the Future of Home conference. BYRON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Byron Center Meats, a family-owned meat processing plant, will use a $70,000 grant to build a new cold storage facility, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says. The grant, part of the Food and Agriculture Investment Program, was approved Wednesday by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development, according to a release from MDARD. Dr. Rolfs Barbeque Spring Lake location opens inside former Old Boys Brewhouse Byron Center Meats plans to use the $70,000 to build a new cold storage facility. MDARD says this will expand the plants hanging carcass capacity by 35%, increase its process capacity by 25% and create four new jobs. Local livestock producers will also benefit, according to MDARD. This embedded content is not available in your region. We are blessed to work with thousands of Michigan livestock producers and partner together to grow their businesses and serve their customers by getting more products to market, said owners Steve and Laura Sytsma in a statement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Workers stream toward buses at the end of their shift at Foxconn in Juarez, Mexico, across the border from El Paso, Texas. The company has 32 buses to transport workers. Mexico likely stands to gain the most from manufacturing moving from Asia to North America, maybe even more than the United States. Mexico has around 5,000 maquiladoras, which are factories for foreign-owned companies. Manufacturers utilize trade deals like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which facilitates duty-free commerce. The biggest brands in consumer goods have manufactured in the country for decades, and its a familiar place for them to expand. Vehicle makers and their suppliers have a very large presence as well. Here are five other factors about Mexican nearshoring. For the U.S., Mexico's a familiar time zone Mexico has 10 major seaports, more than 30 international airports, and a 2,000-mile border with the United States to facilitate trade and the flow of goods. Another benefit of doing business in Mexico is the time zones are familiar. If a Chicago company sets up call-center services in Mexico versus the Philippines, for example, it makes a world of difference for the enterprise," says the Wilson Center, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C. Travel time for U.S.-headquartered companies is much less, too. In many cases, executives can be at their Mexico manufacturing plant within hours, something not possible with China. There are still other benefits, such as faster delivery of products from manufacturer to the distributor, wholesaler, retailer and customer. Speed to market, especially in the fashion industry, is essential, the Wilson Center says. Nearshoring could boost the growth of Mexican manufacturing exports to the U.S. from $455 billion (late 2023) to around $609 billion in the next five years, according to the financial services firm Morgan Stanley. Much of that growth will likely come from business that used to be in China. The world economy is realigning supply-chain difficulties and geopolitical concerns push the U.S. further from China, Morgan Stanley said. Quality control work is done Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Foxconn in Juarez, Mexico. The company has 32 busses to transport workers to the plant that employs about 2500 people. The Taiwan-based manufacturer of personal computers and computer components employs about 30,000 people in Mexico. The industrial park is located across from El Paso, Texas. Wages are low, but productivity lags Mexico raised its minimum wage by 20% for 2024, following an agreement between employers, labor representatives and the government. In U.S. dollars, the new minimum is about $14.50 per day for some parts of the country and $21.83 in the Free Trade Zones along the northern border, where the cost of living is higher. Relatively low labor costs remain a primary factor, prompting foreign companies mainly from the U.S. to locate manufacturing operations in Mexico, says the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. But Mexicos productivity per worker lags the U.S. and other countries that rely more on factory automation than manual labor. Also, labor shortages have been felt along the northern border and other places in Mexico where manufacturing is concentrated. Story continues In those areas, especially, manufacturers will increasingly emphasize labor-saving automation, said Tom Fullerton, an economics professor at University of Texas-El Paso. Manufacturing hubs like Juarez and Monterrey will have to focus on increasing enrollment in schools, technical training, and university engineering programs. That, in turn, will drive wages higher as they improve productivity. Mexico has stepped up its skilled-trades training The Mexican government in 2019 launched Jovenes Construyendo el Futuro (Young People Building the Future), a program that provides job training and employment opportunities for unemployed individuals 18 to 29 years old. The programs participants receive a stipend of around $320 a month and health insurance. They get on-the-job-training in skills relevant to current industry needs, such as welding, machining and product quality control. As of January, around 3 million people had participated. On average, its graduates were twice as likely to find work compared with those who hadnt participated. Mexican truck driver enters the Multi-Energy Portal (MEP) system at the U.S. Custom and Border Protection facility in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The non-intrusive inspection allows officers the see inside trucks. These systems use a combination of transmission and Z Backscatter imaging to produce multiple views of the vehicle for the detection of contraband and threats.About 700 trucks from Mexico use this port of entry daily. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel U.S. border areas benefit from Mexican manufacturing Most of the maquiladora employment, around 62%, is in Mexican states on the U.S. border. The economic benefits have spilled over into neighboring U.S. cities, creating jobs in manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, logistics, real estate and services. For every 10 maquiladora jobs in Juarez, for example, two more positions are created in El Paso, according to U.S. economic development officials. If trade between the U.S. and Mexico were halted, millions of Americans across the country would be out of work, the Wilson Center says. The jury is still out on Mexico's long-term success While Mexico is well-positioned for nearshoring from Asia, it remains unclear how sustainable the trend will be, as data still suggests Chinas losses may be made up by other Asian countries. Re-creating the ecosystem of local supply chains in China may not be easy, even in a highly integrated North American market, according to UBS Global Research. Industry experts say a large share of automotive manufacturing has moved toward electric vehicles, which could be a challenge for Mexico's factories that have focused on legacy automotive products. Mexico's weaknesses include high crime rates in some areas, including theft of goods crossing the border. Still, while it's unlikely multinational companies will pull out of China completely, they're more apt to consider Mexico for future expansions. Its leading to a lot of new business on both sides of the border, said Fullerton with University of Texas-El Paso. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mexico stands to gain most from supply chain concerns about Asia (Bloomberg) -- When Microsoft Corp. pledged four years ago to remove more carbon than it emits by the end of the decade, it was one of the most ambitious and comprehensive plans to tackle climate change. Now the software giant's relentless push to be the global leader in artificial intelligence is putting that goal in peril. Most Read from Bloomberg The Seattle-based companys total planet-warming impact is about 30% higher today than it was in 2020, according to the latest sustainability report published Wednesday. That makes getting to below zero by 2030 even harder than it was when it announced its carbon-negative goal. Now to meet its goals, the software giant will have to make serious progress very quickly in gaining access to green steel and concrete and less carbon-intensive chips, said Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg Green. In 2020, we unveiled what we called our carbon moonshot. That was before the explosion in artificial intelligence, he said. So in many ways the moon is five times as far away as it was in 2020, if you just think of our own forecast for the expansion of AI and its electrical needs. Microsofts predicament is one of the first concrete examples of how the pursuit of AI is colliding with efforts to cut emissions. Choosing to capitalize on its early lead in the new market for generative AI has made Microsoft the most valuable company in the world, but its leaders also acknowledge keeping up with demand will mean investing more heavily in polluting assets. AI products are power hungry and data-processing heavy. That first increases the workload of existing centers, which increases energy use. But such is the demand that, to keep up, Microsoft has to also build new data centers. That requires carbon-intensive cement, steel and microchips. The tech giant plans to spend more than $50 billion between July 2023 and June of this year on expanding its data centers to meet rising demand for AI products. That number for the next 12 months, starting in July, is expected to be even higher, Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood said in an interview last month. Since February, the company has touted new data center projects in Wisconsin, Thailand, Indonesia, Spain, Germany and Japan. Story continues Smith believes the good AI can do for the world will outweigh its environmental impact. We fundamentally believe that the answer is not to slow down the expansion of AI but to speed up the work needed to make it more environmentally friendly, said Smith. I guarantee theres one way to fail: Its to give up. Some Microsoft employees are speaking out about the companys other AI-related work to enhance oil extraction. More than 10,000 employees have formed a group that wants Microsoft to reduce its global warming impact, and some have quit in protest. Work to maximize oil production with our technology is negating all of our good work, extending the age of fossil fuels, and enabling untold emissions, wrote two former employees. We are both deeply saddened to be so let down by a company we loved so much. Employees around the world are core to our sustainability mission, a spokesperson for Microsoft said in response. Our focus is empowering the energy transition. This isnt a challenge for Microsoft alone. Its competitors in the AI race are Alphabet Inc.s Google, Meta Platforms Inc. and Amazon.com Inc.companies that all set ambitious climate goals but have seen their total emissions increase. In response to questions, a Google spokesperson said that predicting increase in energy use and emissions tied to AI is hard and said the company is trying reduce the companys environmental impact by increasing deployment of clean energy and buying credits for carbon removal, among other steps. An Amazon spokesperson said we remain committed to reaching net-zero by 2040 and touted its work on enabling new clean energy sources, including nuclear. Meta did not respond. Despite AI's ravenous energy consumption, this actually contributes little to Microsoft's hike in emissions at least on paper. That's because the company says in its sustainability report that it's 100% powered by renewables. Companies use a range of mechanisms to make such claims, which vary widely in terms of credibility. Some firms enter into long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with renewable developers, where they shoulder some of a new energy plant's risk and help get new solar and wind farms online. In other cases, companies buy renewable energy credits (RECs) to claim they're using green power, but these inexpensive credits do little to spur new demand for green energy, researchers have consistently found. Microsoft uses a mix of both approaches. On one hand, it's one of the biggest corporate participants in power purchase agreements, according to BloombergNEF, which tracks these deals. But it's also a huge purchaser of RECs, using these instruments to claim about half of its energy use is clean, according to its environmental filings in 2022. By using a large quantity of RECs, Microsoft is essentially masking an even larger growth in emissions. It is Microsofts plan to phase out the use of unbundled RECs in future years, a spokesperson for the company said. We are focused on PPAs as a primary strategy. So what else can be done? Smith, along with Microsofts Chief Sustainability Officer Melanie Nakagawa, has laid out clear steps in the sustainability report. High among them is to increase efficiency, which is to use the same amount of energy or computing to do more work. That could help reduce the need for data centers, which will reduce emissions and electricity use. On most things, our climate goals require that we spend money, said Smith. But efficiency gains will actually enable us to save money. Microsoft has also been at the forefront of buying sustainable aviation fuels that has helped reduce some of its emissions from business travel. The company also wants to partner with those who will accelerate breakthroughs to make greener steel, concrete and fuels. Those technologies are starting to work at a small scale, but remain far from being available in commercial quantities even if expensive. Cheap renewable power has helped make Microsofts climate journey easier. But the tech giants electricity consumption last year rivaled that of a small European countrybeating Slovenia easily. Smith said that one of the biggest bottlenecks for it to keep getting access to green power is the lack of transmission lines from where the power is generated to the data centers. Thats why Microsoft says its going to increase lobbying efforts to get governments to speed up building the grid. Despite all these efforts, what if Microsofts emissions remain high in 2029? Smith said that bulk purchases of carbon removal credits is always a possibility, but I dont think its the desired course. There are a myriad ways to remove carbon dioxide from the airfrom devices with large fans and industrial chemicals to planting trees. But these credits carry a premium price, many times more than $100 per ton that Microsoft applies as an internal carbon tax on its business travel. Youve got to be willing to invest and pay for it, said Smith. Climate change is a problem that humanity created and that humanity can solve. --With assistance from Ben Elgin. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Hungarys Government has hinted at Chinese investment in its rail sector, following President Xi Jinpings visit to Europe and Hungarys President Viktor Orban. The government announced new working groups building up to beginning construction on two new rail lines in or close to the countrys capital. The first is a new connection between the city centre and the Ferenc Liszt International Airport to the East of the city. The second is the V0 Budapest line, which is intended to connect the East and West of the country, but bypassing the capital to ease congestion. The airport line project is yet to confirm how it will operate, but the two ideas are for a direct airport-city line, or for a loop to be built off the main line that would allow major intercity services to stop at the airport terminal. Despite increasing tensions spurring from increasingly heated rhetoric in both China and across the West, Hungary has remained a firm ally of China and President Xi in recent years. The relationship between Xi and his Hungarian counterpart Orban is said to be a crucial link between Europe and China, and it was not a surprise that the Chinese leaders recent visit to Europe saw Xi in Hungary along with only Serbia and France. Although details arent clear, Hungarys Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the airport connection and rail system upgrades were part of agreements made during the state visit. Hungary remains the only EU member state that has continued to actively participate in Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The largest of the capital projects undertaken with Chinese funding as part of the BRI is the Budapest to Belgrade railway, connecting two of Chinas key allies in Europe. CCRC Zhuzhou Locomotive, part of the state-owned CCRC has also said it will build four rolling stock factories in Hungary in the coming years. "More Chinese investment in Hungarian rail?" was originally created and published by Railway Technology, 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. TANGIERS, Morocco (AP) A train that travels from rural northern Morocco to a port on the Mediterranean Sea carries no passengers. Three times a day, it brings hundreds of cars stacked bumper to bumper from a Renault factory outside Tangiers to vessels that transport them to European dealerships. Business incentives and investing in infrastructure like the freight railway line have allowed Morocco to grow its automotive industry from virtually non-existent to Africa's largest in less than two decades. The North African kingdom supplies more cars to Europe than China, India or Japan, and has the capacity to produce 700,000 vehicles a year. Moroccan officials are determined to maintain the countrys role as a car-making juggernaut by competing for electric vehicle projects. But whether one of Africas few industrialization success stories can stay competitive as worldwide auto production transitions to EVs and increasingly relies on automation remains to be seen. More than 250 companies that manufacture cars or their components currently operate in Morocco, where the auto industry now accounts for 22% of gross domestic product and $14 billion in exports. French automaker Renault, the country's largest private employer, calls Morocco Sandero-land because it produces nearly all of its subcompact Dacia Sanderos there. Unencumbered by many of democracys checks and balances, the government tells companies looking to outsource production to cheaper locales they can get approval for new factories and complete construction in as little as five months. We didnt export one car 15 years ago. Now its the first exporting sector in the country, Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour said in an interview with The Associated Press. Mezzour said Morocco has distinguished itself from other outsourcing destinations by expanding its ports, free trade zones and highways. The government offered subsidies of up to 35% for manufacturers to put factories in the rural hinterlands outside of Tangiers, where Renault now produces Clios as well as Dacia Sanderos, Europes most popular passenger vehicle, and soon plans to start manufacturing hybrid Dacia Joggers. Chinese, Japanese, American and Korean factories make seats, engines, shock absorbers and wheels at the Tangiers Automotive City, a large campus of car parts manufacturers. Stellantis produces Peugeots, Opels and Fiats at its plant in Kenitra. Devoting immense resources to developing and maintaining an automotive sector that could employ a young and growing workforce was part of a 2014 industrialization plan. To create jobs, Mezzour said that he and his predecessors have focused on offering more than cheap labor to foreign automakers looking for new places to build cars and produce parts. Story continues Major automakers pay unionized factory workers less in Morocco than they do in Europe. But even with salaries one-fourth the size of Frances 1,766.92-euro ($1911.97) monthly minimum wage, the jobs pay more than the median income in Morocco. The industry employs 220,000 a small but sizable chunk of the more than 200,000 agricultural jobs the country is losing annually amid a six-year drought. Like in many African countries, Moroccos domestic market for new cars is small. Less than 162,000 vehicles were sold there last year. The government's success in building an automotive industry nevertheless has made cars the tip of the spear as Morocco works to transform its largely agrarian economy. I have one simple priority not exports or being competitive. My job is to create jobs, Mezzour said. Abdelmonim Amachraa, a Moroccan supply chain expert, said the spending on infrastructure and training skilled workers puts the industry in a good position to lure investment from automakers looking to build out their electric vehicle supply chains. Moroccan officials have sought investment from both East and West, trying to lure industry players from China, Europe and the United States as they now race to produce affordable electric vehicles at scale. China's BYD the worlds largest electric vehicle maker has at least twice announced plans to build factories in the country that have stalled before starting. The important question is what can a small country do in this world, Amachraa said, noting how rapidly global car manufacturing was changing. We have this ability to coexist with Europe, Africa and the United States when a link cant be found between China and the United States." As Europe works to phase out combustion engines over the next decade, automakers like Renault are preparing to adapt in Morocco. Mohamed Bachiri, the director of the Renault Group's operations in the country, said the company's record of success in Morocco makes it an attractive destination for others to invest, particularly in EVs. He said the industry is likely to continue growing because Morocco's integration rate the percentage of parts that carmakers can source domestically has steadily risen to more than 65%. The country also has a competitive advantage by having the experienced and skilled autoworkers that some other outsourcing destinations lack, Bachiri said. Were predisposed to manufacturing cars for customers in our sphere. And the day they decide they need electric vehicles, we will, he said. The government has bankrolled public-private partnerships like a Renault-managed academy to train technicians and managers. Compared to comparable markets, Morocco's political climate and proximity to Europe made it a safe investment, Bachiri said. It's like being on an island next door, he said, noting instability in neighboring countries throughout North and West Africa. However, as the United States and European countries encourage their automakers to onshore electric vehicle production, it's unclear how Morocco will fare. The country has long prided itself on being a free market that eschews tariffs and trade barriers but finds itself squeezed as countries vying for EV production advantages enact policies to protect their domestic automotive industries. Western governments that have long pushed developing countries to embrace free trade are now enacting policies to boost their own EV production. France and the United States both passed tax credits and incentives last year for consumers who buy electric vehicles manufactured in Europe or North America, respectively. Though the U.S. incentives can extend to Morocco because the countries share a free trade agreement, Mezzour said they complicated the global supply chain and sometimes made his job more complicated. Were living in some kind of new age of protectionism, Mezzour said. Were living in instability in terms of trade rules that makes it more difficult for countries like Morocco that invested heavily in open, free and fair trade. M_a_y_a / Getty Images When the Economist Intelligence Unit (the research arm of The Economist) compiled data for its Worldwide Cost of Living 2022 report, it found San Francisco to be the eighth most expensive city in the world, behind only New York City (tied for first) and Los Angeles (tied for fourth) in the U.S. Check Out: Nearly Half of Americans Struggle To Pay Their Utility Bills 5 Ways To Save Read Next: 6 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work) However, when it comes to child care expenses, the City by the Bay reigns supreme. After housing, child care is often the most significant expense for families, and San Francisco outdistances NYC and LA (and the 47 other most populated cities in America) in terms of child care costs. Whether you decide to entrust your child to center-based or home-based care, youre going to be paying a lot of your income towards those expenses, depending on where you live. As Business Insider reported last year, the cost of childcare increased 41% on average from 2018 to 2020 (from $9,977 to $14,117 per year), and now sits at a record high. Child care expenses have become untenable for many families throughout the nation and many have been calling for greater government investment to help. According to Care.coms 2024 Cost of Care Report released in January, a majority of parents surveyed expect to pay more than $7,000 this year on child care, or $600 or more a month. Within the first five years of their childs life, parents are being forced into a financial hole that is nearly impossible to climb out of, said Brad Wilson, CEO of Care.com. A healthy economy depends upon the ability for people to save and spend, but given the crushing weight of child care costs, those pillars are crumbling. Learn More: Net Worth for US Families How To Tell if Youre Poor, Middle Class, Upper Middle Class or Rich How Much Does Child Care Cost at Each Stage of Childhood? Gathering child care data from the U.S. Department of Labors Childcare Prices by Age of Children and Child Care Setting document, GOBankingRates found the average annual costs for child care at different stages in childhood among Americas 50 largest cities. The total cost to raise a child in each city from birth to the age of 12 was found by adding the total childcare cost to the total cost of living data. This data was collected from a variety of sources and calculated using the average costs of child care and the total cost of living without children. The methodology is presented following the data. As noted above, parents in San Francisco pay the most in child care regarding kids from birth to the age of 12 in the country, to the tune of $218,681 if the child attends a center-based facility and $219,062 for home-based child care fees. Adding cost of living expenses, the cost to raise a child to 12 years old using center-based child care is $364,939 in San Francisco (and $365,320 in a home-based environment). Annual median costs for child care are the most expensive, or the second-most expensive, in San Francisco across all childhood life stages. Story continues To show how much location matters, parents in Wichita, Kansas which has the lowest total child care costs among the 50 most populated cities in America can expect to pay around almost $59,000 and close to $74,000 in center-based and home-based child care expenses on their kids for the first 12 years of their lives, respectively. Here are the overall average total child care costs and average total costs to raise a child to 12 years, plus the average annual median costs for child care at each Department of Labor childhood life-stage among the 50 largest cities in the U.S. Overall Child Care Total Cost (Center-Based): $130,963 Child Care Total Cost (Home-Based): $109,103 Total Cost to Raise a Child 12 Years (Cost of Living plus Center-Based Child Care): $201,161 Total Cost to Raise a Child 12 Years (Cost of Living plus Home-Based Child Care): $179,301 Infant (0-2 years/0-23 months) Average Annual Median Child Care Cost (Center-Based): $15,465 Average Annual Median Child Care Cost (Home-Based): $10,661 Toddler (3 years/24-35 months) Average Annual Median Child Care Cost (Center-Based): $12,917 Average Annual Median Child Care Cost (Home-Based): $9,938 Preschool (4-5 years/36-60 months) Average Annual Median Child Care Cost (Center-Based): $11,854 Average Annual Median Child Care Cost (Home-Based): $9,688 School-Age (6-12 years-60-144 months) Average Annual Median Child Care Cost (Center-Based): $9,058 Average Annual Median Child Care Cost (Home-Based): $8,352 Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the cost of childcare in Americas 50 largest cities to find the average cost of living for a family. First GOBankingRates found the 50 largest cities in terms of population as sourced from the US Census American Community Survey. Next GOBankingRates found the average home value for single family homes in March 2024 as sourced from Zillow Home Value Index and calculated the average mortgage cost by assuming a 10% down payment and using the national 30 year average fixed rate mortgage as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data. For each city the cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperlings Bestplaces and using the average expenditure costs for married couples with kids as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure cost for each city can be calculated. Using the average expenditure cost and the mortgage, the total cost of living without childcare in each city can be calculated. By using the childcare cost data from the US Department of Labors Childcare Prices by Age of Children and Child Care Setting, the average annual cost for childcare in different life stages can be found. Using the average costs of childcare and the total cost of living without childcare, the average total cost of living with childcare can be calculated. The data was kept separate to show the different prices for a child at home versus center-based centers as well as the four different life stages for children. By using the life-stages set by the US Department of Labor, the average cost for childcare can be calculated with the annual childcare cost and the amount of time at each stage. Adding the total childcare cost to the total cost of living gives the total cost to raise a child in each city from birth to the age of 12. The data was sorted from the highest to lowest total cost of raising a child at center-based programs. All data was collected on and is up to date as of April 18, 2024. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Heres How Much Child Care Costs At Every Age IPGGutenbergUKLtd / Getty Images/iStockphoto For many people, taking that long-awaited vacation once a year is something to save up for. Not so for millionaires. Visiting beautiful places around the world is costly for the average person. While you might scrimp and carefully budget for months ahead, they can afford to take flights on a whim. Check Out: Jeff Bezos Billion-Dollar Life: A Look at His Mansion Collection Read More: 4 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money Millionaires are also known to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a year on their lavish trips. Below, experts reveal exactly how millionaires are spending their money and how much theyre dishing out on their travels annually. They Invest In Jets and Islands Millionaires view traveling as more than just a way to unwind they also see it as an opportunity to create lasting memories and embrace a lavish lifestyle, said Giacomo Piva, a travel industry analyst and co-founder of Radical Storage. They are pursuing distinct experiences, like leasing private jets and islands, and are willing to invest substantial sums, from $50,000 to $100,000 annually, to fulfill their passion for traveling. A few of them might frequently invest over $200,000 in one journey, guaranteeing that every aspect is carefully tailored to their likes. Yet, he added that there is also an increasing desire for environmentally friendly travel options, leading wealthy individuals to spend large amounts of money on discovering remote locations with minimal environmental impact. Be Aware: Dave Ramsey: 7 Vacation Splurges That are a Waste of Money Theyre Considered Lifestyle Clients I have the privilege of crafting ultra-luxury experiences for an elite clientele, including high-net-worth individuals and celebrities, whom we affectionately refer to as lifestyle clients,' said LaDell Carter, founder and lead travel designer at Royal Expression Travels. These discerning individuals dont just travel they curate moments that amplify the luxurious essence of their everyday lives. Our clients expenditures on travel are as grand as the experiences themselves. For example, securing the Mansion at the iconic Esencia hotel in Mexico starts at $30,000 per night. Furthermore, she said transporting a family via private jet can cost approximately $350,000 depending on the departure city, with helicopter transfers adding around $3,500 per leg. In the winter wonderland of Aspen, accommodations in exclusive residences across from The Little Nell can run about $100,000 for the week, she said. The moment guests arrive, theyre immersed in an ambiance akin to St. Barths with fur complete with champagne, gourmet tapas, and a live DJ to set the celebratory tone. Story continues They Have Exclusive Access to the Worlds Most Coveted Experiences One of our most enchanting offerings is the underground wine cellar experience in Aspen, accessed through a secret tunnel that leads to a vault lined with the signatures of past VIPs like Kevin Hart, she explained. Its a private haven where guests can savor the worlds finest wines and leave their mark among the elite. Our adventurous spirits often find themselves in Italy, where a journey can amount to half a million dollars. This includes jet-setting in private aircraft, sailing on yachts, and experiencing the thrill of Ferrari engines on the winding roads of the Chianti region, guided by a private driving ambassador who enhances the experience with insider knowledge and flair. She added, The opulence of our itineraries reflects not just in the sum spent typically between $500,000 to over $1 million annually but in the meticulous attention to detail and the exclusive access to the worlds most coveted experiences. Each journey is more than a trip; it is a testament to the power of luxury to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. They Spend Big To Ensure Exclusivity, Privacy and Personalization As a private jet charter broker with nearly two decades in the luxury travel sector, Ive observed that the spending habits of millionaires on travel can vary significantly depending on their preferences for exclusivity, privacy and personalization, said Ricky Gomulka, founder and managing partner at JetLevel Aviation LLC. On average, high-net-worth individuals spend approximately $100,000 to $500,000 annually on vacation travel. This range can fluctuate based on factors like the number of trips taken per year, the destinations they choose, and the level of luxury they demand. For instance, he explained that chartering a private jet alone can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 per hour. When considering the full spectrum of travel expenses including accommodations at five-star resorts, bespoke experiences, and ground transportation spending can easily reach the upper end of this range, particularly for those who value bespoke and exclusive travel experiences. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Do Millionaires Spend on Travel Each Year? Nestle is adding production lines for Purina pet food in Mexico in the CPG giants latest investment in the category. Following on from this years previously announced capex projects in the US, Italy and Hungary, Nestle is channelling SFr200m ($220.9m) into its factory in the city of Silao, with adjacent land purchased for future expansion. A third line for wet pet food produced under the Purina brand will be added at the Mexico plant and a fourth for dry food varieties, Nestle said, adding that an estimated 94 jobs will be created as a result. Laurent Freixe, the CEO of Nestles Latin America business zone, said: Mexico plays a fundamental role in our operations in Latin America, serving as a key market and strategic hub for Nestle. Mexico is at the heart of our growth strategy in the region and we take pride in contributing to its development and success. The Silao factory currently produces 125 varieties of dry and 45 varieties of wet pet food and employs almost 600 staff. Nestle added that an additional 48-hectare plot of land next to the facility has been purchased for future expansion, which will also entail the construction of a distribution unit to serve the local and overseas markets. Over the past ten years, Nestle said the Silao plant has received SFr700m in investment. The facility uses 100% renewable energy and also includes a water treatment plant to enable water reuse in its cooling towers. The Mexican market is the most important for Purina in Latin America, representing 45% of Purina's total sales in the region, Nestle said in a statement. It is also the fourth-largest market for Purina worldwide, highlighting the growing importance of emerging economies for the pet-food business. In other regions, an investment in one of Nestles US Purina pet-food plants, based in Jefferson, Wisconsin, was announced in April. A second round of capex was also revealed for Hungary in February, directed at the Purina facility in Buk, a town in Vas County. The first round for the Buk factory was unveiled last October. Italy was also a capex recipient in April, when Nestle said it would invest in a new pet-food plant in Mantua. "Nestle ploughs investment into Mexico in latest pet-food capex project" was originally created and published by Just Food, 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. Patient-centricity has been a buzzword in the clinical trial industry for the past few years with all the big pharma companies discussing how to put patients at the centre of trials. This however might not be the best solution, with speakers at Arena Internationals Outsourcing in Clinical Trials (OCT) Europe 2024 conference, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Barcelona, talking about how mutual benefit is more important. Mutual benefit in this context refers to ensuring that all parties involved in a clinical trial benefit from research this means sponsors, sites, patients, patient advocacy groups and CROs, amongst others involved in the development process. As a result, those at the top need to consider how their trial design benefits parties at all stages of development. Everyone should benefit Speaking in a panel about exploring the transition of innovation and technological advancements in clinical trials Upinder Grewal, strategic lead exploration and discovery, DS&AI at Bayer, said that everyone must work together from the very beginning. Its the concept of co-creation, Grewal explained. It's not just coming from one part of the game, we must work together with all the players- that is critical. That comes by understanding the real needs from the very beginning, considering the perspectives of the patients, of the regulators, of the sponsors. A panel at OCT Europe 2024 including Upinder Grewal and Gabriel Maeztu discussing innovations in technology. Image credit: GlobalData In the same panel, co-founder of IOMED, an AI healthcare data company, Gabriel Maeztu adds: The big problem is who is benefiting from this innovation? If that innovation is not getting to all the stakeholders and just one party is getting benefit then the innovation is not felt by everyone equally. That's a big struggle. Maeztu shared an example of how a sponsor used AI to evaluate data in a dermatology study. While the study investigators were initially excited at the concept of using AI when the data was being evaluated, only the sponsors had access, with investigators later asking how they benefitted from participating in that study, which Maeztu said meant those investigators may not be as inclined to work with the sponsor again. When one of the stakeholders is not getting direct value from the innovation, when you try to repeat this work is when you get a problem, Maetzu added. Amelia Hursey, Parkinson's research manager for Parkinson's Europe, held a session about building clinical trials with the perspective of the patients in mind, but her session went on to discuss mutual investment. Hursey adds that even when parties might be trying to make trials mutually beneficial, there are still barriers in place which exclude certain parties from trials which are simple to fix. Story continues Amelia Hursey from Parkinson's Europe spoke beyond the scope of patient centricity, arguing that mutual investment is more beneficial in research. Image credit: GlobalData. Even the language used in trials is a huge barrier and that isnt the different actual language itself but the terminology everyone uses. Mutual investment doesnt require education, it requires knowledge, wisdom, and the sharing of insights, said Hursey. We do not want to just educate people about what that research is doing but make research with them. In another panel discussing how to maximise the productivity of a site and how to lessen the burden, Richard Gray, managing partner of EMEAR Enterprise, Medidata Solutions, said it is important to have an appreciation of the site's capacity. You have got to try and have a relationship at a site level. You must think about site burden to support sites in terms of scalability and their operating model. When a site investigator shared her experiences in the session, she said sites need better communication, training and tech manuals. Gray acknowledged the challenges sites are facing, adding: There's always all this promise of where innovation and advanced technology can take us but unless you solve the fundamental things and get the communication right, you are limited as to where you can go. Head of the late phase programme management respiratory and immunology at AstraZeneca, Alina Pszczokowska, held a session about patient burden. Alina Pszczokowska during her session about patient burden at OCT Europe 2024. Image credit: GlobalData The pharma giant has created the protocol complexity tool which evaluates trial design and protocol and works out how complex it is for a patient to participate in a bid to make trials easier for patients. The tool, developed using data collected in patient surveys from a variety of AstraZeneca trials, provides a numerical scale which evaluates patient burden considering visit schedule, procedural burden and ePRO experience. Regulation and tech also at forefront of discussion Other sessions at OCT Europe 2024 discussed regulatory changes with the European Medicines Agencys (EMA) move from the Clinical Trials Directive (CTD) to the Clinical Trials (CTR). By January 2025, sponsors will need to have moved all their trials, including ongoing studies to the CTR. One of the biggest issues with the CTR however, acknowledged by several presenters at OCT Europe, is the room for interpretation within the guidance which creates complexities when filing in different countries. Dr Sol Yates, associate director of European regulatory affairs for Shionogi Europe, said: The issue is not with the CTR, the issue is some health authorities are, unfortunately, making their own interpretations of the regulation. What happens is some countries ask questions which you would not anticipate and questions which other countries do not care about. Certain countries really focus on certain issues and then you may have few other options but to withdraw in that country. Dr Sol Yates, associate director of European regulatory affairs for Shionogi Europe, said that the EU CTR is an improvement but it is still difficult to navigate for sponsors. Image credit: GlobalData. Another regulatory topic discussed at OCT Europe 2024 was the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) E6 GCP (revision three) guidelines. Silvia Perez, director of clinical quality compliance at AstraZeneca spoke about the updates made to sections on principles of ICH, investigators, and sponsors. The biggest change to the guidance was the introduction of a data guidance section in the guidance, providing a great deal of clarity about where responsibility lies. AI and machine learning were also top of the agenda, with the opening keynote discussing a system called Archer, developed in conjunction between Ignite Data and the European Institute of Innovation through Health Data (i-HD). Archer is a system which automatically transfers electronic health record to electronic data capture (EHR-to-EDC). Mats Sundgren, PhD, spoke about Archer, a technology that utilises AI and RWD to improve clinical trial effectiveness. Image credit: GlobalData. Currently, in Europe, investigators will input data collected about a patient in a trial into their EHR as standard of care before transferring this manually to the EDC to provide a sponsor. Archer uses that data from the EHR and automatically transfers this in a deidentified manner to sponsors. There were also questions asked about the lack of tech development in EMA guidance, with Yates questioned about whether there was any mention of AI in the CTR which he confirmed there was not. This raised some eyebrows given its increasing prevalence in the data processing field. "OCT Europe: Unless everyone is benefiting, what is the point?" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, 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. (Bloomberg) -- OpenAI Chief Scientist and co-founder Ilya Sutskever is leaving the artificial intelligence company, a departure that ends months of speculation in Silicon Valley about the future of a top AI researcher who played a key role in the brief ouster of Sam Altman last year. Most Read from Bloomberg Sutskever will be replaced by Research Director Jakub Pachocki, OpenAI said on its blog Tuesday. In a post on X, Sutskever called trajectory of OpenAI miraculous and said that he was confident the company will build AI that is both safe and beneficial under its current leadership. The exit removes an executive and renowned researcher who has played a pivotal role in the company since its earliest days, helping guide discussions over the safety of AI technology and at times differing with Altman over strategy. When OpenAI was founded in 2015, he served as its research director after being recruited to join the company by Elon Musk. At that point, Sutskever was already well known in the field for his work on neural networks at the University of Toronto and his work at the Google Brain lab. Sutskever even officiated the wedding of President Greg Brockman at the OpenAI offices. Sutskever clashed with Altman over how rapidly to develop AI, a technology prominent scientists have warned could harm humanity if allowed to grow without built-in constraints, for instance on misinformation. Jan Leike, another OpenAI veteran who co-led the so-called superalignment team with Sutskever, also resigned. Leikes responsibilities included exploring ways to limit the potential harm of AI. Listen and subscribe to Elon, Inc. on Apple, Spotify, iHeart and the Bloomberg Terminal. Last year, Sutskever was one of several OpenAI board members who moved to fire Chief Executive Officer Altman, a decision that touched off a whirlwind five days at the company: Brockman quit in protest. Investors revolted. And within days, nearly all of OpenAIs roughly 770 employees signed a letter threatening to quit unless Altman was reinstated. Adding to the chaos, Sutskever said he regretted his participation in Altmans ouster. Soon after, the CEO was reinstated. After Altman returned to the company in late November, he said in a blog post that Sutskever wouldnt go back to his former post as a board member, but that the company was discussing how he can continue his work at OpenAI. Story continues In the subsequent months, Sutskever largely disappeared from public view, sparking speculation about his continued role at the company. Sutskevers post on X Tuesday was the first time he shared anything on the social network since reposting a message from OpenAI in December. Asked about Sutskever at a press conference in March, Altman said he loved him, and that he believed Sutskever loved OpenAI, adding: I hope we work together for the rest of our careers. In a post on X on Tuesday, Altman wrote, Ilya is easily one of the greatest minds of our generation, a guiding light of our field, and a dear friend. On X, Sutskever posted that he is working on an as-yet-unnamed project that is very personally meaningful for him. The companys new chief scientist, Pachocki has worked at OpenAI since 2017. Pachocki led the development of the companys GPT-4 AI model, OpenAI said. --With assistance from Shirin Ghaffary. (Updates to include context on Sutskevers tenure in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, one of the original creators of the artificial intelligence technology behind ChatGPT, said Tuesday he is leaving the company after a nearly decade. Sutskever was one of four board members last fall who voted to push out CEO Sam Altman from the company only to quickly reinstate him. It was Sutskever, OpenAI's chief scientist, who told Altman last November that he was being fired. Sutskever announced his decision on the social media site X. He said he is working on a new project that is very personally meaningful to him, but he offered no other details. Altman, meanwhile, wrote that parting ways is very sad and called Sutskever one of the greatest minds of our generation, a guiding light of our field, and a dear friend. Sutskever will be replaced by Jakub Pachocki as chief scientist at San Francisco-based OpenAI. Altman called Pachocki also easily one of the greatest minds of our generation" and said he is very confident he will lead us to make rapid and safe progress towards our mission of ensuring that AGI benefits everyone. Short for artificial general intelligence, AGI is a futuristic vision of machines that are as broadly smart as humans or at least can do many things as well as people can. On Monday, OpenAI introduced an update to its AI model it says can reason across text, audio and video in real time. The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement that allows OpenAI access to part of the APs text archives. By Anna Tong and Akanksha Khushi (Reuters) -OpenAI co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever is leaving the startup at the center of today's artificial intelligence boom. "OpenAI would not be what it is without him," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote in a message to the company, which OpenAI posted on its blog. Microsoft-backed OpenAI makes the popular ChatGPT chatbot, which sparked a race among the world's largest tech companies for dominance in the emerging generative AI field. Jakub Pachocki will be the company's new chief scientist, the company said on its blog. Pachocki has previously served as OpenAI's director of research and led the development of GPT-4 and OpenAI Five. "After almost a decade, I have made the decision to leave OpenAI," Sutskever said in a post on X. Sutskever posted that he is working on a new project "that is very personally meaningful to me about which I will share details in due time." Sutskever played a key role in Altman's dramatic firing and rehiring in November last year. At the time, Sutskever was on the board of OpenAI and helped to orchestrate Altman's firing. Days later, he reversed course, signing onto an employee letter demanding Altman's return and expressing regret for his "participation in the board's actions." After Altman returned, Sutskever was removed from the board and his position at the company became unclear. Sutskever's exit comes a day after the company said at an event on Monday that it would release a new AI model called GPT-4o, capable of realistic voice conversation and able to interact across texts and images. Shortly after launching in late 2022, ChatGPT was called the fastest application ever to reach 100 million monthly active users. However, worldwide traffic to ChatGPT's website has been on a roller-coaster ride in the past year and is only now returning to its May 2023 peak, according to analytics firm Similarweb. Sutskever has long been a prominent researcher in the AI field. Before founding OpenAI, he worked as a researcher at Google Brain, and was a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford, according to his personal website. He started his career working with Geoffrey Hinton, one of the so-called "godfathers of AI". (Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber, Rashmi Aich and Shri Navaratnam) Cloud Security Leader Hires New VP for EMEA and Introduces Partner-Led Go-to-Market Strategy, Driving 270% Spike in Deal Registrations LONDON & PORTLAND, Ore., May 15, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Orca Security, the pioneer of agentless cloud security, today announced new investments in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) to support demand for enhanced cloud security as it grows in existing markets and spreads across the region. New resources for the companys partner ecosystem, including a new partner portal and tech enablement boot camps, have already contributed to more than 270% growth in deal registrations this year. This increased focus on channel-driven growth is led by the companys new VP for EMEA, Scott Walker, a former sales, business and technical leader at companies including Illumio, BeyondTrust and Bomgar Corporation. Organizations worldwide continue to increase the pace of cloud-driven transformations to maximize business efficiency and take advantage of new technologies like generative AI. In Europe, more than 90% of companies rank cloud programs as a priority, according to recent McKinsey research that urges European companies to "accelerate their cloud ambitions and activities." However, with growing cloud adoption, the awareness and need for cloud-specific security skills, strategies and technology is also increasing. In fact, organizations in Europe placed cloud security skills at the top of their list of challenges in a March 2024 Tech Buyer Spotlight Survey from IDC. In this environment, Orca has already seen strong growth and traction in central and southern European countries including the U.K., France and Germany. It has started to see increasing demand in the Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg), Italy, and Nordic countries including Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. This has led to a 50% increase in the number of partners closing business with Orca in the region. "As cloud adoption accelerates across different geographies, organizations are quickly recognizing that it creates gaps in their existing security strategies. Theyre turning to trusted resellers and service providers for the best solutions to close those gaps," said Scott Walker, VP of EMEA at Orca Security. "As a pioneer in cloud security that continues to be on the forefront of innovation, were helping partners field those conversations so they can show their customers what proper cloud security looks like. This environment is driving our strategy to put significant investment behind education and enablement for existing and new partners across the region." Story continues Orca recently launched a new partner portal that adds features to streamline deal registration and price protection for partners worldwide. In EMEA specifically, the company is supplementing this new resource with tech enablement boot camps to help educate partners about the intricacies of cloud security, the challenges organizations face, and how they can work with Orca Security to solve them. This includes awareness and education about cloud security challenges organizations are facing in the race to adopt A.I., and how Orca supports them with new AI Security Posture Management (AI-SPM) features. With its increased support and Tech Enablement Boot Camps, Orca has already completed dozens of new technical certifications among its partners in the region this year. For more information about Orca Security and its partner program, visit https://orca.security/partners. About Orca Security Orca Security is the pioneer of agentless cloud security trusted by hundreds of enterprises globally. Orca makes cloud security possible for enterprises moving to and scaling in the cloud with its patented SideScanning technology and Unified Data Model. The Orca Cloud Security Platform delivers the worlds most comprehensive coverage and visibility of all risks across the cloud. With continuous first-to-market innovations and expertise, the Orca Platform ensures security teams quickly identify and remediate risks to keep their businesses secure. Connect your first account in minutes: https://orca.security or book a personalized demo. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240515428904/en/ Contacts Media Mike Reilly fama PR for Orca Security E: orca@famapr.com I.P. Natural Products has selected SIG's XSlimBloc carton packs to launch its new range of juices within its Ivy beverage line. The new additions feature two unique Asia-inspired flavours: tamarind made with local Thai ingredients, and plum made with fresh Taiwanese plums. These flavours will be available in two sizes, 170ml and 200ml, and are set to hit Thai retail shelves soon. The SIG XSlim 24 Aseptic filling machine, which is used for the carton packaging process, is designed to allow for flexibility. It can fill up to nine different pack sizes at a high speed of up to 24,000 packs per hour, according to SIG. Moreover, the machine's changeover time for switching pack sizes is under 15 minutes, enabling businesses to adapt quickly to consumer demands. The partnership between I.P. and SIG has been ongoing for 27 years, offering popular beverages to the Asian market. I.P. One Company managing director and president Uthai Thaneswarakul said: "I.P. is thrilled to continue our long-term partnership with SIG as we expand Ivys beverage categories to meet the diverse needs of our consumers. We share SIGs core values of providing consumers with safe and high-quality UHT [ultra-high temperature] products and believe in SIGs commitment to providing even more sustainable innovations. "We are committed to producing good quality products. I want Thai people to use and consume quality products, including delicious food and beverages made from quality ingredients. This is the key to our success, allowing us to grow sustainably both domestically and abroad." SIG's XSlimBloc carton packs are available in a range of volumes, starting from 80ml to 200ml. Last month, Vietnamese dairy company Nutifood adopted SIGs DomeMini on-the-go carton bottle for its Varna brand. "I.P to debut new Ivy juice range in SIG XSlimBloc carton packs " was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, 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 Rodrigo Viga Gaier and Marta Nogueira RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -The chief executive of Brazil's Petrobras offered to step down, the state-run oil company said on Tuesday, as the government lined up a former regulator for the role, sending shares sliding as investors braced for political interference. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will replace the outgoing CEO Jean Paul Prates with Magda Chambriard, the former head of Brazilian oil and gas regulator ANP, according to a securities filing citing the Mines and Energy Ministry. New York-listed shares of Petrobras fell more than 6% in after-hours trading as news broke that Prates was headed for the exit. The ouster of Prates represents a win for members of Lula's cabinet pushing for lower fuel prices, smaller dividends and more capital spending to create jobs and boost the economy. "In our view, the exit of Prates is a deterioration of Petrobras governance and a downside risk for the investment thesis," Citi analysts Gabriel Barra and Andres Cardona told clients in a note. "The new CEO arrives with the pressure to fulfill the investment plan and accelerate the capex expansion, which may negatively impact the company's dividend payment." The Petrobras board will meet on Wednesday to discuss the proposed departure of Prates, the company's press office said. Since he took over as CEO in January 2023 Prates has tangled repeatedly with Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira, who has openly criticized the company for not doing enough to lower prices at the pump or boost Brazil's economy with investments. Silveira's criticisms often echoed Lula's own concerns about Petrobras, which he has said should do more to help the country. The dispute between Silveira and Prates hit fever pitch in March, when the company's board largely appointed by Silveira defied Prates and withheld an extra dividend expected by investors, which weighed heavily on Petrobras shares. Chambriard, who started her four-decade career in the energy industry as an engineer at Petrobras in 1980, headed up petroleum regulator ANP from 2012 to 2016, under a previous government run by Lula's leftist Workers Party. She was considered a top prospect for the Petrobras CEO job after Lula won the 2022 election, and that December, she gave an interview to Reuters echoing many of his views on the company. At the time, she criticized a policy of weekly fuel price adjustments tracking global markets, which Petrobas has since scrapped. She also called for more development of natural gas and criticized large dividends to shareholders, arguing that profits should be reinvested in energy exploration and output. (Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier and Marta Nogueira in Rio de Janeiro; Additional reporting by Andre Romani in Sao Paulo and Lisandra Paraguassu in Porto Alegre; Writing by Fabio Teixeira; Editing by Brad Haynes, Leslie Adler and Sonali Paul) PulPac, a Dry Molded Fiber (DMF) technology developer, has announced a partnership with Seaman Paper, an eco-friendly speciality paper and packaging solutions manufacturer, to explore possibilities in personalised packaging. The collaboration aims to offer customised DMF packaging options with coloured and patterned barrier crepe paper. Using the combined capabilities of Seaman's expertise in barrier crepe paper production and PulPacs DMF process, customers will potentially have a broad spectrum of personalisation options to improve their packaging designs and functionality. The flexible nature of the barrier crepe paper presents numerous opportunities for creating personalised packaging solutions that can improve decor, colour, and functionality. PulPac COO Viktor Borjesson said: We are thrilled to welcome Seaman Paper to PulPacs partner network. Their global presence and diverse capabilities make them an ideal partner for our customers. By combining our expertise in Dry Molded Fiber, barriers, different substrates, prints, and colours through crepe paper, we can offer brands tailor-made packaging solutions that stand out while reducing their environmental footprint. Seaman global Product Development VP Bernd Firmbach added: We are excited to collaborate with PulPac to explore the potential of crepe paper in sustainable packaging solutions. Our partnership represents a significant opportunity to innovate and provide customers with unique packaging solutions that meet their evolving needs for tailored graphic design and barrier functionality while minimising environmental impact. Recently, PulPac entered into a collaboration with Danish premium confectionery brand LAKRIDS BY BULOW to develop eco-friendly packaging alternatives. "PulPac and Seaman Paper to explore customised packaging possibilities" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, 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. PeopleImages / Getty Images Making purchases you didnt expect, whether small or large, can add up to big expenses over time. Controlling your impulsive buying habits and staying on budget might seem simple, but many struggle with it. Luckily, Rachel Cruze, financial expert and co-host of The Ramsey Show, understands how people can get caught up in impulsive buying. Read More: Mark Cuban Reveals Why He Keeps a Strict Budget Everyday Check Out: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy Here are some of her tips for how to cut back and put that money toward your savings. 1. Plan Your Purchases If you head into a store without a concrete plan or just to look around, youre more likely to leave with an impulsive purchase. Shopping with a plan can cut down your spending significantly. Avoid window shopping or scrolling through online retailers to give yourself fewer chances to buy something you dont need. Making a list before you start shopping can help you stick to your budget and minimize extra spending. 2. Track Your Expenses Budgeting allows you to track your expenses and set goals that can help you stop impulse buying. If you know youre on a budget, youll be less likely to grab a few snacks and a magazine when standing in the checkout line. Its easier than ever to start budgeting with a variety of budgeting and expense-tracking apps that link directly to your bank account. Tracking your expenses may also help you see just how much money youre throwing away on impulsive purchases. Discover More: 10 Things Frugal People Always Buy at Yard Sales To Save Money 3. Sleep on It Its easy to fall into the trap of making impulsive online purchases, especially through websites that allow you to buy with just one click. Putting some time between when you see something and when you buy it leaves you space to consider how much you want it. Cruze cautions against limited-time offers, pointing out that merchants use them to pressure you into making quick purchases without taking the proper amount of time to assess if its worth it. Sleeping on the decision and giving yourself a day or more will help you determine if its actually something you need and whether it fits into your budget. 4. Give Yourself Some Wiggle Room Limiting what you can spend can help you spend less, but sometimes its a good idea to let yourself enjoy your money. When you set a little bit aside for impulsive purchases each month, you wont feel so guilty when you suddenly see something you want. 5. Avoid Retail Therapy Cruze explains that emotions are one of the main reasons people make impulsive purchases. If youre having a bad day, you might pick up a new pair of shoes or the newest tech gadget to lift your spirits. You might also make a small purchase because youre bored, anxious or putting off a task you dont want to do. This kind of buying adds up and plays right into the hands of marketers. When you feel the urge to buy something, determine where the emotion is coming from and be honest with yourself. Noticing your mood can help prevent unneeded spending. 6. Dont Shop Alone Heading out to the mall by yourself makes buying things you dont need a lot easier, as youll be able to talk yourself into a purchase. Bringing along a friend or family member is a great way to make sure you dont buy impulsively. Before shopping, let your shopping partner know what youre there to buy and that youre trying to cut back on extra spending. That way, when you see a new shirt you just have to have, they can hold you accountable or talk you out of it. 7. Shop With Just Enough Cash One strategy Cruze suggests is to only take the cash you need when you go shopping. If you determine how much money youll need and head to the store with a limited amount of cash, you wont be able to buy more than you came for. It can also be beneficial to leave your debit and credit cards behind to make it impossible to buy anything else. 8. Be Careful With Your Credit Cards Putting anything on your credit card can become problematic if you dont pay it off right away. Cruze points out that impulsive buying can add up, but adding an extra 20% interest on top of that can be devastating to your financial health. Credit cards make it very easy to buy things you dont need and might be unable to afford. Cruze cautions against falling for other traps like spending to get points or cash-back rewards. Getting rid of credit cards altogether may be the best option for some. 9. Make It Harder To Use Your Card Online If youre an avid online shopper, you might have the details of your debit or credit card memorized. If your computer automatically saves it, you might not even need to know them off-hand. Being able to purchase something online without needing your card can be detrimental to your budget. One solution is to clear your browsers data and not store your card information on it. Needing to enter your cards details manually each time offers just enough of a barrier to help deter you from spending impulsively. If youve memorized your cards number and cant get it out of your head, consider calling your bank and requesting a replacement card with a new number. 10. Unsubscribe From Email Lists Controlling your spending habits can be difficult when sellers constantly bombard you with advertisements. Cruze recalls how shell spend within the limits of her budget until she suddenly gets emails with all of the new deals shes missing out on. Unsubscribing from unnecessary email lists keeps the ads away and reduces your spending opportunities. 11. Restrict Your Social Media Use Social media can play a dangerous role in spending. When youre scrolling through apps and looking at how well everyone else is doing, youll likely feel the need to buy a new outfit or book a trip to Cancun. One way to combat this is to reduce your screen time. Downloading apps that only allow you to use social media for a limited time each day or deleting the apps altogether can help. Less time on social media means fewer impulses to buy. 12. Dont Keep up With the Joneses In the same vein, constantly keeping tabs on what those around you have or dont have can put you in a position to make impulse purchases. When your neighbor rolls out a new lawn mower or your coworker boasts about their new TV, you might feel the itch to get one of your own. Comparing what you have to what others have can lead to dangerous spending habits. Instead of putting money into your savings account, youll put that money toward items to maintain appearances. Keep your ego in check, and watch your savings pile up. 13. Challenge Yourself Cruze mentions another strategy that can help curb your impulse to buy: a no-spend challenge. This challenge can take different forms depending on your situation. In some cases, it may mean completely halting any spending for a period of time. In other cases, you may have some essential costs, so limiting yourself to a strict budget will do. 14. Remember the Big Picture Making a budget and having an overarching financial plan can help you keep your priorities in line. Whenever youre about to make a purchase, thinking about your goals like saving up to take a cruise or paying off your student loans can motivate you not to impulse buy. Keep your big-picture goals in mind the next time you go shopping, and itll be easier to stop yourself from overspending. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Rachel Cruze Reveals 14 Ways To Stop Overspending BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) In addition to laying off hundreds of jobs, Walmart is asking some of its work-from-home employees to relocate. The three locations they are asking employees to move to are Hoboken, Southern California or the headquarters in Bentonville. With the influx in people coming to Northwest Arkansas, Mike Duley, the chairman of Keller Williams Market Pro Realty in Northwest Arkansas, said this could affect the number of short-term rental properties being utilized before committing to a long-term home. Maybe one partner or one spouse might move here first, and then figure out, OK, what schools do we want to be?' Duley said. What zone do we want to be? What do we like doing? Do we like biking? Do we like being closer to the university?' Walmart executive announces several hundred layoffs Duley described Northwest Arkansas as a traditional housing market that follows an annual bell curve. He said the average price of a home in 2016 in Northwest Arkansas was $225,000 a number that has climbed to more than $400,000. Duley thinks the increase in population impacts the housing market depending on the price range a buyer is looking for. Hes no stranger to relocating for work though, moving to Northwest Arkansas from Florida in 2006. I had only envisioned living here for 18 months and relocating back to Florida, Duley said. I met my beautiful Arkansas bride, and she said, Were living here forever, so I said, Yes maam.' He said the small-town community feel of Northwest Arkansas makes the transition for newcomers a little bit easier. He guessed that 15% of current residents have lived here their entire lives, estimating a majority have moved here from somewhere else. Duley said this may make it easier to make new friends upon arrival. Duley reminded new buyers that home values in Northwest Arkansas may be surprising when compared to the rest of the state. I think its going to be something where they go, Oh, I thought I could get a larger house or more of a yard,' Duley said. They might realize thats not the case in Northwest Arkansas, so you might see some different decisions being made. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. You are here: Arts French director Jean-Jacques Annaud attends the opening ceremony of the 10th France-China Film Festival in Paris, France, May 13, 2024. The 10th France-China Film Festival kicked off in Paris on Monday. (Photo by Julien Mattia/Xinhua) A French film week will be held as a part of the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival, scheduled from June 14 to 23, organizers told a press conference on Tuesday. As this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations, the event is curated to showcase the charm of contemporary French movies, said the organizers. According to the press conference, this year's festival will feature a sci-fi film week centering around artificial intelligence. The event is expected to provide audiences with a diverse cinematic experience of AI-themed classics and recent releases. In addition, the sci-fi film week will host special forums to explore how the development of artificial intelligence can propel the film industry forward. Daniel Kretinsky has bid for full control of Royal Mail - JOEL SAGET/AFP Royal Mail is on the brink of a takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky after the board said it was minded to accept a 3.5bn bid. In an update to investors on Wednesday, the postal businesss parent company International Distribution Services (IDS) said it had received a revised possible cash offer from Mr Kretinskys EP Group of 370p per share. The offer is an increase of almost 16pc on a previous 320p per share approach, which was rejected, and values the company at 3.5bn. The board of Royal Mail said it would be minded to recommend the new offer to shareholders. EP Group now has until 5pm on May 29 to table a firm bid or walk away. It opens the door for the 500-year-old postal service to fall under foreign ownership for the first time in history. Royal Mails central role in British life makes the deal highly politically sensitive and a government spokesman said: We are monitoring these developments very closely. The company has been left vulnerable to a takeover after suffering a slump in its share price. Royal Mails stock is down by more than a fifth compared to the highs seen in the immediate aftermath of its IPO in 2013. Mr Kretinsky has agreed to make contractual undertakings to the Government to protect key public interest matters. These include maintaining Saturday deliveries for first class letters and keeping the one-price-goes-anywhere service. The tycoon, who is known as the Czech sphinx in the City, has also vowed to maintain employees current rights, protect the Royal Mail brand and keep the companys headquarters and tax base in the UK. The board is also seeking assurances that Mr Kretinsky will maintain IDSs investment grade credit rating. However, the announcement did not spell out a promise to keep the groups profitable parcels business, GLS, combined with its struggling letters division. Mr Kretinskys swoop has sparked speculation that the billionaire could look to merge GLS with Dutch operator PostNL, in which he also holds a major stake. PostNL, which delivers parcels and letters across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, is locked in similar debates to Royal Mail about relaxing its commitments on letter deliveries. Analysts have said a merger could deliver synergies across the businesses and improve services for customers. A source close to EP Group insisted Mr Kretinsky did not intend to break up IDS and said the list of undertakings was not exhaustive. It is not yet clear whether the commitments would be legally binding. Any failure to secure legally binding undertakings would raise the risk that Mr Kretinsky could renege on the pledges in future. Story continues In 2010, US food giant Kraft, now known as Mondelez, came under fire for breaking its pledge to keep Cadburys Somerset factory open. The promise was made during a hostile 11.6bn takeover of the chocolate brand but the factory was closed a year after the deal closed with the loss of around 1,000 jobs. SoftBank agreed to legally-binding commitments on jobs following its takeover of British chipmaker Arm in 2016. However, these undertakings expired after five years and the Japanese conglomerate subsequently cut hundreds of roles. Royal Mail said it will continue to hold discussions with EP Group over the scope and duration of the undertakings, which would be made to ministers as well as to the company. Keith Williams, chairman of IDS, said Mr Kretinskys commitments should ensure that IDS continues to deliver the key elements of the universal service in the UK and protect the interests of the workforce at both Royal Mail and GLS. The two companies will now start to carry out due diligence, though bosses warned there was no certainty that a firm offer will be made. Mr Williams said: The board is minded to recommend this offer price, which it considers to be fair and reflects the value of GLS current growth plans and the progress being made on change at Royal Mail to adapt the business to a significant fall in the demand for letters and growth in parcels. Redwheel, one of IDSs largest investors, previously supported the boards decision to reject Mr Kretinskys initial takeover bid. It has argued that GLS alone is worth 350p per share, meaning that under the terms of the improved bid Royal Mail would be worth just 20p per share or 192m not even big enough to get into the FTSE 350. Shares in IDS surged as much as 20pc to 327p following the revised offer proposal, which came just three hours before a deadline imposed under City takeover rules. Mr Kretinsky, who is also an investor in West Ham Football Club and Sainsburys, is already the largest shareholder in IDS with a stake of more than 27pc. His swoop has proven controversial given the sensitive nature of the postal service. Sir Vince Cable, who oversaw the privatisation of Royal Mail in 2013, has called on ministers to carry out a fit and proper person test on Mr Kretinsky. The Czech sphinx was previously subject to a national security investigation when he increased his stake in the company above 25pc in 2022, though this was ultimately approved. A government spokesman said: We recognise the importance of the Royal Mail to the British public, and we are monitoring these developments very closely. Our priority is to ensure that Royal Mail customers get the service they deserve, including six days-a-week deliveries and a guaranteed standardised price for post throughout the UK, as enshrined by the universal service obligations, regardless of the owner. We will engage with the bidder at an appropriate time to explain our expectations for the future of Royal Mail. In a letter to Mr Kretinsky on Wednesday, Jonathan Reynolds, the shadow business secretary, asked the tycoon to confirm that Royal Mail would remain headquartered and tax resident in the UK, as well as calling for guarantees around postal workers rights. He wrote: Whilst its important that Britain remains open and attractive to foreign investment, Royal Mail is an iconic British institution with a unique place in our society and infrastructure. Royal Mail is as British as it gets, and Labour will take the necessary steps to safeguard its undeniable identity and place in public life. The Czech tycoon is also facing opposition from the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents around 115,000 postal workers. In a statement on Wednesday, Dave Ward, the CWU general secretary said: It cannot be right that a key part of national infrastructure is allowed to be owned by individuals or companies who have no vision for the future and no clear plan to put the workforce at the heart of turning Royal Mail around. Mr Ward accused the companys board of trying to run letter deliveries into the ground and become just another glorified parcels company. EP Groups revised offer consists of 360p per share in cash, plus a final dividend of 2p expected to be paid in September and a special dividend of 8p which would be paid on completion of the deal. EP Group declined to comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. General underwriter for catastrophe-exposed markets SageSure has launched its first Expanded Markets surplus lines dwelling fire product. The fire product from SageSure will be revealed in Louisiana, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Texas. This latest offering targets the increased demand for fire dwelling products in coastal states. In addition, launched in 2023, the SageSure expanded markets programme utilises third-party products to complement the SageSure Signature product suite. The addition of the DP3 product to the SageSure Expanded Markets program demonstrates our commitment to identifying and meeting demand in coastal states, said Dan Maloney, vice president of expanded markets at SageSure. Dwelling fire products are one of the most requested by producers in our markets. We are excited to offer this new solution to help our partners grow their book of business and meet the needs of their clients. SageSure is proud to deliver the products our producers want to write and the experience they deserve, said Terrence McLean, president and CEO of SageSure. We look forward to introducing Expanded Markets to more markets in the future. In April 2024, GeoVera Insurance Holdings (GeoVera) reached a definitive agreement to combine its insurance carriers into a new entity and sell its managing general agent (MGA) business. The deal will see the formation of GeoVera Nova Holdings (GeoVera Nova), which will gain control of four insurance operating subsidiaries. These are GeoVera Insurance, GeoVera Specialty Insurance, Coastal Select Insurance, and SafePort Insurance, a unit of SageSure. SageSure, an independent MGA specialising in catastrophe-exposed markets, will acquire GeoVeras MGA unit, GeoVera Advantage Insurance Services. This move is expected to bolster SageSures underwriting capabilities in earthquake risk and fast-track its expansion into new markets. "SageSure introduces Expanded Markets and fire product" was originally created and published by Life Insurance 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. Saladax Biomedical has received approval from Health Canada for the 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) test, known as My5-FU Assay, for use in Canada. Completed in six days, this rapid approval emphasises the critical need for precise dosing in chemotherapy treatments using 5-FU. The test aims to optimise patient care by ensuring accurate drug dosage, thereby improving efficacy and reducing toxicity. The medical community has expressed concerns over the traditional dosing method for 5-FU, which is based on Body Surface Area (BSA), and does not account for individual patient differences. Studies have shown that this can lead to incorrect dosing for most patients. Currently in use in several countries, the My5-FU test allows for patient-specific dose adjustments, aligning with pharmacology guidelines that advocate for TDM in 5-FU treatments. Saladax's My5-FU Assay enables healthcare professionals to measure and adjust 5-FU levels with a single blood sample during a chemotherapy cycle. It is compatible with existing clinical laboratory analysers. This test is now approved in Canada, China, the EU, the UK, and Israel. Saladax CEO Salvatore Salamone said: It's imperative that we move away from the assumption that a patient receives the appropriate 5-FU dose based on a one-size-fits-all approach, which is often not the case. The use of real-time blood levels to guide 5-FU therapy management is a critical step forward. Saladax Biomedical is engaged in developing, manufacturing, and marketing assays that provide rapid therapeutic drug levels for essential and life-saving medicines, which are prescribed by psychiatrists and oncologists. "Saladax receives approval from Health Canada for 5-FU TDM test" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, 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. As the S&P 500 approaches its all-time high and the Nasdaq sets new records, the U.S. stock market demonstrates resilience amidst fluctuating economic indicators and ongoing discussions about interest rates. In this context, dividend stocks like Sandy Spring Bancorp become particularly noteworthy for investors seeking stable returns in a landscape marked by cautious optimism and heightened scrutiny of inflation trends. Top 10 Dividend Stocks In The United States Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Columbia Banking System (NasdaqGS:COLB) 7.06% Resources Connection (NasdaqGS:RGP) 4.84% Silvercrest Asset Management Group (NasdaqGM:SAMG) 5.06% Regions Financial (NYSE:RF) 4.78% CompX International (NYSEAM:CIX) 5.45% Ennis (NYSE:EBF) 4.84% First Bancorp (NasdaqGS:FNLC) 5.99% Franklin Financial Services (NasdaqCM:FRAF) 4.92% Citizens & Northern (NasdaqCM:CZNC) 6.36% Evans Bancorp (NYSEAM:EVBN) 4.96% Click here to see the full list of 200 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener. Below we spotlight a couple of our favorites from our exclusive screener. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., operating as the bank holding company for Sandy Spring Bank, offers a range of services including commercial and retail banking, mortgage, private banking, and trust services in the United States, with a market capitalization of approximately $1.03 billion. Operations: Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. provides a variety of financial services, encompassing commercial and retail banking, as well as mortgage, private banking, and trust services across the United States. Dividend Yield: 5.9% Sandy Spring Bancorp has maintained stable dividend payments over the past decade, with a current yield of 5.89%, ranking in the top 25% of US dividend payers. The dividends are well-supported by a reasonable payout ratio of 66.4%. However, recent financials show a decline in net interest income and net profit from last year, indicating potential challenges ahead. Despite these concerns, the company's stock trades at a significant discount to its estimated fair value, suggesting possible undervaluation. NasdaqGS:SASR Dividend History as at May 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: DRDGOLD Limited is a South African gold mining company focused on the retreatment of surface gold tailings, with a market capitalization of approximately $735.72 million. Story continues Operations: DRDGOLD Limited generates its revenue primarily through two segments: Ergo, which contributed approximately ZAR 4.34 billion, and FWGR, which added around ZAR 1.47 billion. Dividend Yield: 5.4% DRDGOLD's dividend yield of 5.36% places it in the upper quartile of US dividend payers, supported by a payout ratio of 54.8%. However, its dividends have shown volatility over the last decade and are not well-covered by cash flows or free cash flow, indicating potential sustainability issues. Despite this, DRDGOLD has increased its dividends over the past ten years and reported a revenue growth forecast of 21.23% per year, with earnings up by 14.9% last year. NYSE:DRD Dividend History as at May 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Entravision Communications Corporation, a global advertising solutions, media, and technology company, has a market capitalization of approximately $200.09 million. Operations: Entravision Communications Corporation generates its revenues primarily from three segments: Audio, which brought in $52.39 million, Digital at $973.74 million, and Television contributing $119.17 million. Dividend Yield: 8.8% Entravision Communications exhibits a high dividend yield at 8.77%, ranking it among the top 25% of US dividend payers. However, its dividends lack growth and stability, remaining unchanged for the past decade with sporadic payments. The company's financial health is concerning as dividends are not supported by earnings or cash flows, evidenced by recent quarterly losses including a net loss of US$48.89 million in Q1 2024. Recent executive changes introduce potential strategic shifts but also add uncertainty during a financially turbulent period. NYSE:EVC Dividend History as at May 2024 Turning Ideas Into Actions Click through to start exploring the rest of the 197 Top Dividend Stocks now. Already own these companies? Link your portfolio to Simply Wall St and get alerts on any new warning signs to your stocks. Maximize your investment potential with Simply Wall St, the comprehensive app that offers global market insights for free. Looking For Alternative Opportunities? 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 NasdaqGS:SASR NYSE:DRD and NYSE:EVC. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Schneider will hand over the CEO role to current COO David Schroder, who will oversee Zalandos plans to expand its B2B business. Zalandos other co-founder, Robert Gentz, will continue as Co-CEO, with a focus on the companys business-to-customer (B2C) sector. B2B and B2C are considered to be growth vectors for the German retailer, which recently reported a 0.6% drop in sales for Q1 2024 as it faced stiff competition from fast fashion giant Shein. Zalandos B2B business offers its logistics and software services to brands and retailers outside of the Zalando platform. The companys B2C business aims to offer the best possible shopping experience in fashion and lifestyle. Schneider will continue at Zalando, moving into a management board role where he will focus on building partner relationships across the two growth areas. Schroder joined Zalandos senior management team in 2010 and has previously served as CFO and senior vice president of convenience at the group. Schneider said: One of Zalandos strengths has always been to adapt our strategy and rotate the roles and responsibilities of its strong leadership team to make sure everyone complements each other and serves the ever-changing needs of customers and partners. We are thrilled that David Schroder, who has been an integral part of Zalando's success story since the early days in 2010, will take on the Co-CEO role to scale our B2B growth vector. On a personal note, Im excited to focus even more on serving the needs of partners, lifting our deep partnerships across the industry to the next level. Schneider co-founded Zalando with Gentz in 2008, originally selling flip-flops online. The business has since become a leading e-commerce site, although recent years have seen the retailer struggle. In 2023, Zalando saw its group revenue decline 1.9% in fiscal year 2023, however it hopes its new pan-European strategy will expand its share of the European fashion market moving forward. "Schroder to take reins as Zalando co-CEO, Schneider steps aside" was originally created and published by Just Style, 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. Now that weve had time to digest the April jobs numbers, some strategists are getting worried about the economys mid-term outlook. The jobs report showed 175,000 new jobs added in the month but that was the lowest gain in the past six months, and was accompanied by an uptick in unemployment, from 3.8% to 3.9%. Along with these topline numbers, the report showed declines in job openings and hires. For Roukaya Ibrahim, watching the US economy from BCA, this job report may indicate a shift toward a recession by the end of this year or early in 2025. I think that theres still a runway for the soft landing narrative to continue over the coming months. But eventually, the unemployment rate is going to take higher and thats going to lead to concerns about a recession, Ibrahim noted. The strategist goes on to predict that, in the event of a recession, the S&P 500 could drop to 3,600, or a 31% decline from current levels. That may be a gloomy outlook, and it suggests a defensive stance for investors which will naturally turn our attention to dividend stocks. These shares are known for providing real protection to an investment portfolio during a downturn, through a reliable income stream via dividend payments. Against this backdrop, some Wall Street analysts have given the thumbs-up to two dividend stocks yielding more than 12%. Opening up the TipRanks database, we examined the details behind these two to find out what else makes them compelling buys. Kimbell Royalty Partners (KRP) For the first stock on our list, well head to Fort Worth, Texas, where Kimbell Royalty Partners has its headquarters. This company has chosen the right place to set up shop Texas, in recent decades, has become a major player in the world energy industry, and Kimbell is in the mineral rights business. The company buys land titles and associated mineral rights in rich hydrocarbon basins across the US, and earns royalties on the oil and gas production that takes place on its holdings. The company currently holds approximately 17 million gross acres in 28 states, with its largest single footprint in the famous Permian Basin in the Texas-New Mexico boundary region. Kimbells holdings host active oil and gas extraction activities. As of March 31 this year, the end of Q1, Kimbells major properties had 8.2 DUCs, or drilled but uncompleted wells. The companys total acreage had 98 active rigs, which represented more than a 16% market share of all active land rigs in the lower 48 states. Royalties on oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquid production from Kimbells acreage form the base of the companys revenue stream, and Kimbell realized a top line of $82.2 million in 1Q24. This figure was up 22% year-over-year and beat the forecast by $1.1 million. The revenue was based on a record quarterly run-rate daily production of 24,678 Boe, or barrels of oil equivalent, per day. Story continues Of particular interest to dividend investors, Kimbell finished Q1 with $48.9 million in cash available for distribution, up 59% year-over-year. The company declared its Q1 dividend at 49 cents per common share, for payment on May 20. This dividend represents a payout of 75% of the cash available for distribution. Its annualized rate of $1.96 per common share gives a forward yield of 12.2%, a high return by any measure and far above the current 3.5% rate of inflation. For Truist analyst Neal Dingmann, an analyst ranked in the top 1% of Street stock pros and an expert on the energy sector, several key factors inform the bull case. We forecast Kimbell to continue to generate production and FCF growth with numerous line-of-site wells ensuring ample upside, said the 5-star analyst. The solid production profile along with what appears to be continued strong prices resulted in the company boosting its distribution by 14% during the most recent period. We anticipate the company continuing to add strategic assets such as the private deal late last year given KRPs relationships/skillset and the continued fragmented minerals market. These comments support Dingmanns Buy rating on the shares, while his $21 price target implies a one-year upside potential of 31%. Add the forward dividend yield, and thats a possible return of 43%. (To watch Dingmanns track record, click here) That bullish outlook is no outlier, as Kimbells Strong Buy consensus rating is unanimous, based on 5 positive analyst reviews in recent weeks. The stock is selling for $16.01, and its $20.75 average price target suggests that the shares will gain 29.5% over the coming year. (See KRP stock forecast) TXO Energy Partners (TXO) The second stock on our list is TXO Energy Partners, a limited master partnership firm operating in the Southwest. The company owns productive hydrocarbon acreage positions in two of the regions best energy basins the Permian, of Southwest Texas and New Mexico, and the San Juan, straddling the New Mexico-Colorado state line. These basins are known for their profitable oil and gas plays, and TXOs land holdings in both bring solid benefits to the company and its shareholders. TXOs management takes great care in its land acquisitions, focusing on building a profile based on predictable production. The company achieves this by basing its properties on proven oil and gas production, choosing locations that have decades-long production histories. This gives TXO a set of holdings with clearly understood geology and reservoir characteristics, reducing the risk when compared to unconventional resource plays. TXOs assets have long-lived reserves and low production decline rates, along with high hydrocarbon recovery rates relative to the costs of completing drilling activities. Getting down to brass tacks, this means that TXO has solid prospects for generating revenues and dividends from its property holdings. That said, in its last SEC filing, the company reported a 1Q24 top line of $67.44 million, a figure that fell by 57.4% compared to the year-ago period, although it beat the estimates by $2.2 million. The company followed this up with a distribution declaration that is, a dividend of 65 cents per common share. This represented a 7-cent increase from the previous quarter. The newly raised dividend annualizes to $2.60 per common share and gives a forward yield of 12.6%. This stock has caught the eye of Stifel analyst Derrick Whitfield, who remains bullish on the shares, writing, In short, we believe TXO offers investors a highly experienced management team, exposure to low decline, low cost production, a shareholder-friendly distribution framework, and an attractive valuation relative to peers. Based on our estimates, TXO can return 100% of its enterprise value by 2030, offering significant value now and potential upside in the future. Net-net, TXO offers advantaged dividend yield and operational control relative to its Minerals peers, in our view. (To watch Whitfields track record, click here) The Stifel take is the only analyst review currently on file for TXO and includes a Buy rating with a $31 price target that points toward a 50% gain on the one-year horizon. With the dividend yield, the total return can reach nearly 63%. (See TXO stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment. By Fabio Teixeira, Marta Nogueira and Rodrigo Viga Gaier RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -Brazil's Petrobras announced the exit of its CEO and chief financial officer on Wednesday, and shares tumbled on news that a former regulator with views closer to those of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will take the helm of the state-run oil firm. Along with the confirmation of CEO Jean Paul Prates' exit after months of intense speculation about his tenure, the firm said in a filing that CFO Sergio Caetano Leite was also out. Prates lasted less than a year and a half on the job the fourth Petrobras CEO dismissed in about as many years for political reasons. His firing raises fresh fears that Petrobras will be used as a tool to fire up the Brazilian economy at the expense of minority shareholders. Shares of Petrobras dropped 6%, the biggest loser on Brazil's benchmark stock index on Wednesday. Industry analysts expressed concern, as Prates was seen as balancing the market demands for disciplined capital spending and healthy dividends with political demands to stabilize fuel prices and invest in job-creating sectors. "It was unnecessary, because Jean Paul Prates was doing a very reasonable job," said Frederico Nobre, chief equities analyst at Warren Investimentos. Jefferies analysts said the CEO swap "appears to be an escalation of the push to intervene in the company," in a note to clients downgrading Petrobras from "buy" to "hold." The ouster of Prates represents a win for members of Lula's cabinet pushing for lower fuel prices, smaller dividends and more capital spending to create jobs and boost the economy. Despite all the management turnover, the company has profited from a series of reforms following a corruption scandal a decade ago. New legislation and corporate bylaws now restrict political appointments, unprofitable investments and selling fuel at a loss, which has helped to boost the company's earnings and lift its stock by about 138% in the past two years. "We see it as negative, as we believe it increases uncertainties in Petrobras' investment case amid a period of stability, particularly as it relates to capital allocation," Santander analysts said in a note to clients. Prates played down those concerns as he departed Petrobras headquarters in downtown Rio de Janeiro, telling journalists the firm is in good shape. He said Petrobras has a solid path ahead with reindustrialization, a good fuel pricing policy and planned investments in refining, fertilizers and shipbuilding. Story continues In Prates' place, the government appointed Magda Chambriard, a former head of Brazilian oil and gas regulator ANP under Lula's previous Workers Party administration. Petrobras' workers union FUP, linked to Lula's party, praised Chambriard's nomination, saying the future CEO shares the group's views on the need to strengthen Brazil's shipbuilding industry and expand local refining capacity. After Lula was elected in 2022, Chambriard was considered for the role of Petrobras CEO, and in an interview echoed many of Lula's views on how the firm should be run - arguing for lower dividends to investors to free up cash for investments. Until Chambriard takes over, the company's board of directors appointed Clarice Coppetti, executive officer for corporate matters, as interim CEO. Carlos Alberto Rechelo, executive manager of finances will act as interim CFO, Petrobras said in its securities filing. (Reporting by Fabio Teixeira, Marta Nogueira and Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro; Additional reporting by Peter Frontini and Gabriel Araujo in Sao Paulo; Editing by Brad Haynes, Marguerita Choy and Alistair Bell) The Plumeria is one of 10 floorplans offered at Broadleaf, in Parrish. At 1,967 square feet, the home has four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, plus a two-car garage. Tour model homes in Parrish SimplyDwell Homes, a new builder focused on homes for budget-conscious buyers, will host a grand opening 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 18 at its first community, Broadleaf, in Parrish. The grand opening will include tours of the model homes, a food truck, an ice cream truck and bounce houses. Broadleaf will consist of 266 homes, a dog park, pavilion, event lawn and childrens play areas. Single-family homes in Broadleaf will range from 1,312 to 2,594 square feet with two to five bedrooms, two to three bathrooms and two-car garages. Home prices start in the low $300,000s and peak in the low $400,000s. For more information on Broadleaf, visit www.simplydwellhomes.com/broadleaf/. For more information on SimplyDwell Homes, visit www.SimplyDwellHomes.com. Neal Neal honored for land preservation Zonda has announced Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities, as the recipient of the 2024 Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award, presented by BUILDER Magazine and Hearthstone. The 25th annual award was given at the Builder 100 event last week at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, California. Hearthstone and BUILDER join to recognize builders who give back and make a difference in the community. Over the last 25 years, the Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award has given $7.65 million to various charities, making it the largest philanthropic award in the homebuilding industry. I am honored to accept the Hearthstone award from Zonda and BUILDER Magazine, and in particular to be recognized for land preservation efforts both privately and through that of my company Neal Communities, said Neal. Neal and his family have purchased and donated several pieces of land in Florida for conservation efforts, including: The Neal Preserve: 119 acres donated to Manatee County to preserve the wetlands and create an area for environmental education and enjoyment. Braden River Preserve: 30 acres donated to the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. The Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award program is fully funded by a team of sponsors. Every dollar given is donated to the awardees associated charities. As this years award winner, Neal will receive $350,000, which will be donated to the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. The award recipient was chosen by a panel of top industry leaders with experience in humanitarian outreach. Zonda provides data and solutions to the homebuilding industry. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: SimplyDwell opens first community, Broadleaf, in Parrish Exploring the Sustainability and Growth of Starbucks Corp's Dividends Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX) recently announced a dividend of $0.57 per share, payable on 2024-05-31, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-05-16. 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 Starbucks Corp's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Starbucks Corp Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with DUK. 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? Starbucks is one of the most widely recognized restaurant brands in the world, operating more than 38,000 stores across over 80 countries as of the end of fiscal 2023. The firm operates in three segments: North America, international markets, and channel development (grocery and ready-to-drink beverage). The coffee chain generates revenue from company-operated stores, royalties, sales of equipment and products to license partners, ready-to-drink beverages, packaged coffee sales, and single-serve products. Starbucks Corp's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Starbucks Corp's Dividend History Starbucks Corp has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2010, with dividends currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Starbucks Corp has increased its dividend each year since 2010, earning it the status of a dividend achieveran honor given to companies that have increased their dividends each year for at least the past 14 years. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Starbucks Corp's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down Starbucks Corp's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Starbucks Corp currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.90% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.00%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Starbucks Corp's annual dividend growth rate was 8.90%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 10.90% per year. And over the past decade, Starbucks Corp's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at an impressive 18.10%. Based on Starbucks Corp's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Starbucks Corp stock as of today is approximately 4.86%. Starbucks Corp'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, Starbucks Corp's dividend payout ratio is 0.60. Story continues Starbucks Corp's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Starbucks Corp's profitability 9 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. Starbucks Corp's growth rank of 9 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Starbucks Corp's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Starbucks Corp's revenue has increased by approximately 16.20% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 75.08% 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, Starbucks Corp's earnings increased by approximately 53.60% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 83.33% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 10.70%, which outperforms approximately 62.96% of global competitors. Conclusion Given Starbucks Corp's consistent dividend growth, robust payout ratio, and strong profitability and growth metrics, the company presents a compelling case for investors seeking stable dividend income with growth potential. As Starbucks continues to expand its global presence and enhance its product offerings, the outlook for its dividend sustainability appears promising. Investors interested in further exploring high-dividend yield opportunities can utilize the High Dividend Yield Screener available to GuruFocus Premium users. 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. Greta Gerwig (C), jury president of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, and other members of the jury pose at a photocall before the opening ceremony of the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, May 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival opened Tuesday on the French Riviera, with a selection of 22 films vying for the coveted Palme d'Or. The opening ceremony, presented by French actress Camille Cottin and featuring an exceptional guest of honor, American actress Meryl Streep, was broadcast live in hundreds of cinemas in towns and cities across France. Outside of the realm of the competition, the festival will premiere the film Le Deuxieme Acte by Quentin Dupieux for the first time anywhere in the world. This year's film competition includes entrees such as "Kinds of Kindness" by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos and epic science fiction drama "Megapolis" by double Palme d'Or winner, Francis Ford Coppola. Asian filmmakers like Jia Zhang-Ke from China with his "Feng Liu Yi Dai (Caught by the Tides)" and Payal Kapadia from India with her "All We Imagine as Light" also shine in the top prize category. President of the jury is 40-year-old American director Greta Gerwig, whose latest film "Barbie" smashed records. Over the next 12 days, more than 35,000 festival-goers are expected to attend the festival screenings and wander the aisles of the Film Market. As New Jersey's state treasurer and the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services testified before the states Senate budget committee on Tuesday morning, the message seemed to be that the state can expect more of the same in terms of revenue moving forward. The so-called and sometimes concerning April surprise didnt come to pass this year, said Oscar Mendez of the OLS. Instead, April gave us little to be either concerned or excited about, Mendez said. Tax collections behaved much like they had behaved throughout the fiscal year. No particularly eye-catching inflows, but healthy revenue collections pretty much across the board, he said. Given the eventful last few years, the lack of a surprise is just as surprising as an oversized one. This April, day after day, we kept a close eye on daily transactions, but no big event came to pass. Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio said the departments revenue forecasts for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 remain in line with what they had projected in March, with a total aggregate forecast for 2024 of $52.3 billion and for 2025 of $54.3 billion, which is $140.2 million more than they previously said. In forecasting terms, thats a bull's-eye, and after the revenue roller coaster ride during and after the pandemic, such stability is more than welcome, she said. Rather than an April surprise, our revenues are essentially on target. Could NJ's sales tax rise? Gov. Phil Murphy delivers the budget address in the assembly chambers of the New Jersey Statehouse on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. The return of the treasurer and the OLS to the state Senate budget committee typically marks the end of the hearings in the Legislature's annual process to adopt a budget for the state's next fiscal year. It also marks the beginning of negotiations in earnest, so the line of questioning from the committees chair, state Sen. Paul Sarlo, seemed to indicate that New Jersey residents should expect changes moving forward. Sarlo asked Muoio and representatives from the OLS about the practicality of increasing the states sales tax to 7% from the current 6.625% as opposed to the governors proposed corporate transit fee. If the Legislature, getting ready for a new administration down the road in two years, were looking for a stable revenue funding source for property tax relief, for education, going from 6.75 back up to 7% would be more stable than a corporate income tax on the highest companies, which could vary from year to year, Sarlo said, noting that he was not speaking for anybody. Sarlo told reporters after the meeting that he is not supporting increasing the sales tax but that everything is on the table. Story continues These are all just options. Im not supporting any of them. Im not supporting any of these options. Its our job now with budget hearings coming to an end to deliberate on all the different options available, Sarlo said. Funding: NJ education officials say more resources could help SDA, learning loss When asked about the idea of increasing a tax that affects middle- and low-income residents as opposed to top-earning companies, many of which are not based in the state, Sarlo said hes not taking an opinion on any of them. Im just saying everything is on the table, Sarlo said. It could be a combination of the two. We have to look at the sustainability of both of these going forward. We have to make sure, whatever we do, we have money earmarked for [NJ] Transit. Though he adamantly repeated that he does not support the idea of increasing the sales tax, as the committee chair, Sarlo is an instrumental part of the negotiating process. State Sen. Declan OScanlon, the Republican budget officer, also asked about the corporate transit fee, and he pointed out that if the Legislature doesnt approve the program, it would leave a billion-dollar hole in the budget because it was already built into the governors proposed budget. American Rescue Plan dollars allocated The money the state received as part of the American Rescue Plan has all been allocated, said Dan Kelly, executive director of the Governor's Disaster Recovery Office. When asked by state Sen. Andrew Zwicker about making sure the state hits benchmarks set by the federal government for obligating and spending that money so that it doesnt have to be given back, Kelly said the office is contacting the programs involved to check their budgets. We told them that if you think youre not going to spend the money by December 2026, you have to tell us now, Kelly said. Were really reinforcing that messaging, saying the worst thing we can do with this money is hand it right back to the federal government. Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ sales tax could rise ahead of 2025 state budget negotiations Tetra Pak, a leading food processing and packaging solutions company, has launched its Approach to Nature framework. This comprehensive plan outlines the company's commitment to halting and reversing nature loss while enhancing global water security. The initiative aligns with global environmental targets, including the UN's Biodiversity Plan, which calls for halting biodiversity loss and restoring ecosystems. A report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services highlights the alarming deterioration of nature due to human activity, with food systems identified as the primary driver. These disruptions threaten economies, livelihoods, and global food security. Tetra Pak's new framework aims to manage the company's value chain impact on nature and actively support ecosystem restoration. Additionally, it seeks to contribute to global water security by reducing negative impacts on local water resources and addressing shared water challenges in vulnerable areas. This strategy encompasses Tetra Pak's entire business ecosystem, including its suppliers and customers across all operational geographies. Tetra Pak has established 25 specific targets as part of the framework. Some key examples include: Sustainable sourcing: By 2025, 100% of Tetra Pak's raw materials with the highest environmental footprint will be sourced from certified or controlled sources. Water stewardship: By 2025, all Tetra Pak suppliers with significant water usage will be required to report on their water use and quality. Waste reduction: Achieving zero-waste-to-landfill status at all Tetra Pak production sites by 2030. Water efficiency: A 50% reduction in water usage on Tetra Pak's best-practice processing lines by 2030 compared to 2019. Tetra Pak's commitment extends beyond its own operations. The company is a signatory of the Business for Nature coalition's Conference of the Parties 15 (COP15) statement, urging governments to adopt ambitious biodiversity targets. By setting a clear roadmap with measurable targets, Tetra Pak aims to inspire collaboration throughout the industry to protect and restore nature for future generations. "Tetra Pak unveils framework to combat nature loss and enhance water security" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, 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. As we enter the halfway point of 2024, AI has continued to see rapid adoption. From the advanced virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa found in our homes, to the technology's increasing usage in customer service and data management, its influence is ubiquitous. Research and analysis company GlobalData forecasts that the overall AI market will be worth $909bn by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35% between 2022 and 2030. In the GenAI space, revenues are expected to grow from $1.8bn in 2022 to $33bn in 2027 at a CAGR of 80%. It is perhaps no surprise then that Big Tech has continued to bet billions on AI and GenAI in 2024. The world is seeing more AI startups than ever before, fuelled by funding from giants like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple. Here are the five highest-valued AI deals in 2024, so far. CoreWeave Secures $1.1bn in Series C Financing On 1 May, CoreWeave, a specalised cloud provider for AI, announced it had secured $1.1bn in new funding, led by Coatue. The new funding will support rapid growth across all business areas, as well as aid CoreWeave's expansion into new geographic regions to meet the growing global demand for GPU-accelerated cloud infrastructure. "CoreWeave continues to push forward as a provider of critical infrastructure in the development of AI, and the high calibre of investors who continue putting their trust in us validates the enormous opportunity we have to define the next generation of cloud computing," said Mike Intrator, co-founder and CEO of CoreWeave. CoreWeave is designed specifically to tackle the most complex and pressing challenges in high-performance compute, he added. With this new round, we will continue investing in and working with the largest AI enterprises in the world." Wayve Technologies secures $1.05bn in Series C Venture Financing On 7 May, UK-based autonomous vehicle (AV) technology startup Wayve announced that it had raised $1.05bn in a funding round led by SoftBank Group. The funding will be used to boost the development of its Embodied AI technology, which Wayve has claimed can learn from human behaviour. The Series C funding round also included Nvidia as a new investor and returning investor Microsoft. Wayves latest funding efforts bring its total raised to over $1.3bn, the largest of any UK AI-focused startup. The funding will support Wayve in fully developing and launching its first Embodied AI products for production vehicles. As Wayves core AI model advances beyond 2024, these products will enable original equipment manufacturers to efficiently upgrade cars to higher levels of driving automation, from level 2 assisted driving to level 4 automated driving, according to the company. Story continues The UK unicorn, founded in 2017, said its AI autonomous driving technology will eventually allow vehicles to navigate situations that do not follow strict patterns or rules, such as unexpected actions by drivers, pedestrians, or environmental elements. In an interview with Reuters, Wayve CEO Alex Kendall said: This will enable automakers and fleets to accelerate their transition from assisted to autonomous driving. Chinese startup Moonshot AI raises $1bn in funding round led by Alibaba On 20 February, Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI raised over $1bn in a new funding round led by Alibaba Group, the world's largest e-commerce company, and venture capital firm HongShan. Beijing-based Moonshot AI, which uses AI to provide solutions for e-commerce businesses, was valued at $2.5bn in its latest funding round. The company released its chatbot Kimi Chat in October 2023, built from its Moonshot large language model. Moonshot said the chatbot can process up to 200,000 Chinese characters during a conversation with a user. Moonshot AIs latest funding marks the largest single financing round by a Chinese AI startup since generative AI became widely adopted after OpenAIs ChatGPT launch in 2022. Figure AI secures $675m in Series B Funding On 29 February, Figure, an AI robotics company developing general-purpose humanoid robots, announced that it had raised $675M in Series B funding at a $2.6bn valuation with investments from Microsoft, OpenAI Startup Fund, Nvidia and Jeff Bezos. In conjunction with this investment, Figure and OpenAI entered into a collaboration agreement to develop next-generation AI models for humanoid robots. The partnership will see OpenAI's research with Figure's deep understanding of robotics hardware and software. The collaboration aims to help accelerate Figure's commercial timeline by enhancing humanoid robots' capabilities to process and reason from language. "We've always planned to come back to robotics and we see a path with Figure to explore what humanoid robots can achieve when powered by highly capable multimodal models. We're blown away by Figure's progress to date and we look forward to working together to open up new possibilities for how robots can help in everyday life," said Peter Welinder, VP of Product and Partnerships at OpenAI. MiniMax Secures $600m in Series B Venture Funding On 5 March, China-based AI startup MiniMax secured $600m in Series B funding led by Alibaba. The funding comes as Alibaba joined other big tech players in betting big on GenAI. It is the second big deal in the industry that Alibaba led on, following its large investment in Moonshot. Alibabas backing helped the ai startup establish its credentials alongside more high profile companies. Other investors included Tencent Holdings, IDG Capital and Hillhouse. MiniMax competes with Moonshot in developing ChatGPT-like services. It focuses on AI technology for social connections and interaction and converts text into visual, audio, and text-to-text modes for free chat and plot tasks. "The top five biggest AI deals of 2024, so far" was originally created and published by Verdict, 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. Tori Dunlap / Tori Dunlap Money expert Tori Dunlap was able to transform her financial empowerment blog, Her First $100K, into a multimillion-dollar business. While shes enjoyed the financial flexibility her wealth has brought her, there are certain things Dunlap who is one of GOBankingRates Moneys Most Influential Women still wont splurge on. Read Next: 5 Frugal Habits of Mark Cuban Find Out: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy Heres the biggest way Dunlap still lives frugally. Why Tori Dunlap Drives a 2014 Toyota Dunlap has upgraded many aspects of her lifestyle, but theres one thing that she hasnt spent money on. I still drive the same car I bought just out of college a 2014 [Toyota] RAV4 with 70,000 miles on it, she told GOBankingRates. Check Out: 5 Unnecessary Bills You Should Stop Paying in 2024 Dunlap believes that women should only spend money on things they really care about, so if youre not a car person, that hefty car payment for a new car likely isnt worth it. You dont need to stop spending money, she said, but you do need to stop spending money on things you dont care about. Jaime Catmull contributed to the reporting for this article. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Tori Dunlap: Why I Drive a 2014 Toyota Even Though I Run a Multimillion-Dollar Business Limassol, Cyprus--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2024) - TrafficStars, a leading digital advertising network since 2014, is proud to announce its recent achievement of 7 billion daily ad impressions. This incredible number has been achieved with TrafficStars' commitment to creating and implementing the most effective advertising solutions across 200 countries. As a result, the company is experiencing success through growth. TrafficStars Reaches 7 Billion Daily Impressions in Major Milestone To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8871/206171_fig1.jpg Throughout its existence, TrafficStars has impacted the digital advertising industry, using its platform. This unique solution gives advertisers the tools they need to reach their customers effectively with customized offers. So, reaching 7 billion impressions daily has become the accomplishment targeted by the company as its primary mission. A spokesperson for TrafficStars said, "This milestone is not just a number - it represents our dedication to optimizing digital advertising to our clients." To cater to the needs of several different types of businesses, TrafficStars offers advertisers several ad formats, including banners, popunders, full-page interstitials, native ads, video ads, and more. Each of these formats maximizes visibility and interaction with audiences, so advertisers can choose the solutions they believe will be best received by their audiences. TrafficStars sets itself apart by ensuring only the highest quality of traffic. The network uses advanced technology and stringent quality control measures to guarantee that ads are displayed to genuine users, providing unparalleled campaign effectiveness. TrafficStars ensures that every impression counts using their advanced technology, eliminating bot traffic and safeguarding client investments. TrafficStars also gives advertisers robust optimization tools, such as an in-house optimizer for setting up auto-rules, helping advertisers block ineffective traffic sources. Their 24/7 support team provides advertisers with assistance whenever they need. Based out of Limassol, Cyprus, with several other locations stationed around the world, TrafficStars is leading internationally with its comprehensive support and innovative solutions. For more details about TrafficStars or to begin advertising, visit its website or reach out to their support team today. Contact Information Artem Korotetskyi seostar@trafficstars.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/206171 Exploring the Sustainability and Growth of Unilever PLC's Dividends Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) recently announced a dividend of $0.46 per share, payable on 2024-06-07, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-05-16. 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 Unilever PLC's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Unilever PLC Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with UL. 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? Unilever is a diversified personal-care (52% of 2022 sales by value), homecare (14%), and packaged food (34%) company. Its brands include Knorr soups and sauces, Hellmann's mayonnaise, Axe and Dove skin products, and the TRESemme haircare brand. The firm has been acquisitive in recent years; notable purchases include Paula's Choice, Liquid I.V., Horlicks, Garancia, and The Vegetarian Butcher. Unilever PLC's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Unilever PLC's Dividend History Unilever PLC has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1984. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Unilever PLC's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down Unilever PLC's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Unilever PLC currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.43% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.41%. This suggests an expectation of decrease dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Unilever PLC's annual dividend growth rate was 0.40%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 2.10% per year. And over the past decade, Unilever PLC's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 6.60%. Based on Unilever PLC's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Unilever PLC stock as of today is approximately 3.81%. Unilever PLC'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 2023-12-31, Unilever PLC's dividend payout ratio is 0.66. Unilever PLC's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Unilever PLC's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2023-12-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability. Story continues Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Unilever PLC'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 Unilever PLC's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Unilever PLC's revenue has increased by approximately 5.10% per year on average, a rate that underperforms than approximately 57.23% 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, Unilever PLC's earnings increased by approximately -0.10% per year on average, a rate that underperforms than approximately 59.62% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 1.10%, which underperforms than approximately 59.78% of global competitors. Next Steps Considering Unilever PLC's consistent dividend payments, modest dividend growth rate, manageable payout ratio, and solid profitability, the company presents a potentially stable dividend investment. However, the growth metrics indicate some areas of concern that could impact future dividend sustainability. Investors should keep an eye on these trends and consider the overall health of the company when making investment decisions. For those interested in exploring further, GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using 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. As the Singapore market embraces innovation, exemplified by Deutsche Bank joining the Monetary Authority of Singapore's Project Guardian to explore asset tokenization, investors are witnessing a dynamic shift in financial technologies and investment possibilities. In this evolving landscape, dividend stocks remain appealing for their potential to offer steady income streams, particularly when navigating through periods of technological transformation and market adaptation. Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Singapore Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Singapore Exchange (SGX:S68) 3.68% Civmec (SGX:P9D) 6.19% Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (Holdings) (SGX:BS6) 3.66% BRC Asia (SGX:BEC) 7.48% UOB-Kay Hian Holdings (SGX:U10) 6.87% UOL Group (SGX:U14) 3.57% Bumitama Agri (SGX:P8Z) 6.95% YHI International (SGX:BPF) 6.56% Delfi (SGX:P34) 6.68% Sing Investments & Finance (SGX:S35) 6.12% Click here to see the full list of 20 stocks from our Top SGX Dividend Stocks screener. We'll examine a selection from our screener results. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: BRC Asia Limited operates in the prefabrication of steel reinforcement for concrete, serving markets including Singapore, Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India and internationally with a market capitalization of approximately SGD 587.11 million. Operations: BRC Asia Limited generates revenue primarily through two segments: Trading, which contributed SGD 413.27 million, and Fabrication and Manufacturing, with SGD 1.21 billion in earnings. Dividend Yield: 7.5% BRC Asia, trading at S$0.55 below estimated fair value, offers a dividend yield higher than 75% of Singapore market payers. Despite its high debt levels, dividends are well-covered with a 38% earnings payout ratio and a 28.1% cash flow payout ratio. However, investors should note BRC's history of volatile dividends over the past decade, reflecting instability in payments despite recent improvements in coverage metrics. SGX:BEC Dividend History as at May 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Bumitama Agri Ltd. is an investment holding company focused on the production and trade of crude palm oil and palm kernel, primarily serving refineries in Indonesia, with a market capitalization of approximately SGD 1.19 billion. Operations: Bumitama Agri Ltd. generates revenue primarily from its plantations and palm oil mills, totaling IDR 15.44 billion. Story continues Dividend Yield: 7.0% Bumitama Agri, with a dividend yield of 6.95%, ranks in the upper quartile of Singapore's dividend payers. The company's dividends are supported by a payout ratio of 40.4% and a cash payout ratio of 60.8%, indicating reasonable coverage by both earnings and cash flows. However, its dividend history over the past decade has been marked by volatility, and earnings are projected to decline annually by 5.5% over the next three years, which may challenge future dividend sustainability despite recent increases announced for April 2024 payouts. SGX:P8Z Dividend History as at May 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Sing Investments & Finance Limited offers financing solutions to both individuals and corporations within Singapore, with a market capitalization of approximately SGD 231.71 million. Operations: Sing Investments & Finance Limited generates its revenue primarily through credit and lending services, amounting to SGD 68.26 million. Dividend Yield: 6.1% Sing Investments & Finance maintains a dividend yield of 6.12%, slightly below the top quartile in Singapore. Its dividends are well-supported by a payout ratio of 42.7% and an even stronger cash payout ratio of 9.6%. However, the company's dividend history reveals inconsistency, with payments showing volatility over the past decade. Recently, it proposed a dividend of S$0.06 per share for FY2023 at its upcoming AGM, reflecting a cautious approach amidst modest earnings growth reported for the year. SGX:S35 Dividend History as at May 2024 Key Takeaways Investigate our full lineup of 20 Top SGX Dividend Stocks right here. 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. Seeking Other Investments? 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:BEC SGX:P8Z and SGX:S35. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a broad aviation bill to boost air traffic controller staffing, increase funding to avert runway close-call incidents, and speed refunds for canceled flights. The 387-26 vote sends the $105 billion, five-year measure to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to President Joe Biden for his signature by Friday after the Senate approved it last week. The bill prohibits airlines from charging fees for families to sit together and requires them to accept vouchers and credits issued in lieu of refunds for at least five years. It also adds five daily round-trip slots at busy Washington National Airport, something that Delta Air Lines had heavily lobbied for. In safety terms, it requires airplanes to be equipped with 25-hour cockpit recording devices, up from the current two hours, and directs the FAA to deploy advanced airport surface technology to help prevent collisions. Efforts to boost aviation safety in the United States have taken on new urgency after a series of near-miss incidents, as well as January's door plug mid-air emergency on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 flight. The bill also will allow Boeing to continue to produce its 767 freighter for another five years through 2033 in the United States, giving it an exemption from efficiency rules taking effect in 2028. The bill raises maximum civil penalties for airline consumer violations from $25,000 per violation to $75,000 and aims to address a shortage of 3,000 air traffic controllers by directing the FAA to implement improved staffing standards and to hire more inspectors, engineers and technical specialists. The bill does not raise the mandatory pilot retirement age to 67 as House lawmakers had sought to do last year and retains pilot training requirements. Congress will not establish minimum seat size requirements, leaving that instead to the FAA. The bill requires the Transportation Department to create a dashboard that shows consumers the minimum seat size for each U.S. airline. Lawmakers also rejected many other consumer provisions the Biden administration had sought. The bill also reauthorizes the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and boosts staffing at the safety investigation agency. It also seeks to boost adoption of drones and flying air taxis into the national airspace and extends through Oct. 1 existing government counter-drone authority. (Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Chris Reese and Rosalba O'Brien) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Transportation Department said on Wednesday it will fine Mexican carrier Volaris Airlines up to $300,000 for airport tarmac delays that violate federal law. Federal law and government regulations prohibit tarmac delays of four hours or more on international flights without providing passengers an opportunity to deplane. The department said that in 2021 in Houston, a Volaris flight remained on the tarmac for a lengthy period without allowing passengers to deplane. A similar incident occurred in St. Louis in 2022. Volaris will pay $150,000 of the fine and must pay the other $150,000 if it violates the tarmac rules again within a year. The department has issued similar fines in recent years. "This enforcement action reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting consumers and holding airlines accountable," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. Volaris said the delays were caused by "the saturation of air terminals." "Volaris fully complies with the laws and regulations applicable in all the countries in which it operates, prioritizing the safety of passengers and maintaining strict operational control," it said in a statement. The department said in January 2023 that it planned to seek higher penalties from airlines and others that broke consumer protection rules, saying they were necessary to deter future violations. In August, it fined American Airlines $4.1 million for unlawfully keeping thousands of passengers on the tarmac for hours, the largest-ever penalty for violating the rule. American told the department the delays were the result of exceptional weather events, and that the 43 impacted flights represented less than 0.001% of the approximately 7.7 million flights operated. In April 2023, the department imposed a $135,000 penalty on British Airways over a 2017 tarmac delay in which it failed to ensure the timely deplaning of passengers. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Additional reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Michael Erman and Edwina Gibbs) A logo with the inscription "Boeing" pictured on a hall of the Boeing distribution center. Georg Wendt/dpa Aircraft maker Boeing violated the terms of a US agreement that has so far protected it from prosecution following two fatal plane crashes, according to the US Department of Justice. Boeing had not implemented a programme to prevent violations of US fraud laws as agreed, according to court documents filed on Tuesday. The government says it has not yet decided how to proceed in the matter. Boeing was given until June 13 to provide an official response. In an initial reaction on Tuesday, the company emphasized that, in its own estimation, it had complied with the agreement. The crashes of two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in October 2018 and March 2019 killed 346 people. According to investigators, software that was supposed to support pilots but interfered with the controls more than they expected was behind both crashes. Boeing was criticized because the aircraft manufacturer had declared special training for the software unnecessary when the plane model was certified by the US authorities. In accordance with the agreement with the US government, Boeing paid a fine of $243 million. In return, the allegations of fraud in connection with the information provided to the US authorities were not pursued further. However, Boeing was required to implement a compliance and ethics programme. The Department of Justice has now emphasised that a breach of this can again result in criminal prosecution of the company. After the two crashes, the 737 MAX aircraft had to remain on the ground for months, until Boeing carried out improvements. This year, the company once again came to the attention of the authorities after a piece of fueselage blew off an almost new Boeing 737-9 Max operated by US carrier Alaska Airlines in mid-air in January. Nobody was seriously injured in the incident. The US government subsequently launched an investigation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) called on Boeing to submit a plan to improve quality controls. The FAA also blocked Boeing's planned expansion of 737 MAX production until further notice. You are here: Arts File photo shows Alice Munro's new book "Dear Life" is seen at her bookstore Munro's Books in Victoria, Canada, Oct. 11, 2013. (Xinhua/Ma Xiaocheng) Canadian writer Alice Munro, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2013, has died, local media reported Tuesday. She was 92 and had been suffering from dementia for at least a dozen years. She died Monday night at her care home in Ontario. Her death was confirmed by her family. Funeral arrangements are pending, the Globe and Mail reported. Ms. Munro was born Alice Laidlaw in Wingham, Ontario, on July 10, 1931. She began writing short stories as a teenager and attended the University of Western Ontario on scholarship, according to the report. Ms. Munro won the Nobel in 2013 as a "master of the contemporary short story," the first Canadian to receive the prize. The US government confirmed earlier media reports it was raising import tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs), semiconductors, solar cells, steel and other sensitive technology to protect its local industries from what it saw as unfair competition from Chinese manufacturers. US President Joe Biden said in a speech the government was hiking import duties on Chinese made BEVs fourfold, from 25% at present to 100%, to safeguard American jobs. The US is Chinas largest trading partner and Biden said the new duties would affect US$18bn worth of Chinese imports. He said the tariffs would be imposed on carefully targeted strategic sectors, mostly in green technology, to allow US manufacturers more time to catch up with their Chinese counterparts. While Chinese vehicles account for a very small proportion of US sales, the US BEV segment was seen as a key future global growth market. Biden said China had employed unfair trade practices, including cyber espionage, and was using its excess capacity to flood overseas markets with cheap imports which were putting local industries out of business, particularly in Europe. In what was clearly a pre-election speech, he said: Whether it is gas, electric or hybrid, were never going to allow China to unfairly control our car market. China was likely to take retaliatory measures at some point, increasing the uncertainty for US businesses operating in Asias largest economy. This developing trade war was being followed closely by the European Commission which was also considering similar measures to help protect its local industries from what it also saw as unfair Chinese government support for its BEV industry and related supply chain. Most vehicle production in China is carried out by state owned manufacturing groups and their joint ventures. European automakers including Volkswagen this month voiced their opposition to any tariff hikes on Chinese BEVs sold in Europe fearing this might compromise their significant market position in China, the worlds largest vehicle market. "US hikes tariffs on Chinese BEVs" was originally created and published by Just Auto, 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. This rendering shows planned improvements to the outdoor seating area and sunset deck planned as part of a $2.5 million project by the Venice Pier Group. Construction is schedule to start in June. VENICE Venice Pier Group will spend $2.5 million to improve the Sharkys on the Pier specifically to renovate the outdoor dining area, improve a sunset deck damaged by Hurricane Ian and harden the iconic beach destination to meet all current hurricane codes. Construction will start in June, following the Venice City Councils approval of an amendment to the company's lease, with a goal of completing the work before the tourist season. The city receives an annual rent check plus 5% of gross sales greater than $2.2 million annually under a 2008 lease agreement. The outdoor seating area at Sharky's on the Pier in Venice will be improved as part of a $2.5 million upgrade plan. In 2023, the city received more than $1.25 million from Sharky' on the Pier and Fins at Sharky's, including $140,952 in rent and profit-sharing of $1.1 million. Mayor Nick Pachota, whose family operates Venice Pier Group, recused himself from the discussion. The lease extension approved on a 4-2 vote, with council members Joan Farrell and Ron Smith dissenting would allow for an increase in combined seating capacity for Fins at Sharkys and Sharkys on the Pier to a minimum of 450 and maximum of 897 seats and give the business options to lease the property for another 45-plus years. Farrell voted against the extension after voicing concern that the lease contained four five-year options that would increase the length of time the Venice Pier Group would control the facility. Smith voted against the deal after he gained no traction in an attempt to tie it to an outside appraisal of the lease and how long it would take Venice Pier Group to recoup its $2.5 million investment. Smith said such a study would head off criticism of Pachota and his family over the lease. A separate motion by Smith to have an outside appraisal of the value of the lease and estimate of how long it would take to recoup that investment also failed on a 4-2 vote. I believe this is something that would protect the Pachota family, to protect it from criticism, Smith said. Theyre often accused of having a sweetheart lease with the city. Council Member Rachel Frank said that while she had some interest in such an appraisal, she didnt think it was the councils place to spend taxpayer money to deflect criticism of the Pachota family. For part of your reasoning to be protecting the Pachota family, it doesnt sit well with me; I believe youre outside of your purview, Frank said. This rendering shows planned improvements to the outdoor seating area and sunset deck planned as part of a $2.5 million project by the Venice Pier Group. Council Member Helen Moore later questioned whether Smiths suggestion was politically motivated. She reminded board members that when the Pachota family first won the lease for the site, it was a bait shack at the Venice Municipal Fishing Pier. Story continues They didnt walk into anything, Moore said. They have made improvements thats there now. It smacks of pure politics and regardless of what we vote, people will gossip, people will call names, she added in reference to Smiths motion. How did Sharkys begin? In 1986, Mike Pachota and his then-partner Greg Novack bid on the opportunity to run the snack bar at the foot of the Venice Municipal Fishing Pier. Sharkys opened in February 1987 with Pachota eventually buying Novack out in 2012. This rendering shows planned improvements to the first floor outdoor seating area planned as part of a $2.5 million project by the Venice Pier Group. In March 2013, Venice bought the property which was part of the Venice Municipal Airport for $2.2 million, ending a three-way lease agreement that saw the airport fund receive one-third of the money generated from the leasehold. That purchase came after a 2011 audit of the property conducted at the behest of the Federal Aviation Administration, which suggested the land be sold, to end concerns it had that the airport fund was not receiving its fair share in rent proceeds. City Manager Ed Lavallee referenced that appraisal and noted, This relationship, these contract amendments are consistent with what the airport does with all of its leaseholders. When that lease expires, the city inherits everything on the site, he added. All of the Venice Pier Group payments now go directly to the citys general fund, though Mike Pachota and current Venice Pier Group President Justin Pachota have frequently urged the city to establish a separate fund to pay for maintenance at the Venice Municipal Fishing Pier. Justin Pachota addressed the board during public comment at the end of the meeting, answering questions raised by Smith about whether there would be adequate parking for the additional seating. Pachota acknowledged that parking lots are full and explained that additional seating will decrease wait time. Its really about serving people faster and getting them through the queue, Pachota said. It is not necessarily trying to bring more people in. The city and Venice Pier Group have previously worked in concert to expand parking at North Brohard Beach Park and the Venice Municipal Fishing Pier. Most recently, in 2018, they agreed to split the cost of adding 94 beach parking spaces, after that city council balked at using one-cent sales tax funds on the project. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sharky's on the Pier outside seating to be improved starting in June Pity Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) (NYSE: PBR.A) investors -- they can't seem to catch a break. Shares of the Brazilian oil giant -- officially known as Petroleo Brasileiro -- have fallen steadily in the four days leading up to and after the company's poor first-quarter 2024 earnings report. This now includes a 7.2% decline through 10:45 a.m. ET today. You can blame this latest decline on the President of Brazil himself. Petrobras' Q1 earnings Petrobras had only bad news to report on Monday. Q1 sales declined 15% to $23.5 billion -- a poor performance, given that Q1 2024 world oil prices were similar to Q1 2023. Adding insult to injury, Petrobras' profits declined twice as much, about 38% year over year, to $4.7 billion. Unsurprisingly, given the declines, but nonetheless frustrating for investors, Reuters reported Monday that Petrobras will pay only $2.6 billion in dividends this quarter, well below the $3 billion payout Citigroup analysts predicted. Lula drops the other shoe And today, the other shoe dropped. As Reuters reports, the Brazilian government, which owns nearly 29% of Petrobras shares, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data, will replace the company's current CEO with a former government functionary who holds "views closer to those of" Brazilian President and Workers' Party head Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Admittedly, Petrobras' miserable financial results Monday gave Lula the perfect pretext for making the switch. Institutional investors are nonetheless dismayed at the prospect of a socialist taking over Brazil's premier oil company. They highlight Lula's public calls for Petrobras to hire more workers, slash dividends, and reduce prices on the fuel it produces as all things calculated to worsen profits at the company and depress profits for investors in the process. What's an investor to do, then? At a valuation of less than 5 times earnings and paying an annual dividend in excess of 12% today, Petrobras stock may sound like a deep-value, no-brainer investment. Just because the stock looks cheap, though, doesn't mean it can't go down even more under worse management. Petrobras stock is probably a sell. Should you invest $1,000 in Petroleo Brasileiro - Petrobras right now? Before you buy stock in Petroleo Brasileiro - Petrobras, 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 Petroleo Brasileiro - Petrobras wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Story continues Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $559,743!* 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 13, 2024 Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Petrobras Stock Keeps Going Down was originally published by The Motley Fool The former entrance to the Thermo Fisher Scientific loading docks is one of the few reminders of the plant, which has since been demolished. The Two Rivers plant made laboratory equipment and moved some of the work to Mexico. TWO RIVERS Nearly all thats left of a century-old company in this city just north of Manitowoc is a museum and a vacant lot looking onto Lake Michigan. But not long ago, its departure upended hundreds of lives and foreshadowed allegations of a violent drug cartel infiltrating a factory in Mexico. It was 11 days before Christmas 2011 when Thermo Fisher Scientific announced it would close its downtown Two Rivers plant, known locally as the Hamilton factory because Thermo traced its lineage back to Hamilton Manufacturing Co. . The timing on that wet, blustery Wednesday was impeccably bad, said City Manager Greg Buckley. About 150 jobs from the plant, which made laboratory furniture, would go to Round Rock, Texas. Work from another Thermo Fisher plant in Two Rivers already had moved to Reynosa, Mexico. Doubly tough and truly sad, Buckley said, because the citys history was interwoven with Hamilton, and it was for a time one of the areas largest employers. Frustrating, too, for a city and workforce that put forth our best efforts to keep Hamilton manufacturing jobs here. But it was not to be. A truck passes Thermo Fisher Scientific in Two Rivers in 2011. Thermo Fisher had signaled the news in advance, and plant closures by other manufacturers had been an all-too-familiar occurrence. In Reynosa, the company would face allegations that its plant was overrun by an armed drug cartel. On at least one occasion, members of the Gulf Cartel used the facility to take cover from a gun battle, according to a lawsuit filed against Thermo Fisher in federal court in California. Cartel members known as hawks maintained a daily presence outside the main gate, even taking comfort in the air conditioned security booth, the suit alleged. The presence of the cartel was widespread and pervasive, it noted. Drug cartels intimidate plant employees Reynosa is a border city in northern Mexico across the Rio Grande from McAllen, Texas. Its a major industrial center known for medical tourism where people seek treatments unavailable or cheaper than at home in a region that includes the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve, and isn't far from the beaches of Tampico. Thermo Fishers plant employed more than 1,000 people, according to court documents. The move from Two Rivers was called Project Cierra, the documents noted, which translated from Spanish meant to close. In 2012, Thermo Fisher sold the Reynosa plant as part of a larger deal with OpenGate Capital, a Los Angeles private equity firm. In a lawsuit, OpenGate later claimed that Thermo Fisher acted in bad faith by not revealing the drug cartel activity and engaging in painstaking efforts to conceal it prior to the sale. Story continues On one occasion, the lawsuit noted, armed militants entered the plants cafeteria, after being followed into the plant by opposing cartel members or soldiers, and stayed for at least an hour. OpenGate said cartel members brandished weapons to frighten the plants employees and left tractor-trailers filled with unknown cargo in the parking lot. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2016. But in 2017, OpenGate was sued for allegedly doing the same things it accused Thermo Fisher of: concealing cartel activity to the plants next buyer, Finsa Portafolios, a Mexican real estate firm. OpenGate perpetuated the same fraud on FINSA that it was in the midst of prosecuting against Thermo Fisher, Finsa said in its lawsuit. Finsa claimed the plant was overrun by then-fugitive Joaquin El Chapo Guzmans Sinaloa cartel. On a daily basis, at all hours of the day, the Reynosa facility was infiltrated by senior local leaders of the drug cartel, its lawsuit claimed. On an ongoing basis, El Chapos armed soldiers terrorized the employees at the Reynosa facility and treated the facility as their own private refuge from rival cartels and law enforcement. El Chapo himself maintained a personal residence behind the Reynosa facility. OpenGate did not respond to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel calls and emails. In Wisconsin, the company was known for its closing of the Golden Guernsey dairy plant in Waukesha, in 2013, and for moving work from Hufcor Manufacturing in Janesville to Mexico in 2021. More: Mexico may see the biggest gains in pullback from Asia. Here's what you need to know. Businesses, civic groups, even a band benefited from the company's presence Founded as J.E. Hamilton Holly Wood Type Company in 1880, and closing as Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2013 with some other names in between, the Two Rivers operation at its peak employed around 3,000 people. Hamilton began as a producer of wood type back in the day when most publications were printed on a letterpress. The company never actually printed materials, but the small wooden blocks it created for presses printed the nations newspaper headlines as far back as the Spanish-American War. Eventually the company's product line expanded to include laboratory furniture, cabinets, drafting tables, and the first gas-powered clothes dryer. Its downtown operation was a multistory complex of more than 50 buildings, one of which spanned a city street. Cars drove through a tunnel under the building. Wood type on display at the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum in Two Rivers. Downtown businesses, civic groups, and even a Hamilton Band founded in 1920, all benefited from the companys presence. Years ago the downtown had several dozen businesses, including the Hamilton Hotel, Montgomery Ward, JC Penney, and Kresge department stores. Thermo Fisher did not respond to Journal Sentinel questions for this article. Greg Coenen, who was the manager of Local 1533 of the Carpenters & Joiners of America, said the union offered to buy the Two Rivers operation before it was shut down. The company, he said, refused to sell. Greg Coenen, who was manager of the union local that represented many of the Thermo Fisher Scientific plant workers when it closed in 2011, stands near one of the few reminders of the demolished plant in Two Rivers. When we brought it up, they said that aint for sale, end of conversation, he recalled. The union wouldnt help the company establish its Mexican operations. I wasnt going to let any worker that we trained become part of a move that stole the livelihoods of 800 people, Coenen said. Plant employees got a fair severance package, according to Coenen. Some returned to school under a state dislocated workers program and some retired. Most stayed in the area. Thermo Fisher checked all the boxes for exiting the community properly, Coenen said. They walked away, and it was bad, but we got $4.6 million in severance pay, he said. Coenen started work at the plant the day he graduated from high school in 1978, logging a 10-hour shift before going to his graduation ceremony that evening. His father and grandfather were employed there as well. Nobody overworked themselves, but it was a fair days work for a fair days wage. It wasnt a bad place, Coenen said. A truck is parked outside Thermo Fisher Scientific is shown in 2011 in Two Rivers, Wis. The company moved its manufacturing to Texas and Mexico The end of an era in Two Rivers On Sunday, May 31, 2015, the last remnant of Hamilton Manufacturing Co. in Two Rivers came tumbling down. The 233-foot brick smokestack with still-vibrant white HAMILTON MFG CO lettering was demolished with dynamite as a crowd of former employees and others watched and reflected upon the company that for generations had called the city of 11,000 home. Five minutes before the explosion, a horn blew once. Then immediately before the explosion, three times. After the blast, once more to signal all clear. A crew salvages scrap metal during the demolition of one of the factories at the former Hamilton Manufacturing complex/Thermo Fisher Scientific in Two Rivers, August 26, 2014. A portion of the iconic smokestack can be seen on the right. Tootsie Sommers, who had worked in Hamiltons headquarters, wanted the stack to remain as a tribute to the company and the thousands of people employed there over the years. What we thought would be a lasting legacy in the city was totally demolished, she said. Under Hamilton, the company was an enjoyable place to work, according to Sommers. It was very family oriented. Everybody supported each other, she said. But when Massachusetts-based Thermo Fisher took over, Sommers said, upper management instructed the Two Rivers office to stop using the Hamilton name. We didnt want to lose the name. Its the legacy of this town, she said. All that remains is a vacant, polluted property More than eight years after the Hamilton plant was demolished, clearing out a million square feet of obsolete, deteriorated factory buildings, the 12-acre site remains a grass-covered vacant lot with views of Lake Michigan and the East Twin River. Across the river is the Rogers Street Fishing Village, home of the Two Rivers commercial fishing fleet, a complex of historic buildings and fishing sheds, and a wooden fishing tug built in 1936. The former industrial site could be well-suited for business or residential development, but it has soil contamination including trichloroethene, a chemical used as a grease remover or paint solvent. Geese gather at the site of Thermo Fisher Scientifics since demolished plant in Two Rivers. More than 40 ground monitoring wells are in place, and this spring, chemical remediation steps are planned to reduce the level of TCEs in the groundwater, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. The City of Two Rivers has a tentative agreement with Thermo Fisher to acquire the site once its suitable for development. But when it will be ready is still unknown. Its a beautiful piece of property which could play a big role in the continued economic renaissance of the city, Buckley said. . The Bringing It Home series was created with the support of the Pulitzer Center and the Richard C. Longworth Media Fellowship. The Center champions the power of stories to make complex issues relevant and inspire action. The Longworth Fellowship, which was awarded to reporter Rick Barrett and photojournalist Mark Hoffman, is devoted to bringing global issues to Midwestern readers. Neither the Pulitzer Center nor Longworth played a role in the reporting, editing or presentation of the series. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A drug cartel in Mexico invades a former Wisconsin manufacturer It's a good bet that, five years ago, the average American investor would not have been familiar with Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO). That's because the Denmark-based company had not yet won U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its star drug, weight loss treatment Wegovy. What a difference five years and several regulatory nods can make. Novo Nordisk has rocketed to prominence on the back of Wegovy, and its stock has soared accordingly. 5x in five years If you had slapped $1,000 down on Novo Nordisk on May 10, 2019, your investment would have grown more than five-fold to $5,320. Novo Nordisk is Exhibit A of the philosophy of focusing on core competencies. More than a century ago, the pharmaceutical company's most direct antecedent entered the insulin business. Ever since then, its main therapeutic area has been diabetes. Wegovy is part of that tradition. Both it and the related medication Ozempic -- developed and approved as a diabetes drug -- contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but have different dosages. The company earned its first, crucial FDA nod for Wegovy in 2021, and it's never looked back. For years the drug has been a star as a weight loss treatment, particularly in the U.S. where a great many people struggle with obesity. This is a massive market eager for a product that can take the pounds away. The numbers tell the tale. In Novo Nordisk's first quarter of 2024, Wegovy's sales doubled and then some to nearly 9.4 billion kronor ($1.4 billion). Weight loss for financial gain With that kind of success, rivals are pushing hard to get their own obesity drugs to market. One that's received an FDA nod recently is Eli Lilly's Zepbound, and others are sure to get green lights before long. That's certainly a threat, but early mover advantage absolutely counts in this business. Besides, Novo Nordisk is busy developing semaglutide for other potential therapeutic uses. We can easily imagine semaglutide expanding into other indications. This remains a business with quite a future, and on that basis, all investors should consider owning it. Should you invest $1,000 in Novo Nordisk right now? Before you buy stock in Novo Nordisk, 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 Novo Nordisk 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 $553,880!* 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*. Story continues See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of May 13, 2024 Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. If You'd Invested $1,000 in Novo Nordisk Stock 5 Years Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have Today was originally published by The Motley Fool Hennessy Sepulveda thought she was going to die. I began dissociating as I was driving. I was 10 minutes away from my house. My vision started warping and the lights were hitting me really bright, she said. I felt my chest pounding, I felt a wave of panic hit me I knew something was wrong. Sepulveda, a Florida International University student who was 19 at the time, was admitted to the hospital, and was surprised by the cause of her symptoms: the Monster energy drink she had just a few hours earlier. I was drinking Monster every day for the past year, she said. To me the energy drink wasnt even a possible reason for this happening. The energy drink market has exploded in recent years and by 2030 is expected to reach $33 billion. Much of this growth has been attributed to a shift in marketing strategies that now target young people. These drinks can contain anywhere from 200 mg to 350 mg of caffeine, and the large amounts of caffeine in these drinks can cause significant health problems, especially in teens and adolescents, health experts say. Energy drink brands often associate themselves with video games and online celebrities, and are also promoted by influencers on platforms like Twitch, where 70% of the viewers are ages 18-34. Many popular creators either endorse or collaborate with these brands who want to leverage the influencers young audience. These are brands that often target Generation Z or younger generations, said Gustavo Mosquera, professor of marketing at FIU. Thats why energy drink brands chose influencer marketing to persuade over this generation. For example, Ghost energy drinks offer a Faze Pop flavor in collaboration with the popular esports organization FaZe Clan. Red Bull launched a can design featuring popular characters from the video game League of Legends. In 2022, YouTube personalities Logan Paul and KSI launched their own brand, PRIME, which sells energy drinks directly to their young audiences. Another popular strategy is to partner with established brands to create flavors appealing to adolescents. Ryze energy drinks have Ring Pop, Kool-Aid, and SunnyD flavors. Ghost has Sour Patch Kids, Warheads, and Swedish Fish flavors. C4 energy drinks come in Skittles and Starburst flavors. But it is young people who are most at risk from excessive caffeine intake. The FDA recommends that adults consume 400 mg or less of caffeine a day, but for those under 18 the recommended dose is 100 mg or less, often less than half of the amount in one energy drink. They do not recommend any person 12 or under to consume caffeine. I wouldnt recommend any of my patients an energy drink, the excessive amount of caffeine at one time puts you at risk, said Dr. Willam Costa, internal medicine pediatrics resident at Tulane University, Thats something that a teenage heart should not endure. According to Dr. Cristina Font, cardiology fellow physician at University of Florida Health Jacksonville, caffeine has a number of side effects but the cardiovascular risks of excessive caffeine consumption can be significant. That can lead to palpitations, it can lead to arrhythmia which can be dangerous, said Font. Thats where it can have really detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system, which in rare cases has led to death. For children taking certain medication, the risk can be even greater. A lot of children and adolescents are on psychoactive medications, for example ADHD medications, or people with asthma who are taking inhalers are also at risk; those inhalers have stimulant effects, said Font. When you start combining stimulants, those cardiovascular effects can get more dangerous. Most energy drinks contain other stimulants, such as guarana, a plant native to the Amazon. Certain congenital conditions also can make caffeine more dangerous. In 2022, Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student, unknowingly drank a Charged Lemonade from Panera. Katz suffered from a heart condition called Long QT syndrome type 1 and generally avoided caffeine due to the risks. However, the drink was served in beverage dispensers side-by-side with non-caffeinated lemonade, and Katz later went into cardiac arrest and died. Charged Lemonade has 390 mg of caffeine per 30-ounce large sized drink. Panera said it will no longer sell its Charged Lemonade drinks, which are the focus of two wrongful-death lawsuits against the company, including one filed by the Katz family. Melissa DeVincentis, a physician assistant at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale who works in electrophysiology, said she sees a young person admitted to the ER after drinking large amounts of caffeine once or twice a week. The most pressing symptom is palpitations, she said And when we question them we see their caffeine intake is insane. In 2023, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., asked the FDA to investigate PRIME energy drinks for their advertising practices. PRIME is so new that most parents havent a clue about it, but it is born from the reels of social media and the enigmatic world of influencers, Schumer said. This product has one true target market: children under the age of 18, and that is why I am sounding the alarm. These gift boxes for kids are fun and educational 1. Little Passports World Adventures Gift Box 2. Reading Bug Box 3. CrunchLabs Build Box 4. Bitsbox 5. KiwiCo Summer Adventure Series An 18-year-old Spotsylvania man was killed Sunday when his motorcycle collided with a car, police said. Sheriffs Maj. Troy Skebo identified the victim as Slade G. Miller, a Massaponax High School graduate. The crash occurred about 11:30 a.m. in the area of Tidewater Trail (Virginia Route 2 and U.S. 17) and Briarwood Lane. Skebo said a 2012 Dodge Charger was turning from Briarwood Lane to head north on Tidewater Trail when it was struck by a southbound 2003 Kawasaki motorcycle. The young motorcyclist died at the scene, Skebo said. The 41-year-old Charger driver suffered minor injuries and stayed on the scene to speak with investigators. The Sheriffs Offices Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating to determine what, if any, factors contributed to the crash. No charges had been filed as of Tuesday. A GoFundMe has been set up for the victims family. Visit gofundme.com and search Help Ease the Burden for Slades Family. Here are the results from the 2024 Nebraska primary election tallied on Tuesday: Below find all The World-Herald's posts and updates from Tuesday's voting and counting. Chambers, McKinney in tight North Omaha race 11:40 p.m.: In one of the most closely watched Nebraska Legislature races, legendary state lawmaker Ernie Chambers and incumbent State Sen. Terrell McKinney were locked in an extremely close battle in North Omahas 11th District. As the vote count stood just before midnight, Chambers was leading McKinney by just 21 votes 1,214 to 1,193. Both regardless will be advancing to the November general election, as both had big leads over Calandra Cooper, the third candidate in the race. The race is a generational one pitting the 86-year-old Chambers against the 33-year-old McKinney. Chambers has twice been term-limited out of his seat in the past two decades but is seeking to reclaim it again. He has already served longer in the Legislature than any lawmaker in history 46 years and even has a hearing room named after him. In most elections past, he has coasted to victory without a challenge. Chambers had endorsed McKinney in a field of contenders in 2020 when he was not eligible to run, but now is challenging him. If Chambers wins, he has said he would not seek another term. --Henry J. Cordes Bacon holds off MAGA challenger 11:10 p.m.: Republican Congressman Don Bacon on Tuesday held off a challenge from within his own party in Nebraskas primary on Tuesday. Bacon, who has represented the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District in the House since 2017, was taking more than 60% of the vote in his race against Dan Frei, an underfunded insurgent challenger who has enjoyed the backing of many Trump Republicans. The Associated Press called the race for Bacon just before 9 p.m. Some Republicans have seen Bacon as not supportive enough of Donald Trump. But embracing the controversial former president could prove challenging for him in November in a swing district that is often closely contested between Republicans and Democrats. Bacon is now set for a rematch with State Sen. Tony Vargas, a Democrat who ran unopposed in his party's primary Tuesday. Bacon beat Vargas by a 51%-49% margin in 2022, and he won his previous races by similarly thin margins. In a presidential election year where turnout figures to be high, Democrats see an opportunity in November. Trump in 2022 called for Republicans in the Omaha area to launch a challenge against Bacon. He had criticized Bacon for supporting President Joe Bidens infrastructure bill, which Bacon said had strong support among his constituents. Bacon had also angered some Trump supporters for criticizing the presidents inaction after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol in an effort to stop the electoral vote count on Jan. 6, 2021. With Trump loyalists largely having taken over the state and local Republican party organizations, Frei had received the endorsement of the State GOP and both Douglas and Sarpy County GOP organizations, despite Bacons status as a four-term incumbent Republican. But Bacon has enjoyed the power of incumbency, including the endorsement of most prominent Republicans in the state and a big advantage in fundraising. Frei similarly in 2014 challenged Republican incumbent Lee Terry Jr. After Terry narrowling beat Frei by 3,000 votes in the primary, he went on to lose the general election in November to Democrat Brad Ashford. Both 1st District U.S. Rep. Mike Flood and 3rd District Rep. Adrian Smith also faced challengers within their party but won comfortably Tuesday. Flood faces a challenge in November from Democrat Carol Blood, a former Nebraska state senator from Bellevue. And Nebraska's incumbent Republican U.S. Senators were also comfortably won their primary races despite facing inter-party challengers. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer was taking almost 80% of the vote against Arron Kowalski. Meanwhile, Pete Ricketts was also running up close to 80% of the vote against challengers John Glen Weaver and Mac Stevens. Both Nebraska Senate seats are on the ballot this year as Ricketts appointed to the seat by Gov. Jim Pillen is running to fill the unexpired term of former senator Ben Sasse. Ricketts faces a challenge in November from Democrat Preston Love Jr., who was unopposed in his primary on Tuesday. --Henry J. Cordes State board of education features close contests 11:05 p.m.: The State Board of Education in recent years has provided some hotly contested races, and Tuesday proved no exception. In Subdistrict 4, which represents eastern Douglas County, Democrat Liz Renner had nearly 50% of the vote, with nonpartisan LeDonna White Griffin and Republican Stacy Matula in a close race for second. In Subdistrict 2, made up of several counties in southeast Nebraska, including Sarpy, Republican Linda Vermooten was receiving nearly 45% of the vote in a race against two Democrats. Maggie Douglas was second with 36% and Karen Morgan third at almost 20%. The races are officially nonpartisan. The top two finishers in each race will face off in November. --Lauren Wagner All regents up for election advance to November 11:00 p.m.: The four incumbents running for the University of Nebraskas Board of Regents all were leading their races Tuesday, in most cases comfortably. In Omahas District 4, Elizabeth OConnor was taking almost two-thirds of the vote against challenger Jim Rogers. In District 8, another Omaha-area district, Barbara Weitz was likewise garnering nearly two-thirds against Zachary Mellender. In District 5, incumbent Rob Schafer of Beatrice faced two challengers but was pulling in over 50% of the vote. Regent Jim Scheer of Norfolk was running unopposed. The top two finishers in each district advance to run in November. Bellevue sales tax increase sinks 10:38 p.m.: Voters in Bellevue soundly rejected a proposed half-cent sales tax. In incomplete returns, more than 60% of voters gave a thumbs down to the tax that would be earmarked for public infrastructure projects, including possibly helping to pay for a planned regional water park. The Bellevue tax would go to two cents on each $1 purchase, in line with Papillion, Gretna and LaVista. --Henry J. Cordes Two other Legislature incumbents in close races 10:19 p.m.: State Sen. Terrell McKinney was not the only incumbent state lawmaker in a tight race on Tuesday. Robert Dover of Norfolk, appointed to the District 19 seat by then-Gov. Pete Ricketts, was narrowly behind Jeanne Reigle in District 19, though still likely to advance to the November election in a three-candidate race. In Grand Island-area District 35, incumbent Sen. Ray Aquilar was narrowly behind Dan Quick in a two-candidate race. Both would be expected to continue the close battle into November. Omaha city charter changes passing, but two are close It appears all six Omaha city charter amendments were on their way to passage on Tuesday night, though a couple are close calls. Amendment 1, a technical cleanup that would remove a section of the charter that is superseded by state law, was narrowly passing in incomplete results. Amendment 6, which would raise the minimum purchase or contract amount that needs city approval from $20,000 to $50,000, was also only slightly ahead. The other four amendments were comfortably on their way to passage. --Chris Burbach Nebraska partisans appear ready for Biden vs. Trump II Nebraskans appear ready for another Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump race for the White House though whether the current president or former one faces an enthusiasm gap within his party remains to be seen. Biden, the Democratic incumbent who essentially has been unopposed in his bid for his partys renomination, was receiving more than 90% of Tuesdays Nebraska primary vote. He faced nominal opposition from Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips. Trump had to vanquish a number of challengers earlier this year on his way to becoming the Republicans presumptive nominee for the third straight election. But he still had competition on the ballot in Nebraska Tuesday, particularly from former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. In incomplete returns, Trump was receiving more than 75% of the vote. The vast majority of the rest were going to Haley, with Michigan businessman Perry Johnson receiving a smattering of votes. --Henry J. Cordes Now its time for results 8 p.m.: Polls have closed and election workers have begun the work of tallying the results of Nebraskas primary election. Stay tuned to Omaha.com for the Nebraska primary election results Tick, tick, tick . . . 7:55 p.m.: Polls set to close in five minutes. First Nebraska results expected soon after. A first-time voter in Elkhorn 5:55 p.m.: Sean Staras dad encouraged the 19-year-old Elkhorn youth to cast his first ballot in Tuesdays primary. A registered non-partisan, he studied the candidates positions and wrote notes in an app on his cell phone before he showed up to his polling place at The Relevant Center, on West Maple Road. I like knowing I can make something of a change, Stara said. Meanwhile, some populist insurgents may be toppling GOP traditionalists at the state and county level in Nebraska, but Tom Mann, 72, likes the establishment Republicans hes gotten to know often personally. Thats why he cast ballots for incumbent Sen. Pete Ricketts and Rep. Don Bacon over their opponents when he voted at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in northwest Omaha Tuesday. He said he got to know Ricketts personally a few years ago, when both their mothers were in the same Omaha nursing home. I wanted to make sure Pete Ricketts stays in, Mann said. He hasnt met Bacon, but he said hes impressed with the four-term incumbents military service. Bacon served 29 years in the Air Force, retiring as a brigadier general in 2014. I think we need someone in office who knows what it means to commit troops overseas, Mann said. He knows the cost. Its not just another Benghazi. - Steve Liewer A petition at the May primary 5:31 p.m.: At the Washington Elementary School polling place in Omahas Dundee-Memorial Park neighborhood, poll workers as of 3:30 p.m. said every voter who had come in had a proper identification card and was able to vote. Dan Gilbert, a Democrat who came to cast his ballot, said he was delighted to hear the new law had not been a deterrent. He called voter ID laws a product of a made-up problem. Theres no evidence of voter fraud in America at any scale at all, he said. And every time supporters of voter ID are challenged on that, they have no answer. Outside the polling place and the street, retired Westside school teacher and neighborhood resident Dave Richardson was collecting petition signatures in the drive to repeal the $10 million appropriation the Legislature made for private school scholarships. He had collected 18 signatures as of 4 p.m., saying few hed asked had declined to sign. He found an avid supporter in Kim Armstrong. She noted she had collected 15 signatures herself last year in the successful petition drive challenging another effort by state lawmakers to provide $25 million toward such scholarships. So Im so mad that they did that again, she said. - Henry Cordes Voting at Masonic Prince Hall Grand Lodge 5:30 p.m.: At Masonic Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 2418 Ames Avenue in Omaha, 42 had voted by the early evening. - Chris Machian One voter says voter ID is 'dumbest law ever' 5:02 p.m.: So far, there appear to few, if any, problems on Nebraskas new voter ID law. At polling places in Sons of Italy, located south of downtown Omaha at 1238 S. 10th St., and Masonic Prince Hall Grand Lodge at 24th Street and Ames Avenue in North Omaha, inspectors reported registered voters have complied with the new requirement that they show state-issued identification. That doesnt mean every voter is happy about the new requirement. Its really the dumbest thing ever, said Joe Monestero, a 74-year-old registered Democrat who considers himself an independent. Monestero, who voted at the Sons of Italy event hall, said he had no problem presenting his drivers license to poll workers. But he believes the new law is a solution to a problem that doesnt exist. Some people had a mother who was 70-80 years old, didnt drive a car, was a housewife (or) whatever. She may have never had an ID. She certainly didnt have a state ID, Monestero said. And yet, she could go to her bank without an ID and sign her name. And they took her name by what she said she was. Now you come up here and theyre like, Well, weve got to know its really you, he added. Its a stupid law. Monestero and Peter Olson, a 29-year-old Democrat, said theyve always voted. This primary season, they both were motivated by specific down-ballot races. Olson voted for Yanira Garcia, who is competing for a two-year term representing District 3 on the Regional Metropolitan Transit Board. District 3 covers a southern portion of downtown Omaha as well as South Omaha. Other candidates for that position include John Sullivan and Andrew Adams. As he walked back to his bicycle outside the Sons of Italy hall, Olson described himself an avid user of public transportation. Im hoping whoever we elect to that position is able to help build up the biking and transit infrastructure in the city, he said. Monestero said proposed changes to the citys Home Rule Charter caught his eye. He voted against a proposed change to increase the minimum monetary threshold on contracts requiring City Council action from $20,000 to $50,000. Its become too easy to spend money and just not worry about it, he said. Thats not the way most of us have to live. More than 65 people voted at the Sons of Italy polling place, which covers precinct 03-10, by 3:10 p.m. Tuesday. A precinct inspector said she was told that number was higher than other polling places have recorded, although its down from previous primary election cycles. Turnout was light at the Masonic Prince Hall Grand Lodge, which served as the polling place for precinct 02-06. A precinct inspector said just 20 people had come to the lodge to vote by 1:30 p.m. - Dan Crisler A vote for Nikki Haley 4:58 p.m.: Ally Morrill rode out the Arbor Day tornado April 26 on the bottom floor of her Ramblewood home, protecting her youngest son, a toddler. The storm vented its worst fury a few blocks away. Our windows broke. Everything in our backyard was gone, said Morrill, 36, of Elkhorn. At least we could still live in our house. Now weve got a new roof. The mother of four cares about education, and she cares about setting an example for her kids. Those were two reasons Morrill, a registered nonpartisan, turned out to vote mid-morning Tuesday at The Relevant Center, just across West Maple Road from Ramblewood. She was most enthusiastic about voting for Bill McAllister in the District 3 race for the State Board of Education. I feel like hes more leaning toward being inclusive of all students, Morrill said. Plus, Gina Bruner of Elkhorn cast a Republican ballot in Tuesdays primary. She cast her ballot for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley even though former President Donald Trump is the last remaining candidate, and the presumptive nominee. I know she dropped out, but I still voted for her, Bruner said. Im not big on Trump. I dont like some of the things hes done. - Steve Liewer Midtown electricity glitch, Skutt chalk drawing 4:48 p.m.: Voting at polling places throughout Douglas County was light through the first half of primary day, Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said. He expected it to pick up later in the day. By mid-afternoon, Kruse said the election appeared to be going smoothly, with few hiccups. Two polling places lost electricity from about 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., but Kruse said the power outages did not affect voting. They happened at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, on 60th Street north of Center Street, and Lifegate Church, 55th and Leavenworth Streets. We called our rep at OPPD immediately, and OPPD was on it right away, Kruse said. Lifegate had plenty of natural light, he said. The polling place at St. Matthew was in a basement social hall. People from the church loaned poll workers flashlights. Poll workers also used their phone flashlights. And the election commission sent four battery powered lanterns so people could see to vote until the lights came back on. Kruse said OPPD told him the outage happened because a private contractor had cut a power line. Social media was abuzz Tuesday with reports of pro-life messages drawn in chalk near a polling place at Skutt High School. The messages didnt violate rules against electioneering at polling places because abortion was not an issue on the ballot Tuesday, Kruse said. If there should happen to be ballot initiatives on that issue in the fall, that (the chalked messages) would be an issue, Kruse said. He said there had been very few calls by mid-afternoon to the election commissions call center for resolving problems. By 11:30 a.m., only person had needed to fill out a provisional ballot because they lacked proper ID. The voter had an out-of-state drivers license and will have an opportunity to show another form of ID thats acceptable under Nebraskas new voter ID law. - Christopher Burbach A tornado relief site becomes a polling place 2:56 p.m.: In the same space that not long ago was stockpiled with supplies for tornado victims, some Elkhorn voters were casting their ballots on Tuesday. Poll workers at The Relevant Center located at West Maple Road and Elkhorn Drive said the day had started off slow, but more voters were beginning to roll in by mid-afternoon. The election inspector on site said there hadnt been any issues with the new ID requirement so far. Tom Lister, 71, stopped by the center to vote shortly after 2 p.m. Lister said he votes nonpartisan and is more excited for the general election in November, but felt it was important to vote in the primary too. Its just part of the deal, he said. Lister said he felt lucky that his home in a nearby neighborhood wasnt hit in the Arbor Day tornado that devastated parts of Elkhorn. It seems like people are pulling together pretty well, he said. As well as anyone can when you lose your house. Joseph Pietrocini with Relevant Community Church said the purpose of the center is to support the community, whether thats through tornado relief or providing a place to vote. Its been crazy to say the least, Pietrocini said of the last month. But its been really encouraging to see how our community has come around. - Luna Stephens Motivated voters at Chalco 2:09 p.m.: Voters were few but highly motivated by mid-day Tuesday at the Papio Natural Resources District offices in Sarpy County. State Sen. Jen Day, who is seeking re-election and her husband and campaign manager, Jon, voted about 1 p.m. They had just left when Gary Bunjer arrived to cast his ballot in hopes of replacing Day in the Legislature with one of her two challengers. Democracy in action. Of course its important for us, Day said. Were really politically engaged. And Im on the ballot. The Days, who are Democrats, were only the 32nd and 33rd people to vote at their polling place, Precinct 54. But Jon Day said that a lot more people typically vote there in the evening, after work. Bunjer, a 73-year-old Republican, said that a lot of people say a primary doesnt make any difference. But this one is a biggie for this part of the state, Bunjer said. Ive been very annoyed with what Jen Day has done in the Legislature, and Im also hoping to get Don Bacon out of there and Dan Frei in. Bacon is the incumbent U.S. representative from Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District. Frei is challenging him for the Republican nomination to face likely Democratic challenger Tony Vargas in November. Bunjer said complying with the voter ID law was not an issue for him. It just makes sense, he said. I use ID for lots of stuff. Jen Day said voter ID seemed to be going well Tuesday. People are aware, she said, noting that in addition to all the publicity before primary day, there are signs outside some polling places detailing requirements in case some people didnt know or forgot. Its going to be an impediment for some voters which is unfortunate, she said. Because the goal is always to have more voters turn out. Day said Nebraskans decided they wanted voter ID, and that she thought the Legislature had done a good job of implementing a plan that requires ID but still makes access to a ballot available to everyone whos qualified to vote. Poll workers said there had been no problems so far with voter ID. Not only had there been no complaints, but several voters had thanked them for asking for ID. Chris Burbach Smooth, slow traffic in Elkhorn 2:25 p.m.: Poll workers said its been an extremely slow day so far at the polling site at Brookside Church near 204th Street and West Maple Road in Elkhorn. Only 20 voters had come in as of 1:30 p.m but all had remembered to bring their IDs under the new requirement, according to the election inspector on site, who declined to share his name. Everything, as far as Im concerned, has been pretty smooth, the inspector said. - Luna Stephens Voting 'dirt simple' at church in Papillion 1:46 p.m.: John Brandeau said voting was dirt simple at Wildewood Christian Church in Papillion. Well, simple once he remembered his wallet. Brandeau said he patted his pockets before heading to his polling place and thought the lump he felt was his wallet. He discovered it was headphones once he arrived at the church across the street from Papillion La Vista High School at 1255 Royal Drive. He ran home and got his wallet and ID. When he returned to the church, there was no line to vote, and he was in and out within minutes. Brandeau said thats typical for his polling place. Brandeau, 66, has never missed a primary or general election. And hes voted just about every way possible. He submitted absentee ballots while serving overseas during his military service. He requested a ballot in the mail when he was going to be out of town during an election. And he lived in Florida during the era of punched card ballots and the resulting hanging chads. In comparison, showing an ID to vote on a paper ballot seemed easy to Brandeau. He voted, handed his ballot in and was outside enjoying the sunshine in the churchs parking lot around 12:30 p.m. As he left, other voters arrived in the parking lot. Most were in and out of the church in about 10 minutes or less. Emily Nitcher School board candidate wave campaign 1:09 p.m.: Carla Kloeckner, candidate for Papillion La Vista school board, and some supporters engage in last-minute sidewalk campaigning Tuesday afternoon at the corner of First and Washington streets in Papillion. Joining her were Jaclyn Gibbons, Melanie Haakinson and Christine Schulte. "I have worked and volunteered, not only in our schools, but our community as a whole for the past 15 years," Kloeckner said. "And I saw a need to bring on some fresh faces to our school board. And I hope that everything I've done thus far will get me the votes to get there." - Joe Dejka Mother, daughter, Republican, Democrat 12:58 p.m.: It was easy to find a parking spot outside Holy Name Catholic Church. Shortly before noon Tuesday, the church, located at 2901 Fontenelle Boulevard in North Omaha, only had about 16 to 18 voters total from precincts 02-17 and 02-18 come through its doors to cast ballots, an inspector said. The inspector, who declined to share his name, attributed the very light turnout to some of the high-profile races, including the presidential primaries, having already been decided. Turnout could pick up after dinner, he said. Natalie and Carolyn Schaal were two of the voters who cast ballots. Natalie, a 35-year-old Democrat, was motivated to cast a ballot for President Joe Biden although shes not his biggest fan, particularly of his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. He could do better. But it is what it is, Natalie said. Her mother, Carolyn, was motivated to cast a vote against U.S. Rep. Don Bacon in the Republican primary. She voted for challenger Dan Frei. Carolyn also voted for former President Donald Trump at the presidential level. Unfortunately, the two we have are not necessarily the best, the 70-year-old Republican said. They both have a record so you can compare and contrast and you go with what you think is best. Despite their different political preferences, both mother and daughter believe in voting in every election they can. I feel like its our civic duty, Carolyn said. - Dan Crisler Quiet as a church in Rockbrook 12:28 p.m.: Just before noon, poll workers outnumbered voters at Rockbrook United Methodist Church, 99th Avenue and West Center Road. There were three workers and two people casting ballots. That brought the number of voters to a grand total of 59. So a little slow. Voter ID was working smoothly at Rockbrook, similar to how Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said it had gone during early in-person voting at commission headquarters. By noon Tuesday, everyone voting at Rockbrook had identification, and no one had complained, poll workers said. After casting her ballot at Rockbrook, Debbie Hinrichs said she votes in every election. Its the only way you have a choice, said Hinrichs, a 74-year-old Republican. She said voting with an ID for the first time went well. Im glad we have it, she said of Nebraskas voter ID law. I know we dont have that much of a concern in this county or state, but it addresses an issue. - Christopher Burbach The scene in South O 10:45 a.m.: Marty Foral is the fourth voter as of 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Social Hall. As of 10:45, at the nearby American Legion Post 331, they had eight ballots cast, plus one provisional ballot. - Chris Machian Voter ID law kicks into gear 10:15 a.m.: You couldnt miss the signs at Irving Recreation Center in Lincoln. VOTE HERE, said signs posted on each side of the Centers double doors. Underneath those words, in slightly smaller type, something new: PHOTO ID REQUIRED. Nebraska has a new voter ID law, and this primary election is the first application of the process. You can read more about the law here. The state also posted, on the door of Irving Recreation Center, identifications that wouldnt work including out-of-state university IDs. So if youre a Nebraska resident who goes to Iowa, that gold-and-black ID wont cut it on Primary Day. Timothy Titus, 81, of Papillion said he's glad Nebraska is checking voter IDs. "I have a military ID, and I use it all the time," said Titus, who voted at the Sarpy County Courthouse. "It doesn't bother me a bit. I think it's a great thing that they finally did that. It's always bothered me to come and vote and just sign my name. Nobody'd know who I was. " Margaret Olson of Papillion, who voted at the courthouse, said the ID check went smoothly she showed a driver's license but she said there's not enough evidence of voter fraud to justify the checks. "I think they fixed something that wasn't broken," Olson said. - Joe Dejka and Sam McKewon U.S. Rep. Don Bacon casts his vote 8 a.m.: At the Sarpy County Sheriff Administration Building in Papillion, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon cast his primary vote Tuesday morning. Bacon faces Dan Frei in the contest for the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Douglas County, Saunders County and part of Sarpy County. Here's how The World-Herald previewed the race: "Frei is the underfunded insurgent mounting a populist challenge to an incumbent congressman who is backed by the Republican establishment. And once again, the fierce intra-party fight has implications for whether Republicans will keep their hold on an important congressional seat in a swing district." 2nd Congressional District challenger Dan Frei votes in Omaha 8 a.m.: Like Bacon, Dan Frei voted as soon as the polls opened. Frei, who voted at the Harvey Oaks Elementary School polling location in Omaha, has the endorsements of populist-dominated Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders, and state GOP committees. Photos: Nebraska Primary Election Day 2024 You are here: Business An aerial drone photo taken on March 20, 2024 shows a passenger train running along the Xi'an-Chengdu high-speed railway in Yangchun Town of Nanzheng District in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. [Photo/Xinhua] China recorded 360.15 million railway passenger trips in April, up 9.6 percent year on year, the National Railway Administration said Tuesday. During the first four months of the year, railway passenger trips amounted to 1.37 billion, surging 22.9 percent from a year ago, the administration said. Last month, 407.59 million tonnes of goods were transported by railways, down 1.9 percent year on year. From January to April, China's railway cargo delivery volume reached 1.65 billion tonnes, a fall of 1.4 percent year on year. China's fixed-asset investment in railways totaled 184.9 billion yuan (about 26.02 billion U.S. dollars) during the four-month period, up 10.5 percent year on year, according to the administration. Colorado's second-highest court agreed on Thursday that the contractor responsible for building and operating the recent expansion of the Regional Transportation District's rail network cannot recover more than $100 million from RTD during the extended period in which grade crossing systems malfunctioned. The candidates running in Colorado's June special election to fill the remainder of former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck's term are scheduled to debate at a country music venue in Denver days before ballots go out to voters, the Republican Women of Weld announced this week. After four judges voiced three separate justifications for why law enforcement properly searched a man's computer, the Colorado Supreme Court last week considered whether there was, nonetheless, a constitutional violation because officers relied on an Internet Protocol address, rather than the man's specific apartment, as the target of their investigation. The Colorado Supreme Court announced this month it will hear cases that could drastically broaden the relief available to people serving lengthy sentences under the state's "three strikes" law and that would potentially reduce a multimillion-dollar award to two tenants who were poisoned by a downstairs meth operation. The Colorado Springs City Council on Tuesday voted to settle a federal lawsuit filed in late 2022 by a Black man who was beaten by police during a traffic stop in October of that year. The council voted 7-1 to approve a settlement amount of $2.1 million. Councilman Dave Donelson was the sole dissenting vote. Councilman Mike O'Malley was absent. "This settlement should stand as a warning to all those who think their badges entitle them to brutalize the men and women they've sworn to protect and serve. You are not above the law and if your own department refuses to hold you accountable, we will," Dalvin Gadson Ochoa's attorneys said in a statement Tuesday. Gadson Ochoa, an Army veteran, is represented by national civil rights attorneys Harry Daniels and Bakari Sellers, as well as Latrice Latin and Kevin Mehr. Gadson Ochoa's 20-page complaint said Colorado Springs police officers Colby Hickman, Matthew Anderson and Christopher Hummel beat him on Oct. 9, 2022, after they pulled him over for driving without a license plate. Body-camera footage of the incident shows when Gadson Ochoa asked police why they were detaining him and declined to get out of his vehicle, the officers repeatedly punched and kicked Gadson Ochoa as they removed him from the vehicle and after. The officers all claimed in post-event interviews they felt the use of force was justified because Gadson Ochoa allegedly resisted arrest. A knife that police said was in Gadson Ochoa's car made them feel there may be additional weapons in the vehicle, they said. The police department conducted an internal investigation into the officers' use of force. The report, released in August, concluded the force the officers used was justified, even though the officers' fears proved to be "unfounded." Prosecutors in early 2023 dropped all charges against Gadson Ochoa in the incident. He faced two counts of second-degree assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer, driving under the influence and driving without license plates. The assault charges were dismissed in November 2022 and the remaining charges were dropped Jan. 30, 2023. The Colorado Springs Police Department declined to comment on the settlement Tuesday. Officers Hickman, Anderson and Hummel are "still employed and in good standing with the department," spokeswoman Caitlin Ford said. The August report released by police said Hummel would be suspended for 10 hours and removed as a police training officer for making inappropriate comments after the altercation with Gadson Ochoa. The report also noted concerns related to Anderson's conduct in the incident, noting Anderson punched Gadson Ochoa in the face and head 13 or 14 consecutive times and 11 to 12 times in his side and abdomen. The report said Anderson's actions did "not appear to be a pattern of behavior" and recommended a "supervisor discussion record" and 10 hours of remedial scenario training on use of force. Featured Local Savings The report recommended minor reprimands for officers involved in the incident but who were not named in the lawsuit. The city, too, declined to comment on the settlement Tuesday. "We will reserve further comment on this case until it reaches final settlement," city spokeswoman Vanessa Zink said in a written statement. An Oct. 3 memo from the United States Department of Justice's Office for Civil Rights to the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights division of the department confirmed it had received an official complaint from Gadson Ochoa, alleging Colorado Springs police racially discriminated against him and used excessive force during his arrest. The memo said the DOJ would wait to review the complaint until after Gadson Ochoa's civil lawsuit against the Colorado Springs police officers occurred. Gadson Ochoa's attorneys said in their Tuesday statement they will continue to work with the DOJ in the matter "and we will not stop until justice is done." Colorado Springs police have faced several claims of excessive force in recent years. Daniels, Sellers and Mehr are also representing Kenda James, who in February filed a lawsuit against a Colorado Springs police officer and a Fire Department paramedic, alleging their actions in the fall constituted an excessive use of force that resulted in the death of James' 62-year-old father, Kevin Dizmang. Daniels, too, is representing Jacob Root, who on Thursday filed a $100 million lawsuit alleging police shocked him with a Taser and left him paralyzed when they arrested him on May 16, 2022. In mid-March, the city agreed to pay $195,000 to settle an excessive force complaint filed with the Police Department's Internal Affairs Unit in November 2022. The complainant, whose name was redacted from the seven-sentence complaint, alleged he was following police orders to raise his hands as he was being arrested on May 14, 2022, when a Colorado Springs police officer deployed a Taser on the complainant "for no reason." That claim was resolved before the complainant filed a lawsuit in the matter. In February 2022, the city settled a civil lawsuit for nearly $3 million brought by the estate of De'Von Bailey, a 19-year-old Black man who was killed in 2019 when Colorado Springs police officers shot him four times in the back. A grand jury rejected filing criminal charges against the two officers involved in that shooting. Gov. Jared Polis on Monday signed into law two of the most significant housing bills of this year's legislative session. House Bill 1313 mandates local governments to change zoning to accommodate high-density transit-oriented communities. Those mandates affect just five areas in the state, mainly along the Front Range, known as metropolitan planning organizations. The five MPOs are the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the North Front Range MPO, the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, the Pueblo Area Council of Governments, and the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council. The bill exempted mountain communities or municipalities under 4,000 residents. The bill aims to promote more affordable housing adjacent to bus routes and light rail, but not every community has that access, and there may be other barriers, such as highways and drainage systems or a lack of water to serve those housing units. The bill requires each of the 31 municipalities in those regions to develop housing opportunity goals based on 40 units per acre adjacent to transit centers. Because the bill preempts local government decisions on zoning, more than a dozen cities, including Aurora and Colorado Springs, and the Colorado Municipal League, opposed the measure. Local government officials also said that 40 units per acre may not be feasible. As introduced, HB 1313 carried hefty penalties for municipalities that refuse to go along losing their share of state transportation funding and the risk that the state might seek court injunctions to force them to comply. But that language didn't sit well with some House Democrats, such as Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Colorado Springs. During the bill's final House vote, Snyder vowed to do everything he could to defeat the measure should it return to the House with that punitive language. A Senate committee immediately stripped it out, but that cost the measure the support of Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. The bill's mandates for municipalities, potentially violating the constitution's language on home rule charters that allow local governments to decide on zoning, could also land the Polis administration in court. Featured Local Savings The measure was sponsored and approved only by the legislature's majority Democrats. Housing and transit go hand in hand, and with this legislation, we are saving Coloradans money and helping them live where they want, with access to what they need. Thank you to the sponsors and the broad coalition that supported these bills to create a more affordable Colorado, Polis said Monday. Polis signed a second housing bill Monday, one of the few that received bipartisan support, on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also known as granny flats or casitas. Those units, also mandated for metropolitan planning organizations, require local governments to allow the construction of ADUs on single-family home properties. House Bill 1152, however, provides several exemptions, such as if the property cannot handle more water and sewer infrastructure or is on a historic property. On Monday, the governor called ADUs a "lower-cost option that can help increase housing choices for Coloradans." "Coloradans are overwhelmingly supportive of ADUs, and this legislation gives many Coloradans the freedom to build them on their property if they choose to. I appreciate the work of the bill sponsors and look forward to seeing Coloradans take advantage of this new freedom," he said. Aside from the vote of its House Republican sponsor, Rep. Ron Weinberg of Loveland, the bill won support only from majority Democrats in both chambers. On Friday, Polis signed a third bill that affects metropolitan planning organizations into law: House Bill 1304. The measure prohibits municipalities from enforcing minimum parking requirements for people with disabilities, parking for bicycles, multifamily developments, or other limited exemptions. It was amended to limit its impact to within a quarter mile of bus or other transit stations. Opponents said the bill would affect established neighborhoods. After four judges voiced three separate justifications for why law enforcement properly searched a man's computer, the Colorado Supreme Court last week considered whether there was, nonetheless, a constitutional violation because officers relied on an Internet Protocol address, rather than the man's apartment, as the target of their investigation. Clear Creek County law enforcement obtained a warrant to search a home where child pornography was being downloaded through a specific IP address. Although they had pinpointed a particular suspect who lived at the residence, they unexpectedly encountered Kevin Matthew Dhyne, a tenant in the home's basement, after showing up to execute the warrant. Dhyne revealed he, too, had access to the shared Internet network and police seized his computer. They later found sexually exploitative material involving children on his computer and a jury convicted him. On appeal to the Supreme Court, Dhyne argued police mistakenly proceeded to search his apartment, despite learning it was a separate residence from their intended target. "Who cares if theres a separate door? The IP address goes everywhere," responded Chief Justice Brian D. Boatright during the May 9 oral arguments. "Why are we placing so much emphasis on the physical layout when we're talking about something that isnt physical?" "From your perspective," Justice William W. Hood III said to Dhyne's lawyer, "they should have backed up and gotten a warrant for the basement once they were on the scene and realized this was a separate unit. Simple as that." "Simple as that," replied attorney Adam M. Tucker. Judges uphold police search stemming from IP address, but disagree on legal justification The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures, and requires warrants to describe with particularity "the place to be searched." Dhyne's case presented an unusual question without a direct answer in Colorado: Can the "place" encompass everything touched by a wireless network? Dhyne originally sought to exclude the computer evidence from his trial, alleging the search and seizure were illegal. A trial judge agreed law enforcement violated Dhyne's rights by continuing their search after learning about Dhyne's separate residence. But the judge believed they would have inevitably gotten a warrant to search Dhyne's computer because Dhyne admitted to using the same IP address where child pornography was being downloaded. A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals subsequently upheld that conclusion, but relied on its own rationales. Judge Neeti V. Pawar, writing for herself and Judge Jaclyn Casey Brown, concluded the IP address was "used in common" across the property, so the search of Dhyne's separate unit was authorized under the warrant. Featured Local Savings Then-Judge David J. Richman, relying on federal cases, alternatively suggested that once Dhyne admitted to using the target IP address, the "entire premises were suspect," including Dhyne's unit. Colorado Supreme Court to hear 2 criminal cases, school district dispute Turning to the Supreme Court, Dhyne urged the justices to reject all three justifications. He argued the wireless network at the property had an open connection, meaning anyone could log on without a password. With pedestrians and cars passing by, an "infinite amount of people" could be subject to a search. "It will lead to many improper searches where, if I have a neighbor and we share a common wall, we hear each other through it, theres nothing to stop the Internet from going between the units," said Tucker. He added that an entire college dorm, for example, could conceivably be searched if occupants shared a common Internet network. "Do we have to decide about the cars driving by?" asked Justice Melissa Hart, noting Dhyne explicitly told officers he had access to the property's Internet. "Do we have to create a rule that will apply to every multiple unit here? Or can we say that on the facts of this case, this was a common occupancy of this Internet address?" "I don't see how you can do that," Tucker replied. The warrant "didnt give permission to search anyone neighbors walking by, cars driving by," pointed out Justice Carlos A. Samour Jr., as the warrant applied to computer systems "situated on" the target property. Senior Assistant Attorney General Trina K. Kissel acknowledged Dhyne's case was unusual in that law enforcement did not know about Dhyne's apartment when they obtained the warrant, but they went in anyway. That decision "doesn't retroactively invalidate the warrant they got," she argued. "When you come upon a scene like this and you discover that there's a separate residence you didnt know about," Hood wondered, "why isnt the better rule to say you need to back up and get a warrant because were talking about invading someone else's home?" The Supreme Court held its arguments at Central High School in Pueblo as part of its "Courts in the Community" program. The case is Dhyne v. People. State Supreme Court back for oral arguments, Colorado's senators speak about judicial noms | COURT CRAWL Google unveiled on Tuesday its latest innovations to its AI model series Gemini at the company's annual developer conference Google I/O 2024. The company announced the private preview of a new version of Gemini 1.5 Pro, the company's current flagship model, that can take in up to 2 million tokens. With that capacity, which doubles the previous maximum amount, the new version of Gemini 1.5 Pro supports the largest input of any commercially available model. "Today, all of our 2-billion user products use Gemini ... More than 1.5 million developers use Gemini models across our tools ... We've also been bringing Gemini's breakthrough capabilities across our products, in powerful ways," Google CEO Sundar Pichai told the conference. "The power of Gemini -- with multimodality, long context and agents -- brings us closer to our ultimate goal: making AI helpful for everyone," he added. The company brings the improved version of Gemini 1.5 Pro to all developers globally. In addition, Gemini 1.5 Pro with 1 million context is now directly available for consumers in Gemini Advanced, which can be used across 35 languages, Google said. Pichai also announced the company's 6th generation of TPUs, called Trillium at the conference. "Trillium is our most performant and most efficient TPU to date ... We'll make Trillium available to our Cloud customers in late 2024," he said. Sheriff's office officials from El Paso and Pueblo counties seized cash from multiple locations of a Colorado Springs dispensary Monday after a civil process order ruling by an El Paso County judge. According to El Paso County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kurt Smith, deputies assisted in the civil process order at three locations of the Maggie's Farm dispensary chain in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, seizing cash from all stores. Smith said the cash seizure is part of a civil case involving Maggie's Farm not an investigation by either the sheriff's offices in Pueblo or El Paso counties. "With civil rulings, sometimes we have to help," Smith said. Tim Cheasebro, a locksmith with Mason's Mobile Locksmith in Colorado Springs, told The Gazette he along with his boss and another co-worker assisted in the cash seizure Monday morning. While his two co-workers were assigned to the Maggie's Farm locations in the Colorado Springs area, Cheasebro worked for over an hour and a half at the dispensary's location in Pueblo. Cheasebro said his company has assisted the Sheriff's Office in the past, but that he hadn't been relayed details from officials of what they were looking for in the Maggie's Farm civil ruling. "I didn't know why I just knew they needed to get in there," Cheasebro said. He said he helped officials gain access to 11 doors, two desks and a safe while at the Pueblo dispensary location, allowing officials to seize large amounts of cash, additional keys and documents. Featured Local Savings Maggie's farm locations along East Fillmore Street in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Pueblo remained open Tuesday. The civil seizure Monday follows the closure of five Maggie's Farm locations across southern Colorado earlier in the year. According to their website, Maggie's Farm abruptly closed locations along South Nevada Avenue in Colorado Springs, Pueblo East, Pueblo West, Canon City and Las Animas. "Its crucial we clarify that the decision to close certain locations was not made lightly or to benefit at the expense of our employees and customers. Faced with unforeseen challenges, we found ourselves in a position where we had to make an impossible choice to ensure the survival of Maggies Farm for everyone," Bill Conkling, founder and owner of Maggie's Farm, said in a social media post in March. As of January 2024, 96 medical dispensaries remained in Colorado Springs out of the previous 114, since voters in Colorado Springs rejected the proposal to legalize marijuana sales in the city in November 2022, city data showed. According to previous Gazette reports, statewide issues such as low prices have hurt the industry and those problems have been compounded by the lack of recreational sales. Colorado has seen marijuana sales drop dramatically as other states have legalized it. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia now allow recreational marijuana. A change in the 2018 Farm Bill has also given rise to the sale of THC products derived from hemp in states where recreational marijuana is not legal. For example, Delta-8 products are common in Texas and they can also be ordered online. The Gazette attempted to reach officials with Maggie's Farm for comment but received no response about the civil process order executed Monday. You are here: China Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, speaks at a video conference on young people's employment and entrepreneurship, in Beijing, capital of China, May 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Tuesday urged efforts to enhance the employment of college graduates and ensure stable employment among young people. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a video conference on young people's employment and entrepreneurship. He said more jobs need to be generated by promoting massive projects and key programs and launching measures for domestic demand expansion. The government should also directly create as many new jobs as possible, Ding said. Such jobs are usually in Party and government bodies, public institutions, state-owned enterprises, research institutions, and other public service organizations. More jobs should be created in fields such as rural revitalization, social work, elderly services, and emergency response at the community level, Ding said, highlighting the importance of encouraging graduates to join grassroots organizations. Ding also stressed the importance of proper guidance for college graduates regarding their career and job choices. Concerning graduates planning for entrepreneurship, Ding called for measures to assist them in tackling shortages of finance, venues and experience. According to the government work report, China aims to add more than 12 million urban jobs this year. Michael Hesse, a civic activist and history enthusiast, is president of the Denver Police Museum. He served as an appointee of President George H. W. Bush and as a chief of staff to two members of Congress. Isabella Becerra, 10, the daughter of Fountain Police Officer Julian Becerra, is given a Colorado flag during a ceremony this month at the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial in Golden, honoring her father and two other officers who fell in the line of duty. You are here: China China recorded 360.15 million railway passenger trips in April, up 9.6 percent year on year, the National Railway Administration said Tuesday. During the first four months of the year, railway passenger trips amounted to 1.37 billion, surging 22.9 percent from a year ago, the administration said. Last month, 407.59 million tonnes of goods were transported by railways, down 1.9 percent year on year. From January to April, China's railway cargo delivery volume reached 1.65 billion tonnes, a fall of 1.4 percent year on year. China's fixed-asset investment in railways totaled 184.9 billion yuan (about 26.02 billion U.S. dollars) during the four-month period, up 10.5 percent year on year, according to the administration. The National Immigration Administration announced to fully implement on Wednesday a visa-free entry policy for foreign tourist groups arriving by cruise ships in coastal provinces of China, and the policy is effective immediately. Foreign tourist groups, comprising two or more individuals, arriving by cruise ship and organized and received by China's domestic travel agencies can enter China visa-free through any coastal cruise port and stay for up to 15 days. The tourist groups must travel together on the same cruise ship to the next port when the cruise leaves China. The activity area is limited to the coastal provinces, municipalities, and Beijing. The visa-free entry ports include 13 national cruise ports located in Tianjin, Dalian in Liaoning province, Shanghai, Lianyungang in Jiangsu province, Wenzhou and Zhoushan in Zhejiang province, Xiamen in Fujian province, Qingdao in Shandong province, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong province, Beihai in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, and Haikou and Sanya in Hainan province. Additionally, to support the development of cruise tourism, seven cruise ports in Dalian, Lianyungang, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beihai will be added as transit visa-free ports for citizens of 54 countries, facilitating foreign passengers to transfer and depart via cruise ships from these ports, according to the immigration administration. GREENSBORO A Greensboro man, convicted of posing as a federal law enforcement agent, was sentenced in federal court on Monday to 33 months in prison. Khriy Sherrod Simon, 33, of 3806-C Rockwood Manor was found guilty at trial in federal court on Jan. 24 of impersonating a special agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina. During the trial, prosecutors said that Simon on March 29, 2023, used his car to block a car in a parking lot on Bridford Parkway in Greensboro, then aggressively approached the driver and passenger, both women, while armed with a handgun and wearing a black tactical vest and balaclava head covering. Simon repeatedly told the women he was a DEA agent and yelled at them, demanding the women show their hands and stay still, according to accusations in court records. Simon went on to tell the women they resembled two people suspected of murder and drug crimes and ordered them from their car, the news release says. Next, Simon searched the car, claiming he sought crime evidence, and detained the women until an associate arrived in another car, and conferred with Simon about the fake case, the prosecutors release said. After the associate drove away, Simon allowed the women to leave, court records show. At one point, Simon chatted in a friendly manner with the women, sharing a purported personal cell number, and claiming to be from Thomasville and to play gigs as a rap musician, court documents show. Simon has never been a special agent of the DEA or a member of any federal or state law enforcement agency, according to the release. By impersonating a law enforcement officer, the defendant endangered the lives of both victims and other citizens in the surrounding area, Hairston said during the sentencing hearing on Monday, according to the release. The investigation and prosecution of this case, and the sentence imposed today, send a clear message that such reprehensible conduct will not be tolerated. U.S. District Judge William L. Osteen sentenced Simon, who after his active prison term will be subject to one year of supervised release. The case, investigated by the FBI and the Greensboro Police Department, was prosecuted in January by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Jeanne Dildine and Nicole R. DuPre. (Gab Gab Beach) Want to visit Gab Gab beach? Theres a lot of things you could do including kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving, snorkeling, and lots more! You can see a whole lot of animals too like turtles, fish, coral, sharks, starfish and theres more out there too! Here at Gab Gab Beach, its a nice place to do a lot of stuff! You can cook, have a party, and jump into a giant pool that's about eleven feet down! People at Gab Gab even use their paddle boards to surf sometimes. But sometimes the place is deserted because there are other beaches you could go to such as Tarague, Gun Beach, Inarajan Pools, and Tumon Bay! Sometimes you can find hermit crabs and coconut crabs there too! They are hard to find though. Once you leave Gab Gab beach it will lead you to some memories of lots of fun! How to get there To get there, set your Google Maps to Naval Base Guam. You need to have an ID or you need base access. Next, after you get through the gate you keep on going straight until you reach the road that leads to the National War Dog Cemetery, and then you take the first road on the right. Then keep going till you reach the rocky sign that says: NO GLASS & NO PETS ALLOWED. Then you can enjoy all the activities you can do! CHICAGO When union organizer Brandon Johnson was elected Chicago mayor last year, he promised to unroll a "bold progressive movement" in the nation's third-largest city. A year later, he shocked liberal Democrats by promoting plans for a multibillion dollar Bears stadium using public funds. The rookie mayor's first year has been full of bumps, testing his progressive credentials and doing little to win over critics. He has navigated an evolving migrant crisis, budget gaps, persistent crime and a troubled transit system, and while there have been some wins for workers and social services, he has struggled to appease a skeptical business community, police and even fellow Democrats. By his own rating though, he's successful. "The work that we've done to build a better, stronger, safer Chicago through the lens of the progressive agenda is unmatched," he told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "This is the work that I promised that I would do, and I'm doing it." He's quick to highlight his accomplishments: Eliminating subminimum wages for tipped workers by 2028, doubling workers' paid time off to 10 days, scrapping a controversial gunshot detection system, and working to reopen mental health clinics. And Johnson says a new stadium is part of his progressive vision that could translate into jobs and opportunities, including hosting a Super Bowl. Many disagree. "I was surprised that he came out with such strong support because of all the other things that are going on," said Patricia Tatum, a retired nurse and housing activist who voted for Johnson. "It's hard to be empathetic with billion-dollar businesses when you see people can't afford to pay to rent." Johnson, a former teacher's union organizer and county commissioner, courted a diverse and young electorate as he campaigned with top congressional progressives. His administration hires include union activists and community organizers. "There are at least conversations of co-governance," said Kofi Ademola, a founder of anti-gun violence youth group GoodKids MadCity, adding that more cross sections of Chicago have input under Johnson's administration. "We have seen some progress, definitely not enough." At 48, Johnson is younger than his predecessors, including former prosecutor Lori Lightfoot and former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. His speaking style is often informal, and he likes to describe challenges as "jacked up situations." But his progressive agenda hasn't been fully embraced. Voters rejected a so-called mansion tax in March, an estimated $100 million revenue source required to improve homeless services as Johnson promised. Political observers say his inexperience and strong opposition messaging hurt the measure's chances. "People weren't sure what the money was going to be used for and didn't trust the Johnson administration to handle it well," said political scientist Dick Simpson, author of "Chicago's Modern Mayors." Chicago resident Daniel Boland is so turned off that he has launched a long shot recall effort. If he gets enough signatures for the November ballot and it passes, voters could try to recall Johnson as early as 2026. Compared with his predecessors, Johnson has been slow to choose his Cabinet. Chicago went months without a public health commissioner and his pick immediately faced a migrant measles outbreak. Much of Johnson's tenure has been overshadowed by the migrants' arrival, which began under Lightfoot. More than 40,000 asylum seekers have been sent to Chicago by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, most coming by bus or plane. Chicago's haphazard response was often in the national spotlight, first for using police stations and airports as housing and then for struggling with winter plans. City Council meetings featured explosive public comment. Lawsuits were filed. Johnson squared off with Gov. J.B. Pritzker over funding and shelter sites. Meanwhile, more established immigrants and Black residents say they have been ignored. The city leaned heavily on volunteers to provide food and medicine, and even though the numbers in shelters are dwindling, migrants' living conditions remain under scrutiny. "There's still a lot of difficulty in communicating with the city," said Dr. Evelyn Figueroa, who runs a food pantry near the city's largest shelter and has backed student medics. Johnson's relationship with reporters has been strained. News conferences became combative early on, and he abruptly ended a Sun-Times editorial board meeting in February after learning it would be on the record. He has also struggled to shape the action at City Hall. In November, his alderman floor leader stepped down after a heated council meeting. And while the City Council easily approved his first budget, Johnson had to step in twice to cast a tiebreaking vote, including to support a controversial cease-fire resolution, which led to criticism from elected Jewish leaders. Some say Johnson is simply adapting to the shift from campaigning to governing. Karen Freeman-Wilson, the former mayor of Gary, Indiana, who now heads the Chicago Urban League, admits she campaigned on promises that she couldn't keep. "You don't know what you can do until you really get into office," she said. "You have to give those folks who seem to be the most anxious some feedback. For him, that is the business community." Johnson has appealed to big business by backing the Bears proposal, rolling out development plans in the LaSalle Street business district and reviving O'Hare International Airport expansion plans. But business groups, who fought Johnson on paid leave, want more collaboration and say the mayor has to better address perceptions that Chicago remains unsafe when violent crime in the city is down. "Businesses are still recovering," said Jack Lavin, president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. "Downtown, there's record vacancies. We need to be aware of that in how we look at taxes and businesses." The coming months will see some of Johnson's biggest challenges. He will face his former union during teacher contract negotiations. He has told state leaders that Chicago Public Schools is owed $1 billion because of years of underfunding. And potential candidates for Chicago's first elected school board are gearing up to run in November. At the same time, Johnson is preparing for Chicago to take center stage when it hosts the Democratic National Convention this summer, when crime historically rises. Protesters have already filed lawsuits over access and police are undergoing safety training. "There's just so much beauty in the city of Chicago," Johnson said. "For me, it's important that that is on display." BRISTOL, Va. Adjusted gaming revenues for the first four months of this year topped $55 million for the Bristol Casino, future home of Hard Rock. On Wednesday the Virginia Lottery released its monthly casino revenues report, showing the temporary Bristol Casino generated nearly $14 million in adjusted gaming revenue hitting $13.94 million. Through the first four months of the year, the casinos revenues exceeded $55.7 million, or about 1% ahead of the first four months of 2023, lottery records show. With two months remaining in the fiscal year, Virginias first casino has generated about $136 million in gaming revenue. That is nearly identical to the $136 million generated during the casinos first fiscal year of operation, from July 2022 to April 2023. The Bristol Casino reported $11.03 million in AGR from slot machines and $2.91 million from table games, which is right on its monthly averages. That play generated $2.53 million in gaming tax for the state with over $836,679 directed to the Regional Improvement Commission to be divided evenly among the 12 counties and two cities included in the Southwest Virginia transportation district. In this fiscal year the casino has generated over $8.12 million, or an average of $580,629 for each of the 14 localities, with two more months remaining. Statewide, Virginias three operating casinos combined to generate over $60.1 million in adjusted gaming revenue and $10. 8 million in gaming tax revenue, the report shows. Rivers Casino Portsmouth reported $26.44 million in total revenue, including $18.4 million from slots and $8.01 million from table games. More than $1.5 million in gaming tax will be remitted back to the host city. Caesars Virginia reported $19.7 million in total revenue including $14.4 million from slots and $5.2 million from table games. More than $1.1 million will come back to the city of Danville. All three casinos reported less income in April than March. Bristol reported $16.2 million in March, Portsmouth $27.7 million and Caesars Virginia reported over $21 million. As a consequence, state gaming tax revenue was about $1 million less in April than March. Nearly 80% of Bristols revenue comes from slots while 21% comes from table games. In Portsmouth, over 69% is from slots and over 30% is from table games, while in Danville the split is about 74% slots and 26% table games, lottery figures show. Dairy markets are known for their unpredictability, but we still rely on dairy economists to give their best forecasts as to what will come in the year ahead. Now that we are more than a third of the way through 2024, we can evaluate some of the price trends experienced so far this year. In a recent episode of the International Dairy Foods Associations Dairy Download podcast, economists Sara Dorland and Mike McCully shared what they found to be most surprising in the world of dairy prices so far this year. For McCulley, the president and owner of McCully Consulting, the current trend in milk production is unexpected. Its hard to go back in time and find a period of nine months of declines in milk production, he said. That was coupled with Cheddar block prices sitting at $1.40 to a $1.50 a pound earlier this year. In the past, McCully noted that lower milk production would trigger milk prices over $20 per hundredweight and Cheddar prices over $2 per pound, but that is not happening in 2024. How long is that going to last? he asked rhetorically. Dorland, a managing partner at Ceres Dairy Risk Management, considers the gap between Class III and Class IV prices to be a big surprise of early 2024. Historically, you want to see those prices coming together, said Dorland, but even with the recent price run in cheese, it is still a tough road for the Class III market. With new cheese processing capacity coming online and the potential for $4 per pound butter later this year, this situation may not remedy itself any time soon, Dorland noted. Most of our milk goes into cheese and whey, she explained. Thats why milk checks in regions where more milk goes into Class I, II, or IV production look very different than states such as Idaho, Texas, and Wisconsin, where more cheese is made. When the gap widens, it creates winners and losers regionally, she said. Typically, the two classes come back together, but we seem to be entrenched in this trend for now, and that ties back to McCullys comments about reduced milk output. The difference between Class III and Class IV is certainly having a tremendous impact and is likely leading to why we are not making headway in milk production, she said. High beef prices are also putting pressure on milk output. The beef price does not seem to be slowing down, Dorland said. That has a profound impact on how farms are making production decisions. McCully noted that not many months ago, a $2.50 spread between Class III and Class IV was considered wide. Now we are looking at a spread of $4 or more, with no clear end in sight. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2024 May 13, 2024 All Peoples Church of Jesus Christ Worship at 11 a.m. Sunday at American Legion Post 172. Pastor: Prophet Roland Jordan delivers the message. Ann Street United Methodist Church 335 Ann St., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Randy L. Wall. In person and Facebook Live worship at 11 a.m. Sermon: Poor in Spirit: Blessed? Scripture: Matthew 5:1-6. Bethpage United Methodist Church 109 Fellowship Ave. at West C Street, Kannapolis. 704-932-5296. Pastor: Rev. McKenzie Sefa. Christian Education at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. Bogers Chapel United Methodist Church 1775 Flowes Store Road E., Concord. Pastor: Eric Shaver. Sunday school at 9 a.m. Worship service at 10 a.m. (in person or on Facebook). Opening Scripture: Psalm 104:24-35. Honor Graduates and Grade Advancement. Scripture: Acts 2:1-21. Sermon: How to Flourish. Calvary Lutheran Church 950 Bradley St., Concord. 704-782-6923. Pastor: Rev. Debbie Frye. Special 10 a.m. in-person worship (blended worship with childrens church). High school graduates and confirmands will be recognized. Reception following. Childrens area and nursery available at all times. All services livestreamed and available anytime on the Calvary Lutheran Concord YouTube channel easy access through the website at www.clconcord.org or church app Calvary Lutheran ChurchNC. All are welcome. Sermon Topic: The Festival of Pentecost. Center United Methodist Church 1119 Union St. S., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Brian Crady. Sunday school for In Betweens and young adults at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. Nursery is provided during the worship service. Website is www.centerumcconcord.org. Sermon: Commencement into the Promised Land. Scripture: Joshua 1:1-6, Luke 24:45-49. Cold Springs Global Methodist Church 2550 Cold Springs Road, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Cliff Wall. Worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Visit online at https://youtube.com/@coldspringschurchconcord. Crossroads Church 220 George W. Liles Parkway, Concord. Pastor: Lowell McNaney. Live worship streamed on Facebook, Crossroads Concord Church app or mycrossroads.co website at 9:30 a.m. and 11:11 a.m. Crown Pointe Baptist Church 703 Tennessee St., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Doug Crawley. Sunday school at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary, or view online at our Facebook page. Series: Five Smooth Stones. Eastside Missionary Baptist Church 199 Elgin Drive, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Stephen Burrow. In person services: Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. Worship services at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Recorded worship services and other information at EastsideMissionaryBaptist.org. You will be welcomed. Practice social distancing. Epworth United Methodist Church 1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Dennis Marshall. Sunday school at 9 a.m., followed by worship at 10 a.m. We welcome all to join us in person, or you may livestream or watch the recorded service at our website at www.epworthnc.com. First Presbyterian Church 201 Vance St., Kannapolis. 704-938-4623. Pastor: Eddie Spencer. Coffee fellowship at 9:30 a.m. Sunday school at 10 a.m. Worship service at 11 a.m. in person and also livestreamed on YouTube. www.firstpresb.org. Forest Hill United Methodist Church 265 Union St. N., Concord. Senior pastor: Rev. Mandy Jones. Associate pastor: Rev. Wes Judy. We are open for in-person worship. Contemporary worship at 9 a.m. Sunday school/small groups at 10 a.m. Traditional worship at 11 a.m. Both the contemporary and the traditional worship services will also be livestreamed at foresthillumc.org or facebook.com/foresthillumc, in case you dont feel like being here in person. Grace Church of Concord A Global Methodist Community 28-B Branchview Drive NE, Concord. Lead pastor: Michael Dominick. Worshipping every Sunday at 10 a.m. Sermon: The Secret of Knowing God Personally. Scripture: Acts 19:1-7. Series: Dynamics of a Spiritual Life. Topic: The filling of the Holy Spirit is directly related to our surrender and obedience. You are cordially invited to join us over the next several weeks for Pastor Mikes sermon series on the Dynamics of a Spiritual Life. To learn more about the church, visit www.graceconcord.org where you will find links to our Sunday morning livestream and more. Harmony Church Concord 101 White St. NW, Concord. Pastor: Thad Brown. Our Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. followed by the worship service at 11 a.m. Sermon: Animals are not human, but they can be family. Scripture: Psalm 24:1, Genesis 1:28, Proverbs 12:10, 1 Corinthians 4:2, 1 Timothy 5:8. Following the sermon we will have a Blessing of the Animals (photos of pet only). The service is broadcast live on Facebook.com/HarmonyChurchConcord. For more information, you can call 704-467-0179 or 704-791-2883. Jackson Park United Methodist Church 715 Mable Ave., Kannapolis. Pastor: Laurie Knoespel. Adult Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. Worship at 10:30 a.m. Nursery will be provided during worship service. Kirkwood Presbyterian Church 900 Klondale Ave., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Dennis B. Craft. Worship at 11 a.m. in church sanctuary on Sundays. No mask restrictions. McGill Baptist Church 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, in-person services. Pastor: Rev. Steve Ayers. McGill will stream a worship service Sunday at 10 a.m. on www.facebook.com/mcgillbaptistchurch/ and on YouTube. The services will be live and also available on recording afterward. Day of Pentecost. Sermon: The Birthday of the Church. Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15. Midway United Methodist Church 108 Bethpage Road, Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Craig Allen. Come join us on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. for Sunday school and 10:30 a.m. for worship. The service is also livestreamed on the web at midwayunitedmethodistchurch.org or facebook.com/midwayUMCWorship. Pentecost Sunday. Worship theme: Gods Spirit within the Church (Ezekiel 37:14; Acts 2:4). Message: Fully Animated. First Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14. Second Reading: Acts 2:1-21. Suggested Hymns: UMH 400, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing and UMH 347, Spirit Song. Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Pastor: Joel Locklear. Office phone: 704-933-0155. Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. (adult and children classes.) Worship at 11 a.m. in person or on Facebook. Nursery for children up to 5 years old. Sermon: The Power of the Pentecost. Scripture: Acts 2:1-4. Multiply Church Concord 150 Warren C. Coleman Blvd. N., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Douglas Witherup. 8:30 a.m. service held at 280 Concord Parkway S., Suite 15, Concord. Services at 150 Warren C Coleman Blvd. N., are worship and sermon at 9:30 a.m. and worship and sermon at 11:15 a.m. New Gilead Reformed Church 2400 Old Salisbury-Concord Road. 10 a.m. Sunday school followed by 11 a.m. worship in the sanctuary or worship live on YouTube. We hope that you can connect with us online if you cant be with us in person. Oak Grove Baptist Church 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. Pastor: Rev. Franklin D. Watkins. 10 a.m. In-person worship service. Also available on Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Sermon: How To Live My Best Life, Married! Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-27. Rodgers Park Baptist Church 309 E 24th St., Kannapolis. Weekly message from KJV Bible, by Pastor Joel Ervin. Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. Worship at 10:45 a.m. Facebook Live at 11 a.m. Second Presbyterian Church 1578 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis. Pastor Sue Black, minister. Assistant minister: Rev. Aaron Price. Sunday school at 10 a.m. Worship at 11 a.m. The Day of Pentecost. Sermon: Happy Birthday Church. Scripture: Acts 2:1-8 and 12-21. St. Johns Reformed Church 901 N. Main St., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Chris King. Sunday school for all ages at 9:30 a.m. Worship service at 10:30 a.m. Website: www.ourstjohns.org. Email/phone: ourstjohns@gmail.com / 704-932-3656. Sermon: Growing in Fellowship. Scripture: Acts 2:1-11. Trinity United Church of Christ 38 Church St., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Nathan King. Worship at 11 a.m., in person or on Facebook (live or watch later). Website: commachurch.com. Youre invited! SALISBURY Rowan-Cabarrus Community College recently celebrated outgoing board of trustees chair Carl M. Chip Short Jr.s tenure by naming the atrium at North Campus Building N106 in his honor. Short was honored with an official unveiling at the atrium during an event attended by fellow trustees, college leaders, business partners and members of the community. Short, a partner in the law firm of Woodson, Sayers, Lawther, Short, Parrott and Abramson in Salisbury, has served as board of trustees chair for the past 13 years, helping to steer the college through an important period of growth. In addition to guiding the board for 13 years, he helped drive the completion of North Campus Building N106, which made it possible for the college to offer two groundbreaking health care programs occupational therapy assistant and physical therapist assistant and renovate the radiography and dental labs. He also helped champion the successful passage of two bond referenda, $9 million in Cabarrus County in 2014 for the construction of the Advanced Technology Center and $45 million in Rowan County in 2020 for the Technology Education Complex. During his tenure, the college also completed the Outdoor Learning Center project, the fire training grounds, and added acreage to both North and South Campuses. Short was born in High Point and graduated from East Rowan High School. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Whitaker Scholar and graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1976. He has been a partner with The Woodson Law Firm since 1985. In addition to serving on the colleges board of trustees, Short has served as president of the Rowan County Bar Association and is a member of the Real Property and Elder Law Sections of the North Carolina Bar Association. He has served as president of the Rowan County Library Foundation, as chair of the Rowan Library board of trustees, as a member of the shelter ministries board, as a director of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, the Waterworks Visual Arts Center and president of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. He has also served as president and director of the Salisbury Rotary Club, as chair of the North Carolina State Library Commission, as a director of OmniBank and Security Capital Bank, and on the boards of the United Way, United Arts Council and Piedmont Players. Short is married to Luanne Buddin Short and they attend St. Lukes Episcopal Church, where he served as senior warden and as a trustee of Saint Lukes Foundation. On behalf of everyone at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, we thank Chip Short for his dedication to our students, faculty, staff and community, said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. We wish him all the best and will continue to build on the exceptional work he has done. His commitment to accessible education and the betterment of lives has made a lasting difference. Cynthia L. Cyndie Mynatt succeeds Short as chair of the board of trustees, serving alongside Gary A. Blabon, J. Thomas Bost, Paul A. Brown, Elizabeth G. Cook, Jeanne A. Dixon, William (Bill) Dusch, Patricia G. Fulcher, Patricia K. Horton, Wilmer Melton III, Stephen M. Morris, Michelle Patterson and Dakeita Vanderburg. For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, visit www.rccc.edu or call 704-216-RCCC (7222). Flash The 24th China Cultural Tourism Forum was held in Shenzhen, south China's Guandong province, on May 7 and 8. [Photo/ China Cultural Tourism Forum] The 24th China Cultural Tourism Forum was held in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, on May 7 and 8. Over 600 representatives from various industries were invited to attend this years forum, with more than 3.3 million participants engaging in interactive discussions online through various platforms. The conference, formerly known as the China Cultural Tourism Global Forum (CTGF), has been hosted in major cities nationwide, marking it as an influential annual event in the sectors of accommodations, catering, tourism and industrial real estate sectors. With a mission to develop the cultural tourism industry, empower urban renewal, promote rural revitalization, advance prosperity for all, facilitate industry upgrading and enhance people's happiness, the forum aims to facilitate connections in various arenas such as funds and projects, brands and communication, talents and enterprises, products and channels, investors and managers as well as owners, designers and construction parties. The forum also serves as a bridge for Chinese brands to expand globally as well as a link to introduce advanced technologies, materials, talents, funds and business models from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, thus driving the innovative development of the cultural tourism industry. A student was arrested Monday after a social-media threat was made against Wiley Middle School, authorities said. The Forsyth County Sheriffs Office was notified about the social-media threat against the school, the sheriffs office said. Investigators then identified a juvenile responsible for the post. The juvenile, a student, has been charged with one count of communicating threats of mass violence on educational property, the sheriffs office said. The sheriffs office didnt specify which school the juvenile attends. The sheriffs office also didnt identify the juvenile because of his or her age. The sheriffs office remains committed to fostering a safe learning environment for local students and the community, Chief Deputy Henry Gray Jr. said in a statement. All threats are treated factually and will always be investigated to the fullest, Gray said. The disruption and the emotional anxiety that incidents, such as this, place on the community, will not be tolerated. We encourage parents to always remain vigilant in monitoring their childrens use of social media, Gray said. The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools notified parents and guardians of the students at Wiley Middle School about the incident, the sheriffs office said. Anyone with information about the incident can call the Forsyth County Sheriffs at 336-727-2112 or Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904. The Text-A-Tip program at 336-920-8477 allows people to text information, photos and videos to the sheriffs office. Microsoft has released patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild, along with fixes for another 57 CVEs on its monthly Patch Tuesday. Satnam Narang, senior staff researcher engineer at security shop Tenable, said the number of CVEs patches was down sharply from the 147 patched in April which, incidentally, was the highest on any Patch Tuesday. Said Narang: This month, Microsoft patched two zero-day vulnerabilities that were exploited in the wild CVE-2024-30051, an elevation of privilege flaw in the DWM Core Library in Microsoft Windows and CVE-2024-30040, a security feature bypass in the MSHTML (Trident) Engine in Microsoft Windows. CVE-2024-30051 is used as part of post-compromise activity to elevate privileges as a local attacker. Typically, zero-day exploitation of an elevation of privilege flaw is often associated with targeted attack campaigns. "However, we know that post-patch, threat actors continue to find success using privilege escalation flaws. For instance, a recent joint cyber security advisory about the Black Basta ransomware group from CISA, FBI, HHS and MS-ISAC noted the use of multiple privilege escalation flaws by Black Basta affiliates as part of their ransomware activity." He said CVE-2024-30051 was used to gain initial access into a target environment and required the use of social engineering tactics via email, social media or instant messaging to convince a target to open a specially crafted document file. "Once exploited, the attacker can bypass object linking and embedding mitigations in Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Office, which are security features designed to protect end users from malicious files," he added. Narang said CVE-2024-30051 was the second DWM Core Library zero-day exploited in the wild in at least the last six months. "Microsoft patched CVE-2023-36033 in November 2023. No details are public at this time for either flaw, but it is possible that in-the-wild exploitation may be linked to the same threat actor either through the discovery of another privilege escalation flaw in the same library. "Alternatively,CVE-2024-30051 could be the result of a patch bypass an incomplete fix for CVE-2023-36033. He said CVE-2024-30040 was the first vulnerability in MSHTML disclosed in 2024. "It was preceded by eight MSHTML vulnerabilities that were patched in 2023 from February 2023 through to December 2023. Of the previous eight flaws, CVE-2023-32046, an elevation of privilege vulnerability, was the only one exploited in the wild as a zero-day and patched in July 2023." Narang said the SharePoint vulnerability (CVE-2024-30044) was worthy of note as it was the only vulnerability rated critical in this months release. "While this vulnerability is also considered one of several vulnerabilities that are more likely to be exploited, exploitation requires an attacker to be authenticated to a vulnerable SharePoint Server with Site Owner permissions (or higher) first and to take additional steps in order to exploit this flaw, which makes this flaw less likely to be widely exploited as most attackers follow the path of least resistance, he explained. Going by Adan Barnett's count, the number of flaws addressed by Microsoft was 61. The lead software engineer from security firm Rapid7, said Microsoft had also patched a single critical remote code execution vulnerability, while six browser vulnerabilities were published separately this month and were not included in the total. "Microsoft Excel receives a patch for CVE-2024-30042. Successful exploitation requires that an attacker convince the user to open a malicious file, which leads to code execution, presumably in the context of the user," Barnett said. "Also of interest: Microsoft is releasing updated patches for three Windows Remote Access Connection Manager information disclosure vulnerabilities originally published in April 2024: CVE-2024-26207, CVE-2024-26217, and CVE-2024-28902. Microsoft says an unspecified regression introduced by the April patches is resolved by installation of the May patches. "Back in 2021, Microsoft started publishing the Assigning CNA (CVE Numbering Authority) field on advisories. A welcome trend of publishing advisories for third-party software included in Microsoft products continues this month with two vulnerabilities in MinGit patched as part of the May 2024 Windows security updates. "MinGit is published by GitHub and consumed by Visual Studio. CVE-2024-32002 describes a RCE vulnerability on case-insensitive filesystems that support symlinks macOS APFS comes to mind and CVE-2024-32004 describes RCE while cloning specially-crafted local repositories." Mike Walters, president and co-founder of Action1, a vendor of patch management software, elaborated on CVE-2024-30051, pointing out that this elevation of privilege vulnerability stemmed from a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) within the library. "It could allow an attacker to gain SYSTEM-level privileges on machines running vulnerable versions of Windows, starting with Windows 10 and above, including Windows Server 2016 and later," Walters explained. With a CVSS:3.1 Score: 7.8 (High), Microsoft rated this vulnerability as high, with a significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, he noted. Key vulnerability metrics for this vulnerability were: Attack Vector: Local The vulnerability can only be exploited with local access to the system. Attack Complexity: Low The attack does not require complex strategies and can be carried out with minimal prerequisites. Privileges Required: Low Only low-level privileges are needed, making the vulnerability easier to exploit. User Interaction: None No user interaction is necessary once access is obtained. "Heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities are particularly severe due to the critical nature of heap management," Walters stressed. "If exploited, this vulnerability allows an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the target process, escalating to SYSTEM privileges. By altering heap structures, an attacker could redirect code execution toward malicious payloads. "This vulnerability can be exploited by a low-privileged local user on a shared system to gain SYSTEM-level access, which could allow them to install software, alter or delete data, and modify system settings destructively. Alternatively, malware utilising a multi-stage payload might leverage this exploit to increase its privileges and further compromise the system. "Further, an attacker might use a less severe vulnerability as an entry point to gain initial low-level access to a machine and then exploit CVE-2024-30051 to escalate their privileges from a low-privileged account to SYSTEM, thereby gaining extensive control over the machine. Such SYSTEM privileges could be used to disable security features, steal sensitive data, or conduct lateral movements across the network to compromise additional systems and spread malware. "Given its critical nature and the low complexity of the exploit, CVE-2024-30051 poses a significant risk, particularly in environments with numerous and diverse local users, such as corporate networks and academic institutions. "The existence of functional exploit code and confirmed exploitation reports suggests that attackers are well-acquainted with this vulnerability and are actively exploiting it in campaigns. In light of the high level of privilege attainable through this exploit, it is crucial for organizations to prioritize deploying Microsofts official patch to mitigate potential damage." The worker carries this country. My Dads Dad was a boiler maker, jumping into fire boxes, often while still trying to keep steam trains running. Dad was a motor mechanic. My friends were mostly tradies. From these roots, this country grew along with a complex industrial relations (IR), union, and payment system that successive governments have made more complicated. Today we live and work in tech-driven knowledge economy underpinned by our history and any Budget and government activity must acknowledge this. If we are going to truly going to have a future made in Australia, we need to simplify the complexities that make it so difficult to correctly pay people. If the Government really wants Australia to lead the world on green energy, it has to make it easier for budding green energy entrepreneurs to get the right people in place. We need to seriously invest in technology and simplify the complex systems that inhibit its use to drive productivity and efficiency. Political leaders have avoided this for years because its not easy to fix and frankly, worryingly, most of them dont understand it. GUEST EVENT: Each year, TelSoc hosts the Henry Sutton Oration in Melbourne to commemorate the distinguished but scarcely known Victorian scientist, engineer, and inventor from Ballarat. Please join us for TelSocs Henry Sutton Oration for 2024 on Tuesday, 28 May. The Henry Sutton Oration is named after Henry Sutton, a prolific Victorian inventor and innovator. Henry Sutton was born in Ballarat, Victoria in 1855. He was an Australian designer, engineer, and inventor credited with contributions to early developments in electricity, aviation, wireless communication, printing, photography, and telephony. A contemporary of Nikolai Tesla and Alexander Graham Bell, he met with each of them to discuss their relative discoveries and inventions. This year's Orator is Emilio Romeo, CEO and managing director of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand The Oration is called: The Next Wave of Digitisation: Accelerating the shift to differentiated value Digitalisation and mobile technology have revolutionised the world and enriched the lives of almost every person on earth. Over the coming years, well see an acceleration of major cross-industry trends such as electrification, the green revolution, resilient supply chains, and efficiency through automation. Emilio Romeo was appointed CEO and managing director of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand in January 2016. He is member of the leadership team for Market Area Southeast Asia, India, and Oceania, and leads the Australian and New Zealand leadership team, having previously been a member for over eight years. Emilio is an experienced business leader with over 30 years experience in the telecommunications and IT industry. As a senior executive at Ericsson for over 20 years, Emilio has held a number of senior leadership roles including director, Telstra customer unit where he was responsible for securing and building Ericssons strategic partnership over five years. Prior to this, he was the director, Vodafone Hutchinson Australia customer unit and director, Hutchinson and 3GIS customer units. He has also held various senior sales and IT management positions within Ericsson and before this, BHP. Taking pride in customer relationships, he has been instrumental in driving business and technology evolution for customers across Australia and has played a key role in establishing Ericssons market leadership position in the region. Emilio is also passionate about driving a diverse workforce and implementing programs to encourage and cement inclusive work practices. Event details: Book at https://telsoc.org/event/2024-henry-sutton-oration-presented-emilio-romeo-ceo-managing-director-ericsson-australia-nz Date and time: Tue, 28 May 2024 11:45-14:00 AEST Location: Angliss Restaurant 550 Lt Latrobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia GUEST OPINION: The Australian Governments Budget announcement of investment into AI regulation underscores the need for action to address emerging AI risks. The regulatory framework we put in place today will help organisations future-proof how they evolve with AI, ensuring they reap the benefits of AI without creating vulnerabilities. All organisations aiming to benefit from AI must share the responsibility of its ethical adoption, not solely regulators. In order to integrate AI properly, leaders need to assess how AI fits into their broader goals and security and privacy policies. Without the proper guardrails in place, such as how AI tools store and protect data, organisations are vulnerable to security risks, fines, customer attrition, and reputational damage. To contain and protect valuable IP, organisations should create strict policies outlining the approved usage of AI-generated code. When incorporating third-party platforms for AI, organisations benefit from a thorough due diligence assessment ensuring that their data, both the model prompt, and output, will not be used for AI/ML model training and fine-tuning. This may inadvertently expose their intellectual property to other businesses. The promise of AI is far-reaching, from enhancing software development and marketing to finance and beyond. However, the long-term viability of AI can only be achieved with transparency and strategic implementation. Especially in a world where every company is a software company, AI-powered workflows will enhance efficiency and reduce cycle times in every phase of the software development lifecycle. By automating software delivery and securing end-to-end software supply chains, organisations can balance speed and security - securing their software supply chains, gaining full visibility into their threat landscape, and establishing policies to aid compliance adherence to deliver secure software faster. Australian organisations must commit to the safe and responsible progress of AI and invest in a privacy-first approach to power a more secure, sustainable, and productive AI journey.GitLab vice president Asia Pacific and Japan Craig Nielsen The AI inclusions in the Budget announcement earlier is a welcome step forward in ensuring that AI is developed and used in a responsible and beneficial manner. It sets forth a clear vision for the future of AI in Australia, and it provides a roadmap for how different stakeholders can work together to achieve this vision. The focus on the core principles of safety, security, transparency and accountability is a clear call to action to organisations to start adopting responsible practices. Some of these practices include controlling the way AI systems data is collected and used, while getting visibility in model inputs, outputs, and decision-making processes that can provide a clearer understanding of how AI systems operate. For any regulatory response to work, a culture of compliance will become a necessity. Implementing full visibility and control across the breadth and depth of the entire AI stack now will enable organisations to get on the front foot with these regulations. An additional consideration is the cost implications of compliance. Businesses could be required to disclose details about their operations, including the total compute power and clusters associated with their AI models. Theres also a heightened focus on ensuring the cybersecurity of AI models, which can add even more operational overhead. Practices like AI observability emerge as a crucial element to guide and support software organisations through the emerging regulatory landscape of AI. By providing in-depth insights and logging of AI system operations, AI observability enables more informed decision-making regarding where and how to invest in compliance related initiatives. It provides the necessary tools and processes to ensure safety, transparency, and continuous improvements needed in AI systems, while offering visibility to meet new requirements as they are established.New Relic chief architect Asia Pacific and Japan Peter Marelas GUEST OPINION: Last year the Federal Budget included considerable investment in the technology sector, specifically cyber security with the release of the National Cyber Security Strategy. We would have liked to seen the Government maintain this momentum, and take continued steps to help organisations protect themselves and the people they serve, such as by continuing to invest in training of cyber security professionals and educating end-users about cyber security. We know from our recent State of AI Cybersecurity 2024 report that 74% of security professionals believe AI-augmented threats are already having an impact on their business and insufficient knowledge or lack of personnel were the major inhibitors to defending against these attacks. The Government should help to upskill Australians and to solve this skills gap before we fall too far behind the attackers." We know that artificial intelligence is the hot topic in technology at the moment, but we need to see more funding put into making the day-to-day use of it a reality for Australians. AI has the power to automate the mundane tasks that bog us down every day at work and free Australian's time, allowing us to be more strategic and proactive in our work. We see this in cyber security all the time. Once AI Cyber Security is implemented, it frees up time for security team and allows them to move from a reactive approach to a proactive approach, not waiting for an attack to happen to defend their organisation, but proactively looking for vulnerabilities and upskilling team members, making their organisations safer. This change in work to be more strategic, through the use of AI, applies to many other job roles, whether it be teachers, accountants, or marketing professionals. With support to upskill the Australian population in the development and use of AI, the government could create a workforce transformation. GUEST OPINION: Automation technologies are behind an immense volume of day-to-day processes and transactions which often go unseen. Last year, our research found that 41% of Australian businesses said they would to turn to automation to support their employees. Support from digital technologies has been the saving grace for many businesses in the current economic climate. Rather than taking peoples jobs, it has helped staff. Automation has taken the repetitive, labor-intensive and mundane tasks away from humans and directed them to focus on more high-level, productive work. The bottomline is that time is spent better, which brings out a wealth of other benefits with it. But how do organisations go about this mammoth task to identify, validate, and monitor processes that can be reimagined through digitisation? Many companies have a process-improvement team. These teams use process and task mining, to create a "digital twin" to evaluate every task or transaction as it evolves, either through manual updates or if theyre smart by automation.They analyse throughput time and processes for smoother operations. In situations where tiny margins count, this allows companies to improve processes, reduce costs, and improve product quality. Intelligent automation makes quick work of business activities through its digital workforce. But the big question is, how do you know which processes should actually be automated? How to make digital twins work for you Process and task mining analyse and improve real-time business processes but focus on different aspects and have distinct methodologies. Process mining concentrates on the broader view of end-to-end business operations. It seeks to discover, monitor, and improve the entire sequence of activities and interactions within an organization, including the way tasks are connected and how data flows through the processes. Task mining focuses primarily on how individual tasks are performed by users, including the specific steps they take and the applications they use, to capture their interactions with software and systems. By extracting these valuable data insights, businesses can refine them to improve specific processes and business productivity.Digital twins are virtual models working happily side by side comparing and testing different task or process mining strategies. The real power occurs when they work in harmony to integrate plans, innovations, and technologies, without risk. To understand the role of digital twins in a successful automation strategy, lets take a closer look at the part played by process mining in helping to assess the eligibility of new processes for automation and provide an end-to-end, realistic view of combined process performance. Holistic automated process view benefits With the advancement of machine learning and intelligent automation, digital twins are now a staple in driving innovation and improving performance across most sectors, not least in the financial, healthcare, insurance, supply chain and telecom areas. Process mining is hugely beneficial for capturing a picture of how processes are performing, with process visualizations providing an accurate workflow through each of the process stages, identifying any delays or bottlenecks along the way. Process mining also makes compliance easier by using audit trails to create a model of processes. They can then be monitored in real time and alert organisations immediately to any issues. Without these process mining techniques, business process improvement goals are based on guesswork or extremely complex and time-consuming. To properly analyse process performance, youd have to perform manual data reviews and interviews with users. This isnt just a slow process, but one with a high margin of error. Process mining generates granular process maps, flowcharts, and performance metrics for entire business operations. In a rapidly evolving landscape, this helps you stay on top of your automation and identify opportunities to improve with minimal effort. For example a Fortune 100 financial services firm needed to monitor investor compliance onboarding. Relying on 16 full-time employees, only 15% of it could be monitored overall, which had a huge impact on the firm. However, process mining helped monitor 100% of transactions, saving the firm $2 million annually. Digital twins and process mining can also be very helpful for companies with large physical and digital footprints across the globe. For these businesses simple tasks such as resolving billing disputes and processing payments are ripe inefficiencies and error. Business analysis through process mining is ideal for preventing issues before they arise or become more challenging to tackle.The result in both examples is a holistic 360-degree view of business processes, asset condition, and historical data. Process mining can also monitor people, processes and tasks within a business, instantly highlighting areas for optimisation so automations can then be developed to integrate anything from artificial intelligence to software analytics. SS&C Blue Prisms Process Intelligence offers tight integration between process mining, task mining and intelligent automation. It also combines business process management (BPM) capabilities to facilitate decision-making and delivers a unified workforce with the ability to monitor, respond and even predict future outcomes. With forward integration, the automation build work is also reduced by up to 40%. These comprehensive and crucial capabilities are all integrated and delivered by digital workers. Conclusion Inefficient tasks have the potential to slow the progress of your business, hindering its growth and efficiency if they go unseen. Whether its data entry, document approvals or regulatory compliance, each process presents room for error, oversight, and non-compliance to sneak in.Digital twins and digital workers play a crucial role in process improvement and optimisation to help alleviate these challenges and spot automation opportunities, paving the way for enhanced productivity and optimized processes to ultimately accelerate and scale the success of your business. GUEST OPINION: Increased investment in tech is top of the agenda in this years Federal Budget, with the Federal Government announcing over $2.8 billion in planned investments in technology systems and policy development over the next four years. This is a significant increase from last years $2 billion. We speak to leading technology experts who explain what they see as the right investment to drive innovation in Australia. Investment in AI The budget has revealed $39.9 million over five years to support AI technology adoption in a safe and responsible manner. This includes $21.6 million for a reshaped National AI Centre. A further $2.6 million has been allocated to respond to and mitigate national security risks related to AI. Meanwhile, an additional $2.2 million has been allocated in 202425 for the Prime Minister & Cabinet for projects to uplift capability across the Australian Public Service, including AI integration and enhancing the quality of data to inform policy analysis. Generative AI has been the fastest-adopted technology, and by far the fastest-adopted business technology, in history. As it has been widely publicised, it will likely transform many industries in the short term and probably all of them over the long term, says Billy Loizou, Area VP APAC, Amperity. Tech skills training a must have to address skills gap The Federal Government has also allocated $10.6 million for implementing a reporting solution for the Australian Skills Guarantee, and for a business case to develop a modern ICT solution for Trades Recognition Australia to assess migrants skills. Andrew Gunnis, co-founder of GPTStrategic As has also been well publicised, Australia has a shortage of IT professionals. And while Australians are, in general, relatively data literate, given how central data is becoming to all our lives, theres room for improvement there as well, Loizou explains. One easy win would be for the Federal Government, ideally in partnership with the Australian tech industry, to finance and promote widespread digital skills training, ideally starting with a module on prompt engineering. That would mean more Australians and their co-workers and employees could more fully benefit from the incredible tools now readily available. Andrew Gunnis, co-founder of GPTStrategic agrees. He said the time is now to narrow the gap with other OECD nations and we must get serious about addressing the skills gap. Thats not solely a Federal Government responsibility, but it could be more proactive in partnering with private industry to deliver the digital skills training Australians will increasingly need, he adds. Either to do their current jobs or to find a new one if their industry gets disrupted. Ideally, wed also stop or at least slow the brain drain, which gets back to the government providing more funding overall to grow the local tech ecosystem. Finally, some more generous R&D support for SMEs now might just result in more Atlassian and Canvas in a few years. Cyber security risks Investment in cybersecurity remains a top priority in this years Federal Budget's technology allocation. Significant investments are being made in upgrading the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissions IT systems and improving cyber security. Jay Kim, Director, Analytics & Platform Solutions for APAC, Nexxen Government departments like DFAT, APRA, ASIC, and DPS have also received significant funding totalling over $400 million over four years to improve data capability and cyber security, among other outcomes. A robust cyber security framework can significantly boost consumer trust in digital platforms, says Jay Kim, Director, Analytics & Platform Solutions for APAC at Nexxen. With increased cyber security measures, businesses can assure users that their data is protected, encouraging consumers to engage more confidently when sharing personal information . More policies are needed to ensure towards more secure digital operations, which also enhances Australias industry's reputation as privacy-conscious and stimulate innovation for the future. Are we driving tech innovation? While the budget has been far more generous this year in its technology allocation, experts agree more should be done to drive tech business innovation. The budget needs to go away from trying to pick technology winners, as governments typically have a woeful record compared to professional investors, says Jonathan Reeve, Vice President APAC, Eagle Eye. Its been worrying to see Australia heading down this path recently with the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund and $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria fund. Jonathan Reeve, Vice President APAC, Eagle Eye Id much prefer incentives that make it easier for all investors and businesses. For example, tax offsets for businesses investing in technology and tax incentives for early-stage technology investors. Access the full Federal Budget report here. Flash On the eve of his two-day state visit to China, which starts on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a written interview with Xinhua that Russia and China are promoting the prosperity of both nations through expanded equal and mutually beneficial cooperation in economic and cultural fields. In the interview, Putin emphasized that the coordination of foreign policies between the two countries is propelling the establishment of a fair multipolar world order, which underpins the future success of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era. Putin highlighted that contemporary Russia-China relations transcend ideology and are a strategic choice made independently by the two countries regardless of the political situation. This choice is grounded in the extensive common interests, deep mutual trust, strong public support, and the genuine friendship between the peoples of the two countries. Both nations are jointly committed to safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security. "In a broader sense, we are working to contribute to the development and prosperity of Russia and China by enhancing equal, mutually beneficial economic and humanitarian cooperation, and strengthen foreign policy coordination in the interests of building a just multipolar world order. All this is the key to a future success of our comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era," said Putin. He noted that the partnership between Russia and China is always based on equality and mutual trust, mutual respect for sovereignty, and consideration of each other's interests. President Xi Jinping, a wise and visionary leader, plays a special and prominent role in the development of bilateral relations, he added. "We first met back in March 2010, and we have been seeing and calling each other regularly ever since. President Xi maintains a respectful, friendly, open and at the same time business-like style of communication," Putin said, adding that each meeting was not only a dialogue between old friends but also a fruitful exchange of views on bilateral and international agendas. Putin recalled that in 2013, President Xi chose Russia as the first destination of his state visit as China's head of state. After being re-elected as Chinese president in March last year, his first state visit was again to Russia. They spent nearly five hours together, holding one-on-one in-depth talks, followed by a day of substantive official events. "This unprecedented level of strategic partnership between our countries determined my choice of China as the first state to be visited after the official inauguration as the president of the Russian Federation," Putin emphasized. He pointed out that the deep and longstanding friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Russia and China has established one of the most important pillars of bilateral relations. Today, relations between Russia and China have reached their highest level in history, and despite a challenging international situation, the relationship continues to develop, he added. Putin underscored that this year is special for both countries, noting that October marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which is celebrating this significant historical moment with outstanding achievements. As a long-standing and reliable friend, Russia welcomes China's accomplishments, he said, adding that for three-quarters of a century, the two countries have navigated a long and sometimes difficult path, drawing lessons from different stages of their relations. Today, they recognize that complementary advantages are injecting strong momentum into the comprehensive and rapid development of bilateral ties, he said. Referring to the practical cooperation in trade and economic fields, Putin noted that the rapid development of Russia-China trade relations has been demonstrating strong immunity to external challenges and crises. In the past five years, trade between the two countries has doubled, he noted, saying that China has been Russia's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years, and in 2023, Russia ranked the fourth among China's trading partners. More than 90 percent of transactions between the companies from the two countries are settled in their national currencies, Putin added. Putin noted the two sides are systematically and consistently developing strategic cooperation in the energy sector, working on new large-scale energy projects. Supplies of Russian agricultural produce to the Chinese market are showing positive dynamics, initiatives in investment and production are being implemented, and transportation and logistics corridors between the two countries are operating smoothly and growing, he said. "I believe that Russian-Chinese economic ties have great prospects," Putin said. "We will try to establish closer cooperation in industry and high-tech, outer space and peaceful atom, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and other innovative sectors. We will keep working to provide favourable legal and organizational conditions for that and develop transport and financial infrastructure," he said. The years 2024 and 2025 are designated as the Years of Culture between Russia and China. Putin said he believes Russia and China have been inextricably linked for centuries, both by an extensive common border and by close cultural and people-to-people ties. Today, he said, there is high interest in Chinese culture and arts within Russian society. Putin noted that approximately 90,000 Russian students at various educational levels are learning Chinese, and tours and exhibitions involving Chinese artists have been highly successful. The number of tourists between the two continues to surge, with over 730,000 Russian citizens visiting China last year, he added. "I know that people in China are also keen to get acquainted with Russian literature, art and traditions. Our eminent theatre groups and musicians regularly perform in China, museums organize their exhibitions, and Russian films are run in cinemas. We are most willing to introduce our Chinese friends to historical, artistic and cultural heritage of multi-ethnic Russia in all its diversity," Putin said. The Russian president also shared his personal appreciation for Chinese culture. "I am always eager to discover China's unique and authentic traditions, especially during my visits to China. I know quite a bit about your martial arts, including Wushu, which is very popular in our country. I also have respect for Chinese philosophy. My family members are also interested in China, and some of them are learning Chinese." Putin highly values the collaboration between Russia and China on the international stage. He noted that the two countries hold similar or identical positions on key issues in the international agenda. Both advocate for the primacy role of international law, and support equal, indivisible, comprehensive and sustainable security at both the global and regional level with the UN's central coordinating role, he said, adding Russia and China also reject Western attempts to impose an order based on lies and hypocrisy, on some mythical rules of no one knows whose making. Currently, multilateral mechanisms such as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) are uniting countries of the "Global South" in a spirit of equality, openness, transparency and inclusiveness, pushing for reforms in the global governance system. Putin noted that with active participation from Russia and China, multilateral organizations and mechanisms that are independent of the West are successfully operating, saying that in their work they build on the principles of equality, justice, transparency, respect and consideration of each other's interests. "The Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, which have well established themselves as key pillars of the emerging multipolar world order, can be cited as vivid examples of such mutually beneficial cooperation. They have come to be reputable and dynamic international platforms whose participants build constructive political, security, economic and cultural and people-to-people interaction. Hence the ever increasing interest of other states in the work of these associations and the growing number of their participants," Putin said. With the expansion as a new starting point, the BRICS cooperation mechanism has entered a new era of "greater BRICS cooperation." Russia is the rotating chair of the BRICS this year. Putin stated that Russia's BRICS Chairmanship has gained a steady momentum, saying that full-scale work is underway on all three main pillars of cooperation -- politics and security, the economy and finance, and people-to-people exchanges, with more than 200 events planned during its chairmanship. "One of the main goals of the Russian Chairmanship is undoubtedly the seamless integration of the BRICS new members. We are actively assisting them in joining the existing network of cooperation mechanisms," he said. Another priority is to seek to continue coordinated work to enhance the visibility of BRICS in global affairs and build its capacity to promote a more democratic, stable and fair architecture of international relations, he added. "Cooperation within BRICS relies on the principles of mutual respect, equality, openness and consensus. That is why countries of the Global South and East, which see BRICS as a platform for their voices to be certainly heard and taken into account, find our association so attractive," Putin said. Regarding China's efforts towards the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, Putin expressed positive views on China's position. He said that China clearly understands the roots of the Ukraine crisis and its global geopolitical impact, as reflected in the "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis," a 12-point proposition issued by China in February 2023. The concepts and suggestions indicated in the document demonstrate the sincere desire of China to stabilize the situation, he added. Putin emphasized that the four principles for the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis recently proposed by Xi seamlessly fit in the above-mentioned document. "The steps build on the idea that we need to forego the 'Cold War mentality' and ensure indivisible security and respect for international law and the UN Charter in their entirety and interrelation," he said. "We have never refused to negotiate," Putin said. "We are seeking a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of this conflict through peaceful means. We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours." Putin also outlined the goals and plans for national development during his new term. He mentioned that the tasks proposed in the annual address to the Federal Assembly on Feb. 29, such as promoting regional development, boosting economic and social development, increasing the birth rate, supporting families with children, and eradicating poverty and inequality, are of great practical significance. "We recognize the scale of these challenges and can provide solutions. To do this we will rely on the consolidated will of our people, the necessary resources and capabilities, and the rich experience of interaction between the state, businesses and the civil society," he said. Putin pointed out that, calculated based on purchasing power parity, Russia has now been among the top five economies globally. "We are aiming for the top four largest economies on the planet. We prioritize such tasks as ensuring quality and the effective development across all spheres, as well as increasing our citizens' well-being," he said. "I am confident that we will implement all the strategic plans we have set. We are willing to work together with our partners worldwide, including China, our good neighbour and trusted friend," Putin said. The N.C. House sent to a legislative concurrence committee Wednesday a controversial bill that would force all North Carolina sheriffs to cooperate with federal ICE officers. ICE stands for the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement division of U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The House rejected by a 108-3 vote significant changes made to House Bill 10. The Senate passed HB10 by a 28-16 vote on May 2. The Senate version of HB10 requires all sheriffs to hold suspects in certain crimes for at least 48 hours when their immigration status is unknown or they are in the country illegally. Rep. Destin Hall, R-Watauga, said on the House floor in encouraging a no vote that there are enough differences between House and Senate intent with the legislation that the concurrence committee is necessary. Hall said concurrence negotiations are likely to begin next week. If HB10 clears the legislature, and the Republican supermajority overrides a likely veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, it is scheduled to go into effect July 1. Cooper successfully vetoed versions of the ICE legislation in 2019 and 2022 when Republicans did not have supermajorities in each chamber. Although more than 90 sheriffs in North Carolina voluntarily comply with ICE requests, several Democratic sheriffs in metro counties including Bobby Kimbrough of Forsyth County and Danny Rogers of Guilford County have limited their cooperation. Efforts to reach Kimbrough for comment have been unsuccessful. Rogers said in a statement that he is not opposed to immigration reform. However, the courts have been clear that the Fourth Amendments constitutional protections against an unlawful seizure of the person apply even to non-citizens, Rogers said. Holding an individual in one of our detention centers based solely on an ICE detainer could raise Fourth Amendment concerns because an ICE detainer is an administrative document (often prepared by an ICE agent), and not a judicial warrant or order issued by a judge or magistrate. Rogers said that if an undocumented individual is detained for a criminal act, and a warrant or order has been issued saying that I need to hold them, then I will. That is my duty as the sheriff of Guilford County. My goal is to continue to collaborate with the local magistrate and courthouse and promote public safety in Guilford County. Cooper has expressed concerns about potential criminal penalties for sheriffs who decline to cooperate with ICE in detaining inmates. Bill sponsors said HB10 contains language they believe addresses Coopers concerns. That didnt prevent Sen. Buck Newton, R-Wilson, from calling hard-headed the sheriffs who arent fully cooperating with ICE. House Bill 10 is commonsense legislation that will help authorities deport those who illegally cross the border and commit heinous crimes, said Newton, chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee. The question now is whether Attorney General Stein will support the bill and new enforcement authority, or continue to run from the issue. Public speakers opposed to the legislation expressed concerns to the Senate Rules and Operations committee that HB10 could be used by ICE to hold Hispanic individuals on detainer requests for minor traffic violations. The bill was amended in the Senate Judiciary committee to allow any person, including a federal agency, to file a complaint to the state attorney general alleging that an administrator has failed to comply or is failing to comply with the law. The person would be required to provide evidence in support of the complaint. If the attorney general determines there is sufficient evidence that a sheriff has failed to comply with the law, the attorney general can file a petition for declaratory or injunctive relief, either in Wake County Superior Court or the appropriate local Superior Court. Hall has said HB10 only affects an ICE inquiry when someone is accused of a serious crime, such as murder, homicide, rape and other sex offenses, kidnapping and abduction and human trafficking. They would be held long enough for ICE to come in and do their job in a more controlled environment, rather than in local communities in a much more dangerous environment, Hall told the Judiciary committee Tuesday. Bill opponents say voters in those counties elected Democratic sheriffs knowing their stance on ICE cooperation, and HB10 is an attempt to usurp their authority. The advocacy group El Pueblo responded Wednesday to HB10 being sent to the concurrence committee by saying it is still a real threat to becoming law ... and our work now is to keep the pressure on our senators and representatives to act against this dangerous bill. HB10 is not about community safety. If it becomes law, it will separate families, it will expose sheriffs to costly lawsuits, it will plant fear in our immigrant communities as similar legislation has done in other states where immigrant communities fled and caused serious negative impacts to the economy of these states. Flash Warplanes of the U.S.-British naval coalition on Tuesday launched four airstrikes on the airport of Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, which is under Houthi control, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. The Houthi television did not provide further details, but local residents said on social media they heard big explosions and saw fire rising from the facility following the air raids. The coalition has yet to comment on the fresh airstrikes, but earlier in the day, the U.S. Central Command posted a statement on X, saying its forces on Monday intercepted and destroyed two drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from the "Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled area of Yemen" towards the Red Sea. "There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels," it said. Also on Monday, the coalition said it conducted another airstrike on the same airport, which is being used by the Houthi fighters as a base. Hodeidah's airport has been closed since late 2014 when the Houthi group seized control over the port city following the eruption of the civil war in Yemen between the Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government. The Houthis began last November to launch anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones targeting what they said were Israeli-linked ships transiting the Red Sea, to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In response, the U.S.-British naval coalition stationed in the waters has since January conducted air raids and missile strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen, including Hodeidah's airport to deter the group, but only led to an expansion of Houthi attacks to include U.S. and British commercial vessels and naval ships. A Lincoln woman who is a recovering, self-described junkie, has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for selling heroin to someone who overdosed and nearly died in December 2021. Lidia Kula, who has lost seven friends in the last two years to overdoses, said Tuesday she honestly didn't think she'd be sitting there in court. "I thought I was just going to be the next statistic that overdosed on fentanyl and lost their life," she said. "So I'm grateful to be here today." Police began investigating Kula after she was identified as the source of heroin that caused a man to overdose on Dec. 27, 2021. He was found unconscious in a ditch near Northwest 12th Street and West Cornhusker Highway. In a press release, United States Attorney Susan Lehr said a witness had seen him fall, stopped and started CPR. When officers arrived, they gave him Narcan and he woke up. Phone records tied Kula to the heroin he'd taken. In the weeks that followed, she sold a half-gram of black-tar heroin to an undercover Lincoln police officer three times, according to prosecutors. At sentencing, Kula's federal public defender, Jessica Milburn, said this was a case involving a woman and a circle of friends who all were users. Kula never was in possession of large amounts of drugs. She was someone who helped others get it. Not that it excused her actions, she said. Now, Kula is a recovering opioid addict, which is horrid to overcome, Milburn said. But she's doing well. Federal prosecutors, as part of an agreement with the defense, wanted Kula to get 14 years. But in the end, Senior U.S. District Judge John Gerrard gave her 11. "I don't have to say you were in a bad spot, bad condition, two years ago," he said. "You're right. You're lucky to be alive." AP Sports Week in Pictures: The Olympics, baseball and the NBA playoffs Terrance Burnett is looking forward. Soon, he'll be released from Community Corrections Center Lincoln and when he leaves, he'll have a commercial driver's license and a path toward a well-paying job in a high-demand industry. "We're not always in the most positive atmosphere, you know, being incarcerated," he said. "So there has to be something greater that you hold on to, to believe that you can do." A new partnership the first of its kind in the state between the city of Lincoln, the state and Hill Brothers' Pro-Fleet Driving Academy offered him that. He was among the first five Community Corrections inmates to take classes through Lincoln's American Job Center program while they were still incarcerated. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, who has earmarked nearly 30% of the city's $46 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars toward workforce development, has directed $650,000 of that toward the commercial driver's license program to help meet demand for drivers. The program covers the $5,000 tuition and helps participants with transportation and other needs. The city's goal was to credential at least 40 people, and 34 are enrolled now, said Dylan Wren, the city's workforce administrator at the American Job Center. The Community Corrections inmates are among them, thanks to a partnership that Nebraska Department of Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys said will be a blueprint to create similar programs to help reduce recidivism. There are multiple factors necessary to help people successfully reintegrate into society once they're released from prison, and finding gainful employment and earning a livable wage is paramount to that process, he said. What truly sets this program apart is the recognition of untapped potential for those reentering back into the communities, he said. These individuals possess remarkable talent and a genuine desire to succeed. Jeffreys said the department had more than 70 people express interest in participating. Mitch Evans, who coordinates the four-week program for Hill Brothers, approached the state about including Community Corrections inmates, and the state agreed to waive its driving restrictions so inmates could participate. Al Hill, owner of Hill Brothers Transportation in Omaha, said the trades industry has been neglected for years, creating a huge demand for drivers in the transportation industry. At a recent conference, one of the speakers said an often overlooked group is people who've served their sentences and are looking for a second chance. "This is all about a second chance," he said. The average annual income for truck drivers in Lancaster County is $84,000, Hill said, and the time and money required to become credentialed is much less than traditional educational pursuits. Of the five participants in the first cohort, four got their certificates during a news conference Wednesday, shaking hands with state and local officials including the mayor, governor, corrections officials and representatives of Hill Brothers. One of the participants, who was recently released, already has a job, Evans said. Another, who will be released in a month, got a job offer from someone at the crowded news conference. Hell start when hes released in a month. Gov. Jim Pillen said the program is a needed step to helping people find a career and successfully reenter the community. Today is about life 101. Todays about redemption, he said. Today is about forgiving ourselves and moving on and becoming an incredible force in society. Burnett, who is finishing a sentence for assault by strangulation and terroristic threats, said he's looking forward to offering support to others who participate in the program, helping to motivate them to stick with it. "The best is yet to come," he said. Top Journal Star photos for May 2024 Flash A man searches among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on May 14, 2024. [Photo/Palestinian News Agency handout via Xinhua] At least 40 people were killed and others injured after midnight Monday by Israeli bombardment in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, the Palestine TV reported. Israeli warplanes bombed a residential building owned by the Karaja family in the south of the Nuseirat camp, with children among the casualties, it said. The Israeli army has repeatedly struck the Nuseirat camp. In a recent attack in late April, Israeli warplanes targeted a populated house in the refugee camp with a number of missiles, killing at least nine Palestinians, including four children, and injuring 30 others. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has exceeded 35,000, according to the health authorities in Gaza. In a move that has riled Nebraska's Democratic Party and threatened to complicate his own path to the U.S. Senate, independent candidate Dan Osborn announced Wednesday that he would not accept endorsements from any political party or politician as he seeks to unseat Republican Sen. Deb Fischer. At a news conference in the garage of his Omaha home Wednesday morning, Osborn pledged to decline "the endorsement of every party and politician in America," only accepting the endorsements of "regular Nebraskans." I can't be charmed. I can't be schmoozed. I wont be sucking up to anyone," said Osborn, a former union president who led a 77-day strike at Kelloggs in 2021 before he was fired from his job last year in what he characterized as retaliation. "And most importantly, I can't be bought." His announcement, though, blindsided Nebraska's Democratic Party, which was set to vote to endorse Osborn on Saturday, said party chair Jane Kleeb, who accused Osborn's campaign of misleading Democrats for months by indicating in private meetings that Osborn wanted the party's endorsement and ensuring the Democrats did not put forward their own candidate in the race for the Senate seat held by Fischer, who is seeking her third term. "They lied to us," Kleeb said in a phone interview Wednesday morning. "And if they lied to us, they're going to lie again, I'm sure." She said Osborn's campaign informed the party of his announcement about 20 minutes before he held Wednesday morning's press conference making the news public. His campaign cited a poll that indicated the party's endorsement would turn away some would-be Osborn voters, Kleeb said. In response, Kleeb said the party will put forward a write-in candidate to represent Democrats a move that would likely deal a blow to Osborn's bid to be the first non-Republican elected to the U.S. Senate in Nebraska since 2006. "The reason we kept our party line open was to endorse Dan and create a coalition of independents, Republicans and Democrats to unseat Fischer," Kleeb said. "And if Dan would have told us from the beginning, 'I'm an independent. I don't want other parties' endorsements or other parties' help in defeating Fischer,' we would have put somebody in the race." Through a spokesman, Osborn said Kleeb's remarks represented "the kind of behavior (that) is frankly the exact reason I decided not to take political endorsements." "I'm a true independent who will never bow to the wishes of any political party," Osborn said, adding: "Americans are sick of political elites putting party over principle and so am I. Kleeb, though, rejected Osborn's attempt to "turn this on (her)" after, she said, Osborn had utilized the Democratic Party's infrastructure to campaign for Senate while misleading the party's leaders about his intent. The chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party since 2016, Kleeb said "this has never happened to (her) in politics before," blasting Osborn as "deceitful." Facing questions over what a Democratic write-in campaign might mean for the race to unseat Fischer the favorite in the race whose campaign would likely be boosted if a write-in campaign split the progressive vote Kleeb maintained that "that's a decision (Osborn) made." "That's not on my conscience," she said. "He could call us up today and say, 'You're right, I gave you my word. And my word means a lot to me, so I want the party's endorsement and I want the assistance of Democrats and I'm gonna go after independents and Republicans as well.'" "It's not my job to build the independent party," Kleeb added. "It's my job to build the Democratic Party." Osborn's announcement and Kleeb's response came one day after Tuesday's primary election in Nebraska seemed to clear the field for an Osborn versus Fischer matchup in November's general election, as Fischer sailed to a primary victory over a little-known challenger with nearly 80% of the vote. Though Osborn, who had to gather signatures to crack November's ballot, did not appear on a primary ballot, his campaign scored a proxy victory in the race for Nebraska's Legal Marijuana NOW Party's U.S. Senate primary. In that race, Kerry Eddy, a Lincoln woman and Nebraska Air National Guard veteran who joined the marijuana party and sought its Senate nomination to boost Osborn's odds at unseating Fischer, prevailed over Kenneth Peterson, a marijuana party devotee who Eddy had blasted as an unserious "weed bro." On her campaign website and in political mailers, Eddy had outlined her plan to win the party's primary before dropping out of the race ahead of November's general election and pushing would-be Eddy voters to support Osborn a plot that angered marijuana party loyalists who called the effort dishonest "shenanigans." Legal Marijuana NOW party voters resoundingly backed Eddy's run, supporting her bid in a 2-to-1 margin over Peterson and handing a de facto victory to Osborn. Eddy hasn't yet decided whether she will drop out of the race, she said Tuesday, a decision she has until August to make. If Eddy does reject the party's nomination, state law would allow the Legal Marijuana NOW Party to choose a replacement nominee via a mass convention or through the party's executive committee. The marijuana party's chairman, Mark Elworth Jr., has pledged to seek the Senate seat himself if Eddy drops out, creating the spoiler scenario that Eddy sought to avoid one that may now be inevitable anyway if the Democrats undertake a write-in campaign. The newfound uncertainty surrounding the race could pose a threat to the everyman campaign of Osborn, a steamfitter and U.S. Navy veteran who led Fischer by 2 points in a November poll conducted by a liberal research firm, though local political observers have questioned some of the polls methods and findings. His campaign raised more than $450,000 in the first quarter of 2024 and has raised more than $1 million since he launched his run last year, according to his campaign, which called Osborn's run "the strongest independent campaign in Nebraska in 80 years." Fischer, meanwhile, has millions in her campaign war chest and garnered the most votes of any candidate in Nebraska's primary election Tuesday, outpacing Sen. Pete Ricketts by about 1,500 votes and surpassing former President Donald Trump by around 6,000 votes. Both men won their primary contests in landslides, but by smaller margins than Fischer won hers. Fischer last won reelection to the Senate in 2018 with 57% of the vote. Nebraska hasn't sent a non-Republican to the Senate since 2006, when Sen. Ben Nelson, a Democrat, won a second term. He opted not to seek a third term in 2012 and was replaced in the body by Fischer, a rancher and former state lawmaker who initially vowed to only serve two terms in the Senate. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe You are here: World Flash Rescuers work among the rubble after a missile attack in Pecherskyi district, Kiev, Ukraine, March 25, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Ukraine's state-run energy company Ukrenergo said on Tuesday that it will introduce power supply restrictions to industrial and household consumers across the country. Electricity limitation schedules for industry and households will be in place from 9 p.m. to midnight Tuesday, and on Wednesday, the measure for industrial consumers will be in effect round-the-clock, the company said in a post on Telegram. The power supply restrictions will not affect critical infrastructure facilities, Ukrenergo said. Ukrenergo said the company has to introduce the measure because of the significant electricity shortage caused by Russian attacks and increased consumption triggered by the cold weather. Last month, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine has lost more than 8 GW of its capacity in recent months due to Russian attacks. Before the conflict with Russia, the installed capacity of Ukraine's energy system exceeded 50 GW, according to media reports. 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